Garcia: They would look like fools

The Arima school which has had several issues with the construction of a new building since before 2010, is now facing electrical problems. In 2012 the school was closed for the new term because parents did not want their children on the compound as the buildings were dilapidated. The Education Ministry constructed and installed pre-engineered classrooms which housed infants to standard three students while standards four and five remained in the concrete structure of the original school.

In September 2013, first year to the standard three students had to stay home for more than two weeks because of the previous years unresolved issues with the buildings. During the July/August vacation period this year, the schools cafeteria was burnt.

When Newsday visited the Pommegranate Avenue, Phase One school, one workman was seen doing minor work. The area where the steel frame for the new school is being built, suggested no construction was done for some time as bush has overtaken most of the walking area.

One parent said, Tomorrow (today) the parents would be protesting as we are fed up of the same thing every year. In response to the fears communicated by parents concerning the reopening of the school, Minister of Education Anthony Garcia said, There is nothing preventing the school from being reopened. After we visited the Arima North Secondary School, we went to Malabar Government Primary and the contractor is doing the final cleaning work. There is no problem associated with that school. When asked about the resumption of work on the new school, Garcia said, I have spoken to the contractors and they have agreed to resume operations shortly. Garcia also explained the burnt area of the Malabar school was refurbished and the school was going to be ready.

When told parents wanted to protest outside the school this morning, Garcia said, They would look like fools.
Young: PNM steadying the ship

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young expressed this view ahead of the two year anniversary on Thursday of the PNMs general elections victory of 2015. Young recalled when the PNM assumed office, the treasury was given a parting gift by the UNC (United National Congress) of backpay to the tune of approximately $5 billion when revenue had crashed. He continued, These and other inherited matters meant that the new PNM administration had to deal with serious economic crisis immediately upon assuming office. While noting the many criticisms levelled against the PNM, Young said, The Government has managed to stabilise the economy despite these many challenges and this is often overlooked. He added energy revenue was down by approximately 92 per cent when the PNM assumed office in 2015.

Young said Government continues to deal with unsustainable expenditure while working, on improving revenue and cutting waste. He said the PNM has been successful in addressing gas curtailment issues, expired upstream and downstream gas supply contracts and billion dollar claims against the National Gas Company (NGC), which it inherited from the UNC.

The minister said contracts for future upstream gas supply, stabilisation efforts with the downstream industry and the possibility of cross border gas from Venezuelas Dragon Field are some of the PNMs successful energy initiatives to date.

Young also hoped an announcement will be made soon on a proposed Sandals resort in Tobago which will provide a significant boost to the countrys tourism sector. These are a few of the achievements in the first two years of this administration. However UNC MP Dr Roodal Moonilal countered, The PNM government has collapsed. He claimed there have been a total of 24 scandals over the last 24 months. Moonilal said the recent swearing in of Robert Le Hunte as Public Utilities Minister and the procurement of vessels for the seabridge are two examples of this.

He said the UNC over the past two years has proven itself to be a genuine alternative to the PNM. Moonilal said the country knows the capacity and care that Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has for it.

He said the UNC continues to work, in mobilisation and policy formulation. However former minister Mariano Browne and Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah do not believe either the PNM or the UNC have demonstrated the ability to solve burning national issues.

According to Browne, neither party has been able to inspire public confidence in the areas of confidence, leadership and management.

Browne said the UNC is not providing the country, with the type of opposition required at this time. Given the current economic circumstances, Browne said the country has to transition itself towards smaller budgets. He said were it not for the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund and the countrys foreign exchange reserves, TT would find itself in a 1986 moment. Browne said the UNC does not understand the countrys economic challenges while the PNM is not communicating effectively to the population about how to address these challenges.

Abdulah said the UNC had no moral authority to criticise the PNM, given its abysmal track record in office over the last five years.

He said the population has not forgotten the huge deficits ran up during this period or the plethora of unresolved corruption allegations which faced the last government.

Abdulah said the PNM has disappointed many citizens because it has not done what it promised to do two years ago.

He said management of the economy, tackling corruption and local government reform are but some of the areas in which the PNM has either done nothing or is not working fast enough to give the public any kind of confidence that things will improve.
Five months after a potato shortages cause a halt in the sales of some potato chip products, competition is now intensifying between two major snack makers as they return to normal operations.

Calbee Inc. and rival Koike-Ya Inc. will resume sales of almost all of their potato chip brands within the month, after securing an adequate supplies of potatoes. The two companies also plan to launch new snack products.

The companies suspended or ended sales of some brands of their potato chips this spring, after a poor potato crop in Hokkaido due to flood damage caused by typhoons last summer.

The potato chip "shortage" captured public attention.

Since then, Calbee has made efforts to diversify its sources of raw materials.

The company has been working to transform rice paddies in Iwate, Miyagi and Kumamoto prefectures into potato fields. It has also been promoting the development of disease-resistant potato varieties.

Koike-Ya plans to promote mechanization and expand joint operations to deal with manpower shortages at farms.

For new products, Calbee will introduce potato chips that taste like local specialties of each of the 47 prefectures, launching the different varieties in stages starting this month. They are expected to be priced at around 120 per pack.
California bureaucrats to start PAYING gang-bangers if they stop killing people how could this go wrong?

Perhaps one of the most bizarre job-creation schemes ever devised is about to be put in place by far-Left ideologues in Californias capital city of Sacramento.

As reported by Fox40, the city council has just approved a program called Advance Peace in which taxpayer funds will be utilized to pay criminals and gang members not to kill one another.

The report noted the impulsiveness of the decision to implement such a program:

After a violent weekend of suspected gang-related shootings, Tuesday the Sacramento City Council took action to reduce the bloodshed.

It approved a controversial program called Advance Peace, which offers cash stipends to gang members who remain peaceful.

The program is already in use in Richmond and is also being considered in Stockton. Some believe [sic] it can help curve violent crime.

The program is the brainchild of Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who actually pushed a vote on it two weeks early because of one weekends worth of violence (are you now asking yourself why this brilliant idea has yet to occur to the mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel?).

Lets get going doing everything we can to save innocent lives, Steinberg said.

The program will offer cash payments to key gang agitators, Fox40 reported, if they graduate high school and stay peaceful. The Lefties running the city of Richmond have said their program is reducing violent crime.

The program in Sacramento is expected to cost the city $1.5 million annually (at first).

Allen Brown, a friend of a recent shooting victim named Ernie Cadina, said the program is asinine.

Hows the vote going to change anything? Its up to the community to change, you know what I mean? Its just senseless, he told the local Fox affiliate.

Paying thugs not to be thugs is the latest anti-crime trend among pointy-headed liberals who have long abandoned principles of law and order that actually do reduce crime  and without the added cost of bribing the criminals.

Not only is the amount being offered  something close to $1,000 a month in some cases  enough to sustain someone, just imagine how many would-be criminals will step up to claim they will be bad boys and girls if they dont start getting some payola. (Related: There is a storm of civil unrest coming and you need to be fit to fight  Heres how to prepare.)

If you dont think thats possible, a look at Washington, D.C.s pilot pay a criminal program is a case study in stupidity. As noted by Twitchy, the D.C. City Council implemented a pilot program in February 2016 to pay up to 200 people per year whove been identified as being at risk for committing a crime. Are they kidding? Talk about gullible.

And whats to stop the criminal element from actually committing more crime once he/she is getting a stipend? Are they going to be under surveillance 24/7 by police (or city councilmen and women)? Whats to stop someone getting a payment already from demanding a higher payment, which is extortion?

Whats more, most Americans dont even support having their tax money used to pay off criminals; a 2016 survey by Rasmussen Reports found that 81 percent think such an idea absurd, compared to just 5 percent who say otherwise.

Under our system of federalism, states and cities are free to experiment with public policies. We wont all agree on those policies, but that doesnt mean states and cities should not be permitted to remain test beds of democracy.

But honestly, paying criminals not to be criminals is a policy that is ripe for abuse and bound to fail. The best, and proven, ways to protect people are 1) robust police presence; 2) no restrictions on the Second Amendment; 3) long jail sentences for the worst offenders.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

Twitchy.com

Discussionist.com

Fox40.com

Sheeple.news

Submit a correction >>
Algeria is bracing for tough times characterized by uncertainty at the security, economic and political levels. The countrys economy remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbon exports, which saw a sharp decline after the oil price plunge combined with an opaque regime whose living-dead president is leaving question marks over who really runs the country.

The return of residual terrorism under the banner of IS is also bringing back memories of the 1990s when the country was facing the same precarious economic and political conditions.

The alarm bell was rang by Algerias Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui who warned that his country is going through a serious period characterized by a range of security risks surrounding the country.

The security issue has always been used to silence dissent and blackmail opponents. The government, which acts as a facade of the deep state, is using the argument that without the authoritarian status quo Algeria will crumble.

Bringing back memories of the black decades, the Interior Minister called on all Algerians to be highly vigilant and cautious and to assist the different security services in their mission to maintain Algerias security and stability.

Such statements were propagated in the governments mouthpiece media, which invoke the looming IS threat after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt in an attack on a police station killing two policemen last week.

As Algerias security deteriorates, so does the social fabric. The state is no longer able to maintain lavish subsidies and braces for budget cuts and austerity measures that will see the country resorting to borrowing in two years at best.

Algerians who are used to state handouts under the form of subsidies will not let austerity measures be imposed without a fight. Venting frustration and anger at the failed economic policies that squandered Algerias oil money is expected. To thwart such dissent, the Algerian regime is systematically using its co-opted media to warn of looming real security risks to silence the opposition and keep the status quo.
Sweden has put off its plan to build reception centers for Moroccans who saw their asylum applications rejected, Swedish media reported.

Sweden decided to put on hold the reception centers after Germany withdraw from the project

In February, Swedens then home affairs minister Anders Ygeman announced that Sweden and Germany would jointly invest in building youth centers in Morocco in order to be able to send back migrants who had been denied asylum in Sweden or Germany but remained in the two countries.

Swedish authorities put forward the argument that building such centers would make it easier for Moroccan authorities to accept the migrants back.

The Germans are no longer interested, Swedens minister for justice and home affairs Morgan Johansson told Swedish Television. So it is not possible to carry out the project, which has been put on ice.

According to Johansson, the Swedish government has been trying other approaches, such as talking directly with Moroccan authorities. He said Morocco is now agreeing to accept more returnees than in the past.

Last May, the German Die Tageszeitung (taz) daily newspaper published contents of leaked documents showing that the German Federal Agency for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) was planning a project to build two reception centers in Morocco to deport underage refugees.

More than 60,000 unaccompanied underage refugees  asylum seekers under the age of 18  now live in special centers in Germany, according to Die Zeit. The paper also said the German government plans to spend some 4 billion on accepting and supporting refugee minors in 2017.

Almost 40,000 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in Germany in 2016, Deutsche Welle reports, citing data provided by the BAMF. According to the German media, no underage refugees have been deported from Germany so far, although about 170 left voluntary last year under the German governments repatriation and reintegration programs.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, discussed over the phone Monday progress made in the implementation of the strategic Atlantic Gas Pipeline that will carry Nigerian gas through six West African countries to Morocco with a potential for export to Europe.

The two heads of state discussed bilateral relations, with focus on the state of progress of the strategic pipeline project, the royal office said in a statement.

The two heads of State welcomed in this vein the concrete steps made towards the materialization of the pipeline project, in particular through the regular meetings and exchanges undertaken by the common bodies set up for this purpose.

King Mohammed VI and President Buhari voiced their shared resolve to strengthen further their countries bilateral relations in all fields and to implement the actions and projects agreed upon during the Moroccan Kings visit to Abuja in December 2016.

The projects cover many sectors, including agriculture, fertilizer production, and security cooperation.

The Atlantic Gas Pipeline, to stretch over 4000km, is an ambitious project that will extend to the Mediterranean the existing West African Gas Pipeline transporting Nigerian gas to Ghana.

The project will contribute to creating a regional electricity market and be a substantial source of energy, which will help develop industry, improve economic competitiveness and speed up social development, King Mohammed VI had underscored in a Speech before the African Union Summit.

The pipeline will help build more peaceful bilateral and multilateral relations and thus create an environment conducive to development and growth, he had said.
The Moroccan banking group, Attijariwafa bank, and the Sumitomo Corporation Europe Limited, one of the branches of the Japanese giant, have signed recently a memorandum of understanding, under which they agreed to establish a long-term partnership for the implementation of major development projects in Africa.

The memorandum seeks to promote cooperation between the two groups in the automotive, infrastructure, chemical, mining and agricultural sectors in Africa and Morocco, said Attijariwafa bank in a statement released on Monday.

This is an opportunity for our two groups to work together in Africa. This partnership opens promising prospects for Sumitomo Corporation for the development of its investments and commercial flows with the help of our group, Boubker Jai was quoted in the statement as saying.

For his part, Ikari Data, Managing Director in charge of Business Development at the Sumitomo branch said the agreement with Attijariwafa bank will support the Japanese groups presence and operations at the continental level.

The agreement will also enable Sumitomo Corporation to have access to the network and expertise of Attijariwafa bank group, which is now an integrated African financial group capable of supporting our new regional strategy in the countries where the group is already operating, the groups executive said.

The agreement was signed by Boubker Jai, CEO of Attijariwafa bank, and Bin Haga, CEO of Sumitomo Corporation Europe Limited, said the statement.

The Sumitomo Corporation Group is already present in Morocco where it operates with local distributors of Japanese brands. It is also present in South Africa.
Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Until historic rains began to fall in southeast Texas, the political forecast for September in Washington was stormy, with a good chance of a manmade disaster. There were must-pass debt limit and appropriations bills that are obvious targets for hostage-takers (including the president of the United States); leftover health-care legislation; some key reauthorizations; no time to waste; no bipartisan agreements to speak of; and deep divisions among the ruling Republicans.

Now a real natural disaster (with some help from humans) has symbolically hit Washington just as surely as it actually hit Houston. And the climate has changed in ways that may help Congress and the White House get through September without the kind of legislative crises we previously expected. But because so much remains up in the air as Congress prepares to reconvene on September 5, its best to discuss the many possibilities via a series of questions.

1) When will Congress begin making money available for Harvey relief and recovery?

The White House indicated it would be quickly sending a $5.9 billion emergency appropriations request, with most of that money going to FEMA, whose disaster fund is quickly being drawn down. This money is generally being described as a down payment on much larger future requests. The sense of urgency about it suggests the first batch of money will get through Congress as a stand-alone bill; any linkage of Harvey relief to other legislation will probably involve a second batch, put together later in September.

2) Whats the relationship of Harvey money to general government funding, which runs out at the end of September  creating potential for another shutdown?

Theres none in principle  but it is now generally assumed a short-term continuing resolution funding the federal government at current levels until December or possibly January will be lubricated by some serious Harvey-related money. Thats true both legislatively (the general and specific appropriations will be put into a single bill requiring a majority in the House and 60 votes in the Senate) and symbolically (its just bad form to shut down the federal government, as various hostage-takers have threatened to do, while the country is still dealing with a disaster of Harveys vast dimensions).

Already, the president has informally withdrawn his threat of vetoing the CR if it fails to include border-wall money (as have the House Freedom Caucus members who were backing up his threat). It looks like Pentagon enthusiasts are backing off their plans for a big fight over removing defense-spending caps in the CR as well. Both these battles, and potentially others, wont be eliminated entirely, but just delayed until the CR expires. In fact, because any annual cuts or increases in spending must be accomplished in only part of the year, the fights could become more savage at that later date. But for now, thanks to Harvey, a government shutdown on September 30 looks very unlikely.

3) Meanwhile, financial markets are nervous that the federal government will hit its debt limit soon (potentially creating cataclysmic havoc), and some conservatives seem ready to play chicken. Will Harvey relief money be leveraged to help raise the debt limit too?

Probably, though that is a bit less clear. As recently as a week ago, the House Freedom Caucus was rattling sabers against the clean debt limit increase that the Trump administration and congressional Republicans wanted. As usual, they were demanding spending cuts or new budget rules that would make future spending harder to enact. And congressional Democrats were not entirely onboard a clean bill, which is significant because their votes would be needed to reach the Senates 60-vote threshold, or even to get a bill out of the House if the HFC opposed it. Now opposition to getting this essential piece of work done seems to be melting. At the moment, HFC leaders seem more concerned about keeping the debt-limit bill separate from Harvey funding  on grounds that it would be especially unseemly to increase the debt limit while also massively increasing spending  than with making spending-cut demands of their own. So ironically, we could see these fiscal conservatives become converted to the cause of a clean debt-limit bill after all. Nothing would better illustrate the changed September climate.

4) What else has to happen in September?

There are some important federal programs whose legal authority or funding runs out at the end of the fiscal year. The biggest is the Childrens Health Insurance Program, the Clinton-era state-administered supplement to Medicaid that provides health insurance to about 9 million children. The program has long had solid bipartisan support (though the Trump administrations dead-on-arrival budget proposal took a large chunk out of it). For that reason, its reauthorization has become a target for potential hostage-takers. Republicans have talked about attaching a repeal of the medical device tax enacted by the Affordable Care Act to a CHIP reauthorization, to salvage something from its failed Obamacare repeal-and-replace initiative. And its probably crossed the minds of more than a few Democrats that CHIP could be a nice vehicle for Obamacare stabilization measures, particularly those with some GOP support.

But so far CHIP has not been taken hostage, and the fact that the states have unused CHIP money available for at least a few months has lessened the urgency of this particular bill.

A potentially trickier beast is the expiration of the federal flood-insurance program. As I explained recently, this program had been the object of a potentially powerful coalition of fiscal conservatives and environmentalists who for different reasons want to limit federal subsidies to people who want to build homes on flood plains and athwart wetlands. It was led, as it happens, by Texas Republican representative Jeb Hensarling. Even if he stands fast on major reforms in the program, hes unlikely to have much immediate support from his fellow Texans, or lawmakers from other flood-prone locales. Thanks to this terrible timing, a short-term extension of the existing flood-insurance program is the best best.

5) What about the GOPs ostensible top priority: tax reform and budget cuts?

Youll hear a lot about tax reform  or just plain tax cuts  from Republicans in September, but most of the talk will represent trial balloons, propaganda, or distractions from subjects people dont want to talk about. Real action on taxes is extremely unlikely to happen in Congress before October. And even then, a vast number of questions need to be answered by Republicans at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue about which taxes to cut, whether or not tax cuts will be offset by loophole-closings and other revenue measures, and whether or not revenue losses will be offset by spending cuts. All that is entirely up in the air at the moment, and its not even clear who will make these difficult decisions and when they will occur. Once they are resolved, the whole scheme will almost certainly have to be encapsulated in a Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution that makes it possible for the ultimate tax-and-budget legislation to be passed by a simple majority vote in the Senate (you know, the way health-care legislation was supposed to be enacted).

This will all take a lot of time, or could take until the end of time. But barring a miracle its not coming together in September.

6) Is it possible Trumpcare will make a comeback?

Anythings possible, of course, and technically, the Senate could bring back some version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act it so conspicuously failed to pass in July. Theres no particular reason to think any votes have changed, however. And the proposal some Republicans thought might represent fresh hope for a health-care bill, the Graham-Cassidy block grant legislation, has lost momentum as everyone realized the kind of damage it would do to both the individual insurance markets and Medicaid.

The possibility of some late, late comeback for Trumpcare took a big hit this week when the Senate parliamentarian ruled the FY 2017 budget resolution that set up a filibuster-free consideration of Obamacare repeal-and-replace legislation in the first place would expire along with FY 2017, on September 30. There had been a school of thought that the resolution would remain in effect until a FY 2018 budget resolution had been enacted, which could be significantly later in the year, or even next year. No dice, said the parliamentarian. The odds of Trumpcare finding time on the Senate agenda in September, even if government shutdowns and debt defaults are off the table, are small.

But there might be more hope for specific elements of Trumpcare. For instance, the medical-device-tax repeal, has already been mentioned as a potential rider on a CHIP reauthorization bill. And then theres the provision to ban use of any federal funds by Planned Parenthood, which was included in every single version of Trumpcare, including the skinny repeal bill that specified very few other policies. The powerful pro-life lobby has so far refrained from demanding that its attack on Planned Parenthood become a central complication for must-pass debt limit or appropriations bills; theyve preferred to hide their defunding bill in filibuster-proof budget legislation. But their patience may be running out. Fortunately for congressional Republicans who probably dread defunding demands as much as Planned Parenthood itself, some of the pressure for vengeance against the womens health-care giant is being released by state funding actions. These include South Carolinas recent ban on use of federal family-planning money for Planned Parenthoood, and Arkansass ban on Medicaid reimbursements for the organization (which was upheld by a circuit court of appeals).

7) How sure can we be about any of these answers?

About as sure as we are of what President Trump will do next.
Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call,Inc.

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, amplified the Trump administrations tough talk toward Kim Jong-un on Monday, telling the U.N. Security Council that North Korea was begging for war.

But Haley still advocated diplomacy, urging the council to adopt the toughest possible sanctions against the North Korean regime after the country conducted its latest nuclear test on Saturday.

To the members of the security council, I must say enough is enough. We have taken an incremental approach, and despite the best of intentions, it has not worked, Haley said, referring to the many rounds of sanctions the body has passed against North Korea since its first nuclear test in 2006.

President Trump responded on Twitter by scolding South Korea for not being tougher and threatening to cut off trade with all countries that have relations with North Korea, an impossible task. Still, his belligerence was a notch down from a previous threat to rain fire and fury down on North Korea.

Also on Saturday, Secretary of Defense James Mattis held an unusual press conference in which he said the U.S. wasnt planning for total annihilation of Kim Jong-uns regime, though it would have many options to do so. He threatened a massive military response if North Korea threatened Guam or other U.S. interests.

South Korea and Japan have been rattled by its neighbors provocations, sparking debate about whether they should adopt more offensive military postures. On Monday, South Korea conducted a simulated attack on North Koreas nuclear test site.

All the threats and shows of force in the world, though, have not appeared to faze Kim Jong-un in the past, and they seem unlikely to do so now. Kim has shown no sign that hes been intimidated by Trumps tough talk, or anyone elses. And with the dictators ultimate motivations something of a mystery, there is clearly no easy answer to his saber-rattling.
Kim Jong-un is feeling emboldened. Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images

The notion that President Donald Trump has no coherent ideological principles or agenda has become a common refrain among his liberal critics, to the point of banality. Particularly in the realm of foreign policy, it is an article of faith among these critics that Trump has no doctrine to speak of, but makes decisions reactively, based on his instincts and whatever the last person he spoke with told him.

In fact, Trump does have a foreign-policy doctrine, but its a bad and simplistic one, and it is demonstrating its ineffectuality spectacularly in the rapidly escalating crisis in North Korea.

The Trump doctrine, in a nutshell, is that the United States is by leaps and bounds the most powerful country in the world, and by all rights should be taking greater advantage of that power. Any agreement we make, with friend or foe, should favor us absolutely; if not, theres no reason for us to maintain it. When we tell other countries what to do, they had better listen, and if they dont, we shouldnt do business with them. Diplomatic and trade relations with the U.S. are privileges, and the threat of withdrawing those privileges is a shamefully underused lever for shaping other countries behavior.

Trump amply articulated this philosophy on the campaign trail last year and it has imbued his administrations foreign policy in practically every arena. The Iran nuclear deal was a bad deal because it didnt sufficiently cripple Iran, so we didnt win at it. The Paris climate agreement was a bad deal because it imposed costs on the U.S., and NAFTA was a bad deal because it created more jobs for Mexicans than for Americans. The agreements with Iraq and Afghanistan to withdraw our forces after years of occupation were bad deals because they let the Iraqis and Afghans dictate terms to the U.S., without even giving us a cut of their oil or mineral wealth.

And, of course, Trumps solutions to foreign-policy problems are entirely coercive, based mainly on economic threats. Either Canada and Mexico agree to rewrite NAFTA to our advantage, or we pull out; either China stops deflating the cost of its exports, or we impose tariffs; either NATO members take on a greater share of mutual defense obligations, or we stop participating in the alliance; either Pakistan cracks down on the Taliban, or we cut off support for that country.

Nowhere is this doctrine working out particularly well for the Trump administration, but nowhere is it faring worse than in North Korea. Over the past month, Pyongyang and Washington have traded threats, provocations, and shows of force in an escalating game of chicken that has so far led up to North Korea testing something that sure sounds like a hydrogen bomb. If it does indeed have the capability to mount that bomb on an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the continental U.S., that dramatically changes the calculus for the U.S. and all of our allies in the region.

In this back-and-forth, Trump may think he has been practicing coercive diplomacy on Kim Jong-un, but if so, he has it backward: Kim is no more afraid of the U.S. military today than he ever was, whereas America  to say nothing of South Korea, Japan, and even China  is feeling considerably more threatened. That is because the North Korean dictator has known all along that while the U.S. would defeat his country utterly in a hypothetical war, theres no way we can wipe out his army, artillery, and command structure in time to prevent him from raining death and destruction on South Korea first, using either conventional or nuclear weapons. Kim does not believe Trumps threats, and as such they have served only as opening acts for Kims increasingly spectacular displays of intransigence.

Trumps approach to China is suffering from similar issues. His latest threat to halt all trade with China if it doesnt cut off North Koreas economic lifeline is transparently unconvincing: If it were even possible to force U.S. companies to stop doing business with the worlds second-largest economy (a big if), such a policy would have such severe and lasting consequences for the American and global economies that Beijing surely knows even Trump isnt crazy enough to pull that trigger.

Kims threats, by contrast, are credible: not because he actually intends to launch a nuclear missile at Guam or Hawaii or California, but because merely having the ability to do so gives him leverage he did not have before. Furthermore, as Georgetown professor and former deputy assistant to President Obama Colin Kahl pointed out on Twitter on Sunday, a North Korean nuclear ICBM changes the equation by making it much less easy for us to assure our allies in East Asia that we will stand beside them in a conflict with the North Koreans.

If Kim is able to nuke Seoul or Tokyo but not San Francisco, those allies could be sure that we would defend them in a confrontation, even at the nuclear level, because wed run no risk in doing so. But if Pyongyang really can launch a nuclear warhead at the U.S. (at very least, they are getting close), the U.S. will need to work extra hard to convince South Korea and Japan that we have their backs and so there is no need for them to pursue their own weapons programs and start a regional nuclear arms race. Instead, Trump  blindly following the logic of his doctrine  is threatening to withdraw from our free-trade agreement with South Korea (which, like all things that contribute to U.S. trade deficits, he considers a bad deal).

Even to speak of such a bewildering move in the midst of perhaps the most serious crisis of nuclear diplomacy since 1962 is a crime against common sense, but it is abundantly clear by now that threats are the only diplomatic moves Trump knows how to make. To be sure, coercive diplomacy has a valuable role in Americas geostrategic arsenal, but diplomacy that consists solely of coercion is not diplomacy. Nuclear politics do not work like the Atlantic City casino business.

The solution to this crisis, to the extent that there even is one anymore, is clearly not in Trumps toolbox. We know, by the way, that adopting a tough posture and refusing to talk out of fear of rewarding bad behavior is a failed strategy for dealing with North Korea because we tried it before, during the Bush administration, and the long-term results of that policy are staring us in the face today.

Defusing the crisis with North Korea requires the kind of leadership that understands its full range of diplomatic options and appreciates how a powerful country can sometimes make affordable if unappetizing gestures of conciliation in the interest of peace without projecting weakness. It also requires the ability to see other countries as allies and partners, not merely as economic rivals out to screw us with bad trade deals. The Trump doctrine of threats, coercion, and nothing else doesnt have a place for such relationships.
Ugandans in the diaspora have raised USD 1 million (about Shs 3.5 billion) towards the planned construction of a specialized fistula treatment facility in Uganda.



The facility is a brainchild of The Association for the Re-orientation and Rehabilitation of Women for Development (TERREWODE), a non-government organisation based in eastern Uganda.



Dubbed the TERREWODE hospital & rehabilitation center, the facility will offer psycho-social rehabilitation for survivors of obstetric fistula, a condition caused by prolonged obstructed labour, creating a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder. Fistula sufferers are left with no control over of urine or faeces.



The facility, to be built in Soroti district, will be the first phase of the TERREWODE women's community hospital (TWCH) with a 30-bed treatment block, a 30-bed social reintegration and rehabilitation block and associated support services.



The project requires a total of $725,000 (about Shs 2 billion), according to information obtained from the Uganda Fistula Fund donation website.

A fistula patient undergoing surgery

TERREWODE, a Ugandan Non-governmental Organization (NGO) that works with obstetric fistula survivors has already purchased the land and commenced the design process for the new hospital.



Speaking to Ugandans attending the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) Convention in Miami, Florida, the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga said that the hospital would be the first of its kind on the African Continent.



"In Kampala there are people who dont understand our work, they complaining about us coming to UNAA[Ugandans in the diaspora] are going to build a fistula hospital in Soroti - the first of its kind on the African continent. They have raised almost a a million dollars and they are going to start constructing. All that is coming out of the work of UNAA and the Uganda parliament", said Kadaga.



It is hoped that the facility will increase the number of surgeries to 1,000 per year, almost doubling Uganda's current fistula treatment capacity. Currently, a surgical operation to treat fistula is estimated at Shs 2 million, a cost that is prohibitive for a number of patients.



Besides offering cutting-edge treatment to sufferers, the hospital will rebuild the lives of fistula survivors through counselling, health education and training in income generating activities.



Uganda has 25 fistula surgeons across the country with one surgeon in each of the 13 regional referral hospitals to carry out fistula repairs. Additional surgeons are available in seven private, not for-profit hospitals. The shortage has led to a backlog of 200,000 fistula cases, yet an additional 1,900 new cases are recorded every year.



Kadaga described fistula as a disease shrouded in stigma and isolation.

"Fistula is a very difficult issue, it is shrouded by stigma, it is surrounded by isolation [and] not many people are knowledgeable about it. Recently, I saw a man who has lived with his wife for 18 years when she had fistula.

So I said, am going to nominate him for an award of a hero because if he could look after his wife for 18 years without abandoning her until she got treatment, he is real a hero in the year of the family in Uganda. So I have written to the national awards committee to ensure that the man is given a medal for loving his wife and staying with her despite all the problems", she added.



TERREWODE has been working with obstetric fistula survivors in Uganda since 2001 by supporting women to reintegrate into the community after suffering from the traumatic condition. The NGO signed a partnership agreement with the International Fistula Alliance (IFA) to develop the specialist obstetric fistula treatment facility in Soroti, Uganda.



IFA is a representative body of the Hamlin Fistula International partners from Australia, USA, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and New Zealand who currently support the work of the world-famous Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (HFE) founded by Australian doctors Catherine and Reginald Hamlin in 1974.



Over the past 40 years, HFE has been responsible for treating over 50,000 women in Ethiopia and have developed 6 specialist hospitals concentrating on obstetric fistula and other childbirth injuries.



Under the partnership agreement, TERREWODE is the primary implementing partner of the hospital and the IFA, through its members Hamlin Fistula USA and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia), will provide funding and capacity building for the capital and operating costs of the new hospital whilst Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (HFE) will provide clinical training and support.
In this second of the four-part series analysing the legacy of outgoing deputy chief justice JUSTICE STEVEN KAVUMA, Derrick Kiyonga looks at how he became embroiled in several controversial interim orders and rulings.



KAZINI CONTROVERSY

If controversy is Kavumas middle name, then a ruling he delivered on April 11, 2009 enhanced that reputation. Sitting as a single justice of the Constitutional court, Kavuma ventured into the world of issuing unilateral interim orders, something that has come to define his career.

At the awkward hour of 9pm, Kavuma issued an interim order stopping the Court Martial from trying the late former army commander James Kazini, pending the disposal of his petition challenging the constitutionality of his trial by the army court.

Justice Stephen Kavuma

Kazini, who was represented by MacDosman Kabega, who happens to be Kavumas lawyer too, was accused of disobeying orders of the commander-in-chief on deployment of troops. Eight months later, on November 10, 2009, Kazini died before his main petition could be heard by the Constitutional court.



PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATIONS

Kavumas eccentricity was only beginning. In 2013, he wrote a minority judgment arguing that his colleagues erred in giving parliaments ad hoc committee the green light to continue investigating the then Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and two cabinet ministers over allegations that they received bribes from oil companies.

Kavuma had been one of the five justices who heard a petition filed by one Severino Twinobusingye challenging parliaments authority to pass and implement resolutions that included forcing Mbabazi and ministers Hilary Onek and Sam Kutesa to step aside.

The other resolution challenged by the petitioner was the creation of an ad hoc committee to investigate the said allegations. The said resolutions were passed during a stormy session on October 11, 2011, which the Constitutional court compared to mob justice.

The court, headed by the then deputy chief justice, Alice Mpagi Bahigeine, alongside justices Augustine Nshimye, Stella Arach-Amoko and Remmy Kasule, ruled that while parliaments resolution to force Mbabazi and his colleagues to step aside was unconstitutional, the ad hoc committee was in order.

However, Justice Kavuma, a member of the panel, dismissed his colleagues reasoning, arguing that they were wrong to rule that parliament acted akin to mob justice as it passed the resolutions and, in the same vein, allow the ad hoc committee that emerged from that session to carry on.

The manner in which the Members of Parliament and the Speaker of Parliament conducted the affairs of that august House during the period the impugned resolutions were debated and passed, the un-parliamentary language used by some MPs as reflected in the official Hansard of the House and the very emotional and hostile fashion hitherto unprecedented, since the time this country returned to parliamentary democracy, was not in keeping with the basic tenets of the constitution and was, therefore, necessarily and logically unconstitutional, the dissenting Kavuma ruled.

Kavuma also once turned his guns to the judiciary that he served. On July 12, 2013, he was joined by Justices Remmy Kasule and Augustin Nshimye in temporarily locking down the Anti-corruption court following a legal challenge lodged by lawyer Davis Wesley Tusingwire, who argued that magistrates were serving in the court illegally.

Six months later, Justice Solomy Balungi Bossa, supported by Justice Remmy Kasule, Geoffrey Kiryabwire and Lillian Ekirikubinza ruled to open the court in the interest of fighting corruption in the country.

However, Kavuma, who was part of panel, dissented, noting that corruption is a global problem but should be fought following the rule of law.

Eight years after being appointed to the Constitutional court, three events happened that would catapult Kavuma, rather surprisingly, to the pinnacle of the judiciary. First, on July 27, 2012, barely two years after her appointment, deputy chief justice Bahigeine retired after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70 years of age.

Bahigeine was replaced by Justice Constance Byamugisha  the most senior judge at the time at the Constitutional court  who served in acting capacity. Byamugishas tenure did not last long as she passed away in 2013 and she was replaced by Kavuma as acting deputy chief justice.

In that same year (2013), Justice Benjamin Odoki retired as chief justice. With President Museveni procrastinating to appoint Odokis successor, Kavuma became the acting chief justice for about three years, without necessarily becoming a Supreme court judge, as the norm had been.

Back at the Constitutional court, besides Bahigeines retirement and Byamugishas demise, other developments had played in Kavumas favour, aiding his ultimate takeover of the court. For instance, senior judges such as Christine Kitumba, Galdino Okello, and Amos Twinomujuni earned promotions to the Supreme court, whereas George Engwau hung up his wig.

With that, Kavuma imposed his own kind of management on the Constitutional court and Court of Appeal.

Enter Lukwago

On March 31, 2014, Kavuma, now with the Court of Appeal and Constitutional court in his full control, showed eagerness to employ his judicial powers to deal with an individual the government wanted to get rid of by all means. This person was Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who had been reinstated to office following a stern ruling by High court judge Lydia Mugambe on March 27, 2014.

Justice Mugambe had ordered Lukwago to return to office and stopped the Electoral Commission from organizing the mayoral by-election earlier planned for April 17, 2014.

The no-nonsense Mugambe held Peter Nyombi, the then attorney general, KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi and Kampala minister Frank Tumwebaze in contempt of court.

Their sin, she said, was defying court orders that temporarily blocked the removal of Lukwago as lord mayor. On March 31, 2014, Lukwago had barely settled in his office when Kavuma delivered a ruling kicking the opposition strongman out of office, which was wrapped in unusual drama.

State Attorney Martin Mwambutsya filed an application seeking a reversal of justice Mugambes ruling at 9am. Justice Kavuma promptly scheduled a hearing minutes later. So urgent was the matter that Kavuma abruptly abandoned a case he was hearing [at that time] together with justices Kenneth Kakuru and Solomy Balungi Bossa.

During this abrupt hearing, Kavuma locked out journalists and Lukwagos lawyers, saying the matter was to be heard ex-parte (meaning only one side having legal representation).

Locked inside Kavumas boardroom were Kavuma himself, Tumwebaze, Mwambutsya and KCCA lawyers Charles Ouma and Dickson Akena. After Kavumas ruling, Tumwebaze, Mwambutsya, Ouma and Akena left the boardroom through an emergency door, dodging waiting cameramen and other journalists.

It has been three years since that famous ruling. Lukwago has since been reelected as lord mayor, but Kavuma has never fixed a date for the attorney generals appeal of Justice Mugabes judgment for hearing.

The apparent travesty of justice did not end there. Who remembers the 2013 Justice Catherine Bamugemereires KCCA tribunal findings?

Who remembers that she had recommended the removal Lukwago as lord mayor on grounds of misconduct, abuse of office and incompetence?

Then, who remembers that Lukwagos case challenging the findings was allocated to Justice Yasin Nyanzi, of the civil division of the High court, but Kavuma intervened, giving an order staying the hearing of the case?

Justice Nyanzi is now at the criminal division of the High court and Lukwagos case has never seen the light of day, four years down the road.
Western Europes biggest oil and gas producer, Norway, is holding a general election next weekthe outcome of which will be largely determined by the oil policies and oil-related economic issues that are taking the center stage in the debates and in voters minds ahead of an election thats too close to call.

The Conservative Party currently in power in a coalition government and the opposition Labor Partythe two biggest partiesare neck-and-neck in polls. Whoever wins would probably need the support of smaller parties to form a government after the September 11 election. This may propel the small Green Partywhich currently holds just one seat in the 169-seat Parliamentto the role of holding the key to forming a government, and kingmaker of Norways future economic choices and policies, if it stays true to its pledge to demand a high price for its support of a government.

For the oil industry, this is not such good news, because the Greens are strongly opposed to oil drilling, and propose to stop opening new oil and gas fields for exploration on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, and phase out petroleum activities over a 15-year period.

However, neither Conservative nor Labor support the idea to phase out oil production, an industry which is a big employer in Norway.

The scenic Lofoten archipelago will likely remain off-limits for oil exploration and development, no matter who the victor, because both parties would need coalitions to form a government after the election. And all the potential junior partners of both Labor and Conservative are strongly opposed to any meddling with the beauty of the Lofoten, Vesteralen, and Senja islands. Estimates have put the potential oil resources underneath the picturesque islands at between 1.3 billion and 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent, estimated to be worth US$60-65 billion at todays oil prices. Related: Goldman Sachs: Oil Majors See Upside At $50 Oil

Potential development aside, the Norwegian oil and gas industry was hard hit by the oil price crash, with employment and government revenues dropping off 2013 highs. The petroleum sectorwhich accounts for 12 percent of Norways GDP and for 36 percent of the nations total exportsgenerated 40 percent lower revenues for the government in 2016 compared to 2015. Last year an estimated number of 185,300 people were directly or indirectly employed in the Norwegian petroleum sector, about 47,000 less than in 2013, or a decrease of around 20 percent. The number of people working in the oil and gas sector accounts for some 7 percent of Norways total employment.

So, its not surprising that in the western and southern parts of Norway, around the oil capital of the country, people want to know how each party plans to deal with oil policies and employment. According to Rune Veenstra, managing director at NorSea, which invests in port infrastructure to facilitate offshore oil activities, the election campaign is sending mixed signals on oil policies, which creates uncertainty for the industry that wants to plan long term.

If we cant have a clear direction, it is no good for anyone, Veenstra told Reuters.

Meanwhile, the ruling Conservatives have been closing the gap with Labor in polls in recent weeks, especially after Statistics Norway said on August 24 that mainland Norways GDP increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent in the second quarter of 2017, posting the same growth as in Q1. The recovery came after two and a half years with weak growth, the statistics bureau said. Conservatives took credit for the economic recovery.

The latest poll by TV2 from September 3 showed Conservative and Labor both with 26.1 percent of voting intentions, with the current Conservative ally in government, the Progress Party, third at 14.7 percent. The Greens have been polling at between 3 percent and 6 percent in the past two months, according to various pollsters results compiled by Reuters. Even if they win more than the single seat in Parliament that they currently hold, they are unlikely to persuade either of the two big parties to put an early end to the industry that employs 7 percent of Norways almost 2.8 million-strong labor force.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo researchers found the use of ethanol in vehicles reduces pollution by significantly lowering the number of nanoparticles emitted. Levels of ultrafine particulate matter in Sao Paulo City, Brazil, increased by up to 30 percent at times when ethanol prices rose and its consumption fell.

When ethanol prices at the pump rise for whatever reason, it becomes economically advantageous for drivers of dual-fuel vehicles to fill up with gasoline. However, the health of the entire population pays a high price: substitution of gasoline for ethanol leads to a 30 percent increase in the atmospheric concentration of ultrafine particulate matter, which consists of particles with a diameter of less than 50 nanometers (nm).

The phenomenon was detected in Sao Paulo City, Brazil, in a study supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and has been published in Nature Communications.

Paulo Artaxo, Full Professor at the University of Sao Paulos Physics Institute (IF-USP) and a co-author of the study said, These polluting nanoparticles are so tiny that they behave like gas molecules. When inhaled, they can penetrate the respiratory systems defensive barriers and reach the pulmonary alveoli, so that potentially toxic substances enter the bloodstream and may increase the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

According to the professor, between 75 percent and 80 percent of the mass of nanoparticles measured in this study corresponds to organic compounds (carbon in different forms) emitted by motor vehicles. Related: Kyrgyzstan Unveils Revamped Transnational Gas Pipeline

Levels of ultrafine particulate matter in the atmosphere are neither monitored nor regulated by environmental agencies not only in Brazil but practically anywhere in the world, Artaxo stressed.

What these compounds are exactly and how they affect health are questions that require further research. The Sao Paulo State Environmental Corporation (CETESB), for example, routinely monitors only solid particles with diameters of 10,000 nm (PM10) and 2,500 nm (PM2.5)  as well as other gaseous pollutants such as ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Nonetheless, he explained that a consensus is forming in the United States and Europe based on recent research indicating that these emissions are a potential health hazard and should be regulated. Several U.S. states, such as California, have laws requiring a 20 percent-30 percent ethanol blend in gasoline, which also helps reduce emissions of ultrafine particulate matter.

The data collection was performed from January to May 2011, and the analyses took place before, during and after a sharp fluctuation in ethanol prices  owing to macroeconomic factors such as the international price of sugar (Brazilian ethanol is made from sugarcane)  leading consumers to switch motor fuels in Sao Paulo City.

While no significant changes were detected in levels of inhalable fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), the study proved in a real, day-to-day situation that choosing ethanol reduces emissions of ultrafine particles. To date, this phenomenon had only been observed in the laboratory.

Artaxo said, These results reinforce the need for public policies to encourage the use of biofuels, as they clearly show that the public loses in health what they save at the pump when opting for gasoline.

According to Artaxo, the research included innovative approaches so that the study could focus on older aerosols that had already interacted with other substances present in the atmosphere. Thus, collection was performed in a site relatively distant from main traffic thoroughfares  the top of a ten-story building belonging to IF-USP in the western part of Sao Paulo The pollution we inhale every day at home or at work isnt what comes out of vehicular exhaust pipes but particles already processed in the atmosphere he explained.

Also, data analysis was performed through the adaptation of a model developed by Brazilian economist Alberto Salvo, first author of the article, that meticulously integrates a large number of variables.

We adapted a sophisticated statistical model originally developed for economic analysis and used here for the first time to analyze the chemistry of atmospheric nanoparticles, Artaxo said. The main strength of this tool is that it enables us to work with all these variables, such as the presence or absence of rainfall, wind direction, traffic intensity, and levels of ozone, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants.

In Sao Paulo, a city with 7 million motor vehicles and the largest urban fleet of flexible-fuel cars, it would be feasible to run all buses on biofuel. We have the technology for this in Brazil  and at a competitive price, he said.

The fact that the citys bus fleet still depends on diesel, Artaxo warned, creates an even worse health hazard in the shape of emissions of black carbon, one of the main components of soot and a pollutant that contributes to global warming. Alongside electricity generation, the transportation sector is the largest emitter of pollutants produced by the burning of fossil fuels.

Related: Looming Gas Shortage: Imports Cant Make Up For This

For Artaxo, incentives for electric, hybrid or biofuel vehicles are vital to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By incentivizing biofuels, we could solve several problems at once, he said. We could combat climate change, reduce harm to health and foster advances in automotive technology by offering a stimulus for auto makers to develop more economical and efficient cars fueled by ethanol.

Its interesting to see more in-depth research on the consequences of using biofuels. The idea that ethanol offers less air pollution in another way is good news for producers, consumers and those living nearby.

By New Energy and Fuel

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It is doubtful that there could be a less appropriate time to increase Russian gas exports to Europe, yet that is exactly what Gazprom is doing. Despite sanctions from both the U.S. and the EU, and Europes determination to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, Russia has been setting all-time highs in its exports throughout the past eight months. Although Gazprom has not yet surpassed its January 27, 2017 daily exports record of 636.4 MCm per day, it has been setting all-time summer season export records, with current gas flows oscillating within 580-590 MCm per day levels. What is the catch in this seemingly counterintuitive trend? It is a combination of three factors - the balancing of the interests of political and economic actors in Europe, Russias incredibly profitable gas pricing, and Gazproms new and improved marketing strategy?

Gazprom has been slowly mending its ties with the European Union, to the benefit of its business activities. After the October 2016 decision of the EU Commission, authorizing Gazprom to use up to 80 percent of the OPAL pipeline, which transports gas from Nord Streams final point, Greifswald, to the Czech-German border, the Russian export monopolist gained access to 12.8 BCm/year of additional export capacity. Although the new OPAL modus operandi has certain limitations  Gazproms share by default cannot reach 100 percent as at least 10 percent ought to be granted to 3rd party suppliers  it is a significant step towards a gradual, yet all-encompassing arrangement between Brussels and Gazprom. It is telling that the OPAL resolution will be in effect until 2033 (i.e. much longer than the Gazprom-Ukraine transportation agreement which runs out in 2019) and that the EU General Court denied the Polish PGNiGs appeal which claimed that the OPAL deal would disrupt Polands gas supply. Related: An Energy Independent North America Needs NAFTA

Closely connected with the OPAL and Nord Stream matter, the EUs antitrust investigation is gradually drawing to its logical end, reportedly, a draft deal was already concluded this March. The investigation was founded on three provisions in which Gazprom has been incriminated  unfair pricing vis-a-vis Central and Eastern European countries, pegging the prices to oil and banning the resale of gas. The gas resale issue, along with the one delivery destination clause, was cleared up with Gazproms December 2016 commitments fully satisfied the EU Directorate-General for Competition. The oil-peg claim is practically unprovable, as pegging gas prices to oil ones is still a very frequent practice and Gazprom can hardly be imputed with malfeasance. For instance, the current Polish LNG supply contract with Qatargas is oil-pegged, yet there are no complaints from Europe over this issue. The unfair pricing claim is the toughest nut to crack, as it is quite difficult to compare pricing conditions in Western and Eastern Europe, but Gazprom has committed to introduce hub benchmarking into its long-term supply contracts, as well as to enhance price revision flexibility.

Despite manifest success in the perennial negotiations, ramming through the whole EU-Gazprom deal will require much more time. Countries that oppose Russian gas, like Poland will inevitably politicize the issue, thereby seeking to upset the apple cart. In a very similar vein, the Nord Stream 2-related quarrels risk to be protracted into the upcoming decades and will put a sporadic crimp into the EU-Gazprom relations. The latest spat seems to be taking form around the Danish government wanting to amend legislation in order to be able to ban Nord Stream on the grounds that it allegedly jeopardizes EU supply security. The problem with this endeavor is that Copenhagen only have the ability to ban the project due to environmental concerns, of which there are none (during the construction of Nord Stream-1 the two sides addressed all relevant issues, including but not limited to the avoidance of chemical munition dumping sites and fishing areas in the Baltic Sea). If the Danish Folketing decides against Nord Stream-2, German business interests will make sure to react swiftly, causing considerable friction along the Danish-German border.

Graph 1. Gazproms exports to Europe 2000-2017, in Billion Cubic Meters.

(Click to enlarge)

Related: Kyrgyzstan Unveils Revamped Transnational Gas Pipeline

Still, against such a volatile background, with old disputes making only tiny strides towards resolution whilst new ones appear at a worrying pace, Gazprom is on the verge of having a historically good year. In January-August 2017, Gazprom exported 126.3 BCm of gas to countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a 12.1 percent increase year-on-year. Considering that gas supplies this year have been a constant 12-13 percent higher than last year, Gazprom is intent upon bringing its 2017 export volumes within the 190-200 BCm interval, an all-time high for the Russian energy giant (see Graph 1). The underlying cause of dogs bark but the caravan moves on phenomenon lies in an overall very agreeable gas pricing environment. Russian pipeline-supplied gas is cheap  hovering around $182-187/MCm in the last six months - and will remain so in the near future. Sure enough, Gazprom cashed in significantly more in the pre-oil crash years when the average gas price in Europe was around $350/MCm (as in 2014)  its H1 2017 net profit was a mere $3 billion (17.4 billion RUB) on the back of a weakening ruble and asset revaluation.

Thus, even if its profits are getting are slimmer, Gazprom seems to be winning the market share competition. As the largely anticipated advent of U.S. LNG into Europe failed to lead to any substantial changes in Europes LNG imports (last year they grew to only 38.1 mtpa from the 2015 level of 37.5 mtpa, preceded by four years of demand decline), Gazprom was not forced to go all out on its pricing conditions and could stick to the traditional script. Largely thanks to this benign market trend, Gazproms market share within the EU-28 area, which amounted to 34 percent in 2016, will challenge the 36 percent rate this year. And one has to bear in mind that Gazprom is uniquely positioned on the European market  whilst Norway and the UK produce as much gas as they have production capacities for, Gazprom still wields a massive 150 BCm/year surplus capacity. Russia has been trying to depoliticize the issue of gas supplies to Europe, for it understands that the more politics prevail in gas-related decision-making, the more difficult it will get to market its abundant reserves in Europe, which despite ambitious projects in Asia remains its key outlet.

By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com

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An open military conflict in Northern Asia would disrupt more than a third of global seaborne crude oil trade, Wood Mackenzie warned last week amid yet another escalation between North Korea, its neighbors, and the U.S.

Such a conflict would cripple North Asias production and refining capacity, the consultancy said. Some 65 percent of Asias crude oil refining capacity is located in China, Japan, and South Korea, so the effects of an open war would be far-reaching and potentially long-lasting. The most pressing question, then, is how likely such an open conflict is.

Pyongyang seems determined to expand its military capabilities with intercontinental ballistic missiles that can carry a nuclear head. State media claim that the nuclear head is a fact, releasing a photo featuring the countrys leader Kim Jong Un inspecting said weapon. After a quick succession of ballistic missile tests over the last couple of months that put South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. on red alert, more nuclear talk from Pyongyang is exactly what the world does not need. Yet it is what we are getting.

Talk is not enough to tip the region into a warpossibly even a nuclear warbut it serves to heighten the pressure, and decisions made under pressure are seldom the wisest. Analysts seem to be divided as to the most probable course the events would take.

A recent analysis by SBS News Kelsey Munro looks into the two basic scenarios: accept a nuclear North Korea, or prevent it from becoming nuclear as soon as possible. Geopolitics experts seem to be split on which scenario is the more sensible one to follow.

On the one hand, Munro notes, some researchers believe that accepting North Koreas nuclear capability would prevent a war that would result in hundreds of thousands of casualties and disrupt the Asian economy. This would be a conventional war, since the chances of success for a tactical nuclear strike seem to be too slim to be comfortable with.

On the other hand, acceptance of a nuclear Pyongyang will in all probability lead to other countries in the region going nuclear, ultimately pushing the world closer to a nuclear war as it would be that much harder to exercise any pressure on North Korea after it has solidified its second-strike capability. Related: Are Libyan Oil Production Gains History?

Last week North Korea launched an intercontinental missile over Japan. This Sunday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement that the United States is prepared for a massive military response to any attacks from North Korea to it or one of its allies. Mattis added that "We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, but as I said, we have many options to do so."

It seems an open war is not as far from reality as opponents would like it to be. Given the amount of refining capacity in the area would be affected and the fact that China, Japan, and South Korea are among the largest consumers of oil, a war would be good news for OPEC and oil bulls. But all of these countries, Wood Mac noted in its report, have solid stocks of crude. This means the effect of a war in Northern Asia on international crude prices may well be short-lived.

Last month, the UN approved a new round of sanctions against North Korea that would see a third of its annual exports, some US$1 billion, erased. So far, sanctions have failed to have any effect on Pyongyangs missile development plans. Notable as it may be that Russia and China supported this round, its effects are doubtful  will Kim return to the negotiations table and agree to suspend his nuclear program? Its hard to believe that is a possibility, so all options remain on the table while China continues to stock up on crude.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Brent prices were down on Monday morning after investors shied away from crude oil markets and instead turned to safer-haven gold futures after North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test over the weekend.

At 09:40 am CST on Monday, Brent Crude was down 0.23 percent at US$52.63. Meanwhile, spot gold prices today touched a one-year high as investors flocked to safer asset classes.

WTI Crude, the U.S. benchmark, was holding steady, up 0.38 percent at US$47.47. Trading in crude futures today is expected to be thin due to the Labor Day holiday in the U.S.

Gasoline futures, in the meantime, were down more than 4 percent early Monday morning, as Texas and Louisianas petroleum industries are slowly coming back to life. Before and after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and Louisiana last week, more than 20 percent of the U.S. refining capacity had shut down, including the biggest and second-biggest refineries in the U.S.Port Arthur and Baytown. A major fuel artery to the East Coast, the Colonial pipeline, also shut down last week.

As of 2:30pm EDT on Sunday, September 3, Colonial Pipeline assessments were ongoing, and as such, the current estimated restart between Houston and Hebert has been updated to Monday, September 4 for Line 2 (distillates), and Tuesday, September 5 for Line 1 (gasoline), the Department of Energy said in its latest update on the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Currently, only Texas operations are down, and the remainder of the Colonial system continues to operate with available supply, the DOE said.



Related: An Energy Independent North America Needs NAFTA

Seven refineries have begun the process of restarting after having been shut down, but this process could take several days or weeks, depending on whether any damage is found during restart. According to public reports, at least four refineries in the Gulf Coast were operating at reduced rates, the DOE noted.

In offshore production, some 5.5 percent of the current oil production of 1,750,000 bpd in the Gulf remains shut-in, which is equal to 96,260 bpd, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) said on Sunday, compared to more than 20 percent of Gulf oil production shut-in immediately after Harvey made a landfall in Texas last weekend.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Reuters reports that foreign workers at Libyas largest oil field have been evacuated after news emerged on Monday of unspecified activities near the site.

An engineer at the field said a total of 16 workers from Spain, France, the Philippines and Serbia had all been evacuated for two days.

The National Oil Corporation controls the Sharara field, but the state-run company did not comment on reports of the evacuation.

Libyas largest oilfield, Sharara, has not pumped new oil for several weeks at this point. An attack by an armed group caused the fields pipeline to its nearest export terminal to close. This development set Libya 330,000-bpd back on its goal of reaching and surpassing pre-Ghaddafi-ousting levels of production. On average, the country pumped 1.6 million barrels of oil per day before the Arab Spring brought the previous dictatorship to its knees.

The El Feel field, another major oilfield, declared a force majeure late last month, sources familiar to the case said, while expressing their hesitation due to the private nature of the matter. The same situation unfolded at the Hamada field, according to Arabian Gulf Oil Co. spokesman Omran al-Zwai.

Before the recent string of production disruptions, which were caused by militant blockades on pipelines carrying crude from three fields to export terminals, Libya was pumping over 1 million barrels of oil daily, eyeing 1.2 million bpd in output by the end of the year. Libya raised output by 154,300 bpd in July, which accounted for most of the total OPEC production increase. The increase in Libyas production continues to take away from the blocs agreement to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day to jumpstart the recovery of oil prices. Top oil officials were able to secure an exemption for the North African country due to the effects several years of civil strife on oil output.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

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By Steve Buckstein and Kathryn Hickok

Everyone knows today is Labor Day, but did you know that August 20-26 was National Employee Freedom Week? National Employee Freedom Week is a national effort to inform union members about their freedom to opt out of union membership if they choose and to make decisions about labor representation and the use of their union dues. The effort empowers union employees with information to make the decision about union membership thats best for them, including identifying non-union alternatives that better suit their needs. An interactive map at employeefreedomweek.com lets workers in Oregon and other states find links to information helpful to those wanting more employee freedom. More than 100 organizations across the country, including Cascade Policy Institute in Portland, are affiliated with the annual campaign.

Right to Work states are states in which union membership may not be enforced as a condition of employment. Workers may choose to join a union or not, without fear of losing employment, salary, benefits, or seniority. Workers in the 22 states that are not yet Right to Work, such as Oregon, do not have full freedom to opt out of union membership. However, they do have the right to become agency fee payers, to identify as religious/conscientious objectors, or to require that their dues not be used for political purposes. According to National Employee Freedom Weeks website, many employees are thrilled to learn that alternative professional associations provide better benefits and professional development opportunities for a fraction of the cost of union membership.

Last year a survey of union members and union households found that about two-thirds nationwide agree that if members opt out of paying all union dues and fees, they should represent themselves in negotiations with their employer, an option known as Workers Choice. By the same margin (66.9% to 33.1%), Oregonian union members support Workers Choice, too. Workers Choice would end the so-called free-rider problem (really a forced-rider problem) commonly touted by union leaders, who argue that labor laws require them to continue representing workers even after they stop paying all dues and fees.

Oregon labor law is similar to that of many states that dont allow individual workers to represent themselves if a union has organized their workplace. But now we know that most Oregon union members want this to change. They want workers to be able to represent themselves, and they dont want to force unions to represent these non-dues-payers.

You would think the unions would be all over the Workers Choice solution, but they arent. Unions want to be forced to represent all workers because under current labor law, states like Oregon that dont have Right to Work require that non-union members still contribute the non-political portion of dues to their unions to cover bargaining and representation costs. The unions want the money, pure and simple. Of course, they also wanted compulsory political dues, but in 1988 the U.S. Supreme Court Beck decision gave all workers the right to opt out of those, thanks to now-Oregonian Harry Becks decades-long battle to preserve his free speech rights. He tells his story at oregonemployeechoice.com.

A case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court last year (Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association) could have freed all public sector workers nationwide from paying compulsory union dues based on the argument that such compulsion violates their First Amendment rights to free speech and free association. Before the case could be decided, Justice Antonin Scalia died, leaving a four-four tie vote in the Court. This resulted in upholding a lower court decision denying ten California public school teachers their rights to be free of union compulsion.

This union compulsion brings to mind the well-known statement by Thomas Jefferson:

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

That is what the Supreme Court left in placethe right of public sector unions to compel workers to fund the propagation of ideas they disbelieve. It remains for future court decisions, or other political efforts, to end union compulsion in Oregon and nationwide. Until that happens, National Employee Freedom Week will continue to bring this injustice to the attention of union members and the public.

Steve Buckstein is Senior Policy Analyst and Founder at the Portland-based Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization. Kathryn Hickok is Publications Director at Cascade. A version of this article originally appeared in The Portland Tribune on August 24, 2017.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund will continue to accept grant applications from eligible nonprofit charities until Sept. 30.

Grant information and application forms may be obtained from the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund website at ATCCF.org/nonprofits.

The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund was established in 2009 and its primary mission is to provide flexible options for planned giving.

The resulting yearly Lend-a-Hand Grants help improve the quality of life and address issues of common concern in the area. In 2016, the Community Fund allocated $42,270 toward 23 Lend-a-Hand grants. These grants funded local, nonprofit organizations programs in such diverse areas as veterans outreach, mental health services, wildlife education, homelessness prevention, youth services and the arts.

Grant recipients will be announced by the funds Independent Advisory Committee in December. The Community Fund welcomes nonprofit organizations to apply for grants that represent new and creative programs. Over the past six years, the Community Fund has provided 101 grants in excess of $193,000 in Lend-A-Hand Grants.

The Community Funds website is www.atccf.org.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS  Inspiration is spreading around Oliver W. Winch Middle School.

Kids just need a bathroom pass to catch it.

Teachers have spent the past two weeks painting, sticking and stenciling positive quotations on stall doors and windows of the girls bathrooms at the grades 6-8 school.

Make Your Dreams Happen.

Be Happy Be Bright Be You.

I Believed I Could So I Did!

The idea began when Victoria Leroux, a seventh-grade ELA teacher, saw a Facebook posting about a school in Alabama writing inspiring quotes inside girls bathrooms.

She shared the post with her teacher friends, who came up with a list of quotations. The Sherman-Williams store on Upper Glen Street in Glens Falls donated paints, brushes and supplies.

I love the heart of all of it, how everybody was just so on board with it, Leroux said. It was infectious. It just caught, and everybody wanted to be a part of something positive and good.

Word spread to the eighth- and sixth-grade teachers, who did the same in their bathrooms.

The messages will serve as a reminder that the teachers truly care about their students, said Principal Tim Dawkins.

The way that kids learn from adults is if they know that the adults care about them first, Dawkins said. Kids dont want to learn from people that they think dont care about them.

Now, he said, these students will know by this simple act that they are important. And students may be inspired to do simple acts of kindness for others.

Theyre going to walk into the bathroom and theyre going to go, My teachers took the time to do this over the summer. Obviously they care about us, he said.

Faculty and staff, who frequent the restrooms several times a day, will also be able to take inspiration from the quotations, Leroux pointed out. It was a fun bonding activity for the teachers who participated.

A staff that can laugh together and do those things together, Dawkins said, it just makes the building more cohesive, too.

And to ensure the boys dont feel left out, they are now putting together some quotes for the boys restrooms as well. And the messages may spread to the locker rooms.

The district posted a short story about the project on its website and it was the most popular Facebook post the school has ever had, Dawkins said.

Its wildfire, Leroux said. It just took off.
Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg
Finding Peace of Mind: Discover These Five Places in Europe to Unwind
MUSCATINE  The city of Muscatine and Mayor Diana Broderson now have until Sept. 11 to review the transcripts of closed session meetings and other evidence before a district court judge decides if the city councils removal of the mayor was constitutional.

The council voted unanimously to remove the mayor from office in May, claiming Broderson willfully violated city code and made false accusations about the city. The mayor appealed the decision in court, and about a month later, a district judge ordered Broderson to be reinstated. The mayor argued the council failed to offer her a fair trial, and she now waits for a judge to determine whether the city violated her right to due process.

During the final hearing in court, Broderson's lawyer asked the city to transcribe the minutes of seven closed session meetings, which could help prove if the council held animus toward the mayor or had personal interest in her removal. The judge ruled the city must provide the minutes, so he can determine if they are relevant to the case.

The city of Muscatine was only able to produce five of the seven closed session tapes, as one was allegedly lost and one had an audio malfunction, according to the court order. On Aug. 11, Judge Mark Cleve ruled the five available tapes are important in determining what role the council played in the removal process. He ordered the transcripts be sent to Broderson and her lawyers immediately.

A few days later, City Administrator Gregg Mandsager filed a motion to intervene, asking the judge to prevent the public from viewing the transcripts of the closed sessions on Feb. 18, 2016 and Oct. 13, 2016. Mandsager claimed he had public interest in the meetings remaining confidential because they concern his performance as a city employee and may damage his reputation, according to court documents.

As of Thursday, Cleve said, the mayor had not been provided with the transcripts of the meetings. Last week, he ruled the city must promptly provide the five closed session transcripts to Broderson and her attorneys. The judge also issued a protective order on the transcripts, prohibiting distribution or release by either party to any other person or the public.

Because the meetings on Feb. 18 and Oct. 13 are included in the protective order, the judge said Mandsagers request for confidentiality was granted. The judge said under Iowa Code, the city administrators interest is not adequately represented by any of the current parties.

While the public will not view the closed session transcripts, Muscatine County District Court will use them in issuing a final ruling on Brodersons appeal. Unless either party submits additional evidence related to the order, the judge said the court will deem the matter fully submitted for a final ruling on the cases merits on Sept. 11.
Update: The driver has been identified as Brian Jermaine Johnson, 35, of Blue Grass.

The driver involved in a crash early Sunday was pronounced dead at the scene in the 9000 block of 140th St. (Highway 61) in Scott County, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Department.

The crash happened shortly after 4 a.m. when a 1999 Chrysler 300 with Iowa plates was traveling westbound on 140th Street and apparently tried to overtake another vehicle on the right from the gravel shoulder. The Chrysler lost control and crossed both lanes of travel, entered the median and rolled.

Johnson was ejected from the Chrysler. Both the vehicle and the driver landed on the south side of 140th Street, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Scott County Sheriff's Office Accident Investigation Team.

Along with the sheriff's office, Blue Grass Fire Department, MEDIC Ambulance, Buffalo police, Scott County conservation officers and Iowa State Patrol responded to the scene.

-- Linda Cook
Name: Deborah (Debbie) Kepple-Mamros

Age: 46

Address: 108 S. 6th St., LeClaire

Family: Husband, Christopher Mamros; daughter, Alexandria (Ali) Mamros, 14

Occupation: Higher Education Administrator, Western Illinois UniversityQuad Cities

Q: What in your background aids you to be an effective school board member?

A: I have 19 years of work experience in higher education, in both the classroom and in administration. For most of those years, I was working directly with first-year college students. I have researched and presented on barriers that teens and young adults face when attempting to further their education. I have been able to work closely with faculty and staff to study the causes of student attrition as well as implement pilot programs to help increase degree completion. I also coordinate administrative resources and campus operations for the Quad-Cities Campus. I have a bachelors degree in political science and history, a masters degree in history and am currently working on an Ed.D. in educational leadership.

Q: What are your views on ways to encourage improved academic achievement among a diverse group of students?

A: Students at all levels are diverse learners and bring with them diverse talents, interests and curiosity. In order to tap the potential of each student, everyone, including the school, the parents and the community, need to capitalize on the strengths of each child. Each student needs to be challenged to be creative and produce original ideas rather than just reproduce right answers. When this happens, both their interest in school and their confidence grow. I believe that the Pleasant Valley Community School District does an excellent job at reaching each individual learner and helping them achieve their best.

Q: According to the Iowa Association of School Boards, the boards role on a district level is to work well with others who have views that differ from your own and also to take a big-picture look to the future. What can you offer to an effective school board in these two areas?

A: I understand that while each board member is elected as an individual, the group works as a team. I will commit myself, as other board members do, to understanding district policies, to being prepared for meetings and welcoming diverse viewpoints. A team with diverse views and diverse backgrounds makes better decisions because they tend to collaborate better. The diversity that I would bring to the board is my experience in higher education, my research on student success and my diverse educational background. My current position in a campus operations and planning office has given me great experience in taking the big-picture look at to the future, which will no doubt be an asset to the board.

Q: A school board members position is not paid and requires an ongoing time commitment. What specific steps are you taking to ensure you have the time and energy for the board?

A: I am very effective at time management. I set clear goals for myself on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Because of this, I dont foresee any problems making time or having the energy for school board commitments.

Q: Your district has the distinction of being the fastest-growing in the Iowa Quad-Cities. However, this means you are adding classrooms and schools at a fast pace. What specific knowledge do you offer in this area of fast growth?

A: My work at Western Illinois UniversityQuad Cities has provided me with much knowledge in the area of fast growth in an education setting. In the past 10 years, enrollment has increased in various programs at my place of employment, but more importantly, the campus nearly tripled its square footage when it moved to its new campus on the riverfront in Moline. Responding to fast growth in education requires working closely with Iowa Department of Education and demographers to predict long-term growth and local governments, budget offices and the community to respond to the need appropriately.

Q: Pleasant Valley has some of the areas brightest students, as shown on the College Boards, and by other measures. However, there is also a share of students who are not interested in academics, but are more mechanically minded. What do you do to help all students, fairly and effectively?

A: This question seems to imply that students who are mechanically minded or prefer to work with their hands are not bright. I disagree wholeheartedly with that. I believe that every student has the potential to do great things. I believe that public education should serve all students equitably, regardless of whether a student prefers to study literature or industrial technology or something else entirely. I also understand that most employers seek employees who can communicate clearly, think critically and collaborate. Many students with a variety of talents and interests are able to acquire these skills. Yet these are skills that cannot be measured by a College Board exam.
Sunday was the 60th Horton Reunion held at Peterson Park in Moline.

It likely will be the last.

That annual gathering features descendants of Mexican immigrants who came to Horton, Kansas, early last century to work on the Rock Island Lines railroad.

When that facility closed sometime about 1940, many of those families moved to the Quad-Cities, Chicago, and other areas to continue working for that railroad.

In 1957, some of those original workers decided to meet once a year for a reunion that included a dance and picnic. Many of them were related but not everyone, said Ralph Cobar, who organized this year's event.

It was a celebration of hard work, family, friends and our Hispanic roots, he said. Some of the families included the Orozco, Garcia, Cacari, Hernandez, Vallejo, Rodriquez and Sandovals.

It first was started by Pal Garcia, then handed down to Jack Cacari, he added.

Cobar said his grandfather, Bernard Orozco, left Mexico for Kansas in 1918. Cobar grew up in Silvis but now resides in Oceanside, California. That makes it difficult to organize the reunion each year. And he said the fourth generation of descendants are not as interested in carrying on the tradition.

They do not want to carry on so we, as a group, decided this will be our last, he said.

Many of those attending the Saturday night dance and Sunday picnic were part of the second generation, whose parents moved from Mexico to Horton to find work almost a century ago. And many of them are in their 80s.

My father was Geramino Cacari, said Rose Valdivia of Sterling, Illinois. He came from Paracho, Mexico. I was born in Horton 84 years ago. We moved to East Moline in 1940.

There were 13 of us kids, but two died, said her sister, Ramona Stone of East Moline. There are a lot of Hispanic families who started in Horton and that is why we have the Horton Reunion.

Some remember the tough times in Horton.

I will never forget it was a very prejudiced town, said Thomasa Alaniz, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, who comes from the Orozco family. We were not allowed to swim in the pool, go to the park or the theater. It was discrimination.

But I am so thankful that my mom and dad taught me not to hate people for what they believed in. I am so grateful to God for that.

But coming to the reunion has been wonderful over the years, said her sister, Jenny Sanchez of Berkeley, Illinois.

I have come to every one. For 60 years, we have gathered here, Sanchez said.

Valdivia's daughter, Jeannette McCombs, of Sterling, echoed the issue of the reunion not surviving any more.

We are trying to keep it alive, but there is just not that feeling. The younger people have lost interest, she said.

Marguerite Dasso of Rock Island, is part of the Garcia family. She said the issue is not just about interest.

There are five families involved and my family, we are all live here. But there are not a lot of people my age around to do it, she said.
The German American Heritage Center will host local home-brewing groups 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the center, 712 W 2nd Ave., Davenport.

Food from Jerry's Market will be available.

Admission to the beer tasting will be free for everyone 21 and older. A free-will donation will help the center provide more programs and events.

The German American Heritage Center is open 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Mondays.

For more information, call 563-322-8844, visit www.gahc.org or the centers Facebook page.
In the basement of the Davenport Public Library this past week, a couple dozen people, most of them union representatives, listened patiently to what was supposed to be an hour-long presentation.

Instead, it was stretching to 90 minutes. And there still were more questions.

At the head of the room, Mike Cormack, a former state lawmaker who now chairs a little-known agency called the Iowa Public Employee Relations Board, was doing his best. But these are unusual times. This month and next, the agency that has just 10 full-time employees will oversee hundreds of retention and re-certification elections for public employee unions.

As you might expect, there's some anxiety in the air.

"The first time out is like learning how to ride a bike," Cormack said.

It's rare there are elections to start or decertify a union. There were only a dozen in fiscal year 2017.

These new elections were set in motion by the overhaul of Iowa's collective bargaining law. The measure, signed in February by Gov. Terry Branstad, not only significantly reduced the items that could be put on the bargaining table, such as health insurance, but it also changed the rules for the unions themselves.

It changed how they could collect dues. And it requires that, in the year before their contracts expire, elections be held to decide whether to retain the bargaining units.

About 30 labor organizations representing approximately 1,600 workers in Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties are on the list for October elections. No Quad-City area unions are facing September elections.

Included on that list is the union representing Davenport firefighters. Also, the Pleasant Valley Education Association, which represents about 350 educators, will be having an election.

Statewide, an estimated 34,000 public workers will be eligible to vote in October elections. Unions with predominantly public safety workers don't face the same curbs on bargaining that other unions do, but they still must have elections.

Backers of the election provision argue that it will make unions more accountable. The unions say Republicans who ushered in the new law are just trying to kill them off. And the provision that requires unions to get a majority of votes of the people in the bargaining unit  as opposed to those who cast ballots in the elections  is especially unfair, they say.

"There probably isn't a single politician in this country who could get elected under those rules," said Danny Homan, president of AFSCME, Council 61, the largest public employee union in the state. "Yet, those are the rules they put on us."

Unions are determined to fight back, however. In some cases, they've been preparing for this new world since the law was signed.

Among the two dozen people in the audience last week at the Davenport library was Lynette Claeys, an Iowa State Education Association official based in the Quad-Cities.

She works with five bargaining units that will have elections in October.

It's a new thing for her. All five were certified decades ago. So were a lot of Iowa unions.

"I was still in high school in the 70s, when these elections took place," Claeys said.

One of the challenges is motivating people who don't always pay attention to union matters, even though they're covered by the contracts.

"I don't think a lot of these people realize what could be at stake," Claeys said.

Unions are working to make sure they do know  and, even though they now can't bargain on as many items, that people still see the value of acting collectively.

"You've still got to have your voice," Claeys said. "You've still got to have a problem-solver."

This brand new world of union elections also has revealed an important consideration: If a bargaining unit loses an election, it could mean the demise of its current contract, even if the agreement's expiration date isn't until next June.

Cormack said staffers at the Iowa Public Employee Relations Board say this has been the case in the past when a union loses an election and is decertified. Although he said governments could voluntarily continue with the terms of a contract, in the state board's view, a union loss would mean "the contract is null and void at that time."

Homan disagrees with the employee relations board's interpretation.

"My understanding of a valid binding contract is it will continue until the point in time that the contract expires," he said.

Cormack concedes there are differing opinions, and the matter could be settled in court.

Already, AFSCME is challenging the legality of the new law on the grounds it violates the state Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment.

The state teachers union also has filed a lawsuit challenging the law.

Either way, the prospect of a contract ending before its scheduled expiration date is something that could motivate union members who will vote this month and next.

Voters will have two weeks to cast their ballots. But unlike past elections, it won't be done by mail. Votes will be taken online and via telephone line. The state has hired a vendor to handle the balloting.

The October elections will take place from Oct. 10-24. It's not clear quite yet how many elections will be held. The deadline for unions to pay the fee for bargaining units willing to go before the voters hasn't expired yet. But there are more than 500 bargaining units potentially up for elections on a list kept by employee relations board.

Some may decide not to go forward. Some decided not to do so in Wisconsin, which is the only other state that conducts these types of elections regularly, Cormack said. Wisconsin changed its rules with Act 10, the 2011 law that put significant curbs on collective bargaining for public employees.

Iowa unions say they're determined to withstand what they say is an attack on them.

"We're alive. We're kicking. We're fighting," Homan said. "I believe we'll be here a year from now kicking and fighting."
Tensions in Asia Pacific have reached ominous new levels. Flashpoints in the South and East China Seas, the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait have led to a renewed arms race, as regional players look to secure dominance in the face of new and shifting challenges.

In July, the United States commissioned its newest and largest ever aircraft carrier, the $13 billion USS Gerald R. Ford.

China has recently launched its second aircraft carrier and its most-advanced destroyer ever. Those came shortly before Beijing sent its other aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, in a display of power to Hong Kong, and other warships to show their might as far away as Europe.

Meanwhile, North Korea continues with its missile program, having now successfully tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles that theoretically put the US mainland in range of Pyongyang's military reach.

With all that in mind, CNN looks at the military state of play in North Asia. What are the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the players in the region?

The United States remains the world's preeminent military power, and in the Pacific it fields large numbers of technologically advanced weapons.

The US Pacific Command "is prepared to fight tonight with the best technology of any force on the planet," Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the more than 340,000 US troops in the Pacific, said in a February speech.

The US has 11 active aircraft carriers and more in production. In comparison, China has just launched only its second aircraft carrier, but that ship won't be ready for action for a few years.

While only one of those US carriers, the USS Ronald Reagan, is based in Asia, the 97,000-ton warships with their complement of 60-plus warplanes can be moved within the space of a few weeks to global hot spots, as evidenced when the Navy sent the San Diego-based USS Carl Vinson to the South China Sea in February and its later movement to the Korean Peninsula.

While those new additions to the region may be making the recent headlines, the US has maintained a robust force at bases from Japan to Australia.

Kadena Air Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa is home to the US Air Force's 18th Wing, billed as the largest combat-ready wing in the service. More than 50 F-15 Eagle fighters are based at Kadena, supported by tankers and AWACS command and control aircraft.

In South Korea, the US maintains two major air bases, Osan with F-16 fighters and A-10 "tank killers," and Kunsan with F-16s.

Additional heavy airpower can be called in from the Pacific island of Guam, through which the US rotates B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers.

The US Navy, meanwhile, has 10 guided-missile cruisers and destroyers based in Japan. The ships are armed with Tomahawk missiles for offensive purposes and the Aegis missile defense system that could be used to intercept North Korean launches.

Measured by active duty manpower alone, the North Korean military is huge. Pyongyang has almost 1.2 million men and women in uniform, putting it behind only China, the United States and India among the world's largest militaries.

From an armaments standpoint, however, North Korea's isolationism has left it behind much of the world technologically, meaning it can't field the quality of weapons that adversaries such as South Korea, the US and Japan employ. But that doesn't mean it can't do catastrophic damage to its enemies.

"The North Korean military's most powerful tool is artillery," says Stratfor, a geopolitical analysis firm based in Texas.

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, North Korea can field 21,000 artillery pieces. Many of those are within range of the 25 million South Koreans living in the Seoul metropolitan area, meaning the North could launch an artillery barrage that could kill thousands -- and possibly many more.

South Korea fields some of the world's most-advanced weaponry, all focused on protecting it from the threat posed by the North.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies points out that Seoul has procured or will get advanced weaponry, including a fleet of F-35 stealth fighters, cruise missiles for its F-15 fighters, and new submarines.

Seoul will also be adding to its fleet of Sejong the Great-class guided-missile destroyers, already considered among the world's most-advanced warships.

"They make a competitive case to be the Pacific region's leading modern multi-role heavy surface combatant, while providing an important platform for new South Korean weapons," Defense Industry Daily wrote of the Sejong the Great destroyer, which are even bigger than US guided-missile cruisers.

On the ground, Seoul's force includes 100 of its domestically produced K2 "Black Panther" tanks, considered among the best in the world by analysts.

Japan has assembled one of the world's strongest and technologically advanced militaries, analysts say.

"Pilot for pilot, ship for ship, Japan can stand toe to toe with anybody," said John T. Kuehn, a professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Tokyo's naval forces, known as the Maritime Self-Defense Force, are particularly strong and adept at anti-submarine warfare, experts say.

"Subsurface detection and reaction is a Japanese strength in both technological and operational terms," said Corey Wallace, a security analyst at Freie University in Berlin.

The backbone of that force is Japan's 19 submarines and three helicopter destroyers, which are more like aircraft carriers than what most people think of as a destroyer.

China has the world's largest military by sheer quantity, with more than 2.1 million active duty personnel.

On and under the sea, Beijing has impressive numbers of submarines (64) and large surface ships (82), which give adversaries something to worry about in quantity. However, analysts say the Chinese fleet falls short of those adversaries in quality.

But in late June, Beijing launched its first Type 055 destroyer, which analysts say will be on par or perhaps better than anything regional adversaries have in their fleets.

In the air, too, China can field large numbers of combat assets, including more than 800 fighter jets and 150 bombers. While the majority of those would be considered old technology, fifth-generation stealth fighters such as the J-20 and J-31 are just coming online and could rival US F-35 and F-22 warplanes for supremacy in the Pacific.

China's biggest asset, however, may be its missile force.

A 2016 report from the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said China's DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile -- dubbed by analysts the "Guam killer" -- allows China to bring unprecedented firepower to bear on Guam, home to the US' vital Andersen Air Force Base.

China also boasts newly developed air-launched, land-attack cruise missiles which can be fired by its fleet of H-6K long-range bombers.
Its been clear for decades that the way Illinois funds its public schools has been wrong-headed. But finding a solution has eluded everyone who has tried. Until now.

Gov. Jim Edgar thoroughly defeated a Democratic rival in 1994 who championed a tax swap idea. The plan Dawn Clark Netsch backed wouldve traded an income tax hike for local property tax reductions and an overall funding increase to local schools. For years, property taxes had been rising while the states share of overall education funding had plummeted. But Edgar focused on the income tax hike in Netschs plan and pummeled her at the polls.

Well into his second term, Edgar unveiled his own school funding plan, which turned out to be eerily similar to Netschs proposal. His proposal was backed by Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, who had spoken briefly during the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention in favor of school funding reform. The plan was killed by Senate President Pate Philip, a suburban Republican who pointed out that the voters had already thoroughly rejected Netschs proposal.

Philip also strongly opposed a last-minute provision to help Chicago Public Schools pay for its teacher pensions. The state picks up all the employer and legacy costs of teacher pensions for the suburbs and Downstate, but not Chicago. And that has been a bone of contention for years.

James Meeks, an African-American minister of a huge congregation on Chicagos South was the next to take up the mantle. Meeks was elected to the Illinois Senate as an independent in 2002 and he made education funding reform his top priority. Meeks threatened to run as an independent candidate for governor in 2006 if incumbent Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich didnt come up with his own plan.

Blagojevich convinced Meeks to get out of the race by unveiling a proposal that vastly increased school funding by privatizing the lottery. But after Blagojevich was safely reelected, he double-crossed Meeks and didnt follow through.

Meeks spent the next few years attempting to pass a huge tax hike package, mainly to help public schools. But it stalled when Speaker Madigan wouldnt put his House majority at risk.

Along the way, Meeks attempted to organize a boycott of underfunded Chicago Public Schools and brought busloads of kids to suburban Winnetka in a failed bid to enroll them in the top-ranked New Trier High School. He also championed the idea of using tax money to help kids enroll in private schools.

It turns out that a Winnetka resident at the time, Bruce Rauner, wound up being elected governor a few years later. Meeks backed Rauner in the 2014 campaign and Rauner, a school choice champion, appointed Meeks chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education.

At the time of the 2014 election, state Sen. Andy Manar, a Democrat from the tiny southern Illinois town of Bunker Hill, had already been working on the school funding problem. Manar had quit his job as Senate President John Cullertons chief of staff to run for the legislature in 2012, so he had far more skills and experience than the typical freshman.

After he was inaugurated, Gov. Rauner hired an education funding reform point person, Beth Purvis, and put her in charge of a study commission that actually wanted to get something done this time.

The next two and a half years was filled with excruciating political infighting that made even the most hardened insiders blanche. It looked like it would all go off the rails more times than I could count. And it really almost did when the governor used his amendatory veto powers in July on a bill passed by both the House and Senate in May.

Rauner constantly derided that bill as a Chicago bailout. But his amendatory veto introduced new concepts that hadnt been discussed by his commission and, therefore, brought opponents out of the woodwork.

Faced with yet another revolt by some of the same legislative Republicans who overrode his vetoes of the state budget and income tax hike, Rauner was finally convinced to pare back his excessive demands.

Rauner did win a school choice component - a five-year income tax credit for donations to private and out-of-district public school tuition scholarship funds that Chairman Meeks backed. But he also ended up signing a bill that provided more money for Chicago Public Schools than the one he vetoed, including, finally, some significant state cash for Chicago teacher pensions, a proposal he vetoed almost two years ago.

Without Manar, Purvis and Meeks and those who preceded them, none of this would've happened. And now we can move on to the next Illinois crisis.
It arrives on about a 30-second delay, but when the stench hits your nostrils, theres little doubt about its source.

Well, we just ran over some deer, says Zack Seager, 27, as he maneuvers a 40-ton packer over a pile of garbage at the Rapid City Landfill just west of S.D. Highway 79 on Tuesday morning. Those things can get a little rank in the warm weather.

Seager uses little more casually than the average person. Then again, hes worked at the landfill for four years, and the odor, he says, isnt nearly as bad as when he started.

You get used to the smell. When I first started my stomach would be tossing and turning through the night.

Seager talks relaxedly as he sits in the packer's  a Bomag BC 772  air conditioned cab, driving back and forth over a mass of freshly dumped garbage near the western edge of the landfill. Similar to a bulldozer in appearance, the machine has one unique characteristic: Instead of heavy rubber tires or a track, it rests on massive metal wheels equipped with teeth to push the garbage into the ground as firmly as possible.

The main thing is just getting this stuff packed as tight as we can, he says. Every square foot. Were running out of room.

He directs the machine back over the deer once more.

The faster you can get things buried like that, I think, the better off, he says of avoiding the smell. Half a minute later, it has nonetheless penetrated the cab. Seager appears unfazed.

If you compare today to 10, 15 years ago, those guys didnt even have cabs, he says of his packer predecessors. They were breathing everything, so I mean really, now, were pretty spoiled.

Seager continues working back and forth over the garbage mound, couch cushions here, cardboard boxes there, torn plastic bags filled with soda bottles and milk cartons everywhere.

I was in shock for about three months when I first started because of the amount of garbage, Seager says as another truckload of garbage is dumped 200 yards north of the packer. I mean, it was unbelievable.

The uneven surface throws Seager from side to side as he turns the packer around.

Its rough on your body, doing this all day, he says. Your back  but you get used to it, you know?

The most dangerous part of the job, Seager says, is the damage you can do if you start to daydream while operating the massive machine.

You really need to pay attention all the time. From what I hear (landfills are) the fifth most dangerous place you can work in the world. You have people walking around. You have to pay attention at all times. The time you let your guard down is when something bad happens.

Then, theres the part of walking atop piles of who knows what with nails, medical waste and used needles always a misstep away. A few co-workers have had needles shoot through their boot and into their foot, Seager says. Fortunately, needles are no longer allowed at the landfill. Medical waste is the next thing theyre looking to banish.

Overall, though, Seager is happy to work at the landfill, where you see something odd every day.

Theres not a day that goes by that its the same, he says, a smile jumping across his face as he tries to recall the weirdest moment on the job thus far.

Theres always something, whether its, you know, they drop off a load and three coons jump out and take off running. He laughs, adding that that's actually a pretty regular occurrence. They look like theyve been crunched in there for a few hours, where theyre kind of wobbling off.

The job has given him a new perspective on material objects, too, especially as he browses store aisles.

Everything materialistic thing you see, I just picture it all in the landfill," he says, shaking his head. "Houses, anything. It has to go somewhere, you know. Were taking 500 tons a day, and this is a small city. Everybody should come out and see how much garbage ....

His voice trails off. The garbage, though, likely never will.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AFNS) | Eighteen Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron departed Louisville, Kentucky Aug. 27, 2017, for Texas, where they will assist with rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The Airmen are deploying to Robert Gray Army Air Field at Fort Hood, Texas.

Among the deploying personnel are 14 Airmen who will comprise of two Personnel Recovery Teams. These Airmen have expertise in swift-water rescue, confined-space operations and emergency medical care. They will deploy with a variety of equipment suited to hurricane recovery operations, including inflatable motor boats.

Also deploying are four Airmen who will stand up and staff an Austere Special Tactics Operations Center.

The 123rd STS has extensive experience with hurricane rescue and recovery operations. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, members of the unit established and operated a helicopter landing zone on a highway overpass in New Orleans, helping evacuate nearly 12,000 residents.

These Airmen are some of the most dedicated and professional special operators in the entire United States Armed Forces, said Col. David Mounkes, the Kentucky ANG 123rd Airlift Wing commander. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they work to assist residents who have been stranded by Hurricane Harvey and the historic flooding in Texas.
The unusually high costs of criminal cases in Pennington County are causing the county Board of Commissioners to consider raising property taxes.

But, unbeknownst to some commissioners, theres a state fund to help counties when they fall victim to that exact situation.

Established in 1992 by the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners, the County Legal Expense Relief Program, or CLERP, assists member counties with the payment of catastrophic legal expenses incurred during the prosecution and defense of costly trials.

Currently, 58 counties participate in the program, which covers 90 percent of approved legal expenses after counties pay the first $25,000 of a cases costs. Custer, Meade, Fall River and Oglala Lakota counties all participate in the program, but Pennington County does not.

The program is funded with annual contributions by member counties, with each countys contribution amount based on its population and assessed property valuations. The programs previous-year expenses dictate how much overall funding the program needs.

Commissioner Ron Buskerud, who served as a deputy states attorney for Pennington County from 1990 to 2000, said he was familiar with the program before hypothesizing on the rationale for Pennington Countys absence.

At the time, Im sure we looked at it and it just didnt pay us to do it, he said, noting that since Pennington County has the second largest population and second highest assessed property valuation in South Dakota, the contributions may outweigh the prospective reimbursements. Minnehaha County, which ranks first in both those categories, is also not a member of the program.

Its a great deal for small towns, Buskerud said. It would be a good deal for them if they got a murder trial.

Commissioner Mark DiSanto, who admitted he didnt know much beforehand about the program, shared a similar speculation.

After reading the rules, (I think) that its based on the fact that it was probably going to cost us more than we would save, he said. I think what this program was designed for, if Im reading it correctly, is to help out these smaller communities with much smaller populations.

DiSanto added that the drastic increase in expected court expenses in 2018 may have been a situation where the county would have benefited from the fund, but it was too late now.

Hindsight is 20/20, he said.

Pennington County States Attorney Mark Vargo remembers only what the rumor mill was saying about the program when it was first created, but it lined up with what Buskerud and DiSanto hypothesized.

I think it was largely a financial decision, Vargo said, explaining that he thought the county was large enough to absorb the increased costs when necessary as opposed to contributing to the fund during the many years the county didnt need it.

Later, he wondered aloud whether the programs definition of catastrophic would be different for Pennington County given the regularity of murder cases in Pennington County compared with smaller counties.

Vargos office is requesting a funding increase of about $400,000 for the 2018 budget.

SDACC Executive Director Bob Wilcox and Deputy Director Kristie Jacobsen were unable to estimate how much Pennington County would likely need to contribute each year, as the amount changes depending on expenses and any claims by Pennington County would affect the fund.

In 2016, 10 total claims from seven counties were approved, costing the fund $474,814 according to figures provided by Jacobsen. In 2015, nine claims from six counties cost $408,000. There is no limit to how much a county can request in its claim provided the expenses are accounted for in an invoice.

"I honestly dont know why they would not participate, said Wilcox in a Journal interview. I wish I knew. To me, it looks like a pretty good safety net for counties. I dont understand it."

In Journal interviews, Commissioners George Ferebee and Lloyd LaCroix said they were unaware of the program but expressed interested in learning more. Commissioner Deb Hadcock was unavailable for comment.

Noting that the annual convention for SDACC and the South Dakota Association of County Officials will be held in Rapid City later this month, Buskerud said it could provide a good opportunity to learn whether opting into the program would benefit the county moving forward.

I think its high time we probably took another look at it, he said. Were getting more serious crimes now costing us more money. It may pay for us to do it now. I got a hunch itd probably be a wash, but we should probably take another look at it.

To join the fund, the commission would need to pass a resolution requesting participation in the fund before sending a notice to the CLERP board asking for admittance. The board would then review the request before approval or denial.

Requests to CLERP must be submitted by July 31 to be admitted into the program beginning January 1 of the following year. Any court cases already underway before being admitted cannot be reimbursed by the program, and counties can be denied acceptance into the program if an incident has occurred which places the county in imminent danger of being involved in a court trial.

The commission will consider the 2018 budget proposal at its next meeting, at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the County Administration Building at 130 Kansas City St.
Russian court dismisses appeal against seizure of AFK Sistemas funds

MOSCOW, September 4 (RAPSI)  The Eighteen Commercial Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal filed by AFK Sistema against the seizure of 170.6 billion rubles (about $2.9 billion) as part of the legal dispute between the company and Russias largest oil corporation Rosneft, the court's representative told RAPSI on Monday.

On August 23, the Commercial Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan recovered 136.3 billion rubles (about $2.3 billion) from AFK Sistema in favor of Rosneft. Sistema considers the ruling unlawful and unreasonable saying it plans to challenge it in the Eighteenth Commercial Court of Appeals. Rosneft sought to recover 170.6 billion rubles (about $2.8 billion).

On June 23, the Commercial Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan seized 31.76% of MTS mobile operators shares owned by AFK Sistema and its subsidiary Sistema-Invest as well as 100% of Medsi Groups shares and 90.47% of Bashkir Power Grid Companys (BESK) as part of 170.6 billion rubles (about $3 billion at the current exchange rate) lawsuit filed by Rosneft, Bashneft and Republic of Bashkiria against the companies.

On August 7, AFK Sistema appealed the seizure with the Eighteenth Commercial Court of Appeals.

Press service of Rosneft has said previously that the lawsuit is connected with alleged siphoning of assets. Actions of AFK Sistema allegedly led to decrease of assets at this sum.

Initially, Rosneft sought to collect 106.6 billion ($1.8 billion) in damages from Sistema. Later the oil giant increased its claim to 170.6 billion. The plaintiff revised the claim damage upwards taking into account currency fluctuations, according to a companys representative.

According to AFK Sistema, the plaintiffs demands are illegal and groundless.
Russian teacher charged with calling for riots appeals his detention in ECHR

MOSCOW, September 4 (RAPSI)  Lawyers of the Moscow Finance and Law Universitys ex-teacher of mathematics Dmitry Bogatov, charged with calls for riots, have appealed his detention in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), attorney Alexey Liptser told RAPSI on Monday.

According to the lawyers, the Russian authorities violated Article 5 (Right to Liberty and Security) of the European Convention of Human Rights.

This spring, the Presnensky District Court of Moscow ruled to detain Bogatov. Later, the court ruled to put the defendant under house arrest on request of investigators. Bogatov is charged with public calls for carrying out terrorist activity with the use of the Internet and organization of mass riots.

Investigators believe that on March 29 of 2017, a person hiding identity behind a pseudonym published texts calling for radically extremist actions. Law enforcement agencies involved in the case say it was Bogatov who published calls for mass riots using special computer programs.
When Randy Grows draft lottery number came up in 1974, he reported for military service.

His vision didnt pass muster and he was dismissed with a polite, Thank you for your interest. Next! he said.

Determined to serve somehow, Grow picked up his bugle and dedicated himself to playing taps at veterans' graveside funerals and military ceremonies.

Since then, the Billings bugler said hes played taps at about 4,500 services.

I have the final farewell. I hope to bring dignity, honor and closure to the family, Grow said.

Today, Grow will be among at least a dozen other buglers who will play the iconic 24-note call at Gettysburg National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The buglers will play a rolling taps, Grow said, with one bugler after another playing the call.

The Sept. 4 sounding of taps will cap One Hundred Nights of Taps at the cemetery. The event, sponsored by the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg National Military Park and Taps for Veterans, has featured the call at 7 p.m. every night since Memorial Day to honor those who fought in the Civil War and all wars before and since, said Wendy Allen, of the Lincoln Fellowship.

Gettysburg and the Gettysburg National Cemetery are special, solemn places, and we are humbled to bring this experience each and every night this summer, Allen said in a news release.

Buglers who have performed include veterans, Civil War re-enactor buglers, community band members, students and music teachers.

West to east

More than 3,500 Union Army veterans as well as veterans from more recent wars are buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery. The bugle call takes place at the Soldiers National Monument, the site believed to be where President Abraham Lincoln delivered The Gettysburg Address on Nov. 19, 1863, to dedicate the cemetery. The short address is one of the most famous speeches in American history.

In the battle of Gettysburg, which began on July 1, 1863, Confederate troops under the command of Robert E. Lee ultimately were defeated by Union troops under Gen. Joseph Hooker, and then Gen. George Meade, after three days of battle. When the fighting ended, more than 51,000 Americans were dead, wounded or missing. Lee retreated, and the war continued for two more years.

A Glendive native, Grow, 61, learned to play the coronet in grade school and first began playing bugle calls as a Cub Scout at Boy Scout jamborees.

Grow has bugled taps everywhere hes lived during the years, from Great Falls to Idaho Falls to more recently, Billings.

Since moving to Billings in 2007, Grow has played the call at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel many times, sometimes as often as four times a week. He also plays taps quarterly at the cemetery, when the remains of veterans who have no survivors are interred.

Its always been my honor and privilege, Grow said.

The most services Grow has bugled in one day has been six  four at the Yellowstone cemetery and two in Billings. He typically plays at about 120 services a year.

He rarely knows the deceased when he plays taps. And he doesnt get nervous.

The moment the horn comes up, its time to honor the veteran, he said.

The horn

Grow is committed to playing taps live, from a real instrument. While some places use digitally recorded versions on a device tucked into the instruments bell, Grow said its not the same.

There is no heart and soul to it, he said.

Some buglers play taps exactly as written.

Myself, I take my time with it, he said.

Adjusting to circumstances goes with the territory, he said. There was the time Grow had to improvise to be heard over helicopters flying overhead, and another when he timed his phrasing around unexpected gongs from church bells.

When its cold outside, he tucks his bugle under his arm to keep it warm and blows into the mouthpiece to keep it and his lips ready to play.

Grows go-to bugle is a well-worn, pre-World War I military issue Conn instrument he bought at a pawn shop in Missoula.

Grow said he saw it on the wall and asked the owner if he could try it to make sure it didnt leak air. Three guys were in the shop having coffee and one of them, who was rather gruff, asked Grow if he knew how to play the bugle.

Yes, Grow responded, and played a few calls as requested by the man. The bugle was priced at $30, but the owner told Grow he could have it for $10 because, Grow said, he had made the man, a retired two-star general, smile.

Nicknamed The Old Timer, the bugle sounds fantastic, Grow said.

The event

For the Gettysburg event, Grow said he will be wearing his replica of a Civil War-era uniform. The outfit is one he wears when shooting period firearms as part of activities with the Single Action Shooting Society.

Grow said he thinks his invitation to play at Gettysburg stems from an encounter he had while on his way to play taps at the Yellowstone cemetery. Wanting to look presentable at the service, Grow said he stopped for a haircut by a friend who has a salon in Laurel.

There was a customer, Dick Hatfield, ahead of him, but Hatfield gave him his spot. Grow showed his bugle to Hatfield, who asked to hear it. As he played, Hatfield, retired from the Air Force, snapped to attention and tears started flowing, Grow said.

Hatfield, whose nephew gives tours at Gettysburg, and Grow became acquainted.

Several months later, Grow said, Hatfield called and told him hed been invited to bugle taps at Gettysburg.

Im so deeply humbled even to be asked to do this, Grow said.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal Police have confiscated a huge cache of gold from Chhetrapati of the Capital on Monday morning.

It is said that this is the huge cache of illegal gold confiscated in Nepals history.

A police team deployed from the Metropolitan Police Range,Teku, confiscated 88 k.g. gold along with the driver of a Tata Safari named Suraj Adhikari.

It is said that a Chinese national has also involved in the gold smuggling. However, the police has not revealed about the persons and motive behind the smuggling.

It is said that gold was smuggled from Kerung border point in Rasuwa district. We have investigating over the case, police have said.
Guwahati : A hardcore militant belonging to NSCN-K was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Arunachal Pradesh's Longding district on Saturday night, officials said.

According to the reports, based on intelligence input, the troops of Assam Rifles under the aegis of DAO Division had launched near Kunsa village in Longding district about NSCN-K militants trying to exfiltrate from Indian territory.

'The Khonsa battalions swiftly launched an operation, establishing an ambush on likely exfiltration route of the militants. The column saw move of few torches towards them, the column challenged the approaching party to ascertain if the party was of villagers. The militants did not stop and opened automatic fire, the column immediately returned fire and the exchange of fire lasted 20 minutes in which a hardcore NSCN-K militant was eliminated. The other militants managed to escape using cover of darkness and bad weather. In subsequent search operation launched early morning the column found the hardcore militant in combat dress who had succumbed to bullet injuries,'A Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said.

Security personnel had recovered a pistol and other incriminating evidence in possession from the slain militant.

Searching operation against the fled militants at the area is still in progress.

The slain militant was identified as Honcham Wangsa, Self Styled Corporal of NSCN-K's Mobile two group.

The militant was involved in an ambush on Assam Rifles column at Nignu on December 3, 2016 and is also known to be involved in extortion activities in the area.

Security forces has been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this elimination has struck a blow to the illegal activities being carried out by the underground militants of the group in the area.

On the other hand, the Khonsa battalion of Assam Rifles on Sunday had apprehended a senior NSCN -K militant identified as self styled second Lieutenant Gantaih Pansa with a pistol and ammunition.

The nabbed militant is a senior leader of NSCN-K Mobile two group and has been coordinating extortion activities in Wakka Circle in Tirap district.

The militant had joined NSCN-IM in 2006 and underwent three months weapons training.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : Assam government will recruit 10,000 more TET qualified teachers in next week.

Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that, the BJP-led state government had already recruited 17,000 TET qualified elementary teachers in the state and the state government is going to recruit 10,000 more TET qualified teachers in next week.

While distributed the appointment letters to 6172 TET qualified teachers at elementary schools under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Assam during a ceremonial programme held at Veterinary College playground at Khanapara in Guwahati, the Assam education minister said that, a section of intellectuals of Assam based in Guwahati are trying to divide Assam again.

Himanta Biswa Sarma accusing the intellectual section that, they are trying to make a separate propaganda for it from the capital city of Assam.

'The BJP-led state government is committed to fulfill the promises given by the saffron party before the assembly election to the people of Assam. We will do for greater interest of the state,'A Sarma said.

The Assam education minister expressed happiness that TET has made the teacher recruitment process in the government schools completely transparent and eliminated all scopes for corruption from the system.

On the other hand, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that, teachers must commit themselves to the cause of creating capable citizens for the country as primary school teachers are the agents of change for the society who can instill good qualities in the students from a nascent stage.

Urging the newly appointed teachers to take up the responsibility of spreading light of education in the far flung and remote areas of the state, Sonowal said that teaching is not a mere profession but an opportunity to serve the society and to become partners in nation building by shaping the future generations of the country and he urged the teachers perform their duties with Gyan (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion) and Boiragi (Sacrifice).

'For building a society based on equality where all people are empowered to lead a life of dignity and to meet modern day challenges like corruption and increasing crimes, the education system must produce citizens with high moral values and integrity,'A Sonowal said.

'Saying that the government is striving to facilitate an environment for growth and economic progress in the state so that meritorious and brilliant students do not need to go outside the state for finding employment and live a better life, Sonowal informed that state government's plans to build International Trade Centre at Guwahati with twin towers of 65 floors and expansion of the Guwahati City for creating State Capital Region are steps towards making Guwahati the gateway to Southeast Asia.

'The Trade Centre will bring global industrial players to the state who will set up their bases here for doing business in South East Asia and it will create a lot of employment opportunities for the youth of the state,'A Sonowal said.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the Northeast region

to become the new engine of growth for the country, the Assam CM said that some elements are trying to foment trouble in the state by inciting the people of different religious faiths and linguistic groups against each other and he called on the people to maintain age old peace and harmony to defeat all such designs of forces inimical to the state's growth and development.

'It was our electoral promise to recruit 28 thousand TET qualified teachers and we are on our way to fulfil that promise,'A Sonowal said.

'He also said that an ACS Training Centre would be set up at Umrangsu in Dima Hasao district covering an area of 1000 bighas which would be able to provide training to not only Assam Civil Service officers but also to officers of other state civil services as well.

On the other hand, urging all TET qualified elementary school teachers to enrol themselves at the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) website by September 15, 2017 for obtaining D.El.Ed. (Diploma in Elementary Education) within March 2019, the Assam education minister stated that without the Diploma all those teachers working in the state would have to lose their jobs as Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 has mandated teachers to have D.El.Ed as minimum qualification for teaching from April 1, 2019.

A One Day Orientation Programme for Newly Recruited TET passed Teachers of Elementary Education was also organised by Sarba Siksha Abhiyan, Assam in collaboration with Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University.

Commissioner and Secretary of Elementary Education Department Pritam Saikia, Commissioner and Secretary of Secondary Education Department R.C. Jain, Mission Director SSA, Assam Aruna Rajoria, Vice Chancellor of KKHSOU Hitesh Deka were also present on the occasion among others.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : The busiest traffic on one of Guwahati's road on Sunday morning came almost to a standstill for nearly 28 minutes to allow the movement of an ambulance carrying a critically ill six-month-old child to the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport.

The ambulance carrying the critically ill child named Snigdharaag Bhuyan was provided a Green Corridor by the Kamrup (Metro) district administration for a quick passage to airlift.

The Green Corridor in Guwahati was set up along a 33-km stretch from Pratiksha Hospital to LGBI airport.

An air ambulance later flew the boy, who hails from northen Assam's Biswanath district with his parents to New Delhi for advanced treatment in the Gangaram hospital.

Snigdharaag is suffering from a rare infection of the lung and spinal cord and he was admitted at the Guwahati based hospital two months back and was being kept on ventilation at the hospital.

Guwahati city police commissioner Hiren Nath, who had supervised the 33-km long Green Corridor said that, it usually takes nearly about 90 minutes to cover the distance due to rush traffic, but the child reached at the LGBI airport in 28 minutes with the help of public, police personnel.

"Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has taken the matter very seriously and asked us to make special arrangement for the critically ill child. Then we appealed the public and received remarkable responses from the public," Hiren Nath said.

This is the second Green Corridor arranged in the state for passage of patient.

Earlier, Green Corridor was arranged in Dibrugarh for passage of a patient.

According to the reports, the air ambulance had left from the LGBI airport at around 11-50 am.

Snigdharaag parents said that they have to need a special arrangement for their child to provide advanced treatment in Delhi.

"After consultation with the doctors of Pratiksha hospital, we are requesting the state government and Kamrup (Metro) district administration to arrange a special movement for passage of our child. We are very thankful to the state government, Kamrup (Metro) district administration, Guwahati city police and people of Assam in our time to need," the child's mother Madhumita Saikia Bhuyan said.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that, the state government would bear the expenses of the child's treatment.

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has already directed the resident Commissioner of Assam House in New Delhi to provide all necessary assistance to the family of Snigdharaag.

Earlier in March this year, a similar Green Corridor was arranged in New Delhi with intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an only eight-day-old baby from Dibrugarh, who was flown to Delhi for advanced treatment.

Meanwhile, the people of Assam had offered their prayers in many places in the state for the child's well being.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : A hardcore militant belonging to NSCN-K was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Arunachal Pradesh's Longding district on Saturday night, officials said.

According to the reports, based on intelligence input, the troops of Assam Rifles under the aegis of DAO Division had launched near Kunsa village in Longding district about NSCN-K militants trying to exfiltrate from Indian territory.

'The Khonsa battalions swiftly launched an operation, establishing an ambush on likely exfiltration route of the militants. The column saw move of few torches towards them, the column challenged the approaching party to ascertain if the party was of villagers. The militants did not stop and opened automatic fire, the column immediately returned fire and the exchange of fire lasted 20 minutes in which a hardcore NSCN-K militant was eliminated. The other militants managed to escape using cover of darkness and bad weather. In subsequent search operation launched early morning the column found the hardcore militant in combat dress who had succumbed to bullet injuries,'A Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said.

Security personnel had recovered a pistol and other incriminating evidence in possession from the slain militant.

Searching operation against the fled militants at the area is still in progress.

The slain militant was identified as Honcham Wangsa, Self Styled Corporal of NSCN-K's Mobile two group.

The militant was involved in an ambush on Assam Rifles column at Nignu on December 3, 2016 and is also known to be involved in extortion activities in the area.

Security forces has been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this elimination has struck a blow to the illegal activities being carried out by the underground militants of the group in the area.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
In an image released by North Korea, leader Kim Jong Un inspects the launch of an intermediate-range ballistic rocket near Pyongyang last week. (Korean Central News Agency via AFP/Getty Images)

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - South Korea said on Monday it was preparing fresh military drills with its ally the United States and ramping up its ballistic missile defenses in response to North Koreas sixth and most powerful nuclear test a day earlier.

The United Nations Security Council was set to meet later on Monday to discuss fresh sanctions against the isolated regime. U.S. President Donald Trump had also asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defense chief.

South Koreas air force and army conducted exercises involving long-range air-to-surface missiles and ballistic missiles on Monday, the joint chiefs of staff said in a statement. More drills were being prepared with U.S. forces in the South, it said.

South Koreas environment ministry will also announce on Monday its approval of an environmental assessment report for the deployment of a controversial U.S. anti-missile defense system, a ministry official told Reuters.

South Korea said in June it would hold off installing the remaining components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system until it completed an assessment of its impact on the environment.

North Korea said Sundays nuclear test was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, prompting the threat of a massive military response from the United States.

Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said outside the White House after meeting Trump and his national security team.

We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, Mattis said. But as I said, we have many options to do so.

Trump has previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash fire and fury if it threatened U.S. territory. That prompted the North to threaten to fire missiles towards the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, although it has since appeared to back away from that threat.

TOUGHER SANCTIONS?

Despite the tough talk, the immediate focus of the international response was expected to be on tougher economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

Diplomats have said the UN Security Council could now consider banning Pyongyangs textile exports and the Norths national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday he would put together a package of new sanctions to potentially cut off all trade with North Korea.

If countries want to do business with the United States, they obviously will be working with our allies and others to cut off North Korea economically, Mnuchin told Fox News.

North Korea, which carries out its nuclear and missile programs in defiance of UN resolutions and sanctions, said on state television the hydrogen bomb test ordered by leader Kim Jong Un had been a perfect success.

The test had registered with international seismic agencies as a man-made earthquake near a test site. Japanese and South Korean officials said the tremor was about 10 times more powerful than the one picked up after North Koreas previous nuclear test a year ago.

Chinas National Nuclear Safety Administration said data from radiation monitoring stations near the North Korean border showed no impact on Chinas environment or populace.
NEW YORK , Septmeber 4: The U.N. Security Council is holding its second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea on Monday after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the Norths persistent weapons programs.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyangs outrageous launch of a ballistic missile over Japan. Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

North Korea is deliberately undermining regional peace and stability, the council said Tuesday when it rebuked the missile test, reiterating demands for the country to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

The North trumpeted perfect success Sunday in its sixth nuclear test blast since 2006.

Requested by the United States, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea, the Security Council meeting Monday could bring additional condemnation and discussion of other potential steps. British Prime Minister Theresa May called in a statement Sunday for speeding the implementation of existing sanctions and looking urgently at new measures in the council.

The group aimed to take a big bite out of the North Korean economy earlier this month by banning the North from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products. Together, those are worth about a third of the countrys $3 billion in exports last year.

The council could look to sanction other profitable North Korean exports, such as textiles. Another possibility could be tighter limits on North Korean laborers abroad; the recent sanctions barred giving any new permits for such workers. The U.S. also suggested some other ideas earlier this summer, including air and maritime restrictions and restricting oil to North Koreas military and weapons programs.

However, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council Tuesday that addressing the issues plaguing the (Korean) Peninsula through sanction pressure alone is impossible because that path does not propose any options for engaging (North Korea) in constructive negotiations.

Russia and China have both proposed a two-pronged approach: North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the U.S. and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises, which they say are defensive but Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion. The North recently requested a Security Council meeting about the war games.

Washington says there is no comparison between its openly conducted, internationally monitored military drills and North Koreas weapons programs, which the international community has banned.

Neither North Korea nor South Korea is a Security Council member.
Rajbiraj, Nepal: the dispute over the issue of ticket distribution has created differences in the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN).

Alleging FSFN vice chairperson Renu Kumar Yadav of picking candidates for the third phase of local polls in an unfair manner, the irate cadres of the party have locked him inside of his house located at the district headquarters Rajbiraj on Monday.

As Yadav is the provincial coordinator of Province 2, he was authorized to pick the candidates in the upcoming local level elections. He was locked at his residence for the last two hours.

Following the lock up the party leaders, the irate cadres had staged demonstration in front of his house by burning tires and shouting slogans against him.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The bill related to the formation of the state assemblies and the House of Representatives has been passed from the State Affairs Committee of the Legislature-Parliament on Monday without incorporating the provision to allow to contest the elections to those who were convicted of committing corruption.

The bill was passed after the lawmakers from the Nepali Congress withdrew the amendment proposal to the bill. As 19 lawmakers from the Nepali Congress registered the amendment proposal, the parliamentary committee had failed to reach on the consensus to passage the bill.

The amendment proposal was registered demanding that any person convicted of committing corruption should be allowed to contest the election after three years of the conviction, if that person wanted to contest any election. Most of the lawmakers particularly from the main opposition CPN UML had stated against of the proposal.

Though, the Article 176 of the Constitution of Nepal- 2015 has made provision for the formation of the State Assembly while Article 84 on the formation of the House of Representatives, the laws is not passed yet.

The government had already announced the date to hold the elections of the state assembly and the House of Representatives elections on November 26 and December 7, 2017. But, no necessary preparations are moved ahead due to the absence of the laws.

It is expected that the passage of the bill from the State Affairs Committee of the Legislature-Parliament would pave the way to passage the bill from the full house of the legislature parliament.
The UK's Shameless Films seem to have a particular fondness for the torture and torment of Italian film siren Edwige Fenech at the hands of giallo legend Sergio Martino; but then again, I can't really blame them. Fenech became one of the most recognizable - and indisputably beautiful - faces of the '70s giallo boom in Italy when she arrived on the scene. She starred in many a classic from this underground subgenre that has only recently begun to receive the kind of notice it deserved.

While she worked with some of the most notorious filmmakers in the business in films that went on to become cult classics, like Andrea Bianchi's Strip Nude for Your Killer and Mario Bava's Five Dolls for an August Moon, it was her collaborations with Martino that linger as possibly her best work.

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh was the first in a highly regarded trilogy of Martino-Fenech productions - Wardh, All the Colours of the Dark, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key - that saw poor Edwige tormented over and over again by men seeking to destroy her, and often succeeding. Joined in each of the films by the burly and sinister presence of Ivan Rassimov, Fenech played the hell out of the damsel in distress in each of these films, but she really only got to have her cake and eat it, too in Wardh.

Julie Wardh is a wealthy American socialite living in Italy as the wife of an industrialist who spends much of his time away for work. She uses her dreadful marriage to escape from the memories of a torrid affair with the sadist Jean (Ivan Rassimov), but she can only distract herself so much. In order to further push Jean from her mind she begins an affair with a handsome playboy named George (George Hilton), but soon enough even that begins to crumble when the news of a serial killer stalking beautiful women hits far too close to home. Soon Julie is trapped as the pawn in a horrific and cruel gaslighting game from which she cannot escape. She thinks she just paranoid, but maybe they really are out to get her.

Martino's giallo output with Fenech is among his strongest. While All the Colours of the Dark carried a very heavy Rosemary's Baby influence, Mrs. Wardh was much more of a straight-forward thriller and lends itself better to comparison with their later collaboration, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, based on the theme of emotional manipulation at the expense of fragile female emotions. Later on in his career, Martino would make what has become - for me - one of the defining films of the later giallo cycle with Torso, which started to strip away the emotional complexity in favor of increasingly brutal sex and violence. It's no slouch, mind you, but these earlier films from Martino, Argento, Fulci, Bava, and the like really spent more of their energy on developing reasons for the slaughter rather than attempting to justify the slaughter with reasoning as an afterthought.

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh was released right at the beginning of the big giallo boom in 1971, and it still feels fresh even today. The film explores the complex emotions of this women who nerves have been shattered by a series of men who seek to keep her under their thumbs for their own purposes. Fenech may not have much agency of her own, but she still manages to cut an imposing figure and it's impossible to ignore her piercing stare.

If you're a fan of giallo at all, or even curious, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is an interesting film that goes beyond the films that would later come to define the genre. As I mentioned in my previous review of All the Colours of the Dark, Martino is a filmmaker that really never got his due, but Shameless Films definitely deserve a pat on the back for not letting his films die with releases like these.

The Disc:

Shameless Films' Blu-ray release of The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is a definite improvement on the previously available home video editions. The colors and textures improve with an HD upgrade from both the Shameless DVD and the American disc from the out of print No Shame disc. Martino wasn't as exuberant about his color schemes as either Argento or Bava, but it's always nice to see these gorgeous films and their gorgeous heroines in full HD bloom.

Shameless recycles a number of previously available bonus materials from their own DVD edition as well as the long gone No Shame DVD and they make for a satisfying package overall. There are interviews with Martino and Fenech about the film and their careers in general, there is an introduction to the film from the prior Shameless DVD release, a second Martino interview that is a more recent one. There is also a running "Fact Track" from Justin Harris that works as a kind of text-based commentary that is pretty interesting, especially if you are listening to the English language audio, as its not too complicated to folow both simultaneously.

This is another solid presentation from Shameless on Blu-ray and it definitely makes me eager to see their treatment of Torso, a film I reviewed years ago from Blue Underground. The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh has long warranted an upgrade, and it's hard to imagine much better than this.
And here it is: a colorful hard cardboard box. I really love the decoration here. In the box: three amarays and a booklet. The contents taken out. All contents opened. Each of the films is there on both DVD and Blu-ray. Each amaray comes with a reversible cover, a very nice touch! The booklet is 60 pages, which may not be the thickest Arrow has ever included, but there is no fat here and it is a treasure trove of information. In it we get essays about Suzuki and his link(s) to the Taisho era, descriptions of the films, behind the scenes pictures, the lot! It's a great extra. The (back)end of a fine-looking boxset. Great work, Arrow! Looking forward to the first "Early Works" boxset in November...

In February of this year, we lost the Japanese filmmaker Suzuki Seijun at the venerable age of 93. His work lives on of course, and UK distributor Arrow will be releasing (re-releasing on some cases) his films in a collection of boxsets. In November, a first boxset of early works has been planned which will contain(1958),(1961),(1962),(1963) and(1965).However, that will not be the first Suzuki boxset released by Arrow this year. Last month we got, containing(1980),(1981) and(1991).These are three supernatural thrillers/dramas (you can never pin Suzuki down on a single genre) which formed Suzuki Seijun's comeback after having been blacklisted in the Japanese film industry for over ten years. All three take place during the early 1920s, known in Japan as the Taisho Era, a short time of enlightenment and blooming of the arts before the militaristic right would seize power.The boxset is a regular one, with three amarays and a booklet, but the artwork is sure pretty enough to earn it an article, so here is a gallery of shots! Click on the edge of the pictures to scroll through them, or at the center of each to see a bigger version.
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low around 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low around 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
 A long-weekend review of some marijuana reform news and notes | Main | Split Tenth Circuit panel finds mandatory five-year prison term for violation of supervised release itself violates Fifth and Sixth Amendments 

September 4, 2017

"The Racial Politics of Mass Incarceration"

The title of this post is the title of this notable paper authored by John Clegg and Adaner Usmani recently posted to SSRN. Here is the abstract:

Dominant accounts of America's punitive turn assume that black elected officials and their constituents resisted higher levels of imprisonment and policing. We gather new data and find little support for this view. Panel regressions and an analysis of federally-mandated redistricting suggest that black elected officials had a punitive impact on imprisonment and policing. We corroborate this with public opinion and legislative data. Pooling 300,000 respondents to polls between 1955 and 2014, we find that blacks became substantially more punitive over this period, and were consistently more fearful of crime than whites. The punitive impact of black elected officials at the state and federal level was concentrated at the height of public punitiveness. In short, the racial politics of punishment are more complex than the conventional view allows. We find evidence that black elected officials and the black public were more likely than whites to support non-punitive policies, but conclude that they were constrained by the context in which they sought remedies from crime.

September 4, 2017 at 10:54 AM | Permalink

Comments

There is not enough punishment. The evidence? 15 million common law crimes, 15 million internet crimes. The coddling of criminals is ridiculous in this country. The biggest losers? Black crime victims. They should get together, hunt, and beat the asses of the lawyers protecting, privileging, and empowering the criminals. There will be no persuasion than can overcome their rent seeking. Only an ass kicking can remedy their betrayal.

Posted by: David Behar | Sep 4, 2017 11:19:54 AM

A nation of criminals ????? Bah ...

Posted by: Claudio Giusti | Sep 5, 2017 3:29:37 PM

Cher offers her home to violators of immigration laws.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cher-offers-dreamers-sanctuary/

Posted by: David Behar | Sep 6, 2017 12:44:17 AM

Post a comment
President Htin Kyaw, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Vice Presidents Myint Swe and Henry Van Thio of Myanmar cabled congratulatory messages to Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.The Myanmar leaders expressed their delight at the elevation of bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive cooperative partnership and measures to enhance cooperation. They voiced their belief that Vietnam-Myanmar relations will further develop in the following years for their peoples common interests and a stronger ASEAN Community.In messages to their Vietnamese counterparts Tran Dai Quang and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi affirmed that India has attached importance to the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam.They stressed the importance of 2017, which was designated as the Friendship Year to mark 45 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of the strategic partnership between Indian and Vietnam, believing that bilateral linkages will be further reinforced in the time ahead.Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros also offered congratulations to President Tran Dai Quang, saying that his country wants to intensify political relations, bilateral cooperation and friendship with Vietnam.In his message of congratulations to the Vietnamese President, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also noted his wish to bolster the relationship between Vietnam and Germany.Meanwhile, President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in highly evaluated major achievements in his countrys cooperation with Vietnam, adding that the RoK wants to continue reinforcing bilateral ties and wishes Vietnam successful hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders Week this year.Congratulating President Tran Dai Quang on Vietnams 72nd National Day, US President Donald Trump wrote that he expects to work with the Vietnamese leader to boost the bilateral relationship and also looks forwards to a visit to Vietnam in November.Italian President Sergio Mattarella wrote in his message that the long-standing friendship is connecting Hanoi and Rome, creating prerequisites for both sides to step up cooperation in more spheres.French President Emmanuel Macron also offered congratulations to President Quang, noting that he wants to further develop France-Vietnam relations in the lead up to five years of the strategic partnership and 45 years of diplomatic ties in 2018.Describing Vietnam as an important partner of Australia in the region, Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove highlighted the fruitful development of multifaceted cooperation. He stressed the hosting of the APEC Year 2017 is a great chance for the world to witness Vietnams dynamic economic growth, and Australia will continue supporting the Southeast Asian nation to successfully organise the APEC Year 2017, thus strengthening bilateral ties.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and PM Volodymyr Groysman also sent congratulations to their Vietnamese counterparts, affirming their countrys special attention to the comprehensive development of bilateral relations.They expressed their belief that strong efforts to beef up ties in all fields and seek new opportunities to realise existing potentials will continue generating positive outcomes, benefiting the Ukrainian and Vietnamese people and create a momentum for expanding win-win cooperation.On this occasion, Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin alao extended congratulations to Vietnamese Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

VNS
AKRON, Iowa | Plymouth County officials are seeking the public's help to locate three vehicles stolen in Akron late Sunday or early Monday.

The sheriff's office responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at 10 a.m. Monday. While deputies were taking the stolen vehicle report, the sheriff's office received reports of two other vehicles stolen in Akron. All three were stolen Sunday night or Monday morning.

Stolen were a white 2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor Limited SUV from the 500 block of North Street, a black 2012 Ford F150 pickup truck from the 400 block of Eighth Street and a silver 2005 Pontiac G6 from the 500 block of Sargent Street.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office at (712) 546-8191. Vehicle owners are reminded not to leave the keys in their vehicles and lock the doors.
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INWOOD, Iowa | Two people from Sioux City who got a vehicle stuck in a field were arrested after authorities discovered the car had been reported stolen.

A Lyon County Sheriff's deputy and Iowa State Patrol trooper responded to the report of a vehicle stuck near 270 Street and Ashley Avenue near Inwood at about 4:20 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen in Flandreau, South Dakota. After the two occupants gave false names, authorities identified them as Christopher Wakeman-Barse, 31, and Yvonne Hoffman, 22, both of Sioux City. Hoffman also was in possession of methamphetamine. Authorities discovered that Wakeman-Barse had an active arrest warrant out of Woodbury County, and Hoffman had an active arrest warrant in Minnehaha County, South Dakota.

Both were charged with possession of stolen property, operating a vehicle without owner's consent, trespassing and providing false information. Hoffman also was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
SIOUX CITY | Sioux City has begun levying a long-overlooked wastewater service charge on some of its sister cities that send sewage to the regional treatment plant. But those city governments have so far refused to pay it.

City officials in North Sioux City, South Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff say they have held off paying the additional fees and are pursuing discussions about the charge. Some say if the full charge remains in place, more rate increases for their residents could be on the horizon.

"At this point we do not intend to pay the 7 percent," South Sioux City Administrator Lance Hedquist told the Journal Tuesday. "It would raise rates to our citizens."

North Sioux City, South Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff each have separate wastewater agreements that govern the amount of waste each community can send to Sioux City's treatment plant and the price each community pays. The agreements have been in place for years, and in some cases decades.

At the beginning of the new fiscal year beginning July 1, Sioux City began enforcing a 7 percent service charge that had not previously been collected on the neighboring communities' bills. The charge is outlined in the years-old sewage agreements with each city but had been overlooked for at least the past two years, and potentially longer.

Sioux City also has a sewage treatment agreement with Dakota Dunes, but the service charge is not included in that original agreement.

Mark Simms, Sioux City's utilities director, said the city discovered the neglected service charge during an audit, and Sioux City staff notified each city after it was discovered, informing them it had decided to move forward with charging it.

"This is something thats existed in the agreements since the agreements were signed many many years ago, and were just trying to correct the error going forward," he said. "Thats the direction I have from management and council."

The charge essentially covers administrative costs, he said, and he wasn't sure why it had been overlooked for years. He speculated that it might have been mistaken by someone for sales tax, which cities don't typically pay.

Enforcement of the new service charge comes on the heels of the implementation of an unrelated 3 percent sewer rate increase for all of Sioux City's wastewater customers, which had prompted the sister cities to increase their rates accordingly.

North Sioux City Administrator Ted Cherry said the city is waiting until some sort of resolution before it pays the $1,960 due for the month of August.

"We did not pay it in for August," he said. "Were waiting."

If the cities end up paying the charge, Cherry said, North Sioux City would need to do a rate analysis and could require an additional rate increase for its residents, on top of the increase passed just a few months prior.

Sergeant Bluff Mayor Jon Winkel said it's not yet clear whether a rate increase would be necessary, but the timing of the new charge has been an issue, since the city plans its budgets a year in advance. On average, the charge would add about $1,400 to Sergeant Bluff's monthly bill.

"Its not a huge number, but again when youre dealing with taxpayer dollars, were elected to watch every one of them," he said. "We think the timing was an issue."

Hedquist said he believes the cities have the option not to pay the service charge, and he hopes the cities can work together.

"Our goal is to work cooperatively with the other cities and Sioux City," he said.

Winkel expressed a similar sentiment, saying he believes Sergeant Bluff has a solid working relationship with Sioux City.

Simms said Friday he has so far received questions from South Sioux City regarding the charge. He said the cities could propose solutions, but a final decision on any proposals would likely lie with the City Council.
SIOUX CITY  Dolf Ivener wants to help the planet and revolutionize the way farmers power their farms.

The Sioux City businessman and fifth-generation farmer, who oversees operations outside of Hinton and Whiting, Iowa, recently launched Hog Power Energy.

The new company aims to help pork producers reduce electricity costs in confinements through the use of renewable energy created via a self-contained solar generator system developed and tested by Ivener.

Essentially, it gives producers a chance to implement a microgrid system to a confinement that would lessen but not completely eliminate their dependence on utilities and offset their electricity costs by $300-$500 a month, according to Ivener's estimates.

The all-in-one solar powered system comes packed inside a 20-foot shipping container. Contents of the container include an 11-kilowatt solar panel system that features 40 panels, a battery management system, a 20-kilowatt battery to store excess energy and provide 30 hours of backup power, and a 15-kilowatt inverter that directs the collected energy.

Although the system is suited for any type of ag building, Ivener is specifically targeting hog confinements for now due to how the needs of those structures align with solars capabilities.

You see whats running on this hog confinement? Fans, Ivener said. At night when its really cool, the fans dont run and you dont need as much electricity. Winter time, none of the fans run  like one fan  so it works perfectly with solar production because its when their energy consumption is at its most.

While the figure varies by type of building, materials inside of it, its size and its purpose  for example, a finishing barn versus a gestation barn  a typical 1,000-head swine facility uses about 2,000 kilowatt hours a month, according to Jay Harmon, an Iowa State University professor and livestock production specialist for the college's extension program.

Harmon came about that number after he and other researchers associated with the college surveyed a number of producers to try and determine the average electrical use for operating a hog confinement.

"That's ball park anyway," Harmon said.

Determining an average rate is a bit more challenging. Rates vary depending on if a confinement receives service through a private utility, a municipal-owned utility or rural cooperative and the category it is billed under.

However, another study by the University of Minnesota's extension office estimated that energy costs, including gas usage, represent anywhere from 2 to 5 percent of the out-of-pocket costs of raising a pig.

Even though that figure isn't a substantial expense, it is one that can be trimmed, which is where Ivener sees his opportunity.

Advances in battery technology are what have allowed Ivener, a 43-year-old champion of renewables, to create the Hog Power system.

Theres a saying, You strike when the iron is hot. Ivener said. And the iron is hot because the technology is getting cheap enough and the utilities don't understand that they might actually have to charge you less money for electricity; theyve never done that in the history of electricity.

According to a new report by Morgan Stanley, Iveners assessment of the market's potential is spot on. The global investment banking firm predicts that the energy storage market is expected to grow from less than $300 million to $4 billion in the next two to three years.

The report goes on to say that, ultimately theres about a $30 billion market for storage units, with capacity for around 85 gigawatt-hours of power storage. Thats enough electricity to light up most of the New York City metro area for a year.

In the past, one of the biggest criticisms against renewable energy sources was the lack of reliable storage. And for solar in particular, that its peak collection times occur opposite of peak electrical usage times, something Ivener has worked to correct.

Through an automated process, a Hog Power unit uses power collected through the solar panels to power whatever structure it is wired into. If the device overproduces, the excess power is shifted to the battery unit, which can also power the building when the sun isnt visible and the panels aren't collecting.

Ivener even developed an accompanying all-inclusive Hog Power Energy mobile application that allows users to track their billing, energy usage, how much energy has been stored and other features.

It does everything  all on your phone, he said.

Ivener has been tinkering with the Hog Power Energy concept for more than a year. He settled on a shipping container since it was cheaper than most battery cases, portable and large enough to host the entire system.

His jury-rigged prototype Hog Power unit features a desktop computer and batteries he recovered from a wrecked Nissan Leaf  an all-electric vehicle  and is far less sophisticated than the consumer version.

When asked if he thinks a service like Hog Power Energy could have a major impact on the ag industry, Harmon noted he needed more information on the product, but from what he heard of it he thought it was a possibility.

It could be. I dont know what it costs up front or maintenance costs and there are some other things to think about, but it certainly could impact production," he said. "It might be that you could be operating more remotely.

Ivener is confident in his product and allows producers to extensively test out a Hog Power Energy unit before they commit to it.

Basically, we show up in one day and set the whole system up, he said. Thats them kicking the tires. Theyre going to get the app on their phone, theyll look at the power they're going to consume and produce.  Then at the end of six weeks, you can either buy it, lease it or we come back, unhook, take the panels off and throw 'em back in the shipping container and drive to (another) confinement and see if I can sell it to him.

Aware there may be skepticism about his system and his intent, Ivener compared the situation to the first time someone bought a refrigerator and he thinks microgrid systems like his will soon become more common.

"The part about spinning the tires in 10 years will be irrelevant because people will be so comfortable it that (it will) be like buying a refrigerator," he said. "...This will get us over the leap."
In a keynote address I was asked by the National University of Samoa to present in the Pacific Islands Universities Research Network Conference in September last year on the topic of Evolving Principles and Practices of Customary Lands in the Context of Development and Climate Change, I said

Countries must stop focusing on just profits through pursuit of economic growth, but prioritize people needs and wellbeing, address social justice, push environment protection, maintain ecosystem services and functions, respect peoples rights, and enhance cultural diversity as a Pacific reality. Development must be rooted in the Rio principles to replace current economic order steeped in arrogance, inequity, environment destruction, land grabbing, and greed. It should be anchored on genuine and durable partnership!

Pacific governments respond to economic and environmental crisis with policies that force customary lands as collaterals for investors. These bring finances of industrial production, fossil fuel, and create new markets allowing private sector to trade in worlds ecosystem services. But these approaches are fraught with risks largely untested on social or environmental impacts especially when increased demands extract natural resources, usurp customary heritage and lands. These are products of unsustainable production and consumption for the wealthy elites! Driven by corporations and neoliberal processes of globalization, they ignore limits of the carrying capacity of Planet Earth! They privatize public goods and commoditize global commons!

Pacific peoples watch climate change reap havoc on our lands, homes, villages, food sources, agricultural plantations, native forests, infrastructures, ecosystem services, cultures, and peoples. Is this the sustainable development we want? Businesses, corporations, private sector, donors, and companies occupy the driving seat of this kind of market driven development - Sustained economic growth! They focus on profits, making money! Yet the burden is shouldered by the poor, the marginalized, and the majority that make up Pacific populations. Is this the future our Pacific peoples want? After ravaging the resources of Mother Earth for longer than history, we are beginning to realize how little we know about what we have done to ourselves! The enemy is us! Humans! It is our collective responsibility we avoid being the enemy within.

Let me say this. One shifting goal post is the transition the MDGs to the SDGs. An ambitious and overriding commitment to Leaving No One Behind! The focus shifts from developing countries in MDGs to all countries needing development in SDGs! It is now universal! The key equity common but differentiated responsibilities principle conveniently ignored! Calculated and deliberate! The rich negotiate developing countries into submission to their agenda of insincerity, injustice, reneging on promises.

Here is another! The World Bank this year no longer distinguishes between developed countries and developing ones. It eliminates the term developing country from its development indicators and data vocabulary! It marks an evolutionary thinking about the geographic distribution of poverty and prosperity. The United Nations doesnt even have an official definition for what a developing country is, despite slapping this label on 159 nations! The effort by rich countries and institutions they control to run away from commitment is far too powerful to ignore! These are now universal, all countries needing development!

Lamentably, developing countries fail to stay the course pursuing rich countries deliver commitments on new, predictable, sustainable, and additional finance resources meeting their aid target of 0.7% of GNIs.

It is hard to witness Pacific governments enmeshed into this agenda of economic dictate. The Pacific is arguably in the best position to preach sustainable development! We have lived it all our lives! And more! People are at the center! It is imperative the world moves from sustainable development to sustainable human development! Putting poor people first; enlarging their opportunities live long healthy lives; to be educated; to have employment needed for a decent standard of living. It means generating rather than degrading the natural resource base; provide present and future generations with sustainable livelihoods. Development which does not improve the lives of the poor has no soul; one that impoverishes the environment has no vision; one that fails to empower individuals and communities has no anchor; one that fails to enlarge opportunities of people has no future! SHD is an outright rejection of development models which generate growth but fails to distribute benefits equitably; one that destroys the environment in the name of development; one which marginalizes people rather than empower them!

Sadly the shifting goal posts of the rich are realities of today. They point to dictating the lives of developing countries, the Pacific included! And they do it deliberately, for their convenience!

As Pacific Leaders converge into Apia this week I cannot ignore this pivotal opportunity to let them know that the global neo-colonial push to take over the customary lands in all our countries requires their coordinated, urgent and integrated attention.

Pacific Island Countries Leaders are very aware of this as it is no secret! They have been hard pressed with dissenting voices in their own countries to caution them going down this pathway and anchor their land reform policies in ensuring the ownership and control of this non-negotiable resource, our customary lands, are secured.

In Samoa, the Prime Minister and government continue to assure our peoples that the more than 80% of our total lands under customary and cultural ownership and control are protected by our Constitution despite the real and considered threats of customary land alienation posed by contemporary colonial dictates such as the Torrens System of Land Titles Registration through the Lands Titles Registration Act 2008.

Whilst the LTRA 2008 provides a facilitative system of land titles registration for freehold land, fee simple rights and public lands, the inclusion of customary lands under it is being profusely rejected by many of our peoples in and outside of Samoa as repugnant to the fundamental spirit of our Constitution with specific reference to customary lands and as clearly articulated in the desires and wishes of our forefathers involved in drafting this supreme law of the country.

In supporting this rejection of LTRA, I wish to list below historical and chronological events, expert views of some prominent peoples in the Pacific, Samoans in and outside of our country, and some well-known legal experts, who have commented on LTRA2008 supporting our ongoing struggle to not allow neo-colonial dictates usurp our rights and ownership of our customary lands.

1. Sir Guy Poles warned that LTRA requires Samoan people to constantly check the land register to make sure the records were accurate as it was one of the worst pieces of drafting he had ever seen; it had a number of loop holes which could be exploited against the interests of customary land owners (The Implication of Applying the Torrens System to Samoan Customary Lands  by Dr Iati Iati  published in Journal of South Pacific Law)

2. Even foreign powers that colonized Samoa in the past saw Samoan human rights were violated in their actions to usurp customary lands in Samoa  In 1890 a Constitutional order by German to prohibit alienation of CLs unless for official cases and on 14 June 1891 the Samoa Conference in Berlin decided that Samoans are rightful owners of all CLs in Samoa to manage and make decisions for their future and those of their children and to stop mortgage or sale of CLs to outsiders

3. World Bank in March 1999 through its Infrastructure Asset Management Project: stated that the government of Samoa  prioritized land reform - and the Project Credit of US$12.80 million to Samoa in Support of 2nd Phase of the Infrastructure Asset Management Program December 2003 introduced the Torrens system  indefeasibility of title to land once land is registered - The program document explains  the customary lands (CL) system would be designed to allow the authority (pule) over CL to be recorded .this will turn 82% of CL into the Torrens system indefeasibility of title - Land Titles Registration Act 2008 (LTRA) lays the ground work and legal framework - to be mapped out, surveyed and recorded for indefeasibility of title scheme.  Pule faa-Sao and LTRA were born

4. Asia Development Bank (ADB) stepped in 2002-2004  Samoa government will devise a strategy to improve access to customary landand use of customary lands as collateralthe strategy.policy and legislative environment is for business development, specifically on legal impediments to economic use of customary lands, improving debt recovery, and facilitating secured transactions  LTRA progresses promoting business environment, land taxes, and debt recovery

5. This is a Pacific and Asia regional push by the colonial powers - Australia White Paper 2006  the Pacific Land Mobilization push in the WP under its Accelerating Economic Growth pose a most serious concern for the PICs with its more than 82% of cultural ownership of resources!  Caution at the time to PICs to reject this outright as this push by AusAID was meddling with the most important asset for Pacific peoples as any move to change the land tenure system of customary lands in the Pacific will result in civil wars and social conflict. Australia - PACIFIC 2020:the challenge for governments in the PIC is to steer changes in land tenure arrangements in support of economic growth, recording land rights, register titles and agreements, dispute settlements, geodetic definitions and satellite imagery

6. Immediate Past Attorney General Tuatagaloa Ming Leung Wai Response  (Joint Law Conference Samoa Law Society & Maori Law Society 7-10 July 2016) - Canvass only the relevant laws passed in the last 8 years related to CL and conclude that enacted laws will not result in alienation of CL; that government attempt to develop CL is within constitutional framework of Samoa.BUT added:

 I must concede that the wording of LTRA could have been better to make it clear that the Torrens System does not apply to CL 

 record vs registration  Whilst the LTR Act did mention a few times the phrase record of customary land, it did not go far enough to clearly state that whilst customary lands can be recorded, they are not to be registered or treated the same as freehold or public land on the Land Register.

 Last minute changes to the LTR Bill when it was before Parliament was the insertion of section 9(4) which attempted to clarify that no provision of the Act was to be interpreted in any manner that would permit or imply the alienation of customary land or affect or change the ownership in any customary land.

 It was hoped that applying the purposive approach with the presence of section 9(4) would always favour the interpretation that the Torrens System does not apply to customary lands and that the LTR Act does not permit the alienation of customary lands.

 The repealed Land Registration Act 1992/3 dealt with the registration of all types of land. Such practice continued under the new LTR Act but did not clearly spell out that the Torrens System does not apply to customary lands.

 With the benefit of hindsight, it would have been better if a separate and stand-alone Act had dealt with the registration and recording of customary lands.

7. A 2009 legal analysis of the LTRA by Wellington lawyer, Ruping Ye, argues that if combined with the Samoa governments power to take customary lands for public purposes, The operation will be like New Zealands conversion of customary land into freehold land in the early settlement days, through the Crowns pre-emptive right to purchase lands from Maori, and sell them to settlers The consequences have been devastating in New Zealand, causing a centurys grievance to the native people and disturbance to the development of the nation. (Iati Iati - Journal of South Pacific Law)

8. Iati Iati (Journal of South Pacific Law) - In 2006, public concerns were raised that the Samoan government would adopt and apply the Torrens system of land registration to customary lands. In September, that year, O le Siosiomaga Society (OLSSI), a local non-government organization, claimed that the government would release a land bill that would introduce and apply the Torrens Land system to customary lands. OLSSI also warned that this system would conflict with customary land tenure principles and practices. It urged village mayors (Sui o le malo) to inform their constituents and make public enquiries about this matter.

a. In the same year, the Samoa Party published an election manifesto which stated, the HRPP government was secretly planning to register Customary Land under the Torrens Land Registration System, if it was returned to power.

b. The then leader of the party, Sua Rimoni Ah Chong, expressed concerns that the Torrens system would conflict with customary land ownership principles, particularly the principle and practice of communal land ownership under the trusteeship of matai (heads of families), as opposed to individual land ownership.

c. These marked the beginnings of a strong but uncoordinated opposition to what emerged as the Land Titles Registration Bill. The Samoa Umbrella for Non-Government Organizations (SUNGO) publicly opposed the Bill. Fearing that the Torrens system would undermine Samoan customary land tenure, they appealed to the government, with the interest of all the Non-Government Organizations and Civil Based Societies, to amend the Bill so that it would be in line with the Customs and Traditions of Samoa...In May 2008, it challenged the Prime Minister and the Attorney General to a public debate on this matter

d. A former Minister of Parliament, Le Tagaloa Pita, made a similar argument: he stipulated that the Bill would lead to an alienation of Customary Land and that it was contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.

e. Asiata Saleimoa Vaai, the then leader of the Samoa Democratic United Party (SDUP) expressed a desire to launch a legal challenge to the Act.

f. The fact that very similar concerns were expressed by different and apparently unconnected sources suggested there was substance to the criticism; usually, where there is smoke, there is fire.

9. The Case in PNG  Steven Sukot  Pacific Land Conference 2008

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Customary Land tenure system covers 97 percent of total land mass, is life support for 80 percent of total population. Land is Life! You take land away from people - you take away their Lives! Land means everything to us, more than money can ever buy. It is the essence of our lives. Our peoples depend on land for food, hunting, fishing, cultural practices, medicine, housing etc. There are spiritual and cultural connections between land and people. Our culture and traditions are neatly interwoven with land. This connection is not easily noticeable, poorly understood by non-indigenous peoples. Land is ones identity; it is ones existence; it is our birthright. The intimate association between people and their land is threatened by globalization and imperialism easily accepted by our government. PNG is beautiful and blessed with rich natural resources. However, it is sad the development path pushed by our government puts indigenous land rights and our natural beauty at stake. Government push development models that result in social dispossession, cultural extinction, alienation of land, and people struggle to maintain control over ownership right to land from dominant, powerful, globalized and imperialized economy alien to us  the peoples of the land!

10. In Vanuatu  the LAMAP DECLARATION 2009 - by over 100 chiefs, youth, women and communities at the National Land Meeting - Lamap, Malekula, Vanuatu

We voice our deep concerns over the rapid alienation of land in the country by foreign investors and those with cash. Considering Ni- Vanuatu beliefs rooted in land, understood as a Mother and Source of Life - We resolve that land belongs to family, tribe or clan and not an individual; Government Land Reform program must concentrate only on leased lands, allowing chiefs to take care of customary lands; land in Vanuatu has no commercial value; any development that takes place on land requires indigenous custodians to have control and fair share of takings; we reject land registration program in Vanuatu to safeguard future generations and indigenous population.

11. For Melanesian Countries - The Buala Declaration 2016: MILDA (Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Fiji, Kanaky, Papua New Guinea, Maluku, Solomon Islands, West Papua, and Vanuatu)

In response to increasing threats to customary land and sea systems, posed by land reforms, deep sea exploration, seabed mining, and foreign agendas of aid agencies, international financial institutions, governments and elites within our countries.

We re-affirm commitment to indigenous control of customary land systems and seas in relation to Melanesian ways. We unite to defend the control of Melanesian communities over land, sea, water, air and ancestral heritage. We re-assert sea systems and customary land are the basis of community life in Melanesia and committed to protect our indigenous land - from ground surface to centre of the earth, under the sea, including ecosystems, biodiversity, cultural heritage, waters of our rivers, streams and air.

The Melanesian definition of land is collective and inclusive of the sea. Land has and always will be the highest value to lives of our peoples, and so it will be for generations to come. Land is a non-alienable, it cannot be parted with and our relationship with land and sea is special and unique, and cannot be replaced by foreign value systems. We are custodians of the land and sea since time immemorial.

May I conclude by adding my voice to those arguing that the push to take over our customary lands in Samoa and the Pacific are a deliberate ploy of neo-colonialism by developed countries to defend their economic interests, reneging on commitments to assist developing countries. Economic development pressures underpin redefining sustainable development to sustained economic growth creating injustices, undermine Rio principles, violate aspirations for genuine and durable partnerships enshrined in the SAMOA Pathway. I also argue the demise Samoa and Pacific countries face protecting customary lands, is a replication of the same deliberate and calculated agenda of developed countries to dominate and usurp.

Industrialized countries are the cause of a disproportionately large share of the worlds problems. They account for a fraction of the worlds population but their economic appetite consumes a huge amount of the worlds resources, land grabbing a clear part of that exploitative agenda. This unsustainable consumption and production result in environmental decline, social decay, indigenous peoples rights violation, and cultural erosion of an unimaginable scale.

For the Pacific, customary lands are alienated, related human rights principles violated, daily livelihood of indigenous communities and traditional practices undermined, climate crisis worsened, profits dictate. The danger is all the more pernicious because shifting goal posts and insincere partnerships the culprits that engage the Pacific in their colonial dictates do not always confront us or governments directly. It becomes enmeshed in the institutional machinery that infiltrates the State apparatus and in many cases gain the complicity of government officials.

As a simple chief from Sili, I again ask the Leaders of the Pacific Countries gathered in Apia this week, Is this the Future We Want? Will this ensure No One in the Pacific is left behind?

I urge our Prime Minister, the Government of Samoa, Indeed the Leaders of the Pacific gathered in Samoa this week - In your collective, integrated political and economic pursuit for genuine and durable partnership, for sustainable human development, for climate justice, and protection of customary lands  I again seek the spirit of George Bernard Shaw to remind your good selves and us all - This is the true joy in my life, being used for a purpose recognized by oneself as a mighty one that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. Life is not a brief candle for me. It is a splendid torch I have got hold of for the moment, and want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handling it on to future generations!
Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme  La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza.



Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres.




A geographical indication label for a unique variety of pepper in Cameroon is improving the incomes of local farmers and ensuring the long-term future of the product. Recognition of the peppers quality and economic importance means it is one of only three African commodities with such a label.

A farmer association in Penja village, in the Littoral region of eastern Cameroon, has been awarded an internationally protected geographical indication (PGI) label for its product, Penja Pepper. With support from the French development agency, Agence Francaise de Developpement, the association obtained patented rights over the product name from the African Intellectual Property Organization in 2013. Since then, membership of the farmers association has increased by more than 10 times, and the price of the coveted white pepper has skyrocketed.



According to agricultural experts, Penja valleys natural micro-climate and volcanic soil on the flanks of Mt. Kupe Muanenguba give the pepper (spice) a unique flavour and taste, attracting increasing demand in national, regional and international markets. The product is one of only three African commodities  alongside Oku honey from Cameroon and Ziama Macenta coffee from Guinea  to be given a PGI label, prohibiting the products name from being used outside of its original region. Approximately 60% of the Penja Pepper is consumed locally and in neighbouring countries, whilst 40% is exported to European markets. It is a real blessing for Cameroon and especially the farmers in Penja to see that Penja Pepper is fast becoming an export crop like cocoa and coffee, says Henry Eyebe Ayissi, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Successful certification, and subsequent demand from restaurants around the world has increased production from less than 150 t in 2014 to 350 t in 2016. The price of the spice has also increased significantly since certification, from 3.80 per kg before September 2013 to 12 per kg in 2014, and 21.30 in 2015/2016. This price spike is helping farmers improve their incomes and expand production areas. Since certification, the market for our product has become stable and secure, guaranteeing our income, states David Nzoto, a PPFA farmer member.
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The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie...
IN HER first address to the House of Assembly since being fired from her post as education minister, elected member Josephine Connolly has questioned why the Government is attempting to take away the rights of Islanders when there are more pressing issues to deal with.





Connollys comments were delivered in respect of the Dormant Accounts Amendment Bill 2017, which was read for the second time and debated in the assembly on Monday, August 21.





"We have many issues to deal with in this country, crime is rising, the education system is in need of reform, and our borders are under constant threat, she said.





"The hospital contract needs to be reviewed. The service charges for hotel workers need resolution in accordance with the promise we made at the time of the election.





"So I am at a complete loss as to why we, as a government, would have the time or the inclination to bring a bill that takes away the rights of Turks and Caicos Islanders to get their own money back, Connolly told the House.





She stated that this is what the amendment to section 10 of the Dormant Account Bill does; it takes away the rights of Islanders to claim their money back from the Government after six years.





"I spoke earlier about supporting the Government as we fulfilled the promises we made at the time of the election.





"I know that we, as the Government in waiting, did not promise to take peoples right to their own money away from them.





Connolly said that as an elected member of the house, she interacts with her constituents on a regular basis and no one has suggested to her that the Government should take away their rights to claim their own money.





"Why would we want to pass a law that takes away peoples money, the member questioned.





She further recalled that she was an advocate of the dormant accounts legislation when it was brought before the House in 2014, but that was based on the guarantee that Islanders could claim their money back should it be seized from a dormant account.





"That guarantee was written into the law in section 10, the same section that this amendment seeks to change by removing that guarantee.





"My memory from that debate is that many of my colleagues now on this side of the isle expressed their concern that Turks and Caicos Islanders would lose their bank accounts and section 10 was seen as the only protection, she recalled.





Before the dormant accounts ordinance was passed, money placed in local accounts could remain there for some 30 years and the account holder would still be able to access it during that time.





Connolly noted: "Under the 2014 Dormant Accounts legislation I could come back 30 years later and get my money from government.





"But after this amendment you come back after 30 years your money has gone, you come back after 20 years your money has gone, you come back after 15 years your money has gone.





The member said that the Government was not voted in to take away peoples money.





She also stated that while she is not blind to the administrative burden section 10 places upon the Ministry of Finance, there is a simple, fair and equitable way of dealing with this, which leaves Islanders in a better position.





She further suggested: "The Government should pass an amendment which levies an administrative charge on the balances in the same way that the banks do.





"The fee will eventually extinguish all the balances, the smaller ones first, and Turks and Caicos Islanders will be no worse off because of the actions of their Government.





Connolly said she could not support the amendment and expressed the hope that the bill is withdrawn and replaced with one that does not disadvantage Islanders.




By Daisy Handfield

A TEAM of 12 from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) visited Haiti for the second time to assist victims of 2016 hurricane Matthew.





The ADRA team flew out to Haiti for the first time last year November after the category four hurricane swept through the country the month before, leaving devastation and massive flood damage in its wake.





Assistant director for ADRA Jermaine Reid spoke on behalf of the team, stating that they were elated to be able to go back for a second time to finish what they started.





He said: "This time we went in to continue what we started in November of last year we visited Les Cayes with clothing for the needy children there, but our major project was the painting of a school and the giving out of backpacks and school supplies for back to school.





"Also, the conducting of a vacation Bible school which was very successful.





Upon their return last year agency officials recalled the levels of devastation that they saw while they were there.





They spoke of houses and school structures which were completely destroyed by winds and rain water.





"Some work has been done, but there is a lot that needs to be done. In the area that we went in, the people are just surviving; just trying to hold their heads above the waters to survive, Reid said.





Director of ADRA Almartha Thomas elaborated more on the depressing living conditions that the team witnessed there.





She said that a lot of people were still living in tents around the sea coast.





Thomas added that the dwellers were thankful for the donations and happy that the team took the time out the visit.





The team returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands on August 27 through the Providenciales International Airport from Les Cayes, Haiti.





Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti in October 2016 resulting in catastrophic flooding of up to 40 inches and storm surge of up to 10 feet.





At least 580 people were killed and more than 35,000 left homeless by the storm.





The aim of the ADRA is to provide a network of volunteers in an effort to assist the needy and unfortunate within the TCI and the entire Caribbean.




North Korea claims `perfect success` of powerful nuke test

State media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting what it said was a hydrogen bomb

Tokyo, (AP/UNB) : North Korea on Sunday claimed a `perfect success` for its most powerful nuclear test so far, a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States. President Donald Trump said the latest provocation reinforces the danger facing America and that `talk of appeasement` is pointless.



"They only understand one thing!" Trump said in a tweet, without elaboration, as he prepared to meet later with his national security team. It was the first nuclear test since Trump took office in January.



The precise strength of the explosion, described by state-controlled media in North Korea as a hydrogen bomb, has yet to be determined. South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five such tests. The impact reportedly shook buildings in China and in Russia.



Trump warned last month that the U.S. military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the U.S. would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America. The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that's home to U.S. bombers.



The North's latest test was carried out at 12:29 p.m. local time at the Punggye-ri site where it has conducted past nuclear tests. Officials in Seoul put the magnitude at 5.7; the U.S. Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 6.3. The strongest artificial quake from previous tests was a magnitude 5.3.



"North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States," Trump said in the first of a series of tweets.



He branded North Korea "a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."



China is by far the North's biggest trading partner, but Trump appeared to be more critical of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has attempted to reach out to the North.



"South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Trump said.



North Korea's state-run television broadcast a special bulletin to announce the test and said leader Kim Jong Un attended a meeting of the ruling party's presidium and signed the go-ahead order. Earlier, the party's newspaper ran a front-page story showing photos of Kim examining what it said was a nuclear warhead being fitted onto the nose of an intercontinental ballistic missile.



Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the mainland U.S. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target U.S. cities.



China's foreign ministry said in a statement that the Beijing government has "expressed firm opposition and strong condemnation" and urged North Korea to "stop taking erroneous actions that deteriorate the situation."



South Korea held a National Security Council meeting chaired by Moon. Officials in Seoul also said Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, spoke with his South Korean counterpart for 20 minutes about an hour after the detonation.



Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the test "absolutely unacceptable."



Nuclear tests are crucial to perfecting sophisticated technologies and to demonstrating to the world that claims of nuclear prowess are not merely a bluff.



The North claimed the device it tested was a thermonuclear weapon - commonly called a hydrogen bomb. That could be hard to independently confirm. It said the underground test site did not leak radioactive materials, which would make such a determination even harder.



At the same time, the simple power of the blast was convincing. Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said it might have been as powerful as 70 kilotons. North Korea's previous largest was thought to be anywhere from 10 to 30 kilotons.



"We cannot deny it was an H-bomb test," Onodera said.



North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year and has been launching missiles at a record pace this year. It fired a potentially nuclear-capable midrange missile over northern Japan last week in response to ongoing U.S.-South Korea military exercises.



It said that launch was the "curtain raiser" for more activity to come.



Just before Sunday's test, according to state media, Kim and the other senior leaders at the party presidium meeting discussed "detailed ways and measures for containing the U.S. and other hostile forces' vicious moves for sanctions."



The photos released earlier showed Kim talking with his lieutenants as he observed a silver, peanut-shaped device that the state-run media said was designed to be mounted on the North's "Hwasong-14" ICBM.



The North claims the device was made domestically and has explosive power that can range from tens to hundreds of kilotons. For context, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima by the U.S. had a 15-kiloton yield.



North Korea's recent activity has been especially bold.



The North followed its two ICBM tests by announcing a plan to fire intermediate range missiles toward Guam. Kim signed off on the plan, but is watching the moves by the U.S. before deciding when or whether to carry it out.



Guam is a sore point for the North because it is home to a squadron of B-1B bombers that the North fears could be used to attack their country. The U.S. on Thursday had sent the bombers and F-35 stealth fighters to the sky over South Korea in a show of force - and North Korea strongly protested.



Options to pressure Pyongyang would appear to be limited. Further economic and trade sanctions, increased diplomatic pressure and boosting military maneuvers or shows of force would likely all be on the table.



The two Koreas have shared the world's most heavily fortified border since their war in the early 1950s ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 American troops are deployed in South Korea as deterrence against North Korea.








Over 500 Hindus reportedly flee Myanmar into Bangladesh

bdnews24.com :

The Hindus say their villages are also experiencing killings, torture and arson attacks like those of Rohingyas.

Bangladesh du-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council Hin President Rana Dasgupta visited Kutupalong of Ukhia in Cox's Bazar on Sunday and spoke to the Myanmar people who have fled the violence in Rakhine.

"It's genocide, no matter who are conducting it," he said.

Nearly 400 people have died in fighting since attacks on security posts and an army base in Rakhine by Rohingya insurgents on Aug 25The dead people include 13 members of the security forces and 14 civilians, Myanmar authorities said.

Since the attacks, over 68,000 Rohingyas fleeing crackdown by Myanmar Army have entered Bangladesh, according to the UN.

At least 53 bodies, purportedly victims of capsize of boats packed with the fleeing Rohingya families, washed up on the Bangladesh shore in five days.

Three Rohingyas, including a couple, died in Bangladesh after being shot in Myanmar.

Rana Dasgupta said the new refugees from Myanmar include more than 500 Hindus.

"They have said there are 86 Hindus among the dead victims in Rakhine. Their houses have been burnt, looted," he said.

Ramani Sheel, 50, a Hindu man from Rakhine, said his family have been living at Chikonchharhi village of Maungdaw for several generations, a sources of Bangladesh du-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council , chittagong unit said.


ALCWC to hold meeting on September 7





Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) will hold meeting at 7 pm on September 7 at the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official residence Ganabhaban.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the meeting, said a press release signed by AL Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap.

Party General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader requested all members of ALCWC to remain present in time.
Dhaka strongly protests

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh strongly protested the recent instances of violation of the country's air space by Myanmar helicopters.

In a diplomatic note sent to the Embassy of Myanmar in Dhaka on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested the repeated violation of Bangladesh's air space by a number of Myanmar helicopters on August 27 and 28, and September 1, 2017, said a press release of the Foreign Ministry.

It said, "This morning (Friday), Myanmar helicopters violated Bangladesh's air space near Ukhia on three occasions."

After repeated incursions on Friday morning, Bangladesh had strongly protested the recent instances of violation of its airspace by Myanmarese army helicopters.

Bangladesh demanded that Myanmar take immediate measures to prevent recurrence of such incursion in future.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that these instances of incursion into Bangladesh airspace by Myanmar helicopters run contrary to the good neighbourly relations and could lead to an unwarranted situation.

The Ministry further emphasized that while Bangladesh has been cooperating with Myanmar in the security sector, such instances of violation of sovereignty may affect the existing understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
N Korea tests missile-ready hydrogen bomb

USA Today :

North Korea's state-run broadcaster said Sunday the country had successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb that can be loaded onto its new intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The nuclear test was estimated to have a strength of 100 kilotons, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, citing South Korean lawmaker Kim Young-woo, chief of the parliament's defense committee.

That yield would be five-to-10 times more powerful than North Korea's previous test in 2016 - and about five times the power of the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, in World War II.

There was no immediate confirmation outside North Korea that the test involved a hydrogen bomb, or that it could be loaded onto a missile. Pyongyang has made similar boasts after past tests that were disputed by the United States and other experts in the West.

The latest test, however, appears to mark a significant step forward in the North's quest for a viable nuclear missile capable of striking anywhere in the United States.

President Trump responded with a series of tweets. calling North Korea a "rogue nation" and saying its "words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

"South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Trump tweeted.

South Korea said a 20-minute emergency phone call took place with U.S. national security adviser H.R. McMaster and his South Korean counterpart, Chung Eui-yong, about an hour after the detonation.

Moon will seek further diplomatic means to "completely isolate" North Korea, Chung said at a news briefing. Chung also said Seoul would discuss with Washington the possible deployment of "the most powerful U.S. strategic military assets to South Korea."

On North Korean television, a news reader called the test a "complete success" and said the "two-stage thermonuclear weapon" had "unprecedented" strength. Hours earlier, Pyongyang claimed leader Kim Jong Un had inspected a hydrogen bomb meant for a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

China's foreign ministry released a statement saying "the Chinese government expresses its strong opposition and strongly condemns" the test, urging North Korea to abide by the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Russia's Foreign Ministry also condemned the test, as did Britain, Italy and the leaders of NATO and the European Union.

The Japanese government also confirmed that the tremors were caused by a nuclear test, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said after a meeting of Japan's National Security Council. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the reported hydrogen bomb test.

"It is absolutely unacceptable if North Korea did force another nuclear test, and we must protest strongly," Abe said, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. Geological Survey data showed that a magnitude-6.3 seismic event was detected Sunday in North Hamgyeong Province. Later, the the geological survey said a magnitude-4.1 event was recorded eight minutes after the initial quake, "possibly a structural collapse" caused by the larger seismic event.

The recorded seismic event came hours after North Korea claimed it had developed a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted on its intercontinental ballistic missiles. Photos from North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency showed Kim viewing what news agency said was a hydrogen bomb.

KCNA claimed the hydrogen bomb has "great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitude," and that all the components of the hydrogen bomb were "homemade."

North Korean media claims it has an advanced nuclear weapon with 'great destructive power.' According to reports, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has inspected a hydrogen bomb intended to be loaded on a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

Analysts said Sunday's test indicates that North Korea is getting close to posing a credible nuclear threat to the U.S.

"This looks like a major improvement in yield and the two-stage nature of the test supports the idea it was a test of a thermonuclear device," said Chad O'Carroll, CEO and founder of Seoul-based Korea Risk Group, a risk advisory firm specializing in North Korea.

"If, as North Korea says, the Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile can now be equipped with a thermonuclear device like the one tested today, it means the North is very close to being able to deploy credible battle-ready nuclear weapons that can target the U.S," O'Carroll added.

Last September, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test, showing its determination to be a nuclear-armed country despite ever tougher sanctions. The test drew a strong rebuke from ally China, which said it would protest the test with North Korea's ambassador in Beijing.

North Korea flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile capable of carrying nukes, in a launch that Kim described as a "meaningful prelude" to containing Guam, the home of major U.S. military facilities, and more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

O'Carroll said he expects North Korea to soon launch a new test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a long-range trajectory of thousands of miles into the Pacific Ocean.

"If one or two more ICBMs can be tested successfully in this way, North Korea would then announce the battle-ready deployment of its ICBM force," he said.




Millions pray for divine blessings, peace

Staff Reporter :

Eid-ul-Azha, one of Muslims two greatest festivals, was celebrated across the country with due fervour and piety on Saturday.

Muslims sacrificed cattle and other beasts of burden commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his own son as a sign of his devotion to God.

Millions of Muslims across the country offered prayers seeking divine blessings, peace and progress for the country. The main national congregation of Eid-ul-Azha was held at the National Eidgah at 8am, where President Abdul Hamid offered his Eid prayers along with hundreds of people from all walks of life.

Cabinet members, judges of the Supreme Court, members of parliament, senior political leaders and high civil and military officials also offered their prayers at the main Eid jamaat (congregation).

Five Eid congregations were held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am and 10:45am.

The main city streets and road islands had been decorated with the national flags and banners inscribed with 'Eid Mubarak' in Bangla and Arabic.

Special meals were served in hospitals, jails, government orphanages, centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes and vagrant and destitute welfare centres. State-run Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels aired special programmes on the occasion.

While wishing countrymen on the occasion, President Abdul Hamid urged the affluent section of society to stand beside the country's flood victims along with the government.

"The affluent people should keep in mind that no flood victim should be deprived of Eid happiness," he said during a special Eid reception at Bangabhaban.

The President said the rich or wealthy people should share the Eid joy with the people of the haors and other areas, who were the worst victims of the recent flashfloods and are unable to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha right now.

Hoping that the Qurbani Eid, as Eid ul Adha is known colloquially, and its sacrificial attitude should reflect the great principles and teachings of Eid-ul-Azha in social and individual life, Hamid wished all a happy and prosperous Eid-ul-Azha. President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom hosted the reception for the top government officials, city elite and foreign diplomats.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Foreign Minister AHM Mahmood Ali, adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AKM Nurul Huda attended the reception.

Judges of the Supreme Court, members of parliament, the chiefs of the three services, editors, secretaries, vice-chancellors of different universities, educationists, recipients of national awards, senior journalists, writers, poets, litterateurs, business leaders, religious personalities, artistes and, high civil and military officials also attended, apart from ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries in Bangladesh and chiefs of international agencies.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meanwhile called upon all to work tirelessly from their respective positions to take Bangladesh to a dignified position on the global stage.

"We all need to perform our own duties keeping in mind our motherland to establish it in a dignified position in the world," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while speaking to the media as she exchanged greetings with people from all walks of life, party leaders and activists, judges and foreign diplomats at her official residence Ganobhaban on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

The Prime Minister greeted the country's people and all the Bangladeshis living abroad on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, wishing them a happy and prosperous life. She also greeted those Bangladeshi nationals now in Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mekkah.

Hasina, also the Awami League chief, first exchanged Eid greetings with a cross-section of people, professionals, party leaders and workers. Bangabandhu's youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana, PM's daughter Saima Hossain, Awami League presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Faruk Khan and senior party leaders were present.

Later, she exchanged Eid greetings with Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice S. K. Sinha, and heads of diplomatic missions of different countries in Dhaka.

Besides Chief Justice Sinha, judges of the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of different countries joined the function.

In Kishoreganj, the historic Sholakia Eidgah of Kishoreganj, famed for attracting the largest congregation in the country (upwards of 125,000 or 1.25 lakh, hence the name) hosted its 190th Eid-ul-Azha congregation, under three layers of security following a daring terrorist attack that shook the congregation last year. Imam of the Markaz Mosque of the city, Hafez Mawlana Hefzur Rahman conducted the Eid jamaat.

Politicians, administration officers, chairman, mayor and people of all walk participated in this congregation.

Sholakia may have been upstaged as the largest Eid congregation in the country this year though, by the Gore Shahid Bara Maidan in Dinajpur, which was joined by 300,000 (3 lakh) of the faithful, according to Whip of Jatiya Sangsad Iqbalur Rahim.

Chairman of International Crime Tribunal-1 Justice Enayetur Rahim, and Deputy Commissioner Mir Khairul Alam could testify, as they joined the congregation held at 8am.

In Chittagong, the main Eid jamaat was held at Jamiatul Falah national eidgah in the city at 8am.

In Khulna, the main Eid congregation was held at Khulna Circuit House Eidgah Maidan at 8am.

In Rajshahi, the main congregation was held at Hazrat Shah Mukhdum Central Eidgah of the city at 8am.

In Sylhet, the main Jammat of of Eid-ul-Azha was held at Shahi Eidgah at 8:30 am where Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith among others joined in.

In Barisal, the main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha was held at Central Hemayet Uddin Eidgah Maidan at 8am.
Home-goers start returning

Holiday mood persists

People are seen returning to the city after celebration of Eid with their near and dear ones. This photo was taken from Kamalapur Railway Station on Monday.

Staff Reporter :

After celebrating three days of the Eid-ul-Azha vacation, home-goers started coming back to the city but Dhaka is still in holiday mood.

Yesterday (Monday) was the first working day after the vacation and people's attendance in their workspaces was very thin.

Apart from government offices and financial institutions, most of the private organisations and shops were found closed after the Eid vacation.

Except high officials, about 20-30 per cent government staff had joined the workplace.

Those who joined passed their time exchanging greetings with each other.

City roads and streets had not gotten back to its regular state due to persisting of holiday mood.

A very few mass transports and private vehicles plied city roads, which city dwellers consider a bit relief of traffic congestion.

City dwellers who stayed in the city during the holiday roamed freely and smoothly. However, they faced a dearth of transports. They had thronged different tourist spots of the city with family members searching recreation as they usually get little scope in the busy city life to do so.

The office zones in the city like Motijheel, Paltan, Secretariat, Gulisthan, Banglamotor, Firmgate, Shahbagh, Karwanbazar, Tejgaon, Segunbagicha, Sher-e-Banglanagar and other areas are yet to get back to normal business due to less presence of people and transports.

Some 50 lakh people had left the city for celebrating Eid by road, rail, water and air ways this year who would join their workplace eventually and turn the city to its previous state of chaos, congestion and rush.

Some people who stayed in the city during the Eid holiday for different purposes were found leaving the city to different destinations for making holiday and to meet near and dear ones yesterday (Monday).

A significant crowd was found at the Kamalapur rail station who booked tickets queuing for a long time to make journey by train.

A large crowd returning to the city were found at Sayedabad, Gabtoli and

Mohakhali bus terminals, while many wishing to visit home were found booking tickets.

These people could not leave the city due to extra pressure of passengers, hazards, unavailability of tickets and work purposes during the Eid holiday.

Mohsin Hossain, a business man, told the New Nation that work pressure is less for him now.

"To avoid rush and hazard, I am choosing the post-vacation time for visiting my home in Bogra," he said.
Barbaric!

Myanmar army `beheading children and burning people alive`: Crackdown on Rohingyas continues: 400 killed: 90,000 enter BD so far

Rohingya refugees carry an old woman from Rakhine state in Myanmar along a path near Teknaf in Bangladesh.

Staff Reporter :

Fears of mass atrocities against Rohingya civilians in Myanmar were growing after eyewitness accounts emerged of children being beheaded and people burned alive.

The reports followed a week of violence and "inflammatory" government statements that led the UK's ambassador to the UN to urge Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto head of Myanmar's government, to "set the right tone, according to international news portals and agencies on Monday.

Soldiers reportedly arrested a large group of Rohingya men, marched them into a nearby bamboo hut, and

set it on fire, burning them to death.

"My brother was killed - Myanmar Army men burned him with the group," Fortify Rights quoted 41-year-old Abdul Rahman of Chut Pyin as saying.

"We found my other family members in the fields. They had marks on their bodies from bullets and some had cuts. My two nephews, their heads were off. One was six years old and the other was nine years old. My sister-in-law was shot with a gun."

Nearly 90,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar in August, pressuring scarce resources of aid agencies and communities already helping hundreds of thousands of refugees from previous spasms of violence in Myanmar.

The violence in Myanmar was set off by a coordinated attack on Aug 25 on dozens of police posts and an army base by Rohingya insurgents.

The ensuing clashes and a major military counter-offensive have killed at least 400 people.

They were still entering Bangladesh though several points including Amtoli border, Tumburu Border, Anjuman Para, Hwaikong Ghat.

Meanwhile, a Rohingya woman's body was recovered from the Naf river in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar on Monday morning, according to our district correspondent.

With this, a total of 54 Rohingyas so far were killed in recent boat capsizes when the minority community people fleeing from violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State tried to enter Bangladesh territory through the Naf river.

Members of Coast Guard arrested over 2000 Rohingyas conducting a drive in some houses at St Martin's Island.

Suu Kyi, also the Nobel Peace Laureate, has faced international condemnation for failing to address ongoing rights abuses of the Muslim minority and for online statements by her "information committee" that have been accused of inflaming public sentiment against the wider Rohingya population and aid workers in the country.

"Aung San Suu Kyi hits a new low with this potentially deadly inflammatory propaganda. Leadership failure," Phelim Kine, a deputy director of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch, said on Twitter.

The August 25 attacks came just hours after a commission appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi and led by Kofi Annan delivered its recommendations on how to end long-running ethno-religious tensions in Rakhine. The assaults by Arsa were widely condemned by the UK and the international community.

On Friday, Bangkok-based rights group Fortify Rights published harrowing eye-witness accounts from Rohingya who escaped the village of Chut Pyin in Rathedaung township.

They claimed around 200 Rohingya men, women and children had been killed by Myanmar's security forces and local ethnic-Rakhine villagers.

The Myanmar military reported on Friday that some 400 people - around 370 Rohingya insurgents, 13 security forces, two government officials and 14 civilians had died in the violence since August 25.

Rycroft said the members had condemned the violence and called on all parties, including Suu Kyi, to de-escalate the situation in Rakhine.

"We look to her to set the right tone and to find the compromises and the de-escalation necessary in order to resolve the conflict for the good of all the people in Burma," Rycroft said.

A spokesman for the government could not be reached yesterday, but previously told The Telegraph that the information committee represented the views of the entire government - not just those of Suu Kyi.

He also said that the government was aware of the need to protect "innocent Muslims" while tackling Arsa.

Mark Farmaner, director of London-based NGO Burma Campaign UK, welcomed the Security Council discussion but called on the British government to go further in its objections to the current situation in Rakhine.

"Supporting Aung San Suu Kyi and reforms in Myanmar doesn't mean the British government has to stand by and do nothing as hundreds of Rohingya are slaughtered by the military," he said.
Journo Kazi Siraj no more

UNB, Dhaka :

Journalist and columnist Kazi Siraj passed away at a city hospital on Thursday night. He was 70.

Family sources said, Siraj was former Editor of vernacular daily Dainik Dinkal, fell sick suddenly at his Banasree residence around at10 pm. He was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Siraj, also a permanent member of the Jatiya Press Club, left behind wife, one son, two daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his

death. Late Siraj was also Adviser Editor of The Weekly Robber.

President of Jatiya Press Club Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman and its General Secretary Farida Yasmin expressed deep shock at the death of Kazi Siraj.

In a condolence message, they also expressed sympathy for the bereaved family members and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

He was a regular participant in talk-shows in different TV channels.
UN role in reforming international finance for development

Jomo Kwame Sundaram :

Growing global interdependence poses greater challenges to policy makers on a wide range of issues and for countries at all levels of development. Yet, the new mechanisms and arrangements put in place over the past four decades have not been adequate to the growing challenges of coherence and coordination of global economic policy making. Recent financial crises have exposed some such gaps and weaknesses.

Although sometimes seemingly slow, the United Nations (UN) has long had a clear advantage in driving legitimate discussion on reform because of its more inclusive and open governance. Lop-sided influence in the current international financial system is a principal reason why many countries lack confidence in existing arrangements. Rebuilding confidence in such arrangements will require that all parties feel they have a stake in the reform agenda.

The UN Secretariat has a strong track record of identifying systemic threats from unregulated finance, warning against a misplaced faith in self-regulating markets and offering viable solutions to gaps and weaknesses in the international financial system

But the UN is also suited to drive the discussion because of its long tradition of reliable work on international economic issues. The UN secretariat has developed and maintained a coherent and integrated approach to trade, finance and sustainable development, with due attention to equity and social justice issues. The ongoing 'secular stagnation' has again highlighted the interdependence of global economic relations, exposing a series of myths and half-truths about the global economy. These include the idea that the developing world has become "decoupled" from the developed world; that unregulated financial markets and the new financial instruments had ushered in a new era of "great moderation" and "stability"; and that macroeconomic imbalances - due to decisions made in the household, corporate and financial sectors - were less dangerous than those involving the public sector.

The UN secretariat has long doubted such arguments, and warned that any unravelling of global macroeconomic imbalances would be unruly. Also, persistent asymmetries and biases in global economic relations have particularly hit developing countries, both emerging markets and the least developed countries.

Not surprisingly, the UN Secretariat also drew attention to the close links between the financial crisis and the food and energy crises of recent years. A more integrated approach to handling these threats is needed, particularly to alleviate the downside risks for the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

The UN Secretariat has a strong track record of identifying systemic threats from unregulated finance, warning against a misplaced faith in self-regulating markets and offering viable solutions to gaps and weaknesses in the international financial system. Special drawing rights (SDRs), the 0.7 per cent aid target and debt relief, for example, were all conceived within the UN system during the 1960s and 1970s.

From the 1980s, the UN secretariat - both in New York and Geneva - has consistently warned against the excessive conditionalities attached to multilateral lending, promoted the idea of rules for sovereign debt restructuring, and cautioned that the international financial institutions were moving away from their traditional mandates of guaranteeing financial stability and providing long-term development finance.

During the 1990s, UN agencies warned against the dangers to economic stability, particularly in developing countries, from volatile private capital flows and the speculative behaviour associated with unregulated financial markets. The UN was among the very few warning Mexico in 1994, the East Asian countries in 1997 and the world in 2008 that excessive liberalization threatened crisis. The UN system was also almost alone among international institutions to identify growing inequality as a threat to economic, political and social stability, and insisted early on measures for a fairer globalisation.

Many of these concerns culminated in the 2002 Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey, Mexico. More recently, the UN has insisted on the importance of policy space for effective development strategies and particularly on the need for macroeconomic policies to support long-term growth, technological upgrading and diversification.

The combination of a strong track record and a core secretariat steeped in its tradition of an integrated multilateral approach to policy-oriented research places the UN in the best position to advance discussions to reform the international financial architecture if given the chance to do so.

(Jomo Kwame Sundaram, a former economics professor, was United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, and received the Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought in 2007).


War games in Korean peninsula

NORTH Korea's successful test of a hydrogen bomb on Sunday, which is also the country's sixth nuclear test, has triggered new war preparedness in the Korean peninsula. The test created 6.3 magnitude tremor in the region inviting condemnation from all over the world that included North Korea's close ally China and Russia. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet any time now to discuss new sanctions against North Korea to stop it from further nuclearization of the peninsula. But earlier such sanctions did not work and there is hardly any hope that new sanctions will produce results unless China and Russia make sure effective implementation of such sanctions.







What worries the world is the newly acquired North Korea's capability to deliver mid-range to intercontinental ballistic missiles. Equipped with nuclear warheads it can easily hit Japan, US territory of Guam in the Pacific and even the mainland US territories adding new worries to Western defense system.







South Korea early on Monday conducted a live-fire military exercise in response to North's latest nuclear test involving surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and F-15K fighter jets. It appears the situation may lead to military conflict any time as the US has 'warned of massive military response.' Earlier this year the USA had also sent its biggest aircraft carrier to Korean waters to stop North's nuclear missile tests. President Trump had warned of 'fire and fury' at that time to stop nuclear blackmail.







The divided Korea is the hot bed of distrust and tension ever since the end of Second World War when USA occupation of South led to creation of two countries. Despite the fact that the post Second World War international order has accepted both the Koreas as members of the United Nations, hostility between the two continues keeping the region volatile as a constant threat to peace.







Japanese Prime Minister now believes threat against his country is "more grave and imminent"; while South Korean President Moon Jae-in called out the new test as an "absurd strategic mistake" in the light of his pledge to open dialogue for long term reconciliation. North Korea earlier this week also fired a missile that crossed Japan over its northern region. The big question is why North is so desperate to beef up its defense. It is not clear whether it wants to build its attack capability or the capacity to defend itself.







The USA is definitely exercising restraint despite President Trump's war mongering strategy for domestic consumption. Washington knows the human cost that a military confrontation with possible use of nuclear weapons may cause in the region. In fact the entire world is in tension at the risk for breach of peace and look forward to Chinese and Russian pressure on North Korea to stop its nuclearization programme.







A war in the region is not the solution; we suggest that talks must open to remove distrust so that both sides can live in peace and use recourses for socio-economic development.
Woman`s body cut in 38 pieces, hunt for killers

Md Joynal Abedin Khan :

Police are hunting for some suspects who cut the body of 54-year old government primary teacher Nargis Begum into 38 pieces at Jamgora in Ashulia, on the outskirt of the capital on Friday night.

But the law enforcers are still in dark about the killers's presence and their motives of heinous crime, said Abdul Awal, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station.

We have already interrogated several persons in connection with the murder, the police official said.

He, however, refused to make any comment about the suspect killers for the sake of the proper investigation.

Police found 38 pieces of the body of Nargis Begum, a teacher of Ghoradia Government Primary School in Narsinghdi, inside a plastic drum at a house of one expatriate Masud Rana around 12:30am on Saturday.

Her husband Ansar Ullah, a retired police personnel, lives in Dhaka's Tejkunipara. The couple has two sons.

Ashulia Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Jahid Hasan said, "On information from the locals, we went to the spot and recovered the body's parts from a drum in Ashulia.

Nargis was a Ghoradia Government Primary School teacher at Narsinghdi. She lived there and visited Dhaka during holidays. Nargis had been missing since she left home on Thursday morning. She had planned to visit a relative in the capital's Kamalapur, according to the SI.

Following an information, her decomposing body was found inside a drum near a guava farm at Gazipur's Bhogra, an area beside the Dhaka bypass road on Saturday, he said.

He said the house consists of 10 separate rooms and most of the rooms were occupied by tenants. The caretaker of the house gave us some information under custody.

On the other hand, locals claimed that a man had rented the room from where the body parts were recovered, the SI said.

The SI said, a case has been filed with Ashulia Police Station in this regard.

Nargis was wearing a neon green salwar-kameez, There were wounds in her chest and stomach, said Pranay Bhushon Das, Resident Physician of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital where her autopsy was done.

Naziur Rahman Babu, son of the deceased, said one Majid and his cohorts killed his mother.

Sharmin Akhtar, a relative of the deceased, said that Nargis was the second wife of Ansar Ullah who has been staying in Saudi Arbia to perform Hajj. He has another wife, she said.

Majid's roommate Mehedi said that Majid came from Jhenaidah district.

Harun Mia, caretacker of the house said that Majid wanted to submit the national identity card's photo copy after a few days as he rented the room on August 28 for living with wife from August 30, the caretaker said.
10 girls return home after serving 3 yrs in Indian jail

UNB, Benapole :

Ten Bangladeshi teenage girls returned home through Benapole check post on Sunday night after serving three years' jail in Indian prison.

The girls hail from Satkhira and Jessore districts .

Indian police handed them over to Benapole check post immigration police at night.

Police said the arrestees went to India illegally in search of jobs three and half years back.

Later, Indian police arrested them from Mumbai and sentenced them to 3 years imprisonment each for illegally crossing the border. Apurbo Hasan, officer-in-charge of Benapole Port Police Station said they handed the girls over to their respective families.
Kevin Nixon/Metal Hammer Magazine/ Future Publishing via Getty ImagesFounding Molly Hatchet guitarist Dave Hlubek has died at the age of 66. The Jacksonville, Florida native's death was announced Sunday in a message penned by longtime guitarist Bobby Ingram that was posted on the Southern-rock band's official Facebook page.

"It is with great sorrow to announce the passing of our beloved friend and band member Dave Hlubek," writes Ingram. "Dave was one of the founding lead guitarists of Molly Hatchet. Amongst his many contributions to southern rock is 'Flirtin' with Disaster.' Our condolences and our prayers go out to his family during this time of loss. He will be missed but never forgotten, as the music lives on through his legacy in Molly Hatchet."

Hlubek's cause of death was not revealed.

Hlubek formed Molly Hatchet in 1971 and played with band until the late 1980s, then rejoined the group in 2005 and continued performing with them until his death. He co-wrote many of the band's songs, including their signature 1979 tune "Flirtin' with Disaster," which peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song helped propel the group's second album, also titled Flirtin' with Disaster, to #9 on the Billboard 200. The record went to sell more than 2 million copies in the U.S.

Hlubek's death comes about five months after the passing of ex-Molly Hatchet bass player Banner Thomas, who died of a heart attack at age 60 in April. Thomas played on the group's first four albums.

Molly Hatchet currently has concerts lined up into late December 2017, and also is scheduled to perform on the Southern Rock Cruise in January and the Rock Legends Cruise in February. No word yet if Hlubek's passing will affect their tour plans.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Calhoun County

Sheriffs Office

A resident of Firetower Lane in St. Matthews reported Aug. 23 that when he left his 1994 Honda Civic at the gas pump to pay for gas at a business, a man drove off in his car, leaving a black Cadillac behind.

Deputies determined that the Cadillac the suspect left was a stolen car with a stolen tag.

In other reports:

A resident of Kings Road in Orangeburg reported Aug. 23 that his red 2001 Ford Focus stalled at mile marker 125 on Interstate 26. While he went for assistance, someone stole the vehicle, he said.

The car is valued at $5,000, the report states.

When a deputy stopped a burgundy Ford Focus with a broken tail light at mile marker 126 on I-26 on Aug. 24, he detected the odor of marijuana. In a search of the vehicle, which was being driven by a Somerset, Kentucky man, the officer found a cigar package in the purse of a passenger, also a resident of Somerset, Kentucky. The package contained marijuana, the report states.

Additional marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also found in the vehicle. A summons was issued, and the narcotic was impounded.

St. Matthews Police Department

An officer on Aug. 18 stopped the driver of a white Dodge truck that was towing a trailer and a four-wheeler after he observed the man driving erratically, according to an incident report.

The officer said the driver, a resident of Old State Road in Sandy Run, hit a speed limit sign and then drove on. He called for another officer to assist with the traffic stop.

According to police, the driver smelled of alcohol and had open bottles of bourbon and beer in his vehicle. He failed a field sobriety test, the report states. The vehicle was towed, and the suspect was arrested and charged with first-offense driving under the influence and open container/failure to report.

In a separate report, a resident of Liberty Street in St. Matthews reported Aug. 19 that he lost his wallet at a party shop. He said the wallet contained $300 in cash, his driver's license and a credit and debit card.

He said he returned to the business but the people there said they hadn't seen his wallet, the report states.
A Bowman man must pay thousands of dollars to two local churches after pleading guilty to burglarizing them and two other properties.

Kenya Deshwan Williams, 21, of 215 Pine St., pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree burglary at the Orangeburg County Courthouse on Aug. 29.

Circuit Judge Diane Goodstein sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years. She gave him credit for having already served 77 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

She ordered him to pay $1,000 in restitution to First Baptist Church and $3,943.11 to the Southern Methodist Church, both in Bowman.

She also ordered him to obtain his GED, attend vocational rehabilitation or Job Corps and to learn a trade while in prison.

According to Williams' indictments, the break-ins at the two church properties occurred on April 19 and 20.

He also pleaded guilty to burglarizing two private residential properties.

Two additional third-degree burglary charges were dismissed.

In other pleas:

 Johnny Giles, 47, of 206 Independence St., St. Matthews, pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine.

Goodstein sentenced him to prison for two years, suspending the balance to two years of probation.

Giles is allowed to serve time on weekends. He must undergo random drug/alcohol testing and attend Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings twice weekly.

 Tyrell Earl Reid, 40, of 825 Patriots Way, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to financial transaction card fraud.

Goodstein sentenced him to time served.

 Tyrone Lamound Williams, 32, of 3895 Pate St., Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to grand larceny valued at more than $10,000 and third-degree burglary.

Goodstein sentenced him to two years in prison.

She gave him credit for time served since Nov. 6, 2014.

 Kennan Alonza Georgia, 20, of 1068 Fireglow St., Manning, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary.

Goodstein sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years.

She ordered him to undergo treatment by the Department of Mental Health. Once treatment is completed, hes ordered to a YOA facility.

 Lewis Clay Green, 40, of 124 Wright Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to possession of a handgun by a person convicted of a violent crime and receiving stolen goods valued at $2,000 or less.

Goodstein sentenced him to seven days of time served.

 Gregory Lamond Prezzy, 33, of 222 Midway Road, Elloree, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence.

Goodstein sentenced him to 30 days of time served at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

 Todd Frederick Wise, 47, of 180 Dorchester St., Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and criminal conspiracy.

Goodstein sentenced him to 10 years in prison. Upon the service of 90 days, the balance is suspended to probation for three years.

She credited him for having already served 104 days in jail.

The judge ordered him to attend vocational rehabilitation or Job Corps if not employed within 10 days.

Hes not allowed to contact the victim and must comply with law enforcement.

 Lewis Milton Weatherford, 45, of 139 Purina Lane, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin.

Goodstein sentenced him to prison for two years. Upon the service of 90 days, the balance will be suspended to probation for 18 months.

Hes allowed to serve time on weekends.

Substance abuse counseling will begin with Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous twice weekly and may be increased or a program added if necessary.
Labor Day is celebrated to recognize the important contributions that U.S. workers make to the economic prosperity of America. But at the same time, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the declining relevance of organized labor to the success of our workers.

A century ago, unions played an important role in the labor movement by boosting workers wages, improving working conditions and giving workers a voice in the workplace. Unions were relevant then because organized labor provided a platform by which workers could better negotiate these issues with employers. But unions are increasingly unable to address the challenges that workers face in the 21st century.

When manufacturing employment started to decline in the late 1970s, due primarily to technological advances and automation and to a lesser degree globalization, workers did not flock to unions to shield them against these changes.

In fact, union membership started to decline concurrently with the decline in manufacturing employment. In 1983, 16.8 percent of workers were part of a private-sector union  today that share has shrunk to an all-time low of only 6.4 percent. Over that period, manufacturing employment declined from 18 million to only about 12 million factory workers today.

While unions cannot be blamed for the job losses that have occurred due to technological advances and offshoring, in many ways unions made matters worse for companies facing those changing global forces. Typically, union wage premiums arise because unions negotiate compensation packages that are artificially above market compensation levels.

For firms facing global competition, unions raise their employers labor costs and make them less competitive. This hastened the outsourcing of production overseas to take advantage of lower manufacturing labor costs in other countries.

Therefore, its important to recognize the hidden costs of union wage premiums. In the short run, unionized workers enjoy compensation packages that are above market levels. But in the long run, those wages reduce the profitability of their employers, and investment in the global economy will move away from companies with such high costs and low profitability.

For example, the Detroit automakers have consistently lost market share to foreign-based automakers in the United States, including Toyota, Volkswagen and Nissan. While the Big Three (GM, Ford and Chrysler) once had a 90 percent market share of U.S. vehicle sales in the 1960s, their market share slipped below 50 percent about a decade ago, and it now stands at only 45 percent.

Theres no question that union wages along with burdensome union work rules contributed to the decline of the Big Threes competitiveness and those automakers shrinking market share.

The shift away from organized labor is also apparent in the adoption of right-to-work laws in states across the country. Today, more than half of U.S. states (28) have passed these laws that affirm the right of Americans to work without being forced to join a union. Research suggests that companies are much more likely to set up production in states with these laws.

Foreign automakers like Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes have almost exclusively located their U.S. plants in right-to-work states like Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee to take advantage of the greater flexibility in labor costs and work rules.

Understandably, business-friendly right-to-work states attract more investment and create more jobs. For example, a recent analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2006 to 2016 revealed that overall employment grew by 8.1 percent in the states with right-to-work laws on the books in 2006 compared to employment growth of only 3.5 percent in compulsory union states.

The decline in unions also reflects the shift toward service-sector work. According to BLS projections, the 30 fastest growing occupations between 2014 and 2024 will be in the service economy  in professional, technical, medical and managerial fields that increasingly employ workers like web developers, computer technicians, physical therapists, nurse practitioners and financial advisers.

A one-size-fits-all union-type compensation contract with pay determined mostly by seniority and not merit is no longer desirable or relevant for the workers of the 21st century. Americas workers today are increasingly competing in a highly globalized economy and labor market, and they are no longer are best served by union representation that ignores individual effort and merit-based compensation.

The verdict is clear. In todays high-tech, service and knowledge-based global economy, collective bargaining and unions dont make sense as they once did in the manufacturing-based economy of the 1960s. For workers to rise up to the challenge of performing todays jobs and to enjoy wage gains, investing in skills training and education is a far better path forward than paying union dues to be represented by outdated organizations that will become increasingly irrelevant in the workplaces of the future.
Its Labor Day, and that means another round of stories claiming that unions have no place in our global, high-tech economy world.

Now, thats really fake news.

Organized labor in 2017 is more united, more prepared and more determined than ever. Working people, through their unions, are determined to counter the corporations and Wall Street players who have rigged our economy and the political process against working families.

Were determined to stop these forces that send our jobs overseas, cut our pay and benefits, disregard safe working conditions, and scheme to block ordinary working people from having a voice on the job and in our democracy.

Joining together, union members can negotiate a better standard of living and a safer workplace, and working people who arent union members benefit from this just as much. Thats what members of my union accomplished recently at Verizon, AT&T, United Airlines and other companies. Its what all working families want.

The fundamental freedom to join together in unions is protected by the U.S. Constitution. The achievements of the union movement on behalf of ordinary working people are woven throughout more than 200 years of U.S. history.

That fundamental freedom is under attack. Unions stand in the way of Wall Street and corporations pitting working people against one another. Our unions are an obstacle, a roadblock to corporate greed. Thats why the super-rich, corporate executives, right-wing think tanks, and their political allies expend so much money and energy to stop us.

The attack on working people and the freedom to join a union is intensifying, but weve faced worse before. Working people have been knocked down and beaten up for standing together for fair wages and working conditions, but we dont quit. Today is no different.

Working people who belong to a union know only too well what it would mean to live in the union-free society that corporate America has been dreaming of for decades.

We know what it would mean to go to work every day, with no union voice and no rights on the job  every employee subject to arbitrary wage cuts, firing for no reason, bias, discrimination, and mistreatment at any time, and dangerous working conditions.

Right now, the 1 percent and corporate America are going after working people with a vengeance, looking to eliminate regulations that protect workers on the job, attack workers freedom to join unions, and eliminate the ability of working people to speak with a united voice in our political process.

Consider the Trump administrations proposed executive order on regulations, which requires federal agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to repeal two regulations for every new regulation issued. This is a big payoff to Big Business that will put working peoples lives at risk.

It treats workplace health and safety regulations like a bargaining chip, basically saying that if OSHA acts to limit exposure to lead poisoning, other workers will just have to put up with a higher risk of infectious disease or chemical dangers.

And why? Because too many in the corporate world care more about their bottom line than common-sense health and safety rules.

As long as there are corporations that ignore workplace safety and health, that move jobs overseas and disregard U.S. communities and workers, and that cheat workers out of hard-earned wages, there will be labor unions to stand up for working people. As long as there are politicians who prefer to look the other way, there will be labor unions standing up for working people.

The union movement is needed more than ever. No other institution in our country does what we do when it comes to fighting for policies that benefit all working families, like a higher minimum wage; keeping Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid secure; standing up for safe communities; and ensuring health and safety on the job.

Right now, were in the midst of a new Gilded Age, where wages have remained flat for the majority of working people while skyrocketing for the wealthiest Americans. There hasnt been such a concentration of income in the hands of the richest 1/10th of 1 percent of American since 1928, just before the Great Depression. More than ever, we need a strong union movement, one that enables working people to use their freedom to join together and negotiate improvements in their jobs and their lives.
By Azernews





By Sara Israfilbayova

Crude prices do not show a single dynamic on September 4, as U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) brand continues to grow against the backdrop of a decline in production in the Gulf of Mexico, while Brent crude futures are down in price on the news about the hydrogen warhead test in North Korea.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, are at $52.55 per barrel, down 0.42 percent, meanwhile U.S WTI crude futures are at $47.42 a barrel, up 0.27 percent, according to RIA Novosti.

The rise of WTI crude is associated with a decrease in production on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, following the Hurricane Harvey.

Harvey has become the most devastating hurricane in the United States for the past 12 years, since the hurricane Katrina hit the country in 2005, which led to the flooding of New Orleans.

As a result, 10 oil refineries with a total capacity of 3.075 million barrels per day remained closed due to the effects of the disaster. In addition, 4 refineries with a total capacity of 1,105 million barrels per day did not work at full capacity. Oil production in the Gulf remains reduced by 5.5 percent, or by 96,000 barrels per day, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

Traders are hopeful that crude backlogs will be cleared, said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at futures brokerage OANDA.

Meanwhile, Brent crude futures drop on the background of news from North Korea.

North Korea announced the successful testing of the hydrogen warhead, which is designed to equip intercontinental ballistic missiles. North Korea claimed that testing a hydrogen warhead did not result in a leakage of radiation or other adverse effects on the environment.

Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States, the U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on September 3.

Moreover, the world oil prices are supported by the statements of economist Arkady Dvorkovich, who earlier told that Russia backs up the prolongation of the Vienna agreement until June 2018, adding that the participants of the agreement have 6 months to think about it.

In November 2016, the OPEC summit was held in Vienna, where OPEC members reached an agreement on reducing oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day. In December 2016 was a meeting of oil producers outside the OPEC. Following the meeting, was signed an agreement to reduce oil production by a total of 558,000 barrels per day starting from January 2017.

The deal participants agreed to extend the production adjustments for nine months, on May 25, 2017.

The next meeting of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC) of OPEC is scheduled for September 22 in Vienna.
Following the issue of the final VAT law on July 28, 2017, Saudi Arabia has published its final VAT implementing regulations, said Al Tamimi & Company, a leading law firm in the Middle East.



As Saudi Arabia has now issued the full VAT legislation, which comprises the law and the regulations, businesses have the complete set of information necessary in order to analyse the VAT implications and to prepare before January 1, 2018.



The key features of the Saudi Arabia VAT regulations are as follows:



Effective date  the VAT law and executive regulations confirm that VAT will be effective from January 1, 2018.



Scope of VAT  VAT is imposed on all taxable supplies of goods and services in Saudi Arabia by a taxable person or received in Saudi Arabia by a taxable person where the reverse charge mechanism applies and on imports of goods.



Mandatory VAT registration  businesses must register by 20 December if their annual turnover exceeds the mandatory registration threshold of SR375,000 ($99,920). Businesses with turnover of less than SR 1 million can defer registration until December 31 2018 and businesses that make exclusively zero rated supplies may register voluntarily even if the value of the supplies exceed the mandatory registration threshold. GAZT had already started registering large businesses automatically based on existing records. Businesses that are eligible to register and have not received any notification from GAZT that they have been automatically registered may register online.



Voluntary VAT registration - an option to register will be available for businesses where the annual taxable supply is below the mandatory registration threshold but exceeds the voluntary registration threshold of SR187,500.



Group Registration  related companies may apply for VAT group registration subject to certain conditions.



Zero rated supplies  export of goods, services supplied to customers outside the GCC, international and intra-GCC transportation, investment grade precious metals, medicine and medical equipment.



Exempt supplies  leases of residential real estate, life insurance and margin-based financial services.



Compliance  Businesses with taxable supplies exceeding SAR 40 million will be required to submit VAT returns on a monthly basis and all other persons will be required to file returns on a quarterly basis. The VAT return and payment will be due within a month from the end of the tax period.



Transitional rules  there are various transitional provisions including a provision that deals with contracts entered into before 30 May 2017 that are silent on VAT.



With less than four months left until VAT is implemented in Saudi Arabia, Al Tamimi will be happy to undertake a VAT impact assessment to help clients understand the impact of VAT on their business and to enable them to comply with their VAT obligations, the law firm said in a statement.  TradeArabia News Service
Infill developments are now a growing trend within Dubais heavily populated urban areas, signalling the start of a new phase of maturity in the local real estate market, says an expert.

Infill development, defined as the process of developing vacant or under-used parcels within existing urban areas that are already largely developed, offer opportunities to developers and investors alike. It allows them to capitalise on established sub-markets with existing demand bases, well established transportation and infrastructure networks, as well as surrounding amenities and employment hubs, says Maher Sweid, the managing partner of Dubai-based property developers Sweid & Sweid.

In recent years, Dubais main population hubs have crossed a critical threshold with the urban landscape becoming a highly developed environment where few pockets of vacant land remain. While developers continue to expand and launch projects inland (away from the coast), there has also been a resurgence of activity within more developed areas such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and Downtown, says Sweid.

However, as Sweid explains, infill development not only comes with great opportunities, but with an even bigger social responsibility.

There is clearly an opportunity for this kind of development in Dubai, but the onus is on the developer to recognise the opportunities and to work responsibly to create something that not only complements the surrounding context - but that is seamlessly woven into the urban fabric, he says.

In many ways, it is easier to start with a blank slate than to add something to an existing framework. Developers need to consider various aspects of their surrounding neighbourhood such as architecture, pedestrian passageways, traffic circulation, and view corridors  and not only the views from their own development, but others as well. Too often we see projects built with an island mentality where anything outside the boundaries of the plot is not really considered, he added.

DMCCs JLT district is a prime example of a community with great infill opportunities, having an established population base, a burgeoning food and beverage (F&B) scene, and superior connectivity to the rest of the city through new road links and two metro and tram stations. This has piqued the interest of several developers, including Sweid & Sweid.

After carefully reviewing the infrastructure and public facilities enhancements planned by DMCC, we quickly recognised the area had large untapped potential and would continue to improve and outperform others in the medium to long term future.

We have also experienced first-hand how DMCC in its capacity as the master-developer is incredibly focused on continuously upgrading and investing in its infrastructure, adds Sweid.

Sweid & Sweid recently completed The Edge, a commercial building in Dubais Internet City, home to Oracles regional headquarters, after handing over another commercial tower, The 47th, in Cairo, Egypt.

The geographical location of DMCCs JLT district, close to Dubai Marina and JBR with access to not only Dubai World Central, but also Business Bay; Downtown Dubai; DIFC; Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Airport is drawing a lot of attention from investors and continues to be a popular location for tenants.

According to figures from Core, JLT was the only central and established apartment district to report growth in Q2 2017 (two per cent). The report also revealed that buyers get eight per cent more space for their dirham in JLT compared to Dubai Marina.

JLT is also a hotspot for savvy investors, with gross rental yields currently performing at between seven per cent and eight per cent, the report said.  TradeArabia News Service
UK-based EDM, a leading global provider of training simulators to the civil aviation and defence sectors, has welcomed the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to open its new 1.3 million ($1.6 million) facility.



Mayor Burnham officially cut the ribbon to celebrate the formal start of operations at the 20,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility at EDMs headquarters in Newton Heath, east Manchester, said a statement.



The new structure has been built to meet the demands of the companys rapidly increasing order book with the company doubling in size since 2013, posting revenues of over 24 million ($31.08 million) in 2016, it said.



Housing 50 employees, EDMs new purpose-built facility sits adjacent to its existing 100,000-sq-ft site and provides all the resources necessary to enable the company to manufacture its full range of training simulators for defence and civil aviation customers.



In the past year EDM has announced orders from KLM, China Southern Airlines, S7 Airlines and Jet2.com and counts Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Thales amongst its defence client base.



EDM has also just launched a new range of virtual reality training simulators to the airline industry and expects to win its first order with a major airline later this year, it added.



Tony Bermingham, managing director of EDM, said: It was an absolute pleasure to have the Mayor open our new facility here in Manchester.



This significant investment will help us build more high quality training simulators for our growing customer base as we continue to expand our global presence, he said.



Mayor Burnham said: This is a fantastic new facility and the fact that EDM has grown so quickly, requiring new workspaces, is testament to their hard work and the quality of their products.



I am immensely proud that there are successful and innovative manufacturers, such as EDM, operating on a global scale within the region, leading the way for Greater Manchester, he said.



They successfully bring together digital and advanced manufacturing and are a glowing example of Greater Manchesters strength in these sectors, he added.



Finally, I would like to thank EDM for having me today, being able to see what they do up close and meet the staff was a brilliant experience - I look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday denouncing Qatars support of terrorism, a report said.



The protesters, who included Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, and British citizens, chanted against Doha rulers, holding them accountable for the Catalonian terror attack last month, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.



They accused Doha of killing dozens of innocent people in Spain and France through funding terrorist groups and extremists.



On August 17, Barcelona witnessed two deadly attacks; the first was in Barcelona while the other was in the coastal resort of Cambrils.



The two attacks led to the killing of at least 15 people and more than a hundred injured including citizens of 24 countries. The Spanish police reported killing five terrorists and arresting four suspects.



A report published by Spanish media earlier revealed that Qatari businessmen are financing and supporting terrorism in the province of Catalonia.



The protesters today called upon the Spanish government and other European countries to officially boycott their relations with the State of Qatar and not to cover up Doha's financing of terrorism under the cloak of investment.


Up to 95.3 per cent of Dubai residents feel secure and 97.8 per cent of the Emirate's people trust in the integrity of Dubai Police, according to a study conducted by the Public Opinion Centre at the Dubai Police.



Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief of Criminal Investigation Affairs at the Dubai Police, explained that the study, conducted in cooperation with the Criminal Investigation Department, covered residents of the GCC States, Arabs, Asians and other foreign nationalities, and it gauged feeling of security and lack of concern about crime among the public, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.



He pointed out that the UAE, since its establishment at the start of the 1970s, has created "a unique model rarely found in other countries, as it has succeeded in establishing good relations in a community with many races, nationalities and social backgrounds, while providing security and safety across the country and protecting the rights of individuals and organisations, based on laws and legislations that honour their rights, and a just legal system that is efficient in deciding verdicts in local cases."



Al Mansouri noted that the high level of security and safety enjoyed by UAE citizens and residents alike are the foundation of stability, decent life and justice, providing cornerstones for development, leadership and social justice, adding that the country has not experienced religious or ideological conflicts, despite the presence of many nationalities.



Lieutenant Faisal Al Khaimary, acting director of the Surveys Centre at the General Administration of Comprehensive Quality, said that the Dubai Police work with over 200 nationalities from various cultures, adding that they are living in peaceful coexistence thanks to effective security measures and to their confidence in the police and the judicial system.
Digital future, where big data analysis will provide the clues to process improvements, using data from sensors embedded within plant assets, will be among the key themes for the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Downstream Summit.



Scores of business leaders and engineers from the Middle Easts refining and petrochemical industry are expected to attend the summit taking place at Sofitel, Abu Dhabi in the UAE on September 18 and 19.



The summit is supported by Takreer and Borouge, accompanied by 14 other key industry sponsors all leaders in their field. There is a packed conference programme including 25 key spokespersons representing companies such as Borough, Takeer, KIPIC, SABIC, Saudi Aramco, Shell, Ruwais Refinery, Petro Rabigh, Borealis, Orpic, Gunvor Petroleum including many others.



Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with a large delegation from Takreer and Borouge, in addition to learning about Crude Chemicals which is now recognised as an industry game changer.



Four specialist streams are being run leveraging the experience of some of the industrys leading technology, service companies and operators that will provide their recommendations on keeping one step ahead of the competition.



Finally, the issues of equality will be addressed in the, Women in Downstream panel with representatives from Saudi Aramco, KIPIC and Borouge who will discuss the importance of mentoring for womens career and advancement opportunities.



Essam Al Sheibany, GM Mina Al Fahal Refinery Operations at Orpic, said: All the other conferences look to the past, the Abu Dhabi International Downstream Summit differentiates itself by looking forward to the future while addressing the ways that we can drive our businesses forward.



This years two-day conference, in addition to addressing the broad subjects of Innovation, Investment & Collaboration and Investing in future growth, sustainability & profitability will have a total of four separate technical streams plus speed networking and interactive round tables.



Kay Mitchell, event director for the summit, said: The Abu Dhabi International Downstream Summit is once again heading for a record attendance which reflects the importance of the event and the Middle East region. The event last year attracted over 222 delegates from over 21 countries and we hope to exceed that in 2017.  TradeArabia News Service
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has revealed plans to launch a spectacular new beachfront resort in Phu Quoc, the stunning tropical island off Vietnams South Coast.



On July 20, Best Western signed a license agreement with Vietnams CEO Group for the brand new Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc - a beautiful upscale property scheduled to open in January 2019.



Nestled on a prime plot of beachfront land on the islands pristine West Coast, Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc will overlook the glistening waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The hotel will offer 565 contemporary rooms, all featuring balconies, upscale facilities and the latest technology, including complimentary wi-fi. Additionally, many of the rooms will offer views of the golden beaches, turquoise seas and beyond.



The tropical layout of the resort will also include a series of impressive villas running alongside the freeform outdoor pools, which stretch down from the main resort building to the beach. For honeymooners, groups and special occasions, these villas provide the perfect place to unwind in luxurious style and comfort.



Guests will also be able to enjoy delectable local and international cuisine at the restaurants, sip sundown drinks at the bars, work out at the high-tech fitness center, or simply kick back, relax and soak up the sun on the resorts private beach.



Phu Quoc Island is one of Asias most desirable up-and-coming resort destinations, and we are delighted to enter this prime tourist market with such a fantastic resort, said Olivier Berrivin, Best Westerns Managing Director of International Operations  Asia. Modern, stylish and commanding a prime location, Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc represents the new era of Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Asia.



Vietnams tourism industry is experiencing incredible growth. Having welcomed a record ten million international arrivals in 2016, the country continues to surge in popularity among tourists from across the world. With its unspoilt beaches, fast-developing infrastructure and relaxed visa regulations, Phu Quoc is at the forefront of this growth.



We look forward to following the development of Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc in the months ahead, and to welcoming our first guests to this spectacular new resort in 2019, Olivier added.



Vietnams answer to Bali, Hawaii or Phuket, Phu Quoc Island attracted over 550,000 visitors in the first quarter of 2017, which represents a remarkable increase of more than 80 per cent compared to the same period last year. This included 139,000 overseas visitors, up 53 per cent year-on-year.



The island already features a wealth of attractions, including the Vinpearl safari and amusement parks, Dinh Cua Temple, Ho Quoc Pagoda, and a series of natural wonders such as golden beaches, verdant forests and spectacular waterfalls. Snorkeling is a major draw for visitors, and an impressive new cable car attraction is also being developed, connecting Phu Quoc with its neighboring island, Hon Thom.



Eith 250 investment projects worth approximately $14 billion earmarked for the island, including an expanded international airport, Phu Quoc is set for continued growth. - TradeArabia News Service


Environmental regulations on Rocky Mountain Power havent disappeared since the election of President Donald Trump, but in some cases there is less pressure, a company official told lawmakers in Casper on Wednesday.

I think in general, the questions that we see have been, With a new administration in place, have all your rules changed? Have the rules gone away? said Chad Teply, vice president of strategy and development. The rules have not gone away in all instances. But what I would say is what we are seeing from a federal perspective is maybe a different way in how rules are being administered.

Rocky Mountain Power operates in three western states: Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. The company has spent millions meeting regulations like the Environmental Protection Agencys Regional Haze Standard which cost $150 million per unit to comply at Jim Bridger plant in Rock Springs. The Salt Lake City-based firm, a subsidiary of PacifiCorp, gets about 30 percent of its generation from Wyoming resources, but the state only consumes about 17 percent of its power.

Environmental regulations have placed pressure on an ageing coal fleet in Wyoming that is, at the same time, competing with other, cheaper generation sources.

Wyomings coal-fired units at RMPs four power plants were built between the 60s and 80s, Teply said. Some, like Bridgers units 1 and 2, could face accelerated retirements as the cost to retrofit those units in order to meet standards is weighed against the ability of the company to get the financial investment back before the life of the unit comes to end.

There was a time, Teply said, that coal was always at an economic advantage when these issues came up.

The market has changed so significantly with the price of natural gas, with the implementation and deployment of new renewable projects, the power market and the competing generators that these coal units have to compete with have become an equal playing field, Teply said.

That is not to say that RMP is about to close down the coal-fired generation in their fleet, which not only employs Wyoming workers but uses coal from Wyoming plants. But the economics are less favorable for coal than they were in the past.

At Bridger for example, one of the older coal units could be retrofitted at high cost, or it could be converted to natural gas used mainly for peak demand, Teply explained. Another option would be to shut it downachieving compliance by taking that units emissions offline altogether. Even with a choice to switch to natural gas, there would be a cost and likely a reduction in employment, he said.

Jim Bridger provides jobs for more than 300 people, the nearby mine employs another 250.

We technically have about six different scenarios around Bridger and the rest of our fleet, he said. From the economic perspective, the one that came in with the lowest costs today is the accelerated retirement case. If we were to commit to an accelerated retirement, that from an economic perspective would be the best outcome for customers.

Those scenarios, as Teply explained, are updated at the very least every five years.

Rep. Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander, asked if in RMPs outlook the economics were favoring a move of new generation sources closer to the demand centers, which are not necessarily in Wyoming.

Teply said thats not always the case, certainly not in the case of wind or solar.

Renewables, you first target where is the given renewable resource? What are the areas that are best developed for that resource? For Wyoming (its) wind, for Utah (its) solar, in our system, he said. In those cases if you have transmission or the ability to deploy transmission you would tend to get much more energy and costs effectiveness out of an appropriately located renewable resources versus deploying it at load.

With changes to the electricity sector, from regulations to economics, Larsen asked that RMP continues to keep Wyoming lawmakers in the loop for potential changes, noting a considerable angst for Wyomingites regarding some of the market issues that Teply mentioned.

You well understand, I hope, that the state of Wyoming and Rocky Mountain Power have been sleeping in the same bed for a number of years, said Larsen, a member of the Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee. Youve kept us warm, and we are very grateful for that. But it really causes angst when we look at the accelerated retirement of some of these plants, the impact it will have on the state and the potential that these jobs and these resources could potentially go closer to load.

Rocky Mountain Power recently committed to a $2.2 billion investment in new Wyoming wind and transmission in the next few years. The company would like to complete upgrading its current wind fleet as well as building 1,100 megawatts more. Its under a certain amount of pressure to finish by 2020, which would make the assets qualify for federal subsidies for ten years. Those subsidies sunset for the older generation in 2022, but a completion of new or upgraded wind facilities by 2020 restarts a decade of federal tax credits.

We appreciate that we do have a commitment to our employees in the state of Wyoming and a responsibility as a corporate neighbor in this state, Teply said. As we do embark on opportunities and our planning reviews over the years, that is definitely in the forefront of our thoughts.
The Trump Administrations decision to postpone compliance of a new rule on coal royalties after it was in effect was unlawful, a California district court ruled Wednesday.

Rules and regulations from the Obama-era have come under considerable pressure from Congress and President Donald Trump. Congress has gone after a number of rules passed in the final days of Obamas tenure, and departments like the Environmental Protection Agency have been ordered to review some of the more recent controversial environmental regulations.

Wednesdays decision is being taken as a win by environmental groups who hope the courts stand in between the new White House and federal regulations.

The contested rule from the Office of Natural Resources laid new guidelines on royalty evaluations for federally owned minerals, including new restrictions on how coal companies define fair market value for coal.

Environmentalists said companies were selling to subsidiaries and sister companies at a discount price and paying taxes on that sum, a loophole that shorted taxpayers, they argued.

Coal companies have long refuted that claim, pointing out the extensive auditing of coal sales done by the federal government and the millions that they pay in taxes each year.

The Trump Administration favored the coal industrys position. The rule went into effect in January. The Trump team delayed the rule the following month and rescinded it in August.

The latter action followed proper public comment procedure, the former did not.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Laporte found that the Trump administration broke the law by ignoring the Administrative Procedures Act in delaying the rule.

Though the Administration does have legal authority to delay an effective date when a rule is contested or in litigation, it cannot do that retroactively, the judge wrote in her decision.

Environmental groups hope the case sets a precedent reining in the Trump Administrations tactics in undoing Obama-era regulations,

It does potentially affect a number of other actions that the Trump Administration is trying to take, said Connie Wilburt, director of the Wyoming Sierra Club. Were pleased with the clear requirement that this is establishing that they cant do those types of actions without going through the right process. They cant unilaterally do as they wish; they have to follow the law.

The Sierra Club advocates a rapid move away from fossil fuels, but in the meantime supports stricter rules on mineral royalties, Wilburt said.

While we transition from fossil fuels, it does not make any sense to be giving big energy corporations the kind of benefit through allowing them to take advantage of loopholes in the law to avoid paying a reasonable and fair tax of the public minerals that they are mining, she said.

Coal companies lobbied hard against the ONRR rule during its development.

Gillette-based Cloud Peak Energy, which accounted for about 4 percent of the U.S. production in 2014, argued that the rule subjected the coal industry to an unlawful value added tax. The environmentalists take that coal companies were swindling public resources was simply false, they argued.

The Office of Natural Resource Revenue (ONRR) of the Department of Interior receives detailed information on every single ton of coal sold from a federal lease-hold: how much was sold, to whom, on what date, and how much it was sold for, said spokesman Richard Reavey said in a recent interview.

They have the power to investigate any sale to any entity and to determine the sale was made under market value or below the value of comparable sales to third parties, and to fine and penalize any such sales, he added. There are no loopholes.
Casper fire crews rescued a dog from a burning home Sunday and kept the fire from spreading beyond the garage.

The dog was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and released. No other injuries were reported, according to Casper Fire-EMS.

The fire ignited someone after 1 p.m. at a home on the 2400 block of Brentwood Drive. When crews arrived, they found the attached garage burning, but extinguished it before the flames spread to the rest of the home.

The fire damaged the garage, according to Casper Fire-EMS. Additional smoke damage left the rest of the home uninhabitable.

Firefighters noticed that blaze after responding to a grass fire behind a home on the 3600 block of Carmel Drive at about 12:45 p.m. Crews were able to contain the blaze with no injuries or damage to any structures.

A city-wide fire ban remains in effect over the holiday weekend. Open fire and charcoal grilling are prohibited.
A committee working to diversify Wyomings economy last week released its first report, detailing what many already knew: the Cowboy State faces a steep road in any effort to move away from economic dependence on the energy industry.

The ENDOW Council, created by Gov. Matt Mead last year, was required to submit a preliminary report to the Legislature by the end of August.

You hit the points required by our August 30 deadline, Rep. Tyler Lindholm, R-Sundance, told the ENDOW representatives who presented last Friday at the Interim Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee in Casper. (But) right now we dont have what do we do? We have data proving what I think we all knew.

What did we all know? That Wyomings workforce is ill-equipped to support a move away from the energy industry into areas like business and professional services, which are underrepresented in the state compared to the rest of the nation.

The preliminary report focused on the socioeconomic conditions of Wyoming as they related to the goal of diversifying the economy.

Jerimiah Rieman, from the governors office, said that the report provided a series of benchmarks  such as post-secondary education rates  that can be used to measure the success of ENDOW through 2038, when it is scheduled to be completed.

The 350-page reports findings included the following:

Lack of workforce is the primary inhibitor to diverse economic growth;

Wyoming needs to increase the number of residents who graduate from college;

Past economic development efforts have not sufficiently focused on entrepreneurship;

Existing public agencies should do a better job of working together.

Rieman noted other shortcomings, including the paltry amount of money Wyoming receives from the National Science Foundation. The Cowboy State is ranked 51st in total funding from the federal agency, $12 million behind Puerto Rico, a pretty small island, obviously. More than 3.4 million people live in Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Investing in the necessary actions to draw more of that funding would pay dividends, he added.

That will attract talent and private capital to this state, Rieman said. That increase will result in commercialization and innovation.

Part of ENDOWs final report, to be submitted next summer, will include recommendations for designated innovation zones. While the committee has not finalized those areas yet, the report included maps showing population and infrastructure concentrations across the state, which are likely to be used in making innovation zone recommendations.

The core of the maps, which highlighted items like transportation availability, quality of life and population, ran along three primary axes: the I-80 corridor, with a heavy concentration of resources in southeast Wyoming; the I-25 corridor; and a final corridor running roughly from Evanston to Rock Springs and north to Cody.

They provide objective and data-driven delineation as to where the assets are in the state, said Sara Fitz-Gerald of the Wyoming Business Council, who is part of ENDOWs supporting staff.

Rieman said that the report did not include specific recommended actions for the Legislature. Those will be forthcoming in December, before the body meets in February for a budget session.

I do expect well have six or more recommendations to bring to you, Rieman told the committee.

After the final report is submitted next August, the ENDOW Council will begin to develop four-year action plans to implement the diversification recommendations. The effort was allocated $2.5 million by the Legislature last year, despite an overall budget deficit, and has the support of top elected officials.

Rieman said that the committee had spent only around $100,000 of its allocated funding so far.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Sept. 4 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.
If youve ever wondered how developers name the streets in their subdivisions, Peter Backus many and varied methods are illustrative.

Backus might have ended up as a developer naming streets in his native Madison, Wisconsin, where he grew up, instead of in the Old Pueblo.

But when it came time for him to choose a college, his father recommended the University of Arizona. Backus parents had spent their honeymoon in 1934 in Tucson at Flying V Ranch (namesake of Flying V Ranch Road), which is now Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, and fell in love with the small town.

So, Peter attended the UA and majored in business, graduating in 1963 and developing passions along the way for exploring the West, visiting Mexico and riding horses.

After working in Tucson for Sam Alford and his Commercial Brokers, Backus began his own business, PB Trading Co., in 1983.

In 1994, Backus and some partners were looking at some land just north of Garigans Gulch Road for a potential subdivision. While walking around the land, Backus found deer antlers on the crest of a small hill and took them home. After the partners purchased the land from the Garigan family, they began working with an engineer and had to come up with a subdivision name. Backus chose Antler Crest because he found those antlers on the crest of that small hill.

He also gave many of the streets deer-related names. Calle Nobleza (Nobility Street) because he viewed deer as noble animals and thought the antlers appeared very regal; Placita Pezuna (Little Hoof Place) for a deers hoof; Placita Asta (Little Antler Place); Placita Asta Vieja (Little Old Antler Place); Placita Asta Rota (Little Broken Antler Place) Placita Ocho Puntas (Little Eight Points Place) because the antler he found had eight points; Placita Gama (Little Female Deer Place); Placita Pastura (Little Pasture Place) and Placita Pastando (Little Grazing Place) because the land near these two streets was in a low area that collected rain water and nurtured a large amount of grass, so deer and other animals might have grazed there.

He also named streets for other things: Avenida Mochuelo (Owl Avenue); Placita Perro de Caza (Little Hunting Dog Place); Placita Zorra Solitaria (Little Lone Fox Place) because he saw a lone fox running through the property; Placita Rocosa (Little Rocky Place) because the end of this street had an unusual amount of bigger rocks; Placita Cachorro (Little Puppy Place) was a misspelling of Placita Cacharro (Little Pot Place) because Backus found part of an old earthen pot near the street; Placita Simpatica (Little Pleasant Place); Placita Flor Del Desierto (Little Flower of the Desert Place) named for the many flowers he saw on the land; and Placita Saguaro Solitario (Little Lone Saguaro Place) because there was only one saguaro on the length of the street.

In 1997, he began to develop the Rincon Trails subdivision, on land just south of Antler Crest that he bought around 1986. The name Rincon Trails derives from the fact that Backus served on the Pima Trails Association committee headed by Steve Anderson, whose goal was to keep trails open.

Backus planned to have a riding/walking trail beginning in Rincon Trails going north through Antler Crest and onto present-day Saguaro National Park East, but the trail has yet to be completed.

For these street names, Backus devised the idea of combining parts of two peoples first names. After creating several such names, he wrote them down on the subdivision map. Then he changed his mind and decided to go with the more traditional Spanish names, but forgot to remove one small street name, Dakim Drive (pronounced Day-kim) named for David and Kim Henry, the best man and matron of honor at Backus 1997 wedding to his wife, Debbie.

Long active in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Backus named San Esteban (St. Stephen) Drive, a play on words, for a little brother from a Big Brothers Big Sisters program named for Jorge Esteban Salazar; Camino Cabalgata (Mounted Procession of Riders Street) for a California business Backus worked for after college, where he took tourists to Mexico for horseback riding; and Kali Drive for the offspring of his horse, Valentine.

After this, he decided it would be quicker to pay someone to come up with names for him and he hired a Pima County-approved Spanish-English translator to name the rest of the streets.

In 1998, Backus began planning a subdivision along Old Spanish Trail near Coyote Wash. He decided to call it Coyote Creek, a name derived from the nearby wash. The following year he named the streets in the subdivision.

Box Dot Ranch Place is named for his father-in-law Edward Ted Gilberts registered cattle brand, the Box Dot Brand. According to Backus, his father-in-law was cattle superintendent at John Waynes Red River Feedyards near Stanfield, Arizona, and kept the cattle brand there.

Hat Creek Ranch Place is named for an old cowboy hat Backus found one day in the wash he calls Little Coyote Wash because it feeds into the Coyote Wash. The street travels across this wash.

Anvil Ranch Place is named for a ranch located in or near Catalina that was owned by W.D. Bill Raftery, who used to shoe Backus horses. Raftery was a noted horseman and War World II veteran who earned four Purple Hearts. According to Backus, he was the last instructor for the U.S. Calvary when it still used horses.

Picacho View Place is named because one can see Picacho Peak from this road, which is on higher ground.

Backus says the rest of the street names in Coyote Creek are made up names that sound like cattle brands.

In 2001, Backus purchased an old bullet-ridden windmill brought in from a Kansas farm or ranch. It now serves as a symbol for the housing development, and houses a ravens nest.

Backus now spends most of his free time riding trails, is a past president of Los Charros del Desierto and is a member of The Centurions, which raises money for Tucson Medical Center.
The groundbreaking ceremony of a new car factory last week by Vietnams leading property developer Vingroup has renewed hope that the Southeast Asian country will soon be able to produce cars domestically.

In the first phase of the US$1.5 billion investment, the Vingroup facility, located in the northern city of Hai Phong, expects to produce between 100,000 and 200,000 vehicles annually, including five-seat sedans, seven-seat SUVs and electric motorbikes.

The realty developer has dipped its toe into the car-manufacturing sector at a time when major carmakers in Vietnam, both domestic and international, are shifting towards the import of fully assembled vehicles for sale in the country, rather than have them domestically assembled.

When imports are more profitable

Carmakers in Vietnam have two options for operating: importing and selling fully assembled units, or importing spare parts and assembling them domestically before selling.

With Vietnams import duties for cars steadily falling - expected to reach zero percent by 2018 - it is now more profitable for manufacturers to choose the first option.

Toyota Vietnam and Honda Vietnam, both of which have factories in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, have led the trend over the past few years.

Starting in 2017, when Toyota stopped assembling its Fortuner model in the Vinh Phuc plant, and Honda did the same with its Civic brand, both switched to selling imported fully-assembled vehicles.

Toyota Vietnam maintains domestic production of only four of its models, the Camry, Corolla, Innova and Vios, with a total production volume of 43,000 units per year, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA).

The moves by the two major carmakers have reduced Vinh Phucs tax revenue in the first half of this year by VND7 trillion ($308 million) compared to the same period last year, according to the provinces tax department.

The central province of Quang Nam, home to the car manufacturing complex of Vietnams Truong Hai Auto, also suffered a reported tax loss of some VND3 trillion ($132 million), according to a source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The situation is expected to worsen next year, when import duty for fully assembled cars from ASEAN countries will go to zero percent as per a regional trade pact. ASEAN is a bloc consisting of ten Southeast Asian nations.

In the meantime, while complete car imports will become tax-free, imports of spare car parts will still be subject to taxes, a factor that will further led carmakers in Vietnam to neglect domestic production.

Support needed

Many local and international carmakers in Vietnam have therefore called on the government to issue policies to save the local car industry, as more and more manufacturers begin focusing on imports rather than domestic production.

The government should create a policy to ensure the growth of the Vietnamese car industry, as well as provide support to reduce the price gap between cars imported from ASEAN countries and those assembled in Vietnam, according to Toyota.

Another proposal, from the Quang Nam administration, suggests that the government also cut import duties for spare car parts to zero from October 2017, so domestically produced vehicles can remain competitive with imported products.

Vietnams demand for cars is expected to reach up to 900,000 units annually by 2025, according to an official from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

If the car sector fails to grow by then, the country will be full of imported cars instead of domestically manufactured ones, the official warned.

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HANOI -- Vietnam has found faults with the central State Bank of Vietnam, including poor supervision of credit organizations and inefficiency in preventing corruption, the government said on Saturday.

The announcement, which was published on the governments website, came amid an intensifying crackdown on corruption that has pushed many state executives and government officials into the spotlight.

The Government Inspectorate found the bank slow and not complying with regulations when publicizing its properties and revenues, the report said, without elaborating.

Government officials have to reveal their incomes and properties to the public.

Inspectors also pointed out violations by SBVs banking supervision agency, a department in charge of overseeing and examining credit organizations, from 2010 to 2015.

Credit organizations had several faults but during inspection, the supervising department did not promptly detect them to deal with and prevent them, the government said.

The inspectorate has called for the state bank governor to investigate groups and individuals behind the violations.

Vietnams crackdown on corruption and mismanagement, with a focus on inefficient state-owned companies, earlier led to the rare dismissal of a member of the politburo and the sacking of a vice-minister.

Four more officials from a scandal hit state-oil firm are being prosecuted over links to investment losses in a local bank.
A Vietnamese representative has beaten 80 other contestants to become the winner of Mrs Universe 2017.

Contestant Luu Hoang Tram  a Vietnamese mother living in the U.S.  was chosen by ERM Vietnam to represent Vietnam in the contest.

The winner was announced in the early hours of September 3 (Vietnam time) in South Africa.

Despite being a mother of two, Luu Hoang Tram has been able to maintain breathtaking beauty, which takes a lot of effort and dedication, said director of ERM Vietnam Nguyen Thi Thanh.

She explained how in awe she was when she met a youthful, energetic Tram.

The contestants had to compete in three different categories: ethnical dress, traditional dress and evening gown.

Thanks to her thorough preparation across all aspects including the design and talent challenges, Tram was awarded the Mrs Universe Business title, and successfully went on to become this years Mrs Universe.

Her outstanding ethnic dress, weighing 20-kilograms, was inspired by the rice plant called The Golden Seeds.

Enjoy these pictures of the ceremony in South Africa:

Mrs Universe 2017 contestants

Mrs Universe 2017 contestants

Mrs Universe 2017 contestants

Contestant Luu Hoang Tram

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Vessel Badaro of South Koreas coast guard force arrived in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang on Monday, commencing its four-day visit to the city.

The training ship carried a crew of 145 officers and 44 sailors headed by Kim Dong Jin, head of human resource at the Korea Coast Guard Academy.

The welcoming ceremony was held in the presence of Vietnamese coast guard officers and city officials.

During their stay in Da Nang, crew members of vessel Badaro will join courtesy meetings with leaders of Da Nang and conduct exchanges with the High Command of Vietnam Coast Guard for enhanced bilateral relations.

At its meeting with the South Korean ship, the administration of Da Nang expressed its high regard for the practical and effective friendly cooperation between the two countries maritime forces.

An officer from the High Command of Vietnam Coast Guard (L) presents flowers to Kim Dong Jin, head of human resource at the Korean Coast Guard Institute, at Tien Sa Seaport in Da Nang City, September 4, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

It called for continued deepening of bilateral cooperation, including exchange of experience in the fields of search and rescue, the safeguarding of maritime security and safety, and others.

This is the second time vessel Badaro has visited Da Nang following its first arrival in 2016.

Barado (3011 HAM) is a training ship commissioned by the Korea Coast Guard.

The vessel has a deadweight tonnage of 4,292 metric tons, measuring 121 meters in length and 16 meters in width.

It is equipped with a range of modern weapon systems for both training and engaging purposes.

According to Da Nangs Department of External Affairs, Badaros visit is held ahead of the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-Korea bilateral diplomatic relations on December 22.

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Here are the leading news stories of today, September 4:

Politics

-- Vessel Badaro carrying 189 naval officers and sailors from South Korea is scheduled to arrive in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang on Monday, commencing their four-day visit to the city.

Society

-- Major theme parks in Ho Chi Minh City including Dam Sen, located in District 11 and Suoi Tien, in District 9, were filled with people on Saturday and Sunday, who were celebrating the holiday marking Vietnams National Day (September 2).

-- A 36-year-old tourist drowned while visiting the Bo Cap Vang (Golden Scorpion) ecotourism area in the southern province of Dong Nai with his wife and children on National Day, local police said on Sunday, adding that he had ignored the request to wear lifejackets.

-- Managers of 23/9 Park in Da Nang City have asked local authorities for permission to shut down a zoo within the venue due to the limited number of animals.

-- A total of 50 traffic accidents occurred across Vietnam on the national day holiday weekend (September 2 and 3), killing 36 people and injuring 42 others, according to the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

-- The train SE3 traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City collided with an excavator in the north-central province of Quang Binh on Sunday morning, causing minor injuries to the driver of the excavator. The railway resumed its operation on the evening of the same day.

-- A recent probe by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper has revealed that several taxi drivers in front of the Oncology Hospital, located in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, have been overcharging passengers.

-- An internal graft check among regulatory bodies under the Ho Chi Minh City administration from August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017 has found only one case of corruption, administrators said on Sunday.

-- A ship carrying five million liters of gasoline of dubious origin is being held by the border guard unit in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, officers said on Sunday.

Business

-- Vietnam exported over 12.6 million metric tons of cement in the first eight months of 2017, exceeding this years original goal of 15 million metric tons, according to the Ministry of Construction.

-- A Vietnamese-made speedboat, built by the military-run 189 Co., was launched on Sunday, which will be used by the Ho Chi Minh City-based Greenline DP Co. for the river bus route from the citys downtown area to the outskirt district of Can Gio.

Education

-- Google has launched the fifth season of the Launchpad Accelerator program, which is designed to support startup projects in selected countries, including Vietnam.

Sports

-- The Yonex Sunrise Vietnam Open 2017 badminton tournament is scheduled to start in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday with the participation of 330 athletes from many countries. The prize money is worth a combined US$65,000.

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Several cab drivers in front of a major hospital in Ho Chi Minh City have been found to be charging passengers exorbitant fares.

A recent probe by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper has revealed that several taxi drivers in front of the Oncology Hospital, located in Binh Thanh District, have been overcharging passengers.

On the evening of August 17, a resident named P. picked a Daewoo-made taxi with the logo of Vantaitaxi to travel from the infirmary to his home on Ho Van Hue Street in Phu Nhuan District.

Both sides of the car were also showing the name of the company and a hotline number of 54 27 27 27.

The driver introduced himself as Teo, claiming to have over 20 years of experience and excellent knowledge regarding the citys streets.

It took Teo over 10 minutes to take his passengers on a 3.3 kilometer journey.

We are here.The fare is VND502,000, but I will only charge you VND500,000 [US$22], the cabbie told P. at the end of his trip.

The journey involved traveling on several one-way streets, making the distance longer, and thus the fare is of course higher, he explained to his passenger about the exorbitant fare.

As P. demanded to know how many kilometers they had traveled, Teo stated that his taxi charges customers by the hour, adding that one hour costs about VND950,000 ($48).

While the passenger was making his payment, the fare went up to VND514,000 ($23).

You wasted my time. I would have charged you the extra cost, Teo complained.

Earlier on August 16, Tuoi Tre journalists followed the same cab driven by Teo, who was taking H. from the hospital toward Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station in Binh Thanh District.

The 5.1 kilometer trip cost her VND905,000 ($40).

After H. said she did not have enough money, Teo decided to lower the fare by VND200,000 ($9), threatening that he would call the police if she did not pay.

An hour in this cab costs VND1.5 million [$67]. You should pay your fare as the operators of our taxi company are aggressive people, Teo continued.

H. said she would call the hotline of Vantaitaxi to report the issue, before the driver revealed that the number was fake.

As a security guard of the bus station came over to intervene, Teo said he had received a phone call from his operator and quickly drove away.

The probe revealed that Teo often preys on passengers around the Oncology Hospital, whose visitors are patients and their family members.

An unlicensed taxi picks up a passenger in front of the Oncology Hospital in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to N., one of Teos passengers, she had to pay VND550,000 ($24) to the driver to travel from the clinic to her house in District 2, with the usual fare only about VND110,000 ($5).

T., another resident, said she had fallen victim to the scam in late June, adding that the driver only looked at the time once he counted her fare.

According to Duong Tien Thu, director of the transport cooperative that owns the hotline number 54 27 27 27, many passengers have been contacting the institution to complain about the same problem.

Thu asserted that Teo did not work for the cooperative but in fact was an unlicensed taxi driver.

We have filed a report of the case to competent authorities, the director continued.

It is advisable that passengers remain calm if they find themselves in such a situation, said Dr. Truong Van Vy, a lecturer from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

If the destination is a crowded public space, passengers should ask for help from other members of the public and relevant authorities, Dr. Vy explained.

However, if the location is secluded, passengers should pay the fare, remember some features of the cab and its driver and then report them to police officers, he added.

Teo states the fare to his passenger. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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Holidaymakers on Phu Quoc, a popular tourist island off the southern Vietnamese province of Kien Giang, were stunned to read a sign erected in front of a local restaurant telling them that they were not allowed to lie on the beach.

According to a photo posted to Facebook on Sunday, the bizarre sign is written in both Vietnamese and English, reading Dont lie on the sand, only beach chair for rent. 60.000 VND/1 person/1 times (sic).

The price is equal to approximately US$2.5.

The tourist who posted the photo on his Facebook page said the sign was erected at the Bai Sao beach in An Thoi Town on the island.

The sign sparked outrage amongst social media users, with many pointing out how unreasonable it was to ban beach-goers from lying on the sand.

One Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondent arrived at the scene on Sunday to witness Tran Van Hue, head of the local neighborhood and a police officer, removing the controversial sign.

Hue said he was taking his noon break when he saw the photo on Facebook. I immediately briefed the An Thoi Town chairman of the situation and was directed to come here and remove the sign right away, he told Tuoi Tre.

Tran Van Hue is pictured with the sign before removing it.

Hue said the beach where tourists are banned from lying on the sand is under the management of a major company, which has leased the area to another business.

I have contacted the restaurant manager but failed to meet anyone, he said.

For now we will take the sign away and will decide upon further sanctions for the one who put it up.

We cannot let these things ruin the reputation of local tourism.

Many restaurants along Bai Sao offer umbrellas and beach chairs to tourists for hire so they can take a rest and watch the ocean.

The sign may have been put up as many beach-goers just lie down whenever they want instead of leasing chairs from the restaurant, one tourist named Tran Van An told Tuoi Tre.

But its absurd to place a lying ban there as the beach is for public use.

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A Nha Trang-based observatory, the first of its kind in Vietnam, is ready to begin operating later this month, enhancing the countrys astronomical research capacity and adding a new attraction to the beach city.

The Nha Trang Observatory, located on Hon Chong (Husband Islet) in Nha Trang, the capital ofKhanh Hoa Province, will host physics and astronomy research, teaching and training, as well as astronomical knowledge sharing sessions for the community.

The facility will open a new chapter in Vietnamese astronomical research, and become a new destination for tourists when they visit the beach, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh, deputy director of the observatory, said.

The facility was developed by the Vietnam National Space Center in 2014.

It is the largest component of a bigger project called the Vietnam National Satellite Center, the largest scientific project ever launched in the Southeast Asian country.

The most important equipment at the Nha Trang Observatory is a giant telescope produced by Italian firm MARCON.

MARCONs experts are in Vietnam to transfer technology to the Vietnamese staff at the observatory.

The telescope can be used to observe the galaxy, search for astronomical objects near Earth, study the stars or research the atmosphere.

The observatory will begin official operations by the end of September, Dr. Anh said.

Students from Nha Trang University listen to an introduction of the observatory.

Italian experts install equipment at the observatory.

People tour an exhibition room at the observatory.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh (left) and her colleagues work at the observatory.

The Nha Trang Observatory

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Next week Netflix premieres Strong Island, a documentary about a family whose lives were shaped by the 1992 murder of their son, and racism in America.

In April 1992, on Long Island NY, William Jr., the Fords eldest child, a black 24 year-old teacher, was killed by Mark Reilly, a white 19 year-old mechanic. Although Ford was unarmed, he became the prime suspect in his own murder. Director Yance Ford chronicles the arc of his family across history, geography and tragedy  from the racial segregation of the Jim Crow South to the promise of New York City; from the presumed safety of middle class suburbs, to the maelstrom of an unexpected, violent death. It is the story of the Ford family: Barbara Dunmore, William Ford and their three children and how their lives were shaped by the enduring shadow of racism in America.

A deeply intimate and meditative film, Strong Island asks what one can do when the grief of loss is entwined with historical injustice, and how one grapples with the complicity of silence, which can bind a family in an imitation of life, and a nation with a false sense of justice.

Friday 15 September on Netflix.
21st Century FOX has been told to renegotiate its content agreement with TEN, worth up to $195 million, or take a one-off $3.4 million payment from CBS.

Employees and general trade creditors of TEN will get 100% of what they are owed by the end of the year but content suppliers will only get their full payment if they stay with the network.

Most creditors of the TEN Network businesses will get paid in full under the KordaMentha restructuring plan to sell the network to CBS, KordaMentha said in a statement this afternoon.

CBS is providing $205 million to TEN to cover creditor costs, on top of $172.7 million it provided for the Commonwealth Bank and $12m each for Lachlan Murdoch, Bruce Gordon and James Packer.

Administrators have set aside $32 million for content providers. FremantleMedia Australia is owed $425,000, ITV Studios Australia is owed $1.9 million and EndemolShine Australia is owed $1 million.

TENs 750 employees will receive up to $56.2 million for annual leave and long service leave, and paying out any entitlements owed to former staff.

A second creditors meeting has been scheduled at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, September 12. That will be followed by a Supreme Court ruling to ratify the transfer of shares from existing holders to CBS, when any challenge is most likely to occur.

KordaMentha expects to formally complete the sale by mid-October, with most creditors paid by the end of the year.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has expressed interest in having the TV Week Logie Awards in her state, a push that could dash Queenslands hopes of hosting the event.

I think it would be wonderful to have parts of NSW fight for the Logies, whether its regional NSW or Western Sydney, she said this morning.

Like it or not, a NSW event would be much cheaper for TV networks than sending talent to Queensland, and fit better with production schedules.

Meanwhile Karl Stefanovic is so incensed he is even threatening a boycott.

Im not happy about this Logies situation with Melbourne, he said this morning.

Im telling you right now if the Logies move from Melbourne Im boycotting them. I will not be going to the Logies.

The Gold Logie winner even got confused between state and federal politics, insisting, This is a joke of giant proportions. Kevin Andrews has lost the plot completely.

But it is Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews whose govt will no longer invest an estimated $1m as a tourist and economic event.

For $1 million the advertising Victoria gets is second to none, Stefanovic continued. You may as well have the Ekka in Perth. You may as well have the Hamilton Island race week on Fitzroy Island. This is disgusting and I will be boycotting the Logies until theyre back in Melbourne at Crown Casino. Enough from me.

But Lisa Wilkinson said she was already calling her co-stars bluff.

With Todays We Love Australia catch-cry Im not sure a boycott is wise, especially given he would be expected to front a post-Logies broadcast (and the less said about that the better).

Over on Studio 10 red-carpet devotee Rhonda Burchmore said she was Absolutely shattered. It is our night for Cinderella to get dressed up.

It is like Bert and Patty. Melbourne for me  I got my first start on variety television with The Don Lane Show and Bert Newton, Hey Hey its Saturday. Its like moving Carols by Candlelight or the AFL from Melbourne.

She added that a previous switch to the State Theatre in Sydney was boring.

They moved it to the State Theatre theatre and they gave you a bag of Maltesers and a bottle of water.

It was boring. And it went back to Melbourne the next year.

Sunrise mentioned that a rural Logies would be fun and joked to put in an early bid for raw and snore.

Which really just conjures up other images.
Help India!

By Waseem RS for TwoCircles.net

Support TwoCircles



The JNU campus has often been presented as a place of higher learning that seeks to challenge the majoritarian discourse; a University where prejudices against all marginalised communities are challenged every day, in every sphere. But what if one scratches beyond the surface? Is the campus as free as it claims? Does the Left, which claims to espouse equal rights for all, not indulge in the practice of Islamophobia? Across the nation, Islamophobia is a trait that has been used to describe only the Hindutva right-wing parties and entities. But is the Left any different?

In the following article and ahead of the JNU elections, Waseem RS, a Phd Research Scholar at Centre for Law and Governance, Jawahar Lal University raises the following points to counter the Left narrative in the JNU campus. Here, he lists out how the Left too indulges, and encourages, Islamophobia in the campus.

1) Take any Muslim movements who are critical of SFI/AISA (the so called Left unity or the Left in this particular context) and turn them into contextless monsters in history and politics. The construction of an Islamic scholar like Abul Aala Maududi to a mythical monster is an example.

2) Appease any Muslim who is obedient to the Left and use those docile Muslim bodies to validate an Islamic sectarian politics then oppose those Muslim movements who are critical of the Left. They use of the theological divide among Muslims to make sure that Leftist vote banks for Muslims remain intact. The embryonic or childlike imagery of Muslims enforced by the Left unity is a sign of Islamophobia. The value of Muslims increase when it suits the Islamophobic agenda of the Left.

3) Use gender, sexuality, or the tools of identity politics to build a discourse around Islamophobia. Meanwhile, they dismiss any arguments around identity assertions to privilege class politics inside the Left movements. Contingency, play, and chance are not historical values when it comes to Muslim mobilizations. Instrumental use of identity politics to perpetuate Islamophobia is the strategy of the Left. For example, the methodology of demonizing SIO by using instrumental reasoning.

4) Deny the historical and ethical role of Islam in India to say that Islam is the same as the Hindu Brahmanical order. Avoid talking about it to house Muslims (courtesy of Malcolm X) who are in support of the Left.

5) Use Muslims who are on the Left to fight against an autonomous social justice based political assertion of Muslims. It is like using the marginalised in the Leftist platform to resist the independent political mobilisation of the autonomous movements of the marginalised.

6) Run away from a meaningful conversation about the role of the Left in perpetuating Islamophobia in Kerala and West Bengal. Facts and figures are against the Left in understanding what happens to Muslims in those states. There is less communal violence in the state of Kerala, and West Bengal is also used as an argument to further Leftist paternalism over the Muslim minority subject.

7) Always portray Muslim movements as a void in terms of caste, class, gender, and sexuality etc. to deny the political values of Islam in addressing those questions and offer a criticism to these movements for what they are not in politics. They pretend as though the Left unity achieved or solved all the problems of politics in a single day. The dynamism of Islamic movements is rejected by constructing a static image of Islamic values. SIO (Students Islamic Organisation of India) or Jamaat e Islami is accused not because of the void in the politics but because they do not give the Left a space to dominate in terms of political contestation in determining what it means to be Muslim in the world.

8) Use of Orientalist and Islamophobic readings to address the dissenting and revolutionary voices of Islamic politics.

9) Use the everyday interaction of the Muslim community discourse  speech, fatwas, sermons or articles  out of context and in a less nuanced way to control the political autonomy of the Muslims. Discursive understanding of Islamic tradition as an endless conversation on text, context, and social agents is compromised in the process of Islamophobia.

10) Use the available pool of War on Terror discourse. The construction of a violent hierarchy between good Muslim vs bad Muslim is an effective method used to perpetuate Islamophobia. The notorious terror hunt, using the anti-terror laws, which took place in West Bengal and Kerala are cases in point. The development of the radicalised Muslim prison complex in India using the War on Terror discourse has also happened where Left is in power. Two examples: Majority of the UAPA case victims of Kerala are Muslims. It was initiated by the comrade VS Achuthanandan. He was a central committee member of Communist Party of India (Marxist). The history of the Police shooting in Kerala: May 19, 2009-Beemapalli Police shooting that killed seven Muslim fishermen and injured 52 others. This event happened under the rule of the Left government.

11) Abuse the language of religion in general or Islam in particular when it suits the purpose of the Left. The selective use of religion and Islam to achieve political patronage over Muslims is a feature of Islamophobia.

12) Use vulgar Kantian moralism to say that the end goals of the Islamic movements are different from the means of achieving it. The denial of the ethics of action from an Islamic point of view is the denial of the epistemology of Islam. The violence against the epistemology of Islam is the violence against being Islamic or Muslims. (The erasure of the epistemology is the erasure of being). It is a form of symbolic genocide that precedes the actual physical annihilation of Muslims. Islamophobia is the denial of the Muslims right to determine their politics as agents of an epistemology and the subjects of being Muslim.
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Aligarh: Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very heaven, wrote William Wordsworth on the spirit of French Revolution. The English poet Wordsworths thoughts on French Revolution were revisited in a special lecture by Professor Irfan Habib (Padma Bhushan and Professor Emeritus, Aligarh Muslim University).

Prof Habib delivered a lecture on Wordsworth and the French Revolution in the inaugural function of the Discussion Group of the Department of English, AMU at the varsitys Faculty of Arts Lounge.

He emphasized the deep impact, French Revolution had on Wordsworth. In the mesmerising speech, Prof Habib said that Wordsworths call for alleviation of poverty is unprecedented across English literary history.

Prof Habib discussed how Wordsworth in his youth ardently supported the French Revolution and how the great poet hoped that the principles animating the revolution would extend beyond France to other parts of the world. He also talked about his student days in the Department of English in the 1950s.

Prof Seemin Hasan (Chairperson, Department of English) highlighted the eminent scholarly contributions made by Prof Habib to the field of Historical Studies and critical interventions in the public discourse. Dr Muneer A K, (Teacher-in-Charge) introduced the office bearers of the Discussion Group. Mr Abdulqadir Onin (Phd student and class representative) presented a short report based on the activities carried out by the Discussion Group over the past semester.

The lecture was followed by a brief interactive session in which Prof Habib answered queries of students and faculty members. Mr Md Danish Iqbal proposed the vote of thanks. Ms Sadra Samreen conducted the programme. The Discussion Group of the Department of English was founded in 1925 as a forum for the students to share ideas and initiate dialogues across a wide variety of areas, time periods and methodologies.
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New Delhi, (IANS): The Supreme Court will hear, on September 11, a plea seeking direction to the Central government not to deport about 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees back to Myanmar.

Directing the hearing of the matter on September 11, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Monday asked petitioner Mohammad Salimullah to serve the copy of the petition on Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

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The matter was listed for hearing on Monday after counsel Prashant Bhushan had mentioned it for urgent hearing on September 1.

However, the bench refused to say anything as Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, urged the court to direct that in the meanwhile, the government will not take any step to deport the Rohingyas.

Even Mehta refused to make any statement.

Senior counsel Colin Gonsalves too moved an impleadment application.

Rohingya Muslim refugees have taken shelter in India, and a large number in Bangladesh, to escape persecution against them by Myanmar authorities.

The Rohingya immigrants, who fled to India after violence in the Western Rakhine state of Myanmar, have settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.

Salimullah and others have moved the top court urging it to direct that they should not be deported as they faced certain death in Mayanmar from where they have fled to escaped persecution.

The petitioner has said that the National Human Rights Commission too had taken note of the Rohingya refugees issue and sought the Union Home Ministrys report.

Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding the governments plan to deport them, the NHRC had on August 18 observed that refugees are no doubt foreign nationals but they are human beings, and before taking a big step the Government of India has to look into every aspect of the situation.

The NHRC had observed that the Supreme Court has consistently held that the Fundamental Right enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution regarding Right to Life and Personal Liberty, applies to all, irrespective of the fact whether they are citizens of India or not.

Referring to the International Convention on Human Rights and the other world bodies including UNHCR, Bhushan has said that refugees cant be expelled if they face certain death or torture back home.
Last weekend the Belgium military was taking part in an Air Show at Liege in Belgium where hundreds of spectators had gathered to witness the air displays. The air force was using the Agusta109, a small helicopter, which has a good safety record. The exercise involved three soldiers jumping out of the chopper and parachuting down to earth. The helicopter took off after the mandatory pre flight checks and had reached a height of about 600 meters. The co-pilot helped the three soldiers parachute down when he noticed the pilot was missing and the door open.

He took control of the chopper and was able to land where he raised the alarm about his missing crew member.

A rare occurrence

A pilot falling off a plane is a very rare occurrence and one will have to search the history books to discover when the last time a pilot fell from a helicopter during peace time operations. The opening of the door of the helicopter in mid-flight is rare and points to a lack of proper maintenance and safety procedures of the machine. The pilot is supposed to be wearing a seat belt and the only way he can fall out is if he was not wearing one.

The fire service and the police were pressed into service to find the body of the pilot, who did not have a parachute, which was recovered close to a valley at Amay near Liege yesterday.

The reason for the pilot's fall remains a mystery, but suicide is being investigated as a possible motive.

Effect of World War II

Belgium was neutral during World War Ii and had a very small army. Adolf Hitler disregarded the neutrality of Belgium and the Wehrmacht launched an invasion of France in 1940 by advancing through Belgium.

The army surrendered and Hitler went onto defeat France inside 40 days. After the war, the lesson was not lost on Belgium and for its safety, it became a member of NATO and maintains a very small army and air force as its defence and responsibility to NATO.

The accident

This accident of a pilot falling from a helicopter is not the best advertisement of the efficacy of its military.

I have flown for two decades and never heard of such an incident.

The Agusta 109 light helicopter has a good track record. It has been in service for over two decades and is widely used by both civil and military establishments all over the European Union.The door which has a hydraulic lock cannot open on its own. An inquiry will be conducted but the loss of a trained aircrew member during an exercise like an air show is unacceptable.
Human Rights in the UK have a long history woven into our unwritten constitution which includes protection in the courts for the citizen against the State. They have, however, never had fully independent Legal status and enforcement as they do now, under the Human Rights Act (HRA) 1998. The HRA has ensured successful protection in countless cases, from holding the government accountable for spying on us, to giving resolution to grieving families of Hillsborough. Passed by Parliament under Labour, it incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 (ECHR) into British law.

The ECHR contains provisions which include protection for life, freedom from torture, right to a fair trial, right to liberty, right to privacy, and freedom of conscience, expression and assembly. The UK has been a signatory of the Convention since 1950, but the HRA has allowed citizens to directly remedy any breach of their rights through UK courts. It has also made it illegal for any state authority to act in contravention of the ECHR - this includes local councils and ministerial departments. In addition, the EU has adopted the ECHR provisions - among others such as workers' rights - as a fundamental part of EU law under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which allows direct implementation in the Member States.

The Human Rights Act and the EU Charter under threat

In the increasing isolationist climate, the Conservative government has proposed to repeal the HRA in order to replace it with a British Bill of Rights, however, they have given minimal information regarding what the Bill will contain. The House of Lords EU Justice Committee has questioned why a new Bill is at all necessary, as it remains unclear whether citizens will be allowed the same level of enforcement as currently under the HRA.

Under Brexit, as part of the European Union (Withdrawl) Bill - repealing the European Communities Act 1972 which allows for our membership of the EU and the functioning of EU law in Britain - the government also intends to exclude the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This would remove the foundation safeguarding citizen rights under EU law.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats have thus made the Charter a key requirement in deciding whether to vote for the Bill. Legal experts have also questioned the government's intention to transfer the entire body of EU law into UK law. It is a Herculean task which the government is citing as a basis to allow itself unregulated and unscrutinised legislative powers to make and unmake laws in the name of ensuring efficient transfer and continuity. MPs and campaigners are concerned about the scope of these 'Henry VIII' powers, which will continue to operate for two years after Brexit. The troubling aspect is that Parliament will not be given an opportunity to scrutinise the legislative changes made - fundamentally circumventing democracy, which is the basis of all our rights.

Fighting the trend

As the trend towards marginalisation of human rights in Britain increases, organisations such as Liberty and Amnesty International are asking the public to join the fight to save our Human Rights Act. According to Rights Info, leading members of the Conservative party have also highlighted their disagreement with government plans in a public report by the think tank Bright Blue, documenting instead the historic championing of human rights by the party.

Justice has proven that it is only the protection offered by the shift - following events of WWII - to valuing human rights as legally paramount that have allowed so many British citizens safe keeping under the law as a shield and sword.
The Islamic State has evacuated key checkpoints in the southwest of Kirkuk in Iraq, a local source from the region said on Sunday.

Iraq's Ministry of Defence had revealed on Saturday that it would redeploy its troops to Kirkuk for a campaign to retake the Al-Hawija district from the Islamic State. The Iraqi military will be aided by the Iraqi Federal Police (IFP) in this major operation.

But the source from Kirkuk told Alghad Press that militants were seen hurriedly vacating their strongholds before the imminent assault. "Tens of Islamic State fighters collectively evacuated several checkpoints in Hawija, southwestern Kirkuk, under mysterious circumstances," said the source.

He also added that the militants "withdrew from sprawling regions on borders with Salahuddin province located near to oil fields."

The Iraqi military and the IFP were recently withdrawn from the now liberated town of Tal Afar in the Nineveh Province but arrived in Mosul's Al-Qayyarah district on Saturday ahead of marching towards Al-Hawija. "Most of the troops who participated in the liberation of Tal Afar will participate in the Hawija campaign", said First Lieutenant Fayeq Numan al-Salim speaking to Anadolu Agency. It is also believed that the Hashd al-Shaabi force, a Shia military group, will also lend their arms to the Iraqi military in fighting the Islamic State.

Kurdistan president issues warning

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani said earlier that any attempts to take over Kirkuk will be met with "strong reaction' from Kurdish forces. The Kirkuk province is a subject of dispute over its sovereignty between Kurdistan and the Iraqi government,

"Kirkuk is Kurdish...any force that thinks of taking Kirkuk by force will be faced by the whole people of Kurdistan.

We will defend it by the last one of us," said Barzani as quoted by several Iraqi news websites. "Kirkuk is not only Kurdish, it is for Kurds, Arabs and Christians...we shall make it a model of coexistence."

Kurdish referendum

A referendum has been scheduled on September 25 this year to determine the status of Iraqi Kurdistan as an independent nation.

Barzani's comments came after a senior Shia military leader threatened to consider Kurdistan as the "enemy" if it included Kirkuk as a voting district during the referendum.

The Shia leader is believed to be Qais al-Khazali who is the commander of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. al-Khazali claims that Kurdistan's inclusion of Kirkuk is a "serious matter that needs an official and decisive response."
Following a national security briefing with President Donald Trump, Pentagon chief James Mattis told the press that North Koreas nuclear threats will be met with a massive military response," CNN reported. The Norths Hydrogen bomb test on Sunday (which could have been loaded onto an ICBM) should be taken seriously considering the potential threat to the country.

The hydrogen bomb test was condemned by the international community, including North Koreas allies - China and Russia. According to James Mattis, the move showed the Norths apparent defiance of the sanctions imposed by the United Nations regarding the development of nuclear weapons.

Kim Jong-un also seemed to ignore international pressure against its ballistic missile tests, which could potentially hit the United States and its territories like Guam.

Will North Korea be cut off from the rest of the world?

James Mattis told the CNN that the United States government still remains at full capacity to defend its people and territories, as well as its allies (Japan and South Korea) against any threats. The defense secretary said that the United States' commitments were "ironclad" and unwavering.

Nevertheless, Mattis stressed that the United States government only seeks to denuclearize the North. He denied any allegation that the U.S. military would want the communist country to be totally annihilated.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with North Koreas recent missile test. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said that the United States may cease trade with countries that have ties with North Korea.

President Trumps reaction

President Donald Trump called the Norths Hydrogen Bomb test dangerous and hostile.

He said that North Korea is like a rogue nation that eventually turned into a big threat to ally, China.

President Trump labeled South Koreas attempts to "talk" ineffective. According to Trump, Pyongyang will not heed their warnings because they only understand one thing, the BBC reported.

The power of Kim Jong-uns Nuke

According to South Korean authorities, the latest hydrogen bomb test was conducted in Kilju County -- where North Korea's Punggye-ri nuke test site is located.

Compared to the fifth missile test the North conducted in 2016, the latest H-bomb test (which created an artificial earthquake) was almost 10 times more powerful. With the Norths nuclear capability, could this lead to another World War?
Do you want to go for a romantic dinner on a Saturday night? If so, then you will possibly use some sort of smartphone app to find available tables or perhaps a business that delivers to your house. Meanwhile, you see an online advertisement that offers you for a free ride to the restaurant itself. What would you choose? Obviously, most people will go with the offer of a free ride, meaning the other restaurants will ultimately lose some customers.

Low-cost self-driving cars

Such interesting scenarios can become real in the upcoming era of smart cars.

According to experts, the cost of the autonomous vehicles will be so low that business corporations and even small business owners can use them to offer free-rides to their customers.

The most important and cost worthy phenomenon in public transport is the drivers themselves. When no one needs to be paid, then surely the cost of the entire operation will be reduced significantly. Hence, the self-driving cars will offer much lower prices as compared to public transport.

Moreover, there will be a huge number of businesses that will be wishing to make the most of it.

Hackers selling Instagram users Emails and Phone contacts

Earlier this week, the social networking platform 'Instagram' notified its registered users of a security lapse.

Users of the social network 'Instagram' were already told by the management that the security flaw can allow the hackers to access their private information.

A few hours after notifying their user-base, the social platform announced that they had fixed the security breach and that there was no further need to worry. However, a week after the security breach, there is information floating around the web that the hack was a success as it appears they managed to steal the confidential data they were looking for on the social network's servers.

Confidential data on the Darknet

Officials told CNN that they are aware of several groups of individuals that are attempting to sell the stolen data on the Darknet. Allegedly, the hackers are selling the stolen Instagram account information at the rate of $10 per account on the Darknet, which is not accessible with mainstream browsers.

The social network is reportedly in contact with several law enforcement agencies who are looking to assist in taking the hackers down.

The alleged hackers claim to have the entire database which consists of more than 6 million users. Moreover, Facebook, the actual owner of Instagram, has declined to comment on the security breach. This Privacy Breach case of Instagram's was first reported after actress Selena Gomez's Instagram account was hacked and Justin Bieber's private photos were posted to her profile.
President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum on Sunday earned wide praise from experts, international delegates and entrepreneurs.

"We are in a great era of development, transformation and adjustment," Xi said. "The law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak and the zero-sum game are rejected, and peace, development and win-win cooperation have become the shared aspiration of all peoples."

Here is a collection of comments from attendees.

Jeremy Stevens, Beijing-based China economist of Standard Bank, Africa's largest bank

Jeremy Stevens, Beijing-based China economist of Standard Bank, Africa's largest bank. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

President Xi Jinping placed emphasis on his speech on next year's 40th anniversary of reform and opening up in which Xiamen played a significant part, being one of the country's first special economic zones.

"It was an interesting reminder of the importance of opening up to the world. As with his Davos speech in January, he was making clear his and China's commitment to globalization in marked contrast to the lurch to protectionism in the West."

Stevens said Xi was right to stress that quality of growth was now as important to the BRICS nations as the pace of it.

"He emphasized the importance of macroeconomic policy and industrial development policy coordination between the BRICS members, which was the right message. The group was never just about fast growth," he said.
President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin head to the meeting to discuss global issues on Sunday. WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY

President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Sunday to stay committed to the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and to make their communication and coordination closer.

They reached the consensus during their fourth meeting this year shortly after Putin arrived in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Sunday afternoon to attend the BRICS Summit.

The two leaders agreed on properly handling the latest situation, in which Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test earlier in the day, according to a release by the Foreign Ministry.

Xi and Putin had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues on Sunday.

Xi said China is ready to join hands with Russia to boost their ties, enhance their own development and jointly champion the peace and stability of the region and the world.

Putin said it is greatly important for both countries to strengthen their contacts and coordination on major international and regional issues.

As a sign of strong bilateral mutual trust, Xi and Putin talked in May in Beijing, June in Astana, Kazakhstan, and July in Moscow.

In a look to his state visit to Russia in July, Xi said the visit was a success and the two sides are now realizing the consensus he and Putin made at that time and pushing for new progress in various areas of cooperation.

Xi said the two countries should further advance cooperative programs in areas such as energy, aviation and aerospace and nuclear energy, and gear up synergy in areas such as connectivity.

China has been Russia's largest trade partner for seven consecutive years, and bilateral trade reached $46.8 billion in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 21.8 percent, according to Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui.

On cooperation among the five BRICS countries, Xi said they should jointly send positive signals to the outside world, plan the direction and priorities of cooperation, boost their influence in global affairs and make their cooperation steady and lasting.

After their talk, Xi and Putin visited an exhibition of southern Fujian's intangible cultural heritage.
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ABC/Lorenzo BevilaquaEven though Dustin Lynch didnt manage to walk away with a CMA nomination this year, his week still got off to a pretty great start.

The Tullahoma, Tennessee native found out his latest hit, Small Town Boy, has just become his fifth #1 in a row, just as his third album, Current Mood, is set to come out on Friday.

After announcing the 2017 CMA nods on ABCs Good Morning America with Brothers Osborne and Lauren Alaina on Monday, Dustins Current Mood couldnt have been much better.

Excited! Honored! he said, describing his "current mood" to ABC Radio. I just read the CMA nominees! I mean, to be the face of this morning is an amazing, I like to say tip of the hat and pat on the back and high-five from the Nashville music community.

So who is Dustins pick for 2017 Entertainer of the Year?

Its gonna be a tough race this year, he says. You know, Garth [Brooks] has had such a huge year. And gosh, hes tough to compete with when it comes to Entertainer of the Year. But I dont want to pick!

In the end, Dustin admits he does have a favorite.

I always pull for the guys whove had me on tour, kinda taken me under their wing, he explains. So Ive got to hope that Luke [Bryan] gets it. You know, only because hes had me out for a couple of years. And what a life-changing experience that was. So Im always gonna pull for my boy Luke, who took a chance on me first.

Eric Church, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban are also in the running for CMAs biggest honor. Well find out who wins November 8, when the 51st CMA Awards air live on ABC.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
I love desserts, or more precisely, any sweet things. Ice creams are no exception. However, I find most Western industrial ice-cream franchises in Viet Nam not exactly to my liking. Except for a few flavours, most are either too heavy or too sweet, and you can easily tell that they are not of high quality.

But then around this time last year, Ralfs Artisan Gelato arrived, and there I was, falling in love with ice cream all over again.

I still remember the first time I went there and tried the mango yogurt. I couldnt remember the last time I had an ice-cream that good. It was so much better and fresher than all the normal franchise brands. I later learned that this was because Ralfs gelato is 100 per cent handmade, contains no vegetable fats - amd no artificial flavours or preservatives.

The shop is small, humble but cozy. It is tucked away on a quiet street amidst the hustle and bustle of District 1. Its the total opposite of the cold atmosphere youll find in most big franchise ice-cream parlors. Ralf and his lovely wife, Tram, are always there to take care of customers and make sure they have the best experience. As for me, even though my house is quite far and hence I cannot go there often, every time I visit Im treated like family.

Ralf himself is a very creative and talented guy. Every few weeks, he creates new flavours, including Vietnamese pho, fish sauce and craft beer. If you want to try but feel a bit hesitant, dont be afraid to ask for a taste. Personally I found the pho flavour a bit strong, but the fish sauce ice-cream is very lickable. It comes with peanuts on the side, which compliment the taste wonderfully.

Ralf always has 16 flavours on sale available. My usual choices are those from home-made yogurt. Walnut, rum raisin are other flavours and those made from fresh fruits.

I once asked him: Where did you learn to make gelato that good? You must be Italian right? It turned Ralf is half German and half Italian and attended the best gelato schools in both countries. Then he fell in love with a lovely Vietnamese lady, they got married and so he moved to Viet Nam and opened this shop. And how lucky are we to have this wonderful addition to HCM citys beloved F&B scene.

The price is also very reasonable. One scoop costs VN40,000, and comes with a complementary cone biscuit and ice tea. There are also several special sundae versions with toppings, and gelato in the form of spaghetti with cheese on top! Ralf also has home-made croissants, cheesecakes and tiramisu which are all delicious. There are also plenty of drink options, ranging from coffee to cocktails.

The shop has two floors. Upstairs youll see the kitchen and equipment, which always looks clean and tidy. As his gelato contains no preservatives and hence has a shorter expiry date than normal ice creams, Ralf makes sure all processes are followed strictly in order to keep the products fresh and tasty. Some ingredients, for example the fresh milk, is 100 per cent imported.

Ralfs Artisan Gelato is open all week except for Mondays. Go check it out if you havent. Im sure youll become a fan like me.

Ralfs Artisan Gelato

Address: 39 ang Thi Nhu, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, HCM City

Tel: 097 932 79 05

Opening hours: 1pm-10pm (Tue-Fri), 11am-10pm (Sat-Sun), closed on Mondays

Comment: One of the best ice cream/gelato shops in HCM City at the moment. Products are handmade, contain no vegetable fats, no artificial flavours or preservatives.
WATERLOO  The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls, in partnership with KWWL, is collecting funds for Hurricane Harvey disaster relief

Used clothing and furnishings are not needed.

Cash donations allow The Salvation Army to purchase product to meet the most urgent needs of disaster victims. The Salvation Army assures all donors 100 percent of disaster donations will be used to provide direct aid and services to the survivors of Hurricane Harvey.

Donations may be made online at http://helpsalvationarmy.org; by phone at 1-800-SALARMY(1-800-725-2769); via text message, texting the word STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link; or by mail The Salvation Army P.O. BOX 867, Waterloo, IA 50704 . Please designate Hurricane Harvey on all checks.
WATERLOO  Anonymous donors stepped up to ensure a medically sidelined Waterloo police K-9 handler can keep his partner.

City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to transfer ownership of K-9 Jason, a Belgian Malinois who began serving the police force in 2014, to officer Tyler Brownell.

Brownell, an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been with the Waterloo Police Department since 2009 but is facing a medical issue that will likely end his law enforcement career.

While the city typically donates the dogs to their handlers at the end of their service life, Police Chief Dan Trelka said Jason was only halfway through his career and had an estimated value of $4,000.

Brownell had offered to pay $4,000 to the departments K-9 program, which is privately funded through donations, but his fellow officers already were making plans to raise the money, Trelka said. Meanwhile, two donors stepped forward with $2,500 and $1,500 donations respectively.

Waterloo stepped up again, Trelka said. This is simply remarkable.

This gift is a token of appreciation for the service officer Brownell has rendered to the city of Waterloo, he added. We are pleased these partners will be able to stay together.

The city has three certified dogs that develop strong bonds with their handlers.

The K-9 lives full-time with the handler and their family, said Andy Clark, an officer who works with Brownell. Jason has become a part of Tylers family.(tncms-asset)684fbafc-df4e-11e3-a178-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)

In a memo to City Council members, Trelka said it would take significant time and cost to place Jason with another officer, and it would be easier to adopt a new dog to partner with another officer.

Meanwhile, Jason will serve in a service dog role for Brownell.

Mayor Quentin Hart called the donations to the K-9 program so Brownell can keep Jason an act of generosity and kindness make us Waterloo proud.
When this Apple fell off the tree and landed in Iowa, it started a political debate about tax incentives.

Apple, the technology giant, recently announced its intention to build a $1.3 billion data center in suburban Des Moines.

Apple was lured to Iowa, in part, by more than $200 million in tax incentives. The state chipped in, agreeing to forfeit $20 million in future tax revenue from the site.

Gov. Kim Reynolds celebrated the announcement, calling it a significant investment in Iowa.

This announcement further solidifies Iowa as a hub where innovation and technology flourish and demonstrates this is a place where world-class companies can thrive, Reynolds said in a statement announcing Apples project.

Central Iowa business leaders were similarly pleased with the announcement.

But not everyone was OK with the millions of dollars Reynolds administration agreed to forfeit in order to get Apple to Iowa.

Critics of the states contribution to the tax incentives noted the forfeiture of future tax revenue comes at a time when the state is dealing with a budget shortfall of nearly $250 million and rising. It may require a special legislative session to resolve.

No future revenue from the Apple project would help the states current fiscal situation. But critics say the states willingness to forego future tax dollars shows misplaced budget priorities.

And critics note the project is expected to create only 50 long-term jobs at the plant. The project also is expected to create 500 short-term construction jobs.

Critics also question giving tax breaks to large, profitable companies. Apple had net revenue of nearly $45.7 billion in 2016, according to Market Watch.

Apple is just the latest company to fleece Iowa, crippling our ability to invest in schools, workers and health care in the future, Matt Sinovic, executive director of the liberal advocacy group Progress Iowa, said in a statement. The Reynolds budget crisis was created because of fiscally irresponsible tax giveaways. How will we ever recover when the governor keeps letting companies take bigger bites of our future revenue?

Some of the most vocal critics, unsurprisingly, were the many Democrats hoping to become their partys nominee for governor in the 2018 election.

But some Republicans  and not just Reynolds gubernatorial GOP primary opponents  also questioned the wisdom of the Apple deal.

Iowa Rep. Pat Grassley, who leads the Iowa Houses budget committee, said in social media posts he is not convinced the incentives package awarded to Apple is good value for Iowa taxpayers. Grassley said the key to bringing more high-quality jobs to Iowa is tax reform, which should include an examination of tax credits.

It seems a safe assumption tax incentive programs will be a recurring issue for gubernatorial candidates on the campaign trail and will be a topic of debate during next years legislative session.

2020 watch

U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, and Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, were in Iowa last week.

Both are potential Democratic candidates for president in 2020.

Both were in Iowa on Thursday: Klobuchar gave a lecture on women and leadership at Iowa State University, and Sanders at a book-signing event in Iowa City.

And former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley is making yet another trek to Iowa. OMalley has plans to help raise funds for Democratic state senators next weekend in Davenport, Maquoketa and North Liberty.
The story about U.S. and Canadian diplomats suffering serious injury because of some sort of sonic attack is just weird. It's well known that the Cuban government, like probably almost every other dictatorship, bugs diplomats as much as possible. But it has no incentive to attack the U.S., which gains them nothing while opening Cuba up to retaliation.



Even more curious to me, though, is this sort of thing is low-hanging fruit for Donald Trump. So easy to tweet about, so easy to score political points with hardline Cuban-American conservatives, so easy to bluster and crow. But he isn't.





The United States has stopped short of accusing Cuba of being behind the alleged attacks. The Cuban government has denied any wrongdoing and is said to be cooperating in the ongoing investigation.

Indeed, US investigators are probing whether a third country was involved as "payback" for actions the US has taken elsewhere and to "drive a wedge between the US and Cuba," a US official told CNN.





Why not? One current hypothesis is that someone--who else but the Russians, really?--was using them to harass U.S. diplomats for U.S. policy elsewhere.Under this scenario, the U.S. doesn't see Cuba as responsible. But that's weird too. Can the Russians actually do such things in Cuba without Raul Castro knowing? And if he knew, we're back to square one about why he would take a big risk for no gain.Somehow, someone convinced Donald Trump that Cuba, which he loves to rail about, is not worth railing about in this instance. Since this sort of thing is right up his alley, it's hard to understand why he is showing restraint. That's almost weirder than the attack itself.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Aug. 29, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 29, 2017 | 12:11 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Paducah's 2017 Labor Day Parade, conducted by the Western Kentucky Labor Day Committee, will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday.



The parade, which attracts on average 40 to 60 entries, will follow Broadway starting at 2nd Street and then head west on Broadway until it disbands at Fountain Avenue (17th Street). The parade route will close at 9 a.m. and remain closed until the parade safely passes. The theme of this years parade is Were Still Standing.



The Western Kentucky Labor Day Committee has selected Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Christopher Shea Nickell as the Grand Marshal for this year's parade.



Pets are allowed at parades. However, for the publics safety, Chapter 14 of the City of Paducah Code of Ordinances lists requirements to bring a dog to a special community event such as a parade or festival. The dog must be licensed by McCracken County Animal Control or by any other state or county and restrained by a leash or lead that is no longer than three feet.
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After clinching Valley title, playoff seed, South Dakota State football prepares for two weeks off

Having two weeks off before the playoffs is unusual, but the Jackrabbits could use it to get healthy
Mustang well on track to hit its target of 200,000cts ahead of maiden auction in October



Ruby Inventory Rises to 176,500cts Following a Record Month of Production

Sydney, Sep 4, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Mustang Resources ( ASX:MUS ) ( GGPLF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce that preparations for the maiden auction of its rubies in October are firmly on track, with its inventory rising to 176,522 carats.



The latest increase follows a record month of production in August, during which the plant at the Montepuez project in Mozambique delivered 15,613 carats from the 34,561 tonnes processed.



The successful ramp-up of the processing plant means Mustang is comfortably within reach of its 200,000-carat target for its inaugural rough ruby tender, which is scheduled for 27 - 30 October 2017 in Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius.



Mustang Managing Director Christiaan Jordaan said the Company had also received strong inquiries and support from the industry in respect of the tender.



"We have been overwhelmed by the interest shown by leading ruby buyers from around the world," Mr. Jordaan said.



He said the ramp-up of the processing plant had been highly successful, as shown by the record production recorded in August.



"We had some initial challenges with the commissioning and ramp-up, however after resolving these teething problems we have made outstanding progress and can now demonstrate the impressive production capacity of Montepuez."



Mr. Jordaan said Mustang expected to generate strong ongoing interest in the tender when he attends trade fairs in Bangkok and Hong Kong in coming weeks.



"The interest in our tender from major rough ruby buyers has been outstanding and they are highly supportive of our entry into the market as a ruby supplier," he said.



"We are also delighted to see the strong prices which Gemfields received at its latest auction in June this year, which was a record for them and for Mozambique.



"Gemfields netted US$54.5 million from 900,000cts at an average of US$61/ct and the number of participants was higher than previous auctions.



"The feedback we have received is that demand for rubies exceeded supply in many grades, which augurs very well for our forthcoming tender."



To view tables and figures, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/VEP7803M





About New Energy Minerals Ltd





New Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXE) (FRA:GGY) is an ASX listed junior mining company, that recently announced the divestment of the Company's Caula vanadium - graphite project and the Montepuez Ruby project in Mozambique.


Further Australian Card Acquiring/Processing Contracts Executed

Melbourne, Sep 4, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Australian Securities Exchange and Frankfurt Stock Exchange cross listed iSignthis Ltd ( ASX:ISX ) ( TA8:FRA ), the world leading RegTech for identity verification and payment services, is pleased to announce that it has contracted further merchants to ISXPay Australia.



Highlights



- Annual Card Transactions in excess of $40m to be processed, cleared and settled to merchants bank accounts by ISXPay



- Net Margin in excess of 75 basis points



- Anticipated annualised Gross Profit in excess of $300,000 for card acquiring related aspect of agreements.



Card Acquiring: Processing & Settlement Services



The total card acquiring 'book' value is now in excess of $40m per annum of transactions to be processed and settled by ISXPay directly to the merchant's bank account. An average net margin of 0.75% for provision of card acquiring / payment facilitation & settlement services is applicable across the total contracted value of $40m.



Transactional fees charged are at a weighted average of 23c/Tx.



The merchants are a diversified group of online retailers, an ASX listed credit licensee and AFSL holders providing financial services. These online merchants all operate in either one or all of high fraud, high risk or AML regulated environments,



ISXPay services will typically commence circa 6-8 weeks from execution of merchant contract, and contracts are for a minimum of 2 years and evergreen unless terminated.



The Contracts are expected to deliver a gross profit in excess of $320,000 per annum across the two key revenue silos of 'processing' and 'settlement' identified in Investor Update dated 31st July 2017. The revenue silo of 'verification' cannot be estimated at this point in time against these customers, as aggregated customer metrics are not as yet available.



The Company announced on the 8th August 2016 an agreement with the National Australia Bank ( ASX:NAB ), whereby daily cashflow for card settlement is provided by the NAB at a wholesale rate to the Company. This allows the Company to pursue merchants of all sizes, as the NAB agreement ensures that the Company has adequate daily cashflow to effect settlement.



Patented Antifraud and Identity Verification Technology



The Company has patents which allow it to prove ownership of a credit card via its Payment Instrument Verification (PIV) services. Whilst focus to date has been on PIV as a means for enhanced due diligence to satisfy Know Your Customer (KYC) as part of Anti Money Laundering regulations, PIV can also be used as a real time means to reduce card not present fraud. The Company's patents provide a means to capture 'compelling evidence', which is a means to reverse chargebacks under the Visa Inc. and Mastercard Worldwide operating rules.



Transactions will be screened by the iSignthis risk engine on behalf of the merchant, and PIV activated by iSignthis, or, by the merchant using API calls on a transactional basis. The iSignthis technology and platform is versatile, and can be configured to deliver enhanced payment gateway, antifraud, and/or identity verification services on a transaction by transaction basis.





About iSignthis Ltd





iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8) is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions.

By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard.

iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia.

ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others.

Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service.
Dutch-British transnational consumer goods company Unilevers CEO Paul Polman met an outrage from upset Hindus in USA who sought official apology over non-disclosure of beef in some of its products and demanded immediate recall of all those food items.

President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) expressed, Its shocking for Hindus to learn that some of the Unilever food products, which they had been eating for years, might contain beef while beef was not explicitly mentioned under the ingredients listed on the boxes/packages.

Unilever Corporate Consumer Services on September 2 as a response to Zeds enquiry stated, Gelatin is made from animal protein. It is used in some of our products to provide a lower fat, lower calorie product with a pleasing texture and consistency. The protein of animal origin is processed according to high standards of purity. It is so highly refined, that it is no longer considered a meat product by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). We cannot guarantee if the gelatin is derived from beef or pork.

Co-headquartered in Rotterdam and London, Unilever has over 400 brands including Knorr, Hellmanns, Magnum, Blue Band, Becel/Flora, Best Foods, etc.

Now was the time for Unilever to admit their error of not being transparent enough to mention in clear and simple terms what was inside the package so that an ordinary consumer could make right and appropriate choices, Zed indicated. Moreover, in future, Unilever should explicitly list beef in the ingredients on the box/pack when beef was present in the product, he mentioned.

Chetan Rajhans, spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha said, If Uni-lever Company uses beef in its eatable products then we can file complaint against them. Politics has begun in India after a ban was imposed on beef but such incidents dont occur in US. US gives more importance to the development of its economy. We will take this issue at the international forum and ask the company to withdraw the use of beef.

Jitendra Dhavas, spokesperson of Forum for Hindu awakening US Australia organization said, I had obtained information about Uni-lever Company. There are many other organisation, which use beef. They must mention about the contents of the packet to create awareness among customers. We are also trying to create awareness among food and temples worldwide.
Pollard was appointed to the JCVI by a panel chaired the governments head of immunisation, Dr David Salisbury. Shortly afterwards Dr Salisbury retired and became chair of the Jenner Vaccine Foundation, a funding body for Oxford Vaccine Group, on which he sits with Prof Polllard and Dr Norman Begg , Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer of GSK Biologicals. Dr Norman Begg was formerly attached to the Public Health Service Laboratory and was the co-author with Dr Salisbury of the Department of Health guide to vaccination, the Green Book 1996 , prior to departing to join one of the fore-runner companies to GSK (not clear whether Glaxo Wellcome or SmithKline Beecham) at the beginning of 2000 as Director of Medical Affairs , without there apparently being any gap between appointments. Among the funders of the Jenner Vaccine Foundation are the Wellcome Trust (which sold its pharmaceutical interests to Glaxo in 1995), the UK Medical Research Council, the UK Department of Health, the European Commission, the US National Institutes of Health, The Foundation for National Institutes of Health and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Prof Pollard was appointed chair of the JCVI in 2013 and at his second meeting in February 2014 chaired a discussion which led to the recommendation of Bexsero Meningitis B vaccine to the schedule, a product of which he was also lead developer as director of Oxford Vaccine Group: previously the committee had refused to recommend the vaccine despite political pressure. This event was followed within weeks by the transfer of the Novartis vaccine division  which manufactured Bexsero - to GlaxoSmithKline and a huge up-swing in the products sale potential .

An Oxford University website features an appeal by Prof Andrew Pollard  who has often appeared in our columns  calling for compulsory vaccination, quoting from a report in the Guardian newspaper which followed three weeks after the newspapers egregious and deceitful editorial on the subject. However, both web-feature and newspaper report failed to mention a rather important detail: Prof Pollard heads the United Kingdom body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommends vaccines for the schedule, and a 2009 act of Parliament (though itself of dubious legality) already places a responsibility on the Secretary of State for Health (ie an elected parliamentarian and member of the government) to follow the advice of the committee . This means that if the UK Parliament did legislate to make vaccines compulsory, Prof Pollard himself would have effective dictatorial powers over citizens telling them which vaccines they and their children must have.

Recently, under Andrew Pollards chairmanship the JCVI succeeded in adding Hepatitis B to the infant schedule as part of GSK's controversial Infanrix Hexa multivac which the Oxford Vaccine Group helped develop. When he was lobbying to have the Hep B vaccine on the infant schedule in 2007 Pollard made the following disclosure:

Competing interests: AJP conducts clinical trials on behalf of Oxford University, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, Novartis Vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur, Sanofi Pasteur MSD, and Wyeth Vaccines and has received funds from vaccine manufacturers to attend scientific meetings. The University of Oxford has received unrestricted grants for educational meetings organised by AJP. Industry sourced honorariums for lecturing or writing are paid directly to an independent charity or an educational/administrative fund held by the department of paediatrics, University of Oxford.

And he is also presently named in a complaint to the European Ombudsman against the European Medicines Agency by Nordic Cochrane.

Pollards featured statements in the Guardian and the Oxford University website are:

Immunisation is something that many people think of as personal, but it is actually part of being in a society. Our children really have a right to be protected from this entirely preventable disease.

And:

We know that this is a very dangerous disease for young childrenThere have been deaths in Europe in the last year because of drops in coverage in various countries.

The problem is here - disregarding the rhetoric  is not that anyone wants children to suffer or die from infectious diseases, it is one of transparency, it is one of whether vaccines are as safe and effective as Pollard wants people to believe, and it is question of manning up to it and admitting fallibility when things go wrong. In the case of measles he might also admit that on his home territory  despite the alleged baleful influence of Andrew Wakefield - there have only been three deaths from contracting measles in the UK since 1992. Around 13 million people will have died in the interim, so the risk is probably as low as it gets.

If the system was about either being humane or scientific it would listen to families, not use the media to trash them and the law to tread them underfoot. What is being replicated in this aggressive vaccine ethos are the worst principles of subjugation to a social ideology that history has ever witnessed: if it was science all the manipulation, bullying and denial would not be necessary.



John Stone is UK Editor for Age of Autism.


"Far from the Tree" is written by Andrew Solomon and released through Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. It has 464 pages and costs $18.99.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Clear skies. Low around 35F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 35F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Assyrians in Iraq Call for UN-backed Independent State

Some of the few Christians remaining in Baghdad would like to see the international community protect their religion with the establishment of an independent state like the Vatican or Kuwait. "We as Iraqi Christians call for an independent state, even if it is a small one like Kuwait or Vatican. The UN and UN Security Council should then protect our state," Robert Jameel, a member of Etihad Church in Baghdad, told Rudaw correspondent Bahman Hassan. Iraq was home to over 1.5 million Christians before the country plunged into bloody sectarian conflict in 2003. "We call for a state because we have suffered a lot. We have no support and have lost faith in everything. That is why we call for a state for the Christians," added Jameel. Non-governmental organizations in the Kurdistan Region have told Rudaw English that prior to the rise of ISIS in 2014, they estimate 400,000 Christians lived in all of Iraq. Since that time half of Christians have emigrated from Iraq, leaving less than 200,000 Christians mostly in the Kurdistan Region. "Most Christians have emigrated due to bad security situations, which is why some churches in Baghdad have been closed. Priests have also decreased. Regarding the renovation of the churches, the Iraqi government will dedicate [some of the] budget for the churches," said Byus Qasha, the priest of Mar Youssef Church. Christians, after hearing of what happened to Yezidis in Shingal, largely fled in August of 2014 to the safety of the Kurdistan Region. With only promises of funding and no guaranteed protections, Christians fear their days in the Iraqi capital are numbered "Demographic changes in Christian neighborhoods of Baghdad have had a big impact on churches, for example areas of Bataween and Kamsara are not the same as they used to be. Many Christians lived in these areas 20 years ago," explained Carlo Sanharib, a Christian from Baghdad. He believes Iraqi is losing its diversity. "For instance, there were many Christians living in Shorja in the past," he said. "These reasons account for the churches closing their doors. Why should they open their doors? There is no one to go and worship there." Other Christian leaders have told Rudaw that a Christian-administrated province will support the long-term stability in the volatile Nineveh plains where numerous ethnic and religious groups share common territorial claims. "Almost all Christian refugees who come to my Church to pray would favor to live in a Christian region or province under international protection," Father Jamil Gorgis, a local priest in Duhok where some 75,000 Christians from Mosul took shelter, told Rudaw last September. Iraqi Christians are mainly split between Syriac, Chaldean, Assyrian and Armenian sects. Of the 328 seats in the Council of Representatives, Iraqi law reserves eight seats for members of minority communities: five for Christian candidates from Baghdad, Ninewah, Kirkuk, Erbil, and Duhok; one for a Yezidi; one for a Sabaean-Mandaean; and one for an ethnic Shabak. The Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament reserves 11 of its 111 seats for minorities: five for Christians, five for Turkmen, and one for Armenians. Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim has expressed that high-level posts in future Kurdistan Regional Governments could be given to minority groups such as Christians. Many of the Christian areas in Nineveh fall in the so-called disputed areas claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil. These areas may choose to participate in the Kurdistan Region's September 25 referendum on independence.
Time-critical logistics firm GBA Services has continued with its European expansion, adding a operations covering the German market.

The company, which is already present in the UK, Poland and Austria, will add a new office in Bremen from where it will provide the full portfolio of GBAs services  including time-critical, high-security and temperature-critical transport.

Although chiefly focused on express road services, GBAs German operation will also offer global multi-modal forwarding of exports and imports.

Previously, the company operated in partnership with a number of local express companies in Germany and has well-established business between Germany and its other hubs in the UK, Poland and Austria; this traffic will now be managed by the new German operation.

GBA Logistics Germany will be headed by joint managing directors Jan Gredigk and Maik Maertens, who have over 30 years combined experience.

"The new German operation marks an important further step in GBAs post-Brexit strategy, as the UK-based business readies itself for a possible fragmentation of the single market, and potential restrictions and added regulation on future cross-border transport operations," the company said in a statement.

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September 3, 2017

Saudi Arabia is hoping the Yemeni rebel alliance is fracturing, which could open the door for the Saudi alliance to escape the quagmire Riyadh is stuck in. It's a long shot, and not a viable strategy for Washington.

The Zaydi Shiite Houthi rebels aligned with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, 75, three years ago to seize Sanaa from the collapsing government of his onetime deputy and successor Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. It was a strange and awkward alliance from the start. Saleh, also a Zaydi, had waged war against the Houthis for a decade before the Arab Spring, often with Saudi assistance. The Houthis backed Saleh's removal from power in 2012  this time with Saudi assistance. In 2015, the two rivals saw a convergence of interests to oust Hadi and take control of North Yemen. At first it was a clandestine partnership until the full extent of Saleh's betrayal of his former deputy, and the Saudi-engineered deal that put Hadi in power, became apparent.

The Saudi relationship with Saleh goes back to the early 1960s when he backed the pro-Egyptian coup that plunged Yemen into civil war for years, pitting the Egyptian-backed republicans against the Saudi-backed royalists. Saleh got his combat training fighting the Saudis and the royalists, taking power in a coup in 1978. Twelve years later he united North and South Yemen, but then backed Iraq and Saddam Hussein in the Kuwait crisis. The Saudis swore revenge and threw a million Yemeni workers out of the kingdom.

In 1994, the Saudis engineered the south Yemenis' secession from Saleh's united Yemen by backing the former communists who had lost power in unification. With the help of jihadi groups, Saleh outfought the southern rebellion, restored unity and humiliated the kingdom. It was a very bitter pill for the Saudis.

During the last 2 years of the new civil war, Saleh and the Houthis have been wary partners. Saleh has quietly tried to keep his options open, using his son Ahmed, who travels often to Abu Dhabi. It is characteristic of Saleh, the man who described ruling Yemen as the equivalent of dancing on snake heads. He is hoping to use divisions within the coalition between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against Hadi, essentially playing the Emiratis. Reportedly, he is in touch with Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It is the trademark of an unscrupulous dictator who has misruled his country for decades.

For months, the simmering divisions within the rebellion were kept under the surface but sufficiently restive to give the Saudis and their allies  including some in US President Donald Trump's team  hope that the rebels will fight each other. Last month, a clash did break out and a senior Saleh bodyguard was killed. Briefly, Saleh was under apparent house arrest in Sanaa, but then he appeared conciliatory in public to the Houthis. Still, he has called for tribal revenge for his lieutenant's death. Sanaa is now divided between the two camps, with the Houthis holding about 70% of the capital and most of the north. More violence is all but certain; whether it can be contained is an open question.

The war itself has escalated this year and become even more expensive for Riyadh. Flight operations by the Saudi air force and its partners have soared. According to the United Nations, there were 5,766 airstrikes by the coalition in the first six months of 2017, compared with 3,936 in all of 2016. Fighting on the ground has increased, too. In addition, the rebels continue to develop medium-range missiles with Iranian help to target Saudi cities.

So a war within the rebel camp has a potential for dividing the kingdom's enemies. Some senior Saudi officials have told their American counterparts that this may be their best chance to end the war on favorable terms. The Saudi media eagerly reports news of conflict between the rebel factions. The irony of the Saudis' depending on Saleh for their salvation is rich poignancy.

Thoughtful Saudis are deeply skeptical about Saleh, doubting that he will really be prepared to support the restoration of Hadi's government, even if it is rearranged to broaden its appeal. The alternative of turning back the clock to 2012 and putting Saleh or his sons in power is even less appealing. At best, the clash within the rebel camp will turn the conflict into a three-sided civil war that could go on without end. The worst outcome for the Saudis would be if the Houthis quickly routed Saleh's supporters and consolidated their control of the rebellion. The two camps may also remain united despite their differences and contain occasional flare-ups of violence.

Cynics can argue that the real strategy of the Saudi coalition is to rely on starvation and disease to wear down the Yemeni people. The United Nations has labeled the war the worst humanitarian catastrophe in the world; malnutrition and cholera are epidemic, and the fragile infrastructure of the poorest Arab state is being systematically destroyed by the wealthiest Arab states. The world has largely ignored the problem, not wanting to take on the oil-rich coalition.

The Saudi counterargument is that they have pledged large sums of money, $8.2 billion, to aid and relief efforts in Yemen. While true, the aid is a Band-Aid on a chest wound. It does not balance the damage done by the blockade of Yemeni ports and airfields.

The urgent necessity is an unconditional cease-fire supervised by the UN. The blockade should be lifted. The United States and the United Kingdom, whose support is essential to the Saudi air force, should sponsor a UN Security Council resolution unlinked to previous pro-Saudi resolutions demanding all parties immediately and unilaterally cease military operations or face sanctions, including a halt to all arms sales and transactions. The United States and Britain cannot escape culpability for their role in the war as the armorers of a brutal air war and blockade.

Iran is the only winner, as it provides aid and expertise to the Houthis at a tiny fraction of the cost of the Saudi war effort while the Islamic Republic's Gulf enemies spend fortunes on a conflict they jumped into with no endgame or strategy. Saleh is an unlikely savior.
September 4, 2017

Tensions between Bahrain and Qatar have reached an enormously high level. Last month, Bahrains Shura Council condemned Dohas alleged coordination and cooperation with the Arabian archipelago countrys Shiite opposition and Iran to spark chaos amid the unrest of 2011. According to Bahrain News Agency, Qatar was behind the creation of social media accounts and hostile Bahraini opposition websites to ignite the flames of sectarianism and topple the Al-Khalifa regime.

The cited evidence was a phone call between former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani and Sheikh Ali Salman, the leader of Al-Wefaq, Bahrains dominant and, since then, dissolved Shiite opposition society. Both Qatari officials and Al-Wefaq representatives officially responded, maintaining that Dohas then top diplomat made that call during a state-sponsored visit to the island kingdom when Qatari mediators were pursuing initiatives to resolve Bahrains crisis. Doha and Bahrains main Shiite opposition faction pointed out that Hamad bin Jassim came to Bahrain from Saudi Arabia and that he did so with King Hamads approval.

Indeed, there is a rich history of friction between Bahrain and Qatar that far predates the ongoing Gulf crisis. Sovereign disputes over the Hawar Islands, Zubarah and other territories, which arose early on in these two states post-independence period, remained unresolved throughout the second half of the 20th century. In 1996, Doha accused Manama of supporting a counter-coup against Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thanis father, who ascended to the throne in a bloodless palace coup the previous year. Yet Bahraini-Qatari relations improved markedly by 1997, when Manama and Doha agreed to establish full diplomatic relations and take their territorial disputes to the International Court of Justice, which led to a settlement in 2001. In June 2006, the two governments signed an agreement to build a 25-mile causeway, the friendship bridge, linking Bahrain and Qatar.

In fact, six years ago, a number of analysts accused Qatar of using Al Jazeera to promote democratic revolutions in Egypt, Libya and Syria while paying substantially less attention to unrest in Bahrain. According to many critics of Qatar, Doha applied a double standard to the Arab Spring uprisings, using Al Jazeera to support revolutionary Arab movements outside of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) while opposing those that challenged the legitimacy of the Al Thani rulers fellow Arabian monarchs such as King Hamad. Hamad bin Jassims remarks in an Al Jazeera interview one day after the GCC deployed 1,500 Shield Peninsula forces to Bahrain added to this perception of a double standard in Dohas foreign policy. He said, Common responsibilities and obligations within the GCC countries required Qatar and all Council members to fully cooperate and adhere to past agreements.

Nonetheless, Manama and Doha were not on positive terms for too much longer after 2011. The two main issues that fueled friction between Bahrain and Qatar between the unleashing of Arab Spring uprisings and May/June of this year were Dohas cordial ties with Iran and Al Jazeeras coverage of events in Bahrain and other Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Despite the aforementioned argument about Al Jazeeras coverage of Bahrains unrest in 2011, the Qatari state-owned network has since given a platform to voices from the Shiite opposition to express their grievances. For example, in 2012, the network aired Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark, a documentary that won the Amnesty International Media Award and exposed the plight of a people fighting for democratic rights and who broke the barriers of fear amid an Arab revolution that was abandoned by the Arabs, forsaken by the West and forgotten by the world.

In consensus with its fellow quartet members, Bahrains leadership maintains that it is fully unacceptable for a fellow GCC state to broadcast a state-owned media network such as Al Jazeera, which allegedly operates against Qatars fellow Sunni Arab governments in the Gulf and beyond. As such, this issue of media and journalism in the GCC prodded Bahrain to back the Saudi/UAE-led efforts to take action against Qatar and Al Jazeera in 2014, as well as in June 2017.

Indeed, throughout the past three months, Bahrain and Qatar have accused each other of military escalation, psychological warfare, sponsoring terrorism and violating international law, among other aggressive acts. Unquestionably, the issuance of such rhetoric can only make it costlier for either Bahrain (and its allies) or Qatar to make political compromises necessary for resolving their stalemate in the future. But rather than working to repair relations with the Saudi/UAE-led bloc, Doha is charting a new foreign policy course based on deeper ties with Iran, Turkey and Russia.

Qatars economic and geopolitical separation from other GCC states, including Bahrain, will come with economic costs. Without any prospects for the friendship bridge being built until the Qatar crisis resolves, the Bahraini economy, which is suffering from low oil prices and in need of growth in non-oil sectors, will not have the opportunity to benefit from coastal resorts, cinemas and business parks that could be built to cater to businessmen, investors and tourists from the worlds wealthiest country across the causeway.

In addition to growing Bahrains tourism industry, the logistics sector could gain from the friendship bridge, with the island kingdom becoming an increasingly important trade corridor linking Qatar to Saudi Arabia. Bahrains comparatively liberal investment environment and workforce, which is more trained than those in other GCC states, could potentially lure more businesses to come into the archipelago sheikdom from other Arabian Peninsula states.

The costs of Qatar and its fellow GCC states not deepening their economic and investment links will likely be paid for a long time. Moreover, the rising tension between Doha and Manama will further damage the prospects for the GCC members to restore any semblance of political unity, trust and cohesion under a common Khaleeji identity and in pursuit of mutual interests, including the diversification of their economies beyond traditional hydrocarbon sectors.
September 1, 2017

CAIRO  On Aug. 24, the General Administration for Community Participation affiliated with the Education Ministry organized orientation lectures for Egyptian and Syrian students and their parents at one of the schools in the 6th of October Educational Administration in Giza governorate.

The lectures were part of the Education in a Safe Environment project under the auspices of the Plan International organization and in coordination with the Canadian Embassy. These efforts aim at supporting Syrian students, setting the stage for their education and offering them and their parents social and psychological support in addition to economic aid. The project encourages communication between Syrian students and their Egyptian peers in Egyptian schools.

In 2012, during his opening speech at the 138th session of the Arab Foreign Ministers Council in Cairo, former President Mohammed Morsi announced that Syrian students would be charged the same school fees as Egyptian students at public schools. Previously, foreign students had paid higher fees.

According to the estimates of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2015, Egypt recorded the highest school enrollment rate for Syrian refugee children, at about 85%, amounting to 39,314 Syrian students.

Baksawi Mustafa, the director general of the 6th of October Educational Administration, told Al-Monitor, My educational administration has the largest number of Syrian students in Egyptian schools in the whole country because many Syrians live in 6th of October City in Giza. Their numbers are not known precisely but are estimated at around 5,000 students.

He noted that awareness "is essential, through [orientation] lectures for integration and creating a spirit of harmony among Syrian and Egyptian students. These lectures also aim at highlighting the nature of curricula in Egypt so that Syrian students can understand them, as school education differs between Egypt and Syria.

Mustafa added, The Ministry [of Education] gives us the freedom to coordinate with civil society organizations to offer financial and psychological support to Syrian students to eliminate the differences among them or with Egyptian students.

The Egyptian government represented by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of International Cooperation held a meeting in 2015 with four international parties  the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Plan International Egypt, Care Association and Save the Children. The meeting was held within the scope of the work of the Higher Coordination Committee of the Education in a Safe Environment project in order to meet the pressing educational needs of Syrian students.

Imad al-Wassimi, the head of the Public Education Sector at the Ministry of Education, said during his speech at the 2015 meeting that the ministry wants to work with civil society groups as main partners to promote the educational process in Egypt. He pointed to the efforts the ministry is making to integrate Syrian students in schools and make them feel that Egypt is their second home.

Plan International Egypt had announced in a press statement in June 2016 that Education in a Safe Environment will be implemented over two years with the aim of giving about 28,900 Syrian and Egyptian children ages 4-14 the right to education. Around 14% of targeted children are Syrians in 40 schools, including 25 public schools and 15 private ones. The project is implemented in the Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Qalyubia and Damietta governorates.

The statement noted that the project will support marginalized children by giving them money to buy school stationery, offering them intensive classes, conducting campaigns to urge them to enroll in school and building the capacities of teachers.

In October 2016, the project was implemented in the Qalyubia governorate in eight schools  four in primary education and four in elementary education. School directors and psychologists were trained on active education, problem solving and tolerance to support the Syrian students and to integrate them in Egyptian society.

Medhat Massaad, an educational expert and the former undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, told Al-Monitor, We have been welcoming Syrian students in Egyptian schools since 2012, and there have always been instructions to treat Syrians and Egyptians alike. Therefore, it was necessary to emphasize awareness  to integrate Syrians and raise awareness among them and Egyptians as well as teachers to take it easy on Syrian students.

He added, It is important to capitalize on governmental efforts as well as initiatives from civil society organizations to integrate Syrian students in Egyptian schools.

Massaad added, The governments efforts are good, but two things must be kept in mind. First, Syrian students should be admitted to schools close to their place of residence to reduce pressure on them. Second, they should be admitted to these schools even if they are overcrowded, by opening new classes.

Ghatfan Khair, a Syrian teacher and guardian of a Syrian student in one of Egypts public schools in 6th of October City, told Al-Monitor, Egyptian schools are making remarkable efforts to integrate our Syrian children through different activities mainly focusing on the psychological condition of the Syrian student.

He added, My children did not feel any discrimination between them and Egyptian students. Instead, Syrian students are always appreciated and loved whether inside or outside school.

The efforts of the Egyptian government to integrate Syrian students in Egyptian schools are diverse and comprehensive. They also take into consideration the social, psychological and economic state of these students and their parents so that they do not feel estranged among their Egyptian peers.
September 4, 2017

On Aug. 30, 308 Islamic State fighters along with 670 members of their families were allowed to evacuate from the Qalamoun area along the Lebanese-Syrian border to the town of Bou Kamal in Deir ez-Zor province near the Iraqi border. The operation was carried out using 16 buses and ambulances sent by the Syrian government in collaboration with Hezbollah.

Bou Kamal is located opposite the Iraqi al-Qaim area on Syrian territory. The distance between both areas that are under IS control since 2014 is about 22 miles. The evacuation of IS fighters to Deir ez-Zor allows them to take part in the resistance against Iraqi forces set to liberate al-Qaim. A Sept. 4 report by The Washington Post states that IS fighters on a stranded convoy have escaped to Iraq.

The criticism against the Hezbollah deal was widespread in Iraq, including among several Shiite religious figures, the Kurdistan government and Sunni tribal leaders. It also resulted in creating a clear distinction between pro-Iranian forces in Iraq and national independent forces. On the one hand, the pro-Iranian factions within the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Shiite clerics loyal to Iran supported the deal, while on the other hand, current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the Sadrist movement and a number of Iraqi Shiite clerics opposed the deal strongly.

In an Aug. 28 interview on Al-Manar TV, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah admitted the agreement was concluded with Hezbollah, citing the fact that the arrangement allowed to pinpoint the location of bodies of Lebanese army soldiers as well as Hezbollah fighters. Nasrallah said that had Hezbollah continued the fight to eliminate IS fighters, these bodies would have been lost forever. This means that Nasrallah preferred to reveal the fate of a number of bodies over the losses that would be incurred by these fighters on Iraqi forces in the upcoming liberation operations.

Last year, Nasrallah had warned the Iraqi government that the United States is conspiring to open the way to IS fighters in Mosul to flee to Syria, while praising the Iraqi forces for not allowing IS fighters in Fallujah to head to Syria and eliminating them once and for all. He said, True victory in Iraq means bombing IS, arresting its leaders and members, throwing them in prison and offering them a fair trial  not allowing them to flee to Syria.

Hezbollahs deal with IS outraged Abadi, who stated Aug. 29 that transporting such large numbers of terrorists across long distances to areas neighboring the Iraqi border is unacceptable, disturbing and is considered an offense to the Iraqi people. He also criticized the lack of coordination with the Iraqi side on such matters and pointed out that Iraq is currently eliminating the IS threat inside Iraqi territory and under no circumstances is allowing a safe passage to Syria. He noted that the deal struck by Hezbollah will cause more losses to the Iraqi and Syrian people and that striking deals with IS is completely unjustified at this time.

Parliamentarian Ali al-Badri of the National Alliance considered the deal a conspiracy against the Iraqi people and addressed Hezbollah by stating, The blood of our youth and our people is not cheaper than Lebanese blood. Today the Syrian government is rewarding the young Iraqi men who went to defend the holy sites and gave their lives in Syria by evacuating IS fighters to the Iraqi border.

Hisham al-Hashimi, an independent researcher and specialist in security affairs and armed groups, wrote in a Facebook post Aug. 29, Only a selfish ally transfers the IS threat from Lebanon to Iraq, while Iraqis have turned their second-largest city to rubble in order to avoid the escape of IS fighters to inflict harm on neighboring populations. The Lebanese and Syrian people never accepted to give up on their villages for the sake of Iraq.

In a statement opposing Abadi's position, Ahmad al-Asadi, the spokesman for the PMU, and the secretary-general of Kata'ib Jund al-Imam affiliated with the factions loyal to the leader of the Iranian Revolution said that the transfer of fighters to the area of Bou Kamal does not pose a problem for Iraq. "IS is already present in the Bou Kamal area. The group is also present in the Iraqi desert facing Bou Kamal," he said.

Asadi added, "Iraq needs a few hours to eliminate the group there," noting that the number of IS fighters who were transferred to Bou Kamal is about 700, which is more than double the number Nasrallah has transferred.

On Aug. 30, the Karbala provincial council expressed strong objection on the Hezbollah deal to transfer the IS militants to Bou Kamal. The council considered that this action threatens the security of Karbala and Iraq in general, and called on the government to take measures to address this situation militarily and politically.

Of note, since 2003, Deir ez-Zor province has been a gathering and departure point for terrorists undertaking attacks in Iraq due to its location that facilitates terrorist movement into Iraqi cities.

In the same context, Mohammed Karbouli, a member of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, said that a number of IS fighters who moved to Bou Kamal "have infiltrated Rawa and Aana in Anbar province."

In another similar stance to the pro-Iranian PMU factions, three PMU factions loyal to Iran  the League of the Righteous, Iraqi Hezbollah and Saraya al-Khorasani  withdrew from the Tal Afar operations because of the participation of the US-led coalition in the liberation operations of the city. Although the Joint Operations Command denied the news in a statement published on its official website, it removed the news later without any clarification. These three factions had previously demanded that the coalition be prevented from officially taking part in the liberation of Tal Afar.

Meanwhile, other Iraqi factions loyal to Iraqi Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani  including al-Abbas Combat Division, Imam Ali Division and Ali al-Akbar Brigade  continued to fight in the Tal Afar battles. These factions proved their commitment to the Iraqi government and did not head to Syria to fight.

They are now receiving major support from the government itself, which would make them more powerful than the factions loyal to Iran. Sistani has been calling, through his spokesman, upon all Iraqi factions and forces to distance themselves from regional projects, considering that other stakeholders, whether regional or international, are looking after their own interests, which are not necessarily in line with those of Iraq.

The different factions operating under the PMU umbrella are divided between those that are pro-Iran and those that are loyal to Iraq's national politics. With this issue becoming clearer, criticism is mounting against the pro-Iranian groups.
September 4, 2017

This past summer, the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) concluded landmark agreements with French automaker Renault and transportation giant Alstom as well as Russian logistics company Transmashholding. Under each of these new deals, a foreign multinational corporation has agreed to establish a new joint-venture company in Iran in which it will be the majority shareholder. In the cases of Renault and Alstom, each will control 60% of their respective joint ventures. Russias Transmashholding will own 80% of its new partnership; its higher shareholding perhaps explained by the fact that it is itself a state-owned enterprise.

In all of these deals, IDRO  which was established under the Shah in 1967  will act as a relatively passive shareholder. This is because it is not an industrial company, but rather a holding company formed under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade. This means that for the first time in post-revolutionary Iran, major industrial contracts are being concluded in which the foreign party not only enjoys control of its local entity but also avoids necessarily needing to partner with an Iranian firm from an operational standpoint. This shift, in which state ownership in Iran is transitioning from an emphasis on industrial operation to financial shareholding, is highly significant. It represents a dramatic innovation in the Iranian political economy and may act as one of the single most significant catalysts for Irans ability to attract foreign direct investment in a world of globalized capital.

While Iran has long allowed foreign companies or investors to own up to 100% of an Iranian entity, in practice the provision did not extend to national industries outlined in Article 44 of the Islamic Republic Constitution, which include the energy sector, the automotive industry, mining and aviation, among others. Yet President Hassan Rouhanis administration has used its strong mandate for economic reform to interpret Article 44 more liberally.

Prior to the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, multinational companies seeking to manufacture in Iran were effectively required to work with a local operating partner. The historical partnership between Peugeot and Iran Khodro as well as that between Siemens and MAPNA attest to this requirement of joint operation. In these arrangements, the foreign company brought Iran technology and financing, and the local partner brought political support, facilities and labor. Irans market is large enough such that foreign companies could be enticed to invest on these terms. As such, foreign direct investment accelerated beginning in the mid-1990s. But this model necessarily led foreign companies to treat Iran as a secondary market.

Indeed, because they did not enjoy outright control over their investments in Iran, foreign multinationals did not invest proactively. The automobiles, rolling stock, industrial machinery and other output from these manufacturing partnerships were typically one or two generations old. Subsequently, Iran struggled to export its manufactured output, being limited to only regional markets where buyers would accept the obsolete, if functional, vehicles and equipment. As it charted a new path for Irans economy, the Rouhani administration sought to breach the limits of this approach. To encourage multinationals to treat Iran as a primary market, it was necessary to allow foreign control of the local entity and remove the requirement of an operating partnership with an Iranian industrial enterprise, whose contribution would always prove difficult to bring to a global standard. At the same time, given political constraints, totally eliminating the states role remained impossible.

The new deals struck by IDRO show a new middle way. IDROs own company website outlines a progressive mission for state-owned enterprise  make great efforts to privatize  affiliated companies in part by promotion of local and foreign investment  with minority holdings owned by IDRO [less than 50% of the shares]. Additionally, unlike the partnerships created with the new Iran Petroleum Contract, a partnership with IDRO does not require a multinational company to have an operational partner. Through these processes, IDRO in its own words intends to lessen its role as a holding company and turn into an industrial development agency. With the conclusion of the Renault, Alstom and Transmashholding contracts, these pledges are no longer just wishful thinking. Instead, they represent a clear path for Irans industrial policy.

Moreover, IDROs stated focus on supporting development with a particular emphasis on new, hi-tech and export-oriented industries is also reflected in the recent contracts. In the case of Renault, the unprecedented deal includes stipulations that the company establish a research and development center in Iran and earmark 30% of output for export. In short, Renault will treat Iran as part of its global supply chain, defining a model of Iranian industrialization that treats globalization as a driver of revitalization rather than as a cause for resistance.

Despite these significant developments and the strong evidence for the transformation underway, critics of economic engagement with Iran use a dated and inaccurate vision of Iranian state enterprise in order to advocate against trade and investment. They also fail to contextualize state ownership in Iran within the larger global history of the countrys political economy. The move from active operation to passive shareholding as the defining feature of state ownership is one that has been witnessed in each region in which globalization has taken hold. The vestiges of this transition remain; passive state ownership of major industrial companies remains very common globally, and perhaps especially in Europe. Tellingly, the French state owns 19.74% of Renault.

If anything, IDROs recent successes are the harbinger of a potential transformation in Irans political economy that needs to be recognized and nurtured. Both the countrys leadership and its labor force deserve the opportunity to enact economic liberalization in measured steps and count upon foreign engagement and investment as key drivers of reform.
September 1, 2017

US envoys Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt left an encouraged Jerusalem and a resigned Ramallah after Aug. 24s shuttle diplomacy. There was a clear gap between the United States rhetoric about President Donald Trumps desire to launch peace negotiations and the passivity of the administration on the practical level. It seemed as if the Trump administration did little planning ahead of what should have been a complicated regional gathering.

A senior Palestinian minister who participates in the internal deliberations on the US peace efforts told Al-Monitor that it took Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas some time to detect this gap. Abbas had come to realize that the US policy is one of words to pacify US-Arab allies in the fight against radical Islam and Iran, but no more. For the Palestinians, Trump has become Middle Eastern; he has no foreign policy, only a domestic policy. In six months, he has not uttered what every leader in the world knows will be the outcome of negotiations: a two-state solution. According to the Palestinian minister, Trumps policy is a photo opportunity policy that serves only the interests of the Israeli occupation.

It seems that Ramallah has given up on Trumps efforts. They realize that Trump has marginalized the European Union and that the Arab countries have no one engaging them on a diplomatic path. Given this situation, the Palestinian leadership has decided to take a different tack regarding Palestinian statehood  unilateral statehood.

According to the Palestinian minister, Ramallah will develop in the coming weeks a plan designed to change the international definition of Palestinian territories under occupation into a Palestinian state under occupation. For that purpose, senior policy planners have been asked to prepare for a final outline the measures the Palestinian Authority will take to announce Palestinian statehood. These measures will include a declaration of independence, including borders and East Jerusalem as the capital; a constitution establishing Palestinian democracy and rights; a Palestinian currency; and the establishment of additional Palestinian embassies.

These measures will be formulated as a resolution proposal and brought up by the end of the year at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly. The proposed resolution would recognize that Palestine is a state under occupation. Palestinians will then approach the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague to take measures against an Israeli occupation of another state.

According to the minister, Abbas has communicated his intentions to the leaders of Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He will ask for a special gathering of the Arab League to adopt a resolution to this effect. Abbas will emphasize that the state of Palestine will examine its preconditions to negotiating a two-state solution with Israel, based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. The plan will then be brought to the attention of the international community, as a last diplomatic resort to achieve a two-state solution. Ramallah, according to this official, aims mainly to convince the EU to recognize a state of Palestine under occupation, especially France, Germany and the UK.

Talks with the French Foreign Ministry to this effect are underway. A senior official close to Federica Mogherini, the EUs high commissioner for foreign affairs and security policy, told Al-Monitor that the views on such a move among the EU member states are split. Germany and France are the ones taking at the moment a more negative position. The official said that Mogherini will first give the Trump administration a chance to roll out its initiative. EU deliberations on the issue will take place after the UN General Assembly meeting and the German elections on Sept. 24.

The European official claimed that the EU position may evolve if there is no movement on the US initiative, and if the Israeli-Palestinian status quo becomes untenable, The last thing the region needs now is another Israeli-Palestinian cycle of violence from Gaza or the West Bank because of political deadlock, he said on condition of anonymity. He said there is no doubt that EU recognition of a state of Palestine (under occupation) could make a difference in the way Israel is treated by European countries and companies.

A senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official told Al-Monitor that, legally, the Palestinians cannot change the definition into a state without a Security Council resolution establishing a state. He also claimed Israel has enough clout regarding the Palestinian domestic security situation to convince Abbas to refrain from such a move.

Still, it is clear that the diminishing chances that a Trump initiative will launch Israeli-Palestinian negotiations may generate a realignment of positions on the Arab side. And if the Arab side changes positions, so might important players in the international community.
September 3, 2017

Middle East developments over the past few years  including the civil war in Syria, the rise of the Islamic State, the expected fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the violence in Iraq  have all affected Israels conception of national security. In light of these developments and the fact that for the first time in its history, Israel was not surrounded by conventional armies capable of threatening it, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made several important changes: armored divisions were dismantled, land forces were diverted to different positions, commando units were established and infantry units were upgraded. In general, the IDF adapted itself more to guerilla warfare and fighting against widely dispersed networks of terror organizations rather than traditional large-scale wars against regular standing armies.

But over the last few months, a new perspective is beginning to penetrate Israelis security officials. The working assumptions that took root in recent years have been undermined and are starting to fall apart. We are not yet at the stage at which the IDF is changing course, but if events continue to advance in the direction they have gone in the last half year, then anything is possible.

A formerly very high-placed source in Israels security system spoke to Al-Monitor last week. He said on condition of anonymity, Its high time to admit that perhaps all our assessments were erroneous. The prevailing consensus of the last five years was that Syria will never return to its former state. We thought that however this turns out, the Syrian state as we knew it had passed from the world. But evidently we were wrong.

Israels top decision-makers have not changed course, but it is likely that such arguments are heard in private discussions, and top-secret intelligence assessments see it as a real possibility that Assad is capable of outsmarting those who prematurely eulogized him and Syria as we knew it.

Syria is returning, that is clear now, said the source. Its not about the quantity of territory, its about central rule. If nothing unexpected happens, in the near future, Assad will be declared the final, unequivocal winner of this war. Following that, the path to Syrias rebuilding and reconstruction will be short.

In the current era, predictions are difficult to make and anything is possible in the Middle East. Nothing here is over until its over  and sometimes not even then. Recall that former Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced in January 2012, shortly after the civil war in Syria began, that Assads fate was sealed and his regime would collapse within a matter of weeks. The Israeli assessment has changed drastically, and now the fighting is expected to continue for many long years with no real winner. However, now even this outlook is shaky.

The possibility that Syria may well reinvent itself is a dramatic change from Israels viewpoint, obliterating the idea that the conventional Mideast front with its regular armies and heavy weaponry was a thing of the past. It is safe to assume, said the source, that the Iranians will invest a fortune in rebuilding the Syrian army and we will return to dealing with [Syrias] Division 4 or Corps 5 or the various presidential forces we got to know in the decades preceding this war, he said.

Israels military and intelligence analysts must now regret all the opportunities they missed: to create important alliances with pragmatic Sunni rebels, to deliver the final mercy blow to the Assad regime during those decisive moments when battles raged around the presidential palace itself or to create a kind of security strip in the territory opposite the Golan Heights. Israel did none of these things  and cannot be faulted for doing what was safest and most convenient: standing aside and wishing success to both sides, as the fighting spared Israel from any real worries from the north or east.

But it appears now that the fighting will not last forever. When it ends, a new Syria will emerge  one much more dangerous than its predecessor.

This time, an Israeli security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, it will be a Syria that is connected to Iraq, that is connected to Iran, which are both connected to Hezbollahs Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallahs Lebanon. If in the past, the Syrian ruler was independent and it was impossible to pit him against Israel directly, it may soon be revealed that Syria has become a protectorate of Iran. It may become just another proxy with the goal of spilling as much Israeli blood as possible.

On Aug. 23, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hurried off to another urgent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. According to the report by Pravda, Netanyahu appeared to be in a panic and spoke with great emotion. The Russian newspaper is well-known for its close contacts with the Kremlin. However, it evidently does not keep close tabs on the prime ministers office in Jerusalem. Whenever Netanyahu has talked about the threats accumulating around Israel, he has always done so with great emotion, excessive pathos and wild exaggeration. His behavior in this meeting was evidently true to form.

Yes, developments on the Syrian front do worry Israel greatly, but they are not expected to change the basic components of Israeli deterrence. Israel will continue to emphasize that in the next confrontation in the north, it will destroy Lebanon, as the Lebanese state and Hezbollah are one and the same. The new Syria will find itself in a similar situation.

After more than six years of horrific warfare that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, there will be very few political and security figures in Damascus who will aspire to return to the horrors of war, at even greater intensity. Israels capacity for inflicting devastation is well-known to the entire Middle East, and it has only upgraded its abilities over the years. Thus, the tense quiet between Israel and its neighbors in the north is set against the backdrop of this deterrence equation.

The choice to violate the quiet remains in Tehran's hands.
September 2, 2017

The Islamic State (IS) reappeared in Libya almost a year after it was ousted from its stronghold of Sirte on the Mediterranean coast. In a video clip released Aug. 28 by IS Amaq news agency, two fighters appeared at an ad hoc checkpoint on the highway heading south of Sirte toward Jufra. In the same video, Sagayar Majri, a lawyer and former vice chairman of Libyas High National Election Commission, who was kidnapped May 25, briefly appeared appealing for help.

On Aug. 23, IS claimed to have attacked a military checkpoint run by the Libyan Armed Forces (LAF), headed by Gen. Khalifa Hifter, killing nine soldiers.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Al-Monitor, it is not the first time IS fighters appear in the area around Sirte after they lost the city. Abobaker Agnon, the owner of a radio station in Tripoli, visited the area in December after IS was ejected from Sirte. He was almost killed at a random checkpoint setup by IS, but he survived thanks to his speedy exit in the area familiar to him. A friend told me the checkpoint ahead of me is manned by IS, so I had to drive very fast, he said. Locals also reported seeing IS fighters in the desert region south and southwest of Sirte.

While IS was ejected from Sirte last year, the organization is still active in the region around the city and the neighborhoods where large swathes of desert are not under government control.

IS as well as other factions in western Libya appear to be stirring up trouble whenever an imminent agreement among Libyans appears on the horizon.

However, this latest IS appearance in the area seems to be for propaganda purposes and interrupting the political process, as it gains new momentum due to a string of recent positive developments and diplomacy.

On May 2, Hifter, backed by Libyas Tobruk-based parliament, met with Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), in Abu Dhabi for the first time since 2015. The meeting generated hope that the two sides might be on the way to reach a political settlement in the country.

During the meeting, the two men, suspicious of each others intentions, verbally agreed to a cessation of all hostilities and to build trust and settle any issues without resorting to force. However, on May 19, forces loyal to the GNA and acting on the order of its defense minister, Mahdi al-Barghati, attacked a military air base in Brak al-Shati in the desert, killing over 140 people  most of whom were soldiers loyal to Hifter. The LAF did not respond but rather used the attack to reaffirm its belief that the GNA does not have any control over the forces claiming loyalty to it.

Sarraj was angry but could not do much since his powers over the GNA and the forces acting on the ground are nominal. But on May 19 he suspended Barghati and promised an investigation. Nothing has been published of that investigation so far.

The latest attempt to prevent any agreement that could reconcile the war-ravaged country came after the Paris meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on July 25 between Hifter and Sarraj. The meeting, the most serious between the two, produced what could be termed as a road map for Libya that stipulated national presidential and legislative elections, reconciliation and unifying state institutions.

Particularly important is the wide European support the agreement received from key European Union countries, including Italy and the United Kingdom.

British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson visited Libya Aug. 25, where he spent two days meeting with Sarraj. He also became the first high-ranking EU diplomat to visit Hifter in his heavily secured base in Benghazi. He also visited Misrata in northwest Libya.

It seems obvious that any agreement among the rival Libyan factions means less political and security vacuum that IS and other similar organizations can capitalize on and re-establish themselves in the country, particularly after they lost Benghazi to the LAF earlier this year.

The UN, as a broker of the political process in the country, should realize this fact and put pressure on all Libyan factions to move forward with the political process that could salvage the country and ease the burden on its people, which has been increasing by the day over the last six years.
Three people were wounded in shootings in Bessemer and Birmingham on Sunday night.

In Bessemer, a man and woman were shot and another man taken into custody after a brief standoff.

Bessemer police responded shortly after 6 p.m. to a report of gunfire in the 700 block of Alabama Avenue, said Sgt. Charlie Burton. When they arrived on the scene, they found a man and a woman had been shot there.

The female victim was shot multiple times and taken to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. The male victim went by private vehicle to UAB West. Burton said both are expected to survive their injuries.

Burton said officers were able to locate a suspect at another home on the same street. He briefly barricaded himself inside the house but then surrendered.

The victims and the suspect are all believed to be related, Burton said, and the shooting stemmed from some type of domestic disagreement. Those involved were a mother, son, and the mother's brother, police said.

In Birmingham, a victim was shot in the 5000 block of First Avenue North. The victim showed up at Cooper Green Hospital by private vehicle, and then was transferred to UAB Hospital. The injuries are believed to be life-threatening, but no additional information was available.
This story is a part of Ask Alabama, a weekly interaction with our readers, where you ask the questions, you vote to decide which questions we answer, and then we investigate. One reader, who identified himself as John from Ardmore, Tennessee, asks: "How many H-1B Visa jobs are in Alabama? How many H-1B Visa jobs have qualifying US citizens available?"



John's question comes during a time of great debate around the controversial H-1B program. But before answering the question, here's a short overview of the issues.



Formed in 1990 under the presidency of George H.W. Bush, the program was largely designed to help U.S. companies fill specialist positions with foreign talent, predominately in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, for up to six years. But against accusations of rampant abuse since the early 2000s, current President Donald Trump has promised to crack down on the program and ensure American workers are able to get their hands on those jobs before foreign workers.

To that end, President Trump signed an executive order in April as part of an ongoing effort to fulfil his "America First" policies and stop companies he claims are hiring cheap foreign labor at the expense of qualified American workers.



Trump said while on the campaign trail he wanted to "end forever the use of the H-1B as a cheap labor program, and institute an absolute requirement to hire American workers first for every visa and immigration program."



His Democratic rival Hillary Clinton also took issue with the abuses, but said she would deal with them as part of broad immigration reform.

So, the first part of John's question is relatively straightforward. According to data from the Office of Foreign Labor Certification, an arm of the Department of Labor (DOL), there were 2,444 H-1B positions certified in Alabama in 2015, the most recently available state-by-state reports. That's down from 2,586 in 2014 and up from 2,134 in 2011.



A little more than 700 of those certified positions were in Birmingham, where occupants received wage offers in the region of $75,000. Montgomery had 588 positions with an average salary of $73,000, while Huntsville had 200 positions earning salaries in excess of $90,000, according to DOL data. Other positions were dispersed throughout the state.

For comparison, the average wage for all workers in Alabama is just under $40,000.

The H-1B positions were all in the computer science fields, such as programmers, developers and analysts.



Nationally, demand for H-1B visas has increased significantly in recent years, going from 246,126 in fiscal year 2009 to 399,349 in 2016, and is on track to exceed that figure this year, according to a Pew Research report. The data shows also shows that U.S. employers filed around 3.4 million H-1B visa applications from 2007 to June 2017.



The top three national companies that have their H-1B applications approved are consultancy firms. Two are headquartered in India and one in New Jersey. The two Indian firms also have offices in the U.S. Combined, the three companies were given approximately 45,000 visa approvals in 2016, according to Pew.

The cap on H-1B visas has fluctuated since 1990, but in more recent years has been capped at 65,000. An additional 20,000 is offered to individuals that gained a master's degree from a U.S. institution.



President Trump's suggestion that companies are abusing the system and stealing jobs from American workers is one that has been made repeatedly over the years, with most companies being charged with favoring foreign workers because they don't demand such high wages.



"It's just all about cheaper labor," said Hans von Spakovsky, an immigration expert at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, and former Justice Department attorney. "And I think we'd be a lot better off if these companies concentrated on hiring American kids instead of looking all over the world. I certainly think that it's great to get in scientists and researchers that want to come here from all over the world, but it should not be at the cost of American students that are getting out of college."

The second part of John's question is harder to answer. The Department of Labor told AL.com that it does not keep data relating to how many U.S. citizens might be qualified for H-1B jobs. In attempting to answer this question, I tried to find data or studies that had information on the domestic shortfall in the top five industries that hire H-1B workers. That data also seems difficult to obtain from a reputable source.

Anecdotally, von Spakovsky says studies over the years suggest that there are more than enough computer science and information technology graduates to fill the same positions that are going to H-1B workers

One such study by employment website Looksharp, which surveyed 50,000 college students in 2014, found that while computer science graduates have some of the best job prospects in the country, 39 percent of students could not find employment. STEM grads had a 50 percent employment rate.

"The idea that these companies push is that there just aren't enough Americans in the computer science field or engineering to fill these jobs," said von Spakovsky. "It's clearly not true when you look at these kind of statistics."
Happy Labor Day!

While Labor Day has become better known for being the unofficial end of summer, it traces its origins to something much different - the American labor movement.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the first observance of Labor Day was likely on Sept. 5, 1882 when 10,000 workers gathered in New York for a parade. The parade inspired similar events across the country and, by 1894, more than half the states were observing a "workingman's holiday" on one day or another.

Later that year, Congress passed legislation and President Grover Cleveland signed a bill designating the first Monday in September as "Labor Day."

Who started Labor Day?

The question of who first suggested a day to celebrate American Labor is hotly debated.

The problem with declaring a single "founder" of Labor Day is that, at the time, no one realized that a new national holiday was being born. It was only after the fact that people tried to pinpoint a single founding father," said Linda Stinson, a former U.S. Department of Labor's historian. "So the historical conundrum seems to hinge on the fact that the two names sound alike and were probably mixed up in the common consciousness. Toss in the years of bitter rivalry between the American Federation of Labor and the Knights of Labor and, of course, you're going to have multiple heroes emerging in the legend of Labor Day."

Two names that are often mentioned are Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire, secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J.

Facts and figures on Labor Day

Some facts and figures from the Census Bureau and U.S. Labor Department:

159.8 million - The number of people age 16 and over in the nation's labor force as of May 2017.

Occupations with most employees

Retail salespersons 4,528,550 Cashiers 3,541,010 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food 3,426,090 Office clerks, general 2,955,550 Registered nurses 2,857,180 Customer service representatives 2,707,040 Laborers and freight, stock and material movers, hand 2,587,900 Waiters and waitresses 2,564,610 Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive 2,295,510 General and operations managers 2,188,870

16.3 million - The number of wage and salary workers age 16 and over represented by a union in 2016. This group included both union members (14.6 million) and workers who reported no union affiliation but whose jobs were covered by a union contract (1.7 million). Among states, New York continued to have the highest union membership rate (23.6 percent), and South Carolina had the lowest rate (1.6 percent).

15.3 million - The number of employed female workers age 16 and over in service occupations in 2015. Among male workers age 16 and over, 11.7 million were employed in service-related occupations.

1.8 percent - The percentage increase in employment, or 143.7 million, in the United States between December 2015 and December 2016. In December 2016, the 344 U.S. counties with 75,000 or more jobs accounted for 72.8 percent of total U.S. employment and 78.1 percent of total wages. These 344 counties had a net job growth of 1.4 million over the year, which accounted for 80.7 percent of the overall U.S. employment increase.

$51,212 and $40,742 - The 2015 real median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively. The 2015 real median household income of $56,516, an increase in real terms of 5.2 percent from the 2014 median of $53,718. This is the first annual increase in median household income since 2007, the year before the most recent recession.

$77,166 - The 2015 median Asian household income, the highest among race groups. The median income of non-Hispanic, white households was $62,950 and for black households it was $36,898. For Hispanic households the median income was $45,148.

108 percent - The projected percentage growth from 2014 to 2024 in the number of wind turbine service technicians (4,400 jobs in 2014), the projected fastest-growing occupation. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add the greatest number of positions over this period is personal care aides (458,100).
Ramallah, Occupied West Bank  Ahed Tamimi was just 14 when she rose to international prominence through the release of a video and a series of photos capturing her desperate attempts to save her 11-year-old brother, Mohammad, from the grips of an Israeli soldier in 2015.

Many Israelis threatened me on social media after the video was released, demanding that I be detained or even killed, 16-year-old Ahed told Al Jazeera from her familys home in the village of Nabi Saleh, where the distinct, red-tiled roofs of illegal Israeli settlement housing dot the adjacent hilltop. The harassment handcuffed my life. I was scared to even go outside or visit my friends.

In the video, filmed during one of the weekly protests that had been staged in Nabi Saleh for years, Ahed is seen hitting and biting the hand of the masked soldier as her mother and aunt hit and tug at his clothes, struggling to pull the soldier away from Mohammad.

Afterwards, scores of journalists rushed to the village to interview Ahed, with NBC News describing the blond-haired, blue-eyed teenager as the poster child for the Palestinian struggle.

The media helped us, because my voice and our message were spread throughout the world, Ahed said, still exuding the confidence that has made her a leader at Nabi Salehs protests, which she began attending at the age of nine.

However, while her newfound fame cast a spotlight on the villages violent experiences with the Israeli occupation, it also made Ahed an easily recognisable figure among Israeli forces stationed in the West Bank.

The harassment began immediately following the videos release, as Israelis called her a terrorist on social media and threatened to kill her, the family says. Bassem, Aheds father and a long-standing leader in the village, said that her 19-year-old brother, Waed, was detained after the release of the video. At the start of his 10-month stay in Israeli jail, Aheds mother, Nariman, received permission to enter Israel to visit him, and Ahed tagged along.

INTERACTIVE: Against the wall

When we passed a checkpoint near Jerusalem, the Israeli soldiers got on the bus and immediately singled her out, Nariman told Al Jazeera. While everyone else was permitted to pass, Ahed was pulled off the bus and told she wouldnt be allowed into Israel.

During the villages protests, Israeli forces would often scream Aheds name and shout curses at her. Look! Its Ahed Tamimi. Shoot her! Bassem recalled one soldier as saying.

The family was often scared for their daughter, he added: Whenever the soldiers recognise her, they do something to make her life difficult. Every time she left the house, we were scared something would happen to her. Ahed was even forced to stay at her cousins home in Ramallah, where she attends school, to avoid the danger of passing through Israeli checkpoints on her way from Nabi Saleh.

The Tamimi family is no stranger to Israeli persecution. In 2012, Amnesty International labelled Bassem a prisoner of conscience during one of his numerous stays in Israeli prison. Nariman has been detained five times by Israeli forces, and Waed twice, for their involvement in protests.

In 2010, just a few months after the weekly protests began, Israeli authorities issued a demolition order on the familys home, which Bassem believes was intended to pressure them to cease their involvement in the protest movement. Their home has since been raided more than 150 times by Israeli forces, he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of dunams of Nabi Salehs lands have been confiscated for the purposes of building Israels illegal Halamish settlement, whose residents have burned hundreds of the villages olive trees  attacks that escalated after the protests began. In 2009, the villages water spring was also confiscated for the use of the settlers.

The 600 or so residents of the village receive only 12 hours of running water a week from Israel, while the settlers in Halamish have running water 24 hours a day. A large swimming pool can also be seen on the settlement grounds from the Tamimi familys home.

The village is raided almost every day by Israeli forces, who douse residents homes with skunk spray, a putrid-smelling liquid. The Israeli army targets the water tanks installed on their roofs, Bassem said.

The vast majority of the lands in Nabi Saleh are in Area C, which is under full Israeli military control, and Palestinian construction is restricted. As a result, at least 13 homes in the village have pending Israeli demolition orders, which can be enforced at any moment.

Its a silent ethnic cleansing, Bassem said, adding that the protest movement was targeting not just the Halamish settlement, but the Israeli occupation in a broader sense.

Imagine someone controlling every decision in your life, Nariman said. Its like being locked in a room with no oxygen. Its not just about the checkpoints. As long as the occupation exists, we cant be free.

Since the start of the protests, Israeli forces have killed three Palestinians and injured hundreds, some of whom have become permanently disabled. Meanwhile, scores of Palestinians have been jailed, forcing residents to pay thousands of dollars in bail and Israeli fines.

READ MORE: Israeli settler attacks deepen fears among Palestinians

As a result of these pressures, the village recently discontinued its weekly marches.

Its hard for any person to carry on like this. We cant continue going to the demonstrations each week, waiting until someone gets injured, and then running back to our homes, Bassem said.

In lieu of the weekly protests, Nabi Saleh residents are now employing a more sporadic strategy, holding protests at random times to surprise the soldiers and move away from the predictability of their weekly routine.

The village is also focusing on building up a culture of resistance among other communities.

The occupation limits our dreams, Ahed said, pushing her curly hair out of her eyes. Our thoughts are caged by the occupation. The Israelis first control our dreams, and then they break them.
Poisoned, electrocuted, shot with guns just for trying to find a meal  can elephants and humans co-exist in Sri Lanka?

Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka  It is difficult to predict when the elephants will come.

As darkness falls around Sri Lankas Udawalawe National Park, the 52 villages that speckle its borders go on alert. Thin wire fences hum with the threat of electricity.

Across the dry zone, farmers climb up into rudimentary treehouses overlooking their paddy fields. They must try to stay alert as the darkness deepens. Armed only with torches, fireworks, and their voices  loud and hoarse  they may be forced to face down giants.

Ashoka Ranjeewa, an elephant researcher, has spent many nights out here. When he first arrived in Pokunuthanna, there were few friendly faces. Bordered on two sides by the national park, and on one side by the Dahaiyagala sanctuary, this village of some 100 families has seen more than its fair share of elephant attacks. Farmers here allege the compensation they are paid is meagre and comes late. Outsiders only come to gawk, taking pictures, commiserating.

None of this stops the elephants from coming.

Killer elephants

The foragers are most often male elephants  bulls  on average weighing in at 5,000-6,000 kilogrammes, and reaching over three metres tall, these are among the largest land animals alive.

The villagers of Pokunuthanna used to believe just four to five bulls took turns invading their land. But when Ranjeewa installed some infrared night vision cameras, he raised the count to 35.

A single animal may still be scared off, but a bull group of three or more is simply terrifying. It can be suicide to stand in their way. The marauders can devastate a familys fortunes in one night: a full seasons harvest torn up by the roots; a house holding a familys entire store of paddy raided, its clay walls knocked over and its roof trampled.

People invest most of their money to buy seeds and agricultural chemicals, PP Ariyaratna, a local farmer, tells Al Jazeera. He explains big crop losses can send them into debt or force them into tenuous jobs as wage labourers.

Just last week, elephants visited Ariyaratnas paddy fields multiple times. In one case, circles of devastation mark the spot where they feasted. In another, an elephant reached sneakily under a live fence to pull paddy out by the roots.

Ariyaratna knows what they are capable of  he has woken to find a long trunk testing the integrity of the walls that shelter his family.

The farmer lives encircled by a ring of electricity but says the animals are adapting. They are clever and smart, he says, explaining that he now tries to clear the land around his fences so there is no stick or branch lying around. Elephants have learned how to use these tools to break the wires.

Ariyaratna has a long list of other techniques that used to work, but arent reliable any more. Ambulance lights that flash red and blue, recorded sounds of other animals, firecrackers, torches: elephants would be frightened initially, but all too soon returned to raiding.

They even seem to recognise when a fence is live  perhaps sensing a slight heat or an electric charge  and they know when a power cut has rendered the wires ineffectual. When a fence is torn down it might take days to repair, and the farms are defenceless all the while.

Like everyone else in this village, Ariyaratna knows someone who was killed: most often it is a man, who, walking down these dirt roads one night, came face to face with an elephant in the dark.

In 2016, elephants killed 88 people in Sri Lanka, according to Department of Wildlife Conservation statistics.

Read more about the conflict between humans and animals in this article titled, Hunting endangered animals in the jungles of Myanmar

Elephants in hostile territory

They are so intelligent. They take risks and they are bold. They have been deprived of their lands, surrounded by electric fences, and shot at. Still, they do not give up. by Ashoka Ranjeewa, researcher

Vijitha Perera runs the Elephant Transit Home located inside the Udawalawe National Park. He knows what happens along the borders of the park.

It is complicated because people and elephants are trying to share the same resources, he says. In the elephant scenario, there is no idea of private property. People think the land is theirs, the water and crops are theirs. But elephants dont think like that.

Currently, a drought has left all the smaller watering holes depleted. The animals come out of the park, desperate for food.

Their habitat is completed changed, says Ranjeewa, who also studies the animals inside the park. Their scrub lands have been covered with invasive species like lantana. The farmers paddy, on the other hand, is a rich source of nutrition.

As they roam outside the boundaries at night, Ranjeewa says he can see the stress on the elephants faces. They know they are in hostile territory and make as little noise as possible.

His research has given Ranjeewa a deep admiration for these animals. They are so intelligent. They take risks and they are bold. They have been deprived of their lands, surrounded by electric fences, and shot at. Still, they do not give up.

Ranjeewa grew up near Udawalawe and has seen the human elephant conflict escalate over the years. He knows of the violence against the elephants: they are poisoned, electrocuted and wounded by bullets. Planks studded with nails are left on jungle paths. Haka patta, small explosives, are camouflaged in food.

Elephant calves are most likely to bite into such a temptation. When the bomb goes off, it has just enough force to shatter the jawbone. No longer able to eat, death comes at the end of a long nightmare of infection and starvation.

In 2016, people killed 279 elephants in Sri Lanka, the Department of Wildlife Conservation statistics show.

Young victims of violence

Perera welcomes baby elephants at the Elephant Transit Home. The calves are usually very close to collapse  always orphans, separated from their mother either by death or chaos. The calves are too young to know how to avoid the dangers of a deep well or irrigation canal. People bring noise and terror, and they hide.

When we find the babies, they are usually weak. Theyve undergone severe stress, dehydration and starvation, says Perera. Some have infectious wounds and serious parasitic infections. Most are close to death.

Perera welcomes these orphans to the Elephant Transit Home, the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka. Here, the animals receive tender care. As they grow into adults, human contact is kept to a minimum.

They are introduced into a herd, says Perera. The babies are fed nutritious milk, but otherwise the herd is left to its own devices. Each animal is welcomed into a complex social structure and they learn from each other.

They find their own food and water, and when they turn five years old we release them back into the wild.

In their time at the centre, the young calves form deep attachments. It is like a classroom, and they all have their friends. They form a social network and show no aggression toward each other.

The researchers identify these little units of camaraderie and release them together so they can forge a new life in the wild. They track them carefully to ensure their survival.

Our first birth in the wild was in 2008, says Perera, adding that they have released 110 animals in total and seen 17 births in the wild.

Elephants a resource, not a pest

Prithiviraj Fernando scrambles down a slope into a field cultivated by a farmers society in Orukemgala, Mattara. The chairman of the Centre for Conservation and Research, Fernando has helped set up a solar-powered electric fence here.

Unlike the so-called administrative fences that surround parks and are the property of the departments of Wildlife Conservation and Forests, this is a privately constructed ecological fence that protects just this patch of about three hectares of farmland. This distinction is key, says Fernando.

Sri Lanka has more than 3,500km of fencing put up by the Wildlife Department and a lot of it is not working. The main problem is that it is in the wrong place.

In comparison, the location of this ecological fence has been carefully chosen with easy maintenance in mind. The farmers watching over it say it is the one thing that has allowed them to cultivate on this land for the last three years.

The solar panel powers not just the fence, but ensures that the posts are also charged, so they cant be uprooted or kicked over. In a programme run in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, 10 such fences are being trialled across villages and farms in the south. They seem to be working. A successful solution had to be simple, says Fernando.

Find out more about the careful balance required for harmonious cohabitation with animals: Should you swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?

Fernando has spent years immersed in the human-elephant conflict. By putting radio collars around elephants and tracking them, Fernando and other researchers were able to establish that the vast majority of elephants in Sri Lanka actually roamed outside the areas protected by the Wildlife Department.

This is crucial considering Sri Lankas preference for translocation as a solution to conflict. Translocation is the method adopted when large development or irrigation projects are scheduled or land is being claimed for farming. Elephant drives are organised to chase the animals out of the area.

You have hundreds of people going into the forest and creating a huge din, lighting thousands of crackers, says Fernando. Sometimes, this goes on for days, sometimes for months, something for over a year.

What the researchers found was that try as people might, they never succeeded in driving away all the elephants. Moreover, those who were forcibly translocated to national parks, do not stay in the parks  instead they try to return or wander elsewhere, raiding new farms.





They tend to become more aggressive and human deaths that resulted were usually an accident. Fernando believes that 80 percent of deaths can be avoided, saying that it is clear translocation moves not just the elephant, but the problem as well.

Looking at this fence in Hambantota, Fernando doesnt think the solution lies in either moving people or elephants. Instead, it is in finding ways for them to co-exist right where they are.

Back in Pokunuthanna, Ranjeewa has been making efforts to help people understand why the animals behave as they do through discussions at the Dahaiyagala temple, house-to-house visits and the formation of a Young Conservationists Society. Ranjeewa has pushed local authorities to install street lights to help prevent people running into the animals at night.

In fact, his friend Ajith Sandanayake has decided to see how the village can profit from the nightly incursions  he has guests from all over come to spend the night at his ecolodge. There is even a treehouse. On those days, he actually hopes the elephants will come to visit.

We have to convert the farmers attitudes, says Sandanayake, They have to start seeing the elephant not as a pest, but as a resource.

He describes how the whole village turns out to marvel when a particularly large herd gathers at a lake just across them, within the borders of the national park. We all go to look at them. The truth is people do not hate the elephants. Like us, we know they also need to eat.
Triple talaq, like the made-up Love Jihad, has become yet another anti-Muslim tool in the hands of the far right.

The triple talaq judgement pronounced by the Constitution bench of five judges of the Supreme Court of India has been hailed as historic by all concerned. While the operative part of the elaborate ruling comprising of three different and diverse judicial opinions captured in 395 pages is just one line: By a majority of 3:2 verdict the practice of talaq-e-biddat  triple talaq is set aside, it provides sufficient scope for diverse ideologies to lay a claim to it.





It is understandable that Muslim women who have suffered the indignity of triple talaq (or instant divorce by saying the word talaq three times) and those who helped them to approach the court are rejoicing because the judgement is a clear victory to the position espoused by them: that the Supreme Court must declare the practice of instant and arbitrary triple talaq as invalid.

However, the judgement itself is not path-breaking, as there was an earlier ruling in 2002 which held that triple talaq is invalid and it has been followed by several High Courts. Since there was no media hype back then as the one we are witnessing today, the 2002 judgement was overlooked by womens groups and individual women. But an astute lawyer could have used it to bring respite to victims of triple talaq.

The opposing faction, i.e. members of the All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) who argued that the government should not interfere with the right of minorities to their tradition, culture, belief, and faith are also rejoicing since Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (concurred by Justice S Abdul Nazeer) declared that personal laws are an integral part of the freedom of religion guaranteed under Articles 25-26 of the Indian Constitution, which the courts are duty-bound to protect.

READ MORE: What is triple talaq or instant divorce?

On the other hand secular womens groups are rejoicing on the ground that the judgement pronounced by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman (for himself and Justice Uday U Lalit) has struck down triple talaq as unconstitutional and has given a boost to the view that family laws must be state governed and gender just distanced from any religious ideology. However, the verdict of Justice Nariman is in the minority as the crisp 27-page verdict delivered by Justice Kurian Joseph dissented from it. It is his verdict that helped to clinch the issue and maintain the delicate balance between striking down triple talaq and securing freedom of religion.

The challenge to patriarchal monopoly has been transformed into a minority bashing exercise by BJP supporters who claim that it is the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the cause of Muslim women's rights which gave the Supreme Court the courage to pronounce a clear verdict against triple talaq. by

Even while declaring triple talaq invalid, Justice Joseph preferred to stay within the confines of Islamic law and examined whether instant triple talaq forms an essential core religious practice. Since a 2002 judgement had already declared instant triple talaq invalid, he had no hesitation in concluding that triple talaq is not an essential core of Islamic law in India and hence declared it invalid. So this became the majority view only to the extent of holding it invalid.

On the other hand, he also concurred with Chief Justice Khehar and Justice Nazeer that personal laws of minorities are protected by the Constitution as fundamental rights, which helped to make this a majority view, a clear statement against the enactment of a uniform civil code, contained in Article 44, which is a mere directive principle of state policy.

A minority-bashing exercise

However, the Hindu majority has projected this carefully crafted and delicately poised judgement as an anti-Muslim verdict and a clear signal to bring in a uniform civil code, a demand which has been on the radar of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a whip with which to beat the Muslim community.

The challenge to patriarchal monopoly has been transformed into a minority-bashing exercise by BJP supporters who claim that it was the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the cause of Muslim womens rights that gave the Supreme Court the courage to pronounce a clear verdict against triple talaq.

The right wing Muslim bashing politicians were quick to express their views. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, known for his anti-Muslim views, wasted no time in welcoming the judgement. Calling for an end to the Muslim practice of triple talaq, the chief minister also advocated the enactment of uniform civil code. Another Hindu extreme-right outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) attacked the AIMPLB on triple talaq, saying the Islamic body was not ready to give equal rights to women, whom they treat as an object.

VHPs international working president, Pravin Togadia, said in a statement that the government should enact a law against triple talaq to ensure justice for Muslim women and for the nations taxpayers. A law should also be drafted for banning more than two children and ushering in the common civil code.

Public lynching of Muslims

While the issue of triple talaq has received wide publicity from the right-wing politicians, there has been a marked silence on a corresponding issue affecting the Muslim community  that of public lynching of Muslims. Even though Prime Minister Modi in his address to the nation from the Red Fort mentioned the issue of Muslim women and triple talaq, there was a total silence on the issue of public lynching of Muslims.

The lynching of Muslims on the mere suspicion of slaughtering cows, storing beef or merely because they look Muslim has gone on unabated and reached a new low with the stabbing of 16-year-old Junaid Khan on June 23.





At the same time, the government is today poised to introduce a new gender just law to replace the Muslim Personal Law based on Islamic law  in the name of saving Muslim women from the tyranny of their archaic laws. The words uttered by an important minister in the Modi government, Mr Venkaiah Naidu (now vice president of India) on May 20, the day after the Supreme Court hearing on triple talaq concluded, are revealing: It is for the society to take up the issue and it will be good if the [Muslim] society itself changed the practice. Otherwise, a situation may arise where the government will have to bring in a legislation [banning triple talaq].

The government was not trying to interfere with personal matters but was only trying to ensure justice to all women and equality before the law, he added. Coming in the wake of the lynching of Muslims, the assurance sounds hollow.

The issue of Muslim bashing has another curious implication in the Love Jihad bogey which gets whipped up during election campaigns. Far-right Hindu groups allege that Love Jihad is a conspiracy by Muslim groups to lure Hindu women into marriages with Muslim men and to convert them to Islam. They encourage parents of Hindu girls to file cases against their daughters Muslim boyfriends.

READ MORE: The Hadiya case and the myth of Love Jihad in India

The recent judgement of the Kerala High Court in the case of a 24-year-old Hindu girl who had converted to Islam and had married a Muslim is a cause for concern. The High Court held that the girl, under the influence of her Muslim husband, was not in a state to give free consent to the marriage. And further, the ruling declared that the consent of parents and their presence during the marriage is crucial. When the husband approached the Supreme Court against this ruling, it rejected the plea that the girl should give evidence in court and instead directed that the case should be investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to explore whether it is a ploy by an Islamic terrorist organisation to convert Hindu women.

Strangely Love Jihad and uniform civil code make contradictory claims yet both are being used within a majoritarian public discourse to attack the Muslim community.

The flip side of this discourse is that the myriad ways in which the rights of Hindu women are violated including child marriage, the plight of widows and gruesome violence due to dowry demands are all being made invisible.

Flavia Agnes is a feminist legal scholar and womens rights lawyer. She is the founder of Majlis, an NGO based in Mumbai which provides legal advocacy and support to women and children of all communities.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
UN says 87,000 members of persecuted Muslim community have crossed into Bangladesh since violence erupted on August 25.

Nearly 90,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in the last 10 days, uprooted by reported rapes, murders and acts of arson by the Myanmar army.

Vivian Tan, regional spokesperson for UNHCR, told Al Jazeera on Monday that women, children and the elderly made up the bulk of the 87,000 who had crossed into Bangladesh since violence erupted on August 25.

Were seeing many pregnant women, new-born babies and the elderly make their way to relief camps on the Bangladeshi side of the border, she said.

Sadly were also hearing from many of them that they havent eaten in days.





Viewed by the UN and the US as one of the worlds most persecuted minorities, thousands of Rohingya flee their homes every year in a desperate attempt to reach Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.

The latest mass exodus comes after suspected Rohingya fighters attacked police posts and an army base in the western region of Rakhine.

The Myanmar government has blamed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) for the violence, but fleeing Rohingya civilians accused the Myanmar army of carrying out a campaign of arson and killings  aimed at forcing them out of the country.

Tan told Al Jazeera that the latest figure of 87,000 Rohingya did not include refugees who had fled in previous decades or those who had set up temporary shelter in no-mans land, an area between the Bangladesh and Myanmar border.

Since the 1970s, only 34,000 Rohingya have been registered with the UN in Bangladesh, Tan said, with estimates of unregistered refugees in the hundreds of thousands.

As a non-signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Bangladesh has refused to register the Rohingya as refugees since the early 1990s, nor allowed them to lodge asylum claims.

Ro Nay San Lwin, a Rohingya activist and blogger based in Europe, said many of the refugees were struggling to accept they could ever return to their ancestral homeland.

Using a network of activists on the ground to document the conflict, San Lwin told Al Jazeera that some refugees walked seven or eight days from Buthidaung to make it to Bangladesh, while those from Maungdaw had to walk for five days.

READ MORE: Who are the Rohingya?

Up to 30,000 Rohingya refugees live in Kutupalong and Nayapara, two government-run camps near Coxs Bazar, with tens of thousands more living in makeshift camps.

All of them are very weak, dehydrated and hungry and the Bangladesh government is not helping their situation at all.

Unless the Bangladesh government opens the border, theyre receiving these refugees unofficially and its unlikely theyll ever be able to return to their homeland officially.

Videos uploaded on social media showed dozens of men, women and children hiding in Myanmars jungle after security forces reportedly destroyed their village.

In a separate video, a Rohingya woman said she and her family had not eaten in days.

WATCH: Exclusive  Strong evidence of genocide in Myanmar

Were also hearing reports of several villages facing shortages of food, Lwin said. If things continue as they are people could start starving to death.

According to the latest estimate by UN aid workers in Bangladesh, nearly 150,000 Rohingya have sought refuge in the country since October.

Rakhine is home to most of Myanmars 1.1 million Rohingya, who live largely in abject poverty and face widespread discrimination by the Buddhist majority.

The Muslim Rohingya are widely reviled as illegal migrants from Bangladesh, despite having lived in the area for generations.

They have been rendered stateless by the government and the UN believes the armys crackdown may amount to ethnic cleansing  a charge the government of Aung San Suu Kyi vehemently denies.
US says patience running out as China and Russia urge peaceful dialogue with Pyongyang at UN emergency meeting.

The US ambassador to the United Nations has said North Koreas leadership is begging for war as she called on the bodys Security Council to impose tougher measures against the country following its most powerful nuclear test to date.

At an emergency session in New York, the second in a week, Nikki Haley said Washington will circulate a new sanctions resolution this week, with a view of voting on it next Monday.

The US envoy urged the 15-member group to adopt the strongest possible measures to deter North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

War is never something the United States wants, Haley said. We dont want it now. But our countrys patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory, she added.

READ MORE: All the latest updates on North Korea tensions

Haley, who called Pyongyangs latest nuclear test a slap in the face, also condemned countries trading with North Korea for aiding its dangerous nuclear intentions.

The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions, she said.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the Norths state-run agency, has hailed Sundays test, saying it marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force.





Political diplomatic channels

Meanwhile, China, a top trading partner with North Korea, and Russia called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis at Mondays meeting.

We strongly urge North Korea to face up to the firm will of the international community on the issue of de-nuclearisation of the (Korean) Peninsula and earnestly abide by the relevant resolutions of the Council, said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the UN.

Jieyi added: China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) Peninsula.

Russia said peace in the region was in jeopardy.

A comprehensive settlement to the nuclear and other issues plaguing the Korean Peninsula can be arrived at solely through political diplomatic channels, Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

Bargaining table

Al Jazeeras Rosiland Jordan, reporting from the UN headquarters in New York, said: There is a renewed sense of urgency at the Security Council to bring North Korea back to the bargaining table.

The message which Russia, in particular, was stressing was that there needs to be all efforts to try to talk with Pyongyang and not threaten it, she added.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes.

The council last month imposed new sanctions on the country over two long-range missile launches in July.

The resolution aimed to slash by a third Pyongyangs $3bn annual export revenue by banning exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood.

READ MORE: Hydrogen bomb vs atomic bomb  Whats the difference?

Diplomats have said the council could now consider banning Pyongyangs textile exports and the countrys national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad as well as add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban.





A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass.

Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for UN sanctions.

China has not publicly said it will back new sanctions, while Russias Nebenzia said it would consider a US draft resolution, but questioned whether further sanctions would make a difference.

John Ferguson, director of Global Forecasting at the Economist Intelligence Unit, said while there is broad agreement at the council about the seriousness of the problem, there are differences over the level of details.

Even though no one wants war, the differences in incentives between the US on the one hand, and China and Russia on the other, will stop the full level of sanctions being enforced over the next week, he told Al Jazeera.

Existential threat

Meanwhile, South Koreas air force and army on Monday conducted exercises involving long-range air-to-surface and ballistic missiles in the wake of North Koreas sixth nuclear test, its joint chiefs of staff said in a statement.

In addition to the drill, South Korea will cooperate with the United States and seek to deploy strategic assets like aircraft carriers and strategic bombers, Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defence policy, said.

INTERACTIVE: A Visual Explainer on North Korea

Al Jazeeras Jordan said both Russia and China have urged the US to rethink its annual pattern of military exercises with South Korea.

Pyongyang sees those drills as an existential threat and that might be a reason why it is developing a nuclear weapons programme, Jordan said.

Also on Monday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, agreed to scrap a warhead weight limit on Seouls missiles.
The 102-day truce, which will begin on October 1, was struck before Pope Francis visit to Colombia this week.

Colombias government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group have reached a peace deal after months of negotiations, according to both sides.

President Juan Manuel Santos confirmed the 102-day bilateral ceasefire, which will begin on October 1, during a televised speech on Monday.





The priority is to protect citizens, so during this period, kidnappings, attacks on oil pipelines and other hostilities against the civilian population will cease, he said.

The pact will be renewed as long as progress continues to be made in ongoing negotiations, added Santos.

Yes, it was possible, the ELN delegation said in a tweet announcing the deal in Ecuadors capital, Quito, which has hosted the latest round of talks since February.

Colombias biggest rebel force, the FARC, disarmed last month under a peace deal with the government to end more than half a century of civil conflict.

Santos now wants a deal with the left-wing ELN to seal a complete peace.

READ MORE: Colombia declares FARC war over as last guns taken away

The FARC and ELN formed in 1964 to fight for land rights and protection of poor rural communities.

Despite the Quito-based peace talks, the ELN has refused to stop taking hostages for ransom, launching bomb attacks and extorting foreign oil and mining companies.

Theyve attacked [oil] pipelines 43 times since the beginning of the year, Al Jazeeras Alessandro Rampietti, reporting from the Colombian capital, Bogota, said.

Our correspondent said that up to this point the talks in Quito had been quite uneventful and difficult on both sides.

This is definitely the first concrete step forward since those negotiations started six months ago, Rampietti said of the truce.

The ELN finally has agreed as part of the ceasefire to stop all kidnappings, recruiting miners and attacking the countrys infrastructure, in particular, oil pipelines, he added.

So the expectation is that this ceasefire will bring some relief, in particular to those areas where the ELN has the most influence.

READ MORE: Colombias surge in cocaine production hinders security efforts

Mondays agreement was struck in advance of Pope Francis planned visit to Colombia this week.

We have said that the visit of Pope Francis should be an extra motivator to accelerate our work for an accord, the ELN said in a statement on its website.

Once the days of celebration of the presence of Francis have passed, we will continue to insist on advancing toward the de-escalation of the conflict, until complete peace is a reality.

This is the first ceasefire declared by the rebels.
UN investigators have accused Burundis government of crimes against humanity and urged the International Criminal Court to open a case as soon as possible.

The UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said on Monday it had reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed and continue to be committed in the country, pointing a finger at the highest level of the state.

The three investigators, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council last September, described a climate of fear fuelled by violations including executions, torture and sexual violence.





Fatsah Ouguergouz, commission chair, told reporters in Geneva that the abuses were part of a general or systematic attack against the civilian population that could be considered state policy.

We are struck by the scale and the brutality of the violations, Ouguergouz said in a statement.

Given Burundis record of impunity and the strong likelihood that the perpetrators of these crimes will remain unpunished, the investigators asked the International Criminal Court to open an investigation  as soon as possible.

Burundis government firmly rejected the allegations, accusing the UN investigators of being mercenaries in a Western plot to enslave African states.

They are not investigators but mercenaries paid to reinforce a narrative already in circulation in certain Western reports and pave the way for the ICC, this instrument in the hands of the West to enslave African states, presidential spokesman Willy Nyamitwe told AFP news agency.

Nyamitwe went further in a tweet, saying investigators were paid to reach conclusions that were politically motivated and sponsored by the EU.

#Burundi: Ces personnes agissent comme des mercenaires, payes pour arriver a des conclusions politiquement motivees & commanditees par l'#UE https://t.co/UJgpTZZz1P  Amb. Willy Nyamitwe (@willynyamitwe) September 4, 2017

Last year, Burundi formally announced it was withdrawing from the court, with the move set to take effect on October 27. After that date, the ICC can only open a case if asked to do so by the Security Council.

Burundi plunged into a political crisis in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term that his opponents said was unconstitutional.

He won the elections in July that year, which were boycotted by the opposition.

Hundreds of victims

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in clashes in the country, according to United Nations and NGO sources. More than 400,000 people have fled and dozens of opposition activists have been forced into exile.





The commission stressed that the total number of violations is nearly impossible to estimate, but Ouguergouz said the cases of torture and extrajudicial killings ran into the hundreds at least.

The investigators were never permitted to enter Burundi, forcing them to conduct their probe from neighbouring countries, where they interviewed more than 500 victims and witnesses.

About 40 women interviewed for the report recounted being victims of sexual violence, Ouguergouz added.

Accounts from victims, their families and witnesses were rigorously checked and corroborated, said the report.

Nkurunziza himself, surrounded by a close-knit circle of generals, was behind big decisions, including ones that led to serious human rights violations, the UN report said.

Burundi suffered a civil war from 1993 until 2006 between majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, which claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.
State TV says pro-government forces are within 3km from parts of city that have been under siege for three years.

The Syrian army and allied forces are close to breaking a three-year siege imposed by ISIL fighters on parts of the eastern city of Deir Az Zor, according to state-run media.

ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, controls most of Deir Az Zor province  apart from a Syrian government-held enclave in Deir Az Zor city and a nearby military air base.

Pro-government forces have been advancing towards the city on multiple fronts for weeks, and are now within 3km of the enclave, state television reported on Monday.





A military media unit run by the governments ally Hezbollah said the advancing forces were heading to the besieged military camp on the city outskirts.

The siege on government troops will be broken within hours, a military source told AFP news agency.

Al Jazeeras Mohammed Jamjoom, reporting from Beirut, the capital of neighbouring Lebanon, said that breaking the siege would be a very significant development for the Syrian government and quite a setback for ISIL.

In the last several weeks, its been reported that ISIL has lost more than half of its self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa in Syria, he said.

Deir Az Zor, in the east of the country, is really their last remaining post in Syria  there are still large parts of Deir Az Zor province that are strongholds for ISIL fighters.

If the government is going to be able to breach this siege, that is going to be a problem for ISIL if they are going to retain other territories.

Mohamed Ibrahim al-Samra, Deir Az Zors governor told Syrias state news agency Sana that besieged residents were celebrating as pro-government forces approached.

OPINION: Can refugees return to Syria, as many want them to?

Yesterday, Deir Az Zor city saw celebrations and rejoicing among all segments of society in advance of the expected victory with the advance of the Syrian Arab Army to the outskirts of the besieged city, he said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based group monitoring the countrys conflict via a network of contacts on the ground, said that more than 10,000 people remain in parts of the city held by ISIL.

In government-held sections of Deir Az Zor, the population has plummeted to around 100,000 people from prewar numbers of some 300,000.

Deir Az Zor borders Iraq, where ISIL has already faced heavy defeats in their former strongholds of Mosul and Tal Afar.
Top court rules congress should consider request to strip the presidents immunity as Morales faces corruption probe.

A request to lift Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales immunity from prosecution should go before legislators for final consideration, the countrys Supreme Court said.

The courts decision on Monday is related to allegations of illegal financing for Morales 2015 campaign.

Investigations have targeted several political parties including his National Convergence Front.

There appears to be sufficient evidence to allow the transfer of the case to congress, Supreme Court spokesman Angel Pineda said.

Congress must now form a five-member committee to examine the case and present its conclusion to the full body.

OPINION: Guatemala is on the verge of a major crisis

For presidential immunity to be lifted, 105 of the 158 deputies would have to vote in favour of the request.

Following the ruling, Morales said he has always defended the rule of law. He added that he would continue to respect the countrys institutions and asked Guatemalans to remain objective.

Prosecutors allege that about $825,000 in financing for Morales campaign was hidden and that other expenditures had no explainable source of funding. The president has denied any wrongdoing.

Last month, chief prosecutor Thelma Adana and Ivan Velasquez, the head of a UN anti-corruption commission (CICIG) operating in Guatemala, announced they were seeking to have Morales immunity stripped.

OPINION: An end to impunity in Guatemala?

Two days later the president ordered Velasquezs immediate expulsion from the country, but that was swiftly overturned by the Constitutional Court.

Morales won the presidency in 2015, running on a platform of honest governance after his predecessor Otto Perez Molina was forced to resign and was imprisoned in a multi-million dollar corruption case stemming from a CICIG investigation.
One American, two US-Iranian dual nationals and a Lebanese resident of the US were convicted on spying charges.

An Iranian court has upheld 10-year jail terms for an American, two US-Iranian dual nationals and a Lebanese resident of the United States who were convicted on charges of spying and collaboration against the state.

Tehrans prosecutors office confirmed on Sunday that the four mens appeals had been rejected.

Prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi identified the four as Princeton University student Xiyue Wang, Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his elderly father Baquer, and Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese citizen with permanent US residency, the judiciarys official news website reported.

Jared Genser, a US-based lawyer for the Namazis, said in a statement carried by US media last week that their family was informed that a Tehran court had upheld the convictions days earlier.

READ MORE: US urges Iran to free detained American citizens

Earlier in August, Princeton University and the wife of Wang, a history doctoral student and US citizen, said they had been informed that Iranian authorities had denied the appeal.

Wang was conducting dissertation research in Iran in 2016 when he was detained and charged with spying under the cover of research, an accusation his family and university denied.

Iran sentenced Zakka, a Lebanese citizen with permanent US residency, to 10 years in prison and a $4.2 million fine in 2016 after he was found guilty of collaborating against the state, according to his US-based lawyer.

Zakka, an information technology expert, had been invited to Iran by a government official a year earlier, but then disappeared after attending a conference in Tehran.

New and serious consequences

The ruling comes at a time of rising tensions between Iran and the US following President Donald Trumps arrival in the White House.

In July, Trump warned that Iran would face new and serious consequences unless all unjustly detained American citizens were released and returned.

We call for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families, a US Department of State official also said.

READ MORE: Out of sight  Imprisoned in Iran

The Iranian regime continues to detain US citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national security-related charges, the official said.

The safety and security of US citizens remains a top priority. All US citizens, especially dual nationals considering travel to Iran, should carefully read our latest travel warning.

The US warnings triggered criticism from Tehran of the detention of Iranian citizens in the US.

You are keeping our innocent citizens in gruesome prisons. This is against the law and international norms and regulations, Sadegh Larijani, the head of Irans judiciary, said.

We tell them that you must immediately release Iranian citizens locked up in US prisons.

Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also accused Washington of holding Iranians on charges of sanction violations that are not applicable today  for bogus and purely political reasons.

Dozens of arrests

Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers lifted most international sanctions and promised Irans reintegration into the global community in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

But according to some experts, Iranian hardliners have been alarmed by the flood of European trade and investment delegations who have arrived in Tehran to discuss possible deals.

Security officials have arrested dozens of artists, journalists and businessmen, including Iranians holding joint American, European or Canadian citizenship, as part of a crackdown on Western infiltration.

READ MORE: Iran charges dual nationals, foreigner in crackdown

The arrests have undermined President Hassan Rouhanis goals of reviving business and political ties with the West, as well as pushing for more political and social reforms at home, Iran experts and observers have said.

A number of Iranian dual nationals from the US, Britain, Austria, Canada and France have been detained in the past year and are being kept behind bars on charges including espionage and collaborating with hostile governments.

According to former prisoners, families of current ones, and diplomats, in some cases the detainees are kept to be used for a prisoner exchange with Western countries.

In January 2016, the United States and Iran reached a landmark prisoner swap deal that saw Iranians held or charged in the US, mostly for sanctions violations, released in return for Americans imprisoned in Iran.
Education minister confirms reports of attacks around the country, including in Mombasa and Kisumu besides Nairobi.

Kenyas education minister says arson was to blame for a fire that killed nine pupils at a girls boarding school in Nairobi over the weekend and that there had been similar attacks on other schools around the country.

Fred Matiangi said on Monday that some arson attacks were related to fights over staff appointments in schools, where senior positions can bring financial rewards.

It was not an accident, it was arson, Matiangi said of the blaze on Saturday at Moi Girls School in the capital in which nine girls were killed and 10 injured.

Matiangi said there had been a spate of arson attacks on schools around the country, including in the coastal city of Mombasa and the western city of Kisumu. He did not give the total number of attacks.

Some of the fires we have faced before in the sector are related to that kind of thing, politicisation of school headship, politicisation of responsibility in the education sector. It is not right, he said.

We cannot resolve a conflict on the headship of the school by burning a school.









More than 120 schools around the country were set on fire last year, according to research by a Canadian professor. Almost none of the cases have been successfully prosecuted.

Kenya is East Africas largest economy but unemployment is high and corruption is rife, making life difficult for many ordinary people.

Control of a school can mean not just a government salary but an opportunity to extort extra money from students and parents in fees or other charges.

Many of the fires are set by students in protest at harsh discipline, poor teaching and corruption, according to Canadian Elizabeth Cooper, assistant professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University.

Boarding school life is often experienced by students as excessively rigid and authoritarian, she wrote in an article about the trend last year.

Students she interviewed complained about poor food, scarce teaching materials, harsh teachers and management that ignored their concerns. Many compared their schools to prison.

The destruction of their dorms means that they will be sent home and given some respite from their intensive boarding school lifestyles, Cooper wrote. We can likely expect more fires next year.
Officials say the exercise simulated an attack on N Korean nuclear test site and was meant to strongly warn Pyongyang.

South Korea has carried out a missile drill meant to strongly warn North Korea over its sixth nuclear test, military officials said.

The military training involved long-range air-to-surface missiles and ballistic missiles, South Koreas joint chiefs of staff said in a statement early on Monday.

The drill was carried out by only the Korean military, but more are being prepared with the US forces in South Korea, the statement said.

READ MORE: All the latest updates on the North Korea tensions

According to South Koreas state news agency, Yonhap, the training came in response to the Norths sixth nuclear test  and involved the countrys Hyunmoo ballistic missile and the F-15K fighter jets.

The military added that the target of the exercise was set considering the distance to where North Koreas test site was and the drill was aimed at practicing precision attacks and cutting off reinforcements.

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, with what it said was an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile.

The test marks a dramatic escalation of Pyongyangs standoff with the United States and its allies.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) called the test a perfect success.

War should not be repeated

Following the test, US President Donald Trump criticised South Korea for what he called its talk of appeasement.





South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing, Trump tweeted on Sunday.

South Korea responded by saying it would continue to push for the denuclearisation of North Korea through peaceful means, Yonhap reported.

Korea is a country that experienced a fratricidal war, Yonhap said, quoting a statement by South Koreas President Moon Jae-ins office.

The destruction of war should not be repeated in this land.

Responding to the test earlier on Sunday, Moon vowed to push for the most powerful sanctions yet against North Korea at the UN Security Council in an effort to completely isolate it.

The Security Council is expected to meet on Monday.

The US also said it will launch a massive military response to any threat from North Korea.

Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming, Secretary of Defense James Mattis told reporters on Sunday.
High winds pose threat even as Eric Garcetti claims victory in battle against the largest wildfire in citys history.

Los Angeles firefighters have turned the corner in their battle against the largest [wildfire] in the history of the city, according to the citys mayor, Eric Garcetti.

More than 90 percent of the 1,400 people evacuated from their homes since the blaze began on Friday have returned.

However, officials have warned that danger still remains, with high winds posing a continued threat.

Shifting wind patterns could yet cause the fire to spread, by blowing burning embers through the rugged northern edge of Los Angeles, said Garcetti.

This is not over  With winds this strong anything can happen, he said.

The 2,400 hectare La Tuna Fire, named after the canyon in which it started, was considered 30 percent contained by late Sunday night, up from 10 percent on Sunday morning.

In response to the blaze, Jerry Brown, governor of California, declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles county on Sunday. The move is aimed at easing the provision of state and federal help to fight the fire.

Temperatures on Sunday were in the low 90s, down from hovering around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in previous days.

Weather forecasts predict moderate weather and higher humidity in coming days, which are positive signs for containing the blaze, said Ralph Terrazas, the Los Angeles fire chief.

Wildfires in the western US have burned more than 2.9 million hectares since the beginning of the year, about 50 percent more than during the same period in 2016, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
A chorus of international criticism aimed at Myanmar is growing over the violence against Rohingya Muslims.

Myanmars security forces and civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been facing international condemnation over the recent plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Nearly 90,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh in the past 10 days following an uptick in fighting between fighters and Myanmars military in the strife-torn western Rakhine state.

The Rohingya have been forced to live under apartheid-like restrictions on movement and citizenship.





The latest wave of violence, which first began last October when a small Rohingya fighter group ambushed border posts, is the worst Rakhine has witnessed in years, with the UN saying Myanmars army may have committed ethnic cleansing in its response.

Aung San Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner of Myanmars military rulers, has come under increasing fire over her perceived unwillingness to speak out against the treatment of the Rohingya or chastise the military.

She has made no public comment since the latest fighting broke out on August 25.

OPINION: Only international pressure can save Rohingya now

Yanghee Lee, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, expressed concern earlier this week that many thousands of people are increasingly at risk of grave violations of their human rights.

On Monday, she was quoted by Indian media as saying the current situation is perhaps the worst  in Myanmar in a long time.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also urged restraint by Myanmar security forces, a spokesman said in a statement.

The current situation underlines the urgency of seeking holistic approaches to address the complex root causes of violence, spokesman Eri Kaneko said.

Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani Nobel peace laureate, echoed the UN officials condemnation over the issue in a statement on Twitter.

Every time I see the news, my heart breaks at the suffering of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Yousafzai, who famously survived being shot in the head by the Taliban, said.

Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same, she added.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman also questioned Aung San Suu Kyis silence.

Very frankly, I am dissatisfied with Aung San Suu Kyi, Anifah told AFP news agency.

(Previously) she stood up for the principles of human rights. Now it seems she is doing nothing.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he was pressing world leaders to do more to help the Rohingya, who face what he has described as genocide.

You watched the situation that Myanmar and Muslims are in, Erdogan said in Istanbul, where he was attending the funeral of a Turkish soldier. You saw how villages have been burned  Humanity remained silent to the massacre in Myanmar.

He said Turkey would raise the issue at the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month.

Public anger

The growing crisis threatens Myanmars diplomatic relations, particularly with Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia where there is profound public anger over the treatment of the Rohingya.

The Maldives announced on Monday that it was severing all trade ties with the country until the government of Myanmar takes measures to prevent the atrocities being committed against Rohingya Muslims, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

INFOGRAPHIC: Persecution path  Following Myanmars fleeing Rohingya

Indonesias Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as Myanmars army chief General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw, on Monday in a bid to pressure the government to do more to alleviate the crisis.





Dozens demonstrated in front of Myanmars embassy on Monday, where armed police were deployed and the mission cordoned off behind barbed wire.

Pakistan also expressed deep anguish at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya minority in Myanmar.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday called for effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such violence against the Muslim minority.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif added in a recent tweet: Global silence on continuing violence against #Rohingya Muslims. Intl action crucial to prevent further ethnic cleansing  UN must rally.

Since the latest fighting broke out, al-Qaedas offshoot in Yemen has called for retaliatory attacks against Myanmar while the Afghan Taliban urged Muslims to use their abilities to help Myanmars oppressed Muslims.

Thousands also gathered in Russias Chechnya region on Monday for an officially staged rally over the plight of the Rohingya.
Israeli troops reportedly shot 21-year-old Raed al-Salhi five times at close range at a refugee camp in Bethlehem.

A 21-year-old Palestinian man has died from his wounds weeks after being shot by Israeli soldiers at a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, said the head of prisoners affairs for the Palestinian Authority.

Raed al-Salhi, who died on Sunday, was critically injured on August 9 when Israeli troops tried to arrest him during a pre-dawn raid at the Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem.

Issa Qaraqe, who leads the Palestinian Committee for Prisoners Affairs, called Salhis death a war crime as he claimed the victim was shot at least five times.

The young man died after being shot at close range, he told the Anadolu news agency. They could have arrested him without shooting him.

Another resident of the camp, Aziz Arafeh, was also shot in the leg.

The Israeli army had claimed that the two Palestinians had attempted to flee the area.

The violence in August followed another fatal assault at the refugee camp in July, when Israeli troops killed 18-year-old Baraa Hamamda during a raid, according to a report by the Bethlehem-based Maan News Agency.

Qaraqe called for the formation of a fact-finding committee tasked with examining crimes frequently perpetrated [by Israeli security personnel] against Palestinian youths who are deliberately killed.

In the weeks following his detention, Salhi  despite being unconsciousness  was placed under heavy security guard.

His family was denied visiting rights, according to Samidoun, a network group of activists working for Palestinian prisoner rights.

Israels army said it was looking into the incident and was not immediately available to comment, according to the AFP news agency.

Raids are frequent in towns, villages, and refugee camps in the occupied West Bank, with the Israeli army claiming they are essential for security and intelligence gathering.

Palestinians say they are used to intimidate, coerce and collectively punish Palestinian communities who resist Israels 50-year occupation.
Leading critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame faces accusations of forgery and tax evasion, police say.

Police in Rwanda have arrested Diane Shima Rwigara, a prominent government critic, charging her with forgery and tax evasion.

Her mother and sister were also held on Monday on the tax charges.

Earlier this year, electoral authorities barred Rwigara from standing in Augusts presidential election, which President Paul Kagame won by a landslide, saying she had not submitted enough supporters signatures and some of the names she did send in belonged to dead people.





Rwigara denied the allegations.

They are accused of tax evasion, and secondly Diane Rwigara is accused of using fake documents while she was gathering signatures for (her) presidential candidacy, Theos Badege, police spokesman, told reporters on Monday.

Police said they had a warrant issued by a prosecutor to arrest them.

Rwigara, a 35-year-old accountant, has repeatedly accused Kagame of stifling dissent and criticised his Rwandan Patriotic Fronts near total hold on power.

Kagame won last months election with 98.8 percent of the vote.

READ MORE: Rwanda  Uniting genocide survivors and perpetrators

Kagame won international praise for presiding over a peaceful and rapid economic recovery in Rwanda since the 1994 genocide when an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.

But he has also faced increased criticism for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, a muzzling of independent media, and suppression of political opposition.

Rwigara claimed that she was being held under house arrest before Mondays police action.

Tell us why we are being arrested? Why should we go to the police while you have confined us to this place and took away all our money without leaving us any? Rwigara said as she and her family were being taken away.

Asked about this, Badege, the police spokesman, said that earlier police had only searched Rwigaras home and taken a few items and money away in line with the law, adding that this was a clear application of the law.
Rights groups slam closure of Cambodian daily as fears grow over widening crackdown on government critics ahead of vote.

As journalists closed its doors for the last time early on Monday morning, the independent Phnom Penh-based newspaper, The Cambodia Daily, had one last headline for the government it tirelessly worked to keep in check for more than 24 years: Descent Into Outright Dictatorship.

The headline ran with a photo of Kem Sokha, a Cambodian opposition party leader who was arrested at his house in the early hours of Sunday for treason.

The newspapers final front page was aimed at marking a low point for a country that just over three years ago saw tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets in a pro-democracy movement that hoped to topple long-serving ruler Prime Minister Hun Sen.

At the time, Cambodians mobilised to protest the results of a 2013 election that the opposition said were rigged.

The demonstrations posed the greatest challenge to the leader in three decades, and with elections slated for next year, opponents accuse the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) of a widening crackdown against critical voices.

It is a total threat to democracy and the right to information of the people for the upcoming election, Mu Sochua, a senior member of the opposition party, told Al Jazeera.

READ MORE: Cambodia Daily to close after tax fight with government

The Cambodia Dailys long tenure of uninterrupted news coverage came to an end after a month-long dispute with the governments tax department, which slapped the newspaper with $6.3m in back taxes, a figure the newspaper strongly disagreed with.

But they also had to endure attacks from Hun Sen himself, who branded the Cambodia Daily a thief.

These are perilous times for journalism, and the Daily could have survived the tax and could have survived the onslaught from the government, but then those two things collided it made it impossible for the Daily to go on, Jodie DeJonge, Cambodia Daily editor, told Al Jazeera.

Its a terrible end for a newspaper that did so much to deliver information to the Cambodian people, she said.

READ MORE: Challenging Cambodias strongman Hun Sen

The newspaper was founded in 1993 by former Newsweek foreign correspondent Bernard Krisher at the behest of then King Norodom Sihanouk, who was also a regular reader.

Despite having a small staff of around 30 journalists, The Cambodia Daily enjoyed a good international reputation in addition to being a training ground for young journalists, who would go on to work for top-tier news organisations including The Associated Press, Reuters and The New York Times.

But the government is not through with the Cambodia Daily yet. Even after the newspaper shuttered its offices, the taxation department on Monday issued a statement barring its publishers, Deborah Krisher Steele and husband Douglas Steele, from leaving the country until the debt is paid.

Its extremely troubling that not only would they go for the Daily, but after closing it still want a piece of the Daily, said DeJonge.

Grave threat to press freedom

The closing of The Cambodia Daily has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups who are now calling for donors to pressure the government to reverse the action.





The governments targeting of the highly regarded Cambodia Daily is one of the gravest threats to freedom of the press in Cambodia since the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at US-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW), said in a statement.

Government critics say the closure of the newspaper and the arrest of leader Kem Sokha are only the latest in a series of attacks on both the media and pro-democracy institutions ahead of next years elections.

Last month, a total of 18 radio stations were ordered off-the-air, while access to the US-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America have also been limited.

Also in August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the US-based National Democratic Institute to halt its operations in the country and its staff to leave for not fulfilling tax and registration obligations.

The moves signal a growing rift between the United States and an increasingly pro-China Cambodia, according to analysts.

For years, Hun Sens government has equated the American promotion of democracy with the promotion of regime change. This is mostly fantasy, but theres a lot of historical resentment behind this view, said Sebastian Strangio, author of Hun Sens Cambodia.

In the 1980s, the US was actively funding and supporting the CPPs enemies; after UNTAC [United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, groups like IRI [International Republican Institute] began working in Cambodia, at times explicitly expressing their support for the opposition. In the early 2000s, Congressmen called on several occasions for regime change. All of these actions have remained firmly in the minds of the Cambodian leadership, and they have long memories.

VR TOUR: Temples of Cambodia

These measures undercut Cambodias progress in recent decades and raise serious questions about the governments ability to organise credible national elections in 2018 which produce an outcome that enjoys democratic legitimacy, the US Embassy in Phnom Penh said in a statement on Sunday.

Despite withering hopes that Cambodia would one day become one of Southeast Asias democratic strongholds, faithful Cambodia Daily readers who took to social media to show solidarity for the now-fallen newspaper maintained hope that it may once again rise to restore a tradition of free speech it helped establish for more than two decades.

All of you are heroes. [The] Cambodia Daily brought real, useful, logic  to [the] Cambodian people. We really appreciate you and hope you will come back, one user wrote on Facebook.

Philip Heijmans is a freelance journalist formerly based in Myanmar and Cambodia and once served as an editor at The Cambodia Daily from 2010-2012.


















English News How should Beijing respond to Pyongyang's new nuclear test?

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 4 Septembre 2017



If North Korea's nuclear activities don't contaminate China's northeastern regions, China should avoid imposing overly aggressive sanctions on North Korea. The root cause of the North Korean nuclear issue is that the military pressure of the Washington-Seoul alliance generates a sense of insecurity for Pyongyang who then believes that owning a nuclear strike capability is its sole guarantee for survival of its regime. China is a big power and its agendas and interests are globally oriented. The issue around the Korean Peninsula could never consume all of China's attention.

Source: Peoples Daily and Global Times North Korea conducted a new nuclear test at noon on Sunday. China's Foreign Ministry firmly opposed and condemned the move.



The test marks another wrong choice that Pyongyang has made in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and against the will of the international community. This test will result in a new round of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and heighten the risk of the situation spiraling out of control due to possible miscalculations by all sides.



Currently, the most important thing for China is to make sure that we are able to detect any leak of nuclear material, so we can inform people living in northeastern China to take the appropriate safety measures.



People in China's northeastern regions bordering North Korea felt the ground shake at noon. The five nuclear tests North Korea had previously conducted did not cause a nuclear leak and Pyongyang claimed that its latest underground nuclear test would not generate any leaks, while underlining its responsibility for the safety of the North Korean people who live close to the test site. In this respect, we hope North Korea can uphold its word.



The latest nuclear test and its recent launches of intermediate- and long-range ballistic missiles prove that Pyongyang is determined to obtain a nuclear strike capability and will not yield to external international pressures. The North Korean nuclear issue has now reached deadlock.



In the face of such a complicated situation, China needs a sober mind and must minimize the risks Chinese society has to bear. The security of China's northeastern regions is a priority. We need to make clear to Pyongyang through various channels that its nuclear tests can never contaminate China's northeastern provinces. China's strategic security and environmental safety is the bottom line for China in showing restraint. If North Korea crosses this line, the current framework for Sino-North Korean ties will break down.



The latest nuclear and missile activities of North Korea will prompt the UN Security Council to discuss new sanctions against Pyongyang and even more stringent sanctions are inevitable. Despite the anger of the Chinese public toward North Korea's new nuclear test, we should avoid resorting to rash and extreme means by imposing a full embargo on North Korea.



If China completely cuts off the supply of oil to North Korea or even closes the China-North Korea border, it is uncertain whether we can deter Pyongyang from conducting further nuclear tests and missile launches. However, confrontation between the two is likely to occur. If so, the conflict between China and North Korea will transcend any conflict between the US and North Korea, and take center stage on the Korean Peninsula. Then Washington and Seoul can boldly shift the responsibility of the North Korean nuclear issue to China, which does not fit China's national interests.



If North Korea's nuclear activities don't contaminate China's northeastern regions, China should avoid imposing overly aggressive sanctions on North Korea. The root cause of the North Korean nuclear issue is that the military pressure of the Washington-Seoul alliance generates a sense of insecurity for Pyongyang who then believes that owning a nuclear strike capability is its sole guarantee for survival of its regime. China is a big power and its agendas and interests are globally oriented. The issue around the Korean Peninsula could never consume all of China's attention.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China accelerates green, low-carbon development World-class astronomical obervation base takes shape in Qinghai province China, Germany should keep to overall direction of bilateral ties from strategic height: Xi Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Leaders of five BRICS countries will adopt consensus and proposals on consolidating the partnership in trade and investment cooperation, which were achieved ahead of their annual meeting this year, said a senior Chinese official Sunday in Xiamen.



Contributing 23 percent of global economic output and half of world economic growth, BRICS nations play an increasingly significant role in driving the global economy and governance, said Wang Shouwen, vice Chinese commerce minister, in a press conference held in Xiamen.



However, the mutual investment among the five countries lagged behind, making up only six percent of their total outbound investment. China, who took over the rotating BRICS presidency this year, brought trade ministers together last month in Shanghai to address this gap.



Ministers all agreed to expedite the economic integration within BRICS countries and proposed guideline and measures on trade facilitation, e-commerce, capacity building and intellectual property protection.



The consensus and proposals are expected to be reaffirmed by leaders of BRICS nations and would help yield more significant outcomes from the summit, Wang said. He also stressed that the new measures would not only bring the intra-BRICS cooperation to the next level, but also enhance the partnership's competitiveness in the broader global market.



Wang Shouwen, vice commerce minister, briefs media on trade and investment cooperation of BRICS countries in southeast China's Xiamen. (Chen Lidan/People's Daily Online)
In Houston, as in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, looting follows as floodwaters recede. Homeowners already ravaged by Hurricane Harvey are finding themselves ravaged yet again by thugs and looters. Nor is Harvey the only hazard. As we approach the height of hurricane season, Hurricane Irma threatens the Caribbean and, potentially, our Atlantic coast.

Even beyond natural disasters, residents of Charlottesville, Charlotte, Baltimore, and elsewhere have suffered from America's increasing propensity for riots, looting, and property destruction.

As you probably know, you may legally defend yourself using deadly force if you or your family faces a reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily harm. And with rare exceptions, lawful citizens may keep defensive firearms in the home.

But can authorities legally confiscate your firearms during an emergency as they did in New Orleans after Katrina? What about using deadly force to protect property? Most important, can you legally carry firearms to protect your family if forced to evacuate?

For North Carolinians, until recently, the answer to the last question was "no." Until 2012, the State prohibited carrying "dangerous substances"  including firearms and ammunition  outside the home during declared states of emergency.

Although the prohibition probably resulted from racial disorder in the 1960s, nothing in statutes differentiated between civil insurrection and natural disasters. Indeed, the law drew attention in February of 2010, when King, N.C. declared a state of emergency in advance of a pending winter storm and proceeded to post signs prohibiting guns throughout the town.

In September 2010, Governor Beverly Perdue issued a statewide state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Earl on the opening day of dove season, making criminals out of thousands of hunters. Although Perdue responded to Grass Roots North Carolina alerts by attempting to "clarify" her executive order, claiming that it permitted lawful use of firearms, in truth, nothing in the statutes empowered her to enact only part of the law.

Just weeks prior, GRNC and the Second Amendment Foundation had filed litigation in the case Bateman v. Perdue, arguing that the state's blanket prohibition on carrying arms outside the home during states of emergency violated the Second Amendment. Our counsel was the brilliant Alan Gura of D.C. v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago fame.

The bad news is that we won. On March 31, 2011, Judge Malcolm Howard of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled North Carolina's state of emergency gun ban unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. Our victory was bad news because North Carolina chose not to appeal, meaning that the case Gura planned to use to further expand the U.S. Supreme Court interpretation of the individual right to bear arms never went to the High Court.

The good news is that the following year, we repealed the unconstitutional gun ban, making it legal to carry firearms for self-protection outside the home during states of emergency. (Important caveat: Unlike in Virginia, where demonstrators in Charlottesville legally carried firearms, you may not carry firearms at any picket line or political demonstration in North Carolina.)

So what about using deadly force to defend your property against looters? Here Texas has it over North Carolina. Texas Penal Code 9.42 reportedly allows use of deadly force to defend property under at least some limited circumstances. We should note, however, that North Carolina's Castle Doctrine law does create a rebuttable legal presumption that you face a "reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily harm" if someone "forcibly and unlawfully" enters your home, your motor vehicle, or your workplace. Those parameters are the legal prerequisites for use of deadly force in self-defense.

What about the horrific confiscation of guns from homeowners during Katrina? Happily, the federal "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act," prohibiting Katrina-style confiscations, became law as the Vitter Amendment to the 2007 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act after being signed by President George W. Bush. Additionally, says the NRA-ILA, "[t]oday, most states, including Louisiana, have laws prohibiting the seizure or confiscation of lawfully-owned firearms and ammunition during a declared state of emergency." North Carolina does not have such a law.

With twenty-three years as a gun rights leader, F. Paul Valone is president of Grass Roots North Carolina and executive director of Rights Watch International. You can reach him via his website at www.GunsPoliticsAndFreedom.com.
Two stories have recently come to my attention. Both supposedly involve texting and driving. One was in Guam, the other in Ohio. The real story is that there is a simple technical fix to this problem, and no one is seriously discussing the obvious.

In the Guam case, a slew of charges were originally thrown at the driver of a car that hit a cyclist, including running a red light and texting and driving. The driver plead down to a mere negligent driving, and was given a year in jail. If the driver's story is true, he might be guilty of nothing more than speeding; but was afraid to risk a trial. If the original charges were true, he was guilty of much more. Though it seems, even from a cursory read, that the police did not have the evidence and were inflating the charges. The victim's wife did not think that the driver belonged in jail, which speaks to the weakness of the case.

In the Guam case, the chief complaint seems to have been that the driver was going roughly 10 mph above the speed limit. Even the original claim of negligence is suspect, because the driver said he was looking at the intersection to see if cars were coming his way, while another driver in a nearby car said the sun was in his eyes, so a claim of negligence would be hard to press. It could only be stated that between the rising sun and a busy intersection, the driver was paying attention but he could not pay attention to everything all at once, thus making the claim of negligence untenable.

Whichever view one takes, the issue of texting while driving did not come up at sentencing.

In Ohio, a more serious case has come up of a woman who supposedly was texting and driving when she ran over a fog line at the side of the road, and killed two teenagers. In typical police fashion, she was charged with redundant charges. Involuntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and vehicular assault. One would think the last charge is unnecessary, as a vehicular homicide would by definition be an assault.

She is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, one counts of tampering with records, one count of vehicular assault, one count of driving while texting and one count of marked lane violation. -- Fox 8

Whatever her guilt, the common prosecutorial practice of charging her with more than one offense for the same crime is not what our Founding Fathers intended. It is a tactic to force a plea bargain.

Texting and driving has some frightening statistics behind it.

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.

Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk. -- Edgar Synder & Associates This is no minor issue. I have friends who use cellphones while driving all the time. When driving, I regularly see adjacent drivers texting.

Me?! For the past 12 years, even before the iPhone came out, I made it a practice that if my cellphone rang as I was driving, I would pull over to the side of the road  a safety practice which often got me harassed by cops. Why are you stopping on the side of the road?

A few decades ago, as the public became more aware, and less forgiving, of drunk driving, there was a call to put electronic devices in cars where numbers would flash in front of the driver on a small screen, and the driver would have a limited amount of time to punch the numbers in on a keyboard, in order for the car to start. Sober drivers could easily handle the quiz. Drunks would be unable to complete the task, and would have to wait 15 minutes before trying again, at which time it was hoped they would have sobered up a bit.

This remarkably reasonable idea was shot down under the excuse that it would be unfair to minorities who could not read. There were other ways of addressing the problem, but they also seemed to be shot down for ridiculous reasons.

This would not be the case with texting and driving.

All that would have to be done is to install a sensor in the car. If there is only one person in car, the driver's seat, then a signal would turn off the cellphone's texting capabilities while the car is moving. The sensor could be part of the present sensors in the car which detect whether or not passengers are wearing seat belts.

It would only apply if there was only one person in the car and in the driver's seat. If there were two people, it would be assumed the second person was in possession of the smartphone, and there would be no blockage of signal.

This is all but passive. It would only require a modified chip be put in the seats, and a simple algorithm be set up.

If (car is moving) and (only driver seat is occupied) then (cellphone jammer is turned on).

The fix could be installed for under $100. The jammer would only kill texting options, but allow for gps tracking and directions so that Uber Drivers could find their way around with help from Siri.

It does not require any action on the part of the driver, and it is racially neutral.

With all the safety regulations required to be on cars, this one is relatively cheap. There is no reason that it could not be installed in new cars within a year. There is no reason that Apple and Samsung could not issue updates to their operating systems to allow for this. There is no reason that insurance companies could not offer discounts to those who retro install it on older cars.

Texting and driving is a rather ubiquitous crime. Anyone who drives along the highway knows how common it is -- far more common than drunk or drugged driving.

This fix is easy, and it could be implemented rather fast. I am amazed that no one has thought of it before. This would make more sense that much of the unnecessary regulation that comes out of Washington.

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.
The two collisions involving destroyers from the 7th Fleet were entirely predictable, in a statistical sense. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has been warning for years that the Navy's attempt to cut costs by under-manning its ships is a false economy. Ships' crews have become permanently tired as the workload for running and maintaining their ships is spread across fewer staff. The last such report from the GAO was on May 18, titled "Navy Force Structure: Actions Needed to Ensure Proper Size and Composition of Ship Crews." The collision of the USS Fitzgerald with a merchant ship off Japan was one month later. If our naval ships can't cope with a large radar reflector moving at 18 knots, how are they going to cope with a supersonic anti-ship missile at Mach 3 when they have seconds to react?

Another false economy is the reduction in flying hours of Marine F-18s to below the level at which pilots maintain their flying proficiency in the aircraft type, with the result that the crash rate is higher than it should be.

Nevertheless, attempts to control costs in the Department of Defense (DOD) are laudable, and ship and aircraft accidents are testing the boundaries of cost reductions. In June 2016, the Obama administration added to the DOD's cost structure by allowing openly transgender staff to remain in the services instead of being automatically discharged. President Trump reversed that decision. It appears that President Trump was driven not by notions of morality and the like, but rather the cost of $100,000-odd per transgender trooper. His reaction was the normal reaction of a CEO finding out about an unnecessary operating cost in his organization.

Being transgender is recognized as a mental disorder. If you use suicide rate as the yardstick, being transgender is the worst mental disorder to be afflicted with. The lifetime attempted suicide rate of the general population is 4.1 percent. With the transgendered, it is 46 percent. This is much higher than the suicide rate for bipolar disorder of 30 percent attempted suicide and 15 percent successful suicide. Schizophrenics have a 20-percent attempted suicide rate and a 10-percent success rate. Male cross-dressers have a 21-percent attempted suicide rate.

All things considered, transgender personnel in the military are far more likely to die at their own hands than from enemy action. Unit cohesion and effectiveness of units with transgender members will be poor. On top of all that, having them is an unnecessary cost.

Secretary of defense James Mattis reacted to President Trump's directive, issued via Twitter, on transgender troops by saying that the DOD would wait for the written order. That duly came but contained the following clause:

... maintain the currently effective policy regarding accession of transgender individuals into military service beyond January 1, 2018, until such time as the Secretary of Defense, after consulting with the Secretary of Homeland Security, provides a recommendation to the contrary that I find convincing ...

Instead of getting on with it, Mattis has used the words "provides a recommendation to the contrary" to establish a panel of experts to provide advice and recommendations. If he wasn't going to stack that panel with people who will say there is no downside to transgender troops, why would he do it? The alternative would have been to start discharging the mentally ill, as per long-established practice.

The Navy has announced that it has ordered a broad investigation of the performance and readiness of the 7th Fleet, despite the fact that the GAO has been correctly stating what the problem is for years. In simple terms of cost, the DOD can have transgender troops or more officers to stand watch and thus avoid collisions, it can have transgender troops or more flying time for Marine Corps F-18s. The list is endless. If Mattis can't see that, then he is the wrong man for secretary of defense.

David Archibald is the author of American Gripen: The Solution to the F-35 Nightmare.
You can't say North Korea hasn't been sufficiently warned.

Following a test of a long-range ICBM that could hit the U.S. and the test of what many experts are concluding was a hydrogen bomb, Defense Secretary Mattis issued a severe warning to the Kim regime that if it threatened the U.S. or its allies, the U.S. would initiate a "massive military response."

Politico:

The Trump administration escalated its warnings to North Korea on Sunday, with Defense Secretary James Mattis warning of a "massive military response" and the potential to carry out "total annihilation" of the rogue state if it threatens to attack the United States and its allies. The striking statement followed President Donald Trump's own warnings on Sunday in the wake of Pyongyang's latest major provocation, as he also upped pressure on South Korea and China to help contain North Korea's nuclear ambitions. In a series of tweets, Trump accused South Korea of "appeasement" toward North Korea and warned that the United States is looking at halting trade with any country doing business with the repressive regime, a threat that is almost impossible to back up given American dependence on Chinese imports. Mattis then delivered the military threat outside the West Wing on Sunday afternoon. "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies, will be met with a massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis told reporters after meeting at the White House with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, but as I said, we have many options to do so." The latest warnings from Trump and the Pentagon chief come after North Korea claimed earlier Sunday that it had detonated a hydrogen bomb that could be attached to an intercontinental missile capable of reaching the mainland United States. It was not immediately clear whether Pyongyang had actually accomplished such a feat, which would be a major advancement in its nuclear capabilities, but the claim was nonetheless a significant act of aggression. "North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States," Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday morning. "North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."

Is this a red line? What constitutes a "threat"? If Kim mouths off about targeting Guam again, is that a sufficient threat to unleash hell?

Only Trump knows, which can be a good thing if we keep Kim guessing.

Kim's actions may be louder than any threat he makes against the U.S. and our allies. Word from South Korea is that the North is readying more missile tests.

North Korea appears to be preparing to launch a ballistic missile  possibly an ICBM, South Korean media reported Monday. South Korea's Defense Ministry said North Korea appeared to be planning a future launch to show off its claimed ability to target the United States with nuclear weapons, though it was unclear when this might happen. Chang Kyung-soo, an official with South Korea's Defense Ministry, told lawmakers that Seoul was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test but didn't provide details about how officials had reached that assessment. Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea on Monday fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion.

Trump has clearly given up on China and perhaps even South Korea, whose efforts to rein in Kim's nuclear ambitions have met with no success.

So here we are, on the brink of war, with no clue what Kim really wants or why he is continuing an apparently suicidal policy of threatening the U.S. with nuclear bombs. It could be that Kim just wants to protect his family business, in which case the nukes are defensive. Or he may want "respect" from the U.S.  whatever that means. Or, as some in the Trump administration believe, Kim may be interested in blackmail:

But inside the Trump administration, many have begun to question the long-held assumption that his nuclear buildup is essentially defensive, an effort to keep the United States and its allies from finding the right moment to try to overthrow him. Mr. Kim's real goal may be blackmail, they argue  the sort that would be possible as soon as North Korea can put Los Angeles or Chicago or New York at risk. It may be splitting the United States away from two allies  Japan and South Korea  who wonder whether the United States would really protect them, and half-expect Mr. Trump to make good on his campaign threat that he might pull American troops from the Pacific. Or it may be about making Mr. Kim a power broker, a man Mr. Trump and Xi Jinping  leaders of the two superpowers Mr. Kim is fixated on  must treat as an equal. Maybe it is about all three.

And maybe it's none of that. Perhaps Kim is reacting to internal North Korean politics rather than any external factors. Just how much control does Kim exercise? Is his power absolute, like his father's and grandfather's? We have heard whispers over the last few years and tracked the execution of high-ranking officials that suggest Kim's actual position is more precarious than it appears to outsiders. That is extremely bad news, if true. Kim may feel compelled to go to war to save his own skin even if he knows the end result will be disastrous.

Here's the bottom line for Trump: North Korea cannot be allowed to possess the capability to strike the U.S. with nuclear tipped missiles. Any and all action must be taken to prevent that scenario from becoming a reality. Any other consideration  including the consequences of a war on the Korean peninsula  is secondary.
There is something actually touching about the profound detachment of the New York Times from blue-collar America, once you get past the condescension and perceive the underlying naivete of the know-it-alls. Steven Greenhouse, the longtime labor correspondent, uses the Labor Day weekend Sunday Times to ask, "Is Trump Really Pro-Worker?"

I love it when progressive intellectuals throw around the word "worker," as if it were 1917, not 2017. It reeks of nostalgia for a lost vision.

The arguments he marshals are what you'd expect Times readers to value. The graphic deployed by the Times actually depicts Trump as factory effluent, from a circa 1917-looking factory:

... this Labor Day, his first while in office, it remains unclear whether Mr. Trump's initiatives have done much to help workers, whether blue-collar or any other collar. It is clear, however, that he has taken several steps that will hurt workers, most notably his decisions to delay, weaken or erase Obama-era workplace regulations. For instance, his administration has postponed rules that protect workers from dangerous silica dust and beryllium. This is obligatory: Environmentalists warn that these moves [loosening coal restrictions] will accelerate global warming and despoil coal country, and many economists predict that these moves will add few coal jobs. Coal-mining employment peaked at more than 800,000 in the 1920s and has slid to around 50,000  one-eighth the number of Home Depot jobs  largely because of more efficient mining technologies and the increased use of cleaner energy substitutes like natural gas, solar and wind.

Completely missing: employment data. There is, in fact, an elephant in the bathtub with the Times, and it is being ignored.

Greenhouse's own newspaper published the day before the great news of manufacturing employment being a "bright spot" in last Friday's jobs report. But of course, we now have sworn testimony from the now dismissed Sarah Palin lawsuit against the Times to the effect that writers of editorials there do not have to read the news columns. While this claim of immunity was made by a member of the editorial board, perhaps it can be extended to actual news reporters when they write op-eds. Still, it is pretty basic stuff for a journalist who covers labor to know about.

In fact, President Trump has been terrific for private employment, adding more than a million private jobs in his first six months. Not that actual people getting actual jobs ever mattered to people who fancy themselves in the vanguard of the workers.

Hat tip: Ed Lasky
A study by NationalToday.com, which conducted the survey of 2,000 Americans found that the average American works harder than his Japanese or European counterpart.

New York Post:

Statistics show that Americans work longer hours than the majority of other countries  137 hours per year more than Japanese, 260 per year more than in the UK," according to the study. By the way, when the comparison is made between the average French worker and the average American worker, we're talking vive la difference. The American worker records about 500 more working hours per year than his or her French counterpart. "It's the reason we can say 'Thank God it's Friday.' Labor Day is a time to celebrate the benefits we enjoy at our jobs  including weekends off," Bagot adds. She warns there's one thing Americans should be careful to avoid during the holiday: "Work, of course." Apparently, plenty of Americans already agree with the kick-back, unofficial-end-of-summer Labor Day spirit. NationalToday.com's survey found lots of them plan to enjoy the good life this weekend.

Americans have been outworking everybody else for decades. But what matters is how productive the American worker is. And while the French look like slackers compared to Americans when it comes to the number of hours worked, they finish ahead of us in the rate of GDP to hours worked  a key measurement of productivity. On that list, Germany ranks first, while the U.S. comes in third  behind France.

The revolution in the workplace is already underway and will affect the U.S. worker in ways we can only imagine. The key for all of us (not near retirement) will be adaptability. Possessing the job skills to ensure employability for the future will be key, as will continuing education and training.

Do you think you know what you'll be doing ten years from now? On that question  not how many hours you work  will rest your future.
Nurse Alex Wubbels arrested and assaulted for obeying the law

To Salt Lake City, where police detective Jeff Payne intends to take blood from an injured man undergoing treatment at the University of Utah Hospitals burns unit. To remove blood you need the patients consent. But hes out cold. What to do, then? The injured man is not under arrest. But Payne wants that blood. So he tells Nurse Alex Wubbels to take it. She refuses. Wubbels seeks advice. Her supervisor tells her not to take the blood  doing so would mean breaking the law. But Detective Payne disagrees.

So he grabs her, bundles her outside, pushes her against a wall and slaps her in handcuffs. A host of other overweight, unsympathetic cops look on. Thankfully, one of them films the whole assault on a body camera.

The Washington Post has more:

Nurse Alex Wubbels politely stood her ground. She got her supervisor on the phone so Payne could hear the decision loud and clear. Sir, said the supervisor, youre making a huge mistake because youre threatening a nurse. Payne snapped. He seized hold of the nurse, shoved her out of the building and cuffed her hands behind her back. A bewildered Wubbels screamed help me and youre assaulting me as the detective forced her into an unmarked car and accused her of interfering with an investigation. The explosive July 26 encounter was captured on officers body cameras and is now the subject of an internal investigation by the police department, as the Salt Lake Tribune reported Thursday. The videos were released by the Tribune, the Deseret News and other local media. On top of that, Wubbels was right. The U.S. Supreme Court has explicitly ruled that blood can only be drawn from drivers for probable cause, with a warrant. Wubbels, who was not criminally charged, played the footage at a news conference Thursday with her attorney. They called on police to rethink their treatment of hospital workers and said they had not ruled out legal action.

Salt Lake police says Detective Payne is still on active duty  sleep easy, people  but that he has been suspended from the departments blood draw unit.

Indeed, readers, what happened to the good old days when police obtained blood by smacking you over the head in the back of the van, where nobody could see?

Anorak

Posted: 4th, September 2017 | In: Key Posts, News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSA) - Rome, September 4 - Poland's Deputy Justice Minister Patryk Jaki said Monday that Warsaw will seek the extradition from Italy of four people arrested for the gang rape of a Polish woman on a beach in the Italian seaside resort of Rimini. On Sunday Italian police arrested a 20-year-old Congelese asylum seeker suspected of being the head of gang that conducted rapes in the Italian seaside resort of Rimini. Guerlin Butungu, 20, is suspected of heading the group that raped a Polish tourist on a beach last month after brutally beating her partner and then raping a Peruvian woman a little later. Three other members of the gang, all minors, have also been arrested in relation to a case that has shocked the nation.

Butungu, who arrived in Italy in 2015 after being rescued at sea, denied involvement when questioned by investigators He was captured on a train on Sunday and a judge is set to rule whether to validate the arrest on Monday.

A Bologna prosecutor will request jail for the three minors suspected of being part of the gang at a separate hearing on Tuesday, sources said. The suspects, two Moroccan brothers aged 15 and 17 and a 16-year-old Nigerian, are currently being detained at a reception centre.


(ANSAmed) - NAPLES - Every year in the 15 countries on the shores of the eastern and southern Mediterranean, 19,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 212,000 with breast cancer. Of these, 7,800 die of cervical cancer and 62,200 of breast cancer. A project, reports the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), is being promoted by the Turin Center for Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention to reduce the death toll from these types of tumors in Albania, Morocco and Montenegro. The four-year project has a 4.16-million-euro budget and its primary aim will be to strengthen monitoring of women at risk of cancer, helping countries to improve protocols to prevent and fight the disease. The project will also serve to improve healthcare services in the three countries, reducing delays in cancer diagnosis and, as a result, the social costs of treatment. The project also calls for providing information to women about healthier lifestyles, the introduction of HPV testing and vaccinations for it.



Over 45,000 disadvantaged women between the ages of 25 and 65 will be tested for cervical and breast cancer and will be informed of risks and the importance of prevention. The project will also include ad hoc training for over 300 professionals of the healthcare sector in the three countries to learn how to conduct screenings in the best possible way. The project calls for cooperation between healthcare institutes to improve procedures to for cancer prevention and to draw up strategies specific for the different populations, to improve the health of women in the lower and middle classes through the Mediterranean. The Italian health ministry and Paris's National Cancer Institute contributed funding to the project. (ANSAmed).


Minniti in Algeria, 'strategic alliance' with Algiers Looking at new accord on human trafficking and terrorism

(ANSAmed) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 4 - Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti was in Algeria on Monday and spoke of a "strategic alliance" between the two countries on security, immigration and development.



His comments came following a meeting with his Algerian counterpart Noureddine Bedoui and prior to meetings with the country's foreign minister and prime minister.



"We already have excellent relations between our two countries; today we can say that we have improved them further," Minniti said.



"We have ancient relations with Algeria. We are grateful to this country for what it has done in the fight against terrorism. If, during a very difficult time, Algeria hadn't held up, the history of the Mediterranean probably would have changed too," Minniti said.



Minniti called the meeting with Bedoui "very positive" and said they discussed the fight against terrorism and human trafficking.



"We have decided to further implement the relationship of cooperation between our two countries, which derives from an accord signed by the interior ministers in 2009," Minniti said.



"This relationship of cooperation already works in a very important way between the Algerian and Italian security agencies, the Algerian Gendarmerie and the Italian Carabinieri," he added.



The new accord could be signed as early as October in Rome.



(ANSAmed).




Turkey slams German, Austrian 'populist' electoral campaigns 'Disrespectful messages, risk of racism and Islamophobia'

(ANSAmed) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 4 - The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement Monday criticizing electoral campaigns underway in Germany and Austria as "against Turkey" and designed to "hinder the process of our country's accession to the European Union".



The statement came just hours after the televised debate between Germany's candidates for chancellor, incumbent Angela Merkel and challenger Martin Schulz.



In the statement, the ministry denounced the spread of what it called a "populist approach" that risks fomenting "xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia".



Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the German debate "started with Turkey and ended with Turkey", calling it "populism at its peak".



Omer Celik, Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs and the country's head negotiator, was also critical.



"We don't accept these disrespectful messages against Turkey," Celik said.(ANSAmed).




The Around the World in 80 Stays trip is set to pass through more than 30 countries, including stops in Australia, Canada, France, India, Japan, Russia and Thailand. The aircrafts journey commenced on August 7 at the Honda factory in Greensboro, North Carolina, with the final destination being the NBAA Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada in October.

Jetex is providing full ground support for the HondaJet on the Ireland, Morocco and UAE legs of its trip. The Jetex FBO in Dubai hosted an event showcasing the aircraft to aviation enthusiasts and potential buyers. This included an exclusive demonstration flight, where four lucky guests were able to experience the aircrafts capabilities first hand.



We are grateful to Jetex for the warm welcome we have received at their Shannon, Casablanca and Dubai FBOs. said Julian MacQueen, CEO of Innisfree Hotels. The service delivered was second to none, and we were extremely impressed by the facilities. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, MacQueen is both the owner and pilot of the aircraft. Several speed records have already been broken during the journey, including the fastest recorded time for a trip from Jordan to Dubai, clocking 3 hours 32 minutes.



Jetex is delighted to support this record-breaking voyage around the globe, said Adel Mardini, CEO and President of Jetex. The HondaJet offers best-in-class performance, and is a triumph of engineering. Our flagship Dubai FBO terminal is the ideal venue to showcase this cutting-edge aircraft, as it embodies the same spirit of innovation and commitment to quality.
In a statement last week the resurgent carrier said that CAC had not rejected the application outright, but had, rather, requested additional information before proceeding.

"Contrary to what has been said, the CAC responded favorably to the resumption of Syphax's operations and asked the company to update its technical and financial files," it told Kapitalis magazine adding that there would be a postponement pending the finalization of the documents.

The Court of Sfax approved the carrier's reorganisation plan in July with its TND230 million dinar (USD93.9 million) debt pile restructured for payment over a revised period.

As part of its exit from judicial oversight, the company has drawn up a business plan with provision for the establishment of a second carrier - Maghreb Airlines which is presumed to be Syphax Airlines' NewCo - with a share capital of TND10 million (USD4 million). A strategic partnership has been signed with an unspecified European operator for the provision of two CRJ-900s sourced from an unspecified US firm.
Supported by the World Bank, the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER) has the purpose to put an end to gender discrimination in business life.

TAV Airports successfully completed the independent auditing processes and received Equal Opportunities Model (FEM) certification.

TAV Airports VP  Human Resources Hakan Oker said: TAV believes that increased participation of women in labor force is of significant importance for development and social progress. Accordingly, we strive to provide equal opportunities for all employees in all the countries that we operate at. We offer equal opportunities during all work processes such as recruitment and selection, personal and professional development, performance evaluation, promotion processes etc. In order to increase the participation of women at every level, we have a made a commitment to increase the number of women at the board to 25 percent in the following five years. TAV is committed to the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and became a corporate member of Professional Womens Network (PWN) Turkey. We are delighted to be certified by an independent audit company for our efforts to fulfill Equal Opportunities Model practices. We hope to set a motivating example to the companies that plan to carry out similar works.
An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered on Monday night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital.

There were allegations that the deaths happened due to disruption in the oxygen supply. (Photo: PTI)

Lucknow: Doctors of Uttar Pradeshs Provincial Medical Services (PMS) on Monday threatened to proceed on mass leave to protest the registration of an FIR against some members of the fraternity in Farrukhabad over the deaths of 49 infants in a state-run hospital.

They said they would not report for duty on Tuesday and Wednesday and tender their resignation if the FIR was not withdrawn by September 7.

Earlier in the day, officials said 49 infants died between July 20 and August 21 in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from perinatal asphyxia, a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly.

An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered on Monday night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital.

City magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that most deaths were due to breathing problems. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation.

Members of the PMS held a meeting in Farrukhabad and demanded that the FIR be withdrawn. They threatened to go on mass leave starting tomorrow if their demand was not met.

UPPMS district unit secretary Dr Yogendra Singh said, The committee comprising the city magistrate and the SDM did not have technical knowledge. The probe report is wrong and it should be withdrawn.

He said the probe committee was a non-technical one and its fairness and competence should be probed.

We have decided to proceed on mass leave on September 5 and 6. If our demands are not met, all the doctors of the district will resign on September 7, he said.

UP PMS Association president Dr Ashok Yadav told PTI in Lucknow: The report on the basis of which the FIR was filed was prepared by non-technical people. A committee of experts should have been set up. This is an attempt to incite doctors, who are working in adverse conditions.

The government should recall officers, who did not have any knowledge of probing such cases. They should be properly trained. We are monitoring the situation there and will decide our future course of action, he said.
The 2 terrorists killed in Sopore township are expected to be of either Hizbul Mujahideen or Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Security Forces retaliated to firing by militants, resulting in an encounter. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Srinagar: Two gunmen, suspected to be Lashkar-e-Taiba or Hizbul-Mujahideen cadres, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore area on Monday.

The terrorists, who were killed, and those are trapped are either Lashkat-e-Taiba or Hizbul-Mujahideen cadres, a senior police officer said.

The fighting, which began at dawn on Monday, was still underway, officials said.

We have shot dead two terrorists so far. More may be trapped in the area as the firing continues, said the police.

Police said the encounter took place when terrorists opened fire on the security forces while they were conducting an operation to flush out terrorists from a village on the outskirts of Sopore based on specific information about their presence in the area.

The terrorists were hiding in Chak-e-Brat village of Shankar Gund Brat belt, just outside Sopore town and about 52-km from summer capital Srinagar.

They were hiding in the house of one Peerzada Bashir Ahmed Shah. Initial information available with us was that they are Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, the police officer said on the condition of anonymity.

The Armys 22 Rashtriya Rifles, and members of J&K polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and the CRPF had jointly launched the operation.

The house was engulfed in flames as per the latest reports. The police said that the bodies of two terrorists have been recovered and three weapons were also seized from the site of encounter.

Mobile internet services in the area were earlier suspended. The authorities have also ordered the closure of or suspension of class in educational institutions in Baramulla and Bandipore districts as a precautionary measure.
This is the first time that the RSS has categorically supported demonetisation.

Lucknow: The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) said on Sunday that demonetisation would benefit the nation in the long run. This is the first time that the RSS has categorically supported demonetisation.

Talking to reporters at the end of the three-day conclave in Mathura, RSS prachar pramukh Manmohan Vaidya said that the issues related to economic policy were discussed at length and Sangh affiliates also shared their views in the meeting.

Earlier the country was in shock but now people are coming out of those earlier shocks and are realizing that the decision of demonetisation will benefit the country in the long run, Mr Vaidya said. Mr Vaidya further said that there were also discussions on promoting domestic small scale industry to deal with the problem of unemployment in the country.

To another question on higher import of cheap Chinese goods, he said the RSS supports the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) in its movement to boycott Chinese goods. The RSS functionary lauded the success that India had achieved in solving the Doklam issue. The three day meeting between the RSS and its affiliates was aimed at drafting a strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP president Amit Shah and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who attended the conclave.
The Chinese handling of the Doklam stand-off was extraordinarily shrill and offensive. The Indian response was mature, restrained and sensible.

As the world watched with bated breath, Asias two most populous countries  India and China  resolved a potentially dangerous military standoff at Doklam. In a candid interview with Sridhar Kumaraswami, Ashok Kantha, a former Indian ambassador to China and currently director of the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi, talks about the implications on ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Excerpts from the interview:

Do you see the Doklam faceoff resolution as a victory for India? Was China under pressure to resolve the issue before the Brics Summit to ensure PM Modis participation?

I would refrain from looking at the Doklam disengagement as win or lose outcome for either side. It is a victory for quiet diplomacy favoured by India. It helps both sides that a tricky and potentially dangerous stand-off has been resolved. China did not want the Brics Summit hosted by its core leader Xi Jinping to be overshadowed by Doklam. In any case, China had little to gain by a protracted military face-off and it needed an exit ramp which diplomacy provided.

China badgered India with its bluster for more than two months. How do you see the Indian response of restraint?

The Chinese handling of the Doklam stand-off was extraordinarily shrill and offensive. The official media engaged in pugnacious rhetoric and repeated pronouncements by official spokespersons were also in a similar tone. The Indian response was mature, restrained and sensible: It combined firmness on the ground with a studied refusal to indulge in tit-for-tat polemics, which would have complicated the search for a solution. Bhutan also maintained its clear position opposing construction of road by China on its territory and counselling the latter to restore the status quo ante as of 16 June.

As a result, instead of being able to brow-beat Bhutan and India, China had to shift its position, quietly dropping the precondition of unilateral withdrawal by the Indian personnel before commencement of meaningful talks and come to an understanding on mutual disengagement which essentially restores the status quo.

India and China are deliberately not challenging each others statements despite some variance. I would say that deft diplomacy by both sides has given space to China to extricate itself from the corner it had painted itself in.

China claimed that it had intimated India twice in advance about its plans to build a road in Doklam. Do you think the faceoff could have been avoided in the first place had the issue been diplomatically tackled then?

I am not privy to diplomatic exchanges or what has transpired in meetings between the border commanders of the two countries. However, it has been my assessment that the Chinese action in Doklam is part of a larger pattern of behaviour in South China Sea and elsewhere. It involves a muscular China asserting its contested territorial claims and unilaterally changing facts on the ground. It expects other concerned parties to accommodate the altered ground realities, as has happened in South China Sea. Bhutan and India did not follow this script and refused to accept the new normal, which partly explains the furious Chinese reaction. Perhaps, China did not expect Bhutan to resist its giant northern neighbour, but it firmly stated its position. China probably did not expect India to step in as it did. That Bhutan and India could defy Chinas coercive diplomacy and persuade it to pull back has wider resonance and might encourage others to push back against Chinese unilateralism.

Do you feel there was any real threat of war breaking out during the standoff?

India and China have managed to maintain peace and tranquillity despite major differences on the boundary and the line of actual control. This is a shared achievement. I believe that China too would be reluctant to change the present situation of no loss of life due to clashes between the border personnel since 1975. Indeed, peaceful borders are an essential prerequisite for the continued development of bilateral relations.

I was confident that there was no real risk of war breaking out during the Doklam episode, though one could not rule out some probing action by China if the face-off had got protracted. Despite the asymmetry in GDP and military budgets of the two countries, we have a robust deterrence in place vis-a-vis China. This deterrence must be continuously upgraded to discourage any reckless behaviour by China.

Will the terms of the agreement mean a loss of face for Chinese President Xi Jinping? Does he stand weakened now?

It is difficult for us to fully assess as to how the Doklam denouement is being received within the Chinese political establishment, though I doubt that it has weakened President Xi. Doklam was not allowed to become a big issue within China, though there was much sound and fury directed outwards. In fact, it was not trending in the Chinese social media until its resolution, which has been largely welcomed.

However, China should introspect as to why its rise and more specifically its assertive behaviour is causing anxieties among its neighbours. China should shed the habit of treating its contested territorial claims as its indisputable territories; otherwise, there will be growing pushback by the affected parties.

Ties between President Xi and PM Modi began on a high note in September 2014 when he visited India. But after that China began blocking Indias entry into the NSG and UN sanctions on terrorist Masood Azhar. What went wrong?

We witnessed marked progress in India-China relations, particularly as a result of President Xis visit to India in September 2014 and Prime Minister Modis visit to China in May 2015. However, we have also seen a pronounced trend of China becoming more assertive and less sensitive to Indias interests, concerns and aspirations on a range of issue, including CPEC, NSG and Masood Azhar. Differences have been articulated by both sides in the public domain which has made the task of managing this sensitive relationship even more challenging. The way China handled Doklam has left a bitter aftertaste which is bound to affect perceptions in India.

Yet, the resolution of the Doklam stand-off and the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Xiamen can mark a new beginning. We need sustained strategic consultations to bring the relationship back on a pragmatic footing.

What does the Doklam episode and its aftermath mean for relations between Bhutan and China? Are chances of any boundary resolution between them as good as gone?

I do not wish to comment on the prospects of a boundary settlement between Bhutan and China. Despite the huge gap in the size, strength and resources of the two countries, Bhutan has held its ground in 24 rounds of boundary negotiations with China.

Unfortunately, China has indulged in a pattern of creeping encroachments in Bhutanese territory, first through activities of Chinese graziers, then patrolling by the PLA and construction of roads and temporary dwellings. It has laid claim to areas which are regarded by Bhutan as undeniably its territory. If you look at Bhutans National Assembly resolutions, there is considerable unhappiness there about the Chinese habit of creating new facts on the ground to back up its exaggerated claims.

How can China and India put in place mechanisms in the future to avoid such face-offs? Or do you now see them as inevitable in other sectors as well?

We have six bilateral agreements which provide the framework and mechanisms for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas. What is needed is adherence to the agreements and understandings reached in the past, including on respecting and clarifying the LAC. It is not desirable to put the boundary question on the back-burner as the differences on this issue and frequent stand-off situations are contributing to an atmosphere of mistrust in India-China relations. While the two sides have achieved mutual disengagement in Doklam, the underlying differences, including on the trijunction point, remain unaddressed.

An effective way of discouraging recurrence of Doklam-like situations is to reinforce our deterrence and improve infrastructure in the border areas, while we pursue a boundary settlement and optimally utilise the existing mechanisms for border management.
Top court stays NCLT insolvency order against Jaypee Infratech.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the insolvency proceedings initiated by the Allahabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal against real estate firm Jaypee Infratech. The tribunal had accepted IDBI Bank's plea and classified Jaypee Infratech as insolvent for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan.

A three judge bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud issued notice to Jaypee, Reserve Bank of India and others on a batch of writ petitions filed by Chitra Sharma and other buyers of houses who could not get possession from the company even after several years after depositing the money.

It was submitted by the petitioners that they have not received the flats and the insolvency proceedings initiated against the company will render them without any remedy.

Their counsel informed the bench that being unsecured creditors, the buyers will get nothing out of the insolvency proceedings as the dues of financial institutions, which are secured creditors, would be cleared first. They wanted protection of the interests of over 30,000 buyers who invested hard-earned money to book their dream homes in 27 different projects of debt-ridden realty firm Jaypee Infratech.

Flat buyers, said that under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of 2016, do not fall under the category of secured creditors like banks and hence they may get back their money only if something is left after repaying secured and operational creditors.

The plea has sought a direction to the Centre and others that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code shall not curtail the legal statutory and vested rights of the flat owners as consumers defined under the Consumer Protection Act.

The petitions alleged that the action of the ministries of finance and Corporate Affairs of introducing Section 14 of the Code was unjust, unfair and unreasonable and violative of Article 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution.
The 1979 Kerala cadre officer said that the BJP had never said that beef cannot be eaten.

Alphons Kannanthanam, the new Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism talking to media as he take over charge of his office in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: On the first day in his new office as tourism minister, bureaucrat-turned-politician Alphons Kannanthanam touched upon the controversial issue of beef, saying it would continue to be consumed in Kerala.

The 1979 Kerala cadre officer said that the BJP had never said that beef cannot be eaten.

"As Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar has said that beef will be consumed in the state. Similarly, it will be consumed in Kerala," he said.

"The BJP does not mandate that beef cannot be eaten. We don't dictate food habits in any place. It is for the people to decide," he said.

Kannanthanam said if a BJP-ruled state like Goa was eating beef, there should be no problem in Kerela.

He later told a TV channel that he would act as a bridge between the Christian community and the BJP.

Addressing some of the concerns that were raised by the Christian community about the BJP in the past, Kannanthanam said it was mere propaganda.

"There was a lot of propaganda in 2014, that if Modi comes to power Christians will be burnt, churches will be demolished. The prime minister has made it clear that believe whatever you want, I will protect you. The PM has done a fantastic job in taking everyone along," he said.

Parrikar, in July, had said in the Assembly that he would ensure that there was no shortage of beef in the state and, if required, it would be imported from neighbouring states.

Cow slaughter is banned in as many as 21 states.

Consumption of beef has also been barred in some of these states, including Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. It is also banned in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Kerala is among eight states where there are no restrictions on cow slaughter.

However, widespread protests and "beef fests" were organised in Kerala in May following a central government notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has stayed the Centre's notification on cattle slaughter ban, while the Kerala High Court refused to order a stay on it.

The Supreme Court later clarified that Madras High Court's stay on the notification is operational, implying that the stay on cattle slaughter ban is effective across the country.
Cheap sex is an economic term meant to describe sex that has very little cost in terms of time or emotional investment.

In yesteryear, women generally made men wait until marriage to have sex, but now, with porn on-demand and greater reproductive freedom, sex is a commodity available at any time (Photo: Pixabay)

Washington DC: With the share of Americans ages 25-34 who are married dropping 13 percentage points from 2000 to 2014, sociologist Mark Regnerus blames it on "cheap sex."

According to Regnerus, "cheap sex" is an economic term meant to describe sex that has very little cost in terms of time or emotional investment, giving it little value, Fox News reported.

Basing his ideas, in part, on the work of British social theorist Anthony Giddens, Regnerus, in the book 'Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage, and Monogamy,' highlighted the "two overlapping (but distinctive) markets, one for sex and one for marriage, with a rather large territory in between comprised of significant relationships of varying commitment and duration."

In yesteryear, women generally made men wait until marriage to have sex, but now, with porn on-demand and greater reproductive freedom, sex is a commodity available at any time, which has left men with little motivation for marriage.

Regnerus also cited demographer Steven Ruggles' prediction that one of every three people in their 20s will never marry.

Moreover, he held cheap sex responsible for the decreasing education and employment rates among men as six percent more women than men in the 25-34 age group have a bachelor's degree. He backed this theory up with a quote from social psychologists Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs, who study this phenomenon.

"Nowadays young men can skip the wearying detour of getting education and career prospects to qualify for sex," they wrote. "Sex has become free and easy. This is today's version of the opiate of the (male) masses."

"To plenty of women, it appears that men have a fear of commitment. But men, on average, are not afraid of commitment," Regnerus noted. "The story is that men are in the driver's seat in the marriage market and are optimally positioned to navigate it in a way that privileges their (sexual) interests and preferences. It need not even be conscious behaviour on their part."

In turn, he writes, this leads women to settle, entering into doomed or otherwise unsatisfying marriages.

Regnerus even pointed to 'Fifty Shades of Grey' to prove his point, saying, "I recognize that it is fiction. It's made up. But when you sell 100 million copies in two years, your narrative is resonating. There's something to it."

All of this, Regnerus concluded, means that as long as sex is so low cost for men, heterosexual women will have increasing difficulties finding a partner worth committing to.
A massive search operation launched by the West Bengal police for the absconding Gorkha Janmukti chief Bimal Gurung continued even on Sunday.

Darjeeling (West Bengal): The situation in Darjeeling remained tense as the indefinite shutdown in the Hills entered its 81st day on Sunday. Meanwhile, another IED blast took place in Darjeeling early on Sunday. This time also the IED blast was carried out at a police outpost in Chhoy Mile area in Rangli Rangliot. Although no one was injured in the explosion, the impact of the blast created deep craters inside the out-post.

A massive search operation launched by the West Bengal police for the absconding Gorkha Janmukti chief Bimal Gurung continued even on Sunday. Since Friday, the police were combing Darjeeling Hills and its adjoining areas for Mr Gurung, against whom a lookout notice had been issued for his alleged involvement in various cases, including a bomb blast in Kalimpong police station in which a civic volunteer was killed. There are also cases under the Unlawful

Activities (Prevention) Act against him. Protests by pro-Gorkhaland supporters demanding continuation of the shutdown and a separate state of Gorkhaland were organised in various parts of the hills. Rallies were taken out in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik, Sonada and Kalimpong.

Picketing by GJM supporters has been strengthened in several parts of the hills and posters and leaflets were distributed in support of the shutdown. Barring medicine shops and hospitals, all the shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed. The shutdown in the hills is on after Mr Gurung revoked party convenor Binay Tamangs decision of suspending it till September 12, when the next round of dialogue with the state government is scheduled.
Mr Singh was appointed as the citys police chief in August 2012.

Mumbai: Satyapal Singh, a former Mumbai police commissioner, who began his second innings as an MP from Baghpat in 2014, seems to have truly arrived on the political scene following his induction into Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet on Sunday.

Mr Singh was appointed as the citys police chief in August 2012. But on January 31, less than two years later, he resigned from his post as top cop and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking the beginning of his political career.

Mr Singh was due for a retirement in 2015 as he had served in Maharashtra as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer for 34 long years. But it was not perhaps his first choice of career as he wanted to become a scientist before joining the IPS in 1980 from the Maharshatra cadre..

During his tenure as city police chief, the Mumbai crime branch solved the brutal rape and murder case of Esther Anuhya. Prior to being appointed the Mumbai police chief, he was Maharashtras additional director general of police and has also served as the joint commissioner of police (crime) in Mumbai. During his tenure in Mumbai, he is credited with breaking the backbone of organised crime syndicates that terrorised Mumbai in the 1990s, including the Chhota Rajan, Chhota Shakeel and Arun Gawli gangs.

Before coming to Mumbai, Mr Singh headed the Pune city police during the period when it was rocked by a deadly explosion at the German Bakery in February 2010, killing 9 and injuring over 45 others. However, the investigation was conducted by the state Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS).

Commenting on Mr Singhs career graph and choices, Mr P. S. Pasricha, former Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) said, Singh is an intelligent and thorough professional. With his good educational background and policing experience, he would do good in his new career. On his choosing politics by quitting the coveted post of Mumbai police commissioner, Mr Pasricha said, Well its a personal choice. My best wishes are with him.

Mr Y. P. Singh, former IPS officer-turned-lawyer said, It is good that his experience will be put to use in serving people.
Officials said that cannabis from J&K is peddled and consumed more in Mumbai than rabdi owing to difference in its taste.

Mumbai: With instances of the banned cannabiss seizures on the rise in Mumbai, Mumbai polices Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) has prepared a crackdown list of 15 local distributors, who are active in peddling banned drugs. This year, so far, the ANC has seized 41.87 kg of charas that are worth Rs 1.59 crore in the grey market, while last year only 4.12 kg (worth Rs 4.9 lakh) of the banned contraband was seized

The ANC officials said that Cannabis, locally known as Charas, is mainly grown in poppy fields on the hills of border districts of Baramulla and Anantnag and then transported to metro cities including Mumbai under cover. There are at least three different groups of smugglers who peddle drugs into Mumbai.

Two types of Cannabis make it to the Indian market, Himachal Pradeshs rabdi or Manali cream and a harder and most sought after form, which comes from Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said that cannabis from J&K is peddled and consumed more in Mumbai than rabdi owing to difference in its taste. The latter is more popular in New Delhi.

Shivdeep Lande, deputy commissioner of police (ANC), who is spearheading the crackdown on Cannabis, said, The crop is harvested between August and September and smuggled to market later. The Cannabis consumption here goes hand in hand with the hukka joints.

The officials said that the carrier doesnt carry the narcotics with himself and he either takes a train or a flight to Mumbai before the drugs begin their journey. Investigators said that post mid 90s, the smuggling of larger quantities, ranging in several kilograms, began.

Most popular modus of transporting the drugs is in the apple trucks or in the cavities of other vehicles, but by road. The drugs are collected by the carrier in Mumbai and later distributed to the distributors for supplying to the consumers, added Lande.
Bike ambulances are equipped with a medical kit, trauma medical management kit and airway management kit.

Mumbai: Since the state governments launch of motorbike ambulances on August 2, nearly 232 patients have reaped the benefits of this service that was started with a view to providing quick medical assistance, mostly during golden hour, in emergency situations. When in medical distress, you can dial 108, free of charge, to avail the motorbike ambulance service available in ten different areas of the city.

Currently, Royal Enfield bikes are being converted into bike ambulances armed with medical equipment intended to serve as emergency first responder medical services, along with teams of trained paramedics who will provide necessary treatment to patients, especially those in areas inaccessible to big ambulances, during golden hour. Dr Satish Pawar, head, directorate of health services (DHS), said, All bikes are deployed in the city to reach patients who are in an emergency situation, especially accident victims. So far, 232 patients have benefitted from this facility. Bike ambulances are equipped with a medical kit, trauma medical management kit and airway management kit, with a few tablets to give patients, if required.

Maharashtra is the fourth state after Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat to start two-wheeler ambulances. Several BAMS/BUMS-qualified doctors have been trained to operate these bike ambulances. The doctors work under emergency medical services (EMS) with 24 other doctors who work for the 108 medical service. The bike ambulance staff is a part of EMS.

In the first phase of the pilot project, these ambulances have been deployed at Ashok Tekadi, Jamil Nagar, Bhandup (west), Cheetah camp, maternity home, Mankhurd, Dharavi police station, Nagpada police station, Kurar police station, Aappa Pada, Malad (west), Kurar police (east).
The princess said that she will marry Kei Komuro, who was a classmate of hers at Tokyos International Christian University.

Japanese Emperor Akihito's oldest grandchild, Princess Mako, says she is getting married to her university classmate who won her heart with bright smiles and sincerity. (Photo: AP)

Japanese Emperor Akihitos oldest grandchild, Princess Mako, 25 is giving up her royal status to marry a commoner she fell in love with.

The princess said that she will marry Kei Komuro, who was a classmate of hers at Tokyos International Christian University.

According to Japanese royal laws, women are not allowed succeed to Japans throne which means that Princess Mako will lose her royal status once she weds the 25-year-old Komuro, a legal assistant who loves playing the jazz piano.

Speaking at a press conference Princess Mako said that what attracted her to Komuro was his bright smiles like the sun.

According to her they first talked for the first time at an event for students ahead of a study programme in Tokyo.

That was five years ago.

Over time the princess learnt that he is a sincere, strong-minded, hard worker.

Komuro added that he was thankful and happy to have been accepted by her parents, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and her grandparents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Details of their wedding have not been decided, and palace officials say the ceremony is expected sometime around autumn next year.

However, the happy news also bears with it the foreboding that it could spell disaster for the future of a royal family facing concerns about a declining population to keep their 2,600-year-old bloodline going.
The company is also said to working on the Android 8.0 Oreo update for the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, Nokia 6 and the flagship Nokia 8.

To recall, the Nokia 3 features a 5-inch display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, powered by MediaTek MTK 6737, coupled with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, with an option to expand up to 128GB via a microSD card. The front and rear camera have both 8MP sensors.

HMD Global is rolling out the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update for its Nokia 3 smartphone. HMD Global CEO confirmed on Twitter that the update has started rolling out. The company is also said to working on the Android 8.0 Oreo update for the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, Nokia 6 and the flagship Nokia 8.

To recall, the Nokia 3 features a 5-inch display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, powered by MediaTek MTK 6737, coupled with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, with an option to expand up to 128GB via a microSD card. The front and rear camera have both 8MP sensors. Fuelled by a 2650mAh battery, the phone operates Android 7.0 Nougat. Nokia has also promised to release monthly security OS updates to the smartphones as soon as they are available for a safer Android ecosystem. The device will feature four coloursSilver White, Matte Black, Tempered Blue and Copper White.

The Nokia-branded Android smartphone was unveiled along with two other Android smartphonesNokia 6 and Nokia 5. The next Nokias Android-powered phone in the row to hit shelves in India is Nokia 5.
Trump threatened drastic economic sanctions, including 'stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.'

Washington: The United States warned it could launch a "massive military response" to any threats from North Korea following Pyongyang's provocative detonation of what it claimed was a miniaturized hydrogen bomb.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis spoke out on Sunday after North Korea carried out an unexpectedly strong nuclear test, said to exceed in power the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

President Donald Trump called an emergency meeting of his national security advisers and had his second telephone call of the weekend with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but did not talk to South Korea's Moon Jae-In -- instead accusing Seoul of "appeasement".

He threatened drastic economic sanctions, including "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea."

US monitors measured a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake near the North's main testing site on Sunday, felt in parts of China and Russia, with an aftershock possibly caused by a rock collapse.

The North -- which in July carried out two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range -- hailed its test of what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a rocket as "a perfect success."

Mattis told reporters: "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," he added, but warned: "We have many options to do so."

- 'Fratricidal war -

Pyongyang residents celebrated as a jubilant television newsreader hailed the "unprecedentedly large" blast which she said had moved the country closer to "the final goal of completing the state nuclear force."

It prompted an international chorus of condemnation, including from both the North's key ally China and Russia, which also has links with Pyongyang.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the test as "profoundly destabilizing," while the Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In, who advocates engagement as well as penalties to bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table, called for new United Nations sanctions to "completely isolate North Korea."

On Monday Seoul carried out a live-fire exercise in the East Sea, its name for the Sea of Japan, using a volley of missiles to simulate an attack on the North's nuclear site.

But Trump criticised the US treaty ally on Twitter, saying: "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

In a statement, the presidential Blue House retorted: "Korea is a country that experienced a fratricidal war."

It "will continue to push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means working together with our allies", it added.

- 'Cut off North Korea' -

Hours before the test, the North released images of Kim at his country's Nuclear Weapons Institute, inspecting the device it called a "thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power" entirely made "by our own efforts and technology," according to the Korean Central News Agency.

A series of US and United Nations-backed sanctions seem to have had little effect on Pyongyang.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday his department was preparing potent new measures that would "cut off North Korea economically."

The measures would ensure that "anybody that wants to do trade or business with them will be prevented from doing trade or business with us," he said on "Fox News Sunday."

While the United States has virtually no trade with the North, the burden of sanctions such as Mnuchin described would fall heavily on China, which buys about 90 percent of North Korean exports.

- Tremor felt in China, Russia -

South Korean experts said the tremor near the North's main test site was five to six times stronger than that from a 10-kiloton test a year ago.

As well as July's landmark ICBM tests, Pyongyang last week fired a missile over Japan.

Trump has warned Pyongyang that it faces "fire and fury" and that Washington's weapons are "locked and loaded."

But the North has huge artillery forces within range of Seoul, a city of 10 million people, and could inflict mass casualties in retaliation to any strike.

"There are no realistic military options in terms of striking North Korea, because doing so would likely spark a full-scale war," Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director for America of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told AFP.
Obama, in his letter, also exhorted Trump not to let the vicissitudes of politics overshadow the long march of American democratic values.

In a Friday, Jan 20, 2017 photo, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pose with President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at the White House in Washington. (Photo: AP)

Washington: It is an elegant tradition: the outgoing US president leaves a letter for his successor in the aged oaken desk in the Oval Office, to be read upon his arrival.

The letter left by Barack Obama for Donald Trump, revealed some seven months after the handover of power, revolves around one central bit of advice: beyond the bitterness and brutality of political combat and power struggles, never lose sight of the importance of democratic institutions.

Publication of the missive, just shy of 300 words, comes at a difficult and chaotic time in the Trump presidency that has seen intense criticism even from Trump's own Republican Party for his lack of clarity - and of moral leadership - after the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"Dear Mr President," the letter begins, going on to congratulate Trump for his "remarkable run" to the White House and to offer well wishes "as you embark on this great adventure." The letter was obtained by CNN "from someone Trump showed it to," according to the channel.

"Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure," it says.

Obama had pounded Trump during the presidential campaign with a rare virulence, saying the real estate mogul was, in his eyes, a danger to American democracy. "The fate of the republic is in your hands," Obama told voters in North Carolina just days before the November 8 election.

But in the aftermath of Trump's shocking victory, with Democrats still badly shaken by the surprise defeat of Hillary Clinton, Obama insisted on the importance of a peaceful and constructive transition to the billionaire populist, even receiving him in the Oval Office in a meeting that would once have seemed unimaginable.

Emphasising that the US presidency is a "unique office" with no "clear blueprint for success," Obama nonetheless offers a few carefully worded suggestions to his successor.

Insisting on the importance of "indispensable" American leadership in the world, he emphasizes the need for a president to act thoughtfully and responsibly.

"It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depends," Obama says.

He also exhorted Trump not to let the vicissitudes of daily politics overshadow the long march of American democratic values.

"We are just temporary occupants of this office," he writes. "That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebearers fought and bled for.

"Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them."

The final bit of advice extended by the 44th US president to the 45th took a more personal tone: "Take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches."

Saying that he and his wife Michelle "stand ready to help in any way which we can," Obama closes with a wish of "good luck and Godspeed," signing the letter, "BO."

Trump said publicly that he was touched by the letter, though he has not seen Obama since the handover of power.

Of all the letters from outgoing to incoming presidents, the one left on January 20, 1993, by Republican George HW Bush to Democrat Bill Clinton stands out for its dignity and class.

Bush wrote to his successor - the man who had deprived him of a second term in office - that "your success now is our country's success."

Evoking the "sense of wonder and respect" for the office that he felt when he became president in 1989, Bush said, "There will be very tough times," but then added: "Just don't let the critics discourage you or push you off course."

Bush concluded: "I am rooting hard for you. Good luck.
Washington said there is no comparison between its openly conducted, internationally monitored military drills, N Korea's weapons programs.

New York: The UN Security Council is holding its second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea on Monday after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North's persistent weapons programs.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan. Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

North Korea is "deliberately undermining regional peace and stability," the council said Tuesday when it rebuked the missile test, reiterating demands for the country to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

The North trumpeted "perfect success" Sunday in its sixth nuclear test blast since 2006.

Requested by the United States, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea, the Security Council meeting Monday could bring additional condemnation and discussion of other potential steps. British Prime Minister Theresa May called in a statement Sunday for speeding the implementation of existing sanctions and "looking urgently" at new measures in the council.

The group aimed to take a big bite out of the North Korean economy earlier this month by banning the North from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products. Together, those are worth about a third of the country's $3 billion in exports last year.

The council could look to sanction other profitable North Korean exports, such as textiles. Another possibility could be tighter limits on North Korean laborers abroad; the recent sanctions barred giving any new permits for such workers. The US also suggested some other ideas earlier this summer, including air and maritime restrictions and restricting oil to North Korea's military and weapons programs.

However, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council Tuesday that "addressing the issues plaguing the (Korean) Peninsula through sanction pressure alone is impossible" because "that path does not propose any options for engaging (North Korea) in constructive negotiations."

Russia and China have both proposed a two-pronged approach: North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the US and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises, which they say are defensive but Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion. The North recently requested a Security Council meeting about the war games.

Washington said there is no comparison between its openly conducted, internationally monitored military drills and North Korea's weapons programs, which the international community has banned.

Neither North Korea nor South Korea is a Security Council member.
After the bilateral meeting with the host, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Myanmar.

Xiamen (China): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, nearly a week after India and China announced a resolution of the 73-day-long Doklam standoff.

Officials said the two leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting on September 5 on the sidelines of the 9th Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (Brics) summit, which will start on Monday in this Chinese port city.

After the bilateral meeting with the host, Mr Modi will travel to Myanmar. Chinese and Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army.

Mr Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, which is among the five counties  Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan  invited by China as part of the Brics Plus outreach exercise.

Opening the 9th annual summit of the five emerging economies here on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked the Brics members to shelve their differences and accommodate each others concerns by enhancing mutual trust and strategic communication. The opening ceremony of the three-day Brics summit started with the Brics Business Council in this southeastern Chinese city in Fujian province amid a downpour set off by Typhoon Mawar, which had caused widespread disruption to the summit preparations. It also caused considerable disruption to flights.

In his speech broadly focusing on enhancing cooperation between the Brics members, Mr Xi said: Construction of a tall building starts with the foundation. We have laid the foundation and put in place the framework for Brics cooperation.

Outlining Brics cooperation in the last 10 years, he said treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while shelving differences is an important part of cooperation. In terms of Brics cooperation, decisions are made through consultation (and) not by one country. We respect each others model of development, accommodate each others concerns and work to enhance strategic communication and mutual trust, he told about 1,000 delegates from different countries.

Given difference in national conditions, history and cultures, it is only natural we may have some differences in pursuing our cooperation, he said.

However, with strong faith in cooperation and enhancing collaboration, the Brics countries can achieve steady progress in our cooperation, he added. In a candid speech without directly referring to differences, Mr Xi referred to his multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a crucial component. India had protested over CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India had also boycotted the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) hosted by China in May.
Both Modi and Xi are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other BRICS leaders at the International Conference Centre in Xiamen. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Xiamen: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jingping at the International Conference Centre in Xiamen where the BRICS nations will map out their future course.

A summit of five major developing countries- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa- are meeting in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen.

China is hosting the 9th annual BRICS summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is looking forward to building upon the results and outcomes of the Goa Summit.

#WATCH: Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Conference Center in Xiamen #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/LROnlBf2xY  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017

He said, "I also look forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes that will support the agenda of a stronger BRICS partnership under the chairmanship of China."

The three day long summit at Xiamen comes days after India and China ended the 73-day standoff at Doklam near Sikkim border.

Both Modi and Xi are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Xiamen on Sunday for BRICS Summit. He was welcomed by the Indian community in China. Modi tweeted that "Looking forward to the Summit deliberations. Glad to see the Indian community welcoming so warmly."

Reached Xiamen for BRICS Summit. Looking forward to the Summit deliberations. Glad to see the Indian community welcoming so warmly. pic.twitter.com/FUUGfqoC0N  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 3, 2017

Modi will attend BRICS plenary session, opening ceremony of BRICS Cultural Festival in Xiamen, China on Monday and will also attend a meeting with BRICS Business Council and a Signing Ceremony in Xiamen.

BRICS was formed as an association of fast-growing large economies about a decade ago to advocate better representation for developing countries and challenge the Western-dominated world order that has prevailed since the end of World War II. It soon achieved agreement to increase the share of voting rights for emerging markets in world financial bodies, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. It has also started operating its own development bank.
iStock/Thinkstock(PHILADELPHIA) -- A 29-year-old suspect has been charged with murder after police in Philadelphia found a body presumed to be of Jenna Burleigh, a 22-year-old Temple University student who had been missing since Thursday, in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

The body was found in Paupack Township on Saturday, and officials believed it was transported from Philadelphia to Jenkintown and then to Wayne County.

Burleigh was seen on video leaving a bar on Temple University's campus with a man identified as 29-year-old Joshua Hupperterz, according to police. The body was located Saturday on property belonging to his grandmother, police said.

Hupperterz was charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime, evidence-tampering, and abuse of a corpse, according to Philadelphia Police. Police said there was no indication Burleigh and the suspect had a prior relationship before meeting at the bar.

"As the investigation developed on Friday, central detectives were able to locate the person of interest in Wayne County-- in Hawley, Pennsylvania-- they went over there, interviewed Mr. Hupperterz and brought him back to Philadelphia," Philadelphia Police Capt. John Ryan said on Saturday.

Ed Burleigh, Jenna Burleigh's father, posted on Facebook on Saturday afternoon, "Our Beautiful Angel Jenna is now in Heaven. Now I know for sure that you can have a 'broken heart' RIP honey."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
BRICS nations, including China, on Monday declared Pakistan-based terror groups LeT and JeM as global terror outfits.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed on his arrival at Gaoqi International Airport in Xiamen, China on Sunday to attend the 9th BRICS Summit 2017. (Photo: PTI)

Beijing/New Delhi: Despite Chinas objection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Chinese province Xiamen for BRICS summit, might take a dig at Pakistan for its cross-border terrorism.

China had on Thursday backed its all weather ally Pakistan by sending a clear message to India. Counter terrorism efforts by Pakistan would not be an appropriate topic to be taken up by the grouping despite concerns expressed by India, China had said.

However, Indian External Affairs Ministry, hours before Modi left for Xiamen on Sunday, said, Appropriate or not, India plans to bring up the issue. The ministry had said "We had raised it (terrorism) in Goa summit and sure it will revisit us in this summit as well."

In a veiled attack on Pakistan during BRICS address in Goa last year, Modi had called Islamabad the mother-ship of terrorism.

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump had last month criticised Pakistan for harbouring terrorists and giving safe havens to terror outfits, while announcing his new Afghan and South Asia policy. The US had also cut $350 million military aid to Pakistan and also warned it of consequences if it fails to curb the terror menace.

With United States support, India has got an upper hand to denounce Pakistan for its terror activities. It is now convenient for India to counter Pakistan at global platform such as BRICS.

As terrorism is the major global problem, BRICS nations, including China, on Monday declared Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as global terror outfits on similar stature of Islamic State.

Interestingly, Beijing has been blocking JeM chiefs ban at United Nations Security Council using veto.

Meanwhile, Beijing has invested over $50 billion for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, a crucial component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Despite invitation, India had skipped the event, saying that the CPEC passes through disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In the opening speech at the BRICS meet on Sunday, Xi had said, BRI "is not a tool to advance any geopolitical agenda, but a platform for practical cooperation."
Some 2,000 people gathered for a Walk for Creation in Manila. People must care for creation as part of holiness. For the archdiocese, the event marked the start of the Time of Creation. Let us protect Gods creation, and His creation will likewise protect us, said Mgr Socrates Villegas.

Manila (AsiaNews)  Card Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, archbishop of Manila, issued a message the participants of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation instituted by Pope Francis for every 1st September (Orthodox commemoration of Gods creation). In it he said that all people of goodwill need to pray for and with Creation, encourage each other to live simple lifestyles and care for and protect the earth.

The Global Catholic Climate Movement-Pilipinas (GCCM) organised a Walk for Creation together with Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and various Catholic associations and institutions. The gathering was held at Manilas Luneta Park, and attracted some 2,000 people.

For the archdiocese, the meeting also marked the beginning of the Time of Creation, a month of observance proposed by the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (Sibiu, 2007) that will end on 4 October, feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The annual event includes a series of initiatives promoting environmental protection in parishes and communities.

At the start of the meeting, Card Tagle stressed that human beings are inseparable from the environment. He reiterated that many environmental crises the world faces today could be avoided if people were aware of the consequences of their actions.

Faced with the "misuse of creation," the archbishop emphasised that Christians are called to holiness in taking care of all living things.

I think part of our mission today and in the coming years is to include more consciously the caring of creation as part of holiness, Tagle said in his homily.

The CBCP urged everyone to protect the environment, which is also linked to alleviating the suffering of the poor.

Let us take care of the earth not only because it would benefit our environment but also us. What we do to our environment, we do to our least brothers and sisters, and to God, said Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president. Let us protect Gods creation, and His creation will likewise protect us, he added.

Our aim is to promote 1st September as an important opportunity for prayer, reflection, conversion, and adoption of appropriate lifestyles, as Pope Francis said in response to the environmental crisis that afflicts us, Father John Leyton, of GCCM Philippines, told AsiaNews.

It is our hope that this initiative will bring unity, inspiration, and renew the commitment of people to respond to the cry of pain of the earth and the poor."
An association has studied the growing trend. Many converted after discovering "a spiritual tendency that was initially ignored" in order to leave behind the materialism inculcated by the communist regime. Only a few get international protection. For commissions, they are not at risk in China despite the latters numerous human rights violations.

Rome (AsiaNews)  Over the past five years, the number of Chinese nationals fleeing their homeland for mostly religious reasons has multiplied fivefold.

They leave everything behind in order not to give up their faith, which they embraced to escape the materialism imposed by the regime, this according to a report by A buon diritto (With good reason, ABD), an Italian association that helps refugees and asylum seekers in Italy.

According to the UN refugee agencys Global Trends report, there were 57,705 registered asylum seekers from China in 2015, up from 10,617 in 2010.

The asylum seekers helped by ABD are members of 14 pseudo-Christian groups banned by the government, most of them linked to the Almighty God cult. The sect is one of the cults considered evil by Chinese authorities, its members accused of being violent and subversive.

In 2015, two of them were executed for the murder of a woman. Following the incident, hundreds of sect members were arrested. In addition to religious sects and communities, China has led a campaign against underground communities and "evil cults".

The report notes that the Chinese asylum seekers continue their religious activity in Italy. They rarely talk about their experience with fellow countrymen for fear of spies, so much so that they demand "non-Chinese translators".

The stories the association has heard are painful. Maria (a name a woman chose when she arrived in Italy) said that in China she was detained whilst evangelising and taken to a police station where she was "burnt with boiling water" and "suffered cuts to the back of her hands.

Instead, G. was "beaten on his back with a stick so violently that he fainted from the pain . . . because he had refused to answer questions about the leaders and money of his house church." Since he could go to a hospital for treatment, his left kidney lost 25 per cent of its function.

Speaking to AsiaNews, Francesco Portoghese, a legal assistant and one of the authors of ABDs legal report, said that what asylum seekers share is a "total devotion to the belief they profess", despite differences in the whys and wherefores of their conversion.

"Some of them left their families in order to practice their religion freely, even at the cost of giving up their partner and children," Portoghese explained. "Others gave up their careers and the possibility of completing their studies." For him, this shows "a spirit of abnegation almost from another age."

In the report, ABD notes that asylum seekers went "from a materialistic conception of reality, like that of the Chinese regime," to "a spiritual tendency that was initially ignored. It is precisely the tenacity with which they pursue the 'new road' that alarms the government."

For Portoghese, there is "also a dignity and a sense of discretion that can only be understood by looking more closely into each individual situation. It is essential to learn more about their stories if we want to understand them, because some answers are not precise enough and acceptable to the [UN territorial] commission."

Although the number of Chinese asylum seekers is high, only a few are granted refugee status. According to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the Chinese have one of the lowest acceptance rates. Portoghese notes that in 2016, only 13 applicants, or 5 per cent, were accepted out of 264.

For the legal assistant, there are many reasons for this, including the novelty of the problem, which never had so many people before. In fact, "It is necessary to understand the matter, which has not been studied in depth.

According to ABD, some applications are rejected because of "incomplete or contradictory statements, poor knowledge of the religion practiced, and doubts about how they escape from the country."

In order to determine whether they are eligible, Chinese asylum seekers must undergo an official interview. The ABD report complains about hasty translations that often appear vague and superficial; in some cases, what applicants say is distorted, or not full reported or not even recorded.

For the association, it is surprising that they are not granted subsidiary protection  given to those who do not fall within the parameters for asylum but are in danger of 'serious injury'  in view of the fact that China arbitrarily applies the death penalty, and that torture and inhuman and degrading treatment ... are inflicted on people arrested for religious motives."
The recognition given to personalities who distinguish themselves in social outreach. The initiative is sponsored by Youchengco Group of Companies. Card. Luis Antonio G. Tagle in the college of judges who elected the winner. The awards ceremony will take place on September 21 in Makati.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Fr. Peter Anthony Lake Geremia, a missionary at the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (Pime) among the tribes of the Diocese of Kidapawan (Mindanao Island) is the winner of the 30th Saint Teresa of Calcutta Award, an important recognition for his commitment of human promotion among the poorest.

The AY Foundation, the foundation for the development of the Youchengco Group of Companies that sponsors the initiative, annually grants the prize to personalities that have distinguished themselves in the field of social initiatives. Card. Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, and President of Caritas Internationalis is also present In the college of judges who chose the winner.

The awards ceremony will take place on September 21 in Makati, in the center of the capital, at the company's headquarters. Fr. Geremia will also receive a check of 1million pesos (about 16,500 euros), which according to the rules of the prize, he will have to devolve half to a charitable institution of his choice.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Buddhists of Chinese origin have been accused of complicity with their coreligionists in Myanmar. Protests break out across the country. The Widodo administration is accused of violating the rights of Rohingya Muslims. The president sends foreign minister to Myanmar and Bangladesh on a humanitarian mission. For the Indonesian ambassador to Myanmar, there is no genocide".

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - For most Indonesian extremist Muslims, with no perspectives and broad knowledge, the Rohingya issue in Myanmar is becoming a cause celebre.

Extremists want to cause tensions between Indonesias religious communities, especially between radical Muslims and Buddhists of Chinese origin, in order to exploit this "hot" topic to make political gains and turn it into a sectarian issue.

They claim that Burmese Buddhists are setting up 'extermination camps' for Rohingya Muslims. Using such fake information about what is in happening in Myanmars Rahkine State, they are generating hatred against Indonesian Buddhists and organising mass rallies across the country.

Radical groups held rallies in Borobudur, Magelang Regency (Central Java), at the largest Buddhist temple in the world recognised by UNESCO, and in front of the Embassy of Myanmar, in central Jakarta.

On Saturday, dozens of demonstrators gathered at the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta to demand that Aung San Suu Kyi be stripped of her 1991 Nobel Prize for Peace. Protesters also accuse the Widodo administration of being directly involved in human rights violations against Muslims Rohingya.

The protests continued yesterday in central Jakarta near the embassy. A Molotov cocktail was thrown at the front of the building. No casualties were reported and the authorities have condemned the incident.

Responding to the growing tensions in the country, Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo spoke last night about the countrys response to the crisis in Myanmar (picture 1).

In the presence of ministers Wiranto and Pratikno, the president said: "First of all, we regret to hear about the violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar. What we need now is not to find culprits, but real actions to help end the crisis. The Indonesian Government is committed to minimising the humanitarian crisis and coordinating with Indonesian civil society (groups) and the international community to address this issue. "

"I have sent Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to visit Myanmar and Bangladesh (picture 2), and meet local leaders, to discuss the issues and find the best solutions. We have also had long talks with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Kofi Annan, UN Special Representative for Rakhine."

In the meetings with Myanmar authorities, the president explained, the Indonesian minister will ask them to allow greater access for humanitarian aid to displaced Rohingya. "Indonesia has been sending medical and food supplies since January 2017," the president noted.

"We have also managed to set up a school and hospital in Rakhine, which will be operational by next October," he added. Jakarta has also helped displaced persons in special refugee camps, he explained, finally stating that this humanitarian crisis must be stopped and resolved quickly.

Some Indonesian politicians have strongly criticised mass protest in Borobudur to show anger against Indonesias Buddhists. For them what happened in Myanmar is not a religious issue, but a political one. The Indonesian police did not authorise the rallies.

Earlier, Indonesias ambassador to Myanmar, former police general Ito Sumardi, rejected any accusation by the international community and Indonesians that a "genocide" was planned in Rakhine State. in his view, on events in Rakhine, there is a lot of fake information, spread by world media.

"Their basic information is not true and they do not rely on actual facts on the ground," said the former chief of police, in response to what wrote Republika, a Jakarta-based Islamist newspaper. "Such fake information is shaping public opinion, so much so that some people have reacted in an emotional way."

The Indonesian people, Sumardi said, must recognise Myanmars difficult position, as it tries to become a new modern and democratic nation after decades of authoritarian rule.

Violence broke out in Rakhine after local extremists launched a series of attacks on 30 police and army posts as well as civilians, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people.

Myanmar authorities have deployed police who have clashed with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). This has created a large number of refugees, among both Rakhine Rohingya and other local communities.
Jihadist militias suffering from a serious of defeats. For the governor the army will enter the city "within a few hours". Part of the population has already taken to the streets to celebrate the defeat of the "Caliphate". Civilians managed to survive thanks to aid (about 300 launches in a year) dropped from planes.

Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The government and allied militias have accelerated the advance toward Deir Ezzor, an enclave on the Euphrates River in the east of the country loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, under siege by the Islamic State (IS, formerly Isis). In recent days, the military has repeatedly defeated the jihadists, whose defenses seem to have collapsed suddenly and unexpectedly.

Over the past few weeks, the Syrian army, backed by raids and ground operations by Russian forces, has gained ground on several fronts. According to the London-based NGO Syrian Human Rights Observatory, and a dense network of observers on the ground, soldiers are struggling to regain a strategic base (Brigade 137) on the periphery of the city.

Governor of Deir Ezzor Province, Mohammed Ibrahim Samra, said in a telephone interview with Reuters that "within a few hours" the army should arrive in the city. Meanwhile a part of the population has already taken to the streets (in the picture) to celebrate the arrival of the soldiers and the possible defeat of the jihadists.

The province is rich in oil and natural gas and army soldiers have already taken over the control of the Al-Kharata oil field. United Nations estimates that there are at least 93,000 people in the undercover government enclave, which includes much of the city, the Brigade 137 military base and the airport.

For years ISIS militaries have controlled a large part of the province and its capital, Deir Ezzor. Government forces have won back some sectors in 2015, but have since been besieged by jihadists. The civilian population has survived thanks to the aid dropped by government aircraft; in the last year there were about 300 food drops.

Intense fighting is also consuming taking place around the city. Analysts and experts believe that the government's victory is likely to take place within the next few days, demonstrating Assads growing military successes backed by Russian raids and Shiite militias (including Hezbollah) on the battlefield.

In Syria, as in neighboring Iraq, the Islamic State is losing ground, and even the same Syrian stronghold, Raqqa, is being taken by the US-led international coalition. Syrian state television reports that Daesh's troops [Arabic acronym for IS] are on the verge of "collapse" in the face of the government's advance on several fronts.
Focused on making your morning cup of Joe more than just a pick-me-up, Driftaway Coffee brings freshly-roasted coffees from around the world right to your doorstep, just two days after roasting. Complete with each of the four bags that arrive are tasting notes to help guide you through the different aromas and flavors.

What Is Driftaway Coffee?

Think of Driftaway Coffee as your morning sidekick. Every one, two, or four weeks the brand sends along freshly roasted beans, all curated to your taste profile. The company was started by Anu and Suyog back in 2013, a duo who had really grown to appreciate how damn nice it was to have a freshly roasted cup of coffee. Seeking to bring this love to the masses, they began a subscription service that focuses on bringing really top quality beans from around the world right to your doorstep. Anu and Suyog scour the world for smaller-scale farms that grow really interesting beans, roast them by hand, and ship them to you within 12 hours of roasting.

Its best for the coffee reliant, the foodie folks, or to give as a gift. Basically, its simple. You like coffee? Driftaway brings you really good coffee.

Each box includes either 7 oz, 11 oz, or 32 oz of a rotating list of freshly roasted beans, curated to your taste profile.

Unboxing Driftaway Coffee

Ive reviewed many a food subscription service in my day, and I must say, Driftaway has packaging figured out. No unnecessarily large boxes, no excessive amounts of packaging, just a small brown box (which encouraged you to Drink Me Quick!) with all the goodies carefully stacked inside. Each bag is carefully packed in vacuum-sealed, air-safe bags that keep the coffee fresh long past the initial open. Every bag is resealable, so after opening you can keep your beans as fresh as possible. Each bag is stamped with the day it was roasted, tasting notes, weight, flavor profile, and, as a cherry on top, the name of who the coffee is going to.

The Review

Ill be the first to admit Im a coffee snob. Truly - I dare you to try and take me on a coffee date to Starbucks. I have a crippling dependency on coffee and I aint afraid to show it. But one area of my life as a coffee aficionado where Im lacking is my home brew. Im not really a morning person, so when I brew coffee at home its for the sole purpose of dragging myself out of bed. But Driftaway Coffee wants to make your morning coffee more than a kick in the butt. Driftaway wants to make your morning coffee a ritual.

Driftaways tasting kit includes four different coffees with four very different profiles (fruity, classic, bold, and balanced), designed to help you identify what coffees best suits your palette. Given my love of bring-back-the-dead black coffee, I thought I would like the bold. But after comparing and contrasting each of the four flavors, I found myself gravitating more towards the nuttier, chocolate notes of the classic blend.

Via Driftaways app or on Driftaways website, you can rate each of the coffees and add your own personal tasting notes for future reference. From these ratings, Driftaway will curate your future shipments to your taste preferences.

After a few days of testing out these coffees, I began noticing that I actually was taking the time to wake up, brew my coffee, and truly enjoy my cup of joe, instead of lazily dragging around my coffee mug as I got ready for wherever I was headed. What made the experience even more interesting is with each bag of coffee, Driftaway not only provides full tasting notes, but notes on the origin of the coffee, and the story of the farmers who grew the beans. Taking this dedication to transparency one step further, Driftaway Coffee will actually send any feedback you have directly to the farmers so you can congratulate them yourself on a damn good cup of coffee. That was one of the parts of Driftaway that really resonated with me  each coffee had a story. My morning cup of coffee was no longer just a kick-in-the-butt to jumpstart my day, it had some meaning. Yes, that sounds a little philosophical, but it was a really cool experience to read about exactly who made your coffee, from the family of farmers who grew the beans to the Driftaway team who roasts them. Sure beats handing over my money to the gangly teen behind the Starbucks counter.

Even with the tasting kit, that includes four coffees of varying profiles, each coffee was really, really good. Even though, as Ive now discovered, Im not keen on fruity coffees, I enjoyed every sip of the fruitier blend Driftaway sent along. I especially loved the grand affair of analyzing the different tasting notes each cup had to offer.

To make sure you have the best cup possible, Driftaway packs in a handy dandy guide to the perfect cup of coffee. Ranging from the best grinder on the market, to when you should grind your beans, to the perfect water temperature, the guide was jam-packed with how to make the most out of your daily pick-me-up.

As I mentioned earlier, Driftaway really has their packaging down pat. The entire box takes the name Driftaway to heart: each coffee bag is packaged with a luggage in mind (even stamped the airport code of the city it originates from). All needed information comes delivered on a postcard and filled in with descriptors, tasting notes, and the origin story. Maybe my millennial is showing or maybe Im just a sucker for spot-on packaging, but the on-brand packaging really tied the whole shipment together.

Overall, Im sold on Driftaway Coffee. Theres something beautiful about a really great cup of coffee made by local farmers who really care about the final product. It helps a little bit that the coffee is damn good.

Cost

Your first tasting kit will set you back $8, and includes 2 oz bags of four coffees

After the first box, prices are determined based on frequency and how much coffee you need.

For 1 drinker, costing $12: the next shipment will include 7 oz of coffee (or 14 cups)

For 1-2 drinkers, costing $16: the next shipment will include 11 oz of coffee (or 22 cups)

For 2-3 drinkers, costing $34: each shipment will include 32 oz of coffee (or 64 cups), and include free priority shipping (!)

Each shipment can be curated to arrive every week, every two weeks, or every four weeks.

How to Subscribe

Subscribing to Driftaway is easy: order your first tasting kit (coming in at $8 + free shipping), determine your taste profile, and sign up for how much coffee you want and how often you want to be delivered.

One of our favorite parts of Driftaway is the commitment to getting your coffee to you ASAP. Each shipment is packaged and sent to you within twelve hours of roasting, so you get the freshest possible beans. The cost of standard shipping is included in the price of the box, and each box takes an average of three days to arrive, depending on your location.

Managing Your Subscription

Managing your subscription is easy. Via Driftaways app or on Driftaways website, you can edit your taste profile, review your coffees, and basically bug the fine folks at Driftaway for any questions or pointers you may have about making the perfect cup of joe.

You can also

Track shipments

Refer friends

Order gift shipments

Edit order frequency

Change cards and addresses

Is Driftaway Coffee It? The VERDICT: Must Have

If youre a coffee fiend, think about how much you spend on your weekly fix. Is it more than $12? Considering a decent latte can cost upwards of $5 nowadays, probably. With Driftaway, that $12 will get you fourteen cups of coffee, and with the beans all curated to your taste profile. And, for you lazy folks (I mean me too, guys), the coffee is all delivered right to your door, and right after roasting.

But one aspect of Driftaway Coffee that you cant really give a monetary value is the educational aspect. With each shipment comes facts about different coffee growing regions, the various flavor profiles, stories on the farm it came from, and many other fun tidbits. I never thought I would be sipping and comparing fresh brewed coffees like I do red wines, but learning about the types of coffee the world has to offer really puts some excitement in my morning brew.

Driftaway Coffee Competitors

Deals, Coupons and Promo Codes

Right now, Driftaway is offering half off all tasting kits  meaning for just $8 (including shipping!) you can get $16 worth of coffee.
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Ruff Rescue in Hernando County is organizing a drive to help animals affected by Harvey.

Hernando rescue collecting supplies for animals affected by Harvey

Volunteers plan to help smaller towns in Texas, Louisiana

They also hope to have enough supplies for Irma



The group wants to help all types of animals affected by the storm.



Volunteers set up shop at a Tractor Supply in Hudson on Sunday in hopes of getting more supplies.

"Just felt the need to get some donations together and if it were to hit here we'd want some help as well," said Pam Simmons, owner of Ruff Rescue.



Right now, the rescue is keeping what it's collected at Simply Storage in Spring Hill. Ruff Rescue has received about 2,000 pounds of food from a rescue in Georgia, as well as other cleaning and medical supplies.

"When you see the pictures of the horses with their skin falling off because they have horse rot or you see animals that have been in water and treading water for a week how could you not want to help," volunteer Barbara Bouchard said.



Organizers say they are looking for donations for all types of animals. They already have some hand soap and mouthwash, which they say can be used to treat the fur of horses and other animals that have been out in the rain for too long.

"People don't think about the livestock, they think about dogs and cats they don't think about livestock," Simmons said. "There's pigs out there hanging onto fences trying to you know survive."

"They don't have a voice we are their voice we need to help," Bouchard added.



Organizers still need some sort of trailer to transport the supplies or enough donations to rent a truck. They plan to head to small towns along the Texas and Louisiana border that don't have as much help coming in.



But they aren't just thinking about Harvey. They are hoping to get enough donations to help animals that could be affected by Irma.



"Once Irma hits wherever it hits we're hopefully going to have enough supplies that we would then have donations ready to go that day," Simmons said.

There will be people set up at the Tractor Supply stores in Hudson and Brooksville from 6 to 8 p.m. all this week accepting donations for animals.

Organizers say donations can also be dropped off at Simply Storage in Spring Hill.
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8 p.m. U.S. 69 reopens

U.S. 69 between Lumberton and Beaumont has reopened.

6 p.m. Interstate 10 open

I-10 eastbound and westbound lanes are now open throughout Jefferson and Orange counties, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

3:50 p.m. West Orange-Cove CISD determining a start date

West Orange  Cove CISD said Monday all of the district's buildings received minor damage, with the exception of the middle school.

Parts of the middle school flooded, but workers have already started the cleanup process, the district said.

"We are working aggressively to prepare our campuses for receiving students," the district said. "Our plan is to reevaluate at the end of this week to see if we can determine a start date."

3:40 p.m. Christus St. Elizabeth moving to normal hours

Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, which remained open during Harvey, announced today it is moving from emergency to normal operations.

"The city of Nederland has provided water, and engineers have been working around the clock to plan and install a secondary water system to move potable water into the hospital," Christus said in a statement. "Similar agreements have been established with the City of Port Arthur if needed."

The hospital on Monday was providing care to 119 patients. Four Christus emergency centers, including St. Elizabeth, have provided care to 1,400 patients since Aug. 28, the hospital said.

Two water wells on the St. Elizabeth campus have provided non-potable water for infrastructure operations and patient care. Potable water has been stored on campus for crisis situations, and an additional 12,000 gallons of water was shipped in on Saturday, the statement said.

3:15 p.m. Updates on river flooding

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is still seeing major flooding on several rivers across our region, including Pine Island Bayou at Sour Lake and Bevil Oaks, the Neches River at the Salt Water Barrier and in Beaumont, the NWS said.

Flooding continues at the Cow Bayou near Mauriceville and the Sabine River at Bon Wier, Deweyville, and Orange.

"All of these locations have already crested but most of them will stay in major flood category status through at least Thursday," the NWS said.

3:10 p.m. I-10 in Orange County reopens

Interstate 10 eastbound is now open in Orange County. I-10 westbound from FM 105 to the Neches River is still closed due to high water.

3 p.m. Beaumont Baptist Hospital to reopen

Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas plans to reopen at 7 a.m. Tuesday for most hospital operations, including emergency care, patient admitting and other clinical work after the Texas Air National Guard and Texas Army National Guard provided more than 48 hours of M*A*S*H-like care in tents setup on a flood-free parking area.

The Harvey deluge knocked out clean water, causing Baptist to evacuate its almost-200 patients during the worst of the flooding.

The city of Nederland is providing up to 100,000 gallons of clean, potable water for the hospital to restore operations.

The hospital generally uses 50,000 to 60,000 gallons of fresh water per day, said Bryan Chandler, Baptist's vice president for business development.

Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital remained open, depending on well water for its needs.

Baptist also uses well water for its heating, ventilating and air-conditioning needs, but that water is not drinkable.

The Air Force and Army units combined in a rare joint deployment to provide medical help, treating at least 215 patients from around 11 A.M. Saturday to earlier today.

The Army unit will deploy to Ford Park arena to continue its mission to treat soldiers and first responders.

A similar and smaller unit is in operation near the Market Basket shopping center in Vidor, providing medical care free of charge as the units did at Baptist.

2:45 p.m. Employment assistance

Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas will reopen locations at 510 Park St. in Beaumont and 3901 Twin City Highway in Port Arthurtomorrow, with normal business hours.

The Orange Workforce Solutions Center will remain closed until further notice.

People affected by Harvey who want to apply for unemployment benefits, can apply online at www.setworks.org or by calling 1-800-939-6631 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"It is important to note on the application that it is related to damage caused by Harvey," Workforce Solutions said in a statement. "The work search requirement is waived for disaster-related regular unemployment claims."

Workforce Solutions is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for workers who lost their jobs and self-employed workers who have been unable to work due to Harvey.

2:40 p.m. Bridge City checking on neighbors

Beginning today, first responders in Bridge City are going door-to-door to check on residents, said Mayor David Rutledge. The responders will be in uniform, he said.

2:30 p.m. NWS monitoring the tropics

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is monitoring three systems today. Major Hurricane Irma is forecast to be a threat to Cuba and southern Florida this weekend, forecasters said.

"Where it will go beyond that is still up in the air," the NWS said in a statement. "Everyone should stay in a monitor mode on Irma."

A trough of low pressure is in the Bay of Campeche, and the National Hurricane Center gives this system a medium (50%) chance to develop this week, the NWS said.

"Indications as of now show it staying in that part of the Gulf and not threatening our region, thanks to the cold front coming through our area this week," the NWS said.

"Another low-pressure area in the Atlantic has a high (80%) chance to develop this week, but it will remain in the Atlantic through this week."

11:40 a.m. How to get animal care, food in Orange County

The Cowboy Church of Orange County and volunteers, along with Texas Agrilife animal supplies donated by organizations from California to Maine, according to county officials.

The supplies include hay, feed for all animals, buckets, halters and sprays.

The contact person for these resources is Deven Michael by TEXT at 409-738-5461. Text your need or request to this number and Deven will text or call you back. The Cowboy Church is located at 673 FM 1078 in Orange.

Livestock owners that are not able to reach their cattle or livestock to feed them can also contact the Cowboy Church and they can provide feed and remote access to these animals, county officials said.

The Outlaw Veterinary Clinic is providing emergency medical services for large animals at the T2 Arena and Event Center located at 4110 Old Peveto Road in Orange.

For small animal medical emergencies, contact Amanda Trask at 214-236-1703. She will evaluate your needs and advise you if they are able to assist or provide you with information.

11:30 a.m. DA offers advice on looting, contractors

Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham said looting thus far has not been a problem but that he suspects from previous experience that it is likely to occur.

"If someone loots, we're going to insist on a jury, and the jury is going to make a decision about the punishment," said Wortham. "If we prove someone was looting, it's likely they will go to jail."

Proving that someone has looted can be complicated by where personal items are placed outside homes, he said. Wortham said people must place personal items they plan to keep close to their homes and not out by the street.

"A lot of people are taking stuff out of the house and putting it by the curb to dry out," said Wortham. "Other people can logically think that it's giveaway stuff. Some of these are beautiful antiques. Move the antiques off the street and closer to the house and away from where people can assume you're getting rid of them. If someone steals something close to the house, we can do something."

Wortham expects the next big problem will be unethical business practices and warns residents to be aware of contractors coming from other areas of the country as well as those local.

"We'll have a lot of contractors coming to our area from other states, and they'll try to make you a great deal," said Wortham. "They'll ask for a third or half of the money up front. Don't let them have the money. Get a list of supplies that they need and you go and get the supplies. Don't give them the cash."

Wortham said to check with the Better Business Bureau for a contractor's rating. He said even if a contractor says he can get a better deal on supplies or a discount, it's likely you can get the same discount.

If contractors take advantage of people and take their money, Wortham said his office will punish offenders.

"We are going to use every authority we have to prosecute people who are trying to take advantage of our citizens," said Wortham. "If this happens, first call your local authorities. If you've been swindled call the sheriff's department, the police department and let them investigate first."

11:20 a.m. Chambers County curfew, debris pickup

Chambers County lifted its curfew on Saturday, a spokeswoman for Chambers County Judge Jimmie Sylvia said.

Sylvia was in meetings with other county officials at midday on storm recovery.

Debris collection for Chambers County is expected to begin Thursday in the county right of ways, said Ryan Holzaepfel, the county's public information officer.

He estimated about 3,000 homes in Chambers County were struck by flooding. Many were not in the current FEMA floodplain so many are not covered by the National Flood Insurance Program for damage recovery.

"We will need FEMA assistance," Holzaepfel said. "The next thing to do is to set up a disaster recovery center. We're waiting on it. We're told it's coming."

Also, Holzaepfel said there are some "animal issues" in the county that the agriculture extension agent is working on, but the problem is nowhere near the severity it was after the Hurricane Ike storm surge in 2008.

11:15 a.m. City of Beaumont water update

Mayor Becky Ames just said in news conference she hopes the City of Beaumont will have drinkable water within days. Until then, we will continue to rely on our temporary fix. Everyone should continue to boil their water.

9:20 a.m. Entergy updates

Since Sunday, Entergy has restored more than 9,600 Texas customers, leaving nearly 22,500 still without power of the 192,000 affected by the storm, the company said in a statement.

"We expect that all but 16,800 customers will be restored by end of day Monday," the statement said. "These are customers whose service is not sourced from substations that experienced major flooding."

"At this time, 17 substations are affected by water. Of those, five are significantly affected, where extensive damage may have occurred. As the water subsides, we are bringing in mobile substations to serve each community that has received the most damage to their substation while we begin to repair and rebuild."

8:47 a.m. Sabine River crests in Deweyville

The Sabine River crested in Deweyville and Orange County this morning and has started to fall.

8:30 a.m. I-1o update

The only place Interstate 10 is still closed in our coverage area is I-10 at the Neches River in Beaumont.




The Southeast Texas death toll from Harvey rose to 18 on Wednesday.

The body of a man was found in the area of Interstate 10 and Church Street, Orange County Emergency Management said. It appears to be a drowning but the exact cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.

There have been 10 deaths reported in the county, according to Janois Strause Grizzaffi, spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Identities have not yet been confirmed for all of the victims which is why officials have not released names, Grizzaffi said.

Four of the deaths were elderly people and possibly related to a power outage, a statement said.

"If you have a friend or family member that did not leave areas that were impacted by the rising waters and you have not heard from them, we urge you to contact your local law enforcement," according to an Orange County statement.

Newton County Sheriff Billy Rowles said two have died in his county due to floodwaters. He identified as Newton woman as Mrs. Thomas and a Deweyville man as Mr. Sneed in a statement on Monday.

Rowles asked residents to pray for the Thomas and Sneed families.

There are four deaths recorded in Jefferson County.

Port Arthur spokeswoman Risa Carpenter said a woman's body was found inside her home on 22nd Street in Port Arthur on Saturday.

There are three reported deaths in Beaumont.

Colette Sulcer, 41, died after being pulled from rushing waters with her 3-year-old daughter clinging to her side on Aug. 29 A second woman, who was found in the city's low-lying North End early on Aug. 30, has not been identified. Later that same day, rescue teams found a body floating in the 8600 block of Overhill Lane.

Two Harvey-related deaths were reported in Jasper County.

Married couple Russell Barnes, 51, and Ginger Barnes, 43, both of Alvin, were killed after a tree fell on their pickup truck late on the night of Aug. 29.

Statewide, at least 50 people have died or are feared dead in flooding or circumstances connected to Tropical Storm Harvey, according to officials.

> > MORE: Harvey death toll passes 50
Artificial intelligence is already playing a role in healthcare delivery, on the clinical and statistical analysis side. Here, 10 leaders of healthcare and IT companies describe what the future could look like when artificial intelligence is more fully integrated.

Adam C. Powell, PhD. President of Payer+Provider Syndicate (Boston): "We are already taking baby steps towards incorporating artificial intelligence in healthcare. It is already playing a role to some extent, in the form of clinical decision support systems. The use of AI is gradually evolving from providing alerts to assisting in the diagnostic process. AI will at first play a role in making routine diagnostic judgments, and then will gradually be able to be used in low-frequency clinical events. While we often associate AI with voice-based assistants and robots, it is already being used in a simpler form through automated lab test processing and interpretation. Pathology and diagnostic radiology are particularly ripe for AI, as specialists in these fields are fed a digital signal (digital images) and then produce a digital output, in the form of a diagnosis.



In 20 to 30 years, an increasing proportion of routine diagnosis will be able to be handled through AI. Physicians in fields which are not procedural may be particularly vulnerable, in that it may be easier to automate the diagnostic process than the performance of procedures. To prepare for the move towards AI, physicians should focus on acquiring niche diagnostic skills so that they can be useful in situations which are less likely to be automated.

Physicians with niche skills may likewise be useful in helping curate and optimize algorithms used during the diagnostic process. Furthermore, they should invest in enhancing their procedural abilities and patient counselling skills. Even if AI plays a key role in diagnosis, patients will rely upon physicians to help them interpret and adapt to diagnoses."

Kapila Ratnam, PhD. Partner at NewSpring Capital and NewSpring Healthcare (Radnor, Pa.): "In the short term, AI has immediate applicability within the administration and operation of a hospital or healthcare system; more so than in changing how clinical care is delivered. This is predominantly because of how the healthcare ecosystem is regulated; it is one of the most highly regulated industries because it directly impacts individual lives.



Think more in terms of supply chain and inventory management within a hospital; for example, making sure a surgical room is correctly stocked with appropriate inventory based on the series of surgeries to be performed in that room on that day. Having inventory automatically tracked, with an algorithm that is able to assess what the needs are and send instructions to a robot to pick up and deliver appropriate supplies to the surgical room at the beginning of the day. I can also imagine a scenario where an algorithm is able to automatically access cost of supplies from multiple vendors and immediately analyze and assess which vendor delivers the best product at the lowest cost. And follow that up with ordering inventory appropriately, all done without human intervention.



Other applications are in security. For example, assessing whether someone within a health system is inappropriately accessing data and being able to flag that before there is an actual breach of clinical data (there is already a company that has built out an algorithm to do exactly this). Most breaches occur because an insider either deliberately or inadvertently accesses data they should not have."

David Reid. CEO of EaseCentral (San Francisco): "There is no doubt that millennials are a rising buying force, and the healthcare industry is no different. Now is the time for healthcare professionals to build these new relationships and assist millennials in finding their lifelong healthcare professionals of choice.



At the most basic level, the growing telehealth industry has already begun implementing AI into its diagnosis process. Users can upload symptoms, which the makes suggestions to doctors/nurses in real-time. Similarly, doctors can use AI to find the best medication options for a specific patient more efficiently than ever before. AI can play a role in nearly every step of the healthcare system, even acting as a virtual nurse who ensures patients take their mediations (i.e. AiCure), and providing easy-to-manage portal access to discharge instructions and follow-up care. It can even play into insurance, helping users find transparency in pricing and coverage via chatbots and similar consumer-friendly tech tools.



On the employee benefits side, there has been an increase in demand for tech (like telehealth) to be included in benefits care packages. Consumers have grown accustomed to having easy to use, transparent and smart technology in their everyday life, and they expect the healthcare industry to be no different. Healthcare professionals should therefore ensure they have offerings that match this rising shift in demand."

Brian Sanderson. Managing Principal of the Healthcare Services Group at Crowe Horwath LLP (Chicago): "Artificial intelligence provides for the analyses (and conclusions) of large amounts of data quickly by using the human experiences collected via technology. It provides a platform for standardization of the most efficient, effective processes. Much of the advancement in this area currently is occurring on the clinical side, where large amounts of clinical results can be processed quickly to provide physicians with the highest probability for the most effective treatment, whereas previous treatment decisions depended largely on personal experience and advanced training. On the financial side, large amounts of transactional information will provide foresight regarding revenue and cost performance, as predictors (volume, payer, type of service, historical payment patterns, usage rates, demographics, etc.) will enable healthcare executives to project revenue more accurately and address costs proactively.



In 20 years, wearable and implantable devices will predict diseases accurately, allowing for intervention before catastrophic issues. On the financial side, a blockchain-like transaction platform will be in place to captures all reimbursable (or value based-oriented) treatments, and push revenue to providers that are using artificial intelligence to automate the billing process (i.e. without human touch).

John Wood, PhD. CEO of Cardinal Point Healthcare Solutions (San Diego): "While precisely knowing what changes AI can and will bring to healthcare is impossible, it is certain healthcare will change. With that in mind, the best healthcare systems can do to prepare is more effectively manage external change and implement internal change. Mastering change management processes, training physicians to lead change initiatives, and developing fundamental communication strategies that keep all parties informed of what changes are occurring, when they will occur and why they are necessary, will set healthcare systems up for success regardless of the path AI takes in healthcare."

Ashish Koul. Senior Vice President and General Manager for Servion: "Artificial intelligence is expected to revolutionize healthcare in the near future. AI can have a positive effect on:



1) Healthcare customer service: Customer service bots in the future will be able to comb through one's medical records, issue and renew prescriptions, schedule appointments and even help with billing and administrative needs. This will lead to reduced human resources costs (due to fewer call center agents needed), faster issue resolution for patients and a more fluid overall customer experience.

2) Medical diagnosis: AI in the future will mine medical records, spot trends and even detect abnormalities faster. First steps are being taken in oncology and genomics today. AI will also be able to gather and analyze data from phones and smart devices. This can help improve the quality and speed of medical diagnosis.

3) Reach and availability: Technologies like natural language processing will allow virtual bots to converse with any individual having a cell phone. This is especially important in areas with less established healthcare systems, potentially providing basic healthcare access and guidance to a large number of people."

Suvas Vajracharya, PhD. Founder and CEO of Lightning Bolt Solutions (San Francisco): "There is real movement in the development of AI technology that makes physicians more efficient and safer.

At my company for example, our scheduling tool uses AI to drive greater operational efficiency, allowing patients to be seen earlier while avoiding physician burnout. There are also tools helping physicians more directly such as using AI technology to help diagnose and recognize patterns in X-ray films that may not be possible for a radiologist to see with a naked eye. Another example is the digital storage of medical records, which in itself is a very small step, but large amounts of medical records in digital form leads to big data which contain training material for an intelligent system that can suggest diagnoses.

In healthcare, physician burnout is increasing and the physician shortage is worsening, greatly impacting patient outcomes as access to treatment and clinicians becomes an issue. As more people recognize that AI can serve as a solution we can expect to see more widespread adoption."

Amy Simpson. Director and Industry Principle of Healthcare for Pegasystems (Cambridge, Mass.): "We are starting to see experimentation with AI in the behavior process area, particularly with managing health data and connected devices. As the amount of patient generated health data from wearables and other connected health devices continues to increase, AI and machine learning will enable care providers to mine patient data to make more informed and timely decisions to personalize care and improve health outcomes. For example, AI can detect smaller but identifiable changes in patient behavior that could negatively impact their health (such as a drop in glucose levels in a diabetic patient) and alert care management teams to preemptively intervene and ensure adherence to personal care plans.



The scale of this evidence base will dramatically inform the identification, treatment and management of chronic conditions. For example, changes in sleep, heart and breathing rate patterns acquired through devices may be matched with genomics and other biometric data to better predict which individuals will be Type I or II diabetics, and when. Fall patterns, identified by home monitoring devices, correlated with clinical population data, will drive the timing and type of non-medical preventive interventions that today are subjective. Drug research and development will be better informed by ready, real-time access to trial participant data, potentially preventing or reducing the incidence of adverse drug effects. Chronic conditions will be further differentiated by type and subtype based on this vast data set."

Mike Hilton. Chief Product Officer of Accolade (Seattle, Wash.): "AI is a vital technology in healthcare and will be a foundational aspect of tech platforms over the next 10 years. AI will have a big role in eliminating fragmentation and complexity that exists today by streamlining the way information is delivered, shared, analyzed, and applied across the healthcare continuum.



There are massive inefficiencies  and avoidable costs  associated with getting people to the right care, at the right time, and in the right clinical setting. Over the next decade or more, we'll actually look back on AI as a transformative technology that was key to enabling more personalization around the patient, and efficiencies that enable more relevant and effective care plans. AI has the power to leverage data, interactions and science in ways that directly benefit patients, providers, health plans, health system, and employers, all of whom are looking for stronger efficiencies, health outcomes, and cost reductions.



The areas where AI has been blocked from being fully usable in the past, are areas where Accolade has focused extensively: integrating the right data sets into the platform, including member interaction data, and applying a science layer that makes that data truly usable in healthcare. On the data integration side, its important to have access to data in a consolidated way  such as rich data from providers, health plans, employers, and rich contextual data from member interactions. And on top of this rich data is a strong science and machine learning layer, which enable AI to work.



For providers, the AI benefits span personalization, predictive care, and efficiency. Personalization gives providers a far more relevant view into everything thats going on with the patient  symptoms, issues, medications, life factors, behavioral health concerns, access to care, biometric data, etc. New algorithms can give providers the next best recommendation to maximize patient health, while increasing efficiencies, as theyll have the insights and the power to do things that were tough to do in the past.



Were seeing the beginnings of the AI impact in our platform in the way we integrate and present data to our Accolade Health Assistants  who are on the front lines with our members working through care- and benefits-related concerns. Our Maya intelligence engine, with AI and machine learning at the core, crunches hundreds of data points every day, learns from the personal interactions with our health assistants and clinicians, and gets smarter, more personalized, and more accurate over time. AI gives massive stores of data an effective path to improving healthcare.



For the healthcare industry to continue to progress in delivering quality and affordable care, AI should be addressed, embraced, and implemented."

Mark Rolston. Founder and Chief Creative Officer of argodesign (Portola Valley, Calif.): "I look forward to a day when my relationship with my doctor is no longer episodic but instead continuous, supported by sensors that track all of my vitals constantly. AI cognitive systems are constantly monitoring this data and flagging conditions that my doctor needs to see. In this future my doctor knows me well. She will also have the statistical and cognitive support of the millions of other people tracking their own health. In this future, information is shared not just though papers and conferences but though a cognitive system that is constantly processing through all of our collective data to find 'the needles in the haystack' giving doctors amazing new levels of diagnostic insight."
Northern Ireland economist Neil Gibson has been appointed to an all-island role at business advisory firm EY.

Mr Gibson, a columnist for Business Telegraph, is joining the Big Four firm in the role of chief economist. He is a former director of the Ulster University economic policy centre, where he worked for nearly five years, and has been an economic advisor to EY for over a decade.

His role will be to prove economic analysis to EY clients. He said he was "delighted" to take up the role at a time of "great change".

"I have worked with EY over the last decade and I look forward to working with our clients, helping them to continue to succeed during what is set to be a period of unprecedented uncertainty. Tapping into the global EY economic team and working alongside our local EY teams, I am looking forward to enhancing our economic services in Ireland."
Warrenpoint Harbour has started the search for a new chief executive as its existing boss steps down after 12 years. The Co Down port is the second busiest in Northern Ireland in volume of freight handled.

And its hunt for a successor to Peter Conway comes after the Belfast Telegraph revealed that Joe O'Neill, Belfast Harbour commercial director, will replace Roy Adair as chief executive following his retirement.

Head-hunters 4c Executive Search said the successful candidate for the Warrenpoint post would require "entrepreneurial flair.... with demonstrable experience of developing new business opportunities and forging long-lasting relationships with political, business and community stakeholders".

The harbour has indicated it's concerned about the impact of Brexit. Around 50% of its imports and exports begin or end their journey in the Republic.
Belfast actress Kerri Quinn is returning to the Lyric Theatre stage this month for a new adaptation of Conor McPherson's The Weir.

After her successful run in the title role of Educating Rita at the venue, Kerri is no stranger to the Lyric or portraying strong female characters with an interesting story to tell.

She spoke to Belfast Telegraph about life as an actress in Northern Ireland and what it's been like working with director Andrew Flynn.

Q. For those that don't know the story, what can you tell us about The Weir?

It's just a really beautiful play. It's set in a bar in Leitrim, the character I play is called Valerie and she has moved down to this little town.

We don't know her reasons for moving and she has been given a tour of the area by one of the local gents and she finds herself in this little bar one night where she very quickly feels at home.

As the night goes on they start telling stories about the history of the place, they become more and more haunting and personal and the big question is why has Valerie moved to this little town?

It's a very cinematic piece of theatre and it's so beautifully written. There's loads of suspense and loads of laughs, and its just really honest and well told.

Q. What kind of character is Valerie?

For those who don't know the play I'm really cautious about saying too much because she is quite myterious.

I tend to play her quite quiet and reserved and try to keep the audience on their toes with regards to what her story is - I don't think anyone expects her to say what she comes out with on this particular night.

Q. You have a long list of strong female characters on your CV - was this planned or have they just coincidentally come your way?

It's just how things have happened. Playing those parts, like Cabaret and Educating Rita, are those roles that I never would have dreamed of playing and I feel very fortunate they came my way.

And, to my shame, I had never read The Weir. I knew of it but hadn't read it and I didn't know what to expect until I had to immerse myself in the role. As soon as I read it I knew it was going to be a part that would be in my heart.

It's a massive opportunity and I just feel so lucky so hopefully I won't mess it up.

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Q. What has it been like working with director Andrew Flynn?

Andrew is just an absolute dreamboat and I've never worked with anyone like him.

He tells a lot of stories, which is great, he's a really good director for actors because obviously actors don't like being told what to do, let's be honest!

He has a lovely way of trying to paint a picture for you to embrace and take on board, he's an absolute gentleman.

Q. As an actress, what are your thoughts on the theatre scene in Northern Ireland?

I think it's absolutely amazing - I'm a home bid and I have a daughter, so for many reasons I chose to stay in Northern Ireland.

But there is also some amazing work being produced and created here and I've no reasons to move away because of that. I'm working with some really amazing people.

I think the quality of work that's being produced is fantastic - there's a lot of new up and coming actors, writers, directors and it's really great to see a new kind of vibrant approach to theatre.

It's a really exciting time to be working in Belfast.

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Q. You're back working at the Lyric after Educating Rita - would you like to continue performing there?

Educating Rita was such a good showcase for me and it's such an iconic piece of theatre. It showed my face to a lot of people who work within the circles so I think I was in the right place at the right time for it and I've been very fortunate.

But in this game that can change so quickly, so you just have to embrace it when the work is there because you just don't know what's around that corner.

Q. So is it difficult then to look to what the future might hold?

It is, but I would love to do more TV. I love theatre, that's where my heart is, but TV is a completely different beast and a completely different discipline so it would be great to be able to try and tackle that.

Hopefully I might be working a bit further afield but as I say I'm a bit of a home bird and my daughter would kick my backside if I left for longer than two days.
Lobbyists want 60,000 businesses in Ireland to receive 2,000 euro for handling customs for the first time after Brexit

Thousands of businesses in Ireland should receive 2,000 euro for dealing with customs for the first time after Brexit, a lobby group said.

An estimated 60,000 small and medium-sized firms which trade with the UK would be eligible for vouchers from the Irish Government if the proposal by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce is adopted.

It would target traders who are ill-equipped for the extra red tape created by customs procedures.

The report said: "The costs associated with training and the on-going administrative burden for small and medium-sized enterprises will be significant."

The Chamber recommended that the voucher scheme would be open to all small or medium-sized companies dealing with customs for the first time to help them seek specialist advice and train staff.

The report added: "These SMEs currently trade with UK exporters and importers as if they were in their home market.

"Many of these SMEs will be ill-equipped for the administrative and logistical burden of dealing with customs procedures on a regular basis."

Smaller firms are by far the most numerous in Ireland.

The British Government has proposed a future customs arrangement which would see 80% of businesses on the island entirely exempt from any new tariffs post-Brexit.

The exemption would apply to small and medium-sized enterprises involved in localised cross-border trade.

UK Government suggestions would see larger companies engaged in international trade adhering to any new customs regime by completing retrospective declarations either online or at their premises.

If the UK exits the single market after March 2018, barriers to trade will include custom controls, rules of origin checks, differences in regulations, diverging standards and anti-dumping duties, the British Irish Chamber said.

Eight-five thousand Irish businesses trade with the UK, of which 68,000 are small to medium traders - it is estimated 60,000 of these will be dealing with customs for the first time, the report said.

Revenue calculations suggest that custom declarations in Ireland will go from one million to 20 - 30 million, it added.

According to the OECD, crossing the border, documentation and customs compliance requirements, lengthy administrative procedures and other delays can increase transaction costs by up to a quarter of the value of traded goods.

In some countries, revenue losses from inefficient border procedures may exceed 5% of GDP.
A protest by Sinn Fein "language police" outside a Bank of Ireland branch over its decision to drop Irish from cash machine screens will not build confidence in the language, Alliance has said.

Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn criticised what he described as "attempted interference in private business decisions around Irish".

Last week, Sinn Fein senator Niall O Donnghaile and Fra McCann MLA requested a meeting with Bank of Ireland officials after it removed Irish language options from new ATMs in the Republic. They held a protest against the move on Friday at the bank's Belfast headquarters.

Mr O Donnghaile described it as "a backward step and a denigration of Irish language rights". However, the bank said that fewer than 1% of transactions on cash machines offering Irish were completed in the language.

Mr Lunn said such protests needed to end if those from non-traditional backgrounds were to support the language. "Alliance supports a realistic and proportional Irish Language Act as a way to celebrate our shared cultural heritage, not as a pre-condition for government but to help create a stable form of devolution," he said. "But attempts such as this to police the private sector cross an important line and will not help build confidence in the wider community.

"For those who would not traditionally support the Irish language, this will do nothing other than raise the spectre of an Irish language police, when more should be being done to help encourage them to see the positive side of an Act.

"Alliance will continue to push proposals in discussions with all parties and interested stakeholders towards a workable solution which enables an Irish Language Act to be introduced for all in Northern Ireland."
A motion to stop the Lord Mayor of Belfast visiting the White House on St Patrick's Day has been withdrawn.

At a meeting of Belfast City Council this evening councillors were voting on a motion proposed by SDLP councillor Brian Heading.

An amendment by Alliance Party councillor Michael Long changed the wording of the motion's opening paragraphs, and removed a proposal that the Council should aim to prevent any future visit of Donald Trump to Northern Ireland, and a proposal that the Lord Mayor should decline an invitation for St Patrick's Day visit to the White House while the current President is in office.

A vote by councillors saw the amendment added the motion with a vote of 38 for and 11 against.

As a result of this Councillor Brian Heading withdrew the motion.

The amended motion read: "This Council reiterates that it is committed to treating everyone fairly, with equality and respect, and through doing so help our city in its transition from a period of division caused by conflict to a city that celebrates diversity and pluralism.

"The Council condemns the recent comments made by President Trump regarding the tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia, their lack of clarity and his failure to condemn racist organisations such as the Klu Klux Klan and Neo Nazi gangs."

The amendment removed the following two paragraphs from the motion:

"As such, the Council agrees to write, through its Lord Mayor and First Citizen, to the British Prime Minster to request that any invitation, present or future, to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to visit Britain or Northern Ireland is withdrawn or excluded from consideration.

"The Council is also aware that an invitation is traditionally extended to the Lord Mayor to attend the St. Patricks Day celebrations at the White House, Washington DC, each year and requests that, in the event of this invitation being extended again in 2018 and in subsequent years, the Lord Mayor, subsequent Lord Mayors, or any other representatives of the Council, consider declining such an invitation to visit the White House or any state event at which the current US President is anticipated to be in attendance."

During the course of the debate different views were expressed on the impact that the snub on the US President could have.

Former SDLP councillor Kate Mullan, who quit the party in June following a row over leadership, spoke out against the actions of Donald Trump, but noted that Belfast City Council would have greater influence by attending a reception at the White House rather than abstaining from it.

"Whether we like it or not we have to accept who the Americans voted for as President," she said.

Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers claimed he wouldn't be surprised if Donald Trump was aware that the Council debate was taking place, and that passing the motion could be potentially harmful for future business relations between the United States and Northern Ireland.

Responding to this, SDLP councillor Tim Atwood said that it was "always the right time to have a good honest debate in this chamber", and that "international investment is mobile, it goes where it has the best deal".
Conservative Brexit Secretary David Davis was tasked with reaching an agreement with the IRA over bringing the Troubles to an end in the 1990s, according to a new book.

Mr Davis, one of the leading candidates to succeed Theresa May should she step down as Prime Minister, sought advice from Northern Ireland author Martin Dillon over who he could trust in the IRA leadership to deliver a workable resolution to the campaign of violence.

Dillon, who had been living in France after leaving Belfast in the wake of death threats from paramilitaries, travelled to London for a meeting with Mr Davis, who was then a senior advisor to Prime Minister John Major - and whose role in the peace process was hitherto unknown.

The security expert advised the influential Tory that, for a deal to be possible, "Martin McGuinness would have to keep Gerry Adams alive".

Their encounter is recalled in Dillon's new book Crossing The Line: My Life On The Edge, which chronicles the former BBC man's relationships with influential terrorist leaders on both sides of the divide.

Dillon said that Mr Davis had been dispatched by Number 10 - which had already begun secret negotiations with the IRA - to find out which of the organisation's commanders were most open to an agreement, and whether they could sell a peace deal to their rank and file.

"I concluded from some of the things he (David Davis) said that any agreement would involve decommissioning and would not meet the IRA central goal of a united Ireland," wrote Dillon.

"I shared with David my belief that Adams wanted to go down in history as someone who had changed the political dynamics of Ireland.

"Confusingly, he was an idealist and a realist.

"He saw himself as a creative revolutionary in the 1916 Padraig Pearse tradition, but he was also pragmatic."

The book recounts Dillon's words to Mr Davis: "I believe Adams is the most likely member of the IRA's Army Council to propose negotiating a deal with the British government.

"But Martin McGuinness will have to keep Adams alive before and after negotiations become a reality.

"McGuinness has the confidence of the IRA's rank and file. I suspect he will support Adams if there is a deal on the table he, too, can sign off on."

Dillon explained that the reference to keeping the Sinn Fein president alive was related to him being a prime target for loyalist assassins - and added that he didn't need to point out that the British Government was well equipped to ensure Adams' survival.

"MI5 and Special Branch had enough influence in loyalist terror groups to eliminate any risk from these elements," he said.

"However, republicans posed a significant threat because they could get to Adams easily.

"They would kill him if they thought he was selling out.

"The person who had the military clout to stop that happening was McGuinness."

Mr Dillon said that "David Davis later thanks me for speaking frankly and conveyed the prime minister's appreciation of my openness".

On Saturday the Belfast Telegraph revealed some of the explosive claims contained in the legendary former BBC Northern Ireland journalist's latest book.

Crossing the Line includes claims that his former employers were biased against Catholics and nationalists during the Troubles.

Mr Dillon, who worked as a reporter and producer at the corporation during the worst of the violence, said the BBC "paid scant regard to nationalist culture or social injustice" at that time, so much so that one of his colleagues described himself as the "token Catholic".
A former head of the Army has said he is certain all soldiers were properly investigated for their conduct during the Troubles.

General Lord Richard Dannatt added that he was sick of a "witch-hunt" to prosecute ageing troops.

A number of veterans who were based here during the Troubles have received letters asking for statements about fatal shootings ahead of new inquests.

Lord Dannatt said it was "thoroughly unreasonable" to expect soldiers to be able to recall events from decades ago.

"I was a platoon commander aged 20, 46 years ago, and we were involved in a number of incidents in a very intense set of circumstances but everything was investigated properly according to the rules and legislation at the time," he told the BBC's Sunday Morning Live programme.

He also maintained he was proud of the way the Army had conducted itself in Northern Ireland and "all the campaigns that we have been involved in and I have been involved in over an extraordinary period of time".

Lord Dannatt argued the Ministry of Defence had only agreed to reinvestigate some soldiers, as has also been the case in Iraq and Afghanistan, due to fear of the European Court of Human Rights and European legislation.

Last year two former soldiers were told they were to be prosecuted for the 1972 murder of official IRA commander Joe McCann. A third case involves the retired soldier Dennis Hutchings. The 75-year-old is accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a fatal shooting in 1974.

Mark Thompson from campaign group Relatives for Justice told the programme that the rule of law had to apply to all.

"Unfortunately there's a dual process of soldiers who don't want to answer questions and there's a campaign by the UK government to ... provide a smothering blanket to stop the truth being told," he said.

Former soldier Alan Barry, from Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans (JFNIV), dismissed this as "total rubbish".

"A case I have here is relating to a 74-year-old veteran who was involved in an incident in the 1970s. He was questioned at the time of the incident as were all the people on that patrol," he said.

"He was re-questioned again about 20 years after the incident and then yet again he was arrested about three years ago, questioned again and on this occasion he was held in detention for three days and questioned 26 times."

Mr Thompson responded saying the original investigations with soldiers could not be considered impartial as the soldiers were questioned by their colleagues and as witnesses rather than suspects.
A grandmother and her two grandchildren had a lucky escape after shots were fired through their living room window.

The three had gone to bed at their home on Shimna Walk in Lurgan on Saturday night when a man shot twice through the window.

He was seen running from the scene seconds later.

No one was injured but the woman, who is in her 50s, and the children were "shaken" by the ordeal.

Three police Land Rovers attended the scene and sealed off the area.

MLAs condemned the attack and urged residents to stay calm.

Upper Bann DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said: "My thoughts are with those who were caught up in this terrifying ordeal, particularly the children. I utterly condemn it and am thankful no one was seriously injured.

"This is a residential area and on speaking with local people they are naturally deeply concerned.

"This is the second occurrence in a very short space of time and I am working with all concerned and the authorities to ensure action is taken and community confidence restored."

Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd also condemned the attack.

"This attack on Saturday night, during which shots were fired at a house in Shimna Walk, is wrong and must be condemned," Mr O'Dowd said.

"Thankfully no-one was injured in this incident but it must have been a frightening experience for those involved.

"There is no place for guns on the streets and those behind these attacks need to end their war with the community."
Irish winters are leaving one in four older adults deficient in vitamin D, a new study has found.

However, even during the summer, when the body usually produces vitamin D, one in eight adults over the age of 50 have been found to be lacking the essential vitamin.

The vitamin, which is produced by the body after exposure to summer sunshine, is needed for normal bone health and for the prevention of conditions such as osteoporosis. A deficiency can be treated easily with supplements.

Researchers from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin have discovered wide variations in vitamin D deficiency across the different provinces of the island of Ireland and that these are dependent on lifestyle.

People living in Northern Ireland, the North and West of Ireland, and those who were physically inactive, were much more likely to be lacking in the vitamin, according to the study.

The research, which was published on Monday in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, also found that vitamin D deficiency increased with age.

In adults over the age of 80, 37% were deficient in winter, compared with 22% of 50-59 year olds.

Vitamin D deficiency was found to be more common in smokers (23%), people who live alone (21%) and those from a lower socio-economic background (17%).

According to the research, the use of vitamin D supplementation was low, with only 8.5% of the over-50 population taking it.

Lead author of the study and Research Fellow at TILDA, Dr Eamon Laird, said he hoped the data would help inform public health policy, in particular with regards to vitamin D food fortification and the targeting of supplements aimed at reducing endemic vitamin D deficiency.

"To place this in context, in a country such as Finland, which gets less sunlight than Ireland and is at a more northern latitude, actually has less prevalence of vitamin D deficiency than Ireland due to a comprehensive public health policy of supplementation and fortification," he said.

Dr Laird added that the research shows "striking differences in the prevalence of deficiency across different physical and lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking and physical inactivity, all of which are modifiable risk factors."

Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA, said sufficient vitamin D status is needed for normal bone health and for the prevention of debilitating chronic conditions such as osteoporosis.

She warned that new research has shown that vitamin D deficiency "may also be associated with heart disease, kidney disease, brain health and diabetes."

"If these associations are confirmed in other large studies, then the high rates of deficiency seen in the older adult population are of concern and, given that vitamin D can be treated easily with supplementation, this has significant policy and practice implications for government and health services," added Professor Kenny.
A former health minister has called on businesses in Northern Ireland to ensure breastfeeding mothers and babies are supported and not stigmatised. Picture posed

A former health minister has called on businesses in Northern Ireland to ensure breastfeeding mothers and babies are supported and not stigmatised.

Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew urged local businesses to fully commit to the Public Health Agency's (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here programme "in order to promote and normalise breastfeeding and challenge the social stigma that is attached to breastfeeding, particularly in relation to breastfeeding in public places".

It comes after a mother out for lunch with her newborn son and her husband at a restaurant in Belfast's Victoria Square was told she could not breastfeed there.

Make-up-artist Lisa Wilson (28) later said she felt humiliated, and Pizza Express later said they would ensure it didn't happen again.

Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Ms Gildernew said: "Discrimination towards mothers who breastfeed is unacceptable.

"No mother should ever be discouraged or made feel guilty for breastfeeding her baby in public."
Two pensioners occupying a museum in protest at a controversial exhibition have been told they can remain there as long as they wish.

The women are outraged their relatives' names are part of a display at the Museum of Free Derry alongside those of dead British soldiers, and want them removed.

Helen Deery and Linda Nash have 'occupied' the Bogside museum since Wednesday. They are sleeping on the concrete floor overnight and sitting in the foyer holding signs saying 'relatives betrayed' during opening hours.

Speaking from inside the locked museum last night, Helen, whose 15-year-old brother Manus was shot dead by a soldier in 1972, said she was "utterly exhausted" as their protest headed for its sixth day.

She is joined by Ms Nash, whose 19-year-old brother William was killed on Bloody Sunday in the same year.

Helen told the Belfast Telegraph last night: "As soon as they take my brother out of the exhibition I will leave, and the same for Linda. I am utterly exhausted but my resolve is still strong. We have no access to washing facilities, we are not allowed into the kitchen and we are sleeping on the floor. But this won't take a second longer if they take our loved ones' names down.

"I don't care what other names are up there, but I want my brother's name removed. Then I will go and never say another word about it."

The museum is owned by the Bloody Sunday Trust and, on one of its visual exhibitions the names of everyone killed in the Troubles from 1969 to 1972 flash up on a screen.

In a statement, the Trust said museum staff were "taken by surprise" by the protest as they are currently surveying families of victims about their attitude towards the display.

It added: "We wish to invite Helen and Linda to stay in the museum as long as they like.

"As our guests they are free to use the facilities of the museum and we are happy to facilitate any personal needs such as a change of clothes, bedding, etc.

"We are happy for the two women to explain the nature of their protest to those visiting the museum and would urge all those in Derry and from wider afield who wish to explore the issue of how best we tell the story of the past to visit the museum, meet and talk with Helen and Linda and to see the display of names for themselves.

"To facilitate this conversation, the Trust will be preparing a short leaflet explaining the purpose of the display and who Helen and Linda are. A copy of this leaflet will be handed to every visitor to the museum."
Sinn Fein leader at Stormont Michelle O'Neill (centre) with party colleagues during talks on the prospect of restoring powersharing

Powersharing has been in deep freeze since early this year

James Brokenshire warned he could be forced to pass a budget for the deadlocked politicians as public services suffer

Financial pressure on Northern Ireland's health service could force the UK Government to step in if political powersharing cannot be resurrected soon, James Brokenshire has warned.

All party leaders agreed on the need for devolution during talks with the Secretary of State on Monday and Sinn Fein claimed a deal could be done in days with the right attitude.

DUP chief Arlene Foster said talks could not be prolonged.

Mr Brokenshire warned he could be forced to pass a budget at Westminster as public services suffer.

He said: "I cannot ignore the growing concern in the wider community here about the impact that the current political impasse is having on the local economy and on the delivery of key public services."

It has been seven months since Stormont ministers took decisions and political negotiations were paused over the summer.

Health trusts recently unveiled 70 million of cost-saving proposals.

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Whatsapp DUP leader Arlene Foster and party colleagues in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Mr Brokenshire said: "The window of opportunity to restore devolution and to form an executive is closing rapidly as we move further into the autumn.

"With pressures on public services already evident, most particularly in the health service, the need for intervention is becoming increasingly clear.

"The UK Government has a duty to the people of Northern Ireland to provide political stability and certainty.

"If this political impasse continues I will be forced to legislate in Westminster for a budget for Northern Ireland and consider next steps.

"I don't want to have to take this action."

Mrs Foster has said the Northern Ireland Secretary needed to make a decision by next month on the prospect for fresh talks or direct rule from London.

Mr Brokenshire said he would continue to meet the parties bilaterally to establish emerging grounds for consensus, potentially returning quickly to a structured multi-party process.

Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney will meet the parties on Tuesday.

Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill said: "There is a short window in front of us where we need to find solutions and a way forward.

Expand Close Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill speaks to the media in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill speaks to the media in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

"We need a short, sharp and focused negotiation in the small time-frame we have ahead of us."

The DUP leader said Sinn Fein had reacted with breakneck speed to reject her suggestion last week that a ministerial executive at Stormont be restored alongside a parallel process dealing with cultural issues such as the Irish language.

Powersharing has been in deep freeze since early this year when the late Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest at the DUP's handling of a botched green energy scheme which risks landing the taxpayer in millions of pounds of debt.

Mr Brokenshire held discussions with the Ulster Unionists and Democratic Unionists, nationalist SDLP, cross-community Alliance Party and Sinn Fein on Monday on whether to initiate another round of talks.

Outstanding issues in the dispute between the parties include legal protection for the Irish language and dealing with violence from Northern Ireland's past.

Mrs Foster has called for a "common sense" solution appointing Stormont ministers alongside a time-limited process for the Irish language and Ulster Scots.

Mrs O'Neill said: "What she did was go away and call for something which she knew would be rejected."
Lord Mayor of Belfast Nuala McAllister at her installation dinner in City Hall with her partner Sam Nelson and their son Finn

A row has erupted at City Hall after Belfasts new Lord Mayor dispensed with prayers before her installation dinner.

Nuala McAllister, an atheist, didnt invite anyone to say grace at the event on Saturday night in what has been described as an unwelcome departure from tradition.

It is understood she felt some people attending the dinner who are not religious may have been uncomfortable with praying, but others have voiced firm opposition to her decision not to respect the decades-old convention.

Instead, in some cases it fell upon leading clerics to offer up grace for guests at their individual tables ahead of the lavish four-course meal in the buildings ornate Great Hall.

The Alliance Party councillor  who outlined her plan to promote a Belfast that is open, welcome and inclusive  was not available for comment when contacted by the Belfast Telegraph last night.

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Noble McNeely, who attended the event for the first time, said he led prayers at his table when it became apparent that it wasnt on the agenda for the evening.

There was no grace on the programme and the Master of Ceremonies didnt call anyone to lead the gathering in grace, he said.

Im sure Dr Laurence Graham (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland) or myself would have been prepared to say grace but that wasnt requested. I dont know why that didnt happen but maybe it is a sign of the times.

Rev McNeely said he believed its a good thing to give grace before dinner to give God thanks for his goodness towards us and for the nourishment of each day, especially at such a high-profile, public event.

He added: I understand why people feel disappointment that there was no grace said as part of the proceedings on Saturday but we as ministers recognise its the prerogative of the host.

Free Presbyterian minister Rev David McLaughlin said Ms McAllisters decision to scrap grace was a glaring omission.

Saying grace at the Lord Mayors installation dinner is something that has been done by way of custom for the last 25 years.

Im very annoyed at this very sad state of affairs; its a further indication of the erosion of the Christian heritage upon which this country was founded; indeed, it shows how far weve departed from our Christian heritage when we cant even offer a simple thanks for food, said Rev McLaughlin.

If she didnt want to say grace then she should have arranged for someone else to do it or called upon a member of the clergy to offer a simple word of prayer.

The minister added that he will be contacting the Alliance Party to express his extreme displeasure at the Lord Mayors actions. A City Hall source told the Belfast Telegraph that the decision had caused widespread anger among members across parties and had cast a shadow over the night.

There is no doubting that this is an extremely delicate matter, said the insider.

Grace has always been said, even by Lord Mayors who wouldnt darken the doors of a church or chapel.

Belfast High Sheriff Tom Haire said that while some guests were annoyed at the absence of grace, his table didnt miss out, thanks to his neighbour Rev McNeely.

Our table did its own thing; we invited Rev McNeely to say grace so we werent put out in any shape or form, he said.

It was obvious, however, that some tables were waiting before starting dinner because they were expecting prayers as is the normal tradition.

Mr Haires DUP colleague Aileen Graham said that, ultimately, it was up to the Lord Mayor whether to say grace or not.

Saying grace at the installation is a tradition and unionists have a very pro-grace attitude, she said. But at the end of the day, it was her night and you cant force anyone to say grace if they dont want to.

The SDLPs Pat Convery, who was at the event, said the decision didnt go unnoticed by guests on Saturday night.

It was noticeable that grace was missed out on this occasion but I have no doubt that the Lord Mayor gave this her consideration, he said.

Many people felt it would have been better with grace but its her choice.

PUP politician John Kyle said that eyebrows were raised at the strange omission.

It was a surprising break from tradition; if I had the honour of being Lord Mayor its something I would definitely do to set the correct tone for the evening, he added.
A group which claims to expose paedophiles online is vowing to continue its activities - in spite of the death of a man it confronted in Co Antrim.

Silent Justice says it protects children by identifying predators who attempt to groom them for sex.

Activists, who describe themselves as "child protection enforcers", are based in England but have recently started operating in Northern Ireland.

A spokesman told our sister paper Sunday Life that they operated because "the justice system doesn't work".

"We are simply concerned parents and we do a better job than the police do," he said.

The group came under fire following the death of a Co Antrim man which it exposed publicly, accusing him of grooming what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

It was, in fact, a member of Silent Justice posing as a girl to whom the married man sent messages, including graphic images and videos of himself.

The man aged in his 50s was confronted at his home by the group and footage of the incident was published online.

He was named on Silent Justice's Facebook site before being arrested and interviewed - but he took his own life days later.

Following his death, the group faced criticism including comments from Deputy Chief Superintendent George Clarke who slammed Silent Justice, saying it was "not accountable".

"They are not the police. They are not accountable, they don't have the legitimacy, or the transparency, or the structures that underpin the police service," he said.

Ex-PSNI officer and child protection expert Jim Gamble also criticised the group's actions.

"It's fundamentally unregulated and not integrated with law enforcement and often more about promoting the activities of the group than making sure due process is followed," Mr Gamble said.

"We are not far away from an accident happening or an innocent person being accused.

"They don't have the capacity, sophistication and policies in place to deal with these issues effectively," Mr Gamble added.

But the Silent Justice spokesman stated: "What we are there to do is let the public judge - we know the law and the police know how thorough we are.

"We are not some poxey group and we don't have thousands of followers for nothing."

He added: "You can't change a paedophile not to be attracted to kids, there is no rehabilitation, there's no cure."

The group has also recently exposed two men grooming people they thought were children online.

One is a convicted paedophile and the other is a member of the armed forces who was stationed in Northern Ireland.
Police in the Republic investigating the brutal IRA murder of a farmer have been passed information by an Irish politician, it has emerged.

Peter Fitzpatrick confirmed he met gardai last week to discuss the review of the killing of Tom Oliver. The Fine Gael TD said he had handed them details he believed to be relevant to the investigation.

Mr Oliver, a 42-year-old sheep farmer, was abducted from his home in Co Louth in 1991. His tortured body was found across the border in South Armagh the next day.

Mr Fitzpatrick, a TD for Louth, said: "I met with senior gardai in Louth on Friday morning and it was a very productive meeting where they confirmed to me that they were looking into fresh lines of inquiry.

"I strongly encourage those with information that could be helpful to the investigation to come forward."

Mr Fitzpatrick later confirmed he gave gardai information relating to the case.

"I spoke with gardai and told them information I had relating to the murder," he told the Sunday Independent.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has angered Mr Oliver's family and the farming community when he suggested the father of seven's murder was "politically motivated".

He also said it would be "absolutely counter-productive" to jail those responsible for the cold-blooded killing.

Last week Mr Adams urged Mr Fitzpatrick to speak to gardai if he had any information about Mr Oliver's murder.

At the weekend Mr Fitzpatrick said the "time has come" for those involved in Mr Oliver's death to "come clean".

"Deputy Gerry Adams has said that asking for information on the torture and murder does not help the process of truth recovery. I would be very interested in any measures that Deputy Adams might have to aid the process of truth recovery," he said.

"I ask Deputy Adams, has the time not come for the Provisional movement, in the interests of law and order, to bring information to the Garda on the many murders they are linked with? Our justice system takes place in a court of law, not on back roads with blacked-out vans."

The TD was referring to Mr Adams's decision to bring the sons of murdered prison guard Brian Stack to meet those involved in their father's murders in a blacked-out van.

Mr Adams has denied that he knows anything about the murder of Mr Oliver by the IRA.

Mr Oliver was dragged from his home in the Cooley Peninsula before being beaten and murdered.

The IRA later claimed responsibility for the murder.
Former INLA man Gerard Murray with a picture of Thomas 'Ta' Power

Police in the Republic of Ireland have arrested a man in connection with the double murder of two INLA members more than 30 years ago.

Belfast men Thomas 'Ta' Power and John Gerard OReilly were shot as they sat in the lounge of the Rossnaree, Hotel in Dorgheda, Co Louth in January 1987.

The shooting is thought to have been related to an internal INLA feud.

Gardai in Drogheda have confirmed that this morning they arrested a male in his 60s in connection with the deaths.

The man was arrested in the Dublin area.
The Queen has officially opened the breathtaking new Queensferry Crossing, hailing the bridge as an extraordinary achievement.

She returned to the Firth of Forth to formally open the new structure 53 years after opening the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge.

As well as being a breathtaking sight, she said the new bridge would be an important link between the Lothians and Fife, in addition to the Forth road and rail bridges.

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She said: The three magnificent structures we see here span three centuries, are all feats of modern engineering and a tribute to the vision and remarkable skill of those who designed and built them.

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the monarch: Your Majesty, we are honoured that you are here with us today.

You, supported by the Duke of Edinburgh, have been at the centre of many key moments in Scotlands national life. We are delighted that you are also at this one.

On the day that your great-grandfather opened the original Forth Bridge in 1890, he declared it as a wonder of the age.

When you opened the Forth Road Bridge in 1964, you said that it showed Scotlands determination to remain among the leaders in all branches of technology.

Today, this magnificent Queensferry Crossing takes its own place as a modern marvel.

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Ms Sturgeon also addressed the crowd, saying the creation of the bridge was an outstanding achievement as she thanked those involved in the project.

She told them: The nations heart is bursting with pride at what you have achieved.

Earlier, hundreds of spectators watched as the Queen  who is to become a grandmother again after it was announced the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting her third child  formally opened the bridge by cutting a ribbon on the south side.

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She was accompanied by Philip on his first official appearance alongside her since retiring from solo royal engagements last month and the royal couple met Ms Sturgeon, constructors representatives and local officials.

The Queen  wearing a Stuart Parvin sky-blue cashmere coat with a matching hat by Angela Kelly, a printed paisley dress and a diamond thistle brooch  was welcomed on to the new crossing by an honour guard of the Royal Company of Archers and the national anthem from the Royal Regiment of Scotland band.

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She was greeted by cheering crowds of children from schools from both sides of the bridge waving saltire flags and was given a floral posy by Elizabeth Martin, grand-daughter of crossing project director Michael Martin.

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The Queen was then driven to the north side, where she made a short speech and unveiled a plaque.

The Red Arrows marked the occasion with a flypast while a flotilla of boats travelled under the bridge and Church of Scotland Moderator The Right Rev Dr Derek Browning blessed the structure.

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The formal ceremony was the high point in a week of events marking the opening of the 1.35 billion structure  the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world  more than a decade after plans were drawn up and after six years of construction work.
Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have enjoyed a week-long group holiday in Cornwall.

The break was arranged by mother Esme Page after she watched television reports of the disaster from her home in Truro, 280 miles away.

She posted on Facebook six days after the blaze and founded Cornwall Hugs Grenfell, arranging holidays for those affected.

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The project, which is set to run until 2019, provided free holidays for families in individual cottages throughout the summer.

Last week, it hosted 62 guests from Kensington, consisting of survivors, those evacuated from neighbouring blocks and supporting families.

In what is believed to be the first holiday of its kind, the 15 families stayed together at the University of Exeters Cornwall campus at Penryn.

They visited local attractions such as a farm, the Eden Project and St Michaels Mount and took part in activities including water-sports and a zip wire.

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The group, including 30 children, had therapy sessions of massage, reflexology, sound therapy, sculpture and singing workshops.

Local food included cream teas, fish and chips on the Swanpool beach, ice creams and lunch on Gyllyngvase beach.

I came up with the idea on the day of the fire, watching the coverage but I restrained for a few days because I thought it would be too difficult and complex, Ms Page said.

Then I felt compelled that I had to do it. I posted on Facebook and the response was overwhelming.

Her Facebook post, on June 20, read: Imagine if we could put a Cornish holiday on the horizon of every Grenfell resident and firefighter family: a time to rest, a time to let our beautiful county bless these people and work its gentle magic.

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Since then, the project had received more than 200 pledges of accommodation and vouchers from local businesses for attractions and meals.

Firefighters from Falmouth, along with the schools headteacher, acted as minibus drivers for the group holiday.

Ms Page described the holiday as a rich, humbling week, adding many guests felt it had re-built something of the community they lost.

Dany Duncan, of ElementalUK watersports centre, co-ordinated the transport for the holiday as well as providing two days of watersports.

I was bowled over by the positivity of everyone we took on the water. Young and old, they all wanted to have a go, Mr Duncan said.

Expand Close Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have enjoyed a week-long group holiday in Cornwall (Hugs for Grenfell/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have enjoyed a week-long group holiday in Cornwall (Hugs for Grenfell/PA)

The 62 guests were aged between seven weeks and 64 years old, with only one having visited Cornwall before.

Hanan Wahani, who used to live on the ninth floor of Grenfell Tower, lost her brothers family-of-five who lived on the 21st floor in the fire.

The primary school teacher, a mother-of-two, said the calm and gentle atmosphere of Cornwall encouraged her to let out her pain.

I will forever remember what happened to us and our devastating loss, but being in Cornwall encouraged me to recall the good memories I shared with those I lost, she said.

The group holiday was oversubscribed and Cornwall Hugs Grenfell aims to offer another break in October or February half-term.

It is appealing for property owners and large accommodation providers, particularly where visitors do not require a car, to pledge units for these times.

Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cornwallhugsgrenfellphase2.
The Duchess of Cambridge will no longer carry out her planned engagements (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)

Prince Harry has expressed his delight that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child, branding the news fantastic.

Harry, who will be the new royal babys uncle, declared he was very, very happy and said of Kate, who is suffering with severe morning sickness: I think shes okay.

The Duchess, who is being cared for at Kensington Palace, has hyperemesis gravidarum, as she did in her previous pregnancies.

The rare condition, which causes severe vomiting, affects 3.5 in every 1,000 pregnant women.

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William and Kate are thrilled to be welcoming a new addition to their family, a sibling for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The happy announcement comes just four days after the Duke marked the 20th anniversary of the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Kate is less than 12 weeks pregnant, with Kensington Palace revealing the news early after the Duchess had to pull out of a public engagement on Monday due to severe morning sickness.

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Grandfather the Prince of Wales is said to be delighted, as are the Queen and other members of William and Kates family.

Harry gave a thumbs up when he was asked about royal baby as he arrived for a visit in Manchester, adding: Fantastic. Great. Very, very happy for them.

On how the Duchess was, he replied: I havent seen her for a while but I think shes okay.

Asked for Prime Minister Theresa Mays response to the announcement, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: It is fantastic news and she passes on her congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

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Just weeks ago, Kate joked about having a third child while on a tour of Poland and Germany with William, George and Charlotte.

After being given a present designed for newborns while in Warsaw, she laughed and turned to William, saying: We will just have to have more babies.

The Duchess, who is one of three siblings and had a happy home life, was always expected to have three children.

Expand Close The news was announced as the royal couple were preparing to send their eldest child, Prince George, off to school for the first time (Jane Barlow/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp The news was announced as the royal couple were preparing to send their eldest child, Prince George, off to school for the first time (Jane Barlow/PA)

Kensington Palace said in a statement: Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.

The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

Kate had been due to visit the Hornsey Road Childrens Centre in London to hear about the mental health impact of becoming a mother.

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Clarence House said of heir to the throne Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall: They are delighted at the news.

The announcement comes as William and Kate are preparing to send their eldest child off to school for the first time.

Four-year-old future king George starts at fee-paying independent school Thomass Battersea in south London on Thursday.

As Harry talked to people living in Canada Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, local resident David Masterson shouted to him: Congratulations on your kid having a baby.

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The royal visitor gave Mr Masterson a thumbs up and said: Thanks.

Mr Masterson managed a handshake with Harry as he left.

He said: I grew up on the street all my life so to see Prince Harry on it is a bit of a shock. I just congratulated him. I didnt think Id get a chance to.

His nine-year-old daughter Lisa said she was looking forward to the royal babys birth.

She said: I think its going to be really nice.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace has announced.

In a statement the palace said Catherine was suffering from severe morning sickness, as she did with her previous pregnancies, so a public engagement she had later on Monday had been cancelled.

The statement said: "Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.

"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

"As with her previous two pregnancies, the Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

"Her royal highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today.

"The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace."

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The news was announced as the royal couple were preparing to send their eldest child, Prince George, off to school for the first time.

They have chosen a fee-paying independent school in a south London borough for their four-year-old son.

Thomas's Battersea will welcome the young prince and his parents on Thursday.

George's first day at school will also mark a new chapter for the Cambridges as they are now mainly based in their Kensington Palace apartment rather than their Norfolk home Anmer Hall.

Prince William, who quit his job as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance in July to become a full-time royal, is also due to attend the National Mental Health and Policing Conference in Oxford on Tuesday.

The couple's third child will be born fifth in line to the throne, bumping uncle Harry out of the top five and into sixth place.

The Prince of Wales is first in line, followed by William, Prince George and the couple's daughter Princess Charlotte, who is two.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting in response to North Koreas most powerful nuclear test  as the Trump administration warned any threat to the US or its allies would trigger a massive military response.

The meeting on Monday, at the request of the UK, US, Japan, France and South Korea, comes after Kim Jong Uns regime carried out its sixth test of a nuclear device.

US defence secretary Jim Mattis briefed President Donald Trump about the military options available if the crisis escalated, adding that Washington was capable of launching an effective and overwhelming response.

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While the US was not looking to the total annihilation of North Korea there were many options to do so, he said.

But in the UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson cautioned against a military strike, because North Korea already had the ability to vaporise large parts of the population of South Korea even without nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Theresa May said Pyongyangs actions posed an unacceptable further threat to the international community and urged world leaders to increase pressure on the regime.

The test blast came after propaganda pictures were published of Kim examining what was said to be a nuclear warhead being fitted on to the nose of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Mrs May reiterated the call for tougher action, including increasing the pace of implementation of existing sanctions and looking urgently in the UN Security Council at new measures she had made alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during her visit last week.

She said: This is now even more pressing. The international community has universally condemned this test and must come together to continue to increase the pressure on North Koreas leaders to stop their destabilising actions.

The Foreign Secretary played down the prospect of military action although he acknowledged all options remained on the table.

Mr Johnson said: There is no question that this is another provocation, it is reckless, what they are doing is, they seem to be moving closer towards a hydrogen bomb which, if fitted to a successful missile, would unquestionably present a new order of threat.

Arguing for a diplomatic solution he said: Its certainly our view that none of the military options are good. It is of course right to say that all options are on the table, but we really dont see an easy military solution.

The Chinese government expressed firm opposition and strong condemnation and urged North Korea to stop taking erroneous actions that deteriorate the situation.

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But Mr Johnson urged Beijing to go further in putting economic pressure on its neighbour.

He said: Our message to the Chinese is, and we are working ever more closely with them, we think there is more scope for you, the Chinese, to put economic pressure on the North Koreans.

It has worked, we have seen signs in the last six months of Chinese pressure actually changing the approach of North Koreans  lets see if we can do it again.
The man is charged with placing an article with the intention of causing someone to believe it was likely to explode or ignite.

A west Belfast man has appeared in court after a hoax device was found at a neighbour's home.

Padraig McKernan, 27, is charged with placing an article with the intention of causing someone to believe it was likely to explode or ignite.

The alleged offence relates to an incident at a property close to his own Ardmonagh Parade address on Sunday.

Standing in the dock at Belfast Magistrates' Court, McKernan confirmed he understood the alleged offence.

But he told a detective who connected him to the charge: "You're a lying ****."

Bail was granted on conditions including a ban on either entering Ardmonagh Parade or contacting a woman connected to the case.

McKernan must live under curfew at another address in the city.

A judge ordered him to keep any appointments with a key worker at his medical centre.

McKernan is due to appear back in court next month.
A 106-year-old Afghan woman who made a perilous journey to Europe - carried by her son and grandson through mountains, deserts and forests - is facing deportation from Sweden after her asylum application was rejected.

Bibihal Uzbeki is severely disabled and can barely speak.

Her family has appealed against the rejection, and she is allowed up to three appeals, a process that could take a long time.

The applications of other family members are in various stages of appeal.

Their journey made headlines in 2015, when they were part of a huge influx of people who came to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.

They travelled by foot and on trains through the Balkans before finally reaching Sweden.

The Swedish Migration Agency confirms they have made a decision on the case and says age does not by itself provide grounds for asylum.

AP

Her rejection letter came during Ramadan. While the family avoided telling her, the constant grief from her granddaughters made her suspicious.

"My sisters were crying," explained 22-year-old Mohammed Uzbeki.

"My grandmother asked, 'Why are you crying?'"

The family says that soon after she understood her request was denied, her health started deteriorating and she suffered a debilitating stroke.

The Swedish Migration Agency confirmed in a statement it had "taken a decision regarding an expulsion in the case", adding: "Generally speaking, high age does not in itself provide grounds for asylum."

The family feels the plight of Afghans is being ignored by Swedish authorities.

Many countries in Europe deny asylum to Afghans from parts of the country considered safe.

"The reasoning from the migration agency is that it's not unsafe enough in Afghanistan," said Sanna Vestin, the head of the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups.

But she said many of the big cities cited as safe are not at the moment.

Before their journey to Sweden, the family had been living illegally in Iran for eight years.

They left Afghanistan because of an ongoing war and insecurity, but Mohammed Uzbeki said it is difficult to prove that the family faces a specific enemy if they return.

"If I knew who was the enemy, I would have just avoided them," he said, citing the Islamic State group, the Taliban and suicide bombers as possible dangers.

AP
Antoni Macierewicz made his remarks during a visit to Sulejow, a small town in central Poland (AP)

The Polish defence minister has accused the leaders of Germany and France of trying to "erase from Europe's historical memory" what Poland suffered during the Second World War at German hands.

Antoni Macierewicz made his remarks during a visit to Sulejow, a small town in central Poland which marked the 78th anniversary of being bombarded by the German Luftwaffe at the start of the war.

The minister said he wanted to remind German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron that six million Polish citizens were killed and Polish cities and villages were destroyed.

The comment comes amid growing tensions between Poland's conservative-nationalist government and both Mrs Merkel and Mr Macron, who have recently criticised perceived rule of law violations by the Warsaw leaders.
Police in Israel have arrested six people, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff and a former navy commander, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the purchase of German submarines, according to media reports.

David Sharan, an American-born former Netanyahu aide, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes, fraud, breach of trust and conspiracy.

A court extended Mr Sharan's detention by five days.

Police could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sunday's arrests are the latest in a probe into suspected corruption surrounding the 2 billion dollar (1.54 billion) deal with German manufacturer Thyssenkrupp.

Mr Netanyahu is not a suspect in the case, but his personal lawyer, who is also his cousin, is involved.

Police have questioned Mr Netanyahu over separate corruption allegations. He has denied any wrongdoing.

AP
North Korea claimed a "perfect success" for its most powerful nuclear test so far (AP)

North Korea's leader is "begging for war", the US ambassador has said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Ambassador Nikki Haley said the US would look at countries doing business with the North and planned to circulate a resolution this week with the goal of getting it approved by September 11.

"Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited," Ms Haley said.

"The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country, that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions."

The move came as US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and agreed that Sunday's underground nuclear test by North Korea was a grave provocation that was "unprecedented".

The two leaders also agreed to remove the limit on the payload of South Korean missiles.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated the hydrogen bomb, the emergency UN session also came six days after the council strongly condemned what it called Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions yet on the reclusive nation.

But the US resolution faces an uncertain future. Russia and China have both proposed a two-pronged approach: North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the United States and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises.

Washington and Seoul say the manoeuvres are defensive, but Pyongyang views them as a rehearsal for invasion.

The North recently requested a Security Council meeting about the war games.

The US says there is no comparison between its openly conducted, internationally monitored military drills and North Korea's weapons programmes, which the international community has banned.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters after Monday's meeting that sanctions alone will not solve the issue and there need to be negotiations too.

"Resolutions aimed solely at sanctioning North Korea have not worked well before," Mr Nebenzia said.

Speaking one after the other, diplomats from France, Britain and Italy and reiterated demands for the Kim regime to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes and urged further sanctions.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said France was urging the adoption of new UN sanctions, swift implementation of existing ones and new, separate sanctions by the European Union.

"Pyongyang poses a clear threat to international peace and security and is increasingly and seriously challenging the global nonproliferation regime," said Sebastiano Cardi, the UN ambassador from Italy, which heads the North Korea sanctions compliance committee.

He noted that North Korea is the only country to have tested a nuclear device in the 21st century.

The North trumpeted that its sixth nuclear test blast since 2006 was a "perfect success".

"We cannot waste any more time. And in order to do that, we need North Korea to feel the pressure, but if they go down this road there will be consequences." Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho told reporters ahead of the council meeting.

AP
I knew there would be quite a few people celebrating after Sean OCallaghan died on August 23. And I knew that Sinn Fein propagandists would be busy. There is no one they hate as much as an informer, and Sean offended particularly by telling how he came to realise that he was not a freedom fighter, but a young dupe from Kerry sent to fight a squalid sectarian war in Tyrone.

Republican propaganda portrays informers as low-lives motivated by greed or fear, so they were furious that Sean had worked unpaid for the gardai to save lives because he realised the IRAs ideology was evil.

Heard Sean OCallaghan died by drowning, just when you thought a tout couldnt sink any lower, one Twitter offering said.

They tried spreading the rumour that he was mentally unstable and had killed himself, but that one didnt fly.

You have to be very dim indeed to think it credible that someone would fly to Jamaica to commit suicide in the swimming pool by his daughters home.

And then there were quite a lot enraged at the very positive media coverage.

Staters calling him a hero tweeted one. Hope it was painful.

They threw themselves into discrediting him as a liar and a fantasist.

The slight difficulty there was that media repeated the testimony of ex-Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, who praised his courage and commitment.

From what I have read of his story, he wrote after Sean went public, his account of his activities over many years bears the stamp of truth  and to the limited extent of my personal knowledge of those activities, I can confirm what he has said.

Seans most contentious claim had been that he had been sent to London to plant a bomb in the royal box of a theatre where a few months later the Prince and Princess of Wales would be at a charity concert.

But FitzGerald continued: As Taoiseach, I was told of the plot to murder Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and of how a key participant in the plot who was also an agent of the Garda Siochana had managed to abort it without losing the trust of his IRA colleagues.

So the Walter Mitty line mostly stuttered to a halt.

Then there was the allegation that while acting as a spy within the IRA he had murdered a man called John Corcoran, who was himself an informer.

For that to work you have to believe that a man who put himself in mortal danger to stop the IRA killing people would himself have killed.

And that when he gave himself up for the two murders and all the other crimes he had committed before he saw the light, he would mysteriously have omitted that of Corcoran.

In fact, Sean had been so profoundly shocked that he had failed to persuade the gardai to step in to save Corcorans life when he warned it was under threat, that, in jail, still tortured by it, he confessed to shooting him in the hope of forcing an investigation. That failed, as he explained later when he recanted.

Unfortunately, that meant people, like certain journalists who desperately didnt want to believe Sean was telling the truth, have ever since clung on to the claim that he killed Corcoran.

With Sinn Fein propaganda failing, the critics then comforted themselves by explaining that Sean had ceased to be of any significance and had died lonely and unmourned.

This was rather undermined by an outpouring of grief from a vast array of people who loved, admired and were helped by him, and found him fascinating, wise and funny.

Am profoundly shocked, tweeted the TV presenter Tom Bradby, to hear Sean OCallaghan has died a brave and intelligent man.

Douglas Murray, the formidable commentator on Islamic terrorism and best-selling author, spoke for many when he wrote of the debt his friends owed Sean and the pride we felt in him.

Alongside the heroism and the friendship, his life holds out one other hope: that whether or not its the only one we get, atonement can be reached for and perhaps even achieved in this life.

Amen to that.
The latest news from North Korea significantly increases international tensions amid fears that the situation could easily get out of hand.

The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been pictured beside what he claims to be an H-Bomb which could be attached successfully to a long-range missile, having overseen another nuclear test.

This is only days after the North Koreans launched a missile which crossed over Japan before ending up in the ocean.

Kim Jong-un is playing a dangerous game which increases the fear that this unbridled programme of aggression could end in an attempted nuclear attack on the USA or one of its allies.

This stand-off between the North Korean leader and the USA has been going on for so long that some may dismiss it as a highly-dangerous game of bluff. Yet with each succeeding incident in North Korea, the stakes get higher and higher.

President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, both with huge egos and a strong desire to prove themselves in public, are not the best leaders to have in place at such a critical time, and the world waits uneasily for the next development.

This is a time for cool heads and a calm approach. Any unilateral move by the USA could trigger reprisals which could lead to instant attacks on South Korea and other countries in the region.

This in turn could lead to a huge loss of life among innocent people, and bring about major instability in the rest of the region.

During the Cold War the threat of a nuclear attack was always present, but this was avoided by a pragmatic realism from leaders who knew the risks, and set out to minimise them.

Today's two leaders are a cause for much more worry, and one wrong move could lead to mutual catastrophe.

A major multi-national effort is needed in the region to head off a potentially disastrous conflict, and a strong lead is required from China to rope in its rogue neighbour.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnston has echoed the sentiments of millions all around the world by calling for common sense and diplomacy to prevail, and to urge China to put even more pressure on North Korea.

So far this pressure has failed to curb a leader who appears to live in a parallel universe. These are worrying times, and we can only hope and pray that good sense will ultimately prevail.
Last Tuesday, Simon Coveney said he was worried about North Korea. He would do better to worry about Northern Ireland - and its increasing impact on the politics of the Irish Republic.

Let me join the dots between what's going on in Northern Ireland right now and its impact on the next Irish General Election.

Last Thursday on Morning Ireland, Gerry Adams gave us a preview of the Sinn Fein strategy.

As he has been doing for some time, he praised Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar - always a bad sign for an Irish Government.

Being Adams, he tacked on the sinister threat that failure to implement an Irish Language Act would "radicalise" young nationalists.

It was sinister because the current usage of "radicalise" is confined largely to Isil recruits.

In short, Adams was setting the scene to reject Arlene Foster's speech that night, no matter what.

Foster was conciliatory. She asked Sinn Fein to put the Irish language on the back burner for an agreed time so the Executive could start working.

Adams broke her olive branch. And again praised the Irish Government.

But, as always, he showed the sinister side of the coin within a few hours.

He brazenly said the IRA gang who tortured and murdered Tom Oliver should not be brought to justice.

Adding all that up prompts some questions.

Why is Adams praising the Irish Government?

Why does he feel able to reject Arlene Foster and disrespect Tom Oliver?

The answer, as I have argued for months, is that Adams is taking advantage of Simon Coveney's version of the old Peter Barry pan-nationalist position.

If you doubt that, just compare the reactions of Simon Coveney and Micheal Martin to Adams's rejection of Foster's speech.

Coveney came out with a statement commending Foster but carefully not criticising Adams.

Martin went straight for Sinn Fein's Achilles heel: its pretence to be a party looking out for working people.

His subheading hit Sinn Fein where it hurt: "This decision is letting down the working people of Northern Ireland."

That hurt because in the Republic Sinn Fein likes to present itself as a socialist party as much as a nationalist party.

Indeed many southern TDs privately want to get Northern Ireland off their backs, and are increasingly restive coming up to a general election.

Sinn Fein's claim to be a socialist party rests on giving priority to what socialists call 'class politics'.

Class politics gives prior place to jobs, housing and health, it's not just about gender issues and minority languages.

The latter issues are laudable parts of a liberal agenda. But they are not life and death matters for most working-class people.

Given a choice between a cultural issue like the Irish language and a class issue like setting up the Executive so as to roll back health cuts, Adams chose culture over class.

This adds to the suspicion that Sinn Fein uses Irish as a tribal cudgel against unionists.

In sum, it seems that Adams would let a Tory minister govern Northern Ireland rather than give up a grievance that affects less than 1% of the population.

Martin rubbed that in hard. "While Fianna Fail supports the Irish Language Act, we do not believe that it should be used as a political pawn, when basic services for citizens are deteriorating."

Finally, he hung a lantern on Sinn Fein's hypocrisy in pretending the Irish language has always been a red letter line.

"Sinn Fein initially collapsed the Executive because of the renewable heating controversy. Eight months later, the issue has now changed to the enactment of the Irish Language Act."

Why isn't Simon Coveney saying that? Why allow Adams to patronise him with faint praise? The answer, as I have argued for months, is that Coveney subscribes to the old Peter Barry Catholic nationalist line on Northern Ireland - and that's also a pan-nationalist line as near as makes no difference.

Let me pause here to say I was not always a critic of Simon Coveney, whom I once admired almost as much as I did his father.

But his determination to get the Northern Ireland portfolio set off alarm bells. So did Leo Varadkar's weakness in giving it to him.

Like all Foreign Affairs ministers, Coveney had to choose between the two broad policies available to an Irish Government on Northern Ireland: the Jack Lynch line and the Peter Barry line.

The Jack Lynch line is to put peace first, leave the question of unity on the longest of long fingers, calm unionist fears and starve Sinn Fein/IRA of political power in the Irish Republic.

The Peter Barry line is to look out for Northern Catholics, use the British government to give the unionists a hard time, and treat Sinn Fein as a partner in that pan-nationalist tribal enterprise.

The main advantage of the Jack Lynch line is that it stops Sinn Fein making political mischief in the Republic; the only disadvantage is being badmouthed by Sinn Fein's propaganda machine.

The main advantage of the Peter Barry line is that it allows Fine Gael to wave a green flag. The disadvantage is that Sinn Fein has a bigger one.

But the big difference between the Lynch and Barry lines is that the latter is based on a lie - that the Republic really wants a united Ireland.

But in recent years the Republic began to come to terms with that lie, particularly since Northern Catholics no longer suffered discrimination.

Under Haughey, Fianna Fail gave up the Lynch line for the Barry line and paid a heavy price for its stupidity.

But under Bertie Ahern and now Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail has returned to the pluralist Jack Lynch line of not letting Sinn Fein set the pace on Northern Ireland.

Fine Gael is now the party with that problem.

It stems from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's weak decision to move Charlie Flanagan from Foreign Affairs.

Flanagan always had a firm grasp on the fact that pan-nationalism is the Trojan Horse by which Sinn Fein hopes to win political hegemony in the Republic.

Flanagan had another gift: he genuinely believed Northern protestants were entitled to live in peace without the IRA perpetually knocking on their door.
In 2010, a TV documentary-maker persuaded a victim of IRA violence to meet Gerry Adams face-to-face. But, as Malachi O'Doherty reveals in his new biography of Adams, unknown to the director a second IRA victim was to witness the encounter.

In 2010, Gerry Adams reflects on the life of Jesus for a Channel Four documentary and is asked if he, like Jesus, can forgive. He says: "Bad things have been done to me. I have forgiven those who did it. I did it in the first instance for me; I didn't do it for them. I did it for me, because I didn't want to become corroded."

Towards the end of the programme, two of those who might forgive Adams are in the room with him. One is Alan McBride, whose wife was killed in the IRA bombing of Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road in October 1993, an attempt to kill the UDA leaders who were thought to be meeting upstairs.

The other is the cameraman, Eugene McVeigh, whose brother, Columba, was among the Disappeared, killed by the IRA and secretly buried. Adams knew that the cameraman was the brother of one of the Disappeared. The director of the programme, Dan Reid, did not know this.

Eugene McVeigh says he didn't seek to step forward, because he didn't want his own grief to be part of the story. Adams was trying to concede some limited regret to Alan McBride about a bomb of nearly 20 years earlier. The story of Columba's murder and disappearance was still unfinished, for the body has not yet been found.

Eugene says: "I remember Dan making great presence about how this was such a seminal event in this film and these two men were going to meet and this was going to be a special moment. I had a moment within the moment, even as Dan was talking. It was only afterwards when I was driving away that I started to internalise and reflect on what was happening."

His professional responsibility on the day was to serve the needs of the documentary, to record the conversation between Alan McBride and Gerry Adams. Adams had carried the coffin of Thomas Begley, one of the bombers, who had died in the fish shop attack.

"It was very moody, almost confession box-like in the way I had lit it. And I remember looking through the camera and saying, 'This is the confession box. What are you going to say? How do you justify what was done?'."

As a current affairs camera operator, Eugene McVeigh had seen Adams protect himself from many probing journalists before. Adams tells Dan Reid, the director, that the bombing of the fish shop was "a stupid operation".

He says: "It didn't take into account the safety of the civilians and, of course, Thomas (Begley) gets the blame for this and clearly the blame is one which has to be shared. It was an operation which was just fundamentally flawed and fundamentally wrong."

Alan McBride, in his turn, acknowledges that the mother of the dead bomber had suffered a grievous loss and deserved sympathy. Adams thanks McBride for "the example you are giving people like me".

Gerry Adams positions himself, not among the aggressors, but among the aggrieved. He says: "There were times when I was afraid my heart would break. I mean, I can be as angry and as ruthless and as focused and as deliberate in terms of what I have to do as anyone else, but I have a fairly logical mind.

"So, even though I could be angry at something that was done, either through the stupidity of the side that I supported, or by those who were opposing us, I never felt entirely brutalised by what was going on."

He is saying that he is a good man still. And, in the end, he appeared to signal in a gesture that he had been an IRA commander.

"It needs generals to make peace, okay?" And he raised his eyebrow. The gesture, the use of the word "general", looked like a strong hint that he was referring to himself as a military leader.

And it is that peacemaking and that vision of a wider context that enables Eugene McVeigh to preserve his respect for Gerry Adams. "I have known Gerry Adams a long time and I suppose he didn't always know who I was, or the connection to my brother Columba."

Eugene's name had featured in media reports around the creation of a commission for the recovery of victims' remains and, again, shortly after his mother died. She had appealed on television for information about the hiding of the body and said that she could die happy if first she could give Columba a Christian burial.

"Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams got in touch with me and asked me if I would be prepared to meet them. I did meet them at Sinn Fein headquarters on the Falls Road and it was a very strange meeting, walking in without a camera to talk to them about my brother.

"Both of them did apologise to me. I assumed that, when I was in a room with Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams, that's good enough."

He says he didn't see much point in parsing the apology to evaluate its sincerity. Neither man was saying that Columba should not have been killed, but they were saying that they would do everything they could to help find the body.

"We stood in a room and I looked Adams in the face and he said sorry to me. Well, blessed are the peacemakers. What do you do?"

Eugene does not blame the IRA alone for the killing. "Columba McVeigh, at 19 years old, a young man who would be classed now as having learning difficulties, had been used by intelligence agents in 1975 to gather information about the IRA in Donaghmore. It was always in my head that, though someone in Adams' organisation squeezed the trigger that took my brother's life, the state had some responsibility, too."

And he thinks, at times, that death isn't necessarily "the unkindest cut".

"When I look at his life and the things he has admitted about his own father; I have never had to own up to my father being a child molester; I have never had to see my brother going to jail for being a paedophile. That's a living torture, as much as anything else. He has dealt with it. He has got it out there.

"I would think that all of that makes him the person he is, for good, or bad."
Sunday Life has exposed the madams behind one of the Northern Ireland's biggest money-spinning prostitution rackets.

Two of Northern Irelands most prolific vice queens unmasked as we reveal how they are recruiting women to sell sex around caravan parks.

In an undercover investigation, Sunday Life lifts the lid on the madams behind one of the provinces biggest money-spinning prostitution rackets.

We uncover how Ann from Antrim and Sophie from Bangor have been raking in a fortune by preying on cash-strapped young mums needing money for Christmas.

The brazen duo, who may be operating under false names, drive girls across Northern Ireland to paying customers before taking half their wages.

After getting into Anns flashy new 4x4 motability car Sunday Life was being taken to a caravan in Millisle, Co Down, for sex  one of a number of caravan parks they service with callgirls. The owners of the parks are not aware of the racket.

Sunday Life secretly recorded a conversation between the punter and receptionist Sophie, who also works as a hooker.

The ad said it was 80 but because its Millisle itll be more. We could do it for 100 for you today, said Sophie.

She then turned to our reporter and said: There you go  youve got your first job. Theres 50 quid for you.

Basically you want to go in there and be as quick as you can but you dont want to rush them. You want them to want you back again because your regulars are your bread and butter.

Opening the glove compartment of the June 2017 registered Nissan X-Trail, Sophie said: This drawer is full of condoms so use one and take a few extra just in case.

Expand Close The two madams drive prostitutes to caravan parks Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX / Facebook

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Whatsapp The two madams drive prostitutes to caravan parks

Ann, who drives their employees around in two different cars, added: Youre going to make an absolute fortune, dont be nervous about it.

Once you get the first one done and you have the money in your hand, boom.

The pair boasted about their booming business and explained how they run the growing escort agency.

Ann said: A lot of staff like us because were girls only. And because its that price, 120 (per hour), it sets a certain precedent that brings in that sort of person. A guy on the dole is not going to be able to afford 120.

A week in advance, just give me the shifts of what you can do so then youll know what youre going to do.

Sophie added: Basically what happens is you go in, and well be outside so youll never be on your own, and you dont do anything until they give you money. You take the money and then do whatever you want to do.

Expand Close Pictured a female who said her name is Ann. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pictured a female who said her name is Ann.

Its up to you what your dos and donts are. I dont do anal, I dont kiss, thats up to you.

She also revealed how three-in-a-bed romps are big business.

If you start and youre okay, we do duos as well, theres a lot of money in duos. That would be me and you, but its more all of them. The men are that excited its two minutes and out the door.

Thats usually 60 quid each for minimum work so we could do it if youre interested in that. Usually youll get nice easy jobs and if its outside Belfast youll get more money and if youre a nice pretty girl then youll get more.

It just depends if the phones are ringing. The way it works is youll balance yourself out where you might have one quiet day but youll have really busy days after that so youll always have a good wage.

While in the car, Sophie took calls from punters on four different mobiles, while texting on a fifth.

When asked why they favourite call-outs to places like caravan parks over running a brothel, she said: We only deal with call-outs because when someone is getting you out to their home, theyre not going to f*** about because thats their home. They dont know whether youve got 27 guys in a van outside or not if they mess about.

Call-ins are just too dodgy  it could be your dad.

Ann and Sophie also told our reporter how to avoid being caught by the Jobs and Benefits Office, or friends and family.

Ann warned: Youll definitely make a lot of money, but put it all away and dont put it in the bank either because the brew will see it. Theyre on top of everything.

Sophie explained that as part of her disguise she had T-shirts with a made up workplace printed on them.

You can have one, you can just put it on and say youre going to work.

Ann added: If you need to let on that Im your boss or anything thats fine.

The contact number supplied on the online advert Sunday Life originally responded to has been used to sell sex since 2008.

Despite this, and revealing details of other women on their books, Sophie claimed to have only started doing in-calls in May before doing this two months ago.

She then suggested the name Daisy as a sex name for our undercover reporter.

You can change your name every week. I change it because the blokes will look up and see the same ads and they get bored so you just change it and they think theyre getting something new.

Ann added: Weve done the Jennys, the Sophies, weve had a Lucy. We need something young and innocent for you.

There is another girl who has only just started but she has not been blessed in the looks department.

The pair told how their new recruits services will be advertised online.

I find your photos for you so your photos will never be used, said Sophie.

She explained how she spent hours looking for photos that looked like her escorts to post online. Theyll look like you but theyll never be you, she said

As for advice on what rules their staff should abide, Ann said to dress smart casual like black jeans and a shirt and always keep your wits about you and give yourself a clean afterwards.
After an 18-year run in Goose Creek and unforeseen challenges presented by COVID-19, Dreamalot Books has gradually  but decidedly  gained a steady foothold in the Moncks Corner community as a welcoming haven of second-hand books for both area bibliophiles and those traveling in from Myrtle Read moreThe 'happy place' for used books: Dreamalot Books emerging as a go-to hot spot in Moncks Corner
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It is clear from the addition (e.g. Popeyes) and expansion of several fast food brands in the South African fast food market, that a large appetite for quick meals and indulgence exists amongst South African consumers. However, given the challenging economic environment, will the South African fast food market continue to grow in 2017?

Insight Surveys latest South African Fast Food Industry Landscape Report 2017 provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the local and global fast food industry from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the entire South African value chain.

Valued at over US$539.6 billion in 2016, the global fast food industry is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% between 2017-2022 to increase to approximately US$ 690.8 billion in 2022. In terms of brands, McDonalds was the most valued fast food brand globally with an estimated brand value of approximately US$97.7 billion in 2017 (as illustrated in the graph below), followed by Starbucks (US$44.2 billion) and Subway (US$21.7 billion).

Source: Statista; Insight Survey. Graphics by Insight Survey

Although the US is currently the largest consumer of fast food globally, this market is expected to witness growth at a slower pace between 2017-2025 in comparison to emerging markets like Asia-Pacific. In terms of consumption frequency, for example, 69% of people in China consumed fast food more than once per week in 2016 compared to an estimated 20% of South Africans.

In South Africa, takeaway and fast food outlets have seen steady growth since 2010 with the last four years bringing in more income than the average for the period, however, growth is slowing. The growth between 2015 and 2016 was just 2.3% compared to the 7% achieved between 2010 and 2011, as seen from the graph below.

Source: Southafricanmi; Insight Survey. Graphics by Insight Survey

Of concern for the industry, is that since the beginning of 2017, takeaway and fast food outlets have not recorded positive growth. The market remains highly competitive with local and international brands fiercely competing for consumers' share of wallet (and stomach!) amid declining disposable incomes. Furthermore, the rising popularity of in-store food services either in the form of in-store cafes (at supermarkets and retailers) or convenience foods is slowly placing further pressure on this highly competitive market. Local fast food companies have responded by partnering with local retailers to offer in-store food services, for example Made Cafe which is a partnership between Edgars and Famous Brands.

The industry is being forced to evolve around the ever-changing needs of the consumer. Considering continuing economic constraints, consumer needs of value-for-money and affordability will be key determinants directing the market environment. Offering cheaper menu items allows fast food outlets to cater to a broader range of demographics, and is sound advice for all fast food industry players to consider throughout 2017. Other key trends and drivers that will help stimulate growth include the health food trend, mobile ordering and delivery services (like UberEats, Mr D and NOW-NOW), and creating more engaging customer experiences.

The Fast Food Industry Landscape Report 2017 (135 pages) provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the local and global fast food industry from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the entire value chain  from manufacturing to retailing, competitor positioning, latest marketing and advertising news for each competitor, pricing and promotions analysis, consumption and purchasing trends.

Some key questions the report will help you to answer:

What are the key factors that are driving the growth of the local and global markets?



What are the local and global industry challenges currently restraining market growth?



What are the latest South African fast food and street food trends (food trucks, on-demand mobile ordering)?



How did fast food companies perform in 2016/17, what is the strategic focus and expansion plans?



How are each of the fast food competitors positioned in the market?



What is the latest marketing and advertising news for each of the fast food competitors?



What is the pricing and recent promotions by category: Burgers, Chicken, Pizza, Pies?



What are the local consumption and purchasing trends in the fast food industry?

Please note that the 135-page PowerPoint report is available for purchase for R25,000 (excluding VAT). Alternatively, individual sections can be purchased for R9,000 (excluding VAT). For additional information simply contact us at az.oc.yevrusthgisni@ofni or directly on (0)21 045-0202 or (010) 140-5756.

For a full brochure please go to: SA Fast Food Landscape Report 2017.

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South Africa and Russia on Monday signed an agreement that will see about $400m invested in oil and gas development.

The agreement between PetroSA, the oil and gas corporation of South Africa, and Rosgeo, geological exploration company of the Russian Federation, was signed at the 9th annual BRICS Summit, currently underway in Xiamen, China.

The agreement involves the development in the exploration areas of blocks 9 and 11a off the South Coast of South Africa. Within the framework of the agreement, Rosgeo is supposed to conduct a considerable volume of geological exploration work. It is planned to carry out more than 4,000 square km of 3D seismic operations and over 13,000km of gravity-magnetic exploration works, as well as the drilling of exploratory wells. The estimated volume of the investment is about $400m, said PetroSA.

The project envisages extraction of up to four million cubic metres of gas daily. This will subsequently be delivered to PetroSAs Gas-To-Liquids refinery in Mossel Bay, the South Coast processing plant.

Roman Panov, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rosgeo, Luvo Makasi, the Chairman of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and Nhlanhla Gumede, PetroSAs Interim Chairperson, signed the agreement.

The CEO of Rosgeo stressed that within the framework of the contract, Rosgeo will use advanced technologies, including 3D exploratory works, and modern seismic and drilling vessels.

"The signed agreement is aimed at developing bilateral relations and will strengthen Rosgeos presence in the African market," he said.

Meanwhile, the CEF chairman said the search for oil and gas resources in South Africa remains very strategic for the countrys energy security and is extremely important to PetroSAs continued and sustainable survival.

South Africas oil and gas potential remains largely unexplored. This exploration effort presents significant upside to both the country and PetroSA. The upside for PetroSA is the possible expansion of our depleting gas resources. Discovery of hydrocarbons on our shores has the potential to bring significant revenues to the country and prove the countrys oil and gas prospectivity, said Makasi.

The PetroSA Interim Board chairperson said the agreement represented a significant development towards building a new strategic thrust for the company. He said the agreement was strongly repositioning PetroSA towards growth.

A find in block 9 and 11a would result in much desired exploration activity of our onshore and offshore oil and gas potential. The country and PetroSA will benefit greatly from the find. From the perspective of PetroSA it will result in cheaper feed into the Mossel Bay refinery, said Gumede.

The Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) is a subsidiary of the Central Energy Fund (CEF), which reports to the Department of Energy.

President Jacob Zuma is in Xiamen for the Summit and the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries that got underway on Sunday.
"The ground is already ploughed. Together, let us now sow the seeds of hope and reap a harvest so plentiful in the years ahead." - Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB President

Ryan Carter via 123RF

Ahead of the 2017 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, wants greater attention paid to the implementation of concrete plans for achieving the green revolution in Africa. The seventh African Green Revolution Forum, taking place in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, from September 4-8, 2017, will focus on Accelerating Africa's Path to Prosperity: Growing Economies and Jobs through Agriculture.

The Forum is hosted by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an African-led institution focused on putting farmers at the centre of the continent's growing economies. AGRA is built on an alliance of partners that care about, commit to and invest in Africa's agricultural transformation.

AGRF partners include the African Development Bank, the African Union, the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), AGRA, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mastercard Foundation, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), OCP Africa Group, The Rockefeller Foundation, the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), Syngenta, and YARA International.

The African Development Bank is proud to be a partner in the Forum in Abidjan. "As we all converge on Abidjan for this year's African Green Revolution Forum, our focus should be on implementation," Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB, said in a video statement.

Adesina noted that this year's forum comes as some African nations are witnessing drought and heightened food insecurity.

He stressed that the event presents an opportunity to push efforts to make Africa self-sufficient in food production and transform agriculture into a wealth-creating sector "Agriculture is booming in Africa and holds the greatest opportunity to boost African economies, build rural economies, lift millions out of poverty, and create jobs," he said.

Accelerating development through investment

AfDB is accelerating this development through its Feed Africa Strategy with planned investment of $24bn over the next 10 years. The Bank invites partners, governments, private sector, and development institutions to work together to make this happen.

This year's African Green Revolution Forum, considered to be the most important meeting on African agriculture, will be held under the patronage of the President of Cote d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara. The Forum will bring experts and other stakeholders together to ensure that the importance of agriculture to African economies is not overlooked. Agriculture represents more than 60% of employment - making it essential to delivering on economic development visions for the continent and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The sixth African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 2016 and attracted more than 1,500 delegates from 40 countries.

At AGRF 2016, many of Africa's steadfast champions of agriculture pledged more than $30bn in investments to increase production, income, and employment for smallholder farmers and local African agriculture businesses over the next 10 years.

AfDB is leading a campaign to unlock the continent's food and agriculture market, which is projected to hit $1 trillion by 2030.

In the words of the AfDB President: "We must hurry. Africa's time to become the global powerhouse for food and agriculture is now. We are already late."

For more information on AGRF 2017 or to register, visit: http://www.agrf.org
According to a report by Airbnb , BRICS hosts made $476m in the past year. South Africa is riding this wave of growth in the tourism sector, seeing the strongest growth in guests arrivals from BRICS nations at 380 percent, with explosive year-over-year growth in guests arriving from Brazil, by a factor of nine.

Image Supplied

SA's women in tourism are at the forefront benefiting from this:

 In 2016, 63 percent of Airbnb hosts in South Africa were women

 A typical woman host in South Africa earned nearly $2,000 last year, more income than earned by the typical female hosts in Brazil, China or India (Russia was not included in the study).

 More than 60 percent of women hosts in South Africa are superhosts - hosts who are specially designated by Airbnb as hosting guests frequently, receiving a high number of five-star reviews, and being exceptionally responsive to guests and committed to reservations.

 Sixty percent of South African women hosts with children, i.e., single mothers, use their Airbnb income to help them stay in their homes.

Other South African statistics from the report include:

 Over 600,000 guests arrived at Airbnb listings in South Africa in the past year, representing year-over-year growth of 144 percent. The leading countries of origin are the US, the UK, and Germany. Brazil ranks ninth among all countries of origin. Across the five BRICS nations, year-over-year growth in guest arrivals from within the BRICS has been highest here

 269,000 domestic guest arrivals within the past year

 204% year-over-year growth in domestic guest arrivals

 South Africa has seen the strongest growth in guest arrivals from BRICS nations at 380 percent, with explosive year-over-year growth in guests arriving from Brazil, by a factor of nine.

 South African hosts total income earned from BRICS-based guests ranks the highest of the five countries at $1.88m.
Malawi and South Africa on Thursday signed an agreement of cooperation in the field of tourism as one way of enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in the sector. The signing agreement took place at Bingu International Convention Center BICC in Lilongwe on the side lines of the Malawi "Takulandirani" 2017 Malawi International Tourism Expo 2017.

cotrim via pixabay

Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Henry Mussa said the government of Malawi appreciates the support it gets from southern government for the tourism sector. He said South Africa has assisted in the capacity building of grading assessors, restocking of wildlife species in protected area and training of wildlife personnel at South Africa Wildlife College.

Mussa said having the agreement signed has been well over due and it has taken the two countries seven years to have it signed.

Cementing already existing cooperation

The minister pointed out the agreement would cement the already existing cooperation between the two countries as the two have a lot in common. "Culturally we are one people and family, many tribes in Malawi have their origins from South Africa, the Ngoni's are an example," Mussa said.

The Minister observed that the signing of the agreement is a big leap to strengthen the bilateral relations. He said Malawi has a lot to offer to South Africa in terms of business invests and tourism activities.

South Africa's Minister responsible for Tourism, Tokozile Xasa said the tourism sector needs to be viewed as a great contributor of direct labour force. She said her government took a bold stand in 2009 to have the tourism department on its own for it to exploit the potential tourism opportunities of the country to the maximum. Xasa said the tourism sector contributes about 9 percent of the country's Growth Domestic Product (GDP) and offers almost 1.5m direct employment to the labour force.

She hoped that the signing of the agreement between the two countries would help to grow and enhance people to people relationships. "We need to cooperate in another of areas such as flights, visa issues, visas and small scale business for the local people," Xasa viewed.

The cooperation of agreement covers areas of marketing and promotion, investment, training, sponsorships and fellowships, exchange of information and tourists' transfers.
Vietnam's Tram Hoang Luu was crowned the 40th Mrs Universe during a pageant held for the first time in Africa at Durban's Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on 2 September 2017.

The ecstatic 43-year-old Mrs Vietnam burst into tears as last years winner, Olga Tornor from Austria handed over the crown.

Mrs Vietnam, Tram Hoang Luu, is crowned Mrs Universe 2017. From left: Mrs India, Shaveta Athwal (5th place), Mrs France, Anastasia Gorshkova (4th place), Mrs Gabon, Gwen Madiba Moubouyi (First Runner-Up) and Mrs Pakistan, Taiba Noorulian Sheheryar (Second Runner-up).

I am so amazed. I did not expect to win when I came here this evening because all the contestants are such incredible women, says the new Mrs Universe, Luu. This evening is just fantastic  Im enjoying every moment! said Luu, thanking South Africa particularly Durban for its warm hospitality.

Mrs Gabon, Gwen Madiba Moubouyi was named first runner-up and Mrs Pakistan, Taiba Noorulian Sheheryar, second runner-up. Mrs France, Anastasia Gorshkova and Mrs India, Shaveta Athwal, rounded off the top five. South Africa was represented by Durban wife and mum, Trisha Poona, who was placed in the top 25. Poona was the audiences favourite, receiving huge applause and encouragement whenever she appeared on stage.

Mrs Sweden, Ase Engholm Mrs South Africa, Trisha Poona

Let tonight be the night that Durban remembers as being the night that brought the world to our doorstep. Let tonight be the night that Africa celebrates its women and women empowerment, says Tracey-Anne Aggett, the woman who was responsible for bringing Mrs Universe to Africa for the first time.

As Mrs Universe hosting director: Africa, Aggett had campaigned tirelessly to bring the activist-themed event to South Africa and to use it as a platform to draw attention to the global scourge of violence against women and children. We are extremely humbled by the support weve received to stage this event on African soil for the first time. Each of the contestants here tonight is a winner  for overcoming incredible odds to succeed and for making meaningful contributions to their respective communities to bring about positive change.

Encouraging success and support

Ethekwini deputy mayor, Fawzia Peer, echoed those sentiments when she officially welcomed guests to the pageant.

As women, we must continue to hold each others hands and celebrate our successes, she said, adding We need to see more women rising to positions of power in business, politics and academia, said Peer.

The Mrs Universe World finals attracted the whos who of KwaZulu-Natals social scene, in which guests were entertained by the C-Live dancers, the Champions Pantsula Dancers, performers from the Kumari Shiksha Dance Institute, Indlondlo Zulu Traditional Dancers and Dangerous Curves dancers. Vocalists, Samantha Landers, Bongekile Mabaso and Nokulunga Ntuli had feet tapping and heads bobbing. The show was produced and choreographed by one of KwaZulu Natals most celebrated entertainers, Clive Gumede aka The Durban Divo.

CSI and women empowerment initiatives

Since jetting into Durban on 25 August 2017, the 86 finalists have had a jam-packed, whirlwind schedule of work and play that put the international spotlight firmly on South Africa. In addition to visiting a few tourist spots in the greater Durban area and sampling the citys array of culinary offerings, contestants dedicated their time to numerous CSI and women empowerment initiatives.

This included visiting schools to speak to young girls about the importance of education and to inspire pupils with personal stories of overcoming incredible challenges, to spending a morning with orphaned and vulnerable children at Liv Village in Verulam, and taking to the streets of Durban for the #OneVoice march against gender-based violence and child abuse.

Unlike other similar events, Mrs Universe is a women empowerment initiative that acknowledges married women between the ages of 25 and 45 who are doing phenomenal work to uplift and enhance their local communities through CSI initiatives, business development and global trade opportunities.

View gallery

www.mrsuniverse2017.co.za
YANGON - The BBC's Burmese language service on Monday said it was pulling a broadcasting deal with a popular Myanmar television channel citing "censorship", with insiders saying the partners had clashed over coverage of the Muslim Rohingya minority.

The announcement is a remarkable turnaround for a news organisation that famously kept Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi up to date during her long years of house arrest under junta rule. Andrew Cowie

The announcement is the latest blow to struggling press freedoms in the country and a remarkable turnaround for a news organisation that famously kept Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi up to date during her long years of house arrest under junta rule.

Since April 2014, BBC Burmese broadcast a daily news programme on MNTV with 3.7 million daily viewers.

On Monday the BBC said it was ending the deal after MNTV censored or pulled multiple programmes since March this year.

"The BBC cannot accept interference or censorship of BBC programs by joint-venture TV broadcasters as that violates the trust between the BBC and its audience," a report the BBC's Burmese website said.

The BBC statement did not detail what content was censored and MNTV did not respond to requests for comment.

But an official at the local channel said they objected to the BBC's use of the word "Rohingya" in their reports.

"That's why we cannot broadcast their service," the employee said, asking not to be named.

The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority in Myanmar's western Rakhine who face severe state-sanctioned persecution and have fled in droves in recent years.

Most international media call them Rohingya because the community has long self-identified that way.

But Myanmar's government -- and most local media -- call them Bengalis, portraying them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite many living in the country for generations.

Hopes had been high that the new government of democracy icon Suu Kyi would usher in an era of free speech when they took power last year after half a century of military rule.

Suu Kyi was confined for years to a lakeside Yangon house under the junta but used to listen to the World Service and its Burmese language offshoot on her radio.

Yet since coming to power in landslide elections, her civilian-led government has frequently clashed with the media over their coverage.

Defamation prosecutions have also soared, increasingly targeting social media satirists, activists and journalists.

A major bone of contention with foreign media is coverage of Rakhine state, which has been under an army crackdown since a small group of Rohingya militants attacked police border posts last October.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh while smaller numbers of Buddhist refugees have headed in the opposite direction.

The UN believes the military's response to the militant attacks in Rakhine may amount to ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya.

Suu Kyi's government have denied reports of atrocities, refusing visas to UN officials charged with investigating the allegations.

They have frequently condemned international media coverage and blocked press access to much the war-torn region.
Wastewater can and must be used to augment water sources, says Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

The issue of Wastewater: The Untapped Resource, as adopted by the United Nations, is a clarion call to say let us not waste.

The realisation of Sustainable Development Goal six is a must do for all member states, Mokonyane said at the closing of the week-long World Water Week held in Stockholm, on Friday, 1 September.

She said billions of people across the world are still without basic access to clean water and sanitation services.

The minister said the conference remains a focal point for dealing with global issues, but despite this, a lot more people were still in dire need of basic services.

She said that despite all of the good work that has been done since 1991, the world still faces the challenges of 2.1-billion people without access to safe water and 4.5-billion people without decent sanitation.

We continue to abuse our water resources with our waste streams. In Africa the demand for water for human consumption is growing, but also the demand for water to meet the growing demand for food and energy, the minister said.

She said access to piped water increased in absolute numbers from 82-million urban dwellers with piped water in 2000 to 124-million in 2015, adding that the urban population served with piped water on the premises declined from 40% to 33% over the same period.

Mokonyane cited sanitation as grave, stating that only 30% of Africans have access to improved wastewater services, and that more than 23% of them were practicing open defecation.

A vast majority of the African utilities do not provide wastewater services, and some that did in 2000 to 2006 dropped wastewater collection services due to high costs and technical difficulties, she said.

The minister also urged the delegates about the need to adapt to climate change, because whenever anything was discussed about climate change, it affected the question of water.

We have to be ready to deal with the consequences of extreme weather events, both extreme drought and extreme flooding. Having said this, we must recognise the work of the men and women who have been dealing with extreme droughts in Somalia, parts of Kenya, South Sudan and in my own country South Africa.

She said as they drive the African continent towards the realisation of the African Unions Agenda 2063, they should continue to play a critical role in all matters regarding delivery of water and sanitation to the African people.
The office of President Paul Biya announced August 30 that Cameroon is ending criminal proceedings against those detained during unrest in the country's two English-speaking regions.

Cameroonian journalists released from prison: (from left) Atia Tilarious Azohnwi, Tim Finnian, and Hans Achomba (source: CPJ/family handouts).

Atia Tilarious Azohnwi, political editor of The Sun; Tim Finnian, editor of Life Time magazine; and Hans Achomba, a freelance documentary filmmaker, are among those released from jail in Yaounde last night, their families and colleagues told CPJ.

Achomba and Finnian were arrested in January, and Azohnwi was jailed in February. All three faced trial by military tribunal under Cameroon's anti-terror law.

"We welcome the release of Cameroonian journalists Atia Tilarious Azohnwi, Tim Finnian, and Hans Achomba, but they should never have been jailed in the first place," said CPJ Africa program coordinator, Angela Quintal.

"We urge President Paul Biya to free other journalists jailed under the anti-terror law, including RFI correspondent Ahmed Abba, and to end authorities' abuse of the legislation to crackdown on critical voices and those reporting on unrest."
Two years after the 2014 census was conducted, government officials are just getting around to explaining the point of all those questions that members of the public were made to answer.

On August 31 and September 1, officials from the Ministry of Immigration and Population met with Kayin (Karen) State local representatives and residents at a town hall information session in Hpa-an.

U Yin Htwe, head of Kayin States Department of Immigration and Population, said the 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census was the first real census to be collected in over 30 years. The census revealed that Myanmar has three million less people than previously anticipated.

U Yin Htwe said data from the census, including population counts, can help translate into more targeted and effective policymaking.

The representatives who attended the info session should know the population in their own towns and village groups and what kind of jobs the residents there do and how many of them are educated, he told KIC News.

The two-day discussion on the census was attended by about 100 participants, including department representatives from Hpa-an township, UN representatives, village administrators and local residents.

According to the 2014 census, Hpa-an township has a population of 421,575. Kayin States economically productive population between the ages of 15 and 64 is significantly lower compared to the Union average (60.7 percent compared to the Unions 67 percent). Kayin State had the second highest unemployment rate recorded (7.5%), after Rakhine State (10.4%).

Hpa-an resident Nan Myint Tin raised doubts about the accuracy of some aspects of the census, however, due to limitations on collecting some information. About 70,000 residents of Kayin could not be enumerated at the time due to the states security situation.

We dont accept the unemployment figures. Some of the [people included as unemployed in the survey] are earning money, but they are working abroad so their parents didnt dare talk about them, she said.

According to the officials from the Department of Immigration and Population, similar census awareness-raising sessions will be held throughout Kayin State.

The census was conducted by the government with support from the UN population fund. The main results were published in May 2015, with thematic reports released between then and June this year. Religious and ethnic data from the 2014 census were initially withheld due to fears the results would be controversial. The ethnicity data has still not been released. Prior to the count, many international observers called for the ethnicity question to be removed for fear it could fan religious and ethnic tensions.
As international NGOs working in Myanmar, we strongly condemn the attacks carried out on 25 August and subsequent violence across northern Rakhine State. We express our heartfelt sympathies for those who have lost loved ones and all those affected by the violence, and we urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent the further escalation of conflict.

Many INGOs are working in Rakhine to provide humanitarian relief and development assistance to those in need. Recently, there have been public accusations of INGO involvement in the recent attacks and that humanitarian assistance is being provided as support to parties which have perpetrated violence. These allegations convey an untrue representation of INGOs and go against our common values and principles anchored in impartiality and humanity. We urge all stakeholders to cease the spread of misinformation which not only exacerbates tensions, but also invariably threatens the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers and hinders the provision of humanitarian and development services to all populations in Rakhine State.

INGOs providing humanitarian relief are operating with the approval of the Government of Myanmar and deliver aid based only on need and vulnerability. We offer and provide our assistance to the most vulnerable and needy in an independent, neutral and impartial way. We do not side with any party in a conflict, nor do we make any distinctions in our assistance with respect to race, religion or ethnicity. We deliver our services in coordination with the Union and state governments and in collaboration with civil society and local communities.

INGOs offer humanitarian assistance including the provision of shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene support, as well as the delivery of food, nutrition and health services for conflict affected and displaced people. INGOs have also assisted communities across the state during times of floods and cyclones, providing life-saving assistance and strengthening the ability of government and civil society to withstand disasters.

Many INGOs also work on long-term development programmes for all communities across Rakhine State. For many years, INGOs have worked with the Rakhine State Government to develop health infrastructure, support agricultural and economic development, and strengthen educational systems throughout the state. Achieving sustainable peace and development in Rakhine is only possible by meeting the complex and long-standing humanitarian and development needs of all communities in the state.

The INGO community recognizes the Government of Myanmar as the primary duty bearer to respect and protect the rights of all people in Myanmar. In this moment of crisis, we call on the Government to re-establish access to conflict-affected areas to ensure the delivery of life-saving services, and to safeguard the health and security of humanitarian workers providing assistance to affected communities.
Parami Roundtable and Mizzima Media Group organised the first India-Myanmar Dialogue Act East Policy and India-Myanmar Relations at Park Royal Hotel on 2 September 2017 to commemorate the 70 years of India-Myanmar relations.

The roundtable was attended by high level speakers from India and Myanmar. Mr Ken Tun, Chairman, Parami Energy Group, the main organiser and sponsor, extended the opening remarks. H.E. Mr. Vikram Misri, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar extended the special remarks. U Nay Oke, Professor of English gave the keynote address. The Book entitled Myanmar's Integration with the World: Challenges and Policy Options, jointly edited by Prabir De and Ajitava Raychaudhuri with contributions from several Myanmar scholars and published by Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore was also released at the roundtable.

The roundtable had two plenary sessions. The first session Act East Policy and India  Myanmar Relations was chaired by Dr. V S Seshadri, Former Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Panellists. Speakers at this session were Dr. Zaw Oo, Executive Director, CESD-Myanmar, Yangon; Prof. Ajitava Raychaudhuri, Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Mr. SoeMyint, Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director, Mizzima Media Group, Yangon; U L Zau Goone, Member, Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS), Yangon; and Mr. Pratim Bose, Bureau Chief, Hindu Business Line, Kolkata. The second session Challenges to India-Myanmar Relations and Way Forward was chaired by Dr. Myo Thant, Parami Roundtable Group, and panellists were Dr. Prabir De, Professor, RIS, New Delhi; Ms. Cho Tin Tun Kirkpatrick, Nova Southeastern University, Florida; Ms. Zin Zin Naing, Yangon University of Economics (YUE), Yangon; and Mr. Subir Bhaumik, Former BBC Correspondent and Author, Kolkata; and Advisor, Mizzima Media.

The organizers said they had a good opening session with Ambassador Vikram Misri giving an overall round up about the full gamut of India-Myanmar relations and his insights about the outlook for the future. Mr.U Nay Oke and Mr.Ken Tun offered their perspectives. The scholarly book edited by Professor Dr.Prabir De and Prof Raychaudhri on Myanmar again brings out the various developmental challenges and opportunities facing Myanmar and its integration with the region.

The forum took a look at Indias Look East Policy that is now the Act East Policy that was initially enunciated in 1992. This was at a time when Indias external economic ties were more directed towards the westerly direction. As India liberalised economically in 1991 it was also felt that the country needed to step up ties with the fast growing East and South East Asian region.

The evolution of this policy took many forms, in terms of India becoming part of regional and sub-regional mechanisms - with ASEAN itself from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992 to full dialogue and summit level relations, but also mechanisms like BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, etc. In the 2000 decade we also signed several FTAs with countries in this region-with ASEAN as a whole but also with Singapore, Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

As a participant noted, from India when one looks east it is Myanmar that we see first and here the other dimension of development of our own North East region of India plays a very important part. Many ethnic groups along our long border share kinship. And together the North Eastern states along with the contiguous states of Sagaing region or Chin state can mean larger economies of scale. Of course that could be facilitated by greater connectivity, not only physical connectivity, which is most important but also institutional, people to people level and so on. The question is how far the two countries have gone and what lies ahead.

Prabir De said they must thank the organisers for holding such a seminar on the eve of the forthcoming state visit of Prime Minister Modi to Myanmar. High level visits have the potential to energise our relations and give it visionary directions. Many observations and suggestions we have heard today hold particular relevance in this regard. While the ties are already multi-sectoral and cover a wide span, we identified three specific areas as holding particular promise that need to be fully harnessed.

One is the need to have more trade and investment relations. Bilateral trade is still quite small and not so diversified in both directions. On investments, both in manufacturing and in areas like energy, transport and infrastructure as also services, the scope is enormous. Participants suggested that Indian businesses will be attracted to the Myanmar growth opportunity if we can bring about greater awareness and also if they see an emerging climate of investment security and predictability.

Secondly, there is much work to do on connectivity, both in building that connectivity and in efficiently using it once it is established. Let us say by 2020 the Kaladan project with all its components and the Trilateral highway are in place, we will also need the software ready by then in the form of integrated customs stations with all the paraphernalia of single windows, trade and transit protocols, road transport and logistics linkages etc., to be in place. These take time for discussion and finalisation. And then businesses also have to be ready with their plans and investments along these corridors so that a transport corridor becomes a development corridor in a short span of time.

Capacity building for training and higher education including technical education is an area where India and Myanmar have been cooperating in a variety of areas for several years now. With the new government in Myanmar attaching even more importance to human resource development this can get further impetus.

Lastly, the cooperation and synergies that can be built between the North Eastern states of India and the Western or North Western states of Myanmar. Here, the connectivity will be important- road, and over a longer term even rail can be looked at-but so many more areas are possible- education including higher education, medical facilities including diagnostics, institutional networking, visiting each others festival- the Hornbill, the Naga new year and so on. The border region development cooperation programme that the two countries have had in the last few years could be further enriched and such initiatives could strengthen peace and development.

In terms of importance, participants of todays roundtable have identified several projects in the areas of culture, commerce, connectivity and security which shall be considered by both the countries for implementation.

Countries have to formalize the border trade and border connectivity projects (Moreh  Tamu in particular) have to be completed on urgent basis.

Ongoing connectivity projects such as Kaladan multimodal transit transport project, Trilateral Highway, etc. must be completed by 2020. Extension of railway line from Indias Northeast to Myanmar shall be taken up by Indian government. Bilateral agreement shall be signed to promote coastal shipping with allowing each others vessels to ply in coastal areas. More air links between the two countries should be established. Delhi and Yangon should have direct flight. Indias Northeastern states should be connected with Myanmars Mandalay, Yangon or Bagan.

Cultural connectivity is as important as physical connectivity. Participants suggested that India should offer more fellowship to Myanmar students to study in India.

Greater awareness of India-Myanmar relations should be promoted through publications, think-tank networks, social media, media exchange, etc.

More bilateral cooperation is needed in health, tourism, education, early warning system for disaster management, etc. India should allow Myanmar patients to be treated at India hospitals on cost-effective basis. Visit to Bodhgaya by Myanmar nationals should be made cost effective so that many Myanmar nations can visit Bodhgaya.

More bilateral cooperation is needed in health, tourism, education, early warning system for disaster management, etc. India should allow Myanmar patients to be treated at India hospitals on cost-effective basis. Visit to Bodhgaya by Myanmar nationals should be made cost effective so that many Myanmar nations can visit Bodhgaya. Myanmar should allow Indian FDI in heath and pharma sector. India companies like Zydus Pharma is setting up plants in Thilawa. More Indian pharma companies should open branches in Myanmar. Myanmars membership in ASEAN is big advantage to Indian pharma companies to get higher market access in ASEAN and beyond. Similarly, Indian companies should open up hospitals chains such as Fortis, Apolo, etc. in Myanmar. Indian medical students with Chinese medical degree can be employed in Myanmar. This would ease the problem in health sector.

India and Myanmar should cooperate in matters relating to non-tariff measures (NTMs). Compliance to Indian standards and certification would help Myanmar to facilitate exports of agricultural products such as pulses and beans.

Myanmar should collaborate with India in science and technology, skilling, etc.

A Joint Task Force shall be set-up by both the countries to deal with issues relating to current trade in pulses and beans. Both the countries have to sort of differences through negotiations.

Both the countries should revitalize the activities of India-Myanmar border commission.

Myanmar may consider setting up a new Centre for Act East Policy.

Participants have identified several other projects such as Motor Vehicle Agreement, connecting energy grids, involvement of youth, joint courses in professional degrees and skill development, industrial parks, SEZs, etc.

All participants felt more track II dialogue should be organised to exchange opinions and free discussion.

Participants thanked Parami Energy and Mizzima Media for jointly hosting the event. The next roundtable will be held in Kolkata in early 2018.
The jade mining operation in the Lonkhin-Hpakant Gems Tract has resulted in environmental damage. To address this impact, Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) were prepared by a team led by Australian-based consultants Coffey Myanmar Limited and Valentis Services Limited (Coffey-Valentis), in partnership with local company Geosystems Engineering Myanmar. The final EMPs were submitted to the Environmental Conservation Department through the Myanmar Gems Enterprise.

Coffey Myanmar Limited and Valentis Services Limited (Coffey-Valentis), together with Geosystems Engineering Myanmar, won the tender for the preparation of Environmental Management Plan for Lonkhin/Hpakant Gems Tract.Coffey-Valentis and Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association signed the agreement for the preparation of the EMPs for theLonkhin/Hpakant Gems Tract.

Union Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Ohn Win said: The Myanmar Government is committed to protecting the environment and creating sustainable communities. The utilization of natural resources shall be managed in such a way that is kept for the next generations to come, the extraction shall be done in a sustainable manner, and that is why the Ministry has set the goal for the future. The jade sector is important for future economic development of the country. Preparing the EMPs is the very first step to achieve future goals that is to significantly address the environment and social impacts of jade mining.

Each of the EMPs has three sections: The first part sets the context in terms of the laws and rules for environmental management, the existing environment and impact assessment, and the environmental framework. The second part provides the measures that miners should implement to improve environmental performance through to the steps for proper mine closure and rehabilitation. The third part focuses on implementation, outlining the performance criteria for determining successful implementation of the EMP.

The EMPs are practical and appropriate for Myanmar. They feature international standards and good practices that mining companies can easily implement. The guidelines will definitely help improve operations throughout the full mining cycle, from site exploration to mine closure and rehabilitation, said Aung Nyunt Thein, the Managing Director of Myanmar Gems Enterprise.

The EMPs will be applicable formining companies of all sizes  large, medium, small and artisanal. They contain practical instructions to protect the environment, to have mine safety and to enhance the quality of life of the community around the mines. These EMPs will be used for all mining activities.

The EMPs were prepared for the Lonkhin/Hpakant Gems tract, Kachin State where Myanmars main source of jade comes from. These EMPs shall be implemented with the guidance of Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association by all the Jade Mining Companies.

Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association Joint-Secretary 1 Hla Soe Oo said: The Preparation of EMPs for Lonkhin/Hpakant Gems Tract is a major change. There will be positive outcomes when the EMPs are implemented according to international practices.

A transitional period of one year will allow mining companies and relevant government authorities to build capacity and undertake the relevant training to ensure effective implementation. During this time, Coffey-Valentis will work with MGE to implement the EMPs on pilot sites to demonstrate a practical implementation so that other companies will see in reality and learn.

The Lonkhin/Hpakant EMPs are fit for the purpose. They are designed to address the impacts causing the most harm to the environment and people  in each management plan, there are instructions for creating stable land forms to prevent landslides and flooding, as well as erosion and sedimentation of rivers, creeks and streams. There are also specific measures to safeguard native forests and their plants and animals, properly manage waste, reduce dust, minimize noise and promote revegetation when mining is finished. As part of the EMP preparation, a team of environmental specialists, social scientists, geotechnical engineers and geologists spent time at the mines, conducting surveys and interviewing mining companies, NGOs and local administration,said Barton Napier, a Senior Principal from Coffey-Valentis who headed the preparation of EMPs for Lonkhin/Hpakant Gems Tract.

The EMPs have been developed in a manner to ensure that Jade Mining companies can practically implement them in accordance with Myanmars laws and good international practice. Jade mining is important for the economy of Myanmar and its people. Implementation of the EMPs shall ensure the mining is undertaken in an environmentally responsible manner, said Lachlan Foy, Director of Coffey-Valentis.

Environmental protection is now a priority in Jade and Gems production. Jade and gems are owned by all citizens.A focus will be made on sustainable production in the gem stone sector.

As the objectives of Gems Sector, for the sustainable development of the country and its people, we are working towards Responsible and Accountable Gems industries.


A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Arun Jaitley will attend a key security dialouge with Japan on Monday as Nirmala Sitharaman, who was appointed the new defence minister in a major rejig of the Union council of ministers on Sunday, was yet to take charge.



Jaitley, who has been holding the defence portfolio, said due to logistical constraints, he will be attending the security dialogue.



Sitharaman will be the first woman full-time defence minister. Finance Minister Jaitley was holding additional charge of the ministry after Manohar Parrikar quit to become the Goa's chief minister in March.



"Normally, the new defence minister should have been going but logistically that doesn't seem possible today, being a Sunday, to make the changes. And it is a very important security dialogue between the two countries, particularly on the eve of Japanese PM's visit," Jaitley said.



He said, "I will continue for the next two days and participate. Sitharaman will take charge of the ministry as soon as the dialogue ends."



Jaitley, one of the most senior ministers in the Modi Cabinet, was in charge of the defence ministry between May 26 and November 9, 2014 also.



As the defence minister in his second stint, Jaitley took a number of key decisions aimed at modernisation of the armed forces and to support the domestic defence industry.



In May, the defence ministry, after years of deliberations, had approved the strategic partnership model under which select private firms would be roped in to build military platforms like submarines and fighter jets in India in partnership with foreign entities.



"I think this was a very fruitful and deep association where we were able to take some very important decisions which were pending for years and I am sure now that I have an extremely competent successor in Sitharaman. She will carry that role further," Jaitley said.



Seen as a major initiative, the 'strategic partnership (SP) model' aims at creating a vibrant defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country through involvement of both major Indian corporates as well as the micro, small and medium enterprises.



On August 30, the government had announced major reforms in the Indian Army to enhance its combat capability which included redeployment of nearly 57,000 officers and others.



Jaitley also thanked officers and employees of the defence ministry and members of the armed forces for their cooperation.




President Ram Nath Kovind administers oath to Nirmala Sitharaman as a Cabinet Minister at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday. Photo: PTI.

NEW DELHI (PTI): In a big promotion, Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday became the first woman to become a full-time Defence Minister of the country as she faced the challenge of speeding up modernisation of the three forces in her new role.



58-year-old Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member, is the second woman to take charge of the crucial ministry as Indira Gandhi, as the Prime Minister, had also held the portfolio in the seventies.



Her elevation is seen as reward for her good work as the Commerce Minister. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was handling the Defence Ministry after Manohar Parrikar quit to become the Goa's chief minister in March.



Sitharaman will now be a member of the crucial Cabinet Committee on Security whose members include the prime minister, home minister, external affairs minister and the finance minister.



"Somebody who has come from a small town, grown into the party with all the support of the leadership, and if given such responsibility, it just makes you feel sometimes that cosmic grace is there. Otherwise, it is impossible," she told reporters.



Sitharaman said she was just overwhelmed and humbled.



"I am sure, now that I have an extremely competent successor in Nirmala Sitharaman, she will carry the road forward," Jaitley said congratulating Sitharaman.



One of the BJP's chief spokespersons before its ascent to power, Sitharaman is an alumna of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).



As the Defence Minister, Sitharaman will face several challenges, including strengthening of the combat capabilities of the Army, Navy and the Air Force due to changing regional security matrix and geo-political dynamics.



Defence experts feel the frequency of incidents of incursions by the Chinese Army may go up in the coming months and years after the Dokalam face-off, and Sitharaman may face a challenge in handling such complex issues.



The government has been focusing on domestic defence production and Sitharaman will have to carry forward a number of big-ticket reform initiatives, including implementing the ambitious "strategic partnership" model with several countries like the United States and Russia.



Under the new model, select Indian private firms will be roped in to build military platforms like submarines and fighter jets in India in partnership with foreign defence majors.



On August 30, the government had announced major reforms in the Indian Army to enhance its combat capability which will include redeployment of nearly 57,000 officers and other ranks. She will have to play a key role in implementing this initiative.



Sitharaman also faces the challenge of modernising the defence research organisations and various other defence public sector undertakings.



Parrikar's tenure as the Defence Minister saw the clearance of a raft of arms deals, besides simplification of the acquisition process. He had also pushed for a number of stalled acquisition projects.



However, majority of the military modernisation programmes are delayed due to administrative hurdles and various other reasons.



Sitharaman is from Madurai in Tamil Nadu who had obtained a BA degree from Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College in Tiruchirappalli and an MA degree in economics from the Jawaharlal Nehru University.


Cork Airport has reported a 7.2% increase in passenger numbers in August compared to the same month last year.

The introduction of year-round transatlantic flights with Norwegian to Boston Providence coupled with four other new UK and European routes has contributed to strong growth at the airport.
The European Union competition watchdog has approved Germany's plan to provide troubled low-cost carrier Air Berlin with a 150m loan.

The European Commission, which polices EU state aid rules, said the loan "will allow for the orderly wind-down of the insolvent airline Air Berlin without unduly distorting competition".

The Commission also said the move would help protect the interests of air travellers.

Air Berlin, Germany's second-largest carrier, said last month that it was filing for bankruptcy after its main shareholder, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, decided to cut its financing.

To allay travellers' fears they might be stranded on summer holiday, the government announced that it would provide a loan so the airline could continue flights for the time being.
The trial of three former Tesco executives is due to start on Monday over the 326m accounting scandal at the British supermarket.

Carl Rogberg, 50, Chris Bush, 51, and John Scouler, 49, are charged with fraud by abuse of position and false accounting.
The Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has ruled out creating another Irish Water type body to solve the country's housing crisis.

Mr Murphy says the suggestion, which was mooted last week, to create another State agency to build social housing is not actually under consideration.

Minister Murphy says we need to face up to the homelessness problem as a society and find radical solutions.

He is insisting the Government is trying to get organisations already in place to work more closely together.

He said: "The idea that we are going to create a semi-state, like Irish Water, it's not going to happen.

"And even if it were going to happen, I don't think we'd have communicated it in the way that it was communicated.

"Responsibility for housing has to remain with me in the department and with the Government and Cabinet, and it will."

The housing crisis has also sparked concerns about vulture funds forcing people out of their homes.

There has been a ten-fold increase in the number of debt enforcement cases they have taken in the High Court, meaning that more than 500 homeowners have been threatened with eviction so far this year.

David Hall of the Irish Mortgage Holders Association says the Government needs to step in.

Mr Hall said: "We need to be very, very clear. If somebody is eligible for social housing, if they have an income at the stage of eligibility for social housing, they need to be allowed to stay in their home.

"Ownership needs to be relinquished, but they need to stay in their home, and the vulture fund can be paid for that house."
Update - 6.09pm: Financial pressure on Northern Ireland's health service could force the UK Government to step in if political powersharing cannot be resurrected soon, James Brokenshire has warned.

All party leaders agreed on the need for devolution during talks with the Secretary of State on Monday and Sinn Fein claimed a deal could be done in days with the right attitude.

DUP chief Arlene Foster said talks could not be prolonged.

Mr Brokenshire warned he could be forced to pass a budget at Westminster as public services suffer.

He said: "I cannot ignore the growing concern in the wider community here about the impact that the current political impasse is having on the local economy and on the delivery of key public services."

It has been seven months since Stormont ministers took decisions and political negotiations were paused over the summer.

Health trusts in the North recently unveiled 70m of cost-saving proposals.

Mr Brokenshire said: "The window of opportunity to restore devolution and to form an executive is closing rapidly as we move further into the autumn.

"With pressures on public services already evident, most particularly in the health service, the need for intervention is becoming increasingly clear.

"The UK Government has a duty to the people of Northern Ireland to provide political stability and certainty.

"If this political impasse continues I will be forced to legislate in Westminster for a budget for Northern Ireland and consider next steps.

"I don't want to have to take this action."

Update - 3.12pm: Negotiations around restoring powersharing in Northern Ireland should be short and focused, Sinn Fein said.

Party leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill claimed a deal could be done in days with the right attitude and reiterated calls for progress on a range of cultural issues.

DUP chief Arlene Foster has said the discussions should be over pretty quickly.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is meeting the five main parties at Stormont on Monday as he assesses the chances of a breakthrough.

Mrs O'Neill said: "There is a short window in front of us where we need to find solutions and a way forward.

"We need a short, sharp and focused negotiation in the small time frame we have ahead of us."

Earlier: Discussions on the prospect of restoring powersharing in Northern Ireland should be over pretty quickly, Arlene Foster has said.

The DUP leader said Sinn Fein had reacted "with breakneck speed" to reject her suggestion that a ministerial executive at Stormont be restored alongside a parallel process dealing with cultural issues such as the Irish language.

She warned that Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire needed to make a decision by next month on the prospect for fresh talks or direct rule from London with financial pressures looming.

He is meeting the five main parties at Stormont today as he assesses the chances of a breakthrough.

Mrs Foster said: "Sinn Fein are the barrier and will continue to be the barrier."

She added: "I am not going to be prescriptive but we do not believe that there can be a prolonged set of talks.

"We think we should be able to come to a determination pretty quickly whether Sinn Fein want to go back into government.

"Certainly for our part we do.

"We have no red lines - we have no barriers."

Powersharing has been in deep freeze since early this year when the late Sinn Fein deputy first minister Mr McGuinness resigned in protest at the DUP's handling of a botched green energy scheme which risks landing the taxpayer in millions of pounds of debt.

Talks have been led by the British and Irish governments but with no breakthrough some prominent DUP MPs are warning a return to direct rule from Westminster could be looming.

Sinn Fein's leader in the North, Michelle O'Neill, said there should be a short and focused negotiation where the outstanding issues can be resolved within days if people had the right attitude.

She warned there were small windows over the next two months to make progress.

Mrs Foster said by October the Northern Ireland Secretary would have to pass a law authorising the expenditure of public money, adding: "If there is no devolution by that stage and no signal of devolution I think that he would have to take action in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland."

Mr Brokenshire holds discussions with the Ulster and the Democratic Unionists, SDLP, cross-community Alliance Party and Sinn Fein on Monday on whether to initiate another round of talks.

It has been seven months since devolved ministers last took decisions.

Negotiations were paused over the summer.

Outstanding issues in dispute between the parties include legal protection for the Irish language and dealing with violence from Northern Ireland's past.

Mrs Foster has called for a "common sense" solution appointing Stormont ministers alongside a time-limited process for making progress on the red line issue of an Irish language act and Ulster Scots.

Her republican counterpart said: "What she did was go away and call for something which she knew would be rejected."

She said it had been turned down in March.

"It was put out knowing what the outcome would be and what the response would be."
A man has been arrested in connection with a fire at a shopping centre in north Dublin.

The blaze at the Coolock Village retail centre caused considerable damage to a number of units in the early hours of this morning.
A Dublin man who was extradited from the UK to be charged with the murder of Gareth Hutch in a shooting last year will be tried in the Special Criminal Court.

Jonathan Keogh, 31, from north inner city Dublin, had been remanded in custody on August 24 last after he became the third person to be charged with the murder of father-of-one Gareth Hutch who was a nephew of Gerry the Monk Hutch. His sister Regina Keogh and Dublin man Thomas Fox had been charged earlier.

Mr Hutch, who was aged 35, was gunned down getting into his car outside Avondale House flats, on North Cumberland Street in inner city Dublin on the morning of May 24 last year.

His death came during a series of killings in the feud between Hutch and Kinahan gangs.

Mr Keogh was served with a book of evidence when he appeared again at Cloverhill District Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that he is to face a non-jury trial in the Special Criminal Court.

A State solicitor said the ordinary courts are not effective for the administration of justice in this case.

The judge made the order sending him forward for trial in custody as the district court cannot grant bail in murder cases.

A date for his appearance at the Special Criminal Court has yet to be set.

At his first hearing he was brought to court under armed Garda escort after he got off an aircraft at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.

Garda Sergeant Enda OSullivan had told court he arrested the accused on foot of a European Arrest Warrant at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel at 2.21pm on August 24 last.

He was brought to Clondalkin Garda Station where he was charged at 3.50pm that day, Gda Sgt O'Sullivan said. Mr Keogh made no reply to the charge after caution and was handed a copy of the warrant and charge sheet, the court had heard.

He has not yet entered a plea.

CCTV images of a suspect in the Gareth Hutch shooting.

In July, his sister, mother-of-five Regina Keogh from Kings Inn Street, Dublin, was sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court. She is also accused of the murder of Mr Hutch and when charged she had replied: I didn't do it. I didn't murder anybody.

The UKs National Crime Agency, in conjunction with An Garda Siochana and the London Metropolitan Police, had arrested Mr Keogh on June 10 in the Romford area of Essex in England on foot of a European Arrest warrant. He was held in custody in the UK pending the extradition proceedings.

Their brother Michael Keogh was shot dead on May 31 as he sat a car after leaving his flat at Sheridan Court in Dublin's north inner city.

In February, 30-year-old Thomas Fox, who has an address at Rutland Court, in north inner city Dublin, was also sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court. He is also accused of the murder of Gareth Hutch.
An overwhelming majority of Corks 22 senators and TDs oppose the recommendations of the Mackinnon report to extend the citys boundary, writes Sean ORiordan.

A poll carried out by the Irish Examiner showed 15 were against its full implementation, with just four in favour.

It also shows major splits within parties, with front bench members of Fianna Fail Michael McGrath and Billy Kelleher going against party leader Micheal Martin in their opposition to the proposals to extend the city councils control to such areas as Cork Airport, Ballincollig, Blarney, Little Island, Glounthaune, Glanmire and Carrigtwohill.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney refused to state publicly whether he supported or opposed the proposals. Senator Denis ODonovan said he wouldnt comment as it would interfere with his independence as leader of the Seanad.

The IFA and the Public Participation Network (PPN), which represents 900 community and voluntary groups in the county, both voiced objections to the scale of the proposed boundary extension.

Rural-based public representatives, across all parties, were particularly against the Mackinnon recommendations to extend the city councils control.

A number said they were concerned that the county council would relinquish up to 50m a year in income from commercial rates and Local Property Tax and this would have a detrimental impact on its ability to provide a decent level of service, especially in peripheral areas of the county.

While the Mackinnon report recommends the city council pay compensation to the county council for lost revenue, some public representatives believe the city council would be unable to do this and still provide an adequate level of services in the areas earmarked for takeover.

The Mackinnon report recommended compensation be paid by the city council over a 10-year period, to be reviewed after five years.

The county council has maintained compensation should also be paid for projects it has already put significant resources into developing.

It has zoned large tracts of land along the Cork- Midleton railway line in the Carrigtwohill area for new housing, as well as planning a 5,300-house town at Monard, near Blarney.

The county council maintains it will lose a significant amount of LTP revenue from these projects when they come on stream. It also stands to lose a large amount in commercial rates when the fully-serviced site it developed for Amgen near Carrigtwohill is occupied.

The four in favour of the full implementation were Donnchadh O Laoghaire (SF), Dara Murphy (FG), Mick Barry (Solidarity) and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. The latter said it was his opinion that an expanded city would be the economic driver for the region into the future and the implementation group should be allowed to get on with its work.

A number of weeks after the Mackinnon report was published, the county council offered to cede Douglas, Grange, Frankfield, and Ballyvolane to the city, stating this extension would provide enough land for future growth. The offer was given short shrift by city councillors, who had their eyes on the bigger prize.

Mr Coveney said he expected the implementation group to meet this week and that they would come back with their recommendations and an exact map of the boundary extension. He said he expected this to be done quite quickly as it would be needed in advance of October when the Boundary Commission would look at setting up electoral areas for local elections in 2019.

the Irish Examiner.
Former US president Barack Obama offered his successor accolades and advice in a private letter that underscored some of his concerns before he left office in January.

In the letter, published yesterday by CNN, Mr Obama praised President Donald Trump, saying: "Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure."

He went on to urge Mr Trump to "build more ladders of success for every child and family," to "sustain the international order" and to protect "democratic institutions and traditions".

Mr Obama wrote: "We are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions - like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties - that our forebears fought and bled for."

It is customary for presidents to leave notes for their successors. But typically these missives do not come to light so quickly.

The hand-off letters from George W. Bush in 2009 and Bill Clinton in 2001 were revealed earlier this year. CNN reports it received the Obama letter from "someone Trump showed it to".

After taking office, Mr Trump praised the note from Mr Obama, calling it a "beautiful letter" in an interview with ABC. Mr Trump added that he called Mr Obama to thank him for the note.

The White House declined to comment, as did a spokesman for Mr Obama.

In the letter, Mr Obama offered some advice: urging Trump to provide opportunities for those "willing to work hard", arguing that American "leadership in this world really is indispensable" and asking him to leave "instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them".

Mr Obama also wrote that Mr Trump should "take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches".

He concluded by wishing the "very best as you embark on this great adventure".
A real-life study in the UK has confirmed the devastating effects of not getting enough sleep.

Researchers who carried out an in-depth survey of more than 1,000 British adults found that poor sleep leads to fading memory and a heightened risk of depression, anxiety and stress.

People who slept for less than five hours a night struggled to function effectively the next day, the research showed.

They could not remember where things were and forgot to carry out simple planned tasks such as posting letters or taking medication.

Dr Anna Weighall, from the University of Leeds, who presented the findings at the European Society of Cognitive Psychology's annual meeting in Potsdam, Germany, said: "A lot of previous sleep research has been based on lab studies.

"This is the first time we have surveyed people in their everyday lives.

"What is emerging is the debilitating impact of poor patterns of sleep.

"People who are not getting enough sleep are at risk of experiencing a much lower quality of life and it hinders their ability to function effectively when they are awake."

The analysis found a statistically significant relationship between poor sleep and reduced mental well-being, and a strong link between lack of sleep and everyday memory problems.

The associations were even stronger in people who regularly slept for less than five hours per night.

Dr Weighall said: "There is now a very compelling case to say there is a strong relationship between getting a good night's sleep and experiencing better health, well-being and memory function."

The findings indicate that many UK adults are sleep deprived, creating a genuine public health issue, said the scientists.

NHS guidelines say adults should aim to get between seven and eight house of sleep.
A hospital near Bangladesh's southeastern border has treated dozens of Rohingya refugees who arrived with bullet wounds and broken bones after fleeing violence in western Burma.

The UN refugee agency said ethnic Rohingya Muslims are still streaming across the swampy border and had already filled the three existing refugee camps to capacity.
Crimes against humanity are being committed in Burundi, a United Nations commission of inquiry has said.

Killings, torture, sexual violence, degrading treatment, enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests have been taking place since April 2015, and are still occurring, the report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said.
UN Security Council members have called for further sanctions against North Korea after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats considering what to do about the North's persistent weapons programmes.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground on Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

US ambassador Nikki Haley said North Korea's relentless actions show that its leader, Kim Jong Un, is "begging for war", and the time has come for the council to adopt the strongest diplomatic measures.

Ms Haley said: "Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited."

Speaking one after the other, diplomats from France, the UK, Italy and elsewhere reiterated demands for the regime to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes and urged further sanctions.

Sebastiano Cardi, the UN ambassador from Italy, which heads the North Korea sanctions compliance committee, said: "Pyongyang poses a clear threat to international peace and security."

He noted that North Korea is the only country to have tested a nuclear device in the 21st century.

The North trumpeted "perfect success" on Sunday in its sixth nuclear test blast since 2006.

Monday's Security Council meeting was requested by the United States, Japan, France, UK and South Korea.

Japanese ambassador Koro Bessho told reporters ahead of the council meeting: "We cannot waste any more time.

"And in order to do that, we need North Korea to feel the pressure, but if they go down this road there will be consequences."

French ambassador Francois Delattre said France was calling for the adoption of new UN sanctions, swift implementation of existing ones and new separate sanctions by the European Union.

The council aimed to take a big bite out of the North Korean economy earlier this month by banning the North from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products. Together, those are worth about a third of the country's 2.3 billion in exports last year.

The council could look to sanction other profitable North Korean exports, such as textiles. Another possibility could be tighter limits on North Korean labourers abroad; the recent sanctions barred giving any new permits for such workers.

United Nations Ambassadors Liu Jieyi of China, left, and Abdellatif Aboulatta of Egypt, right, confer during the UN Security Council's non-proliferation meeting on North Korea today.

The US also suggested some other ideas earlier this summer, including air and maritime restrictions and restricting oil to North Korea's military and weapons programs.

However, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council that "addressing the issues plaguing the (Korean) Peninsula through sanction pressure alone is impossible" because "that path does not propose any options for engaging (North Korea) in constructive negotiations".

Russia and China have both proposed a two-pronged approach: North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the US and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises, which they say are defensive but Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion.

The North recently requested a Security Council meeting about the war games.

Washington said there is no comparison between its openly conducted, internationally monitored military drills and North Korea's weapons programmes, which the international community has banned.

Neither North Korea nor South Korea is a Security Council member.

AP
A paedophile in England who tricked scores of youngsters across the world into sending him nude selfies then blackmailed them into sexually abusing young relatives on camera has been jailed for 16 years.

Remorseless Paul Leighton, who created up to 40 fake Facebook profiles to befriend teenagers in the UK, Canada, the US and Australia, admitted three counts of rape despite being thousands of miles away when the offences happened.

One 14-year-old from Florida was tricked into believing he was talking to a girl, then blackmailed into repeatedly raping his one-year-old niece.

Leighton threatened the teenager that he would post videos of the abuse online if he did not do more.

The boy has since been charged by the US authorities.

Sentencing Leighton to 16 years with a six-year extended licence, Judge Robert Adams told him: "You have effectively destroyed the lives of these people against whom you made these threats."

The judge ruled Leighton was "clearly dangerous" and posed a risk to children in the UK and abroad.

Leighton blackmailed two British teenage girls and also sexually abused a nine-year-old girl living in the north east of England.

Police handout of Paul Leighton.

The FBI is investigating other victims Leighton may have targeted.

Leighton, 32, from Malvern Crescent, Seaham, County Durham, England, was arrested in November by police investigating reports he had exchanged indecent images on Facebook.

When officers examined his phone they found evidence that as many as 100 children in North America had been abused.

The spray-painter appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced for blackmail, raping a child under 13, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, making indecent photographs of a child, sexual assault, possessing cannabis, distributing indecent images of a child and possession of an indecent video.

Paul Reid, prosecuting, said of Leighton's conduct with the Florida teenager and his niece: "This was a campaign of rape."

He added: "The defendant has pleaded guilty to the rape of this baby 4,000 miles away as he was using (the uncle) as an accessory."

Mr Reid said the case involved the "utterly appalling abuse of many children".

Leighton set up multiple fake profiles of young girls on Facebook, then joined groups for teens.

He would make contact with them and get them to send indecent photos of themselves.

Leighton then used those images to blackmail them into attacking younger relatives, telling them they faced exposure to friends, family and schoolmates if they did not comply.

The paedophile even threatened the teens that he would go to the police if they did not do as he said, the court heard.

He threatened the boy in Florida, saying: "Block me, I immediately post them (the images). Do you want that? Do everything I say to her or I will."

Leighton also trapped a 13-year-old girl in Tennessee and forced her into having sex with her older brother.

She begged Leighton to delete the pictures she had sent him, but he refused.

The judge was told the brother has now been charged with incest and rape.

Andrew Rutter, defending, said Leighton was a cannabis user and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He added: "He protests it was not for sexual gratification but because it gave him a feeling of power to exercise the utmost control over other individuals."

Outside court, Detective Sergeant Peter Morgan said it was the worst case of his career.

"He has victims in this country, America, Canada and Australia and there may be dozens more who have not yet reported abuse to the authorities," he said.

The detective said the offending left an impact on his team but Leighton showed no remorse.

He added: "He was calculated and sophisticated in his approach to this abuse and his lack of thought for his victims is spine-chilling."

Superintendent Michael Barton, the force's digital forensics lead, said the case showed the dangers of young people speaking to strangers online.

"Unfortunately we live in a world where sick, vile creatures like Paul Leighton take advantage of young children using the internet," he said.

Gary Buckley, of the CPS, said the offences made for "chilling reading" for any parent.

He said: "The CPS was also able to successfully prosecute Leighton for the serious of rape, proving that he was as guilty in instigating the overseas offending as he would have been committing the crime itself."
Literary critic Li Jingze's latest book Yong Er Gui draws a lot from Confucius' teachings and times. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Confucius once asked his students: "What is your ideal life?"

Some said they wanted to help run the country. Others said they wanted to educate people on morality.

A student named Zeng Xi said: "My ideal life is to go with friends and helpers to swim in the rivers outside the city in spring. And after swimming, we, in our wet clothes, will go up to the Wuyu Tai (an elevated place in the open once used for worship and later converted into a venue where Confucius and his students met). After the gentle breeze dries our clothes, we will return, humming verses."

Compared with what others said, this student's comment seemed trivial, but Confucius nodded and said: "It's my ideal life, too."

This is how Chinese literary critic Li Jingze explains the meaning of the title of his new book, Yong Er Gui (Humming and Returning).

The recently published book is a collection of 55 essays in which Li tries to "sit down and chat over drinks with ancient China's literary masters, such as Confucius, Mencius, Qu Yuan and Si Maqian, and with later writers like Cao Xueqin". He also talks about his understanding of Buddhist texts, his library, drinking and other leisure activities.

"Reading classics does not necessarily require one to be very academic or serious. The books can be relaxing," says Li, 53.

"While we read books by ancient people, we should try to communicate with them not only in awe but also to converse with them as equals, to understand and feel their greatness, wisdom and difficulties.

"In classics, we can learn about how people in ancient times made important decisions about their lives, how they understood the meaning of life and how interesting their lives were, so that we, modern people, know how to understand and live our lives, to find a home for our wandering souls."

In writing the essays, Li has created a new style, a mix of personal thinking and conversationscasual, relaxing and funnyas if he was thinking aloud or talking to a good friend.
Mortgage franchise Yellow Brick Road will roll out a cross-lender learning and development platform to boost broker productivity and attract new member brokers.The platform has been developed over the companys franchises so far and will be introduced to member brokers at the firms aggregator Vow Financial at some point before the end of the year.There hasnt been enough training around how to run your own business, YBR executive chairman Mark Bouris told Australian Broker. What were building to scale is a learning platform that is more centred around how you run your business as opposed to one segment of how you run your business.Compliance is merely one aspect of managing a broker business, he said, with YBRs platform designed to focus on other areas such as lead generation and management, industry best practices, marketing tips and techniques, using social media, and the suitability of lenders for different borrower types.The platform itself will include scalable discussion forums for brokers, as well as the usual electronic educational methodologies such as webinars.The learning platform is not just about making people better lending citizens. Its about getting better outcomes for consumers by empowering the brokers as to how to run a business, Bouris said.The repetitious and readily available nature of the platform is its strong suite, he added, with brokers able to access the material at any time. Furthermore, the educational material will apply science to the business and will cover all 34 residential lenders and 16 commercial lenders on the Vow panel.While the platform will initially only be open to Vow brokers, Bouris said he would consider opening it up to all brokers at some point in the future. He hoped the system would attract new brokers to Vow especially in light of the other aggregator competition out there.YBRs objective in focusing on learning and development is to be a leader in the field and inspire others to follow suit, he said.We, as an industry, cant sit back and be told what to do. We have to get up and do it before someone tells us what to do. Its better to actually get on the front foot and do it now, bite the bullet, and do it well and properly, accurately and completely then it is to be prescribed to us by somebody else.YBR has been developing this learning and development initiative for a year and a half with rapid change in the financial system acting as a catalyst.You dont have to be Einstein to work out whats going to happen. We knew what was going to happen in our industry, he said. My part of the business is to predict when things are going to happen and make sure were there when they do. Thats what we try and do. I dont always get it right but this is one we predicted a long time ago.The firm has spent $40m over the past six or seven years trying to determine how a mortgage broker can run a more efficient business, he said.
The Finance Broker Association of Australia ( FBAA ) will be hosting a professional development day for its brokers focusing solely on mental health issues.The event will be held on R U OK? Day on 14 September at the Melbourne Convention Centre as the first of a range of initiatives planned for 2017 and 2018 to support those facing challenges around mental illness.Partnering with key stakeholders in the field, the FBAA will be advocating for improved mental health support within the finance industry.This is our first step as the mental health advocate for the industry and we believe its a vitally important issue that needs to be addressed, FBAA executive director Peter White said.Mental health challenges in the broker sector are rising and we need to look after our industry family and make sure we can do everything we can to support them when times get tough.The upcoming event will include a number of presentations from mental health experts who will cover topics such as dealing with mental health in the workplace and achieving a healthy work-life balance.Future initiatives by the FBAA around this area will include dedicated mental health discussion panels at the associations upcoming industry conference on 24 November on the Gold Coast. Rock icon and mental health ambassador Angry Anderson will also speak at the national conference about his own personal struggle against depression.These are just the first steps of a concentrated mental health campaign that the FBAA will be rolling out to support the finance and mortgage industry, White said.We want to encourage everyone to talk openly about this subject to their friends and colleagues if they are facing challenges, as having the conversation is extremely important.
A new platform focused on wealth education and creation has been officially launched today (4 September), offering brokers the chance to connect with locally and overseas-based Chinese buyers interested in the Australian property market.Called Grei, the website and mobile app has already organically built up more than 300,000 Chinese-speaking users since it first went live a year ago. It combines wealth education resources, financial management tools and access to solutions providers in the same online location.Australian brokers can use the system to gain access to the 1.2 million Australian-Chinese population, as well as investors located in China and elsewhere abroad, and it presents a new lead generation opportunity for those targeting this segment of the market.In an interview with Australian Broker, Grei co-founder and CEO Philip Peng said the platform was originally built to provide financial planning and education  which is under-developed in China  to a growing middle class, which has increased to 100 million people.I wanted to build this platform to encourage the top professionals to share their knowledge with the new middle class. Before, they only serviced those with money because their time is very valuable but via our platform they can share their knowledge with the locals.The current version of the site has built up a solid collection of content partners and service partners, Grei director of strategic partnerships and brands Stella Li said.Brokers listed on the platform will sit alongside selected entrepreneurs and thought leaders who will provide access to information and insights through articles, Q&As, webcasts, etc. Additionally, potential property investors can directly contact experts, including brokers, listed on Grei.Mortgage brokers can offer their knowledge via our model and can benefit our users by helping them understand mortgages and the mortgage process, Peng said.While Grei currently offers a brief introductory promotion where brokers can list for free, the standard listing price will be $2,500 per year. This fee will come with additional services, Li said.Were going to provide certain services. For example, well help brokers set up their profile and market to the Chinese audience. Even if theyre English speaking, there is no need to worry because we have our own team to tackle the language barrier, she said.The initial annual fee will include a minimum of 10 to 20 generated leads for brokers. If brokers can bring in even more leads, this will then incur a further leads fee. The exact amount for this is yet to be determined, Peng said.Profiles allow brokers to produce their own curated content, conduct digital Q&A sessions with interested users and then get in touch with those users to generate leads. The Grei team will also follow up on any leads to review the quality of service.Brokers will also get assistance in building their brand amongst Chinese buyers, Li said, plus gain access to online and offline events organised by the company.We run these offline events once every week or two weeks, she added. We will host events with our partners. For example, if a broker lends through our platform, Grei will host an event bringing the broker and users together.Peng said he was interested in working with the best mortgage brokers in Australia to help share their knowledge and reach out to the Chinese community.We look at criteria such as customer satisfaction and years in service, and then we will invite them to join, he said, adding that interested brokers can also contact Grei directly.Moves by the Chinese government to restrict foreign investment will not affect the platform as it targets Chinese communities outside of China, Peng said.This is a knowledge-sharing platform. For knowledge itself, there are no boundaries. Today, its not only about Australia but also about the USA and UK. We want to encourage best practices from developed countries to developing countries.While the platform will initially launch in Chinese here in Australia, Grei will also roll out an English language version early next year.
This star kept Kelce from retiring; have Philly fans seen last of Wentz?
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...
Democrats largely prevail in SJ, but reversals loom in two townships

Democratic incumbents held on to many seats, but GOP challengers made inroads in two large townships
Hinduja Group's flagship company on Monday announced the launch of 'Dost +', a light commercial vehicle (LCV) from its stable which will be out in a phased manner starting with Telangana.
Through the 1990s, Ruia brothers Ravikant and Shashikant were among a clutch of entrepreneurs who had ridden the early opportunities of economic liberalisation and rapidly expanded their balance-sheets to become conglomerates. Now, as the Ruias move out of Essar Oil following a mammoth $12.9-billion sale to Russian giant Rosneft last month and face insolvency proceedings for Essar Steel, the group has become a much leaner version of its 90s avatar.
Wadia Group-promoted GoAir is witnessing a change in the management as the airline is unlikely to renew the contract of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wolfgang Prock-Schauer that expires in June next year.
With the Yogi Adityanath government unleashing a multi-pronged strategy to boost religious and leisure tourism over the next two-three years, international luxury hotel chain Hyatt is looking at expanding footprint in leading tier II towns of Uttar Pradesh.
Vasant (Vas) Narasimhan has been named as the global chief executive officer (CEO) of the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, making him the first Indian origin person to hold the post in a large pharma multinational.
Over the next few months, the legal teams representing Jaypee Infratech seem likely to have their hands full. Distraught buyers of their yet-to-come-homes plan to bombard the developer with up to 4,000 individual civil and criminal cases.

After the Supreme Court (SC) stay on the National Company Law Tribunal's (NCLT) order regarding insolvency proceeding against Jaypee, the buyers have developed a strategy which includes bigger and more vocal protests, meeting various ministers, sending letters to the prime ministers office and filing of police complaints.

The plan is to bombard them with multiple court cases, so that the developers remain engaged and tangled in legal hassles. They are a huge company but even for them to handle 4,000 individual cases would be a lot. There are home buyers who have already filed court cases over non-delivery of the promised property and cheating, among other charges. More are planning to do the same over the next few weeks, said Pankaj Gupta, a buyer in Jaypee Wish Towns Kensington Park Apartment project.

Many are also planning to file a new lot of police cases ('First Information Reports). We will file FIRs for cheating and whatever else our lawyers advise. This is the only way to ensure we finally get some closure, said Gautam Chatterjee, a buyer in Jaypee Wish Town's Kosmos project. ALSO READ: In relief to over 30,000 homebuyers, SC stays Jaypee insolvency proceedings

They are also trying to find ways for including Jaypee Associates Ltd in the court cases. When we were sold the flats, it was via this company that the sale happened but it has now been kept out of the loop from any prosecution, says Chatterjee. Another wave of protests is planned, as well as to approach the UP government  CM and other ministers. Beside appeals to the Centre.
Natco Pharma, which had reported strong June quarter performance unlike larger peers, has seen a steep correction in its share price thereafter. Its marketing partner Mylanindicated a delay in generic Copaxone launch, a multiple sclerosis treatment drug. Mylan indicated that all major launches including generic Copaxone would be deferred from 2017 to 2018 due to ongoing challenges in the US and uncertain regulatory environment. Clearly, since the street was factoring the gains in FY18, the is a disappointment. However, while the product launch has been delayed, it hasn't derailed. Thus, the stock price correction can be looked upon as a good opportunity for longer-term investors, as business prospects remain healthy.
JSW Steel's proposed 10 million tonne steel project in Odisha has moved a step ahead with the state run miner Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) keen to have a long-term iron ore pact with the steel company.

In its proposal, the company has pitched for a long-term agreement for 50 years with state owned OMC to supply 30 million tonne per annum of iron ore fines at IBM (Indian Bureau of Mines) declared price. has suggested that OMC may engage a Mine Developer cum Operator (MDO) on a long-term basis to develop its large mines like Gandhamardhan and Dubuna. The objective is to secure the long-term iron ore supplies for the steel plant.
Management and unions are to now meet in Kolkata on September 18-19 to take up the points of contention.
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When a recent survey informed the top team at Bank of Baroda (BoB) that close to 70 per cent of its customer base was less than 40 years of age, it took everyone by surprise. While there was a growing realisation that the banks customer profile was rapidly changing, the survey set things clearly in perspective. At another bank, another survey served a similar purpose: The majority, around 55 per cent, of the transactions being conducted with was via the digital route. For the bank, this was a signal to focus its branding initiatives around the digital consumer, largely the under-40 age group.
After the Doklam stand-off, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first substantive bilateral meeting on Tuesday, which had put ties between the two countries under strain, on the sidelines of the ongoing summit in China of the (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nations.
The BRICS Summit began here on Monday with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries and was preceded by a warm handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who received the leaders of Brazil, Russia, and South Africa ahead of the restricted meeting of the grouping.

Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, which is the venue of the 9th BRICS Summit in this Chinese port city, followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi on Tuesday.

The Summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area on August 28 after more than a two month-long standoff between them.

Apart from the restricted meeting, the leaders will participate in the plenary during which they will explore ways to enhance cooperation within the members of the grouping in key areas. They will also deliberate on international issues of significance, including global economy and challenges.

The Summit will end with the adoption of a Xiamen declaration, which will capture the essence of the deliberations and future road map.

(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 Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by against the consultation process adopted by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for fixing interconnection usage charges (IUCs) between cellular and fixed line operators.
The Security Council's emergency meeting on Monday put off taking action against North Korea for its defiant hydrogen bomb test, unable to get China and Russia on board.

At the end of the hurriedly convened meeting on an official UN holiday, United States Permanent Representative Nikki Haley said that negotiations would be held on a draft resolution that is being circulated to try to reach a consensus on action against Pyongyang.

"Enough is enough," she said, urging stringent international action against the "rogue regime". "The time for half measures is over," she added.

"North Korea is begging for a war," she said, but added that the US did not want one but "will defend its territory."

China's Permanent Representative Liu Jieyi again brought up the joint proposal with Russia for the US and South Korea to stop military exercises in return for North Korea suspending its nuclear programme.

Haley described the proposal as "freeze for freeze" and called it insulting. "North Korea has slapped everyone in the face," she added.

"Time for diplomacy is over," she said.

She said that Washington will look at every country that does business with Pyongyang as aiding its enemy.

But in reality it it would be difficult for the US to take this approach to the logical end because China is its largest trading partner with a total trade of $578.6 billion last year.

Although everyone of the members of the Security Council, who spoke on Monday urged strict action against North Korea, which tested hydrogen bomb on Sunday and sent a missile over Japan last week, any action would depend on China and, to a lesser extent, on Russia.

Russia's Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia called for an immediate return to dialogue. Only political and diplomatic means could led to a solution, he said and suggested mediation by Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The Security Council earlier last month imposed its strongest sanctions yet seeking to block North Korea's exports of coal, iron, iron ore, seafood and lead, and prohibit countries from hiring any more of that country's citizens.
New Commerce and Industry Minister went into briefings from officials on pressing issues, separately from the Department of Commerce and from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.
In a landmark ruling, Indias Supreme Court has confirmed an individuals right to privacy  including sexual orientation  under the countrys constitution. The ruling on August 24 offers new hope for the LGBTQ+ community in India, still living under the homophobic legacy of the British Empire which criminalised same-sex relationships. A formal judgement on the law, known as Section 377, is still pending and the hope is that the court will repeal this toxic colonial hangover.
On Monday, in trial firing at the Pokhran Ranges in Rajasthan, the advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS) being indigenously developed for the Indian Army demonstrated its potential to be a world-beating system.
Its been almost two years since the (or the New Development Bank) was set-up. Headquartered in Shanghai and headed by former Infosys chairman KV Kamath, the BRICS banks lending progress till date has been impressive. Few days before the BRICS summit began in Xiamen, the bank finally approved projects worth $1.4 billion which had been in the pipeline for a year now.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (Rera) implementation, together with good monsoons, cooled off cement prices across the country by 2-3 per cent on an average in the immediate months of the new tax regime. It is expected that prices will continue to remain low during the second quarter until the bulk of cement dealers move over to the new tax framework.
The upcoming container capacity on Indian shores is threatening the prospects of existing players whose capacities are already idling. With Adani Ports setting up container capacity at Vizhinjam on the west coast, and Dhamra and Ennore ports on the east, a fight for volumes is in the offing. Together, the three will add a capacity of over 6 million TEUs, or twenty-foot equivalent units, a measure for container traffic.
The Rail Corporation (DMRC) has chalked out mega last-mile connectivity plans for its riders, with increased focus on e-rickshaws and the park-and-ride facility (a system in which drivers leave their vehicles in parks on city outskirts and travel to the city centre on public transport).
India sent the first consignment of 30 metric tonne (MT) of High-Speed Diesel to Myanmar by land route. Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL), dispatched the first diesel consignment, said a government statement.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is inviting applications for the post of Economic Officer to be hired by Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office under Ministry of NITI Aayog. Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till September 14, 2017 (Saturday). The number of vacancy five one reserved for UR (5), OBC (0), SC (0) and ST (0). The qualified candidate would be offered the salary as per Level 7, (Rs. 44900 to Rs. 1, 42,400/-). The post carries probation of two years. It is based in New Delhi but has All India Service Liability (AISL).
The Union Public Service Commission will be conducting the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2017 at different venues located at 41 Centres throughout the country on 10th September 2017 (Sunday). The e-Admit Cards for the candidates have been uploaded on the Commission's website http://www.upsc.gov.in. (Direct link to download here) Candidates are required to bring this e-Admit Card in each session to secure admission to Examination Hall. e-Admit Card may be preserved till the declaration of written result as its production before Service Selection Boards is necessary. In case the photograph is not printed or is not visible on the e- Admit Card, candidates are advised to carry two (2) identical photographs (one photograph for each session) along with proof of identity such as Identity Card (Students I Card issued by School/College), Voter I Card, Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Passport etc. and printout of e-Admit Card to the Venue to secure admission in the Examination. Letters of rejection to the candidates stating reason(s) for rejection have already been sent through e-mail provided by the candidates.
Former United Bank of India's (UBI) Executive Director K V Rama Moorthy has taken over as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ltd.

Prior to this, he was working as Executive Director of United Bank of India since 2015 and earlier he was with Bank of Baroda.
CIPAM-DIPP launches social media campaign to promote Geographical Indications

The Cell for IPR Promotions & Management (CIPAM) under the aegis of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has launched a social media campaign to promote Indian Geographical Indications (GIs) with #LetsTalkIP which is an ongoing movement initiated by CIPAM to make more people aware about the importance of Intellectual Property Rights.

A Geographical Indication or a GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality. Darjeeling Tea, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Banarasi Sarees and Tirupati Laddus are some of the GIs.

GIs are of utmost importance to the country as they are an integral part of Indias rich culture and collective intellectual heritage.

The promotion of GIs is in line with the Governments Make in India campaign. Its an area of strength and optimism for India, whereby the GI tag has accorded protection to a number of hand-made and manufactured products, especially in the informal sector.

Certain GI products can benefit the rural economy in remote areas, by supplementing the incomes of artisans, farmers, weavers and craftsmen. Our rural artisans possess unique skills and knowledge of traditional practices and methods, passed down from generation to generation, which need to be protected and promoted.

In the recent past, the government had launched similar initiatives such as #IWearHandloom and #CottonIsCool to promote and revive traditional handwoven textiles.

This time around, CIPAM will be talking about interesting facts and stories related to GIs from across the country on its Twitter handle @CIPAM_India and Facebook Page @CIPAMIndia using #LetsTalkIP hashtag. The government will also be coming up with various other initiatives to promote registered GIs in the future.
I will give my best to meet Housing and Urban Development Challenges, says new Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Puri Shri Puri assumes office today; holds a two hour review of PMAY (Urban) To attend inauguration of Lucknow Metro tomorrow

The new Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri has said The Urban housing and development challenges are transformative in nature and I intend to give my best to meet the targets under various new urban missions".

Shri Puri spoke to media after assuming office in Nirman Bhawan here today. Speaking about his priorities, he said The priorities for urban sector have already been outlined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and I would like to work on them". He further said that the Prime Minister who has the mandate of the people is transformative in several ways and the new ministers would like to draw upon their strengths to achieve the tasks given by the Prime Minister.

Shri Puri noted that the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs is a hard core development oriented ministry and various new urban missions launched over the last three years have been doing well on ground and I have no doubt we are on way to accomplishing the tasks in given timelines".

Responding to a question on how does he look at the challenge of achieving targets under various missions, Shri Puri said There are two sets of targets viz., some to be achieved by 2019 and some by 2022.

If challenges are not met in two years, they cant be met even in six years. Going by the progress on ground, they can be met".

The new Minister later held a two hour review of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and elicited information about various aspects of the target of ensuring decent pucca houses to all the needy urban poor by 2022. He also queried about the expected demand for affordable housing in urban areas besides well performing and not so well performing States and reasons thereof.

Shri Puri will be attending the inauguration of first phase of 8.50 km stretch of Lucknow Metro between Transport Nagar and Charbagh tomorrow.

AAR/KM
Text of the Intervention by Prime Minister at the Plenary Session of 9th BRICS Summit, Xiamen, China (September 04, 2017)

Your Excellencies

President Xi Jinping,

President Jacob Zuma,

President Michel Temer,

President Vladimir Putin,

Let me begin by sincerely thanking President Xi again for his warm reception and the excellent organisation of this Summit. Our interaction during the restricted session was constructive. It enriched our mutual understanding and perspectives. After more than a decade of existence, BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation. We contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty. While trade and economy have been the foundation of our cooperation, our endeavours today touch diverse areas of technology, tradition, culture, agriculture, environment, energy, sports, and ICT. The New Development Bank has started disbursing loans in pursuit of its mandate to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS countries. At the same time, our Central Banks have taken steps to make the Contingent Reserve Arrangement fully operational. These are milestones of progress we can build upon. Looking ahead, it is important that our people remain at the centre of our journey. I am happy to note that China has taken forward the people-to-people thrust of our exchanges from last year. Such inter-mingling will consolidate our links and deepen our understanding.

Excellencies,

Indias own far-reaching journey of transformation gives pride of place to our people. We are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education and innovation. National programmes of Clean Ganga, Renewable Energy, Digital India, Smart Cities, Housing for All and Skill India are laying the basis for clean, green and inclusive development. They are also tapping the creative energy of our 800 million youth. Our womens empowerment programmes are productivity multipliers that mainstream women in nation building. We have also stepped up the fight against black money and corruption. Moving forward, using the springboard of our national experiences, BRICS countries can deepen partnership for win-win results. Some thoughts come to mind for upgrading mutual cooperation. First, last year we discussed pooling our efforts to create a BRICS rating agency. An Expert Group has since been studying the viability of such an agency. I would urge that the roadmap for its creation should be finalized at the earliest. Second, our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF. Third, affordable, reliable, and sustainable access to energy is crucial for the development of our nations. Climate resilient development calls upon us to utilise all available resource streams.

Renewable energy is particularly important on multiple counts. Recognizing this, India, together with France, launched a major international initiative - the International Solar Alliance (ISA) - in November 2015. It will bring together a coalition of 121 countries for mutual gains through enhanced solar energy utilisation. BRICS countries can work closely with ISA to strengthen the solar energy agenda. Our five countries have complementary skills and strengths to promote use of renewable and solar energy. The NDB can also establish an effective link with ISA to support such cooperation. We would wish to see more clean energy funding, particularly in solar energy, from the NDB. Fourth, we are nations with large youth populations. We need to mainstream our youth in our joint initiatives as far as possible. Scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices will be a valuable instrument. Fifth, at the Goa Summit last year we had exchanged thoughts on smart-cities, urbanization, and disaster-management in the context of cooperation between our cities. We need to further accelerate this track. Sixth, Technology and innovation are the foundations of the next generation of global growth and transformation. India has also found that technology and digital resources are powerful tools in fighting poverty and corruption. A strong BRICS partnership on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the Sustainable Development Goals. I would suggest considering a collaborative pilot project under the BRICS framework, including private entrepreneurship. Finally, India would be happy to work towards more focused capacity building engagement between BRICS and African countries in areas of skills, health, infrastructure, manufacturing and connectivity.

Excellencies,

In the last decade, two generations of leader of our countries contributed to the emergence and establishment of BRICS. We acquired credibility, wielded influence and spurred growth. Now, the next decade is crucial. In an environment where we seek stability, sustainable development and prosperity. BRICS leadership will be crucial in driving this transformation. If we as BRICS can set the agenda in these areas, the world will call this its Golden Decade. In our outreach segment with emerging markets tomorrow. I will share some of our ideas in this regard. I am confident that it will help the BRICS in our shared journey to scale new heights of partnership. I thank you.
China and Russia have united against North Korea after it has successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb on Sunday, which is meant to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Presidents of China and Russia came to an agreement on appropriately dealing with North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test, the Xinhua News agency reported.

The agreement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday night in Xiamen, Fujian province, ahead of Monday's Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the nuclear test.

Both leaders have agreed to stick to the goal of de-nuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula and keep close communication and coordination to deal with the new situation.

Earlier, India also deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea and called Pyongyang to refrain from such actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the region and beyond.

In a statement, India expressed concern over the nuclear test and said, "Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has once again acted in violation of its commitments."

The statement further read that the move goes against the objective of the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, which has been endorsed by the country itself.

"India also remains concerned about the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies which has adversely impacted India's national security," it added.
Apple CEO became the latest voice against US President Donald Trump's stance on scrapping Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme.

Reaffirming his support for the company's employees on Twitter, Cook became the latest joinee in the group that has raised its voice against the Trump stance.

"250 of my Apple co-workers are #Dreamers. I stand with them. They deserve our respect as equals and a solution rooted in American values," he tweeted on Sunday.

The DACA programme was established by former US President Barack Obama to shield hundreds of thousands of undocumented youths from deportation.

After reports surfaced that the Trump administration was considering bringing the DACA programme to an end, nearly 300 tech leaders last week signed a letter urging the President to uphold it, The Verge reported.

On Friday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith had criticised the presidential stance.

"We are deeply concerned by news reports about changes to DACA that are under consideration. These changes would not only negatively impact thousands of hardworking people across the US, but will be a step backwards for our entire nation," Smith said in a blog post.

"Ending DACA will drastically disrupt the lives of these individuals who willingly came forward to register with the federal government. They could lose their jobs and risk deportation," Smith added.

The Microsoft executive also said that this repeal would also have significant economic consequences and it could cost the American economy $460.3 billion in GDP and $24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions over the course of a decade.

Smith's post was followed by Nadella's comment.

"As I shared at the White House in June, I am a product of two uniquely American attributes: the ingenuity of American technology reaching me where I was growing up, fuelling my dreams, and the enlightened immigration policy that allowed me to pursue my dreams," Nadella wrote.

He added that there was no question that the priority must be to create more jobs and opportunity for every American citizen.

"On top of this, smart immigration can help our economic growth and global competitiveness," Nadella posted.

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan also urged Trump not to scrap the Obama-era programme that protects young undocumented immigrants.

The White House said Trump will announce his decision on Tuesday. Ryan has urged the President to allow Congress to "work" on the issue.
The jokes on Batman this year. Fans of the Caped Crusader usually celebrate Batman Day on September 23, but this year his thunder has been stolen by a young woman wielding a giant mallet and wearing a broad grin. On September 11, turns 25 years old  and the former psychiatrist who turned to the dark side in 1992 as a sidekick to The Joker celebrates her silver anniversary as a fully rounded DC Comics multi-platform villainess.
It was supposed to be Xi Jinpings moment to bask in global prestige, as the Chinese president hosted the leaders of some of the worlds most dynamic economies at a summit meeting just weeks before a Communist Party leadership conference.
US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today condemned for its "provocative and destabilising" behaviour, after the reclusive nation carried out its biggest nuclear test.

claimed yesterday it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb meant to be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was Pyongyang's sixth, and the most powerful nuclear test, which was set to raise tension in the region.

The White House said that the two leaders spoke over phone to discuss the North Korean actions as they pledged to continue "close cooperation".

"The two leaders condemned North Korea's continued destabilising and provocative actions, confirmed the two countries' ironclad mutual defence commitments, and pledged to continue close cooperation," the White House said in a readout of the call.

During the call, Trump reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to defending its homeland, territories, and allies using the full range of diplomatic, conventional, and nuclear capabilities at its disposal.

Earlier in the day, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned of "massive military response" to any threats from North Korea.

"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack. And our commitment among the allies is ironclad: Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis told reporters at the White House.

He made a brief statement to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House after Trump held a meeting with a small group of his national security team.

"We have many military options. The president wanted to be briefed on each one of them," he said.

"Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice -- all members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses, and remain unanimous in their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula - because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely, North Korea," Mattis said.

Senator Marco Rubio said North Korea's threatening actions today are a sober reminder that all nations, including China, must do everything in their power to stop and reverse Pyongyang's growing nuclear and missile programs.

"We cannot live in a world held hostage by Kim Jong Un's nuclear blackmail, and I support US-led efforts to maximise pressure against the North Korean regime and its foreign enablers," Rubio said.
The actions of Kim Jong Un are set to further increase tensions in the region, where concerns have grown that a war of words between US President Donald Trump and N Koreas supreme leader could set off a military conflict. Photo: Reuters
The battle for artificial-intelligence expertise is forcing Apple Inc. to grapple with its famous penchant for secrecy, as tech companies seek to woo talent in a discipline known for its openness.
One of the tech-savviest teachers in the United States teaches third grade here at Mapleton Elementary, a public school with about 100 students in the sparsely populated plains west of Fargo.
Conducting capital market conferences in the capital is not an easy task. Most speakers have to be brought from Mumbai and other places. The audience is not as clued in about stocks, strategies, and related intricacies compared to ones you might find in the financial capital. And, if a star like Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Chairman Ajay Tyagi pulls out, it becomes difficult to hold audience interest in the proceedings. Thats what happened at the event held by a chamber last week.
The Indian on Monday fell along with other global as investors turned cautious after North Korea tested a nuclear bomb on Sunday and South Korea detected the dictatorships preparations for a possible intercontinental ballistic missile launch. The benchmark Sensex and the Nifty index fell 0.6 per cent each. Most Asian and European markets, too, fell over 0.5 per cent. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) pulled out nearly Rs 874 crore from the domestic market, extending their two-day selling to over Rs 1,600 crore.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said the achievements made by the Business Council and the New Development Bank (NDB) have demonstrated the vitality and potential of BRICS cooperation.

"We were pleased to learn that both institutions have made important progress in their work. The Business Council has carried out lot of work in areas of E commerce, skill development, and experience sharing on development economy which have produced good results. The new development bank is steadily advancing the implementation of new projects.," Xi said while speaking at BRICS leaders dialogue with BRICS Business Council in Xiamen.

He noted that the NDB was making a new progress in business cooperation and institutional building.

"At present the Global economic growth is showing signs of improvement. However, risk and uncertainties .We five countries face both opportunities and challenges for enhancing pragmatic economic cooperation and importance and urgency of such cooperation is both on rise," he said.

Asserting that 2017 is an important year for BRICS cooperation, Xi said that BRICS leaders today viewed the experience of BRICS cooperation over the past decade and agreed to take this cooperation to a new height.

Speaking at the event, South African President Jacob Zuma called for establishment of an experience shared mechanism for the digital economy.

"We should establish experience sharing mechanism for the digital economy, this would enable us to accelerate the economic development and productivity of existing industries and cultivating markets and industries while enabling us to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth," he said.

"We look forward to our continent hosting the 10th BRICS summit in 2018. We want to be able to build on the endeavors of our business council. We look forward to working with BRICS business council further to ensure deeper economic cooperation within the BRICS council." he added.

Brazilian President Michel Temer hailed the efforts of the Business Council for making the BRICS an effective instrument to increase the ever more trade and investment amongst the countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday pitched for more expanding business cooperation between member countries at the BRICS Business Council Summit in Xiamen, China, while mentioning that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is India's biggest economic reform.

Prime Minister Modi said that India was changing fast into one of the most open economies in the with FDI inflows at an all-time high, rising by 40 percent.

"The Goods and Services Tax is India's biggest economic reform ever. In one stroke, a unified market of 1.3 billion people has been created," he said

"Programs like digital India, make in India and start-up India are changing the economic landscape of the country know; There are assisting India turn into a knowledge base ,skill supported and technology driven society" PM Modi added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said direct dialogue between the BRICS leadership and the private sector is highly relevant and allows the grouping to discuss at length issues of economic cooperation.

Hailing the successful implementation of this dialogue, Putin said, "The results are obvious since the establishment of our association the inter-BRICS trade has risen by over 50 percent, and as of 2016, it amounted to 235 USD billion."

"BRICS is facing an important task to join hands to give more impetus to mutual exchanges, not only in trade and investment finance, but also in science and technology . The initiative and contribution of the BRICS business council in implementing the BRICS economic partnership strategy that was adopted during the Russian presidency at the Ufa ummit 2015 ," Russian President said.

Earlier, leaders of the BRICS countries applauded both the institutions the BRICS Business council and the New Development Bank that will contribute more for strengthening the cooperation and development of five countries.

The three-day BRICS summit in China's Xiamen kicked off on Sunday. The event is being held in a new so-called BRICS Plus format, with leaders of such non-BRICS countries as Egypt, Mexico, Thailand, Guinea and Tajikistan also taking part in the summit alongside the leaders of the five BRICS nations: Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa and India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a plea filed by the environmentalist, M.C. Mehta, in connection with the air pollution case.

The Supreme Court had last month directed the Central Government to make a database of vehicles across India and to file a reply within four weeks in connection with the air pollution matter.

Earlier on January 17, the apex court had warned about the rising problem of air pollution and stressed on the importance of finding a solution for the same, on an urgent basis.

The observation was made by the court after amicus curiae and senior advocate Harish Salve said there was a need to ensure 100 percent compliance of Pollution Under Certificate (PUC) and linking them with the insurance of vehicles.

The bench of judges questioned Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who was appearing for the Centre, to specify the number of PUC centres in Delhi.

Following which, Kumar said there were 962 such centres in Delhi and each of them inspects around 5,000 vehicles every three months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Angelina Jolie has recently revealed that she isn't a fan of singlehood as there was "nothing nice" after splitting from Brad Pitt.

While promoting her upcoming Hollywood film 'First They Killed My Father,' the 42-year-old told the Sunday Telegraph that filling a divorce after 12 years of relationship was "hard" and added that "emotionally it's been a very difficult year."

"I don't enjoy being single," she said. "It's not something I wanted. There's nothing nice about it. It's just hard."

"Sometimes maybe it appears I am pulling it all together, but really I am just trying to get through my days," she added. "Emotionally, it's been a very difficult year and I have had some other health issues. So my health is something I have to monitor."

The 'Maleficent' actress filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016. The two, who share six children, got involved in a legal battle before reaching a temporary custody agreement the following December.

The movie 'First They Killed My Father' is an adaptation of American-Cambodian activist Loung Ung's 2000 memoir of the Khmer Rouge genocide, which was responsible for the class-driven murders of millions of Cambodians between 1975 and 1978.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the International Conference Center in Xiamen, China, on Monday morning, marking the beginning of the BRICS Summit here.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This was followed by a group photograph of the BRICS leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazilian President Michel Temer, and a subsequent restricted session, which is now underway.

Prime Minister Modi is set to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Putin and Brazilian President Temer.

Prime Minister Modi is likely to meet Chinese President Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Xiamen for the first time since the resolution of the two-month standoff in Doklam along Sikkim border.

Earlier, a scheduled airport welcoming ceremony in Xiamen for Prime Minister Modi was cancelled on Sunday due to inclement weather.

"The aircraft carrying Indian PM arrived in Xiamen on Sept 3. A scheduled airport welcoming ceremony was canceled due to heavy rainfall," People's Daily China tweeted.

Chinese President Jinping had earlier said that the BRICS must commit to engage in diplomacy to resolve "hotspot issues" for "global peace and development" and not "conflict and confrontation".

The ninth BRICS summit is set to start in Xiamen under China's Chairmanship.

The Prime Minister had said that he was looking forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes during the multilateral forum.

In a Facebook post, the Prime Minister said, "India had the privilege of hosting the previous Summit in Goa in October last year. I look forward to building upon the results and outcomes of the Goa Summit. I also look forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes that will support the agenda of a stronger BRICS partnership under the chairmanship of China."

The Prime Minister further stated that he will also interact with the BRICS Business Council represented by captains of industry from all five countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday pitched for more expanding business cooperation between member countries at the BRICS Business Council Summit in Xiamen, China, while mentioning that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is India's biggest economic reform.

The Prime Minister said that India was changing fast into one of the most open economies in the with FDI inflows at an all-time high, rising by 40%.

Prime Minister said, "The Goods and Services Tax is India's biggest economic reform ever. In one stroke, a unified market of 1.3 billion people has been created. "

"Programs like digital India, make in India and start-up India are changing the economic landscape of the country know; There are assisting India turn into a knowledge base ,skill supported and technology driven society" PM Modi added.

Assuring support to BRICS business council, Prime Minister said, "Many productive recommendations have come out of your deliberations, BRICS rating agency , energy cooperation green finance and digital economy particularly is noteworthy. Let me conclude by saying that our government will offer full support to your endeavour and we also count on the BRICS business council to take us closer to our common objective of improving business and investment cooperation."

"I am happy to note that business council also have matching of priorities of trade and facilitation, promoting skills development, infrastructure development, e-commerce, SME development, and digital economy," Prime Minister Modi said .

Leaders applauded both the institutions he BRICS Business council and the New Development Bank that will contribute more for strengthening the cooperation and development of five countries.

The Business Council has carried out lot of work in areas of E- commerce, sill development, experience sharing on development economy which have produced good results.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a futuristic forward-looking transformational 'blueprint' for BRICS for the next decade, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Monday said, in the backdrop of the ninth BRICS Summit.

Addressing the media in Xiamen, Preeti Saran said that BRICS countries have accepted the Xiamen Declaration.

Talking about one of the most important issues, terrorism, which India has always emphasised upon, Saran said that all leaders condemned terrorism in all its form and manifestations and have also been able to identify and acknowledge the pernicious deleterious effects that certain terrorist organisations such as the Haqqani network, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other terrorist organisations that have had in spreading terror across.

"The BRICS leaders also called to make the UN counter-terrorism framework more effective and called for a greater efficiency in the designation of terrorists and for dismantling terrorist bases," said Saran.

Saran also said that the BRICS leaders called for a comprehensive approach to fight against terrorism and in countering terrorism, and added, "They did refer to radicalisation, recruitment movement of terrorists blocking terrorist financing, money laundering, supply of weapons and drugs, and countering misuse of interest."

Taking a strong stance on terrorism, Saran said that one cannot have double standards in tacking this scourge; there aren't any good or bad terrorists.

"The members of BRICS have been victim themselves and have said that they will work collectively," she added.

Saran said that Prime Minister Modi talked about taking "collective action" by the leaders in reforming global governance, where he said that when the United Nations celebrated its 70th anniversary, India had missed an opportunity, but are hoping that when the United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary, "we would be available to achieve the reform in the global governance."

"BRICS have gained credibility, wheeled in influence and spurred growth and now in the next decade it is crucial that in the environment we seek stability, sustainable development and prosperity. The BRICS leadership will be crucial, in driving this transformation," Saran quoted Prime Minister Modi's speech from restricted session with the BRICS leaders.

"Another point that Prime Minister Modi focussed on was the reform of the Security Council and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which has remained as an unfinished agenda," Saran said, while addressing the media.

Preeti Saran further said that Prime Minister Modi also felt that BRICS should really be reshaping the global economic agenda whether it's in the multi-lateral trading system or whether it's in any other context.

"There was an intervention made by Prime Minister on countering terrorism where he suggested a joint action strategy for it. He also mentioned money laundering, terrorist financing, cyber space as well as proposing an initiative for the BRICS on countering radicalisation. And in that context, he offered to host an international conference on deradicalisation," Saran said.

Mentioning the Plenary Session, Saran said that issues like the global economic situation, international economic governance, international and regional hot-spot issues as well as the security and development were discussed by the leaders.

"The Prime Minister shared thoughts with the BRICS leaders in deepening the BRICS partnership and mentioned the New Development Bank (NDB) could finance projects relating to the international solar alliance," Saran said.

Saran, talking about Prime Minister's Modi initiatives, said that another point the Prime Minister made was that India should accelerate BRICS cooperation on smart cities, urbanisation and disaster management.

"Prime Minister Modi also dwelled upon the BRICS partnership on technology and digital resources, as well as collaborated BRICS project in this regard," said Preeti Saran.

Saran added that there was also a reference to swift and effective implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions and terrorism and to make the implementations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards of terrorism and called to prevent financing of terrorists network and terrorists action from their territory.

Saran also said that other important issues and other negotiations also took place.

"We have negotiated with other BRICS member-countries on issues such as the need for predictability and accessing technology and financing for expansion of civil nuclear energy capacity," she added.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar added that there were some discussions of situation in Afghanistan, and added, "But I would not dwell much on the topic."

Talking about Prime Minister Modi's meeting with Russian President Vladmir Putin, Kumar said that meeting with Putin, touched several aspects of bilateral relationship.

"Discussion on corporation in the oil and natural gas sector, trade and investment, and how the two countries should work together to work on trade and investment, took place," MEA Spokesperson Kumar said.

He also said that the two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges, tourism and student exchange.

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Despite all eyes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit, a certain Chinese journalist has grabbed headlines, all thanks to her nonchalant Hindi-speaking skills.

Tang Yungai, a Chinese reporter with the China Radio International in the Hindi service department, while speaking to ANI, said that she loves India and has formally studied Hindi at a university here.

"As a Hindi leaner, I would just like to say that I love India and I travel with many Indian people and after meeting so many Indian people I came to know that Indians are very honest and they are very good and that's why I love India so much," said Tang Yungai, in fluent Hindi.

Tang Yungai, who is also referred to as Sapna, further said that she believes India and China's relations would get better and thrive, adding, "It will also be good for our work in the future."

Talking about the Doklam issue, Yungai said, "We shall wait and see what happens; both the President and the Prime Minister are going to have a talk soon."

Yungai seemed particularly fascinated with the Indian Cinema. She said, "People in China watched the film 'Dangal' and loved it here. Aamir Khan's character was not handsome looking in the film, but the Chinese people still loved him."

Yungai concluded by singing a famous Hindi song - 'Aa ja re' - from Indian classic 'Noorie' and folded her hands in 'Namastey' - a formal way to greet people in India.

Meanwhile, the BRICS Summit plenary session is underway at Xiamen.

While Chinese President Jinping, in his opening address, stressed on striking a balance between the speed of growth and the quality of growth, Prime Minister Modi called for a greater cooperation between the BRICS member-nations for ensuring global stability and peace, in his address.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BRICS leaders unveiled the Xiamen Declaration here on Monday in which member countries unequivocally condemned terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations and called upon all states to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating the menace, including countering radicalisation, recruitment, and movement of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters.

The Xiamen BRICS Declaration signed by the BRICS members specifically stated, "BRICS express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir."

"BRICS deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable."

"Recalling the primary leading role and responsibility of the states in preventing and countering terrorism, we stress the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs," the BRICS Xiamen joint declaration stated.

BRICS member countries also reaffirmed solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism, valued the 2nd BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group Meeting held in Beijing on May 18, 2017, and agreed to strengthen the cooperation.

"We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing. We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in FATF and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs). We recall the responsibility of all States to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories," the statement added.

Meanwhile, while, in the plenary session earlier in the day, Chinese President Jinping, in his opening address, stressed on striking a balance between the speed of growth and the quality of growth, Prime Minister Modi called for a greater cooperation between the BRICS member-nations for ensuring global stability and peace, in his address.

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The Delhi Police on Monday arrested a British on charges of sodomizing visually challenged students at Association for the Blind (NAB) in R.K. Puram area here.

The incident came to notice after a PCR call was received at R.K. Puram Police station today regarding the same.

It was revealed that the British national, Murray Ward, was a frequent visitor and a regular donor with NAB from the last 8 to 9 years.

Murray is accused of subjecting three minors, all blind students of NAB, to paedophilic sexual harassment on September 2.

A case has been registered in this regard under Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

54-year old Murray hails from UK's Gloucestershire and was working with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurugram till April 2017.

Earlier in February 2017, he suffered a paralytic attack and since then, he has been under treatment.

The police have seized his cell phone for exmanination. They have also recovered his MacBook which contains a couple of objectionable video clippings.

Murray has been arrested and was produced before the court for obtaining his Police Custody remand.

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Eight people, who were arrested in connection to the custodial death of one accused in Shimla gang rape case, have been sent to police custody till September 7.

On August 29, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested eight people, including Inspector General of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in connection to the custodial death of a Shimla gang rape accused.

The accused was arrested along with five others for allegedly raping and killing a 16-year-old girl in Kotkhai area of Himachal Pradesh's Shimla.

All the six accused were arrested after the father of the minor girl lodged a complaint with the Kotkhai Police Station.

The accused raped and murdered the girl when she was returning home from school on July 5.

Her body was reportedly found a day after she went missing, from a nearby forest area.

The CBI is investigating the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the BRICS Summit plenary session on Monday morning and delivered an opening speech, in which he stressed on striking a balance between the speed of growth and quality of growth.

The focus needs to be on sustainable growth, the Chinese President said.

"It is important to strike a balance between the speed of growth and the quality and efficiency of growth. By implementing the 2030 sustainable development agenda, we have the opportunity to achieve balanced economic, social and environmental progress and bring about inter connected and inclusive development," he quoted.

Chinese President Jinping further said, "Though separated by mountains and oceans, BRICS countries have been closely bound by shared commitment to win-win cooperation."

Jinping added that China would contribute a sizeable amount to the NBD project preparation facility to support the business operation in the long-term development of the bank.

"I wish to announce here that China will launch the economic and technical cooperation plan for the BRICS countries. To facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation in the economic and trade field, China will contribute 4 million US Dollars to the NBD project preparation facility to support the business operation in the long-term development of the bank. China will work with all parties to follow through on the outcome and consensus achieved in the past and make use of existing mechanism," Jinping said.

"The BRICS has travelled a glorious journey of one decade, though separated by mountains and oceans, our five countries have been bound by a shared commitment. We owe the rapid development to the BRICS cooperation to our adoption of a right approach and that is the key to the rapid development for the BRICS countries cooperation," he said.

"Guided by this approach, we have respected and supported each other in following the path of development suited to our respective national conditions. We have pushed forward economic, political and people to people cooperation in an open inclusive and spirit and we have worked with other emerging markets and developing countries to uphold international justice and equity and faster sound external environment."

"Past progress shows that BRICS cooperation has met our common need for development and is keeping with the history. Though we have different national conditions, we share the commitment to pursuing common development through partnership. This has enabled us to rise above differences and seek winning results. As the goes under profound and complex changes, the BRICS cooperation has become more important. Our people expect us to jointly boost development and improve their well being; the international community expects us to make contribution to peace and common development."

Xi Jingping hoped that the second decade of BRICS would be as successful as the first one.

Jinping added that they have launched the African regional centre of the new development bank, and have decided to set up the BRICS model e-porch network and have reached extensive agreement on taxation, ecommerce, local currency bond, public-private partnership and the network of financial institutions and services. Their practical cooperation has become more institutionalised and substantive and delivered a more tangible result, he added.

"We need to strengthen complimentary of our development strategy. Despite our differences in national condition, our five countries are in a similar stage of development and we share the same development goals. We all face an odious task in growing on the economy. Strengthening the complementarity of our development strategies will help bring out our comparative strengths in resources market and labor force and to release the growth potential of the five countries and the creativity of our three billion people opening up huge space for development," he said.

"We need to plan well at the macro level and take concrete actions in the key areas acting in the spirit of extensive consultation and shared benefits we need to identify those areas where our development policies and priorities converge and continue to work for the goal of connectivity in trade investment, currency and finance and infrastructure. With a focus on structural reform and sustainable developments, we need to expand our converging interest and share experience on innovation, entrepreneurship, industrial development and projection capacity to boost our respective economic development," he added.

Jinping said that the BRICS nations need to make economic globalisation open inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, build and open an open economy, support the multilateral trading regime and oppose protectionism.

"We need to advance the of global economic governance, increase the representation and voice of emerging market in developing countries and inject new impetus into the efforts to address the development gap between the north and the south and boost global growth," he said.

"We need to promote people-to-people exchange. The amity between the people holds the key to sound status state relations. Only with intensive care can the tree of friendship and cooperation grow luxuriant. Enhancing the exchange among our people, and seeing the spirit of partnership embraced by all is a worthy cause that deserves our enduring commitment. The job well done in this regard will help in BRICS cooperation vibrant," he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, during his address, that trade and economy formed the foundation of the co-operation among the BRICS countries.

Appreciating thrust in people-to-people exchanges, Prime Minister Modi opined that such inter-mingling would consolidate our links and deepen our understanding.

The Prime Minister also urged an early creation of the BRICS rating agency to cater to the financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries.

Along with the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Secretary East Preeti Saran, and the High Commissioner of India to China, Vijay Gokhale were also present at the session.

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The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader T.T.V. Dinakaran's appeal against the Madras High Court order to face trial in a Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) case.

The court also ordered that the case should be completed within three months.

The apex court further warned Dinakaran that any attempts to delay the same will lead to a penalty.

Currently, Dinakaran is facing two cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him for alleged violations of the FERA.

The court had framed charges against him for illegally routing U.S. dollars in foreign exchange without taking permission from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and depositing it in the current account of Dipper Investments Ltd., a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, with Barclays Bank, Sutton, United Kingdom.

The second case pertains to the transfer of 44.37 lakh pounds through the West Bank Ltd., Ireland, allegedly breaching FERA provisions.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has vowed to block Turkey from joining the European Union, as she pitched for re-election in a televised election debate with her rival, Martin Schulz.

"The fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU," she quoted, after Schulz said he would stop Turkey's bid to join the EU if he was elected the chancellor.

"I'll speak to my Europen Union colleagues to see if we can reach a joint position on this so that we can end these accession talks," added Merkel, who is hoping to get re-elected for a fourth term.

This comes just weeks after German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told Turkey it would never become a member of the EU as long as it is governed by the current president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey has been receiving funding from the EU, which will reach 6 billion by 2018, as part of the deal to halt the migrant flow into Europe, signed in March 2016, Russia Today reported.

Turkey has been in negotiations to join the EU since 2005, but talks ended after EU leaders stepped up their criticism of President Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey was also promised visa-free travel and expedited talks on joining the EU, but the discussion of those issues remains stalled due to Ankara's refusal to relax its harsh anti-terrorism laws.

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The Haryana Police on Monday recovered a huge cache of ultra-modern arms and ammunition from the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda in Haryana's Sirsa.

They recovered 33 licensed arms, which include 9-mm pistols, several single and double-barrel rifles and a modified carbine.

Dinesh Kumar, Sirsa Sadar SHO, confirmed that these arms were recovered from the Dera premises.

He said that soon after Ram Rahim's conviction, their target was to recover all licensed as well as illegal arms from the Dera chief's followers.

"All followers inside the Dera posess such weapons. There are almost 67 weapons with the people living in Dera, out of which, the police have recovered 33. The police have given strict orders that an action would be taken against those found possessing such weapons," he said.

Earlier yesterday, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at Haryana's Ambala Jail.

Ravindra, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Sarsawa, was arrested in Panchkula on August 25 when Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a rape case.

The Dera Chief was convicted by a CBI court in Panchkula on August 25 following which violence had erupted in Haryana and neighboring states. 38 people were killed and around 250 injured in the violence.

The Haryana Police had also arrested many Dera followers for creating a ruckus post Ram Rahim's conviction.

Earlier on August 28, a CBI court awarded a 20-year jail term to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in connection with two rape cases. The term in both cases is concurrent, forming an effective term of 10 years.

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Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no mention of terrorism in his address at the 9th BRICS Summit, India scored a major diplomatic victory when a joint declaration condemned terrorism and included Pakistan based terrorist organisation like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Haqqani network and Jaish-e-Mohammad in it.

The declaration was issued jointly by Brazil-Russia- India-China-South Africa on Monday.

"We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification. We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and and its affiliates including the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the declaration said.

Strategic and diplomatic experts in India have expressed satisfaction over the declaration and lauded it as a major diplomatic victory for India in the BRICS summit, while commenting on the inclusion of Pakistan based terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Haqqani network and Jaish-e-Mohammad along with other terrorist outfits active in BRICS countries, however, also cautioned not to over-hype the victory saying," it's a test match, not a 20-20 match".

"We have every reason to be satisfied because all our areas of concerns have been including mention of JEM and LET in the Para 48 of declaration, which relates to Terrorism," said Suresh K Goel, former Ambassador, who has also served in China.

Ambassador Goel said, "It's a very comprehensive declaration. It covers almost every area imaginable for cooperation among BRICS nations. The long BRICS declaration reminds me of those documents released after NAM summits in 70s and 80s".

"It's a huge diplomatic victory for India. It's unprecedented. It will force China to rethink its strategy of protecting Pakistan in UN over terror outfits," said Rajeev Sharma, Strategic Analyst and Columnist.

Urging nations to adopt a comprehensive policy in combating terrorism, countering radicalisation and curbing terror financing, the BRICS leaders called for expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the UN.

BRICS, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is a conglomeration of five leading emerging powers, straddling the continents of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

BRICS, the power of 'Five', constitutes one fourth of the world's landmass, 3.6 billion people, or half of the world's population and accounts for 25 percent of the global GDP amounting to 16 trillion dollars.

Till now eight BRICS summits have been held in Russian city of Yekaterinburg in June 2009, Brazil in 2010, Sanya, China in 2011, New Delhi in 2012, Durban, South Africa in 2013,Fortaleza, Brazil in 2014, Ufa Russia 2015 and Goa in 2016, but this is first time Pakistan based terror outfits have been named in the joint declaration.

China had vehemently opposed mention of Pakistan in the joint declaration in the 8th BRICS Summit that was held in Goa on 15-16 October 2016.

"But this time being the host, it could have only opposed it at the cost of taking the responsibility for the failure of the summit as other countries were on board with India to take a strong stand against terrorism," said Dr Satish Misra, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation.

In 2016, President Xi, in his 10-minute speech, had made oblique reference to Kashmir; he talked about the need to find a "political solution" to "regional hotspots".

He had also called for concrete efforts and multi-pronged approach that address both "symptoms and root causes" to global challenges like terrorism.

PM Modi, in his speech, had targeted Pakistan (without naming it) and called it the "mothership" of terrorism and pointed out, "In our own region, terrorism poses a grave threat to peace, security and development."

Though all other countries were fairly supportive last year during Goa summit, India's efforts did not cut much ice with China, who continued to defend Pakistan's actions and also displayed out right indifference towards India's efforts to establish better neighbourly ties.

However, this year, in Xiamen, Indian concern were taken seriously by the BRICS members and thus, it found the place in the joint declaration.

"The BRICS declaration has, in very comprehensive manner, addressed the issue of terrorism and has called for cooperation both international as well as among the BRICS countries for taking effective steps to stop financing of international terrorism. There is a welcome call for taking counter-radicalisation measures," Dr Satish Misra said.

"Having succeeded in rallying the support of other BRICS nations, India's offer to host an international conference on countering radicalisation is a yet another step in the same direction," Misra added.

India's success in BRICS comes soon after the resolution of the Sino-Indian military stand-off at Doklam that lasted close to two and a half months. However, commenting cautiously about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Xiamen, after Doklam standoff, and describing it positive, Rajeev Sharma said, "But diplomacy is a work in progress, it's a test match, not a 20-20 match."

"Condemnation of the nuclear test by North Korea is another note taking development as Beijing that has been a close ally of North Korea was left with no other option but to go along with the group," Misra said. (ANI)

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Three security personnel got injured on Monday after the terrorists' lobbed grenade attack on the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) patrolling party in Qazigund town in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The CRPF PRO confirmed that three jawans have suffered injuries and are being treated.

More details are awaited...

Earlier in the day, at least two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were gunned down in an encounter with security personnel in Sopore's Shangergund area of the state.

The killed terrorists were identified as Naeem, belonging to Sopore and Aashiq, belonging to Pattan, from the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

The troops also recovered two AK-47 and one Insas rifle from the spot.

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The royals are all set to welcome new a member in their family.

It has been announced that Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting their third child.

The official announcement was made on Twitter by the Kensington Palace.

On their official Twitter handle, they wrote, "Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child. The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news. As with her previous two pregnancies, the Duchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum."

The statement continued, "Her Royal Highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today. The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace."

The couple, who married in 2011, already have two children.

Their first, Prince George, was born on July 22 2013, and their second, Princess Charlotte, was born on May 2 2015.

Kensington Palace, however, didn't reveal when the baby was due.

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Maria Sharapova was knocked out of the U.S. Open after she lost to Anastasija Sevastova in the fourth round of the tournament.

Sharapova's first Grand Slam campaign after her drug ban ended in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to the Latvian.

This was Sharapova's fifth tournament since her comeback from a 15-month doping ban in April because of injury.

Sevastova entered the fourth round of the tournament for a second successive year after defeating the former World Number one.

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Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Pakistan's Sindh A.D. Khowaja on Sunday said that the assassination attempt on Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan was "part of a conspiracy to mar Karachi's peace."

The IGP said they have identified one deceased suspect involved in the attack. However, warned that no speculations should be made about the incident.

MQM leader Hassan on Saturday managed to escape unhurt after unknown assailants on three motorcycles attacked him as he left the Karachi's Buffer Zone Eidgah after Eidul Azha prayers.

Hassan, who is the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, escaped unhurt, but at least four others are reported to have been injured in the attack.

MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari informed on Twitter about the attack. He said three of Hassan's guards took bullets, while one was killed in the attack.

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The United States' top UN representative has said that North Korea is "begging for war" and urged the UN Security Council to impose "the strongest possible measures" on Pyongyang over its sixth and largest nuclear test.

"To the members of the UN Security Council, I must say - enough is enough. The time for half-measures in the Security Council is over. We must now adopt the strongest possible measures", Sputnik quoted US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley as saying during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the recent hydrogen bomb test by North Korea.

"Kim Jong-un's abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats show that he is begging for war. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited," she added.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman dubbed North Korea's nuclear tests as a dangerous provocation and said that Pyongyang has undermined the non-proliferation efforts.

ALSO READ: North Korea eyes possible ICBM launch

"We are alarmed by this dangerous provocation. The secretary-general condemns the underground nuclear test announced by the DPRK. This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK's obligations and undermines non-proliferation and disarmament efforts," he said.

Japan's UN Ambassador Koro Bessho called for UNSC to adopt swiftly a new resolution with further robust sanction measures against Pyongyang.

He said UNSC must act to stop North Korea from continuing such actions and should put maximum pressure to change its policy.

He further said that North Korea's nuclear test was an outrageous and unacceptable challenge to the security and safety of the world.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Sunday termed North Korea a "rogue nation" for conducting nuclear tests and said that its "actions continue to be very dangerous to the Washington."

In a series of tweets, Trump further said that North Korea has become a great threat and embarrassment to China.

North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

.. North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

I will be meeting General Kelly, General Mattis and other military leaders at the White House to discuss North Korea. Thank you.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

North Korea on Sunday announced that it has successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb that is meant to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile.The news reader of the North Korean Central Television said North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un ordered the test and termed it a "perfect success". The quake was felt in northern China, with emergency sirens blaring in Yanji, near the North Korean border, according to local media.
Kathmandu [Nepal], Sept 5 (ANI): The Nepal Parliament has endorsed electoral laws for upcoming election of the federal and provincial council, which bars people indulged in corruption and criminal offences to stand as candidate.

The bill was endorsed by holding three rounds of meeting.

Lawmakers of the ruling Nepali Congress have demanded for flexibility over the provision.

However, they allowed the bill to be presented in the parliament at the last minute.

Nepal's Home Affairs Minister Janardan Sharma, while presenting the bill concerning elections in province and federal council, briefed the parliament over the raised questions about the provisions of threshold and other matters.

"The provisions included in this bill are also mentioned in the previously passed bills by this parliament. The concerns over the threshold and other provisions does not tend to bar the political parties but to manage and help the functioning of the parliament and to improve the participation and representation," Sharma said.

The newly endorsed bill bars a person, accused of corruption, rape/extortion, human trafficking, drugs trafficking, and property purification, misusing passport, kidnapping or moral turpitude or any other kind of criminal offence, from contesting election. None of the candidates, who faced punishment over aforementioned offences and one spent more than 20 years of imprisonment over various issues, are said to be illegible to stand as candidate in the election.

The new bill has also fixed the threshold for the parties to win the seat. A candidate, who fights for proportional seat in the House of Representative, should acquire at least three percent of the casted vote to acquire a seat in Provincial Assembly.

But the new electoral law ruled out the provision of No Vote or vote to reject, breaching the ruling by Supreme Court.

Nepal is set to hold the two rounds of provincial and federal election in November and December this year, which is a new test for Nepal as well as a way towards the implementation of new constitution promulgated in 2015.

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Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Monday said that his state will sue United States President Donald Trump if he ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme.

DACA is a federal government programme created in 2012 under former president Barack Obama to allow people brought to the U.S. illegally as children the temporary right to live, study and work legally in America.

Trump has said that he will announce his decision on scrapping DACA on Tuesday.

At least two states are threatening to sue Trump if he decided to cancel the programme.

"If President Trump follows through on his reported decision to cancel DACA after a six-month delay, the Washington Attorney General's Office will file suit to halt this cruel and illegal policy and defend DACA recipients," The Hill quoted Ferguson as saying.

"We have been working closely with legal teams around the country, and we expect to be joined by other states in this action," he added.

Before Ferguson, New York's governor and attorney general had also said that their state would sue if Trump ends the programme.

Earlier, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Paul Ryan has urged President Donald Trump to hold off on scrapping Obama-era DACA program as he gave a major boost to legislative efforts to preserve protections for young undocumented immigrants.

Some 800,000 people are protected under the programme.

Trump had campaigned against DACA and vowed to end Obama-era program if elected but has so far not made any decision about it.

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North Korea is preparing to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) amid international condemnation of Pyongyang's announcement that it had tested a hydrogen bomb.

South Korean military sources have said that there are indications that Kim Joug Un will again test a ballistic missile.Seoul's defence ministry also measured North Korea's nuclear test at 50 kilotons, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korea's Parliament called defence ministry to answer questions about North Korea's sixth and largest nuclear test that was carried out on Sunday and the detonation was the strongest ever from the North, which claimed the test was of a hydrogen bomb.

South Korea's defence ministry said in a parliament hearing it was still seeing signs North Korea planned to stage more ballistic missile launches, possibly including an intercontinental ballistic missile.

"We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile," Independent quoted Chang Kyung-soo, a defence ministry official, as saying.

Following U.S. President Donald Trump warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea's military fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site.

In a series of tweets, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for what he called "talk of appeasement.

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Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that terror has no religion, colour or sex but some people are trying to mix terror and religion for their own political gains.

The Vice-President was in Hyderabad to attend the 78th session of institute of international law held at University of Auditorium at Justice city at Shameerpet.

"Terror is having no religion it has no colour it has no sex but unfortunately some people are trying to mix terror and religion for their own narrow political gains," he said at the function here.

He termed terrorism a biggest enemy of mankind and called for unity to fight against the global threat.

"Terrorism is the biggest enemy of the mankind. I underline the international community and lawyers to come to understanding and bring stringent laws in their respective countries to fight international terror," the Vice-President said.

He further said that the world community should be aware of the evil designs of the terror and should come to agreement for the suppression of international terrorism.

Naidu further said that terrorism should be "put down and hanged both legally and administratively because without peace there cannot be progress."

Expressing happiness over participating in the function, the Vice President said, "I am sure that holding this session in India not only create great awareness on international but also inspire young lawyers and students to specialise in the subject."

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for a greater cooperation between the BRICS member-nations for ensuring global stability and peace, in his address at the BRICS Summit plenary session.

Prime Minister Modi also asked for the creation of the BRICS rating agency to cater to the financing needs of the sovereign and corporate entities of the developing countries.

"I thank Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm welcome. This meet will enrich our mutual understanding and perspective. After more than a decade of existence, the BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation; contribute stability and growth in a drifting towards an uncertainty. Our endeavours today touch diverse areas of agriculture, culture, environment, energy, sports, and ICT," the Prime Minister said.

"The BRICS nations are in a mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education. Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF."

Appreciating the thrust in people-to-people exchanges, PM Modi said that such inter-mingling would consolidate our links and deepen our understanding.

"BRICS was formed as an association of fast-growing large economies about a decade ago to advocate for the better representation for the developing countries and challenge the West-dominated order that has prevailed since the end of War II."

"It soon achieved agreement to increase the share of voting rights for emerging markets in world financial bodies the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. It has also started operating its own development bank," he added.

"The New Development Bank of BRICS has started disbursing loans in pursuit to mobilise sources of infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS countries."

Prime Minister Modi further said, "We need to mainstream our youth in our joint initiatives; scale up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices."

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the BRICS Summit plenary session and delivered an opening speech, in which he stressed on striking a balance between the speed of growth and quality of growth.

The focus needs to be on sustainable growth, the Chinese President said.

Jinping added that China would contribute a sizeable amount to the NBD project preparation facility to support the business operation in the long-term development of the bank.

Jinping said that the BRICS nations need to make economic globalisation open inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, build and open an open world economy, support the multilateral trading regime and oppose protectionism.

Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Secretary East Preeti Saran, and the High Commissioner of India to China, Vijay Gokhale were also present at the session.

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President Ram Nath Kovind today laid the foundation stone of the second phase of link IV pipeline canal of Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana in Rajkot.

The first phases of link I, II, and III of the SAUNI Project have been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The project is aimed at bringing the waters of Narmada River to the reservoirs of parched Saurashtra region.

President Kovind was on a two- day visit to Gujarat that ended today with the said event.

On his first day, he visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said direct dialogue between the BRICS leadership and the private sector is highly relevant and allows the grouping to discuss at length issues of economic cooperation.

Hailing the successful implementation of this dialogue, Putin said, "The results are obvious since the establishment of our association the inter-BRICS trade has risen by over 50 percent, and as of 2016, it amounted to 235 USD billion."

"BRICS is facing an important task to join hands to give more impetus to mutual exchanges, not only in trade and investment finance, but also in science and technology . The initiative and contribution of the BRICS business council in implementing the BRICS economic partnership strategy that was adopted during the Russian presidency at the Ufa ummit 2015 ," Russian President said.

"It is encouraging that the business community has active contacts with the governments of five countries to lift barriers that impeded investment and economic cooperation and simplify trading procedures and the banking direction certainly is a big practical step to enhance the role of the business council in the work of BRICS," he added.

Putin said that the five BRICS countries should also step up their energy dialogue.

Putin said, "To this effect, Russia proposes creating a BRICS platform for energy research, which could help promote industry, analytical, academic exchanges, and data sharing."

Together with the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the New Development Bank (NDB) is funding two new hydropower projects worth USD 100 million in Russia and other initiatives like the Russian judicial system, introduction of cutting edge technologies ,programmes to modernise the water supply in the cities.

"We believe that these efforts should be aimed at promoting barrier-free online trade, as has already been mentioned by our colleagues, supporting SMEs, and enhancing the efficiency of public-private partnerships.

There is also an agreement to attract funds for the construction of Moscow-Kazan High-Speed Railway a 772-kilometre long high-speed railway line connecting the two major cities of Moscow and Kazan in the Russia .It will become a part and parcel of great Eurasian transport corridor.

Putin, during his talks with South African President Jacob Zuma, expressed his readiness to talk about the issue of the diminishing turnover between the two countries.

"We have recently talked about the need to transform our kind, political, humanitarian relations into the economy. Unfortunately, this trend of decreasing turnover continues, though the rate [at which it decreases] has diminished. I would be happy to discuss this subject with you," Putin said at the meeting with Zuma.

Putin added that he was very glad to exchange views with Zuma on what the sides needed to do to develop bilateral relations.

The three-day BRICS summit in China's Xiamen kicked off on Sunday. The event is being held in a new so-called BRICS Plus format, with leaders of such non-BRICS countries as Egypt, Mexico, Thailand, Guinea and Tajikistan also taking part in the summit alongside the leaders of the five BRICS nations: Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa and India.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asserted that no religion can define the basis of a nation.

Addressing a gathering here organised to mark the 48th death anniversary of Mahant Digvijaynath and third anniversary of Mahant Avaidyanath and Mahant Digvijaynath, the chief priests of the Gorakhnathpeeth, Adityanath said that basis of a nation can only be its culture.

"People question if a cult veneration or a religion can be a basis of a nation. According to me, the entire thought is a myth. If a religion establishes the basis of a nation, then Pakistan which was constituted at the time of independence would not have witnessed a split in 1971 where the nation was divided into two countries," said Adityanath.

"The way the ISIS is brewing terrorism and unrest across the world substantiates the fact that no religion can define the basis of a religion. The only basis of a can be its culture," he added.

Yesterday, on the first day of the event, Aditynath professed for unity.

Quoting Ramayana, he said Ravana was defeated because his brother (Vibhishan) was not with him, while Ram won because Lakshman stood by him.

"We will meet the fate of Ravana if we are divided on the basis of caste, but will be victorious like Rama if we stay united," Adityanath said.

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Two Rohingya Muslim refugees on Monday urged the Supreme Court to direct the Central government not to deport them to Myanmar.

The two Rohingya Muslim refugees, Mohammad Sallimullah and Mohammad Shakir who had knocked the doors of the apex court in the regard, today told the court that they would face certain death on being deported to Myanmar.

The two petitioners are residing at Madanpur Khadar.

In the last hearing representing Sallimullah and Shakir advocate Prashant Bhushan asserted that such a move would be unconstitutional as the apex court had repeatedly ruled, as in the case of Chakma refugees, that it was the cardinal duty of the Union government to protect refugees who leave their own country because of persecution at the hands of state authorities.

Bhushan had apprised the court that approximately 40,000 Rohingya Muslims residing in India were registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

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The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain the fresh Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO, Lok Prahari, seeking to give the Election Commission (EC) the power to de-register political parties.

The matter was heard by the apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra.

The apex court earlier heard the plea filed by the Lok Prahari NGO, seeking to stop giving pensions to the parliamentarians.

Earlier in March, the apex court had issued notices to the Centre, secretaries of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in a plea seeking regulation of pension and allowances that parliamentarians are entitled to.

A bench comprising justices J. Chelameswar and S. Abdul Nazeer was hearing a PIL filed by Uttar Pradesh-based non-profit organisation Lok Prahari.

The petitioner argued that there are no guidelines for allowances received by the members of Parliament.

"If a person is elected at the age of 25-26, the individual is eligible for a lifetime of pension after a single term," said advocate Kamini Jaiswal who appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

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A team of Briton scientists is developing a smartwatch that may detect and "understand" your every move, without being told what to look for.

Current smartwatches can recognise a limited number of particular activities, including yoga and running, but these are programmed in advance.

This new method enables the technology to discover activities as they happen, not just simply when exercising, but also when brushing your teeth or cutting vegetables.

The algorithm can even track sedentary activity, for instance whether you are lying or sitting down.

Dr Hristijan Gjoreski of the University of Sussex in Brighton said, "Current activity-recognition systems usually fail because they are limited to recognising a predefined set of activities, whereas of course human activities are not limited and change with time.

"Here we present a new machine-learning approach that detects new human activities as they happen in real time, and which outperforms competing approaches," Gjoreski added.

The new algorithm tracks ongoing activity, paying close attention to transitioning, as well as the activity itself. In the example above, it assumes that the walk will continue following the short pauses, and therefore holds the data while it waits.

Another researcher Dr Daniel Roggen from the University of Sussex stated that future smartwatches will be able to better analyse and understand activities by automatically discovering when we engage in some new type of activity.

This new method for activity discovery paints a far richer, more accurate, picture of daily human life.

As well as for fitness and lifestyle trackers, this can be used in healthcare scenarios and in fields such as consumer behaviour research.

The research will be published at the International Symposium on Wearable Computers in Hawaii, USA, in September.

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South Korea's Army and Air Force have conducted a ballistic missile exercise on early Monday morning in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test.

The drill involved surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and the F-15K fighter jets hitting targets off the east coast of South Korea, simulating a strike on a target as far away as North Korea's nuclear test site, Punggye-ri, the CNN quoted Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as saying.

North Korea on Sunday announced that it has successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb that is meant to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile.

After which, United States Defence Secretary James Mattis strongly warned North Korea of "massive military response" if it threatened the U.S. or its allies.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley on Sunday confirmed that the United Nation Security Council has also called for an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the developments.

"We along w/Japan, France, the UK and S.Korea have called for an emergency Security Council meeting on N.Korea in the open tomorrow at 10am," Haley tweeted.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday termed North Korea a "rogue nation" for conducting nuclear tests and said that its "actions continue to be very dangerous to the Washington."

In a series of tweets, Trump further said that North Korea has become a great threat and embarrassment to China.

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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday left for Russia's Vladivostok to participate in 3rd Eastern Economic Forum.

Swaraj's visit reflects the importance attached by India to emerging opportunities in the Russian Far East, and to its strategic partnership with Russia.

During her visit, she will participate in the opening ceremony of the forum on September 6 as well as hold bilateral meetings with the Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Governors of some of the Far Eastern Regions, among other engagements.

The high-level Indian participation in the Vladivostok Forum follows the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Guest of Honour at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2017.

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The Malaysian police on Sunday arrested a suspected leader and seven members of the Daesh-linked Abu Sayyaf militant group in Kuala Lumpur.

The Police detained Hajar Abdul Mubin, also known as Abu Asrie, in a Wednesday raid, a source told the Middle East Monitor.

Hajar, who hails from Philippines, was arrested along with one other Filipino and six Malaysians from the Borneo state of Sabah, which shares a porous maritime border with the Philippines.

The Malaysian police have arrested more than 250 people in last three years on the suspicion of their links with Daesh. These arrests came amid ongoing crackdown on militancy by Muslim majority Malaysia.

The insurgent group Abu Sayyaf is known for bombings, beheadings, extortion and kidnap-for-ransom in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic Philippines.

The Malaysian authorities have been worried as the Daesh constantly growing in the region as militants loyal to Daesh seized large parts of Marawi city in the southern Philippines in May.

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Looking to facilitate collaborative research with international partners, TransDisciplinary University (TDU) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia and Mbarara University, Uganda on Monday at the university campus in Bengaluru.

The Bengaluru-based university, founded by industry veterans Dr. Sam Pitroda and Darshan Shankar, aims to design and deliver state-of-the-art programmes that impart holistic education, with emphasis on experiential learning and competency-based evaluation. Collaborations with academic institutes from across the globe not only ensure that TDU programmes are cutting-edge and of contemporary relevance, but also that the learning outcomes for students is enhanced.

The event also marked the start of TDU's academic calendar with inaugural lectures delivered by Jairam Ramesh (Member of Parliament, India), and Celestino Obua (Vice Chancellor, Mbarara University, Uganda). This was followed by an interactive session with the distinguished speakers, wherein students and visitors had an exceptional opportunity to foresee the future of higher education and research in India.

"This ceremony is the inauguration of a unique academic calendar packed with innovative courses and technology-enabled learning platforms. The idea is to deliver educational programmes using practical and application-oriented approaches so as to prepare the students to handle challenges on the national as well as international stage. For innovation to happen in higher education, we need to join forces with the best minds in the field. The MoUs with international universities are a vital step in that direction. TDU is ready to nurture the future," said Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Vice Chancellor, TDU.

"Times are changing and our education system needs to adapt to the new realities. Theoretical knowledge has to be complemented by experiential learning. And for this, we need to forge new ties, look beyond the boundaries of geography, to foster a healthy exchange of information and ideas. I congratulate TDU for its commendable efforts in taking Indian education and research to greater heights," added Jairam Ramesh.

"In Ethiopia, we are witnessing the benefits of embracing a student-centric method to education, instead of the traditional teacher-centric classroom approach. This latest collaboration with TDU will help us strengthen our research and educational prowess. India is counted among the top countries in terms of academic brilliance and performance. We look forward to an engaging and exciting association with TDU," said H.E. Dr. Gemedo Dalle - Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of Ethiopia.

"Our education policies are trying to inculcate a more responsive system that facilitates critical thinking and pragmatic learning. The challenge is to ensure that our students get the best of global education and research within their own country. I am certain that the MoU with TDU will herald a new age of academic evolution for both countries," added Obua.

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Hollywood actress Tessa Thompson is the latest addition to speak out against male writers portraying female action stars.

The actress, who will be seen in the upcoming movie 'Thor: Ragnarok', said that she has issues with the way female characters are being written for action films, reports The Independent.

While talking to a leading daily, Thompson shared, "There's an unfair position that women are sometimes put in, in the context of superhero movies and action movies where at once they have to be very strong and fierce, but also sexy."

The actress also revealed the one word that she hates seeing in scripts.

"There's one word I hate in all scripts in Hollywood at the moment in describing women, and that is the word 'badass'. That word has just crept into every script that is pushed around this town now," shared Thompson.

Adding, "It's a dumb male writer's way of saying: 'Ah, uh, she's like, she, uh, she's tough.' Then straight after that it's like: 'She's badass, but she's got a beauty about her. And she's sexy. Unconsciously sexy."

She added that she and director Taika Waititi have worked on making her character - the Asgardian warrior Valkyrie - more relevant for 2017.

Thompson described her as an elite warrior who has "sort of lost her way".

Helmed by Taika Waititi, 'Thor: Ragnarok' stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular character with Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo and Tessa Thompson in pivotal roles.

The flick is all set to release on October 27 in UK.

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At least two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were gunned down after an encounter with security personnel in Sopore's Shangergund area on Monday morning.

The killed militants have been identified as Naeem, belonging to Sopore and Aashiq, belonging to Pattan, from the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

The troops also recovered two AK-47 and one Insas rifle from the spot.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants, the security forces had launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) there, which is still underway.

Earlier yesterday, the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing of small and heavy arms in Amrodin, Chatkadi and Sadipora in Karnah of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Before this, Pakistan violated ceasefire in the Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC).

The Pakistan Army also violated ceasefire in the Mankot sector area along the LoC of Poonch on Sunday.

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Two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorists, including Divisional Commander of HM North Kashmir, were killed in an encounter with police and security forces in Sopore.

Acting on specific information, Sopore police, along with 22 Rashtiya Rifles (RR) and 179 Battalion, 177 Battalion, 92 Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), launched a cordon and search operation in Check-e-Brath area of Sopore. During the searches, hiding terrorists fired upon joint search party, ensuing an encounter.

Two terrorists were killed in the encounter, who were later identified as Divisional Commander of HM Pervaiz Ahmad Wani resident of Galoora Handwara, and Naeem Ahmad Najar resident of Sopore's Shelpora Brad.

Two AK rifles, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds, One INSAS rifle, one INSAS Magazine, 13 INSAS rounds and other ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.

These terrorists were involved in many anti and anti social activities.

Pervaiz Ahmad was involved in the serial blast on mobile towers in 2015, in killing of two police personnel in Handwara market in 2013, in the attack on Police Post Langate in 2016.

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The United Nations Security Council will be holding an emergency meeting on Monday after North Korea's announcement of successfully testing a hydrogen bomb that is meant to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile.

United States Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley on Sunday confirmed the meeting on Twitter.

"We along w/Japan, France, the UK and S.Korea have called for an emergency Security Council meeting on N.Korea in the open tomorrow at 10am," she tweeted.

U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis has strongly warned North Korea of "massive military response" if it threatened the U.S. or its allies.

"Any threat to the United States or its territories including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response," The Hill quoted Mattis as saying.

"Kim Jong-Un should take heed the United Nations Security Council's unified voice. All members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses. And they remain unanimous in their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely, North Korea," he added.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday termed North Korea a "rogue nation" for conducting nuclear tests and said that its "actions continue to be very dangerous to the Washington."

In a series of tweets, Trump further said that North Korea has become a great threat and embarrassment to China.

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Northen way of food shopping vs Southern way of food shopping [File photo]

Thanks to the vast territory and huge population of China, diverse living habits with geographical features have been an ever-lasting topic among Chinese. Unsurprisingly, netizens went wild again as they recently discovered another striking difference between the country's northerners and southerners: the way they shop for food.

According to netizens from southern China, they usually buy what they need for just one or two meals. "It is quite normal for us to buy one or half of a Chinese cabbage at a time," said a netizen.

However, one is very likely to be scorned if he does this in the north. "We love to stock up on groceries. Buying 25 kilograms of Chinese cabbage is the norm," said a netizen from the north.

Northen way of food shopping vs Southern way of food shopping [File photo]

Moreover, in the south, it is said that winter melon is always sold in chunks. "One chunk is enough for two meals!" one said. While in the north, it is simply not possible. "Of course we buy a whole one, otherwise nobody is willing to buy the other half," said a northern Chinese.

Because of this, cultural shocks are certainly inevitable. "Yesterday, I was going to buy just two celery stalks, but the stall owner was unwilling to weigh them and gave them to me for free," said a Cantonese netizen who just moved to Northeast China. "Vegetable vendors in Chengdu not only let me buy a very small amount of potatoes and lettuce, but even offered to help me peel them. I was so overwhelmed!" said a netizen from the north.

Experts say that the difference is due to the varied climate. Groceries can be stored for a relatively long time in the north as it is usually cold and dry there. Nevertheless, the comparatively hot and humid weather in the south compels southern Chinese to buy just enough for one meal or one day, otherwise it might go bad.
The Congress on Monday rebuked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in connection with the Farrukhabad tragedy where 49 children died in a month, due to insufficient oxygen supply, asserting that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has turned the whole Uttar Pradesh into 'rogi' (ailing) and the saffron party is still not paying any heed to it.

The president of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, Raj Babbar, appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "You hail from Uttar Pradesh and it is your direct responsibility. The Chief Minister is incapable of governing the state and he should be replaced very soon. And if you do not take this step, then maybe you are insensitive towards newborns as they are not 'voters'."

"Even after this tragedy, the Chief Minister is sitting in Mathura to attend a RSS function. He takes an airplane to visit his admitted friend, but can't spare time for the people going through this pain," Babbar said, taking a dig at Adityanath.

Another Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "Adityanath has turned the whole state into 'rogi' (ailing) and the BJP has remained ignorant all this while. Another bone-chilling incident of death of 49 children in Farrukhabad has now come into light. It shakes one's soul and our heart reaches out to the parents who have lost their new born babies."

"Is this the manner, we are going to treat the future of this country. It could be a 'mere statistics' for the BJP Government, but please go and ask those who have lost their new born babies," he said.

"When will Modi ji wake up? And when will responsibility of Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and also of Rajasthan and Jharkhand be determined?" said Surjewala.

At least 49 children have died in a period of one month at a hospital in Farrukhabad's Ram Manohar Lohia Rajkiya Chikitsalaya in 30 days allegedly due to oxygen and medicine shortage.

A first information report (FIR) was registered against the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of a government-run hospital in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, after this.

Prior to this, Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College had grabbed headlines after more than 70 children, mostly infants, died at the hospital within the span of a week, and another 70 in four days, reportedly due to encephalitis and lack of oxygen.

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GTPL Hathway rose 2.95% to Rs 136 at 10:11 IST on BSE after the company said it bagged multiple orders worth Rs 48.16 crore from Government of Gujarat.

The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 1 September 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 57.81 points, or 0.18% to 31,834.42.

On the BSE, 12,000 shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 94,000 shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 138.80 and a low of Rs 135.50 so far during the day. The stock hit a record high of Rs 190.30 on 11 July 2017. The stock hit a record low of Rs 126.60 on 24 August 2017.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 1 September 2017, falling 10.29% compared with 1.07% decline in the Sensex.

Shares of GTPL Hathway were listed on the stock exchanges on 4 July 2017. The stock debuted on a flat note at Rs 170 compared with the initial public offer (IPO) price of Rs 170. On that day, it settled at Rs 171.65 on BSE, a premium of 0.97% over the IPO price of Rs 170.

The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 112.46 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

GTPL Hathway said its wholly-owned subsidiary, GTPL Broadband, won a five-year contract from Gujarat Informatics worth an estimated sum of Rs 28.88 crore. The order is for providing Wi-Fi services on service/rental module including (design, built, and operations & management) for state-wide public wi-fi hotspots under Gujarat State Urban Area Network (GSUAN).

In a separate announcement after market hours on Friday, 1 September 2017, the company said that it won a five-year contract worth Rs 19.28 crore from the Home Department, Government of Gujarat. The order is for supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of Internet bandwidth for various offices of Home Department, Government of Gujarat across the state.

Net profit of GTPL Hathway rose 85.96% to Rs 14.84 crore on 23.24% rise in net sales to Rs 174.42 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.

GTPL Hathway is a leading regional multi system operator (MSO) in India, offers cable television and broadband services.

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Symbolising the growing hydrocarbon engagement between India and Myanmar, the first consignment of 30 MT of High Speed Diesel was sent today from India to Myanmar by land route. Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL), which has been supplying HSD to Bangladesh, despatched the first diesel consignment through NH 37 across the Moreh Custom Check Point on the Indian side and Tamu Custom Check Point on the Myanmar side.

Supply of diesel consignment to Myanmar is another step in realizing the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to enhance hydrocarbon synergy with neighbouring countries as well as promoting India's Act East Policy. NRL has entered into an agreement with Parami Energy Group of Companies for the supply of diesel and collaboration in the retail petroleum sector of Myanmar. NRL refinery, situated at 420 km from the India-Myanmar border, is ideally suited to supply diesel to Northern Myanmar where connectivity is a challenge, particularly in the rainy season.

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan visited Myanmar in February this year during which he discussed opportunities for collaboration in the oil and gas sector including setting up of LNG terminal, retail marketing, refurbishment of refineries, participation in upstream sector and capacity building.

ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL), GAIL India Ltd. and Oil India Ltd. have assets in the upstream sector as well as pipelines. In their effort to strengthen the oil and gas engagement, more Indian companies are planning to set up their offices in Myanmar soon. OVL has an office in Yangon.

NRL has already exported 1700 MT of Paraffin wax to Myanmar. It was a special privilege for India to contribute hand made wax candles to the 2500 year old Shwedagon Pagoda earlier this year.

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KG Denim tumbled 10.08% to Rs 62.90 at 11:42 IST on BSE after net profit fell 90.2% to Rs 0.91 crore on 3.9% decline in net sales to Rs 146.74 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.

The result was announced on Saturday, 2 September 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 158.25 points or 0.5% at 31,733.98. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was down 74.56 points or 0.46% at 16,055.56.

On the BSE, 90,000 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 17,484 shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 72 so far during the day. The stock hit a low of Rs 61.50 so far during the day, which is a 52-week low. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 111.25 on 1 November 2016.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 1 September 2017, sliding 3.25% compared with the Sensex's 2.1% fall. The stock had also underperformed the market over the past one quarter, declining 14.43% as against the Sensex's 2.42% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market over the past one year, sliding 19.64% as against the Sensex's 12.2% rise.

The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 25.65 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

KG Denim is a denim and apparel fabric manufacturer, which caters to fashion brands and retailers across the world.

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Tata Motors lost 1.6% to Rs 384.45 at 13:12 IST on BSE after the company's British luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover reported just a 1% rise in its US sales at 9,421 units in August 2017 over August 2016.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 231.52 points or 0.73% at 31,660.71.

On the BSE, 4.43 lakh shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 18.91 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 396.05 and a low of Rs 381.40 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 598.60 on 7 September 2016 and a 52-week low of Rs 357.95 on 11 August 2017.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 1 September 2017, sliding 12.58% compared with the Sensex's 2.1% fall. The stock had also underperformed the market over the past one quarter, declining 17.99% as against the Sensex's 2.42% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market over the past one year, sliding 28.13% as against the Sensex's 12.2% rise.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 577.47 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

Jaguar US sales declined 6% to 3,101 units in August 2017 over August 2016. Land Rover US sales rose 5% to 6,320 units in August 2017 over August 2016.

Tata Motors' consolidated net profit rose 41.6% to Rs 3199.93 crore on 10% decline in net sales to Rs 58493.37 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.

Tata Motors is a market leader in commercial vehicles in India. The company's British luxury unit Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sells premium luxury cars.

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Iraqi police arrested 23 Islamic State (IS) militants after they entered Mosul from the recently liberated region of Tal Afar, in the northwestern part of the country.

Nineveh police chief Wathiq al-Hamadani said on Sunday that the extremists fled the municipality of Al-Ayadiyah, the latest IS stronghold liberated by Iraqi forces on August 31, Efe news reported.

Some of the radicals infiltrated groups of displaced persons who then entered Mosul, where the militants were arrested.

Al-Hamadani said that the extremists belong to the IS but they were not armed and there were no suicide bombers among them.

Iraqi troops have managed to gain control of the Tal Afar region after more than a week of military operations and after expelling extremists from the city of Mosul on July 10.

However, IS militants still control certain areas in Iraq, including the region of Al-Hawija, about 300 km (188 miles) north of Baghdad, which is part of the border area with Syria and is a vast territory that is mostly desert, except for some populated zones along the Euphrates River, such as the Al-Qaim region.

--IANS

pgh/

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At least 87,000 Rohingya Muslim migrants arrived in Bangladesh last week from Myanmar, a UN official said here on Monday.

The official told Efe news that 81,000 migrants were currently lodged in makeshift shelters and the remaining 6,000 settled with relatives in the permanent refugee camps in Cox's Bazar district.

Thousands continued to arrive at the border, some of them with gunshot wounds, fleeing sectarian violence in Myanmar's northwestern Rakhine state.

On August 25, the Myanmar Army began an operation following armed assaults on several police posts by hundreds of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) rebels.

Hundreds of people, mostly Rohingyas, were killed during the attacks and the government response later.

International organisations have reported claims of human rights violations and summary executions allegedly carried out by the Myanmar army.

On Friday, the UN expressed deep concern at reports about violence committed by the security forces in Myanmar and made an appeal for calm to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

The exodus of Rohingyas from Rakhine comes after at least 70,000 Rohingyas fled the same area amid alleged attacks by the military following a similar assault on border posts by the group's militants in October 2016.

The military's response was slammed by the UN for human rights violations.

More than a million Rohingyas live in Rakhine, where they face growing discrimination due to sectarian conflict, which killed at least 160 people in 2012 and displaced nearly 120,000.

Myanmar authorities do not recognise members of the community as citizens, while Bangladesh considers them to fall under Myanmar's authority.

Between 300,000 and 500,000 Rohingyas live in Bangladesh, of whom only about 32,000 have refugee status.

--IANS

ksk/bg

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The AAP on Monday demanded an apology from Goa Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, who had mocked non-resident Goans for being over-critical of the BJP-led coalition government, while claiming that those who have left Goa's shores have no love for home.

"We have a large non-resident Goan population settled abroad. Khaunte with his comments has insulted them. Goan NRIs through their remittances to their families in Goa have contributed much more than this bunch of politicians, including Khaunte. He should apologise for his comments," state Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Ashley do Rosario said at a press conference here.

At a public function on Sunday, Khaunte had said: "If anything happens, they (non-resident Goans) go to Facebook and blame government for not doing anything. Then more posts follow. And those who are in US, UK, London, Kuwait, who have lost that love for Goa seem to be commenting more than the Goans themselves."

Khaunte also said that social media should be used as a "tool for positivity", while asking people to be more responsible.

His remarks triggered outrage on social media, especially from non resident Goans and their kin and friends back home.

Lawyer activist Aires Rodrigues said that Khaunte's comment was in "utter bad taste". "It only displays Khaunte's sheer immaturity and intolerance by being infuriated that Goans across the world were highlighting on social media, the issue concerning the state," he said.

Rollyson Luis, who works onboard the Royal Caribbean cruise-liner, says that Khaunte should focus on providing infrastructure, rather than clamping down on social media.

"...we are not going to keep our mouth shut. We will speak what we want and what is right... Do your own job with proper infrastructure," Luis said.

Roy Fernandes, who works as a project manager at Bond Communications in Dubai, also wants Khaunte not to "mute Goan voices worldwide on Facebook".

--IANS

maya/vd

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Actor Ajay Devgn, who will be seen essaying the role of an income tax officer in "Raid", will be shooting for the film in Lucknow.

Ajay on Monday did a question and answer session with his fans on Twitter, where he was asked when he will visit Lucknow.

"Coming soon! This month for 'Raid' shooting," Ajay replied.

Set in Uttar Pradesh in the 1980s, "Raid" is based on real life events involving one of the most high profile income tax raids the country has ever known.

"Raid" will be directed by Rajkumar Gupta.

The actor was asked if his fans can expect a third instalment of the "Singham" franchise, to which he said: "Hopefully. We'll start as soon as the script is locked."

Ajay says he would "hopefully be seen" in three films, when a fan asked him about the number of movies expected by him next year.

Quizzed about working with his wife and actress Kajol, Ajay said: "Whenever we get a great script that suits us both."

During the chat, Ajay also praised National Award-winner Akshay Kumar and said: "Akshay is doing great work. Always been very fond of him."

Akshay and Ajay have worked together in films like "Khakee" and "Insan"

--IANS

dc/sas/bg

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The tonnes of garbage at the 'over-saturated' Ghazipur dump-yard which collapsed on Friday claiming two lives is estimated to be just one percent of the entire landfill, a senior municipal engineer said.

While the officials yet don't see it as 'big issue', the site which was suppose to be shut in 2008, had been polluting air, water and soil since 1984, and it now poses a real time threat to the people.

As heap of garbage fell into the Kondi Canal running parallel to the site, experts also fear adverse consequences and a medical situation for the locals in the long run.

The Ghazipur dumping ground holds 130 lakh tonnes of solid waste.

"Just a piece of the landfill has come down, its only one per cent of the total landfill. We had removed most of the dump and are putting it back to the site," Pradeep Khandelwal, Chief Engineer, East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) told IANS.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Saturday banned the dumping of waste at the Ghazipur landfill site.

Ghazipur site is the oldest and one of the three "un-engineered" dumping grounds located in East Delhi. The others include Okhla in South Delhi and Bhalaswa in North Delhi.

The yard at Bawana, which qualifies as a "landfill site" as it is the only "engineered solid waste dumping and processing site" in the entire National Capital, experts said, advising the authorities to wake-up and start working on "decentralised processing centres".

Delhi produces over 14,000 tonnes of solid-waste daily.

Explaining the reason of collapse, the municipal engineer said that the site was running out of space. The officials also underplayed the role of rains as sole reason, as a joint-efforts of rains, fire and excessive pressure collectively bought down a small chunk of the Delhi's garbage mountain.

"The landfill had saturated long back and was holding more than it's capacity," Khandelwal said.

Further speaking on the future, the official reiterated the year old story that the solid-waste from Ghazipur will be used by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for construction of 74 km of Delhi-Meerut Expressway.

They however claimed that the tendering process had been done and procurement of garbage would begin from "mid-November" this year.

The Ghazipur dump-yard spreads over 70 acres and is 50 metres high. The other un-engineered sites -- Okhla landfill spreads over 32 acres and Bhalaswa covers an area of 40 acres.

"Delhi has not learned anything and its high time to switch the process. Land is not at all a solution, there is hardly any left in Delhi anyway," Swati Singh, waste management expert at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) told IANS.

Calling the sites as simply "dumping yard", she added that Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalaswa were "not landfill sites at all", as they did not the follow prescribed norms.

According to the 2016 solid-waste management rules, a landfill site must not exceed 20 meters in height, must not be older than 22-25 years and must have a clay-lining at the bottom to save the land and ground water.

"Delhi has over 2,100 dhalaos (small dumping sites) which must be turned into processing centres. We should not use dhalaos anymore," she said.

Stressing on the need of a decentralised processing centres, where segregation of wet, dry and domestic hazardous waste is done and then treated, experts say that Delhi must follow cities like Pune, where such management system is at the place.

"Bio-methanisation plant would be the ideal solution," Singh said.

Warning that while the sites had been fuming toxic gases affecting the locals for years, risks of skin and gastrointestinal disease now stand increased.

All the three landfill sites had been catching fire in past, with Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court pointing out the same in the past.

"As per the rules, the operation of an un-engineered landfill site is not permissible. However, as an immediate step for controlling the fire, in view of severe pollution level in Delhi, you are hereby directed to use the sludge generated by water treatment plant," said DPCC direction to the EDMC, regarding Ghazipur landfill in November, 2016, after the smog situation brought down Delhi's air quality to a 10-year low.

The DPCC also asked the EDMC to cover up the entire Ghazipur landfill site with the debris from construction and demolition waste.

However, the site, like other three dumping grounds continued as they had been doing since decades of its operations.

(Kushagra Dixit can be reached at Kushagra.d@ians.in)

--IANS

kd/hs/vm

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In a big win for India's campaign against terrorism, the BRICS countries on Monday included the Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) while calling for a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism.

Last year, at the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa, China had reportedly opposed the inclusion of the Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits in the declaration.

"We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the Xiamen declaration by BRICS countries said.

JeM chief Masood Azhar has been blamed for deadly cross-border terror attacks on Indian military establishments. India has moved the UN to declare Azhar an international terrorist but China has repeatedly put a hold on the proposal.

The LeT was held responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that left 166 Indians and foreigners dead.

The Xiamen declaration deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including in BRICS member countries.

It condemned "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever" and underlined that "there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism".

The BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- backed the efforts of the Afghan security forces to defeat terrorism.

The BRICS countries said that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.

Recalling the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, they stressed the necessity to develop international cooperation, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

"We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals. There is a need for immediate cessation of violence.

"We reaffirm our support to the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve 'Afghan-led and Afghan-owned' peace and national reconciliation, to the ongoing international efforts...

We support the efforts of the Afghan... security Forces in fighting terrorist organisations.

"We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalization, recruitment, movement of terrorists including foreign terrorist fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

"We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing... We recall the responsibility of all States to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories."

The declaration urged the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard.

"We stress that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the UN, international refugee and humanitarian law, human rights and fundamental freedoms...

"We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN General Assembly."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Newly sworn-in Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday said the urban housing and development challenges are "daunting" but he would give his best to meet the targets.

"The urban housing and development challenges are daunting and transformative and I intend to give my best to meet the targets under various new urban missions," Puri said as he assumed office as the Minister of State (Independent charge).

He said the priorities for urban sector had already been outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he would work on them.

Puri said that various new urban missions launched over the last three years have been doing well on the ground and there was "no doubt we are on way to accomplishing the tasks in given time frames".

He said there were two sets of targets -- some of them are to be achieved by 2019 and others by 2022.

"If challenges are not met in two years, they can't be met even in six years. Going by the progress on ground, they can be met," he said.

Puri later held a two-hour review of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and sought information about various aspects of the target of ensuring decent pucca houses to all the needy urban poor by 2022.

The Minister will be attending the inauguration of the first phase of 8.5-km stretch of Lucknow Metro between Transport Nagar and Charbagh on Tuesday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress members on Monday walked out of the Assam assembly on the first day of its session after the Speaker reserved his ruling on an adjournment motion on price rise moved by the party.

Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia moved the adjournment motion to discuss the rise in prices of essential commodities and the state's Bharatiya Janata Party government's alleged failure to check it.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, however, opposed the motion and said the issue could be discussed under other provisions related to the house functioning and the adjournment motion was not necessary.

Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami then reserved his ruling on the matter.

The Congress legislators staged a walkout, saying that the Speaker should have allowed the motion since the issue was of utmost importance to the people.

Later, senior Congress leader and former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi slammed the state government and said it had "failed miserably" in delivering on its promise to bring about 'achche din' (good days).

"The BJP promised to bring 'achche din' to the people of Assam but these are yet to come. The Speaker did not allow the adjournment motion... if rise in prices of essential commodities is not an important issue, what else is?" Gogoi told the media later.

"The Centre's economic policies are responsible. Demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax led to price rise. Besides, petrol and cooking gas prices too have increased and affected the common people," the Congress leader said.

He also accused the state government of lack of initiative to bring essential commodities from outside the state to check price rise.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A court here on Monday granted bail to former parliamentarian Naveen Jindal and others in connection with alleged irregularities pertaining to the Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar granted bail to Jindal and others asking them to furnish a personal bond of Rs one lakh and surety of like amount.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 23, filed another chargesheet against Jindal and five others in connection with the alleged irregularities pertaining to the coal block.

The accused appeared before the court in pursuance of summons issued against them.

The four other individuals accused are JSPL's advisor Anand Goel, Executive Director of raw materials, D.N. Abrol, the then Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Vikrant Gujaral, former Director (Finance) Sushil Maroo.

The company, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), was also chargesheeted. It was represented by an authorised representative.

The CBI has chargesheeted the accused under criminal conspiracy and cheating sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The chargesheet alleged that JSPL misrepresented before the Coal Ministry's screening committee the equipment purchase orders it had placed and land it claimed to have purchased.

The probe agency alleged in the chargesheet the accused cheated the Ministry and got a wrongful gain and pecuniary advantage.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court on Monday sought response from the city government and Director General of Prisons while hearing a plea challenging the guidelines that deprive women convicts from the benefit of treatment of a semi-open or open prison.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal also sought response from Lt. Governor on the plea seeking setting up of special semi-open and open prisons for women convicts in Delhi prisons in a time-bound manner.

Semi-open and open prison allows convicts to work outside the premises of jail and earn livelihood and return to the jail in the evening. The convicted prisoner whose behavior is assessed to be very good, are kept in such an environment where they can easily reconnect with society and make better efforts for rehabilitation.

The petition filed by Sunil Kumar Gupta, former legal adviser of Tihar Jail, questioned the guidelines dated issued in 2012 and then in 2014 which "arbitrarily exclude female convicts from the benefit of treatment of semi-open and open prisons".

"These guidelines violate fundamental right of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India of women prisoners confined in Delhi Jails."

Advocate Amit Khemka said that a bare reading of the guidelines clearly demonstrates the fallacy as it treats 'women convicts' as being in the same category as that of 'dangerous or habitual male prisoners'.

Yerwada Jail in Maharashtra and Rajasthan government have extended the benefit of semi-open and open prisons to its women prisoners, said the plea, adding: "It is obnoxious that on the one hand, Delhi Prisons claim to be trend setters of reforms all over the country while on the other hand, the women prisoners are being discriminated in the matter of facilities provided to jail inmates."

As per the data published in Prisons Statistics India for the year 2015, there are about 579 women prisoners in Delhi. There are about 63 open prisons housing 5,370 prisoners in India.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maoist guerrillas have "compromised with their ethics" and of late have started committing robberies as these days they are not getting adequate "levy" from people, police said on Monday.

According to the state police, five Maoist guerrillas from the outlawed People's Liberation Front of India were arrested in Ranchi on Monday. During interrogation, the arrested Maoists revealed they were indulging in robberies to collect money.

"The arrested Maoists were involved in robberies that took place at a few places in Ranchi. As they are not getting adequate levy, they compromised with their ethics and took to robbery," Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kuldeep Dwivedi told reporters.

According to SSP Dwivedi, the head of the Maoist gang involved in robberies is Sultan -- a People's Liberation Front of India member.

The five Maoists were arrested during a robbery in Chanho block of Ranchi and several firearms were seized from them.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A court here on Monday extended the ED custody of meat exporter Moin Akhtar Qureshi who was arrested in a money laundering case till September 8.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj allowed the Enforcement Directorate to further quiz Qureshi after he was presented in the court on the expiry of his four-day custody.

Public Prosecutor N.K. Matta, while seeking extension of Qureshi's custody, told the court that he was to be confronted with two public servants to ascertain a property deal and other proceeds of crime.

The ED told the court that the entire money trail of foreign remittances and their sources was to be ascertained and verified through the accused.

Matta said the ED has to confront Qureshi with government officials as well as other accomplices involved in the transfer of corruption money.

The ED is trying to identify Qureshi's foreign trade associates, he said.

Opposing the ED's plea, defence counsel R.K. Handoo said his client's arrest was illegal.

Qureshi was arrested on August 25 by the ED in a 2016 case against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for alleged illegal forex dealings and tax evasion.

According to the financial crimes probe agency, Qureshi was under investigation for allegedly remitting funds through hawala channels to Dubai, London, and a few other destinations in Europe.

The ED said that during the course of investigation, certain facts had emerged that constituted omission and commission of certain acts on the part of certain public servants holding high offices in collusion with Qureshi, whereby massive illegal money transactions were carried out.

The agency also said that the records collected from the Income Tax Department had revealed that Qureshi took huge sums of money from different persons for obtaining "undue favours from public servants" after exercising his influence.

Qureshi has denied the charges.

--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.)
Fans of legendary actor Dilip Kumar will be updated about his health on a daily basis via social media.

Dilip Kumar was last month hospitalised for a week. The actor's family friend Faisal Farooqui, founder and CEO of MouthShut.com, will post the health updates on Twitter.

"Spent a wonderful evening with saab. By God's grace, he's doing fine. I'll post a daily update on Saab's health on this twitter account everyday at 5:00 p.m. India time," Farooqui posted from Dilip Kumar's Twitter handle.

He further shared that Dilip Kumar will soon chat with his fans over the micro-blogging site.

"When Saab has fully recovered, he will interact with all of you on Twitter. Soon. Inshallah. Keep him in your prayers," he added.

Dilip Kumar, who will turn 95 in December, was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital on August 2 due to dehydration and urinary tract infection. High potassium and creatinine levels had raised concerns that he may have to be put on dialysis. Doctors decided against it after he started responding well to treatment.

Last seen on the big screen in "Qila" in 1998, the actor was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. He is known for films like "Devdas", "Mughal-e-Azam" and "Karma".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five persons, including a national level taekwondo practitioner, have been arrested on charge of committing over a dozen robberies at gunpoint in west Delhi, police said on Monday.

The police said Vikas, 24, Amit Yadav, 22, Vikas Puri, 21, Sidharth Sharma, 20, and Gaurav, 20, are residents of west Delhi's Uttam Nagar, Vikas Nagar, and Najafgarh.

They were arrested on Friday and Saturday from Dwarka and Vikaspuri areas on tip-offs.

"The accused are involved in dozens of road and house robberies last month, including snatching of over Rs 3 lakh at a gun point in Vikaspuri area," Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhisham Singh said.

Five countrymade pistols, five laptops and mobile phones each, a tablet, gold ornaments and a motrorcycle were seized from them, Singh said.

Sidharth Sharma, a national level taekwondo player, entered the world of crime to earn money to fulfil his passion for robot-designing, the official said.

The gang had, on August 28, robbed over Rs 3 lakh from a milk distributor's employee at Indira Camp in Vikaspuri area as he was on way to a bank.

Amit Yadav had opened fire on the father and brother of a young woman in Raksha Enclave in Uttam Nagar after stalking her, Singh said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 device is expected to come with a price tag of 1.09 million won ($962) here, industry sources said on Monday.

The 64 GB Galaxy Note 8 is expected to come with a factory price of 1.09 million won, while the 256GB edition is expected to be priced at 1.25 million won, reports Yonhap News Agency.

The ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 with a 64GB capacity was priced at 89,800 won.

Samsung Electronics said it has not finalised the price, and that it will be revealed on Thursday.

Koh Dong-jin, President of Samsung mobile business, said earlier it will be "extremely difficult" to keep the price lower than 1 million won in South Korea, and expressed an apology for his earlier statement.

Shortly after the showcase of the Galaxy Note 8 last month, Koh had said he wanted to keep the price lower than the psychologically significant level.

Preorders for the Galaxy Note 8 will kick off on Thursday, providing the devices to early adopters on September 15.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mexico is readying aid for victims of hurricane Harvey, with the shipments expected to arrive in Texas on Monday, the media reported.

"There are a huge amount of people in trouble, and we have the crews to help," The Hill magazine quoted Carlos Sada, Mexico's Foreign Relations Ministry undersecretary to North America, as saying on Sunday.

The crews could arrive as early as Monday or Tuesday with a host of supplies in tow, including all-terrain vehicles, satellite phones, generators and mobile kitchens.

Sada told CNN that paramedics, doctors and rescue teams will also be on hand to help victims of the hurricane.

"We are very pleased to be able to support our brothers in need on the other side of the border," Sada said. "If it were the other way around, I think they would help us, too."

Last week, Mexico said it had offered its assistance to the US following the damage caused by Harvey that made landfall in Texas on August.

So far, over 45 people have been killed with thousands others injured.

The White House declined to say whether it would accept the offer. It told The Hill magazine that the issue was being handled by the State Department.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott had accepted Mexico's offer last week.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
No outsiders will be allowed inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Friday when the the students' union election is held, the varsity has announced.

Acting under the instruction of the administration, a top security official of the university has said that no outsiders would be allowed to enter the campus on polling day.

"During the election process the outsiders are not allowed to enter the campus. Security staff may ask anybody for identity card if required. This is as per the direction of the competent authority," said a letter issued by the Chief Security Officer on September 1.

"All campus residents are requested to carry their id cards and cooperate with security staff," it added.

The election will be held for the posts of President, Vice President, General Secretary and Joint Secretary and the results will be announced on September 11.

The JNU has imposed restrictions on outsiders' entering the campus since the incident on February 9 last year, when pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans were raised during a cultural meet.

-- IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Heavy rains that have been lashing Bengaluru and other regions of Karnataka for the past few weeks are likely to continue over the next two days, weather officials said here on Monday.

According to the district weather warning issued by the India Meteorological Department, Bengaluru and interior districts of the state are likely to receive "heavy rains" till September 6.

"The city received a maximum rainfall of 122.5 mm as of Monday morning," an official from the Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Centre told IANS here.

"The rains will continue for the next few days," the official added.

Bengaluru's usual traffic woes were further worsened as rainwater flooded the city's arterial roads on Monday.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike on Sunday announced an action plan for storm-water drainage system in the city, which will incur an expenditure of Rs 300 crore.

The plan included procurement of a robotic excavator for cleaning storm-water drains and clearing flood waters, and taking other measures for securing vulnerable locations in the city from inundation.

Owing to continuing rains for the past few weeks, several parts of the state have been facing waterlogging.

At the same time, the state government has been continuing with its cloud-seeding experiment Project Varshadhari, in a bid to compensate for the lack of normal monsoon in the state.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over 30 months after he became the Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal on Monday took charge of Delhi's water and sewerage management system - and immediately issued instructions to overcome the capital's nagging water woes.

But the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) denied that this was a signal that Kejriwal would now focus more on Delhi and travel less outside to promote the party.

After winning the Delhi Assembly elections in February 2015, Kejriwal had declared he would not keep any portfolio with him but monitor everyone's work for overall better governance.

With Monday's U-turn, Kejriwal will now head the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), which is responsible for supplying potable water to millions in the capital.

The water department was until now with Rajendra Pal Gautam, who still holds the departments of social welfare, Gurudwara elections and cooperatives.

Gautam got the water portfolio three months ago after Kejriwal sacked minister Kapil Mishra, who has turned a vocal dissident.

When he became the Chief Minister for the first time in 2013-14, albeit only for 49 days, Kejriwal had five departments with him including Power, Finance, Planning, Vigilance and Home.

But in 2015, he allocated all the departments to the other six ministers, the bulk of them to his long-time confidant and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

This helped Kejriwal to travel a lot outside Delhi as he tried to build the AAP, frequently targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj explained why Kejriwal had reversed his 2015 decision.

"Government and governance are dynamic things. When situation changes, you change your decisions accordingly," Bharadwaj told IANS.

Asked if this meant Kejriwal would spend more time now in Delhi, he said: "You cannot draw parallels between the number of portfolios and the time a persons spends in his state... Even Modi has so many portfolios. Still he spends a lot of time abroad."

A Delhi Government official told IANS that Kejriwal decided to take charge of the water portfolio because of the importance of water in people's day-to-day lives "and the government is committed to provide uninterrupted and good quality water supply to people".

Kejriwal's stepping in would expedite the process of providing piped water supply to more and more areas in Delhi, the official said.

After taking charge, Kejriwal convened a meeting of DJB officers and sought a report on the timing and duration of water supply in every colony and problems faced including water contamination.

He said vacant posts in DJB should be filled up by promoting officers and vacancies at lower level be filled up on contract basis till regular appointments were done.

Kejriwal also asked for a deadline by which the DJB would be able to map colonies without tap water and the deadline for laying the pipelines.

He called for early buying of sewer cleaning machines to clean up the city's choked drains.

Monday's decision comes exactly a week after the AAP won a critical by-election to the Delhi Assembly from Bawana, taking its strength in the 70-member Assembly to 66.

It was a morale boosting win for a party which suffered a defeat in the Punjab Assembly election, a rout in Goa, lost one Assembly by-election in Delhi and failed to take control of the capital's municipal corporation.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday gave his nod to the proposal to set up Mohalla Clinics (community clinics) in Delhi.

The Lt. Governor's approval, however, came with a rider. He has asked the Delhi government to ensure complete transparency in selecting premises for these clinics, appointment of staff, determination of patients' footfall and utilisation of resources.

"These safeguards are aimed at developing a robust healthcare system besides addressing the complaints received in the implementation of clinics so far," a statement from the Lt. Governor's Office said.

It quoted Baijal as saying that the selection of premises for setting up Mohalla Clinics should be made through a transparent and objective mechanism "in such a way that the existing healthcare facilities are utilised in an optimum manner" and the facilities are accessible to all, especially the weaker sections, "without any duplication of scarce public resources".

In case of private premises, the selection of premises and fixing of rent should be through a transparent open process as per prevalent Public Works Department (PWD) norms, he noted.

Baijal also emphasised that the doctors and other staff engaged in these clinics should be "properly qualified" and engaged through a transparent mechanism.

"To check complaints of data rigging, it has been advised that the administrative department must develop a sound mechanism to verify the number of footfalls claimed in the clinic."

"It has also been decided that the administrative department should evolve and migrate within six months to an online system based on Aadhaar/biometrics of patients," it said.

"The Lt Governor has also asked the department to ensure that all requisite instructions and codal formalities should be followed with proper oversight while incurring expenditure for procurement, supply and/or outsourcing of services, medicines or goods," the statement said.

The Lt. Governor stressed that the conditions laid down by the land owning agencies concerned for land use and construction of any temporary structure "must be strictly followed".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Manchu Manoj Kumar's upcoming Telugu-Tamil bilingual film "Okkadu Migiladu", which was originally slated to release in September, has been postponed to October due to post-production work.

In a Twitter chat with his fans, Manoj revealed that the film's release has been pushed to October first week.

When asked if the film is releasing on Friday, he said: "Release pushed to October first week. Due to the post-production work."

Manoj plays two characters in the film, directed by Ajay Nuthakki.

While he plays a Sri Lankan rebel leader in the 1990s, he will be seen as a student leader in the present day.

He gained about 20 kg to play the Sri Lankan leader.

"The role of the Sri Lankan leader required me to look huge and overweight. Hence, I gained about 20 kg. After we finished shooting that portion, I went and shot for another film called 'Gunturodu'. In the process, I lost 10 kg to return to this project to play a student union leader," Manoj had told IANS.

The film has captured the tension in Ceylon in the 1990s as realistically as possible.

"The film is based on an untold true story. It's a very emotional story and focuses on the lives of those (Eelam Tamils) who die tragic deaths during that period," 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.)
The Mizoram government on Monday rejected the demand for another autonomous district council for Hmar tribals, a top official said.

The government has been holding peace talks with Manipur-based terror outfit Hmar People's Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) over its demands for all-round development of Hmar tribals, who mostly live in Mizoram and Manipur.

However, a faction of the HPC-D led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate has stuck to its long-pending demand for the autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in areas having Hmar tribals and for tripartite talks involving central officials.

"The Mizoram government has decided not to constitute any more autonomous district council for any tribe in the state. We are holding peace talks with the HPC-D's major faction led by H. Zosangbera.

"This faction had abandoned its autonomous district council demand before talks were started with the state government last year," a Home Department official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

He said: "The next round of talks with Zosangbera faction will be held in the third or fourth week of this month. These talks will be the last official ones as the parleys will be taken to the political level thereafter."

The Lai Autonomous District Council and Chakma Autonomous District Council in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram and Maraland Autonomous District Council in Saiha have been set up under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for the all-round socio-economic development of the minority tribes.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress Vice President on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of promoting crony capitalism at a heavy cost to the small and medium enterprise.

"The debt of farmers in Gujarat is to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore, but Tata Nano has been given Rs 60,000 crore loan at 0.01 per cent," Gandhi asserted, addressing a massive gathering of party activists at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

"Can you see any Nano cars in Gujarat? How many youngsters got employment there," Gandhi asked.

He asserted, "The Narendra Modi government works for selected handful corporates. Some 50 of them."

In reply to a question by a party worker from Narmada district about media bias towards the BJP, said, "Some six to seven corporate friends of Narendra Modi control the media."

"They are the same people who are breaking the back of farmers, tribals, workers and small and medium scale businesses," he added.

is on a day-long visit to Gujarat to kick off the party's Assembly election campaign, with a focus on strengthening and revving up the party organization in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting here on Monday with trade and investment, natural gas, tourism and youth exchanges featuring in their discussions.

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit here, "basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship", Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, briefing reporters here.

"President Putin recalled the Prime Minister's visit to Russia earlier this year," he added.

He said that Putin thanked Modi for India's high-level participation at the Eastern Economic Forum, being held in Russia's eastern port city of Vladivostok.

Both leaders discussed several aspects of bilateral issues in sectors like cooperation in the natural gas and oil sector, Kumar added.

Both sides also discussed how to promote bilateral trade and investment.

The meeting comes three months after the two leaders met, in St Petersburg for the annual India-Russia summit, and later at the SCO meeting in Astana in the same month where India was made a permanent member of the organisation.

At the St Petersburg summit, the two nations had signed an agreement on setting up Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu and decided to give a new direction to their defence cooperation.

--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 and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting here on Monday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

"Furthering a special & privileged strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi meets President Putin on the sidelines of #BRICS2017 Summit," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, tagging pictures of the two leaders shaking hands and sitting for talks.

The meeting between them comes three months after they met, in St Petersburg for the annual India-Russia summit, and later at the SCO meeting in Astana in the same month where India was made a permanent member of the organisation.

At the St Petersburg summit, the two nations had signed an agreement on setting up Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu, and decided to give a new direction to their defence cooperation.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Myanmar has blocked all UN aid agencies from delivering vital supplies of food, water and medicine to thousands of civilians at the centre of a violent military campaign in Rakhine state, a media report said on Monday.

The world body halted distributions in the state after militants attacked government forces on August 25 and the Army responded with a counter-offensive that has killed over 400 people including militants and civilians, the Guardian report said.

The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Myanmar told the daily that deliveries were suspended "because the security situation and government field-visit restrictions rendered us unable to distribute assistance", suggesting authorities were not providing permission to operate.

"The UN is in close contact with authorities to ensure that humanitarian operations can resume as soon as possible," it said, adding "Aid was being delivered to other parts of Rakhine state."

In the deadly violence, the military is accused of atrocities against the persecuted Muslim Rohingya minority, tens of thousands of whom have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, many with bullet wounds, according to the UN.

Staff from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the UN Children's Fund (Unicef), have not conducted any field work in northern Rakhine for more than a week, the coordinator told the Guardian.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that it also had to suspend distributions to other parts of the state, leaving a quarter of a million people without regular food access.

Sixteen major non-government aid organisations, including Oxfam and Save the Children, were denied access to the conflict area.

An estimated 1.1 million Rohingya live in Myanmar, which refuses to grant them citizenship and has been internationally condemned for its treatment of the ethnic minority.

Although the Rohingya have suffered oppression for decades, the recent bout of violence is seen as a dangerous escalation because it was sparked by a new Rohingya militant group called the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, the Guardian report added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Assam's Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) on Monday commenced export of High Speed Diesel to Myanmar, an official said.

An NRL spokesman said that two tankers carrying 40 kilolitres of the fuel were flagged off by NRL's Director, Finance, S.K. Barua on Monday from Manipur's Moreh town to Myanmar's Tamu, where the consignment will be received by officials of Parami Energy Services Co. Ltd (PES).

Earlier the tankers were dispatched from NRL's Marketing Terminal in Numaligarh to reach Moreh via Imphal.

The NRL establishment refinery is situated at a distance of 420 km from Moreh-Tamu border crossing connected by Asian Highway I.

"This is further to signing of sale purchase agreement between NRL and PES for supply of 90 MT of Diesel (Gas Oil) from Numaligarh Refinery Marketing Terminal (NRMT) through Moreh-Tamu Land Custom Station to Myanmar," the NRL spokesman said.

"Success of this trial consignment will pave the way for further business with PES and other such customers in Myanmar. NRL plans to export 5,000 MT of HSD per month to Myanmar through tankers," he added.

The spokesman however said that the NRL is also exploring the possibility of laying a pipeline to export diesel at a later stage. "A product pipeline has been proposed from Numaligarh to Imphal in the North East Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 released by the government of India last year. The proposed pipeline could be extended to Moreh post expansion of NRL's Refinery capacity from present 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA," he added.

The NRL is also looking at opportunities for entering into the retail business of petroleum products in Myanmar. Export to Myanmar will a win-win situation for both the countries. Present demand of petrol and diesel in Myanmar is around 3 MMTPA, while it has three small refineries which together produce 0.7 MMTPA and the balance is imported, mainly from Thailand and Singapore.

--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 letter left on Inauguration Day for US President Donald Trump that was both congratulatory and cautionary, former President Barack Obama urged the incoming President to guard democratic institutions and traditions, and "sustain the international order."

"This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful," Obama wrote in the letter, which CNN published on Sunday.

"Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years," The New York Times reported, citing the letter.

The letter highlighted the concerns of a departing president who acknowledged the enormous responsibility of the job domestically and on the world stage.

Obama wrote to Trump, a billionaire who had family wealth and made fortunes in real estate, that "we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune," adding, "Not everyone is so lucky."

"It is important to "build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard," he wrote.

He emphasized that "our wealth and safety" depend on maintaining "the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War."

He also made a case for preserving "instruments of democracy" regardless of what the "push and pull of daily politics" may bring.

Trump has shown the letter to White House visitors, and one of them shared a copy with CNN, the network reported. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

It is a tradition for presidents who are leaving office to write letters to their successors offering advice and well wishes.

When George W. Bush left the Oval Office, he wrote to Obama: "There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your 'friends' will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me."

Obama advised Trump to spend time with friends and family, and wrote: "Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can."

He wished Trump "Good luck and Godspeed," and signed it "BO".

Trump has spent much of his presidency trying to undo the Obama administration's policies and regulations, leading The Washington Post to keep a tally of the uprooting.

Even so, Trump has spoken warmly of the letter, telling ABC News in January that it was "beautiful" and "complex."

"In fact, I called him and thanked him for the thought that was put into this letter," Trump said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Poland-based global ad tech company RTB House on Monday expanded its operations in India and appointed Kshitiz Randhir Shori, former Director of Sales for Criteo, as its new Country Manager.

"The Indian digital economy has the potential to become the world's third largest within the next decade. E-businesses will grow manifold and will require our innovative digital marketing solutions in order to tap into the next billion digital natives," said Jakub Ratajczak, Managing Director APAC, in a statement.

The company's expansion in India comes close on the heels of a record-breaking year in 2016 for the company that saw it bolster the workforce by more than 40 per cent, launch operations in Australia and New Zealand and also increase revenue by over 140 per cent.

"I am really excited to join RTB House and to be an integral part of the ad-tech eco system where the sacrosanct focus is on delivering actual sales for our advertisers with the help of next generation technologies like deep learning and artificial intelligence," Shori added.

RTB House is one of the few companies to have developed and implemented its own proprietary technology for purchasing advertisements in the RTB model (real-time bidding) -- a solution in which buyers participate in real-time advertising space auctions.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicks off his Gujarat Assembly election campaign here on Monday with a direct dialogue with party activists from across all the 182 constituencies, in keeping with the party's focus on strengthening and revving up the organization.

Gandhi, who is also scheduled to make two four-day visits later this month across the length and breadth of the state, is to meet the Congress rank and file at the Sabarmati Riverfront here.

He is then expected to hold interactions with representatives of civil society organizations, industrialists and businessmen and traders before flying off to Delhi in the evening.

According to Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharatsinh Solanki, "Rahul will interact directly with workers from all 182 assembly constituencies. He will also hold meetings with NGO representatives, industrialists and other businessmen on Monday and take feedback from them."

"He is expected to speak about his expectations from the Gujarat unit and give advice on the party's strategy for the elections," Solanki added.

In view of the recent setback to the party during the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections when as many as 14 legislators quit the Congress and eight of them voted for the BJP against the official nominee Ahmed Patel, the opposition party is trying to ensure its flock remains together.

As part of this exercise, as many as 122 new office-bearers were recently inducted, including four working presidents, despite an existing full-time state chief, besides formation of committees on election, candidate selection, campaign and manifesto, accommodating functionaries from all regions.

Simultaneously, the party issued sack orders to eight legislators who cross-voted for the BJP during the Rajya Sabha elections and also initiated similar action against six others on the contention that they resigned and joined the rival party while the whip to vote for the official nominee was already out.

With the argument that they had defied the official whip and could invite disqualification from contesting any election for another six years, the party is planning a legal recourse to ensure they are barred and the rival BJP is unable to field them in the elections.

Rahul Gandhi will be in Gujarat again for four days from September 22 during which he will extensively tour the Saurashtra region in the west and the flood-affected North Gujarat districts.

The Congress vice-president will be on another four-day tour of central and south Gujarat regions later but the dates are still being finalised.

Former state party chief Arjun Modhwadia said for the first time Rahul Gandhi would cover a staggering 4,000 square km across the state to rejuvenate the party cadres.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is set to visit the United States soon, where he will interact with technology experts and is also expected to speak on Artificial Intelligence, sources said on Monday.

Gandhi will be accompanied by Chairman of Overseas Congress Department Sam Pitroda, who has reportedly fixed Gandhi's meeting with technology experts.

He is also likely to attend a host of other events and meet experts in various fields, investors and Non-Resident Indians in Silicon Valley of the 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 Rajasthan government on Monday suspended three doctors and put five awaiting posting orders after 86 children died in a government hospital in the state's Banswara, an official said.

"The decision to this effect was taken after a departmental committee submitted its report to the state Medical & Health Department. Besides suspending three doctors and putting five doctors under awaiting posting orders, we have also taken disciplinary action against three other doctors and four nursing staff," a senior official of the department told IANS.

The Rajasthan government on August 31 set up a committee to probe into alleged deaths of over 85 children in the last two months in the Banswara hospital.

Banswara's Chief Medical and Health Officer said that the district hospital recorded death of 86 children less than one month old in the July-August period and the reasons of death vary from birth asphyxia, to low weight and pneumonia and infections among other things.

Banswara, which is mainly a tribal area, has a population of 20 lakh but only one government hospital, which suffers from lack of doctors.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday left the national capital for a two-day visit to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

The Home Minister will attend a programme organised by Sashastra Seema Bal Director General Archana Ramasundaram .

"Leaving New Delhi for a two-day visit to Lucknow. Shall attend a programme organised by DG SSB at the Frontier Headquarters there," he tweeted.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reiterating that the November 8 demonetisation of high value Indian currency was "an immature decision", JD-U leader Sharad Yadav on Monday said the recent reports by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have vindicated his earlier denunciation of the note ban decision.

"From the report released by RBI, my statements on this (demonetisation) have been vindicated which I made from time to time since then. Demonetisation has achieved none of the objectives as the government targeted," Yadav told media persons here.

The Janata Dal-United leader accused the government of cheating people in the name of demonetisation and taking the countrymen for granted.

He said that because of the government's decision to scrap old notes, farmers' incomes were reduced by 50-60 per cent as they had to sell their produce at "throw-away prices".

"(T)he decision of demonetisation of the government was immature, hurried and without proper ground work which left the people of the country to bear pain, humiliation and was ridiculous for the government of such a large democracy of the world," said the Rajya Sabha member.

Calling the day of November 8, 2016 as a "black day" (the day Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were scrapped), Yadav said the economy is yet to recover from the effects of the note ban.

"The government did not realise that mostly our labour was working in unorganised sector and what would happen to them. Almost three crore daily-wagers were affected with this single action of the government," 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.)
Reiterating that the November 8 demonetisation of high-value currency notes was "an immature decision", rebel JD-U leader Sharad Yadav on Monday said recent RBI reports have vindicated his earlier denunciation of the note ban decision.

Yadav, however, welcomed the decision of cabinet reshuffle and hoped the new ministers would help in fulfilling the promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the people during 2014 general elections.

"BJP had made a lot of promises to people before 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Nothing has happened. Hope the new ministers will help the government fulfil at least a part of its promises in the remaining tenure," Yadav told media persons here.

He did not make any comments on non-induction of Janata Dal-United members in the Union council of ministers and said as the JD-U members of Parliament and legislature had chosen a path different from him, let them comment on the issue.

"I had tried to be strict with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for three years, but he kept changing his stand. So, I decided to part ways," Yadav said.

Nitish Kumar had voted for the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) presidential candidate, Yadav said, adding that Kumar also appreciated demonetisation, which was a disaster to the national economy.

"From the report released by the RBI (Reserve Bank of IndiA), my statements on this (demonetisation) have been vindicated, which I made from time to time. Demonetisation has achieved none of the objectives the government targeted," he said.

The JD-U leader accused the central government of cheating people in the name of demonetisation, saying due to the government's decision to scrap old notes, farmers' incomes were reduced by 50-60 per cent as they had to sell their produce at throw-away prices.

"The government decision of demonetisation was immature, hurried and without proper ground work, which left the people to bear pain and humiliation, and was ridiculous for the government of such a large democracy of the world," said the Rajya Sabha member.

Terming November 8, 2016 -- the day Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were scrapped -- as a "black day", Yadav said the economy was yet to recover from the effects of the note ban.

"The government did not realise that mostly our labour was working in unorganised sector and what would happen to them. Almost three crore daily-wagers were affected with this single action of the government," he said.

Yadav said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Narendra Modi was different from the NDA of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani. "Vajpayee's NDA had a national agenda but Modi's government is without agenda."

Asked if he would resign from the Rajya Sabha as the JD-U was trying to invoke rules regarding his disqualification from the upper house, Yadav said he would work as an opposition leader and still raise issues.

"Let the people decide whom to select or reject in the next general election," he added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Armed criminals looted Rs 90 lakh from a bank in Jharkhand's Deoghar district on Monday, police said.

According to police, a gang of eight unidentified criminals barged into United Bank of India (UBI) branch at the Azad roundabout in Deoghar, and took cash from the bank's cash chest at gunpoint.

The criminals also looted cash from customers and also took away the CCTV footage when they fled.

The bank had opened on Monday after two-day holiday.

Police have launched operation to arrest the criminals.

In another incident, criminals looted Rs 3 lakh from a petrol pump from Chattarapur of Palamu district.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court will hear, on September 11, a plea seeking direction to the Central government not to deport about 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees back to Myanmar.

Directing the hearing of the matter on September 11, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Monday asked petitioner Mohammad Salimullah to serve the copy of the petition on Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The matter was listed for hearing on Monday after counsel Prashant Bhushan had mentioned it for urgent hearing on September 1.

However, the bench refused to say anything as Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, urged the court to direct that in the meanwhile, the government will not take any step to deport the Rohingyas.

Even Mehta refused to make any statement.

Senior counsel Colin Gonsalves too moved an impleadment application.

Rohingya Muslim refugees have taken shelter in India, and a large number in Bangladesh, to escape persecution against them by Myanmar authorities.

The Rohingya immigrants, who fled to India after violence in the Western Rakhine state of Myanmar, have settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.

Salimullah and others have moved the top court urging it to direct that they should not be deported as they faced certain death in Mayanmar from where they have fled to escaped persecution.

The petitioner has said that the National Human Rights Commission too had taken note of the Rohingya refugees issue and sought the Union Home Ministry's report.

Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding the government's plan to deport them, the NHRC had on August 18 observed that "refugees are no doubt foreign nationals but they are human beings, and before taking a big step the Government of India has to look into every aspect of the situation".

The NHRC had observed that the Supreme Court has consistently held that the Fundamental Right enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution regarding Right to Life and Personal Liberty, applies to all, irrespective of the fact whether they are citizens of India or not.

Referring to the International Convention on Human Rights and the other world bodies including UNHCR, Bhushan has said that refugees can't be expelled if they face certain death or torture back home.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Korea on Monday conducted a live-fire drill in response to the sixth nuclear test conducted by North Korea a day earlier, the media reported.

The drill intended to simulate a strike on North Korea's Pyunggye-ri nuclear test site involved the Hyunmoo ballistic missile system and F-15K fighter jets, reports Yonhap News Agency.

In the drill, the Army's Hyunmoo-2A surface-to-surface missile and the F-15K's SLAM-ER precision-guided air-to-ground rocket hit a designated target in the East Sea, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

It said the range to the simulated target was set in consideration of the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site in its northeastern province.

The JCS did not specify the location of the drill.

The Hyunmoo-2A's range is around 300 km, and the SLAM-ER can fly up to 270 km.

"The training demonstrates the South Korean military's resolve to destroy not only the origin of provocation but also the enemy's leadership and supporting forces if they threaten the security of our people," JCS spokesman Col. Roh Jae-cheon told the media.

He added: "We staged the real-distance shooting exercise, simulating the Punggye-ri area as the origin of provocation."

The Ministry of National Defence, meanwhile, said it was preparing for joint measures with the US military for a show of force against the North Korean provocation.

"South Korea and the U.S. are in consultations on appropriate ways on the issue," ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said at a press briefing.

North Korea on Sunday tested a hydrogen bomb deemed as its most powerful nuclear bomb to date.

Technically known as a two-staged thermonuclear device which according to the North Korean regime, could be installed on an intercontinental ballistic missile, an achievement which would be a dangerous advance in its military capabilities, reports Efe news.

The international community has unanimously condemned Pyongyang's new atomic test. Seoul and Tokyo have also called for more sanctions on Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump said that he was considering suspending trade with any country doing business with Pyongyang and also hinting at a possible attack on North Korea.

Defence Secretary James Mattis said Sunday in Washington, that Washington preparing for and examining all military options after North Korea said it successfully tested an H-bomb.

The UN Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the test.

The meeting was called by the US, France, UK, Japan and South Korea.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Korea on Monday conducted live-fire drills in which it simulated an attack on North Korea's nuclear test site, in response to the sixth nuclear test conducted by Pyongyang on Sunday.

The exercises included the launch of the Hyunmoo ballistic missile and projectiles fired by F-15 fighter jets, which accurately hit the designated targets in the Sea of Japan, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Efe news reported.

The distance to the simulated targets and their location were set in accordance with North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the northeastern province, where all six nuclear tests have been staged, a military spokesperson told Yonhap news agency.

North Korea on Sunday tested its most powerful nuclear bomb to date, technically known as a two-staged thermonuclear device which according to the North Korean regime, could be installed on an intercontinental missile, an achievement which would be a dangerous advance in its military capabilities.

The international community has unanimously condemned Pyongyang's new atomic test. Seoul and Tokyo have also called for more sanctions on Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump said that he was considering suspending trade with any country doing business with Pyongyang and also hinting at a possible attack on North Korea.

Defense Secretary James Mattis said Sunday in Washington, that the US is preparing for and examining all military options after North Korea said it successfully tested an H-bomb.

"Any threat to the US or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response - a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis said.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged the US and Russian presidents to push North Korea to a halt its arms development, in phone conversations with both presidents.

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the new nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

The meeting was called by the US, France, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea, according to the US mission to the UN.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As Apple decided to do away with the physical Home button in its upcoming iPhone flagship, a developer has suggested that the Sleep/Wake button in the soon-to-be-released device might activate Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant Siri.

In its iPhone editions released till now, users could long press the iconic Home button to activate Siri.

According to a report in Macrumors website, iOS developer Guilherme Rambo has also said users may activate Siri by using the voice command "Hey Siri" as well.

Rambo's comments are based on a discovery that he has made in source code that points to the possibility.

The Brazilian developer has previously found several details of upcoming Apple products in the company's beta software, including references to a 4K Apple TV in tvOS 11 as well as references in early HomePod firmware to some features widely expected in the company's upcoming OLED iPhone.

Last month Brazilian blog iHelp BR discovered a line of code in the HomePod firmware that suggested the Sleep/Wake button could in fact change functions on the OLED iPhone depending on the app currently in use.

The line of code "lockButtonAppropriateForShutter" likely relates to the native camera app and may indicate the presence of dual switches, the report in Macrumors added.

Apple will to launch its next flagship device iPhone 8 on September 12.

The company is expected to release three new devices -- iPhone 8 along with the updated versions of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus -- that will be called iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus.

Following several leaks about Apple's controversial yet virtually bezel-less redesign, a detailed iPhone 8 dummy model confirmed that the devices would have an elongated 18.5:9 aspect ratio like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus.
Nirmala Sitharaman is now a member of a powerful sisterhood of 16 female defence ministers, in a sign of rising women empowerment in an overwhelmingly male-dominated arena.

Sitharaman, who got the portfolio on Sunday, heads the world's third largest defence force of 1.4 million personnel. It is also the strongest of those headed by female defence ministers.

She and Florence Parly of France are the only two women to head the defence ministry of nuclear-armed nations.

Parly succeeded another woman, Sylvie Goulard, who stepped down after less than two months on the job amid allegations that as a member of the European Parliament she had used her assistants for party work.

France has a defence force of 204,00 active duty personnel including reservists, according to the Global Fire Power (GFP), which tracks military statistics from around the world.

In Bangladesh with 160,000 active duty military personnel, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds the defence portfolio.

The other important women defence ministers are (with the size of their active duty military personnel according to GPF in parenthesis): Italy's Roberta Pinotti (247,000), Germany's Ursula von der Leyen (180,000), Spain's Maria Dolores Cospedel (124,100), South Africa's Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (78,050), and Australia's Marise Payne, (60,000).

Africa has another woman holding the defence portfoio, Raychelle Omama of Kenya. Her position is uncertain now because Kenya's Supreme Court has annulled the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and called for fresh elections.

Three small countries formed after the break-up of Yugoslavia in a region that was wracked by wars, civil wars and insurgencies in the 1990s have women defence ministers: Marina Pendes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Radmila Sekerinska in Macedonia, and Andreja Katic in Slovenia.

The other European defence ministers are Norway's Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Netherlands's Hennis-Plasschaert and Albania's Mimi Kodheli.

Olta Xhacka is scheduled to succeed Khodeli this month.

Latin America has only one woman defence minister, Martha Elena Ruiz Sevilla of Nicaragua, a country that has seen prolonged civil war and insurgency.

North America has none, although Kim Campbell held the defence portfolio in Canada for less than six months before becoming Prime Minister in 1993.

In 1960, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandarnaike became the first woman to hold the defence portfolio and she was followed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Marta Elisabeth Rehn of Finland in 1990 became the first woman who was not a prime minister or president to head a defence ministry.

The first woman in Asia to hold the portfolio solely as minister was Japan's Yuriko Koike. She held the job for less than two months in 2007 and resigned after revelations that navy personnel leaked classified information about the high-tech AEGIS radar systems.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)a

--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 big win for India's campaign against terrorism emanating from Pakistan, BRICS countries on Monday named Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in their joint declaration while calling for a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism.

The 43-page declaration of the 9th BRICS Summit equated the LeT and JeM -- which New Delhi has blamed for terror attacks in India -- as well as TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) with the Islamic State and Al Qaeda and deplored their acts.

Last year, at the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa, China had reportedly opposed the inclusion of the Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits in the declaration.

China has in the past shielded its "all-weather ally" Pakistan even after Islamabad was pilloried by India, the US and other countries for harbouring terrorists.

"We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM), TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir," said the Xiamen declaration.

The mention of LeT and JeM is seen as a takeaway for India from this summit as it has reflected a slight shift in China stance.

JeM chief Masood Azhar has been blamed for deadly cross-border terror attacks on Indian military establishments. India has moved the UN to declare him an international terrorist but China has repeatedly put a hold on the proposal.

The LeT was held responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 Indians and foreigners.

Asked if it will help India's case to designate Azhar as an international terrorist, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said: "The declaration has been endorsed by all the BRICS leaders. So obviously it has the approval and endorsement of all the countries."

Questioned further about China's mind on the issue, Saran said: "You should not address this question to me.

"We have worked collectively in formulating this document which has gone through of course consensus process. So I can tell you that it has been endorsed and approved by all the leaders of five countries is very important."

The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Presidents Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

The Xiamen declaration condemned terrorism in all its its forms and manifestations, saying there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. And it deplored all terror attacks worldwide, including in BRICS countries.

Without naming Pakistan, the statement said: "We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.

"Recalling the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, we stress the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs."

The BRICS countries backed the efforts of the Afghan security forces to defeat terrorism.

"We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals. There is a need for immediate cessation of violence."

It added: "We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalization, recruitment, movement of terrorists including foreign terrorist fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

"We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing... We recall the responsibility of all States to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories."

The declaration urged the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard.

"We stress that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the UN, international refugee and humanitarian law, human rights and fundamental freedoms...

"We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN General Assembly."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Taiwan's Prime Minister Lin Chuan on Monday announced that he had resigned from his post.

Addressing a press conference, he said he submitted his resignation on Sunday to President Tsai Ing-wen, who has yet to announce whether she has accepted it, Efe news agency reported.

However, Xinhua news agency reported that Tsai had accepted Lin's resignation.

After taking charge in May 2016, Lin rolled out controversial laws regarding pension reforms, the control of the assets of political parties and labour reform.

The Prime Minister said he had met sufficient targets and wanted to leave the President with enough room to deploy her people.

Lin said he told Tsai about his wish to step down on Sunday during a National Security Council meeting.

According to Taiwan's Central News Agency, a member of the government revealed that Lai Ching-te, Mayor of Tainan city and one of the most charismatic leaders of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will be made the new Prime Minister on Friday.

In several surveys, Lai has gained more popularity than the President herself. He did not respond to questions from the media regarding his future course.

Lin was the first Prime Minister under Tsai of the DPP, who took charge in May 2016.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Governor Greg Abbott of the US state of Texas has said the bill for reconstruction after Hurricane Harvey could be as high as $180 billion.

He said on Sunday the damage was worse than that caused by Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005, BBC reported.

Meanwhile, the head of the government's disaster management agency has warned that flood-hit states should not rely on Washington to pick up the bill. Brock Long said Harvey should be a wake-up call for local officials.

Recovery operations are under way across Texas, and in neighbouring Louisiana, although many areas are still battling floodwater.

The devastating hurricane made landfall in the state a week ago and has been blamed for at least 47 deaths. About 43,000 people are being housed in shelters.

The US government has already asked Congress for $7.85 billion as an initial contribution towards recovery efforts, which Abbott called a "down payment".

He had previously said the state might need more than $125bn in aid, but revised that figure up on Sunday.

"Katrina caused, if I recall, more than $120 billion (of damage) but when you look at the number of homes and business affected by this I think this will cost well over $120 billion, probably $150 billion to $180 billion," he told Fox News.

The White House has warned that the US debt ceiling - the cap on government spending - will need to be raised to meet the bill for recovery. Only Congress can raise that limit.

Brock Long, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told CBS that Harvey should be a lesson to state officials that they needed to set aside reserve funds for their own emergency management departments.

"It is a wake-up call for this country for local and state elected officials to give their governors and their emergency management directors the full budgets that they need to be fully staffed, to design rainy-day funds, to have your own stand-alone individual assistance and public assistance programmes," he said.

--IANS

pgh/

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Two SSB personnel and a driver were killed on Monday when their vehicle fell into a deep gorge following an accident in Uttarakhand's Champawat district, police said.

The accident took place near Ghatighat when they were going to the Matiyani village to take part in a local festival.

Two other Sashastra Seema Bal members were critically injured, a police official said.

The victims were identified as head constable Sandeep Kumar Mishra (35), constable Aanchal Singh (25) and driver Raju Bhandari (35). Mishra was from Madhya Pradesh while Singh hailed from Rajasthan.

--IANS

md/amit/ksk

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Three militants were killed in a gunfight on Monday with the security forces and another was arrested in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

"In Handwara encounter so far three terrorists neutralised," Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir, S.P.Vaid, tweeted.

Following specific information about the presence of militants in Unsoo village, the security forces surrounded it. As they were closing in on the hide out, they were fired upon triggering the encounter.

A third militant was apprehended in injured condition, the police chief said. "The operation is still going on."
The US is considering stopping "all trade" with any country doing business with North Korea, US President Donald Trump has said in a tweet.

The US President's threat on Sunday came after North Korea's official media has announced that the country had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Xinhua news agency reported.

In an earlier tweet, Trump called the words and actions of North Korea "very hostile and dangerous" to the US.



The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

Trump also said he will be meeting with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and other military leaders at the White House to discuss the North Korea issue.



The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the nuclear test by North Korea.



"North Korea has ignored the community's widespread opposition and conducted a nuclear test again. The Chinese government expresses resolute objection to and strong condemnation of it," the ministry's statement said.
Members of Bar Association on Monday announced they would boycott of courts against notice to their president Mian Qayoom by the National Investigation Agency, asking him to appear before it in New Delhi on Tuesday.

A spokesman of the Bar Association said the issuance of a notice to Mian Qayoom was aimed at "harassing and demonizing the lawyers fraternity for support the cause of the people of and for defending under-trials in the state High Court and subordinate courts".

The lawyers have decided to boycott courts across the Valley on Tuesday.

--IANS

sq/vd

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With reference to A vote for competence (September 4), the editorial states that the integrity of Nirmala Sitharaman (pictured) may have been taken into account ahead of her selection in view of the heavy defence purchases that are expected. Similar views have been repeated ad nauseam by many other commentators since the allotment of her portfolio. But there is a need to asses her selection on other parameters, too. Sadly, the lingering shadows of the Bofors controversy, continuously overplayed by those opposing the Congress party, have reduced the status and stature of the defence minister of a country boasting one of the largest armed forces in the world, by projecting the incumbent as mainly a buyer of defence equipment.
Taking first step for becoming a member of the Uttar Pradesh legislature, chief minister would file his nomination papers for the Vidhan Parishad (Upper House) poll on Tuesday.
Over 100 AAP office bearers, including party MLAs and Punjab unit chief Bhagwant Mann, were today taken into preventive custody after they tried to violate prohibitory orders by taking out a protest here against alleged cases of corruption.

They were let off after being detained for a couple of hours, police said.

The AAP was demanding handing over investigations and trials of the alleged Amritsar Improvement Trust land scam and Ludhiana city centre scam to the CBI.

The protesters tried to jump police barricades to get near the chief minister's residence here for their demonstration and violated prohibitory orders imposed under section 144 in the area, the police said.

The police also used water cannons to disperse them near the MLAs hostel gate here.

Over 100 protesters, including Mann, Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira and MLA of AAP's ally Lok Insaaf Party Simmerjit Singh Bains, were then rounded off and taken to Sector 17 police station in police bus before being let off later, the police said.

During the protest, Mann told reporters that alleged corruption cases should be handed over to the CBI for trial outside the state "as a free and fair trial is impossible here...Everyone is being given a clean chit."



Khaira said, "We had recently asked Amarinder Singh to either quit as chief minister or unilaterally hand over investigations and trials of both corruption cases of Amritsar Improvement Trust and Ludhiana city centre to the CBI for trial outside Punjab. Neither has the CM resigned nor has he handed over the investigation to CBI, so the MLAs and office bearers of AAP were forced to hold a dharna today against him."



The AAP leaders also raked up the alleged sand mining auction scam in the state.

Notably, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had filed a closure report in the alleged Rs 1,000 crore Ludhiana city centre scam in a court in Ludhiana last month.

In another case, giving a clean chit to Punjab's Cabinet minister Rana Gurjeet Singh, the Justice (retd) J S Narang Commission, probing allegations of irregularities in the sand mining auctions, had said there was no loss of revenue and the auction was carried out in a transparent manner through e- tendering process.

The chief minister had earlier ordered constitution of the one-man commission following allegations involving Rana Gurjeet in the sand mining auctions conducted by the Department of Mining in May.

Meanwhile, to pressure the government to fulfill the promise of complete waiver of farmers' debts,the AAP will lauch a state-wide campaign -- 'Vaada Khilaf-Pardafash' (betrayal-expose) -- in Punjab, Mann later said.

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The Raghuvar Das government in Jharkhand today said it has been able to create 1600 lakh man-days for MGNREGA while it was only 1025 lakh man-days before the new regime came to power barely 1000 days ago.

Announcing this, Jharkhand Rural Development minister Neelkanth Singh Munda said more man-days are being created.

Giving details of his departments' achievements in 1000 days, he said a total 38.67 lakh families have been provided jobs compared to 25.94 lakh families before the formation of the new government.

Munda said 4,25,373 schemes have been completed as compared to 1,55,605 before the formation of the government.

Stating that Jharkhand is second in the country in the construction of 'dobhas' (small ponds) after Andhra Pradesh, the minister said a total 1,74,654 dobhas have been dug and work is on to dig 1,03,421 more dobhas.

Jharkhand is also second in digging irrigation wells with 26,631 wells, he said.

Work is also on to complete 2,22,388 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yozana, the minister said.

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Two Nepalese nationals have been arrested and demonetised Indian currency worth Rs 68.2 lakh was seized from them in Kathmandu, police said.

Krishna Kumari Rai, 41, of Kohalpur, Banke district and Arjun Bhandari, 29, of Srinath Municipality of Gorkha district, were arrested yesterday.

The police have confiscated from them Rs 68.2 lakh Indian bank notes in denominations of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500.

They were carrying the demonetised notes with a view to cheat local people, according to the Nepal police.

A police investigation has been launched.

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Three persons, including a Nigerian national, have been arrested and five kilogram of heroin, worth Rs 20 crore in international market, seized from them, the police said today.

The Special Cell had received inputs that Punjab-based drug dealers would be coming to the national capital to receive heroin from Delhi-based African origin persons.

On September 1, police got information that two Punjab- based alleged drug dealers would be coming near Shiv Mandir in Hastsal in Uttam Nagar, to receive a consignment of heroin from an African origin dealer, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Yadav said.

In the early hours of September 2, Dsitadimma Casmir Arinze (37), a Nigerian national and drug supplier, handed over two packets of heroin to Jaswant Singh alias Sonu (30) and Charanjit Singh alias Jeeta (27).

The three were nabbed and five kilogram of heroin worth Rs 20 crore in international market was seized from them, he said.

Two kilogram of heroin was recovered from Sonu and a kg from Jeeta. Two kilogram heroin was also recovered from the Nigerian national.

Police has also recovered six cell phones with various SIM cards used in the drug trafficking activities were also recovered.

During a search Arinze's rented accomodation, the police seized a fake passport of Sierra Leone having multiple fake visa stickers of India. He used this passport for getting house on rent and rooms in hotels, the DCP said.

Initially, Arinze tried to mislead police by saying that his name is Rowland and he is a Sierra Leone national. Later, he revealed that he actually belongs to Nigeria.

He had come to India in 2008 on a business visa for six months. But even after expiry of visa, he continued his illegal stay in India, said the officer.

Arinze came into contact with a fellow Nigerian who asked him to supply drugs for quick money. He worked for Michael initially but later started supplying drugs independently.

For the last five years, the Nigerian national was supplying drugs independently in Delhi and Punjab.

He also used to send heroin consignments to England, France, Canada, South Africa, etc through courier companies, said the officer.

He also used to procure heroin from Afghan nationals.

The Afghan Nationals visit India bring heroin to Delhi by several means including swallowing heroin filled capsules, the DCP said, adding that it is suspected that the arrested Punjab drug dealers have been procuring heroin from Arinze for the last two years.

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Thirty-eight pilgrims going to Haridwar were injured, some of them seriously, when their bus rammed into a stationary bus along the National Highway 1 here.

Police said the pilgrims were going to Haridwar after offering prayers at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

They all belonged to Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

Bus driver Gaund Das and conductor Janardhan Yadav suffered fractures in the accident, according to Senior Medical Officer (incharge) Dawinder Singh of local Civil hospital.

Both hailed from Behrampur. Yadav was referred to a Jalandhar hospital as his condition was critical.

One of the injured pilgrims Anil Kumar told newsmen that they were all asleep when the accident occurred



"We don't know how the accident occurred", he said.

He said there were about 20 women and four children in the group of pilgrims.

SHO Sukhpal Singh said two persons of the second bus, including its conductor, also sustained minor injuries.

However, they neither reported to police nor at the hospital and drove away after the accident, he said.

Phagwara SDM Jyoti Bala Mattu visited the hospital to oversee treatment of the injured pilgrims.

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Four documents, including on economic and trade cooperation, were signed by the BRICS countries today with an aim to deepen commercial ties among the grouping's members.

Apart from the action agenda on economic and trade cooperation, the three other documents signed in the presence of leaders of Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) were action plan for innovation cooperation (2017-2020), strategic framework of BRICS customs cooperation and Memorandum of Understanding between the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank on Strategic Cooperation.

All these instruments were aimed at giving boost to trade ties within the five-nation grouping, officials said.

According to IMF's estimates, BRICS countries generated 22.53 per cent of the world GDP in 2015 and has contributed more than 50 per cent of the world economic growth during the last 10 years.

Assuring India's support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the meeting with the BRICS business council said, "We will offer full support to your endeavours. And we also count on the BRICS Business Council to take us closer to our common objective of improving business and investment cooperation.

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Forty-nine infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which a newborn has trouble breathing, officials said on Monday.

In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, many of the parents in Farrukhabad told officials there was a delay in providing the infants with oxygen and medicines.

The hospital recorded 49 deaths -- 30 in neo-natal ICU and 19 during delivery -- between July 20 and August 21, a government spokesperson said in Lucknow.

The state government today removed Farrukhabad District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar as well as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Umakant Pandey and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Akhilesh Agarwal.

Principal secretary (health) Prashant Trivedi, however, said the deaths had "nothing to do with oxygen supply".

"Oxygen is not an issue in the entire episode. I think, of late, we are giving undue sensitivity to oxygen. It has become more of a buzzword," he told reporters at a hurriedly convened press briefing in the state headquarters.

An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered last night in Farrukhabad, about 180km from the state capital.

However, the state government said no action would be initiated against them on the basis of the FIR.

"The way things have been presented is not what happened. No action, therefore, is being initiated on the basis of the FIR registered against the CMO and the CMS," Trivedi said.

The Director General Medical Health would give a detailed report on the deaths, he added.

To a question on the removal of CMO Pandey and CMS Agarwal, Trivedi said, "They have been removed for the simple reason that the DM is the head of the administration in a district and they should have co-ordinated with the DM".

If there were any issues, those should had been brought to the notice of the administration, he said.

"What happened actually - medically or technically - will be clear in a probe," he added.

He also said that no official could elicit the views of a person over the telephone.

"This is not the right way to conduct a magisterial probe," Trivedi said, commenting on the city magistrate contacting on the phone the parents and relatives of the infants who had died.

Principal secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi, who was also present, said, "No death took place due to lack of oxygen. The matter should not be blown out of proportion."



He said the DG Health would send a specialised team to investigate the deaths.

"There seems to be some co-ordinational issue among the officers. All the three officers -- DM, CMO and CMS -- have been removed. Everything will be brought forth," he said.

Referring to the FIR, he said, "It very clearly seems to have been lodged when the DM did not get the report from the health department".

The FIR was lodged against the CMO, CMS and other doctors but only the posts were mentioned and no one was named in the FIR.

It was lodged by the city magistrate last night under IPC sections 176 (legal provisions regarding inquiry by magistrate into cause of death), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 304 (culpable homicide).

A high-level team will be sent to Farrukhabad to probe the deaths and its technical aspects will also be taken care of, the official spokesperson said.

He said 468 deliveries took place in the women's wing of the hospital during the period. Of these, 19 were stillbirths.

City Magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that most deaths were caused by breathing problems. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation.

"During the period, 30 children died mostly due to perinatal asphyxia (a condition in which a child does not breathe normally just before, during, or after birth). During the probe, the parents said there was a delay in providing oxygen and medicine because of which the children died due to lack of supply of oxygen," the report stated.

The report did not mention the 19 other deaths.

Awasthi said, "...19 were stillborn children while 30 others died due to various causes, including perinatal asphyxia. This may be caused by the umbilical cord going around the neck of the child...Our medical team will look into it."



Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office took prompt notice of the matter after local news channels reported the deaths and directed the district magistrate to conduct a probe, the officials said.

The deaths in the Farrukhabad hospital come after at least 30 children died in a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur on August 10-11 amid allegations of oxygen shortage, a charge denied by the state government.

Meanwhile, doctors of Uttar Pradesh's Provincial Medical Services (PMS) today threatened to proceed on mass leave to protest the registration of the FIR against members of the fraternity.

They said they would not report for duty on Tuesday and Wednesday and would resign if the FIR was not withdrawn by September 7.

PMS members held a meeting in Farrukhabad and demanded that the FIR be withdrawn.

"The committee comprising the city magistrate and the SDM did not have technical knowledge. The probe report is wrong and it should be withdrawn," UP PMS district unit secretary Dr Yogendra Singh said.

He said the probe committee was a non-technical one and its "fairness and competence" should be probed.

"We have decided to proceed on mass leave on September 5 and 6. If our demands are not met, all the doctors of the district will resign on September 7," he said.

UP PMS Association president Dr Ashok Yadav told PTI in Lucknow, "The report on the basis of which the FIR was filed was prepared by non-technical people. A committee of experts should have been set up. This is an attempt to incite doctors, who are working in adverse conditions."



He said the government should recall those officers who did not have the knowledge needed for such probes.

"They should be properly trained. We are monitoring the situation there and will decide our future course of action," he said.
Forty-nine infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly, officials said today.

In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, parents of many of the children in Farrukhabad told officials there was a delay in providing oxygen and medicines.

The hospital recorded 49 deaths -- 30 in neo-natal ICU and 19 during delivery -- between July 20 and August 21, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow.

The state government today transferred the Farrukhabad district magistrate Ravindra Kumar as well as chief medical officer (CMO) Umakant Pandey and the chief medical superintendent (CMS) Akhilesh Agarwal.

An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered last night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital.

"A high-level team will be sent to Farrukhabad to probe the deaths and its technical aspects will also be taken care of. Taking note of the incident, the DM, the CMO and the CMS (women's hospital) have been removed," the spokesperson said.

He added that 468 deliveries took place in the women's wing of the hospital during the period. Of these, 19 were stillbirths.

City Magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that 30 deaths were due to lack of oxygen. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation.

"During the period, 30 children died mostly due to perinatal asphyxia (a condition in which a child does not breathe normally just before, during, or after birth). During probe, the parents informed that there was delay in providing oxygen and medicine due to which the children died due to lack of adquate supply of oxygen," the report stated.

The report did not mention the remaining 19 deaths.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office took prompt notice of the matter after local channels reported the death of 49 children in the hospital and directed the district magistrate to conduct a probe, officials said.

of the deaths in the Farrukhabad hospital comes after at least 30 children died in a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur on August 10-11 amid allegations of oxygen shortage, a charge denied by the state government.

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An ABVP rebel was today elected as the president of Rajasthan University Students Union while the Congress' student wing NSUI bagged two other prominent posts.

The RSS student' wing ABVP secured just one post.

ABVP dissident Pawan Yadav, who contested as an Independent for the president's post, defeated ABVP's Sanjay Machedi and NSUI candidate Deepak Kumar Meena.

The elections were conducted on August 28, result of which was announced today.

Yadav got 5,359 votes whereas his nearest rival Machedi received 2,703 votes, university election officer said.

Nine student leaders were in fray for the post.

Mahima Chaudhary and Manvendra Budhania of NSUI were elected vice president and general secretary. They bagged 2,649 and 6,082 votes respectively.

ABVP candidate Manisha Meena was elected joint secretary of the union.

There were 23,651 registered voters, but ID cards were issued to only 19,394 students.

Voting for student union elections in government universities and colleges was held on August 28 except for universities and government colleges in Udaipur where polling was held today.

Last year also, an ABVP rebel had won the election to the president's post. The other three seats were bagged by the ABVP.

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Veteran Telugu actress Jamuna will be honoured with the title of 'Navarasa Nata Kalavani' to mark the diamond jubilee of her film career in Visakhapatnam on September 17.

On the occasion of birthday celebrations of Rajya Sabha member and former Union minister T Subbarami Reddy, the T Subbarami Reddy Lalithakala Parishat (TSR-LKP) is organising grand cultural events on September 16 and 17.

A galaxy of personalities from various walks of life will participate in the celebrations.

"I am felicitating spiritual leaders and chief priests of famous temples of the country on September 16. On September 17, a 'Sarva Dharma Samabhavana Sammelan' would be organised and spiritual leaders of different religions will be honoured," Reddy told reporters here today.

Reddy said he had been felicitating prominent dignitaries in the field of film and fine arts every year.

"This year we are celebrating the diamond jubilee of film career of Jamuna and presenting her a title 'Navarasa Nata Kalavani'," he said.

Jamuna made her acting debut at the age of 16. She has acted in more than 200 films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi, Reddy said.

Senior film stars who acted with Jamuna like B Saroja Devi, Kanchana, Vanisree, Sarada, Jayaprada, Jayasudha, Krishnam Raju, besides film personalities Sridevi, Mohan Babu, Brahmanandam, Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor and other personalities will attend the celebrations, Reddy added.

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India's new Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam today said his ministry had a "great role" to play in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of creating a new India where all citizens can live with dignity.

The bureaucrat-turned-politician, who was appointed as minister of state for tourism (independent charge) yesterday, refused to sit in his designated chair, waiting for almost an hour for his predecessor, Dr Mahesh Sharma, to arrive and hand him charge of the ministry.

The camaraderie was evident as Sharma, who was in a meeting, walked in and the new inductee insisted that his predecessor claim the minister's high backed chair.

"I am so grateful to Maheshji who has been a friend and well-wisher for a long time. He has done a fantastic job in tourism and culture and I am happy that I get to start where he left off," he said.

The new minister is known for his strong anti-corruption stance. Today, starting on a whole new role, Kannanthanam seemed confident of success.

"I am happy to be part of the PM's dream of creating a new India where all Indians can live with dignity and the tourism ministry has a great role to play in this," he said.

Spelling out his vision for the future, Kannanthanam said India can take over the world as it is a 5,000-year-old civilization.

"We can go much much beyond incredible India. We want to create a India where we love ourselves, love a clean India and its history. Then we tell the world, come and see us," said the 1979 batch IAS officer.

He also came in for high praise from Sharma, the minister of state for culture as well as environment, who likened him to a "flower" who had been handpicked for the job.

"Today my big brother and friend with whom I have had a familial relationship for more than 30 years and a resident of Noida is taking charge as the tourism minister. I have always taken directions from him. He has created an image of himself as an able administrator," Sharma said, holding Kannanthanam's hand as they sat side by side.

"The PM has for this reason handpicked Alphons for the job. He is like a flower that Modi has picked from a bouquet. When the tourism development rate globally is 4.7 per cent India's is 17.3 per cent. I hope next time when these statistics are issued, Alphons would have bettered this," he added.

Kannanthanam, a Kerala cadre officer, first shot to limelight during his tenure with the Delhi Development Authority in the '90s and earned the sobriquet 'demolition man' after he got scores of illegal constructions demolished.

He served as the district collector of Kottayam in 1988 and helped make Kottayam town the first 100 percent literate town in India the following year.

Kananthanam began his political journey by becoming an independent MLA backed by the CPI(M) in Kerala in 2006, when he resigned from the civil services. He joined the BJP in 2011 and is a member of the BJP National Executive.

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A senior army officer died today in the winter capital city of the state with the police saying he breathed his last possibly due to heart attack.

Lt. Col. Saibal Subash Dutta fell unconscious during the morning exercise at Chatta and was rushed to the Military Hospital at Satwari, said a police officer.

He said the officer died later.

"The officer might have died due to possible cardiac arrest," he said, adding that post-mortem has been conducted and report was awaited to know the exact cause of death.

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The Assam State Capital Region Development Authority bill was today introduced in the state assembly.

The bill is aimed at setting up of a regional authority for preparation of a regional plan for rapid development of the Assam state capital region.

Amendment was brought in the Assam Municipal Bill for a dedicated cadre for municipal administration to transform the urban sector.

The new and amendment bills were introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on behalf of Education Minster Himanta Biswa Sarma who was not present in the house.

The new Assam Employees' Parents Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring Bill, 2017 was also introduced in the house.

The bill aimed at providing for accountability of employees of the state government or any other organisation in Assam in taking care of their parents and disabled siblings.

Bills were also introduced for setting up four new universities in the state.

Another bill which was introduced in the house was the Industrial Disputes (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2017.

The Assam Science and Technology University (Amendment) Bill, 2017 proposed that the state governor should be made its chancellor.

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Officials at a French zoo say a baby panda born last month can now drink without a feeding bottle and weighs more than one kilogram.

Mother Huan Huan gave birth to twins at Beauval Zoo south of Paris, the first-ever panda birth in France, but one of the babies died soon after childbirth.

Photos released today by the zoo show the mother cuddling the surviving male cub, which measures 33.5 centimeters and now features black patches. The cub, which has not been named, is weighing 1150 grams, compared to 142 grams when he was born.

Huan Huan was artificially inseminated from partner Yuan Zi, both of whom are at Beauval on a 10-year loan from China.

French first lady Brigitte Macron is the baby panda's godmother.

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Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed five wickets on a turning pitch but Bangladesh fought back to reach 253-6 at stumps on the opening day of the second Test.

Lyon decimated Bangladesh's top order with four consecutive lbws before Sabbir Rahman and Mushfiqur Rahim put on 105 for the sixth wicket to steady the hosts in Chittagong.

Monsoon rain could disrupt play on the second day, putting pressure on Steve Smith's men to polish off Bangladesh's tail early as they seek a win to equalise the two-Test series.

Australia lost their first-ever Test against Bangladesh last week and dropped a fast bowler in Chittagong to strengthen their spin attack on a turning wicket.

Lyon disposed of the four opening batsman before claiming his fifth in the last session when Sabbir was stumped.

But skipper Mushfiqur Rahim remains an obstacle for the tourists, unbeaten on 62 and patiently holding together the innings.

Nasir Hossain, the last recognised batsman, was the other not out player with 19 at close of play at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Rahim and Sabbir displayed contrasting styles in their stand, with Sabbir playing adventurous shots and Rahim anchoring.

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The BJP has a concrete action plan to meet the wishes of party workers and people who want to "throw out the anti-people and anti-democratic government" led by the Congress in Karnataka, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said here today.

Javadekar, who is in-charge of BJP affairs in Karnataka, said, "Our workers and people are enthused. We have a concrete plan of action. People are with the BJP. They want to throw out this anti-democracy, anti-people, anti-farmer government led by Siddaramaiah lock, stock and barrel."



The minister said the people were eagerly waiting to utilise the opportunity to exercise their franchise next April to execute a change of guard in Karnataka.

On the brewing discontent among North Karnataka MPs over not getting an entry into the Union Cabinet, Javadekar, who has been holding talks with state BJP leaders, said, "We will give Karnataka good governance and best days again... On the very first day, we have had an intensive interaction for nearly six hours."



Discontentment has been brewing among MPs for not being given representation in the Union Cabinet in yesterday's reshuffle.

Earlier in the day, Belagavi MP Suresh Angadi told PTI that the dominant Lingayat community from North Karnataka has not been represented in the Cabinet and that he would air this grievance before Javadekar if he was invited for parleys.

Angadi's name as a probable candidate was doing the rounds in the state BJP circles, while Ananth Kumar Dattatreya Hegde, appointed Minister of State for Skill Development, is considered a surprise pick.

At present, there is no Lingayat representation in Union Cabinet from Karnataka. It has two Brahmins, a Vokkaliga and a Scheduled Caste member.

Javadekar declined to comment when asked for his comment on anti-NEET protests over a Dalit medical aspirant's death in Tamil Nadu, saying it was an issue which has been decided by the Supreme Court.

"National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) is an issue which has been decided by the Supreme Court and therefore, I will not make any comments," he said.

Protests erupted soon after 17-year-old Anitha, daughter of a daily wage earner, allegedly hanged herself at her house in Ariyalur district.

She was reportedly upset after it became known that Tamil Nadu will not be exempted from the ambit of National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) for admission to medical courses.

The Supreme Court had last month asked the Tamil Nadu government to start counselling for admissions to MBBS and BDS seats in the state based on the NEET merit list.

It had given the directive after the Centre told the court that it was not in favour of a recent ordinance passed by the state to exempt it from NEET this year.

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Brazilian police killed 10 suspected members of a gang of burglars during a shootout in a rich area of Sao Paulo, officials said today.

The gang "was responsible for more than 20 burglaries and robberies of homes" in districts such as Morumbi where the shootout erupted late yesterday, security officials said in a statement.

Witnesses cited by Brazilian media said gang members armed with rifles occupied a home and took four hostages.

They ended up trying to drive away and being chased by police, reports said.

The statement did not say whether any officers were hurt.

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India, China and three other members of the BRICS grouping today pledged to exchange tax information to address the problem of tax evasion and provide technical assistance to other developing countries.

In the Xiamen Declaration issued at the end of the BRICS Summit's plenary session, the influential grouping -- comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- reaffirmed their commitment to "achieving a fair and modern global tax system".

The declaration said the members nations will work for promoting a more equitable, pro-growth and efficient international tax environment, deepening cooperation to address Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), promoting exchange of tax information and improving capacity-building in developing countries.

"We will strengthen BRICS tax cooperation to increase BRICS contribution to setting international tax rules and provide, according to each country's priorities, effective and sustainable technical assistance to other developing countries," it said.

The members drew satisfaction from the many fruitful results of BRICS cooperation, including establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).

"We will enhance communication and coordination in improving global economic governance to foster a more just and equitable international economic order," the declaration said.

The members resolved to foster a global economic governance architecture that is more effective and reflective of current global economic landscape, increasing the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing economies.

"We reaffirm our commitment to conclude the IMF's 15th General Review of Quotas, including a new quota formula, by the 2019 Spring Meetings and no later than the 2019 Annual Meetings," they said.

BRICS members also said they will continue to promote the implementation of the World Bank Group Shareholding Review.

The countries also reaffirmed their commitments to the implementation of the outcomes of G20 summits, including the Hamburg Summit and the Hangzhou Summit.

They emphasised on the importance of an open and inclusive world economy enabling all countries and peoples to share in the benefits of globalisation.

"We remain firmly committed to a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO," the declaration stated.

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The move to name some Pakistan-based terror groups in the BRICS declaration would "irritate" Islamabad and may strain its ties with China, a Chinese scholar said in a rare criticism of the government's decision.

Hu Shisheng, director of the state-run China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said Chinese diplomats will have a lot of explanation to do to Pakistan in the coming months. "How will we carry forward?"



He also said that naming the Haqqani network, which operates in Afghanistan and targets the NATO forces stationed there, in the document was "beyond my understanding".

"The head of the group is also the actual head of the Afghan Taliban. It will make China's role for Afghan political reconciliation process more difficult. Or you can say we have no role to play in future," the expert told PTI.

His criticism of China came after the BRICS declaration in the Chinese city Xiamen named the terrorist groups - including the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Taliban, and the Haqqani Network - for causing violence in the region.

"It is beyond my understanding how China agreed to this. I don't think it is good idea," Hu said.

"I think some persons who prepared this declaration got mislead. Otherwise I could not understand why," he said.

In the light of the inclusion of the JeM, China may reconsider its stand on blocking a proposed UN ban on the leader of the group, Masood Azhar, the Chinese expert said.

Hu said the declaration will augment pressure on Pakistan, especially after US President Donald Trump rebuked Islamabad for harbouring these terror groups on its soil.

"This will irritate Pakistan. I don't think when the BRICS declaration was made, Pakistan was consulted. In the coming days Chinese diplomats have to explain to Pakistan.

"I am not against listing LeT and JeM as terrorist groups. But there are more deadly groups than these - like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami of Pakistan, which was behind killing of two Chinese youths in Balochistan," he said.

China may have agreed to name these to include the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, which is active in its restive Xinjiang region. It is also said to have bases in Pakistan.

"(But) This is too costly to China... Pakistan will be very upset," he said, adding that this could be a victory for India, which "has done a lot of work".

However, another Chinese scholar, Wang Dehua, head of the Institute for South and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Centre for International Studies, said the BRICS declaration will set an example for the world community.

"To successfully counter all kinds of terrorism, the first important concern is violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaida and its affiliates and should reach consensus on which terrorists we should attack," he told PTI.

On potential listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, he said China may have had its reasons to block the move but, "I guess after India has given more facts, China may have changed its former stand."



Wang said all BRICS members should now adopt a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism. "May the BRICS member states make more contributions to counter terrorism, world peace and stability," he said.

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A 54-year-old British national has been arrested here for allegedly sexually assaulting three visually-impaired minor inmates of the National Association for the Blind (NAB) in south Delhi's R K Puram, the police said today.

The police were informed yesterday about the incident.

During inquiry, the alleged involvement of Murray Denis Ward, a British national and a frequent visitor to the institute, came to the light, the police said, adding that Ward had been associated with NAB as a regular donor for almost nine years.

Ward, who was subsequently arrested, allegedly inappropriately touched the three NAB inmates on September 2, the police said.

It was found that the accused had taken the inmates inside a room where he touched their private parts and tried to force himself on them, they added.

However, a caretaker at the institute, came there and Ward left the place. The three minors narrated their ordeal to the caretaker who informed the authorities about Ward's behaviour.

The institute then informed the police and the accused was arrested. He was produced before a court and is currently in police custody.

Police initially suspected it to be a case of sodomy.

Police were probing whether he had sexually assaulted any other child at NAB since he was a regular visitor there. They were also questioning staff members whether they had seen Ward misbehaving with any other inmate.

His cell phone was being examined, the police said, adding that they had found a couple of "objectionable" video clips from his laptop. It is suspected that he had shared some clips through Whatsapp.

Ward, a native of Gloucestershire, the United Kingdom, had been working with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April.

He had suffered a paralytic attack in February and has been under treatment since then. He was staying alone here while his family is in the UK. Police suspect that he is a paedophile.

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The use of the Hindi word "chhammakchhallo" may seem cool in a Bollywood song, but its use in real life can land you in legal trouble.

A court in Thane has held that the use of the word amounts to "insulting a woman's modesty".

Incidentally, a hit song in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Chennai Express" had used this word.

A magistrate last week sentenced a city resident to simple imprisonment "till the court rises" for the offence and imposed a fine of Rs 1 on him.

One of accused's neighbours had dragged him to the court.

According to the woman's complaint, on January 9, 2009, while returning from a morning walk with her husband, she stumbled on a garbage bin which the accused had kept on the staircase.

The accused yelled at the couple, and, among other things, called the woman "chhammakchhallo".

Finding it very offensive, the woman approached police, but the police refused to register a complaint. So she moved the court.

Eight years later, Judicial Magistrate R T Ingale upheld her case, saying that the accused had indeed committed an offence under section 509 of IPC (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

"It is a Hindi word. There is no word for it in English. The said word is to be understood in the Indian society by its use. Generally this word is used to insult a woman. It is not a word for appreciating....It causes irritation and anger to any woman," the magistrate said in his order.

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The Congress today said the criminal negligence of BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand had led to the deaths of hundreds of children and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action in the matter besides coming out with a statement on the issue.

"Will the prime minister and the health ministry wake up from their slumber," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala asked.

The question was whether they would take "decisive action" against the governments and health ministers of UP and Jharkhand, he said.

The Congress also urged the prime minister to issue a statement on the deaths and asked if he would now take action against the Union health minister and his ministry "who have been criminally complicit in ignoring this entire episode".

Surjewala told reporters here that "hundreds of children" had died in BJP-ruled states.

The Congres leader alleged that the criminal negligence of the BJP governments had "completely decimated" the health structure in the country. The deaths of children and others "exposed their lacklustre attitude and criminal neglect", he said.

The latest example, Surjewala pointed out, was the death of 49 children in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh.

"This comes after the Gorakhpur deaths reached 357," he claimed, adding that in the last 24 hours, 13 more children had died in UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath's citadel.

"Yogi has turned Uttar Pradesh into a 'rogi' (ailing) state," he said.

But such incidents were not restricted to UP, he added.

Surjewala said in Banswara, Rajasthan, 86 children had died in the last 53 days. A total of 236 children had died in Banswara this year, he claimed.

In Ranchi in BJP-ruled Jharkhand, 133 children had died in the last 28 days, and 164 children in Jamshedpur.

A total of 800 children had died so far, he said.

"Who is responsible for this utter negligence and criminal neglect of the health of our children? In Farrukhabad, children are stated to have died again on account of lack of oxygen and medication," he said.

Surjewala said children were dying of Swine flu/H1N1, which had turned into an epidemic as 1,260 people had lost their lives to this till August 2017. In 2016, 265 people died of swine flu, he said.

He also said swine flu had taken 329 lives in Gujarat, 467 in Maharashtra, 80 in Rajasthan and 53 in UP.

If decisive steps were not taken, the epidemic would take the lives of thousands more, he said.

Officials in UP said today 49 infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital. Most of the deaths were caused by "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which a child has trouble breathing.

In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, parents of many of the children in Farrukhabad said there was a delay in providing the patients with oxygen and medicines.

The UP government today transferred Farrukhabad district magistrate Ravindra Kumar, chief medical officer Umakant Pandey and chief medical superintendent Akhilesh Agarwal.

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The Allahabad High Court today refused to stay the arrest of a Gorakhpur BRD Medical College doctor named in an FIR lodged in connection with the death of a large number of children admitted there last month.

A division nench comprising justices Ramesh Sinha and Krishna Singh dismissed the petition of Satish Kumar Rai, the head of the Anesthesia Department in the medical college, against whom an FIR has been lodged by the director general, the Directorate of Medical and Health Services of Uttar Pradesh.

Rai is among six persons named in the FIR that has been registered following the death of more than 30 children within a span of 48 hours in the second week of August.

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China on Monday parried questions on any change in its stand of blocking JeM chief Masood Azhar's banning by the UN, even as the declaration of the BRICS Summit for the first time named the terror outfit along with other Pakistan-based groups for spreading violence in the region.

A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked moves to ban Azhar under the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council.

"On participating in international campaign against terrorism, our position is consistent and firm," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here, commenting on the strong stand taken by BRICS countries, including China, by naming Pakistan-based terror outfits among those spreading violence in the region.

He, however, skirted a direct response to a question on whether the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) by the BRICS in which China is a prominent member marks a change in Beijing's stand of opposing the ban against Azhar, who heads the group.

"I have not seen the BRICS joint declaration and don't know the specific content," Geng said.

"On the counter terrorism cooperation among the BRICS countries, we are very satisfied with the achievements made by the BRICS. We have a working group on terrorism," he said.

In the last two years, China has stonewalled efforts by India and then later by the US, the UK, and France to declare Azhar as a terrorist, stating that there is no consensus on the issue.

This has led to bilateral discord between India and China as Beijing's move has been seen as an attempt to shield Azhar on behalf of Pakistan.

Early last month, China had again extended by three months its technical hold on the US, France and the UK-backed proposal to list Azhar for his role in the Pathankot terror attack.

China had in February this year blocked the US move to designate Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN. Earlier, it had also blocked India's moves to get Azhar designated as a global terrorist.

Also, in a move that could cause consternation in Pakistan, the BRICS declaration named Lashkar-e-Taiba besides the JeM for spreading violence. The inclusion of both the groups followed a tough stand against Pakistan enunciated by US President Donald Trump in his recent policy statement on Afghanistan and South Asia.

The BRICS expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

This was in contrast to a vague reference to terrorism in last year's BRICS Summit at Goa that had called on all nations to adopt a "comprehensive approach in combating terrorism".

At the Xiamen Summit, the BRICS leaders called for swift and effective implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) international standards worldwide.

"We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard," the declaration said.

Additionally, the leaders stressed that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law.
In what could be the first such attempt of its type in China, work has started on relocating the main hall of Shanghai's famed 135-year-old Yufo Temple, also known as the Jade Buddha Temple.

The moving of the temple started on Saturday, official media here reported.

According to the relocation project, the main hall of the temple will be moved 30.66 meters to the north and will be raised 1.05 meters than its previous position, the China Service reported. The Buddha statues and other cultural relics in the hall will simultaneously be moved.

This is the first time China is implementing such a project, which will be completed in two weeks, the report said.

Relocating the temple aims to provide greater security and better protection to historical architecture, state run Global Times reported.

In carrying out the delicate task, engineers first cut the hall from its original foundation and then lifted it on a platform with tracks.

During the next few days, the hall will be placed on a new foundation. The most difficult part of the project is protecting the Buddha statues installed inside. Because the foundation of ancient architecture are usually loose, any movement could destroy the foundation.

Built in 1882, the temple is one of Shanghai's most popular tourist attractions with more than two million people visiting it annually. More than 100,000 people visit it daily on major holidays.

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Markets regulator Sebi today ordered V3 Infrastructure and Estates and its three directors to refund within three months the investors' money that the company had raised through an illegal collective investment scheme (CIS).

The regulator has also barred the four entities from the capital market "till the directions for refund/repayment to investors are complied with... And for a further period of four years from the date of completion of the refund".

Also, the directors -- V Santosh Kumar, V Madhusudhan and H Sireesha -- have been restrained from holding position as directors or key managerial personnel of any listed company for a period of four years.

According to an interim order passed by Sebi in 2015, V3 Infrastructure and Estates had raised approximately Rs 31 lakh from 78 through a scheme called "own your property".

After noting that the fund mobilising activity of the firm under the garb of a real estate business, fell within the parameters of CIS, which was being carried out without getting registration from Sebi, the regulator had directed the company and its directors not to collect fresh money from investors from the existing scheme, among others, in the interim order.

In the fresh order, Sebi reiterate that the activities of the firm and its directors constitute a CIS and they have been carried out without seeking a registration from Sebi, thereby contravening the CIS Regulations.

The firm and its directors are "jointly and severally" liable to wind up the existing collective investment scheme and refund the money collected under the scheme with returns which are due to the investors within a period of three months, Sebi said.

After completion of the refund, the four entities would have to submit a winding up and repayment report to Sebi within seven days.

In case the firm and its directors fail to comply with Sebi's directive, the regulator would initiate recovery proceedings against them.

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Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said civil servants should be guided by the principles of empathy, efficiency, impartiality and incorruptibility.

Naidu was addressing the inaugural of the 92nd foundation course for All India Service officers at MCR HRD Institute here.

"There are, however, some guiding principles that form the bedrock of the higher civil services in the country. These essential well springs must not be allowed to dry up.

"I shall outline four salient aspects you may like to keep in view: 'empathy', 'efficiency', 'impartiality' and 'incorruptibility'," he said.

To highlight the principle of empathy, he cited Mahatma Gandhi's advice that impact on poor should be the determining factor to take up a particular action.

Stressing that cost and time overruns retard the nation's developmental progress, he said civil servants must be mindful that people expect the top bureaucracy to be highly efficient.

Naidu quoted the country's first Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Patel to highlight the significance of impartiality and incorruptibility.

"The third and the fourth principles -- impartiality and incorruptibility are contained in Sardar Patel's exhortation: Above all I would advise you to maintain to the utmost the impartiality and incorruptibility of administration," Naidu said.

Observing that civil service was created to provide an "impartial inclusive management culture" in the country's governance, he said such a system was absolutely necessary in a multi-lingual, multi-religious and pluralistic society like India.

"The civil services were the binding force that would be able to bridge the many 'divides' that India has. Being impartial and having a broad vision of national integration and inclusive development, the founding fathers thought of the higher civil services as the steel frame of the country," he said.

The country expects not only high levels of performance, but also high levels of integrity and rectitude from higher civil services, the vice president said.

"The word 'civil' is part of the nomenclature of the services and the public at large expects the civil servants to behave in a dignified manner and have the ability to patiently listen and take a balanced view," he said.

"The 'Iron Man' of India (Sardar Patel) has conceived of the steel frame. I would urge you all to add lustre to this frame by your energetic positive contributions.

"Make it a stainless steel frame, unsullied, shining and providing the support and glow for illuminating the lives of millions of Indians who are looking for ways to better their lives," he added.

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The Sahibabad Police today arrested a couple for peddling marijuana and seized around 8 kgs of the psychotropic substance from them.

The police also seized small plastic bags, weighing machines and staplers used to pack the drug, after raiding a flat at the DLF colony here, Assistant Superintendent of Police Anoop Singh said.

The couple hails from Nand Nagari colony of north east Delhi, he said.

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A Delhi court today granted bail to a chartered accountant, arrested in a money-laundering case and allegedly having links with RJD chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Misha Bharti who is also under scanner in an alleged disproportionate assets case.

Special Judge Naresh Kumar Malhotra granted the relief to CA Rajesh Agarwal on a personal bond of Rs two lakh, noting that no purpose would be solved by keeping him in custody.

Agarwal sought the relief claiming he was in judicial custody and was no longer needed for custodial interrogation.

During the hearing, public prosecutor Nitesh Rana opposed the bail plea saying the probe was still on and this was not the right stage to release the accused on bail.

He told the court that the case was at the initial stages and if relief was granted, the accused may tamper with evidence.

According to the ED, Agarwal was associated with some transactions involving a firm allegedly linked to Misha Bharti, which is under scanner for suspected tax evasion.

The case had emerged after the ED had filed a criminal complaint in February this year under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

It was based on a charge sheet filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office against certain individuals and firms "for providing accommodation entries by accepting funds from their beneficiaries through mediators and converting the same into share premium transactions in the beneficiary company".

The ED claims that the entire racket could be worth about Rs 8,000 crore of slush funds.

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Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel carried an ailing tribal woman on a make-shift stretcher on foot for about seven kilometres in the Naxal-affected Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

A team of CRPF personnel from 195th Battalion was returning yesterday after an anti-Maoist operation in the limits of Katekalyan police station when they spotted a woman, around 40 years old, lying by roadside at Naynar village.

"When they made inquiry, the woman, named Kosi, murmured that she had high fever," said a CRPF official.

While her husband and relatives were away, her children, including a two-month-old baby, were near her and crying.

Airlifting her by helicopter was not possible as the village is surrounded by hills, and summoning an ambulance would have been of no use as the only road linking the village with outside world has been damaged by Naxals, he said.

The CRPF men then made a stretcher of sticks and carried her and the baby on shoulders for seven km, crossing hills and a river, to reach Gatam village.

From Gatam, an ambulance took her to the community health centre at Katekalyan in the district.

"The woman and her baby are now in hospital,under close supervision of specialists," the official said.

The CRPF, deployed extensively in Chhattisgarh for anti-Maoist operations, has set up four 'field hospitals' in Bastar division -- three in Sukma and one in Bijapur districts -- which cater to the local people too apart from its own personnel, he said.
Singaporean lender DBS today said that it has received in-principle approval to convert its India operations into a wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS).

DBS, the first foreign lender to seek RBI approval, had applied for the licence way back in 2014 to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary. The application has been pending with finance ministry, which took time to grant approval due to lack of a precedent.

DBS is the second bank after State Bank of Mauritius to receive the nod.

"We have received an in-principle approval from RBI to start working as a wholly-owned subsidiary," Piyush Gupta, chief executive of the largest Singaporean bank, told reporters here.

He was in town to inaugurate a new headquarters of the bank.

Gupta said even though the approval provides for 12 months to get the final approval, the bank is confident of getting it in 6-9 months. He said the issue of capital gains tax has been sorted out and there will be no requirement for for the bank to pay the levy.

In March this year, DBS India chief executive Surojit Shome had told PTI that the approval was delayed as the finance



ministry was taking time.

"A new category of banks has to be created...100 per cent owned foreign banks do not exist. With the first bank licence, a new category of banks will get created. It is still a new thing," Shome had said.

DBS India has over 12 branches now with over 1 million customers.

Since the 2008 global credit crisis, the RBI had been insisting that large foreign banks should convert their operations into wholly-owned subsidiaries (WOS) in the country to insulate the local operations from any difficulties which the parent may face in their home market.

The present branch model exposes the banks to risks if an event like the 2008 financial meltdown happens, it was felt and the regulator has offered a 'carrot and stick' approach and has made all the new foreign lenders and existing ones having certain size to operate as a WOS.

The guidelines were issued in late 2014 and DBS was the first to apply, followed by at least two others the Dutch lender ABN Amro and State Bank of Mauritius.

In November 2013, the RBI had come out with a new policy incentivising WOS and also ensured changes in laws, including tax and stamp duty benefits and near-total national treatments, but none of the lenders fell in line so far.

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Sharpening its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress today said demonetisation was "Modi Made Disaster" and asked him to introspect whether he has moral right to continue after causing harm to India's economy and decimating it by over Rs 3 lakh crore.

Congress incharge of communication Randeep Surjewala also asked the prime minister to apologise to the nation and hold an immediate inquiry into the alleged demonetisation "scam".

He said the entire purpose of demonetisation stood defeated after the decision failed to achieve its objectives of curbing black money, fake currency, terror funding and digitisation of financial transactions.

"If morality has any basis in our polity, it is time for the Prime Minister to introspect and to think whether he has a moral right to continue in his office even for a day after decimating India's economy by over Rs 3 lakh crore and causing damage to it," he told reporters.

Surjewala also said, "He must apologise to the Nation. He must also order an immediate enquiry into the demonetisation scam."



He said one thing is clear that the "disaster of demonetisation was nothing but 'MMD' - 'Modi Made Disaster'".

He asked who is responsible for this 'disaster' in which India's economy lost over Rs 3 lakh crore in which housewives lost their lives' earnings, in which 15 lakh people lost their jobs, medium and small enterprises were forced to shut down and credibility of financial Institutions including Reserve Bank was put under question.

The Congress leader said that is why when former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan showed the mirror of truth to the Prime Minister and the BJP government, "it is time for the Prime Minister to introspect".

Surjewala accused the Prime Minister to have "misled" this country and "lied" to the nation and asked him to introspect and think if he should remain in office.

He said 99 per cent of the money returned to the banks after demonetisation and of the remaining Rs 16,000 crore, one has to still count money deposited with Royal Bank of Nepal and the money deposited in court cases as also with NRIs.

"Where is the black-money of Rs 3 to 5 lakh crore which the Attorney General of India promised to the Supreme Court on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi?" he asked.

Surjewala said the purpose of note ban stands defeated which the Finance Ministry has stated on November 8. On the issue of 'naxalism' and 'terrorism' to be fought by demonetisation, he said there have been 32 major terror incidents in JK alone and 13 major terror incidents of naxalism.

"So how has the 'Naxalism' and 'Terrorism' stopped?" he asked.

The Congress leader also said that before demonetisation, the value of monthly 'Digital Transactions' was Rs 94 lakh crore and in July 2017 that value has gone up to Rs 104 lakh crore - a mere increase of Rs 10 lakh crore.

"The real increase in 'Digital Transactions' happened to the extent of 58 per cent and 49 per cent between 2011 and 2013. So, even that purpose stands defeated," he said.

The former RBI governor Rajan had cautioned the government against cost of demonetisation and suggested that there were better alternatives to achieve the main goals of note ban.

In his book titled 'I Do What I Do: On Reforms Rhetoric and Resolve', Rajan, who was the governor between 2013 and 2016, had also warned of what would happen if the preparations for demonetisation were inadequate.

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Weapons, including double barrel and single barrel guns and pistols, have been deposited by followers of Sirsa headquartered Dera Sacha Sauda, the Haryana Police said today.

Over 30 rifles and pistols along with live cartridges have been deposited with Sirsa district police authorities.

"A total of 33 licensed arms including single barrel, double barrel guns and 9 mm pistols have been deposited by Dera followers," Sirsa Sadar police SHO Dinesh Kumar said today over phone.

Among them, there are some modified weapons as well, the SHO said.

Dera followers deposited their licensed weapons after district police authorities asked them to surrender their arms and ammunitions.

"We had asked Dera followers to deposit their weapons within two days," said Kumar.

A special CBI court in Panchkula had sentenced the Dera chief to 20-year imprisonment in the rape case on August 28.

50-year-old Ram Rahim Singh is lodged in the Sunaria jail in Rohtak district, where a thick blanket of security has been thrown around.

After the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda, violence had broken out in Panchkula and Sirsa, leaving 41 dead and scores of persons injured. Thirty-five persons died in Panchkula while six in Sirsa district.

Sirsa town is home to the sprawling Dera headquarters.

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The TTV Dhinakaran faction of the ruling AIADMK today said it has rejected an invite to participate in tomorrow's party legislators' meeting convened by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and asserted there is no change in its stand that the CM should be removed.

Thangatamilselvan, MLA, a staunch loyalist of sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary Dhinakaran, said the dissident legislators had been contacted over phone from the party headquarters yesterday and invited for tomorrow's meeting.

"We asked them why we were not invited for a previous similar meeting," he told reporters outside Dhinakaran's residence here.

The rebel MLAs were informed that it was 'inadvertent' and that such things would not recur, he said.

He said that notwithstanding tomorrow's meeting, there was no change in their demand that Palaniswami be removed as the chief minister, a plea the 19 dissident AIADMK MLAs had made with Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on August 22.

When asked if the MLAs supporting Dhinakaran would press their demand in tomorrow's meeting, Thangatamilselvan shot back saying "the question doesn't arise since we are not attending it".

"There is no chance of going since our demand (of removing the chief minister) has not been fulfilled," he said.

The 19 MLAs made the demand a day after the AIADMK factions led by Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam merged. The strength of the camp has gone up to 21 with two more MLAs joining it. The MLAs are staying in neighbouring Puducherry.

Palaniswami has convened the meeting of AIADMK MLAs tomorrow here, exactly a week ahead of the September 12 general council and executive meets of the party, which could take a call on the future of jailed party chief V K Sasikala and Dhinakaran in AIADMK.

Palaniswami and Dhinakaran are involved in a tussle for power even as opposition parties including DMK have been demanding that the governor direct a floor test for the state government in the assembly to prove its strength.

The chief minister's camp had recently announced that Dhinakaran had been removed from the party on August 10 itself and hence changes being made by him in party posts were invalid.

Meanwhile, the Dhinakaran camp got a shot in the arm with two Lok Sabha MPs today extending support to the sidelined leader.

AIADMK's Lok Sabha members B Senguttuvan (Vellore) and M Udhayakumar (Dindigul) met Dhinakaran here and expressed their support.

Later, speaking to reporters, Senkuttuvan alleged that Tamil Nadu had "the most corrupt government in the country" and wanted Palaniswami to step down as chief minister.

"Amma (late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa) had given an excellent rule. But the prevailing situation is a shame for all in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Senkuttuvan said the alleged suicide of Dalit student and medical aspirant Anitha, who had opposed National Entrance cum Eligibility Test in the Supreme Court, made them take a position against the government.

Uthayakumar claimed that after the death of party supremo Jayalalithaa, her successor V K Sasikala had taken AIADMK forward and ensured the government survived following the February 2017 rebellion by present Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

Dhinakaran today sacked party's Lok Sabha MP KRP Prabakaran as party's Tirunelveli Rural District Secretary, replacing him with S S N Chokkalingam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Minister of State for IT and Electronics Alphons Kannanthanam today said the pace of digitisation in the country will accelerate going forward, but challenges like data security will have to be dealt with.

"Digitisation will accelerate in a big way. Digitisation is all about citizen empowerment...," Alphons told reporters after taking charge of IT Ministry.

Alphons, a bureaucrat-turned-politician who is also the new Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism further said the country is moving towards digital and electronic transactions.

"I myself hardly carry cash...We all need to move towards the digital and more secure forms of transaction...Digital transaction," he said.

When asked about the challenges that digitisation will throw up, Alphons said given the surge in data availability, "security is a huge challenge".

Digital India - the flagship program of IT Ministry is aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

The program aims to provide thrust in areas such as public internet access, broadband highways, electronics manufacturing, IT for jobs, and universal access to mobile connectivity amongst others.

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Cell for IPR Promotions and Management (CIPAM) has launched a social media campaign to promote Indian Geographical Indications to make more people aware about the importance of intellectual property rights (IPRs), the commerce and industry ministry said today.

CIPAM, which works under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in the ministry, has started an "#LetsTalkIP" initiative.

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.

Darjeeling Tea, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Banarasi Sarees and Tirupati Laddus are some of the GIs, the ministry said in a statement.

"GIs are of utmost importance to the country as they are an integral part of India's rich culture and collective intellectual heritage," it said adding the GI tag has granted protection to several hand-made and manufactured products, especially in the informal sector.

"Certain GI products can benefit the rural economy in remote areas, by supplementing the incomes of artisans, farmers, weavers and craftsmen," it added.

The ministry said "our rural artisans possess unique skills and knowledge of traditional practices and methods, passed down from generation to generation, which need to be protected and promoted".

As part of the campaign, CIPAM will put interesting facts and stories related to GIs on its twitter handle "@CIPAM_India" and Facebook page "@CIPAMIndia" using "#LetsTalkIP" hashtag.

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The UP government today said that no action will be initiated on the basis of the FIR lodged against the CMO and CMS of the Farrukhabad district hospital in the case related to deaths of scores of infants there.

"The way things have been presented is not that has happened.

"No action is, therefore, being initiated on the basis of the FIR registered against the CMO and the CMS in Farrukhabad last night," principal secretary health Prashant Trivedi told reporters at a hurriedly convened press briefing here.

"For us it is a report, we will examine it for further action," he said.

To a question on removal of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Umakant Pandey and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Akhilesh Agarwal, Trivedi said, "They have been removed for the simple reason that the DM is the head of administration in a district and they should have co-ordinated with the DM.

"If there were any issues, then the same should had been brought to the notice of the administration. What happened actually - medically or technically - will be clear in probe."



On whether the deaths were due to lack of oxygen, he said, "Oxygen is not an issue in the entire episode. I think, of late, we are generating undue sensitivity to oxygen. It has become more of a buzzword."



He also said that no official can elicit the views of a person over telephone. "This is not the right way to conduct a magisterial probe," Trivedi said, commenting on the city magistrate contacting over telephone the parents and relatives of the infants who had died.

Principal secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi, who was also present, said, "Everything will be brought forth... There seems to be some co-ordinational issue among the officers.

"All the three officers -- DM, CMO and CMS -- have been removed. DG Health will send a specialised team to investigate. No death took place due to lack of oxygen. The matter should not be blown out of proportion."



On the FIR, he said it was lodged and "it very clearly seems to have been lodged when the DM, it seems, did not get the report from the health department...

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Five kg charas were recovered from a man by the the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) from Raxaul along Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's East Champaran district, an official said today.

The 47 battalion SSB jawans intercepted a hand-pulled rickshaw near Koriyar chowk in Raxaul town last evening and seized five kg charas contained in two bags by from a man who was arrested, the Commandant Sonam Tshering said.

The seized consignment of contraband has been valued at Rs 75 lakh in international market, he said, adding that the man was on way to deliver it to a client when the SSB jawans nabbed him.

The man has been handed over to Raxaul police, Tshering said.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pledged his country's support for efforts to resolve Libya's political and security chaos during a visit to the war-wracked country.

Le Drian held talks in the capital Tripoli with the foreign minister of the UN-backed Government of National Accord, and then travelled to the east of the country, where he met military strongman Khalifa Haftar who backs a rival administration.

"This is a signal of the commitment of France, of President (Emmanuel) Macron's will, to contribute to resolving this crisis," Le Drian told reporters in Tripoli.

He said the visit was a follow-up to a July 25 accord sealed in Paris between the GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj and Haftar.

"Our objective is the stabilisation of Libya in the interest of Libyans themselves but also in the interest of neighbouring countries, of which we form part in a way," Le Drian said at a joint conference with Libyan counterpart Mohamed al-Taher Siala.

The French foreign minister said the aim was "a unified Libya with functioning institutions" that would stave off "the terrorist threat" and clear the way for reconciliation.

He met Haftar at his headquarters in second city Benghazi, the military strongman's spokesman Khalifa al-Abidi said, for talks on "national and international developments".

Libya has plunged into chaos since the overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 with dozens of armed factions filling the power vacuum as people smugglers exploit the chaos to ferry migrants on unseaworthy ships across the Mediterranean to Europe.

At the July talks hosted by France, Sarraj and Haftar accepted that only a political solution can end the crisis, starting with a ceasefire.

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A red-faced Uttar Pradesh government today suspended the director of the state forensic laboratory here over an allegedly "misleading" report which held that the suspicious substance recovered from the state Assembly on July 12 was highly explosive PETN, an official said.

A senior officer will hold a probe in this regard, he said.

Director of state Forensic Science Laboratory, Shiv Bihari Upadhyay, has been suspended for allegedly giving a wrong, misleading, incomplete and unconfirmed report about the substance recovered in the state Assembly, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said.

"Upadhyay got the substance examined and in the report it was held to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be Silicon Oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive," Kumar said.

Kumar said that Upadhyay had been suspended for allegedly getting the substance tested using an explosive detection kit whose usage date had expired in March 2016 itself.

Another charge against him was that it was tested by a person who was not an expert in the field, he added.

Director, Vigilance, Hitesh Awasthi will probe the charges, the official said.

There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna, Bihar, from February 28, 2008, to August 20, 2012, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar said.

It was on the basis of this report that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had told the house that the powdery substance recovered had been fund out to be explosive PETN and a NIA probe was ordered.

An FIR was lodged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Hazratganj police station.

The "white powder" was found wrapped in a paper close to the seat of the Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Choudhary by the cleaning staff on July 12 morning before the House met for the day.

The powder weighing 150 gms was sent for FSL examination, which suggested that it was plastic explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate), the chief minister had said.

PETN is a dangerous plastic explosives and has been used in terror attacks as the colourless crystals can surpass security checks.

In his suo motu statement, the chief minister had said, "The security of the House is our concern. This is part of a dangerous terrorist conspiracy and should be exposed. The state government wants to get an NIA probe done in the matter and police verification of employees and officials working in Vidhan Bhawan."



The opposition had also attacked the ruling BJP for the recovery. Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chowdhury had even said that it was an attempt to deter SP members to speak in the House.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Uttar Pradesh government today suspended the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Lucknow over an allegedly "misleading" report which held that the suspicious substance recovered from the state Assembly was highly explosive PETN, an official said.

The state government has initiated a probe in the matter, he said.

Director FSL, Shiv Bihari Upadhyay, has been suspended for allegedly giving a wrong, misleading, incomplete and un- confirmed report about the substance recovered in the state Assembly, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said.

"Upadhyay got the substance recovered from the state Assembly examined and in the report it was held to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be silicon oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive," Kumar said.

The "suspicious" substance had been recovered from the UP Assembly on July 12.

Kumar added that Upadhyay had been suspended for allegedly getting the substance tested using an explosive detection kit whose usage date had expired in March 2016 itself.

Another charge against him was that it was tested by a person who was not an expert in the field, he added. Director, Vigilance, Hitesh Awasthi will probe the charges, the official said.

There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna, Bihar, from February 28, 2008 to August 20, 2012, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
German authorities have deported an 18-year-old Russian citizen who grew up in Germany but is deemed to pose a significant risk of carrying out an attack.

The state interior ministry in Bremen said the man, identified only as Izmullah A in line with German privacy rules, was put on a plane from Frankfurt to Moscow today.

German authorities have begun over recent months carrying out deportations of alleged foreign extremists not proven to have committed a serious offense under laws passed after the September 11 attacks. The deportee argued that he could face torture or detention, but German and European courts eventually cleared the move.

State interior minister Ulrich Maeurer said that "despite all the legal difficulties in the past weeks and months, this result is encouraging.

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The Green Tribunal today came down heavily on the AAP government and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation over the in which two persons were killed, saying "nothing can be more humiliating than people being killed under garbage hill.

The green panel issued notices to them while directing them to show cause why punitive action be not taken against the Delhi government and criminal proceedings be not initiated against erring EDMC officials over the "unfortunate" incident.

"Why did you not carry out the directions of the tribunal which have been issued time and again? Are people of Delhi expected to meet this fate? Are they supposed to die under a garbage dump? We had asked you to reduce the height of the dump and take appropriate measures for reduction of the waste. Why didn't you do it?



"It is unfortunate that in capital of country the people have stated to be died under the garbage hill because of improper, unscientific and indiscriminate dumping of municipal solid waste at this site. You are killing people in the capital under the hill of garbage. It cannot be more humiliating," a bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The tribunal said civic bodies and authorities concerned have violated orders of the tribunal on reduction of dumped waste and took no "collective" steps to ensure that garbage was "processed, segregated and compressed" without delay.

"Why should tribunal not award compensation to the family of the persons who died as a result of this unfortunate incident which resulted from sheer negligence of authorities," the bench, also comprising Justice R S Rathore, said and posted the matter for hearing on September 12.

It also issued notice to the Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to show cause why it has not started lifting segregated waste despite specific direction of the tribunal.

EDMC lawyer Balendu Shekhar said the corporation had already moved a plea seeking allotment of land to develop sanitary landfills to handle municipal solid waste.

He said there was an immediate requirement of alternate land as the Ghazipur landfill site which handles 13 metric tonnes (MT) of waste has outlived its normal life span.

The Delhi Development Authority was also issued notice by the bench and explain why the appropriate site has not been given to the corporations for the dumping of the waste.

The green body directed all the municipal corporations to submit within a week an action plan to show what immediate steps were being taken to restore the site at Ghazipur and other landfill sites in the city.

A portion of the 45m high garbage dump in east Delhi's Ghazipur collapsed on September 1 because of heavy rain, killing two people and pushing a car and three two wheelers off the road and into a canal.

According to EDMC officials, which manages the landfill site that was started in 1984 and is spread over 29 acres, the site was saturated in 2002 only, and the civic body had been "looking for an alternative site for long time".

According to officials, the permissible height for a garbage dump is 20 m. Every day, 2,500-3000 metric tonnes of garbage are dumped at the Ghazipur site.

The humongous heap sits like a Leviathan, with eagles and crows circling even as the stench from the mountain of trash fills the air.

In the wake of the accident, Lt Governor Anil Baijal had also imposed a ban on dumping of garbage at the Ghazipur landfill site and the waste meant for it was diverted to a temporary site in Ranikhera near the Delhi-Haryana border.
WASHINGTON -- The United States has ordered Russia to close its consulate in San Francisco, the US State Department said Thursday, in response to Moscow's demand that the size of US diplomatic staff in Russia be reduced.

The US has also ordered Russia to shutter a chancery annex in Washington D.C. and a consular annex in New York by Saturday, the State Department announced, adding that the move is "in the spirit of parity invoked by the Russians."

"The United States has fully implemented the decision by the Government of the Russian Federation to reduce the size of our mission in Russia," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said. "We believe this action was unwarranted and detrimental to the overall relationship between our countries."

The tit-for-tat action came after Russian President Vladimir Putin in July ordered the US to reduce the number of diplomatic personnel in Russia by 755, in response to US sanctions on Russia over its alleged intervention in the 2016 US presidential election.

"With this action both countries will remain with three consulates each," Nauert said. "While there will continue to be a disparity in the number of diplomatic and consular annexes, we have chosen to allow the Russian Government to maintain some of its annexes in an effort to arrest the downward spiral in our relationship."

"The United States hopes that, having moved toward the Russian Federation's desire for parity, we can avoid further retaliatory actions by both sides and move forward to achieve the stated goal of both of our presidents: improved relations between our two countries and increased cooperation on areas of mutual concern," she said, adding that the US "is prepared to take further action as necessary and as warranted."

The diplomatic row came at a low point of bilateral relationship between Washington and Moscow, as the two sides hold differences on a range of issues, including the war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and US accusations that the Kremlin meddled in the 2016 US presidential elections, a charge Russia strongly denies.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said that he hoped the US could have good relations with Russia, which would be "good for world peace."

"I hope that we do have good relations with Russia," Trump said at a joint press conference with visiting Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. "I say it loud and clear. I have been saying it for years. I think it's a good thing if we have great relationships, or at least good relationships, with Russia."

"I believe someday that will happen...I think that's very good for world peace and other things," the US President added.
After facing flak for promoting Electronic Dance Music (EDM) events like Sunburn, Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar today said the coastal state can encourage classical dance festivals.

The state government has also decided to mark some places as music zone which would be exempted from Madhya Pradesh Control of Music and Noises Act.

"Why do you only talk about Sunburn when we speak of EDM?Is it only EDM? We have classical music, drama music, folklore; there are so many EDM festivals that we can think about," Ajgaonkar said while talking to reporters in Panaji after chairing the high level meeting of the representatives for setting up infrastructure in the tourism belt.

"We need music to attract tourists. If you want to promote tourism then you need music and EDM. We need music, which will take our culture ahead. We don't need drugs to be the part of the festivals," he said.

Goa was hosting Sunburn and Supersonic EDMs, which have been discontinued since last year.

The minister said he has not received any proposal from the organisers of Sunburn or Supersonic to host the event this year.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Chairman Nilesh Cabral who was also part of the meeting said the state government is contemplating the possibility to create special zones where music can be played till late night.

"We are trying to create zones where music can be played till late night. Right now we are governed under Madhya Pradesh Control of Music and Noises Act," he said.

"This Sound Act is a parliamentary decision, we are going to formulate Act in the state we will pass it and send it to the Centre.

"Hopefully we will pass it in the next assembly session," Cabral said.

Speaking about developing facilities along the beach belt, Ajgaonkar said provision of potable water to the tourists is a major concern, which would be addressed by the state government.

Central government has approved Rs 100 crore for Goa under Swadesh Darshan scheme, the minister said, adding, the fund would be completely utilised to develop facilities in the beach areas.

"The fund can be used as and when we approve the facilities. It would be implemented under GTDC. The legislators from the coastal belt, sarpanchas and locals will be taken into confidence as their cooperation is required," he said.

"By September 15-20, 2017 the state government will conduct inspection of the places. Once these facilities are created, state will become a leader in the field of tourism," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Manohar Parrikar-led Goa government is in talks with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to set up a facility in the state, but has refused to grant autonomy to the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here.

The state health department confirmed that talks are on with the AIIMS to establish a facility in Goa, which would be an autonomous organisation.

"This is not the right time to give autonomy to GMCH as lot of things in the facility are being monitored by me and chief minister Manohar Parrikar," state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane told reporters today.

Though the state government ruled out autonomy to the GMCH, Rane said the government has decided to focus on improving facilities at the hospital.

"We are also looking at having another AIIMS in Goa. That will be an autonomous institution. Goa government will provide land to AIIMS to set up their facility here," Rane said adding that the state government is working towards having more hospitals in the state.

Rane, who recently won the by-election from Valpoi constituency, today took oath as a member of legislative assembly in presence of Speaker Pramod Sawant along with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was elected from Panaji constituency.

The minister said that his immediate priority is to put the health sector on track.

"We have to put the GMCH on the track. Under the guidance of the chief minister, I will amend Deen Dayal Swasth Seva Yojana (government-run mediclaim scheme), so that more benefits can be provided to the people," he added.

"Tinkering of the scheme is going on. We are trying to see how we can give best facilities to the people under this scheme," he said.

On the health services to the rural areas, the minister said, "All sub health centres would be made active with the provision of doctors, who would visit there on a weekly basis.

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Europe's anti-trust chief Margrethe Vestager today said Google's proposals to comply with an EU order to modify its shopping service pointed in the "right direction".

"It is less than a week since we got the letter so we have to go a bit more in depth before we can say anything," Vestager told AFP just months after slapping Google with a record 2.4-billion-euro ($2.8-billion) fine over the issue.

"But so far from the look of it... There are things that point in the very right direction," she said.

Hard-charging Vestager, a former Danish finance minister, hit Google with the mega fine in June for illegally favouring its shopping service in search results.

Google, which was given 90 days to comply or face further fines, submitted details of its offer to the EU last week, which Vestager said her teams were carefully evaluating.

"We are in the process to see if they are sort of on the right track, but we do not approve it before they go ahead," Vestager told AFP during an interview at her office at EU headquarters.

"It is for Google to take their responsibility to comply," she said.

The fine over Google Shopping broke the previous European Union record for a monopoly case against US chipmaker Intel of 1.06 billion euros in 2009 and made the EU the global leader in regulating Silicon Valley giants.

Brussels accuses Google of giving its own service too much priority in search results to the detriment of other price comparison services, such as TripAdvisor and Expedia.

The verdict came less than a year after Vestager shocked Washington and the world with an order that iPhone manufacturer Apple repay 13 billion euros in back taxes in Ireland -- against Dublin's wishes.

Vestager insisted that the issue "will not delay anything" in a separate case over Google's Android mobile operating system.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today said the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were "scared" of the outcome of the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls as their much-touted "model of development" in the state had "failed".

Addressing party workers here, Gandhi exuded confidence that the Congress, in opposition in Gujarat for nearly two decades, would come to power after the polls, likely to be held later this year.

"This time, I firmly believe no one can stop the Congress from forming the next government in Gujarat," the 47-year-old Amethi MP said.

The Congress leader said the Gujarat "model of development" stood thoroughly "exposed".

"The BJP and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) are scared of the outcome of the Gujarat Assembly polls. You cannot hide the truth for long. The hollowness of the BJP's Gujarat model of development has been exposed now," he said.

Gandhi alleged the model had not helped anyone "be it the



Youth, farmers, small businessmen or shopkeepers".

Only some 5-10 people benefited from it, Gandhi said without taking names.

Attacking Modi, Gandhi said his government was putting "undue pressure" on the media. "We know that Modiji is pressuring the media. Even some media persons have told me that they are scared," he claimed.

He asked party workers to fight against the BJP at the booth level and expose the saffron outfit's "lies".

"You have so many issues for this election such as hardships being faced by farmers, demonetisation, GST and unemployment. Our workers will fight against BJP at the booth level and expose their lies," he said.

The event at the Sabarmati Riverfront -- a waterfront on the banks of the Sabarmati -- was an outreach programme for workers.

At the event named "Samvad" (dialogue), Gandhi interacted with party workers and answered questions sent to him in advance by them.

Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki read out the questions and the party vice president answered them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd today said it has signed a Rs 6,100 crore contract for supply of 41 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to the Indian Army and one to the Indian Navy.

The contracts will be executed in a period of 60months, the company said.

HAL, in a statement here, said, the contract was signed between the Ministry of Defence and HAL in New Delhi recently.

Officials from the MoD, the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and HAL were present during the event.

"The latest order reflects the trust on HAL's capabilities and gives an impetus to the Make-in-India campaign...It reposes faith of Indian Defence forces in indigenous ALHwhich has been serving them with distinction for a long time,"HAL CMD T Suvarna Raju said.

In March this year, HAL had signed a contract for supply of 32 ALH to boost maritime security capabilitiesof the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

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The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission to complete the local body elections by November 17.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar ordered the SEC to issue by September 18 the notification for the elections, originally slated to be held in October last year, and complete the entire process by November 17.

The bench was delivering its judgement on an appeal by the SEC against the order of a single judge directing it to hold the local body polls before December 31, 2016 and connected petitions.

However, the judges made it clear that this would be subject to the outcome of special leave petitions pending in the Supreme court on the matter.

The bench had reserved its orders on August 1 after going through a report submitted in sealed cover by the SEC complying with the court's July 26 directive.

The polls were slated to be held in October last year but cancelled by Justice N Kirubakaran on a petition by DMK seeking among others appropriate reservation as per latest census and rotation of seats according to the norms.

He had on October 4 last year quashed the poll notification issued by the SEC and issued nine directions as per which the process was to be completed before December 31, 2016.

The SEC had filed an appeal against this order.

During the hearing of appeal earlier, SEC's senior counsel B Kumar had submitted that it was not possible to implement certain directions of the single judge such as scanning and uploading on its website affidavits of the candidates.

He had pointed out that there would be 4.90 lakh candidates and each affidavit would run into 6-10 pages.

Among other petitioners, NGO Change India has challenged the constitutional validity of extension of the tenure of special officers, appointed to administer the local bodies after their term ended last year.

Opposition political parties had been criticising the state government over the delay in the conduct of the local body elections.

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The Calcutta High today granted anticipatory bail to three senior officials of a Nepali language channel who were accused of promoting enmity between classes in connection with a report.

A division bench comprising Justices Dipankar Dutta and D P Ray allowed the anticipatory bail prayers of ABN Network's CEO, HR head and news head based in Siliguri.

Praying for their anticipatory bail, counsel Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee submitted that the channel had aired the news of a 'khukri' (a sharp weapon Gorkhas carry as part of their custom) procession' by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters in Darjeeling hills at the funeral of a man claimed to be an activist of the party.

Chatterjee said the news clip had been uploaded by some people on Youtube and Facebook, eliciting some comments against the West Bengal government.

He submitted that cases relating to promoting enmity among classes and Cable TV Regulation Act were slapped against CEO Swapnanil Chatterjee, HR head Tulsi Raman and news head Mahendra Thapa at Bhaktinagar police station in Siliguri and at Jalpaiguri Kotwali police station.

Praying for their anticipatory bail, Chatterjee submitted they had no role in the comments written by some persons on the social networking sites. He also said the channel iteself did not carry any derogatory content.

The counsel for the state opposed their anticipatory bail prayer, claiming the channel deliberately tried to promote enmity between two communities and create unrest.

After hearing both the parties, the division bench granted anticipatory bail to all the three accused.

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Hindus from Myanmar have joined streams of Muslim Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh after the killing of 86 people from their community in the ethnic violence in the neighbouring Buddhist-majority country.

Officials said nearly 500 Hindus arrived in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, bordering Myanmar, along with tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims amid escalated violence at home.

UN officials estimate some 90,000 people have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar in past 10 days and thousands more were trapped on borders without basic food and medicines.

"A total of 414 Hindus from (Myanmar's) Rakhine state took refuge at a Hindu village in Cox's Bazar," a Bangladeshi official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

However, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council President Rana Dasgupta, who visited the village, said the figure of Hindu refugees was 510.

He said the refugees took shelters in different Hindu houses after fleeing their home along with ordinary Rohingyas following the killing of 86 Hindus in ethnic violence.

"According to the Hindu refugees, unidentified masked people in black attires attacked their homes killing 86 people on August 27 and 28 at different places in Myanmar's Mangdu district," he said.

Dasgupta said ordinary Rohingya Muslims escorted them to borders from where these Hindus entered Bangladesh along with thousands others.

"The attack on Myanmar Hindus should be investigated to bring the perpetrators to justice," he said.

Meanwhile, Cox's Bazar's deputy commissioner or administrative chief Ali Hossain told reporters bodies of 54 Rohingyas washed up on the Bangladesh shore in last five days.

The latest spate of violence erupted in Rakhine state on August 25 after alleged Rohingya insurgents attacked several police posts, triggering a counter-offensive by the military that resulted in the death of at least 400 people.

Rakhine, the poorest region in Myanmar, is home to more than a million Rohingya. They have faced decades of persecution in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are not considered citizens.

Soldiers and armed residents have been accused of carrying out a killing spree against Rohingya Muslim men, women, and children.

Reports said Myanmar blocked all UN aid agencies from delivering vital supplies of food, water and medicine to thousands of desperate civilians at the centre of the bloody military campaign in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reviewed the Rohingya situation in the monthly meeting of National Security Council that comprises her security adviser, chiefs of three armed forces, police, and the intelligence agencies, an official familiar with the meeting told PTI.

Dhaka had urged Myanmar to take steps to protect innocent civilians to prevent the mass exodus and then proposed a joint security clampdown.

Bangladesh also alleged that Myanmar military helicopters violated its airspace repeatedly on August 27, 28 and September 1, prompting its air force and navy to intensify their security alertness.

"These instances of incursion into Bangladesh air space by Myanmar helicopters run contrary to the good neighbourly relations and could lead to unwarranted situation," Bangladesh foreign office said in a statement two days ago.

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Marie Cho, a 30-year-old Hong Kong homemaker, knows India by three of its assets - the Taj Mahal, Aamir Khan and spices. While the marble monument and the Bollywood actor are at a fair distance, she is happy to have fragrant spices at hand.

Indian spices have found their place in the Hong Konger's taste buds - and kitchen. More and more people in the former British colony have been including cardamom, pepper and other condiments imported from India as key ingredients in their local cuisine.

"You will find Indian cardamom, cumin and fenugreek in all my dishes. Small cardamom is the principle ingredient in my food now," said Marie.

She first learnt about Indian spices when she visited an Indian restaurant in Hong Kong. She can still recall the taste of the daal makhani and seekh kebab she had there.

"When I cooked these dishes at home I realised the Indian pepper and cumin I was using could be part of my Cantonese dishes, too. So that is when I started using Indian spices in many of my dishes," she added.

India is among the top producers, consumers and exporters of spices in the world. Over 60 varieties of spices grow in the country because of its varied agro-climatic conditions and soil types. About 6.9 lakh metric tonnes of spices are exported to over 150 countries.

Wang Yi, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, uses Indian black pepper in many local dishes he cooks for his family. He has never visited India but is a very big fan of the spice.

The strong taste of the Indian pepper gives his dimsums an extra "zing" that make the steamed dumplings - and thereby him - immensely popular among his teenaged daughters and their friends, he laughed.

Wang said he used Indian spices not only because of the flavours, but also because of their medicinal effects.

Indian turmeric, for instance, is gaining attention for health reasons. About 83 per cent of Hong Kong's imports of turmeric - which researchers say has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects - are from India.

Among the Indian spices that have shown a marked rise in the Hong Kong market are nutmeg, mace and cardamom. Imports from India grew in the first six months of 2017 by almost 50 per cent, compared to last year, data provided by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) show.

Pepper imports during this period went up by 113.3 per cent.

Indian pepper is much in use in restaurants and street food eateries serving Cantonese food, where the traditional spices are pepper, cinnamon and star anise.

"I heard about people using Indian spices in their food at home. I experimented with pepper, cardamom and fennel seeds and came up with dishes that were familiar but different in taste," Karysuen, the owner of a roadside eatery, said.

Some Cantonese restaurants are trying out food preparations on the lines of Indian-Chinese - a version of the cuisine popular in India - and are tweaking recipes by using Indian spices in traditional dishes such as congee (rice porridge) or char siu (a way of preparing barbecued pork).

Peking Dumpling, a popular restaurant in Hong Kong's Wan Chai area, uses Indian spices in its sauces and allows customers to try out and choose flavours.

"We use different flavours of Indian spices such as saffron, black pepper and cumin to bring out their special taste in our sauces," said restaurant cook Kimball Ho.

Taste and flavour are not the only factor drawing Hong Kongers' towards Indian spices. They are also opting for natural Indian products to minimise their exposure to chemical content, an issue that many locals feel strongly about.

"India produces a lot of spices of medicinal value. People are becoming more discerning and they want to know about the ingredients and their importance for a healthier life," said Sophia Chong, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC.

Many in Hong Kong - known as a bustling food hub, with some restaurants rated among the best in the world -- have also been experimenting with different kinds of cuisines.

"The demand for Indian spices is growing in Hong Kong also because these days people are interested in cooking international cuisine and the philosophy behind different kinds of food," Chong added.

From January to June this year, Hong Kong's total spice imports from India were worth HKD 8,496,000 (USD 10,85,993), according to the HKTDC.

During the same period, Hong Kong's re-exports of spices from India to other countries were worth HKD 225,000 (USD 28,761). About 97 per cent of Hong Kong's spice imports were for domestic consumption.

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America's fourth largest city Houston is "open for business", the city's mayor has said even as some parts of the metropolis remain flooded and the cost of damage caused by the devastating hurricane Harvey could exceed a whopping USD 180 billion.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labour Day. Parts of the city are reeling under floodwaters which contain a toxic brew of chemicals.

Turner said he had asked Donald Trump for rapid repair assistance during the US President's visit to the city this weekend.

"Houston's immediate priorities are housing, housing, housing," Turner told CBS yesterday.

Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, brought 52 inches of rain to some parts of the Houston and resulted in at least 50 deaths. The ferocious storm, which knocked out 30 per cent of US oil refining capacity, has led to price spikes and sporadic gasoline shortages in some parts of the city.

Flood models released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show more than 90,000 residential structures in Harris, Galveston and Fort Bend Counties could have been damaged by flood waters from the storm.

Only 15 per cent of Harris County's 1.5 million properties, which includes Houston, are insured for floods.

Despite all that, Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labour Day.

"Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come. We can do multiple things at the same time," ," Turner, a Democrat, said.

The 1.5-mile evacuation zone around the Arkema facility was lifted today and officials said it was safe for residents to return to their homes.

Authorities said they would continue to monitor air quality around the site.

Floodwaters have also inundated at least five Superfund toxic waste near Houston and some may have been damaged even though the environmental officials have yet to assess the full extent of what occurred.

Turner said Houston's drinking water hadn't been affected by the storm.

"We would hope that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be on the ground now to take a look at those Superfund sites, to make sure that contamination is contained and limited," Turner said.

Utility crews went door-to-door yesterday shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that more flooding was possible, not from rain, but from releases of water from overtaxed reservoirs.

Thousands of Houston dwellings were under mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

According to data compiled by Solera Holdings, up to half a million cars have been damaged in Texas. Even rental vehicles have likely been damaged in Houston, a city where 94 per cent of the population owns a car.

People briefly returned yesterday to some homes in the area.

In Austin, Governor Greg Abbott seemed to pump the brakes on the rush to rebuild, calling for new development restrictions in order to prevent future flooding disasters.

In the past, local plans to limit and control storm runoff have been sidetracked by high costs and opposition from business and development interests in a city without zoning controls.

"As we go through the build-out phase, and rebuilding Texas, part of our focus must be on rebuilding in a way that will prevent a disaster like this from happening again," Abbott told reporters before speaking during Sunday services at the Hyde Park Baptist Church, on the official Day of Prayer he proclaimed last week in Harvey's aftermath.

As part of his continuing message of collaboration with local officials, Abbott said he has pledged to work to guard against another Harvey-like flood disaster - which some officials speculate could top USD 200 billion in damage, more than hurricanes Rita and Sandy combined.

Meanwhile, repairs continued on the water treatment plant in Beaumont, about 85 miles from Houston, which failed after the swollen Neches River inundated the main intake system and backup pumps halted.

More than 1,000 people continued to shelter at the George R Brown Convention Center, down significantly from the 10,000 person peak a week earlier.

Another 2,600 remained at NRG Center. Officials said those still there were likely be the hardest to relocate, either because their homes were damaged beyond repair, or because floodwaters still haven't subsided.

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Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said that industrial areas of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) would be transferred to Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) so as to avoid any inconvenience to industrialists in the state.

Addressing the industrialists of Rewari, Dharuhera and Bawal in a meeting held here today, Khattar said that apart from this,a new system would be evolved to maintain proper coordination with industries at district level.

He further said that an approval has been granted for setting up of 15 clusters in the state for effective management and disposal of solid waste.

Tenders have been invited for three clusters -- Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat, he said, according to an official release.

While exhorting industrialists to also work in the fields of health education and villages, he said that they should contribute maximum through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and become a partner in the development process of the state.

Khattar said that present times being an era of information technology (IT), special emphasis is being given to providing various facilities online.

He said that industries have played a vital role in the development of Haryana and therefore, the state government is implementing new schemes and policies to enable the industrial sector to flourish.

He said if any industry faces any problem, the same would be resolved one-by-one.

Khattar said that the act of taking over the possession of factory plant by the labourers would be declared as illegal and a circular in this regard would soon be issued.

The Chief Minister said the economic condition of any state largely depends upon the condition of its industries.

Various other issues were also discussed in the meeting. The Chief Minister gave necessary directions to officers concerned to resolve the problems being faced by the industrialists at the earliest.

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Elaborate security arrangements with deployment of over 24,000 police personnel have been made for smooth conduct of Ganesh immersion tomorrow in the city.

With the final procession being held tomorrow from various places of Hyderabad and Secunderabad to Hussain Sagar lake and other places, Hyderabad Police has installed more than 15,000 CCTV cameras and the event is also being covered with over 800 Video Cameras, an official release said.

Thousands of Ganesh idols from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Rachakonda Commissionerate limits besides from neighbouring Medak, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar districts are expected to be immersed in Hussain Sagar lake, Hyderabad Police said adding about 10 to 15 lakh people are expected to participate in the final procession.

Over 24,000 police personnel will be deployed as part of security measures besides security personnel drawn from RAF and CRPF will also be deployed, police said.

Six units of Greyhounds and 3 units of Octopus have been kept as stand-to for any emergency, they said.

As many as 310 hypersensitive and 605 sensitive places have been identified for which pickets have been posted. Total 410 mobile parties are moving in the area for smooth conduct of the Ganesh festival. Police have also deployed 16 bomb disposal teams, 2 access control teams at important Ganesh pandal and Ganesh temples, they said.

The anti-sabotage teams will be using the services of 22 sniffer dogs, police said.

The police are also monitoring all the idol immersion cranes by installing a special long range camera at boat club, Hussain Sagar.

The Long Range Camera is having the feature of wireless connectivity with a range of 5 KM distance and has been extremely helpful in closely monitoring each and every corner of the immersion at the Tank Bund, the police added.

Telangana Director General of Police Anurag Sharma said aerial survey will also be conducted on the final day procession for immersion in Hyderabad.

Sharma said immersion processions in all the districts will be done under surveillance.

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Hollywood star Angelina Jolie said she does not like being single and never wanted to split from her estranged husband Brad Pitt.

The 41-year-old actor said it has been a tough year to wade through emotionally and she is trying to put up a brave front to get by, reported Metro newspaper.

"Sometimes it appears I'm pulling it all together but really I'm just trying to get through my days. Emotionally, it's been a very difficult year.

"I don't enjoy being single. It's not something I wanted. There's nothing nice about it. It's just hard," Jolie said.

The actor filed for divorce on September 19 citing irreconcilable differences with the "Moneyball" actor. The official statement from Jolie read the reason for her decision is the health of the family.

On September 30, broke that the former couple had reached a temporary arrangement that extends to October 20 and will allow Pitt to see the their six children Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8.

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He is returning to the big screen after a gap of four years with "Poster Boys" and actor Bobby Deol says when he was not working, people in the industry assumed he was lazy.

The 50-year-old actor says contrary to the perception, he is "dying" to do more films.

"Every film has its destiny. Even if you have worked hard, after the release one film can change the scenario. I have been waiting, dying to work. When you don't work for so many years, people imagine that you don't want to work or you are lazy or happy and relaxed.

"And to get out of it and work hard is what I am doing and hoping people will see me in a different light," Bobby told PTI.

The actor says for him it is not about being the main cast but playing good characters.

"In 'Poster Boys', every character is well defined. I have done so many films in which either I have been the main lead or part of the supporting cast. The character has to be interesting enough for me to do a movie," he says.

Bobby, last seen in "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2" in 2014, is making a comeback with Shreyas Talpade's directorial debut "Poster Boys", a remake of the Marathi film of the same name.

The actor says as he is returning after four years, it was important for him to do a film that is different yet interesting.

The "Gupt" actor has not seen the original Marathi film but says when Talpade narrated him the script and his character, he loved it so much that he instantly agreed to come on board.

"The film talks about a topic that usually people shy away from. It is not preachy. When people will see the characters talking in an embarrassing way, they will connect to the film, the story. Also, the script is funny, the humour is inbuilt and so people will enjoy it (film)," he adds.

"Poster Boys" is a story of three men, who are shocked to find their photos being used as part of a vasectomy campaign.

Talking about his role, the actor says, "I am playing a character, who lives in a small town, is married and has two kids... Is henpecked. It is about how his life is disrupted when the poster is out. I did a lot of workshop with Shreyas, it went well."



Bobby says today the younger generation is very open minded and blunt, and do not hesitate to talk about real issues.

"Even schools are educating kids on real issues so that they don't have to be embarrassed or be scared about anything. People are aware of all the things but still 'nasbandi' (vasectomy) is considered a taboo, which is sad."



Calling "Poster Boys" a family entertainer, Bobby says the film deals with vasectomy and one shouldn't be embarrassed talking about it.

"I think a whole family can go and see the film as everybody will relate to it. My brother Sunny (Deol) is doing the film and he has a clean image attached to his name. The fans look at him as a family man, as a macho man, so they will understand the message of the film."



The film releases on September 8.

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Actor Brie Larson says she wants women to be fearless and develop the quality of taking risks in life.

The 27-year-old actor, who turns director with "Unicorn Store", which arrives in cinemas later this year, says the idea of filmmaking is not about her personal success, reports Contactmusic.

"I just want women to feel like they can take the risk. Actually, it's not even just women: it's everybody who wants to do something and feels like they're not allowed to do it...

"For me, the idea of directing is not about success for me personally. It's about putting more pieces on the board. So my hope is that women can watch it, and they can go like, 'If she did that, I can do better than that'," says Larson.

The Oscar winning-actor will next be seen in "The Glass Castle", a story about an author's complex relationship with her unconventional father, played by Woody Harrelson.

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Indians, mostly women, travelling to South Africa are keen on signing up adventure activities, including bungee jumping, shark-cage diving and mountain hiking, according to data given by South African Tourism.

"The Indian traveller has visibly shifted from seeing to experiencing and the uptake in adventure activities as a part of the South African itinerary is testimony to this evolution. We pride in offering some of the most value for money adventure activities coupled with top safety standards. These are two factors which play a decisive role for Indian tourists," South African Tourism India Country Manager Hanneli Slabber said in a release issued here.

She said, Indian travellers visiting South Africa buy five to six adventure activities per day, which is comparatively higher than tourists from other nationalities.

"The demand for adventure activities is largely driven by the Indian women traveller. Indian women are the biggest participants of the adventure tourism sector in South Africa with majority of them taking part in hardcore adventure such as bungee jumping, sky diving, shark-cage diving and mountain hiking," she added.

In fact, she said, Indians are the top second nationality to bungee jump off the Bloukrans bridge and the top third nationality to undertake shark-cage diving in South Africa.

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The Indian-American community in Texas is helping hundreds of people affected by Hurricane Harvey, one of the most destructive storms in American history, by distributing fresh food, medical and essential needs.

Massive evacuation and rescue operations continue to take place in Texas and fund raising has begun for disaster relief operations to help victims of Harvey.

The entire neighbourhoods of the fourth-largest city in the US and the most populous in Texas have been flooded leaving residents homeless and hapless.

While government agencies were working round-the-clock in relief efforts, the Indian community also rallied together to pitch in with whatever help they could in terms of food, shelter and rescue operations.

Sewa International has raised USD 100,000 but their goal is to raise USD 250,000 in Houston and USD 1 million in the US, said its Houston Chapter president Gitesh Desai.

"Much more is needed to support this massive relief operation for weeks to come. It will be six months before most families can get back to their normal lives", Desai added.

Volunteers from all over Texas are helping in any way they can, Desai said.

The greater Houston is home to around 150,000 strong and influential Indian-American community. Around 30,000 people were evacuated and the population of Indians among them would be in the high hundreds, said Anupam Ray, India's Consul General in Houston.

"I am proud of the Indian community in Houston. One of the incredible things I saw during #HurricaneHarvey is how Indians stepped up to join relief efforts. This was in the best traditions of America and of India," Ray said.

Evacuation and rescue operations were done by government agencies, but most of the Indian-Americans stayed with friends or families around.

"The community network has been strong and welcoming to even strangers who needed a place," said Jitin Aggarwal, a software entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Community shelters are being run in the city by several temples, Muslim associations, Gurudwaras and churches. And, a massive, selfless volunterism is at display at these places.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Houston, India Cafe, Biryani Pot, Dawoodi Bohra Community delivered hot meals to thousands of Americans.

Harvey was a monster, but he also was a teacher with a very clear lesson: sometimes it takes the worst of moments to see people in their finest hour, said Dinesh Purohit, owner India Cafe, who has been serving food to temples, churches, sheltors, homes.

"They came and rescued me, otherwise I dont know where I would be as water was coming fast and furious. They got me out to a safer place upstairs and after the hurricane was over they have been enormously helping and rebuilding and throwing the bad stuff away," Marlyn Datz, one elderly American who was rescued by SEWA team said.

Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on August 25 in Texas, then went back out to sea and lingered off the coast as a tropical storm for days.

The storm brought five straight days of rain totaling close to 52 inches at one location, the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental US.

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An Indian-origin scientist has led a team at a UK university to create a medical camera that can see through the human body, and he believes it has immense potential for doctors in tracking internal examinations.

Kev Dhaliwal, Professor of Molecular Imaging and Healthcare at the University of Edinburgh, believes that with this device doctors will no longer be required to exclusively rely on expensive scans and X-rays.

"It has immense potential for diverse applications, such as the one described in this work. The ability to see a device's location is crucial for many applications in healthcare, as we move forwards with minimally invasive approaches to treating disease," said Dhaliwal, the Project Lead of Proteus, which is part of a larger research collaboration developing a range of new technologies.

The camera is designed to help doctors track medical tools, known as endoscopes, that are used to investigate a range of internal conditions.

The new device is able to detect sources of light inside the body, such as the illuminated tip of the endoscope's long flexible tube.

Until now, it has not been possible to track where an endoscope is located in the body in order to guide it to the right place without using X-rays or other expensive methods.

Light from the endoscope can pass through the body, but it usually scatters or bounces off tissues and organs rather than travelling straight through. This makes it nearly impossible to get a clear picture of where the endoscope is.

The new camera takes advantage of advanced that can detect individual particles of light, called photons, the team explains.

Experts have integrated thousands of single photon detectors onto a silicon chip, similar to that found in a digital camera.

The is so sensitive that it can detect the tiny traces of light that pass through the body's tissue from the light of the endoscope. It can also record the time taken for light to pass through the body, allowing the device to also detect the scattered light.

Proteus is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the latest research has been published in the journal 'Biomedical Optics Express'.
Several hundred Muslim women demonstrated outside Myanmar's embassy in the Indonesian capital in the third day of protests calling for the government to take a tougher stance against persecution of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority.

Dozens of armed police are guarding the embassy in central Jakarta today after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at it on the weekend.

Protesters shouted "Save Rohingya," and held big banners that read "Stop Muslim genocide in Myanmar!"



The violence in Myanmar and an exodus into Bangladesh began after insurgents attacked Myanmar police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority Buddhist country.

In response, Myanmar's military unleashed what it called "clearance operations.

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An inquest into the deaths of eight Indians killedrecentlyin one of the UK's worst road accidents in decades is set to open in the town of Milton Keynes in southern England tomorrow, a statement said today.

All eight, believed to be Indians and British Indians, will be formally identified by the coroner during the proceedings at Crownhill Crematorium site, Dansteed Way, before the bodies being released to relatives, many of whom have travelled from India.

"The detailed process of identifying the eight bodies recovered from the scene of the M1 incident has now been completed and all have been identified. Post-mortem examinations have also been completed to confirm the medical cause of death," a statement from the office of the Coroner of Milton Keynes said.

The Senior Coroner for Milton Keynes will issue death certificates "as to the fact of death" and at the same time "release the bodies to the families", it said.

Three Wipro employees - Karthikeyan Ramasubramaniyam Pugalur, Rishi Rajeev Kumar and Vivek Bhaskaran- have already been identified by the Indian software company as among those killed in the August 26 deadly accident on a highway in Buckinghamshire when the mini bus they were travelling in got crushed between two large trucks.

Two lorry drivers - Ryszard Masierak and David Wagstaff - have since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and are set to appear in court later this month.

Masierak has also been charged with being almost twice the legal drink drive limit at the time of the crash.

Thames Valley Police said they were continuing to support the families of those who died in the fatal collision on the M1 motorway near Newport Pagnell.

"Specially trained family liaison officers are continuing to update and inform the relatives of the eight people who died in the collision involving three vehicles," a police statement said.

Four people were taken to hospital following the collision with serious injuries, three of whom were in life- threatening conditions, and they all remain in hospital.

A man in his thirties, Wipro employee Mano Ranjan Panneerselvam, remains in critical condition; two women - his wife aged in her thirties and mother in her fifties - remain in serious but stable conditions; and a four-year-old girl also remains in a serious but stable condition.

The girl identified in media reports as Shravathi Ramasubramanian has lost both her parents in the accident and her relatives from India have flown down to be at her bedside at Birmingham Children's hospital.

Her father Karthikeyan had moved with his daughter and wife Lavanya from India to Nottingham in January with Wipro.

The Bengaluru-headquartered company said it would be assisting the families in repatriating the bodies.

"We will continue to provide all assistance to the families in this hour of grief," a spokesperson said.

Cyriac Joseph, the Kerala-born owner of Nottingham- based ABC Travels and driver of the minibus, was also among those who lost their lives in the highway pile-up.

The 52-year-oldhad been hired to take the group from Nottingham to London to set off on a European holiday.

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Investiture ceremony of Army's Southern Command will be held here on September 14.

Southern Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lieutenant General PM Hariz will give away gallantry and distinguished service awards to 62 army personnel at the investiture ceremony, Sudarshan Chakra Corps Colonel ADS Gill told reporters here.

Besides, 19 units will be awarded the 'Southern Army Commander's Unit Citation' for their outstanding contribution to the Army, he added.

A large number of senior army officers, dignitaries and guests are expected to attend the ceremony, the Colonel said.

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Islamic State agents persuaded an undercover reporter to carry out attacks in London in 2016, including targeting the iconic London Bridge, a media report claimed today.

A special report by BBC Inside Out London claims an agent encouraged one of its journalists to target London Bridge a year before eight people were killed and dozens injured in an ISIS-claimed attack in London Bridge area of the city in June.

"In July 2016, we discovered that the terrorist organisation was touting on Twitter and Facebook for British Muslims to stage attacks at specific London locations," the reporter said.

"We began conversing with one of their recruiters, who then invited us to chat privately on a secret messaging site. The authorities were fully aware of our contact with the terrorist organisation."



The undercover journalist used Twitter to make contact with alleged Birmingham-born ISIS recruiter Junaid Hussain, before he was killed in Syria.

Speaking through an encrypted messaging site, 21-year-old Hussain said he could help to train the undercover reporter on how to make bombs at home.

Posing as a 17-year-old boy living with his parents, one reporter was asked by the ISIS recruiter if he knew Westminster.

He was told it was a good target because it was busy and crowded.

"If you succeed? it will be huge and damaging for them [the UK]," the recruiter said.

In December 2016, a second ISIS agent outlined how such an attack could be carried out.

"Make the Kuffar [non-believers] scared. Kill a lot. The best way you can do [it] is to kill normal people," he said.

In March, Khalid Masood drove a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing four people and injuring more than 50. He then got out and stabbed to death PC Keith Palmer outside the Houses of Parliament.

In June, eight people died and 48 were injured when three men drove at pedestrians on London Bridge before randomly stabbing people in nearby Borough Market.

The BBC investigation will increase pressure on the encrypted messaging services used by the agents to work with security services to disrupt terrorist plots.

UK Security Minister Ben Wallace said: "There was definitely usage of encrypted communicating between planners and terrorist and people that carried out some of those dreadful attacks.

"That I am afraid is common throughout every one of these incidents and there is also a role of watching videos online to either prepare themselves or train themselves. I think that they are both, I am afraid, current occurrences in these terrorist attacks.

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Israel is gearing up to hold its largest military drill in nearly 20 years, a combined arms exercise along its border with Lebanon at a time of rising tensions with Iran and Hezbollah.

A military official said today that the joint exercise, which will begin Tuesday and involve thousands of ground, sea and air forces, will prepare soldiers for "preserving the current stability in the northern sector."



The exercise will also incorporate Israel's multi-layered missile defense systems.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, says the drill will run through September 14.

Israel has voiced growing concerns about Iran's buildup in neighboring Syria and Hezbollah's alleged stockpiling of weapons in southern Lebanon.

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The issues related to the notification on cattle trade, which was stayed by the Madras High Court, will be resolved soon, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.

He said the government was looking into the matter. The government will notify specific clauses of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that deal with sale and purchase of cattle from markets for slaughter afresh.

"We are studying the whole thing rationally and very soon the matter will be solved," Vardhan told reporters, flanked by newly-appointed Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma at the Indira Paryavaran Bhawan here.

After taking charge, Sharma said there is a lot to be done in the ministry as the entire world is concerned about climate change.

"We will have to do a lot of things. A host of national and international issues need to be addressed and I am sure we will be able to address all the burning issues," Sharma said.

Vardhan said his association with Sharma, who has been divested off the portfolio of tourism (independent) in the latest round of reshuffle, goes back to their school days.

"It's a relief for me as we will have someone to share the burden. He will prove to be an asset to the ministry and the government. We will work towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's New India vision," he said.

The Centre had on May 23 issued the notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The Madras High Court had stayed the notification and later the Supreme Court had extended it to the entire country.

The Centre had told the court that it would come up with an amended notification.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Byculla jail officials today produced before a court here a production warrant issued by a Delhi court against Indrani Mukerjea, key accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, in connection with a money laundering case.

A case of money laundering has been filed against the Mukerjeas (Indrani and her husband Peter), former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram and others by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

"We have submitted the warrant to the court," said a prison official.

The court is likely to pass an order on September 7, the next date of hearing in the Sheena Bora murder case.

The Delhi court had issued directions for her production on September 9.

The ED has registered the case against Karti Chidambaram, INX media and its directors, Peter and Indrani, and others, after taking cognizance of a recent CBI FIR against them.

The Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), the ED's equivalent of a police FIR, was registered under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The CBI had filed the FIR against Karti and the Mukerjeas on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, receiving illegal gratification, influencing public servants and criminal misconduct.

It is alleged that Karti had received money from INX Media for using his influence to manipulate a tax probe against it in a case of violation of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) conditions to receive investment from Mauritius.

The CBI had also recovered vouchers of Rs 10 lakh which were allegedly paid for the services.

These vouchers were issued in favour of Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm "indirectly" owned by Karti, the CBI had alleged.

P Chidambaram, after the CBI searches on May 16, had issued a strong statement in response to the raids, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases", the senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister had said.

The CBI FIR was made out against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, the Mukerjeas (currently in jail on charges of murder their daughter Sheena Bora), INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services and its director Padma Vishwanathan.

Meanwhile, the special CBI court today continued recording the statement of accused-turned-approver Shyamvar Rai.

Rai told the court that other than his own mobile number he remembers numbers of Indrani and her son Mikhail.

He told special judge J C Jagdale that he used to speak to Mikhail frequently and for long duration but he never informed him about the conspiracy.

According to the CBI, Indrani had planned to kill Sheena and Mikhail.

The murder came to light three years later when Rai was arrested by Mumbai Police in another case and he spilled the beans.

The CBI, which took over the case later, claimed that financial dispute was the reason for Indrani to hatch the conspiracy to murder Sheena.

Rai's examination would continue on September 7. Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her husband Peter Mukerjea are currently facing trial in the case.

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Japan and China today said they had not yet detected any atmospheric radiation from North Korea's nuclear test, amid fears of a leak from a "cave in" during the underground blast.

Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters there was "nothing special detected from monitoring posts across the country", nor from air samples taken by the Air Self-Defense Force after yesterday's blast.

China's environment ministry today said that radiation levels near its Korean border were also normal.

"Results of monitoring make clear that this North Korean nuclear test as of now has produced no effect on our nation's environment or the public," the ministry wrote on its official website.

Japanese defence minister Itsunori Onodera yesterday said that Tokyo had deployed "sniffer" planes capable of detecting radioactive particles.

Fears of a leak from North Korea's detonation of what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb came after Chinese monitors detected a second tremor shortly after the initial earthquake triggered by the blast.

The monitors said the second tremor, of 4.6 magnitude, could be due to a "collapse (cave in)", suggesting the rock over the underground blast had given way.

The resulting explosion was considerably larger than previous tests and was felt by residents in Chinese cities hundreds of kilometres from the North's border.

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Keralites across the state celebrated Onam, the harvest festival, today with traditional fervour and gaiety.

People wore traditional attire and offered prayers at temples while the day was marked by feast and festivities, including cultural programmes organised by various institutions.

Heavy rush was witnessed at temples, including at the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayappa at Sabarimala, Sree Krishna Temple at Guruvayur and Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple here.

Onam is celebrated to honour demon King Mahabali, who according to legend ruled the state once, under whom the people were equal, prosperous and happy.

People believe that on this particular day of Thiruvonam Lord Mahavishnu in his fifth avatar as Vamana, appeared in the kingdom of King Mahabali and sent him to the netherworld.

Legend has it that it was on this particular day the spirit of King Mahabali visits the people of Kerala.

People thronged markets till last night to buy their favourite items for Onam celebrations.

Long queues of people were seen at the fair-price shops opened by State Civil Supplies Corporation, Horticorp and Consumer fed, as part of government efforts to control spiralling prices in the open market.

The day also witnessed a protest in front of the secretariat here by Kerala State road transport corporation employees who staged a hunger strike demanding payment of salary and pension on time.

The week-long tourism celebrations got off to a colourful start last evening with a music and dance performance by noted actress Manju Warrier.

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North Korea's latest act of defiance with the testing of hydrogen bomb in spite of repeated US warnings today gave markets more pain as Sensex and Nifty both registered losses, snapping three days of gains.

Pyongyang on Sunday claimed that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb -- by far its most powerful test -- that can be loaded on to an intercontinental ballistic missile, sparking global alarm and drawing UN condemnation.

Most Asian markets reacted with fear and saw frenzied selling. Europe too turned shaky.

Underpinned by nervousness, the benchmark Sensex lost 189.98 points -- 0.60 per cent -- to close at 31,702.25, spooked by the surcharged atmosphere after North Korea's nuclear tests.

The Nifty went below the 9,900 mark intra-day, but just recovered in time to settle at 9,912.85, still down 61.55 points, or 0.62 per cent.

"The North Korean impasse did curtail risk appetite, especially with markets looking for cues to further the uptrend. Markets will, however, take positive cues from the Cabinet reshuffle done over the weekend, which holds potential for economic reforms reaching the ground level, with less than two years before general elections," said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

Investors went for booking profit that in part explained the weakness, traders said. They turned to safe haven assets such as gold, silver, Treasury futures and Japanese yen amid the spike in global tensions.

The rupee reversed its early gains against the US dollar in afternoon trade on exit of foreign capital.

Adani Ports, the biggest loser in the Sensex map, Infosys, Airtel, HDFC Bank and Hindustan Unilever all fell up to 2.6 per cent.

The key indices were also affected by losses in Hindustan Unilever, Hero MotoCorp, Asian Paints, Tata Motors and Bharti Airtel, which fell by up to 1.94 per cent.

Railway-related stocks were in the spotlight as Piyush Goyal became the new Railway Minister after the Cabinet reshuffle. The elevation sparked gains in BEML, Titagarh Wagons, Texmaco Rail, Stone India and Kernex Microsystems, jumping up to 4.76 per cent.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) net diluted shares worth Rs 832.81 crore on Friday. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) kept faith in India story, making purchases worth of Rs 731.72 crore, showed provisional data.

In keeping with the overall trend, mid- and small-cap indices declined.

The BSE realty index slipped the most losing 1.39 per cent. Similar weakness was witnessed in IT, technology and banking indices.

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The district court here today extended by three days the CBI custody of the eight police officials arrested in the custodial death of an accused in a rape case.

The accused were arrested by the probe agency on August 29 for the custodial death of Suraj Singh, a 29-year-old labourer from Nepal, and were remanded to CBI custody till September 4.

They were produced in the court today.

The civil judge (senior division)-cum CJM extended the CBI remand of all the accused police personnel, including Inspector General of Himachal Pradesh Police Zahur Haidar Zaidi by three days.

A Class X student had gone missing on July 4 and her naked body was recovered from Haliala forests in Kotkhai on July 6.

During the probe of the July 4 rape-and-murder case, the state police had taken custody of six suspects who were lodged at the local police station.

Singh was allegedly killed by a co-accused at the Kotkhai police station last month, triggering a massive public outrage



The CBI, which was later handed over the probe into the case by the Himachal Pradesh High Court, questioned several people before arresting 1994-batch IPS officer Zaidi, the then IGP (South), Manoj Joshi, the then Deputy Superintendent of Police, and six other police officials.

The accused were arrested by the CBI on August 29 and later were remanded in police custody till September 4. They were produced in the court day.

The CBI today sought seven day's extension of police remand of the eight police officials.

After hearing the arguments of the prosecution and the defence lawyer the court extended the CBI remand by three days.

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A lift in the district court building here fell from the fourth floor leaving eight persons injured this afternoon.

Six lawyers and two judicial staff members, who were in the lift at the time of the incident, were injured, a police spokesman said.

"The lift developed a technical snag and plummeted from the fourth floor," the spokesman said.

All the injured were rushed to the Balrampur Hospital. One of them suffered a leg fracture.

District Judge RK Upadhaya, who along with District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma rushed to the site, ordered a probe into the matter and has directed a thorough inspection of all the lifts installed in the building.

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Apparently disappointed over not finding a ministerial slot in the latest reshuffle, Belagavi BJP MP Suresh Angadi today faulted the state leadership for the dominant Lingayat community from north Karnataka not being included in the Union Cabinet.

At present, there is no Lingayat representation in Union cabinet from Karnataka. It has two Brahmins, a Vokkaliga and a Scheduled Caste member.

BJP banks heavily on the Lingayat vote base.

"100 per cent Lingayats from North Karnataka, especially from Belagavi have not been represented in the Union Cabinet..

I will definitely air this grievance before Javadekarji, if he invites me," Angadi told PTI here.

Angadi's name as a probable candidate for ministerial berth was doing the rounds in the state BJP circles while Ananth Kumar Dattatreya Hegde, who has been appointed Minister of State for Skill Development emerged as a surprise pick.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, in-charge of BJP affairs in Karnataka, is holding deliberations with state party leaders here today on party matters.

Angadi said there are many MPs from North Karnataka and whoever is capable should be made the cabinet minister.

"There are many MPs from our region (North Karnataka), not only me... Whoever is capable let them be made," he said.

To a query, Angadi said the state BJP leadership should have made a favourable plea before the central leadership for giving representation to North Karnataka.

"Our state leadership or the team should have pleaded properly before the central leadership... Entire team should be united. My friend (Hegde) has become a cabinet minister. I am very happy for him," he said.

Angadi said he is a sincere worker of the party from the beginning, and rose to be a Parliamentarian from an ordinary post of Belagavi city vice president.

"My people have elected me thrice, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. The best testimony is that I have won elections from an area which boasts of having more than 50 per cent Marathi votes," he added.

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The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to list the steps taken to probe the "serious" accusations of corruption and misuse of public office made against former state minister Eknath Khadse by activist Anjali Damania.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and MS Karnik said that if it finds that the state has taken required steps, then it might not continue hearing the PIL, but if it failed to do so, the court "cannot remain a silent spectator".

It was hearing an application by BJP leader Khadse seeking that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Damania and five others against him and his family members be dismissed as they were associated with political parties.

The PIL, filed in July this year, had alleged that Khadse had misused his office and "amassed great wealth at the cost of public interest throughout his political career".

It had alleged that "Khadse and his relatives had purchased several land parcels through benami transactions and that the assets owned by him and his family were disproportionate to their incomes."



The PIL had sought that a "Special Investigation Team be constituted, or a judicial inquiry be initiated" to look into the allegations.

Khadse, however, argued through his counsel Darius Khambata that the PIL deserved to be "thrown out" of the court since the "petitioners were not bona fide".

Khambata alleged that since "Damania and three other petitioners were previously associated with the Aam Aadmi Party, and another petitioner was a working member of the Shiv Sena, they had approached court with the ulterior motive of exacting a political revenge against their rival BJP leader."



Besides, he argued, the petitioners had failed to disclose their political associations to the court at the time of filing the PIL.

"The rules of filing a PIL mandate that the petitioner must make full disclosure of his identity, motives, and also of any pending litigation against him or her. In the present case, not only are the members associated with rival political parties, but, they chose to suppress this fact before the court.

"Also, there are several criminal defamation cases pending against Damania, which she refused to inform this court of," Khambata argued.

"There is no public interest in this plea and it is merely an act of political vendetta," he said.

The petitioners' counsel Mihir Desai however, argued that Damania and the others had resigned from their political posts in AAP much before filing of the PIL.

He also said that Sena member Gajanan Malpure had approached HC merely as a "concerned citizen."



He also said that of the 27 cases of defamation pointed out by Khadse, Damania had "received notices in only three of the cases".

Desai also told the court that before filing the PIL, the petitioners had exhausted all other available remedies by filing complaints on the above allegations against Khadse before various state authorities including the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Jt Commissioner of the Economic Offences Wing, the Enforcement Directorate, and the income tax commissioner.

The bench noted that since the state government had acknowledged receiving the above complaints on November 10, 2016, the court was "expected to find out what the state had done so far in response to the complaints".

It said that while the rules mandated that the courts verify the bona fide of petitioners in PILs, it was also the court's "constitutional duty to ensure that justice was done in all cases."



"Serious allegations have been made on affidavit by the petitioners against a senior BJP leader. If we find that the state has taken required steps then we might not continue hearing the PIL.

"However, if we realise that the state has failed to take appropriate steps based on the complaints made by the petitioners, this court cannot remain a silent spectator," Justice Gavai said.

HC has granted the state three weeks to file an affidavit listing down the action it has taken since receiving Damania's complaints in November 2016.

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Australian spinner Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets on a turning pitch to restrict Bangladesh to 70 for three at lunch on the opening day of the second Test in Chittagong.

Lyon removed Bangladesh's top order, including opener Tamim Iqbal trapped in front, as Australia pegged back the hosts in the first session.

Australia suffered their first-ever Test defeat against Bangladesh last week and must win in Chittagong to draw the series.

Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar reached 33 before he was out on the stroke of lunch. Mominul Haque was the not out batsman on 24.

The pair had added 49 in 16 overs before Soumya was plumb in front to a skidding delivery by Lyon.

Tamim, one of the architects of Bangladesh's historic 20-run victory over Australia, was dismissed for just nine.

He never looked comfortable at his home ground, and was dropped at third slip by Glenn Maxwell off fast bowler Pat Cummins.

Imrul Kayes made just four before he was sent back to the pavilion after Australian skipper Steve Smith reviewed a not-out decision by English umpire Nigel Llong.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and opted to bat first.

Bangladesh brought in Mominul in place of pace bowler Shafiul Islam.

Australia, trying to save the series, deployed a three-pronged spin attack with Steve O'Keefe replacing injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.

Hilton Cartwright replaced out-of-sorts batsman Usman Khawaja who scored just one run each in his two innings in the first Test.

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The Maharashtra government has addressed over 1300 complaints of citizens at its 'Lokshahi Din', Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today.

'Lokshahi Din' is an exercise where the chief minister and senior bureaucrats address the grievances of people who approach the government after unsatisfactory resolution of their complaints at district and division levels.

Fadnavis held the 100th Lokshahi Din today, wherein he held hearing of 11 cases along with additional seven from previous hearings and issued necessary instructions to the officials concerned. He also ordered a completion report in stipulated time.

"The state government is mulling over improvement in addressing the grievances to minimise the complaints taken up at the highest level. This will save people's time as well as administrative cost for such exercise," the CM said.

Of the 1,390 complaints received today, 1,383 complaints have been addressed and necessary instructions were given, Fadnavis said.

The complaints were related to the departments of general administration, revenue, home, urban development, rural development, agriculture, industry, higher and technical education, and forest.

The complaints were originated from areas like Beed, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Latur, Thane, Kolhapur, Akola, Latur, Jalna, and Aurangabad.

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Maize prices in the country remained stable with a downward trend during last week due to subdued demand and end-users waiting for the new crop, according to the US Grains Council.

"India maize prices remain stable and on a downward trend as the end-users wait for the new crop and the demand is also subdued," Amit Sachdev, serving agriculture and livestock in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for USGC, said.

He said the sowing is complete for maize and now it is wait and watch.

The monsoon has also entered the last phase and overall the rains have been just about normal and deficit at 3 per cent, he added.

However, in the corn belt there has been less rains with a possibility of productivity loss due to moisture stress, Sachdev added.

In the futures market September delivery (Rabi) was down by 0.61 per cent at Rs 13,000 per tonne, while October (Khariff) decline by 2.14 per cent at Rs 15,580 per tonne, November (Khariff) down 2.12 per cent at Rs 15,680 per tonne and December (Khariff) down 2.17 per cent at Rs 15,760 per tonne.

Spot prices also showed declining trend as prices in Jalgaon were same as the week before at Rs 14,500 tonne, Nizamabad down 2.02 per cent at Rs 15,462 per tonne, Davangere down 0,87 per cent at Rs 17,050 per tonne, Sangli down 4.19 per cent at Rs 16,000 per tonne and Gulabbagh down 0.12 per cent at Rs 13,300 per tonne.

Globally, prices were ruling stable in the US, where Hurricane Harvey created havoc in Texas, but it did not affect corn crop, he said.

However, in case there is a export demand, prices might move up, Sachdev added.

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Houston's mayor insists that America's fourth-largest city is "open for business," but with areas under water, people not yet in their homes, and billions in damage to repair, major disasters that Harvey created are by no means resolved.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labor Day.

"Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come," he told CBS. "We can do multiple things at the same time."



One worry, of further explosions at a damaged chemical plant, eased after officials carried out a controlled burn yesterday evening of highly unstable compounds at the Arkema plant in Crosby. Three trailers had previously caught fire after Harvey's floodwaters knocked out generators.

Authorities said they would keep monitoring the air, and people living within 2.4 kilometers of the site outside Houston are still evacuated. But floodwaters also have inundated at least five toxic waste Superfund sites near Houston and some may be damaged, though Environmental Protection Agency officials have yet to assess the full extent of what occurred.

Texas Gov Greg Abbott told CNN the EPA is "working on some of them already," but "they have restraints on their ability to check out some of them just simply because of the water."



Turner said Houston's drinking water hadn't been affected by the storm, but told CBS, "We would hope that the EPA would be on the ground now to take a look at those Superfund sites, to make sure that contamination is contained and limited."



Other issues across the region: too much water still in houses, but no water to drink.

Utility crews went door-to-door yesterday shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that more flooding was possible" not from rain, but from releases of water from overtaxed reservoirs. Thousands of Houston dwellings were under mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

People briefly returned yesterday to some homes in the area, which included brick two-story and ranch homes bordering Buffalo Bayou, to try to salvage valuables.

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Newly sworn-in union ministers today assumed charge of their offices, listing priority areas and vowing to carry forward the NDA's agenda of working towards building a new India.

Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi were among the senior ministers who took charge of their new responsibilities while a number of fresh inductees too began work in their respective ministries.

On the first day in his new office as Tourism minister, bureaucrat-turned-politician Alphons Kannanthanam touched upon the controversial issue of beef, saying it would continue to be consumed in Kerala.

"The BJP does not say that beef cannot be eaten. We don't dictate food habits in any place. It is for the people to decide," he told PTI after assuming charge of the ministry.

He said the Tourism ministry had a "great role" to play in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of creating a new India where all citizens lived with dignity.

On his part, Road Transport minister Gadkari, who assumed additional charge of Water Resources, announced the formation of an inter-ministerial task force to expedite the implementation of the Centre's Namami Gange mission, on conserving and cleaning the Ganges.

Accompanied by his predecessor Uma Bharti, he also said the ministry would come out with a detailed schedule on achieving its targets under the mission in a time-bound and transparent manner in a week.

Gadkari replaced Bharti in the ministry, reportedly as the Namami Gange mission, dear to Modi and a key poll promise of the ruling BJP, was moving at a snail's pace. Bharti assumed charge of the Drinking Water and Sanitation ministry.

Goyal took charge of the Railways ministry in the presence of Suresh Prabhu who was shifted to the Commerce ministry in the reshuffle, days after he offered to quit following two train accidents.

Taking charge as Cabinet minister in the Minority Affairs ministry, Naqvi said he blamed a "mourning brigade" for painting a picture of gloom among minorities, stressing that they were not in an "atmosphere of fear", but of trust.

The minister, elevated to the Cabinet rank yesterday, reiterated that the government would focus on empowering minority communities by providing them with education and employment opportunities.

The newly appointed junior minister in the ministry, Virendra Kumar, said the Centre would ensure empowerment "sans appeasement".

Nirmala Sitharaman, who was appointed Defence minister yesterday, is likely to take charge on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was holding the additional charge of the ministry, had gone to Japan as the Defence minister to attend a two-day security dialogue. Jaitley had said yesterday that because of logistical constraints, he was attending the dialogue.

Most of the junior ministers, while assuming charge, said they would work tirelessly to realise the prime minister's agenda of carrying forward development work and realising the dream of making a new India.

In a major rejig of his council of ministers, Modi yesterday had promoted four junior ministers -- Sitharaman Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan and Naqvi -- to cabinet rank and inducted nine new faces, including four former government officers, as ministers of state.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

The two leaders met in this Chinese city on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The two leaders believed to have discussed ways to further ramp up bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas of defence, security and trade.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday will hold their first substantive bilateral meeting after the Doklam standoff, which had put ties between the two countries under strain.

According to external affairs ministry officials, Modi will meet Xi at 12.30 pm (10 am IST), the prime minister's last official engagement before flying off to Myanmar on a bilateral visit.

Modi had arrived here on Sunday and attended the BRICS Summit on Monday.

During the meeting, which is taking place amid efforts from the two sides to leave the bitterness caused by the 73- day face-off between their troops in Dokalam in the Sikkim sector behind, sources said the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to create confidence building measures.

However, they refused to divulge details about the issues to be discussed.

The sense is that both countries want to "move on" after the standoff.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army.

On August 28, India's External Affairs Ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area.

Asked if there was any link between the BRICS declaration, which for the first time named Pakistan-based terror groups for their violent activities and resolution of the Dokalam standoff, Secretary (East) in the MEA Preeti Saran answered in the negative, saying BRICS is a multilateral forum where outcomes are based on consensus.

"It cannot be linked," she added.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media in Beijing that "details of the meeting we will release in due course."



Apart from Xi, Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, which is among the five counties -- Mexico, Guinea, Thailand, and Tajikistan -- invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.
North Korea could be preparing another missile launch, Seoul said today as it strengthened its defences following Pyongyang's biggest-ever nuclear test and declaration it had a hydrogen bomb.

The South and the United States will deploy more of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile launchers that have infuriated Beijing, the defence ministry said.

The announcement came after Seoul fired an early-morning volley of ballistic missiles in an exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site.

Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the east coast.

Pyongyang said the device it detonated yesterday was a hydrogen bomb -- far more powerful than the fission-based devices it is believed to have previously tested -- and small enough to fit into a missile.

The blast threw down a new gauntlet to President Donald Trump, after the North in July twice tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range, and threatened to send a salvo of missiles towards the US territory of Guam.

South Korean defence ministry officials estimated its strength at 50 kilotons -- five times the size of the North's previous nuclear test.

They did not confirm whether it was a hydrogen bomb, saying only that "a variety of nuclear material" had been used.

But Defence Minister Song Young-Moo said Seoul believed Pyongyang had succeeded in miniaturising its nuclear weapons to fit into an ICBM.

The South had requested the US deploy strategic assets such as aircraft carriers and bombers to the peninsula, he said, but denied reports Seoul was seeking the return of US tactical nuclear weapons.

Signs that North Korea was "preparing for another ballistic missile launch have consistently been detected since Sunday's test", the ministry said.

It did not indicate when a launch might take place, but said it could involve an ICBM being fired into the Pacific Ocean to raise pressure on Washington further.

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: Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and Mumbai-born scientist Veena Sahajwalla have been conferred the PLuS Alliance Prize - a prestigious honour that recognises Research Innovation, Education Innovation, Global Leadership and Global Innovation.

The Prize of USD 50,000 was awarded in two categories; Education Innovation and Research Innovation.

Both winners were recognised for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to significant global issues.

Murthy was presented the PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership while Professor Sahajwalla was awarded the PLuS Alliance Prize for Research Innovation for her project 'The new science of green manufacturing,' a Pluse Alliance release said.

The awards were presented to Murthy, Sahajwalla and the other winners by Professor Sir Malcolm Grant, Chairman of NHS England and Chair of the PLuS Alliance Advisory Board, at a ceremony at the T-H-E World Academic Summit in London on Sunday.

The PLuS Alliance is an international collaboration between Arizona State University, King's College London, and UNSW Sydney.

Launched in February 2016, it enables research-led solutions to global challenges while expanding access to world-class learning.

The winners who hail from India, the US, the UK and Australia were chosen by a jury consisting of eminent global industry leaders and experts.

Murthy said, "To be recognised as a global leader by three great universities today, collaborating under the PLuS Alliance, is an honour.

Leadership plays such a vital role in fostering innovation so it's humbling to be recognised among so many innovators who are bringing about positive change in the world."



Sahajwalla said, "The work we've been doing to help global industries use green materials over virgin raw materials is vital to sustainability. This recognition by the PLuS Alliance for the work we've been doing to drive change and impact communities across the world is a real honour.

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A national-level taekwondo player was among five men arrested for alleged involvement in several cases of robbery in west, southwest and Rohini districts of Delhi, the police said today.

On August 28, the accused persons had robbed a bag containing Rs 3.18 lakh cash at gunpoint from an employee of a milk distributor in west Delhi's Vikaspuri while he was going to deposit the amount in a bank.

The accused, belonging to the Rajneesh gang which is notorious for gunpoint robberies, had purchased home appliances with the robbed cash and also deposited a part of the amount in a bank.

Three of them -- Amit Yadav alias Rajneesh (22), Vikas Puri (21) and Vikas (24) -- were caught by police after a chase and a scuffle, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Bhisham Singh.

Five country-made pistols, eight live cartridges, two stolen laptops, five mobile phones, a motorcycle and gold ornaments were seized from their possession, said the officer.

Two more gang members - Sidharth Sharma and Gaurav -- both aged 20, were arrested on the morning of September 2.

Sharma is a national-level Taekwondo player, the police said.

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President Ram Nath Kovind today emphasised the need to make optimal use of natural resources, including water, so that sufficient food could be produced for the country's 1.25 billion people.

Kovind, who came on a two-day Gujarat visit yesterday, was here today to lay the foundation stone for a new pipeline link of the state government's ambitious Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation (SAUNI) Project. He also offered prayers at the Ghela Somnath temple.

"I am very happy to be here on the occasion of the foundation-laying ceremony of the SAUNI Yojana. At the root of the concept behind the SAUNI Yojana was the idea to take water from the water-rich region to the water-scarce region. I am very happy that the promises made to the people of Gujarat are being realised," he said.

"Taking benefit from the experiences of Gujarat, it is important to make optimal use of all resources, including water resources, for the cultivation of sufficient food for the country's 1.25 billion population," Kovind said.

Before laying the foundation stone, he also offered prayers at the Ghela Somnath temple here. Gujarat Governor O P Kohli, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, and several MLAs and MPs, accompanied him.

The president also praised the state government for its water conservation efforts.

"Gujarat is considered a leading state on several social and economic yardsticks, and the successful experiments done here in the field of agricultural development are being replicated nationally.

"Productivity of land is being increased through soil health card programme. To carry water in the water-scarce areas, canal and pipeline networks have been laid across the state. In the dry areas of Gujarat, around 144-km-long Kutch branch canal network has been completed," Kovind said.

He said the Sardar Sarovar project has 30 gates, which can be closed to prevent water form getting wasted.

"Micro irrigation has been encouraged for effective use of water resources," he said.

Kovind said that proper and optimal use of water helps in farm cultivation and improving farmers' income.

He said he has been associated with Gujarat for the last 45 years, having worked closely with former prime minister Morarji Desai, who belonged to the state.

Praising PM Narendra Modi, he said, "The current prime minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi comes from Mehsana in Uttar Gujarat. He is the second prime minister from this state who is working hard to make India a leading country in the world, with the same hard work with which he made Gujarat a leading state in the country."



The president also used a few lines in Gujarati while addressing the people. "Mara Gujarat na bhaiyo ane behno ...Kem chho. Pani na mahatva tamara thi badhare kaun jaane. (My brothers and sisters of Gujarat, how are you? Who will know the value of water better than you)," he said.

Stating that the SAUNI Yojana is a step towards nation- building, he used a story from the Ramayana to send out the message that even a small contribution towards nation-building goes a long way.

Kovind said at the Ghela Somnath temple, he sought "prosperity and happiness for the people of Saurashtra" as blessings.

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Beleaguered Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal woes may deepen with a media report today claiming that his wife could be indicted on charges of fraudulently receiving items worth more than USD 100,000.

Ha'aretz Online reported that Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to inform Sara of the charges against her in a few weeks.

She is suspected of ordering chef's meals at the prime minister's official residence, which is against regulations, and concealing the fact that she did so, the report said.

She and her husband have accused the former chief caretaker of the official residence, Meni Naftali , who is leading protests against the prime minister, of inflating the residence's expenses.

Netanyahu had accused Naftali of stealing food from the residence at a rally last week but a senior police official was quoted in the report as saying that "this phenomenon began before Naftali came to work at the residence and continued after he was fired".

At the rally, Netanyahu described the investigation "as a preoccupation with unimportant matters".

"They're dealing with the most important things in the world," he said at the Likud party rally, sarcastically adding, "the procedure for replacing a light bulb, trays of food, the cup of tea that was served to her (Sara's) father, a righteous man, on his deathbed".

Sara Netanyahu has denied the suspicions.

The decision to indict Sara in the so called "residence affair" is likely to be the first in a series of moves to be made in the coming months in cases in which the prime minister and members of his inner circle are suspects.

A senior law enforcement official told Ha'aretz that there was a likelihood that police would submit their recommendations on Cases 1000 and 2000 in which Netanyahu is a suspect in December.

In Case 1000 Netanyahu is suspected of illicitly receiving gifts from wealthy patrons and in Case 2000 there is a suspicion that he tried to concoct a deal with the publisher of the largest circulated daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, to receive favourable coverage in exchange for cutting back on commercial activity of the competing free daily, Israel Hayom.

However, the senior law enforcement official said the date the recommendations would be made public could change because "there are developments all the time that can't be predicted.

"This is a dynamic investigation," the source reportedly said.

Meanwhile,a former minister wasquestioned by police under caution today in connection with an expanding corruption probe into a multi-million-dollar purchase of naval vessels from Germany, known as the submarine affair, that has implicated several senior political and military officials.

The former minister, whose name was withheld from immediate publication by a gag order, was questioned at the police's anti-corruption unit Lahav 433 in Lod, the police said in a statement also denying earlier reports that a sitting minister was interrogated.

A political adviser to a sitting minister as well as a former senior National Security Council official were also being questioned today in connection with the affair, dubbed Case 3000.

Six suspects were arrested in police raids including yesterday, including David Sharan, who served as Netanyahu's bureau chief from late 2014 to 2016 on suspicion of bribe- taking, fraud, breach of trust and conspiring to commit a crime.

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Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has stated that he was never in favour of demonetisation and had warned the government of the damage that pulling out 86 per cent of cash would cause to the economy.

Rajan was RBI governor in February 2016 when he was asked by the government for his views on junking of old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, he revealed in his book 'I do what I do'.

"At no point during my term was the RBI asked to make a decision on demonetisation," says Rajan, a statement that flies in the face of claims that the planning for the surprise move had started months before it was actually announced on November 8, 2016.

Rajan, who had predicted the 2008 global financial crisis, was governor of the central bank from September 4, 2013 to September 4, 2016.

"I was asked by the government in February 2016 for my views on demonetisation, which I gave orally. Although there might be long-term benefits, I felt the likely short-term economic costs would outweigh them and there were potentially better alternatives to achieve the main goals. I made these views known in uncertain terms," he wrote.

RBI, he said, handed over a note to the government outlining the potential cost and benefits of demonetisation as well as alternatives to achieve similar aims. It also detailed the preparation that would be needed and the time it would require.

"The RBI flagged what would happen if preparation was inadequate," said Rajan, who had so far not commented on the move.

Just over two months after his departure on September 4, 2016, the government invalidated Rs 15.44 lakh crore, expecting one-third may not come back, with an aim to check blackmoney and corruption.

The RBI, which had shied away from declaring how much of junked currency was deposited in banks in the limited window provided, last week in its annual report said 99 per cent of the currency had returned.

The monetary cost of printing new currency for the central bank has more than doubled to Rs 7,965 crore while the number of counterfeit notes or fake notes detected during the exercise is only minuscule -- just about 7.6 lakh pieces.

Rajan said: "If the government, on weighing the pros and cons, still decided to go ahead with demonetisation, the note outlined the preparation that would be needed and the time that the preparation would take. The RBI flagged what would happen if preparation was inadequate."



The government then set up a committee to consider the issues, Rajan said, adding that "the deputy governor in charge of currency attended these meetings and at no point during my term was the RBI asked to make a decision on demonetisation".

The former RBI governor, currently professor of finance at the University of Chicago, said that much before the government took the demonetisation decision, he was asked about invalidating high-denomination currency in August 2014 during a public lecture.

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A Nigerian national has been apprehended as he was allegedly living in the country even after the expiry of his visa, the police said today.

Audi Bolva Chud was living in Greater Noida, Local Intelligence Unit Inspector Mahavir Singh Rajawat said.

He had come to India on a medical visa, which expired, but he continued living illegally in the country, Rajawat said.

He was handed over to the Delhi centre and would be deported, he said.

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Upul Tharanga today said that he will not step down from Sri Lanka's ODI captain's post despite a 0-5 drubbing at the hands of India in the just-concluded series.

"There is no reason to give up captaincy. The next selectors' committee will decide how we will move forward. We didn't play well. And in the last two years we have not played well. So, only this set of players can come out of this phase. But we need to plan better and we need to identify what are the areas we can improve on," he added.

"We lacked consistency. We didn't bat, bowl or field well. We were outplayed in the series. I am disappointed with our batting effort. India were very consistent but we failed to get big scores. The Indian top order was making plenty of runs," the skipper said.

Not posting a single score of above 250 has been one of the reasons for Sri Lanka's failure to win a match reckons Tharanga.

"We committed too many mistakes. As a batting unit, we failed to post decent totals. Even after five games, we failed to post 250 runs even once. I am feeling very disappointed with that. These batting displays are worrying. We lost some seven wickets for 53 runs. That has been something that is happening frequently now. We commit too many mistakes and we need to rectify them soon," a disappointed Tharanga stated.

But Tharanga feels that only players themselves can get them out of this rut.

"As a player and captain, I feel very bad about it. If you take the last two years, we were not up to the mark. We were not consistent, but only these players can get out of this. It is a good opportunity for us to come out of this.

Tharanga said that Sri Lankan youngsters should learn a thing or two about how Virat Kohli goes about converting starts.

"The whole series and prior to that we have spoken about it. Virat is an experienced player. We can learn a lot from him. Kohli's batting was a good example for us. We talk about these things. We need someone who is set to get a big one. But we failed to achieve that," concluded Tharanga.

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Security forces today eliminated an outlawed NSCN(K) militant and injured another in an encounter in Longding district on the Indo-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh today following which a hideout of the outfit was destroyed.

The security forces had launched the operation following specific input about the presence of NSCN(K) rebels near Votnu village in the district. The forces came under heavy fire from the rebels and retaliated in which one militant was killed and another was injured, Defence spokesman Colonel Chiranjit Konwer said.

The other militants made good their escape into the dense forest nearby. During the search, the forces located the temporary hideout and destroyed it, he said.

The injured insurgent was arrested and a massive search operation was launched in the area to capture the escaped militants, Konwer said adding one AK 47 with ammunition has been recovered from the eliminated terrorist.

Another militant of the outfit was killed on September one at Kunnu village in the district during a similar operation, the Defence spokesman said.

Security forces under the aegis of DAO division has been carrying out aggressive operations in south Arunachal Pradesh and today's operation has struck a blow to the illegal activities being carried out by the underground outfit in the area, he added.

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Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) today began exporting High Speed Diesel (Gas Oil) to Myanmar, thereby taking forward the Centre's Act East policy, a company statement said.

Two tank trucks carrying 40 Kilo Litres of High Speed Diesel was flagged off today from the bordering town of Moreh in Manipur to Tamu in Myanmar, the NRL statement said.

NRL's Director (Finance) S K Barua, Director (Technical) B J Phukan and senior officials from Myanmar's Land Customs Department were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the tank trucks were despatched from NRL's Marketing Terminal in Numaligarh to reach Moreh via Imphal.

NRL's Refinery is situated at a distance of 420 km from Moreh-Tamu Myanmar border and is connected by Asian Highway I.

This is further to signing of the Sale-Purchase Agreement between NRL and PES for supply of 90 MT of Diesel (Gas Oil) from Numaligarh Refinery Marketing Terminal (NRMT) through Moreh-Tamu Land Custom Station to Myanmar.

NRL plans to export 5,000 MT of HSD per month to Myanmar through Tank Lorry.

A high level delegation from oil companies led by Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan had visited Yangon in Myanmar in February last, paving the way for NRL's entry into the neighbouring country by exporting Paraffin Wax (1,700 MT till August 2017) from NRL's Wax Plant from March followed by commencement of export of Diesel today.

The development assumes significance since it falls in line with the centre's Act East policy of the Government of India with its strategic vision of increasing trade links with South East Asian countries.

Myanmar is the second country after Bangladesh where NRL has exported diesel in the recent past.

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Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today said only genuine party workers who have fought against the BJP and its ideological parent RSS will get tickets to contest the Assembly polls in Gujarat.

In an interaction with Congress workers aimed at galvanising them ahead of the polls due later this year, he assailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development model, which he claimed had failed in Gujarat.

He attacked the NDA government over a host of issues-- from demonetisation to unemployment--as he interacted with party workers on the Sabarmati riverfront.

"Tickets will be distributed soon and only to genuine party workers who have fought against the BJP and RSS. Those who parachuted into the party recently would not be given tickets," he said, responding to a question by party worker Satish Pandya, who claimed Congress gave tickets to only those with money and muscle power.

At the interaction called 'Samvad', Gandhi raised various issues like demonetisation, goods and services tax (GST), unemployment, alleged plight of farmers, and "poor" healthcare and eduction, to target Modi and the BJP.

He said all these will ensure the defeat of the BJP in Gujarat.

"The BJP and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) are scared of the outcome of the Gujarat assembly polls. You cannot hide the truth for long," Gandhi said, asserting the Congress, which has been out of power in the state for over two decades, will win the election.

Taking about Modi's development plank, he said the "hollowness" of the BJP's "Gujarat model of development" stood exposed.

"This model did not help anyone, be it youth, farmers, small businessmen or shopkeepers. Only select 5-10 persons benefited from it," he said.

State Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki read out the questions submitted by party workers beforehand.

Responding to a query about whether media was controlled by the BJP, the Congress leader said the Modi government was putting "undue pressure on media".

"Modiji gives money to big corporate houses which control media. In Gujarat, six to seven friends of Modi are controlling the media. We know that Modiji is pressuring the media. Even some media persons have told me that they are scared," he claimed.

He accused Modi of extending benefits to corporate entities while ignoring farmers.

"When Modiji was chief minister of Gujarat he gave Rs 36,000 crore for Tata Nano, but didn't give anything to farmers of the state. The total amount he gave to the Tatas, including the cost of land to run the Nano plant, was Rs 60,000 crore. But how many Nano cars you see on roads?" he said.

He asked Congress workers to expose the "lies" being spread by the BJP about development.

"You have so many electoral issues such as the hardships being faced by farmers, demonetisation, GST and unemployment. Our workers will fight against the BJP at the booth level and expose their lies," he said.

He said the country's economic growth dipped by two per cent due to demonetisation which hit the poor most.

Referring to the quantum of notes returned to RBI post invalidation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, he said, the figures had shown that demonetisation was a futile exercise.

Taking on the Modi government over the GST, he said it was far removed from the one proposed by the Congress-led UPA government.

"We had said that GST should not have so many different rate slabs and that the highest tax slab under it should not be above 18 per cent, but this government has decided to charge 28 per cent," he said.

Gandhi said the Congress party wanted to work for the development of small and medium scale businesses.

"Small-scale industries alone can take on China. However, Modiji is interested only in benefiting a few top businessmen," he said, replying to another query.

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The new telecom policy (NTP) will include a package to boost domestic manufacturing of equipment to cut dependence on imports and create local jobs, Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said today.

In an interview to PTI, she said work on the policy blueprint is likely to start after the September 8 meeting of the Telecom Commission -- the highest decision making body for telecom sector.

The NTP roadmap will be placed before the inter- ministerial panel this week, she said. "Big thrust of the policy is internet for all and second is make in India."



To begin with, the policy draft will be placed in public domain for wider consultation by December or January, she said.

If India has to reduce dependency on import, there is need to encourage local telecom companies to not just make for India but also for overseas markets like middle east Asia and Africa, she said.

"It will have to be enabling environment which can catalyse on make in India. We will be strengthening the preferential market access policy. As we develop local capability for manufacturing we will be ensuring that more and more manufacturing happens here. Not just for India but other countries which could be Africa, Middle east Asia, etc," Sundararajan said.

The NTP will look at incorporating provisions to encourage incorporating of product designs developed in the country.

"There is lot of indigenous capability which is there whether it is routers, security equipments, machine-to-machine etc. All these are areas where indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities are there.

"If we do not want forever to be an importer of products from outside we will have to make sure that local companies are encouraged," Sundararajan said.

She added that the government also wants to support growth of international companies who have set-up manufacturing facilities here.

Talking about connectivity push under the NTP, she said that the government will focus on connecting around 40,000 villages and increase availability of regular internet access facility from 30 crore people to 70 crore by 2022.

Besides, this the NTP will focus to encourage creation of 2.5-3 lakh jobs in the telecom sector over period of next 5 years, she said.

The Department of Telecom will also hold regional consultations for framing up the new policy. The department has also created working groups to start consultation process.

"Already, informally, the work has started but we expect they (working groups) will formally get down to work after the first Telecom Commission meeting on the September 8," Sundararajan said.

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The US pullout from the Paris deal will have an "impact" but it will remain the cornerstone for all global action against climate change, France has said, ruling out any "renegotiation".

French Minister of State for Ecological and Inclusive Transition Brune Poirson said smaller countries facing the brunt of global warming are justifiably frustrated over the US' decision.

However, Poirson expressed hope that the upcoming United Nation's COP 23 talks in Germany's Bonn will witness "concrete progress" towards having the rules and technicalities for implementation of the Paris Agreement defined.

"Yes, there will be an impact. There's no denying that when the world's second largest CO2 (Cabon dioxide) emitter has decided to withdraw from the international framework to fight climate change.

"Countries that did not contribute to Green House Gas emissions but are suffering from the impact of climate change have every right to be very frustrated," she told PTI in an email interview.

The agreement was signed during the Paris climate meet in December 2015, under which more than 190 nations had agreed to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels and funnel trillions of dollars to poor countries facing climate catastrophe.

However, in June 2016, US President Donald Trump, a climate change sceptic, announced his decision to withdraw his country from the landmark deal, entered into by the Obama administration, and "renegotiate" it.

"No, as leaders said during the G7 and G20 summits, the Paris Agreement is not renegotiable. What we need now in Bonn is having the rules and technicalities for implementation of the Paris Agreement defined, but the Paris Agreement is and will remain the cornerstone for international climate action," Poirson said.

Poirson, who was on a three-day visit to India recently, said the strong signals sent by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others in response to the US decision indicate the support to the "Fijian presidency in bringing concrete progress in Bonn in November".

Fiji will preside over the Bonn talks in a symbolic gesture as the tiny pacific nation has been at the receiving end of extreme weather events such as wild storms.

Asked if the US withdrawal has affected the momentum gained till now in terms of transition to greener energy pathways, the minister said it did have an impact, but there are positive sides to it as well.

"For instance, less than one month after the US decision, France presented a yet more ambitious climate plan: we will be one of the first countries in the world to introduce a Bill in Parliament to ban all new fossil fuel permits," she said.

The "same determination" can be seen in India as well with its "bold announcements" towards making the transition irreversible through targets for renewable energy or electric vehicles, she said, hailing Modi's role in helping consolidate the deal.

"India is already scaling up some vital solutions in urban planning, sustainable cities, public transport, and much more. This contribution is so important, because it helps bring the Paris Agreement concretely in the real world, for citizen, companies, and governments," she added.

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Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and his Cabinet colleague Vishwajit Rane today took oath as members of the legislative assembly.

Parrikar and Rane were on August 28 declared elected in bypolls from Panaji and Valpoi constituencies, respectively.

"I am back to the original place. I have already decided mypriorities as the chief minister. My priorities as an MLA will start from today," Parrikar told reporters after the oath-taking ceremony.

Parrikar and Rane were administered oath in a brief ceremony in the assembly by Speaker Pramod Sawant.

Responding to a question, the chief minister said his assurance to appoint an IAS-level officer to study the problems of his constituency will start after consultations.

"We want to make Panaji a model city and the same criteria will be used for other cities which are to be upgraded," he said.

The IIT engineer-turned-politician took over as chief minister in March after resigning as defence minister. At that time he was a member of the Rajya Sabha and had to get elected to the assembly within stipulated six months to remain the CM.

Rane won from Valpoi in the February assembly polls on a Congress ticket. He later quit the party and also the assembly membership.

He then joined the BJP and was inducted in the Parrikar-led Cabinet.

The BJP has formed the government in alliance with the Goa Forward Party, the MGP and Independents.

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Amidst an intensified campaign for a separate religious status to Lingayat faith, Karnataka irrigation minister M B Patil today accused BJP of linking the Lingayat faith with Hinduism.

"The BJP has taken a stand. It has changed its position by calling Veerashaiva Lingayath a sect of Hinduism. They will not back our demand for Lingayat as a separate religion. It is apparent that Hindutva cannot accept Veerashaiva Lingayath as a separate religion," said Patil, who is spearheading the campaign, at a press conference today.

He claimed that Lingayat is different from Veerashaiva.

"Lingayat is entirely different from Hinduism. It does not have caste based or any other kind of discrimination. Itsfounder Basaveshwara's sayings never promoted rift among communities," said Patil.

He added that Veerashaiva sect forming only 10 per cent of thetotal Lingayat population does not follow the sayings of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara. Patil also sought to allay the fear that separation of Lingayat will weaken Hinduism.

"Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism were separated from Hinduism but that did not affect or threaten Hinduism. Lingayat religion too has features making it different from Hinduism," said Patil.

Shivanand Jamdar, a retired bureaucrat and Lingayat Mahasabha Vedike general secretary, said "Hindutva forces" do not want Lingayat to be a separate religion. As Assembly elections are due earlier next year, the demand for a separate Lingayat religion status is gaining ground among the community, concentrated largely in the northern part of Karnataka.

The BJP, for which Lingayats form a significant electoral base, has so far remained non-commital on the demand. The Mahasabha Vedike had yesterday held a mega rally at Latur in Maharashtra, which has a huge Kannada speaking Lingayat population.

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A beleaguered Suresh Prabhu, who had taken the "moral responsibility" for a recent spate of train accidents, came in for high praise from his successor Piyush Goyal, who took charge as the new Railway minister today.

The new minister said his predecessor was his mentor with whom he had worked on earlier occasions.

"It is a very emotional day for me. Suresh Prabhu has been mentoring me, directing me and taking care of me for the past 20 years. From time to time we have had the chance to work together," said Goyal, whose formal taking over was attended by Prabhu at Rail Bhavan.

Prabhu had not attended office after August 23, when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign after the accidents last month.

"In the government of Atal Behari Vajpayee, he (Prabhu) worked with my father and at that time he was in charge of the power ministry and the leadership that he had shown then is the reason why our country has such a capable power sector," Goyal said.

He pointed out that Prabhu then headed a task force for interlinking rivers of which Goyal was a member.

"I was introduced to his style of work when I worked with him for two years in the task force, and it was a fantastic experience," said the new Rail minister.

Goyal said the "culture of non-stop work" in the government was practised by Prabhu when he headed the force.

Recalling his first days as the Power minister, Goyal said initially he had little knowledge of the sector and didn't know the "P of Power".

"I had just come from Mumbai and I didn't know the P of Power. Then P for Prabhu, my elder brother, taught me how to combine the three sectors - power, renewable energy and coal and move towards development at a fast pace," he said.

Prabhu's roadmap, Goyal said, focused on investment, security and consumer utilities.

All this, he said, had turned the Railways into a vibrant organisation.

"For this, the country will be indebted to him, the ministry is indebted to him. We all have to just follow his track," said Goyal.

Prabhu, while speaking to the media today, said he believed Goyal would do a better job than him in the ministry.

"He (Goyal) will play a big role in the progress of the country. I wish him all the best and all the success. I am here to help him in whatever he needs, and I believe that everyone will support him as they did me," Prabhu said.

Prabhu, now in charge of Commerce, however, refused to speak about his tenure as the Rail minister.

He had offered to step down after two train accidents in Uttar Pradesh last month, which were followed by two other derailments.

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Indore-based snacks maker Prataap Snacks expects to launch its Rs 250-crore initial public offer (IPO) in the next couple of months.

"We are in discussions with merchant bankers on the timing. By October-November we should definitely be listed," Prataap Snacks managing director and chief executive Amit Kumat said.

The company had filed its IPO papers last year with the Sebi which has been approved later.

The company aims to use the proceedings from the Rs 250 crore IPO to expand the capacity of chips making plant by 50 per cent and double that of namkeens, apart from fully retiring debt on its books, which is around Rs 43 crore, marketing and brand building activities, chief financial officer Sumit Sharma said.

The Sequoia Capital-backed company, which clocked a revenue of Rs 903 crore last fiscal, also plans to enter the sweet snacks category shortly, according to Kumat.

The company, which makes products under the Yellow Diamond brand, gets 80 per cent of its sales from the Rs 5 pack but expects its share to reduce in the next five years.

"It used to be 90 per cent but it has come down to 80 per cent. With lot of A&B class outlets shifting to Rs 10 packs, I think in five years' time, close to 60 per cent of our revenue should come from Rs 5 packs," Kumat said.

The organised snack category is estimated to be Rs 22,000 crore growing at 10-11 per cent.

Edelweiss, JM Financial and Spark Capital will be managing the issue.

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Rights activists held a protest near the Myanmar consulate in the city amidst heavy police deployment today against the alleged killing of Rohingyas in that country.

The protesters raised slogans against the Myanmar government and demanded that steps should be taken to stop the killing of Rohingiyas.

An official of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), Ranjit Sur said the killing of Rohingiyas in Myanmar should immediately stop as it is against humanity.

"Both the government of that country (Myanmar) and the international community should take steps to stop the genocide," he said.

"The protest was peaceful. There was no untoward incident," south east division deputy commissioner Kalyan Mukhopadhyay told PTI.

A total of 87,000 mostly Rohingya refugees had arrived in Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar on August 25, the United Nations said today amid growing international criticism of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thousands of the stateless Muslim minority people have fled the mainly Buddhist nation and poured over Myanmar border since the latest round of fighting broke out piling pressure on the already overcrowded camps in Bangladesh.

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The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS), headed by MP Raju Shetti, today formally withdrew its support to the BJP government in Maharashtra by submitting a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to that effect here today.

Last week, Shetti had announced snapping of ties with the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, accusing the NDA of failing to honour its promises made to the farmers.

The decision to pull out of the NDA and the 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance) in the state was taken during a state-level executive meeting of the party in Pune on August 30.

Shetti handed over the letter to Fadnavis today at his official residence Varsha here today.

Last week, Shetti had said, "We had supported the NDA and Mahayuti before the 2014 elections, as it promised the minimum support price for crops. However, in all these years, they have failed to honour their promises."



He had also said that the SSS had committed a "grave mistake" by extending support to the NDA, as "all the promises made to the farmers by the Centre and the state government in the election manifesto have failed to see the light of the day".

Earlier last month, the SSS had expelled Maharashtra Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot, who was a party MLC, for "anti-party activities".

Ravikant Tupkar of the SSS has also resigned as the chairman of Maharashtra State Textile Corporation Ltd.

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A Russian court today rejected acclaimed director Kirill Serebrennikov's appeal against his house arrest in a controversial fraud case that has sent shockwaves through the arts community.

"The Moscow city court decided not to change the decision - he remains under house arrest," a judiciary spokesman told AFP.

Top theatre and film director Serebrennikov was placed under house arrest last month until October 19, accused of defrauding the state of over USD 1 million in arts funding.

The director - who heads Moscow's Gogol Centre and staged productions at the Bolshoi theatre - has denounced the charges as "absurd".

Critics view the case as the latest crackdown on liberal culture in Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Leading Russian cultural figures and international artists including Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen have called for Serebrennikov's release and want the charges dropped.

A Kremlin spokesman has denied that the case has anything to do with "politicisation, censorship", saying it is linked to "purely financial questions".

The court ruling today however allows Serebrennikov to walk around his district for two hours every evening, the court spokesman said.

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North Korea's nuclear test had an estimated strength of 50 kilotons, defence ministry officials told a parliamentary briefing today.

That would make it five times the size of the North's previous test in September last year, and more than three times bigger than the US device that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945.

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The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea seeking direction to the Election Commission that political parties, having religious, caste, ethnic and linguistic names or connotations, be asked to change their names within three months or be de-recognised.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud termed the plea as "publicity interest litigation" and dismissed it saying this was not the job of the judiciary.

"It is not under the domain of the judiciary. The courts should not get into this. ... Let the court function," it said.

The court was hearing the plea of NGO 'Lok Prahari' seeking "effectuation" of section 29A of the Representation of People Act which provides that the memorandum of rules and regulations of a political party "shall contain a specific provision that the association of body shall bear truth faith and allegiance to the Constitution" and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy.

The parties should also say that they would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

The plea has sought a direction to the poll panel that the registration of parties, having religious, caste, ethnic and linguistic connotations, be reviewed and they be asked to change their names within three months.

If they fail to do so, then their registration may be cancelled, it said.

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The Supreme Court today sought to know the stand of the government on a petition challenging its decision to deport illegal Rohingya Muslim immigrants back to Myanmar.

The matter came up before a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud which asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to take instruction from the Centre about its response to the petition which has challenged the decision on various grounds including that it violated international human right conventions.

While the bench posted the matter for September 11, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the two Rohingya immigrants, wanted an assurance that during the pendency of the petition, the Centre will not take any step including deportation of the immigrants.

The ASG made it clear that he was not making any statement.

The bench asked the petitioner to hand over the copy of the petition and relevant documents pertaining to the matter to the law officer.

Violent attacks allegedly by Myanmarese armymen have led to an exodus of Rohingya tribals from the western Rakhine state in that country to India and Bangladesh. Many of them, who had fled to India after the earlier spate of violence, have settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.

The plea, filed by two Rohingya immigrants, Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, who are registered refugees under the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR), claimed they had taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community there.

"Proposed deportation is contrary to the constitutional protections of Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and Article 51(c) of the Constitution of India, which provides equal rights and liberty to every person.

"This act would also be in contradiction with the principle of 'Non-Refoulement', which has been widely recognised as a principle of Customary International Law," the plea said, while seeking a direction to the government not to deport them and other members of Rohingya community.

It has also sought a direction that Rohingyas be provided "basic amenities to ensure that they can live in human conditions as required by international law".

It also said that India has ratified and is a signatory to various conventions that recognise the Principle of "Non- Refoulement', which prohibits deportation of refugees to a country where they may face threat to their lives.

The principle of non-refoulement - or not sending back refugees to a place where they face danger - is considered part of customary international law and is binding on all states whether they have signed the Refugee Convention or not.

The petition further said that India has traditionally been hospitable host of refugees and displaced people, both from South Asia and across the world.

The government had raised "serious concern" over reports of renewed violence and attacks in Myanmar and extended its "strong" support to the Myanmarese government at this "challenging moment".

On August 18, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued notice to the Centre over its plan to deport the Rohingya immigrants, who are residing in various parts of India.

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The Supreme Court today stayed the insolvency proceedings against real estate firm Jaypee Infratech at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and sought the firm's response on a plea seeking protection of the interests of hassled home buyers who have neither got homes, nor their money back.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also asked Attorney General K K Venugopal to assist it in deciding a batch of petitions opposing the insolvency proceedings and seeking protection of the home buyers' interests.

"We will pass a stay order on the proceedings at NCLT (at Allahabad). Issue notice (on pleas of home buyers)," the bench, which also comprised justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.

Flat buyers, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of 2016, do not fall in the category of secured creditors like banks and hence they can get back their money only if something is left after repaying the secured and operational creditors, one of the pleas filed by some home buyers said.

It was alleged by senior advocate Ajit Sinha, appearing for petitioner Chitra Sharma, that around Rs 25,000 crore worth of money of flat buyers and others has been at stake and the insolvency proceedings were initiated "for a petty sum of Rs 500 crore".

Around 32,000 persons had booked flats in the projects of Jaypee Infratech.

Sharma, in her amended PIL filed through lawyer Ashwarya Sinha, has challenged the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code on grounds including that they do not protect customers.

Besides seeking a "forensic audit" of Jaypee infratech and one of its sister concerns, the plea has also sought a direction to the Centre to ensure the home buyers' interests.

The NCLT at Allahabad had initiated the insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech based on IDBI's charge that the company has defaulted in loan repayment.

The home buyers, in the plea, referred to the provisions of the Code and the order passed by the Allahabad bench of the NCLT and said that even decrees, passed by civil courts and consumer fora, in their favour cannot be executed once insolvency proceedings begin.

"The actions as have been taken under the Code has led to a situation wherein the life-long savings of the flat owners will go waste with no prospects of them recovering the same, if their interests are not saved by this court," the plea filed by Sharma said.

The PIL also said that a direction may be issued to the government that flat owners/buyers be declared as as a secured creditor like banks and FIs.

Around 32,000 buyers have booked their homes in 27 different housing projects of Jaypee Infratech and they have been "left in the lurch as the insolvency proceedings have been started against it," the senior lawyer had said.

He said the financial interests of secured creditors will be safeguarded first in the insolvency proceedings and flat buyers, being unsecured creditors, would virtually get nothing.

Hundreds of home buyers have been left in the lurch after the NCLT, on August 10, admitted the IDBI Bank's plea to initiate insolvency proceedings against the debt-ridden realty company for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan, the plea said.

Jaypee Infratech is into road construction and real estate business. It has constructed the Yamuna Expressway, connecting Delhi-Agra.

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The Supreme Court today stayed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court order directing the state government to provide life-time security cover to retired judges and advocate generals.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud also stayed the proceedings going on before the High Court.

The bench agreed with the contention of senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, representing the state government, that the High Court's March 14 last year order was erroneous.

During the hearing today, Attorney General K K Venugopal, who was assisting the apex court in the matter, said the government had its own criteria of granting security to persons facing threats.

The state government, in its petition, had contended that a "grave error" was committed by the high court in providing a minimum of 1-4 security personnel cover to all former chief justices and former judges of the HC for life.

In its plea, the state government, through senior lawyer Dhavan and advocate Shoeb Alam, has contended that throughout the country, security cover provided to VIPs/protected persons was done on the basis of threat assessment and guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It had said that the Centre had laid down an elaborate mechanism for providing security cover to protected persons.

"As such, the field is occupied by a detailed policy which contains the procedure for periodic assessments of threats, providing security on the basis of such assessment. It therefore is not a subject that is unguided by any executive expert policy," the state government had said.

The plea had said the directions amount to "usurpation of an expert function" by encroaching upon an area which is exclusive expertise of the state and security agencies.

"It is settled law that a court of law shall not interfere with the performance of an expert function or the opinion of experts since it is ill-equipped with executing the same. The functions of an expert body are best left to be performed by the expert body which alone is competent to deal with such matters", it had said.

The High Court had on March 14, 2016 directed the state to provide round-the-clock security cover at the residences of each former chief justice and judge of High Court along with one personal security officer.

It had said that enhancement of the security cover shall be as per the threat perception and that retired district and session judges should also be provided extended security cover for one year on their retirement.

It had also directed the state to provide 1-3 security guards personnel round the clock at the residence each former advocate general of the state and one PSO shall be provided on demand.

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The woman principal of a missionary school in Assam was today arrested on the charge of abatement to suicide by a girl student of her school at Naharkatia in Tinsukia district.

Superintendent of Police Gautam Bora said the school principal was arrested from Tinsukia civil hospital where she was undergoing medical treatment.

She was produced before the judicial magistrate's court which has sent her to judicial custody.

On the basis of the statements of the deceased girl's fellow students, it was established that the principal had reprimanded and beaten up the girl before she committed suicide on the same day, Bora said.

The 13-year old girl had committed suicide on August 29 by jumping from Gobharu bridge into river Buri Dihing, about 10 km from her school and 3 km from her home at Sasoni Amguri village, the SP said.

In her 'suicide note', the girl said the principal "slapped me before all my friends", her father Putul Sarmah said.

However, some parents of her classmates claimed the deceased girl had written on her desk some "objectionable" words about a lady teacher following which she was punished by the principal.

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After a three-day visit of the strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir, a groups of eminent citizens, led by ex-minister Yashwant Sinha has concluded that the sense of "dismay and despondency" had grown among the people and the situation was "much worse" than their previous visits.

In a release, the Concerned Citizens Group (CCG) has said that during its visit to the state on August 17-19, they met with some representatives of prominent political parties, office-bearers of the J&K Bar Association, civil society members from Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, and Kupwara in North Kashmir.

They also met with college students.

The report of the CCG, comprising Sinha, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Kapil Kak, Sushobha Barve (Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation) and journalist Bharat Bhushan was released today.

"The most disquieting conclusion of the interactions this time around was that as compared to the previous visits, the sense of dismay and despondency in the people had grown," the group said.

They said the proximate reasons for this not only seemed to be the "lack" of dialogue with the Kashmiris but also because tourism had plummeted, hotel business was in dire straits, there was flight of capital and an overall economic downturn leading to greater unemployment and economic distress.

The CCG had visited the Valley several times during the unrest last year.

"The situation (this time around) was much worse than the previous two years," the release said quoting the third report of the Concerned Citizens Group (CCG).

Sinha, a BJP veteran leader, was the Minister for Finance and External Affairs in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

The group said the distance between rest of India and the Kashmiri youths seems to have "increased". This was evident in the fact that even the people who used to talk reasonably earlier were using "the language of the militants and separatists this time".

"People complained not only of the military approach to the problem of Kashmir, but also of a judicial/Constitutional aggression against the people of Kashmir in attempts to undo Article 35A of the Indian Constitution which ensured special rights for the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

The CCG said the only saving grace was that in personal discussions prominent members of civil society continued to use cautious and measured language which suggested that there was still a constituency for peace.

It said this also suggested that societal leaders were willing to make an effort to end the violence and ensure a peaceful atmosphere so that a dialogue could begin to address their issues in less emotionally charged manner.

"This was very encouraging as was the positive response of the people to the Prime Minister's message on Independence Day-- that Kashmiris need a hug and not abuse or bullets. People said that they were waiting for the operationalisation of PM's message and hoped that this would happen soon," the group said in the release.

It said there was all round opposition to "attempts to revoke" Article 35A of the Constitution of India.

The "judicial raking" of the Article 35A issue seems to have pushed the demand for "Azadi" to the background (it has, however, neither disappeared nor become secondary, only less urgent) as people see the attempts to change rules for special rights of people of J&K as an existential threat and of changing the Valley's demographic profile, it said.

"People believe that revoking Article 35A can potentially lead to a demographic change in the state as outsiders are facilitated to buy land and property in the state. This was completely unacceptable to them.

"The simmering anger also stemmed from the belief that the central government was a 'passive collaborator' in the petitions filed before the Supreme Court of India," it said.

The group said this belief was strengthened not because of the statements from the ruling party in New Delhi and its frontal organisations but the Centre's attitude itself.

"So Kashmiris openly alleged that the judicial attack on Jammu and Kashmir's special status was being 'stage-managed' by the central government," it said.

The Supreme Court had last month asked for a response from the Centre to a writ petition filed by an NGO seeking that Article 35A be struck down.

The petition said the state government, under the guise of Article 35A and Article 370, which grant special status to the state, has been discriminating against non-residents who are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job or voting in the local elections.

Article 35A was added to the Constitution by a Presidential order in 1954.

Article 370 grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir while Article 35A empowers the state legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state and their special rights and privileges.

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Serbian prosecutors said today they had charged five people with torturing and killing 20 civilians, mostly Serbian Muslims, during the 1990s war in neighbouring Bosnia.

A group of Serb paramilitaries on February 27, 1993, stopped a train in the village of Strpci on the border with Bosnia, the indictment said.

They took off the train 20 passengers, mostly Serbian Muslims, brought them to Visegrad in eastern Bosnia, where they tortured and killed all of them, dumping their bodies in the Drina river.

All the victims were from the Muslim-dominated Sandzak area in western Serbia, which borders Bosnia, where at the time a bloody inter-ethnic war among Muslims, Serbs and Croats, was raging.

A total of 16 suspected members of the paramilitary group were arrested in 2014 in Bosnia's Serb-run entity or Serbia itself.

Eleven have gone on trial in Sarajevo, one of whom pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2016 after reaching a deal with the prosecutors.

Another member of the group was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2002 by a court in nearby Montenegro.

Leader of the group, Bosnian Serb Milan Lukic, was sentenced to life in prison by a UN tribunal for war crimes during Bosnia's 1992-1995 conflict, but he was never charged over the Strpci atrocity.

His brother, however, Gojko Lukic figures among the five recently accused.

Bosnia's 1992-1995 war between its Croats, Muslims and Serb claimed around 100,000 lives.

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Delhi-resident Shalini Singh had secured admission at the prestigious Texas A&M University in the US to pursue her dream of research in medical science but fate willed otherwise.

The 25-year-old student lost her battle with life late last night at a hospital in Houston, days after being rescued from the choppy waters of Lake Bryan in the storm-ravaged Texas where Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc, claiming over 50 lives.

"She wanted to do research on diseases. She aimed to serve the humanity. That was her motto and it remained so, until I last saw her before she left India," her father said here after the shocking hit the family like a tsunami.

"She was passionate about her higher studies," he told PTI, and almost choked recalling the moment when she had learned of her selection to the famed American university.

Shalini had landed in the US only last month to pursue the two-year masters programme in public health after completing her degree in dental surgery from ITS Dental College in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida.

Her death comes days after that of another Indian student of the same university, Nikhil Bhatia, with whom she had gone swimming last Saturday to Lake Bryan.

Bhatia died in the hospital on August 30, while Singh continued to be in a critical condition, before succumbing.

She will be cremated in Bryan on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, according to the consulate sources.

Her younger brother and maternal uncle, who flew from New Delhi on August 30, were with her at the time of death.

The city of Houston is also the headquarters of NASA's famed human spaceflight operations, where human ambitions take wings. But for these two students their dreams were short- lived.

24-year-old Bhatia, who had enrolled for a PhD programme at the university, was cremated on Friday in Texas.

Bryan is a city in Brazos County of Texas and borders the city of College Station, which lies to its south. Together they are referred to as the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. The Texas A&M University is located in College Station.

Globally renowned as one of the finest, the university opened its doors in 1876 as Texas's first public institution of higher learning. The university attracts a good number of students from India for higher studies.

Around 13 million people were battling catastrophic flooding and torrential rain in the storm-battered Texas, situated in the midwest part of the US.

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Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Krishna Raj today took charge as Minister of State (MoS)for Agriculture and said their priority will be to achieve the government's objective to double farmers' income by 2022.

The agriculture ministry will now have three MoS along with Parshottam Rupala.

Raj was earlier the MoS for Women and Child Development while Shekhawat was a Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.

"Krishna Raj is an experienced minister and Shekhawat has experience in the field of agriculture. We already have Rupala as MoS. With their help, we will achieve Prime Minister's goal to double farmers' income by 2022," Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh told reporters here.

Talking to media, the newly-appointed Shekhawat said it is "our duty and priority to achieve PM's target to double farm income by 2022".

The minister said he will take stock of all the existing schemes from soil health to crop insurance and then decide on the focus areas.

"My ground-level experience to work in agriculture sector will help me a lot," Shekhawat said.

After assuming office, Raj said the government is running various programmes to boost farmers' income.

The minister said she would also focus on women farmers who play an important role in agriculture.

Shekhawat and Raj will replace SS Ahluwalia and Sudharshan Bhagat, who have been moved as MoS for Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Tribal Affairs respectively in yesterday's major Cabinet rejig.

Shekhawat, Raj and Rupala are from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, respectively.

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Newly appointed UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, who arrived here today, alleged the previous dispensations of the SP and the BSP used the government machinery for their own benefit.

The governments of the BSP and the SP served their personal interests upon coming to power. The BJP serves the people and that is the difference, he said.

"They politicised the government machinery for their own benefit," Pandey, who arrived here to a rousing reception, alleged.

He said his target would be "winning all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh" and not just SP and BSP-free poll booths.

He said the primary responsibilty of BJP workers is to make people aware of the government's works and collect feedback.

Pandey said Chief Minsiter Yogi Adityanath was a "sensitive leader" and that his government was prompt in fulfilling the promises it made in the run-up to the assembly elections.

Earlier, Pandey arrived at the Chowdhary Charan Singh Airport. He was received by outgoing UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is now the deputy chief minister, and other party leaders.

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Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today offered prayers at the famous Ganesh pandal at Khairatabad here.

He was accompanied by former Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya and other BJP leaders.

The Ganesh pandal at Khairatabad is popular among devotees. A huge idol of the elephant-headed God, which is more than 50 feet tall, has been installed at the pandal for worship.

Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said spirituality is one of the major strengths of India.

He recalled that legendary freedom fighter Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak had turned Ganesh Chaturthi into a grand public event in the pre-Independence era as a means to mobilise people against the British rule.

The vice president said he prayed for the well-being of all and prosperity of the country.

The Vinayaka Chavithi festivities in Hyderabad, which began on August 25 with fanfare, are set to conclude tomorrow with the immersion of Ganesh idols.

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Steely Dan guitarist and co- writer Walter Becket has died at the age of 67.

The was confirmed by a post on Becker's personal website.

The cause of death has not been announced yet.

According to Variety, Becker had recently cancelled his appearances at the Classic West and Classic East concerts due to illness.

His band member Donald Fagen released a statement describing their long partnership and said, "I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band."



Born on February 20, 1950, Becker was raised in the borough community of Queens, New York. He was a saxophonist initially, but took up the guitar in his teenage.

Becker made an acquaintance with his future partner Fagen as a student at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, while performing at a local club.

He withdrew from his college without a diploma and after Fagen graduated in 1969, they moved to Brooklyn to pursue a career in music.

The duo served as studio members of the pop act Jay and the Americans. In 1971, they decamped to Los Angeles to serve as house songwriters for ABC/Dunhill, the publishing firm operated by the Americans' record label.

Their songwriting impressed label president Jay Lasker, who offered the pair a contract. They organised a working group with New York guitarist Denny Dias, guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and drummer Jimmy Hodder.

The group was titled, 'Steely Dan' after a sex toy of a similar name in William S Burroughs novel "Naked Lunch". The band debuted in 1972 with the LP 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

The track "Do it again" from the album went on to become a massive hit on the radio, followed by the single "Reeling in the years".

Steely Dan's sophomore set 'Countdown to Ecstasy' (1973) included "My old school," a backhanded tribute to Fagen and Becker's alma mater Bard - was perhaps too bitter for most listeners and failed to strike a chord with the listeners.

A confluence of difficulties led to the band's dissolution in 1981.

The personality clashes made things worse and was followed by a lawsuit, which was triggered by the drug overdose death of Becker's girlfriend Karen Stanley and a serious injury Becker sustained when he was struck by a New York cab.

Becker, then retreated to the Hawaiian island of Maui, where he battled drug abuse and stayed away from the public glare.

He came back as a producer and directed albums by China Crisis ('Flaunt the Imperfection,' 1985), Rickie Lee Jones ('Flying Cowboys,' 1989) and Michael Franks ('Blue Pacific,' 1990).

Becker's first work after his break-up with Fagen was Rosie Vela's 1986 collection 'Zazu'.

After five years, he performed informally with Fagen's group - the New York Rock and Soul Revue, which reignited their ties, resulting in reunion of the 1993 tour, in support of the comprehensive boxed set 'Citizen Steely Dan'.

Their 2000 album 'Two Against Nature' collected four Grammys, including one for album of the year.

Becker also undertook solo recording after his reunion with Fagen - albums '11 Tracks of Whack' (produced by Fagen in 1994) and 'Circus Money' (2008), which failed to duplicate the group's success.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fagen in 2001.

Becker was married to Elinor, a yoga teacher but they divorced in 1997. They had two children.

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The Delhi Police was today taken to task by a city court for its "lethargic attitude" in its probe into the death of Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, in a five-star hotel suite in 2014.

The court was hearing a plea by the hotel's management seeking de-sealing of the suite where Pushkar had died under mysterious circumstances.

The court summoned the Deputy Commissioner of Police and asked him to appear before it on September 12 and explain why more time should be granted to the police to complete its investigation as over three years have already passed.

"Due to the lethargic attitude of Delhi Police, the plaintiff (hotel) has already suffered a lot," Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh said, observing that in the name of investigation, huge financial loss has been caused to the hotel.

The court's directions came after the police, in its status report filed on the judge's direction, said that teams of forensic experts had visited the suite recently and collected various evidence, reports of which were awaited.

"Till the reports clearly indicate 'no further requirement', the suite cannot be opened," the police said and sought more time to complete the probe.

The court had on July 21 ordered de-sealing of the suite within four weeks, saying the hotel cannot be put to unending hardship due to laxity on part of the police.

The court had, however, said the probe agency would be at liberty to visit the suite before filing a compliance report regarding de-sealing of the suite. It had also noted that no offence was found on part of the hotel.

The police was allowed to take out the articles lying inside the suite with due care for the purpose of the probe.

The hotel had submitted before the court that locking of the suite was creating sanitary and cleanliness issues for it. The hotel had claimed that due to the sealing of the suite, which costs between Rs 55,000 and Rs 61,000 a night, it had suffered a loss of over Rs 50 lakh in the last three years.

It had claimed that a number of times, police and forensic teams had visited the suite and it was no longer required to be kept sealed.

"The hotel continues to suffer loss with each passing day. The continuous sealing of the suite is also affecting the use of other rooms/suites on the same floor," it had said.

Pushkar was found dead in the suite of the South Delhi hotel on the night of January 17, 2014. The suite was sealed on that night itself for investigation.

An FIR was registered by Delhi police on January 1, 2015 against unknown persons under IPC section 302 (murder).

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Leading stock exchange BSE on Monday imposed trading restrictions on two more firms -- Sancia Global Infraprojects and Koa Tools India -- on regulator Sebi's directives regarding a clampdown on suspected shell companies.

As a result, the shares of the two firms will be moved from tomorrow to Stage VI of Graded Surveillance Measures -- where trading is permitted only once a month (first Monday) with no upward price movement and Additional Surveillance Deposit of 200 per cent of trade value by the buyers.

Following the latest move, BSE has imposed similar trading curbs on a total of 169 listed firms from a list of 331 'suspected shell companies' against which the regulator had sought action last month. However, trading in nearly half of those companies was already suspended for various penal or surveillance reasons.

Soon after Sebi's directive on August 7, BSE had imposed curbs on 162 companies, followed by similar decision for five others two days later on August 9.

However, some of the affected companies appealed before the Securities Appellate Tribunal and the trade restrictions were removed. However, the tribunal has asked the regulator to continue its probe against all of them.

Sebi had taken the decision following the receipt of this list of 331 firms from the corporate affairs ministry and they are alleged to have indulged in tax-related and other violations.

Many of these companies have denied being 'shell companies', saying they have active business interests.
Syria's army battled the Islamic State group on the edges of Deir Ezzor today, seeking to break the siege of a government enclave and oust the jihadists from a key stronghold.

The jihadist group has already lost more than half of its nearby bastion of Raqa to attacking US-backed forces, and the loss of Deir Ezzor city and the surrounding oil-rich province would leave it with only a handful of isolated outposts.

Deir Ezzor province borders Iraq, where IS has also been expelled from former strongholds Mosul and Tal Afar.

The jihadists hold large parts of Deir Ezzor province, and more than half the provincial capital Deir Ezzor city, the remainder of which is controlled by the government and under IS siege.

Syrian troops backed by ally Russia have been advancing towards Deir Ezzor city on several fronts for weeks.

By today afternoon, Syrian state media said troops were swiftly approaching the city.

"The Syrian army has advanced towards Deir Ezzor to break the siege on it and is now just three kilometres (nearly two miles) from the city," a breaking alert on state television said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said Syrian troops and allied fighters had arrived at the Brigade 137 base on the western outskirts of the city, and were battling to reach troops besieged by IS inside.

A military source told AFP: "There have been multiple collapses of the Daesh (IS) line in the west of Deir Ezzor province, allowing the army to move quickly."



"The siege on the government troops will be broken within hours," the source added.

Syrian troops were also quickly advancing on another front, said the Observatory, adding they were some 12 kilometres from Deir Ezzor's besieged military airport.

Provincial governor Mohamed Ibrahim Samra, quoted by state agency SANA, said besieged residents were already celebrating as the army neared.

"Yesterday Deir Ezzor city saw celebrations and rejoicing among all segments of society ahead of the expected victory with the advance of the Syrian Arab Army to the outskirts of the besieged city," he said.

In Moscow, the Russian defence ministry also reported that Syrian forces were advancing on the city, backed by Russian air strikes.

"The fall of IS in Deir Ezzor will be a strategic defeat for the international terrorist group in Syria," the ministry said in a statement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Taiwan's premier tendered his resignation today, raising the possibility of changes in the island's troubled relationship with mainland China.

The Presidential Office said on its website that President Tsai Ing-wen reluctantly accepted Lin Chuan's decision to resign after more than a year in office.

Tsai is to announce a successor tomorrow, with the official Central Agency saying her pick will be William Lai, mayor of the southern city of Tainan.

Though described as a supporter of Taiwanese independence, Lai suggested seeking common ground with China earlier in the year and said the ruling Democratic Progressive Party should approach Beijing with confidence.

China cut off contacts with Tsai's government more than a year ago because of her refusal to endorse Beijing's view that Taiwan is a part of China. The sides separated amid civil war in 1949 and China continues to threaten force to gain control over the island of 23 million people.

Government surveys since 2014 have found at least 70 percent of Taiwanese prefer autonomy from the Communist government in Beijing.

Tsai's popularity rating dipped to 33 percent in June partly over perceptions she had failed to manage foreign relations under pressure from China, which uses its economic power and global diplomatic clout to marginalize the island. Taiwan has lost two diplomatic allies to China in Tsai's term to date.

At the same time, China is Taiwan's top trading partner, with imports and exports totaling USD 118 billion last year and billions of dollars invested by Taiwanese in the mainland since the 1990s.

Tainan city department director Hsu Shu-fen declined to say whether Lai wanted the premier's job, calling word about his appointment " that hasn't taken place yet."



Lin had suffered from low popularity, with the independent Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation putting his approval rating at 28.7 percent in May. Taiwan's high-tech, export-driven economy has suffered in recent years from low growth and stagnant wages, particularly among young people.

Lin said at a news conference today that he had asked the president in June to replace him before the 2018 elections so he could avoid getting involved in political issues.

"These aren't things that fall within my interests," he said.

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A 17-year-old boy hacked to death his sister's mother-in-law at Koddukur village as he was angry that his sibling had married a man of another caste, police said.

They said Rajesh was angry with Vijay (24) who absconded with his sister a few days back after marrying her.

Today, he saw Vijay's mother picking wood for fuel at a field, got into an argument with her, hacked her to death and fled the spot,



Police suspect it to be an act of revenge as Rajesh felt his sister had brought shame to the family by marrying a man of another caste



It was not immediately clear if Vijay belonged to upper caste or lower caste.

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Telangana Minister for IT and Industries K T Rama Rao met industrialists in Mumbai and sought investments for the state.

Rao also called on ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar and sought the bank's participation in the proposed T-Fund aiming to help startups, a government release said.

JSW Group chairman Sajjan Jindal and Lupin Pharmaceuticals MD Nilesh Gupta were among the prominent businessmen the minister called on.

"Met with Sri M. K. Jain, Chairman of IDBI Bank and his team to discuss expeditious revival of Sirpur Paper Mill (in Telanagana) where they are the lead banker," Rao said in a tweet.

The minister also addressed the Motilal Oswal Annual Global Investor Conference and presented the investment potential and opportunities in Telangana.

He submitted a memorandum to RBI Governor Urjit Patel on the difficulties being faced by MSEM sector in the state.

Out of 69,125 micro and small industries in Telangana, 8,618 have been declared as sick units, the release said.

It said Rao requested the RBI governor to recognise the Telangana Industries Health Clinic (TIHC) as NBFC.

TIHC has a corpus of Rs 100 crore, it said.

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In an apparent bid to raise his profile as Russia's most influential Muslim, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov brought tens of thousands of people to the streets of the capital Grozny today to protest what he called the "genocide of Muslims" in Myanmar.

Violence over the past few days in Myanmar's Rakhine state has killed nearly 400 people and prompted thousands of ethnic Rohingya refugees to flee into neighboring Bangladesh.

The Russian government has not been clear in its stance on the Myanmar violence, giving Kadyrov an opportunity to criticise it for inaction.

State television footage showed tens of thousands rallying in Grozny's main square to support the Rohingya. Chechnya is predominantly Muslim.

In his address to the rally that was interrupted with shouts of "Allahu akbar" ("God is great!" in Arabic), Kadyrov compared the violence against Rohingya to the Holocaust.

Kadyrov, who has ruled the republic for more than a decade, keeps a tight grip on Chechen society, and any public displays there are carefully orchestrated.

Local police authorities reported that 1.1 million people attended the rally. The entire population of Chechnya is 1.4 million, according to official statistics.

In a video released earlier, Kadyrov issued a vague threat to "go against" the Russian government if it does not act to stop the violence.

"If Russia were to support the devils who are perpetrating the crimes, I will go against Russia," he said.

Today, police arrested 20 people for disturbing public order outside the Myanmar embassy in Moscow, Russian agencies reported. On Sunday, some 800 people held an unauthorised protest outside the embassy.

Russia has developed military ties with Myanmar in recent years. Russia's defense minister hosted Myanmar's commander in chief in June, and Russia has been selling arms to the South Asian nation including some of its most advanced fighter jets and artillery systems.

Kadyrov fought with Chechen separatists in a war with Russian forces in the 1990s, but switched sides in the second war that began in 1999.

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Actor Tessa Thompson says she despises the manner in which male writers in Hollywood describe their female action characters.

Thompson, who is set to appear in "Thor: Ragnarok" this November, says it is terrible how these parts have to be "strong and fierce but also sexy", reports People magazine.

"There's an unfair position that women are sometimes put in, in the context of superhero movies and action movies where at once they have to be very strong and fierce, but also sexy.

"There is one word I hate in all scripts in Hollywood at the moment in describing women, and that is the word 'bada**.' That word has just crept into every script that is pushed around this town now," she says.

The actor adds that it is a "dumb male writer's way of saying... She's tough.'



"Then straight after that it's like, 'She's bada**, but she has got a beauty about her. And she's sexy. Unconsciously sexy'," says Thompson.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The following are the top stories of the Northern region at 1730 hrs:



DES12 JK-GRENADE



Srinagar: Three CRPF jawans have been injured in a grenade attack by militants on a patrol party of the security forces in Anantnag district of Kashmir: Police.

DES13 JK-VIDEO



Srinagar: A video showing locals lending a helping hand to soldiers, whose truck met with an accident in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, has gone viral on the social media: Police.

DES14 UP-LUCKNOW METRO



Lucknow: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will flag off the maiden run of the Lucknow Metro here tomorrow.

DEL8 UP-CHILDREN-OFFICIALS



Farrukhabad/Lucknow (UP): The Uttar Pradesh government transfers the Farrukhabad district magistrate as well as the chief medical officer and the chief medical superintendent of the district hospital after the deaths of 49 children in one month.

DES4 POL-RESHUFFLE-SHARAD



New Delhi: In a jibe at the Modi government, rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav voices hope that the new ministers will help it fulfil promises made to the people as it had "failed" to do so till now.

DES5 HR-DERA-WEAPONS



Chandigarh: Weapons, including double barrel and single barrel guns and pistols, have been deposited by followers of Sirsa headquartered Dera Sacha Sauda: Haryana Police.

DES7 DL-PAR-MUKUL



New Delhi: Trinamool Congress removes its senior MP Mukul Roy from the parliamentary consutative committee of the Home Ministry, replacing him by its Rajya Sabha member Manish Gupta.

DES8 RJ-THREE BROTHERS DROWN



Bikaner: Three brothers aged between seven and 12 years drown in a pond in Rajasthan's Bikaner district: Police.

DES10 JK-DELEGATION-ARTICLE35A



Srinagar: A delegation of opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir meets Governor N N Vohra and demands that a session of the state legislature be called to discuss "threat" to Article 35A of the Constitution and other issues.

LGD16 GREEN-INDIRAPURAM SEWAGE



New Delhi: A federation of apartment owners' association moves the National Green Tribunal against the problem of sewage overflow in Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, prompting the green panel to seek replies from the UP government and the civic authorities.

LGD15 GREEN-LD LANDFILL



New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal comes down heavily on the AAP government and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation over the Ghazipur landfill collapse in which two persons were killed, saying "nothing can be more humiliating than people being killed under garbage hill".

NRG2 UP-BJP-BAREILLY



Bareilly (UP): The family of BJP Bareilly district president Ravindra Singh Rathore, who has been missing since last week, seeks the help of the police to trace him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The following are the top stories of the northern region at 2000 hrs:



DEL48 UP-3RDLD CHILDREN



Farrukhabad/Lucknow: Forty-nine infants die in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which a newborn has trouble breathing, officials say.

DEL8 UP-CHILDREN-OFFICIALS



Farrukhabad/Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government transfers the Farrukhabad district magistrate as well as the chief medical officer and the chief medical superintendent of the district hospital after the death of 49 children in one month.

DEL45 UP-FSL LD SUSPEND



Lucknow: A red-faced Uttar Pradesh government suspends the director of the state forensic laboratory here over an allegedly "misleading" report which held that the suspicious substance recovered from the state Assembly on July 12 was highly explosive PETN.

DES18 UP-CHILDREN DOCTORS



Lucknow: Doctors of Uttar Pradesh's Provincial Medical Services (PMS) threaten to proceed on mass leave to protest the registration of an FIR against some members of the fraternity in Farrukhabad over the deaths of 49 infants in a state-run hospital.

DES 23 MHA-BORDER-ROADS



New Delhi: The Centre reviews the progress of ongoing roads and other infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh in the wake of recent stand-off with China, a home ministry official says.

DEL35 JK 2NDLD ENCOUNTER



Srinagar: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a self-styled divisional commander of the outfit, gunned down by security forces in Sopore township of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, the police say.

DEL40 JK-LD INFILTRATOR



Jammu: The BSF foils a bid by a group of militants to cross over to the Indian side under the cover of firing by Pakistani troops in the Arnia belt here, killing an infiltrator who climbed over the border fence.

DES22 PB-DERA-ARREST



Sangrur: The Punjab Police claims to have arrested one of the main accused who allegedly triggered violence and arson in the state following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

DES26 DL-VARDHAN-CATTLE



New Delhi: The issues related to the notification on cattle trade, which was stayed by the Madras High Court, will be resolved soon, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan says.

DES20 DL-BRITISH-SODOMY-ARREST



New Delhi: A 54-year-old British national has been arrested for allegedly sodomising three visually-impaired minor inmates of the National Association for The Blind (NAB) in south Delhi's RK Puram, the police say.

DES14 UP-LUCKNOW METRO



Lucknow: Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will flag off the maiden run of the Lucknow Metro here tomorrow.

DES12 JK-GRENADE



Srinagar: Three CRPF jawans have been injured in a grenade attack by militants on a patrol party in Anantnag district of Kashmir: Police.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three persons, including a seven- year-old boy, were killed in two different road accidents here today, the police said.

According to Dadri police station in-charge Ramsen Singh, a class 2 student of a primary school, identified as Sachin, was crushed under the wheels of a tempo which supplied food for the mid-day meals.

The accident occurred near the school in the morning, Singh said, adding that the injured boy was rushed to the Yashoda Hospital at Ghaziabad, where he was declared "brought dead".

In another incident, an unidentified vehicle hit a two- wheeler near the DND Flyway at Noida last night, the police said.

The riders -- Vinay Kumar Prasad and his wife Anupama -- were returning from a Ganapati immersion when the accident occurred. Both of them were grievously injured in the incident.

They were rushed to the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi but both died within hours, the police said.

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The Army, Navy and IAF chiefs today called on newly appointed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and apprised her about the overall security challenge and preparedness of the forces.

The service chiefs also briefed Sitharaman about the operational preparedness and major issues concerning the forces during the meeting at her residence, official sources said.

Sitharaman is likely to take charge of the ministry on Wednesday as senior minister Arun Jaitley is attending a two- day bilateral security dialogue in Japan as defence minister.

Jaitley, who was holding the additional charge of defence, had said yesterday that he is attending the dialogue with Japan due to logistical constraints.

Sitharaman yesterday became the first woman in the country to hold the defence portfolio as a full-time minister. The 58-year-old Rajya Sabha member is the second woman to take charge of the crucial ministry. Indira Gandhi, as the Prime Minister, had also held the portfolio.

As the Defence Minister, Sitharaman will face several challenges, including strengthening the combat capabilities of the Army, Navy and the Air Force in the face of changing regional security matrix and geo-political dynamics.

Another key challenge for her will be to speed up the modernisation of the three forces.

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Mawar, the 16th typhoon to hit China this year, has made a landfall in the country's southern Guangdong province, bringing gales of 20 meters per second, MeT officials said today.

Heavy rain battered the landing area when the typhoon made the landfall late last night.

About 2,200 fishing boats had returned to the harbour while more than 15,000 people were relocated to safe places, local government said.

The provincial meteorological centre said that the typhoon would weaken rapidly after the landing and move towards northwest at a speed of about 10 km per hour, bringing downpours and gales to other cities in the province.

Flights and trains were suspended. Authorities have been on alert for secondary disasters, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Mawar is the third typhoon that landed in Guangdong in the recent half month after Hato and Pakhar.

On August 27, 14th Typhoon Pakhar hit China and made landfall in the city of Taishan in Guangdong province.

Pakhar wreaked havoc, days after Typhoon Hato, the strongest to hit southern China in 53 years, left a trail of death and destruction.

The government has evacuated 26,817 people to temporary shelters. About 664 hectares of farmland has been damaged.

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Britain's Prince William and wife Kate are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace announced today, bringing delight to the royal family.

There had been little indication that the 35-year-old Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was pregnant.

The royal couple already have two children - Prince George and Princess Charlotte - aged four and two. George is set to start school in London this week and Charlotte celebrated her second birthday on May 2 this year.

The palace said the Queen and members of both families "are delighted with the ."



Kate is suffering from severe morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarumas in the early stages of her previous two pregnancies. Her condition forced her to cancel a planned engagement at a children's centre in London today.

"The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace," the palace noted in the statement.

The expected child will become the fifth in line to the throne behind Prince Charles, William, George and Princess Charlotte.

A change to the rule of male primogeniture - which meant sons took precedence over their female siblings in Britain's line of succession - had come into force in March 2015.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child and Queen Elizabeth II's sixth great-grandchild will also push William's brother Harry further down the succession line to sixth.

The 32-year-old was asked for his reaction to the of a new niece or nephew during a visit to Manchester to meet victims of the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert earlier this year.

"Fantastic, great. Very, very happy for them," he told reporters, flashing a thumbs-up sign.

"I haven't seen her for a while but I think she's OK," he added in reference to his sister-in-law's well-being.

The of pregnancy comes as Prince George will be attending the Thomas' Battersea school near the royal couple's Kensington Palace home in London from later this week.

It is expected that Kate will choose to have her baby in the Lindo wing of St Mary's hospital in Paddington, London, where she has already experienced two deliveries.

On a recent royal tour of Poland in July, Kate seems to have dropped a hint at plans to have more babies after being given a present designed for new-borns.

She had turned to William to say: "We will just have to have more babies."



William had resigned from his job asan air ambulance rescuepilot in July to take on royal duties full time and spend more time with his family.

The 35-year-old Duke of Cambridge had ended his job as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance after two yearswith the charity.

The second in line to Britain's throne is also set to take on additional royal responsibilities as his grandfather and the queen's husband, PrincePhilip, commenced his retirement from royal duties last month.

The Queen andPrincePhiliphad already cut down on long-haul travel for some years now, with younger royals taking on those duties.

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The UK wants to "intensify" Brexit negotiations with the European Union rather than sticking to the current one-week-a-month meeting schedule, Downing Street said today.

Britain's minister for exiting the EU David Davis has returned from Brussels after a round of talks last week that triggered an intense war of words between the two sides over the level of progress being made on the terms of the UK's departure from the 28-member economic bloc.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesperson said the UK government was keen to hold a rolling set of meetings to make quicker progress and break the current deadlock.

"We are ready to intensify negotiations. Nothing has been formally agreed, but that is something that we can discuss. Typically, in negotiations, as time goes on, you see the pace pick up," she said.

The UK's Department for Exiting the European Union has reportedly requested rolling talks to begin from September 18 and continue until a breakthrough is achieved.

At present, discussions are limited to week-long talks between Davis' team and the EU team led by chief negotiator Michel Barnier every month.

With the date for Brexit set as March 2019 based on the two-year time-frame triggered with Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March this year, the UK side is keen to move things along even as the EU side has claimed the process has been extremely slow-moving.

The EU wants "sufficient progress" in key "separation areas" in time for a European Council summit in October for negotiations to move onto the subject of the future UK-EU relationship.

The so-called "divorce" and the costs involved with it have been the subject of maximum disagreement on both sides.

Davis was forced to dismiss newspaper reports over the weekend that the UK had secretly agreed to pay an "exit" figure of up to 50 billion pounds as "nonsense".

"It's nonsense. The story is completely wrong," he said, accusing the EU of using the tight Brexit timetable to almost bully the UK into agreeing to a figure.

"They have set this up to try and create pressure on us on money. That's what it is about. They are trying to play time against money. That's exactly what they are doing," Davis said.

May's spokesperson also indicated that the UK would not come up with a figure until wider talks began, saying, "We are not there yet".

But she agreed that the divorce bill was "inextricably linked" to the UK's future relationship with the EU.

British MPs will return to Parliament tomorrow after their summer break and begin preparations to debate the government's flagship Brexit bill from Thursday.

The EU Withdrawal Bill will repeal the law that paved the way for the UK to join the European Economic Community in the 1970s and copy-paste EU statutes into UK law.

The government has called for unity to get the bill through the House of Commons.

Opposition Labour party, which recently positioned itself as the party in favour of a soft Brexit that would keep the UK in the EU single market, said it will seek to amend the bill to stop the government from automatically accruing new powers after Brexit.

"We voted for the implementation of Article 50 because we respect the referendum result," said Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

"But we cannot have this situation where government becomes unaccountable on the implementation of one of the most important decisions for a generation," McDonnell said.

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The US today called for "strongest possible" measures against North Korea in the wake of a powerful nuclear test and warned that every nation that does business with Pyongyang and is aiding its "dangerous" nuclear intentions will be on its radar.

North Korea yesterday carried out its most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

"The time has come to exhaust all diplomatic means to end this crisis, and that means quickly enacting the strongest possible measures here in the UN Security Council," US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley said today at an emergency UN Security Council briefing on North Korea.

"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy. We have kicked the can down the road long enough. There is no more road left," she added.

She said that the North Korean nuclear program is more advanced and more dangerous than ever and the country now claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb.

"To the members of the Security Council, I must say, 'enough is enough'. The time for half measures in the Security Council is over...We must now adopt the strongest possible measures," she asserted.

Haley also sent a warning to nations who continue to do business with North Korea, saying "this crisis goes well beyond the UN".

"The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," she added.

Under Secretary General Jeffrey Feltman told the Security Council meeting that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres counts on the UN body to remain united and take appropriate action.

"As was said in the Security Council meeting last week, as tensions rise, so does the risk of misunderstanding, miscalculation and escalation. The latest serious developments require a comprehensive response in order to break the cycle of provocations from the DPRK. Such a response must include wise and bold diplomacy to be effective," he said.

With the Council considering its reaction, the Secretary-General reiterates the importance of responding to humanitarian imperatives regardless of the political situation.

Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, said the latest nuclear test by North Korea represents a "grave and reckless provocation."



Cardi said Italy calls on the Security Council to adopt further measures in response to the latest nuclear test, "bearing in mind that sanctions must remain a tool for a wider strategy aimed at a peaceful and definitive solution for the Korean peninsula and the region as a whole."



"An effective sanctions regime is essential to make the DPRK leadership calculate the price of its challenge to the International Community and bring them back to the negotiating table for credible multilateral talks," he said.

Diplomats from France and Britain demanded for the North Korean regime to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes and urged further sanctions.

The Security council meeting was requested by the US, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea.

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is accused of dismantling his nation's democracy, will address the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next week, a council spokesman said today.

"It is confirmed that he is addressing the council on Monday," UN spokesman Rolando Gomez told AFP, making clear that the Venezuelan leader will travel to the Swiss city and appear in person before the UN's top rights body.

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Veteran actor Robert Redford, who will be seen in the old-age romance "Our Souls at Night" with Jane Fonda, said he decided to do the film because he wanted to work with her one more time before he died.

The Netflix original drama, directed by Indian-origin filmmaker Ritesh Batra, brings the "Barefoot in the Park" co- stars together after a gap of 37 years.

Addressing reporters at the world premiere of the movie at Venice film festival, 81-year-old Redford said stories these days focused more on a younger audience. "Our Souls at Night" was a "story that will satisfy the older audience".

"I feel love stories always will have a life. (Also) I was looking to do another film with Jane. I wanted to do another film with her before I died. When this film came around, I thought here's a film that can satisfy our genuine age," the actor said at a press conference.

"Our Souls at Night" is a romance drama about two longtime neighbours who find love at a later stage in their lives.

Fonda, 79, who appears opposite Redford for the fourth time on the silver screen, praised the actor for his contribution to American cinema through Sundance Institute.

"When we worked together in 'Barefoot in the Park', Sundance Institute (started by Redford) was in its initial stages. I not only love and admire him as an actor and director-producer but this is a man who has had a profound effect on American cinema.

"I wanted to be able to spend time with him... Plus I wanted to be able to fall in love with him again. I always was in love with him... In all the movies I made with him," she said.

The duo have also worked in "Tall Story" (1960), "The Chase" (1966) and "The Electric Horseman" (1979).

Redford said when the project came about, he believed it was "a chance to maybe give an opportunity to Ritesh" to make the film.

Batra, known for his critically-acclaimed debut "The Lunchbox", said, "I did it for the honour of working with Robert and Jane. I'm also a big fan of the writer Kent Haruf (writer of the book on which the film is based)."



The film will be available on Netflix from September 29.

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Actor Ben Mendelsohn said he was initially intimidated by Steven Spielberg when he started working with the filmmaker on the film "Ready Player One".

The 48-year-old actor said he has always been in awe of the director and praised him for shaping popular culture, reported FemaleFirst.

"I got very excited and nervous. I found it hard to look him in the eye. Steven's created a lot of legendary pop culture. The canon is so huge and so awesome. I love 'Saving Private Ryan'. I love '1941'.

"I'm very, very partial to 'Poltergeist', with the girl and the television and the lovely little spirit lady. Part of the joy of Spielberg doing this film is to be able to play in this referencing of pop culture, of which he is a substantial contributor," Mendelsohn told Empire magazine.

The actor features in the upcoming sci-fi movie along with Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg and T J Miller.

The film hits the screens on March 30 next year.

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Subsidies given by the US state of Washington to Boeing are legal, the World Trade Organisation appeals body said today, partially overturning a victory by rival Airbus and the European Union last year.

The two aviation giants have been locked for years in a sprawling set of disputes at the Geneva-based WTO.

Today's ruling concerns the so-called "baby Boeing" case, which relates only to tax breaks and other incentives provided by Washington State to the American aircraft maker.

Last November WTO judges found that one of the subsidies Washington State offered to support production of Boeing's 777X jet was "prohibited" as they encouraged the use of domestic materials, and thus caused trade distortions.

The United States, acting on behalf of Boeing, appealed the decision and secured an outright victory that is not subject to further appeal, the WTO ruling said.

"The WTO has rejected yet another of the baseless claims the EU has made," Boeing said in a statement.

According to Airbus's own estimates, Washington state has given Boeing tax breaks worth nearly nine billion dollars in a scheme scheduled to run through 2040.

Boeing has dismissed those numbers, putting the benefits to date at a maximum of USD 1 billion.

Brussels and Washington have two larger cases pending at the WTO, centred on multiple claims and counter-claims about illegal subsidies for their respective aviation industries.

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Why are women prisoners in Tihar Jail being denied the benefit of semi-open and open prisons, the Delhi High Court today asked the AAP government and the jail authorities.

The high court sought responses from the Delhi government, Lieutenant Governor and Director General of Prisons on a PIL seeking direction to them to extend the benefit of semi-open prison and open prison to women.

"Why are you denying this to women prisoners? This is very bad. What you are doing is a stereotypical approach. People should have option, why should you discriminate," a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said and listed the matter for November 15.

The petition filed by advocate Sunil Gupta, former legal adviser of Tihar Jail, also sought quashing of the guidelines approved by the LG and other steps initiated to exclude female prisoners from the semi-open prisons and open prisons.

The plea filed through advocate Amit Khemka sought setting up of special semi-open prison and open prison for women prisoners in Delhi Prisons in a time bound manner.

Semi-open prison or open prison allows convicts to work outside the premises of jail and earn livelihood and return to the jail in the evening. This concept is being adopted by the jail authorities across the country.

The concept was brought in to assimilate the convicts with society and reduce their psychological pressure as they face lack of confidence in leading normal lives outside the jail.

The plea said the guidelines in selection criteria bars women prisoners from treatment of confinement in semi-open prison without any rationale or justification.

"The provision (in guidelines for treatment of convicts in Delhi Prisons) clearly demonstrates the fallacy as it treats 'women convicts' as being in the same category as that of 'dangerous or habitual male prisoners'. There is virtually no justification for this inhuman, discriminatory, arbitrary and ridiculous categorization," it said.

The plea alleged that the guidelines violated fundamental right of equality of women prisoners in confined in Dehi jails.

The counsel also told the court that only Yerwada Jail in Maharashtra and another prison in Rajasthan extended the benefit of semi-open or open prisons to women prisoners.

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Wildfires forced thousands to flee their homes across the US West during a sweltering, smoke-shrouded holiday weekend of record heat.

The fires yesterday caused evacuations in Glacier National Park in Montana and many other parts of the West; compelled crews to rescue about 140 hikers who had spent the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge Trail in Oregon; and led firefighters to step up efforts to protect a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia encroached by flames near Yosemite National Park in California.

A sudden gusty series of rainstorms allowed Los Angeles, however, to cancel evacuation orders for a wildfire that the mayor called the largest in the city's history and sent beach umbrellas and toy shovels bouncing down Southern California beaches late yesterday.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti had declared a local emergency earlier yesterday and Gov Jerry Brown did the same on the state level for Los Angeles County after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighborhoods.

More than a thousand firefighters battled flames that chewed through more than 23 kilometers of brush-covered mountains.

By evening, however, the day's record heat in Los Angeles had eased and a spate of brief storms even brought a bit of rain to the burning slopes, slowing the progress of the wildfire. Authorities were able to cancel the evacuation orders that had been issued for three cities Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale and allow all of the 1,400 people who had fled to return to their homes.

Conditions slowing the blaze could change again "in a moment's notice, and the winds can accelerate very quickly," Los Angeles Fire Capt. Ralph Terrazas warned, however. "There is a lot of fuel out there left to burn."



Officials were keeping an eye on thunderstorms, which were bringing welcome bursts of rain but also the risk of flash floods, mudslides and lightning. Beachgoers in Santa Barbara filmed one sudden storm there that sent palm trees flapping and toddlers chasing beach toys that the wind was blowing down the beach.

The high at Los Angeles International Airport reached 36 degrees Celsius yesterday, topping the previous mark of 33 Celsius, set in 1982. Records were also set in parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where the temperature hit 38 Celsius.

San Francisco residents, meanwhile, stifled under a third day of a rare heat wave in the coastal city, although highs in the San Francisco Bay Area fell yesterday from records in the high 30s Celsius set the previous two days.

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With Nitin Gadkari getting additional responsibility of the Union water resources ministry, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today voiced hope that irrigation proposals worth Rs 24,000 crore submitted to the Centre by Maharashtra will be speedily cleared.

Speaking to PTI over yesterday's reshuffle of the Union cabinet, Fadnavis noted that Gadkari, who holds the charge of the road transport ministry, sanctioned several highway proposals in Maharashtra, and now he has got additional responsibility of water resources ministry, which is a crucial department for the state."



The network of national highways in Maharashtra increased from 5,000 km to 20,000 km, he said.

"The Maharashtra government has already submitted irrigation proposals worth Rs 24,000 crore to the Union ministry. With Gadkari being the minister, I am hopeful of all the projects getting speedy clearances and funds," he said.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchan Yojana, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 26,000 crore-worth works in Maharashtra, possibly the largest allocation under the scheme in the country, Fadnavis added.

"The biggest reform we are bringing is pipeline-based water supply and doing away with the prevailing open canal system where land acquisition, related litigation, water leakage and challenges of equitable water distribution are the hurdles. Several (irrigation) projects are incomplete because land owners refused to give land for canal construction. By laying pipelines, we minimise the need for land," he said.

Gadkari has taken care of Maharashtra's requirements in roads and national highways, "he would do the same when it comes to the water resources," Fadnavis said.

The CM also asserted that Suresh Prabhu -- another minister from the state -- took several steps to improve railway connectivity in Maharashtra and minimise travel woes of Mumbai residents. The new railway minister, Piyush Goyal, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra, would be similarly helpful, he said.

"Goyal is a 'Mumbaikar' and well aware of multiple problems of this region. Proposals of redevelopment of railway stations and improvement of railway facilities are the two fronts where Maharashtra is expected to benefit more. His work as the Union power minister was also beneficial for Maharashtra," he said.

The agriculture export sector is expected to benefit with Prabhu heading the commerce ministry, Fadnavis said. "As the railway minister, he had helped set up pre-cooling facility for farmers in Nashik. Now as the commerce minister, his support for agri-export will be valuable," the chief minister said.

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Education activist Malala Yousafzai has called on her fellow Nobel laureate Aug San Suu Kyi to condemn the "shameful" violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, saying the "world is waiting" for her to condemn the unrest.

The 20-year-old winner of the Nobel Peace Prize urged Myanmar's State Counsellor and de-facto leader to act against the violence that has seen tens of thousands of people flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.

She also called on Pakistan, the country of her origin and where she was shot in the head by Taliban militants, to provide aid to the Muslim refugees.

"Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same," she said in a statement.

"The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting," she noted.

"Stop the violence. Today, we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmar's security forces. These children attacked no-one, but still their homes were burned to the ground.

"If their home is not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born."



Malala, who is set to begin her philosophy, politics and economics (PPE)course at Oxford University, was made the youngest ever UN Messenger of Peace earlier this year and was also the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize aged 17 in 2014.

She was shot in the head on her way home from school after writing her anonymous diaryabout life under Taliban rule in the Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan.

She became internationally known after the incident and relocated with her family to Birmingham for further rehabilitation.

"Other countries, including my own country Pakistan, should follow Bangladesh's example and give food, shelter and access to education to Rohingya families fleeing violence and terror," she added.

Last week, UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson had also urged Suu Kyi to curb the violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

"Aung San Suu Kyi is rightly regarded as one of the most inspiring figures of our age, but the treatment of the Rohingya is alas besmirching the reputation of Burma," he had said.

Soldiers and armed residents have been accused of carrying out a killing spree against Rohingya Muslim men, women, and children in Chut Pyin village, leaving more than 200 dead.

About 58,600 Rohingya civilians have left Myanmar and fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.

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By Nidhi Verma and Ari Rabinovitch

NEW DELHI/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Indian state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp plans to bid for Israeli offshore oil-and-gas exploration blocks, India's oil minister told Reuters, the first major deal between the two countries since a groundbreaking trip by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July.

India and Israel have deep defence ties but Modi and his right wing ruling group are pushing to expand the relationship into other sectors such as energy and technology with a country they see as a natural ally against terrorism.

A high-ranking delegation from India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, visited Israel last month to discuss taking part in the tender for blocks in the Mediterranean Sea and Israeli officials said they were pleased with the visit.

"We will definitely bid for Israel's oil-and-gas blocks," Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told .

There was no immediate comment from Israel's energy ministry.

When Modi visited Israel in July, both sides showed interest to build a broader economic relationship, rather than one based on defence, which had drawn them together because of similar concerns about militant threats they face. They are starting from a relatively low economic base as bilateral trade was just $2 billion in 2016.

Many oil majors have been hesitant to enter the Israeli market, fearing a backlash from oil-rich Arab states hostile to the country.

Israel put 24 exploration blocks up for auction in November 2016 and the country's energy minister, Yuval Steinitz, has said he would be happy to choose two or three foreign explorations groups. The auction closes on Nov 15.

India is conducting a technical and commercial analysis to participate in the Israel's bidding process, said Sanjay Sudhir, a joint secretary in the federal oil ministry, who led the delegation.

"We dove into all the relevant details of the tender - geological, technical - and familiarised them with Israel's oil and gas ecosystem," an official at Israel's Energy Ministry said on the Indian team's visit, declining to be identified in the absence of permission to speak to the media.

Israel wants to open up its hydrocarbon sector, which is currently dominated by a partnership of Noble Energy and Delek Group. They control the Tamar and the much larger Leviathan fields.

India also wants to participate in the upcoming auction to explore and develop gas fields off the coast of Lebanon, Pradhan said in July. Three of those blocks border waters with Israel, with which Lebanon has a long-standing maritime border dispute.

ONGC is India's biggest energy exploration firm and a source at its overseas investment arm ONGC Videsh said the firm would not bid for any block in areas disputed by Israel and Lebanon.

"Israel has said that none of the blocks it has offered are in disputed waters," said the source.

Another state-run explorer, Oil India Ltd, has not yet decided to bid in Israel's licensing round, the Indian company's chairman, Utpal Bora, told .

India's decision to bid for blocks off Israel and Lebanon comes after a setback in getting development rights for a giant gas field in Iran.

Indian companies discovered the Farzad B gas field in Iran in 2008 and have bid several times for the development rights, but media reports suggest that Tehran has decided to award the field to Russia's Gazprom.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma in New Delhi and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem: Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Neil Fullick)

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India has started exporting diesel to Myanmar via a land route, in a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge to enhance hydrocarbon trade with neighbouring countries.

Modi, who is due to start a three-day visit to Myanmar on Tuesday, wants to expand ties with eastern neighbours to develop India's landlocked northeastern states.

Northeast India-based refiner Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) delivered a trial consignment of 30 tonnes of diesel fuel to Myanmar's Parami Energy Group in Myanmar by land, the Indian government said in a statement on Monday.

NRL, which wants to treble its refining capacity to 180,000 barrels per day, is looking at further strengthening its business ties with Parami Energy Group after the trial, it said in a statement.

The refiner has already exported 1,700 tonnes of paraffin wax to Myanmar.

Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited Myanmar in February, scouting for opportunities in oil exploration, refining and products retailing.

NRL, a unit of state-run Bharat Petroleum Corp., reiterated that it is also exploring the possibility of laying a pipeline to export diesel to Myanmar and enter into retail sales.

Myanmar currently relies on imports from Thailand and Singapore to meet the bulk of its consumption of 3 million tonnes a year of gasoline and gasoil. Its local output of the two fuels is about 700,000 tonnes, NRL said.

As consumer wealth, infrastructure and car ownership in Myanmar rises, the country's refined fuels consumption is set to increase by 6 percent annually on average over the next 10 years, according to BMI Research, a unit of credit ratings agency Fitch Group.
By Jessica Jaganathan and Wilda Asmarini

SINGAPORE/JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's Pertamina has received a license from the government to export gasoil for the first time, three sources close to the matter said on Monday, although the state oil company is planning to prioritize domestic sales if possible.

Pertamina is typically an importer of gasoil, as diesel is called in most Asian markets, but inbound shipments have declined over the years as it ramped up refining output and demand from the mining sector slowed.

With other gasoil sellers - such as Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp and Solaris Prima Energy - crowding into the retail market, and an increased biodiesel mandate in 2016 reducing conventional consumption, Pertamina's supply of the fuel has also outperformed demand, said Toharso, director of refineries at Pertamina, who goes by one name.

If Pertamina exports its surplus fuel, it would help ease supply tightness in Asia caused by Tropical Storm Harvey, which drove up the Asian gasoil margins to a one-and-a-half month high, traders said.

The company, though, is also taking steps to sell more gasoil into its domestic market by asking the government to grant it a monopoly on diesel imports, which would force the other retailers to buy from Pertamina.

The state oil company received the gasoil export license two to three weeks ago, and it is developing a standard operating procedure on how to export the cargoes, the sources said.

Still, "we will try our best to sell in the domestic market," Toto Nugroho, senior vice president at Pertamina for integrated supply chain, told .

But if market competition means storage inventories build up, "the last resort is to export," he said.

Pertamina declined to give details on possible export volumes or a timeline of shipments.

LOBBYING FOR IMPORT MONOPOLY

Pertamina supplies about 70 percent of Indonesia's gasoil needs, while private firms supply the rest, Toharso said.

Many of the private firms import their gasoil, but Pertamina is lobbying Jakarta to name it the country's exclusive importer of the fuel, a move that would alleviate the state oil company's surplus and possibly negate its need to export the fuel.

"Pertamina is encouraging the Energy Ministry to make other companies not to import gasoil and just buy it from Pertamina," said Toharso.

Indonesia's Energy Ministry did not address a query asking if it will approve Pertamina's request.

Dadan Kusdiana, a spokesman for the ministry said it will "encourage (retail) companies to purchase from Pertamina first before they import."

"Pertamina has also sent an offer letter to other (retail) companies that need gasoil," Kusdiana said.

But the prices offered by Pertamina are higher than buying from the international market, said a buyer who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak with media.

"We can easily absorb the cargoes as long as the price is competitive," the buyer said.

Toharso said the prices were negotiable.

Nearly two-thirds of Indonesia's gasoil is used in its transport sector for commercial vehicles, which is expected to grow at 3 to 5 percent this year. The rest is used in the country's industrial and mining sectors.

Solaris Prima Energy is a subsidiary of China-owned trader Unipec Singapore, whose parent company is Asia's top refiner Sinopec Corp.

(Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan in SINGAPORE and Wilda Asmarini in JAKARTA; Editing by Tom Hogue)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By John Miller

ZURICH (Reuters) - Novartis CEO Joe Jimenez will step down on Feb. 1 and hand over to drug development chief Vas Narasimhan to decide the fate of $50 billion in assets and make good on a pledge to return the Swiss company to sales growth.

Jimenez, who will have been at the helm for eight years when he retires, has hived off animal health, vaccines and over-the-counter drugs businesses at Novartis to focus on generally more profitable prescription medicines, particularly in cancer.

But sales have been hit as top-selling drugs such as blood cancer treatment Gleevec have lost patent protection, while eye business Alcon has lagged expectations and generics arm Sandoz has faced intense pressure on prices in the United States.

Novartis got a boost last week, when the United States approved its $475,000-per-patient Kymriah treatment for young people with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, one of a series of new drugs it expects to revive sales growth starting next year.

Jimenez, 57, said on Monday now was a good time to move on.

"I really believe a leader has to be in place at the beginning of that growth phase to see it through," he told reporters on a call. "And that wouldn't be me, given that I'm already eight years into my tenure."

Narasimhan, 41, is among a new generation of youthful leaders at Novartis, including head researcher Jay Bradner at the Novartis Institutes For Biomedical Research.

Together, they have sought to improve the company's way of moving drugs from the laboratory into commercial products, something they acknowledge has not always worked efficiently.

"That's going to continue to be the focus of the company: To translate that innovation into commercial success," said Narasimhan, a U.S. citizen.

Analysts said Narasimhan's skills as a Harvard-trained medical doctor and former McKinsey consultant may be the blend Novartis needs to balance research and business.

"The appointment ... brings deep medical and commercial knowledge plus strong communication, and we expect this fresh start to be taken very well by the markets," said David Evans, a Kepler Cheuvreux analyst.

DECISIONS

But there will be plenty in Narasimhan's in-tray.

His appointment comes as Novartis is reviewing Alcon for a possible sale that could bring in $25-$35 billion.

He must also decide what to do with its $10 billion stake in its over-the-counter (OTC) drugs venture with GlaxoSmithKline. Novartis faces a deadline of March 2018 to decide whether to exercise a sell option for its 36.5 percent stake.

Narasimhan will have to weigh up too what to so with Novartis's $14 billion stake in cross-town rival Roche, which the company has said could be sold.

Novartis shares have lagged the Stoxx European Health Care Index by around 9 percent during Jimenez's tenure. At 1025 GMT, they were down 0.9 percent at 80.10 Swiss francs.

Having held various roles at Novartis since 2005, Narasimhan became global head of drug development and chief medical officer in 2016.

Jimenez said his departure would not affect a strategic review of Alcon, with an update due by year's end.

"We're going to consider all options ranging from keeping the business up to a capital markets exit," he said. "There really is no change, so don't read anything into it."

He also hailed last week's U.S. approval of Kymriah, the first so-called CAR-T therapy to win the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's blessing.

"We started this five years ago, it was a big bet, a lot of people thought we were crazy and it's paying off," Jimenez said. "We have big plans."

(Reporting by John Miller; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Mark Potter)

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The Supreme Court on Monday stayed an order passed by the Allahabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Jaypee Infratech. The Allahabad bench of the tribunal had accepted IDBI Bank's plea and classified Jaypee Infratech as insolvent.

A bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a homebuyer Chitra Sharma, seeking stay on the NCLT order. The Supreme Court issued notices to the finance ministry, Jaypee Infra, Reserve Bank of India and the Uttar Pradesh government.

The plea said the homebuyers, being unsecured creditors, will get nothing out of the insolvency proceedings as the dues of financial institutions, which are secured creditors, would be cleared first. The Supreme Court also issued notice to Jaypee Infratech.



Around 32,000 homebuyers had been left in the lurch after the Allahabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted IDBI's plea for initiating insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan. IDBI Bank, the leader of the consortium of lenders to the Jaypee Group company, had consented to the appointment of an interim resolution professional.

The insolvency proceedings initiated against the company will render them without any remedy, the PIL said. The apex court will now hear the homebuyers' plea in the case on October 10.

Flat buyers, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of 2016, do not fall under the category of secured creditors like banks and hence they may get back their money only if something is left after repaying secured and operational creditors.

The plea has sought a direction to the Centre and others that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code "shall not curtail the legal statutory and vested rights of the flat owners/buyers as consumers" defined under the Consumer Protection Act.

The PIL said that in the alternative, a direction may be issued to the government that flat owners/buyers be declared as secured creditor like banks and FIs.

The petition alleged that the action of the Ministries of Finance and Corporate Affairs of introducing Section 14 of the Code was "unjust, unfair and unreasonable" and violative of Article 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution.

The home buyers fear that if the insolvency process is not successful, then the liquidation process of the company would be initiated, it said.

It also claimed that if the home buyers refuse to be an unsecured creditor and the company goes into liquidation, their hard-earned money would go to the financial and corporate liquidators. The buyers have also asked for a forensic audit of Jaypee Infra and its holding company Jaiprakash Associates to evaluate the magnitude of their bankruptcy.

NCLT had appointed a chartered accountant Anuj Jain who is required to prepare a resolution plan and submit it to NCLT. The plan will then have to be approved by 75 per cent financial creditors (by value) in the committee.



Jaypee Infratech, a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates, was declared insolvent in August. Jaypee Infratech Ltd was among the 12 accounts identified by RBI for insolvency proceedings last month.

Earlier there was confusion on whether homebuyers had to submit claim form for financial creditors or operational creditors. Homebuyers in Jaypee Infratech projects were asked to submit claim forms to interim resolution professional (IRP) by 31 August.

(with PTI inputs)


Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored that the BRICS must uphold the value of diplomacy to resolve "hotspot issues" as the leaders of the grouping, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived here for the Summit, which is starting tomorrow in this port city of China.

Xi also appeared to take a reconciliatory tone when he, without directly referring to the recent Dokalam standoff with India, underlined that "peace and development" should be the underpin to resolve issues as the world does not want "conflict and confrontation."

"We the BRICS countries should show our responsibilities to uphold global peace and stability," he said.

Modi and Xi are expected to meet on Tuesday, nearly a week after the two countries announced resolution of the 73- day-long Dokalam standoff.

According to officials, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting on September 5 on the sidelines of the 9th Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Summit. After the bilateral with the host, Modi will be travelling to Myanmar on a bilateral visit.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were in a standoff position for nearly 73 days since June 16 when the Indian side stopped construction of a road by Chinas army.

On August 28, external affairs ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area.

The sense is that India wants to put behind the Dokalam bitterness and move ahead.

Xi, while inaugurating the BRICS business council, also called on BRICS countries to take a constructive part in the process of resolving geopolitical "hotspot issues" and make due contributions.

India is also expected to raise its concerns over terrorism at the BRICS Summit, with Modi asserting that the grouping has to make important contributions in upholding peace and security, and address global challenges.

Asked about Chinas comments that it will not be appropriate to discuss Pakistans counter-terrorism records at the BRICS summit at Xiamen, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said he cannot pre-empt what Modi will say during his interventions at the restricted and plenary sessions of the summit.

But he asserted that Indias position on terrorism has been very clear and it has been raising the issue at various multilateral forums.

"We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistans counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I dont think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at BRICS summit," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying had said ahead of the Summit.

According to sources, India is expected to flag its concerns over terrorism.

The issue is also likely to find its place in the joint declaration with the Chinese president also saying that he was "convinced that as long as we take a holistic approach to fighting terrorism in all its forms, and address both its symptoms and root causes, terrorists will have no place to hide".

Yesterday, Modi in his departure statement had said "India attaches high importance to the role of BRICS that has begun a second decade of its partnership for progress and peace. BRICS has important contributions to make in addressing global challenges and upholding world peace and security".

The prime minister had also said he was looking forward to engaging with leaders of nine other countries, including BRICS partners, in an Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue, being hosted by Xi on September 5.

"We will also interact with the BRICS Business Council represented by captains of industry from all the five countries," he said.

Modi will hold bilateral meetings with several leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, which is among the five counties - Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan - invited by China as the part of BRICS outreach exercise.


News MARKETS IPO Corner Matrimony.com IPO to open on September 11: Seven things to know Feedback

Matrimony.com IPO to open on September 11: Seven things to know

The IPO is due to open on September 11 and close on September 13. Net proceeds from the issue will be utilised towards advertising and business promotion activities, purchase of land for construction of office premises in Chennai, repayment of overdraft facilities and general corporate purposes.
The Sensex and Nifty on Monday followed Asian and European markets to close lower after North Korea said it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

While the Sensex closed 190 points or 0.60 percent lower at 31702 level. The Nifty was down 0.62 percent or 61.55 points at 9,912 level.

On the BSE, Bombay Dyeing (9.96 percent), TV 18 Broadcast (7.81 percent), Raymond (5.71 percent) and Shriram Transport Finance Co Ltd (5.30 percent) were the top gainers.

Adani Power (5.21 percent), Just Dial (4.57 percent) and Adani Enterprises (4.37 percent) were the top losers on the BSE.

Market breadth was negative with 993 stocks closing higher against 1602 falling on the BSE.

"The markets are struggling to go up because of North Korea tensions," said Deven Choksey, promoter, KR Choksey.

"Banking stocks such as HDFC Bank are a bit highly valued and are seeing some corrections," Choksey said.

On the 30 stock Sensex, Coal India (3.38 percent), Sun Pharma (2.79 percent), ONGC (1.06 percent)were the top gainers.

Coal India rose after the miner said on Friday that the company along with its units produced 37.63 million tonnes of coal in August, beating its target of 36.96 million tonnes.

Bank and auto stocks were the most hit with the BSE Bankex and BSE Auto falling 215 points and 187 points, respectively.

GLOBAL MARKETS

Global shares were mostly lower Monday on investor jitters over a weekend North Korean nuclear test that raised fears about regional stability.

France CAC 40 slipped 0.4 percent in early trading to 5,102.26. Germany's DAX lost 0.5 percent to 12,088.45. Britain's FTSE 100 edged down 0.2 percent to 7,426.98. U.S. shares were also set to drift lower with Dow futures dipping 0.3 percent to 21,917. S&P 500 futures were down 0.4 percent at 2,463.70.

ASIA'S DAY: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 edged down 0.9 percent to finish at 19,508.25, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.4 percent to 5,702.00. South Korea's Kospi dipped 1.2 percent to 2,329.65. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.9 percent to 27,703.67, but the Shanghai Composite rose 0.4 percent to 3,379.58.


When former Attorney General Mukul Rhotagi revealed to the Supreme Court during the hearing of the Adhaar case in May 2017 that Indian Citizens did not own their bodies, social media had a general nervous breakdown. Who needs a cavity search from the local cop anyway? Lost in the cacophony was the central point Rohatgi was making. When the state decides who you are and what you may own; what you may eat, brew, drink and smoke; when you have physical liberty and when you should stay in jail; where you may live and when you are allowed to die, what is this ownership of the body if it's not a magnificent illusion?

This is no rhetoric. At a very basic level, Indian law takes away the most rudimentary control that any human may hope to have over his own body. Citizens cannot suffocate themselves at the end of a rope but the judicial system is entirely at liberty to do so. Women cannot terminate a pregnancy beyond a point or pick the gender of their babies. You cannot eat what you want (cows and pigs inclusive) and you can't ingest psychotropic substance because you want to. Our criminal justice is designed such that the mere allegation of a crime recorded in an FIR at the whim of the local SHO is enough to keep a citizen in jail for prolonged periods while investigations proceed at a leisurely pace. How can you possibly claim to own your body when central features of your body - your thumb impression, your iris design or your photograph for instance - are public currency used by the Government to control where you may travel, what you may establish ownership of and what education you may get? Given all these restraints, where does this freedom-and-liberty construct come from?

Blame it on the liberal values imbibed by British educated Indians in the early to mid-twentieth century! Liberalism first became a distinct political movement in the 1700s. John Locke argued that every human has a 'natural right' to life, liberty and property. Governments were created by people as a social contract and were not permitted to violate these rights. Liberal ideas supported programs such as equality of all individuals, democracy, secularism, civil rights, and freedom of speech, press, religion, and markets.

Curiously, as the decades ticked by, liberalism equally came to mean it's opposite i.e. an ever expanding welfare state. How did this happen? It was insidious. Since humans have a right to life, it became the government's job to take care of each life. Before you knew it, governments came under pressure to feed, clothe and house individuals who then stopped making any attempt to do it for themselves. Socialism, the very antithesis of liberalism, added greatly to this pressure till most modern industrial societies ended up in an amazing state of cognitive dissonance. Thus, all individuals were equal and free yet at the same time, those who had less equal had to be subsidized by those who had more. India was no exception. Today, we have a Constitution which is both liberal democratic and socialistic with only a limited sense of what it stands for. Faced with interpretation issues, courts have made up logic as they go along based on their intrinsic sense of what is 'the right thing to do'.

The bigger issue here is that when we peek into our souls, Indians have for thousands of years culturally been anything but liberal democrats. I remember community inter dependence very well from my childhood. Communities came together in good times and bad, supporting each other despite their many differences. My grandfather was remarkably successful as a career bureaucrat under the Maharaja of J&K, with the result that his brother spent a lifetime more or less sponging off him. When my grandfather fell critical ill during the 1918 Influenza epidemic caused by the H1N1 virus, the brother demanded that he buy him a separate house before he died! Indians believed that good fortune is fated and must be shared with the family.

Even today, in my hill home in the poorer part of Jammu and Kashmir, if someone dies, every family shows up at the funeral with a log of wood, it being understood that the family of the deceased can never hope to afford a whole funeral pyre. The commitment to family has traditionally been far greater. The point of this digression is that when it comes to core Indian values, family and community trump the Individual by a mile. We do not own our bodies any more than we own the sweat of our labour: the family does. This is the heart of the argument for arranged marriage. This is also why my mother advised me quite clearly three decades back she had the right to have grandchildren and I better spruce up my act!

I believe this why the courts have in the decades since Independence repeatedly held, albeit with some hiccups, that Indians did not truly have a fundamental right to privacy. Lurking in the back of their minds were perfectly legitimate fears, of which the issues around the Ratan Tata case were a typical example. In 2010, Tata filed a petition in the Supreme Court claiming that the Radia Tapes had invaded his privacy. It was a difficult case. Ratan Tata may have the right to speak privately to his lobbyist but the subject of the conversation - 2G spectrums - was a common public good and the issue at hand was a scam to defraud the Indian Exchequer. Did Ratan Tata have the right to privacy or did the public have a right to know what conspiracy was being hatched? If Tata's privacy right was paramount, the police could be prevented from investigating a crime.

This is only the beginning of the issues the digital era have brought upon us. All manner of service providers have access to our information. Is it okay for a bank to give out data of cash balances I hold to the local drug-and-extortion lord in west UP? If that is not okay, how it is okay to link my bank accounts to my Adhaar account and force me by law to disclose my information to an undisclosed private company who has no corresponding statutory obligation to maintain my privacy? Forget Adhaar, what about all the other intrusive investigation that goes on unchecked in our computer and smartphone lives? I find myself invaded most by Google. Last week, I went to Banggood, a Chinese website, to look for LiPo batteries and now find my browser swamped with LiPo battery ads.

It's not just an internet thing. It's everywhere. What about hospitals? I hate to think of the day when remote diagnostics will become standard operating procedure, especially for the aged and the immobile. At that point, 'they' whoever they are, will own not just my body but my mind too. What about hotels and their ubiquitous CCTV cameras? They know where I live, when I come and go, what I eat, when I bathe and with what soap. It's the same for airports and shopping malls. You don't have to be a fan of Jason Bourne movies to see how much surveillance we suffer in our daily lives. This doesn't mean we shouldn't worry about Adhaar. It means that we should worry about privacy as a general issue.

There is too a related problem. Privacy laws around the world are built around consent. Citizens may have privacy rights but in agreeing to use any service, they are free to waive their rights. Naturally, internet service providers and others force users to give up every right they possibly can. One body of opinion argues that in using these services, we have made a choice to trade in our privacy rights. I must disagree. To ask citizens to either give up their right to their body and soul or go live in a Himalayan cave without any facility is perverse. Want to live in Gurgaon? Please sign an agreement consenting to a cavity search of your entire family if something is stolen from within 100 meters of your house!

This is the main reason why during the course of the hearing of the Adhaar case, the Supreme Court agreed to constitute a nine member bench to determine whether Indians have a fundamental right to privacy. After considerable deliberation, our apex court has delivered a 550 page judgment in the case of Puttaswami J v UOI [WP(C) 494 of 2012], much of the monumental volume of work being delivered by Justice D.Y.Chandrachud. I am delighted with the decision. It's a magnum opus. That said, I do ask myself if the work was necessary. The judgment takes a long and very scenic drive along the shores of the ocean of liberal thought starting from Aristotle, through John Stuart Mill, the idea of 'natural inalienable rights', to modern day Ronald Dwarkin. The judgment then traces the right to privacy in the Indian context including its international commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Fortified thus, the judgment holds that:

"The interpretation of the Constitution cannot be frozen by its original understanding. The Constitution has evolved and must continuously evolve to meet the aspirations and challenges of the present and the future. This is particularly of relevance in an age where technology reshapes our fundamental understanding of information, knowledge and human relationship"

The judgment then proceeds to decide that:

"Privacy of the individual is an essential aspect of dignity. The ability of the individual to protect a zone of privacy enables the realization of the full value of life and liberty."

So there we have it: a formerly unrecognized fundamental right to privacy. Does this mean that privacy can never be invaded? Of course it can, but to do so the court has said, three conditions must be met. First, privacy cannot be encroached without a governing law to justify it. Second, such a law must be reasonable with a legitimate aim. Finally, the means adopted by the law must be proportional to the objects sought to be achieved. This sets the framework in which Adhaar will be tested in the foreseeable future. Since the Union Government has commenced the process of establishing a data protection law already, the court has refrained from doing more.

Do we now have privacy in the way Ratan Tata wanted? Yes and no. We have the jurisprudential framework in which such a fundamental right has been recognized but we are very far from having a hand on a stick citizens can beat privacy violators with should they cross the line. The truth is that for any individual to successfully assert any right in a court of law is a daunting prospect. It takes time, money and will. For all practical purposes, the only way for citizens to have such rights is for the legislature to give us laws that make privacy easily enforceable. Given the cavalier attitude with which successive governments have dealt with the issue so far, I am further than ever from dancing on the ceiling. In my heart, I do still believe that what the Supreme Court has so inalienably given us, the legislature will most certainly try to take away through what they will claim are reasonable exceptions in the public interest. This tension between the executive that wants to control us and the judiciary that wants to liberate us will determine the fate of privacy in the nation, and of its citizens.

The author is Managing Partner of the Gurgaon-based corporate law firm N South. His bestselling expose' of the real world of Indian courts "Legal Confidential", released in November 2015.
Singapore Airlines-owned no-frills carrier Scoot is likely to begin its long haul flights on the India-Europe route within a year. The low-cost carrier has a 'privilege' that allows it to operate direct flights between India and Europe.

The 'fifth freedom' rights permit a carrier to operate direct flights between two foreign countries. "Since we have fifth freedom, we can operate direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to destinations like Copenhagen, Vienna, Cairo and Manchester," Bharath Mahadevan, head of Scoot in India, told TOI.

Scoot currently operates international flights to Singapore from Tier-2 Indian cities like Jaipur, Amritsar, Lucknow. A one-way no-frills trip to Singapore costs around Rs 6,000. The airline said it will offer a one-way trip on Mumbai-Copenhagen route for Rs 12,000, the price would include 20 kg check-in bag and a meal.

"A return trip to Europe would cost around Rs 26,000," Mahadevan told TOI. At present, the cheapest fares of direct flights on the India-Europe route start at around Rs 45,000.

Currently, Scoot offers cheapest fares in its seat only (without check-in baggage) booking option called 'Fly'. The other options include 'FlyBag' in which you can take a 20Kg check-in baggage. 'FlyBagEat' option gives you a meal as well as drinks. Scoot also has a premium seating option called 'ScootBiz'.

Scoot began its direct flights between Lucknow and Singapore thrice a week from August 2, 2017. The airline also runs flights to Southeast Asian countries from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Tiruchirappalli. Scoot had recently announced its merger with other low-cost carrier Tiger Air.

Some of the international airlines like Norwegian Air, International Airlines Groups, among others, are also eyeing India for being a lucrative market. "We can see long-haul, low-cost operations gaining ground from next fiscal with Indian LCCs driving growth," said Kapil Kaul of CAPA, suggesting the possibility of creating a new market segment for the same.

Indian carrier SpiceJet, which operates international flights to neighbouring destinations like Dubai, Dubai, Muscat, Kabul etc. had said the return fares to places like London, Paris and Amsterdam in all-economy aircraft could be as low as Rs 25,000.

India's largest airline IndiGo had expressed interest in operating long haul flights on international routes in Europe. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates the low-cost carrier, had submitted an official EOI (Expression of Interest) for buying Air India's international operations.
| BY Ricki Green |

The KIIS Networks Hughesy & Kate yesterday launched an Agency Life Upgrade for Melbournes Carat, following a trade promotion that ran across July in media agencies across the city.

Hughesy & Kate hosted a Kick Start Wellness Lunch with the Carat team, before launching their program with fresh fruit hampers.

The Agency Life Upgrade ran in conjunction with KIIS 101.1s 100K Life Upgrade inviting Melbourne agency staff to upload a photo to Instagram and say how they would improve their agency life.
| BY Ricki Green |

Lilydale has launched a national campaign encouraging Australians to live the free range by asking them to get outside and rediscover a simpler, more balanced way of living via M&C Saatchi.

With the increasing demands on modern life, we have moved away from what we know to be instinctively good for us. Impacts on work life balance, technology and increasing pressure to do more with less, have seen the average Australian retreat indoors, distracting them from what really matters most, their health.

Research shows were happier and healthier when were outdoors.

Supporting this insight is new research conducted by McCrindle Research with over 1000 Australians nationally, indicates that working Australians spend 91 per cent of their week indoors, a truth that drastically impacts our wellbeing.

In response, Lilydale, Australian owned and grown premium free-range chicken brand, is championing a more balanced view encouraging all Australians to live free-range.

Activity driving this effort is broad, starting with a rousing film manifesto that reminds us of the benefits of living free-range, while encouraging us to rediscover whats really great.

Supporting this spearhead are a team of specially selected advocates, each offering their experience and advice on what it is to live free-range, from getting outside to living in a more mindful and balanced way.

Throughout the campaign Lilydale will also be offering customers a chance to truly enjoy the outdoors through unique experiences.

Says Yash Gandhi, head of marketing, Lilydale: Lilydale Free Range has always been for the outdoors and has understood the benefits it brings. Joining the free-range is more than a campaign line or a product choice, its a state of mind. Activating and encouraging that philosophy in a meaningful way has the potential to drive positive and lasting difference to the physical and mental wellbeing of all Australians.

Says Shane Gibson, creative director, M&C Saatchi: The benefits of living free range are diverse and stretch well beyond the ethical wins. This campaign reflects that idea driving and encouraging broader participation in that choice. As the preeminent free range chicken brand in Australia, it seems like a natural space for Lilydale to be leading.

The campaign launches September 3 and will remain ongoing.

Lilydale:

Head of Marketing: Yash Gandhi

Senior Brand Manager: Anna Wesser

Brand Manager: Anna Tu

Agency: M&C Saatchi, Sydney

Executive Creative Director: Michael Canning

Creative Director: Andy Flemming

Creative Director: Shane Gibson

Senior Art Director: Neil Walshe

Senior Copywriter: Michael Harris

Strategy Director: Nicky Bryson

Head of TV: Rod James

Assistant Broadcast Producer: Olivia Reddy

Head of Production: Trent Henderson

Print Producer: Vanessa Fernandez

Lead Finished Artist: Salvatore Liseo

Group Head: Nick Russo

Group Account Director: Jonathon Rhydderch

Account Manager: Jennifer Edwards

Head of Experiential: Erika Morton

PR: Hidden Characters

Annalise Brown: Managing Director

Account Director: Sophie Callaghan

Communications Manager: Naomi Rheinberger

Production Company: Collider Productions

Matthew Thorne: Director

Executive Producer: Rachel Ford-Davies

Producer: Olivia Hantken

Editor: Rolando Olalia

LOUIS&CO:

Photographer: Matt Baker

Artist Management & Production: Louis Molines

SONG ZU:

Creative director: Ramesh Sathiah

Composer: Nathan Cavaleri

Rumble studios:

Sound Engineer: Tone Aston

ALT VFX:

VFX Supervisor/Flame Artist: Dave Edward

Post Producer Supervisor: Adrianna Spanos
Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper.
He doesn't use tarot cards, crystals, or any tools at all to see the future or talk with the non-living. Steven sees through his third eye - "picture the Maccas logo in your mind, you can see it right? You're not looking directly at it in real life but you still see it" - and with the help of spirit animals, namely a black female panther.
Given that boost, Widdowson was confident to go ahead. He produced Worm Farming with his own Salt House Theatre Company, based in Kincumber, NSW. Its other productions include his adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. He brought in Diane Ormsby to direct, since he doesn't like acting and directing in the same production, and set up a short initial tour this year in the hopes of refining the play for a national tour in 2018. There will be three weeks between the two Canberra performances during which changes might be incorporated.
One local said people had been pillaging the decommissioned office block for copper piping for quite some time but a "recent rash" of graffiti and looting during the past fortnight had many in the area concerned. He also reported seeing school-age children wandering around the site.
"It may be possible for the government to deliver a non-traditional memorial park in southern Canberra that focuses on natural burials and ashes far more quickly than a traditional cemetery. The choice of sites available would also be far higher, given that bushland and open space may be suitable.
"Dr Collins QC has considered Dr Echevierra's expert report in relation to the circumstances of my mother's birth and concluded that there is no question of my eligibility to serve in this Parliament under Australian law, that I am not disqualified under Section 44 of the Australian constitution, and that I am constitutionally qualified to sit as a Senator."
Canberrans will be able to jump on a Qatar Airways flight bound for Europe before Valentine's Day 2018. And pricing for the flights starting on February 13 next year has landed with the airline promoting the new connection from Australia's capital.
Rather, a proposal for the "Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People involved with Child and Youth Protection Services and in Out of Home Care in the ACT" is, currently, being reviewed by the very same Quality and Assurance committee.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
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.
Dubbed Sayer, JLRs intelligent and connected steering wheel will be fully revealed during Tech Fest at Central St Martins, University of the Arts London, on September 8th.



Sayer will make its way on to a brand new Jaguar future vision concept, the Jaguar Future-Type, which is meant to explore mobility in the year 2040 and beyond.

How this steering wheel concept differs from others weve seen, is though the simple fact that its way more than just a tool meant to help you control your front wheels.

According to JLR, Sayer, a voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) steering wheel, will live in your home and become your trusted companion. It will also be able to carry out hundreds of tasks in a future where people dont own cars anymore, but instead call upon the vehicle of their choice  which you then pair with the steering wheel.

In other words, after the year 2040, the steering wheel could be the only part of the car that you actually own.

One example of how to utilize Sayer, is by asking it, from the comfort of your living room, to work out a way for you to get to a meeting which is two hours away from your home, by a specific time the following day. The AI-powered steering wheel will then figure out when a car needs to arrive at your door autonomously, and might even advise you on which parts of the journey you might want to drive yourself  for enjoyment purposes.

Sayer was named after one of Jaguars most prominent designers, Malcolm Sayer, who worked for the British automaker between 1951 and 1970.
Mercedes has released a new teaser image of the EQ A concept.



Set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the concept previews an entry-level electric vehicle from the companys new EQ brand.

Little is known about the model but the teaser image shows the concept will have a signal bar grille with an illuminated Mercedes logo. The concept also has distinctive headlights and a black applique on the hood.

Thats not much to go on but previous reports have suggested the concept will be a five-seat hatchback that rides on the new MEA platform.

Mercedes recently confirmed plans to build an assortment of entry-level EQ models at its plant in Rastatt, Germany. The EQ A is expected to be one of the first and it could arrive as early as 2019.

Destined to battle the BMW i3, the EQ A will reportedly have a single electric motor that powers the front wheels. The company could eventually introduce a performance variant which adds a rear electric motor for additional power and all-wheel drive.

The EQ A is expected to cost around 35,000 ($45,368 / 38,255) and become one of the companys best-selling electric vehicles.

Photo Gallery
Photo: Wayne Moore The parking lot on the Queensway Jetty will be closed as of Tuesday, Sept. 5.

The Queensway Jetty between Water and Mill streets, including the city-owned parking lot, will be closed beginning Tuesday.

The area will be closed to facilitate utility upgrades for future growth in the area, including construction of the new Tourist Information Centre.

Work will begin 7 a.m. Tuesday, and is expected to be complete by the end of the month.

A portion of the parking lot from the crosswalk to Mill Street will reopen once the upgrades are complete.

The Impark Parking lot located on the corner of Water Street and Queensway, as well as the Kerry Park parking lot will remain open and accessible from Mill Street via Bernard Avenue.

The crosswalk through the Queensway parking area will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians to access the Waterfront promenade. Intermittent closures are to be expected.

Construction on the new tourist centre is expected to begin later this year.
Photo: Contributed

MP Stephen Fuhr says Kelowna will be the big winner when the federal Liberal caucus spends three days in the city.

All 184 federal Liberal MPs will begin arriving in the city Tuesday for strategy meetings Wednesday and Thursday at the Grand Okanagan Resort.

"It will be an exciting week for the community," said Fuhr, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country and the local host of the event.

Fuhr said getting the entire Liberal team into the region will give MPs a first-hand look at the city and what it needs on a federal level.

He says to get the attention of the entire team will only help when it's time for him to advocate for community projects and needs.

Several short, and long-term legislative agenda items will be discussed, with a controversial business tax proposal at the top of the list.

With the 75-day consultation period set to end in early October, Fuhr says MPs are continuing to gather feedback. Many comments, especially from small businesses, have been less than kind towards the plan.

He expects NAFTA, softwood lumber and an update on new marijuana legislation to also be topics of discussion.

The caucus will meet during the day Wednesday before wrapping up at noon Thursday.

Fuhr says complete details have not been confirmed, however, he says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be holding a town hall meeting next Wednesday evening. The location and time have not been announced.
Alanna Kelly

Multiple residents living in Peachland heard a loud explosion hours after a wildfire in Finlay Creek Saturday.

All of a sudden the sky just lit up and right after that there was a huge explosion, said Rod Graham, who heard the explosion just after 11 p.m.

The explosion was allegedly heard as far as Summerland.

Right after that the wildfire just seemed to grow significantly, all across the ridge, he said. We were watching the fire and it was starting to come down the draw to this side of the hills, there was a bunch of spot fires in the trees.

One resident was told the fire had grown from 400 to 1,000 hectares at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Mayor Cindy Fortin said she also heard the explosion and it caused her to leap to her feet.

It could have been a propane tank, maybe a camper, maybe a vehicle  we are not completely sure right now, she said. We will probably find out later what that was.

The sound of an explosion heard has not been verified from BC Wildfire Service.

Even though it was ways away it shook my little house, so it was significant, Fortin said.
Photo: Contributed

Another truck went up in flames on the Coquihalla Highway, Sunday.

Details are few, but images sent to Castanet show a large commercial vehicle was burned to a shell on the side of the road.

A witness says the incident happened near Coldwater River Provincial Park, between Merritt and Hope, not far from the Coquihalla summit. The blaze also sparked a small grass fire.

The BC Wildfire Service listed the grass fire as half a hectare in size, near Britton Creek. Images show the fire was extinguished.

There have been several truck fires on the route this year.

A tractor-trailer hauling lumber caught fire on the Coquihalla Aug. 29, closing the highway for several hours.

Similar fires also occurred in July, May and April.
Photo: Twitter Premier John Horgan surveys the Philpott wildfire near Kelowna during his recent visit.

British Columbia's New Democrats are expected to use this week's throne speech to broadly outline how they intend to follow through on their key election promise to get big money out of politics.

But so far details have been scarce and a recent string of NDP fundraisers has at least one political observer suspicious the fledgling government may be getting cold feet about turning off the funding taps any time soon.

Hamish Telford, a political scientist at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, says the New Democrats appear to be moving slowly on political fundraising reform.

"They seem to be kicking the can down the road," Telford said. "It is no longer, apparently, going to be the first piece of legislation."

Banning parties from accepting limitless donations from businesses and unions will handcuff the NDP, given their reliance on funding from labour groups, he explained.

B.C.'s reputation as North America's Wild West of political fundraising peaked in the lead up to the province's spring election, prompting the New Democrats and Greens to promise a clamp down.

The Liberals softened their longtime opposition to fundraising reform after the election failed to give any party a majority of seats in the legislature and paved the way for an NDP minority government.

Attorney General David Eby has been tasked with putting together the legislation to ban corporate and union donations, cap individual contributions and require that loans to political parties come from recognized financial institutions.

Eby said he expects to table legislation early in the new session but would not say what the individual limits will be or when the law will come into effect.

"My goal is for the bill to become law as quickly as possible so British Columbians can have confidence in our political system," he said in an interview, adding that this will be his first bill as attorney general.

The New Democrats should act swiftly to change the system, lest they be tempted to adopt the same "pay-for-play" rules with no limits on donations that the Liberals so effectively exploited over 16 years, said Max Cameron, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia.

"It is actually in their own best interest to tie their own hands and introduce legislation," he added. "Trying to drag this out is only going to make it more difficult in the future and will be a major betrayal."
Photo: The Weather Channel

UPDATED: 4:39 p.m.

Hurricane Irma grew into a powerful Category 4 storm Monday as it approached the northeastern Caribbean and was forecast to begin buffeting the region Tuesday.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 215 kph late Monday afternoon, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said additional strengthening was expected. Irma was centred 790 kilometres east of the Leeward Islands and moving west at 20 kph.

Emergency officials warned that the storm could dump up to 25 centimetres of rain, unleash landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to seven metres as the storm drew closer.

"We're looking at Irma as a very significant event," Ronald Jackson, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, said by phone. "I can't recall a tropical cone developing that rapidly into a major hurricane prior to arriving in the central Caribbean."

The storm's centre was forecast to move near or over the northern Leeward Islands late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the hurricane centre said.

U.S. residents were urged to monitor the storm's progress in case it should turn northward toward Florida, Georgia or the Carolinas.

"This hurricane has the potential to be a major event for the East Coast. It also has the potential to significantly strain FEMA and other governmental resources occurring so quickly on the heels of (Hurricane) Harvey," Evan Myers, chief operating officer of AccuWeather, said in a statement.

In the Caribbean, the director of Puerto Rico's power company predicted that storm damage could leave some areas of the U.S. territory without electricity for four to six months.

But "some areas will have power (back) in less than a week," Ricardo Ramos told radio station Notiuno 630 AM.

The power company's system has deteriorated greatly amid Puerto Rico's decade-long recession, and the territory experienced an islandwide outage last year.

Meanwhile, the governor of the British Virgin Islands urged people on Anegada island to leave if they could, noting that Irma's eye was expected to pass 56 km from the capital of Road Town.

Antigua and Anguilla shuttered schools Monday, and government office closures were expected to follow.

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello activated the National Guard, cancelled classes for Tuesday and declared a half-day of work.

He also warned of flooding and power outages. "It's no secret that the infrastructure of the Puerto Rico Power Authority is deteriorated," Rossello said.

The U.S. Virgin Islands said the school year would open Friday instead of Tuesday.

Gov. Kenneth Mapp said most hotels in the U.S. territory were at capacity with some 5,000 tourists. He noted the storm was expected to pass 64 m north of St. Thomas.

A hurricane warning was issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and St. Barts. A hurricane watch was in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the British and U.S. Virgin islands and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Guadeloupe and a tropical storm watch for Dominica.
Photo: The Canadian Press South Korean howitzers during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea.

UPDATE: 2:00 p.m.

North Korea's leader is "begging for war," the U.S. ambassador said Monday at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, as members called for punishing the country with even stronger sanctions for its powerful nuclear test.

Ambassador Nikki Haley said the U.S. would look at countries doing business with the North  which include China  and planned to circulate a resolution this week with the goal of getting it approved Sept. 11.

"Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited," Haley said.

"The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country, that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," she said.

The move came as South Korea said it was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test and fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site.

Also on Monday, President Donald Trump spoke by phone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and agreed that Sunday's underground nuclear test by North Korea was an unprecedented provocation. The two leaders also agreed to remove the limit on the payload of South Korean missiles.

The emergency U.N. session was scheduled after North Korea said it detonated the hydrogen bomb and came six days after the council strongly condemned what it called Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan. Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions yet on the reclusive nation.

ORIGINAL STORY: 7:51 a.m.

The U.N. Security Council is holding its second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea on Monday after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North's persistent weapons programs.
Photo: Instagram The rock meets super fan

Dwayne The Rock Johnson's love for Vancouver continues after the professional wrestler and actor posted a video on Instagram after meeting a fan.

Amit Sharma hoped to meet the 45-year-old, who is in town for the filming of his upcoming action movie, Skyscraper.

This opportunity came and I said Hey, why not? Lets try it, and it worked, said Sharma, who has been a fan since Johnsons professional wrestling career took off in the mid-1990s.

After waiting outside a North Vancouver film studio for over eight hours on Wednesday, Sharma finally caught the Hollywood star as he was driving away.

Apparently theres a fan right here and hes holding a big picture of my face, Johnson says in the video, captured from inside his car shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday.

Hes been out here apparently for three days. Now, hes finally caught me. Were going to have a little bit of fun, "he added.

The Rock joked around with Sharma at first saying he was too tired to talk, but stuck around and signed the giant photo that the super fan had made.

"I have the best fans in the world," Johnson said.

-with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: The Canadian Press

UPDATE: 4:05 p.m.

Officials now blame at least 60 deaths on Harvey, the storm that dumped several feet of rain on southeast Texas in a matter of days.

Many of those deaths confirmed in 11 Texas counties happened when people were caught in quickly rising floodwaters or lost control on water-logged roads, emergency management officials said. Six family members including four children were killed when a van they were riding in was swept into a bayou as floodwaters rose in Harris County.

Of the counties confirming fatalities, Harris County, which is home to Houston and saw the worst flooding during the storm, still has the highest death toll with 30 confirmed Harvey-related deaths as of about 5 p.m. Monday.

But county emergency management departments tell The Associated Press they are including people in their storm-related death totals who died from indirect complications of Harvey.

The huge dump of water loosened the ground around trees that have fallen into at least two homes in Montgomery County, causing two deaths, said county emergency management spokeswoman Cynthia Jamieson. And the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that a couple had died while driving outside of Jasper, Texas, when a tree landed on their vehicle.

Power outages from the storm have also accounted for some of the indirect deaths. Several elderly people in a handful of counties were reported as Harvey-related deaths when medical equipment such as oxygen tanks lost power.

Harvey slammed into Texas on Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other areas as a tropical storm. The rain totalled nearly 52 inches (1.3 metres) in some spots.

ORIGINAL STORY: 7:58 a.m.

Harvey's filthy floodwaters pose significant dangers to human safety and the environment even after water levels drop far enough that Southeast Texas residents no longer fear for their lives, according to experts.

Houston already was notorious for sewer overflows following rainstorms. Now the system, with 40 wastewater treatment plants across the far-flung metropolis, faces an unprecedented challenge.

State officials said several dozen sewer overflows had been reported in areas affected by the hurricane, including Corpus Christi. Private septic systems in rural areas could fail as well.

Also stirred into the noxious brew are spilled fuel, runoff from waste sites, lawn pesticides and pollutants from the region's many petroleum refineries and chemical plants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported Sunday that of the 2,300 water systems contacted by federal and state regulators, 1,514 were fully operational. More than 160 systems issued notices advising people to boil water before drinking it, and 50 were shut down.

The public works department in Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city, said its water was safe.
Photo: The Canadian Press Students Carson Asher and Alaniz Amillano sing during a worship service in Dickinson, Texas.

Houston's mayor insists that America's fourth-largest city is "open for business," but with areas under water, people not yet in their homes, and billions in damage to repair, major disasters that Harvey created are by no means resolved.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labor Day.

"Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come," he told CBS. "We can do multiple things at the same time."

One worry, of further explosions at a damaged chemical plant, eased after officials carried out a controlled burn Sunday evening of highly unstable compounds at the Arkema plant in Crosby. Three trailers had previously caught fire after Harvey's floodwaters knocked out generators.

Authorities said they would keep monitoring the air, and people living within a mile and a half of the site outside Houston are still evacuated. But floodwaters also have inundated at least five toxic waste Superfund sites near Houston and some may be damaged, though Environmental Protection Agency officials have yet to assess the full extent of what occurred.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told CNN the EPA is "working on some of them already," but "they have restraints on their ability to check out some of them just simply because of the water."

Utility crews went door-to-door Sunday shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that more flooding was possible  not from rain, but from releases of water from overtaxed reservoirs. Thousands of Houston dwellings were under mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

President Donald Trump has asked Congress for a $7.9 billion down payment toward Harvey relief and recovery efforts. Abbott suggested the cost of recovery could be as much as $180 billion.
Madison Erhardt

UPDATE: 8:05 p.m.

More firefighters are expected to arrive over the next few days to battle the Finlay Creek wildfire, between Peachland and Summerland.

"We expect more resources coming our way," confirmed Heather Rice of the BC Wildfire Centre. "We will be setting up a fire camp in Summerland."

Rice said a camp allows the wildfire service to use trailers and tents rather than put crew members into hotels.

Despite windy conditions on Monday, Rice said the fire had not grown much from this morning.

"It was quite active given the winds that we saw but the perimeter is still around 1,500 hectares."

She said seven crew with 12 pieces of equipment would be on the wildfire overnight.

UPDATE: 6:45 p.m.

The District of Summerland has issued an evacuation alert for all properties along Garnet Valley Road north of Wildhorse Road. Properties on Wildhorse Road are also included, according to a notification on the district's Facebook page.

RCMP are going door to door to ensure residents know they are on alert and must be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

The district said the alert is being taken as a precautionary measure so residents take appropriate measures in case fire activity escalates and an evacuation order is necessary.

Residents on alert are not required to register at the Emergency Operations Centre but, if they have questions, can call 250 486 3765.

The post reads: "Fire activity on the northeast end of Garnet Lake has stabilized and dozed lines are in place. BC Wildfire Service is continuing to fortify this area. However, conditions can change rapidly and residents should be taking appropriate measures in the case it escalates."

Yesterday, the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District put 55 properties and Darke Lake Provincial Park on mandatory evacuation order. A further 97 properties in the Faulder area, west of Summerland, were put on advisory evacuation alert.

A total of 98 evacuees have registered at the Emergency Reception Centre in Summerland.

UPDATE 2:45 P.M.

The Finlay Creek fire remains at 1,500 hectares in size but wind and dry fuel in the area are causes for concern, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

"Due to the increase in winds this afternoon we are seeing a little bit more increased activity on the fire, however we do have crews on the fire as well as air tankers and helicopters actioning it," said Heather Rice, Fire Information Officer.

Rice added that it will be hard to predict what will happen over the next 24 hours.

"It all depends on the wind with these types of fires. We are in a very dry area with challenging terrain. As we see these winds increasing we will also see an increase in fire activity and perhaps fire growth," she added.

Meanwhile the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District has issued a release reminding residents who have or may have to evacuate due to the wildfire and have pets, horses or livestock that they can get some help from the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART). The team assists with the rescue and shelter of animals.

Affected homeowners and ranchers can contact CDART locally at 250-215-3259 for assistance with their animals.

Residents with pets will be directed to where they can take pets for safekeeping. If pets have been left at an evacuated home, CDART can assist in safe retrieval.

Horses and livestock can be taken to the BC Livestock Producers Co-op Stockyard, 5353 Hawthorne Place in Okanagan Falls.

ORIGINAL: 9:40 P.M.

The Finlay Creek wildfire near Peachland is estimated to have grown to 1,500 hectares in size.

"There has been no substantial growth of the fire. Overnight we had crews battling the blaze," said Heather Rice of the BC Wildfire Service. "The night crew built some guards south of Garnet, towards Fish Lake Road."

Additional resources are on the way.

"There will be helicopters and skimmers assisting in the efforts today. The smoke has made it quite difficult for crews to get to an exact estimate of the fire size. The biggest increase to the fire was on Saturday night."

A total of 55 properties south of the Finlay Creek fire remain on evacuation order. For information about all properties affected south of Peachland, visit the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen website .

A detailed map is available showing affected properties in the Central Okanagan at www.cordemergency.ca.

The next update from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre is expected tomorrow, unless the situation changes.
Photo: BC Wildfire Service

UPDATE: 3:22 p.m.

Air tankers, choppers and 17 crew members from the BC Wildfire Service are fighting the Greyback Mountain wildfire south of Kelowna.

"The fire is about 30 hectares in size," said Jody Lucius, fire information officer. "We may assign additional crew if needed."

Lucius said there are some structures in the vicinity but none of them are immediately threatened.

ORIGINAL STORY: 10:39 a.m.

Four firefighting personnel are currently working on a 20-hectare wildfire just northeast of Little White Mountain.

"It's a rank three fire, meaning there is open flame," said fire information officer Rachel Witt.

The wildfire is burning by the Canyon Lakes, situated 19 kilometres outside of Kelowna's city boundary.

"Air tankers and ground crew are on scene battling the blaze," Witt added.
Photo: CTV

Police say two people have drowned at a popular lake east of Vancouver.

RCMP say officers were called Sunday evening for reports of three people in distress at Harrison Lake.

Witnesses pulled one person to safety, but a 16-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man were last spotted about 20 metres from the shore.

RCMP say a dive team recovered the males' bodies on Monday.

The names of the victims have not been released.

Police say the incident is a reminder that people should swim within their limits and use personal flotation devices.
Photo: ARLB

A kitten found walking in a busy Massachusetts highway tunnel has been rescued with the help of state police troopers who shut down traffic for it.

Police said Sunday on Facebook the kitten decided to "play a little hide and seek" in the Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston.

Sgt. Bob Dateo shut traffic down. The Animal Rescue League of Boston quickly rescued the kitten.

A trooper posted a photo of the wayward kitten on social media. A video taken by police shows the kitten walking along the side of the road as cars drive by.

Police say they need ideas on what to name the kitten.

The kitten will be put up for adoption when it's medically cleared.
Photo: CTV

Residents of a subsidized housing complex in Coquitlam are complaining of raw sewage in the crawl space of their building.

The sewage leak is prompting health concerns from families living in the complex operated by the non-profit Red Door Housing Society.

The society has provided affordable housing in the Lower Mainland since 1985 and is advising some residents to move.

Under my suite, theres like chunks of poo just floating around and after the smell goes to my bottom floor, and then after goes sometimes all the way to my top floor, resident Misam Qasemi told CTV.

Putrid water first started showing up under many of the units months ago.

Why is it not being investigated? asked one resident.

The housing society's Susan Snell said in a letter sent Friday: I am so sorry you have had to endure this hardship, and we are continuing to investigate and plan a fix, but I believe it is in your best interest to move ASAP."

Alternative accommodation offered to some is too far away as children return to school, say parents.

A moving allowance of $750 has also been offered.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: RCMP RCMP in Surrey are looking for 13-year-old Hailey McClelland.

Surrey RCMP are requesting the publics assistance in locating a missing teenager.

Hailey McClelland, 13, was reported missing on Aug. 25th.

She was last seen on Aug. 12th, near the area 11500 block of River Road in Surrey. She has not been seen since.

Hailey is described as a Caucasian female, standing five-feet-four-inches in height and weighing approximately 145 lbs, with blonde hair (sometimes dyed other colours) and blue eyes.

Police and family are concerned for her health and well-being as it is out of character for her to be out of touch this long, says the release.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca quoting file number 2017-120290.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
The threat of terrorism in Europe has been on the rise in recent years, with experts and politicians particularly worried that terrorists might make use of dirty bombs. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a new system that will be able to detect possible carriers of radioactive substances, even in large crowds of people. This solution is one of many defensive measures being realized in the REHSTRAIN project, which is focused on security for TGV and ICE high-speed trains in France and Germany.

For a long time, experts have been warning of attacks using dirty bombs, where terrorists mix radioactive material into conventional explosives such that it is scattered by a subsequent explosion. This is a real danger; ISIS, for instance, claims to have access to radioactive material. Security agencies are aware of the threat: last June, a U.S. port terminal in Charleston was evacuated and closed for several hours following a warning that a dirty bomb was on board a ship moored there. Once the all-clear was given, security personnel stated that they were being deliberately overcautious and had reacted accordingly.

Dirty bombs are not a form of nuclear weapon, since they do not rely on a nuclear chain reaction occurring after they have been set off. The radioisotopes needed to make dirty bombs, such as cesium-137, cobalt-60, americium-241 or iridium-192, are easier to get hold of than fissile material for nuclear weapons; they are used in many nuclear medicine departments at hospitals and in research centers, but also for ma-terials testing in industry. Five grams of cesium  scattered by a couple of kilograms of explosive  is enough to cause billions of dollars worth of damage, to say nothing of the psychosocial effects and the impact on health. People who want to build these bombs are risking death through exposure to radiation  but that is unlikely to deter terrorists, says Prof. Wolfgang Koch, a mathematician and physicist who heads the sensor data and information fusion department at the Fraunhofer Institute for

Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE, based in Wachtberg, Germany. Fraunhofer FKIE has developed an assistance system capable of detecting radiological threats in a stream of people and warning security personnel; this is the institutes contribution to the Franco-German REHSTRAIN project, which is researching the vulnerability of ICE and TGV high-speed trains (see box: The REHSTRAIN project at a glance). Fraunhofer FKIE is developing the system as a subcontractor to Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg.

Data protection writ large

The assistance system comprises several components: a sensor network, commercially available Kinect cameras, and data fusion software. The sensor network is made up of gamma spectrometers, which detect and classify gamma radiation. Most of the materials that lend themselves to being used in a radiological bomb emit gamma radiation, which cannot be shielded. Thats why we use this kind of sensor, Koch explains. The next phase of the system will be able to tell which substance is emitting the radiation, and whether it is being carried on someones person or is present inside their body  perhaps because they are on medication such as radioactive iodine. Although individual sensors can provide data on the type of material and the intensity of its radiation, they cannot pinpoint its location. This calls for a network of gamma sensors connected to Kinect cameras as used in the gaming industry. The advantage of these cameras is that they provide not only images but also information about distances. Mounted on the ceiling, they record groups of people like a hilly landscape, which means they can precisely track even the busiest streams of people. We know at any given point in time where each person is located. But of course, we dont know their identity  and that is an essential consideration for data protection, Koch adds. Biometric tracking of potential terrorists should be undertaken only when there is sufficient reason to do so.

System clearly identifies carriers of dangerous substances

Once these devices are connected to each other, they can record people in both time and space, and their data fused. Sophisticated mathematical evaluation algorithms then filter out the desired information from the huge amounts of data. We use artificial intelligence to do this. The algorithms help us calculate the movements of the only person with whom the gamma sensor readings can be correlated. That identifies the potential attacker, Koch explains.

If they were applied at critical spots  in entrance areas and approaches to railway stations and airports or other public buildings  assistance systems of this sort could report information about radiological threats to, say, transportation company surveillance systems. The question of who has access is one for security personnel and the police.

Fraunhofer FKIE has been granted permission to experiment with weak radioactive substances, and has already successfully tested its system in the laboratory under the supervision of a radiation control agent. REHSTRAIN has been officially presented as part of a project workshop at FKIE, which in addition to partners from Germany and France was also attended by potential end-users.
Dr. Hans-Peter Sieper, founder and president of Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH for 26 years, changes to the supervisory board of the company effective September 1st, 2017.



Under his management, Elementar has developed from a small specialist manufacturer to a worldwide leading German manufacturer of analyzers for organic elements in virtually all application fields. Dr. Sieper will further support the company with his extensive knowledge and experience.



His son Albrecht Sieper takes over the sole management of Elementar. As a graduate engineer in mechanical engineering and as MBA, working several years at BMW R&D Center in Munich, he is highly qualified for his task and has actively influenced all of the company's divisions and processes for the last 13 years. For 3 years Albrecht Sieper has already been co-director. Thus, the continuity of the successful, family-run company Elementar will be ensured in Germany and in all of the 8 daughter companies worldwide.
Amazon.com's acquisition of Whole Foods is coming at just the right time for Frito-Lay, the snack giant known for Doritos, Ruffles and Funyuns.

The PepsiCo division has versions of 11 core chip brands without artificial ingredients -- including Lay's, Tostitos and Cheetos -- and aims to break out of the traditional snack aisle and get into organic grocery stores. The lineup, marketed under the name "Simply," meets all the criteria needed to be sold in Whole Foods, according to PepsiCo executive Jonathan McIntyre.

It's all part of a push to build a more healthful reputation for Frito-Lay brands, a significant undertaking at a company famous for bright-orange cheese powder. Natural products are the biggest source of growth for the industry right now, said McIntyre, who oversees research and development for PepsiCo's snacks. And Frito-Lay sees an opportunity to reach new customers -- and charge higher prices -- by targeting organic-food shoppers.

There's also more pressure to get a foothold at Whole Foods during a time when Amazon is threatening to upend the supermarket industry. The e-commerce site is using the grocery chain to support its food-delivery business and looks to take market share by cutting prices and integrating online and offline operations. But the big enticement at Whole Foods remains the promise of healthful and wholesome products.

"The notion of clean and simple is very important to a segment of consumers," Frito-Lay Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Saenz said in an interview at the division's headquarters in Plano, Texas. "They're searching for that."

The main question is whether Whole Foods will be an ally in helping Frito-Lay establish good-for-you credibility. So far, the chain hasn't shown signs of embracing Doritos and similar brands, which some shoppers consider junk food. But Amazon's takeover of the grocery chain could bring an opportunity to make inroads.

The e-commerce behemoth already sells Frito-Lay's Simply line on its website, and it's clearly willing to make changes at Whole Foods. When the acquisition closed on Monday, Amazon immediately slashed prices on many products and began stacking its Echo devices next to groceries.

The old Whole Foods might have turned up its nose at big makers of consumer-packaged goods, but Amazon could have different ideas -- especially because smaller suppliers may not be able to meet its more ambitious demands, said Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst Ali Dibadj.

"Amazon's acquisition makes it much more likely that Whole Foods will carry these better-for-you brands, even if they're made by large incumbent CPG players," he said. "The smaller brands just can't keep up with the spending and velocity required from Amazon anymore. We expect Whole Foods to carry more -- and more big brands too."

PepsiCo declined to discuss its relationship with retailers, but it's working on several fronts to reach the type of shoppers who frequent Whole Foods. Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi has emphasized the importance of better-for-you products and laid out health targets for its food and beverage portfolio.

Along the way, the Purchase, New York-based company is creating new brands, reformulating existing products and acquiring upstart businesses. PepsiCo released an organic version of Gatorade last year to appeal to the natural-food set. Frito-Lay introduced Simply Organic Doritos and Simply Cheetos Puffs White Cheddar Jalapeno this year, and the snack maker plans to continue adding brands to the Simply lineup moving forward.

One of the most daunting challenges is changing Frito-Lay's reputation. Most people don't associate its main snack brands with words like natural or organic, Saenz said. That's why Frito-Lay introduced the Simply name.

On the packaging, the "Simply" appears in capital letters above the brand logos, and labels prominently spell out the lack of artificial ingredients. The company found that shoppers often needed some convincing, Saenz said.

"Some of the feedback we hear often is, 'An organic Dorito? Really?"' she said. "We want to make sure that the credibility is coming through loud and clear."

Frito-Lay needs to push into premium products because its core business is getting squeezed, Bernstein's Dibadj said. Private-label products are stealing customers at the low end, and the natural brands are attracting well-heeled shoppers.

"All consumer companies right now are trying to figure out how to get into the natural shelf space and the natural home's pantry," Dibadj said.

PepsiCo isn't the only food giant burnishing its nutrition panels.

Mondelez International Inc. developed a line of crackers and snack bars, called Vea, that have no artificial ingredients or genetically modified organisms. Campbell Soup Co. agreed to pay $700 million for an organic soup and broth company in July. And Kraft Heinz Foods Co. is working to clean up its hot dogs.

PepsiCo's chief beverage rival, Coca-Cola, is reformulating more than 200 products to reduce the sugar in its drinks.

Acquisitions are another way to reach organic shoppers. In 2006, PepsiCo bought Stacy's Pita Chips, whose products are already in Whole Foods. But until the Simply line came out, the company's core snacks never met the grocer's requirements. Frito-Lay has been gradually releasing products under the new banner.

Whole Foods didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

"The challenge is, will Cheetos ever connote 'good for you'? That's a difficult premise to work on," Dibadj said. "But perhaps Cheetos Simply can connote 'better for you,' and that might be enough for some consumers."

With assistance from Craig Giammona
Democratic National Committee employee Lizzie Ellis, right, takes payment from Priscilla Jenkins, of Maine, for a glass of lemonade during an Equal Pay Day event with a lemonade stand "where women pay 79 cents per cup and men pay $1 per cup, to highlight the wage gap" on April 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Molly Riley / AFP/Getty Images)

The Trump administration has halted an Obama-era rule requiring large companies to share data with the government about how they pay employees by race and gender - but human resources experts and advocates for equal pay say it's unlikely to slow the push toward pay transparency employees, shareholders and local governments have demanded in recent years.

Increasingly, employees are turning to popular websites like Glassdoor or Payscale to compare their salary data and expecting companies to publicly say they pay men and women equally. Shareholders have pushed technology and financial services companies to release their gender pay gap statistics. More state and local governments have passed pay equity laws, some of which require state contractors to report data or certify they pay men and women the same.

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"Our culture is moving toward greater pay transparency, and I don't think you can unwind that clock," said Fatima Goss Graves, chief executive of the National Women's Law Center. "The White House's effort to stop the rule is not going to stop the push for pay transparency that's coming from employers or from shareholders. States are going to start stepping up and filling in the breach."

Human resources experts agreed. "In terms of the immediate impact of the halting the rule, honestly I don't anticipate it's going to have a real impact," said Gail Greenfield, a principal at the consulting firm Mercer. "The momentum is already there on pay transparency. You can't take that back."

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Greenfield said as shareholders have pushed for companies to disclose more about their equal pay practices - investors such as Arjuna Capital and Pax World Management have done so - a "peer effect" has inspired other companies to talk more openly about their pay gap.

"Even if you don't work for Google or Apple or Intel, you read the news as a person in the labor market," she said. "People pay attention to that information that those tech companies are sharing. If another company doesn't release the data, does this mean it's not a priority? As more companies become transparent, there's going to be greater pressure for other companies to become transparent."

The data, after all, is just a mouse click away for many employees with the expansion of websites like Glassdoor. Dawn Lyon, vice president of corporate affairs for the pay data site, said they've seen "a sizable increase in employers hungry for information about how they make sure they don't have a pay gap" over the past two years, with more than 3,700 adding an equal pay "pledge" to their company profile during that time.

"We're seeing pay equality and commitments to pay equality really influencing employers' brands," she said. At a time with such low unemployment, "these are things that set companies apart."

Brian Kropp, who leads the human resources consulting practice at CEB, says there's been a striking uptick in companies rushing to analyze and understand whether they have a pay gap. In a recent survey CEB did of 78 Fortune 1000 companies, he said, 69 percent said they had launched a pay equity effort in the past two years. While some of that rush has come from regulatory pressure, he said, "there's also a broader debate within society about the unfairness of the gender wage gap," and companies have felt compelled to respond.

Meanwhile, even as a federal rule has been halted (federal contractors will still provide data to the government) state-level regulations have emerged in recent years. At least five states or cities, according to the National Women's Law Center, have some kind of equal pay certification or reporting requirement - typically for state contractors, though there is a pending bill in California focused on large employers more generally.

That could have a broader effect than in just those states or cities, said Kropp, as large companies that do business in multiple jurisdictions often adopt practices more widely to keep things standard. "If you're a large employer you can't treat it as a local initiative," he said.

He also thinks local ordinances could proliferate: "I can guarantee you, now that the Trump administration has put a stop to this reporting, the legislators, the mayors, the state senators - those local jurisdictions - will start to pass their own regulations, their own laws, where companies will have to report their numbers."

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Still, halting the reporting rule at the federal level could hurt enforcement and accountability. When companies report they have virtually no gender pay gap - even if calculated from a sophisticated algorithm - that's an aggregate number that may mask bigger gaps among more narrow job categories.

"There's a big difference in what they report publicly and what they do internally," Mercer's Greenfield said. Many, she said, are working to rectify the gaps they find among individual jobs but are hardly going to include those gaps they discover in the news releases - or may work to fix them before they go public. "There's a difference between compensation management and public relations."

Still, the demands from employees for more pay transparency is only expected to grow. Millennial employees, in particular, don't see talk about salaries as taboo, Glassdoor's Lyon said.

"The genie is out of the bottle, and it's not going anywhere," she said. "It's what workers expect."
Janice Jackson, the chief education officer for Chicago Public Schools, speaks at a Board of Education meeting on Aug. 24, 2016. The district announced Monday that the rate of CPS students who graduated within five years of starting high school climbed past 77 percent this year. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

The rate of Chicago Public Schools students who graduated within five years of starting high school climbed past 77 percent this year, a four percentage point gain from a year ago that district officials credited in part to marked improvement by African-American boys, according to figures provided by the district.

"Every time we talk about student performance metrics, the achievement gap is always a focal area for both us as well as the public," CPS chief education officer Janice Jackson said, referring to the ongoing disparity between black and white graduation rates.

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"And we're just happy to see that this is an area where we can really boast about not only improvements for the entire district, but for a population that most people, you know, well, we haven't seen those types of trends, and I think that people kind of expect to see that gap."

While Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration described the improvement in graduation rates as "blistering," the district continues to lag behind a national average that is also rising. The mayor has set a goal of an 85 percent graduation rate by 2019.

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The news of improved graduation rates for black males was tempered by a new report from the Metropolitan Planning Council on African-American students' access to the city's best high schools.

The think tank concluded in a report published last week that in the past school year, white CPS students were 13 times more likely to attend one of the district's five most prestigious and selective high schools  Jones, Lane Tech, Northside, Payton and Young  than black students.

Roughly 39 percent of the district's entire population of white high schoolers enrolled in one of those buildings, the council's research said, compared with just 3 percent of the district's black high school population.

That marks the widest disparity at any point since the 2000-01 school year, the council said. The exact reasons for the split aren't certain, but they've occurred as the city's black population has been declining.

"These are the shining examples of a school system that has been dragged through the mud in terms of scandal, in terms of overall performance, in terms of its finances," said Alden Loury, the council's director of research and evaluation, of the city's top public high schools.

"These are literally world-class high schools, and for five of them to be in the same city, I think, is a remarkable feat for CPS and it gives them a selling point that very few other places, if any, can hang onto," he said. "So, for that reason, I think, it's important for those schools to reflect more of a complete sense of what Chicago is."

African-American students did collectively comprise three-quarters of students at five other selective high schools in majority-black neighborhoods on the South and West sides last year, the report said.

Jackson pointed to a 2009 federal order that barred the use of race as a key school selection factor, prompting the district to require a certain percentage of each school's students to come from four socioeconomic "tiers" in the city.

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"At that time, me along with every other principal of a selective enrollment school was worried about exactly what we're seeing," said Jackson, a former high school principal.

"The only way to solve that (gap) is to continue to have higher performance," she said. "We have to have higher performance in our elementary schools across the board. If students have higher test scores, they're going to have more access into those schools."

The latest five-year graduation rate for black men hovered just below 63 percent, up from 57.4 percent a year earlier, according to CPS.

CPS said the latest overall five-year graduation rate was 77.5 percent. That figure has risen steadily over the past five years, according to district calculations, at the same time the district's overall student population has declined alongside a steady drop in African-American enrollment.

"I do think it's worth noting that some part of the change in the system overall is that the system is losing students, losing a considerable number of students, that typically were having a harder time and suffering a great deal in terms of their dropout rates and their graduation rates," Loury said. "But I wouldn't say it's to the degree that it diminishes the broader impact."

CPS students graduated high school within four years at a lower rate of 74.7 percent this year. That figure has also risen in recent years but still lags well behind a national four-year graduation rate average that rose to 83 percent in the 2014-15 school year, the latest year for which data is available.

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One of Emanuel's top pledges for his second mayoral term has been to graduate 85 percent of CPS students by 2019.

"We watch the national numbers," Jackson said. "We'll continue to chase those and set ambitious goals, but we feel really positive about the trajectory."

jjperez@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PerezJr
Students in three out of four Chicago Public Schools won't have access to a librarian this fall  one result of years of budget cuts. The district has budgeted for fewer than a third as many librarians in 2017-18 as it did in 2012, when nearly every school library was staffed.

The district budgeted for about 454 librarians in 2013, but only 139 for the 2017-18 school year, according to CPS data.

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It's difficult to pinpoint how many librarians work in CPS because the district and the Chicago Teachers Union count that work differently. CPS spokesman Michael Passman said the district's library staffing numbers are "conservative" because they do not account for all teachers and assistants who also work in library support roles.

CTU leaders, however, say the numbers are inflated because some librarians have additional classes or responsibilities and spend little time physically working in the school library.

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Principals control the budgets for individual schools and have flexibility to determine how money is best spent.

"Of course CPS would like to be able to support the funding of additional librarians, but our schools have been shortchanged $1.6 billion since 2014 by a broken state funding system," Passman said in a statement.

CPS would not provide historical data on how many librarians worked in which schools, but as recently as 2012, there was at least one librarian per school, according to the CTU. Now, swaths of schools on the South and West sides have no librarians at all and the majority of schools that do are concentrated on the North side of the city, according to a Tribune analysis.

"It's been a really rapid decline. There are other places in the country where this is happening, but Chicago is really standing out in the speed in which this is happening," said Nora Wiltse, a longtime CPS librarian and co-chair of the CTU Librarians Committee.

Nora Wiltse, librarian at Coonley Elementary School and co-chair of the Chicago Teachers Unions Librarians Committee, says library staffing in the citys public schools has undergone a really rapid decline. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

In a district with about 650 schools, there were about 180 library staff members at 165 campuses as of Aug. 1, according to CPS data. That included 161 full-time teachers, 12 part-time teachers and 7 assistants or library clerks, Passman said.

With question marks remaining about CPS funding for 2017-18, many school librarians worried over the summer that their positions would be cut before classes were to resume Tuesday.

Some remaining librarians say they feel pressured to teach unrelated classes to keep their jobs, while others have left CPS for neighboring suburban districts that typically employ at least one certified librarian per school.

Parent volunteers and low-cost library clerks may help students check out books in schools with vacancies, but they lack the formal information literacy training that certified library media specialists obtain, according to Wiltse.

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"We've seen some libraries stay open with a clerk, but most of the time the school will say that they have a library, but the students don't have access to those books and so it's just a room that's used for testing," she said. "The students are just losing all of their support services."

Information literacy

School libraries are the main source of books for many students, but especially for those living in the city's most impoverished neighborhoods on the South and West Sides, where children are less likely to have books or internet at home.

These children may not have safe access to public libraries or bookstores and rely on school librarians help them develop critical thinking and research skills, Wiltse said.

"When I taught in Englewood, I just assumed that the students could go to their branch libraries, but they weren't allowed to go there because of the gun violence and fear of walking in their neighborhood," Wiltse said. "So in CPS, we really are the student's main source of books, and now that access has been taken away."

Longtime school librarian Nora Wiltse noted that in CPS, we really are the students main source of books, and now that access has been taken away. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

The role of a school librarian has expanded over the years from "keepers of the books" to information specialists, said Audrey Church, former president of the American Association of School Librarians.

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They teach students how to distinguish between fake news and quality sources and provide physical access to information through print, audio and online resources.

"Children don't have much trouble finding information anymore  they're pretty good at that  but once they find that information, school librarians help them evaluate it and teach them how to use it ethically," Church said.

School librarians typically collaborate with teachers to supplement their lesson plans with advanced research tools and databases.

It's not enough for some teachers to maintain miniature libraries in their classrooms  students need a large pool to find interesting books within their skill range, she said.

"Every child deserves the services of a full-time certified school librarian, and if we are not providing those services then we are not treating our children equally and we are doing them a disservice," Church said.

The CTU has been monitoring the number of CPS librarians for years and began seeing a "tremendous decline" of librarians across the system in 2012  especially at the high school level, according to CTU researcher Pavlyn Jankov.

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"When there are budget problems at CPS, it hits schools in black and brown communities even harder, and that's a trend we've noticed especially at the high school level," Jankov said. "Whatever source of data you use, the story is the same."

Only 25 of 167 CPS high schools have at least one full-time librarian on staff, an even mix of neighborhood and selective enrollment schools, according to CPS data.

Some librarians are counted as library staff members but have separate responsibilities. One high school librarian, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of losing her job, says she rarely spends time providing library services despite having that title. She teaches several general education classes, nearly a full class load, and no one covers the library in her absence.

The role of school librarians has expanded from keepers of the books to information specialists, said a former president of the American Association of School Librarians. They teach students how to distinguish between so-called fake news and quality sources, and they provide physical access to information through print, audio and online resources. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Librarians are essential at every grade level, but especially in high schools, where students are developing critical research skills and preparing for college, according to Sheryl Osborne, a full-time librarian at Benito Juarez High School in Pilsen.

Osborne has worked in the school library for about 15 years and recently became the coordinator for the International Baccalaureate extended essay program to help students produce a 4,000-word argumentative research paper. She works closely with general education teachers to integrate technology into their classrooms and runs a weeklong semiannual reading initiative to get students excited about reading.

She taught an English class in 2015 but returned to working as a full-time librarian the following school year with a full-time assistant.

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"There were pros and cons to (teaching the English class), but of course it meant the school didn't have a full-time librarian," Osborne said. "Many of my high school colleagues teach at least one class, if not more, and have other responsibilities, so it wasn't unique or ideal, but it's sort of the way things are."

Job uncertainty

In 2015, CPS librarian Sara Sayigh made national headlines after students held a "read-in" at the multi-school DuSable campus to protest her termination.

At the time, Sayigh had spent 13 years as a full-time librarian for Daniel Hale Williams Prep and the Bronzeville Scholastic Institute, majority-black schools on the city's South Side.

After breaking the news of her layoff to colleagues, Sayigh decided to take the next day off. In her absence, students organized a protest. About 200 students walked out of their second-period classrooms in silent protest. They grabbed books from the library, sat in the hallways and read.

"I can't describe it. You go through every day and just hope you're doing well," Sayigh said. "But the fact that they all rallied like that  these kids were just incredible. I was so proud of them."

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A love for reading is fostered in school libraries like the one at Coonley Elementary in Chicagos North Center neighborhood. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

An anonymous donor contacted the principal and donated funds to keep her position through the end of that year.

But her future with CPS remained uncertain. She was reduced to a part-time employee at both Daniel Prep and Bronzeville Scholastic for the 2016-17 school year, then was cut from one of her jobs in October during a round of district layoffs.

Sayigh finished the year with only a part-time school librarian position at Daniel Prep. On Aug. 7, she received a layoff notice for that job.

She said her school principal is still working for a solution to keep her on campus.

"I still don't know what's going to happen, but there's hope," Sayigh said. "The point is, what kind of mountains does a principal have to move to have a librarian in the school?"

nmoreno@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @nereidamorenos
A motorcyclist died late Sunday in a crash on Interstate 90/94 near Kimball Avenue, according to Chicago Fire Department officials.

About 9:35 p.m. Sunday, the department was called for a crash involving a motorcyclist and a car. The man who had been riding a motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials.

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He was identified as Salaam Solano, 22, of the 7500 block of Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

A 54-year-old woman was taken to Community First Medical Center to be treated for shoulder pain, fire officials said. The other people in the vehicle declined medical attention.

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Illinois State Police officials were investigating, but troopers did not immediately release information about the crash.

Check back for updates.
Reckie Clay, 52, is charged with attempted murder after prosecutors say he brutally beat a man he suspected of having an affair with his fiancee, leaving the victim in a medically induced coma with brain injuries. Clay allegedly attacked the man the evening of Aug. 4, 2017, outside a bar in the 9700 block of South Halsted Street in the Longwood Manor neighborhood. (Chicago Police Department )

A 52-year-old man brutally beat a man he suspected of having an affair with his fiancee, leaving the victim in a medically induced coma with brain injuries, prosecutors said Sunday.

Reckie Clay, of the 11000 block of Homewood Avenue, appeared in Cook County Bond Court on Sunday, charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery in the attack outside a Far South Side bar.

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On Aug. 4, Clay waited in a car outside the bar in the 9700 block of South Halsted Street in the Longwood Manor neighborhood, Assistant State's Attorney Craig Taczy said. As a 47-year-old man left the building about 6:30 p.m., Clay approached him about suspected infidelity with Clay's fiancee.

Clay punched the man in the face, knocking him unconscious, Taczy said.

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"The defendant then kicked the victim several times, including in the head and the throat," Taczy said. Clay "confronted witnesses in the alley and the witnesses left the alley. The defendant then went back to the victim, who was (lying) motionless on the ground, and slammed his head two times on the ground."

The victim was placed in a medically induced coma with a traumatic brain injury. Doctors said the attack left the victim in a "partial vegetative state operating in a low capacity," Taczy said. He suffered brain hemorrhaging in three places, missing teeth  including one lodged in his throat  and damage to his vocal chords.

He was able to identify Clay in a photo array, however.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

On Friday, Clay, who works as a mechanic at Valvoline in Morgan Park, was arrested at his job, according to court documents.

In 1989, Clay, a self-admitted Gangster Disciple, pleaded guilty to a slew of felonies, including attempted murder, home invasion, aggravated battery and residential burglary, prosecutors said. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Judge Laura Sullivan sent Clay, who was still wearing his work uniform inscribed with his initials, to Cook County Jail.

"I find the defendant presents a real and present threat to the physical safety to any person or persons, in addition to significant criminal history offered by the state," Sullivan said. "I find it necessary to hold him without bail. There is no condition of bond that could prevent (this threat)."

A woman who identified herself as Clay's fiancee left the courtroom Sunday after the hearing, apparently emotional after hearing the charges against him.

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"I don't know what to think," she said. "I don't really know enough of the story."

Clay is scheduled to return to court Friday.
South Korea's Hyunmu-2 ballistic missile is fired during an exercise aimed to counter North Korea's nuclear test on Sept. 4, 2017. South Korea's military said Monday it conducted a combined live-fire exercise in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test a day earlier.

SEOUL, South Korea  Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea's military on Monday fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion.

The heated words from the United States and the military maneuvers in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Korea's rapid, as-yet unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike the United States. The most recent, and perhaps most dramatic, advancement came Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong Un's government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006.

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In a series of tweets, President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for what he called "talk of appeasement."

South Korea's military said its live-fire exercise was meant to "strongly warn" Pyongyang. The drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles firing into the Sea of Japan.

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The target was set considering the distance to the North's test site and the exercise was aimed at practicing precision strikes and cutting off reinforcements, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Each new North Korean missile and nuclear test gives Pyongyang's scientists invaluable information that allows big jumps in capability. North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

Both diplomacy and severe sanctions have failed to check the North's decades-long march to nuclear mastery.

In Washington, Trump, asked by a reporter if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see." No U.S. military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In brief remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters that America does not seek the "total annihilation" of the North, but then added somberly, "We have many options to do so."

Mattis said the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming."

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that Kim should know Washington's commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

The precise strength of the North's underground nuclear explosion has yet to be determined. South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five tests.

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Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target U.S. cities.

North Korea has made a stunning jump in progress for its nuclear and missile program since Kim rose to power following his father's death in late 2011. The North followed its two tests of Hwasong-14 ICBMs, which, when perfected, could target large parts of the United States, by threatening to launch a salvo of its Hwasong-12 intermediate range missiles toward the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam in August.

It flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile capable of carrying nukes, in a launch Kim described as a "meaningful prelude" to containing Guam, the home of major U.S. military facilities, and vowed to launch more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

Ahead of the North's test, photos released by the North Korean government showed Kim talking with his lieutenants as he observed a silver, peanut-shaped device that was apparently the purported thermonuclear weapon destined for an ICBM. The images were taken without outside journalists present and could not be independently verified. What appeared to be the nose cone of a missile could also be seen in one photo, and another showed a diagram on the wall behind Kim of a bomb mounted inside a cone.

The Arms Control Association in the United States said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests the North tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Korea's accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the U.S. as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

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That is why some questioned Trump's jab at South Korea. He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its "talk of appeasement" will not work. The North Koreans, he added, "only understand one thing," implying military force might be required. The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital U.S. trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbor. Trump tweeted that the U.S. is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." Such a halt would be radical. The U.S. imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner.

Experts have questioned whether the North has gone too far down the nuclear road to continue pushing for a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, an Obama administration policy goal still embraced by Trump's White House.

"Denuclearization is not a viable U.S. policy goal," said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the U.S. accept North Korea as a nuclear power. "We should keep denuclearization as a long-term aspiration, but recognize privately that it's unachievable anytime soon."

Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey in Washington and Youkyung Lee and Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul contributed to this report.
Florence Stoller, a community activist known as the unofficial mayor of Albany Park, died in August at age 99.

It didn't matter your nationality or what God you worshipped, Florence Stoller, the unofficial mayor of Albany Park, saw just one community.

The daughter of Russian immigrant Jews, Stoller loved the diversity of Albany Park and proudly referred to her Northwest Side community as a "mini United Nations"  a blend of immigrants, and the offspring of immigrants, representing dozens of nationalities.

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And there was hell to pay if people made trouble in her neighborhood.

"We had one block where gangbangers lived, and it was filthy dirty," she told the Tribune in 2002. "That's what attracts the gangs  they love to live in squalor. So we organized a block cleanup and there wasn't one house on that whole block that didn't have a person out there on the day of the cleanup. The sergeant in charge of beat officers went with us, rang doorbells, delivered flyers and told them they better show up."

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Stoller, 99, founder and president of the Jensen Park Community Organization and a pioneer of Chicago's Alternative Policing Strategy program (CAPS), died of natural causes Aug. 26 at Brentwood North Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, a senior living facility in Riverwoods.

"She was a dynamo," said Ald. Margaret Laurino, whose 39th Ward includes Albany Park. "Before I even ran for office more than 20 years ago, I understood the importance of Florence to our community. She didn't beat around the bush. She always made clear where she stood in terms of safety, cleanliness and the overall well-being of her fellow neighbors  from babies to the elderly."

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 86 Dick Orkin, an award-winning radio advertising creator for close to a half-century who was perhaps best known for his syndicated Chickenman spoof, which aired on Chicago stations, died on Dec. 24 in California. He was 84. Read more. (Handout)

In 1998, the Chicago City Council made the 3700 block of Eastwood Avenue the honorary Florence Stoller Way, and a year later she was inducted into the Chicago Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

"Florence was often the first call I'd make when I got to the office," Laurino said. "She was my go-to person for all kinds of info on what was happening in our ward. She had her ear to the ground."

Stoller also led the way in cleaning and landscaping her neighborhood and was the recipient of the Green Thumb Award in the 39th Ward.

"She'd clean entire blocks," said her son Myron. "She'd plant flowers, pull weeds, pick up trash and get abandoned cars towed. She was out there with the graffiti blasters pointing to where she wanted them to aim their power washers."

Born and raised Florence Davis in the West Side Douglas Park neighborhood, Stoller graduated from Marshall High School in 1936. She worked after high school as a seamstress in her father's tailor shop.

In 1940, she married Nathan Stoller, an executive with a Chicago-based pharmaceutical wholesaler. The couple had two sons and moved in 1952 into a home next to Jensen Park.

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After her husband died of leukemia in 1983, Stoller became more involved in her community, and in 1991 founded the Jensen Park Community Organization, a hands-on group focused on local civic matters and beautifying the neighborhood.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 100 Actress/singer Rose Marie is gleeful as director Carl Reiner, right, and Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, present her with 2,184th star on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame Oct. 3, 2001, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Marie died Dec. 28, 2017, at age 94. Read more. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

In 1995, she began serving as a beat representative for CAPS, a policing initiative that partners community residents with police to help fight crime, and she was a member of the Advisory Council of the Chicago Police Department in the 17th District.

Over the years, Stoller served as her neighborhood's goodwill ambassador, knocking on doors, greeting new residents and helping them acclimate to the area.

"I've counted maybe 20 different nationalities on our block," Stoller told the Tribune in 1998. "Right across the street is a lady from the Philippines who's a nurse. Next to her there's a Mexican family. One building is just Romanians. Near the end of the block is a building that has recently been bought by Nigerians.

"It's what you do in a changing neighborhood," she added. "You have to reach out."

Other survivors include another son Seymour; a sister, Yetta Heller; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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Services were held.

Giangrasse-Kates is a freelance reporter.
Sister Kathleen Moriarty entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy right out of high school, putting her nurturing nature to work as a principal, teacher and counselor at Catholic schools for 63 years.

Her career included 28 years at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, where she taught math from 1978 to 1983 and was a guidance counselor until 2006.

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"She was a real fine teacher. She stayed with the student until they got the concept," said Sister Cathleen Cahill, principal of McAuley from 1979 to 1987.

Rheumatoid arthritis in her hands led Moriarty to shift from classroom work in the days of blackboards to counseling, Cahill said.

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"She knew her time for teaching math was coming to an end, so she got another master's degree to prepare herself for becoming a guidance counselor, and she was excellent at that," Cahill said.

Moriarty, 81, died of natural causes Aug. 20 in Mercy Circle in Chicago, according to her sister Barbara.

Moriarty was the fourth of 10 children born to Irish immigrant parents in Chicago's Burnside neighborhood.

"She was kind of a mother hen," her sister said. "My mom had 10 kids, and Kate was pretty busy with cooking, washing, ironing  all that kind of stuff."

Barbara Moriarty said her mother had left school in Ireland after sixth grade to help with her own siblings. "It was a big deal that Kate was allowed to finish high school."

After attending elementary school at St. Joachim parish  she would later return there as principal  she finished high school at the since-closed Mercy High School. In both schools, her teachers were nuns of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, the order she joined when she was 18.

"It was the only way you got an education if you were a woman," her sister said. "The Mercies were great nuns and a great part of Chicago."

Kathleen Moriarty professed her final vows in 1960. In 1961, she got a bachelor's degree from what is now St. Xavier University in Chicago. She was initially known as Sister Sheila Marie.

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She went on to get a master's degree in education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1971 and later another master's in counseling from Chicago State University.

From 1959 to 1965, she taught first grade in schools in Chicago, Milwaukee, Libertyville and Ottawa. From 1965 to 1967, she was principal of what was then the school at St. Joan of Arc outside Chicago. She then taught in Dundee for a year.

Even through the turbulent times of Vatican II reforms in the 1960s, Moriarty's faith and dedication never wavered. "She was always a really dedicated nun," her sister said. "A lot of people were leaving (religious life) and I asked her about it and she said, 'This is my life. This is what I want to do. I love doing it.'"

In 1968, she became principal of St. Joachim, where she had gone to grade school. It was a tumultuous time, as she recounted in a 1997 interview. The street gang Blackstone Rangers were recruiting middle schoolers, baby "Stones," she called them. To protect "her kids," she closed the campus and put in a hot lunch program.

She was there until 1975, when she moved to teach math at the since-closed Unity High School, a merger of her old high school with another school on the Mercy campus.

In 1978, she moved to Mother McAuley and finished her academic career there in 2006.

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Another of her sisters, Mary Therese Pallasch, said Moriarty was as nurturing with family and friends as she was with her students.

"She took time for everybody," Pallasch said. "And she was generous. Whatever she had she would share."

Barbara Moriarty said she and her sister traveled together, including to Ecuador, where one of their late brothers was a priest doing missionary work.

"We really had good family times," Barbara Moriarty said. Those included cooking together, baking pies and making Irish bread. Her sister, she said, had some specialties.

"She was a great cook. She had a stew for every occasion," her sister said. "She loved her crock pot. When they came out with that, she was in seventh heaven."

Kathleen Moriarty is also survived by another sister, Irene, and a brother, Thomas.

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Services were held.

Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter.
Americans recoiled from the repugnant spectacle of white supremacists marching in Charlottesville, Va., to promote their un-American "blood and soil" ideology. There is nothing in their hate-driven racism that can match the strength of a nation conceived in liberty and comprising 323 million souls of different origins and opinions who are equal under the law.

Most of us share Heather Heyer's values, not the depravity of the man who took her life. We are the country that led the free world to victory over fascism and dispatched communism to the ash heap of history. We are the superpower that organized not an empire, but an international order of free, independent nations that has liberated more people from poverty and tyranny than anyone thought possible in the age of colonies and autocracies.

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Our shared values define us more than our differences. And acknowledging those shared values can see us through our challenges today if we have the wisdom to trust in them again.

Congress will return from recess next week facing continued gridlock as we lurch from one self-created crisis to another. We are proving inadequate not only to our most difficult problems but also to routine duties. Our national political campaigns never stop. We seem convinced that majorities exist to impose their will with few concessions and that minorities exist to prevent the party in power from doing anything important.

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That's not how we were meant to govern. Our entire system of government  with its checks and balances, its bicameral Congress, its protections of the rights of the minority  was designed for compromise. It seldom works smoothly or speedily. It was never expected to.

It requires pragmatic problem-solving from even the most passionate partisans. It relies on compromise between opposing sides to protect the interests we share. We can fight like hell for our ideas to prevail. But we have to respect each other or at least respect the fact that we need each other.

That has never been truer than today, when Congress must govern with a president who has no experience of public office, is often poorly informed and can be impulsive in his speech and conduct.

We must respect his authority and constitutional responsibilities. We must, where we can, cooperate with him. But we are not his subordinates. We don't answer to him. We answer to the American people. We must be diligent in discharging our responsibility to serve as a check on his power. And we should value our identity as members of Congress more than our partisan affiliation.

I argued during the health care debate for a return to regular order, letting committees of jurisdiction do the principal work of crafting legislation and letting the full Senate debate and amend their efforts.

We won't settle all our differences that way, but such an approach is more likely to make progress on the central problems confronting our constituents. We might not like the compromises regular order requires, but we can and must live with them if we are to find real and lasting solutions. And all of us in Congress have the duty, in this sharply polarized atmosphere, to defend the necessity of compromise before the American public.

Let's try that approach on a budget that realistically meets the nation's critical needs. We all know spending levels for defense and other urgent priorities have been woefully inadequate for years. But we haven't found the will to work together to adjust them. The appropriators can't complete their spending bills, and we're stuck with threats of a government shutdown and continuing resolutions that underfund national security. A compromise that raises spending caps for both sides' priorities is better than the abject failure that has been our achievement to date.

Let's also try that approach on immigration. The president has promised greater border security. We can agree to that. A literal wall might not be the most effective means to that end, but we can provide the resources necessary to secure the border with smart and affordable measures. Let's make it part of a comprehensive bill that members of both parties can get behind  one that values our security as well as the humanity of immigrants and their contributions to our economy and culture.

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Let's try it on tax reform and infrastructure improvement and all the other urgent priorities confronting us. These are all opportunities to show that ordinary, decent, free people can govern competently, respectfully and humbly, and to prove the value of the United States Congress to the great nation we serve.

The Washington Post

John McCain, a Republican, represents Arizona in the U.S. Senate.
I am a lifelong Republican. I did not vote for President Donald Trump and am not happy with his leadership to date. But I do believe the media overreacted to the pardon of sheriff Joe Arpaio. The op-ed from The Washington Post by Margaret Colgate Love in the Aug. 31 Tribune is typical of the hyperbole.

It, for one, knocks mostly the Republican presidents and overlooks bigger errors by presidents of the Democratic Party. The pardon of Marc Rich by President Bill Clinton was one of the great quid pro quos of the modern era. Without large contributions from his ex-wife to the Clinton campaign, this convicted criminal would never have been given a "pass." Why President Barack Obama ever commuted Chelsea Manning's sentence, God only knows. The damage to the intelligence community and the national consequences far surpass any errors in judgment made by Arpaio.

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Yet the liberal media could not work itself into the same "lather" over those pardons.

Why can't we have balanced reporting?

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 Bob English, Naperville
It takes a lot of chutzpah to headline a column "The elitism of opposing school choice" that argues that those of us who oppose Gov. Bruce Rauner's school choice program are ignorant. But that is the only explanation Kristen McQueary can come up with for why some of us question the value of school choice.

Many poorly funded public schools perform poorly. (Some perform well; according to the Tribune, some of the best schools in the state are in the Chicago Public Schools system.) The obvious explanation for this phenomenon is that they are underfunded. Public schools are not cutting art classes because they think they have no value; they are not increasing class size because larger classes are better; they are not losing good teachers because these teachers are overpaid.

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It is reasonable to fear that making it easier for students to abandon public schools will only make the underfunding problem worse. In fact, many supporters of the new school choice program also oppose more equitable funding of public schools.

There is a danger that supporters of school choice choose to ignore  that private schools will fail to admit (or retain) the most difficult students to educate. Solely by being selective about whom they admit, private schools can outperform public schools even without having better teachers. And their selectivity hurts public schools.

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What we need are solutions that will increase the quality of education for all students. Addressing the inequities in funding schools should be the highest priority.

 Richard Hudson, Chicago
This week finds some of indie music's best acts coming to town.

Friday, Sept. 8

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Ducktails, Varsity

The Empty Bottle

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1035 N. Western Ave. 773-276-3600

Until last year, Matt Mondanile made music under the Ducktails moniker, along with his lead guitarist duties with Jersey indie rock outfit Real Estate. Now relieved from Real Estate, Ducktails is now the focus of Mondanile's creative expressions. His latest track "Light A Candle" finds Ducktails once again exploring dream pop landscapes and synth-laden realms. Chicago music scene staple Varsity joins him at The Empty Bottle. 9 p.m. $12. Tickets: emptybottle.com

Tuesday, Sept. 12

Mourn

Beat Kitchen

2100 W. Belmont Ave. 773-281-4444

Mourn awed listeners with the rawness it expressed in emotions and musicality when it released its self-titled debut in 2015. The youthfulness of the Barcelona-four piece did little to impair the gravitas of its sound. Mourn's sophomore effort "Ha, Ha, He." features lyrical themes that go beyond teenage solipsism. Now on the fringe of adulthood and with two albums under its belt, Mourn is starting to adroitly settle in next to its punk contemporaries. 8 p.m. $12-$14. Tickets: beatkitchen.com

Wednesday, Sept. 13

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Tim Darcy

Schubas

3159 N. Southport Ave. 773-525-2508

Known as the frontman for Canadian post-punk quartet Ought, Tim Darcy comes to Chicago in support of his debut solo record "Saturday Night." Darcy slows down Ought's skittish tunes and lends his idiosyncratic lyricism to fuzzier guitar riffs evocative of Lou Reed's "Transformer." Devon Welsh, previously the frontman of the now defunct dream pop duo Majical Cloudz, joins Darcy. 9 p.m. $12-$14. Tickets: lh-st.com

Thursday, Sept. 14

Jay Som

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Subterranean

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

2011 W. North Ave. 773-278-6600

Jay Som, musical project of Oakland-based multi-instrumentalist Melina Duterte, cemented her place in the music world with the release of her debut record "Everybody Works" earlier this year. Duterte writes songs that feel like they come from someone way beyond her years. Her music brims with lyrical narratives detailing the daily strife of twenty-somethings, with honeyed melodies elicited from dulcet guitars. With each song, Duterte weaves together a bedroom-like intimacy that she gracefully ferries to the stage. 7 p.m. $13-$15. Tickets: subt.net

of Montreal

Logan Square Auditorium

2539 N. Kedzie Blvd. 773-252-6179

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This eccentric and ever-changing musical project of Kevin Barnes returns to Chicago for the second time this year. of Montreal has never been an easy band to pin down it released a new project nearly every year since its inception and its live shows defy conventions. Barnes is easily one of music's most glamorous frontmen, with his infectious elation and a wardrobe that defies gender norms. 8 p.m. $18-$20. Tickets: logansquareauditorium.com

Efrain Dorado is a RedEye freelancer.

[ Looking for more to do in Chicago?  ]
So, this fake news mainstream news media is all about belittling first lady Melania Trump for wearing high heals when she came with her husband President Donald Trump to visit the ravaged areas of Texas after Hurricane Harvey hit? My question is where was first lady Michelle Obama after Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey? She did not even take the time with her husband, former President Barack Obama, to visit. But no condemnation from the fake news.

BJ, Frankfort

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I was thinking about the two soda tax commercials Cook County saying pretty much don't drink sugar drinks. So, aren't these commercials going against your money making taxes Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle? Democrats are not to smart.

If the Chicago Public Schools had its way, there would be no vouchers for private schools. I thought it was all about the children. No, it's about the money.

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Oak Forest

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Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown.
Northbrook police said a Glenbrook North High School employee has been charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and impersonating a police officer in connection with a late-night incident on school property.

Police said Steven Schulhof, 60, of the 2600 block of Golden Rod Lane in Glenview, crashed his car into a pole near midnight on Aug. 26 in the Glenbrook North parking lot, then was found by officers to have a loaded gun. Police said Schulhof, attempting to excuse his possession of the weapon, showed officers a badge that was not issued by any law enforcement agency. Schulhof also was charged with failure to obtain a concealed-carry permit, according to police.

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Schulhof could not be reached for comment, but a Glenbrook School District 225 official said Schulhof is a hall monitor who is not authorized to be armed on campus.

In response to a request for information about Schulhof's arrest, District 225 released a statement saying Schulhof has been put on administrative leave and is "not allowed on school property or at school events until further notice." The release noted that the incident took place after school hours and did not involve any students.

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Schulhof was hired as a para-professional  an employee without a teaching or administration certification  in 2000, District 225 spokeswoman Karen Geddeis said Tuesday. He works seven hours a day, 186.5 days per year.

"He monitors the hallways and open spaces," she said, via email, and she said his job does not involve firearms.

"The only person who is allowed to carry a weapon on our campus is our police school resource officer," Geddeis said.

Police were called around 11:30 p.m. to a Glenbrook North parking lot where they found Schulhof's car had been backed into a light pole, Northbrook Police Department spokesman Tom Moore said.

Moore said that Schulhof told police he was in the parking lot to train his German shepherd dog.

Police said that as Schulhof was waiting for a tow truck, he was seen taking items, including a loaded handgun, out of the car. Authorities said that he had no concealed-carry permit but showed officers a badge clipped to his waistband to avoid the weapon charge.

After officers determined Schulhof was not a member of a law enforcement agency, he was charged with impersonating a police officer, according to police.

Schulhof is a state-licensed private detective, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. He first held a private-eye license in 1995, according to the agency, which reported that he also has a valid Illinois firearm owner's identification card, and that he has never faced discipline from the IDFPR.

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Moore said that there were no occupants in Schulhof's car other than the dog.

He was released on $50,000 bond, according to authorities.

ileavitt@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @IrvLeavitt
Adam Frisch keeps calm waiting for all ballots to be counted in CD-3
By Dezan Shira & Associates

Editor: Alexander Chipman Koty

The core principles of internal control do not vary significantly between countries. Indeed, Chinas legislative framework for internal control largely mirrors the corresponding legislation in the US. In practice, however, the issues that arise in day-to-day business in China present a unique business environment for implementing internal control.

Specific legal features particular to China, such as company chops, require internal control systems that might not be needed in most Western countries. Meanwhile, other issues requiring internal control encountered when doing business in China  including corruption, labor disputes, language barriers, and cultural misunderstandings may be more common than in many foreign investors home countries.

As such, foreign investors establishing operations in China should implement internal control systems specific to Chinas business environment, rather than simply transplant systems in place from operations in their home countries. In the following sections, we provide some commonly practiced controls in China.

Securing company chops

Company chops, also referred to as seals or stamps, are a unique feature of doing business in China. Chops are engraved with a given company details, such as its registered legal name, and are used to legally authorize documents  much like a signature in the West.

However, whereas signatories in the West must be legally authorized representatives of a company, in China, merely having possession of a chop usually grants authority to use it.

The risks are high: It is not uncommon for personnel, sensing that they will be terminated, to seize company chops as a bargaining chip for negotiating severance. Even if the intention is not malicious, it may lead to undesirable losses if the chops are misused.

Thus, all companies in China should develop thorough internal control systems to ensure its employees use chops legitimately. One control is dividing responsibility for chops among key personnel, such as chairman of the board, rather than normal employee involved in day-to-day operations.

Another typical control is to implement additional security procedures to ensure chops are being used appropriately. This includes establishing a hierarchy of who senior management permits to use a given chop in the event that the regular holder is absent, and creating a log documenting the time, date, and reason each time a chop is used or accessed from the companys safe.

RELATED: Audit and Financial Review Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

Inventory

Businesses in China, particularly manufacturing ones, should set in place systems to monitor and standardize inventory. Although most manufacturers have software to facilitate this process, inventory managers should still make physical checks to account for human error, fraud, and other mistakes.

Staff in charge of inventory might be unfamiliar with the technical details of different parts and materials, resulting in incorrect inventory data or misallocation of inventory. Employees may input inventory information incorrectly into the inventory management software, particularly if the software has been newly introduced to the company or its interface is simply unintuitive. In cases of fraud, inventory might be intentionally mislabeled, such as a perfectly functioning item being labeled scrap, allowing the employee to seize the item or forcing the company to order more from their vendor.

Cycle counting is a method commonly used to take stock of inventory by dividing inventory into tiers based on importance, and then verifying each tier at regular intervals based on their importance.

Sales, billing, and collection

The sales, billing, and collection process is where businesses are most vulnerable to financial fraud and corruption, as it involves the transfer of money and physical goods. Consequently, internal control governing such processes should be thorough and robust.

Price ranges for different products should be firmly set. For some businesses, each product might have a set price, while for others there is room for negotiation with each individual client. In the latter case, businesses should establish firm ranges for which employees can sell a given product, whether it is a certain range for all sales or different ranges based on the quantity sold.

Having price ranges set in stone mitigates the risk of corruption in the sales process, such as when an employee offers the client a lower price for a product in return for a personal side payment or other favor. For example, a company may set a rule that senior management must first approve any sale outside of the standard price range. Additionally, businesses should put in place different credit limit thresholds for clients based on considerations such as their size, the length of the relationship, etc. to avoid selling to an entity that will not be able to pay for the product.

Once completed, the employee completing that sale should share sales order data with inventory, shipping, and invoicing processes. Businesses should record any item shipped out with the relevant invoice. Further, businesses should ensure that their financial accounts are consistent, and log who is in charge of reviewing accounts.

Purchasing

As with selling, companies should put in place standard price ranges for purchasing processes. Companies should routinely compare the expected cost of the item with the actual cost, though the exact cost may differ when making the actual purchase.

For example, a company may find that they have been paying an average of RMB 600 for an item expected to cost RMB 500. This variance should then be investigated to determine whether the expected price was miscalculated, or if employees in charge of purchasing are invoicing falsely and pocketing the surplus money.

To prevent fraud, steps in the purchasing process should be divided among different staff. Ideally, staff responsible for payments should be different from those physically receiving and handling the goods. Additionally, regular staff rotation is an effective way to avoid fraud risks.

HR

For SMEs operating in China, particularly those with overseas headquarters and those with a small staff, internal HR controls are especially important. As business development in China is strongly relationship-oriented, having trusted employees on the ground is essential. Further, terminating an underperforming employee in China can be a significant challenge.

When recruiting employees, companies should establish a thorough screening process to identify and hire strong candidates. That includes a multi-stage interview process with different personnel within a company, and additional screening measures such as a writing test or case study.

As CV fraud is more common in China than in the West, including faked or exaggerated university degrees or work experience, hiring managers should conduct background checks on potential hires to ensure the legitimacy of their CV. Businesses unfamiliar with hiring in China may consider enlisting the services of a professional recruitment firm to identify qualified candidates.

Labor contract management is another key HR control point. HR managers should not only pay close attention to the effectiveness of the contract clauses, but also make sure the written labor contract is signed and renewed in time. For example, the employee would be entitled to double salary if the labor contract is absent for one month; two fixed term labor contract would lead to a non-fixed term labor contract in most cities; and companies may lose clients and institutional knowledge if they dont have proper confidentiality and non-competition clauses for their senior position employees.

RELATED: Internal Control Review: Audit and Evaluation in China

Identify core needs and risks

Businesses operating in China encounter a variety of risks to achieving their desired outcomes. Some of these are universal to all businesses, while others are specific to China or particular industries and business structures.

Nevertheless, when setting up a presence in China, investors should thoroughly plan how they will implement internal control. This means identifying core business objectives, pinpointing the greatest risks to fulfilling them, and considering other factors that could detrimentally affect ones business. An internal control system should then be built and implemented that includes structural checks and balances that mitigate risks from actualizing, as well as reviews that can actively detect weaknesses in the business.

Investors used to doing business in their home countries need to take extra precautions to guard against the risk of fraud and corruption, as well as compliance risks in an unfamiliar regulatory environment.



This article is an excerpt from the July 2017 issue of China Briefing magazine, titled Internal Control in China. In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we explain what makes Chinas internal control environment distinct, and why China-based operations need to prioritize internal control. We then outline how to execute an internal control review to gauge organizational resiliency and identify gaps in control points, and introduce practical internal controls for day-to-day operations. Finally, we explore why ERP systems are becoming increasingly integral to companies internal control regimes.

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2017

This Dezan Shira & Associates 2017 China guide provides a comprehensive background and details of all aspects of setting up and operating an American business in China, including due diligence and compliance issues, IP protection, corporate establishment options, calculating tax liabilities, as well as discussing on-going operational issues such as managing bookkeeping, accounts, banking, HR, Payroll, annual license renewals, audit, FCPA compliance and consolidation with US standards and Head Office reporting.

Payroll Processing in China: Challenges and Solutions

In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we lay out the challenges presented by Chinas payroll landscape, including its peculiar Dang An and Hu Kou systems. We then explore how companies of all sizes are leveraging IT-enabled solutions to meet their HR and payroll needs, and why outsourcing payroll is the answer for certain company structures. Finally, we consider the potential for China to emerge as Asias premier payroll processing center.

Dezan Shira & Associates
Turkey is seeking for the return of thousands of historical Anatolian artifacts smuggled abroad during the Ottoman Empire and in modern times, which is paying off despite many challenges.

Turkey has been working for a long time for the return of smuggled artifacts in both diplomatic and legal means.

One of these pieces is the Roman sarcophagus of Hercules, which was ruled to return to Turkey by a Swiss court in 2015. It should be returned to Turkish officials this week.

The sarcophagus that is believed to sculpted towards the end of the second century before Jesus-Christ in the ancient city of Dokimion, present day Antalya, dubbed the "Turkish Riviera" for its sunny touristic resorts, when the area was under Roman rule. It was smuggled from Turkey in the 1960s, according to officials.

The ancient roman artifact, which depicts the 12 labors of the legendary Hercules, was on display at the Geneva University Museum of Arts and History. It will be delivered to the Antalya Museum where it will be displayed.

Turkey, more than other countries, has lost many of its ancient treasures to thieves and blackmarketeers.

It has adopted a more assertive policy in the pursuit of her stolen history, training custom officers to identify the stolen artifacts and compiled a more efficient and up to date catalog of thousands of pieces in the hands of foreign country's collections.

Since 2003, Turkey is pursuing a legal process for the retrieval of numerous artifacts.

The newly appointed Culture and Tourism minister Numan Kurtulmus explained last week to reporters that Turkey was working as a "detective" for the safe return of her stolen cultural property and that comprehensive efforts were being deployed in priority in this matter regarding 55 major artifacts in the hands of 17 different states.

"Legal and diplomatic efforts are being exerted in order to get these artifacts back. Our experts are working like detectives and scrutinizing every lead possible in many countries he said.

In collaboration with the foreign ministry, the culture ministry is tracing the origins of artifacts on display in museums or up for auction sale, the minister pointed out.

Because of Turkey's efforts and a powerful antiquities bureaucracy, some artifacts have indeed been returned. A total of 4,269 objects have been brought back between 2003 and 2016, according to figures released by the Culture ministry.

However, the faith of many more still remain uncertain and even compromised.

For example, a 5000-year-old Anatolian female marble figurine that was smuggled from Turkey, was put on auction and sold for 14.5 million U.S dollars in last April in New York, despite Turkey's legal objections that were ultimately rejected by a district judge.

The Kilia-type figure, dating back to the later Chalcolithic and early Bronze Age, was found in the Kilya Cove in the northwestern province of Canakkale who is also believed to be the birthplace of the ancient ruins of Troy, made famous in Homer's epic work, The Iliad.

While praising the government's efforts, experts believe that a global coordination and especially a cultural awareness is needed in a country that hosted so many civilizations, from the Greeks, Romans, Sumerians, Hittites, Byzantine and Ottoman empires to name a few.

"We think that the government is doing a good job but it is not enough. Education plays a crucial role in raising awareness on the cultural heritage of Turkey.

It should be thought in schools" told Xinhua Dr. Soner Atesogullari, president of Turkish Archeologists Association.

"There are thousands of artifacts stolen from Anatolia in many foreign countries, most of them smuggled during the ottoman period but also contemporary times. As we speak, there are people hunting illegally for treasures in some parts of Turkey and try to sell their findings to foreign collectors," explained this an experienced archeologist.

"The artifacts stolen in the past are long gone but we should fiercely preserve what we have left and teach our children that these historical richnesses are part of who we are today.

And this with combined effort of the society as a whole and not only the government," added Dr. Atesogullari regretting that archeology is somewhat a disregarded science.

"We have the Gobekli Tepe site, an unique creation dating from 12,000 years ago and venerated by researchers all over the world, but how many Turks are aware of it?" said the archeologist.

This site located in southeastern province of Sanliurfa, is a collection of Neolithic stone sanctuary predating the Pyramids, which are puzzling researches who don't really have a theory on their original purpose.

Archeology can also sometimes used as a political leverage between two feuding countries.

Germany and other European Union countries have accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of cultural chauvinism when Ankara reportedly threatened to bar foreign archeologists from excavations if their governments refuse to return artifacts that Turkey says were smuggled abroad.

Turkey is also disputing with the world-renowned French museum the Louvre, in Paris, who refused requests from Ankara to return objects with a contested provenance.

The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles is also being asked to return some artifacts. The Pergamon Altar, collected by a museum in Berlin, is also a heated subject.

The Hurriyet daily reported on Thursday that the Turkish Ministry of Culture did not give permission to the German Institute of Archeology this year, as it was the case in 2016, amid ongoing diplomatic row between Ankara and Berlin.

The institute had carried out excavations and restorations in Hattusha (Bogazkale), the capital of the Hittites (2.000 B.C) located in the northwest province of Corum.

This unique site excavated by Germans since 1906, during the ottoman area, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Relations between Germany and Turkey have been deteriorating for some time over a number of issues with recent blows from Erdogan hitting German politicians and urging millions of ethnic Turks living there not to vote for main parties in the upcoming national election.

Negotiations are key for a country to restitute to its right owner ancient artifacts, explain specialists.

"If there is a well photographed inventory, the restitution process gets easier, otherwise we have to rely on academic research and good intentioned dialogue with private collectors or institutions that have the artifacts," explained to Xinhua professor Yasar Coskun, a retired academic in the field of Hittitology.

"Nowadays, Turkey is much more keen and successful in the repatriation of illegally obtained artifacts," said professor Coskun, citing namely priceless stolen cuneiform Hittite tablets from Hattusha and the Aphrodisias site in southwestern Turkey, which has also been included in UNESCO World Heritage list.

The 3,300 years-old Bosporus village Sphinx, the antique Greek Heracles sculpture's upper half and the winged seahorse broach, are some of the stolen Turkish treasures that have been brought back in recent years in a relentless fight for looted cultural property, and the hunt should go on at this rate for a very long time.
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China starts radiation monitoring after DPRK nuclear test on September 3, 2017. [File Photo: zhb.gov.cn]

China has started monitoring the radiation levels in its northeastern border areas in an emergency response to a nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) initiated the emergency response at 11:46 a.m. Sunday, MEP said in a statement.

"At present, the automatic radiation monitoring stations in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning and Shandong are functioning properly," the statement said.

By 4 p.m., monitoring data from the four provinces showed that China's environment had not been affected by the nuclear test, the ministry said in a separate statement.

All monitoring spots saw radiation at their normal levels, the ministry added.

The China Earthquake Administration reported that a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the DPRK at 11:30 a.m. with an epicenter depth of zero km, saying that it might have been caused by explosion.

The DPRK's central television announced Sunday that the country had successfully detonated an H-bomb, a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile.

China's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the test.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 3, 2017. Putin is in Xiamen to attend the ninth BRICS summit. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday, calling for enhancing mutual support and strategic coordination.

The two leaders also agreed to appropriately deal with the latest nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Putin is in the southeastern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian Province, to attend the ninth BRICS summit and the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 3-5.

The two sides should consolidate the high-level mutual political trust, firmly strengthen mutual support and enhance strategic coordination, Xi said.

The role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms should be well played to advance projects in key areas including energy, aerospace and aviation, as well as nuclear power.

He urged advancing the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples should be promoted through closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges and those at local levels, he said.

Xi also called on enhancing military cooperation as well as coordination on multilateral arenas.

China is willing to join hands with Russia to raise the bilateral relations to a higher level, promoting respective development and jointly safeguarding regional and world peace and stability, he said.

On BRICS cooperation, Xi said it is in line with the interests of the BRICS countries and the expectation of international community, especially the emerging market and developing countries, to enhance the group's cooperation and enable the BRICS countries to play a more important role in international affairs.

The BRICS countries should consolidate solidarity and cooperation to send out positive signals to the world, chart the course and define the priorities for cooperation based on the overall situation, strengthen coordination to enhance international influence, and improve mechanisms of BRICS cooperation, said Xi.

China is willing to work with Russia and other BRICS countries to achieve fruitful results at the Xiamen summit and implement the outcomes effectively so that the BRICS can usher in a second "golden decade" of cooperation.

For his part, Putin said it is significant for China and Russia to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and boost communication and coordination on major international and regional issues.

He said Russia stands ready for closer cooperation with China in such areas as investment, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and aerospace and aviation.

The two countries should also increase exchanges in culture, education, sports, media and tourism as well as those at local levels. Military exchanges should be closer, he said.

While discussing international and regional issues, the two leaders agreed to appropriately deal with the DPRK's latest nuclear test.

The DPRK on Sunday successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), DPRK's Central Television announced. This was the sixth nuclear test the DPRK has undertaken.

China's Foreign Ministry issued a statement, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the nuclear test.

Xi and Putin agreed to stick to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and keep close communication and coordination to deal with the new situation.

After the meeting, the two leaders visited an exhibition on intangible cultural heritage originated from southern Fujian Province.
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Any threat to the U.S. and or its allies from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be met with a "massive military response," U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned Sunday.

"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack," Mattis told reporters after a national security meeting at the White House, reaffirming that U.S. commitment among the allies is "ironclad."

The remark came after DPRK's official media announced on Sunday that the country has successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Mattis also urged the DPRK to take heed of the international community's call for the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, adding that the U.S. is not looking to the "total annihilation" of the DPRK but has "many options to do so."

In a tweet on Sunday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump called the words and actions of the DPRK "very hostile and dangerous" to the U.S.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday condemned the underground nuclear test announced by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

In a statement, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Guterres "reiterates his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions."

"This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK's international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts," said Dujarric, adding that this act "is also profoundly destabilizing for regional security."

"The DPRK is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions," said Dujarric.

The spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General remains in contact with all parties concerned.

The DPRK carried out its "most powerful nuclear test to date" on Sunday, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb "that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile."

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday on the DPRK's latest nuclear test, diplomats said Sunday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the nuclear test by the DPRK.

"The DPRK has ignored the international community's widespread opposition and conducted a nuclear test again. The Chinese government expresses resolute objection to and strong condemnation of it," the ministry's statement said.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday, calling for enhanced bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Prayut is in the southeastern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5.

China appreciates Thailand's active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with Thailand in areas of investment, railway, Internet finance, digital economy and e-commerce, Xi said.
US President Donald Trump's reaction to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's sixth nuclear test on Sunday stood out  not for its condemnation but for its twisted approach. Trump took to Twitter to say the DPRK "is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success". In his second tweet, he said the Republic of Korea "is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with" the DPRK "will not work, they only understand one thing".

He then called an emergency meeting of his national security advisers and had his second telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But he did not talk to ROK President Moon Jae-in, accusing the ROK of "appeasement".

Condemning the DPRK for its nuclear and missile adventure is justified, but Trump is not helping the situation by criticizing the ROK and China. And China has not succeeded in its efforts, because the US has never heeded its advice on how to resolve the DPRK issue.

After the DPRK fired a missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean, Trump said, "all options are on the table", a euphemism for military action. But his former chief strategist Steve Bannon had told The American Prospect earlier that "there's no military solution, forget it". Even US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have talked about the likely catastrophic outcome of military action.

And Moon, reacting to Trump's threat to the DPRK, said: "No one should be allowed to decide on a military action on the Korean Peninsula without the ROK's agreement."

Although Pyongyang's latest nuclear test poses a serious challenge to Moon's strategy of inter-Korea dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation, Trump should have realized before criticizing Moon for his "appeasement" that sanctions have a worse record than talks.

Asserting that sanctions don't work, Robert Gallucci, chief US negotiator with Pyongyang during the Bill Clinton administration, said that during his contacts with DPRK officials, he realized they were fully aware of the cases of Iraq and Libya, where the US pursued regime change even after those countries had abandoned their attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.

That is something the US should focus on to ease the tensions not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also between Washington and Pyongyang.
Chinese technicians check their combustible ice mining equipment during an on-the-spot operation in Shenhu Area in the South China Sea, 320 kilometers southeast of Zhuhai city, Guangdong province. [Photo by Guo Junfeng/China Daily]

China gains edge for commercial production after sustained trials

China's success in mining gas hydrate in the South China Sea is a breakthrough that could revolutionize the global energy industry, and prove more significant than the United States' shale gas, experts said.

The gas hydrate, commonly known as combustible ice, is perhaps another 15 years away from commercial use, but its successful mining in China is a breakthrough nevertheless, said Lu Hailong, a professor at the Institute of Ocean Research, which is part of Peking University.

Lu was the chief scientist for the first mining trial for gas hydrate.

According to Li Jinfa, deputy director of the China Geological Survey, the South China Sea has an estimated 80 billion metric tons of oil equivalent of gas hydrate reserves.

In all, there are 100 billion metric tons in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and in the South China and East China seas.

Combustible ice is formed under low temperature and high pressure in permafrost under the sea. One cubic meter of the hydrate can release about 160 cubic meters of gas, which would emit only half the amount of carbon dioxide produced by oil or coal.

No country has been able to produce it commercially due to tough conditions and pollution concerns.

"With ample experience accumulated, China has become the frontrunner in gas hydrate mining technology," Lu said.

China completed its first test exploration in the South China Sea on July 9, which lasted 60 days. Total output exceeding 300,000 cu m and daily output surpassed 5,000 cu m.

According to Lu, a longer, more productive trial is possible by 2020 in the South China Sea.

Beginning May 10, a trial was carried out in waters 320 kilometers southeast of the Pearl River estuary. It achieved better-than-expected results, according to the China Geological Survey Bureau, which is under the Ministry of Land and Resources.

The exploration collected 6.47 million sets of experimental data and set world records in both the duration of experiment and total amount of gas extracted, said the bureau.

Jin Qinghuan, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said China will complete the initial preparatory work for commercial production by 2020 and begin commercial production by 2030.

Successful trials have given China an edge in mining in silt sand seabed, making it a forerunner in mining for clean energy, he said.

Japan made headway in 2013, but large amount of sand that entered the production wells halted its progress.

The US has been researching the clean fuel for years, but made no significant progress due to technological barriers.

Lu said solid R&D and breakthroughs are needed to increase output from the next trial, to make combustible ice lucrative. Safety issues, production sustainability, environmental impact and political concerns are key factors.

China is eager to replace conventional energy, including coal, quickly with clean energy sources, to optimize the energy structure and relieve problems caused by energy shortages.

According to Han Xiaoping, chief information officer of China Energy Net Consulting, combustible ice has great potential and could well be China's next big opportunity in energy.

"The total volume of organic carbon in the world's combustible ice is twice that of all other known energy sources combined, including coal, oil, and natural gas," he said.

"As the mining site is near Guangdong province, a region with robust economic development, there will be plenty of demand for the natural gas extracted from the wells and the cost of liquefaction and transporting will also be relatively low due to the short distance."

According to Lu, the frequent and fierce typhoons in the South China Sea are the biggest obstacle to the first test drilling operation.

The team was lucky to overcome the difficulty, thanks to the 118-meter-tall Blue Whale 1 oil exploration platform built by China Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd, he said.

According to Han, China leads the world in marine oil and gas drilling technology, and bigger drilling platforms will be built to integrate oil and gas exploration so as to lower the production cost of combustible ice.

China started research on the energy source in the late 1990s. Its first gas hydrate samples were collected in the South China Sea in 2007.
Tourists barbeque and make pizza in the open air kitchen of a B&B called Prodigy Outdoor Base in Moganshan of Zhejiang province. [A Yuan/for China Daily]

Airbnb Inc, a US-based home-sharing service provider, is ramping up its efforts in the Chinese market, doubling its investment and tripling its Chinese workforce this year, to focus on millennials who are looking for a new travel experiences around the world.

"We are confident of our long-term growth in China. China is one of our most important markets globally," said Ge Hong, vice-president of Airbnb in charge of China business.

Ge Hong, vice-president of Airbnb in charge of China business. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"Since 2008 to date, there have been more than 5.3 million Chinese guest arrivals at Airbnb listings all over the world, and we have seen a 142 percent increase in outbound travel last year."

Ge said the millennials have been the main user group of Airbnb China, and most of them come from Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

The home-sharing player has established an engineering base in China, the only one outside North America, to adapt quickly and meet Chinese users' peculiar requirements.

In March, it announced it would adopt a new Chinese "Aibiying", which means welcome each other with love, and stepped up efforts to localize its services in China.

For instance, it accepts online payments via Alipay and WeChat during sign-ups. It also provides 24x7 customer support in Chinese language. Moreover, it has formed partnerships with several cities by signing memoranda of understanding.

Ge said: "We have cooperated with Shanghai Putong district, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Chengdu. By providing training programs and encouraging entrepreneurship, we help them benefit from sharing economy, which involves local tourism development and cultural communication. We are also working with the China Tourism Academy to boost Chinese tourism.

"China continues to be a key priority for Airbnb. We believe that we will continue to develop strongly in this market."

According to Airbnb, the most popular international destinations of Chinese travelers on Airbnb are France, Japan, South Korea and the United States. The average age of Chinese guests is 30, and more than 85 percent of them are under 35.

Founded in August 2008 and based in San Francisco, Airbnb is a major player in the international sharing economy, having connected more than 150 million users in more than 65,000 cities and towns in 191 countries.

Such big numbers have made safety and privacy of travelers a top priority, Ge said.

"We require both hosts and guests to provide their identities, and we provide ways for hosts and guests to communicate and get to know one another before a booking occurs. Our community builds trust and a track record of users to be able to learn more about each other through publicly available reviews and feedback."

It also offers host protection insurance and a $1 million host guarantee to help protect hosts and their listings from harm.

Ge said China holds a positive and supportive attitude toward the sharing economy. Airbnb will continue to work closely with the government and make contributions to improve industry regulation and corporate governance as well as to ensure the healthy and orderly development of the sharing economy.

Airbnb's local rival, Tujia.com, which targets middle- to high-end Chinese travelers, is the industry leader in the domestic short-term online rental segment. It has a network of more than 400,000 rental properties, ranging from single rooms to historic farmhouses and country villas.

"Nowadays, Chinese travelers are willing to try something different during a trip. They are not satisfied with hotels. Home-sharing platforms offer diverse living experiences," said Ma Tianjiao, an analyst with the Beijing-based internet consultancy Analysys.

Benefits of sharing economy by Fan Feifei, China Daily

Gotskaya Tatiana, an exchange student from Russia. [Photo provided to China Daily]

I use Airbnb often as it helps me to find comparatively cheaper accommodation, which, in turn, generates leads to good friends. But people should be careful and read terms and conditions of hosts and be clear about the charges, to avoid disputes and negative experiences. When a friend from Zhejiang province visited me, I found a room in a Beijing hutong (traditional Chinese houses in narrow lanes). That helped a lot because the hutong oozed history everywhere, making us feel as if we were part of an era gone by.
BEIJING - China encourages businesses to invest in Brazil and participate in infrastructure development there, Vice-Premier Wang Yang said on Saturday.

Wang made the remarks when addressing a seminar on investment and business opportunities in Brazil, an event held during Brazilian President Michel Temer's state visit to China.

"China encourages businesses to set up factories or industrial parks in Brazil. Both sides can explore partnerships in the production, purchase, storage, shipment, trade and processing of agricultural produce," Wang said.

China supports enterprises to engage in infrastructure development and operation in engergy, railway, road, port and telecommunication, Wang said.

He backed the China-Brazil Fund, launched in May with a total of $20 billion, to finance major bilateral cooperation projects.

Wang said China respects Brazil's concerns for optimizing trade structure and will continue to import various kinds of products from Brazail.

China hopes Brazil will make it easier for Chinese exports to Brazil and welcomes more Brazilian investment in China, he said.

China-Brazail comprehensive strategic partnership is at an all-time high, particularly in trade and investment, Temer said in his speech.

Expressing optimistism about the development of the two countries, Temer said Brazil welcomes Chinese investment and will be committed to improving its business environment.
BEIJING - More than 80 percent of China's registered enterprises were small and micro-businesses by the end of July, said a senior official on Saturday.

The number of small and micro-sized businesses stood at 73.28 million at the end of July, among which 23.28 million were enterprises and 50 million were individual businesses, said Zhang Mao, head of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Small and micro-businesses have become a major force in Chinese market, contributing greatly to employment, said Zhang, adding authorities will provide a business-directory for small and micro-businesses.

Meanwhile, authorities will improve information services for these businesses to sharpen their competitive edge and cultivate their own brands, said Zhang.

The government will introduce reform measures to create a better environment for innovation and development, according to a decision at a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang Wednesday.

The decision was made after pilot reforms have seen some progress in improving both institutional and market environments for entrepreneurship and innovation, and participants to the meeting agreed that it is time to introduce them nationwide.

To encourage innovation, support will increase for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, especially to help them get financing, said a statement issued after the meeting.

Stronger protection will be given to intellectual property rights (IPR) through the establishment of one-stop IPR service centers, it said.
BERLIN - Chinese companies are showcasing their economic strength, leadership and technology at IFA 2017, the world's leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, the organizer said on Sunday.

Over 700 exhibitors and brands from China have taken part in IFA 2017, more than one third of all exhibitors worldwide, IFA global brand manager Dirk Koslowski said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

"I have to admit that China is one of the leading markets in the manufacturing industries for consumer electronics and home appliance products," Koslowski said.

Koslowski added that Chinese companies are already producing a pretty high volume of high-quality products, either in the smart home section, in the automotive section or in the home appliance section.

"Chinese companies are highly educated," he continued.

Koslowski is very confident that the Chinese middle class will be in the position to have the biggest spending power of the global community in the next couple of years. Therefore, European brands especially want to step into the Chinese market.

Referring to the new trend of the consumer electronics industry, Koslowski said it is connecting everything through smartphones.

Meanwhile, the organizer wants to figure out whether other devices beside smartphones would be a second option for the platform of all those connectivities at the IFA.

"You will catch a glimpse of the what is possible in terms of technology for the future," Koslowski said.

IFA 2017 lasts from Sept 1 to 6 in the German capital of Berlin. As one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany since 1924, it has attracted 1,805 exhibitors from all over the world this year to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
NAIROBI - When Jack Ma, the founder and chairman of China's online retail giant Alibaba, visited Kenya in July, big names in the country's business sector jostled for space to hear his speech.

As the country's attention turned to the eloquent entrepreneur who founded the world's fastest-growing e-commerce giant, Jane Kimunge, a clothes seller in Nairobi, thought Ma was a Chinese government official who might had come to oversee one of the infrastructure projects funded by China.

Being one of the many business people sourcing clothes for sale in Kenya through Alibaba, Kimunge's fortune, however, is closely intertwined with Ma's company. On the day Ma arrived in Kenya, Kimunge's order from China had just landed in Nairobi. From the order, Kimunge made a whooping $400.

"I was introduced to Alibaba.com by my sister in-law who live in the United States. Initially I used to get my clothes from Uganda where most sellers buy from. It took a while for her to convince me to start shopping through Alibaba, which is way cheaper and the profit margin much higher," she told Xinhua.

Kimunge, who is celebrating her 15th year in the business, has for the last four years been buying all her goods through Alibaba. She regrets why she never discovered the e-commerce website early enough as her profits for the four years have tripled.

"I feel bad that for over 11 years, I would have made much more than I made, I would be very far now but I am happy I now know better. All I need is a laptop, internet to get rolling ... One of the reasons I like Alibaba is the convenience and its wide range of choices on offer," said Kimunge.

She expects her $3,000 order, her biggest in a long time, to arrive into the country in a fortnight.

"With December round the corner, I had to make a big order since most Kenyans now shop for Christmas towards the end of November which is less than two months away," she said.

As for John Ngetich, a school uniform seller in the northwest Kenyan town of Eldoret, Alibaba is the foundation upon which his business is anchored.

Ngetich stumbled on Alibaba three years ago, a time he almost gave up in life after an elusive search for a white collar job.

"Having sent over 100 applications and none coming through, I spent most of my time online and it is during one of my online jaunts in 2014 I came across Alibaba. At first I didn't know how to go about it, I did my research and started chatting with sales agents online. I made my first order six months after and from the order I made $360 dollars after investing $600," he recalled.

Ngetich said when he settled on selling school uniforms, he sent a sample to China where he sourced for a range of school uniforms.

"I call it (Alibaba) my theater of dreams, since until now I don't think I would have gotten any of the jobs I had applied for and anyway, no employer will be willing to pay me what I make from my business," he further says.

Ngetich, a computer programmer, said even though he didn't manage to attend any of Ma's meetings in Nairobi, he managed to learn from the little interaction he had with the Chinese billionaire on his TV screen.

And like Ma, who got turned down many times by potential employers before he started Alibaba, Ngetich believed his star too will shine one day.

"Ma's story is replete with lessons for millions of Kenyan youth who are complaining about lack of jobs, if you have an idea don't sleep on it, it took Ma the first step to build Alibaba, which is now helping build millions of businesses like mine," Ngetich said.
AMMAN -- The upcoming third China-Arab States Expo to be held in China represents "a huge opportunity" for Jordan and China to build new business partnerships and explore investment possibilities, a senior official of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The expo, which will be held from Sept 3 to 6 in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, is a platform for signing agreements and enhancing trade ties between China and Arab countries. In 2016, the expo witnessed the signing of deals and agreements by Chinese and Jordanese businesses worth around $3.17 billion.

"The Chinese market is huge for Jordan. China is one of the largest and top trade partners for the kingdom," Raed Hamada, second vice-president of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua.

"We strongly believe that there is a large room for increased cooperation in various economic aspects with China... the exhibition is also an opportunity to increase Jordan's exports to China by building networks with Chinese business people," Hamada added.

Stressing the importance of the exhibition, which opens the door for investors from both countries to look into joint investments, he said that several Jordanian companies will be present.

He also said that Jordan is a safe and secure hub in the Middle East for Chinese investors, who can take advantage of Jordan's position to penetrate new markets in the region.

"The economic cooperation between China and Jordan is increasing rapidly and it is a reflection of the growing strategic ties between the two countries, and I believe that we can still do more," said Hamada.

He said that the Chinese market enjoys a wide variety of commodities and items that can help the Jordanian industries as well.

Hamada expected several trade agreements to be signed between Jordanian and Chinese businesses during the expo.

Hosam Ayesh, a Jordanian economist, also highlighted the importance of this exhibition, saying that it is an opportunity for Jordan to attract Chinese investment, which will help create more jobs and promote Jordan's economic growth.

"Such events are of great importance for Jordanian industries and businesses to build bridges and explore opportunities of cooperation," Ayesh told Xinhua in an interview.

The exhibition in China is also an opportunity for all Arab investors to explore new fields of cooperation and build on existing fields of cooperation, Ayesh said.
Heraeus Photovoltaics, a leading supplier of metallization solutions in the PV industry, and JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd, a global leader in the solar industry, announced they will jointly develop new-generation super PV Cells to increase cell efficiency and lower costs.

The two companies signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement on Monday to explore energy markets related to the Belt and Road Initiative in China.

"Heraeus Photovoltaics has provided great support to JinkoSolar's growth over the past two years, bringing us to the leading position with a global PV modules shipment of 6.7 gigawatts (GW) in 2016," said Chen Kangping, CEO of JinkoSolar.

The agreement is in line with Heraeus' efforts to seek innovation and support across the PV production value chain. Andreas Liebheit, president of Heraeus Photovoltaics, said this is the third time the two companies have signed a strategic partnership, which set a new benchmark of successful cooperation between upstream and downstream companies in the ever-challenging PV industry.

"We believe that with closer cooperation between the two leading companies, PV is expected to become the most economical and widely used energy form in the near future," Liebheit said.

Since August 2015, JinkoSolar has been exclusively using front-side silver pastes from Heraeus Photovoltaics, while providing strong support for Heraeus Photovoltaics in product innovation. During this partnership, Heraeus launched two new-generation strategic pastes in 2016, and offered tailor-made products for JinkoSolar. As a result, JinkoSolar has successfully improved the efficiency of its PV cells by more than 0.3 percent and reduced the production cost of the cells by 15 percent per watt.

Heraeus Photovoltaics will accelerate the update of its silver paste products so customers can improve cell efficiency by 0.2 percent every year. Heraeus will work with JinkoSolar's new R&D efforts in efficient black silicon cells and n-type cells are expected to further increase cell efficiency.

Another key element of the agreement will be to collaboratively support the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The new energy industry is one of the key areas of cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative. With increased competitiveness, new energy companies in China, including PV companies, have spared no efforts to explore overseas markets and expedite their global operations. We are very honored to receive such strong support from Heraeus Photovoltaics as our global partner throughout this process," Chen said.
Visitors look at an Ioniq electric vehicle by Hyundai at the Hyundai Motorstudio showroom in Goyang, South Korea.[Photo/Agencies]

Lagging sales, plant shutdowns signal troubled waters

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor is fighting an uphill battle in China and there is little sign of it recovering to its former glory, according to analysts.

One recent example of its difficult operating conditions is that all of its four completed factories in China suspended production for more than a week in late August.

Plastic Omnium, a supplier, stopped deliveries of fuel tanks after the automaker had delayed payments totaling 110 million yuan ($16.7 million), according to a snapshot of a Beijing Hyundai document that went viral last week online.

The Chinese joint venture with BAIC Motor Corp did not verify the snapshot's authenticity by publication time, but a Hyundai spokesman in Seoul told Bloomberg on Wednesday that the delayed payments were because of poor sales in China, its largest market.

Statistics from the China Passenger Car Association show that Beijing Hyundai sold 415,000 cars from January to July, a nearly 30 percent slump year-on-year.

The spokesman said discussions are ongoing with the supplier regarding payments, but declined to elaborate on the amounts involved and whether other suppliers were also affected.

In a document filed to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday, BAIC Motor Corp said the incident has been solved and the affected factories have resumed operations.

While Hyundai has prevented a prolonged crisis, the shutdowns have exposed how its China operations are deteriorating, according to industry insiders.

Hyundai was one of the first international brands to sell more than 1 million cars a year in China, and Beijing Hyundai's sales hit a record high of 1.14 million vehicles in 2016.

But, its sales started to tumble from the start of this year, and the downturn was made even steeper by a consumer backlash after South Korea's plans to deploy a United States missile-defense system.

The poor sales have forced Beijing Hyundai to scale down its 2017 sales target from 1.25 million to 800,000 vehicles in China.

Analysts said one cause of the automaker's troubles is its lineup. Out of 18 models it manufactures in China, only four are SUVs, which are the fastest-growing segment nationwide.

Statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show that from January to July, 5.21 million SUVs were sold, a 17 percent rise year-on-year, while all other segments fell during the same period.

The automaker is planning to bring its Genesis luxury brand to China, possibly as early as next year, but it will be hard to establish a firm market presence as competition is already fierce.

Another problem that confronts Hyundai brandwhich many believe is the root cause of its fallis that Chinese automakers, including Geely and Great Wall Motor, are coming up with more competitive products.

Both automakers have unveiled their higher-end brands that target to compete against international carmakers. Great Wall Motor's Wey brand, with two cars already launched, is drawing a larger following. Geely boasts technological backup from Swedish premium brand Volvo and is set to unveil its first product under its Lynk & Co brand later this year.

Geely Chairman Li Shufu told reporters in March that "Chinese brands are now already as good as, if not better than, South Korean brands in terms of quality, and I believe we can catch up with Japanese brands in one or two years".

Beijing Hyundai's poor sales could in return be affecting its production system.

The joint venture has built five plants in China, with a total production capacity of more than 1.6 million vehicles a year, twice its sales target of 2017.

"Low utilization might continue to drag down the joint venture's performance in the near term," said Patrick Yuan, an automotive sector analyst at investment bank Jef eries Hong Kong. "If the unfavorable conditions cannot be relieved in medium term, the Hyundai brand might become irrelevant in a competitive market ahead."
Visitors are attracted by products at Huawei stand at the International Funkausstellung (IFA) 2017, the world's leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, in Berlin, Sep 2, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Chinese telecom giant Huawei will launch Mate 10 smartphone powered by Kirin 970, a new chipset with built-in artificial-intelligence capabilities, unveiled at IFA, a consumer electronics show in Berlin on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Huawei's new chipset Kirin 970 is the world's first smartphone artificial intelligent (AI) computing platform with a dedicated Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), said Yu Chengdong, CEO Of Huawei Consumer Business Group.

Kirin 970, uses 10nm leading process technology and brings together classic computing, graphics, image and digital signal processing power, which typically required separate chips and took up more spaces.

Mate 10, the smartphone powered by Kirin 970, which enables stronger image-recognition, will be launched on Oct 16 in Munich, Reuters reported, citing Yu.

The device will have improved camera and battery life. The power consumption of the new chipset will be reduced by 20 percent than its previous generation and the energy efficiency can be increased by 50 percent, ifeng.com reported Saturday.

Although Huawei is a famous smartphone business ranked third, behind Apple and Samsung in the world, it is lesser known as a maker of chips for its own phones, said Wall Street Journal. The newspaper added that the Mate 10 is set to compete against Apple for more profitable high-end phone market.

While Huawei's rivals are likely working on chip upgrades as well, "making AI computation faster and more efficient will give Huawei an edge, if it can demonstrate improved performance or battery life when conducting everyday tasks," said Tim Coulling, analyst at electronics-research firm Canalys as cited in Wall Street Journal.

Canalys'statistics show that Huawei had 10 percent of the global market in the first quarter, behind Samsung's 23 percent and Apple's 15 percent. The sales of Huawei remains low in the US, although it is a major player in Europe.

However, the market share of Huawei in Chinese smartphone market has growing steadily, recapturing the top spot from Chinese brand Oppo in the first quarter, while Apple is losing ground, according to Canalys.

In addition to Huawei, Xiaomi, another Chinese company with chip innovation ability, has poured more than 1 billion yuan ($0.15billion) into its chip business and launched its own in-house chipset Surge S1 in February.
TIANJIN -- China's leading computing technology firm, Dawning Information Industry Co Ltd (Sugon), is exporting computing services to Russia with the launch of its overseas information service program.

Han Meijun, deputy manager of Sugon's overseas business section, said on Monday that under the "Seed Program," Sugon has provided high-performance computing services for Russian government organs and firms.

"Russian governments such as the municipal government of Moscow, the financial sector, including the Moscow Exchange and Finam, telecom operator Megafon, and aircraft maker Sukhoi have started cooperating with Sugon for high-performance computing services, information technology innovation and personnel training," said Han.

In addition to the service, Sugon has received an order from Megafon for computing hardware products.

Han said Sugon hopes to spread the computing service to Russia and other BRICS countries, as its applications can help advanced manufacturing and service markets.

Backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sugon is the developer of the supercomputer Nebulae or Dawning 6000, which ranked second on the TOP500 list of the world's most powerful supercomputers in 2010.

The company is also a major developer of the world's largest radio telescope in southwest China's Guizhou province, which requires a strong computing system to support massive data storage and processing.

Han said Sugon has been promoting internationalization. It has been involved in a number of projects in data center construction, smart city building and information services in countries such as Slovenia, Laos and Ethiopia.
Trips appeal to those in their 60s and 70s who grew up during the time of the former Soviet Union

The Trans-Siberian Railway, with a total length of 9,288 kilometers, offers Chinese tourists an alternative way to travel around Russia. [Photo by YAN HAO/CHINA DAILY]

Russia-bound "red tours" are booming as China's retirees go in search of the music and culture of their youth.

Red tourswhich visit sites associated with early communist activitiesare growing in popularity as the two nations work together to foster tourism cooperation.

A 15-day train journey around Russia, a key participant in the Belt and Road Initiative, will be launched in mid-September.

The journey, which will focus on cultural exchange, will allow 50 tourists to travel roughly 7,800 kilometers on the Trans-Siberian Railway starting on Sept 16.

Tourists, each paying about 30,000 yuan ($4,460), will fly from Shanghai and Beijing to Russia's Irkutsk, and board a train that will stop at five cities-Krasnoyarsk, Yekaterinburg, Vladimir, St. Petersburg and Moscowalong the route, according to the organizer, the Shanghai Railway International Travel (Group) Company owned by the Shanghai Railway Bureau.

"To travel on a railway route with a history of more than a century will make the journey unusual," said Shen Yugang, a business development manager at the company.

University professors, librarians and graduates from local seminaries who are fluent in Chinese will be invited to serve as tour guides in different cities to enable tourists to learn about the local history and culture of each destination.

In July, an initial trial run of the tour attracted 34 tourists. If the response to the first two trips is positive, the tour could become a permanent fixture, the company said.

The tour is just one of several Russia-bound red tour products launched in China this year, to cater to those who grew up during the era of the former Soviet Union.

Besides the regular Russia-bound tours, more than 1,000 people from Yan'an, in Shaanxi province, and Changsha, in Hunan province, set out for Russia in a convoy in July.

Since 2015, tourism agencies from China and Russia have been conducting red tours in a tourism exchange program. As a result, the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Russia has jumped.




Xiongan New Area in Hebei province has rolled out a series of measures to stabilize property prices and curb speculation, including tackling illegal activities and providing information.

Prices have surged since the central government unveiled its blueprint for the area on April 1.

According to the official WeChat account for Xiongan, more than 1,000 houses, both for commercial and residential use, have been rented to nonlocal enterprises and individuals who have swarmed into Xiongan in the past five months.

China announced the plan to create Xiongan New Areaabout 100 kilometers southwest of Beijingto promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

It will take on some of Beijing's noncapital functions and be home to some large enterprises, financial institutions, colleges and research centers.

More than 60 large companies, mostly State-owned enterprises, have settled in Rongcheng county, where the temporary offices of the Xiongan government are located.

These SOEs have rented 65 of the 398 homes that have been made available since April 1, according to the WeChat account.

Following an influx of nonlocal people, rental prices for houses in Xiongan rose sharply. Some prices doubled, and then redoubled.

Wang Cheng, a native of Rongcheng, said his 130-square-meter house, which once rented for 10,000 yuan ($1,500) per year, can now fetch at least 40,000 yuan.

"That's the way it is," Wang said, adding that all rental prices had increased, and he didn't plan to just stand by and watch.

To cope with the situation, the governments of the three counties covered by XionganXiongxian, Rongcheng and Anxinintroduced a series of measures that included shutting down illegal real estate agencies and establishing government-led rental platforms to help lessors and tenants.

Local public security bureaus are monitoring the market. Investigations have uncovered nearly 300 illegal rental businesses, and people involved have been punished.

The Xiongan government said it will accelerate the construction of 100,000 square meters of buildings to accommodate both SOEs and private enterprises that have rental needs.
Blueprints for skyscrapers more than 100 meters tall now need to include helipads and other emergency rescue facilities to get construction approval in Guangzhou, according to the city government.

The city's five-year development plan for boosting its emergency rescue network states helicopter aprons will also be constructed at hospitals, government buildings, railway stations, major shopping plazas, scenic spots, bus terminals, stadiums and highways by 2020.

The move aims to further improve the city's capacity to cope with fires, floods and other disasters. An advanced network of emergency shelters in all neighborhoods and townships will also be built by 2020, according to the plan issued recently.

Guangzhou, which has a population of more than 16 million, is expected to take the lead among cities on the mainland in constructing emergency rescue facilities.

"The outdoor emergency shelters will be able to hold more than 40 percent of the city's total permanent residents, while indoor shelters will be able to deal with 10 percent of permanent residents in 2020," the plan notes.

Liu Xilin, a professor with Sun Yat-sen University's School of Geography and Planning, said building helipads on the roofs of buildings with at least 30 floors is feasible.

"It will be effective in helping Guangzhou improve its emergency rescue capacity as the city has few earthquakes or other major geologic hazards," Liu said.

Liu also urged government departments to expand investment in construction of indoor emergency shelters in the months ahead as Guangzhou, which is frequently struck by typhoons in summer, mainly witnesses storm and flood disasters.

Yin Xuexia, a doctor from the emergency department of Guangzhou Baiyun People's Hospital, said the helipads would certainly help save time in rescuing the wounded and moving patients and improve the city's emergency rescue capacity.

"But relevant departments should spare no effort to promote emergency rescue knowledge among local residents and improve other hardware facilities," she said.

Liang Fengxin contributed to this story.
The People's Liberation Army is now able to send its CNS Liaoning carrier battle group farther into oceans thanks to the deployment of the nation's largest replenishment ship.

The CNS Hulun Lake, the first in the Type-901 class, which has a hull code of 965, was commissioned for service in the PLA Navy on Friday at Guangzhou Shipyard International Co under China State Shipbuilding Corp.

Vice-Admiral Shen Jinlong, commander of the PLA Navy, attended the commissioning ceremony and presented a military flag to the new ship.

The Navy said in a news release that the Hulun Lake is a new-generation, world-class comprehensive resupply ship developed by Chinese designers. With multiple resupply methods and large capacity, it can accompany and replenish a carrier battle group or a long-range task force, according to the news release.

With the new ship's entry into service, China has demonstrated that it is fully capable of designing large resupply vessels and advanced marine replenishment equipment, the Navy said, adding the ship also marks a milestone in the Navy's long-distance logistics support capability.

The Navy has yet to disclose the specifications of the new vessel, but Chinese military observers have said that it has a displacement of more than 45,000 metric tonsalmost twice as much as the Type-903 class, the current pillar of the Navy's replenishment force. Its maximum speed is about 25 knots, according to observers.

Before the Hulun Lake, the PLA Navy had 16 replenishment ships in active service. The largest is the 37,000-ton CNS Qinghai Lake, the only one in the Type-908 class, which was built in Ukraine as a merchant tanker before its purchase and refit by China in the early 1990s.

All previous types are slower than the new ship, making them incompatible with a faster-moving carrier battle group. In addition, their supply-carrying capacity is not big enough to support the needs of a carrier group.

The Chinese Navy has only one aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, a refitted Soviet-era ship. The Liaoning battle group has conducted several open-sea training exercises since the carrier was delivered to the Navy in late 2012. However, the group has been restrained in terms of long-range operational capability because of the absence of large, fast replenishment ships, military analysts said.

Work on the nation's second aircraft carrierthe first designed domesticallyis nearing completion. Like the Liaoning, the new carrier will have a displacement of around 50,000 tons. It will have a conventional propulsion system and will carry J-15 fighter jets. It will soon begin mooring trials to verify its overall design, the Navy said.

Li Jie, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said large replenishment ships are essential to a carrier battle group during long-distance missions.

"A large replenishment vessel can sail fast to keep pace with combat vessels and can carry virtually all kinds of ammunition, fuel and living necessities to support a prolonged operation at sea," Li said. "By comparison, a smaller ship moves slower and can't carry enough materiel for a carrier battle group. Ships such as those in the Type-901 class are especially important to navies that lack overseas bases."

Du Wenlong, an equipment researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said a Type-901 ship will enable a carrier battle group to engage an enemy in a series of naval battles without needing to return to its home port for resupply.
BEIJING - China has publicized information on 2,134 charitable organizations at cishan.chinanpo.gov.cn, a platform launched by the Ministry of Civil Affairs ahead of the second annual Charity Day, which falls on Sept 5.

Altogether 517 of the organizations are qualified to raise money publicly, according to the platform, which also lists 38 charity trusts with contracts totalling almost 860 million yuan (about 131 million U.S. dollars).

"All of the main charities in China are required to fill in their information on the platform," said Zhan Chengfu, director of the ministry's social organization administration division. "Those who are found to be hiding or fabricating information will be monitored and supervised."

The platform was established to publicize information on charitable organizations and trust agents, as required by China's Charity Law, which went into effect on Sept. 1, 2016.

China has seen cases of fraud in the name of charity fundraising, which has made the public skeptical of charity operations.
WUHAN - Central China's Hubei Province has approved an action plan which aims at reducing pollution and protecting the environment along the Yangtze, China's longest river.

Some 1,061 kms of the Yangtze's course runs through Hubei, the most of any province.

According to an action plan issued by the provincial reform and development commission, the province aims to make great achievements in river protection within the next three to five years.

The action plan covers reforestation, recovering lake and wetland environments, restoring biodiversity, cutting industrial pollution, building sewerage plants, addressing pollution in rural areas, improving lake water quality and reducing metal and phosphate pollution along the Yangtze.

In the coming five years, 20,000 hectares of arable land will be reforested or returned to grassland. Fishing and farming will be banned from 45 wetland areas in five major lakes along the river, according to the plan.

Chemical and paper-making industries will be banned within 1 km of the river and its major tributaries. Construction of new petro-chemical and coal-powered factories will also be strictly limited near the river.

In July, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Water Resources jointly released an environmental protection plan covering the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Stretching from southwest China's Yunnan Province to Shanghai, the belt covers nine provinces and two municipalities in an area of 2.05 million square kilometers.
Beijing Normal University used two face-scanning machines for student registration on Sunday, the first day of the new semester.

After scanning a student's face for two seconds, a digital photo with the student's name, student ID, and major is created. Students can share the digital photo online with their family and friends, and they can also print it out for free.

The university will finish capturing facial images of all the students on Tuesday.

The face identification technology will be used to control access to student dormitories this semester.

Students will be required to swipe their cards and use facial recognition to gain access. If they forget their student cards, they can speak their names into the machine, which has a sound recognition function, or enter their student ID and password. Then they still have to scan their faces to gain access.

"I heard about the face identification system just a few days ago," said Lu Jiabao, a third-year master's degree student at BNU.

"It will be convenient if we forget to bring our student cards because we will be able to get in by scanning our faces," Lu added.

Ma Liang, a doctoral student said the newly installed system will increase security. "People who don't live in the building will not be able to get in even if they have student cards," Ma said.

Cheng Si and Zhang Yi contributed to this story.
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XIAMEN -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on BRICS countries to fight protectionism and advance the reform of global economic governance.

He made the remarks when addressing the ninth BRICS summit held in Xiamen.

BRICS countries should push for economic globalization that is open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, Xi said.

He urged the group to help build an open world economy, support multilateral trade mechanisms, and stand against protectionism.

Global economic governance should be reformed to increase the representation and voice of emerging market and developing countries, so as to create new momentum for resolving the North-South development gap and boosting world economic growth, Xi said.
A group marriage ceremony held in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The province's overseas cultural stations are set to promote traditional culture as well as folk customs among foreigners. [Photo by You Qinghui/China Daily]

Fujian province, in cooperation with Hatten Group, a leading Malaysian property developer, launched an overseas cultural station in Malacca, Malaysia, on Aug 23 in a bid to help to spread the word about traditional Chinese culture in foreign countries.

The move is in response to the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013, to increase international exchanges.

The station will initiate a series of cultural activities and promote Fujian's brand of local culture.

A Fujian cultural exhibition, a major activity held during the station's inauguration ceremony, explained the essence of Fujian culture in a nutshell.

Colorful boards, posters and leaflets exhibited at the scene attracted a number of visitors.

The exhibition boards showcased the culture techniques, traditional local operas and the folk people and their livelihoods through 40 selected images.

A group of intangible local cultural techniquesincluding lacquer line carving, wood carving, porcelain and silver craft makingattracted throngs of visitors.

A variety of live performances involving hand puppets and marionettes, as well as paper-cutting and tea ceremonies, were also eye-catching events.

Besides the performance, the inauguration ceremony also served as a classroom, with two sessions of tea ceremony and paper-carving training tailored to visitors who had never practiced them before.

Dancers from Fujian staged a vibrant performance. They brought their intangible dancing art form, cultivated in their hometown, to a foreign audience.

The performers lived out the diverse culture of Fujian province.

Lin Shouqin, deputy director of the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture, said at the ceremony that based on the Belt and Road Initiative, the project was conducive to economic and cultural cooperation among the countries and regions involved in the initiative.

The station will focus on cultural exchanges, trade and communications to serve audiences in Malaysia, carrying out more activities in the future.

In the wake of the new Malaysian cultural station, Fujian province has created a schedule to expand its initiatives in other countries.

Local media reported that in the next few years, Fujian plans to establish cultural stations in another five to eight countries, to promote the province's cultural brand.

In 2017, Fujian will initiate a series of cultural activities with BRICS countries to enhance cultural ties, according to the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture.

From Jan 25 to May 30, the Fujian Museum, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the National Museum of New Delhi in India, organized a Buddhism-themed sculpture exhibition to showcase the glories of the ancient Buddhist culture.

From Feb 22 to March 5, the Fujian Museum organized a picture exhibition of the Maritime Silk Road, held in South American countries including Brazil.

On June 12, Romero Britto, a Brazilian artist, held a personal exhibition in Fuzhou. In mid-August, a Russian oil painting exhibition was held in Fujian Art Gallery.
[Photo provided to China Daily]

Eight winners of 2017 China Youth Music Competition will start a week-long training and performance tour of Germany on September 2.

They will join the winners of the Jugend musiziert, the most well-known music competition for youth in Germany, to take part in four days of master classes in Bonn.

Then the young musicians from both countries will attend three concerts, one at the China Embassy in Bonn, the second at Beethoven House, Bonn, and one at the city hall of Bad Honnef.

The Chinese students will also perform at the opening night of Festival Alte Musik Knechtsteden on September 10.

The China Youth Music Competition started in 2016, inspired by German's Jugend musiziert, a nationwide competition for youth.

It aims to promote amateur music education, so applicants should not be in full-time music training institutes or professional practice.

The China edition of the contest required applicants not to be older than 23.

Last year, the first edition of the contest ran in Beijing and Shanghai.

But this year, more than 1,100 students competed in 8 cities.

And 410 came to Beijing for the final in July.

In October, the winners of this year's Jugend musiziert will visit Beijing.
Veteran artist Ding Chenyun performs gu qin at the meeting on Sept 1, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

On the morning September 1, when most people rushed to work, a man in traditional Chinese costume plucked strings, making music that made listeners calm and silent.

Ding Chengyun, the artist who played an instrument called gu qin  a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument  is a national inheritor of gu qin performing.

Along with him, another ten intangible cultural heritages (ICH) inheritors and some 30 representatives from online streaming companies got together in Beijing to discuss about the ICH promotion.

Organized by the Guangming Daily Website, the promotion has been creatively combined with online streaming and through the support from the Ministry of Culture.

According to Lu Xiangao, deputy editor of Guangming Daily, the website has made about 30 online broadcasting of 30 ICH heritors in a dozen of provinces from May to Aug.

The broadcasting attracted around 30 million viewers via Douyu, an online broadcasting company.

"In an era of internet, new media, such as online streaming, helps more people know those unknown intangible cultural heritages," Lu said.

The unexpected popularity of the streaming inspired both the inheritors and officials to plan further future promotion of the cultural heritages.
Actor Ai Lun (left) stars a female journalist who exchanges soul with a boxer, played by comedian actress Ma Li (right). [Photo provided to China Daily]

When Chinese actor Ai Lun was shooting the comedy Never Say Die, he repeated his lines every morning in front of a mirror before going to the set.

Ai, who is tall at 187 centimeters and weighs 85 kilograms, repeated the line: "Remember, you are a woman."

At a recent Beijing event to promote the upcoming movie, Ai revealed his method to prepare for the role of a female journalist who exchanges soul with a masculine boxer.

Adapted from the popular stage play with the same title, Never Say Die is about the two's messy yet joyful adventures brought by the incredible exchange.

Comedian actress Ma Li, who shot to fame with the 2015 hit comedy Goodbye Mr Loser, stars as the boxer who gets into the journalist's body.

"I have closely observed the way Ai usually speaks, walks and even blinks. In the movie, I become the real-life Ai. It was such a big challenge," said the 35-year-old actress.

The film, set to open across China on Sept 30, is the third such stage play-inspired movie produced by Mahua Fun Age, one of the country's most popular comedy troupes.

The previous two are Goodbye Mr Loser and Mr Donkey (2016).
Orlando Bloom unravels his role in the upcoming action thriller S.M.A.R.T. Chase in Beijing on Aug 30. [Photo provided to China Daily]

To promote the upcoming action thriller S.M.A.R.T. Chase, Orlando Bloom again appeared in Beijing to unravel more stories about his first Chinese movie on Aug 30.

Directed by British helmer Charles Martin, the movie is financed and distributed by the Shanghai-based studio Bliss Media.

Bloom stars a security transporter, who lives in Shanghai to escort antiques and other precious items from China to the rest of the world for exhibition organizers. However, he and his team encounter big trouble after being ambushed by some villainous rivals.

The storyline occurs during the course of one day, studded with heavy action.

With a stellar cast, also including Taiwan model-actress Hannah Quinlivan and Hong Kong veteran actor Simon Yam, the movie will hit Chinese theatre screens on Sept 30.

Bloom reveals he picked up the script of S.M.A.R.T. Chase from a number of China-set stories, as he felt the tale is convincing and romantic.

Bloom said the movie has a lot of funny scenes, which can easily appeal to a range of audiences. He added he had insisted on shooting the action scenes without using stand-ins.

Producers revealed the movie may be developed to a franchise, as they have seen Chinese audiences' rising interest on such action series, such as the Fast and Furious movies.

Quinlivan, who was pregnant during filming, said Yam "rescued" her baby.

"I didn't know I was pregnant then. When we were shooting one action scene, the script wrote a person to kick my belly. When Simon heard it, he said 'no, a young girl's belly should be protected. You cannot make a real kick.' So, he saved me and my baby," she said.

The cast stars will travel to around 20 Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou, to promote the movie.
Central Tianjin and Haihe River, 2017. [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Haihe River, flowing through central Tianjin, has long been a key element in the city's historic and in-creasingly rapid contemporary development. A walk along its landscaped banks illustrates how this North China Municipality has shaken off much of an earlier industrial legacy while transforming itself into a mod-ern attractive metropolis, attracting large numbers of visitors - as witnessed by the flotilla of tourist boats cruising the river night and day!
Guests leave the opening ceremony of the BRICS Political Parties, Think Tanks and Civil Society Organizations Forum in Fuzhou, Fujian province, in June. [Photo/XINHUA]

BRICS should promote trade liberalization and an open world economy, and its member statesBrazil, Russia, India, China and South Africamust explore ways to innovate economically. This, in gist, was the message of President Xi Jinping at the opening of the Business Forum of the three-day 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on Sunday.

And true to the theme, "A Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future", the leaders of the five member states attending the summit are committed to further strengthening their cooperation mechanism and making greater efforts to improve global governance. The five emerging economies will hold in-depth discussions on issues of common concern, including the world economy, global governance, international and regional issues, and national security and development.

The rest of the world is expected to pay close attention to the resolutions of the BRICS leaders to improve their decade-old mechanism, strengthen their cooperation, and better coordinate their development strategies on regional and international issues, because they are aimed at building a better world.

That the BRICS economies contributed more than half of global economic growth, however, is not enough. They should seize the opportunities offered by such global challenges as a sluggish world economic recovery and the trend of anti-globalization in some economies, and use their position as the world economy's strongest engine, to build a fairer global financial and trade system.

As Xi said, the development trend of BRICS remains unchanged despite the challenges its member states are facing, because one of the strongest aspects of BRICS is its global vision, meaning it is committed to bringing benefits to the people in not only the five countries but also the rest of the world.

The BRICS' spirit of openness, solidarity, equality, mutual understanding, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation marks a major departure from the West-led international relations of zero-sum game, and better reflects a multilateral world. As such, it will help build a more balanced and inclusive global economy.

Due to their different political and cultural backgrounds, the cooperation among BRICS members has not always been smooth. But, like Xi said, as long as they put greater faith in cooperation and keep building mutual trust, the road paved by BRICS can only strengthen their coordination and partnerships.

The Xiamen summit, therefore, looks set to usher in another "golden decade" for BRICS.
MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY

THE STANDING COMMITTEE of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, recently reviewed this year's budget enforcement report by the State Council, the country's Cabinet, which says individual income tax grew 18.5 percent from January to July compared with 10 percent growth in people's incomes. Beijing News comments:

The report shows people's incomes grew in the first seven months of this year, but as the individual income tax threshold has remained 3,500 yuan ($534) a month since 2011, they had to pay a higher percentage of their incomes as tax. In fact, many low-and middle-income people have to pay a large part of them incomes as individual income tax.

The case highlights the necessity to expedite the personal income tax reform.

On previous occasions, tax-related departments have said that following thorough research, they had reached a consensus on introducing a comprehensive tax system, according to which expenditures such as educational costs, mortgage loans and the money spent on raising children could be deducted from people's incomes before calculating the taxable amount.

That would be welcome, but it is still debatable which expenditures should be deducted from people's incomes before fixing the taxable amount. That's also partly why the departments are still working on the issue.

The problem is, people's incomes as well as commodity prices have increased during the research period. Which means those departments have to update their data before deciding on the new individual income tax threshold. Perhaps, they should first adjust the existing individual income tax threshold by using the sub-optimal option to ease people's tax burden, which in turn would propel the overall tax reform.

At this year's National People's Congress session in March, Minister of Finance Xiao Jie, responding to public concerns, said the individual tax income threshold would be raised when needed, which was widely welcomed.

But while adjusting the individual income tax threshold, the authorities should also expedite research on the comprehensive tax system as part of the overall tax reform.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, Southeast China's Fujian province, Sept 3, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and since 2010 South Africa) constitute the emerging powers in global governance, though so far none of the rising powers, has been in a rush to assert themselves by taking up the role of global leader, with its conflicting influences of attendant high financial costs, from the United States.

While China, as the leading member, has taken a long patient view of history, it has more than four decades, of unrelenting fortitude and perseverance, becoming a fast-paced country undergoing rapid change. As the host for the 2017 BRICS Summit, China has adopted a BRICS Plus model by inviting Egypt, Guinea, Tajikistan, Mexico and Thailand as guest countries. This is seen as deepening Chinas leadership and outreach to further shape future geopolitics particularly in the developing world.

Consequently, it now has the opportunity to provide leadership in BRICS, particularly as a result of its fast-paced environment and fast growing economic growth that has catapulted its meteoric unprecedented advance to become the worlds second largest economy at over $12 trillion. The BRICS economies share some domestic and socio-economic challenges which must be addressed independent of their group activism. This must be done in order to accomplish set goals as a group in combating economic, social and political inequality in addition to corruption, improvements in health care and education, and human rights, to name a few.

There has therefore been a fundamental shift in global significance whereby in the future we will inevitably only have two dominant powers: the United States and China. As a result, as a member of BRICS, China dwarfs all the other combined emerging powers and is hence expected to play a larger role in shaping the BRICSs agenda that is commensurate with its elevated status, particularly in coordinating how the group collectively tackles key global issues such as climate change, poverty reduction, free trade, and building sustainable and effective domestic models that may be emulated by other developing countries. BRICS should therefore move closer to the professed goals of the developed world in propping up institutions of jurisprudence, human rights, fair trade, and other equitable forms of Western global setting of norms and standards.

The BRICS countries will be looking for prospective success and reciprocal influence in boosting trade between their developing economies, representing nearly half of the world's population. But while they face similar challenges in lifting large populations of the poor and protecting their environments, their economies have been slowing. In this context China will play a pivotal role because of the seriousness in takes BRICS as a driver of global leadership, particularly in the developing world. President Xi Jinpings One Belt and Road (B&R) project and his captivating speech in support of globalization at the World Trade Forum in Davos, Switzerland, are all aligned with enhancing partnership of unity and cooperation within BRICS as a model that should emulated by developing countries.

As China prepares for the 9th BRICS leaders summit for three days from September 3 in Xiamen, it is manifestly apparent that China has ascended to perhaps the most significant global player on the world stage, straddling both the developed and developing world. It is therefore critical to the realization of BRICS aspirations of their repeated call for the democratization of international governance and for greater equality in world politics is spearheaded by China working in close collaboration with fellow BRICS countries.

Some ideas such as the mooted BRICS bank are extremely attractive to the developing countries, particularly if they can help them in achieving sustainable development goals. In this respect, China can play an important role through BRICS in spearheading the rise of emerging powers and the beginning of shared development through a win-win globalization model. In this regard the BRICS Summit expects to progress toward a new level as a globally influential platform for South-South cooperation, among the emerging-market bloc, thereby leading to fairer and more rational international order. From the African perspective, this is the key challenge and opportunity for BRICS and particularly China, and it must firmly and decisively take up if they are to meet our sanguine expectations of uniform blending of aspirations for common prosperity. In this regard, the BRICS Plus model is an important step in the right direction by providing emerging countries with an opportunity to understudy their more developed counterparts.

The author is the Director of Centre for Strategy and Policy at Africa Policy Institute.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, Sept 3, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

On September 3, 2017, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the two-day BRICS Business Forum, one day prior to the grouping's 9th Annual Summit to be held at Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province. President Xi outlined a new blueprint for future development of BRICS cooperation that won applause and high praise from participants. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and President Michel Temer of Brazil were also present at the forum.

This year's BRICS Business Forum from Sept 3 to 4 is the largest as an unprecedented number of guests, nearly 1,200, are attending the two-day event; 1,069 of whom are senior executives of 632 enterprises from China and abroad. Among the foreign guests, who represent half of all participants, 80 come from Fortune 500 multinationals across the United Kingdom, United States, France and Germany, in addition to those representing the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

An important side-event of the BRICS Leaders' summit, the BRICS Business Forum is organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Since its debut in 2010, the BRICS Business Forum has been an important platform for the business communities of BRICS countries to work together for cooperation and development, aiming to facilitate dialogue and consultation among these countries, and deepen trade and economic cooperation.

In his 40-minute address, Xi analyzed the current global economic landscape and summarized the achievements made so far in BRICS cooperation, while looking ahead to a "great era of development, transformation and adjustment". He called on leaders of BRICS countries to present a united opposition front against protectionism and new barriers in global trade. He also asked to show leadership on issues of regional and global importance, including counter terrorism.

Xi's speech is positive, realistic and open, resonated with the Xiamen Summit theme of "BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future". Xi's speech demonstrated new prospects for the five BRICS members, enhancing mutual trust and strategic communication while blowing a new horn for other emerging markets and developing countries to advance the right path of globalization, rejecting protectionism.

Focusing on enhancing cooperation between the BRICS members, Xi said, "Construction of a tall building starts with the foundation. We have laid the foundation and put in place the framework for BRICS cooperation". Xi underlined that "treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while shelving differences", is an important part of cooperation between the five member emerging economies.

Xi's speech is important in regards to the golden decade for BRICS. He emphasized that BRICS countries should work to usher in the second "golden decade" of cooperation. He said going forward, BRICS countries have major tasks to accomplish, which are to grow economies and to strengthen cooperation. "It is time to set sail when the tide rises," Xi said, adding that countries should work to let their economic cooperation have more substance.

Xi used his speech to strengthen China's advocacy for economic globalization in the face of signals from the Trump administration of rising protectionism. His expressions on globalization and abandoning the old economic order were really positive, impressive. He reinforced his message telling the forum that the development of emerging market and developing countries is not intended to "move the cheese of anyone" but to "make the pie of the global economy bigger".

Given the current state of sluggish global growth in recent years, such issues as uneven development, inadequate governance and deficit of fairness, he urged BRICS countries to work together with other members of the international community to uphold and secure global economic stability and growth for the long term benefit of all nations.

"We five countries should open more to each other, expand converging interests in this process, take an inclusive approach and share opportunities, so as to create even brighter prospects for growing the economies of the five countries," he said.

As a responsible leader on the world stage, Xi reminded the forum of their international responsibilities. "The long road to global peace and development will not be a smooth one" as more than 700 million people are still living in hunger, tens of millions of people have been displaced and become refugees, while many people, including innocent children, have been killed in conflicts. He urged the BRICS countries as well as the international community to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The proposal of "BRICS Plus", which aims to bring non-BRICS countries into the organization, is very realistic. In recent years, the impact of BRICS cooperation reaches far beyond the five countries, in particular, other emerging market and developing countries. Citing a Chinese proverb, "It is easy to break one arrow but hard to break 10 arrows bundled together," Xi said, BRICS should promote the BRICS Plus approach to build an open and diversified network of development partners. Surely, the BRICS Plus model can turn the BRICS mechanism into a broader and more inclusive platform, through which more emerging economies can have dialogue and deepen cooperation.

In his speech, Xi referred to Belt and Road Initiative which has turned to a crucial component of boosting interconnectivity through impressive infrastructure works since 2013. Xi said Belt and Road Initiative is not a tool to advance any geopolitical agenda, but a platform for practical cooperation. "I am convinced that the Belt and Road Initiative will serve as a new platform for all countries to achieve win-win cooperation and that it will create new opportunities for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," he said. No doubt, the Belt and Road Initiative has offered much inspiration to the world in the past four years.

Xi got a round of applause for calling on BRICS countries to adopt a holistic approach to fight terrorism in all its forms and ensure that terrorists have no place to hide. "I am convinced that as long as we take a holistic approach to fighting terrorism in all its forms, and address both its symptoms and root causes, terrorists will have no place to hide," he said.

He also offered solutions to the world's terrorism problems. When dialogue, consultation and negotiation are conducted to create conditions for achieving political settlement of issues such as Syria, Libya and the Palestine-Israel conflict, the flame of war can be put out, and displaced refugees will eventually return to their homes, he said.

He also described the long and arduous journey that China had taken in 40 years of reform and opening-up and China's readiness to take leadership in driving global growth for the benefit of not just China but all peoples of the world. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have embarked on the development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Despite hardships and challenges, China has become the world's second-largest economy, the lives of its 1.3 billion-plus people have been significantly improved, and China has made increasingly greater contribution to both regional and global economic development.

Xi's Xiamen speech points out a new path for building a community of shared destiny for humanity, which would serve as a lighthouse to illuminate the world. His speech has significantly signaled to the international community that today's fast-rising China has earned the right to play a leading role in shaping the global order. Undoubtedly, he has unveiled a new horizon, opened up a new world of peace and prosperity, harmony and happiness and initiated a new political and economical world order.

Rabi Sankar Bosu is secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club in West Bengal, India.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, Southeast China's Fujian province, Sept 3, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The world is now paying attention to the BRICS summit and its consequences amid global multifaceted challenges are in front. Since the world economic crisis of 2008, the American and European economy have failed to demonstrate an objective influence in the global spheres. In other sides, BRICS nations have taken a historic effort to make the world more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous through tangible cooperation and partnerships. Chinese President Xi Jinping, addressing the opening of the BRICS Business Forum, encouraged BRICS members to enhance economic cooperation and improve the global economic governance system. Economic cooperation is the profound foundation for the BRICS, and also for the rest of world to harness global prosperity. Highlighting the significance of the cooperation, President Xi focused on making contributions to global economic growth building, opening the world economy, facilitating trade, investment, and making new global value chains.

The 2017 BRICS summit is historically significant comparatively in the previous summits due to some challenges created by some western nations to halt the free flow of the wave of globalization and liberal economic system. Acknowledging this situation, President Xi said BRICS cooperation has reached a crucial stage of the development. He further highlighted in accessing the performance of BRICS cooperation, it is important to bear two things in mind  the historical course of global development and evolving international landscape; and the historical process of development of BRICS countries, both individually and collectively. The international institutions, established in the post WWII scenario, have failed to resolve the major challenges the world is facing. They further support to promote western supremacy and dominant roles which are halting the significant contributions of the developing world. Instead the BRICS community, which formally launched in 2006, tries to provide alternative global order based on inclusive growth, equality, peace, harmony and a win-win situation. In his significant speech, President Xi said the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, and the zero-sum game are rejected, and peace, development and a win-win cooperation have become the shared aspiration of all people. The BRICS summit is now also a very comprehensive forum for world leaders to discuss issues of common concern, build consensus and raise policy suggestions.

The term "BRIC", first coined by Goldman Saches economist Jim O'Neill in 2001, refers to Brazil, Russia, India and China. BRIC established in 2006. South Africa joined in 2010 and the acronym was changed to BRICS. According to the report of Goldman Saches, BRICS have huge potential to become dominant economies by the year 2050. These five countries cover 30 percent of the world land coverage and 40 percent of the population, with a combined GDP of $25 trillion, and also are fastest growing emerging markets. Understanding the strength and future potentiality of the BRICS, President Xi said to promote the "BRICS Plus" approach to build an open and diversified network of development partners.

In his speech, President Xi also mentioned the domestic political scenario and its historical development. He said under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese people have successfully embarked on a path of socialism, with distinctive Chinese features in close to 40 years of reform and opening up. President Xi said it was very sunshine that since the reform and opening up of 1978, China has achieved prudent domestic and global strengths in multiple spheres. With a very pragmatic policy, visions and approaches of the CPC leadership, China has become a champion in global spheres. Now, "Chinese solution" becomes the optimist view to address the present pessimistic world scenario.

Stakes in the international arena of the BRICS nations is increasing from UN system to other international financial institutions. Its stand and voice on issues  such as economic financial issues, trade, energy, cyber security, climate change and other important issues  are taking strong support from the large numbers of the masses. Some developing countries in the 1970's tried to make the international system more cooperative and inclusive; however, failed due to their domestic weakness and strong protests of some powerful nations. But now BRICS nations in terms of political, economic, military and world masses support are in the strong conditions. Since 2008 and particularly from 2017, protectionism and anti-globalization tendency in America and some European countries try to bar the free flow of global development and liberalization of the world economic system. America's withdraw from the TPP and Paris climate deal shocked the world on taking a liberal approach on globalization. No doubt the world is now in the historically transition phase. Old powers try to retain their dominant order showing unnecessary tittering and hurdles. New grouping of the BRICS, on another hand, has succeeded to gain huge popularity and support in the international spheres. Western media has also showed strong concern on the BRICS summit amid growing tensions in their domestic spheres.

To address the optimism of the world people, President Xi said the development of the BRICS has delivered tangible benefits to more than 3 billion people, and its cooperation has gained growing appreciation and endorsement, as well as had become a positive energy in the international community. Now, the world has entered into the new era with the contributing role initiated by BRICS nations. To end the existing western dominant, discriminatory and biased international system, BRICS nations should harness their partnership and cooperation. Their collective efforts not only benefits the billions of people but also supports to establish new global order based on peace, harmony, prosperity and win-win situation. President Xi's pragmatic speech in the Xiamen Summit gives the glimpse of hyper optimism for better world and to achieve common goal of global community. Now the world is watching for the power and capability of BRICS nations to implement promised commitment and declaration through the summit. Peace and prosperity of the world will be depending on the constructive activism of the BRICS nations in collective, dynamic and systemic manners.
Sava Hassan and his wife. [Photo/China Daily website]

As a writer who has focused his career on dealing with social issues for most of his life, I do believe that one of my responsibilities is taking on the plight of those who do not possess the capacity to air their pet peeves.

Before I venture into the topic of my article, I must emphasize the fact that I hold the utmost respect for China and its government. Therefore, the arguments made in my article should not be perceived as a criticism of China's policies. They are nothing but observations from one of the individuals who sees the unfair treatment that foreign spouses of Chinese individuals are unintentionally subjected to.

For certain, foreign spouses of Chinese individuals who took the decision to make China their home, are facing the dilemma of attempting to build reasonably comfortable lives with their Chinese partners while being treated as a single foreigner. They do not receive any special treatment as a result of their marriages to Chinese people.

Please, do not get me wrong. Of course, they chose to marry out of love, devotion and compatibility.

It is a well-known fact that most nations in the world tend to bestow special privileges upon the spouses of their citizens to make it easier to establish a life in the country of their husband or wife. The same cannot be said about China.

Foreign spouses of Chinese people face several obstacles in landing suitable positions, getting medical treatment or being included in their spouses' insurance policies.

A foreigner who is married to a Chinese person has to obtain a work permit just like any other foreigner. He or she is also required to go through the hassle of going back to his or her country to get a Z-visa.

Most foreign spouses do not see the logic behind that measure. They believe that they can do without the extra expenses that could be avoided if they were allowed to satisfy the requirements of getting a work residence from within China.

They are neither provided with medical treatment, nor included in their Chinese spouses' insurance policies. To sum it up, they are still treated just like any other foreigner.

Some foreign spouses are hesitant to go back to their countries for personal reasons. Consequently, they can't work without a Z-visa. Therefore, how are they going to support their families? Some of them are forced to work illegally which provides some corrupt employers to take advantage of their predicament to exploit them by reducing their salaries or assigning them extra hours.

What could be done to resolve the predicament of foreign spouses? The government could provide them with temporary work permits that would be renewed yearly.

They should be allowed to get a Z-visa without leaving China. They ought to be granted some of the privileges that Chinese spouses enjoy and take for granted.

It is fair that foreign spouses of Chinese people receive free medical treatment or at least at a reduced price. Without stating the obvious, they ought to be included in their spouses' insurance policies.

Some may argue that may lead some scrupulous foreigners to marry Chinese people solely for the benefits. However, the government can establish rules to govern the process to protect its Chinese citizens such as stipulating that the foreign-Chinese marriage must last a particular period of time before being granted these privileges.

It is hard to leave your family and friends to build a new life in a foreign country, especially if you voluntarily came to share your knowledge and expertise with its citizens. In addition, marriages between two different cultures and backgrounds need all the help they can get to stand the test of time.

Taking a few reasonable measures to facilitate foreign spouses' integration into China would be appreciated by both foreigners and their Chinese spouses.
Xiamen, a coastal city in Fujian province, is a popular tourist destination. [Photo by You Qinghui/China Daily]

Fujian province in East China is famed as an intangible cultural heritage hub for its profound and rich multiculturalism, as well as its close connections with Taiwan.

A total of 33,251 immovable cultural relics are registered in Fujian, ranking the province the 10th-largest in China. The relics include three world cultural heritage sites: Wuyi Mountain; Fujian Tulou known as Hakka earth buildings; and Gulangyu Island.

Gulangyu Island joined UNESCO's world cultural heritage list at the 41st United Nations World Heritage Committee meeting on July 8, as China's 36th world cultural heritage site.

The Ancient Quanzhou Citong Relics site plans to apply for UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2018. The Maritime Silk Road, Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Timber Arch Lounge Bridge and Red-brick Facades are already on UNESCO's tentative Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The Longevity Rock Cultural Ruins in Sanming and the Wuyi Mountain Chengcun villages are on the National Archaeological Site Parks list.
Pingtan in Fujian province is well known for its captivating landscape. [Photo by Weng Wucai/China Daily]

With villages of stone houses, flashing blue waters and wet sea winds, Pingtan, a group of remote islands off eastern Fujian province, hopes to welcome more tourists to experience its relaxing and simple lifestyle.

"The culture here is that of seamenbrave, rough and simple," said Fan Wenyun, an architect from Nanjing University.

Local people aged in their 60s or 70s get up at half past 6 every morning and rest at 5 in the evening.

In the old days, they used to catch fish, pick shells off the beaches and chat with neighborhood friends as part of their everyday routine, he said.

In Beigang village on Pingtan, gray stone houses line the mountains overlooking the beach. The light blue sea is calm, embracing the cluster of small islands.

Fan rented one of the houses and made it a space for reading and gathering, in an effort to protect the old memories.

The stone houses, with more than 100 years of history, have been passed down from generation to generation.

Few people had heard of the village and many of its young residents left to find work in big cities, that is, until 10 years ago.

"The buildings need to house people," Fan said. "If no one takes care of them, the rain will leak through the roofs, dampen the beams and finally shatter the building."
A 900-meter canal runs through Xiamei ancient village in Fujian province. [Photo by You Qinghui/China Daily]

More than 10 ancient villages in Fujian province joined the designated ranks of China's most beautiful rural areas at a recent tourism summit.

Judges mainly took three criteria into consideration: a candidate village's popularity, its history and potential for tourism, how well the architecture is preserved and how unique it is.

One of the winners from Fujian was Liancun village in Fuan, noted for its well preserved architecture.

It has been home to more than 50 distinguished literati from the Tang (618-907) to the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, who elbowed their way through a series of examinations to qualify as candidates for the highest imperial exam that took place before the emperor.

With its strong cultural ambiance, the village was the birthplace of many poets, who were inspired by the local folk culture and its haunting landscape.

"Look at this, this is what our ancestors left for us," said Chen Mucheng, former Party chief of the village, gazing at art carvings in a local temple.

Chen, born in the village, is now in his 60s. After he retired from the position, he served as a voluntary tourists guide.

The village demolished a bamboo forest to make way for a modernization development project several years ago. Chen said that ever since he lobbied local residents and government officials to restore it.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and her challenger, Germany's Social Democratic Party SPD candidate for chancellor Martin Schulz, take part in a TV debate in Berlin, Germany, September 3, 2017. German voters will take to the polls in a general election on September 24.

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday night that although "radical Islamists" are perpetrating acts of terror in Europe, she still believed that "Islam belongs to Germany."

Merkel made the remarks at the TV duel with Martin Schulz, chancellor candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), her major rival in the upcoming federal elections, as refugee and immigration issues is one of the focuses in the debate.

Both Merkel and Schulz see no issue with Muslim immigration to Germany, but Merkel said the 2015 refugee crisis has left Germany with a "difficult task" of integrating new arrivals into society, making sure they find places in educational institutions and the labor market.

"People who don't have the right to be in our country should leave it -- people have already been deported," said Merkel, defending her open-door immigration policy, calling for fighting the causes of such crises, like the violence in Syria.

Merkel called for cooperation with Turkey, Libya, Niger and other countries in solving refugee and immigration issues, and in the meantime opening channels for legal immigration. She also urged to better screening asylum seekers on for what reasons they come to Germany.

The SPD chairman Schulz criticized that Merkel had not voted with the European partners at the beginning of the refugee crisis in autumn 2015, however, Merkel defended her decision of two years ago to allow over about 1 million refugees to enter Germany, mostly from war-torn Middle East and North Africa, that she could not act otherwise.

"It had to be decided," Merkel said.

When talking about anti-terrorist efforts, Schulz said he could not ensure that terrorist attacks like the Berlin attack last December, which killed 12, could not repeat.

The duel was broadcast by four German TV stations and was expected that up to 20 million viewers, about one fourth of German population, could watch it.

It was the only TV debate before German federal elections on Sept. 24. Latest polls showed Merkel's CDU party and their Bavarian CSU sister enjoying about 17 percentage point lead over Schulz' SPD, which hoped to save the election campaign with the TV debate.

However, according to the quick poll by Infratest dimap after the debate, about 55 percent respondents believed that Merkel was more convincing, against 35 percent of that of Schulz.
The La Tuna Canyon fire has burned 5,895 acres and is still at 10% contained in Burbank, California, September 3, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

LOS ANGELES - Mayor of US city Los Angeles Eric Garcetti declared Saturday a local emergency in response to the largest wildfire by acreage in city history.

The La Tuna Fire has reportedly grown to about 8,000 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations in some areas.

Three structures were destroyed by the fire. No loss of life and no injuries reported and containment remains at 10 percent by 3:45 p.m. local time (0045 GMT next day), according to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

The fire began Friday near the La Tuna Canyon close to the 210 Freeway, north of Los Angeles.

Garcetti signed a declaration of emergency that directs relevant departments in the City of Los Angeles to take all necessary steps to protect life and property in the area affected by the fire.

"The La Tuna Canyon Fire is an emergency that requires all available resources to protect our residents and keep our homes and other structures out of harm's way. We are grateful for the men and women of LAFD, and all our partner agencies, for their heroic efforts to attempt to bring the fire under control and to keep people and their homes safe," said Garcetti in a statement.

The mayor also requested the Governor of the state of California, Jerry Brown, to declare an emergency, "so that state and federal assistance can be provided to the City as quickly as possible."

About 500 firefighters are working on the blaze, additional resources have been requested from the state, and about 100 Los Angeles firefighters are expected back soon from Texas, where they have been helping survivors from Hurricane Harvey, City News Service reported.

Four fixed-wing airtankers have been ordered to fight the blaze. Those aircraft continue retardant drops to help firefighters who are battling wildfires amid severe heatwave.

"The biggest factor is weather and the wind," Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Ralph Terrazas was quoted as saying by City News Service.

"We're constantly evaluating and it's dependent upon the wind shifts," said Terrazas. "Our priority is saving property. We're evaluating that at all points of the fire. There's a lot of fuel to burn."
MOSCOW - Syrian government forces backed by Russian warplanes have eliminated the last major resistance center of the Islamic State (IS) in the Western-central province of Hama, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

With the support of the Russian air force, the Syrian government troops launched an offensive against IS terrorists at the strategically important town of Akerbat in the eastern part of Hama and liberated the town, the ministry said in a statement.

Russian aircraft destroyed the terrorists' strong points, armored vehicles, artillery fire positions, control posts and communication centers, according to the defense ministry.

Russia has been participating in operations against the IS and other terrorist groups in Syria since September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
By AN BAIJIE in Xiamen, Fujian province | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-09-04 15:02

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the plenary session during the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province on September 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will set aside 500 million yuan ($76 million) for economic and technological cooperation and exchanges among BRICS countries, President Xi Jinping said on Monday while addressing the BRICS Summit.

Xi also announced plans to inject $4 million into a project preparation fund to support the BRICS-led New Development Bank's operation and long-term development.

He called on the five countries that make up BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - to promote practical cooperation.

Noting that only 5.7 percent of the BRICS countries' $197 billion investment went to the five countries last year, Xi said that there remains huge potential for economic cooperation among the BRICS members.

Leaders of BRICS countries pose for group photos after the ninth BRICS summit in the eastern city of Xiamen, Fujian province, Sept 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The president pointed out that the BRICS' "gold content" has been rising continuously in recent years along with measures such as boosting service trade, facilitating investment, initiating e-commerce cooperation and strengthening ties on innovation.

The five countries should increase cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, monetary and financial areas, connectivity, sustainable development, innovation and industrial cooperation, Xi said.

Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma attended the summit meeting chaired by Xi.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn
Stronger BRICS Partnership for a Brighter Future

Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Plenary Session of the BRICS Xiamen Summit

Xiamen, 4 September 2017

Your Excellency President Jacob Zuma,

Your Excellency President Michel Temer,

Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to meet with my colleagues again. I wish to begin by extending, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, a warm welcome to you all. Welcome to the BRICS Xiamen Summit. With the focus on the theme of the summit: "Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future", I look forward to working with you to take stock of BRICS cooperation, map out a blueprint for its future development and set sail on a new journey of cooperation.

BRICS cooperation has traversed a glorious journey of one decade. Though separated by mountains and oceans, our five countries have been closely bound by a shared commitment to win-win cooperation.

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance; it is thicker than glue and stronger than metal and stone." We owe the rapid development of BRICS cooperation to our adoption of a right approach. Guided by this approach, we have respected and supported each other in following the path of development suited to our respective national conditions; we have pushed forward economic, political and people-to-people cooperation in an open, inclusive and win-win spirit; and we have worked in unison with other emerging market and developing countries to uphold international justice and equity and foster a sound external environment.

Past progress shows that BRICS cooperation has met our common need for development and is in keeping with the trend of history. Though we have different national conditions, we share the commitment to pursuing development and prosperity through partnership. This has enabled us to rise above differences and seek win-win results.

As the world undergoes profound and complex changes, BRICS cooperation has become more important. Our people expect us to jointly boost development and improve their well-being. The international community expects us to make contribution to world peace and common development. We must redouble our efforts to comprehensively deepen BRICS partnership and usher in the second "Golden Decade" of BRICS cooperation.

First, we need to seek practical results in our economic cooperation. Results-oriented cooperation is the foundation of BRICS cooperation, and significant progress has been made in this regard. However, we have yet to fully tap the potential of BRICS cooperation. Statistics show that of the 197 billion US dollars outbound investment we made in 2016, only 5.7% took place among our five countries. This means BRICS cooperation still has broad space.

We need to stay focused on promoting results-oriented economic cooperation, and expand converging interests in trade and investment, currency and finance, connectivity, sustainable development, innovation and industrial cooperation. This year, we have formulated the BRICS Trade in Services Cooperation Roadmap, the Outlines for BRICS Investment Facilitation, the BRICS E-Commerce Cooperation Initiative, the BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation and the Action Plan for Deepening Industrial Cooperation Among BRICS Countries. We have launched the African Regional Center of the New Development Bank (NDB), decided to set up the BRICS Model E-Port Network and reached extensive agreement on taxation, e-commerce, local currency bond, public-private partnership, and the network of financial institutions and services. Our practical cooperation has become more institutionalized and substantive, and delivered more tangible results.

I wish to announce here that China will launch the Economic and Technical Cooperation Plan for BRICS Countries with 500 million yuan for the first term to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation in the economic and trade fields. China will contribute four million US dollars to the NDB Project Preparation Facility to support the business operation and long-term development of the bank. China will work with all parties to follow through on the outcomes and consensus achieved in the past, and make good use of existing mechanisms. Together, we must seize the historic opportunities of the new industrial revolution, explore new areas and models of practical cooperation, and enhance our links to ensure sustained and steady progress of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.

Second, we need to strengthen the complementarity of our development strategies. Despite our differences in national conditions, our five countries are in a similar stage of development and share the same development goals. We all face an arduous task in growing the economy. Strengthening the complementarity of our development strategies will help bring out our comparative strengths in resources, market and labor force, and release the growth potential of the five countries and the creativity of our three billion people, opening up huge space for development.

We need to plan well at the macro level and take concrete actions in key areas. Acting in the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, we need to identify those areas where our development policies and priorities converge, and continue to work toward the goal of connectivity in trade and investment, currency and finance, and infrastructure. With a focus on structural reform and sustainable development, we need to expand our converging interests and share experience on innovation, entrepreneurship, industrial development and production capacity to boost our respective economic development. It is important to strike a balance between the speed of growth and the quality and efficiency of growth. By implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, we have the opportunity to achieve balanced economic, social and environmental progress, and bring about interconnected and inclusive development.

Third, we need to make the international order more just and equitable. Our ever closer ties with the rest of the world require that we play a more active part in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved. We should speak with one voice and jointly present our solutions to issues concerning international peace and development. This meets the expectation of the international community, and will help safeguard our common interests.

We should remain committed to multilateralism and the basic norms governing international relations, work for a new type of international relations, and foster a peaceful and stable environment for the development of all countries. We need to make economic globalization open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, build an open world economy, support the multilateral trading regime and oppose protectionism. We need to advance the reform of global economic governance, increase the representation and voice of emerging market and developing countries, and inject new impetus into the efforts to address the development gap between the North and South and boost global growth.

Fourth, we need to promote people-to-people exchanges. Amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. Only with intensive care can the tree of friendship and cooperation grow luxuriant. Enhancing the exchanges among our peoples and seeing the spirit of partnership embraced by all is a worthy cause that deserves our enduring commitment. A job well done in this regard will keep BRICS cooperation vibrant.

We are pleased to note that the important consensus reached at the leadership level on closer people-to-people exchanges is being translated into reality. This year, people-to-people exchanges among our five countries have been in full swing, marked by the diverse activities of the BRICS Games, the BRICS Film Festival, the BRICS Culture Festival and the High-level Meeting on Traditional Medicine. We hope that through our joint efforts, these activities will take place regularly and be institutionalized. We need to expand our outreach to get the public more involved and encourage more lively exchanges of diverse cultures.

Dear Colleagues,

The past decade has seen the unremitting efforts of BRICS countries in pursuing development and deepening partnership. It is but a beginning in the history of BRICS cooperation. As I said in my letters to you early this year, looking ahead, BRICS cooperation is set to achieve greater development and play an even bigger role in international affairs. Let us set sail from Xiamen and join hands to usher in the second Golden Decade of BRICS cooperation and deliver greater benefits to the people of our five countries and around the world.

Thank you.
ASEAN is expanding its coverage to more countries related to the Belt and Road Initiative. Kazakhstan announced last week that it will attend the 14th China-ASEAN Exposition this month as a specially-invited partner.

This is the first time a country along the Silk Road Economic Belt has participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as guest partner. The exposition will set up 20 booths for Kazakhstan to showcase its specialty products and will host the first "China-Kazakhstan Local Cooperation Forum". The first deputy prime minister of Kazakhstan will attend.

The specially-invited partner is a new mechanism at this year's exposition, designed to enhance the Belt and Road Initiative and expand ASEAN's coverage from the Maritime Silk Road to the Silk Road Economic Belt, according to Yang Yanyan, deputy secretary-general of China-ASEAN Exposition.

It will be the first time that the exposition has set up a Belt and Road exhibition area , inviting enterprises from Egypt, Sri Lanka, Poland and 10 more Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership members and the Belt and Road Initiative-related countries.

Rakhymzhan Rakhimov, counselor at the Kazakhstan embassy in China, said the country's participation will provide new impetus for Sino-Kazakh relations, deepen Kazakhstan's relationship with ASEAN countries and bring the nations' mutual trust to a new level.

Yang said Kazakhstan could take this opportunity to further enhance its national image, expand its international influence and deepen cooperation with China and ASEAN countries to jointly promote the integration of the regional economy. The exhibition will help Kazakhstan promote its specialties in agriculture, culture, tourism and other areas, and provide services for trade negotiation.

Kazakhstan is where the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed and is also one of China's important trade partners. Yu Hongchi, an official of China's Ministry of Commerce, said the country's participation can not only reinforce cooperation with China, but also help Kazakhstan expand its business and markets within ASEAN countries.

In the future, Yu hoped China and Kazakhstan could further boost the cooperation in, for example, the agriculture, railway and telecommunication fields.

The annual exposition will be held from September 12 to 15 in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
China is learning from the United Kingdom's vocational education system as it moves to improve the skills of its talent pool at a time when the nation seeks to move the economy up the value chain.

On Friday, a delegation from the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee visited the City of Westminster College, a leading British vocational school, with the goal of incorporating best practices into China's education system.

"British vocational education experiences can be directly applied to help China up-skill its population," said Gan Yisheng, vice-chairman of the proposals committee within the CPPCC National Committee.

"In particular, (we are interested in) the way British vocational schools work so intensively with businesses to create and implement the courses, so that students gain the most valuable skills and experiences," said Gan.

"The City of Westminster College has 7,000 students. Over the years, it has collaborated with many businesses, including food company United Biscuits UK, Harrods, the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the engineering consultancy Atkins.

Gan said the British government's recently launched initiatives to encourage businesses to invest into training apprentices might also work well in China.

Since April, the British government has required all businesses with a payroll exceeding 3 million pounds ($3.88 million) to pay an apprenticeship levy, which they can claim back by invest in training apprentices. The scheme reinforces the British government's efforts to fund 3 million new apprentices by 2020.

The vocational education sector has grown quickly in recent decades and China now has 12,300 vocational schools, collectively hosting nearly 27 million students, and annually recruiting 9.3 million new students.

Despite the growth, Chinese education specialists note that the sector still faces challenges such as a lack of adequate government funding and policy support, while vocational qualifications so far do not have the same value as other qualifications.

"The sector would benefit from policies that give the same treatment toward students with vocational and university degrees, and by allowing vocational courses to attract more talents," said Luo Xiaoming, the former executive president of Beijing Geely University, a vocational school founded in 2000.

Luo, who visited the City of Westminster College last year, said China needs policy incentives that encourage businesses to invest in training new talent, alongside schools. In particular, they should be incentivized to share their most advanced cutting-edge technology with schools, so students are capable of working with the latest technology immediately upon starting work.

Keith Cowell, CEO of The United Colleges Group, of which the City of Westminster College is a member, said he believes there will be many opportunities to work with Chinese vocational schools in future, such as by becoming certifying partners for courses, or by hosting teacher or student exchange programs.
Naina Lal Kidwai, a former president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Naina Lal Kidwai, one of five BRICS business council members attending the summit from India, welcomed President Xi Jinping's support for green development and achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

She said one of the priorities has to be building sustainable infrastructure that does not repeat the mistakes of developed countries and avoids destroying the environment.

"Two thirds of the infrastructure now needed is going to be in the global south, not just in the BRICS countries but other emerging markets as well. India alone needs $1 trillion of investment in the next five years," she said.

"There is an opportunity to build the right spaces for ourselves and not replicate what the rest of the world did and not see all the congestion and the pollution we have seen in the past."

Kidwai, also previously group general manager of HSBC Bank in India, has a particular focus on developing green financing models that will lead to higher environmental standards.

"The rules and regulations for this are still very much a work in progress within the BRICS countries but we seem to be pushing on an open door," she said.

"We must move toward a system where the actual certification of a project being green is not merely constrained to something that is obviously renewable but needs to include projects that are energy efficient and benefit the environment in other ways," she said.
Michael Bates, right, poses with his Chinese-born wife, Xuelin Bates. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Michael Bates, a member of the UK parliament, has completed a charity walk from London to Scotland in 44 days.

The 1,000-kilometer journey involved a route via Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast, before finishing in Edinburgh on Sunday.

Bates, 56, a minister of state at the UK's Department for International Development and a member of the House of Lords, set out from London on July 20, accompanied by his Chinese-born wife, Xuelin Bates.

The aim was to raise money for the UK Solidarity Fund to support the victims and families affected by the recent terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.

"We need to readdress the importance of solidarity," Bates said after arriving at Edinburgh Castle. "No matter how different we are, solidarity is always more powerful than separation."

Along the route, Bates kept a walking log, noting down all the adventures he had experienced.

Xuelin provided logistical support, including planning the walking trail, booking accommodation and arranging publicity.

They have successfully raised over 50,000 pounds ($65,000), which takes them a step closer to their goal of raising 1 million pounds over the next 10 years.

"Charity walk is a very good way to share the truest part of humanity with others,"Bates said. Ill keep doing this as long as Im in good condition and I believe we can make this world a better place."

The walk is the latest in a series of charity fundraising challenges the couple have tackled.

In 2015, they completed a 71-day journey from Beijing to Hangzhou to raise money for Red Cross projects in China. Last year, Bates trekked through South America in aid of the children's charity UNICEF.
Cab-hailing service Taxify, which recently partnered with Chinese transportation platform Didi Chuxing, is to take on Uber and other taxi firms in London.

From Tuesday, the Estonia-based company will offer Londoners promotional rates of up to 50 percent off during September.

The company will charge 0.39 pounds ($0.5) per kilometer, 8 pence per minute and 1.25 pounds at the start of a trip for the rest of the month.

Taxify "will always be cheaper than Uber", the company's founder Markus Villig told Reuters on Monday.

Villig has previously claimed that Taxify is on average 10 percent cheaper than Uber in cities where both companies operate.

Taxify said in an email it will compensate the September discounted rate to its drivers "so they will continue to earn more than with other platforms".

So far, 3,000 drivers in London have signed up to the Taxify platform.

Finn Geraghty, the company's operations manager for the UK, told China Daily in an earlier interview that the company hoped favorable commission rates will attract London drivers to sign on to its service.

The company takes 15 percent of the price of a ride, compared to Uber's 25 percent commission.

"Because we take less commission we see it as a very compelling offer to the existing private-hire drivers in London - and we've already seen some really strong demand from them,"Geraghty said.

Last month, Chinese company Didi Chuxing announced it had invested an undisclosed amount in Taxify and had entered into a strategic partnership with the company.

Didi is one of the world's largest mobile transportation platform, with around 400 million users signed up to its taxi, minibus and bike-sharing services.

Uber sold its China operations to Didi in 2016.

Villig launched his business in 2013 and has since expanded into 19 countries across Central Europe and Africa. Currently the business serves 2.5 million customers.
Both domestic and global companies have expressed great confidence generated by President Xi Jinping's speech at the opening of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen on Sunday.

Zhu Bixin, president of China Chengtong Holdings Group and chairman of the China Structural Reform Fund, said it has been 10 years since BRICS countries started working together. Under the promotion by all BRICS countries, this cooperation method has been constantly improving, achieving development goals.

"BRICS countries currently have growing influence on the world economy," Zhu said. "The cooperation among them can offer a remarkable opportunity and a solid platform for China's ongoing State-owned enterprises' reform and innovative development."

Jeremy Stevens, a Beijing-based China economist at Standard Bank, Africa's largest bank, said Xi placed emphasis in his speech on next year's 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, in which Xiamen played a significant part, being one of the country's first special economic zones.

"It was an interesting reminder of the importance of opening up to the world. As with his Davos speech in January, Xi made clear his and China's commitment to globalization, in marked contrast to the lurch toward protectionism in the West."

Stevens said Xi was right to stress that quality of growth was now as important to the BRICS nations as the pace of it.

"He emphasized the importance of macroeconomic policy and industrial development policy coordination between the BRICS members, which was the right message," Stevens said. "The group was never just about fast growth."

Stevens said BRICS countries now are among the most important in the world.

"When it was first formed in 2006, the grouping had 40 companies in the Fortune Global 500 and now it has 160. It is therefore no surprise that President Xi spent nearly an hour speaking to the BRICS business community," he said.

"In his speech, President Xi repeatedly referred to 'development' and referenced cultural and sociological exchange between BRICS countries. He said that the citizens of BRICS countries should use cultural exchange as a link to understand each other further," said An Li, vice-president of Airbnb China.

The San Francisco-based home-sharing company fully supports the idea that development comes from mutual understanding and exchange.

An said that as the global platform for shared accommodations, Airbnb will continue to grow opportunities for cultural exchange so that people from BRICS nations will open their doors to each other and communicate.

"BRICS countries are actively embracing home sharing, and we look forward to working even more closely with local communities, governments and countries to expand shared travel and economic opportunities outside of developed countries," she said.

"BRICS is no longer merely an economic concept. Its role as a platform for emerging economies to coordinate their stance on world political governance is growing," said Xu Niansha, chairman of China Poly Group Corp.

"BRICS members need to do more to complement each other's weakness," said Xu.

"For instance, China is a manufacturing powerhouse. If Chinese businesses conduct capacity cooperation with other BRICS countries to create local jobs and increase added value of raw materials from those countries, we can establish an industrial chain within BRICS."

Sun Pishu, chairman of Inspur Group Co Ltd, said the speech by Xi gives a comprehensive conclusion of BRICS' achievements in the past 10 years and presents a clear road map for the coming decade. He made a special reference to the role of the business community in providing technology, capital and information to bolster economic growth.

"This is in line with Inspur's long-term commitment to enhancing connectivity through digital means across countries and providing tailored-made solutions to tap into local needs. We are heartened by the key messages delivered by the president and we look forward to making more visible contributions in the areas of cloud computing and big data."

He Wei contributed to this story.
Economist who coined 'BRIC' acronym stresses importance of common policies with a shared interest

Editor's note: Ahead of the BRICS Summit, China Daily interviewed some experts who gave their views on the role and development of the emerging markets' group.

Economist Jim O'Neill, who created the "BRIC" acronym, said China primarily remains the most important economy in the world, leading the economic growth in the five BRICS countries to contribute more than 20 percent of the world's GDP.

"Even though its growth rates have fallen to around 6.5 to 7 percent, in nominal dollar terms, China is still adding the equivalent of a whole new Switzerland or Turkey every year to the world," O'Neill said in an interview with China Daily ahead of the summit of the group. "Or a new UK economy every three years."

It was the former Goldman Sachs chief economist who coined the term in 2001, grouping together four states - China, Brazil, Russia and India - as potential growth powerhouses of the future. Now the group also includes South Africa.

China's economy continued its steady expansion in the first half of the year, with GDP up by 6.9 percent to about 38.2 trillion yuan ($5.6 trillion), according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

O'Neill said China's development can be an example to other developing countries, especially in the area of attracting foreign direct investment.

"Most of the world's largest companies have played an important role in helping China's development, and it is to the government's credit," he said. "Other BRICS countries should take note."

O'Neill said Brazil's and Russia's emergence from recession is another key contributor to the global economy staying strong in 2017.

The recovery of these two, along with the eurozone, is probably the main reason why growth is stronger than for many years, said O'Neill, who forecasts global GDP growth in the first half of this year close to 4 percent.

He encourages China, Brazil, Russia and India to move beyond symbolism and agree on some common policies with a shared interest.

Although he said the BRICS group is less likely to achieve anything alone in terms of world governance due to the exclusion of the world's most important advanced countries, the former UK Treasury minister sees disease prevention as one potential area in which BRICS countries could take a collective position.

"I strongly encourage the BRICS leaders to be bolder in this area," O'Neill said. "It is surprising to me that they have not gone down this path. But if they did, it would be impressive and send a very large positive signal."

O'Neill, however, concedes it is not easy for the BRICS countries to coordinate between themselves to achieve stronger collective growth without ambitious plans for a free trade zone with no tariffs.

Economist Jim O'Neill says other developing countries should learn from China.

1 Starting in 2006, BRICS has entered a new era where protectionism seems to be wielding an increasingly strong influence in the global economy. What can BRICS do to help make the global economy more open and inclusive?

2 Made up of five emerging economies that contribute more than 20 percent of the world's GDP, what is BRICS' role in helping the global economy recover?

3 What can BRICS contribute to global governance to help make the international order more fair and the developing countries better represented?

4 The theme of the upcoming summit is "BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future". In what fields can BRICS members strengthen their partnership, and how?

5 China is upgrading its economy into an innovation-and-efficiency-driven one. It is also working with other countries to develop the Belt and Road Initiative. What lessons do you think other developing countries can learn from China's development?

Christopher Bovis, professor of international business law, University of Hull, UK

1 Protectionism in international trade must be avoided. BRICS can positively influence the introduction of an international regulatory trade system which could strike a meaningful and workable balance between free trade and national concerns in order to alleviate the dangers of protectionism. The WTO is ready for meaningful reform and, if it is to continue as a fit-for-purpose international trade instrument, it must change in a positive manner to accommodate the dynamics of the world in the 21st century. BRICS can influence the reform of the WTO.

2 The recovery of the global economy requires a collective and coordinated approach to address industrial policies at national and regional levels. BRICS can play an instrumental role in instigating a responsive and responsible political and economic leadership. BRICS can help global recovery by instigating contemporary industrial policies which will aim at creating framework conditions under which improvement of national or regional competitiveness would compensate, where necessary, for market failure. Free trade and the aftermath of globalization generates positive externalities on the economy as a whole, increasing the growth potential and vibrancy of the economic fabric, fostering innovation and training as a result of increased demand for skills.

3 Under the auspices of a responsive and responsible political and economic leadership, BRICS should insist on the need to promote sustainable development. The focus of sustainable development should be the assessment of the traditional trade systems raised by developing countries for preferential treatment and the current concerns that such economies in the global trading environment may be vulnerable to marginalization and the problem of managing discrimination. The role of institutional actors such as the UN, the World Bank and the IMF in promoting economic development in developing countries needs to be reviewed.

4 The BRICS nations can strengthen their partnership by promoting the role of the private sector in catalyzing economic recovery and promoting growth. The private sector includes the finance industry, manufacturing industry and high-tech industry. The private sector can also play a pivotal role in delivering and managing infrastructure, assisting growth and sustainable economic performance.

5 We are currently witnessing the transition of Chinese investment strategy from traditional industries, energy and infrastructure, which have been served through sovereign funds, to services and high value interests which are served primarily through private capital. The modality of such transition is the role of private equity and of institutional investors. This appears to be one of the most prolific trends for the years to come and reveals the private sector influence on investment decisions and outcomes and also offers critical insights to developing countries.

Jon R. Taylor, professor of political science and director, Master of Public Policy and Administration Program, University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

1 The BRICS can help the global economy by leading by example, by taking a united stand against protectionism and by backing a multilateral trade system. The need to be aggressive in warning about the dangers of greater protectionism is particularly important in the aftermath of Brexit and the US presidential election. The growth of emerging countries, particularly the growth that we have seen in China, has clearly underscored the importance for growth to be both sustainable and inclusive.

2 The overall economic conditions of the developing world have improved dramatically, as exemplified by the BRICS - particularly China. China's role has been critical in both the global economic recovery and in championing the benefits of economic globalization. The BRICS role in the global economic recovery should aim at a political goal by supporting open markets and a philosophical goal of encouraging and enhancing South-South cooperation.

3 They can follow China's lead by pushing for win-win cooperation policies that are aimed at common development, maintaining open and accessible markets and trade, and policies that are aimed at poverty eradication and inclusive growth. Given that we appear to be at a potentially pivotal moment in the battle against global economic inequality, the BRICS can be champions of mutually beneficial cooperation. Thanks to close cooperation and coordination between China and the other BRICS nations, the BRICS contribute to safeguarding the interests of developing countries as a whole and improving the global governance system. China's "BRICS Plus" proposal shows promise by offering to build mutually beneficial bilateral and multilateral partnerships through dialogue and consensus.

4 Several issues immediately come to mind: income inequality, climate change, energy, trade, e-commerce cooperation, cybersecurity, anti-terrorism, and increasing people-to-people exchanges. What is needed is an emphasis on maintaining economic momentum. While China is doing its part, the other BRICS nations are facing economic and political challenges. They would do well to follow China's lead on economic stabilization and supply-side structural reforms.

5 Developing countries can draw the following from China's development experience: Start small, focus on structural reforms first, invest heavily in a knowledge-based infrastructure, encourage policy and political cohesion, emphasize inclusive development, promote policy experimentation, remove impediments to economic reform and promote financial and market stability.

Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist, IHS Markit

1 Key examples of how BRICS nations can lead international trade and investment liberalization are China's active role in advancing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade negotiations among 16 Asia-Pacific nations, as well as its strategic plan to boost economic cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative. BRICS nations have also established the New Development Bank in 2014 to finance infrastructure development in developing countries worldwide. BRICS can champion new initiatives to boost South-South trade and investment flows.

2 The five BRICS nations currently account for approximately 23 percent of world GDP, making these nations an important part of the world economy. China, as the world's second-largest economy, has been the key driver for sustained global economic growth since the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, accounting for around 40 percent of the total increase in world GDP since 2009. The BRICS, led by China, have also been a key driver for growth in world trade and investment flows over the past decade.

3 Ever since the end of World War II, global governance has been dominated by the developed countries. However, the world has changed tremendously since 1945, with many former European colonies having become sovereign developing nations, while the world share of GDP contributed by developing countries has approximately doubled within the last two decades. Consequently the old global governance architecture is no longer relevant and the BRICS need to lead the initiative to create a fairer system of global governance by working together to change existing governance structures in international bodies, as well as to create new international standards-setting bodies that have a modern governance structure with much stronger voting rights for developing countries.

4 The BRICS need to further strengthen their joint initiatives for boosting international trade and economic development. The BRICS countries can act as a core group to build policy frameworks and technological cooperation for a wide range of global South-South development initiatives. One of the greatest challenges facing developing countries is global climate change and meeting the Paris climate change agreement commitments.

5 China's economic development since 1978 has been remarkable, lifting it within just one generation from a poor nation based on subsistence agriculture into the world's second-largest economy that has reached upper middle income status and has become an advanced industrial economy. The Belt and Road Initiative is a great strategic vision through which China is helping many developing countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East to accelerate their economic development through improving infrastructure connectivity. Over the long-term, China's successful experience of rapid economic development will allow it to help other developing countries in many areas of development.

Sikhumbuzo Zondi, research assistant at the Institute for Global Dialogue associated with the University of South Africa

1 In a global economy that is facing uncertainties, BRICS countries, in collaboration with major economies, should enhance macroeconomic policy coordination and work together to avoid negative spillovers to emerging economies. In addition, the BRICS formation should stress the importance of upholding a more inclusive, stable and open world economy through the creation of an enabling environment for the development of emerging markets and developing countries. To achieve this, they need to encourage human resource development and increasing people-to-people relations, so that all countries and peoples can equally share the benefits of globalization.

2 BRICS countries have been responsible for many initiatives to assist global economic recovery by establishing the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, amongst others. It has enabled BRICS members to obtain funds for development, provided new financing channels for other developing countries and realized financial exchanges, such as currency swaps among BRICS members that expand the capacity of their economies and currencies to withstand the impact of global economic turbulence.

3 BRICS plays a strategic role as a pacesetter for developing countries. Unity and cooperation among BRICS members enhances the rights of developing countries to have a voice and meaningfully participate in global political and economic decision-making. BRICS has become a vital platform for major developing countries to conduct exchanges and dialogues in the spheres of politics, economics, finance, development and culture. In the process, the BRICS formation has established a framework for an inclusive, multilayered and all-round cooperation. Overall, leaders of BRICS continue to meet regularly to discuss major global issues, so as to expand their international influence and provide strategic foundations for the greater participation of developing countries in global economic governance.

4 The BRICS countries should avail themselves of opportunities provided by international economic cooperation in the following areas: trade and investment, manufacturing and minerals processing, energy, agriculture, science, technology and innovation, financial cooperation, people-to-people connectivity, tourism, information and communications technologies.

5 Developing countries can take note of the fact that China's growth over the past 30 years has been driven in large part by the government's market reform policy. In addition, developing countries can learn that China succeeded in achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality, with the world's fastest rate of decline in both maternal and child mortality.

Zhao Huanyu, researcher of Ghent University's Institute for International Studies in Belgium

1 First and foremost, all the BRICS countries must strongly commit to resisting all forms of protectionism and disguised restrictions on trade. Moreover, they must seek a favorable environment for the development of other emerging markets and developing countries - hanging together with them to foster better macroeconomic policy coordination, support a rules-based, transparent, nondiscriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system, implement existing WTO rules and commitments. Also, they must collaborate with advanced economies and the international community to fight poverty, social exclusion and inequality.

2 The key role for BRICS is to increase the supply capacity of global public goods - be a global economy stabilizer, booster, and accelerator. In an era of uncertainty, world peace and stability are prerequisites to a sustainable global economic recovery. Therefore, BRICS must be a "stabilizer" for committing to international law and maintaining the core status of the UN to advance the political solution of hot spot issues. Furthermore, to be a real "booster" is to be a learning and sharing platform - the BRICS Plus model of open economic cooperation.

3 BRICS needs to continue pushing forward reform of the Bretton Woods institutions to increase the voice and representation of developing markets in global economic governance - to urge the IMF to complete the 15th general review of quotas, expand and strengthen the role of special drawing rights and facilitate the World Bank voting share review. It needs to make better use of the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement.

4 Given the complex, contested and connected world situation, BRICS nations can strengthen their partnership in many fields, including economy, finance, foreign policy, health, education, energy, climate change and agriculture.

5 For robust and sustainable development in the long run, China has been working hard on an innovation-and efficiency-driven economy by 1) pushing forward structural reform and implementing innovation-friendly policies; 2) supporting investment for science, technology, innovation and seeking possibilities of inter-BRICS investment instruments, such as the National Development Banks and other existing financing platforms; 3) supporting cross-border cooperation between science, technology and innovation talent, especially young scientists and young entrepreneurs, and fostering industry-academia-research synergy; 4) promoting exchanges and good practices under the rubric of the Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing mutual understanding, inclusive growth and socioeconomic progress driven by scientific, technological and social innovation for more countries and people.

wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com

(China Daily 09/04/2017 page6)
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a banquet for those attending the ninth BRICS summit and the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Xiamen, Southeast China's Fujian province, Sept 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

XIAMEN - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for solidarity among emerging market and developing countries.

Xi made the remarks when addressing a banquet for those attending the ninth BRICS summit and the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in the southeastern city of Xiamen.

He likened Xiamen to a window of China's opening up and a hot land for innovative development. With leaders from BRICS countries as well as other emerging market and developing countries gathering here to discuss cooperation, the city will be left with a new legacy, he said.

"Though we are far away from each other geographically, common dreams and pursuit have made us good friends and partners," Xi said.

As long as emerging market and developing countries "pull their minds and efforts together, help each other and work hand in hand," they can create more "miracles of development like turning soil into gold" and enable their people to live a life of "being well-fed and well-clothed," he said.

Xi called the BRICS summit in Xiamen a success with fruitful outcomes.

"I sincerely hope that the Xiamen summit will open new doors of cooperation and development, ushering in the second golden decade of BRICS cooperation and a bright future for emerging market and developing countries," the president said.

On Monday, Xi, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma attended the summit, themed "BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future."

On Tuesday, China will hold a Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, in which leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand will join the BRICS leaders in discussing global development cooperation.

After the banquet, the guests, accompanied by Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, watched a gala at the Banlam Grand Theater.

At the gala, with a theme of "Setting the Sail for the Future," artists performed classic Chinese songs, folk dances, the ancient local music art form Nanyin and a classic Italian aria -- a blend of East and West cultures.

The BRIC grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China was formally established in 2006. In 2010, South Africa joined the group, and the acronym was changed to BRICS.
10 things to know about Zao Wou-Ki

An introduction to the Beijing-born artist who moved to Paris, became friends with Miro and Giacometti, and bridged the divide between Eastern and Western traditions

1

Zao Wou-Kis name is prescient Wou-Ki means no limits in Chinese  a prescient name for an artist who experimented in oil on canvas, ink on paper, lithography, engraving and watercolour, and who embraced different cultural identities without ever being beholden to one. Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2013) started drawing and painting at the age of 10. His father, a banker, encouraged his early interest in art, sending Zao to study at the Hangzhou School of Fine Arts, where his work was largely figurative. He studied under Lin Fengmian, a respected artist who was later recognised as a pioneer of modern painting in China. In 1941, at the age of 21, Zao presented his first exhibition in Chongqing.

2

Paris was an inspiration for Zao In 1948, Zao and his wife, Lalan, relocated to Paris. The French capital was an inspiration for Zao, who had idolised Matisse and Picasso in his formative years and continued to be influenced by Western modernism and the work of the Impressionists and Expressionists. It was after his move to Paris that his paintings began to shift towards abstraction.

In the 1950s, fascinated by Shang-dynasty oracle bone script  the earliest known form of Chinese writing, dating as far back as 1500 BC  Zao created works featuring simple figures evocative of petroglyphs, expressing his interest in capturing the fundamental essence of forms.

3

Visits to New York saw him develop a bolder style Zao first discovered New York in 1957 while on a trip with the French artist Pierre Soulages, and the city opened up new perspectives and opportunities for him. Subsequently the artist was invited to join the prestigious roster of the Samuel Kootz Gallery, with whom he remained until the gallery's closure in 1966. In New York Zao encountered the work of Abstract Expressionist painters Paul Klee, Franz Kline, Philip Guston and Adolph Gottlieb, and in response began to develop a bolder style working with bigger canvases.



By 1959, Zao was no longer naming his works, but instead titled them with the date of their completion as a way to avoid ascribing overt visual associations. Combining the gestural movements of traditional calligraphy with the compositional structure of abstract painting, Zaos works of the late 1950s represent a transitional phase between the early oracle-bone style and his more energetic style of the 1960s.





4

His work became more vibrant and forceful during the 1960s Watercolours played an important role throughout Zaos career, the medium offering a degree of spontaneity and translucency that could not be achieved with oils on canvas. He produced numerous watercolour sketches and drawings throughout his lifetime, many of which showcase the moods and fascinations that characterised his oeuvre.





As Zaos works grew increasingly abstract during the 1960s he began to move away from the detail-heavy style that characterised his oracle-bone period towards a bolder, more energetic mode of painting.



The energy of Zaos movements with a brush can be seen equally clearly in his prints.

5

He had a complicated relationship with Chinese art Zaos initial exposure to Western modernist painting led to a rejection of the classical conventions of Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting. By 1971, however, he had returned to the brush-and-ink technique in which he was trained in China, with work that reflected its sources in Chinese traditions but also his conceptual roots in Western abstraction.

Zao explained in a 1962 interview with the French magazine Preuves, Although the influence of Paris is undeniable in all my training as an artist, I also wish to say that I have gradually rediscovered China. He added, Paradoxically, perhaps, it is to Paris that I owe this return to my deepest origins.



6

His work with inks inspired a dramatic shift in style When Zao resumed painting large-scale canvases, his style witnessed a dramatic shift, gaining a new translucence and vibrancy inspired directly by his work with inks. 24.12.2002  Diptyque is a monumental work that was completed on Christmas Eve, just days after Zao Wou-ki had been elected to join the French Academy of Fine Arts. Already well past the age of 70 when he painted it, Zao nevertheless filled the canvas with a youthful energy  layers of turquoise blue and fuchsia combine with washes of warm brown, in a manner far different from early works in which he built up thick impastos of pigment in strong brushstrokes.

With his palette liberated, Zaos work gained a lively playfulness in his twilight years. His style becomes lighter and gauzier, and the rainbow of tones fold over and into each other, filled with light. If his previous works are largely concerned with energy and movement, his late works evoke airy abstract spaces and exude the aura of serenity that characterised Zaos persona.

7

He mixed with the greatest artists of the day  and had friends in high places Zao cultivated an extensive circle of friendships with fellow artists and influential cultural figures during his lifetime. He developed close relationships with Jean-Paul Riopelle, Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miro, Joan Mitchell and Sam Francis, among many others.

Open a larger version of this image Zao Wou-Ki and I.M. Pei Photo : Marc Riboud

He also became friendly with Jacques Chirac. As an aficionado of Asian art, the French President developed an admiration for Zaos work, and wrote the preface to the catalogue for his first major Chinese retrospective in Shanghai in 1998. In 2006 Chirac appointed Zao to the Legion of Honour, Frances highest recognition.

8

Demand for his work has always been high  and is still growing Demand for Zaos work was strong throughout the 1960s in Paris, London and New York, and took off in the Asian market in the 1970s and 1980s. In the years before his death in 2013 at the age of 92, Zaos works consistently sold at auction for six figures.

Open a larger version of this image Elected to the Academie des Beaux Arts, Zao Wou-Ki (centre) stands in the library of the institute, in 2003. Reserved Rights

Posthumously, his works have continued to accrue in value, as shown with the sale of 29.09.64, which achieved HK$152,860,000 in May 2017 at Christies in Hong Kong, setting a new world auction record for the artist.

9

His work can be seen in museums across the world Today, Zaos works can be found in more than 150 public collections across more than 20 countries. Major institutions that hold Zaos paintings in their permanent collections include the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, and Tate Modern.

Zaos first US museum retrospective, No Limits: Zao Wou-Ki, opened at the Asia Society in New York in September 2016. Bringing together key works from public and private collections in America, Europe and Asia, the exhibition underlined Zaos status as a true transnational artist.

10

Ultimately, he sought to reflect nothing less than the beauty of the cosmos Across his career, Zao sought to create works that captured the elemental forces of nature.
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Rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Harvey will be slowed by not only the scope of the storm's damage but also an ongoing labor shortage in the construction industry, experts say.

Potentially hundreds of thousands of homes will need repairs in the Houston region alone, Texas Association of Builders executive director Scott Norman said. These projects must compete in the coming months with Corpus Christi, Rockport and surrounding areas that suffered extensive wind and water damage.

Meanwhile, contracting firms worry about finding enough workers with proper training and certification. As of July, there were nearly 2 million fewer construction and manufacturing workers in the U.S. than at the start of the last recession, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

"There is not enough skilled labor to meet this challenge today, immediately," Norman said.

More Information Post-Harvey home repair Local construction and contracting firms offer the following advice to Houstonians seeking home repairs in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Harvey: Don't pay in cash. Don't pay for any work up front. Make sure there's a written contract available for all work before any repairs begin. See if the firm has a permanent office that has been open at least one year. Check reviews of the firm's past work on websites such as the Better Business Bureau. See More Collapse

The Associated General Contractors of America surveyed construction companies last month and found that 70 percent of them were having a hard time filling hourly craft positions. The National Association of Home Builders reported about a 75 percent labor and subcontractor shortage in carpentry alone.

In the months prior to Harvey's Aug. 25 landfall, Norman said, a reduction in the size of work crews due to this shortage drove up the average time to build a new home in Texas by one or two months.

"We were experiencing a labor shortage before the storm," he said, adding that Harvey "is only going to exacerbate it."

Construction firms and industry experts urge homeowners seeking repairs to do their homework before hiring a contractor. Beware of those with questionable licensing and training certification that may be hoping to cash in on post-storm desperation, said Conrad Lazo, a Florida construction law and litigation attorney.

In the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, Lazo said, there often is a no-questions-asked policy when it comes to verifying a contractor's permitting and licenses. The goal is simply to find willing workers, and there are plenty of firms from states where housing demand has not been as robust as in Texas, he added.

Once the initial cleanup stage is complete, Lazo said, full recovery will likely take a long time and a lot of money because of an imbalance in supply and demand; price hikes in construction materials, particularly lumber; and a decline in an unskilled, usually cheaper, undocumented labor pool.

"This is a tsunami of bad factors that will make construction projects in Houston much harder," Lazo said.

A 2006 study by Tulane University and the University of California at Berkeley found a quarter of the construction workers rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina were undocumented - and underpaid. Yet migration across the Mexican border has been declining, in part because of economic improvements in Mexico.

Stan Marek, CEO of Houston-based Marek Construction, said he also worries how many undocumented workers would even want to join the Harvey recovery effort due to anti-immigrant sentiment nationally and in Texas, as expressed in the law cracking down on "sanctuary cities." The law would allow police officers to question a person's legal status. It was supposed to have taken effect Friday, but a federal judge in San Antonio has temporarily blocked it.

Such legal efforts could dissuade the undocumented community from offering their services, Marek said.

Yet he hopes federal officials can create a means to legally mobilize the local undocumented workforce. That would help close the construction labor gap in the state and minimize the risk to workers of being exploited, he said.

Paul Puente, executive secretary of the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council, said he would rather recruit workers from within Texas or neighboring states.

"As we get people to come in, what we don't want to see if H2B visa workers taking away work from local laborers," Puente said, referring to the federal program that permits immigrant workers for specific classes of jobs.

Puente said he is confident local personnel will be up to the task ahead. He cited recent efforts by unions, community colleges and independent firms to offer apprenticeship programs for low- and middle-skills workers.

He said the best way to get recovery underway is to rely on high-skills workers while simultaneously encouraging more people to enroll in vocational programs so that they will be ready to join the yearslong rebuilding.

For that strategy to work, however, Norman of the state homebuilders association said everything from licensing departments to financing firms will need to scale up their operations so available workers can be deployed more quickly.

Given the scale of the challenge, he advises families eager to get construction projects moving to accept that this recovery will take time.

"People will have to be patient," he said.
AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott has said in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey that a second special session to address the needs of communities along the coast is not necessary while paradoxically pointing out that fiscal hawks have been wise to leave plenty of cash in the Economic Stabilization Fund.

That, of course, is money that cannot be accessed without the consent of two-thirds of both houses of The Legislature. Put another way, there is no mechanism by which Abbott can unilaterally spend any of it.

It is a bit astounding that the conversation about a second special session has been almost exclusively focused on spending tax dollars. Lawmakers could, if called back by Abbott, swiftly do any or all of the following to offer some immediate relief for affected counties: Suspend the state gas tax for 90 days up to 6 months (and call on Washington to do likewise), suspend sales taxes for needed building materials, and pass legislation on expedited building permits. The latter would certainly be in keeping with the war on local governments that seems to be on hold during the response to Harvey.

But back to the ESF, or "Rainy Day Fund."

Abbott's comments shutting the door on a special session are in direct contradiction to the words of Senate GOP Caucus Chairman Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, whose district was slammed by Harvey and who often happily carries the burden of floating trial balloons for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Bettencourt suggested a special session could be necessary early next year, right before the election of consequence in Texas: The GOP primary.

Let's get real.

The Economic Stabilization Fund is the only significant source of cash available to lawmakers following the conclusion of the budget process. Well, either that or raising taxes, which is not about to happen. The estimated damage from Harvey could reach $200 billion while the ESF's balance is projected to be around $10 billion  not even in the neighborhood of addressing the need.

Still, a strategic withdrawal from the fund could help mitigate some of the economic damage while helping make the case that Congress needs to act in concert with Texas government by passing a clean relief package.

The full story can be found in the Quorum Report. Copyright 2017, Harvey Kronberg, http://quorumreport.com/index.cfm, All rights are reserved. This story is presented as part of the Houston Chronicle's collaboration with Quorum Report. For inside information on Texas politics and government and to sign up for real-time updates, go here.
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Stacey Lewis never had to deal with cancellations at the events venue she operates in Missouri City. Since Tropical Storm Harvey swamped the region, five clients have called in to call off birthday parties and weddings.

Floodwaters destroyed the buffers and other power equipment at Sarah Shoemaker's 20-year-old construction cleaning business. She needs at least $18,000 to restart.

The SUV that Darryl Hubbard used as a mobile storefront is drying out at a mechanic's shop. The laptop and external computer hard drive he uses for his website design work were in the backseat when it flooded.

April Langston's pilates studio is fine, but four longtime clients apparently decided they will be getting enough exercise repairing their homes. That's $1,200 a month in membership fees gone.

And until she gets her pet-grooming business back open - next week at the earliest - Elizabeth Toc is paying employees out of her personal savings.

These are but a handful of small-business owners across the Houston region whose livelihoods are suddenly in limbo following the massive storm. They may not have a corporate boss to answer to, but they also don't have the deep pockets of a larger organization. Many of them are coping with flooded homes as well, making their uncertain futures even more tenuous.

"When people think of business owners, they think of Scrooge McDuck swimming in gold coins," Jerome Love, founder of the Houston-based Texas Black Expo, said Monday. "That's not the case. These are human beings who have lost homes and income."

Love on Monday awarded Lewis, Shoemaker, Hubbard, Langston and Toc each $1,000 grants to put toward re-opening their enterprises. The community service organization has enough funds to provide 13 more of these "micro-grants" and hopes to raise money to support 100 businesses total.

His is one of several organizations now offering to help this slice of the small-business community, made up of companies with a mere handful of employees.

"This is an often-ignored segment," said Dana Carson, founder of Reflections of Christ's Kingdom World Outreach Church International. "And this transition period could shut small businesses down."

The church has been directing small business owners toward the Texas Black Expo program.

It took less than a week for Love to coordinate with Emmy award-winning television producer, Rushion McDonald, who got the fund-raising for micro-grants with a donation of his own and then put his Hollywood connections to use.

While the $1,000 checks won't cover all expenses, Love wanted to make sure at least some funds were available to entrepreneurs immediately.

"We just want to help open the door as a start," Love said.

Shoemaker welcomed the check. Fearful of accruing any debt and unable to wait much longer for funds, she doesn't want to apply for loans like those offered by the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program.

Under the federal program, businesses may borrow up to $2 million for physical damage. The SBA is also providing a 12-month deferment of principal and interest payments in counties designated as federal disaster areas, which include Harris and Fort Bend.

Peggy Wilson, president and CEO of the Houston Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, has been directing her chamber's 200 members toward such federal programs and any other resource she finds. Each member business employs fewer than 10 workers. Wilson worries these enterprises will be the first to shutter permanently after Harvey.

"You saw that happen after Sandy, Katrina," she said. "We can't let them feel isolated."

Wilson has been busy placing check-in calls and emails, advising member businesses to keep in touch and help one another, be it offering discounted plumbing and electrical services or suggesting available grant and loan programs.

In the meantime, Wilson has welcomed the aid of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey.

Toms River was considered ground zero for Superstorm Sandy in 2012. After witnessing news coverage of Harvey's devastation, Chamber CEO, Noelle Carino sent Wilson an email offering tips for small businesses applying for federal relief.

"We, as many communities before us, were unprepared for the recovery period," Carino wrote. "A half-decade later, we are still recovering - at a cost of $600 million in lost rateables even at this point."

"I want to communicate that we are here to walk this walk with you," she added. "We want your recovery to go even better than ours has."

The support has been amazing, Wilson said. She's fielded calls even from international groups interested in providing any assistance possible.

While grant and loan programs, as well cooperation from a variety of chambers of commerce, are needed, Love of Texas Black Expo noted that consumers have a role to play as well. He urged residents to consider local contractors for reconstruction work and mom-and-pop shops for supplies.

"Supporting small businesses is the most efficient use of capital at a time like this," Love said.
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A 46-year-old Splendora woman is hospitalized in critical condition at Kingwood Medical Center after she reportedly attempted to hang herself inside a cell at the Cleveland city jail, authorities say.

The woman, whose name is being withheld, is being held on a charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. She was arrested Saturday after a disturbance at the Cleveland Walmart store.
As Texas reels from the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, hundreds of new state laws went into effect Friday, Sept. 1, including a statewide ban on texting while driving.

By the time the 2017 Legislature gaveled out in May, they had sent Gov. Greg Abbott more than 670 bills with a Sept. 1 effective date that he opted not to veto.

Those bills include House Bill 62, a statewide texting-while-driving ban that creates a misdemeanor offense for the operator of a motor vehicle who uses a portable wireless communication device to read, write, or send an electronic message while operating the vehicle, unless the vehicle is stopped. First-time violators could be fined up to $99 or $200 for a repeat offense.

Another law - one that has drawn concern among some Harvey victims - is House Bill 1774, which could reduce the penalties insurance companies face for late payments if a policyholder files a lawsuit. Under the law taking effect Sept. 1 - intended to cut down on frivolous insurance lawsuits - those penalties would drop from 18 percent of the claim to a rate determined by a market-based formula and capped at 20 percent. Yet two of the most high-profile bills of the legislative session did not go into effect Sept. 1 as intended because of federal injunctions issued this week at the request of critics of those measures.

On Wednesday, a federal judge halted major provisions of Senate Bill 4, which seeks to outlaw "sanctuary" entities, the common term for local governments that don't enforce federal immigration laws. As passed, it forbids police chiefs, sheriffs, and jail administrators from preventing law enforcement officers from asking about a person's immigration status during an arrest or detention. It also requires jail officials honor all requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to hold an inmate for possible deportation.

U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia halted the part of the bill that required jail officials to honor all detainers. He let stand the part of the law allowing police officers to question the immigration status of people they detain but said officers are limited in what they can do with that information.

On Thursday, a different federal judge temporarily stopped Texas officials from enforcing Senate Bill 8, which banned the most common second-trimester abortion procedure. With the injunction in place, Texas doctors and health care providers can continue using the dilation and evacuation procedure  deemed the safest by medical professionals for second-trimester abortions - until a more permanent decision is made by the court.

Here's a handful of other laws which took effect Sept. 1:

New school buses must have shoulder-to-lap seat belts for all riders (SB 693)

When Texans get or renew their driver's licenses, they will have the option to donate $1 or more to fund the testing of thousands of backlogged rape kits. (HB 1729)

Fees to obtain handgun licenses have dropped from $140 to $40. (SB 16)

Financial institutions now have more power to stop transactions they suspect are aimed at defrauding elderly or disabled clients. (HB 3921)

It is now legal for Texans to carry more kinds of knives in public. (HB 1935)

With the help of a measure dubbed David's Law, school officials hope they will have more tools at their disposal to fight cyberbullying. (SB 179)

Under a newly created loophole in state law, school employees can give leftover food to hungry students. (SB 725)

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/01/673-new-state-laws-take-effect-today-texas.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
One of the men who took part in a fight at a Dallas gas station Thursday is now telling his side of what happened in a video that went viral on social media.

Louis Huberman reached out to fill in details of what took place before and after the video which showed him dumping gasoline into another man's car at 7-Eleven on Preston Road and Forest Lane in Dallas.

"I am not an aggressive person, but this man pushed me too far," Huberman said of the incident. "This was not about gas or race  this was about how this man was treating other people."

Following an hour of waiting in line for gasoline, Huberman said that the other man seen in the video cut in front of another woman to get to a pump. After the woman confronted him for cutting her in line, the other man allegedly threatened her and "started calling her the b-word and the other words you're not supposed to call women," Huberman said.

GAS NEWS: Alabama issues a state of emergency to prevent gas gouging

Huberman said he was in the convenience store when the woman came into the store to complain and call the police. According to him, another customer also came in alleging that the same man also threatened her as well.

"It was none of my business, but my mother and father taught me to treat women with respect," Huberman said. "This man was terrorizing everyone out there so I finally had enough: I went outside and told him to get to the end of the line or leave."

The video showed the two men yelling at each other near the pump and fighting over Huberman's gas can, eventually escalating to the point when Huberman was seen dumping gas into the car.

(Warning: Graphic language in video below.)

After the video cuts off, Huberman said he went into the store to avoid the other driver.

"I went inside and I was a little scared because I didn't know what he was going to do at that point," Huberman said. The other man followed him inside to confront him when the manager got involved and told the other driver to leave. Police took reports of the incident and interviewed both Huberman and another witness, but the other man involved in the fight had already left the gas station.

Huberman acknowledged that he could have gotten in trouble for pouring gas in the other man's car, and said that he declined to press charges over the confrontation. It is unclear at this time whether the other woman involved decided to press charges.

AFTER HARVEY: Car dealers prepare for wave of swamped vehicles

"It was really crazy," Huberman said. "We were all waiting there for an hour and this guy, he thought he owned the 7-eleven, and he didn't. Everyone was afraid to say anything and I just had enough with him, honestly."

Chron reached out to the Dallas Police Department and 7-Eleven for comment on the incident, but calls were not returned at press time.
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Weary residents in the 1.5-mile evacuation zone around a Crosby chemical plant started returning to their flood-ravaged homes early Monday just hours after a controlled burn destroyed six final trailers of decomposing chemicals at the troubled Arkema facility.

But even as the week-long ordeal came to a close, the French-owned company has stayed mum about key details, including how officials ignited the trailers and a full chemical inventory for the 18000 Crosby Eastgate site.

Meanwhile, some peeved locals are considering whether to sue the company for keeping them from their waterlogged homes and businesses.

"It's been a nightmare," said Elda Garza, who lives with her special needs son in a trailer near the plant.

Arkema apologized to the Crosby community during a Monday morning press conference at the local fire station, less than 12 hours after authorities lifted the evacuation order.

"I hope that they can know how profoundly sorry we are for the impact that we've had on their lives," Arkema CEO Richard Rowe said, vowing to help the community recover.

The announcements follows a week of turmoil at the Crosby plant, after the storm knocked out power, along with with primary and back-up generators and even a nitrogen cooling system. With no ability to cool nine trailers of highly-volatile organic peroxides, the company warned there was "no way" to prevent an explosion or fire.

Employees were evacuated early last week and authorities set up a 1.5-mile evacuation zone that was not enforced until after the first trailer burst into flames early Thursday. Two more followed suit Friday, but initially the company said that waiting for the remaining six trailers to combust on their own was the safest course of action, even after the 6-foot-deep floodwaters began to recede.

Then on Saturday, officials saw signs of decomposition in the remaining six trailers. But the decomposition didn't lead to a fire, and the eventually aerial surveillance showed the chemicals leaking from their containers. So on Sunday - with no advance warning to the public - officials ignited the remaining containers, though neither the company nor the county would say how it was done.

"We passed a very critical milestone yesterday that I'm glad we achieved," Rowe told reporters Monday.

Arkema confirmed that the chemical trailers had rubber tires and insulation that burned in the fires, which could be present in ash that falls from the sky.

The company declined to estimate any losses to revenue and said it had five plants in the Gulf Coast impacted by the storm, though Crosby was the hardest hit.

Travis Morales, an activist from New York City, held a press conference in Crosby Monday afternoon, accusing the company of "poisoning" the community and demanding free medical care for locals in the aftermath of the blazes. As Morales addressed reporters, a local man showed up and shouted at him to "go back to New York City."

Though Morales was not flanked by local supporters during his remarks, some shared his concerns as they moved back into their homes Monday morning.

"I just wish they would have done what they did yesterday three days ago," said one man living along Harvey Road in the evacuation zone.

Down the street, Bridget Smith worried about whether it was still safe to eat food in the fridge and eggs from the chickens she'd let run free during the evacuation.

"I know they said they took all the right measures but I don't believe that because we would have been able to come home sooner," she said, adding that time away from home meant revenue losses for her family towing company.

Smith said she and some of her neighbors have consulted with a lawyer and are considering legal action.

Garza said she didn't necessarily plan to sue, but was annoyed by the company's failure to provide information.

"I think everything we heard was from the news," she said. "Other than that nothing else."

Although Garza didn't have any business impacted by the evacuation, she had a different worry: Her 8-year-old son has cerebral palsy and needs three medical machines. The equipment was too heavy to move, so she found portable alternatives for two of the machines - and the third her son had to do without.

"He seems fine," she said, adding that she'd need to take him to a doctor to be sure.

Now, questions  and controversies  remain for Arkema, which has in recent days drawn the attention of national news media and officials for both its handling of the incident and its unwillingness to disclose detailed breakdowns of the materials in its chemical inventory.

The company on Thursday provided a list of what chemicals were at the site, but did not clarify the amounts, location or types of containers used.

It also refused to specify where even more potentially dangerous chemicals are located on site.

Arkema CEO Richard Rowe said at the time his company was balancing "the public's right to know and the public's right to be secure."

An Arkema spokesperson said a more detailed breakdown would have to be obtained through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, a claim that TCEQ has since refuted, saying Arkema is free to release the so-called Tier Two chemical inventory "if they so choose."

The company Monday pledged to examine how it prepared for and responded to the crisis, adding that they've helped with housing for roughly 100 residents and set up a hotline and claims center to assist evacuees kept out of their homes for days.

"Obviously it's been a devastating week on top of a extraordinary, unprecedented storm," Rowe said. "We will go forward with a commitment to help the residents of Crosby and beyond once again return their lives to normalcy."

Robert Downen contributed.
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In west Houston late Sunday morning, first responders went door-to-door to ensure people had evacuated homes still flooded more than a week after Hurricane Harvey roared through Texas. At that moment, in a dry neighborhood across town, a few dozen residents were enjoying brunch at Pax Americana: Brisket hash, honey-butter chicken, cold mimosas.

More than a week after the worst disaster in state history, Houston officials and residents began confronting a city of contrasts: Between those spared by Harvey, and those still in crisis. Between aiding people in need, and returning to business as usual. Between starting the rebuilding process, and pausing to reconsider the cost of unmitigated development.

A day after issuing a mandatory evacuation order for 300 people in flooded parts of west Houston  one of several areas that are likely to remain inundated for weeks longer  Mayor Sylvester Turner went on national Sunday talk shows with a bullish message for those thinking about visiting his beleaguered city.

HURRICANE HARVEY: A closer look at Houston's biblical floods

"The airport system is up and running. The transit system is up and running. We've started picking up heavy debris," Turner said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

"Let me be very, very clear," he added. "The city of Houston is open for business."

Those words ring true in swaths of the region, where residents unaffected by Harvey's floodwaters have begun a gradual return to normalcy. A family shopped for a new TV in the Galleria area. A teenager mowed grass in Cypress. A line of vehicles waited at a self-serve car wash in Bellaire.

Meanwhile, Harvey's body count continued to grow, up to nearly 60 by Sunday evening. Yet more are expected to be found as water recedes from flooded homes.

"It is kind of a surreal contrast," said Martha DeLeon, the executive chef at Pax Americana, where the Sunday brunch crowd was vibrant, despite being about half its normal size. Earlier in the week, she'd been delivering free meals to displaced residents and rescuers.

"Overall, I feel like people are trying to get back to a sense of normalcy," she said. "But that's hard when you know so many of your neighbors have lost their homes."

Rebuilding under way

More than 1,000 people continued to shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center, down significantly from the 10,000-person peak a week earlier. Another 2,600 or so remained at NRG Center. Those still there likely will be the hardest to relocate, officials said, either because their homes were damaged beyond repair, or because floodwaters still haven't subsided.

"I'm just worried," said Billy Cartwright, 47, at GRB. "I'm not sure what's going to happen to me."

He arrived at the shelter nine days earlier after losing his Spring Branch apartment. A parade of celebrities  including Harry Connick Jr., who stopped by Sunday  have helped distract and entertain evacuees, but that's little consolation for those who've lost everything they own.

"I'm going to have to stay here until they ask me to leave," Cartwright said.

The government effort to find longer-term solutions is underway. The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened its first Disaster Recovery Center in Houston on Sunday, at the north end of the George R. Brown. The agency is working to identify locations for additional centers, where residents affected by Harvey will be able to apply for aid, ask questions or resolve problems in person, said agency spokesman Peter Herrick Jr.

Turner on Sunday also talked about the need to get displaced residents back in their houses as fast as possible. He said he asked President Donald Trump a day earlier to double federal funding for a program that helps residents rapidly repair and return to flood-damaged homes.

"We need rapid repair housing, because many, many people have elected to stay in their homes," Turner said. "They are now dry, but they need to be repaired. In some cases, they may need to be rebuilt."

In Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott seemed to pump the brakes on the rush to rebuild, calling for new development restrictions in order to prevent future flooding disasters. In the past, local plans to limit and control storm runoff have been sidetracked by high costs and opposition from business and development interests in a city without zoning controls.

"As we go through the build-out phase, and rebuilding Texas, part of our focus must be on rebuilding in a way that will prevent a disaster like this from happening again," Abbott told reporters before speaking during Sunday services at the Hyde Park Baptist Church, on the official Day of Prayer he proclaimed last week in Harvey's aftermath.

As part of his continuing message of collaboration with local officials, Abbott said he has pledged to work to guard against another Harvey-like flood disaster  which some officials speculate could top $200 billion in damages, more than hurricanes Rita and Sandy combined.

Waiting and watching

Many residents across huge swaths of Texas remain in crisis.

In Crosby, the Harris County Fire Marshal's office set off the remaining six containers of volatile chemicals at Arkema's plant Sunday afternoon, days after the plant flooded and lost a complex cooling system that kept the chemicals from exploding.

But it was unclear late Sunday when residents who live near the plant would be allowed to go home. Hundreds living within 1.5 miles had evacuated earlier in the week.

In Beaumont, where homes remain flooded and residents were cut off from city water late Sunday, the Coast Guard continued rescuing people, including four boaters earlier in the day who'd run out of fuel and were drifting aimlessly along the overwhelmed Neches River.

Across Texas, about 37,000 storm evacuees were staying at more than 270 shelters, where FEMA has so far dished out 4.7 million meals and 18 million cups of water. Many millions more will be needed in the coming months.

In a Sunday morning update, FEMA officials said Trump's approval of disaster assistance cleared the way for the federal government to pick up 90 percent of the cost of debris removal, a gargantuan task that officials anticipate will strain area landfills and heavy haul trucking companies for months.

LIVE MAP: Where you can do the most good





Residents who spent the week gutting their flooded homes were less worried about debris removal than finding a way to return to normal.

Lary Tillmon sat on a camping chair in the driveway of his flood-damaged home in Independence Heights, behind a mound of possessions, ripped and sodden on the street. The least of his problems.

Music played through his speakerphone as he sat on hold, waiting for a FEMA representative to pick up.

He sighed, thinking about the loss of his home. About paperwork issues holding up his application for FEMA aid. He glanced back at his phone screen, still on hold. Waiting.

"It's hurting me so bad," he said.

Earlier that morning, during his interview on CBS, Turner said Houston is a "can-do" city, and although the recovery will likely take years, he's already prepared to invite tourists.

"We're not going to engage in a pity party, we are going to take care of each other," he said. "But we are getting back on our feet and we are open for business, and we do want people to continue to come to this city."

Maggie Gordon and Lindsay Ellis contributed to this report.
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The water surged into the modest low-lying apartments with the full force of nearby overflowing Greens Bayou, slamming toys and tiny buckled shoes onto countertops and overturning chairs.

Byron Soto waded through knee-high water, carrying his toddlers to a second floor. But as the menacing tide edged closer, he used a friend's inflatable boat to get to a vacant apartment on higher ground at the complex where he and his family are still camped out.

He, and others like him in the flooded apartments near Interstate 10 and Federal Road, didn't think about calling 911. Instead, they did what they often have had to do while living illegally in the United States: They improvised.

After all, who would come to their rescue? The president wants them deported. The governor and state Legislature enacted a law allowing police officers to report them, though a federal judge blocked it late last week. Their labor will be needed for the massive reconstruction ahead, yet they are fearful of stepping forward to help their community recover.

"I'm afraid," said Soto, a 31-year-old construction worker from Guatemala who has been here for a decade. "They're going to deport me and then what would happen to my kids?"

NO CHECKS: Officials say immigration status wont be checked at shelters

With Hurricane Harvey hurtling into Texas, unease was already spreading among many of the 600,000 immigrants illegally in Houston. Since President Donald Trump took office, federal agents have arrested more than 6,200 here, the most in the country after Dallas and Atlanta, according to federal statistics. In this, one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the United States, who would come to their aid? And if someone did, could they be trusted?

The apprehension in this complex reached a fever pitch. Oscar Ortiz, a 36-year-old from Honduras, is caring for his 8-year-old niece whose mother is being deported this week.

"People didn't call 911 because they were afraid Immigration would come," Ortiz said.

Immigrant advocates knocked on doors and visited shelters to assuage such fears. "It's a real crisis," said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston.

Mayor Sylvester Turner urged immigrants to seek help, vowing to represent them himself if they were threatened with deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials reiterated several times that they had suspended deportation efforts in the area while rescues were ongoing. The assurances, from Washington, D.C., Austin and Houston, weren't enough.

"People were scared that boats from U.S. immigration services were out there," said Jesus Contreras, a paramedic in Montgomery County who has a temporary work permit for young immigrants that is now at risk. "People weren't sure if they were trying to round up people from the water and take them straight to the immigration center."

At shelters across the region, officials tried desperately to dispel such fears. They added Spanish translators. They blasted messages on social media, saying they were not asking about immigration status or requiring identifying documents.

"It's definitely been more of an issue in this disaster," said Grace Meinhofer Torres, a spokeswoman with the American Red Cross.

As the hours turned into days, immigrants in this waterlogged complex near Greens Bayou watched rescue workers speed past the moat encircling their homes. On Facebook, they saw photographs of Border Patrol agents, the same officers who had arrested many they know, helping rescue efforts.

So they stayed put.

But as conditions worsened, and the river of rainfall turned into a fetid pool with an unbearable stench, as children took to nearby dumpsters searching for something to eat because no stores nearby were open and too many cars flooded, some residents turned to the only source of authority they trust.

"Why are we being abandoned," one wrote in a Facebook message to the Spanish television network Telemundo. "There are lot's of people trapped here without food."

B B B

Across the region, the flooding left some immigrants with little choice but to have faith in the very authorities they feared.

At first, 48-year-old Ofelia Perez and her two adult daughters tried to mop away the water in her Channelview house. They barricaded the doors. They climbed on the beds. Finally they sat on tables. But the water kept rising. They worried they would be electrocuted as the power remained on.

And so they stuffed 11 people, including four children and an infant, into a truck, praying for safety in Perez's daughter's trailer. But the water was too high. The family, who came here illegally from Mexico two decades ago, took shelter in a church. Eventually, they were evacuated to NRG Center, along with thousands of others from the Houston region.

"We did it more for the children, they're all citizens," said Perez's daughter, Ofelia Ibarra, 28. "We couldn't risk their lives."

As they squatted on makeshift beds in the vast convention center this week, they surveyed their uncertain future. Both of Perez's two daughters work at a restaurant in Channelview that flooded even worse than her own home. She doesn't have flood insurance.

As an immigrant here illegally, she doesn't qualify for cash assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, though she could receive some benefits through her American children. The mayor said last week that the city likely will channel some of its relief fund to local nonprofits to distribute to immigrants who don't qualify for federal aid.

But Perez wondered what would happen once attention turned elsewhere. Immigration actions have been suspended during recovery, but what happens after that?

"We just hope we have no problems with them," the mother said. "That would just be the breaking point."

B B B

At the George R. Brown Convention Center, the same anxiety gnawed at 23-year-old Ricxy Sanchez, who came here illegally from Honduras last year. She was rescued from her ground-floor Edgebrook apartment with her three children after the water rose nearly to their chests. Adding to the worries is that she recently missed an immigration court hearing, so she likely will be deported soon.

"The hurricane has added another weight on everyone's shoulders," said Elizabeth, 51, who is from Mexico but declined to give her last name out of fear for her status. "Everyone was already anxious about their situation in this country. And now this storm? It's too much."

At the Toyota Center, Olivia Rosales said she jolts awake at night, seeing images of dark water gushing forth just as it did when she and her family trudged through knee-high water to escape their home near Greens Bayou. She and her husband pulled their two toddlers in a plastic tub and tied everyone together so they wouldn't float away in the torrent.

But there is an underlying dread to her nightmares.

"The truth is, I am afraid of immigration (agents)," said Rosales, who is here illegally although all of her six children are American citizens.

Some felt comforted by the mayor's assurances. As she wrung floodwater out of her clothes at a laundromat in Pasadena this week, Julissa, a 44-year-old from Mexico who declined to give her last name, said she would have sought help had she needed it.

"The most important thing is life, and after that, whatever will happen will happen," she said.

At a nearby shelter run by Golden Acres Baptist Church, Delga Barrera, a naturalized American citizen from Honduras, said she saw the flooding as punishment for the harsh rhetoric politicians have employed against migrants this year.

"God is talking to us and we need to listen," she said. Many of her family members who are here illegally didn't seek aid through official channels, she said, relying instead on the ad-hoc support system they have built up over the years.

"People are afraid to ask for help because of all this hostility," she said. "(Immigration) says they won't do anything right now, but as soon as you close your eyes they come and get you."

Some took advantage of such fears. Federal officials advised people to verify law enforcement credentials after reports that looters impersonating Homeland Security agents were telling residents to evacuate their homes, then robbing them.

B B B

As rescue efforts turned to recovery, prominent Hispanic Republicans and construction executives urged the Trump administration on Friday not to repeal a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which provides temporary work authorization to young immigrants.

More than 26,000 in the Houston area have such permits and many live in the neighborhoods hardest-hit by Harvey, said Artemio "Temo" Muniz, a Republican strategist in Houston who is chairman of the Federation of Hispanic Republicans.

"This would be a devastating double-whammy not only for them, but for our region," Muniz said. "We are going to need local talent to reconstruct Houston."

He pointed to immigrants like Contreras, the 23-year-old paramedic from Montgomery County who worked throughout the disaster performing emergency aid. Without the permit, he would lose his job. Lucia Guerrero, a young immigrant from Mexico who lives south of Pearland, is a certified dialysis technician who wouldn't be able to provide such critical care without the permit.

Ending the program would create a "new humanitarian disaster on top of the existing humanitarian disaster," warned America's Voice, an immigrant advocacy group in Washington.

Groups pushing for reduced migration said terminating the program is necessary because it was an overreach by President Barack Obama and should be a policy decided by Congress. They say it encourages illegal immigration by assuring parents their children will be protected.

Ending the program would not hamper recovery efforts because the administration likely will not repeal current permits, but refrain from issuing new ones, said Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group that has advised Trump on immigration.

He said many Americans could also benefit from recovery jobs in Houston.

"Given the devastation in the area, there will be many people who will need gainful employment in the coming weeks, months and years," Mehlman said in an email.

But as the region faces some $23 billion in property damage, thought to be the most ever suffered in a natural disaster, some of Houston's top construction leaders said they already have a critical shortage of workers.

"Even before Harvey the need was bad," said Stan Marek, chief executive of Marek Bros., a large construction company. "We are not going to get this town rebuilt if we don't find a way to make more workers legal. I need a thousand workers tomorrow that I can't find."

About one-third of construction workers in Texas are here illegally, according to the Pew Research Center, a think tank in Washington. Jeff Nielsen, executive vice president of the Houston Contractors Association, said there aren't enough contractors - with or without legal status - in the region to fix what needs to be repaired.

"There's going to be a ton of emergency work just to get roadways back in shape. That's not even looking at the housing," he said. "It's going to be a massive undertaking."

In the flooded apartment complex near Federal Road, Soto, the Guatemalan construction worker, sifted through soaked documents to find his 5-year-old son's birth certificate. Before the rains came, Soto was completing a construction project at an elementary school.

"The people that are going to be making all of the repairs, it's us Hispanics," he said.

Soto doesn't know what he's going to do. His car is flooded, so he won't be able to get to work. The manager of the complex gave him just a few days to move out of the vacant apartment in which he, his wife, and two young children have taken shelter. She said she is terminating his one-year lease, that he would have to find another place.

"How are we just supposed to get up and go right now?"

Ileana Najarro, Mike Morris, Olivia P. Tallet, and Lise Olsen contributed to this report.
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AUSTIN -- The nearly $8 billion proposed by the White House for Hurricane Harvey relief would be only a "down payment'' on the total expected $180 billion bill, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday.

"This is where the long haul begins," Abbott told Fox News during an appearance. "This is where we come to the part where Congress plays a role."

President Trump has asked for an initial $7.85 billion in emergency relief for Texas, even though federal officials and forecasters have predicted the total could top $200 billion, a new record for a U.S. storm.

Abbott has estimated damage at $150 billion to $180 billion, more costly than Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy that slammed New York in 2012.

Abbott's comments came as U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin challenged Congress to raise the government's debt limit in order to free up relief spending for Hurricane Harvey. He said Congress would have to act quickly, sooner than the end of September when congressional leaders were earlier planning to raise the debt ceiling.

"It has moved the situation up earlier. Without raising the debt limit, I'm not confident we will get the money we need this month to Texas to rebuild," Mnuchin told Fox News.

"Our first priority is to make sure the state gets money . . . So we need to put politics aside and we are going to be urging Congress to get both of those things done as quickly as they can."

Harvey, which blew ashore Aug. 25 as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years, has killed an estimated more than 50 people, displaced more than 1 million and damaged some 200,000 homes in a path of destruction that stretches for more than 300 miles.

The Houston area has been devastated by severe flooding, after receiving 51 inches of rain. Flooding is continuing in the Beaumont area and in parts of Louisiana, officials said Sunday.

Congressional leaders huddled Sunday with Abbott in Austin about the recovery funding, but officials said no decisions were made.

Mnuchin said the nation on track to hit its mandated borrowing limit by the end of the month unless Congress increases it. "Without raising the debt limit, I am not comfortable that we will get money to Texas this month to rebuild," he said.

Fiscally conservative Republican lawmakers who control both houses of Congress have steadfastly resisted raising the debt ceiling. But linking the issue to Harvey aid promises to force their hand with large areas of the fourth-largest U.S. city under water.

Beyond the immediate funding, Washington lawmakers have speculated that any massive aid package will have to be balanced with growing budget pressures -- as Trump advocates for tax cuts that would reduce revenues.

Some Congressional leaders have suggested that aid to Texas may have to come in a series of appropriations over several months.

In Austin, where the state budget is expected to take a massive hit as revenues from property and other types of taxes are expected to drastically decline because of Harvey's devastation, Abbott has said he does not think a special session of the legislature is needed to reallocate existing funds.

Even so, legislative leaders say they are not so sure. The high level of devastation in areas stretching from Beaumont and Houston to Victoria and Corpus Christi will almost surely mandate tapping the state's so-called Rainy Day Fund -- a $10 billion savings account -- and they say that will almost surely take legislative action.
Hundreds of residents have been told they will be evicted from the flooded Marquis Cinco Ranch apartment complex in Katy and on Sunday were given five days to reach the building and retrieve whatever belongings they can.

In a letter, the property manager told residents that the complex's first floors were a complete loss and that all of their leases were terminated. All residents were given five days to get out, although rent for the last few days of August will be refunded, the letter said.

But for residents like Sheri Ilo, whose family was rescued a week ago from the complex by boat and is staying with friends, getting back in to her apartment will be as hard as getting out. The complex is still submerged in up to 5 feet of water. To vacate within the five-day deadline she'd need another boat - and a moving van, Ilo said.

The complex had previously asked everyone to sit tight and wait for updates and not to worry about September's rent, according to a series of emails Ilo supplied to the Chronicle. A representative for the property manager did not immediately respond to emails requesting comment. Another email to tenants Monday gave the same deadline.

"Where do you expect us to go?" Ilo said. "This is overwhelming to my neighbors and I. ...We all work here in Houston so we have to go back to work. Do you expect us to commute from San Antonio?"

Update: CWS Apartment Homes issued the following statement Tuesday:

"The Marquis at Cinco Ranch has been submerged in stagnate water, debris and with intermittent power for a week. Based on these conditions, the community is uninhabitable. We preemptively released our customers from their lease agreements in the hope that it would expedite their relocation process. CWS reserved a number of apartment homes, in the Houston Metropolitan Area, specifically to accommodate our displaced residents. In addition, we offered a $500 relocation assistance credit to help offset their moving expenses. Given the prolonged status of the mandatory evacuation, we sent all of our residents a notification yesterday morning that we would work with them on an extension to move their belongings out should they need one. Also, we are extending the $500 relocation assistance offer."

Across the Houston area, tensions between landlords and tenants are rising as both grapple with flooded homes and apartments, late rent payments and uncertainty over the next paycheck. Landlord-tenant disputes are often the first to surface after a hurricane, said attorney Saundra Brown, disaster manager at Lone Star Legal Aid.

RESOURCE: An apartment dweller's guide to managing Harvey's aftermath

Brown, who says she managed more than 1,000 cases after the 2016 floods in Harris County alone, is one of many volunteer lawyers manning a legal hotline set up for Harvey Victims (1-800-504-7030.) She said to expect more disputes.

"This disaster is going to daisy chain into a huge number of legal issues that are going to show up over a period of days, weeks and months," Brown said. "Right now there are going to be many landlord-tenant issues: people who don't think they should give back the security deposit for flooded properties. There will be people who will try to kick out their tenants because their brother-in-law needs some place to stay. There's going to be a severe shortage of rental space in the community."

When his employer closed last week due to the storm, Houstonian James Eaton didn't get paid and couldn't pay his rent at the Linda Vista apartment complex in northwest. Residents had been informed that late fees would not be waived and that those who couldn't pay would be locked out of their apartments. The complex confirmed that late fees would not be waived.

Even though a lease agreement may be void if the rental is uninhabitable, rent is still due by law, unless a rental company chooses to waive late fees.

Officials and clergy from The Metropolitan Organization are calling on Houston-area landlords to give renters a grace period of at least three weeks.
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More than 10,000 Houston Independent School District students are expected to start classes in temporary quarters as officials work to repair hundreds of campuses damaged by Hurricane Harvey, Superintendent Richard Carranza said Saturday.

Carranza said the district still plans to start school on Sept. 11, though officials have not yet decided which campuses will be temporarily closed or where displaced students will be sent. Those calls will be made no earlier than Tuesday, he said.

"There is that slight chance there will be a delay past Sept. 11, but we're working with all due haste to make sure we're going to meet that deadline," Carranza said. "There has always been the caveat that we will not put students and staff in harm's way."

The damage estimates come as school districts across the Houston area struggled to open their doors after widespread flooding. Cy-Fair ISD on Saturday pushed its start date back to Sept. 11, citing sewage issues at several schools.

Humble ISD set a Sept. 7 return date, but alerted parents Saturday that Kingwood High School could be closed all year.

"Flood waters devastated KHS," according to a notice posted on the district's website. "The building is unsafe and unhealthy."

Most area districts  including Conroe, Pearland and Aldine  are set to start sometime this week. Nine districts will join HISD and Cy-Fair with a Sept. 11 start date, including Katy, Pasadena and Spring. Fort Bend ISD is set to start Sept. 12.

Spring Branch ISD, in heavily damaged west and northwest Harris County, has not yet set a start date.

In Houston ISD, at least 200 of the 245 schools inspected were found to have sustained damage, officials said. Of those, 53 sustained "major" damage and 22 had "extensive" damage, the most severe label given by district officials.

Another 30 or so schools were still being inspected, including 15 that had been inaccessible because of severe flooding around the buildings, HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby said early Saturday. The district operates 280 schools.

"There may be a situation where a school is so badly damaged that we may not be able to re-open that school," Carranza said, after a tour of waterlogged Hilliard Elementary in northeast Houston on Saturday. "It's too early right now to make that call."

'Extreme damage' for some schools

In Houston ISD, the storm spared virtually no corner of the district, with schools in northeast, west and southwest Houston among the most damaged, Board President Wanda Adams said.

"There are a couple of schools over there that are probably in the 'extreme' damage area  Westbury, Memorial, Braeswood, Sharpstown, those particular areas," Adams said.

To accommodate displaced students, Carranza said he's considering "double shifts" at some campuses when school resumes.

Under that scenario, students from one school would attend classes in the morning to early afternoon. Then students from another school would come into the same building for classes in the early afternoon to evening. If that tactic is used, the school day would likely be compressed by about an hour.

"We're willing to look at that," Carranza said. "Doesn't mean we're going to do that, but that's just one of the many complications we're looking into."

Administrators will try to keep displaced students as close as possible to their home schools, Carranza said. The estimated number of students affected by displacement could rise or fall in coming days, officials said.

HISD is expected to serve about 218,000 students this year.

HISD officials have been working round-the-clock to survey the damage, test for air quality and prepare campuses for students, Busby said.

In the schools that sustained the worst flooding, workers will have to tear out large parts of every piece of drywall and sheetrock to check for mold. District staff will also test electronics for safe use.

Throughout the storm, electricity continued to flow to virtually all schools, keeping air conditioners running and reducing the threat of mold.

"That's the easy part of the remediation process, to have cool air running continuously until we can cut out and dry and remediate areas," Busby said.

Unanswered questions

HISD administrators and six board members spoke Saturday while touring Hilliard Elementary, which took on up to four feet of water during the heaviest rains from Harvey.

Inside, small pools of standing water remained on Saturday. Several crumbled ceiling tiles had fallen to the floor, and office equipment was piled into dry areas. A handful of workers in hard hats milled about.

The school's principal, Edrick Moultry, said campus staff members have been reaching out to parents of the 650 students expected on the first day of school. Moultry said he doesn't know where his students will attend school, leaving him unable to make concrete plans.

"My hope is that they don't disperse the kids," Moultry said. "We want to keep all of our students as a community, keep them a family. That way, if they do decide to revitalize the building, whenever they decide to do it, (students) will have some type of stability."

Carranza said district staff have been communicating with Texas Education Agency officials about several pressing questions following the storm:

How will average daily attendance totals, which dictate state funding, be measured? Will the state's standardized tests, called STAAR, still be administered as usual? Is the district still at risk of state takeover or closure of campuses under a new state law enacted in 2015?

None of those questions has been definitively answered, Carranza said.

"All of us, I think, are starting to put those issues on the table," Carranza said. "Until school opens, it's all theoretical at this point."

'Harvey will not hinder us'

Other school districts are also assessing the storm's impact.

The Kingwood area in northeast Harris County was particularly hard hit by flooding after rising waters forced evacuations.

Most schools in Humble ISD are expected to be ready for classes to start Thursday, but Kingwood High School is not among them, according to a letter to parents from Principal Ted Landry.

"It is a foregone conclusion that Kingwood High School will not be open for quite some time," he said. "Our campus sustained extensive damage and must be closed until repairs can be made to welcome our Kingwood Mustangs back into their school."

The district is working to send the school's nearly 2,800 students to Summer Creek High School, where the opening of school was pushed back to Sept. 11. Officials are considering half-day schedules or sending one group of students to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and another group on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The district is resisting efforts by the Texas Education Agency to disperse students to other campuses for the school year, Landry wrote.

"We will get through this," Landry said. "Harvey will not hinder us or hold us back."

Attendance at Summer Creek would require a bus ride of up to 45 minutes for some Kingwood students, according to the district's website. Closer campuses were either too large or too small to accommodate the whole student body.

To the south, Pasadena ISD reported as of Saturday that three schools  Frazier and Williams elementary schools, and Thompson Intermediate School  could begin classes later than the district's Sept. 11 start date because of damage sustained in the flooding.

To the west in Katy, where classes are also set to start Sept. 11, two schools  Creech Elementary and Beck Junior High  sustained "severe water damage that will require significant time to repair and restore," according to a message posted online from Superintendent Lance Hindt.

In all, 14 campuses sit in neighborhoods directly impacted by flooding, Hindt said.

District officials haven't said where those students would attend classes or whether the start date would change.
After Noah survived the great deluge, God placed a rainbow in the sky as an everlasting covenant with man, promising to never again punish the Earth with such a deadly flood.

Any rainbow sheen you may see today across the Gulf Coast floodwaters is no godly doing. Runoff from chemical plants, petroleum pipelines and at least a dozen Superfund sites risks transforming the destructive rain into a putrid stew filled with lead, arsenic and other toxic and carcinogenic chemicals.

So you can't help but worry when looking at the pictures of the Vita Bella assisted-living center during Hurricane Harvey - an elderly woman calmly knitting in the Dickinson nursing home while the brown waters swirl around her feet.

They could have used an ark.

The image was shocking enough to hasten a rescue, but the damage may have already been done. After all, some of the worst flood hazards can't be picked up by photograph.

"There's no need to test it. It's contaminated. There's millions of contaminants," Porfirio Villarreal, a spokesman for the city of Houston Health Department told the New York Times as to the floodwaters.

Nowhere is the risk more worrisome than the San Jacinto waste pits, which sit between the communities of Highlands and Channelview. One of the San Jacinto waste pits, covered by a temporary armored cap, was partially submerged in the river even before Hurricane Harvey. Now they're totally engulfed.

Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers predicted the protective device might not be reliable "under very extreme hydrologic events which could erode a sizable portion of the cap."

Harvey - which has been called a 1,000-year-flood - would certainly qualify. Now we have to worry that the cap was damaged and the toxic mess has spread downriver to Galveston Bay.

As part of the recovery efforts, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt should make time to visit the submerged pits, which were designated a federal Superfund site in 2008.

Pruitt has said he plans to create a "top-10 list" of key Superfund sites and target sites where "the risk of human exposure is not fully controlled."

The pits fit the bill: They've been ravaged by weather and contain dioxin, a highly toxic chemical that increases the risk for several cancers, including lung cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and has been linked to birth defects, liver damage and dermatological disorders.

The EPA actually proposed a solution to the pits last year: Remove about 202,000 cubic yards of contaminated material at cost of nearly $100 million. Of course, the cost and nature of the remediation may have changed depending on whether the armored cap has been damaged.

Regardless, Pruitt should cut through the bureaucratic red tape that has slowed the cleanup of this site and act boldly in holding companies responsible for past contamination.

This site has been unsafe for over 60 years - longer than many Texans have been alive. It is time to finally clean up our river. Any Harvey recovery bill must fund this sort of ecological repair alongside the economic and infrastructure needs.

"For years our communities and local government have told the EPA it is not a matter of if, but when, a storm devastates the pits," Jackie Young, executive director of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance, told the editorial board.

The federal government bears responsibility for Superfund sites like the San Jacinto waste pits, and it falls on Pruitt to uphold his part of that covenant.
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Copiii cu nevoi speciale din Stefan Voda au conditii de reabilitare mai bune, datorita UE si Fundatiei Soros Moldova
Colorado Cop Arrested for Alleged Fraudulent Insurance Claims

A Colorado police officer indicted by a state grand jury was arrested on multiple felony counts for allegedly lying about his home and car being burglarized and collecting nearly $60,000 in fraudulent insurance claims.

The Aspen Daily News reports Silt Police Department Cpl. Michael Taylor faces charges of theft, insurance fraud and forgery after he allegedly filed false reports related to purported burglaries of his home and the valuation of jewelry that he said had been stolen.

Taylors attorney, Ryan Kalamaya, says Taylor denies the allegations.

Taylor remains on the force, and is on paid administrative leave and workers compensation leave after having his jaw recently broken during a response to an unrelated domestic-abuse incident.

Taylor is free after posting $5,000 bond and is due in court next month.

Connecticut Man Sentenced for Car Insurance Fraud Scheme

A Connecticut man originally from Haiti has been sentenced for his role in a scheme to defraud insurance companies through staged car crashes.

Jacques Fleurijeune was sentenced Monday in federal court in New Haven to five months in prison and three years of probation. Because he has already served the time, he was detained by immigration authorities.

Prosecutors say the 28-year-old New London man was part of a group of people who staged about 50 car crashes from 2011 through 2014. Many were single-vehicle accidents on remote roads with no witnesses other than the occupants of the crashed vehicle. They then filed fraudulent insurance claims, collecting from $10,000 to $30,000 per accident.

He pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with one crash.

Former Louisiana Officer Pleads Guilty in Insurance Scheme

A former Louisiana police officer has pleaded guilty to his role in a vehicle fraud theft and insurance scheme.

Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, in a news release, said 52-year-old Donald W. Malray entered the plea Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Hornsby to one count of mail fraud conspiracy. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr.

Hooks office says Malray, a former Homer Police officer, and another person planned the scheme and then filed an insurance claim to collect the money on the allegedly stolen propertys value.

The insurance company paid the pair about $13,000.

Malray faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Dec. 6.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson took the main stage on Monday at one of the quintessential events of Cleveland political life: the 11th Congressional District Community Caucus Labor Day parade.

After an introduction from parade host U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, who had led the mile-and-a-half parade route with him, Jackson stepped up to the microphone.

"Good afternoon. Good afternoon," Jackson said to the crowd, which had stopped dancing after the loudspeakers cut the thumping pop music to allow Jackson and Fudge to speak. "Just have a good time. Thank you."

No speech. No "vote for me." That was it.

It was a typical moment for the understated Jackson, who despite being the city's best-known politician, is not much of a political performer. Jackson left the stage momentarily to shake hands with some of his supporters and pose for pictures.

On his way back to the stage, he told a reporter he thinks the mayor's race is going "great." But his low-key presence at the Labor Day parade is nothing out of the ordinary -- it's something he'd do even if the Sept. 12 primary weren't just a little more than a week away, he said.

What was out of the ordinary was the contingent of 60 Jackson supporters who marched the parade behind him, passing out campaign literature, along with a small fleet of dark-colored SUVs and other vehicles bearing campaign logos. Among those wearing red campaign T-shirts and marching were Safety Director Michael McGrath, Finance Director Sharon Dumas and Public Works Director Michael Cox, who is on leave to help with Jackson campaign.

"I come every year whether I'm running or not, and I'm in the parade," Jackson said. "Of course, when you're running, more people come out."

Neighborhood residents who lined Kinsman Street for the parade and gathered in Luke Easter Park afterward were generally supportive of Jackson, although some said they plan to vote for City Councilman Zack Reed, who also marched in the Monday parade. No one brought up City Councilman Jeff Johnson, who also marched the parade route, and who is viewed as one of Jackson's main challengers. But the parade's location offered a home field advantage for Reed, who represents the surrounding neighborhood.

Donnie Grissett, 61, said he plans to vote for the mayor. He told a reporter about a recent Lake Erie boat trip he took on the Good Time III, the sightseeing vessel. He was struck by how good the downtown skyline looked.

"Now, I want to see some change, some jobs. The commercial district from [East] 30th on down, it's great. And it's OK for it to look good, but here in the inner-city, this is the community," he said.

Reed and Johnson both have campaigned on the disparity between downtown and the city's struggling neighborhoods. But Grissett said he doesn't believe either are up for the job.

"I don't think they can make it happen," he said. "I'm going with longevity."

Pricilla Collins, 62, is a longtime Jackson supporter. But she said it's time for a change, and she's backing Reed, who she thinks will bring more energy to the job.

"We need somebody who will go head-to-head with these gangs," she said. "I've voted for him [Jackson] year after year, but not this time. I want him out."

Barry Harris, 58, supports Reed, whom he said is liked in the neighborhood because he "cares about people." But he's still thinking about voting for Jackson.

"I'm a fan of what the mayor has done for this town," Harris said. "He's done a phenomenal job downtown. But I think the neighborhoods here have been forgotten about. I think Zack could bring that new perspective."

Harris emphasized he thinks things are going in the right direction in the city.

"Cleveland is on the upswing. It's a beautiful city. Make sure you put that in the story," he said.

Cleveland Councilman Zack Reed works the crowd during the Labor Day parade and festival.

Both Reed and Johnson said they are confident as the primary election nears. The top two vote-getters will continue to the November election.

Reed said 10 people asked for yard signs to be delivered to their houses as he walked the parade route. Campaign staffers trailed Reed, collecting contact information, as he mixed in the crowd.

"You can start to see more people asking for signs, more people asking to volunteer. People saying they're going to vote for you, if they haven't voted for you already," Reed said. "I can really feel the momentum coming our way."

Johnson said the race will come down to how each campaign is able to mobilize voters. He said his campaign is working to target voters with campaign literature and phone banking, while he said the Service Employees International Union District 1199 is supporting him with radio ads.

Johnson, still beading with sweat from hustling to talk to voters on both sides of the street along the parade route, said he's thrown all he has at this race.

"I've worked as hard as I can, so there's no regrets," he said. "We've run a very strong campaign. I think we will finish in the top two, but it all comes down to turnout, and how each campaign can get out the vote."

Jackson spent part of his Saturday campaigning in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, on the near West Side. He and a gaggle of supporters, all wearing red campaign T-shirts, visited a McDonald's and other nearby businesses along Clark Avenue, and after turning south on Fulton Road, spoke with people in their front yards.

Jose Orozco, 58, and Jose Cintron, 45, took a break from their yard work to shake hands with Jackson. Afterward, both told a reporter they planned to vote for Jackson, even as they complained about neighborhood crime and the condition of local streets.

"I think he's done a good job, I really do," Orozco said. "Based on how political things are going on in the world today, there's only so much you can do. But I think he's got the right idea."

Bill Pecek, a 71-year-old retired steelworker who used to be active in county politics, stepped out of his front door and waved Jackson down just as the mayor was about to get in the passenger seat of a departing car.

In an interview, Pecek said he told Jackson he needs to work to bring industrial jobs back to Cleveland. He said he doesn't blame Jackson for the city's economic troubles, which he said are caused by forces out of the mayor's control. He said he doesn't respect Johnson or Reed.

Pecek said he still talks to people about city politics, and gets the sense that Jackson is going to win.

"Everyone I talk to thinks that. On both sides of town," he said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - A 29-year-old man died Saturday after he was shot several times while sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle on the city's East Side, police said.

The shooting happened about 11:15 p.m. near the intersection of East 118th Street and Buckeye Road, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. First responders found a vehicle crashed into a building and the driver shot in the side and back.

The victim was taken by paramedics to University Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead, Ciaccia said. The victim's identity will be released by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office once family is notified.

Detectives at the shooting scene learned that the victim's vehicle was stopped as he talked to people in another car. Two unidentified males walked by and began shooting, Ciaccia said.

The driver was struck, causing him to accelerate the vehicle, lose control and crash into the building, Ciaccia said.

No shooting suspects have been identified or arrested. However, one arrest was made at the crash scene after officers watched a 27-year-old man take a duffle bag from the vehicle and move it behind a nearby building, Ciaccia said.

Police recovered the bag and found several bags of marijuana. The 27-year-old man was taken into custody and faces drug charges, Ciaccia said.

Homicide detectives continue to probe the case. Anyone with information about the shooting should contact Cleveland police at 216-621-1234.

If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section.
AKRON, Ohio -- A man is dead following a Sunday night encounter with Stow police outside an Akron homeless shelter.

Police have not yet publicly identified the man, pending notification to his family.

The officer who shot the man has not been identified either.

The incident began around 10:45 p.m. Sunday, when Stow police received a call from Meadowbrook Boulevard about a man who beat on a house door, asked the residents for cigarettes, then ran off, according to a news release.

Officers found the man on a nearby street and decided to take him to Haven of Rest, a homeless shelter in Akron, the news release says.

The man became aggressive by the time they reached the parking lot, and Stow officers asked for backup from Akron police, according to the release.

The Stow officer fired shots before Akron police arrived and reported that the man had been injured during the altercation, the release says.

The officer was also injured, the release says.

The man was taken to an Akron hospital, where he died.

The officer's injuries were treated and he has since been released from the hospital.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the man's death.

To comment on this story, please visit cleveland.com's crime and courts comments section.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - With the cut of a ribbon on August 28, the long-awaited North Ridgeville Academic Center opened. Hundreds of people came to see the kick-off presentation and to tour the school that now houses grades 3-8.

City Mayor David Gillock told the crowd the center "will change the landscape of our community." School superintendent James Powell followed and thanked city leaders "for their help, visioning and guidance." He said the foresight was had 15 years ago and planning started several years ago. "People made it happen," he said, "as they were committed to grow and improve."

School board president Kelly McCarthy noted the visionaries made an investment in education for the future. "Our journey has just begun," she said, "and will shape the future."

The high school band played and the cheerleaders led the audience in a cheer for the gleaming new school.

Christian Stovicek, 10, his father, Ray, and his mother, Lisa Long, were very pleased with the new North Ridgeville Academic Center.

The first day of school is September 6 and students got their first real look at the school at the ribbon cutting. The school is modern in design and appears it has a lot of room to grow.

The Long/Stovicek family attended the dedication of the media center right after the ribbon cutting. The center was dedicated to Elizabeth Wilcox, a high school teacher in North Ridgeville in 1924 who eventually progressed to principal and then to superintendent, a very large leap for a woman of the time. A plaque from the Wilcox School, which has been closed, was transferred to the media center.

Lisa Long, whose son, Christian Stovicek is a fifth grader, was happy the school was larger. "It has more room for the kids," she said. "We love our schools and our teachers."

Ray Stovicek, Christian's father, said the school represents positive growth for the city. Stovicek said his family has lived for generations in North Ridgeville.

Christian said he liked the wider halls that will allow him to get to classes more easily. He also said "the library is the coolest--it is so big."

Voters approved a ballot issue in 2013 to construct a school to replace both the aging Wilcox Elementary School and the flood-prone North Ridgeville Middle School. The cost of the project is approximately $58 million.
September 4, 2017

 Some of Houston's largest and most iconic landmarks  historic NASA rockets and spacecraft  weathered Hurricane Harvey and are now accessible to the public just one week after the storm flooded significant parts of the city.



One of only three remaining Saturn V moon rockets, which since 2005 has been sheltered inside a temporary building designed to stand for just 10 years, reopened to tourists on Saturday (Sept. 2), as the remnants from the tropical storm continued to dry out in a drainage ditch running the length of the 363-foot-long booster.



"Saturn V rocket [looks] good," stated JSC SOS, a Twitter account providing official updates on the status of Johnson Space Center emergencies, on Saturday.



Indeed, other than some large running fans and wet floor signs pushed off into the corner, there was little sign of any impact to the 50-year-old artifact. Sources familiar with the situation reported some water intrusion on the floor of the building, but that it was cleaned up by late last week.







NASA Johnson Space Center's Saturn V rocket, as seen on display after Hurricane Harvey on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. (collectSPACE)

Space Center Houston, the independent, non-profit visitor center for Johnson Space Center, which operates the tours to see the Saturn V, fared even better.



"The center was secured throughout this unprecedented weather event and did not flood," William Harris, president and CEO of Space Center Houston, said in a statement.



Space from the storm



Space Center Houston, which among its galleries displays Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecraft and other artifacts on loan from NASA and the Smithsonian, re-opened to the public on Saturday.



During the height of the tropical storm, an online weather cam showed that the center's towering outdoor display of NASA's original Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747 jumbo jet, and a walkthrough replica of a space shuttle orbiter, stood up to unrelenting downpour of rain. A week later, Independence Plaza was dry and available for tours.



"Our hearts go out to all of those affected by Hurricane Harvey's winds, torrential rain and devastating flooding," wrote Harris. "The property damage in Texas is immense, but it pales in comparison to the loss of life suffered from this natural disaster."







Still frame from an online weather camera showing Independence Plaza at Space Center Houston and the Saturn V Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center on Aug. 18, 2017. (KHOU/WeatherBug)

"As recovery begins, it's important to return to our normal life routines," Harris continued. "We hope this provides our community with a clean, safe environment to cool off, take a break and provide all visitors with a place to burn off some energy while being inspired by the wonders of space exploration."



From Saturday through Monday, Space Center Houston reduced its admission fee by half to $15, and pledged to donate a third of all admissions to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. It also extended free parking to its visitors.



'Ad Astra Per Aquam'



While the Saturn V building went largely unscathed, other NASA facilities at Johnson Space Center took on damage. By the time Harvey moved away from Houston, NASA had measured more than 42 inches of rain falling on the center.



"JSC experienced significant flooding during the heaviest rains, but the main campus buildings did not flood," wrote Ellen Ochoa, Johnson Space Center director and a former astronaut, in a Sept. 1 letter to the JSC community. "A few buildings experienced some roof leaks, resulting in water in some offices."







Flooding at the Sonny Carter Training Facility (left) and water leaks at the Johnson Space Center's video and photography laboratory, as seen in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. (NASA)

On site, the Johnson's video and photography laboratory, which processes the imagery downlinked from the crew on the International Space Station, suffered significant water intrusion, requiring tarps being suspended from the ceiling. During the storm, NASA routed the orbiting outpost's video through its back-up control center at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.



The Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. Mission Control Center's roof also leaked in several places, but a team of space station flight controllers rode out Harvey at their console, sleeping in cots and eating Meals Ready to Eat (MREs).



The same was true for the team overseeing the ongoing testing of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, in the center's Apollo-legacy vacuum chamber facility. The telescope and test chamber remained in good shape, but leaks resulted in damage to the facility's open high-bay area.



Other areas impacted by the storm included the Jake Garn Training Facility, which houses the space station's systems simulation mock-up facility, and off-site, on the NASA side of Ellington Field, an estimated three inches of water made it into the aircraft hangars and office spaces.







Logo created by NASA's "Hurricane Harvey Ops Team," who rode out the storm inside Mission Control. (@tungsten_flight)

"The Sonny Carter Training Facility was hit especially hard with rising water," reported Ochoa, referring to the off-site neutral buoyancy laboratory (NBL), where astronauts train underwater for spacewalks. The first floor was extensively damaged, according to NASA.



In total, about 125 people remained on duty as Hurricane Harvey passed over the space center. A planned 45-day Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) mission was cut short and its four-person volunteer crew and its support team were evacuated. The space mission simulation had been scheduled to end on Sept. 18.



Houston (and NASA) Strong



Sunday night (Sept. 3), NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer returned to Houston, landing at Ellington one day after touching down from the International Space Station in Kazakhstan.







Flooding in Houston, as seen from the International Space Station, after Hurricane Harvey. (NASA / Randy Bresnik/@AstroKomrade)

"Our home is fine but so many friends and coworkers have been impacted," wrote Whitson in an email prior to leaving the station after 288 days in orbit. "Any trepidations I might have about returning in the aftermath of a hurricane are entirely eclipsed by the all those folks keeping our mission going and physically putting themselves out there to help folks who were less fortunate than us."



Johnson Space Center will re-open to all of its employees on Tuesday (Sept. 5), after being closed to all but mission essential personnel since Aug. 27.



"I ask each of you to continue to support our JSC team members most affected. Please continue to reach out to the community  people you may or may not know  with reassurance and kindness," said Ochoa. "Please continue to stay safe and Houston Strong!"
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Payment cards make purchasing convenient not only for consumers and businesses, but for fraudsters, too. Global fraud losses from payment cards in 2018 reached $27.85 billion, according to the latest numbers from The Nilson Report, a card and mobile payments trade publication. As large as those losses are, they only amount to $10.83 for every $100 of spending by credit card users, which is actually lower than the previous year, $11.12 per $100.

That may be why credit card issuers believe they have fraud under control. "What worries most credit card sponsors more than fraud is unfairly blocking a consumers legitimate transaction," says Roger Grimes, a defense evangelist at KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider. "Most of the evolving and newer systems arent trying to detect credit card fraud better. What they are trying to do better is prevent losing customers from blocking legitimate transactions. So, shockingly, most of the activity is in preventing 'false-positives' and not in actually decreasing real fraud."

Fraud has a limited immediate impact on consumers and businesses. If a number is compromised and a thief goes on a spending spree, liability is limited to $50.

Consumers and businesses might see fraud costs down the road in the form of increased prices for goods and services as merchants and credit card issuers pass on the cost of losses. "Ultimately, some amount of fraud will always exist for as long as we continue to use credit cards," observes Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech.com, an information website for consumer security products. "A large part of the interest payments we all make on credit cards goes toward compensating for fraud.

Credit card fraud scope and trends

Card issuers have boosted the security of their physical cards through the use of EMV PIN and chip technology. "EMV was a big leap forward," says Greg Hancell, senior manager at OneSpan, a provider of anti-fraud and digital transaction management solutions. "In countries that adopted the technology, card-present fraud disappeared overnight. The problem was it went online, and card-not-present fraud increased."

A study released by the Federal Reserve in 2018 noted that a year after EMV cards began to be issued in the United States, card-present fraudfraud where a physical credit card was used for the fraudulent transactiondropped to $2.91 billion in 2016 from $3.68 billion in 2015. Meanwhile, during the same period, card-not-present fraudfraud where a credit card number is used over the phone or in an online transactionjumped to $4.57 billion from $3.4 billion. Online fraud has continued to grow until now card-not-present fraud is 81% more likely to occur than card-present fraud, according to Javelin Strategy & Research.

However, the adoption of EMV technology hasn't been consistent globally, which has opened the door for some global bandits. Organized crime groups can plant radio-enabled skimmersa hardware device for capturing credit card information without a user's knowledgein ATMs or point-of-sale terminals in a country supporting EMV and send data from those skimmers to accomplices in a country without EMV support. "They can take that information and print a card in under a minute. Then they will use that card without worrying about EMV," Hancell said.

He adds that card-not-present attacks might become broader threats because they can be scaled up with automation. "With a skimmer on a single machine, you run the risk of only a few people visiting the machine, or the skimmer being quickly discovered," Hancell explains. "In the card-not-present world, you can send out a phishing attack to a target range of victims that will encourage them to provide you with credit card details or will infect them with malware and steal their details that way."

Uri Arad, co-founder and vice president of product at Identiq, operator of a peer-to-peer user identification network, added that professional fraudsters often prefer to work at scale. "They want to maximize their ROI and may well use botnets to attack as many sites as quickly as possible, as well as programs to automatically rifle through new identities and matching IPs quickly and easily for each new attack," he says.

As fraud detection systems get more sophisticated, online swindlers are going to greater lengths to obscure their activity. "They will try to mask their IPs using proxies of various kinds," Arad says.

"More sophisticated fraudsters will even aim for IPs in close proximity to the billing address of the stolen card they plan to use," Arad continues. "Similarly, they may use emulators to appear to be coming from a mobile device, change the time on their computer to match the relevant time zone, or use virtual machines or wiped or jailbroken devices to appear to come from a clean machine."

Credit card fraud has become such a large enterprise and is so sophisticated that it has begun to take on the characteristics of legitimate businesses. For example, clear divisions in labor have developed. "What we have seen via many of the recent data-breaches for the last few years is a large, organized and coordinated series of hand-offs between malware creators to those who breach the payment systems to those that package and sell the breached credit card information," says Bryan Jardine, director of product management at AppGate, a developer and provider of security and analytics products and services.

Jardine adds that digital wallets have also been targeted by credit card thieves. "Stolen credit card information sold on the black markets is used to load balances into these non-deposit accounts," he explains. "Then the balances are transferred to another individual in peer-to-peer payments, who buys gift cards or pre-paid cards that cannot be tied to an individual when used. These payment style cards can then be used with complete anonymity online."

The Russian-speaking underground was a leader in credit card theft in the early 2000s and continues to be in the forefront of fraud, building a cybercrime-as-a-service model. "They have created end-to-end services for experienced to novice cybercriminals that has expedited the evolution of exploitation techniques," says Ed Cabrera, chief cybersecurity officer at Trend Micro, a maker of enterprise cybersecurity solutions.

Purchasing habits of fraudsters have changed over the years, too. They're shying away from physical goods, which can be difficult to convert into cash and easy to track by law enforcement. "Usually they purchase intangible things that are more difficult to trace, such as gift cards, crypto currencies, and digital goods. They might also try to reap the rewards from a card's points program," Comparitech's Bischoff says.

Credit card thieves, though, may be victims of their own success. "Evidence suggests that there is an oversupply of stolen credit cards and not enough demand from criminals who want to use them," Bischoff says. "This has driven the price of stolen credit cards on the dark web down to just a few dollars each.

Types of payment card fraud

Account takeover

If a malicious actor obtains credentials to an account, they can purchase items through any payment cards tied to that account. They can also check out the profile of the account holder, copy any credit information stored there, and use it to buy stuff outside the account. For example, if someone compromises an Amazon account, they can buy goods with any form of payment associated with the account and add an address where the items should be shipped.

Credentials used to compromise accounts can be obtained in several ways: purchased on the dark web or captured by deception. "A person gets an email or text alert that somethings wrong with their account. They follow a link and are sent to a fake site to log in their credentials, which the attackers then use to own account," says Deb Radcliff, an evangelist at Bolster Security, a maker of an online fraud prevention solution.

Skimmers and shimmers

Skimmers capture payment card information on a card's magnetic strip. Shimmers snatch data from EMV cards. These are usually hardware devices placed on ATM or point-of-purchase terminals designed to steal information used to complete a legitimate transaction. Since planting hardware can be labor intensive, fraudsters often take the malware route and infect point of sale (POS) systems that way.

Formjacking

This has become a popular form of online fraud largely due to Magecart, which consists of at least seven criminal groups that have infected shopping carts at thousands of e-commerce sites with skimming malware. Among the gang's high visibility targets have been Ticketmaster, British Airways, and Newegg.

"Formjacking is one of the most used techniques," says Mounir Hahad, head of the threat lab for Juniper Networks, a network security and performance company. "A malicious script is injected into the payment page of a compromised merchant's site, siphons off credit card information entered by unsuspecting shoppers, and sends it to the attackers."

Exploiting vulnerabilities

Flaws in software can be exploited to steal all kinds of information from devices, including credit card data. For example, Magecart attacks exploit a bug in MAGMI, a plug-in for Magneto-based online stores, to plant malicious code at a site that leads to the theft of payment information.

Phishing

It seems that no matter how often users are warned about clicking on links in emails, they continue to do so. Clicking on such links usually leads to a malicious website that tries to pry credit card data from a visitor or plant malware on their computer. "Malware can range from a simple keylogger that steals all text to a more complex style that specifically looks and parses out credit card and related data," says Melody J. Kaufman, a cybersecurity specialist with Saviynt, an application and infrastructure security provider.

Insider threats

Unscrupulous employees at financial institutions, credit card manufacturers, restaurants, retailers or just about anyone who handles credit cards can engage in fraud.

Anti-fraud regulations

Organizations that handle credit cards from the major providers must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Merchants, ISVs and anyone who stores, processes, transmits or otherwise manipulates cardholder data, as well as service providers who can affect the security of cardholder data must meet the requirements of PCI DSS, including:

Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data.

Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters.

Protect stored cardholder data.

Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks.

Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs.

Develop and maintain secure systems and applications.

Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know.

Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access.

Restrict physical access to cardholder data.

Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data.

Regularly test security systems and processes.

Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel.

"The PCI has done a lot to help organizations secure their own credit card transactions and storage of card data through mandated controls, penetration tests and yearly audits," Saviynt's Kaufman says.

"While this does not limit fraudulent transactions," she continued, "it does make it harder to compromise a card processor and walk away with thousands of cards, which does limit the potential for fraud."

Industry groups have begun to explore deeper forms of collaboration to address their fraud problems. "Many of these projects have been stymied by the problem of data sharing, but new providerless options have started to emerge to enable collaboration on a data level without actually sharing any personal user data at all," Identiq's Arad says. "The more closely companies and industry organizations can work together, the more effectively they can combat fraudsters, so it will be very interesting to see how this develops."

Mitigating credit card fraud

These are some of the recognized best practices for preventing payment card fraud:
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FAIRFIELD  It is not every day the national PTA president pitches in to help at a welcome back luncheon for teachers.

Unless you are at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

There, the new leader of the nations oldest parent group has been a mainstay of the local unit for years.

Jim Accomando, 60, was elected in June as head of this 120-year-old organization that he said remains true to a mission of having the backs of public school children nationwide.

At the same time, he still volunteers for the Ludlowe PTA and at the state level, where he recently held the title of Connecticut PTA president.

If you still dont have one foot on the ground level, you tend to possibly forget and not be as relevant on the issues, Accomando said. PTA is all grass roots. I think my strength is knowing what is going on in schools.

With attacks on public education these days seemingly coming from all sides, who better to fight for funding, decent class sizes and safe schools, Accomando said. Parents, he insists, are a school districts best local resource.

Breaking down fences

What got me involved was my kids, Accomando said.

More Information National PTA wants Public funds spent on public schools, not private schools or vouchers. More investment in family engagement activities. Supports reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. No further federal cuts to education funding. Expansion of preschool. Reauthorization of the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act to improve nutritional standards in school. Youth, families and communities protected from gun and other violence. To reduce the number of youth unnecessarily involved in the justice system. Better protection of student data. See More Collapse

Accomando moved to town 30 years ago to a house with a fence that backs up to kindergarten classes at Holland Hill Elementary School. A Title 1 School, Holland Hill is where both of his children would start school.

His son, A.J., is a college graduate. Daughter Olivia is a senior at Ludlowe. His wife, Wendy, is a teacher in the district.

An independent consultant, Accomando said he has always been involved: in his church, in Scouting and in the lives of his kids. Thats where PTA came in. When he joined the Holland Hill chapter, he was one of the only fathers in the unit.

Today, 22 percent of PTA membership nationwide is male. Accomando is the 55th national PTA president but only its third male president.

The more embedded you get in an organization, the more engaged you are, Accomando said of his journey. He has held a number of local, state and national positions, sometimes simultaneously.

At one point he was president of Ludlowes PTA, vice president of government relations for Connecticut PTA and president-elect at national.

It helped me be more meaningful in my thought process, Accomando said. When I go to national, I can bring local and state perspective firsthand.

Ludlowe Headmaster Greg Hatzis said the advantage goes both ways.

Having him here in the trenches is a huge asset to us, Hatzis said. If a local issue comes up, he has the ear of someone in regular contact with Washington.

Bipartisan and purposeful

National PTA has just under 4 million members, according to the organization. Its numbers have been going down.

That has less to do with the organization than with the times, Accomando said. People today, he said, have so many choices.

To survive, Accomando said PTA has to remain relevant while still keeping true to a mission.

PTA is all about public funds for public education and not diverting those monies. Not when school districts are suffering, he said.

Accomando said he knows that all too well living in a state that has failed to pass a state budget, and next to Bridgeport, an urban district so underfunded it is cutting back on reading teachers.

Many districts are having difficulty just make ends meet, Accomando said.

Accomando said PTA still has a membership large enough that it resonates in Hartford  and on Capitol Hill. The national organization has a paid staff in Alexandria, Va., which regularly meets with members of Congress.

As for the current administration, PTA is still trying to get an audience with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

His team has suggested several date options but as of yet has not been able to meet with her.

National PTA has historically had great relationships with past secretaries of education, Accomando said. We anticipate having a productive relationship with DeVos as well.

To start, he hopes to focus on areas where they can agree and work together.

We are taking the positive approach, he said. Our organization prides itself on being bipartisan and not political.

It is an organization that treads carefully on issues where not all parents see eye to eye.

On testing, PTA calls it essential to support student improvement, but recognizes concerns of parents who say it is overemphasized and cuts into teaching time.

National PTA believes the most effective day-to-day school climate to be gun-free, but defers to local collaborative decision-making to allow for the presence of law enforcement in schools.

The organization supports legislation that specifically recognizes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students as a protected group and joined other groups in filing a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board. The suit fought a school rule barring transgender students from using the restroom that matches their gender identity.

On all these issues, we want to be a voice at the table, Accomando said.
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Its 1,650 miles to Beaumont, Texas.

Hes got a full tank of gas, bottled water, Goldfish Crackers, canned fruit and dog food. Hit it.

Bob Ferguson, Westons Republican Town Committee chairman, drove an SUV full of supplies to the hurricane-ravaged Lone Star State last week. It took two days to make the journey.

Unfortunately, everything is NOT quite as good everywhere, Ferguson posted on Facebook Friday. Just heard on the police scanner that a bridge in Lumberton, north of Beaumont has collapsed, stranding many people. The only way to get close is by boat and I'm sorry to say I don't have one....

Ferguson, who was an alternate delegate to last years Republican National Convention, stayed in a shelter for first responders Thursday night.

Ill tell you the spirit of the people in Texas is really amazing, Ferguson said in a Facebook video.

Ferguson was packing more than just supplies, however.

Everybody is carrying, said Ferguson, who is an advancement officer for the National Rifle Associations Institute for Legislative Action. Everybody is open carrying, and guess what, the cops dont even ask if you dont have your permit, not like Connecticut. Sorry to delve into politics.

Give and take

Sometimes you have to give up a little to get a return.

Perhaps no one knows this better than Connecticut hedge fund and private equity managers, who CNBCs Larry Kudlow said could offset their tax losses from the closing the carried interest loophole by Donald Trump from cutting the current 35 percent U.S. corporate tax.

If you took the corporate rate to 15 percent, you dont need things like carried interest and a whole variety of other deductions, Kudlow, the one-time Ronald Reagan budget guru and Redding resident, told Hearst Connecticut Media.

Although Trumps tax reform plan has yet to be fleshed out, with the president leaving much of the nitty-gritty to Congress and Treasury brass, Kudlow is bullish on the potential savings to investor beneficiaries of the much-criticized loophole.

The bane of Trump in his campaign speeches, during which he called hedge fund managers paper-pushers who get away with murder, the carve-out allows money managers to pay discounted tax rates on investment profits and fees.

The lower the corporate rate, the less all these deductions are worth, Kudlow said.

Connecticut has the third-highest concentration of hedge funds after New York City and London, part of a $3 trillion industry overall that invests in stocks, commodity futures, options and emerging-market debt for an elite clientele of individuals, pension funds and endowments. Most of Connecticuts hedge funds are along Fairfield Countys Gold Coast, which is also a major private equity hub.

Carried interest is currently taxed at the capital gains rate of 20 percent, plus an additional 3.8 percent investment tax that is a component of the Affordable Care Act. The top tax rate for personal income is 39.6 percent, which supporters of eliminating the carried-interest loophole say could raise up to $17 billion in revenue over the next decade from an industry that has gotten special treatment from the Internal Revenue Service for too long.

Theyll make a deal on the all the deductions, Kudlow said of Trumps tax overhaul. Its not ripe yet.

Territorial about taxes

Peter Schiff is the anti-West Side Story when it comes to all things taxes, including tax shelters.

The money manager and 2010 U.S. Senate candidate is marking two years since decamping from Connecticut for Puerto Rico, where he said he pays about 4 percent income tax and no capital gains tax.

The Libertarian Trump detractor, who runs Euro Pacific Capital and has a summer home in Connecticut, isnt holding his breath for meaningful tax reform.

Even if we get tax cuts, the odds that theres any meaningful simplification is pretty thin, Schiff told Hearst. The president was promising tax relief for the middle class. OK, what government programs are we going to eliminate? We cant afford these tax cuts until we cut government spending.

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With rain from storm Harvey moving over the Canadian Maritimes, sunshine has returned to Connecticut.

But the National Weather Service is warning of the possibility of of rip currents over the next few days because of to swells from distant Hurricane Irma.

Irma, with 120 mph sustained winds, was about 700 miles east of Puerto Rico this morning; itll likely reach Puerto Rico by noon on Wednesday according to the National Hurricane Center. Irma is expected to remain within a very favorable environment for strengthening during the next several days and additional intensification appears likely.

The storm could directly affect the British and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as a dangerous major hurricane mid-week. Hurricane watches have been issued for these areas, and tropical-storm-force winds could arrive in these areas by early Wednesday.

Here in Connecticut, high pressure will move offshore Monday night. Meanwhile, a cold front approaches from the west, reaching the region. by morning, but theres not much moisture associated with this front.

A southwest flow and rising dew points will lead to above-normal low temperatures by Tuesday morning.

Moisture convergence along a weak pre-frontal trough may combine for a chance of a shower or thunderstorm primarily in the afternoon. Unsettled conditions could persist from Tuesday through Thursday night with a chance of showers developing through this period. Friday should be sunny.

Heres the forecast from the National Weather Service:

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 9 to 14 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 11 mph.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind around 13 mph.

Tuesday night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 11 mph.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
US reveals details of recent 'sonic attack' on Cuba diplomats

A suspected acoustic attack on US embassy staff in Cuba was reported as recently as last month, US officials have revealed.

It was originally thought that the incidents had ended several months ago.

The US State Department also said the number of staff who have reported health problems had increased to 19.

It comes as the union representing diplomatic staff says some victims suffered mild brain injuries and permanent hearing loss.

Cuba has denied any involvement in the attacks and says it is investigating the reports.

US embassy staff and at least one Canadian began to notice symptoms late last year.

However, the affair was first reported in August when the US expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington. Officials said the expulsions were in protest at Cuba's failure to protect its diplomats.

Sonic devices may have been used to emit inaudible sound waves that can cause deafness, US media suggest.

On Friday, the US government confirmed that an incident took place as recently as August and that the number of staff reporting problems had increased.

"We can't rule out new cases as medical professionals continue to evaluate members of the embassy community," state department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

In a statement, the American Foreign Service Association, which represents US diplomatic and international aid staff, said it had spoken to 10 people who had received treatment.

"Diagnoses include mild traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss, with such additional symptoms as loss of balance, severe headaches, cognitive disruption and brain swelling," it said.

It urged the government to do everything possible to help those affected and to "ensure that these incidents cease and are not repeated".

The statement is the first time that the hearing loss has been described as permanent. It is understood that "mild traumatic brain injury" could include concussion or headaches.

The state department is yet to blame anyone for the incidents.

The US mission in Havana was reopened as a full embassy in 2015 following 50 years of hostilities between the two countries. (Reuters)
STORY LINK Pound to Rand Exchange Rate Forecast, Key Data to Watch Over Next Five Days

The Pound Drops against South African Rand Despite Solid UK Data

The key question is whether this positive start to the second half of the year can be sustained. This is looking increasingly likely during the near-term, given the breadth of the expansion. Business conditions improved across the three main subsectors  consumer, intermediate and investment goods  and at smaller and large-scale producers alike. Business confidence also rose to one of its highest levels in over a year

Pound Sterling (GBP) Forecast: UK Services PMI in Focus

South African Rand (ZAR) Forecast: South African Growth Data Ahead

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The pound to rand exchange rate has been in steady decline from early August highs where the pair touched 1 GBP = 17.51.GBP/ZAR, on Tuesday 5th September, is quoted at 16.76288.Decent UK data was not able to help the British Pound to hold its ground. The pair slipped due to strong South African trade and manufacturing results despite South African political uncertainties.After beginning last week at around 16.80, the GBP/ZAR ended the week below its opening levels, closer to lows of 16.71. This was the pairs lowest levels since June.Recent UK ecostats have largely beaten expectations, but as the South African Rand became more appealing following weeks of mixed movement, GBP/ZAR has fallen.Sterling did limit GBP/ZAR losses though, thanks to the strong data.Markits August manufacturing PMI for Britain beat forecasts of 55 and came in at 56.9. The previous figure was revised higher, from 55.1 to 55.3.Analysts were generally optimistic about the report but some uncertainties remained. According to Rob Dobson, Director at IHS Markit which compiled the report;On top of the strong manufacturing data, the latest UK mortgage approval and Bank of England (BoE) consumer credit results beat expectations.However, overall the data was not able to notably improve the Pound outlook. Sterling demand was pressured by the latest Brexit concerns, as mutterings suggest that UK-EU negotiations are not going as smoothly as hoped and have not made much progress.The South African Rand, on the other hand, has seen stronger demand in recent sessions.Markets have now cooled from disappointment that SA President Jacob Zuma had once again survived a no-confidence vote in early-August.Demand for the Rand was boosted further by SA data, which has beaten expectations.South Africas July trade surplus came in at ZAR8.99b, rather than falling to ZAR5.8b as forecast. The previous figure was revised down slightly though, from 10.67b to 10.56b. This notably marked South Africas sixth consecutive trade surplus.ABSAs August South African manufacturing PMI also improved, from 42.9 to 44.Overall, while Britains recent data was strong, Brexit uncertainties and a more appealing South African Rand left GBP/ZAR weaker at the end of last week.The Pound to South African Rand exchange rate is likely to be influenced by Pound movement next week, as Markits influential UK services PMI for August will be published.The services PMI will come in on Tuesday, alongside Markits UK composite PMI. If services fall short of expectations, it will worsen concerns that Britains economy is not staying resilient amid Brexit concerns and the recent pay squeeze.However, strong services data would be Pound positive as services make up Britains biggest economic sector. This would indicate that the strength of Britains economy is persisting despite Brexit uncertainty, and the Pound would become more appealing.Later in the week, Pound trade could also be influenced by Julys trade deficit update, as well as manufacturing production, industrial production and construction output reports from July.Rand trade could be a little busier next week, as Tuesday will see the publication of South Africas Q2 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) results.If South African growth beat expectations in Q2, it could offset recent concerns about SA political instability damaging economic growth. This would make the Rand more appealing and could put pressure on GBP/ZAR.Later in the week, South African mining and manufacturing production data from July will be published.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

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STORY LINK The Euro to Dollar Rate (EUR/USD) Climbs before Thursday?s ECB Meeting

Euro Gains with ECB Meeting on the horizon

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The Euro to Dollar exchange rate started this week on broadly solid footing, with markets still digesting last weeks disappointing run of US data releases and the escalating crisis with North Korea.The Greenback is somewhat bearish today, experiencing thin trading as a result of today being the US Labour Day Holiday. The Euro, on the other hand, has surged in demand, despite a notable jump in Spanish unemployment. This growth can primarily be attributed to the current situation regarding North Korea and the US Dollars inability to capitalise on the latest jump in safe-haven demand.North Korea engaged in its 6th nuclear missile test over the weekend and is reportedly preparing for another intercontinental missile launch, news that has sent continued shockwaves throughout the markets, further pushing traders to move their money to perceivably safe-haven investments like the Swiss Franc (CHF) and the Japanese Yen (JPY).The US response remains first and foremost diplomatic, with the US envoy to the UN desperately urging the Security Council to take the strongest possible measures in regards to sanctions after this latest nuclear test.It is also being reported that the US is considering threatening to stop trade with all countries that partake in trade with North Korea.The US Dollar is traditionally considered a better safe-haven currency than the Euro, however last weeks run of disappointing data has left it floundering somewhat, with traders instead choosing to buy the Euro.This may change, however in the build-up and aftermath of Thursdays European Central Bank meeting.Thursday will feature the September ECB policy meeting, an event that many are hoping that will feature the beginning of the tapering for the banks quantitative easing (QE) policy.This has, however, come under question, as according to various Euro-area officials the ECB might be inclined to hold steady on its final QE plan until December this year, with sheer complexity being cited as the primary reason.Chief European Financial Economist at Jefferies asserted:It makes a lot of sense for them to delay the definite decision until December. It will be interesting to see how the market takes this. As ever the market is impatient for news.The Euro US Dollar exchange rate has mostly remained unperturbed to this news, though this will very likely change in the build-up, and immediate aftermath of this event, especially if the situation with North Korea becomes increasingly hostile, driving investors even further towards safe-haven currencies.

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Pa. Dems could flip the House of Reps. Here's what that might mean
Martin Selmayr, who is known as 'the monster', is a fanatical believer in the project and is determined that Britain is punished for its decision to leave

The biggest arguments in divorce cases are almost always about the money. The needs of the children tend to be cast aside: sometimes, they are even used as hostages.

Something similar is happening in the negotiations between the UK and the European Commission over our so-called divorce from the EU.

At the insistence of the Commission  which in effect is acting as the divorce lawyer for the 27 remaining states  the UK must agree to cough up a vast sum before we can even begin to discuss the post-Brexit trading terms between us.

In other words, the long-term future of families in the EU  the people who will benefit most from an amicable trade deal  is less important than getting lots of dosh up front.

This is understandable from the Commissions point of view. While the UKs contribution to the EUs finances may not be significant in terms of those countries overall economies, it is of enormous consequence to the Commission itself, amounting to 14 per cent of its total income  notably the salaries and the pensions of the 35,000 or so officials who work for it.

Fanatical

The most influential of those officials is not the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. No, the man of power there is that bibulous and erratic Luxembourgers chief of staff, Martin Selmayr.

This 46-year-old German lawyer is known in the corridors of the Berlaymont as the monster. Both brilliant and a fearsome bully, Selmayr is a fanatical believer in the project and is determined not only that Britain is punished for its decision to leave, but so obviously punished that no other nation will ever again even dream of taking the same action.

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According to a German friend of mine who knows Selmayr, he actually wants the negotiations to fail. He thinks this would be the biggest deterrent of all.

On that interpretation, the German will be delighted at the conduct of last weekends round of talks in Brussels between Davis and Michel Barnier, the Frenchman appointed by Juncker/Selmayr as chief Brexit negotiator for the European Commission.

Once more, the money has been the cause of increased ill-will, with Barnier accusing the UK of being unwilling to honour its obligations and Davis blaming Brussels for putting process before people  that is, the money before the children in the divorce.

Selmayr is likely to have been delighted with the conduct of last weekends round of talks in Brussels between David Davis, right, and Michel Barnier,

Bizarrely, the Commission has been increasing its financial demands as the months have dragged on.

In all normal negotiations, the two sides gradually come closer together and meet in the middle. When we embarked on this process, the talk from the Brussels side was of a demand of 60 billion to settle what it insisted were the UKs inescapable budgetary and legal obligations. Yet now they are talking of 100 billion, a figure for which the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson reasonably said they could go whistle.

There is an impasse, as Brussels says it wont talk about future trading arrangements until the outlines of the divorce bill are agreed, while Davis understandably regards this matter as his principal point of leverage in getting a good deal for Britain in terms of a tariff-free arrangement with the members of the European Single Market.

While Brussels has the greater economic muscle, in that it represents 27 nations, the British have the advantage of being right  in the sense that Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty (which governs this whole business) does not contain any provision for continuing obligations, let alone ones involving payments by the departing member.

Article 50 just says that two years after it has been invoked, the relevant member state exits automatically  and in the absence of any succeeding agreement between the leaver and the rest of the bloc, the existing treaties just fall away.

Theresa May told an astonished Jean Claude Juncker four months ago that Britain does not owe the European Union a single penny

This is what May meant when she told an apparently astonished Juncker and Selmayr at a Downing Street dinner four months ago, that in the absence of a deal based on a reasonable financial settlement in exchange for frictionless access to the single market, Britain does not owe the European Union a single penny.

Provocation

Legally, she is on solid ground  and this, to Barniers evident consternation, was what British Government lawyers would have been emphasising last weekend.

They might have especially annoyed him by pointing out that, regarding the pensions of the EUs bureaucrats, the UK has been properly funding them on a continual basis during our membership and therefore there is nothing more we will owe.

The UKs scrupulous legalism has been an unbearable provocation to a Frenchman who embodies the phrase amour-propre (self-love). It explains his insufferably pompous remark yesterday that it was his job to teach the British people what Brexit means.

We know what Brexit means. It is the European Commission which cant face up to the truth.

Showbiz two-faced over 'whitewashing'

Actor Ed Skrein has been lauded for his decision to step away from a part in the movie Hellboy, in which he was to have played a character portrayed as Asian

Showbusiness is suddenly becoming highly sensitive to the fashionable accusation of whitewashing.

This is the term for what happens when a white actor is given the role of a character who in the original text was of a different race.

Last week, the actor Ed Skrein announced he was pulling out of his part in the movie Hellboy, in which he was to have played a character portrayed as Asian in the book from which the film derives.

Mr Skrein has been lauded for his decision, and the movies producers nervously told the Hollywood Reporter: It was not our intent to be insensitive to issues of authenticity and we will look to recast the part with an actor more consistent with the character in the source material.

This issue has caused embarrassment in the UK as well. Last year, Sky Arts pulled from its schedules a satirical drama in which Joseph Fiennes had played the part of Michael Jackson  after protests from the late pop stars daughter over this whitewashing.

But does this sensitivity work the other way around? Earlier this year, I went to the opening night of a revival of Tom Stoppards breathtakingly brilliant 1974 play Travesties. It is set in Zurich in 1917, when Lenin and James Joyce were in that same city.

The actors playing the Russian revolutionary and the Irish writer both looked uncannily like the real thing. But the woman playing the part of Mrs Lenin, Sarah Quist, was mixed race  and in every other respect looked nothing like the future Soviet leaders redoubtable wife.

Moreover, her (short) part requires her to speak only in Russian  which she did, not entirely convincingly.

Funnily enough, there were two real Russian women in the seats in front of me. They looked perplexed by what they were seeing  and left during the interval.

More recently, I asked Tom Stoppard himself about this when I went to his 80th birthday party  and he seemed puzzled, too. Who knows what point was being made by the director, Patrick Marber?

I was tempted to create a little mischief by contacting the Russian Embassy and asking them how they felt about this cultural misappropriation (as it would be called if it were the other way around).

I didnt do so, however, because the production was in every other way superb. But its interesting that there was no complaint from any of the critics that Lenins wife had been blackwashed.
Many women will be all too familiar with tackling the traditional signs of ageing, whether it's crow's feet, forehead wrinkles or greying hair.

But according to one doctor there is a whole range of lesser-known signs to look out for - and they could be adding years to your appearance.

Aesthetic practitioner Dr Nestor Demosthenous has pinpointed the tell-tale signs that most people have never heard of - plus how to look out for and how to deal with them.

Nasolabial folds, bunny lines, drooping eyebrows and hollows under the eyes are all dead giveaways according to Dr Nestor - who shares his tips with FEMAIL on what to do if they suddenly appear.

Hidden problem areas: Nasolabial folds, bunny lines, drooping eyebrows and hollows under the eyes are all dead giveaways according to aesthetic practitioner Dr Nestor Demosthenous

Bunny Lines

Bunny lines might sound cute, but these pesky wrinkles aren't necessarily something you'll be wanting to stick around. 'Bunny lines are small, sometimes diagonal, wrinkles on both sides of the nose, right below the bridge,' explains Dr Nestor.

'They are typically caused by repeated facial movements in that same area  so if you wrinkle your nose a lot, or your nasal muscles are particularly strong when you laugh, you may be more prone to developing bunny lines.'

So how can you get rid of these anything-but-cute crinkles? Dr Nestor says that aesthetic procedures can help, and there are options depending on how problematic your bunny lines are.

'If your bunny lines are caused by repetitive muscle activity, a practitioner can relax or weaken those muscles, so that they can't continue to function in the same way and therefore lessen the movement that creates the wrinkles.'

Tear Trough Deformities

You may think that you suffer from permanent eye bags, but have you considered that those dark patches or deep lines under your eyes are actually caused by something else?

'Many patients believe that they have deep eye bags when they come in to see me, and are shocked to be told they actually have what's known as a 'tear trough deformity', Dr Nestor tells us.

'This is actually a fold that extends from the inner eye corner, running down and outwards and creating a hollow, often accentuated by dark shadow. The darkness is often a result of the thinning skin of the lower eyelid, allowing blood vessels and muscle colour to shine through.

Despite being aged just 27, Twilight actress and Chanel model Kristen Stewart suffers from tear trough deformities according to Dr Nestor - which can't be fixed by a good night's sleep

Tear trough deformities are almost guaranteed to make you look older and more tired than you really are, as they cause the eye to look sunken and the area around it to look shadowy and dark.'

Celebrities including Chanel muse Kristen Stewart and actress Jennifer Aniston are among those who suffer with tear trough deformities, resulting in a hollowed effect to the eye area which leaves the eyes looking tired and dark.

'Unfortunately, getting your eight hours' sleep isn't going to help banish these lines,' Dr Nestor says. 'Tear trough deformities are caused by issues with the ligament structures under the lower eyelid, meaning that they can occur even in very young people. In patients of Scandinavian descent, we find a very tight retaining ligament which can amplify a tear trough deformity at a young age.

'However, age exacerbates the appearance of the troughs, as progressive soft tissue and bone loss in the area can cause the tear trough to appear even deeper.'

So how do we remove these dark circles and get back to looking light and bright, even on our sleepiest days? 'Tear troughs can be corrected surgically, but non-invasive treatments are really surging in popularity, as they are far quicker and less invasive than surgery,' explains Dr Nestor.

'Hyaluronic acid fillers can be injected into the area to restore loss volume, and create a smooth contour, as well as diminishing those dark eye circles to create a brighter, more youthful effect.'

Drooping Eyebrows

Dr Nestor gives his top tips for getting rid of a range of ageing giveaways, from marionette lines to bunny lines

As we progress through the years, we lose fatty tissue in key areas. A key area that not many have appreciated is in the forehead and under the eyebrows  hardly the first areas that spring to mind when you think about losing skin's plumpness.

But as we all know, the eyebrows are the frames of the face, and set the tone for your facial structure. So, if your forehead and eyebrows begin to droop, it's your whole face that bears the brunt. As we age, we begin to lose the sheet of fat that sits behind the skin in these areas, which is when the ageing process becomes more obvious.

'As we lose this sheet of fat, there is little structural support to hold the skin and eyebrows up. Therefore, everything begins to descend, and as a result we find that the tails of our eyebrows fall and begin to lose their height, giving the appearance of pulling the face down,' Dr Nestor explains.

'Using fillers, we can restore this lost sheet-like tissue, and help to raise the eyebrows to their former position, which opens the eyes and gives us back a more awake, refined and youthful appearance.'

Dr Nestor explains that you can even opt for procedures to stop bunny lines in their tracks; 'If you think you might be prone to creating these lines in the future, you could speak to your practitioner about relaxing the muscles that bunch up and create the wrinkles, preventing you from being able to crinkle up your nose  thus the wrinkles can't be created in the first place!'

Nasolabial and Marionette Lines

Everyone's heard of laughter lines, but have you heard of their irritating older sister, marionette lines? These lines are the next level on from common laughter lines; deeper-set and usually longer in length, they can give the face a serious and sad look.

'Nasolabial lines are deep lines down either side of the mouth, running from the cheeks downwards. If they begin to extend from the corner of the mouth to the chin, then they become what we call marionette lines,' explains Dr Nestor. 'They can dramatically age a face and contribute to a person looking sadder, or older than their years.'

These lines are a common aspect of facial ageing, but bad news if you're a particularly happy or smiley person  those who smile or laugh a lot are far more likely to develop deeper nasolabial creases.

Nasolabial lines are also among the first wrinkles to develop, and you might even develop these lines as early as your twenties. This is not to say they require treatment at this point, but it is an indication of how you will age.

'These kinds of lines are very much a result of facial folding, and volume loss higher up the face should be treated with volumisation in key areas of loss with fillers,' advises Dr Nestor.

He added: 'I'd recommending choosing a hyaluronic acid filler. My filler range of choice is Juvederm. The results should be noticeable immediately, and then continue to improve for a couple of days following the procedure, lasting 12-18 months before a second treatment is required.'
The husband of Channel Nine reporter, Sam Squiers, has candidly spoken about missing the birth of his first child, after his baby girl was born five weeks early in June via Caesarean.

Ben Squiers described the 49 days his newborn daughter Imogen spent in emergency care as either the 'the longest short period of my life or the shortest long period of my life.

Speaking on Mater Mothers, the Australian father recalled how his wife Sam, 35, went into early labour while he was out of the state on a work trip in Sydney.

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Ben Squiers (pictured) spoke candidly about missing the birth of his first child Imogen

Both Sam and her newborn daughter needed emergency care after the premature birth

The TV reporter unexpectedly suffered a placental abruption - and was forced go into emergency surgery at 2.30am as her husband made a 'mercy dash' from the airport to the hospital.

'I got on the first flight  I didnt make the birth,' Ben told the publication.

'In the space of 15 minutes the situation changed from "we will wait for you, but we cant guarantee it", to "we can't wait, Sam is going into surgery".'

Twenty minutes after he learned his wife was going into labour alone, Ben received a text from an anonymous number - a picture of his newborn daughter.

'I lost it! The poor lady sitting next to me had no idea what was going on,' he said.

'Those 35 minutes were the longest 35 minutes of my life. I felt helpless, anxious and a failure.'

Channel Nine reporter Sam Squiers (pictured) suffered a placental abruption and went into early labour in June

Ben and Sam (pictured) made the daily pilgrimage back and forth to the hospital during the 49 days Imogen spent in care

'Those 35 minutes were the longest 35 minutes of my life. I felt helpless, anxious and a failure,' Ben said of missing his child's birth

When he arrived at the Brisbane hospital, Sam was in intensive care and hours-old Imogen was in a neonatal critical care unit (NCCU) with tubes attached to her tiny body.

He then learned Sam's pre-eclampsia has caused her to lose her vision and suffer from kidney failure, leaving her only hours from death.

The next several days were spent with Ben darting between mother and newborn child, showing his wife photos of her darling daughter and comforting both as they recovered.

After Sam built up the strength to leave the ICU, the new parents then made a daily pilgrimage to the hospital for 49 days straight to visit Imogen and share 'kangaroo cuddles'.

But Ben confesses he considers himself lucky to be able to spend those crucial weeks with his newborn, as many other fathers aren't able to take the time off work.

The new father considers himself lucky to be able to spend those crucial weeks with his newborn, as many other fathers aren't able to take the time off work

The TV reporter unexpectedly suffered a placental abruption - and was forced go into emergency surgery at 2.30am as her husband made a 'mercy dash' from the airport to the hospital

Sam gave birth on June 13, but suffered from pre-eclampsia which made her lose her vision and suffer kidney failure

Imogen (pictured) weighed only 1.3kg when she was born premature in June

The besotted parents were finally able to make the emotional journey away from the hospital to take their baby daughter home for the first time.

But the battles for premature babies do not end at the hospital.

Following months in an incubation cot surrounded by noise and lights, Imogen's introduction to darkness and silence with only her parents around her was a tough adjustment.

'We are still in the process of weaning her off the noise and lights. We are now used to sleeping with the lights on and falling asleep with the soothing sounds of Rockabye Baby,' added Ben.

Ben and Sam have also had to learn how to set up oxygen for Imogen.

'I look forward to the day that this is all a distant memory  but one thing is certain...the time spent in Mater Mothers NCCU is definitely a life-changing experience,' he said.

'We are still in the process of weaning her off the noise and lights. We are now used to sleeping with the lights on and falling asleep with the soothing sounds of Rockabye Baby,' added Ben

Ben and Sam (pictured at her job as a Channel Nine reporter) have also had to learn how to set up oxygen for Imogen
A few years back, Sir Humphry Tyrrell Wakefield, fearless horseman, adventurer, antiques expert, armour collector, owner of Chillingham Castle, friend of Prince Philip and all-round British eccentric, had a quadruple by-pass operation.

Then in 2014, when he was 78, he broke five ribs after being rolled on by his horse Barack OBouncer  Crack, crack, crack they went! he cries. One doesnt mend so easily  its such a bore.

He has recently been suffering from some form of rupture in his chest which, disappointingly, has meant hes had to stop vaulting straight from the ground onto a bareback Barack every morning.

After breaking five ribs in 2014 aged 78, Sir Humphry Tyrell Wakefield is riding the length of the nation on his trusty steed

A couple of years ago, I still could. And pick things up from the floor with great ease  while at a gallop. Now I cannot, he says. Its very frustrating indeed, but the decline is very fast in your 80s.

But despite  or perhaps because of  all that, he is part-way through an extraordinary solo horse ride from John OGroats to Lands End.

Im in my 82nd year. What else am I supposed to do? Just sit around waiting to die? he says. No, no, no! Idleness leads to depression. I like to be busy.

So, earlier this month, he set out on Barack (I called him that because he is black and white), a 14-year-old half Friesian gelding, to walk, trot and canter the journey of around 900 miles, while simultaneously dictating his extraordinarily colourful memoirs (for his long-suffering secretary Victoria to type up) as he rode.

The plan was to sit back on Barack and let all my thoughts of joy, depression, failures and triumphs flow, he says. But the minute I set off I was in such a state of happiness that they all dispersed, so I just enjoyed the view.

He named his 14-year-old half Friesian gelding Barack because 'he is black and white'

People have ridden the length of the British Isles before. But most tend to be young, muscular, firm-thighed ex-military types who plan every inch of their trip, invest in top-of-the-range kit and train frantically before they set off.

Not Sir Humphry.

One is advised to get ones horse and oneself fit beforehand  train every morning and do press ups and so on  but I was far too old to do all of that, and much too busy travelling  India, Turkey, Russia, he explains. So I was rather fearful, but its all turned out rather wonderfully.

He camps, pitching his tent in windswept fields, wherever he can, inflating his airbed (Quite the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in) and waiting for his aged retainer of umpteen years, to arrive in his battered support horsebox and cook dinner.

Sir Humphry refuses to wait for death and says that idleness causes depression, preferring to ride on his horse in the countryside

Oh weve had some wonderful things! Sausages, fish, a deers liver . . . its always a wonderful surprise. As a former captain in the 10th Royal Hussars, he washes in the wild and will ride in any weather: Waterproof kit is frightfully good these days!

On an average day, fuelled by porridge, egg, bacon and coffee, but always skipping lunch, he and Barack will potter for four or five hours, and cover between 12 and 20 miles. One day, they did 31 miles.

I forgot my compass that day, we got horribly lost and we were both a bit tired. But I love it. I am half in Heaven.

Everywhere he goes, he bumps into lairds and land-owners who turn out to be old friends from long ago. They have been so kind. So interesting. It has been a constant joy. Only one person said bugger orf when I asked if I could pitch my tent in a corner of his field. And there was a slight altercation a couple of weeks ago when he reportedly offended the elderly chatelaine of one castle with: Oh yes, when you were young, you were terribly pretty.

He covers between 12 and 20 miles each day on Barack, but one day went for 31 miles

No no no. All wrong. Out of context! he insists hotly today.

He has no interest in taking the quickest route, and will veer wildly off course for a chat and a large glass of whisky with anyone and everyone.

I do so love to meet people, he trills, sounding just like the late Sir John Gielgud, but posher and even more thespy.

Last week he broke off to attend a wonderful party at the Edinburgh Festival.

This week, he had to pop down to London for a tedious operation on his chest. It is here that he finds time to squeeze in a ride with me  Hundreds of miles off course . . . but who cares? Im not sticking rigidly to a plan  at a genteel riding stables in Wimbledon. He arrives carrying his own stirrups, but without Barack, who is resting. His riding garb  furry cossack hat, jaunty cravat, ancient cowboy boots and clanking silver spurs  causes quite a stir among both clientele and staff.

Sir Humphry doesn't even stop for lunch on his ride, though he did veer off course to attend a 'wonderful party' at Edinburgh Festival

Spurs? Spurs! splutters the owner. I dont really use them, he explains. It just means you can give the horse the tiny suggestion.

If we showed them to our horses theyd faint, she gasps. Im going to put them in the office. And she does, along with his moth-eaten hat which she replaces with a riding hat.

Ive never ever worn a hard hat in my life! he says indignantly. Its all very bossy these days, isnt it?

And with that, he swings up onto a vast chestnut called Dan, gives him a firm whack with the crop, and were off. As we make our way across Wimbledon Common he talks endlessly, breaks into Shakespeare sonnets, and talks some more  about his great aunt Daisy who was diving champion for Great Britain; his great uncle who won four Blues at Cambridge, dived off icebergs in Newfoundland and nearly summited Everest, 50 years before Tenzing and Hillary.

And, of course, his beloved Chillingham Castle in Northumberland.

He says: I love it  love it like mad. And the smell! Its like returning to a stable when you havent seen your horse for a bit.

The 'divinely dotty' horse rider refuses to wear a hard hat on his horse, dismissing it as 'bossy'

He once staged a wedding for his beloved bull terrier Brigand in the castle chapel and, in 2014, caused a stir when he appeared on a Channel 4s Cant Get The Staff, complaining how tricky it was to find a liege to polish it all.

On and on he chats. The Duchess of Cornwall is a thoroughly good egg, her late brother Mark Shand (who once helped Sir Humphry steal back one of his own white Mercedes from car thieves) is Darling sweet Mark.

He has known Prince Philip for years. He is tremendous fun and such a lightener  he came for lunch the other day.

The Queen would have such a miserable time if she didnt have him to play with. And if people try to take advantage of her, hes on them like a whippet!

But back to our ride, where he whickers constant encouragement in Dans pricked ears, but is clearly missing his beloved Barack.

His character is continuous optimism. He loves to stop and gaze at things  a rabbit, a deer, maybe just a nice view. We chat a lot  though he does more chatting than I do.

The eccentric once enlisted the help of the Duchess of Cornwall's brother Mark Shand to steal back a white Mercedes from car thieves

Sir Humphry is an excellent rider and clearly likes to be in charge. After 20 minutes he has his crop confiscated by a nervous riding instructor, and immediately makes another out of a bit of branch.

Ideally, hed be doing his entire north to south ride bareback. I love riding bareback. Its the difference between dancing with a girl in a suit of armour and dancing with a girl in a bathing suit  always go for the bathing suit, he says.

The turning point came last year when he hunted bareback crash, crash, crash, over the fences, he recalls with a wince.

Jane Fryer confirmed that Sir Humphry is an excellent rider who likes to be in charge after she headed out with him

The canter is okay, he says. But the heavy trot has become mighty uncomfortable. Its perhaps not the best idea in the world.

At home, he rides every evening and is constantly getting lost up in the hills after watching the sun set. I really should wear a head torch.

On this trip he just has Barack, his old retainer and copies of Milton, Shakespeares sonnets and the Koran for company.

I thought the Koran would be interesting, but it was a bit hard and Im afraid I skimmed bits and pieces  Ill have to go back to it.

Though an accomplished rider, Sir Humphry is prone to getting lost in the hills after dark due to his tendency of not wearing a head lamp

But at home things are rather more luxurious, with eight full-time staff and three part-time ghost tour guides. I used to have a butler, but sadly not any more.

His own family pile in the Lake District was sold by an uncle for flats, and he was left yearning for something wonderful with stone and panelling.

So in 1982 he bought Chillingham and spent 20 years single-handedly restoring it from a wreck so decrepit  it needed 16 new roofs and had gaping holes in the walls  that neither the National Trust nor English Heritage wanted it.

His third wife, Katherine, was furious.

I was a maniac to take it on, he says. She wouldnt set foot in it for ten years. Regardless, he then obsessively filled it with tens of thousands of books, antiques, oddments and more than 2,000 pieces of armour from all around the world. The place is so full you can barely move in some rooms.

Im not a hoarder! he insists. Hoarders hide their stuff. I display mine. I love to arrange it.

Sir Humphry Tyrrell Wakefield's beloved Chillingham Castle in Northumberland

Ever since, he has worked frantically with endless money-making schemes  weddings, functions, ghost tours, spooky holiday lets and publicity stunts  to pay the castles astronomical overheads.

The 2014 programme wasnt his only foray into television. Seven years earlier he appeared on Meet The Natives, in which five members of the Kastam tribe from the South Pacific came to stay with him.

They lived in mud huts and wore only woven penis guards at home, and were very excited to inspect Sir Humphrys armour collection. They were dressed because of the cold, but stripped off immediately when they saw it. And then I gave them some field glasses and a dead pheasant each. They were screaming. Thrilled. I must go and visit them. I simply must. No doubt he will.

He seems able to cram everything in, travelling to China to see pandas, trekking in the Turkish mountains, surviving a plane crash on an Antarctic expedition  and coping with two failed marriages.

The friend of Prince Philip and all-round British eccentric survived a quadruple by-pass operation

His first wife, Priscilla Bagot, he says, was just the ticket, until she kicked me out. The second, the Hon Elizabeth Sophia Sidney, was a hugely pretty girl, whose family owned the ruined Lough Cutra castle in Galway, which he did up himself. My starter castle! And then she kicked me out, too.

I do not meet the current Lady Wakefield, but she sounds very crisp on the telephone and, he says, gets cross when he leaves everything to the last minute. But he clearly adores her.

Katherine! The brand new wife of 43 years  shes wonderful.

I like the Russian look of her. Plays the piano, hugely well. Skis, paints.

And she doesnt give a damn. The moment I say Im orf, she just breathes a sigh of relief.

I suspect Sir Humphry might be a little tricky to live with, but he is wonderful fun and exquisite company. I have never met a man  of any age  so overflowing with plans and schemes and energy. Or possessing a more eclectic bucket list.

And with that, one of Britains great eccentrics dismounts, gathers his clanking spurs and furry hat, gives me an enormous hug, kisses my hand and bids me farewell.
For many people, IKEA is synonymous with tiny meatballs, flat pack furniture and pencils to scribble down the Scandi-inspired homewares you want to snap up.

But, according to UK-based society bible, Tatler, the Swedish super store is also home to posh people hunting down an interiors bargain.

With this in mind, FEMAIL spoke to Australian interiors stylist, Emma Blomfield, to find out the ten poshest things in IKEA right now.

The expert also shared her top tips for what to look out for when you're on the hunt for cheap luxurious items.

FEMAIL spoke to Australian interiors stylist, Emma Blomfield (pictured), to find out the ten poshest things in IKEA right now

Her suggestions include a luxurious day bed (left) and a forest green footstool for $149 (right)

Elsewhere, you can find a cot with drawers for $349 (left) or an armchair complete with cushions (right)

'Beautiful white linen with a couple of accent cushions will make this bed look a million dollars,' Ms Blomfield said of this frame

The list - which includes a luxurious day bed, a forest green foot stool and outdoor sofa - all retails for less than AUD $500, but many of the items clock in at much less.

The most expensive item is a luxurious $499 day Breton-striped day bed:

'Use this as a day bed in your living space with over-sized scattered cushions in a variety of colours for maximum impact,' Ms Blomfield told Daily Mail Australia.

Elsewhere, you can also find a woven armchair with cushions for $399: 'Add a decorative cushion to make this pop,' Ms Blomfield suggested.

It's not just adults who can get in on the Scandi homewares action - there are countless children's pieces, including a desk station (left) and multi-coloured chair for $25 (right)

It's not just adults who can get in on the Scandi homewares action.

Ms Blomfield also pointed out countless children's pieces which will be the envy of your family and friends.

A $299 orange and wooden desk was one thing she highlighted. Elsewhere, a multi-coloured chair for $25 for a kids' room is a relative snip.

'Beautiful white linen with a couple of accent cushions will make this bed look a million dollars,' she said.

Meanwhile, she also singled out an $89 bamboo lamp as 'the perfect dining table statement pendant'.

Ms Blomfield also singled out an $89 bamboo lamp as 'the perfect dining table statement pendant' (left)

Speaking about her top tips for snapping up a bargain, Ms Blomfield said it pays to go with the classics.

'Opt for more classic styles rather than funky on-trend designs,' she said.

'Classic styles will blend more easily into most home settings and won't date as quickly.'

The expert also said 'where possible you should opt for solid timber pieces as these are sturdier and will last longer than MDF or plastic'.

'Pick relatively neutral pieces so you can add your own touch with soft furnishings - like cushions in bolder colours.'

This drop leaf table in bamboo and white retails for $249 (pictured)

In recent years, IKEA has become a huge global success, boasting customers from all walks of life.

As well as celebrity fans including Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) in Game of Thrones - who draped himself in faux fur IKEA rugs, the store also has fans in the likes of British actor, Eddie Redmayne, and American actress, Jennifer Lawrence.

Last August, Kanye West even volunteered that he would love to collaborate with the brand.

To find out more about Emma Blomfield, visit her website here.
An 11-year-old girl who wanted to wear shorts to school has won her battle to change the dress code policy after penning a candid letter.

Sofia Myhre, from Perth, called on Education Minister Sue Ellery to consider amending Western Australia's dress code to allow girls to wear shorts to school.

The Wembley youngster revealed her school recently changed the outdated uniform policy - meaning girls are no longer restricted to wearing dresses or skirts.

And following her passionate plea, public schools across the state will now offer girls the option to wear shorts and pants.

Sofia Myhre (pictured with her mother Krystina) who wanted to wear shorts to school has won her battle to change the uniform policy after penning a candid letter

The 11-year-old called on Education Minister Sue Ellery to consider amending Western Australia's dress code to allow girls to wear shorts to school

'I thought it was unfair that my brothers got to wear shorts when they wanted to and they could play sport freely,' little Sofia told 7 News.

Her mother Krystina Myhre said the move to change the dress code is 'one step closer to equality for women'.

In her daughter's letter to the education minister, Sofia revealed she was previously not allowed to wear shorts to school unless they were playing sports.

'I don't like wearing skirts to school,' she wrote.

'I think it's really unfair that my brothers have been allowed to wear shorts and all through primary school. I haven't been allowed to except when I have sport.

'The dresses are even worse but at least you don't have to wear them!

'I really love kicking the footy, netball and doing handstands at recess and lunch. It is annoying doing these things in a skirt.'

The Wembley youngster revealed her school recently changed the outdated uniform policy - meaning girls are no longer restricted to wearing dresses or skirts

Little Sofia said she feels more 'confident' after her school made the decision not to limit students to wearing only dresses or skirts

Little Sofia said she feels happier after her school made the decision not to limit students to wearing only dresses or skirts.

'I am very happy about this,' she wrote.

'I want you to know that we feel more confident now. I think it should be a new rule for every schools so it's fair for everyone.'

The education minister - who recently met with Sofia and her mother - has since asked the department to amend the state's dress code.

'In 2017, we want 11-year-old girls to be active at school, we want to encourage them to be active,' Ms Ellery told 7 News.

'And if they feel uncomfortable doing that in a skirt, we should give them the option of shorts.'

Despite the statewide policy change, private schools will not be affected.
Sherie Hager was just 31 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer four years ago.

The illness quickly began to take its toll but Sherie, who found out in November that the cancer had spread, did not lose her hair.

In fact, people often don't know that she is sick at all.

Thus the 35-year-old, who also suffers from Crohn's Disease, was inspired to write a heart-wrenching blog post about her invisible illness, and the internal battle her body fights every day.

Sherie, of Adelaide, shared her touching story with FEMAIL. These are her words:

Sherie Hager, 35, has been fighting bowel cancer for the last four years. She found out last November that it had spread

But Sherie did not lose her hair, as most cancer patients do. In fact, people often have no idea that she is sick at all

Lately I've had people telling me how well I look, which is great, because I love not looking so deathly pale and fragile.

However, I decided to write this blog post to help educate people that not everyone's exterior is a reflection of their interior.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad I 'look' well and healthy, but in this world of social media, you only see what I want you to see.

Invisible illness! That's what they call it, when on the outside it looks like there is nothing wrong, but on the inside, it's a whole different story.

If I were to show you my CT scans, you would see the true mess that is going on inside.

There are many different types of invisible illness: depression, anxiety, PTSD, fibromyalgia, lupus, to name just a very few.

'Invisible illness! That's what they call it, when on the outside it looks like there is nothing wrong, but on the inside, it's a whole different story,' she wrote in a blog post about her ordeal

Mine? Crohn's Disease and Bowel Cancer. All that has happened to me (and continues to do so) is mostly all internal.

Sure I have plenty of surgical scars. They are hidden underneath clothing and I am not at all ashamed of them. They are proof that I am far greater than whatever tried to kill me!

And yes you can see the weight loss, the pale lifeless skin, the sad eyes and lack of energy, but that's nothing a pretty outfit and make-up can't fix, as well as a good old fashioned belly laugh!

Sherie said it can be 'soul destroying' to think she is 'looking well', only to be told by doctors that nothing with her cancer has changed

I was lucky enough to not lose my hair so I didn't look like your 'typical cancer patient'.

You would have no idea what is going on inside this body of mine  and I don't blame you, nor do I expect you to, because even I find it hard to grasp the fact that I can look seemingly well on the outside, but on the inside it's a completely different story.

It is somewhat soul destroying, to think that you are doing well because you are looking well, and sometimes even feeling well, to have really promising blood results, to feel as though you are finally improving.

But then you are told that no  nothing has improved, at allwell, not internally anyway.

After 32 sessions of intensive hyperbaric oxygen therapy and four weeks attached to IV antibiotics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the internal cavity (aka my open wound) has not improved even slightly.

It is still open, a big vacant space where the tumour used to be, and still at high risk of becoming infected and turning into sepsis again.

Because it was exposed so early on to such serious infection, it just seems to be refusing to heal.

There is also a lot of internal 'thickening' or 'thickened masses' that they don't know whether it's cancer or not.

Sherie (pictured with her sister, niece, and nephew) wants to inspire others to realise that people are 'always fighting battles you may know nothing about'

It's really just a 'watch and wait' scenario now.

I am continuing the IV antibiotics for another four weeks, and once the new hyperbaric chamber at the new hospital is up and running, I will complete my oxygen therapy.

I am focused on creating happy memories, doing what I can when I can, indulging in self-pampering and just taking life one day at a time.

It is hard, really hard, knowing I don't look sick on the outside, but also knowing on the inside my body is working against me.

Every single photo in this blog post, is me with cancer, fighting infection, fighting pain, fighting fatigue. It's an eye opener, but it's reality.

People are always fighting battles you may know nothing about, and battles that may not be visible.

However I choose to be open about this, with hope that I will help educate and create a better understanding.
Prince Harry has issued a rallying call to athletes taking part in this year's Invictus Games.

The royal sent out the heartwarming video message via Twitter on Sunday evening, urging veterans to make the most of the 'life-changing' event that kicks off on September 23.

This year's games, the third of its kind, will have a special significance for Harry, 32, as it will be held in Toronto, the hometown of his girlfriend Meghan Markle.

'I'm looking forward to meeting you in September. I'll be there in the stands cheering you on,' he said in the 25-second clip.

The Prince set up the Paralympic-style event for wounded armed service personnel after his own experiences in the military, after drawing inspiration from the Warrior Games in the US.

This year's Games will also fall just a week after Harry's 33rd birthday - with royal watchers predicting he is keen to pop the question to Meghan before his big day.

The 36-year-old actress, who was born in California, has been based in the Canadian city filming hit legal drama Suits.

The couple are fiercely private and prefer to shy away from the spotlight, but royal watchers will be waiting to see if the pair will make their first public appearance together during this month's Games.

Harry announcing the British Armed Forces Team for the Invictus Games in 2014. He set up the Paralympic-style event for wounded armed service personnel after his time in the military

Harry royal sent out the heartwarming video message via Twitter on Sunday evening, telling athletes gearing up for this year's event: 'You should be very proud of yourselves'

In the clip, he urged veterans to make the most of the 'life-changing' experience. He said: 'I'm looking forward to meeting you in September. I'll be there in the stands cheering you on'

This year's event, the third of its kind, will have a special significance for Harry, 32, as it will be held in Toronto, the hometown of girlfriend Meghan Markle who is there filming Suits

The pair are believed to have met in a dining room at Soho House, the London private members club, in June 2016.

Trips to London followed, before the pair saw in the New Year in Norway to see the Northern Lights, and in March they were reunited in Jamaica for the wedding of Harry's friend Tom Inskip.

Pictures last month of Meghan and Harry embarking on a romantic holiday to Botswana - and rumours of the actress' plans to permanently move into the Prince's Kensington Palace home - have further fuelled speculation that an engagement could be on the cards later this year.
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With the summer drawing to an end, one couple have brought wedding season to a very glamorous finale with nuptials estimated to have cost in excess of 1 million.

Adam Kamani, 28, heir to the 2billion online fashion empire Boohoo tied the knot with his girlfriend Charlotte McHale in Lake Como over the weekend in a lavish three-day extravaganza, estimated to have cost 1 million.

The pair began the festivities with a party for guests, including celebrities such as reality TV star Lucy Mecklenburgh, her Coronation Street star boyfriend Ryan Thomas, and Brooke Vincent - who also acts in Corrie - with live music and dancing with both bride and groom donning traditional Indian dress.

More traditional festivities followed on day two with the bride opting for a princess-esque affair for the marriage ceremony on day three, in a ballgown style dress with lace sleeves, a cathedral veil and glittering tiara.

The couple exchanged vows at the historic Villa Erba, which stands on the site of a convent, founded in the eleventh century by the Benedictine nuns.

Set amid 24 acres of private parkland, the villa has provided the backdrop to many Hollywood films including Ocean's Twelve and is said to be a favourite spot of George Clooney who owns a holiday home in Lake Como.

As guests sat down to dinner, tenors performed O Sole Mio to the accompaniment of a live string quartet and the evening ended with the obligatory fireworks display.

Adam Kamani, 28, heir to the 2billion online fashion empire Boohoo has married his girlfriend Charlotte McHale in a lavish ceremony in Lake Como

Ryan Thomas looked to be having a fantastic time with fellow Coronation Street stars Brooke Vincent (right) and Sacha Parkinson

Lucy Mecklenburgh showing off her trim figure in one of the two saris she wore over the weekend (left). The former TOWIE star was at the wedding with her Coronation Street beau Ryan Thomas

The historic villa built on the site of an 11th century convent is a favourite of Hollywood star George Clooney

Adam is the son of Mahmud Kamani, 52, who managed to turn a Manchester market stall into a vast fortune.

In the run up to the wedding, family members shared pictures of their preparations on social media, with the bride treating herself to an expensive-looking bejeweller manicure, after enjoying a huge hen party with dozens of her friends.

Charlie has been sharing her wedding preparations on her Instagram page, which has over 3,000 followers.

She posted a picture of her new manicure, featuring pale pink polish encrusted with crystals.

Villa Erba Cernobbio Concorso sits in 24 acres of private park land, overlooking Lake Como

Cutting the cake: The couple opted for a simple four tier confection, decorated with fresh flowers (left). The colourfully dressed bride with her new brother-in-low Samir Kamani (right)

The bride wore a variety of outfits over the three-day extravaganza including traditional Indian dress (left) and a traditional white princess dress with a sweeping train (right)

The bride with her new father-in-law Mahmud Kamani (left), who turned a Manchester market stall into a business worth $2 billion

Traditions: The couple take to the floor for their first dance as man and wife (left). Charlotte with her maid-of-honour (right)

The bride had several costume changes throughout the three days of celebrations

The glowing bride poses happily with two glamorous guests (left). Right: Umar Kamani's partner Amy Reddish with his mother Aisha Kamani

Stars such as former TOWIE favourite Lucy Mecklenburgh (left) were among the glamorous guests

Glamorous guests at the Villa Erba which provided the backdrop to the film Ocean's Twelve (left). Wellwishers congratulate the happy couple (right)

In the run up to her big day she also kept her followers updated on her hen do, which she celebrated with a whopping 24 hens.

She captioned the picture: 'If this isn't blessings, I don't know what is.....

'Known some of you over 20 years and some of you 2, but I love each one of you and can't express enough gratitude for you being a part of the most perfect weekend!

'You shine as bright as all the highlighter in this pic and the ladies who pulled it all together, I love you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.. you know me so well, it was perfect in ways I never could have imagined.... you run the world.'

The blushing bride and her posse of bridesmaids pose in their matching dressing gowns on the lawn

It's a family affair: Left to right - Sami Kamani, Amy Reddish, Aisha Kamani, Charlotte McHale, Afam Kamani, Mahmud Kamani and Umar Kamani

Pictured left to right: Adam Kamani, Charlotte McHale, Aisha Kamani, Amy Reddish and Umar Kamani. Adam, 28, the son of Boohoo's billionaire founder, married Charlotte McHale

Adam works for the family business, which is now worth over 2billion after starting out as a market stall

The groom's father Mahmud set up Boohoo in 2006 with the intention of selling up-to-date clothes for low prices.

Today, Boohoo has a workforce of 1,415, with teams in Manchester, Burnley, London, New York and Los Angeles.

It is endorsed by celebrities like Little Mix and the cast of TOWIE, and is worth an eye-watering 2.6 billion

The groom's mother Aisha Kamani, 51, has also been sharing snaps of the wedding party as they prepare for the big day in Italy.

Charlie had 24 hens at her extravagant bachelorette party before her Italian wedding

Charlie had an expensive-looking manicure complete with crystals for her three day celebrations

One picture saw Adam and Charlie pose in front of an expensive-looking floral wall as they cosied up to Aisha, Adam's brother Umar and his girlfriend Amy.

Adam works for his father's business while Umar is the CEO & Founder PrettyLittleThing, another hugely successful clothing brand based in Manchester.

Another picture posted by Aisha sees her wrap her arms around her soon to be daughter-in-law Charlie, with Amy posing behind Aisha.

Confirming the couple are just days away from tying the knot, Aisha captioned the picture 'pre-wedding photo', and added the hashtags #bridetobe and #kamanieverafter.

Aisha also posted a snap after a pre-wedding dinner at expensive sushi joint - and notorious celebrity haunt - Nobu, in Milan.

The groom's mother Aisha Kamani, 51, (pictured centre) had been sharing pictures with her future daughter-in-law (pictured left) with her son's girlfriend Amy (right) after arriving in Italy

The happy couple's celebrations are believed to have cost as much as 1million

The family has a rags to riches back story, with Indian immigrant Mahmud managing to grow his market stall into a multi-billion pound business.

Mahmuds father Abdullah went to school with Mahatma Gandhi in Gujurat, India. Abdullah moved the family to Kenya, where many Indian families had prospered under the British Empire.

Mahmud was born there in 1964, but four years later the Kamanis were forced to flee to Britain by increasing unrest and draconian employment laws that favoured native Kenyans.

Charlie had been keeping fans updated on her wedding plans via her social media pages

They settled in Manchester, where the entrepreneurial Abdullah sold handbags on a market stall to feed his family, before investing in property and founding the wholesale textile business Pinstripe, where Mahmud worked, using family connections in India to source garments.

By the early 2000s, the firm was selling nearly 50 million of clothing a year to High Street names such as New Look, Primark and Philip Greens Topshop.

The family were pictured enjoying an extravagant pre-wedding meal at Nobu in Milan

Spotting the potential in the growth of the internet, Mahmud set up his online retailer in 2006 that would deliver their own-branded fashion at rock bottom prices, starting out with just three staff and operating out of a Manchester warehouse.

Today it has a workforce of over 1,000, and celebrity advocates including everyone from Little Mix to Tallia Storm.

Little Mix have endorsed Boohoo, with Jade (second from right) wearing a gold jacket from their range
He's only four days old but the newest member of Sweden's royal family has already made his big public debut.

Prince Carl Philip, 38, and his wife Princess Sofia, 32, have shared the first image of their adorable baby son, taken at their home Villa Solbacken.

New mother Sofia looked glowing as she held hands with her handsome husband, while the new arrival slept peacefully in his baby seat.

The prince was born last Thursday at 11.24 am at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, and although the parents have decided on a name they have not revealed it to the world just yet.

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Prince Carl Philip, 38, and his wife Princess Sofia, 32, have shared the first image of their adorable baby son at their home Villa Solbacken

The couple are already parents to one-year-old Prince Alexander

Just hours after his son arrived fresh-faced Carl Philip - who was present throughout the birth - was ready to face the cameras, giving a press conference to reveal that the new arrival was a baby boy.

He revealed that it was a quick birth and that he had cut the umbilical cord of his son who was born weighing 7.4 lbs and measuring 49 cm.

But he initially seemed to give a rather alarming indication of the size of his son stretching one hand to the height of his face and the other to below the waist, while a member of staff giggled in the background.

The baby boy is the second son for Carl Philip and his former model wife Sofia, who welcomed Prince Alexander in April last year.

The couple with Sofia's sisters (left) and Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria (right) at Alexander's christening

On that occasion, the Prince also gave a press conference to reporters within hours of his son's birth.

'When asked if he had cried during the birth, the prince replied, according to People magazine: 'Yes, actually. Of course. Couldn't stop.

'For me and my wife, this is obviously a great day with a lot of emotion. Words cannot describe.'

Just 11 months after the birth of her first child, it was announced that former model Sofia was pregnant again

When Alexander was just 11-months-old, the couple announced that Sofia was already expecting her second child.

In an official statement on the Swedish Royal Court's website, the couple said: 'We are happy to announce that we are expecting a child, a sibling to Prince Alexander.

'We are looking forward to welcoming a new little member to our family.'
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The Duchess of Cambridge spent the day with her mother as the world awoke to the news that she is expecting her third child, it was revealed today.

A delighted Prince Harry gave a thumbs up as he hailed the 'fantastic' announcement from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - who were forced to tell the world about the pregnancy early because Kate has again been struck down with severe morning sickness.

Kate's mother Carole Middleton was seen leaving Kensington Palace in a black Land Rover, where she had spent the day with her daughter, who is suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

The Duchess, 35, who is believed to be between eight and 12 weeks pregnant, battled chronic morning sickness during her first two pregnancies and was hospitalised when expecting George in 2012.

She is still hopeful she will be able to take Prince George to his first day of school, sources have said.

But a decision will not be made until the time comes on Thursday morning as Kate battles her debilitating morning sickness.

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Kate's mother Carole Middleton was last night seen leaving Kensington Palace in a black Land Rover, where she had spent the day with her daughter

Prince Harry gave a thumbs up in Manchester yesterday and said it was 'fantastic' to be having another niece or nephew, adding his sister-in-law (right last week) was doing 'ok' despite feeling so poorly

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured together last Wednesday) are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace has announced

The Duchess, 35, is believed to be between eight and 12 weeks pregnant and looked well last week, but had been forced to cancel a London engagement bringing forward her pregnancy announcement

This is the moment that Kate joked about having more children with William in July while in Poland and told him: 'We will just have to have more babies' after being given a Whisbear cuddly toy that soothes newborn babies

The Queen looked delighted at the news as she opened the new Queensferry Crossing spanning the Firth of Forth yesterday

Last week Kensington Palace announced that George, four, would arrive for his first day at Thomass Battersea primary school, in south-west London, with his parents for a brief photocall.

Both have made clear that they want to do the school run as much possible  even though it will take them up to 40 minutes each way from the palace.

But an aide told the Mail yesterday: Its an important day in a childs life and like any mother she will do her utmost to be there. Unfortunately the Duchess wont be able to make a decision until nearer the time, when she sees how she is feeling. If she can be there, she will.

Yesterday she was forced to miss her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London, and is being cared for at Kensington Palace.

Harry was the first royal to comment publicly and said he was 'very, very happy for his brother William and his wife, adding that his sister-in-law was 'okay'.

George, four, and Charlotte, two, will have a new sibling next April or May and the happy news was announced in a shock official statement, which said: 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child'.

Her Majesty the Queen said she was 'delighted' to have a sixth great-grandchild and the baby will be born fifth in line to the throne, bumping uncle Harry into sixth place.

The Prince was in Manchester speaking to veterans and their families living in houses created by the BBC's hit DIY SOS show, and in a comical moment local plasterer David Masterton congratulated the Prince on 'your kid having a baby', to which Harry replied: 'Thanks very much' with a broad grin on his face.

The race to guess the baby's name has already started with bookmakers saying Alice or Victoria are the clear favourites if it's a girl and Arthur or Albert are most likely of it's a boy.

In July Kate hinted at a third child on a royal tour of Poland with her family. She was given a Whisbear cuddly toy meant for a newborn and said to William, laughing: 'We will just have to have more babies'.

The Prince of Wales is first in line, followed by William, Prince George and the couple's daughter Princess Charlotte, who is two.

News of Kate's pregnancy began to leak out when photographers arriving early for her official engagement in London were told by staff that it had been unexpectedly cancelled at the last minute with no explanation. Hours later Kensington Palace confirmed rumours she was expecting again.

It's not known how far along in her third pregnancy the Duchess is, but while expecting Princess Charlotte she had to make the announcement prior to the crucial 12-week stage when severe morning sickness forced her to cancel engagements.

The condition led to her being hospitalised during her first pregnancy.

It is extremely unusual for the Duchess to cancel public engagements - she was pregnant and sick on the last few occasions.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is common, affecting around 15 per cent of all pregnancies. However in its extreme form - where a pregnant woman is admitted to hospital or suffers the condition throughout her pregnancy - it is much more rare.

It is much more serious than the nausea commonly experienced by expectant mothers.

The condition is thought to be caused by elevated levels of 'pregnancy hormone' HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, which increases after conception.

The happy news that George, four, and Charlotte, two, will have a new sibling next year came via Kensington Palace - who were forced to release the news because Kate has severe morning sickness again

Kate has made no secret of her desire to expand the family and is one of three children herself

Her Majesty was all smiles as she met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the Queensferry Crossing ahead of the grand reopening

Harry was in Manchester speaking to veterans and their families who are residents in houses created by the BBC television show, DIY SOS

Tell-tale gesture that might have given us a clue: Duchess of Cambridge wore a green dress and placed a protective hand on her stomach in photos taken a week before her pregnancies were announced The Duchess of Cambridge has never made any secret of the fact she would like to add to her family. Pictured: Kate puts a hand to her stomach at Kensington Palace with Wills last week Another bump, another green dress: Kate holds her belly while pregnant with Prince George in 2012 (left) and Princess Charlotte in 2014 (right) Showing Kate with a protective hand over a green dress, do these photographs reveal a tell-tale sign? For the colour of the Duchess of Cambridges dress and her pose arent the only thing the pictures have in common  she is also pregnant in all of them. As she was pictured in the Diana memorial garden at Kensington Palace last week, the duchess unwittingly mirrored the pose she had struck while pregnant with both Prince George and Princess Charlotte. About a week before the announcement at the end of 2012 that she and William were expecting their first child, the duchess was photographed at an event in the Natural History Museum in London wearing a bright green dress with her hand placed over her midriff. Then 18 months later, as she was pregnant with her daughter  but before the official announcement  Kate was at Wimbledon to watch the tennis, again making the gesture. On that occasion, the dress that she wore had a pattern of blue and green. Some have pointed to the fact that green is a colour that is said to represent fertility, growth and harmony. The duchess also appears to have altered her hairstyle each time, which some say is another recurring theme. For her first pregnancy she had a long cut with a fringe, but she then cropped her locks to shoulder-length for Charlotte. Yesterdays news comes little over a month after she appeared in public with noticeably shorter hair. Advertisement

The couple have two children, Prince George, four, and two-year-old Princess Charlotte.

And the Duchess' uncle Gary Goldsmith has rushed to express his congratulations for the new arrival.

Gary said: 'It's the best news I've had so far this year. She's a natural mother. I wonder if she will stop at three? I doubt it. They are having such fun with the babies.'

The royal couple already have a live-in nanny to care for George and Charlotte and there is speculation that Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo could be joined by a second full-time nanny.

Kate has had both children at the exclusive Lindo Wing attached to St Mary's Hospital, Paddington and after two successful deliveries she is more than likely to return there in April or May.

William was born there in 1982 when his mother Diana gave birth for the first time.

Kate suffering with severe morning sickness that put her in hospital while pregnant with George Excessive nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), and often needs hospital treatment. Unlike regular morning sickness, HG may not get better by 14 weeks. It may not clear up completely until the baby is born, although some symptoms may improve at around 20 weeks. Some pregnant women are sick many times a day and are unable to keep food or drink down, which can have a negative effect on their daily life. Exactly how many pregnant women get HG is not known as some cases may go unreported, but it's thought to be around 1 in every 100. Signs and symptoms of HG include prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting, dehydration and low blood pressure. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

There was a 23-strong team working to help the Duchess give birth in 2013 and 2015.

Marcus Setchell delayed his retirement after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge asked him to oversee the birth of their first child, the third-in-line to the throne.

Jill Dando's fiance when she was murdered, Alan Farthing, 54, now the Surgeon Gynaecologist to the Royal Household after Mr Setchell finished work, is likely to deliver the royal couple's third child.

Kate has made no secret of her desire for a third child, confiding how broody she feels on several occasions.

She is one of three and had a happy home life with her sister, Pippa Matthews, and brother, James Middleton, and is close to both of her siblings.

By having more than two offspring, William and Kate are following in the footsteps of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, who went on to have four children - although there was a gap of 10 years between their second child, Anne, and third, Andrew.

An age gap of less than two years between Prince George and Princess Charlotte gave Kate enough time to try for a third before she reached her late 30s, when women's fertility starts to decline more rapidly.

But William - who is one of two siblings - may have needed more convincing.

On an overseas tour to Singapore in 2012, when he was asked by a group of teenagers how many children he would like to have, he said he was 'thinking about having two'.

The couple are parents to Princess Charlotte and Prince George, (pictured in Poland in July) who is due to begin school at Thomas's in Battersea, south west London on Thursday

While in Poland the Duchess, 35, was seen at an event and held up a glass of wine, but barely drank it, witnesses said

Here is how the line of succession will look once the new royal baby is born - bumping Harry out of the top five

The couple talked openly of having a family when they announced their engagement and planned ahead by saving the top of their wedding cake - traditionally served at the christening of a first-born.

The news was announced as the royal couple were preparing to send their eldest child, Prince George, off to school for the first time on Thursday.

But she could miss the school start if she remains too unwell to leave Kensington Palace.

They have chosen a fee-paying independent school in a south London borough for their four-year-old son.

Thomas's Battersea will welcome the young prince and his parents on Thursday.

George's first day at school will also mark a new chapter for the Cambridges as they are now mainly based in their Kensington Palace apartment rather than their Norfolk home Anmer Hall.

William, who quit his job as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance in July to become a full-time royal, is also due to attend the National Mental Health and Policing Conference in Oxford on Tuesday.

The couple's third child will be born fifth in line to the throne, bumping uncle Harry out of the top five and into sixth place.

The Prince of Wales is first in line, followed by William, Prince George and the couple's daughter Princess Charlotte, who is two.

Kate had been due to visit the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London to hear about the mental health impact of becoming a mother.

Clarence House said of heir to the throne Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall: 'They are delighted at the news.'

Kate was all smiles as she braved the London rain last Wednesday but is now feeling unwell

Kate, pictured left when she was eight months pregnant with Princess Charlotte, has been suffering from severe morning sickness - and fought it when she had her first two children

Kensington Palace visitors were delighted that Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting their third child.

A brief appearance of an ambulance made some concerned the Duchess was being taken to hospital but it later emerged a visitor had fallen ill in the gardens.

Caroline Hughes, 62, from Lancaster, said she heard about the announcement as she was travelling to visit the palace gardens with her husband.

She said: 'We literally heard the news just before we came and we're delighted for William and Kate.

'They're such a lovely couple, we always keep an eye on what they're doing, so to be visiting London makes it extra special.

'We'd heard she's suffering with bad morning sickness and obviously hope she's okay and wish her all the best.

'I remember last time when Charlotte was born she had the same thing.'

Alice Walsh, 41, from Dorking in Surrey, said: 'I'm delighted for them.

'George and Charlotte are adorable and it's so lovely they'll have another little brother or sister.

'The Royal Family are great for this country and Prince William and Kate are such good representatives, it means a lot to be here with the announcement being made.

'Who knows, in future we might also be hearing about baby number four, I think that would be wonderful.'

Royal gynaecologist Doctor Marcus Setchell (centre) delayed his retirement to deliver Prince George - he has been replaced by Alan Farthing (right), Jill Dando's former fiance, who helped deliver Charlotte and is likely to do the same for baby three with the help of Guy Thorpe-Beeston (left)

The royal couple already have a live-in nanny (left) to care for George and Charlotte and there is speculation that Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo (right with George in the window at Buckingham Palace) could be joined by a second full-time member of staff

First gorgeous George melted out hearts, then along came a perfect princess... now we just can't wait to meet Royal baby number three!

The nation rejoiced yesterday with the exciting news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be welcoming their third child.

With Kensington Palace confirming the upcoming royal birth, we look back at some of the happiest moments from the young royals' lives so far.

These pictures chart how Prince George has flourished from an adorable bundle tenderly held in his mother's arms to a caring big brother for little sister Charlotte.

And the highlights of perfect Princess Charlotte's life are remembered including her turn as a flower girl at Aunt Pippa's wedding.

A mother's delight: Kate's smile lights up the nation as she leaves hospital with Princess Charlotte in May 2015

Kate departs The Lindo Wing with George two years earlier. Now we have the thrilling news that baby No 3 is on the way

First gorgeous George melted our hearts...

Welcome to the world: This adorable bundle, wrapped in a woollen blanket and cradled in his mother's loving arms, is the day-old George as he is taken home to Kensington Palace by his parents on July 23, 2013

We're a family: A delightful informal photo taken by grandad Michael at the Middletons' home in Bucklebury, Berkshire

Proud dad: William holds George at his christening in London in October 2013

The playful Prince: George wins a legion of fans Down Under in April 2014 as he enjoys himself during his first official tour in New Zealand  and then gives his mum a cuddle

Here's looking at you, kid: Kate and William's dog Lupo gazes at adorable George in a portrait at Kensington Palace when he was eight months old

First steps: The toddler Prince masters the art of walking using his arms to steady himself

I'll take care of you: Kate snapped this tender moment at Anmer Hall, Norfolk, after Charlotte's birth in 2015

...then along came a perfect Princess

Pleased to meet you: The world gets its first glimpse of Charlotte outside St Marys Hospital, London, in May 2015

We couldn't be happier: The Duke and Duchess released this photo of their family at Kensington Palace, taken in late October 2015, to coincide with Christmas and the announcement that Prince George would start nursery that January

A girl just wants to have fun: Little Princess Charlotte is captured left - again by her talented photographer mother - squealing with delight as she plays with her teddy bear at Anmer Hall and, right, enjoying herself in the garden with a trolley full of coloured alphabet bricks

Snow Princess: A toothy smile and a little cold red nose on her first Alpine skiing holiday with dad William in March last year

Theres the photographers, Mum: Getting used to royal life on a tour of Canada last October

Im two today: A faraway look in Charlottes eyes in this birthday portrait taken by Kate

Duty calls: Charlotte on parade as a flower girl at Aunt Pippas wedding in May this year

Double trouble: Charlotte, George and the royal party on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour in June

What fun we'll have with out little playmate!

And soon there will be three: George and Charlotte are looking forward to the new arrival

Was this the moment Kate hinted she was pregnant again? Laughing Duchess told William 'We'll just have to have more babies' during their royal tour of Poland seven weeks ago (and she barely touched her glass of wine)

The Duchess of Cambridge announced she is expecting her third child - two months after joking with Prince William that they will 'have to have more babies'.

The 35-year-old was on a royal tour of Poland when she was given a cuddly toy designed for newborns.

Saying thank you for receiving the toy created to help soothe babies, she turned to her husband and joked while laughing: 'We will just have to have more babies.'

The soft toys are designed by Whisbear and are supposed to comfort newborns by mirroring the sounds from the womb.

She speculated about having another child during a reception in Warsaw - just hours before she donned a dazzling ivory gown for a garden party in the Queen's honour.

Kate was on a royal tour of Poland when she was given a cuddly toy designed for newborns and joked with William about having a third

The Duchess, 35, was later handed a soft cuddly toy and joked to William that they need to 'have more babies'

The royal couple (pictured together) attended an event in Warsaw, Poland, in July and were shown a number of toys

Kate attended the event with her husband and was photographed barely touching her glass of wine.

Julia Sielicka-Jastrzebska, who founded the company with her sister, said Kate made the joke after learning the bears were designed for children younger than George, three and Charlotte, four.

She said: 'We gave the Duchess some presents for Prince George and Princess Charlotte. She said they should have more babies, and they laughed.'

Kensington Palace announced the royal couple are expecting their third child together.

The Duchess, who is believed to be between eight and 12 weeks pregnant, battled Hyperemesis Gravidarum during her first two pregnancies and was hospitalised when expecting George in 2012.

The royal couple attended the Queen's Birthday Garden Party in Warsaw and toasted the evening with a drink

'Have a break, have a kid Kate': The world reacts to news of a third royal baby with hilarious tweets - and point out football fan William's paternity leave could coincide with the World Cup

As the news broke that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child it was only a matter of moments before tributes flooded in.

Social media erupted with messages from royalists and well-wishers congratulating the couple on their pregnancy.

Kensington Palace took to Twitter to announce the news on Monday morning and the tweet has thus far received over 65,000 likes with the hashtag #RoyalBaby currently the top trending subject on Twitter.

Royal fans have taken to Twitter to share hilarious memes and tweets responding to the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child

Many remarked on the royal couple's ever growing brood, parodying the announcement with movie sequels

But on top of felicitations, it didn't take long for wise-cracking netizens to share their hilarious tweets in response to the news.

Several memes have already popped up in reaction to the announcement including one witty tweeter who shared 'have a break, have a kid Kate' parodying the famous KitKat slogan.

Elsewhere users couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic toward Prince Harry whose position as fifth in line to the throne has now been ousted to sixth.

Other fans were highly amused by one local paper's coverage of the news with Daily Post opting for the headline 'Former Anglesy helicopted pilot expecting third child'.

Many remarked on the couples ever-growing brood parodying the announcement with movie sequels with one Twitter user referring to the royal heir as 'Royal Baby: Tokyo Drift'.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child" pic.twitter.com/JMPVdRgKkd  Ed Brody (@chiefbrody1984) September 4, 2017

There were also puns a plenty with Amanda receiving more than 1,000 likes with her suggested nickname for William and his brood

Others were left surprised at some of the more local coverage of the pregnancy announcement

While the response to the news was overwhelmingly positive several netizens were not as enthralled by the news

Many netizens shared their sympathy for Prince Harry who has been pushed further down in the order of succession

Meanwhile several eagle eyed tweeters accused William of planning the pregnancy specifically for this time, pointing out that two weeks of his paternity leave will take place during the World Cup.

The happy news that George, four, and Charlotte, two, will have a new sibling next year came later via Kensington Palace, who said in a statement: 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child'.

The Queen, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and other members of both families are delighted with the news.

The child will be born fifth in line to the throne, bumping uncle Harry out of the top five and into sixth place.

'Delighted' Queen and Duke of Edinburgh open a new 1.35bn suspension bridge in Queensferry after royal baby announcement

The Queen has officially opened the UK's tallest bridge in a special ceremony, just hours after Kensington Palace announced the news of a new royal baby.

The monarch, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, cut a ribbon to signify the formal opening of the new Queensferry Crossing across the Firth of Forth.

Hundreds of people, mainly schoolchildren, cheered as the Queen cut the ribbon on the south side of the bridge after the royal couple met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, constructors' representatives and local officials.

The bridge was also blessed by Church of Scotland Moderator The Right Rev Dr Derek Browning.

Kensington Palace this morning announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child - adding that the Queen and other members of the royal family were 'delighted' at the news.

'Delighted': The Queen and Prince Philip, who visited Queensferry this morning, are said to be thrilled at the news of Kate and William's new arrival, expected next spring

The event to unveil the 1.35 billion crossing after six years of construction work is taking place exactly 53 years on from the day when the monarch opened the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge.

Philip, 96, bid farewell to his own royal jobs at Buckingham Palace at the start of August but officials stressed that he may still accompany the Queen at her events from time to time.

Speaking earlier about the ceremony, Ms Sturgeon said: 'Importantly, this celebratory event will recognise the thousands of people who have been involved in the construction of the new bridge.

'The Queensferry Crossing is a symbol of a confident, forward-looking Scotland and - as well as providing a vital transport connection for many years to come - it is a truly iconic structure and a feat of modern engineering.'

The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, who is making his first official appearance alongside her since retiring from solo royal engagements last month

Deja vu: The event to unveil Britain's tallest bridge is taking place exactly 53 years on from the day the Queen opened the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge, on 4 September 1954

A right royal reception! Hundreds of people, mainly schoolchildren, cheered as the Queen cut the ribbon on the south side of the bridge after the royal couple met Nicola Sturgeon

The cutting of the ribbon took place on the south side of the bridge after the royal couple met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (centre) and constructors' representatives

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks with officials after arriving on the Queensferry Crossing for the official opening ceremony, where she was joined by the Queen

The formal ceremony is the high point in a week of events marking the opening of the bridge, more than a decade after plans for it were drawn up.

On Monday of last week the crossing was illuminated by a night-time light show to reflect the symbolic handover of the bridge from the contractors to the Scottish Government.

The first cars drove over the structure in the early hours of Wednesday, with many of the motorists sounding their horns and blowing whistles as they crossed.

Sightseers eager to try out the crossing when daylight came then contributed to long delays on its first day of operation.

Proud great-grandparents: The engagement came after the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child

What is the Duchess of Cambridge's condition? Kate suffers from extreme morning sickness that strikes just 1% of pregnant women and can be DEADLY

The rare pregnancy condition which the Duchess of Cambridge suffers from can be deadly, medical literature shows.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), which strikes just 1 per cent of pregnancies, is a complication that causes excessive nausea and vomiting.

Unlike regular morning sickness, it doesn't fade away with time. It is also considered to be the second leading cause of hospitalisation during pregnancy.

More than 1,000 abortions each year are linked to the severe pregnancy sickness - which can leave some women bedbound.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is the medical terminology for excessive nausea and vomiting. The Duchess of Cambridge is a famous sufferer

The Duchess, 33, cancelled engagements last autumn as she battled HG

It may not clear up completely until the baby is born, although some symptoms may improve at around 20 weeks.

Some pregnant women are sick many times a day and are unable to keep food or drink down, which can have a negative effect on their daily life.

Many mothers-to-be may lose up to 10 per cent of their body weight when they are supposed to be gaining about 1lb a week.

This can trigger a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine known as ketosis as the body tries to compensate for lack of food.

Exactly how many pregnant women get HG is not known as some cases may go unreported, but it's thought to be around 1 in every 100.

Signs and symptoms of HG include prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting, dehydration, low blood pressure and rapid weight loss.

In 2012, while expecting Prince George, she was admitted to hospital when HG left her severely dehydrated (pictured with Princess Charlotte in May 2015)

Hospital treatment for these women is essential, as without intravenous feeding and fluids they are at risk of becoming dangerously dehydrated.

Until intravenous hydration was introduced in the 1950s, it was the leading cause of maternal death, Marlena Schoenberg Fejzo, a medicine researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, previously told The Conversation.

Could her extreme morning sickness mean Kate is going to have another girl? Last year, researchers found those with extreme morning sickness are slightly more likely to have girls. According to New Scientist, one theory is the Trivers-Willard hypothesis which suggests when there is a lack of nausea it could be a son. However, in tough times, a daughter is safer for a mother to pass on her genes to as weaker males are less likely to succeed. Given a third of pregnancies with HG result in miscarriage, this could help to explain why fewer boys are born to women with the condition, the study said. Advertisement

But she warned that the condition is neither well-understood nor well-known, even with the 'flurry of headlines' after it was announced Kate was struck down by it.

The condition can also affect the baby's development and there is a risk it will be premature or have a very low birth weight.

In severe cases, the sickness can trigger a miscarriage. It can also cause an abnormally fast heart rate in the mother, medical literature states.

The condition is thought to be caused by elevated levels of 'pregnancy hormone' HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, which increases after conception.

There is no cure but one of the most effective treatments is the drug Ondansetron, which is taken twice a day at a cost of 3.50 per pill.

Caitlin Dean, chairman of Pregnancy Sickness Support, previously said: 'The severity of the condition should not be underestimated and the risks and complications of not treating it need to be appreciated.'

The Duchess, 33, cancelled engagements last autumn as she battled HG. And in 2012, while expecting Prince George, she was admitted to hospital when HG left her severely dehydrated.

Duchess of Cambridge's third pregnancy means a sibling for George and Charlotte is set to arrive in late April  but what will the newest family member be called?

The Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant with her third child, a sibling for Prince George and Princess Charlotte - but when will the latest family member arrive?

While most parents don't announced the happy news until the crucial 12-week stage, the Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, or severe morning sickness, a condition that is usually detected around the six-week mark.

When pregnant with Princess Charlotte, Kate had to announce the news early after the condition forced her to pull out of planned engagements and yesterday's announcement from Kensington Palace came as she cancelled a planned visit to a children's charity in London this afternoon.

Presuming Kate is around six to eight weeks pregnant' the new arrival can be expected in late April or early the following month, around the time of Princess Charlotte's birthday on May 2.

The Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant with her third child, Kensington Palace has announced (pictured on her wedding day on April 29, 2011)

The couple will also be busy considering baby names in the next months, with Alice and Victoria the most popular choices for a girl and Arthur and Alexander the favourites for a boy.

Bookies Ladbrokes are already taking bets on the new arrival, making it even money George and Charlotte are joined by a sister, and the same price is on offer for a brother.

If it's a girl, Alice is the favourite name while Arthur tops the charts for a boy.

It's likely the couple will choose a name with some kind of royal significance.

But as the new baby will be fifth in line to the throne there's no pressure to name them after a past monarch like big brother and future king, Prince George.

New royal baby will see Prince Harry pushed down to sixth in line to the throne... but law change means Princess Charlotte will stay as fourth even if Kate has a boy

The birth of Duchess of Cambridge's third baby will mean that Prince Harry will become sixth in line to the throne, while Princess Charlotte will remain fourth in line.

The current order of succession is Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, followed by Charlotte and Harry.

A law change in 2013 before the birth of George means that male members of the royal family no longer overtake their sisters in the line of succession.

This means that Charlotte will remain as fourth in line to the throne, regardless of whether the new baby is a boy or a girl.

The Duchess of Cambridge's third baby will mean that Prince William will become sixth in line to the throne

However, Charlotte will remain in fourth in line to the throne, regardless of whether the new baby is a boy or a girl

The Royal Succession bill was rushed through Parliament following the announcement that Kate was pregnant with her first child in 2012.

The law change was made to ensure that William and Kate's first child could succeed to the throne, regardless if the baby was a boy or a girl.

How new succession law means boys no longer get bumped up the list over girls The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 altered the laws of succession. It replaced male-preference to allow the eldest child, regardless of gender, to precede their siblings. The act also ended the disqualification of a person who married a Roman Catholic from the line of succession, and removed the requirement of those outside the first six persons in line to the throne to seek the Sovereign's approval to marry. It was brought in accordance with the 2011 Perth Agreement - made by the prime ministers of the 16 Commonwealth realms. Advertisement

The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 was brought in accordance with the 2011 Perth Agreement, which was signed off by prime ministers of the 16 Commonwealth realms.

The act also ended the disqualification of a person who married a Roman Catholic from the line of succession, and removed the need for those outside the first six persons in line to the throne to seek the monarch's approval to marry.

There had been fears there could be a constitutional crisis if Kate and William had a baby girl before the law was changed.

But the Queen approved the historic change by giving royal assent to the Succession to the Crown Act in April 2013, before the birth of George in July.

Under the ancient rules of male primogeniture, first born royal daughters in direct line to the throne were overtaken by younger male siblings.

However, the law was widely criticised and viewed as outdated and discriminatory.

The scrapped law of male primogeniture only allowed Elizabeth II to become Queen because she did not have any brothers.

The change in succession rules is not retrospective, so the Princess Anne did not jump ahead of her younger brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

After Harry in the line of succession is Andrew, followed by his daughters princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Business as usual! Prince Harry is all smiles as he arrives in Manchester for a day of engagements - as it's revealed the new royal baby will oust him as fifth in line to the throne

This morning's announcement of a third baby for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has pushed Harry out of the top five in the line of succession, making him sixth in line to the throne.

But it was business as usual for the Prince this morning, who looked in great spirits as he arrived in Manchester for a day of engagements.

The visit begins with a return to Canada Street in Newton Heath, which he visited two years ago as part of the BBC's DIY SOS project, to redevelop derelict homes for ex-service personnel.

Harry (pictured in Manchester) said the news of a new baby was: 'Fantastic. Great' and when asked how Kate was, he said: 'I haven't seen her for a while but I think she's OK'

Prince Harry arriving for a visit to Canada Street in Manchester, which underwent a DIY SOS transformation in 2015

Prince Harry was visiting Manchester to see health workers helping those affected by the terror attack on the city.

Harry will visit the NHS Manchester Resilience Hub, set up as a dedicated mental health service for those affected by the suicide bombing of Manchester Arena on May 22 which left 22 dead and scores injured.

Later he will travel across the city to Manchester City Football Club to drop in on a training session with local schoolchildren given by apprentice sports coaches.

His last engagement will be to attend a reception hosted by the Rugby Football League (RFL), where he will meet members of the England squad, as well as coaches such as Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Denis Betts and Paul Sculthorpe along with support staff as they prepare for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this autumn.

The royal is set to be pushed down to sixth in line to the throne following the arrival of Kate and William's third child
Nicola Sturgeon risked a Royal faux pas today as she reached out and touched the Queen at the opening of the new Forth road crossing.

Scotland's First Minister and Her Majesty were both involved in the official opening of the Queensferry Crossing - the 1.35billion road that is Britain's tallest bridge.

Ms Sturgeon's action is a breach of Royal etiquette but no longer breaks strict protocol surrounding the Queen.

Kensington Palace this morning announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child - adding that the Queen and other members of the royal family were 'delighted' at the news.

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In a break with royal etiquette, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reached out and touched the Queen's arm during a photo call after the monarch officially opened the bridge

'Delighted': The Queen and Prince Philip, who visited Queensferry this morning, are said to be thrilled at the news of Kate and William's new arrival, expected next spring

Kensington Palace this morning announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child - with Kate, 35, suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum

The SNP leader is the latest dignitary in recent years to fall foul of rules about touching the sovereign.

Michelle Obama shocked many by wrapping an arm around the Queen while on a visit to Buckingham Palace in 2009.

As recently as this year, a Canadian official broke the rules by guiding Her Majesty down some steps.

While there is no official protocol when it comes to greeting the monarch, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson has previously said they 'don't issue instructions on not touching the Queen.'

Today's event to unveil the 1.35 billion crossing after six years of construction work is taking place exactly 53 years on from the day when the monarch opened the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge.

Michelle Obama shocked many by wrapping an arm around the Queen while on a visit to Buckingham Palace in 2009 (pictured right) while a similar incident happened earlier this year when the Canadian Governor General guided the sovereign down steps

The bridge was also blessed by Church of Scotland Moderator The Right Rev Dr Derek Browning.

Philip, 96, bid farewell to his own royal jobs at Buckingham Palace at the start of August but officials stressed that he may still accompany the Queen at her events from time to time.

Speaking earlier about the ceremony, Ms Sturgeon said: 'Importantly, this celebratory event will recognise the thousands of people who have been involved in the construction of the new bridge.

'The Queensferry Crossing is a symbol of a confident, forward-looking Scotland and - as well as providing a vital transport connection for many years to come - it is a truly iconic structure and a feat of modern engineering.'

A right royal reception! Hundreds of people, mainly schoolchildren, cheered as the Queen cut the ribbon on the south side of the bridge after the royal couple met Nicola Sturgeon

The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, who is making his first official appearance alongside her since retiring from solo royal engagements last month

Deja vu: The event to unveil Britain's tallest bridge is taking place exactly 53 years on from the day the Queen opened the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge, on 4 September 1954

Breaking with tradition? While there is no official protocol, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson has previously said they 'don't issue instructions on not touching the Queen'

The Duke of Edinburgh, who officially stepped down from his royal duties last month, is no doubt delighted that they will soon be welcoming a sixth great-grandchild into the family

The cutting of the ribbon today took place on the south side of the bridge after the royal couple met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (centre) and constructors' representatives

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks with officials after arriving on the Queensferry Crossing for the official opening ceremony, where she was joined by the Queen

The Queen meets construction workers who worked on the Queensferry Crossing during the official opening of the new bridge across the Firth of Forth on Monday morning

A riotous reception: Members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland march on the Queensferry Crossing as part of the official opening ceremony

Dresed in kilts, members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland march on the Queensferry Crossing which took six years and 1.35bn to construct

The formal ceremony is the high point in a week of events marking the opening of the bridge, more than a decade after plans for it were drawn up.

On Monday of last week the crossing was illuminated by a night-time light show to reflect the symbolic handover of the bridge from the contractors to the Scottish Government.

The first cars drove over the structure in the early hours of Wednesday, with many of the motorists sounding their horns and blowing whistles as they crossed.

Sightseers eager to try out the crossing when daylight came then contributed to long delays on its first day of operation.

Proud great-grandparents: Today's engagement comes amid the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child

Major project: The 1.7-mile Queensferry Crossing - the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world - is the third structure connecting the Lothians and Fife

The bridge then closed again on Friday to allow 50,000 people the opportunity to take part in a 'once in a lifetime' chance to walk over the bridge during the weekend, ahead of the royal opening event. It will reopen to traffic on Thursday.

The Red Arrows marked the occasion with a flypast while a flotilla of boats travelled under the bridge.

Philip's attendance at the event sees him making his first official appearance alongside the Queen since retiring from solo royal engagements last month.

He bid farewell to his own royal jobs at Buckingham Palace at the start of August but officials stressed he may still accompany the monarch at her events from time to time.

The 1.7-mile Queensferry Crossing - the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world - is the third structure connecting the Lothians and Fife, and sits slightly to the west of the Forth road and rail bridges.

Construction of the trio, beginning with the world-heritage-status Forth Bridge in 1883, spans three centuries.

Speaking earlier about the ceremony, Ms Sturgeon (right) said: 'Importantly, this celebratory event will recognise the thousands of people who have been involved in the construction of the new bridge'

Historic day: The formal ceremony is the high point in a week of events marking the opening of the bridge, more than a decade after plans for it were drawn up

Fanfare: The Red Arrows marked the occasion with a flypast while a flotilla of boats travelled under the bridge

The need for a new bridge for vehicles emerged 13 years ago when inspections of the Forth Road Bridge's (FRB) main cables uncovered a loss of strength.

Construction of the Queensferry Crossing began in 2011, with a variety of milestones marked along the way.

More than 10,000 people have worked on the site at some point, clocking up over 13 million hours of work.

Around 24 million vehicles are expected to use the crossing each year, reducing the strain on the older road bridge.

The new bridge has a projected life of 120 years but could last for longer than that, experts believe.

The 1.7-mile Queensferry Crossing - the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world - is the third structure connecting the Lothians and Fife and sits slightly to the west of the Forth road and rail bridges.

Construction of the trio, beginning with the world-heritage-status Forth Bridge in 1883, spans three centuries.

The need for a new bridge for vehicles emerged 13 years ago when inspections of the Forth Road Bridge's (FRB) main cables uncovered a loss of strength.

Construction of the Queensferry Crossing began in 2011, with a variety of milestones marked along the way.

More than 10,000 people have worked on the site at some point, clocking up more than 13 million hours of work.

Around 24 million vehicles are expected to use the crossing each year, reducing the strain on the older road bridge.

The new bridge has a projected life of 120 years but could last for longer than that, experts believe.
Royal baby news may be dominating the UK headlines today, but in Sweden there's just as much excitement - over another princely arrival.

This morning new father Prince Carl Philip, 38, headed to church with his parents King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia and other family members for a Te Deum service of thanksgiving to celebrate the arrival of Prince Gabriel last week.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia welcomed their second child on Thursday and this morning they announced the name Prince Gabriel Carl Walther, Duke of Dalecarlia for their son.

The name was announced during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Stockholm between Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Crown Princess Victoria and King Carl Gustaf.

The baby's middle name is in honour of his parental grandfather while Walther is the name of Queen Silvia's late father.

Prince Carl Philip (left) attends a service of thanksgiving for his newborn son Prince Gabriel at the Royal Chapel with his sister Crown Princess Victoria (centre) and her husband Prince Daniel

Swedish King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel attend the Te Deum ceremony at the Royal Chapel for the new born Prince Gabriel

Princess Sofia remained at home with her newborn son, while her husband attended this morning's thanksgiving service at the Royal Chapel.

He was joined by older sister Crown Princess Victoria who looked glamorous in a head-to-toe rose gold ensemble, and her husband Prince Daniel.

Prince Carl Philip, 38, and his wife Princess Sofia, 32, have also shared the first image of their adorable baby son, taken at their home Villa Solbacken.

New mother Sofia looked glowing as she held hands with her handsome husband, while the new arrival slept peacefully in his baby seat.

Prince Carl Philip, 38, and his wife Princess Sofia, 32, have shared the first image of their adorable baby son at their home Villa Solbacken

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Crown Princess Victoria and King Carl Gustaf during an announcement of the name of the new prince, Gabriel Carl Walther, Duke of Dalecarlia

The prince was born last Thursday at 11.24 am at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm.

Just hours after his son arrived fresh-faced Carl Philip - who was present throughout the birth - was ready to face the cameras, giving a press conference to reveal that the new arrival was a baby boy.

He revealed that it was a quick birth and that he had cut the umbilical cord of his son who was born weighing 7.4 lbs and measuring 49 cm.

But he initially seemed to give a rather alarming indication of the size of his son stretching one hand to the height of his face and the other to below the waist, while a member of staff giggled in the background.

The baby boy is the second son for Carl Philip and his former model wife Sofia, who welcomed Prince Alexander in April last year.

The couple are already parents to one-year-old Prince Alexander

The couple with Sofia's sisters (left) and Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria (right) at Alexander's christening

On that occasion, the Prince also gave a press conference to reporters within hours of his son's birth.

'When asked if he had cried during the birth, the prince replied, according to People magazine: 'Yes, actually. Of course. Couldn't stop.

'For me and my wife, this is obviously a great day with a lot of emotion. Words cannot describe.'

Just 11 months after the birth of her first child, it was announced that former model Sofia was pregnant again

When Alexander was just 11-months-old, the couple announced that Sofia was already expecting her second child.

In an official statement on the Swedish Royal Court's website, the couple said: 'We are happy to announce that we are expecting a child, a sibling to Prince Alexander.

'We are looking forward to welcoming a new little member to our family.'
A transgender model has fallen victim to vile trolls after revealing her plans to undergo a womb transplant.

Talulah-Eve Brown, who was the first transgender contestant to appear on Britain's Next Top Model, has received countless comments on Instagram after sharing her intention to carry her own child.

The 23-year-old, who underwent full gender reassignment surgery after filming had wrapped up last year, was branded a 'mutant monster' and 'mentally ill'.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Talulah-Eve, who recently landed a fashion campaign with Forever Unique, admitted she has been left 'upset' by the online abuse and worried it might put off other people who were considering transitioning.

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Abuse: Talulah-Eve Brown, who was the first transgender contestant to appear on Britain's Next Top Model, has been trolled Instagram after sharing her plans to carry her own child

One cruel troll branded her a 'kid's worst nightmare' while another wrote: 'Man who is mentally ill froze HIS sperms to have his own children after transition'.

Talulah-Eve, who was born a boy named Aaron, had her sperm frozen before her reassignment surgery so any children she has will be biologically hers.

The womb transplant procedure, which has been trialled in women in Sweden, would allow her to carry and give birth to the child herself.

Speaking about the abuse she's received, the 5ft 8in beauty queen, from Burton-on-Trent, told MailOnline: 'Why are people so angry and hateful? What have I done that's so bad? The trolls treat me like I've killed somebody. I just want to have a child, what's so wrong with that?'

Admitting that she felt 'singled out', Talulah-Eve added: 'Trolls are usually so quick to make comments regarding my own mental stability. In what way are they qualified to determine whether I'm mentally ill or not?

'I'm more upset for those who may have started their transition, or know they're trans but too scared to start transitioning, because of these comments. I would hate for them to believe these trolls are representative of wider society.'

Cruel: Since revealing plans to undergo a womb transplant, the model has received countless comments on Instagram after sharing her plans to carry her own child

Talulah-Eve dreamed of being the first-ever transgender winner of BNTM, but her dreams were crushed when she was booted off the show in April.

The outspoken model was eliminated by judges in dramatic scenes - and later told MailOnline she felt she'd had to 'work harder' than her fellow contestants.

'There were times when I really envied them and thought, I wish I could wear those leggings without a bulge,' she said. 'But I tried not to let that show.

'I had to work a lot harder. And I felt that pressure sometimes. And I had to think hard about the way I was coming across because I was representing a whole community. It was a tough job. But I think I've done okay.'

Making history: Talulah-Eve dreamed of being the first-ever transgender winner of BNTM, but her dreams were crushed when she was booted off the show in April

Talulah-Eve (back row, third left) said her fellow contestants vying for a modelling contract had no idea she was transgender when they completed their first task, a swimwear shoot

Could womb transplants be coming to the UK? Since 2014, at least five babies have been born to womb-less women after receiving donor wombs in a series of pioneering operations at Gothenburg University in Sweden. Later this year, British doctors hope to start their own charity-funded programme to give donor wombs to at least three UK women. It is the remarkable success of the Swedish team that has triggered calls by transgender women for them to receive womb transplants too. And now some NHS doctors are backing their demands. Consultant gynaecologist Dr Arianna DAngelo, of the NHSs Wales Fertility Institute, said it was right from an ethical point of view. The doctors calls come as Hayden Cross, the first British female-to-male transsexual to become pregnant gave birth to a girl this year. Mr Cross, 21, from Gloucester, who was born Paige, put his sex-change on hold last year so he could have a baby  doing so with sperm from an online donor. Advertisement

The budding model was devastated to learn she was leaving the reality show because, at 23, she was at the top of the age limit and she felt this was her 'last chance'.

Reflecting on her time in the house, the beauty queen added: 'I don't pity myself in any way but I'm a pre-op trans woman in a house full of amazing women with natural-born faces, and I had to achieve that through hormones and surgery.

She also revealed that her 11 fellow contestants vying for a modelling contract with Models 1 had no idea she was transgender when they completed their first task, a swimwear photo shoot.

'The other girls didn't know my story yet so I think that was quite nice that I did well without anyone knowing,' said Talulah-Eve, who was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2014.

'It was quite dramatic when I came out to them that night about my transition. I had to, because my room was the only one that had single beds. All the other rooms had double beds and I felt like I was being treated like a pariah or something.'

When she was booted off BNTM, Talulah-Eve argued that she'd had to work a lot harder than her fellow contestants as she had the pressure of representing the transgender community

The former bar supervisor, added: 'People normally guess because to look at me, you'd never know I was trans, but when you hear me speak, my voice is quite low.'

'This was my last chance to do the show,' she added. 'I'm very fearless, very courageous, nothing scares me.

'I do still have male genital parts, but I can still be as good as the other girls so I decided to just go for it.'

But she felt she had been booted off too soon, adding: 'I don't feel I was given a very good reason.

'I wasn't perhaps the strongest girl in the show but there were certainly girls who weren't as strong as me.

Ambition: The trans rights campaigner (pictured on ITV chat show Lorraine this year) has previously said she dreams of being the first ever transgender Victoria's Secret model

Transformation: Talulah-Eve, who was born a boy named Aaron, had her sperm frozen before her reassignment surgery so any children she has will be biologically hers

'I admit I had a bad week the previous week, and I thank them for saving me that time, but afterwards I think they used me as a bit of a scapegoat as I think I was superb.'

Talulah, who has a black belt in karate and moonlights as a blogger, also revealed Abbey Clancey had advised her to 'tone down' her distinctive beauty look while on the show.

'My eyebrows are tattooed on and I do bold, winged eyeliner and have plumped up lips, and Abbey said I had to tone it down,' she revealed.

'She said I had to go from Jordan to Jourdan Dunn which was good advice. We got rid of the big hair and toned down the eyebrows.'

The trans rights campaigner, who describes her look as 'upscale glamour', has previously said she dreams of being the first ever transgender Victoria's Secret model.
A photographer is making a powerful point to normalize menstrual blood.

Jade Beall, a mother based in Tucson, Arizona, took to Instagram earlier this year to share a photo of herself bleeding freely through her white pants.

In the accompanying caption, the photographer, who has in the past captured the unedited beauty of women's bodies to encourage them to embrace their appearances, explained how women are told on a daily basis that their bodies' natural functions are distasteful.

Making a point: Jade Beall, a mother based in Tucson, Arizona, took to Instagram earlier this year to share a photo of herself bleeding freely through her white pants

'This self portrait is a diagram of how the world reminds me every single day how gross I am,' she wrote.

Beall then pointed out that along with menstrual blood, cellulite, fat rolls, small breasts and pimples are all deemed 'gross', even though changing them sometimes requires extensive treatments that can have serious consequences.

She also highlighted how people tend to think of menstrual blood as taboo, although they have no problem with other kinds of blood being displayed in different settings.

'Menstrual blood is gross. (But violent and gory bloody movies are normal),' she added.

Her post also included a warning as to how judgments passed on women's bodies can affect their self-confidence and mental health.

Getting through: The photographer pointed out how women are told that their bodies' natural functions are distasteful, and her message seemed to resonate with social media users

Reacting: One viewer found the photo 'beautiful' and explained how it prompted her to examine her own feelings towards menstrual blood

'It's no wonder so many of us struggle with depression and with feeling unworthy to feel divine and sacred when we have been ingrained to believe just how gross we are by simply being us: Women, with beating hearts and waves of emotion and years of living, crying, loving, struggling, succeeding, birthing, grieving, aging,' she wrote.

The photographer felt nervous prior to posting her photo, but, as she explained in a Facebook post, decided to do it anyway after taking note of her own apprehension.

Beall ended her post on an empowering note by promising other women she would cheer them on if she noticed any of the oft-maligned details on them.

'If I see you in a supermarket and you have stained the back of your white dress with menstrual blood, I will come tell you how beautiful you are!' she wrote.

'If I see your cellulite, I will compliment the beautiful aliveness of your skin and ask if you wanna see mine!

WOMEN REACT TO PHOTOGRAPHER'S PERIOD SHOT Advertisement

'If I see your rolls or your bones, I will tell you how sacred, precious and divine your body is and how I wonder what it must feel like for your soul to breathe and dance in such a rad collection of molecules!

'If I see your pimples I will tell you that you are just like me. If I see your wrinkles, I will tell you that you have lived a rich life.'

Her post, which has gathered 10,000 reactions on Facebook, seemed to resonate with other women, who left comments commending the photographer for her initiative.

'I love this photo because it takes the viewer out of their comfort zonemaybe not as much as it took you to post it, but still, we are required to process our feelings about it,' one of them wrote.

'And when we do, and realize that it's not the photo, but the stigma around what the photo represents that makes us feel uncomfortableimmediately it is no longer uncomfortable. It's beautiful. It's real. It's honest. I love it.'
Summer is barely over, but NHS campaigners are already demanding extra cash to cope with what they fear will be a disastrous winter.

NHS Providers, a trade association which represents hospital trusts, yesterday called for an emergency cash injection of up to 350million to help the health service get through the winter.

Its chief executive, Chris Hopson, said the NHS is facing its worst winter in recent history if it does not receive an immediate cash boost. And he said patients would be put at risk and waiting lists would soar unless action was taken.

Chief executive Chris Hopson fears the worst winter crisis yet for the NHS if doesn't get an immediate cash boost of 350million

Mr Hopson said: Last winter the health service came under pressure as never before. At its height, the NHS had to provide 4,500 additional beds a day  equivalent to more than eight extra hospitals.

Patient safety was compromised as local services struggled to cope with the pressures. At times, in some places, the NHS was overwhelmed.

We must act now to prevent the situation becoming even worse this winter.

He added: The overwhelming view of NHS trusts is that without immediate extra funding they will not have sufficient capacity to manage this winter safely.

The only way to mitigate these risks is through an urgent NHS cash injection to ensure the NHS has the necessary capacity this winter. The NHS, which has an annual budget of 110billion, was in 2015 promised an extra 8billion by 2020, a sum which later increased to 10billion.

Last year, 2016/17, the NHS received a kick-start  an extra 3.8billion, equivalent to a 3.7 per cent increase. This year the NHS will receive an extra 1.3 per cent, and in 2018/19 only 0.4 per cent. Yesterdays demand comes after long-term accusations that health chiefs waste taxpayers cash.

A Department of Health spokesman said: The NHS has prepared for winter more this year than ever before.

The Department of Health says the NHS is more prepared than ever for winter challenges

But, according to NHS Providers, the latest figures show A&E waits and bed shortages remain stubbornly bad.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which also represents health organisations, said: As [this report] makes clear, NHS trusts are likely to struggle this winter. The truth is that the whole system, including those who commission care, as well as those who provide both health and care services are facing very difficult choices.

Officials said the NHS is fully prepared and hospitals have put an extra 3,000 beds in place.

Pauline Philip, NHS Englands national director for urgent and emergency care, said: The NHS will face challenges this winter but, as NHS Providers have stated, winter planning is more advanced than it was last year and special attention is being paid to areas where pressures are likely to be greatest. We are in the process of assessing how many extra beds trusts are planning to open over winter and early returns indicate that this will be more than 3,000. This is something we will continue to review on the basis of evidence rather than arbitrary estimates.

She said the Government had put 1billion into extra social care, to tackle bed blocking and get people out of hospital quickly.

Niall Dickson says the NHS is likely to struggle this winder as officials say hospitals have put an extra 3,000 extra beds in place

If the expectations for reduced delayed transfers of care [bed blocking] outlined by the Government are achieved, this would free up a further 2,000-3,000 beds over the winter period, she added.

More than 19,000 unexpected deaths in NHS hospitals over the past five years have been ignored because officials have fudged the figures, an expert has claimed.

Professor Sir Brian Jarman said the systematic exclusion of the deaths by NHS chiefs means potentially unsafe hospitals could be overlooked because high death rates are not showing up.

He calculated that there had been 32,810 deaths above the expected level in English hospitals over the past five years.

But using the NHSs preferred method, only 13,627 were classed as such in official statistics  meaning 19,183 unexpected deaths were not logged.

Using Professor Jarmans method, 34 NHS trusts would have been flagged as having significantly high death rates last year. The NHS method counted only ten trusts.

Professor Jarman, emeritus professor at Imperial College London, was ignored a decade ago when he raised concerns about deaths at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, which became a scandal.

Yesterday he said: Because the NHS is using what might be called a fudge factor, they are only identifying ten [hospital trusts]. As a result, we dont know if anybody is taking any notice of these other 24 potentially unsafe hospital trusts.

His method of calculating a hospitals level of unexpected deaths was used by NHS chiefs until 2012. It flags up hospitals with a rate of unexpected deaths more than 6 or 7 per cent above the national average.

NHS Digital statisticians say the approach they have used since then is more suitable as it better reflects the difficulties in comparing death rates among hospitals which serve very different areas.

This flags up hospitals with an unexpected deaths rate 12 per cent above the national average.
Scientists have developed a camera that sees through the human body.

This will help doctors track internal examinations as they occur, rather than relying on expensive X-rays.

The camera detects light sources within the body, such as that on the end of an endoscope.

Such light can even be detected through 20cm of tissue.

The camera is also suitable for use at a patient's bedside.

Scientists have developed a camera (pictured) that sees through the human body

NEW SELFIE APP CAN DETECT THE EARLY SIGNS OF PANCREATIC CANCER A new selfie app can tell you your risk of getting pancreatic cancer. With few detectable symptoms, pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of the disease. Patients have a nine percent chance of surviving five years. Now, researchers at the University of Washington have devised a method to spot the only concrete sign: yellowing of the eyes. BiliScreen uses a smartphone camera to detect increased levels of bilirubin (a yellow substance found in bile) in the white part of your eye - even if you can't see it in a mirror. The standard method to measure bilirubin levels is a blood test, but it is not routinely offered and can be costly. Experts hope the app, which will be debuted on September 13 at a conference in Hawaii, could dramatically lower the rate of pancreatic cancer deaths. Advertisement

'The ability to see a device's location is crucial for healthcare'

Professor Kev Dhaliwal from the University of Edinburgh, who was involved in the camera's development, said: 'It has immense potential for diverse applications, such as the one described in this work.

'The ability to see a device's location is crucial for many applications in healthcare, as we move forwards with minimally invasive approaches to treating disease,' the BBC reported.

Beams from endoscopes pass through the body but usually bounce and scatter rather than travelling in a straight line, which makes it difficult to get a clear picture.

The new camera detects tiny particles of light, known as photons.

Aside from identifying light through thick tissue, the camera also records the time it takes for rays to pass through the body, meaning the device can detect exactly where the endoscope is.

Such a device is part of the Proteus Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration, which is developing technologies for diagnosing and treating lung diseases. It was created alongside Heriot-Watt University.

Left: Light emitted from the tip of a endomicroscope, revealing its precise location in a sheep's lungs. Right: Picture that would be obtained using a conventional camera, with light scattered
A girl who was Britain's smallest baby and was given just a one per cent chance of survival is now living life to the full as a teenager.

Aaliyah Hart, 14, from Birmingham, weighed just 12oz when she was born three months prematurely in 2003.

Just seven inches long, she could comfortably sit in the palm of her mother's hand, while her own palm was no bigger than a five-pence coin.

Doctors warned her mother, Lorraine Hart, 51, Aaliyah would likely die as her lungs had not developed properly.

Now a teenager, she has astounded doctors by pulling through and showing no signs of any health problems.

A girl who was Britain's smallest baby at just 12oz is now living life to the full as a teenager

Aaliyah Hart was born three weeks prematurely and given just a one per cent of survival

Now a teenager, she has astounded doctors by showing no signs of any health problems

PREMATURE LABOUR AND BIRTH Premature babies are those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This occurs in around one in 13 births. Mothers are admitted to a special neonatal clinic. Doctors can give drugs to stop contractions temporarily, which then allows for steroids to be administered. Steroids reduce the risk of the baby suffering complications, namely breathing difficulties and bleeding. Twins and triplets are more likely to be born prematurely. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

'We never thought she would get to this point, she is a miracle baby'

Aaliyah said: 'I was never aware of the fuss when I was born and it has never affected me.

'It was a shock when I saw the clothes I used to wear as a baby, they look like they would be small enough to fit a doll.

'I enjoy drama at school and would like to be an actress one day.'

Aaliyah received hormone treatment as a baby to help her grow and has since achieved all of the important milestones, such as taking her first steps and starting school.

Ms Hart, a social worker, said: 'She is still very petite for her age but she is a happy and healthy teen.'

She worried her daughter would have a hard time at school due to her size but Aaliyah is preparing to start her GCSEs at Queensbridge school in Birmingham.

Ms Hart said: 'She has grown up to be a nice child.

'She's quiet and is well-liked. She's very popular at school with her teachers and her peers and she's a well-grounded teenager.

'We never thought she would get to this point, she is a miracle baby.'

Although petite, Aaliyah hopes to be an actress (pictured with her mother Lorraine, 51)

As a baby, Aaliyah's clothes were knitted by volunteers and could have fit 'a doll'

Ms Hart was advised to have an abortion as her amniotic fluid was decreasing

She refused as she struggled to conceive and had considered IVF before becoming pregnant

Mother was told to have an abortion

Ms Hart was advised to have an abortion after doctors noticed her amniotic fluid was slowly decreasing.

Yet, she was determined to continue with her pregnancy as she struggled to conceive and had considered IVF.

Ms Hart went into labour while at home and was rushed to hospital.

As soon as Aaliyah was born she was put onto a life support machine.

Ms Hart said: 'I didn't even think that she could be the smallest baby in the UK because there were so many small babies on the unit.

'It was actually the nurses who thought she may have been.'

Aaliyah was so small, volunteers knitted special clothes for her.
The rare pregnancy condition which the Duchess of Cambridge suffers from can be deadly, experts warn.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), which strikes just one per cent of pregnancies, is a complication that causes excessive nausea and vomiting.

Unlike regular morning sickness, it doesn't fade away with time and can leave some women bedbound as they are unable to keep food or drink down.

It is also considered to be the second leading cause of hospitalisation during pregnancy and can lead to dehydration - dangerous to both the mother and child.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is the medical terminology for excessive nausea and vomiting. The Duchess of Cambridge is a famous sufferer

The Duchess, 33, cancelled engagements while pregnant with Princess Charlotte as she battled the condition

If dehydration does strike, babies are at risk of deformities because the constant vomiting can deprive the woman's body of amniotic fluid - which the baby needs to thrive.

The condition may not clear up completely until the baby is born, although some symptoms may improve at around 20 weeks.

Some pregnant women are sick many times a day, which can have a negative effect on their daily life.

Many mothers-to-be may lose up to 10 per cent of their body weight when they are supposed to be gaining about 1lb a week.

This can trigger a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine known as ketosis as the body tries to compensate for lack of food.

Exactly how many pregnant women get HG is not known as some cases may go unreported, but it's thought to be around one in every 100.

In 2012, while expecting Prince George, she was admitted to hospital when HG left her severely dehydrated (pictured with Princess Charlotte in May 2015)

The Duchess of Cambridge is now pregnant with her third child, Kensington Palace has announced, and suffering from HG again (pictured on her wedding day on April 29, 2011)

Signs and symptoms of HG include prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting, dehydration, low blood pressure and rapid weight loss.

Hospital treatment for these women is essential, as without intravenous feeding and fluids they are at risk of becoming dangerously dehydrated.

Until intravenous hydration was introduced in the 1950s, it was the leading cause of maternal death, Marlena Schoenberg Fejzo, a medicine researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, previously told The Conversation.

HOW THIS CONDITION COULD PREDICT YOUR BABY'S GENDER Last year, researchers found those with extreme morning sickness may be less likely to give birth to sons. According to New Scientist, one theory is the Trivers-Willard hypothesis which suggests when times are good, it is best to have a son. However, in tough times, a daughter is safer for a mother to pass on her genes to as weaker males are less likely to succeed. Given a third of pregnancies with HG result in miscarriage, this could help to explain why fewer boys are born to women with the condition, the study said. Advertisement

But she warned that the condition is neither well-understood nor well-known, even with the 'flurry of headlines' after it was announced Kate was struck down by it.

The condition can also affect the babys development and there is a small risk it will be born prematurely or have a very low birth weight, which can be deadly as their bodies haven't fully developed.

In severe cases, the sickness can also trigger a miscarriage. It can also cause an abnormally fast heart rate in the mother, according to the NHS.

The condition is thought to be caused by elevated levels of pregnancy hormone HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, which increases after conception.

There is no cure but one of the most effective treatments is the drug Ondansetron, which is taken twice a day at a cost of 3.50 per pill.

Risk factors for the condition include being overweight, having a family history of HG, and having twins or triplets.

Caitlin Dean, chairman of Pregnancy Sickness Support, previously said: The severity of the condition should not be underestimated and the risks and complications of not treating it need to be appreciated.

The Duchess, 33, cancelled engagements while carrying Princess Charlotte as she battled HG. And in 2012, while expecting Prince George, she was admitted to hospital when HG left her severely dehydrated.
If you're having money problems, having a certain DNA twist could leave you more susceptible to migraines.

Going through financial hardship can trigger the debilitating head pain in those with a variant in the CLOCK gene, researchers have found.

Carriers are 20 per cent more likely to be struck down by the common neurological disorder if they struggle to pay the bills, scientists claim.

The findings, made in search of a cure by British and Hungarian researchers, have been dubbed 'interesting' and 'exciting'.

Experts behind the first study of its kind said the circadian gene variants investigated are present in around one third of the population

Going through financial hardship can trigger the debilitating head pain in those with a variant in the CLOCK gene, researchers have found

Lead author Daniel Baksa, of Semmelweis University, Budapest, said: 'This work does not show what causes migraine  there is no single cause.

'But it does show that both stress and genetics have an effect.

'We were able to show that stress  represented by financial hardship  led to an increase in migraine in those who have a particular gene variant.'

It is believed the variants influence how much protein, which controls the body clock, the gene provides the body.

The scientists said this may then impair processes that can prevent migraines in the face of financial stress.

How was the study carried out?

For the study, researchers assessed 999 Hungarian patients and 1,350 from the UK for two variants of the CLOCK gene.

Such a gene plays a key role in regulating rhythmic patterns of the body, including temperature and levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

They found that there was no significant direct connection between the gene and migraine - it only existed under financial stress.

The findings were proved true in both study groups, leading the researchers to believe it to be a 'real effect'.

Mr Baksa, a PhD candidate, said: 'What it does mean is that for many people, the stress caused by financial worries can physically affect you.

A TREATMENT FOR MIGRAINES? Retro-style headphones that heat one ear while cooling the other could help to prevent migraines, it was reported this week. Patients who wore them for just 30 minutes a day over a three-month period suffered half their usual number of attacks, and were also able to cut down their use of preventive drugs, according to the study. Kent University researchers believe the experimental device affects the nerves in the ear, leading to changes in part of the brain stem thought to be involved in the triggering of migraines. The different temperatures  42C in one ear and 17C in the other  are delivered through aluminium earpieces inside the padded headphones. Advertisement

'Migraine involves a huge health and financial burden each year, so any steps we can take to help patients understand their condition will be really welcome.'

Previous findings

Such genetic variants have previously been shown to affect mood disorders, with this study being the first to show a link to migraines.

But the researchers were quick to point out that further trials are needed to see if other circadian gene variants have the same effect.

The findings were presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference in Paris.

Professor Andreas Reif, from University Hospital, Frankfurt, who wasn't involved in the study, welcomed the findings.

He said: 'This is a really interesting study on the interaction of genetics with stress in migraine.

'The study demonstrates how an environmental risk factor exerts its effect only in the presence of a given genetic risk factor.

'This has not been done to a great extent in migraine, making this study an exciting new lead.'

What are migraines?

Migraines are believed to affect around one in seven of the population, with three quarters of sufferers being women.

It is more than just a headache  as well as pain other symptoms include disturbed vision, sensitivity to light, sound and smells, feeling sick and vomiting.

The incapacitating nature of migraines is underestimated and migraine is the sixth most disabling illness in the world, figures show.

Although painkillers and other drugs can ease the symptoms, they don't work for everyone. And as of yet, no drugs have been found to actually prevent the attacks.

Severe headaches can be preceded by an aura - or visual disturbances such as flashing lights, shimmering lines and blind spots.
A day after lieutenant governor Anil Baijal banned the garbage dumping at Ghazipur and ordered the waste to be diverted to Rani Kheda, a site near Rohini in north Delhi, a mahapanchayat of surrounding villages was held.

The issue also created a wedge between the east and north municipal corporations, as the northern civic body mayor, Preety Agarwal, reached the L-G office in the evening to protest against shifting of garbage to the north zone.

Up until Saturday, about 2,500 tonnes of waste was dumped at the Ghazipur landfill site every day.

Garbage trucks have been 'temporarily' diverted to Rani Kheda, near Rohini, north Delhi but a mahapanchayat of surrounding villages was held protesting the move

Residents and politicians there are incensed at the prospect of up to 2,500 tonnes of rubbish being dumped on their doorstep each day, like it was at Ghazipur (pictured)

The mahapanchayat, which was attended by representatives from Rani Kheda village, Mundka village, Mubarakpur, Prem Nagar and Kirari Assembly seat, took a pledge on Sunday that they will 'not allow their village to become a dumping site'.

'It will spoil all our standing crops and cause mosquitoes, flies and fire. Our schools and hospitals will be disturbed,' Bhanotri Devi, a villager at the mahapanchayat, told Mail Today.

Her views were seconded by others at the gathering. In the morning, after the first batch of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) trucks reached the 3.5-acre Rani Kheda vacant site provided by DDA to empty their contents, local residents reached the spot and raised a storm.

The Ghazipur landfill, which is the oldest of its kind in Delhi, was started in 1984 and reached saturation about a decade ago

The landfill site was closed with immediate effect on Saturday following the deaths of two people beneath a landslide of trash

The protesters did not allow the trucks to offload the waste material. At least 10 EDMC trucks with garbage stood at the site without offloading the trash. Three EDMC trucks, which had managed to dump part of the garbage, were reloaded by the villagers who brought cranes for the purpose.

The crowd also blocked the Karala- Mundka and Kirari Main Road for several hours in protest and caused a massive traffic jam. Till late evening, heavy police presence was maintained to ensure the angry protesters did not turn violent.

The villagers had set up a tent at the site for an overnight stay to keep vigil.

Jayender Kumar Dabas, leader of house in the North Municipal Corporation of Delhi attended and addressed the mahapanchayat, violating his party line and directives from senior Delhi BJP leaders.

'This area is thickly populated with over one lakh men, women and children who will be affected directly,' said Dabas, who assured the villagers that Rani Kheda will not be turned into a 'dumping ground for the east zone'.

'There is a kuccha colony right next to the proposed dumping site wall called Yogi Rajpuram. Then there are several other villages which will have to bear the stench and diseases arising from the trash directly. I am the councillor from this area, I have to keep my people's interest in mind,' Dabas said.

Two people died and several others are feared to have been killed in East Delhi after a part of the Ghazipur garbage landfill collapsed on Friday afternoon

A portion of the waste dump in Ghazipur, estimated to be as high as a 15-storey building, slumped over a car and three two-wheelers, pushing the vehicles off the road and into a canal

Congress leader Naresh Lakda was also a part of the villagers' meeting and protest.

NMCD mayor Preety Agarwal, after her meeting with Baijal, said: 'I have been assured by the L-G that Rani Kheda will be used as an alternate site only for a week. Plus, the lieutenant governor has assured us that no animal carcasses from the Ghazipur slaughter house will be brought here at all.'

Vikas Kumar, a villager at the site, said: 'EDMC has no plans or scheme in mind for segregation of this. Who knows tomorrow this will also become a trash mountain like Ghazipur and come crashing on us. Our children will die of asthma and pollution.'

EDMC officers said they will take up the issue of providing an alternate dumping site on Yamuna river bank at NGT on Monday.

However, environmentalists warn that this is the worst possible decision that can be taken with regard to the river which is already highly polluted with waste and sewage.

Manoj Misra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, an NGO, said: 'We cannot let one tragedy (Ghazipur deaths) seed another. We are gravely alarmed at the rumours of reviving a 150-acre dumping site on the Yamuna bank. This will kill the river forever.'
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to take a dive into city's troubled tap waters.

He has decided to take command of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), which is not just sinking under the burden of infighting but also facing criticism over deaths of sewer workers.

The move is seen as an attempt to fix the discord between bureaucrats and the AAP government along with effective measures to streamline water distribution, which is among Kejriwal's top priorities.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has decided to take command of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB)

Sources claim that Rajendra Pal Gautam - who was given the charge of water department three months ago after high drama between the AAP government and its expelled minister Kapil Mishra - will step down from his post likely this week.

According to the government sources, water distribution has always been a concern for the AAP government and the problem became grave after it was pointed out to be one of the most prominent reasons behind the AAP's unsatisfactory result at the civic polls early this year.

Taking no chance, Kejriwal has decided to take charge of the water department as he had done during his first stint of 49 days as chief minister in 2013. This will be his first ministerial portfolio since taking over as the chief minister in February 2015.

Former water minister, Kapil Mishra, was removed from the post after the MCD elections

Sources said Gautam was facing a major hurdle from senior officers, including IAS officers, posted at the DJB who had started bypassing his orders.

Gautam had informed the CM office that top officials were not letting him work and kept him in the dark about crucial matters.

The discrepancy between the officials and the AAP government surfaced because the power of transfer and posting lies with the Lt Governor's office as the services department is with him.

It is believed that the chief minister will now take the matter head-on and fix the trouble.

An Indian city municipal worker attempts to unblock a sewer overflowing in New Delhi

Kejriwal in the past has raised issues related to transfer, posting and insubordination by bureaucrats and has alleged that the BJP-led Central government is trying to stall work done by them.

However, post-MCD polls, the AAP government has made a significant shift in its strategy by not getting into direct political confrontation. Gautam will continue to hold the portfolios of SC & ST, social welfare, cooperative and Gurdwara elections.

Gautam earlier was in charge of tourism and art and culture departments but these were also taken away from him recently.

The decision also comes following the deaths of 10 contractual workers inside sewers and a protest called by a section of engineers who alleged that the agency's CEO had been 'insulted' by a committee of the Delhi Assembly.

Some sewer projects are also under scrutiny over an alleged financial fiddle.

Government sources told Mail Today that the move will also send across a positive message that the chief minister himself is monitoring the most crucial issue of the city.

The AAP came into power by announcing free water and expansion of water network in the city but the Delhi government has faced flak on several occasions in the past due to water distribution.

One of the major controversies broke out when former water minister Mishra was removed after the MCD elections. Mishra later alleged corruption by senior party leaders and claimed that he was targeted for raising issues of corruption against AAP leaders, including Kejriwal.

However, the party said he was removed due to water scarcity in Delhi ahead of MCD elections.

Reacting to the move, Mishra said water department has completely collapsed. He alleged that the Kejriwal government tried to probe works done by him but couldn't find anything.

'I was working on three key plans that included water network in all colonies by December 2017, decentralised sewage plan for the city and Yamuna turnaround plan. But these were stalled by Kejriwal and nothing new was done in the past three months. Jal Board could not spend the budget allocated to it,' Mishra said.
In a strong endorsement of India's stand, the five-member BRICS group on Monday issued a declaration that for the first time that highlighted its shared concerns on terrorism emanating from Pakistan-based terror outfits.

The Xiamen declaration stopped short of naming Pakistan but listed specific terror organisations based there, in a message surprisingly backed by host China, despite its past diplomatic shielding of its 'all-weather' ally from global pressure on terror.

This came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the scourge of terror in an intervention at a summit meeting of the five leaders, which opened in the beautiful seaside city of Xiamen on Monday morning.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan greet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the welcoming banquet for the BRICS Summit, in Xiamen, China

The 30-page declaration, running into nearly 7,500 words, expressed concern on violence caused by 'the Taliban, ISIS, al- Qaida and its affiliates, including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e- Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut- Tahrir.

'This is the first time that it has listed specific organisations,' Preeti Saran, secretary (East) in the ministry of external affairs, told reporters. The declaration also called for 'increasing the effectiveness' of United Nations designations of terror groups.

Whether this will see a change in China's stand at the UN Security Council, where it has for more than a year blocked India's application to list JeM chief Masood Azhar, remains to be seen.

(L-R) Brazil's President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose during the BRICS Summit at Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Centre

Chinese foreign ministry officials couldn't confirm if this would signal a change in China's approach when the listing is reviewed next month.

The declaration also implicitly backed India's stand on its accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, stressing the need for a predictable environment for access to civilian nuclear technology and financing.

The BRICS leaders met amid global attention on North Korea following its sixth nuclear test on the eve of the summit.

The declaration said the countries 'strongly deplore' the test, but also echoed China's view that the Korean peninsula nuclear issue 'should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned'.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a speech ahead of the signing ceremony of the BRICS Business Council at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen

President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) during their meeting at the BRICS summit on Monday

Earlier on Monday, the PM called on the BRICS countries to step up their economic cooperation and described the five emerging nations as a source of stability in an increasingly uncertain world.

The PM also highlighted India's fight against black money and corruption, and a later BRICS business council meeting, said the GST reform was India's 'biggest economic reform measure ever' and had 'in one stroke created a unified market'.

The PM also spoke of programmes like Digital India, Start Up India and Make in India.

The summit concluded with several outcomes on boosting economic and financial cooperation, including credit ratings under the BRICS interbank cooperation mechanism and an interbank local currency credit line.

The PM held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazil President Michel Temer. Modi will also hold a meeting with the President of Egypt, which is among the five counties  Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan  invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.

His last engagement is a bilateral with President Xi Jinping before he flies out for Myanmar on Tuesday afternoon.

India and China look for a new chapter of mutual accord

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on a rainy Sunday evening in the picturesque Chinese coastal city of Xiamen, Chinese officials said they hoped his bilateral meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping would open 'a new chapter' in ties.

Modi and Xi are set to meet on Tuesday morning following the Sunday's BRICS Summit, and both sides are looking to turn the page after the 72-day stand-off at Doklam.

Modi was welcomed at Xiamen airport by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and the Chinese envoy to India Luo Zhaohui.

Modi was welcomed at Xiamen airport by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and the Chinese envoy to India Luo Zhaohui

Due to heavy rain, the PM embarked not from the usual stairs but through an aerobridge.

Ahead of the PM's arrival, Luo, the Chinese envoy, 'expressed his hope that China and India could open a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations taking the forthcoming 9th BRICS summit as an opportunity', the State-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

Luo said 'frequent interactions' between the two leaders - Xiamen will host their ninth meeting - had 'greatly pushed forward pragmatic cooperation' and 'enhanced political mutual trust'.

Handshakes at dawn: The damage the 10-week troop Doklam standoff inflicted on the already frayed India-China relationship will not be easy to repair

Modi will attend the opening of the BRICS Summit today, and over the two days in Xiamen, will also hold several key bilateral meetings before he leaves for Myanmar on Tuesday afternoon.

Besides Xi, the PM will meet with Russia's president Vladimir Putin, as well as the presidents of Egypt and Brazil, and K.V. Kamath, the president of the BRICS New Development Bank.

The end of the Doklam stand-off ahead of the BRICS Summit has been a source of relief for Beijing, which did not want to see the summit get overshadowed.

Beijing had in the lead up to the summit toned down its sharp rhetoric. At the same time, certain hawkish sections of the press have called for Beijing to not play down the row and to celebrate what they call their 'victory'.

'The settlement of the Doklam was undoubtedly a victory for China after it pressured India into ending its speculative tactical intervention in the border region via military, diplomatic and other means,' said a commentary in the Global Times.

'It was a comprehensive demonstration of China's major-country strategy, and the wisdom and the ability of the Chinese leadership. It is no less significant than the armistice of the Korean War (1950-53), or the conclusion of the 1979 China's self-defence war against Vietnam, especially given its peaceful resolution.'

'In this instance,' the commentary added, 'China's concerns that playing tough with India could have jeopardised the BRICS Summit, may instead have bolstered New Delhi's arrogance and paved the way for it to create a scene for China at the summit.'
Among new appointments was Nirmala Sitharaman who was made India's first full-time female defence minister

Part disruption, part continuity imbued with a high premium placed on talent and core competence informed the latest Modi council rejig and one that for all practical purposes would be the last one before the next Lok Sabha polls.

The politics behind this mega narrative is but to ensure that all of Modi's heroes can saddle up for the poll preparations and the efficient junior ministers can carry on the work that has already been cut out for them either in independent charges or as second in command.

While all soothsayers were sent packing when Nirmala Sitharaman was handed over the defence portfolio shortly after being elevated to the cabinet rank by the two top men - PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah - the large number of Ministers of State (MoS) were selected from among former bureaucrats and technocrats, apart from practicing career politicians, for a reason.

Modi put mass-movers on the ground to take on electoral duties and placed respected junior ministers to assist them

A senior BJP leader who did not want to be named said: 'The party is now moving into the poll gear and phase. The party wants all the top leaders, who are the best known and most effective mass movers on the ground to be plunged into the poll mode.

'Most of them also happen to be Cabinet ministers and they should be assisted by able and highly efficient junior ministers who can then take the jobs already cut out for them forward in their respective ministries so that governance does not suffer. Independent charges too have been doled out keeping in mind efficiency and freeing up of the most popular faces for mass politics on the ground.

The choice of Hardeep Singh Puri and RK Singh to independently head MoUD and Power ministries respectively is an attestation of the trust put in them as able administrators as well as recognition of their talent.

Among the new appointments was Nirmala Sitharaman who was made India's first full-time female defence minister

With all flagship schemes of both ministries already in motion, they would be expected to keep things on track, also freeing Piyush Goyal for promotion to lead the beleaguered Railways.

While paucity of manpower to fill the ministerial gaps has been alleged by the Opposition, party leaders maintain that all but two of those appointed as ministers have been elected representatives of the party and that since they are absolutely new to the corridors of power, the Opposition is missing the point due to its 'tunnel vision' of politics.

Another facet of the reshuffle has been the attestation of talent and quality of performance of existing ministers.

Those elevated have had a great track record since they took charge of their ministries.

Sitharaman is credited with taking FDI inflows to a new high and easing FDI rules, thus fulfilling a pre-poll key promise made by Modi.

Goyal achieved several milestones in rural electrification and claims to have turned India into a power-surplus country.

Dharmedra Pradhan's ministry oversaw the success of the Ujjwala Yojana to provide poor households with LPG cylinders. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched several schemes for the uplift of minorities and its endeavours have won BJP hearts of many Muslims.

BJP has also made it clear to its allies that it is the largest party inside the Parliament and the most popular choice of the electorate outside.

While it was speculated that some berths would be given to alliance partners such as a sulking Shiv Sena and Nitish Kumar's JD(U), none were given any space in the new scheme of things.

BJP knows that it has lent crucial support to Nitish, but for which he would not be the CM and that it is no more obliged to give his party any berth in the cabinet.

The saffron party does not want to give out the slightest perception that it needs anyone to go to the 2019 polls.

JD(U)'s KC Tyagi's statement to Mail Today is insightful: 'This was BJP expansion and so it has taken its people into council of ministers. When it would be an NDA expansion, we too shall be included.'

'I am not speaking in the same breath as the Shiv Sena. Also, there is no question of boycotting the swearing in ceremony as we were never called,' Tyagi said
The Supreme Court's recent judgement invalidating Triple Talaq Case has been welcomed by secularists, progressive Islamists and Islam-bashing communalists.

Such divisions have become endemic to India. The arithmetic of the court - 3:2 in favour of invalidation - is upstaged by the algebra.

Of the three, Kurian Joseph invalidated on Quranic grounds, whilst the other two judges - Nariman and Lalit - struck down triple talaq on constitutional grounds.

The Supreme Court in New Delhi, India, where the controversial practice was thrown out last month

The two dissenters (if they may be called that) did a tentative validation until Parliament intervenes (Khehar and Nazeer).

But read as a whole, each judgement has its own peculiarities to produce flawed reasoning for an eminently satisfactory result.

The Dissent

The Khehar-Nazeer judgment is written in Khehar's characteristic style  with 200 pages out of 272 pages devoted to lawyers' arguments.

The basic argument appears to be that the practice of talaq-e-biddat or triple talaq can most certainly be stated to have originated 'some 1400 years ago'.

The fact that various Muslim countries banned it proves that its 'practice... was not limited to certain areas but was widespread'.

Farha Faiz, a Supreme Court lawyer, speaks to media after the apex court declared 'triple talaq', a Muslim practice that allows men to instantly divorce their wives, unconstitutional in its verdict, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday. The court also requested the government legislate an end to the practice

Consequently, 'the practice of talaq-ebiddat has to be considered integral to the religious denomination in question, namely sunnis, belonging to the Hanafi school'.

However, it begs the question as to whether it is a legitimated practice, especially when it has been tolerated though downgraded as sinful.

Khehar proceeds to declare that 'judicial interference can be rendered only in such manner as has been provided for in Article 25 of the Constitution'.

Further, personal law 'being a matter of religious faith and not being state action, there is no question of its being violative of the...Constitution'.

This is an overbuy statement and evades the question as to whether triple talaq is an essential practice of Islam.

Media personnel outside the Supreme Court before the verdict on triple talaq

With this hop-step-and-jump, a strange result inures. Exercising the Supreme Court's inherent power to do 'complete justice', Khehar believes that 'the position can only be salvaged by way of legislation', hopefully in six months.

Somewhat unrealistically, Khehar 'beseeches different political parties to keep their individual political gains apart' to enact legislation.

Till then Muslim husbands are expected to restrain themselves for six months.

Under triple talaq, men had been known to divorce wives over text message

This seems somewhat absurd in every way, but satisfied Justice Nazeer who obviously wanted the practice to be upheld at least until legislation. He might have written a more thoughtful judgement.

In fact, there was only a majority of results. The Nariman judgment is an example of touching one's nose by going round the head. The judgment has a two steps, first being: since the Shariat Act 1937 protected the 'Shariat' from 'custom', 'Shariat' was part of statutory law and the second is: statutes can be invalidated for being arbitrary - which triple talaq undoubtedly was.

As far as the second argument is concerned, Nariman had a score to settle because his own argument as lawyer canvassing this in the McDowell case (1996) did not find favour.

The 'Majority'

So Nariman, the judge, upholds the argument of Nariman the lawyer. To be sure, Nariman as judge does not hide this and, to that extent, must be feted for his candour. But as judge Nariman expends pages upon pages to construct his argument against his bete noir.

Although I agree with Nariman on his second point, it could have been more compactly addressed.

Nariman's first argument was to resolve a legal cul-de-sac. It has long been settled that 'personal law' is not amenable to challenge for violation of fundamental rights.

Sitting in a Constitution bench Nariman could have overruled this view, dealing with comments in another constitution bench as obiter. But instead, he swam on troubled water with too much aplomb.

He lost the wood for the trees by assuming that but for the Shariat Act 1937, Muslim law would not be enforced in India. The Shariat is not incorporated in 1937 Act by reference, but protects Sharia from custom  no more no less.

The consequence of Nariman's view is that all Muslim law can be struck down if arbitrary. He stretches this to all forms of talaq; and perforce all Sunni Muslim law.

This is clever but over-stretched.

Judges as Pontiffs

The most judicious judgement is that of Justice Kurian, who interprets rather than invalidates Muslim personal law. He elaborates that triple talaq is contrary to the Koran, which Islamic law forbids.

At first blush, this places Indian judges of all kinds to become pontiffs of Islam. But this is consistent with Indian Law.

Personal law (including Muslim) are part of Indian law as a part of the doctrine of 'justice, equity and good conscience' (JEGC) - as continued by Article 372 of the Constitution.

JEGC has meant that personal law can only be interpreted in its own terms. At times, Indian courts have made what Gandhiji called 'egregious blunders' in discharging this task of interpretation (such as on Hindu gains of learning and Muslim Waqfs for family).

However, Anglo-Indian courts have been rightly entrusted with this task which includes examining the view of Muslim jurists.

In that sense, Justice Kurian approached the issue in the right spirit of interpretation. If Justice Nariman's view is taken, huge consequences beyond the issues in this case would result.

The real problem is that this case was forcibly put for argument by Justice Khehar in the vacation. The bar rose to the challenge. But given time, a more thoughtful and less contentious determination would have taken place.
What Seema Rani, a devout adherent of the Dera Sacha Sauda from Moga's Dagru village and an overwhelming majority of the 70 million followers claimed by the controversial religious sect, actually believe is that 'It's a conspiracy!'.

'The government became scared of his magical powers and wanted Pitaji (Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) out of the way,' the young village housewife said the evening her 'god' was locked away for 20 long years, for raping two women.

The unbridled violence in Panchkula, other parts of Haryana, 64 places in Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan - perpetrated by the blinded-by-faith and clearly unafraid-of-dying Sacha Sauda followers - point to some seriously disturbing realities.

Guru - Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh - was found guilty of two rapes in 2002 last month

Punjab, Haryana and other North Indian states have witnessed a spiralling rise of a 'dera culture' amid a mushrooming of socio-religious sects invariably headed by self-styled godmen with ever-expanding congregations.

The vehemently devoted followers transcend boundaries of religion and caste but are invariably from the margins of society either in terms of social standing or economic status or both.

In both Punjab and Haryana, a significant section of dalits (32% of the population in Punjab) is affiliated with one or more deras.

Dera Sacha Sauda for instance, describes itself as a 'confluence of all religions present in the world,' and like some 3,000 other deras of the region draws adherents from amid Hindus, Sikhs, lower caste converts to Christianity and small numbers of Muslims.

His conviction sparked mass demonstration in India as supporters reacted angrily

Chandigarhbased political scientist and director of the Institute of Development and Communication (IDC), Pramod Kumar describes deras as 'the poor cousins of institutionalised religion.' He says the popularity of the deras is rooted in the region's long standing oral religious tradition wherein rather than engaging with scriptures, devotees prefer listening to pravachans (discourses) deftly delivered by glib-talking gurus or spiritual leaders.

The rise of the deras is however a distressing consequence of the failure of both, institutionalised religion (Sikhism in the context of Punjab) in being able to include such people, and the state for failing to meet even their most basic survival needs, guarantee security and allow for a dignified living.

New Delhi: In this file picture Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is seen at the the premier of his film 'Jattu Engineer' in New Delhi on May 17, 2017

Besides the mysticism and charisma of the gurus or babas, JNU sociologist Surinder Jodka says, 'The deras also offer a sense of security to their followers, a personal touch  something completely missing in mainstream gurudwaras and temples where one feels anonymous, a part of a crowd. Womenfolk are particularly fervent supporters of deras and the godmen at the helm.'

Apart from discouraging alcohol consumption and running successful drug-deaddiction and rehabilitation programs for followers, over the years the deras like Sacha Sauda have managed to accumulate extensive land banks, property and monetary wealth.

This is liberally deployed to subsidise the impoverished following - including access to free or heavily discounted healthcare. Quite simply, says Kumar, the deras provide followers everything that the state denies them.

Since the early 2000's the expanding followings of six of Punjab's biggest sects  Dera Sacha Sauda, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh of the Radha Soamis, Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan at Nurmahal, Dera Sachkhand Ballan (Jalandhar), the Namdharis and the Nirankaris  have brought the men at the helm, huge political heft.

Sacha Sauda for instance, has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to swing elections in no less than 27 assembly constituencies in Punjab's politically significant Malwa region.

An independent study commissioned by the IDC shows that Radha Soamis can influence electoral outcomes in 19 assembly segments; Nurmahal in 8; Sachkhan Ballan in 8; the Nirankaris in 4; and the Namdharis in 2 Punjab constituencies.

As a consequence, election time invariably witnesses increased footfalls by politicians of all hues at various deras. And while most deras don't publicly proclaim their political preference, instead quietly making this known to followers, Sacha Sauda changed that in 2007 Punjab assembly polls.

It was the first time that Saadh Sangat Rajnitik, the dera's political wing, openly told followers to vote for the Amarinder Singh-led Congress.

Under Gurmeet Ram Rahim's growing clout, Sacha Sauda continued the trend, going with the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance in 2012 and 2017, and proclaiming its choice of the BJP under PM Modi in the 2014 Haryana assembly elections.

The quid pro quo with political parties evidently renders them unable or unwilling to act against dera leaders, as Haryana's Khattar government in the present instance.

The contrast in the response of Punjab's Congress regime (which didn't get dera's support) and Haryana's BJP government was telling: Where Punjab deployed security and promptly clamped down on the slightest sign of trouble post the August 25 conviction, the Khattar government not only permitted 100,000 dera supporters to collect in Panchkula, but kept assuring the Punjab & Haryana High Court that everything was 'under control'  until, predictably, all hell broke loose.
On a recent trip to the British seaside, I saw many homes that had cute names, which painted a lovely picture of what the property was like inside.

Sandy Cottage, Lobster Cove and Tides Reach were among the many romantic property names I enjoyed spotting on my travels. It has inspired me to want to name my home as it sounds classier.

Instead of just being a number on a street, can I change it to a house name?

So for example, could '24 London Road' become 'Turtle's Nest, London Road,' if I wanted? If so, how do I go about legally changing it? And could it add value?

Name change: Quaint country cottages and seaside retreats often have cute names

Lee Boyce, consumer affairs editor at This is Money, replies: According to an old study by Cheltenham and Gloucester, nearly nine in ten prefer properties with names as opposed to those with numbers.

If you want to give your home a different name, you will need to make a written request to the highways or engineers department of your local council with your planned new moniker.

You will also need to give an alternative suggestion in case there is a home already located nearby with the name you want.

If accepted, you should also inform the Royal Mail of the switch to make sure your details have been updated and write to emergency services to make sure they are not delayed if they need to find your home.

Other considerations are registering the change with utility suppliers, mortgage lenders and the electoral roll.

Last month, a tree surgeon in Chester officially changed the name of his three-bedroom semi to Graceland in a nod to his love of Elvis Presley.

However, if your house currently has a number you cannot just swap it for a name  but you can have a number and a name.

That would mean that, if accepted, you could have Turtle's Nest, 24 London Road  but not Turtle's Nest, London Road.

This is to stop confusion.

If a road is a long one with hundreds of properties with names rather than numbers, imagine the chaos it would cause for posties, taxi drivers, delivery drivers, emergency services - not to mention friends and family.

This is unlikely to be the case in smaller villages.

You can change a name to another name, such as Rose Cottage to Turtle's Nest, if the council is happy with the request.

Alternatively, you could just put a sign up above your door with your chosen name, with your house number still clearly visible  and be content with that, rather than going through all of the rigmarole of changing it legally.

What's in a name? One Hyde Park is officially 100 Knightsbridge

Henry Sherwood, managing director of The Buying Agents, adds: The official address of One Hyde Park is still 100 Knightsbridge, for example, so you could argue that there is not much point in changing or adding the name other than marketing.

In this case it does add value as it has become a landmark but for the average property whether town or country it won't make much, if any, difference.

A certain name may have more sentimental value but not financial.

When you buy a house you will see all the formal documentation from Land Registry so will be able to confirm the official address.

Many owners don't actually realise you need permission to change it from the council and Highways Department and simply put a name plate up and do nothing else.

This can cause problems if someone needs to find the property, my advice would be to always retained the street number as well if on a long road so emergency services can find you quickly if needed.

Just a name is fine if you are in a small hamlet but imagine trying to find a house on a street with 300-plus addresses.

Names changes also take time to be registered so expect inconvenience.
The European Commission is poised to hit Google with another record-breaking fine over competition concerns about its Android mobile phone software, it has been claimed.

Brussels has accused the internet search company of unfairly requiring handset makers to pre-load its apps on to smartphones before they are sold to customers.

It could see competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager impose a penalty on the firm within weeks.

Google is accused of requiring handset makers to pre-load its apps on to smartphones before they are sold to customers

This could be even bigger than the record-breaking 2.1billion fine handed down by Vestager in July for Googles manipulation of shopping search results to favour its own services.

A commission spokesman yesterday declined to comment. But such a move against Google would significantly up the stakes in the European Unions battle with the Silicon Valley company.

If the company challenges the commissions proposed fine, it could set the stage for years of bitter legal wrangling.

A spokesman for Google declined to comment.
Veteran City fund manager Richard Buxton is leading talks with private equity firms about a takeover of Old Mutuals 25billion asset management arm.

The 53-year-old has discussed a buyout of Old Mutual Global Investors with potential backers who include TA Associates.

Goldman Sachs is also said to be consulting potentially interested parties.

Talks: Richard Buxton is currently chief executive of Old Mutual Global Investors

Buxton is currently chief executive of Old Mutual Global Investors, which is part of Old Mutuals wealth management business.

The Anglo-South African financial services group is itself in the middle of an ambitious break-up into four new companies. A spokesman for Old Mutual Wealth confirmed Old Mutual Global Investors could also develop as a separate and distinct business.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that options for the unit led by Buxton include a management buyout or an acquisition by a trade buyer. He would remain as chief executive under the proposals.

The multi-asset arm of Old Mutuals wealth management business, which is run by Paul Simpson and controls about 16billion of assets, is not expected to be included in any deal struck.
Packaging you can EAT: Food skins that mimic nature could slash plastic waste



Sometimes a tub of ice cream or a pot of yoghurt is so tasty that we spend several minutes scraping out the inside and then, if nobodys looking, lick the lid.

Wouldnt it be even better if we could simply eat the lot, container and all?

It would cut down on the amount of waste we produce and the enjoyment of our food would last that little bit longer.

This is exactly what a team of scientists say they have managed to do.

They say the invention of edible food packaging will transform how we eat and cut down the amount of plastic we throw away.

The packaging, created by researchers in France led by Dr David Edwards, is called WikiCells. Its designed to imitate how fruit and vegetables are packaged in nature with a protective outer layer or skin you can eat.

The idea was to use the model of how nature wraps foods, said Dr Edwards, a professor from Harvard. It is a completely new way of packaging and eating. He has developed a range of yoghurt pots, juice cartons, water bottles and ice cream containers that mimic natural packaging by enclosing food and liquid in an edible membrane.

This ice-cream has an edible coating that you can munch through

Gaspachio soup in a biodegradable casing that can be eaten, or thrown away

The containers are designed to be a similar shape to the fruits they seek to copy and are created using an edible plastic, which is a combination of algae and calcium. This is mixed with food particles, such as cocoa or fruit, so that the packaging tastes like what is inside.

They can be used to package both solids and liquids including soup, cheese, cocktails, fizzy drinks and coffee.

Those containing liquids can be pierced with a straw and the contents drunk before they are eaten.

The membranes can be washed under a tap and eaten, just like the skin of an apple.



Consumers worried how many times the packaging has been handled can simply throw it away, like the peel of an orange, because it is biodegradable.

So far, the researchers working on the packaging at a laboratory in Paris have created examples including filling an orange membrane with orange juice, a tomato-flavoured skin with soup and mini-membranes the size of grapes that are full of wine.

Dr Edwards said: You could put the little grape membranes in your mouth whole and squash them so you get the wine inside.

Everything is useful and everything is good for you. You dont throw things away.

WikiCells are the brainchild of lead researcher, Harvard professor David Edwards

The first product expected to go on sale will be Wiki Ice Cream, which will launch at the end of the summer with vanilla ice cream frozen inside a cookie dough- flavoured membrane.

Dr Edwards is currently working with a number of multinational companies  including a fizzy drinks manufacturer and a yoghurt maker  to see how the packaging could be used on a mass scale.

A large manufacturing plant is being built in Massachusetts in the US and he expects products to be widely available in stores within the next five years.

He refused to reveal which companies he is working with, but his researchers already work with Danone, the makers of Actimel probiotic drinks, Activia yoghurts and Evian water. He said: Clearly were going to end the plastic era one day, it could be in a century or in 20 years time. And how that will happen will involve some changes in human behaviour.



You could put soup inside these things, buy it in the shops in the membrane, take it home and put the whole thing in a microwave to heat and then serve it as it is or in a bowl with the skin chopped up in the soup.


Once-hot baby names such as Katrina, Sandy and Andrew immediately lost favor in the United States after they were attached to hurricanes and storms that caused death and destruction.

Newborn Harvey Rodriguez cannot even crawl yet, but already he may be bucking a trend.

As Hurricane Harvey barreled down on Corpus Christi Medical Center in Texas on August 25, new mother Irma Rodriguez was still searching for the perfect name for her 7-pound bundle of joy.

Once-hot baby names such as Katrina, Sandy and Andrew immediately lost favor in the United States after they were attached to hurricanes and storms that caused death and destruction

When a nurse suggested Harvey, 'the mom agreed it was perfect,' the hospital said.

Only time will tell if the name Harvey will face a grim fate in the wake of the hurricane that slammed the Gulf Coast, killed at least 50 people and caused record damage.

In recent years, the name had been gaining momentum slowly and was most popular in 2016, when parents chose it for 770 babies. But at least one expert thinks the storm will put an end to that trend.

'Harvey will tank,' Jonah Berger, author of 'Contagious: Why Things Catch On' and marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, predicted on Friday.

History supports the idea that Harvey Rodriguez may be in rare company.

Katrina had its heyday in 1982, when 3,323 baby girls cooed to that moniker, said the Social Security Administration, which tracks the 1,000 most popular names annually.

Only time will tell if the name Harvey will face a grim fate in the wake of the hurricane that slammed the Gulf Coast, killed at least 50 people and caused record damage. Lauren Durst holds her ten-month-old son Wyatt Durst as they evacuate

Experts believe the name Harvey will take a deep dive in popularity, and others that start with 'H' will become more common. Houston SWAT officer Daryl Hudeck carries Catherine Pham and her 13-month-old son Aiden after rescuing them from their home after Harvey hit Texas

The name nose-dived after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Since then, it has all but disappeared from nurseries, dropping from 1,327 baby girls called Katrina in 2005 to just 190 last year.

Sandy was most popular as a girl's name in 1960, when it was the choice for 3,648 newborns. After the huge storm hit the East Coast in the fall of 2012, the number dropped from 138 babies in that year to 86 in 2016.

There can be a comeback, as the name Andrew has proved.

It was the fifth most-popular name for US newborns when Hurricane Andrew blasted ashore in Miami in 1992, but it immediately dropped to 10th place in 1993, then 11th in 1995.

Then it climbed back to fifth place in 2003, when 22,148 newborn boys, the most ever, burbled to the name.

While Berger expects the name Harvey to take a deep dive in popularity, others that start with 'H' should become more common.

'Names that begin with 'K' increased 9 percent after Hurricane Katrina,' Berger said. 'The more you hear a sound, the more you like it.'
Congress will return from a five-week vacation on Tuesday, and sending billions of dollars to hurricane-ravaged parts of Texas and Louisiana will be the first order of business.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's office announced Monday that lawmakers will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday 'for legislative business ... to consider supplemental appropriations for disaster relief requirements.'

Harvey has scrambled the equation for Congress following summer recess. A daunting workload awaits, including funding the government by month's end and increasing the federal borrowing limit to head off a catastrophic first-ever default.

But the immediate focus will be on rushing an aid package to storm-ravaged Texas and Louisiana, and that bipartisan imperative has pushed aside talk of a government shutdown and President Donald Trump's feuding with GOP lawmakers.

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Federal lawmakers will return to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday and one day later plan to vote on disaster relief funding for Texas and Louisiana following Hurricane Harvey

Massive flooding continues to plague Houston, Texas and Presidnet Trump has asked Congress for billions in funding to get through the crisis and clean up the mess

Trump and first lady Melania met people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston on Saturday

"Somebody who's just been pulled off their roof doesn't want to hear about our internecine squabbles and debates over procedure when they've lost their homes and are trying to figure out where they're going to sleep the next night," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa.

The House and Senate are expected to vote quickly on the first $7.9 billion aid installment to help with immediate recovery and rebuilding needs in Houston and beyond. Additional billions will be tucked into a catchall spending bill later in the month that will keep the lights on in government past Sept. 30, when the current budget year ends.

After spending the first six months of the year failing to repeal and replace the Obama-era health law and missing deadlines on other fronts, swift action on Harvey will give Congress and Trump the chance to look competent and remind voters that government can be a positive force.

GOP lawmakers head into the final quarter of the year desperate to notch accomplishments and make headway on a sweeping tax overhaul, and the majority party is eager for the chance to turn around their dreary track record ahead of next year's elections.

Floodwater continues to surround the First Baptist Church in Orange, Texas after torrential rains from Hurricane Harvey

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (left) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (right) are shown in a March meeting with Trump at the White House

"People need to know there's some stability here," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. "We're not going to have to worry about defaults, we're not going to have to worry about government shutdowns, these guys are all grown-up, they're adults, and that ought to be the aim."

For Republican leaders, disaster spending has the added benefit of acting as a potential sweetener as they try to get colleagues to take the perennially unpopular step of raising the United States' $19.9 trillion debt ceiling. That has to happen by Sept. 29 at the latest, to permit the government to continue borrowing money to pay its bills, including Social Security payments. A default on obligations such as U.S. bond payments could roil financial markets.

GOP leaders have been making plans to pair the debt limit increase with the first batch of Harvey aid. Conservatives who oppose raising the borrowing limit without getting something in exchange are warning against the step.

"To attach a debt ceiling vote to increased spending is not anything that any conservative would normally support," said Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., head of the House Freedom Caucus. Meadows said linking the two measures "puts everybody in a very difficult situation" and would not be practical.

Adding to the pile of work, a few important programs are expiring at the end of September and need to be renewed. They include children's health insurance payments and a national federal flood insurance program that has bipartisan support but continually pays out more than it takes in through premiums.

And Trump may be poised to throw another tricky issue Congress' way.

The White House says the president on Tuesday will decide the fate of the younger immigrants brought to the United States as kids and protected from deportation by former President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. If Trump ends or phases out the program, there will be pressure for Congress to step in with a fix to save nearly 800,000 from the threat of deportation.

A part of the Briarforest neighborhood of Houston remains under about three feet or more of floodwater

People in Houston have struggled to save what belongings they can, and rely on neighbors who own boats to get their possessions to a dry place

"I think the president as well has mentioned that he wants to have a humane solution to this problem and I think that's something that we in Congress are working on and need to deliver," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in an interview Friday with radio station WCLO in Wisconsin, after urging against ending the program.

Some Republicans have even begun to talk about the possibility of a deal to protect this group in exchange for Trump's border wall with Mexico, even though Democrats have called the wall a nonstarter.

Trump, despite threatening a government shutdown over the wall if it's not funded by Sept. 30, has pulled back. The expectation now is that the big spending fights will be delayed until later in the year, perhaps including a round of brinkmanship over the wall.

But for many Republicans, particularly Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., clearing the decks of the must-do items on spending and debt is all just a prelude to their work on overhauling the tax system, their holy grail for the year after the failure on health care legislation.

Despite Trump's attacks on McConnell over the summer, aides to the two men believe they share the same goals on taxes. Many believe that if they succeed on reworking taxes and lowering rates voters will forgive and forget the failure on health care. Some are argue that a failure on taxes could cost the GOP its House majority because voters will question whether Republicans can accomplish anything after gaining control of Congress and the White House.

"It's extremely important. The failure of health care magnifies the importance of tax reform," Cole said. "You've got to get some big wins."
A new nightclub opened by a close friend of John Ibrahim includes a very strict dress code - and some of the Kings Cross identity's entourage may fall victim to it.

The Flamingo Lounge is set to launch in late September, with John Ibrahim and radio star Kyle Sandilands both keen supporters of the new venture.

The dress code includes no visible tattoos, no large brands displayed on clothing and no 'offensive haircuts'.

The Flamingo Lounge is set to launch in late September after being backed by Ibrahim and a series of investors

The Flamino Lounge features two bars, seven VIP private booths and exclusive lounge and terrace areas to hire

The new nightclub is run by a close friend of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim

The nightclub will host its opening night on September 16, and is open to the public the following weekend.

It is situated at 33 Bayswater Road, the location of the iconic Hugo's Lounge that shut down in August, 2015 due to the controversial lockout laws.

Flamingo Lounge is described as 'evoking the 1970s classic Miami bar glamour' with a colourful, vibrant Cuban theme.

A company email, obtained by the Daily Telegraph, suggests the new nightclub may be less welcoming than its predecessor.

'Management of Flamingo Lounge uphold a dress code of smart casual, sophisticated attire,' the memo reads.

'Any patron with the following may be denied entry into the venue. Visible tattoos are out, as are 'offensive haircuts' and 'untidy foot wear'.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Flamingo Lounge for comment.

Flamingo Lounge is described as 'evoking the 1970s classic Miami bar glamour' with a colourful, vibrant Cuban theme

Flamingo Lounge also boasts two 'VVIP parlours' which can be hired for 'exclusive functions, celebrities and those who wish for that extra privacy for themselves and guests'

The Flamino Lounge features two bars, seven VIP private booths and exclusive lounge and terrace areas to hire

The Flamino Lounge features two bars, seven VIP private booths and exclusive lounge and terrace areas to hire.

It also boasts two 'VVIP parlours' which can be hired for 'exclusive functions, celebrities and those who wish for that extra privacy for themselves and guests.'

The entire venue can also be privately booked.
Iranian air defenses were called into action to divert a U.S. 'spy plane' and reconnaissance drone near its air space in the last six months, military official Farzad Esmaili (pictured) said

Iranian air defenses were called into action to divert a U.S. 'spy plane' and reconnaissance drone near its air space in the last six months, a military official said.

Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, commander of Iran's air defence force, said an unmanned RQ-4 drone was intercepted last week.

While a U2 spy plane was warned away in March, the Fars news agency reported.

'When the warning was given to the pilot of this (U2) plane at the Strait of Hormuz, he knew that he was being targeted by two separate radars ... and missile systems,' Esmaili said.

'Iran will never allow such hostile planes to approach its airspace and would not hesitate to bring them down if necessary,' Esmaili added, according to the Tasnim news agency.

U.S. officials have frequently complained of what they call unsafe and unprofessional interactions by Iranian maritime forces in the Gulf this year.

Iran has said its forces act within their rights to protect Iranian territorial waters.

The Trump administration has recently struck a hard line on Iran, accusing Tehran of violating the spirit of an accord with world powers that lifted sanctions and sought to curb The Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, commander of the Iran's air defence force, said an unmanned RQ-4 drone was intercepted last week

U.S. officials have frequently complained of what they call unsafe and unprofessional interactions by Iranian maritime forces in the Gulf this year

The reports come after it emerged in July that a US Navy ship fired flares at an Iranian patrol boat in the Persian Gulf, on the same day Tehran condemned new sanctions on its missile programme.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday that the US Navy had approached their patrol vessels in the Gulf and fired flares in what it called a provocative move yesterday afternoon.

In a statement, the Guards said: 'The supercarrier USS Nimitz and its accompanying warship, while being monitored by the Guards' frigates, flew a helicopter near the Resalat oil and gas platform and approached the force's ships.

While a U2 spy plane was warned away in March, the Fars news agency reported

'The Americans in a provocative and unprofessional move, sent a warning message to the frigates and fired flares.'

The Guards 'ignored the unconventional move by the US ships and continued their mission, after which the supercarrier and its warship left the area,' the statement added.

On Tuesday, a US Navy patrol ship fired warning shots at a Guards boat in the Gulf as it closed in on the American vessel, US officials said.

The Guards denied approaching the US ship on that occasion and said it was the American vessel that had been at fault.
Dozens of hikers have been rescued after being trapped by wildfires in the mountains east of Portland.

Many of the walkers were forced to spend the night outside near Tunnel Falls after a fire broke out near the Columbia River Gorge trail.

The only other way out was longer and more difficult, so officials told them to stay in place until Sunday morning.

Deputy Joel Ives said all the hikers were accounted for, although one was taken to hospital for exhaustion and dehydration.

The U.S. Forest Service said the wildfire was human-caused and is under investigation by the Oregon State Police.

They said it was likely to have caused by the misuse of fireworks.

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Families reunite after campers were evacuated from a forest fire in the Eagle Creek area of the Columbia River Gorge

In Oregon, crews were rescuing about 140 hikers forced to spend the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge trail

About 140 hikers were forced to spend the night outside near Tunnel Falls.

Cameron Wong was hiking at the trail with friends when they looked over a ledge and saw trees on fire.

'We started smelling smoke and felt heat, so we looked around, heard crackling, looked down the rail and right below there was a fire that jumped up on the trail just a few minutes later,' Wong told CNN affiliate KPTV.

'There were kids there screaming. The fire had jumped on the trail and it was burning all around the trail  and then we ran out of there.'

Mountain Wave dropped supplies to the hikers.

Police said they have identified a suspect in the fire.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by the Oregon State Police, U.S. Forest Service, Hood River Sheriff's Office, Hood River District Attorney's Office and fire personnel.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by the Oregon State Police, U.S. Forest Service, Hood River Sheriff's Office, Hood River District Attorney's Office and fire personnel

Two busloads of hikers in Oregon were reunited with their friends and family Sunday morning after they were forced to spend the night in the mountains east of Portland

Mountain Wave Search and Rescue president Russ Gubele said search and rescue teams headed up the second trail on Sunday morning and led the hikers out the 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) toward Wahtum Lake.

The first group made it out by about 10:30 a.m. and the last group by about 1 or 1:30 p.m.

'It's horribly smoky,' Gubele said. 'Ash is coming down. It's like a Mount Saint Helens eruption all over again.'

The first group made it out by about 10:30 a.m. and the last group by about 1 or 1:30 p.m

A firefighter douses the hot spots on wildfires near a hill side in Burbank Wildfires hit California

Firefighters rest during a wildfires in Burbank Wildfires hit California

The fires on Sunday caused evacuations in Glacier National Park in Montana and many other parts of the West.

It led firefighters to step up efforts to protect a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia encroached by flames near Yosemite National Park in California.

A sudden gusty series of rainstorms allowed Los Angeles, however, to cancel evacuation orders for a wildfire that the mayor called the largest in the city's history and sent beach umbrellas and toy shovels bouncing down Southern California beaches late on Sunday.

It led firefighters to step up efforts to protect a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia encroached by flames near Yosemite National Park in California

Firefighters spray water from houses that had previously been dowsed with red Phos-Chek fire retardant as a spot fire erupts below them during the La Tuna Fire

Officials were keeping an eye on thunderstorms, which were bringing welcome bursts of rain but also the risk of flash floods, mudslides and lightning

Deer flee the the La Tuna Fire, at a golf course in Burbank, California

A firefighter douses the hot spots on wildfires near a hill side in Burbank Wildfires

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti had declared a local emergency earlier on Sunday and Gov. Jerry Brown did the same on the state level for Los Angeles County after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighborhoods.

More than a thousand firefighters battled flames that chewed through more than 9 square miles (23 kilometers) of brush-covered mountains.

By evening, however, the day's record heat in Los Angeles had eased and a spate of brief storms even brought a bit of rain to the burning slopes, slowing the progress of the wildfire.

Authorities were able to cancel the evacuation orders that had been issued for three cities - Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale - and allow all of the 1,400 people who had fled to return to their homes.
Escalating violence in Rio de Janeiro has transformed the state's health units into war zone hospitals with doctors facing a daily battle to save the lives of hundreds injured in horrific firearm and knife attacks.

The situation is so acute, a hospital based in Posse, a neighbourhood in Nova Iguacu - one of the most violent metropolitan areas in Rio - opened its doors for 24 hours at the end of last month allowing candid and harrowing access to its emergency rooms in a bid to reveal the scale of the crisis.

'We're operating in a war zone where there is no ceasefire and no truce,' says Dr Lino Sieiro Netto, medical director of Nova Iguacu General Hospital (HGNI).

'Where high velocity bullets rip people open and the number of victims from shootings and stabbings has reached record levels,' Dr Netto adds.

A pregnant woman, shot twice by a hit man who assassinated her husband, is stretchered into the hospital

The injured pregnant woman told the film crew: 'A gunman just entered our house and started shooting everything happened so quickly.'

The exclusive round-the-clock watch witnessed a weekend of bloodshed.

The 430-bed, woefully overcrowded medical centre receives around two gunshot victims a day.

But during the 24 hours it was filmed last month, HGNI registered a grim toll of six shootings in which three people died, and admitted an assault victim who had been stabbed twice.

From January to August 18, accident and emergency logged 438 people suffering from bullet wounds. The numbers are set to accelerate past last year's total of 470.

The wider picture is equally alarming - in the first six months of this year, Rio state hospitals treated 1,275 shooting victims.

The figures are already higher than 2016's total of 996 and experts are fearful of what the final reckoning will be.

Much of the injured are linked to drug trafficking, followed by victims of armed robberies, car jackings and assaults.

British tourist Eloise Dixon is one of the most recent victims of such attacks, and was thankfully saved from bleeding out.

Stabbing victim, Mozais dos Santos Roxa, 35, is the bloodiest casualty of them all on the night of the filming

Mozais dos Santos Roxa is given a CT scan. He has been savagely beaten up and knifed two times

The military police arrive outside the 'war zone' hospital with another victim

Staff come outside to help as Rio cops bring in a gunshot victim, shot six times, in an armoured tank to hospital

Instead of calling an ambulance, the 20-year-old man was brought to emergency in an armoured-plated bullet-proof cop wagon because there was no time to spare

The gunshot victim is pictured on a stretcher after being brought in an armoured tank. Doctors were unable to save him - he died before they were able to operate on him

She was shot twice by criminal gunmen earlier this month after mistakenly driving into a drug gang-controlled Rio favela with her husband and three daughters.

Her case is a stark example of just how dangerous and unpredictable the region has become and how far the iconic city has moved away from its picture postcard tourist destination.

Casualties arriving at HGNI on the weekend it was filmed included two men gunned down in a drive-by shooting and a six-month pregnant woman shot by a hit man who assassinated her husband.

In a restricted interview as she is wheeled for a CT scan, the pregnant woman says: 'A gunman just entered our house and started shooting everything happened so quickly.'

The 24-hours of bloodletting starts with the admittance of an alleged mugger who has been shot twice by an off-duty cop, the target of the assault.

A nurse holds some of the bullets collected and stored by Nova Iguacu General Hospital

Luciana Carvalho, Nursing Manager, Nova Iguacu General Hospital shows the collected bullets

The huge number of bullets found in gunshot victims have been collected and stored in boxes over the years

Surgeons carry out an emergency operation on 18-year-old Gabriel Penudo Alves, to remove the slugs lodged in his chest and stomach. However, his injuries are too severe and the teen dies within the hour.

But it's a shoot-out between criminals and police in Belford Roxo, a district just five miles from the emergency unit, that records the most startling scene in the history of the hospital.

Instead of calling an ambulance, a 20-year-old man shot six times, is brought to emergency in an armoured-plated bullet-proof cop wagon.

One of the six officers accompanying the victim's limp bullet-riddled body, who refused to be identified, says: 'We were patrolling the area at the time and were met with gunfire.

'During the confrontation, this man was severely injured and we took the snap decision to try to save his life by bringing him to hospital ourselves.'

In August, British tourist Eloise Dixon was shot by gangsters in Brazil after her husband mistakenly drove their car off the main road and into a favela

One of the highways officers who helped save Mrs Dixon points out the bullet holes in the car, which the family had been driving in

It makes no difference to the physicians whether the patient is a gang member or someone in the wrong place at the wrong time, they are committed to doing their best to try to save each one.

Unfortunately, their efforts are in vain when it comes to the critically wounded victim brought in by police - he dies before he can be operated on.

But the image of the bullet battered steel-clad vehicle parked outside the hospital serves to hammer home Rio's battlefield reality.

Shaking his head in disbelief Dr Netto says: 'In all my 24 years of working in this hospital I've never witnessed anything like this.

'The presence of the armoured truck emphasises the sense of war and is a harsh reminded that we are living during frightening times.'

As the armoured police carrier leaves, another victim of the armed conflict arrives.

Taniara de Oliveira dos Santos, 22, has been caught in crossfire after a gunman murdered her husband in front of her in a barrage of bullets. She is six months pregnant.

Ammo is lodged in her shoulder and a pellet passed straight through her left wrist. Mercifully no bones have been damaged and the baby is fine.

The young mum-to-be is in a state of shock and lies on the trolley staring into space as physicians examine her injuries.

She sheds no tears, just yet, and speaks hesitantly to reveal what happened.

Mrs dos Santos recalls: 'A gunman just entered our house and shouted at my husband, "Get up your time has come".

'Then he just started shooting. My husband had no time to run or hide. He was shot down where he stood.

The hospital is based in Posse, a neighbourhood in Nova Iguacu - one of the most violent metropolitan areas in Rio

Nova Iguacu hospital is overcrowded and serves a population of over three million

In just 24 hours, the 430-bed woefully overcrowded medical centre saw a toll of six shootings in which three people died and admitted an assault victim who had been stabbed

'Seconds before this my two-year-old nephew was sitting on my lap. He climbed off and went into another room just before the man entered. It was lucky that he did because he would have been shot too.

'Everything happened so quickly. All I could think about at the time was trying to protect my nephew and protect my unborn child. I didn't even have any time to worry about my husband. Now I don't know what I'm going to do without him.'

According to detectives her partner was involved in trafficking drugs. She was collateral damage.

Accident and emergency shift medical manager, Fernanda Sahione says: 'Taniara was fortunate.

'The bullet entered just under her collar bone, missing important vessels and coming to rest in her shoulder blade. The baby wasn't hit and is doing okay.

'Doctors decided the bullet didn't immediately pose a threat to her life so it hasn't been removed.

'This was a difficult case because we couldn't do many scans and internal exams because we didn't want to risk the life of the baby.'

A&E Shift Manager, Fernanda Sahione (left) and Medical Director, Dr Lino Sieiro Netto (right)

A police car and ambulance are seen outside the hospital. Nursing manager, Luciana de Carvalho said: 'Over the years we have seen a difference in the type of ballistics being used. Before the projectiles were .38 calibre and the injuries were simpler. Now we are seeing high velocity impact bullets from rifles and machine guns.'

Mrs dos Santos was discharged two days later.

Stabbing victim, Mozais dos Santos Roxa, 35, is the bloodiest casualty of them all on the night of the filming.

He has been savagely beaten up and knifed two times. His clothes are soaked red, and he is disorientated and unable to respond coherently to the doctor's questions.

Emergency general medical surgeon Dr Julia Schlinz says: 'Mozais is suffering from extensive internal bruising. He has been stabbed in his hand and in his back.

'However, from the CT scan and our examinations we are satisfied that he will not need an operation. But he will be kept in for observation.'

Roberto Pereira Thiago was killed in a drive by shooting as the killings escalate in Rio

After 24-hours monitoring HGNI's trauma unit, the session ends with a bloodbath from a drive by shooting.

Two men reportedly sped along a residential road in Posse unleashing a hail of bullets on innocent diners outside a roadside bar.

The murderous attack instantly killed Roberto Pereira Thiago, 43, as he sat with his wife and children.

Leandro Silveira, 44, was struck in the abdomen and Nelson Nascimento, 31, was hit in the left leg which was so badly shattered it had to be amputated.

Both men are still in hospital. Mr Silveira remains in intensive care and his health is reported to be stable.

Neither were prepared to talk for fear of reprisals.

The bullets extracted from their bodies were deposited with hundreds of others collected and stored in boxes kept by the hospital since 2005.

Nursing manager, Luciana de Carvalho says of the incident: 'Over the years we have seen a difference in the type of ballistics being used. Before the projectiles were .38 calibre and the injuries were simpler.

'Now we are seeing high velocity impact bullets from rifles and machine guns which are responsible for some of the most devastating injuries that more than often kills the patient.'

HNGI is the only accident and emergency centre in an area covering a population of over three million inhabitants.

Rogerio Lisboa, Mayor of Nova Iguacu says: 'The situation in the hospital is very difficult. We are operating in a volatile and increasingly demanding patch.

'But we only receive enough money from the federal government to cover 800,000 inhabitants in Nova Iguacu. In actual fact, we serve an area of over three million inhabitants.

'At the moment, we receive six million reais but we need double the amount of between 12 to 14 million reais.'

But Brazil is in the midst of an economic downturn and the state of Rio de Janeiro is strapped for cash as it suffers from a serious financial crisis.

Medical surgeon and A&E director, Dr Christian Ferreira, says the pressure on the hospital and staff is immense. Practitioners are being trained in how to operate as if in a state of war.

But no one can prepare for the moment a revolver is pointed at them by an agitated gunman.

Which is what happened to Dr Ferreira, who has worked at the hospital since qualifying over 20 years ago as a neurosurgeon.

He said: 'The man wanted his daughter treated first, ahead of more seriously ill patients. He pulled out a gun and held it to my head and threatened to kill me if I didn't do what he said.

'My life flashed before my eyes and I froze. I managed to explain that his child had leg injuries which were not life-threatening. Fortunately, I got him to calm down and we carried on working.

'Despite the scare it will not stop us from doing our jobs and continuing our fight to save lives,' he said resolutely as he left to attend to yet another casualty of Rio's violence.
Caroline Flint (pictured) said some of her fellow Labour MPs were seeking to delay the inevitable by blocking the Governments Great Repeal Bill which begins its passage through Parliament this week

Labour should not wreck for wreckings sake over Brexit, a former minister said yesterday.

Caroline Flint said some of her fellow Labour MPs were seeking to delay the inevitable by blocking the Governments Great Repeal Bill which begins its passage through Parliament this week.

Keir Starmer, the partys Brexit spokesman, yesterday said they would try to vote down the legislation unless ministers made a string of concessions.

But Miss Flint, who campaigned for Remain, said the party had a duty to respect the referendum result and allow the legislation to pass. There are some colleagues who want to think of ways they can delay the inevitable, she said.

There are legitimate questions to be asked  thats fair enough  but I am not going to be involved in wrecking for wreckings sake.

Brexit Secretary David Davis last night warned that failure to pass the legislation would lead to massive uncertainty for business when the UK leaves the EU.

Labour also continued to shift its position on Brexit, with Sir Keir directly contradicting the partys deputy leader Tom Watson, who had said Labour would be happy to see Britain stay within the single market permanently, meaning free movement would be preserved.

Last month, Sir Keir said Labour wanted to stay in the single market and customs union during a lengthy transition from the EU, despite Jeremy Corbyn having said it was essential to leave both

Last month, Sir Keir said Labour wanted to stay in the single market and customs union during a lengthy transition from the EU, despite Jeremy Corbyn having said it was essential to leave both.

Asked about the change yesterday Sir Keir said it was not a U-turn, but a development of our policy.

The Great Repeal Bill, now known as the EU Withdrawal Bill, will repeal the European Communities Act, which enshrines the supremacy of EU law in this country.

Q&A What is the EU Withdrawal Bill? It is designed to smooth the path to Britains exit from the EU by transferring thousands of Brussels regulations into British law so that they will continue to operate on the day we leave in March 2019. Why is Labour opposed to it? Labour claims the legislation does not give enough guarantees on issues such as the future of workers rights and says there is not enough opportunity for MPs to scrutinise it. Are the Tories united? Almost all Tory MPs are expected to back the legislation when they vote on it for the first time next Monday. But Tory whips fear Remainers could back Labour on some issues. What are Henry VIII powers? These allow ministers to change primary laws without full scrutiny from Parliament. Some Tories say this is a massive power grab. But ministers insist the use of the powers will be limited. What happens if the Bill fails? Ministers warn failure to pass the legislation would bring chaos. Chunks of existing law would cease to have force on the day after Brexit, causing huge uncertainty for firms and individuals. Some fear it would make it impossible to deliver Brexit, and could bring down the Government. Advertisement

But, in a mammoth exercise, it also transposes 40 years of EU regulations into British law in order to ease the UKs exit.

Without it, individuals and businesses will face legal uncertainty the day after Brexit when EU law ceases to operate here. Mr Davis said of Labour: They know this Bill is necessary  they are taking the most cynical approach.

He sought to ease the concerns of some Tory MPs over the use of Henry VIII powers to change British law to match EU regulations. He said that the powers were necessary because of the short time available before leaving the EU.

Tory whips are pressuring Remainers in their own ranks to fall into line  warning that the Government could fall if the legislation fails to pass, potentially ushering Jeremy Corbyn into No 10.

The pressure sparked anger from pro-Remain former minister Anna Soubry, who said: Any suggestion that this is any way treacherous or supporting Jeremy Corbyn is outrageous.

It amounts to a trouncing of democracy and people will not accept it. MPs will vote on the principle of the legislation a week today, when ministers are hopeful it will pass.

But the Government faces a gruelling autumn, as Parliament goes through the huge stretch of legislation line by line.

Ministers fear Tory rebels are looking for areas to side with Labour and defeat the Government.

But they have also begun quietly courting Eurosceptic Labour MPs who believe the party is wrong to try to stop Brexit.

Sir Keir has demanded a string of concessions over the Repeal Bill, including a commitment that the Government will continue to implement new EU laws on workers rights after we leave the 28-state bloc.

He confirmed Labour would oppose the legislation if the concessions are refused.
Hurricane Irma now officially poses a threat to the United States as islands at the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea are making preparation for its arrival.

The storm could hit the area as soon as Tuesday, and is expected to hit the East Coast of the mainland US later this week.

Hurricane watches were posted Sunday for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Monserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Martin, Guadeloupe and the British Virgin Islands.

The US National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm could near that region late Tuesday.

Currently Irma is a Category three hurricane, but its intensity has been fluctuating over the past few days.

The storm could hit the area as soon as Tuesday, and is expected to hit the East Coast of the mainland US later this week

Hurricane watches were posted Sunday for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Monserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Martin, Guadeloupe and the British Virgin Islands. The hurricane is pictured from above on Sunday, September 3

It is expected to strengthen to a Category four when it hits the islands, according to Accuweather.

The National Hurricane Center also warned the islands farther north, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, to monitor the progress of the storm.

Antigua's prime minister, Gaston Browne, urged people to take preventative measures in case the storm should hit.

He urged people to clean drains and and remove any objects that could be sent airborne by high winds.

Workers have started pruning trees and shrubs to reduce chances for branches to tear down power and phone lines.

Even if the center of Irma misses some of the islands there are expected power outages and damage to trees and buildings.

The National Hurricane Center also warned the islands farther north, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, to monitor the progress of the storm

Currently Irma is a Category three hurricane, but its intensity has been fluctuating over the past few days. It is expected to ramp up to a Category four by the time it hits land Tuesday

Rough surf is also expected, and will cause dangerous swimming and boating conditions. Accuweather warns small crafts to head to port and stay there until the storm passes.

Any larger boats, such as cruises and shipping interests, are encouraged to reroute.

'The passage of a hurricane is not a matter to be taken lightly, but we must not panic,' Browne said in a statement.

The Antigua and Barbuda weather service said Irma was expected to bring heavy rains, rough surf and high winds to islands along the northern edge of the Antilles.

According to the US hurricane center, Irma had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) on Sunday.

It was centered about 790 miles (1,275 kilometers) east of the Leeward Islands and moved westward at 14 mph (22 kph).

Landfall in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and the end of the Delmarva peninsula is expected later this week, though there is a possibility the storm will miss the mainland entirely

Puerto Rico's governor, Ricard Rossello, said government agencies in the US territory were prepared to deal with any emergencies caused by the storm.

'We have established protocols for the safety of all,' he said at a news conference, while he also urged islanders to take precautions.

In the Dominican Republic, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said workers there were clear away road works and also clean out blockages of sewer drains.

He said President Danilo Medina would lead a meeting with emergencies agencies on Monday to discuss storm preparations.

Landfall in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and the end of the Delmarva peninsula is expected later this week, though there is a possibility the storm will miss the mainland entirely.
Two men from a Western Australian restaurant were forced to make a citizen's arrest after a customer allegedly refused to pay and then threatened them with a knife.

Outback Jacks manager Nathan Doncon and owner Ray Strauss pinned the man to the ground during the altercation Saturday, Perth Now reports.

Dramatic footage of the incident shows the moment the pair arrested the man, with Mr Strauss grinning at the camera.

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Outback Jacks owner Ray Strauss (pictured) along with manager Nathan Doncon were forced to pin a man to the ground during a citizen's arrest Saturday

The altercation occurred when the 36-year-old man reportedly tried to leave the Northbridge bar and grill without paying, with staff approaching him.

Mr Strauss and Mr Doncon could then be seen pushing the man against a wall after he allegedly threatened to stab them.

The duo eventually brought the man inside, where they restrained him on the ground until police arrived.

'He had another go trying to get away, that's when we had to bring him to the floor,' Mr Doncon told 7 News.

The customer reportedly refused to pay for his meal and walked out, with the men who approached him allegedly then threatened with a knife

The 36-year-old man was later formally arrested by police (pictured) and charged with stealing and threatening to injure, harm or endanger

Mr Strauss said that he had informed the man as he tried to exit that he could return to pay or that the police would be called.

'At the time you sort of don't think too much about it. It's only afterwards you realise what's actually happened,' he said.

The man was later formally arrested by police and charged with stealing and threatening to injure, harm or endanger.

He was also alleged to have been in breach of his bail.

On social media friends of the men praised their efforts, writing: 'Nice work guys, effective take-down.'
The encouragement to carry out terror attacks in the UK had started even earlier, in June 2015, when Birmingham-born Junaid Hussain (pictured) first contacted the undercover reporter on Twitter

Islamic State was touting on social media for teenage Muslims to carry out an attack on London Bridge a year before the atrocity happened.

A two-year investigation has revealed how jihadis fighting in Syria were trying to recruit impressionable young Muslims in Britain to carry out attacks.

An undercover reporter posing as a 17-year-old living with his parents was told by IS recruiters as early as July last year to target London Bridge with a truck, axe, anything can work.

The tactics bore striking similarities to the actual attack on June 3, when Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, mowed down pedestrians in a rented van before stabbing revellers on a Saturday night. They killed eight people before being shot dead by police.

But the encouragement to carry out terror attacks in the UK had started even earlier, in June 2015, when Birmingham-born Junaid Hussain first contacted the undercover reporter on Twitter. Hussain married Britains most wanted female terrorist Sally Jones in Syria. He invited the journalist into encrypted messaging sites  where it is difficult to externally monitor conversations  and he was introduced to other IS recruiters.

He urged an attack on the capital which he described as the heart of the crusader army adding: You wanna do something over there? We hit them hard. We can train you, how to make bombs. Easy ticket to Jannah [paradise].

Other recruiters directed the reporter to explicit terror tutorials on the dark web, including instructions on how to make a bomb from home, how to create a fake suicide vest and inflict maximum damage with a knife.

When Hussain was killed by a US army drone in the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2015, another recruiter made contact with the reporter working for BBC Inside Out, telling him: Kill a lot. The best way you can do is to kill normal people. He outlined a plot to assassinate a police officer, including how to obtain firearms and bullets.

Nine months later a policeman was killed in remarkably similar circumstances in Paris. Yesterday Ben Wallace, minister for security, said encrypted apps had become the common thread in recruiting terrorists such as the London Bridge attackers and Khalid Masood whose bloody rampage on Westminster Bridge killed five including a police officer in March this year.

Pictured: Police respond to the attack on London Bridge on June 3

Hussain married Britains most wanted female terrorist Sally Jones (pictured) in Syria

Yesterday Ben Wallace, minister for security, said encrypted apps had become the common thread in recruiting terrorists such as the London Bridge attackers and Khalid Masood whose bloody rampage on Westminster Bridge killed five including a police officer in March this year. Pictured: Flowers lain near London Bridge after the murders

He told BBC Inside Out: There was definitely usage of encrypted communications between planners and terrorists and people that carried out some of those dreadful attacks.

That, Im afraid, is common throughout nearly every single one of these incidents and there is also a role of watching videos online to either prepare themselves or train themselves.

He urged popular encrypted apps like WhatsApp to do more to tackle extremists using their platform.

Richard Walton, former Scotland Yard counter terrorism chief, said: In the London Bridge case youve got a combination of face-to-face radicalisation through well-known extremist groups alongside digital online radicalisation.

And its the combination of the two that leads to individuals plotting terrorist attacks.
A survivor of infamous Melbourne cult The Family is taking the group to court in hope she can compensate alleged victims and remove the dying leader's legal guardians.

Leanne Creese, who spent 16 years following cult leader Anne Hamilton-Byrne under the name 'Anna', will take the action to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday.

She will fight to have Hamilton-Byrne's legal and financial guardians removed, who have power of attorney over the now 96-year-old's affairs because she suffers from dementia.

Leanne Creese (pictured), who spent 16 years following cult leader Anne Hamilton-Byrne under the name 'Anna', will take the action to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday

The children, who had their hair bleached blonde and shaped into the same bob, were allegedly beaten, starved and injected with LSD by Hamilton-Byrne (pictured right) and other cult leaders

In total the cult's assets are said to be worth up to $10 million, with properties in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne and the United States.

Ms Creese, who has previously shined light on the abuse and use of drugs inside the cult, told The Age: 'I want to dethrone her, and take away her money.'

'I want to show Ms Hamilton-Byrne and every complicit person who did her dirty work that they can't get away with it.'

Hamilton-Byrne, one of very few female cult leaders, was under the influence of LSD when she began collecting children in Lake Eildon in central Victoria in the 1970s and 1980s in preparation for what she believed was an apocalyptic war.

In total 28 children spent time at the property - 14 of which were thought to be the biological children of Hamilton-Byrne and her husband, Bill (pictured are some of the almost identical looking children)

Hamilton-Byrne (pictured), one of very few female cult leaders, was under the influence of LSD when she began collecting children in Lake Eildon in central Victoria in the 1970s and 1980s in preparation for what she believed was an apocalyptic war

The 96-year-old believed it was her duty to gather the children for the new world and amassed up to 500 followers

The 96-year-old believed it was her duty to gather the children for the new world and amassed up to 500 followers.

In total 28 children spent time at the property - 14 of which were thought to be the biological children of Hamilton-Byrne and her husband, Bill.

The children, who had their hair bleached blonde and shaped into the same bob, were allegedly beaten, starved and injected with LSD by Hamilton-Byrne and other cult leaders.

Police dramatically rescued the traumatised children from the sect property in 1987 after three young women managed to escape and alert police, survivor Ben Shenton previously told The Today Show.

'What Anne indoctrinated people with, she took them as vulnerable people and came up with a system which was very abusive. If they disagree they were bullied, intimidated, people were separated from their families,' Mr Shenton said.

Police dramatically rescued the traumatised children from the sect property in 1987 after three young women managed to escape and alert police, survivor Ben Shenton previously told The Today Show

'She came up with an ideology that appeared to help people to begin with, but as soon as they disagreed, they were thrown out of the cult, people were put into mental hospitals.' But so far no charges have been brought by police regarding the abuse allegations.

Ms Creese has also opened up about the time she was given the drug LSD.

'I was given LSD when I was 14,' Ms Creese told A Current Affair. 'It was when we supposedly became initiated into the inner sanctum.'

A fundraising page has been set up to pay for the legal fees associated with the case.
A brave bystander has stopped a man who drove a car loaded with weapons through a construction site at a KFC restaurant in Queensland.

The 42-year-old crashed his vehicle into a temporary fence near the store in Ipswich, east of Brisbane, before onlookers allegedly noticed a number of weapons inside.

Worried about the danger the guns, knives and nunchucks allegedly possessed by the man posed, Steve Kenefick stepped in and took the man's car keys from him.

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A brave bystander has stopped a man (pictured) who drove a car loaded with weapons through a construction site at a KFC restaurant in Queensland

Speaking to Nine News about his heroics Mr Kenefick said he aimed to stop the man, fearing he may have used the weapons to go on the attack.

After taking the keys from the man, he urged him to wait for police inside the KFC.

'Mate, you are not getting the keys,' Mr Kenefick told the man.

'I said: "Come in. Go for a feed in here".'

The 42-year-old crashed his vehicle - which allegedly had guns, knives and nunchucks inside - into a temporary fence near the store in Ipswich, east of Brisbane. He faces court in September

When police arrived soon after they arrested the 42-year-old and charged him with possessing a Category M weapon

He was also charged with possessing a knife in a public place and driving with a suspended licence.

The man is due to front Ipswich Court on 29th September.
This is the incredible moment an auto shop owner grabbed onto the side of a pick-up truck and was dragged as a thief sped away.

Tim Rodifer, the owner of Mr Transmission in Johnson City, Tennessee, saw a man climb into a truck he was servicing while he went inside to get paperwork on Wednesday.

In the video Rodifer immediately jumps and grabs the thief through the open window of the gray 2006 Dodge Dakota, but the thief doesn't slow down.

Instead the suspect speeds away in reverse with Rodifer clinging to the side of the vehicle.

Cody Smith was identified as the suspect who went attempted to steal the gray 2006 Dodge Dakota

Tim Rodifer said he didn't think twice about trying to stop the thief from taking the gray truck from outside of his auto shop

In the corner of the video, Rodifer is seen tumbling on the ground after falling off of the side of the truck. He suffered a bruised hip bone

As the truck launches forward to speed out the parking lot, Rodifer lets go, tumbles to the ground and rolls several times.

He was left with a bruised hip bone and scrapes and bruises from the incident.

After his daughter's Facebook post of the video went viral, police identified the suspect as Cody Smith.

He was arrested an hour after the theft and was charged with car jacking, aggravated assault and driving on a revoked license according toWCYB.

Tim Rodifer (left) suffered a bruised hip bone and scrapes and bruises from trying to stop the suspect, identified by police as Cody Smith (right), from stealing the truck

The video also gained traction on the Johnson City Police Crime Stoppers and Most Wanted.

Rodifer told the WCYB he didn't hesitate when trying to stop the thief. Rodifer said: 'Of course I sprinted as fast as I could to the vehicle, dove through the window.'

He owns Mr Transmission with his wife Laura.
Advertisement

North Korea claimed on Sunday to have successfully tested an hydrogen bomb, but what exactly makes an H-bomb different from an atom bomb?

Hydrogen bombs, or H-bombs, are thermonuclear weapons - a more advanced and powerful form of nuclear bomb.

The earliest nuclear weapons, including those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were fission bombs that split atoms into pieces.

While these nuclear weapons - known atom bombs - primarily use fission to create energy, thermonuclear H-bombs use both fission and fusion.

They work in a two-stage process, by using an initial fission reaction to trigger a fusion reaction, smashing the nuclei of atoms together in the same nuclear process that powers the sun.

Kim Jong-un was pictured inspecting the device  the design and scale of which indicated it had a powerful thermonuclear warhead. The multi-stage mechanism of a basic hydrogen bomb is explained bottom left

Photos released Sunday show the country's leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the hydrogen device that it promised would be loaded on a new intercontinental ballistic missile

The result of the thermonuclear design is a devastating blast that can be thousands of times more powerful than traditional atomic bomb designs, which have an upper yield limit of about 500 kilotons.

Thermonuclear weapons can additionally use the fusion reaction to trigger a second fission reaction, with no theoretical upper limit on yield. The largest weapon ever tested was a Russian device with a 50,000 kiloton yield.

NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR TESTS October 9, 2006: 0.7-2 kilotons May 25, 2009: 2-5.4 kilotons February 12, 2013: 6-16 kilotons January 6, 2016: 7-10 kilotons September 9, 2016: 15-25 kilotons September 3, 2017: 100 kilotons Advertisement

The US first tested a hydrogen bomb in 1952, with a 1,000 kiloton yield. H-bombs have never been used in war.

Experts believe the latest North Korean device exploded with a 100 kiloton yield, which could be within the yield range of either traditional atomic or thermonuclear weapons.

Either way, it seems clear the test was of a powerful nuclear weapon capable of destroying swaths of a city.

'We have nothing to cause us to doubt that this was a test of an advanced nuclear device,' one US intelligence official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The US official said, however, that it would take some time to complete a thorough analysis of the size of the blast and type of device detonated.

Top US military officials responded to the North Korean test by alluding to the possibility of 'total annihilation' for the secretive regime.

South Korea's official news agency reports the quake struck where North Korea's nuclear test site Punggye-ri is located

Overhead pictures of Punggye-ri nuclear test site from August 17, published by 38 North. The detonation occurred close to this location, and vibrations were felt in China and Russia

In Japan (left), pedestrians were seen horrified at the news on a public display, while (right) North Koreans reacted with joy

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HYDROGEN AND ATOM BOMBS At the heart of every atom is a nucleus. If you break that apart, or combine two nuclei together, it can create huge amounts of energy. This energy is what both hydrogen and atom bombs harness to produce a massive explosion. The main difference, however, is that what is called an atomic bomb is primarily a fission device, whereas hydrogen bombs use both fission and fusion. During fission, the nuclei of heavy atoms split into smaller, lighter nuclei, which releases energy in the process. Fusion operates in reverse. When exposed to high temperatures and pressures, lightweight nuclei can combine together to form heavier nuclei, releasing energy. This process is what powers stars like our sun to make them so hot and bright, but it can be extremely difficult to recreate on Earth. This is because in order to trigger fusion, there needs to be huge amounts of energy in the first place. Thermonuclear H-bombs are in fact two bombs: a fission bomb and a fusion bomb. Inside a H-bomb, a fission bomb releases a blast of X-ray radiation, which is focused onto a fusion bomb. This sets off the fusion bomb, creating an explosion powerful enough to merge atoms, convert some of this into pure energy, and trigger an extremely powerful blast. This graphic shows two different models of atomic bombs. The goal of each is detonate traditional explosives (tan) to squeeze a fissionable material, like plutonium-239 (teal) or uranium-235 (yellow), into a 'supercritical' mass that splits atoms. The device on the left is an implosion-type fission bomb, like the Fat Man bomb detonated over Nagasaki, and it compresses everything inward Advertisement

In a terse statement outside the White House on Sunday afternoon, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump had been briefed on each of the 'many military options' available during a meeting with national security heads.

'We made it clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack and that our agreements with our allies are iron-clad,' he said.

'Any threat to the United States or its territories including Guam, or our allies, will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.'

He urged Kim Jong-Un to 'take heed' of the UN Security Council's 'unified' objection to the test of the 100-kiloton bomb test, which caused a 6.3-magnitude earthquake.

'We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country - namely North Korea,' Mattis concluded, 'but as I said, we have many options to do so.'
Eerie drone footage has captured the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Harvey which also destroyed homes in North Carolina.

Harvey ripped through central North Carolina on Friday afternoon with winds of up to 90 miles per hour.

The town of Sanford was one of the hardest hit with dozens of homes and businesses destroyed or damaged.

The eerie drone footage captured the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Harvey in Sanford, North Carolina on Friday

The drone footage filmed on Saturday shows the extent of the destruction with properties completely destroyed by fallen trees and downed powerlines.

The roof of a warehouse was torn off during the storm and most homes in the area remain without power.

Weather officials said the destruction was caused by a 'microburst' with strong winds but said it wasn't a tornado.

'We should consider ourselves lucky that we didn't have additional worse damage and the set up thankfully was just not right for long-track tornadoes or impressive, incredible damaging tornadoes,' Nick Petro of the National Weather Service told WNCN.

The roof of a warehouse was torn off (above) during the storm and most homes in the area remain without power after Harvey tore through on Friday

Dozens of trees snapped and fell during the destructive storm

The drone footage filmed on Saturday shows the extent of the destruction with properties completely destroyed by fallen trees

It followed the devastating storms and floods that hit parts of Texas, destroying 100,000 homes and killing at least 44 people.

Harvey hit Texas on August 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other communities as a tropical storm.

At least 4,700 Houston dwellings were under new, mandatory evacuation orders on Sunday as engineers relieved pressure on overtaxed city reservoirs.

The town of Sanford was one of the hardest hit with dozens of homes and businesses destroyed or damaged

Harvey ripped through central North Carolina on Friday afternoon with winds of up to 90 miles per hour
Dr Jane Barton: Guilty of professional misconduct

Nearly two decades after her mothers traumatic death, Ann Reeves is still battling to discover the truth of what happened to her at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in Hampshire.

Elsie Devine was 88 and weighed just seven stone when she died on November 21, 1999, after being given enough drugs to lay out a six-foot violent man, according to her family.

A month earlier, shed been admitted to the small community hospital, which specialised in respite care, when her daughter Ann, with whom Elsie lived, had to go to London to be with her husband while he received treatment for leukaemia.

Mrs Devine was visited daily by her son, Harry, and kept herself busy sending cards to friends and relatives.

In a card to Ann, she wrote: I feel lost without you all, but never mind. The important thing to me is that you are all alright. Nothing else. I dont get up here till 8.30 am. One day they let me stay in till lunch. All I did was watch telly.

Two weeks later, Elsie Devine, who her family say was suffering from a kidney infection, suddenly died. An inquest into her death said that she had been given inappropriate medication at the hospital.

Over the years, using the inquests papers and details in her mothers medical file, her daughter has unravelled, hour by hour, Elsies last days.

She was treated with strong opiates, and we feel it was an overdose of these that caused her death, says Ann, now 71.

In a formal complaint to doctors watchdog the General Medical Council, she has explained: On November 18 1999, my mother was administered with a 25mcg fentanyl patch that was only licensed that year to be used for chronic intractable pain due to cancer.

Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller which is up to 100 times more potent than morphine.

Before receiving the patch, Elsie had bathed, had her hair washed and was up and dressed, sitting talking to a doctor. She even signed her pension book. Her medical notes for that morning show she was happy, no complaints. No obvious paranoia.

Anns GMC complaint goes on: The following morning, when our mother woke with the fentanyl patch running at full strength, she was feeling the effects of what was an overdose. She was acutely confused and, most likely, terrified.

Overdose: Elsie Devine died after being given enough drugs to lay out a violent six-foot man

She was then injected with 50mg of chlorpromazine [a sedative used to treat paranoia and agitation], double the dose for a normal adult and far higher than what should be used on the frail elderly.

Fifty-five minutes later, our mum was started on a syringe driver with 40mg of midazolam, another strong sedative, pumping directly into her body. A further 40mg of diamorphine [a painkiller] was added, which is four times the recommended dose.

Little wonder that tiny Elsie was soon close to collapse.

As Ann says today: After three hours, she fell unconscious and remained in a coma for two days, until she died.

It was all without any logic or justification. If you take fentanyl alone, it is only prescribed for people with intractable pain, and Mum was in no pain.

This one story is disturbing enough  but Elsie was far from alone, say other relatives of the elderly who entered Gosport Memorial never to emerge alive.

They maintain the hospital had a suspiciously high death-rate in what they call end of line wards.

Some relatives who visited the morgue to see their loved ones bodies say it was full. They speak of a climate of fear, with one elderly patient begging his son: Get me out of here  they are trying to kill me.

A patients services officer at the hospital has revealed on an NHS staff internet site that during one busy afternoon, he consoled the next of kin of eight patients who had passed away overnight. Death certificates said they had each succumbed to pneumonia.

He said some of the elderly were scared to go to sleep because they were afraid they would not wake up. They were distressed and frightened about being given painkillers.

Now 120 families are hoping that the new findings of an independent investigation  headed by the former bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, who chaired the inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster  will end their torment.

It was announced recently that the 13 million inquiry will report next spring after examining 833 death certificates issued historically at the hospital.

Many were signed off in black ink and with the distinctive signature of a GP called Jane Barton, who worked there part-time as a clinical assistant from 1988 to 2000.

Nearly two decades after her mothers traumatic death, Ann Reeves is still battling to discover the truth of what happened to her at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in Hampshire

There is no suggestion Dr Barton deliberately took patients lives, and she is among several medical staff questioned over the years about the persistent allegations by relatives.

At a GMC hearing into Dr Barton, which ended in 2010, the formidable but widely respected GP produced 200 glowing testimonials from other medics and local patients. She was flanked by lawyers who called her a good doctor, and she was often accompanied by her naval officer husband and loyal supporter, Tim.

A woman of few words who was said not to suffer fools gladly, she pleaded that caring for increasing numbers of elderly at Gosport War Memorial Hospital (GWMH) had put her, and other medical staff, under unreasonable pressure.

She was found guilty of professional misconduct, criticised for prescribing strong drugs in an excessive, inappropriate, potentially hazardous way, and barred from giving opiate injections. However, she was allowed to continue working as a GP in Gosport.

That outcome was, perhaps understandably, not enough for bereaved families.

It was two years after Dr Barton started working at GWMH that a group of nurses reported their worries about the liberal use of painkillers to bosses.

Seven years later, in August 1998, Hampshire police were contacted by a woman named Gillian Mackenzie who said that her mother, Gladys, was admitted to recover from a hip operation.

Gladys was prescribed morphine before her abrupt death, although her contemporaneous medical notes stated that she was displaying no obvious signs of pain.

More families soon came forward with similar alarming stories.

These have led to four inconclusive police and Crown Prosecution Service probes, 11 inquests, various Health Service inquiries, a GMC hearing, and a special death audit to find out why so many elderly patients died.

The death audit, published in 2013, was by Professor Richard Baker, an adviser to the inquiry into serial killer Harold Shipman, the GP believed to have murdered more than 200 of his patients with the opiate diamorphine, a strong painkiller often used in end-of-life care, before his arrest in 1998.

The Professor concluded there was an almost routine use of opiates at Gosport Memorial and that a remarkably high proportion of dead patients had received them.

He warned that Dr Barton may not have originated this practice but had been implementing what was going on before she started work there as a clinical assistant in 1988.

In August 1998, Hampshire police were contacted by a woman named Gillian Mackenzie who said that her mother, Gladys, was admitted to recover from a hip operation

Worryingly, he added that the frequent use of morphine and sedatives almost certainly shortened the lives of some patients who might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital.

The phrase, Please make comfortable, found in many medical notes, became a euphemism for starting the patient on strong painkillers.

Now 68 and living with her husband in a handsome Georgian house in Gosport, Dr Barton is tight-lipped about the scandal that refuses to go away. She declined to comment when I approached her.

Fifteen years ago, her husband told the media that instead of trying to find a new Harold Shipman, it might be more constructive to ask why a part-time GP was looking after 48 beds.

No one has seen any of the letters she sent [to hospital authorities] saying: You cant keep sending me this number of patients, I cannot cope with this number. 

There are, of course, two sides to any story, but this past week the Mail has heard chilling accounts about Gosport Memorial.

In those days, it was run by Portsmouth Healthcare NHS Trust, which was dissolved in 2002 after the disturbing allegations emerged. Eighteen years on, the relatives of Stan Carby are still angry about what happened to him.

They have told Hampshire police that the 65-year-old former naval officer died just 24 hours after being admitted to Daedalus Ward on April 26, 1999, for rehabilitation following a series of mini-strokes. A large man, his weight ruled him out of being looked after at home.

Generally, his health was OK, his daughter Debbie Mackay adds. He wasnt in any pain, and was on nothing stronger than aspirin.

He was there for rehab, so we hoped they would be able to get him back on his feet. But the following day, they told us he had taken a turn for the worse.

The family found him lying clammy and unresponsive in his bed. When they lifted him up, they found a tube in his back, later identified as a morphine syringe driver. Hospital staff told the family they were letting nature take its course.

We knew something wasnt right from the start, and it has been a constant battle for us and other families to be taken seriously, says Debbie, now 54 and a secretary.

Enid Spurgeon, 92, was admitted in March 1999 for rehabilitation following surgery on a fractured hip after falling over a dog.

From the day she arrived, the family were worried, as her nephew Carl Jewell, 81, recalled in the past few days.

She was put in a bed, did not receive any physiotherapy, and was left there. She developed an infection in her wound because it hadnt been kept clean, but did not get any antibiotics.

When he visited his aunt, he found her drugged and completely out of it. A consultant admitted to Carl that shed been on doses of painkillers that were far too high, and promised he would tell nurses to reduce them.

They called me later and told me she had come round and was feeling a lot better. Then, just a few hours later, in the early hours of the morning, the hospital called again. They said she had died.

I was totally shocked. The coroners report did say she had been given overdoses of painkillers, but hardly anything critical of the hospital came out. It was a farce.

Ruby Lake was admitted in August 1998 after a hip operation and, at 88, was described as mobile, lucid, well and happy.

The hospital gave her diamorphine and midazolam, administered by automatic syringe. Three days later, Mrs Lake was dead.

Brian Cunningham, 79, went to the hospital in September 1998. He had an ulcer and bedsores, ailments treated by Dr Barton.

His stepson, Charles Farthing, says: On the Monday he was admitted, he was sitting up and asking for chocolates and a box of tissues. When I left the hospital, I had a phone call saying Brian was being difficult and they had to give him something to calm him down.

When I went back on the Wednesday, he was comatose. There was a black box with a bleeping noise pumping in drugs.

At the inquest, a coroners jury concluded his stepfather had been overdosed. Diamorphine and other powerful painkillers had contributed more than minimally to his death. And so the families stories  confirmed in documentation from the numerous hearings, inquiries and investigations over the years  go on. All show a disturbing similarity.

One of the most poignant is that of ex-naval officer Robert Wilson, 74, who was admitted with a broken shoulder. His son, Iain, visited him in the hospital. He was in bed and laid very, very still and very, very quiet. I leaned over him and he whispered: Help me son, they are killing me. I said: No, they are not, Dad, they are trying to do their best for you. 

Next day his father was in a coma, and never recovered. I am heartbroken Dad knew he was going to be killed, Iain told the BBC, before his own early death from a heart attack a few years ago.

For her part, Dr Barton said, after her own GMC hearing, that she did not want patients to be in pain, and always acted in their interests.

I was faced with an excessive and increasing burden in trying to care for patients at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital. I did the best that I could for them in the circumstances.

Few of the bereaved are entirely satisfied with that explanation.

This weekend, Ann Reeves said sadly: I believe there has been a cover-up at the highest level. This is the biggest scandal ever to hit the NHS. The way my mother Elsie died is no way to end your life.

With the new report into Gosport Memorial deaths underway, the bereaved families should learn once and for all why their loved ones died  and who exactly should take the blame.
A Melbourne sightseer has been left spooked after a chilling photo she took appears to capture a ghost lurking in the background.

Jodie Bezzina, of Deer Park, was taking a tour around the notorious former facility Pentridge Prison when she decided to take a photo of her boyfriend and cousin enjoying their day out.

But Ms Bezzina was stunned when taking a closer look at the image she had taken.

A Melbourne sightseer has been left spooked after a chilling photo she took appears to capture a ghost lurking in the background at notorious former facility Pentridge Prison

Jodie Bezzina, of Deer Park, was taking a tour around the ex-penitentiary when she decided to take a photo of her boyfriend and cousin enjoying their day out

The supernatural sighting (circled in the background) is made all the more eerie considering the ex-penitentiary housed some of Victoria's most dangerous criminals up until 1997

'I had to look twice as I thought someone from the tour was standing by, but it wasn't. We spotted a ghost', she revealed to The Herald Sun.

'If you look directly at the photo, it's behind the boy in the black hooded jumper, on the left-hand side.'

The supernatural sighting is made all the more eerie considering the ex-penitentiary housed some of Victoria's most dangerous criminals up until 1997.

Ms Bezzina was part of one of the many ghost tours run around the alleged haunted prison with ex-inmate Mark 'Chopper' Read said to regularly linger in the hallways.

Her photo comes after a long line of ghost-related incidents at the prison, with previous inmates and visitors claiming to have seen and heard apparitions at the infamous jail.
Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, who is known to be exceptionally close with the Russian premier, dramatically said there needs to be 'peace by the will of God' between the two nations. The bishop, who is widely seen as Putin's spiritual adviser called the war, which began with Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February, an 'unprecedented tragedy' and said it 'should end with peace'. The remarks are an extraordinary intervention by the clergyman and have sparked suggestions that Putin may be open to a deal after his humiliating defeat in Kherson. Russian troops were forced to abandon the city late last week amid a counter-offensive by Ukrainian troops, with reports that some disguised themselves as civilians as they attempted to flee. In what appeared to be a final act of retaliation, the despot's troops blew up the Nova Kakhovka dam as they retreated across the Dnipro River, as well as allegedly destroying the Antonovsky Bridge, which is the other main crossing point over the river in the Kherson region. In an interview with Rossiya 1 channel, and presumably speaking with Putin's permission, the 64-year-old bishop admitted the conflict is beginning to weigh heavily on the minds of Russians.
Spanish police have taken out a suspected British-led drugs gang in Magaluf.

Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido tweeted his support for the Civil Guard as it emerged 12 of the 14 alleged members of the gang had been remanded in custody after a court appearance on Saturday.

Officers revealed just ahead of the hearings, held in private at a court in the Majorcan capital Palma, that 12 of the 14 people held during dawn raids on Thursday were from the UK. One was Spanish and one was Dominican.

Three kilos of cocaine were seized along with other drugs including ecstasy and nearly 100,000 in cash. Several of the suspects detained in Magaluf were women (pictured)

Three kilos of cocaine were seized along with other drugs including ecstasy and nearly 100,000 in cash.

Several of the suspects frogmarched to court in handcuffs on Saturday were women. Most of the detainees were from Liverpool and Manchester.

Mr Zoido used his official Twitter account to write: 'Congratulations to the Civil Guard for dismantling a gang selling cocaine in Magaluf. There are 14 detainees.'

Local reports over the weekend said the gang was selling around eight kilos of cocaine a month and smuggling drugs into Majorca on speedboats they used to go to Barcelona and back in the same day.

The police operation, called Operation Tatum, was aided by officers from Britain's National Crime Agency who travelled to Majorca to take part in Thursday's raids by heavily-armed officers in balaclavas supported by a helicopter.

Operation Tatum was linked to a major drugs bust last summer in Majorca called Operation Daju, which resulted in the arrest of five Britons and seizure of 4.8 kilos of cocaine.

Several of the suspects frogmarched to court in handcuffs on Saturday were women. Most of the detainees were from Liverpool and Manchester

The Civil Guard said in a statement: 'The Civil Guard has arrested 14 people, 13 in Majorca and one in Barcelona, suspected of belonging to a criminal organisation selling drugs in nightspots in Magaluf.

'During the 12 raids that took place, three kilos of high-purity cocaine were seized along with different amount of ecstasy pills, cannabis resin and methamphetamine, 103,000 euros in cash and four vehicles.

'The operation began as a result of Operation Daju which took place in July last year.'

Confirming 12 Brits were among the 14 arrested, the force added: 'Officers from Britain's National Crime Agency have cooperated with the Civil Guard to detain the members of this organisation.'
The investigation into Stephen Lawrence's murder stained Scotland Yards reputation amid allegations of racism and corruption

The police officer who spied on the family of Stephen Lawrence could finally be unmasked as part of an inquiry into undercover policing.

Sir John Mitting, the judge leading a public inquiry into undercover policing, is said to be considering revealing the cover name of the Scotland Yard officer who spied on the parents of the murdered black teenager, pictured, as they fought for justice.

The officer, known only as N81, was planted in the wider Lawrence family camp by the Metropolitan Police during an inquiry into the botched investigation of the 18-year-olds murder in 1993.

The investigation stained Scotland Yards reputation amid allegations of racism and corruption.

In 2014, an independent report confirmed that the undercover officer was spying on Stephens parents, passing on information about the state of Doreen and Neville Lawrences marriage to senior officers.

Now Sir John is understood to believe the officers cover name should be released so his activities and motivations can be properly assessed.

But Scotland Yard is fiercely resisting the move, saying even the disclosure of his false name could compromise his safety by confirming him as an officer to serious criminals.

But Scotland Yard is fiercely resisting the move, saying even the disclosure of his false name could compromise his safety by confirming him as an officer to serious criminals

The judge has granted the Met the chance to argue its case later this year in a secret hearing from which the Lawrence family will be excluded.

A Met spokesman said: The Metropolitan Police Service is, and will, continue to co-operate fully with the inquiry.
A Democrat congressman is threatening to subpoena the White House over a draft of a letter President Donald Trump wrote regarding firing former FBI director James Comey.

Adam Schiff, the ranking representative of the minority members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said he believes there could be evidence to support that the president attempted to obstruct justice in his reasoning for Comey's ousting.

Schiff, who represents California, told CNN host Dana Bash: 'It's probably far past time for our committee to subpoena the White House to make sure we get all relevant documents.'

The House Intelligence Committee has requested notes, tapes and materials relating to Trump's conversations with Comey. Schiff said he has not seen the document himself.

Scroll down for video

Representative Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, said it was past time for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence subpoena the White House over a draft of a letter President Donald Trump wrote regarding firing former FBI director James Comey

President Trump (pictured in Houston on Saturday) criticized ex FBI director James Comey, calling him a showboat. He also said Comey 'lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington'

The committee sent the request after the president famously tweeted saying Comey 'better hope there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press'.

Schiff also said they requested emails from Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen regarding the 'Trump Tower-Moscow' project.

According to the New York Times, the Comey draft is currently in possession of special counsel Robert Mueller who is investigating whether or not the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the presidential election. The letter is believed to be more detailed than the one released on May 9 when Comey was fired.

Trump said he fired the FBI director in May on the advice of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Rosenstein reportedly revised a draft Trump gave him on May 8 as to why Comey was let go.

Trump has said his final decision to fire Comey was not based off of this information and has repeatedly called him a 'nut job' and a 'showboat.'

He defended himself on Twitter on May 10, saying: 'Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me!'

This letter should provide insight as to Trump's intent regarding firing Comey. Under federal law, the president is allowed to fire the FBI director. But whether or not he did so because of the Russia investigation could raise questions.

The president implied to Lester Holt that Russia was part of his reasoning.

He said: 'I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story; its an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should have won.'

In a June testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee, Comey said he was concerned when he thought Trump implied he wanted him to to draw back the probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn

In June, Comey testified that the president asked him to 'lift the cloud' and publicly say he was not under investigation regarding the Russia inquiry. Comey also believed Trump implied that he wanted him to draw back the probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Comey said though Trump never ordered him to drop the probe, he equated this conversation with the president to when King Henry II asked his subordinates 'Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?'

Comey's firing came the same day it was reported that he backtracked on claims that Hillary Clinton had 'hundreds and thousands' of emails containing classified information in her private server.

On May 3, Comey testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that he was 'mildly nauseous' to think the timing of his actions may have influenced the presidential election. In the month before the election, he announced the investigation into Clinton's emails was not over.

Clinton has blamed a 'combination of Jim Comey's letter on October 28 and Russian WikiLeaks' for changing vital voters' minds right before the election.
North Korea's latest nuclear weapons test has renewed fears of a devastating electro-magnetic pulse, or EMP, attack that could wipe out electrical grids across the US.

For the first time, North Korea specifically mentioned the possibility of an EMP attack on the US following Sunday's test of a 100-kiloton weapon, which the regime claims is a thermonuclear bomb.

The weapon could wipe out much of a city, but the pulse from a high-altitude blast could sow chaos and destruction far wider.

North Korea's state news agency warned that the weapon 'is a multifunctional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP attack.'

A nuclear bomb detonated 19 miles above the earth would affect Kansas and the surrounding states. One detonated at an altitude of 294 miles would affect most of the continental US. The map above shows EMP blast zones (red) of detonations at different altitudes (black numbers)

On Saturday night EST, North Korea released this photo showing Kim Jong-Un and what appeared to be a nuclear warhead. Soon after, it detonated a 100kt bomb underground

An EMP is a burst of high-intensity radio waves emitted from nuclear explosions in the upper atmosphere that scrambles electronics, much like a sudden power surge can overload a power outlet.

But an EMP is far, far worse. A nuclear bomb detonated high in the atmosphere could knock out the power grid across a huge swathe of the continental US.

WHAT IS A NUCLEAR EMP? North Korea has specifically threatened an EMP attack on the US for the first time. Nuclear blasts generate high-intensity radio waves that can disrupt electronics. These EMP blasts travel along line-of-sight, which means the effects extend only to the visual horizon. A powerful enough blast at an altitude of 249 miles could impact most of the continental US. Advertisement

That would leave hospitals without power, civilian and government agencies unable to coordinate, and the fabric of society unraveling fast.

'I think this is the principal, the most important and dangerous, threat to the United States,' James Woolsey, former chief of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1993 to 1995, told the San Diego Union-Tribune in March.

'If you look at the electric grid and what it's susceptible to, we would be moving into a world with no food delivery, no water purification, no banking, no telecommunications, no medicine. All of these things depend on electricity in one way or another.'

The higher the bomb is detonated, the wider the EMP's range of effect.

A bomb detonated 19 miles above the center of the country would affect all of Kansas and Nebraska, almost all of South Dakota, and substantial chunks of surrounding states.

This picture released by the North Korean government late last week shows the last test launch by the country. The regime's latest nuclear weapons test raises fears of an EMP attack

Yonhap, South Korea's official news agency, reports the quake from the test struck near where North Korea's nuclear test site Punggye-ri is located

In Japan (left), pedestrians were seen horrified at the news on a public display, while (right) North Koreans reacted with joy to the announcement

Theoretically, a sufficiently powerful bomb detonated at an altitude of 249 miles would wipe out all electronics in the US, save the southernmost top of Florida and the easternmost states - as well as affecting Canada and Mexico.

That altitude is roughly the orbit of the International Space Station and other low-Earth orbit satellites.

North Korea has already demonstrated its ability to reach this altitude with two satellite launches, in 2012 and 2016, which some experts believe were tests of an EMP launch trajectory.

'EMP is one of the small number of threats that can hold our society at risk of catastrophic consequences,' William Graham, chairman of the Commission To Assess The Threat To The US From An EMP Attack, told Congress in 2012.

'Our vulnerability is increasing daily, as our use and dependence on electronics and automated systems continues to grow.'
Girls as young as 12 are falling victim to a sick new craze sweeping across Australian schools that sees fellow students forcing cameras under their clothing and sharing the videos online.

The horrifying trends known as 'upskirting' and 'downblousing' involves cameras being forced up unwitting girls' skirts and down their tops before the images are uploaded to the internet in the latest form of cyber-bullying.

NSW Schools have moved to crack down on the issue, reminding pupils they would face criminal charges if found to have circulated explicit content of someone without their consent, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Young girls are falling victim to a sick new craze sweeping across Australian schools that sees fellow students forcing cameras under clothing and sharing the videos online (stock image)

The trends, known as 'upskirting' and 'downblousing', involves cameras being forced up unwitting girls' skirts and down their tops before the images are uploaded to the internet in the latest form of cyber-bullying (stock image)

In a bid to tackle the problem, the office of the eSafety commissioner is in the process of launching a website that would allow victims to report any incident of online abuse.

ESafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant revealed the volume of complaints was rapidly growing over images taken with or without consent.

'Being a victim of image-based abuse can be a devastating and humiliating experience, especially so for a young person,' she said.

Cyber safety expert Ross Bark, who works with NSW schools in trying to prevent such issues, revealed the internet is promoting the sick craze to children.

ESafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant (pictured) revealed the volume of complaints was rapidly growing over images taken with or without consent as NSW Schools have moved to ensure students are fully aware of the legal consequences if caught

'There is a very twisted genre of YouTube videos that are teaching children highly inappropriate behaviour,' he said.

In another rising trend, twisted children are photoshopping peers' faces onto pornographic images.

'It's a digital monkey see, monkey do, there's the usual developing sexual curiosity, combined with a lack of maturity on how to responsibly use these technologies,' psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said.

NSW Secondary Principals Council president Chris Presland has said he hopes children will soon realise the severe punishments associated with such behaviour from police will act as a deterrent in schools.
Three people were struck when an SUV suddenly reversed onto a sidewalk early Saturday morning.

Surveillance cameras from a barber shop in Waltham, Massachusetts caught the terrifying moment on video.

In the footage, a man and woman can be seen walking across the street when the vehicle suddenly accelerates backwards, runs over them both and hits another man on the sidewalk.

The driver, 60, then pauses for a moment, and then speeds forward, trapping one of the victims under the vehicle.

In the footage, a man and woman can be seen walking across the street when the vehicle suddenly accelerates backwards

The car runs over them both and hits another man on the sidewalk, knocking him to the ground

Giordano DePena, who owns the barber shop, told Fox 25: 'I was cutting hair and all I heard was "boom!" I come out to look and the car was all over the people.'

The victims have not been named, but have been identified as a 22-year-old man, a 59-year-old man, and a 65-year-old woman.

Emergency responders arrived to the scene within minutes and took all of the victims to Newton Wellesley Hospital.

All of the victims are expected to survive with minimal injuries, police have said.

The driver, 60, then pauses for a moment, and then speeds forward, trapping one of the victims under the vehicle

The video also shows the driver of the car hurriedly get out when she realizes she has hit people

The video also shows the driver of the car hurriedly get out when she realizes she has hit people.

DePena also said that, although the video made the incident look severe, when he came out of his barber shop he thought things could have been worse.

So far no charges have been filed against the unnamed driver.

Her SUV was towed from the scene with damage to its rear bumper.

Another car was also damaged in the accident, though it's not clear who the car belongs to or if they were present at the time of the accident.
An 11-year-old girl shot in the face after an alleged argument outside a Tasmanian supermarket has woken from her coma.

Phoenix Newitt woke up in the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne early on Sunday morning, asking for her mother, Sarah.

'[I'm] completely overwhelmed, I don't know how to express how happy and emotional and excited I am that my little girl's finally awake after five days,' Ms Newitt told ABC.

'I thought she was dead  I didn't want to believe it in myself but that's all I could say - "she's dead."'

Phoenix Newitt (pictured) has woken up from her coma after being shot in the face last week

The 11-year-old was allegedly shot in the head last week while sitting in the back seat of car outside a house at Deloraine, near Launceston.

It came after Ms Newitt reportedly became involved in a physical fight with another woman at a nearby Woolworths supermarket.

The bullet reportedly entered the right-hand side window and rebounded off the car's passenger door, lodging fragments in Phoenix's neck and head which traveled to her heart.

Ms Newitt told ABC there was minimal damage done to the Year 5 student's face, but fragments of the bullet are still in her brain, heart and lungs.

Ms Newitt (pictured with Phoenix) was reportedly involved in an argument with another woman that turned into a fight before her car was shot at nearby

Police say the shooting occurred after the women allegedly argued at a nearby Woolworths (pictured) before Ms Newitt and her children travelled to a house on Stagg Court

Phoenix may also be deaf in her right ear, but Ms Newitt says doctors are more concerned about the bullet fragments in her brain, and deafness is a 'minor' consequence compared to what could have been.

Nathan Richard Campbell, 25, who is accused of shooting the gun, fronted Launceston Magistrates Court in Tasmania on Friday afternoon.

He faces charges of grievous bodily harm and recklessly discharging a firearm.

Campbell's lawyer said the case could not proceed at the time as the girl's condition was 'not yet properly determined'.

He is now expected to remain in police custody with case adjourned until September 7.
Pauline Hanson shocked senators and members of the public when she wore a burqa on the floor of parliament last month.

And now the One Nation leader has called for hats, in addition to full facial coverings, also be banned in the federal upper house.

It comes as Senate President Stephen Parry is expected to make a statement Monday about the issue of a dress code in the senate.

Pauline Hanson (pictured), who wore a burqa on the floor of parliament last month to get the garment banned, has now questioned whether hats should be allowed as well

Speaking ahead of the statement Ms Hanson said coverings, such as the burqa or hats, should not be acceptable in parliament.

'Our vote is taken on the floor of parliament by full facial recognition and I don't believe anyone should walk into that chamber at any time with a burqa or a full facial covering,' she said.

'I also do question about wearing a hat into the Senate chamber as well.

She added: 'I don't believe it is etiquette and I don't believe a hat should be worn as it is by one member in the chamber and that is Senator (Pat) Dodson.'

Mr Dodson has previously been pictured wearing a black Akubra hat with the Aboriginal colours on it into parliament, notably during his maiden speech in September 2016.

Speaking about the clothing piece in an interview for The University of NSW Uniken Magazine in 2009, he said that it was both practical and reminded him of his culture.

Ms Hanson called out Labor Senator Pat Dodson (pictured) for wearing his Akubra hat in parliament, saying 'I don't believe it is etiquette and I don't believe a hat should be worn as it is by one member in the chamber'

Mr Dodson has previously been pictured wearing the hat, which boasts the Aboriginal colours on it, into the senate at his maiden speech in September 2016

Senator Dodson has previously said that wearing the hat was 'second nature' to him and that without it he felt 'undressed'

'It is a reminder that Aboriginal people are part of this country - particularly the band, which was knitted by my older sister,' he said.

'It's second nature to me - I feel a bit undressed when I don't have it on my head.

He added: 'I get very annoyed when I see people carrying a hat instead of wearing it.'

Notes on the dress code from the Parliament of Australia states: 'Members have been permitted to wear hats in the Chamber but not while entering, leaving, or speaking.'

Ms Hanson's comments follow a stunt she pulled in August when she entered parliament during Question Time while wearing a burqa.

Addressing the room of politicians, the Queensland Senator called for the Government to ban 'oppressive' full-face coverings.

The comments comes as Senate President Stephen Parry is expected to make a statement Monday about the issue of a dress code following Ms Hanson's stunt

In August she was seen entering parliament during Question Time while wearing a burqa to campaign against it, later calling it a 'cruel tool of oppression used to subjugate women'

In a post on social media in the weeks that followed, Ms Hanson called the burqa a 'cruel tool of oppression used to subjugate women.'

'The burqa is not a religious garment...No one should come to its defence', she wrote.

Fellow crossbencher Derryn Hinch also queried what security measures had been carried out during Senator Hanson's burqa stunt last month.

'I did make the point back then that my campaign against paedophile priests by her standards, and the Senate's standards, I should turn up today with my collar turned back to front as a priest or a cardinal,' he said.

MP Bob Katter is also renowned for wearing a white Akubra hat, with three other politicians poking fun at the image during question time in 2011.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Senator Dodson's office for comment.

MP Bob Katter (pictured) is also renowned for donning a white Akubra hat
Men who drink regularly for years may find it more difficult than women to give up alcohol because of changes in their brain, research has found.

Scans suggested men may find it harder to cut back after a decade of frequent drinking because of activity in an area of the brain thought to cause alcohol cravings.

Women did not show the same brain activity, suggesting it might be easier for them to put down the wine bottle.

The findings come from brain scans given to 11 men and 16 women aged under 28 who had been drinking for a decade, consuming at least 25 units a week  equivalent to almost three bottles of wine or more than eight pints of beer.

Scans suggested men may find it harder to cut back after a decade of frequent drinking because of activity in an area of the brain thought to cause alcohol cravings

Women did not show the same brain activity, suggesting it might be easier for them to put down the wine bottle

In Britain men are more likely to drink than women and are three times as likely to have more than 14 units  about a bottle and a half of wine  in one sitting.

Men also make up two-thirds of hospital admissions for health problems caused by alcohol. The study was carried out by the University of Eastern Finland, with the findings reported to the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Researcher Dr Outi Kaarre said: We found more changes in brain electrical activity in male subjects than in females, which was a surprise, as we expected it would be the other way around.

In Britain men are more likely to drink than women and are three times as likely to have more than 14 units  about a bottle and a half of wine  in one sitting

This means that male brain electrical functioning is changed more than female brains by long-term alcohol use. The researchers had previously found heavier drinkers showed greater electrical activity than non-drinkers in the cortex  the brains centre for decision-making.

But men showed more of this surge in electricity than woman in an area associated with addiction when their brains were stimulated by magnetic pulses.

Dr Kaarre said: What this work means is that long-term alcohol use affects young men and women very differently, and we need to find out how these differences manifest themselves.
This is the extraordinary video taken by a woman who claims she walked straight into the exclusive school Prince George will attend this week.

Sarah Burnett-Moore, 54, said she walked through the corridors of Thomas's London Day School in Battersea completely unobstructed and says she fears it could be a soft target for terrorists.

She filmed herself inside the 18,000-a-year school after wandering through an iron gate and the main door, which were both left open.

Mrs Burnett-Moore also managed to get as far as the school reception without seeing anybody.

The doctor described the lack of security as 'astonishing' and 'rather worrying', particularly as William and Kate's four-year-old son is due to attend the school for the first time on Thursday.

A woman claims she walked straight into the exclusive school Prince George will attend from this week, which was packed with boxes and class displays

Prince George will begin his first day at school at Thomas' Battersea on Thursday and the school have promised to make his parents 'feel secure' about leaving him. Still, however, a woman was able to freely walk into the school on Sunday with no official ID

This is the open door to the school the woman filmed herself entering easily last week

It is understood the school was closed during the summer holidays but contractors were working at the premises to renovate the communal areas and extend the dining room.

But she could not believe how easily she was able to step foot into a classroom and the reception.

Mrs Burnett-Moore told The Daily Telegraph: 'I could have walked in with an IED and set it to go off on Thursday.

'I live just 200 metres from the school, and myself and lots of neighbours are worried about the security implications as the Prince's presence will make the area a target for attacks.'

The Good Schools Guide has previously described the school as 'a big, busy, slightly chaotic school for cosmopolitan parents who want their children to have the best English education money can buy.

'That is what they want and, to a large degree, that is what they get.'

The guide, which said 19 languages are spoken in the homes of pupils, added: 'The school celebrates and appears to make the most of this range of different cultures.'

Kate has already said she is not sure George 'has any idea what's going to hit him' when he starts school.

The footage shows the woman entering the Battersea school's iron gates and into the parquet-floored room with cupboards for teachers including a Mr Colin

Various musical instruments are piled high in the school's hall or music room

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been invited to attend a drinks reception alongside other parents as well as work shops to learn more about what their little-ones will be taught

Sarah Burnett-Moore, 54, said she walked through the corridors of Thomas's London Day School in Battersea (pictured) unobstructed. She filmed herself inside the 18,000-a-year school after wandering through an iron gate and the main door, which were both left open

According to an insider, a sleek, carefully planned security operation would come into action when the new school term begins.

Royal protection officers will work around the clock in a 'significant' operation and there will be hourly checks made on the building's security.

It has been put in place to guarantee the protection of the pupils and the third-in-line to the throne.

The Duchess of Cambridge has told school-parents that she will meet them at the school gates when she does the school run.

It is believed there will be discreet security during George's 3.5 mile journey from Kensington Palace to the school  which is predicted to take more than 40 minutes during rush-hour.

Kensington Palace and Thomas's did not wish to comment.

Thomas's Battersea has 560 boys and girls aged from four to 13, with around 20 in each class.

George (pictured on his first day at nursery school) has been invited to join his class-mates at a pre-term party to encourage the youngster to settle-in and make friends

The four-year-old prince and his classmates will be taught a range of subjects and activities from ballet and art to drama, French, music and physical education.

If George stays at the selective establishment throughout, until the end of Year 8 when he turns 13, the total cost will be 172,116.

Fees at Thomas's Battersea cost 17,604 a year, and increase to 19,884 a year for those in year 3 and above.

Around 6.5% of the UK's school children are educated in private schools, according to the Independent Schools Council - and George's parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are continuing a royal tradition by opting for an independent institution rather than a state school.

William and Prince Harry went to Wetherby School in London, then Ludgrove School in Berkshire and on to board at Eton College.

George's first day at school will also mark a new chapter for the Cambridges as they are now mainly based in their Kensington Palace apartment rather than their Norfolk home Anmer Hall.
A smattering of rain and easing temperatures helped more than a thousand firefighters battling the largest wildfire in Los Angeles history gain the upper hand on the blaze on Sunday but officials have warned that danger remains.

'We've turned the corner, but this is not over,' Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Sunday afternoon. 'With winds this strong, anything can happen.'

Shifting winds could cause burning embers to spread the fire once more through the rugged northern edge of Los Angeles.

The nearly 5,900-acre La Tuna Fire, named after the canyon area where it erupted on Friday, has destroyed three homes and damaged one. More than 700 homes were evacuated as the blaze tore through thick brush that has not burned in decades.

Smoke rises from a house destroyed by the La Tuna Fire in Sunland, California on Sunday as fire crews continue to battle the 5,900-acre blaze

Shifting winds could cause burning embers to spread the fire once more through the rugged northern edge of Los Angeles

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on Sunday for Los Angeles County.

The emergency declaration on Sunday comes after hundreds of residents fled their homes as flames came near foothill neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale.

The declaration, which frees up resources to battle the flames, came the same day the National Weather Service says the temperature at Los Angeles International Airport reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking an all-time record.

Fire crews were hoping to take advantage of calm winds as they struggled to surround a blaze threatening foothill neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Fire Captain Ralph Terrazas says crews are getting a break Sunday from higher humidity and temperatures that have inched down into the 90s.

Meanwhile officials issued an alert for poor air quality as smoke choked the area and ash rained down across the LA basin.

Firefighters battling a wildfire near Yosemite National Park are working to safeguard a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia and a pair of historic cabins inside it.

The nine-square-mile wildfire entered the Nelder Grove late Friday night.

The fire had charred the ground in Nelder Grove by Sunday but the more than 100 giant sequoia there remain untouched.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County after a wildfire burned homes and prompted mandatory evacuations

A house destroyed by the La Tuna Fire in Sunland. The La Tuna Fire has burnt 6,000 acres, destroyed three homes and is the biggest fire in acreage in Los Angeles city history

La Tuna Fire is seen raging behind the Burbank Town Center Mall early morning Saturday as fire and smoke burns the hills

The blaze comes dangerously close to this hillside property where emergency responders have parked in the driveway

Deer flee the the La Tuna Fire at a golf course in Burbank on Sunday afternoon

Giant sequoias are some of the world's oldest and largest inhabitants. Nelder Grove includes giant sequoia reaching more than 20 stories high, and measuring as much as 100 feet around.

Fire spokeswoman Anne Grandy said firefighters have also wrapped two 19th-century cabins and their outhouse in shiny, fire-resistant material to protect them from the flames.

She said the giant sequoia grove has survived thousands of fires and that saving the giant trees and the cabins from this one is a priority.

The fire burning near Yosemite is one of many burning throughout parts of California.

About 80 miles to the east, crews are protecting homes from a fast-moving wildfire that forced evacuations in Riverside County.

More than 400 miles to the north, the so-called Ponderosa Fire has burned 3,880 acres and destroyed 30 homes in Butte County since it broke out on Tuesday.

It prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders earlier this week to residents of some 500 homes.

Firemen set up hoses as a neighborhood is threatened by the La Tuna Fire in Burbank on Sunday

A fire fighting helicopter drops water on the La Tuna Fire in Burbank on Sunday as crews were hoping to take advantage of calm winds

Residents on the 210 freeway try to see their house on the other side of thick smoke and flames near the community of Tujunga during the La Tuna Fire
When will today's generation of self-obsessed politicians learn that the public are not the least bit interested in their literary ambitions?

Having failed to make his mark as a contestant on the BBC Christmas 2010 Strictly Come Dancing show, Sir Vince Cable (who, incidentally, says he still sets aside time every Friday afternoon for a 'combination of dancing lesson and [constituency] surgery') decided to write his first novel.

A thriller entitled Open Arms, it is described in the publicity blurb as 'explosive' and the interminable plot moves between Whitehall and slums in India.

Sir Vince Cable's first novel has been a flop, writes ANDREW PIERCE. Pictured: The Liberal Democrats leader (left) with Julian Beer, vice chancellor of Birmingham City University during a tour of the university after speaking at the university's Centre for Brexit Studies

Predictably, the Lib Dem leader's grand oeuvre hasn't thrilled the reading public.

Cable, who now has the dubious privilege of leading his struggling party for the second time, must squirm when he sees that his book is floundering in the Amazon bestsellers list at No. 10,068.

Meanwhile, that one-time Westminster lion turned author, Jeffrey Archer, has eight books in the top 100, including his classic Kane And Abel  37 years after it was first published.

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Spotted for sale in a supermarket in northern France  an EU poster which already doesn't include Britain. Even though Brexit hasn't happened yet, it seems the French can't wait to see the back of us.

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Theresa May's dogged vow to fight the next General Election doesn't surprise her biographer Rosa Prince

Theresa May's dogged vow to fight the next General Election doesn't surprise her biographer Rosa Prince, who says it is totally in keeping with the PM's 'dutiful grammar school girl' principles. Writing in the Gentleman's Journal, she says: 'Mrs May has set herself the task of sorting out the mess she got the Tories into at the General Election.'

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The annual report of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, set up to 'promote the wholesomeness and enjoyment of beer and the unique role of the pub in UK society', shows that it received 'benefits totalling 58,410 from 11 brewers and pub chains' in the eight months to February. That's a lot of pints...

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Trade union boss Sir Paul Kenny has benefited from the sort of 'golden parachute' the TUC often rails about business chiefs getting when they leave their jobs. On his retirement, the general secretary of the GMB was given a testimonial of 113,358. He was also knighted for services to trade unions. And now he is enjoying life as an MP's spouse  his wife is Labour's Yvonne Fovargue (MP for Makerfield).

Elton John belting out Candle in the Wind in New York in 2000. He performed the song at Princess Diana's funeral

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Readers have asked what happened to the original hand-written manuscript of the song Candle In The Wind 97, performed by Elton John at Princess Diana's funeral. Sales of the single raised around 38 million for her Memorial Fund. This piece of Dianabilia sits safely as part of the Sir John Ritblat 'Treasures Of The British Library' collection in London.

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A 90-minute feature film is released this week about the grouchy veteran Leftie MP Dennis Skinner.

For many long years out of step with Labour's leadership, the cantankerous MP for Bolsover in Derbyshire is now happy that his boss shares his hard-Left views. However, the documentary fails to challenge 85-year-old Skinner on breaking his promise that he would retire as an MP at 65.

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Corbynistas trying to de-select the independent-minded Labour MP Jess Phillips are being challenged by actress Frances Barber, who says the Brummie MP is 'an honourable woman'.

The Olivier Award-nominated actress, who's played everyone from Lady Macbeth and Cleopatra to Doctor Who villainess Madame Kovarian, is also furious about the malign influence of Corbyn's Momentum outriders, whom she calls 'thugs'.
A Queensland underworld figure is expected to die in hospital after he was doused in petrol and set alight.

Victor Graveson, 65, suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body and remains in a coma in hospital.

On Monday, a police prosecutor told Brisbane Magistrates Court a surgery planned for the elderly man had been cancelled, and he was no longer on any medication apart from pain relief, the Brisbane Times reported.

The woman said his oxygen supply would slowly be decreased, and 'ultimately, it appears the complainant will pass away'. It is 'unknown' how soon that will happen.

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Victor Graveson (right) is expected to die in hospital following an alleged murder attempt which left him with burns to 80 per cent of his body

Graveson was allegedly set on fire by David Charles Edgerley, who was facing charges of attempted murder but will face court on murder charges when Graveson dies

David Charles Edgerley, 34, allegedly doused Graveson with accelerant before setting him alight as he lay sleeping at his home in Alexandra Hills, Brisbane on Friday morning.

He was originally charged with attempted murder but police say the charge will be upgraded to murder when Graveson dies.

The 65-year-old was linked to a murder cover-up on a drug farm near Bundaberg in 1993, The Courier Mail reported.

The farm was raided by police, who found 200kg of cannabis leaves, 7000 plants and a marijuana crop worth about $20 million.

Graveson, who has previously been referred to as a criminal 'mastermind' was set alight in his bed in Alexandra Hills, Brisbane

Graveson was one of five people arrested after the drug raid.

In 1995, Queensland's Supreme Court heard Graveson was a criminal 'mastermind', with links to a prostitution ring and outlaw bikie gangs who he supplied drugs to.

Graveson was jailed for 10 years in 1996 for his role in the production of the cannabis crop.

He has also been photographed partying with crooked cops and strippers in the late 1980s and early 90s.

Graveson was imprisoned in 2008 for meth possession.
Speaking in the Channel 5 documentary 'The Murder of Tia Sharp: My Daughter', Steven Carter (pictured) said he 'massively' blames himself for his daughter's savage murder

The father of murdered schoolgirl Tia Sharp has said he still blames himself for her death five years ago.

Steven Carter, 35, said in a new documentary that if his relationship with Tia's mother had no 'turned sour' then the 12-year-old might have been on holiday with him rather than at her grandmother's where she was killed.

Tia was found dead and hidden in the attic of her grandmother's home in New Addington, south London, after being sexually assaulted and murdered by Stuart Hazell, 42 - the boyfriend of Tia's grandmother Christine Bicknell.

Now, speaking in the Channel 5 documentary 'The Murder of Tia Sharp: My Daughter', Mr Carter said he 'massively' blames himself for her savage death.

He said: 'I should have done more as a father.

'I had Tia every holiday until things turned sour between me and her mum [Natalie].

He added: 'If that hadn't happened there's every possibility Tia would have been staying with me that August instead of being at her nan's where she was killed by someone she trusted and called "grandad"'.

Tia (left) was found dead and hidden in the attic of her grandmother's home in New Addington, south London, after being sexually assaulted and murdered by Stuart Hazell (right)

Hazell had attacked her in the house while her family were out and then concealed her body in the loft.

He was later arrested and found guilty at the Old Bailey and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 38 years behind bars.

The murdering paedophile, who was obsessed with pictures of child abuse, is in Wakefield Prison in West Yorkshire and will not be up for parole until he is 75.

The house where Tia was murdered has since been demolished.
The Duchess of Cornwall's ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, and five of his business partners are being sued for thousands of pounds by a woman who was raped by a security guard employed by their firm.

Andrew Parker Bowles is one of the directors of Profile Security Services, which is being sued for negligence by a woman accusing them of being liable for the security guard's actions.

The woman was raped in the early hours of a morning in February 2014 by James Kamara, who was employed by the company to look over the block of flats in West London where she lived.

In May 2015, Kamara was found guilty of rape and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Andrew Parker Bowles is one of the directors of Profile Security Services, which is being sued for negligence by a woman who was raped by a security guard employed by their firm in 2014

The victim, a university graduate in her late 30s, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression following the attack, and in the weeks and months following the incident, she began to drink heavily.

A psychiatric report revealed that the woman began to display 'anxiety and behavioural problems', and the long-term effects of the attack left her unable to pursue her career or work normally.

The woman claims that Profile Security Services, based in Wandsworth, south west London, is 'vicariously liable' for Kamara's actions because he was one of the firm's employees.

The amount in damages that the woman is seeking is currently unclear, but is in the thousands.

Directors of Profile Security Services, including Parker Bowles, who was once married to the Camilla (right) before she married Prince Charles, admitted liability for the injuries that the woman suffered in the attack

Directors of Profile Security Services, including Parker Bowles, admitted liability for the injuries that the woman suffered in the attack, according a writ seen by The Telegraph.

The writ states: 'As a consequence of the matters described and in respect of which the defendant [Profile Security Services] is vicariously liable, and/or as the result of negligence on the part of the defendant associated with the assault's occurrence, the claimant [the woman] has suffered injury, loss and damage.'

Brigadier Parker Bowles is one of six directors at the security firm.

The firm offers a number of services, including 24-hour guarding,Mobile Patrols and Alarm Response Teams, and 'friendly yet attentive concierge and reception staff'.
A university student has filed a lawsuit against Michigan State University after it denied a request to rent campus space to white nationalist Richard Spencer.

Georgia State University student Cameron Padgett, 23, tried to rent a room to give hateful speaker Spencer a platform to spread his controversial views.

When Michigan State denied the use of the space for the much derided white nationalist, Mr Padgett sued, alleging the university violated free speech.

Georgia State University student Cameron Padgett, 23, filed a lawsuit against Michigan State University after it denied a request to rent campus space to white nationalist Richard Spencer (pictured)

The East Lansing school has said in a statement the decision was made 'due to significant concerns about public safety' and cited the 'tragic violence' in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The MSU lawsuit, filed Sunday in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, sought damages and a preliminary injunction to prevent the school from deny Spencer a platform.

Padgett has won legal battles to allow Spencer to speak at universities before.

In a previous lawsuit he won the fight to allow Spencer to speak at Auburn University in Alabama.

He also won $29,000 damages in the case.

Padgett also convinced the University of Florida to change its mind and allow Spencer a platform to speak there - an event which hasn't yet taken place.

In the MSU lawsuit, Padgett specifies white nationalist Spencer (pictured) not pay for police protection or insurance for the event - plus attorney fees of more than $75,000

In the MSU lawsuit, Padgett specifies white nationalist Spencer not pay for police protection or insurance for the event - plus attorney fees of more than $75,000.

Spencer said in a text message to the AP on Sunday that, 'Cameron Padgett is a brave young man who has my full support.'

Spencer was scheduled to speak at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville that ended in violence.

A woman was killed after a car drove into counter-protesters.

When Michigan State denied the use of the space for the much derided white nationalist, Mr Padgett sued, alleging the university violated free speech

James Alex Fields Jr, of Maumee, Ohio, was charged with second-degree murder for the attack.

Video of the Dodge Challenger, which is registered to Fields, showed the driver accelerating into the crowd throwing bodies into the air as people scream before reversing at high speed.

The incident killed a 32-year-old woman, whose identity has not been released by authorities pending her family's notification.

Fields was apprehended and arrested a few blocks away from the bloody scene.
The terrifying moment a driver injured six by driving into an laundromat has been caught on video.

The 74-year-old male driver smashed through the plate-glass storefront of the Page Laundromat in Staten Island, New York around 8am on Sunday, injuring six of the eight people inside.

Three of the injured have been hospitalized in serious condition, but are expected to survive, while three suffered minor injuries, officials say.

The driver was leaving the strip mall parking lot after shopping in a nearby supermarket, and possibly hit the gas instead of the break in what police are calling a freak accident

Patrons are seen doing laundry inside the laundromat just seconds before the impact

The driver was leaving the strip mall parking lot after shopping in a nearby supermarket, and possibly hit the gas instead of the break in what police are calling a freak accident.

Video from the scene shows the white SUV backing slowly out of a parking spot before suddenly accelerating in reverse.

The vehicle smashes through the plate glass window of the laundromat in an instant, catching several patrons off guard as they tend to their laundry.

Folding tables fly and bodies are pinned against the back wall by the out-of-control SUV.

A young woman who is just out of the vehicle's path of destruction wastes no time running toward the SUV to help when it comes to a rest.

The vehicle smashes through the plate glass window of the laundromat in an instant, catching several patrons off guard as they tend to their laundry

Folding tables fly and bodies are pinned against the back wall by the out-of-control SUV

A manager (left) is seen opening an office door and staring at the decimated window in disbelief, while a young woman (right) who escaped injury runs to help

A manager is seen opening an office door and staring at the decimated window in disbelief, before turning around and realizing a car has smashed into his business.

Witnesses told NBC 4 that one of the victims was pregnant.

'She couldn't feel her legs, she was in a lot of pain. So when she saw me, she was like, "My legs!"' Josephine Torlone told the station.

Torlone said that she confronted the driver, who told her he had hit the gas instead of the brakes by mistake.

The damages to the store, which was closed Sunday night, have been estimated at $20,000.

No one has been charged in the case.
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The Burning Man festival-goer who died after running into the flames of a blazing effigy has been identified as a married 41-year-old Oklahoma man.

Aaron Joel Mitchell was rescued from the flames of the festival's signature burning of a towering effigy Saturday but died after being airlifted to hospital.

Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said the man ran through a human-chain of security officers at about 10.30pm Saturday during the burning of The Man event at the counter-culture festival.

The sheriff said he was rescued by firefighters and later died at the UC Davis hospital burn center in California.

Aaronn's mother, Johnnye Mitchell, told the Reno Gazette-Journal it was her son's first time at Burning Man.

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Aaron Joel Mitchell (pictured left and right) was rescued from the flames of the festival's signature burning of a towering effigy Saturday but later died

Aaron Joel Mitchell died after evading the attempted tackles of multiple rangers and law enforcement personnel to run into the flames on Saturday night

He had to dodge a number of rangers and law enforcement personnel in order to reach the fire at the Burning Man festival

He was quickly engulfed as emergency services tried to battle their way through in an attempt to rescue him

Above a firefighter watches as Aaron Joel Mitchell (left) falls into the flames at the festival on Saturday night

Firefighters were forced to abandon their attempted rescue of a Burning Man participant (body seen at lower left rear) who ran into the flames due to dangerous situation

Pershing County Sheriff said in a statement Sunday night that rescuers had to leave Aaron because a section of the effigy was falling

Aaron, who she called Joel, grew up in McAlester, Oklahoma, but had been living in Switzerland at the time of his death.

Crowds were horrified when Aaron made a beeline for the giant wooden effigy and was engulfed by the flames on Saturday night.

He had to dodge a number of rangers and law enforcement personnel in order to reach the fire.

Festival organizers issued a statement through its website to say that at 'approximately 10.30pm Saturday evening, a male participant at the annual Burning Man event in Northern Nevada broke through a safety perimeter and into into a fire. Black Rock City fire personnel rescued him from the fire.'

Pershing County Sheriff said in a statement Sunday night that rescuers had to leave Aaron because a section of the effigy was falling.

The statement read: 'Rescuers had to leave him to allow the structure to fall and provide for rescuer safety before they could go back into the flames to extract Aaron from the debris.'

Johnnye told the Reno Gazette-Journal: 'He's 41, but they are always your baby.

'He was loving and a nice person. Joel liked hiking and outdoors, running.'

Aaron, who worked in construction and had a younger brother, was pronounced dead Sunday morning. He was not under the influence of alcohol but it is not yet known whether he had taken any drugs.

Johnnye and Aaron's father Donald last saw their son on August 1 before he went to a solar eclipse festival in Oregon.

Emergency personnel tried to treat the man on the scene and then rushed him to a nearby hospital's burns unit

The Man is engulfed in flames as approximately 70,000 people from all over the world gather for the annual arts and music festival to watch the wooden effigy burn

The effigy of 'The Man' can be seen through the flames of the structure around it at the annual Burning Man festival

The Burning Man (pictured before it was set on fire) stretched up to 50ft into the air at the festival this year

More than 70,000 people enjoyed the art and music celebration in the Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles north of Reno.

The nine-day event in northern Nevada culminated with the burning of a towering 40-foot effigy made of wood. Attendees have tried to run into the flames as a symbol of rebirth.

During the fiery destruction of the 50-foot-tall man, thousands of participants danced and partied at the annual event, which is held two hours north of Reno on an ancient dry lake bed.

Prior to the burn, The Man towered over the temporary city for a week. The event on Saturday night is traditionally rowdy while the event Sunday night is the subdued burning of the Temple.

The Temple is another wooden structure that has been stuffed with notes, memories and remembrances from festival goers throughout the week.

This year's festival theme is Radical Ritual, with organizers inviting participants to celebrate 'the ambiguous ground that lies between reverence and ridicule, faith and belief, the absurd and the stunningly sublime,' according to the official Burning Man website.

Dozens of art installations were constructed before the end of the weekend, some made from wire, others as patterns on the ground and some as immersive experiences.

Lights shining across the temporary city as thousands of participants gather to watch the Man burn

Thousands of participants gather to watch the burning of The Man at the Burning Man festival in Nevada

The annual event is held in the Nevada desert, where 70,000 people help built and maintain a temporary city, complete with its own airport
Australian ISIS fighter Khaled Sharrouf may have ruined his children's last chance at making it back to Australia after an attempt to smuggle them out of Syria last year was botched when he insisted on coming with them.

A smuggler with ties to Islamic State told The Australian earlier this year he had been in contact with Sharrouf's late wife's parents, who were desperate for the return of their grandchildren.

The man, known as Abu Jassem, told the paper Sharrouf was 'really crazy', and had intended to escape the Middle East but not return to Australia.

Australian ISIS fighter Khaled Sharrouf (right) reportedly hijacked a plot to extract his five children from Syria by demanding to come too

'He knew he couldn't come back to his own country. He was thinking of maybe moving to South Africa after escaping,' he said.

'He was really crazy, really mentally crazy.'

It is now believed the 36-year-old died in a US airstrike on Raqqa last night, along with his sons Abdullah, 12, and Zarqawi, 11.

Sharrouf has three remaining children, Zaynab, 16, Hoda, 15, and Humzeh, 7, whose locations are unknown.

An Australian effort to extract the remaining three children is unlikely, with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton telling reporters last month Sharrouf had 'poisoned [the children's] minds'.

The children were supposed to be extracted last year, but Sharrouf was desperate to come along and wanted to go to Africa

The smuggler charged with finding the children said Sharrouf was 'really mentally crazy'

Fears for the five children began in 2014 when Sharrouf's son, aged seven at the time, was pictured holding a severed head (pictured)

'If they've been killed along with their father that is regrettable in terms of the children but that is a decision that was made by the parents,' he said.

Mr Dutton said Sharrouf was a 'despicable human being', and he would 'welcome' his death.

It is not known who ordered the 2016 extraction attempt, with Mr Jassem claiming he received more than $10,000 from the grandparents of Sharrouf's children, but both denying they played a role.

Peter Nettleton told The Australian he thought it may have been related to Karen Nettleton's attempt to extract the children from Turkey, which was abandoned after a media frenzy.

But Charles Waterstreet, who has represented Ms Nettleton as a lawyer in the past, says he believes the matters are unrelated.
A suspect wanted for assault with a deadly weapon crashed into a car near the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC, injuring himself, a mother and her son and two police officers.

Police said the car crashed into another vehicle at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, ending a police chase on Sunday. The crash happened four blocks away from a Syrian food, music and dance festival according to the Washington Post.

The suspect was on the run following an armed robbery with a knife in another part of the city. The car hit several other vehicles before crashing outside the hotel.

The chase did not appear to be connected to Trump's hotel or the festival.

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Police cars surrounded what appears to be a white sedan which the suspect drove following an assault with a deadly weapon

Five people were sustained non-life threatening injuries from the crash outside of the Trump hotel in DC

There were 30 to 40 police cars outside the hotel following the crash. The suspect does not appear to be connected to the Trump hotel or Syrian festival

All five of those injured were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Fox 5. The suspect was taken away on a stretcher.

A witness told the station the suspect t-boned a car carrying a woman and her young son in the back seat.

The suspect is in police custody and his name has not yet been released. There were 30 to 40 police cars outside of the hotel following the crash.

It is not clear what charges the suspect will now face.
Disgraced Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has been disqualified from office for 18 months after failing to disclose dozens of accommodation and travel gifts, including a $36,000 luxury package to the Beijing Olympics.

The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) came to the decision in Perth on Monday, which will come into effect on September 7.

Despite not appearing at the decision, Ms Scaffidi's lawyer confirmed they would immediately submit an appeal, WA Today reported.

Disgraced Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has been disqualified from office for 18 months after failing to disclose dozens of accommodation and travel gifts

The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) came to the decision in Perth on Monday, which will come into effect on September 7. Ms Scaffidi's lawyer confirmed she will appeal the decision

In May the tribunal found Ms Scaffidi had breached the Local Government Act 45 times during 33 trips between January 2008 and October 2015.

Yet of the 45 breaches, she has only admitted to five - one which was a $36,000 luxury package to the 2008 Beijing Olympics funded by mining company BHP Billiton.

The 57-year-old also revealed she failed to declare a trip to Margaret River and a Hawaiian Investments-funded visit to Broome Cup in 2008.

For the other 40 alleged breaches, Ms Scaffidi was defiant that she was oblivious to contributions from third parties for her trips and didn't realise she needed to declare them.

Action was brought against her after she made omissions in her 2008-09 annual return, which were deemed serious misconduct by the Corruption and Crime Commission in 2015.

Under the act, Ms Scaffidi should have disclosed any gifts worth $200 or greater.

The penalty was initially due be given in June, but Ms Scaffidi appealed findings that she repeatedly failed to disclose gifts and travel before the SAT could announce the penalty.

She had admitted to not being 'very careful' when filing her annual expenses report, while also claiming to being 'too busy' to read emails that confirmed her trips were funded by a third party.

In May the tribunal found Ms Scaffidi breached the Local Government Act 45 times during 33 trips between January 2008 and October 2015, including a $36,000 trip to the 2008 Olympics

But in one email, she managed to find time to respond to one of her staff organising accommodation saying: 'Hope five star - let them know, I don't stay in trash'.

Ms Scaffidi had previously resisted repeated calls for her to step down, including from Premier Mark McGowan, who vowed during his election campaign to sack the entire council if the Local Government Act allowed it, saying his party had a dim view of its propriety.

Mr McGowan later acknowledged not everyone on the council deserved to be punished, but wrote to Ms Scaffidi in April asking her to consider the best interests of the City of Perth and make an honourable decision and resign.

She remained characteristically defiant, telling reporters it was a 'desperate political move'.

Ms Scaffidi was taken off the Local Government Standards Panel in 2015 over the scandal.
River Ridge High teacher Lyn Orletsky kicked two students out of her class because they were wearing t-shirts with President Trump's Make America Great Again slogan

A Georgia high school teacher has been slammed for kicking two students out of class because they were wearing t-shirts with President Trump's Make America Great Again slogan.

The incident took place at River Ridge High School in Cherokee County last Thursday when the math teacher told the students that Trump's campaign slogan wasn't welcome in her classroom.

River Ridge High has not identified the teacher but she was named as Lyn Orletsky by Turning Point News which obtained footage of her telling the students to remove their shirts.

'Just like you cannot wear a swastika to school... you cannot wear Make America Great Again like that,' she said in the footage.

Cherokee County School District spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said the teacher was 'wrong' to have made the comments.

'Her actions were wrong, as the "Make America Great Again" shirts worn by the students are not a violation of our School District dress code,' Jacoby said.

'The teacher additionally - and inappropriately - shared her personal opinion about the campaign slogan during class.'

The incident took place at River Ridge High School in Cherokee County last Thursday. The school district said the teacher was 'wrong' to have made the comments

The school said it couldn't comment on disciplinary action against a teacher but said the students would not be punished

The school principal immediately apologized to the students and the families.

The school said it couldn't comment on disciplinary action against a teacher but said the students would not be punished.

Orletsky is being abused on social media and online since the footage emerged.

She has also been inundated with poor ratings on ratemyteachers.com.

'Fascist who wouldn't let her students wear tshirts supporting President Trump,' one comment read.

Another said: 'Stop teaching this filth and clean up these schools.'
A driver has been impaled in the head by a metal pole that flew out from the back of a truck travelling in the opposite direction.

The man, 48, was driving north along the Burnett Highway, west of the Sunshine Coast, at 6.15pm when the pole fell out.

The pole smashed straight through the man's windshield, almost completely destroying the car and leaving the man with severe head injuries.

The pole smashed straight through the man's windshield causing considerable damage to the car and his head

The man, 48, was driving north along the Burnett Highway, west of the Sunshine Coast, at 6.15pm when the pole fell from a flatbed with a New Holland round baler and hay raker on the back

The passenger of the car, a 46-year-old man, was able to drive the vehicle to Goomeri and call for help.

The victim was taken to Kingaroy Hospital and then airlifted to Brisbane in a stable condition.

The truck is described by Queensland Police as a flatbed with a New Holland round baler and hay raker on the back.

Anyone who saw the truck is urged to contact police on 131 444 as its believed the driver may be unaware his load caused such a considerable injury.
When most people think of a gym, they think of somewhere to spend time before your wedding day, not during.

But on Sunday a Cincinnati couple married in a romantic ceremony at the Planet Fitness gym where they first met years ago.

Stephanie Hughes and Joseph Keith posed on treadmills after they recited their vows.

The newlywed couple said 'I do' next to dumbbells in a ceremony officiated by Planet Fitness staff member Kristen Stanger. Her bouquet had purple flowers which matched the gym chain's logo.

Stephanie Hughes and Joseph Keith said 'I do' where they first met years ago, the Western Hills Planet Fitness

Keith and Hughes met when he asked her if she was using a piece of workout equipment

In a video, Hughes recalls meeting while using a Bosu ball at the Western Hills Planet Fitness when Keith asked if she was using a piece of the equipment.

Keith was looking for more than a workout buddy when he went to talk to her, saying it was 'love at first sight.'

The pair have twin daughters together according to social media posts. Keith proposed to Hughes with a bib that read 'will you marry daddy?'

She said: 'I wanted to get married at Planet Fitness and we checked out a few venues before and I just could not see myself getting married there.'

Hughes said they checked out other wedding venues together but Planet Fitness seemed like the best place to get married

They aren't the first couple to marry at a Planet Fitness in Ohio this year. A couple from Massillon were married at their local gym in June

Sara Hatch and Keith Henderson of Massillon, Ohio married at a Planet Fitness where they first met four years ago

While the concept of a gym wedding may sound unique, this isn't the first Planet Fitness in Ohio this year.

In June, Sara Hatch and Keith Henderson of Massillon, Ohio married at four years ago while dozens of people sweated on treadmills mere feet away.

The groom wore a white tuxedo t-shirt and the bride wore white shorts, a white tank top and a veil.

Hatch told CantonRep.com: 'This is where we met. This is where we fell in love. We still work out. We are into (weight) lifting. Why not get married in a gym if it is one of our hobbies?'

Then in 2015 a couple from Decatur, Georgia were engaged at a Planet Fitness where he worked as a personal trainer. Deon proposed to Sharonda inside of the gym surrounded by their friends and family, according to The Knot.
Labor Day festivities won't be spoiled for most people in the Eastern United States, but any plans for the rest of the week will.

Monday's weather in the East is expected to be warm and sunny, following a wet and dreary Saturday and Sunday.

But the rest of the week is expected to be incredibly wet up and down the East Coast and throughout much of the rest of the country.

Experts have warned that any outdoor events planned for these days are at a risk of being washed out and should either be cancelled or moved to another day.

Labor day festivities won't be spoiled for most people in the Eastern United States as weather is expected to be warm and sunny

The rest of the week is expected to be incredibly wet up and down the East Coast and throughout much of the rest of the country

There are expected to be scattered thunderstorms in the Midwest and the South, while the West will be dry with near-record temperatures in some places.

In the central and eastern US temperatures are expected to be near or slightly above the average due to a southward dip in the jet stream.

Later in the week hazardous weather is expected across the Midwest and further east.

'A cold front running into a warm, humid air mass will lead to showers and thunderstorms developing across the interior Northeast to the Tennessee Valley on Tuesday,' an AccuWeather Meteorologist explained.

On Tuesday a group of states including Western Massachusetts, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Tennessee will be wet on Tuesday, and on Wednesday that could spread further east.

There will also be a cold front throughout the area that is expected to bring temperatures down to their lowest point in the week.

On Tuesday a group of states including Western Massachusetts, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Tennessee will be wet on Tuesday, and on Wednesday that could spread further east. There will also be a cold front throughout the area that is expected to bring temperatures down to their lowest point in the week

People on the East Coast area are also warned to pay attention to the incoming hurricane Irma. The storm is expected to hit the Caribbean on Tuesday and Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas later in the week. Pictured Irma lingers off the coast on Sunday evening

The greatest threats these days will be flash flooding and slow-moving downpours.

People on the East Coast area are also warned to pay attention to the incoming hurricane Irma.

The storm is expected to hit the Caribbean on Tuesday and Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas later in the week.

If it does it could bring strong winds and heavy rains to the area and cause severe flooding.

Because it's a busy travel week, meteorologists have warned that motorists should be on the alert for flooded and washed-out roadways.

They also said there will likely be compromised visibility in some areas due to heavy rain, which could cause highway delays.

Wednesday will be particularly wet for New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
A vegan baker has been inundated with reviews on her Facebook page after sharing a photo of a cake frosted with weapons and the words 'Kill Nazis'.

Ashley Shotwell, an independent baker in Oakland, California, drew hundreds of critical reviews and thousands of supportive ones after posting the picture of the cake last month.

Shotwell told SFGate that a customer requested the 'Kill Nazis' cake after seeing a colorful cake frosted with the words 'Resist Fascism' on her Instagram page shortly after the violent events in Charlottesville, Virginia last month.

A vegan baker has been inundated with reviews on her Facebook page after sharing a photo of this cake, which is frosted with weapons and the words 'Kill Nazis'

Ashley Shotwell (pictured) drew hundreds of critical reviews and thousands of supportive ones after posting the controversial cake last month

Shotwell said that a customer requested the 'Kill Nazis' cake after seeing this colorful cake on her Instagram page shortly after the violent events in Charlottesville, Virginia

The cake is frosted with the red and black colors of a flag used by antifa, short for anti-fascists, the frequently masked group that clashed with white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville on August 12.

Antifa returned to the headlines last week, when a group of more than 100 attacked several Trump supporters in Berkeley, California.

Surrounding the words 'Kill Nazis' on Shotwell's cake are frosting decorations of brass knuckles, a chain and a club studded with nails.

When Shotwell posted a video of the cake on Facebook, which she's since taken down, she was hit by hundreds of negative reviews on her page, which previously only had about 20 reviews.

A post shared by Ashley Shotwell (@ashleyshotwellcakes) on Aug 23, 2017 at 4:59pm PDT

The cake is frosted with the red and black colors of a flag used by antifa. Pictured: Antifa gather at a rally in Berkley, California last week, where several Trump supporters were attacked

Negative reviews flooded Shotwell's Facebook page after she shared a video of the cake

'Your baked goods taste like putrid hate! You are a hateful person SHAME!' wrote Stacey Daniels.

Some of the reviews claimed her cakes were filled with maggots or rainbow-colored armpit hair, and many contained vulgar personal attacks on Shotwell.

'There were also a bunch saying they came into my bakery and I yelled at them about communism,' Shotwell told SFGate, noting that her business does not have a storefront.

In response to the negative reviews, her page was flooded with positive reviews from supporters - over 2,000 of them.

In response to the negative reviews, Shotwell's Facebook page was flooded with positive reviews from supporters - over 2,000 of them

'Make Nazis scared again. Don't let the trash of the world wear you down,' wrote Brandon Scheebles.

'Any cake that kills nazis is a great cake! And some fascists for icing!' wrote John Fitzgerald Weaver.

'Keep making amazing anti-nazi cakes... You're awesome and I wish you all the best,' wrote Alexandre N Skromov.

Shotwell says that, in retrospect, she would probably make a cake that says 'Punch Nazis' rather than 'Kill Nazis'.

But she says that she's not deterred from taking 'a stance against fascist ideals'.
A BBC World Service channel has been dropped from Hong Kong's airwaves and replaced with state radio from China.

It comes amid growing tension between Hong Kong and Beijing's ruling Communist Party leaders over the future of the region.

A petition has been set up in a bid to keep the BBC's round the clock programming.

A petition has been set up in a bid to keep the BBC's programming (File photo)

Hong Kong's public broadcaster RTHK has dropped a 24-hour BBC World Service channel

Hong Kong's public broadcaster RTHK has dropped a 24-hour BBC World Service channel from its airwaves.

It has been replaced by China National Radio, a state-run outlet that does not have any critical or sensitive reporting on China.

The broadcasts are mostly in Mandarin rather than Cantonese, the dialect spoken in Hong Kong and southern parts of China.

Amen Ng, a spokeswoman for RTHK told Reuters that there were no political considerations in the decision. She said that the Chinese broadcaster would enhance cultural exchanges.

There will still be BBC World Service broadcasts however they will be throughout the night from 11pm to 7am.

Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) program host Tony Wu talks to a caller (File photo)

Hong Kong was returned from British rule to Chinese rule in 1997 however it currently runs under the 'one country, two systems' formula which gives it greater autonomy than the mainland.

However tensions between Hong Kong and Beijing have increased in recent years.

Radio Television Hong Kong went ahead with scrapping the BBC channel yesterday. Some members of staff said there was little consultation.

A senior RTHK employee told Reuters: 'Nobody knew anything about it. We were told in a meeting just before it was announced.

'People see it as a negative thing. The BBC is generally regarded as independent, and state media is not.'

Some listeners have claimed that the move is in line with a gradual 'mainlandisation' of Hong Kong which has seen a growing influence from Beijing in areas such as law enforcement, politics and education.'

An online petition has been set up with nearly one thousand people signing to try and keep the BBC World Service channel.
Australia's east coast is about to be hit with a monster storm, bringing damaging winds, a massive snow dump, hail and the coldest weather of the year.

The low pressure system is sweeping across southeastern Australia and expected to hit New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania this week.

Police were forced to rescue a mother and her son who were stranded near Lake MacKenzie in Tasmania due to a large amount of rain and snow falling on the area on Monday.

The frigid air is expected to drop more snow on the highland areas, while heavy showers drench southern New South Wales and Victoria

The pair were on a three-day hike near Lake McKenzie in Tasmania when the cold snap hit and the weather deteriorated so badly they were unable to escape.

They managed to call for help using a satellite messenger, prompting the police to reach them on an inflatable raft.

Gusty winds paired with the low temperatures will make it feel several degrees colder, Weatherzone forecasters said.

The frigid air is expected to drop decent snowfall on the highland areas, while heavy showers drench southern New South Wales and Victoria.

Melbourne is expected to reach a maximum of just 12C this week, with winds reaching up to 100km/h on Monday.

Victoria's State Emergency Service urged people to move their vehicles undercover and away from trees, and secure loose items around the yard.

Gusty winds paired with the low temperatures will make it feel several degrees colder, Weatherzone forecasters said

Police were forced to rescue a mother and her son who were stranded near Lake McKenzie in Tasmania due to a large amount of rain and snow falling on the area on Monday

The frigid air is expected to drop decent snowfall on the highland areas, while heavy showers drench southern New South Wales and Victoria

Weatherzone's Graeme Brittain said erratic fluctuations in temperatures from day-to-day were not uncommon at the start of spring

The dramatic cold front follows a short lived heatwave in Sydney, with temperatures reaching 28C in Sydney on Sunday.

Weatherzone's Graeme Brittain said erratic fluctuations in temperatures from day-to-day were not uncommon at the start of spring.

He said the warmer weather interacted with occasional cold air from the south and resulted in dramatic weather episodes.

Following a brief reprieve from the cold weather on Wednesday, Weatherzone predicted another bitter cold spell to move across the east coast on Thursday and Friday.

While Australia's southern region suffers through the cold, Weatherzone said Queensland should remain dry.

The mother and son managed to call for help using a satellite messenger, prompting the Tasmania Police (pictured) to reach them on an inflatable raft

Snow falling on Thredbo ski slopes - as a cold snap rolls across the country's east
A Jetstar flight from Melbourne that was forced to turn around after suffering damage was operated by a cadet pilot on their first take-off, an investigation has found.

The incident occurred on-board a Hobart-bound flight in May 2016 that was carrying 134 passengers, according to News.com.au.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released the results of their investigation into the matter Monday, which showed the plane had suffered a tail strike.

A Jetstar flight from Melbourne that was forced to turn around in 2016 after suffering damage was operated by a cadet pilot on their first take-off, an investigation has found

According to the report, the Airbus A320's tail was damaged after contacting the runway surface during take-off, as a result of the cadet pilot's actions.

'The ATSB found that during rotation, the cadet pilot applied a larger than normal sidestick pitch input resulting in a higher than normal pitch rate,' the statement said.

'The tail of the aircraft contacted the runway surface resulting in damage.'

The crew, including a training captain and first officer, were also found to have failed to advise Air Traffic Control of the strike.

Instead, the captain had believed it 'unlikely to have happened' and it was the cabin crew that alerted the captain to unusual noises that saw the pilot elect to return to Melbourne.

'Good communication from the cabin crew alerted the flight crew that a tail strike may have occurred,' the report stated.

The incident occurred on-board a Hobart-bound flight in May 2016 that was carrying 134 passengers with an investigation into the matter showing the plane suffered a tail strike

The report included findings from crew interviews, maintenance documents and flight recorders and emphasised the failure of the flight crew to report the problem

The report included findings from crew interviews, maintenance documents and flight recorders and emphasised the failure of the flight crew to report the problem.

It stated that Air Traffic Controllers should have been notified as soon as possible so as to isolate the runway for inspection and removal of debris.

The aircraft had also reportedly hit 'about six birds' during take-off but landed without incident and was inspected.

The cadet pilot, who had been undertaking their first take-off as pilot flying, was licensed and qualified to fly an A320, having recorded at least 20 hours on a simulator.

Jetstar told Daily Mail Australia that the pilot involved was 'taken off flying duties' while he underwent additional training.

He had successfully passed this training and had 'returned to flying and operate since without further incident'.

'The experienced Captain and trainer pilot handled this extremely well and with the help of cabin crew ensured the aircraft returned to Melbourne Airport without further incident,' a spokesperson said.
A coroner revealed 22-year-old Jenna Burleigh was killed by blunt trauma and strangulation

Wayne County coroner has revealed Temple University student Jenna Burleigh died from blunt trauma and strangulation.

The 22-year-old junior went missing early Thursday morning and found dead on Saturday. The cause of death was revealed on Sunday and her death has been ruled a homicide.

On Saturday, police charged 29-year-old Joshua Hupperterz with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and drug offenses after the body of Burleigh, a junior at Temple, was found at his grandmother's home on Saturday.

Police say Hupperterz confessed to 'elements of the crime,' according to WPVI.

Police also discovered blood, drugs, and $20,000 in cash.

Burleigh was last seen on surveillance footage leaving a North Philadelphia bar at 2am on Thursday with Hupperterz.

A neighbor reported hearing screams coming from Hupperterz's apartment around 4am.

Burleigh's father, Ed Burleigh, posted a heartbreaking message on his Facebook page on Saturday, saying: 'Our Beautiful Angel Jenna is now in Heaven. Now I know for sure that you can have a 'broken heart' RIP honey.'

On Saturday police confirmed that Burleigh's body was found in Paupack Township, Pennsylvania, a town about 140 miles north of Philadelphia.

Investigators allege that Hupperterz moved the body twice - once from his home in North Philadelphia to his mother's house in the nearby suburb of Jenkintown, and a second time to his grandmother's home in Paupack Township, Wayne County, which likes 140 miles north.

Hupperterz was taken into custody by police at his grandmother's house, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Police reportedly found blood, drugs, and $20,000 in cash in the apartment of 29-year-old Joshua Hupperterz (left), who is charged with the murder of Jenna Burleigh (right)

On Friday night, police obtained a warrant to search the home of Hupperterz, a 29-year-old former Temple University student. His home is located just around the corner from Pub Webb (above), the bar at which Burleigh was last seen early Thursday morning

Hupperterz was taken into custody by police in Paupack Township. Police noticed that Hupperterz had scratches on his face and a cut on his hand, which he told detectives was caused by broken china

Burleigh's father, Ed Burleigh, posted a heartbreaking message on his Facebook page on Saturday, saying: 'Our Beautiful Angel Jenna is now in Heaven. Now I know for sure that you can have a 'broken heart' RIP honey'

Pennsylvania State Police released a statement saying that Burleigh's body was found in Paupack Township, about 140 miles north of Philadelphia

Police allege that Burleigh was murdered by Hupperterz at his home in North Philadelphia. From there, he allegedly took her body to his mother's home in nearby Jenkintown. Authorities say he moved the body again, this time to Paupack Township, which is 140 miles north

Sources told the Inquirer that Hupperterz last took classes at Temple this past spring.

A native of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, he reportedly met Burleigh at a bar.

Earlier reports indicated that police were combing the area surrounding a lake just outside of Scranton in Lackawanna County, but those reports were erroneous.

Burleigh, a resident of the Philadelphia suburb of Harleysville, transferred to Temple. She was majoring in film and media arts

On Friday, Burleigh's sister shared a missing person's notice on Facebook asking anyone with information to come forward to authorities

Police were reportedly combing the area surrounding a lake just outside of Scranton.

On Friday night, police obtained search warrant for Hupperterz's home, which is located just around the corner from Pub Webb, the bar at which Burleigh was last seen early Thursday morning.

Surveillance footage captured at the time reportedly shows Burleigh and Hupperterz walking together toward his home.

After entering the house, investigators discovered blood spattered near the kitchen sink, rear door, and on a trash can lid.

Burleigh's social media posts are filled with messages in support of social justice. She is seen above at the Women's March shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration

Police also found between 10 and 15 pillow-case size bags of marijuana and approximately $20,000 in cash, the Inquirer reported.

Investigators also interviewed a neighbor who said that screams could be heard coming from the home at approximately 4am on Thursday.

Police noticed that Hupperterz had scratches on his face and a cut on his hand, which he told detectives was caused by broken china, the Inquirer reported.

Investigators also used cadaver dogs to search a nearby home in the area that reportedly belongs to Hupperterz's mother and stepfather.

Investigators also want to interview a roommate believed to have lived in Hupperterz's home.

Police said Saturday evening that Hupperterz has had 'contact' with law enforcement in the past, though investigators refused to elaborate.

The image above is a close-up shot of the outside of Pub Webb, a North Philadelphia bar where Burleigh was last seen alive early Thursday morning

Investigators are seen rummaging through garbage outside of Hupperterz's home in North Philadelphia

Burleigh, a resident of the Philadelphia suburb of Harleysville, transferred to Temple. She was majoring in film and media arts.

The Temple News, a student-run newspaper, reported that Burleigh's family notified campus police of her disappearance on Thursday night.

She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with writing on the front, tan boots, and blue jeans.

On Friday, Burleigh's sister shared a missing person's notice on Facebook asking anyone with information to come forward to authorities.
Ex-girlfriends of Brenden Jacob Bennetts will testify he tried to strangle them while they were having sex, a court has heard.

Bennetts, 21, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 16-year-old Gatton schoolgirl Jayde Kendall and interfering with a corpse but is on trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court for murder.

The court heard on Monday three of Bennetts' previous girlfriends will testify he would put his hands around their throat and strangle them as they had sex.

Jayde Kendall (pictured) was found in a paddock with her underwear stuffed into her pocket

Brenden Bennetts (right) has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and interfering with a corpse, but pleaded not guilty to murder

Earlier the court heard Jayde was killed and unceremoniously dumped in a field with her underwear in her pocket just hours after being picked up by Bennetts.

The jury heard Jayde was last seen alive getting into Bennetts' distinctive red Toyota Corolla after school on Friday, August 14, 2015.

Prosecutor Vicki Loury QC said the 16-year-old would be 'dead by 5pm' and her body found 13 days later covered in grass on the outskirts of town.

The court heard Jayde's body was too badly decomposed to determine a cause of death but her underwear was found in her school tracksuit pocket and she was not wearing any shoes or socks.

Various people saw Bennetts returning to town after 4.30pm without anyone else in his car and he was captured on CCTV withdrawing $70 from her bank account at a Commonwealth ATM just after 6pm.

Bennetts (pictured in court sketch) told police he had picked up Jayde in his red Toyota Corolla on the day she died because she wanted to run away

Ms Loury said Bennetts initially told investigators he had no contact with Jayde, but when shown evidence to the contrary told them he picked her up because she wanted to run away and asked him to withdraw the cash.

The court heard Jayde's disappearance became a homicide investigation after her wallet was found by a member of the public on the side of the highway and her bank account was not touched on pay day.

The 21-year-old has pleaded not guilty to murder and remains in custody.

Bruce Morrissey (pictured centre of both pictures) the father of Jayde Kendall, attended court on Monday surrounded by supporters
A young mother killed herself on her 23rd birthday after she was bullied by internet trolls - including one who set up a fake Tinder account for her, her family has said.

Leanne Morrison, from Cambusbarron, Scotland, is thought to have ended her life after she returned from a night out celebrating her birthday in nearby Stirling.

The mother-of-one was described as being the 'life and soul of the party' and 'lived for' her four-year-old son Mason.

One family member said bullies had 'driven' her to her death and revealed a 'sicko' had created a fake online dating profile for her and was contacting men online.

Leanne Morrison, 23, (pictured) was found dead after celebrating her birthday with her friends

The mother-of-one (pictured) was described as being the 'life and soul of the party' but was bullied online by trolls, according to her friends and family

A post on Ms Morrison's Instagram page showed her celebrating with her friends and drinking prosecco.

But her body was identified by her 20-year-old brother William and her uncle Donnie Morrison, 40, after the alarm was raised on August 29.

Her grandmother, Isabel Morrison, 63, spoke to her the day before her birthday and said she was looking forward to her night out.

She added she was not aware of the bullying until after her death.

She told the Daily Record: 'She told me she had an appointment to see the doctor and I think she had been suffering from depression after having a few rough times recently - but no one realised how bad it was.

'We are all utterly devastated. Leanne knew so many people and had so many great friends. She was the life and soul of the party and loved a night out but she lived for her wee boy and Mason is our main concern.'

She added: 'I have been made aware of some things that have been said on Facebook, which are upsetting.'

Her friends on social media revealed how Leanne suffered from depression and that a recent relationship had ended.

It is believed she reported the online bullying she suffered to the police.

Ms Morrison (pictured) was suffering from depression and was targeted by online trolls, with one setting up a fake Tinder profile for her

The young mother, 23, uploaded this photograph to her Facebook page two months before her death

Her sister posted a heartbreaking tribute to her on August 31 and described her as being 'beautiful'.

She wrote online: 'Sleep tight beautiful baby sis. I still can't accept that your (sic) gone.

'I promise we will love, protect and cherish Mason, promise to make you so proud of him, and to always tell him how much you loved him. See you again soon, I love you x.'

A family member added: 'It was bullies that drove to her to this.

'Some sicko created a fake Tinder account and was contacting guys with it. Police have been given a name for the person who is suspected and everyone who knows Leanne is hoping they get properly punished for it.

'Leanne would always tell people she was doing OK but it was known that some of the setbacks she's had in the last few years have led to depression and she has struggled to cope.'

A Just Giving page has been set up by Leanne's cousin, Jacqueline Morrison, and she is hoping to help raise 2,000 to help with her funeral.

It has already raised more than 1,300 and she wrote: 'I am trying to raise money to help my Auntie Isabel and Uncle Frank give Leanne the send off she deserves.

Friends and family members revealed the level of 'abuse' that Leanne (pictured) was given on the internet

'Everyone who knew Leanne knew what a beautiful person she was inside and out and how much she loved her family and friends especially her gorgeous son Mason.

'Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Leanne will have amazing memories they can cherish forever.

'Please donate if u can and Share with as many people as u can so we can give this gorgeous Princess the send off she deserves. Thank you everyone xxxx.'

Before her death, Leanne wrote on her Facebook page: 'Well just want to clear a few things up, not a single person will get to me with their pathetic, disgusting lies.

'So say and think what you want about me cause every last one of you are irrelevant.'

Two days before she died, she wrote a more optimistic post and said: 'We all mess up sometimes. Don't forget all the good someone has done just because they've made mistakes.

'Everyone is learning, living and growing. Always let the good outweigh the bad. Love, laugh and live. Day one or one day, it's your choice so make it worth it.'

Her friend Sasha Faichney revealed on Facebook the level of 'abuse' Leanne had been given online.

She said: 'The only thing keeping me going is that I'm going to kill them. Absolute b*******. She was the best wee person. A sister.

'Mental abuse from all angles. The people who done it know who they are and the guilt should be carried with them forever.'

A spokesman for Police Scotland told MailOnline: 'Police in Forth Valley were called to Stirling around 4.25am on 29th August after the body of a 23-year-old woman was discovered by a member of the public.

'Enquiries are ongoing however the death is not being treated as suspicious and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.'

A spokesman for the Mental Health Foundation Scotland told the Daily Record: 'Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this tragic case.

'In August, statistics from the National Records of Scotland revealed an increase in the number of people who died by suicide in 2016.

'We urgently need to uncover the reasons for this, with a focus on the pressure that young people are under.

'A majority of people who live with mental health problems never seek professional help. For anyone worried about a friend or loved one, we would advise they visit NHS Scotland's Choose Life website, which provides information on talking to someone.'
A controversial billboard condemning Islamic Sharia Law has been vandalised.

The 'No Sharia Here' sign on Queensland's Sunshine Coast was spray painted with the phrase 'No Racists Here'.

The billboard, on the Sunshine Motorway at Maroochydore, was commissioned by conservative activist group Sunshine Coast Safe Communities.

The Sunshine Coast motorway billboard before (top) and after (bottom) the graffiti attack

They have denounced the weekend graffiti attack as an affront to western, liberal values.

'Those responsible for vandalising this sign on private property support Sharia law,' the group said.

'We challenge them to defend it along with the denigration of women's rights, underage marriages, wife beating, female genital mutilation and polygamy under Sharia.'

The group, who commissioned the sign three years ago, called the vandals 'cowards and ignorant idiots'.

'Only those that hate equality, freedoms and western values would support Sharia and call the defense of freedoms and equality as racism,' it said.

'But will they remain cowards and ignorant idiots?'

Conservative activist group Sunshine Coast Safe Communities have challenged the graffiti

The group ended the message by challenging the vandals to contact them directly.

The message was met with support from local residents in the Sunshine Coast region.

'Yep, vandalism here! Left-wing Green voting dim wits!,' one man said.

Another said: 'This is scary. How are they trying to introduce Sharia Law onto the Sunshine Coast?'

Another supporter described the graffiti attack as cowardly.

'They do their cowardly deeds in the middle of the night when no one can see and they would never confront you to ask why because they would not have the brains to comprehend what you are saying. Cowards.'

While there were messages of support for the page and its condemnation of Sharia Law, there were far more who slammed the page for its 'stupidity'.

'Sharia Law is only 2.8 per cent of the Australian population you muppets,' one man said.

The original billboard condemning a strict Islamic legal system has attracted controversy

In the 2016 Census, Muslims made up 2.6 per cent of the Australian population but not all Muslims support Sharia law, especially secular-minded people who support a separation of religion and state.

Sharia law is a strict Islamic legal system, which ranges from 100 lashes for adultery in Indonesia's Aceh province to the death penalty for homosexual acts in places like Iran, Yemen, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

Islamist extremists groups in Australia support Sharia law, including Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Despite this, critics of the billboard threatened to desecrate the billboard again.

'The only cowards are the flogs that put up this billboard. How stupid are they, (if they) put up another one? It will meet the same fate,' one message said.

One woman threatened to tear down the sign.

'I don't support Sharia law but I'd happily tear this sign down because I don't support stupidity either,' she said.
A man has been arrested at a music festival after assisting security by writing his name and number on a bag of drugs.

Queensland Police released an image of a zip seal bag of MDMA after a canine unit discovered the illicit substance on a reveller at Maroochydore Music and Visual Arts Festival.

The 21-year-old seemed more concerned about losing the narcotics than potentially leading police to its owner.

A man has been arrested at a music festival after assisting security by writing his name and number on a bag of drugs

The Maroochydore Music and Visual Arts Festival featured headliners including Gang of Youths, Allison Wonderland and former Powderfinger front-man Bernard Fanning

Officers from the Wide Bat and Burnett Tactical Crime Squad arrested the Dalby man on Sunday, August 26 at the one-day festival.

In a statement police said they were 'surprised' to find the man's name and number on the bag.

He was arrested and will appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 29 charged with possessing a dangerous drug.

The festival featured headliners including Gang of Youths, Allison Wonderland and former Powderfinger front-man Bernard Fanning.

The annual event has a proud 'No D***head Policy' and urges any festival goers to point out such individuals to security and police.
These satellite images show an entire village burned to the ground during the recent violence in Burma, allegedly carried out by Burmese government forces to cover up massacres of the local Muslim minority.

Last week, the Rohingya Muslim village of Chein Khar Li in Rakhine state, north Burma, was made up of some 700 homes - now it is reduced to ashes.

A local human rights group claims villages in Rakhine are being burned to cover up mass slaughter of Rohingya.

The latest clashes started just ten days ago, and has so far forced 100,000 Rohingya to flee their homes for neighbouring Bangladesh.

Scroll down for video

Burned down: New satellite imagery obtained by Human Rights Watch shows the complete destruction of the village of Chein Khar Li, some 700 homes

Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a human rights orghanisation based in Thailand that monitors the situation in Rakhine, says they have been told that dozens of Rohingya have been killed by both the military and ethnic Burmese mobs.

'A minimum of 130 people have been killed actually we think it's more,' she told Newsday on the BBC World Service.

What we have found ... is that now after the killings the military and other civilians are actually gathering the dead bodies and burning them so [as] not to leave any evidence.'

The most recent images from the area, analysed by non-profit organisation Human Rights Watch, show a total of 700 buildings seemingly burned down in a single village.

'This new satellite imagery shows the total destruction of a Muslim village, and prompts serious concerns that the level of devastation in northern Rakhine State may be far worse than originally thought,' said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director.

Some of the 100,000 Rohingya refugees forced out of their homes by recent violence are seen after crossing the Bangladesh-BUrma border in Teknaf, Bangladesh

'Yet this is only one of 17 sites that we've located where burnings have taken place. Independent monitors are needed on the ground to urgently uncover what's going on.'

Destruction: Another satellite image of the Rohingya village allegedly burned down by ethnic Burmese

Some 100,000 Muslim refugees have fled the violence in western Burma since the most recent clashes began ten days ago, the United Nations said on Monday.

Rakhine has been a crucible of religious violence since 2012, when riots erupted. Scores of Rohingya were killed and tens of thousands of people - the majority from the Muslim minority - were forced into displacement camps.

The latest round of violence erupted when Rohingya militants attacked remote police posts, killing 15 officials and burning villages.

Myanmar's army chief has said nearly 400 people have died since then, including 370 Rohingya militants.

Myanmar security forces have launched 'clearance' operations to sweep out insurgents whose ranks appear to be swelling as male Rohingya villagers join their cause.

'These new satellite images show exactly why it is critical for international investigators to be allowed on the ground in Rakhine State,' Robertson said.

'The UN Fact Finding Mission should get the full cooperation of the Burmese government to fulfill their mandate to assess human rights abuses in Rakhine State and explore ways to end attacks and ensure accountability.'

Rohingya refugees sit as they are temporarily held by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in an open area after crossing the border, in Teknaf, Bangladesh

Rohingya refugees walk beside the Teknaf-Cox's Bazar highway near Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhiya, Bangladesh

A total of 87,000 mostly Rohingya refugees have arrived in Bangladesh since violence erupted in neighbouring Myanmar on August 25, according to the UN

A total of 87,000 mostly Rohingya refugees have arrived in Bangladesh since violence erupted in Burma's western state of Rakhine on August 25, and around 20,000 more are massed on the border waiting to enter, the United Nations said on Monday.

The Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka stepped up border controls after the latest round of violence began ten days ago.

But in recent days Bangladeshi border guards appeared to be allowing the fleeing refugees to enter and the UN said recent arrivals reported there had been no attempt to prevent them from crossing.

Over the last five years Rakhine has been divided along ethnic and religious lines, but the current violence is the worst yet.

Scores of people have drowned attempting to cross the Naf border river, many in makeshift boats.

Most of the new arrivals have crammed into camps near the border, where the UN said local people were helping the relief effort.

The Rohingya community numbering roughly one million is reviled in Myanmar. They are seen as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many have lived for generations in Myanmar.
A police dog handler in Connecticut was forced to say goodbye to his brave K9 partner after it was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Liver cancer.

K9 Hunter had been unwell for a week and when tests revealed the painful prognosis, vets recommended to his handler Officer Michael D'Aresta that his charge be put to sleep.

Officer D'Aresta and Hunter served the City of Middletown, U.S. together from 2007 until the dog was euthanised on Saturday.

Scroll down for video

A police dog handler in Connecticut took the decision to say goodbye to his brave K9 partner after it was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Liver cancer on Saturday

In a Facebook post shared by more than 5,000 people, the MIddletown Police Department paid tribute to the loyal K9.

'Officer D'Aresta and Hunter have been an exceptional team serving the City of Middletown in a high caliber since 2007.

'So as you can imagine, this is extremely difficult for Mike and his family.'

Residents and officers formed a guard of honor for Hunter as he was carried by Officer D'Aresta to be put down.

In the caption for the photo on the Middletown Police Department - Connecticut Facebook page they wrote: 'Hunter and Officer D'Aresta have been such a huge part of our department the past ten years'

Having served the county since 2007, police said Hunter had been part of an 'exceptional team serving the City of Middletown in a high caliber' for the duration of his career.

In the caption for the photo on the Middletown Police Department - Connecticut Facebook page they wrote: 'Hunter and Officer D'Aresta have been such a huge part of our department the past ten years.

'Such a dedicated K-9 team. It will never be the same.

'Rest in Peace Hunter you've done well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Michael D'Aresta and his family.'
After six weeks of trying to keep the children entertained, millions of parents around Britain are breathing a sigh of relief this week.

For the summer holidays are over and their girls and boys are heading back to school  prompting mothers and fathers to celebrate on social media.

The ecstatic parents have been posting a series of hilarious memes of social media  although many teachers are moaning about going back to the daily grind.

The summer holidays are over and children are heading back to school  prompting mothers and fathers to celebrate on social media with a series of hilarious memes

The memes featured the likes of Mel Gibson in 1995 film Braveheart and Neil Patrick Harris and Cobie Smulders spraying champagne in How I Met Your Mother.

But other memes showing the feelings of many teachers included a baby crying, a head being banged against a desk and a penguin appearing to walk with a briefcase.

The return to school today comes as a poll revealed many youngsters say one of their biggest worries about heading back to the classroom is how they look.

It found girls are more likely to have concerns about their appearance than boys as they return to school, with children becoming more anxious as they get older.
A mother and son had to be rescued in South Australia on Sunday night after a rapid change in weather conditions left them stranded and unable to make it back to their car.

Sonia and Daniel were in the midst of a three-day walk near Lake MacKenzie in Tasmania's Central Highlands when they attempted to return to their vehicle, but were unable to cross the Fisher River to where it was parked.

Tasmania Police reports the pair made an SOS call from a satellite messenger device they were carrying with them.

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A mother and son had to be rescued in South Australia on Sunday night after a rapid change in weather conditions left them stranded and unable to make it back to their car

Police traveled to the area with an inflatable dinghy, which they then used to return Sonia and Daniel to their vehicle on the other side of the river.

'The pair were well equipped and in good spirits when we located them but I think the will take a little more notice of the weather next time,' Sergeant Gillies said in a statement shared to Facebook.

'This time of year is particularly hazardous when the weather improves and we have a cold snap that can be a serious problem if you are caught out unawares.'

Sonia and Daniel were in the midst of a three-day walk near Lake MacKenzie before needing to be rescued via police in an inflatable dinghy (above)

Fortunately the keen hikers had prepared for a potential emergency situation, but police said it could have been much worse.

'This would have been larger scale search and rescue operation if they were reported overdue and unable to make contact for assistance.'

They said the satellite device had enabled police to respond to the call in a timely and efficient manner, making for an 'appropriate and speedy response.'

While the rescue had a positive result, some social media users believed the situation could have been completely avoided, had the walkers paid attention to weather warnings.

'We knew about this cold front 3 days ago! Madness for going out in this,' one wrote, another adding: 'A good result. Bush walker alerts have been issued nearly every day for the last week so this was a bold decision by these people to go ahead.'

Meanwhile, one commenter praised both sides of the rescue operation for the positive outcome: 'Its good to actually see bushwalkers who were almost 100% prepared for an emergency.

'Unlike some other cases we see. Good job Taspol and good job to the walkers for being prepared and keeping high spirits.'
Susan Hughes was given a suspended sentence after drinking a bottle of wine and getting behind the wheel of her car

A former PA who escaped jail once for a drink driving offence has managed to avoid being locked up again after she told the court she had been drinking wine to 'cope' with her 15,000 a year job.

Susan Hughes downed a bottle of white wine at a pub and was four times over the drink drive limit when she was pulled over trying to park her car at a Marks and Spencers store in Prestwich, near Manchester.

The 48-year-old said her actions were partly to blame on accepting a new office job which she said was 'somewhat beneath her' within the hotel industry after she lost her 30,000 a year post as an aide to a successful construction business tycoon.

Police were called to the scene after staff saw she was unable to park her car properly in the bay. When police noticed the smell of alcohol in her car, Ms Hughes was breathalysed and was found to have 139 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

The single mum-of-one previously escaped jail in 2014 for a similar offence after she was caught driving more than three times over the limit. She was banned from the roads for 30 months and had only got her licence back last year.

Crying in court, Ms Hughes was given 18 weeks jail suspended for a year after she begged not to be locked up for fears of losing her job and her house.

At Manchester magistrates court, she sobbed: 'I want to apologise for this serious offence. I want to get myself right. I want to go to counselling and AA. I've stopped driving, I'm doing everything I can to change. I don't want to lose my house and my job. I won't do it again, I have learnt my lesson.'

Her lawyer Michael Lees said: 'She had been in a domestic relationship which had knocked her self confidence and self esteem. She is a single parent, she left her ex-partner following the abuse she had received. This abuse made her turn to alcohol.

'She was successful, she worked as a personal assistant for a director of a large construction company and was earning 30,000, but was made redundant and this put her back to square one.

The mum-of-one from Golborne blamed her actions on accepting a job she claimed was 'somewhat beneath her'

'She has a mortgage and the only work available to her at the moment is earning her 15,000 which means she is struggling to keep up the mortgage repayments. The work she is undertaking is somewhat beneath her - and beneath her abilities.

'She explained that she used alcohol as a coping mechanism yet she knows this doesn't offer her any long term solution to her problems. She knows what she was doing was wrong.'

He added: 'She knew she shouldn't have driven into the car park and she understands how serious it could have been. The M&S is very busy and she could have hurt somebody. She is at the lowest she can be.

'If she is sent to prison she will lose her job and essentially lose her house. She doesn't not diminish her behaviour, she knows what she did was wrong. He has actively joined an Alcoholic Anonymous group.

Police were called to the scene after staff at the M&S in Prestwich noticed Ms Hughes had struggled to park her car in a bay outside the store

Ms Hughes was given an 18 week jail term suspended for a year, banned from driving for four years, told to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and forced to pay costs of 200

'She has sold her car. She has sought help for her anxiety and depression. If she gets a suspended sentence this will give her the opportunity to fix these issues and rebuild her life from ground zero. This is a sad case.'

Prosecutor Tess Kenyon said: 'She (Ms Hughes) explained to officers that she had drunk two large glasses of wine at half three in the afternoon at a public house nearby, but then during interview she accepted that it was a full bottle of wine she had drunk.

'She explained that she hadn't drunk alcohol for four weeks and she hadn't eaten all day. She said that she felt terrible. She accepted that she had been convicted for a previous offence and she had her license returned to her some time last year. She said she was ashamed of herself.'

Hughes was also banned from the roads for four years told to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and pay costs of 200.

The judge told her: 'You must understand, if you do this again, you will be going to prison.'
Intense footage captured on body cam shows the moment police officers in Mexico were ambushed by drugs cartel gunmen.

Recorded in Madera, Chihuahua, footage reveals the moment the law enforcers in an armoured convoy react after being showered with bullets from the Juarez cartel.

Jumping into action, officers exit their cars and began returning fire at their attackers leading to a prolonged gun battle.

Intense footage captured on body cam shows the moment police officers in Mexico were ambushed by drugs cartel gunmen from the Juarez criminal organisation

The officer recording the attack via his body cam fired 17 rounds in an initial burst before taking shelter behind the reinforced cars for cover.

The criminal group is considered to be the armed wing of the Juarez Cartel, one of Mexico's most prominent crime gangs.

In March, Breitbart Texas reported on skirmish between rival factions of the Juarez Cartel that spread terror among the residents of Chihuahua.

The criminal organization was behind various intense gun battles and in shootouts in the past.

The footage revealed the intense battle as law enforcement fought off the attack by gunmen tied with La Linea.

Founded by Amado Carrillo Fuentes, the 'Lord of the Skies', in 1970, the notorious Juarez Cartel is responsible for hundreds of murders since its inception.

Fuentes died during a plastic surgery operation in 1997 and the Cartel is currently run by his brother Vicente, who was arrested in 2014.

At least 38 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992 for motives confirmed as related to their work, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Recorded in Madera, Chihuahua, footage reveals the moment the law enforcers in an armoured convoy react after being showered with bullets from the Juarez cartel

Another 50 were slain in the same period for reasons which remain unclear.

Breach was gunned down as she left home on March 23. Two other journalists were killed in Guerrero and Veracruz states.

Another journalist was shot in Poza Rica, Veracruz, on March 29, leaving him in a critical condition, and an attack on a journalist in San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, left his bodyguard dead.
The EU is right to say that the British people must be 'educated' about the consequences of Brexit, a Labour MP has warned.

Former minister David Lammy also insisted the UK should not be trying to 'wriggle out' of paying a huge divorce bill to Brussels.

The incendiary comments came after the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier again escalated tensions with a series of threats.

Former minister David Lammy insisted the UK should not be trying to 'wriggle out' of paying a huge divorce bill to Brussels

David Davis and Michel Barnier faced off at the latest round of Brexit talks in Brussels last week

Mr Barnier tried to clarify his comments today, saying that he had merely been signalling the importance of explaining the benefits of the single market

Mr Barnier said he wanted to use Brexit to teach the British people and others what leaving the EU means.

But Tory MPs branded the EUs chief negotiator patronising and arrogant  and said his comments showed Brussels was starting to panic about the loss of Britains financial contributions to the EU.

Mr Barnier tried to clarify his remarks today, saying that he had merely been signalling the importance of explaining the benefits of the single market.

Mr Lammy, a fervent Remainer, waded into the row last night by taking the EU's side.

Speaking on the BBC's Westminster Hour, he accused the government of not being 'honest' about what Brexit meant.

'When Barnier says he needs to educate the British public I have got to say he is probably right about that,' Mr Lammy said.

'It is not in the EU's interests to make this easy for the UK,' Mr Lammy said.

'He (Barnier) is being deadly honest and I believe him.'

Mr Lammy said it was understandable that the EU did not want the UK to 'wriggle away from' its financial obligations.

Mr Barniers remarks emerged hours after Brexit Secretary David Davis flatly denied reports that Theresa May has agreed to pay Brussels up to 46billion as part of the exit negotiations, describing the claim as nonsense.

Theresa May (pictured at church in Maidenhead yesterday) is expected to try to push forward the Brexit talks at a summit with EU counterparts next month

The European Commission has tabled proposals that could see the UK pay up to 90billion as it leaves the EU, but British officials believe the figure is grossly inflated.

Mr Davis also rounded on Mr Barnier for suggesting last week that the Brexit negotiations had produced no decisive progress, despite significant developments on issues such as the rights of EU citizens and Northern Ireland.

He said the EU bureaucrat wants to put pressure on us, which is why the stance in the press conference  bluntly, I think it looked a bit silly because there plainly were things that we had achieved.

Mr Davis said concern about filling the financial black hole in the Brussels accounts after Britain leaves was the thing that frightens them most.
Thousands of files containing details of US intelligence operatives with Top Secret clearance have been breached.

The 9,402 documents were found on an unsecure Amazon server without the protection of a password.

The files, discovered this summer by a security analyst at the California-based cyber security firm UpGuard, were found in a folder called 'resumes'.

They contained the CV of thousands of Americans currently in jobs in the US Department of Defense and the US intelligence community.

They included information such as their home addresses, phone numbers, work history and email addresses, as well as more sensitive information including security clearances, driver's license numbers, passport numbers and at least partial social security numbers.

According to UpGuard, at least one of the applicants claimed he was charged with the transportation of nuclear activation codes and weapons components.

In response private security firm TigerSwan said it took information security 'very seriously', found the exposure 'inexcusable' and planned to investigate how the data came to be publicly exposed.

The documents have been traced back to TigerSwan, a private security firm based in North Carolina

Other documents revealed sensitive and personal details about Iraqi and Afghan nationals who have cooperated and worked alongside US military forces in their home countries, Gizmodo reported.

Between 15 and 20 applicants reportedly meet this criteria. They may now be endangered by the disclosure of their personal details.

One applicant described his employment as a 'warden advisor' at the Abu Ghraib black site near Baghdad, where prisoners are known to have been tortured.

Another applicant reportedly said he was involved in 'enhancing evidence' against Iraqi insurgents during the war.

The breach also includes details of a former United Nations worker in the Middle East, a parliamentary security officer in Eastern Europe, an active Secret Service agent, a Central African logistical expert, an ex-soldier tasked with providing security in war zones for TV news crews and a police chief in a southern state.

In addition to this, the details of an Army officer tasked not only with finding WMDs in post-invasion Iraq, but with escorting a major US journalist on the hunt have been breached, as well as military and police trainers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, Liberia, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 9,402 documents (including this CV) were found on an unsecure Amazon server without the protection of a password

The documents have been traced back to TigerSwan, a private security firm based in North Carolina. The company was set up in 2007 by retired US Army Lt. Colonel and Delta Force operator James Reese.

It has worked on behalf of the US military and State Department as a paramilitary force in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as domestically on behalf of corporations.

It employs around 350 people across 46 countries with offices in the Middle East, North and West Africa, Latin America, and Japan.

But in a statement TigerSwan pinned the blame on TalentPen, a third-party vendor they use to sift through new job applications.

The firm said: 'At no time was there ever a data breach of any TigerSwan server.

'All resume files in TigerSwan's possession are secure. We take seriously the failure of TalentPen to ensure the security of this information and regret any inconvenience or exposure our former recruiting vendor may have caused these applicants. TigerSwan is currently exploring all recourse and options available to us and those who submitted a resume.

'This is a regrettable experience and we are re-evaluating our vendor selection processes and their data management practices as a result.'

Mr Reese said: 'We take information security very seriously, especially in this instance, because a majority of the resume files were from veterans. As a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business, we find the potential exposure of their resumes inexcusable. To our colleagues and fellow veterans, we apologize. The situation is rectified and we have initiated steps to inform the individuals affected by this breach.'

This CV of an American with '20+ years military experience' was one of the 9,400 breached

TalentPen could not be immediately reached for comment.

UpGuard said: 'The incident again underscores the importance of qualifying the security practices of vendors who are handling sensitive information.

'While criminals could use the deep knowledge of work experience and personal details for anything from identity theft to one of the phishing scams known to specifically target veterans, the value of this database to foreign intelligence agencies if they were to access it is not insignificant.

'The presence of extremist sympathizers in western nations makes the prospect of publicly exposed Iraqi and Afghan nationals that much more alarming.'
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Incredible images of Ireland's Civil War have been brought into the twenty-first century after being expertly colourised.

The stunning colour pictures show Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins posing for the camera and another of his coffin draped in the Irish flag at his funeral after he was assassinated.

Other rare photographs show soldiers of the Irish Free State Army taking a break in the capital city Dublin, a soldier in a firing position as he searches a badly damaged house and a young girl wearing an ill-fitting coat looking into the camera.

The Irish Civil War was a conflict that followed the Irish War of Independence and came alongside the establishment of the Irish Free State, an entity independent from the United Kingdom but within the British Empire.

The civil war, fought from June 28, 1922 to May, 24 1923, was waged between two opposing groups, Irish republicans and Irish nationalists, over the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

Free State Soldiers take a break from fighting on the street in Dublin possibly during the fighting of the four courts where wounded men are being tended to while others catch their breath. The Irish Civil War was a conflict that followed the Irish War of Independence and came alongside the establishment of the Irish Free State, an entity independent from the United Kingdom but within the British Empire. The civil war was waged between two opposing groups, Irish republicans and Irish nationalists, over the Anglo-Irish Treaty

A photograph from the funeral of Michael Collins. The Irish flag is actually facing the wrong way - a mistake only noticed after it was placed on the coffin. The green should be at the head of the coffin. Michael Collins is an influential figure in the history of twentieth century Ireland. After the controversial treaty negotiations with Britain, he was appointed Chairman and Minister of Finance of the provisional government which was responsible for the establishment of the Irish Free State. He played a decisive role in devising a constitution, creating security forces and appointing a civil service. He was murdered while on an inspection tour of Munster and searching for a basis for peace with IRA leaders opposed to the Treaty

Irish Free State Army officers and men outside the Royal Hotel in Limerick. Some are smoking and one is sporting an injured arm. The group includes two clergymen and some civilians. The hotel was fortified with a barricade, wire and sandbags. The forces of the Provisional Government - which became the Free State in December 1922 - supported the Treaty, while the Republican opposition saw it as a betrayal of the Irish Republic, which had been proclaimed during the Easter Rising. Many of those who fought on both sides in the conflict had been members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence

A young girl wearing an ill-fitting coat, pictured left, stands in a street of terraced houses thought to be in Belfast. Some boys are looking on and two men are having a conversation in the background. On the right, an unmounted officer stands with a drawn sword held at shoulder height in a sword drill under the supervision of Captain Flanagan and Captain Nolan at McKee Barracks Dublin

A personnel carrier containing a group of Irish Free State Army soldiers drawing up outside the Belfast Banking Company in College Green, Dublin, watched by curious onlookers, including a woman with a baby in a pram. Exact casualties numbers have been hard to determine in the aftermath of the war, but it is estimated. Around 800 pro-Treaty fighters backed by the UK fighters are thought to have been killed while up to 3,000 anti-Treaty fighters are said to have died. Although the conflict lasted less than a year - from June 28, 1922 to May, 24 1923 - it is thought up to 12,000 were taken as prisoners of war by the British-backed forces

An infantry sergeant holding a grenade launcher in a glass plate negative showing an the infantry sergeant. The picture was printed to display how to fire a grenade from a Lee Enfield rifle from the kneeling position. This plate could have been used for instructional purposes and used in training manuals. The Anglo-Irish Treaty was agreed to end the 1919 to 1921 Irish War of Independence between the Irish Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The treaty provided for a self-governing Irish state, having its own army and police and also allowed Northern Ireland's counties of Fermanagh, Antrim, Tyrone, Derry, Armagh and Down where the majority population was of the Protestant religion to opt out of the new state and return to the United Kingdom  which it did immediately

The forces of the Provisional Government - which became the Free State in December 1922 - supported the Treaty, while the Republican opposition saw it as a betrayal of the Irish Republic, which had been proclaimed during the Easter Rising.

Many of those who fought on both sides in the conflict had been members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence.

Michael Collins: The revolutionary leader killed in an ambush during the Irish Civil War Michael Collins is an influential figure in the history of twentieth century Ireland. He was born in Clonakilty, County Cork, and, after working in a number of roles in London, returned to Ireland to take part in the Easter Uprising. He was elected as an MP for Sinn Fein for South Cork and Tyrone at the general election in December 1918. During the Anglo-Irish war he was a key part of the IRA's military campaign. After the controversial treaty negotiations with Britain, he was appointed Chairman and Minister of Finance of the provisional government which was responsible for the establishment of the Irish Free State. He played a decisive role in devising a constitution, creating security forces and appointing a civil service. He was murdered while on an inspection tour of Munster and searching for a basis for peace with IRA leaders opposed to the Treaty. Advertisement

The Civil War was won by the Free State forces, who benefited from substantial quantities of weapons provided by the British Government.

Exact casualties numbers have been hard to determine in the aftermath of the war, but it is estimated.

Around 800 pro-Treaty fighters backed by the UK fighters are thought to have been killed while up to 3,000 anti-Treaty fighters are said to have died.

Although the conflict lasted less than a year - from June 28, 1922 to May, 24 1923 - it is thought up to 12,000 were taken as prisoners of war by the British-backed forces.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty was agreed to end the 1919 to 1921 Irish War of Independence between the Irish Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

The treaty provided for a self-governing Irish state, having its own army and police and also allowed Northern Ireland's counties of Fermanagh, Antrim, Tyrone, Derry, Armagh and Down where the majority population was of the Protestant religion to opt out of the new state and return to the United Kingdom  which it did immediately.

However, rather than creating the independent republic favoured by most nationalists, the Irish Free State would be an autonomous dominion of the British Empire with the British monarch as head of state, similar to Canada and Australia.

The British suggested this dominion in secret correspondence even before treaty negotiations began, but then Sinn Fein leader Eamon de Valera rejected it.

The treaty also stipulated that members of the new Irish parliament would have to take the following Oath of Allegiance.

I... do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established, and that I will be faithful to His Majesty King George V, his heirs and successors by law in virtue of the common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of nations.

This oath was highly objectionable to many Irish Republicans and caused a split in the IRA and ultimately civil war.

Michael Collins, the republican leader who had led the Irish negotiating team, argued that the treaty gave 'not the ultimate freedom that all nations aspire and develop, but the freedom to achieve freedom'.

However, anti-treaty militants in 1922 believed that the treaty would never deliver full Irish independence and the fighting began all over the country.

Group of Irish Free State Army soldiers grouped behind heavy field artillery. Two of the soldiers appear to be manoeuvring the gun into position watched by the others, including one wearing civilian tweeds. Rather than creating the independent republic favoured by most nationalists, the treaty meant the Irish Free State would be an autonomous dominion of the British Empire with the British monarch as head of state, similar to Canada and Australia. The British suggested this dominion in secret correspondence even before treaty negotiations began, but then Sinn Fein leader Eamon de Valera rejected it

Irish Free State Army soldier in firing position inside a badly damaged house. His rifle is pointed through a hole in the wall of a room and debris is lying on the ground and a door has been kicked off its hinges. The treaty also stipulated that members of the new Irish parliament would have to take the following Oath of Allegiance: 'I... do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established, and that I will be faithful to His Majesty King George V, his heirs and successors by law in virtue of the common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of nations'

General Michael Collins (right) and an Irish Free State Army soldier wearing his uniform coat but sitting in a wicker chair (left) . He is identified in the caption as John Foley, third battalion, wounded in the thigh. The war-time snaps were colourised by photographer and colourist John O'Byrne from Rathangan, Kildare, Ireland

A man in civilian clothes reaching up with cigarettes to Irish Free State Army soldiers in a spirit merchant's truck as locals stand by watching. Photo colouriser John O'Byrne was intrigued by the old war photographs that he saw in his grandmother's house when he was growing up. He explained how this led to his interest in Irish Military History

The war-time snaps were colourised by photographer and colourist John O'Byrne from Rathangan, Kildare, Ireland.

'Irelands Civil War is still a sore subject in many rural areas of Ireland, with communities still split as to what side they or their families were on,' he said.

'It is also the first conflict that the newly formed Free State Army encountered, their enemy often being men and even relations that they been comrades with just months before during the war of independence.

'It is also therefore the first photos of the Free State Army, and the beginning of the visual archive which has since grown to document the history and events of the Irish Defence Forces.'

John was intrigued by the old war photographs that he saw in his grandmother's house when he was growing up.

He explained how this led to his interest in Irish Military History.

'Having had family connections and fatalities on both sides of the Irish Civil War is where my love and dedication to Irish Military History stems from, and the old faded photos in my grandmothers always had an air of mystery to them,' he added.

'They were torn and faded beyond belief and I always wondered what did those men and women really look like in person; what colour was their hair? Their eyes?

'So I thought myself how to restore and colour photos and as soon as colour is added the faces come alive, the person seems come alive again and in some way bring history a little closer to home.
Hundreds could go bankrupt after using an alleged 13million tax avoidance scheme with links to bra mogul Baroness Mone's billionaire boyfriend, it was claimed today.

Doug Barrowman was a director of Aston Management Ltd (AML), whose offshore status allowed workers to cut their tax bills to less than ten per cent.

But HMRC has now asked members for tens of thousands of pounds in income tax.

Hundreds of people are now at risk of bankruptcy because they don't have the money, according to the Daily Mirror.

Pictured: Doug Barrowman (above with partner Baroness Mone, right) was a director of Aston Management Ltd (AML), whose offshore status allowed workers to cut their tax bills to less than ten per cent

Mr Barrowman, 52, an Isle Of Man based venture capitalist, has a personal fortune estimated at over 1 billion.

He reportedly refused to comment himself but a spokesman said the tax arrangements were all 'fully compliant with UK law'.

He added that AML stopped using the tax setup after a law change in 2011.

The scheme, which was entirely legal, allowed AML contractors to become staff and were paid via its base on the Isle of Man.

They appear to have been paid a low salary with the rest of the cash paid as a loan with zero or little interest from its 'employee benefit trust' on the Crown dependency.

Staff would then pay as little as three per cent income tax.

One client John Dickinson was paid a 11,826 salary in 2009/10 with 85,718 in the form of interest-free loans, according to the Mirror.

HMRC has now asked members for tens of thousands of pounds in income tax. Mr Barrowman (left, with partner Baroness Mone), 52, has reportedly refused to comment himself

At the time he paid just under 9,000 in income tax - but HMRC has now asked for almost 27,000.

HMRC would not discuss individual cases but a spokesman said: 'HMRC always challenges tax avoidance on behalf of the majority of people who play by the rules'.

A spokesman for Baroness Mone said she had nothing to do with the case.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Ultimo founder said her partner's company was established for hard working contractors.

He said: 'AML established structures for hard working contractors and not millionaire celebrities or high net-worth individuals which was fully compliant with U.K. Law. When the legislation changed in 2011 these structures subsequently ceased.

'HMRC unfairly issued APNs (accelerated payment notices) in a bid to retrospectively punish our clients and it was decided that this decision would be challenged at a judicial review.

'The case was finely balanced and the judge severely criticised HMRC and its abuse of power so much so he decided not to award them costs.

Political ambition: In 2014 Baroness Mone called for inheritance tax to be axed to stop the government spending her money when she dies

He added: 'Other companies have chosen to turn their backs on clients who offered such structures but we decided to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds financing legal action to defend the rights of individuals from unwarranted and unjust HMRC demands and will continue to do so, in this respect the judgement is being appealed.'

In 2014 she called for inheritance tax to be axed to stop the government spending her money when she dies.

The mother-of-three, who owns the 50million Ultimo push up bra firm, said the tax on money and property left to loved ones was 'unfair and should be abolished'.

'I work really hard every single day - like a lot of people - for my children and for my children's future,' she told BBC 2's Newsnight.

Speaking at the time, she said: 'I want them to have that little nest for their future and for their children, and I don't see why I, others should work extremely hard, pay your tax and then when you die it is like a double whammy.

'House prices are rising which means that there is a lot more people who have to pay inheritance tax. It is unfair and should be abolished.

'I certainly don't want the government deciding what to do with my money when I am dead.'

Baroness Mone is in business with long-term partner Mr Barrowman. The pair run Michelle Mone Interiors, a bespoke design firm.

The entrepreneur moved into father-of-four Barrowman's sprawling mansion, which boasts its own fitness studio, spa and personal helipad, earlier this year - and she couldn't be happier.

'We've got so much in common,' she said. 'We grew up three miles apart from one another. He's worked so hard to get to where he's got to and we're very much in love.

'Doug tells me every day that we'll be together for the rest of our lives. It's just lovely, and it's lovely having so much in common. We basically live together now, and we do everything together.'

Between them the couple have seven children.
Saudi Arabia gifted Donald Trump with 83 gifts including a painting of himself during his first foreign trip as president.

The billionaire was presented with tiger and cheetah fur robes and a dagger made of pure silver with a mother of pearl sheath.

Mr Trump was also given multiple swords, daggers, leather ammunition holders and holsters during the visit in May.

As well as the painting of himself Mr Trump was given a 'large canvas artwork depicting a Saudi woman'.

Saudi Arabia gifted Donald Trump with 83 gifts during his trip to the country in May this year

The revelations were made by The Daily Beast after a Freedom of Information request sent to the State Department.

During the visit the US signed deals worth than $350bn with Saudi Arabia.

The agreements included an $110bn arms deal, which the White House described as the single biggest in US history.

This represented a decisive reversal of the Obama administration's 2016 policy of blocking certain arms sales to the regime because of civilian deaths in Yemen.

The agreement represented a major reversal from Mr Trump's campaign rhetoric.

During the visit he made in May the US signed deals worth than $350bn with Saudi Arabia

Mr Trump was showered with gifts by Saudi Arabia when he visited the country in May

During his controversial campaign he accused the regime of everything from being responsible for 9/11 to failing to 'reimburse us the way we should be reimbursed,' and going so far as to threaten to stop buying their oil if they didn't shape up.

He also wrote in a Facebook post in June 2016: 'Saudi Arabia and many of the countries that gave vast amounts of money to the Clinton Foundation want women as slaves and to kill gays. Hillary must return all money from such countries!'

During a presidential debate Trump also said Saudis were 'people that push gays off buildings' and 'kill women and treat women horribly'.
Russia has warned US President Donald Trump against starting a unilateral fight with North Korea, claiming a 'clumsy step could lead to an explosion'.

The Kremlin's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov urged America to find a 'political resolution' amid heightened tensions following Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test.

And China today criticised President Donald Trump's threat to cut off U.S. trade with countries that deal with North Korea and rejected pressure to do more to halt the North's nuclear development.

Trump issued the threat after North Korea on Sunday exploded a thermonuclear device in its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. The threat was seen as a warning to China, North Korea's main trading partner and only major ally.

Russia has warned US President Donald Trump against starting a unilateral fight with Kim Jong-un (pictured today), claiming a 'clumsy step could lead to an explosion'.

The Kremlin under Vladimir Puting (pictured today) urged America to find a 'political resolution' amid heightened tensions following Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test

South Korea's air force and army conducted exercises involving long-range air-to-surface and ballistic missiles on Monday following the North's nuclear test on Sunday, its joint chiefs of staff said in a statement

Speaking at a BRICS summit in China, Ryabkov said: 'Those who are stronger and smarter should show restraint. Any clumsy step could lead to an explosion.'

He said sanctions on North Korea had reached the limit of their impact. Any more would be aimed at breaking its economy, so a decision to impose further constraints would become dramatically harder, he said.

Ryabkov added that that no country 'the right to take unilateral action'.

It came after the US warned it could launch a 'massive military response' to any threats from North Korea after the rogue state announced it had successfully tested a weapon up to ten times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb that could kill millions of people.

When asked if he planned to attack Pyongyang, Donald Trump replied, 'We'll see', and said he was holding a meeting with his military leaders. Mr Trump also tweeted that talk of appeasement was pointless because North Korea 'only understand one thing', as the state promised further tests.

Trump has also warned the US is considering halting trade with 'any country doing business with North Korea' - a threat China said was 'unacceptable' and 'unfair'.

Beijing said on Monday it had lodged an official protest with its ally North Korea following Pyongyang's largest-ever nuclear weapons test. Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the group photo session at 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province in China this morning

When asked outside church whether an attack was possible, the president (pictured left, with the First Lady, and right with a cleric) only said, 'We'll see'

Foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, criticised Trump's stance.

'What is definitely unacceptable to us is that on the one hand we work so hard to peacefully resolve this issue and on the other hand our interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardised,' Geng said at a regular news briefing. 'This is unfair.'

Such an approach would be drastic if applied to China, from which the United States imports goods worth about $40 billion a month.

Trump said it was under consideration 'in addition to other options.'

Beijing said on Monday it had lodged an official protest with its ally North Korea following Pyongyang's largest-ever nuclear weapons test.

Despite international condemnation, Kim Jong-un's state media stepped up its hard-line rhetoric, describing South Korea's 'puppet' army as 'scabby sheep' and warning they face 'world-level military power'.

'If we fire, they will die. This is the inescapable fate of the puppet warmongers,' the ruling-party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, wrote.

'The puppet military gangsters should always be mindful that if they pretend to be brave, they would not save their skins as they have neither measure nor capability to cope with the ensuing consequences.

'It is as foolish an act as exposing the neck under straw cutter to dare counter the world-level military power equipped with powerful nuclear striking means.

'If the south Korean puppet forces continue to go reckless, misjudging the surging resentment and will of our army and people, they would face a horrible disaster.'

This picture released by the North Korean government late last week shows the last test launch by the country

The detonation was announced by news anchor Ri Chun-hee (pictured), who has been making proclamations on Korean Central Television for more than 40 years

South Korea said on Monday it was talking to the United States about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula after signs North Korea might launch more missiles in the wake of its sixth and largest nuclear test.

The U.N. Security Council was set to meet later on Monday to discuss new sanctions against the isolated regime. U.S. President Donald Trump had also asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defence chief.

Officials said activity around missile launch sites suggested North Korea planned more missile tests.

'We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile,' Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defense policy, told a parliament hearing on Monday.

North Korea tested two ICBMs in July that could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the U.S. mainland within range and prompting a new round of tough international sanctions.

The hydrogen bomb's power is adjustable and can be detonated at high altitudes, North Korea said (Kim pictured in photos released on Sunday)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participates in a meeting with the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang today

South Korea's air force and army conducted exercises involving long-range air-to-surface and ballistic missiles on Monday following the North's nuclear test on Sunday, its joint chiefs of staff said in a statement.

In addition to the drill, South Korea will cooperate with the United States and seek to deploy 'strategic assets like aircraft carriers and strategic bombers', Jang said.

South Korea's defence ministry also said it would deploy the four remaining launchers of a new U.S. missile defence system after the completion of an environmental assessment by the government.

The rollout of the controversial Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system at a site south of the South Korean capital, Seoul, is vehemently opposed by neighbouring China and Russia, had been delayed since June.

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting a warning of a 'massive' military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

'We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea,' U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said after meeting Trump and his national security team.

'But as I said, we have many options to do so.'

US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system equipment is seen at a former golf course in the southern county of Seongju this morning. The country's defences are set to be bolstered today

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook military helicopter airlifts items toward a golf course in Seongju, southeast of Seoul, South Korea, amid reports the country is bolstering its missile defences today

Trump has previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash 'fire and fury' if it threatened U.S. territory

Despite the tough talk, the immediate focus of the international response was expected to be on tougher economic sanctions.

Diplomats have said the U.N. Security Council could now consider banning North Korean textile exports and its national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban.

Asked about Trump's threat to punish countries that trade with North Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China has dedicated itself to resolving the North Korean issue via talks, and China's efforts had been recognised.

'What we absolutely cannot accept is that on the one hand (we are) making arduous efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, and on the other hand (our) interests are being sanctioned or harmed. This is both not objective and not fair,' he told a regular briefing.

On possible new U.N. sanctions, and whether China would support cutting off oil, Geng said it would depend on the outcome of Security Council discussions.

Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency said in an editorial North Korea was 'playing a dangerous game of brinkmanship' and it should wake up to the fact that such a tactic 'can never bring security it pursues'.
A notorious drug lord and underworld figure has died in hospital after he was doused in petrol and set alight.

Victor Graveson, 65, suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body when David Charles Edgerley, 34, allegedly set him on fire as he slept in his own bed.

Surgery planned for the elderly man was cancelled, and doctors only put him on pain relief medication while they waited for the end, the Brisbane Times reported.

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Victor Graveson (right) died in hospital following an alleged murder attempt which left him with burns to 80 per cent of his body

Surgery planned for the elderly man was cancelled, and doctors only put him on pain relief medication while they waited for the end

A police prosecutor earlier told the Brisbane Magistrates Court his oxygen supply would slowly be decreased, and 'ultimately, it appears the complainant will pass away'.

This procedure was instigated because Graveson's family did not wish to turn off his life support.

Edgerley will now have his attempted murder charge upgraded to murder for the attack in Alexandra Hills, Brisbane, on Friday morning.

He has not applied for bail and will face court again on September 25.

Outside court, Graveson's niece Tammy Davis told reporters he should be remembered as more than a notorious criminal.

'The media has dragged enough mud and has not considered how much of a loving, caring, gentle son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend he was,' she said.

The 65-year-old was linked to a murder cover-up on a drug farm near Bundaberg in 1993, The Courier Mail reported.

The farm was raided by police, who found 200kg of cannabis leaves, 7000 plants and a marijuana crop worth about $20 million.

Graveson was allegedly set on fire by David Charles Edgerley, who was facing charges of attempted murder but will face court on murder charges after Graveson died

Graveson, who has previously been referred to as a criminal 'mastermind' was set alight in his bed in Alexandra Hills, Brisbane

Graveson was one of five people arrested after the drug raid.

In 1995, Queensland's Supreme Court heard Graveson was a criminal 'mastermind', with links to a prostitution ring and outlaw bikie gangs who he supplied drugs to.

Graveson was jailed for 10 years in 1996 for his role in the production of the cannabis crop.

He has also been photographed partying with crooked cops and strippers in the late 1980s and early 90s.

Graveson was imprisoned in 2008 for meth possession.
It's been alleged that a boy who died from a cardiac arrest half a day after being discharged from hospital with a suspected flu, could barely walk when he was sent home.

Carey Alexander was admitted to Concord Hospital on August 9, 2014 after experiencing flu-like symptoms, but he was released early the next morning.

A NSW coronial inquest heard on Monday that during his seven-hour stay at the hospital, the Year 8 student lost consciousness for an estimated 60 seconds, according to Nurse Amanda Jacobs.

Carey Alexander, who died from cardiac arrest, was reportedly unable to walk when he was discharged from hospital earlier that day with a suspected flu

Ms Jacobs was reportedly walking past a bathroom at about 9pm when she heard the sound of Carey passing out, Nine News reports.

She found him on the ground against a garbage bin, where she said he remained unconscious between 30 to 60 seconds.

But according to the young boy's father, he was passed out for about five minutes, counsel assisting Maria Gerace told the Glebe Coroners Court.

He was admitted to Concord Hospital on August 9, 2014 after experiencing flu-like symptoms, but he was released early the next morning at about 2.30am

Ms Gerace said a doctor who diagnosed the teenager with a viral infection, reported that Carey was 'alert, conscious and feeling better' before being sent home about 2.30am the next day.

But according to Ms Gerace, the boy was given a wheelchair to get to the car because 'he was not able to walk'.

She said the boy's father had to carry him from the car to the house when they arrived home.

An inquest was told on Monday that Carey passed out during his seven-hour hospital stay, before being transported to the car in a wheelchair

Carey's hand was reportedly purple or red in colour at 7am, and he was complaining of sharp pains in his foot.

That's when he was transported to Westmean Children's Hospital's emergency department, where he later suffered from a cardiac arrest and passed away.

Ms Gerace said an autopsy had determined the boy's likely cause of death was viral myocarditis.

The inquest is set to continue before Magistrate Liz Ryan.
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Kim Jong-un has accused Seoul's 'scabby sheep' army of being 'puppets' for the US - and warned South Korea's military can be wiped out by his 'nuclear striking power'.

In a chilling editorial, the dictator's state-run media warned: 'If we fire, they will die. This is the inescapable fate of the puppet warmongers.'

The latest sabre-rattling comes after North Korea announced it had successfully tested a nuclear weapon up to ten times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb that could kill millions of people.

This morning South Korea warned Pyongyang was plotting yet another ballistic test and had made a nuclear bomb small enough to fit in a long-range rocket.

There are fears the tyrant may chose September 9, North Korea's Day of the Foundation of the Republic, to carry out a spectacular new trial. The same date was chosen last year by North Korea to conduct its fifth nuclear test, marking 68 years since Kim Il-sung came to power.

The US has warned it could launch a 'massive military response' to any threats from North Korea. When asked if he planned to attack, Donald Trump replied, 'We'll see', and said he was holding a meeting with his military leaders.

But this morning, Russia warned America against starting a fight with the North, claiming that 'no country has the right to take unilateral action' and that a 'clumsy step can lead to an explosion'.

There was no let-up in the war of words this morning with Pyongyang describing South Korea's 'puppet' army as 'scabby sheep' and warning they face 'world-level military power'. According to CNN reporter Will Ripley, North Korea has also warned the South to 'stop senseless acts' or be 'reduced to ashes'.

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Kim Jong-un (centre today) has accused Seoul's 'scabby sheep' army of being 'puppets' for the US - and warned South Korea's military can be wiped out by his 'nuclear striking power'

The hydrogen bomb's power is adjustable and can be detonated at high altitudes, North Korea said (Kim pictured in photos released on Sunday)

South Korean army's K-55 self-propelled howitzers move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with Pyongyang this morning

South Korea has carried out test rocket launches in a show of strength after Kim Jong-un's nuclear trial

'If we fire, they will die. This is the inescapable fate of the puppet warmongers,' the ruling-party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, wrote.

'The puppet military gangsters should always be mindful that if they pretend to be brave, they would not save their skins as they have neither measure nor capability to cope with the ensuing consequences.

'It is as foolish an act as exposing the neck under straw cutter to dare counter the world-level military power equipped with powerful nuclear striking means.

'If the south Korean puppet forces continue to go reckless, misjudging the surging resentment and will of our army and people, they would face a horrible disaster.'

The warning came amid a string of new developments this morning as it emerged:

North Korea's nuclear test was measured at 50 kilotons making it the country's strongest ever amid earlier fears a strike on the South could kill up to four million

A US Ambassador urged the UN Security Council to impose 'strongest possible measures' against Pyongyang

No atmospheric radiation has been detected despite fears of a leak from a 'cave in' caused by the nuclear test

South Korea warned that Pyongyang is preparing another launch to test its intercontinental ballistic missile

Seoul will temporarily deploy four remaining launchers for a controversial US THAAD missile defence system

Donald Trump warned the US is considering halting trade with 'any country doing business with North Korea'

Pyongyang described South Korea's army as 'scabby sheep' and warned they face 'world-level military power'

Russia warned the US against starting a unilateral fight with North Korea and called for a diplomatic solution

China said it had lodged 'stern representations' as part of an official protest with North Korea over its test

Neutral Switzerland said it was prepared to be a mediator between North Korea and the United States

US Ambassador to the UN says North Korea's actions show that its leader is 'begging for war'

Trump and Moon agreed to remove limits on the payload of the South's missiles 'as an effective countermeasure' against Pyongyang, Seoul's presidential office said on Monday

South Korea, meanwhile, announced it had detected signs Kim Jong-un was preparing to carry out yet another launch - possibly of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Seoul and the US said this morning it will deploy more anti-missile defences to bolster The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system that is already installed in the South.

Last night, the South's military conducted a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear site, hitting 'designated targets in the East Sea', the report added, quoting the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

When asked outside church whether an attack was possible, the president (pictured left, with the First Lady, and right with a cleric) only said, 'We'll see'

US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system equipment is seen at a former golf course in the southern county of Seongju this morning. The country's defences are set to be bolstered today

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook military helicopter airlifts items toward a golf course in Seongju, southeast of Seoul, South Korea, amid reports the country is bolstering its missile defences today

Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo ballistic missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the country's east coast. Authorities released video showing South Korean F-15K fighter jets firing air-to-ground missiles.

The weapons accurately hit their targets in the East Sea - the Korean name for the Sea of Japan - the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The exercise 'was carried out as a strong warning' to the North for conducting its sixth nuclear test, it added. The training involved long-range air-to-surface missiles and ballistic missiles.

The country is also preparing fresh military drills with its ally the United States in response to North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test a day earlier.

'The training came in response to the North's sixth nuclear test... and involved the country's Hyunmoo ballistic missile and the F-15K fighter jets,' it said.

Kim Jong-un (pictured hosting a meeting today) is plotting another ballistic test it has emerged this morning after Seoul simulated its own missile raid on the North in the wake of the dictator's hydrogen bomb test

South Korea's Hyunmoo II ballistic missile was fired during an exercise at an undisclosed location in South Korea on Monday

A solider mans a K-9 self-propelled howitzer as he prepares for a military exercise in Paju. President Trump's tweeted on Sunday saying the South's 'talk of appeasement' would not work with North Korea

South Korean troops fire Hyunmoo Missile into the waters of the East Sea as a military exercise. President Moon said on Sunday that claims of North Korea's sixth nuclear test should be met with the 'strongest possible' response, including new sanctions

South Korea Defense Ministry released photos showing F-15K planes dropping what was described as SLAM-ER bombs at an undisclosed location on the east coast of South Korea

The South's military said the range to the simulated targets were equivalent to the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site in its northeastern province.

The South's environment ministry will also announce on Monday its approval of an environmental assessment report for the deployment of a controversial U.S. anti-missile defense system, a ministry official told Reuters.

Media in Seoul this morning also called for the country to consider building its own nuclear weapons amid a growing threat from its northern neighbour.

Kim Jong-un was pictured inspecting the peanut-shaped device  the design and scale of which indicated it had a powerful thermonuclear warhead. State media said it was a bomb intended for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In July, North Korea tested two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the US mainland.

Analysts say the claims should be treated with caution, but the state's nuclear capability is clearly advancing. The UN Security Council will meet today to discuss North Korea's test.

Yesterday's announcement prompted international condemnation, with Prime Minister Theresa May criticising the 'reckless' act and urging a speeding-up of sanctions. She said North Korea's actions posed an 'unacceptable further threat to the international community' and called for 'tougher action'.

Mrs May added that she had discussed the 'serious and grave threat these dangerous and illegal actions present' with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during her visit to the country last week.

But this morning her spokesman said a 'peaceful, diplomatic' resolution to the crisis was preferable.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the announcement represented 'a new order of threat' before stating that 'all options are on the table'. Yet he cautioned that there were no easy military solutions, saying North Korea could 'basically vaporise large sections of the South Korean population' if the West attacks.

South Korea's military conducted a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear site, hitting 'designated targets in the East Sea', according to the country's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pictured above, South Korean President Moon Jae-in

The tests came after North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday - in violation of UN resolutions - which it said was an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile

South Korea's Hyunmoo II ballistic missile is fired during an exercise at an undisclosed location in South Korea this morning

South Korean army's K-1 tanks move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, this morning

South Korean president Moon Jae-in said claims of North Korea's sixth nuclear test should be met with the 'strongest possible' response, including new sanctions. Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said measures should include restrictions on the trade of oil products.

Meanwhile, China, North Korea's only major ally, declared its 'resolute opposition and strong condemnation' of the announcement, saying the state had 'ignored' widespread opposition.

However, Beijing today criticised President Donald Trump's threat to cut off U.S. trade with countries that deal with North Korea and rejected pressure to do more to halt the North's nuclear development.

Russia, which has also backed the state, said the test defied international law and urged all sides involved to hold talks.

But Moscow's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov added this morning that any clumsy steps regarding North Korea could make the situation worse and a political resolution was needed for the crisis.

'Those who are stronger and smarter should show restraint,' Ryabkov told reporters at a BRICS summit in China. 'Any clumsy step could lead to an explosion,' he said, adding that no country 'the right to take unilateral action'.

South Korean Defense Ministry in Seoul shows South Korea's missile system firing Hyunmu-2 missile into the East Sea

South Korean soldiers are seen preparing K-9 self-propelled howitzers during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea,

This morning, Russia, under Vladimir Putin (pictured today in Xiamen, China) warned America against starting a fight with Pyongyang, claiming that 'no country has the right to take unilateral action' and that a 'clumsy step can lead to an explosion'

US President Donald Trump, however, still criticized Seoul on Sunday, saying 'their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work'

The United States warned it could launch a 'massive military response' to threats from North Korea.

And US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday he is not looking 'to the total annihilation of a country' but warned: 'We have many options to do so.'

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council will meet on Monday on North Korea's nuclear test at the request of the United States, Japan, Britain, France and South Korea, the US mission to the United Nations said in a statement.

The 15-member Security Council will meet at 10am EST on Monday, the US mission said.

As tensions increased today, neutral Switzerland is prepared to act as mediator to help resolve the North Korea crisis, including by hosting ministerial talks, Swiss President Doris Leuthard said on Monday.

Leuthard said Swiss troops were deployed on the demarcation zone between South Korea and North Korea and the country had a long history of neutral diplomacy. But China and the United States had to take their share of responsibility, she added.

North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for further possible UN sanctions.

The detonation was announced by news anchor Ri Chun-hee (pictured), who has been making proclamations on Korean Central Television for more than 40 years

This picture released by the North Korean government late last week shows the last test launch by the country

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the members of the Security Council 'remain unanimous in their commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula'.

In a terse statement outside the White House on Sunday afternoon, Mattis said that Trump had been briefed on each of the 'many military options' available.

'We made it clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack and that our agreements with our allies are iron-clad,' he said.

'Any threat to the United States or its territories including Guam, or our allies, will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.'

He urged Kim Jong-Un to 'take heed' of the UN Security Council's 'unified' objection to the test of the 100-kiloton bomb test, which caused a 6.3-magnitude earthquake.

'We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country - namely North Korea,' Mattis concluded, 'but as I said, we have many options to do so.'

He, and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had been present but silent throughout, then left without answering any questions. President Trump was not seen during the announcement.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the members of the Security Council 'remain unanimous in their commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula'

Japan urged Washington last week to propose new sanctions after Pyongyang fired a medium-range missile over North Japan on Tuesday. Pictured above, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

People gather and look at the news of their country's latest nuclear test seen on the screen, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sunday

North Korea's border county of Kaepoong is seen from a South Korean observation post in Paju near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing two Koreas

PROBE OVER NUCLEAR LEAK FEARS Japan and China say they have not yet detected any atmospheric radiation from North Korea's nuclear test, amid fears of a leak from a 'cave in' during the underground blast. Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters there was 'nothing special detected from monitoring posts across the country', nor from air samples taken by the Air Self-Defense Force after Sunday's blast. China's environment ministry said Monday that radiation levels near its Korean border were also normal. 'Results of monitoring make clear that this North Korean nuclear test as of now has produced no effect on our nation's environment or the public,' the ministry wrote on its official website. Japanese defence minister Itsunori Onodera said Sunday that Tokyo had deployed 'sniffer' planes capable of detecting radioactive particles. Fears of a leak from North Korea's detonation of what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb came after Chinese monitors detected a second tremor shortly after the initial earthquake triggered by the blast. The monitors said the second tremor, of 4.6 magnitude, could be due to a 'collapse (cave in)', suggesting the rock over the underground blast had given way. The resulting explosion was considerably larger than previous tests and was felt by residents in Chinese cities hundreds of kilometres (miles) from the North's border. Advertisement

The council last month unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea over its two long-range missile launches in July.

The resolution aimed to slash by a third the Asian state's $3billion annual export revenue by banning exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood.

Diplomats have said the council could now consider banning Pyongyang's textile exports and the country's national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban.

Japan urged Washington last week to propose new sanctions after Pyongyang fired a medium-range missile over North Japan on Tuesday.

The United States traditionally drafts resolutions to impose sanctions on North Korea, first negotiating with China before formally involving the remaining 13 council members.

Following the nuclear test on Sunday, Britain, Japan and South Korea pushed for new UN sanctions, while China and Russia said they would 'appropriately deal' with North Korea.

Daniel Russel, until April the US assistant secretary of state for East Asia and now a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told Reuters: 'We should expect an uptick in Chinese and Russian pressure on both North Korea and on the United States.'

'We should also expect 'more of the same' from China (and Russia) in claiming that the US is also to blame and calling on Washington to appease Pyongyang with front-loaded concessions and placate it with dialogue, despite the fact that North Korea is clearly only interested in dictating terms, not in negotiating,' he said.

Any new sanctions would build on eight resolutions ratcheting up action against Pyongyang over five nuclear tests, four long-range ballistic missile tests and dozens of medium-range rocket launches.

The past three substantial resolutions have taken between one and three months to negotiate.

A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned North Korea's nuclear test on Sunday as 'profoundly destabilizing for regional security' and called on the country's leadership to cease such acts.

How a hydrogen bomb works: North Korea's new device could yield a devastating blast thousands of times more powerful than Hiroshima or Nagasaki

North Korea claimed on Sunday to have successfully tested an hydrogen bomb, but what exactly makes an H-bomb different from a nuke?

Thermonuclear weapons, informally known as hydrogen bombs or H-bombs, are more advanced and powerful types of atomic weapons.

The earliest atom bombs, including those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were fission bombs that split atoms into pieces.

Photos released yesterday show the country's leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the hydrogen device that it promised would be loaded on a new intercontinental ballistic missile

Overhead pictures of Punggye-ri nuclear test site from August 17, published by 38 North. The detonation occurred close to this location, and vibrations were felt in China and Russia

H-bombs are two-stage weapons, which use an initial fission reaction to trigger a fusion reaction, smashing the nuclei of atoms together in the same nuclear process that powers the sun.

The result of the fusion design is a devastating blast that can be thousands of times more powerful than traditional atomic bomb designs, which have an upper yield limit of about 500 kilotons.

Thermonuclear weapons can additionally use the fusion reaction to trigger a second fission reaction, with no theoretical upper limit on yield. The largest weapon ever tested was a Russian device with a 50,000 kiloton yield.

NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR TESTS October 9, 2006: 0.7-2 kilotons May 25, 2009: 2-5.4 kilotons February 12, 2013: 6-16 kilotons January 6, 2016: 7-10 kilotons September 9, 2016: 15-25 kilotons September 3, 2017: 100 kilotons Advertisement

The US first tested a hydrogen bomb in 1952, with a 1,000 kiloton yield. H-bombs have never been used in war.

Experts believe the latest North Korean device exploded with a 100 kiloton yield, which could be within the yield range of either traditional atomic or thermonuclear weapons. Later estimations put it closer to 50 kilotons.

Either way, it seems clear the test was of a powerful nuclear weapon capable of destroying swaths of a city.

'We have nothing to cause us to doubt that this was a test of an advanced nuclear device,' one US intelligence official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The US official said, however, that it would take some time to complete a thorough analysis of the size of the blast and type of device detonated.

Top US military officials responded to the North Korean test by alluding to the possibility of 'total annihilation' for the secretive regime.

South Korea's official news agency reports the quake struck where North Korea's nuclear test site Punggye-ri is located
Original drawings of Winnie-the-Pooh will be displayed for the first time in almost 40 years as part of the UK's largest ever museum exhibition on the world-famous bear.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in west London will host the show which includes a rare 1929 recording of creator AA Milne reading one his stories.

Visitors to the Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic exhibition will get treated to original manuscripts written almost 100 years ago.

Some of illustrator E.H. Shepard's first character portraits, which were created after drawing Milne's son Christopher's toys which he played with, will also be on show.

A number of illustrations, recordings and drawings of Winnie-the-Pooh will go on show at the V&A Museum. Pictured here, Ernest H Shepard's coloured crayon drawing titled 'Tiggers Don't Like Honey'

Rare images drawn by E.H. Shepard, including 'bump, bump, bump' (left) and 'the bees are getting suspicious' (right) will be on show

Two versions of the Poohsticks illustration will feature in the exhibition, which starts on Saturday, December 9 and will showcase the famous pen and ink drawing and the pencil sketch.

Other drawings of Pooh, Piglet and Christopher Robin will be on display together for the first time.

Meanwhile, other attractions include a Christopher Robin nursery tea set which was given to Princess Elizabeth when she was two years old in 1928.

The unique piece of history was lent to the museum by the Queen from the royal collection.

Pages from the manuscript of House at Pooh Corner from the Wren Library at Trinity College, Cambridge, will also be on show.

Other attractions include a Christopher Robin nursery tea set which was given to Princess Elizabeth when she was two years old in 1928

One of the main attractions will be rare recording of AA Milne (pictured here playing with Christopher Robin) reading Winnie-the-Pooh in 1929

Tristram Hunt, who is the current director of the V&A, said: 'I'm delighted that Winnie-the-Pooh is being celebrated at the V&A, nearly 40 years since he last took centre stage at the Museum.

'From the world's largest collection of E.H. Shepard's Winnie-the-Pooh pencil drawings, to homemade honey from our rooftops in South Kensington, the V&A is the perfect home for Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Christopher Robin and friends.

'This is our first exhibition specifically for younger families and we look forward to welcoming another generation into A.A. Milne's magical, intimate, joyous world.'
Lidl has defended its decision to airbrush Christian symbols from its packaging, claiming the supermarket wants to remain 'religiously neutral'.

The chain's new Greek 'Eridanous' range has pictures of the famous Anastasis Church in Santorini, Greece, with its world-renowned blue dome roof.

Yet some shoppers noticed that the packaging comes without the Christian crosses normally at the top of the dome and nearby buildings.

Lidl UK's Facebook page has been swamped with messages decrying their move to alter the pictures.

Daniel Novak wrote: 'I'm highly disappointed in a company that is bending over to cater to specific people. Why are you hiding from the history?

Eagle-eyed shoppers noticed the cross on top of the famous Anastasis Church in Santorini, Greece had been removed

'We are all to learn from history, removing it with photoshop will cause the same mistakes of the past to be done over and over again.'

Steve West added: 'Why have you taken the crosses off the top of Greek churches in your advertising?

'Is there somebody you will think takes offence? There is. Me, Greeks and many others. I definitely won't be using you again if you don't reverse this policy.'

And Daisy Matthews wrote: 'Why are you erasing the reality from a photo?

'If there were products from Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, or Muslim countries with their symbols depicted on there I wouldn't have a problem buying them.

'As a Christian I feel really hurt, discriminated against, upset and disappointed that you have done this, if it is the case I won't be shopping at your store anymore.'

Lidl has defended itself against the accusations from shoppers, claiming that they wish to remain 'neutral' in religious matters in a bid to include everyone

Customers have threatened not to shop at the supermarket chain unless they change their their policy and alter the images back to their original form

Lennox Moore added: 'How very disappointing to see your marketing team have decided to air brush the crosses from the domes of the Greek Orthodox churches. This is a huge insult to Christians world wide who have identified with the cross since the formation of the early church.

'I fail to see what you had hoped to accomplish, we will not be shopping at Lidl until the crosses have been restored. Did you think such a change would go unnoticed or did you think people didn't care enough to complain?'

Replying to Mr Moore's Facebook post, Lidl UK said: 'Hi Lennox, the packaging of our Eridanous range has had a number of design updates since we started selling it. Please be assured that the most recent design was not intended as a statement. All feedback will be passed on for future consideration.'

The new Lidl range includes olive oil, Moussaka, yogurt, breadsticks and gyros

Shoppers have also claimed some of the Halal meat products on sale at Lidl still have images of buildings with minarets, which is architecture traditionally associated with Islam.

The row has also boiled over to other European countries, with shoppers in Belgium and Germany angry at the move.

A Lidl spokesman told Belgian TV station RTL: 'We are avoiding the use of religious symbols because we do not wish to exclude any religious beliefs.

'We are a company that respects diversity and this is what explains the design of this packaging.'

A German Lidl spokesman said: 'Our intention has never been to shock.

'We avoid the use of religious symbols on our packaging to maintain neutrality in all religions.

'If it has been perceived differently, we apologise to those who may have been shocked.'
One of Italy's most wanted mob bosses was arrested in Uruguay on Monday after 23 years on the run from convictions for mafia association, drug trafficking and other serious crimes.

Rocco Morabito was considered the most wanted fugitive member of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful organised crime group and one of Europe's biggest importers of South American cocaine.

The 50-year-old was arrested on Monday at a hotel in Montevideo after Uruguayan police and Italian authorities worked together to determine his real identity, the Italian ministry said in a statement.

Italian media said he had been living in a luxury villa in Punta del Este, a resort town, with his Uruguayan wife.

Longtime Italian fugitive Rocco Morabito seen before going on the run in 1994 (left) and after he was caught in Uruguay (right) on Monday where he had been living under a false name and with a forged Brazilian passport

They reported that until a few months ago, investigators had concentrated their manhunt in Brazil.

But one of his children was recently registered for school in Uruguay with Morabito's real name instead of an alias, shifting the focus of the hunt for him to that country.

Dubbed the 'cocaine king of Milan,' Morabito had been wanted since 1994 after he was caught paying 13 billion lire ($8 million) to import almost a tonne of the drug, Corriere della Sera newspaper reported.

Morabito entered Uruguay in 2001, and took up residence with his wife in Punta del Este, the Uruguayan interior ministry said in a statement.

He was living there under the false identity of Francisco Antonio Capeletto Souza, of Rio de Janeiro, it added.

A luxury Mercedes coupe is parked in the villa where Italian mafia fugitive Rocco Morabito lived in the resort town of Punta del Este, Uruguay

A swimming pool in the backyard of the villa where Morabito lived in the luxury resort town of Punta del Este

'Ndrangheta boss Rocco Morabito pictured after his capture in Montevideo on Monday

Four different pictures of 'Ndrangheta boss Rocco Morabito before and after his capture in Montevideo

Morabito was jailed in Uruguay for using false documents while Italy's request for extradition is processed, the statement said, adding that $50,000 in cash was found at his home along with 13 cell phones.

An international arrest warrant was issued in 1995 with the aim of tracking down Morabito and extraditing him to Italy, where he has been sentenced to 30 years in jail.

The arrest ticks one member off the Italian interior ministry's five-strong list of the country's most-wanted organised criminals, on which Morabito had rubbed shoulders with feared Sicilian boss Matteo Messina Denaro.
A female patient with a severe brain injury was allegedly raped in a New York City hospital, police have said.

A nurse doing her rounds walked in to check on the stricken woman to discover Keith Nembhard sexually assaulting the 32-year-old, earlier this month according to police.

The 37-year-old attacker, who allegedly knew the victim, was arrested and charged with rape in the second degree.

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A female patient with a severe brain injury was raped in a New York City hospital, police have said. A nurse discovered Keith Nembhard, 37, raping his 32-year-old victim while doing her rounds

Police were told by doctors that the severity of her injuries meant there was no way she could have consented to sexual intercourse.

It is the second serious incident at the hospital this year.

In June a disgruntled former doctor killed one and injured six former co-workers at the Bronx-Lebanon hospital.

Dr Henry Bello, a family physician, opened fire at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital where he used to work at about 2.45pm on Friday June 30.

The 45-year-old gunman was hiding a high-powered assault rifle under his white medical coat and had his ID card on him when he started the shooting spree on the 16th and 17th floors of the hospital, police sources say.

Police Commissioner James O'Neill confirmed that the shooter died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the building.

Dead attacker: Dr Henry Bello, 45, has been named as the deceased gunman who carried out a deadly attack at his former place of work, the Bronx Lebanon Hospital, in June

The shooter had tried to set himself on fire prior to fatally shooting himself. He staggered, bleeding, into a hallway where he collapsed and died with the rifle at his side.

The body of the female victim, believed to be a doctor, was found next to the shooter on the 17th floor. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five of the victims were seriously injured in the shooting rampage and one victim is being treated for a gunshot wound to their leg.
A smart dog has been filmed calming a fussy baby by miraculously delivering an old teething toy.

At home in Melbourne, Australia, baby Lottie was throwing a temper tantrum, much to the dismay of one of the Bannan family.

Sauntering into the room with a sassy wagging of the tale, two-year-old English Cocker Spaniel Lady had a very special trick to silence her snivelling housemate.

English Cocker Spaniel Lady brings baby Lottie her teething toy to stop her from crying

Lottie and Lady are the best of friends - just not when the baby cries

Clenched between her jaws, the clever cocker brought over Lottie's old teething toy, showcasing an incredible memory, as the toy once helped to stem the nine-month-old's flow of tears.

In the footage, Lottie suddenly falls silent as the toy is placed before her; Lady exits the room with a satisfied strut.

Mum Charlotte Bannan, who looked on in disbelief, said: 'When Charlotte was really young, she had terrible colic and the gingerbread man was her favourite toy.

'Even when she was teething, the ginger bread man brought her comfort.

'Lady loves Charlotte, just not when she cries, she's always burying her head in the cushions to try and stifle the screams.

Amazingly, Lottie suddenly falls silent as the toy is placed before her; Lady exits the room with a satisfied strut

'Lottie was having a particularly irritable day, I'd tried everything to try and sooth her, and Lady had just had enough.

'It just goes to show how clever dogs are - it's almost as if she knew that the toy was the only thing that would cheer her up.

'It worked a treat, and Lottie was happy for the rest of the day.'
A man has admitted murdering an A-level student 'with sexual motivation' two months after her mutilated body was found near a local beauty spot.

Mark Buckley, 51, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to the murder of student Ellen Higginbottom, 18, at Orrell Water Park near Wigan on June 17.

He was one of four people taken into police custody over the student's death after the discovery of her body in a wheat field close to the park.

The 18-year-old student was reported missing by her family when she didn't return home from college which was described as 'extremely out of character'.

Police found Ellen Higginbottom's body in Orrell Water Park in Wigan at about 2.30am on Saturday

Mark Buckley, 51, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to the murdering A-Level student Ellen

A post-mortem examination confirmed she died from multiple wounds to the neck.

The facts of the case were not given in court and further details will be revealed when Buckley is sentenced, but Neil Fryman, prosecuting, told the hearing: 'There was a sexual motivation for this offence and also it was pre-meditated.'

David Steele, 47, of Billinge, Merseyside, appeared alongside Buckley in the dock on Monday, charged with perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.

He was not asked to enter a plea following an application by his lawyer, Brian McKenna. He will next appear in court on October 6.

Two other defendants, Dean Speakman and his partner Vicki Calland, both 30 and from Billinge, each pleaded guilty last month to a single charge of perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.

Both admitted they handled the mobile phone, laptop and other property belonging to Miss Higginbottom and that they destroyed the property believing she had been murdered.

Judge Stockdale remanded Buckley into custody for sentence on Thursday next week when he, Speakman and Calland will be dealt with.

In the wake of her death, the teenager's heartbroken boyfriend paid tribute to his 'beautiful and bubbly' girlfriend.

The 18-year-old student was reported missing by her family when she didn't return home from college which was described as 'extremely out of character'

Ryan Warren spoke of the 'witty and down to earth' girl who will 'remain in his heart forever'.

In the touching statement, Ryan, who lovingly referred to Ellen as 'his nugget' and himself as 'her chicken', said he would not be the man he is today without her amazing support.

Ryan, 18, from Wigan, said: 'Ellen, the past two years of knowing you have been the best years of my life. I am so incredibly honoured to have been such a big part in your life.

'Thank you for everything you have and did for me, even the little things like coming to find me when I was studying or bringing sweets to help study, or even the countless hours we just spent cuddling thinking about what we will do in the future.'

Her family also paid tribute to the psychology student, who loved animals and enjoyed cooking and 'messing on her phone'.

In a statement released at the time, they said: 'We could tell you about how excited she was when we tentatively suggested she might want a kitchen mixer for her 18th birthday.

'Not clothes and make-up and jewellery for Ellen, not really her thing.

'We could tell you how she had astonishingly reinvigorated her love of learning over the last few months after some difficult times.

Her boyfriend, Ryan Warren (pictured with Ellen) gave a moving tribute after her death. She is pictured right, with her family

'We could tell you that the last time we 'had words' was in 2001 when she jumped in a puddle after being told not to.

'But none of this makes sense because they're just yellow stripes highlighting the book of her life and you haven't read the rest of it.

'If a legacy is planting seeds in a garden you never get to see, then thanks to people like our remarkable Ellen it's coming to beauty and love and kindness.'

A heart-wrenching recording of Ellen singing was played to mourners at her funeral in Altrincham.

More than 100 members of her family, along with her friends, attended the service at the town's crematorium, where a recording of her singing Duffy's Warwick Avenue was played.

Loved ones described how much the sixth-former loved singing and horse riding.

A poem, entitled Endless, was also read at the crematorium, with messages of not judging a biography by its length, but its 'richness of content' - and not to judge a song by its duration, but the way it 'touches and lifts the soul'.
An indigenous man who opposes a cashless welfare card for Aboriginal people is running as a One Nation candidate.

Jason Quick is flying the flag for Pauline Hanson at the next Queensland election, despite having left-wing views on Aboriginal welfare clearly at odds with his party's national leader.

The carpenter, a Kabi Kabi Aboriginal man, is running with the right-wing party in the seat of Redlands, east of Brisbane.

His opponent is former Liberal National Party MP Peter Dowling, who made international headlines in 2013 when he photographed his penis in a glass of red wine and sent it to his mistress.

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Jason Quick, an indigenous man, is running with Pauline Hanson despite his differing views

The Pauline Hanson party candidate opposes a cashless welfare card for indigenous people

While Senator Hanson wants a crackdown on indigenous welfare, Mr Quick opposes the idea of a cashless welfare card for Aboriginal people, which the Turnbull Government is trialing in South Australia and Western Australia.

'We're not kids anyone. You know this is your money,' he wrote on his Facebook page on August 6.

'The person you voted into government on behalf of you, the local Turnbull LNP corrupted member has it spent for you.'

Senator Hanson was on Sunrise on Monday morning trumpeting her support for a cashless welfare card to tackle social security addiction among Aboriginal people.

Pauline Hanson has described critics of the cashless welfare card as 'bleeding hearts'

'I'm sick of the bleeding hearts in this country that are not really looking at how we are going to address this problem,' she told the Seven Network.

'It is actually working. Kids are going to school. They are eating decent meals, they're buying good food for the table.'

During a clash with Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Pauline Hanson said the cashless welfare card needed to be rolled out Australia-wide.

In her 1996 maiden speech to the House of Representatives, Pauline Hanson spoke out against indigenous welfare.

'The majority of Aboriginals do not want handouts because they realise that welfare is killing them,' she said.

The former fish and chips shop proprietor, who is now a Queensland senator, also lashed out at what she described as the 'Aboriginal industry'.

Pauline Hanson railed against indigenous welfare and the 'Aboriginal industry' in 1996

The Queensland senator's party has a Queensland candidate who opposes cashless welfare

One Nation policy also opposes amending the Australian constitution to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the traditional owners of the land.

Despite this, Mr Quick supports the idea of a treaty with indigenous people, Facebook posting on August 3 the indigenous Yolngu word 'Makarrata' for an agreement with a former enemy.

Three weeks later, Mr Quick posted on his Facebook page an SBS article about Aboriginal slavery and stolen wages.

In March, Senator Hanson called for SBS to be privatised because she opposed their 'leftist agenda'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Quick for comment.

This One Nation candidate appears to support a treaty between black and white Australia

Jason Quick, an indigenous man, is running as a One Nation candidate in Queensland
Advertisement

A garish Lego brick style house, a tower block nicknamed The Fag Butt and an uninspiring train station are competing for the title of Britain's worst-looking structure.

The three are among six shortlisted to win The Carbuncle Cup 2017, an annual architecture prize, given by the magazine Building Design to 'the ugliest building in the United Kingdom completed in the last 12 months'.

The projects nominated range from a new entrance to a rail station in Preston, Lancashire, to a student halls of residence in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station in London.

Nominated: This extension to a Victorian property in Worcestershire (above) is among six nominated for this year's Carbuncle Cup. The annual prize is awarded to Britain's ugliest buildings and its title was inspired by Prince Charles who denounced plans to extend London's National Gallery as a 'monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend'

The annual event was launched in 2006, with the first winner being Drake Circus Shopping Centre in Plymouth by Chapman Taylor.

The word carbuncle is used to describe a severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria.

The name of the award was inspired by a comment from Prince Charles, a critic of modern architecture, who denounced plans to extend London's National Gallery as a 'monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend'.

This year's shortlist, based on nominations from the public, has been studied by a panel of judges who will announce the winner on Wednesday.

Somers Road, Malvern

One of the structures which got tongues wagging was an extension to a period property In Worcestershire. It contracted complaints for its Lego style brickwork.

It has been added to a four storey Victorian villa - which has a pitched tiled roof, decorative stone facades and light cream steps. From certain angles to be a picturesque, historic property.

But neighbours recoiled in horror when the owners erected a huge extension - which locals say resembles a light industrial unit - in July this year.

The vast rectangular box was put together using engineered stone tiles in a stack bond arrangement, and contains a living area and kitchen.

One of the structures which got tongues wagging was an extension to a period property In Worcestershire. It contracted complaints for its Lego style brickwork

Pretty on the inside: The extension on the Victorian property has raised eyebrows with neighbours complaining its an 'eyesore'

In the planning application, it was stated that the stone clad extension would be 'subservient and understated with a crisp modern aesthetic distinct from the historic house'.

The house on Somers Road is owned by Edward Elgar  a direct descendant of the famous composer of the same name who made Malvern his home.

Mr Elgar, 49, and his wife Charlotte, bought the house for 1 million in October 2014.

The extension was designed and built to be used as a kitchen/dining area.

Mrs Elgar's father James Waits, 77, of Worcester, said: 'Edward is a descendant of Sir Edward Elgar. I am not entirely sure what the link is, I believe he is a great nephew or something similar but he is certainly related.

'I absolutely love the building. I think someone who nominated it for this award is suffering from jealously. It is a marvellous piece of architecture.'

Mr Elgar refused to comment on his link to the famous composer.

In the planning application, it was stated that the stone clad extension would be 'subservient and understated with a crisp modern aesthetic distinct from the historic house'

The house on Somers Road is owned by Edward Elgar  a direct descendant of the famous composer of the same name who made Malvern his home. Pictured above, the kitchen area

It is not the first time the couple have upset their neighbours with dramatic changes to their home.

In July 2015 the couple sparked anger from residents living nearby when they lodged a planning application to fell 30 trees on their land.

They applied to cut down 27 sycamores, one holly, one hazel and one cypress and were granted permission by Malvern Hills District Council.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: 'It is pretty sad that a relative of Malvern's most famous sons is creating such a blot on the town.

'I hate to say a cliche but I've heard it said that Sir Edward would be spinning in his grave if he knew how his relative was treating his beloved town.'

The building is one of six to be nominated for this year's Carbuncle Cup - an architecture industry 'prize' given out by magazine Building Design to the ugliest building to be completed in the past year.

Robert Smith, who nominated the house in Malvern, Worcestershire, said: 'The property is situated in a lovely, tree-lined street dominated by Victorian architecture, in a conservation area.

'The house itself is believed to have been constructed during the late 1800's, principally of brick, under a pitched tiled roof with part stone decorative facades.

The building is one of six to be nominated for this year's Carbuncle Cup - an architecture industry 'prize' given out by magazine Building Design to the ugliest building to be completed in the past year

Robert Smith, who nominated the house in Malvern, Worcestershire, said: 'The extension of the property through the addition of what can only be described as a Lego brick that is so offensive to the eye'

He said: 'While the owners are in many ways to be congratulated in taking on such a large restoration project, it is the extension of the property through the addition of what can only be described as a Lego brick that is so offensive to the eye.

'To make matters worse, what cannot be seen from the photo is the fact that there was a Victorian single story building that was demolished to make way for the new monstrosity.

'I am aware that planning guidelines today are to keep a clear boundary between new and old structures, but the architect has made no attempt to unify the house and now most people assume this family home to be a medical centre.'

On social media, a host of users have hit out at the design. Debbie Jones said: 'Some mixes of traditional and modern are amazing. But this, is awful (sorry to the owners). It is looks like a factory next to a beautiful house. I like an industrial look but this is not complementary.'

Sian Condor said: 'When I think of the hard time we've been given over some of our planning applications in Malvern and they then allow something like this, it leaves me somewhat speechless!!!!'

Julie Bedington added: 'Having walked past it a few times the white extension is awful. Also the white windows on the original part are shocking.

'This is just my opinion but looks so out of place in the lovely town I live in.'

A spokesperson from Vivid Architects was unable to give comment.

Nova Victoria

Built in the 1960s after the Second World War, Nova Victoria seemed a icon of modern times. But 50 years on, the area has being extensively redeveloped but sadly it isn't to everyone's taste. BD Online reports: 'The latest offering is Nova Victoria, a 897,000 square foot mixed-use development occupying a whole city block. The architect, PLP has attempted to break up the monolithic nature of these scheme by expressing it as a pair of sliced and chamfered towers and jazzing it up with several bright red prows presumably to give it that 'landmark' quality. Instead several readers questioned how it got planning.

Nova Victoria: They blocked off streets and caused traffic problems when PLP Architecture carried out renovations to Nova Victoria in London, but was it all worth it? Apparently not, as the building has been nominated for this year's Carbuncle Cup

Preston Railway Station Butler Street Entrance

The new side entrance in front of Preston Station attracted attention for all the wrong reasons in June, after it was unveiled following months of work by Virgin Trains. Residents took to social media in their droves to denounce the grey structure. One described it as a 'carbuncle' with another wondering 'how the hell did that get planning permission for that?'

Operator Virgin Trains said it was a 'contrasting structure to create a more modern and passenger friendly environment'. The residents of Preston clearly preferred the former entrance variously describing the new building as an 'eyesore', 'hideous', 'a joke' and 'planning gone mad'.

Nominator Steve Webberley described it to BD Online as a 'deadening cake tin slapped on its side'. He said: 'This fractured geometric lean-to would seem out of date 10 years ago. It isn't even that well-planned inside. The relationship with the window line of the brick station is laughable. We've come a long way from Brunel. A very long way.'

'It's a cake tin slapped on the side!': Virgin Trains may have spent thousands adding a new entrance to Preston's railway station but locals weren't pleased as they described it as 'an eyesore'

Greetham Street Student Halls, Portsmouth

Nicknamed 'fag butt', locals were unimpressed by the tan and beige tower block unveiled earlier this year. Greetham Street Student Halls features a two tone cladding and a jjumble of multi-coloured rectilinear blocks at the base. The nominator, Kieran Clarke told BD Online: 'It seems that the building's architects were either colour blind when choosing the external cladding or wanted to blind others with the bright yellow cube at the top of their tower.'

This student block of flats appears to be the butt of many jokes in Portsmouth after locals likened its beige top to that of the remains of a used cigarette

Park Plaza London Waterloo

This dowdy beige 1950s government building to hotel conversion has been jazzed up presumably to draw in the punters. The lower lower storeys are swathed in tiles whose pattern would cause havoc on a TV screen, and whose colours manage to be both gaudy and drab at the same time. To draw attention to the entrance, the architects lifted the cornice at one corner and wrapped a weird screen around it. It looks like the skin has been peeled from someone's torso, exposing a spaghetti of blood vessels and veins beneath.

From government building to almost-luxury hotel, the outside of this structure in London's Waterloo has been jazzed up with a pattern in a bid to move away from its 1950s past

Circus West, Battersea Power Station, London

Part of the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, this scheme by London studio Simpson Haugh was nominated in part for its scale. 'Circus West pulls off the feat of making Europe's largest brick building look small and was a very popular nomination with the BD readership,' said Lane.

'Unfortunately, this scale of overdevelopment has been forced on the power station because of a series of bad deals made by a series of owners needing to recoup their investments.'
More than 100 predators and paedophiles have been arrested this year for trying to groom children online and the problem is only getting worse.

Commander of the NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett said predators are lurking on messaging apps aimed at children.

An A Current Affair investigation has found just how quickly online predators are luring children on messaging apps and websites to meet in real life.

Just seconds after logging in on number one messaging app Kik Messenger the reporter is contacted by a user asking if they are a boy or a girl.

After letting the stranger know she is female they immediately asks what he believes to be a teen girl if they 'want to see his ****'.

Predators and paedophiles are luring children on social media and messaging apps

Paedophiles parading as children and teenagers are asking kids to send explicit photos of themselves

'Sex offenders will actually go on particular sites that are aimed at children and ultimately they will leave their home to meet the child for the purpose of having sex,' Detective Superintendent Howlett said.

While apps with location services, such as SnapChat, are beneficial for parents to know where their child is, sex offenders can 'use those maps to track a child'.

Parents are urged to keep an eye on their children's online activities, and experts are also warning to check their privacy and location settings within apps.

Commander of the NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett said predators are lurking on messaging apps aimed at children

Apps with location services, such as SnapChat, can be used by sex offenders to 'track a child'

The maps are able to pinpoint your location down to the street address

Cyber safety expert Ross Bark explained SnapChat users should enable the 'ghosting' feature to ensure their location isn't public.

'That's extremely scary, it's basically saying here I am, come and get me,' he said.

'People are waiting there literally to pounce on these young children.'

Sonya Ryan, whose daughter Carly was murdered by a man she met online in 2007, said it's important for parents to know what their children are doing.

Carly was 15 years old when she began talking to a boy named Brandon, who she thought was 18 and a musician.

Carly Ryan was murdered in 2007 after meeting a paedophile who she thought was an 18 year old boy

He was in fact a 50 year old paedophile named Gary Newman, parading as a teenager for 18 months while talking to Carly about her life and family.

Once Sonya began to suspect that Brandon was a predator, she banned Carly from talking to him and took her phone.

'But it was too late, he already had his hooks in her,' she said.

When Carly decided to meet up with Brandon, she told her mum she was going to a sleepover at a friend's house.

Sonya Ryan, whose daughter Carly was murdered by a man she met online in 2007, said it's important for parents to know what their children are doing

Tragically, she met Gary Newman instead, who murdered her and dumped her body in a river.

'The fact that Gary Newman was able to manipulate her in that way and that she did go and meet him without telling me absolutely shocked me to the core,' Ms Ryan said.

Of the 3.7 billion online users in the world, 750,000 are child predators, according to A Current Affair.

Detective Superintendent Howlett said the number of person arrested each year for online grooming is increasing.

'Tragically, they can sit in the comfort of their own lounge room and groom five, 10, 15 children at one time,' she said.
A Nazi loving property manager has been charged with harassment after following, yelling obscenities at and grabbing a former tenant.

Neal Milano, 70, was arrested on Sunday September 3, after being accused of repeatedly harassing a 43-year-old woman, according to New York Daily News.

Milano is in charge of a 47-unit apartment building in Sunnyside, Queens, where his foyer area is plastered with photos of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin.

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Nazi loving property manager Neal Milano, 70, has been charged with harassment after following, yelling obscenities at and grabbing a former tenant

Confederate icons and swastikas adorn the walls while the building directory lists Nazi war criminals Rudolf Hess and Josef Mengele as two tenants.

However Milano's arrest was not down to his lobby decorations but rather for pulling and grabbing a former resident of the apartment block.

The victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Daily News that Milano had terrorised her for 10 months, starting when she first moved in last September.

Milano runs a 47-unit apartment building in Sunnyside, Queens where his foyer area is plastered with photos of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin

According to reports, he repeatedly harangued her with demands she pay fines of $100 for breaking 'house rules', such as having guests visit or incorrectly putting away the rubbish.

Discussing her encounters with the Nazi lover, she said she asked of him: 'What is this, I moved into the White House?'

His callous response, she said, was, 'Don't even think this is the White House. This is Hitler's concentration camp that you are in.'

Confederate icons and swastikas adorn the walls while the building directory lists Nazi war criminals Rudolf Hess and Josef Mengele as two tenants

However Milano's arrest was not down to his lobby decorations but rather for pulling and grabbing a former resident of the apartment block

On one occasion, after returning from Washington to visit, he assaulted her, the woman said.

'He grabbed me in the lobby and showed me his sign,' pointing her towards a list of fines she was apparently in breach of.

'He grabbed me from my neck to drag me there and shoved my head in the wall to show me,' she added.

The victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Daily News that Milano had terrorised her for 10 months, starting when she first moved in last September

Milano now faces stalking and harassment charges, while police seized guns from his apartments which are believed to be owned legally

She went on to explain that he often bragged about owning guns in a threatening manner.

The victim also said she videotaped her chilling encounters with him for protection.

Milano now faces stalking and harassment charges, while police seized guns from his apartments which are believed to be owned legally.
A former public schoolboy accused of carrying out sex attacks on four young women had searched pornographic websites for rape videos, a court heard.

Computer equipment belonging to Chiron Hutchinson, 20, who was in the same year of school at 7,000-a-term Bede's in Hailsham, Sussex, as model and socialite Lottie Moss, was seized by police following his arrest.

It was found to contain search phrases such as 'rape video', 'teen rape', 'girl anal raped on first date', and 'beautiful girl forced against her will and then starts to like it', a jury was told.

Computer equipment belonging to Chiron Hutchinson, 20, who was in the same year of school at 7,000-a-term Bede's (pictured) in Hailsham, Sussex, as model and socialite Lottie Moss, was seized by police following his arrest

Some dated back to when the self-proclaimed city trader was just 17.

Police also found an online news report about an A level student who was raped in a Tunbridge Wells nightclub toilet, a search for 'can you test if someone has had sex with a particular person', and an article in The New Scientist headlined 'Test can prove rape days later'.

These were made within days of him allegedly raping a drunk woman after offering her a lift home, and before the attack had even been reported to police.

Prosecutor Christopher May told Maidstone Crown Court in Kent that police software identified 69 pornography searches, with 35 containing the words 'forced' or 'against her will'.

However, he added it did not locate all the porn on the hard drive and even though the evidence suggested the internet pages had been visited, it was not possible to establish whether the videos were ever viewed, or if it was Hutchinson who carried out the searches.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the seized computer was found to contain search phrases such as 'rape video', 'teen rape', 'girl anal raped on first date', and 'beautiful girl forced against her will and then starts to like it'

Now aged 20, he is on trial accused of a string of sex attacks on three teenagers and a 24-year-old French woman in secluded woodland in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, stables in the Sussex village of Berwick, or at the home he shared with his mother in nearby Uckfield, between July and October last year.

A jury heard all four alleged victims were made vulnerable either by their drunken state or by location, to which Hutchinson drove them in his mother's hire car.

The former waiter and Tesco shop assistant also claimed to be a successful stockbroker and model with an apartment in London's Hampstead.

This was in a bid to 'impress or dissuade' them from reporting the attacks, the prosecution allege.

Giving evidence on his birthday (Fri Sept 1) he admitted lying about his background, but only because people 'bestowed an expectation' on him that he was wealthy.

Describing his life as ordinary and 'not particularly rich' despite also attending a private Montessori school as a youngster, he said: 'The fact I had horses, spoke well and went to private school, people assumed I was incredibly wealthy and so I lived up to the expectation bestowed on me.

'One or two things led to me lying about my lifestyle and the life I lived. This was one of them, just trying to impress people and be someone I thought people would like.'

Hutchinson, who described himself as flirtatious and having 'a good understanding' of what women liked, denies six offences of rape, including one of anal rape, one of attempted rape and six of sexual assault.

The court heard the first rape reported to police was that of the French woman in woodland on October 8. She was said to be intoxicated and unsteady on her feet when Hutchinson encountered her in the street within hours of another young woman rejecting his sexual advances, leaving him 'frustrated.'

Now aged 20, Hutchinson is on trial accused of a string of sex attacks on three teenagers and a 24-year-old French woman in secluded woodland in Tunbridge Wells (pictured)

It is alleged he drove to an area known as Toad Rock on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells where he pushed her out of his mum's hired Subaru.

He then forced her face down on his car bonnet and raped her as she tried to fight him off, even lashing out with her lipstick.

Hutchinson then drove her to a friend's house where she arrived in a 'dishevelled and distressed' state. He was arrested four days later but told police they had consensual sex.

Publicity after he was charged then led to the three other alleged victims, aged 16, 17 and 18, coming forward, the court was told.

Two were virgins, with one claiming she had been repeatedly raped both in and out of Hutchinson's car, and then back at his home after meeting him in Tunbridge Wells nightclub MooMoo's just six nights earlier on October 2.

Again, he claimed they had consensual sex and the court was shown phone footage he had filmed of her sitting bare-legged in his car, smiling and laughing.

He told the court she was 'tipsy and excitable' and denied raping her on one occasion while she slept.

Asked if at any time he thought she was not consenting, he said: 'No, definitely not. There is no way there could be any sign of any kind of reluctance in any way. If anything, she was forward for it.'

Another of his alleged victims was driven by Hutchinson to his stables in the early hours of July 8 last year. But she told the court once at the unlit barn he repeatedly tried to kiss her against her will before pinning her on the ground, putting his hand inside her clothing and attempting to rape her.

The 18-year-old said Hutchinson was laughing throughout her ordeal, telling her she 'wanted it' because he had been to the gym and lost weight.

She eventually fought him off by punching him in the face, and then locked herself in his car.

However, Hutchinson continued to try to kiss her, despite her protests, after agreeing to drive her home, the court heard.

But he told the jury they were having a good time simply chatting, and nothing sexual happened between them other than flirting and him twice trying to kiss her.

He to!d the jury the allegations she had made about his behaviour were 'absolutely unacceptable' and he was very shocked to be arrested.

Asked by his barrister if there was any truth in the teen's claims he had molested her, Hutchinson replied: 'Not at all, unless attempting to kiss is considered sexual assault.'
Firefighters in south-west China helped to free a young girl's arm after it had been sucked into a gap in the car window.

Footage, posted by btime.com, shows a four-year-old sitting in the back seat of the car and crying as firefighters tried to help the girl on September 1.

Rescuers freed her arm after two attempts and no significant injuries were found.

The four-year-old was waiting for the firefighters' help as she got her arm sucked into a gap

She cried when firefighters attempted to pull up the window and free her left arm out

The girl's father told a reporter in the video that his daughter had been playing with the window in the car.

'She put her hand on the window and pressed the button to wind the window up and down and eventually got her arm trapped in the gap,' he explained.

The girl was not able to move her arm away as the window remained open.

The girl can be seen crying loudly as two or more firefighters try to pull up the window.

'I don't want to get an injection, I don't want to get an injection,' cried the four-year-old.

Firefighters managed to free the girl's arm and quickly calmed her nerves.

Firefighters soothed the pain as soon as they took her arm out from the window gap

The girl's father, pictured, said she was curious and playing around the button while he drove

'It's alright now, it's alright now,' said the firefighter.

The incident happened in Kaili city of Guizhou Province on September 1.

One firefighter told the reporter: 'If there was only one adult and one child in the car and the child was sitting at the back, (the child) can be curious and start pressing buttons around them.'

He further explained that children can be easily trapped into tiny gaps due to their soft skin and small limbs.

Firefighters suggested that all parents should install a car seat for infants and young children.
A heartbroken Indian couple who had lost their son, enlisted a sorcerer to perform a 17-hour ceremony to bring their dead child back to life.

The nine-year-old boy had died from a snakebite, and villagers gathered to help the 'sorcerer' carry out the bizarre ceremony in Dholpur, a district in the northern state of Rajasthan.

The ceremony included placing the boy's body on a burning mud-pyre and covering him in tree leaves after rubbing his body in cow faeces.

Shocking: Villagers gather around the dead body of a nine-year-old boy during a 17-hour ritual which saw a local 'sorcerer' claim he could bring him back to life

Footage from the ritual also shows the so-called 'sorcerer' pouring liquid into the dead boy's nose through a tube, while villagers can be seen holding the body in a sitting position.

The boy, named Chotu, had been roasting millet when he was bitten by a snake. When his parents found him injured, they took him to a local 'sorcerer'who spent 40 minutes praying for the boy, after which he died.

The villagers buried Chotu, but after a family friend told the parents about another sorcerer who could bring him back to life, they excavated the body.

False hope: The boy's family were asked to place his body on mud pyre, cover it with leaves from the Neem tree, and light a fire around his body

The boy had died from a snakebite, and villagers in Dholpur district, northern India, spent 17 hours helping a 'sorcerer' carry out the ceremony to 'bring him back to life'

The sorcerer instructed the family to rub cow faeces on the body and bathe their dead son in hot water several times.

They were then asked to place his body on mud pyre, cover it with leaves from the Neem tree, and light a fire around his body.

When the 'sorcerer' reached the spot, he began conducting prayer rituals, and also poured a liquid he claimed to be 'medicine' into the boy's body through the tube inserted through the nostrils.

However - unsurprisingly - the ritual had no effect, and the family were forced to bury their son again the following day.
Tesco has been told to take a range of its duvet sets off its shelves after allegedly nearly strangling a two-year-old girl twice in the same night while she slept.

Pictures of Abbie Rust posted online show a red string mark around her neck, which her mother Caroline Gallagher claims was caused by a loose thread from her a pillow case tightening around her airway.

The young mum from Liverpool said the thread wrapped around her daughter's neck so tightly that she could barely get a finger underneath the material to release it.

The thread was noticed by luck when Abbie's partner returned home from a night shift, when he was the thread around her neck as she lay in bed with her mother.

Abbie's mother Caroline Gallagher (right) was alerted to the thread around her daughter's neck when her partner returned home from work

Abbie Rust (left) was nearly strangled twice in the same night when thread from a Tesco pillow case (right) reportedly wrapped around her neck

Abbie's aunt Kerrie Gallagher left a post on Tesco's Facebook page, warning others about the marks she claimed were left on her niece by a pillow case

Abbie's mother said: 'My friend had come in off the night shift, and had checked in on her while she was sleeping. It was lucky it was so early, and he shouted that there was something wrapped around her neck.

'I tried to get my fingers under the first piece of cotton, but it just pulled the second one tighter around her neck. I managed to snap it with my fingernails, but the cotton was almost like cheese wire and it did hurt her.

'She's had a red mark on her neck for over a week where the blood has gathered under the skin, and she's been complaining all week that it is sore. It's only started fading now.'

Images posted by Abbie Rust's aunt show a clear red line around the two-year-old's neck, which she claims was left by a thread from a Tesco pillow case

She added: 'They offered me a refund, but I think they should take if off the shelves. They said they would 'maybe' consider this, but there's no maybe about it. She's only two years old, and she comes into my bed during the night a lot.'

Caroline's sister, Kerrie Gallagher, took to Tesco's Facebook page to warn others about the duvet and pillow set.

Alongside a picture of her niece's sore neck, she added: 'Please Share! So this is the result of a piece of cotton being wrapped around my niece's neck in the middle of the night from a super king bedspread from Tesco Direct.

Abbie's mother Caroline bought the duvet set from Tesco (as advertised above) but now wants the product to stop being sold after she claims it nearly strangled her daughter

Tesco has apologised to Ms Gallagher for the incident and has said they will launch an investigation into the claims

'My sister's partner shouted her this morning saying the baby had cotton wrapped around her neck, so when she checked there was a piece of cotton that was doubled around the baby's neck! She managed to cut the string free, but this could have been a lot worse.'

The store responded online: 'I'm so sorry a loose thread from our duvet set was able to wrap around your niece's neck in the middle of the night! I can only imagine how frightening this must have been for her and her parents.

'I'm glad this has been reported to us and my colleagues are getting this looked into. If you do need anything else at all though please let me know and I'll be more than happy to help.'

A Tesco spokesman added: 'There's nothing more important than the safety of our products so we take great care when designing and producing our bed spreads. We are urgently investigating this incident and we will update Ms Gallagher with our findings.'

Tesco has now launched an investigation into the 13.50 Dreamscene Satin Stripe duvet and pillow set.
A man calling 911 in North Carolina told the operator he woke up from a dream and found his wife stabbed to death in their bedroom.

Raleigh Police charged 28-year-old Matthew Phelps with murder Friday after he made the shocking emergency call about his 29-year-old wife, Lauren Ashley-Nicole Phelps.

In the 911 call placed around 1.10am, the dispatcher can heard asking Phelps 'exactly what happened.'

He sighed and replied, 'I think I killed my..,' according to a 911 recording that was made public Friday afternoon.

Scroll down for video

Matthew Phelps (pictured above in arrest photo) called 911 and told the operator that he woke up from a dream and found his wife stabbed to death in their bedroom

Raleigh Police charged 28-year-old Matthew Phelps with his wife's murder Friday after he made the emergency call. Ashley-Nicole Phelps was found dead from stab wounds (together above)

The incident happened between late Thursday night and early Friday morning at the couple's home in Raleigh (file above)

'What do you mean by that, what happened,' the 911 operator asked Phelps.

'I had a dream and then I turned on the lights and she's dead on the floor,' Phelps said.

'How? How? How?' the dispatcher asked.

'There's blood all over me, and there's a bloody knife on the bed. I think I did it.'

'OK,' the dispatcher said after a long pause before asking him to stay on the phone.

'I can't believe I did this,' Phelps said. 'I can't believe I did this.'

In the 911 call, Phelps told the operator he took more cold medicine then he should have and woke up after his dream with blood all over him and a knife on the bed he shared with his wife (together above)

Toward the end of the seven-minute 911 call, Matthew Phelps started sobbing, saying his wife (above) didn't deserve this

The dispatcher then begins to ask him a few questions about his wife of less than a year, and Phelps can be heard becoming emotional.

The dispatcher asked him if his wife his awake right now, to which he replied and said 'she's not breathing.'

'Do you think she is beyond any help,' the dispatcher asked.

'I think so. I'm too scared to get close to her,' Phelps said.

He said that he took more cold medicine before going to sleep and that he had no idea what time it was.

'I took more medicine than I should have. I took Coricidin Cough and Cold because I know it can make you feel good and sometimes I can't sleep at night,' he explained.

Toward the end of the seven-minute 911 call, Phelps started sobbing, saying his wife didn't deserve this as he said the blood had dried on him.

The young couple (together above) had been married for less than a year

Hours before her death, his wife had posted a video on her Facebook page where she was selling a product for Scentsy, a candle company.

According to his Facebook page, Phelps worked at Dunlap Lawn Service. He graduated from Kentucky's Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in 2011 where he studied evangelism and mission.

Phelps did not have a criminal record and it's unclear if he has a lawyer.

He was transported to the Wake County jail and he is being held without benefit of bail.

Phelps will make his first court appearance on Tuesday.

His wife's funeral is scheduled for 11am on Monday at Hope Lutheran Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

A YouCaring fundraiser page has been created to raise money 'to help ease the financial burden for her grieving family,' the page reads.

More than $5,000 towards the $20,000 goal has been raised as of Monday morning.
Labour vowed 'trench warfare' over crucial Brexit legislation today - as Tory Remainers complained of 'macho' tactics by government whips.

The crucial EU Withdrawal Bill - which paves the way for Brexit by transferring Brussels law on to domestic statute books - is due to come before the House of Commons on Thursday.

But Theresa May is braced for a major battle amid efforts by pro-EU MPs and peers to soften her plans.

Just a handful of rebel Tory MPs could inflict humiliating and catastrophic defeat if joined by Labour and the SNP.

Lord Mandelson, left, has vowed 'trench warfare' against the Brexit legislation. Tory MP Anna Soubry, right, said she did not expect any of her colleagues to vote against the second reading but suggested the real struggle would come later

David Davis, who is stewarding the Bill through parliament, faced off with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier at the latest round of Brexit talks in Brussels last week

Former minister Anna Soubry, a leading Remainer, said this morning that she did not believe any Conservative MPs would oppose the second reading of the Bill when it comes to a vote on Monday.

However, she made clear she was ready to back amendments later in the process.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ms Soubry also lashed out at the 'bullish' attitude of government whips, after a series of stark warnings over the weekend about the consequences of rebelling.

'I thought we had abandoned this sort of rather bullish, rather macho way of doing business over Brexit,' she said.

'I very much hope that Theresa will take control of all these sorts of aspects, so that she makes sure that the way the Government is operating, and this bullish, macho sort of attitude that if you don't fall into line and get behind something then somehow you're going to be thwarting the will of the people, that sort of rhetoric has got to stop,' said Ms Soubry.

'I know that she understands the need to build a consensus and that everything has changed since the general election in June.'

Labour former Cabinet Lord Mandelson said his party was preparing for 'trench warfare', warning that the Upper House was in no mood to allow the legislation through unamended.

'Ministers, lacking a clear majority, will enter the minefield of the "repeal bill" with the opposition benches more united against them,' Lord Mandelson wrote in the Times.

'This paves the way for serious, gruelling political trench warfare. It also means that only a small rebellion by Conservatives would be needed to defeat the government and force them to change course.

'The House of Lords, which feels emboldened given the government's electoral failure in June, will likewise make sure it has its say.'

Mrs Soubry insisted her concerns about the legislation were not to do with Brexit - but instead revolved around the so-called 'Henry VIII' powers that mean ministers will be able to amend laws as they are transposed.

Theresa May (pictured at church in Maidenhead yesterday) is braced for a major battle over the EU Withdrawal Bill

'I don't know of any Conservative Member of Parliament that isn't going to vote for this bill at second reading,' she said.

'Concerns about this bill aren't actually to do with Brexit, it's all about the enormous powers,' she said.

'We apparently voted to "take back control", we are going to be vesting huge amounts of power in government.

'There is a real danger that basic human rights will be removed only to be given back at the behest of government.

'People like me are very concerned about what I call the "end game". When we get a deal will it go to Parliament so Parliament has the final say?'
A convicted white collar fraudster has been accused of going too far in investigating the mysterious death of his 20-year-old daughter.

Vladislav 'Steven' Zubkis has a long history of money-making schemes that have landed him in the pages of Fortune and the Wall Street Journal, and even a prison cell.

But it was the bi-polar former Wall Street stock broker's obsessive search for the truth in the death of his daughter two years ago that got him in trouble with the law again.

Vladislav 'Steven' Zubvkis is accused of kidnapping and beating up a man he believed might have information on the May 2015 death of his daughter Victoria, 20

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Zubkis' 20-year-old daughter Victoria's body was found floating off Ocean Beach, California on May 28, 2015.

While her exact cause of death was undetermined, police believe she died of either a suicide or an accident, since there were no signs of foul play on her body.

Zubkis didn't buy the police opinion on the case, and decided to launch a little investigation of his own, offering $1million on Facebook for information on Victoria's death.

On June 5, 2015, Jorge Ibarra took three hits of LSD and went out for a walk in Ocean Beach. The man ran into a group of people discussing Victoria's death, including Ceasar Mena.

Victoria Zubkis' dead body was found floating off Ocean Beach, California on May 28, 2015. Police believe she died of a suicide or an accident, since there were no signs of foul play on her body. However, her dad didn't believe that and decided to offer a $1million reward on Facebook for information on her death

Mena claimed to have been dating Victoria at the time of her death, and said that Zubkis had hired him as a private investigator.

When asked about the last time he saw Victoria, Ibarra said she had been 'really high on drugs' and that her ex-boyfriend had kicked her out of her apartment for allegedly stealing from a friend.

Those comments landed Ibarra in the back of a car where Mena and others proceeded to beat him up, he claimed.

Mena then drove him across the border into Mexico, taking him to the Rosarito residential community where Zubkis was living.

For the next several hours, Ibarra says Mena and Zubkis interrogated him for more information, beating him with his skateboard and with a wooden table or chair leg. He says Zubkis also kicked him.

At one point, Ibarra broke Mena's necklace and he said that sparked the man's anger.

He said Mena told him 'Iba a vivir' which means 'I was going to let you live'.

He then says that the men found five hits of acid in his pocket and made him take it.

Zubkis (pictured above with his daughter) stands accused of orchestrating the kidnapping of a man who believed had information on his daughter's death. That man was brought to Mexico for him, where he allegedly beat him up during an interrogation

The men made so much noise that someone in the community called security, who in turn called the police around 2:30am.

When police arrived at the apartment, Zubkis answered the door and said everything was fine.

But one of the officers spotted vomit on the floor so they came in. Mena then tried to flee but one of the officers chased him and arrested him.

They found Ibarra tied up and hidden underneath a comforter. Zubkis was also arrested and Ibarra was taken to the hospital.

Zubkis has remained free on bail in Mexico, but the others involved in Ibarra's kidnapping have faced trial in the U.S.

The first trial ended in a hung jury but the second trial found Mena guilty of kidnapping, torture and assault with a deadly weapon.

Despite his most recent arrest, Zubkis appears to have continued with his white collar schemes.

In August 2016, he made headlines again when he started a new company, NeuroMama, despite a court order that he not serve as an officer on the board of a public company.

Zubkis was arrested for beating up the American man in connection with his daughter's death. Since then though, he has tried to set up a new business, Neuro Mama, which has raised suspicions with the SEC

Zubkis tried to get around that order, by going under the alias of Steven Schwartzbad.

The company billed itself as an Internet search engine 'based on Artificial Intelligence and Neural technology' as well as a social media network, a developer of ion fusion energy and a resort builder.

The SEC put a 10-day freeze on trading for the company, because it was suspicious that the company had grown to $35billion in such a short time.

Since the SEC has lifted the freeze, the company has not participated in any significant trading.

Zubkis is still awaiting trial for his role in the kidnapping of Ibarra.
This is the shocking moment two mothers fight with each other over parking issues on September 2 in southern China.

A girl can be seen desperately trying to stop the pair from fighting as she watched the two women kicking each other.

The brawl was settled after another parent stepped in.

Two mothers were seen fighting at a parking lot in China as their children watching close by

A boy was seen crying as he watched his mother having a vicious brawl at his first schoolday

Footage, uploaded on ifeng.com on September 2, shows dozens of parents sending their children to a primary school in Yunfu, Guangdong Province, on the first school day.

As the camera pans, two women, one in a red top and one in dungarees, can be seen fighting and kicking at each other at a parking lot.

A boy and a girl, who were believed to be their children, can be seen crying loudly as the video shows.

According to ifeng.com, it's believed that the duo were arguing over parking issues.

It's claimed that one was blocking the other's car door and would not let go before fighting

Fierce kick and hair tugging had scared the two children who were standing at their side

The brawl was finally settled as a third parent (in pink top) stepped in and broke the two up

A screenshot of an instant messaging conversation indicated the woman in the red top explaining what happened.

She claimed that the other woman's car was blocking her door and she could not get into the vehicle.

'I asked her to move but she refused. Then I tried to go from the other side, but she stood right in front of me and did not let me pass,' She wrote in the message.

Moments later, a woman tried to break them apart and stopped the brawl.

The fight had drawn attentions from parents and children around the school on September 1.

Web users on Weibo, a Chinese social media site, condemned the two mothers for inappropriate education for the children.

'First day of school, what a lesson their children had learnt!' wrote 'jingchengwuyanzhu'.

'Education does not make a children a better person if their parents don't know how to behave,' said another user.
Dozens of Manus Island detainees say a $70 million compensation settlement for their wrongful imprisonment is not high enough.

The Australian Government and centre operators agreed to pay 1923 current and former inmates in June to avoid a massive injury and false imprisonment trial.

The deal has the support of 70 per cent of the detainees but 164 raised objections with the court that will on Wednesday decide whether to approve the deal.

Dozens of Manus Island detainees say a $70 million compensation settlement for their imprisonment is not high enough

The Australian Government and detention centre operators agreed to pay 1923 current and former inmates in June to avoid a massive class action trial

Complaints included the payout being too small, it not resolving the fate of those still locked up on the Papua New Guinean island, and that it didn't include an admission of guilt.

Others wanted the trial to proceed to make the conditions they experienced public, independent counsel assisting the Victorian Supreme Court, Michael Rush, said.

'This case provided an opportunity for the public exposure of the circumstances and events that took place on Manus Island and the effect of those events on those who are there,' he told the court on Monday.

The deal has the support of 70 per cent of the detainees but 164 raised objections with the court that will on Wednesday decide whether to approve the deal

Two Iranian refugees who were reportedly bashed by a group of PNG police and immigration officials on New Year's Eve, who would be given more compensation under the deal's terms

Iraqi refugee Mohammad Albederee who became severely ill on Manus Island before his refugee claim was approved

Another issue was that the payout averaged $36,745 per person but was divided by how much time recipients spent in detention, which some felt was unfair.

Individual payments would also be affected by any injuries they suffered and if they were present at events like the February 2014 riot, where one was killed and 77 hurt.

However, all but 19 of the detainees - mostly current inmates - wanted to get their payouts if the deal was approved despite their objects.

Complaints included the payout being too small, it not resolving the fate of those still locked up on the Papua New Guinean island, and that it didn't include an admission of guilt

Others wanted the trial to proceed to make the conditions they experienced public

Taxpayers and centre operators G4S and Broadspectrum will hand over $70 million plus $20 million in legal fees if Justice Cameron Macaulay approves.

Legal firm Slater and Gordon, which hopes to get the money paid to group members before the centre closes at the end of October.

About 800 detainees remain on the island while the agreement to resettle those whose refugee claims were approved in the U.S. was worked through.
The president bizarrely 'liked' a tweet that called him un-presidential after he misspelled a word in his own tweet.

On Friday, President Donald Trump tweeted thanks to those who are helping Texas heal after Hurricane Harvey ripped through the Lone Star state on August 25.

'Texas is healing fast thanks to all of the great men & women who have been working so hard. But still so much to do. Will be back tomorrow!' he wrote.

On Friday, President Donald Trump tweeted thanks (above) to those who are helping Texas heal after Hurricane Harvey ripped through the Lone Star state on August 25. But he misspelled the word 'healing' in his first attempt

'Please, after several typo's, he's just not Presidential material,' Twitter user Slyn wrote (above).

Shortly after Slyn's tweet - which also included a typo - the president apparently 'liked' it as it appeared under his 'likes' column on his Twitter account (pictured)

But in his first attempt, the president misspelled the word 'healing', which brought much ridicule from the public.

'Please, after several typo's, he's just not Presidential material,' Twitter user Slyn wrote.

Shortly after Slyn's tweet - which also included a typo - the president apparently 'liked' it as it appeared under his 'likes' column on his Twitter account.

Others also ridiculed Trump with one person saying they hope he doesnt slip up 'on the nuclear button'.

'You gotta love how this is one of President Trump's 14 Twitter "likes". I guess he agrees that he isn't presidential material after all!' another user tweeted.

Meanwhile, a few noted that Trump is entitled to make mistakes because he is human after all.

'Typos dont change the world, even the president is just a human,' one user wrote.

Slyn later tweeted that they had been 'blocked by Donald'.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump flew to Houston on Saturday morning for their second trip to Texas since Hurricane Harvey ravaged the state.

The user later tweeted that they had been 'blocked by Donald'

Others also ridiculed Trump with one person saying they hope he doesnt slip up 'on the nuclear button'

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (pictured on Sunday) flew to Houston on Saturday morning for their second trip to Texas since Hurricane Harvey ravaged the state

Their first stop was the NRG Stadium in Houston, where thousands were evacuating after being forced out of their homes by the devastating floods brought by Harvey earlier in the week.

Together they gave out Red Cross meal boxes, shook hands and took selfies with some of the victims who are being forced to take shelter.

Harvey hit Texas on August 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other communities as a tropical storm.

At least 4,700 Houston dwellings were under new, mandatory evacuation orders on Sunday as engineers relieved pressure on overtaxed city reservoirs.
A man who stalked Keira Knightley and sent her indecent images of children has admitted threatening her family.

Mark Revill, 50, flouted a restraining order in a series of chilling tweets, suggesting he would attack the Hollywood star, her husband James Righton, 33, and two-year-old daughter Edie at their home.

He posted: 'My campaign of disobedience continues tonight' and 'Keira Knightley and James Righton are not going to get much help from the police.'

Mark Revill (left), 50, admitted flouting a restraining order banning him from contacting actress Keira Knightley (right)

Revill, from Hackney, east London, admitted breaching the order between January 1 and April 1, at Blackfriars Crown Court.

It prohibits him contacting Miss Knightley and going within 100 metres of her 3.9million north London home.

During proceedings, he shouted from the dock: 'They [the tweets] were directed towards James Righton.'

After he was arrested, police found a collection of 324 indecent images of children he had downloaded.

During his sick campaign against Knightley, he had also sent the mother-of-one an indecent picture of a child, the court heard.

Prosecutor Jennifer Knight said: 'Ms Knightley sets out in her statement it was something that gave her particular anxiety since they have a young child.'

Revill also pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of children and distributing an indecent photograph of a child via twitter.

Keira Knightley with her musician husband, James Righton

Revill further admitted an additional, lesser charge, of sending menacing messages via a public online forum.

He claims he only made 88 indecent images of children, but the dispute will not effect his sentence.

Miss Knight said: 'These charges arise from the fact Mr Revill was convicted of stalking, having attended Keira Knightley's house over a period of eight weeks and posted postcards and other items through her front door.

'The crown will be applying for another restraining order in more stringent terms than before.

'We will ask for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent any further publishing of indecent images.'

Remanding Revill in custody until his sentencing, Judge Rajeev Shetty said: 'The psychiatric material requires some going into.

'You pleaded guilty to these matters and you will get some credit for pleading guilty. A second psychiatric report has been requested and it is not complete.

'There is no indication from me as to what the sentence will be. It will be either a hospital order or it could be imprisonment.'

Revill's lawyer Lisa Wilson revealed psychiatrists have not recommended her client be locked-up.

She said: 'They are recommending a hospital order, not requiring it to be a restrictive one.'
A five-year-old boy was astonished to discover a 3ft-long python hiding inside a toilet bowl in his bathroom.

His mother, Laura Cowell, said that her son was 'frantic' after the incident in Southend, Essex, last Wednesday, adding that the toilet had been blocked for a couple of days and they could not work out why.

After the discovery animal experts from the local pet store, Scales and Fangs, headed to the house and rescued the baby royal python - which is harmless - from the u-bend.

A five-year-old boy was astonished to discover this 3ft-long python hiding inside a toilet bowl

His mother, Laura Cowell, said that her son was 'frantic' after the incident, adding that the toilet had been blocked for a couple of days and they could not work out why

Mrs Cowell told BBC News: 'He was frantic, and shaking, and I could tell something was wrong, but that was not what I expected.

'I had to use a broom handle to lift the lid, then out popped its head and its tongue came out as well.'

Rob Yeldham, who owns the Leigh-on-Sea store, added: 'I've done many snake rescues in my 10 years, but I've never had one in a toilet before. It's definitely a first for us,' he said.

Mr Yeldham said he believes the snake may have escaped from a neighbouring home and slithered its way down the toilet - and into the Cowell's bathroom.

Mrs Cowell said she was 'petrified' and put weights on the toilet lid for several days after the experience.
Hitler was a 'sexually confused serial killer', according to a new book released in Germany

A new book out in Germany this week claims that Adolf Hitler was a 'sexually confused serial killer' whose murders for the Nazi state were driven by deviant sexual lust.

'Hitler 1 and Hitler 2. The sexual no-man's-land' by bestselling psychologist-author Volker Elis Pilgrim draws on a mass of archival material to paint the Fuehrer as a lurid pervert who - among other things - performed sex acts in cinemas when he witnessed acts of violence.

One of the sources for the book, being released in four volumes, is the Nazi era actress Marianne Hoppe who Hitler revered.

She told how on a night in the Berlin Reich Chancellery she watched a movie with Hitler called 'The Rebel' about an Austrian uprising against Napoleon.

During a scene the Austrian hurl boulders from a mountain top on to French troops the diva recalled; 'And there, I believe, Hitler got some kind of thrill and rubbed his knees at this event, as the stones rolled down on the French, and groaned. I don't know if he was crazy, but he got some kind of orgasm.

'I wanted to leave during the show. The man was creepy.'

Pilgrim said he developed the 'initial suspicion that there was a connection between sexuality and violence in Hitler - even more precisely, that it gave him the desire to force men into killing.

'However, since the "lust for killing" is the decisive feature of serial killers, the question inevitably arises: Was Hitler a serial killer who was murdered for the purpose of his gratification?'

Hitler's Holocaust of the Jews claimed six million lives, making him, says the author, the greatest serial killer of them all.

'The speciality of serial killing', he writes, 'is the slow, sophisticated, extremely cruel taking of life. That is exactly what Hitler practised-only with the aid of his helpers.

'Hitler's... sexuality, I believe, drove the dictator into the most colossal annihilation that man has witnessed.'

Nazi era actress Marianne Hoppe said the Fuehrer appeared to perform a sex act on himself in a cinema while the pair were watching a film

Pilgrim rails against the Hitler chroniclers who paint him as a man who had normal sexual relations with women, namely with his longtime mistress and short-term wife Eva Braun.

The author presents evidence to document Hitler's heterosexual abstinence. Hitler's former political companion Ernst Hanfstaengl, for example, coined the term 'sexual no-mans-land', in which his friend had been travelling.

The owner of the house at the Berghof near Berchtesgaden, who regularly inspected the bed linen on which Hitler and Eva had spent the night, said after the war he never saw anything which indicated they might have made love.

And Hitler himself wrote the curious confession that he had 'overcome the urge to possess a woman physically,' always believing the German nation was his 'true bride.'

Pilgrim believes that something sexual - although not full intercourse - occurred between Eva and Hitler in March 1935. Eva recorded 'a few wonderfully beautiful hours' with Hitler in his apartment at Munich's Prinzregentenplatz.

A few years later, on September 30, 1938, the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, was in town and sat on a sofa, prompting her to remark to a friend: 'If only he knew what a story this sofa has!'

Pilgrim describes the dimensions of the sofa and concludes that a woman of her size could not have been ravished on it.

He concludes that 'something' occurred between them and that their sex life ever after was dormant as she displayed 'latent lesbian' tendencies and he 'could live out his life as a serial killer.'

Pilgrim has an explanation for this particular sexual disposition of the dictator. Hitler actually consists of two persons: 'Hitler 1' was inconspicuous and harmless and existed until 1918.

Then, after being wounded by gas on the Western Front, military psychiatrists 'ignited Hitler's previously displaced serial killer potential by accident'. This was supposed to be 'Hitler 2'.

Just what the mind doctors treating the blinded Hitler did will be revealed in the next volume of the book.
Democratic lawmakers are rallying around a last-ditch bid to save former President Barack Obama's program protecting illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors.

Terminating DACA would be 'cruel' and 'inhumane' of President Donald Trump, Democratic lawmakers proclaimed on Twitter as they began the last day of summer recess, using hashtags like #DefendDACA and #SaveDACA in their social media posts.

'If he spoke to even one DREAMer he'd know it,' Florida Rep. Ted Deutch said in a Monday morning message. 'If he had any feeling. If he could be empathetic. If only.'

Democratic lawmakers are rallying around a last-ditch bid to save former President Barack Obama's program protecting illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors

Numerous reports have claimed that Trump will announce plans tomorrow to eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that benefits roughly 800,000 people who live and work in America with the permission of the U.S. government.

A Politico article Sunday night that cited two sources familiar with Trump's thinking and claimed the president would rescind the permission in six months unless Congress directs him to keep it in place sparked new worries.

Trump is known to change his mind at the last minute, the article reminded, leaving the door open for a change in his position. Democrats subsequently hopped on social media to build last-minute support for keeping it.

'If true, this would be one of the most cruel and immoral things Trump has done. Let's stand up for #Dreamers and #DefendDACA,' said former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman and sitting Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

The White House said Friday that Trump would make a DACA announcement on Tuesday, after the Labor Day holiday had concluded.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders offered no additional insight then into the president's plans.

Earlier in the afternoon, Trump had praised the illegal immigrants' whose fate rests in his hands, telling reporters, 'We think the DREAMers are terrific.'

'Great feeling for DACA,' he said at another point on Friday. 'We love the Dreamers. We love everybody.'

The comments suggested that Trump does not want to end the program, having said multiple times in the past that the administration's focus is on violent criminals.

Trump specifically said in an April said that Dreamers should 'rest easy' and told ABC News 'they shouldnt be very worried.'

He also remarked to ABC, 'I do have a big heart.'

Terminating DACA would be 'cruel' and 'inhumane' of President Donald Trump, Democratic lawmakers proclaimed on Twitter as they began the last day of summer recess

Trump is known to change his mind at the last minute, the article reminded, leaving the door open for a change in his position

Democrat Jim Cooper of Tennessee latched onto those very same comments in a string of tweets on Monday defending the DACA program.

'President Trump once pledged a compassionate approach to these Dreamers, so ending DACA would be another of his broken promises,' Cooper said. 'These young people are innocent. Their lack of paperwork is not their fault, so they should not be punished.'

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, similarly remarked that Trump had 'some heart' in a Sunday night tweet she pinned to the top of her account.

'After teasing #Dreamers for months with talk of his "great heart," @POTUS slams door on them. Some "heart"...' she said. 'If reports of ending #DACA within 6 months are true, #Congress must work immediately to pass law protecting #Dreamers who only know the US'.

The program's creator, Obama, has been silent on the matter so far but is anticipated to make the case for his program on social media.

The two-term Democrat pledged at his last news conference in January that DACA is the one instance in which he would come out of retirement to confront his successor.

'The notion that we would just arbitrarily or because of politics punish those kids, when they didn't do anything wrong themselves, I think would be something that would merit me speaking out,' Obama said then.

In the meantime, lawmakers from his party have led the charge on Twitter.

DACA is an Obama-era initiative that grants work permits to more than 800,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country by family members as children. Above people gather in support of the program in Los Angeles on Friday

California Rep. Scott Peters early this am tweeted: 'Ending #DACA inconsistent with American values and interests, and the cruelty is breathtaking. We will have to fight back to #SaveDACA.'

Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin reminded 'that most DREAMers have only known USA as home.'

'Without legit reason, real families will be hurt by @POTUS,' Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee said.

California's Ted Lieu made a play on the president's frequent misuse of 'heeling' and 'healing' on Twitter and said: 'If @realDonaldTrump was interested in healing our nation, he wouldn't end #DACA. His decision is based on heeling to his shrinking base.'

Trump seemed content to leave alone the DACA program that requires participants to apply for recertification every two years until a group of conservative attorneys general forced his hand with a threat to sue the Department of Justice.

They're pledging to take the administration to court unless Trump disbands the program by Sept. 5.

Leading the charge is Texas AG Ken Paxton. He'll go ahead with the suit, regardless of the disaster relief efforts in his state, his office said last week.

House Speaker Paul Ryan meanwhile urged Trump to keep the program, saying Friday on a radio show, 'I believe that this is something that Congress has to fix.'

Democrat Rick Larsen noted that Congress could act if it wanted to on Monday as he excoriated Trump and the Republican-run legislative branch on Twitter.

'Ending #DACA is heartless and undermines the US economy. Put up/shut up time 4 Congress & prez who has to sign a bill #notoffthehook,' the Washington state legislator said.

But legislators already have a jam-packed fall schedule with mandates to raise the debt ceiling, appropriate emergency Harvey relief funds, set government spending for fiscal year 2018 and overhaul the tax code.

Action on DACA before the end of the calendar year is an unlikely scenario.

If Trump does give Congress a six-month window to act, lawmakers will most likely wait until after winter break to look at legislation.
A policeman zoomed along a highway at 220km/h in desperate pursuit of a suspect he saw driving past from his hiding spot.

But it wasn't a fleeing bank robber or hooning driver he was after - he was trying to fine a man $325 for a crime you've probably never heard of.

All Tim Agius was doing was driving in the right-hand lane for about 1.5km down the Pacific Highway between Port Macquarie and Coff Harbour in NSW.

A policeman zoomed along a highway at 220km/h in desperate pursuit of a suspect he saw driving past from his hiding spot

But it wasn't a fleeing bank robber or hooning driver he was after - he was trying to fine a man $325 for a crime you've probably never heard of

By the time the highway patrol officer caught up with Mr Agius he was back in the left lane, but was still fined and slapped with three demerit points.

'Today is a day where our bosses have us actually targeting this offence,' the officer told the astonished motorist who didn't even know he broke the law.

'A police car appeared virtually out of nowhere and I was taken a bit because he was very close to the back of the car, lights flashing,' he told 9 News.

Mr Agius took the fine to court on principle and after seeing the dashcam footage the magistrate cut his penalty to a $200 fine and no demerit points.

All Tim Agius (pictured) was doing was driving in the right-hand lane for about 1.5km down the Pacific Highway

Though it is indeed illegal to drive more than 80km/h in the right lane when not overtaking, road safety experts slammed the officer's pursuit speed.

'When it's over an offence which wouldn't get more than a few hundred dollars in fines it's just not justified to add to the risk profile,' John Lambert said.

NSW Police's 'Safe Driving Policy' said officers must 'consider high-speed urgent duty driving a last resort'.

The policy was listed as being under review but police wouldn't comment for 'operational reasons'.
Theresa May urged the EU to speed up Brexit talks today - as a top Eurocrat risked fury by branding the decision to leave the bloc 'stupid'.

The Prime Minister's spokesman indicated the Government wants to 'intensify' negotiations - which are currently only happening for one week in every month.

The call came with talks stalled as Brussels insists on Britain agreeing to a divorce bill before discussions on a future trade deal.

Senior MEP Guy Verhofstadt, who represents the European Parliament in the negotiations, claimed today the next round of talks could be delayed by an expected speech from Mrs May later this month.

No 10 sources said no 'firm date or venue' has been set for the Prime Minister's speech and reiterated the British call an acceleration in negotiations.

The atmosphere around the talks deteriorated again today as Martin Selmayr, Jean-Claude Juncker's chief of staff, derided the historic Brexit vote as a 'stupid decision'.

David Davis and the EU's Michel Barnier kicked off the third round of Brexit negotiations in Brussels last week

Theresa May (pictured at church in Maidenhead yesterday) is expected to try to push forward the Brexit talks at a summit with EU counterparts next month

Mr Barnier tried to clarify his comments today, saying that he had merely been signalling the importance of explaining the benefits of the single market

Over the weekend the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, sparked another row by suggesting he was determined to 'teach the British people and others what leaving the EU means'.

Speaking at a conference in Brussels today, Mr Selmayr - nicknamed 'the Monster' for his aggressive approach - said: 'Brexit is bad, and it's a stupid decision.

'The only people who can reverse it would be the British people and I am not a dreamer, I am a realist. Brexit will happen on March 29, 2019.'

At another gathering in Italy over the weekend, Mr Barnier said there were 'extremely serious consequences of leaving the single market' - complaining that it 'hasn't been explained to the British people'.

'We intend to teach people what leaving the single market means,' he said.

The comments infuriated Tory MPs who branded him 'patronising and arrogant'.

French former minister Mr Barnier tried to cool the row today, tweeting that he had been referring to the importance of educating all countries about the benefits of the single market.

Mr Barnier's comments were made at a gathering of the EU elite at a sumptuous Renaissance villa on the shores of Lake Como. His speech to the annual Ambrosetti forum does not appear to have been designed for public consumption.

The event takes place behind closed doors. But parts of it were publicised by a BBC reporter who was attending.

Officials at the Department for Exiting the EU have requested rolling talks to begin on September 18 and continue until a breakthrough is achieved, according to the Politico website.

Asked about the prospect of stepping up the tempo of talks, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'We are ready to intensify negotiations.

'Nothing has been formally agreed but that is something that we can discuss.

'Typically, with negotiations, as time goes on you see the pace pick up.

'Certainly we wouldn't rule that out, but nothing has been agreed yet.'

David Davis (pictured yesterday on the BBC) has insisted reports Britain will pay a Brexit bill of almost 50billion were 'nonsense' and 'completely wrong'

Michel Barnier (pictured at Thurday's press conference with David Davis) threatened to educate British voters about the 'serious consequences' of their Brexit vote

The spokeswoman said Britain was continuing to press for talks to be expanded to include the future UK-EU relationship as well as the terms of withdrawal.

The UK will not set out how much money it believes it owes the EU until this stage is reached, she said.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has suggested the 'divorce bill' could come to around 50 billion, but other estimates put it as high as 80 billion.

'Currently we are talking with the EU about withdrawal,' she said. 'We want to be talking about withdrawal and the future partnership.

'We are not at the stage in negotiations where we are talking about the figure. We will seek a fair settlement of our rights and obligations as a departing member state, but we are not at that stage yet.'

Lib Dem former leader Nick Clegg warned that talks were moving too slowly to be completed by the deadline of March 2019.

'It's a bit like staring at a building site and saying we've made progress because we've made a cup of tea,' Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The third round of Brexit talks ended on Thursday with Mr Barnier claiming there had been no 'decisive' progress on key issues and suggesting there was a lack of trust as a result of the UK's refusal to accept financial obligations.

But Mr Davis said the Commission's position was 'silly', insisting that Britain would not be pressured into giving up its line-by-line scrutiny of Brussels demands for a multibillion-pound 'divorce bill'.

'They have set this up to try to create pressure on us on money, that's what it's about, they are trying to play time against money,' said the Brexit Secretary.
A riot is said to have taken place at a Chinese toll station after an Islamic cleric reportedly got beaten by the staff during a row.

Angry Muslim residents in Tangshan, northern China's Hebei Province, apparently gathered at Pingwali Toll Station after hearing about the incident and wanted to demand justice.

The protesters also demanded the armed SWAT officers, who were sent to control the situation, kneel in front of during the riot, according to a YouTube video shared by Radio Free Asia.

Muslim residents reportedly mobbed the Pingwali station in northern China on September 2 after hearing an Islamic cleric got beaten by the staff during an argument

The incident appears to have been be censored by the Chinese news authority. Videos and reports discussing the event have been removed from the internet after they started appearing during the weekend.

According to Chinese-language news websites based outside of mainland China, such as US-based Radio Free Asia and Hong Kong-based on.cc, the riot occurred in the evening of September 2 in Tangshan, Hebei Province.

The riot was said to involve the Hui people, an ethnic minority group in China which follows the religion of Islam.

The government of the Guye District in Tangshan released a statement on the night of September 2 confirming the incident, reported Radio Free Asia.

The protesters were said to be Hui people, an ethnic minority group in China which follows the religion of Islam. In the file photo above, Hui women read the Koran in Arabic in a classroom

The statement said the riot started because Yang Zhenfeng, an akhoond, had been hit by a worker at the toll station during an argument.

It was said that Yang and two other people were passing the Pingwali Toll Station in a car and there was a long queue, so the party of three tried to jump the queue through a closed gate.

Online accounts said the group claimed they were allowed to do so because they had religious privilege, according to on.cc.

A separate statement from Guye District said an argument broke out between Yang and a toll gate worker, named Wang Hao, who hit Yang in the head. A woman travelling with Yang was said to sustain nose bleeding.

The incident apparently triggered anger among the local Muslim residents who gathered and mobbed the toll station on China's 205 National Highway and caused traffic congestion.

Various YouTube videos believed to be of the riot showed furious Hui protesters throwing rock towards SWAT officers who were armed with shields.

The riot is said to have occurred in Tangshan (pictured), a major city in Hebei Province

It appears the news has been censored on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter.

Both statements from Guye District could no longer be found on the internet. The search word 'Tangshan toll station' was banned on Weibo 'due to relevant laws and policies'.

Hui is one of China's most prominent ethnic minority groups and the most wide-spread one.

There are about 10 million Hui people in China. Most of them live in north-west part of the country, especially in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Tension between China's dominant Han people and Muslim population have run high in the past decade.

Clashes between the two groups have been observed in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang, where the Islamic Uighur people live.

On the other hand, the Chinese authority has launched a number of controversial bans in Xinjiang in the past year, such as preventing men from having 'abnormal' beards or woman from wearing veils. Uighur teachers have also been banned from teaching in their native language at school.

News reports related to the Muslim population are regularly censored in China out of fear of social unrest.
They were the stars of New York City nightlife in the late 80s and early 90s with their outrageous looks and antics, simultaneously striking fear into the hearts of parents across the country. The Club Kids  the original influencers, really, before the advent of social media  not only graced the dance floors of legendary nightclubs and stared out from style and society pages; they also flaunted their drug use, gender fluidity and avant-garde lifestyle on talk shows and in interviews that made Middle America recoil.

The Club Kids began with an original core of nightlife players such as Michael Alig and James St. James, young people - often relatively new to New York - keen to make their impact on the city and the club scene. They became paid promoters for various venues, drawing in customers eager to party with the fast-growing group of over-the-top club personalities. The Club Kids eventually would include several 'generations,' as 'king' of the Club Kids Michael Alig explains, as the circle widened - though many of the originals still have high standards about who actually deserved the moniker.

Their heyday was abruptly cut short, however, when Alig, a native of Indiana, and his roommate Robert Freeze Riggs pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 1997 in the killing and dismemberment of their fellow Club Kid Andre Angel Melendez. He was killed in the mens Manhattan apartment and kept in the bathtub for nearly a week before Alig chopped up his body, stashed it in a suitcase and the pair threw the victim into the Hudson River.

Riggs was paroled in 2010 and Alig was released from prison in 2014. While the former has led a quiet life, pursuing academia, Alig has returned to the New York club scene. Their former comrades have gone on to pursue a range of endeavors in various different fields.

Were all future superstars - if not now, Club Kid Richie Rich said in one infamous interview on Phil Donahues television talk show in 1993.

Now, 20 years after the sentencing of Alig and Riggs, DailyMail.com catches up with Club Kids to see just how prescient Richie Rich's bold proclamation was  or wasnt.

The Club Kids emerged in the late 1980s/early 1990s, decorating themselves with outrageous costumes and makeup as they took New York City nightlife by storm

Club 'King' Michael Alig, right, and Jenny 'Jenny Talia' Dembrow were two of the most recognizable names among the Club Kids

Desi Monster - real name Desi Santiago - was known for his bizarre hair in the group of Club Kids that grabbed every chance to go on television and shock viewers with their lifestyle

The Club Kids began to unravel after Michael Alig and his roommate Robert 'Freeze' Riggs pleaded guilty to killing and dismembering fellow Kid Andre 'Angel' Melendez, pictured

MICHAEL ALIG

While Alig was in prison  spending time in solitary confinement for continued drug use before eventually getting clean  he was immortalized further in pop culture by the film Party Monster, in which he was played by actor Macauley Culkin. A documentary was made of the same name  Party Monster: The Shockumentary, which is currently filming a sequel, and another documentary about Aligs life, Glory Daze, is streaming on Netflix.

Now, after being released in 2014, 52-year-old Alig has stepped back into the New York City nightlife, hosting a weekly party called Outrage on the Lower East Side with fellow former Club Kid and DJ Keoki. He says he tries not to read negative reaction online about his re-emergence on the scene, and the weekly party actually turned out to be rather fortuitous  landing him a free four-bedroom loft in Paterson, New Jersey.

One night at Outrage, this man approaches me; it turns out that hes a multi-billionaire, Alig tells DailyMail.com. I dont know how this happens in my life, but Ive had a series of very rich, white, heterosexual men  kind of father figures  come in and just kind of take care of me, for some reason.

It must be something in my DNA, in my personality, that Im seeking these people out, because I never really had a father  so that must be what it is, because its too much of a coincidence, because its like the fifth one in my life, he says. But he came up to me, and Party Monster is his favorite movie, and his wifes, too.

This businessman, Alig says, owns property in Paterson and is converting many warehouses into lofts.

He offered me a beautiful four-bedroom, 20-foot ceiling loft, which is where Im living now for free, if I would move here and kind of promote the town as like an artist enclave and invite my artist friends to come here and maybe live here, Alig tells DailyMail.com. And create like a community of creative people that will kind of  be a counter-effect to the ghetto-type of danger element to Paterson. So thats kind of what Im doing  kind of like a spokesperson for Paterson.

He is painting in the loft as he speaks, working on a picture of another former Club Kid, James St. James. Artwork is something he got into in prison, encouraged by Rob Freeze Riggs; the two were initially placed in the same correctional facility. Art, he says, saved my life.

It gave me an outlet in prison, and it gave me a new form of a revenue source, says Alig, who sells the paintings via his website and has an upcoming exhibition in Los Angeles in October. Hes also written a book but says that interested publishers believe it should be split into two separate parts.

Theres my autobiography, which is called Aligula, and then theres a book of the Club Kids as a subculture, putting the Club Kids as a subculture into context with other subcultures like  yuppies and disco and all these, kind of seeing where they came from  where the Club Kids came from, why they came to be, what they were about. Its a more academic kind of book.

'So those two books are what came out of my book, and I need to separate them, and its very difficult to separate them, because its kind of like separating Siamese twins. You have to be very careful, he tells DailyMail.com.

Hes also working on a Club Kids social register.

He explains: 'When you buy a Warhol print or painting, if the Warhol foundation hasnt acknowledged that its an original Warhol, youre out of luck. Its not a Warhol  the Club Kids register is sort of like that. If youre not in the Club Kids social register, you will not be considered a Club Kid. There has been a lot of b****ing and backstabbing about whos gonna be in the register.

Although he sometimes confers with other former Kids, he says: Im the one who decides. I am the estate of Andy Warhol.

Michael Alig, pictured left at the Tunnel in 1994, went to prison three years later after pleading guilty to killing Andre 'Angel' Melendez; he was released in 2014 and now lives in New Jersey, where he focuses on painting and writing (right)

Alig, now 52, resides in Paterson, New Jersey and is working on books, paintings, a clothing line and a musical about his life

Alig, right, at then-popular NYC nightclub The World in August 1988, with Keoki, a fellow Club Kid and DJ whose weekly party on the Lower East Side is currently hosted by Alig

He says the Club Kids scene actually grew out of a reaction to the AIDS crisis, when people were scared, not going out to nightclubs and it was apocalyptic, really.

Theres nothing more depressing and spooky than seeing a giant mega club designed for so many people with just a handful of people in it, he says. It looked like the end of the world, really.

People were very scared, but on the other hand, they were very much kind of nihilistic. They were like, Well, if its all over, then we might as well party and do drugs and have fun. So the Club Kids came out of that.

He adds: It was more about the visual and just dressing in a weird way. We were also kind of a combination of two subcultures. We were a combination of yuppies and punks, because punks would dress up in these crazy outfits and then, when youd look at them, theyd say, Why are you looking at me? The Club Kids would dress up and, when you looked at them, theyd say, Now you can pay me $100.

We had this money, kind of financial end part that was very yuppie, so it was a very 80s thing. The 80s were all about clubbing, so it makes sense. We were the new punks but with an eye towards making money.

He says: We were social media before social media  we were like a physical human version of social media  creating parties and looks and ideas that would go viral, but through means such as word of mouth, without the internet.

He says he still keeps in touch with most of the Club Kids.

It was, and has remained, like a family, he tells DailyMail.com When family members get in trouble or do stupid things, you dont disown them; you let them know how you feel about what they did and you cant do that again  But then you welcome them back into the family, because thats what a family does. So thats what the Club Kids have done, almost to a one.

There are a couple  and when I say a couple, I mean literally two or three  who have not welcomed me back, but you know what? They dont wish me ill, they just dont want to be associated.

I understand that. I did a terrible thing, he says.

He has not been in contact with Rob Freeze Riggs, however, for more than a decade. Riggs was released in 2010.

Weirdly enough, we havent talked, and I dont know why that is, Alig tells DailyMail.com I dont know if its just a coincidence, or hes just done his own thing; so have I. Im sure every once in a while, he must think, Hmmm  I wonder what Michaels doing, because I do.

Its like kind of, whos going to make the first move? It will be one of us; we will do it eventually, because we both have nothing but love for each other, he says. Its not that we dont want to talk to each other. After not connecting with someone for a long time, that first connection is a little uncomfortable, even if you like the person  especially if you like the person. Youre worried about what theyre going to think.

Thats the reason I havent done it  and also just because of all the things Im working on. Its like I never have a free second, he says.

In addition to his book, party promoting and painting like a madman, Alig says hes collaborating on a musical about his life and working on a clothing line, Skroddleface, that will complement his art projects. Filming is also underway for the documentary Party Monster 2, which follows his life after prison.

ROB FREEZE RIGGS

Riggs began pursuing a degree while in prison, becoming a research associate with the Bard Prison Initiative, a program offering college coursework to prisoners in five New York prisons. He transferred to John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York and, in January 2012, graduated Summa cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Urban Anthropology and Mass Incarceration. He received several fellowships, was on the Deans List and was accepted to the Ph.D. program in Sociology at NYU with a five-year Henry McCracken Fellowship.

Robert 'Freeze' Riggs, center, was a roommate of Michael Alig and was also sentenced to prison following the grisly killing of Angel Melendez

Riggs, right, went to prison after the killing Melendez, left; Riggs was released in 2010 and has since entered the world of academy; he graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and received a fellowship to study for his Ph.D. in Sociology at New York University

He said he was entering graduate school with the goal of conducting an ethnography of a New York City neighborhood with a high rate of incarcerated residents.

During his time at NYU, he co-authored papers that include Moving the Needle on Justice Reform: A Report on the American Justice Summit 2014, The U.S. War on Drugs and Latina/o Communities and Reflections on institutional boundary work and boundary crossing: Prison, free society, and prisoner reentry, and Is Child to Adult as Victim is to Criminal? Social Policy and Street-based Sex Work in the USA.

AMANDA LEPORE

The striking bombshell Amanda Lepore continues to suffuse New York and international nightlife with her own brand of plastic surgeried, heavily-sculpted character. Perhaps more than most of the Club Kids, she continued to follow the lifestyle in the club scene limelight.

She tells DailyMail.com that being a Club Kid was how I became famous and continue to do what I do today.

I am continuously booked to appear and perform at clubs all over the world  as well as festivals, fashion shows, etc.

Shes currently at the Diana Festival in Oslo and, when she returns, will be in the Marco Marco show for Fashion Week in New York and will be appearing at DragCon.

I have also been in the studio for the past few months, and have been working on music that should be released within the next few months, she tells DailyMail.com. She has dabbled in music before, releasing a 2005 album and recording a 2007 club song with fellow former Club Kid Larry Tee called My P***y (Is Famous).

Lepore has also done campaigns for Mac Cosmetics and Armani Jeans, and nightlife columnist Michael Musto  who meticulously documented the Club Kids antics during their prime  has called her the missing link between old New York and the current prominence of transgender divas.

Earlier this year she released her memoir, Doll Parts, created with her ghostwriter Thomas Flannery Jr and filled with many of her iconic photographs  taken by David LaChapelle and Marco Ovando, just to name a few. Her publisher, Judith Regan, told The New York Times: I wanted it because of the plastic surgery. Its extreme.

And then you sit down and talk to her and its a lifetime of drama.

Lepore, left, with actor Rip Taylor, center, and Alig, right, pictured in 1995 at New York club Limelight, which was housed in a former church

Lepore, pictured in an undated photo, says that being a Club Kid was 'how I became famous and continue to do what I do today

Lepore, second from right, at The Dom Perignon Vintage Trinity Launch Party in New York City in June 2017; she has remained a stalwart on the nightlife scene since her Club Kids days

Lepore, arriving for the Life Ball in Vienna, Austria, in June 2017, is incredibly open about her extensive plastic surgery and published a book this year titled Doll Parts

Lepore, who lives at Hotel 17 in the Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan, is famously open about her extensive plastic surgery; shes even had her ribs broken to make her waist smaller.

A lot of people think that Im addicted to plastic surgery, she says on her website. But the truth is, if Im addicted to anything, its beauty. If you happen to be young and transgender, then youre used to people being hateful towards you when all you want to do is exist. Through all the insanity in my life, there was only one thing I could control: myself.

On the outside, obviously, but on the inside too. I focused on not letting other peoples opinions have any effect on me whatsoever, and thats how Ive lived my life ever since.

Still, however, her main stalwart is her presence on the nightlife circuit; she gets paid to appear at and host parties all over the world. She often appears at risque and infamous New York club The Box, as well as the Museum of Sex  both of which are regular haunts of the international blonde bombshell, as she calls herself on Twitter.

She tells DailyMail.com: A typical day includes preparing for upcoming appearances, performances, etc  working on my outfits and accessories (stoning them with Swarovski crystals) as well as getting my hair and nails done and going to yoga. Taking care of my mind, body and soul.

Of her old gang of Club Kids, she says: Everyone is doing their own thing, but its always so great when I run into the Club Kids that I originated with. I am grateful for those days.

JENNY DEMBROW

Jenny  known as Jenny Talia  was one of the most recognizable faces of the Club Kid era, with her signature shaved head, studded cheeks and striking features. She arrived on the Phil Donahue set with a full-face leather mask, a wild black wig emerging from beneath it, and laughed when the host asked whether she was drug-free. She was also the youngest of the group, immersing herself in the NYC nightlife at just 15.

Now shes dedicated herself in a wholly different way to young people  inspiring them not with her outlandish behavior and fashion sense but with her commitment to community service.

She is currently the associate executive director of The Lower Eastside Girls Club, which encourages young girls in the underprivileged neighborhood to reach their full potential, offering everything from fashion and music studios to a science lab and planetarium.

I went from one club to another, she told The Standard magazine earlier this summer.

It was quite a switch from her nightclub days, but the former Club Queen said she knew it was time for her to get out of the scene when things began to unravel.

I went on a downward spiral, but something kind of kept me from completely going into the abyss, she said, citing her parents as that saving grace.

I did not want to devastate them, you dont want to die, although it could have happened. I made a million mistakes.

She added: I was very self-absorbed for so many years, and I just needed something else to focus on.

Jenny 'Jenny Talia' Dembrow - known for her studded cheeks - was one of the youngest of the Club Kids, joining the scene when she was just 15 years old

Dembrow attends The Lower Eastside Girls Club Spring Fling at the Bowery Hotel in May 2016; she has dedicated her life to helping young women through the organization

Dembrow, second from left in the front row, is now a mother of two and says that many of her Club Kid contemporaries are also 'doing some really phenomenal things'

Now a mother of two, the 41-year-old focuses much of her energy on the club, which has also provided Quinceanera and Sweet 16 celebrations  complete with free gowns  for girls who didnt have the opportunity to throw their own parties.

Jenny said many of the participants are wholly unaware of her former Club Kid incarnation.

They just think Im the wacky lady of the Girls Club, she told The Standard. Soon Im going to have pearls in my cheek piercings like an old fancy lady.

Of her time at the center of the Club Kids world  some members of which she still counts among her friends - she said: Now that Im 41, I dont think it was just youthful exuberance. I think  it was actually pretty spectacular.

She said: I look at the people from that era, and there are the ones that didnt make it or just made some really unfortunate decisions causing them to crash and burn, and then there were those that rose above it. Whatever didnt kill them made them wiser and more driven and they are doing some really phenomenal things.

JAMES ST. JAMES

St. James published his first book, Disco Bloodbath, in 1999, which served as the inspiration for the film Party Monster, starring Macauley Culkin and Seth Green - who played St. James. His second book, Freak Show, was published in 2007 and chronicles the experience of a high school drag queen. That book, too, has been made into a movie directed by Trudie Styler and starring Alex Lawther, Bette Midler, Laverne Cox and Abigail Breslin. It made its festival debut earlier this year and has been picked up for distribution by IFC.

St. James left New York for Los Angeles 20 years ago, and he has made appearances on Americas Next Top Model. He writes regularly for the WOW Report, the website for production company World of Wonder  posting just this week about celebrities Ed Skrein, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift and Caitlyn Jenner. He also has a webseries with the World of Wonder channel WOWPresents called Transformations: with James St. James.

'I was getting older, I was working in an office, I wasn't going out, but I still wanted to connect with the kids,' St. James tells DailyMail.com. 'I still wanted to be part of it somehow - so it was a really great way to bring in drag queens, club kids and performers and makeup artists and the beauty movers and shakers and just sort of noodle around in their heads.

'Transformations, for me, is my playtime - it's like I can get dolled up in club kid, wacky-doodle-do outfits, without having to actually go to the club. So to me, it's the best of both worlds.

'If I go out, I don't know anyone - "Who's that old man? Why is he talking to me?"' laughs the 51-year-old. 'I feel very out of place.'

His life is certainly different from the hedonistic Club Kids days, and he sees his future now not in New York but in California, where he has lived for the past two decades.

St. James, left, with Riggs, center, pictured in 1995 at Tunnel; he has left his clubbing days behind but still gets to dress up for his webseries Transformations

A Los Angeles resident for the past 20 years, St. James says he had to get out of New York and reinvent himself following the killing of Melendez

St. James wrote a book about his Club Kids experience that was turned into a film called Party Monster starring Macauley Culkin, center, and Chloe Sevigny, left

'I came out here because I had to, after ... all that happened,' he tells DailyMail.com, referencing the the aftermath of the killing. 'I just needed a break and I needed to reinvent myself - and I came out here and all of a sudden it just sort of became part of my life. It just became my life, and I didn't ever expect to be a Los Angeleno, a Hollywood person, but I guess I am - and it's 20 years now, and I love it.'

He says he enjoys watching the modern incarnation of stylish young people dominating nightlife - even if it's from afar.

'I feel like you don't have to go out,' he tells DailyMail.com. 'I sit at home on Saturday night and just watch what's happening in clubs around the world. But with the kids, it seems like this generation of club kids that are in New York right now - and I don't think they call themselves "club kids" - they're artists and drag queens and blah blah ... but those are club kids.'

He adds: 'There's really a lot of really, really fabulous people doing really fabulous looks, and I think the thing is, when we started, we were just like kids playing in Halloween costumes. It was pretty rough. And it's liked the old iPod: every generation, it gets a little sleeker. It gets a little more refined, a little more polished, a little more glamorous. These kids today, having the YouTube makeup tutorials and RuPaul's Drag Race and everything, they are so glamorous and so polished and so outrageous ...I love them.

'I'm always in awe of the things that I see, what's going on in New York right now, the kids and the makeup and the drag queens and the style. It's fabulous.'

He says he feels that Freak Show, the film based on his book about a high school drag queen, is being released at a particularly pertinent time.

'I wrote the book 10 years ago, but it feels more relevant now, because of all the LGBT anti-bullying things that are going on in society that weren't even discussed back in 2007,' he tells DailyMail.com.

Hell be appearing later this month at RuPauls DragCon NYC 2017, and will be seeing Alig while in town for more filming of Party Monster 2.

KENNY KENNY

The legendarily caustic and flamboyant doorman continued working in clubs until 2013  but now says: You couldnt pay me to go to a nightclub.

Kenny, originally from a small town in Ireland and now in his 50s, tells DailyMail.com: I had withdrawal at the start in that I thought that was my identity, and I had to break that  because it was actually a fake identity. I had valued myself in some way by being part of it and now Ive sort of broken that down, and Im doing what really should be coming out, which is my art.

His art involves creating elaborate sets, dressing himself accordingly and taking self-portraits which can be viewed on his website, kennykennyphotos.com.

Its really important for me; Im much older, Im in my 50s, so if I dont do it now, Ill never do it, he says. I think its valuable for me, and I think its saying something about people like me, about gender, about expressing yourself in a very pure way.

Kenny Kenny, from a small town in County Cavan, Ireland, was heavily involved in the London club scene before he came to New York City in the mid-1980s

Kenny, pictured with Amanda Lepore, was known for dressing up and earned a reputation as a flamboyant but caustic nightclub doorman

Kenny, pictured in a self-portrait, is currently pursuing his own art by creating elaborate sets in his West Village apartment and costuming himself accordingly

Kenny says now 'you couldn't pay me to go to a nightclub' and, when he left the nightlife scene in 2013, he 'had withdrawal at the start in that I thought that was my identity'

He says his art is 'saying something about people like me, about gender, about expressing yourself in a very pure way

Kenny and Amanda Lepore pose in Limelight in the 1990s; he says that, after the Melendez killing, it 'was a very dark time' and 'nobody wanted to know us'

He burst onto the New York nightlife scene following a stint in London, which he says got too wild.

'I came here and I really tried to be good for as long as I could; then I just realized I felt stable here,' he tells DailyMail.com. 'I got back into the club scene. I twas kind of an accident; I'm known for dressing up ... so people wanted me for doors. Then I became a promoter.'

Of the Club Kids scene, he says: 'It started out as a very kind of positive, "let's-express-ourselves, we're a gang, we're all together, it's fun. It started out very slow; I was wondering whether it was going to last.'

The influence of Michael Alig, says Kenny - who describes the ringleader as 'very driven, very charming, very likeable' - was what spurred on the Club Kids' fame and popularity.

Reconciling that persona with the crime Alig committed, he says, is 'very hard to sort of get your head around.'

He adds that the period after the killing 'was a very dark time, I didn't know what was going to happen ... Nobody wanted to know us. I didn't think I'd ever get a job again.'

He did, however, get hired by Life nightclub, though he could see the scene was completely changing.

'Models were now becoming the celebrities, and celebrities were celebrities' rather than flamboyant circuit characters,' he tells DailyMail.com. 'The whole trajectory of what was New York had changed. What Andy Warhol would've pointed at and said "It's fabulous" was no more ... the outcast bit had changed, and it was all about models and it was all about very much fashion.'

Now, Kenny says, he spends most of his time working in his West Village apartment and describes himself as very reclusive.

I have close friends, like maybe three or four close friends and a small bigger circle that I go to dinner with sometimes  but Im definitely not what people would think I am, he says. People think Im this social butterfly because I was in the clubs for so long, and I knew so many people, but Im actually quite  I dont know if its introverted more than I like to be alone to do my art and  introspection.

Hes still in touch with some of the Club Kids, citing his respect especially for Kabuki and Desi Santiago, but says: Im very grounded. I dont like bullshit. I might be eccentric, but I only keep in touch with people that I think are real. If somebodys up their own a**, I just cant.

ERNIE GLAM GARCIA

Ernie, now 55 and married, has been working as a suburban New York news reporter for the past 18 years and pursuing other projects  publishing a book last year, for example, with photos of all the parties he attended in 2016 titled 69 Hangovers. Hes in regular contact with Alig, who initially lived with him after he got out of jail, and the two host a YouTube show called Pee-ew. Ernie says he suggested the idea because Alig was often displeased with how his messages were being conveyed by news outlets following his well-publicized release.

I suggested to him, why dont we just start vlogging and turn it into a show? Ernie tells DailyMail.com. That was one reason. The other was when he was living with me after prison, wed often just be sitting and having breakfast and telling each other stories and laughing to the point where tears were coming out of our eyes. We thought we should put these conversations on YouTube, because people would enjoy them and think theyre funny. It seems that people have been both amused and entertained. I wish we made money from it.

I cant believe weve been doing this show for three years and we havent killed each other, he says, with no trace of irony.

Ernie, pictured left in 1991 and right in July, has published a book of photos and says he is working on another; he calls the concept of Club Kids a 'media hoax'

Ernie is also working on another book, which he says hell begin pitching next week, featuring costumes, photographs and stories from the Club Kid scene  which, he says, was a carefully cultivated phenomenon.

I do remember having conversations with Michael Alig where we were talking about perpetrating media hoaxes on the public, he says. One of the media hoaxes that he should we should perpetrate was this concept of Club Kids  that theyre always crazy, people who go out, decadent, they get paid to party, they dont have day jobs  Some of it was myth; I almost always did have a day job, even though I went on TV and pretended I didnt have a day job.

We didnt necessarily think that it was going to be a huge thing, but we were very deliberate in creating messages that would inflame media at the time  and at the time, it just so happened to be the rise of all these daytime TV talk shows, where they were kind of engaged in this arms race of shock value, where each show wanted to do something a little more wild than the other show. And it opened the perfect door for the Club Kids to traipse through, be crazy, provoke all this audience disapproval and outrage. And we milked it.

WALT CASSIDY

Cassidy has become a successful and respected artist, with his first exhibition, The Believers, showing at MASS MOCA in 2007, and his first solo show in New York City, the Protective Motif, in 2010. Following his Club Kids years, he worked as an exhibition director at 303 Gallery in Chelsea, then moved to London, where he teamed up with his friend, actress Anita Pallenberg, to produce and curate an exhibition for another mutual friend, filmmaker Kenneth Anger, in 2004.

Cassidy says the international gallery scene in the late 90s and early Noughties was very excitingand he travelled extensively.

I was essentially hiding out and recovering from the trauma of the Club Kids fallout, and trying to transition into adulthood, he tells DailyMail.com. I had stopped making my own work, which had been central to my identity as a Club Kid.

He says his 2007 and 2010 exhibitions represented a reclaiming of my identity as an artist, so were very special moments.

He says his work has definitely been influenced by his Club Kids days.

What I learned from being a Club Kid was this notion of living inside of the work, he tells DailyMail.com. In order for the work to be truly authentic, the artist has to make that commitment. Otherwise, they are just a technician.

Cassidy, pictured during his Club Kids days, says he had to 'recover from the trauma of the Club Kids fallout' and had to reclaim his identity as an artist

Now based in Brooklyn, Cassidy has won acclaim for his jewelry, portraits and murals, and says he is a 'bit of a loner at heart'

He has won acclaim for his jewelry, portraits and murals and is currently working on a series of painted murals for interiors. He just finished one for a loft in Norfolk, Virginia, and the next is scheduled for a home in Marfa, Texas.

Cassidy still keeps in touch with the core group of Club Kids to varying degrees, mostly through social media. We have reunions every so often, like a dinner or something of that nature, he says, agreeing that he would consider them to be the original influencers.

This whole notion of Lifestyle Identity as Brand was fully articulated by the Club Kids, he says. You could see this in our appearances on television shows, promotional tours, trading cards and magazine editorials. We, rather obnoxiously, promoted ourselves as products and were eventually featured in conjunction with larger brands.

Jenny Talia modeled in Calvin Klein and Jean Paul Gaultier advertisements, Kabuki was on the runway for Thierry Mugler and I was doing commercials for Cuervo Gold Tequila and making appearances in various music videos.

But its important to note that the archetype of influencer has been in existence throughout history, he says, citing examples such as Edie Sedgwick.

And his lifestyle has completely changed since their pop culture peak, says Walt, who calls himself a bit of a loner at heart.

I rarely go out these days to nightclubs, he tells DailyMail.com. I am more focused on events like design fairs, openings, gym life and parks and recreation.

Based in Central Brooklyn, he spends a lot of time working alone and developing things in the studio.

Studio life can be quite solitary, but I counter that with a lot of time outdoors, he says. I bike, skate, climb trees, play Frisbee and go to the beach frequently.

In a nod back to his Club Kids heyday, however, the Walt Cassidy Studio has just released a new t-shirt design for fall featuring a portrait of his Waltpaper incarnation in 1991 by photographer Michael Fazakerley.

RICHIE RICH

Richie Rich, pictured in an undated photo from the Club Kids' heyday, describes himself on Twitter as 'Celebrity fashion designer - television personality - actor - figure skater'

Rich and partner Trevor Rains designed the now-defunct clothing line Heatherette; he made headlines in 2013 for skipping out on a $1,700 hotel bill in Times Square

Despite his television prediction that he and his friends would become superstars, Richie Rich has not exactly taken the world by storm since his Club Kid days of notoriety. He describes himself on Twitter as Celebrity fashion designer  television personality  actor  figure skater.

He and partner Trevor Rains designed the former clothing line Heatherette from 1999 until 2008, dressing celebrities that included Paris Hilton and Gwen Stefani, before Richie Rich branched out on his own with Poplux. Earlier this year he reappeared on the fashion scene, showing Popoganda by Richie Rich at New York Fashion Week in February followed by Rich by Richie Rich at Los Angeles Fashion Week.

In June, he put on a Summer Trend Fashion Show  at a Bloomingdales in San Francisco, a city where the California native seems to be spending a huge amount of time.

He made headlines in 2013, when he was arrested after skipping out on a $1,700 bill after spending three nights at the Times Square Westin. The same year, he publicly denied rumors that he was homeless.

DESI SANTIAGO

Desi, who is still based in New York City but works internationally, has found success as a creative designer, visual artist, set designer and costume designer. He says that the Club Kid period set the tone for the rest of my life.

I was allowed to totally invent who I was and what I wanted to create, he tells DailyMail.com. And since that point, Ive been able to completely create my own path.

Among his accomplishments, he did The Black Lords during Art Basel Miami in 2012, transforming an entire hotel into a sculpture. He also loved doing the Cartier Precious Garage installation in Milan this year  calling it a really great collaboration with a luxury brand that really respected my vision and was realized to the highest degree.

Like many of the other Club Kids, he says he still keeps up with a lot of the gang via social media.

We all keep in tune with what everyone else is doing, he says. Really happy to see that they are all thriving in their respective endeavors.

He calls them perhaps unwanted influencers in their day, noting: Today, influencers are sought after  back then, we werent always welcome at other peoples events.

And the Club Kids phenomenon, he believes, wont ever happen again.

Social media has really changed that landscape abut that doesnt mean there arent good parties  New York always has great stuff happening, he tells DailyMail.com. There is always another generation of people who are doing creative things and producing new stars. I like to remain aware of that.

Santiago, at 18 years old in 1991, says social media has changed the landscape and he believes a Club Kids phenomenon 'won't ever happen again'

He has found success as a creative designer, visual artist, set designer and costume designer, claiming the Club Kid period set the tone for the rest of my life

Hes still involved in the nightlife scene himself, occasionally hosting Battle Hymn  a weekly Chelsea late-night LGBTQ party celebrating the '80s and '90s  with performer and personality Ladyfag, whom I credit for pulling me out of my nightlife reclusion, Desi says.

Battle Hymn, by the way, has really evoked the feeling of the old NY to me, he says. Its a really inclusive party with great music and no attitude.

Aside from that, Desi says he is collaborating with Spike Jonze on a set design for New York Fashion Week 2017 and would like to explore more work in film, perhaps even directing.

KABUKI

Now married and splitting his time between New York City and upstate New York, Kabuki has gone on to become a celebrated, in-demand makeup artist. His projects have included a Picasso-inspired beauty shoot for Harpers Bazaar US which was half makeup and half masks  masks that I made to capture the look of cubism, he tells DailyMail.com.

Hes done a cover shoot for W magazine with Rihanna with a new take on tribal makeup, which he points out as one of his favorite projects to date.

My all-time favorite experience was working with Michael Jackson on Ebony and Luomo Vogue shoots. He was lovely, Kabuki says.

He attributes much of his success to his experience with the Club Kids.

As a Club Kid, I had to make something out of nothing and put together complete looks, he tells DailyMail.com. Ever element (makeup, hair, costume) had to play off of one another  good training for the imagination when it comes to thinking on the spot for photoshoots and fashion shows.

Despite that, however, he says: I dont think that back then anyone was thinking about where it would get them professionally. It was fun going on the talk shows like Joan Rivers or Geraldo or seeing your photo in the newspaper. However, I went to clubs because it seemed like a waste of living in NYC if I didnt experience the Fellini-esque night life.

He says he still keeps in touch with some of his contemporaries, such as Kenny Kenny, whose sense of style Ive always admired.

Hes never stopped being a living work of art, he tells DailyMail.com.

Kabukis life now, he says, is reasonably busy most of the time with traveling and prepping for photo or video shoots, right now in particular as Fashion Week looms on the horizon. In my down time I like to work on my paintings  I have a book available on Blurb.com  and restore my sense of calm.

Kabuki, pictured during his Club Kids days, says 'it seemed like a waste of living in NYC if I didnt experience the Fellini-esque night life
Two Illinois men drove 16 hours in an RV hauling two massive buggies to bring aid to people in Vidor, Texas, after Hurricane Harvey and massive flooding devastated the area.

On September 2, Jared Kirkendoll and Scott Green had four people on board their buggy and were bringing them to dry land when their vehicle was stopped by a law enforcement officer.

Video posted on Facebook shows a two minute exchange between Kirkendoll and the officer when they were ordered to leave.

The man stopped the buggy and asked: 'Is this your vehicle?'

Kirkendoll said it was, and the man ordered him to step off the vehicle.

'For what?' Kirkendoll said.

The officer responded aggressively: 'Because I said so.'

Kirkendoll explained that his identification was not with him, and the law enforcement official told him to come down off the buggy or he 'would not be leaving.'

Scott Green and Jared Kirkendoll drove 16 hours from Illinois to Orange County, Texas, to help victims of the Harvey flooding. They used two large buggies to travel through the flood waters

A law enforcement official in Vidor, Texas, prevented two men from helping victims of the Harvey flooding, saying: 'We've got enough'

The two men spoke for less than a minute before shaking hands. As Kirkendoll climbed back onto the buggy, he said: 'Next time don't yell, we're just trying to help. We're out a s**t load of money.'

The officer said: 'My house is flooded too, but I've got to be out here helping people. We appreciate that you're here, but we've got enough.'

The video has gone viral on Facebook and has been viewed four and a half million times. The Vidor Police Department said on Facebook that it was not one of their officers and that they are thankful to the volunteers.

The men battled heavy flood waters in order to deliver water and other supplies to victims of the hurricane's destruction

The Vidor Police Association said it has been inundated with messages about the video and that any complaints should be directed to the Orange County Sheriff's department.

Kirkendoll and Green left Illinois for Texas on August 30. Green posted a picture on Facebook of the two buggies and captioned it: 'We're Texas bound!! See If we can go give these folks a hand.'

James Hartwell posted the video of the encounter on Facebook and captioned it: 'So this just happened. Jared Kirkendoll and Scott Green was just told that they have to leave vidor because they are not needed here.. but yet they are doing more than any off the law enforcement is doing here. This is the biggest crock of b******t ive ever heard. F***** power trip. Helping people and get treated like that. Oh and as you can see he was a total a*****e.'

Kirkendoll and Green spent four days in Texas bringing aid to victims of the Harvey flooding using their massive buggies

Green (left) and Kirkendoll (right) had four people they were taking to dry waters on board when they were stopped by law enforcement officials

'We were helping people out and taking water and supplies to people,' Kirkendoll said in a statement to The Free Thought Project. 'In fact, we were dropping water to people and we had four people on the buggy, taking them to land.'

The two men left Texas on Sunday. Green posted on Facebook: 'Unfortunately it's that time for us to start heading north. It has been an experience that words can't even describe. I have never seen so much gratefulness and love in one area before in my life. All the people that we got to help was nothing but thankful for us and let us know it!!!!'

'It was truly an amazing feeling knowing we were making a difference. Want to thank everyone who gave us a hand and helped when we needed it on this trip as well. It was sad to see so many people loose (sic) everything they had but also heart warming to see everyone pull together and help in anyway they could,' he continued.

'Absolutely amazing . We're tired and smell and been running on Mountain Dew . Buggys (sic) need work.. But all I want to do right now is jump back on the buggy and go find people who need us. God is so good!! Thank you all.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Kirkendoll and Green for comment.
Taylor James Dusen, 18, from Muskegon County, Michigan, will serve a minimum of five years for raping a 12-year-old girl

The mother of a 12-year-old girl discovered her daughter had been raped by an older teenager after reading her diary.

Taylor James Dusen, 18, from Muskegon County, Michigan, will serve a minimum of five years for his crimes.

Dusen pleased guilty to first degree criminal sexual conduct in July for crimes including sexual penetration of a child under the age of 13.

Police were told of the attack after the victim's mother read her daughter's diary and made the chilling discovery.

According to Muskegon County prosecutor Timothy Maat, Dusen knew his victim before carrying out the assault.

Dusen met the 12-year-old girl through a mutual friend in 2016, according to Maat.

Dusen was sentenced by county circuit Judge Timothy Hicks for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 25, at Muskegon County court, in line with state guidelines

It was reported that Dusen committed the sexual assaults throughout the same in March 2017 at the victims home.

Charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct, Dusen, had no prior criminal record before sentencing.

The man was sentenced by county circuit Judge Timothy Hicks for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 25, in line with state guidelines.
On Sunday, North Korea detonated its sixth nuclear weapon and first hydrogen bomb.

It was by far the most powerful yet, sparking a 6.3-magnitude earthquake and prompting tremors felt in China and Japan.

This, according to experts, indicates the hydrogen bomb had a 100-kiloton yield.

Like me, you probably dont know your kiloton from your kilogram.

But heres an analogy that will make the scale of this weapon and explosion crystal clear for everyone: that means the device was SEVEN TIMES stronger than the atomic bomb America dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

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Terrifying: North Korea has upped the ante by successfully testing its first hydrogen bomb and is working to miniaturise its nuclear arsenal (above) which will enable despotic Kim Jong-un to fire missiles at the United States

The kind of intercontinental ballistic missile North Korea deploys to carry such a bomb could technically reach the United States.

And Vipin Narang, a nuclear expert at MIT, told the Washington Post that North Korea could destroy the better part of a city with this yield.

Put all these facts together, and you start to understand just how serious and potentially catastrophic this crisis has become.

No wonder then that Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned any threat to the United States or its territories, or our allies, will be met with a massive military response  both effective and overwhelming.

Nor that Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Korean peninsular was now closer to war than at any time which would be a disaster for the region and world.

Enabler: President Xi needs to make sure that China gets off its selfish and lazy backside and take care of the Kim problem once and for all

The question, once again, remains a simple yet highly complex one: what the hell do we do about this?

Nobody, least of all the US, actually wants a nuclear war.

Im pretty certain North Korean leader Kim Jong-un doesnt want one either.

Why would he? His whole strategy to date, like his father, has been to build a military defence so big and powerful it protects his vile regime from attack.

If Jong-un fires one bomb at the US or its allies, he would sentence himself and his country to instant annihilation.

But the world can no longer just sit back and let this crazed upstart act with such brazen and dangerous impunity given the increasing size and power of his nuclear weaponry.

Response: South Korea demonstrated to the world how it would strike North Korea's ballistic missile sites in a live fire drill on Monday following Kim's 'flawless' hydrogen bomb test on Sunday

What worries me most about this situation is the chance of North Korea making a horrendous mistake and accidentally provoking war with a test that goes horribly wrong.

So Jong-un must be stopped in his nuclear tracks, that much is clear.

But how, if military action is not a realistic option?

Tough new United Nations Security Council sanctions implemented last month were a good start, and it was very encouraging to see every member country signing up to them.

Unfortunately, I fear they dont go nearly far enough.

North Korea needs to be attacked financially in a way so devastating it is rendered economically impotent, and the most lethal administer of such an attack is its biggest trading partner, China.

'We'll see': President Trump is losing patience with Kim's provocations and warned the North Korean leader that he has not ruled out giving the order to attack - a decision which would inevitably have disastrous consequences for the region and world

A staggering 90% of all North Koreas trade is done with China.

China has thus become the great enabler of the worlds most despotic regime.

It is Chinese money that pays for much of North Koreas military and it is therefore Chinese money that de facto fuels North Koreas nuclear weapons program.

Chinas President Xi is said to be considering various economic punishments against North Korea that go beyond the sanctions, like banning the estimated 100,000 North Korean labourers currently working overseas or cutting North Koreas lucrative exports like textiles and clothing.

But if Xi really wants to strangle Jong-uns nuclear aspirations then he should cut off his crude oil supply.

No modern military can function without oil; it is the very lifeblood of any armed force.

This dramatic move, which would need Russias assistance, would also cripple North Koreas economy and that, over time, would inevitably end Jong Uns regime too.

Yes it would be very tough on the people of North Korea, but they already lead very tough lives. An existence without evil Jong-un controlling their every move and thought could only be better, even if they are so brainwashed now they wont be able to either understand or accept this concept.

Donald Trump yesterday ramped up the pressure on China by threatening to stop US trade with any country who continues doing business with North Korea.

Chinas foreign ministry issued a statement branding such a move unfair.

It read: We cannot accept a situation in which, on the one hand we work to resolve this issue peacefully, but on the other hand, Chinas own interests are subject to sanctions and are damaged. This is neither objective, nor is it fair.

Oh do me a bloody favour..!

What is neither objective nor fair is Chinas on-going pathetically supine weakness in dealing with North Korea.

China is now the worlds second largest superpower.

That status brings with it a duty of care to the rest of the world.

Sober warnings: Defense Secretary James Mattis was flanked by Joint Chiefs Chairman General Joseph Dunford on Sunday when he explained that any more threats against the US or its allies by North Korea would be met with a 'massive military response'

The biggest threat to world peace right now is North Korea and the one country that can most effectively neutralise this threat is China.

Its simply not good enough for President Xi to stick his head in the sand and hope it all blows over, like China has consistently done in previous North Korean crisis moments.

Xi has to flex Chinas considerable economic muscle and do it now.

Kim Jong-un isnt going to stop developing his nuclear program because nobody is actively trying to stop him.

Hes heard all the bellicose threats before and he knows nobody ever acts on them or really wants to attack him.

The world has thus conspired to embolden this nasty piece of work and make him think hes invincible.

But hes not invincible.

In fact, hes very vulnerable to an economic war, one that would deprive him of the financial power to make North Korea a fully-fledged nuclear power.

Its time China got off its rich, lazy, selfish backside when it comes to North Korea and took decisive action before its too late.

Right now, President Trump is not the problem, as his many detractors persist in suggesting.

He is neither doing nor saying much different to any of his predecessors on this issue.

No, President Xi is the problem.

He has the power to solve this crisis once and for all.

Cut the oil, Mr President.
The University of Utah nurse who was grabbed, manhandled and put in cuffs because she refused to break hospital rules has spoken out about her mistreatment.

Alex Wubbels was arrested at her workplace on July 26 after refusing to draw blood from an unconscious man at the demand of a police officer who had no probable cause or warrant - leading to her being arrested.

'I think this resonates with people all over, and that's a really unfortunate problem that we... have to fix,' she told the Today show.

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Nurse Alex Wubbels, who was dragged screaming out of University of Utah hospital in July after refusing to draw blood from an unconscious patient, says people responded to her plight

Det. Jeff Payne (seen arresting Wubbels) is still on active duty but has been suspended from the blood draw program. Wubbels says police need to regain the public's trust

Bodycam footage of Det. Jeff Payne shows her refusing to draw blood from a driver whose truck was hit by a car that had been fleeing police.

Since the driver was not under arrest or subject to an arrest warrant, and since he could not give consent while unconscious, hospital policy forbade her from taking the blood sample.

Payne then dragged the terrified Wubbels out the hospital in front of staff and patients. She was let go without charge after 20 minutes, but the incident left her shaken.

That, she said, is why she only released the footage this week.

'It took me a while to understand that I was in a traumatic experience and I needed a moment to give my emotions a chance to rest,' she said.

Nevertheless, she said, the need for 'accountability' by the authorities spurred her on to release the video.

That in turn led to thousands expressing their shock and confusion over the cop's seemingly outlandish behavior - behavior that has left Wubbels scratching her head.

'I don't know what his problems was,' she said, adding that she 'would have liked a chance for him to talk to one of his superiors' before grabbing her.

While Salt Lake Police Department - which has left Payne on active duty but taken him off the blood draw unity - has been 'progressive' and helpful, Wubbels said, others were not.

Wubbels says she could sue over the 'traumatic' experience, but that she mostly wanted the video released in order to make sure authorities did something about it

University of Utah cops and hospital security witnessed her arrest and did nothing to help - and she said their bosses were not willing to discuss why that was a problem.

'So [the video] was a little bit of a trigger to say, "All right this is what you need to see if you're not willing to see it then I'll show it to you,"' she said.

But one silver lining is that masses of people who saw the video were outraged by the apparent misuse of power, and contacted Wubbels to support her.

'At first, it was maybe - overwhelming is an understatement, but just the gratitude I have for the support by my colleagues, nurses around the country, around the world and just healthcare providers in general is just amazing,' she said.

Wubbels says that a lawsuit is 'not off the table,' but right now she's more concerned about how incidents like these have left people mistrusting authorities.

However, she says that she doesn't see it as her job to correct the cops' behavior.

'I'm not here to police the police,' she said. 'The police need to do that if they're going to regain any trust with the public.'
A hijab-wearing editor of a Muslim website has controversially compared honour killings in Islamic countries with domestic violence in Australia.

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, the American editor-in-chief of Muslim Girl, told the ABC's Q&A program people in Western nations often downplayed domestic violence only to criticise the treatment of women in Muslim countries.

'When you look at countries like Australia and like the United States, the top killer of women is domestic violence but we choose to speak about it like it's a social issue and of course, often really disregard it,' she said.

Muslim website editor Amani Al-Khatahtbeh compared honour killings with domestic violence

The American guest on the ABC rolled her eyes when another panellist challenged her ideas

'But then when it happens in other countries, it's an honour killing: it's disgusting, it's backward, it's inhumane.'

Responding to a question from a young woman, Emer Sparkes, about the poor treatment of women in Muslim countries, Ms Al-Khatahtbeh said people in the West often looked at them through an 'inferior lens'.

'We speak about them like we know what's best for them,' she said.

'That's how we, in our countries, disempower Muslim women around the world even further.'

Dr Michael Fullilove, the executive director of the Lowy Institute foreign policy think tank, evoked an eye roll from Ms Al-Khatahtbeh when he argued human rights are universal.

'I do disagree with one point and that is because we have frailties as a society, therefore we shouldn't be calling out human rights abuses abroad,' he said.

Lowy Institute boss Michael Fullilove rebuffed the idea Australians shouldn't call out human rights abuses in Muslim countries

'The idea that because there's domestic violence in Australia, we shouldn't be calling out honour killings abroad.

'The idea that our society is so hopeless and frail that therefore it's cultural imperialism to tell other people how to live their lives.'

In Muslim nations, like Pakistan, women are killed by their parents or their brothers for dating a man her family disapproves of.

Muslim migrants have been convicted of this heinous crime in Canada.

Emer Sparkes had asked the Q&A panel about the poor treatment of women in Muslim nations

In 2012, Afghan migrants to Canada Mohammad Shafia, his wife Tooba and their son Hamed were convicted of murdering three sisters and a woman in 2009.

The murdered teenagers Zainab, 19, Sahar, 17, Geeti, 13, were Shafia's daughters from his second marriage while the murdered woman Rona Amir, 52, was his first wife in a polygamous relationship.

A trial found Shafia disapproved of his daughters having boyfriends and failing to dress modestly, with Rona blamed for leading them astray.

The Nissan Sentra they were travelling in had been run off the road into a canal in eastern Ontario.
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This is the dramatic moment a vintage Russian aircraft exploded into a fireball leaving two dead.

The Soviet-era plane ploughed into the ground in front of stunned spectators during an aerobatic routine at the airshow in the town of Balashikha near Moscow.

Images show smoke coming from the airplane as it did a somersault through the air, before it crashed and caught fire.

Up and away: The horror crash happened during an aerobatic routine at an airshow in the town of Balashikha near Moscow

Wrong turn: Images from the event shows smoke coming from the plane as it somersaulted through the air

The Soviet-era plane ploughed into the ground causing a major fireball explosion, killing two onboard

A police spokesman said: 'We confirm the crash and that according to our preliminary information two people onboard were killed.'

The spokesman said the plane came down in a field and no spectators were hurt. Police were at the scene working to establish the cause of the crash.

A source in the emergency services told TASS news agency that pilot error was viewed as the most likely cause of the crash.

Video taken by horrified onlookers showed the Antonov propeller plane bursting into flames after hitting the ground and then thick black smoke pouring into the air.

The single-engine plane An-2 went into production shortly after World War II and was typically used for transport or crop dusting.

Video taken by horrified onlookers showed the Antonov propeller plane bursting into flames after hitting the ground and then thick black smoke pouring into the air

Emergency: A second plane has landed next to the charred remains of the plane
Ask any married woman around the world, and she is likely to say that her wedding day was one of the happiest in her life.

But despite being the leading lady of what has been branded 'Tajikistan's wedding of the year', this young bride looks like she would rather be anywhere else.

However, looks can be deceiving, and it is in fact frowned upon in Tajik culture for a bride to smile, or even make eye-contact with her husband-to-be.

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It's not always what it seems: Saidsho Asrorov, 23, and Marjona Hudoidodova, 22, wed following a unique match brokered by the country's all-powerful dictator Emomali Rahmon

The wedding of Marjona Hudoidodova, 22, and Saidsho Asrorov, 23, was a unique event, as the arranged marriage had been ordered by the country's all-powerful dictator Emomali Rahmon.

Mr Asrorov, a passionate Rahmon supporter, had read a poem dictated to the 64-year-old Tajik dictator after which he was approached by his idol.

When Rahmon found out Asrorov was unmarried, he ordered the local Muslim 'matchmaking committee' to find him a wife.

And while Ms Hudoidodova might look absolutely miserable, it is all according to local traditions.

Tajik brides are told not to smile or look at her husband as it could indicate that the pair know each other in a more intimate way than is appropriate for an unmarried couple.

Don't be fooled! Ms Hudoidodova - as local tradition demands - looks downcast and does not make eyecontact with her husband during their wedding ceremony

Head cupid: Their wedding was ordered by the President after he met supporter Asrorov at a political event and found out that he was unmarried

True love? The young couple's marriage was arranged by a local Muslim 'matchmaking committee' after President Rahmon ordered that Asrorov should be found a wife

If a Tajik bride is too happy, it could also make it seem like she is not sad to leave her family for her husband's.

And despite the marriage being arranged, Ms Hudoidodova told local news she had not come under any kind of pressure to marry Mr Asrorov, and was pleased she had found a man who would let her continue to work.

In strict-Muslim Tajikistan it is considered a woman's duty to stop working once she marries.

'The matchmakers communicated with my parents,' she told a local TV channel.

'My parents agreed to allow me to marry the man on the condition that I am allowed to continue to work. I want to continue working as a nurse in a hospital.'

Her mother said that Mr Asrorov was the first suitor who agreed to allow her to continue working.

Just married: The couple wear traditional dress, the bride still looking down in all the photos, after the ceremony has been carried out

Preparations: Ms Hudoidodova, seen making her own wedding dress, said she and her parents had been pleased to find a suitor who would allow her to continue to work as a nurse

Theatre: Mr Asrorov smiles as the pair exchange rings while Ms Hudoidodova looks like she is going to burst into tears at any given moment

Ms Hudoidodova was asked if any kind of pressure had been put on her, to which she replied: 'Not so far.'

Arranged marriages are common in Muslim Tajikistan, although it is a rare event for the president to play cupid.

It took ten days from the president's decree to find a bride for the Mr Asrorov, a history teacher, to the arranged wedding ceremony.

Anxious to appease Rahmon, who has led the country since 1992, a solution was swiftly found, with Ms Hudoidodova rapidly nominated as his bride.

It turned out that the groom had admired the young nurse from afar, however, the pair had never officially met.

The matchmakers approved her as 'a trained, educated, and worthy girl from the village of Gulzor'.

Quick work: It took just ten days from the moment the President ordered that Mr Asrorov should be married to their actual wedding day

Support: Local authorities paid for the wedding - some 1,400 - as Mr Asrorov, a history teacher, comes from a poor family

Dictatorship: President Rahmon has ruled Tajikistan with an iron fist since 1992

Dilafruz Mahmadalieva, deputy chairwoman of Bohtar District's Department of Ideology, explained the groom was poor and could not afford the 'bride price' that is common in Tajikistan.

Due to the president's intervention, the state is paying the costs of 1,400, with the bride making her own traditional Tajik dress for the wedding.

'[Asrorov] is from a low-income family and his parents are retired,' said Mahmadalieva.

'We organised the traditional matchmaking for him and we bought gifts for the bride and her family.

'We are covering all the expenses for the wedding celebration, and we will help the girl's family.'
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Tens of thousands of costumed, paint-slathered revelers gathered on the streets in Brooklyn in the early hours of Monday for an annual festival honoring their slave forefathers.

The festival of J'ouvert, which dates back to the emancipation of slaves in the early 19th century, is celebrated across the Caribbean and in Caribbean communities all over the world.

Revelers donned devil horns, body paint and even oil at the event which kicked off at 6am this morning.

It is the start of a carnival that includes the separate New York Caribbean Carnival Parade later Monday featuring 'pretty mas,' or masquerade. But while the masquerade is full of revelers in giant feathery costumes riding on bright floats, J'ouvert marks a darker point in history.

Many of its costumes, called 'ole mas,' are a nod to the original celebrations that began in Trinidad in the mid-1800s when slaves were emancipated.

J'ouvert's costumes are called 'ole mas' and are a nod to the original celebrations that began in Trinidad in the mid-1800s when slaves were emancipated

One couple appear to be chained at the neck, in remembrance to the festival's roots during the emancipation of slaves

Devils symbolize slave masters, such as this reveler who donned horns and 'blood' as well as a baby's pacifier

Revelers don colorful costumes, a nod to Caribbean culture, history and emancipation as they take part in the street carnival

J'ouvert, which draws tens of thousands of costumed celebrants, has been plagued by violence in recent years resulting in new intensive security measures

Today's event saw increased security measures, but that didn't prevent revelers from having fun

Some people dress in rags and don helmets with giant horns. Others cover themselves in black paint, grease or motor oil in a very traditional 'mas' costumes, such as a Jab Molassie - meaning molasses devil.

Jab Molassie dates back to sugar plantation days when recently freed slaves would daub themselves in molasses, a thick black sugar by-product, as a Jab, or devil, costume for J'ouvert.

The jab represented both the devil and the former slave masters, and would also often incorporate metal restraints and shackles in the costume. Some believe the J'ouvert traditions may also be in remembrance of the civil disturbances in Port of Spain, Trinidad, when the people smeared themselves with oil or paint to avoid being recognized.

Some of the participants covered their bodies in motor oil, and wore the devil horns to represent slave masters

The J'ouvert costumes come in many guises. Some people wear rags or pajamas because slaves had no proper clothes. Some don sailor costumes to mimic the U.S. Navy after World War II; they puff talcum powder into the air as both a nod to African rites and to the skin color of the sailors

The event began in New York in the 1920s in Harlem, when Caribbean people first started migrating to the city

The parade was accompanied by people playing the steel drums, a traditional instrument of the Caribbean

Now, New York is home to the largest Caribbean community off the islands. And the J'ouvert festival is a reflection of the celebration of its culture

The festival It took a hiatus during the war years, and moved to Brooklyn where it has become bigger and bigger

In the Caribbean, the celebration happens before Lent in the winter, but in Brooklyn it was moved to the end of August because the weather was better

Other traditional costumes see revelers dress as devils who symbolize slave masters; or dressing as political figures to mock them. People wear rags or pajamas because slaves had no proper clothes.

Some don sailor costumes to mimic the U.S. Navy after World War II; they puff talcum powder into the air as both a nod to African rites and to the skin color of the sailors.

'J'ouvert is pain and pleasure together. It is pain for being enslaved, and it is the pleasure of being free, and these elements exist together in the mas,' said Roland Guy, 74, a longtime player who often dresses in drag for the occasion. One year he was 'Kate and the Prince.'

J'ouvert, meaning daybreak from the French words 'jour' and 'ouvert', has taken place in the pre-dawn darkness of Labor Day in New York for almost a century.

But its origins are even older. Carnival was introduced to the Caribbean by French settlers in the late 18th century where slaves were not allowed to take mart in the elaborate masquerade balls. So slaves would hold their own mini events in the backyards, mocking their masters' ostentatious behavior, and weaving in their own traditions.

When slavery was banned, the former slaves held their own J'ouvert street parties as an expression of their newfound freedom.

One reveler covers her face with a Trinidad scarf and sunglasses during the parade as she walks alongside cops on the parade route

J'ouvert is the start of a carnival that includes the separate New York Caribbean Carnival Parade later Monday featuring 'pretty mas,' or masquerade, revelers in giant feathery costumes riding on bright floats

A woman dances over two men. Another reveler puffs talcum powder into the air as both a nod to African rites and to the skin color of the sailors in the U.S. Navy after World War II

A man painted totally in blue appears to have missed the 'no alcohol' memo as he carries a bottle of Campari

Another revelers rings a bell, while his friend in blue takes a drink at the early morning parade

But's also a collective moment of letting off steam.

The event began in New York in the 1920s in Harlem, when Caribbean people first started migrating to the city. Now, New York is home to the largest Caribbean community off the islands. It took a hiatus during the war years, and moved to Brooklyn.

In the Caribbean, the celebration happens before Lent in the winter, but in Brooklyn it was moved to the end of August because the weather was better.

'People were getting sick! They were dancing and sweating through their costumes and ending up with pneumonia, so when we came to Brooklyn, we moved it to the summer,' said Martin Douglas, 69, the president of the United States Steel Band Association and the leader of the Crossfire Steel Orchestra.

A reveler shows off his muscles by doing push ups in the street in front of his friends

The sun rises over the early morning participants who braved the chilly morning in skimpy costumes for the event

Marchers of J'Ouvert parade marched down Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn, New York on Monday September 4

Thousands of people participate to this street party to kick off Caribbean festival. One group dressed all in white marched down Brooklyn's streets for the festival

A woman offers a light to a 'knight' in chain mail headgear and sunglasses at the early morning event

A woman covered in gold, from the glitter to the sunglasses and jewelry, makes an appearance at J'ouvert

Steel pan players practice for months for the event, as do performers who dance along with them. Groups are judged for their mas section and their music

Revelers are searched by police officers during a Caribbean street carnival called J'ouvert on September 4, in New York City

Steel pan players practice for months for the event, as do performers who dance along with them. Groups are judged for their mas section and their music.

'It's really quite a special thing to come hear this music here in Brooklyn,' said Ray Allen, a music professor at Brooklyn College and author of the forthcoming book 'Jump Up! Caribbean Carnival Music in New York.'

At other celebrations in London, and even in Trinidad, the steel drums are drowned out by thumping sound systems.

Shootings near the march route have long been a concern, but the violence got renewed attention in 2015, when the aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo was killed by a stray bullet.

Last year, 17-year-old Tyreke Borel was shot and killed and a 72-year-old woman was grazed in the arm. Soon after, a 22-year-old woman, Tiarah Poyau, was shot in the head just a block away and also died.

This year, revelers had to enter the route along 12 designated entry points and pass through metal detector. No alcohol or backpacks were allowed. Thousands of additional officers were on patrol and policed party areas outside the barriers.

Participants say while the event may not have the nostalgic touch, they're pleased it will go on.

'It is a part of our cultural heritage,' said Guy. 'It is a way to link our past with our present and future and to remind ourselves of who we are.'
Southeastern Idaho has been hit by nearly 80 earthquakes since Saturday, by far the largest earthquake swarm the area has seen in recent memory, according to local officials.

The earth started moving Saturday evening around 6pm, when the first quakes were felt in an area east of Soda Springs.

The second tremor has been the biggest so far, a magnitude 5.3 on the Richter scale.

Since then, dozens of quakes have been felt in the small, 140-square-mile area, most registering between 2 and 4 on the Richter scale.

Southeastern Idaho has been rocked by nearly 80 earthquakes since Saturday night

The largest earthquake happened Saturday evening around 6pm and was a magnitude 5.3 on the Richter scale (it's seen above in blue)

And the earthquake swarm doesn't show signs of stopping. Earthquake swarms can last for weeks and even months.

The most recent quake was felt Monday morning around 6am local time.

So far, Caribou County officials say they haven't received any reports of injuries in the earthquakes or damage to buildings.

However, people as far away as Salt Lake City have been feeling the tremors and a 5.3 earthquake is large enough to cause damage to buildings.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, some 17,000 people have felt the quakes. The quakes were picked up by the University of Utah seismograph stations

The earthquakes have left the community shaken in more ways than one.

Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen says he's been a police officer in the area for over 40 years and he doesn't remember an earthquake swarm this large.

Usually there might be one to three earthquakes that happen in quick succession, but nothing involving dozens of quakes.

'I've never seen anything like this,' Nielsen told the Idaho State Journal. 'My wife asked if we should leave the house.'

Tom Beiriger was at home in Pocatello when one of the quakes hit.

'It wasn't real big but I did feel it absolutely. It was quiet started to rock back and forth stopped for a second and a half. Did it again for another second and a half and that was it...' Beiriger told KPVI.

The ongoing swarm is even stranger considering Idaho is rarely associated with earthquakes.

The Saturday evening quake was 6.2 miles deep. The tremors of the earthquake were felt as far away as Salt Lake City, Utah, nearly 200 miles away

Within the past year, there has been a reported 301 earthquakes in the state, which range in magnitude, according to Earthquake Track.

This is minimal when compared to the Los Angeles and Southern California area, which has had more than 3,000 quakes in that same time frame.

Idaho is relatively close to Yellowstone National Park, around 165 miles away, and the park has a supervolcano underneath it, reported RT News .

Since June, Yellowstone has been rocked by a record-breaking 2,300 earthquakes.

As of August 30, 2,357 earthquakes had been recorded, with the most powerful a 3.3 magnitude event on August 21, according to Newsweek.

Most of the earthquakes were in the magnitude 0 or 1 range, with a further 181 recorded at magnitude 2 and 11 at magnitude 3.

Another 53 were less than 0, meaning they were very small events that could be detected only with sensitive earthquake-monitoring instruments.

Very few of these quakes at the national park are even felt.
Moped thugs threatened a 10-month-old baby with a huge knife before stealing her terrified parents' watches in a shocking attack in broad daylight.

Mother Caroline Jimenez, 31, said one of the robbers held a blade to her baby daughter's face as they were told to remove their wrist wear.

The pair targeted the family of three just yards from Sloane Avenue near the King's Road in Chelsea on Saturday.

Ms Jimenez was with her husband, pushing their daughter in a pram, when two men in motorcycle helmets and balaclavas moved in on them.

Moped thugs threatened a 10-month-old baby with a huge knife before stealing her terrified parents' watches in a shocking attack in broad daylight

She told the Evening Standard: 'We were just walking around Chelsea enjoying the sunshine, we'd been shopping and we entered the street because it looked nice.

'I saw two men, I thought they looked weird and I was a little scared but there were other people and I thought, "This is Chelsea in the middle of the afternoon. Nothing is going to happen.'

The men followed them on the bike down Sprimont Place, just yards from Sloane Avenue near King's Road, at about 3.30pm on Saturday.

Ms Jimenez, a photographer, said: 'They passed next to us and I thought it was OK but then they came back and the passenger on the back started to run towards us with a huge knife. We started to scream, my husband stayed in front of him, and I started to run away with my daughter because I was pushing the pram.'

Her husband, 32, threw his watch at the robbers in a bid to get them to leave. 'When I turned around the guy was coming towards me and then he put the knife to my daughter and I gave him my watch as well,' she said.

'[Our daughter] did not know what the knife was but she could feel we were upset and she cried. We'll never forget the image of that man with the knife.'

Posting to Facebook, outraged Ms Jimenez called upon the mayor of London to take action.

She said: 'I am therefore asking you, Sadiq Khan, as Mayor of London, what are you waiting for? When will you take action to protect your citizens and, in particular, the weaker ones, children and the elderly?

'Mr Khan, as a father and the mayor of London, do you find it acceptable that a baby can be threatened with a knife on the streets of your city on a Saturday afternoon? I am asking because the police are not permitted to chase these gang members.

'According to you, Mr Khan, who is the victim? The attacker? The question might seem ridiculous but it is clear from the impotence of the police that it is the attacker that is being protected, not the people and children being assaulted.'

The number of attacks by moped drivers has doubled in London in the past year with a wave of thefts and assaults over the summer months.

Police are struggling to tackle the menace amid safety guidelines that make it difficult for officers to pursue mopeds through the crowded streets.

Ms Jimenez, a Belgian national who came to London with her husband seven months ago, posted details of the attack on Facebook and called on Mayor Sadiq Khan to take action.

She said police arrived quickly but told her they were powerless to chase the criminals. '

A Met spokesman told the newspaper: 'Police are investigating a moped-enabled robbery.' The suspects, who fled towards Elystan Place, were white and wore black crash helmets, navy tracksuits and black Nike trainers. There have been no arrests.
A teenage mother in Ohio stabbed her one-year-old baby to death before calling 911 to seek help, police say.

Lachelle Martina Marie Anderson, 17, was arrested and charged with one count of murder on Sunday in Columbus, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Authorities say Anderson called 911 asking for help because her baby, Lalanna Sharpe, needed medical attention.

When police officers arrived at the home located on the south side of the city, they found that the one-year-old had been stabbed several times.

She was rushed to nearby Nationwide Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 1.28am - roughly 50 minutes after the 911 call was placed.

Lachelle Martina Marie Anderson (above), 17, is accused of stabbing her one-year-old daughter, Lalanna Sharpe (pictured left), to death early Sunday morning in Columbus, Ohio. She has been arrested and charged with murder

Authorities say Anderson called 911 asking for help because her baby (above) needed medical attention. When police officers arrived at the home, they found that the one-year-old had been stabbed several times

Authorities then questioned her 17-year-old mother about what happened.

Sgt. Jeff Strayer said: 'Through the process of investigation, we felt comfortable enough to charge her with murder.'

He added that there was at least one other person inside the two-story home at the time of the tragic incident.

Columbus police spokeswoman Denise Alex-Bouzounis said that an autopsy was planned for Sunday.

'Any homicide is a tragedy, but for a baby to have her life brutally taken is devastating for her family, the community and our officers (both) on the scene and investigating this case,' Alex-Bouzounis said in a press release.

She was rushed to nearby Nationwide Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 1.28am - roughly 50 minutes after the 911 call was placed. Shortly after, the teen was arrested and charged with the crime

Police say there was at least one other person inside the two-story home (file above) at the time of the tragic incident

A man claiming to be the victim's uncle wrote a heartbreaking Facebook tribute to the baby.

'My heart hurts so much the pain is so unthinkable it eats me up everytime (sic) I think about it why my baby why she was nothing but smiles and joy I love u so much niecey (sic) uncle loves you with all his heart s*** just so unreal and thank you everyone for the prayers and talks they were well needed today,' the post reads.

Neighbor Ben Price said that this situation has been very difficult on the family and it's believed the teen mother suffered from some form of postpartum depression.

'She's really a good kid,' Price told the Dispatch. 'These are good, God-fearing people.'

Authorities did not provide a motive for the incident. Police are still investigating.
The family of a South Australian teenager who took her own life claim the 13-year-old was driven to do so after being physically abused and bullied online.

Libby Bell, from Adelaide, died on August 28.

The teenager was a state junior lifesaver with a string of awards and a much loved Year 8 student at Seaford Secondary School.

Her distraught family have led tributes to their 'beautiful, friendly' girl and have urged parents to talk to their children about what they might be dealing with.

Libby Bell, from Adelaide, was just 13 when she took her life last Monday after what her family believe was an attack of online and physical bullying

Friends and family (pictured) have gathered at the Moana Surf Life Saving Club, where Libby was an active member since 2013

A shrine has been created in her memory at the life saving club (pictured)

Clint Gow-Smith, Libby's uncle, said it was important for children to understand it is 'cool to speak up'.

'She had a million-dollar smile, her face lit up the room, she just had a beautiful smile  that was our Libster,' Mr Gow-Smith told Adelaide Now.

'We understand schoolyard behaviour and what starts off as pointless teasing and ridicule which can soon escalate. So please, as a parent, hold your babies tight and for the teenagers, we plead for you kids to talk and walk tall.'

The teenager was allegedly filmed while being bullied at a fast food restaurant last year, one of many incidents her family believe led her to taking her own life.

While friends posted moving tributes to the outgoing young lifesaver, a family friend has started a GoFundMe for the Bell family.

'She had a million-dollar smile, her face lit up the room, she just had a beautiful smile,' Libby's uncle said

Friends and family have since gathered at the Moana Surf Life Saving Club, where Libby was an active member since 2013.

A shrine has been created in her memory, and Surf Life Saving SA chief executive Clare Harris paid tribute to a 'much loved and respected' girl.

'We are grieving the sudden and devastating loss of Libby,' she said.

'Staff and volunteers ... stand with her family, friends and our members as we pull together to support each other.'

The Education Department has said it had 'very strong' anti-bullying policies.

'It is really important that we are clear that bullying does have consequences,' said child development executive director Ann-Marie Hayes.

For confidential support call, please contact Lifeline: 13 11 14 and www.lifeline.org.au

Kids helpline: 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au

Headspace: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au
Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur knew his assassin - but his murder remained a mystery because police didn't care to investigate, a new documentary claims.

Tupac was gunned down on September 7, 1996, while driving through Las Vegas. Numerous people - including fellow New York rap hero Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious BIG - were implicated in the death.

But the identity of Tupac's killer has remained a mystery - because the cops didn't care to look any further, TMZ reported.

Scroll down for video

A new documentary says that rapper Tupac Shakur (left and right) knew who shot him - and admitted so on his deathbed. He was shot down in September 1996

The shocking remarks are made by Tupac's friends, family and music business colleagues in the episode of Snapped: Notorious Set to air on Oxygen on September 10 - almost exactly 21 years since his death.

The two-hour documentary paints a vivid picture of the night of the legend's death, TMZ said.

That includes interviews with those who were at the rapper's bedside as he lay dying - and indicated who his killer was.

Tupac, who lost a finger in the shooting, is said in the documentary to have nodded after being asked if he knew who opened up on him with a .40-caliber Glock.

But his killer was never caught nor tried for the murder, because of police inaction, his associates say.

Chief among the suspects is Notorious BIG, a former friend of Tupac's who became involved in a high-profile feud after they fell out.

In 1995, Tupac claimed that Biggie knew of a planned robbery that had resulted in Tupac being shot and losing valuable jewelry.

Tupac then signed to the West Coast's Death Row records, which was run by feared Compton boss Suge Knight and was in direct competition with Bigge's own Bad Boy records, based in Manhattan.

And three months before his death, Tupac released the track 'Hit 'Em Up,' in which he claimed to have slept with Biggie's then-estranged wife.

One suspect in the shooting is Notorious BIG (left), another New York legend and former friend of Tupac's who got into a beef with him after Tupack claimed to have slept with his ex-wife

Another assassin may be Orlando Anderson, who was beaten up by Tupac, Death Row Records boss Suge Knight (left) and their entourage the night Tupac was killed

But Bigge, who was himself gunned down in a drive-by shooting the following year, denied shooting Tupac, and claimed he was recording tracks when the hit took place - though those claims have been questioned since.

Another possible suspect, identified in a 2002 LA Times investigation, was Orlando Anderson, a member of the Southside Crips gang.

It claimed that Shakur, Knight and several of their entourage had beaten up Anderson the same day as the shooting.

That attack was revenge for Anderson and other members of the Southside crips for robbing a Death Row Records employee earlier in the year.

Las Vegas cops discounted the beating from their investigation, failed to follow up on claims by one of Tupac's friends that he witnessed the shooting, and didn't chase up a witness who may have seen the culprit's car, the LA Times reported.

Anderson, who denied the claims, was killed in a gang shooting in 1998.

But of course, other rumors persisted - including Knight's claim that the hit may have been intended for him in a Death Row Records coup.

Tupac himself reportedly refused to tell the cop who found him after the shooting who his killer was, simply saying 'f**K you.'

His killer may never be known, but some believe the truth is known to police - they just hated the rapper so much they'll never reveal it.

In 2014, EDI Mean, who collaborated with the rapper said: 'I'm absolutely positive they know what happened. This is America. We found Bin Laden.'
A senior lecturer at the University of Sydney has faced major backlash since returning from a 'solidarity visit' to North Korea in August.

Tim Anderson was labelled an 'embarrassment' to 'academia' on returning from the week-long 'learning tour' by Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham, the Herald Sun reports.

It's believed the self proclaimed internationalist was joined by Canadian journalist Eva Bartlett from Russia Today and North Korean tour guide 'Young'.

Senior Sydney University lecturer, Tim Anderson, has been labelled an 'embarrassment' after showing consistent displays of support to North Korea

They reportedly embarked on a tour of the regimes capital in Pyongyang where they visited the resting place of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il.

Dr Anderson documented the trip via social media, where he referred to the figures as 'two historic leaders'.

He also shared a photo to his Twitter account of Ms Bartlett proudly displaying the North Korean flag with the caption: 'SolIdarity with the independent #Korean people in the face of renewed US aggression. #DPRK'.

He has faced major backlash since returning from a 'solidarity visit' to North Korea in August, where toured the regimes capital in Pyongyang

Mr Birmingham accused the controversial lecturer of 'crossing the line' with his displays of loyalty to North Korea.

'Its one thing to foster debate at university but you cross the line when you back an evil dictatorship that murders its citizens and is posing an increasing threat to global security,' he said.

'Mr Anderson has shown time and time again his extreme views should not be given a platform to shape the minds of students.'

He shared a photo to his Twitter account of Ms Bartlett proudly flying the North Korean flag

But the University is yet to take action over the lecturer's bizarre connection with the 'evil dictatorship', claiming teachers allowed to 'spend their leave however they wish'.

The international politics lecturer, who is on a salary of up to $130,000, also visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone during the trip.

He has been consistently vocal about his firm belief that the US is the country which 'refuses a peace treaty.'

Dr Anderson is also a member of the group, 'Hands Off Syria', and has been contacted for comment.


Staff at a troubled G4S immigration centre have been filmed allegedly choking a detainee - while others were caught mocking self-harming asylum seekers.

The incident forms part of an alleged culture of abuse captured by undercover filming at the Brook House facility, near Gatwick Airport.

G4S confirmed last week that it had suspended nine members of staff pending further investigation.

The suspensions were announced ahead of the broadcast of a BBC Panorama probe that will air tonight. It comes after the BBC released footage of another incident at the centre.

BBC Panorama said it has undercover footage showing officers 'mocking, abusing and even assaulting detainees'

Undercover footage taken by a custody officer is said to show 'chaos, incompetence and abuse' at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre near Gatwick, pictured

Footage allegedly shows staff mocking detainees who were receiving medical treatment after self-harming or taking drugs.

In one incident a detainee was self-harming by trying to self-strangulate and putting a mobile phone battery in his mouth.

A custody manager allegedly remarked: 'Plug him in and he'll be a Duracell bunny.'

It is claimed that later during the same incident, when the detainee was being physically restrained, another member of staff was filmed choking the detainee.

Panorama's undercover reporter said the staff member 'basically stuck both of his fingers into his neck, and he was pushing so, so hard I could hear the detainee trying to gasp for breath'.

The footage is said to reveal that drugs, particularly the psychoactive substance 'spice', are rife inside the centre.

The programme also features an allegation that G4S management were warned three years ago about a group of officers mistreating detainees at Brook House.

The facility is one of two immigration centres run by G4S in the UK and has capacity for 508 adult men.

Another whistle-blower - a former senior G4S manager - Nathan Ward has told Panorama that he warned the managing director for G4S detention services three years ago about the behaviour of some staff at Brook House.

An investigation has been launched into the allegations by the BBC 's Panorama

The programme also features an allegation that G4S management were warned three years ago about a group of officers mistreating detainees at Brook House

He said: 'The vast of majority were good decent people but there was a group that actually concerned me on their relationship with detainees it was around language that they used, a sense of roughness and the use of force, how force was used.'

Those held at Brook House include foreign national offenders, asylum seekers and people who have over-stayed visas.

A whistleblower also claimed this week that asylum seekers at the facility have even been forced to share rooms with dangerous foreign criminals who are awaiting deportation after finishing their prison sentences.

Following the BBC revelations, G4S said nine staff had been suspended pending further investigation.

Jerry Petherick, managing director for G4S custodial and detention services in the UK, said: 'The company investigates all complaints and has confidential whistleblowing channels for staff.

'There is no place for the type of conduct described in the allegations anywhere in G4S and it is not representative of the many G4S colleagues who do a great job often in difficult and challenging circumstances.'

Staff claim they face soaring levels of violence, mental health problems and drug abuse among detainees.

This is partly because the proportion of foreign criminals being held pending deportation has risen from 5 per cent to 45 per cent in recent months.

The remaining detainees are immigration cases, chiefly from Pakistan, Albania, Nigeria, Afghanistan and India.

In March a report found that some detainees had been held for more than two years at the removal centre, pictured - with the average stay rising from 28 to 48 days

G4S has been paid more than 100 million pounds by the Home Office to run the centre since it opened in 2009.

The firm, which has 585,000 employees in 100 countries, works in a number of sectors including technology, care, justice services and cash transportation.

Last year, criminal proceedings were launched against eight G4S staff at the Medway Secure Training Centre, which holds foreign offenders and asylum seekers.

The firm was lambasted over its security operation at the 2012 London Olympics and paid the Government 109million two years later after overcharging for its prisoner tagging services.

In 2010, a year after it opened, Brook House was branded 'fundamentally unsafe' but its performance improved considerably.

The most recent report by Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke said some detainees were being held for excessive periods due to bureaucratic delays.

It also described residential units as similar to those in prisons, saying problems were 'exacerbated by poor ventilation and unsatisfactory sanitary facilities'

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We condemn any actions that put the safety or dignity of immigration removal centre detainees at risk.

'We are clear that all detainees should be treated with dignity and respect and we expect G4S to carry out a thorough investigation into these allegations and that all appropriate action be taken.'
James Brokenshire today warned Northern Ireland's squabbling politicians the 'window of opportunity to restore devolved government is closing rapidly'.

The Northern Ireland Secretary's remarks are a clear signal that Stormont is a step closer to total collapse and a return to direct rule for the first time in a decade.

Mr Brokenshire issued his latest statement today following another round of talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein that failed to breach the political impasse.

James Brokenshire (pictured today in Belfast) warned Northern Ireland's squabbling politicians the 'window of opportunity to restore devolved government is closing rapidly'

Devolution has been on ice since January when Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness resigned as deputy first minister over a scandal involving Arlene Foster, the then first minister.

The two parties failed to form a new power sharing executive after March elections and the province has been in limbo ever since.

Westminster may be forced to fully step in as soon as next month to keep public services running.

Mr Brokenshire warned today: 'Devolved government in Northern Ireland is in the best interests of everyone.

'Key policy and budget decisions need to be taken by locally electred and locally accountable politicians.

'All party leaders have clear that they agree that there is a need for an executive to be formed to make key decisions for the benefit of all people in Northern Ireland.

'Now is the time to give effect to this desire.'

DUP chief Arlene Foster (pictured today with Nigel Dodds, left, and Simon Hamilton) has said the discussions should be over quickly as she insisted her party was not to blame for the continued delay

Mr Brokenshire insisted the battling parties must resolve their differences and get around the table, amid continued splits over the Irish language and culture.

Earlier, Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill claimed a deal could be done in days with the right attitude and reiterated calls for progress on a range of cultural issues.

And DUP chief Mrs Foster has said the discussions should be over pretty quickly.

Mrs O'Neill said: 'There is a short window in front of us where we need to find solutions and a way forward.

'We need a short, sharp and focused negotiation in the small time frame we have ahead of us.'

Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill (pictured in Stormont today with her party colleagues) claimed a deal could be done in days with the right attitude and reiterated calls for progress on a range of cultural issues

The DUP leader said Sinn Fein had reacted with breakneck speed to reject her suggestion that a ministerial executive at Stormont be restored alongside a parallel process dealing with cultural issues such as the Irish language.

She warned Mr Brokenshire needed to make a decision by next month on the prospect for fresh talks or direct rule from London with financial pressures looming.

Ms Foster said: 'I am not going to be prescriptive but we do not believe that there can be a prolonged set of talks.

'We think we should be able to come to a determination pretty quickly whether Sinn Fein want to go back into government.

'Certainly for our part we do.

'We have no red lines - we have no barriers.'
The number of British adults who describe themselves as atheist has reached its highest ever level.

The study on religious affiliation by the National Centre for Social Research found that the proportion of people in the UK who now describe themselves as having no religion has reached more than half, 53 per cent, of the public.

The number of people who describe themselves as having 'no religion' is up five per cent from 48 per cent in 2015.

The proportion of non-believers has increased gradually since the survey began in 1983, when the proportion saying they had no religion stood at 31 per cent.

The decline in religious affiliation is hitting the Church of England particularly hard. Just 15 per cent of people in Britain consider themselves Anglican, half the proportion who said this in 2000.

But the Bishop of Liverpool said: 'No religion is not the same as atheism.'

The proportion of people describing themselves as Catholic has remained relatively stable  at around 1 in 10  over the past 30 years. Around 1 in 20 (six per cent) of people belong to non-Christian religions.

The study on religious affiliation found that the proportion of people in Britain who describe themselves as having no religion is now more than half - 53% - of the British public (file picture)

The fall in religious affiliation has been driven, at least in part, by young people.

In 2016, seven in ten (71 per cent) of young people aged 18-24 said they had no religion, up from 62 per cent in 2015.

There has been a decline in religious affiliation among all age groups between 2015 and 2016, but among the oldest people, those with no religion are in the minority.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, said: 'We do care about numbers, but only because we care about people'

Four in 10 people aged 65-74 say they have no religion and this drops to 27 per cent of those aged 75 and over

And when it comes to the Church of England, young people are particularly underrepresented. Just three per cent of those aged 18-24 described themselves as Anglican, compared to 40 per cent of those aged 75 and over.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, said: 'Of course it's always troubling for the institution of the church to see numbers declining and to hear how younger people are less and less engaged with the life of the church.

'But the church is not an institution. The church is that community of men and women whose lives are centred on Christ.

'We do care about numbers, but only because we care about people. But most of all we care about that vision of justice and peace for all that is given us in Christ, and we will get on with living and sharing that vision with a few dozen people, a few thousand people, or a few million people: whoever it is that responds to the call of God in Christ.'

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Paul Bayes, said: 'In this modern world people are more willing to be honest and say they have 'no religion' rather than casually saying they are 'CofE'.

'This honesty is welcome. Of course the latest BSA figures bring a continuing challenge to the churches, to speak clearly of our faith into a sceptical and plural world.

'But saying 'no religion' is not the same as a considered atheism. People's minds, and hearts, remain open.

'God remains relevant. The church remains relevant.'

But Humanists UK said the figures must raise fresh questions about the place of the churches in the running of state schools and their other state-funded privileges.

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said: How can it be right that 97% of young people today are not Anglicans, but some 20% of the state schools to which their children will go belong to the Church of England?

'More generally, how can the Church of England remain in any meaningful sense the national legally established church, when it caters for such a small portion of the population?

Mr Copson continued, It is clear that the Church of England is experiencing ongoing and probably irreversible collapse in adherents.

'This should just be its private concern, but the fact that its response to this has been to seek ever more power and public money, even as the case for such state support evaporates, makes it a matter of public interest. It is long overdue that the Government woke up to the demographic reality of todays Britain and recognises that ever-increasing state funding for religion, and public emphasis on the activities of religious groups, is the reverse of what the public wants.

The number of people who describe themselves as having 'no religion' is up five per cent from 48 per cent in 2015

Roger Harding, Head of Public Attitudes at the National Centre for Social Research, said: 'This increase follows the long-term trend of more and more of us not being religious. The differences by age are stark and with so many younger people not having a religion it's hard to see this change abating any time soon.

'The falls in those belonging to the Church of England are the most notable, but these figures should cause all religious leaders to pause for thought.

'We know from the British Social Attitudes survey that religious people are becoming more socially liberal on issues like same sex relationships and abortion. With falling numbers some faith leaders might wonder whether they should be doing more to take their congregation's lead on adapting to how society is changing.'

MailOnline has contacted Atheism UK for comment.
Chinese-made phones may be sending sensitive data from politicians and their staff back to Beijing, intelligence experts fear.

The Telstra Tough T55, made by ZTE which has links to the Chinese Government, is available to buy for $195 on the secure ParlICT portal for Parliament House workers.

Parliamentary Services Department is conducting an urgent review of the phone after 90 handset were ordered last financial year, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Telstra Tough T55, made by ZTE which has links to the Chinese Government, is available to buy for $195 on the secure ParlICT portal for Parliament House workers

The U.S. House Intelligence Committee in 2012 found ZTE products like the T55 couldn't be trusted not to be under foreign influence.

Private security firm Kryptowire found some ZTE phones could potentially send data to Chinese intelligence every 72 hours via a backdoor.

Intelligence experts like Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Peter Jennings questioned whether the T55 was appropriate for use by Australian government officials.

Parliamentary Services Department is conducting an urgent review of the phone after 90 handset were ordered last financial year

Private security firm Kryptowire found some ZTE phones could potentially send data to Chinese intelligence every 72 hours via a backdoor

The DPS said devices sold on ParlICT were often ordered for short term use on trips to countries where taking a smartphone was not recommended.

Telstra said it looked into the T55 but would keep making it available to government clients because there were no specific complaints.

Described as a 'rugged phone' by ZTE, the T55 features extension back clip such as ID Card recognition, thermal printing and patrol recorder the company said made it ideal for police officers on patrol.
Three teenagers accused of murdering a mixed martial arts fighter have been held in a Palm Beach County jail without bail.

Summer Church, 16, and Roberto Ortiz and Jace Swinton, both 18, are also charged with two counts each of home invasion with a firearm or other deadly weapon.

All three defendants were indicted by a grand jury Thursday. Church will face charges as an adult.

She was arrested on Friday morning on her way to school at Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, in Florida, where she is an 11th-grader.

Judge Ted Booras noted that a first-degree murder charge is a capital offense, meaning it is punishable by the death penalty in Florida. That penalty could apply only to Ortiz and Swinton.

Jace Swinton, 18, Summer Church, 16, and Roberto Ortiz, 18, were arrested Friday for the July murder of Aaron Rajman in Boca Raton,

Aaron Rajman was shot dead on July 3 after 'unknown males' went to his home.

An argument broke out and at least one shot was fired before the suspects drove off, the sheriff's office said.

They made no mention of a female at the time of Rajman's death.

Church, who was arrested Friday on her way to school, met the MMA fighter at a convenience store in January, her mother Judith Church told the Palm Beach Post.

Judith Church claimed her daughter, who was dating Swinton at the time, was held at gunpoint by Ortiz and three other men.

An argument broke out at Rajman's (pictured) home and at least one shot was fired, the sheriff's office said

They forced her to call Rajman and let her out the car before they arrived at the MMA fighter's home, according to Judith Church, who argued that her daughter's murder charge was undeserved.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said: 'This was no random act of violence.

'Mr Rajman was targeted by these defendants and we intend to seek justice for the victim and his family.'
While North Korea is meant to be shackled by crippling sanctions, its dictator still manages to fund a nuclear programme and his own lavish lifestyle.

Kim Jong-un supposedly does this by hacking banks, selling endangered species, Viagra and crystal meth as well as through a number of other illicit methods.

The illegal dealings could reportedly be bringing the isolated country's leader as much as a whopping billion dollars a year while the nation remains one of just 34 in the world relying on UN handouts to feed its people.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) sifts through imports with his officials

Kim Jong-un makes a speech to the sycophantic crowd at the 7th Workers' Party Congress in Pyongyang this week. His chubby features are thought to be due to his love for cheese, chocolate and fine wine

The North Korean government shows what was said to be the test launch of a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile in Pyongyang, North Korea at the end of August

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides guidance on a nuclear weapons program in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang September 3, 2017

Hundreds of millions are reportedly dragged into Pyongyang by deals involving selling weapons and counterfeit banknotes, according to CNN.

Talking to the news outlet, Republican Representative Doug Lamborn, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said: 'North Korea has blatantly violated international law with their nuclear testing, illicit sales, and the ramping up of their nuclear program.'

These huge sums of money go towards the dictator's relentless nuclear development as well as his penchant for alcohol, Swiss cheese and luxury cars and yachts.

Kim Jong-un pointingKim Jong-un overseeing a shell firing exercise by the DPRK military, Pyongyang, North Korea back in 2014

The illicit money-making scheme is reportedly run by a covert department called the Central Committee Bureau 39 of the Korean Workers' Party, which is more commonly known by its code name Room 39, according to the Express.

Despite vast sums of money being generated illegally, the country is still technically one of the world's poorest.

The UN aimed to take a big bite out of the North Korean economy earlier this month by banning the North from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products.

Together, those are worth about a third of the country's 2.3billion in exports last year.

The US also suggested some other ideas earlier this summer, including air and maritime restrictions and restricting oil to North Korea's military and weapons programs.

However, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council that 'addressing the issues plaguing the Korean Peninsula through sanction pressure alone is impossible' because 'that path does not propose any options for engaging North Korea in constructive negotiations'.

Russia and China, which is still a trade partner to North Korea, have both proposed a two-pronged approach.

North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the US and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises, which they say are defensive but Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion.

Kim Jong-un reportedly blew 2.7million last year on sexy underwear for his Pleasure Squad

Earlier this year it was revealed Kim Jong-un has turned his back on the French wine and has acquired a taste instead for Vladimir Putin's vodka.

The North Korean dictator imported a total of $1million (800,000) worth of alcohol in 2016 and appears to have a penchant for spirits, according to figures revealed exclusively to MailOnline.

Alcohol from other countries landing in North Korea is on the rise, but it appears Kim is hitting harder stuff than before with 10 times more rum arriving in 2016 compared to 2015.

Official statistics revealed he spent 139,000 on vodka last year, up 32,000 on 2015.

Half of the money he spends on booze is blown on regular wine, but the growth in his spirit imports suggest he is changing his ways.

Kim Jong-un is reportedly obsessed with Emmenthal (pictured), which is specially imported from Switzerland

Last year, the leader claimed to have downed 10 bottles of Bordeaux during one meal last year, but the figures show he has not imported a drop of French wine in four years.

The staggering statistics also show Kim Jong-un spent 2.7million last year on racy underwear for his band of groupies who are plucked as virgins to entertain him and his cronies.

The dictator imported suspenders and corsets among his huge haul from China, which is more than double the figure he spent last year.

They are said to have been ordered for his infamous Pleasure Squad, who are plucked from classrooms - some as young as 13 - and subjected to medical tests to check they are virgins before being forced into a life of sexual servitude.

Defectors have spoken about attending drunken sex parties where women would have their pubic hair shaved as a forfeit if they lost games.

The figures come from the Trade Map and follows a report showing detailing how Kim Jong-un is also squandering millions on Champagne, horses and make-up while his people are struggling to make ends meet.

The UN says two million people are struggling to survive on meagre hand-outs from the state.

It says the daily allowance is 650 grams of maize, rice and meat.

But the despot is spending fortunes on Champagne, fines wines, chocolate and Swiss cheese.

Last year, Kim also blew 33million on vain statues of himself, his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung.

Kim signed off imports worth 5.5m from German firms in 2015, including 235,000 on spirits, 113,000 on wines and Champagne and 56,500 on German beer.

There were also orders for 123,442 worth of perfumes, deodorants, make-up and hair care products from Germany.

Another 57,229 went on watches from Switzerland, 66,882 on imported cheeses, 251,726 on fishing rods from China and 132,452 on horses from Russia.

The bizarre list of imports included 1.65m worth of umbrellas from China, 8.03m on pepper and 2.34m on gym equipment.

The figures are from an International Trade Centre Map.

Kim is reported to have developed a craving for Emmental cheese and fine wines while studying in Switzerland.
The Russian Government will allocate over 190 billion rubles in 2018-2025 for the implementation of the state program Socioeconomic Development of the Russian Arctic Zone, according to a government press release.

The implementation will proceed in three stages. The initial, preparatory stage, will be completed this year.

"This stage involved coordinating federal and regional government bodies' activities on Arctic development issues; making the Arctic a separate area for statistical observation; and developing approaches and concepts for the establishment and functioning of the core development zones," the press release says.

The second stage will last from 2018 to 2020 and will include pilot projects for core development zones; launching a comprehensive system of information support for Russia's activities in the Arctic; and establishing an integrated secured telecommunications system for the transportation sector.



It also envisages the creation of radio-electronic equipment, an inter-regional system of collecting, processing and disseminating information for the entire Arctic territory; establishing (modernizing) a mobile system for the protection of the inland and water areas of seaports; technical support for the environmental maritime supervision; and improvement of the hydrometeorological network.



"The third stage, from 2021 to 2025, seeks to establish and make operational all core development zones; create a zonal Arctic system of monitoring and forecasting environmental emergencies and man-made accidents; establish forward-looking research potential and technologies (including for Arctic sea shelf exploration), etc.," the center for assisting the activities of the state commission reported.



The state program includes three subprograms: Forming and Making Operational Core Development Zones and Creating Conditions for Accelerated Socioeconomic Development of Russia's Arctic Zone; Developing the Northern Sea Route and Expanding Arctic Navigation; and Designing Equipment and Technologies for Oil and Gas Sector and Other Industries to Explore and Develop Mineral Resources in the Arctic Zone.

"Twenty-two measures are planned as part of the subprograms. Some measures are the prerogative of the Defense Ministry, which is also involved in implementing the state program," the press release says. The initial stage does not require any funding. Over 46 billion rubles will be allocated for the implementation of the second stage (including 12 billion rubles  for civilian projects), and over 144 billion rubles (including 58 billion rubles  for civilian projects) for the third stage.



The draft state program was prepared in line with the Russian President's and Government's directives and decisions of the State Commission for Arctic Development.

"Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that all the state program's parameters have been coordinated and agreed with all agencies and organizations concerned. Work to raise private investment is underway," the press release says.
As Houstonians return home in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, some have started erecting signs threatening to shoot looters.

Signs reading 'Warning!! Looters will be shot dead' and 'U Loot we will shoot' were seen in the suburb of Atascocita this weekend as homeowners pulled their flood-soaked possessions out onto their lawns to dry.

Some of the residents in the Houston suburb say brazen looters have been casing their neighborhoods, picking out what they want to steal later.

Some Houston homeowners have put up signs warning they will shoot looters. Above, one such sign in Humble, Texas on Friday

In Texas, it's legal to shoot someone who trespasses on your property if you believe they are aiming to hurt you. Above, an anti-looting sign in Houston on August 31

Lois Wooley tells KHOU that the looters have been driving up and down her street 'like a typical garage sale day'.

'They're looking, they're spotting what they want,' she said.

So Wooley, a recent cancer survivor, decided to erect a sign on her lawn reading: 'if you loot, we will shoot'.

Chel Bailey, one of Wooley's neighbors, put up a similar sign reading: 'Nothing inside is worth dying for'.

That sign included a shooting range target in the shape of a human body with bullet holes through the torso.

The Stand Your Ground law in Texas does not protect homeowners just trying to protect their property. Above, an anti-looting sign in Fulton, Texas on August 30

Some Houstonians say looters have been steeling possessions that they have moved to their lawns to air dry

Atascocita resident Lois Wooley says looters have been driving up and down her street 'like a typical garage sale day'. Above, and anti-looting sign near Orange, Texas on Friday

'We're having a lot of people coming by. They want to take things thinking it's up for grabs when it's not,' Bailey said.

One homeowner in the neighborhood told told Fox News that he and another neighbor 'shut down' an attempted looter who came through the neighborhood with a trailer.

Similar signs have been seen elsewhere in Houston and its surrounding suburbs.

'We're in a state of disaster,' one Portland, Texas woman told KIII-TV. 'If I needed to shoot somebody to protect my stuff if they broke into my house, I think that's appropriate.'

According to recent estimates, about 40 people have been arrested for looting during and after Hurricane Harvey. Above, an anti-looting sign in Houston on August 31

Texans may believe they have the right to shooter looters since police officers were given the authorization to shoot looters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005

Texas is a Stand Your Ground state, meaning that homeowners can you lethal force against anyone who trespasses on their property if they believe that person intends to hurt them. But that law does not apply to homeowners trying to protect their property. Homeowners will have to prove that they believed the person was going to hurt them, and that they didn't just fear their possessions were going to be stolen.

Texans may believe they have the right to shooter looters since police officers were given the authorization to shoot looters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

According to recent estimates, about 40 people have been arrested for looting during and after Hurricane Harvey.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, looters broke into stores across Houston, stealing cigarettes, cash from registers and cell phones.

An Apple store in Houston had its door blasted open with a gun before it was looted, according to reports.

Prosecutors issued a statement promising that looters would face tougher penalties under Texas law for committing burglaries during a crisis.

'People displaced or harmed in this storm are not going to be easy prey,' said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. 'Anyone who tries to take advantage of this storm and break into homes or businesses should know that they are going to feel the full weight of the law,' she added.

'Offenders will be processed around the clock without delay.'
Airline passenger David Clyne Dutson, 58, was arrested for shoving an air hostess and refusing to fasten his seat belt on board a flight to Denver

Passengers were left furious after being forced off their flight to Denver when a traveller shoved an air hostess and refused to fasten his seat belt.

David Clyne Dutson of Tucson, 58, pushed the hostess and refused to disembark the plane before police were called to arrest him at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

After Dutson refused to budge, enraged passengers were ejected from the plane while police apprehended the man.

Dutson was released from jail the following day after making an initial court appearance during which the case was dismissed.

However it was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled.

Meanwhile, in August, a passenger on an American Airlines flight to Minneapolis from Los Angeles reportedly tried to open one of the plane's exit doors while the flight was in the air.

Passenger Richard Munassi said passengers began 'yelling and screaming' during Flight 604 on Saturday as they tried to subdue the man, who has not been publicly identified.

'There was a lot of yelling and screaming. I thought perhaps two of the passengers had gotten into maybe a fist fight,' he told WCCO.

A passenger on American Airlines Flight 604 to Minneapolis from Los Angeles on Saturday was arrested after he reportedly tried to open one of the plane's exit doors while the flight was in the air

Munassi said he was still unaware of what was happening until the pilot of the flight spoke on the plane's intercom system.

'It wasn't immediately after (the pilot) letting us know that we were in descent. It was a couple of minutes afterward, so he had a plan to open that door as we were getting close to the ground,' Munassi said.

Fellow passenger, Salman Elmi, said that it was a 'crazy experience' as he watched people subdue the man while reaching for the door handle.
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The Royal Navy's newest air defence missiles which can shoot down the enemy at three times the speed of sound have been launched for the first time.

Footage has been released showing the Sea Ceptor missiles being fired from HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate, off the coast of Scotland.

Sea Ceptor can intercept and destroy enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds and will form part of the protection for the new aircraft carriers.

The Royal Navy's newest air defence missiles which can shoot down the enemy at three times the speed of sound have been launched for the first time

The system uses a missile capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 3 - three times the speed of sound.

It will be able to deal with multiple targets at the same time, protecting an area of around 500 square miles over land or sea.

Harriett Baldwin, minister for defence procurement, announced the successful firings during a visit to defence company MBDA in Filton, Bristol.

'Sea Ceptor will protect our interests against threats both known and unknown,' she said.

'It will launch from the Royal Navy's new Type 26 frigates as they keep our nuclear deterrent submarines and the UK's two new aircraft carriers safe on operations around the globe.

Footage has been released showing the Sea Ceptor missiles being fired from HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate, off the coast of Scotland

Sea Ceptor can intercept and destroy enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds and will form part of the protection for the new aircraft carriers

'Sea Ceptor supports 600 UK jobs and is yet another example of how our rising defence budget is being spent on cutting-edge kit to help our Armed Forces meet future threats.'

Sea Ceptor is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf system on the Type 23 frigates.

The air defence system will be used on the new Type 26 frigates and Land Ceptor, which will replace Rapier for the British Army.

It uses next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) as well as innovations in radar and datalink technology.

The system uses a missile capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 3 - three times the speed of sound

It will be able to deal with multiple targets at the same time, protecting an area of around 500 square miles over land or sea

Commander Toby Shaughnessy, the Commanding Officer of HMS Argyll, described the system as an 'exciting upgrade'.

'Sea Ceptor is an impressive and innovative system, demonstrating that the Royal Navy is at the cutting edge of technology and working hard to keep Britain safe,' he said.

'I am immensely proud of my ship's company and the work they put in to make this test firing possible.'

HMS Argyll will conduct further firing trials of the Sea Ceptor's system before she deploys to Japan next year.
A baby boy beaten to death by his father suffered catastrophic injuries normally associated with high-speed car crashes, a court heard today.

Eight-month-old Leyton Dawick sustained injuries across his body including 'kicks or stamps' to his groin and head, delivered deliberately by his father Craig Dawick, 25, it was alleged.

One doctor said they were among the worst he had ever seen in more than 300 child injury cases, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Jurors covered their mouths with their hands when the horrific catalogue of injuries were outlined, as they heard Dawick lost his temper and 'snapped' before murdering his baby son, who was teething and crying.

Craig Dawick (left) denies murdering his eight-month-old son while Chantelle Flynn (right), denies causing or allowing the death of her baby and perverting the course of justice

Post-mortem examinations showed Leyton suffered fractures to his pubic bone area, his right wrist and his right leg in three places caused by pulling and twisting of his limbs, experts said.

Leyton suffered bleeding to both eyes indicating 'significant' head trauma, consistent with non-accidental head injury, potentially caused by 'vigorous shaking'.

A V-shaped bruise on Leyton's forehead was consistent with an impact from a shod foot, and a pathologist said the extensive bruising and fractures to his groin was 'most likely explained by Leyton having received a heavy blow or blows, such as a stamp or kick to his genital region'.

Leyton was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital but transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at Manchester Children's Hospital in September last year, where he was found to have a 'catastrophic brain injury'. He died two days later.

Dawick, from Rochdale in Manchester, was in the dock alongside the child's mother, Chantelle Flynn, also 25, who denies causing or allowing the death of her baby and perverting the course of justice.

It is alleged she knew Dawick was a violent man and a risk to her child but instead covered up for him, even allegedly lying to medics about what happened as they battled to save Leyton's life in hospital.

It is alleged Flynn knew Dawick was a violent man and a risk to her child but instead covered up for him

The pair had a 'tempestuous' on-off relationship, during which time Dawick was violent towards her, but Flynn immediately forgave him and begged him to return after each break-up, the jury heard.

The court heard Leyton died just days after Dawick had been violent towards Flynn and reportedly threatened to ''break in and batter her to death.''

Neil Usher, prosecuting, told the jury Flynn went out and left Dawick alone with the child on the morning of September 6 last year.

She left despite Dawick being violent to her in the past and knowing about his temper and the 'significant risk' he posed.

Telephone records showed he called Flynn twice at 8.35am and 9.08am before paramedics were called to the house by Flynn at 9.15am after she returned home.

Paramedics arrived to find Leyton close to death and 'covered in bruises'.

Dawick had left via the back door before police arrived but soon returned, with Flynn then participating in a 'charade' by telling him that their son was unwell as police and paramedics stood listening.

Dawick, pictured with Chantelle Flynn, allegedly lost his temper and 'snapped' before murdering his baby son who was teething and crying

Medics at Manchester Children's Hospital noted six separate areas of bruising including to Leyton's head, the back of his ear, jaw, rib cage and multiple areas of bruising in his groin and genitalia - suspected to have been the result of punches or kicks.

Scans also showed multiple and fatal injuries to Leyton's brain. Both parents were taken to see their son before medical care was withdrawn on September 8.

Mr Usher told the jury: 'The prosecution case is that, left alone with a baby who may well have been crying or even screaming that morning, Craig Dawick snapped and deliberately inflicted Leyton's fatal injuries.'

Dawick, who denies murder, gave a 'no comment' interview after his arrest but did provide a statement saying his son had suffered a fall at home which caused the ultimately fatal injuries.

Flynn, who described her on-off boyfriend as a 'brilliant father' denies any wrongdoing.

The trial was adjourned until tomorrow morning.
A passenger jet has been delayed overnight and ordered to be fumigated - after a traveller spotted a scorpion on board.

The drama unfolded in Paris this afternoon when a passenger on a flight from Glasgow told crew about the unwelcome stowaway.

EasyJet were left with little choice but to hold up the flight while they fumigated the aircraft in a bid to kill off the reported intruder.

This flight was delayed overnight after a scorpion was reportedly found on board and the aircraft was ordered to be fumigated

Scores of passengers due to board the return flight to Glasgow were left stranded in the departure lounge at Charles de Gaulle.

The flight, which should have left for Scotland just after 2pm today, is now expected to take off tomorrow and passengers have been put up in hotels.

Passenger Jimmy Smith, 62, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, was about to board the flight when he heard the news from a cleaner.

Jimmy Smith from Glasgow was about to board his flight when he heard that a scorpion had been found on board

He said: 'We were about to board, and as we were at the bottom of the gate a cleaner came out and said she saw a scorpion run up the inside of the plane, over the seats and back down again.

'We were meant to board at 2pm, and this was about five minutes before, and now there's been a delay.

'They're being quiet about it now, but as we were passing a guy who was taking boarding passes I heard him say there was a scorpion.

Drama hit the Charles de Gaulle departure lounge when passengers heard a scorpion was on the aircraft headed for Scotland

'There were two girls who work for Air Canada too, and they were saying they'd heard it was a scorpion.

'I've no idea how it got on, they were saying something about people taking stuff through in glass containers to take somewhere else - and that's how it got out.

'I've heard they can't find it, so they don't want to take the chance, and they might have to get another plane.

'They haven't told us anything more.'

Passengers have been stranded overnight after today's discovery, with the flight expected to leave tomorrow

EasyJet later clarified that the alarm had been raised by a passenger.

A spokeswoman said: 'EasyJet can confirm that a passenger reported to crew that a scorpion was onboard flight EZY6883 from Glasgow to Paris, Charles de Gaulle.

'The safety and comfort of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority so, as a precaution, the aircraft will be fumigated before its next flight, EZY6884 to Glasgow, which is delayed overnight as a result.

'Although this is outside of our control, we would like apologise for any inconvenience to passengers.'

In April this year, a passenger on a United Airlines flight from Houston to Calgary was allegedly stung by a scorpion which fell from an overhead bin and onto a man's hair while he was eating his lunch.
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The grief stricken parents of the man died at this year's Burning Man after running into a blazing effigy are speaking out about the horrific incident.

Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, was rescued from the flames of the festival's signature burning of a towering effigy Saturday but died after being airlifted to a hospital.

Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said the man ran through a human-chain of security officers at about 10.30pm Saturday during the burning of The Man event at the counter-culture festival.

The sheriff said he was rescued by firefighters and later died at the UC Davis hospital burn center in California.

His parents, who live in Oklahoma, described their son as a nature-loving athlete who cared about his health and was adventurous.

His father, Don Mitchell, said it was his son's first time attending the festival and that they have not been told exactly what happened.

'We really don't know what happened. His friends aren't talking,' he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal Sunday night.

'The coroner asked us if he was depressed and we said no. He was really a happy guy.'

'Maybe he was slipped something. We really don't know. He was always very cautious about what he ate.'

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Aaron Joel Mitchell (pictured left and right) was rescued from the flames of the festival's signature burning of a towering effigy Saturday but later died

His parents, Don and Johnnye Mitchell (above), described their son as a nature-loving athlete who cared about his health and was adventurous. Don said that his son was not depressed and 'maybe he was slipped something'

His heartbroken mother said that her son, who she called Joel, had been living in Switzerland with his wife (above together) and working in construction

Aaron died after evading the attempted tackles of multiple rangers and law enforcement personnel to run into the flames on Saturday night at Burning Man Festival in Nevada

He had to dodge a number of rangers and law enforcement personnel in order to reach the fire at the Burning Man festival

The 41-year-old man was quickly engulfed as emergency services tried to battle their way through in an attempt to rescue him

Above a firefighter watches as Aaron Joel Mitchell (left) falls into the flames at the festival on Saturday night

Firefighters were forced to abandon their attempted rescue of a Burning Man participant (body seen at lower left rear) who ran into the flames due to dangerous situation

Pershing County Sheriff said in a statement Sunday night that rescuers had to leave Aaron because a section of the effigy was falling

His heartbroken mother, Johnnye Mitchell, said her son was a very loving person.

'He was just a dear, sweet guy, very personable. He had so many friends from all over the world,' she told the Review-Journal while choking back tears.

'Everyone loved him, and he would help anybody who needed help.'

She explained that her son, who she called Joel, had been living in Switzerland with his wife and working in construction. He was a U.S. citizen with residence in Oklahoma, as he grew up in McAlester.

Crowds were horrified when Aaron made a beeline for the giant wooden effigy and was engulfed by the flames on Saturday night.

He had to dodge a number of rangers and law enforcement personnel in order to reach the fire.

Festival organizers issued a statement through its website to say that at 'approximately 10.30pm Saturday evening, a male participant at the annual Burning Man event in Northern Nevada broke through a safety perimeter and into into a fire. Black Rock City fire personnel rescued him from the fire.'

Pershing County Sheriff said in a statement Sunday night that rescuers had to leave Aaron because a section of the effigy was falling.

The statement read: 'Rescuers had to leave him to allow the structure to fall and provide for rescuer safety before they could go back into the flames to extract Aaron from the debris.'

Johnnye told the Reno Gazette-Journal: 'He's 41, but they are always your baby.

'He was loving and a nice person. Joel liked hiking and outdoors, running.'

Aaron, who had a younger brother, was pronounced dead Sunday morning. He was not under the influence of alcohol but it is not yet known whether he had taken any drugs.

Johnnye and Aaron's father Donald last saw their son on August 1 before he went to a solar eclipse festival in Oregon.

Emergency personnel tried to treat Aaron on the scene and then he was airlifted to a California hospital's burn unit. He was pronounced dead a few hours later

The Man is engulfed in flames as approximately 70,000 people from all over the world gather for the annual arts and music festival to watch the wooden effigy burn

The effigy of 'The Man' can be seen through the flames of the structure around it at the annual Burning Man festival

The Burning Man (pictured before it was set on fire) stretched up to 50ft into the air at the festival this year

More than 70,000 people enjoyed the art and music celebration in the Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles north of Reno.

The nine-day event in northern Nevada culminated with the burning of a towering 40-foot effigy made of wood. Attendees have tried to run into the flames as a symbol of rebirth.

During the fiery destruction of the 50-foot-tall man, thousands of participants danced and partied at the annual event, which is held two hours north of Reno on an ancient dry lake bed.

Prior to the burn, The Man towered over the temporary city for a week. The event on Saturday night is traditionally rowdy while the event Sunday night is the subdued burning of the Temple.

The Temple is another wooden structure that has been stuffed with notes, memories and remembrances from festival goers throughout the week.

This year's festival theme is Radical Ritual, with organizers inviting participants to celebrate 'the ambiguous ground that lies between reverence and ridicule, faith and belief, the absurd and the stunningly sublime,' according to the official Burning Man website.

Dozens of art installations were constructed before the end of the weekend, some made from wire, others as patterns on the ground and some as immersive experiences.

Lights shining across the temporary city as thousands of participants gather to watch the Man burn

Thousands of participants gather to watch the burning of The Man at the Burning Man festival in Nevada

The annual event is held in the Nevada desert, where 70,000 people help built and maintain a temporary city, complete with its own airport
Four attendees were stabbed and one shot late Monday afternoon during the annual Caribbean J'Ouvert Festival in Brooklyn, police say.

Fire officials confirmed two victims of the stabbings and the victim of the shooting did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

The condition of the other two stabbed is currently unknown.

The shooting reportedly broke out near 672 Eastern Parkway, while the stabbings took place outside the Brooklyn Museum at 200 Eastern Pkwy.

Attendees were spotted jumping through crowds amid the chaos while some were knocked over and left bloody during the crowded carnival.

The J'Ouvert Festival, which attracted tens of thousands of people, already kicked off Monday morning under heavy security watch.

The annual celebration of Caribbean culture has been plagued by violence in recent years. Two people were murdered at J'ouvert last year, despite an increased police presence, and in 2015, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's aide Carey Gabay was killed by a stray bullet.

While just Sunday night, four people were shot in Brooklyn - one just a few blocks from the parade route.

The result is that this year's event festival took place with heavy security including an increased NYPD presence, police barricades and metal detectors.

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An unidentified man was shot twice at the festival Monday afternoon

The onslaught reportedly broke out near 672 Eastern Parkway

The man who was shot was not said to have suffered life-threatening injuries

The J'Ouvert Festival kicked off Monday morning under heavy security after four people were shot overnight in Brooklyn

Revelers are searched by police officers during a Caribbean street carnival called J'ouvert on September 4, in New York City

A police officer confiscates a bottle of alcohol during the J'ouvert Festival. Alcohol has been banned in a bid to prevent violence at the annual event

Brooklyn's J'ouvert festival has been held for decades in the pre-dawn darkness on Labor Day, but there was serious talk of canceling the party this year because of violence accompanying the event.

Even after stepped-up security last year, including the installation of light towers that cast blazing light on a party that traditionally begins in the dark, three people were shot in the crowd. Two died.

Sunday night, a 49-year-old man died after getting shot in the head on Herkimer Place in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn at just before 9pm on Sunday. Three others were injured in separate incidents and are recovering in hospital.

Two NYPD cops observe the parade of revelers as they pass by in incredible, elaborate costumes

Revelers are searched by police officers and have a metal detector passed over them during the Caribbean street carnival

Tens of thousands of costumed, paint-slathered revelers gathered on the streets in the New York borough in the early hours of Monday for the celebration of Caribbean culture which has been plagued by violence in recent years

The result is that this year's event festival took place with heavy security including an increased NYPD presence, police barricades and metal detectors

A police sign reads 'no music' along the route of J'ouvert festival. Thousands of additional officers were on patrol Monday and policed party areas outside the barriers

They include a 44-year-old man shot in the chest near the parade route, one man shot in the abdomen at Union Street, Crown Heights, following a dispute, and another shot in the torso in Crown Heights, who walked to a neighboring hospital.

No arrests have been made.

Police would not confirm whether the shootings were associated with the J'Ouvert celebration.

Carey Gabay, an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, died after being caught in the crossfire at J'ouvert in 2015

In response, city officials this year changed the start time of J'ouvert's steel band procession from 4am to 6am and added strict security layers that don't sit well with some longtime merrymakers.

'Those of us really involved in J'ouvert are not creating this violence, and we shouldn't be punished or forced to change,' said Michael Manswell, a dancer, choreographer and college professor who has attended for decades.

The precautions, he and others predicted, likely won't dissuade the devout from turning out early. He hoped it would discourage the troublemakers, who he said were people ignorant of the event's meaning and just looking for an opportunity to create mayhem.

'I can tell you I'm going out there either way, because I am committed to the mas,' said Manswell, referring to the costumed performances.

One reveler covers her face with a Trinidad scarf and sunglasses during the parade as she walks alongside cops on the parade route

Revelers are searched and have metal detectors passed over them before entering the parade which draws tens of thousands of costumed celebrants

This year, revelers must enter the route along 12 designated entry points and will have to pass through metal detectors, and no alcohol or backpacks will be allowed

Shootings near the march route have long been a concern, but the violence got renewed attention in 2015, when the aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo was killed by a stray bullet.

Last year, 17-year-old Tyreke Borel was shot and killed and a 72-year-old woman was grazed in the arm. Soon after, a 22-year-old woman, Tiarah Poyau, was shot in the head just a block away and also died.

This year, revelers had to enter the route along 12 designated entry points and pass through metal detector. No alcohol or backpacks were allowed. Thousands of additional officers were on patrol and policed party areas outside the barriers.

Participants say while the event may not have the nostalgic touch, they're pleased it will go on.

'It is a part of our cultural heritage,' said Guy. 'It is a way to link our past with our present and future and to remind ourselves of who we are.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife has taken a voluntary lie detector test in a bid to try and dispel claims she misused public funds.

Sara Netanyahu is reportedly expected to be indicted, pending a hearing, on charges of fraudulently receiving items worth some 400,000 shekels ($111,851).

The 58-year-old was questioned by National fraud squad detectives last month on suspicion she routinely claimed state payments for personal housekeeping expenses at the couple's official and private residences.

Netanyahu himself is also under investigation on suspicion of corruption, and allegedly unlawfully received gifts from wealthy supporters including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

Sara Netanyahu (pictured with her husband in July), was questioned by National fraud squad detectives on suspicion she claimed state payments for personal housekeeping expenses

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, joined by their wives first lady Melania Trump, right, and Sara Netanyahu, left, in February

Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to inform Netanyahu of the charges against her in a few weeks, according to the Israeli news website Haaretz.

The Netanyahu's have now accused the former chief caretaker of the official residence, Meni Naftali, who is currently leading protests against the prime minister, of inflating the residence's expenses and stealing food.

Private broadcaster Channel Two reported at the weekend that the attorney general was expected to announce charges against her by September 10.

'She took the test,' Netanyahu family lawyer Yossi Cohen told Israeli public radio. 'It's a very tough test. It's humiliating and she did it wonderfully.'

He did not give details of the questions she was asked or the test results.

He said the decision to undergo the examination, at a privately operated polygraph facility, was taken 'following the horrible mudslinging against her and after we heard that she is going to be put on trial'.

Results of polygraph testing are not admissible as evidence in Israeli criminal trials.

Sara Netanyahu (left), Melania Trump (centre), and Nechama Rivlin, wife of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin

Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff signed a deal to turn state's witness in probes involving the premier (pictured)

Netanyahu himself is also under investigation on suspicion of corruption, and allegedly unlawfully received gifts from wealthy supporters including Australian billionaire James Packer (right) and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan (left)

Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff signed a deal last month to turn state's witness in probes involving the premier.

Also under investigation is a suspicion that Netanyahu sought a secret deal with the publisher of top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot.

The proposed deal, which is not believed to have been finalised, would have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for him helping to scale down the operations of Israel Hayom, Yediot's main competitor.

Netanyahu has been questioned about both cases.

The investigations have have stirred Israeli politics and led to speculation over whether Netanyahu will eventually be forced to step down, which he is not formally obliged to do unless convicted.

He denies any wrongdoing.
The US might have access to the most cutting-edge war technology on the market, but sometimes the oldies really are the best.

That certainly seems to be the case in Afghanistan, where the Air Force has turned to the propeller-powered fighter plane over the supersonic jet to tackle Taliban and ISIS insurgents.

And the prop plane that they're giving props to? The Embraer A-29B Super Tucano, a fighter first built in 1999 that has a vintage style and a powerful punch.

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Giving props: The Embraer A-29B Super Tucano (one seen in Kabul in January) is being manufactured in Florida and sold to Afghanistan to fight ISIS and the Taliban

Low blows: The planes can fly slower and lower than jets, making them more suitable for the small, swift enemy groups found in the country, and for supporting allied troops reactively

In 2015, the Air Force began supplying the Super Tucanos to the Afghanistan military to help support ground troops in ways jets just can't, Fox News reported.

For a start, they're better equipped for desert terrain, where their hardy undercarriage allows landing on dirt and takeoff from short runways.

That means not having to rely on the aircraft carriers and asphalt runways needed by jets.

They also use a lot less fuel than a jet, allowing them to remain in the skies for three hours at a time without having to return to base to fill up their tanks - or rely on a refueling plane.

And while its 1,600 shaft horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine helps it to move fast - it has a maximum speed of 367mph - it can also go slow, and low.

That's enormously useful when supporting troops on the ground.

Old hands, big fists: While the planes - first made in 1999 - have an old-school look, they can pack a punch. They're also capable of landing on dirt, unlike runway-only jets

Whereas a jet would need to make a series of enormous circular sweeps above the battle, the Tucano can hug the ground and target enemies more easily.

Low-flying at slower speeds also reduces the risk of pilots making friendly fire mistakes, and the prop engine, being quieter than a jet's, makes it more stealthy.

'It's a great plane,' retired Air Force Lt. Col. Shamsher Mann told Motherboard.

'Pilots love it. It handles beautifully, sips gas, and can go anywhere. If you want to get into the fight and mix it up with the guys on the ground, the Super T is a great platform.'

He likened it to Army Special Forces riding into Afghanistan after 9/11 on horseback - but loaded up with laptops and other equipment.

'Super Tucano is almost a mirror image of that in the air,' he said. 'The low-tech combined with the high-tech.'

Boom town: The planes can fly low, reducing the chance of their bombs - of which they can carry up to five - hitting non-combatants or allies. They also have in-built machine guns

Watch the latest video at <a href="//video.foxnews.com">video.foxnews.com</a>

And high-tech it is. Built in Jacksonville, Florida, under license from Brazilian company Embraer, it can handle pressures of between 7G and -3.5G.

It also has two internal machine guns, and five spots for rocket-launchers and bombs, as well as surveillance abilities and night-time infra-red technology that makes it useful for scouting.

There's also a missile warning system, chaff to deflect incoming missiles, a radar detector, and infra-red systems to aid night-time missions.

But the reality is that Afghan combatants aren't going to pack the jet fighters that other major powers such as China or Russia have.

So there's not as much pressure to compete on that level.

Instead, they fight on the ground, with machine guns and improvised explosive devices, in small, mobile groups.

That makes a plane like the Tucano, which is able to engage with small ground troops for extended periods, and react swiftly to changes, very useful indeed.

Super Tucanos are being shipped out to Afghanistan to tackle insurgents until 2018, and are also being sold to Lebanon, where they are being used to tackle ISIS.

Unfortunately, the US - which has been largely concerned with conventional warfare against Russia and other established since the 1980s - doesn't seem as eager to buy them for its troops.

Quiet riot: The planes aren't as loud as jets, making them useful for surveillance, and have tech to make night-time observation possible

Attempts have been made by the Navy - which wants the Tucanos for its SEALs - to acquire the planes, but each time they've been thwarted.

That seems at least in part to be driven by a belief that 'more technologically advanced' is the same as 'better', Colonel Mike Pietruch of the Air Force Chief of Staff's Strategic Study Group said in January.

'People often make the mistake in thinking that we can build or buy a perfect airplane,' he told Air & Space.

'Each of these airplanes looks different and has different capabilities because their design point was different.

'And you optimize for one thing and you dont optimize for another. So that's kind of a long-winded way of saying you cant build a one-size-fits-all airplane.'

He acknowledges that the US needs to plan ahead for any battles against other high-tech armies, but says planes such as the Tucano could help those on the ground.

'We need a sophisticated air force to give us air superiority, and we've always operated under that condition,' he said.

'No one is going to tell them not to. Sometimes you just wish that they were a little more geared toward what the ground guy is.'
A drunk man trying to impress a girl he met in a bar chased after her in his rented Lamborghini and later crashed the bright green supercar into a tree.

The 19-year- old woman- then drove by the crash site in her 4WD and recorded a video mocking her overzealous suitor - but she was also arrested for driving without a licence.

Traffic camera footage from Jinhua City in Chinas eastern Zhejiang Province shows the Lamborghini Gallardo swerving right and then left as the driver surnamed Teng, 22, lost control of the car while drunk.

The 22-year-old man starts racing the green super-car down the road in a bid to impress the woman

The video filmed by the woman then cuts to the driver, who was not seriously injured, pacing around the wreckage and kicking the car door in frustration following the embarrassing fail.

From behind the wheel of her 4WD she mocks the driver, saying: "Trying to race me? Amateur!"

"Had enough now?" she adds.

Her videos were uploaded online and later helped police arrest her for driving without a licence.

He ends up smashing it into a tree and walking around the car in frustration

According to Jinhua City police, the man was found guilty of drink-driving and has been detained for further questioning.

His bright green Lambo, rented for 5,500 RMB (648 GBP) a day, was badly damaged - and will not be covered by insurance because of his drink-driving charge.

That means he will have to fork out upwards of 100,000 RMB (11,787 GBP) for the repairs.

In custody, he told investigators that he wanted to impress the woman after meeting her in a local bar.

After she rejected his advances and left, he chased after her in the rented Lamborghini and tried to impress her by overtaking her on the street.

The 4WD she was driving was borrowed from a friend, reports said.

The car stays stuck in a tree. It will cost the drunk-driver more than 11,787 for the repairs to the green car




But then, in retrospect, that is the very thing in the literary world that writers strive for and live off.

I have felt offended by some of his comments. Even his review of my novel, Man of Calibre and Sweet Garaiina Apo, struck deep within me. Phil can be very dispiriting.

I have written on other occasions that sometimes I dont like what Phil Fitzpatrick writes. He can deliver general aspersions about our Papua New Guinean attitudes - and it hurts.

Our argument tends to run along the lines of what does this person know about my experiences and the recollections of these experiences in my writing.

PORT MORESBY - Any criticism coming from another person is hard to digest. We all have blind spots about our own work and find it hard to accept challenges from other people.

Critical comments by another should be a catalyst enabling an improvement in writing in all areas - be it word placing, plays on words, sentence structure, paragraphing, the flow-on of ideas, the theme of the story, and crowding too much into one paragraph.

Wordsmiths and puritanical critics will pick on these literary misdemeanours like keen eyed hawks.

Good prose should take the reader to some other land and this is what Phil in his rather odd way is struggling to tell us and that is what the writer in Papua New Guinea needs to listen to. We surely can write our legends in such a manner with a little manipulation.

Most of our legends are smooth sailing on how a thing happened, to explain an origin of something, without any heightened suspense.

Most modern writing has conflict and suspense and climax and resolution. That order of writing is soon to be achieved by Papua New Guineans and I say that with hope as I have seen short pieces by Joycelin Leahy, Hazel Katkue, Caroline Evara and Gen Hobden who have shown they will blossom in that genre if they continue writing.

When I first wrote Zymur (published by Oxfords in its Pacific Readers Series), it was a contemporary story on a scary subject drawn with my imagination. I wrote it in the smooth and flowing way we told legends.

At the time, I didnt know how to string a good story for Papua New Guineans. My writing had flaws and stated obvious things that a Papua New Guinean already knows.

There were supposed to be mysteries in that story that I totally missed bringing to readers. I wasnt certain what to leave in the readers mind that would conjure up more than what I had written. I realise this now but that was not evident when I was starting to write.

I mentioned the four women writers. I have tried to get their style into my own short stories as you will see if you care to read my anthology Antics of Alonaa Volume One, it is still a far cry from what I would like to achieve.

I too need to get to thinking about the rules of short stories that can be appealing to both PNG and international readers. But in Port Moresby, I have not met anyone I could discuss my writing with. It is really, really difficult in Port Moresby to call people together on the weekend and at a safe suitable place.

Still, I aim for that ultimate eureka moment when I write prose that a Papua New Guinean will find difficult to put down. I need to sound that out with like-minded writers. Maybe that will give me my eureka.

Phil Fitzpatricks comments and intents are good and should be a guiding beacon for us towards our ultimate nirvana in writing. Phils clarion call is most times unheeded and our inertia is the slug that kills the spirit of writing.

Our biggest problem, a gathering of like-minded writers on a Saturday, seems next to impossible, so how can the writing community work to tackle this problem?

The entire current crop of PNG authors including me can self-publish our work on CreateSpace or go through Pukpuk Publishing. But you cannot go past the first paragraph before you see the glaring mistakes we have missed for want of an editor. That will put off the most dedicated Papua New Guinean advocates  our readers.

Do we need editorial assistance from the likes of Phil and Ed Brumby? Yes, but I think it should be in the final stage and not in a working document. The working document should be by the author. I suggest a writing cell.

I was hurting when I was told I have a two-page long repeat section in Sweet Garaiina Apo. Oh gosh, how did I miss that? How did five people read my proof from CreateSpace and yet this pops up? (No offence to all who help me, it was my mistake  I published an earlier version.)

Anyway, this is now corrected with the second edition of this book was published early last month. Mistakes do creep in where English is not our mother tongue, and it is a soup for stirring comments.

I agree with Phil that PNG writers provide half-baked manuscripts. Anybody wanting to ask another person for editorial assistance must make sure that assistance is not to rewrite the work. The manuscripts must not pain the editor to that extent.

It is not an easy task going over your work again and again, whether yourself or the editor. I have refused to work with some writers when I found I had to rewrite.

The comments point out so many flaws but no suggestion is advanced as to how to correct these things Phil alludes to. Do we roll around in the suggestion that Papua New Guinean writing should be cocooned only for PNG? Why dont we strive for the readers outside? Why cant we pique their interest in our writing?

While Phil calls us out from South Australia, it is for us in PNG to rise to the call and help ourselves. We can start by enquiring about the Crocodile Prize. Contact us at crocprize@gmail.com.
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The year's most spectacular bird photos including a kingfisher getting ready to devour its dinner have been revealed in their full glory.

This year, Alejandro Prieto Rojas was named Bird Photographer of the Year for his memorable image of flamingos feeding their offspring in Mexico.

Head competition judge Chris Packham said: 'As President of the British Trust for Ornithology I am proud to support Bird Photographer of the Year, a competition that will push bird photographers to new limits. We see lots of technically accomplished images and "nice" portraits of attractive species. But what we are looking for as judges are those images which have an instant and enduring "wow" factor.

'To have been gifted with so many of these "wow" photos in the first two years of this competition is extraordinary, because photographing birds is enormously challenging. I am excited about seeing what this year brings and being involved again in choosing the best of the best.'

The winning images are published in a book available for purchase from the British Trust for Ornithology and will be part of a traveling exhibition around the UK.

This stunning image called 'Catch of the day' by Vince Burton was the winner of the Nature Photographers Ltd people's choice award. Pictured, a common kingfisher in Suffolk, England

The battle: This shot is by Jose Garcia from Miami, Florida. He said: 'This Great White Heron fighting a green snake in the Florida Everglades. The fight lasted for nearly 20 minutes with the Heron having to release its prey'

This image of a great white pelican called 'Daily basket' by Ionel Onofras was taken in Romania. It was in the best portrait category

The winning submission: Photographer Alejandro Prieto Rojas won the top spot with this image of a famingo feeding its chick. It was taken at Rio Lagartos, Mexico. He will receive a 5,000 cash prize at an award ceremony. Mr Rojas took the photo during the annual feeding of the chicks. They are born with grey and white feathers and do not turn pink for a year or two

This image of whiskered tern called 'Calling for the Sun' by Ondrej Pelanek was taken in Hungary. It was the Gold award winner in the Young Bird Photographer of the Year category

This image of a willow grouse by Markus Varesvuo was part of his winning Best Portfolio 2017 category

This image of a Blue Tit on berries Markus Varesvuo was also part of his winning Best Portfolio 2017 category

Markus Varesvuo also featured this image of a gannet underwater for his Best Portfolio 2017 award

Head competition judge Chris Packham said: 'As President of the British Trust for Ornithology I am proud to support Bird Photographer of the Year, a competition that will push bird photographers to new limits.' Pictured, Great Grey Owl by Markus Varesvuo

He added: 'We see lots of technically accomplished images and 'nice' portraits of attractive species.' Pictured, Snowy Owl by Markus Varesvuo

This image of a bearded tit by Markus Varesvuo won an honourable mention in the Best Portrait 2017 category

This image of male and female mallards by Francesco De Giuseppe won silver in the Creative Imagery 2017 category

This image of whooper swans in snow by Wim van den Heever won bronze in the Creative Imagery 2017 category

This image of a hovering barn owl by Jamie Hall won gold in the Birds in the Garden 2017 category

This photograph of a starling in bird bath underexposed by Mohammad Murad won silver in the Birds in the Garden 2017 category

This image of a willow grouse in the garden by Markus Varesvuo won bronze in the Birds in the Garden 2017 category

This photo of a cormorant wing by Tom Hines won gold in the Attention to Detail 2017category

This photo of a grey heron looking under wing by Ahmad Alessa won silver in the Attention to Detail 2017 category

This image of an albatross eye close-up by Jessica Winter won bronze in the Attention to Detail 2017 category

This photo of a guillemot stretching wing by Marc Weber won silver in the Best Portrait 2017 category

This photo of fighting coots by Andy Parkinson won gold in the Bird Behaviour 2017 category

This image of a diving kingfisher by Malek Alhazzaa won silver in the Bird Behaviour 2017 category

This image of a swan's head underwater by Ian Wade won bronze in the Bird Behaviour 2017 category

This photo of a red kite close-up by Jamie Hall won silver in the Birds in Flight 2017 category

This image of a ptarmigan by Markus Varesvuo won bronze in the Birds in Flight 2017 category

This image of a condor over mountains by Ben Hall won gold in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category

This image of a crane flock on a misty lake by Piotr Chara won silver in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category

This image of a blurred bird flock by Marc Weber won bronze in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category

This photo of a female mallard by Daniel Stenberg won an honourable mention in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category

This image by Bret Charman, from New South Wales, Australia, was the Gold award winner in the birds in flight category

This photo of a swimming eider by Pal Hermansen won bronze in Best Portrait 2017 category

Breakfast and bedtime: Photographer Cheryl Schneider took this photo (left) of a Great White Heron catching a hapless fish which seems to be having something of an 'oh dear' moment. Georgina Steytler from Toodyay, Western Australia, took this photo, right. She said: 'This common species of duck's most identifiable feature is the iridescent speculum feathers which are often only visible during preening or flight. I took this photo at a small lake. The still waters and the dark foliage of the background resulted in an opportunity to highlight the gorgeous feathers. I exaggerated the effect in Adobe Lightroom, but otherwise have not altered the original photo'

Terrifying new perspective: British photographer Tom Hines, from Harrow, Middlesex, took this extremely close-up shot of a lesser black-backed Gull in London's Hyde Park

Dark and stormy: This picture of Pitsea landfill was submitted to the category 'Birds in Flight' and was given an honourable mention. Photographer Gabor kapus, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, said: 'We were ringing gulls at Pitsea landfill using cannon nets to catch the birds, the camera was on the ground just at the front of the net. I was trying to capture the moment when the net is fired and is still in the air above the camera. As we were waiting to fire the net this fox walked right at the front of the camera scaring all birds into the air -but at least I took this great image'

Adorable: This shot of two Gentoo penguin chicks was taken by Richard Sidey, from New Zealand, in Antarctica

Balancing act: British photographer Tom Hines snapped this shot of a Western Jackdaw daintily perched atop a red deer in London's Richmond Park. The birds regularly groom the larger animal for ticks and other insects

Catching a lift: Jonathan Gaunt from Kelso snapped this picture of a female goosander with her newly hatched brood

Astonishing: A female Cardinal contortio was captured on camera by photographer Gary Cook in Beavercreek, Ohio

Haunting: This bloodied feeding vulture was captured by Ali Alshamsi, from Doha, Qatar. He took the picture on the Maasai Mara National Reserve, an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya

Kindergarden: Photographer Csaba Tokoly from Budapest, Hungary, captured this shot of Greylag goslings swimming

Floral flight: Barn Owl hovering by Roy Rimmer of Wigan, Lancashire. POTY helps raise funds for the BTO, so far having raised over 5,500 from entry fees alone. The money has been used to help support the BTO's young birders programme, aimed at engaging a younger generation of naturalists and ornithologists
President Trump's friends worry that when his longtime bodyguard Keith Schiller leaves the White House he'll lose an important sounding board and one of the most loyal aides who has ever served him.

Trump believes Schiller 'tells him the truth because the only dog he has in the fight is the boss,' one presidential confidant told the Axios news website, suggesting that the aide's departure could affect Trump's mood and psyche.

Even though Schiller is his 'body man'  a hulking tower of security muscle that supplements his Secret Service protection  the president asks his opinion about policy and personnel matters.

After burning through a chief of staff, a chief strategist, a press secretary and three communications directors, Trump will soon be left with few people from his original team at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: interim communications director Hope Hicks and social media guru Dan Scavino.

President Trump's personal security guard Keith Schiller is considering leaving the White House, according to CNN  but the administration says it's 'not true'

Schiller first served as Trump's bodyguard in 1999 and went to work for him full-time in 2005 after leaving the New York City police department, where he was a detective

Schiller has been at the president's side as his chief of security since 2005 and first worked for him as a bodyguard in 1999. CNN reported Friday that he plans to leave. The White House disputed that, telling the cable network it's 'not true.'

Schiller occupies office space directly adjacent to the Oval Office most of the time while the president is taking meetings, and adds personal attention to anticipate the Commander-in-Chief's more mundane needs.

But he also serves as connective tissue between Trump and his circle of friends in New York City.

Until new chief of staff John Kelly took over, the president's Big Apple pals could text Schiller and know that Trump would call them back personally.

Compared to the $294,000 salary he earned last year at The Trump Organization and through his own private security firm, Schiller's current earnings of $165,000 are a pittance.

Executive branch salaries are capped by the federal government and depend on the rank of the job.

The 6'4" hulking Schiller famously ejected Univision reporter Jorge Ramos from a 2015 Trump press conference after he refused to stop pestering the then-candidate about immigration

Making Schiller 'Director of Oval office Operations' allowed him to earn nearly as much as the White House press secretary and chief of staff.

Still, his friends say, his decision not to stay at the White House is largely a financial one.

Schiller's departure, which could come as soon as a month from now, would follow the recent exit of Steve Bannon, the sixth top-shelf aide to depart since the president moved to Washington. Bannon's ouster also left high-profile national security aide Sebastian Gorka unprotected; he was fired last week.

Others in the West Wing departure lounge have included former national security adviser Gen. Mike Flynn, chief of staff Reince Priebus, press secretary Sean Spicer and communications directors Jason Miller, Mike Dubke and Anthony Scaramucci.

Trump has also dismissed FBI director James Comey in early May. it was Schiller who hand-carried the official letter to the FBI saying he'd been fired.

if Schiller departs, he will follow shortly after former chief strategist Steve Bannon, who left the West Wing last month

CNN reported on Friday that Schiller has chafed at new chief of staff John Kelly's attempts to professionalize the West Wing and control who meets with the president.

Schiller has complained that if he wants to reach the president, he now has to call the White House switchboard and ask.

Previously, the former New York City police detective had 'walk-in' privileges in the Oval Office, whose door Trump typically kept open between meetings.

The 6'4" body-man famously ejected Univision reporter Jorge Ramos from an August 2015 campaign press conference after he refused to stop pestering then-candidate Trump about illegal immigration.
President Donald Trump sent some mixed message on Labor Day, tweeting in favor of American jobs while posting a picture of his wife in an Italian-made dress.

In celebration of Monday's public holiday, the president tweeted out a message reiterating his campaign promise to bring jobs back to the U.S.

'We are building our future with American hands, American labor, American iron, aluminum and steal. Happy #LaborDay!' Trump tweeted.

President Trump tweeted a message in favor of bringing jobs back to America on Monday, Labor Day, while including a picture of his wife in an Italian-made dress

Melania Trump wore this dress by Greek designer Mary Katrantzou to the Congressional picnic back in June. It originally sold for $2,255

The dress's listing on Saks Fifth Avenue's website shows that it is manufactured in Italy

Included in the post was a picture of the president and his wife, first lady Melania, attending the Congressional picnic back in June.

But what Trump appears to have missed is the fact that Melania is wearing an Italian - and not American - manufactured dress in the photo.

The first lady wore the colorful mid-length fit-and-flare dress by Greek designer Mary Katrantzou to the event on the White House's South Lawn.

The dress's listing on Saks Fifth Avenue's website says that it's manufactured in Italy.

It was originally listed for $2,255 but it was on sale for $760 by the time that Melania wore it in June. It is now sold out.
A Florida man who was arrested for fatally stabbing his aunt and knifing his father 23 times in front of a young relative before breaking into his estranged wife's house was found hanging in his jail cell on Sunday.

Pedro Vega Jr, 46, was arrested on Wednesday in connection to the stabbing death of 59-year-old Rosa Iris Vega in a home near Davenport. Vega Jr was also accused of stabbing his father 70-year-old Pedro Vega Sr.

Polk County authorities said a detention deputy last saw Vega Jr alive on Sunday around 5.57pm, according to WFTV.

But when they checked on him at 6.09pm, he was slouched against a wall of the cell with a sheet around his neck. Deputies said he was declared dead at Florida Hospital in Sebring.

Scroll down for video

Pedro Vega Jr (left), 46, who was arrested for fatally stabbing his aunt, Rosa Iris Vega (right), was found hanging in his jail cell on Sunday

Vega Jr is also suspected of knifing his 70-year-old father, Pedro Vega Sr (pictured), 23 times, and stealing his white pickup truck

While searching his cell, officials found two plastic spoons with sharpened ends which were used to cut the bed sheet, as well as a noose in a pillowcase.

'Pedro Vega had a history of escape and escape attempts. In fact he tried to escape custody when he was in the hospital last week,' Polk County Sheriff's Grady Judd said.

Deputies said Vega Jr had been checked on every 15 minutes as per agency policy, as well as state and national standards.

Last week, Judd said a Florida Highway Patrol trooper found Vega Jr in a truck on the side of a road shortly before 9am on Wednesday.

Fugitive: Vega (left) had been in hiding at his aunt's house and was seen with Rosa Vega (right) in Winter Haven, Florida, three weeks ago

Authorities said Vega Sr's (pictured) hands, feet and face were bound with tape. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive, despite being stabbed nearly two dozen times

Vega Jr, who was bleeding profusely, was sitting in a 1999 white Dodge pickup truck, which he had allegedly stolen from his father, eight hours after the twin knife attacks occurred.

His aunt, Rosa, succumbed to her injuries at the scene, near a four-year-old girl she was watching. The girl was found drenched in blood but was not injured.

Authorities said Vega Sr's hands, feet and face were bound with tape. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive, despite being stabbed nearly two dozen times.

Rosa Vega's house is next door to the home of Pedro Vega Jr's estranged wife in the 1600 block of Davenport Boulevard.

Judd said last week that someone in the wife's home fired shots at Vega Jr, injuring him in the shoulder, and possibly also in the stomach, which allowed officers to follow a trail of blood that led them to the scene of Rosa Vega's fatal stabbing.

At the time Vega Jr was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries, where he attempted to escape.

He had an extensive criminal record spanning 30 years, including a 1986 arrest for rape in New York, Judd said. He also had served 13 years in prison for sexual battery in Florida.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (pictured) said last week that Vega Jr was 'evil in the flesh'

Eight hours after the twin knife attacks outside Davenport, Florida, a highway patrol trooper found Vega Jr sitting in his father's 1999 white Dodge pickup truck

Life of crime: Vega Jr (pictured in older mugshots) had a long criminal record spanning 30 years, including a 1986 arrest for rape in New York. He had served 13 years in prison for sexual battery in Florida

In 2001, he escaped from a county jail but was recaptured.

'He's evil in the flesh,' Judd told reporters last week, later adding that if he survived his injuries, he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

The sheriff said Vega Jr had an outstanding warrant for his arrest on a charge of aggravated battery for allegedly beating and stabbing his 46-year-old ex-wife in May.

According to Judd, Vega Jr had been in hiding at his aunt's house and was seen with Rosa Vega in Winter Haven three weeks ago.

'The person who loved him and protected him the most was his aunt,' Judd said.

Officials have opened an investigation into Vega Jr's death.
A man's parents flew out to Florida from their native India to help their son beat his wife for being disobedient, police say.

Devbir Kalsi, 33, and his parents Jasbir, 67, and Bhupinder Kalsi, 61, were arrested after his wife Silky Gaind, 33, was found badly beaten and being held against her will at their Riverview home.

Cops were called after Gaind called her own parents, back in India, to tell them she was being beaten by her husband and his family.

Devbir Kalsi, 33, allegedly called his parents to help 'discipline' his wife Silky Gaind, 33, (pictured together)

When deputies arrived, they found the door blocked by Kalsi and heard the victim screaming inside 'for the deputy to save her and her child,' the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

The deputy burst in and arrested Kalsi before arresting his parents.

Police report that Kalsi would regularly beat his wife and had called Jasbir and Bhupinder Kalsi asking them to fly over to help 'counsel and discipline' Gaind for being 'disobedient'.

The beatings continued, while Gaind was locked in her room and had her cell phone taken from her.

Jasbir, 67, (left) and Bhupinder Kalsi, 61, (right) were arrested after Silky Gaind, 33, was found badly beaten and being held against her will at her Riverview home

It escalated on Friday, when Devbir Kalsi and his wife got into an argument.

The arrest report states that Kalsi struck her 'repeatedly and forcefully', and when Gaind attempted to defend herself, his parents began hitting her too, leaving bruises on her face, neck and torso.

Gaind's young daughter, who was in her arms during the attack, was also struck in the face.

Kalsi then allegedly held a kitchen knife to her throat and threatened to stab her.

'Awful, nobody should go through that,' an unidentified neighbor told Fox 13. 'It really is heartbreaking. There's a brand new baby. But who beats their wife up and his mother and dad help him? Who does that?'

Devbir and Jasbir Kalsi may face 'charges of false imprisonment, child abuse and denying access to 911,' according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Devbir Kalso also could face felony battery charge, Jasbir Kalsi could face 'aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and Bhupinder Kalsi could face 'charges of battery domestic violence and failure to report child abuse.'

All three could also be deported back to India. They are currently being held without bail at Hillsborough County Jail.
An 'exceptionally bright' student has won his battle to remain in Britain indefinitely and take up a place at Oxford University.

Brian White, 21, is a Zimbabwean orphan who came to the UK five years ago after he was adopted by a British family.

The student, from Wolverhampton, who has been described as a 'genius' by his friends due to his impressive academic results, gained a place at Oxford University before his application for student finance was refused because of his immigration status.

His friend Luke Wilcox set up the petition, signed by more than 110,000 well-wishers, urging the Home Office to grant indefinite leave to remain to 'a fantastic person who is just as much a part of British culture and society as you and I'.

Brian White (pictured right, with friend Luke Wilcox) from Wolverhampton, gained a place at Oxford before his student finance application was refused because of his immigration status

Mr Wilcox, 19, who is studying law at Bristol University, said: 'At the moment we would like to enjoy some personal time.

'But we would like to thank all those that supported the campaign and signed the petition, and we are grateful to them for helping change Brian's life.'

Mr White had already overcome a string of major obstacles after being abandoned as a baby and growing up in an orphanage until the age of six.

A missionary, impressed by the boy's intellect, introduced him to British-born Peter White, who was working in the country at the time and already had two children with his Zimbabwean wife.

A few years later Peter, along with his wife Thoko and sons John and Stephen, returned to live in Wolverhampton, leaving Brian in Africa with a family friend until he could get permission to enter the UK.

Pictured: Mr White in the orphanage he grew up in until the age of six after he was abandoned at birth. A missionary, impressed by the boy's intellect, introduced him to British-born Peter White, who was working in the country at the time

Mr White's education started in Zimbabwe and continued in Botswana until the age of 15 when he was allowed to join the rest of the family.

He became a pupil at Highfields School, where his scientific flair impressed teachers.

They encouraged him to apply for a university place, and he was given the offer by Oxford with his four A* grades and an A at A Level.

Mr White won the battle to remain in the UK after Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall college agreed to keep the offer open for him for at least another 12 months while he appealed the decision with his lawyer, Louis MacWilliams.

The soon-to-be chemistry scholar said: 'I got the e-mail from Louis and sat down and let it sink in for about five to 10 minutes. Then I started ringing everybody round to say thank you. I owe so many people so much.'

Mr White won the battle to remain in the UK after Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall college (file pic) agreed to keep the offer open for at least another 12 months while he appealed the decision

Mr White with Eleanor Smith MP. Friends of Mr White, who was given the offer by Oxford after gaining four A* grades and an A at A Level, set up a petition to change his immigration status

Mr White had an application to become a British citizen by naturalisation rejected in 2014. After the offer from Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall college to study chemistry, he applied again for the right to remain in the country.

College principal and former Guardian editor, Alan Rusbridger, welcomed the news via Twitter, in a post that read:

'Great news! Home Office has agreed that Brian White can come to Oxford.'

Sharon Bishop, a teacher at Highfields School, said: 'When I heard the news I burst into tears, and I never cry, I cried for about an hour.

'We are absolutely thrilled to get this result. Now we have got three weeks to pack and get him off to Oxford for the start of the term.

'We are delighted, thrilled, absolutely over the moon.'

West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson last week called on the Home Office to 'act quickly' and 'see sense' in its consideration of the case.

Calling for the case to be fast-tracked, Mr Jamieson said: 'Brian is an exceptionally bright and talented young man and he must be allowed to fulfil his full potential.'
This the astonishing moment a flying motorcycle is caught on film.

In captivating scenes, the bike funded by Russian bank Vnesheconombank, takes to the skies.

The bank has announced it will invest 'several million' USD in the creation of the futuristic vehicles.

It will put money into the hover bike prototypes, which are in development and are currently in testing.

Head of the company Hover Serf Alexander Atamanov recorded a video flying above the ground on his state of the art vehicle, the HoverBike S3.

The vehicle was shown to the public at the Moscow Raceway that hosted the international competition in road and ring motorcycle races.

The Russian super-bike HS3 was showcased at the Moscow Raceway this year (pictured)

Mr Atamanov noted that his company has received a lot of pre-orders from Asia and the Middle East.

The price for one hover bike is estimated to be between 50,000 and 80,000 USD (38,583 and 61,733 GBP).

The hover bikes are estimated to be on sale as of next year.

VEB's Chairman Sergey Gorkov said: 'Actually, it is surely not a motorcycle. It is rather a prototype of a platform, which has a multifaceted future.

The flying motorcycle is funded by Russian bank Vnesheconombank

'We believe it has prospects. We are planning to invest in this multifunctional platform. We think we will need several millions of dollars.'

He added that the hover bikes would be a welcome vehicle in the country for transporting goods and vehicles.

Mr Atamanov also noted that the motorbikes are already safe to use, despite being in the testing phase.

He said: 'We are so confident in our developments that I am ready to convince everyone that it is already safe and it can be used for extreme sports, for races, for competitions.'

The exact figure that the Russian bank is willing to invest is not known.
An Idaho police department thanked the 'heroic' nurse who was grabbed, manhandled and put in cuffs by an officer after she refused to break hospital rules.

Alex Wubbels was arrested at her workplace on July 26 after refusing to draw blood from unconscious reserve officer William Gray at the demand of a cop who had no probable cause or warrant.

'The Rigby Police Department would like to thank the nurse involved and hospital staff for standing firm, and protecting Officer Grays rights as a patient and victim. Protecting the rights of others is truly a heroic act,' the department wrote on Facebook on Friday.

Bodycam footage of Det Jeff Payne shows Wubbels refusing to draw blood from Gray whose truck was hit by a car that had been fleeing police.

Scroll down for video

An Idaho police department thanked 'heroic' nurse, Alex Wubbels (pictured), who was grabbed, manhandled and put in cuffs by an officer after she refused to break hospital rules

The Rigby Police Department wrote on Facebook that they would like to 'thank the nurse involved and hospital staff for standing firm, and protecting Officer Grays rights as a patient and victim'. Wubbels is pictured moments before she is arrested

Wubbels was arrested at her workplace by Det Jeff Payne (left and right) on July 26 after she refused to draw blood from unconscious reserve officer William Gray at Payne's demand

Wubbels (center) said she could sue over the 'traumatic' experience, but that she mostly wanted the video released in order to make sure authorities did something about it

Since Gray was not under arrest or subject to an arrest warrant, and since he could not give consent while unconscious, hospital policy forbade her from taking the blood sample.

Payne then dragged the terrified Wubbels out of the hospital in front of staff and patients. She was let go without charge after 20 minutes, but the incident left her shaken.

That, she said, is why she only released the footage this week.

'I think this resonates with people all over, and that's a really unfortunate problem that we... have to fix,' she told the Today show on Monday.

'It took me a while to understand that I was in a traumatic experience and I needed a moment to give my emotions a chance to rest,' she said.

Nevertheless, she said, the need for 'accountability' by the authorities spurred her on to release the video.

That in turn led to thousands expressing their shock and confusion over the cop's seemingly outlandish behavior - which left Wubbels scratching her head.

'I don't know what his problem was,' she said, adding that she 'would have liked a chance for him to talk to one of his superiors' before grabbing her.

The Rigby Police Department said Gray was the victim in a horrific accident in northern Utah while working his full-time job as a truck driver.

According to police, the suspect in the incident was fleeing from Utah State Highway Patrol, when he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head on with Grays truck, severely injuring Gray, and killing himself.

'Officer Gray was flown to the University of Utahs burn unit where he is still under their watchful, professional, and competent care,' the department wrote on Facebook.

Wubbels appeared on the Today show to discuss the incident that she says 'resonates with people all over, and that's a really unfortunate problem that we... have to fix'

Wubbels (pictured with her attorney) said that a lawsuit is 'not off the table,' but right now she's more concerned about how incidents like these have left people mistrusting authorities

'Within the first hours of Officer Gray being admitted into the burn unit, an incident occurred between hospital staff and an officer from an agency in Utah who was assisting with the investigation.

The Rigby Police Department said they didn't become aware of the incident until last week.

While Salt Lake Police Department has been 'progressive' and helpful, Wubbels said, others were not.

University of Utah cops and hospital security witnessed her arrest and did nothing to help - and she said their bosses were not willing to discuss why that was a problem.

University of Utah Police Chief Dale Brophy (pictured) made his first public comments on Monday regarding his officers failing to intervene during the incident at the hospital

'So [the video] was a little bit of a trigger to say, "All right this is what you need to see if you're not willing to see it then I'll show it to you,"' she said.

But one silver lining is that masses of people who saw the video were outraged by the apparent misuse of power, and contacted Wubbels to support her.

'At first, it was maybe - overwhelming is an understatement, but just the gratitude I have for the support by my colleagues, nurses around the country, around the world and just healthcare providers in general is just amazing,' she said.

Wubbels said that a lawsuit is 'not off the table,' but right now she's more concerned about how incidents like these have left people mistrusting authorities.

However, she said she doesn't see it as her job to correct the cops' behavior.

'I'm not here to police the police,' she said. 'The police need to do that if they're going to regain any trust with the public.'

Officials at the hospital have since apologized for the incident.

University of Utah Police Chief Dale Brophy made his first public comments on Monday regarding his officers failing to intervene during the incident at the hospital.

Brophy said none of the hospital officers have been disciplined but they will receive additional training. He said they have implemented policy changes.

Detective Payne, who was put on leave, also apologized for his role in the incident.
A journalist who was criticised just because she was wearing a headscarf while presenting the news said she was today racially abused by a '12-year-old'.

Channel 4 News correspondent Fatima Manji said the youngster hurled a sickening racial jibe at her as she walked home from work today.

Reporting the incident on Twitter, Ms Manji, who became Britain's first hijab-wearing TV newsreader in March 2016, wrote: 'Racially abused by what looked like a 12 year old in central London - "you f****** P***".

When the award-winning journalist responded 'Excuse me?' to the slur, the boy repeated: 'I said you f****** P***'.

Channel 4 presenter Fatima Manji said a youngster hurled a sickening racial jibe at her as she walked home from work today

Reporting the incident on Twitter, Ms Manji, who became Britain's first hijab-wearing TV newsreader in March 2016, wrote: 'Racially abused by what looked like a 12 year old in central London - "you f****** P***"

She later added: 'I had tears in my eyes. So much hatred, so young. And yet there is no real recourse.

'Racism is taught and learned. And it appears to be being taught and learned at the greatest rate in the UK since my childhood.'

Dozens aired their support for Ms Manji, including writer and political commentator Harry Leslie Smith.

Mr Smith, a survivor of the Great Depression, Second World War RAF veteran and an author, commented: 'That is just horrible. It's just despicable.'

Ben Cooper wrote: 'So sorry to hear this, you're a role model - keep doing what you do!'

Dozens of Twitter users aired their support for award-winning journalist after the complained about racial abuse hurled at her today in London

It comes after Kelvin MacKenzie sparked outrage in a column for The Sun, in which he questioned whether it was appropriate for Ms Manji to present the news while wearing a hijab, following the Nice attack in 2016.

The newspaper's former editor urged readers to complain to Ofcom about the decision to let her host on the basis of impartiality.

His column also prompted more than 700 complaints to the press regulator, IPSO.

Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie sparked outrage in a column for newspaper, in which he questioned whether it was appropriate for Ms Manji to present the news while wearing a hijab, following the Nice attack in 2016

Responding to MacKenzie's column for The Liverpool Echo, she referred to The Sun's coverage of the Hillsborough disaster and Mackenzie's inaccurate front page splash.

Ms Manji was last year named as Media Personality of the Year at the Asian Media Awrds in 2016 and was a finalist in the Royal Television Society's Young journalist of the Year award.

She was also a finalist in the Words By Women Awards broadcast category.
Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 in recognition of her lifelong battle for freedom

During a visit to Britain earlier this year, Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar  formerly known as Burma  was given a heros welcome. After being met by the Queen and Prince William at Buckingham Palace, she travelled to the Guildhall to be given the Freedom of the City of London.

And in so many ways, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 in recognition of her lifelong battle for freedom, deserves all the acclaim.

The 72-year-old, whose late husband Michael Aris, a renowned Oxford historian, was a British citizen, is a truly extraordinary woman. After attending St Hughs College, Oxford (where Theresa May was also a student), she returned to her native Myanmar to join the noble struggle to end military rule.

The former British colony obtained independence in 1947  largely thanks to the leadership of Suu Kyis father Aung San, an army general, who was assassinated by jealous rivals that year. However, in 1962, the country fell under the control of a brutal military dictatorship.

Following the footsteps of her father, Suu Kyi displayed remarkable courage and made personal sacrifices in her fight for freedom. She was held under house arrest by the regime for 15 years. The generals made plain that she would only be released if she promised to leave the country never to return.

She refused, even though her husband and two young sons were in Britain.

This decision earned her the respect and affection of her people  and carried her to a famous victory when Myanmar at last held free elections two years ago.

Suu Kyi is now State Counsellor  in effect prime minister  and the gleaming symbol of her countrys emancipation from an evil and destructive dictatorship. Since then, she has significant achievements to her credit.

Political prisoners have been released from jail and her country is making rapid economic strides forward. Shes been lionised by politicians across the world  Hillary Clinton honouring this extraordinary woman and Harriet Harman speaking of her own utmost admiration.

Her government is complicit in the military-led persecution of Myanmars minority Muslim population. Pictured, a Rohingya man from Myanmar carries a child in a sack and walks through rice fields after crossing over to the Bangladesh side of the border

There is, however, a dark and troubling side to the story of Suu Kyi.

Her government is complicit in the military-led persecution of Myanmars minority Muslim population (the countrys dominant religion is Buddhism) which is as ugly as anything carried out during the days of junta rule.

Huge numbers of Muslims have been subject to a systematic programme of rape, murder, starvation and intimidation that began last autumn.

Over the past several months, more than 120,000 have been driven from their homes following a campaign of violence. Hundreds have been killed, with one human rights charity publishing chilling eyewitness accounts of people being beheaded or even burned alive in bamboo cages by security services.

There are many reported cases of gang-rape, normally carried out by soldiers from the countrys powerful, self-ruling army in their easily recognisable green uniforms.

At least 70,000 have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh (where, sadly, they are treated almost as abominably).

Smoke billows above what is believed to be a burning village in Myanmar's Rakhine state

Matters have worsened in recent days with more deaths as Muslim insurgents, armed with machetes and rifles, have fought security forces.

In February, a harrowing United Nations report documented some of these crimes. It said army attacks were widespread as well as systematic. UN inspectors warned of the very likely commission of crimes against humanity. They recorded violent attacks on a horrifying scale.

One survivor told how soldiers beat and killed her husband with a knife. She said: Five of them took off my clothes and raped me. My eight-month-old son was crying of hunger when they were in my house because he wanted to breastfeed, so to silence him they killed him with a knife.

The inspectors recorded many more assaults. They interviewed 101 Muslim women. More than half told that they had been raped or were the victims of other kinds of sexual violence committed by government security forces.

The UN inspectors suggested that the scale of sexual attacks may be even greater because women feel ashamed and are reluctant to speak about their experiences.

Tellingly, the UN team had to travel to nearby Bangladesh to extract these heartbreaking stories from refugees, who had fled across the border for safety.

While the violence peaked, Suu Kyis government did little to break the armys near-total silencing of independent witnesses.

An injured elderly woman and her relatives rush to a hospital on an autorickshaw, near the border town of Kutupalong, Bangladesh

And how did Suu Kyi, that celebrated Nobel Prize winner who got the award for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights respond to this horrifying testimony? Sad to state, with outright denial.

Her government presented photographs of one woman who, it had been said, had been raped by soldiers and headed them with a graphic containing the words: FAKE RAPE.

The Foreign Ministry also rubbished what it called made up stories, blown out of proportion.

Suu Kyi, it is said, has made no proper attempt to establish the truth about the attacks, appointing a retired general to investigate alleged army atrocities. The resulting interim report, published earlier this year, was a shameful whitewash.

Meanwhile, she tells the world  especially those on the Left who remain in thrall to her  that theres nothing to worry about.

Earlier this year, she told BBC interviewer Fergal Keane that there was no ethnic cleansing  despite compelling evidence to the contrary  adding that the army was not free to pillage and torture.

So what is the truth?

I travelled to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine province. At first sight it is a blissful, picture-postcard city, boasting long, idyllic beaches. In the town centre I watched elegant women wearing sarongs and holding umbrellas against the sun, stroll down streets, while vendors sell their fruit outside busy tea shops.

Displaced Rohingya people shelter in makeshift houses in a mountain in Ukhia

But just a short walk away was the central mosque. Though this elegant old building was still standing, it had been gutted in an arson attack. Sittwe has been ethnically cleansed of its Muslim population.

Just five years ago, an estimated 50,000 of the citys population of around 180,000 were members of the local Rohingya Muslim ethnic group. Today, there are fewer than 3,000 left. And they are not free to walk the streets. They are crammed into a tiny ghetto surrounded by barbed wire. Armed guards prevent visitors from entering  and will not allow the Rohingya Muslims to leave.

The Information Ministry denied me permission to enter, so I spoke by phone to ghetto inmates. They live in fear and terror and only talked on condition of anonymity.

One man told me: Life used to be good to us. We had freedom of movement, we could go to school, our children had the chance to go to university. We could do business at downtown big market. No difficulties.

It is totally different today. It is like being a prisoner. There is no free movement. Not enough education, no proper healthcare. All these things are making life hopeless.

But at least the prisoners in the Sittwe ghetto live in their homes. The vast majority of fellow Muslims have been driven from their homes by armed mobs and now live in improvised camps.

Displaced Rohingya refugees from Rakhine state in Myanmar carry their belongings as they flee violence, near Ukhia

The situation of these Rohingya is shocking. Before the 2015 elections, they were stripped of the right to vote, while punitive new laws even target their right to have children.

Most sinister is the Population Control Healthcare Bill, approved by the countrys parliament two years ago. This legislates that women in some parts of Burma must wait three years before having another child. Theres little doubt this cruel law is aimed at stalling population growth among Rohingyas.

Many Buddhists say the Rohingya have no right to live in the country because they are actually Bengali migrants who entered during British rule, meaning their real home should be Bangladesh.

However, this is disputed by scholars, who say they lived here before the British arrived. The Rohingya do look different and have a different language, customs and, of course, religion to the rest of the country. This makes them easier to pick on at a time of acute social and economic tension.

Measures such as the Population Control Healthcare Bill have led some observers to talk of genocide.

Two years ago, a Yale University report found evidence that genocidal acts have been committed against Rohingya.

Most analysts dismiss such talk. But theres no question that the Muslims in western Myanmar live in conditions that recall the very worst of South African apartheid.

It cannot be stated too strongly that Aung San Suu Kyi has held power in Myanmar for barely a year and cannot be blamed for the desperate plight already facing the Rohingya before she came to power.

Trouble dates back to 2012 when  after a Muslim was blamed for the rape of a Buddhist woman  armed mobs surged through Sittwe and nearby villages, driving the Rohingya from their homes, killing hundreds and forcing survivors to live in camps. The charge against Suu Kyi is that she has not done enough to remedy the situation. And that she then stood by when a fresh wave of violence started last October.

These assaults began after an armed gang of allegedly Rohingya insurgents attacked guards along the Myanmar border with Bangladesh, killing nine police.

Rohingya refugees stretch their hands for food near Balukhali in Bangladesh

The military response was beyond all proportion, with more than 90,000 Muslims driven from their homes in a murderous campaign of rape and intimidation.

To be fair to Suu Kyi, she has no control of the military. Furthermore, she faces a desperately hard task bringing this deeply backward former British colony out of dictatorship and into democracy.

Myanmar is racked with problems of which the plight of the Rohingya is only one. Nevertheless, her denials that the army has committed abuses makes her complicit in the tragedy.

Increasingly, she is criticised by global figures. Pope Francis recently condemned the persecution of our Rohingya brothers and called on men and women of good faith to help them and ensure their full rights.

Her fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, 20, has called on Suu Kyi to condemn the tragic and shameful treatment of the Myanmars Rohingya.

Life is getting harder here for the Rohingya and I was met with constant bureaucratic obstruction in my attempts to access the camps.

Eventually, I was able to get inside one camp. Conditions were not too bad.

The inhabitants had enough food to eat and their accommodation  dimly lit, makeshift huts  was bearable, though leaving them dangerously vulnerable to the cyclones that frequently roar in from the sea (most of the camps are on the coast). Yet it was the hopelessness that hit me hardest. There were no jobs. There were no prospects for young people, and nothing for them to do.

It dawned on me that so many of the Rohingya have, in effect, been confined to closely guarded and monitored prison camps.

All the inhabitants had been there since being driven from their homes five years ago. Its possible they will be resettled somewhere else in the future, but there is no prospect they will ever return home.

One man, who used to be a fisherman, told me: I am in prison. He described how his every move was monitored by the police.

He told me that he and his fellow Rohingya had supported Suu Kyi when she stood for election in 2015. He said: We have been stripped of the vote. But if I could have voted, I would have voted for her. I prayed for the lady to win the 2015 election. She got a Nobel Peace Prize.

The Rohingya people were loyal allies of Britain in World War II. Now they face their darkest hour. Britain and other nations must do more to help one of the most forsaken peoples of the world

Now he is heartbroken. She is the plaything of the army government. If the army says jump, she jumps. She will not use any words against the army.

Britain continues to support Suu Kyi, as her recent reception at Buckingham Palace shows.

What a hideous betrayal of all we profess to stand for and believe.

During World War II, British forces fought one of our most desperate battles of the conflict in Burma, against the Japanese.

Many Burmese  including Suu Kyis war hero father  fought us alongside the Japanese. But not the Rohingya Muslims, who, for the most part, remained loyal to Britain. In view of this, I asked if there were any survivors from that heroic episode.

I was taken by my guides along narrow walkways to a small, dark hut, where I was introduced to a 93-year-old man with a straggly, white beard. He was almost completely blind with deep cataracts.

He told me how he had been a baggage carrier for British soldiers. We gave the British food. We brought them goats and chickens. I helped the British build roads and bridges. After the war, he said, he had made a living as a farmer  until five years ago when he was driven from his home by violent mobs. I lost my crops. My buffalo. Everything.

Tears rolling down his cheeks, he told me: My life is already destroyed. But I implore you, please rescue our new generation. This government is killing our new generation.

Several months ago, at the height of the latest violence against the Rohingya, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited Myanmar.

At the time, he did not say a single word of public criticism against the atrocities being carried out by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya, though he may have done so in private, and has in recent days warned that their treatment is besmirching the countrys reputation.

The Rohingya people were loyal allies of Britain in World War II. Now they face their darkest hour. Britain and other nations must do more to help one of the most forsaken peoples of the world.
The New York State Fair Taste NY Food Truck Competition continued Sunday with 18 new entrants. Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't cooperate.

The good news for fairgoers is that the rain didn't keep the food trucks away. When the competition began at 10 a.m., nearly all of the food trucks were ready to serve up samples.

Three awards will be handed out Sunday. A panel of judges will choose the winner of the Judges' Choice award. Fairgoers will vote to determine the recipient of the People's Choice award. And an award will be presented to the food truck that best used beef in its entry.

Here is how I ranked the food trucks on the second day of the state fair competition:

(18) The Meatball Truck, Rochester: Meatball in a Cup

A lot of people enjoy the Meatball in a Cup. Me? I wasn't a fan last year. But I wasn't going to let that deter me this year. I gave it another whirl. My opinion didn't change. The sauce is solid and the bread is a nice touch. But I can't get over how bland the meatball tastes.

The creativity factor here is also low. Why? Because The Meatball Truck relied on this entry last year, too. One great thing about this competition is the innovation many trucks showcase with their samples.

Of course, I say this now and The Meatball Truck will probably win another Peoples' Choice award. It's a popular choice among food truck patrons. That didn't change this year. During the first couple hours of the competition, it was one of the busiest food trucks at the fair.

(17) Cue-Dogs, Syracuse: Cheese Fries

This sample was simple enough: traditional french fries with cheese. It makes for a nice snack. The problem here, though, was that it was rather boring.

The fries weren't seasoned. The topping was your run-of-the-mill cheese you'd squirt on nachos or a hot dog at the movie theater.

(16) Smoothie's Plus, Rochester: Mango and Pineapple Smoothie

This is where things begin to get difficult in terms of rankings. You might look at this and say, "Wow. This smoothie must have been mediocre  or worse." But it wasn't! It was a delicious break from the nachos, tacos and other heavier treats offered by competing food trucks at the fair.

I'm not a smoothie guy, but I enjoyed this. It was exactly what I needed after I eating one of the Korean taco samples.

(15) Bob Barker's, Cicero: Bacon Cheese Hot Dog

Maybe it was because I went early, but my hot dog had a modest amount of bacon and very little cheese. I could taste the cheese, but there wasn't enough of it on the hot dog.

That's really the only knock on this hot dog. It was a good sample. But the competition was stiff.

(14) The Cremeria, Syracuse: Blueberry Sorbetto

Dessert can be a tough sell when you're mixed in with food trucks selling tacos, fried foods and pizza. But you won't question The Cremeria's place in the competition once you have their Blueberry Sorbetto. It was delicious.

(13) Sarita's, Rome: Tomato Basil Fresh Mozzarella Empanada

I enjoyed this creative twist on the empanada. All the flavors here, whether it was the tomato, basil or mozzarella, tasted so good. It was tough competition Sunday. You put this one on Saturday and it's likely a top five finisher.

(12) Come Fry With Me, Rome: Taco Fries

Extra points here for creativity and the use of locally sourced ingredients. No additional seasoning with the fries, but the rest of the dish was excellent. The beef, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes gave you everything you'd have inside a taco only this was served on an order of fries.

(11) Rob's Kabobs, Rochester: Sweet Hot BBQ Chicken Kabob

A tasty sample. The barbecue sauce was phenomenal and the garlic bread was a nice touch. This was one offering at Sunday's competition that I wanted to have a second (or third) time.

(10) Mo's Pit BBQ, Syracuse: Corn on the Cob

The name makes this sound simpler than it was. This wasn't your average corn on the cob. The corn was rolled in a mixture of butter, bacon and parmesan cheese. It was good. Messy, but good.

(9) Gabriella's Farm to Fork, Dryden: Fried Chicken Cobb Salad

What was in the salad: fried chicken, a bed of greens, tomatoes, onions, eggs, bacon, pickles and edible flowers. It was topped with cucumber basil dressing.

It wasn't your traditional food truck fare. But this combination of locally sourced ingredients was great. The dressing was memorable. It had a little kick you didn't expect.

(8) The Chicken Bandit, Cicero: Korean BBQ Chicken Taco

The first of two Korean tacos. This one had its strengths. It had tons of flavor and packed a punch. The only downside: My soft shell taco couldn't hold it in for too long. (It ripped.) But the meat and additional ingredients were good, whether it was in the shell or out of it.

(7) Global Taco, Watkins Glen: Korean Beef Taco

Global Taco's creation narrowly edges The Chicken Bandit's Korean taco twist. Both tacos had excellent flavors, but Global Taco's stood out a little more.

The kalbi-style shredded beef came from a farm in Schuyler County. They're recognizing the best beef dishes in the competition this year and I'll be surprised if this doesn't win. The kimchi and sweet chili sauce on this taco added the right amount of flavor and kick. The cilantro and scallions also factored in the taste.

(6) Toss 'n' Fire Wood Fired Pizza, Brewerton: Cuse Salt Potato Pizza

The award-winning Toss 'n' Fire brought the taste of central New York to the fair with this creation. This wasn't your average pizza. The salt potatoes were the key part of this pie. Some fairgoers may not appreciate this, but it should win over those who hail from or live in the Syracuse area.

(5) Ponchito's Taqueria, Syracuse: Smothered Nachos

This was the snack to end all snacks. Ponchito's assembled a nice twist on nachos. The tortilla chips were smothered with ground beef, nacho cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and jalapenos.

With all of the ingredients, there was so much flavor every time you took a bite. There was a little heat, but it wasn't overpowering. It was just enough kick to enjoy this dish.

(4) Let's Roll Gourmet, Oswego: New York Apple Cheesecake Egg Roll

This was the best dessert offered during the two-day competition. It was a straight-forward dish: cheesecake stuffed on the inside of a fried eggroll with what appeared to be (and tasted like) apple drizzle on the outside.

The egg roll had great flavor and was the perfect snack produced for a food truck competition. The creativity made it one of the best samples offered during the two-day contest.

Here's the best part: It almost wasn't available to fairgoers. Let's Roll Gourmet was supposed to participate in the food truck competition Saturday. For unknown reasons, the food truck showed up Sunday instead. Thank goodness they did or we wouldn't have been able to enjoy this creation.

(3) Macarollin', Rochester: Surf & Turf Macaroni and Cheese

If you enjoy lobster macaroni and cheese, you'll love this dish prepared by Macarollin', a Rochester-based food truck. Creative? Check. Flavorful? Check. Macaroni and cheese was mixed and matched with several dishes this weekend. This was the best of them all.

(2) That's What's Up, Syracuse: Smashed Potatoes

Salt potatoes are a central New York staple. You could put it anything and make it work. (See the Cuse Salt Potato Pizza above.) But That's What's Up didn't settle for just serving up a dish of salt potatoes.

The truck added a state fair twist to this dish. The salt potatoes were deep fried and topped with Monterey Jack cheese, barbecue sauce, pulled pork, sour cream and green onion. Put all that together and you get a bowl full of happiness.

This was one of my favorites last year. It moved up the list this year.

(1) PB&J's Lunchbox, Syracuse: Spinach and Artichoke Dip Grilled Cheese (with Tomato Bisque)

It could've been the setting. It was chilly. It was rainy. You might say it was a preview of fall on Sunday at the New York State Fair. There's something great about a hot sandwich and a bowl of soup on a cool day.

But with the spinach and artichoke dip grilled cheese sandwich served by PB&J's Lunchbox, it was more than just a warm meal on a cold day. It was about the taste. The combination of the sandwich and tomato bisque helped. Both were delicious. It was a simple concept, but it was executed to perfection.
A Victorian man arrested after an overnight stand-off with police was an associate of the victim of a fatal Father's Day shooting in the same seaside town.

The 30-year-old, who was living in a tent on a property in Rosebud, was taken into custody early on Tuesday after an operation that started about 8pm on Monday when he told police he had a hostage.

'Homicide squad is following up the fatal in Rosebud on Sunday and as a result we identified a person of interest who is an associate of the victim,' Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Mick Hughes told reporters.

The female hostage, believed to be the man's partner, was released about 3.40am on Tuesday.

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Heavily armed police have arrested a man who barricaded himself inside a house on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula following the shooting death of a 31-year-old (pictured is Josh Dipietro) on Father's Day

Josh Dipietro was shot in the head (pictured are paramedics treating the 31-year-old) shortly after enjoying a lunch with his parents in the seaside town on Sunday night

Police have not confirmed if the stand-off in Rosebud (pictured) is connected to Dipietro's death but have said they want to speak to the man inside about an ongoing investigation

Heavily armed police moved in on the property about 6.30am and following a series of loud bangs the man was arrested.

'He subsequently has been injured by the police dog that was used in that arrest,' Det Insp Hughes told reporters.

'He is in police custody and is seeking medical attention for a severe bite to his leg.'

It follows the death of a 31-year-old man who was shot in the head shortly after enjoying a Father's Day lunch with his parents in the seaside town on Sunday night.

Josh Dipietro was shot while he was sitting in the passenger seat of a Mitsubishi Pajero on the Mornington Peninsula.

Dipietro, who is known to police, was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital after the attack in Rosebud but died on Monday.

Police now say the victim may have attended the property where the stand-off occurred on the day of the shooting.

Detectives have spoken with the Dipietro's family and a friend who was driving the Pajero as police investigate who fired the gun and why.

'We certainly believe this was a targeted attack, it was very specific: shots fired into the car,' Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said on Monday.

Dipietro (pictured), who is known to police, was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital after the attack in Rosebud but died on Monday

Investigators want to hear from anyone who has information about the shooting (pictured) which happened at the Jetty Road end of Eastbourne Road

'He had Father's Day lunch with his parents, he spent about four hours with his folks,' Insp Hughes said.

'Mum dropped him off at the Dundas Street, Rye, milk bar, kissed him goodbye and told him she loved him and she last saw him sitting on a seat outside the milk bar.'

It was from there he was collected by a friend, and it's thought the pair were heading to the RSL for a drink when the shooting happened.

Investigators want to hear from anyone who has information about the shooting which happened at the Jetty Road end of Eastbourne Road.
The Met Police's Neil Basu (pictured) said the main danger came from Islamic-State inspired extremists 'in our midst'

Isolated communities are fuelling an unprecedented terror threat, a senior police chief warned last night.

Neil Basu said the main danger came from Islamic-State inspired extremists 'in our midst'.

In an apparent reference to illegal Islamic schools, he said 'unregulated' education and home schooling were a breeding ground for home-grown terror. The counter-terror chief warned of the danger from extremists in 'segregated, isolated' communities.

He also highlighted weaknesses on our borders, calling for much stricter checks on arrivals. Warning that the terror threat would be severe for at least five more years, the Met deputy assistant commissioner said:

The security services were investigating 600 extremist plots;

Sixty probes have been opened in the past six weeks alone;

Border checks on roll-on, roll-off ferries had become a weakpoint for national security;

Stopping British jihadis fighting abroad meant they posed a threat here.

Mr Basu spoke out while briefing members of the Police Superintendents' Association at their conference in Stratford-upon-Avon.

In a frank assessment of the terror threat, he said it would still be around when he retired in five years, adding: 'It is not going to change. This was truly a summer like no other, it was truly a shift and not a spike, it is truly a new norm that we face.

'The threat was returning fighters and now it is the threat in our midst. We stopped a lot of our jihadis travelling and some are not committed to the cause. But if they cannot travel then why not attack here?

Mr Basu said our borders (file pic, Gatwick Airport) aren't badly controlled but are 'vulnerable'

'Borders and ports are porous. There is a lack of biometrics and advanced passenger information. Our borders are not badly controlled but nevertheless they are still vulnerable.'

There have been repeated calls for the Government to tighten borders to protect against the threat from extremists.

The US routinely screens suspicious travellers and refuses entry to anyone deemed a potential risk. But Britain relies on intelligence provided by the same European agencies whose shortcomings were exposed by deadly attacks in major cities.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants have arrived in the European Union over the past year from the Middle East with few or no checks made on their identity.

Mr Basu said it was futile to try to profile exactly who the next attacker would be and where they would strike.

Metropolitan Police Service commissioner Cressida Dick (pictured) said 500 investigations into potential extremist plots were active in July

But he added: 'Segregated, isolated communities, unregulated education and home schooling are a breeding ground for extremist and future terrorists.' There are concerns that relatively unknown Islamic schools in the West Midlands and northern England could be harbouring extremists.

The Daily Mail has revealed that the authorities were powerless to force four heavily criticised Islamic schools to close.

They are suspected of hardline teaching, racism and holding banned extremist texts, but continue to operate as they fight the closure orders through the courts.

On the number of active investigations, Mr Basu said: 'Every week we open more than we close.' He said the total was now around 600. In late July, Cressida Dick, the new commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, warned that 500 investigations were active.

Mr Basu said arrests of suspected terrorists had soared by 75 per cent since March, when five people were murdered and more than 50 injured in Westminster.

He added that at its peak, calls to the anti-terror hotline rose to 3,000 a month  from an average of just a few hundred  leaving operators floundering.

It also emerged that the Government commissioned a review into protecting national landmarks, buildings and crowded public spaces with vehicle barriers.

In an apparent reference to illegal Islamic schools (file pic of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant flag), Mr Basu said 'unregulated' education was a breeding ground for terror in the UK

Senior officers believe low-tech attacks involving vehicles rented by jihadi knifemen, such as those who struck in London and Barcelona, are among the greatest threats. Mr Basu said that the cost of meeting the recommendations was 'eye watering' and ran to hundreds of millions of pounds.

He defended the Government's controversial Prevent counter-extremism strategy, saying a small but vocal minority was responsible for most criticism.

The Government has ordered a root and branch review of all counter-terrorism work nationwide. Scores of extra armed officers, who work closely with special forces, have been made available to combat the threat of marauding gunmen. Police have warned it may be necessary to collect more data about suspects in order to spot extremists, a suggestion that raises privacy concerns.

Officers are also considering sharing previously secret information about terrorist suspects with other authorities.

As senior national coordinator for counter-terrorist policing, Mr Basu bears overall responsibility for manhunts for the most dangerous extremists.
Children are being exposed to residue from pesticides in the fruit and vegetables handed out by schools, research found.

One sample of raisins imported from Turkey contained residue of 13 pesticides, while a Portuguese apple had traces of 11 chemicals.

And a pear  also imported from Portugal  carried traces of nine.

Children are being exposed to residue from pesticides in the fruit and vegetables handed out by schools including apples that had traces of 11 chemicals

Millions of portions of fruit and vegetables are given to 2.3million children aged four to six under a 40million-a-year scheme funded by the Department of Health.

But analysis shows the proportion of this produce carrying chemical residue is higher than that of supermarket fruit and veg.

The findings suggest quality control measures for the school scheme are not as high as those imposed by High Street chains.

The residue levels were low and the Department of Health insists there is no risk to children.

But campaigners say pupils should not be exposed to these chemicals at all  particularly in a scheme to boost health.

They are calling for only organic produce to be offered to youngsters. The problem was highlighted in analysis by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN UK) of the Governments testing on produce given out between 2005 and 2016.

It identified 123 pesticides, including suspected endocrine disruptors which interfere with hormone systems, known carcinogens, and organophosphates that can negatively affect childrens brain development.

The findings suggest quality control measures for the school scheme are not as high as those imposed by High Street chains

One pesticide found in 20 per cent of all samples  chlorpyrifos  has been at the centre of health concerns for years as exposure even to low levels has an impact on childrens brain development.

It was banned from most farm uses in the UK in April last year.

In California, officials are trying to restrict it, including increasing the distance from schools within which it cannot be used.

Lead researcher Nick Mole said: Our aim is not to alarm parents but they do have a right to know what chemicals are in the food being given to their children.

While we applaud the Department of Healths efforts to get children eating more fruit and vegetables, our research shows that the produce they are being given is generally worse than on the supermarket shelves.

Given how little it would cost to switch the scheme to organic, the Government shouldnt be putting our childrens health at risk when there are other options available.

PAN UK said switching to organic would cost roughly 1p per child a day, or 5.6million a year.

The organisation said little research had been done on the cocktail effect of children consuming residue from a mix of pesticides that are each within official safety limits.

Mr Mole said: We know that young children are one of the groups most vulnerable to the health impacts of pesticides.

Their bodies are still developing so exposure to certain pesticides at critical stages can lead to health complications in later life.

He also called for more to be done in measuring pesticide residue for all produce, adding: Given the body of evidence showing that pesticides do harm human health, its astonishing that the Department of Health is not already taking steps to protect UK citizens.

Under the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, all children aged four to six in local education authority-maintained infant, primary and special schools are entitled to a free piece of fruit or vegetable portion each school day.

The Department of Health said the schemes fruit and vegetables followed the same quality legislation as all produce, adding: Maximum residue levels (MRLs) are set significantly below a level that could represent a risk to health.

On the rare occasions when an MRL is exceeded, our thorough surveillance system detects it.
One person has been injured after two trucks side-swiped each other in South Australia.

The man was in a truck carrying live chickens that rolled over in the Murray Mallee region Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred just before 5am, with emergency services called to Hunter Road in Paisley.

One person has been injured after two trucks side-swiped each other in South Australia Tuesday morning, with one vehicle carrying live chickens involved in a roll-over (stock photo)

One person was taken by helicopter to the Flinders Medical Centre in a serious but stable condition.

The man reportedly extracted himself from the vehicle, a South Australia Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

The site the trucks collided is believed to be in a grain-growing and sheep-farming area.
Forget the Costa del Sol  India is becoming the latest front in an air fare war between budget airlines.

A little known no-frills airline has unveiled plans to launch direct flights to India for around 150, with a return trip costing around 350.

This is almost 100 less than the cheapest return flight from Britain to Mumbai in October advertised on flight comparison website Skyscanner.

Low budget airline Scoot has unveiled plans to launch direct flights to India for around 150, with a return trip costing around 350

Scoot, which is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, told the Times of India it aims to launch ultra-low cost fares from Europe to cities including Mumbai and Delhi.

It hopes to use its so-called fifth freedom privilege, which enables airlines to carry passengers between two foreign countries as a part of services that connect with their home country.

Scoot currently operates most of its UK flights to Manchester to avoid competing with its parent, Singapore Airlines.

But Indias two biggest no-frills airlines SpiceJet and IndiGo, are also said to be planning direct routes to Gatwick Airport.

Scoot said it aims to launch ultra-low cost fares from Europe to cities including Mumbai, pictured

This means those living in or near the capital could soon be able to snap up low cost fares to India.

Scoots operations are currently concentrated in the Far East and Australia, flying to Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Manila.

But the airline  whose slogan is escape the ordinary - also offers direct flights from Singapore to Athens costing from around 350 return.

Some passengers will rightly be sceptical about whether these super-cheap fares to India will ever become available.

Ryanair backtracked on a pledge it made in 2014 to launch flights to New York for under 10.




One in 79 Britons over the age of 21 is now a millionaire thanks to the relentless rise of property prices.

The number is up from one in 84 last year and is the highest level on record, according to a report published today.

It means Britain is now home to 625,000 millionaires, with the number of people worth at least 1,000,000 having increased by 44,000 over the past 12 months and by 142,500 since 2010.

London has 26,4 per cent of the UK's millionaires and an average house price of 482,000

The Barclays Wealth report shows every region of the UK saw an increase in the number of millionaires in the last year except Scotland where house prices have been hit by the crisis in the oil industry.

Experts said rising house prices meant the millionaire tag was no longer reserved for those with extreme wealth.

Bath, in the South West of England, a region that was found to have the fourth-most millionaires in the UK

Nearly half of millionaires in the UK live in London and the South East where property prices are typically higher than they are in the rest of the country.

London, where the average house price is 482,000, is home to 165,000 millionaires, or 26.4 per cent of the UK total.

Canterbury in the South East of England, which is home to 130,000 millionaires, the second highest in the UK

In other parts of the South East, where a typical home costs 320,000, there are 130,000 millionaires, or 20.8 per cent of the total.

The North East is the region with the fewest millionaires, according to the UK Prosperity Map published today [tues] by Barclays Wealth.

There are just 12,000 people worth at least 1,000,000 in the area, or 1.9 per cent of the total.

The East of England was third on the list, with 23.3 per cent more millionaires than it had in 2010

The average house price here is 130,000.

Wales and Northern Ireland each have 12,500 millionaires while Scotland is home to 30,500.

This is down on the 32,500 millionaires recorded in Scotland in 2010  with the fall thought to be due to the slump in the oil price in recent years.

This has hit the North Sea oil and gas industry hard, resulting in thousands of job losses, and depressing house prices in areas such as Aberdeen.

The biggest increase in the proportion of millionaires came in the East Midlands and the South West, up 11.1 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively.

House prices in the East Midlands are among the fastest growing in the country, rising by more than 7 per cent in the last 12 months to an average of 182,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Cheshire in the North West of England, where the average house price is 156,000

Dena Brumpton, chief executive of Barclays Wealth & Investments, said: Its interesting to note that the regions that have seen the greatest advance in millionaire numbers, namely the East Midlands and the South West, have both seen healthy upticks in property prices. The regions that have seen lower growth in millionaire numbers  for example, London  have typically experienced slower house price growth over the same period.

A report by estate agent Savills shows the number of homes in the UK worth 1million or more has doubled in the past ten years to nearly 400,000.

The list shows the North East is the region with the fewest millionaires in the UK

Lucian Cook, director of residential research at Savills, said: A 1million-plus home isnt exactly run of the mill, but nor is quite the benchmark it was ten years ago. And where once outside London only a large detached rectory or farmhouse came with such a price tag, it now applies to terraced townhouses in some regional hotspots.

Paul Cheshire, professor of economic geography and the London School of Economics, said: The term millionaire has long been reserved for those considered to have extreme wealth. A distant aspiration that was unattainable for the vast majority of the UK. As house prices continue to climb, the million pound marker becomes less of a pipe dream for many of those nearing the top of the ladder.
The 'fantasist' who triggered Scotland Yard's disastrous VIP paedophile ring inquiry has been allowed to keep his compensation, it emerged yesterday.

A man known only as 'Nick' pocketed 50,000 as a victim of crime which he has not had to repay even though his claims were fake.

He is one of several claimants to have been let off without having to repay taxpayer-funded handouts from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Ministers promised yesterday to investigate why no attempt was made to claw back the cash, and to reform the system if they found wrongdoing.

Nick is already under investigation for perverting the course of justice and for fraud. His false accusations against Field Marshall Lord Bramall (left) and former home secretary Lord Brittan (right) of involvement in a child sex abuse ring sparked Operation Midland

Nick is already under investigation for perverting the course of justice and for fraud.

His false accusations against Field Marshall Lord Bramall and former home secretary Lord Brittan of involvement in a child sex abuse ring sparked Operation Midland.

Officers tasked with 'supporting' Nick even helped him with his application to CICA.

Former MP Harvey Proctor (pictured_ lost his home, job and reputation after 'Nick' made bogus accusations against him

Former MP Harvey Proctor, who lost his home, job and reputation after 'Nick' made bogus accusations against him, said last night: 'The CICA should not be giving money to people just because they say they are victims. It is a nonsense and an affront to justice, and an insult to real victims of crime.'

Nick received compensation even though nobody was ever charged over his allegations.

Fantasists who have kept their compensation payouts include Jemma Beale, who made a string of false rape claims and pocketed 11,000 from the CICA.

The 25-year-old from Middlesex made claims against 15 men and later admitted to her partner she made the whole thing up for money. She was jailed for 10 years last month.

A friend of Lord Brammall told the Daily Telegraph: 'Nick has been exposed as a complete fantasist ... The whole thing is completely mad.'

CICA claimed it had a team to investigate fraudulent claims, but critics said there was no easy mechanism to recover money that had already been paid out. Justice minister Phillip Lee said: 'It is vital that the public can have absolute confidence in the system. We will investigate these claims fully.'
Security guard Eric Leon watches the Knightscope K5 security robot as it glides through the mall, charming shoppers with its blinking blue and white lights.

The brawny automaton records video and sounds alerts.

According to its maker, it deters mischief just by making the rounds.

Leon, the all-too-human guard, feels pretty sure that the robot will someday take his job.

Even in the technology hotbed stretching from Silicon Valley to San Francisco, a security robot can captivate passers-by. Pictured, Sophie Li, of Cupertino, Calif., offers to dance with a K5 robot made by Knightscope, Inc., at Westfield Valley Fair shopping center in San Jose

'He doesn't complain,' Leon says. 'He's quiet. No lunch break. He's starting exactly at 10.'

Even in the technology hotbed stretching from Silicon Valley to San Francisco, a security robot can captivate passers-by.

But the K5 is only one of a growing menagerie of automated novelties in a region where you can eat a delivered pizza made via automation and drink beers at a bar served by an airborne robot.

This summer, the San Francisco Chronicle published a tech tourism guide listing a dozen or so places where tourists can observe robots and automation in action.

Yet San Francisco is also where workers were the first to embrace mandatory sick leave and fully paid parental leave.

Voters approved a $15 hourly minimum wage in 2014, a requirement that Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law for the entire state in 2016.

And now one official is pushing a statewide 'tax' on robots that automate jobs and put people out of work.

A San Francisco supervisor is calling for a tax on robots that automate jobs and put people out of work, saying the money should be used to help the unemployed. Pictured, engineer Gale Curry field checks a K5 security robot

It's too soon to say if the effort will prevail, let alone whether less-progressive jurisdictions might follow suit.

The tussle points to the tensions that can flare when people embrace both technological innovation and a strong brand of social consciousness.

Such frictions seem destined to escalate as automation makes further inroads into the workplace.

One city supervisor, Norman Yee, has proposed barring food delivery robots from city streets, arguing that public sidewalks should be solely for people.

AI COULD OUTPERFORM HUMANS IN ALL TASKS IN 45 YEARS In a new study, researchers from Oxford Universitys Future of Humanity Institute, Yale University, and AI Impacts surveyed 352 machine learning experts to forecast the progress of AI in the next few decades. The experts were asked about the timing of specific capabilities and occupations, as well as their predictions on when AI will become superior over humans in all tasks  and what the social implications of this might be. The researchers predicted that machines will be better than humans at translating languages by 2024, writing high-school essays by 2026, driving a truck by 2027, and working in retail by 2031. By 2049, theyll be able to write a bestseller, and by 2053, theyll be working as surgeons, they said. According to the researchers, theres a 50 percent chance artificial intelligence will outperform humans in all tasks in just 45 years. And, by the same likelihood, they say machines could take over all human jobs in 120 years. Some said this could even happen sooner. The news isnt all bad, though. Despite warning that AI could have 'massive social consequences,' the researchers also determined that the probability of an extremely bad outcome, like human extinction as a result of AI, is only 5 percent. Advertisement

'I'm a people person,' Yee says, 'so I tend to err on the side of things that should be beneficial and safe for people.'

Jane Kim, the city supervisor who is pushing the robot tax, says it's important to think now about how people will earn a living as more U.S. jobs are lost to automation.

After speaking with experts on the subject, she decided to launch a statewide campaign with the hope of bringing revenue-raising ideas to the state legislature or directly to voters.

'I really do think automation is going to be one of the biggest issues around income inequality,' Kim says.

It makes sense, she adds, that the city at the center of tech disruption take up the charge to manage that disruption.

'It's not inherently a bad thing, but it will concentrate wealth, and it's going to drive further inequity if you don't prepare for it now,' she says.

K5 is one of a growing menagerie of automated novelties in a region where you can eat a pizza made via automation and drink beers at a bar served by a robot. City supervisor Jane Kim (shown) is calling for a tax on firms that automate jobs once held by humans

'Preposterous' is what William Santana Li, CEO of security robot maker Knightscope calls the supervisor's idea.

His company created the K5 robot monitoring the Westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose.

The private security industry, Li says, suffers from high turnover and low pay.

As he sees it, having robots handle menial tasks allows human guards to assume greater responsibilities - like managing a platoon of K5 robots - and likely earn more pay in the process.

Li acknowledges that such jobs would require further training and some technological know-how.

Jane Kim (pictured), the city supervisor who is pushing the robot tax, says it's important to think now about how people will earn a living as more U.S. jobs are lost to automation

But he says people ultimately stand to benefit. Besides, Li says, it's wrong to think that robots are intended to take people's jobs.

'We're working on 160 contracts right now, and I can maybe name two that are literally talking about, 'How can I get rid of that particular human position?''

The question of whether - or how quickly - workers will be displaced by automation ignites fierce debate.

It's enough to worry Bill Gates, who suggested in an interview early this year a robot tax as a way to slow the speed of automation and give people time to prepare.

The Microsoft co-founder hasn't spoken publicly about it since.

A report last year from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development concluded that 9 percent of jobs in the United States - or about 13 million - could be automated.

Other economists argue that the impact will be much less drastic.

The spread of automation should also generate its own jobs, analysts say, offsetting some of those being eliminated. Workers will be needed, for example, to build and maintain robots and develop the software to run them.

Security guard Eric Leon watches the Knightscope K5 security robot as it glides through the mall, charming shoppers with its blinking blue and white lights. The brawny automaton records video and sounds alerts

The tussle points to the tensions that can flare when people embrace both technological innovation and a strong brand of social consciousness. William Santana Li, CEO of Knightscope, Inc., stands near a K5 security robot as he speaks at company headquarters

Technological innovation has in the past created jobs in another way, too: Work involving new technologies is higher-skilled and typically higher-paying. Analysts say that much of the extra income those workers earn tends to be spent on additional goods and services, thereby creating more jobs.

'There are going to be a wider array of jobs that will support the automation economy,' said J.P. Gownder, an analyst at the research firm Forrester.

'A lot of what we're going to be doing is working side by side with robots.'

What about people who lose jobs to automation but can't transition to more technologically demanding work?

Lawmakers in Hawaii have voted to explore the idea of a universal basic income to guarantee wages to servers, cooks and cleaners whose jobs may be replaced by machines.

Kim, the San Francisco supervisor, is weighing the idea of using revenue from a robot tax to supplement the low wages of people whose jobs can't be automated, like home health care aides.

The private security industry, Li says, suffers from high turnover and low pay. As he sees it, having robots handle menial tasks allows human guards to assume greater responsibilities, like managing a platoon of K5 robots, and likely earn more pay in the process

Doug Bloch, political director of Teamsters Joint Council 7 in Northern California and northern Nevada, said there have been no mass layoffs among hotel, trucking or food service staff resulting from automation.

But that day is coming, he warns.

Part of his responsibility is to make sure that union drivers receive severance and retraining if they lose work to automation.

'All the foundations are being built for this,' he says. 'The table is being set for this banquet, and we want to make sure our members have a seat at the table.'

Tech companies insist their products will largely assist, and not displace, workers. Savioke, based in San Jose, makes 3-foot-tall (91 centimeter) robots - called Relay - that deliver room service at hotels where only one person might be on duty at night.

This allows the clerk to stay at the front desk, said Tessa Lau, the company's 'chief robot whisperer.'

Tech companies insist their products will largely assist, and not displace, workers. Savioke makes the 3-foot-tall (91 centimeter) Relay robots that deliver room service at hotels where only one person might be on duty at night, allowing the clerk to stay at the front desk

'We think of it as our robots taking over tasks but not taking over jobs,' Lau says. 'If you think of a task as walking down a hall and waiting for an elevator, Relay's really good at that.'

Similarly, friends Steve Simoni, Luke Allen and Gregory Jaworski hatched the idea of a drink-serving robot one night at a crowded bar in San Francisco. There was no table service. But there was a sea of thirsty people.

'We all wanted another round, but you have to send someone to leave the conversation and wait in line at the bar for 10 minutes and carry all the drinks back,' Allen says.

They created the Bbot, a box that slides overhead on a fixed route at the Folsom Street Foundry in San Francisco, bringing drinks ordered by smartphone and poured by a bartender - who still receives a tip.

The bar is in Kim's district in the South of Market neighborhood.

Simoni says the company is small and it couldn't shoulder a government tax. But he's glad policy makers are preparing for a future with more robots and automation.

'I don't know if we need to tax companies for it, but I think it's an important debate,' he says.

As for his trio, he says: 'We're going to side with innovation every time. Innovation is what moves the world forward.'

'We think of it as our robots taking over tasks but not taking over jobs,' Lau says. 'If you think of a task as walking down a hall and waiting for an elevator, Relay's really good at that'
Huawei is turning to artificial intelligence in the hope of getting one up on its rivals, including Apple and Samsung.

The firm has announced that its next smartphone, the Mate 10, will come with its own Kirin 970 chipset with AI processing capabilities  marking the first time a Neural Processing Unit has been used in a smartphone.

The chipset means that instead of relying on AI in the cloud, the smartphone will have its own sensing abilities within the device.

Scroll down for video

Huawei has announced that its next smartphone, the Mate 10, will come with its own Kirin 970 chipset with AI processing capabilities  marking the first time a Neural Processing Unit has been used in a smartphone. Pictured is an idea of what the phone could look like

HUAWEI'S AI PLANS Huawei has announced that its next smartphone, the Mate 10, will come with its own Kirin 970 chipset with AI processing capabilities. The chipset means that instead of relying on AI in the cloud, the smartphone will have its own sensing abilities within the device. As well as giving the smartphone AI capabilities, the Kirin 970 chip will also give the Mate 10 50 per cent longer battery life, according to Huawei. This marks the first time a Neural Processing Unit has been used in a smartphone. Advertisement

Speaking to Reuters at the IFA conference in Berlin, Richard Yu, chief of consumer products at Huawei, said: 'Compared with Samsung and Apple, we have advantages.

'Users are in for much faster (feature) performance, longer battery life and more compact design.'

As well as giving the smartphone AI capabilities, the Kirin 970 chip will also give the Mate 10 50 per cent longer battery life, according to Huawei.

The Mate 10 will be unveiled on 16 October, one month after Apple reveals its highly-anticipated iPhone 8.

This isn't the first time that Mr Yu has claimed that the next Huawei device will outperform the next iPhone.

In July, he claimed that the Mate 10 would take better pictures, charge faster and have a better battery life than the iPhone 8.

The Mate 10 will be unveiled on 16 October, one month after Apple reveals its highly-anticipated iPhone 8

But Apple isn't shying away from artificial intelligence research.

A new report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that Apple is trying to draw attention to its AI efforts, in the hopes of luring in tech talent.

The report reveals that Apple launched a public blog in July to publicise its AI work, and has allowed its researchers to speak at several conferences on artificial intelligence.

Rumours also suggest that the Mat 10 will feature a dual-lens camera (pictured is an idea of what this may look like)

As well as giving the smartphone AI capabilities, the Kirin 970 chip will also give the Mate 10 50 per cent longer battery life, according to Huawei. Pictured right is an image of the new device

In March, Charlie Tang, a research scientist at Apple gave a presentation on robots, but didn't specifically mention any of Apple's work.

In an interview, Mr Tang said: 'We want to open communication with the [artificial intelligence] community.'

Trying to be more open might not come naturally to Apple, which holds strict secrecy on many of its products, like the iPhone.

But Apple isn't shying away from artificial intelligence research. A new report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that Apple is trying to draw attention to its AI efforts, in the hopes of luring in tech talent. Pictured is Apple CEO, Tim Cook

Jack Clark, head of strategy at OpenAI, told the Wall Street Journal that 'overcoming that [culture] is difficult.'

While Apple has vowed to publish more of its AI research, it remains to be seen how much.

Professor Ruslan Salakhutdinov, director of AI research at Apple said: 'You can have quantity, but producing high quality research is very important.'
It is one of the toughest places to live on Earth.

Now, a six-strong team of astronauts is preparing to head to the Dhofar desert in Oman next year in an attempt to simulate what life will be like on Mars.

The astronauts are using the trial as a 'dress rehearsal' for future missions to the red planet, and will carry out 19 experiments designed to search for traces of life.

In February 2018, They will spend four weeks living in almost complete isolation.

Among the scientific equipment they will take with them for the Amadee-18 experiment will be a a drone, robotic rovers and a hydroponic greenhouse.

Scroll down for video

A team of astronauts will head to the Dhofar desert in Oman next year to simulate what life will be like on Mars. The astronauts are using the trial as a 'dress rehearsal' for future missions to the red planet, and will carry out 19 experiments designed to search for traces of life

THE AMADEE-18 EXPERIMENT Astronauts in the Dhofar desert will carry out a range of experiments, and use a drone, robotic rovers and an inflatable greenhouse to simulate missions on Mars. A second team will run the mission control centre from Innsbruck, with a 10-minute signal delay between the two teams  just as there would be on Mars. The 19 experiments that will be undertaken over the four week mission range from growing microgreens in the greenhouse, to DNA sequencing supported by rovers. Scroll down for a full list of the experiments Advertisement

The experiment is being conducted by the Austrian Space Forum, which is based in Innsbruck.

A 'small field crew' will carry out 19 experiments, and use a drone, robotic rovers and an inflatable greenhouse to simulate missions on Mars.

A second team will run the mission control centre from Innsbruck, with a 10-minute signal delay between the two teams  just as there would be on Mars.

The test site spans 120 square miles across the Dhofar desert  an area chosen because of its resemblance to Mars.

In a statement about the mission, a spokesperson for the Austrian Space Forum said: 'The deserts of Dhofar have a resemblance to various Mars surface features, such as sedimentary structures dating back to the Paleocene and Eocene, salt domes of the South Oman Salt Basin and ancient river beds.

'The test site offers a wide range of sand and rocky surfaces combined with a broad variability in inclination.'

The experiment is the 13th Mars analog mission, and the Austrian Space Forum claims that it is the biggest yet.

Speaking to The Times, Gernot Gromer, president of the Austrian Space Forum said: 'We're piecing together Mars here on Earth.

The deserts of Dhofar have a resemblance to various Mars surface features, such as sedimentary structures dating back to the Paleocene and Eocene, salt domes of the South Oman Salt Basin and ancient river beds

'Every time we try to get bigger and better and closer to the real thing. We need to understand the capabilities and limitations of our equipment and what people need to do when they get there.

'This is the biggest mission we've ever done.'

The 19 experiments that will be undertaken over the four week mission range from growing microgreens in the greenhouse, to DNA sequencing supported by rovers.

A 'small field crew' will carry out 19 experiments, and use a drone, robotic rovers and an inflatable greenhouse to simulate missions on Mars. A second team will run the mission control centre from Innsbruck, with a 10-minute signal delay between the two teams  just as there would be on Mars

Julie Blommaert, who is leading the DNA sequencing experiment, said: 'If there is life on Mars, and it is DNA-based, it should persist long enough to be detected by our method.

'It's also possible that life on Mars uses similar molecules to DNA, other nucleic acids, and these should also be detectable.

'So if this method is eventually deployed on Mars, even if there is no DNA found, maybe it'll find something else really weird and interesting.

The test site spans 120 square miles across the Dhofar desert  an area chosen because of its resemblance to Mars

'I think that's really the basis of all this exploration of Mars and other planets: who knows what we will find?'

Dr Gromer hopes that the mission will help space agencies including Nasa and SpaceX to accelerate their missions to Mars.

Dr Gromer hopes that the mission will help space agencies including Nasa and SpaceX to accelerate their missions to Mars (artist's impression pictured)

He added: 'I firmly believe that the first human to walk on Mars has already been born, but it might be a kindergarten kid.

'We're doing our best to enable the journey. It won't be us who take it, because we will be too old.

'We are more like the shipbuilders preparing for the greatest voyage humanity will ever make.'
Its hard to believe that summer is almost over. If you want to get in some good last-minute reading before the leaves begin to change, this months Book Report has a few suggestions.

Don Winslow is best known for his crime thrillers (Cartel) set on the West Coast. His latest novel, The Force, is set in New York City, and it is a propulsive, action-packed crime novel that will leave you breathless.

Denny Malone is the leader of the Manhattan North Special Task Force, known as Da Force." They are the alpha cops, the ones you see on the news making big drug, gun and gang busts, putting the bad guys behind bars and making northern Manhattan safer. If there was a secret Da Force didnt know about, it was because it hadnt been whispered about or even thought about yet.

Da Force are supposed to be the good guys, but when the temptation of all that drug money and their desire to provide a good lives for their families collide, trouble follows. The novel opens with hero cop Malone behind bars himself in federal lockup with a big decision to make: protect his family or his partners.

The novel then tells how Malone got there, and it whips along at a breakneck pace. Winslow so submerges the reader into the grittier parts of upper Manhattan that you actually feel like youre riding right there along with him. And if you think only the cops are dirty, lets just say that no one gets out of this unscathed.

Stephen King called The Force 'The Godfather,' only with cops, and that may be the best blurb I have ever read. It utterly describes the vibe you get from reading this heart-pounding book. Winslow dedicates this novel to the law enforcement personnel who lost their lives during the time he wrote the book, and names them all: The list is two and half pages, and is a sobering beginning to this outstanding book, which I highly recommend.

Author Susan Elia MacNeals World War II heroine Maggie Hope returns in her seventh adventure in The Paris Spy. Maggie goes undercover working with the Winston Churchills Special Operations Executive in Paris during the German occupation.

Her work is extremely dangerous, and when an agent who has valuable information about the pending Allied invasion is captured and tortured, Maggie and two of her colleagues must find that information and get it back to England, all while looking for the traitor in their midst.

Maggie must also deal with competing intelligence agencies who dont trust each other, and she has a personal mission: To find her missing sister, who was liberated from a concentration camp and hasnt been seen since.

Maggie and her cohorts risk their lives, and there are many tense scenes in this outstanding entry in this historical mystery series. At the end of the book, Maggie faces a troubling decision, one that will resonate in the next book, which I cant wait to read.

MacNeal does impeccable research for her novels, and The Paris Spy is no different. She includes a historical notes section at the end, which is fascinating to any World War II history buff. She also gives the reader a list of books she consulted, if you want to continue your own historical reading.

Taylor Jenkins Reids The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo may put people in mind of Elizabeth Taylor. Evelyn Hugo was a glamorous movie star during the glory days of Hollywood, beloved by millions and married to seven men. She has been out of the limelight for years, and an interview with her is coveted by many people.

Only Hugo knows why she chose a relatively unknown reporter to secretly write her biography, each chapter about one of her seven husbands. Throughout the story, we find out that the love of Hugos life was not one of her husbands, but a complete surprise, a relationship she kept hidden from the public out of fear.

The characters in this fascinating novel are so well-drawn, particularly Hugo herself. She is a larger-than-life movie star, and she jumps off the page as she tells her amazing story. It reminded me of Adriana Trigianis All The Stars In The Heavens, and if you are a Turner Classic Movies fan, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a must-read. Its a heartbreaker.
In response to Vladimir Putin's claims last week that whoever cracks artificial intelligence with 'rule the world', Elon Musk has said that he thinks the technology will be the most likely cause of World War 3.

Musk took to Twitter this morning to make the chilling warning, claiming that 'competition for AI superiority at national level' could spark a war.

The Tesla and SpaceX founder suggests that a war is likely to be started by one of the AIs itself, rather than a country leader.

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In response to Vladimir Putin's claims last week that whoever cracks artificial intelligence with 'rule the world', Elon Musk has said that he thinks the technology will be the most likely cause of World War 3

MUSK: AI IS A FUNDAMENTAL RISK During a question-and-answer session at the summer conference of the National Governors Association in Rhode Island., Tesla CEO Elon Musk warned that regulation of artificial intelligence is needed because it's a 'fundamental risk to the existence of human civilisation.' The billionaire said regulations will stop humanity from being outsmarted by computers, or 'deep intelligence in the network', that can start wars by manipulating information. Governments must have a better understanding of artificial intelligence technology's rapid evolution in order to fully comprehend the risks, he said. 'Once there is awareness, people will be extremely afraid, as they should be...By the time we are reactive in AI regulation, it'll be too late,' he added. Advertisement

Musk tweeted a link to The Verge's story about Putin's claims last Friday, along with the caption: 'It begins...'

He then followed this up with a tweet saying: 'China, Russia, soon all countries with strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 in my opinion.'

One of his followers, Jake Blue, added: 'An automated WWIII at that. That's a worry.'

Musk replied: 'May be initiated not by the country leaders, but one of the AI's, if it decides that a prepemptive strike is most probable path to victory.'

Musk's comments were in response to Putin's claims last week that whoever cracks artificial intelligence will come to dominate the world.

Putin, speaking Friday at a meeting with students, said the development of AI raises 'colossal opportunities and threats that are difficult to predict now.'

He warned that 'the one who becomes the leader in this sphere will be the ruler of the world.'

'Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind,' Putin said during the discussion, according to RT.

But, he warned that 'it would be strongly undesirable if someone wins a monopolist position,' vowing that Russia would be ready to share its progress in artificial intelligence with other nations.

'If we become leaders in this area, we will share this know-how with the entire world, the same way we share our nuclear technologies today,' Putin said.

One of his followers, Jake Blue, added: 'An automated WWIII at that. That's a worry,' to which Musk replied: 'May be initiated not by the country leaders, but one of the AI's, if it decides that a prepemptive strike is most probable path to victory'

Elon Musk has been very vocal about his concerns over the future of AI, and has previously warned that the development of robots will cause huge disruption to jobs

Putin also touched on several other topics during the discussion, including space, medicine, and the capabilities of the human brain, according to RT.

'The movement of the eyes can be used to operate various systems, and also there are possibilities to analyze human behaviour in extreme situations, including in space,' Putin said.

And, he predicted that future wars will be fought by drones, and 'when one party's drones are destroyed by drones of another, it will have no other choice but to surrender.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, attends a meeting with students in Yaroslavl, Russia, Friday, Sept 1. Putin, speaking at a meeting with students, said the development of AI raises 'colossal opportunities and threats that are difficult to predict now'

Pictured, Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, applauds during a meeting with students in Yaroslavl, Russia. 'Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind,' Putin said during the discussion

AI'S ROLE IN DRONE WARFARE Concerns about Chinese inroads into advanced technology come as the U.S. military looks to incorporate elements of artificial intelligence and machine learning into its drone program. Project Maven, as the effort is known, aims to provide some relief to military analysts who are part of the war against Islamic State. These analysts currently spend long hours staring at big screens reviewing video feeds from drones as part of the hunt for insurgents in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The Pentagon is trying to develop algorithms that would sort through the material and alert analysts to important finds, according to Air Force Lieutenant General John N.T. 'Jack' Shanahan, director for defense intelligence for warfighting support. A British Royal Air Force Reaper hunter killer unmanned aerial vehicle on the flight line February 21, 2014 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Military bosses say intelligence analysts are 'overwhelmed' by the amount of video being recorded over the battlefield by drones with high resolution cameras 'A lot of times these things are flying around(and)... there's nothing in the scene that's of interest,' he told Reuters. Shanahan said his team is currently trying to teach the system to recognize objects such as trucks and buildings, identify people and, eventually, detect changes in patterns of daily life that could signal significant developments. 'We'll start small, show some wins,' he said. A Pentagon official said the U.S. government is requesting to spend around $30 million on the effort in 2018. Similar image recognition technology is being developed commercially by firms in Silicon Valley, which could be adapted by adversaries for military reasons. Shanahan said he' not surprised that Chinese firms are making investments there. 'They know what they're targeting,' he said. Research firm CB Insights says it has tracked 29 investors from mainland China investing in U.S. artificial intelligence companies since the start of 2012. The risks extend beyond technology transfer. 'When the Chinese make an investment in an early stage company developing advanced technology, there is an opportunity cost to the U.S. since that company is potentially off-limits for purposes of working with (the Department of Defense),' the report said. Advertisement

As artificial intelligence rapidly grows, world leaders are increasingly feeling the pressure to stay on top of the technology.

Earlier this summer, the United States appeared poised to heighten scrutiny of Chinese investment in Silicon Valley to better shield sensitive technologies seen as vital to US national security, according to current and former US officials.

Of particular concern is China's interest in fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which have increasingly attracted Chinese capital in recent years.

The worry is that cutting-edge technologies developed in the United States could be used by China to bolster its military capabilities and perhaps even push it ahead in strategic industries.

In the discussion, Putin also warned that 'it would be strongly undesirable if someone wins a monopolist position,' vowing that Russia would be ready to share its progress in artificial intelligence with other nations

Putin also touched on several other topics during the discussion, including space, medicine, and the capabilities of the human brain, according to RT

The US government is now looking to strengthen the role of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the inter-agency committee that reviews foreign acquisitions of U.S. companies on national security grounds.

An unreleased Pentagon report, viewed by Reuters, warns that China is skirting US oversight and gaining access to sensitive technology through transactions that currently don't trigger CFIUS review.

Such deals would include joint ventures, minority stakes and early-stage investments in start-ups.

'We're examining CFIUS to look at the long-term health and security of the US economy, given China's predatory practices' in technology, said a Trump administration official, who was not authorized to speak publicly.

'If we become leaders in this area, we will share this know-how with the entire world, the same way we share our nuclear technologies today,' Putin said at the meeting with students

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis weighed into the debate last week, calling CFIUS 'outdated' and telling a Senate hearing: 'It needs to be updated to deal with today's situation.'

Even tech giants  who, themselves are involved in the growth of AI  have debated the topic.

This summer, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook Live video that he's 'really optimistic' about its development, as it holds potential to bring 'a dramatic improvement in people's lives.'

During the Facebook Live session, Zuckerberg responded to several questions, including one which said:

A Twitter user posts an article about Zuckerberg's comments to which Musk responded saying 'I've talked to Mark about this. His understanding of the subject is limited'

'I watched a recent interview with Elon Musk, and his largest fear for future was AI. What are your thoughts on AI, and how it could affect the world?'

Taking a different stance than Musk and others who have warned of the potential dangers of technology, Zuckerberg argued that AI will have a number of positive impacts on our daily lives.

'I have pretty strong opinions on this,' Zuckerberg said.

'I'm really optimistic. I'm an optimistic person in general  I think you can build things and the world gets better. But, with AI especially.

'And I think that people who are naysayers and kind of try to drum up these doomsday scenarios are  I don't understand it.

'It's really negative and in some ways I actually think it's pretty irresponsible.'

Not long after, however, Musk fired back with his own opinions.

After a Twitter user posted an article about Zuckerberg's comments, Musk responded saying 'I've talked to Mark about this. His understanding of the subject is limited'.

Musk has been very vocal about his concerns over the future of AI.

He has warned that the development of robots will cause huge disruption to jobs and believes people should have a universal basic income to protect them.

The tech giant revealed in June he's kept a 'wary eye' on the growth of AI for years as an investor in DeepMind, which was acquired by Google in 2014.
There may be yet another reason to tie the knot.

A new study suggests that marriage changes you forever, by helping to hone your levels of forgiveness and self-control.

The researchers suggest that these traits improve over the first four years of marriage to not only help the relationship to flourish, but also to increase individual health and well-being.

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After the excitement of the wedding, married life can take some adjusting to. And a new study suggests that marriage changes you forever, by helping to hone your levels of forgiveness and self-control (stock image)

THE STUDY Researchers recruited 199 newlywed couples, and measured how forgiving each partner was, by asking participants to rate their agreement with phrases like 'When my partner wrongs me, my approach is just to forgive and forget.' They also measured each partner's self-control, by asking them to rate their agreement with phrases like 'I am good at resisting temptation.' The study was then repeated each year for four years. The results showed that over the course of the study, the participants' forgiveness and self-control levels increased. Interestingly, the developments of self-control and forgiveness were unrelated, so while people become more self-controlled and forgiving over the course of a marriage, these developments do not coincide. Advertisement

The study was highlighted in a new feature by the BBC.

Researchers from Tilburg University in the Netherlands suggest that two of the most important skills in a marriage are self-control and forgiveness.

In their study, the team recruited 199 newlywed couples, and measured how forgiving each partner was, by asking participants to rate their agreement with phrases like 'When my partner wrongs me, my approach is just to forgive and forget.'

The researchers also measured each partner's self-control, by asking them to rate their agreement with phrases like 'I am good at resisting temptation.'

The study was then repeated each year for four years.

The results showed that over the course of the study, the participants' forgiveness and self-control levels increased.

Interestingly, the developments of self-control and forgiveness were unrelated, so while people become more self-controlled and forgiving over the course of a marriage, these developments do not coincide.

In their study, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, the researchers, led by Dr Tila Pronk, wrote: 'Having a high level of self-control is a desirable attribute: It helps one to prosper in almost all domains in life, including close relationships.

'Similarly, being forgiving toward one's spouse not only benefits the relationship but also contributes to individual health and well-being.

'It would thus make sense for people to strive to improve their levels of self-control and forgiveness, especially when they recently committed to their relationship.'

Researchers from Tilburg University in the Netherlands suggest that two of the most important skills in a marriage are self-control and forgiveness (stock image)

HOW FRIENDS AFFECT MARRIAGE In the past, psychologists have seen an extensive friend network as a benefit of marriage, Dr Fiori said. However, many married couples report spending less time with their friends than single people. This could be because couples turn toward one another for their social needs, but it could also be a result of friction between spouses and friends, Dr Fiori said. The psychologist recommends that couples struggling with these issues re-frame their relationship to consider the benefits a friend can bring to a spouse. Couples should also consider how the benefits of that friendship can trickle down to the marriage itself, she said. Advertisement

This isn't the first study to suggest that marriage changes you forever.

In 2012, researchers from the University of Munster looked at personality changes in nearly 15,000 people over a four year period  664 of which had recently married.

Their analysis showed that married people showed decreases in both extroversion and openness to experience compared to the single participants.

And a study in 2000 by researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health backed up this pattern, at least among women.

Researchers looked at the personalities of 2,274 middle-aged participants twice over a period of six to nine years.

During that time, 20 of the women got married and 29 got divorced.

An analysis of the results showed that the divorced women showed increased extroversion and openness, compared to the married women.

In contrast, married men were found to improve in conscientiousness and decrease their level of neuroticism, compared to divorced men.
A giant black hole 100,000 times more massive than the sun has been in the heart of our galaxy.

The monster black hole is the second largest ever seen in the Milky Way after the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*.

It was discovered hiding in a toxic gas cloud 25,000 light years from Earth by Japanese astronomers.

Dubbed a 'intermediate-mass black holes', it fills a gap in astronomers knowledge about how supermassive black holes form.

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A strange form of black hole has been detected for the first time at the heart of the Milky Way - and it could reveal new details about how our galaxy evolved. It's a 'mini-me' version of its neighbouring supermassive 'cousin' - shedding light on how it formed. Stock image

HOW WAS IT FOUND? A black hole is a region of space that has such an extremely powerful gravitational field that it absorbs all the light that passes near it and reflects none. Scientists found clues to the latest black hole hiding in a cloud of molecular gas by Japanese astronomers using the Alma (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) 16,400 feet above sea level in the Andes in northern Chile. The radio telescope's high sensitivity and resolution enabled them to observe the cloud 195 light years from the Milky Way's centre spot. Professor Tomoharu Oka and colleagues used computer simulations to show the high velocity motion, or kinematics, of the gas could only be explained by an intermediate black hole concealed in its midst. They also found the emission from this cloud closely resembles a scaled-down version of the Milky Way's quiescent supermassive black hole. Advertisement

The black hole was found hiding in a cloud of molecular gas by astronomers using the Alma (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) 16,400 feet above sea level in the Andes in northern Chile.

The radio telescope's high sensitivity and resolution enabled them to observe the cloud 195 light years from the Milky Way's centre spot.

These intermediate-mass black holes black holes were believed to exist but none had ever actually been identified - until now.

Recent research has shown supermassive black holes are essential to the creation of galaxies, stars - and even life itself.

Each one is about half a per cent of the host galaxy's size - which indicates they are the driving force behind their evolution.

The finding published in Nature Astronomy provides important insights into how supermassive black holes like the one at the very centre of our galaxy were created.

Although it is well established they reside in seemingly all galaxies we do not know how they get so enormous.

This is despite them appearing to have been in place when the universe was comparatively young - only a few hundred million years old.

It was found hiding in a cloud of molecular gas by Japanese astronomers using the Alma (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) 16,400 feet above sea level in the Andes in northern Chile

It's believed they could be the seeds of their more massive counterparts - merging together to form a gigantic one.

Intermediate black holes might simply turn out to be their progenitors.

It's difficult to find black holes - because they are completely black. But in some cases they cause effects which can be seen.

A black hole is a region of space that has such an extremely powerful gravitational field that it absorbs all the light that passes near it and reflects none.

Professor Tomoharu Oka and colleagues used computer simulations to show the high velocity motion, or kinematics, of the gas could only be explained by an intermediate black hole concealed in its midst.

They also found the emission from this cloud closely resembles a scaled-down version of the Milky Way's quiescent supermassive black hole.

Professor Oka, of Keio University in Japan said it is widely accepted black holes with masses greater than a million solar masses lurk at the centres of massive galaxies, but their origins remain unknown.

He said: 'One possible scenario is intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) - which are formed by the runaway coalescence of stars in young compact star clusters - merge at the centre of a galaxy to form a supermassive black hole.

'Although many candidates for IMBHs have been proposed none is accepted as definitive. Recently we discovered a peculiar molecular cloud near the centre of our Milky Way galaxy.

'Based on the careful analysis of gas kinematics we concluded a compact object with a mass of about 100,000 solar masses is lurking in this cloud.'

Professor Oka said it suggests 'this massive object is an inactive IMBH which is not currently accreting matter.'

Despite their popularity both in real science and science fiction the concept of a black hole has only been around for a hundred years - as predicted by Albert Einstein.

'The term itself did not come into use until 1967, and it was just 46 years ago that the first one was identified.

Professor Oka said: 'Further detection of such compact high-velocity features in various environments may increase the number of non-luminous black hole candidate and thereby increase targets to search for evidential proof of general relativity.

'This would make a considerable contribution to the progress of modern physics.'
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A remarkable letter by Albert Einstein in which he slammed British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain for appeasing Adolf Hitler has sold for almost 25,000 (32,400).

It was penned by the world famous physicist in 1938, just 10 days after the Munich agreement was signed in September allowing Adolf Hitler to annex part of Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland.

The letter was to his best friend Michele Besso, a Swiss/Italian engineer, discussing the future of Europe and Mr Chamberlain's leadership.

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A letter written by German physicist Albert Einstein written days after the 1938 Munich Agreement sold for almost 25,000 (32,400). In the letter, Einstein criticises the leadership of then British prime minister Neville Chamberlain, particularly over his policy of appeasement towards Adolf Hitler's invasion of parts of Czechoslovkia

EXTRACT FROM EINSTEIN'S LETTER Einstein wrote: 'You have confidence in the British and even Chamberlain? 'Oh holy innocence'. 'Hoping that Hitler might let off steam by attacking Russia, he sacrifices Eastern Europe. 'But we will come to see once more that shrewdness does not win in the long term. 'In France, he pushed the left into a corner and, in France as well, helped give power to those people whose motto is 'better Hitler than the Reds'. 'Now he saved Hitler in the nick of time by crowning himself with the wreath of love of peace and inducing France to betray the Czechs. 'He did all this in such a clever way that he deceived most people, even you (unfortunately). 'I do not have any hope left for the future of Europe.' Advertisement

The two-page letter, which was addressed to a Swiss friend of Einstein, has now been sold by an anonymous private collector by LA-based Nate D Sanders.

The letter measures 8.5in by 11in and comes with its original envelope postmarked Princeton, October 11, 1938.

'This is an exceptional and lengthy autograph letter signed by Albert Einstein', said a spokesman for auctioneers Nate D Sanders.

'Einstein showed that his sharp mind extends beyond physics to also include the nuances and repercussions of international diplomacy.

'While most people praised Chamberlain for avoiding war by appeasing Hitler, Einstein accurately predicted that it would embolden Hitler and do further damage to European alliances.'

The Munich agreement is famous for Mr Chamberlain's 'Peace For Our Time' speech made just hours after the conference, attended by the leaders of the UK, Germany, France and Italy.

Mr Chamberlain said the deal with Germany was 'symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again', but it actually only served to further Hitler's agenda to expand into Europe.

It was not attended by the Czechoslovakian government, however, leading to widespread criticism and the agreement being renamed the Munich Betrayal within the country.

Einstein was another critic and said Mr Chamberlain was just trying to 'save himself' by convincing other powers to follow his policy of appeasement.

He also told Mr Besso he believed the prime minister was hoping Hitler would turn his attention to Russia and fight against Communism.

Einstein, who left Germany for New Jersey after Hitler came to power in 1933, wrote: 'You have confidence in the British and even Chamberlain? O sancta simplicitas...! [Oh holy innocence]

'[He is] Hoping that Hitler might let off steam by attacking Russia, he sacrifices Eastern Europe.

The letter was sent to Einstein's best friend Michele Besso, a Swiss/Italian engineer who lived in Switzerland. Einstein told Mr Besso he was 'naive' for having any faith in Mr Chamberlain and said the British leader was 'hoping Hitler would let off steam by attacking Russia. In the letter he also accused the prime minister of 'betraying' Czechoslovakia and being 'deceptive' by convincing the French to do the same

Einstein, left, wrote that Neville Chamberlain (right) was supporting those who believed 'Better Hitler than the Red', referring to Communists. Many historians have also criticised Mr Chamberlain for not opposing German expansion sooner, leading to Hitler then taking over the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 before he invaded Poland in September that year, causing the outbreak of the Second World War

'But we will come to see once more that shrewdness does not win in the long term.

'In France, he pushed the Left into a corner and, in France as well, helped give power to those people whose motto is, 'Better Hitler than the Reds.'

'The extermination policy against Spain already showed this clearly. Now he saved Hitler in the nick of time by crowning himself with the wreath of love of peace and inducing France to betray the Czechs.

'He did all this in such a clever way that he deceived most people, even you (unfortunately). His only fear, which spurred him on to his humiliating flights, was the worry that Hitler might lose ground.

'I do not have any hope left for the future of Europe.'

The Munich Agreement was famously followed by Mr Chamberlain's 'Peace for Our Time' speech in which he said the deal showed the UK and Germany 'never wanted to go to war again'. However, it only served to give Hitler the confidence to be more aggressive and it made him believe the UK and France would not risk war by opposing him

Chamberlain's legacy has been defended by some, with the cheers and applause he received at the speech, pictured, used as evidence that the country did not want to go to war and were not concerned about the invasion of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain is pictured holding up the signed agreement he believed meant war would be avoided

THE 1938 MUNICH AGREEMENT The Munich Agreement in September 1938 saw the leaders of the UK, Germany, France and Italy meet to discuss Hitler's expansion into parts of western Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland. The Czech government was not invited to the conference in Munich, causing outrage, and the major powers eventually agreed to allow Germany to annex the region without opposition. It became infamous as part of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's appeasement policy, with the leader returning to the UK promising 'peace for our time'. He also said the deal was proof the UK and Germany 'would never go to war again', although historians argue it only gave Hitler more confidence he could invade other parts of Europe without fear of reprisal. In early 1939, Hitler annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia without opposition, and it was not until September of that year that France and the UK finally declared war after Germany invaded Poland. Advertisement

The agreement permitted Germany to take over much of the western borderlands of the country, where many German-speakers lived.

Mr Chamberlain's government believed appeasing Hitler and Germany was the proper course of action following the harsh treatment it received following the First World War.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was forced to accept blame for the outbreak and pay huge reparations of 22 billion ($28 billion).

The country also had limitations placed on its armed forces, restricting its army to 100,000 men and navy to just six battleships, while banning its air force altogether.

Parts of Germany were also handed to France and Poland, creating huge changes to its borders.

Many historians believe this caused resentment among the German people that was exploited by Hitler during his rise to power.

The Nazi leader had already flouted one of the terms of the treaty by reuniting Germany and Austria in 'Anschluss' in March 1938 - with no resistance from the western powers.

Others have tried to justify Mr Chamberlain's decisions, claiming he did not want to lose millions of British lives in another conflict just 20 years after the First World War.

Appeasement only spurred Hitler's ambitions on further, however, and with the UK and France failing to oppose him, he invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 and again faced no challenge from the west.

This only made him more confident and led to the invasion of Poland in September 1939, with France and Britain finally declaring war after agreeing to protect Poland.

Mr Chamberlain would only remain in power for a few more months after public opinion turned against him and he was replaced by Winston Churchill.

His appeasement policy has been debated by historians ever since, and although the consensus is that he made poor decisions, reports from the time suggest the British public were not concerned about the fate of Czechoslovakia.

The delighted crowds who greeted Mr Chamberlain's 'Peace For Our Time' speech with cheers and applause also suggest there was little appetite to go to war with Germany over central Europe in 1938.
Apple's next flagship iPhone will be called the iPhone X.

This is according to rumours that the company is embracing Roman numerals to mark its 10th anniversary milestone.

The source suggests it will be launched alongside two phones, which will be called the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus - and, this could mean Apple is skipping an 's' generation for the first time since it was introduced.

Last week it was revealed the company is unveiling the next iPhone at a special event at its campus in California on September 12th.

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Apple's tenth anniversary iPhone will be called the iPhone X according to Dutch tech site iCulture. Pictured is a mock up of the case posted on Twitter by Senior Editor of The iPhone Insider Aaron Mason

IPHONE X RUMOURS Several rumours have been circulating about the iPhone 8/ iPhone X, and suggest the next device may have: - Dual-lens 3D camera - Augmented reality capabilities - Curved glass casing - Wireless charging - 5 inch (12.7 centimeter) and 5.8 inch (14.7 centimeter) model, will have a wraparound OLED screen - Aluminum back will be replaced with two reinforced glass panes and a metal frame in the middle - Facial recognition Advertisement

The Dutch technology site iCulture has cited a 'reliable source' as giving them the information about the anniversary handset.

'This source has previously informed us correctly about the existence of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and is working with a worldwide operating telecom company,' explained the site.

Senior Editor of The iPhone Insider Aaron Mason released leaked images of the new release yesterday and called it the 'Apple iPhone X Edition'.

However, previous sources have said the iPhone X will be called the iPhone Edition.

9to5Mac said on Friday that case manufacturers it spoke to at the IFA trade show in Germany have been advised that the top of the range handset will instead be known as the iPhone Edition.

The handsets will be unveiled at a special event on 12th September in the Steve Jobs Theatre inside it new 'Spaceship' HQ in Cupertino.

The firm sent invites to key media for the event on 1 September, which is also expected to see the launch of an iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, a new version of the Apple Watch and a new 4K Apple TV.

Senior Editor of The iPhone Insider has released leaked mock-ups of the new release and called it the 'Apple iPhone X Edition'

They say 'Let's meet at our place'.

It is believed the new iPhone X along with the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will go on sale on September 22nd.

The latest claims from the Wall Street Journal are that 'The company is expected to unveil three iPhones, according to other people familiar with its plans.'

The launch will be the first event at the Steve Jobs theatre at Apple Park, the official name for the firm's giant 'Spaceship' HQ.

Aaron Mason posted pictures of the iPhone X on his Twitter. Last week it was revealed the company is unveiling the next iPhone at a special event at its campus in California

The firm sent invites to key media for the event on 1 September, which is also expected to see the launch of an iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, a new version of the Apple Watch and a new 4K Apple TV. Pictured is a leaked image of the iPhone X handset

The firm sent invites to key media for the event, which is also expected to see the launch of three phones, a new version of the Apple Watch and a new 4K Apple TV

The Steve Jobs Theater is situated on top of a hill  one of the highest points within Apple Park  overlooking meadows and the main building. Opening on September 12th, the entrance to the 1,000-seat auditorium is a 20-foot-tall glass cylinder, 165 feet in diameter, supporting a metallic carbon-fibre roof

This graphic shows some of the new features rumoured for Apple's iPhone 8/ iPhone X, which is due for release in mid-September

Even though the theatre will be complete, many of the surround areas of 'the ring' remain under final construction it is believed.

It comes as leaked images appear to show parts taken from the upcoming iPhone 8/ iPhone X in unprecedented detail.

The images, posted to Twitter by leaker Benjamin Geskin on 20 August, claim to show the iPhone X's OLED display cover and a variety of cables, including for the Lightning port.

One of the photos, originally found on Chinese social media site Weibo, shows the iPhone Xs' display compared to that of the iPhone 7.

This confirms rumours about the two handsets' similar overall size.

Leaked images from 20 August appear to show parts taken from the upcoming iPhone 8/ iPhone X in unprecedented detail

One of the photos, originally found on Chinese social media site Weibo, appears to show the iPhone 8/ iPhone X's display (left) compared to that of the iPhone 7 (right)

Last week new leaks suggested the smartphone's classic home button will be replaced with gesture controls.

Users may simply swipe their hands above the device for tasks such as going to the main app grid and opening multitasking.

Apple also plans to introduce a stainless steel band around the phone which the glass curves into, much like the casing used for the iPhone 4 and 4S.

In place of a home button on the iPhone 8/ iPhone X, a thin, software bar will stretch across the bottom of the screen.

Apple's iPhone 8/iPhone X will see the replacement of the smartphone's classic home button with gesture controls, new leaks suggest. Pictured is a concept drawing

This bar can be dragged to the top of the screen to open the iPhone, while users can initiate multitasking using a similar gesture while an app is open.

The iPhone 8/ iPhone X will have an OLED screen that is slightly larger than that of the iPhone 7 Plus (5.5"), but the device itself will be similar to the iPhone 7, people familiar with the phone told Bloomberg.

The firm is not moving to curved screens like the latest Samsung models, instead favouring a flat screen like current and past iPhones, the report says.

Images show that the iPhone 8/ iPhone X's dock has been redesigned to match the interface of the one on the iPad version of iOS 11 (pictured)

HOW WILL THE NEW GESTURES WORK? Apple has tested the removal of the home button in favour of new gesture controls in the iPhone 8/ iPhone X. In its place, a thin, software bar will stretch across the bottom of the screen. This bar can be dragged to the top of the screen to open the iPhone. Users can initiate multitasking using a similar gesture while an app is open. To close the app and go back to the home screen, users can continue flicking the bar upwards. Advertisement

Symmetrical, slim bezels will cover the entirety of the device's front, cutting off the areas where the home button and ear piece sit on current iPhone models.

The front-facing camera, earpiece and facial-recognition sensor are instead housed in a small notch at the top of the screen, the image show.

Images of recent test devices reveal that the left side of the notch displays the time while the right side shows battery life, WiFi and mobile network connectivity.

Apple has opted to remove the square corners seen on current iPhones in favour of rounded ones, possibly as an homage to the shape of the very first iPhone model, which came out a decade ago in November.

The iPhone 8/ iPhone X's power button will be longer to make it easier to press while holding the phone in one hand, the images and people suggest.

A taller screen means that the phone will fit six vertical rows of apps, showing 24 icons on each page excluding the dock, a grey bar at the bottom of the screen containing frequently used apps.

The images show that the dock has been redesigned to match the interface of the one on the iPad version of iOS 11.

Alongside the new high-end device, Apple plans to release two new additional iPhone models.

These will use faster processors but will include the same screens as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

They will debut alongside an update Apple TV set-top box and Apple Watch models.
Eerie new footage appears to show a UFO over Bristol, sending alien hunters into a frenzy online.

Mysterious lights are seen blinking in the night sky in the footage, leading some to believe that an alien invasion of the UK is imminent.

But a paranormal expert has claimed that the strange lights are simply man-made satellites, or possibly Chinese lanterns.

WHAT DID THEY SEE? In total, two clips were captured by residents in Kingswood and Fishponds and posted online. The clips, captured on separate days and in different parts of the city, appear to show the same light source. The first video seems to show three lights moving along a slow, horizontal path over Kingswood, and was captured by 18-year-old Kieran Welford. The second clip was filmed a few days before by Fishponds resident Dean Williams, and seems to show a small, white light in the night sky. The poor quality of the footage means that it is difficult to say for certain what the lights are. Advertisement

In total, two clips were captured by residents in Kingswood and Fishponds and posted online.

But experts at the Bristol Society for Paranormal Research Investigation (BSPRI), who have analysed the clips, have rejected the claims.

Mark Davey, of the BSPRI, told the Bristol Post: I have studied both clips and they are unidentified flying objectsbut are also likely to have a plausible explanation.

There are many causes for UFO sightings including meteorological weather conditions, Chinese lanterns, helium balloons, balloons with led lights attached, drones, helikites, remote controlled blimps with lights, aircraft and even luminescing owls.

By far, one of the most common misidentifications for UFOs are astronomical, including satellites, satellites in decaying orbits, meteors, fireballs, stars and planets.

There are now thousands of reported UFO sightings captured on mobile phone cameras, you only have to search YouTube to find them, but very few that need further investigation once you know what you are looking for.

The clips, captured on separate days and in different parts of the city, appear to show the same light source.

The first video seems to show three lights moving along a slow, horizontal path over Kingswood, and was captured by 18-year-old Kieran Welford.

Mysterious lights are seen blinking in the night sky in the footage, leading some to believe that an alien invasion of the UK is imminent

The second clip was filmed a few days before by Fishponds resident Dean Williams, and seems to show a small, white light in the night sky.

Mr Davey said that the poor quality of the footage means that it is difficult to say for certain what the lights are.

When I try to enlarge the object, it just becomes a ball of light, he said.

It could be a Chinese lantern or maybe a satellite.

The video seems to show three lights moving along a slow, horizontal path over Kingswood, and was captured by 18-year-old Kieran Welford

The poor quality of the footage means that it is difficult to say for certain what the lights are. This is not the first time this year that strange lights over Bristol have caused a stir among alien hunters

This is not the first time this year that strange lights over Bristol have caused a stir among alien hunters.

Mike Westlake, 28, shot the mobile phone footage showing three large, bright lights in the shape of a triangle flashing in a straight line through the sky near his home.

He said the unidentified lights made no noise as they hung mysteriously above his house in Hanham, Bristol, for ten minutes.

The recent sightings have caused some conspiracy theorists online to claim that Bristol is a hot bed for alien activity.
Estonian start-up Taxify is to go head to head with Uber in London's highly competitive taxi-hailing market, and also has Paris in its sights.

Taxify said it will launch services across London on Tuesday after signing up 3,000 private hire taxi drivers, who have been vetted to ensure they meet local licensing requirements.

Its 23-year-old university dropout founder, Markus Villig, says Taxify is 10 per cent cheaper for passengers than Uber and that thousands of s drivers are shifting to his firm.

It marks a major move forward for Taxify after missteps by the Silicon Valley giant already allowed it to make inroads in several cities in central and eastern Europe and Africa.

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Taxify was launched by a 23-year-old university drop out called Markus Villig (pictured). It is now going head to head with Uber in London's highly competitive taxi-hailing market

TAXIFY Taxify is a fraction of Uber's size - being active in just under 25 cities compared to Uber's presence in nearly 600 cities worldwide - but runs on a lower cost business model, allowing passengers to pay marked-down fares and letting drivers retain a bigger share of the profits. Taxify said on Monday it would take a 15 per cent commission on rides booked through its online platform, versus the 20-25 per cent Uber charges in London. Taxify also said it will accept cash as well electronic payments from riders, unlike Uber. Advertisement

In London, it enters a crowded market where the city's famous black cab taxi drivers and private hire taxi firms such as Addison Lee compete with ride-hailing apps including Gett and Hailo, which is now part of Daimler's MyTaxi.

Uber counts 40,000 drivers and has 3 million London users, who take 1 million trips a week.

Taxify is a fraction of Uber's size - being active in just under 25 cities compared to Uber's presence in nearly 600 cities worldwide - but runs on a lower cost business model, allowing passengers to pay marked-down fares and letting drivers retain a bigger share of the profits.

Taxify said on Monday it would take a 15 percent commission on rides booked through its online platform, versus the 20-25 per cent Uber charges in London.

Taxify also said it will accept cash as well electronic payments from riders, unlike Uber.

'We will always be cheaper than Uber,' company founder and Chief Executive Markus Villig said in a telephone interview with Reuters.

Uber has struggled over the past year with legal setbacks, workplace harassment scandals, driver protests and bitter disputes among directors.

Over the past year it has pulled back from China, Russia and several eastern European countries, while retaining minority stakes in joint ventures in those markets.

Taxify is a fraction of Uber's size - being active in just under 25 cities compared to Uber's presence in nearly 600 cities worldwide - but runs on a lower cost business model, allowing passengers to pay marked-down fares and letting drivers retain a bigger share of the profits

In a bid to stabilise the company, it fired its pugnacious co-founder and chief executive Travis Kalanick in June and last week named Expedia Inc CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to lead the company.

From its home base in the Baltics, Taxify first staked out major cities in central and eastern Europe.

Over the past year, it has vaulted into several of Africa's biggest cities, where Mr Villig, who is a 23-year-old university dropout, says he expects to overtake Uber by the end of 2017.

From its home base in the Baltics, Taxify first staked out major cities in central and eastern Europe. Over the past year, it has vaulted into several of Africa's biggest cities, where Mr Villig says he expects to overtake Uber by the end of 2017

Taxify said on Monday it would take a 15 per cent commission on rides booked through its online platform, versus the 20-25 per cent Uber charges in London

Bolstered by recently announced financial backing from China's DiDi, Taxify aims to expand into five more cities by the end of the year, including Paris, Mr Villig said in a phone interview.

DiDi Chuxing, China's largest ride-hailing firm, is seeking to turn up the heat on ride-sharing pioneer Uber via a string of deals with regional rivals in Southeast Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

'Ride-sharing has been monopolised by Uber,' Mr Villig said.

'Now it is getting clear that in most markets there will be major competitors.'

'Competition is a good thing as it raises service levels across the board,' an Uber spokesman said in a statement.
The ancient remains of a group of late surviving Neanderthals from Croatia are much older than previously thought, new research has found.

Previous research suggested that the Vindija Neanderthals living in Vindija Cave in northern Croatia lived as recently as 32,000 years ago.

This would have made them among the last known surviving Neanderthals.

It also implied that modern humans and Neanderthals must have coexisted in central Europe for at least six millennia.

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The researchers dated four Neanderthal bone samples from the Vindija cave in northern Croatia, one of which was previously unidentified, by extracting the amino acid hydroxyproline (HYP) from bone collagen

THE NEW DATING TECHNIQUE The researchers dated four Neanderthal bone samples from Vindija, one of which was previously unidentified. The team extracted the amino acid hydroxyproline (HYP) from bone collagen. Because HYP occurs almost exclusively in collagen, dating purified HYP removed modern contaminants, including conservation materials, from the specimens. The results suggest the bones are all older than 40,000 years - far older than previously obtained dates. Advertisement

But a new radiocarbon dating method has found that these remains were actually more than 8,000 years older than this initial estimate.

This means the Neanderthal group died just before the arrival of modern humans in Europe, the researchers, from the University of Oxford, claim.

'DNA studies have demonstrated that anatomically modern humans and Neanderthals interbred,' said Dr Thibaut Deviese from Oxford University.

'There is no question about this. Our work has shown previously that there is an overlap in time between Neanderthals and moderns of between 2500-5000 years, although the two groups for the most part were not living side-by-side it would seem.

'With this dating work, we continue improving our understanding of where and for how long the two species (Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans) co-existed.'

The new dating method is more accurate than previous techniques because it allows for better removal of contaminants from ancient bone samples.

The Vindija Neanderthals have, for decades, been considered to be a late-surviving, refugial population of humans, that overlapped with, and survived alongside, early modern human colonisers in Europe, said study coauthor Professor Tom Higham.

Our new results show that this was not correct and demonstrates, once again, the crucial importance of reliable chronology in archaeology.

Our previous research has shown that Neanderthals in Europe did not survive after 40,000 years ago, so the Vindija Neanderthals were not a refugial group, rather they were present just before modern humans began to penetrate Europe for the first time.

Neanderthal remains were first found at the Vindija Cave in the 1970s.

As well as the Neanderthal bones, the cave also contained a long, rich sequence of artefacts from the Paleolithic Period dating from more than 200,000 years ago to about 10,000 years ago.

DNA has previously been isolated from some of the bone specimens, showing that the cave is one of the youngest Neanderthal sites ever found - but the new research shows it is older than first thought.

Neanderthal remains from Vindija Cave have been previously dated at approximately 32,000 years old, making them the most recent known Neanderthal remains and implying considerable temporal overlap between Neanderthals and modern humans in Central Europe

To make the discovery, the Oxford team improved a technique used to purify bones before they are radiocarbon dated.

They developed the single compound method for radiocarbon dating of bones, which involves looking closely at single amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

The method relies on taking just one of the amino acids from a protein known as collagen, which is present in the bone.

Specifically, the common amino acid hydroxyproline (HYP) was targeted by the team, allowing for a cleaner analysis thanks to improved contaminant removal from the specimens.

Using this new approach, the Oxford team re-dated three Neanderthal bone samples from Vindija.

The researchers analysed Neanderthal remains found in the Vindija Cave - a site where several Neanderthal fossils have been discovered

WHO WERE THE NEANDERTHALS? An artist's impression of a Neanderthal man, our closest human relatives that lived in Europe and Asia from around 200,000 years ago to 30,000 years ago Neanderthals are our closest human relatives that lived in Europe and Asia from around 200,000 years ago to 30,000 years ago in the Pleistocene Epoch. Our primitive cousins looked similar to us, but they were shorter, more heavily built and had wide noses and prominent brow ridges. Their skeletons were discovered in the Victorian times, and it was once believed that Neanderthals were less intelligent than modern humans and more aggressive. But recent discoveries have proved that they used tools, held elaborate burial ceremonies and could even use fire. There is also genetic evidence that Neanderthals and the ancestors of modern humans frequently interbred and large swathes of our genome are still made up of Neanderthal DNA. There is some debate about whether Neanderthals were truly a distinct species or a subspecies of Homo sapiens. Advertisement

All of the dates were older than 40,000 years ago, much older than the dates previously obtained.

This suggests there was still a large amount of unremoved contamination in the original measurements.

A fourth Neanderthal bone fragment from the Vindija collections in Zagreb was discovered using a separate new technique from a team at the University of Manchester, who coauthored the paper.

This sample also dated to the same period, lending support to the Oxford teams results.

Separate DNA analysis has shown that there is no modern human DNA in the Vindija Neanderthals, and supports the radiocarbon dating in suggesting that the Neanderthals at the site did not live alongside early modern humans in Europe.

Dr Thibaut Deviese, the papers lead author, said: The research we have conducted shows the great benefits of developing improved chemical methods for dating prehistoric material that has been contaminated, either in the site after burial, or in the museum or laboratory for conservation purposes.

We think that all human bones from the Palaeolithic period ought to be dated using this technology due to impact of even small amounts of contamination from modern times.
Criminals looking for a quiet pint suddenly found themselves collared when cops used facial recognition technology to catch thirsty crooks at a Chinese beer festival.

Twenty-five wanted individuals were arrested when they tipped up to sample the offerings at the annual bash in Qingdaohome to China's most famous brew.

Those snared included one man who had been on the run for ten years, only to be undone by his hankering for a lager.

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Eighteen cameras installed at four entrances to a beer festival in China identified each of the suspects in under one second, Qingdao police said this week

FACIAL RECOGNITION CATCHES CRIMINALS 25 wanted criminals were arrested at a beer festival in Qingdao, China, after police used facial recognition technology to catch them. Eighteen cameras installed at four entrances to the festival identified each of the suspects in under one second, Qingdao police said this week. Dozens of other people with criminal records or a history of drug abuse were refused entrance after computers spotted them According to Qingdao authorities, the system has a 98.1 accuracy rate and sounds an alarm if a subject's face is found in the police database. Six officers were stationed at each entrance to verify the matches. Beer drinkers are just the latest targets of facial recognition in China, where the hardware has been installed at intersections in four cities to identify and shame jaywalkers. Advertisement

Eighteen cameras installed at four entrances to the festival identified each of the suspects in under one second, Qingdao police said this week.

Dozens of other people with criminal records or a history of drug abuse were refused entrance after computers spotted them.

According to Qingdao authorities, the system has a 98.1 accuracy rate and sounds an alarm if a subject's face is found in the police database.

Six officers were stationed at each entrance to verify the matches.

Beer drinkers are just the latest targets of facial recognition in China, where the hardware has been installed at intersections in four cities to identify and shame jaywalkers.

Facial recognition is also being used by fast-food chain KFC to predict customers' orders, and at a public park in Beijing to foil toilet paper thieves.

A similar system has been used by Motorola and artificial intelligence startup Neurala.

The two companies partnered up to create smart cameras capable of independently searching for criminals and missing children.

The companies are still developing a prototype, but hope the AI-driven cameras could soon help police find targets in 'suspicious' or 'chaotic' environments.

'We see powerful potential for artificial intelligence to improve safety and efficiency for our customers, which in turn helps create safer communities,' said Paul Steinberg, chief technology officer at Motorola.

'But applying AI in a public safety setting presents unique challenges.

Police could one day use body cameras fitted with real-time facial recognition. Pictured is a demo of new technology. developed by Motorola and Neurala, being used to locate a missing child on a busy street

HOW DO THE SMART CAMERAS WORK? Neurala has created patent-pending learning software capable of working on very small computers, allowing it to be used on wearable devices. The cameras will use artificial intelligence to automatically scan hundreds of faces in a crowd, notifying authorities when they come across a known target. Neurala's founder, Massimiliano Versace, said the software works in a similar way to the mammalian brain, allowing it learn faster than traditional search technology. The technology is composed of a group of specialised processors which form different parts of a 'mini brain'. And the new technology is capable of machine learning, meaning the more faces that it encounters, the faster it comes at detection. Advertisement

'Neurala's 'edge learning' capabilities will help us explore solutions for a variety of public safety workflows such as finding a missing child or investigating an object of interest, such as a bicycle.'

Neurala has created patent-pending learning software capable of working on very small computers, allowing it to be incorporated into wearable devices.

Motorola said today that the software will be combined with its devices, including its Si500 body-worn camera.

The cameras will use artificial intelligence to automatically scan hundreds of faces in a crowd, notifying authorities when they come across a known target.

And the new technology is capable of machine learning, meaning the more faces that it encounters, the faster it comes at detection.

'Neurala's technology enables AI applications to learn at the edge after their deployment,' said Mr Steinberg.

'This can unlock new applications for public safety users. In the case of a missing child, imagine if the parent showed the child's photo to a nearby police officer on patrol.

'The officer's body-worn camera sees the photo, the AI engine 'learns' what the child looks like and deploys an engine to the body-worn cameras of nearby officers, quickly creating a team searching for the child.'

Motorola said today that the software will be combined with its devices, including its Si500 body-worn camera

Neurala's founder, Massimiliano Versace, said the software works in a similar way to the mammalian brain, allowing it learn faster than traditional search technology.

Dr Versace described the structure of this software in a 2010 research paper.

He reported that the technology is composed of a group of specialized processors which form different parts of a 'mini brain.'

Dr Versace described the new king of processing as 'computation that can be divided up between hardware that processes like the body of a neuron and hardware that processes the way dendrites and axons [nerve cells] do.'

Pictured is a demonstration of the new technology. An officer wears the camera while another follows the real-time activity of the smart camera as it searches for a missing child

Using this technique allows AIs to learn using less code, meaning smaller computers with less processing power can be used.

Mimicking the human brain also reduces the risk of 'catastrophic forgetting', which occurs when a neural network forgets its previous training.

Dr Versace said: 'Neurala's L-DNN (Lifelong Deep Neural Network) technology eliminates the risk of 'catastrophic forgetting,' the number-one problem limiting the growth of deep learning neural networks for real-time use.

'Neurala's technology solves the problem instantly at the device, accelerating the development of new AI applications that can learn at the edge after their deployment.'
Researchers say a skull in an Italian museum may have belonged to historian and naval commander Pliny the Elder, who died during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 after leading evacuation efforts.

The Italian city of Pompeii was wiped out when the devastating volcanic eruption struck, and its thought that thousands of people lost their lives.

Researchers plan to use isotope analysis to find out where the skull came from, and whether or not it belonged to Pliny the Elder.

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Researchers say that a skull (pictured) on display at the Museum of the History of the Art of Medicine in Rome may have belonged to historian and naval commander Pliny the Elder, who died during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 after leading evacuation efforts

An account of Pliny the Elder's death, written by Pliny's nephew Pliny the Younger, was sent to Roman senator and historian Tacitus at the time.

During the eruption at Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, historian and naval commander Pliny the Elder commanded the Roman fleet and was stationed across the Bay of Naples, launching ships and sailing towards the erupting volcano for closer observation and to attempt a rescue.

But no rescue was possible - Pliny himself died during the eruption while on the beach, likely suffocating due to toxic gases from the eruption.

After a 1900 excavation of Pompeii, the remains of 70 people were found - including one which stood out from the rest - with bracelets, a gold necklace and rings.

WHO WAS PLINY THE ELDER? During the eruption Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, historian and naval commander Pliny the Elder commanded the Roman fleet and was stationed across the Bay of Naples, launching ships and sailing towards the erupting volcano for closer observation and to attempt a rescue. But no rescue was possible - Pliny himself died during the eruption while on the beach. An account of Pliny the Elders death, written by Pliny's nephew Pliny the Younger, was sent to Roman senator and historian Tacitus at the time. Historian and naval commander Pliny the Elder attempted to rescue people from the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius Pliny the Elder received a letter from Rectina, a friend who lived in Pompeii, who was alarmed about the threat she faced, as her villa lay at the foot of Mount Vesuvius - so there was no way to escape except for at sea. Pliny the Elder ordered a fleet to sea, not only to save Rectina but also to rescue others in tows along the coast. As Pliny sailed closer to the volcano, the cinders began falling into the ships, together with pumice-stones, and black piece of burning rock. Strong winds helped push the ships to the town of Pomponianus, and once the crew arrived, Pliny put them at ease by assuring them that the flames they could see from Mount Vesuvius came from villages that had been abandoned. While Pliny was sleeping that night, his apartment became filled with stones and ashes, and his crew woke him up and went to Pomponianus. They ventured into open fields, with pillows and napkins tied to their heads, defending themselves against the stones that fell around them. The crew went back to the shore to see if they could safely travel back out to sea, but the waves were running high and rough. There, Pliny lay down on a sail-cloth and called for cold water. He tried to get up with the help of two servants, but he fell down dead, which Pliny the Younger believes was due to suffocation from a poisonous gas. Three days later, Pliny the Elders' body was found intact, without any marks, 'looking more like a man asleep than dead,' wrote Pliny the Younger. Advertisement

According to International Business Times, Gennaro Matrone, an Italian engineer who led the excavation, said that the remains belonged to Pliny the Elder.

However, archaeologists such as Giuseppe Cosenza argued that a Roman admiral would never have been so heavily decorated with jewelry.

The skull of this figure is on display at the Museum of the History of the Art of Medicine in Rome, and bow, the Italian newspaper La Stampa has brought the skull and to the attention of University of Camerino anthropologist Dr Isolina Marota.

Dr Marota and her team plan to use stable isotope analysis to identify where the skull originated from, and a historian named Flavio Russo who wrote a book on Pliny's mission, is crowdfunding to raise money for the tests.

Dr Marota and her team plan to use stable isotope analysis to identify where the skull originated from, and a historian named Flavio Russo who wrote a book on Pliny's mission, is crowdfunding to raise money for the tests

Dr Marota previously worked on the remains of the Ice Age hunter called Otzi, for which she also used stable isotope analysis to successfully find out about the origins of Otzi.

Aside from the stable isotope method, Dr Marota also suggests measuring the shape of the skull's jaw and head to compare to sculptures of Pliny the Elder made at the time.

The AD 79 eruption at Mount Vesuvius lasted for around 24 hours, and an avalanche of hot ash, rock and poisonous gas rushed down the side of the volcano at 124mph (199kph), burying victims and remnants of everyday life.

Hundreds of refugees sheltering in the vaulted arcades at the seaside in Herculaneum, clutching their jewelry and money, were killed instantly.

As people fled Pompeii or hid in their homes, their bodies were covered by blankets of the surge.

According to Pliny the Younger's account, when his mother told Pliny the Elder to look at the ash cloud from the volcano, he decided to look further into it.

Pliny the Elder ordered a light vessel to be got ready, and asked his nephew if he wanted to accompany him, but the Younger declined because he had an assignment to complete.

Pliny the Elder received a letter from Rectina, a friend who lived in Pompeii, who was alarmed about the threat she faced, as her villa lay at the foot of Mount Vesuvius - so there was no way to escape except for at sea.

The Italian city of Pompeii was wiped out when the devastating volcanic eruption struck, and its thought that thousands of people lost their lives. Pictures is a ruined facade in Pompeii

Pliny the Elder ordered a fleet to sea, not only to save Rectina but also to rescue others in tows along the coast.

As Pliny sailed closer to the volcano, the cinders began falling into the ships, together with pumice-stones, and black piece of burning rock.

Strong winds helped push the ships to the town of Pomponianus, and once the crew arrived, Pliny put them at ease by assuring them that the flames they could see from Mount Vesuvius came from villages that had been abandoned.

While Pliny was sleeping that night, his apartment became filled with stones and ashes, and his crew woke him up and went to Pomponianus.

The restored version of John Martin's painting The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, painted in 1822, damaged in 1928, restored in 2011

Visitors look at a mummy in Pompeii, the famous city next to Naples which was destroyed in AD 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius

They went into open fields, with pillows and napkins tied to their heads, defending themselves against the stones that fell around them.

The crew went back to the shore to see if they could safely travel back out to sea, but the waves were running high and rough.

There, Pliny lay down on a sail-cloth and called for cold water.

He tried to get up with the help of two servants, but he fell down dead, which Pliny the Younger believes was due to suffocation from a poisonous gas.

Three days later, Pliny the Elders' body was found intact, without any marks, 'looking more like a man asleep than dead,' wrote Pliny the Younger.
MORAVIA  Sunday was a day for collectors of all kind at the 41st annual Fillmore Auto Show and Flea Market.

The event, held at Fillmore Glen State Park in Moravia, drew car collectors, antique collectors and even "junk" collectors, as Carl Brigham put it.

Brigham and his son Jeff had a booth set up for the flea market portion of the event. They had everything from car parts to old tools and even two antique bicycles. The elder Brigham said he has been collecting for over 50 years and likes to collect "anything I have knowledge about." The duo finds their treasures at auctions, garage sales, estate sales and sometimes through swapping with other collectors.

Richard Nye showed off his collection of World War II memorabilia at the flea market. Nye said he has been collecting for over 30 years simply because he likes history.

Among his collection is a German family's photo album, filled with well-preserved photos from a family trip to the Alps in the 1930s. Nye said he does not know the family pictured in the photos; he bought the album at an estate sale.

"It's all part of history," Nye said.

The car side of the event featured over 500 vehicles separated into over 20 different classes. In each class, the top three vehicles won a trophy. Special trophies were open to all classes of vehicles, such as favorite motorcycle, people's choice and best paint.

Jeff Gregrow brought his light blue 1948 Cadillac 62, one of seven different classic cars he owns, to the auto show. This is his second year coming to the show, he said.

"I've always liked cars," Gregrow said, adding he is especially drawn to those he used to see on the streets when he was a teenager.

Gregrow showed off the hidden gas cap on the car, accessible by pushing a button on the left taillight.

In addition to the flea market and car show, the event featured a chicken barbecue, a 50/50 raffle and a basket raffle. Cheryl Fickeisen, one of the event's organizers, said all the money raised from the event gets donated back to the community.
Virgin Atlantic has become the first airline in Europe to offer Wi-Fi across its entire fleet.

It means that its customers can remain connected across flights to and from the US, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

From today millions of customers travelling with Virgin Atlantic will be able to email, browse and socialise at 35,000ft, with prices starting from 2.99.

Virgin Atlantic has become the first airline in Europe to offer Wi-Fi across its entire fleet

The airline claims that its Wi-Fi roll-out is 'at least a year ahead of other European long-haul carriers'.

It said in a statement: 'To celebrate being the first European airline to boast a fully Wi-Fi connected fleet, Virgin Atlantic will be kicking off a series of fun events from the sky, connecting together with #LiveFromVirgin. One of the first #LiveFromVirgin events will be a comedy set in the sky.'

The airline's Wi-Fi system uses Panasonic and Gogo technology and is available across its fleet of 39 aircraft, with connectivity available above 10,000ft.

This means that customers will be able to connect shortly after take-off and remain online until shortly before landing.

Millions of customers travelling with Virgin Atlantic will be able to email, browse and socialise at 35,000ft, with prices starting from 2.99

THE COST OF SURFING AT 35,000FT WITH VIRGIN ATLANTIC 787 Wi-Fi light 4.99 - 40MB data Wi-Fi max 14.99 - 150MB data A330, A340, 747 Messaging Pass 2.99 - messaging access throughout flight Wi-Fi light 4.99 - one-hour internet access Wi-Fi max 14.99 - full-flight internet access Advertisement

Mark Anderson, Executive Vice President, Customer at Virgin Atlantic, said: 'From today customers flying around the world with Virgin Atlantic can work and play throughout their flight as we become the first airline in Europe to offer a fully Wi-Fi enabled fleet.

'Innovation has always been in our blood and we've worked closely with Wi-Fi providers to develop the fastest, most reliable connection across the Atlantic, and are the first carrier to offer Wi-Fi between the UK and the Caribbean, China and Africa.

'And of course we wouldn't be Virgin Atlantic if we weren't going to signify this moment with something special, so we've planned a summer of spectacular #LiveFromVirgin events for our customers. Keep an eye out on our social channels for your chance to get involved.'

Whilst Wi-Fi has been commonplace on domestic carriers there's been a challenge for the industry to find reliable connections over vast expanses of ocean  such as the Atlantic.

Unlike flying over Europe or the US the signal cannot come from the ground and instead has to be transmitted to aircraft from satellites.

The airline is using a combination of two Wi-Fi providers across the network.

Customers travelling on the 787 will use Wi-Fi from Panasonic, while the A330s, 747s and A340-600s are powered by Gogo technology.
The Bachelor's Matty Johnson and Laura Byrne have been pictured disappearing for a secret weekend away, just weeks ahead of the finale airing on television.

Daily Mail Australia believes Laura was picked up by a Bachelor production vehicle on Friday morning, the car driving up to the Richmond/Hawkesbury area near the foot of the Blue Mountains, and through several red lights to avoid being followed.

Matty J was also absent from his Bondi home this weekend, with him and Laura pictured returning to their respective residences just hours apart on Sunday night, both with overnight baggage in tow.

SPOILER ALERT: The pictures that prove she IS the winner? The Bachelor's Matty J and contestant Laura Byrne pictured disappearing for a secret WEEKEND AWAY ahead of the finale airing on screen

On Friday morning, Laura was pictured leaving her Rushcutters Bay residence holding a black leather overnight duffel bag.

She bizarrely used the Uber app in her smartphone to catch a car just five minutes up the road to Edgecliff, a Sydney suburb located next to Rushcutters Bay.

Arriving in Edgecliff, Laura was seen crossing the road and getting into another car, which appeared to be a Bachelor production crew vehicle.

Had a good time? Laura arrived back at her Rushcutters Bay home on Sunday night after a weekend away, overnight bags in tow

Mystery trip: Laura had left her home on Friday, getting picked up in what appeared to be a Bachelor production vehicle and transported to a mystery destination

Meeting up? Laura and Matty arrived home on Sunday night within hours of each other. Matty's home has been empty for the weekend

At her sisters? Upon her return, Laura told Daily Mail Australia she had been staying at her sister's home - however, her sister lives only minutes away in Paddington

TIMELINE OF EVENTS FRIDAY MORNING - Laura Byrne gets an Uber just minutes up the road from her Rushcutters Bay residence to Edgecliff, the next suburb over - She bizarrely exits the Uber and crosses the road, hopping into what appeared to be a Bachelor production crew car - The car heads to Richmond near the foot of the Blue Mountains, driving through several red lights and making a U-turn on a main road to avoid being followed SATURDAY - Matty's Bondi home remains empty, with no lights on and his car not moving SUNDAY - At 8.45pm, Matty arrives back in Bondi, making a swift exit from a chauffered car and into his home. The car circles the block for 15 minutes before the driver parks and heads inside Matty's home with a backpack and small bag - At 10pm, Laura arrives back at her Rushcutters Bay home, overnight bags in tow. She tells Daily Mail Australia she has been staying at her sister's home - however her sister lives in nearby inner Sydney suburb Paddington - Matty J posts a picture of himself at the snow on Instagram, claiming that he has enjoyed a weekend at Thredbo, located south of Sydney - But the Bachelor heartthrob was wearing the same ski gear he wore in earlier photos posted to Instagram in July - suggesting the photo was a 'decoy' - He also did not have any ski gear with him when Daily Mail Australia pictured him arriving back at his Bondi home on Sunday night Advertisement

The driver then took Laura to Richmond, in the Hawkesbury area at the foot of the Blue Mountains.

The car drove erratically, making a U-turn on a main road and running through several red lights.

Meanwhile, Daily Mail Australia can confirm Matty's Bondi home was dead quiet all weekend.

Bags: After dropping Matty off on Sunday night, his driver (pictured) circled the block for 15 minutes before parking and bringing Matty's bags inside

Where is Matty's snow gear? Despite claiming he was at the snow in an Instagram post on Sunday night, the driver did not carry any skis or other gear

Why is Matty hiding his luggage? The driver brought Matty's bags inside after the Bachelor made a dash for his home 15 minutes earlier, at 8.45pm

His car did not move and the lights inside remained off, confirming he was also away on the weekend.

At 8.45pm on Sunday, Matty returned to his Bondi residence with a driver, making a quick exit from the car and dashing inside.

The car that dropped him off was seen circling the block for 15 minutes, before the driver returned, parked, and brought a backpack and smaller bag into Matty's home.

Where are you going? On Friday morning, Laura left her Rushcutters Bay home and hailed an Uber

Short journey: Bizarrely, Laura took the Uber only a few minutes up the road to nearby suburb Edgecliff, where she was picked up by what appeared to be a Bachelor production crew car

Going away? Laura had slung an overnight bag over one shoulder as she waited for her Uber

At 10pm on Sunday, Laura returned to her Sydney home after her weekend away, carrying an overnight bag and wearing the same outfit she left in on Friday.

As she made her way inside, the jewellery designer told Daily Mail Australia she had been staying at her sister's home that weekend.

However, her sister Alisha lives nearby, with her Facebook bio stating she resides minutes away from Laura in Paddington.

Laura also has a stepsister Sarah Lendrum, but she lives in Shellharbour, located near Wollongong on the NSW south coast.

Walkabout: On Thursday, Laura was spotted taking her three-legged dog Buster for a walk

Activewear: Laura wore a pair of grey leggings and a black Camilla and Marc singlet

Fitness fanatic: Laura is often spotted taking her pooch for a stroll around Rushcutters Bay

Meanwhile on Sunday, Matty posted an Instagram photo of himself at the snow at Thredbo resort, which is located south of Sydney.

But the Bachelor heartthrob was wearing the same ski gear he had worn in earlier photos posted to the image-sharing website in July.

He also did not have any ski gear with him when Daily Mail Australia spotted him arriving back at his Bondi home on Sunday night.

Fan favourite: For several months Laura has been tipped as the winner of The Bachelor

Bookies' favourite! Laura has been given the shortest odds to win of all the contestants

Plenty of screen time: Laura also scored the first kiss of the series and has already enjoyed two single dates with the hunk

Laura has been the clear favourite to win The Bachelor for months.

She and Matty have plenty in common - they are both of a similar age, live in Sydney, and are keen to have children soon.

The Sydney-based jewellery designer was the first to be pulled aside for a chat during the season premiere's cocktail party.

She also scored the first kiss of the series, and has enjoyed two single dates with Matty, unlike other contestants who have struggled to get one-on-one time.

Night out: On Thursday evening, Laura was spotted enjoying a meal with friends at the Winery, located in Surry Hills

Going away drinks? The brunette beauty could been seen hugging her friends goodbye

Rugged up: Laura was wrapped up warm for the night out in a thick scarf and knitted jumper

Preparing to leave: Laura left the Winery on Thursday night at 10pm

Laura bears a striking physical resemblance to Georgia Love, who left Matty heartbroken when she chose Lee Elliot over him on The Bachelorette last year.

Since before the show even aired, Laura has been considered a favourite to win the series.

For weeks, Sportsbet has considered her the frontrunner, followed by nanny Tara Pavlovic and former Hockeyroo Elise Stacy.

Sparks fly: Chemistry was palpable between Matty and Laura during their first meeting

Trying to fool fans! On Sunday night, Matty shared a photo of himself at Thredbo resort

Same clothes: But Matty was wearing the same snow gear in photos first posted online in July

Eagle-eyed fans have also speculated that Laura had 'hinted' she is the winner.

In June, Laura changed her Instagram bio to say she was the 'Queen of reverse parking'.

Fans believed this was a reference to an earlier comment made by Matty in a Popsugar interview last year.

The then-Bachelorette contestant had stated his ideal woman would be good at reverse parking.

Earlier rendezvous? In July, both Matty and Laura posted photos of themselves at the snow, fuelling speculation they were there together

A hidden hint? In June, Laura changed her Instagram bio to say she was the 'Queen of reverse parking'

What? Fans believed this was a reference to a comment made by Matty in an interview last year, where the then-Bachelorette contestant said his ideal women would be good at parking

After the theory began swirling on Bachelor forums, Laura removed all references to parking from her social media account.

In July, Laura and Matty both posted photos of themselves at the snow on the same day - sparking rumours of a secret rendezvous.

While Matty tagged himself at Thredbo Resort, south of Sydney, and Laura said she was in Queenstown, New Zealand, fans speculated they could be lying about their location.

Has he found love finally? Matty had his heart broken by Georgia Love on last year's season of The Bachelorette. He is pictured here at Sydney airport in July

His girl? On The Bachelor Laura has scored the most alone time out of all the contestants

In August, Matty shared a photo of himself and mother Ellie with the oddly-framed photo appearing to crop someone out of the frame.

Followers quickly began commenting that the Bachelor hunk had his other arm around series winner Laura.

Meanwhile, other contestants have appeared to point to the designer being the winner, with evicted Jennifer Hawke commenting on an Instagram photo of Laura and Matty last month.

'Is it bad that I actually think you guys are the cutest?' Villain Jennifer wrote.
Tamra Judge was celebrating turning the big 5-0, despite revealing last week she has skin cancer.

And the Real Housewives Of Orange County bodybuilder toasted the milestone by showing off her bikini physique on social media on Sunday.

As if that was not enough she also combined her day in swimwear with another of her favourite activities - quaffing champagne.

She'll drink to that: Tamra Judge celebrated turning 50 by showing off her bikini body and quaffing champagne on Sunday

Joker Tamra captioned the image: 'Living like I'm 49 forever... or more like the next 5 hours.'

And she also uploaded an image where she was cuddling up to her excited husband Eddie, which she captioned: 'Love you to the moon and back baby @eddiejudge #tamras50th #vintage67.'

She was celebrating despite revealing last week she has skin cancer.

The reality television personality shared a selfie of herself wearing cropped shorts revealing a small mole on the side of her pert posterior.

'I'm showing you this picture because this is what melanoma looks like,' the 49-year-old fitness competitor captioned the picture.

Simply the bust: The Real Housewives bodybuilder took great pride in flanting her form

On the prowl: The blonde seemed to be having a great time in a revealing leopard print bikini

Sucking it in: Both Tamra and husband Eddie tensed their muscles as they posed up together

The mother of four is an avid body builder and was hoping to compete again after her 50th birthday.

She said: 'I work out hard for this Booty. I was planning on competing again in November at 50 years old, but I'm not sure that's happening now.

'It looks like God has a different plan for me,' she added.

However she was pleased doctors found the malignant mole in it's early stages.

She added: 'I've been a little sad, worried and pissed off. But we caught it early and that makes me happy.'

Specs appeal: Tamra certainly seemed to be embracing her new age going by her glasses

Don't let the sun go down on me: And she posed up next to an infinity pool at dusk

Bum deal: She was celebrating despite revealing last week she had skin cancer
She has more than five movies in the pipeline for the upcoming year and has shown no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Elle Fanning looked fresh-faced and makeup-free as she enjoyed a day off from work with a stroll around New York City on Sunday afternoon.

The 19-year-old actress covered up in a knee-length army green overcoat for a nice walk in Manhattan.

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City girl: Elle Fanning looked fresh-faced and makeup-free as she enjoyed a day off from work and strolled around New York on Sunday afternoon

The Maleficent actress pounded the pavement in over-sized cropped black pants and a white T-shirt.

Her army green bomber-style jacket featured black stripes around the waistband and looked to be refashioned into a knee-length trench coat.

She also carried a pricey $2,220 sky blue Miu Miu leather clutch that featured a crystal-studded buckle and chain shoulder strap.

Covered up: The 19-year-old actress covered up in a knee-length army green overcoat for a nice walk in Manhattan

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button actress  also the younger sister of actress Dakota Fanning  sported black leather Doc Marten combat boots which featured little silver star appliques.

She tied half of her blonde locks up in a bun and let the rest of her golden hair flow freely by her shoulders.

Elle wore a pair of clear framed glasses and texted on her iPhone as she walked through town.

Texting queen: She tied half of her blonde locks up in a bun and let the rest of her golden hair flow freely by her shoulders

The actress recently stopped by the Today show last week to plug her new movie Leap!, an animated film about a 19th century French girl who travels to Paris to become a ballerina.

'Its so funny actually hearing your voice come out of a little character. You know, youre like, Oh, thats me! But its still interesting,' Elle said on the show.

Her 2018 roster includes an untitled Woody Allen project with Selena Gomez, a drama-romance called All The Bright Places based on the Jennifer Niven novel of the same name, and the thriller Beware That Girl.
Throughout all 15 series of Strictly Come Dancing, one man has been there to witness the love affairs blossom, the furious behind-the-scenes rows and the bitter rivalries. And now hes decided to tell all.

Alan Dedicoat, the voiceover artist whose distinctive tones announce all the competitors, tells me hes writing a sizzling autobiography.

Ive got a lot of juicy stories to tell, and I will reveal all in my book, he says at a charity luncheon. Whats more, I will be naming names.

BBC chiefs have good reason to tremble because he caused a huge furore two years ago when he was heard in a secret recording claiming that drug dealers made monthly drop-offs of narcotics directly to the desks of his colleagues.

Alan Dedicoat, the voiceover artist whose distinctive tones announce all the competitors, tells me hes writing a sizzling autobiography

Dedicoat, 62, claimed some BBC security staff were in on the ploy and turned a blind eye to cocaine and ecstasy being smuggled in.

After the recording was made public, Dedicoat tried to take back the remarks, claiming they were untruthful. Now, he says of his book: Ive thought about doing this for ages, but recently decided Im going to go for it.

Not only are Dedicoats mellifluous tones heard on Strictly, but on the National Lottery results show, where he is known as the Voice of the Balls. That moniker was given to him by his friend and former colleague, the late Sir Terry Wogan.

Dedicoat worked with Wogan for 15 years, including on BBCs Children In Need telethon. We werent allowed to say all that was going on behind the scenes, but now I will. Lots of funny things happened.

He adds: The voice has been good to me. I put it down to years of red wine and chest infections. I might give my book that title.

Prince Charless charity, Business In The Community, wants men to do more housework.

To balance the division of power between men and women in the workplace, we must improve the balance of responsibility between men and women in the home, it says in an ad for people to carry out research on the subject.

Not that housework is a problem for Charles and Camilla. The Queen once said of her son: The amount of kit and servants he takes around is grotesque.

Fergie's sis hitched

When Fergie married Prince Andrew in 1986, they left Westminster Abbey in an open-top State Landau.

Eliza, 32, daughter of the late Major Ronald Ferguson and his second wife Susan, and bridegroom Harry Cobb, 32, a private tuition director, travelled in a garlanded cart pulled by a tractor.

Sarah, Duchess of York and sister Jane Luedecke (who had flown in from Australia) revisit their childhood village and join a gathering of family from around the world as she attends the wedding of their half sister Eliza Ferguson

On Saturday, at the wedding of the Duchess of Yorks half-sister Eliza in Dummer, Hants, the happy couple chose a more humble carriage. Eliza, 32, daughter of the late Major Ronald Ferguson and his second wife Susan, and bridegroom Harry Cobb, 32, a private tuition director, travelled in a garlanded cart pulled by a tractor.

They were cheered by Fergie and her sister Jane (inset).

Middletons are vulgar, says Kate's Labour MP

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridges new MP, Emma Dent Coad, says shes not the only one who doesnt like Kates family.

I know there are a lot of nice, old-fashioned Kensingtonians who think that the Middletons are vulgar, too  all that wealth, beauty and superiority on display, says the Labour Leftie, who captured the Kensington seat in June by just 20 votes.

The republican MP has previously compared Prince Williams in-laws to trashy American reality TV stars the Kardashians and turned down an opportunity to meet the Queen.

Classic FM, which celebrates its 25th birthday this week, is ready to poach more BBC talent after the Corporation was forced to publish presenters salaries recently. When broadcasters of the calibre of [former BBC host] Bill Turnbull want to talk to us, we will always listen, station boss Sam Jackson tells me. Were playing music because the people who want to listen to it love it. Radio 3 still has the same reach it had 25 years ago by super-serving a musical elite of connoisseurs.
Few things say urban glamour more than a street covered in graffiti.

But Romee Strijd managed to add a new dimension to the theme when she posed up in double denim in a spray-painted side road in Germany on Sunday.

The Victoria's Secret Angel looked almost as good with all of her clothes on as she was put through her paces in a variety of poses.

Urban beauty: Romee Strijd posed up in double denim in a spray-painted street road in Germany on Sunday

The Dutch clothehorse looked in fine form indeed as she pranced around in a double denim ensemble of blue jacket, white trousers and chunky leather boots at the Bread And Butter by Zalando event in Berlin.

And the 22-year-old later took to social media to share a cleavage-baring shot, which she captioned, 'Hi Germany.'

For on Friday she gave her fans a thrilling insight into a New York City shoot in which she was dress in just a lace bra and panties.

She was joined in a behind-the-scenes image from a studio session by fellow lingerie specialist Jasmine Tookes.

A boot-iful sight: She then posed with her ravishing rear to the camera

Street spirit: Nothing says urban glamour more than colourful graffiti

A slice of life: She was making an appearance at the Bread And Butter by Zalando event

Street level bust: She shared a snap of herself casually relaxing on Instagram

The girls were side by side in a makeup room that had old-fashioned bulbs around the mirror.

Romee made the most of a maroon colored push up bra in lace with thin straps and a matching pair of skimpy panties

Her sidekick Jasmine mweanwhile looked radiant in a white lace bra and drawstring pajama bottoms.

The dynamic duo are gearing up for the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show set to take place in December at a yet-to-be-disclosed location

Going Dutch: The Victoria's Secret Angel hails from the Netherlands

Bike: The smiling beauty even sizzled as she posed next to an old bicycle
It's the festival that's been colloquially described as 'debauchery in the desert'.

And as shock jock Kyle Sandilands, 46, attends the Burning Man festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada with his girlfriend Imogen Anthony, 26, he has apparently brought along all the essentials.

In an image posted to Imogen's Instagram account on Sunday, Kyle posed with his arms in the air, dressed in an outlandish outfit and surrounded by numerous supplies.

Got to be prepared! In an image posted to Imogen Anthony's Instagram account on Sunday, Kyle Sandilands (pictured) reveals the many festival supplies he's brought to Burning Man

The radio star appeared ready to handle any misadventure with his table containing Equate ibuprofen tablets (pain relief pills), a bottle of Antacid, Gatorade and Airborne immune support supplements.

Also among the many items appearing on and around the radio host's table were cigarettes, a coffee cup, bottled water, a water pouch and several rolls of toilet paper.

Burning Man is notorious for attendees rocking eccentric outfits and it looks as though Kyle and Imogen came well-prepared for several costume changes as the table also appeared to contain a Willy Wonka-esque hat and what appeared to be a gas mask and a traditional American Indian headdress.

Holding her own: Imogen (pictured) donned the same Turkish-inspired hat and matched it with a jewelled face mask and bra

Scantily clad: The 26-year-old's skin-baring ensemble showed off her toned figure

While Kyle's outfit may seem zany, his other half Imogen was holding her own when it came to unusual attire for the event.

On her Instagram feed, Imogen shared photos of herself donning the same Turkish-inspired hat with tassels that Kyle was seen wearing.

However, she upped the ante by teaming it with a jewelled face mask and matching sheer diamonte bra and g-string over tiny black shorts in an extremely skin-baring ensemble.

Date in the desert: Kyle and Imogen attended the famous festival together

On Friday during an off-air segment of Kyle's KIIS FM radio show, the shock jock unveiled the hat he planned to wear at Burning Man.

'This is my new $1,700 leather hat,' the radio personality announced with a grin.

He then joked: 'It's a big Willy Wonka. And it's just about all I'll be wearing!'
Victoria

Rating:

Strike

Rating:

Secret tunnels connect Buckingham Palace to another royal residence, Clarence House, and to the Houses of Parliament.

After World War II, the Queen Mother persuaded her husband George VI to go exploring them.

Deep below the palaces, they met a homeless man who had made his refuge down there. He was a Geordie, the Queen Mum later recounted, and very courteous.

So if you watched Victoria (ITV) with a sceptical eye, scoffing at the story of the urchin boy living secretly in the Buck House kitchens, remember that stranger things have happened.

In fact, Boy Jones as he became known in the Press, was a real-life denizen of the palace cellars. Young actor Tommy Rodger, kitted out in cap and rags like the Artful Dodger, imagined him hiding under the tables at banquets to snaffle the champagne  and why not? The real Boy Jones was once discovered under the Queens sofa.

Though Victoria is a thoroughbred romantic drama, writer Daisy Goodwin likes to pepper it with historical figures and quotes

Though this Sunday night series is a thoroughbred romantic drama, writer Daisy Goodwin likes to pepper it with historical figures and quotes. Sometimes these can be clunky, such as Prime Minister Robert Peels remark, as he inspected an early mechanical adding machine, that one day, computing machines will be able to do the work of men. But other lines have a subtle strength  for example, former PM Lord Melbournes acid comment that the poet Byron always looked as though every room belonged to him.

Why would the urbane Lord M want to disparage a long-dead scribbler? The answer is obvious: the politicians wife was the notorious Lady Caroline Lamb, who had a brazen affair with Byron and even wrote a novel about it.

The one-liners are among this opulent costume dramas enduring attractions.

Dame Diana Rigg, as an acerbic lady-in-waiting, had two of the best: she told her blushing niece, You look like a strawberry  and later, after an evening of theatricals, she sniffed: Shakespeare and polite society do not mix.

Bellyflop of the weekend Former England cricket captain Freddie Flintoff wanted to make a big impact with his new game-show Cannonball (C4). But the water-park larks are just endless footage of splash landings . . . more duck than dive. Advertisement

But the plum of the night went to Uncle Leopold, King of the Belgians, who smarmily complimented the Queen: You are, like all the women in our family, pleasingly fecund.

If youre a devotee of royal TV melodrama, you might have lapped up The Crown on Netflix  but did you spot that Alex Jennings, who plays oily Leopold, was also the disgraced Duke of Windsor and erstwhile Edward VIII? Thats the power of make-up, not to mention fine acting.

Tom Burke, as the private detective hero of Strike: The Cuckoos Calling (BBC1), was fine-acting his sock off. Its sock, singular, because ex-soldier Cormoran Strike has only got the one leg.

Burke has done all he can to ensure his prosthetic limb doesnt steal every scene.

Strike, a man whose idea of personal grooming is to suck a toothbrush at his desk, is too smelly to be appealing. And his next adventure needs to be less like a strip cartoon

He has perfected a walk that, while not quite a limp, hints that his stump is chafing him something wicked.

But the script made his task difficult by having him talk to the artificial leg every time he unbuckled it. The leg didnt talk back  it was even more morose than Strike himself.

It took top billing, though, in the climactic brawl when a demented lawyer ripped the fake limb free and attempted to beat Strike to death with it.

This series has lashings of noir atmosphere and the lead characters  a wounded detective and his sassy sidekick (Holliday Grainger)  are engaging if slightly hackneyed.

But Strike, a man whose idea of personal grooming is to suck a toothbrush at his desk, is too smelly to be appealing. And his next adventure needs to be less like a strip cartoon.
She has conquered the world of music, bagging Brit awards, Grammys and even a coveted Oscar.

And Adele could be set to make her mark in Hollywood with claims she is in talks to star in the new film adaptation of iconic musical Oliver! reported The Sun.

The 29-year-old Hello hitmaker has reportedly been approached by film execs who are keen to get her onboard to play kind-hearted Nancy in a remake of the hit 1968 musical.

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New venture? Adele could be set to make her mark in Hollywood with claims she is in talks to star in the new film adaptation of iconic musical Oliver! reported The Sun

Please sir, can I have some more? The 29-year-old Hello hitmaker has reportedly been approached by film execs who are keen to get her onboard to play kind-hearted Nancy in a remake of the hit 1968 musical

A source told the website the mother of four-year-old Angelo was excited by the role, saying: 'It would be a major part for her and shes seriously considering it.

'Shes talked about Angelo being her number one priority and she sees this as a role that he could appreciate too.

'It would be a new challenge for her but one she would definitely be up for.'

Mail Online has contacted representatives for Adele for comment.

This comes after Adele - who had performed 121 dates over 25 months - cancelled the final two shows of her mammoth world tour.

Anticipation: A source told the website the mother of four-year-old Angelo was excited by the role, saying: 'It would be a major part for her and shes seriously considering it'

Mammoth hit: The original film starred Mark Lester in the titular role (above)

The star, who was set to play four shows in London, pulled out of her last two shows at Wembley stadium after damaging her vocal cords.

It has been claimed that West End heavyweight Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Working Title Films, who helped make 2012's Les Miserables remake, will produce the new movie.

It would be the Tottenham-born star's first acting role, after she penned the theme tune to James Bond film Skyfall in 2012, which bagged her an Oscar in 2013.

Glittering: It would be the Tottenham-born star's first acting role, after she penned the theme tune to James Bond film Skyfall in 2012, which bagged her an Oscar in 2013

Oliver! is based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, which was released in 1837.

It tells the tale of orphan Oliver who meets a pickpocket on the London streets.

He then joins a household of boys who are trained to steal for their master.

The original film starred Mark Lester in the titular role with Ron Moody playing the crooked Fagin and Shani Wallis portraying Nancy.
Liz Hurley has been pals with snippy style consultant Susannah Constantine for donkeys years, and now their children are enjoying a blossoming friendship.

This weekend, Damian Hurley, 15, attended a black-tie ball with Esme Bertelsen, 16, and followed up the rendezvous with gushing messages on social media.

I love u, he told Esme, whose father is 55-year-old Susannahs husband, Danish businessman Sten Bertelsen. Esme, who wore a figure-hugging mini dress, is pictured draped over Damian, above. She replied by sharing another photo from the event, writing: Hurley genes.

With his sharp cheekbones and piercing blue eyes, Damian has clearly inherited the looks of his mother, 52 (inset with Susannah). Lets hope he shares the good fortune of his father, U.S. businessman Steve Bing, who was left an estimated $600 million [463 million] by his grandfather, Leo.

This weekend, Damian Hurley, 15, attended a black-tie ball with Esme Bertelsen, 16, and followed up the rendezvous with gushing messages on social media

Has Labours Brexit spokesman, Sir Keir Starmer, turned against his Muslim constituents? To mark the Islamic festival of Eid, he posted a tweet, wishing, Eid Mubarak to all my fiends and colleagues celebrating.

Red-faced, he later sent a follow-up message stressing that he meant to type friends, not fiends.

Saatchi girl to marry Dad's doppelganger

Grumpy art collector Charles Saatchi has been divorced three times but thats not put his only child, Phoebe, off marriage.

Whats more, her fiance Arthur Yates, 26, looks remarkably like her 75-year-old father (inset). Saatchis girlfriend, TV presenter Trinny Woodall, says the engagement is the best news ever.

Whats more, her fiance Arthur Yates, 26, looks remarkably like her 75-year-old father (inset). Saatchis girlfriend, TV presenter Trinny Woodall, says the engagement is the best news ever

Its certainly a welcome change from when Phoebe, 23, was dragged into Saatchis acrimonious divorce from domestic goddess Nigella Lawson.

Sources close to Saatchi said it was Phoebes alarm about Nigella smoking cannabis which sparked the row that led to the mogul being pictured with his hand around Nigellas throat at Scotts restaurant.

Phoebe, whose mother is Saatchis second wife, Kay, has set up a fashion label with Arthur called Bruta, and the pair can be seen wearing matching shirts from their range (right).
She's made no secret of her love for the annual Burning Man gathering.

And Shanina Shaik shared a sizzling topless shot with her fiance, Gregory 'DJ Ruckus' Andrews, from the Nevada-based event on Monday.

The 26-year-old left little to the imagination in a mesh singlet with her breasts displayed as her equally-shirtless partner posed right next to her.

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Baring it all: Shanina Shaik shared a sizzling topless shot with her fiance, Gregory 'DJ Ruckus' Andrews, from the Nevada-based event on Monday

She captioned the selfie 'Playing on the Playa' and gazed into the camera seductively while black pasties covered her nipples.

The Victoria's Secret model wore aviator goggles atop her head, while Ruckus chose to cover his eyes with his pair.

She accessorised with oversize silver hoop earrings and a necklace featuring the letters 'TBC'.

Good spirits: Ruckus, 33, effused in one post, 'I enjoyed every moment quality time with my love! Met great new people and rekindled with so many friends I love and care for!'

The high-profile couple gushed over their Burning Man experience in separate posts to social media.

Ruckus, 33, effused in one post: 'I enjoyed every moment quality time with my love! Met great new people and rekindled with so many friends I love and care for!'

'Burningman is so dear to my heart,' Shanina wrote in a separate upload. 'A place where everyone is treated equally.'

'Burningman is so dear to my heart,' Shanina wrote in a separate upload. 'A place where everyone is treated equally'

'I had the best time creating beautiful memories with my love , family and new friends,' she continued

'I had the best time creating beautiful memories with my love , family and new friends,' she continued.

The desert festival, held annually in a temporary city erected in Black Rock Desert, features plenty of nudity and an 'orgy dome' as an art installation.

During this year's event Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, died from burns after breaking through a two-layer security perimeter in which a giant, wooden effigy is set ablaze.
She was recently announced as the new face of Gillette Venus.

And Pia Miller looked every inch a Venus during the P&G tour of beauty in Sydney on Monday.

The 33-year-old cut an elegant figure in a form-fitting white dress paired with a pink coat and matching pointed-toe heels.

A vision in white: Pia Miller showed off her stunning physique during the P&G tour of beauty in Sydney on Monday

She displayed a hint of cleavage in the knee-length gown, which featured a thigh-high split - showcasing her toned pins.

As the Home and Away star boarded a yacht in the harbourside suburb of Rose Bay, she flashed a smile and her trademark dimples while greeting fellow model Jesinta Franklin and reality star Anna Heinrich.

The Chilean-born beauty showcased her flawless visage, with her makeup consisting of light foundation, blush and smokey eyes.

Chic: The 33-year-old cut an elegant figure in a form-fitting white dress paired with a pink coat and matching pointed-toe heels

Leggy lady! She displayed a hint of cleavage in the knee-length gown, which featured a thigh-high split - showcasing her toned pins

Her luscious brunette locks were neatly styled in beach waves and swept to one side, drawing attention to her decolette.

The Logie-nominated actress was recently named as the new face of Gillette Venus and she told fans she is 'excited' about the gig.

'Super excited to announce that I am the first ever Aussie ambassador for @GilletteVenusANZ,' she wrote on Instagram.

Famous friends: As the Home and Away star boarded a yacht in the harbourside suburb of Rose Bay, she flashed a smile and her trademark dimples while greeting fellow model Jesinta Franklin (2-L) and reality star Anna Heinrich (not pictured)

Photo shoot: The star was seen posing for snaps alongside Jesinta (L) and Anna (2-L)

'Venus has been part of my beauty routine since my teenage years & is now an everyday staple!  - #Excited #Venus #VenusSmooth #VenusComfortglide.'

Despite being known for her dazzling red carpet looks and glamorous lifestyle, the mother-of-two recently told The Morning Show that while she enjoys the glamorous life, she is happiest when she is 'just being a mum.'

'Getting those Ugg boots on, putting my hair up in a bun taking all makeup off and just being mum,' Pia said.

New gig: The Logie-nominated actress was recently named as the new face of Gillette Venus and she told fans she is 'excited' about the gig

Family first: Pia is mum to two boys Lennox, 10, who she shares with ex-husband Brad Miller and Isaiah, 14, from a previous relationship

'[Working] is great though, I kinda feel like I am one of those people that operates better when I am busy.'

Pia is mum to two boys Lennox, 10, who she shares with ex-husband Brad Miller and Isaiah, 14, from a previous relationship.

She is currently dating film producer Tyson Mullane.
She's not shy when it comes to flaunting her toned figure on the catwalk.

And on Monday, body-confident model Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) provided a cheeky glimpse of her posterior as she stepped out in Sydney.

Arriving at the lavish P&G Tour of Beauty event in Rose Bay, the 26-year-old looked stunning in a sheer beige crochet dress.

Cheeky display! Arriving at the lavish P&G Tour of Beauty event in Sydney's Rose Bay on Monday, Jesinta Franklin (pictured) provided a brief glimpse of her posterior

The floor-length crochet frock clung to Jesinta's curves in all the right places and bared some more skin with its cut-out back section.

The former Miss Universe Australia matched the ensemble with a pair of clear-heeled nude pumps and a yellow-and-tan chain-strapped handbag.

Accessorising the look, Jesinta opted for a gold bracelet and earrings in the same hue.

Sheer delight: The floor-length crocheted frock showed off Jesinta's enviable figure

If you've got it, flaunt it! Also showing some skin was the cut-out back feature of the dress

Jesinta didn't appear to be travelling light for the occasion, which also drew beauties like Home And Away star Pia Miller and The Bachelor's Anna Heinrich.

She was also snapped with a large black tote and medium-sized Louis Vuitton suitcase in tow.

As always, the wife of AFL star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin looked flawless when it came to her beauty choices.

The star wore her hair sleek and straight, while her makeup accentuated her attributes as it utilised natural-looking shades.

Not travelling light: The 26-year-old carted a large black tote and Louise Vuitton suitcase

Stylish star! The former Miss Universe Australia flaunted her slender figure in the ensemble

Flawless: Jesinta accessorised the look with a yellow and tan bag and gold jewellery

Just last week, Jesinta made another part of her enviable figure the focal attraction by opting for strategically provocative garb.

As she accompanied her Sydney Swans husband to the All Australian Team Announcement red carpet, Jesinta's cleavage threaten to escape from her plunging silk-lined neckline.

Jesinta expertly blended style and seduction in a tiny all-black dress, but struggled to keep the precariously top in place as the couple had their photo taken together.

Locks and loaded: Wearing her hair sleek and straight, Jesinta looked flawless as usual
He's the Hollywood star who resides in the Australian coastal town of Byron Bay.

And Chris Hemsworth made the trip home to celebrate Father's Day with his family on Sunday.

The 34-year-old enjoyed an afternoon of face painting with his wife Elsa Pataky, 40, daughter India Rose, five, and twins Tristan and Sasha, three.

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Daddy's home! Chris Hemsworth made the trip to Byron Bay to celebrate Father's Day with his family on Sunday

The low-key brood took time out at Byron Bay Markets to blend in with locals as the children delighted in the colourful activity.

The Thor actor cut a casual figure in a grey T-shirt, khaki pants and black thongs, with a fitted cap promoting local business Emery Surfboards.

His stunning wife flaunted her boho chic style in an oversize felt hat and flirty black dress with a floral pattern.

Family ties: The 34-year-old enjoyed an afternoon of face painting with his wife Elsa Pataky, 40, daughter India Rose, five, and twins Tristan and Sasha, three

Afternoon delight: The low-key brood took time out at Byron Bay Markets to blend in with locals as the children had fun with the colourful activity

Successful: He's the Hollywood star who lives in the Australian coastal town of Byron Bay

Chill: The Thor actor cut a casual figure in a grey T-shirt, khaki pants and black thongs, with a fitted cap promoting local business Emery Surfboards

Attentive: The doting dad watched on as his kids enjoyed face-painting at the markets

Rainbow bright! The children appeared to have a great time as they indulged in face-painting

She matched it with black ankle boots showing off her tanned and toned pins, the fringe of the shoes coordinating with the fringe design of her cross-body purse.

Their trio of adorable tots coordinated in t-shirts, jeans and sneakers, their long blonde locks falling softly over their tiny shoulders.

The family were accompanied by an unidentified friend, who assisted Chris with escorting the children across the street once their afternoon outing was done.

Time out: Chris spent Father's Day with Elsa and their three little ones in their Byron Bay neighbourhood

Helping hand: The family were accompanied by an unidentified friend, who assisted Chris with escorting the children across the street once their afternoon outing was done

Road safety! The Hollywood hunk was protective as he lead his children across the street from the markets

Standing tall! The Thor actor held one of the cute twins up with his right arm while walking the other with his left

Matchy matchy! Their trio of adorable tots coordinated in t-shirts, jeans and sneakers, their long blonde locks falling softly over their tiny shoulders

Elsa recently revealed she is ready to return to work after three years being a stay-at-home mother.

The actress told Confidential she has spoken with publishers to bring her Spanish-language health and fitness book 'Challenge Maximum' to the Australian market.

'We have some editors interested in Australia and the fans have been asking me to do an English version, so we might do another book for here,' she said.

Modern hippie: His stunning wife flaunted her boho chic style in an oversize felt hat and flirty black dress with a floral pattern
For the past 10 days, they have been enjoying a French and Italian vacation.

And on Sunday, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend looked refreshed and relaxed as they returned to Los Angeles.

The couple put on a united front as they walked hand-in-hand on their way out of the airport.

They're back! On Sunday, Chrissy Teigen, 31, and John Legend, 38, looked refreshed and relaxed as they returned to Los Angeles

Chrissy tucked in a black blouse into a pair of denim cut-offs.

The 31-year-old completed her look with high heels, mirrored shades, hoop earrings and two bags.

John, 39, was stylish in all black, pairing a T-shirt with skinny jeans and a bomber jacket.

United front: The couple walked hand-in-hand on their way out of the airport

The couple's vacation has surely ended, as the parents to Luna, one, returned home to a bit of controversy.

TMZ reported that a search was being done for 'out of shape' actors to 'play Trump supporters.'

Additional rose included 'kissing lesbian couple,' Black Lives Matter protesters, among others.

Looking for 'out of shape' actors: The couple's vacation has surely ended, as the parents to Luna, one, returned home to a bit of controversy

John took to Twitter to deny that he, nor his team, had anything to do with the casting call.

He did confirm that he is shooting a video on Monday 'with a political scene,' but reiterated that 'the casting notice wasn't from our production at all.'

'I still think Trump is awful and whoever voted for him did a disservice to the country. But I didn't issue this casting call,' he also said.

John ended his four-part Twitter post on the matter of weight.

'Oh, and both sides of the political spectrum have their share of Americans of all shapes and sizes!'
Paris Jackson is clearly very proud of her latest inkings.

The daughter of the late King of Pop couldn't stop showing off her chakras tattooed down the middle of her chest as she posed topless in a series of social media snaps.

The 19-year-old first showed off her tattoos on Saturday and couldn't resist posting more candid snaps on Sunday.

Bared her skin: Paris Jackson is clearly very proud of her latest inkings as she posted more topless images on social media on Sunday showing close-ups of her newest tattoos

Paris has made no secret of her interest in spirituality.

The chakras are said to be energy centers placed in seven points of the body.

In her first posting, she covered her nipples with pink flower emojis as she took a selfie arms raised and bare naked.

Free spirit: The 19-year-old daughter of the late King of Pop first unveiled her latest tattoos on Instagram on Saturday

Had company: On Sunday she also shared a pic that featured a close female friend whose topless upper body as protected with a rainbow

On Sunday she also shared a selfie with a topless female pal also in shot and a rainbow protecting her modesty.

Of her pal Paris wrote: 'Our connection is beyond what the English language can describe.'

'Thank you for ascending with me sister.'

Paris also showed off the tattoos, covered up in bandages, before she unveiled the final product.

'Secreting blood n plasma everywhere,' she captioned the messy snap.

Paris was spotted at Tattoo Mania in West Hollywood on Saturday, taking a cigarette break.

Messy: Paris also showed off the tattoos, covered up in bandages, before she unveiled the final product

Stepping out: Paris was spotted at Tattoo Mania in West Hollywood on Saturday, taking a cigarette break

As fans of Paris know by now, the starlet has an extensive collection of tattoos.

She recently received a matching tattoo with her godfather Macaulay Culkin.

Paris has also paid tribute to her father Michael by receiving several tattoos in his memory.
It pulled in a whopping 1.67 million viewers for its debut episode last month.

And Little Big Shots has proven a true ratings winner, beating rival reality show The Block again on Sunday.

The Channel Seven children's talent show pulled in an audience of 1,305,000 in key metro areas for the night, against The Block's 1,197,00 viewers.

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Pocket rockets! Little Big Shots has proven a true ratings winner, beating rival reality show The Block again on Sunday

Little Big Shots, hosted by comedian Shane Jacobson, outdid the Nine Network renovation show in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

The Block actually scored bigger ratings in the two cities with the biggest populations, Sydney and Melbourne, but that wasn't enough to rank it at the top.

Bright sparks like Evan, the eight year old 'human encyclopedia' featured during Sunday's episode, are keeping fans coming back for more on Little Big Shots.

Better luck next time! The Block actually scored bigger ratings in the two cities with the biggest populations, Sydney and Melbourne, but that wasn't enough to rank it at the top

Shining star: Bright sparks like Evan, the eight year old 'human encyclopedia' featured during Sunday's episode, are keeping fans coming back for more on Little Big Shots

To his captivated audience, Evan revealed he can remember such things as Pi to 200 decimals, the names of all the Australian prime ministers and American presidents.

When asked about how it felt to be so 'brainy,' Evan replied: 'It just feels so good.'

Created by Ellen DeGeneres and originally presented by Steve Harvey, Little Big Shots has become an instant success in Australia, mirroring its results in America.

Clever: To his captivated audience, Evan revealed he can remember such things as Pi to 200 decimals, the names of all the Australian prime ministers and American presidents

Confident: When asked about how it felt to be so 'brainy,' Evan replied, 'It just feels so good'

The show's young contestants, who are aged between three and 13, showcase their stunning talents for an in-studio and televised audience.

Now in its 13th season, The Block is still a strong winner with television fans, regularly drawing in audiences of over a million viewers per episode.

Meanwhile, Australian Survivor continued to tank in the ratings on Sunday, with the Channel 10 series scoring only 574,000 fans.
She tied the knot to husband Oliver Curtis in 2012, in a stunning ceremony and reception.

And Roxy Jacenko's wedding stylist and 'event architect,' Philip Carr, has opened up about her big day to Daily Mail Australia, saying the PR guru was a pleasure to work with.

The celebrity favourite also defended the mother of two and her lavish lifestyle against critics, saying she works hard for every dime she has.

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'They don't know how hard she is working!' Roxy Jacenko's wedding stylist Philip Carr defends her lavish lifestyle against critics...as he gives an insight into her stunning nuptials

'She's amazing': The celebrity favourite also defended the mother of two (pictured) and her lavish lifestyle against critics, saying she works hard for every dime she has

'With Roxy, I actually didn't really know who Roxy was before she approached me to do her wedding and I've done some of her kids parties and I do some of the stuff at her work,' Philip said.

'I think she's amazing. The interesting thing is, I'll be sending her emails at 1am in the morning and she's replying at two minutes past.'

'So when people criticise her, they don't know how hard she is working and you kind of look at the Hermes bags and you think, "well it just fell off a tree," and it doesn't just fall off a tree,' he said.

'You can work hard': Philip also said that Roxy is an inspiration for women

Philip also said that Roxy is an inspiration for women.

'She's been a great ambassador to show people that you can work hard and you can do something,' he said.

He also said he's experienced some judgement from others, and said he often drives home from work at 3:30am, thinking 'I wish people could see me now!'

Philip - who said he likes to thrill the senses when styling an event - said Roxy really let him 'shine' when doing her wedding, with never before seen images shared with Daily Mail Australia.

Her big day! Philip said Roxy really let him 'shine' when doing her wedding, with unseen images shared with Daily Mail Australia (pictured, Roxy and Oliver Curtis)

A blushing bride: 'She didn't micro manage me. She said, "I'm employing you because I'm running my business, and I need you to run my wedding"

Night and bright: On the day, tables were lined with stunning red and purple flowers and menus featuring purple

'She didn't micro manage me. She said, "I'm employing you because I'm running my business, and I need you to run my wedding."

On the day, tables were lined with stunning red and purple flowers and menus featuring purple.

Philip said the room at their venue - Sydney's Quay - had purple carpet and they tried to tie it all in.

'She gave pretty much gave me free reign...she connected to the way I think.'

All in the details: Philip said the room at their venue - Sydney's Quay - had purple carpet and they tried to tie it all in

Lush: Floral displays featured frequently throughout the space

'Working with her on the wedding was amazing. I remember we gave everyone these beautiful gifts and candles, she understood why I wanted a particular type of candle. A lot of the time, gifts can be a daggy thing, but not everything is about the money,' he said.

He continued: 'The ribbon was the thickest we could get, the wax seal was the biggest we could get, there was something that was far more creative and a feeling of luxury.'

Roxy and Oliver married at Sydney's swanky Quay Restaurant back in 2012.

'Working with her on the wedding was amazing' Pictured is a cheese wheel with fruit

What a view! Personalised cushions featured outside as guests soaked up the venue

The finest crystal: Pictured is the table decorations

Gorgeous: A green and white floral wall greeted guests at the ceremony

Roxy stunned in a strapless Vera Wang gown that was rumoured to have been flown first-class direct from Los Angeles.

Oliver and Roxy announced their second engagement in July, with Oliver proposing weeks after he was released from Cooma Correctional Centre in June, after serving a year for insider trading.

He presented Roxy with a six-carat diamond ring, which he designed himself in a matter of weeks.

The Nicholas Haywood ring is believed to be valued at up to $450,000 by a respected member of the National Council of Jewellery Valuers, which is more than double the $200,000 jewel she received when Oliver first proposed in 2010.
Holly Willoughby has admitted she had 'no idea' she was getting paid a staggering 200,000 less than her co-star Phillip Schofield.

The This Morning presenter, 36, has said it was 'outrageous' that women didn't earn the same as their male counterparts in an interview before their salaries were revealed.

Her wages have been given the huge boost so that they now match Phil's 600,000, while the pair will also get another 200,000 for the rebooted series of Dancing On Ice, according to The Mirror.

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Gender pay gap: Holly Willoughby admitted she had 'no idea' she was getting paid a staggering 200,000 less than her co-star Phillip Schofield

She spoke about the pay gap between men and women in an interview before the reveal - in which she said she 'trusted' her employers to respect her with the same amount as a man.

She added: 'If you have two equally qualified people who have been doing something for the same amount of time, then there is absolutely no excuse.'

The news came in wake of the BBC's gender pay gap scandal, which revealed that only a third of the channel's highest paid stars were women.

Holly has taken the summer off to spend time with her family - and revealed in the same interview with Fabulous magazine that she is unsure whether she wants more children.

She is already mother to sons Harry and Chester and daughter Belle with her husband Dan Baldwin, but Holly hinted she is open to adding a fourth to her brood.

The TV presenter, 36, revealed that seeing her children playing together at home makes her doubt whether she is 'done' with having kids - before going on to deem the gender pay gap as inexcusable, following her reported pay rise for This Morning.

Catching up: Her wages have been given the huge boost so that they now match Phil's 600,000, but in an interview before the reveal she insisted it was 'outrageous' men were paid more for the same job

Honest: After upping her salary, Holly hinted she is open to adding a fourth to her brood

Holly is doting mother to three kids with her husband Dan, who she met on set of Ministry of Mayhem in 2004, where he was a producer.

However, the blonde has now admitted that while the pair are not actively planning to have another baby, they are perhaps open to welcoming a fourth child in the future.

She explained: 'When you look around the table and youve got these little people youve made together who are just so funny, thats when you think: Maybe we should have more'

Happy couple: Holly is doting mother to Harry, Chester and Belle with her husband Dan (above), who she met on set of Ministry of Mayhem in 2004, where he was a producer

Fourth time lucky? Admitting she loves watching her children (above) play together, she remained unsure whether she wanted more - claiming she 'thinks' she is 'done' with kids

However, she went on to add she was 'definitely done' with having kids - although with a huge degree of uncertainty.

She continued: 'But thats not a reason to have more! Thats what I keep telling myself. No, no, no! I think Im really, definitely done. I think.'

The blonde also confessed she felt very lucky as a mother in this generation - as she works four days a week on This Morning and is free most afternoons, meaning she can spend plenty of time with her family.

Quality time: She also confessed she felt very lucky as a mother - as she works four days a week on This Morning, meaning she can spend plenty of time with her family

'There is no excuse': While Holly conducted her interview before her pay rise was announced, the blonde was quick to blast the gender pay gap, if the two people are 'equally qualified'

Proving a hit with viewers, the blonde went on to join Phillip on This Morning in 2009, as replacement for Fern Britton - who reportedly quit due to the pay gap between her and Phillip.

The pair have since become known as firm friends, and even recently enjoyed a holiday together with their families in Portugal.

Recently speaking to Radio Times, the silver fox admitted their on-screen chemistry was down to their close personal bond.

He explained: 'I think that if you watch This Morning on a regular basis then you get an insight into our friendship, which is the same on screen as off. We have a laugh.'
Australia's Women's Health magazine has just celebrated a decade in the business.

And to celebrate such a momentous occasion, the mag has put none other than Jennifer Hawkins on the cover of their 10th anniversary issue.

The 33-year-old flaunts her mind-blowing curves in a skimpy white swimsuit on the cover of the health and fitness publication.

Alright in white! Jennifer Hawkins flaunts her mind-blowing curves in a skimpy white swimsuit on the cover of Women's Health magazine

The former Miss Universe heats things up even further inside the mag by slipping into a racy black two-piece that showcases her peachy derriere.

Jennifer revealed to Women's Health that she wants to have a farm and a family with her husband Jake Wall in the next ten years.

'I always joke with Jake that I'd love to have a farm,' Jennifer told the publication.

Bootylicious! The former Miss Universe heats things up even further inside the mag by slipping into a racy black two-piece that showcases her peachy derriere

She added: 'I'd love to be living near the water and have a family.'

Jennifer - who was crowned Miss Universe in 2004 - added: 'I guess I want to build a life that I don't need a vacation from.'

The beauty is currently busy with her many modelling and business ventures.

Picture perfect: Jennifer revealed to Women's Health that she wants to have a farm and a family with her husband Jake Wall in the next ten years

In 2015, she and Jake launched their own line of tequila called Sesion.

According to news.com.au, the boozy beverage, which costs $85 bucks a bottle, sold 10,000 cases in its first year.

The blonde businesswoman also has her own swimwear line and fake tanning product called J Bronze.
It's no secret that Matty Johnson has feelings for several girls.

But as the remaining six contestants of The Bachelor revealed in an interview with NW magazine on Monday, it's Matty that should be concerned about the girls feelings about him.

Tara Pavlovic, 27, told the publication that while she's sure she will find love some day, whether that's with Matty is a completely different story.

'Am I falling in love?': 27 year old Tara Pavlovic told NW on Monday that it's it's Matty that should be concerned about the girls feelings about him

'I think I could fall in love eventually, yeah,' she said.

'But am I falling in love? I don't think so...'

The nanny from the Gold Coast went on to make some explosive allegations about the 29 year old Sydney marketing director, claiming that all of the contestants have similar feelings.

Boring?: Tara went on to make some explosive allegations about the 29 year old Sydney marketing director, claiming that all of the contestants have similar feelings

It's been a rollercoaster of emotion for Tara during the series.

Her revelations come after she shared a full date with Matty in August, ending in a steamy makeout session.

And it seemed as if the blonde bombshell didn't stop there to win the hunk's heart.

'Everyone feels the same': Despite her questioning her love for the hunky Bachelor star, her actions tended to display something very different last week

Tara revealed an artwork she had done for Matty on Tuesday, an impressive Bachelor-themed painting that showed her and her fellow contestants surrounding him.

She in turn received a rose, keeping her alive in the competition for another week.

As the reality TV series draws to a close, it's becoming increasingly apparent that it's really anyone's game.

Jewellery designer Laura Byrne is tipped to be the favourite to win the series, with Tara to come runner up.
She recently denied engagement rumours after flashing a sparkler while cosying up to her hunky beau in a series of loved-up Instagram snaps.

But it looks like Chloe Green and Jeremy Meeks are still intent on taking their controversial romance to the next level, as they were spotted departing from LAX airport in California to Israel for a pilgrimage on Sunday.

The 'Hot Felon', 33, packed on the PDA with the billionaire Topshop heiress, 26 - who is no doubt keen on showing him her Jewish heritage during the upcoming holy expedition.

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Getaway: Chloe Green and Jeremy Meeks are still intent on taking their controversial romance to the next level, as they were spotted departing from LAX airport in California to Israel for a pilgrimage

Chloe put on an incredibly leggy display in a pair of tiny shorts, which she teamed with ananimated white jumper, as she got close to her man.

Opting for comfort in a pair of shiny black boots, the fashionista stood on her tip-toes as she puckered up to her man, who has seen quite the meteoric rise to stardom after his prison mugshot went viral in 2014.

Jeremy was casually clad in an unzipped navy sweat-top, which had white monochrome lining on the shoulder and he paired it with matching joggers.

Despite the shock waves their romance caused after the couple were spotted canoodling on a yacht in Turkey while Jeremy was still married to mother-of-three Melissa Meeks, the duo's relationship appears to be going from strength to strength.

Loved-up: The 'Hot Felon', 33, packed on the PDA with the billionaire Topshop heiress, 26 - who is no doubt keen on showing him her Jewish heritage during the upcoming holy expedition

Hot couple: Chloe put on an incredibly leggy display in a pair of tiny shorts, while the model kept it comfortable in navy sweats

Travelling in style: a beaming Jeremy shared a photo of him and Chloe from their plush first class seats as they got ready to take off

Long haul: the model also got his pals into another shot as the group prepared to embark from Los Angeles to the Holy Land

The pair looked positively smitten as they prepared to embark from Los Angeles for the sacred journey in the Holy Land.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jeremy to confirm the exact nature of their trip.

Their getaway comes after Chloe denied that she is engaged to Meeks, despite waving a huge faux engagement ring at the camera last week.

'Chloe is not engaged,' her representative confirmed of the pictures in a statement to MailOnline.

Jeremy sent shock waves across the internet when pictures emerged of him kissing Chloe Green on a yacht in Turkey in June.

It's a no! Their getaway comes after Chloe denied that she is engaged to Meeks, despite waving a huge faux engagement ring at the camera last week

Moving on: Meanwhile Jeremy's estranged wife Melissa took to Instagram to show off her sizzling physique last week as she appeared to be beginning a post break-up body make over

Last month Jeremy began publicly parading his romance with heiress Chloe as they enjoyed carnival during a sunny Barbados holiday, as his estranged wife Melissa Meeks appeared to take their continuous insensitivity in her stride as she took to Instagram to show off her sizzling physique last week.

The brave nurse, 38, appeared to be beginning a post break-up body make-over, posing in her underwear as she showed off her already enviable figure.

And despite staying maintaining a largely dignified silence over her estranged husband's actions, in July Melissa gave a rare insight into her life post-Jeremy Meeks, as she took to Instagram in a lengthy tirade.

The mother-of-three, who shares a seven-year-old son with the 33-year-old felon turned model as she took to Instagram.

Official: Last month Jeremy posted his first public snap with new girlfriend Chloe, heiress to billionaire father Sir Phillip Green's retail fortune at the Barbados carnival

Supportive: Melissa garnered an influx of supportive messages from followers, who slammed the actions of Jeremy- who Melissa stayed with during his lengthy prison stint

It read: 'I fed mouths that talked sh** about me. I wiped tears from the same people that caused mine. Picked up people that tried to knock me down. Did favours for those who couldn't do sh** for me. Been there for the ones that left me. Crazy? Maybe.'

Proving she was taking the high road, the brave beauty concluded: 'But I don't lose myself in the hatred of others. I continue to be me because I can't change who I am. Life ain't easy but through the bullsh** I remain solid. Because I know god got big plans for me.'

'Saw this and felt how REAL it was, so I wanted to share it... #haveablessedday #remember #keepitsolid', she captioned the picture.

Life of luxury: Meeks sent tongues wagging after pictures emerged of him kissing British Topshop heiress Chloe Green on a yacht in Turkey in June

Family: Melissa is mother to his biological child Jeremy Jr, seven, and Robert, 11, Melissas son from a previous relationship. She also has a daughter, 16-year-old Ellie, and says both stepchildren consider Meeks a father figure

Jeremy and Chloe reportedly met during the Cannes Film Festival in May, where he was modelling for Phillip Plein.

And in July Jeremy filed for legal separation from mother-of-three Melissa, who he shares her youngest son with.

He was married to the nurse, who stayed with him throughout his stint in prison, for eight years.

She later told the Mail of her devastation, admitting that her husband had been seduced by the glamour of his newfound modelling career.

Holding him hostage? Chloe took to Instagram in June, sharing a a photo with Meeks and his manager, before deleting her account due to the backlash

I know it takes two to tango but she knew he was married. To me, thats unforgivable. My whole world has been torn apart by this. What do I tell our children? My heart is broken.

What sort of woman would do something like this to another woman? My marriage wasnt perfect but I thought it could be saved, until this happened.

Of course Im angry at her. What she did is unforgivable. And Im angry at him too. What they did destroyed my entire world.

Did either of them think about the children and how this will affect them? Theyre the innocent victims in this. And so am I.
She was recently named one of the most eligible singles on the Gold Coast.

And on Saturday night, it was easy to see exactly why men have been lining up around the block for a chance with former reality star Zilda Williams.

The 34-year-old's infamous E-cup assets were on full display as she partied with some pals at local hotspot Dracula's.

Thirsty? The Bachelor's Zilda Williams almost suffered a wardrobe malfunction as she leaned forward in a low-cut top to drink a fishbowl cocktail on Saturday night at Dracula's

The busty brunette appeared completely unaware that her ample cleavage was dangerously close to spilling out of her tank top as she guzzled a fishbowl cocktail inside the club.

It was a rare night out on the town for the former party girl, who seems to have left the bright lights of Sydney's social scene behind since relocating to the Gold Coast to become a Sales and Events Manager at Love Nightlife earlier this year.

Since landing the gig, the stunner has filled the venue with reality TV royalty like Married At First Sight's Cheryl Maitland and Big Brother's Skye Wheatley.

Single and ready to mingle! It's not hard to see why the 34-year-old was recently named the most eligible single on the Gold Coast

Queen of Queensland! Since relocating to the Gold Coast, the former reality star has been slaying the social scene as well as starting a new career as a Sales and Events Manager at one of the city's biggest nightlife venues

Zilda, who shot to fame as a breakout star on season three of The Bachelor, previously told Daily Mail Australia that she's now focused on her career and finding a husband and father for her future children.

However, she hasn't completely ruled out a return to reality television either.

Speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin about the kind of man she's after, the Kiwi-born beauty said: 'I've given up on looks. I truly think it's all in the personality.'

Speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin about the kind of man she's after, the Kiwi-born beauty said: 'I've given up on looks. I truly think it's all in the personality'

She continued: 'If you have all the right qualities, but you're rocking a dad bod, that's okay.'

The one-time favourite of Sydney's paparazzi recently dyed her bombshell blonde locks a sophisticated chocolate brown to break away from her old image.

'Back to the dark side,' she wrote on Instagram after dyeing her luscious locks.

'Feeling like a new woman with my brunette hair!'
They are pulling out all the stops to impress on The Block, with the limited time to renovate.

And on the show on Monday, Elyse Knowles' boyfriend Josh Barker was slammed by foreman Keith, over a noise complaint from a neighbour.

Keith said the complaint meant The Block was 'in jeopardy of getting shut down.'

'Let's just cut the attitude!' Foreman Keith SLAMS Elyse Knowles' boyfriend Josh Barker (pictured) over a noise complaint that threatens to shut down The Block

Keith said Josh was trying to cut a hole in his roof at 11pm at night, despite noise restriction rules.

Josh apologised for the noise, saying his plumber was installing a flute that needed to be done before room reveal.

'Didn't I give you a warning about not working overnight? I said it about 10 times as I left,' Keith said.

Fuming: Keith (seen L) said Josh was trying to cut a hole in his roof at 11pm at night, despite noise restriction rules

Josh said he and his tradie were using hand tools, but Keith slammed him for the 'attitude.'

'No attitude, we're on the Block, everyone's got the same rules, so let's just cut the attitude,' Keith said.

Josh said to camera that he thinks Keith and foreman Dan are just trying to test him.

'I'm not too sure if Keith and Dan have it out for me, but they definitely make my life hard sometimes,' Josh said.

'They make my life hard': Josh said to camera that he thinks Keith and foreman Dan (pictured) are just trying to test him

Ouch! Tensions were high, with Jason and Sarah getting a grilling by host Scott Cam (pictured) over their dwindling budget

He added: 'They're just pushing me to see how I cope with everything.'

During the show, the teams worked on the monster master suite upstairs, and had to start building their master bedroom, ensuite and walk in robe.

Tensions were high, with Jason and Sarah getting a grilling by host Scott Cam over their dwindling budget.

They have just $14,000 for their landscaping, which is not enough.

Sarah broke down in tears after the run in and said that, combined with their children heading to London while they're on The Block, it made her upset.

Meanwhile, it was revealed on the show that on Sunday nights' upcoming episode, a team scores three zeros during judging.
She's the breathtaking 25-year-old lingerie model best known for walking in the prestigious Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

But like the rest of us, Bridget Malcolm has also had to deal with rejection in her life.

This week, the Australian stunner took to her personal website to post a lengthy diary entry about the struggles of being rejected in a tough business like modelling.

Wisdom: Bridget Malcolm took to her personal website to post a lengthy diary entry about the struggles of being rejected in a tough business like modelling

Bridget recently attended the Victoria's Secret casting, but while other models have confirmed their appearance on the runway, the young beauty has not spoken of her outcome on whether she has made the cut.

'If it isn't meant to be, then it isn't,' wrote the enlightened blonde.

'We aren't defined by what we do or do not do, we are defined by how we do the things we do.'

She asked her fans: 'In our successes are we humble and thankful? And in our failures are we gracious and reflective?'

'We aren't defined by what we do or do not do, we are defined by how we do the things we do,' wrote the 25-year-old

The Playboy pin-up continued: 'Life is never defined by one thing  we are the result of countless small actions sustained over a lifetime. The big things are incredible, and we should be thankful for them and for others they happen to.

'But at the end of the day, they do not define us. The only thing that really matters is how we made other people feel. How we chose to exist for our short lifetime on this planet.'

The lingerie model's fans were quick to leave gushing comments in response to the sage post.

The only thing that really matters is how we made other people feel. How we chose to exist for our short lifetime on this planet,' wrote the sage stunner

''m going through a rough patch at the moment and that was exactly what I needed,' wrote one.

The fan added: 'Your writing is great and deeply thought provoking and always leaves me with a new and positive approach to the world.'

Another wrote: 'Yes as a writer I get the same business rejection but eventually one day it will be a bestseller and one of my favorite actresses or angels will be in the movie version.'
She is currently embroiled in a bitter divorce battle with her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte, following 10 years of marriage.

But brushing off her marital woes, Mel B made sure to command attention as she put on an extremely eye-popping display while attending a Mary J. Blige concert in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

The former Spice Girl set pulses racing in her VERY sultry sartorial choice that not only teased a look at her ample assets but left her pert behind on full view, thanks to its sheer design.

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Racy display: Mel B made sure to command attention as she put on an extremely eye-popping display while attending a Mary J. Blige concert in Los Angeles on Saturday night

The glittering gown undoubtedly turned heads as Mel made her way into the venue, accompanied by a slew of male pals, including celebrity hairdresser Gary Madatyan who she has been romantically linked to of late.

Mel, meanwhile, has denied she is dating again and recently confirmed that she is 'single' while appearing on America's Got Talent, but her latest ensemble will no doubt have seen the starlet grab attention.

It featured a perilously low-cut neckline that perfectly framed her plentiful bust, along with risque cut-out detailing around the torso, teasing a look at the talent judge's gym-honed physique underneath.

Just peachy! The former Spice Girl set pulses racing in her VERY sultry sartorial choice that not only teased a look at her ample assets but left her pert behind on full view

Leaving little to the imagination: Mel's gown was completely sheer at the back and appeared to bare her derriere, along with her slender legs, while revealing she was braless

Cheeky: Mel didn't seem fazed by the revealing nature of her one-shouldered glitzy gown

Sultry: Mel's sleeve billowed out around her arm while the skirt of her form-fitting frock left her lengthy pins on display, thanks to its daring thigh-high split at its centre

Boasting a one-sleeved design, Mel's sleeve billowed out around her arm while the skirt of her form-fitting frock left her lengthy pins on display, thanks to its daring thigh-high split at its centre.

All eyes, however, were firmly on Mel's behind, as the back of her revealing dress appeared to bare her derriere, leaving very little to the imagination as a result.

Not only did it unveil her peachy posterior - giving onlookers a lot more than they bargained for - the gown displayed Mel's slender legs and revealed that she had chosen to forgo her bra for the evening.

Busty: Her dress also boasted a perilously low-cut neckline that perfectly framed her plentiful cleavage

Eye-catching: The dazzling number undoubtedly turned heads as Mel made her way into the venue, accompanied by a slew of male pals, including celebrity hairdresser Gary Madatyan

New romance? He and Mel have been romantically linked to of late, but she has insisted she is single, confirming so on an episode of America's Got Talent

In a bid to add some extra height to her ensemble, Mel favoured a towering pair of complementing strappy heels, yet her dress was left trailing out behind her on the ground below.

She sported an immaculate beauty look and styled her cropped lightened tresses into a sleek slick back style.

Mel appeared in high spirits during her outing, despite new claims recently surfacing ahead of her final divorce hearing.

Her estranged husband Belafonte claimed in an explosive new legal declaration that she had battled a cocaine and alcohol addiction which impacted their marriage and Mel's ability to care for her three children.

Glamorous: In a bid to add some extra height to her ensemble, Mel favoured a towering pair of strappy heels, yet her dress was left trailing out behind her on the ground below

Stunning: She sported an immaculate beauty look and styled her cropped lightened tresses into a sleek slick back style

The declaration, said to be backed up by text messages between Beverly Hills marriage therapist Dr Charles Sophy, the former Spice Girl and Belafonte, details the bitter fall out between the ex couple after they separated and how Belafonte feared for the 'safety' of Mel's three children.

Reports claim Mel had failed in an attempt to have the explosive documents sealed at a recent court hearing - she had filed for divorce from the film producer in March earlier this year.

According to Belafonte's declaration, included in a shocking court filing obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, the America's Got Talent judge was said to have a 'habitual and consistent' addiction to cocaine and alcohol.

Brushing off her woes: Mel appeared in high spirits during her outing, despite new claims recently surfacing ahead of her final divorce hearing

MailOnline have contacted a representative for Mel.

Belafonte, details the bitter fall out between the couple after they separated and how he feared for the 'safety' of Mel's daughters; Phoenix, 18, Angel, 10, and six-year-old Madison (whom she shares with Belafonte).

A source told DailyMail.com that Mel's drug and alcohol abuse were the real reason for the separation and that Belafonte was blind-sided by the star's subsequent allegations of domestic abuse - something which he had denied and referred to as a 'smear campaign'.

In the declaration, Belafonte, 42, says: 'The biggest reason for my concern with respect to the safety of the children was due to the Petitioners habitual and consistent addiction to and abuse of cocaine and alcohol.

Troubles: Mel is currently embroiled in a bitter divorce battle with her estranged husband Belafonte, following 10 years of marriage

'To make matters worse, my fear for the childrens safety was amplified due to the fact that Petitioner had fired the childrens nanny, who had been in the childrens lives sine 2010 and I did not want Petitioner using drugs and drinking around the children especially without anyone else present to care for the children.

'Petitioners drinking and drug abuse had been a major issue throughout our marriage and was witnessed by the nanny, the children, and her own therapist, Dr Sophy.'

The former Spice Girl fired nanny Lorraine Gilles and later accused her of sleeping with her husband behind her back and even falling pregnant with his baby, claims Belafonte and the nanny have denied.

The revealing three-way text message exchanges between Mel, Belafonte and their marriage counsellor came at the height of their troubles shortly after they had separated in March 2017.

In the text messages seen here, Dr Sophy is seen on the messages as 'Dr Sofey', Belafonte is 'baby' and Mel B is 'Mother 2014'

Explosive: She had filed for divorce from the film producer in March earlier this year and her appearance in Hollywood comes after Belafonte has claimed he fears for the 'safety' of her children

Drama: According to Belafonte's declaration, included in a shocking court filing obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, the America's Got Talent judge was said to have a 'habitual and consistent' addiction to cocaine and alcohol

The texts reveal how mother-of-three Mel agreed to take a daily dose of prescription drug Antabuse to tackle her alcoholism, which according to Dr Sophy, would prove she would be 'safe' around her children, the paperwork states.

Belafonte states in the document: 'During the text exchange...in order to try to ease my concerns, Dr. Sophy, a mandated reporter, informed me that he would try to control Petitioner's alcohol and drug abuse and that he and Petitioner made an agreement regarding Petitioner's "substance abuse", as well as "child safety".

In a follow up text, Belafonte expressed concern about his chidren, adding: 'What about my kids she took them for (sic) me yesterday and I do not have any idea where they are or who they're with.'

Mel responded: 'We are in a gated community called the summit they are very excited and happy.'

The text messages have been released as part of a filing at LA Superior Court on Friday.

In his declaration Belafonte hits out at his ex for her 'unilateral and calculated' decision to try to restrict his relationship with Angel - whom she shares with actor Eddie Murphy.

Split: The declaration, said to be backed up by text messages between Beverly Hills marriage therapist Dr Charles Sophy, the former Spice Girl and Belafonte, details the bitter fall out between the ex couple after they separated

The movie producer says a prior agreement that he could see his step-daughter Angel as well as Madison wasn't maintained.

Stephen shares daughter Madison with Mel, and it has recently been reported that he is seeking visitation of Mel's daughter Angel, 10, with ex Murphy, 54.

While Mel's lawyer had asked for Angel's involvement to be kept 'private, Belafonte's lawyer Michael Hanasa argued his client has raised the girl from a young age and said she already lacks privacy because she is "paraded around" on TMZ.

Los Angeles Superior Court's Judge Lawrence Riff granted the film producer's request to submit papers allowing him to apply for visitation in the future.

Of the decision, he said: 'The request is granted. Let me just observe that of paramount concern is the best interests of this minor, Angel. Right now before the court are the contentions by the two litigants as to what is in that childs best interests.'

More claims: Belafonte also hits out at Mel for trying to restrict his relationship with Angel, her daughter with actor Eddie Murphy - he is currently seeking visitation rights to Angel, who he claims he has raised shortly after she was born

'Mr Belafonte asserts and alleges that it is in that childs best interests for him to have frequent and continued contact with a child he is saying he raised from infancy. The petitioner says it is not in Angels best interest for that to occur.

'Whether Mr Belafonte has the rights of a stepparent are not in front of the court today so I take no position on that.'

He said: 'Mr Murphy is entitled to be joined as a party as soon as Mr Belafonte seeks any visitation with Angel'

MailOnline previously contacted representatives for both Mel and Eddie.

Stephen had previously failed to win temporary rights over Angel, who was born three months before he married Mel back in 2007.

Back in April, he had regained visitation rights to daughter Madison - but was told he will only be allowed to see her with heavy supervision.

Stephen had previously failed to win temporary rights over Angel, who was born three months before he married Mel back in 2007 - he had regained visitation rights to daughter Madison in April under heavy supervision

Belafonte was granted heavily monitored visitation rights - which state he can see Madison, but in a pre-determined centre in LA with the presence of a court supervisor.

The judge ruled for visits to occur twice a week for four hours, but he must attend alone.

Throughout the messy divorce proceedings, Mel had opposed Stephen's request for unsupervised visits, after claiming he is a danger to her children, due to his 'criminal connections' and 'links to the porn industry'.

The hearings that have taken place so far have been damaging for both sides, with the court being told Mel has "wiped out" her 39 million ($50million) Spice Girls fortune after leading an extremely "extravagant" lifestyle.

A full divorce hearing is scheduled to begin on September 25.
She hit headlines for being controversially axed from her high-profile CBeebies role in 2011.

But ex-presenter Sarah Jane Honeywell has found her latest job the most rewarding yet - she's set to be a second-time mum.

The former children's TV favourite, 43, is expecting another child with her Hollyoaks actor Ayden Callaghan husband, and the pair revealed their happy news in a film trailer-style video.

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Happy family: Former CBeebies presenter Sarah Jane Honeywell, 43, has found her latest job the most rewarding yet - she's set to be a second-time mum (pictured with husband Ayden Callaghan and their son Phoenix)

The pair - who are already parents to two-year-old son Phoenix - branded the video 'Little Bro', revealing they're expecting another boy.

In the sweet clip, it showed their blissfully happy life with their son, with titles on the screen saying: 'Mummy was reborn' in reference to his arrival in 2015.

Sarah-Jane was candid and honest about experiencing a miscarriage in their first pregnancy.

He asked Hollyoaks bosses to be removed from a stillbirth storyline on the show due his personal experiences.

Reflecting on the loss of her first child, Sarah-Jane said that the work opportunity came up for Ayden when they had 'just started to feel OK about [their own loss]'.

Honeywell is now a successful children's blogger after being sacked in 2011 for posing semi-naked for animal rights charity PETA.

Last year, she penned an emotional blog about her stint on the children's television channel and says she's still so upset about the way in which she was sacked that she won't let Phoenix tune in.

Honeywell has since revealed the scandal cost her her friendship with Justin Fletcher, one of CBeebies' highest-paid stars best known for playing Mr. Tumble.

Four is the word: The pair - who are already parents to two-year-old son Phoenix - branded the video 'Little Bro', revealing they're expecting another boy

What an announcement! In the sweet clip, it showed their blissfully happy life with their son, with titles on the screen saying: 'Mummy was reborn' in reference to his arrival in 2015

Big reveal: The trailer also featured the couple's baby scan

She wrote: 'I regret losing my wonderful friendship with Justin. The day my picture went in the paper with the headline, 'Cboobies' I never heard from my lovely friend again.'

Fletcher, 46, has long been the channel's hottest property and is said to earn six figure sums from the lucrative live shows that he puts on.

Honeywell says that she understands why their friendship, which grew while they worked on shows including Higgledy House and Tikkabilla, had to end, saying: 'He had a very important, brilliant brand to protect.

She followed up with: 'For the sake of children's joy everywhere, I'm glad he chose them over me.

Love and marriage: The couple's video also featured clips from the home life

Dish served ill-advised: Honeywell is now a successful children's blogger after being sacked in 2011 for posing semi-naked for animal rights charity PETA

'Justin loves the kids and he is passionate about entertaining them and that's why I do love him.

I actually feel quite emotional writing this and I think it's the first time I've truly admitted to myself that, I miss my old mucker.'

Honeywell says her quest for freedom led her to strip for the controversial shoot

The ensuing images earned the headline 'CBoobies' in one national newspaper

A whole plate of trouble: Sarah-Jane says she 'blames herself' for making the decision to bare nearly all.

The petite blonde, who has a huge tattoo on her back, had been a regular fixture on the channel until images circulated of her posing nearly naked on a large plate featuring fake chips and peas in Trafalgar Square for World Vegan Day.

Honeywell hints that the decision to bare her underwear was one she might not take again, saying 'she got it wrong'.

She explains: 'I only have myself to blame I know that but the children loved me and I was passionate about giving them joy and I stupidly thought that would be enough.

'Now I know you have to behave as well. Something I am trying to get a handle on. I guess I'm still in my own terrible two's stage.'
She spent her summer holidays relaxing in the Algarve with her family, as well as close friend Phillip Schofield and his brood.

But it was back to business for Holly Willoughby on Monday, as she resumed her presenting role on ITV's This Morning - amid the revelation that her salary has increased to 600,000 to match Phillip's pay.

The mother-of-three, 36, who looked radiant in an ivory minidress, and her co-host of 11 years have also confirmed they will host Dancing On Ice next year - and will be paid a reported 200,000 extra to do so.

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Back to business: Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield returned to ITV's This Morning on Monday - amid the revelation that her salary was increased to 600,000 to match Phillip's pay

Holly - who enjoyed a seven-week break - looked as though she had never been away as she slipped back into the presenting role, looking chic in her flirty dress.

Sticking to a fresh summery theme, the blonde beauty rocked a pair of nude understated courts and swung a white coat off her shoulders.

Her and Phillip's appearance comes as it was announced that they will resume their hosting gigs on Dancing On Ice next year.

Legendary skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will join them on the show that sees celebrity skaters take to the ice in a bid to dance and dazzle their way to glory.

Looking good: The mother-of-three, 36, looked radiant in an ivory minidress

Elegant: Holly looked as though she had never been away as she slipped back into the presenting role, looking chic in her flirty dress

Summery: Sticking to a fresh theme, the blonde beauty rocked a pair of nude understated courts and swung a white coat off her shoulders

'Morning! And we are back!' Holly announced their return with a cheery snap of her posing in the white dress

Torvill and Dean will both sit on a revamped ice panel alongside two additional judges, to be announced in due course.

Having originally run on ITV between 2006 and 2014, the series pairs famous faces alongside professional skaters, who each week perform in a bid to impress both the panel and the viewers at home.

Jayne and Christopher gushed: 'We are thrilled that Dancing On Ice is returning to ITV next year and delighted to announce our new roles on the judging panel. The show struck such a huge chord with the viewers ever since it launched in 2006, with many of them taking up skating as a result.

Need a hand? The presenter seemed to have trouble hoisting herself off a couch

They're back! Holly and Phillip didn't have a touch of the holiday blues as they erupted into giggles while presenting a segment

Pay rise: Their appearance comes amid the revelation that Holly's salary was increased to 600,000 to match Phillip's pay

Having a whale of a time: She appeared to be in great spirits as she flashed a smile for the cameras

'We can't wait to be back on screen in 2018, with a bigger and better series for a brand new audience.'

Phillip said: 'I'm often told how much people have missed Dancing on Ice, and with the show so fondly remembered, it's exciting for us all to now have the chance to breath new life into the show, and of course spending an extra day of the week with Holly is the icing on the cake!'

Holly added: 'I'm so excited to be returning to a show that I love so much!

'Working with Jayne and Chris is always such an honour and it's even more special as it's the show that Phil and I first worked on together.

'It's full of wonderful memories and I can't wait to make some new ones.'

Ready for her close-up: The host looked radiant and sported a glowing tan

Exciting: Her and Phillip's appearance comes as it was announced that they will resume their hosting gigs on Dancing On Ice next year alolngside legendary skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean

Skating on thin ice: Perhaps predicting next year's batch of shaky performances, Holly got a helping hand from Christopher Dean when she appeared to lose her balance

Clearly eager for the reboot, Holly shared a snap with Torvill and Dean on Instagram writing: 'And we are back... so beyond excited, I shall mainly be be dressed as Elsa! #dancingonice.'

Meanwhile, during today's segment, a new 'This Morning' puppy called Digby was introduced to the gang.

The adorable 12-week-old goldador - a Labrador and Golden Retriever cross - joined the show's family today as a replacement for the programme's resident guide dog Luna, who will now continue her training as an assistant for the disabled elsewhere, and viewers chipped in via Twitter to choose the fluff ball's name.

Get your skates on: Torvill and Dean will both sit on a revamped ice panel alongside two additional judges, to be announced in due course

New horizons: Having originally run on ITV between 2006 and 2014, the series pairs famous faces alongside professional skaters, who each week perform in a bid to impress both the panel and the viewers at home

Digby was introduced to fans earlier on in the episode when Phillip brought the chunky canine - who is the first male to work on the show - from his backstage pen.

The silver fox said: 'He's bigger than I thought he was going to me.'

Holly added: 'Oh my goodness, look at your big paws. You're going to get so big. Our first boy! I think he's really calm. He's quite chilled.'

As the 55-year-old presenter struggled to hold him, he explained: 'He's a 12-week-old Labrador-Retriever cross. He's going to have a very important job when he grows up. His mum is a Golden Retriever and his dad is a Labrador.

'He's from the charity Goods For Good - they've trained dogs to assist people in need, such as disabled people and autistic children.

Paws for thought: Meanwhile, during today's segment, a new 'This Morning' puppy called Digby was introduced to the gang

Cute: The adorable 12-week-old goldador - a Labrador and Golden Retriever cross - joined the show's family today as a replacement for the programme's resident guide dog Luna

Adorable! Digby was introduced to fans earlier on in the episode when Phillip brought the chunky canine - who is the first male to work on the show - from his backstage pen

'He could also work in a hospital to help people with their recovery. He's the first male puppy with a purpose we've had on 'This Morning'.'

This is the third resident dog the show has had, as throughout the last series they Luna  a Labradoodle  and the year before that they had her half-sister Clover.

The announcement comes after Holly admitted she had 'no idea' she was getting paid a staggering 200,000 less than her co-star Phillip Schofield.

Gender pay gap: Holly admitted she had 'no idea' she was getting paid a staggering 200,000 less than her co-star Phillip

Catching up: Her wages have been given the huge boost so that they now match Phil's 600,000, but in an interview before the reveal she insisted it was 'outrageous' men were paid more for the same job

The This Morning presenter, 36, has said it was 'outrageous' that women didn't earn the same as their male counterparts in an interview before their salaries were revealed.

Her wages have been given the huge boost so that they now match Phil's 600,000, while the pair will also get another 200,000 for the rebooted series of Dancing On Ice, according to The Mirror.

She spoke about the pay gap between men and women in an interview before the reveal - in which she said she 'trusted' her employers to respect her with the same amount as a man.

Honest: After upping her salary, Holly hinted she is open to adding a fourth to her brood

Happy couple: Holly is doting mother to Harry, Chester and Belle with her husband Dan (above), who she met on set of Ministry of Mayhem in 2004, where he was a producer

She added: 'If you have two equally qualified people who have been doing something for the same amount of time, then there is absolutely no excuse.'

The news came in wake of the BBC's gender pay gap scandal, which revealed that only a third of the channel's highest paid stars were women.

Holly has taken the summer off to spend time with her family - and revealed in the same interview with Fabulous magazine that she is unsure whether she wants more children.

Fourth time lucky? Admitting she loves watching her children (above) play together, she remained unsure whether she wanted more - claiming she 'thinks' she is 'done' with kids

She is already mother to sons Harry and Chester and daughter Belle with her husband Dan Baldwin, but Holly hinted she is open to adding a fourth to her brood.

The TV presenter, 36, revealed that seeing her children playing together at home makes her doubt whether she is 'done' with having kids - before going on to deem the gender pay gap as inexcusable, following her reported pay rise for This Morning.

Friendly face: Irish presenter Graham Norton spotted leaving 'Good Morning America' in NYC's Times Square on Monday

Stepping out: The beloved Irish star cut a low-key look as he stepped out in the Big Apple

Holly is doting mother to three kids with her husband Dan, who she met on set of Ministry of Mayhem in 2004, where he was a producer.

However, the blonde has now admitted that while the pair are not actively planning to have another baby, they are perhaps open to welcoming a fourth child in the future.

She explained: 'When you look around the table and you've got these little people you've made together who are just so funny, that's when you think: 'Maybe we should have more'

Quality time: She also confessed she felt very lucky as a mother - as she works four days a week on This Morning, meaning she can spend plenty of time with her family

However, she went on to add she was 'definitely done' with having kids - although with a huge degree of uncertainty.

She continued: 'But that's not a reason to have more! That's what I keep telling myself. No, no, no! I think I'm really, definitely done. I think.'

The blonde also confessed she felt very lucky as a mother in this generation - as she works four days a week on This Morning and is free most afternoons, meaning she can spend plenty of time with her family.

'There is no excuse': While Holly conducted her interview before her pay rise was announced, the blonde was quick to blast the gender pay gap, if the two people are 'equally qualified'

Proving a hit with viewers, the blonde went on to join Phillip on This Morning in 2009, as replacement for Fern Britton - who reportedly quit due to the pay gap between her and Phillip.

The pair have since become known as firm friends, and even recently enjoyed a holiday together with their families in Portugal.

Recently speaking to Radio Times, the silver fox admitted their on-screen chemistry was down to their close personal bond.

He explained: 'I think that if you watch This Morning on a regular basis then you get an insight into our friendship, which is the same on screen as off. We have a laugh.'
He's starring as Uncle Fester in the Addams Family Musical tour.

And Les Dennis seemed to be fully immersing himself in the comically macabre character, as he stepped out in full ghostly make-up and a shaved head.

The much-loved comedian, 63, appeared to be in great spirits as he enjoyed a walk with his co-star, EastEnders actress Samantha Womack in Salford over the weekend.

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Boo! Les Dennis appeared to be in great spirits as he enjoyed a walk with his Addams Family Musical co-star, EastEnders actress Samantha Womack in Salford over the weekend

Transformation: Les proved his commitment to the role by shaving his hair off back in April. Pictured before and after

Stepping out in his stage make-up, Les at least changed into his normal clothes for the relaxed outing, donning a blue T-shirt and black jeans.

The former Coronation Street star seemed to be in great spirits, tipping his grey hat to the camera to show off his shaved head.

Samantha meanwhile - who plays Morticia Addams - rocked a black slinky slip dress which she teamed with a pair of black Nike trainers.

The Addams Family Musical tour comes from the writers of award-winning musical Jersey Boys and is a comedic performance that centres around a grown-up Wednesday Addams' secret romance.

In character: Uncle Fester, also known as Fester Addams, is a member of the fictional Addams Family, played by Jackie Coogan in the original TV series, by Christopher Lloyd in the two films

Loving life: The comedian, 63, seemed to be fully immersing himself in the comically macabre character, as he stepped out in full ghostly make-up and a shaved head

The mane attraction: Stepping out in his stage make-up, Les at least changed into his normal clothes for the relaxed outing, donning a blue T-shirt and black jeans

Everyone's favourite family: The Addams Family Musical tour comes from the writers of award-winning musical Jersey Boys and is a comedic performance that centres around a grown-up Wednesday Addams' secret romance

Les shocked viewers back in April after he shaved his head live on Loose Women for the role of Uncle Fester.

After celebrity hairstylist Nicky Clarke completed work on his hair, Christine Lampard said: You look like an egghead. I love it though.'

63-year-old Les appeared in high spirits as he talked about why he was taking the plunge ahead of his new acting project.

He said: 'There's a lot of make-up involved as Uncle Fester and I said to the director, "Would it be easier if I just shaved my hair off".'

'He said I should speak to my wife first, so I did and she suggested I do it for charity, so I'm here to do it today.'

'You look like an egghead': Christine Lampard jibed Les Dennis as he shaved his head live on Loose Women on Friday ahead of his role as Uncle Fester in the Addams Family musical

Cheeky: The presenter later told Les that she loved his new look, much to his delight

Hair today... Les was sporting a full head of golden locks (left) when he first arrived on the television show, but that soon changed (right)

Game over: But there was no going back when hairstylist to the stars Nicky Clarke popped up along with his shaver

Explaining why he got the chop, he said: 'There's a lot of make-up involved as Uncle Fester and I said to the director, "Would it be easier if I just shaved my hair off"'

No peeking! But Les wasn't allowed to look at his new style until after the advert break

As Nicky worked his magic on the former Coronation Street actor, the audience appeared delighted as he shaved a line right down the middle of his head.

It wasn't until the advert break that Les was invited to take a look at his new look in the mirror, at which he yelled out: 'Oh no!'

He said: 'It feels weird. I thought it would be traumatic, but it's just for work and it's for a good cause. Hopefully, it's just a bit easier to maintain.

A monstrous time: Les (second from right) will join former EastEnders star Samantha Womack on the UK musical tour of Addams Family

Move over Fester: Les walked back on set following an advert break when Nicky had finished his work

Mirror, mirror on the wall! He was then allowed to look at himself for the first time since his locks were cut off

No worries: Christine reassured Les that despite calling him an 'egghead' she actually 'loved it'

'My children were all for it when I told them what I was planning, so hopefully they will OK with it.'

Les will join former EastEnders star Samantha Womack on the UK musical tour of Addams Family.

Starting in Edinburgh, the nationwide tour, Les previously tweeted about his new role: 'In rehearsals. Excited about what is to come.'



Getting used to it now: Les proudly posed for snaps after the show backstage
She jetted off to Cannes with her former TOWIE co-star Billie Faiers to attend their close friends' wedding.

And Ferne McCann ensured she made the most of her final holiday before her November due date, as she admitted to 'eating non-stop' during the French break.

The 26-year-old reality star, who is expecting a baby with ex Arthur Collins, showcased her growing bump in a chic snake-print bikini.

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Indulging: Ferne McCann ensured she made the most of her final holiday before her November due date, as she admitted to 'eating non-stop' during a French holiday this week

Ferne seemed to be relishing her pregnancy as she cradled her bump while posing in the stylish swimwear.

Displaying her trademark acerbic wit, she quipped in the caption: 'If you've lost your appetite today... I think I have it.

'Last day in Cannes. I have not stopped eating on this holiday. Bring me food.'

Her holiday comes after she was thought to have paid her ex Arthur a visit in jail ahead of his alleged nightclub acid attack trial.

And Ferne, who revealed she visited him to 'discuss matters surrounding their child' seemed to be getting on with her everyday life as she documented on her Instagram.

The former TOWIE star shielded her blossoming baby bump and instead focused on her busty assets for a number of short clips.

Loving life: Ferne seemed to be relishing her pregnancy as she wrote on Instagram: 'If you've lost your appetite today... I think I have it'

Celebration: She jetted off to Cannes with her former TOWIE co-star Billie Faiers to attend their close friends' wedding

Candid: Ferne McCann, who revealed she visited her ex Arthur Collins in prison to 'discuss matters surrounding their child' seemed to be getting on with her everyday life as she documented on her Instagram

She's got front: The former TOWIE star, 26, shielded her blossoming baby bump and instead focused on her busty assets for a number of short clips

Ferne looked in high spirits in the clips which saw her go make-up free.

Having a little fun, the beauty first joked that she thought she was opening up Snapchat, before revealing her secret food stash.

Earlier on in the week, the reality star was effortlessly glamorous in another snap where she donned a two-piece, printed with a black and white tribal pattern all over.

The shirt, adorned with quirky fringe detailing, remained sophisticated with soft chiffon sleeves, and a subtly plunging neckline.

Talking to her followers: Having a little fun, the beauty first joked that she thought she was opening up Snapchat, before revealing her secret food stash

Chic: Earlier on in the week, Ferne shielded her blossoming baby bump in a chic monochrome co-ord on Saturday, as she dolled herself up for a hen do in Essex

'There is a baby in there I promise!': First sharing a full length shot, Ferne then snapped a quick selfie of her proudly cradling her bump

Tying in a chic striped ribbon belt at her waist, the wrap-around skirt then concealed her baby bump from view - before cutting off high at her thigh in a sexier touch, to leave her long and slender pins on show.

Adding height to her frame with towering black heels, Ferne accessorised with statement drop earrings to glamorously tie her look together.

Sweeping her hair into a low ponytail and adding bronzer and a nude lip, the TV personality was every inch the glowing mother-to-be as she documented her night on Instagram.

First sharing a full length shot, Ferne then snapped a quick selfie of her proudly cradling her bump, captioned: 'There is my baby in there I pwomise but this outfit disguised it! What's everyone up to on this fine morning? let's spread #love' (sic)

Pregnant: Ferne is expecting her first child with ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins, who currently faces trial for an alleged nightclub acid attack

Ferne is expecting her first child with ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins, who currently faces trial for an alleged nightclub acid attack.

It was reported earlier this week that the former TOWIE star had gone to visit the 25-year-old scaffolder and businessman at HMP Thameside in south London in the past two weeks.

Ferne split from Arthur earlier this year, amid allegations that he carried out an acid attack at an east London club that left 22 people injured.

Rumour has it: The former TOWIE star allegedly went to visit the 25-year-old at HMP Thameside in south London in the past two weeks

A source stressed that the couple were 'certainly not' rekindling their romance, claiming that Ferne was visiting Arthur to discuss matters surrounding their unborn child.

A source told The Sun: 'They are most certainly not back together and she has no intentions of doing so. But she saw him to discuss certain matters, given she is carrying his unborn child. She clearly didn't want to be seen as she went in and kept a very low profile.'

The insider claimed that Ferne was keen to keep a low profile and arrived at the Greenwich prison, ahead of Arthur's trial in October, wearing a hoodie.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Ferne for comment.

It's over: She dumped Arthur earlier this year amid allegations that he carried out an acid attack at an east London club that left 22 people injured

Her outing comes as Arthur denied carrying out an acid attack which left two clubbers partially blinded and others disfigured.

The 25-year-old pleaded not guilty in June to six counts of causing grevious bodily harm and 11 of actual bodily harm when he appeared at Wood Green Crown Court today via video link from HMP Thameside.

A 24-year-old man and 22-year-old woman were each blinded in one eye while up to 18 others were burnt after the attack outside the Mangle nightclub in Dalston, east London in April.

Allegations: A source stressed that the couple were 'certainly not' rekindling their romance, claiming that Ferne was visiting Arthur to discuss matters surrounding their unborn child

Keeping a low profile: The insider added that Ferne arrived at the Greenwich prison, ahead of Arthur's trial in October, wearing a hoodie

Collins was arrested by armed police in his underpants at in Rushden, Northamptonshire, during an early morning raid.

Previously Ferne sobbed as she discussed becoming a single mother after Arthur was charged with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Speaking with hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, the former TOWIE star fought back sobs as they addressed his charges, at one point having to stop the interview as she was unable to speak.

Pleading guilty: Arthur denied carrying out the attack which left two clubbers partially blinded in June, pleading not guilty to six counts of grevious bodily harm and 11 of actual bodily harm

Attacked: Arthur, 24, was arrested and charged with intent to do grievous bodily harm in connection with the acid attack in London nightspot Mangle (above) in April

Ferne explained: 'It had been such a stressful, surreal situation to be in but I'm actually feeling good, feeling positive because I'm pregnant.

'I think that has given me strength and hope to get through this.'

Explaining that she's been overwhelmed with the support she has received, Ferne - who is 12 weeks pregnant - revealed: 'I've got such a strong support group, everyone has been so amazing.

'This is the reason why I haven't spoken to anyone because when most women are pregnant they don't tell anyone until they're at that three month stage.'

Upsetting: Ferne had broken down in tears on This Morning as she revealed she wants to be the best mother she can be to her unborn child

Emotional: Feeling good: Ferne explained: 'It had been such a stressful, surreal situation to be in but I'm actually feeling good, feeling positive because I'm pregnant'

Just two days after Arthur was arrested, she told MailOnline that she will go forward with life as a single mother as she professed her determination 'to do all she can to have a happy and healthy child'.

Her full statement read: 'Ferne is grateful for the sympathetic way news of her pregnancy has been covered and people's support and obviously her first concern is for her child's health.

'Nor does she wish to discuss her ex-boyfriend who she does not recognise from the events of the last week.

'Ferne is in no way seeking sympathy for her situation and is determined to do all she can to have a happy and healthy child and face the challenges of being a single parent with all her energy.

'Her thoughts are with the victims of the horrific attack on Easter Monday.'

Staying strong: Just two days after Arthur was arrested, she told MailOnline that she will go forward with life as a single mother
She recently announced her engagement to boyfriend Hugo Taylor during a romantic holiday.

And Millie Mackintosh was no doubt keen to avoid the stress of wedding planning, as she treated herself to a relaxing spa day out on Saturday.

Leaning against a pool, the former Made In Chelsea star, 27, showcased her butterfly back tattoo as she posed in a skimpy pale-pink bikini.

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Relaxing: Newly-engaged Millie Mackintosh was no doubt keen to avoid the stress of wedding planning, as she treated herself to a spa day out on Saturday

The fashion designer looked every inch the beach babe, as she showcased her long legs in the pastel two-piece.

Scraping her dark hair into a tousled topknot, Millie's dazzling engagement ring was just visible on her left hand as she leaned against the pool. Millie captioned the chilled-out shot: 'Saturday spa time.'

The indulgent trip comes after she was whisked away to Ibiza for a lavish girl's getaway with her close pals TV star Laura Whitmore and model Zara Martin.

Taking to Instagram earlier this month, the reality star proved she was having a ball as she shared a sizzling bikini snap that showcased her sensational

Layering up, the heiress oozed sex appeal as she put her svelte figure on display under the racy patterned wrap.

She's sizzling: Millie shared a sizzling bikini snap that showcased her ample assets in the tiny pink bikini while away on a lavish weekend with the girls' in Ibiza

Girls' night out: Millie has been on a girls' holiday and dazzled in a tiny silver sequin dress as she posed up a storm with her glamorous friends ahead of their night at Blowout Ibiza

The night before Millie dazzled in a tiny silver sequin dress as she posed up a storm with her glamorous friends ahead of their night out. BlowOut Ibiza prepared the girls' hair and make-up for their sensational evening out.

Sparing no expense on the glitter, she drew attention to her cleavage with a huge sparkly pendant necklace which hung just above her assets.

The Chelsea born beauty went all out and framed her eyes with glittering silver make-up which picked out the shimmering element in her party frock.

Reality star Millie tossed her hair back as she prepared to let her hair down on the wild weekend away with her four pals.

Bikini babe: Millie shared snaps from her getaway, showcasing her enviable figure in a bikini. Layering up, the heiress also donned a racy patterned wrap

Laura joined her pal on the bed, perched to best showcase her model-honed legs in the thigh-skimming white attire.

The pretty blonde showed off some serious skin in the backless garment.

Irish TV sensation Laura dazzled as she let her loose golden tresses cascade down her shoulders in a sea of curls, pulled from her face with her trendy specs.

Fun in the sun: Millie's snaps showed she was having a great time soaking up the sun in Ibiza

Meanwhile, Zara stood out from the five-strong group when she posed by standing on the bed.

The statuesque model flaunted her svelte figure in the form-fitting pink sequin dress which glimmered in the spotlight.

She styled her glossy brunette locks in beachy waves which kissed the edges of her waist.

Strike a pose: The girls seemed in great spirits as they donned their glad rags for an impromptu mini photo shoot on Friday night before hitting the town together

The stars were having the time of their lives in each other's charming company after the bevy of beauties had jetted off to the party resort on a private jet.

They have shared their glamorous shots from their girls' weekend on social media, referring to themselves as 'Charlie's Angels'.

No doubt the girls' weekend is getting the group in the mood for Millie's hen do which she had began planning just three weeks after getting engaged.

Let's party! The girls were donning dressing gowns as they relaxed after their night out

Hugo popped the question to his former co-star while they were on a romantic holiday in Greece.

The couple went public with their romance in May 2016 when they travelled to the Monaco Grand Prix for Hugo's 30th birthday - the same week that Millie's divorce from rapper ex Professor Green, 33, was finalised.

Hugo and Millie first dated in 2011 when they first appeared on Made In Chelsea, but the romance came to an abrupt end when it emerged Hugo had cheated on Millie with her friend, Rosie Fortescue.

Great fun! The bevy of beauties had jetted off to the party resort on a private jet

It's ladies weekend! Millie was spending time with her girlfriends after recently getting engaged to her boyfriend Hugo Taylor

At the time, Millie claimed she would always love Hugo, confessing in an interview: 'I loved him - those feelings dont disappear  but I just always have to remind myself why were not together.'

'I do think that, for the rest of my life, every time I see him, Ill get that feeling in my stomach. I dont think I could ever not get that butterfly feeling.'

Millie previously walked down the aisle with ex Professor Green in lavish ceremony at Babington House in Somerset in 2013. But they got a divorce after just two years of marriage.
She's no stranger to flaunting her phenomenal curves for all to see.

And Blac Chyna ensured all eyes were all and truly on her as she celebrated Labor Day on Monday by sharing a series of saucy social media snaps on her Instagram page.

The model, 29 - born Angela Renee White - took to a set of stars as she showcased ample sideboob and her shapely rear in a skintight striped jumpsuit.

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Shapely: Blac Chyna ensured all eyes were all and truly on her as she celebrated Labor Day on Monday by sharing a series of saucy social media snaps on her Instagram page

Facing her back to the camera, the reality star placed her hands on a wall and stared seductively to the lens.

The former stripper's rainbow striped bodysuit clung to her every curve, making her famous derriere the center of attention.

The garment was also backless, which allowed the mother-of-two to show of plenty of sideboob as the camera scanned her body in a video she posted from the posing session.

Chyna wore her hair in cascading long blonde locks that were straight at the top but fell into a curlier texture as they reached her lower back.

Having a rear-ly good time! The model, 29 - born Angela Renee White - took to a set of stars as she showcased ample sideboob and her shapely rear in a skintight striped jumpsuit

Dare to bare: Facing her back to the camera, the reality star placed her hands on a wall and stared seductively to the lens

The video vixen has been in Miami where she hosted a series of club appearances over the Labor Day weekend.

In a video she shared to Instagram on Sunday night, she sported a different blonde wig which was a long bob.

Taken as she sat in a VIP booth, the short clip showed Blac displaying her red silk jacket dress which had large shoulder pads and a very low neckline.

She showcased glittering silver thigh-high boots that she matched with the sleek garment.

In addition to her club gigs, where she is said to grab around $15,000 for an hour-long appearance, Chyna recently shot an episode of Hip Hop Squares for VH1.

Blurred lines: The former stripper's rainbow striped bodysuit clung to her every curve, making her famous derriere the center of attention

Naked ambition: The garment was also backless, which allowed the mother-of-two to show of plenty of sideboob in her revealing ensemble

Change of a dress: Chyna wore a red silk jacket dress for what appeared to be a club appearance in Miami, Florida, over the weekend

She shared a few behind-the-scenes glimpses from the taping of the episode, which will also feature rapper T.I., 'hot felon' Jeremy Meeks and model Eva Marcille.

The star has been moving on from her revenge porn drama and ensuing custody battle with ex Rob Kardashian, 30, the father of her daughter Dream, 10 months.

In recent weeks, the former stripper has struck up a romance with rapper Mechie, 24.

They were first linked back in July, when Mechie was revealed to be the man in a steamy video shared by Chyna's ex Rob during his revenge porn tirade.

Chyna is also mother to King Cairo, four, with ex-boyfriend Tyga, 27, who went on to have his own on-off relationship with Kylie Jenner, 20 - Rob's half sister.
Angelina Jolie is ready to return to work after supporting her children through their difficult 'family situation.'

The 42-year-old actress-and-director split from husband Brad Pitt - the father of her kids Maddox, 16, Pax, 13, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 11, and nine-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne - in September 2016 and took a break from her career because she was 'needed' at home, she has said.

But the Oscar winner is now looking for opportunities to get back in front of the camera and added her next project could be the sequel to her 2014 hit Disney movie Maleficent.

Ready to get back to work: Angelina Jolie told The Hollywood Reporter her one-year-break from the movies is over; seen on Saturday in Colorado

Back to wicked: The actress added that her next project will likely be the sequel to the 2014 smash hit Maleficent

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the Telluride Film Festival - where her latest directorial offering, First They Killed My Father was screened - she said: 'Right now I don't have anything to direct that I feel passionate about like this, so I'll do some acting. I've taken over a year off now, because of my family situation, to take care of my kids.

'When they can have - when I feel it's time for me to go back to work, I'll be able to go back to work. I've been needed at home. I hope [to work again] in the months to come.'

Asked what she'll be working on, she added: 'Maleficent [sequel], we're working on, most likely. And I look forward to having some fun with that.'

Good villain: Jolie played the emotionally shattered Maleficent in the Disney film

Innocent youth: Her co-star was Elle Fanning as the beguiling Aurora

The site added shooting should begin by the end of the year.

Jolie added she could also star in Cleopatra. 'There is a script,' she said. 'There's a lot of different things floating around. But I haven't committed.'

Although not much else is known about the upcoming sequel, last week Disney revealed they have hired Spectre co-writer Jez Butterworth to rewrite the screenplay for the film.

She'll be back in black: Asked what she'll be working on, she added: 'Maleficent [sequel], we're working on, most likely. And I look forward to having some fun with that'

The By The Sea star admitted she would 'love to' eventually move into just directing, but doesn't know how successful that would be as a full-time venture.

She said: 'I would love to [move into directing] at some point. At some point, I'll probably just direct. If I'm allowed to. But you just don't know if you can have a career as a director. You don't know how things are going to be received.'

While promoting her new film First They Killed My Father, the Oscar winner admitted that filing for divorce after a 12 year relationship has been difficult.

Her first priority: Jolie with Shiloh, Zahara, Peter Sellars, Loung Ung, Kimhak Mun, Ted Sarandos, Sareum Srey Moch, Vivienne, Pax, Knox and Maddox at the First They Killed My Father event on Saturday in Telluride

'Sometimes maybe it appears I am pulling it all together. But really I am just trying to get through my days,' said the Tomb Raider vet.

'I dont enjoy being single. Its not something I wanted,' she continued in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.

'There are no upsides, there's nothing nice about it. It's just hard,' she added.

Now a single mother, the Girl Interrupted star has endured a few years of physical pain as well as emotional.

In 2013, she underwent a preventive double mastectomy after it was revealed she carried the BRCA1 gene, which gave her an estimated 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and 50 per cent of ovarian cancer.

Better times: Angelina split from Brad Pitt in September 2016. 'I dont enjoy being single. Its not something I wanted,' she told the Sunday Telegraph, (pictured 2015)

She had her ovaries removed in 2015 as another preventative measure.

And last year - in addition to hypertension - the superstar developed Bells Palsy.

'Emotionally its been a very difficult year. And I have some other health issues. So my health is something I have to monitor,' she relayed.

'I feel sometimes that my body has taken a hit, but I try to laugh as much as possible. Even if you are going through chemo, you need to find the ability to love and laugh.'

With another actress: The beauty with Natalie Portman at the festival

She did not make it clear if she was going through chemo or of she was just making a reference.

The star is in Los Angeles to promote her third directorial effort, a Netflix film.

First They Killed My Father is an adaptation of Loung Ungs 2000 memoir of the Khmer Rouge genocide, which was responsible for the class-driven murders of millions of Cambodians between 1975 and 1978.

As for her future: 'When I think about where I was 10 years ago, I wouldn't have thought I'd be where I am now with regard to my family life, my marriage, my career. But now, I think I'm at an age where you just want to be healthy.'

Last time on screen: The last time she acted in a film was 2015's By The Sea with Brad Pitt, which she also directed. After this indie, she directed First They Killed My Father

.
It's Labor Day holiday weekend in the U.S. and the prime time to barbecue or hit the beach with friends or family.

And Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz chose the latter, taking his sons Bronx, eight, and Saint, three, for a fun day on the sand in Malibu, Los Angeles County, on Sunday.

Showing off his buff body as he went shirtless, the rocker, 38, enjoyed a spot of boogie boarding as he hung on to his board in the waves of the Pacific Ocean, beloved by local surfers.

Boys of summer: Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz was hanging out with his two sons Saint, three, and Bronx, eight, on the beach in Malibu, Los Angeles County, on Sunday

Pete wore dark red, knee-length shorts and also showed off his many tattoos including a particularly striking garland around his neck.

The proud papa played with his boys on the beach; at one point he swung his delighted three-year-old above the waves, dipping him into the water every now and then.

Pete helped his youngest build a castle in the wet sand as they soaked up the late-summer heatwave.

Doting dad: The rocker, 38, was helping Saint build his sandcastle as they soaked up the late-summer heatwave

Making a splash: At one point Pete swung his delighted three-year-old above the waves, dipping him into the water every now and then

Beach bonding: Father and son both wore knee-length shorts, with Saint also covered up in a blue smiley T-shirt to protect his skin from the sun

The little brown-haired cutie wore a blue smiley T-shirt and red shorts.

The rocker shares Saint with his longtime girlfriend, model Meagan Camper, 28.

Pete shares Bronx with his ex-wife Ashlee Simpson, 32, to whom he was married from 2008 to 2011.

Ready to go: Pete carried his Marvel boogie board down to the ocean's edge as he checked out the waves, beloved by local surfers

Kicking it: Pete hung on to his board as his legs worked to keep him stable

Here it comes: The rocker caught a ride in on a large wave that came up behind him

Blond like his mom, Bronx wore a black T-shirt with the words Hello Summer across the front and turquoise board shorts.

Pete is busy putting the finishing touches to Fall Out Boy's new album Mania.

It was supposed to drop on September 15 but the band postponed it to January 19.

The group will kick off their tour on October 20 in Cleveland, Ohio, as scheduled with North American shows planned through mid-November, along with gigs in Australia and New Zealand in February and March.

He made it: Pete smiled broadly as he emerged from the ocean
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They were pictured earlier in the day wearing their casual threads as they made their way to London ahead of the glitzy event.

And now Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley, 33, led the style in a flesh-flashing ensemble on the red carpet of the TV Choice at The Dorchester on Monday night alongside co-star Kym Marsh, 41, and soap pal Stephanie Waring, 38.

The Corrie star swapped her usual figure-hugging gowns for a striking tailored black suit which flaunted her hourglass frame to perfection.

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Making a statement: Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley, 33, led the style in a flesh-flashing ensemble on the red carpet of the TV Choice at The Dorchester on Monday night alongside co-star Kym Marsh, 41, and soap pal Stephanie Waring, 38

Her choice of fitted blazer featured a single button detail that accentuated its plunging neckline and showcased her saucy caged bra by Reckless Wolf - which retails for 85.

Aside from being equipped with shoulder-pads, Catherine stylish pushed up her sleeves to balance her bust-accentuating red carpet ensemble as she posed for photos.

The soap star's semi-sheer lingerie featured strap detailing underneath her bust which managed to contain her modesty with aplomb.

Catherine teamed her striking appearance with a pair of high-waisted wide-leg suit trousers that lengthen her slender pins, hinting at her pointed stiletto.

Suit you! The Corrie star swapped her usual figure-hugging gowns for a striking tailored black suit which flaunted her hourglass frame to perfection

Racy: Her choice of fitted blazer featured a single button detail that accentuated its plunging neckline and showcased her saucy bondage-inspired bra alongside Stephanie

Interesting: However, the off-the-shoulder piece boasted a bizarre semi-sheer waterfall hem that highlighted her lean limbs and strappy heels

Red hot! Meanwhile, Hollyoaks' Stephanie Waring dared to bare in a plunging satin red full-length gown which exhibited her petite figure with aplomb

Showcasing the style on show, Catherine's co-star Kym Marsh worked a slinky bardot midi for the awards. However, the off-the-shoulder piece boasted an interesting semi-sheer waterfall hem that highlighted her lean limbs and strappy heels.

She sported a similar dark eyeshadow for the outing which was complemented by her sleek long locks.

Meanwhile, Hollyoaks' Stephanie Waring dared to bare in a plunging satin red full-length gown which exhibited her petite figure with aplomb.

Oozing sex appeal, her sizzling number featured rather racy thigh-high slit and a naval-grazing neckline that was sure to command attention, while her former foe walked the carpet alongside her.

Sizzling: S Club star Rachel Stevens wowed on the carpet in a slim-fitting bandage dress with racy stomach cutout

Mane attraction: The youthful beauty worked her glossy tresses into a soft curl for the awards

Pin-credible: Love Island winner Amber Davies showcased her petite figure in a one-shouldered velvet dress

Flaunt it! Love Island star Jess Shears poured her curves into a skintight latex mini dress for the evening

Happy: Jess towered over boyfriend Dom lever in her pointed nude stilettos as they posed for snaps together

Sheer bliss: While Love Island alum Olivia Buckland dazzled in a sizzling LBD with daring sheer panels throughout

Loved-up: Olivia and her fiance Alex Bowen couldn't contain their laughter as they walked the carpet together

White hot! Following her ITV2 co-stars' lead, Gabby Allen showcased her sensational figure in a caped playsuit

Setting tongues-wagging: Mike Thaiassitus and Danielle Sellers set tongues-wagging as they arrived together and wrapped their arms around one another, posing for photos

The Only Way Is Style: TOWIE's Megan McKenna (L) and Georgia Kousoulou displayed their personal style as they arrived at the awards in sky-high heels

Top of the crops: Georgia showed off her abs in a bandeau crop top and flared trousers, which she set off with strappy heels

Leggy lady: She further elongated her legs with a pair of embellished court Louboutin heels, which boasted the signature red sole of the brand

Rich in colour: Former TOWIE star Jessica Wright stunned in a deep purple gown with an eye-catching semi-sheer lace inlay

Naked ambition: ITVBe favourite Chloe Sims opted to go braless under her sheer lace bodice

Breast get home fast! Chloe Sims left little to the imagination when she went braless in a sheer lace dress at the TV Choice Awards on Monday night

Making a speedy exit: The blonde beauty raced out of the venue while attempting to cover her chest with her hands

Date night: Chloe Sims' ex Elliot Wright arrived at the awards with his fiancee Sadie Stuart

Kym and Stephanie famously feuded back in 2014 when Stephanie's ex Dan Hooper, the father of her six-year-old daughter Lexi Grace, began dating Kym following his split from Stephanie.

At the time, a heartbroken Stephanie admitted it was 'killing her' to watch her former love moving on with Kym, tweeting: 'There is an unwritten rule that if you are friends with somebody you dont go near their ex partners.'

Stephanie also branded Kym 'heartless', saying: 'Any woman who has had their heart broken and who is going through a break up can sympathise with this.

'He could have gone out with some 20-year-old hairdresser. Hes a free and single man who can do as he pleases. But Kym I actually considered a friend who Ive known for years. Its left me in bits. Shes heartless.'

Kym's romance with Dan wasn't to last, however, and they split in 2015.

A vision: Reality Vicky Pattison opted for a striking coral-coloured dress as she attended the exclusive TV event

Cosying up! Vicky playfully prepared to give This Morning's Eamonn Holmes a peck on the cheek

Glowing: Bronzed for the evening, she flashed her eye-catching engagement ring

At ease: She looked at ease in the company of her fiance John Noble - who she started dating in 2016

Red carpet ready: Penny Lancaster donned a silky turquoise gown which showcased her ample cleavage with aplomb

Beaming: The Loose Woman panellist beamed while she flaunted her figure in the body-skimming look

Glam gals: Janet Street-Porter (L) and Stacey Solomon arrived at the glitzy soiree together for a girls night out

Going for gold: Stacey turned heads in her gold patterned number while Janet (R) was striking in a pink full-length floral dress

Stepping out: Linda and Coleen Nolan stepped out together for the event - with Linda appearing with a crutch

Girls' night out: (L - R) Jane Moore, Andrea Mclean, Penny Lancaster, Coleen Nolan, Saira Khan and Linda Robson attended the awards together

The actress, best known these days for playing Michelle Connor in Corrie, is now living with partner Matt Baker, while Stephanie - most known as Cindy in Hollyoaks - went on to briefly romance ex-EastEnders actor Michael Greco.

Last year, both Kym and Stephanie confirmed their bitter feud had come to an end, cementing their newfound friendship by posing together for a picture at the GEM Appeal Annual Winter Ball in Manchester in November.

Kym later wrote in her OK! magazine column: 'It was nice to see Stephanie Waring at the ball and I posted this picture of us on Twitter afterwards.

'I saw Michael and he was with Steph so she and I ended up catching up properly, which was nice. Steph and I have obviously had our differences in the past, but Im a big believer in letting things go and moving on.

'There was no awkwardness, it was good to talk. Steph and Michael seem happy and loved up. I wish them lots of luck together!'

Stephanie, meanwhile, told The Mirror she was ready to 'draw a line' under the feud, and said she was sorry she ever spoke out publicly about it all.

Twinkle toes: Strictly Come Dancing's 2016 winner Joanne Clifton and Ore Oduba danced their way onto the carpet

Glowing: Pregnant Helen George was glowing at the event in her dazzling full-length look while Judge Rinder was dapper as ever in his black tux

Starry-eyed: Pregnant Rachel Adedeji and her Hollyoaks co-star Amanda Clapham looked radiant at the event while Casualty's Amanda Mealing sported a glamorous gown

Style savvy: Emmerdale's Gaynor Faye(L) and Mount Pleasant's Sally Lindsay worked eclectic ensembles at the event

Mystery: Nick Knowles attended the event with a mystery brunette after he was reported to have been dating Pascal Craymer

In the details: Nick Knowles' former squeeze Gemma Oaten also attended the annual awards in a stunning floral print gown

Fashion fiends: Call the Midwife's Laura Main, Jennifer Kirby (in a dress by Perseverance London) and Broadchurch's Georgina Campbell posed for photos

Storm in a teacup! Ronan and Storm Keating dazzled at the exclusive event as they posed together outside the venue

Happy couple: The stunning pair were lighting up the red carpet as they swept into the event

'This is about closure, forgiveness and me moving forward into next year. My biggest regret is talking about what happened with Kym in the first place,' she said.

'Kym's a mum and Im a mum. I'm so sorry for putting her and her family through that. I shouldn't have lashed out.

'Our reconciliation has happened at the right time as I think Kym and I both needed time to realise there are better things in the world than having feuds with some girl off another soap. We've swapped numbers and followed each other on Twitter.'

Meanwhile, Katie Price, 39, arrived fashionably late, putting on an eye-popping display for the style brigade.

The TV personality - who was there to support Loose Women with her fellow panellists - slipped on a rather form-fitting mini dress which showcased plenty of sideboob as she tripped out of her car and into the arms of her minder.

Falling over herself: The TV personality - who was there to support her Loose Women with her fellow panellists - slipped on a rather form-fitting mini dress which showcased plenty of sideboob as she tripped out of her car and into the arms of her minder

Stepping out: Wearing sky-high heels and a thigh-grazing number, the former glamour model was sure to exhibit her slender pins while her two-toned locks were blow-dried into a neat straight style

Glam gal: Complementing her glamorous look, Katie sported a dramatic smokey-eye with lashings of mascara

Her slinky stretch garment hugged her narrow waist while sheer panels accentuated her surgically enhanced assets before she unfortunately tripped-out of her waiting vehicle.

Wearing sky-high heels and a thigh-grazing number, the former glamour model was sure to exhibit her slender pins while her two-toned locks were blow-dried into a neat straight style.

Thankfully bouncing back from her stumble, she dashed inside the venue holding onto her leather purse and left her daring dress do the talking while she opted to forgo accessories.

Complementing her glamorous look, Katie sported a dramatic smokey-eye with lashings of mascara.

Meanwhile, TOWIE's Chloe Sims left little to the imagination when she went braless in a sheer lace dress as she joined her TOWIE co-stars Georgia Kousoulou and Megan McKenna.

The 34-year-old blonde highlighted her ample cleavage in her black lace gown, which featured a ruffled, tiered skirt, as she arrived at London's Dorchester Hotel.

Chloe flashed her chest in the see-through bodice, which teased a glimpse of her buxom figure.

Elsewhere, I'm Celeb alum Vicky Pattison - who recently got engaged to love John Noble - dared to be different in a bright coral number with a fishtail cut alongside her man.

Back together! Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield attended the event together

Date night: Christine Lampard's wore a leaf print dress to the TV Choice Awards 2017, held at The Dorchester in London on Monday night, where she was joined by husband Frank

Smitten: Frank and Christine married after a four-year engagement in December 2015

Shining bright: Corries Bhavna Limbachia, EastEnders Kacey Ainsworth and national treasure Mary Berry shun on the carpet (Pictured L-R)

Date night: One half of the Hairy Bikers' Dave Myers and his partner Liliana Orzac enjoyed the event together

Meanwhile, the cast reunited for the TV Choice Awards at the Dorchester in London on Monday night, with Jess Shears, Amber Davies and Gabby Allen leading the glamour in sultry ensembles.

Presenter Christine Lampard donned a leaf print dress to the awards 2017, accompanying by her husband Frank Lampard, arriving arm-in-arm. Christine stunned in her elegant attire, which featured a lace-up front and long sleeves.

Loose Women's Penny Lancaster, 46, posed up a storm at the event, showcased her silk dress to its' best advantage, daring to be different in the blue number, which boasted a low-cut, ruched neckline.

During the awards, Emmerdale scooped every soap prize at this year's event, adding four new accolades to its trophy cabinet.

The ITV series was crowned best soap, while Ryan Hawley and Charlotte Bellamy were named best soap actor and actress and Sally Dexter best soap newcomer.

Thrilled: Call The Midwife's Cliff Parisi and Annabelle Apsion happily posed for photos before heading inside the venue

Their victories were announced at a glittering star-studded event at London's glamorous Dorchester Hotel on Monday.

Meanwhile, hit ITV crime drama Broadchurch claimed three awards, including best drama, and best actor and actress for lead duo David Tennant and Olivia Colman.

The Great British Bake Off's former judge and much-loved TV chef, Mary Berry, was also honoured for outstanding contribution to television, after a career presenting her own shows as well as the hit TV baking contest.

With just days before its launch this year, Strictly Come Dancing was named best talent show, while I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! was named best reality series and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway scooped the prize for best entertainment show.

The award for best new drama went to Little Boy Blue, based on the murder of Liverpool child Rhys Jones, and best family drama went to Call The Midwife.

The finale of Peter Kay's Car Share was given the honour of best comedy. While, This Morning was named best daytime show for the second year in a row.

Tatt's niceTattoo Fixer's Glen Carloss and Jay Hutton attended the event as their E4 show was up for Best Lifestyle Show

Dapper: Presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, comedian Keith Lemon, West End star Lee Mead and Dr Hilary Jones cut dapper figures at the awards (Pictured L-R)

What a pair! Sherrie Hewson and Amanda Barrie appeared in high spirits as they tackled the red carpet together

Letting loose: EastEnders' Jake Wood and Paul O'Grady looked in jovial spirits inside the awards
He was at the Telluride Film Festival with his new film, Hostiles, and to receive a special award on Saturday.

But all eyes were on Christian Bale's new look as he arrived at the event in the Rocky Mountain resort in Colorado.

The Oscar-winning actor, 43, displayed a fuller physique after piling on the pounds to play former Vice President Dick Cheney in upcoming biopic Backseat, written and directed by Adam McKay.

Transformation: Christian Bale showed off a stockier physique at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado where he was awarded the events Silver Medallion for achievement on Saturday

New look: The Oscar-winning actor, 43, displayed a fuller physique and dyed blond eyebrows (pictured right in Out Of The Furnace in 2013)

The actor also appeared to have dyed his normally dark eyebrows blond for the role.

Cheney, now 76, served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and is widely-regarded as the most powerful VP in US political history.

Christian certainly has the former politician's more portly build, with the actor wearing a baggy black shirt and pants as he received the Telluride Silver Medallion, recognizing achievement in the film industry.

The star is certainly no stranger to transforming himself for roles.

Talented: Christian certainly has the former politician's more portly build, with the actor wearing a baggy black shirt and pants as he received the Telluride Silver Medallion

New character: The star will play former Vice President Dick Cheney, now 76 - who served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 - in upcoming biopic Backseat

Power player: Cheney is widely-regarded as the most powerful VP in US political history (pictured with President George W. Bush in June 2004)

Christian honed his body to perfection to play the Caped Crusader in Batman Begins in 2005 and The Dark Knight in 2008

Meanwhile, the actor's new movie, Hostiles, screened during the festival.

He plays a 19th-century Army captain, near retirement, taking a terminally ill Cheyenne Indian back to his homeland to die after being pardoned for murder.

Christian was joined in Telluride by co-star Wes Studi, who plays the Cheyenne Indian.

Christian, is that you? The actor was almost unrecognizable as he took to the stage

Hanging out: Christian and Hostiles co-star Wes Studi promoted their new movie about a 19th-century Army captain taking a terminally ill Cheyenne Indian back to his homeland to die

In good company: The star posed with iconic director Werner Herzog on his left and actor Scott Cooper after receiving his Silver Medallion

He is already gaining Oscar buzz for the bloody Western, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it 'a gut punch of a performance.'

Variety described Christian's performance as 'among the greatest he's given, one that could become an instant Oscar contender.'

Of course, all this is moot if the film isn't released before the cut-off date for the Oscars, which is usually sometime in December.

However, the movie is hotly tipped to pick up a distribution deal at Telluride.

The 90th Oscars will be held on March 4 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and will be televised live on ABC.
Lizzy Caplan is married woman.

The Masters Of Sex star, 35, wed British producer Tom Riley, 36, over Labor Day weekend on Italy's picturesque Amalfi Coast in the small town of Ravello.

And the 35-year-old Mean Girls vet had quite the impressive guest list that included Woody Harrelson, James Marsden, Tom Hiddleston, Dave Franco, Octavia Spencer, Dianna Agron, Lily Collins, Chris Hemsworth.

Introducing Mr and Mrs Riley! Lizzy Caplan wed English producer Tom Riley, 36, over Labor Day weekend; seen in 2016

Lovely: They exchanged vows on Italy's picturesque Amalfi Coast in the town of Ravello

There were approximately 100 guests, according to the newspaper The Bishopric.

'Lizzy and Tom wanted a destination wedding, and Italy is one of their favorite places,' a source tells Us Weekly.

The small Italian town overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Like a postcard: A view from of the hills the town of Ravello. The small Italian town overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea

Good choice: 'Lizzy and Tom wanted a destination wedding, and Italy is one of their favorite places,' a source tells Us Weekly. Pictured in 2016

The ex: Lizzy dated Friends star Matthew Perry on and off from 2006 until 2012

Stylist Ilaria Urbinati wrote on social media: 'Thank you Ravello and the amazing group of friends this weekend.

'I hadn't laughed that hard, eaten so well, stayed up so late, danced, and drank so much wine in way too long.

'And got to witness so much love between two people that I also hadn't been moved to quite so many tears in a while.'

Chef Crescenzo Scotti of the Il Flauto di Pan restaurant prepared the food that was paired with Italian wines.

Caplan and Riley first met in January 2015 while the actress was filming Allied with Brad Pitt in London.

He was there: One of her famous guests was Chris Hemsworth, seen here with Elsa Pataky in Los Angeles in 2016

Lily Collins was also at the elegant nuptials

The next year they went public with their relationship at the Prague Opera Ball.

In May they announced they were engaged.

Lizzy dated Friends star Matthew Perry on and off from 2006 until 2012.

She has had an enviable career that has included roles in the TV hit series Freaks And Geeks, The Pitts, Related, The Calss and True Blood.

In 2012 she joined New Girl.

The next year she won critical acclaim with her role on Masters Of Sex. She is now filming the miniseries Das Boot with Franz Dinda.
On the final episode of Made In Chelsea: Ibiza there were worrying signs the stars of the show had spent too long in the sun.

Six weeks in the heat with not enough sleep and too much alcohol had left their brains completely fried and capable of babbling only the most simple, shallow, often contradictory sentiments like wooden puppets or a group of (moderately) grown-up babies.

Yes, admittedly, they had been like this when they arrived in Ibiza, but trust me now they were worse.

A form of collective amnesia had set in.

Coming to a close: On the final episode of Made In Chelsea: Ibiza there were worrying signs the stars of the show had spent too long in the sun

Several cast members seemed to have no recollection of their role in the series or understanding of the concept that the others (and the audience) knew what their personalities were like.

Mimi the Easy Canadian and Harry Baron, for example, had the audacity to adopt the moral ground (or try to).

I just want her to stop being such a b*tch to me ! Mimi protested about Lucy Watsons Sister - the girl whose boyfriend she had been sleeping with.

Harry meanwhile acted shocked by (of all things) Jamie Laings promiscuity.

Laing was also described as wet by Sam Prince  surely the ultimate humiliation.

No recollection: Several cast members seemed to have no recollection of their role in the series or understanding of the concept that the others (and the audience) knew what their personalities were like

Moral ground: Mimi the Easy Canadian (L) and Harry Baron, for example, had the audacity to adopt the moral ground (or try to)

Oh no: I just want her to stop being such a b*tch to me ! Mimi protested about Lucy Watsons Sister - the girl whose boyfriend she had been sleeping with

Other stars seemed to have forgotten how Made In Chelsea operated, or even unaware that the show existed at all and that they were appearing on it.

Mimi accused Lucy Watsons Sister of causing a weird divide as if it were an outrage rather than MICs default device every week.

Jamie Laings mind was so addled meanwhile he was fraught with anxiety about the possibility of his ex- (Frankie Gaff) hearing he had hooked up with someone else immediately after they had split up.

The thing is, he stuttered to Alex Mytton. I dont want Frankie to know anything about this

Mytton sensibly didnt suggest that was unlikely frankly  now that Jamie had confessed and discussed his betrayal on television, avoiding bursting Laings illusion the way psychiatrists do with deluded patients.

Frsutrated: Mimi accused Lucy Watsons Sister of causing a weird divide as if it were an outrage rather than MICs default device every week

Hooking up: Jamie Laings mind was so addled meanwhile he was fraught with anxiety about the possibility of his ex- (Frankie Gaff) hearing he had hooked up with someone else immediately after they had split up

Decisions: Mytton sensibly didnt suggest that was unlikely frankly  now that Jamie had confessed and discussed his betrayal on television, avoiding bursting Laings illusion the way psychiatrists do with deluded patients

I just miss her mate  so much ! Jamie continued, despite having just given convincing evidence to the contrary.

Youve made the best decision ! Mytton reassured him gently about their split, adding (less gently) that Jamies relationship with his beloved Frankie had been the most painful, arduous, s**t.

This was (obviously) the view of the viewers but surely strange for a member of the cast to say about the troubled romance that had been a major sub-plot for years.

I cant wait to see the back of it, he had sighed wearily to Olivia Bentley earlier. Hopefully this is the last time to have to endure it.

Hear ! Hear !

Over it: I cant wait to see the back of it, he had sighed wearily to Olivia Bentley earlier. Hopefully this is the last time to have to endure it'

'Losers': Even Frankie herself branded Jamie and Harry (two of the shows main characters) as 'losers'

Even Frankie herself branded Jamie and Harry (two of the shows main characters) as losers.

I hope they stay in Ibiza ! cheered Emily raucously, not so much going off message as descending into anarchy.

Olivia didnt care much for her storyline either.

God dont describe me and Sam Prince as lovebirds ! she snorted to Toff the tiny toff. There are no feelings between me and Sam ! There never has been and there never will be.

So basically a waste of time then, as we all knew full well - a joke that was never funny.

Not a care: Olivia didnt care much for her storyline either. God dont describe me and Sam Prince as lovebirds ! she snorted to Toff the tiny toff. There are no feelings between me and Sam ! There never has been and there never will be'

The array of dumb blondes on Made In Chelsea are so pretty but vacant, ironically, sometimes its hard to tell how serious they are.

Ella, Mimi the Easy Canadian, and Little Sammy T himself were, amazingly, amongst those who objected to the way Sam Thompsons ex (Lucy Watsons Sister) had given him a dose (of his own medicine) by turning up at a dinner party with Pablo, an Ay Caramba ! rated volleyball player/model on her arm. And not just her arm (her lips mostly)

Julius Cowdrey derided her for being attention-seeking - an accusation that was a bit rich coming from him, or anyone appearing on Made In Chelsea.

Honestly I dont usually have bad words to say about anyone but she is TOXIC ! Julius reiterated, using a word that was certainly bad enough to be getting on with.

Reality: Ella, Mimi the Easy Canadian, and Little Sammy T himself were, amazingly, amongst those who objected to the way Sam Thompsons ex (Lucy Watsons Sister) had given him a dose (of his own medicine) by turning up at a dinner party with Pablo, an Ay Caramba ! rated volleyball player/model on her arm

Locking lips: Tiff didn't just arrive with him on her arm (her lips mostly)

'Toxic': Julius Cowdrey derided her for being attention-seeking - an accusation that was a bit rich coming from him, or anyone appearing on Made In Chelsea. Honestly I dont usually have bad words to say about anyone but she is TOXIC ! Julius reiterated, using a word that was certainly bad enough to be getting on with

Mimi the Easy Canadian primly complained that by bringing Pablo Lucy Watsons Sister had caused a weird divide in the group.

She was gloriously oblivious to the fact she was not really in the group anyway. And that she had caused far more damage to it by hooking up with Sam in the first place.

Get over it! Mimi railed about Lucy Watsons Sisters umbrage over her affair, even though she herself clearly couldnt even get over a choice of dinner partner purely aimed at Sam. Cut the BS ! Be civil ! Be mature ! Act your age ! And let it go! she snapped  all things she was completely incapable of herself.

As for the target of these orders, Lucy Watsons Sister seemed to becompletely fine. She was perfectly mature, extremely civil, cutting the BS and letting it go - with Pablo.

Over it: Get over it! Mimi railed about Lucy Watsons Sisters umbrage over her affair, even though she herself clearly couldnt even get over a choice of dinner partner purely aimed at Sam. Cut the BS ! Be civil ! Be mature ! Act your age ! And let it go! she snapped  all things she was completely incapable of herself

Let it go: As for the target of these orders, Lucy Watsons Sister seemed to becompletely fine. She was perfectly mature, extremely civil, cutting the BS and letting it go - with Pablo

No wonder she was happy. The handsome, gigantic, Spaniard was showing her the sights (as it were)  tourist-free beaches and other secret spots in Ibiza.

Her whole fighting mechanism is just jabbing out insults ! Mimi raged on regardless. And I hate that.

Undaunted by her own tirade, Mimis sudden tranquillity when she met up with the object of her scorn was remarkable/nonsensical.

Can we just be civil? Mimi pleaded in the manner of MICs Kofi Annan, even though she hadnt been remotely. Im asking for the sake of the group, she continued, bridling: Its awkward for everybody.

LWS had been impressively patient but even her composure cracked at this.

No ones awkward ! she scoffed. Its awkward for you cos no one wants to hang to with you because of me.

Awkward: No ones awkward ! she scoffed. Its awkward for you cos no one wants to hang to with you because of me'

So is that a No? checked Mimi quick on the uptake.

She genuinely seemed convinced she had been the victim, accusing LWS of belittling what Sam and I had.

Im not belittling it ! her rival responded tartly. It was a three year relationship versus a three week fling.

Sensibly/dementedly, Mimi ignored the total truth of this summary, sulking instead that: it sucks that you cant do this for me !

It sucks that you f**ked my boyfriend ! LWS countered.

I know and I cant imagine how that feels, Mimi acknowledged finally, undermining it by sighing: All we can do right now is move right past it.

Unlikely: This was unlikely on MIC, especially for Sam and his ex-girlfriend

Sweet: Its awful how quickly things have changed, she told him sweetly. That feeling of knowing this is the person Im going to be with has just gone. I want to have you in my life but I really dont think I can. Im just hurt right now'

This was unlikely on MIC, especially for Sam and his ex-girlfriend.

Its awful how quickly things have changed, she told him sweetly. That feeling of knowing this is the person Im going to be with has just gone. I want to have you in my life but I really dont think I can. Im just hurt right now.

So am I, Sam claimed weakly.

I wont ever stop loving you and if you need me Ill be there, she promised.

I love you as well, Sam gulped hopelessly.

I hope we can do this by being respectful to one another, she finished hopefully.

So do I, Sam muttered.

And with that he headed for Celebrity Big Brother
She's never been one to shy away from making a statement on the red carpet.

And Chloe Sims left little to the imagination when she went braless in a sheer lace dress at the TV Choice Awards on Monday night, racing out of the venue while attempting to cover her chest with her hands.

The 34-year-old blonde highlighted her ample cleavage in her black lace gown, which featured a ruffled, tiered skirt, as she arrived at London's Dorchester Hotel.

Scroll down for video

Breast get home fast! Chloe Sims left little to the imagination when she went braless in a sheer lace dress at the TV Choice Awards on Monday night

Making a speedy exit: The blonde beauty raced out of the venue while attempting to cover her chest with her hands

Chloe flashed her chest in the see-through bodice, which teased a glimpse of her buxom figure.

She was accompanied by fellow reality star Georgia Kousoulou, who also opted for a sombre black ensemble.

The blonde - who is a fan of Glossybox's summer offering girls just wanna have sun -showed off her abs in a bandeau crop top and flared trousers, which she set off with strappy heels.

Sheer delight: Chloe flashed her chest in the see-through bodice, which teased a glimpse of her buxom figure

Top of the crops: Chloe was joined by her TOWIE co-star Georgia Kousoulou at the event

Curvy: The 34-year-old blonde - who is a fan of Glossybox's summer offering 'girls just wanna have sun' - highlighted her ample cleavage in her black lace gown, which featured a ruffled, tiered skirt, as she arrived at London's Dorchester Hotel

Natural look: Chloe toned down her make-up for the occasion, setting off her look with a slick of matte lipstick

Georgia recently hit back after she was trolled by fans over an Instagram post, which prompted her followers to question whether she was expecting boyfriend Tommy Mallet's baby.

'Is she pregnant? Looks so,' one social media user quizzed, before others commented the same question.

Hitting back at her critics, she slammed: 'Seen this quote & thought I would share as this message is so true & powerful .. so the full picture of me & Tommys towie shoot picture got put up on Towie's insta .. the first thing people asked was if I was pregnant or if I put on weight.

These boots were made for walking: Chloe set off her ensemble with a pair of peep-toe, lace up ankle boots

Elegant touch: The mother-of-one wore her blonde hair pulled back in a loose ponytail

Beaming: Chloe was in high spirits as she partied at the star-studded event

Hand on hip: Chloe pulled her look together with scarlet nail polish

'I jumped straight on the Defence & stated it was the wrong angle & the photographer was sitting down... plus i had just eaten... than I realised why the f**k do I need to justify myself to these negative comments.

'I can handle the comments (sometimes) but what are we teaching the young girls growing up on social media ?!'

The reality star then urged trolls to think about their impact has on women and girls who are body conscious.

Making her entrance: Chloe ensured she exited her cab in style

Top of the crops: Georgia showed off her abs in a bandeau crop top and flared trousers, which she set off with strappy heels

Hitting back: Georgia recently hit back after she was trolled by fans over an Instagram post, which prompted her followers to question whether she was expecting boyfriend Tommy Mallet's baby
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They were last spotted hanging out on a yacht in St. Tropez.

And Leonardo DiCaprio enjoyed yet another fun-filled day in the sun with a familiar - and stunning - face on Sunday.

The actor, 42, hit the beach with his pals in Malibu for a game of volleyball during a Labor Day weekend party as model Elizabeth Turner frolicked in the waves in her bikini - just weeks after their boating off the coast of France alongside Tobey Maguire and a host of other beauties.

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Life's a beach! Leonardo DiCaprio hit the beach with his pals in Malibu for a game of volleyball as model Elizabeth Turner frolicked in the waves in her bikini - just weeks after their boating excursion off the coast of France alongside Tobey Maguire and a host of other beauties

Leo enjoyed an action-packed game of volleyball on the sand as he tossed the ball over the net. The Titanic actor kept it casual in his T-shirt, hat, and shorts.

As the guys opted for a round of volleyball, Elizabeth ventured out into the waves in her tiny black bikini. The model sent temperatures soaring as she showed of her statuesque physique, while keeping her cool amid LA's heatwave in the water.

At one point, Elizabeth was spotted out on the beach house's patio. Oscar winning actor Adrien Brody was also spotted on the sand, as was Lukas Haas.

A Duke University grad, Elizabeth started her modelling career shooting for Seventeen magazine and Teen Vogue while in high school, according to GQ.

Chit chat: The actor was hanging out in Malibu for a Labor Day weekend party

Bikini fun! Turner showed off her modelesque physique in the tiny black bikini

Hanging out: The star cooled down by the beach alongside another party goer

Sizzling: The model sent temperatures soaring as she showed of her statuesque physique, while keeping her cool amid LA's heatwave in the water

Reach for the sky! Leo enjoyed an action-packed game of volleyball on the sand as he punched the ball skyward

Phone break: The starlet's handy phone was close by her side as she took a walk on the beach

She's since worked for Guess and cosmetics company Too Faced.

Though the blossoming model says she does hope to return to her studies one day.

Asked what she would be doing if modelling wasn't her current job, she told the magazine: 'I would be in grad school pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology. I would like to go back to school one day.'

Model work: A Duke University grad, Elizabeth started her modelling career shooting for Seventeen magazine and Teen Vogue while in high school, according to GQ

Impressive credentials: She's since worked for Guess and cosmetics company Too Faced

Having a ball! The gang eyed the loose ball as Turner approached the game

The starlet also says working out is one of her passion.

'I feel sexy when I'm working out and getting stronger. I love working hard on my body.'

Leonardo, meanwhile, has made headlines for his recent and generous $1 million donation to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Doing good: Leonardo, meanwhile, has made headlines for his recent and generous $1 million donation to help victims of Hurricane Harvey

A who's who: Adrien Brody was also spotted on the sand, playing volleyball

Score! The Oscar winning actor looked to have scored for his team as he threw the ball over the net
In an era of stagnant wages and in a state where about 12 percent of workers belong to a labor union, workers, politicians and labor leaders enjoyed free beer and heaping plates on Labor Day  as well as that other holiday staple, political speeches.

Hundreds of workers and their family members attended the annual Labor Day picnic held Monday afternoon at Rose Park, an event sponsored by the Montana AFL-CIOs central labor councils. Firefighters grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and teachers and pipefitters served up free beer almost as fast as they could pour it.

Weve found its a very popular thing, to hand out free beer on Labor Day, said Rachel Schillreff, communications director for the Billings Education Association, whose husband, Rodnie, worked alongside her representing a pipefitters local. People want to pay us or tip us, but we just wish them a happy Labor Day.

We dont often get the chance for all the different trades to get together, said Jake Wilkins, secretary/treasurer of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 521, who spent his afternoon hunched over a hot grill. We also dont usually get to start fires. Were generally asked to put them out.

There are so many challenging businesses in Montana where safety is an issue, said Rep. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings, tasked with handing diners hot dog or hamburger buns  sometimes one of each. People in harms way need to know theyre well represented.

Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney was pulling triple duty, piling tomatoes, onions and pickles onto hamburgers and hot dogs. They figured I couldnt do too much damage here, he said with a laugh.

Cooney called the event a celebration of our working people, the backbone of Montana. Its a day for all working men and women, he said, not just union members. Its for producers and service providers who make America strong, he said.

Later, Cooney told the crowd that Montana wont go the route that Idaho, Wyoming and 26 other states have chosen  having passed right-to-work legislation, in which workers in unionized workplaces arent compelled to join a union.

Gov. Bullock and I will always respect your right to organize, he told the crowd.

Without unions, we wouldnt have a middle class, said Darrell Johnson, president of the Greater Yellowstone Central Labor Council. Unions have fought long and hard for livable wages, so were here today in solidarity and to show our respect for past union members and workers.

Yellowstone County Commissioner Robyn Driscoll, a Billings Democrat, called labor completely relevant in todays political landscape. They help out campaigns a lot, she said. We need to elect more people who are friendly to workers.

Driscoll said she was raised in a labor family. Her father, Bob, was among the original batch of workers hired to work at the Conoco refinery in Butte in 1949, eventually working his way into a management position.

When his daughter was a teenager, workers at the refinery went out on strike. Refusing to cross the picket lines, Bob Driscoll stayed at the plant for two straight months, finally making his way home when the strike ended.

He was always well-regarded at the plant. After that, even more so, she said.

While children bounced in and climbed inflatables provided by Fun for All Inflatables of Billings, John Heenan, a Billings lawyer running against U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., thanked those gathered for weekends and for keeping our kids out of factories and coal mines.

He said working Montanans are helped most by a quality education, a fair wage, access to health care and by leveling the playing field.

We need to junk right-to-work laws to make sure labor unions are growing, not losing, he said, adding that politicians on both sides of the congressional aisle have stopped representing working people.

I want to be that next representative, he said.
She's had a difficult time of it lately after she claimed her third husband Kieran Hayler had cheated on her and discovered her mother Amy has a terminal lung illness.

Now wanting to let her hair down, Katie Price, 39, arrived fashionably late to Monday night's TV Choice awards at The Dorchester in London, putting on an eye-popping display for the style brigade.

The TV personality - who was there to support Loose Women with her fellow panellists - slipped on a rather form-fitting mini dress which showcased plenty of sideboob as she tripped out of her car and into the arms of her minder.

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Fashionably late: Katie Price, 39, arrived fashionably late to Monday night's TV Choice awards at The Dorchester in London, putting on an eye-popping display for the style brigade

Her slinky stretch garment hugged her narrow waist while sheer panels accentuated her surgically enhanced assets before she unfortunately tripped-out of her waiting vehicle.

Wearing sky-high heels and a thigh-grazing number, the former glamour model was sure to exhibit her slender pins while her two-toned locks were blow-dried into a neat straight style.

Thankfully bouncing back from her stumble, she dashed inside the venue holding onto her leather purse and left her daring dress do the talking while she opted to forgo accessories.

Eye-popping: The TV personality but on a very busty display for the glamorous occasion

Falling over herself: Katie- who was there to support her Loose Women with her fellow panellists - slipped on a rather form-fitting mini dress which showcased plenty of sideboob as she tripped out of her car and into the arms of her minder

Complementing her glamorous look, Katie sported a dramatic smokey-eye with lashings of mascara.

It's been a nightmare end to the summer for Katie, who shocked fans last weekend by announcing plans to divorce unfaithful husband Kieran, 30, after catching him cheating again - just three years after she forgave his affairs with her best friends Jane Pountney and Chrissy Thomas.

Then the heartbroken star revealed her supportive mum Amy - a well-known face to Katie's fans thanks to her appearances in the star's reality shows - had been diagnosed with a terminal lung illness.

Fix up: Her slinky stretch garment hugged her narrow waist while sheer panels accentuated her surgically enhanced assets before she unfortunately tripped-out of her waiting vehicle

Stepping out: Wearing sky-high heels and a thigh-grazing number, the former glamour model was sure to exhibit her slender pins while her two-toned locks were blow-dried into a neat straight style

Helping hand: Thankfully bouncing back from her stumble, she dashed inside the venue holding onto her leather purse and left her daring dress do the talking while she opted to forgo accessories

Glam gal: Complementing her glamorous look, Katie sported a dramatic smokey-eye with lashings of mascara

In a heartbreaking Twitter message, the former glamour model revealed her 64-year-old mother has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis , a condition in which the lungs become scarred and causes increasing breathing difficulty.

Calling her mother a 'fighter' spirit, she praised Amy for carrying on as normal and continuing to 'live life to the full'.

She wrote: 'Just to clarify for all of you reading. My mum has been diagnosed with a lung disease called Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) there is unfortunately no known cure for this.

Killer heels: Her shoes indeed proved a stumbling block for the star

Leggy: She showed off her shapely pins in the thigh-skimming LBD

Inked up: She showed off the intricate tattoo etched onto her calf

Easy does it: Following her hasty exit from the car, she took her entrance more slowly

'As a shock to us all, Me and my family are proud to be supporting the British Lung foundation to help support awareness and raising funds for research of IPF.

'With this we can help in other diagnosis and create awareness for people with IPF.

'The condition has an average life expectancy of 3-5 years. There are two known pills which if they work can slow things down.

'My mum is a fighter she is working out every day, going to work and living life to the full please help us in supporting The British Lung foundation so we can make a difference.

She added in a tweet: 'Thanks for everyone's supportive messages.'

Devastating news: In a heartbreaking Twitter message the former glamour model revealed her 64-year-old mother has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis , a condition in which the lungs become scarred and causes increasing breathing difficulty

Tough times: Katie paid an emotional tribute to her 'fighter' mum Amy this week after she was diagnosed with a terminal lung illness, days after confirming her marriage to cheating husband Kieran is over

Love: Calling her mother a 'fighter' spirit, she praised Amy for carrying on as normal and continuing to 'live life to the full'

Katie previously said she was determined to stay optimistic following Amys heart-breaking diagnosis  and even attempted to lift her mothers spirits following a recent hospital consultation.

She told The Sun: Shes got something wrong with her lungs and shes been told she hasnt got very long to live. Shes on tablets at last Im making her laugh. Whatever is happening weve got to be upbeat about it.'

Amy, a constant support to Katie throughout her colourful show business career, confirmed her daughter had lightened the mood during her early examinations.

During the tests, which were really quite personal, she was making so many funny comments that both myself and the specialist were in fits of laughter, she recalled.

Thats what I like about Katie  her sense of humour. I was given some bad news. She said, Mum, you havent got long left, you might as well make the most of it.

Unbreakable bond: Katie shares a famously close relationship with her mother, with Amy helping provide care for Katie's disabled son Harvey

Love: Katie wrote: 'My mum is a fighter she is working out every day, going to work and living life to the full please help us in supporting The British Lung foundation so we can make a difference'

The news comes shortly after the TV personality revealed she was separating from husband Kieran, a former stripper, after discovering his six month fling with their children's nanny.

Discussing the separation on Loose Women, Katie admitted she had thought their 'marriage and sex life was perfect' - before hinting there was 'more to come out' regarding Kieran and their reason for ending the marriage.

She said: 'It is what it is, and what you've read. Years ago I caught Kieran cheating. I paid for therapy to get him help. As far as I knew our marriage and sex life was perfect, our family unit was perfect.

'I employed a nanny to come in and I've caught him again having an affair with my nanny for a year. Sleeping with her in my house - but there's other things that are going to come out.'

Smiling through it: The news has come as a bitter blow to Katie, as only days earlier she had confirmed she was to divorce third husband Kieran, over his affair with their children's nanny (pictured here is Amy with Katie's son Harvey)

Referencing his previous infidelities, she then admitted she had not been hugely shocked by the affair, adding: 'Here I am again! I think when someone stabs the knife in the first time and they twist it, I was literally distraught.

'I suppose this time was I expecting it to happen again? Was my guard up? Because I'm acting completely different this time.'

'My kids are older, they know what's going on and for me I love coming to work. He's got to get help. It's not normal behaviour, especially when you're in a happy marriage.'

Nikki, however, has vehemently denied bedding Kieran, telling MailOnline: 'Im going to clear my name. I'm not going to be just somebody else that she's disposed of. It's not going to happen. She's vile. I do want an apology from Katie for this, publicly.'

Marriage split: The news comes shortly after the TV personality revealed she was separating from husband Kieran, a former stripper, after discovering his fling with their children's nanny
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The path to Pyongyang's latest nuclear test followed a textbook North Korean strategy: escalating provocations accompanied by furious denunciations of annual South Korea-US military exercises.

In the 12 days since Washington praised Pyongyang's "restraint" and held out the prospect of early talks, the North has fired three short-range missiles, sent another one soaring over Japan and detonated what appears to be a full-fledged thermonuclear device.

"The hydrogen bomb test was a perfect success," an announcer on state TV claimed after Sunday's test.

While some western media delight in portraying the North Korean regime as irrational -- or even unbalanced -- experts say it demonstrates an extremely refined ability in calibrating and timing its actions to maximise their impact.

The fuse for Sunday's detonation was lit with the test in July of two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) that appeared to bring much of the US within range.

That sparked a fierce warning by President Donald Trump that Washington could rain "fire and fury" on the North, while Pyongyang unveiled a plan to fire a salvo of missiles towards the US territory of Guam.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un later said he was putting the plan on hold, but warned he could still give the order depending on Washington's next move.

The final countdown then began on August 21 when the United States and South Korea kicked off an annual military exercise called "Ulchi Freedom Guardian" involving tens of thousands of troops.

The North, which sees such war games as rehearsals for invasion, said the US would be "pouring gasoline on fire" by going ahead with the drill.

Its initial military response came on August 26 with the relatively innocuous launch of three short-range ballistic missiles.

That was followed three days later by the far more provocative launch of an intermediate-range missile over Japan -- a move that triggered consternation in Tokyo and the wider region.

Sunday's H-bomb test was flagged just hours before by the release in the North's state media of photos of Kim inspecting a "thermonuclear weapon" capable of being mounted on an ICBM.

More than 60 years after the end of the Korean War, the impoverished North uses the perceived threat of US invasion to justify its nuclear weapons programme.

The annual military exercises in the South always lead to a sharp rise in tensions, and the North's fifth nuclear test on September 9 last year also followed the annual war games.

China, under fire from Trump for failing to restrain its neighbour and ally, has pushed for a suspension of the North's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a halt to the drills -- a quid pro quo firmly rejected by Seoul and Washington.

If the North's playbook for the latest test is familiar, there is a wild card in the form of the new occupant of the White House.

While his advisers stress diplomacy, President Trump has repeatedly raised the option of military measures to shut down the North's nuclear and missile programmes.

sm/gh/sls
Donald Trump (right) has threatened North Korea with "fire and fury" if it continues to threaten the United States

US President Donald Trump declared Sunday that "appeasement with North Korea" will not work, after Pyongyang claimed it had successfully tested a missile-ready hydrogen bomb.

"North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test," Trump said. "Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

His comments came hours after the US Geological Survey picked up a 6.3 magnitude "explosion" in North Korea, which Pyongyang confirmed was a nuclear test, its sixth.

The isolated regime said this one was of a hydrogen bomb that could be fitted atop a ballistic missile, sharply raising the stakes in a US-North Korea confrontation.

Trump last month threatened North Korea with "fire and fury" if it continued to threaten the United States, but he refrained from direct threats in his latest tweets.

"South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" he said.

"North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."
The United States' best hope may be to further expand its already wide-reaching economic sanctions against the North, hoping this new pain might finally bring Kim Jong-Un to show restraint

Despite the US warning on Sunday of a "massive military response" to any threat from North Korea, the Trump administration has few good options to force the North to rein in its nuclear and missile programs following Pyongyang's most powerful nuclear test yet.

Its best hope may be to further expand its already wide-reaching economic sanctions against the North, hoping this new pain might finally bring Kim Jong-Un to show restraint.

- A military strike? Unlikely -

North Korea's latest nuclear test does not seem to have altered the American equation, though it may have toughened US rhetoric. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Sunday that "any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response."

And President Donald Trump tweeted earlier of the North Koreans that "they only understand one thing" -- presumably force.

But experts said force has clear limits.

"There are no realistic military options in terms of striking North Korea, because doing so would likely spark a full-scale war," Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director for America of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told AFP.

The North has massed powerful artillery units at the border of South Korea capable of wreaking immense destruction on Seoul, a city of 10 million just 35 miles (55 kilometers) away. An American strike against the North could thus spark a conflagration between the two Koreas that could spread quickly into a regional conflict.

"Before everyone goes nuts, a nuclear test by North Korea is a troubling development but does not change the nature of the challenge we face," tweeted Jon Wolfsthal, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"Such a test does not require a military response, which is good because we don't have any viable options."

- Applying military pressure -

Without actually striking, the United States can increase its military pressure on Pyongyang. Before the North's latest nuclear test, the American and South Korean presidents had agreed to strengthen Seoul's missile capabilities -- a way to bolster its dissuasive capacity.

"Viable military options include moves such as deploying additional assets to the region," Fitzpatrick said. "Note that South Korea now wants to consider redeploying US tactical nuclear weapons" -- a move he called complicated but viable.

The US military withdrew all its tactical arms from South Korea 25 years ago.

Another form of pressure requires no weapons -- the sort of bellicose rhetoric Trump employed when he uttered his famous phrase about unleashing "fire and fury" on the North. On Sunday, Mattis even evoked the possibility of the "total annihilation" of the North, should Pyongyang bring matters to a head.

But rhetoric, too, has its limits. During a lull late last month after Trump's "fire and fury" comment, the US president said he thought Kim was "starting to respect us," but days later the North sent a missile sailing over Japan.

And on Sunday came the test of a bomb more powerful than the one that destroyed Hiroshima.

- Again, economic sanctions -

The American administration seemed on Sunday to be leaning toward economic sanctions.

"The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea," Trump tweeted.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would propose a series of tough economic sanctions for Trump's consideration aimed at any country doing business with the North. He said he wanted to work with US allies and with China, which buys 90 percent of all North Korean exports.

On August 22, the US announced sanctions against six individuals and 10 companies from Russia and China for doing business with the North.

The United States was behind the last set of United Nations sanctions against North Korea, adopted unanimously on August 6 by the Security Council, with the notable support of China and Russia. That seventh series of sanctions aimed to deprive the North of a billion dollars in revenues from sales of coal, iron and seafood.

The next step from the UN could be a full or partial petroleum embargo.

Another option mentioned by British officials at the UN: sanctions to require Russia and China to expel North Korean expatriate workers -- an important revenue source for Pyongyang.
South Korea used ballistic missiles in a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear site

The United States warned it could launch a "massive military response" to any threats from North Korea following Pyongyang's provocative detonation of what it claimed was a miniaturized hydrogen bomb.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis spoke out on Sunday after North Korea carried out an unexpectedly strong nuclear test, more powerful than the bomb that levelled Hiroshima in 1945.

President Donald Trump called an emergency meeting of his national security advisers and had his second telephone call of the weekend with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but did not talk to South Korea's Moon Jae-In -- instead accusing Seoul of "appeasement".

He threatened drastic economic sanctions, including "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea."

US monitors measured a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake near the North's main testing site on Sunday, felt in parts of China and Russia, with an aftershock possibly caused by a rock collapse.

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The North -- which in July carried out two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range -- hailed its test of what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a rocket as "a perfect success."

Mattis told reporters: "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," he added, but warned: "We have many options to do so."

The White House said the US was committed to "defending our homeland, territories, and allies using the full range of diplomatic, conventional, and nuclear capabilities at our disposal."

- 'Fratricidal war' -

Pyongyang residents celebrated as a jubilant television newsreader hailed the "unprecedentedly large" blast which she said had moved the country closer to "the final goal of completing the state nuclear force."

It prompted an international chorus of condemnation, including from both the North's key allies, China and Russia.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the test as "profoundly destabilizing". The Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday.

South Korean soldiers ride on a military truck in the border county of Hwacheon

South Korean President Moon Jae-In, who advocates engagement as well as penalties to bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table, called for new United Nations sanctions to "completely isolate North Korea."

On Monday Seoul carried out a live-fire exercise in the Sea of Japan, which it calls the East Sea, using a volley of missiles to simulate an attack on the North's nuclear site.

But Trump criticised the US treaty ally on Twitter, saying: "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

In a statement, the presidential Blue House retorted: "Korea is a country that experienced a fratricidal war."

It "will continue to push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means working together with our allies", it added.

- 'Cut off North Korea' -

Hours before the test, the North released images of Kim at his country's Nuclear Weapons Institute, inspecting a device it called a "thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power" entirely made "by our own efforts and technology," according to the Korean Central News Agency.

A series of US and United Nations-backed sanctions seem to have had little effect on Pyongyang.

The Friendhip Bridge connects the North Korean town of Sinuiju with the Chinese border city of Dandong

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday his department was preparing potent new measures that would "cut off North Korea economically."

The measures would ensure that "anybody that wants to do trade or business with them will be prevented from doing trade or business with us," he said on "Fox News Sunday."

While the United States has virtually no trade with the North, the burden of such sanctions would fall heavily on China, which buys about 90 percent of North Korean exports.

- Tremor felt in China, Russia -

South Korean experts said the tremor near the North's main test site was five to six times stronger than that from a 10-kiloton test a year ago.

Despite fears of a possible radioactive leak, Japanese and Chinese scientists said they had detected no radiation in the atmosphere.

As well as July's landmark ICBM tests, Pyongyang last week fired a missile over Japan.

Trump has warned Pyongyang that it faces "fire and fury" and that Washington's weapons are "locked and loaded."

But the North has huge artillery forces within range of Seoul, a city of 10 million people, and could inflict mass casualties in retaliation to any strike.

"There are no realistic military options in terms of striking North Korea, because doing so would likely spark a full-scale war," Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told AFP.
South Korean short-range Hyunmoo ballistic missiles roared into the sky from a launch site on the country's east coast and accurately hit their targets in the East Sea -- the Korean name for the Sea of Japan

South Korea's military launched a volley of ballistic missiles simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site Monday, Seoul said, in an exercise responding to a test of what Pyongyang says was a hydrogen bomb.

Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo ballistic missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the country's east coast.

Authorities released video showing South Korean F-15K fighter jets firing air-to-ground missiles.

North Korea on Sunday triggered global alarm with by far its most powerful atomic test to date, claiming it was a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted onto a long-range missile

The weapons accurately hit their targets in the East Sea -- the Korean name for the Sea of Japan -- the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The exercise "was carried out as a strong warning" to the North for conducting its sixth nuclear test, it added.

The range to the simulated targets was equivalent to the distance to the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where Sunday's test was conducted, it said.

North Korea on Sunday triggered global alarm with by far its most powerful atomic test to date, claiming it was a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted onto a long-range missile.

Following the test, South Korean President Moon Jae-In called for the "strongest punishment" while top military officers in Seoul and Washington vowed a joint "military counteraction" at the earliest date.

In a series of tweets posted hours after Sunday's test, US President Donald Trump denounced the North but also criticised Seoul.

South Korea, Trump said, "is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

The United States warned it could launch a "massive military response" to threats from North Korea.
The 18-member Pacific Islands Forum includes countries such as Kiribati, which are only metres above sea level and risk being swamped by rising oceans

Climate change will dominate discussions when the leaders of vulnerable Pacific nations hold their annual meeting in the Samoan capital Apia this week, with global warming threatening their existence, officials say.

The 18-member Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) includes countries such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, which are only metres above sea level and risk being swamped by rising oceans.

Others, such as Vanuatu and Fiji, have been battered in recent years by devastating cyclones that have become more extreme as global warming affects weather patterns.

Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga said there was no subject more important to the people of the Pacific.

"This is an issue about our existence... climate change threatens our very identities," he said.

PIF secretary general Meg Taylor said the summit, which opens Tuesday, was an opportunity for small island nations to speak as one voice.

"We can do more together than we can alone, I think this will be at the heart of the discussions," she said.

Taylor said the unified approach had already proved successful when Pacific nations successfully pushed for strong aspirational goals at the UN climate talks in Paris in 2015.

"That was led by the champions of the Pacific... (we) were able to persuade the world that this was so very important," she said.

The Pacific's next chance to prick the world's conscience and demand further action on climate is at UN talks being held in Bonn in November.

Fiji, as one of the island nations on the frontline of climate change, has been invited to chair the talks, making this week's PIF an important forum for Pacific leaders to discuss strategy.

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama earlier this year offered permanent refuge to the peoples of Tuvalu and Kiribati.

But Sopoaga said the bigger issues of global warming and sea-level rise needed to be addressed and relocation was not the answer.

"It's not as simple as that because you have to be concerned of your protection and sovereignty rights, human rights and therefore you have to be very careful and you have to prioritise this issue," he said.

Conservation International's Sue Taei said leaders arriving for the Samoa meeting needed to examine how to pay for climate change mitigation.

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the "Blue Pacific" theme of this year's summit put specific focus on placing the region at the centre of international policy making.

"Embracing this as a unique opportunity in the history of the region, the Blue Pacific provides a new narrative for Pacific regionalism and how the Forum engages with the world," he said.

The PIF links Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Taiwan Premier Lin Chuan has resigned

Taiwan's Premier Lin Chuan resigned on Monday in a move aimed at reviving dwindling public support for the government of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Tsai's office announced in a statement that Lin offered his resignation on Sunday, saying that he had "accomplished his periodic tasks", and it was approved by the president.

Speculation had been rife that Lin would be replaced. The government's popularity has been hit by a series of controversial policies, ranging from holiday cuts to pension reforms, as well as by worsening relations with China.

Beijing has cut all official communication with Tsai's government since she took office in May last year. Her Democratic Progressive Party is traditionally independence-leaning and has refused officially to accept that Taiwan is part of "one China".

Tsai's popularity has dropped from a high of nearly 70 percent when she took power to below 30 percent in several recent polls, with some in the DPP blaming the unpopular premier for dragging down her support.

In a TVBS poll released last month, Lin's support fell to a record low of 18 percent, while 44 percent said he should be replaced against 26 percent who said he should stay.

"I am happy that somebody will take over the heavy burden and I'm grateful that somebody is willing to do that... I'll accept the criticisms that are reasonable," Lin told reporters when asked about his low public support.

Lin, an economist and former finance minister, was rumoured to become the next governor of Taiwan's central bank. But he said Monday that he has no plans to take any government post in the future.

His replacement will be announced on Tuesday. There has been widespread speculation that the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan, William Lai, will take over.

The Harvard-educated Lai has won praise for his efficient management of the city, including his handling of the aftermath of an earthquake in 2016 that killed 116 people.

The cabinet is set to resign en masse in a formality on Thursday after the premier steps down. It is not immediately clear how many ministers will be replaced.
The North Korea nuclear crisis could lead to a global planetary catastrophe, Vladimir Putin warned today.

Speaking after a summit in China, the Russian president condemned the rogue state's detonation of a hydrogen bomb on Sunday as 'provocative'.

But he warned against 'useless and inefficient' sanctions, saying they could escalate tensions.

'All of this can lead to a global planetary catastrophe and a great number of victims,' he said.

His comments at a BRICS summit in Xiamen came after North Korea reportedly moved an intercontinental ballistic missile to its coast amid warnings from the US that Kim Jong-un is 'begging for war'.

Stark warning: The North Korea nuclear crisis could lead to a global planetary catastrophe, said Vladimir Putin

Meeting: Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, are both likely to reject US-proposed sanctions on North Korea

Mr Putin called for talks with North Korea, and warned against 'military hysteria'.

He said it was important that all parties, including North Korea, should not face 'threats of annihilation' and 'step on the path of cooperation'.

The Russian leader added: 'Whipping up military hysteria makes absolutely no sense in this situation. This is a road to nowhere.'

This morning, South Korean media claimed Pyongyang had started moving a rocket towards the country's west coast on Monday, using the cover of darkness to avoid surveillance.

The US is pushing for the 'strongest possible measures' on the rogue nation following its sixth and most powerful nuclear test - but China and Russia are likely to oppose UN sanctions.

But North Korea showed no let-up in its rhetoric this morning, suggesting that South Korea needs to be punished for being at the beck and call of the US.

A ranting editorial in state newspaper Rodong Sinmun said: 'The south Korean puppet forces are not free to fire even a single bullet as they are at the U.S. beck and call. Such guys are crying out for 'punishment'. This would make even the stone Buddha in the temple laugh.'

A separate statement from Kim Myong Gil, officer of the Korean People's Army, said North Korea's nuclear test had been 'heavy punishment and sledgehammer blows to the US imperialists'.

Amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Seoul this morning launched major live-fire naval drills to warn its isolated neighbour against any provocations at sea.

South Korea also said it was talking to Washington about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula and has not ruled out redeploying US tactical nuclear weapons on its territory.

North Korea has 'moved an intercontinental ballistic missile to its coast' amid warnings from the US that Kim Jong-un (pictured) is 'begging for war'

Pyongyang started moving a rocket towards the country's west coast on Monday, using the cover of darkness to avoid surveillance, South Korean media claim. Pictured: North Korea carried out a launch of an intermediate range missile in August

South Korean warships including a 2,500-ton frigate, a 1000-ton patrol ship and 400-ton guided-missile vessels participated in drills aimed at retaliating against potential North Korean threats

The South Korean army's K-1 tanks take part in a military exercise in Paju, South Korea this morning

Defense Minister Song Young-moo said that he asked his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, to bolster defences in the South.

'I told him that it would be good for strategic assets to be sent regularly to the Korean Peninsula and that some South Korean lawmakers and media are strongly pushing for tactical nuclear weapons [to be redeployed],' Song is quoted as saying.

'The redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons is an alternative worth a full review,' Song added.

This morning, South Korean warships including a 2,500-ton frigate, a 1000-ton patrol ship and 400-ton guided-missile vessels participated in drills aimed at retaliating against potential North Korean threats.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that Washington will present a new sanctions resolution to be negotiated in the coming days, with a view to voting on it next Monday.

'Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy,' Haley told the meeting Monday called by the United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea.

North Korea on Sunday triggered global alarm when it detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

The underground blast had a yield of between 50 and 100 kilotons, or on average more than five times more powerful than the bomb detonated over Hiroshima, UN political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman told the council.

Declaring that 'enough is enough,' Haley said incremental sanctions imposed on Pyongyang since 2006 had failed.

South Korea's airborne early warning and control system aircraft, called Peace Eye, takes off to monitor North Korea's military movements at an air base in Gimhae, southeast of Seoul, South Korea

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya (left) speaks with US Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) and Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi (centre) after a UN Security Council emergency meeting over North Korea's latest nuclear test

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that Washington will present a new sanctions resolution to be negotiated in the coming days, with a view to voting on it next Monday

Leader Kim Jong-Un's 'abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats show that he is begging for war,' she said.

'War is never something the United States wants and we don't want it now, but our country's patience is not unlimited,' she said.

Haley did not spell out what measures Washington was seeking, but diplomats said they could target oil supplies to North Korea - potentially dealing a major blow to the economy.

New sanctions could also seek to curb tourism to the country and ban North Korean laborers sent abroad.

The draft text was expected to be presented to the 14 other council members on Tuesday as the United States sought to respond quickly to reports that North Korea was preparing another missile launch.

This morning, South Korea's Asia Business Daily, citing an unidentified source, reported that North Korea had been spotted moving a rocket that appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards its west coast.

South Korean soldiers walk to a checkpoint near the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea, on Ganghwa island

The rocket started moving on Monday and was spotted moving only at night to avoid surveillance, the report said.

South Korea's defence ministry, which warned on Monday that North Korea was ready to launch an ICBM at any time, said they were unable to confirm the contents of the report.

Pyongyang in July fired two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range and Seoul has said it could be planning another test.

Meanwhile Japan is planning for a possible mass evacuation of nearly 60,000 Japanese citizens living in or visiting South Korea amid heightened tensions with the North.

PYONGTANG'S NUCLEAR TIMELINE Here are key dates in North Korea's quest to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States: Late 1970s: North Korea starts working on a version of the Soviet Scud-B (range 300 kilometres or 185 miles). Test-fired in 1984. 1987-92: Begins developing variant of Scud-C (range 500 km), Rodong-1 (1,300 km), Taepodong-1 (2,500 km), Musudan-1 (3,000 km) and Taepodong-2 (6,700 km). August 1998: Test-fires Taepodong-1 rocket over Japan in what it calls a satellite launch -- the US and others say it is a missile test. September 1999: Declares moratorium on long-range missile tests amid improving ties with US. July 12, 2000: Fifth round of US-North Korean missile talks in Kuala Lumpur ends without agreement after North demands $1 billion a year in return for halting missile exports. March 3, 2005: Pyongyang ends moratorium on long-range missile testing, blames Bush administration's 'hostile' policy. The tests came after North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday - in violation of UN resolutions - which it said was an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile July 5, 2006: Test-fires seven missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 which explodes after 40 seconds. October 9, 2006: Conducts underground nuclear test, its first. April 5, 2009: Launches long-range rocket which flies over Japan and lands in the Pacific, in what it says is an attempt to put a satellite into orbit. The United States, Japan and South Korea see it as a disguised test of a Taepodong-2. May 25, 2009: Conducts its second underground nuclear test, several times more powerful than the first. April 13, 2012: Launches what it has said is a long-range rocket to put a satellite into orbit, but which disintegrates soon after blast-off. December 12, 2012: Launches a multi-stage rocket and successfully places an Earth observational satellite in orbit. February 12, 2013: Conducts its third underground nuclear test. January 6, 2016: Conducts its fourth underground nuclear test, which it says was a hydrogen bomb -- a claim doubted by most experts. March 9, 2016: Kim Jong-Un claims the North has successfully miniaturised a thermo-nuclear warhead. Photos show the country's leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the hydrogen device that it promised would be loaded on a new intercontinental ballistic missile April 23, 2016: Pyongyang test-fires a submarine-launched ballistic missile. July 8, 2016: US and South Korea announce plans to deploy an advanced missile defence system -- THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense). August 3, 2016: North Korea fires a ballistic missile directly into Japan's maritime economic zone for the first time. September 9, 2016: Conducts fifth nuclear test, its most powerful to date. March 6, 2017: Fires four ballistic missiles in what it says is an exercise to hit US bases in Japan. March 7, 2017: US begins deploying THAAD missile defence system in South Korea. May 14, 2017: North Korea fires a ballistic missile which flies 700 kilometres before landing in the Sea of Japan. Analysts say it has an imputed range of 4,500 kilometres (2,800 miles) and brings Guam within reach. July 4, 2017: Test-fires a ballistic missile that analysts say brings Alaska within reach. Pyongyang later says it was a 'landmark' test of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). July 28, 2017: Launches an ICBM with a theoretical range of 10,000 kilometres, meaning it could hit much of the United States. August 26, 2017: Fires three short-range ballistic missiles. August 29, 2017: Fires ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific, acknowledging for the first time that it has done so. South Korea says it flew around 2,700 kilometres at a maximum altitude of about 550 kilometres. September 3, 2017: North Korea appears to carry out sixth nuclear test, with seismic monitors measuring an 'explosion' of 6.3 magnitude near its main test site. Japan's government confirms a nuclear test has been carried out. Advertisement

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a meeting: 'We need to remain extremely vigilant and do everything we can to ensure the safety of our people.'

According to Nikkei Asian Review, a government source added: 'If the U.S. decided on a military strike against the North, the Japanese government would start moving toward an evacuation on its own accord regardless of whether the American plans are public.'

At the UN, China's ambassador Liu Jieyi warned that the crisis was worsening and emphasized the need for dialogue and a diplomatic solution.

'China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) peninsula,' he asserted.

Liu urged the parties to agree to a Chinese-Russian plan calling for the North to freeze its missile and nuclear tests and the United States and South Korea to suspend joint military exercises.

Haley rejected the proposal as 'insulting.'

'When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't,' she declared.

Russia said it would study the new US proposals for sanctions, but again stressed those measures alone would not resolve the crisis.

'This is not the way to get parties to the table to seek a political solution,' said Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

The council has imposed seven sets of sanctions on North Korea since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006, but Pyongyang has repeatedly found ways to circumvent the measures.

South Korea used ballistic missiles in a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear site

The most recent resolutions, however, have zeroed in on the economy, targeting key exports sectors such as coal that are a source of hard currency for the regime.

Haley reiterated US threats to impose sanctions on countries that conduct trade with North Korea, saying these nations will be seen as 'giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions'.

That could have major reverberations: China is the largest trading partner of both the North and the United States.

South Korea's defense ministry said it was already strengthening its defenses, in part by deploying more US-made Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile launchers.

The South carried out an early-morning volley of ballistic missiles on Monday simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site, followed on Tuesday by the naval drills.

US President Donald Trump and South Korean leader Moon Jae-In spoke on the phone Monday and agreed to remove limits on the payload of the South's missiles, fixed at 500 kilograms according to a 2001 bilateral agreement.

Trump also approved in principle, the sale of 'many billions of dollars' worth of military weapons and equipment from the United States by South Korea,' according to a White House readout of the call which did not mention any specific new deals.

Seoul was the fourth-biggest importer of US arms between 2010-2016, purchasing nearly $5 billion of weaponry in that period according to an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

On Sunday US monitors measured a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake near the North's main testing site.

Hours before the test, the North released images of Kim inspecting a device it called a 'thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power' entirely made 'by our own efforts and technology'.

The South's defence minister said Seoul believed the North had succeeded in miniaturising a bomb to fit into a missile.

The North says it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against the threat of invasion, and analysts say it is seeking to strengthen its hand for any future negotiations with Washington.
Kashmiri rebel groups have for decades fought about 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the territory, demanding either independence or for the entire disputed region to be merged with Pakistan

Government forces in Indian-administered Kashmir killed two suspected rebels in a gun battle on Monday, police said, and a manhunt was under way for more militants in the disputed Himalayan territory.

Soldiers and special counterinsurgency police forces surrounded a neighbourhood in Sopore, 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the main city of Srinagar, after receiving a tip-off that armed militants were hiding there, triggering a firefight.

"Two militants killed in an encounter with police," police said in a statement, adding that a search was on for others suspected of being holed up in the area.

In recent months, the Indian army has stepped up its hunt for anti-India rebels in the Kashmir valley after deploying thousands of additional troops for an offensive dubbed "Operation Allout".

At least 140 suspected militants have been killed since the beginning of the year.

The latest gun battle came two days after Indian troops shot dead a suspected militant in southern Kulgam town, hours after militants separately ambushed a police bus in Srinagar, killing one officer and wounding seven.

Last month militants attacked a police base in southern Pulwama district, leaving eight police and three attackers dead.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full.

Rebel groups have for decades fought about 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the territory, demanding either independence or for the entire disputed region to be merged with Pakistan.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting.
While several large wildfires continue to burn in central and Eastern Montana, reports indicated that no major growth had occurred by Sunday evening despite soaring temperatures and high wind gusts predicted across most of the state.

The East Fork fire, burning 21,500 acres south of Havre, was 40 percent contained, according to a Sunday evening update from the fire team battling the blaze.

A public meeting for Hill County residents affected by the fire will be held at the Havre High School on Monday at 4 p.m. Additional meetings will focus on residents of Blaine County and the Chippewa Cree Tribe, an announcement from the fire team stated.

To the southeast, the Sartin Draw fire grew slightly from more than 91,000 acres to nearly 100,000 acres by Sunday evening. However, it was considered 85 percent contained, according to an update from the fire team managing that blaze.

No new growth was reported Sunday on the Battle Complex, a pair of wildfires burning more than 90,000 acres in northern Wyoming and Southeast Montana, according to the Miles City Interagency Dispatch Office.

The larger of the two, the 73,285-acre Brush Flat fire, was reported 90 percent contained by Sunday evening. The nearby Tidwell fire had been fully contained by Saturday afternoon.

A red flag warning remains in effect through Monday at 9 p.m.across nearly all of Montana.
UN investigators accuse Burundi's government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and have urged the International Criminal Court to open a case "as soon as possible".

Burundi has since April 2015 been rocked by a deadly political crisis born of President Pierre Nkurunziza's divisive bid for a third term, which he secured in July of that year.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in the violence, according to sources such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations, and nearly 400,000 pushed into exile.

A UN report released on Monday accused Burundi's government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a case "as soon as possible".

Here is a summary of key developments in the crisis engulfing the central African country.

- Demonstrations start -

April 25, 2015: Nkurunziza is declared candidate for a third term by his ruling CNDD-FDD party. The opposition says the move is unconstitutional and violates a peace deal that ended the 1993-2006 civil war.

The following day thousands of protesters take to the streets across the capital, kicking off six weeks of almost daily demonstrations.

- Failed coup -

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has hinted that he might seek a fourth term in 2020

May 13: Top Burundian general Godefroid Niyombare announces the overthrow of Nkurunziza hours after the president flies to Tanzania.

The coup attempt fails, with some leaders surrendering and others fleeing.

- Defections, re-election -

June 28: Outgoing parliament head Pie Ntavyohanyuma denounces the president's "illegal" third term bid and says he has fled to Belgium.

He joins a long list of opposition leaders, journalists, civil society representatives and disillusioned ruling party members who have chosen exile.

July 21: Nkurunziza is re-elected in a vote boycotted by the opposition.

- Targeted attacks -

August 2: De facto internal security chief General Adolphe Nshimirimana is killed in a rocket attack.

August 3: Human rights activist Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, who publicly opposed Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, is wounded in gunfire.

August 15: Tutsi Colonel Jean Bikomagu, the former head of Burundi's army during the 13-year civil war, is assassinated.

December 11: At least 87 people are killed in coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen on three military sites that trigger a fierce riposte from the security forces.

- 'Risk of genocide' -

July 2016: The UN Security Council authorises the deployment of 228 UN policemen but Burundi rejects the resolution.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in violence in Burundi since 2015, according to sources such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations

September 20: UN investigators say Burundi's government is behind systematic human rights violations, including executions and torture, which amount to "crimes against humanity". They warn of a risk of genocide.

October 27: Burundi decides to quite the ICC which has launched a preliminary examination into allegations of murder, torture, rape and forced disappearances.

- Move to 'violent dictatorship'? -

December 30, 2016: Nkurunziza, hints he might seek a fourth term in office in 2020.

January 1, 2017: The environment minister is killed in Bujumbura.

January 3: Authorities ban the country's oldest human rights organisation, the Iteka League.

January 19: Human Rights Watch says young men belonging to Burundi's ruling party are waging brutal attacks on perceived opponents.

July 4: The International Federation of Human Rights says the regime is moving the country toward violent dictatorship.
Syrian pro-government forces look at the horizon from a hill west of the city of Deir Ezzor, after taking control of the area in their battle against Islamic State group jihadists

Government forces and allied fighters are rapidly approaching the city of Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria, aiming to oust the Islamic State jihadist group and break a years-long siege.

- City under siege and divided -

Deir Ezzor city is the capital of an oil-rich province of the same name that borders Iraq.

After Syria's uprising broke out in 2011 with anti-government protests, rebel groups and jihadists seized parts of the province and its capital.

But in 2014, as the Islamic State group rampaged across swathes of Syria and Iraq, it seized the territory held by opposition and rival jihadist forces in the province and gradually encircled the city.

By January 2015, the jihadist group held parts of the city and had besieged government forces and civilians in the rest of it, along with a key military airport and base on its outskirts.

Syria forces have managed to cling on to parts of the city despite regular IS attack.

Along with ally Russia, they have regularly carried out air strikes on IS-held rural areas and the surrounding province, but the jihadists were still able to seize more territory in January.

Their advance cut the government-held parts of the city in two, with a southern section by the military airport now cut off from a northern sector.

Government forces hold the military airport and several adjacent southern neighbourhoods, along with part of the north of the city and the Brigade 137 base just outside it.

But areas are all circled by IS-held territory, with the jihadist group holding around half of the city, including several central neighbourhoods, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.

- Humanitarian concerns -

Estimates of the number of people living in Deir Ezzor city vary, but all agree the population has shrunk dramatically from its pre-war figure of 300,000.

The United Nations said earlier this year over 90,000 people remained in areas under government control.

The Observatory puts the figure at around 150,000 and says over 10,000 people remain in IS-held parts of the city.

Experts say around 7,000 Syrian soldiers are also trapped inside.

The siege has created dire humanitarian conditions, with shortages of food, soaring prices and limited access to medicine and health care.

Syria's government has brought in supplies via military aircraft, but the process has been hampered by security concerns and damage to the military airport by IS fire.

The UN began air dropping aid into the city in April 2016, and it has staged dozens of deliveries of food and other humanitarian supplies.

But that route has also been fraught with difficulties, and the programme was briefly suspended after the IS advance in January during which the jihadists overran the aid dropzone.

Activists also report dire conditions in IS-held territory, particularly as Syria's army has neared, cutting supply routes.

Food and medical supplies have dwindled, and residents face water shortages and power cuts, one activist told AFP.

- Military advances on Deir Ezzor -

Syria's government has long sought to recapture Deir Ezzor and break the siege.

Restoring control of the broader province would also provide access to key oilfields and end the regime's dependence on imports.

Syrian pro-government forces drive on a road in Bir Qabaqib, west of Deir Ezzor city, in their battle against Islamic State group jihadists

After a string of victories achieved with Russian support and the implementation of several local ceasefires, the army has turned its attention to reaching Deir Ezzor.

Its offensive has unfolded on several fronts, including an approach from the west through the southern part of neighbouring Raqa province and another from central Homs province.

The campaign has seen the army recapture large stretches of territory in the Badia region, a desert area that spans several provinces, as well as key towns like Sukhna in Homs.

The army and allied fighters are now approaching Deir Ezzor city on four fronts, according to the Observatory.

At their nearest point they are just a handful of kilometres (miles) from Deir Ezzor city's western edge, battling to reach besieged forces inside the Brigade 137 base.

The advance comes amid speculation about a potential Deir Ezzor operation by US-backed forces that could seek to secure parts of the province to the east of the city.
The accident occurred in the northeastern town of Dungu in the Haut-Uele province in the Democratic Republic of Congo under heavy rains that battered the area where the victims were mining for gold

At least eight people have died after a bolt of lightning struck a small-scale goldmine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said Monday.

"Thirty people were struck, including seven who were killed instantly and an eighth who died of their injuries in hospital," local official Christophe Ikando told AFP.

The lightning strike occurred in the northeastern town of Dungu in the Haut-Uele province, near the border with South Sudan, under heavy rains that battered the area where the victims were mining for gold.

According to human rights groups, such strikes are common in the gold-rich eastern region.

In 2016, a primary school was struck by lighting, killing three pupils and severely injuring a teacher.
US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (right) speaks with her Chinese counterpart Liu Jieyi before a UN Security Council meeting over North Korea, on September 4, 2017

China on Monday again urged diplomatic talks to address the crisis with North Korea and warned at the UN Security Council that it will not allow chaos and war on the Korean peninsula.

"The situation on the peninsula is deteriorating constantly as we speak, falling into a vicious circle," said Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi.

"The peninsula issue must be resolved peacefully. China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula."

His appeal was echoed by Russia, which said that diplomatic negotiations were the only way to settle the crisis over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said there was "an urgent need to maintain a cool head and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions."

Russia backs China's proposal for a freeze on North Korea's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley however rejected the proposal as "insulting" and said it was time to ratchet up the pressure on North Korea by enacting the "strongest possible measures."

Trucks return from North Korea on the Friendship Bridge at the Chinese border city of Dandong, on September 4, 2017

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't," she declared.

Russia and China did not specify whether they would support additional sanctions on North Korea.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting after North Korea detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

South Korea's defense ministry warned Monday that Pyongyang may be preparing another missile launch after two tests in July of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that apparently brought the US mainland into range.
Joao Lourenco of Angola's ruling MPLA is due to be sworn in as president on September 25

Angola's election commission on Monday rejected accusations of irregularities in last month's vote which saw the MPLA party, which has ruled since 1975, retain power.

Four defeated opposition parties complained that the August 23 election was conducted incorrectly, with ballot boxes and voter forms allegedly disappearing.

Election commission chief Andre da Silva Neto told reporters that the body "categorically rejected the criticism", which he said was a deliberate "attempt to discredit the Angolan electoral process".

"All the electronic tools used in the electoral process were checked," he said, adding that the conduct of the election was entirely "legal".

The MPLA of outgoing President Jose Eduardo dos Santos won just over 61 percent of the vote, according to a provisional count.

The commission is due to release official results on Wednesday.

Dos Santos, who ruled since 1979 but is reportedly in poor health, will hand over to MPLA loyalist Joao Lourenco at the presidential inauguration on September 25.

UNITA and other opposition parties said the election "was not conducted... in accordance with the law" and was "unconstitutional and illegal".

According to preliminary results of the Angola election, UNITA and the Casa-CE party garnered 26 percent and nine percent of the vote respectively.

The MPLA had predicted it would win easily, but the result showed a fall in support from the 2012 election.
No caption

Tomas Pendola, a chemistry teacher at one of Florida's best high schools, arrived in Miami at the age of 10 and now feels more American than Argentinian.

But his way of life and his plans for the future could vanish with a stroke of Donald Trump's pen.

The president on Tuesday could scrap the so-called DACA program that has protected from deportation some 800,000 people who arrived in the county illegally as minors.

These are people who had no say in the decision to jump the border fence or overstay their visas, as Tomas's parents did.

His family emigrated in 2001, fleeing a financial crisis that at the time had pushed half of Argentina below the poverty line. Tomas was a child.

Now, 16 years later, he is a professional who educates 150 students at MAST Academy, a prestigious Miami high school dubbed "the Harvard of secondary schools."

But he is living in migratory limbo.

"You feel trapped. You are free, but you have so many limitations that you basically feel trapped," he said, telling his story in the Little Havana apartment he shares with his father, a carpenter who has no papers.

Tomas gave the example of "The Terminal," the 2004 Tom Hanks film in which the main character is trapped in an airport.

"That's kind of how people who were brought here when they were young feel. You don't feel like you belong to your country because most of us don't remember it," he said. "And at the same time you grew up in a country where they're telling you that you don't belong."

In his room, Tomas keeps a treasured Zelda sword and a Star Wars light saber. On a shelf he has arranged about 20 Pop Vinyls collectibles, including Groot, Hulk and Darth Vader.

In a fish tank there is a crested gecko, a friendly reptile given to him by a student who could no longer keep it.

- A livelihood -

No caption

In June 2012, then president Barack Obama approved the DACA program to shield from deportation undocumented immigrants who arrived before they were 16, a group who have come to be known as "Dreamers."

DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, gave them permission to work or study, and in most states to get drivers' licenses.

Before, the "dreamers" were raised as Americans but worked illegally and lived under threat of deportation to home countries they barely knew.

"DACA enabled me to have a new life," said Tomas.

But his permit must be renewed every two years and now he's not sure if he'll be able to pursue postgraduate studies in organic chemistry.

The president is reported to have made up his mind to end the program, while deferring enforcement for six months to give Congress a chance to come up with a replacement.

A Fox News report last week said Trump will stop issuing the work permits and won't renew the existing ones.

If that happens, DACA beneficiaries could find themselves living in fear once again of immigration roundups.

"There are some people for whom returning to their countries means death," said Tomas. That's not the case with Argentina, he says, but Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela are a different story.

Over the five years that DACA has been in effect, young immigrants have opened lines of credit, bought cars and houses and raised children.

If the program is eliminated, "you are losing your livelihood," he said.

"You lose your ability to pay off your loans, which not only affects you, it will affect the banks, it affects the economy. Having thousands of people defaulting on one or two loans, that's a lot of money," he said.

There is also the psychological impact.

"You feel useless. You feel like you can't do anything. We feel like we don't belong, we are scared."

- Preparing for the worst -

Amid pressure from his immigrant-bashing followers, Trump is supposed to announce his decision on Tuesday.

Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans, have joined corporate CEOs and business associations in a coalition forcefully defending DACA.

These include House Speaker Paul Ryan and Florida Governor Rick Scott, both Republicans who say the program should be kept in some form.

"I believe this is something Congress has to fix," Ryan told local radio station WCLO.

Scott, a Trump supporter, said he opposes illegal immigration but added, "I do not favor punishing children for the actions of their parents."

Claudia Quinones, a community organizer with the group United We Dream, told AFP "there is much uncertainty."

"But I am certain that we are going to mobilize until broad measures are approved that protect us and our families," she said.

For her, as well as for Tomas Pendola, the pressure to eliminate DACA is attributable to a "fascist climate" that has followed Trump into the White House.

Tomas fears he might eventually end up on the street.

"But I've been preparing for not having a work permit, saving financially, and I'll try to figure out my life, afterwards."
Critics are telling actress Frances McDormand to dust off her Oscar acceptance speech, hailing her performance in "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri" which had its world premiere in Venice

British-Irish playwright Martin McDonagh wowed the Venice film festival Monday with "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri", a darkly hilarious drama featuring Frances McDormand as a rage-fuelled grieving mother.

The film, McDonagh's third after the much-admired "In Bruges" (2008) and 2012's "Seven Psychopaths", had critics advising "Fargo" star McDormand to dust off her Oscar acceptance speech after the audience clapped and chortled their way through the film's world premiere.

A surprise-rich screenplay is executed by an ensemble cast that also features Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Australia's Abbie Cornish and "Game of Thrones" actor Peter Dinklage.

McDonagh, an acclaimed theatre writer who says he prefers making films, wrote the script specifically for the Emmy, Tony and Oscar-winning McDormand, on the basis of an idea that first began to germinate 20 years ago when he was travelling across America by bus.

A decade later, he began to put a back story to a hard-to-explain billboard that had stuck in his mind, based on a mother whose daughter has been raped and murdered.

"Once I had decided it was a mother, the film wrote itself," he said. "And picturing Frances in my mind helped me write it."

- John Wayne attitude -

Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson and Frances McDormand star in "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri"

McDormand, the 1997 Best Actress Oscar winner for her performance in "Fargo", said she had prepared for the role by talking to people who had lost children.

"One of the things I discovered was that if you lose a husband or wife you are a widower, if you lose a parent you are an orphan but if a child dies there is no word for it," she said.

McDormand plays the mother, Mildred Hayes, in a state of semi-unhinged fury over her loss and the absence of any tangible progress in the investigation.

"You're in the ring with a heavy hitter," an admiring Harrelson said of his co-star's performance.

The actress also watched old John Wayne westerns in an attempt to capture the attitude, even the walk, of a character bent on blowing everyone away in a righteous fury, although rather than being a gunslinger Mildred is armed only with a razor-edged wit and a potty mouth.

As a way of channelling her grief-infused rage, Mildred decides to send a hard-hitting message to the local police chief Bill Willoughby (Harrelson), via three disused billboards on a road into town.

Willoughby, an amiable, well-liked figure, is dying of pancreatic cancer.

Mildred is aware but despite pressure from her son (Lucas Hedges), ex-husband Charlie (John Hawkes), now shacked up with an airheaded teenager (Samara Weaving), her erstwhile priest and most of the town, she will not be deterred from her mission to "concentrate their minds some" on her daughter's awful fate.

- Melancholy and funny -

"It wouldn't be as effective after you croak," she tells the sheriff, not long before he dies, unexpectedly soon and in circumstances that the townspeople inevitably link to her billboard campaign.

A backlash starts. Mildred's friends and Red Welby, the freckle-faced and cocky young agent (Caleb Landry Jones) who rents her the billboard space, are targeted by Dixon (Rockwell), Willoughby's intellectually challenged and emotionally stunted deputy, in violent reprisals that cost him his badge.

By this time we know that Mildred is also haunted by what-I-said, and what-I-did-and-didn't-do regrets about the day her daughter left home, never to return.

As the pressure created by her helplessness in the face of her trauma intensifies, Mildred decides on another dramatic gesture to give voice to her grief.

This one goes badly wrong but also indirectly leads to the first breakthrough in the case, giving the sociopathic mummy's boy Dixon an opportunity to redeem himself.

"It is melancholy and funny, that is what Martin does best and that is kind of what humanity is about," McDormand said.

"The script was like a really good piece of literature so that made it a nice ride, really satisfying."

The Venice audience appeared to concur.
A Boeing 777 airliner sits on the production line on June 12, 2017 in Everett, Washington

Subsidies given by the US state of Washington to Boeing are legal, a World Trade Organization appeals body said Monday, partially overturning a victory by rival Airbus and the European Union last year.

The two aviation giants have been locked for years in a sprawling set of disputes at the Geneva-based WTO.

Monday's ruling concerns the so-called "baby Boeing" case that relates only to tax breaks and other incentives provided by Washington State to support production of Boeing's 777X, which is set to take to the skies in 2020.

Last November, WTO judges found that one of the subsidies Washington State offered was "prohibited" as it encouraged the use of domestic materials, and thus caused trade distortions.

The United States, acting on behalf of Boeing, appealed the decision, while the EU launched a "cross-appeal" for Airbus, insisting that seven of Washington State's Boeing benefit schemes violated the rules of the 164-member WTO.

Brussels targeted benefits such as a reduced business tax rate, tax credits and exemptions.

The United States secured an outright victory in Monday's ruling, which is not subject to appeal, the WTO said.

"The latest of the false claims Airbus and its government sponsors have made has now been rejected by the WTO," Boeing general counsel J. Michael Luttig said in a statement.

"This was a sweeping and clean win for the United States," he added.

According to previous Airbus estimates, Washington State has given Boeing tax breaks worth nearly nine billion dollars in a scheme scheduled to run through 2040.

Boeing has dismissed those numbers, putting the benefits to date at a maximum of $1 billion.

Brussels and Washington have two larger cases pending at the WTO, centred on various claims about allegedly illegal subsidies for their respective aviation industries.

Last September, a WTO panel found that Brussels had not respected a 2011 ruling ordering it to take steps to withdraw several support and subsidy programmes for Airbus.

Boeing says that illegal support amounts to $22 billion.

Meanwhile, a separate 2012 case on benefits Boeing received from federal, state and local governments in the US is still being litigated.

Reacting to the ruling, Airbus restated its view that the seemingly never-ending set of tit-for-tat battles does not serve the best interests of the aviation industry.

"This transatlantic spat, which lead the WTO to a huge amount of serious work and a large number of important panel reports over many years, can only finally be resolved by negotiations aimed at finding a global agreement to come to a level playing field in government support for the large civil aircraft industry," the company said in a statement.

The WTO's dispute settlement system has faced fresh scrutiny since President Donald Trump's trade office indicated it may start ignoring rulings that hurt US interests.
EU Commissioner of Competition Margrethe Vestager hit Google with the mega fine in June 2017 for illegally favouring its shopping service in search results

Europe's anti-trust chief Margrethe Vestager on Monday said Google's proposals to comply with an EU order to modify its shopping service pointed in the "right direction".

"It is less than a week since we got the letter so we have to go a bit more in depth before we can say anything," Vestager told AFP just months after slapping Google with a record 2.4-billion-euro ($2.8-billion) fine over the issue.

"But so far from the look of it... there are things that point in the very right direction," she said.

Hard-charging Vestager, a former Danish finance minister, hit Google with the mega fine in June for illegally favouring its shopping service in search results.

Google, which was given 90 days to comply or face further fines, submitted details of its offer to the EU last week, which Vestager said her teams were carefully evaluating.

"We are in the process to see if they are sort of on the right track, but we do not approve it before they go ahead," Vestager told AFP during an interview at her office at EU headquarters.

"It is for Google to take their responsibility to comply," she said.

The fine over Google Shopping broke the previous European Union record for a monopoly case against US chipmaker Intel of 1.06 billion euros in 2009 and made the EU the global leader in regulating Silicon Valley giants.

Brussels accuses Google of giving its own service too much priority in search results to the detriment of other price comparison services, such as TripAdvisor and Expedia.

The verdict came less than a year after Vestager shocked Washington and the world with an order that iPhone manufacturer Apple repay 13 billion euros in back taxes in Ireland -- against Dublin's wishes.

Vestager insisted that the issue "will not delay anything" in a separate case over Google's Android mobile operating system.
This image obtained from NASA's GOES Project shows Hurricane Irma churning near Caribbean islands on Tuesday

Hurricane Irma, a powerful storm, will soon threaten much of the eastern Caribbean, the US National Hurricane Center said Monday, with several islands under hurricane warnings.

Irma, now a category three hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph), should continue strengthening through Wednesday, the NHC said in an advisory issued at 1800 GMT. It is currently east of the island of Montserrat.

Some forecasters expect the storm to reach category four strength -- the maximum attained by Hurricane Harvey, which recently devastated parts of Texas and Louisiana.

Irma is projected to reach the Leeward Islands, east of Puerto Rico, by late Tuesday or early Wednesday, bringing water levels up to 9 feet (3 meters) above normal levels, rainfall of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) in areas, and "large and destructive waves."

In Puerto Rico, a US territory, Governor Ricardo Rossello Nevares activated the National Guard and announced the opening of storm shelters able to house up to 62,000 people. Schools will be closed Tuesday.

- US carrier in position -

A US aircraft carrier carrying a field hospital and dozens of aircraft able to conduct rescue or supply missions has been positioned protectively in the area, according to Alejandro de la Campa of the Caribbean division of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Local press identified the carrier as the USS Kearsarge.

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto ordered 900 municipal employees -- police, emergency personnel, and aid and social workers -- to report for rotating 12-hour shifts.

Even if that island is spared a direct hit, the mayor said, three days of pounding rain will do heavy damage.

Irma's precise path remains unclear, but several projections have it passing over the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba before turning north toward Florida and then possibly swinging up the US East Coast.

For now, hurricane warnings have been issued for the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, St. Barthelemy, Saba and St. Eustatius. A warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the next 36 hours.

Hurricane watches -- meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours -- have been issued for some of the more populous parts of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe and the US and British Virgin Islands.

On the French island of Guadeloupe, people have been stocking up on provisions, leaving some store shelves empty.

Schools on Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin have delayed their reopening after summer vacation.

Authorities in the region were alerting residents to the location of storm shelters, and urging them to closely monitor the developing storm.
As of Monday, city employees wages are frozen until further notice.

City Manager Carter Napier, who made this announcement in a memo released last week, said it was a necessary step that will save the city about $500,000 annually.

Napier, who began his tenure about two months ago, was tasked by City Council with reducing the approximately $4 million in reserves being used in the budget.

The city manager said Friday that this is just one step of many that will be required to balance the budget.

We still have a lot of work to do, he remarked.

Napier said he considers cutting jobs to be an extreme measure that he hopes to avoid.

However, he also acknowledged that layoffs are a possibility if no other further means for balancing the budget are found.

For the most part, the city manager said employees have been understanding about the freeze, which effects all departments except for the fire department, which is under a protected contract.

Mayor Kenyne Humphrey said last week that City Council is supportive of the wage freeze, as they believe its a better option than reducing the work force.

Neither the city manager nor the mayor could provide any time frame regarding when the freeze will be lifted, and both explained that it depends on the economy.

We just need to see if things are going to pick up or if things are going to get worse, and thats really kind of hard to predict, said Humphrey.

I gave many departments a call last week and offered employees a chance to comment, but everyone declined. If any community member wants to share their views on the freeze, please contact me.

***

In other city news, residents who check the citys website may have noticed that the WyoCity Glance page is no longer available.

Special Projects Analyst Tanya Johnson confirmed Friday that the city has eliminated the web page, which was started in January 2016.

Johnson, who managed WyoCity Glance, said it was intended to be a one stop shop where city employees and residents could find information on current city events, projects or other developments.

I dont think it ever really caught on in the community, said Johnson, adding that the web page did not receive much traffic.

Johnson said the city will now focus on keeping the community updated via social media.
A German-made INS Rahav, the Israeli navy's fifth submarine, berthed at the military port of Haifa

Israeli police questioned a former minister and a political advisor Monday as a probe widened over suspected corruption in the purchase of submarines for Israel's navy from Germany's ThyssenKrupp.

The remand of Eliezer Sandberg, who was science minister in 2003 and served as infrastructure minister in 2004, was extended till Wednesday after questioning, police said.

Rami Tayeb, an advisor to Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, was also questioned and kept in remand until Wednesday, police said.

Police likewise questioned a third suspect, identified only as a former senior member of Israel's National Security Council.

The questioning came a day after six people were detained in connection with the case, including a former chief of the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In July, Germany delayed signing a deal with Israel for the sale of three submarines, an Israeli official said, as the corruption probe gained momentum.

That followed the arrest of several people on suspicion of offences including bribery and money laundering around the deal to buy the Dolphin submarines from the German industrial giant.

David Shimron, a relative of Netanyahu and his family lawyer who also represented ThyssenKrupp in Israel, was among those questioned and then released in July.

Israeli officials said Germany had not backed out of the deal but was waiting to see the outcome of the investigation, according to Yediot Aharonot newspaper.

In February, Israel's justice ministry said it had launched an investigation into the affair, stressing that Netanyahu himself was not a suspect.

Media reports said Sunday's arrests follow revelations by ThyssenKrupp's Israel representative Michael Ganor.

He was held in custody and in a plea bargain agreed to testify against those he claimed were his accomplices.

The submarines are primarily intended for spying missions off Iran or to attack the Islamic republic in case of nuclear war, according to foreign military experts.

Maariv newspaper says the Israeli navy already has five state-of-the-art German submarines.
A member of security forces stands in Ouagadougou in August 2017

Burkina Faso has put in place new security measures in the capital Ouagadougou following attacks by suspected jihadists last month that killed 19 people, the security minister said Monday.

"We have taken steps on Kwame N'Krumah (the capital's main avenue), you will see permanent measures, both night and day, to minimise a lot of risks" of jihadist attacks, said Simon Compaore after a closed door meeting with residents and the owners of shops and businesses on the avenue.

The minister said that the "strong measures" were being taken to make sure the avenue is more secure.

On August 13, the capital's main street was the target of an attack when two gunmen opened fire at a popular Turkish restaurant killing 19 people and wounding 21 others.

While the minister did not specify the measures taken, locals described to AFP a beefed-up security operation in the heart of the capital in recent days, including foot and pickup patrols by police along with identity controls on the main avenue.

"Since Thursday we have police and gendarmes who patrol in both directions on the avenue and who position themselves in front of some hot spots," said Zeinatou Kontogomde, owner of a nightclub hit by an attack in January 2016.

That attack had also targeted a restaurant and hotels in Ouagadougou leaving 30 dead and 71 injured. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility.

The landlocked country shares a largely lawless border region with Mali, where jihadist fighters frequently ambush security forces.

Burkina is one of several West African nations since 2015 that have seen a series of jihadist attacks targeting spots popular with foreigners and locals.
HOUSTON (AP) - President Donald Trump cupped a boy's face in his hands and then gave him a high-five. He snapped on latex gloves to hand out boxed lunches of hot dogs and potato chips. And he loaded relief supplies into vehicles, patted storm victims on the shoulder and declared the work "good exercise."

An upbeat and optimistic president visited with victims of Harvey on Saturday, touring a Houston mega-shelter housing hundreds of displaced people and briefly walking streets lined with soggy, discarded possessions. Trump met the scene with positivity, congratulating officials on an emergency response still in progress and telling reporters that he'd seen "a lot of love" and "a lot of happiness" in the devastation the storm left behind.

"As tough as this was, it's been a wonderful thing," Trump said of the Harvey response after spending time with displaced children inside NRG Center, an emergency refuge housing about 1,800 evacuees.

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump meet people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. He lifted this girl into his arms to give her a kiss. It was his second trip to Texas in a week, and this time his first order of business was to meet with those affected by the record-setting rainfall and flooding. He's also set to survey some of the damage and head to Lake Charles, Louisiana, another hard-hit area. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The trip, to Houston and Lake Charles, Louisiana, was Trump's second to survey Harvey's wake and a chance for a president to strike a more sympathetic tone. He'd rushed to Texas on Tuesday, heading to Corpus Christi and Austin to talk to first responders. "What a crowd, what a turnout," he'd said as he stood outside a firehouse.

He had minimal interaction with residents, saw no damage and offered few expressions of concern while on the ground, unusual omissions for a presidential visit to communities in crisis.

That made Saturday something of a do-over.

Joined by first lady Melania Trump, the president went directly to the NRG Center and was greeted warmly by volunteers and children. The Trumps brought coloring books and crayons and sat with families that had been displaced. Trump lifted one little girl into his arms and gave her a kiss. He signed his name on the cement wall by the children's artwork.

With a wide smile and quick banter, Trump served food in the lunch line - at one point joking about his hands being too big for the sanitary gloves - and then moved on to First Church in the Houston suburb of Pearland. The Trump greeted a group of volunteers and lavished praise on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for his state's response.

"I want to congratulate the governor," he said. "I want to congratulate everybody that's worked so hard. It's been an incredible five days, six days. It seems like it's been much longer than that, but actually it's going so well that it's going fast, in a certain sense."

The Trumps then helped load small boxes and bottles of water into pickup trucks and minivans.

"I like doing this," Trump told one of the volunteer coordinators. "I like it."

As Trump visited, the Houston area was still burying its dead and trying to contain the mess. Nearby Beaumont, Texas, population 120,000, was struggling to restore its drinking water. Firefighters in Crosby, outside of Houston, were warily eyeing the Arkema chemical plant, twice the scene of explosions. Floodwaters had inundated at least seven highly contaminated toxic waste sites in the Houston area, raising concerns about creeping pollution.

Harvey is blamed for at least 43 deaths and believed to have damaged at least 156,000 dwellings in Harris County. The American Red Cross said more than 17,000 people have sought refuge in Texas shelters such as the one Trump visited.

The White House has asked Congress to approve a $7.9 billion Harvey relief down payment when lawmakers return to Washington on Tuesday.

During his brief stop in Lake Charles, Trump met with first responders and a group of volunteers known as the Cajun Navy, many of whom were in cowboy hats and waders. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards accompanied him. Trump supporters lined the route to and from the National Guard Armory, and before departing for Washington, the president posed for photos with law enforcement officers who'd led his motorcade.

In Texas, the Trumps were joined by an entourage that included four Cabinet officials, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Before leaving for Louisiana he stopped by a street that had only recently again become passable.

"These are people that have done a fantastic job of getting things together," he said as people stood near ripped-out drywall and trash bags piled high at their curbs.

He spotted a man wearing a red "Trump is my president" T-shirt and pulled him in front of news cameras. "Look at this guy," he said. "You just became famous."

__

Bykowicz reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Ken Thomas in Washington contributed to this report.

__

On Twitter follow Darlene Superville at https://twitter.com/dsupervilleAP and Julie Bykowicz at https://twitter.com/bykowicz

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump meet people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Trump cupped a boy's face in his hands and then gave him a high-five. It was his second trip to Texas in a week, and this time his first order of business was to meet with those affected by the record-setting rainfall and flooding. He's also set to survey some of the damage and head to Lake Charles, Louisiana, another hard-hit area. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump passes out food and meets people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. It was his second trip to Texas in a week, and this time his first order of business was to meet with those affected by the record-setting rainfall and flooding. He's also set to survey some of the damage and head to Lake Charles, Louisiana, another hard-hit area. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump meet people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. It was his second trip to Texas in a week, and this time his first order of business was to meet with those affected by the record-setting rainfall and flooding. He's also set to survey some of the damage and head to Lake Charles, Louisiana, another hard-hit area. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump meet people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. It was his second trip to Texas in a week, and this time his first order of business was to meet with those affected by the record-setting rainfall and flooding. He's also set to survey some of the damage and head to Lake Charles, Louisiana, another hard-hit area. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump meet people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. The president said there is "a lot of love" as he visits with Harvey victims Saturday in Houston. It was his second trip to Texas in a week, and this time his first order of business was to meet with those affected by the record-setting rainfall and flooding. He's also set to survey some of the damage and head to Lake Charles, Louisiana, another hard-hit area. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Saturday that security is his government's top priority, amid growing violence and that is marring his fifth year in office and despite figures showing significant drops in crime-fighting results.

In his annual state-of-the-union address, Pena Nieto said there has been progress in education reform and infrastructure projects but acknowledged the bloodshed that's on pace to be the country's worst in many years.

"Recovering public safety is the highest demand of the public and the highest priority for the government," he said, adding that "all three levels of government must strengthen their efforts. We still have a lot to do."

Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto gestures at the end of his annual state-of-the-union address, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Pena Nieto said that security is his government's top priority, amid growing violence and that is marring his fifth year in office and despite figures showing significant drops in crime-fighting results. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Pena Nieto has spent much of the last year responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's tough line on Mexico and migration, and on Saturday he vowed that "we will not accept anything that goes against our dignity as a nation."

He also sent his regards to the children of migrants - mostly Mexicans - who were brought to the United States as minors and were granted temporary permission to stay under an Obama-era executive order that Trump may change or rescind.

Pena Nieto defended free market reforms passed on his watch and also took a jab at the candidate who leads in polls to succeed him in June 2018 presidential elections: leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has espoused more statist, nationalist positions such as building more government refineries to replace U.S. imports of gasoline.

"There are visible risks of going backward," Pena Nieto said.

"Mexico has not faced such a decisive and determinative crossroads in years," he said, adding that the country must choose whether to continue down the path of trade and economic liberalization "or surrender to a model from the past that has failed."

Pena Nieto defended his government's anti-crime efforts saying authorities have "neutralized 107 of the 122 most dangerous criminals in Mexico."

But killings in Mexico are on pace this year to surpass the bloodiest period of the drug war, which was launched by his predecessor, Felipe Calderon. In the first six months of 2017, authorities nationwide recorded 12,155 homicide investigations, up 31 percent from the same period last year.

Pena Nieto cast some of the blame on state and local governments, saying a "significant part" of the killings are related to common crime rather than drug gangs, which are the responsibility of the federal government.

The figures released by his office suggest federal anti-drug and anti-crime efforts are not going well either, however.

According to the statistics on anti-drug actions, the number of miles covered in surveillance flights by the army dropped by 51 percent from 2015 to 2016 while those by the navy fell 72 percent.

Criminal drug cases filed by prosecutors dropped from 27,870 in 2012 to 6,219 in 2016, and weapons charges dropped from 19,015 to 6,817; in both cases, the drop appeared to continue in 2017.

There were also large decreases in the number of arrest warrants served by federal detectives, criminal cases filed, people charged with federal crimes and hectares of marijuana plants eradicated.

One bright spot was a rising amount of poppy fields eradicated, from 15,786 hectares in 2012 to 22,436 hectares last year. About 20,000 hectares were eradicated in the first six months of this year.

But heroin seizures have not increased and seizures of opium paste - the raw material from which heroin is made - dropped.

Weapons seizures by the army, which has come under fire for rights abuses, dropped from 20,825 in 2012 to 3,593 in 2016. The number of suspects detained by soldiers also fell, by 57 percent.

___

This story corrects the numbers in the quote in paragraph 9.

Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto acknowledges invited guests before delivering his annual state-of-the-union address, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Pena Nieto said that security is his government's top priority, amid growing violence and that is marring his fifth year in office and despite figures showing significant drops in crime-fighting results. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam is reporting that the country's air defense base sent two warnings in the last six months to U.S. spy aircraft that approached Iranian airspace.

The TV's website quoted the country's chief of air defense, Brig. Gen. Farzad Esmaili, as saying Iran warned a U2 reconnaissance aircraft on March 21. He did not mention the location.

He also said the country's air defense warned an American drone on Aug. 26.

Gen. Esmaili says: "We do not allow such rabid aircrafts to enter our territory and if necessary, will not hesitate to destroy them."

Iran has repeatedly announced such activities over the past years to demonstrate the capabilities of the country's armed forces.
Transcript of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' statement on North Korea, delivered Sunday after a security meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump and other officials:

__

We had a small group national security meeting today with the president and the vice president about the latest provocation on the Korean peninsula. We have many military options and the president wanted to be briefed on each one of them.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, right, speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, regarding the escalating crisis in North Korea's nuclear threats. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack and our commitments among the allies are ironclad. Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.

Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice. All members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses and they remain unanimous in their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, but as I said we have many options to do so.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A man has been shot in the chest by police executing search warrants in western Michigan.

Grand Rapids police say the man was shot about 4 a.m. Sunday as members of the Kent County sheriff's office were trying to arrest him and another person at an apartment complex. He was in critical condition at a hospital.

The drug investigation involved a task force that included the sheriff's office and other police agencies. The task force made several arrests.

No officers were injured.

Grand Rapids police are investigating the shooting. The Kent County sheriff's office is to conduct an internal investigation.
CHICAGO (AP) - Volunteers in Chicago have returned from Houston with 43 cats and dogs that their owners in flood-damaged Houston felt they had no choice but to give up for good.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports volunteers from PAWS Chicago spent three days in Houston and returned Sunday with the animals in three vans.

Volunteer Mark Lukas says the owners were tearful about parting with their pets. But he says the owners themselves no longer had homes and were happy the animals, including puppies and kittens, would find shelter.

A PAWS Chicago volunteer holds one of 43 dogs and cats at the animal shelter on Sunday, Sept. 3 2017, after being rescued from the Houston area in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. (Nader Issa/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

The volunteers were moved by the support the received in Texas. Customers at one restaurant collected money to pay for the volunteers' dinner.

Most of the animals require some medical treatment, including for skin diseases. Once treated, they'll be available for adoption.

___

Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://chicago.suntimes.com/
Houston braces for more flooding, chemical plant fires out

HOUSTON (AP) - Authorities carried out a controlled burn Sunday at a chemical plant damaged by Harvey, sending small flames and gray smoke into the sky, after saying the highly unstable compounds that had caused previous explosions needed to be neutralized.

Small flames burning in charred structures were seen, with a limited amount of the smoke, from the Arkema plant in Crosby, outside Houston. Sam Mannan, a chemical safety expert at Texas A&M University, said the gray smoke indicated a more complete burn with fewer harmful chemicals remaining. By Sunday night, officials said all fires at the plant were out.

Officials said the "proactive measures" to ignite six remaining trailers didn't pose additional risks to the community. People living within a mile and a half of the site are still evacuated, and the fire marshal's office says state, federal and local agencies will keep monitoring the air.

Three trailers containing unstable compounds had previously caught fire at the plant after backup generators were engulfed by Harvey's floodwaters, which knocked out the refrigeration necessary to keep them from degrading and igniting.

Some Houston officials stressed that the recovery from Harvey was beginning, and Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed America's fourth-largest city "open for business." But the on-the-ground reality varied by place.

___

Mattis: NKorea threat would bring massive military response

WASHINGTON (AP) - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday shot back at North Korea's claimed test of a hydrogen bomb with a blunt threat, saying the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response - a response both effective and overwhelming." Earlier, President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for its "talk of appeasement."

The tough talk from America's commander in chief and the retired Marine general he picked to oversee the Pentagon came as the Trump administration searched for a response to the escalating crisis. Kim Jong Un's regime on Sunday claimed "perfect success" in an underground test of what it called a hydrogen bomb. It was the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006 - the first since Trump took office in January - and involved a device potentially vastly more powerful than a nuclear bomb.

Trump, asked by a reporter during a trip to church services if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see." No U.S. military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In South Korea, the nation's military said it conducted a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on North Korea's nuclear test site to "strongly warn" Pyongyang over the latest nuclear test. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles. The released live weapons "accurately struck" a target in the sea off the country's eastern coast, the JCS said.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting at the request of the U.S., Japan, France, Britain and South Korea. It would be the Security Council's second urgent session in under a week on the North's weapons tests, which have continued in the face of a series of sanctions.

___

What North Korea's Kim Jong Un may be trying to prove

TOKYO (AP) - North Korea put on an extraordinary two-part show of its nuclear ambitions, releasing photos of leader Kim Jong Un next to what it described as a hydrogen bomb for an intercontinental ballistic missile, then actually detonating a device in its sixth and by far most powerful nuclear test to date.

The underground test, a major nose-thumb at Washington, Beijing and all of the North's neighbors, follows an intense few months that have seen Kim launching missiles at record clip and in ways that are much more provocative than usual.

It was almost certainly intended to get under the skin of one man in particular: President Donald Trump, whose first salvo back, in a tweet, was: "North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

Indeed.

Here's a closer look at what the North did Sunday, and some of the possible reasons why.

___

AP sources: Trump expected to end 'Dreamers' program

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is expected to announce that he will end protections for young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children - but with a six-month delay.

That's according to two people familiar with the decision. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized to discuss the decision ahead of a planned Tuesday announcement.

Trump could always change his mind.

He has been wrestling for months with what to do with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has given hundreds of thousands of young people a reprieve from deportation and work permits.

Trump's expected to delay the formal dismantling of the program to give Congress time to decide whether it wants to address the status of the so-called Dreamers in legislation.

___

John Ashbery, celebrated and challenging poet, dies at 90

NEW YORK (AP) - John Ashbery, an enigmatic genius of modern poetry whose energy, daring and boundless command of language raised American verse to brilliant and baffling heights, died early Sunday at age 90.

Ashbery, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and often mentioned as a Nobel candidate, died at his home in Hudson, New York. His husband, David Kermani, said his death was from natural causes.

Few poets were so exalted in their lifetimes. Ashbery was the first living poet to have a volume published by the Library of America dedicated exclusively to his work. His 1975 collection, "Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror," was the rare winner of the book world's unofficial triple crown: the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle prize. In 2011, he was given a National Humanities Medal and credited with changing "how we read poetry."

Among a generation that included Richard Wilbur, W.S. Merwin and Adrienne Rich, Ashbery stood out for his audacity and for his wordplay, for his modernist shifts between high oratory and everyday chatter, for his humor and wisdom and dazzling runs of allusions and sense impressions.

"No figure looms so large in American poetry over the past 50 years as John Ashbery," Langdon Hammer wrote in The New York Times in 2008. "Ashbery's phrases always feel newly minted; his poems emphasize verbal surprise and delight, not the ways that linguistic patterns restrict us. "

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Man dies after rushing into Burning Man festival flames

A man rushed past layers of security officers into a massive fire at the Burning Man festival's signature ceremony, suffering burns that left him dead just hours later.

Authorities are investigating the death of Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, who broke through a two-layer security perimeter during the Man Burn event in which a giant, wooden effigy is set ablaze.

Nevada's Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen estimated that there was a crowd of about 50,000 people who were present when the festival's crew of firefighters pulled Mitchell out of the blaze. He was airlifted to the UC Davis hospital burn center in California, where he died Sunday morning. The sheriff said doctors confirmed Mitchell wasn't under the influence of alcohol, but a toxicology report is pending.

"We don't know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We're not sure of that yet," Allen said.

Mitchell was a U.S. citizen who had a home in Oklahoma but apparently was living in Switzerland with his wife, the sheriff's office said.

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Mnuchin: Congress must tie Harvey aid to raising debt limit

WASHINGTON (AP) - Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday called on Congress to combine a $7.9 billion disaster relief package for Harvey with an increase in the nation's borrowing limit, saying it was time to "put politics aside" so storm victims in Texas can get the help they need.

"The president and I believe that it should be tied to the Harvey funding. Our first priority is to make sure that the state gets money," he said. "It is critical, and to do that, we need to make sure we raise the debt limit."

President Donald Trump visited storm-ravaged areas in Texas on Saturday, expressing hope for speedy congressional action on relief aid. But some House conservatives have said directly pairing it with an increase in the debt limit would be a "terrible idea" that sends the wrong message on overall government spending.

Trump plans to meet with congressional leaders from both parties this week as lawmakers return to Washington after their summer recess.

The government's cash reserves are running low because the debt limit has actually already been reached, and the Treasury Department is using various accounting measures to cover expenses. Mnuchin originally had said that Congress would need to raise the $19.9 trillion borrowing limit by Sept. 29 to avoid a catastrophic default on the debt, allowing the government to continue borrowing money to pay bills like Social Security and interest. But on Sunday, he said that deadline had moved up due to unexpected new spending on Harvey.

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At Sunday services, messages of hope after Harvey's wrath

Debris and muck were all that remained where homes once stood, tens of thousands spent the night in shelters, and others would weather another long day without safe drinking water or electricity. Yet, in churches across storm-ravaged South Texas, parishioners saw hope amid the devastation, and sought strength in faith.

Gov. Greg Abbott declared Sunday a "Day of Prayer" and urged residents to be steeled by their beliefs at a time of crisis. One Catholic congregation exiled by floodwaters held a makeshift service at a high school, another set out bug spray along with holy water, while pastors and priests talked of helping those in need and restoring a region left in shambles by Harvey.

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Only days before Harvey hit, congregants at Christ United Church of Cypress, Texas, had celebrated returning to their beloved church after a long absence.

In the spring of 2016, the building had been devastated by a storm that forced the congregation to gut the historic structure and rebuild. Now, with the small brick church extensively damaged, the work must start again.

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Weekend of record heat, wildfires eases for some In US West

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A sudden gusty series of rainstorms allowed Los Angeles to cancel evacuation orders for a wildfire that the mayor called the largest in the city's history and sent beach umbrellas and toy shovels bouncing down Southern California beaches late Sunday.

The rainstorms were another part of a sweltering, smoke-shrouded holiday weekend of record heat and of wildfires that had forced thousands to flee homes across the U.S. West.

Other wildfires Sunday forced evacuations in Glacier National Park in Montana and many other parts of the West; compelled crews to rescue about 140 hikers who had spent the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge Trail in Oregon; and led firefighters to step up efforts to protect a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia encroached by flames near Yosemite National Park in California.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti had declared a local emergency earlier Sunday and Gov. Jerry Brown did the same on the state level for Los Angeles County after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighborhoods. More than a thousand firefighters battled flames that chewed through more than 9 square miles (23 kilometers) of brush-covered mountains.

By evening, however, the day's record heat in Los Angeles had eased and a spate of brief storms even brought a bit of rain to the burning slopes, slowing the progress of the wildfire. Authorities were able to cancel the evacuation orders that had been issued for three cities - Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale - and allow all of the 1,400 people who had fled to return to their homes.

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Frustration mounts over premiums for individual health plans

WASHINGTON (AP) - Millions of people who buy individual health insurance policies and get no financial help from the Affordable Care Act are bracing for another year of double-digit premium increases, and their frustration is boiling over.

Some are expecting premiums for 2018 to rival a mortgage payment.

What they pay is tied to the price of coverage on the health insurance markets created by the Obama-era law, but these consumers get no protection from the law's tax credits, which cushion against rising premiums. Instead they pay full freight and bear the brunt of market problems such as high costs and diminished competition.

On Capitol Hill, there's a chance that upcoming bipartisan hearings by Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., can produce legislation offering some relief. But it depends on Republicans and Democrats working together despite a seven-year health care battle that has left raw feelings on both sides.

The most exposed consumers tend to be middle-class people who don't qualify for the law's income-based subsidies. They include early retirees, skilled tradespeople, musicians, self-employed professionals, business owners, and people such as Sharon Thornton, whose small employer doesn't provide health insurance.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Wildfires forced thousands to flee their homes across the U.S. West during a sweltering, smoke-shrouded holiday weekend of record heat.

The fires Sunday caused evacuations in Glacier National Park in Montana and many other parts of the West; compelled crews to rescue about 140 hikers who had spent the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge Trail in Oregon; and led firefighters to step up efforts to protect a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia encroached by flames near Yosemite National Park in California.

A sudden gusty series of rainstorms allowed Los Angeles, however, to cancel evacuation orders for a wildfire that the mayor called the largest in the city's history and sent beach umbrellas and toy shovels bouncing down Southern California beaches late Sunday.

A Skycrane helicopter drops water on a hotspot, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti had declared a local emergency earlier Sunday and Gov. Jerry Brown did the same on the state level for Los Angeles County after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighborhoods. More than a thousand firefighters battled flames that chewed through more than 9 square miles (23 kilometers) of brush-covered mountains.

By evening, however, the day's record heat in Los Angeles had eased and a spate of brief storms even brought a bit of rain to the burning slopes, slowing the progress of the wildfire. Authorities were able to cancel the evacuation orders that had been issued for three cities - Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale - and allow all of the 1,400 people who had fled to return to their homes.

Conditions slowing the blaze could change again "in a moment's notice, and the winds can accelerate very quickly," Los Angeles Fire Capt. Ralph Terrazas warned, however. "There is a lot of fuel out there left to burn."

Officials were keeping an eye on thunderstorms, which were bringing welcome bursts of rain but also the risk of flash floods, mudslides and lightning. Beachgoers in Santa Barbara filmed one sudden storm there that sent palm trees flapping and toddlers chasing beach toys that the wind was blowing down the beach.

The high at Los Angeles International Airport reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) Sunday, topping the previous mark of 92 (33 Celsius), set in 1982. Records were also set in parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where the temperature hit 101 degrees (38 Celsius).

San Francisco residents, meanwhile, stifled under a third day of a rare heat wave in the coastal city, although highs in the San Francisco Bay Area fell Sunday from records in the 100s Fahrenheit (high 30s Celsius) set the previous two days.

"I went to Home Depot, Walgreens, Office Depot, Target. They were sold out!" downtown office worker Alganesh Ucbayonas said Sunday, detailing her unsuccessful search for an electric fan. "CVS!" she remembered.

On Sunday, Ucbayonas sat at her desk in a building lobby squarely between two whirring fans, both scrounged from her office building's storage and trained straight at her face.

Fires burning up and down the Sierra Nevada and further to the northwest cast an eerie yellow and gray haze over much of California. Much of the state was under alerts because of poor air quality.

California authorities ordered evacuations for a third small town Sunday in one of the wildfires, a blaze that has burned 9-square-miles (23 square kilometers) near Yosemite.

Firefighters battling that blaze were making it a priority to safeguard the ancient grove of giant sequoia and a pair of historic cabins at the foot of the trees, fire spokeswoman Anne Grandy said. Fire crews had wrapped the two 19th-century cabins and an outhouse in shiny, fire-resistant material to protect them from the flames that had entered the Nelder Grove, Grandy said.

California crews are also protecting homes from a fast-moving wildfire that forced evacuations in Riverside County.

In Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency across all counties as three major fires closed recreation areas and prompted evacuations.

Flames in Montana's Glacier National Park prompted officials to evacuate all residents, campers and tourists from one of the most popular areas of the park. The order Sunday affects the Lake McDonald area, the western side of the dizzying Going-to-the Sun Road and some of the most visited trails in the area. The Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, closed last week because of heavy smoke in the area.

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Follow Christopher Weber at http://twitter.com/webercm . Knickmeyer reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Matt Volz in Helena, Montana, and Martha Bellisle in Seattle contributed to this report.

A helicopter makes a water drop on the hillside in Sun Valley neighborhood, north of Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. The wildfire just north of downtown had grown to the largest in city history, Mayor Eric Garcetti said. (Paul Rodriguez/The Orange County Register via AP)

Families reunite after campers were evacuated from a forest fire in the Eagle Creek area of the Columbia River Gorge Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Two busloads of hikers in Oregon were reunited with their friends and family Sunday morning after they were forced to spend the night in the mountains east of Portland when a wildfire closed their trail and they were trapped between two blazes. (Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP)

Families reunite after campers were evacuated from a forest fire in the Eagle Creek area of the Columbia River Gorge Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Two busloads of hikers in Oregon were reunited with their friends and family Sunday morning after they were forced to spend the night in the mountains east of Portland when a wildfire closed their trail and they were trapped between two blazes. (Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP)

In an Aug. 30, 2017 photo, Elden Rammell addresses the fire information community meeting in Seeley Lake, Mont. The Rice Ridge Fire continues to threaten the town of Seeley Lake as it burns in the Lolo National Forest. (Rion Sanders/The Great Falls Tribune via AP)

In an Aug. 30, 2017 photo, the Rice Ridge Fire burns in the Lolo National Forest near Woodworth Road northeast of Salmon Lake, Mont. The smoke from massive wildfires hangs like fog over large parts of the U.S. West, an irritating haze causing health concerns, forcing sports teams to change schedules and disrupting life from Seattle to tiny Seeley Lake, Montana. (Rion Sanders/The Great Falls Tribune via AP)

In an Aug. 30, 2017 photo, trees burn as the Rice Ridge Fire burns in the Lolo National Forest near Woodworth Road northeast of Salmon Lake, Mont. The smoke from massive wildfires hangs like fog over large parts of the U.S. West, an irritating haze causing health concerns, forcing sports teams to change schedules and disrupting life from Seattle to tiny Seeley Lake, Montana. (Rion Sanders/The Great Falls Tribune via AP)

In an Aug. 30, 2017 photo, a helicopter crew fills up the water tank on their chopper in Seeley Lake, Mont., as they help battle the Rice Ridge Fire which continues to threaten the town of Seeley Lake. Across Montana, wind is fanning more than two dozen large wildfires burning in tinderbox conditions, with more than 90 percent of Montana in drought. Red-flag warnings were issued again on Sunday, with more wind, high temperatures and low humidity forecast. (Rion Sanders/The Great Falls Tribune via AP)

A Skycrane helicopter drops water on a hotspot, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

A Bombardier 415 "Super Scooper" aircraft drops water as Burbank firefighter Mike Brack watches , Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

A firefighter takes a break from the heat, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

A firefighter puts out a hotspot, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

An Oxnard firefighter puts out a hotspot, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Burbank firefighter Mike Brack watches a helicopter make a water drop, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

People escape the heat at Manhattan Beach, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Smoke filled the sky and ash rained down across Los Angeles Sunday from a destructive wildfire that the mayor said was the largest in city history, one of several blazes that sent thousands fleeing homes across the U.S. West during a blistering holiday weekend heat wave. (AP Photo/John Antczak)

A Skycrane helicopter drops water on a hotspot, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Burbank, Calif. Several hundred firefighters worked to contain a blaze that chewed through brush-covered mountains, prompting evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
GILLETTE, Wyo.  A former Gillette psychotherapist has made a deal with prosecutors over charges that he used his position of authority to have sex with patients.

The Gillette News Record reports 33-year-old Joshua Ray Popkin will plead no contest to two sexual assault charges, under the plea agreement. A third sexual assault charge would be dismissed.

Under a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors may have enough evidence to convict.

A court hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 21.

Popkin worked as a psychologist with Campbell County Health from Nov. 2, 2015, to May 25, 2016.

One of his accusers told investigators that Popkin preyed on her, worked his way into her head and used things that he knew about her in order to sleep with her.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - A Nobel laureate and Muslim nations in Asia criticized Myanmar's persecution of its Rohingya Muslim minority as thousands in Indonesia and elsewhere staged angry protests against Aung San Suu Kyi and her government.

At least 87,000 refugees from Myanmar's western Rakhine state have fled to neighboring Bangladesh since violence escalated in late August, according to the United Nations, overwhelming existing camps for the displaced.

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, said her "heart breaks" at the suffering of Rohingya Muslims and urged Myanmar's leader, a fellow Nobel laureate, to condemn the violence against the Rohingya minority.

A Muslim woman shouts slogans as she holds up a poster bearing a defaced portrait of Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi during a rally against the persecution of Rohingya Muslim minority, outside the Myanmar's Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Hundreds of people staged the rally in the third day of protests calling for the government of the world's most populous Muslim country to take a tougher stance against persecution of the Rohingya. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

"Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment," she said in a statement posted on Twitter. "I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same. The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting."

The latest eruption of violence in Rakhine state has killed more than 400 people and triggered an exodus of Rohingya into Bangladesh. It began after insurgents attacked Myanmar police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority Buddhist country.

In response, Myanmar's military unleashed what it called "clearance operations." Human Rights Watch says satellite imagery shows 700 buildings were burned in the Rohingya Muslim village of Chein Khar Li, just one of 17 locations in Rakhine state where the rights group has documented burning of homes and property.

Myanmar denies citizenship to Rohingya, who have lived in the country for generations, and the group has frequently faced hostility and violence from the Buddhist majority, often fanned by hard-line monks and inflammatory comments from officials.

Reports of killings by security forces and images of lines of people including children and the elderly attempting to cross the swampy border into Bangladesh have sparked anger and battered the reputation of Suu Kyi, previously lionized for her decades of resistance to Myanmar's former military rulers.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russia's predominantly Muslim Chechnya to protest what the Chechen leader called "genocide of Muslims" in Myanmar.

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has called for an end to violence in Rakhine state and sent his foreign minister to Myanmar where she with met Monday with Suu Kyi and armed forces commander Min Aung Hlaing.

Interviewed by Indonesian TV after the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi sidestepped questions about domestic pressure in the world's most populous Muslim nation to sever diplomatic ties with Myanmar.

She said Myanmar security authorities need to immediately stop all violence in Rakhine and allow Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations to assist with humanitarian aid distribution. Suu Kyi responded positively to a five-point Indonesian plan to stabilize the situation, Marsudi said.

"God willing, we would be able to directly help the Rohingya refugees," Marsudi said. "The priority is the safety of the Rohingya refugees."

Pakistan's foreign ministry said it is deeply concerned by reports of growing numbers of deaths and the forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims. It urged Myanmar's government to investigate reports of massacres and to hold those involved accountable.

Several hundred Muslim women demonstrated outside Myanmar's embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Monday, calling for the government to take a tougher stance against persecution of the Rohingya.

Dozens of armed police are guarding the embassy, which is cordoned behind barbed wire, after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at it over the weekend.

Protesters, organized by an Islamic group called Friends of Muslim Rohingya, shouted "Save Rohingya," and held big banners that read, "Unite the people to free Rohingya Muslims" and "Stop Muslim genocide in Myanmar!"

Protests were also staged in other major Indonesian cities including Bandung and Surabaya.

Over the weekend, protesters in Jakarta set fire to a poster of Suu Kyi outside the Myanmar embassy and further protests are set for this week. Local media reported that one group plans to stage a protest at Borobudur, a famous ancient Buddhist temple in central Java.

"The world remains silent in the face of the massacre of Rohingya Muslims," said Farida, an organizer of Monday's protest who uses a single name.

"They have been tortured and killed like animals by Buddhists in Myanmar," she told the crowd outside the embassy. "We demand the government puts pressure on the Buddhist government of Myanmar. We demand mobilization of our military to rescue the Rohingya."

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Associated Press writers Niniek Karmini and Ali Kotarumalos contributed to this report.

A Muslim woman raises her fist as she holds a poster during a rally against persecution of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority, outside Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Hundreds of Muslim women staged the rally on the third day of protests calling for the government of the world's most populous Muslim country to take a tougher stance against persecution of the Rohingya. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Muslim women, one of them holding a poster depicting Wirathu, the leader of Myanmar's nationalist Buddhist monks, raise their fists as they shout slogans during a rally against persecution of Rohingya Muslim minority, outside Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Hundreds of Muslim women staged the rally in the third day of protests calling for the government of the world's most populous Muslim country to take a tougher stance against persecution of the Rohingya, an oppressed Muslim minority in overwhelmingly Buddhist Myanmar. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
BERLIN (AP) - German opposition leaders are complaining that Chancellor Angela Merkel and challenger Martin Schulz left key issues unmentioned in their single televised debate ahead of the Sept. 24 election.

Sunday night's debate saw Merkel and Schulz lock horns over how to deal with Turkey and the issue of migrants.

Anton Hofreiter, the caucus leader of the opposition Greens - a potential coalition partner for both leaders - said they spent too little time on Germany's future during the debate. He said neither leader spoke about climate protection or education, or said much about the impact of technological development. He scored the debate as a draw on ARD television Monday.

The screenshot provided by RTL shows German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, of the Christian Democratic party, and her challenger Martin Schulz of the Social Democratic party as they attend the only TV debate three weeks before the German parliament elections in a TV studio in Berlin Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. (RTL via AP)

Left Party leader Katja Kipping said: "issues that I know from speaking to people really worry them barely came up at all."
GENEVA (AP) - Novartis CEO Joseph Jimenez will step down early next year and be replaced by fellow American Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, the Swiss pharmaceutical company said Monday.

Narasimhan, currently its chief medical officer and global head of drug development, will take over the top job on Feb. 1, Novartis said.

Jimenez, who has been CEO since 2010, said that it was right moment to hand over and his family "is ready to return to Silicon Valley and the U.S."

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2014 file photo, CEO of Novartis , Joe Jimenez, CEO Novartis, speaks at a news conference in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis CEO Joseph Jimenez will step down early next year and be replaced by fellow American Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, the Swiss pharmaceutical company said Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Narasimhan, currently its chief medical officer and global head of drug development, will take over the top job on Feb. 1, Novartis said. (Steffen Schmidt/Keystone via AP,file)

Narasimhan joined Novartis in 2005 and has held a variety of leadership positions at the company.

In a statement Monday, Novartis said Jimenez will remain "available for advice and support" until he officially retires Aug. 31.

Jimenez has been credited with helping the maker of Gleevec leukemia drug, hypertension treatment Diovan and Theraflu cold and flu treatment to focus on its top businesses while divesting non-core units. Novartis also owns eye care products company Alcon and generics maker Sandoz.

"Joe focused Novartis on leading global businesses, while divesting non-core divisions," Chairman Joerg Reinhardt said in the statement. "Under his leadership the innovation pipeline was rejuvenated, and we successfully navigated the patent expirations of our two largest products."

Reinhardt said he expected a "smooth transition" in part because Jimenez "mentored his successor."

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2017 file photo, Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head Drug Development and Chief Medical of Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis, speaks during the annual press conference at the Novartis Campus in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis CEO Joseph Jimenez will step down early next year and be replaced by fellow American Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, the Swiss pharmaceutical company said Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Narasimhan, currently its chief medical officer and global head of drug development, will take over the top job on Feb. 1, Novartis said. (Patrick Straub/Keystone via AP, file)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - When Cambodia's main opposition leader was arrested over the weekend in a surprise police raid, one of the country's last independent media outlets rushed reporters out in the middle of night to cover the story, just as it has done for nearly a quarter century.

But the English-language Cambodia's Daily's reportage about the arrest of Kem Sokha, who stands accused by the government of treason, was a tragic story in and of itself: it was to be the paper's last.

On Monday the venerable broadsheet, which has helped pioneer press freedom and train generations of journalists since it was founded in 1993, appeared in newsstands for the last time - the latest victim of a determined push by the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen to silence critics in the run-up to 2018 elections.

In this Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, The Cambodia Daily's editorial staff work in their office, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The venerable broadsheet, which has helped pioneer press freedom and train generations of journalists in Cambodia since it was founded in 1993, is the latest victim of a determined push by the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen to silence critics in the run-up to 2018 elections. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

The paper's owners said they were forced to close because of "extra-legal threats by the government," a reference to a $6 million tax bill they say authorities contrived with no audit and a single purpose - to shut them down.

"It's terrible, it's frustrating," said Chhorn Chansy, who worked for a decade at the paper as a reporter and news editor. "We normally write about others. We can't believe that this happened to us."

During its 24-year-run, the Cambodia Daily served as a model for budding journalists, its stories offering a window into a growing nation that is still emerging from decades of conflict and genocide. About half the Daily's 30 editorial staff were Cambodian; the other half were foreigners drawn from around the world.

The paper, which included a Khmer-language section, acquired a reputation for hard-hitting investigations in a nation where such things were rare. It was also a consistent thorn in Hun Sen's side. Its final front-page headline, "Descent into Outright Dictatorship," ran above a story about Kem Sokha's arrest.

Below the piece was another announcing Monday's edition would be its last.

Jodie DeJonge, the paper's American chief editor, called the closure a "blow against press freedom, a blow against allowing dissenting voices to be heard, a blow against democracy in Cambodia."

"It's hard to imagine that after working for so hard for so long, these journalists just have to walk away," she said.

The Daily's fate is part of a much broader government crackdown on critics that has intensified dramatically in recent weeks and left many wondering where the nation is headed. It's also part of a major shift away from American influence, which has waned for years as Cambodia edges closer to China.

Last month, authorities expelled the Washington-based National Democratic Institute and ordered at least a dozen radio stations shut down for allegedly violating broadcasting agreements. Although Ouk Kimseng, an information ministry spokesman, said the government was simply enforcing the law, the stations appear to have been singled out because they gave air time to opposition politicians and to the U.S. government-funded Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, which have also been accused by authorities of failing to pay taxes.

The stations were among only a few in the country considered independent, and their closure will have a profound impact on the ability of rural populations - which comprise a majority of the country - to obtain contrarian views. "How will the Cambodian people be able to evaluate or access real information?" asked Yi Chhorvorn, managing director of Mohanokor Radio, which was among those shuttered with little explanation.

Mu Sochua, a senior member of the opposition party, said the fate of the free press and the arrest of Kem Sokha are part of a government strategy aimed at clearing the stage for Hun Sen ahead of elections next year.

"They think that any voice that is critical has to be eliminated - the media, independent analysts, human rights groups, trade unions, the opposition."

But free speech, she said, is critical for Cambodia to grow. "This is not about winning or not winning. It's about giving democracy a chance."

Although Cambodia is nominally a democratic state, its institutions remain fragile and the rule of law weak. Hun Sen, one of the world's longest-serving rulers, has been in office since 1985 and has held tightly onto it since. Contentious elections in recent years, however, have seen an emboldened opposition slowly chip away at his party's strength.

When the Daily was founded in 24 years ago by Bernard Krishner, a veteran American journalist now living in Tokyo, Cambodia's government, emerging from the chaos of years of war, was barely functioning.

DeJonge, who also worked for The Associated Press for more than 20 years, acknowledged the paper had not paid taxes for most of its existence, but it operated openly for years under the patronage of the late King Norodom Sihanouk, who stepped down from the throne in 2004. It has also run at a loss since at least 2008, so there were never going to be many taxes to pay.

It is unclear how the government's tax bill was calculated. Authorities never visited the paper to conduct an audit and never allowed an appeal.

When Krishner's daughter, Deborah Krishner-Steele, registered the paper properly in April and began paying taxes for the first time, it may have given the government the opening it was looking for. On Monday, the tax department requested immigration authorities prevent her husband, Douglas Steele, from leaving without paying up.

DeJonge said the paper's targeting clearly indicated political motives; as many as 90 percent of Cambodian businesses are not tax-compliant, she said.

"It's crushing that tomorrow we are not going to wake up and keep working," DeJonge said as dozens of reporters wearing blue-and-white T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Save Press Freedom" worked into the night Sunday on the paper's final edition.

A few had tears in their eyes.

"Cambodia's democracy is dying in the darkness. Who is going to shine a light on that now?" DeJonge said. "We just don't know."

___

Associated Press writer Sopheng Cheang contributed to this report.

A vendor, left, sells the final issue of The Cambodia Daily to a customer, right, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. The venerable broadsheet, which has helped pioneer press freedom and train generations of journalists in Cambodia since it was founded in 1993, is the latest victim of a determined push by the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen to silence critics in the run-up to 2018 elections. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

The final issue of The Cambodia Daily is sold at a newsstand, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. When Cambodia's main opposition leader was arrested over the weekend in a surprise police raid, one of this country's last independent media outlets rushed reporters out in the middle of night to cover the story, just as it has done for nearly a quarter-century. But the English-language Cambodia's Daily's reportage about the arrest of Kem Sokha, who stands accused by the government of treason, was a tragic story in and of itself: It was on the front page of the paper's final issue Monday. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

In this Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, The first issue of The Cambodia Daily is seen at the newspaper's office, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When Cambodia's main opposition leader was arrested over the weekend in a surprise police raid, one of this country's last independent media outlets rushed reporters out in the middle of night to cover the story, just as it has done for nearly a quarter-century. But the English-language Cambodia's Daily's reportage about the arrest of Kem Sokha, who stands accused by the government of treason, was a tragic story in and of itself: It was on the front page of the paper's final issue Monday, Sept. 4. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

In this Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, editorial staff of The Cambodia Daily work in their office, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The paper's owners said they were forced to close because of "extra-legal threats by the government," a reference to a $6 million tax bill they say authorities contrived with no audit and a single purpose - to shut them down. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

In this Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, a staff of The Cambodia Daily holds a sign which reads "Save the daily Cambodia" in her office, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The paper's owners said they were forced to close because of "extra-legal threats by the government," a reference to a $6 million tax bill they say authorities contrived with no audit and a single purpose - to shut them down. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

In this Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, The Cambodia Daily's editorial staff watch their final layout of its last issue at their office, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. During its 24-year-run, the Cambodia Daily served as rare model for budding journalists, offering a window into a growing nation that is still emerging from decades of conflict and genocide. About half the Daily's 30 editorial staff were Cambodian; the other half were foreigners drawn here from around the world.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
BEIJING (AP) - China on Monday criticized President Donald Trump's threat to cut off U.S. trade with countries that deal with North Korea and rejected pressure to do more to halt the North's nuclear development.

Trump issued the threat after North Korea on Sunday exploded a thermonuclear device in its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. The threat was seen as a warning to China, North Korea's main trading partner and only major ally.

A foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, criticized Trump's stance as unfair to Beijing.

North Korean workers chat at each other near a window of North Korean Embassy in Beijing, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday shot back at North Korea's claimed test of a hydrogen bomb with a blunt threat, saying the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response - a response both effective and overwhelming." Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for its "talk of appeasement." (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

"What is definitely unacceptable to us is that on the one hand we work so hard to peacefully resolve this issue and on the other hand our interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardized," Geng said at a regular news briefing. "This is unfair."

Such an approach would be drastic if applied to China, from which the United States imports goods worth about $40 billion a month.

Trump said it was under consideration "in addition to other options."

Asked whether Beijing would support tougher U.N. sanctions such as cutting off oil supplies to North Korea, Geng didn't mention oil but said whatever happened would depend on discussions among council members. Geng said China, one of five permanent Security Council members with power to veto U.N. actions, would take part in a "responsible and constructive way."

Geng expressed frustration at Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's comment that Beijing had a responsibility to influence North Korea due to its status as the North's main trading partner.

"We keep stressing that we cannot solely rely on China to resolve this issue," said Geng. "We need all parties to work in the same direction."
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Crimes against humanity are being committed in Burundi, according to a United Nations commission of inquiry.

Killings, torture, sexual violence, degrading treatment, enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests have been taking place since April 2015, according to the report published Monday.

"We were struck by the scale and the brutality of the violations. We also noted a lack of will on the part of the Burundian authorities to fight against impunity and guarantee the independence of the judiciary. As a result, there is a strong likelihood that the perpetrators of these crimes will remain unpunished," said Fatsah Ouguergouz, president of the commission.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 file photo, a young boy joins other onlookers at the scene where five dead bodies, seen behind, were found in a street in the Cibitoke neighborhood of the capital Bujumbura, Burundi. Crimes against humanity are being committed in Burundi, according to a United Nations commission of inquiry report published Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. (AP Photo, File)

Burundi has been plagued by political violence since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a disputed third term. Nkurunziza won re-election despite widespread protests and Burundi has remained volatile.

Alleged perpetrators of the violence include top officials in Burundi's National Intelligence Services and police force, military officials and members of the youth league of the ruling party, known as Imbonerakure, said the commission's report.

More than 500 witnesses were interviewed during the several months of investigations, including many Burundians living abroad as refugees and others still in Burundi, often at risk to their lives, said the report.

"There is a climate of pervasive fear in Burundi. Victims have been threatened, even in exile. This meant that the commission had to be extremely careful to ensure that their testimonies could not be used to endanger them," said Francoise Hampson, from Britain, one of the three commission members.

Accounts from victims, their families and witnesses were rigorously checked and corroborated, said the report.

"We continue to receive reliable, credible and consistent information confirming that these violations are still taking place in Burundi today. Some of these violations are occurring in a more clandestine manner, but they are still just as brutal," said commission president Ouguergouz, who is from Algeria.

Burundi's government, headed by President Pierre Nkurunziza, refused to cooperate with the commission of inquiry and did not allow its members to go to the country, said the report.

"We deeply regret the Burundian government's lack of cooperation, which, among other things, made it difficult for us to document human rights abuses committed by armed opposition groups. This is all the more regrettable given that Burundi, as a member of the Human Rights Council, has an obligation to cooperate with mechanisms set up by the council," said commission member Reine Alapini Gansou, who is from Benin.

The commission urges Burundi's authorities to immediately stop serious human rights violations by state agents and Imbonerakure, over whom the state exercises control.

The commission asked the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into the crimes committed in Burundi as soon as possible. The commission also asks the African Union to help find a lasting solution to Burundi's crisis, based on respect for human rights.

The critical report calls into question whether Burundi should have a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose next session begins Sept. 11.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 file photo, police arrest a man following grenade attacks in the capital Bujumbura, Burundi. Crimes against humanity are being committed in Burundi, according to a United Nations commission of inquiry report published Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 file photo, men captured by the security forces, who were said by them to have been involved in attacks on military targets but which could not be independently verified, are paraded during a press conference at the country's intelligence service headquarters in the capital Bujumbura, Burundi. Crimes against humanity are being committed in Burundi, according to a United Nations commission of inquiry report published Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Melanie Gouby, File)
PARIS (AP) - Officials at a French zoo say a baby panda born last month can now drink without a feeding bottle and weighs more than one kilogram (2.2 pounds).

Mother Huan Huan gave birth to twins at Beauval Zoo south of Paris, the first-ever panda birth in France, but one of the babies died soon after birth.

Photos released Monday by the zoo show the mother cuddling the surviving male cub, which measures 33.5 centimeters (13 inches) and now features black patches. The cub, which hasn't been named, now weighs 1150 grams, compared to 142 grams when he was born.

This photo taken on Friday Sept. 1 2017 and released on Monday Sept. 4, 2017, shows baby panda nicknamed Mini Yuan Zi and its mother Huan Huan at the Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France. The baby panda born last month in a zoo south of Paris can now drink without a feeding bottle and weighs more than one kilogram. (ZooParc de Beauval via AP)

Huan Huan was artificially inseminated from partner Yuan Zi, both of whom are at Beauval on a 10-year loan from China.

French first lady Brigitte Macron is the baby panda's godmother.

This photo taken on Friday Sept. 1 2017 and released on Monday Sept. 4, 2017, shows baby panda nicknamed Mini Yuan Zi and its mother Huan Huan at the Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France. The baby panda born last month in a zoo south of Paris can now drink without a feeding bottle and weighs more than one kilogram. (ZooParc de Beauval via AP)
XIAMEN, China (AP) - The BRICS group of five major emerging economies called Monday for reform of the United Nations and tougher measures against terrorist groups, while denouncing North Korea's latest nuclear test at a summit in China that seeks to enlarge the organization's presence on the world stage.

The nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa- agreed in a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation against a range of organizations it described as terrorist, including some based in Pakistan, in a diplomatic victory for New Delhi.

The five also pledged their opposition to protectionism, a theme increasingly taken up by host Chinese President Xi Jinping as anti-globalization sentiment in the West poses a threat to China's vast export markets.

A plenary session of the BRICS Summit is held in Xiamen, Fujian province, China Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Five major emerging economies opened a summit Monday to map out their future course, with host Chinese President Xi Jinping calling on them to play a bigger role in world governance, reject protectionism and inject new energy into tackling the gap between the world's wealthy and developing nations. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)

In the 43-page declaration, Xi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma said they would work together to improve global economic governance to foster "a more just and equitable international order."

They also strongly condemned North Korea's sixth - and most powerful - nuclear test that took place Sunday and has overshowed the two-day BRICS summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen that China is using as a showcase for its growing international status.

Preeti Saran, an official with India's Ministry of External Affairs, said each leader had referred to North Korea's nuclear test when they spoke during their meeting.

The declaration said the five emphasized that the issue should only be settled through "peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned."

They called for "comprehensive reform" of the U.N. and the U.N. Security Council "with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges."

No proposals on specific reforms were offered.

China, the world's second largest economy, wants BRICS to play a more important role in international affairs. But some observers suggest the group's influence is waning given the ongoing political and economic rivalry between China and India and the economic woes faced by Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

In addressing terrorism, the declaration named organizations including the Pakistan-based militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.

Saran said it was the first time there had been a specific listing of alleged terrorist groups in a BRICS document, calling that "a very important development."

China, a key ally of Pakistan, has repeatedly blocked India's attempts to have the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Masood Azhar, put on a U.N. Security Council terror blacklist. India has accused archrival Pakistan of harboring and training militants to launch attacks on its soil.

China is a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council and has been seen as using that clout to gain an edge in its political and economic rivalry with India. The nuclear-armed Asian giants recently ended a 10-week border standoff high in the Himalayas that re-awakened memories of their 1962 frontier war, paving the way for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the BRICS summit in China.

Saran denied any connection between China's agreement to list the Pakistan-based organizations and the withdrawal of Indian troops from the contested Himalayan area last week.

"This is a multilateral forum with five sovereign countries. There is no linkage to any other development," she said.

At earlier BRICS summits, China balked at India raising Pakistan-sponsored terrorism allegations and defended its ally's role in countering terrorism, said Sreeram Chaulia, dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs near New Delhi.

The inclusion of the two Pakistan-based groups in the declaration shows that "India has finally succeeded in persuading all BRICS members that Islamist fundamentalists pose a universal threat," Chaulia said.

That came despite comments by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Thursday that China did not consider Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts to be an "appropriate topic" at the summit.

Saran said Modi and Putin discussed oil and gas cooperation and how to promote trade and investment between their two nations. Xi and Modi are expected to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the summit tomorrow.

The declaration also expressed concern about the Haqqani network that is active in Afghanistan, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, accused by Beijing of fomenting unrest in China's northeastern region of Xinjiang.

The declaration said nations should unite to fight terrorist groups in accordance with the principles of international law, but emphasized the importance of not interfering in the sovereign affairs of individual states.

Xi announced in his opening address Monday that China would set aside 500 million yuan ($76 million) for economic and technological cooperation and exchanges among BRICS countries, and $4 million to support the BRICS' New Development Bank.

The figure was much smaller than the 780 billion yuan ($120 billion) that Xi pledged at a summit in May for his own signature initiative, the "One Belt, One Road" project to boost connections between China, Europe and Africa.

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Follow Louise Watt on Twitter at twitter.com/louise_watt

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the plenary session of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, China Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Five major emerging economies opened a summit Monday to map out their future course, with host Chinese President Xi Jinping calling on them to play a bigger role in world governance, reject protectionism and inject new energy into tackling the gap between the world's wealthy and developing nations. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, attend the plenary session of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, China Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Five major emerging economies opened a summit Monday to map out their future course, with host Chinese President Xi Jinping calling on them to play a bigger role in world governance, reject protectionism and inject new energy into tackling the gap between the world's wealthy and developing nations. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the plenary session of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, China Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Five major emerging economies opened a summit Monday to map out their future course, with host Chinese President Xi Jinping calling on them to play a bigger role in world governance, reject protectionism and inject new energy into tackling the gap between the world's wealthy and developing nations. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the plenary session of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, China Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Five major emerging economies opened a summit Monday to map out their future course, with host Chinese President Xi Jinping calling on them to play a bigger role in world governance, reject protectionism and inject new energy into tackling the gap between the world's wealthy and developing nations. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)
Trump's options on North Korea going from bad to worse

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sanctions on North Korea have been tried, and failed. Serious negotiations seem like a pipedream. And any military strike would almost surely bring mass devastation and horrific civilian casualties.

The Trump administration's options are going from bad to worse as Kim Jong Un's military marches ever closer to being able to strike the U.S. mainland with nuclear weapons. Just as President Donald Trump seeks to show global resolve after the North's most powerful nuclear test, his leverage is limited even further by new tensions he's stoked with South Korea, plus continued opposition from China and Russia.

With South Korea, the country most directly threatened, Trump has taken the unusual step of highlighting disagreements between the U.S. and its treaty ally, including by floating the possibility he could pull out of a trade deal with South Korea to protest trade imbalances. He also suggested on Twitter the two countries lacked unanimity on North Korea, faulting new South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has been more conciliatory to the North, for his government's "talk of appeasement."

It's an inopportune time for grievances to be aired, and on Monday the two leaders sought to show they were confronting North Korea together - and with might. The White House said that in a phone call with Moon, Trump gave approval "in principle" to lifting restrictions on South Korean missile payloads and to approving "many billions" in weapons sales to South Korea. Though no details were released, the idea was to show the countries were collaborating to bolster defenses against Kim's government.

"He is begging for war," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said of the North Korean leader Monday at the U.N. Security Council, where diplomats were called into emergency session despite the Labor Day holiday in the U.S.

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Harvey victims leave shelters but face dire housing needs

HOUSTON (AP) - While the number of evacuees seeking refuge in Houston's emergency shelters dwindled 10 days after Harvey struck, many people who had left by Monday still faced dire housing needs.

Some returned to public housing complexes inundated with sewage and mud. More than 50,000 went to government-paid hotels, some far away from homes and schools. Others moved in with family and friends.

Harvey did not discriminate, inundating exclusive neighborhoods and low-lying apartments for the poor, and was blamed for at least 60 deaths. Most of the evacuees at the George R. Brown Convention Center were lower-income, but some were from wealthier areas.

Now, about 1,500 remain at the convention center, and several said they were homeless, disabled or from public housing. About 2,800 were at the NRG Center, another convention center that opened after George R. Brown reached double its original capacity.

Harvey struck Texas on Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other areas as a tropical storm. The rain totaled nearly 52 inches (1.3 meters) in some spots.

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Trump's DACA plan would pass hot potato to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) - A plan President Donald Trump is expected to announce Tuesday for young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children was embraced by some top Republicans on Monday and denounced by others as the beginning of a "civil war" within the party.

The response was an immediate illustration of the potential battles ahead if Trump follows through with a plan that would hand a political hot potato to Republicans on the Hill who have a long history of dropping it.

Two people familiar with his decision making said Sunday that Trump was preparing to announce an end to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, but with a six-month delay intended to give Congress time to pass legislation that would address the status of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants covered by the program.

The move comes after a long and notably public deliberation. Despite campaigning as an immigration hard-liner, Trump has said he is sympathetic to the plight of the immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children and in some cases have no memories of the countries they were born in.

But such an approach - essentially kicking the can down the road and letting Congress deal with it- is fraught with uncertainty and political perils that amount, according to one vocal opponent, to "Republican suicide."

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Politics, marches dominate summer's last hurrah on Labor Day

Labor Day is a holiday to honor the American worker, but it also has a political bent.

Across the country gatherings and parades invite politicians to march and speak on the day that also marks a final hurrah for summer.

Here's a look at how the United States celebrated its Labor Day.

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TO THE STREETS

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Pope's trip to Colombia unlikely to stem flight from pews

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - The crowd of worshippers at the evangelical church in a poor district of Colombia's capital clutch Bibles and listen with tears in their eyes as a woman describes her personal miracle: The baby in the arms of her own mother, standing beside her, is one doctors said she would never be able to have. To every such story of recovery and salvation, the Rev. Eduardo Canas raises his arms in rejoicing.

Canas calls his congregation a "contemporary Christian church" where the elderly carry printed Bibles, the young read scripture on their cellphones and multimedia effects capture the attention of thousands of worshippers each Sunday.

Evangelical Christians now make up 15 percent of the population in Colombia, where the Roman Catholic Church until recent decades had few rivals. It's a trend seen throughout Latin America, where flight from the Catholic Church is spreading. While only 4 percent in the region identified as non-Catholic Christians in 1970, today they number about 20 percent.

Many within the Catholic Church are hoping that Pope Francis will help draw disillusioned parishioners back to the pews when he visits the South American nation this week.

"The principal reason for the selection of the first Latin American pope is the great decline in membership," said Andrew Chesnut, director of Catholic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. But, he added, "For the moment there is no concrete evidence that the pope has been able to stop the flight of the faithful."

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Cuba begins 5-month political transition

HAVANA (AP) - Cuba on Monday began a five-month political transition expected to end with Raul Castro's departure from the presidency, capping his family's near-total dominance of the country's political system for nearly 60 years.

Over the rest of this month, Cubans will meet in small groups to nominate municipal representatives, the first in a series of votes for local, provincial and, finally, national officials. Cuban officials say 12,515 block-level districts will nominate candidates for city council elections Oct. 22.

An opposition coalition says it expects 170 dissidents to seek nomination in the block-level meetings. A few opposition candidates have made it to that stage in previous elections but been defeated.

The government does not allow the participation of parties other than the ruling Communist Party and has worked to quash the election of individual opposition candidates, leading critics to call the elections an empty exercise meant to create the appearance of democratic participation.

Cuban officials say dissidents are paid by foreign governments and exile groups as part of a plan to overthrow the island's socialist system and reinstall the capitalism and U.S. dominance ended by the country's 1959 revolution.

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Charlottesville poses new civil rights test for Sessions

WASHINGTON (AP) - Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, a son of the segregated South who was named after leaders of the Confederacy, faces a tough new test of his commitment to protecting civil rights as he oversees the Justice Department's investigation of the deadly violence at a rally of white nationalists in Virginia.

Sessions' political career has been dogged by questions about race, including during his confirmation hearings this year. In his six months as attorney general, he has worked quickly to change how the department enforces civil rights law, particularly in the areas of police reform and voting rights.

Yet Sessions was also quick to forcefully condemn the car attack at the neo-Nazi rally in support of a Confederate statue in Charlottesville. His response stood in contrast to that of President Donald Trump, who drew equivalence between the white nationalists and those protesting their beliefs. Sessions denounced racism and bigotry and called the driver's actions an "evil" act of domestic terrorism worthy of a federal civil rights investigation.

Observers say the real test will be in what Sessions does next, given the legal limitations he faces.

Federal hate crimes law may not cover the killing even if it was motivated by hate. Federal criminal law has no specific, catchall charge for acts of domestic terrorism. Sessions may decide that the murder charges already leveled against James Alex Fields Jr. in state court are sufficient for justice.

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106-year-old Afghan woman faces deportation from Sweden

HOVA, Sweden (AP) - A 106-year-old Afghan woman who made a perilous journey to Europe, carried by her son and grandson through mountains, deserts and forests, is facing deportation from Sweden after her asylum application was rejected.

Bibihal Uzbeki is severely disabled and can barely speak. Her family has appealed the rejection.

Their journey made headlines in 2015, when they were part of a huge influx of people who came to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries. They traveled by foot and on trains through the Balkans before finally reaching Sweden.

Two years later, she and her 11 family members are living in the small village of Hova, in central Sweden.

Her rejection letter came during Ramadan. While the family avoided telling her, the constant grief from her granddaughters made her suspicious.

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Palace announces Prince William, Kate expecting third child

LONDON (AP) - Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, will soon welcome a third child to the royal nursery.

Kensington Palace officials announced Monday that the former Kate Middleton is pregnant, but was not feeling well enough to attend an engagement later in the day.

As with her other two pregnancies, she is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, or acute morning sickness. She is being cared for at the royal couple's apartment in London's Kensington Palace.

The sickness failed to dampen the buoyant mood among the royals, however. Prince Harry will be bumped down in the line of succession, but was overjoyed, describing the news as "fantastic," and offering a thumb's up while on a visit to Manchester.

And asked how the Duchess was he said: "I haven't seen her for a while but I think she's OK."

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Lambert leads nominees for country music awards

NEW YORK (AP) - Miranda Lambert led the pack with five nominations for Country Music Association awards on Monday, with Little Big Town and Keith Urban earning four nods each.

Lambert was nominated for song and single of the year for "Tin Man," and also earned nods for album, female vocalist and best video of the year. Nominations for the 51st annual awards were announced on "Good Morning America." The ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 8 in Nashville.

Old friend Taylor Swift, now a pop music queen, earned a song of the year nomination for penning "Better Man," performed by Little Big Town.

The inescapable song of the summer, Sam Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road," earned nominations for top single and song; it holds the record for most weeks topping Billboard's list of top country songs. Hunt was snubbed in the best male vocalist and entertainer of the year categories.

Veteran Garth Brooks is shooting for his sixth entertainer of the year award, and his third straight since coming out of retirement. He's competing with four other men in the category: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton and Urban.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A Qatari exile wants to discuss the possibility of a "bloodless coup" amid a diplomatic dispute pitting Doha against other Arab nations. Another exile, a little-known Qatari ruling family member, meets with Qatar's main foe Saudi Arabia and immediately gets suggested as a replacement for Doha's ruling sheikh.

However, whether Khalid al-Hail's planned conference or Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani's sudden prominence represents any bloc within Qatar remains an open question.

The rise of these Qataris exiles and others criticizing the energy-rich sheikhdom shows the fundamental challenge in trying to find opposition voices in Gulf Arab nations where political parties are illegal.

In this Aug. 17, 2017 image released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Saudi King Salman, left, meets Qatari Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, right, at the monarch's vacation home in Tangiers, Morocco. A planned conference in London by a self-described Qatari political activist is the latest move by an exile from the energy-rich country to take advantage of the diplomatic crisis now gripping Doha. (Saudi Press Agency via AP)

Exiles like al-Hail dismiss any sign of public support of the government as the coercive fear of the secret police. Those supporting the region's hereditary rulers can in turn dismiss the exiles as puppets of their opponents, in Qatar's case Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, the Qatar crisis grinds on without an end in sight, pitting the home of a major U.S. military base against other American allies - a Gulf political parlor game once only conducted behind closed doors.

"These sorts of things have always happened, but they weren't so vocal and publicly displayed," said Cinzia Bianco, a London-based analyst for Gulf State Analytics. "It really complicates things because at the end of the day, you've really involved the whole world ... but nobody's really able to help you solve the dispute."

Al-Hail is the latest exile to emerge amid the Qatar crisis, which began June 5 with boycotting nations cutting off Doha's land, sea and air routes over its alleged support of extremists and close ties to Iran. Qatar long has denied funding extremists and recently restored full diplomatic relations with Iran, with whom it shares a massive offshore natural gas field that made the country and its 250,000-odd citizens fantastically wealthy.

A London conference planned by al-Hail for Sept. 14 will include discussions about how to make Qatar a constitutional monarchy, as opposed to one ruled absolutely by its emir, he said. That will include talk about a "bloodless coup" supplanting the country's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, though al-Hail stressed his fledgling movement was peaceful. He did not offer specifics about how many people supported his plans, though he said that countries now opposing Qatar did not fund his activities.

Qatar's government did not respond to a request for comment.

Since the crisis began, there have been signs of public support for Sheikh Tamim in Doha. Stencil drawings of emir adorn public spaces across the peninsular nation, which juts out like a thumb into the Persian Gulf. Many people have signed their names on the drawings or written words of encouragement.

Al-Hail said those signs of support come from fear of speaking out against the country's government. He noted the case of poet Muhammad ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami, who was imprisoned in 2011 for reciting a poem that apparently offended the government of the nation's former ruler, Sheikh Tamim's father Hamad. Al-Ajami saw his life sentence later reduced to 15 years before receiving a royal pardon from Sheikh Tamim and being freed in March 2016.

"I tried personally to speak out on Qatar and I ended up in jail. Many other people tried it and they ended up in jail," he told The Associated Press in an interview. "The average (person) is really afraid of the police state in Qatar. If you want to ask, ask the other voice - the people who live in exile, the people who are at least free to say whatever they can say."

However, it is likely al-Hail has no influence at all within Qatar, said Gerd Nonneman, a professor of international relations and Gulf studies at Georgetown University in Qatar. Nonneman noted al-Hail's previous efforts at launching an organization called the Qatari Youth Rescue movement from Cairo had little effect.

"He's really coming from nowhere, just like the others," Nonneman said. "What I'm observing is the UAE or Abu Dhabi or Riyadh using these guys to cause further ripples."

Al-Hail isn't the first exile to emerge in the crisis. The most prominent so far has been Sheikh Abdullah, whose high-profile visits with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came as Saudi Arabia allowed Qataris pilgrims over the border in August for hajj, a pilgrimage required of every able-bodied Muslim once in their lives.

Sheikh Abdullah's grandfather, father and brother were rulers of Qatar until a palace coup ousted his branch of the royal family in 1972. His last position in government was as head of the equestrian and camel racing federation decades ago, Nonneman said.

In recent days, Saudis have been suggesting Sheikh Abdullah should rule Qatar as an emir in exile. Among the most prominent voices to back the idea is Salman al-Ansari, whose Washington influence firm the Saudi American Public Relation Affairs Committee recently signed a $1.2 million contract with Bahrain to produce videos and material about "adversary countries in the Middle East." Already, al-Ansari's committee has spent tens of thousands of dollars on television advertising in the U.S. criticizing Qatar.

All of this, the advertising and the exiles, is likely aimed at needling rather than overthrowing Sheikh Tamim, Bianco said.

"They want to put him under pressure as much as possible and just convince him that it's more convenient for him to basically fold and change completely his behavior," the analyst said.

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Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap. His work can be found at http://apne.ws/2galNpz .

FILE - In this Thursday Jan. 6, 2011 photo, a traditional dhow floats in the Corniche Bay of Doha, Qatar, with tall buildings of the financial district in the background. A planned conference in London by a self-described Qatari political activist is the latest move by an exile from the energy-rich country to take advantage of the diplomatic crisis now gripping Doha. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das, File)

FILE - In this July 3, 2017 photo, a black-and-white depiction of Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attracts signatures and comments of support from residents amid a diplomatic crisis between Qatar and neighboring Arab countries in Doha, Qatar. A planned conference in London by a self-described Qatari political activist is the latest move by an exile from the energy-rich country to take advantage of the diplomatic crisis now gripping Doha. (AP Photo/Maggie Hyde, File)

In this undated handout photo, Qatari political activist in exile Khalid al-Hail poses for a photograph. A planned conference in London on Sept. 2017 by a self-described Qatari political activist is the latest move by an exile from the energy-rich country to take advantage of the diplomatic crisis now gripping Doha. (Office of Khalid al-Hail via AP)
A companys efforts to consult with Native American tribes on a wind farm planned for south central North Dakota could serve as a model for other infrastructure projects, a Standing Rock Sioux Tribe official said.

Jon Eagle Sr., the tribal historic preservation officer for Standing Rock, recently worked with NextEra Energy to identify and protect cultural resources in Emmons and Logan counties, where 123 wind turbines are proposed.

As tribal historic preservation officer, its not my job to stop an undertaking. Its my job to protect the resources, Eagle said. I enjoy my pickup, just like everybody else does. I enjoy our lights. We can do it in a more sensible way, a more respectful way, in a way that values all of our voices.

For this wind project, NextEra reached out to five tribes and other stakeholders early in the planning stages, said NextEra spokesman Steve Stengel. The 300-megawatt project is anticipated for 2019 and has yet to be proposed to the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

NextEra involved tribal representatives in micrositing, or surveying turbine locations out in the field.

As a result of those tribal consultations, the company moved a number of turbine locations to protect cultural resources, Stengel said.

Ultimately, in working with the tribes, we were able to avoid all sensitive areas identified, he said.

Fern Swenson, deputy North Dakota Historic Preservation Officer, said companies dont always engage in that level of tribal consultation unless a project triggers federal requirements.

NextEras approach to this wind project was standard for the company and not affected by the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, Stengel said.

Our philosophy and our practice is we reach out to all of the tribes and share information and ask them if theyre interested in talking to us, Stengel said. It is in our best interest, as well as for the project and all stakeholders, to be as open and transparent as possible.

The months-long demonstrations against Dakota Access stemmed from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes argument that the tribe was not adequately consulted on the project and the pipeline threatened sacred sites.

In the aftermath of the protests, Eagle said hes seeing positive signs that North Dakota regulators and the energy industry want to do more to consult with tribes early.

Eagle said he thinks other companies proposing infrastructure projects could use NextEras approach as a template to follow.

I really believe theres an opportunity for them to set the bar on what consultation with tribes should look like, Eagle said.
BOSTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's refusal to publicly release his tax returns is fueling initiatives in Massachusetts and other states that would require presidential candidates to disclose their personal finances before they could appear on the ballot.

Massachusetts lawmakers are set to hold a hearing Wednesday at the Statehouse on a bill that would impose those conditions.

The chief sponsor, state Sen. Mike Barrett, said that until the election of Trump, most Americans just assumed candidates for president would adhere to "modern practices of disclosure and transparency" - even those that are unwritten.

"One of them is the disclosure by candidates of personal financial information related to possible conflicts of interest," the Lexington Democrat said. "The 2016 election shattered our confidence in the broad acceptance by presidential candidates of certain rules of public conduct."

The bill would require any candidates for president who want their name on the Massachusetts primary ballot to turn over a certified copy of their federal income tax returns for the three most recent years.

The bill would then require the state secretary to publish the returns on the state's website. Candidates who refuse would be barred from the primary ballot.

Barrett said the bill is being championed by March Forward Mass, a group formed in the wake of the Boston Women's March following Trump's election.

Even if lawmakers in Massachusetts fail to approve the bill, it could still become law.

A question that could end up on next year's ballot in Massachusetts would require potential candidates for president to release their tax returns from the prior six years in order to secure a spot on the primary ballot.

But the question faces a number of hurdles.

The first comes Wednesday, when Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey, a fierce critic of Trump, must decide which proposed questions for next year's ballot pass constitutional muster and which don't.

Not everyone is convinced that efforts to require the disclosure of tax returns are constitutional. Critics note that the U.S. Constitution already sets out qualifications to become president. They say it's not up to states to add new ones.

Specifically, Article Two of the Constitution establishes three requirements to win the White House: The president must be a "natural born citizen," must be at least 35 years old, and must be a resident within the United States for 14 years.

The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled that states and the federal government cannot add to the qualifications of senators and congressional representatives beyond those outlined in the Constitution - something that could be extended to the president.

But that hasn't stopped lawmakers in nearly half the states, mostly Democrats, from pushing presidential candidates to release their tax returns.

Democrats in New Jersey passed a bill that would have required presidential and vice presidential candidates to release their income tax returns to get on the ballot in New Jersey and prohibited electors from voting for them if they didn't comply.

Republican Gov. Chris Christie, a supporter of Trump, vetoed the bill in May calling it unconstitutional and chided Democrats calling the bill "a form of therapy to deal with their disbelief of the 2016 election results."

The Democratically controlled House and Senate in Hawaii were the first to approved separate tax return proposals earlier this year. Both bills died before becoming law after the attorney general raised concerns about potential lawsuits.
BERLIN (AP) - German authorities have deported an 18-year-old Russian citizen who grew up in Germany but is deemed to pose a significant risk of carrying out an attack.

The state interior ministry in Bremen said the man, identified only as Izmullah A. in line with German privacy rules, was put on a plane from Frankfurt to Moscow on Monday.

German authorities have begun over recent months carrying out deportations of alleged foreign extremists not proven to have committed a serious offense under laws passed after the Sept. 11 attacks. The deportee argued that he could face torture or detention, but German and European courts eventually cleared the move.

State interior minister Ulrich Maeurer said that "despite all the legal difficulties in the past weeks and months, this result is encouraging."
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court is considering a constitutional challenge of a law requiring HIV-infected individuals to tell sexual partners about their status before having sex.

Critics say the law unfairly singles out HIV because of outmoded stigmas against the gay community and doesn't take into consideration current survival rates for people with HIV.

Opponents also say Ohio's HIV assault law violates free speech rights because it focuses only on disclosure, not the actual transmission of the disease.

Attorneys are challenging the law on behalf of an Ohio man convicted of failing to tell his girlfriend he had HIV after they started having sex.

Prosecutors argue the law upholds a compelling state interest in discouraging exposure to and spread of an incurable disease.
SAO PAULO (AP) - Brazilian police spread out Monday to execute hundreds of search and arrest warrants in a crackdown on a drug-trafficking ring that authorities say attempted to smuggle more than 6 tons of cocaine to Europe over the past year.

Federal police said the criminal organization used Sao Paulo and the port of Santos as waystations for drugs trafficked between producer countries in Latin America and Europe.

Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration provided information that assisted in the investigation.

More than 800 federal police officers fanned out in five states and Brazil's federal district Monday to serve 190 search and seizure warrants and more than 120 arrest warrants. By afternoon, the force said it had taken around 80 people into custody, and most of the ordered searches had been carried out.

During an investigation that spanned more than a year, police seized cocaine at three ports in Brazil and alerted authorities in several European countries to drug shipments.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart spoke on the phone Monday morning for the first time since North Korea boasted of another nuclear test.

Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed to remove the limit on the payload of South Korean missiles as part of the countries' response to the North's move on Sunday, South Korea's presidential office said in a statement. The North claimed it had detonated a hydrogen bomb underground.

Both leaders also agreed that the latest test was a grave provocation that was "unprecedented."

South Korean army's K-1 tanks move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea's military on Monday fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The phone call came as the U.N. Security Council was holding its second emergency meeting in a week on the subject. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday said the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response."

Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the response of other countries to North Korean provocations. Over the weekend, he threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for its "talk of appeasement."

Trump is also considering triggering a withdrawal from a free trade agreement with South Korea, a business lobbying group said Saturday, raising concerns about a move that could cause a fresh economic rift between allies at a moment of heightened tensions with a common foe.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - By artist Sharon Hayes' count, Philadelphia has more than 1,500 sculptures honoring male historic figures - heroes on horseback, visionaries with arms folded and eyes looking forward, the usual round-up of Founding Fathers.

By contrast, there are only two sculptures dedicated to women - religious martyrs Joan of Arc and Mary Dyer.

The realization prompted, "If They Should Ask," as assemblage of nine pedestals encircled by the names of more than 80 women that Hayes thought were worthy of being memorialized.

The exhibit is part of Monument Lab, a citywide public art and history project that asks people to join a conversation about "history, memory and our collective future." Temporary monuments by 20 different artists, including Hayes, are popping up around the city that answer the question posed to the artists: "What is an appropriate monument for the current city of Philadelphia?"

"A monument claims a space. It's trying to say, 'This is who we celebrate and this is who we think is important,'" Hayes said. "I think the current climate is showing us they are meaningful."

Monument Lab, produced by the city's Mural Arts Program, has been in the works for years but comes in the midst of a national debate on the meaning of monuments.

While the topic has long been controversial, it has turned deadly after a woman was run down in Charlottesville during a rally by white nationalists, who were angry about the planned removal of a Confederate General Robert E. Lee statue.

The fact that statuary can stir such passion is "a reminder of how powerful things are in a public space," mural arts executive director Jane Golden said. "This project is aimed at building civic dialogue, stirring people's imaginations as a force for positive change."

The project grew out of one of Paul Farber's classes at the University of Pennsylvania. Farber, managing director of Penn's Program in Environmental Humanities, asked students to note which famous Philadelphians were immortalized in sculpture and which were not.

They found very few honoring specific women and no public art honoring a person of color. However, this fall, the city plans to unveil a statue of Octavius V. Catto, a black Philadelphia writer, educator and activist. Monument Lab organizers say it's the first to honor a lone African-American in Philadelphia.

"Monuments are reflections of power dynamics and power possibilities," said Farber, the project's artistic director. "We're seeking a public reckoning with not just what is present but what is absent."

Farber stressed that this project is not about removing monuments. It's about "what we know and what we believe in today," he said.

The artists' work varies in medium and in what issues they address. Hayes' work addresses gender inequity.

In one city square, artist Kara Crombie installed an interactive boom box sculpture honoring the city's music history that also asks participants to create their own musical compositions.

In another park, artist Marisa Williamson created a scavenger hunt for people to learn forgotten stories from African-American history.

Elsewhere, artist Karyn Olivier covered a towering sculpture memorializing the 1777 Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown with mirrored plexiglass. Now it reflects the current neighborhood, reminding residents they are the monument's keepers.

"Monuments only function if we engage them. I asked myself what it means to have a monument that is shrouded and concealed, but in that invisibility you pay attention to it again," Olivier said. "Monuments should commemorate, celebrate, but they should also make you challenge, investigate and interrogate history."

Audrey Buglione, who lives a few blocks from the park, visited Olivier's work recently.

"I've walked through this park before and I could not tell you what this monument looked like," Buglione said. "I like that this is reflexive, representing the community."

Olivier explained that she'd chosen to cover that specific monument because of its proximity to another which honors German settlers who in 1688 signed the first petition against slavery in the British colonies.

During World Wars I and II, the German surnames at the front base of the statue were covered, Olivier said. Today, the names are visible. There is also a relatively new addition to the monument: "To the memory of the hundreds of thousands of German volunteers in the American wars."

"It's amazing to me what fear can do," Olivier said.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the United States and North Korea (all times local):

4:10 p.m.

The White House says President Donald Trump has told South Korean President Moon Jae-In that he supports the country's push to lift restrictions on its missile payload capabilities.

South Korean army's K-1 tanks move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea's military on Monday fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Trump has offered "conceptual approval" on the purchase of billions of dollars' worth of U.S. military weapons and equipment by South Korea.

The two leaders spoke Monday morning to discuss their response to the latest provocation from North Korea - an alleged Sunday test of a hydrogen bomb.

The White House says both leaders "underscored the grave threat that North Korea's latest provocation poses to the entire world" and agreed "to maximize pressure on North Korea using all means at their disposal."

That includes a pledge to strengthen their joint military capabilities.

___

4 p.m.

President Donald Trump has spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the latest provocation by North Korea.

The White House says Trump and Merkel "condemned North Korea's continued reckless and dangerous behavior" and reaffirmed the importance of close coordination at the United Nations.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said during a U.N. Security Council meeting Monday that North Korea's leader "is begging for war."

The White House is also repeating the president's oft-used line that "all options" to address the threat remain "on the table."

North Korea claims it detonated a hydrogen bomb on Sunday - the latest in a string of missile and nuclear tests.

___

11:55 a.m.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United Nations Security Council should seriously review cutting off oil supplies to North Korea.

In a 20-minute phone call with Putin, Moon also urged the U.N. Security Council to review measures to cut off sources of North Korea's foreign currencies, including banning countries from importing North Korean workers.

That's according to a statement released by Moon's presidential office. The office said Putin told Moon that North Korea's nuclear and missile programs threatening international peace and security, but emphasized finding a diplomatic solution.

___

11:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump has spoken with South Korean President Moon Jae-in Monday for the first time since North Korea's recent nuclear test.

According to a statement from South Korea's presidential office, Moon and Trump agreed to remove the limit on the payload of South Korean missiles in response to the North's nuclear test. They also both agreed that the latest test was a grave provocation that was "unprecedented."

South Korea said Trump also reaffirmed an ironclad commitment to South Korea's defense, and the two countries agreed to seek stronger U.N. sanctions against the North. The two leaders spoke for approximately 40 minutes by phone.

___

10:34 a.m.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with South Korean President Moon Jae-in Monday amid intensifying tensions with North Korea.

The call comes as the U.N. Security Council is holding its second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea after the country said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground Sunday.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday said the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response."

Trump has also threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China. He also faulted South Korea for its "talk of appeasement."
SCOTTBLUFF, Neb. (AP) - A financially strapped airline providing government-subsidized service to three cities in Nebraska and two in Kansas plans to end the service later this month, leaving those communities' air travelers without commercial flights.

PenAir notified the U.S. Transportation Department last week that service to Kearney, North Platte and Scottsbluff in Nebraska and to Dodge City and Liberal in Kansas will cease after Sunday. The information was first reported by an airline industry news site, ch-aviation.com .

The Anchorage, Alaska-based carrier filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan last month and said that in addition to closing down operations for Nebraska and Kansas, it also planned to close its hubs in Denver and Portland, Oregon.

PenAir officials said in a notice last week that they intended to continue the essential air service at the five communities until replacement carriers were selected and in place. But "a massive exodus" of the airline's pilots necessitated the quick action, PenAir officials said.

The airline has been deluged with complaints for months about flight delays and cancellations, which PenAir blamed on a shortage of planes and pilots.

The Western Nebraska Regional Airport Authority board in Scottsbluff decided in July to seek new bids for essential air service before the PenAir contact ran out. But airport manager Darwin Skelton said the airport will have to do without until a new provider can be secured.

"The best case scenario is we're looking at February, if not March," Skelton told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald . "We'll know who the carrier is by then, but we still have to wait until they can get moved in."
SANAA, Yemen (AP) - Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh appeared on TV Monday to deny there are any divisions between him and the Shiite Houthi rebels, his ally against the internationally recognized government in the country's civil war.

But tensions have risen in recent weeks between the two factions, and Saleh's strange appearance, in an interview that was abruptly cut off, was unlikely to dispel rumors he is under some form of house arrest.

"There is no crisis or differences whatsoever, but only in the imagination of those who want these decisions," Saleh said in an interview with his Yemen Today TV network. He spoke slowly, appearing to choose his words carefully.

Arab media had earlier carried reports of his arrest, and in recent days security officials had said he appeared to be confined at one of his many residences.

Saleh said that there had been "fears or doubts" voiced by rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi that Saleh was plotting a coup against their joint government. He said that he sent his assurances to the Houthi leadership.

"We won't stage a coup against Ansar Allah" he said, using another name for the Houthis. The interview was then cut off, with no explanation provided.

Shortly before Saleh's appearance, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi spokesman, said that Saleh is "within an arm's reach," indicating he may be under the rebels' control.

Saleh, who used to command the support of much of Yemen's security apparatus, joined forces with the Houthis and helped them to seize Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Since then they have been at war with the government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The fighting has killed more than 10,000 civilians, forced more than 3 million to flee, and pushed the Arab world's poorest country to the brink of famine.

Saleh and the Houthis are unlikely allies. When Saleh was president he repeatedly went to war with the rebels in their northern heartland. In recent weeks, the Houthis have accused Saleh of trying to pull his forces from the front lines, while his supporters have complained about the Houthis monopolizing power.

Earlier Monday, Yemeni tribal sources said Hussein Hazib, a prominent member of Saleh's party who served as education minister in the so-called National Salvation government set up with the rebels, fled from Sanaa to Marib, an area east of the capital controlled by government forces. The tribal sources spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals.

The two sides clashed earlier this month after Saleh's supporters held a large rally and the Houthis responded with a military parade of hundreds of pickup trucks. A top aide to Saleh, Khaled al-Radhi, was killed.
PARIS (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron met with Venezuela opposition leaders Monday to discuss the embattled nation's humanitarian and political crisis, two days after a leading activist was barred from leaving the country in order to attend the Paris meeting.

Foreign nations including Spain and the United Kingdom, whose leaders are expected to meet with members of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly this week, have decried the socialist government's move to bar Lilian Tintori from leaving Venezuela.

In Caracas, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said Monday that he filed complaints with the ambassadors of four foreign nations for purportedly intervening in Venezuela's affairs after they accompanied Tintori to the airport.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, talks to President of the Venezuelan parliament, Julio Borges, left, during a meeting, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Macron, who recently called Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's leadership a "dictatorship," denounced the move and said Saturday on Twitter: "We are waiting for Lilian Tintori in Europe. The Venezuelan opposition must remain free." (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)

"These types of expressions are absurd and offensive to the functioning of Venezuelan democracy and its institutions," Arreaza said.

Julio Borges, president of the National Assembly, and Freddy Guevara, the legislature's first vice president, are proceeding with meetings scheduled this week with European leaders aimed at increasing international pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to hold elections, respect a balance of power and allow humanitarian aid.

Borges and Guevara told Macron that Venezuelans are in dire need of basic necessities like food and medicine at the same time that Maduro's government is stripping away basic civil rights. Borges said Macron asked "several times what he could do to relieve the crisis" and offered the possibility of providing humanitarian aid.

That's a prospect that Maduro is likely to reject. The Venezuelan leader has routinely refused to accept any foreign assistance, denying the nation is facing a crisis and claiming it could pave the way toward foreign intervention.

"Dozens of countries have offered free food and medicine and it's unbelievable that the main obstacle is (the) government, the one which is supposed to defend the rights of the Venezuelan people," Borges said.

Tintori, a prominent opposition activist, was scheduled to attend the meeting with Macron but Venezuelan immigration authorities seized her passport Saturday as she prepared to board her flight.

No official explanation has been given for why Tintori was barred from traveling, but it came a day after she was ordered to appear before a judge to answer questions about a large sum of cash found in her vehicle.

Those who did make the trip are also scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

International pressure on Maduro to hold elections and allow humanitarian aid to enter the country has grown since an all-powerful national assembly that trumps every other branch of government was installed in early August. Dozens of foreign nations have refused to recognize the new legislative body and offered their support to the opposition-controlled congress.

Maduro has refused to change course, decrying the international condemnation as another example of imperial forces meddling in Venezuela's domestic affairs. He is expected to speak at the Human Rights Council in Geneva next Monday.

Council spokesman Rolando Gomez said Maduro is expected to deliver a speech that will not include a give-and-take discussion session. He said the council is bound by protocol to allow such speeches by high-level dignitaries from U.N. member states.

"Whenever we get requests like this, we have to honor them," Gomez said.

Borges said Macron told him he "fully supports the National Assembly that we represent ... which is the result of the legitimate vote of the Venezuelan people and which must be at the center of a democratic solution for the country."

Also Monday two former Spanish presidents met with Venezuelan opposition activists to condemn the continued detention of student Yon Goicoechea, a Spanish and Venezuelan dual citizen. Goicoechea was arrested in August 2016 and accused of carrying explosives.

Former President Felipe Gonzalez said the detention amounts to "the kidnapping of a Spanish citizen."

Venezuelan leading opposition activist, Roberto Patino, left, President of the Venezuelan parliament, Julio Borges, third from left, and vice president of the Venezuelan parliament, Freddy Guevara, fourth from left, attend a meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Macron, who recently called Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's leadership a "dictatorship," denounced the move and said Saturday on Twitter: "We are waiting for Lilian Tintori in Europe. The Venezuelan opposition must remain free." (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)

President of the Venezuelan parliament, Julio Borges, center, vice president of the Venezuelan parliament, Freddy Guevara, right, and Venezuelan deputy Eudoro Gonzalez, background center left, speak to the press after a meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Macron, who recently called Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's leadership a "dictatorship," denounced the move and said Saturday on Twitter: "We are waiting for Lilian Tintori in Europe. The Venezuelan opposition must remain free." (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)
Next week's ballot offers some intrigue for North Dakotans  from late congressional entries by independent candidates to term limits and marijuana legalization. Voters will decide whether to endorse changing the state constitution to limit the terms of the governor and state legislators. Another citizen-led initiative also will put the question of marijuana legalization before voters, who rejected the idea four years ago. Ninety-eight of the Legislatures 141 seats are on the ballot. All but one Democrat is up for reelection this year. Contests for secretary of state, attorney general and other state offices Also will appear on the ballot.
PIKETON, Ohio (AP) - A newly formed citizen group pledges to fight federal plans to store contaminated waste in southern Ohio from the cleanup of a Cold War-era uranium plant.

The Chillicothe Gazette reports (http://ohne.ws/2wXr782 ) more than 100 people gathered for a recent meeting of the Citizens Against Radioactive Dump.

The group opposes a plan by the Department of Energy to create an on-site disposal facility at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Federal officials say the facility would save money for the cleanup of low-level waste. However, an environmental report commissioned by the village of Piketon says there is cracked bedrock in the area and waste would put groundwater at risk.

Both the citizen group and Piketon officials are critical of the U.S. Energy Department. No representatives from the department attended the meeting.

___

Information from: Chillicothe Gazette, http://www.chillicothegazette.com
A 106-year-old Afghan woman dubbed 'the world's oldest refugee' is facing deportation from Sweden after her asylum application was rejected.

Bibihal Uzbeki was carried through Syria, Turkey, the Balkans and central Europe by her 67-year-old son, before the family of 12 arrived in Sweden in 2015.

Her family says the centenarian had a stroke when she was told that their asylum request was denied, and has since been bedridden and can barely speak.

Facing deportation: 106-year-old Afghan refugee Bibihal Uzbeki rests in bed attended by her son Mohammadollah and daughter-in-law Ziba, in Hova, south-central Sweden

Ms Uzbeki and her family made headlines in 2015, when the frail grandmother arrived in a migrant camp in Croatia, and she spoke to local media of her dream to reunite with her grandchildren in Sweden.

Two years later, the family had just about settled in the small village of Hova, in south-central Sweden, and were observing Ramadan when the rejection letter came.

While the family avoided telling her, the constant grief from her granddaughters made her suspicious.

'My sisters were crying,' explained 22-year-old Mohammed Uzbeki. 'My grandmother asked, "Why are you crying?'''

The family says that soon after she understood her request was denied, her health started deteriorating and she suffered a debilitating stroke.

Despite being severely disabled and barely able to speak following a stroke, Bibihal Uzbeki is facing deportation from Sweden after her asylum application was rejected

Before their journey to Sweden, the family had been living illegally in Iran for eight years.

They left Afghanistan because of an ongoing war and insecurity, but Mohammed Uzbeki said it's difficult to prove that the family faces a specific enemy if they return.

'If I knew who was the enemy, I would have just avoided them,' he said, citing the Islamic State group, the Taliban and suicide bombers as possible dangers.

'She still cannot speak properly, she has hallucinations,' he laments her son Mohammadollah. 'She says they are coming to kill us, we should run away.'

The Swedish Migration Agency have confirmed that they had 'taken a decision regarding an expulsion in the case,' adding 'generally speaking, high age does not in itself provide grounds for asylum.'

Long journey: The family were living in Iran but are originally from Kunduz. Afghanistan, and travelled through Syria, Turkey, Greece, the Balkans and Germany before getting to Sweden

People whose applications are rejected are allowed up to three appeals, a process that can take a long time. The applications of other family members are in various stages of appeal.

The Uzbeki family feels the plight of Afghans is being ignored by Swedish authorities.

'The reasoning from the migration agency is that it's not unsafe enough in Afghanistan,' said Sanna Vestin, the head of the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups. But she said many of the big cities cited as safe are not at the moment.

While many other countries in Europe deny asylum to Afghans from parts of the country considered safe, the issue has been a point of contention in Sweden in recent weeks.

A sit-down protest in the capital Stockholm by Afghan refugees and supporters of their right to asylum lasted for weeks, and caused unrest when far-right groups clashed with campaigners.
BEIRUT (AP) - The Latest on the Syrian conflict (all times local):

10 p.m.

The U.S.-led coalition says a convoy of hundreds of Islamic State militants and civilians is still stranded in government-held territory in Syria after it prevented them from being relocated from the Lebanon-Syria border under a deal with Hezbollah.

This photo released on Saturday, Sept 2, 2017 by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen standing inside a cave they seized from Islamic State militants in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, Syria. Opposition activists and Syrian state media say government forces are close to breaking a nearly three-year siege imposed by the Islamic State group on parts of the provincial capital of the oil-rich province of the same name. (SANA via AP)

The coalition said Monday that it has it has passed a message to the Syrian government through Russia asking it to separate the fighters from civilians. It says it has not taken any action to prevent food and water from being brought to the evacuees.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend says "the Syrian regime is letting women and children suffer in the desert. This situation is completely on them."

The IS fighters and their families evacuated a week ago under a deal with Hezbollah, which agreed to give them safe passage to far eastern Syria, near the Iraqi border, in exchange for the remains of Lebanese soldiers captured in 2014. The U.S.-led coalition and Iraq have condemned the deal, saying IS fighters should be killed on the battlefield.

The coalition has carried out airstrikes to prevent the convoy from reaching IS-held territory, but has not targeted the evacuees themselves.

___

5 p.m.

The U.S.-led coalition says allied Syrian fighters have successfully cleared a centuries-old mosque in Raqqa after seizing the Syrian city's ancient quarters from the Islamic State group.

A coalition statement issued Monday says the seizure of the Old City of Raqqa and especially the Great Mosque is a "milestone" in the battle to defeat IS. It said the force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, went to great lengths to limit damage to infrastructure, including the ancient mosque.

The Great Mosque is the oldest mosque in the city and has been under IS control since 2014, when the extremist group captured the city. IS later made Raqqa the de facto capital of its self-styled caliphate.

The SDF, aided by the U.S.-led coalition, launched their offensive to capture Raqqa on June 6, and have since taken more than half the city.

___

3:45 p.m.

Syrian opposition activists and state media say government forces are close to breaking a nearly three-year siege imposed by the Islamic State group on parts of the eastern city of Deir el-Zour.

Syrian troops and allied militiamen have for months been advancing toward Deir el-Zour, the provincial capital of the oil-rich province of the same name. Government forces are besieged in a handful of neighborhoods as well as a nearby airport.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday that the advancing forces are less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from a besieged, government-held air base known as Brigade 137. If they reach the base, they will be able to lift the siege.

State news agency SANA is reporting the "collapse" of IS defenses in the area.

This photo released on Saturday, Sept 2, 2017 by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen advancing up a hill in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, Syria. Opposition activists and Syrian state media say government forces are close to breaking a nearly three-year siege imposed by the Islamic State group on parts of the provincial capital of the oil-rich province of the same name. (SANA via AP)

This photo released on Saturday, Sept 2, 2017, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen standing guard at one of the frontline hills where they are fighting Islamic State militants in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, Syria. Syrian opposition activists and state media say government forces are close to breaking a nearly three-year siege imposed by the Islamic State group on parts of the provincial capital of the oil-rich province of the same name. (SANA via AP)

This photo released on Sunday, Sept 3, 2017 by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen standing next to a placard in Arabic which reads, "Deir el-Zour welcomes you," in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, Syria. Syrian opposition activists and state media say government forces are close to breaking a nearly three-year siege imposed by the Islamic State group on parts of the provincial capital of the oil-rich province of the same name. (SANA via AP)
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) - The Latest on violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state and the resulting flood of ethnic Rohingya refugees into neighboring Bangladesh (all times local):

6:53 a.m.

An aid group that plucked tens of thousands of migrants from the Mediterranean with its rescue ship is shifting operations to Southeast Asia to help Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar.

Myanmar's Rohingya ethnic minority refugee women and children look for shelters after crossing the border near Cox's Bazar's Gundum area, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Aid officials said relief camps were reaching full capacity as thousands of Rohingya refugees continued to pour into Bangladesh on Sunday fleeing violence in western Myanmar. Some 73,000 people have crossed the border since violence erupted Aug. 25 in Myanmar's Rakhine state, said U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Vivian Tan. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The decision by Malta-based MOAS, or Migrant Offshore Aid Station, came as the number of migrants leaving Libya's lawless coast has plummeted since July. The decrease has been attributed to increased Libyan coast guard patrols and an Italy-backed deal cut with the Libyan militias that long facilitated trafficking to crack down on smuggling instead.

In a statement Monday, MOAS said it was suspending Mediterranean operations and shifting them to Asia, noting that Pope Francis has called for an international response for the Rohingya. It said it would provide aid on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border "where a deadly exodus is unfolding."

___

1:30 a.m.

Pakistan has expressed "deep anguish" at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya minority in Myanmar.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday called for "effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such violence" against the Muslim minority. He said Pakistan is committed to providing humanitarian assistance, without elaborating.

Some 87,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled into neighboring Bangladesh since Aug. 25.

The violence and the exodus began when Rohingya insurgents attacked Myanmar police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority-Buddhist country.

In response, the military unleashed what it called clearance operations to root out the insurgents.

___

6 p.m.

The BBC says it has stopped providing news programs to a Myanmar television station because it has been censoring the broadcasts, a decision that appeared to relate to coverage of communal violence in the western state of Rakhine.

BBC Deputy Director of News and Current Affairs Francesca Unsworth said in a statement posted on the BBC Burmese website that the censorship by Yangon-based MNTV "violated the trust between the BBC and its audience."

It said the BBC has warned MNTV since March against interfering with BBC programming.

MNTV said it was complying with a government order not to disseminate information that could be seen as supporting an ethnic Rohingya insurgent group known as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

Tens of thousands of minority Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighboring Bangladesh to escape recent violence in which hundreds have died.

___

5:30 p.m.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi says after meetings with Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's armed forces commander that "de-escalation" of tensions in Rakhine state should be the top priority of Myanmar's government.

Marsudi says she is the first foreign minister to meet with Myanmar's leadership since violence erupted again in Rakhine on Aug. 25, triggering an exodus of Rohingya Muslims to neighboring Bangladesh.

She said in a statement that: "The security authorities of Myanmar need to immediately stop all forms of violence that occurred in Rakhine state and provide protection to all people including the Muslim community."

Marsudi said Indonesia has submitted a five-point plan to Myanmar that needs immediate implementation "so that the crisis of humanity and security will not worsen."

___

12 p.m.:

A hospital near Bangladesh's southeastern border has become overcrowded with dozens of Rohingya refugees who arrived with bullet wounds and broken bones after fleeing violence in western Myanmar.

The U.N. refugee agency says ethnic Rohingya Muslims are still streaming across the swampy border and had already filled the three existing refugee camps to capacity.

The UNHCR on Monday was counting some 73,000 new refugees in Bangladesh since violence erupted on Aug. 25 in Myanmar's western Rakhine state. Many of their needs including food and shelter were being provided by Rohingya who fled Myanmar years ago.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shaheen Abdur Rahman Choudhury at the Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital said 31 Rohingya men were being treated for bullet wounds and broken bones. He described them as being "distressed and afraid."

Myanmar's Rohingya ethnic minority refugees reach for food distributed by Bangladeshi volunteers near Cox's Bazar's Gundum area, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Aid officials said relief camps were reaching full capacity as thousands of Rohingya refugees continued to pour into Bangladesh on Sunday fleeing violence in western Myanmar. Some 73,000 people have crossed the border since violence erupted Aug. 25 in Myanmar's Rakhine state, said U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Vivian Tan. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Myanmar's Rohingya ethnic minority refugees reach for food distributed by Bangladeshi volunteers near Cox's Bazar's Gundum area, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Aid officials said relief camps were reaching full capacity as thousands of Rohingya refugees continued to pour into Bangladesh on Sunday fleeing violence in western Myanmar. Some 73,000 people have crossed the border since violence erupted Aug. 25 in Myanmar's Rakhine state, said U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Vivian Tan. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Anti-crime groups in Mexico are mourning the shooting death of a businessman and anti-crime activist in the southern Gulf coast state of Tabasco.

A statement issued Monday by the group Stop Kidnappings says that "the lack of public safety in Tabasco is unacceptable."

Chief state prosecutor Fernando Valenzuela said Sunday that "we are all upset by what is going on" and pledged to investigate the killing.

The victim was Gerardo Barcelo, whose family runs a bakery business. He was shot while driving in the state capital of Villahermosa, reportedly by a gunman on a motorcycle.

Barcelo was a member of the Roundtable for Security and Justice, a business and civic anti-crime group.
DALLAS (AP) - Officials now blame at least 60 deaths on Harvey, the storm that dumped several feet of rain on southeast Texas in a matter of days.

Many of those deaths confirmed in 11 Texas counties happened when people were caught in quickly rising floodwaters or lost control on water-logged roads, emergency management officials said. Six family members including four children were killed when a van they were riding in was swept into a bayou as floodwaters rose in Harris County.

Of the counties confirming fatalities, Harris County, which is home to Houston and saw the worst flooding during the storm, still has the highest death toll with 30 confirmed Harvey-related deaths as of about 5 p.m. Monday.

Family members react as a van is pulled out of the Greens Bayou with the bodies of six family members on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston. The van was carried into the bayou during Tropical Storm Harvey as the water went over the bridge. ( Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP)

But county emergency management departments tell The Associated Press they are including people in their storm-related death totals who died from indirect complications of Harvey.

The huge dump of water loosened the ground around trees that have fallen into at least two homes in Montgomery County, causing two deaths, said county emergency management spokeswoman Cynthia Jamieson. And the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that a couple had died while driving outside of Jasper, Texas, when a tree landed on their vehicle.

Power outages from the storm have also accounted for some of the indirect deaths. Several elderly people in a handful of counties were reported as Harvey-related deaths when medical equipment such as oxygen tanks lost power.

Officials said floodwaters have caused delays in responses to medical emergencies that resulted in deaths as well, including the first death reported in the storm - a man who died in a fire in Aransas County. Another person died of a heart attack Sunday in Montgomery County, as rescue workers were delayed in getting to his address by road and flood conditions left by Harvey's massive rainfall.

Harvey slammed into Texas on Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other areas as a tropical storm. The rain totaled nearly 52 inches (1.3 meters) in some spots.

Some Houston officials stressed that the recovery from Harvey was beginning, and Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed America's fourth-largest city "open for business." But with areas under water, people not yet in their homes, and billions in damage to repair, major disasters that Harvey created are by no means resolved.

President Donald Trump has asked Congress for a $7.9 billion down payment toward Harvey relief and recovery efforts. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested the cost of recovery could be as much as $180 billion.

___

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Prince George will begin his first day at school this week  a major milestone for a little boy who will one day be king.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen a fee-paying independent school in a south London borough for their four-year-old son.

Thomass Battersea will welcome the young prince and his parents on Thursday, the first day of the new academic year, with Helen Haslem, head of lower school, expected to greet the couple.

Prince George. (Jane Barlow/PA)

George will be smartly dressed in his new uniform, a navy v-neck pullover, matching Bermuda-style shorts, long red socks and black shoes.

The school, where fees cost from 17,604 a year, has been described by the Good Schools Guide as: A big, busy, slightly chaotic school for cosmopolitan parents who want their children to have the best English education money can buy.

That is what they want and, to a large degree, that is what they get.

The guide, which said 19 languages are spoken in the homes of pupils, added: The school celebrates and appears to make the most of this range of different cultures.

Kate has already said she is not sure George has any idea whats going to hit him when he starts school.

(Jonathan Brady/PA)

Thomass, which runs a number of schools in London, says on its website: In each school, we aim to offer the highest academic standards, set within a broad and rich curriculum, which inspires enjoyment, learning and achievement.

We expect every member of the schools communities to Be Kind.

Like George, new headmaster Simon OMalley starts at the school this week. An Aberdeen University graduate, he has taught in Kenya and previously was headmaster of Wellesley House School in Kent, a post he held for 11 years.

Thomass Battersea has 560 boys and girls aged from four to 13, with around 20 in each class.

Prince George on his first day at the Westacre Montessori nursery school. (Duchess of Cambridge/PA)

The four-year-old prince and his classmates will be taught a range of subjects and activities from ballet and art to drama, French, music and physical education.

Georges first day at school will also mark a new chapter for the Cambridges as they are now mainly based in their Kensington Palace apartment rather than their Norfolk home Anmer Hall.

William is a full-time working royal after leaving his job, at the end of July, as a helicopter pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The expectation is he will now carry out more royal duties in support of the Queen and his own charity work and causes.
Maria Sharapovas comeback grand slam ended in a fourth-round defeat by Anastasija Sevastova.

The Russian won the opening set but could not sustain the momentum and fell to a 5-7 6-4 6-2 loss.

This was only Sharapovas fifth tournament since her comeback from a 15-month doping ban in April because of injury and she exceeded most expectations by getting this far.

Maria Sharapova

Sharapova has had to battle in all her matches and it was no surprise to see her run out of steam, hitting 51 unforced errors, as Sevastova clinched victory after two hours and 16 minutes.

This was a step up for Sharapova after her victories over Timea Babos and Sofia Kenin, with Sevastova through to the fourth round in New York for a second straight year.

The Latvian defeated Garbine Muguruza and Johanna Konta 12 months ago and has since climbed to 17th in the world rankings.

TFW you return the US Open QFs for the second straight year.  https://t.co/BkelWHZgVj #usopen pic.twitter.com/T6Q4Kgc4HU  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2017

Sevastova cannot match Sharapova for power but possesses excellent court craft and a wicked drop shot.

In the first set that was not enough to combat the Sharapova forehand. The Russian broke early, was pegged back to 4-4 but then clinched it with a series of vicious groundstrokes.

Sevastova stuck to her game-plan, though, probing away intelligently, forcing Sharapova to put all the pace on the ball and dragging the Russian all around the court.

No.16 Anastasija Sevastova sends off Maria Sharapova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to return to the US Open QFs  https://t.co/BkelWHZgVj #usopen pic.twitter.com/eD6jR4sjDu  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2017

The Latvian broke the Sharapova serve in the third game of the second set, and the five-time grand slam champion found her big weapon a little less reliable.

There was nothing wrong with her improvisational skills, Sharapova playing two left-handed forehands  her second and third of the match  in a single point to hold for 4-3.

Her big chance to level came in the following game but, when her return on break point was called out, Sharapova chose not to challenge. Replays showed it was well in.

No.16 Anastasija Sevastova: "Playing on Ashe is an amazing atmosphere every time. It makes it fun to play here." #usopen pic.twitter.com/qKqfBixygQ  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2017

Sevastova ran with her luck to win the set and, after Sharapova had taken a long toilet break, dropped just one point in the opening three games of the decider.

Sharapova took a medical time-out to have treatment for what appeared to be a blister on her finger and immediately retrieved one of the breaks, Sevastova suddenly looking very tight.

But the 27-year-old quelled the nerves and won the final three games to set up a quarter-final clash with Sloane Stephens, who continued her remarkable comeback from a year out with a foot injury by beating Julia Goerges.
Smoke filled the sky and ash rained down across Los Angeles from a destructive wildfire that the mayor said was the largest in city history.

It was one of several blazes that sent thousands fleeing homes across the US West during a blistering holiday weekend heatwave.

In Oregon, crews rescued about 140 hikers forced to spend the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge Trail.

Search and rescue crews air-dropped supplies as flames prevented the hikers escape.

Wildfires also burned in a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia trees near Yosemite National Park, forced evacuations in Glacier National Park and drove people from homes in parts of the West struggling with blazing temperatures.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared a local emergency and at the state level, Governor Jerry Brown did the same for the county after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighbourhoods.

More than a thousand firefighters fought flames that destroyed more than nine square miles of brush-covered mountains as authorities issued evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale.

In Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency across all counties as three major fires closed recreation areas and prompted evacuations.

Flames in Montanas Glacier National Park prompted officials to evacuate all residents, campers and tourists from one of the most popular areas of the park.

The order affects the Lake McDonald area, the western side of the dizzying Going-to-the Sun Road and some of the most visited trails in the area. The Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, closed last week because of heavy smoke in the area.
British and Irish Lions star Elliot Daly has signed a new contract with Wasps.

Englands 24-year-old utility back has pledged his future to the Coventry club, despite interest from a host of Premiership rivals.

 We'll be seeing a few more of these in Europe as @ElliotDaly signs a new contract with @WaspsRugby pic.twitter.com/5WvUm5A4Mv  Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) September 4, 2017

Saracens and Harlequins were understood to have been keen to recruit Daly, who started all three Tests for the Lions in the summers drawn series in New Zealand.

Wasps boss Dai Young hailed Dalys new deal as another feather in the cap for last terms beaten Aviva Premiership finalists.

Elliot is an integral member of our squad and it is fantastic for the club that he has signed a contract extension with us, said Young.

Despite his relatively young years, he already has a wealth of experience. He has consistently been one of our stand-out players over recent seasons and has seized every opportunity that has come his way on the back of those performances.

As a director of rugby, I was also pleased that Elliot committed to the club with a season still to run on his current contract.

Were not daft, we know a player of his class would have topped a number of clubs lists when January came round, but Elliot believes in the potential of our squad and is happy that this is a place where he will continue to produce his best rugby.

Elliot Daly scores a try for Wasps in the European Champions Cup

I was really pleased for him that he was able to show everyone exactly what hes capable of at the very highest level during the Lions tour. Elliot is one of the key leaders in the group and the exciting thing is there is still so much to come from him.

He isnt even 25 yet, but he has really matured as a player and a person over the last couple of seasons and the best is yet to come.

Daly has won 13 caps with England, forcing his way into Eddie Jones Test side on the wing, a role that he reprised with the Lions.

Elliot Daly again starts on the left wing after an impressive Lions Test debut last Saturday: https://t.co/QlMM76Rv2V #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/AkNvIBd7pq  British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 30, 2017

He remains just as happy at outside centre with Wasps however, and can also operate at full-back.

The Wasps academy graduate has racked up 157 club appearances since his 2010 debut aged just 18.

Daly has helped Wasps progress from a relegation-threatened club without a home to one of the most potent sides in Europe, since their switch to Coventrys Ricoh Arena.

Im really pleased to have extended my contract with Wasps, said Daly.

In some ways it seems like yesterday that I made my Wasps debut. In other ways, when you think of the progress weve made as a club and squad over the past five years in climbing from 11th to first at the end of the regular season, it feels like a lifetime ago. The great thing about this squad is that many of us have grown up together.

Weve been through some tough times and have started to enjoy some much better times. Dai trusted us to go out and show what we could do back then and were seeing the benefits of that backing now. The core of the squad has remained the same, while Dais also added some extra experience and proven internationals to supplement the English talent weve developed here.

A number of Wasps players who were given a chance as youngsters have gone on to earn international opportunities and hopefully there will be more to come who can enjoy that experience.
DICKINSON  Max Bragg, 12, watched the news of Hurricane Harvey over the past week in shock and horror. But unlike most people who watched the news, and much less those who are still in middle school, Max decided to do something about it.

Over Labor Day weekend, Bragg set up a snow cone stand outside of his house in northern Dickinson to raise funds for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

I saw a whole bunch of (hurricane victims) on the news, so then I just decided I want to help, Bragg said.

Bragg, a sixth-grader at Dickinson Middle School, also enlisted the help of his friend and longtime snow cone business partner Trayton FastHorse, 11, to help him run the fundraising effort.

When Bragg first approached him, FastHorse was curious why they wouldnt be getting paid for the work.

Max said were doing it for Harvey, and I said, OK, Im perfectly fine with that,  FastHorse said.

Braggs mother, Annette Bragg-Vranish, helped Max advertise his snow cone fundraising plan through Facebook. Her post on Dickinson classifieds received over 350 likes and more than 50 comments.

All of this helped make Braggs snow cone fundraising efforts a huge success. Bragg raised $356, averaging well over $100 each day. He said his previous best day for snow cone earnings was $52, and on a usual day he made around $20.

Annette wanted to make sure that the money they raised would be effectively used for relief efforts, so she researched the best places to donate.

She settled on Dickinsons Elite Power, which has been organizing a donation drive and will send a truckload of goods to victims of Hurricane Harvey.

After Labor Day weekend, Annette and her son will go to Walmart, or a similar store, and use the funds they raised to buy goods for Elite Power to donate.

(Elite Power) would rather not take cash donations. Theyve asked us to take the money that we get from this to concentrate our efforts in one area, diapers, baby formula, that sort of thing, she said.

Changing business

Max may only be 12 years old, but his wisdom and business acumen far exceed his years.

He has been running his snow cone stand in some fashion for about the last five years, and on the side he has done everything from mowing lawns, washing cars and shoveling snow, to collecting rocks and running a lemonade stand.

The snow cone stand is his favorite job and he has worked hard to improve his business over the years.

Around five years ago, Max said, I went and got a snow cone somewhere and I thought, Im going to do it myself, and I got that machine at Walmart.

Max started with a $20 machine, but quickly moved up to a $30 one. About a year ago, Max then used his earnings to invest $200 in a new premium shaved ice machine, which he now uses to get more finely shaved ice.

When he is in Dickinson or elsewhere, Max spends much of his summer, three to four days a week, selling snow cones outside for up to six hours a day.

FastHorse is also dedicated to Maxs business.

Max says I was the only one who stayed the whole time with him, he said. Usually everyone started to quit because they thought it would get boring.

Max said when he started, his only reason for all of this work was money, but his attitude is changing after raising funds for Harvey.

(Hurricane Harvey) sparked some conversations about other ways Max could use his work to help society, Annette said.

Max mentioned that in the future he will be interested in using his stand to donate to other causes, such as to families of fallen police officers or to other disaster relief efforts.

Donating to victims of Hurricane Harvey also affected FastHorse.

It makes me feel a lot happier inside because Im willing to be a good person and give up all the money that weve made and give it to Texas, he said.

Annette is impressed at the empathy Max and his friends have shown at a young age.

Im real proud of him, but Im not surprised. This is who my child is, his gift is giving, she said.

Elite Power is accepting donations for Hurricane Harvey relief at multiple drop-off locations. Elite Power is also hosting a Harvey relief fundraising dinner in Dickinson on Saturday. Contact Elite Power at 701-483-8219 or 701-590-2645 for details.
Prince Harry has expressed his delight that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child, branding the news fantastic.

Harry, who will be the new royal babys uncle, declared he was very, very happy and said of Kate, who is suffering with severe morning sickness: I think shes okay.

The Duchess, who is being cared for at Kensington Palace, has hyperemesis gravidarum, as she did in her previous pregnancies.

The rare condition, which causes severe vomiting, affects 3.5 in every 1,000 pregnant women.

TRH are delighted with the news that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child. #RoyalBaby pic.twitter.com/RIQOhkOHlM  Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) September 4, 2017

William and Kate are thrilled to be welcoming a new addition to their family, a sibling for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The happy announcement comes just four days after the Duke marked the 20th anniversary of the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Kate is less than 12 weeks pregnant, with Kensington Palace revealing the news early after the Duchess had to pull out of a public engagement on Monday due to severe morning sickness.

The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace

Grandfather the Prince of Wales is said to be delighted, as are the Queen and other members of William and Kates family.

Harry gave a thumbs up when he was asked about royal baby as he arrived for a visit in Manchester, adding: Fantastic. Great. Very, very happy for them.

On how the Duchess was, he replied: I havent seen her for a while but I think shes okay.

Asked for Prime Minister Theresa Mays response to the announcement, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: It is fantastic news and she passes on her congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

PM  This is fantastic news. Many congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) September 4, 2017

Just weeks ago, Kate joked about having a third child while on a tour of Poland and Germany with William, George and Charlotte.

After being given a present designed for newborns while in Warsaw, she laughed and turned to William, saying: We will just have to have more babies.

The Duchess, who is one of three siblings and had a happy home life, was always expected to have three children.

The news was announced as the royal couple were preparing to send their eldest child, Prince George, off to school for the first time

Kensington Palace said in a statement: Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.

The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

Kate had been due to visit the Hornsey Road Childrens Centre in London to hear about the mental health impact of becoming a mother.

Prince Harry is in Manchester today to visit organisations and projects which are working to support sections of the city's community. pic.twitter.com/eSR4FIlQ0E  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 4, 2017

Clarence House said of heir to the throne Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall: They are delighted at the news.

The announcement comes as William and Kate are preparing to send their eldest child off to school for the first time.

Four-year-old future king George starts at fee-paying independent school Thomass Battersea in south London on Thursday.

As Harry talked to people living in Canada Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, local resident David Masterson shouted to him: Congratulations on your kid having a baby.

After joining a discussion on how the city can best provide support for ex-personnel, HRH then met other residents who live on the street. pic.twitter.com/9WaCgAuVDo  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 4, 2017

The royal visitor gave Mr Masterson a thumbs up and said: Thanks.

Mr Masterson managed a handshake with Harry as he left.

He said: I grew up on the street all my life so to see Prince Harry on it is a bit of a shock. I just congratulated him. I didnt think Id get a chance to.

His nine-year-old daughter Lisa said she was looking forward to the royal babys birth.

She said: I think its going to be really nice.
Negotiations around restoring powersharing in Northern Ireland should be short and focused, Sinn Fein said.

Party leader in Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill claimed a deal could be done in days with the right attitude and reiterated calls for progress on a range of cultural issues.

DUP chief Arlene Foster has said the discussions should be over pretty quickly.

Arlene Foster

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is meeting the five main parties at Stormont on Monday as he assesses the chances of a breakthrough.

Mrs ONeill said: There is a short window in front of us where we need to find solutions and a way forward.

We need a short, sharp and focused negotiation in the small time frame we have ahead of us.

.@moneillsf calls for a focused and time limited talks process to deal with outstanding issues. pic.twitter.com/pEEiU3Ag9W  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) September 2, 2017

The DUP leader said Sinn Fein had reacted with breakneck speed to reject her suggestion that a ministerial executive at Stormont be restored alongside a parallel process dealing with cultural issues such as the Irish language.

She warned Mr Brokenshire needed to make a decision by next month on the prospect for fresh talks or direct rule from London with financial pressures looming.

Ms Foster said: I am not going to be prescriptive but we do not believe that there can be a prolonged set of talks.

We think we should be able to come to a determination pretty quickly whether Sinn Fein want to go back into government. Certainly for our part we do. We have no red lines  we have no barriers.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire. (Niall Carson/PA)

Powersharing has been in deep freeze since early this year when the late Sinn Fein deputy first minister Mr McGuinness resigned in protest at the DUPs handling of a botched green energy scheme which risks landing the taxpayer in millions of pounds of debt.

Martin McGuinness. (Niall Carson/PA)

Mrs Foster said by October the Northern Ireland Secretary would have to pass a law authorising the expenditure of public money, adding: If there is no devolution by that stage and no signal of devolution I think that he would have to take action in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

Mr Brokenshire holds discussions with the Ulster and the Democratic Unionists, nationalist SDLP, cross-community Alliance Party and Sinn Fein on Monday on whether to initiate another round of talks.

It has been seven months since devolved ministers last took decisions with negotiations paused over the summer.

Outstanding issues in dispute between the parties include legal protection for the Irish language and dealing with violence from Northern Irelands past.

Mrs Foster has called for a common sense solution appointing Stormont ministers alongside a time-limited process for making progress on the red line issue of an Irish language act and Ulster Scots.

Her republican counterpart said: What she did was go away and call for something which she knew would be rejected.

She said it had been turned down in March.

It was put out knowing what the outcome would be and what the response would be.
Diego Costa has been omitted from Chelseas Champions League squad.

The wantaway striker was included in Chelseas official Premier League list, but has been left out of their 25-man squad for European action.

The 28-year-old is yet to return to Chelsea for the new season, having remained in Brazil in a bid to force a move to Atletico Madrid.

 Dates for your diaries...  pic.twitter.com/mt6xjtmPU4  Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 3, 2017

Atleticos transfer ban means the Spain forward cannot move until January at the earliest.

Costa remains a Chelsea player after the close of the summer transfer window, and the Blues still want him back at the club.

Former Atletico striker Costa claimed Chelsea had treated him like a criminal in insisting he would not return to west London, but manager Antonio Conte has since laughed off those remarks.

Diego Costa

Chelsea missed out on signing Fernando Llorente, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley in a frenetic end to the transfer window.

The return of a fit, focused and compliant Costa would doubtless strengthen boss Contes hand, but Chelsea have left the door open to a mid-season move by omitting the Spain striker from their European ranks.

Costa would avoid being cup tied if he does not make any European appearance for Chelsea, making him a more attractive signing for Atletico in the new year.

Diego Costa

While Chelsea want their employee to return to the club and fulfil the terms of his contract, his omission from the Champions League ranks serves as another reminder of his exiled status at Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard meanwhile believes Chelsea boast a squad capable of challenging on all fronts, despite the Blues missing out on those summer transfer targets.

Eden Hazard

Belgium star Hazard remains convinced however that Chelsea have the power to fight for silverware across the board - especially amid their return to the Champions League.

I think this year will be no different from the previous years, in the sense that every year it is difficult, especially when you play in many competitions, Hazard told the Daily Mail.

This year we have the Champions League as well and it is not easy to succeed in multiple competitions. But we will do our best and we have got depth in our squad so sometimes maybe one or two players can rest so they are 110 per cent for the next competition.

'I just want Michy to change his hair.' @hazardeden10 shares some insight on his team-mates... https://t.co/cy4H2JOKGr  Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 3, 2017

We just want to win as many trophies as possible, for me personally I havent won the Champions League so maybe that one would be a little bit more special, but I would prefer us to win everything.

Hazard missed the start of Chelseas new campaign owing to an ankle injury, but has returned to action with Belgium across the international break.

The 26-year-old hailed Blues boss Conte as one of the worlds top managers as the Stamford Bridge club set about defending their Premier League crown.

I have a good relationship with all my managers, said Hazard. You know we train every day together and we can talk together and laugh together. So yes absolutely we have a good relationship, I wouldnt say friends because it is difficult to be friends with your manager so I wouldnt say that but we have a good relationship.

I think we have got one of the best managers in the world. So we are really happy with him.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been included in Manchester Uniteds squad for the group stages of the Champions League.

The former Sweden striker agreed a deal to rejoin the club last month but is still out of action with a knee ligament injury sustained in April.

"He will help us in our goal of winning the title."@RomeluLukaku9 can't wait to see @Ibra_official back in Red!  https://t.co/qVol78jWQS pic.twitter.com/KRqeBDBxwN  Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 4, 2017

There is doubt the 35-year-old will play again in 2017 but manager Mourinhos decision to include him in his European squad - which was not unexpected - would improve Uniteds options should he return ahead of schedule.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

United will play Basle, CSKA Moscow and Benfica in Group A. Speaking last month, Mourinho said he doubted Ibrahimovic would be fit for any of the six fixtures but would name him in his squad anyway.

Seven strikes for @Ibra_Official in February, but is this one your Goal of the Month?  #MUFC pic.twitter.com/DXnAQSKW5P  Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 3, 2017

Mourinho said: He will not be ready for the group phase of the Champions League, I dont think there is any chance of that. Do we have space in the Champions League list to have him? Yes, we have. So we dont need to leave any player outside of the list.

But Im not thinking Zlatan to play any part in the group phase. Hopefully he can play in the knockout phase.

Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals for United last season after joining the club from Paris St Germain on a one-year deal. His time at the club was ended prematurely by injury but United invited him to continue using their facilities and a new one-year contract offer followed.

Fellow forward James Wilson, 21, has also been included in the squad.
As tensions heighten after North Korea carried out its sixth and most powerful test of a nuclear device, heres a look at what the UKs involvement might be if the crisis escalates.

The Government has repeatedly expressed its preference for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the crisis over nuclear tests by Kim Jong Uns regime, with Downing Street reaffirming the commitment on Monday. On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said all options are on the table but played down the prospect of military action because Kims forces could vaporise large parts of the population of South Korea even without nuclear weapons.

PA Graphic

Additional restrictions on a range of imports and on North Korean workers overseas could be considered, the Prime Ministers spokeswoman said last week. On her visit to Japan, Theresa May made clear she wanted to increase the pace of sanction implementation. Her spokeswoman said there were further sanctions which could be considered when asked whether they could include an oil blockade.

South Korean tanks during a military exercise. (Ahn Young-joon/AP/PA)

The UKs nuclear weapons would never be engaged in a Korean conflict, according to Tom Plant, director of proliferation and nuclear policy at think tank the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). He told the Press Association that Britain would more likely support any conflict through intelligence and logistics and in whatever way was sensible, but said: I think all parties recognise that Britains role in any escalation or in the end stage of any conflict would be pretty limited.

PA Graphic

It would be highly unlikely for North Korea to take fire at Britain, Mr Plant said. He said there was no circumstance that I can think of where the country would threaten the UK with a nuclear weapon, except if British forces were marching north in support of the US military  and North Korea calculated that they may be able to deter the Americans by striking at allies. He said it was more likely that North Korea would use the weapons against US bases in the region: If the North Koreans are using their weapons they are going to be using them against the targets that count, and thats not us.

After Pyongyang detonated its largest-ever nuclear test explosion on Sunday, South Korea has fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the Norths main nuclear test site. Donald Trumps administration has warned that any threat to the US or its allies would trigger a massive military response against the secretive east Asian state. When asked by a reporter during a church visit if he would attack the North, Mr Trump is reported to have said: Well see. US defence secretary Jim Mattis has briefed Mr Trump about the military options available if the crisis escalates, adding that Washington was capable of launching an effective and overwhelming response. He said that while the US was not looking to the total annihilation of North Korea there were many options to do so.
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Russias predominantly Muslim Chechnya to protest against what the Chechen leader called genocide of Muslims in Burma.

Burmese security officials and Muslim Rohingya insurgents have accused each other of atrocities in Burmas Rakhine state, where nearly 400 people, most of them insurgents, have died in clashes.

A huge rally was held on Monday in the Chechen capital Grozny to support the Rohingya minority.

Protesters in Grozny. (Musa Sadulayev/AP)

In a speech, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov compared the violence against Rohingya to the Holocaust.

In a video released earlier, Mr Kadyrov said he would go against Russia if the Russian government supports Burmas military.

Russian federal forces fought two bloody wars in Chechnya in the 1990s.

State television footage showed tens of thousands rallying in Groznys main square to support the Rohingya.

Protesters in Grozny. (Musa Sadulayev/AP)

Mr Kadyrov, who has ruled the republic for more than a decade, keeps a tight grip on Chechen society, and any public displays there are carefully orchestrated.

Local police authorities reported that 1.1 million people attended the rally.

The entire population of Chechnya is 1.4 million, according to official statistics.

On Monday, police arrested 20 people for disturbing public order outside the Burmese embassy in Moscow, Russian news agencies reported.

On Sunday, some 800 people held an unauthorised protest outside the embassy.

Protesters in Grozny. (Musa Sadulayev/AP)

Russia has developed military ties with Burma in recent years. Russias defence minister hosted Burmas commander in chief in June, and Russia has been selling arms to the South Asian nation including some of its most advanced fighter jets and artillery systems.

Mr Kadyrov fought with Chechen separatists in a war with Russian forces in the 1990s, but switched sides in the second war that began in 1999.

In recent years, Mr Kadyrov has cultivated ties with several leaders in the Muslim world and has recently used Russias involvement in Syria to position himself as Russias most influential Muslim.

Mr Kadyrovs charitable foundation has been sending humanitarian aid to Syrian children and offering funds to restore Aleppos oldest mosque and other landmarks.
Rafael Nadal has the next generation in his path to a much-hyped meeting with Roger Federer at the US Open.

The world number one found his form at Flushing Meadows after a couple of shaky performances to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-2 6-4 6-1 and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013.

If he can defeat Andrey Rublev, and Federer keeps up his end of the bargain, there will be a first clash between the two great rivals in New York.

Rafael Nadal

50th #usopen match win for Nadal as he reaches his 7th QF at Flushing Meadows 



More: https://t.co/IDvdAkJ8Ga pic.twitter.com/emSZtDtWW3  ATP Tour (@atptour) September 4, 2017

Rublev is the most surprising of the quarter-finalists and, at 19, the youngest man to reach this stage at the US Open since Andy Roddick 16 years ago.

The Russian has been overshadowed by the likes of Alexander Zverev and Denis Shapovalov but is the first of the next generation to make the last eight at a slam.

Rublev knocked out his second top-10 seed but was helped by David Goffins knee injury, the ninth seed struggling on serve as his teenage opponent wrapped up a 7-5 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 victory.

When you make a 23,000-seat stadium feel cozy.



Sweet moments between @RafaelNadal & US Open fans after his R4 win in Ashe



 #usopen pic.twitter.com/7HVyuZ8zpV  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2017

Rublev grew up idolising Nadal, along with countryman Marat Safin, and said: Rafas the real champion. Im just going to try to enjoy, I have nothing to lose.

Nadal does not buy that approach, saying: Of course hes young but, at the same time, hes in the quarter-finals. He has a chance to be in the semi-finals for the first time in his career, and I have been there a couple of times.

So of course he has things to lose. And of course I have things to lose and things to win. But this sport is about victory. This is not about defeats. At the end of your career, nobody remembers the defeats.

Drop shot? No problem! @RafaelNadal handles @TheDolgo's superb shotmaking as he takes the first set of their R4 2017 US Open clash. #usopen pic.twitter.com/G1jJcU30o1  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2017

Of course hes young, and when you are young you feel that everything is new. But he already won a lot of matches on the tour. Hes not a kid that he came now in this event.

Hes a great guy. He has been in Majorca practising with me a couple of years ago.

Nadal would not swap his career, of course, but he does envy Rublevs youth.

"This sport is about victory. At the end of your career, nobody remembers your defeats. People remember the victories." @RafaelNadal #usopen pic.twitter.com/q2Txuf49Kw  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2017

If I can come back to 19, I take it, he said with a smile. Thats the best part because normally you have a lot more years to enjoy the tour, a lot more years to enjoy life.

Of course, its better to be 19 than 31. I always wanted to be young. Even when I was eight years old, I was not very happy when it was my birthday. Its still the same.

I am happy being young. I dont want to get older. For the moment, I didnt find the way to stop that watch.

Rublev on playing his idol Nadal in #usopen QFs: "He's the real champion. I'm just going to enjoy it. Its the QFs & I have nothing to lose pic.twitter.com/3nwsZ0m3Go  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2017

Nadal had struggled with his forehand and his return of serve in particular against Taro Daniel and Leonardo Mayer, losing the first set both times.

But here those creases had been ironed out and he was in full control from the moment he broke the Dolgopolov serve in the third game.

Nadal put his indifferent form in the first three rounds down to anxiety caused by three close losses in his last three tournaments  against Gilles Muller at Wimbledon then Denis Shapovalov and Nick Kyrgios on the North American hard courts.

19-year-old Rublev becomes the youngest to reach #USOpen QFs since Roddick in 2001!



 Nadal: https://t.co/ziCV1Rkfka pic.twitter.com/ZX1VQi2uex  ATP Tour (@atptour) September 4, 2017

Nadal said: I was practising unbelievably good the week before the tournament starts. A few tough losses in a row makes you feel a little bit more stressed when you are competing.

And then of course I was not perfect, but in every match happened a little bit the same. When I was able to have the break and take some advantage on the score, I was playing much better immediately.

So thats the good news. Its about being a little bit more relaxed. Every victory, every set that you win is more confidence.
Two young brothers are delighted after their toy pirate ship travelled hundreds of miles from Scotland to Scandinavia.

Eight-year-old Ollie Ferguson and sibling Harry, five, first launched their Playmobil ship from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, at the end of May.

It sailed about 390 miles to Denmark, where it was found by a family who sent it on its way.

Ollie and Harry Ferguson

Its next stop was Sweden, where it ended up in a tree and it then travelled on to Norway, where it was found by nature officials.

The boys father MacNeill Ferguson said: Everyone that has picked it up has been really kind and sent us photos and looked after it. People are really getting into the spirit of it.

The boys have enjoyed it and every time we get a message telling us where it has landed we get on the computer and work out where it went, so they are tracking its progress on the map and it gives them an understanding of how big the world is.

Ollie and Harry Ferguson

The ship, named Adventure, needed some adaptations before it was ready to tackle the North Sea.

With the help of their father, the boys added a counterweight to help it stay upright and then filled it with polystyrene to help it stay afloat.

After it passed trials in a swimming pool, they took it to the coast and launched it into the waves.

It carries a message asking anyone who finds the boat to send them a picture and launch Adventure back into the sea.

The Adventure

Mr Ferguson, 44, is pleased it has travelled so far.

He said: I was concerned that the currents along the coast would take it down the north-east coast of Scotland, so I was over the moon when it made a beeline for Scandinavia.

It reached Denmark and then Sweden, where it was picked up by a lady who was sailing her own boat and found it in a tree. She was really kind and remade the sails for it.

Then it was picked up by a Norwegian conservation vessel, they got in touch with some beautiful photos.

The story has attracted interest in the Norwegian press and Adventure is now being taken aboard the Christian Radich, a Norwegian full-rigged ship, which will carry the Playmobil vessel down to Cape Verde and then launch it, giving it the chance to sail thousands of miles across the Atlantic.

The boys launched the pirate ship as part of their bucket list of 500 adventures which they are working their way through, with their exploits charted on the Facebook page The days are just packed at https://www.facebook.com/tdajp/

Here is the complete list of adventures and challenges. The list is flexible, can change if we think of something new... Posted by The days are just packed on Wednesday, March 9, 2016

They have carried out 207 so far, with one highlight being sending Lego figures into space with a high-altitude weather balloon which took the characters 20 miles above the Moray Firth, while they have also been bouldering and made tea from snow.

Other items on the list include build an igloo, go troll hunting and build a waterslide.

Parents MacNeill and Vicki Ferguson came up with the idea to provide the boys with excitement and interesting alternatives to screen time.

The couple, from Turriff, Aberdeenshire, have also set up The Marvellous Adventure Club which provides outdoor learning experiences for adults and children.
By Paulina Duran and Byron Kaye

SYDNEY, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Commonwealth Bank of Australia , the country's biggest lender, announced a major board shake-up on Monday as it scrambles to shore up investor support following allegations it oversaw thousands of breaches of anti-money laundering rules.

But the ouster of a third of the bank's non-executive board, including the first two directors to leave since the allegations were made public on Aug. 3, failed to impress shareholders as CBA stock touched 10-month intraday lows on the news.

The board overhaul came as CBA faced the first day of court hearings into the allegations, and while it did not deny that illicit transfers had taken place, it said it would contest its level of responsibility.

CBA has been under mounting pressure to respond more aggressively to the crisis, which has damaged its already tarnished reputation and exposed it to billions of dollars in potential fines.

Directors and audit committee members Launa Inman and Harrison Young would step down on Nov. 16, while a third director, Andrew Mohl, would leave in a year, CBA said in a statement, without giving a reason for the departures.

CBA announced on Aug. 14 that Chief Executive Officer Ian Narev would leave by mid-2018, although it said his departure was not related to the money-laundering scandal. Narev has blamed a coding error for most of the alleged breaches.

Robert Whitfield, a former head of institutional banking at CBA rival Westpac Banking Corp, would be appointed to the board, CBA said on Monday, without naming any other new appointees.

Whitfield could be in the running to replace Narev, said Omkar Joshi of Regal Funds Management, a CBA shareholder.

"It is unlikely now that you can really have an internal candidate for that role - rightly or wrongly internal candidates have been tainted with that same brush," he said.

CBA shares touched 10-month intraday lows before closing down 1.42 percent at A$74.41, while the broader market was down 0.39 percent. The shares have dropped 12 percent since the scandal erupted last month wiping roughly A$17 billion ($13.55 billion) off its market value.

FIRST HEARING

Financial crime fighting agency AUSTRAC alleges CBA oversaw tens of thousands of illicit transfers amounting to A$624.7 million from 2012 to 2015, including some by known criminal gangs.

CBA's lawyers told the Federal Court on Monday the bank would not "in large part" contest the main facts of the legal action, but said they planned to file a defence.

AUSTRAC's lawyers told the court they expected the bank would try to prove it took reasonable precautions against money laundering and terror financing.

Judge David Yates gave CBA until Dec. 15 to file a defence. The next hearing was set for April 2, 2018.

The AUSTRAC case has triggered a landslide of bad news for CBA, with two other Australian regulators subsequently launching investigations and a law firm threatening to file a class action on behalf of shareholders.

Last year, CBA admitted using unscrupulous practices that cheated people out of life insurance payments, and in 2014 Narev publicly apologised after CBA advisors were found to have given customers poor financial advice.

($1 = 1.2550 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Paulina Duran and Byron Kaye in Sydney, Sandhya Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)
By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen vowed on Monday to resist foreign interference, following international criticism of the arrest of his main rival for treason and a widening crackdown on his critics.

The United States and the European Union condemned the detention of opposition leader Kem Sokha, who is accused of plotting with U.S. support, and steps against the media that forced the independent Cambodia Daily to shut on Monday.

"We cant allow any group to destroy the peace we hold in our hands by being the puppets of foreigners," Hun Sen said at the opening of a new mosque in Kompong Cham province.

"We cannot allow foreigners to use Khmers to kill Khmers any more," he said, referring to the Khmer Rouge genocide that destroyed Cambodia in the 1970s. Hun Sen, 65, is a former Khmer Rouge soldier who switched sides before it was driven out.

Opposition politicians, rights groups and independent media have come under growing pressure in the run-up to an election next year in which Hun Sen could face the greatest electoral challenge of more than three decades in power.

One of China's closest allies in the region, Hun Sen has increasingly ignored criticism from Western donors whose budget support is no longer as critical as during the early years of his rule when Cambodia was little more than a failed state.

Sokha was arrested in a raid on his home early on Sunday.

He had still not been allowed to see his lawyer by Monday, his daughter, Monovithya Kem, said on Twitter.

"We don't know his condition, whether he's safe," she said.

The European Union called for his immediate release, based on the fact that he is meant to have parliamentary immunity, as an elected lawmaker.

"Along with recent actions by the authorities against NGOs and some media organisations, this arrest suggests a further effort to restrict the democratic space in Cambodia," the EU said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department expressed "grave concern" at Sokha's arrest on charges it said appeared to be politically motivated. It said in a statement it was also worried about other curbs on media and civil society.

Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the steps "raise serious questions about the government's ability to organize credible national elections in 2018 which produce an outcome that enjoys democratic legitimacy".

Hun Sen has steadily increased his rhetoric against the United States, ending joint military exercises, expelling a U.S. pro-democracy group and on Sunday accusing Washington of conspiring with Kem Sokha.

The Cambodia Daily newspaper, which published its last edition on Monday, said it had been forced to close after being given one month to pay a crippling $6.3 million in back taxes.

Its final headline, on the arrest of Kem Sokha, was "Descent Into Outright Dictatorship". (Writing by Matthew Tostevin)
Sept 4 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Monday.

PPI DATA

Romania's National Statistics Board to release producer prices data for July at 0600 GMT.

DEBT TENDER

Romanian debt managers tender 800 million lei ($207.14 million) worth of six-month treasury bills.

FX RESERVES

The Romanian central bank's foreign exchange reserves, excluding 103.7 tonnes of gold, rose by 319 million euros on the month to 34.96 billion euros ($41.64 billion) at the end of August, the bank said on Friday.

FAMILY VOTE

Romanias ruling Social Democrats hope to organize this autumn a referendum to restrict the constitutional definition of family, which would effectively rule out the possibility of legalizing same-sex marriage, party leader Liviu Dragnea said on Saturday.

CEE MARKETS

Central European currencies mostly firmed on Friday, helped by data showing record quarterly growth in the Czech economy and upbeat manufacturing business sentiment figures across the region.

JUDICIAL

The European Commission will send a team of experts to Bucharest during Sept. 18-21 to assess Romania's judicial reform progress, part of a special monitoring system. The team will also evaluate plans for an overhaul announced by the justice minister in August that critics have said would undermine judicial independence. Agerpres

CORRUPTION

Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors temporarily detained the head of the state health insurance agency and a dozen other officials pending a criminal investigation into fraud.

Prosecutors have said fictional patients were introduced into the state healthcare system and their fictional medical expenses were reimbursed at the detriment of real patients, causing budget damages worth roughly 3 million euros.

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ROME, Sept 4 (Reuters) - One of Italy's most wanted mob bosses has been arrested in Uruguay after 23 years on the run from convictions for mafia association, drug trafficking and other serious crimes, the Italian Interior Ministry said on Monday.

Rocco Morabito was considered the most wanted fugitive member of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful organised crime group and one of Europe's biggest importers of South American cocaine.

The 50-year-old was arrested in the coastal resort city of Punta del Este after Uruguayan police and Italian authorities worked together to determine his real identity, the ministry said in a statement.

Dubbed the "cocaine king of Milan", Morabito had been wanted since 1994 after he was rumbled paying 13 billion lire ($8 million) to import almost a tonne of the drug, Corriere della Sera newspaper reported.

An international arrest warrant was issued in 1995 with the aim of tracking down Morabito and extraditing him to Italy, where he has been sentenced to 30 years in jail.

The arrest ticks one member off the Italian interior ministry's five-strong list of the country's most-wanted organized criminals, on which Morabito had rubbed shoulders with feared Sicilian boss Matteo Messina Denaro. (Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
ANKARA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - A spokesman for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused German politicians on Monday of indulging in populism after Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would seek an end to Ankara's European Union membership talks.

Merkel, seeking a fourth term in office in Germany's Sept. 24 election, said in a debate on Sunday it was clear that Turkey should not join the European Union, and that she would talk to other EU leaders about ending its stalled accession process.

"It is not a coincidence that our president Erdogan was the main topic of the debate," Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted, criticising what he described as mainstream German politicians' "indulgence in populism".

"Germany and Europe's attacks on Turkey/Erdogan, by ignoring essential and urgent problems, are reflections of the narrowing of their horizons," he said.

"We hope that the problematic atmosphere that made Turkish-German relations the victim of this narrow political horizon will end".

Turkey's ties with Germany and several other EU states have deteriorated sharply this year. Points of dispute have included the barring of Turkish politicians from holding campaign rallies in EU countries ahead of an April referendum, and concerns over the powers granted to Erdogan in the closely fought plebiscite.

Turkey has also restricted access for German parliamentarians seeking to visit German troops at the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey, leading Berlin to announce it was moving those forces out of Turkey. It has also detained several German nationals, including journalist Deniz Yucel.

Turkey says it has sent Germany an extradition request for one of the main suspects it says was behind an attempted military coup in July 2016. More than 50,000 people have been arrested and 150,000 have been suspended or sacked in a security crackdown since the failed putsch. (Reporting by Dirimcan Barut; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
By John Ndiso and Katharine Houreld

NAIROBI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Kenya's education minister said on Monday that arson was to blame for a weekend blaze that killed nine pupils at a girls' boarding school, part of a rising trend of deliberate school fires.

"It was not an accident, it was arson," Minister Fred Matiang'i said of the fire on Saturday at Moi Girls School in Nairobi.

The Kenya Red Cross said on its Twitter feed there had been three other school fires reported in different parts of the country on Monday.

Many of the fires were set by students protesting harsh discipline, poor teaching and corruption, said Canadian Elizabeth Cooper, assistant professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University, who spent four years researching the subject.

Students she interviewed complained about poor food, scarce teaching materials, harsh teachers, and management that ignored their concerns. Many compared their schools to prison and said they destroyed their schools so they could go home.

In one case, boys had drained water tanks and cut phone lines before setting fire to their principal's car and pushing it into his home.

They were angry that he had been collecting money from their parents for three years for a school bus, but had not bought it. If a pupil needed hospital treatment, the principal drove them himself and charged the family, she said.

In another case, girls smeared butter on their curtains and beds before setting them alight, Cooper said. Fires peak just before exams and mock exams.

"The students always say, 'no one listens to our concerns'."

Around 350 Kenyan schools caught fire from 2015 to 2016, according to the government. This compared, according to one academic source, with 76 fires from 2011 to 2013. It was not clear how many fires were deliberate. Numbers for 2014 were not available.

RIVALRIES

Cooper said some schools set on fire have dismissed their principals afterward. There have been few successful prosecutions.

Kenya frequently sees deadly protests, including after the presidential elections held last month. Cooper said students sometimes cited violent protests by slum residents or university students that successfully publicised their causes, and sought to emulate them.

"Students learn that authorities don't respond until they present a threat," she said. "It's one way for voiceless citizens to be heard."

But Matiang'i said some arson attacks were also related to fights over staff appointments in schools, where senior positions can bring financial rewards.

"Some of the fires we have faced before in the sector are related to that kind of thing, politicization of school headship, politicization of responsibility in the education sector. It is not right," he said in a televised press conference.

Kenya is East Africa's largest economy but unemployment is high and corruption is rife, making life difficult for many ordinary people.

Control of a school can mean not just a government salary but an opportunity to extort extra money from students and parents in fees or other charges. (Writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by George Obulutsa and Ralph Boulton)
COX'S BAZAR, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Nearly 90,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar in August, putting pressure on aid agencies and communities already helping hundreds of thousands of refugees from previous violence in Myanmar.

Following are some details on the crisis gathered from U.N. sources working in the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh, on the Myanmar border.

* About 20,000 people are grouped at various entry points along the border. Unlike last week, new arrivals over the past day or two did not report any push back in their attempts to cross the border.

* New settlement clusters are being set up spontaneously and are quickly expanding, with support from communities despite cautioning by authorities against any attempt to provide refugees with materials. Materials most urgently needed would be for shelters, such as tarps, bamboo and rope.

* A stock of high-energy biscuits will only last two weeks. Rice supplies for both the refugees who crossed the border last year as well as this year's arrivals "may be problematic".

* There is enough safe water available to supply 2,500 people for 72 hours with additional stocks in the pipeline.

* Safe sanitation and hygiene can be provided for 500 people with an additional 1,000 kits available. There are 400 emergency latrine chambers with 60 more under construction.

* Overcrowded camps and a lack of knowledge of available medical facilities hamper the mobility of women in labour or those experiencing an emergency.

* Vaccination for children under five has started at the Kutupalong settlement area with 285 children vaccinated for oral polio, measles, rubella and given vitamin A shots.

* There is a need for segregated space in makeshift settlements, active community watch groups and stable power supplies at night to increase safety for women and reduce the threats of violence against them.

* Many children have been found without clothes and are at risk of abuse and trafficking. A total of 487 refugees have received psychological first aid sessions since Aug. 25. Some women and children who have lost family members are traumatized after spending two nights in the open during heavy rain at the border area, and need psychosocial counselling in addition to basic survival needs. (Reporting by Karishma Singh)
BERLIN, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Turkey is not ready to join the European Union now, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said on Monday after she said during a German election debate on Sunday that Ankara "should not become a member".

Merkel was bounced into beefing up her rhetoric on Turkey during the debate after her main challenger, Social Democrat Martin Schulz, vowed to stop Ankara's bid to join the EU if he was elected chancellor.

"The chancellor's words speak for themselves," Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told a regular government news conference in Berlin.

"At the moment, Turkey is not at all in a position to join the European Union. In fact, the negotiations are dormant at the moment," he said, adding that EU leaders would pick up the issue when they meet in October.

(Reporting by Paul Carrel and Michelle Martin)
By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Germany's entry alongside France into a battle between the European Commission and Poland over the rule of law increases the likelihood of unprecedented EU action to punish Warsaw.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel abandoned her usual public restraint last week by criticising Poland's governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, showing the European Union's executive has the firm backing of its most influential member.

It may be a watershed moment in the dispute over an overhaul of the judiciary and other steps taken by PiS which Brussels says undermine democracy in the largest ex-communist EU state.

Poland risks a reprimand under procedures known as Article 7 that have never been used before and would deal a heavy blow to its prestige, deepen its isolation in the bloc and diminish its ability to influence EU policies.

Much is also at stake for the EU. The row has deepened divisions as the EU comes to terms with Brexit and failure to act against a member seen as flouting democracy could raise questions about its determination to defend its core values.

"As much as I wish for good relations with Poland -- they are our neighbour and I will always strive for this given the importance of our ties -- we can't simply keep our mouth shut in order to keep the peace," Merkel said in Berlin.

"This goes to the very foundations of our cooperation within the European Union."

For a decade after it joined the EU in 2004, Poland was the poster child of the bloc's eastward expansion as it was seen as faithfully upholding the EU's democratic values and its economy thrived.

But relations have deteriorated rapidly since the eurosceptic PiS led by former prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, long a political foe of European Council President Donald Tusk, won power in late 2015.

BATTLE OVER JUDICIAL REFORMS

The Commission opened an inquiry into the rule of law in Poland in January 2016 after new legislation put more power in the hands of the Warsaw government, a move seen in Brussels as weakening democratic checks and balances.

The main battle now is over reforms that the Commission says undermine the judiciary's independence, giving the justice minister discretionary power to prolong the mandates of judges at retirement age and dismiss and appoint court presidents.

In another unprecedented development, Warsaw has also ignored a ruling by the EU's top court by continuing with large-scale logging in an ancient forest.

Until now Berlin has let French President Emmanuel Macron take the lead on Poland since he took office last May. He says Warsaw is isolating itself and shunned Poland and its close EU ally, Hungary, during a recent tour of eastern Europe.

But Merkel, who will seek a fourth term as chancellor in an election on Sept. 24, showed her concern by speaking out against Poland last Tuesday and by discussing Poland last week with the head of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.

A diplomatic source said their talks included discussion of how quickly to proceed in the row with Warsaw.

PiS denies accusations by the Commission, Western EU states, political opponents in Poland and rights groups that it is eroding democracy in the country of 38 million people.

"Some EU politicians have made comments most recently that are unjust on Poland. That is why I want to stress that Poland is a democratic country, based on the rule of law," Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said in video footage released last week.

Filmed standing in front of Polish and EU flags, she said: "Let's not allow particular interests of particular countries to overshadow the chief current task, which is to guarantee security to the people of our continent."

ARTICLE 7

The Commission has the option of triggering Article 7, which would mean asking all 27 other EU states to declare that PiS is putting democracy at risk.

But imposing sanctions would require unanimity among the other member states and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made clear he would shield Warsaw from the maximum punishment -- stripping it of its EU voting rights.

Commission deputy head Frans Timmermans said last week he would propose opening Article 7 if Poland starts dismissing Supreme Court judges, adding: "We are very close to triggering Article 7."

But he also said Brussels was waiting to see what proposals Polish President Andrzej Duda makes on two judiciary laws, including on the Supreme Court, proposed by PiS after he vetoed them in July. Two others have been signed.

His comments indicate Warsaw still has a last chance to escape Article 7. No formal decision is likely before the EU leaders meet for a Brussels summit in October at the earliest.

One EU official said Article 7 "is where this seems to be heading" but added: "Nobody likes to single out a member state like that. Everyone has their sins and this creates a dangerous precedent - what if you are going to be the next one?" (Additional reporting by Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs in Budapest, Tatiana Jancarikova in Bratislava, Andreas Rinke, Paul Carel and Noah Barkin in Berlin, Richard Lough and Michel Rose in Paris, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
NEW DELHI/JERUSALEM, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Indian state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp plans to bid for Israeli offshore oil-and-gas exploration blocks, India's oil minister told Reuters, the first major deal between the two countries since a groundbreaking trip by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July.

India and Israel have deep defence ties but Modi and his right wing ruling group are pushing to expand the relationship into other sectors such as energy and technology with a country they see as a natural ally against terrorism.

A high-ranking delegation from India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, visited Israel last month to discuss taking part in the tender for blocks in the Mediterranean Sea and Israeli officials said they were pleased with the visit.

"We will definitely bid for Israel's oil-and-gas blocks," Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told Reuters. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma in New Delhi and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem: Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Neil Fullick)
TRIPOLI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian met Libyan officials in Tripoli on Monday to offer support for a deal between political rivals signed in Paris aimed at stabilising the North African country.

Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Seraj and the divided nation's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar in July committed to a conditional ceasefire and to work towards elections, but the agreement did not include other key factions.

Western governments, worried about Islamist militants and smugglers thriving in Libya's chaos, are pushing a broader U.N.-backed deal to unify Libya and end the instability that has weakened the country since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi.

In Tripoli, Le Drian met Seraj and planned talks with Abdulrahman Swehli, a politician connected to some of Haftar's rivals who heads a parliamentary council in the capital, Libyan officials said.

Le Drian is also to visit Misrata, Swehli's home city and a base of opposition to Haftar, before heading to Benghazi to meet Haftar and to Tobruk to meet the head of an eastern-based parliament that backs him.

The French minister's visit is in line with President Emmanuel Macron's push for a deeper French role in bringing Libyan factions together in the hope of countering militant violence and easing Europe's migrant crisis.

"Our objective is the stabilisation of Libya in the interests of the Libyans themselves," Le Drian said in a statement in Tripoli.

"A united Libya, equipped with functioning institutions, is the condition for avoiding the terrorist threat in the long term."

He said the Paris deal was meant to support the U.N.-backed accord for a government of national unity.

Past Western attempts to broker agreements have often fallen victim to political infighting among rival factions and armed brigades vying for power in the OPEC oil producer.

Seraj's government has struggled to impose control and its presidential council is divided. Haftar has refused to accept its legitimacy. He has been gaining ground, backed by allies Egypt and United Arab Emirates. (Reporting by Hani Amara; writing by Patrick Markey; editing by Andrew Roche)
OSLO, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Norway's $990 billion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, on Monday proposed to streamline its fixed-income portfolio by shortening maturities and cutting corporate bonds and some 20 currencies from the benchmark it tracks.

If approved by Norway's Finance Ministry, the changes would leave only government bonds in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds as part of the index, which already represents more than 80 percent of the fund's fixed-income investments.

The switch would reduce transaction costs and volatility, while having little impact on overall risk, the central bank, which manages the fund, wrote in a letter to the ministry.

The change would not trigger immediate asset sales, but could lead to a gradual move away from the currencies that are cut from the benchmark, including bonds denominated in Japanese yen, Canadian dollars, Swedish crowns and Swiss francs, it said.

The fund's focus has gradually shifted away from government bonds, which represented 100 percent of its holdings in the 1990s and now stand at 32 percent. The plan is to shrink this further in the years to come to give the equities portfolio room to grow. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik; editing by Jason Neely)
By Tom Miles

GENEVA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Burundian officials at the highest level should be held accountable for crimes against humanity and a list of suspects has been drawn up, a U.N. Commission of Inquiry said on Monday.

The commission said there are reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity had been committed since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term in office.

The opposition said he was acting unconstitutionally. A government crackdown on protests followed and the ensuing upheaval triggered a food crisis and the exodus of over 400,000 refugees.

"The Commission has reasonable grounds to believe that... crimes against humanity are attributable primarily to state officials at the highest level and to senior officers and members of the National Intelligence Service, the police, the army and the Imbonerakure," the report said.

The Imbonerakure, the youth league of the ruling party, received instructions to commit human rights violations from Nkurunziza's office, it said.

Willy Nyamitwe, senior communication officer in the office of the president, told Reuters the report was an attempt at the "demonisation" of Burundi's state institutions.

"Those U.N. experts are mercenaries who act on command ... to validate what some people want to see or hear," he said. "It's war propaganda. They want to show to the world that the situation is tragic while it is calm."

The report of the year-long inquiry, created by the U.N. Human Rights Council in September 2016, was based on more than 500 interviews with victims, witnesses and other sources. The government refused to cooperate.

The commission said it had information about hundreds of executions, hundreds of people being tortured and around 40 rapes. But commission member Francoise Hampson said any attempt to give exact figures was spurious.

The report said the principal perpetrators were the defence and security forces, while the National Intelligence Service had carried out extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, acts of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and sexual violence.

"The National Intelligence Service reports directly to the President of the Republic and its operations are managed by a senior administrative officer," the report said.

The commissioners declined to give details of suspects but Commission member Francoise Hampson pointed to people closest to Nkurunziza.

"There's a circle around the president and we have the impression that they have control of a parallel system in the Burundian state, and these people have a certain responsibility," she told a news conference in Geneva.

The commission said ethnic insults had been targeted at Tutsis but that it was "not in a position to establish the existence of a political will to destroy that ethnic group 'in whole or in part', as required by the definition of genocide".

Burundi is under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, although the country is withdrawing in October. After that, any crimes committed in Burundi will not fall under the ICC's jurisdiction.

The commission called on the ICC to start an investigation as soon as possible. (Additional reporting by Nairobi newsroom; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
By Matthew Tostevin

PHNOM PENH, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Foreign donors must open their eyes to Cambodia's "false democracy" and put more pressure on Prime Minister Hun Sen after the arrest for treason of his main rival, Kem Sokha, a top opposition figure said on Monday.

Mu Sochua, known internationally for campaigns against sex trafficking and for women's rights, said the opposition had done as much as it could and would not call for demonstrations because it believed in non-violence.

Now the world had to save Cambodia, which has taken decades to recover from the Khmer Rouge genocide, she said.

"There isnt true peace. There has always been a false democracy," said Mu Sochua, 63, who is one of three deputies to Kem Sokha in the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

"The international community have been willing to close their eyes and play along with it. Right now all the red lines have been crossed," she told Reuters in an interview in Phnom Penh.

Kem Sokha was arrested on Sunday and accused of plotting treason with the United States in an escalating crackdown on Hun Sen's critics that has also targeted independent media and rights groups in the run-up to an election next year.

Kem Sokha's lawyer had been allowed to visit him for the first time on Monday and he seemed to be OK, she said.

The opposition party was not calling for cuts in aid or trade, Mu Sochua said. But donors needed to make clear what they could do and convince Hun Sen that he would have no legitimacy from a flawed election.

"We are asking for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Kem Sokha," she said. "We hope the international community will come up to our expectations."

She welcomed statements from both the United States and European Union, which have criticised the arrest of Kem Sokha and questioned whether next year's elections can be fair.

HUN SEN DEFIANT

But Hun Sen, who has pulled in billions of dollars in Chinese loans and become one of Beijing's closest regional allies, has only condemned foreign interference.

"We cant allow any group to destroy the peace we hold in our hands by being the puppets of foreigners," said Hun Sen, 65, a former Khmer Rouge soldier who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades.

Mu Sochua said the opposition wanted dialogue with the ruling Cambodian People's Party under the auspices of countries that signed and guaranteed peace accords in Paris in 1991: the biggest world powers, Asian powers and Southeast Asian states.

"We have done everything possible," she said. "When there is use of force by a corrupt judiciary we are very vulnerable. Thats why were saying 'dont defend the opposition, defend Cambodia'."

Opposition party leaders met on Sunday to discuss the next steps after Kem Sokha's arrest, but with few obvious options.

They would definitely not call for protests, Mu Sochua said. Replacing Kem Sokha would not happen either.

"Thats exactly in the scenario of Mr Hun Sen," she said, raising the possibility of an election boycott if Kem Sokha were not released.

"That would be a last resort. We cannot pretend that we will go into something that will totally destroy the party and we cannot be part of the destruction of democracy in Cambodia," she said.

Kem Sokha, 64, only became leader in February after his predecessor, Sam Rainsy, resigned in the face of a new law to ban any party whose leader has been found guilty of a crime.

Sam Rainsy lives in France to escape a defamation conviction.

Parties were then banned from even having links to convicted criminals, prompting the CNRP to go around old posters with paint brushes to obliterate Sam Rainsy's picture. Party officials are not allowed to mention his name.

"Maybe when Mr Kem Sokha is convicted we can't mention his name either, but then whos next?" Mu Sochua said.

"In the minds of the Cambodian people, we know who is our leader in our hearts." (Additional reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Robert Birsel)
GENEVA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro will address the opening day of a three-week U.N. Human Rights Council session on Sept. 11, a United Nations spokesman said on Monday.

Maduro's government has been criticised by Washington, the United Nations and major Latin American nations for overriding Venezuela's opposition-led Congress, cracking down on protests, jailing hundreds of foes and failing to allow the entry of foreign humanitarian aid to ease a severe economic crisis.

"We received a 'note verbale' today that he is coming," U.N. human rights spokesman Rolando Gomez said. "He will be speaking at the opening of the council session." (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Gareth Jones)
BOGOTA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Colombia's ELN rebel group said on Monday it has agreed a bilateral ceasefire with the government in honor of the visit of Pope Francis this week.

The rebel group, which regularly bombs oil installations and kidnaps for ransom, was founded by radical Catholic priests in 1964 and currently is in peace talks with the government to end 53 years of war.

This is the first ceasefire declared by the rebels. (Reporting by Bogota newsroom; Editing by Bill Trott)
By Solarina Ho

TORONTO, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Hudson's Bay Co's (HBC) commitment to Europe is "rock solid," Chief Executive Gerald Storch told Reuters in an interview, ahead of the opening of the first of 10 planned name-sake department stores in the Netherlands on Tuesday, bucking a trend away from bricks and mortar.

The European expansion comes in the face of pressure from activist investor Jonathan Litt, who has asked HBC to consider various options in the wake of flagging sales, including going private, monetizing its real estate holdings, valued at about $10 billion, and selling its European operations.

HBC's new market launch, first announced last year, is in contrast to the strategy of some other North American department store operators. The industry is besieged by fast-changing consumer preferences and retail trends and has seen sales deteriorate at a more rapid clip than many expected, sparking a sharp fall in share prices.

Despite the challenging market outlook, HBC is slated to open nine more stores in the Netherlands later this month, as the company forges ahead with its expansion amid shareholder calls to rethink its retail strategy.

Storch said the Dutch entry was important given the oversaturated U.S. retail market and brings HBC's total European retail presence to about a third of the company's global footprint.

"We had an opportunity, that never existed, to design a department store from scratch," Storch said. "We set out to design the department store of the future."

The company is planning to invest 300 million euros ($350 million) in its Dutch expansion.

The 183,000-square-foot (17,000-square-meter) Amsterdam location will be the first international Hudson's Bay store in the Canadian company's 347-year history, and marks another link between the two countries dating back to World War Two, when Canadian forces liberated the country from German occupation.

Last week, Reuters reported the Saks Fifth Avenue owner plans to review its options, including taking the company private, following pressure from Litt, who through his investment vehicle, Land & Buildings, owns about a 5 percent stake in HBC.

Storch declined to comment specifically on those plans but said HBC's goals remained aligned with those of investors and that the company is always evaluating opportunities for its real estate.

"We've demonstrated that consistently through the actions that we've taken," said Storch, but he also reiterated HBC's commitment to its retail business.

Industry analysts say the challenging retail conditions have spurred a broader industry push to turn bricks and mortar shopping into an "experience," incorporating concepts aimed at attracting customers to the stores in a way that online competitors can not replicate.

The Dutch stores feature special spaces to launch products and host events, "pop-up" sites, restaurants and interactive play areas for children. They also offer services including personal shoppers, facial treatments, salons, and in-store "click and collect," which allows visitors to scan what they want to buy and pick up the items when they leave the store.

"The problem isn't department stores," Storch said. "The problem is bad department stores." (Reporting by Solarina Ho; Editing by Denny Thomas and Steve Orlofsky)
By Paul Carrel

BERLIN, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Germany sought to cool tempers over Turkey's EU accession prospects on Monday after Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrat (SPD) rival both said in a TV debate the country had no place in Europe, drawing charges of populism from Ankara.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry, while making no direct threat to back out, reminded Germany of an agreement between Ankara and the EU that has stemmed a flood of migrants from conflict zones reaching Europe, not least Germany, via Turkey.

Merkel appeared bounced into sharpening her rhetoric on Turkey during Sunday's debate when her main challenger Martin Schulz vowed to stop Ankara's bid to join the EU if he were elected chancellor.

Merkel, who has been at odds with President Tayyip Erdogan on many fronts over the last year, at first rejected such a direct approach but returned to the matter later, saying "the fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU".

Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, on his Twitter feed, accused mainstream German politicians of "indulgence in populism".

"It is not a coincidence that our president Erdogan was the main topic of the debate," he said, suggesting they were simply diverting attention from more serious political problems.

"Germany and Europe's attacks on Turkey/Erdogan...are reflections of the narrowing of their horizons."

The exchange inflamed ties with Ankara already strained by Erdogan's crackdown on opponents following a failed coup in July last year. Twelve German citizens, four with dual citizenship, have been detained in Turkey on political charges. The German government said on Monday one person had been released.

Last month, Erdogan said Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Schulz's SPD and the Greens were all "enemies of Turkey" and encouraged Turkish voters in Germany not to vote for them.

Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, sought to take the heat out of the accession question on Monday, stressing that it was not a pressing matter for Berlin and would be discussed by EU leaders only at a summit in October.

"So the issue will only be up for debate after the Bundestag election," he told a regular government news conference, referring to the Sept. 24 election at which Merkel is seeking a fourth term.

"The Chancellor's words speak for themselves," Seibert said.

Merkel, arguably the most influential politician in the European Union, promised during Sunday's television debate to speak to other EU leaders "so that we can end these accession talks."

Seibert, softening her remarks, said Turkey was not ready to join the EU - for now; a formulation that would be accepted even by those backing eventual Turkish accession.

"At the moment, Turkey is not at all in a position to join the European Union," he said. "In fact, the negotiations are dormant at the moment."

In Brussels, a spokesman for the European Commission said: "Turkey is taking giant strides away from Europe and that is making it impossible for Turkey to join the European Union, this is what we believe."

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: "Turkey... is still a candidate country. So we will continue talks ... to define the future of our relationship."

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said EU membership "is still a strategic goal for Turkey". He said Ankara was ready for further talks, but the process faced political obstacles.

"ENEMIES OF TURKEY"

Turkey's foreign ministry said in a statement:

"We would like to remind the politicians who ran after us to save the EU from great chaos during the refugee crisis that not leaving the relations with Turkey in the hands of populism is important."

Merkel's opening of German borders to admit some one million migrants drew strong criticism from some. But she appears to have weathered the migrant crisis, with help from the Turkish-EU agreement, standing now some 14 points clear of Schulz in opinion polls. Home to some 3 million people of Turkish descent, Germany has traditionally had good relations with Turkey, a major trade partner. But ties between the NATO allies have deteriorated and Merkel's CDU has long opposed Turkish EU membership.

The green light for membership talks was given months before Merkel became chancellor in 2005 and she had previously always said that she would respect that decision, referring to the negotiations as "open ended".

Turkey's EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik said any talk of ending his country's negotiations for EU accession amounted to an "attack on Europe's founding principles".

Erdogan accuses Germany of harbouring plotters behind the 2016 coup attempt. Turkey has arrested 50,000 in a crackdown, including EU-Turkish citizens. Western politicians say the dragnet is a pretext for Erdogan to rid himself of his opponents.

(Additional reporting by Dominic Evans in Istanbul, Dirimcan Barut in Ankara, Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels, and Marja Novak in Bled; editing by Ralph Boulton)
By Alberto Alerigi Jr.

SAO PAULO, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Faced with a surge in cargo hijackings, Brazilian furniture and home electronics retailer Via Varejo SA has invested in security, drawn no-go zones for deliveries and beefed up in-store pickup services, its logistics chief said in an interview.

Marcelo Lopes said the company has also begun using its own trucks to stock 80 stores in the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and it intends to reach all 730 stores in those states by the end of the year.

He said the logistics unit VVLog, created after the consolidation of CNova, an e-commerce unit of controlling owner Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, has reduced costs by 20 percent for in-store pickup compared to home delivery.

The logistics overhaul highlights how a rise in crime tied to Brazil's worst recession in over a century is forcing companies to reconsider even the most basic services.

From January to July, cargo theft surged nearly 26 percent in Rio and 20 percent in Sao Paulo from the same period in 2016, according to state public safety data.

"There are risk zones where we don't even deliver," Lopes told Reuters. "Starting in Rio we have developed more security resources such as escorts, systems for opening the trucks ... We don't even share certain information with partners."

Via Varejo says it still delivers to customers in 98 percent of Brazil.

"In the few places we don't deliver for public safety reasons, we offer the Quick Pickup service" in stores, he said.

Rival Magazine Luiza SA also ramped up its in-store pickup last year for online purchases. (Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.; Writing by Brad Haynes; Editing by Paul Simao)
BRUSSELS, Sept 4 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday she would seek an end to Turkey's membership talks with the European Union.

Here is a timeline of the most significant dates in Turkey's EU accession progress:

* 1987 - Turkey, a member of the NATO military alliance, applies to join the EU's forerunner, the European Economic Community.

* 1997 - Ankara is declared eligible to start talks, after strong support from Britain, Italy and Sweden. They see the addition of a dynamic economy and a powerful player in Middle East politics as a benefit for the EU.

France, Germany and Austria are wary of admitting Turkey, concerned about the economic and cultural challenges of integrating a large, Muslim nation of 80 million people into the EU.

* 2002 - Turkey abolishes the death penalty, a basic condition for joining the European Union. Turkey's Islamist-rooted AK Party wins a general election and vows to push for EU membership.

* March 2003 - Tayyip Erdogan becomes prime minister and later says that Turkey "is very much ready to be part of the European Union family."

* October 2005 - Formal EU accession negotiations begin.

* 2010 - Turkey's membership bid stalls over issues including the divided island of Cyprus, an EU member, which Turkey invaded in 1974. Pushed by Cyprus and France, EU capitals block the opening of new negotiating areas, or chapters.

* 2013/2014 - Erdogan' purges thousands of police and hundreds of judges and prosecutors over a corruption scandal he says was engineered by political enemies.

* August 2014 - Erdogan is elected to the post of president which he plans to transform from a largely ceremonial post to a powerful executive office.

* October 2014 - The European Commission, the EU executive that oversees EU accession talks, submits its most critical annual report yet, warning of "serious doubts" about judicial independence.

* March 2016 - The European Union and Turkey agree to revive accession talks, as well as negotiations over visa-free travel for Turks to the bloc, as part of a broader accord to halt record flows of Syrian refugees to Europe in return for financial aid for Ankara.

* July 15, 2016 - A faction of the military tries to overthrow Erdogan, prompting international condemnation, including from the European Union.

But relations with Brussels quickly begin to sour as Turkey purges suspected coup plotters on a huge scale. The Council of Europe rights body, of which Turkey is a member, says the purge is unconstitutional.

* March 2017 - Erdogan accuses Germany of "fascist actions" reminiscent of Nazi times after being stopped from holding political rallies in the country as he seeks support among the 1.5 million Turkish citizens there ahead of an April referendum.

A narrow victory in the referendum gives Erdogan sweeping new powers that the European Union fears cements a new system of authoritarian rule and makes EU membership ever more distant.

* April 2017 - The European Parliament calls for a formal suspension of Turkey's EU membership bid, which is now effectively frozen.

EU foreign ministers hold talks with Turkey's top diplomat Mevlut Cavusoglu in Malta. They say they are against annulling Turkey's decade-long bid for EU membership.

Privately, however, ministers raise the possibility of a new, looser agreement with Turkey on free trade, immigration and counter-terrorism. The European Union is Turkey's biggest foreign investor and biggest trading partner.

* Sept. 3, 2017 - German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will seek an end to Turkey's membership talks, in an apparent shift of position during a televised debate weeks before a German election.

(Reporting by Robin Emmott; editing by Ralph Boulton)
ROME/MONTEVIDEO, Sept 4 (Reuters) - One of Italy's most wanted mob bosses has been arrested in Uruguay after 23 years on the run from convictions for mafia association, drug trafficking and other serious crimes, the interior ministries of both countries said on Monday.

Rocco Morabito was considered the most wanted fugitive member of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful organised crime group and one of Europe's biggest importers of South American cocaine.

The 50-year-old was arrested in Montevideo after Uruguayan police and Italian authorities worked together to determine his real identity, the Italian ministry said in a statement.

Dubbed the "cocaine king of Milan," Morabito had been wanted since 1994 after he was caught paying 13 billion lire ($8 million) to import almost a tonne of the drug, Corriere della Sera newspaper reported.

Morabito entered Uruguay in 2001, and took up residence with his wife in the coastal resort city of Punta del Este, the Uruguayan interior ministry said in a statement. He was living there under the false identity of Francisco Antonio Capeletto Souza, of Rio de Janeiro, it added.

Morabito was jailed in Uruguay for using false documents while Italy's request for extradition is processed, the statement said, adding that $50,000 in cash was found at his home along with 13 cell phones.

An international arrest warrant was issued in 1995 with the aim of tracking down Morabito and extraditing him to Italy, where he has been sentenced to 30 years in jail.

The arrest ticks one member off the Italian interior ministry's five-strong list of the country's most-wanted organised criminals, on which Morabito had rubbed shoulders with feared Sicilian boss Matteo Messina Denaro. (Reporting by Isla Binnie in Rome and Malena Castaldi in Montevideo; Writing by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
By John Ruwitch and Jemima Kelly

SHANGHAI/LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - China on Monday banned and deemed illegal the practice of raising funds through launches of token-based digital currencies.

The move was targeted at so-called initial coin offerings (ICO) in a market that has exploded since the start of the year.

ICOs have become a bonanza for digital currency entrepreneurs, globally and in China, and have provided the fuel for a rapid ascent in the value of cryptocurrencies this year that has driven fears of a bubble that could burst.

Individuals and organisations that have completed ICO fundraisings should make arrangements to return funds, said a joint statement from the People's Bank of China (PBOC), the securities and banking regulators and other government departments that was posted on the central bank's website.

In total, $2.32 billion has been raised through ICOs, with $2.16 billion of that being raised since the start of 2017, according to cryptocurrency analysis website Cryptocompare.

Bitcoin rival Ethereum, which token-issuers usually ask to be paid in and which has therefore seen unprecedented growth this year, fell sharply on the news, last trading down almost 20 percent on the day at $283, according to trade publication Coindesk.

Bitcoin was also down 8 percent, while the total value of all cryptocurrencies was down around 10 percent, according to industry website Coinmarketcap.com.

"The large price falls can be attributed to panic amongst traders and profit-taking," said Cryptocompare founder Charles Hayter.

The rapid ascent of ICOs prompted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to warn in July that some ICOs should be regulated like other securities. Singapore and Canada followed with similar warnings.

Zennon Kapron, director of the Shanghai-based financial technology consultancy Kapronasia, said he suspected regulators were putting the brakes on ICOs in order to better understand the phenomenon, but could ease off in the future.

"Regulators globally are struggling to understand what ICOs are, what the risks are, and how to ring-fence and regulate them," he said.

"China, in many ways, is no different than the U.S. or Singapore in saying, ok, we need to push back on these for now until we figure out how to deal with them...I think it will be slightly a temporary measure."

"THE MUSIC HAS STOPPED"

By creating and issuing digital tokens, entrepreneurs can raise large sums quickly -- sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars in minutes -- with little or no regulatory oversight. But unlike traditional fundraising, token holders are generally not given any share in the particular project, nor any security.

For the buyer, therefore, the main reason for buying these highly risky tokens is often simply a bet that their value will rise. Once the tokens have been issued they can be traded against other cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, the first successful digital-only currency.

The popularity of coin offerings has surged in China this year.

In July, the state news agency Xinhua cited data from a government organisation that monitors online financial activity to report that there had been 65 ICOs so far during the year raising a combined 2.62 billion yuan ($394.6 million) from 105,000 individuals in the country.

Oliver Bussman, previously chief innovation officer at UBS and now president of the Switzerland-based "Crypto Valley Association" that promotes blockchain-based technology, said Chinese authorities had to be especially vigilant about protecting consumers because of the lack of financial advice in the country, compared with Europe or North America.

Reaction to the ban was swift online.

"The music has stopped," said one member of a chat group on the social networking platform WeChat that was set up last week for an upcoming ICO for a fundraising platform called SelfSell.

"Hurry up and sell your bitcoin," said another.

The organizer of the ICO project, who recently went on a six-city roadshow, said the project had been suspended.

But Bussman said that once there was some regulatory clarity, and once it had been worked out how to classify different types of ICO, the token-based fundraising would continue.

"The initial coin offering is a new business model leveraging blockchain technology and it will remain," he said.

"This is not the end of the ICO - absolutely not." (Reporting by Jemima Kelly in London, John Ruwitch in Shanghai, Elias Glenn and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Richard Borsuk and Sam Holmes/Jeremy Gaunt)
By Bruno Federowski SAO PAULO, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Latin American currencies seesawed on Thursday as a U.S. holiday curbed trading volumes, while traders avoided risky bets due to escalating geopolitical tensions around North Korea. North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday and showed signs of planning more missile tests, triggering strong backlash. The United States said countries trading with North Korea were aiding its "dangerous nuclear intentions" as the United Nations Security Council mulled tough new sanctions. The reports drove risk-aversion throughout the world, with the U.S. dollar slipping against major safe-haven currencies, such as the Swiss Franc and the Japanese Yen. Still, market moves were somewhat limited in Latin America as many traders were away from their desks due to the U.S. Labor Day holiday. "Without Wall Street as a reference, moves tend to be weaker due to lower liquidity," analysts at Advanced brokerage wrote in a report. The Brazilian real strengthened 0.3 percent, the Mexican peso slipped 0.4 percent and the Colombian peso was flat. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa stock index treaded water, holding near seven-year highs. Shares in steelmaker Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA were the biggest gainers, tracking higher prices of China-listed steel futures. Shares of busmaker Marcopolo SA fell as much as 2.3 percent after a large fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at one of its factories, the biggest in Brazil. Marcopolo kept the factory closed on Monday but said that the fire did not damage the assembly line there. Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies at 1720 GMT: Stock indexes daily % YTD % change change Latest MSCI Emerging Markets 1083.34 -0.73 26.57 MSCI LatAm 2896.05 -0.56 24.42 Brazil Bovespa 71878.21 -0.06 19.34 Mexico S&P/BVM IPC 50907.93 -0.34 11.54 Chile IPSA 5154.68 -0.37 24.17 Chile IGPA 25751.37 -0.34 24.20 Argentina MerVal 23547.97 -0.46 39.19 Colombia IGBC 11251.97 0.78 11.10 Venezuela IBC 264614.31 12.94 734.61 Currencies daily % YTD % change change Latest Brazil real 3.1379 0.27 3.55 Mexico peso 17.8820 -0.39 16.00 Chile peso 624.15 0.14 7.46 Colombia peso 2929.1 0.03 2.47 Peru sol 3.237 0.03 5.47 Argentina peso (interbank) 17.2550 -0.23 -8.00 Argentina peso (parallel) 18.11 0.22 -7.12 (Reporting by Bruno Federowski; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
By Michael Nienaber

BERLIN, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The leading candidates of Germany's smaller parties locked horns over migration, security and foreign policy in a television debate on Monday.

It came less than three weeks before the federal election in which the third-placed party could turn out to be the kingmaker.

The clash followed a debate between centre-right Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrat (SPD) challenger Martin Schulz on Sunday in which hardly any differences emerged.

This stirred speculation that a re-run of the current grand coalition between the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the SPD is the most likely outcome of the Sept. 24 vote.

Merkel and Schulz both have stressed they want to avoid such a scenario. But polls suggest that the next government would have a stable majority only with another grand coalition or with a tricky three-way coalition between the conservatives, the Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP).

In the debate of the smaller parties, Cem Ozdemir from the Greens attacked Die Linke (Left) candidate Sahra Wagenknecht and AfD politician Alice Weidel for their euroceptic rhetoric.

"This anti-European populism is simply wrong -- no matter if it comes from far-left or far-right," Ozdemir said, adding that Germany was benefitting immensely from the European Union and that it was easy to always blame Brussels for national problems in member states.

Weidel from the rightist anti-immigrant AfD blamed the European Central Bank's ultra-loose monetary policy for soaring rents and property prices in German cities and accused the ECB of violating European treaties with its bond-buying programme.

FDP candidate Christian Lindner tried to corner Ozdemir by accusing him of applying double standards in foreign policy and having an inconsistent approach towards Russia.

IMMIGRATION LAW

Lindner raised eyebrows last month when he suggested that Germany might have to accept Russia's 2014 annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine as a "permanent provisional arrangement".

Merkel has condemned Russia's annexation of Crimea and its support for anti-government separatists in eastern Ukraine, leading Europe in maintaining economic sanctions against Moscow.

Linder himself said Germany should not mix refugee and asylum policies with the need for a modern and well-directed immigration law to attract more highly educated workers from abroad to avert a shortage of skilled labour in Germany.

Turning to the threat of Islamist attacks, Lindner said there was no need for tougher security laws, adding that last year's Christmas market attack in Berlin by a failed asylum seeker could probably have been averted if authorities had only implemented existing laws more strictly.

AfD's Weidel called for tougher border controls to improve security and suggested there should be an upper limit of 10,000 refugees per year. The Bavarian CSU conservatives want an official cap of 200,000 refugees per year -- a proposal opposed by Merkel and the co-governing Social Democrats.

The SPD is trailing Merkel's conservative CDU/CSU bloc by double digits in polls. The latest survey by Emnid showed on Sunday that the SPD gained one percentage point to 24 percent and Merkel's conservatives remained unchanged at 38 percent.

The leftist Die Linke came in at 9 percent, making it the third-strongest political force. The Greens, FDP and AfD stood at 8 percent each.

This means that six parties are expected to enter the Bundestag lower house of parliament, up from the current four. The fractured political landscape could make it hard to form another viable alliance than the current grand coalition.

(Reporting by Michael Nienaber Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
The sudden and unexpected demise of retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Bodhi Liyanage has left a great void in our society, the Police Department and the Association of PoliceChiefs. The irreplaceable loss of this dynamic and vibrant personality will be felt far and wide and in many circles.

This tribute is in memory of a truly great human being who made an un-precedent contribution to the Police Department. It is no easy task to write a tribute to an eminent character of the likes of Bodhi Liyanage; however I shall strive to do justice to this remarkable personality.

For being a towering influence in my formative years in the Police Department and for the values he inculcated in me, I owe him an immeasurable debt of gratitude



I had the privilege of meeting him for the first time at the Colombo University where my brotherin-law was a very close friend of him and his batch mate. At university, acquitting him very well at a young age, he obtained a Degree in Economics and moved on after graduation to become a banker. Shortly after, the military beckoned him and he joined the Sri Lanka Army. However, it was the Police Department where his true calling lay and on August 1, 1974, he enrolled in the Police Department as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent, becoming the first in a batch of five after a competitive examination.



My second encounter with Bodhi Liyanage was in 1985 when he took over the Kandy Police Division as the Senior Superintendent of Police. I was then, only a novice Sub-Inspector in charge of a small police station under his purview. However, it so transpired that my daughter was a classmate of his eldest daughter Dinithi, fondly called Booni at Mahamaya Ladies College in Kandy, where they became firm friends. Partially owing to this fact amongst others, he always treated me well and always had a kind word for me. In 1988, the JVP insurrection broke out with all its chaos; my house in Kandy was partly burnt down and my eldest son kidnapped twice by the insurgents. It was when I contemplated leaving the service in fear of my familys security that my brother-in-law intervened and took me to Bodhi Liyanages residence in Kandy. His advice to me was, Do the justice you know and you shall learn to do the justice you need. With a telephone call to the DIG in charge of the province, he arranged a transfer to a safe location for me and my family. This move was truly a blessing as I received the opportunity to work under another great personality, Senior DIG Nimal Mediwake, who helped me and my family to overcome the agony we underwent in the years that followed. For this turn in my life, for being a towering influence in my formative years in the Police Department and for the values he inculcated in me, I owe him an immeasurable debt of gratitude. I met him once, quite recently, at the launch of his auto biography Anna Ekai Hari. This was attended by many senior officers, serving and retired, including the incumbent IGP Pujith Jayasundara, where he delivered an incisive speech for which he received a standing ovation. Spotting me in the crowd, he called me to hand over two books. He said, Gemunu, here are two autographed books for you and your wife with my compliments.

Of Bodhi Liyanage it can be truly said, Titles of honour add not to his worth, who is himself an honour to his life



In 2008, after his retirement, I met him at a vehicle service station. Discussing many things, I asked him why he was deprived of what was surely a most deserving promotion as Inspector General of Police. His reply was that he being always conscious of the prestigious position he held, he preferred retirement, maintaining self-respect. Of Bodhi Liyanage it can be truly said, Titles of honour add not to his worth, who is himself an honour to his life.



He and his family led a simple life, believing that happiness was not based on positions, power or wealth. He moved freely in the higher echelons of society and yet was accessible to all who wished to meet him. Amongst his many acts of humanity was helping the needy in their most miserable and needy times. Bodhi Liyanage hailed from a very respectable family in the South. A loving husband and devoted father, the greatest legacy he left his family was his unsullied title. Of him they can proudly proclaim, He was our father. As a career Police Officer now retired, it is my belief that Bodhi Liyanages auto-biography be standard reading for junior and senior police officers alike, with police libraries islandwide preserving this book. Anna Ekai Hari (That is the right thing) should be standard credo in the police.



Poojatha Poojaniyanan  Respect those who deserve to be respected.



Bodhi Liyanage, a mentor and guru to countless many, a personality much larger than his life and a beacon of righteousness passed away peacefully after a sudden stroke on August 18 this year. May the blessings we pass on to you, prevent you from another untimely death in your sojourn in Sansara. May you come back to your wife, children and loved ones and into the void created by your loss.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sri Lanka will be hosting its third CIM CEOs Breakfast Forum for this year on September 13, 2017, at Union Ballroom, Hilton Colombo Residences, from 7:30 a.m. onwards.



The event will be powered by BMW Prestige Automobile (Pvt.) Ltd, the authorized importer for the premium German brand  Bavarian Motor Works AG, in Sri Lanka, better known as BMW, with a history of almost two decades in Sri Lankan Prestige Automobile, incorporated in December 1994.



The forum will bring together top business leaders, CEOs, CIM Fellow Members and Senior Corporate Executives and is organised with the objective of highlighting emerging themes in marketing/business and discuss best practices to support strategic decisions for the future. This forum will be a platform for participants to share and exchange key insights, which would help them in making decisions in their own organisations.



The speaker at the forum will be Bryce Hutchesson. Bryce Hutchesson was appointed as Australias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in February 2016. He is a senior officer in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He joined the department in 1988 after working for a time as a lawyer in private practice in Melbourne.



He has served overseas with DFAT in New Delhi (as Deputy High Commissioner), Bangkok and Tel Aviv, as well as with the Office of National Assessments in Washington DC. Hutchessons work with DFAT in Canberra has focused primarily on foreign and security policy issues over a geographic spread from Southeast Asia through South Asia to the Middle East.



Before coming to Sri Lanka he headed the division in DFAT responsible for the countries of South Asia covering foreign policy, economic diplomacy and aid management matters. Hutchesson has Law and Commerce degrees from

Melbourne University.



CIM is the largest community of professional marketers in the world with 100 years of heritage. As the leading professional body for marketing, CIM places great emphasis in bringing together programmes that are topical and relevant targeting the members and the entire business community. CIM Sri Lanka is the first international branch of CIM UK and is proud to claim the largest membership outside the UK.



CIM Sri Lanka has always campaigned for high professional standards, greater recognition for the profession and marketing excellence in Sri Lanka through education, training and development.
XIAMEN AFP Sept 3, 2017 - The five BRICS nations hold their annual summit in China today under the shadow of a Sino-Indian border spat and growing questions about the groupings relevance.



Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa-- was formed to allow the biggest emerging economies representing more than 40 percent of humanity to form a united front in a world whose trade and finance rules were written by the West.



But the bloc seems no closer to that goal as President Xi Jinping convenes its ninth summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen. Brazilian President Michel Temer and South Africas Jacob Zuma, meanwhile, arrive distracted by political turmoil at home.



A major threat to BRICS comity lies in tension between nuclear-armed China and India, who recently locked horns over a disputed Himalayan border region. A full-blown crisis was averted as they backed off last week but it has left a bitter aftertaste. There is also mistrust over Chinas ally Pakistan, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who also will attend -- has labelled a font of terrorism.



Modi snubbed a separate summit called by Xi in May to promote the Chinese leaders vision of reinvigorated ancient east-west trading routes, which is seen by many analysts as a Chinese geopolitical power play.
Sri Lanka witnessed the entrance of a new Japanese brand of automotive filters entering the local market with the launch of Fuji Filters.



The launch event was held at the Hilton Colombo Residences on the 2nd of September 2017 with attendance of distinguished guests.



Fuji Merchants (Pvt) Ltd is the sole agent for Fuji Filters in Sri Lanka. The companys main vision is to create a secure platform for Sri Lankan consumers to gain access to high quality automotive spare parts, which they can trust in and buy with complete confidence. This was emphasized by the companys Director Sajjad Hassan in his opening address.



The company will introduce automotive Oil Filters, Air Filters and Fuel filters to the Sri Lankan market catering primarily to Japanese Vehicle Brands. Fuji Filters are manufactured under stringent ISO 9001 certified standards and hence customers can be assured of the highest quality, durability and performance.



The company intends to appoint dealers and distributors island wide who will also be a part of the companys growing success Speaking to the media Group Executive Director Mohamed Zahri stated that the launch of Fuji Filters marks the beginning of a new chapter in the local market and that more genuine quality spare part categories would be added to the companys distribution portfolio.

The company has also created an online platform where Sri Lankans could order any spare part for Japanese or European vehicles by visiting www.fujispares.com or calling the dedicated hotline. Customers are assured of quality service and fast delivery and guaranteed hassle-free buying.
Sri Lanka is not the only country that is hit by social and political turmoil today. In fact, almost the entire world is going through a period of unprecedented social and political unrest. Though there can be many explanations of the present state of affairs, based on diverse ideological persuasions, the most empirically valid diagnosis seems to be that it is due to far reaching economic, political, social, ecological and cultural transformations on a global level brought about by globalized capitalism. Take the cases of unprecedented global inequality and political violence.

Business and other opportunities created by globalized capitalism have thrown up hundreds of billionaires across the world, particularly in the old and new zones of global capital such as America, China, India and a few countries in South America. Large parts of the wealth generated by capitalist enterprises are increasingly concentrated in the hands of individual entrepreneurs, not in social security and insurance funds controlled by states to be used for the benefit of the masses.

These entrepreneurs, when they are old, may establish their own foundations and become Good Samaritans, distributing charity among the wretched of the earth in Africa and elsewhere. Some of our people can also apply for small grants from such foundations to do various projects!

Then take the case of political violence. As is well known, some of the leading terrorist organizations represent extreme forms of collective identity, and are in general opposed to western liberal values of individual freedom and the pursuit of individual desires. But almost the whole world is today fuelled by consumerism and the pursuit of individual happiness and personal aspirations.

When wealth is not generated in a particular country, many citizens migrate to countries that are prosperous and offer opportunities for modern consumption and peaceful living. It is not easy to reconcile these conflicting tendencies in a world where the states that pursue collective welfare are few and far between.

As we all know, the Sri Lankan State is so indebted to the world and its own citizens that it is forced to sell whatever it can to collect enough money to service accumulated debts and import essentials and not so essentials. How did we come to this point? No serious discussion! Our leaders simply continue to blame each other.

"As we all know, the Sri Lankan State is so indebted to the world and its own citizens that it is forced to sell whatever it can to collect enough money to service accumulated debts and import essentials and not so essentials"



What is the key issue that needs wide public discussion in this country today? It can also be presented as a question: how to reconcile between individual desire and collective interest. In a country where we have vigorously pursued individual interests in almost all spheres for several decades now, i.e. politics, business, public service, diplomacy, professions like law and medicine, academe, civil society, etc, it would be hard for all of us to become selfless overnight and work towards collective welfare, particularly when the State has become too weak under the increasing weight of vested interests to take care of even mundane things like transport and health.

On the other hand, if all of us in our diverse fields work hard to undermine the larger purpose of our institutions, established and maintained at public expense, internecine warfare and random violence will soon create conditions that would make our lives not worth living. But do we see such reflections among our people today? Where is social and moral consciousness in politics, business, law, academe, public service, diplomacy, etc.?

Top public servants sell car permits given to them at public expense in the open market for millions and the dealers sell them to corporate leaders to imports SUVs. Can we think of a few politicians who strive to rise above petty party divisions and raise the issue of the larger purpose of politics? We are unable to find many such people any more. The same applies to other fields as well.

The failure of the state in many parts of the world due to diverse circumstances is at the core of the present social and other crises. Neo-liberal economic dogma pervaded almost all spheres of human activity and the main casualty has been public welfare. Corruption that has infected many governments has brought down standards of public morality to a very low level in many countries. Yet, some countries have been able to respond decisively and contain the scourge but many others have failed. Singapore and Hong Kong are two shining examples for the former but countries like Sri Lanka have been steadily sinking to the bottom from the late 1970s onwards, but more particularly over the last decade.

The nexus between politics and business that serves mutual economic interests has been a serious issue in this regard and has impacted on public welfare in many ways. The rapid decline in public spaces in urban areas due to haphazard construction activities is an important issue that needs careful and in depth analysis. Meanwhile, people concentrated in large urban centres are suffocating due to dwindling green spaces and toxic emissions from private vehicles.

The rapid expansion of private transport at the expense of public transport not only threatens public health but also slows down mobility of people, including emergency vehicles that transport seriously ill people and fire fighters.

"Top public servants sell car permits given to them at public expense in the open market for millions and the dealers sell them to corporate leaders to imports SUVs"



The role of the state in development and public welfare has declined in many countries in recent years. In Sri Lanka, following economic liberalization, the private sector was recognized as the engine of economic growth. The state continued to facilitate the work of the private sector by providing the necessary policy and institutional support.

It is the growing links between the private sector and the government that often created opportunities for some politicians at different levels to engage in corrupt practices and amass wealth. Award of government contracts and issuing of permits and approvals have often been the main avenues of rent seeking activities.

Not all universities around the world function as centres of advanced research and other forms of intellectual activity. Forced to generate revenue to meet much of their expenses, even many leading universities have tended to concentrate on fee levying courses and advertise such courses both at home and abroad to mobilize as many students as possible. Attractive packages are also offered to take professors and lecturers from other universities often resulting in cut throat competition.

Countries that do well economically send their students overseas to study at well- known universities. Local companies in host countries recruit highly competent graduates leaving such universities. Americas Silicon Valley is a case in point. Of course, many other companies do the same. The resulting brain drain often cripples institutions in the developing world. This is where we are today in this country. Not only that our universities have lost many qualified academics and researchers, we have also lost many competent youths to other countries. Meanwhile, our universities attract very few students from overseas.

Sri Lankas civil service and later SL administrative service attracted the best university graduates. Some of the British civil servants during the colonial period maintained high standards and became even role models for native officers to emulate.

Some excelled in many fields such as history, archaeology, literature and anthropology. Few native recruits followed their footsteps but that tradition has already died out. In more recent years, many public servants became servants, but not to the public, but to their political masters. Yet, public service remains attractive due to various privileges offered to officers at public expense.
TEHRAN AFP Sept3, 2017-Iran has tested its home-grown air defence system, designed to match the Russian S-300, the head of the Revolutionary Guards air defence has said.



In parallel with the deployment of the S-300, work on Bavar-373 system is underway, Farzad Esmaili told state broadcaster IRIB late Saturday.



The system is made completely in Iran and some of its parts are different from the S-300. All of its sub-systems have been completed and its missile tests have been conducted. Bavar (which means belief ) is Tehrans first long-range missile defence system, and is set to be operational by March 2018, he added. In 2010, Iran began manufacturing Bavar-373 after the purchase of the S-300 from Russia was suspended due to international sanctions. Russia resumed the sale following the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers which lifted sanctions, and Irans S-300 defence system became operational in March.
S. Korea claimed this morning Kim Jong-un is plotting another ballistic test. The news broks after Seoul simulated its own missile raid on the North, in the wake of the dictators hydrogen bomb test.



South Korea launched a spectacular rocket launch exercise hitting designated targets in the East Sea last night in response to Pyongyangs provocative detonation.



The US warned it could launch a massive military response to any threats from North Korea after the rogue state announced it had carried out its most powerful nuclear test yet.



Earlier, when asked if he planned to attack Pyongyang, Donald Trump replied, Well see, and said he was holding a meeting with his military leaders. Mr Trump also tweeted that talk of appeasement was pointless because North Korea only understand one thing, as the state promised further tests.



His hard-line rhetoric was prompted by Pyongyangs announcement that it had successfully tested a weapon up to ten times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb that could kill millions of people.



But this morning South Korea announced it had detected signs Kim Jong-un was preparing to carry out yet another launch -possibly of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Seoul and the US said this morning they would deploy more anti-missile defences despite a The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system already being installed in the South.

S.Korea, (Daily Mail), 4 September 2017
Mervyn de Silvas 88th Birth anniversary falls on Sept 5th

I dont shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind. Stephen King, The Gunslinger

(The Dark Tower)



Papa was a rolling stone. I did look for Mervyn de Silva quite a bit as a boy, disembarking from my mums car and popping into every watering hole in town, from posh pub to seedy bar, occasionally encountering him and consenting to a cover story which would enable him to make it home with a halfway plausible excuse while I misdirected my mother to a few more locations so as to buy him some time. Mervyn used to say Id make a good diplomat and ventured to President Premadasa decades later that my real expertise was conflict studies. But thats not what Im talking about here. Im talking about the paradox of Mervyn, and how to resolve it.



To those who didnt know or understand him very well, and that included members of his family, Mervyn had a mystique, an impenetrable reserve or was an exasperating riddle. But to his peers and gifted proteges, Mervyn had a dualistic character. While I agree in one sense with their numerous analyses, I view Mervyns personality as containing  and being driven by --a dialectical contradiction rather than a simple dualism. I also wish to follow Godfrey Gunatilleke and suggest that there was an underlying unity of values, ethics and even morality, behind, beneath and above it all.



Ajith Samaranayake who, as a professional journalist and protege was more a son and potential successor to Mervyn than I was, identified in the Daily News on the day of his funeral ...the combination of seriousness and impish humour which leant its essential quality to his prose. (The Last Great Stylist Daily News, June 24, 1999)

Mervyns 1962 introduction to Woolfs Diaries speak not only to the subject Mervyn was writing about but also an implicit scale of values (p. li) which constituted Woolfs and his own consistent core



Unerringly discerning, Ajith went on to pose the quintessential question the weekend after Mervyns death:



Then who was Mervyn de Silva? The riddle will endure. The only clues I can offer are his choice of The Outsider for one of his pen-names and his fascination with Jay Gatsby, Kafka and Fitzgerald... (The Pontiff of Lankan Journalism, Sunday Observer, June 27th 1999)



The literary critic, intellectual and diplomat NMMI (Izzeth) Hussain, who passed away earlier this year, spelled it out. He was senior to Mervyn at the university by a few years and knew him as a young man. Writing on The Two Mervyns, Izzeth Hussain said:



I recall our friendship originating in a brilliant analysis of a Kafka short story made by him at the Thurstan Road tuck-shop that is before the campus moved to Peradeniya. Mervyn was one of the habitues of that tuck-shop, and rather unusual in being home in two of its distinct territories. In one, discussions raged on Dostoevsky, Kafka, Mauriac and Malraux, in addition to the greats of English literature and also of course Marx and Trotsky. The other territory was occupied by devotees of two card games called baby and asking-hitting. The first Mervyn was an intellectual of the highest caliber and a sensitive soul, at that time blissfully in love with Lakshmi. The other later came to acquire the tough carapace of the exuberantly extroverted journalist. Izzeth Hussain concluded that:

Underneath was always the first Mervyn, a troubled intelligence, sensitive and vulnerable, the non-conformist always on the side of the underdog...without illusions about men of power and their world, and incapable of identifying himself with any political party



I do agree with the depiction of two Mervyns. Seen through my boyish eyes he could be both Prof. Higgins and Alfie Doolittle or George Smiley and Alec Leamas at any given time and tended to harbor an irresistible compulsion to switch from one to the other, though occasionally inhabiting a fusion in a passable imitation of Dylan Thomas.



Somewhere among all of this was the stated appreciation of and unstated affinity with Leonard Woolf. When Woolfs Diaries in Ceylon 1908-1911, subtitled Records of a Colonial Administrator, was published in 1962, the author of the Historical Introduction (simply signed SDS) wrote that:

I do agree with the depiction of two Mervyns. Seen through my boyish eyes he could be both Prof. Higgins and Alfie Doolittle or George Smiley and Alec Leamas at any given time



Before concluding a word should be said about the circumstances leading to the publication of the diaries. As already mentioned when Leonard Woolf was in Ceylon in January 1960, a number of suggestions were made particularly by the Literary Critic of the Ceylon Observer, Mervyn de Silva that these diaries be published by the Ceylon Government. (xliv)



One cannot but observe that at the time Mervyn was barely 30 years old. The Historical Introduction goes on to set out the structure of the volume:



The short literary introduction by Mervyn de Silva discusses Woolfs place in the English world of letters and evaluates his Village in the Jungle and his short stories on Ceylon as literary works, while the manner in which these particular diaries shed light on the novel are also noted. (Ibid)



When Mervyn died in June 1999, I returned to his and my mothers bedroom, more for one last look than to clear the place up, his reading of the previous night (both my parents read late into the night, a long habit without which they could not fall asleep, and one which I have inherited) lay on the bed, while his stubbed out Havana cigar was in the ashtray on the bedside table. It was the massive single volume of the Letters of Leonard Woolf edited by Frederic Spotts.



Mervyns 1962 introduction to Woolfs Diaries make at least three important points which speak not only to the subject Mervyn was writing about but also an implicit scale of values (p. li) which constituted Woolfs and his own consistent core.



The first was of a liberal humanism, but a liberal humanism which was completely different from that which is espoused and practiced by those of the same age group in Sri Lanka today that Mervyn was when he wrote this essay, i.e. the educated Westernized Lankans in their 30s. Mervyn stressed that Woolfs liberal humanism was out of joint with what he calls the imperialist system and the oppressive orthodoxy of imperialism (p. li). So what we have is neither an anti-imperialism that was nativist and culturally circumscribed nor a liberal humanism that identified with, was comfortable with or looked to western imperialism for deliverance. This was Mervyns own demarcation of values. This is who and what he was; where he placed himselfwhat Brecht would call his Standung.



The second was a refusal to extend that liberal humanism into a universal moral judgment on all cultures and civilizations; a refusal to allow liberal humanism to become part of a civilizing mission and the white mans burden. Mervyn commended in Woolf a liberal humanism that eschewed easy moral judgments and was instead, sensitive to contexts and situations, especially in its relationship with the impact of the East, andits strange, exacting demands on understanding. (p. liii).



One cannot discuss large issues like race, as if there were immutable standards of judgment. The moral criteria in such instances, he suggests, cannot be absolute but must be relative to the specific social situation. (p. lvii) This then was not a liberal humanist fundamentalism. It was not the liberalism of a liberal humanitarian interventionism and the Responsibility to Protect. It was a liberal humanism that was more protean than Procrustean.



Thirdly was the moral divide between those in our societies who are privileged by and benefit from imperialism; operate in its interstitial spaces and thrive upon it, and those others who resist or are marginalized by it. Mervyns essay concludes with the unambiguous ultimate moral validation of the tragic fate of the impoverished victims of the imperialist-driven order.



But their small lives are not without their own triumph. Their suffering is redeemed by a spiritual courage and a quality of endurance. In the lonely figure of Punchimenika, waiting for the final ruthless thrust of the jungle, there is a nobility which is truly tragic in qualityTheir fierce attachment to these things, the strength of their loves and hates, and their ultimate indomitability of spirit make them persons of different moral worth than the Fernandos, the headmen and ratemahattayas of this world. (p. lx)



Mervyn evolved a code of ethics that combined a refusal to make easy moral judgments in personal life with a double bias towards the individualist outsider in established society (as Ajith Samaranayake noted), and the social underdog (as Izzeth Hussain emphasized) in the face of the imperialist system (as Mervyn termed it in his long introductory essay on Woolf in the early 1960s).

Yet, in the final analysis what mattered to Mervyn was the distinctive quality and character of the individual human:



In his own estimate he was a conscientious officer, but the system called for habits of feeling and action which his whole personality must have steadily resisted. Woolf was given too much to personal judgments and discriminations to develop that total conformism which must have been, one guesses, almost a prerequisite of the ideal colonial officer. Inspite of his obvious enthusiasm for his work, his attraction to people, places and things, he could not acquiesce in the oppressive orthodoxy of imperialism. (p. li)



At times, he could be the outsider, and survey the harsh, tousled world before him with the unruffled and dispassionate mind of the English intellectual. But he was not always au dessus de la melee. (p. lvii)



The outsider, the unruffled mind capable of the dispassionate survey of a harsh unruly worldand yet, not quite so dispassionate as to be always au dessus de la melee--above the fray. His description and implicit judgment of Woolf, penned in his early thirties, could easily have been with the slightest modification, the final word on Mervyn himself.
President R. Premadasa, assured me that Azwer would be appointed through the National List to Parliament. That night with great relief we both left for Singapore.

It is with sadness, I mourn the passing away of my friend Marhmoon Al Haj A. H. M. Azwer. The late Azwer was a warrior with a cause who chartered the course of politics and politicians with his simplicity and loyalty which were his hallmark to his last.

I fondly recall, it was a Friday morning, just after Morning (Subhu Prayers) in 1988, Azwer was going through his daily mail following the Presidential Election victory. To his dismay he had received a letter of termination for not reporting to work.

Azwer was the Private Secretary to the then Governor of the Southern Province Al Haj Bakeer Markar. The reason for his failure to report to work was due to the fact that he accompanied the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa during his campaign addressing over 150 meetings across the country.

This election was marred with violence spanning from North to South. It was a hard fought campaign which was won by the United National Party candidate Ranasinghe Premadasa.

Azwer waited till sunrise, heart-broken and devastated, got ready and walked to Galle Road and got on a CTB bus and left for Bambalapitiya. Thereafter he walked to my residence.

Rather exhausted and eyes filled with tears he gave me the letter he had received and said I have been given an award.

I told him Haji dont worry this is a blessing in disguise. Now your place is in Parliament.

Are you joking? No, no, I will do something in the Presidents Office, Azwer passionately but humbly stated.

I had planned to go to Singapore that night and invited Azwer to join since he needed a well-deserved rest.

"The late Azwer was a warrior with a cause who chartered the course of politics and politicians with his simplicity and loyalty which were his hallmark to his last. "



Immediately I called our mutual friend Omar Kamil and conveyed what happened to Azwer and requested him to prepare a CV for Azwer. I asked him to join us for our usual Friday lunch and went to Sucharitha to wish the President Elect Ranasinghe Premadasa. In the meantime, I managed to get a copy of the letter removing Azwer to President Premadasa through the late A. J. Ranasinghe.

After the jummah prayers and lunch we went to Sucharitha. VIPs including well-wishers were queuing to greet the President Elect. Chief Minister of the Southern Province M.S. Amarasiri walked in and I gave him a copy of the letter sent by the Governor. Azwer was very angry with me for distributing copies of the letter.

Around 7.30 p.m. we were asked to come to wish the President Elect. The three of us walked in and as soon as President Premadasa saw Azwer jokingly said you have been sacked. Copy of the letter dismissing Azwer was on his table.

President asked Azwer what his plans were?

In response, I said Sir, you must have him in Parliament.

President Premadasa said thats a very good idea and asked from which district he would like to come forward to contest. I promptly said

Sir, we cant field him from any district as he will be travelling with you in the campaign and therefore let him come on the National List and I handed over the CV of Azwer to President Premadasa.

President Premadasa immediately called Party General Secretary Mr. Ranjan Wijeratne and told him that he wanted Azwer and to include his name in the National List.

President wanted us to go to Sirikotha and immediately and meet the UNP General Secretary and hand over the CV.

I told President Premadasa that Azwer was very heartbroken and dejected that morning, when he received the letter and that I consoled him saying that President Premadasa would take care of him.

The President assured me that Azwer would be appointed through the National List to Parliament. That night with great relief we both left for Singapore.

Following the General Elections Azwer was nominated to Parliament from the United National Party. This is the story of how Azwer entered Parliament.

Over the years whether in power or out, Azwer was true to himself, never misused his position and always lived life in a down to earth manner strictly following the five pillars of Islam.

Azwer leaves us at a crucial juncture in Sri Lankas political landscape, where wisdom and foresight of experienced politicians such as Azwer would be sadly missed.

May the all mighty Allah grant Azwer the highest place in Jannah.



A.J.M. Muzammil

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Malaysia
Mr. P. G. Kumarasingha Sirisena - Chairman, Sri Lanka Telecom & Mobitel

MedHack is Sri Lankas first ever Hackathon for the health sector organized by Mobitel, the National Mobile Service Provider of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine and the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka. MedHack aims to innovate solutions for the health sector and bring medical and health professionals together with tech experts and problem solvers to address the challenges faced by the Sri Lankan health sector. This is yet another initiative spearheaded by Mobitel that focuses on the development of digital health sector along with the addition of a pioneer in digital health services and Sri Lankas largest doctor channeling network, eChanneling to its portfolio.

During the initial step of the competition, anyone can visit the web site https://mic.lk/medhack/ and submit a problem they have faced in the health sector that can be solved or improved with technology. The collected problems will be reviewed by experts in health sector and a list of competitive challenges will be compiled based on these problems, which will be published on the web site https://mic.lk/medhack/. Along with published challenges, Hackathon registrations will be opened from 25th August to 14th September. Teams will then be shortlisted based on the received applications and the selected teams for the Hackathon will be announced on 18 September. The Hackathon will take place on 23rd September at the Mobitel Innovation Centre at Trace Expert City and will continue till 24th September.

(L  R): Mr. Indika De Zoysa - Senior Consultant at ICT Agency of Sri Lanka, Dr. S. Sridaran - Deputy Director General (Planning), Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Mr. P. G. Kumarasingha Sirisena - Chairman, Sri Lanka Telecom & Mobitel, Mr. Saman Perera  Senior General Manager, Information System, Mobitel, Mr. Prabhath Gamage - General Manager, Enterprise Business, Mobitel

This initiative will nurture the Digital Services eco system of Mobitel and Sri Lanka as a whole. As a way forward, Mobitel together with the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine and the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka will be supporting the selected teams in realizing their solutions and nurturing them to success. For registrations and further information on the Hackathon visit https://mic.lk/medhack/.
REUTERS, 3 September, 2017-Myanmar urged Muslims in the troubled northwest to cooperate in the search for insurgents, whose coordinated attacks on security posts and an army crackdown have led to one of the deadliest bouts of violence to engulf the Rohingya community in decades.



Aid agencies estimate about 73,000 Rohingya have fled into neighbouring Bangladesh from Myanmar since violence erupted last week, Vivian Tan, regional spokeswoman for U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, told Reuters on Sunday.



Hundreds more refugees on Sunday walked through rice paddies from the Naf river separating the two countries into Bangladesh, straining scarce resources of aid groups and local communities already helping tens of thousands.



The clashes and military counter offensive have killed nearly 400 people during the past week.
Chinese President Xi Jinping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS Summit at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Centre in Xiamen, China

HINDUSTAN TIMES, 4 September, 2017

The BRICS Summit began in Xiamen in China on Monday, with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries and was preceded by a handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who received the leaders of Brazil, Russia and South Africa ahead of the meeting.



Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, venue of the 9th BRICS Summit in this port city of China and was followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi on Tuesday.



The Summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on expeditious disengagement of their border troops in the disputed Doklam area on August 28 after over a two month standoff between them.
When Yasmin Zookas International Truth and Justice Project (ITJC), known for its dalliance with LTTE loving fringe Tamil groups, selectively raises the human rights card on Sri Lanka, it can be dismissed as sour grapes.



But, when the former war-winning army commander and now a Field Marshal and Cabinet Minister Sarath Fonseka jumps on the bandwagon to implicate his successor Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, because they have a grudge against each other, that smacks of a mind-boggling level of pettiness.

Last week it was reported that ITJC had filed a law suit in Brazil against Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya (who, by the way, is not a relation of this writer), Sri Lankas ambassador there and five other countries, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Suriname. Gen. Jayasuriya was accused of committing war crimes while he was the security forces commander of the Vanni during the final phase of the Eelam war. The dossier of the lawsuit was handed over to Brazils federal police only in the final week of Gen. Jayasuriyas tenure there as ambassador by a counsel representing the ITJC.

Mr. Fonseka spares no opportunity to take a shot at his nemesis and in the process however, he tends to overlook the resultant security implications



That unusual wait till the eleventh hour, when you have a whole of two years to do that, may imply this latest adventure is yet another propaganda gimmick by Zookas NGO.



The ITJC has tried its best to keep the pot boiling in Sri Lanka. Recently it issued a dossier which accused the Sri Lankan security forces of continuing with torture of Sri Lankan Tamils. Weeks earlier a London court ruled a Tamil asylum seeker who claimed he had been tortured in Sri Lanka during a visit had in fact self-inflicted his injuries to advance his asylum claims. ITJC is a front of fringed diaspora Tamils, who are bitter about the annihilation of Tamil Tiger terrorists in this country. The Sri Lankan government, no matter its intentions about reconciliation, should treat these outlets as such. But, how can it react to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who has now opened a can of worms which would be relished by the groups that have called for punitive action against the Sri Lankan state and its security forces.



Soon after the reports of ITJC lawsuit, Fonseka jumped the gun and told a media conference that he had information with regard to crimes committed by former army commander Jagath Jayasuriya, the then Vanni commander and that he was ready to give evidence if proper legal action was instituted against him.



I received complaints that Mr. Jayasuriya was engaged in crimes as Vanni commander with regard to those who were arrested. He continued the same strategy even after he was promoted as army commander. I have information regarding those who committed the crimes. I am ready to explain the crimes committed in detail if proper legal action is instituted, he said.



Mr. Fonseka spares no opportunity to take a shot at his nemesis and in the process however, he tends to overlook the resultant national security implications. An earlier attempt to implicate Gotabaya Rajapaksa for ordering to kill the surrendered LTTE high fliers during what was known as White Flag incident, landed the then presidential contender Fonseka in a political minefield, and cost him a good deal of southern votes. He later recanted his statement, but by then the damage had been done.

There are things that the holders of high security and strategic responsibilities are expected not to talk about even after their retirement. In most countries, even the low level security operatives are required to sign an agreement on nondisclosure, breach of which is punishable by law.

If he thinks certain incidents deserve a re-scrutiny, Field Marshal Fonseka can convey his concerns to those who matter, perhaps to the President



Still, if he thinks certain incidents deserve a re-scrutiny, Field Marshal Fonseka can convey his concerns to those who matter, perhaps to the President, who as the Commander in Chief could order an investigation. A media conference is not definitely the right place to raise those concerns. In most countries that went through a level of security vulnerability on par with Sri Lanka, such a gesture would have amounted to treason. Even when, it is not, it shows a greater deal of bankruptcy. It is a sad indictment of Field Marshal Fonseka, without whose ruthless efficiency of fighting the war, Sri Lanka would have been at the mercy of terrorists for a foreseeable future. Before him, there were colourful army commanders, but none of them was a match to Prabakaran. One had a reputation in dancing in his underwear in the officers mess in inebriation. Another was so disenchanted that his daughter had been dropped from the Olympic Swimming Squad, he came to the National Television to complain about his grievances, while the army having routed in Elephant Pass was on a mass withdrawal.



Fonseka was no such charlatan. Since taking over the army and having narrowly survived a suicide attack on his life, he fully committed to ending the war. He was a ruthless task master, some of his division commanders literally cried in front of him when he ordered to implement certain dare devil operational manoeuvers. However, finally he won the war and Sri Lankans are grateful to him for that. Now some of his rhetoric threatens not only to undo his legacy, but also to unleash unwarranted forces, that could intimidate Sri Lanka for a long time.



Of course, certain excesses of the war, such as alleged incidents of abduction rackets run by certain individual officers and other ranks, should be investigated. Then are others, such as the killings of five students in Trincomalee, attacks on Uthayan and other media institutions and personnel. However, it would be foolhardily to denounce the entire conduct of war, or its operational decisions, no matter whether they were taken by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Sarath Fonseka or by someone else, because they entailed a political-military logic in the given circumstances at the time, of which rationale, to some extent, is vindicated by the fact that Sri Lankans have lived without a single major incident of terrorism since the end of the war.



Some issues are too big to be politicized. The war is one such thing, though unfortunately, former regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa did exactly that and created the bad blood that runs through the country.



This government should not follow the footsteps of its predecessor. That is a dangerous and most likely a losing gamble. President Maithripala Sirisena was right when he said he would not let anybody to besmirch the war victory. He should perhaps tell his Cabinet Minister Field Marshal Fonseka to keep quiet for the greater good.



Follow @RangaJayasuriya on Twitter
September 3 was the historic day, on which Police was formally established in the isle of Sri Lanka. When making reference to the world history in relation to Police, Sri Lanka Police history is considered as one of the longest. Sir Robert Peel, who is known as the father of Modern Policing, established the Metropolitan Police in England in 1829 and it is considered as the first formally established Police in the world. 37 years after its establishment, Sri Lanka Police was established in 1866 as per the Ordinance No. 16 of 1865 and today marks its 151st anniversary.

"Police University will be established in order to obtain higher education on Police Science and Criminal Justice "

A systematically evolving Policing method can be observed in every developed society. The chronicles of Mahawamsa also records that during the reign of King Pandukabhaya (437 - 367 B.C.), there had been a position named, Nagara Guththika, which had similar duties of Police even under the monarchical system of ancient Lanka.

Further, the establishment of a rural administrative system and building the city of Anuradhapura as the administrative centre had begun during the same period. Later on, various kings took measures to maintain order among the citizens and it has been recorded in the history that King Udaya II (887 - 898 A.D.) had established a proper Gamsabha system.

The Police Service was informally established in Sri Lanka by the British as a means of providing a security measure through patrolling for ensuring safety of the warehouses of Colombo harbour in 1795. Later on, the need for a formal Police service came up both due to the inadequacy of the prevailing Police Vidhane system to prevent various picaresque acts and due to various appeals made by the public officers highlighting the importance of a proper Police service.

Consequently, Sri Lanka Police Service was informally established around 1832, subsequent to the division of Colombo area into 15 Police zones and the attachment of 10 Police Sergeants, 05 Police Constables and 150 peons. Afterwards, Police stations had been established in other areas such as, Galle, Negombo and Kandy.

As the first Sri Lankan Superintendent of Police, Mr. Lokubanda Dunuwila, who was holding office as Uva Disawe at the time, was appointed the Superintendent of Police in Kandy. After the official establishment of the Police Service as per the Ordinance No. 16 of 1865, G. W. R. Campbell, the Chief Superintendent of Police, was appointed the first Inspector General of Police and the appointment of Sir Richard Aluwihare the first Sri Lankan Inspector General of Police in 1947 is a turning point in the history of Police. He has rendered an immense service towards the endurance of Police and the welfare of Police Officers.

The first incident of sacrificing a life by a Police officer, while he was on duty for maintaining law and order, had occurred at Uthuwankanda, Mawanella on Monday, 21stMarch, 1864.

While conducting an operation carried out to arrest a suspect named, Deekirikevage Saradiel, the Police officer named Sabhan was shot by another suspect, Mammale Marikkar and had faced death in a brave manner.

Through the establishment of an organised Police Service after adopting the Police Ordinance No. 16 of 1865, it becomes evident that the commencement of maintaining the register of Police war heroes had helped the establishment of an organised policing method.

It can be mentioned with pride that Sri Lanka Police is the leading institution for protecting Law & Order among the oldest public institutions in Sri Lanka.

With profound respect, we should commemorate the demise of 3,117 Police officers, who had valiantly sacrificed their lives for ensuring the safety of lives and property of the public and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

September 3 was the historic day, on which Police was formally established in the isle of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Police was established in 1866 as per the Ordinance No. 16 of 1865

The first Sri Lankan Superintendent of Police was Lokubanda Dunuwila

G. W. R. Campbell, the Chief Superintendent of Police, was appointed the first Inspector General of Police

Sir Richard Aluwihare the first Sri Lankan Inspector General of Police (1947)

The first incident of sacrificing a life by a Police officer, occurred at Uthuwankanda, Mawanella in 1864.

Expeditious steps are being taken to increase the organisational structure to 600 functional Police Stations.

An incident that took place in 1915 had marked the commencement of Police riot control duties to protect lives and property of the people of this country. It has been recorded in history that the Martial Law had been first imposed on Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces by the then Government and that power had been delegated to the Police to provide security.

Further, the Police had performed their duty to minimise the loss of lives and property with minimum facilities and strength during many violent situations erupted before the period (1948-1971) of forming of Sri Lankan Republic.

During this time, the first Woman Police Constable was killed and it is worth commemorating the demise of 15 female officers, who sacrificed their lives during the war against terrorism.

In addition to that, Sri Lanka Police had fought at the risk of their lives together with tri forces for the territorial integrity of the motherland during the thirty years of war with terrorism and internal tensions that had erupted in the southern area of the island.

The Sri Lankan Police which serves 24 hours to protect lives and property of each and every citizen consists of about 87,000 officers and 484 Police Stations.

Expeditious steps are being taken to increase this organisational structure to 600 functional Police Stations. Special attention has been given by the government under the leadership the of President, Prime Minister, Minister of Law & Order and Inspector General of Police in this regard.

The Sri Lanka Police, which faced significant challenges during the most recent 50 years out of its 150 year period, have also achieved innumerable victories. Specially, during the time of war and post-war period, combating crimes had been carried out successfully.

Apart from the above, it is one of the responsibilities of Police to contribute to the duties performed by the other public institutes.

Furthermore, new targets have been set for achieving the development of public welfare. Accordingly,



It is expected to increase the current trend of solving property crimes.

Adopting new technology for analysing circumstantial evidence.

Getting fingerprint comparison results within a short period of time using a fully automated computer programme.

Computer programmes which have been designed to analyse criminal reports would help achieve this target.

Arrangements have been made to bring down the number of fatal accidents and severe property damage further by 10%. To achieve this target,



Paying more attention to preventing road accidents, especially in sparsely populated areas.

Measures are taken to conduct traffic management duties by having constant vigilance by the side of main roads and byroads which have been developed.

Priority lines to promote public transport are expected to be introduced to reduce road traffic and accidents.

"Police serves 24 hours a day to protect every citizen consists of about 87,000 officers and 484 Police Stations..."

Contributing towards making President Maithripala Sirisenas concept of bringing about a country free of narcotics a reality. To achieve this target,

Establishing a Special Police Division and continually carrying out operations for the prevention of narcotics by coordinating with the other relevant government institutions.

Directing those who are addicted towards rehabilitation.

Eradicating the use of tobacco products.

The programme of establishing mobile Police stations named Gamata Policiya had been implemented covering a period of one month, enabling the public to receive services from the Police easily. Concurrently, Police officers had rendered their services to implement the programmes with the village community under the themes of religious, educational, cultural, health, sports and public affairs. During such events, steps had been taken to make an enormous contribution to environmental protection for idyllic surroundings and to provide constant contribution to eradicate dengue.

been implemented covering a period of one month, enabling the public to receive services from the Police easily. Concurrently, Police officers had rendered their services to implement the programmes with the village community under the themes of religious, educational, cultural, health, sports and public affairs. During such events, steps had been taken to make an enormous contribution to environmental protection for idyllic surroundings and to provide constant contribution to eradicate dengue.

Steps have been taken to provide speedy solutions to the problems that the Police officer had been facing for a long period of time. Specially, measure had been taken to expedite the necessary process for taking disciplinary measures against officers away from work because of interdiction or temporary suspension due to various legal issues.

A Police University will be established in order to obtain higher education on Police Science and Criminal Justice. It would help bring about Police officers equipped with knowledge and attitude for Sri Lanka Police. When those subjects gain popularity within the society, it will contribute towards elevating the quality of being law-abiding among people.

"The Police Service was informally established in Sri Lanka by the British as a means of providing a security measure through patrolling ...."



In commemoration of the 151st Police Day, the official ceremony will be held under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday, September 7 at 2.30 p.m. at the grounds of the Police Field Force Headquarters, Bambalapitiya.

The ceremonial parade consists of Police parachute displays, Police band performance, tattoo drill and drill squad. A magnificent display will be given by the Kennels Division and the Mounted Division that will add colour to the event. Measures have been taken to facilitate the public to participate in this ceremony and to watch the drills.



The writer an Attorney-at-Law, is the Director of Discipline and Conduct Division, Police Public Relations Division, Police Media Division and Police Media Spokesman
The 17th annual general meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka Thailand Business Council (SLTBC) was held at Waters Edge, Battaramulla recently under the patronage of council President Rizan Nazeer.



Thai Ambassador Designate to Sri Lanka Chulamanee Chartsuwan revealed in 2016, Thailand and Sri Lanka governments set a target to triple trade value between the two countries from presently US $ 500 million to US $ 1500 million by 2020.



On investment side, she said there is no set target but with the Thai investment value jumping 10 times from US $ 70 million in 2015 to US $ 700 million in 2016, mainly through the investment by Siam City Cement in Insee company, there is no reason not to expect much more investment from Thailand.



Just one very concrete example was another historic day in our economic relations as the joint letter of intent was signed between Sri Lankan BOI (Board of Investment) and Rojana Industrial Estate to establish Milleniya Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the Kalutara District.



This EPZ  Sri Lankas first industrial zone in over a decade  will attract US $ 500 in its initial two phrases, expecting to create 10,000 new jobs through 100 manufacturing operations and the number of manufacturers operating there is expected to double at later stage when the EPZ is expanded from the initial 400 acres to 1000 acres. It is hoped that the approval and construction of infrastructure  normally five years  would be completed in one year and the project ready by end-2018, Chartsuwan added.

She shared her mission as Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka Chartsuwan: First, I have got a clear signal to seek ways and means to upgrade our bilateral relationship to the level of strategic partnership. The political will from both sides is clear; the tricky part is to walk the talk. I can share with you that Thailand has already submitted a draft MoU on strategic partnership to the Sri Lankan counterpart. We identified in the draft MoU a number of areas of mutual interest. The next step is to develop certain form of plan of action.



But even during the development phase of this plan of action, line agencies have been working closely together. One example  by early September, the Primary Industry Ministry is going to sign a cooperation MoU with the Bank for Agriculture and Cooperatives and Kasetsart University, with a view to developing the primary industries in Sri Lanka through capacity building and knowledge sharing and to exploring the possibilities of obtaining credit lines to support the entrepreneurs engaged in exports and imports related to primary industries.



Second, I have been instructed to follow up with the Sri Lankan side on Thai-Sri Lanka FTA negotiations. I have been in close contact with the Commerce Ministry, which is responsible for these FTA negotiations.



Third, I set as my mission to identify areas where Thai and Sri Lankan businessmen can trade and invest. The areas of agriculture and processed food, gems and jewellery, electronics, automative parts, rubber, hospitality including hotel management, alternative energy, are some of the areas floating between both sides.
By Colin Mackerras

At a time when globalisation from the West appears to be in retreat, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a potent symbol of the rise of China-based globalisation.



The BRI, part of Xi Jinpings China dream to revitalise the Chinese nation, is a two-fold project: a belt to link the great Eurasian continent with overland railways, highways, pipelines and other infrastructure, and a road to link China with Southeast Asia and even Africa through ports and other maritime linkages. Collectively, it was known as One Belt, One Road (OBOR) but is now usually referred to as the BRI.



The BRI comes at a time when global divisions are intensifying. Diverse nationalisms with the potential for serious conflict are becoming more marked. Economic globalisation and free-trade once seemed so eminently desirable that few dared go against them. Yet, there is now less consensus about the benefits.



The BRIs primary aim is economic. One major objective is to reduce disparities in China by spurring growth in the countrys underdeveloped hinterland and rust belt. At the World Economic Forum in January 2017, it was Xi Jinping  the first Chinese President to attend  who took the lead in supporting globalisation and opposing protectionism. Jinping stated flatly in the forums opening speech that just blaming economic globalisation for the worlds problems is inconsistent with reality and it will not help solve the problems.



Late in 2014, the Chinese government set up the New Silk Road Fund and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to promote infrastructure that would support the trade and other economic linkages involved in the BRI. Around the same time, operations on a railway line linking Yiwu, a county-level city in the Zhejiang Province, with the Spanish capital Madrid, had begun. Another major development is the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor.



Some commentators see the primary objective of the BRI as domestic, believing it is largely aimed at reducing disparities. It is also likely that China sees the BRI as a potential bulwark against Islamist terrorism in Xinjiang and along its western borders, since economic development is the best reinforcement against political instability. But the foreign policy dimensions of the BRI are also extremely important.



The investment promised by the BRI is large enough to invite comparison with the US Marshall Plan that revived the European economies in the wake of World War II. Less positively, it is suggested that China is trying to economically take over the countries of Central Asia and elsewhere.



In May 2017, Jinping sponsored the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. The attendees included more than 30 heads of organisations and heads of states such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as well as the then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The attendance suggests great enthusiasm for the BRI at a government level.



One country that is definitely not enthusiastic about the BRI is India, who is wary about Chinas increasing ties with Pakistan and Russia. There were no Indian representatives at the forum in May. The advance of Indian troops in June to stop China building a road in Bhutan resulted in a serious faceoff, although negotiations resulted in a solution late in August, the deterioration in relations in more long-term. Along with several other countries, India is nervous about the strategic implications of Chinas access to Pakistans deep-water port of Gwadar, which would open China and its land-locked territory of Xinjiang to the Persian Gulf.



In some respects India and China are trying to cooperate. India (and Pakistan) joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2016, while the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Forum links the two Asian giants in a grouping loosely united to promote the interests of emerging market economies vis-a-vis the West. But long-term rivalry and hostility between China and India continues to make sustained cooperation difficult.



While governments are mostly keen on the BRI, viewing it as offering economic expansion and greater prosperity, many ordinary people are less convinced. Chinas image in Central Asia is highly mixed and there are people who view Chinas economic expansion as inevitable but pernicious. They resent the fact that Chinese companies bring their own workers with them, so local people gain little employment.



Opinion in the West is also divided. While many observers and businesspeople see opportunities in the BRI for profits and growth, others doubt project viability and feasibility. Sceptics regard it as too inefficiently organised to be sustainable and the main countries involved as not committed or economically competent enough to make it work. Many are suspicious of Chinese motives, regarding it as a plot to regain Chinas traditional power over regions to its west. This is in part the fear of China and anxiety that the West and its interests will be eclipsed.



It is unclear if the BRI will succeed in the short term. Chinas image appears to have worsened over the last few years and is now undergoing another serious downturn due to the global reaction over Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobos death. But what the West thinks may not be the crucial factor in the long term. In all likelihood, the impact of the BRI over the next several decades will be huge. It will transform interchanges across Eurasia and with Africa and be a major boost to Chinas world economic and strategic influence.



(Colin Mackerras is Emeritus Professor at Griffith Business School, Griffith University)
The sacred bond that has bound the monk and monarch ever since the great philosophy was introduced to the island nation, Thambapanni over twenty three centuries ago, is unique in

the world.



The beneficiary of that alliance as expected has always been the latter. And through him the country has witnessed unparalleled strides in spiritual development and material prosperity as borne out by the chronicles. Following is an account of a few fascinating encounters between the two, manifesting the profound and overwhelming influence the Dhamma had on the unshakeable faith, candour and piercing intellect of the ancient Sinhala ruler.

When the Arahants body was placed in the casket the pyre rose to the sky and travelled five yojanas Having had nothing to offer the preacher the following morning he made an offering of his entire kingdom



King Dutugemunu having lost the Chullangani War, retreated to the jungle mounted on a mare along with a minister named Tissa. When the king confessed that he was burning from acute hunger, Tissa pulled out a packet of rice he had brought, and was hidden, with him. When told to divide it into four, the king was reminded by the minister that there were only three of them. Said the king, Brother Tissa, from the day I can remember, I havent had a meal before offering the bhikkhus. There will be no difference today. When the minister complied with the kings wish, he was further ordered the customary invocation (kalagosha) to bhikkhus be made.



The minister questioned as to how monastic monks could live in the woods. That is none of your concern. I will receive the Aryan saints if I am of adequate faith to receive them, therefore do as you are told. the king said.



Tissa uttered the announcement thrice. It was heard by Maha Arhant Bodhimathumahatissa from his monastery with the divine ear. The Arhant told himself that the king has to be obliged and appeared in front of him by supernatural powers. See, Tissa said the king placing in the monks bowl two parts of rice and offered the bowl saying, Venerable Sir, may there be no want for sustenance ever. Tissa, unable to eat when the king went hungry, also put down his share in the bowl. Glancing at the mare close by, the king knew it too wished the same be done.

The noble monk thought, what business do I have with the palace in my old age and started drawing lines on the floor with his finger while reclining on his couch



The Arahant returned to the monastery and was able to feed everyone, constricting the contents of the bowl into condensed fractions with his thaumaturgic faculties. Reading the kings mind and anticipating whatever would be left over, the Arahant threw the bowl in the air with adequate food in it. The bowl came to rest in the kings hand. Unable to return an empty bowl, he cleaned, put his upper shawl in and threw it upwards, which returned to the bhikkhu. Later when the illustrious king lay dying beside the half completed Maha Stupa, containing a one-eighth portion of Buddhas relics, bhikkhus commenced chanting the five Nikayas. The book of meritorious deeds written with his own hand was then got down by him and a reader began reading from the beginning. However none of what was read interested him. He directed the account on the Chullangani War be read and when reaching the end the king stopped the reader and inquired from the bhikkhus gathered which Deva World (Heaven)was most desirable. When told that Thusitha was the abode of all Bodhisaththas, he passed away and was born among Deva Puttas of Thusitha. Scripture cites the moving occurrence to signify the karmic effect of an act of enormous merit.



King Dutugemunus brother was Saddhatissa (168 BC- 93 BC) who succeeded him to the throne. He made an earnest request from bhikkhus to name an Arahant whom he could worship. When they suggested the name of Maha Arahant Kujjatissa of Mangana, the king travelled a distance of five yojanas with a large entourage to greet the monk. When the Arahant enquired from other monks what the commotion outside was, he was informed of the kings arrival. The noble monk thought, what business do I have with the palace in my old age and started drawing lines on the floor with his finger while reclining on his couch. Arahants do no such silly things with their hands, this doubtless is a worldling said the king and turned back.

A mystifying episode concerning the worshipper and worshipped in ancient Lanka was also based on the rationale of cleansing wisdom through absolute sila



When bhikkhus questioned Kujjatissa Thero why he confused the pious and respectful king in that manner, he said, Safeguarding the kings devotion is no task of yours, it is that of the old monk. Later, when the time had arrived for his parinirvana (), he told the bhikkhus to have an additional casket placed in the pyre next to his and determined that the pyre along with the caskets should rise in the air and reach the ground in the presence of the king. When the Arahants body was placed in the casket the pyre rose to the sky and travelled five yojanas to the accompaniment of a myriad miracles occurring in its path. The king was first skeptical when informed of the wondrous spectacle being witnessed.



The pyre circled Thuparama Chetiya thrice and when it reached the granite stupa in Mihintale, the stupa rose from the ground along with its foundation and stood atop the pyre. Thousands beheld the incredulous sight and started raising loud cries in veneration. When the stupa returned to the ground the pyre began moving again. At that time Maha Arahant Mahavagga, an acquaintance of Kujjatissa Thero, was attending to disciplinary matters regarding some monks on the seventh floor of Loha Prasadaya- the copper roofed building with nine floors- when he heard the chant of onlookers. On making inquiries he was told of the strange happening and the passing away of his brother monk. Friends, we have to honour noble personages like him, he declared. He then excused himself from the monks, reached the second coffin within the pyre with his supernatural powers and passed into parinirvana, lying in it. When King Saddhatissa took with him fragrant flowers and perfumes to worship the pyre hovering above, it descended to the ground. The king then performed the funeral rites with boundless devotion and built a stupa enshrining relics of the Arahants , states the Anguttara nikaya attakatha. It is also wise king Saddhatissa who went incognito on a moonless night and stood at the end of the audience listening to Arahant Kalabuddharakkithas sermon on Kalakarama Sutta under the Kaluthimbiriya tree at Kaludiyapokuna throughout the whole night. Having had nothing to offer the marvelous preacher the following morning he made an offering of his entire kingdom, which was returned to the king with the advice of how to rule it in peace and in line with the Dhamma. Such was the magnitude of faith of ancient monarchs of the country. The natural cave named Raja Lena, where the king sojourned prior to his arrival for the sermon that night, is clearly visible and is situated at a great height on an imposing mountain to the left of Kaludiya Pokuna.



As perhaps destiny would have had it, King Kavantissa, father of the two great kings Dutugemunu and Saddhatissa, too experienced a similar spell-binding experience involving miraculous powers of another Arahant named Pindapatiyatissa of Magampura in the south of ancient Lanka as recorded in the Chapter on Ekadhamma Pali



The explanatory segment of Dhiganikaya stresses that whoever who possessed morality (sila), also has wisdom within. Here questions are raised regarding morality. Wisdom compliments morality and morality wisdom.  Monk, purify your morality, the first step of the path exhorted Buddha  Uththiya Thera.



A mystifying episode concerning the hallowed liaison between might and sanctity, between the worshipper and worshipped in ancient Lanka is also based on the rationale of cleansing wisdom through absolute sila. If one could sustain ones unscarred morality in a life of sixty, eighty years, he would shatter all defilements through wisdom and attain Arahanthood at death, states the scripture. The case of Maha Sattiwassa Thero of Kanthaka Sala Monastery in the reign of King Vasabha stands apart on this score.



The thero was in his deathbed when the great king arrived at the door of the hermitage and inquired of the sounds he heard. The sounds were those of the thero screaming in pain. Not mastered an iota of contemplation on pain, not worshipping him now muttered the king and walked away to pay homage to the Maha Bodhi.



Venerable Sir, why are you shaming us in this manner. You placed the pious king in a predicament, said the assisting monk.  Because he heard you screaming ,. Give me a respite replied the noble bhikkhu, suppressing his pain. He reached the final state of sublimity and gestured towards the young monk, Go, friend, you may make the king worship me now, As instructed, he met the king and announced You may worship him now. The great king threw himself on the floor in front of the bhikkhu and exclaimed Venerable Sir, it is not your Arahanthood that I worship, but the stature of sila you reached from a mundane plane.



It was such innate wisdom and sheer rectitude of the ancient ruler that went hand in hand with the sanctity of the superlative bhikkhu to establish a near perfect socio-religious culture on the hallowed land. Will it be unreasonable to expect a renaissance?



Whatever, the single permanent truth in the world being its impermanence, the golden era of a remarkable civilization has long disappeared from the face of the earth. Yet the spirit and ethos of the immaculate doctrine nurtured and secured by admirable Sangha will prevail upon the blessed country in the next twenty five centuries for the well-being of mankind as foreseen by the Great Sage. That, is the uniqueness of a rich nation and its proud heritage.
The English have a wonderful dramatic tradition, the Americans a wonderful movie tradition. Both are more or less reflected in the styles of acting they popularise: the English with Shakespeare, Marlowe and Laurence Olivier, the Americans with Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan. When an individual actor professes interest in either of these, he does so while rejecting the other, which is why the English are still averse to the Method and the Americans still covertly disdainful of Shakespeare.

One comes across this even in an individual film or play: Joseph Manciewiczs Julius Caesar (1953), for instance, has James Mason as Brutus, John Gielgud as Cassius, Greer Garson as Calpurnia, Deborah Kerr as Portia, and Marlon Brando as Mark Antony. The first four were British, while the fifth, as Pauline Kael once memorably described him, was the contemporary version of the free America. Cyril Wickremage, whom I met two years ago, and who was influenced by the Method, said he preferred Brando to Mason and Gielgud. Tony Ranasinghe, whom I met a month later, and who was influenced by the English theatre, said he preferred Mason and Gielgud to Brando (As if to justify his position, he added that, in his opinion, Brando deteriorated into an unnecessary parody of himself as the years went by).

Unfulfilled, rejected, dejected, and menacing, Tony Ranasinghes characters were hardly the romantic screen personalities his face and his looks would have made you believe him to be



The first great American actors came from the theatre  the Barrymores, Lillian Gish, Emil Jannings  as did the first great American directors  Griffith, Chaplin, right until Orson Welles  but in Sri Lanka, unlike even India, the actors continued for a long time to come from the stage (This is true of todays actors as well). In its first few years they all derived their emotional power from the Parsi theatre, the nadagama, and the morality plays of Sirisena Wimalaweera. Irangani Serasinghe, who predated Gamini Fonseka and Ranasinghe, proved to be an exception here: as the first Sri Lankan who graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she rooted all her performances in the thespian tradition of fleshed out ordinary characters. Shakespeare was at his best in his tragedies  his comedies touch on tragedy, at least briefly  and tragedy had in Sri Lanka been the preserve of the Minerva Players. With Serasinghe and Ranasinghe, a new form of acting came out, more felt and genuine.



In the movies Ranasinghe was almost always the man who could never fulfil himself, obviously an extension of the roles that Sugathapala de Silva had got him to play with Ape Kattiya. He was never the hero, never the lover, never the husband he wanted so badly to be. As Nissanka Wijesinghe in Delovak Athara (1966), his real onscreen debut, he symbolised an entire generations frustration with their elders and peers, and like Deans Jim Stark (from Rebel Without a Cause), he clashed with them because he wanted to stay true to his conscience. Irangani had found her definitive, signature role with the mother. Ranasinghe had found his with the frustrated idealist, the sort who dreamt big and spoke loftily but who never was himself when he had to be.

In the movies Ranasinghe was almost always the man who could never fulfil himself



In Ran Salu, as the villain Cyril, for instance, he makes fun of his fiancees sense of goodness because shes the exact opposite of who he is. Having abandoned her for a more sensual friend of hers, Sarojini (Anula Karunatilake), he proceeds to then abandon his second lover for a prettier, wealthier third, who urges him to throw Sarojini out (she bears him a child), marry her, and leave for England. Seeing you makes me realise how vulgar and common Sara was, he chortles. And yet, when he confronts Sara at the hospital, he dithers rather guiltily. Ive come to say goodbye, he says, looking down, I wont be seeing you again. Ever. Even as the villain, and a pretty daring one at that (Ran Salu was the first film here that depicted a couple in bed, naked; he was the man, Anula the woman), he can only



stutter awkwardly. And in becoming someone who wasnt true to himself, he spoke for all of us who wanted to be everyday heroes. Nissanka in Delovak Athara is as ordinary and common as the frustrated lover in Hanthane Kathawa, a role which its director, Sugathapala Senarath Yapa, had written with Tony Ranasinghe in mind. (It goes without saying, naturally, that no other actor could have symbolised the pain and suffering of denied love that he could and did there.) He had rejected the Method, while ironically embodying the one archetype that the Method, and Hollywood in general, perfected and marketed: the Everyman, or the ordinary Average Joe whos placed in an extraordinary, bewildering situation. He neednt have been a hero, and he actually isnt, but in terms of the range of experience and emotion he brings out, he was unparalleled by any hero or villain the mainstream cinema could conjure.

The problem with most teenagers is that they are always idealising themselves so much when their instincts get the better of them, theyre left grappling in the dark



The problem with most teenagers is that they are always idealising themselves so much when their instincts get the better of them, theyre left grappling in the dark. They can be lovers or fighters or cowards and still yearn to be more than they are. Right until Hanthane Kathawa, which signified an end of a decade and an era (it would be followed by the more politically turbulent seventies), these were the kinds of characters that Tony played. The problem with those youngsters as they mature and mellow, on the other hand, is that they are so ashamed of their past freewheeling idealisms that they want to repress, rationalise, and intellectualise. From the seventies to the early nineties, Tony hence revelled in playing out these mellowed youngsters: Suraweera in Duhulu Malak (1976), Bibile Aththo in Hulawali (1976), Sarath in Ahasin Polawata (1979). Earlier he had been conquered by instinct; now he was being conquered, slowly but inevitably, by cold, calculated, unemotional reason.



This was reflected well in his physique. Irangani Serasinghe, like Chaplin and the two Hepburns, had aged gracefully, so she could become kinder, gentler (with the exception of the eighties). Tony, on the other hand, like William Holden, was becoming gruffer, more careless, and more cynical: the messed up hair and the thick eyebrows on Bibile Aththo and Sarath and the father in Maya indicated that he was turning into older versions of the crooners and idealists he had been before.



Those idealists had been denied the privilege of realising themselves because of their idealism; now their older selves were being denied that same privilege because of their rationalism. They had been frustrated lovers; now they were frustrated husbands. Ultimately they all congealed into the same character: impotent, brooding, prone to fits of rage and passion, but never fulfilled. (In Parasathumal hes a wronged lover who, in one such fit, takes up a gun and walks right through a huge rubber estate to confront the man who stole the woman he loved; halfway through, hes so spent up by the long walk that he pants, sighs, and returns, bitterly acknowledging defeat).



With Yuganthaya, and as Simon Kabilana, Gamini Fonseka returned to the Sinhala cinema, the same cinema that had threatened to reject him, and in doing so he finally became himself. With Tony Ranasinghe, however, becoming oneself wasnt really an option, because he was scattered here and there, having played a great many characters and depicting a great many emotions, hopes, fears, sorrows. Despite the tentative comparisons one can draw between, say, the lover in Hanthane Kathawa and the husband in Ahasin Polawata, its rather difficult to reconcile his Fernando in Baddegama with the mafia leader in Saptha Kanya or the gentle, caring father in Janelaya. The second of these proved to be so uncharacteristic and atypical that people found it difficult to reconcile the performer to the performance: a feat which won him the Best Actor award from the Sarasavi, Swarna Sanka, OCIC and Presidential ceremonies. To become oneself, one had to be a Brando, a Richard Burton (another actor criticised by Ranasinghe as being deliberately undisciplined), and he was neither: he preferred plurality to singularity, right until his last few roles.



Unfulfilled, rejected, dejected, and menacing, Tony Ranasinghes characters were hardly the romantic screen personalities his face and his looks would have made you believe him to be. He subverted the rule that ones looks were an indicator of ones likeability in the movies. The truth was that the more he tried to be likeable, the more he was stifled and spurned, to his consternation. Almost always bewildered, and always impotently furious, the man never quite received what he hankered after.

He obviously tried, very hard, to get us to accept the men he wanted to be. When he failed there, he could only grope around in the dark. Marlon Brando was like that too, except that Brando always yelped about his inadequacies, while Tony, who preferred to bottle up, was more cautious. Its easier to be a hero, after all: easier to be a fighter, a soldier, a saviour. Brandos saying about being a bum instead of the champ he could have been might have easily applied to Tony. But Tony would never have said it. He would have shielded his insecurity, congealing into the opposite of who he aspired to become and thereby becoming less likeable, and

more complex.

The second of three articles exploring the trinity of our film industry.
The Rohingya Muslim humanitarian tragedy in North Western Myanmar, which has displaced more than 300,000 people, has metamorphosed into an armed conflict between the Myanmarese army and Rohingya insurgents, believed to be foreign funded and equipped now.



Combined with the forced migration of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh, India and Thailand, the growth of a violent group among them could pose a serious security threat not just to Myanmar, but also to Bangladesh and India - countries already battling foreign-inspired and funded radical Islamist terror groups.



In an article in South Asian Monitor, the BBCs expert on Myanmar, Larry Jagan, quotes Myanmarese and Asian intelligence sources to say that about 1000 Rohingya militants may have been trained in Bangladesh and in Rakhine (Myanmar) in the Mayu mountain range.





Who are they?

Rohingyas, also called Rakhine or Arakan Muslims, are not native to Myanmar in the same way as the Myanmarese and tribals like the Shans and Kachins are. They are Bengali speaking and culturally akin to Bengali Muslims of Bangladesh. But they have lived in North Western Myanmar for centuries as seafarers, traders and farmers.



However, during the independence struggle against the British in Myanmar and the Indian sub-continent, a section of Rakhine Muslims wanted the Rakhine area to be integrated with East Pakistan. This movement subsided following strong action against them by post independence Governments based in Yangon. But the memory of this pro-Pakistan movement still rankles in the Myanmarese mind creating a divide between the Buddhist Myanmarese and the Rakhine Muslims.



Coming to the present, commentator Larry Jagan says: Regional Asian intelligence sources believe substantial funds have been poured in the Rohingya areas  largely through Mae Sot. But senior Myanmar intelligence officials are certain the arms  from Thailand  are being transported on fishing ships to Coxs Bazaar in Bangladesh from Ranong, the hub of much of the human trafficking previously. Myanmars intelligence sources believe substantial weapons, including shoulder launchers  RPGs  are stockpiled in Bangladesh.



The Rohingyas are trained in camps on the outskirts of Coxs Bazaar funded by Qatar, according to one of Myanmars most senior intelligence officers, he adds.

However Kiren Rijiju, assured human rights workers that the Rohingyas would not be thrown out but only persuaded to return home in case they were found to be illegal entrants



The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) claimed responsibility for the August 25 attacks on about 30 police and the army outposts .The attackers accused the Myanmar forces of killings and rape on a wide scale.



Observers worry that the latest attacks will prompt an even more aggressive army response and trigger communal clashes between Muslims and Buddhist ethnic Rakhines compounding the already bad humanitarian crisis in North Myanmar.



Spillover into neighbourhood

In recent years, as a result of periodic attacks or pogroms against Rakhine Muslims, about 290,000 of them had fled to Bangladesh putting a heavy strain on the latter slender resources. Of these, 90,000 came after the August 25 clash between the army and Rohingya militants.



According to Bangladeshi commentator Afsan Chowdhury: Housing and feeding the refugees, which though partly externally funded, is the biggest problem for Bangladesh. Plans are on to shift them to an island though it faces resistance from several quarters. The rise of cross border crime particularly the drugs trade in which powerful politicians are now involved and it contributes to domestic crime and social instability. Then there is the fear of radical extremists rising in the camps and spilling over to Bangladesh mainland from the borders with drug trade profit funding.



Bangladesh has taken up the issue of the displaced Rohingyas with Myanmar at the highest level, but to no avail. The Myanmarese leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has in fact dismissed all criticism about maltreatment of the Rohingyas saying that the world is ignoring the other side of the story.



About 40,000 Rohingyas had fled to India causing tension in areas like Jammu in North Western India. Recently, the Indian government said that it would deport the illegal entrants on the grounds that they could be hosting some Islamic militants and drug traffickers.

According to The Guardian a circular from the Home Ministry said: Illegal migrants are more vulnerable for getting recruited by terrorist organizations. Infiltration from Myanmars Rakhine state into Indian territory, especially in the recent years, besides being a burden on the limited resources of the country, also aggravates the security challenges posed.

The Rohingyas are trained in camps on the outskirts of Coxs Bazaar funded by Qatar



However, the junior minister of Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, assured human rights workers that the Rohingyas would not be thrown out but only persuaded to return home in case they were found to be

illegal entrants.



Kofi Annans Grim Report

Going into the roots of the conflict between the Rohingya Muslims and the Myanmarse State, an international commission headed by former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, said in late August that the Rohingyas are unfairly denied citizenship and deprived in multifarious ways.

According to the commissions final report, just 13,000 Muslimsof whom 9,000 are ethnic Kamanhave been recognized as full citizens or naturalized citizens, out of more than one million Muslims who are stateless in the Rakhine region.



The population remains politically and economically marginalized and may provide fertile ground for radicalization, as local communities may become increasingly vulnerable to recruitment by extremists, the Annan report warned.



Restrictions on freedom of movement for the Muslim community, including the confinement of approximately 120,000 people in IDP camps ,have detrimental effects on the level of economic activity in the state, the report pointed out.



Such restrictions have created prohibitive barriers for Muslim businesses and labourers to enter the economy, and increased incentives for engaging in illicit commercial activities. Government officials take bribes in return for travel permits and commercial licences.



Approximately 120,000 Muslims are confined to IDP camps throughout the Rakhine state, a result of the violence in 2012. Efforts to facilitate the return or relocation of IDPs have shown little progress.



Access to health services in Rakhine is low, both for the Rakhine and Muslim population. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that the minimum number of health workers to maintain a functional health system is 22 health workers per 10,000 inhabitants. Currently, there are only 5 health workers per 10,000 people in Rakhine, compared to the national average of 16 per

10,000 people.

Bangladesh has taken up the issue of the displaced Rohingyas with Myanmar at the highest level



Rakhine has a higher child mortality rate than the national average, and only 19 percent of women give birth in professional health facilities (compared with 37 percent nationally).The immunization coverage is among the lowest in the country, and there have been multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases over the recent years, predominantly in the northern part of the state.



The nutritional status of children in Rakhine State is the worst in the country, with 38 percent of children stunted and 34 percent underweight.



With dissatisfaction and unrest brewing, Myanmars security forces face challenges from both Rakhine and Muslim non-state armed groups, such as the Arakan Army (AA) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the Annan report said.



What should worry Myamnars neighbours is that the conflict could spill over the borders, with insurgents seeking sanctuaries.
By Chandeepa Wettasinghe

Sri Lankas Tourism Development and Christian Affairs Ministry will begin actively enforcing the provisions of the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 with regard to the informal sector operators who have not registered their businesses with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

The SLTDA announced that it would be setting up an Enforcement Unit to tackle the unregistered service providers.



Any tourist enterprise or tourist service carrying on business without being registered or who have not been issued with a licence will be guilty of an offence under the Tourism Act. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is going to establish an enforcement unit under the legal division in order to address the above-mentioned requirement, it said.



Anyone found guilty of violating the Tourism Act is liable to a maximum fine of Rs.200,000 and/or a maximum prison sentence of two years.



A significant portion of unregistered businesses are homestays, hostels and small businesses that are taking advantage of the rise of sharing economy digital platforms such as Airbnb and may not be aware of the legal requirements they need to fulfil.



Approximately a quarter of foreign guest nights in Sri Lanka were in unregistered accommodation units over the past few years, attracted by authentic experiences and lower prices.



The hotel lobby, facing stiff competition from unregistered businesses, has taken up arms against the informal sector, charging them with not paying taxes and other government levies.



Some informal businesses are registered with their respective local governments and pay local taxes. The Tourism Development Ministry officials have confirmed that due to the small size of these enterprises, most of them do not fall into the income brackets required to be liable for national taxes and levies.



The 2017 budget proposed to introduce such taxes to these small informal enterprises as well, although the proposals have not yet been legislated.



Some laws in Sri Lanka are not enforced to promote social justice.



The SLTDA too, after taking an initial aggressive stance against the informal sector, was thought to have mellowed its views in recent months, due to its statements that its goal is to help the informal sector businesses to improve their business standards and help them register. The government now appears to be waving the stick without providing a big enough carrot.

Despite the perceived low standards compared to mainstream hospitality, proponents of the sharing economy and digital platforms say that the customers usually know what they are getting into due to self-regulation of such economies through coveted peer reviews and that the government shouldnt intervene excessively and impede the economic progression of these low-income groups.



What benefits the current informal sector would gain from being registered is therefore, debatable.

Large hotels however do gain the benefits of the prestigious star ratings and political support to protect their businesses after they register.



Most of the government support is going towards hotels, which are benefitting from a minimum room rate in the capital Colombo as well as subsidized loan schemes, despite criticism that their service standards have fallen and that they are not paying their workers enough.
President Donald Trump led international censure of North Koreas announcement Sunday that it had tested a hydrogen bomb, saying its actions were very hostile and dangerous to the United States.

Pyongyangs key ally China expressed strong condemnation while South Korean President Moon Jae-In called for the strongest punishment against the North, including new UN sanctions to completely

isolate it.



Tensions on the Korean peninsula have spiralled in recent weeks, with North Korea testing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and threatening to fire missiles towards the US Pacific island of Guam and Trump warning he would rain fire and fury on the country. After North Korea sent a missile over Japan last week, Trump said the time for talks was over and on Sunday he tweeted that appeasement would not work.



Trump had previously pledged the North would not get an ICBM and has warned that Washingtons weapons are locked and loaded.



China, which is hosting a summit of the five BRICS nations, said it expresses resolute opposition and strong condemnation over Pyongyangs sixth nuclear test, which was felt in Chinese cities hundreds of kilometres from North Koreas borders.



The North should stop taking mistaken actions which worsen the situation and are also not in line with its own interests, and effectively return to the track of solving the problem through dialogue, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

AFP, 3 September, 2017
"I feel if the educated and established citizens of this country leave this country in the hands of the current lot of politicians and their close circles nothing much of value will remain that is uniquely Sri Lankan except for a collection of works by the old Kings of Sri Lanka who governed in an exemplary manner leaving much behind for the future generations"

Citizens of Sri Lanka living both in and out of the country are longing for credible, competent and far-sighted public servants, office bearers and political leadership at all levels starting from Parliament downwards.

I have experienced first hand the levels of incompetence, self-centredness and lack of far sightedness by our public servants, Foreign Service members and in particular our political leadership.

Despite repeated calls from the highest offices of Sri Lanka to promote Sri Lanka and attract investors, the actual intent and competent people in key positions are lacking to help convert the opportunities that are coming our way. Everything feels like a show and an eye wash carried out by square pegs in round holes.

Be it trying to realise investment in to Sri Lanka or collect and send much needed flood relief to Sri Lanka in June of 2017 has been almost always hampered by either incompetent or highly disorganized and short sighted public servants, Foreign Service office bearers and politicians.

As a citizen it is difficult to not feel cheated by those elected. The country has the feeling of a ship that is sailing without purpose and measurable objectives and most importantly a long term National plan and Policy for key sectors such as investment promotion, health, education, agriculture, tourism, Marine and Ports, Aviation, law and order and most spheres that are usually the drivers of countries that have achieved sustainable real growth.

"What is the mechanism to ensure that a high percentage of job fits are appointed to key positions of national significance such as key ministries, key High Commissions and key institutions of the Country to facilitate growth and bolster living standards and wipe out undesired practices and daylight robbery and cover up"



Then again with a majority of lawmakers that lack the knowledge, will and sincere intentions; it is no surprise that we are after almost 70 years of Independence; in the precarious position we find ourselves in. In the past 25 years, countries such as Vietnam have accelerated their growth compared to Sri Lanka with exports driving the economy instead of debt funded infrastructure projects that had no visible business plan to generate revenue post completion but instead only adding a burden to Country. Even here, there are no creative solutions and instead a few that control and influence al key decisions in the country view; selling or divesting in the short term as the solution.

I feel if the educated and established citizens of this country leave this country in the hands of the current lot of politicians and their close circles nothing much of value will remain that is uniquely Sri Lankan except for a collection of works by the old Kings of Sri Lanka who governed in an exemplary manner leaving much behind for the future generations.

In advanced and highly developed countries such as Switzerland and Singapore where I have lived, studied and worked for nearly 15 years; I observed that public servants, Foreign Service office bearers and politicians facilitated and contributed towards achieving national policies and objectives, which were in the first place set by highly competent, experienced and caring specialists with the full backing of the political leaders with a vision. The people too articulated their expectations clearly and objectively and kept the politicians connected to ground realities.

Unfortunately in Sri Lanka in a majority of the key positions starting from Parliament downwards; we have highly incompetent occupants with a sense of entitlement and in their full support a group of relatives, friends, cronies and sycophants in the layers immediately below as to insulate the top levels and give them a sense of untouchability. I firmly believe that these jokers pose the biggest threat to Sri Lanka and not any diaspora group nor a religious group of fanatics.

"Why do the so-called experienced and far sighted leaders of our main political parties continue to give nominations to buffoons who would even at times find it difficult to get an unskilled labourers job?"



The current Unity Government headed by President MS and PM RW should understand that decent Citizens of Sri Lanka are disgusted with the actions of the Government in certain areas and the non-action in others. The very first actions of nepotism and cronyism might have even been forgiven by a majority had the other key election promises on fighting corruption, bringing to book those who committed massive frauds and ushering in an era of prosperity to the common man other than the politicians and the select few around them were embarked on with a genuine intention and sense of urgency.

To the disbelief and utter disgust of those living both in and outside Sri Lanka we see almost every day a widening of the gulf between what was promised and what is carried out. Corrupt and aimless (that is when it comes to public service) buffoons ride and rule the streets of Sri Lanka parading their power and affluence while trampling the very people who elected them and imposing more and more hardship on their daily lives.

Since independence I feel a majority of our recent (post 1990) public servants, Foreign Service representatives (especially political appointees), office bearers and political leadership at all levels starting from Parliament downwards have let us down. The evidence is overwhelming. We have had very little in terms of national policies, allowed a difference in positions to blow out into a full on 30 yearlong brutal war, reduced our national economy in to a state that is on life support, nearly destroyed our education system and health care system, public transport and infrastructure is 40 years behind where it should be given we were only behind Japan when Singapore aspired to be another Colombo in 1965, the law and order situation is a mess and growth sectors are mainly drugs, human trafficking and other nefarious activities mostly with the patronage of those in positions of power. We speak proudly about what our ancestors achieved and yet do very little to preserve our traditions and heritage.

Living in Singapore, which learnt from Sri Lanka and avoided the mistakes we made due to having a leader like former PM Lee Kuan Yew and a team that was highly competent and put country first; I ask myself the following questions every day with a view to finding a solution to Sri Lankas present predicament and do our part as citizens to lift Mother Lanka out of her present misery and restore her to the rightful place where all of us can be proud again to be Sri Lankan citizens:

"Unfortunately in Sri Lanka in a majority of the key positions starting from Parliament downwards; we have highly incompetent occupants with a sense of entitlement and in their full support a group of relatives, friends, cronies and sycophants in the layers immediately below as to insulate the top levels and give them a sense of untouchability"

What is causing Sri Lankans to get stuck with incompetent public servants, office bearers and political leadership at all levels starting from Parliament downwards for decades and decades of post-independence?

Why are our expectations from those we appoint/elect so low?

Why do so-called experienced and far sighted leaders of our main political parties continue to give nominations to buffoons who would even at times find it difficult to get an unskilled labourers job.

Why hold elections wasting public funds when you appoint losers through the national list?

How can we hold those we elect accountable for their actions between elections?

Do we need all these layers of jokers from Parliament to Provincial Councils down to the Foreign Service political appointees to serve the country?

What are their achievements for the people and country in return for the perks and privileges received from the tax payers money?

What progress are MS and RW making on the election promises?

What is the mechanism to ensure that a high percentage of job fits are appointed to key positions of national significance such as key ministries, key High Commissions and key institutions of the Country to facilitate growth and bolster living standards and wipe out undesired practices and daylight robbery and cover up?

What should MS and RW do to lead by example than just by empty words?



As a Citizen I care and continue to care and act. I think it is high time we expect more from our elected and appointed public servants, Foreign Service, office bearers and political leadership at all levels starting from Parliament downwards and search for the facts rather than be misled and fooled by a minority of incompetent and unscrupulous people portraying themselves to be the Peoples Representatives.



Writer can be contacted on chamal@venturer.biz
The GMOA said today it had no faith in the presidential committee appointed to resolve the SAITM issue and as such the government would have to face severe consequences soon.

GMOA executive committee member Prasad Kolambage told a news briefing that the association has lost confidence in the committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena because it consists of pro-SAITM individuals.

The committee which included the Attorney General (AG), University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Mohan de Silva, Health Ministry Secretary and the Higher Education Ministry Secretary have spoken in favour of SATIM on earlier occasions. We do not count on these individuals to provide an impartial solution to the matter, he said.

Dr. Kolambage said Chairman of the committee, Deputy Minister Harsha De Silvas stance on this matter was not clear and as such his decision was uncertain.

He said the fact that the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) or the GMOA was not represented in the committee and this would result in a decision favourable to SAITM.

Dr. Kolambage said the GMOA was tricked and mislead on several occasions and would not let it to happen again and proceed with its trade union action.

We will remain quiet until the committee submits its report. If the solutions are pro-SAITM, the government will have to suffer the consequences, he said.

Meanwhile, the GMOA said the post of SLMC Chairman has been vacant for two months and the relevant authorities including Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne failed to make an appointment for the only institution that could ensure the countrys medical education quality. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
As the ninth BRICS summit is underway in Xiamen, China, the memories of the recent Doklam standoff between neighbours India and China seems to be already paling before the greater and more pressing needs. This was evident in the warm and firm handshake that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping shared on the BRICS dais, as the duo met in one of the biggest convergence platforms for developing economies the world over.

Stronger partnership for a brighter future. PM @narendramodi is received by President Xi at the #BRICS2017 welcome ceremony pic.twitter.com/Tw1BnRVFoH  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

BRICS  the bloc that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  is a forum for not only forging economic cooperation, but also teasing out strategies and joint outlooks on issues as sensitive as national and international security, counter-terrorism, as well as cultural ties and tourism.

Furthering a special & privileged strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi meets President Putin on the sidelines of #BRICS2017 Summit pic.twitter.com/TmDl2gbVN0  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

Deepening the India-Russia partnership...PM @narendramodi and President Putin meet at the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. pic.twitter.com/FbuG5G8sG5  PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2017

It is in this light that PM Modis appeal to the BRICS members and others invitees at the plenary session, focusing on trade and commerce, and a plea to de-radicalise the territories assume importance.

Xiamen declaration

While the bilateral talks between Modi and Xi, as well as between Modi and Russian President Valdimir Putin, will take place tomorrow on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the joint declaration condemning Pakistan-based terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Haqqani network, is clearly the key takeaway from the first half of the first day of the BRICS meet. The resolution, also being called the Xiamen Declaration, has been widely welcomed in the BRICS countries.

PM @narendramodi in the BRICS Family Photograph with other Leaders at 9th BRICS summit in Xiamen, China #BRICS2017 pic.twitter.com/Jtvm5JWG1a  PIB India (@PIB_India) September 4, 2017

The BRICS resolution said: "We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organizing or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.

We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the 48th point of the Xiamen Declaration said.

What Modi said

PM Modi, in his plenary speech at the BRICS 2017, warned of a world increasingly devoid of stability and drifting towards uncertainty.

PM: BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation; contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation, contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty, Modi said.

PM @narendramodi : Our endeavours today touch diverse areas of agriculture, culture, environment, energy, sports, and ICT  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

PM urges early creation of BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign & corporate entities of developing countries.  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

PM: Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities & promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement & the IMF  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

Seeking a strong and robust partnership at the five-member bloc, PM Modi also called for the constitution of a BRICS ratings agency so that emerging economies can have their own economic and financial governance and a narrative unhindered by Anglo-American credit ratings and conditions.

Our central banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote co-operation between the contingent reserve arrangement and the International Monetary Fund, PM Modi said.

PM @narendramodi and other #BRICS leaders at the Plenary Session of 9th #BRICSSummit in Xiamen, China pic.twitter.com/YkYkvF8PsX  PIB India (@PIB_India) September 4, 2017

Insisting on trade and economic cooperation, PM Modi stressed on financial sovereignty and ending financial/aid dependence of the developing nations, particularly the BRICS members, and said the future of BRICS lay in launching technical and financial cooperation plans.

PM: Affordable, reliable &sustainable access to energy is crucial for development of our nations. Renewable energy is particularly important  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

PM Modi also focused on renewable energy for a greener planet and as part of the commitment to the Paris Climate Accord, to which all the BRICS countries have shown an adherence to. Affordable, reliable, and sustainable access to energy is crucial for the development of our nations. Renewable energy is particularly important, Modi said.

What Xi said

President Xi Jinping, on his part, contributed 500 million yuan to the New Development Bank, or the BRICS bank, that would help in ensuring financial sovereignty of developing economies, lending at lower borrowing rates and maintaining financial solvency of the Global South.

I wish to announce that China will launch the economic and technical cooperation plan for BRICS countries with 500 million yuan for the first term to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation and in the economic and trade field, said Xi. He added: "Despite our differences in national conditions, our five countries are in similar stages of development and share the same development cause."

Shadows of Doklam

Both Modi and Xi preferred to keep the shadows of Doklam standoff away from the urgency of the BRICS meet and the transnational, multilateral cooperation the five-member block demanded. In this light, the more thorny issues of CPEC, and China-Pakistan cooperation, would be taken up tomorrow during the bilateral meet between the two leaders.

It is of course worthwhile to remember that military confrontation between the two neighbours is a strictly unaffordable idea that both leaders deeply understand. What is important that the media in both countries follow up on the urgent need for cooperation and not confrontation. In this light, calls for boycott of Chinese products within India become counterproductive, even as the two meet at different platforms, including BRICS, G-20 and more.
Business / Economy

by Staff Reporter

GOVERNMENT has tweaked labour laws to allow the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and ferro-alloy industry employees who have been casual workers for over two consecutive years, to be deemed permanently employed.Statutory Instrument 88 of 2017 covers ferro-alloy industry employees while SI 92 of 2017 pertains to GMB workers. SI 88 was gazetted on August 4 while SI 92 was promulgated on August 11.The SIs are part of a raft of measures adopted by Government recently to improve the working conditions of employees across various sectors of the economy.SI 88 says any employees that have done three years' continuous service under fixed-term contracts are now deemed to be under contracts "without limit of time".Similarly, SI 92 allows GMB workers with fixed-term contracts, who have served continuously for two years, to become permanent employees from the date of initial engagement.The intervention brings relief to workers who were being hired on three months renewable contracts by companies but for a longer period and would go empty-handed by the time they are dismissed.Many sectors, particularly agriculture, food and clothing, have been accused by trade unions of exploiting employees by making them work for over 20 years but on fixed term contracts. Most of them have struggled to raise transport fares to their rural homes after contracts were terminated, mostly due to old age.Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary-general Mr Japhet Moyo told The Sunday Mail Business last week that they welcome the decision by Government, adding that it was long overdue.". . . if there is any interpretation (of the law) that says 'if a person has worked for three years, or whatever period on a fixed term contract, they become permanent'; we welcome that. That is what we want."In terms of what it means to our economy, that is another debate but I think a person cannot be condemned to that arrangement for the whole of his life."You cannot even plan because you can be fired any day, any hour. Workers should plan, marry and decide in which city to stay because they are sure that they are at work," said Mr Moyo.During the time when Nicholas Goche was Minister of Labour, about 13 principles were signed and one of them deals with casualisation of labour. At that time, National Employment Councils (NEC) were responsible for resolving issues pertaining to fixed term contracts, on a sector by sector basis.Mr Moyo said that arrangement has remained in the Labour Act."But our position is that a person cannot be on a fixed contract for 20 years; that is not what we believe in," said Mr Moyo.However, the move to upgrade fixed term employees and make them permanent might fall foul with employers, who have in the past claimed that they cannot hire staffers permanently because of a difficult operating environment.Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe (Emcoz) executive director Mr John Mufukare could not be reached for comment as his mobile was not reachable by the time of going to print.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A police officer who assaulted his wife with an electric cable after a dispute over a pair of panties found in his car has been fined $200 by a Chitungwiza Magistrate.Clearance Lunga (39) of Unit N in Seke, Chitungwiza and based at Police Protection Unit Escorts at Morris Depot, also assaulted his wife - Sekai Madziyanheyo (34) - following a dispute over her cellphone.Lunga, who was suspected to be drunk, arrived home from work around midnight last week and found Madziyanheyo fast asleep. He asked her to hand him his shirt since he wanted to go to the Heroes Acre. When Madziyanheyo was looking for the shirt, Lunga took her cellphone and started scrolling it. Without warning, Lunga took an electric cable which he used to whack Madziyanheyo several times and she sustained bruises.Two days later, Madziyanheyo found a pair of female underwear in Lunga's car as they were driving to town. She demanded to know who the owner of the panties was.This did not go down well with Lunga who, in a fit of rage, punched her. Madziyanheyo suffered a swollen forehead and was referred to hospital.She reported the matter to the police leading to Lunga's arrest. Lunga pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence charges when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mrs Yeukai Chigodora.Mrs Chigodora fined him $200 and slapped him with a wholly suspended two-month prison term.Mr Farayi Katonha prosecuted.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Harare woman has appeared in court for allegedly assaulting her 69-year-old husband, who had refused to indulge in sex with her.Otilia Kakunguwo (53) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Annie Ndiraya facing charges of assault. She was remanded to September 12 on $30 bail.Allegations are that on August 16, Kakunguwo and her husband, Ngonidzashe Muzheki Choga, were sleeping in separate rooms at their home since they were having misunderstandings.It is alleged that on the same night, Kakunguwo decided to go to her husband's room and requested to discuss methods of ironing out their differences.Choga agreed to discuss with her. The court heard that during the course of the discussion, Kakunguwo requested to engage in sex with Choga, but he turned her request down. This did not go well with Kakunguwo, who became violent and started battering her husband on the head and punching him.
- T. S. Eliot

Thoughts After Lambeth

"The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide."
ROANOKE  Virginia Tech officials will review the names of campus buildings and places in light of controversy swirling around the naming of monuments after Confederate and other historical figures nationally.

A committee chaired by Menah Pratt-Clarke, Techs vice provost for inclusion and diversity, will review campus buildings and spaces as appropriate, university spokesman Mark Owczarski wrote in an email.

Given the national dialogue, the university believed it was the right thing to do to have a process in place to review the broader issue of campus spaces, Owczarski wrote.

The committees formation was not in response to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, but rather to conversations about the naming of monuments going on nationally, according to Owczarski.

Biko Agozino, a professor of sociology and Africana studies at Tech, said he raised the issue with Pratt-Clarke in the spring of 2017.

Agozino said hes spoken with multiple Tech students who have expressed frustration about attending events and classes in buildings and spaces with names associated with slavery and violence against Native Americans.

Im only lending a voice to the concerns of my students, he said.

He pointed to several examples of places named for people who owned slaves on campus.

They range from Kentland Farms, named for James Randal Kent, who owned more than 100 slaves, to the restaurant Prestons at the Inn at Virginia Tech, named for another family that owned Smithfield Plantation, which was a working plantation with slaves who worked much of the land on which the university sits.

To change the names of buildings, spaces or landmarks wouldnt be denying history, Agozino said. Were asking for a more inclusive history, he said.

Agozino said that renaming places could also help in recruiting minority students by making it a more attractive place. Recruiting more underrepresented minority students was a goal put forth by Tech President Timothy Sands earlier this year.

About 4 percent of Techs student body is African-American. Thats a big gap from the 20 percent of African-American high school graduates in Virginia, Agozino said.

He also hopes local municipalities will take similar action, noting that the name of Plantation Road near campus is offensive.

Owczarski wrote that no particular building or space on campus prompted the move.

The committee is still being formed. A timetable is unknown at this time, but university administrators say they hope recommendations will be put forth during the school year, although its unclear what actions, such as name changes, the committee might recommend.

This work is in the very early stages, and the university believes this is an important conversation to have, Owczarski wrote.

Tech most recently had controversy around the name of a building in the 1990s and the mid-2000s. That was around Lee Hall named for former university professor Claudius Lee.

An 1896 Bugle Yearbook describes Lee as a leader in the Tech chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. Tech officials in 1997 determined the description was likely a joke and the name should not be changed.

In 2005, when the issue resurfaced, the university called for broader education on the subject of Claudius Lee and also for strengthening diversity efforts across the university, according to Techs building description online.
Jewell Tucker Baker, 94, of Orange, Va. died on Thursday, August 31, 2017, at the Dogwood Village of Orange, Senior Living Facility. She was born on June 4, 1923, in Radiant, Va., the daughter of the late Robert Fulton and Nina Lee Spicer Tucker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Thomas Baker; a son, Joseph Alan "Joey" Baker; three brothers, a sister, and three half-sisters. Mrs. Baker was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, retired from Bank of America, and also volunteered at the Orange County Nursing Home. She is survived by a daughter, Nancy B. Shepherd of Richmond; two grandchildren, Courtney H. Barrett and husband, Michael of Richmond, and Kara H. Bleecher and husband, Erik, of Richmond; four great-grandchildren, Jack and Luke Bleecher, Sam and Alex Barrett; a brother-in-law, William S. Baker, of Orange; two sisters-in-law, Ann B. Tomlinson and Barbara B. Elmore, both of Orange; and two nieces, Mary Lee Walsh and husband, John, of Charlottesville, and Pam T. Tisdale and husband, Bob, of North Carolina. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Orange with Pastors Craig Newman and Olin Herndon officiating. The interment will be private. Jewell's kindness, humility, sense of humor, and work ethic were second to none. She displayed these traits by example. In her words, "she believed that her greatest accomplishments in life were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren". She taught us that friends and family are the key to happiness. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court Glen Allen, VA 23060, or the Alzheimers Association 1160 Pepsi Place Suite 306, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Preddy Funeral Home of Orange is assisting the family with arrangements.
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.

.

..UK Media Watch..03 September '17..A recent article by thes Jerusalem correspondent, Peter Beaumont, again shows how what media outlets ignore in their coverage of the conflict is as misleading to news consumers than the errors in the stories they do cover. The piece (Trumps ambassador refers to alleged occupation, Sept. 1) is critical of the US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, for his characterisation, during ainterview, of the situation in the Palestinian territories as an alleged occupationBeaumont quoted a response by an unnamed Palestinian official who warned that Mr Friedman should realise that denying facts doesnt mean that they dont exist.Of course, the hypocrisy of a PA official lecturing anyone on factual or historical accuracy was no doubt lost on Beaumont, as the veteranjournalist has consistently ignored the continuous Palestinian denial of Jewish history in Jerusalem and the existence of the Jewish Temple. Whilst Beaumont critically reported on Friedmans use of the word alleged before occupation, hes failed over the years to acknowledge PA President Mahmoud Abbass use of the term alleged Temple to question the existence of the First and Second Temples.
Just so there's no confusion: Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer emailed Vladimir Putin's personal spokesman? Seeking help from the Kremlin on a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow? During the presidential campaign?

Yes, this really happened.

While most attention was rightly focused on the devastating flood in Houston, there was quite a bit of news on the Russia front  all of it, from Trump's perspective, quite bad.

The revelations begin with a Trump business associate named Felix Sater. A Russian emigre who bragged about his Kremlin connections, Sater was a principal figure in development of the Trump Soho hotel and condominium project in lower Manhattan. Sater wrote a series of emails to Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, touting the Moscow Trump Tower project as a way to help Trump win the presidency.

In November 2015  five months after Trump had entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination  Sater wrote to Cohen that he had "arranged" for Trump's daughter Ivanka, during a 2006 visit to Moscow, "to sit in Putins private chair at his desk and office in the Kremlin."

The email went on: "I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected. We both know no one else knows how to pull this off without stupidity or greed getting in the way. I know how to play it and we will get this done. Buddy our boy can become President of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this."

Could Sater be just a blowhard who exaggerated his influence with the Russian president? Perhaps. But Ivanka Trump did tell The New York Times that she took a "brief tour of Red Square and the Kremlin" during that 2006 visit. The Times reported she said that "it is possible she sat in Mr. Putin's chair during that tour but she did not recall it."

There is no evidence that Cohen, one of Trump's closest associates, found anything improper in Sater's pledge to get Putin "on this program."

Nor did Cohen or anyone in the Trump Organization bother to disclose the emails  or the Trump firm's effort, even during the campaign, to profitably emblazon the Trump name on the Moscow skyline  until the correspondence was turned over to the House Intelligence Committee last week.

And there's more: In January 2016, with the Moscow project apparently stalled, Cohen went straight to the top to get it back on track  or at least tried to. He sent an email to Dmitry Peskov, Putin's longtime personal spokesman, "hereby requesting your assistance."

Peskov confirmed that the email was received but said he did nothing about it and that it was not given to Putin.

So Trump was lying when he tweeted, shortly before his inauguration, that "I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA  NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!"

The truth is that in October 2015, on the same day he participated in a GOP candidates' debate, he signed a letter of intent for the Moscow Trump Tower project.

That is a "deal," and Trump's hunger to keep it alive may explain his reluctance to say anything critical about Putin. Or it may tell just part of the story.

The other part involves the whole question of collusion between Russian officials and the Trump campaign to meddle with the election and boost Trump's chances. Sater's boasts, by themselves, are hardly definitive. But of course there is the larger context, which includes the infamous meeting that Donald Trump Jr. convened in New York at which he hoped to receive dirt, courtesy of the Russian government, on Hillary Clinton.

Thus far we have the president's son, his son-in-law Jared Kushner (who was at that meeting), his then-campaign manager Paul Manafort (also at the meeting), and now his personal lawyer all seemingly eager for Russian help in the election. Who in the campaign wasn't willing to collude?

All of this is under scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller and the various congressional committees that are conducting investigations. Some have suggested that Trump's pardon of Joe Arpaio, the unrepentant "birther" and racial profiler, might have been a message to Trump associates facing heat from prosecutors: Hang tough and don't worry, you'll get pardons.

But there was more bad news for the president: Politico reported that Mueller is now cooperating and sharing information with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Presidents can only issue pardons for federal offenses, not state crimes. Uh-oh.

Eugene Robinson is a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group. Email him at eugenerobinson@washpost.com.
Xiamen: China will provide $76 million for a BRICS economic and technology cooperation plan and another $4 million to support the projects of the bloc's New Development Bank, President Xi Jinping announced on Tuesday.

Calling on the five-nation grouping to forge unity to jointly advance solutions for international peace and development, Xi said the BRICS countries should make economic globalisation open and inclusive, and beneficial to all.

"I wish to announce here that China will launch the economic and technical cooperation plan for BRICS countries with 500 million yuan [about $76 million at the current exchange rates] for the first term to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation in economic and trade field," Xi said at the opening of the plenary session at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders of the BRICS countries participated in the meeting.

Xi also said China will contribute $4 million for the New Development Bank (NDB) setup by the BRICS countries.

The money was meant for project preparation facility to support the business operation and long-term plans of the bank, he said.

"We need to make the international order more just and equitable. Our ever closer ties require that we five countries play more active in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved," he said.

On the broader future role for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Xi said the grouping should speak in one voice and jointly present solutions to issues concerning international peace and development.

"This meets the expectation of the international community and will help safeguard our common interests," he said. "We should remain committed to multilateralism and basic norms governing international relations, work for new type of international relations and foster peace and stable environment of all countries," Xi said.

He said the BRICS countries should build open economy, support multilateral trade regime and oppose protectionism. "We need to advance the reform of the global economic governance, increase the representation and voice of the emerging markets and developing countries and inject new impetus to advance efforts to address the development gap between north and south and boost global growth," he said.

Xi said the grouping should endeavour to promote practical economic cooperation.

Despite the achievements the bloc has made, the potential for cooperation has yet to be fully unleashed, Xi said.

The five countries' foreign investment totalled $197 billion in 2016, but only 5.7 per cent took place between BRICS members, he said.

The BRICS countries should increase cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, monetary and financial areas, connectivity, sustainable development, innovation and industrial cooperation, he said.

Outlining the progress of the BRICS, he said the group of emerging economies launched African regional centre of the New Development Bank.

The BRICS countries also decided to setup BRICS model of e-port network and reached extensive agreements on taxation, e-commerce, local currency bond, public private partnership, the network of financial institutions and services.

He also called for promoting more closer ties between people of the BRICS countries. "Amity between the people holds the key to sound state- to-state relations. Only with the intensive care can the tree of friendship and cooperation grow," he said.

"The job well done in this regard will keep the BRICS cooperation vibrant. He said the important consensus reached at the leadership level to promote people-to-people exchanges is being translated into reality.

He said the past decade has seen the unremitting efforts of the BRICS countries in pursing development and deepening partnership. It is beginning in the history of BRICS cooperation, he said. "Looking ahead BRICS cooperation is set to achieve greater development and play even a bigger role in international affairs," he said.

He called on the member nations to join hands to "usher in a second golden decade of BRICS cooperation and deliver greater benefits to the people of five countries and around the world".
Mumbai: They say fathers are closer to daughters and mothers to sons and the Khan family perhaps describes it in the best way.

Few days ago, Gauri Khan shared a picture of son Aryan on Instagram, saying 'hope I don't fired' as she hadnt taken his permission to post the picture.

And now, Shah Rukh Khan has shared a picture with daughter Suhana, turning up the style quotient like never before, and we wonder if the superstar took her permission as well.

While Aryan doesnt like his mother putting his picture without his permission, Suhana doesnt like her father using too many filters as was very evident in the picture SRK posted.

SRK revealed this fact in the caption that he gave to the picture. Suhana, who was present in Mumbai for the past few days, getting snapped by the paparazzi as she stepped out for a movie with close friend Ahaan Pandey orattended Lakme Fashion Week, will now return to London for her studies and her father doesnt seem too happy to let her go.

Suhana aspires to be an actress and reports of her fathers close friend Karan Johar taking all steps to ensure she rocks it on the big screen were doing the rounds this time.
Bengaluru: Sahaya Hastha, a non-profit organisation, was formed to address one of the most pressing public health concerns  cervical cancer. This issue has been in focus when it comes to urban women, but Sahaya Hastha chose to concentrate on women living in villages.

For the organisations founder, Roopa Mouli, her hands were already full with various social projects, including a nutrition project among paediatric cancer patients. However, the main aim to start Sahaya was unique. My journey into founding the trust stemmed from the point when I started supporting Mathru Trust, where we financially helped the differently-abled children for a year. Then we started financially supporting a speech and hearing institute, Swayamvara Trust. I continued to back Swayamwara with some outing activities for those children, she says.

However, the interest to spread awareness about cervical cancer came from her visit to Kidwai Hospital in Bengaluru. I was there for a nutrition programme and it was heartbreaking to see women getting diagnosed with cancer mostly at the last stage, because of lack of awareness. That's how I shifted my focus to cervical cancer, she says. Since then, Roopa and her team conduct four campaigns every month in rural areas around Bengaluru.

Of the four camps, first two are to create awareness where we go door-to-door telling women about cervical cancer, causes, prevention and importance of timely intervention. After that we conduct a screening camp. But because hesitant women are not exactly willing to go for a PAP Smear test, we have also started diabetes and blood pressure tests and then we get the PAP test done as well, she says. Her team also conducts awareness camps about cancer among students in rural areas. Education and awareness is the key and that is why we also run awareness camps in government schools, she says. The funding for various camps come from trustees and a few donors, she says.

The trust, which will celebrate its fourth anniversary on September 4, earlier focused on nutrition, supporting NGOs and connecting patients to right NGO. However, cervical cancer has now become the main focus of the organisation.

As Roopa started reaching out to more and more people with her awareness work, her work was recognised in January 2016. She was honoured by the Cancer Care India in Doddaballapura taluk for her contribution in promoting cervical health.

In a country like India, especially in rural areas, women are not exactly open about their health issues and more so if it is something as grave and stigmatised as cancer. It is difficult to reach out to them and explain the symptoms as whenever they hear breast cancer or cervical cancer, they become hesitant. These camps help breaking that barrier, and now, women are reaching out more. Such camps do help in reaching out and spreading awareness, she says.

Currently, her team works with ASHA workers and local gynaecology clinics. The focus is to touch upon each and every village in and around Bengaluru in due course of time. Currently, it is in and around Doddaballapura. Slowly, we will reach out to more and more rural women, she sums up.
Who doesnt want a rejuvenation? Be it for skin or face, people are happily willing to shell out huge bucks to get it done. Now, the recent entrant that is grabbing eyeballs is  wait for it  vaginal rejuvenation!

A surgical procedure to tighten the vaginal muscles, and improve the appearance and size of the vaginal opening, this procedure is being discussed among women. Recently, reality star and tabloid favourite Farrah Abraham documented her vaginal rejuvenation on Instagram and within hours, Google searches for it had sky-rocketed. The 26-year-old star also shared her photo in a clinic with the caption: Loving my lady parts! #vaginalrejuvenation (sic).

So, what is the need for a procedure like this? Is it important for todays Gen Y women to take to it? Plastic surgeons, cosmetic gynaecologists and models talk to us about the fad in detail.

Farrahs Instagram picture at the clinic

Dr Deepa Ganesh, a well-known cosmetic gynecologist, is happy that newsmakers like Farrah are talking openly about such surgeries.

Nobody knew such procedures existed a couple of years ago. After pregnancy, when women complain of a loose vagina, we suggest kegel exercises that help in tightening the vagina. But now, we have various options. Be it post delivery, aging, and post menopause, women experience vaginal laxity, less lubrication, etc.  and procedures like this will help regain their lost elasticity and rejuvenates the vaginal tissue. Though there is less awareness, women are finally realising the importance of vaginal rejuvenation, she says.

But plastic surgeon Dr. Karthik Ram begs to differ. He says that in Chennai, people enquiring about the procedure, are very less. Though women have issues with their vagina, they dont even discuss it with their spouses and close friends. They still consider it as a taboo to discuss openly. Even if somebody does it, it will be very secretive, he says.

The surgeon quickly adds, Moreover, I dont think it is a necessary surgery. But we cant predict the future  this might be a prominent procedure in a couple of years. Who knows? But, so far I havent gotten many requests.

Being a cosmetic gynecologist for many years, Dr Deepa adds that women in the south are secretive about going under the knife.

In the north, the scenario is different. If a person wants to do some procedure, they will go the clinic and do it without any inhibition. But in the south, women ask the opinion of hundred people and then proceed with it! I am getting a lot of inquiries and have done vaginal rejuvenation procedure to many women in Chennai. But, nobody will talk about it. They consider intimate makeovers as private issues not to be revealed! she adds.

So, what is the major goal of this procedure? If there is vaginal laxity, intimacy levels come down and this will lead to less confidence in women. Rejuvenation will strengthen your vaginal muscles and can tone your loose vagina. Once it is regained, women will automatically gain confidence. At the end of the day, it is your body and you have to feel good about it. Why should you suffer when there are a lot of options? Deepa quips.

An advocate-model from Chennai, Swetha Sridhar mentions that medically, such options could help in transforming peoples lives.

It is natural to see the evolution of human beings. You can never be 16  youll mature and grow old. You will definitely have wrinkles one day. So what? You need to learn to embrace your body and beauty. Why should a person try to be 16 when you are 60? I think when you start embracing your body, you start to enjoy it. I am no one to say if vaginal rejuvenation is a must or not. What if the surgery does not give you what you need? You will still feel depressed. Rather than worrying, respect your body and respect the changes that come along with it while you age. One shouldnt forget that science can do only 40 per cent of what you want. The rest is in your hands, Swetha says.

Dr. Karthik also explains the pros and cons of the procedure  If it is a non-invasive procedure, complications are less. But if it is a surgery, sometimes, there will be wound healing issues and sensitive scars. But it will be alright in a couple of months.

As a parting note, Dr. Deepa urges women to come forward and be open. We have various treatments for vaginal problems. And I want women to benefit from it, rather than suffer in silence, she concludes.
Kochi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday seized about 1.5 kg of gold worth Rs 46 lakhs from a woman passenger identified as Rasina 26 belonging to Nilambur, who landed at the Kochi International Airport from Doha.

The woman was found carrying about 13 gold biscuits inside her clothes. The DRI sleuths intercepted her at the arrival hall on a tip-off.

According to DRI officials the woman was suspected to be working for a gold smuggling racket by a Malappuram-based racket. The accused has been found travelled between Kerala and the Middle East several times during the past one year, they held.

Gold smuggling to the state is up in the past few months after a decline soon after the demonetization. The DRI has seized nearly 21 kg gold from the three airports in Kerala. DRI officials are apprehensive of gold smuggling to move up in coming months.
Hyderabad: The city police is sending a team to Mumbai to seek the help of the Oman consulate in bringing back a teenager from the Old City who was married to an elderly Omani.

The marriage was performed about four months ago and the teenager who is reportedly 17-year-old called up her parents and said that she was being tortured by her husband who is about 65 years old.

A team headed by an ACP rank official will leave for Mumbai and meet Oman consulate officials. Efforts of the Embassy of India in Oman are also on to get the teenager back to India, said DCP (south) V. Satyanarayana.

The police, according to sources, is trying to contact some relatives of, Ghousia  the aunt of the teenager who facilitated her marriage without the knowledge of her parents  to approach the Oman national. The relatives who stay in Oman could at least help in convincing the man to send the teenager back to India.

The teenager is also reluctant to come back for fear of being arrested. Maybe her relatives here or the Oman national might have scared her, the police said.
New Delhi: A 54-year-old British national, working as a philanthropist/teacher with a blind school in South Delhi, was arrested after he was caught sexually assaulting three visually-impaired children on the pretext of playing with them.

The police says that it received a complaint from a blind school, based on which the man was arrested from his apartment in Vasant Kunj. A case under sections of Pocso has been registered.

The incident came to light when an employee of the school reported about a man, Murray Denis Ward, holding three teenagers in a room and sexually assaulting them on Sunday afternoon. By the time the home authorities reached the room, Murray had already left.

When the boys, aged 12-14, were counselled by a teacher, they broke down and narrated their ordeal to them. They said that he would call them one by one to his table on the pretext of asking them questions and forcefully disrobe them. He would touch their private parts and let them off after some time. Before leaving, he would threaten them with dire consequences if they revealed about the assault to any of their teachers.

According to school authorities, some of the boys aged 12-14 had refused to attend his classes, after which an employee was asked to keep an eye on them.

The PCR was informed about the incident after which a team from the R.K. Puram police station reached the school to record the statements of the children.

The matter was brought to the notice of senior officers, following which joint commissioner R.P. Upadhyay ordered the registration of an FIR. The accused was caught from his apartment on Sunday night.

We have seized his mobile phone and laptop, which also had some explicit photographs and videos. It is being verified whether they were shot by him, said DCP Ishwar Singh. The UK High Commis-sion has also been inform-ed about the case.

Brit partly paralysed post cerebral attack

The accused had suffered a cerebral attack earlier this year after which he became partly paralysed and moved around on a wheel chair. He quit his job in 2017 and started teaching English at the school for the blind. He also donated money to them from time to time.

We generally do not allow donators to reach anywhere beyond the canteen or the office. However, in this case the man told us that he would take English classes for the children. We used to leave him alone in the rooms with a handful of children during which he assaulted them. The children are being counselled by professionals from an NGO, said a manager from the school.

Police sources say that Murray had planned to leave for his hometown in Gloucestershire, UK, later this month. Cops have contacted the UK High Commission and informed them about the incident. They suspect that Murray could be a part of a paedophile group who share photographs of victims among themselves.

The statements of the victims were recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC and Murray was sent to judicial custody after this.
Bhopal: In a shocking incident, a mob in a Madhya Pradesh town on Monday brutally assaulted four kids after accusing them of pickpocketing even as the tiny tots were begging for mercy while pleading their innocence.

A video capturing the heart-rending sight has gone viral, triggering public outrage in the state.

The incident took place in the district headquarters town of Tikamgarh. The video clip showed the kids, aged 4-6, receiving blows in their stomachs, slaps on their faces and kicks on their backs by the frenzied mob in front of the local Kondeswar temple in the morning.

The children were being tortured for nearly an hour before police rescued them.

A passerby informed the police about the incident. We rushed to the spot and rescued the four children from the mob. All the four children were injured and being given medical attention, police said.
As per the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city generates 4,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste, out of which 350-400 metric tons are of plastic.

Bengaluru: It has been more than a year since the state government under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, banned the usage and manufacturing of plastic bags, but most of it continues to remains only on paper, with many vendors and merchants flouting it.

Mahesh Kashyap, a consultant with the Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD), is upset with the slow enforcement of the ban even after a year.

While having a lunch at Indiranagar I saw food items being packed in plastic bags. Most of the shops are blatantly using plastic. Initially, KSPCB officials went around and fined some of the shops, but now the raids it seems are stopped, Kashyap lamented.

As per the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city generates 4,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste, out of which 350-400 metric tons are of plastic.

The plastic waste also leads to the clogging of sewers and drains and during the heavy showers on August 14, when half of the city was inundated, BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad had blamed e-commerce industries and malls for dumping thermocol and plastic wastes in the drains.

Apart from taking on BBMP, which he believes has failed in enforcing the ban, IISC scientist T.V. Ramachandra also blamed the citizens, who still carry food items in poly bags. Ramachandra said, The civic authorities are responsible for not being effective in implementing the ban. The manufacturing of the plastic bags should be stopped at first instance. This is the same story as that of PoP Ganesha idols, where despite a ban these idols came out in the market.

Commenting on the health hazards posed by the usage of plastic, he said that if food is carried in plastic bags, it will add carcinogen which can cause cancer.

Prior to 2016, plastic bags less than 40 microns in thickness were banned, but in May 2016 the state government had imposed a blanket ban on the sale and manufacture of all plastic bags.
Forces retaliated to firing by militants, resulting in an encounter. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Srinagar: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants gunned down by security forces in Sopore township of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Monday.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in Shanker Gund Brath area of Sopore, security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) there, a police official said.

He said as the forces were conducting the search operation, the militants fired upon them.

The forces retaliated, resulting in an encounter, the official said.
The terrorists were hiding in Chak-e-Brat village of Shankar Gund Brat belt, just outside Sopore town. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

Srinagar: Two militants, including the Hizbul-Mujahideens chief for north Kashmir Parvez Ahmed Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district on Monday, the police said.

The other slain militant has been identified as Nayeem Ahmed Najar, Wanis accomplice.

The police said that Wani alias Ashfaq was A++ category militant, who figured in the list of most wanted terrorists by the security forces.

The security forces, including troops from the Armys 22 Rashtriya Rifles, and the members of J&K polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and the CRPFs 92, 177 and 179 battalions, laid siege to Chak-e-Brat village of Shankar Gund Brat belt, just outside Sopore town and about 52-km from summer capital Srinagar, overnight after receiving information about the presence of militants there.

The operation to flush out terrorists was started following specific information about their presence in a private house owned by one Peerzada Bashir Ahmed. The terrorists opened fire on seeing the security forces approaching their hideout, triggering the encounter, said a senior police officer.

Reports quoting locals said that after the exchange of fire amid occasional grenade explosions, which continued for a couple of hours from dawn on Monday, the house was in flames.

Later, the bodies of the slain militants were recovered and two AK-47, three magazines, and 90 rounds of live ammunition, and one INSAS with one magazine and 13 rounds of live ammunition were seized from the scene of the encounter, the police said.

Superintendent of Police (Sopore) Harmeet Singh told reporters that Wani was handling the Hizbs operations in north and north-western parts of Kashmir comprising Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore districts after his senior Abdul Qayoom Najar fell apart with its leadership one and a half years ago.

A statement issued by the police here in the evening said that Wani was the divisional commander of the Hizb. The duo, it said, was involved in many anti-national and anti-social activities. Wani was involved also in series of blasts at mobile towers in 2015 and in the killing of civilians and the policemen including two cops in a marketplace in Handwara in Kupwara district in 2013, in the terror attacks on a police post in Langaet (Kupwara) in 2016 and on an Army convoy also in Handwara, the police said.

Besides he was instrumental in recruiting and indoctrinating many youths into the Hizb-ul-Mujahedin in north Kashmir, the statement added.

The mobile internet services in the area were earlier suspended whereas the authorities have also ordered closure of or suspension of class work in educational institutions in Baramulla and Bandipore districts as a precautionary measure.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES of America, PlaintiffAppellee, v. Anthony E. ALASCIO, DefendantAppellant. No. 164699 Decided: August 31, 2017

Before MOTZ, DIAZ, and FLOYD, Circuit Judges. Bruce A. Johnson, Jr., LAW OFFICE OF BRUCE A. JOHNSON, JR., LLC, Bowie, Maryland, for Appellant. Zachary Augustus Myers, OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellee.

Anthony E. Alascio appeals his conviction after his guilty plea to retaliating against a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  1513(b)(1) (2012). Alascio's attorney has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), concluding there are no meritorious grounds for appeal but questioning whether Alascio entered his plea knowingly and voluntarily. Alascio filed a pro se brief, arguing that counsel was ineffective and that the district court erred in denying his motion for recusal. The Government has moved to dismiss the appeal as barred by the appeal waiver in Alascio's plea agreement. We dismiss in part and affirm in part.

To be constitutionally valid, a plea must be the voluntary expression of [a defendant's] own choice. Brady v. United States, 397 U.S. 742, 748 (1970). A defendant must enter a plea knowingly and intelligently, with sufficient awareness of the relevant circumstances and likely consequences. United States v. Moussaoui, 591 F.3d 263, 278 (4th Cir. 2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). When determining whether a defendant entered a plea knowingly and voluntarily, we look to the totality of the circumstances surrounding it, granting the defendant's solemn declaration of guilt a presumption of truthfulness. Id. (alterations and internal quotation marks omitted).

In this case, the district court reviewed the plea agreement with Alascio, and Alascio stated, under oath, that he understood the agreement and agreed to its provisions. The district court also reviewed the rights Alascio gave up by pleading guilty and the consequences of his guilty plea. Alascio stated that the Government's factual basis supporting the plea was correct, that he pled guilty because he was actually guilty, and that he did so without threats or coercion. We therefore conclude, based on the totality of the circumstances, that Alascio's plea was knowing and voluntary.

Having determined that Alascio entered into his plea knowingly and voluntarily, see United States v. Attar, 38 F.3d 727, 73233 & n.2 (4th Cir 1994), we review de novo the validity of Alascio's appeal waiver. United States v. Copeland, 707 F.3d 522, 528, 530 (4th Cir. 2013). A defendant's waiver is valid if he agreed to it knowingly and intelligently. United States v. Manigan, 592 F.3d 621, 627 (4th Cir. 2010). An appeal waiver generally is enforceable if the record establishes that the waiver is valid and that the issue being appealed is within the scope of the waiver. United States v. Thornsbury, 670 F.3d 532, 537 (4th Cir. 2012) (internal quotation marks omitted). Appeal waivers, however, do not preclude an appeal as to any issue that cannot be waived by law, such as a claim that the sentence exceeds the statutory maximum, that race or other constitutionally impermissible factors influenced the sentence, or that the defendant was denied the right to counsel. See Copeland, 707 F.3d at 530. Upon review of the plea agreement and the transcript of the Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 hearing, we conclude that Alascio knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to appeal, and that the issue of whether the district judge should have recused himself falls within the scope of Alascio's waiver of appellate rights. We therefore grant the government's motion to dismiss and dismiss Alascio's appeal of that issue and any issue within the scope of the waiver that is waivable by law.

Alascio's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, however, do not fall within the scope of his appeal waiver. See Copeland, 707 F.3d at 530. To prevail on his ineffective assistance claims, Alascio must show that counsel's performance was deficient and that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984); see Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 59 (1985) (discussing prejudice in context of guilty plea). This court does not consider ineffective assistance claims on direct appeal [u]nless an attorney's ineffectiveness conclusively appears on the face of the record. United States v. Faulls, 821 F.3d 502, 507 (4th Cir. 2016). We conclude that counsel's ineffectiveness does not conclusively appear on the face of the record and, therefore, that Alascio's ineffective assistance claims are not proper for direct appeal.

In accordance with Anders, we have reviewed the record for any potentially meritorious issues that might fall outside the scope of the waiver and have found none. See Copeland, 707 F.3d at 530. Accordingly, we grant in part the Government's motion to dismiss the appeal and dismiss the appeal of any issue falling within the waiver's scope. We also deny in part the Government's motion and affirm the district court's judgment as to any issue not precluded by the waiver.

This court requires that counsel inform Alascio, in writing, of the right to petition the Supreme Court of the United States for further review. If Alascio requests that a petition be filed, but counsel believes that such a petition would be frivolous, then counsel may move in this court for leave to withdraw from representation. Counsel's motion must state that a copy thereof was served on Alascio. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED IN PART; DISMISSED IN PART

PER CURIAM:

Affirmed in part; dismissed in part by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
According to CPI leaders, 386 acres of land in the village has been given to government by the land owners in the year 1975.

RAJAHMUNDRY: Eluru police arrested Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary K. Ramakrishna, party district president D. Prabhakara Rao and others on Sunday, while they were going to Bhimolu village of Gopalapuram mandal in West Godavari district to occupy lands of some of the farmers.

The police made house arrests of the CPI leaders Nekkanti Subba Rao, Bandi Venkateswara Rao, Kannababu and others in various places. The party leaders alleged that police made arrests of the party workers under the various police station limits such as Eluru, Kukkunuru, Jangareddygudem, Koyyalagudem, Guddigudem, Velerupadu, Buttayigudem, Nidadavolu, Gopalapuram, and Kovvuru. According to CPI leaders, 386 acres of land in the village has been given to government by the land owners in the year 1975. The land has been distributed to 150 farmers.

Later, the land owners approached the Supreme Court and got the order that the lands belong to them. CPI state secretary K. Ramakrishna said that in 1988, the then the CPI legislators Vanga Satyanarayana and Desina China Mallayya raised the issue in Assembly and subsequently a legislative committee was formed.

Though the committee has given report in favour of poor, local revenue officials created hurdles in implementing it.

Mr Ramakrishna said that the party with the support of other leftist parties would intensify the agitation until the lands would be distributed to the poor. The police said that Section 144 is in force in the district and no processions, rallies, public meetings will not be allowed.
As many as 9,000 BMC employees will be working to oversee the immersion. (Photo: PTI/File)

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), police, Coast Guard and Navy have made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and safe immersion of Lord Ganesh idols on Tuesday on the occasion of 'Anant Chaturdashi'.

"Being the sea search and rescue coordinator, Coast Guard will be carrying out close to coast patrol by two ships, hovercrafts and helicopters," a Defence spokesperson said in Mumbai on Monday.

"Indian Navy diving teams are deployed at Girgaon Chowpatty. Few diving teams are kept at standby in Dockyard. Helicopters (Seaking and Chetak) will be on standby for any search and rescue requirements at INS Shikra," he said.

"A total of 32 artificial ponds have been created for immersion while people can also immerse the idols of the elephant-headed deity in natural ponds across the city," a BMC official said.

"Life guards are being deployed, and first aid centres have also been set up in the city. Sixty ambulances have been kept ready," the official said.

As many as 9,000 BMC employees will be working to oversee the immersion. This number is around 2000 more than the number of civic staff deployed on the occasion last year, he said.

Prime locations for immersion are Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu beach, Powai lake, Dadar Chowpatty, Madh jetty and Marve in Malad.

BMC has appealed devotees to inform the civic authorities as and when they need any assistance or if they are stung by jelly fish or sting ray.

The immersion process will begin early tomorrow amid fanfare and tight security. Police have beefed up security and companies of the State Reserve Police Force are also being deployed.

Cranes, watchtowers, drones, CCTVs and floodlights have been arranged to keep a watch on every movement of the revellers and devotees, a police official said.

Rashmi Karandikar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) said police personnel will be deployed at all places where the Ganesh idols will be immersed.

"Police personnel will also be deployed on the routs leading to the immersion places," said Karandikar.

She also said Bomb Disposal Squads and Dog Squads will be deployed on specific routes through which procession of "famous Ganesh idols will proceed".

According to the official, atleast 12 companies of SRPF, Riot Control Police, Quick Response Teams, Local Arms Police will also aid the Mumbai Police.

Around 3,600 traffic police and 500 traffic warden will also assist police for managing traffic, she said, adding 53 roads in the megapolis have been closed.
Earlier in the day, officials said 49 infants died between July 20 and August 21 in the Farrukhabad district hospital. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

Lucknow: Doctors of Uttar Pradeshs Provincial Medical Services (PMS) on Monday threatened to proceed on mass leave to protest the registration of an FIR against some members of the fraternity in Farrukhabad over the deaths of 49 infants in a state-run hospital.

They said they would not report for duty on Tuesday and Wednesday and tender their resignation if the FIR was not withdrawn by September 7.

Earlier in the day, officials said 49 infants died between July 20 and August 21 in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from perinatal asphyxia, a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly.

An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered on Monday night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital.

City magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that most deaths were due to breathing problems. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation.

Members of the PMS held a meeting in Farrukhabad and demanded that the FIR be withdrawn. They threatened to go on mass leave starting tomorrow if their demand was not met.

UPPMS district unit secretary Dr Yogendra Singh said, The committee comprising the city magistrate and the SDM did not have technical knowledge. The probe report is wrong and it should be withdrawn.

He said the probe committee was a non-technical one and its fairness and competence should be probed.

We have decided to proceed on mass leave on September 5 and 6. If our demands are not met, all the doctors of the district will resign on September 7, he said.

UP PMS Association president Dr Ashok Yadav told PTI in Lucknow: The report on the basis of which the FIR was filed was prepared by non-technical people. A committee of experts should have been set up. This is an attempt to incite doctors, who are working in adverse conditions.

The government should recall officers, who did not have any knowledge of probing such cases. They should be properly trained. We are monitoring the situation there and will decide our future course of action, he said.
In recent days, the places surrounding Krishnagiri and also in the neighboring Karnataka have been receiving good rainfall that brings more water to the South Pennar river.

Krishnagiri: The district PWD officials have asked people in five districts of western Tamil Nadu to be cautious due to the possibility for more discharge of water from the KRP dam near here in the wake of the continuing monsoon rains.

In recent days, the places surrounding Krishnagiri and also in the neighboring Karnataka have been receiving good rainfall that brings more water to the South Pennar river.

This increased the level of the Kelevarapalli dam in Hosur of this district and from where South Pennar enters into Tamil Nadu from neighbouinrg Karnataka.

The storage level in the dam crossed 42 feet against its full storage capacity of 44 ft in height.

The surplus water is drained into the KRP dam in Krishnagiri district leading to the increase in outflows from the dam to maintain its level at 51-ft against its full 52-ft level. According to PWD officials, inflows into KRP was 3,000 cusecs and the outflow was maintained higher at 3,350 cusecs.
Xiamen: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, lauded trust in people-to-people exchanges saying that such intermingling builds stronger ties, deepens understanding.

Addressing the Plenary Session at the 9th annual BRICS summit at Xiamen in China, Modi said India is all geared to eradicate poverty and implement sanitation, better health facilities, education and food security.

We are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education, the PM said.

Referring to women empowerment programmes, the Prime Minister said the schemes are productivity multipliers to mainstream women in nation building.

Narendra Modi touched on the areas of interest India caters to at the summit citing culture, environment, agriculture, Information and Communication Technology as its areas of concern.

The Prime Minister said a strong partnership among member nations on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the sustainable development goals.

Modi also emphasised the need to accelerate track of cooperation in smart cities, urbanisation and disaster management.

The Prime Minister stressed on the importance of cooperation to garner peace and development. Hailing the BRICS initiative, Modi said, the summit offers a robust framework to provide stability and development in a world heading towards uncertainty.

Underlining the importance of renewable energy, Modi added that easy access to sustainable energy should be realised in the coming years.

Affordable, reliable & sustainable access to energy is crucial for development of our nations, the PM said.

He also called for the creation of a BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries.

While upholding Indian democratic values at the BRICS Plenary Session, he also said that trade and economy provides the foundation to worldwide cooperation. Modi further added that Central Banks must strengthen their capabilities and promote co-operation between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement to help nations come closer.
Chennai: India would probably become the third country in the world to engage a subscooter to offer an exciting ride under the sea for adventure buffs, if a plan by a firm in the Andaman to acquire the vessel from Mauritiuss Blue Safari, fructifies.

In addition to the subscooter, submarines are the major attractions providing a unique experience to the visitors to explore the marine life in Mauritius. We got a request from an investor in Andaman, who would like to buy our product to invest in Andaman and we are waiting for his confirmation, said Dawood Jawahir, Commercial Manager, Blue Safari, Mauritius.

The subscooter, embedded with all safety measures, is an airtight capsule that offers 360 degree panoramic underwater view to the pilot and passenger. It is said to be safe for non-divers and non-swimmers. It was launched after the Blue Safari invented it in 2005. These have been exported to Dubai and Bora Bora.

We are looking for new investors also, Mr Dawood said. Asked when his companys product would be shipped to Andaman, he replied, We need to get clearance from the Indian government.

Unique underwater experience to thrill visitors

Blue Safari has been providing marine life experience on submarine or subscooter to about 28,000-30,000 visitors per annum. We are unique not only in Mauritius but also in the whole Indian Ocean. We have two submarines - one ten-seater and one five-seater. The submarines are well pressurised, air-conditioned with a cockpit same as in airplane and they take a dive to 35 m depth - say 100 feet and the dive lasts for two hours including the transfer but takes 40 minutes underwater, said Mr Dawood.

Submarines and subscooters are seen only in the Caribbean, Hawaii and New Zealand. The five-seater submarine is used for wedding or for partying and the dive lasts for about one-and-a-half hours. Apart from Mauritius, the five-seater submarine is available in Bora Bora, which however does not provide lunch or wedding attractions. We started submarine operations in 1998... The submarine dive costs $US130 and $US175 for a couple in subscooter, he said.
Alphons Kannanthanam takes oath as MoS (Independent charge) of tourism, IT at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

Thiruvananthapuram: The tourism and IT industries in Kerala have cheered the appointment of Alphons Kannanthanam as Union minister of state with independent charge of two ministries that are crucial to Keralas development.

The tourism industry, which has been a beneficiary of the centres initiatives, feels Mr Kannanthanam can bring in more. Mr Kannanthanam is a man of great administrative ability, said Jose Dominic, the CEO of CGH Earth.

Keralas priority will now become national priority, especially our stress on responsible tourism. According to him, RT has never got its due share in the National Tourism policy.

Abraham George, the CMD of Intersight Group, is relieved that a man who understands issues was at the helm. We have been trying our best to tell the Centre about havoc that high GST rates have wreaked on the tourism sector, Mr George said. Mr Kannanthanam, I am sure, will understand our plight better. The tourism industry has been lobbying hard to get the GST rate of 28 per cent on hotel rooms lowered.

Former Union minister K.V. Thomas said a minister could set his own priorities and, therefore, a Malayali minister augurs well for the state.

It was when I was union minister of state for food that the states food grain allocation was increased from 10 lakh tonnes to 16.5 lakh tonnes, Prof Thomas said. It was during Mr O. Rajagopals time that the Railways spent more in Kerala. And then it was A.K. Antony who brought Brahmos to Kerala, he added.

Industry sources said there are entitlements that the state has been denied. For instance, the Rs 40 crore for backwater development has still not been disbursed to the state. There were also years (2012-13, 2013-14) when not a single rupee from the central allocation for the tourism sector had found its way to the state. Mr Kannanthanam can remove bottlenecks, the industry hopes.

The IT industry is expecting a fillip to its digital initiatives as Mr Kannanthanam gets IT portfolio. The state has already launched various digital initiatives like Kerala Fibre Optic Network. Also the state is giving major thrust to start-ups. The centre has various support schemes for these sectors and hence the needs of state would get better attention with a Keralite holding IT portfolio at the centre, state IT department sources said.

The state is in the process of creating a new digital architecture, said IBS software chairman V.K. Mathews, who is also a member of state government's high power IT committee. The state-wide digital network connecting 35 million people. Centre's backing to such initiatives could be achieved easily as a person like Mr. Kannanthanam is holding the IT portfolio at the centre."

Technocrat and State Planning Board former member Mr. G Vijayaraghavan said the state government needs centre's support to take Kerala to the next level in Digital India program. "We are already ahead of many states in this reagrd. Kerala could be the state where many of the digital India programmes can be piloted as we have the base set."
Alappuzha: The law secretary B.G. Hareendranath has recommended contempt of court proceedings against Devaswom commissioner C. P. Ramaraja Prema Prasad who shelved the transfer of a non-Brahmin priest to Chettikulangara temple.

The file is now with Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran, who has to take a final call. Though DC made multiple attempts to contact him for an official confirmation, it failed.

The law secretary asked Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to appoint S. Sudhikumar, the victim of caste discrimination, at the Chettikulangara temple itself as Keezhsaanthi (assistant priest).

The priest urged the government to expedite his appointment. Mr Hareendranath said the commissioner's order violated Supreme Court verdicts and constitutional values.

"I hope the government will now take further steps," he told DC.

His report says the order undermined the spirit of legendary struggle like temple entry proclamation.

"This kind of regressive step is taken by an official as the government is taking progressive steps to abolish casteism," it says.

"Mr Sudhikumar is qualified priest having a backup of the tradition of priesthood for last three generations. Its unconstitutional to argue that no other than Malayala Brahmin is exponent in performing priestly duties at Chettikulangara temple."

The District Congress Committee (DCC) has threatened an agitation if the government soft-peddles the matter.

"The ball is now in the governments court," said the DCC president M. Liju, who wrote a letter to TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan criticising the order.

"So Mr Sudhikumar should immediately be appointed."

Mr Prasad, meanwhile, said he did not get either show cause notice or explanation from the Devaswom secretary.

I am currently in Sabarimala. I did not know about the opinion. I will respond only after studying it, he said.
Chennai: BJP, Tamil Nadu slammed DMK working president M. K. Stalin for undertaking a malicious political campaign to mislead the people over the death of medical college aspirant Anitha of Ariyalur and contended that National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (Neet) is not against social justice.

The opposition parties, especially the DMK were creating an illusion that Neet was against social justice, which was not true, BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said on Sunday. Launching a tirade against Stalin, she said Anithas suicide has been made a political conspiracy against the BJP. She warned Modi baiters against any uncivilised protest against the PM. Dont test our tolerance, Dr Tamilisai warned.

Neet, she said, was not against TN social justice. Sizable backward & rural students gained through Neet in the past. Despite this, the opposition in TN was misleading the people, she said and condemning them.

DMK leaders who had Photoshop with the girl (Anitha), could have saved her life by supporting students in their colleges run by DMKs ex-Ministers, she said.

TN Private Medical Colleges Lobbying against #NEET as they suffered worst. Now #NEET qualified walk-in to Pvt Colleges with no capitation, she tweeted and said Neet was not against TN students, as 63% selected were from State Board. On Stalins call to bring down the BJP government at the Centre, she said her party would accept the challenge and face it democratically.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said the Special Forces operation at Indo-Myanmar border was a routine task. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Longding: One National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) (NSCN-K) militant was killed during a Special Forces operation in Longding district along Arunachal-Myanmar border. One soldier was also injured.

An AK-56, a radio set, a hand grenade and live bullets were recovered during the operation that began at 7:30 am and is still underway.

Speaking about the Special Forces operation at Indo-Myanmar border, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said, "It is a normal routine operation. Such operations are conducted everyday. Nothing big about them."
YSRC leader fights for political space in Vijayawada, badmouths the late Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao and his brother Radhakrishna, leading to tension (Representational Image)

Vijaywada: The police increased security at major junctions in the city after indiscriminate remarks made by a YSRC trade union leader against the late Kapu strong man Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao and his brother Radhakrishna led to protests by the family and their subsequent arrest.

Mr Gowtham Reddy told a TV channel that there was nothing wrong in killing Radha and Ranga, and compared them to snakes. He said his opinion would not change even if Mr Malladi Vishnu, a Congress leader and liquor businessman, were to join the YSRC.

Mr Gowtham Reddy said he would not shout slogans in support of Mr Radha-krishna Rao Jr, the son of Ranga Rao, who joined the YSRC in 2012.

Following the interview, tension prevailed at Mohan Ranga Raos house at Moghalrajpuram when the police tried to prevent Mr Radhakrishna Jr and his mother from going out to conduct a press conference on Mr Gowtham Reddys remarks.

ACP Satyanandam and Machavaram circle inspector Uma Maheswara Rao and others requested them not to leave the house considering the tense situation in the city.

When they tried to leave the house, the police personnel formed a human wall to block them. They tried to break their way through and Ms Ratnakumari lost consciousness for a short time and Mr Radhakrishna fell down and his shirt buttons were pulled off. Following this, police arrested both of them.

They continued their protest at the Ibrahimpatnam police station opposing their arrest. Mr Radhakrishna refused to enter the police station and sat on floor, demanding that that polcie explain why they had arrested him. His supporters staged a dharna at the police station. The mother and son were released after three hours.

On Sunday morning, the YSRC issued a showcause notice to Mr Gowtham Reddy asking why action should not be taken against him. Party spokesperson K. Parthasarahi said YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had warned that action would be taken against any party leader speaking against any individual or community. The party requested the TV channel to telecast its version.

Mr Gowtham Reddy had lost badly in the 2014 elections, and Mr Radhakrishna Rao was made coordinator for his Vijayawada Central constituency. Mr Gowtham Reddy was relegated to trade union activities.

The reported entry of Mr Vishnu, who had contested from Vijayawada Central on a Congress ticket in 2014, riled Mr Gowtham Reddy.
Following the death of medical aspirant Anitha, students of Annamalai University in Chidambaram stage a protest against the Neet on Monday (Photo: DC)

Chennai: The silence in city colleges for the last three days due to continuous holidays is expected to be broken with a string of protests against Neet following Ariyalur student Anitha's death when educational institutions reopen on Tuesday.

To condemn the death, students from various parts of the state boycotted their classes and held various protests on Monday.

The state and Central governments are responsible for Anitha's death. Demanding permanent exemption from Neet, student organizations will conduct rail and road blockades in the city besides boycotting classes, said P. Uchimakali, one of the conveners of Federation of Student Organisations - Tamil Nadu and state secretary, SFI.

Students have conducted protests around 70 places in all over the state on Monday. Students from Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Kanyakumari districts will join the protests on Tuesday, he said.

Students from private colleges and engineering colleges also have expressed their solidarity with the protest this time. The protests are expected to last at least for a week.

We have received information that students will indulge in the strike at our college on Tuesday. Our faculty members are instructed to assemble in full strength and also expect deployment of police force at the college, said S. Kaliraj, principal, Pachaiyappa's College.

Presidency College authorities said they also expect boycott of classes and demonstrations by students.

Some students in the University of Madras tried to enter the Marina campus on Monday to conduct the protests. Only a few students are holding protests at our campus regularly, an official from the university said.

Many colleges have scheduled Teacher's Day celebrations on Tuesday. With the call for demonstrations and protests the celebrations are now doubtful, a professor said.
AP Chief Ministers Office sources said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had accepted the proposal prepared by officials on the subject.

Hyderabad: The AP government has proposed a plan to divide the AP Bhavan in Delhi with the TS government, after receiving a clarification from the Centre on sharing assets based in the national capital.

The AP Bhavan complex has three blocks  Godavari, Sabari and Pataudi. The AP government proposes to leave either the 72-room Godavari block or the Sabari block with five suites and two cottages to the TS government.It proposes to share the Patuadi block at the ratio of 58:42 ratio.

AP Chief Ministers Office sources said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had accepted the proposal prepared by officials on the subject.

AP Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar wrote to his TS counterpart S.P. Singh that the Centre had clarified that the division of properties located at Delhi including AP Bhavan was to be done in accordance with Section 48 (1) of the AP Reorganisation Act.

Mr Kumar said that it was proposed to set up a committee to discuss and come to an agreement on division of AP Bhavan. He requested Mr Singh to nominate officers to represent the TS government on the committee to enable it to finalise the bifurcation at the earliest.

TS government officials said a decision would be taken after running it past Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

The AP government has prepared the agenda to discuss bifurcation of assets in Delhi.

The AP committee comprises the secretary (political) in the general administration department, principal secretary to the AP government, State Reorganisation (SR), and the chief engineer (buildings), roads and buildings, as members. The resident commissioner of AP Bhavan would be member convener.
Chennai: Madras high court has refused to consider request of Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Federation to extend the interim order of the single judge, who restrained government authorities demanding original driving license at the time of plying the vehicle till Tuesday.

On Friday, the state government informed the court that recent notification by state transport department directing the motorists to carry the original license while plying the vehicle would not be implemented till Tuesday. When the petition filed by Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Federation and Traffic Ramasamy came up for hearing before Justice M. Duraiswamy, Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the court that authorities would not implement the notification till September 5.

The judge also tagged the petition along with the PIL before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M. Sundar. When the matter came up for hearing before the First Bench on Monday the bench refused to extend the interim order.

The notification, which was expected to be implemented from Friday, evoked widespread resentment across the state. The violators would liable to be punished with a jail term of up to three months, a fine of up to `500 or both. And, the traffic police planned to prosecute motorists who failed to keep their original driving licenses from September 1.
HYDERABAD: Minister K.T. Rama Rao tried to hardsell Telangana state to India Inc. during his whirlwind visit of Mumbai on Monday.

He also met RBI Governor Urjit Patel and sought the help of the central bank to boost the MSME sector in the state.

Mr Rama Rao said TS has 69,000 MSMEs of which 8,618 had beeen declared sick. He said banks were not following RBI guidelines in terms of declaring non-performing assets.

He informed Mr Patel how a bank in Jammi-kunta took to auctioning units within 15 days after they were termed non-performing assets. He presented a memorandum to Mr Patel seeking help for the MSME sector.

Earlier, the minister met ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar and discussed digital initiatives, industrial health clinic, T-Fund and Women entrepreneurship. He met IDBI Bank chairman M.K. Jain and his team and discussed about expeditious revival of Sirpur Paper Mill where they are the lead banker.

He held discussions with JSW Group chairman Sajjan Jindal and invited him to explore investment opportunities in the state.

Mr Rama Rao spoke at the Motilal Oswal Annual Global Investor conference where he presented investment potential and opportunities in the state.

Despite busy with meetings all through the day, Mr Rama Rao instantly posted news and pictures on his Twitter handle. He posted a interesting tweet soon after landing in the financial capital of the country.

Mumbai, a city that has the most energetic and restless vibe unlike any in India. Disconcerting for a laidback Hyderabadi but nice nonetheless, he tweeted.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to the plea for an urgent hearing a batch of petitions by a five-judge constitution bench raising an important question of law, whether a person facing a criminal case in a heinous crime can be disqualified from contesting Assembly or Parliamentary elections at the stage of filing chargesheet or framing of charges or only after conviction.

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra heading a three-judge bench told counsel Ashiwini Kumar Upadhyaya, one of the petitioners and BJP spokesperson who sought early hearing by a constitution bench that it will be listed soon.

Citing urgency, the counsel told the bench that It is a very important issue for democracy in our country. The matter should be listed at the earliest.
With students being familiar with information technology, teachers cannot lag behind and advanced IT classes are being held for teachers in some schools. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: This Teachers Day, teachers will turn into students. Schools across Telangana are training teachers to update their own skills as well as to deal with student problems like drug abuse, a hot topic in the state.

School authorities and educational experts agree that such teacher training programmes are essential.

With new technology and new updates every day, a teacher cannot stop learning. Only if he/she is constantly updated, can they expect the same from students, says educationist Sunita Reddy.

The principal of Sreenidhi School says a series of sessions for teachers regarding the issue of drugs has been conducted and is an ongoing programme.

Meridian Schools principal. Usha Reddy, says, We had an online course for our teachers in their core area of specialisation. Courses were offered from reputed universities such as Harvard, Standford, MIT, Alison, the British Council, Future Learn and others. Its worthwhile spending on such programmes because ultimately it benefits the students, she added.

Union minister Prakash Javdekar has been keen that service training for teachers be conducted, but not all are in favour of it. Teacher Vandana Roy says, The training programmes suggested by the minister were for unqualified teachers. Teacher training programmes that build up a teachers skills in class and can give more specialisation in her subject during her service is crucial.

With students being familiar with information technology, teachers cannot lag behind and advanced IT classes are being held for teachers in some schools.
Hyderabad: Tuniki Naresh, hailing from Jagtial district, got stranded in Kuwait, after another man with the same name who died in an accident left some dues. Nareshs employer processed his documents mistaking him for the dead person leaving him stranded.

Naresh who had been running around offices in Kuwait decided to commit suicide so that his family will get his body but gave up the thought after speaking to his kids.

After two years of struggle he reached home. He said that he had to shell out Rs 5.5 lakh to returnhome. NRI cell officials said they had been pursuing his case with the embassy.

Mr E. Chittibabu of the NRI cell said they came to know of the issue after Nareshs wife approached NRI affairs minister K.T. Rama Rao and submitted a representation. After this, the minister instructed us to pursue the matter and I wrote to the Kuwait embassy for his safe repatriation, Mr Chittibabu said.

Tuniki Naresh went to Kuwait to work as a rigger in the Integrated Logistics Company and his contract expired in July 2016.

When he wanted to return home he found that his employer had submitted visa and ID documents of another person with the same name who had died in an accident instead of his.

The dead man had purchased mobiles using his employee card and had debts of 2,350 Dirhams (Rs 5 lakh), the dues fell on him. This made his exit difficult. He was told to clear the dues and leave the country.

I had no hope of returning and had decided to commit suicide one day. I called my family one last time. But after I spoke to my son I changed my mind. I decided that at any cost I would return, said Naresh, adding that his wife also became depressed and attempted suicide, but was rescued.

I had to sell my wifes and mothers jewellery and also a plot that I had bought to raise the amount for my return. I went to Kuwait with hopes of providing a better future for my children but came back without anything, Naresh told this newspaper.
Attacks allegedly by Myanmarese Armymen have led to an exodus of Rohingyas to India and Bangladesh. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday refused to give any undertaking in the Supreme Court that it would not deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims, who had taken refuge in India, to Myanmar on the ground that they are illegal immigrants.

Supreme Court seeks Centres stand on Rohingyas deportation

The Supreme Court on Monday sought to know the stand of the government on a petition challenging its decision to deport illegal Rohingya Muslim immigrants back to Myanmar.

The matter came up before a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud which asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to take instruction from the Centre about its response to the petition which has challenged the decision on various grounds including that it violated international human right conventions.

While the bench posted the matter for September 11, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the two Rohingya immigrants, wanted an assurance that during the pendency of the petition, the Centre will not take any step including deportation of the immigrants.

The ASG made it clear that he was not making any statement. Violent attacks allegedly by Myanmarese armymen have led to an exodus of Rohingya tribals from the western Rakhine state in that country to India and Bangladesh. Many of them, who had fled to India after the earlier spate of violence, have settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.

The plea, filed by two Rohingya immigrants, Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, who are registered refugees under the United Nations High Commission of Refugees.
This information was revealed in an RTI reply by TS Anti-Corruption Bureau to retired IFS official M. Padmanabha Reddy.

Hyderabad: At least 50 tainted bureaucrats have got away scot-free because the Telangana state government has dismissed the recommendations of the Anti-Corruption Bureau for criminal prosecution. Their cases have either been closed or they have been referred to less rigorous forums.

This information was revealed in an RTI reply by TS Anti-Corruption Bureau to retired IFS official M. Padmanabha Reddy.

In the past two years, at least 14 cases in which first information reports (FIRs) were registered have been closed and in four cases action has been dropped completely. Other cases have been referred for department action, tribunal disciplinary proceedings and to commissioner of inquiries.

Inspectors of police, revenue officials, deputy collectors, sub-registrars, Transco engineers, city planners and assistant commercial tax officers (ACTOs) are among those who have gone scot-free.

Cops and babus escaped scot-free

FIRs have been closed against Jagitial forest range officer A. Vija-yanand Rao, Vanastha-lipuram inspector Y. Venkat Reddy, Langer Houz sub-inspector B. Srinivasa Rao, and head constable A. Ashok Reddy.

FIRs have also been closed against senior assistant of excise department Ramesh Lankapally, junior assistant, land revenue, Warangal, N. Prasad, head constable D. Iylaiah, Warangal Urban inspector K. Shiva Samba Reddy, and Medak panchayat raj department officer M. Veerabhadra-iah.

Others who have benefited from the states generosity are Adilabad excise superintendent A. Vijay Bhaskar Reddy, Dr D. Seshagiri Rao of medical and health services, land revenue inspector D. Srinivas Reddy, civil supplies deputy collector A. Ramu and Yalal mandal revenue attender B. Anjaneyulu.

The case of commercial taxes officer G.S. Srinivas of Kamareddy has been referred for department action instead of criminal action.

The case of ACTO G. Prabhakar of Warangal has been referred to the Commissioner of Inquiries. The case of deputy chief engineer of the Sriramsagar Project, U. Annamnaidu, has been transferred to Andhra Pradesh.

The cases of joint sub-registrar S. Sahadev, sub-registrar Vanaja Kumari and senior entomologist N. Srinivasulu have been referred for departmental inquiry, according to available information.
Lingayat seers participate in a seminar to mobilise opinion for separate religion status for Lingayats at Jnanajyothi Auditorium, in Bengaluru. (Photo: DC)

Bengaluru: Congress leaders and seers of Lingayat mutts, who are fighting for a separate religion tag for Lingayats, have hinted that they will approach the Supreme Court if the central and state governments ignore their demand.

Ministers M.B. Patil and Vinay Kulkarni on Monday said the decision to move the apex court will be taken after a committee to be constituted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hears two groups on the question of religion tag for Lingayats.

They threatened to carry on with the campaign, saying the committee could take some time to submit its report to the government, adding the demand had nothing to do with next year's elections to the Assembly.
Tamil Nadu Plus-2 topper Anitha, who had gone to the Supreme Court seeking an exemption for students like her in the state from NEET, hanged herself at her home on Friday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: The family of Anitha S, who killed herself after failing to make it to a medical college, has refused to accept a financial aid of Rs 7 lakh offered by the Tamil Nadu government.

"Anitha died to get exemption from NEET and not for any government aid," NDTV quoted Mani Ratnam, brother of Anitha, as saying.

Ratnam had turned away Ariyalur district collector G Laxmi Priya, who had visited Anithas family to give the cheque.

Tamil Nadu Plus-2 topper Anitha, who had gone to the Supreme Court seeking an exemption for students like her in the state from NEET, hanged herself at her home on Friday.

Anitha, who hailed from a Dalit family, could not land in a medical college despite securing an impressive cut-off of 196.75 out of 200 since the counselling was based only on the score in NEET, where she scored 86 marks out of 720.

Anitha, daughter of a daily wage labourer, had pleaded before the Supreme Court through a lawyer that her Plus-2 marks should be the sole criteria for getting admission into a medical college.

Her family said Anitha was upset ever since the medical counselling began last week and was not interacting with anyone. She was keeping to herself for more than a week. She always wanted to become a doctor and we encouraged by her calling her Dr Anitha, a close relative told this newspaper. Immediately after news spread about Anithas death, her father and relatives of the deceased girl resorted to a road roko for some time at Senthurai.

They demanded that the state and Central governments take moral responsibility for her death. Activists blamed the Tamil Nadu and Central governments for their dilly-dallying and constant U-turns on students getting exemption from NEET.

The Tamil Nadu government had passed two legislations seeking exemption from Neet in February which were pending with the Centre.
Thiruvananthapuram: BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan has termed the elevation of party leader from the state Alphons Kannanthanam as a union minister as an Onam gift to Kerala but the move has evidently caught the state BJP leadership unawares though they are not willing to admit it openly.

BJP sources told DC that Mr Rajasekaharan and M. Ganesh, organising general secretary in the state BJP leadership, were in New Delhi on Friday were not aware of it Mr Kannanthanams ascension until the latter called up the state unit president late on Saturday night after he got the call from the Prime Ministers Office confirming his appointment as a union minister.

The BJP office in the capital was a deserted place when its nominee was being made a minister in the Union government with important portfolios. The explanation given by the state BJP leadership is that all the staff members have gone to their homes on the eve of Onam. But this explains the fact that the party had no clues on the development as well as its own idea about the assessment of the central leadership on the state party.

It should be recalled that the state BJP leadership was kept in the dark when Suresh Gopi was nominated to the Rajya Sabha and Richard Hay to the Lok Sabha, a senior party leader told DC. So Mr Kannanthanams appointment as union minister of State for tourism and IT with independent charges does not come as a surprise to many.

However, a former BJP state president told DC that Mr Kannanthanam always preferred to be based in New Delhi and has never shown any interest to remain as a regional level politician. He, however, attended state-level meetings whenever he was invited, he said.

Mr Kannanthanams appointment will keep the BJP in good stead as it is well known about his close ties with all Christian bishops ranging from Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, Catholic Bishop Council of India president, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Thrissur, Jacobite, Orthodox to Pentecostal church, said another former BJP state president. BJP sources also told DC that the ploy of BJP national president Amit Shah is to cosy up to the Catholic church through Mr Kannanthanam who hails from Kanjirapally (his former Assembly constituency) which has got a sizable population of Syrian Christians.

At present, Mr Kannanthanam is not a member of either House of Parliament and the BJP will have to bring him to the Rajya Sabha. Party sources said there are one vacancy each in Goa when Manohar Parrikar returned there as chief minister and in Karnataka when M. Venkaiah Naidu was elected Vice-President and the party may consider him in one of those seats.
Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at the inaugural ceremony of the 78th session of the Institute of International law at NALSAR University on Sunday. (Photo:DC)

Hyderabad: Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu has exhorted the legal fraternity to frame stringent laws to curb terrorism which is impacting people in all countries.

He said the need of the hour was to wage a joint fight against terrorism through legal, administrative and political means and by creating awareness among people so that peace prevails across the world.

Mr Naidu was speaking at the inauguration of the 78th session of the Institute of International Law at NALSAR University of Law campus in Shameerpet on the citys outskirts on Sunday. Around 60 celebrated scholars and practitioners of international law from across the world are attending this week-long conference which is being held for the first time in India and the second time in Asia.

The biggest threat to world peace is from terror. Terror has no religion, colour or sex. But, unfortunately, some sections are trying to link terror and religion for their narrow political ends. The world community should come together and have a comprehensive convention on suppression of international terrorism with an iron hand. A country can only progress when there is peace. Tension and attention cannot go together. When there is tension within the country, you cannot have attention towards development, he said.

He said that terrorism is the biggest enemy of mankind.

Legal luminaries, lawyers and professionals should prepare laws in their respective countries to fight terror and to end all sources that are aiding terror.

What is happening in India was not felt across the world earlier. But consequences of what is happening in United States, in Africa or in Europe are being felt across the world and people are getting affected with it. Everyone should speak in one voice and make a resolve to act against terror, he said.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan urged the legal luminaries to focus extensively on defining human rights that are applicable to the entire world.

TS minister Indrakaran Reddy, Dr P.S. Rao, chairman of International Law Commission, Faizan Mustafa, vice-chancellor and Prof. V. Balakista Reddy, Registrar also spoke on the occasion.
Hyderabad: TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday, in an open letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, alleged that atrocities on Dalits and tribals were on rise during the TRS three-and-a-half year rule.

Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy wrote the letter after visiting a hospital in Secunderabad to meet the two Dalit youth who had attempted suicide in Manakondur constituency of Karimnagar district on Sunday.

He was accompanied by Leaders of Opposition K. Jana Reddy (Assembly) and Shabbir Ali (Council), former PCC presidents V. Hanumantha Rao and Ponnala Lakshmaiah and other leaders,

The TPCC chief wrote that the incident highlighted the rising discontent among the people, especially Dalits and Girijans, against the TRS governments failure to fulfil electoral promises.

Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy gave a factsheet to show that TS has emerged as an anti-Dalit and anti-Girijan state under the TRS regime. Quoting information procured through an RTI query, he said that from June 2014 to December 2016, 1,592 cases had been registered under the SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act across the state.

He said 503 Dalits and Girijan women were raped while 120 people belonging to the SC and ST communities were murdered. Up to December 2016, a total of 5,210 SCs and STs fell victim to crimes. He said the situation was alarming and required immediate action.

Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that of the more than 3,500 farmers who committed suicide in the last three years, a majority belonged to the SC or ST communities. He said Dalits had fallen victim to the brutality of police, which was acting like a TRS frontal organisation.

He listed out over a dozen cases where SCs and STs were allegedly subjected to atrocities and no action was taken by the government.
For over a decade acquiring permanent membership of the UN Security Council had become a key focus of Indias foreign policy goals. Indias position is that it wants the UNSC to have a P-9 with it, and Brazil, Japan and Germany added to perpetuate the old system. That isnt really a reform of the UN system, just a little tweak. This idea has so infatuated us that we now insist that support for Indias membership be a part of every joint communique with any foreign government. Except for an obvious handful, most governments oblige. Even China, which probably most resists P-5 expansion, says it would like to see India on the UNSC. US President Donald Trump, with his many preoccupations, backs a seat for India in a reformed UNSC and in other multilateral bodies like NSG. After Mr Trumps support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the White House to thank him. Inevitably, the India-US joint statement reflected this. But how this translates in real life is something else. When former US President Barack Obama last visited India, he said he supports a reformed UNSC with India as a permanent member. Former US ambassador to the UN Samantha Powers, however, said: It is very critical any reform proposal enjoy broad consensus among member states. This takes it very close to the proposal of some nations in the Uniting for Consensus Group, which opposes UNSC expansion by adding the G-4 (India, Germany, Japan and Brazil). Now even this dialogue on UNSC reforms has stalled, if not stopped.

The Uniting for Consensus Group, led by Canada, Italy, Colombia and Pakistan, made a counter-proposal  enlargement of non-permanent members from 10 to 20. The non-permanent members would be elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term, and would be eligible for immediate re-election, subject to the decision of their respective geographical groups. In a bid to get the discussion moving, India and other G-4 nations even said they were willing to not exercise the veto as permanent members of a reformed UNSC until a decision on it was taken. But that too seems to have vanished in the maze of regional animosities and interests. Italy has reservations about Germany, Colombia has reservations about Brazil, and Pakistan (that definitely doesnt want India) is also Chinas proxy against Japan and India. Canadas role in this group is somewhat puzzling.

The Chinese want small and medium-sized countries to take turns to serve on UNSC. Russia, while not opposing expansion, has taken the line that existing UNSC members should remain as they are, with full veto powers, but there could be two or three classes of UNSC members. The G-5 with veto powers, G-4 permanent members without the veto, and whoever else may be elected by the General Assembly.

The move to create the United Nations to preserve world peace began on October 30, 1943 when Britain, China, the Soviet Union and the United States signed the Moscow Declaration. The signatories met continuously from August to October 1944 at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. and fashioned a basic plan for the UN, whose centerpiece was a Security Council in which the US, USSR, Britain, China and France would be permanent members. As an immediate response to a destructive world war, the UN reflected the reality and ethos of that age. Nothing reflected this more than the composition of the Security Councils permanent members. Four were white nations. Two, China and France, were defeated nations. Two, Britain and France, were colonial powers. The other 10 members are elected members from various regions. These members are without the veto and with little voice or clout. It might be pertinent to add at this stage that the US has long felt the representation in the UNSC P-5 was inadequate. In his book, Nehru  The Invention of India, Shashi Tharoor, then a United Nations under-secretary general, writes that Indian diplomats who have seen files swear that Jawaharlal Nehru declined a United States offer for India to take a permanent seat on the UN Security Council around 1953 and suggested it be given to China because the seat was held with scant credibility by Taiwan.

While it can be argued that a Security Council with a smaller number of countries is desirable to make the UN effective, it must also reflect world realities and be more representative. For instance, Africa and Latin America arent represented in P-5. Also, the Islamic world does not find a place. India, with a fifth of the worlds population, doesnt figure. Europes biggest economy, Germany, isnt there. On the other hand, with two members  UK and France  Western Europe is over-represented. With Russia added, Europe has three members. It is clearly not a satisfactory arrangement. The UNSC thus doesnt reflect the world order or its diversity. During the Cold War, veto powers ensured one bloc couldnt override the interests of the other. The veto was thus used 252 times since 1946. Since 1996, Russia hasnt exercised the veto even once whereas the US used it six times and China twice. This presumably reflects the settled shape of the world order now. Clearly, the use of the veto itself must be reviewed. One nation alone must not be allowed to block the UNSCs consensus. Its time a threshold of members to collectively enforce the veto is discussed.

The times too have changed. The United Staes is no longer the dominant economic and political power it once was. All G-4 nations are bigger economies than Russia, France and Britain. They possibly have bigger global footprints. How can the veto power be justified only for these three, and denied to the G-4? Over the past years, Indias diplomacy has centered on a craving to just become a UN Security Council member. It seems a second-class membership is now feasible. The big question is whether this is what India really wants? Or do we want greater United Nations Security Council democratisation to reflect the status and size of the G-4?
The BJPs NDA partners didnt get a look in Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi expanded the Union council of ministers. If the exercise was meant as a preparation for the next Lok Sabha polls, the BJPs partners may well wonder if the saffron party intends to go into the election without an alliance with them. The question is specially likely to arise inside the Shiv Sena and JD(U), the regional party from Bihar that recently returned to the NDA fold after ditching the Mahagathbandhan with Lalu Yadavs RJD and the Congress. The Shiv Senas grouse is nothing new. It was overlooked in last years reshuffle too. So its spokesman angrily said the NDA was dead.

This may well be a reflection of pique as the BJP and the Sena - one a Hindutva national party and the other a regional party of the same stripe - are often at loggerheads. It is the Bihar party that may be feeling quite foolish. Chief minister Nitish Kumar broke with his partners (whom he had acquired to burnish his so-called secular credentials) quite recently to return to partner the BJP, gave the BJP seats in his government, and hoped to have a small share of the pie in New Delhi. Its the last that didnt materialise. Its obvious that Bihars JD(U) government will fall if the BJP withdraws support to it, but the reverse is not true at the Centre. Mr Kumar was playing at being equal partners without possessing sufficient firepower. Heres a lesson for all of the BJPs small and micro allies.
Its nearly 10 months after Americas most maverick President upset the election apple cart. Whether its a bold retraction of his Afghanistan statement or jingoistic rhetoric aimed at North Korea, Mr Trump attracts new visibility each day. Amid his brinkmanship, Mr Trumps words are unambiguous and evoke binaries: its either war or nothing. Whether Donald Trump survives his term or not, his communication style has been his most intriguing element in creating public hope of beating Washington at its game. By adapting the social medias pithy, often cryptic messaging to public discourse, often using new forms of insult, he brought a new form of rhetoric to life. Hidden in the strategy of truths and untruths that helped with his visibility is not some accidental madness that clicked. In our virtual world where no conversation is really private, the victory was not so surprising to observers who cared to pay attention to the chatter. One of the most significant communicative strategies that clicked for Mr Trump was his genius in adopting the social media format in verbal communication  the Twitterification of his offline discourse. He used pithy, simplistic and often oversimplified statements that were often claims, rather than the whole truth. Twitters collectivistic culture is often more ritualistic than merely transactional  on it, truth is subservient to mobilisation and organisation. Even as he appealed to his core working class and white middle class male constituencies, Mr Trump won because of, not despite, his communication style.

After sifting through thousands of tweets and examining the ones Mr Trump used to discredit Hillary Clinton through the language of insult, I researched how he spoke to an audience whose lives were already steeped in the media  or mediatized  ready for the cut-and-dried Twitterification of discourse, even if it meant uncivil discourse. His most relevant tweets between March and November 2016, the main period of the campaign, were first analysed, and then his three town hall encounters with Ms Clinton in the presidential debates, moderated by senior journalists, were parsed. One factor famously stood out. He repeatedly and profusely used the language of insult directed at his opponent  negative campaigns have the kind of emotive, galvanising effect that positive campaigns dont. This decade is marked by social media platforms that political leaders around the world have harnessed to convey insights and galvanise support: the BJPs systematic social media campaign leading up to the 2016 elections is now legendary in the way it shocked and awed opponents and voters. In his approach to the media mix, Mr Trump employed a method whereby he took social media messages and adopted them to televised debates. He first used popular messaging to galvanise support on Twitter, and then expanded those messages on televised debates  thereby assigning organisational and instrumental functions to the social and the traditional media respectively. On Twitter, he organised his rhetoric through hashtags that were essentially insults. The hashtag was both a mobiliser and a mnemonic for Mr Trump.

His rhetoric of insult may be seen in three categories  personal, judgmental and verbal aggression. In each, he employed a dominant theme. In the personal, the theme was lie. Help us spread the truth, stop the lies! But even in his early campaign, he saw lies as too impersonal a problem, and soon peppered his rhetoric with the much more incisive liar.  .... what she really is  a pathological liar! bellowed a tweet from early August, well before the presidential debates began in October. The second rhetorical tool in Mr Trumps campaign was judgment. Like lie, crooked was a word that was used as a theme running across the campaign. Mr Trump spun it into a character judgment. A particularly strong refrain, CrookedHillary, took advantage of the widespread allegations of the infamous email leaks. But Mr Trump later used Crooked as a noun, a mnemonic really, signifying it for Hillary Clinton. Crooked Hillary Clinton deleted 33,000 e-mails AFTER they were subpoenaed by the United States Congress. Guilty  cannot run...! (November 2). The use of the word guilty is interesting, due to its semantic ambiguity. Guilty of deleting emails, or guilty of a larger crime of suppressing official documents relating to the infamous Benghazi attack? The tweet does not clarify, taking advantage of the 140-character limitation on tweets, coupled with the convenience of the ambiguity.

A third tool is the all-too-familiar verbal aggression, using the drama of provocation. Whether as an organisational or an informational platform, Twitter is largely frequented by decided users who follow rather than oppose. A user, specially a political opponent, is likely to lose face attempting to raise a contrarian voice in that echo chamber. The echo chamber presents both the space and the structure for representational claim, whereas a more interactive platform presents the space and the structure for issue-based dialogue. Throughout the campaign, Mr Trump showed more extreme language and position on Twitter than he did in personal debates. The transition of the language of insult from a social media platform to a real platform is new, and some carefulness was understandable. In the televised presidential debates, Mr Trump did not even use the word lie in Debate 1, and employed the word liar only in the third and final debate. To run for the presidency and call someone standing next to you in the glare of the media limelight a liar must take some gumption.

In a reversal, Mr Trumps campaign made Twitter the consummate emotive tool and television the more rational tool. The combination proved a potent strategic mix. Experts who chose to cocoon themselves in bastions of the most vocal echo chambers wrinkled up their well-powdered noses at Mr Trumps unsophisticated language, his lack of any ideologically laden discourse, and his simplistic-sounding solutions to such diverse topics as immigration and defence spending. The Twitterification of Mr Trumps public discourse may have marked a degeneration in electioneering. Yet his victory is a happy hunting ground for communication analysts as it marks a significant shift in the discourse. At a sociological level, it helps us understand the fading of fact-based truth and the emergence of belief-based truth.
A few weeks ago, ASUS enthusiastically launched its flagship ASUS Zenfone AR, claimed to be the worlds first smartphone to feature both Daydream (Googles VR platform) and Tango (Googles AR platform). And just a few days ago, Google proudly unveiled their ARCore  an answer to Apples AR Kit and a tool to make the standard smartphone AR compatible. So, what about Project Tango? Is it necessary anymore?

In 2014, Google unveiled Project Tango to the world, promising the availability of Augmented Reality on smartphones. Googles Tango required the smartphone to feature multiple sensors at the back, which eventually made making a practically slim smartphone difficult. Nonetheless, Google found two major smartphone manufacturers of the world interested in building Tango smartphones  Lenovo and ASUS. Lenovos Phab 2 Pro catered to budget segment whereas ASUS flagship Zenfone AR wanted to offer the best experience.

Lenovos Tango phone never caught up with the masses, partly due to mediocre specifications and partly due to an impractical form factor, ASUS wanted to tackle these two problems with the Zenfone AR. At its India launch event, ASUS stressed on the Zenfone AR to be a flagship smartphone that aimed to provide the best experience with whatevers possible in the world of smartphones. In our first-hand experience of the Zenfone AR (read here), we found it to be a well-built smartphone with flagship specifications  apart from the camera module, it was similar to a flagship smartphone.

The Zenfone AR had massive potential to become either a play toy or a developers product, like Googles Nexus line-up. However, with Googles new ARCore, theres no need for developers to get a smartphone with additional sensors. Also, ARCore will let most existing smartphone users (particularly the flagship ones) in the world enjoy AR content, without investing in additional hardware upgrades.

It is really difficult to understand why Google let ASUS develop such an expensive product that would be rendered useless after a few days of its launch. They could have halted the development of the Zenfone AR to save time ASUS time and efforts, considering they have named ASUS among other major manufacturers to implement ARCore in their offerings. The ASUS Zenfone AR looks like a waste of time and resources for the company unless Google updates Tango phones to ARCore.

Not only the manufacturers, even AR app developers are in a fix, especially the ones that offer paid apps in this genre. If they manage to make it compatible with ARCore, they might be able to reap benefits of their hard work even after Tango gets scrapped.

If you have already owned or are planning to get the Zenfone AR, then theres no need to worry as it is a remarkable flagship smartphone in everyday usage scenarios. We dont know the support timeline for the Tango platform but we expect it to stick around for some time. Till then, the Zenfone AR will hold its worth before ARCore reaches the masses.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
In another incident two days later, 20 people escaped from holding cells at the Abidjan courthouse after clashing with police. (Representational image)

Katiola: Almost 100 inmates escaped from a prison in the Ivory Coast on Sunday, the latest in a string of jail breaks in the west African country, officials said.

According to a local judicial source, the men who escaped in the central town of Katiola were followers of the late leader of a prison mutiny last year, Coulibaly Yacouba.

Yacouba, otherwise known as "Yacou le Chinois" ("Yacou the Chinese"), was killed in February 2016 during an attempted jail break at Ivory Coast's main detention centre in Abidjan. Ten people died, including a guard, and 21 others were injured.

Yacouba had been locked up since 2012 on charges of "assassination and murder" and led the prison mutiny with a Kalashnikov in hand and another slung across his shoulder.

A security source told AFP that the 96 inmates escaped between 0500 and 0600 GMT.

"The inmates went through the roof of their cells to get to other cells and took advantage of workers leaving to break the main gate and flee," the judicial source said.

This is the latest in a string of jail breaks in Ivory Coast, which has suffered intermittent unrest since the start of the year due to tensions within the country's armed forces.

Last month, five prisoners escaped from a jail in the south-central city of Gagnoa. The city said four prison guards and one civilian were arrested on suspicion of aiding the inmates.

In another incident two days later, 20 people escaped from holding cells at the Abidjan courthouse after clashing with police. Seven prison officials were arrested.
Washington: It is an elegant tradition: the outgoing US president leaves a letter for his successor in the aged oaken desk in the Oval Office, to be read upon his arrival.

The letter left by Barack Obama for Donald Trump, revealed some seven months after the handover of power, revolves around one central bit of advice: beyond the bitterness and brutality of political combat and power struggles, never lose sight of the importance of democratic institutions.

Publication of the missive, just shy of 300 words, comes at a difficult and chaotic time in the Trump presidency that has seen intense criticism even from Trump's own Republican Party for his lack of clarity -- and of moral leadership -- after the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"Dear Mr. President," the letter begins, going on to congratulate Trump for his "remarkable run" to the White House and to offer well wishes "as you embark on this great adventure." The letter was obtained by CNN "from someone Trump showed it to," according to the channel.

"Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure," it says.

Obama had pounded Trump during the presidential campaign with a rare virulence, saying the real estate mogul was, in his eyes, a danger to American democracy. "The fate of the republic is in your hands," Obama told voters in North Carolina just days before the November 8 election.

But in the aftermath of Trump's shocking victory, with Democrats still badly shaken by the surprise defeat of Hillary Clinton, Obama insisted on the importance of a peaceful and constructive transition to the billionaire populist, even receiving him in the Oval Office in a meeting that would once have seemed unimaginable.

Emphasizing that the US presidency is a "unique office" with no "clear blueprint for success," Obama nonetheless offers a few carefully worded suggestions to his successor.

Insisting on the importance of "indispensable" American leadership in the world, he emphasizes the need for a president to act thoughtfully and responsibly.

"It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend," Obama says.

- 'Good luck and Godspeed' -

He also exhorted Trump not to let the vicissitudes of daily politics overshadow the long march of American democratic values.

"We are just temporary occupants of this office," he writes. "That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for.

"Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them."

The final bit of advice extended by the 44th US president to the 45th took a more personal tone: "Take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches."

Saying that he and his wife Michelle "stand ready to help in any ways which we can," Obama closes with a wish of "good luck and Godspeed," signing the letter, "BO."

Trump said publicly that he was touched by the letter, though he has not seen Obama since the handover of power.

Of all the letters from outgoing to incoming presidents, the one left on January 20, 1993, by Republican George H.W. Bush to Democrat Bill Clinton stands out for its dignity and class.

Bush wrote to his successor -- the man who had deprived him of a second term in office -- that "your success now is our country's success."

Evoking the "sense of wonder and respect" for the office that he felt when he became president in 1989, Bush said, "There will be very tough times," but then added: "Just don't let the critics discourage you or push you off course."

Bush concluded: "I am rooting hard for you. Good luck."
New York: The UN Security Council is holding its second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea on Monday after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North's persistent weapons programs.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan. Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

North Korea is "deliberately undermining regional peace and stability," the council said Tuesday when it rebuked the missile test, reiterating demands for the country to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

The North trumpeted "perfect success" Sunday in its sixth nuclear test blast since 2006.

Requested by the United States, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea, the Security Council meeting Monday could bring additional condemnation and discussion of other potential steps. British Prime Minister Theresa May called in a statement Sunday for speeding the implementation of existing sanctions and "looking urgently" at new measures in the council.

The group aimed to take a big bite out of the North Korean economy earlier this month by banning the North from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products. Together, those are worth about a third of the country's $3 billion in exports last year.

The council could look to sanction other profitable North Korean exports, such as textiles. Another possibility could be tighter limits on North Korean laborers abroad; the recent sanctions barred giving any new permits for such workers. The US also suggested some other ideas earlier this summer, including air and maritime restrictions and restricting oil to North Korea's military and weapons programs.

However, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council Tuesday that "addressing the issues plaguing the (Korean) Peninsula through sanction pressure alone is impossible" because "that path does not propose any options for engaging (North Korea) in constructive negotiations."

Russia and China have both proposed a two-pronged approach: North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the US and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises, which they say are defensive but Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion. The North recently requested a Security Council meeting about the war games.

Washington said there is no comparison between its openly conducted, internationally monitored military drills and North Korea's weapons programs, which the international community has banned.

Neither North Korea nor South Korea is a Security Council member.
At the 9th annual BRICS summit in Xiamen, China, leaders said they strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by DPRK. (Photo: PTI)

Xiamen: The BRICS leaders at Xiamen on Monday condemned the nuclear test conducted by Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday.

In a declaration the leaders said, "We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by DPRK."

Read: Refrain from actions that impact peace, India tells N Korea on nuke test

On Sunday, North Korea announced that it has successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb that is meant to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The news reader of the North Korean Central Television said North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un ordered the test and termed it a "perfect success". A quake was felt in northern China, with emergency sirens blaring in Yanji, near the North Korean border.

Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation at the nuclear test by the DPRK, The Global Times reported.

"North Korea has ignored the international community's widespread opposition, again carrying out a nuclear test. China's government expresses resolute opposition and strong condemnation toward this", the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

The BRICS leaders in the declaration also said they deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stressed that there can be no justification.

The declaration by BRICS leaders said, "We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir."

The leaders in the declaration said, "We call for expeditious finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by UNGA."
Beijing: China on Monday parried questions on any change in its stand of blocking JeM chief Masood Azhar's banning by the UN, even as the declaration of the BRICS summit for the first time named the terror outfit along with other Pakistan-based groups for spreading violence in the region.

A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked moves to ban Azhar under the al-Qaida sanctions committee of the Council.

"On participating in international campaign against terrorism, our position is consistent and firm," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here, commenting on the strong stand taken by BRICS countries, including China, by naming Pakistan-based terror outfits among those spreading violence in the region.

He, however, skirted a direct response to a question on whether the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) by the BRICS in which China is a prominent member marks a change in Beijing's stand of opposing the ban against Azhar, who heads the group.

"I have not seen the BRICS joint declaration and don't know the specific content," Geng said.

"On the counter terrorism cooperation among the BRICS countries, we are very satisfied with the achievements made by the BRICS. We have a working group on terrorism," he said.

In the last two years, China has stonewalled efforts by India and then later by the US, the UK and France to declare Azhar as a terrorist, stating that there is no consensus on the issue.

This has led to bilateral discord between India and China as Beijing's move has been seen as an attempt to shield Azhar on behalf of Pakistan.

Early last month, China had again extended by three months its technical hold on the US, France and the UK-backed proposal to list Azhar for his role in the Pathankot terror attack.

China had in February this year blocked the US move to designate Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN. Earlier, it had also blocked India's moves to get Azhar designated as a global terrorist.

Also, in a move that could cause consternation in Pakistan, the BRICS declaration named Lashkar-e-Taiba besides the JeM for spreading violence. The inclusion of both the groups followed a tough stand against Pakistan enunciated by US President Donald Trump in his recent policy statement on Afghanistan and South Asia.

The BRICS expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Beijing/New Delhi: Despite Chinas objection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Chinese province Xiamen for BRICS summit, might take a dig at Pakistan for its cross-border terrorism.

China had on Thursday backed its all weather ally Pakistan by sending a clear message to India. Counter terrorism efforts by Pakistan would not be an appropriate topic to be taken up by the grouping despite concerns expressed by India, China had said.

However, Indian External Affairs Ministry, hours before Modi left for Xiamen on Sunday, said, Appropriate or not, India plans to bring up the issue. The ministry had said "We had raised it (terrorism) in Goa summit and sure it will revisit us in this summit as well."

In a veiled attack on Pakistan during BRICS address in Goa last year, Modi had called Islamabad the mother-ship of terrorism.

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump had last month criticised Pakistan for harbouring terrorists and giving safe havens to terror outfits, while announcing his new Afghan and South Asia policy. The US had also cut $350 million military aid to Pakistan and also warned it of consequences if it fails to curb the terror menace.

With United States support, India has got an upper hand to denounce Pakistan for its terror activities. It is now convenient for India to counter Pakistan at global platform such as BRICS.

As terrorism is the major global problem, BRICS nations, including China, on Monday declared Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as global terror outfits on similar stature of Islamic State.

Interestingly, Beijing has been blocking JeM chiefs ban at United Nations Security Council using veto.

Meanwhile, Beijing has invested over $50 billion for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, a crucial component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Despite invitation, India had skipped the event, saying that the CPEC passes through disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In the opening speech at the BRICS meet on Sunday, Xi had said, BRI "is not a tool to advance any geopolitical agenda, but a platform for practical cooperation."
BRICS leaders from right to left, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and South Africa's President Jacob Zuma attend BRICS Business Council and Signing ceremony, at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, China, Monday. (Photo: AP)

Xiamen: In a significant diplomatic win for India, BRICS countries on Monday named for the first time Pakistan-based terror groups like the LeT and the JeM for causing violence in the region and said those supporting terror acts must be held accountable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.

The 43-page 'Xiamen Declaration', adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary, stressed on the need for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan.

It expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Significantly, the ETIM is active in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and seeks to establish a separate "East Turkistan".

At the ninth Summit of the grouping, the BRICS leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever. They stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable," the statement said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

According to officials, Modi raised the issue of terrorism strongly at the BRICS Summit and was joined by other leaders, who expressed willingness to fight this menace.

"For the first time specific listing of terror organisations has been made (in the BRICS declaration)," Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.

The inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration is also significant as it indicated a slight shift in the Chinese view towards terror groups operating out of Pakistan.

Ahead of the BRICS Summit, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had said, "We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at the BRICS Summit."

During the last BRICS Summit in Goa, China did not allow the inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration despite the fact that the Summit was taking place within weeks of the Uri terror strike carried out by a Pakistan-based militant group.

However, now it is to be seen that after being part of such a strongly-worded declaration on terrorism and indicting Pakistan-based terror group JeM, how China will act towards the designation of Jaish's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

After the declaration was issued, the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday parried questions on any change in its stand of blocking Azhar's banning by the UN.

Currently, China has put a hold on the proposal to ban Azhar moved by the US and some other countries at the UN's Sanction's Committee.

The declaration referred to terrorism at least 17 times, apart from mentioning other forms of extremism and radicalisation. During the BRICS Summit here, India also offered to host a conference on countering radicalisation.

Talking about India's position on terrorism, Saran told reporters, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

Saran said that prime minister Modi also raised the issue of speeding up the long-pending UN Security Council reforms during the Summit.

The BRICS countries also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism.

They said that the approach should include "countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)."

The BRICS leaders conveyed their commitment to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing.

They also recalled the responsibility of all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

"We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs)," the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said.

The declaration also lauded July meeting of BRICS high representatives for security issues for having discussion and deepening common understanding on global governance, counter- terrorism, security in the use of ICTs, energy security, major international and regional hotspots as well as national security.

It also noted Brazil's proposal to set up a BRICS intelligence bank.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by the Indian community, in Xiamen on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

Xiamen (China): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, nearly a week after India and China announced resolution of the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff.

According to officials, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting on September 5 on the sidelines of the 9th Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (Brics) summit, which will start on Monday in this port city of China. After the bilateral meeting with the host, Modi will be travelling to Myanmar.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese army.

On August 28, Indias external affairs ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on expeditious disengagement of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area.

Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, which is among the five counties  Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan  invited by China as part of Brics Plus outreach exercise.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Sunday to attend the Brics Summit during which he would look forward to having productive discussions and positive outcomes with leaders of the grouping to support the agenda for a stronger partnership among the member countries.

I look forward to building upon the results and outcomes of the Goa Summit. I also look forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes that will support the agenda of a stronger BRICS partnership under the chairmanship of China, the prime minister had said ahead of his visit to this Chinese city.

On Brics, the Prime Minister said he will have the opportunity to meet leaders bilaterally on the sidelines of the Brics summit.

The prime minister said he was looking forward to engage with leaders of nine other countries, including Brics partners, in an Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue, being hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 5.

We will also interact with the Brics Business Council represented by captains of industry from all five countries, he had said.
North Korea today claimed a "perfect success" for its most powerful nuclear test so far, a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States. President Donald Trump, asked if he would attack the North, said, "We'll see."



He also suggested squeezing China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital US trading partner, on the economic front, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert leverage on its neighbor.



Trump tweeted that the US is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." The latest military provocation from the isolated communist country reinforces the danger facing America, Trump said earlier in a series of tweets, adding that "talk of appeasement" is pointless.



"They only understand one thing!" Trump wrote, without elaboration, as he prepared to meet later with his national security team, which he said would include John Kelly, his chief of staff, as well as Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "and other military leaders." Today's detonation by North Korea was the first nuclear test since Trump took office in January.



After attending church near the White House, Trump made his "We'll see" comment in response to a question from reporters. The precise strength of the explosion, described by state-controlled media in North Korea as a hydrogen bomb, has yet to be determined.

South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five such tests. The impact reportedly shook buildings in China and in Russia.



Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was calling counterparts in Asia, and Trump's treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said he was putting together proposed new sanctions for Trump to consider that would seek to cut off trade with North Korea.



The action suggested in Trump's trade tweet would be radical: The US imports about USD 40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner.



It's unclear what kind of penalties might make a difference. Lassina Zerbo, head of the UN test ban treaty organization, said sanctions already imposed against North Korea aren't working.



Trump warned last month that the US military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the US would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America.



The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that's home to US bombers.



The North's latest test was carried out at 12:29 pm local time at the Punggye-ri site where it has conducted past nuclear tests. Officials in Seoul put the magnitude at 5.7; the US Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 6.3. The strongest artificial quake from previous tests was a magnitude 5.3.



"North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States," Trump said in the first of a series of tweets.



He branded North Korea "a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."



Yet Trump appeared to be more critical of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has attempted to reach out to the North.
North Korea could be preparing another missile launch, Seoul said today as it strengthened its defences following Pyongyang's biggest-ever nuclear test and declaration it had a hydrogen bomb.



The South and the United States will deploy more of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile launchers that have infuriated Beijing, the defence ministry said.



The announcement came after Seoul fired an early-morning volley of ballistic missiles in an exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site.



Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the east coast.



Pyongyang said the device it detonated yesterday was a hydrogen bomb -- far more powerful than the fission-based devices it is believed to have previously tested -- and small enough to fit into a missile.



The blast threw down a new gauntlet to President Donald Trump, after the North in July twice tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range, and threatened to send a salvo of missiles towards the US territory of Guam.



South Korean defence ministry officials estimated its strength at 50 kilotons -- five times the size of the North's previous nuclear test.



They did not confirm whether it was a hydrogen bomb, saying only that "a variety of nuclear material" had been used.



But Defence Minister Song Young-Moo said Seoul believed Pyongyang had succeeded in miniaturising its nuclear weapons to fit into an ICBM.



The South had requested the US to deploy strategic assets such as aircraft carriers and bombers to the peninsula, he said, but denied reports Seoul was seeking the return of US tactical nuclear weapons.



Signs that North Korea was "preparing for another ballistic missile launch have consistently been detected since Sunday's test", the ministry said.



It did not indicate when a launch might take place but said it could involve an ICBM being fired into the Pacific Ocean to raise pressure on Washington further.
Massive security arrangements would be in place in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and big cities like Pune, Nashik and Nagpur on Tuesday, when the 12-day-long Ganeshutsav draw to a close on the last day with the immersion of idols of the Elephant-headed Lord.



The year, 2017, marked the 125th year of the public Ganesh festival in Mumbai and Maharashtra. As far as Mumbai was concerned, a majority of the the police force would be in the street for bandobast and traffic duties.



For Mumbai, the Maharashtra government had declared an official holiday on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. The Ganesh festival commenced on 25 August, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.



The Indian Navy and India Coast Guard choppers would mount aerial surveillance while patrol boats would maintain vigil along the coastline of Mumbai and its suburbs.

The main immersion site is at Girgaum Chowpatty - and Mumbai Police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar and BrihanMumbai Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta and inspected the arrangements. HAM enthusaists would be helping the various agencies by making a second line of communication.



According to Ankur Puranik, the founder of Disaster Amateur Radio Emergency Services (DARES), an active HAM radio service in the state, while seven-member teams would be in place at Gurgaum and Chowpatties, while six at the Panvel creek.



Authorities in the coastal districts of Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban. Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg and had appealed appeared to be careful and take note of the tide timings.



In Mumbai, the immersion sites  where a majority of Ganesha idols would be immersed, are located at Girgaum, Dadar and Juhu chowpatties, Powai lake, Versova beach, Mahim chowpatty, Marve beach and ponds at Sion, Bhandup, Aarey, Charai and Sanjay Gandhi National Park.



Search lights have been erected at several places. Lifeguards would be positioned throughout the day, till the immersion ends. Divers of the Indian Navy would be kept in readiness. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) too have beefed up security arrangements along the Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) route particular along the Dadar station - the intersection point of CR and WR, Bandra, which joins CR and WR and Kurla, that joins the Main line with Harbour line of CR.



The immersion would start around the noon of Tuesday with small idols and continue well overnight and end in the wee hours of Wednesday with the immersion of big idols.




The Madras High court on Monday issued orders to the AIADMK government Tamil Nadu for conducting local body polls before November 17.



When the petition, filed by DMK leader R S Bharathi seeking early elections, came up for hearing, Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar passed the order.



The court also ordered the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC) to issue a notification for conducting the elections before September 18, 2017.



In October 2016, Justice N Kirubakaran quashed the government's September 2016 notification for conducting elections on October 17 and 19 for not following the rules of State election rules that recommends that the notification should be issued well in advance.



Observing that the people with criminal background were getting elected to the local bodies, Justice also ordered that it should be mandatory for the State election commission for getting the background of all contesting candidates.



However, since the government went for an appeal against the single justice order, the elections could not conducted as per the schedule.






The two leaders met in this southeastern Chinese city on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. This was Modi's first bilateral meeting since his arrival last evening. The prime minister is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before he travels to Myanmar tomorrow.



"The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime minister's visit to Russia earlier this year. And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters at a briefing here.



When asked if the two leaders discussed Afghanistan, Kumar said some regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan was also deliberated upon. He, however, refused to give further details.



He also said that during the Modi-Putin meeting several bilateral issues were discussed like the cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector. Kumar said the two leaders also discussed how they should work together to promote trade and investment.



During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges. "President Putin mentioned about the 'Festival of India', which was organised in Russia earlier this year. Discussions also took place on the promotion of tourism between the two countries and also on the student exchange between the two sides," Kumar said.



Later, Modi also met Brazilian President Michel Temer and discussed a partnership based on a "common global vision". "A partnership based on a common global vision & shared democratic values. PM @narendramodi engages with Brazilian President @MichelTemer," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment along with the security situation in Afghanistan.
Education activist Malala Yousafzai has called on her fellow Nobel laureate Aug San Suu Kyi to condemn the "shameful" violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, saying the "world is waiting" for her to condemn the unrest.



The 20-year-old winner of the Nobel Peace Prize urged Myanmar's State Counsellor and de-facto leader to act against the violence that has seen tens of thousands of people flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.



She also called on Pakistan, the country of her origin and where she was shot in the head by Taliban militants, to provide aid to the Muslim refugees.



"Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same," she said in a statement.



"The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting," she noted.



"Stop the violence. Today, we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmar's security forces. These children attacked no-one, but still their homes were burned to the ground.



"If their home is not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born."



Malala, who is set to begin her philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) course at Oxford University, was made the youngest ever UN Messenger of Peace earlier this year and was also the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize aged 17 in 2014.



She was shot in the head on her way home from school after writing her anonymous diary about life under Taliban rule in the Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan.



She became internationally known after the incident and relocated with her family to Birmingham for further rehabilitation.



"Other countries, including my own country Pakistan, should follow Bangladesh's example and give food, shelter and access to education to Rohingya families fleeing violence and terror," she added.



Last week, UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson had also urged Suu Kyi to curb the violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.



"Aung San Suu Kyi is rightly regarded as one of the most inspiring figures of our age, but the treatment of the Rohingya is alas besmirching the reputation of Burma," he had said.



Soldiers and armed residents have been accused of carrying out a killing spree against Rohingya Muslim men, women, and children in Chut Pyin village, leaving more than 200 dead.



About 58,600 Rohingya civilians have left Myanmar and fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.
Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today blamed a "mourning brigade" for painting a picture of gloom among minorities, stressing that they were not in an "atmosphere of fear", but of trust.



The Minority Affairs minister, elevated to the Cabinet rank yesterday, reiterated that the government would focus on the empowerment of minority communities by providing them with education and employment opportunities.



Minister of state for Minority Affairs, Virendra Kumar, who accompanied Naqvi, said the Centre would ensure empowerment "sans appeasement".



"There is no atmosphere of fear prevailing in the country among minorities. Rather, there is an atmosphere of trust among them," Naqvi told reporters here.



A 'vilaap mandali' (mourning brigade) was propagating the view about fear, he said, without specifying who he was referring to.



Naqvi said the minorities had full faith in the government for the work it was doing for their "uplift".



"You have seen they blamed EVMs when they lost (assembly) polls (in Uttar Pradesh and other states), when demonetisation happened and now again when the council of ministers has been re-jigged," he said in a veiled attack on the opposition.



On the issue of triple talaq, Naqvi said the practice of instant divorce was a social ill at variance with the principle of gender equality as mentioned in the Constitution.



"Our government works within the framework of the Constitution...The Supreme Court has already given its verdict on the issue. We welcome that," he added.



The apex court had on August 22 banned the 1,400 year-old practice of instant 'triple talaq' among Sunni Muslims and set it aside on several grounds including that it was against the basic tenets of the Quran.



Naqvi reiterated that the government believed in empowering the poor and minorities with "dignity" and that welfare schemes were being implemented for them.



On his part, Kumar lauded the initiatives taken by the ministry till now, particularly those relating to skill development among minorities.



He attributed the allegations on the "atmosphere of fear" to trepidation caused among opposition parties because of the BJP's poll victories over them.



"The opposition is scattered and is not in a position to challenge Modiji. That's why such allegations," he added.


Attempts to undo Article 35A appears to have added to the simmering anger in Kashmir leading to an increasing distance between Kashmiris and the rest of India, a high-profile citizens group has claimed.



The Concerned Citizens Group (CCG) led by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, which had a third round of visit to Kashmir, said the sense of dismay and despondency in the people had grown compared to their previous visits.



The distance between rest of India and the Kashmiri youth but also others seems to have increased. This was evident in the fact that even the people who used to talk reasonably earlier were using the language of the militants and separatists this time, the report said.



Besides Sinha, those who were part of the three-day visit from August 17 were former Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak, Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Executive Director Sushobha Barve and senior journalist Bharat Bhushan.



The CCG said there was all-round opposition to attempts to revoke Article 35A, " which gives special rights for the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.



While Kashmiris felt that revoking Article 35A can lead to a demographic change by allowing outsiders to buy property in Kashmir, it said, the "simmering anger" also stemmed from the belief that the Centre was a "passive collaborator'' in the petitions in Supreme Court. They "openly alleged that the judicial attack on Jammu and Kashmir's special status was being stage-managed" by the Centre, it added.



Their argument was that whenever Article 35A was challenged, the Centre used to file a counter-affidavit, but this time, it did not happen. The Centre also left it to the state to defend it.



A lack of clear answers to these two questions has led people to doubt the Central governments intentions, the report said.



On the NIA actions on separatists in terror funding case, the report said there were two sets of reactions with one insisting that accused should come clean on their own.



The report said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message -- Kashmiris need a hug, not abuses or bullets -- have gone down well with a majority of Kashmiris.



"Most of them also said that the PM needed to operationalise the sentiments he had expressed and that his sentiments must be reflected in the situation on the ground. As of now, many of them felt that the government had boxed both the separatists and itself into a corner and there was no one to engage with to resolve the conflict. They said that Kashmiris would be ready for an embrace but they would want something more than words," the report said.
The Karnataka government today decided to repeal 143 acts that have either undergone consequential amendments or cannot be enforced.



The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting here.



"We have decided to repeal a total of 143 acts, 135 acts of the state and eight acts which have come from the central government," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here.



All the 143 acts had been looked into by the scrutinising committee, he said.



"The acts which are being repealed include those which cannot be brought into force, those that have undergone changes or consequential amendments," he said, adding the acts were from various departments, including Finance.



The cabinet also approved increase in the cost of land acquisition for phase II of the Bangalore Metro Rail project.



As it was expected that the land acquisition cost was likely to increase because of the upward revision in the guidance value, the cabinet approved additional funds of Rs 2187.46 crore, thereby increasing the land acquisition cost to Rs 6293.16 crore, Jayachandra said.



The cabinet also gave approval for a Rs 12 crore project for three years to purify sewage water that flows through Koramangala valley to Bellandur lake through the process of bio-remediation.



In the backdrop of recent rains and incidents of inundation in Bengaluru city, the cabinet approved Rs 300 crore under the chief minister's special grant for providing basic infrastructure to complete developmental works that are under progress at different places along the 842 km long storm water drain network, within stipulated time.
A BRICS cultural festival will be held later this month in China with more than 200 artists from member countries being invited, a cultural ministry official said at a press conference in Xiamen, Fujian Province on Sunday.

Xie Jinying, general director of the Department of External Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture, speaks at a press conference held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, Sept. 3, 2017. [Photo by Zheng Liang / China.org.cn]

Xie Jinying, general director of the Department of External Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture, said the BRICS Cultural Festival would be held in Xiamen from Sept. 15 to 22. An inauguration ceremony and a photo exhibition will be held on Monday afternoon during the ninth BRICS Summit being held in the coastal city, as China takes the rotating chair of the influential bloc.

With the theme of "celebrating culture and bridging hearts," the festival will invite 210 artists from the BRICS countries to participate in more than 30 events, including theatrical performances, outdoor performances, master classes, exhibitions and film screenings, Xie said.

Many world class performing troupes will be present, including the National Ballet of China, Brazil's Cisne Negro Dance Troupe, Russia's Mariinsky Theatre, Aditi Dance School of India, and South Africa's Joburg Ballet, he noted. All the events will be free to the public.

Xie also mentioned the 2017 BRICS Film Festival, the first of the kind held in June in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, as well as an anthology of short films by five directors from the countries involved under the general title of "Where Has the Time Gone".

Xie told the press conference, "BRICS countries enjoy fast growth in terms of filmmaking," adding, "'Where Has the Time Gone' is the first of its kind and we can see the fabulous results of the collaboration. The 118-minute film presents the culture, traditions and modern life of BRICS countries and it will debut globally soon. I believe in the future the BRICS countries will strengthen cooperation and communications in filmmaking."

The feature film consists of five 18-minute shorts on the same theme, and is the joint work of Walter Salles from Brazil, Aleksey Fedorchenko from Russia, Madhur Bhandarkar from India, Jahmil X.T. Qubeka from South Africa, and Jia Zhangke from China. The collaboration project known as the "Magnificent 5" was a creative idea formed when leaders of the five countries met in India in 2016.

"Understanding serves as the foundation of cooperation," said Xie, who mentioned the word "understanding" many times at the press conference. He hoped the cultural exchanges would enhance the people's thinking to encourage further beneficial cooperation.

He described cultural exchange as one of the three pillars in BRICS cooperation. Conducting cultural and people-to-people exchanges to gain support from the public was one of the key goals of the Xiamen summit, he pointed out.

"BRICS countries share basic values that embody openness, inclusiveness, equality, willingness to cooperate and respect for diverse cultures. This connects the BRICS members and it is the spiritual driving force for them to achieve economic growth and improve global governance.

"All BRICS countries believe culture is significantly important to the development of society, so that cultural exchanges and cooperation will become the new driving force for the social and economic development. This will help build a more prosperous and safer society for each other," he said.

"Located on four different continents, all BRICS countries are important representatives of diversified human civilization, and we share a broad base of common consensus and willingness to promote understanding through cultural exchanges, share wisdom through cultural cooperation, and push forward social progress through cultural development," Xie added.

BRICS leaders are meeting in Xiamen for the 9th BRICS Summit. The nations' foreign, finance and security ministers also meet regularly. On July 6, the 2nd BRICS Ministerial Conference for BRICS Cultural Ministries was held in Tianjin, where an Action Plan for the Implementation of the Intergovernmental Cultural Agreement on the BRICS (2017-2021) was signed.

The next BRICS Cultural Ministerial Conference will be held in South Africa. Xie hoped the BRICS cultural activities could form a regular mechanism, and the events could not only be held in the high-class venues but also in a wide range of communities.
Newly appointed Union Minister K Alphons took over the charge of Tourism Ministry on Monday. He also assumed the charge of the office the Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT).



"There is a lot of potential in our tourism sector but first we will have to love ourselves and love India then we can attract tourists from other countries," he said, assuming the charge of the Tourism Ministry.



The outgoing Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma was present on the occasion to hand over the charge of the Ministry to Alphons. Alphons, a bureaucrat-turned-politician from Kerala, was appointed as the Tourism Minister (independent charge) and given an additional portfolio of the Minister of State for Electronics in the Narendra Modi government's cabinet reshuffle on Sunday.



Sharma, who retained the Culture Ministry portfolio in the cabinet rejig, was shifted to Environment and Forest Ministry from the Ministry of Tourism. Taking over the charge of the Tourism Ministry, Alphons said that his induction to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers came as a "pleasant surprise" to him.



"It's a big responsibility and incredible job to be done," he said. He took the oath of his offices as MoS with independent charge of the Tourism Ministry and MoS, Electronics and IT, on Sunday.



Welcoming Mr. @KJAlphons to @tourismgoi. His decades of public service experience shall be an asset to Ministry of Tourism. I wish him all the best for new role & extend my full support to take tourism to new heights as we embark on our journey to #NewIndia, Sharma tweeted.



Alphons assumed the charge of Tourism Ministry at a time when work on many of the key projects of the Ministry including the development of religious tourism circuits is in progress at a snail's pace.



Minister of State @GoI_MeitY Alphons Kannanthanam met me. He is joining on the occasion of Onam.We will work together. My best wishes to him, Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted.






China today parried questions on any change in its stand of blocking JeM chief Masood Azhar's banning by the UN, even as the declaration of the BRICS Summit for the first time named the terror outfit along with other Pakistan-based groups for spreading violence in the region.



A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked moves to ban Azhar under the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council.



"On participating in international campaign against terrorism, our position is consistent and firm," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here, commenting on the strong stand taken by BRICS countries, including China, by naming Pakistan-based terror outfits among those spreading violence in the region.



He, however, skirted a direct response to a question on whether the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) by the BRICS in which China is a prominent member marks a change in Beijing's stand of opposing the ban against Azhar, who heads the group.



"I have not seen the BRICS joint declaration and don't know the specific content," Geng said.



"On the counter terrorism cooperation among the BRICS countries, we are very satisfied with the achievements made by the BRICS. We have a working group on terrorism," he said.



In the last two years, China has stonewalled efforts by India and then later by the US, the UK and France to declare Azhar as a terrorist, stating that there is no consensus on the issue.



This has led to bilateral discord between India and China as Beijing's move has been seen as an attempt to shield Azhar on behalf of Pakistan.



Early last month, China had again extended by three months its technical hold on the US, France and the UK-backed proposal to list Azhar for his role in the Pathankot terror attack.



China had in February this year blocked the US move to designate Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN. Earlier, it had also blocked India's moves to get Azhar designated as a global terrorist.



Also, in a move that could cause consternation in Pakistan, the BRICS declaration named Lashkar-e-Taiba besides the JeM for spreading violence. The inclusion of both the groups followed a tough stand against Pakistan enunciated by US President Donald Trump in his recent policy statement on Afghanistan and South Asia.



The BRICS expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.



This was in contrast to a vague reference to terrorism in last year's BRICS Summit at Goa that had called on all nations to adopt a "comprehensive approach in combating terrorism".



At the Xiamen Summit, the BRICS leaders called for the swift and effective implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) international standards worldwide.



"We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard," the declaration said.



Additionally, the leaders stressed that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law.


Several leaders from various political parties including Congress, CPI, CPI-M and VCK participated meeting, which was chaired by DMK working president M K Stalin.



A resolution, which was adopted during the meeting, condemned the Centre for not taking enough measures to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET and condoled the death of Anitha, who committed suicide in Ariyalur district last week after she could not get a medical seat due to failure in the NEET.



Meanwhile, students from several colleges in the State staged protest demonstration and took rallies to condemn the death of Anitha. The protesters also demanded that they continue to agitate will the Central government exempt the State from the NEET.



Amid student's protest, the counselling to the medical seats based on the NEET completed in all government colleges in the State on Monday itself as per the apex court's deadline. The classes for first year medical and dental colleges also began.

Amid wide-spread agitation in connection with the suicide of a medical aspirant, who challenged National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET) in the court, still continuing, the Opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu convened an all party meeting on Monday to condemn the Centre for not taking adequate measures to exempt the State from NEET.
The Congress in Rajasthan has criticized third cabinet reshuffle which took place on Sunday night by calling it a let down for Rajasthan as there is no cabinet minister from the state.



Congress has alleged BJP as bad performers in Rajasthan, the reason they were not able to book their seat in the cabinet. Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) president Sachin Pilot said, Its a let down for Rajasthan as there is no face from the state in Prime Minister Modis cabinet. Strangely none out of 25 MPs elected from Rajasthan are holding a cabinet berth. He further called it as a neglect of peoples mandate who voted for 25 MPs.



However, BJP at the same time is celebrating the induction of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a team of Modi. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was one of the first leaders to congratulate him on her twitter handle. Incidentally, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who took up the issue of farmers pointing to the discrepancies and flaws in crop insurance and their impact on the farmers was given the charge of the agriculture and farmers' welfare ministry as a minister of state.



Apart from ruling BJP, farmers in the state are happy with his inclusion as a Minister for the state. Shekhawat is himself a farmer with about 2,000 hectares of farm in Ethiopia. We are happy that he has been given the charge of agriculture and farmers' welfare ministry as a minister of state. He is very closely acquainted with the issues and grievances pertaining to the agriculture and farmers, Said Rajat Singh of Bharat Kisan Sangh an NGO who work for the rights of farmers.



According to the political analysts, Shekhawats inclusion in the centre ministry will help BJP in Rajasthan to regain support from the Rajput community who were unhappy with the government after the encounter of gangster Anandpal Singh. The reshuffle will be helpful for Raje to gain support in Marwar belt as Shekhawat belongs to Rajput community who have been unhappy with the government and demanding CBI probe into the death of Anandpal Singh, a senior political analyst told DH. Rajasthan has a representation of 25 MPs in the Lok Sabha.






The UP government today said that no action will be initiated on the basis of the FIR lodged against the CMO and CMS of the Farrukhabad district hospital in the case related to deaths of scores of infants there.



"The way things have been presented is not that has happened.



"No action is, therefore, being initiated on the basis of the FIR registered against the CMO and the CMS in Farrukhabad last night," principal secretary health Prashant Trivedi told reporters at a hurriedly convened press briefing here.



"For us, it is a report, we will examine it for further action," he said.



To a question on the removal of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Umakant Pandey and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Akhilesh Agarwal, Trivedi said, "They have been removed for the simple reason that the DM is the head of administration in a district and they should have coordinated with the DM.



"If there were any issues, then the same should have been brought to the notice of the administration. What happened actually - medically or technically - will be clear in probe."



On whether the deaths were due to lack of oxygen, he said, "Oxygen is not an issue in the entire episode. I think, of late, we are generating undue sensitivity to oxygen. It has become more of a buzzword."



He also said that no official can elicit the views of a person over the telephone. "This is not the right way to conduct a magisterial probe," Trivedi said, commenting on the city magistrate contacting over the telephone the parents and relatives of the infants who had died.



Principal secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi, who was also present, said, "Everything will be brought forth... There seems to be some co-ordinational issue among the officers.



"All the three officers -- DM, CMO and CMS -- have been removed. DG Health will send a specialised team to investigate. No death took place due to lack of oxygen. The matter should not be blown out of proportion."



On the FIR, he said it was lodged and "it very clearly seems to have been lodged when the DM, it seems, did not get the report from the health department..."


The police were informed yesterday about the incident.



During inquiry, the alleged involvement of Murray Denis Ward, a British national and a frequent visitor to the institute, came to the light, the police said, adding that Ward had been associated with NAB as a regular donor for almost nine years.



Ward, who was subsequently arrested, allegedly sexually harassed the three NAB inmates on September 2, the police said.



His cell phone was being examined, the police said, adding that they had found a couple of "objectionable" video clips from his laptop.



Ward, a native of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, was working with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April.



He had suffered a paralytic attack in February and has been under treatment since then.

A 54-year-old British national has been arrested here for allegedly sodomising three visually- impaired minor inmates of the National Association for The Blind (NAB) in south Delhi's RK Puram, the police said today.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass any order to stop the Union government from taking steps to deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims to their home state Myanmar.



A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, however, asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to seek instructions from the government on a petition filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan on behalf of Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, who escaped their home country and resided in Delhi.



The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, put the plea for consideration on September 11.



To Bhushan's plea that there should be directions to the Centre not to take any actions, Mehta said, I am not ready to make any statement..



The court refused to pass any order. It was also not in favour of allowing intervention into the matter as sought by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves on behalf of 6,000 Rohangiya Muslims, residing in Jammu.



Whether they can remain as a class is an executive policy decision, we will see, the bench said.



The petition filed by two Rohingya Muslims contended that the Union government's move was contrary to the Constitutional protections of Article 14 (equality), Article 21 (life and liberty) and Article 51(c) (respect for international laws) of the Constitution.



They said that they have taken shelter in various parts of the country due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community in their home state.






He added that Veerashaiva sect forming only 10 per cent of the total Lingayat population does not follow the sayings of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara.



Patil also sought to allay the fear that separation of Lingayat will weaken Hinduism.

"Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism were separated from Hinduism but that did not affect or threaten Hinduism. Lingayat religion too has features making it different from Hinduism," said Patil.



Shivanand Jamdar, a retired bureaucrat and Lingayat Mahasabha Vedike general secretary, said "Hindutva forces" do not want Lingayat to be a separate religion.



As Assembly elections are due earlier next year, the demand for a separate Lingayat religion status is gaining ground among the community, concentrated largely in the northern part of Karnataka.



The BJP, for which Lingayats form a significant electoral base, has so far remained non-commital on the demand. The Mahasabha Vedike had yesterday held a mega rally at Latur in Maharashtra, which has a huge Kannada speaking Lingayat population.



Amidst an intensified campaign for a separate religious status to Lingayat faith, Karnataka irrigation minister M B Patil today accused BJP of linking the Lingayat faith with Hinduism."The BJP has taken a stand. It has changed its position by calling Veerashaiva Lingayath a sect of Hinduism. They will not back our demand for Lingayat as a separate religion. It is apparent that Hindutva cannot accept Veerashaiva Lingayath as a separate religion," said Patil, who is spearheading the campaign, at a press conference today.He claimed that Lingayat is different from Veerashaiva."Lingayat is entirely different from Hinduism. It does not have caste based or any other kind of discrimination. Its founder Basaveshwara's sayings never promoted rift among communities," said Patil.
The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) has so far approved the financing of 11 projects worth up to US$3 billion, announced China's vice finance minister Shi Yaobin on Sept. 3.

Leaders of the five BRICS countries meet in Xiamen, Fujian Province on Sept. 4. [Photo/China Pictorial]

"As we have seen with our Chinese customers, NDB's loans mainly flow to areas concerning people's livelihoods, environment protection and new energy," said Shi, citing the wind power project in Fujian, flood control program in Hunan and the green low-carbon development project in Jiangxi, which, in his words, "will set a model for the bank's future orientation."

Founded in Shanghai on July 21, 2015, the bank was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the five emerging economies, as the brainchild of the BRICS mechanism.

Last month, the NDB opened its first regional center in Johannesburg, South Africa and recently broke ground for its permanent headquarters building in Shanghai.

Compared with its counterparts in the financial sector such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB), the BRICS bank is growing at a much faster pace, said Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, dismissing global voices which question the bank's role and its "slow" development.

The first loan project, Shanghai Lingang Distributed Solar Power Project, in China funded by the bank has started operation recently, with a maturity length of 17 years, under an agreement signed between the NDB, the Ministry of Finance and Shanghai municipal government in December 2016.

In the initial phase, it's been the original five countries working together to build something new, without participation from the developed countries.

While NDB wants to cooperate with the World Bank and other existing banks, it also wants to innovate to meet the required needs, said Paulo Nogueira Batista Jr, the bank's vice president.

The general strategy for the next five years is to focus on sustainable infrastructure development, he said.
At least one Naga militant was killed and another one injured in an Indian Army ambush in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh, on the eve of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first bilateral visit to Myanmar.



The operation involving the Special Forces at Wakka in the Longding district, near India's border with Myanmar, began early in the morning and continues late in the evening. Indian Army officials confirmed the killing of one militant and recovery of an AK-47 rifle with ammunitions.



The Army sources, however, denied the operation being a cross-border one. They said it took place inside the Indian territory.



Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat briefed the Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju about the operation that began around 7.30 AM. "It was a normal encounter. These operations go on every day. Nothing big about this operation," Gen Rawat said after his meeting with Rijiju.



Sources said based on specific intelligence an ambush was planned to capture NSCN (K) militants near Votnu village. However, because of the early morning fog, the cordon was relocated when the first contact with the militant took place. In the firing, one Indian soldier was also injured.



The operations are in progress in the hinterland. It is nowhere close to the Indo-Myanmar border. It's a typical counter-insurgency operation, said an Army officer.



The anti-insurgency operation takes place a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Nay Pyi Daw for his first bilateral visit to the neighbouring country. India maintains a close relation with Myanmar on security issues.



In June 2015, Indian Army is believed to have carried out a surgical strike on the Naga militants inside the Myanmar territory, to avenge the killing of 18 men from the Dogra regiment of the Indian Army in an ambush at Chandel in Manipur. Army maintained that the operation took place near the Indo-Myanmar border and not inside the territory of another country.



A year later, Naga militants in August 2016 claimed that a team of Indian army commandos crossed inside Myanmar territory and attacked an NSCN (K) camp  a charge that was denied by the Indian Army, which maintained the operation took place near the border.










Indians turned to hashtags to talk about the Cabinet reshuffle on Sunday with over four lakh conversations taking place on Twitter.



Twitter, which counts India as among its most important markets, said it "recorded over 4,00,000 conversations as nine new ministers yesterday took oath in fresh Cabinet reshuffle in the Narendra Modi government".



"For India, Twitter has emerged as a critical platform for citizen engagement and public discourse... Indians from across the world turned to Twitter to participate in conversations on the Cabinet rejig," it added.



The top hashtags used to share congratulatory wishes, reactions and opinions included #cabinetreshuffle, #TeamModi, #Modi2019Cabinet and #Ministry4NewIndia.



"It is heartening to see citizens participating enthusiastically on the appointment of new ministers to the Union Cabinet, encouraging more participation, and transparency in the system," Mahima Kaul, Head (Public Policy and Government) at Twitter India, said.



As part of the reshuffle, Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal were handed the charge of defence and railways ministries, respectively.



Former Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has been shifted to commerce and industry ministry. The exercise has raised the strength of the Union Council of ministers from 73 to 76.



Sitharaman, who is the country's first full-time woman Defence Minister, had a series of tweets congratulating her.



Actor Randeep Hooda tweeted a picture of her saying "A woman #Defence minister is one of the biggest signs of #womenempowerment in any country #NirmalaSitharaman #cabinetreshuffle".
The Supreme Court today refused to grant interim stay on the newly-amended Finance Act which provides that the search-cum-selection committee to select administrative members of the CAT will be headed by a nominee of the central government.



A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked the counsel for the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to supply a copy of its plea to the Centre and said it cannot stay the impugned provisions of the Act without hearing the other side.



The CAT, represented by senior advocate C A Sundaram, has challenged the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the 'Tribunals, Appellate Tribunals and Other Authorities (qualifications, experience and other conditions of service of members) Rules, 2017'.



Sundaram said the power of the judiciary in selection and appointment of administrative members of CAT has been taken away by the new law and the government should be asked not to fill up vacancies for the time being.



The court posted the matter for hearing on September 25.



The CAT said the 'Tribunals, Appellate Tribunals and Other Authorities (qualifications, experience and other conditions of service of members) Rules, 2017', framed under the Finance Act, provides that the search-cum-selection committee to select its administrative members will be headed by a nominee of the central government.



Earlier, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or his nominee had a role in the selection of administrative members of CAT, the tribunal had told the court.



The panel had also sought an interim stay on the provisions of the new Act and the Rules, under which a new Search-cum-Selection Committee for the post of Administrative Member would be set up.



However, on the issue of selection of CAT's chairperson and judicial members, the 2017 Rules provide that this committee would be headed by the CJI or his nominee.



The Finance Act, which came into effect from April 1, led to the framing of the 2017 Rules which allegedly gave "unbridled" powers to the Executive to decide on the qualification of the members, their appointment and removal among other issues, one of the petitions filed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.



The apex court had earlier issued notice to the Centre on two other similar pleas filed by Ramesh and an NGO Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE).



The NGO had sought the quashing of Part 14 of the Finance Act and Rules framed under it. It alleged that the alterations brought about by the Finance Act would weaken the functioning of tribunals including the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and curtail their powers.



Senior advocate Mohan Parasaran, who had appeared for Ramesh, had submitted that the power of judiciary has been compromised by the provisions of the new law.



The petition has said the changes brought about by the Act would weaken the functioning of tribunals including the NGT and curtail their powers.
As BRICS expressed concern over violence caused by Pakistan-based terror outfits, Congress on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seize the opportunity and take up with China the issue of designating Maulana Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.



Congress welcomed the BRICS declaration adopted at the summit meeting of the leaders of the five emerging economies in Xiamen in China expressing concern over the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda, Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohhamad among others.



It is a welcome start and I think it needs to be taken forward, Randeep Singh Surjewala, in-charge of the AICC Communications Department, told reporters here.



He said the prime minister should take up with China the issue of declaring Jaish-e-Mohammad leader Maulana Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.



India's efforts at the United Nations Security Council to declare Azhar as an 'international terrorist have been vetoed by China.



China does not have the moral right or the legal right now to stand in the way or to prevent the United Nations from declaring him as an 'International Terrorist', Surjewala said.



The Congress also attacked the Modi government for the deaths of 49 infants at a hospital in Farrukhabad allegedly due to lack of oxygen.



Congress mocked Prime Minister's assurances at the BRICS summit in China that India was working in mission mode to eradicate poverty, ensure the health, sanitation and gender equality.



It is over three years now, Prime Minister needs to travel from rhetoric to reality. The reality is that 49 children have died in Farrukhabad, 357 children have died in Gorakhpur, and 133 children have died in Ranchi.




In a major embarrassment to the BJP, the Bombay High Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra Government to inform in three weeks time the steps it has taken against former revenue minister Eknath Khadse and his family, who had to resign from the alliance government last year.



The development also dashes the hopes of the Khandesh strong man of making a comeback to the government when Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis undertakes the much-awaited expansion and reshuffle of his council-of-ministers.



A six-time MLA, Khadse enjoyed the No.2 position in the government and handled nine portfolios including revenue, excise and minority affairs but had to resign amidst charges of corruption.



The direction came from a division bench comprising justice BR Gavai and justice MS Karnik while hearing of PIL filed by activist Anjali Damania.



"Could this court justify in closing its eye to the serious allegations made against persons holding public office? If we find that the state has taken requisite steps, the court may not find it necessary to continue the PIL. But if we find that the state has failed to take necessary steps, we will have to ask why this court must remain a silent spectator to serious allegations made against Khadse," said justice Gavai.



Khadse's counsel Darius Khambata has told the court that the PIL needs to be "thrown out" as the petitioners were not bonafide.



"Damania and three other petitioners were members of AAP earlier and one petitioner Gajanan Malpure is a member of Shiv Sena. That have approached the court to extract a political revenge," he said.



The counsel for the petitioners, Mihir Desai said that Damania and others had resigned long before the PIL was filed while Malpure has moved the court as a concerned citizen," he said.




Three doctors have been removed and five have been suspended for deaths of more than 90 newborns in MG hospital in Banswara district of Rajasthan in last two months.



The suspension orders were released on Monday evening after the second team of doctors sent by health minister Kalicharan Saraf went there on Sunday to probe in the deaths. According to report hospital staff too has been held responsible for the negligence in the care of new borns.



The team comprises of six doctors, including three gynaecologists  Dr Radha Rastogi, Dr Bharti Beelwal and Dr Priyanka Joshi and three paediatricians Dr Pradeep Meena, Dr Rajendra Chandel and Dr Sanjay  from Udaipur's government-run medical college, said Anand Kumar, principal secretary of medical education.



"The district hospital recorded the deaths of 90 newborns in July and August," Chief Medical and Health Officer, Banswara, Dr H L Tabiyar told media. He said several of them died due to birth asphyxia but an exact number of those who perished because of this reason will be known after an investigation. Birth asphyxia is a medical condition resulting from deprivation of oxygen to a newborn during the birth process.



The casualties were reported from the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) of the hospital in Banswara, which is nearly 500 km from the state capital Jaipur. According to MG hospital's report, from 20 deaths at the SNCU ward in April and 18 in May, the figure rose to 26 in June, 50 in July but downed to 40 in August.



The report also shows that the number of deaths of underweight children, too, has increased significantly-- from 6 in April and 4 in May to 14 in July and 20 in August.



The report comes close on the death of dozens of children at a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur amid allegations that the newborns had died due to snapped oxygen supply over unpaid bills.


Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is all set to embark on a week-long visit to the US from Saturday to interact with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs working in the field of artificial intelligence.



The Congress believes that artificial intelligence is the next big thing in the field of information technology after the software revolution and wants to understand the intricacies of the sector where India could make rapid strides.



During his visit, Rahul is also scheduled to deliver an address at the University of California, Berkeley on Monday next at an event organised by Institute of International Studies and the Institute for South Asia Studies.



At the event 'India at 70: Reflections on the Path Forward', Rahul is expected to present his views on the path forward for the world's largest democracy.



At Berkeley, Rahul would follow in the footsteps of his great grandfather and India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who had delivered a historic speech at the University of California in 1949.



While most of the events have been organised in consultation with Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the Overseas Congress, party sources said that former prime minister late Rajiv Gandhi's friends in the Silicon Valley also took the initiative to invite Rahul to acquaint himself with the emerging frontiers in information technology.



The Congress vice president returned from a visit to Norway on Saturday where he held discussions with political leaders, businessmen and research institutions.



A section within the Congress has questioned the timing of Rahul's foreign visits which coincide with the crucial elections to Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Rahul could not attend RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's 'BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao' rally as well as a farmers' rally organised by the Gujarat unit of the Congress in the run-up to the elections.



On Monday, Rahul was in Gujarat to launch the party's campaign for the year-end assembly elections. He is also expected to meet disgruntled leaders from Bihar and attend a farmers' rally in Parbhani in Maharashtra on Friday.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), probing terror funding to Kashmiri separatists and militants, has summoned High Court Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom to "answer some questions" related to the case.



The NIA issued summon to the president of the pro-separatist Bar on Monday for an appearance at its Delhi headquarters on Wednesday for questioning. The summon was delivered to his house by the agency. According to the summon, a copy of which lies with DH, Qayoom will be posted "certain questions" relating to case RC 10/2017/ NIA/DLI, 120B, 121, 121A of IPC and 134, 16, 17,18,20, 38, and 40 of UA(P) Act.



Sources told Deccan Herald that Qayoom's name cropped up during the interrogation of some of those arrested by the anti-terror probe agency earlier. The Bar president, who is considered close to Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Geelani, was arrested by the police during 2010 unrest and jailed for several months for his "anti-national activities."



"Qayoom has been openly delivering anti-India lecturers within and outside the High Court in Srinagar and has been categorised by the police as a trouble organiser. The NIA has started to probe his finances as the pro-Pak lawyer and his close relatives have amassed a huge wealth the last two decades," they revealed.



The NIA is probing alleged funding of terror and subversive activities in Kashmir Valley. The premier probe agency has so far arrested seven separatist leaders, including Geelani's son-in-law and a renowned Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali in the case. They were arrested on charges of receiving funds to "create unrest" in Kashmir.



The NIA has also questioned dozens of people, including Geelani's sons-Nayeem and Naseem in Delhi in its effort to unearth the scam. The probe agency also questioned Faheem Ali, a Deputy Superintendent of Police who was personal security officer of moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.



Meanwhile, as the news about the summons to Qayoom spread, lawyers across the Valley suspended work and decided to stay away from the courts on Tuesday as well.
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Legend Holdings Corp, parent company of the world's biggest PC maker Lenovo Group Ltd, reached an agreement on Friday to buy 90 percent of Banque Internationale a Luxembourg (BIL) for 1.48 billion euros (US$1.76 billion), Reuters reported.

It marks the biggest takeover of a European deposit-taking bank by a Chinese firm so far, as well as Legend's biggest overseas acquisition.

Legend said the acquisition is being made through its Hong Kong subsidiary Beyond Leap Limited.

Reuters reported in July that Legend was in talks with Precision Capital to buy a 90 percent stake in BIL. The remaining 10 percent is owned by the Luxembourg government.

Founded in 1856, BIL is the oldest private bank in Luxembourg. It employs more than 2,000 people globally and, as of the end of 2016, managed a total of 37.7 billion euro in assets.

The deal is an important strategic investment for Legend. Financial services is one of the key target industries for the company, Legend Chairman Liu Chunzhi said.

Liu said that Legend planned to support BIL and its current management, and build BIL into a Luxembourg-based international bank.

The deal, which has to obtain approvals from regulators including the European Central Bank and Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.

Legend said the company hoped to expand its financial sector layout in Europe through the deal, and provide services to enterprises participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to BIL's annual report, its net profit fell to 110 million euros in 2016 from 134 million euros in 2015, partly due to write-downs and restructuring expenses.
Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who were recently appointed election in-charge and co in-charge respectively for Karnataka BJP, on Monday took stock of the political situation in the state and the partys poll preparedness.



It was their first visit to the state after BJP president Amit Shah assigned them the new responsibility.



The duo participated in the meeting of the partys core-committee, which is the highest decision-making body, followed by political affairs committee comprising senior leaders of the state unit.



According to sources, Javadekar and Goyal reviewed the plan of the state unit to strengthen the partys political activity at the grassroots ahead of the Assembly polls. Prime on the agenda of the party is to strengthen booth-level committees.



The party has decided to take out Nava Karnataka Parivartan Ratha Yatra to expose the misdeeds of the Siddaramaiah government. The two-month yatra, which is likely to be inaugurated either by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Shah will crisscross all the 224 Assembly constituencies in the state.



Javadekar is learnt to have told state leaders that they should not use their influence to get ticket to their supporters to contest the polls. A final decision on issue of tickets will be taken by Shah, based on candidates image, reputation and winnability in consultation with the state BJP leadership and RSS. The state leaders also briefed the Union Ministers about the partys Mangaluru Chalo bike rally starting from September 5, seeking dismissal of Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai. The party has charged Rai with supporting anti-social elements involved in the killing of RSS and BJP functionaries.



Speaking to reporters, Javadekar said his interaction with the state leaders had been cordial. I am confident that the anti-farmer, anti-people, anti-democratic government led by Siddaramaiah will be thrown out lock, stock and barrel in the Assembly polls, he said. Javadekar and Goyal were felicitated by BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizer Ananth Kumar and others.
The Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association (BTTOA) has opposed the compulsory fitment of FASTag and expressed concern over the impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST).



In a letter to the Joint Secretary (Transport), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi, BTTOA president Radhakrishna Holla has cited two reasons to seek exemption of taxis from compulsory fitment of FASTag, a barcode device that helps automatic payment at toll gates.



It is economically unviable for fleet operators to deposit a huge amount in advance as there is no clarity on which vehicles cross toll plazas regularly, the letter says.



Another reason for exemption is the absence of a physical receipt, which is necessary for taxi operators. Operators will receive payments against expenses incurred on behalf of the clients on account of toll tax and other taxes only on production of physical receipt. Since FASTag does away with receipts, it will create problems with payments and reimbursements, it adds.



Holla said the transport associations welcome use of digital systems to improve travel experience but the government should look at the feasibility.



FASTag should be voluntary. The government should think of the ability of citizens to adapt to such measures. Otherwise, these measures will kill conventional operators, leaving only IT-enabled big companies, he said.



Problems in the system have led to chaos at many toll plazas, including the one at the airport. Sound infrastructure is needed for such systems to function smoothly, he said.



In FASTag method, there is no immediate proof of payment. Our clients will not have time for getting a printout of SMS or emails. Consequently, they will start avoiding us, he added.
The water level in Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, which was hovering around 99 ft for a couple of days, crossed the 100-ft mark, on Monday.



The water level of the dam was 100.20 ft on Monday evening. The inflow was 9,853 cusecs and outflow 6,000 cusecs.



There has been an increase of seven feet of water in the KRS dam in the last seven days, due to heavy rain in the Cauvery basin districts.



The water level in the dam on the corresponding day, last year, was 93.44 ft.



Farmers have now urged the government to release water to Visvesvaraya canal to facilitate agricultural activities. Pointing out that the KRS dam has reached the 100-ft mark, the farmers have requested that they should be allowed to grow at least one crop this season.



A few farmers leaders said water has already been released into canals for 20 days, but as there was a condition that sugarcane and paddy should not be grown, farmers had not taken up sowing.



Now, with the water level crossing the 100-ft mark in KRS dam, they should be allowed to grow one crop, they demanded.
The police have tightened security in communally sensitive areas of Bengaluru and Mangaluru following denial of permission for the BJP to take out a bike rally from the capital to the coastal Dakshina Kannada district on Tuesday.



Bengaluru city police commissioner T Sunil Kumar has clamped prohibitory orders under Section 35 of the Karnataka Police Act 1963 for three days. We have denied the permission keeping public safety and security in mind, Kumar told DH.



A BJP delegation had submitted a petition to DCP (West) M N Anuchet seeking permission for taking out the bike rally from Freedom Park.



We had directed them to furnish details of riders participating in the rally such as their names, age, driving licence and documents related to bikes. The police did not receive any response from the the delegation which was primary reason for denying the permission, the commissioner added.



The police top brass said that the bike rally would result in a lot of inconvenience to the public.



Traffic problems will shoot up suddenly, while schoolchildren face hardship. The rally and its subsequent congestion will adversely affect elderly people and women, he said.



The police have tightened security in and around communally sensitive areas. Senior officers have been directed to intensify patrolling besides monitoring security situation personally. There would be additional deployment at all public facilities to thwart any attempt by miscreants to destroy them. The police may taken miscreants and anti-social elements into preventive custody.



In Mangaluru



Similar measures have been taken in the Mangaluru also. A company of RAF has arrived Mangaluru. In addition, 10 platoons of KSRP and City Armed Reserve Police personnel have been deployed. Apart from this, 100 police personnel from outside the district have also been deployed said the city police commissioner T R Suresh.



Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police C H Sudheer Kumar Reddy said that about 15 platoons of KSRP and over 600 additional police personnel have been deployed across Dakshina Kannada district for security.
The Congress government and the Opposition BJP appear set for a showdown as the saffron party is firm on taking out its Mangaluru Chalo bike rally from five districts across the State, starting Tuesday.



Bengaluru City Police has refused permission for the rally and imposed prohibitory orders for three days under the Karnataka Police Act. The police tightened security in and around sensitive and hyper sensitive areas.



The Dakshina Kannada police and Mangaluru City Police Commissioner have also declined permission for the rally being organised by BJP Yuva Morcha to protest the killing of RSS activists and BJP functionaries. Besides Dakshina Kannada, permission has also been denied for the rally in Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts coming under the western range.



The morcha has also sought the dismissal of Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai, accusing him of backing anti-social elements involved in the killings.



The Morcha proposes to launch the rally in Bengaluru (to be flagged off by party state president B S Yeddyurappa at Freedom Park) and Hubballi on Tuesday. On Wednesday, similar rallies will be taken out from Shivamogga, Mysuru and Chikkamagaluru.



The rallyists will converge for a protest meeting at the Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru on September 7.



Mangaluru City Police Commissioner T R Suresh said, Mangaluru is a communally sensitive region. Keeping in mind law and order and the interest of the general public, permission has been denied for the proposed bike rally on September 7.



In Bengaluru, BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar, K S Eshwarappa and R Ashoka met Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy to seek permission for the rally.



Reddy, much to the chagrin of the BJP leaders, washed his hands off the issue saying the police of the districts from where the rallies were planned were the competent authorities to grant permission.



BJP firm



Not willing to relent, the BJP leaders told the media that they would ensure the success of the rally. The onus of preventing untoward incidents was on the state government, they said.



Admitting that he had told the BJP leaders to seek permission from the respective superintendents and commissioners of the five districts, the Home minister said, nevertheless, he had advised the BJP not to hold the bike rally.



I advised them not to hold the bike rally as it might lead to severe traffic jams and accidents. I also told them to restrict their protest rally to Mangaluru, he added.



Speaking to DH, Shettar termed Reddys statements irresponsible. He should behave like a Home minister. Instead of assuring us protection during the rally, he is pointing fingers towards the local police.



Samarasya Nadige



Meanwhile, Rai told reporters that he would be leading a Samarasya Nadige from Farangipete to Mani in Mangaluru on September 12. He said everybody, except those involved in political murders like the BJP, Sangh Parivar, SDPI and PFI, were welcome to participate in the peace march.



This march is seen as a counter to BJPs rally.
Progressive Seers Forum began a three-day protest at Freedom Park here on Monday, seeking the state government to convene a special legislature session to discuss and pass the Karnataka Prevention of Superstitious Practices Bill.



The Forum has been protesting against anti-social rituals over the last six years and has been demanding implementation of the recommendations of the bill. But the government has ignored the protests. The government shouldnt test our patience as there is a limit to our patience. We are ready for any sort of protest, Nidumamidi Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swami, president of the Forum said.



He warned that the Forum would rope in intellectuals, writers, progressive thinkers and pontiffs to intensify the protest if the government did not take a specific decision in this regard in three days.



The bill bans rituals such as Made Snana, but not Pankthi Bheda and Ede Snana. Astrology and Vaastu should be brought under Consumer Forum jurisdiction to end exploitation of gullible people, he stated.



The seer alleged that rumours were being spread that protest targetted a particular religion its gods and practises.



We are not worried about criticism against our efforts. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah personally favours the bill. But he is silenced by a section of his Cabinet colleagues, he said.



Over 50 people, including freedom fighter H S Doreswamy, writer Baragur Ramachnadrappa and former minister B T Lalitha Naik participated in the rally on Monday.






The High Court on Monday ordered notice to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a petition seeking direction to the RBI to exchange demonetised notes which were stolen and later recovered.



Hearing a petition filed by the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited (Campco), Justice A S Bopanna also ordered notice to the Birur police.

The petitioner had filed a police complaint as Rs 2.5 lakh was stolen from its treasury by five staff members.



The police had seized the amount and solved the case. The petitioner approached the lower court for the return of the seized amount, but the plea was rejected. Later, the high court directed the police to hand over the money to the petitioner. The petitioner has moved the court again as RBI rejected its plea to exchange the old notes.



RBI said it would consider exchanging the notes only if the police have mentioned the serial numbers of the notes during mahazar and if the same serial numbers are mentioned in the courts order copy.



RBI had set a deadline of June 30, 2017, to exchange old currency notes. The petitioner contended that the condition of the RBI has not been fulfilled as the police have not mentioned the serial numbers of the old notes during the mahazar. The judged ordered notices and adjourned the hearing.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has claimed that the pollution level in Bellandur lake has come down because of heavy rain in the last two weeks.



KSPCBs claim, however, is countered by residents. They say there is an increase in froth after every rain. According to a senior KSPCB official, the presence of potassium nitrate and sodium in the most polluted and largest waterbody has come down because of rain. A fortnight ago, when we assessed the level of potassium nitrate, it was 35 to 40 ppm (parts per matter), but now it has come down to 4 to 5 ppm. The drop is because of the rain. Each time it rains, fresh water enters the lake, diluting the pollutants and washing them downstream. This is a natural cycle in all lakes, he said.



KSPCB has been given the task of preparing a report on the water quality of the 910-acre waterbody. It is regularly assessing the water quality to submit the findings to the National Green Tribunal at the next hearing on September 8. KSPCB is said to be under pressure from the government to submit a positive progressive report to NGT.



Nearly 40% of citys waste water flows into Bellandur lake. On an average, each person lets out 5 to 10 gm of detergent every day in the form of soap, shampoo, cleaner and oil. If 5 gm is multiplied by 40 lakh citizens, it leads to frothing. This is what is visible to the people. But it is only on the surface and in small quantity. Now, due to rain, it is getting cleared naturally, he said.



But citizens believe otherwise. We live around the lake and we know how polluted it is. The stench and the froth during evening and morning hours are intolerable. Frothing increases each time it rains. The polluted water overflows from the lake on to the roads, said Sidharth K, a resident.



Sonali Singh, a member of Citizen Watch Group, said the froth rises up and the stink is very bad, because effluents mix with lake water even more in the rain.


The High Court of Karnataka on Monday commuted death penalty to life imprisonment to four Dandupalya gang members.



A division bench comprising Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice John Michael Cunha passed an order commuting the death sentence issued to gang members Venkatesh, Munikrishna, Nalla Thimma and Lakshmi.



The gang members were accused of murdering Sudhamani, a resident of Moodalapalya in Vijayanagar and stealing valuables from her house in October 1999. While the case of theft was proved, the prosecution could not provide evidence that it was the same gang which had murdered Sudhamani. Due to lack of evidence in the murder case, the bench commuted the sentencing in the matter.



The notorious Dandupalya gang is involved in a series of thefts and murders.


The Supreme Court on Monday slammed a top official of a Bengaluru-based software company for filing a frivolous plea to challenge a Karnataka High Court order that had quashed his complaint of caste abuse against superiors. The high court had noted that he never raised any allegations until three female employees made sexual harassment charges against him.



This is an absolutely frivolous petition and abuse of the process of law, a bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit observed, dismissing a petition filed by Ramesh Chelliah, who worked as director of engineering at Bengaluru-based Ensemble Engineering Adva IT Solutions Pvt Ltd.



He had challenged the March 15 judgement of the high court that had quashed the criminal proceedings initiated by a sessions court under the provisions of the the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.



The high court had noted that the complaint filed by Chelliah before the sessions judge was false, malafide and ulteriorly motivated.



Sunil Menon, vice president, and Ashok Waddodagi, senior manager of the company had approached the high court, contending on July 12, last year, the women employees had complained of sexual harassment by Chelliah.



The matter was referred to an independent committee



However, on August 11, 2016, Chelliah sent legal notice to them alleging discrimination and unfair treatment on account of his caste. Afterwards, he filed a complaint under the SC & ST (POA) Act.



In their plea, they denied all allegations as absurd and inherently improbable. They submitted that Chelliah was appointed on Februrary, 2014 as director of engineering on a salary of Rs 46,80,000 per annum, which was enhanced to Rs.62,08,119 per annum in March.


Four families of the Krishna Northwoods Villa near Chokkanahalli, Hegde Nagar, in Bengaluru North spent a sleepless night on Sunday after the compound wall of an adjoining farm collapsed due to downpour.



It was around 3.30 am when gated villa community realised the wall had collapsed. Immediately they vacated the building. Kitchen utensils in four affected villas were damaged in the incident.



Shekar, a resident of Krishna Northwoods Villa, said, We were jolted out of our sleep when we heard a loud thud at 3.30 am. Soon, we found out that the kitchen wall and a portion of the ceiling collapsed, damaging the utensils. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident. Also, snakes and insects, along with rainwater, entered the house from the nearby farms.



Residents expressed their anguish against the builder for constructing the compound wall using substandard materials.



Bharathi, who has been living in the Northwoods Villa for the last five years, said, In the last two weeks, we had faced a lot of problems due to heavy showers. We had a tough time in removing the rainwater from the house. Now, our kitchen has been damaged beyond repair in the compound wall collapse. The wall collapse exposed the substandard construction by the builders who make lofty claims about the quality and safety measures adhered to while selling the houses/villas.



Meanwhile, the builder, Jayaram, has a different take on the wall collapse. Huge volume of rainwater was accumulated near compound due to rampant encroachment of Rajakaluve. It has posed a hurdle to smooth flow of rainwater from the farms nearby. This resulted in accumulation of rainwater near the compound. The wall eventually caved in on Sunday night.



Residents of Purvankara Apartment in Chokkanahalli stayed wide awake through the night, thanks to an overflowing stormwater drain in the neighborhood which left their basement flooded.



Trouble began when the common wall separating the apartment and the drain collapsed due to the downpour, inundating the basement, where 10 four-wheelers and 6 two-wheelers were submerged in muddy water.



As if this wasnt enough, at 3.30 am the apartment plunged into darkness after a transformer suffered extensive damage, said Ankitha, a resident of the apartment.



Residents protest



Fed up with the apathy of BBMP and inundation of water inside their homes again, residents of Fathima Layout in Thanisandra, North Bengaluru, staged a protest on Monday morning by blocking the road.



For the past 20 years, we have been facing a lot of problems during the rainy season. The authorities have been of no help. We complain to the BBMP every year, but nothing has been done, hence today we protested against the authorities, said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a resident of Fathima Layout.


By Sou

1 September 2017

(HotWhopper)  Science deniers were so put out by the deadly rains from Hurricane Harvey that they lost their sense of sight. Now we cant say that Hurricane Harvey caused climate science deniers, theyve existed since we changed climate in a big way. We can say that Hurricane Harvey hasnt improved them.Joe Bastardi, a science denying weather forecaster, got all excited and wrote a dumb article that was copied and pasted in the deniosphere. Danny Hayes first alerted us here at HotWhopper. It took some time before it was copied and pasted at WUWT (archived here). It was in response to an article in The Guardian, by Professor Michael Mann. The Guardian article had the following:

In case youre a science denier, let me repeat that headline and sub-head: Its a fact: climate change made Hurricane Harvey more deadlyWe cant say that Hurricane Harvey was caused by climate change. But it was certainly worsened by it In the article, Professor Mann explains why the flooding from Harvey was worsened: Sea level rise  partly from climate change and partly from subsidence

Higher sea surface temperatures meant more moisture in the atmosphere

Higher sub-surface sea temperatures gave even more fuel to Harvey []

A strawman from Joe Bastardi and Anthony Watts Joe Bastardi and Anthony Watts decided to build a strawman. The ludicrous nature of their attempt was immediately apparent. Youll recall how the Guardian article had in the sub-headline and the article, that We cant say that Hurricane Harvey was caused by climate change. So what was Anthony and Joes headline? Look and see.

Michael Manns claims that Harvey was caused by global warming are destroyed by an operational meteorologist

Michael Mann specifically wrote that we cant say that (its an ill-posed question). Not only did Anthony and Joe base their article on a lie of a strawman, they even had evidence their article was a lie, right up top. The article even had a picture of the Guardian headline that showed that Anthony and Joe had built a strawman:

The really strange thing is that Joe Bastardi put up a quote from Michael Mann, then proceeded to say that what he wrote was wrong, while simultaneously showing that what Professor Mann wrote was right. [more]

Hurricane Harvey did not Cause Climate Deniers, but it certainly Made Them Worse
By Amy Davidson Sorkin

29 August 2017

(The New Yorker)  You are special! President Donald Trump said, to the thousand or so people who had gathered on Tuesday morning outside a firehouse in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was meeting with officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, and several members of the Texas congressional delegation. The rain brought in by Hurricanenow Tropical StormHarvey, was still falling in Houston; as Trump spoke, the level crept up toward fifty inches, and past the record for the continental United States, set forty years ago; before nightfall, it would pass fifty-one inches. The Washington Post quoted experts who estimated that the amount of water dumped on the city and the surrounding area was nearly nineteen times the daily discharge of the Mississippi. Hundreds of thousands of people may lose their homes; only about a fifth of the households in Houston have flood insurance. By Tuesday evening, thirty per cent of Harris County was underwater. But President Trump had a different metric in mind: What a crowd, what a turnout! he said, standing on a truck outside the firehouse. Then someone handed him a Texas state flag, and he waved it.The problem is not that President Trump does not realize that Harvey is huge; a number of his tweets on the storm have contained the word Wow, and he called it epic and historic, adding that Texas can handle anything! But the enormity of the situation does not seem to have organized his thoughts beyond declarations of how it will be matched by the greatness of his Administration and its allies. On the flight to Texas, on Tuesday morning, he had retweeted a message from Brazoria County, which consisted of a red box containing the words notice: The Levee at Columbia Lakes has been breached!! get out now!! Get out to where? What are the practical consequences of a breach? Trump didnt say. (Vox has a more technical breakdown of the levee situation.) []What will be harder is persuading not only Trump but the Republican Party that Harvey has a reality that reaches beyond the borders of this storm, and involves major policy issues. Both Senators Cruz and Cornyn voted against a major emergency-relief bill allocating funds for rebuilding and recovery after Superstorm Sandy. Cruz, in particular, has misrepresented that bills contents and its purpose, saying that two-thirds of the money in it wasnt really related to Sandy but was, rather, pork and other wasteful government spending. (Glenn Kessler, the Washington Posts fact checker, gave Cruz three Pinocchios for that.) Cruz and others, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, also complained that the bill wasnt really for emergency spending because it covered things like improving forecasts and repairing damaged infrastructure in a way that protected it against the next storm. This time, for the congressional Republicans, as much as for Trump, the emergency cant stop when the rain does. []Is there a chance that sitting in a control center in Austin is going to persuade Trump that climate change is not a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese? Or that it will make him rethink pulling the United States out of the Paris agreement? Here the problem is not just Trump, or his tweets, or his seriousness. The leaders of the Republican Partyalong with too many other Americanscontinue to deny what has become obvious: that, although it is hard to connect climate change to any one storm, climate change has increased, and will continue to increase, the number of extreme weather events. [more]
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of BRICS Business Forum. [Xinhua]

The annual BRICS summit, hosted by China in Xiamen on September 3-5, is the second major international event in China this year to focus on issues confronting developing economies, following the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing in May.

President Xi Jinping, in his speech to the BRICS Business Forum before the summit opening, clearly outlined why China is placing so much emphasis on what is popularly known as "South-South cooperation."

Xi noted that "through ten years' development, the BRICS countries have become a new highlight of the world economy," and expected them to continue to play a decisive role: "It is time to set sail on the rising tide. Going forward, BRICS countries have major tasks to accomplish  to grow their economies and create a second golden decade' of cooperation."

This strong focus by China on initiatives involving developing countries reflects changes taking place in the world economy. As Xi Jinping emphasized economic development remains the foundation of BRICS: "Economic cooperation is the foundation of the BRICS mechanism.  This year BRICS countries have made progress in the operation of the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement and in e-commerce, trade and investment facilitation, trade in services, local currency bond issuance, scientific and technological innovation."

To accurately assess this increasing weight within the world economy of initiatives involving developing economies, and more specifically BRICS, it is useful to use the IMF's projections for the current five-year growth in the world economy up to 2021. Use of this IMF data does not necessarily imply accepting that all the details of the forecast are correct. But:

The IMF is a bastion of Western economic orthodoxy and therefore cannot be accused of producing data artificially favoring China or BRICS.

As will be analyzed, the BRICS economies are so large, and their dynamics so well defined, that in most cases the broad parameters of their impact on world growth are unlikely to be affected by any plausible divergences from IMF forecasts.

The concentration of the world economy

To analyze the overall significance of BRICS it is necessary to grasp the concentration of the world economy in a few countries. Politically, and in terms of respect of course, the foundation of China's foreign policy is that the more than 200 countries in the world should be treated on the basis of "equality and mutual benefit."

This corresponds to China's fundamental foreign policy concept of a "community of common destiny." Nevertheless, in economic terms the world is highly concentrated, which explains the decisive role of BRICS as the most important organization of developing economies.

 In 2016, at current exchange rates, a mere five economies accounted for 54 percent of global GDP, and 20 economies for over 80 percent.

 Measured in purchasing power parity (PPP) the top five economies accounted for 48 percent of world GDP and the top 20 economies for 76 percent.

 Economic growth is more concentrated still. The IMF projects that the majority of world economic growth in the coming five years will be accounted for by only three countries  China, the U.S. and India. They will account for 54 percent of world growth measured at current exchange rates and 52 percent measured under the PPP formula. China and India are BRICS members and only the U.S. is within the G7 group of advanced economies.

Speed of development

This fact that a very small number of very large states dominate the global economy is crucial because it removes misunderstandings concerning BRICS and their significance. The original term BRIC was put forward by Jim O'Neill, then Chief Economist of Goldman Sachs. Others, wrongly believing that the global impact of O'Neill's term was merely an example of his skill in coining a good name, have made attempts to propose other groups of economies to replace the original term. All they failed for reasons that became clear as the real significance of BRICS was understood.

The reason no other acronym has emerged successfully is that, whether other developing economies grow rapidly or not, the reality is they are too small to decisively affect the course of the global economy. For example, an attempt was made to popularize "MINT" (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey). But in the next five years, even measured in PPP terms, the MINT economies on IMF projections will account for only 6.4 percent of world growth compared to around 50 percent for BRICS.

Table 1 shows that the role of the BRICS economies is now significantly more important for world growth than the G7.

 Measured at current exchange rates, the IMF calculates that BRICS economies will account for 38 percent of world growth during the five-year period 2016-2021, compared to 30 percent for the G7.

 In PPP terms, the BRICS economies will account for 45 percent of world growth and the G7 for 20 percent.

Therefore, no matter how measured, the BRICS economies are a much more powerful locomotive of world growth than the G7  entirely in line with the assessment made by President Xi that: "BRICS cooperation has now reached a crucial stage of development."

Table 1

Contribution to World Growth 2016-2021  IMF Projection Current $ Exchange Rate PPPs % of World Growth Rank in Contribution to World Growth % of World Growth Rank in Contribution to World Growth BRICS Brazil 3.8% 4 1.6% 8 Russia 1.6% 11 1.9% 7 India 6.6% 3 13.6% 2 China 25.7% 1 27.0% 1 South Africa 0.4% 37 0.4% 35 BRICS total 38.1% 44.5% G7 US 21.7% 2 11.1% 3 Japan 1.6% 10 2.0% 5 Germany 1.8% 8 2.0% 6 UK 0.8% 20 1.5% 10 France 1.4% 13 1.5% 12 Italy 0.6% 28 0.9% 20 Canada 1.6% 11 0.9% 19 G7 total 29.5% 19.9% BRICS + G7 BRICS + G7 total 67.6% 63.4% Source: Calculated from IMF World Economic Outlook April 2017

Thus, the large size of the BRICS economies, their scale of contribution to world economic growth, gives added weight to key initiatives of the BRICS such as the New Development Bank  still better known under its original title of BRICS Development Bank.

It is clear, therefore, BRICS is not an exclusive organization but a core around which joint initiatives of developing economies can be developed. As President Xi put it: We should get more emerging markets and developing countries involved in our concerted endeavors for cooperation and mutual benefits. BRICS places high premium on cooperation with [them] and has established effective dialogue mechanisms with them [We] should promote the BRICS Plus approach to build an open and diversified network of development partners.

John Ross, Senior Fellow, Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/johnross.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.


The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was a good phone, at least until it started exploding. Samsung apologised, went back to the drawing board and come up with a brand new Note. The company has been very cautious this year and the new Galaxy Note 8 is somewhat restrained in terms of battery life, but besides that it has the same DNA. We had the chance to check out the phone at IFA earlier today and the Note 8 is poised to make up for the year-long gap left by the Note 7. The phone has a higher price tag than all its predecessors, but if you want a stylus with your smartphone and want it to perform flawlessly, this is your (only) option.

The first thing one would notice about the phone is the large 6.3-inch AMOLED display, which in its 2K glory is about 0.5-inches larger in size compared to the Note 7. Still, with the shrunken down bezels and new design, the Note 8 is just a hair bigger than the last model. One actually feels the difference once you hold the device in your hand. Even with a 6.3-inch display in place, the phone was easily grippable in one hand. Although, to use the Note you would be required to use both hands, as the overall form factor is still large.

While to some, the phone may look like a larger version of the Samsung Galaxy S8+, which is not completely wrong, the Note 8 does feel different when held. The main differentiating factor is the included stylus, that supports even more points of pressure now, according to Samsung, and a better tip. The stylus allows Note 8 users take notes and send live messages, but besides that the functionality is pretty much the same as we have seen on previous Note devices. With the new Note, one can also take notes while the display is off and Samsung allows up to 100 pages with the Note 8.

The other big feature for the Note 8 are two cameras on the back. The two 12MP sensors have an aperture of f/1.7 and both are optically stabilised. This means that the Note can now offer the regular 2X optical zoom, bokeh effect (Samsung calls it Live focus) and something called the dual capture mode, which takes the same image twice from both cameras. The front facing selfie camera also gets an f/1.7 aperture, promising better low light selfies.

There is no point talking about the performance of the device as this the companys flagship and all we can really say is that the phone was buttery smooth in the little time we used it. What we should talk about is the battery, which at 3300mAh is even smaller than the one used on the Samsung Galaxy S8+. While the chips running the phone remain the same (Exynos 8895), the larger screen size may hurt battery life. The Note 8 is also slightly thicker and Samsung could have put in a bigger battery, but the company may just be playing it safe this time. However, if that leads to shorter battery life, then Samsung has more criticism to deal with
The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 will be made official at an event in China on September 11. The handset is expected to sport an all screen design and could be thinner than its predecessor.

Xiaomi's upcoming Mi Mix 2 could become the first smartphone to feature Qualcomm's updated Snapdragon 836 chipset. The company has confirmed via Weibo that it will announce the Mi Mix 2 at an event in China on September 11. The Mi Mix 2 will also be designed by French designer Philippe Starck and is expected to sport even thinner bezels than its predecessor.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 has been part of multiple leaks in the past and this is the first time we are hearing about the use of the Snapdragon 836 processor. Earlier reports suggested that Google's 2017 Pixel lineup could be the first to get the updated processors. Qualcomm is yet to officially announce the new mobile platform but GizChina has obtained a screenshot revealing the use of Snapdragon 836.

The screenshot also shows the handset will sport a 6.2-inch display with Quad HD+ resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels. Xiaomi recently signed a deal with Samsung to use the latter's Super AMOLED display on its smartphones. The display on Xiaomi's Mi Mix 2 could be the same as the one found on Samsung's Galaxy S8+.

The leaked image also shows the smartphone to be running Android 8.0 Oreo with MIUI 9 skinned on top. It remains to be seen whether Xiaomi announces the device with Android 8.0 Oreo or sticks with Android 7.0 Nougat. Furthermore, the leak hints at the use of a 20MP camera unit and 4400mAh battery. The Mi Mix 2 is also expected to arrive with an option for 256GB internal storage.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix was announced last year in October and was one of the first devices to make edgeless design mainstream among smartphone makers. In the past year, Samsung and LG have adopted a similar design language and with the Mi Mix 2, Xiaomi is expected to further trim the bezels. Apple is also expected to announce a redesigned iPhone with an edge-to-edge display on September 12 and with Mi Mix 2 arriving a day earlier, it remains to be seen whether Xiaomi steals the thunder from Cupertino giant.
With 'fifth freedom', Scoot offers India-Denmark for Rs12,000

International air fares from India are set to get more competitive with the debut of Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary Scoot, which will offer a one-way trip on Mumbai-Copenhagen route for between Rs12,000 and Rs13,000, including 20 kg check-in baggage and a meal.

The airline owns "fifth freedom" rights that allow it to operate direct flights between India and Europe.

"Since we have fifth freedom, we can operate direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to destinations like Copenhagen, Vienna, Cairo and Manchester," Bharath Mahadevan, head of Scoot in India, told The Times of India.

"A return trip to Europe would cost around Rs26,000," said Mahadevan.

Indian low-cost carriers like SpiceJet and IndiGo are also likely to launch their first European long-haul flights to London-Gatwick, says the TOI report.

At present, no-halt flights to Europe cost around Rs45,000. Cheaper options available for transit flights with a stop in one of the Gulf countries.

With the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July, economy class air travel became cheaper with a tax rate of 5 per cent against the previous 6 per cent. However, business class tickets became more expensive as the tax went up from 9 per cent to 12 per cent.
Naveen Jindal, 4 others get bail in coal scam case

A court in Delhi today granted bail to former parliamentarian Naveen Jindal and others in connection with alleged irregularities pertaining to the Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar granted bail to Jindal along with former Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) advisor Anand Goel, Executive Director of raw materials D N Abrol, the then executive vice chairman and chief executive Vikrant Gujaral, aned former director (finance) Sushil Maroo.

The court has posted the matter for further hearing on 31 October.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 23 May filed a fresh chargesheet against Jindal and five others in connection with the alleged irregularities pertaining to the coal block. The accused appeared before the court after summonses were issued against them.

The CBI has charged the accused under sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy and cheating.

The chargesheet alleged that JSPL misrepresented before the coal ministry's screening committee the equipment purchase orders it had placed and land it claimed to have purchased.

The CBI alleged that the accused cheated the ministry and got a wrongful gain and pecuniary advantage.

Naveen Jindal is also under trial in a case pertaining to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.
 Flash

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday night that Turkey should not become a number of the European Union (EU), but declined to close the door for Ankara.

"I don't see Turkey entering the European Union, I never did, it was different for the SPD however," said Merkel in the TV duel with her major election rival Martin Schulz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Merkel argued that the cease of the accession talks with Turkey can only be decided in the concert of the EU states.

"Such a step must be well considered," said the German chancellor.

Merkel said she did not want to break Germany's ties with Turkey or cease Turkey's opportunity to join the EU, as at least 50 percent Turkish people hope to join. The decision needs careful consideration.

Schulz said at the TV duel that if he becomes German Chancellor, he will stop accession talks with Turkey.
When he would think about what he wanted to be when he grew up, Zachary Greenwell normally wrote down professions that helped others.

He said he would consider joining the military, becoming a police officer or firefighter, or even being an astronaut or pilot. There was another option that ran through his head: priest.

That was the path he chose, and it has led him to St. John Catholic Church in Enterprise. Greenwell, a native of the Montgomery area, became the head of the church on July 1. Greenwell also heads up the St. Mary parish in Geneva.

Greenwell said he had thoughts about joining the priesthood when he was 10 or 12 years old, but he did not being to put serious thought into it until the end of his high-school days.

I just started asking some of those, you know, lifes big questions and thought about what I wanted to do with my life, Greenwell said.

That continued throughout his first two years at Alabama, where he initially went after high school to study engineering. While there, he went to Mass several times a week, prayed frequently and still felt God tugging on his heart, he said. The priesthood kept coming up for him, so he finally decided to give it a try. Greenwell attended two years of seminary at St. John Vianney in St. Paul, Minnesota, followed by four years of theology at St. Meinrad in southern Indiana. Greenwell said he initially was not 100 percent sure during his time learning to be a priest, but he got more confident as he went along.

I felt like that was something I wanted to do and something that I felt like God wanted me to do, was calling me to, Greenwell said.

He was ordained as a priest in 2014 in Mobile. Greenwell then spent two years as associate pastor at St. Michael in Auburn and one year at St. Bede in Montgomery before coming to Enterprise.

Greenwell said being a priest can be a challenging, sacrificial life at times, but is also a good and rewarding life. He quoted Christ as saying whoever gives up their wife, home and riches for Him will receive a hundred fold in return.

Greenwell said St. John has about 600 registered families, while St. Mary has between 25-30 families. His churches have the Right of Christian Initiation for adults, which is a process for how people become Catholic. About 20 people are going through it in Enterprise and 10 are doing it in Geneva.

And again, a lot of more baptisms and weddings than funerals at this point, so theres definitely sort of a spirit of energy and excitement and growth, Greenwell said.
Main Street Eufaula brought home three award from the fourth annual Awards of Excellence ceremony that was hosted by Main Street Alabama.

Main Street Alabama celebrated the success of local programs during a ceremony that was held at the Sweetwater Depot in Florence on August 22, also the day that Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed as Main Street Alabama Day. The day recognized the efforts of the organization that is focused on creating jobs and keeping character in communities across the state.

During the Awards of Excellence program, Main Street Alabamas President and State Coordinator, Mary Helmer, honored 50 projects and individuals that have made tremendous impacts in their respective communities with one of Eufaulas own being honored in one section of the ceremony. Allie Corcoran, Barbour County Extension Coordinator with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, was named as a recipient of a Community Award for her work with the Farmers Market and helping to bring more visitors to the downtown area. Other awards received by Main Street Eufaula included Excellence in Promotion for the Leroy Brown Comes Home project and Excellence in Business Promotion for the Live Elf on the Shelf that was sponsored and initiated by First Exchange Bank.

Its an honor to recognize these outstanding community projects, leaders and volunteers, said Helmer. Todays award winners represent the most innovative downtown revitalization projects in our Main Street Alabama communities. These projects are truly charting new territory in downtown revitalization in Alabama. The effort and leadership it takes to move these projects from concept through completion is tremendous and we are thrilled to acknowledge such achievements. We are especially honored to be presenting these awards on the day Governor Ivey proclaimed Main Street Alabama Day.

The Awards of Excellence Banquet is a highlight of the aLABama Downtown Laboratory, a three-day conference that bolsters the efforts of communities participating in the nationally acclaimed Main Street program or those communities interested in downtown revitalization. The fourth annual event drew 133 community leaders from cities across the state. At the close of the conference, Eufaula was named as the next venue for the Main Street Alabama convention.

There are a lot of great changes and excitement in our downtown, so its very nice to be recognized for our efforts, commented Ann Sparks, Executive Director of Main Street Eufaula Inc,. about the awards the local program received. What is even better is the whole Main Street Alabama conference will be in Eufaula next yeartime to show the rest of the state our charm!

Main Street Alabama has 21 Designated Programs and 36 Downtown Network Communities. Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Birmingham, Columbiana, Decatur, Dothan, Elba, Eufaula, Florence, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Heflin, Jasper, Marion, Monroeville, Montevallo, Opelika, Oxford, Selma and Wetumpka each have Designated Programs and new communities will be added annually. Applications to become a Designated Program will be available in Spring 2018. Until then, communities interested in downtown revitalization can participate in Main Street Alabama's Downtown Network.

Main Street Alabama focuses on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabamas historic communities. Economic development is at the heart of our efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in Wiregrass Pride, a special print edition of the Dothan Eagle, Aug. 25.

For Sandra Hunt, homeschooling wasnt just something she wanted, it was also what her child wanted.

Hunt had already homeschooled her older children and had taken a break from homeschooling by going back to work. Hunts respite ended when her daughter asked to be homeschooled. Hunt said she knew her duty, and that after a few years back in the workforce she was also ready to get back to actively managing her childrens education.

Believe me, a job is a lot easier than homeschooling, she said.

Its difficult to determine how many children are homeschooled in Houston County. Education experts estimate that about 3 percent of school-aged children nationwide  about 1.5 million kids - are homeschooled. The Dothan City Schools enrolls about 9,000 students, the Houston County Schools enrolls about 6,000, and about 2,400 students attend private school in the county. If nationwide trends hold true here, about 500 students in the county could be homeschooled.

There are a variety of reasons why parents choose to homeschool, such as religion, a stronger sense of family, a dislike for government regulation and curriculum or an escape from bullying. Every familys motivations are different, but most are united by the wish to do the best they can for their childrens education and development.

Homeschooling provides parents with greater control over what and how their children learn. Terri Gauldin, a local homeschool mom, said that because schools must deal with a variety of students, they often do not meet the specific needs of individuals. Gauldin said that by homeschooling her children, she was able to let them learn at their own pace, moving quickly through areas where they excelled and spending more time on subjects where they struggled.

Its a tailor-made education, she said.

Hunt said one of the motivations for homeschooling her children was a dislike for the testing-intense atmosphere of schools. Hunt said constant testing puts undue pressure on children and often inaccurately reflects their progress.

Religion plays a big role in why many parents choose to homeschool, particularly in devout areas like Alabama. Many parents here who homeschool their children believe religious instruction is an integral part of education and that public schools, which are not allowed to promote any particular religion, lack something important.

I want to teach them virtue, Tara Murphree said. The public schools have many good things, but theyre not allowed to teach virtue the way I can.

Relationships also play an important role in the reason why parents choose to homeschool. Murphree said that homeschooling her children has allowed her to spend time with them that she would not have if they were enrolled in public or private school.

You know theyre going to experience things in life, youre not sheltering them from anything, Murphree said. But you are there to guide them and walk beside them.

Homeschooling is no easy task, especially when parents are teaching children of differing age levels. Araceli Marchan-Million, a local homeschool mom, said she structures her day to provide lessons that children of differing ages can participate in, independent work that one age group can engage in while she teaches the other group and she also enlists the help of her older children in teaching their younger siblings.

Some days it can go from 0900 to 1700, she said. You have to take breaks during the day to let them regroup and to let yourself regroup.

Hunt and other homeschooling mothers said that the idea that homeschooling results in socially inept children is a bit of a myth. Homeschooling doesnt take place in isolation for most students, many are part of church groups and organizations that meet regularly. Many of the families interviewed for this story participate in such a group at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Hunt said meeting with other homeschool families allows the children to socialize with peers.

Million said that socialization with other children may be a bit overrated. She said that teaching children to communicate and socialize with adults is more important.

Theyre only going to be teenagers for a few years, she said. Theyre going to be adults for the rest of their lives. Whats more important? Learning how to socialize with teens or how to socialize with other adults? How to shake hands and introduce yourself.

Hunt said the meet-ups benefit parents by allowing them to share strategies and teaching methods and avoid getting burned out on homeschooling. Gauldin said that the informal support networks that parents build up among one another help provide parents with invaluable assistance, especially in situations where a parent may have to teach a subject in which he or she is not proficient.

Gauldin said parents will often swap, for example a parent with an affinity for algebra may teach the children of another parent who may have skills that the math whiz parent lacks.

Hunt said that online resources have been a tremendous asset to homeschool families. Hunt, who has been homeschooling her seven children for 23 years, said the availability of top quality instructors and lecturers online has vastly improved the support available to homeschool families. Hunt said that with the right resources and committed parents, students can receive as good an education at home as they can at nearly any school.

When my older children went from homeschool to public school, there was no change in their grades, she said.
Liz Hunt developed her love for fitness as a matter of survival.

Hunt, a retired Air Force technical sergeant, served for 15 years and six deployments. Hunt knew that keeping herself and her subordinates in good condition was essential for them to do their jobs and to handle dangers that arose. Her commitment served her well in 2007, when she was injured in a rocket attack and had to rehabilitate her knee after surgery.

Liz now hopes to share her enthusiasm for fitness with Dothan, and a grant from Anytime Fitness is helping her to do it. The gym company recently awarded Hunt a substantial grant to start her own Anytime Fitness franchise in Dothan as part of its Operation Heartfirst program.

The company and a nonprofit called Tee It Up for the Troops work together to provide a $125,000 grant and a $125,000 loan to veterans to start franchises. The Operation Heartfirst program helps one vet start a gym each year.

We didnt have to go into this with any capital of our own, she said.

Liz, who has a bachelors degree in physiology/kinesiology, worked at an Anytime Fitness location in North Dakota before her husband got orders to transfer to Dothan, where he works as an instructor pilot at Fort Rucker.

Lizs former employer urged her to check into the Operation Heartfirst program, which chooses a new location and solicits applications from local veterans each year. When she found out the location was Dothan, she knew it was a sign.

There were too many coincidences, she said. Clearly, this is Gods work.

Liz and Corey will co-own and manage the gym. The gym will be located in the storefront next to the movie theatre at the Dothan Pavilion. Liz plans to open the gym in January.

Im excited, Corey said. This is something shes wanted to do for a long time. Im happy to support her.

Liz said that her plan for the gym includes offering some services that may not be available at other local gyms. Liz said she hopes to make rehabilitative fitness a focus of her business.

Its going to be so dope, she said.
Jeep could expand its Trackhawk treatment beyond the supercharged Grand Cherokee launching here later this year.

The iconic American off-road brand is set to launch one of the most powerful cars available in Australia with its 522kW super SUV next month, and admits the popularity of performance SUVs could see it develop similar treatments across other models, including the most un-Jeep variant in its line-up, the front-wheel drive, city-sized Renegade.

Jeep head of brand Scott Tallon wouldnt confirm that the company was looking at giving the diminutive Renegade the trackday makeover, instead acknowledging the idea was an intriguing one.

Performance leaning utility is a relatively new concept, he told Drive at the launch of the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk in the US last week.

There's only been a few players in this space. So as this space develops there could be an opportunity for anyone to capitalise on it, and as long as it meets our internal benchmarks, like the Trackhawk we have here today, I think it's something worth taking a closer look at.

At this time, though, [we have] no current plans. But the Renegade is intriguing, yes.

The Italian-made Jeep Renegade, which shares its basic underpinnings with the Fiat 500X, is a logical candidate for a performance makeover, as parent company FCA could turn to Fiat partner Abarth for a range of go-fast goodies without outlaying vast sums for development.

Despite its SUV identity, the Renegade is no higher off the ground than a Toyota Corolla, meaning handling changes would be easy to achieve, as well.

The 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet petrol engine from the Abarth 595, for example, could be pressed into service readily easily, along with other modifications to front diffs and suspension.

First, though, the small Renegade will be relaunched in Australia later this year, two years after the car was released into a ferociously competitive small SUV space that contains the likes of the Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX.

Its current starting price of $26,290 before on-roads puts the Renegade well above its competitors in a very price-sensitive segment, with similarly specced CX-3s starting at $20,490 and the older ASX kicking off at $25,000.

The relaunch is expected to realign the Renegades price points, despite price cuts coming soon after its national launch.

The Renegade hasn't a big hit for Jeep Australia, with just 1051 cars sold in its first full year on sale in 2016, versus 18,334 CX-3s. Just over 500 Renegades have found new homes in 2017.

However, the Renegade has been popular for Jeep in other markets, according to Mr Tallon.

It's exceeding a lot of our expectations and we're bringing new customers into the showroom, he said. For me, that's the most exciting thing. The majority of the individuals that are buying the Renegade here (in the US), 80 per cent of them have not owned a Jeep brand vehicle, and it's a much younger customer.

- For more information visit our Jeep showroom
Gardai have this morning made an arrest in relation to a 1987 double-homicide in Louth.



A man in his 60s has been arrested in relation to the murders which were committed at The Rossnaree Hotel in Drogheda.

He is currently detained at Drogheda Garda Station under the provisions of Section 30  Offences Against the State Act 1939.





THE CASE

The deceased, Thomas Ta Power and John OReilly, arrived at the hotel at approximately 4.30pm on the night of the incident.



At approximately 5.15pm, three men drove into the car park of the hotel in brown Toyota Cressida.



Two of the men entered the hotel, one of whom looked into the dining room to find it was closed. The two men approached the bar, they pulled nylon stockings over their faces and entered. Once inside they produced firearms and began firing.

The four men attempted to escape. The two gunmen fled from the hotel to the awaiting Toyota.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, has today launched the new Junior Cycle specifications for Irish, Modern Foreign Languages and Visual Art.

This September also marks the introduction of the new Junior Cycle Wellbeing programme. The Minister visited Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin to mark the occasion.

The strengthening of Irish is a core goal of the Governments 20 year strategy on the Irish Language. The introduction of new specifications for Junior Cycle Irish represents a significant change from existing and much maligned approaches to the teaching, learning and assessment of Irish at junior cycle level.

The development of these specifications is fulfilment of promises in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 and the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.

Following feedback during the consultation phase, the decision was taken to develop two separate specifications - one for students in Irish-medium schools and students in English-medium schools who learn through Irish in one or more subjects, and a second for students in English-medium schools.

The new Junior Cycle specifications for Irish will place a strong focus on the spoken language. Emphasis will be put on Irish as the language of learning and communication in classrooms as well as an emphasis on the skills required to communicate effectively with other users of the language. Communication, opportunities for use and interaction are central to classroom tasks.

A different type of assessment methodology for oral language skills will be used in the new Junior Cycle Irish specification. Now, as part of the new Junior Cycle Irish specifications, the oral language skills of all students will be formally assessed. This will be done by means of Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) which will be reported by schools to parents at the end of third year in the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). Up to now, there was an optional oral language test, taken by a minority of students, and generally assessed by their teachers as part of the old Junior Certificate examination.

The new Modern European Languages specifications, including French, German, Spanish and Italian, will give students opportunities to enjoy and learn the languages. Through the study of the language students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills in language, culture and literacy.

The new specification puts a particular focus on:

 The role that ICT and digital media play in the teaching and learning of foreign languages

 The assessment of oral skills not contained in previous syllabus (other than an optional oral component which has to date been taken by a minority of students).

Visual Art encompasses art, craft and design and involves practical work in a wide range of media leading to a specific outcome e.g. an artwork, a design, architectural study, an installation, an event.

Making art develops the learner's imagination through developing an idea or concept and allows them exercise personal responsibility for specific tasks.

The introduction of a Wellbeing Programme in all schools at Junior Cycle is part of a commitment in the Action Plan for Education to actively support and develop wellbeing initiatives to promote the development of mental resilience and personal wellbeing in schools.

Speaking at Colaiste Bride in Clondalkin, the Minister said: The new Junior Cycle gives students the opportunity to develop a wider range of knowledge and skills  to equip them for further learning, for work, for responsible and active citizenship, and for healthy living. It gives students better learning opportunities, and rewards and recognises non-academic performance and achievements, with a central focus on the students quality of life, wellbeing and mental health.

The Government is strongly committed to implementing the actions in the 20-Year Strategy for Irish and the Gaeltacht Education Strategy, the first ever strategy for Gaeltacht Education which I launched last year. Today we are launching the new junior cycle Irish specifications. I want more people to speak Irish in school, at home and in their community. That is why we are placing a much bigger emphasis on getting people speaking oral Irish, and for the first time every student will be assessed," he continued.

A central part of being the best is our ability to support our students with the skills to be global citizens, to understand other cultures and societies, as well as the skills to function and thrive in the modern economy. The study of modern foreign languages enables students to develop these skills and their enjoyment of these languages.

Through practical engagement in the areas of art, craft and design students will develop self-confidence, inquisitiveness, imagination, and creativity. They will also develop authentic, real-world problem-solving capacities and the capacity to work over time, as an individual and in groups, on the design and execution of artistic and aesthetic tasks," the Minister claimed.

Student mental health and wellbeing are key goals in the Governments Action Plan for Education. All schools will offer a wellbeing programme from this September. The wellbeing programme will include learning opportunities to enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of students. It will enable students to build life skills and develop a strong sense of connectedness to their school and to their community.
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South African President Jacob Zuma delivers a speech at the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 3, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

South Africa will host the 10th summit of the BRICS bloc, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, in 2018, South African President Jacob Zuma said on Sunday.

Zuma, addressing the BRICS Business Forum preceding the current BRICS summit, said that South Africa, with broad perspectives and opportunities for investment, welcomes attendees at the forum to visit the African country.

The African continent is a new frontline, a frontline of growth and prosperity, Zuma said, adding that South Africa expects to realize comprehensive and inclusive economic development and further increase its trade with other BRICS countries.

Trade between South Africa and the other BRICS countries reached 31.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, according to Zuma.

About 1,200 business elites from more than 600 enterprises gathered in Xiamen of southeast China's Fujian Province to attend the BRICS Business Forum. The two-day forum that started Sunday is an important side event of the BRICS summit.
The growth of SMEs is being significantly restricted by their inability to access credit readily, according to the results of a survey commissioned by fintech lender GetCapital.

The Businessloans.com.au Small Business Credit survey was completed by 611 SMEs, defined as businesses with between 5 and 250 FTE and an average minimum revenue between $50,001 and $250,000. It revealed that more than 60% of those who applied for credit last year did not receive what they were looking for.

Credit is the key driver of growth for a small business and so a lack of credit means they simply cant grow, Jamie Osborn, CEO of GetCapital told Dynamic Business. According to the survey, 33% of small businesses said they delayed expansion plans because of insufficient access to credit and a further 28% said they couldnt fulfill orders because of a lack of credit. There is a direct relationship between access to credit and small business growth.

Osborn said the survey highlighted the significant time spent by SMEs in the search for credit  three quarters spent more than 6 hours in the process with 15% spending more than 20 hours. He also said it demonstrated a concerning lack of knowledge, amongst SMEs, about where to look or what was involved, which meant false assumptions about credit availability and eligibility requirements.

The key misconception amongst SMEs is that Banks are the only source of business finance in the market, he said. In the last 5 years there have been a number of non-bank lenders surface across all of the major loan products (trade finance, equipment finance, working capital loans and invoice finance). Many SMEs dont know these options exist.

The Banks still completely dominate the supply of capital to the business sector in Australia and, on many measures, do a very good job of supporting a fully functioning credit market. However, where we see very limited supply of funding by the Banks is in situation where the loan amounts are small (sub $500,000) and where the borrower has no or limited security.

Commenting on the fact that 55% of respondents had been in business for more than ten years, Osborn said that as a general rule, older businesses better access to credit but not by a big margin. He continued, the main determinant of access to credit in the past has been the ability of directors to put up property security for a loan, as this is what the Banks typically look for. Thats obviously changing and changing fast as the alternative lenders offer a wide range of unsecured finance options.

Osborn said it was very hard to estimate the cost to the economy of SMEs not being able to access credit.

What we do know, however, is that small business is responsible for 44% of total employment in Australia, so if small business cant get access to credit, that has a big impact on employment numbers, he said. Outside of the hard numbers, what we see anecdotally is that small businesses are the first to hire in an economic expansion and the last to fire in a downturn. So, small business can play a really critical role in smoothing out the economic cycle. On the flip side, if small business cant get access to credit, it leads to deeper downturns and slower recoveries across the cycle. Small business really is the lifeblood of the economy.
All businesses across Australia are now banned from hitting customers with excessive surcharges for using certain types of EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa and American Express cards to make payments.

The excessive surcharging ban has applied to large businesses since September last year and now extends to all businesses that are either based in Australia or use an Australian bank.

The ban restricts the amount a business can charge customers for using an EFTPOS (debit and prepaid), MasterCard (credit, debit and prepaid), Visa (credit, debit and prepaid) and American Express cards issued by Australian banks.

A surcharge will be considered excessive where it exceeds the permitted cost of acceptance as defined by the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the ban is enforceable by the ACCC.

Businesses can now only surcharge what it actually costs them to process card payments, including bank fees and terminal costs. For example, if a businesss cost of acceptance for Visa Credit is 1.5 per cent, consumers can only be charged a surcharge of 1.5 per cent on payments made using a Visa credit card, ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper said.

Our message to business is that you are not allowed to add on any of your own internal costs when calculating what surcharge you will charge customers. The only costs businesses can include are external costs charged to you by your financial provider.

If businesses want to set a single surcharge across multiple payment methods, the surcharge must be set at the level of the lowest cost method, not an average. For example, if a businesss cost of acceptance for Visa Debit is 1 per cent, for Visa Credit is 1.5 per cent, and for American Express is 2.5 per cent, the single surcharge would be 1 per cent as that is the lowest of all payment methods.

Dr Schaper advised business that want to set a single surcharge regardless of the type of card their customers use that it must be the lowest of all the payment methods. She explained, You cant use an average of all payment methods or you will land yourself in trouble.

Businesses should have received merchant statements from their financial institutions in July setting out their cost of acceptance for each payment method.

The RBA indicated as a guide that the costs to merchants of accepting payment by debit cards is in the order of 0.5 per cent, by credit card 1-1.5 per cent and for American Express cards around 2-3 per cent. The ACCC has found that some merchants have incurred higher costs than these but any surcharge level imposed by merchants cannot be higher than the costs incurred by them for accepting that payment method.

If businesses are unsure about their cost of acceptance, they should contact their financial institutions, Dr Schaper said.

Payment types that are not covered by the ban include BPAY, PayPal, Diners Club cards, American Express cards issued directly by American Express, cash and cheques.

Christopher Zinn, the consumer advocate who spearheaded last years national Surcharge Free Movement, told Dynamic Business that while the excessive surcharge ban is positive, small businesses that stop surcharging altogether will begin to gain a competitive advantage.

It boils down to the issue of customer service, he said. The cost of accepting cards has gone down due to the regulation of the interchange fee. Plus, the number of consumers who make purchase with small business using something other than cash is increasing. In fact, the Australian Payments Association found that 3 in 4 face-to-face transactions are done by tap and go, so were obviously heading towards a cashless society. Also, numerous survey have indicated consumers do not like card surcharges

With the decline of cash and the declining cost of accepting card, its a good idea for businesses to fold the cost of accepting card payments into their prices in the same way they would with, say, electricity. If that means nudging up prices marginally, so be it. If you have a small business in an area where theres plenty of competition, its not going to take long for businesses that dont surcharge and have signage to indicate they are loud and proud about this to make a competitive play. This puts the heat on those businesses that continue to surcharge.

Related: Small retailers urged to trial not surcharging ahead of next years ban on excessive fees, Retailers urged to stop harmful surcharges and Small businesses urged to prepare now for forthcoming excessive payment surcharge ban.
Although its not something that might cross every business owner or managers mind, its important to educate your team about things outside of the scope of their role. For example, providing your employees with life skills and tips to help them take advantage of a dedicated resource like their superannuation.

Although long-term full-time workers may already know the ropes, you should consider educating new starters or graduates about the ins and outs of superannuation. Here are a few ways that businesses can help their employees make the most of their super.

Salary sacrifice

Help your team make the most of their super by educating them and providing them with salary sacrifice options. That way, employees can choose to make contributions of an amount of their choice (capped at $25,000 a year) through a salary sacrifice agreement, and you can take on the responsibility of handling the transactions on their behalf.

These transactions are classified as employer super contributions, rather than employee contributions. However, let your employees know that if they contribute a certain amount or are within a certain threshold, they will be obliged to pay tax, usually at a maximum rate of 15% (which is most likely what they would have needed to pay in tax otherwise).

Insurance

Let your graduate employees know that they can take out life insurance and/or income protection insurance through their superannuation fund. Although they might not need it while theyre young, its still a good idea to educate them on the importance of protecting their income in case something goes wrong.

Sometimes life insurance and income protection policies are cheaper when taken out through your superannuation, so let them know of the perks. However, its important to ensure that theyre not paying for insurance that they may not need. For example, disability insurance may be an unnecessary expense. Let them know that they can compare life insurance policies online in order to receive the best value.

Suggest a switch

Loyalty isnt everything. If your employees can see that there may be a better fund for them, encourage them to make the switch if it will mean better long-term value. Although its not up to you to encourage someone else to change funds, its still helpful to provide your team with the knowledge they may need to make an informed decision. However, you should also remind them that they may lose insurance benefits if they decide to switch, and you should encourage them to check this first before making a change. There could also potentially be exit fees.

Although, historically, businesses have no obligation to help their employees with their super, that doesnt mean you shouldnt. Providing your team with the options and information they need to make the right decision could really help them in the long term.

About the author

Richard Laycock is an Insurance Expert at financial comparison website finder.com.au.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 3, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping has shared his vision for the BRICS cooperation which he believes will enter a second "golden decade" if the emerging-market countries work together to overcome the challenges of weak growth and threats to world peace.

Addressing the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen on Sunday, with Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in audience, Xi said after ten years a fully-fledged BRICS cooperation framework is taking shape.

With Russia's Vladimir Putin and India's Narendra Modi joining in, the leaders of the world's five major developing countries will chart way forward for the bloc at the ninth BRICS summit scheduled for Sept. 3-5.

Xi on Sunday refuted the assertion that BRICS is losing luster.

He said despite headwinds causing growth setbacks, the BRICS countries are "fully confident" about their growth potential and the future outlook.

Tangible Benefits

BRIC was first coined in 2001 to describe four emerging economies with fast growth and great potential. The concept turned into a formal cooperation framework in 2006. Four years later, South Africa joined. BRIC became BRICS.

Xi said the past decade has seen the BRICS countries making headway in pursuing common development. Their combined GDP grew 179 percent, trade increased 94 percent and urban population expanded 28 percent during the period.

The development of the BRICS countries over the past decade has delivered tangible benefits to more than 3 billion people.

Xi said three important practices of the shared value should be carried forward -- treating each other as equals, seeking results-oriented cooperation, and bearing in mind the well-being of the world.

"Dialogue without confrontation, partnership without alliance," Xi summed up the cooperation principle in a simple phrase.

He said the principle has gained growing endorsement and has become a positive energy in the international community.

Rising Up To Challenges

The Chinese president said the global economy remains in a period of adjustment featuring weak growth and no apparent new drivers. Due to sluggish growth, protectionism and inward-looking mentality are on the rise. Uneven development and a deficit of fairness have become more acute.

He challenged BRICS countries to create new impetus for growth and continue to improve global economic governance.

"We should not ignore problems arising from economic globalization or just complain about them. Rather, we should make joint efforts to find solutions," Xi said.

He said the BRICS countries should promote the building of an open global economy, advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, build new global value chains, and rebalance economic globalization.

"Only openness delivers progress, and only inclusiveness sustains such progress," Xi said.

The long road to peace is not smooth, Xi said, calling on the BRICS countries to play a constructive part in the process of resolving geopolitical hotspot issues and make due contributions.

He envisioned flames of war dying and displaced refugees returning home as dialogue and consultation settle issues in Syria, Libya and the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Making Bigger Pie

The Chinese president said the development of emerging market and developing countries is not intended to "move the cheese of anyone" but to "make the pie of the global economy bigger."

Over the past ten years, the share of the five BRICS countries in the global economy has more than doubled. They have contributed to more than half of global growth.

Xi said more emerging market and developing countries should be involved because BRICS, as a platform with global influence, concerns more than five countries.

During the Xiamen summit, China will hold the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, where the leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand will join the BRICS leaders in discussing global development cooperation and South-South cooperation.

While outreach programs have existed in past BRICS summits since 2013, it is the first time participating leaders have come from around the world, but not just neighbors of the host country.

Xi said this "BRICS Plus" approach should be promoted to build an open and diversified network of development partners for the bloc.

Marching On With Reform

Turning to China, Xi said the country had made the "right choice" on deepening reform and will march on in strides.

"The past decade has not only seen solid progress in the BRICS cooperation; it has also witnessed the unfolding of all-round reform and opening up in China and its rapid economic and social development," Xi told the forum.

He said China's economic aggregate grew by 239 percent over the past ten years and the lives of its 1.3 billion-plus people have been significantly improved.

In the first half of 2017, the Chinese economy expanded by 6.9 percent and added 7.35 million new urban jobs.

Xi said China has been making increasingly more contribution to regional and global economy.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative, for example, is not a tool to advance any geopolitical agenda, but a platform for practical cooperation.

The initiative is not a foreign aid scheme, but one that advocates interconnected development with extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

"Going forward, China will continue to put into practice the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development," he said.

"We will adapt to and steer the new normal of economic development, push forward supply-side structural reform, accelerate the building of a new system for an open economy, drive economic development with innovation, and achieve sustainable development," Xi said.
Aligning accountability with sovereignty in the European Union: the ECBs experience

Speech by Yves Mersch, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the ECB Legal Conference, Frankfurt am Main, 4 September 2017

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me also welcome you on behalf of the Executive Board to the ECB Legal Conference 2017.

Today and tomorrow we will discuss matters that are relevant not just to the ECB and the legal community, but also to the public. The legal order indeed has a direct impact on all our daily lives.

And it is of crucial importance to what we do at the ECB. With the ratification of the EU Treaties, the citizens of Europe made us independent and gave us a clear mandate. So it is entirely legitimate that we are held to account. We need to be able to show that we continue to act in accordance with our mandate; we do not need to enter into a contentious debate about changing it.

In fact, the demand for accountability has been increasing across advanced economies and across institutions. Its a trend that reflects questions stemming from the crisis as well as societal and technological change  people want more answers, more quickly. But we need to be mindful that direct, instant and constant communication does not necessarily translate into stronger accountability. In our constitutional democracies, parliaments and courts provide fundamental checks and balances, for good reasons.

The increased attention and stronger scrutiny we are facing at the ECB also reflects the growing importance and more direct impact of decisions taken at European level. Citizens in Europe witness the power exercised by EU institutions  and they want to be able to see that it is not wielded arbitrarily or from behind closed doors.

Today, I will discuss how these trends are affecting the ECB. And I will aim to draw some conclusions on how to align accountability with sovereignty in the EUs multilevel governance framework at a time when, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey[1], 68% of those polled say they feel they are citizens of the EU as well as citizens of their own country.

Independent, accountable and European

The survey shows that trust in the ECB has increased, albeit from a lower level than trust in other public institutions. Still, during the crisis, reduced trust in public institutions tempted some people to reopen the debate on central bank independence. They often argued that independence was incompatible with accountability on the basis of the trends I have described.

A critical assessment of why trust in public institutions fell is important, but questioning central bank independence is not the right approach  subjecting central banks to political influence is unlikely to make them more trusted. We know the economic argument  empirical evidence shows that political influence is more likely to lead to short-termism and make the central bank less effective in preserving price stability. But there is also a political argument  political influence does not necessarily mean stronger legitimacy, precisely because it is likely to arouse the suspicion that the central bank is politically motivated and may therefore deviate from its mandate for political reasons. So I would argue that independence does not weaken accountability, it strengthens it.

Accountability, in turn, ensures that independence does not lead to arbitrariness and that the mandate is fulfilled. So, proper accountability arrangements strengthen the case for independence. And they reinforce each other as cornerstones of central banks legitimacy and effectiveness.

At the ECB, our monetary policy mandate is for the euro area as a whole. And when the governors of the national central banks (NCBs) attend the Governing Council meetings, they are not representing their respective countries. They are there in a personal capacity and represent the interests of everyone in the euro area. So it is appropriate that we are held to account at European level, while the NCBs explain monetary policy decisions at national level.

Importantly, explaining decisions is not synonymous with exercising accountability. In principle, where a competence, such as monetary policy, has been fully transferred to European level, accountability should be practised at that level. This ensures that everyone in Europe has the same ability to hold us accountable through the same bodies, namely the European Parliament, complemented by judicial review by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In other words, a single monetary policy requires single accountability, but in a multinational setting it can be explained through various channels.

Attempting to strengthen political ties to national political systems, renationalising accountability through the back door, if you will, would only risk undermining the singleness of monetary policy and threaten its independence. People and markets would end up suspecting that the ECB is responding to national interests instead of acting in the interests of the euro area as a whole.

Accountability during crises

Central banks played a key role in managing the crisis and implemented some controversial measures. Understandably, this triggered a demand for stronger scrutiny. The ECB was among the institutions that took such measures: preserving price stability was particularly challenging in an Economic and Monetary Union that was still incomplete. We were facing doubts about the integrity of the single currency, not to mention a unique institutional environment that lacked crisis management capacities.

We increased our accountability and transparency in line with the essential role we played in managing the crisis. And this was not only driven by external demands. It was in our own interest to provide the public and the markets with a comprehensive analysis of the economic situation and monetary policy decisions. For instance, we decided to publish the accounts of the Governing Councils monetary policy meetings. Of course, this higher level of transparency had to be counterbalanced by the need to maintain the frank and dynamic exchanges which make for efficient collegial decision-making. The accounts offer a fair and balanced reflection of policy deliberations by Governing Council members. They aim to provide clear and accurate information that elucidates the message, rather than overloads it with detail. However, there is a caveat: the growing importance of forward guidance has increased the risk of self-censorship in the official discussions.

Since the start of the crisis we have substantially increased our interaction with the European Parliament, our key counterpart in terms of accountability. In addition to the regular hearings, the ECB now participates in exchanges of views. The number of MEPs written questions to the ECB has also considerably increased; the average number of replies to the Parliament per year has risen tenfold compared with the pre-crisis period. This is partly a reflection of the fact that we now have a broader role, albeit mostly in relation to financial assistance programmes and banking supervision.

Alongside this increased accountability, the CJEU has become more involved in judicial review of our actions in recent years. On the one hand, the Court has exercised its powers in relation to a wide range of central bank decisions and policies. Recent cases have seen it review not only monetary policy and supervisory decisions, but also technical advice provided within the framework of the Troika and central banking policies, even where they do not involve the exercise of our decision-making powers. On the other hand, the Courts decisions have far-reaching implications, as recent rulings have confirmed that individuals can also challenge our conduct by seeking damages, in addition to asking the Court to annul our decisions for reasons of illegality. We need to ensure that all our actions, even when we are not exercising our core decision-making powers, also comply with the legal requirements that are intended to confer fundamental rights on individuals at EU rather than national level.

The European Ombudsman and the European Court of Auditors also play a role. The Ombudsman can act in matters involving the ECB regarding transparency and good governance, while the Court of Auditors examines our operational efficiency. The European Anti-Fraud Office has the power to conduct administrative investigations within the ECB for the purposes of fighting fraud, corruption and other illegal activity, as well as to investigate serious matters relating to the discharge of officials professional duties.

Finally, we are also subject to the scrutiny of the European Data Protection Supervisor, which monitors and ensures that data protection legislation is appropriately applied to our data-processing operations.

Aligning accountability with sovereignty in the EU

The ECBs monetary policy provides an example of how sovereignty and accountability can  and, ideally, should  be aligned when transferring a competence to European level. It also shows that it is possible to keep pace with events and meet the demand for greater accountability from society, while respecting essential principles enshrined in primary law.

However, there are two challenges in this regard that I would like to discuss as they also have broader relevance for the EU, with its unique institutional framework.

First, the distinction between the euro area and the EU means that it is more difficult to fully tailor accountability to euro area tasks. In particular, the European Parliament does not sit in euro area composition when discussing euro area matters, even though it would be common sense for it to do so.

Second, accountability and sovereignty also need to be proportionate in areas that are not exclusively dealt with at EU level but of shared competence.

For instance, more specific arrangements within our accountability framework have been established for banking supervision. Although the SSM Regulation and interinstitutional arrangements focus mainly on relations with the European Parliament and the EU Council, the SSM Regulation also provides for specific reporting requirements to national parliaments. This reflects the significant potential impact of microprudential supervision on banks, their customers and public finances at national level and justifies ad hoc reporting at different levels. At the same time, the national competent authorities remain accountable at national level for their tasks in the context of the Single Supervisory Mechanism. These arrangements are, however, incomplete as the Single Resolution Mechanism backstop is not operational, and neither is the European deposit insurance scheme.

For other bodies, such as the European Stability Mechanism, the situation is somewhat more complex and blurred. It was created on the basis of intergovernmental arrangements and for tasks where the EU only has a coordination role, and where the European Parliament is not yet a counterparty in terms of accountability. So a balance needs to be found. On the one hand, accountability should be assigned to national parliaments for decisions that are fully in the hands of national authorities. On the other hand, it would seem appropriate for the European Parliament to be accountable for decisions that affect the interests of the EU as a whole.

Addressing the risk of an accountability deficit

Let me conclude.

Accountability and sovereignty need to be aligned to address risks of a perceived accountability deficit.

The development of the ECBs accountability practices has ensured continued effective scrutiny, even as our role expanded as a result of the crisis. In turn, this has allowed the temptation of renationalisation to be resisted, in keeping with our European mandate.

Public opinion surveys suggest that Euroscepticism is now receding. But we should not be complacent, as trust in the ECB is only gradually returning.

Moreover, while European policies have assumed a stronger role over time, in many areas they still overlap with national policies. In those areas, confusion over the assignment of responsibilities and accountability arrangements threatens efficiency and legitimacy. We should reflect on how it can be addressed.

And there is a need for us to complete not only the banking union, but also the institutional set-up. This includes the ongoing debate on a euro area finance ministry and a euro area composition of the European Parliament.

This is important for two reasons. First, it would be a true reflection of a functioning democracy where sovereignty has been either fully transferred to EU level (e.g. monetary policy) or is shared between national and EU levels (e.g. prudential policies).

And second, liability and control need to be aligned  he who pays the piper calls the tune. When taxpayers money is involved at European level, a European control function is called for.

If, going beyond the Westphalian paradigm, EU citizens can receive rights and obligations not only through the national sovereignty channel but also directly through the EU channel, we need to adjust the institutions. This was already recognised at the Maastricht Treaty conference on political union in 1990. On a final note, let me just add that the return to intergovernmentalism for fear of Treaty changes will destroy the EU, as Europe, over the centuries, has repeatedly seen the breakdown of such alliances of dominant states.

Thank you very much for your attention. I look forward to the many fruitful discussions and exchanges we will no doubt have at this conference.
Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled a new deep learning acceleration platform designed for real-time artificial intelligence, codenamed Project Brainwave, at Hot Chips 2017.

The platform has three main layers:

a high-performance, distributed system architecture;

a hardware DNN (deep neural network) engine synthesized onto FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays); and

a compiler and runtime for low-friction deployment of trained models.

Project Brainwave leverages the massive FPGA infrastructure from Project Catapult that Microsoft has been deploying in Azure and Bing over the past few years.

AI in Real Time

FPGA is a way to add and apply dedicated task-specific computing power geared to deep neural nets to conventional cloud infrastructure, said Doug Henschen, principal analyst at Constellation Research.

This makes it easier to develop for conventional server capacity and let the FPGAs provide the computing power necessary for AI workloads, he told TechNewsWorld.

Attaching high-performance FPGAs directly to Microsofts data center network lets DNNs be served as hardware microservices, calling them by a server with no software in the loop. This reduces latency and allows very high throughput.

Real-time AI is the eventual goal for the vast majority of projects, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

AI should be able to move at the speed of thought, or itll just be an advanced script, he told TechNewsWorld.

Project Brainwaves Guts

Project Brainwave uses a soft DNN processing unit, or DPU, synthesized onto commercially available programmable gate arrays. This lets it scale across a range of data types, with the desired data type being a synthesis-time decision.

Microsofts soft DPUs combine the ASIC digital signal processing blocks on the FPGAs with the synthesizable logic to provide a greater and more optimized number of functional units.

The DPUs use highly customized, narrow-precision data types defined by Microsoft, which increase performance without real losses in model accuracy. Research innovations can be incorporated into the hardware platform rapidly, typically in weeks.

Project Brainwave incorporates a software stack supporting the Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit (MCTK) and Googles Tensorflow. Support for other frameworks will be added later.

Tensorflow is the currently dominating machine learning technique, said Holger Mueller, principal analyst at Constellation Research.

That buys Microsoft time to strengthen MCTK, he told TechNewsWorld.

Microsofts Project Brainwave Demo

At Hot Chips, Microsoft demonstrated the Project Brainwave system ported to Intels 14nm Stratix 10 FPGA.

It ran a gated recurrent unit (GRU) model five times larger than Resnet-50 with no batching, using Microsofts custom 8-bit floating point format (ms-fp8).

It sustained 39.5 Tflops of data, running each request in under one millisecond.

Microsoft will bring Project Brainwave to Azure users, complementing indirect access through services such as Bing.

This is a good place to start for many of Microsofts AI efforts, said Ray Wang, principal analyst at Constellation Research.

Whats been visibly missing is a rich neural network. You cant do machine learning or AI without one, he told TechNewsWorld.

Fraud detection, retail mass personalization at scale, dynamic pricing and insurance adjustment are among the businesses that would benefit from real-time AI, Wang noted.

Dealing With Competitors

Most customers and technology partners that Constellation has spoken to have gone to the Google Cloud Platform using Tensorflow, Wang said.

Google will be Microsofts biggest competitor at first, he predicted.

In the long run, itll be those with massive compute power that will lead AI, Wang said, such as Facebook, Alibaba, Tencent and Amazon.

The FPGA-based service will likely be a popular and cost-effective option, but Microsoft will surely also offer GPU infrastructure options geared to AI as well, Henschen remarked. IBM and Google have both brought GPU compute power to their respective clouds.
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Iranian Ambassador to China Ali Asghar Khaji [Photo/China Today]

BRICS Plus, as a model of expansion, was proposed by China on the basis of successful practices in former BRICS Summits. It is sought to establish widespread partnerships between BRICS member countries and other developing countries through dialogues and cooperation, expand our circle of friends, and shape the BRICS mechanism into an influential cooperation platform for South-South cooperation, so as to better reflect the common ground and collective will of the developing countries.

Then how do other developing countries make of the proposal? What opportunities does the BRICS Plus promise to them? To get some insight about these, China Today interviewed ambassadors of Iran, Georgia, Nepal, and South Sudan to China as well as two diplomats from Argentina and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Iranian Ambassador to China Ali Asghar Khaji

"Since its founding, the BRICS cooperation mechanism has been representing a new cooperation concept, and played an important role in giving a voice in the international community on behalf of the developing world. The Iranian government showed its support to the BRICS Plus proposal when it was first put forward. As an important developing country in the region of North Africa and West Asia, Iran is poised to strengthen its cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road and the BRICS Plus. In addition, we also hope China as a leading developing country, can play a bigger role in advancing cooperation among developing countries on such aspects as economy, security and social development."
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WA schools have changed the dress code for public school girls following a handwritten letter to the states education minister from an 11-year-old, The West Australian reported.

As a result, every public school in the state will now allow girls to wear shorts and pants, rather than limiting them to only dresses, skirts or skorts.

The handwritten letter, from Wembley schoolgirl, Sofia Myhre, to WA Education Minister, Sue Ellery, said the existing dress code was unfair.

I think its really unfair that my brothers have been allowed to wear shorts and all through primary school I havent been allowed to except when I have sport, the Wembley schoolgirl wrote.

The dresses are even worse but at least you dont have to wear them. I really love kicking the footy, netball and doing handstands at recess and lunch. It is annoying doing these things in a skirt.

The Department has been asked by the Minister to amend its Dress Codes for Students Policy, which will see individual school councils or boards continue to set their own dress codes but allow girls the option of wearing shorts or pants.

An 11-year-old girl should be able to wear shorts to school. In 2017, girls should be able to wear clothes that dont restrict their ability to participate in physical activity at school, Ellery said.

However, the change does not affect private schools, which often require girls to wear dresses.

Sofias mother, Krystina Myhre, said the exercise had taught her daughter that if you believe something is wrong you should try to change it.

Ms Myhre said her daughters school principal initially declined requests to let female students have a choice when it came to wearing a skirt or shorts.

The rule was later changed to allow female students to wear culottes, after parents complained to the school board. It proved an unpopular solution and Mrs Myhre then wrote to Acting WA Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, Dr John Byrne.

WA Primary Principals Association (WAPPA) president, Ian Anderson, welcomed the changes to the states school uniform policy.

We would see this as a common sense decision which schools will be able to work with, Anderson told The Educator.

Many schools in Western Australia have already undertaken such changes and it is important that all students are able to engage in the full range of activities primary students do whilst also wearing a school uniform.

The WA Department of Education have been contacted for comment.
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.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday China and Mexico should synergize development strategies on the basis of their cooperative achievements since the two sides forged diplomatic ties 45 years ago.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who came to the southeastern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5.
Manx residents encouraged to join organ donor register

The Department of Health and Social Care is encouraging Manx residents to register as organ donors.

Today is the start of Organ Donation Week - a national awareness campaign that aims to highlight the importance of organ donation and celebrate those who have been saved by donors.

The Island's Organ Donation Committee warns signing to donate organs on a Manx driving licence doesn't link to the UK register, but Manx residents can sign up to the register online.

There are currently nine people on the Isle of Man waiting for a transport, while six people have died while waiting for a transplant since 2013.

Almost 13,000 Isle of Man residents are signed on to the UK's organ donor register.
Tyres damaged on van in Castletown

Police are appealing for information after someone damaged four tyres on a van in the south of the Island.

The white van was parked in the Y Vaarney Yiarg area of Castletown between Friday and this morning when the incident happened.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the damage being cause.

Anyone with information which could help the police's investigation is urged to contact Castletown Police Station on 822222.
Callous CALAS activists against the poor By Paul Driessen

Not long ago, supposed environmental justice concerns at least involved risks to mine workers and their families. The risks may have been inflated, or ignored for decades, but they were a major focus. In one case, a state-run mine and smelter had fouled the air, land and water with toxic contaminants in a Peruvian town for 75 years. Environmental groups raised few objections  until a U.S. company bought the properties and began installing modern pollution controls, implementing worker health and safety practices, cleaning up widespread lead dust, and initiating numerous community improvement projects. Suddenly, anti-mine activists descended on the town. They blamed the company for decades of pollution, claimed corporate officials werent acting quickly enough, ignored government foot-dragging on its commitments, pressured banks into cutting off loans to the company, and eventually shut everything down. Thousands of workers were left jobless. The activists and news media celebrated their victory. Today, mining operations in Guatemala have become ground zero for campaigns in which pollution and human health are largely irrelevant, indigenous people are the new politically favored victims of multinational mining companies, rigged consultation processes have become the tactic du jour, and mine workers are among the new oppressors, whose health and living standards are now irrelevant. Not only do radical keep it in the ground protesters pay little attention to where essential raw materials come from, so long as their favorite tech toys magically appear in retail outlets. They almost flaunt their callous disregard for families that had been dirt poor before a modern mine brought jobs and comparative prosperity  and will be destitute again after the outside agitators have shut the mine down and moved on to their next target. A case in point is the Escobal silver mine near San Rafael las Flores, Guatemala. Since buying the mine in 2010, owner and operator Canada-based Tahoe Resources has invested more than $1 billion into the mines operation and related infrastructures plus another $10 million upgrading hospitals and schools, planting 32,000 trees, and launching vocational, entrepreneurship, health, nutrition and other programs. More than 1,600 mining jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs brought many millions of dollars in salaries to the region. Locals launched over 100 new businesses. Life was getting better. Company officials say the mine is designed and operated to meet the highest Guatemalan and Canadian health and environmental standards, and there has been no evidence of air or water pollution during Tahoes tenure. Anti-mining activists nonetheless launched campaigns against it as soon as it was licensed. Incessant protests and confrontations, arson incidents, forcible detention of miners and police by activists, and assorted legal actions fueled tensions. The agitators are determined to prosecute Tahoe in multiple courts, persuade banks not to extend further credit to the company, send its stock values plummeting, and block Escobal mining operations permanently. What will we do if they shut the mine down? locals ask. Without these jobs, we will be poor again. Our businesses will close, our children will have no future, and people will have to go to the United States for work  just like before the mine created jobs that brought workers back to the area. The agitators newest tactic is to enlist indigenous tribes, claim companies failed to consult adequately with the tribes under Guatemalas community consultation and plebiscite consultas process, use ballot initiatives to claim people around the area overwhelmingly oppose the mine  and rage that the local peoples and indigenous groups human rights have been violated, in gross miscarriages of justice. The blatant dishonesty of this process is underscored by the fact that every consultas held between 2011 and 2016 resulted in 93to 100 percent opposition to mining. Indeed, the process was cleverly designed and then hijacked, manipulated and rigged by outside activists and their local allies to foment opposition to mining activity and eliminate mine-dependent jobs, rather than assess true community sentiment. Banners depicted a sample ballot marked NO and proclaim that shutting down mining is necessary for life. Ballots were explicitly worded to solicit negative responses. Even worse, many ballots highlighted the No vote in yellow, suggesting to voters it was the correct answer. The dishonesty is even deeper. Community meetings held before the vote were little more than disinformation and agitprop sessions, designed to advance the anti-mining sentiments of activists from wealthy nations. Mine owners, foremen, environmental directors, community development coordinators, even workers and their families were not invited or permitted to participate. They could not correct misinformation; ask or respond to questions; explain health, safety and environmental safeguards; discuss economic, employment, living standards and other benefits to the community; or otherwise ensure fair, balanced, complete and open discussions. Workers and others who wanted to speak out at other times were greeted with threats and intimidation. The deck was stacked. The well-funded and coordinated agitators behind the consultas had no interest in ensuring that local people were actually consulted and given opportunities to learn the facts. Their goal was and is to block mining projects, regardless of how many jobs would be created, living standards improved, and health, safety and environmental safeguards implemented by mining operators. Can anyone recall a case where activists ultimately supported a mining project, following consultations or improved mining practices? I did not see it happen in Peru, and it is not happening in Guatemala. The agitators simply change the issues, ramp up their demands and move the goal posts. The anti-mining agitators do not care whether a consultation process is fair, open and complete; that a mine would be safe and non-polluting; or that it would ensure good jobs and improved schools, hospitals, homes, living standards and opportunities for thousands. They simply do not want mines in any targeted area, anytime or under any conditions. Their current ploy is to say that Guatemalas Ministry of Mines did not consult adequately with Xinca tribal groups that live miles from the mine, before it issued the mining license. The Guatemalan courts agreed with the activists  and shut down operations. If the closure becomes permanent, 7,600 workers would be left jobless and their families destitute. Their growing anger, frustration, hopelessness and sense of betrayal are reaching a boiling point. Several miners recently went on a hunger strike, to protest what the activists and courts have done. Will Guatemalan, Canadian, U.S. and international jurists, legislators, journalists and real human rights advocates pay any attention? Call for social and environmental justice? Time will tell. But dont hold your breath. The entire operation was orchestrated by several local pressure groups, led by CALAS  the Centro de Accion Legal Ambiental y Social de Guatemala: Guatemalan Center for Environmental and Social Legal Action. However, the real organizing, money and strategizing came from far outside the country. The real power behind the throne has been Oxfam America, joined by a cabal of likeminded American, Canadian and European pressure groups, all of which masquerade as civil society and environmental justice organizations  and their financial backers. Together, they have poured millions of dollars into the anti-mining, anti-worker, Keep the Poor Impoverished campaigns. From 2009 to 2015, Oxfam pumped over $9 million annually into its Central America/Caribbean programs. The New-York based Moriah Fund contributed nearly $15 million over a ten-year period to these and other international NGOs, while the Fund for Global Human Rights added over $3 million. Unbelievably, the European Union contributed more than $17 million to Guatemalan pressure groups between 2007 and 2011! And to top it off, the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture is another major sponsor  using U.S. tax-dollar donations to the UN. How the heck did failure to consult become torture  akin to what the SS, KGB, ISIS and other criminal outfits routinely engage in? For callous CALAS and its allied pressure groups and despicable benefactors to violate the human rights of so many Guatemalan working class families is bad enough. Do the courts really have to pile on? 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 and other books on the environment. A new updated Spanish eBook translation of Eco-Imperialism will be available by September 1. (August 2017) Home
Do the original assumptions underlying the Iran Nuclear Agreement have any basis today? By Amb. Dore Gold

When the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was concluded on July 14, 2015, it was based, according to its advocates, upon a number of premises that featured prominently in the debate over the agreement. For example, speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, former Secretary of State John Kerry confided that without the agreement, Iran was just two months away from obtaining enough fissile material to produce a single atomic bomb. With the agreement, he assured his audiences, that two-month breakout time would be extended to one year or more. He added that the fissile material Iran already possessed was enough for 10 to 12 atomic bombs. With the implementation of the JCPOA, that stockpile would be reduced to a fraction of what is needed for one bomb. Two years into the agreement, what is the situation with the Iranian nuclear program? Advanced Centrifuges Take, for example, the question of advanced centrifuges. The JCPOA is structured so that various restrictions on Irans nuclear program, particularly in the area of uranium enrichment, are removed over time; the restrictions on advanced centrifuges are in place for 10 years. Under the JCPOA, Iran is limited to using only its first-generation centrifuge, the IR-1, during that 10-year period. According to a report by AP, there is an understanding between the P5+1 and Iran that in year 11, Tehran can begin to install advanced centrifuges. In that spirit, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Saheli, warned the West in 2017 that Iran will be able to mass produce advanced centrifuges like the IR-2M, IR-4, and IR-6 centrifuges at will. He did not talk about year 11, but rather a scenario in which the other side violates its commitment. Future mass production of these centrifuges would require prior manufacture of centrifuge components, which is prohibited by the JCPOA. Sahelis threat leaves open the real possibility that these components were indeed assembled relatively recently, which would constitute a massive violation of the JCPOA. Saheli also spoke about 20% enrichment in a period of five days, using the underground enrichment facility at Fordow. According to the JCPOA, enrichment is only allowed, at present, at the Natanz facility. In January 2016, Iran unveiled its IR-8 centrifuge that is 15 times more efficient than the old IR-1 centrifuges installed previously by Iran. According to one assessment, Irans breakout time will drop to four months with the installation of the IR-8. Irans determination to move ahead with its advanced centrifuge program is also exemplified by its attempt to procure tons of carbon fiber for their production. Recently, Iranian President Hasssan Rouhani warned that Irans nuclear program could be restarted in a matter of hours if the American government imposes further sanctions on Tehran. Rouhani added that a reconstituted nuclear program would be far more advanced. The JCPOA was supposed to prevent such advances in the Iranian nuclear program, but Rouhanis threats indicate that such advancements may have occurred nonetheless. In short, there are scenarios evolving which completely contradict the timelines that were presented back in 2015 and the core assumption that breakout times had been safely elongated for the foreseeable future. Iran Has Not Moderated Its International Behavior Another underlying assumption presented in 2015 was that once the JCPOA came into force, Iran would moderate its international behavior. Secretary of State Kerry told the Senate Armed Services Committee in the summer of 2015: It is possible that if the JCPOA is properly implemented, and Irans economy improves as a consequence of sanctions relief, it would strengthen the hand of moderate forces inside of Iran. In a report on the administrations approach to marketing the JCPOA in the New York Times Magazine, featuring the role of Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, the argument that Iran had a moderate faction emerged as a central pillar of Washingtons narrative. Its author, David Samuels, wrote: In the narrative that Rhodes shaped, the story of the Iran deal began in 2013, when a moderate faction inside the Iranian regime led by Hassan Rouhani beat regime hard-liners in an election and then began to pursue a policy of openness, which included a newfound willingness to negotiate the dismantling of its illicit nuclear-weapons program. This story was shown to be false by the fact that the secret negotiations that led to the JCPOA actually began before Rouhanis election, when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was still president. What, in fact, followed the conclusion of the talks on the JCPOA was an unprecedented increase in Iranian regional activism  the exact opposite of what had been predicted. Iranian force deployments in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, weapons transfers to radical elements in the Middle East, and threats against its neighbors all demonstrated that the expected moderation of Iran as a result of the JCPOA never occurred. In the meantime, the ubiquitous Quds force commander, Gen. Qassem Suleimani, has been popping up in Arab battlefields across the Middle East, like in Aleppo, Syria. Irans Claim that Its Nuclear Program Is Peaceful A third underlying assumption was that Iran had given up on its quest for nuclear weapons  meaning that the Iranian nuclear program was peaceful. The roots of this observation could be traced to the unclassified summary of the 2007 U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE). Yet back in 2007, assessments by Britain, France, Germany, and Israel concluded that this NIE was inaccurate. Later, the IAEA stated that it had evidence that Irans nuclear weapons program had extended into 2009. The IAEA concluded that it could not say with certainty that Irans nuclear weapons program had indeed ended at that point. Moreover, Iran never provided access to Iranian military sites that would be necessary to reach such a conclusion. In addition, Irans intense investment in long-range ballistic missile testing and attempts to procure components for a nuclear bomb point to its continued intent to develop nuclear weapons, since it makes no sense to develop such missiles as a delivery system for conventional weapons. Irans ballistic missile activities, using systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons, have been condemned by the U.S., France, Germany, and the UK as inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which provides the legal basis of the JCPOA. During the debate on the nuclear negotiations with Iran, an argument was raised that the nuclear program had to be peaceful because the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, once issued a fatwa against nuclear weapons. But over the years, no one ever produced this supposed fatwa, and it remained unclear whether his informal references to the subject were confined to prohibiting their use, but not their production. In short, the fatwa story did not provide a reliable assurance that Iran had no intention of seeking atomic bombs. Where Are the Robust Inspections? Finally, the claim that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program requires a robust inspection system to verify that this change indeed had occurred. President Obama believed that the JCPOA granted international inspectors unprecedented access to Iranian nuclear facilities, saying: Inspectors will also be able to access any suspicious location. Put simply, the organization responsible for the inspections, the IAEA, will have access where necessary, when necessary. Was this access indeed granted? Iranian officials have rejected the idea that IAEA inspectors now have access to their military sites. Yet, that access is critical for ascertaining the extent of the Iranian military program in the nuclear field. This concern is indeed warranted. Back in May 2011, the IAEA reported that one of the areas of Iranian military research was the removal of the conventional high explosive payload from the warhead of the Shahab-3 missile and replacing it with a spherical nuclear payload. Partial IAEA access to the notorious Parchin military complex was granted once back in 2005, before the JCPOA, when it was suspected of being a site for the production of nuclear weapons components. Since the JCPOA, the IAEA has only been granted access to soil samples from Parchin collected by the Iranians themselves. Significantly, Tehran has since modified the site considerably and paved much of the area with asphalt. Congress Set Standards for Iranian Compliance with the Nuclear Deal On July 17, 2017, President Trump reluctantly certified that Iran was complying with the JCPOA. This presidential certification is required every 90 days by U.S. law in accordance with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA) of 2015. An earlier certification of the Iran deal was approved by the Trump administration in May. The next certification date under INARA will be in mid-October. INARA lays out in detail what Iran must do to earn presidential certification. First, Tehran must be fully implementing the JCPOA. Partial compliance is unacceptable.

Second, Iran must not commit a material breach of the agreement  the most severe level of violation.

Third, INARA wants the President to certify that there are no covert Iranian activities underway that could significantly advance Tehrans nuclear weapons program.

Fourth, since Iranian compliance leads to a suspension of sanctions, the President must certify that such a suspension is in the national interests of the United States. There is also an Israel clause in INARA. Paragraph 7 states that it is the sense of Congress (which has no force of law) that the President should determine that the JCPOA in no way compromises the commitment of the United States to Israels security. Additionally, the JCPOA must not compromise U.S. support for Israels right to exist. Certainly, Iranian statements since the JCPOA was concluded have continued to promote the notion that Israel must be eliminated. There has been no change in Iranian policy in this regard. How to Deal with Iranian Violations The establishment by Congress of very clear standards for the United States to measure Iranian compliance was a critically important step. In January 1961, at the dawn of the arms control era, Fred Ikle wrote a seminal article in Foreign Affairs entitled, After Detection  What? about how states might deal in the future with violations of an arms treaty. Ikle pointed out that violations by the other side could be an embarrassment for a country like the United States, which would not like to be depicted as having been taken for a ride. Ikle quoted Winston Churchill, who once quipped that his predecessor as prime minister, Stanley Baldwin, was concerned that if he admitted to German violations of the Versailles Treaty and sought British re-armament, he would not be re-elected, given the pacifist mood in the country at that time. Years later, Ikle would become Undersecretary of Defense for Policy in the Reagan administration. So, how has Iran done with the standards that Congress laid out in 2015? David Albright, the president of the Institute for Science and International Security, testified on April 5, 2017, before the Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee of Oversight and Government Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives. Albright, who has a stellar reputation as an independent analyst, could not say Iran was fully implementing its side of the agreement: It is not possible to judge Iran in full compliance with the JCPOA. Indeed, there are multiple indications that Iranian violations of the agreement have occurred, or are being planned and on their way to being committed. Ambassador Dore Gold has served as President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs since 2000. From June 2015 until October 2016 he served as Director-General of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously he served as Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels Ambassador to the UN (1997-1999), and as an advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Home
Irans new defense minister is committed to Irans missile program and the export of the revolution Lt. Col. (ret.) Michael Segall

The new Iranian defense minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, reemphasized immediately upon taking office on August 20, 2017  and in honor of National Defense Industry Day  the Defense Ministrys commitment to strongly support the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its commander Qasem Soleimani, and the resistance front. Hatami also stressed that he would promote the Iranian regimes missile program  particularly ballistic and seaborne missiles  and would fight the American attempts to thwart the program and harm Iranian interests in the region. In the spirit of Supreme Leader Khameneis past remarks, the new commander of the Iranian army (Artesh), Major General Abd al-Rahim Mousavi, upon assuming office, vowed that he is committed to the goal that Israel would cease to exist within 25 years, thanks to the bravery of the Iranian Shahids (martyrs).

The outgoing Iranian defense minister, Hossein Dehghan, on the left, and the incoming one, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, on the right [The outgoing Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan was appointed special advisor to Khamenei on defense industries, see below.] The IRGC welcomed Hatamis appointment and wrote in a congratulatory message: Undoubtedly, your presence in this sensitive position, is in line withthe bolstering of strategies and programs in the defense ministry for developing and enhancing the up-to-date growth of the defense industry [and with] deepen[ing] the imperatives of deterrence and defensive might of the country, with emphasis on missile capability and support for the Islamic resistance front to counter proxy wars and Takfirist [apostate] terrorism in the region... The Missile Program and Resistance at the Top of the Agenda Hatami, who has held senior positions in the conventional Iranian army (Artesh) and the Defense Ministry, is the first defense minister of the Islamic Republic who does not hail from the IRGC. He touched upon two of the main aspects of building Irans deterrent power, namely, the missile program and the export of the revolution (via the Quds Force). The Quds Force is still the spearhead of Irans efforts to restructure the Middle East in the wake of the Arab Spring. Its commander, Major General Qasem Soleimani, is almost personally involved in each combat arena where the force is openly engaged  in Iraq, Syria, and, via subversion, in Yemen and the Gulf states. In the second term of President Hassan Rouhani, Iran continues to pursue an ambitious agenda of entrenching its status as a regional power. Its influence  along with that of elements under its authority in Iraq and Syria  is growing. In those two countries, it seeks to establish facts on the ground with an eye to the day after they are freed from the grip of the Islamic State and to prevent negative developments such as the granting of independence to the Kurds. Iran is exploiting its contribution to the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to entrench its status as a power broker, without which no new order will be established in either of those countries. Iran views Iraq and Syria not only as lines of defense for its own territory but also as part of its strategic regional vision of forging a Shiite territorial continuity from Iran to the Mediterranean Sea. This Shiite crescent is meant to include Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to create a platform for the resistance front  a term for the ongoing struggle against Israel and the Sunni states led by Saudi Arabia. With this land corridor, Iran can transfer weapons to Hizbullah through Iraq and Syria, and Iran can turn Saudi Arabias long border with Iraq into a channel for transferring aid and weapons to subersive Shiite elements in the Saudi kingdom using the Quds Force and even move to destabilize Jordan. The active and ongoing involvement of the Quds Force in the main Middle Eastern arenas, particularly Syria and Iraq, enable it and its proxies to gain combat experience, to augment the continuing logistical assistance by air, land, and sea, and to test a wide variety of new battle tactics (on land and at sea). Such tactics will likely be used in future rounds of warfare with Israel, including from the liberated Syrian territory. For example, the Quds Force continues to operate in Yemen and to funnel weapons and ammunition to the Houthi rebels through new sea lanes leading from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea. These same lanes served in the past, and they will probably also serve in the future to transfer weapons to Hamas and the other organizations included in the resistance camp. In recent years, the Houthis have attempted maritime strikes on ships and ports of the Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen. In August, the coalition forces managed to thwart several attempted Houthi attacks using waterborne improvised explosive devices (WBIED) near the port of Mokha on the Red Sea coast and remote-controlled waterborne explosive devices (RC WIED). Over the past year, the Saudi coalition forces were also able to thwart attacks by explosive suicide boats. In some cases, the Houthis have succeeded to hit the coalition forces. The Syrian Debt Iran and Hizbullah, which in recent years have been heavily involved in the Syrian arena and the struggle for Bashar Assads survival, will want to exact the Syrian debt and ensure that they remain in Syria after the war. This goal will probably dovetail with Russias interest in supporting the Iranian-led Shiite axis against the United States and the Sunni camp, including Washingtons efforts  so far unsuccessful  to get the Sunni camp involved in jumpstarting a comprehensive diplomatic process in the region to include the Palestinians. A Window of Opportunity The new Iranian defense minister has taken office at a very sensitive time for Iran. From its standpoint, there is now a window of opportunity to exploit the Sunni Arab camps weakness and the Russian tailwind to advance its long-term interests in the region and fill the void left by the Islamic State. Again it comes as no surprise that in his initial statement after being elected and also during the hearing that was held for him in the Majlis (parliament), Hatami placed emphasis on the main components of Irans power  the missiles and the Quds Force  and on combating the United States, which Iran continues to regard as its arch-enemy. The defense minister also stressed Irans commitment to supporting the wider resistance fronts in Israel in particular, but also in the secondary Middle Eastern arenas  the Gulf States, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the North African states, as well as those that oppose the United States in Latin America. As a military man rather than an IRGC man, Hatami is, in fact, likely to ramp up his commitment to the IRGCs particular objectives  the missile and nuclear programs along with exporting the revolution. President Rouhani, too, in his address at the start of his second term, underlined Irans commitment to its long-range missile program despite the United States threats. On this subject, there is no controversy between the different camps in Iran. As in the North Korean case, the missile program and the nuclear program are clearly linked. The former, which Iran continues to promote openly, constitutes the platform for achieving Irans nuclear goals, which it keeps pursuing covertly. Iran is also threatening to openly resume the nuclear program if the United States keeps imposing sanctions. Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei appointed outgoing defense minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan as his senior advisor for military industries. Political, security, and intelligence figures who have played key roles in the Iranian government and the IRGC are serving as advisers in the Leaders bureau. This office is a central body of a parallel government, more important than the Iranian government, in which Iranian policy in the field of security, foreign, and domestic policies are determined. Dehghan, in the Supreme Leaders bureau, will continue to act to advance Irans interests with the extensive experience he has accumulated in his activities in the Revolutionary Guards. Dehghan filled a series of positions in Lebanon within the framework of the Revolutionary Guards, served as commander of the force, and was responsible, among other things, for building up the military power of Hizbullah. Dehghan was also involved in the attack (September 25, 1983) against the headquarters of the U.S. Marines in Lebanon in which 241 Marines and 58 French paratroopers were killed. In 2017, Dahghan declared, Today, the primary and religious duty of all Muslims is to liberate Jerusalem and to put an end to the cancerous tumor of evil ZionismThe Palestinian cause is the common denominator of unity in the Islamic world. It seems that the Dahghan will continue to be a major figure in shaping Iranian national security policy in the Supreme Leaders bureau. IDF Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael (Mickey) Segall, an expert on strategic issues with a focus on Iran, terrorism, and the Middle East, is a senior analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and at Alcyon Risk Advisors. Home
In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
Economic sentiment in the Eurozone countries has hit its highest level in more than 10 years last month, the European Commission informed. The positive mood was driven by rising confidence among industrial firms and in the service sector. The Commissions Economic Sentiment Indicator rose to 111.9 from 111.3 in July, marking the highest level since summer 2007. The measures aggregate business and consumer confidence.

Among the Eurozone members, Italy had the highest rise in economic sentiment followed by France and Spain, hinting that the signs of recovery are spreading. However, the positive mood subsided a bit in Germany and the Netherlands, the traditional powerhouses. The rise in confidence underpins expectations that the single currency zone will retain its solid growth rate in the second half of the year despite a stronger euro, and will be driven by domestic demand. These results also drive economists expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) will soon begin to wind down a huge stimulus program following on the Federal Reserve in the US.

Robust survey indicators in euro area countries suggest that growth should accelerate through the rest of the year, while the consumer confidence indicator close to a 16-year high bodes well for the consumer-driven recovery, commented Madhavi Bokil, a Vice-President at Moodys Investors Service. Moody has also upgraded its growth forecasts for the Eurozone to 2.1% in 2017 and 1.9% in 2018. The European executive also said that industrial companies in the 19-country euro currency bloc upgraded their employment plans last month and their selling-price-expectations went up as well. However, consumers price expectations, remained virtually unchanged, the Commission said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asked the European Union to foot the bill of 400 million to help his country pay for its border protection expenses, including a newly built fence on its border with Serbia. According to his chief of staff, Janos Lazar, the EU should pay the half of the 800 million total border protection cost.

If we talk about European solidarity, then we must also discuss the protection of borders. Solidarity must be applicable there, too, Mr. Lazar said. That burden must also be shared. Budapest says that it was protecting all the citizens of Europe from the flood of illegal migrants, warning that double standards cannot be applied.

Hungary started putting up border fences on its border with Serbia two years ago, at the peak of the migrant crisis, without the EUs backing and it finished the second fence in April this year. Brussels is not supportive of building fences and walls as border protection and the Commissions spokesperson said already in 2015 that we have only recently taken down walls in Europe, we should not be putting them up.

The EU is also pursuing a number of infringement proceedings against Hungary due to some gaps in its treatment of migrants. The blocs major economies, such as Germany, have criticized Hungary for its treatment of asylum seekers, halting refugee resettlement, until Budapest can make sure that the conditions have improved. In 2017, the Hungarian government said that it would detain asylum seekers in shelters close to the border with Serbia until their legal status is clarified.
I wrote recently that what I learned about bail bonds companies made me appreciate them, at least from my capitalistic perspective, as an interesting and possibly profitable way to make money.

That doesnt mean Im deaf to other arguments, those against the industry. Those arguments have gotten louder recently, to the point that bail bonds businesses in places such as Houston, and the entire state of New Jersey for that matter, face an existential threat right now. They may not survive.

If you dont work in and around the bail bonds industry, you might not already know that a recent judges ruling is killing them in Houston.

At the end of April, Chief District Court Judge Lee Rosenthal ruled that all defendants accused of misdemeanor offenses in Harris County must be released from jail within 24 hours. The ruling went into effect this summer in Harris County, pending resolution of a lawsuit, expected in October.

The practical effect is to make all misdemeanor defendants eligible for bail through county-supported pretrial services or a sheriffs bond, avoiding the need for a more costly private bail bond.

The changes have eliminated 80 percent of the private bail bonds business, according to John McCluskey of Action Bail Bonds in Houston. He believes all of his fellow bail bonds competitors in Harris County have seen a similar catastrophic drop-off in their business. According to McCluskey, theyre pretty much dead.

Proponents and opponents of commercial bail bonds come to completely opposite conclusions about the proper role of private bail bonds versus pretrial services or so-called sheriffs bond, which are both publicly supported bail bonds that cost almost nothing.

Both sides agree on three key issues:

Fairness: Is it fair that people are released from jail awaiting trial, or not, based on whether they can afford bail, or not?

Public cost: Are taxpayer resources being used appropriately?

Public safety: Do bail conditions adequately prevent accused criminals, awaiting trial, from re-committing crimes? And which method best guarantees that people show up in court to face justice?

What opponents and proponents dont agree on is the data, how the other side uses the data, or what the data means. As a finance guy, public cost issue caught my eye in particular.

In conversations with three bail bonds owners in Texas, plus a fourth expert who has done consulting work for the industry, I heard them proudly represent a private-sector solution to the public-sector problem of ensuring court appearance for trial, thereby saving taxpayer dollars.

Requiring a defendant to pay for his release, bail bondsmen say, saves taxpayers from taking the financial risk of their eventual return to court. The cost of monitoring defendants falls to bail bondsmen as well, not county employees. Finally, if a defendant fails to show up for trial, bondsmen say, the cost of collecting them doesnt hit taxpayers.

In a narrow sense, taxpayer costs will go up in response to the recent shift to the public pretrial bail, the Houston Chronicle reported, as Harris County pretrial services hired a dozen new positions.

Mike Lozito, Bexar Countys head of pretrial services, estimates that he would have to triple his current staff of 71 to handle all bail cases if Bexar County went a similar route. Partly to avoid that additional public burden, Lozito told me, he welcomes the private/public partnership between pretrial services and the commercial bail bonds industry.

Yet, opponents of status quo make bigger, and ultimately more profound, cost arguments.

As Matt Alsdorf of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation told me, the narrow cost issue of bail bondsmen versus pretrial services does not accurately capture the true public expense of private bail.

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As Vice President of Criminal Justice at the Foundation, a think-tank at the forefront of challenging the commercial bond industry, Alsdorf argues that we need to take into account the total cost of incarcerating people. Keeping penniless defendants in jail because they cant post bail costs the public $75 up to maybe $300 dollars each night per person, depending on estimates and jurisdictions, according to Alsdorf.

U.S. senators Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, and Kamala Harris, D-California, argued in a recent New York Times editorial that 450,000 people sit in jails nationwide because they cant make bail. They estimate this failure to afford private bail costs the nation an additional $14 billion per year housing an expanded jail population.

Further, as Alsdorf points out, the impact of losing employment or disrupting families makes extra time in jail an economic catastrophe for people least able to endure that hit. That economic hit may appear justified to some people, because it punishes people who are arrested, but it also seems to encourage an ongoing cycle of poverty, which probably costs the public far more in the long run.

Facing the right-left alliance of senators Rand and Harris, think-tanks such as the Arnold Foundation, and civil rights groups like the one that brought the Harris County lawsuit, bail bonds companies ought to be very nervous. Could the Houston-area lawsuit spread to the rest of Texas?

As Bexar Countys public defender Michael Young explained to me, not right away, but maybe over time.

He said: Its true that there is a federal lawsuit pending in Harris County dealing with personal bonds and misdemeanors specifically. It is my understanding that the ruling in Harris County is specific to the facts presented in that case, so therefore any ruling wouldnt automatically be applied to another county in Texas. However, the legal reasoning of the federal judge could be applied to any county, and could result in a similar ruling, in future cases.

Ill interpret this to say, over time, follow-up lawsuits could eliminate private bail bonds in cities and counties all over Texas. As private businesses they might be dead men walking and not yet know it.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and a former Goldman Sachs bond salesman.

michael@michaelthesmartmoney.com or @Michael_Taylor
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CORPUS CHRISTI  Journeyman lineman Fred Green removed his hat and lowered his head as he led a room full of CPS Energy employees in prayer last week.

Its not about the money or the accolades, its about serving people, Green said as he prayed for safety over his brothers and sisters.

CPS dispatched 53 workers Wednesday to some of the hardest-hit communities in South Texas after Hurricane Harveys slow destruction along the Texas coastline. Tens of thousands of people were just starting to pick up the pieces left behind from the storm and remained without power.

The San Antonio-based public utility was answering a call from Ohio-based American Electric Power, which provides electricity to Victoria, Corpus Christi and Rockport. CPS readied its emergency crews and more than two dozen vehicles in less than a day to rally in Schulenburg, an hour-and-a-half east of San Antonio and the meeting point for outside utility crews. It could take the CPS group two weeks to clear downed poles and set up new ones.

The need for help is vast. Tim Wenske, an AEP distribution line inspector out of Victoria who was managing the check-in point in Schulenburg, said some of AEPs utility lines had hundreds of broken poles. Harvey was different from other major storms, he said, in how wide and how much disaster its been. Usually a hurricane comes and goes; this one sat.

It would take years to get systems fully back to normal in some places, he said.

In Rockport, which was hit with the full brunt of winds that blew more than 130 mph when Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, the destruction is overwhelming. Most of the infrastructure, including transmission stations and poles, will have to be replaced, Wenske said.

As the CPS convoy rolled south to its staging point in Corpus Christi, the scale of destruction was immense. Massive trees lay on top of houses in Victoria, where the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks and approached the tops of bridges on U.S. 77. Between Victoria and Corpus Christi, strings of 20 poles snapped in half by Harvey lay in ditches along the road.

It humbles you, said Green, a 27-year CPS veteran who has gone on every disaster response mission since 2001.

Within days after Harvey made landfall Aug. 25, 3,000 non-AEP utility workers passed through Schulenburg on their way to South Texas, said Raul Rawlo Lozano, AEPs safety lead for the disaster response effort. Thats on top of the more than 1,200 AEP workers who have come to South Texas from across the country.

For equipment operator Bertha Coronado, the trip was personal and, for CPS, a first  Coronado would be the first female employee to embark on a disaster operation.

The personal aspect is that Coronados second home in Rockport is gone, taken away by Harvey. She showed a picture sent by her neighbor that displayed widespread destruction and said that you can see my house, or where it was in the photo.

But guess what  I can still receive mail! Coronado chuckled, noting the still-standing mailbox.

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Coronado counted herself fortunate that it was a vacation home that she lost, while other people lost their homestead. They lost everything.

Now she was going on her first disaster mission, saying that this time its closer to home.

Green said the closeness of Harveys effects to San Antonio made this disaster trip different from the ones he made to New Jersey for Superstorm Sandy in 2012 or for Hurricane Matthew last year in Florida.

Were always out of state, Green said. Now were helping Texans.

rdruzin@express-news.net

@druz_journo
AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday endorsed imposing new development restrictions on rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Harvey to prevent future repeats of the disastrous flooding in the Houston area.

In the past, local plans to limit and control runoff from large-rainfall storms have been sidetracked by high costs and by opposition from business and development interests in a city without zoning controls.

Abbott's comments appeared to put him on the side of new development limits, surely for additional flood-control protections, in a city where the issue has been politically challenging for decades. He also appeared to advocate letting local officials take the lead in flood regulations.

That comes after the governor in recent months had advocated to restrict the authority of local governments regarding development rules, even such things as tree-cutting. Instead, Abbott pushed to preempt local control during a special session of the legislature this summer, even they went home without approving most of the Abbott-endorsed restrictions.

"As we go through the build-out phase, and rebuilding Texas, part of our focus must be on rebuilding in a way that will prevent a disaster like this from happening again," he told reporters before speaking during Sunday services at the Hyde Park Baptist Church, on the official Day of Prayer he proclaimed last week in Harvey's aftermath.

"An easy thing to say about this is we need to create the water ways and the water runoff, capture and distribution, in ways that we will be able to get flood waters out of the way without it creeping back up into flooding houses and other buildings."

He continued: "There are other strategies that we are looking at . . . studies that have been undertaken already that we can build upon to make sure that we do a better job to prevent this type of flooding in the future."

As part of his continuing message of collaboration with local officials, Abbott said he has pledged for the state to work as a team with Houston and Harris County in rebuilding to be more flood-smart. He said he discussed that on Saturday with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

"The lead on this, as far as design and implementation is concerned, will be Houston and Harris county for that region," Abbott said. "Texas will be involved in that process. but also Texas needs to be involved in other regions, whether its the Beaumont region or other parts of the state that have suffered flooding."

The governor also said the federal government will be a part of the collaboration on solutions to guard against another Harvey-like flood disaster -- which some officials speculate could top $200 billion in damages, larger than costly hurricanes Rita and Sandy combined.

Abbott said during an appearance on CNN Sunday that he thinks the losses will top $120 billion.

Later Sunday, Abbott was scheduled to huddle in Austin with U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, to discuss federal disaster assistance funding for Texas. Since the storm hit, Abbott has been working with Senate and House officials to ensure that enough disaster relief is allocated by Congress to cover the losses, and President Donald Trump in two trips to Texas has assured Abbott and other state leaders that the federal government stands ready to provide enough assistance to speed the recovery.

"Heading to Texas this weekend. The House stands ready to help restore, recover, and rebuild. #TexasStrong," McCarthy tweeted on Thursday, in advance of his trip.

Appearing at the Austin's church's 11 a.m. service to offer a prayer for Texas' recovery, Abbott told members of the congregation at the 3,000-plus member church that during a tour of Houston on Saturday with President Trump he was heartened to see tall mounds of debris piled up in many yards as Texans already have moved into the rebuilding phase.

"Texas and Houston are mending quickly," he said.

Aides said Abbott, a Catholic, planned to attend Mass with his wife later Sunday.
HOUSTON  In west Houston late Sunday morning, first responders went door to door to ensure that people had evacuated homes still flooded more than a week after Hurricane Harvey roared through Texas. At that moment, in a dry neighborhood across town, a few dozen residents were enjoying brunch at Pax Americana: brisket hash, honey-butter chicken, cold mimosas.

More than a week after the worst disaster in state history, Houston officials and residents began confronting a city of contrasts: between those spared by Harvey and those still in crisis. Between aiding people in need and returning to business as usual. Between starting the rebuilding process and pausing to reconsider the cost of unmitigated development.

A day after issuing a mandatory evacuation order for 300 people in flooded parts of west Houston  one of several areas that are likely to remain inundated for weeks longer  Mayor Sylvester Turner went on national Sunday talk shows with a bullish message for those thinking about visiting his beleaguered city.

The airport system is up and running. The transit system is up and running. Weve started picking up heavy debris, Turner said on CBS Face the Nation.

Let me be very, very clear, he added. The city of Houston is open for business.

Those words ring true in swaths of the region, where residents unaffected by Harveys floodwaters have begun a gradual return to normalcy. A family shopped for a new TV in the Galleria area. A teenager mowed grass in Cypress. A line of vehicles waited at a self-serve car wash in Bellaire.

Meanwhile, Harveys body count continued to grow, up to nearly 60 by Sunday evening. Yet more are expected to be found as water recedes from flooded homes.

It is kind of a surreal contrast, said Martha DeLeon, the executive chef at Pax Americana, where the Sunday brunch crowd was vibrant, despite being about half its normal size. Earlier in the week, shed been delivering free meals to displaced residents and rescuers.

Overall, I feel like people are trying to get back to a sense of normalcy, she said. But thats hard when you know so many of your neighbors have lost their homes.

Rebuilding underway

More than 1,000 people continued to shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center, down significantly from the 10,000-person peak a week earlier. An additional 2,600 or so remained at NRG Center. Those still there likely will be the hardest to relocate, officials said, either because their homes were damaged beyond repair or because floodwaters still havent subsided.

Im just worried, Billy Cartwright, 47, said at GRB. Im not sure whats going to happen to me.

He arrived at the shelter nine days earlier after losing his apartment. A parade of celebrities  including Harry Connick Jr., who stopped by Sunday  have helped distract and entertain evacuees, but thats little consolation for those whove lost everything they own.

Im going to have to stay here until they ask me to leave, Cartwright said.

The government effort to find longer-term solutions is underway. The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened its first Disaster Recovery Center in Houston on Sunday, at the north end of the George R. Brown. The agency is working to identify locations for additional centers, where residents affected by Harvey will be able to apply for aid, ask questions or resolve problems in person, agency spokesman Peter Herrick Jr. said.

Turner on Sunday also talked about the need to get displaced residents back in their houses as fast as possible. He said he asked President Donald Trump a day earlier to double federal funding for a program that helps residents rapidly repair and return to flood-damaged homes.

We need rapid repair housing, because many, many people have elected to stay in their homes, Turner said. They are now dry, but they need to be repaired. In some cases, they may need to be rebuilt.

In Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott seemed to pump the brakes on the rush to rebuild, calling for new development restrictions in order to prevent future flooding disasters. In the past, Houstons plans to limit and control storm runoff have been sidetracked by high costs and opposition from business and development interests in a city without zoning controls.

As we go through the build-out phase, and rebuilding Texas, part of our focus must be on rebuilding in a way that will prevent a disaster like this from happening again, Abbott told said before speaking during a Sunday service at the Hyde Park Baptist Church, on the official Day of Prayer he proclaimed last week in Harveys aftermath.

As part of his continuing message of collaboration with local officials, Abbott said he has pledged to work to guard against another Harvey-like flood disaster  which some officials speculate could top $200 billion in damages, more than Hurricane Rita and Superstorm Sandy combined.

Many residents across huge swaths of Texas remain in crisis.

Waiting and watching

In Crosby, the Harris County fire marshals office set off the remaining six containers of volatile chemicals at Arkemas plant Sunday afternoon, days after the plant flooded and lost a complex cooling system that kept the chemicals from exploding.

But it was unclear late Sunday when residents who live near the plant would be allowed to go home. Hundreds living within 1 miles had evacuated last week.

In Beaumont, where homes remain flooded and residents were cut off from city water late Sunday, the Coast Guard continued rescuing people, including four boaters earlier in the day whod run out of fuel and were drifting aimlessly along the overwhelmed Neches River.

Across Texas, about 37,000 storm evacuees were staying at more than 270 shelters, where FEMA has so far dished out 4.7 million meals and 18 million cups of water. Many millions more will be needed in the coming months.

In a Sunday morning update, FEMA officials said Trumps approval of disaster assistance cleared the way for the federal government to pick up 90 percent of the cost of debris removal, a gargantuan task that officials expect will strain area landfills and heavy-hauling trucking companies for months.

Residents who spent the week gutting their flooded homes were less worried about debris removal than finding a way to return to normal.

Lary Tillmon sat on a camping chair in the driveway of his flood-damaged home in Independence Heights, behind a mound of ruined possessions, ripped and sodden on the street. They were the least of his problems.

Music played through his speakerphone as he sat on hold, waiting for a FEMA representative to pick up.

He sighed, thinking about the loss of his home. About paperwork issues holding up his application for FEMA aid. He glanced back at his phone screen, still on hold. Waiting.

Its hurting me so bad, he said.

During Turners interview on CBS earlier that morning, the mayor said Houston is a can-do city and that although the recovery will likely take years, hes already prepared to invite tourists.

Were not going to engage in a pity party, we are going to take care of each other, he said. But we are getting back on our feet, and we are open for business and we do want people to continue to come to this city.

Houston Chronicle Staff Writers Maggie Gordon and Lindsay Ellis contributed to this report.
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VICTORIA  Survivors of Harvey are finding that it is the kindness of others that has helped them weather the storms wrath, from hurricane to tropical storm.

On Sunday, which President Donald Trump declared a National Day of Prayer for those affected by the storm, thousands of Victoria residents received food, water and ice from state agencies and resident volunteers.

Weve seen people from everywhere. They just show up and jump right in. Its very helpful and heartfelt, said Rick McBrayer, the citys emergency management coordinator, who added with a laugh, Now I sound like a politician.

Harvey hit the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane, then transformed into a tropical storm. When it struck Victoria about a week ago at Category 2, the city was battered by wind gusts in the triple digits and was plunged into darkness  the storm killed power in thousands of households and brought a deluge that led to a boil water notice. Residents were ordered to evacuate, and away they fled.

Now, many Victoria evacuees have returned to their hometown, only to be without potable water and power to cook food and cool their homes.

City and Victoria County officials worked with the state to establish two points of distribution. The state has now sent out members of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas State Guard, many of them from San Antonio, to multiple municipalities in Texas, including Beaumont, Goliad, Refugio, Rockport and Aransas Pass.

Victoria has begun the painstaking task of rebuilding and recovery, impeded in part by occasional ripple effects of the hurricane. As of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, there were 5,400 power outages in the Victoria County area, down from a peak of about 29,000 one week ago.

Not only did we get the force of Hurricane Harvey seven days ago, but then we had major flooding after that, McBrayer said.

The city has been under a major flood warning by the National Weather Service for days now, with waters reaching over 30 feet at crest Friday. Residents countywide experienced between 9 and 15 inches of rainfall, McBrayer said.

Under a beating sun Sunday, red-faced volunteers and guardsmen handed out Meals Ready-to-Eat, or MREs. The food packets typically are passed out to the U.S. military and have water-activated heaters  residents can eat hot spaghetti or tortellini just by adding water.

People came in droves, and at each handout, residents gave thanks. Thank you all for everything you do, one man said; God bless you, said an elderly woman; Can I shake your hand? said another resident.

About 1,700 families took advantage of their services Saturday at a community center, which, McBrayer estimated, added up to some 4,000 people getting aid. And considering the nonstop line of cars Sunday, he predicted that that day and Monday would serve about the same number of residents.

Moses Valenzuela, 20, drove down from Lubbock with his mother to lend a hand. They couldnt find a hotel room in Victoria  many are still booked by evacuees and temporary workers or are out of order because of a lack of power  so theyve been staying at a hotel in San Antonio and making the drive in the mornings.

I just started thinking, Im at home with my family while other people are not with their family. Theyre picking up debris from their house and trying to figure out their future. And I thought, I have to come down, Valenzuela said.

Everyone is going to Houston instead of the other small communities, he said as he grabbed two MREs and, with a smile, handed them to a family in a pickup.

Hows your day? he asked them, and they grinned. The woman shook his hand.

Some dont even have a house and still smile, he said, as he shook his head in disbelief.

For about a week, the two distribution sites each have issued between 2,200 and 2,500 cases of water per day and 2,600 to 3,000 bags of ice per day, McBrayer said.

Now were at the point when were getting the resources we needed and the needs are slowly coming down, he said.

But while the trickling effect, as McBrayer called it, of the hurricane is slowing to a drip from a roar, its still not over.

Haresh Kumar, a kidney doctor, tended to four patients Saturday night that all had kidney failure because of dehydration.

Ive never seen four patients with heat exhaustion in one day like that. I can tell its because they dont have good water to drink, he said.

Theyre trying to fix their city and not keeping themselves hydrated, he added.

Both of Victorias hospitals closed, he said, sending upward of 300 patients in mass casualty ambulances to hospitals in San Antonio and other surrounding areas. The dialysis clinics where he worked closed, and they had to order enormous water tanks and back-up generators to get people through the storm.

The building at the hospital where his brother works collapsed, he said, which means close to 200 employees are out of a job.

He said the hospitals reopened Wednesday. Kumar started work early Sunday so hed have time to get out to a distribution site and volunteer  he handed out the water.

Its better to know theyre getting water here than seeing them in the hospital, he said, shrugging, before rushing to hand off a pack to a couple.

He said that beyond folks physical well-being, he worries about their mental health.

Most of the people that stayed thought they were going to die from the winds, he said. You can see it was an emotional trauma.

The streets of Victoria dont look the same as they used to, with broken stoplights, leafless trees and debris scattered everywhere. But around the city, churches, nonprofits and shops are beginning to open up, many offering free clothing or water to residents.

Kumar said its a different city now, but that thats OK.

If you look around, were getting so much support, he said. I think well come out stronger.

McBrayer said the troops likely will pack their bags, and the distribution centers will close, when more residents get power back and the water becomes safe to drink  all of which could be solved as early as this week.

Understanding the overall picture is a challenge, he said, and emergency management now is working to connect people to resources such as registering their property damage and other steps to rebuild.

Susan Nevlud and her husband fled to Waco during the storm, and when they returned, they found their home intact, but theyve been without food and potable water. She said theyve been scrounging around town, getting a free meal from a car dealership here, a case of water from a local church over there.

Were just waiting at this point, she said, two MREs in her hands and a case of water in her back seat.

The scariest part was coming home to see what we had left. But its OK, she said. Were going to make it.

Its sad, but people are strong, said Bob Sparks, who was picking up meals for his neighbors. We have a resilient people here. Out of the ashes, we will rise.

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Debris and muck were all that remained where homes once stood, tens of thousands spent the night in shelters, and others would weather another long day without safe drinking water or electricity. Yet, in churches across storm-ravaged South Texas, parishioners saw hope amid the devastation, and sought strength in faith.

Gov. Greg Abbott declared Sunday a Day of Prayer and urged residents to be steeled by their beliefs at a time of crisis. One Catholic congregation exiled by floodwaters held a makeshift service at a high school, another set out bug spray along with holy water, while pastors and priests talked of helping those in need and restoring a region left in shambles by Harvey.



Only days before Harvey hit, congregants at Christ United Church of Cypress, Texas, had celebrated returning to their beloved church after a long absence.

In the spring of 2016, the building had been devastated by a storm that forced the congregation to gut the historic structure and rebuild. Now, with the small brick church extensively damaged, the work must start again.

About 60 people gathered for a service Sunday at the church about 30 miles northwest of Houston, where Pastor Jeffrey Willey said he reminded his congregation that the church is not the building. We are the church.

We have to tear down all the walls again, he said in a telephone interview.

The church holds a significant place in the area, Willey said, its construction dating to the early 1900s. Hes been buoyed by an outpouring of concern from people and other churches around the U.S., eager to help.

We have a God that restores, that heals, he added. With faith, we walk above the troubled waters of this earth.

Its not the end, Willey said.



At the Pine Forest Baptist Church in Vidor, Texas, along the coast about 110 miles east of Houston, 45 people gathered for a service in the parking lot, after the church was flooded in the storm.

Pat Lawrence and her fiance, Jim Frasier, arrived on a tractor after navigating the floodwaters that had left some homes cut off, like islands.

You cant hardly comprehend all the water thats around, Lawrence said.

My house is not flooded, but getting out is flooded. Ive been in my house since last Saturday, she added. We came on the tractor because we wanted to come to church.

A few tears were shed.

Associate Pastor Dale Prudhome told the congregants that prayer would help sustain them. After the service, he announced where supplies were being distributed, and what roads were passable.

With people around the world praying for Texas, thats going to give you the strength to carry on, he said. To know that your brothers and sisters are there beside you. That theyre mourning with you. Theyre struggling on your behalf in prayer.



In Port Aransas, the Rev. Kris Bauta celebrated Mass in the darkened sanctuary of St. Joseph Catholic Church, just four blocks from the Gulf of Mexico. It was spared from the destructive storm surge by just 3 feet, suffering only a leaky roof.

As workers outside dragged toppled palm trees to the corners of the churchs parking lot, the priest asked for Gods blessing as we rebuild our lives and our beautiful island.

We will remember the destruction of this uninvited guest, but we will never stop being a people of hospitality. The peace will return, Bauta told parishioners.



At the First Baptist Church in Humble, Texas, a morning service was held for about 2,000 people in the parking lot. A pile of debris was stacked at one end of the lot, the church that was once flooded with more than 2 feet of water on the other. Hundreds of volunteers have been helping strip the building of damaged materials.



The service at Joel Osteens Houston megachurch was filled with talk of the deadly storm and its aftermath, and the way forward.

Harvey came, but it didnt take us out, Osteen said, after congregants listened to a live band accompanied by a light show, while many of the attendees stood and waved their arms. We are going to come out of this stronger than before.

The televangelist and his Lakewood Church had been criticized last week on social media for not offering to shelter people driven out of their homes. The church later opened its doors for those in need.

Osteen urged those at the service and those watching online, Dont run away from your faith, run to your faith.

He assured them, Joy comes in the morning.



President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended services Sunday morning at St. Johns Church in downtown Washington, marking what the president proclaimed as a national day of prayer in the aftermath of Hurricane Harveys devastation.

The first couple arrived for 10:30 a.m. services at St. Johns, a 19th-century Episcopal church across Lafayette Square from the White House. Presidents historically have visited St. Johns, including Trump, who attended services there on the morning of his inauguration, Jan. 21.

Trump, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and red-and-blue striped tie, shook hands with clergy members as he went inside the sanctuary. Melania Trump wore a pink dress and powder-blue coat.

The Trumps typically attend church only on holidays or special occasions, but the first couple appear to be trying to demonstrate solidarity with those suffering in Southeast Texas and Louisiana and to unite the country after last months deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

During a meeting last Friday with evangelical leaders, the president signed a proclamation making Sunday a national day of prayer. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said, From the beginning of our nation, Americans have joined together in prayer during times of great need to ask for Gods blessing and Gods guidance.

On Saturday, the Trumps visited with storm victims in the Houston area and Lake Charles, Louisiana. The president encouraged volunteers at First Church of Pearland, in a Houston suburb, to take time to pray this weekend.

So many of you are faith-based, and I want to tell you, tomorrow we have national prayer day, Trump said. He added, So go to your church and pray and enjoy the day.

Washington Post contributed to this report.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Koreas detonation of a sixth nuclear bomb Sunday prompted the Trump administration to warn that even the threat to use such a weapon against the United States and its allies will be met with a massive military response.

The test  and President Donald Trumps response  immediately raised new questions about the presidents North Korea strategy and opened a new rift with a major U.S. ally, South Korea, which Trump criticized for its talk of appeasement with the North.

The underground blast was by far North Koreas most powerful ever. Though it was far from clear that the North had set off a hydrogen bomb, as it claimed, the explosion caused tremors that were felt in South Korea and China. Experts estimated that the blast was four to 16 times more powerful than any the North had set off before, with far more destructive power than the bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

Yet after a day of meetings in the Situation Room involving Trump and his advisers, two phone calls between the president and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, and even demands from some liberal Democrats to cut off North Koreas energy supplies, Trumps aides conceded that they faced a familiar conundrum.

While the Pentagon has worked up a series of military options for targeted strikes at North Koreas nuclear and missile sites, Trump was told that there is no assurance that the United States could destroy them all in a lightning strike, according to officials with knowledge of the exchange. Cyberstrikes, which President Barack Obama ordered against the Norths missile program, have also been judged ineffective.

Trump hinted at one extreme option: In a Twitter post just before he met his generals, he said that the United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea. Taken literally, such a policy would be tantamount to demanding a stoppage of any Chinese oil to North Korea, essentially an attempt to freeze out the country this winter and bring whatever industry it has to a halt.

The Chinese would almost certainly balk; they have never been willing to take steps that might lead to the collapse of the North Korean regime, no matter how dangerous its behavior, for fear that South Korean and U.S. troops would occupy the country and move directly to the Chinese border.

Beyond that, the economic disruption of ending all trade with China would be so huge inside the United States that Trumps aides declined Sunday to discuss the implications.

After meeting with Trump, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis emerged to warn North Korea that any threat to the United States or its territory, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response. But Mattis, in a terse statement delivered on the White House driveway with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., also offered a word of reassurance to the Norths reclusive leader, Kim Jong Un.

We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, he said. But as I said, we have many options to do so.

There was no public discussion of pursuing a diplomatic opening to the North. Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson raised such a possibility two weeks ago, after a brief lull in North Koreas testing. That statement turned out to be optimistic at best. The North has shown no interest in engaging with the United States unless the Americans end their military presence in the South.

To the contrary, the North Korean leader has tried to portray his nuclear program as unstoppable and nonnegotiable, posing by a picture of what the Norths official news agency on Sunday called a hydrogen bomb that could be fitted into the nose cone of the ICBMs tested last month. Experts warned that the weapon, while shaped like a hydrogen bomb, could well have been a mock-up or decoy, one of the many steps the North takes to make it appear more powerful than it truly is.

On Monday, South Koreas army fired short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast in a simulated attack on North Koreas nuclear test site, its military said in a statement. F-15K fighter jets also joined in the show of force, firing air-to-land missiles, it said.

Only hours earlier, Trump reacted to the North Korean test by lashing out at South Korea.

North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success, he said. South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!

Trump appeared to be referring to the offers by South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, to enter into some kind of negotiations with the North that might lead to a renewal of the Sunshine Policy, an effort by some of his predecessors to lure the North into disarmament with economic engagement. Those efforts failed.

Moon said recently that he had obtained a promise from Washington that the United States would never take military action without Seouls approval  a commitment the Trump administration has never confirmed.

Trumps undisguised swipe at the South for appeasement was certain to exacerbate fears that the United States might put it in danger. And it came only a day after Trump threatened a new rift in relations with suggestions that the United States might withdraw from a trade deal with South Korea  one that was intended to bolster the alliance.

In response to Trumps criticism, Moons office said it was working closely with Washington to exert maximum sanctions and pressure. But it also reiterated that the allies shared the understanding that the goal of these sanctions and pressure was to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.

We have experienced an internecine war and can never tolerate another catastrophic war on this land, Moons office said in a statement. We will not give up our goal of working together with allies to seek a peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

While Washington and Seoul argue over the threat of military force, Kim seems determined to forge ahead. He has conducted more than 80 missile tests since taking over the country. And four of the six nuclear tests have been on his watch.

This was the biggest, by far. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that the tremor set off by the blast, detected at 12:36 p.m. at the Punggye-ri underground test site in northwestern North Korea, had a magnitude of 6.3.

The South Korean Defense Ministrys estimate was much lower, at 5.7, but even that would mean a blast five to six times as powerful as the Norths last nuclear test, a year ago, said Lee Mi-sun, a senior analyst at the South Korean Meteorological Administration.

The Souths National Fire Agency, which operates an emergency hotline, said it had received 31 calls about buildings and the ground shaking, the first time that South Koreans had reported tremors after a North Korean nuclear detonation.

The blast was so powerful that the first tremor was followed by a second, weaker one minutes later, which the U.S. Geological Survey called a collapse, probably a cave-in at the Norths underground test site.

Condemnation of the test came from around the world.

China, the Norths main ally and biggest trading partner, expressed strong condemnation of the test, according to Xinhua, the state news agency, but suggested no new action. Its leaders feel as stymied as their U.S. counterparts, according to many China experts.

Japan requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, as it did earlier in the week after a missile test over Hokkaido, its northernmost island.

In Europe, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that North Korea deserves absolute condemnation, and a joint statement from Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Emmanuel Macron of France said the most recent provocation from Pyongyang reaches a new dimension.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said the test amounted to a complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community.
Before Hurricane Harvey struck Southeast Texas, Houston developer Martin Bronstein wanted to build an apartment complex in northeastern Harris County. Now he isnt sure.

He plans to drive to the property this week to check whether it flooded. If it did, he might cancel the project, he said. Even if it didnt, he might raise the complexs height to reduce damage from future storms.

Developers are just starting to survey the extent of Harveys damage in Houston, now that roads are reopening and they can inspect their properties. At least 75,000 homes have been damaged, said Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood District  and Im pretty confident saying its higher than that.

Loss estimates of total damages across Texas and Louisiana run the gamut, with Accuweather projecting more than $190 billion in total losses, the most expensive natural disaster ever. Moodys Analytics released more conservative estimates, up to $108 billion with homeowners and businesses suffering a combined $60 billion to $75 billion in property damage.

This is the costliest and worst natural disaster in American history, Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder and chairman of AccuWeather, said in a statement.

It could take months or years for Houstons vibrant housing market to recover from the storm, analysts and developers said. Deals that were scheduled to close will be delayed, and buyers who were shopping for homes may reconsider Houston. Crews scheduled to build new homes will likely be lured away for the reconstruction, delaying new homes by months and increasing the costs of labor and materials. The housing market will tighten as the supply of homes shrinks, pushing rents higher in areas that werent flooded.

There will be a significant impact on real estate. I just dont think anyone knows what thats going to be, said Bronstein, founder and senior principal of development firm BHW Capital. Business will not be normal for some time.

Banks will be hit particularly hard since standard homeowners and renters insurance doesnt cover flood damage, and policies in some areas dont cover wind damage. With only about 15 percent of Houston residents insured against floods, Robert Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America, expects some may choose not to return home because it will be too costly.

Some people likely will walk away from their homes  people with little equity and serious damage, particularly if low-income, will walk as they did from Ward 9 in New Orleans, Hunter said in an email. I expect it to be a fairly big problem in numbers, not percentages, given the size of Houston.

The Houston metropolitan area was starting to get hot before Harvey hit  it was the leading homebuilding market in the U.S. last year, with 35,367 building permits issued for new homes, according to data from the Texas A&M Real Estate Center. Despite ongoing weakness in the oil industry, home sales and prices were rising steadily as local job and population growth lifted demand across the state, said Jim Gaines, the centers chief economist.

Low oil prices put a damper on residential real estate in Houston for parts of 2014 and 2015, but the market roared back over the past year. The metro area set a record in June for the number of homes sold  8,775, up 29.8 percent from the same month in 2012. Another record was set that month for the median home price, $239,000, a 40.6 percent increase from the median of $170,000 five years earlier.

Its going to be a significant short-term blow to the market, but the question is going to be how long it will take to come back. I suspect it will be may be a year or two, Gaines said.

If Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is any indication, more than 75,000 borrowers in Houston will start missing their mortgage payments over the next two months, and 45,000 will become seriously delinquent on their mortgage or face foreclosure within four months, according to an analysis of the Baton Rouge market after Katrina by Black Knight Financial Services of Jacksonville, Florida.

Mortgages delinquencies spiked for about a year in Louisiana after Katrina, rising to nearly 25 percent in the third quarter of 2005 from 6.7 percent in the previous quarter, said Ali Ahmad, a spokesman for the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The recoverys going to be long and painful, and people are just going to have to be patient, said Frank Trapani, president of Louisiana Realtors, an association that represents the states real estate agents.

The potential mortgage losses in Houston may dwarf Hurricane Katrinas, with slightly more than 1 million mortgaged properties with $164 billion in outstanding mortgage balances in the Houston area, Black Knight said. Thats more than double the number of mortgaged properties and almost four times the outstanding mortgage balances on the homes in the areas of Louisiana and Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

More than 95 percent of residents in the Houston metro area with a mortgage have more than 10 percent equity in their home, according to an analysis by Black Knight Financial Services of Jacksonville, Florida. But homes that flooded and dont have flood insurance may be a total loss for homeowners, even those who have a decent amount of equity in their homes.

Will the damage potentially swamp, if you will  the relatively strong equity positions in the homes? said Ben Graboske, executive vice president of Black Knights data and analytics division. That to us really stands out as the big question that we think only time will really tell.

Graboske said he expects Houston-area homeowners will do the math and find that it doesnt make sense to abandon their homestead, in part because of their equity positions.

At the same time, new residents might be reluctant to move to areas that flooded, or they might avoid Houston as a whole, said John Leggett, founder and CEO of Houstons On Point Custom Homes. He said hes moving forward with plans to build homes in areas that flooded.

Its going to be a tough sell to anyone relocating here, Leggett said. I think it subsides, like anything, over time, but who knows how long that takes? A year, two years? I think it affects everybodys psyche right off the bat.

The storm could also cause problems for Houstons office market, which has struggled with high vacancy rates driven by the recent slump in the energy industry. Slightly more than a fifth of Houstons office space was vacant in the second quarter of this year, according to NAI Partners. An analysis by Trepp noted that major leases are about to expire in some of Houstons office buildings, and damage from Harvey could make it difficult to fill the space back up.

Developers are also facing higher labor costs, a shortage of skilled workers and construction materials. Texas is specifically in short supply of concrete workers, electricians, cement masons, carpenters, plumbers and installers of all kinds, including drywall, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

The problem will grow more pressing as homeowners and businesses start rebuilding in the wake of the storm, which dropped roughly 50 inches of rain on Houston alone.

Those are all positions that will be needed in Houston and the coastal areas  Houston will draw resources away from San Antonio, said Doug McMurry, executive vice president at the San Antonio office of the AGC. The scope of the work required in Houston is unknown, but obviously it will be huge.

David Hendricks contributed to this report.

rwebner@express-news.net

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Antonio Menchaca, one of the early city leaders in San Antonio after Texas won independence, later told compelling stories of his recollections of Jim Bowie, Sam Houston and other key figures in history during his long and colorful life as a military officer, politician and advocate for the rights of Tejanos.

Menchaca came from one of at least 10 families with Spanish surnames whose involvement in the early development of San Antonio was significant. The Menchacas were especially noted for their military service, political leadership and ranching, sometimes in conflict with government authorities under Spanish and Mexican rule. The familys roots here have been traced to the 1718 arrival of Francisco Menchaca, a soldier with the 1718 Martin de Alarcon Expedition, which resulted in the founding of San Antonio de Valero and the presidio of San Antonio de Bejar.

Francisco, a presidio soldier, had six children, including Luis Antonio Menchaca, a captain of the presidio for 10 years starting in 1763 and a major rancher in the area who led a dispute between ranchers and the missions over ownership of loose cattle. The 1779 census listed Luis, with a sprawling ranch in todays Karnes and Wilson counties and one of the oldest, largest land grants in the province, as the wealthiest man in Texas.

But when he tried to have his son accepted as a cavalry cadet, Spanish Gov. Domingo Cabello y Robles wrote to the commandant general that the father plays cards just as much as do the sons, from which Your Lordship can infer the poor upbringing and lack of modesty and respect.

Luis Menchaca had already miffed Spanish officials over the arrest of Rafael Martinez Pacheco, who had been ousted from another presidio in East Texas. Author Jack Jackson, in Los Mestenos: Spanish Ranching in Texas, 1721-1821, wrote that Menchaca, rather than keeping Pacheco in a cell, attended a bullfight with him in San Antonio and even let him attend a masked ball disguised in womans apparel.

In his booklet The Texas Connection with the American Revolution, author Robert H. Thonhoff called the Menchacas a family steeped in revolutionary tradition in Texas, having helped drive cattle to Louisiana to support the U.S. Revolutionary War against England.

In a line of descent that is not clear, members of this family figured prominently in the American, Mexican and Texas revolutions, Thonhoff wrote, noting that a later descendant, Jose Antonio Menchaca, distinguished himself at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Antonio Menchaca may have been born in San Antonio in 1800. Some sources and his gravestone say 1797. He joined Juan Seguins company in Gonzales in February 1836. After serving at San Jacinto, he was a San Antonio city alderman for several terms and mayor pro tem for a year, starting in July 1838. He resumed work as a soldier, protecting San Antonio and travelers on the frontier. In the 1870s, he led efforts to secure benefits for Tejanos who had served in the Texas Revolution, fighting discrimination by the state.

Antonio Menchaca died in 1879 and was buried in San Fernando Cemetery No. 1.

In a version of his memoirs published by the Yanaguana Society in 1937, he recalled San Antonios aftermath following the 1813 Battle of Medina. Spanish royalists had toppled a rebellion in the deadliest battle ever fought in Texas, south of San Antonio, resulting in the deaths of some 800 to 1,000 men. The carnage left the town so vulnerable to raids by hostile indigenous bands that by 1814, a pound of coffee cost $2.50  an outrageous price for the time.

The people being in such pressure, would at the risk of their lives go out in the country to kill deer, turkey, etc., and cook herbs for the support of their families, Menchaca recalled.

According to the memoir, Menchaca returned to San Antonio from the east in late December 1835, several days after the Battle of Bejar and a Mexican surrender. His friend James Bowie embraced him and commenced to cry because Bowie had not been with his wife, Ursula Veramendi, when she died of cholera in Monclova at age 21.

Are you still my companion in arms? Bowie asked.

I shall be your companion, Jim Bowie until I die, Menchaca replied.

Several weeks later, at about 1 a.m. on Feb. 11, 1836, during a fandango for David Crockett, a dispatch arrived warning that Mexican Gen. Santa Anna and his army of thousands were marching to San Antonio to recapture the town. Menchaca read the letter, and Bowie reported it to the Alamo commander, William Barret Travis. Menchaca recalled Travis saying that it would take Santa Annas army at least nine more days to get there.

Let us dance tonight, and tomorrow, we will make provisions for our defense, Travis said, and the ball went until 7 a.m.

Menchaca left for Gonzales, but in the run-up to San Jacinto was put off by orders from Houston that Seguins company of Tejanos was to remain in camp, rather than fight. According to Menchacas memoirs, he and Seguin went to see Houston. Menchaca told the general that if he died, he wanted to die facing the enemy and would rather attend to his family than stay in camp and tend the horses.

Houston let the company fight in battle. Menchaca then recalled stirring speeches by Houston and Thomas Jefferson Rusk, the secretary of war, the next morning  two days before the battle.

Houston dwelt along and pathetically upon the suffering of those who had fallen at the Alamo, and upon those who fell at Goliad, Menchaca recounted, adding that Rusk then addressed the men with such force and effect as to make every man, without a single exception, shed tears.

The Mexican camp was taken by surprise April 21 in a short, bloody battle. Santa Anna was later captured, securing withdrawal of his troops and an independent Texas republic.

In 2013, historians Timothy Matovina and Jesus F. de la Teja produced Recollection of a Tejano Life: Antonio Menchaca in Texas History, adding newly discovered material from Menchacas memoirs and providing a concise, factual version of events.

Though no proof has been found, the unincorporated area of Manchaca, just southwest of Austin, is said to be named for nearby Manchaca Springs, where Antonio Menchaca is thought to have camped. According to a Justice for Menchaca Facebook page, his name was misspelled by the Texian army, with the alternative spelling now pronounced Man-shack in the Austin area. People have debated for years over renaming the town and Manchaca Road in Austin.

There is a Menchaca Elementary School, on Manchaca Road, in Manchaca.

shuddleston@express-news.net

Twitter: @shuddlestonSA

COMING WEDNESDAY: The Battle of Salado Creek.
Blackness in 21st-century France

UCLA-Los Angeles

This seminar is a follow-up to conversations started at ACLA conferences in Toronto (2013) and New York (2014). Our prior panels engaged with definitions and mapping of Blackness in the Hexagon from the 16th century onwards. To expand on this dialogue in Los Angeles, we would like to welcome papers that focus on new perspectives on Blackness in France. Our conversation will explore the impact of literary, cultural, and political currents that reassess the representations of the Black experience in France since 2000. Writers, intellectuals, and filmmakers such as Nathalie Etoke, Pap Ndiaye, Alice Diop, and Leonora Miano have produced works that provide meaningful insights on race, identity and (un)belonging in France. These works, coupled with the explorations of new trends in beauty, music and community engagement, will lay the foundations of our analysis of Blackness in France.



The seminar welcomes contributors that innovatively engage with:

Blackness in the French national narrative and literary canon

Sexuality, gender and Black queer identities in France

Images of the New French Black

Black ou Noir?

Afrofeminism

Paris, Province, Outre-mer

Social Media and Networking

Forms of engagement with the Black diaspora

Citizenship and the (Untold) Legacy of Slavery

Afro-futurism and Cultural Fantasy

Please Submit a 300-word proposal here: https://www.acla.org/blackness-21st-century-france.
I have to tell you about this, even though some of the forecasts are crazy extreme. For several forecast cycles, the models have suggested t...
Matt Smith wants to star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Matt Smith

The 34-year-old British actor would jump at the chance to take on a role in the superhero franchise, but only if he was asked by bosses and if it was the right part for him.

The 'Lost River' actor is best known for portraying the Time Lord in British sci-fi series 'Doctor Who' from 2010 to 2014, and says it would be important for a future role in the MCU to be a challenge and therefore different from playing the Doctor.

Asked if it is something he'd like to do, Matt said: "I'd love to. They've got to ask me though, the swines ... But it would have to be the right project ... It would have to be something that felt different enough to 'Doctor Who'."

Smith wouldn't be the first star of 'Doctor Who' to enter the MCU as Karen Gillan (a former companion) stars as Nebula in the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movies, Christopher Eccleston (9th Doctor) did 'Thor: The Dark World's Malekith', while his predecessor David Tennant played villain Kilgrave in 'Jessica Jones'.

He added: "I love so many of those movies and I love Nebula, because Karen's blue. With no hair. Anyway, I'd love to. If you're listening, Marvel."
Garbage have announced their first UK show in over two years.

Shirley Manson

The 'Why Do You Love Me' hitmakers surprised fans on Sunday evening (03.09.17) when they took to Facebook to share the details of a one-off performance at London's O2 Academy Brixton on September 14, which is to mark two decades of their second album ' Version 2.0'.

In a statement, they said: "Looking forward to playing our first UK show in over 2 years at London's O2 Academy Brixton on Friday, September 14th 2018! This show will be a 20-year celebration of our seminal second album, "Version 2.0" This should be a very special night for us all. Tickets will be available on September 8th: (sic)"

Shirley Manson and Co have also revealed that are working on their follow-up to 2016's ''Strange Little Birds' and even have a book coming out, thought it was a pain to write because so much has happened in their career spanning more than two decades.

Shirley - who is joined by drummer Butch Vig and guitarist Steve Marker in the punk trio - recently told NME magazine: "We'll start on the record in the summer and we've had a book out, which was an absolute pain in the f***ing arse. We're happy that it's now finished and we at least have put things down on paper. After 22 years of constantly making new memories it's harder and harder to remember what happened in the beginning, and so we'll have that for our families and friends."

The pink-haired frontwoman says they'll have a better idea of their direction with the new record once they are all in the room together

The 51-year-old beauty said: "I think each individual has their own ideas. We fluctuate. The record is the dictator. It's not us. I would love to be the dictator and I'm sure Butch would and Steven would but it's more about what happens when we get in the room and what occurs when we're together."
Meghan Markle is "overwhelmed" by the attention on her relationship to Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle

The 36-year-old beauty's former 'Suits' co-star Max Topplin has revealed just how much pressure the actress is under as she gets to grips with being girlfriend to a member of the royal family.

However, the 27-year-old actor - who played Harold Gunderson in the USA Network legal drama - says Meghan is madly in love with the 32-year-old hunk and that's all that matters.

He told New Idea magazine: "She's an actress, this isn't what she signed up for anyway ... this is like a whole new ballpark.

"But I know she's really happy, I know she's just embracing this new world for herself and I know she loves the guy."

Meghan and Harry celebrated the brunette beauty's 36th birthday last month with a three-week getaway to Africa, which included a 1,200-a-night stay at the luxurious Tongabezi Lodge in Zambia along the Zambesi river.

Speculation contiunes to grow that the pair have got engaged or Harry is preparing to pop the question soon.

The couple have been in a relationship since last November and, although some insiders thought a proposal would come last month, former royal chef Darren McGrady recently said a Christmas proposal is much more likely.

Darren said in August: "I really do think they would have been engaged by now. But Princess Diana's 20th anniversary this month in August, they can't trump that. And then November is the Queen and Prince Philip's platinum wedding anniversary so they can't trump that either, whereas December they can announce the engagement and they'd be free to marry next year; I think that's what's going to happen."

The former cook - who served the late Princess Diana and her two sons Harry and William - added that if the flame-haired royal does propose in December, it would mean the couple would be able to join the royal family for their traditional Christmas celebrations.
Japan's Princess Mako has got engaged to a commoner.

Princess Mako and Kei Komuro

The 25-year-old royal - who is the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko - revealed on Sunday (03.09.17) that she is to marry Kei Komuro, who she met whilst studying at Tokyo's International Christian University, after getting her grandfather Emperor Akihito's blessing.

However, choosing to tie the knot with someone outside of the royal family means that Mako will have to give up her royal status - a Japanese imperial law which only applies to females.

In a statement, the brunette beauty said: "I was aware since my childhood that I'll leave a royal status once I marry.

"While I worked to help the emperor and fulfil duties as a royal family member as much as I can, I've been cherishing my own life."

Mako and Kei have been dating for five years and were long-distance while Mako studied in the UK.

During a press conference over the weekend, Mako said it was her fiance's "bright smiles" that first attracted her to the 25-year-old legal assistant.

She said: "First I was attracted by his bright smiles like the sun."

The student said her lover is a "sincere, strong-minded, hard worker" who has a "big heart".

Kei is believed to have proposed some time ago, but the official announcement was called off after western Japan was flooded.

The wedding is expected to take place next year, but in-keeping with Japanese tradition several rituals will take place before the big day.

Mako also said that she is keen to create a loving home for her husband, but that they are not thinking about starting a family just yet.

She said: "Having a family goes beyond my imagination, but I hope to make one that is warm, comfortable and filled with smiles."
Sweden's Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have named their baby son Gabriel.

Princess Sofia and Prince Carl

The royal couple welcomed their little bundle of joy into the world on August 31 and, in keeping with tradition, the 38-year-old prince's father King Carl XVI Gustaf announced his grandson's name and title at a cabinet meeting on Monday morning (04.09.17).

King Carl confirmed at the Swedish Royal Court that the baby prince is called Gabriel Carl Walther and will be known as the Duke of Dalarna.

The announcement comes four days after the palace confirmed on the royal family's Instagram page that they had welcomed a new addition to their brood.

The statement read: "On Thursday, 31 August at 11.24 am, Princess Sofia welcomed a healthy and prosperous child at Danderyd Hospital.

"Both mother and child are doing well. (sic)"

Carl and Sofia already have 16-month-old son Prince Alexander and said they couldn't be happier to become parents for a second time when they announced the exciting news in March.

At the time, they said: "We are happy to announce that we are expecting a child, a sibling to Prince Alexander. We are looking forward to welcoming a new little member to our family."

Sofia, 32, previously admitted becoming a parent had changed her "whole life".

Speaking soon after giving birth of Alexander, she said: "Being a mother is amazing. It changes your whole life."

And Carl added: "The first time does take some adjustment. But it's still absolutely amazing and wonderful."

The prince married the former reality star in Stockholm in June 2015, and after a lavish honeymoon in Fiji, the brunette beauty fell pregnant with the couple's first child.

During his wedding speech, the prince recalled to guests how he had driven to see Sofia's father, who works in a job centre, to ask permission to propose and thanked her family for their support.

He also hailed the former model as his "role model" and praised the citizens of Sweden for accepting their union.

He said: "We never chose the tough way - it chose us.

"You fill my life with love and happiness. Today we prove that love conquers all.

"Sofia - you've enriched our family. Your family has received me with equally open arms. I've got another family."
Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham will reunite for a one-off online wildlife show.

Michaela Strachan

The 'Really Wild Show' presenters - who regularly host 'Springwatch' together but haven't fronted the CBBC series since it was axed in 2006 - have agreed to head to New Zealand for a an exciting one-off special called 'The Kiwi Wild Show'.

The programme will follow the blonde beauty as she works alongside the charity organisation Kiwis For Kiwi, which aims to preserve and protect the species in New Zealand, to help raise awareness of the endangered kiwi bird.

She said: "It's very exciting to co-host the 'Kiwi Wild Show' with Chris as it's an incredible opportunity to highlight the amazing work that the charity, Kiwis for Kiwi does to rescue and protect this endangered, quirky, lovable bird. It's a fact that without help, the kiwi could become extinct in our lifetime and we simply can't let that happen. We have the chance to act now, and make sure the kiwi isn't resigned to the history books."

Viewers will also get to watch Michaela as she follows the Operation Nest Egg - an egg rescue mission to deliver eggs to an incubation centre.

Once the eggs hatch, the baby birds are then released into a creche to grow stronger until they reach adult size and strong enough to be released back into the wild.

Conservation crusader Chris explained: "Upon learning we've lost 99 per cent of the population of this intelligent and adventurous bird in just 80 years, made me realise it's a race against time to protect these astonishing birds. Who wants to live in a world without the kiwi bird? Not me, that's for sure.

"'The Kiwi Wild Show' offers a platform to educate everyone, from all over the world on how one of the most unusual birds on this planet is on the brink of extinction and what's more, how we can all take small steps to help preserve these wonderful creatures."

'The Kiwi Wild Show' will be filmed on Friday September 15.
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) Q1 apparel index value for April-June in the current fiscal has moved up to 2.77 points compared to the 2.25 figure in the preceding quarter. This offers a sense of positivity about future business and is an indicator of the apparel market recovering post demonetisation, the association said in a report.Giant brands, the ones with widest retail network, registered 11.00 points, followed by large brands at 4.25. Mid brands scored 3.71 points, while small brands recorded the lowest apparel index of 1.47 points.

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) Q1 apparel index value for April-June in the current fiscal has moved up to 2.77 points compared to the 2.25 figure in the preceding quarter. This offers a sense of positivity about future business and is an indicator of the apparel market recovering post demonetisation, the association said in a report.#

The apparel industry, however, faced problems with the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) from July 1. As a result, most players stopped deliveries and focused on clearing inventories before buying fresh stock.Giant brands witnessed a 7.40-point growth in sales turnover with fast clearance of goods, while the same for large brands grew by 2.00 points. The sales turnover of mid brands and small brands grew by 2.30 and 1.00 points respectively. With the emphasis being more on liquidation, inventory holding was relatively lesser compared to earlier quarters.But there is an overall sense of positivity about business with festivals and weddings lined up in the second quarter.CMAl's apparel index is a tool offering concrete information for investors, industry players, stakeholders and policymakers. It assesses performance based on four parameters: sales turnover, percentage of fresh stocks sold, number of days of inventory holding and investments in brand development and brand building. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Japan and the United States are mulling over a proposal to include export restrictions on North Korean textile products in a new UN Security Council sanctions resolution, a Japanese news agency reported recently. The planned move aims at cutting off the communist states sources of foreign currency as textile goods are one of its major exports.This follows Pyongyangs firing of a ballistic missile over northern Japan on August 29. The apparent size of the North Korean textiles business makes it a potential target for future sanctions, experts say.

Japan and the United States are mulling over a proposal to include export restrictions on North Korean textile products in a new UN Security Council sanctions resolution, a Japanese news agency reported recently. The planned move aims at cutting off the communist state's sources of foreign currency as textile goods are one of its major exports.#

Analysts feel the current sanctions on North Korean coal, iron ore and seafood imply garments would make up a larger share of trade between the two countries.The exports of North Korean textile products, believed mostly to China, was $752 million last year, about 30 per cent of its total exports, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, a South Korean Government organization. China reportedly accounts for about nine-tenths of North Korea's foreign trade.Chinese companies are stepping up their use of North Korean factories to make clothes that are then stamped as Made in China and exported overseas, as per a report by a top global news wire. Garments are produced by joint ventures involving both sides or by North Korean companies under contract to Chinese firms. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Den/IM 2.0, the new studio-to-street knit denim collection developed in response to demand from fashion activewear market, by leading brands Lenzing, Tonello, Santoni, and Unitin, is set to debut at the BlueZone of Munich Fabric Start, the international tradeshow for textiles and accessories, to be held from September 5 to 7, 2017, at Munich, Germany.The new collection employs body-mapping for superior fit and performance, the efficiency of seamless knitting from Santoni, new sustainable wash treatments from Tonello, and the advanced indigo knits from Unitin featuring Lenzings TENCEL lyocell branded fibres.

Den/IM 2.0, the new studio-to-street knit denim collection developed in response to demand from fashion activewear market, by leading brands Lenzing, Tonello, Santoni, and Unitin, is set to debut at the BlueZone of Munich Fabric Start, the international tradeshow for textiles and accessories, to be held from September 5 to 7, 2017, at Munich, Germany.#

Body-mapping seamless sportswear involves just one piece of multiple-knit structure fabric, which provides improved wear comfort by adjusting local body heat exchanges. Each knitted garment in the Den/IM 2.0 collection incorporates different combinations of fibres and knitted structures, to create a unique cross-over concept.The seamless functional features of Den/IM 2.0 provide superior moisture wicking by incorporating TENCEL in a unique two-layer construction. These high performance yarns provide superior temperature regulation and a perfect microclimate for the skin. Engineering seamless fabric thickness provides padding, allowing greater body protection without sacrificing moisture management or temperature regulation. Body-mapping ensures that the engineered ventilation areas and 3D knitted structures are where theyre most needed in every garment.Tonello R&D manager Alice Tonello said, At Tonello, we strongly believe in collaborations, especially when aimed at bringing truly innovative solutions to the markets. Combining our finishing technologies like ECOfree, Laser Blaze and Core, with the high-end products offered by Lenzing, Santoni, and Unitin, we were able to achieve a brand-new product with technical performance and an authentic denim taste. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
India is all set to host its first Denimsandjeans show from September 25, 2017 in Bangalore. The two-day international trade show will bring together all segments of the Indian denim industry including denim brands, retailers, traders, second tier brands, garment manufacturers and exporters, buying houses, global buyers and others, on one platform.

Premium denim companies from India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Italy and Ethiopia among others will participate in Denimsandjeans India. All the major retailers and brands including H&M, Marks & Spencer, VF Corporation, Landmark Group, Li Fung, GAP Inc, Zara, Tesco, Pepe Jeans, Killer Jeans, Spykar, JC Penny, Target, Benetton, V-Mart, Shopper Stop, Reliance Trends, Myntra, Hypercity Retail, ITC Limited, Carrefour, Levis, Marks and Spencer, C&A, Pantaloons, Tata CLiQ, Westside and others are expected to visit the show.

The show will also host important talks on the latest trends, technologies, sustainability, innovation and developments by renowned global experts from Turkey, Italy, Spain and US on both days. Stefano Aldighieri, former creative director of 7 for all Mankind will talk about the secrets of making a denim brand successful. Dr Dilek Erik from Turkey will share her ideas on why rigid denim is coming back but stretch is still being used. Jordi Juani from Jeanologia will give details about evolution of jeans finishing from hand to technology and how this has changed the jeans world. Vasco Pizarro, director at the largest European laundry will speak about denim wash trends from top European brands for AW18 season.

India is all set to host its first Denimsandjeans show from September 25, 2017 in Bangalore. The two-day international trade show will bring together all segments of the Indian denim industry including denim brands, retailers, traders, second tier brands, garment manufacturers and exporters, buying houses, global buyers and others, on one platform.#

A trend area on the major trends emanating globally will be created where latest looks in various categories will be created at the show. It will be an opportunity for the visitors to know about latest global looks.

"We are very excited for our first edition in India. We have been organising shows outside India but were always looking for the right time to come to India and to play a small part in the growth of denim industry in India. Denim is going to continue as the fastest growing apparel sub sector and will new technologies and strengthening organised retail, the segment will get a great fillip. We are very hopeful for the industry growth in India," said Sandeep Agarwal, founder of Denimsandjeans.com, the organisers of Denimsandjeans India. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Afghan investors who will attend the India-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Show in Delhi in September say they will urge Indian businessmen to invest in their carpet industry with the help of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Indian Government, which, they want, should establish a free market for Afghan carpets in India.Carpet production in Afghanistan has dropped drastically in the last few years from two million cubic meters in 2010 to 40,000 cubic meters in 2017 and statistics show at least 75 percent of carpet weavers have left their profession.

Afghan investors who will attend the India-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Show in Delhi in September say they will urge Indian businessmen to invest in their carpet industry with the help of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Indian Government, which, they want, should establish a free market for Afghan carpets in India.#

Afghan investors said 90 percent of Afghanistans carpets are being sent to international markets under the name of Pakistan, thereby benefiting Pakistan, a leading Afghan TV network reported.We will increase our products if USAID rents a free zone for Afghan carpets in New Delhi or other cities in India, said Haji Nabi, head of Afghanistan Carpet Industry Union.Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said Afghan investors will continue their efforts to replace Pakistan with India for their exports. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The United Kingdoms Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has welcomed the governments response to its preliminary report on proposals concerning corporate governance reform and will use the feedback to develop its consultation on a fundamental review of the UK Corporate Governance Code later this year as the code approaches its 25th anniversary.The FRC will carry out a review of the codes current structure to ensure it promotes trust and integrity in business. The code sets out standards of good practice for listed companies on board composition and development, remuneration, shareholder relations, accountability and audit.

The United Kingdom's Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has welcomed the government's response to its preliminary report on proposals concerning corporate governance reform and will use the feedback to develop its consultation on a fundamental review of the UK Corporate Governance Code later this year as the code approaches its 25th anniversary.#

The FRC is an independent British regulator responsible for promoting high quality corporate governance and reporting to foster investment. Maintaining the appeal of UK business to global investors is a key challenge for the government and regulators with Brexit on the horizon, according to a recent FRC press release.The FRC believes an updated version of the code, along with the governments proposed Industrial strategy, will boost the British economy and benefit its society. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Cotton Australia has welcomed a Queensland Government initiative to invest in water infrastructure. The organisation is one of eight rural industry groups to receive funding for the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative (RWUEI) for 2017-18, administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, which is designed to help irrigators improve efficiency.The $100,000 in financial incentives has been made available to cotton growers to adopt technologies and services through water use efficiency and best management practice and training.

Cotton Australia has welcomed a Queensland Government initiative to invest in water infrastructure. The organisation is one of eight rural industry groups to receive funding for the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative (RWUEI) for 2017-18, administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, which is designed to help irrigators improve efficiency.#

Cotton Australia general manager, Michael Murray, says irrigators participating in the programme will have access to independent advice and evaluations of their current systems in order to improve water management on farm."Australia's cotton industry has made significant efficiency gains in recent years, and has improved water productivity by 40 per cent since 2003," Murray says."Due to our commitment to continuous improvement to best management practices and research and development, we produce more crop per drop than any other cotton-producing country.""Programmes such as the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative will help cotton farmers in Queensland continue their progress in this area, and we welcome the funding contribution from the Queensland Government.""Cotton Australia will communicate to growers about how to apply for funding in the coming weeks." (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
COTTON USA, which promotes US cotton fibre and cotton products, recently held a farm-to-closet booth at Gran Estacion shopping mall in Colombia, to show consumers the story of their cotton clothing from farm to closet for the value for US cotton. The one-day activity impacted a total 18,210 consumers, achieving $125,030 in earned advertising value.At the booth, the staff welcomed visitors by explaining how US farmers use precision agriculture to produce sustainable cotton, and then guided visitors along a pathway through a mock cotton field up to the final garment section. At the end of the tour, consumers received cotton candy and discount vouchers donated by COTTON USA-licensed brands.

COTTON USA, which promotes US cotton fibre and cotton products, recently held a farm-to-closet booth at Gran Estacion shopping mall in Colombia, to show consumers the story of their cotton clothing from farm to closet for the value for US cotton. The one-day activity impacted a total 18,210 consumers, achieving $125,030 in earned advertising value.#

COTTON USA also showcased licensed US cotton-rich garments, motivating consumers to prefer these brands based on their US cotton content. Consumers were able to touch and feel cotton yarns, fabrics, and garments from the following Cotton USA licensees Colhilados, Fabricato, Pizantex, Coltejer, Baby Fresh, Gef, Koaj, Marithe Et Francois Girbaud, New Project, and Punto Blanco. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Indian cotton yarn exports witnessed a fall of 9.79 per cent in the first four months of fiscal 2017-18, according to data compiled by the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL). Exporters cite slow pick up by China and Bangladesh, the two big target markets comprising around half of the cotton yarn shipments from India, for the decline.The countrys cotton yarn exports was worth $916 million between April and July. Exports to China, which accounts for 31 per cent of the overall export figure, have declined by 48.58 per cent during the period.

Indian cotton yarn exports witnessed a fall of 9.79 per cent in the first four months of fiscal 2017-18, according to data compiled by the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL). Exporters cite slow pick up by China and Bangladesh, the two big target markets comprising around half of the cotton yarn shipments from India, for the decline.#

The export decline has put at risk substantial investments in this sector due to a 60-65 per cent fall in capacity utilisation because of weak demand from domestic and global markets, a leading Indian business daily reported recently.The report attributes demonetisation and the imposition of 5 per cent goods and services tax (GST) for the tremendous pressure that domestic cotton yarn manufacturers have been reeling under. This is because the majority of the industry falls under the unorganised sector dealing in cash. As cotton yarn manufacturers never paid any taxes in the past, GST compliance brought the entire business to a standstill.According to TEXPROCIL executive director Siddhartha Rajagopal, Vietnam is gaining market share in China at the cost of India primarily due to zero tariff on imports to China and investment by Chinese textiles mills in Vietnam. Vietnam, with no cotton base, is now the largest supplier of cotton yarn to China, accounting for around 32 per cent of imports into China.(DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Indonesias upstream textile industry has urged the fiscal policy office to exempt raw materials supplied locally from value-added tax (VAT). Tax exemption is offered for imported raw materials to firms obtaining the ease of import facility for export purposes permission on the condition that the cheaper raw materials are used for output shipped abroad.Domestic manufacturers supplying raw materials to factory owners with such permission are subject to a 10 per cent VAT, which affects their competitiveness.

Indonesia's upstream textile industry has urged the fiscal policy office to exempt raw materials supplied locally from value-added tax (VAT). Tax exemption is offered for imported raw materials to firms obtaining the 'ease of import facility for export purposes' permission on the condition that the cheaper raw materials are used for output shipped abroad.#

Domestic manufacturers are currently preparing to respond to a government directive asking them to submit reports on their ability to supply quality raw materials in adequate volumes for export-oriented textile industries.As scrapping the 10 percent VAT will boost demand for local raw materials, the Indonesian Synthetic Fiber Producers Association (APSyFI), is in the forefront backing such a move, according to Indonesian media reports.APSyFI estimates domestic consumption of local raw materials in the textile industry could replace 100,000 tonnes of imports, thereby saving up to $500 million in foreign exchange and generating employment. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Lanfranchi S.p.A, a leader in the research and innovation of high-end zips from Italy, is set to display its new Superlampo T2 zip as part of its Autumn/Winter 2018-2019 collection at Munich Fabric Start 2017, the international tradeshow for textiles and accessories, to be held from September 5 to 7, 2017, at Munich, Germany, in hall 2, booth A041.The new Superlampo T2 zip pushes miniaturisation, reducing a small-sized object without compromising its functionality. The size and lightness of the new zipper make it perfect for silk or light fabrics, shirts and fine knitwear, inner pockets, and small leather goods.

Lanfranchi S.p.A, a leader in the research and innovation of high-end zips from Italy, is set to display its new Superlampo T2 zip as part of its Autumn/Winter 2018-2019 collection at Munich Fabric Start 2017, the international tradeshow for textiles and accessories, to be held from September 5 to 7, 2017, at Munich, Germany, in hall 2, booth A041.#

The careful choice of materials, the high quality of the finishings, the unparalleled smoothness satisfying both the look and the touch, make Superlampo a must for high and very high quality dresses. Superlampo is the outcome of an exclusive working process, where each element is polished separately; its design enhances the quality of the most glamorous garments.Sustainability as an industrial choice in Lanfranchis experience results in technology investment, especially regarding metal galvanizing and attention to raw materials used in processes. The production of Lanfranchi zippers is integrated with weaving, sewing, dyeing, cutting, moulding, galvanizing, and assembly. The machines are made in Italy, with the guarantee of compliance with all Italian and European regulations related to environmental conservation, work safety, and respect for workers themselves. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
HE PRESIDENT JIOJI KONROTE AT THE OPENING OF THE PARLIAMENT 2017-2018





 The Honourable Speaker;

 The Honourable Chief Justice and Honourable Members of the Judiciary; The Honourable Prime Minister; Honourable Cabinet Ministers; The Honourable Leader of the Opposition; Honourable Members of Parliament; Your Excellencies, High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen.Ni sa Bula Vinaka, Namaste, Asalaam Alaykum, Ni Hao, Noaia e Mauri, and a very good morning to you all.It is my honour to open this new Session of Parliament as we anticipate Constitution Day, which is coming in just three days time.We are assembled here today thanks to our Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.Our Constitution has been acclaimed internationally. It, amongst other things, mandates equality between all Fijians and a common identity. It has a comprehensive Bill of Rights, which affords all Fijians civil, political and socio-economic rights. More importantly, the Constitution does not just suggest action or simply express ideals. It directs Government to take action to turn those ideals into policies, laws and  most importantly  practices. Its language is clear: It uses words like shall and must. There is no ambiguity.It is sad that in this world, there are many constitutions that express noble ideals, yet many of those constitutions lay collecting dust while the ideals they contain are ignored and many of these constitutions are not able to accommodate the contemporary changes in society, while comprehensively addressing the past.I am proud to say that is not the case in Fiji.The Constitution gives us a way to live together, to govern and to make decisions. In other words, it expects us to make informed decisions and settle disputes in a respectful way. In some parts of the world, civilised disagreement is a luxury, and political differences are played out in street violence and civil wars.Madam Speaker, the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:This is the last time in this term of Government, will I address you to open a session of Parliament.Our Constitution specifies the term of Parliament as a minimum of three-and-a-half years and a maximum of four. Accordingly, we know that elections will be held sometime between April and November of next year. This will be our second election under the Constitution. It will be the first time that a government elected under our Constitution will go to the people to defend its record, and opposition parties will try to convince the people that they can do better. This is an element of our democracy.We Fijians will be tested in this election. We will be and should be challenged to contest this election on the basis of policies and principles  and truth. Although it may be tempting in the heat of an election, we will be tested not to descend into demagoguery, race-baiting, ethnic profiling, diminished dignity and lies. This I urge you most earnestly: This election must be contested over policies, over the future, not ethnicity, religion or geography.Elections are an integral element of democratic governance, but it is a sad truth that the elections are used to extenuate political differences. Each party will try to distinguish itself from the others. But after the election, we must come together to govern.Yes, there will be winners and losers in Parliamentary votes as well, but only after debate and informal consultation. It would appear some politicians find it easier to talk to each other in Parliament than on the campaign trail.Our 2014 elections were well-run and eminently credible by international standards.Our Electoral Commission is busy preparing for the upcoming elections, and the leadership and staff there have done an excellent job establishing the technical framework under which these elections will be contested. Long live Fijian democracy.Indeed the manner in which the Fijian Elections Office and its supervisor of elections have conducted themselves, have won them international acclaim and recognition.Only a few days ago Fiji was elected to the Executive Board of the Association of World Election Bodies representing the Oceania Region. The Association of World Election Bodies comprises of 106 election Management bodies globally and this is the first time an Oceania seat has been included.This is proof that our electoral system, our electoral processes and the calibre of our personnel at the Fiji Elections Office have integrity and credibility, which are compliant with international standards and norms.Madam Speaker, the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:It is also my duty today  as Head of State  to outline my Governments legislative programme for the coming session. In this Parliamentary session, new laws will be introduced  and existing laws reviewed.Government has an ambitious legislative agenda. It will place a large number of bills before Parliament that will require serious consideration and careful study. Most of these bills are intended to continue to modernise the economy, create increased economic opportunity and encourage economic development. Many of these will bring Fijis laws into compliance with international standards and best practices.There will be a number of legal reforms, commercial reforms, and reforms to spur and improve development and encourage business and provide commercial and financial opportunities for all Fijians. The agenda includes legislation governing traditional knowledge and culture, patents, industrial designs and trademarks. Parliament will deal with changes in public health protection and quarantine. The financial reforms will cover credit unions, consumer credit, bankruptcy, tariffs and duties, and financial management. We will deal with substance abuse and anti-doping. And we will have legislation to reform town planning, land tenancy and subdivision of land. There will be administrative reforms affecting the public enterprises, Fiji Institute of Accountants, and registration of practising engineers.Parliament will review the Financial Management Act, the Consumer Credit Act, the Security Industry Act, the Stamp Duties Act, the Customs Act, the Customs Tariff Act, the Land Transport Act, the Sale of Goods Act, the Bankruptcy Act and the Police Act.My Governments purpose is to continue to bring Fiji into the full mainstream of international best practises, to ensure that our legislation encourages  and certainly does not inhibit  proper development and growth, and to provide a positive climate for business to grow and for individual Fijians to accumulate wealth.Madam Speaker, the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:As we look forward to the legislation that you will consider in this Session of Parliament, it is also valuable to review what we have done  what you have done  for the Fijian people since the Constitution was adopted. We are here for one reason: to represent the Fijian people and to keep their interests always before us.I am proud that we have now enjoyed eight consecutive years of economic growth, continuing the longest period of growth in Fijis history. This is due to prudent economic management and sound macroeconomic policies.Our reputation among development partners and international financial institutions has never been stronger. These institutions like to lend their support to countries with sound policies and systems in place, countries that are stable and responsible. We give them that assurance, and they are responding with assistance, partnership and financing.This economic growth has not been to the benefit of only a few Fijians. The latest statistics show that Fiji is only one of the five countries in the Asia Pacific Region, where inequality has in fact decreased.The latest unemployment figures show that it has been the lowest in the past 15 years. A further testimony of our sound economic policies and planning.I am also proud that our economic expansion has been broad-based. Education, health and welfare benefits have been extended as never before.Government benefits have literally put more money in the hands of the lowest-income Fijians by reducing the number of things they once had to pay for.Public education is now truly free. And I ask myself, why did it take so long?Medicines under the Free Medicine Programme are free to Fijians with low incomes.Raising the income-tax exemption to the first 30 thousand dollars and, the consequent overall taxation reduction has also given Fijians more spending power and been a stimulus to the economy.The economy is expanding in part because my Government has established sound policies and trusted the Fijian people to respond with energy and sound ideas  and they have done just that, from the largest corporations to the smallest micro enterprise.We are encouraging entrepreneurship at all levels in Fiji through the Small and Micro Business Grants, which is truly an investment in our people. It goes to show that when government has faith in the people, the people repay that faith. And when the people invest in their country, foreigners are never far behind.A country has no greater asset for its future than its youth, and my Government has put a priority on giving every Fijian child and adult the opportunity for a solid education, one that will help each one become a responsible and productive citizen with the means to lead a happy and fulfilling life.We do that in many ways: By improving teacher pay as we raise teaching standards. By providing free transport, because a student who cannot get to school cannot learn. By providing more tertiary scholarships and the loan scheme with greater flexibility and increased allowances. By developing a national system of technical colleges to build our capacity in the skilled trades, technology and paraprofessional fields. We also do not want our youth to be only job seekers but to be job creators. Accordingly, Government has increased the Young Entrepreneur Scheme or YES, which offers up to a maximum grant of $20,000 to innovative and creative Fijians between the ages of 18 to 30 years. By encouraging commercial farming by issuing 99-year commercial lease and start-up grants to young people through the Commercial Agricultural Scholarship Programme. Our children and youth are our most precious commodity. They are our future. How can we do less?I am especially proud of the stand my Government has taken to protect the most vulnerable among us and to bring them into the mainstream. It is not enough to assist the elderly, the sick and the disabled. We must end their isolation from society and give them a place at the table.My Government has a permanent and binding commitment to gender equality. We are promoting gender equality through changes in the law and through a never-ending battle to end sexual and domestic violence and punish anyone who preys on women, children and the weak.Madam Speaker, the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,A year ago, we were still basking in the Olympic glory of our victorious mens Fiji Sevens team. It was a moment of unity like I had never before seen in Fiji except perhaps during one of the worst moments in our history.That was when Tropical Cyclone Winston attacked us with the strongest winds ever recorded in this part of the world. Winston brought Fijians together in adversity as neighbour helped neighbour and all differences were washed away with the storm.Then the Olympics brought us together in joy when we were all transfixed, nervously watching events in far-away Brazil. Again, the differences were washed away, but this time for the love of our Fiji. This year, Winston is a strong memory as we have worked to rebuild.Rebuilding will take time because Government is building back stronger, and I think this is wise. We need to rebuild schools and infrastructure that can withstand severe storms. We cannot send our children to schools that we know will not protect them.The easy approach would be to build back quickly, just get buildings back up as fast as we could. But it would be unwise for Government to rush to another disaster. Better to maintain a steady pace to resilience and security. And I am pleased to see that we make more progress each week.We have seen time and again that small island states and developing countries are not the only ones vulnerable to the severe storms that are surely influenced by global warming. The mighty city of Houston, with some 6 million people in its metropolitan area, has been paralysed by Hurricane Harvey and is facing years of recovery, even with the vast resources of the United States of America.It is not only Fijian villagers who will be forced to move to higher ground away from the coast. It is not only the poor in India and Bangladesh who could be uprooted. They may be joined by wealthy Americans in Miami or Houston or even New York.Madam Speaker, the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:It is no cause for joy that others in the world share our risks. We view the misfortunes of others around the world with empathy and compassion. And we see that the climate emergencies prevalent around the world today are cause for cooperation.That is why Fiji has taken on the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, which will be held in Bonn, Germany, in November. Fiji is the first small island developing state to be given this honour and responsibility. And make no mistake about it, it is a serious undertaking. The nations of the world will meet in Bonn to advance the aims and ambitions of the Paris Agreement and further develop the implementation guidelines.The Honourable Prime Minister is the president of what is known as COP23, aided by the Minister of Agriculture the Honourable Inia Seruiratu, who serves as High-Level Climate Champion, and Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, who serves as Climate Negotiator. These demanding roles require an in-depth knowledge of the technical, political and economic issues in combatting climate change.It will be Fijis job to lead 197 nations to a consensus that will substantially reduce global warming. Fiji did not come to this leadership role in a vacuum. We have always been an outward-looking people.For us, the Pacific Ocean that surrounds us has never been a barrier; it has been a highway to other peoples and other lands.We have long served our fellow human beings through our role as one of the most generous contributors to United Nations peacekeeping.We recently chaired the Group of 77 - the Non-Aligned Nations  in the United Nations. Our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr Peter Thomson, is President of the United Nations General Assembly. We are a leader in the South Pacific.My Government has embraced this broader international role for Fiji, which brings prestige to our nation and allows us to give greater voice to the perspective and experiences of South Pacific nations and small island developing states. It is something that our people can be proud of.Let there be no mistake about it. My Government is not in the presidency simply to arrive in Bonn and wield a gavel for two weeks. We take this responsibility most seriously  because the world demands it and because our future demands it. Climate change and ocean warming represent an existential threat to us and our neighbours, and we must fight it with all our strength.There are those who say that our leaders should spend more time at home rather than attend these international gatherings. They say it distracts Government from the needs at home. But I say, What is more important than our existence? How can we not do all we can to combat the single greatest threat to Fijis future?In this last session of Parliament before the next elections, I wish to thank the honourable members of Parliament for your service to the nation. I only remind you that as we move closer to elections, you may find yourselves pulled by opposing forces. One force is the spirit that most likely drove you to public service  the desire to serve your country and the people of Fiji. The other force will be political ambition, the desire to win.I ask that you always do what is best for your country, that you think beyond ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status or any of the other insignificant differences that unscrupulous people use to divide us. If we respect each other, then everyones interests can be respected. Remember that our Constitution gives us the ability to debate with civility. And our Constitution provides that each of you be a representative of Fijians from all walks of life and from anywhere in Fiji.Madam Speaker, the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:Never before has the future looked so bright for Fiji. Yes, we have challenges, but we have all the tools in place to overcome them. So let us commit today to set a high standard for unity, and for democracy. Our people are watching. Our investors are watching, indeed, we are on the world stage, and the world is watching. All eyes are on Fiji.It is now my honour to declare this new session of Parliament officially open.May Almighty God Bless you all, and Bless our beloved Nation - Fiji.Vinaka Vakalevu, Sukria, Bahoot Dhanyavaad, Xie Xie, Faiaksea and Thank you.
SHANGHAI, CHINA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/03/17 --



Highlights:

New mobile-friendly website scheduled to go live in September.

Features include free literature and application brief downloads.

Visitors can make immediate contact via an online chat window.

GGB Bearing Technology, a global leader in high performance bearing solutions, has announced the launch of a new Chinese version of the GGB website, www.ggbearings.cn, that offers enhanced usability, improved design, and access to a library of industry resources.

The mobile-friendly website is designed to provide visitors a better online experience and features a fresh, new look with regular updates on news, trade shows and career opportunities.

"The new website will provide visitors an easier way to access information about products and the ability to easily contact GGB experts," said Yuki Wang, GGB Asia marketing specialist. "Efficient communication with our customers is a crucial part of our success, and these site improvements will help us better communicate with our Asia market."

The website will also give customers more detailed information on GGB's high performance bearings and will offer free literature downloads and application briefs. Customers can search for solutions across a variety of industries, with GGB's team of experts sharing their extensive experience and knowledge in bearing selection, installation and performance in a range of applications. The website will also offer a glimpse into the company's history, culture and commitment to quality, safety and innovation.

Visitors can make immediate contact via an online chat window, or can email china@ggbearings.com or marketing@ggbearings.com.

To experience the new site, visit www.ggbearings.cn.

About GGB Bearing Technology

www.ggbearings.com.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3166288

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3166291



Media Contact

Yuki Wang

GGB Marketing Specialist - Asia

(+86) 21 6219 9885

Yuki.Wang@ggbearings.com




STOCKHOLM and LONDON, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Oxx, the growth capital investment firm focussed on B2B software companies, is pleased to announce that it is leading a $12m USD funding round in Stockholm-based Apica, a leading software company providing products to test and monitor the performance of software applications.

Existing investors including Nordic VC Industrifonden, the venture capital arm of the leading Nordic bank, SEB Venture Capital and Swedish early-stage investor KTH Chalmers Capital also participated in the round.

The investment will help Apica expand its market presence in the U.S. and Europe outside of the Nordics. The team has over 30 people in place in the United States - and growing - with 50% of its bookings already coming from this market. This strong traction in the United States, which is the largest and most demanding market, is a fantastic benchmark and one of the drivers of the Oxx investment.

Apica was founded in 2005 in Stockholm, Sweden, and now has offices in New York, Los Angeles and London. With customers including Scholastic, Klarna, Q2ebanking, Etihad and Sweden's TV4, the firm has strong international market share among the most demanding enterprise customers. Customers choose Apica's products because they seek to optimize system performance and prevent system failures. According to IDC[1], application failures cost the average Fortune 1000 company $1.25bn-$2.5bn each year - equating to an astonishing $500,000-$1m per hour of downtime.

Oxx is focussed on investing in B2B scale-up stage software companies with commercial traction. With offices in London and Stockholm, Oxx was launched earlier this year by Richard Anton and Mikael Johnsson who both departed Amadeus Capital Partners in 2016 to found Oxx.

Mikael Johnsson, Oxx General Partner, said, "Apica is an exciting business with a fantastic team and product offer. The market for performance testing and monitoring software is worth billions of dollars, is well established and going through major disruption. Apica's products, team and structure put it in an excellent position for growth, particularly given its ambitions in the U.S., where we see the biggest potential. This transaction therefore fits perfectly into our sweet spot and is exactly the sort of deal we intended to execute when we founded Oxx."

Carmen Carey, Apica CEO, said, "We are so pleased that Oxx has recognised our growth potential and invested in us at this stage. To have someone with Mikael's expertise and experience join our team and advise us on the next stage of our growth is invaluable. We're confident not only of achieving our immediate goals thanks to this recent transaction but also exceeding our long-term ambitions."

Johan Englund, Industrifonden Investment Manager, said, "We're glad to welcome Oxx to the Apica-team. Apica is at a very exciting stage with its strong team and product offering, and is well positioned for further growth and expansion."

Kristina Soderberg, SEB Venture Capital Investment Manager, said, "Apica has a great position in a worldwide market and we are very happy to be backing the company and its competent, hard-working team. With another strong and experienced investor on board, we very much look forward to continuing to support and grow Apica together."

Notes to Editors

http://devopsdigest.com/idc-survey-appdynamics-devops-application-performance

For further information about Oxx, please click here.

About Apica

Leading enterprises rely on the Apica Web Excellence Suite to test and monitor their mission critical business systems, APIs, web and mobile applications. Apica enables businesses to get detailed real-time performance, uptime and capacity insights, ensuring outstanding end user experience and optimized IT operations. Apica's suite - available as SaaS, on-premise and hybrid solutions - is trusted by 400+ leading brands globally. Apica has offices in Stockholm, New York, London and Santa Monica. To learn more about Apica, visit http://www.apicasystems.com.

@apicasystems
The country's cumulative installed PV power reached 7.4 GW as of the end of June. Around 115 of the newly installed capacity for the six months of this year come from installations exceeding 250 kW.France reached a cumulative installed PV capacity of 7,399 MW at the end of the first half of 2017, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development. In the first six months of this year, new additions totaled 233 MW, considerably down from 343 MW in the same period of 2016. The government stressed that, despite the drop in new installations, in the second quarter the number of projects under review for a FIT contract has increased by 8% from the previous quarter. The limited growth of the first six months of this year may be explained by the fact that the new series of tender, which is expected to bring online 3 GW of additional PV capacity by 2018, was launched only recently, and that the capacity ...

Den vollstandigen Artikel lesen ...
Juicero, the San Francisco, CA-based developer of a WiFi-enabled, countertop cold-press juicing system, is shutting down.

Launched in 2016 by Doug Evans, CEO, the company was backed by $100m in funding from Artis Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, GV (formerly Google Ventures), Thrive Capital, Campbell Soup Company, Two Sigma Ventures, DBL Partners, First Beverage Group, Acre Venture Partners, and others.

Juiceros offering included the WiFi-enabled juicing system, packs containing raw, organic produce fresh fruits and vegetables from organic farms already washed, chopped, mixed, packed and delivered to home and a mobile app for first-time setup of the press and for customers to see origins, nutritional benefits, and freshness of produce, as well as to track current pack inventory, schedule, modify or cancel upcoming deliveries.

This is the announcement appeared on the companys web site:

To our loyal customers and partners,

Since our launch 16 months ago, weve been grateful for the support youve shown toward our mission of bringing more fresh produce into peoples lives. Juicero has grown so much thanks to your loyalty.

However, today, after selling over a million Produce Packs, we must let you know that we are suspending the sale of the Juicero Press and Produce Packs immediately.

In order to fulfill our mission, we announced last month that we would shift our resources to focus on lowering the price of the Press and Produce Packs. We began identifying ways that we could source, manufacture and distribute at a lower cost to consumers.

During this process, it became clear that creating an effective manufacturing and distribution system for a nationwide customer base requires infrastructure that we cannot achieve on our own as a standalone business. We are confident that to truly have the long-term impact we want to make, we need to focus on finding an acquirer with an existing national fresh food supply chain who can carry forward the Juicero mission.

For the next 90 days, we are offering refunds for your purchase of the Juicero Press. Please contact [email protected] by December 1, 2017 to request a refund for your purchase. If you have an active Pack subscription, you will receive your final delivery next week (week of September 4th).

As we enter this new chapter, we also want to express the deepest gratitude to our employees who have poured their hearts and souls into developing, launching and growing Juicero over the past 3 years. Words alone cannot express how humbled we are by their commitment, ingenuity and talents; they have showed true care for each other, our amazing customers and our shared mission. While this decision will affect them personally, were committed to ensuring a fair transition for all. We could not be more proud of our team and are excited to see the positive impact they will continue to have in the world. If your company is hiring and has interest in talking with any of our employees, please contact us at [email protected]

In a short period of time, youve validated that there is national demand for easier access to fresh produce and hassle-free cold-press juicing  thank you again for coming on this journey with us.

Thank you,

The Juicero Team

FinSMEs

04/09/2017
Deadline for linking your Aadhaar and PAN has been extended to 31 December. If you haven't been able to link them until now, you get four months to do it.

If you did try linking the two numbers but were unable to do so as the data on both the cards did not match due to errors on one of the cards, you need not worry. You can make the necessary changes, as there is enough time at hand now.

In fact, the finance ministry extended the deadline after many people complained they were not being able to link due to mistakes. Also unprecedented traffic to the Income Tax India website also slowed down the site.

However, since the government has now given more time, it is better for you to do it if not done already. If you are holding back due to mismatches, there are ways to deal with them.

Here are the ways in which you can make the changes to Aadhaar:

Option 1: Online

This is the easiest method and takes less than five minutes.

Step 1: Visit the Uidai website.

Step 2: Choose the Update Aadhaar Details (Online) option. Remember, the online option allows you to make demographic changes like, Name, Address, Gender, Date of Birth, Email and Mobile number is changed or modified.

Step 3: You will be redirected to the Aadhaar Self Service Update Portal. Enter your Aadhaar number and carry on with the authentication process via the OTP you get on your mobile. Also, do the necessary text verification by submitting the code mentioned on the page in the provided box.

Step 4: You will enter the data updating request page. Here you can submit your Aadhaar card name change/ correction/ surname change and click submit.

Step 5: You will then see the documents upload section. Here you need to scan and upload soft-copies of supporting self-attested proof of identity document for Aadhaar card name change/ correction/ surname.

Step 6: Once the name change/ correction/ surname change request is submitted you will be given your Aadhaar card Update Request Number, which can be further used to track the status of your request. You can check your status here.

Keep in mind, you can use the online option only if you have registered your mobile number with Aadhaar. This option is free of cost.

Option 2: By post

Download this form and fill in the necessary corrections/ changes and send it to the UIDAI. The address is UIDAI, Post Box No. 99, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad  500034 India. The update request will be processed at the back-end and receipt of update request will be sent through SMS to you by UIDAI. Just like the online option, you don't need to pay a fee to make corrections/ changes.

Option 3: Do it at the enrollment centre

You can make changes to the personal details, including biometrics, at the Aadhaar enrollment centre. You will have to give the necessary documentary evidence for the required changes. Remember, if you are visiting an enrollment centre for the correction/ update you need to pay a fee of Rs 25 each time you get your details updated.

On Tuesday, we will tell you how to make changes/ corrections on your PAN card.
The idea of BRIC emanated from an investment bank which had conjectured a theoretical possibility of four countries in the developing world, i.e. Brazil, Russia, India and China, taking on the role of engine to growth for the world economy. This concept gained more relevance after the financial crisis set in where it was believed that the emerging markets were decoupled from the developed ones and were thus driving the world economy.

This also seemed true for the next 5 years or so where the emerging markets performed distinctly better than the developed nations. At this stage, South Africa also joined this club making it the BRICS nations. These nations are now together as the BRICS group formally where the goal is to actually take on the might of the G-7 nations and offer a viable option to the present growth model in the world.

The Summit being held in Xiamen, China is significant as it comes probably at a very crucial time when the world economy is in a state of introspection. The ethos of collaboration has gotten diluted with the US talking openly of unequal agreements with which it is associated and wants to systematically withdraw from them. The Brexit decision is also based on similar grounds. In the past it has been observed that globalisation has led to an increase in the volume of trade and investment which has been a win-win situation for all nations. However, with countries more worried about the employment fallouts of the process of globalisation, there has been a tendency for the US and UK to look more inwards.

The present summit also has some observer nations present which includes Thailand, Mexico, Egypt, Tajikistan and Guinea  which seem to well spread across the continents from where the original BRICS nations are located. It may be conjectured that at a later stage these nations would also get subsumed in this group which will help fostering the process of economic integration.

There are basically three areas which would benefit from such closer ties. The first is trade. Given the size of the economies of the BRICS nations and their geographic spread the potential of expanding the frontiers are high. The whole idea is to create global value chains for various products and services which can help these nations to integrate faster and push each one along continuously. By leveraging on the comparative advantage of each nation, the others too could benefit in either being the recipient of the product or becoming part of the value chain. Hence, trade led growth is an opportunity which exists. The challenge will be to traverse the physical distance as the BRICS nations are situated far apart unlike say the NAFTA where the nations are contiguous as is also the case with ASEAN nations.

The second economic tie-up would be through investment. Presently the major flow of investment is from the developed to developing countries. This can change now if surpluses in these nations are invested in each others countries. The external balances of these nations vary from surpluses to deficits and by having such flow of funds through more liberalised entry policies there are mutual benefits to be gained. This can set in a secondary chain of foreign investment circles, which will bring about a more symbiotic growth process.

The third area which is already being worked on extensively is finance through the New Development Bank. The whole idea is to create a financial institution analogous to the World Bank which can raise funds and lend in the member countries for infrastructure development. As it matures the same can be used also for the development of private sector industry. This is a very important initiative taken as funding is a major problem for developing economies which have major lacunae in infrastructure. Cheap funds are required to grow these structures and presently the funds which come from the western multilateral agencies come with conditions which come in the way of independent policies being pursued by the respective governments. By having this bank without any inbuilt prejudice, there can be freer flow of funds to the member nations.

While the talks have been on for long, it is really time for these agreements to be signed especially on the trade and investment fronts so that the process of integration can begin immediately. The New Development Bank is already active and the same needs to be hastened on the other fronts.

While the concept of BRICS economic cooperation sounds pragmatic as it provides an alternative route for growth for all the member countries, it must be realised that the five nations involved have different political structures, levels of governance, internal policies and inherent strengths. The political relations between these countries have to be straightened out first before real integration takes place. The present border issues of India and China have to be resolved to move meaningfully forward. Further, there needs to be a common minimum agenda that is drawn up and implemented so that countries can start working on the trade front.

There is potential for all the members to accelerate growth process through strong economic agreements and show the way to other nations too. The ultimate test will be against time as they need to get their acts together fast, as the world economy takes a turn for the better.

(The author is a chief economist at CARE Ratings. Views are personal)
New Delhi: The government has notified hike in GST cess on a range of cars from mid-size to hybrid variant to luxury ones to a maximum of 25 percent, from earlier 15 percent.

Following assent by President Ram Nath Kovind, the government has notified the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Ordinance, 2017.

The Ordinance was last week approved by the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and was sent to the President for his approval.

It has come into force with effect from 2 September -- the date of official gazette notification.

With this amendment, taxation on luxury, SUV and other vehicles would be brought at par with that prevailing pre-GST rollout.

However, the quantum of cess hike in each variety of car would be decided by the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his state counterparts, in its next meeting on 9 September.

Car prices had dropped by up to Rs 3 lakh following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 1 July and the ordinance is being seen as an attempt to rectify the anomaly where rates of certain common use items had gone up but luxury cars were costing less under the new regime.

Large motor vehicles, SUVs, mid-segment cars, large cars, hybrid cars and hybrid motor vehicles attract a cess of 15 percent on top of 28 percent GST.

This cess has been hiked to up to 25 percent now.

Also a new category has been introduced in the Act where in motor vehicles which has capacity to transport up to 13 people would attract 25 percent cess.

The highest pre-GST tax incidence on motor vehicles worked out to about 52-54.72 percent, to which 2.5 percent was added on account of Central Sales Tax, octroi etc.

Against this, post-GST the total tax incidence came to 43 percent.

Under GST, which replaced over a dozen central and state levies in the biggest tax reform since Independence, cars attract the top tax rate of 28 percent.

On top of this, a cess of 1 to 25 percent has been levied for the creation of a corpus to compensate states for any loss of revenue from implementation of the GST.
IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd, a joint venture between Bank of Baroda, Andhra Bank and Legal & General (UK), has opened two new branches in Rajahmundry and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.

With this, Andhra Pradesh will have a total of 3 branches of IndiaFirst Life. Its first branch is situated at Vishakhapatnam.

Apart from these three branches, the company also has a corporate agency tie-up with Chaitanya Godavari Grameena Bank (CGGB) in Guntur. This helps the company reach out to customers through over 106 branches of the bank across three districts in the state, a press release said.

We are happy to open two new branches to strengthen our distribution network to penetrate deeper into the high potential State of Andhra Pradesh. This will help us get closer to customers, who can access our wide suite of products addressing specific needs; viz., protection, retirement, savings and wealth, Mohit Rochlani, director- IT and operations, IndiaFirst Life, said in the statement.
New Delhi: Infosys promoters, including iconic co-founders N R Narayana Murthy and Nandan Nilekani, have offered to sell as many as 1.77 crore shares -- worth up to Rs 2,038 crore -- in the companys Rs 13,000 crore buyback offer.

The promoters group -- which includes most of the founders and their families -- have expressed their intention to be part of the company's first buyback plan in its over three-decade history and have offered to tender a maximum of 1.77 crore shares.

At a buyback price of Rs 1,150 per share, this could mean a windfall of Rs 2,038.94 crore for the promoter group, if all the shares tendered by them are accepted in the buyback offer.

The founders and families -- classified as promoters group -- held 29.28 crore shares, or 12.75 percent, in Infosys at the end of June 2017.

The Bengaluru-based firm has been in the eye of a storm over the past few months, with founders and erstwhile board members clashing over allegations such as corporate governance lapses and irregularities in Infosys $200-million Panaya acquisition.

The spat -- often public -- culminated in the sudden resignation of the then CEO Vishal Sikka and exit of four board members, including Chairman R Seshasayee. They blamed Murthys "misguided campaign" for Sikkas abrupt exit.

Infosys, on 24 August, named co-founder Nandan Nilekani as its new Non-Executive Chairman, bowing to the demands of co-founders and large institutional investors.

However, the tensions between the two camps do not seem to be subsiding as Seshasayee launched another offensive last week against alleged "personal attacks" by Murthy.

Infosys buyback offer of up to 11.3 crore shares comes at an almost 25 per cent premium over Fridays closing price of Rs 920.10 a share. The record date is expected to be on or after October

25, 2017.

The two key players in Infosys changing narrative - Nilekani and Murthy along with families - have offered to tender maximum number of shares in the buyback.

Nilekani, along with family, has offered to tender 58 lakh shares. Murthy, along with wife Sudha and two children, has put over 54 lakh shares on the block.

S Gopalakrishnan and family have offered 22 lakh shares while in the case of K Dinesh, the number stands at 29 lakh.

Sudha Gopalakrishnan, wife of S Gopalakrishnan, currently holds the largest share in individual capacity among promoters group members with 2.14 per cent shareholding.

S D Shibulal will not participate in the buyback per se, but his wife and son have offered to sell over 14 lakh shares.
The competition in the online shopping space in India is likely to heat up this festival season with one more player planning to splurge in order to woo customers.

According to media reports, Alibaba-backed Paytm Mall is planning to spend about Rs 1,000 crore this festive season, giving a tight competition to domestic e-commerce stalwarts Amazon and Flipkart.

According to a report in The Times of India, the amount earmarked will be utilised for marketing, cashbacks and promotions. It says, however, most of it will be spent on discounts.

Another report in The Economic Times notes that the amount to be spent is three-fold over last year's expense of about Rs 300 crore by Amazon India, Flipkart and Snapdeal . This year, although New Delhi-based troubled etailer Snapdeal is not in the fray, Paytm Mall will more than compensate for it. It is to be remembered that this will be the first festival season of Paytm Mall, which was spun off into a separate app in April this year.

According to the report, the company is planning to add about 5,000 branded stores to its platform ahead of festival season sales.

"This festive season, while online retailers will focus on spending money and taking away business from shops in the neighborhood, we will work with them and bring special offers for consumers to shop from their nearby markets by enabling these shopkeepers with mobile technology," Amit Sinha, COO, Paytm Mall, has been quoted as saying in the report.

The company owned by Paytm Ecommerce recently refreshed its app featuring 1,000 brand stores and 15,000 brand- authorised retailers selling over 65 million products.

Its aim is to clock a gross merchandise value (GMV) run rate of $4 billion by the end of March next year on the back of strong growth in transactions on its platform.

The e-commerce firm expects strong demand in categories like electronics, appliances, FMCG and fashion to drive its growth.

The brands the company is looking at include Apple, Samsung, HP, Lenovo, JBL, Philips, Puma, Allen Solly, Lee, Pepe, Levi's, Fossil and Vero Moda, among others, to drive growth.

However, analysts quoted in the ET report feel Paytm Mall may find it difficult to make a mark in fashion and retail even as consumer electronics and appliances may not be a major issue.

With all the players drawing up strategies to attract consumers, buyers can definitely expect a great festival season ahead with mouth-watering discounts.
New Delhi: The highest number of deaths due to derailments in a decade, the highest operating ratio (signifying worsening performance) in five years, declining freight loading and continued subsidisation of passenger fares. The Railways is struggling not just due to the limited priorities of the Narendra Modi government, which seems more focused on high-speed trains and improving amenities at railway stations than on the basics.

The current mess is also as a consequence of years of apathy of previous regimes, which have under-invested in the Railways and pandered to populism on fares and new routes. Piyush Goyal has the unenviable task of turning around the countrys largest employer as the new Railways Minister. Is he up to the challenge?

A report in the Hindu BusinessLine notes Goyals troubleshooting skills in his previous assignment and goes on to say that with the general elections coming up in 2019, the new railways minister will have to balance populist calls for improving rail connectivity and passenger amenities while keeping an eye on the finances. He will also perhaps need to revisit the stance taken by his predecessor  Suresh Prabhu had ruled out setting up a dedicated post of member (safety) on the Railway Board - to better control rising accidents. After all, accidents scalped Prabhu, coming within days of each other in August.

Goyal has been seen as an efficient minister since he has managed to aggressively electrify villages, for one, besides seemingly tackling other energy challenges of the country briskly since the Modi government came to power. But as this article points out, three years into its term, though almost three in four of the 18,452 villages that the government had identified for electrification in 2015 now have power supply, only 8 percent of these had all their households electrified. It also says that the UPA government had electrified 12,030 villages per year during nine years of its term on an average but the present government has electrified less than half the UPAs average. Tall claims can wait, what Goyal needs to do right away is reset some priorities to get the Railways back on track.

Accidents

According to official data quoted by this article in BloombergQuint, 2016-17 was the deadliest year in a decade in terms of deaths due to just derailments  there were 1,394 train accidents reported during the decade: more than half or 51 percent or 708 were due to derailments. And as many as 458 people have died due to train derailments over the last 10 years. In a reply in the Lok Sabha, the MoS for railways Rajen Gohain said accidents due to derailments and at level crossings accounted for 90 percent of total accidents, 85 percent casualties and 82 percent injuries on railway networks. As per a reply in Rajya Sabha on 11 August, in 2016-17, as many as 238 people lost their lives in 104 train accidents, almost double the number of fatalities in the previous fiscal.

Operating ratio

Operating ratio signifies operating expenses as a percentage of revenue. The Lok Sabha was told in a written reply on 26 July this year that this ratio was 96.5 percent in 2016-17, the highest in the last five years, mainly due to the combined effect of increase in salary and pension expenditure towards implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations and subdued freight earnings on account of lower coal transportation and drop in overall freight lead." In another reply, minister Gohain had told the Upper House earlier that the ratio was 91.3 percent in 2014-15 and 90.5 percent in 2015-16. So last fiscal was the worst in the Modi government's tenure till date.

Revenue

The lions share of railways earnings comes through freight and passenger traffic and a Parliamentary Standing Committee has noted that the railways fell short woefully on both these counts in 2016-17. Though the total earnings of the railways increased marginally in 2016-17 from the previous fiscal to Rs 1,65,299.04 crore (Rs 1,63,790.95 crore), it failed to achieve the targeted overall revenue - revised passenger revenue target was missed, freight revenue also declined significantly year on year. In fact, the panel made a scathing observation when it said in 2016-17, the railways was expected to see a decline of over 50 percent in net revenues (total earnings minus total expenditure) over budget estimates for the first time ever. In other words, while getting incremental non-fare revenues is a good development, the carrier needs to focus on vastly improving its core functions of carrying passengers and freight.

The railways had first projected revenue earnings from passengers at Rs 51,012 crore in its Budget estimates for 2016-17, later revised down to Rs 48,000 crore but the actual earning is just Rs 46,279 crore. The budget estimate for freight earnings was Rs 1,17,932.75 crore , which was revised down to Rs 1,08,900 crore, and the actual earning was lower still at Rs 1,04,310 crore. In other words, the railways has earned Rs 1,50,589 crore from passenger and freight segments against its revised target of Rs 1,56,900 crore, a decline of over 4 percent. Freight accounts for 65 paise of every rupee earned by the railways and freight earnings have been declining as the rates remain unattractive compared with other modes of transport like roadways.

As this article points out that the Railways has been a troublesome portfolio - of the 39 railway ministers till date, only two have completed their full tenure of five years. Heck, in the three years of Modi government, Goyal is the third Railways minister. It goes without saying that he needs to hold on to the job, at least till 2019.
Actor Bobby Darling has sued her Bhopal-based husband Ramnik Sharma for domestic abuse, unnatural sex and dowry harassment.

The Times of India reports that Bobby accused her husband of not only usurping her property but also abusing her after getting drunk. The same report quotes her as saying, "Ramnik would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man. He also usurped my property and money. He made me give him co-ownership of my flat in Mumbai, and did the same when we bought our penthouse in Bhopal. He also bought a SUV using my money immediately after the marriage. Now, I am left with nothing. He had paid the building's security guards to keep an eye on me, and they would inform him of all my moves."

On the other hand, the same daily quotes Ramnik as saying, "Bobby is lying blatantly. She is the one who fled with my property papers, money and gold, and I have filed an FIR against her. She was after my money. I have never hit her. She is not a bechari to take domestic abuse lying low. Why didn't she ever bring it up with the media or anyone close to her? I have proofs for all my claims. She wants me arrested so that she can have all my property. The Mumbai flat she is talking about is mine and so is the Bhopal penthouse, which I bought for her as she was not willing to stay with my mother."

Currently, Bobby has fled from her husband's home and returned to her mother's place in Delhi. She has filed an FIR with Delhi police alleging her husband of domestic abuse and unnatural sex, along with accusing him, his mother and brother of dowry harassment, as per the same report.
Three months ago, it was announced that Mahesh Mathai's space adventure, Salute, will see Aamir Khan play Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma. In what is touted as Sharma's biopic, Priyanka Chopra is now speculated to play his wife in the film.

Mid-Day reports that Priyanka is being considered for the role opposite Aamir in Salute. This will mark the first time the two actors will be seen sharing the screen space. Also, it will prolong Priyanka's return to Bollywood as the film will start rolling only in the mid of the next year since Aamir is currently shooting for Vijay Krishna Acharya's period heist dram Thugs of Hindostan, that is slated to release on Christmas 2018.

Priyanka's last Bollywood film was Prakash Jha's crime drama Jai Gangaajal last year. Since then, she has been busy shooting for her three Hollywood films and her American TV series Quantico. While she was reportedly in talks to star in yet another space biopic, of late Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla, there is no word of confirmation on the same yet.

Also, she was also in talks with her Bajirao Mastani director Sanjay Leela Bhansali to star in another biopic, Gustakhiyan, in which she was approached to play poetess Amrita Pritam. However, now she has opted out of the film reportedly owing to Bhansali's disagreement of her co-producing the film along with him, under her banner Purple Pebble Pictures.

But DNA reports that Madhu Chopra, her mother and co-owner of Purple Pebble Pictures, has now come clear on the issue. The same report quotes her as saying, "Priyanka was no doubt in talks with Bhansali, but the two couldnt fit their time schedules to discuss the film. The question of co-producing would have come in only at a later stage. As of now, nothing has gone forward. He can make it on his own, why will he need a co-producer?"

It was earlier reported that after Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra backed out of the film, Bhansali has approached Abhishek Bachchan and his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to play poet Sahir Ludhianvi and Pritam respectively.
Varun Dhawan recently took to his social media profile to reveal the leading lady of his upcoming film October, to be directed by Shoojit Sircar. The actor revealed Banita Sandhu will be seen in the role of the female lead.

#October. Here's the October girl @shoojitsircar @ronnie.lahiri @juhic3 . Thank you for picture @avigowariker A post shared by Varun Dhawan (@varundvn) on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:00am PDT

She is the #October girl I was looking for #soojitsircar #ronnielahari A post shared by Varun Dhawan (@varundvn) on Sep 2, 2017 at 4:43am PDT

Sandhu is reportedly an eighteen-year-old NRI model of Punjabi origin, hailing from Wales in the United Kingdom. She gained fame for her popular Doublemint television commercial, reports Indian Express, which also went viral for it's background score  'Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se' which has over six million views on Youtube. Sandhu has reportedly been acting since the age of 12.

While talking about October Sircar said, "It's again an out-of-the-box kind of story. We started working on this film's idea, which came from a small newspaper clipping, right before Piku (2015). It is a genre that I have always wanted to delve in. While love and romance have been entwined with Indian cinema, there is abundance in that emotion that everyone can have their own interpretations of. Juhi and I have always tried to create stories from the reflections of real life moments that we see around us. October is another effort to explore those moments out of simple situations of life," according to a Bollywood Life report.

Sircar is known for movies such as Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan starrer Piku, along with Ayushmann Khurrana's smash hit Vicky Donor. In 2016 Sircar also produced the critically acclaimed film Pink, starring Taapsee Pannu and Senior Bachchan.

Varun Dhawan on the other hand is busy promoting his upcoming film Judwaa 2 with Jacqueline Fernandez and Pannu, directed by his father David Dhawan. The actor will be seen in a double role in the film, which is slated for release on 29 September.
What's more fun than passing off stalking celebrities on social media as work?

Very little, right?

And so, we scanned the Instagram and Twitter accounts of celebs from India and abroad, to bring to you weekly updates from the interwebz. Who tweeted to whom? Who re-posted last night's party pics? Who went on a rant about what? Whatever it is, don't worry, we've got you covered.

We stalk, you read. Deal?

Susanne Khan defends ex-husband Hrithik Roshan

The is no allegation or sad plot that can have the weight to triumph over a good soul. #powerofthetruth #mafamilia #goodoverevil pic.twitter.com/WlVKbIhFjE  Sussanne Khan (@sussannekroshan) September 3, 2017

Amidst the ripples that Kangana Ranaut is creating with her 'tell all' interviews, Hrithik Roshan has maintained a stoic silence through it all. However, Roshan's ex-wife Susanne Khan posted a photograph of herself and Roshan in what can be seen as a cryptic statement of defense for her ex.

Sushant Singh Rajput can't wait to begin Kedarnath shoot

Sushant Singh Rajput is excited for the commencement of his upcoming film Kedarnath's shoot with director Abhishek Kapoor, and the actor took to Instagram to share the same. Shooting for Kedarnath begins on 5 September, and the movie will see Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's daughter Sara Ali Khan make her much talked about Bollywood debut.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner are in a happy 'moo'd

All new #LifeOfKylie airs tonight so I thought I'd throw it back to me and kendall with this cute fluffy cow A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Sep 3, 2017 at 6:35pm PDT

Kylie Jenner shared a picture of herself and model sister Kendall Jenner hanging out with a little cow, and the two seem to be in a chirpy 'moo'd as they posed for the shutterbugs in a throwback image that sees Kylie sporting her famous blonde hair.

Sushmita Sen's latest occupation

Sushmita Sen recently shared a video on her Instagram profile wherein she is seen conducting an entire orchestra of little children as they belt out the melody to a song that states "if you set your mind to it, you will achieve it". The actor shared how she was in charge of the little choir during a play date of her daughter Alisah and her friends.

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas's newest 'krew' member

Meet the newest addition to the krew @porkybasquiat A post shared by Sophie Turner (@sophiet) on Sep 2, 2017 at 12:48pm PDT

Sophie Turner took to Instagram to reveal the latest addition to her 'krew' with boyfriend Joe Jonas  a little husky puppy that the pair have named Porky. The beautiful doggo is seen resting in the actor's hand with a stick in his mouth, and we found it really hard to stop ourselves from loudly gushing over the beauty.
The iconic opening music, a shot of a diner, a punchline and that laugh track  five seconds into an episode and you can always tell that you're watching Seinfeld, 'a show about nothing'. Well, not quite  it chronicled the funny and inane moments from the lives of Jerry Seinfeld playing a fictional version of himself, as well as his friends Elaine, Kramer and George.

Now, the stand up comic is going to have his own Netflix special which will stream on 19 August. In a recently released trailer of the show, Seinfeld can be seen talking about how he his career started.

Titled Jerry before Seinfeld, the show will feature more such stories about his Long Island upbringing, as well as some of the jokes he performed as a part of a set at The Comic Strip in New York.

Apart from this show, Jerry Seinfeld will also be part of two other upcoming projects for Netflix as a part of a $100 million deal he recently signed with the streaming service. One is his web-series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and the other is a second stand-up special. Additionally, he has also written scripted and non-scripted shows for Netflix.

He played a stand-up comic in the original Seinfeld show, where he starred with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander. It aired from 1989 to 1998.

Watch the trailer here:



Netflix also released some clips from the show on Instagram.

Im only one finger away from a compliment. A post shared by Netflix Comedy (@netflixcomedy) on Aug 21, 2017 at 7:15pm PDT
A rock and roll fan with a penchant for harmony and obtuse references, Walter Becker, the guitarist, bassist and co-founder of the 1970s rock group Steely Dan, which sold more than 40 million albums and produced such hit singles as 'Reelin In the Years', 'Rikki Dont Lose that Number' and 'Deacon Blues' died Sunday. He was 67.

His official website announced his death Sunday with no further details.

Donald Fagen said in a statement Sunday that his Steely Dan bandmate was not only an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter but also smart as a whip, hysterically funny and cynical about human nature, including his own.

I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band, Fagen wrote.

Although Steely Dan had been touring recently, Becker had missed performances earlier in the summer in Los Angeles and New York. Fagen later told Billboard that Becker was recovering from a procedure. Fagen said at the time he hoped that Becker would be fine soon.

Musicians were quick to mourn Becker on social media Sunday. Mark Ronson tweeted that Becker was one half of the team I aspire to every time I sit down at a piano.

Both Ryan Adams and the band The Mountain Goats tweeted that Becker changed their lives. Slash posted a photo of Becker on Instagram, writing RIP #WalterBecker. A Queens native who started out playing the saxophone and eventually picked up the guitar, Becker met Fagen as a student at Bard College in 1967.

We started writing nutty little tunes on an upright piano in a small sitting room in the lobby of Ward Manor, a mouldering old mansion on the Hudson River that the college used as a dorm, Fagen recalled in his statement. We liked a lot of the same things: jazz (from the twenties through the mid-sixties), W.C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, science fiction, (Vladimir) Nabokov, Kurt Vonnegut, Thomas Berger, and Robert Altman films come to mind. Also soul music and Chicago blues.

They played with the 1960s pop group Jay and the Americans and penned the song 'I Mean to Shine', performed by Barbara Streisand in 1971 before moving to California and founding the band, which they named after a sex toy in William S. Burroughs 1959 novel Naked Lunch.

Like a lot of kids from fractured families, he had the knack of creative mimicry, reading peoples hidden psychology and transforming what he saw into bubbly, incisive art, Fagen recalled.
It reads like a ledger kept in Auschwitz or Birkenau or one of those other concentration camps you see in the movies. January, 152 dead. February, 122 dead. March, 159 dead August, 325 dead. The first three days of September, 32 dead.

The spate of deaths in the state-run Baba Raghav Das Medical College hospital in Gorakhpur continues with 13 more children dying in the past 48 hours.

And now, we have another such mass human destruction in Farrukhabad in the same state, under the same government, with the same story 49 children dead in a month, ostensibly from a lack of oxygen. One so completely fails to understand this paucity and why it is so. And how could it happen again when the attention of the nation has been on this issue. Is there a health ministry in Uttar Pradesh or not?

Sure enough, an FIR has been filed against the administration which is fair but once again the Yogi Adityanath government per se is not in the dock. It plays prosecutor without even considering itself as the co-accused.

It is unconscionable that the stark tragedy should be repeated when the first one has not been resolved.

The death toll so far at BRD hospital is 1,317 with 13 children dying after the appointment of the new principal Dr PK Singh. At best, we have to conclude that whatever the cause or the toxicity within the confines of the pediatric ward maybe, it hasn't gone away.

Therefore, the arrest of Dr Kafeel Khan on Eid seems quite insensitive and as far as the grieving parents are concerned this amounts to cosmetically locking the stable doors well after the horses have galloped off. Actually, it is not even that appropriate a metaphor because by locking the doors you are keeping the threat alive.

At some stage, someone has to ask the question: When will the deaths stop? The way the listings are being made public and the general acceptance that children come to this hospital with a fair chance of never coming out alive is bizarre. There is no other hospital in India where so many children die so regularly and with such casual and unquestioning forbearance. I know Indians are deeply into kismet and karma but from the medical and ethical point of view, the situation in Gorakhpur is an obscenity.

By the same measure that has been used to arrest Dr Khan, and earlier the former BRD hospital principal Rajeev Misra and his wife Purnima, shouldn't there be some moral and actual responsibility for all these deaths by the government and the bureaucracy who have seemingly converted the hospital into a house of horror and seem quite blase about it.

Surely state health minister Siddharth Nath Singh and his health secretary should shoulder some of the responsibility. The way things are going, the culpable have become the hunters and the government has washed its hands of this still rising casualty list.

Indeed, Adityanath should dismiss all those involved in keeping the deaths a secret from him during his visit on 9 July, when the sight of grieving mothers and fathers was presumed as offensive to the sensibilities of the chief minister, and they were ushered out from the back door. Enough to warrant a charge of complicity in manslaughter if not murder.

And while these delayed arrests are causing no great ripples, either as preventive measures or as a pursuit of justice, the cruel fact is that there is no transparency in the investigation of this medical travesty in Gorakhpur.

Neither media nor the public nor the ones who trek to these citadels of death know what causes all these deaths.

Is it the shortage of oxygen? The unending prevalence of encephalitis? Sheer medical malpractice? Mold or other poisonous substances in the pipes? A mix of all these and what not. No one is coming out with what exactly is going on. What is the 'killer' element that makes this facility more akin to a Stephen King plot than a place of healing.

These unanswered questions make the recent arrests suspect and more convenient than part of any grand exercise to end the deaths of those who have not yet begun to live.
New Delhi: On the first day in his new office as tourism minister, bureaucrat-turned-politician Alphons Kannanthanam touched upon the controversial issue of beef, saying it would continue to be consumed in Kerala.

Talking to PTI, the 1979 Kerala cadre officer said that the BJP had never said that beef cannot be eaten.

"As Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar has said that beef will be consumed in the state. Similarly, it will be consumed in Kerala," he said.

"The BJP does not mandate that beef cannot be eaten. We don't dictate food habits in any place. It is for the people to decide," he said.

Kannanthanam said if a BJP-ruled state like Goa was eating beef, there should be no problem in Kerela.

He later told a TV channel that his act could be a bridge between the Christian community and the BJP.

Addressing some of the concerns that were raised by the Christian community about the BJP in the past, Kannanthanam said it was mere propaganda.

"There was a lot of propaganda in 2014, that if Modi comes to power Christians will be burnt, churches will be demolished. The prime minister has made it clear that believe whatever you want, I will protect you. The PM has done a fantastic job in taking everyone along," he said.

Parrikar, in July, had said in the Assembly that he would ensure that there was no shortage of beef in the state and, if required, it would be imported from neighbouring states.

Cow slaughter is banned in as many as 21 states.

Consumption of beef has also been barred in some of these states, including Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. It is also banned in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Kerala is among eight states where there are no restrictions on cow slaughter.

However, widespread protests and "beef fests" were organised in Kerala in May following a central government notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has stayed the Centre's notification on cattle slaughter ban, while the Kerala High Court refused to order a stay on it.

The Supreme Court later clarified that Madras High Court's stay on the notification is operational, implying that the stay on cattle slaughter ban is effective across the country.
In the days leading up to the ninth BRICS Summit, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told journalists at the ministry's regular press conference, "We have taken note of the concerns of the Indian side on counter-terrorism issues of Pakistan, but I don't believe that it should feature prominently during the Xiamen Summit." It was believed by an Indian media, still in the throes of the 'war' rhetoric over Doka La, that this meant China would block India and any mention of terrorism at the summit.

Fast-forward a few days to the actual summit and the BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration, to be more precise. The 48th section of the declaration reads:

"We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, (Islamic State)/DAISH, Al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir."

While joint declarations by the grouping have without exception carried sections condemning terrorism, this was the first time that a handful of terror groups that affect South Asia, like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Haqqani Network and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, found a mention. There will be two schools of thought that will emanate from this:

First, there will be those who will be hailing this sentence (Section 48) as a hyper, mega, ultra win for India, for Narendra Modi, for the BJP and so on.

Second, there will be those who will say that talk is cheap and remain skeptical of the respective wills of China and Russia (in particular) to assist India in combating terror on the subcontinent.

To take a more measured approach, while it would be unrealistic to expect Moscow and Beijing to make terrorism their No. 1 priority and tear into Pakistan with all guns a-blaze, that the declaration actually included the names of two unabashedly anti-India groups demonstrates movement in the right direction. If nothing else, this will at least send a message to the constituents of those groups and the country they call home that, for better or worse, they are on the radar of the grouping.

Additionally, that the 43-page declaration contained 32 references to terrorism  slightly down from last year's 37, but more than all other preceding years  indicates that terrorism occupies a significant share of the mindspace of the five world leaders assembled in Xiamen. In terms of specifics, Russia and South Africa have largely been left untouched by Islamic terror, but have regularly condemned it. Russia too has been largely clear in its condemnation of terror, particularly the sort that affects India.

China has been a bit more reticent about calling out terror for what it is, and for the country, it's the mention of Jaish-e-Mohammad that could be slightly problematic.

On one hand, naming JeM indicates that Beijing agrees that the group is problematic and that there is a need to tackle it. On the other, the fact that China extended its technical hold on designating Masood Azhar as a terrorist by another three months in August, is indicative of mixed messages. When this latest technical hold expires in November, it will be interesting to see if Beijing chooses to extend said hold and undermine the declaration or opt against doing so, and allow Azhar to be designated a terrorist.

Xi Jinping's decision in this regard will go some way in demonstrating how serious China was about the Xiamen Declaration it just signed.
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday said it would be "remiss" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he does not raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan at the BRICS summit in China.

"The export of terror from Pakistan is a fundamental concern of India. After its oldest ally, the US has clearly named and shamed Pakistan as being not only a promoter of terrorists but also a protector of terrorists, it would be remiss of the Prime Minister if he does not raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan at the BRICS summit," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

China had said India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan will not be discussed at the BRICS Summit which started in China's Xiamen City on Sunday.

However, India rejected China's suggestion.

Click here for LIVE updates.
An end to Doka La standoff saved Xi Jinping from an embarrassing face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The resolution will have offered relief to the BRICS organisers too, as there was hardly any logic in talking peace and cooperation among the grouping when two of its key constituents are engaged in a military face-off. Both Xi and Modi have set the stage for talks on peace and cooperation by agreeing to move past Doka La and work on the larger BRICS agenda on cooperation. But all is still far from well.

For India and China, the next point of contention is developing, perhaps not in the form of a military conflict, but something that has all the making of a grand start to a prolonged diplomatic standoff  Indias approach to the China Pakistan Economic corridor (CPEC) and One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. China has bet big on CPEC, which it wants to use as a tool to assert significant political and economic influence on Pakistani soil and achieve its long-term goal of regional dominance operating from that base. CPEC is also integral to the OBOR initiative anchored by China. It wants to grow as a world leader with its economic power and military might. For both CPEC and OBOR, Indias cooperation will be crucial for China since no power in Asia can ignore Asias third largest economy.

But, China may have a tough time in taking India into confidence since the CPEC corridor passes through the contentious part of Kashmir, which is occupied by Pakistan and claimed by India. India has the backing of others. For instance, Sri Lanka has spoken in favour of India on this issue saying it is difficult for India to accept the CPEC since it passes through the 'heart of Indian interests'. China would have further risked the fate of CPEC and OBOR if it escalated tensions, as India can create hurdles in the path of OBOR. It was one of the major economic reasons it had to put an end to the Doka La conflict as pointed out earlier.

In a recent report, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (ESCAP), the UNs regional development arm, had warned that the CPEC running through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir could create tensions with India and lead to 'further political instability' in the region. India has so far distanced itself from the OBOR initiative on account of this reason. It did not send a delegation to attend the OBOR meet convened by China early this year. This point of contention is likely to escalate further.

Just recently, army chief General Bipin Rawat had said that the CPEC passing through PoK challenges Indias sovereignty. "It is doing so by increasing defence and economic partnerships in the neighbourhood, especially in Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) challenges Indias sovereignty," Rawat had said. China, on the other hand, has maintained that CPEC has no direct links to Kashmir, a claim India has not agreed to. There are good reasons for China to bat for CPEC. China has invested at least $50 billion so far in the CPEC, and has also promised further investments.

Besides, it also plans to deeply influence the Pakistan region with its power and culture, establishing "a full system of monitoring and surveillance ... built in cities from Peshawar to Karachi, with 24 hour video recordings on roads and busy marketplaces for law and order. A national fibre optic backbone will be built for the country not only for internet traffic, but also terrestrial distribution of broadcast TV, which will cooperate with Chinese media in the 'dissemination of Chinese culture'." All this will eventually make Pakistan nothing short of a Chinese colony and a surveillance base, which is a threat to India.

The 2017 BRICS Summit may not have much to offer beyond the usual rhetoric and general statements on promise of member cooperation. Particularly for India and China, although the Doka La problem is off for now, the damage inflicted by the standoff on bilateral trade and economic relations will linger on for a while. Even if Modi and Xi move past the Doka La episode and shake hands in front of cameras, the CPEC issue will loom over the meet.
The inclusion of Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba's names in the Xiamen Joint Declaration of BRICS Summit is a tactical and diplomatic win for India. This is the first time China has let the names of these Pakistan-based terror outfits  who exclusively target India  be mentioned in a joint statement. Beijing had single-handedly blocked India's attempts to do so earlier, for instance, in Goa.

Just before the start of this year's edition, host China had in a media briefing indicated that it won't be "appropriate" for members to raise the issue of Pakistan's role in terrorism at BRICS. It was a barely concealed message for India. Considering the context, India seems to have pulled off quite a coup in Xiamen.

And yet, it is important not to draw all the wrong inferences from Monday's turn of events. As the news broke out, some Indian TV channels enthusiastically interpreted it as a case of 'China dumping Pakistan', some said it was a 'resounding win' after Doka La. Let's be clear. The breakthrough that India achieved on Monday at BRICS is significant. It represents a softening of China's stance on Pakistan-sponsored terror. But neither is it an unqualified 'victory' nor does it signal a dramatic change in Beijing's Pakistan policy.

China is a rational player and all its actions are based on a hard cost-benefit analysis. Like all rational players, Beijing will never take a single step against its core interests. And weakening Pakistan at a time when the US is turning the heat on Islamabad goes against its core interests. So how to reconcile the two apparently contradictory position that China finds itself in? Before we explore the reasons, let's take a look at the relevant portion of the joint-declaration text.

Paragraph 48 of the 43-page Xiamen Declaration reads: "We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir."

It has been rightly pointed out that this marks the first time BRICS members (in effect, China) have agreed to include in the joint declaration the names of specific terror outfits who operate out of Pakistan/ Pakistan-claimed territory and focus their terrorist and subversive activities exclusively on India.

To recall, the Goa Declaration had referred to Islamic State, Al Qaeda and Syrias Jubhat al-Nusra but it made no mention of JeM, LeT or even 'cross-border terrorism', a term which India frequently uses to define Pakistan-sponsored terror. As Indian Express had pointed out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effort to "name and shame Pakistan" was ambushed by Chinese President Xi Jinping who called for "political solutions to regional hotspots"  an euphemism for Kashmir.

The Times of India had reported that India's efforts to corner Pakistan on terrorism did not only meet with Chinese resistance, Russia too failed to back India's core concern. Not only have LeT and JeM's names been included this time, the language included in the Xiamen Declaration is action-oriented and unequivocally strong on terrorism.

Para 49 reads: "We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism." In subsequent paragraphs, the declaration goes on to call for a global "comprehensive approach" against terrorism that should include "countering radicalization, recruitment", movement of mercenary fighters, methods to block "sources of financing terrorism" and countering "the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing."

Interestingly, calls for finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)  that was dropped during the 2015 Summit in Ufa  have been renewed. So overall, it does seem as if Modi and his team of diplomats have been able to wrest quite a few concessions from the BRICS platform that either address or are compatible with its core security interests.

However, as I have mentioned, this is not an unqualified win. While LeT and JeM's references strengthen India's case against Pakistan and may even be used against China at the UN, the reference to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a dead giveaway that Beijing will continue to back Pakistan as a "victim of terrorism", not just a perpetrator.

In the intricate world of diplomatic quid-pro-quo, it is conceivable that India needed to concede some to gain some, but inclusion of TTP's name in the joint declaration dilutes India's case against Pakistan as a 'mother-ship' of terrorism, as analysts such as Abhijit Iyer-Mitra of Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies have pointed out on Twitter.

.2/2 on the other PRC slyly adding TTP allows Pak to claim it too is a victim of terror & India shud've insisted they be left out #BRICS2017  Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) September 4, 2017

Pakistan maintains that it has suffered heavy damage due to military action against groups like TTP and tries to play the victim on terrorism. It claimed to have lost 580 soldiers during an operation to flush out TTP operatives from the North Waziristan tribal area in 2014 as proof of its "enormous sacrifice". So while making concessions on LeT and JeM, China's move to include TTP actually reinforces its narrative of Pakistan. Consider the Chinese foreign ministry statement just ahead of Xiamen: "Pakistan is at forefront of counter terror efforts and has made sacrifices for this. The international community should recognize their contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan."

To infer, therefore, that "China has dumped Pakistan" is entirely inaccurate. What it has done is embarked on a tactical retreat, as it did in Doka La, and the move is based on hard rationalism, not a rosy Hindi-Chini-bhai-bhai redux.

China is aware that India may try to use this as a leverage in again calling for a ban on Masood Azhar at the UN, and this time Beijing's 'technical hold' against the JeM founder might be untenable. This presents a calculated risk, and it reflects the realism that guides China's foreign policy.

Xi Jinping understands well enough that right at this moment, BRICS needs India more than India needs BRICS. Some aspects of this dynamic have been explored in my earlier piece (read it here) where it was argued that the emerging economy grouping that was formed to champion multipolarity, it itself turning into a vehicle for China's unipolarity.

Also, India  with its huge market, growing economy, role as a stabilising force in south Asia, geopolitical status as a liberal democracy (howsoever flawed)  forms a natural counterbalance to China and Russia and any grouping that seeks to challenge the western powers-dominated global order with an alternative model cannot afford to keep India out of the loop. The sudden precipitation of Doka La standoff has its roots in this necessity.

Modi would do well not to take China's concessions at face value. Revisionist states such as Pakistan, China are notorious for ignoring the letter and spirit of agreements. Nothing tangible will come out of the move to include LeT and JeM in terror list if these are not translated into actionable policy. Till then, India would be better advised to evaluate its role within BRICS with the hard realism which it displayed during the Doklam standoff.
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After the bilateral meeting with the host, Modi will be travelling to Myanmar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in China to attend the 9th annual BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China. The summit is taking place just days after India and China decided to defuse Doka La standoff. Last year, India hosted the summit at Goa.

Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi to hold bilateral talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, nearly a week after India and China announced resolution of the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff.

North Korea stole the spotlight on Sunday by announcing it had detonated a powerful hydrogen bomb and claiming it could fit the device on a long-range missile, dramatically raising the stakes in its standoff with the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday opened the annual summit of BRICS leaders but that already has been upstaged by North Korea's latest nuclear weapons provocation.

Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders including Russian president Vladimir Putin and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, which is among the five counties  Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan  invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.

The nuclear test on Sunday, which also led to a 6.3 magnitiude earthquake, came just before Xi took the stage for a pre-BRICS address in Xiamen. The timing of the test seemed deliberate and will no doubt anger Beijing, which swiftly condemned the explosion.

After the BRICS Summit at Xiamen is over on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Myanmar. The prime minister will be in Myanmar between 6 and 7 September 2017. This will be his first trip to India's eastern neighbour since taking office in 2014.

"The export of terror from Pakistan is a fundamental concern of India. After its oldest ally, the US has clearly named and shamed Pakistan as being not only a promoter of terrorists but also a protector of terrorists, it would be remiss of the Prime Minister if he does not raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan at the BRICS summit," IANS quoted Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari as saying.

The Congress on Sunday said it would be "remiss" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he does not raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan at the BRICS summit in China.

China had already said that India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan will not be discussed at the BRICS Summit which started in Xiamen City on Sunday. However, India had rejected China's suggestion, IANS reported.

The correlation (if any) between the Doka La resolution and BRICS Summit has been well explored. India should have no beef with Chinese position. It certainly doesn't stand to gain by walking out of BRICS. But it must equally consider how best to align BRICS with its core interests. And there needs to be at least a working relationship between New Delhi and Beijing. Short of these conditions, BRICS may rapidly dwindle into a propaganda platform for a China-led global order where India will appear a misfit.

India has been seeking deepening ties with Myanmar, which is considered a key pillar in India's Act East policy. Bilateral trade between India and Myanmar has been growing steadily but, it lags behind China and Thailand in terms of presence in the Myanmarese market. India has committed $2 billion for development assistance to Myanmar, but projects have been slow in getting implemented. The Kaladan multi-modal transport project was the first major project undertaken by the Indian government in Myanmar. Modi's visit is expected to give a boost to these projects. 

For India, more worrying signs emerged on Friday when Russian president Vladimir Putin, writing for The Times of India newspaper, touched on a range of issues to be discussed during BRICS Summit including terrorism but made no mention of Pakistan. In calling for a "broad counterterrorism front" on terrorism, Putin's words were suitably vague, indicating the growing distance between the two nations. It is quite clear that bilateral trade is failing to bridge the geopolitical gap. Putin invoked Syria, tension on Korean Peninsula but had nothing to say about India's long struggle with cross-border terror.

China's assistant foreign minister Kong Xuanyu and Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui were there to receive Modi, who reached Xiamen on a rainy evening. Modi arrived at the Wyndham Grand hotel where some 50 locals were present to welcome him.

"We the BRICS countries should show our responsibilities to uphold global peace and stability," he said.

Xi also appeared to take a reconciliatory tone when he, without directly referring to the recent Doka La standoff with India, underlined that "peace and development" should be the underpin to resolve issues as the world does not want "conflict and confrontation."

Xi on Sunday underscored that the BRICS must uphold the value of diplomacy to resolve "hotspot issues" as the leaders of the grouping, arrived for the Summit, which is starting on Monday.

China has invited Egypt, Kenya, Tajikistan, Mexico and Thailand as guest countries for the upcoming BRICS summit but clarified that the invitation is not an attempt to expand the group under its 'BRICS Plus' approach.

Explaining the 'BRICS Plus' approach, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the member countries have been inviting different countries during the annual summits of the group and referred to India's decision to invite leaders of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic) for last year's Goa summit in which Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal are members.

According to Zaka Jacob of CNN News18, Xi Jinping has served in Fujian province, of which Xiamen is the capital city, between 1985 and 2002. Xi served as the governor of the state between 1999 and 2002. According to him, the Summit is also a show of strength for the president ahead of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on 18 October.

The $76 million loan with a maturity length of 17 years was granted to Shanghai Lingang Distributed Solar Power Project, under an agreement signed in December 2016.

The first project funded by The New Development Bank, set up by India and other members of the BRICS grouping of emerging economies, has started operation in Shanghai, reported PTI.

"I am convinced that as long as we take a holistic approach to fighting terrorism in all its forms, and address both its symptoms and root causes, terrorists will have no place to hide," he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping today called on BRICS countries to adopt a holistic approach to fight terrorism in all its forms and address both its "symptoms and root causes" so that terrorists will have no place to hide.

On Thursday, China stopped just short of warning India against raising the issue of terrorism, specifically Pakistan's role in it. "China is willing to work with Pakistan and other countries to enhance cooperation on counter-terrorism and protect regional security and stability. We have taken note of the concerns of the Indian side on counter-terrorism issues of Pakistan, but I don't believe that it should feature prominently during the Xiamen Summit," China's foreign ministry said at a media briefing in Beijing.

India may find itself sidelined again if it seeks to deliver a strong message against Pakistan's role as the 'mother ship of terrorism', as it did during last year's edition in Goa.

This is a transformational design because so far the government in Kabul, Afghan security forces, the US and NATO forces have targeted the Taliban as the enemy.

Since April 2016, a group of countries under the auspices of what came to be known as the Moscow initiative began to analyse the Taliban as an Afghan, nationalist category which was not fired by transnational aspirations like the IS and Al Qaeda. The Taliban, in other words, should be brought into the tent, to borrow Lyndon Johnson's colourful expression.

Moscow and Beijing view Afghanistan as the centre where terrorist groups like the Islamic State can breed and threaten countries in the neighbourhood and beyond.

Xi Jinping stresses on structural reforms and sustainable development to boost economic development. He said that it is important to strike balance between fast growth and quality of growth. Xi added that it is important to bring inclusive development as part of 20130 sustainable development goals.

News18 reported that despite the apprehensions of China and Russia to include cross-border terrorism in the joint declaration, India has succeeded in including the major issue into the joint declaration which is expected to come out in the afternoon. The report added that terror outfits like Jaish-e-Muhammad have also been named in the declaration.

Kamath, who was earlier with ICICI bank, added that the recent events have had 'no impact on the economic front and that relationships have grown on the economic front'.

Speaking to CNN News18, KV Kamath, the cheif executive of the New Development Bank, said that there is an 'enormous need for all the countries to get the work done'.

"In 10 years of existence, we contributed in establishing growth for world which is drifting towards instability. Our endeavors touch diverse areas of technology, energy, environment ,ICT, culture. NDB is dispersing loans for infrastructure and sustainable development. Our central banks are making arrangements to make reserve funds operational. I am happy to know China has taken steps to improve people-to-people contact with India. National progress of Ganga cleaning, Digital India, housing for all. Skill India are laying the base of inclusive development," says Modi

"We want to bury the ghost of the D-word (Doklam) for the engagement in future," a source told IANS.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Xiamen, India has hinted that it wants to move on from the tense Doklam dispute, which had plunged bilateral ties to a new low.

Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have agreed to work together to tackle the growing crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme.

Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, venue of the 9th BRICS Summit in this port city of China and was followed by Russian president Vladimir Putin. Modi is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi on Tuesday.

The BRICS Summit began on Monday in Xiamen with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries and was preceded by a warm handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping, who received the leaders of Brazil, Russia and South Africa ahead of the restricted meeting of the grouping.

Apart from the restricted, the leaders will participate in the plenary during which they will explore ways to enhance cooperation within the members of the grouping in key areas. They will also deliberate on international issues of significance, including global economy and challenges. The Summit will end with the adoption of a Xiamen declaration, which will capture the essence of the deliberations and future road map.

What will happen over the course of the summit?

"I wish to announce here that China will launch the economic and technical cooperation plan for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries with 500 million yuan for the first term to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation and in the economic and trade field," Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the bloc's 9th summit.

China on Monday announced 500 million yuan (about $76 million) for economic and technological cooperation and exchanges among BRICS countries. Beijing also said it will allocate $4 million to the New Development Bank(NDB), IANS reported.

Modi also called for the creation of a BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries.

Addressing the plenary session of the BRICS Summit in China's Xiamen city, PTI quoted Modi as saying that trade and economy were the foundations of the cooperation among BRICS -- Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa.

The prime minister said a strong partnership among member nations on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the sustainable development goals.- PTI

The prime minister stressed for accelerating track of cooperation in smart cities, urbanisation and disaster management - continuing dialogue at Goa in India and said that "we are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty, to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education". - IANS.

The prime minister welcomed cooperation for capacity building between BRICS and African countries in area of skills, health, infra, manufacturing and connectivity. He also asked to grab the youths in m.ainstream in the joint initiatives, scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices. - IANS

News18 reports that Narendra Modi raises the issue of money laundering for financing terrorism at BRICS plenary. The prime minister asked for joint action action against terrorism and also ideated on a de-radicalisation drive against terrorism.

News18 reports that the BRICS joint declaration has condemned Pakistan-backed terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba in the joint declaration at Xiamen. This is being considered a big diplomatic win for India as it could not include terrorism in the joint declaration at Goa last year.

BRICS voices concern on security situation in the region and violence by terror groups like the Taliban, al-Qaeda and Pakistan-based LeT and JeM.  PTI

Touched upon several aspect of bilateral ties. Recalled Modi's visit. Putin thanked Modi for participation in Eastern Economic Forum. Both deliberated on economic ties and co-operation on oil and gas sector.

Leaders have adopted Xiamen Declaration. This has picked up on the positive impetus from Goa. Prime Minister gave a very future looking blueprint for BRICS next decade. "Our leaders of our countries have contributed to emergence of BRICS. It has spurt world growth and also driven transformation," Modi said. Modi spoke of taking affirmative action in global governance. Modi also spoke on reforms in United Nations Security Council. He also proposed an idea of counter radicalisation conference in India.

The leaders are holding their annual summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen through Tuesday.

He also called on his BRICS partners to oppose a growing tide of protectionism across the world.

"We need to make the international order more just and equitable," he told the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa in his opening address. Xi said they should "speak with one voice" to jointly present their solutions to global problems and safeguard their common interests.

Five major emerging economies opened BRICS summit on Monday to map out their future course, with host Chinese president Xi Jinping calling on them to play a bigger role in world affairs.

MEA says that for the first time, a specific list has been issued by the BRICS pointing out various terror outfits affecting security in member states. MEA also said that the BRICS leaders have also have agreed to implement UNSC resolution for combating terrorism. Preeti Saran, Secretary, East, said that Modi also discussed counter-terrorism at the Summit. The BRICS leaders also said that there is a need for joint action against terrorism, Saran said.

"We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the fourty-eighth point of the Xiamen declaration said.

"We stress that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, international refugee and humanitarian law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The BRICS also called upon the international community to establish a "genuinely broad" international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard.

"We call for expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the United Nations General Assembly," the BRICS said.

The declaration also mentioned terror groups like the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Tehrik-i-Taliban and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

In a declaration, the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism including countering radicalisation and blocking terror financing sources.

"We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by UNGA," BRICS Declaration states.

"We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organizing, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable," the Xiamen Declaration says.

A Reuters report notes that the future of the BRICS looks toxic. it adds that China and India stepped back from a border dispute just in time for a summit of the bloc of large emerging market countries, which helps Xi Jinping to keep up appearances ahead of a crucial political reshuffle. But the unusual tensions between the two Asian giants suggests the three-day gathering underway could be a last hurrah.

The BRICS, which accounts for nearly 29 percent of global GDP at purchasing power parity, shares less in common than other blocs. The Group of Seven (G7) are all rich, industrialised nations with broadly similar democratic politics. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council are composed of countries that at least live shoulder-to-shoulder. In everything from history to demographics, politics, and resource dependence, the BRICS vary enormously. The huge differences have rightly seen the acronym panned as a bloody ridiculous investment concept.

We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK (official name of North Korea). We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned.

"The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime minister's visit to Russia earlier this year. And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin and discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially in the oil and natural gas sector.

"We recall the 2005 World Summit Outcome document and reaffirm the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges. China and Russia reiterate the importance they attach to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs and support their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN," the BRICS Declaration said.

Apart from the five members of the BRICS, this summit will also include five other nations as part of China's outreach efforts. The five invitees to the BRICS Summit this time are: Egypt, Kenya, Tajikistan, Mexico and Thailand. India is also expect to hold talks with the leaders of each invitee nations on the sidelines of the summit.

The declaration said the leaders acknowledge that illegal flow of the proceeds of corruption impairs economic development and financial stability and support enhanced cooperation in asset recovery.

The leaders said that they were keenly aware of the negative impact of corruption on sustainable development and declared their support to efforts to enhance BRICS and anti-corruption cooperation.

The BRICS Summit of five emerging economies on Monday pledged itself to creating a fair and modern global tax system that will address issues like tax evasion by shifting of profits to safe havens and to promote exchange of tax information that will seek to curb the practice.

He also urged central banks of the member nations to further strengthen their capabilities and promote cooperation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement of the grouping and the International Monetary Fund. The prime minister said BRICS countries can work closely with International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched by Indian and France in November 2015.

The prime minister said a strong partnership among member nations on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the sustainable development goals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought a strong partnership among BRICS nations to spur economic growth, saying that the bloc of emerging countries has contributed to the stability in a world "drifting towards uncertainty".

Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote cooperation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the prime minister said, urging early creation of the BRICS rating agency.

Prime Minister Narendra Moday, today called for the creation of a BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries.

It was India, which had first mooted the idea of an independent CRA for the BRICS grouping at last years BRICS Summit in Goa, pinpointing the problems the current CRA market posed for the emerging market economies.

A BRICS CRA will be a counter to the western credit rating agency, which enjoy unchallanged market dominance. Entreprenuers in East and South East Asia often face impediments because of the hegimony enjoyed by CRA's like Moody's Fitch and S&P. These three western rating agencies hold over 90% of the sovereign ratings market now.

Why is it a good idea for BRICS nations to have a their own Credit Rating Agencies?

"I believe there are three important practices that should be carried forward," Xi said in the Summit's opening address.

Both leaders discussed several aspects of bilateral issues in sectors like cooperation in the natural gas and oil sector, Kumar added. Both sides also discussed how to promote bilateral trade and investment.

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit here, "basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship", Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, briefing reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting here on Monday with trade and investment, natural gas, tourism and youth exchanges featuring in their discussions.

Second, by getting a variety of countries at international summits (including Monday's summit in Xiamen) to express concern about Pakistan-based terror outfits, India appears to have put the all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China under pressure. China, which is already facing an increasingly hostile international community because of its continued support to the North Korean regime, will now be under immense pressure to step back from providing any moral or diplomatic support to Pakistan's terror groups.

This is also of vital strategic importance in two ways; first, Pakistans strategy of 'death by a thousand cuts' is now under an international spotlight, with its civilian and military government facing intense pressure to rein in militant groups.

At the BRICS Summit on Monday, India was able to secure a major diplomatic victory for itself after the member countries backed the UN resolution on terrorism, specifically naming Pakistan-based terror groups.

Xiamen Declaration will go some way in dismantling terror, Pakistan-China friendship

Earlier, addressing the plenary session of the BRICS Summit, Modi said trade and economy were the foundations of the cooperation among BRICS - Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa.

The two leaders met in this southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen on the sidelines of the ninth BRICS Summit.

The BRICS also called upon all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

At a restricted session of the BRICS leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also articulated India's position on the issue and offered to host a conference on de-radicalisation.

In the BRICS declaration, the grouping deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

China will provide $76 million for a BRICS economic and technology cooperation plan and another $4 million to support the projects of the bloc's New Development Bank, President Xi Jinping announced on Monday. Calling on the five nation grouping to forge unity to jointly advance solutions for international peace and development, Xi said the BRICS countries should make economic globalisation open and inclusive, and beneficial to all.

He also said that during the Modi-Putin meeting several bilateral issues were discussed like the cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector.

"The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime minister's visit to Russia earlier this year. And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters at a briefing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment along with the security situation in Afghanistan.

The four documents are: BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Action Agenda on Economic and Trade Cooperation; BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation (2017-20); Strategic Framework of BRICS Customs Cooperation; and Memorandum of Understanding between the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank on Strategic Cooperation (NDB).

To boost cooperation in different areas, including economy and trade, BRICS member states on Monday signed four agreements at the 9th Summit of the five-nation bloc here.

"Renewable energy is particularly important on multiple counts. BRICS countries can work closely with International Solar Alliance (ISA) to strengthen the solar energy agenda. Our five countries have complementary skills and strengths to promote use of renewable and solar energy," Modi said. The ISA was launched by India and France in November 2015 and aims to bring together a coalition of 121 countries for mutual gains through enhanced solar energy utilisation.

Asserting that affordable and sustainable access to energy is crucial for the growth of the BRICS nations, Prime Minister Narendra today called on the member countries to work closely with the International Solar Alliance to strengthen the solar energy agenda.

"These organisations are all sanctioned by the UN Security Council and have a significant impact for Afghanistan issue," Geng told PTI in a written response to a strong reference in the BRICS countries about these terror groups.

Defending the move to include these terror groups for the first time in the BRICS joint declaration, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said BRICS countries have "shown their concerns to the violent activities raised by these organisations".

China on Monday said that Pakistan-based terrorist outfits like JeM, LeT and the Haqqani network have been included in the BRICS joint declaration due to concerns about their violent activities in the region .

According to external affairs ministry officials, Modi will meet Xi at 12.30 pm (10 am IST), the prime minister's last official engagement before flying off to Myanmar on a bilateral visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping will hold their first substantive bilateral meeting on Tuesday after the Doka La standoff, which had put ties between the two countries under strain.

The Business Council comprising business organisations from all the five countries has done a lot in the fields of e-commerce, technical development, standard setting, and the experience sharing in the digital economy, PTI quoted XI as saying.

In his remarks during talks between the BRICS Business Council and BRICS leaders attending the ninth BRICS summit, Xi praised the achievements of the council and the NDB.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank (NDB) to ensure greater cooperation among BRICS countries.

The leaders also attended the opening ceremony of the BRICS Cultural Festival and Photo Exhibition and watched the trailer of "Where Has Time Gone", the first film co-produced by the five countries.

IANS reported that the party also said China did not have a moral or legal right now to stand in the way or to prevent the United Nations from declaring Azhar an international terrorist.

The Congress on Monday said it hopes Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now take up the issue of declaration of Maulana Masood Azhar as an international terrorist as his outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has already been declared a terrorist organisation by BRICS nations.

"Foreign direct investment inflows are at an all-time high, rising by 40 percent," he said.

"India is changing fast into one of the most open economies in the world today," Modi said while addressing the BRICS Business Council meet in Xiamen as part of the 9th BRICS Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced in July this year is the biggest economic reform ever in India.

India and four other BRICS nations today pledged to abide by the principle of utilising outer space for peaceful purposes, PTI reported.The Xiamen Declaration, issued at the end of the BRICS Summit's plenary session, said the member countries will also work together to promote the most effective use of fossil fuels and wider use of gas, hydro and nuclear power.

" China faced the same problem in Xiamen that India faced in Goa last year  pressure of being the host. As host, the onus is on China to find a consensual joint declaration that can be adopted. The host has to walk the extra mile. Therefore the host's scope for taking extreme positions in these negotiations is crippled. Part of the reason why India couldn't push through similar language in the Goa declaration was precisely because of this."

According to Zaka Jacob of CNN News18, China was under pressure due to its position as a host to come to a consensus on a joint declaration. According to his report, this helped India to push to add LeT and JeM as foreign terror outfits in the declaration.

News18 reported that a gamut of issues may be taken into consideration during the meetign with Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping. Some of the issues that may be discussed during the meeting are India's concerns over CPEC transgressing Jammu and Kashmir, India's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese reluctance to ban Masood Azhar and its backing of Pakistan despite terror concerns.

Several issues may be discussed during the bilateral meeting

Just like on Monday, Modi also spoke of diigtisation and sustainable development for emerging economies.

Talking about India's long-standing partnership with Africa, Modi noted that India is a major partner of the countries in the continent and added that the African Development Bank chose India for its first meeting outside Africa.

Pitching India's strong support for development of the South Asia region, Modi said that the South Asia satellite is an example of India's commitment to the development of India and its neighbourhood.

While talking about a three-pronged approach to development , Modi spoke of India's aim to bring banking to those whoa re unbanked through various mobile technology.

Narendra Modi, while talking about co-operation with developing economies, hardselled India's economic approach. Modi said that development is a key focus for India. He said his government is focussing on "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas."

It is important not to draw all the wrong inferences from Monday's turn of events. As the news broke out, some Indian TV channels enthusiastically interpreted it as a case of 'China dumping Pakistan', some said it was a 'resounding win' after Doka La. Let's be clear. The breakthrough that India achieved on Monday at BRICS is significant. It represents a softening of China's stance on Pakistan-sponsored terror. But neither is it an unqualified 'victory' nor does it signal a dramatic change in Beijing's Pakistan policy.

Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi asked BRICS to team up with the International Solar Alliance for mutual gains through solar energy and utilisation of solar power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that changes can be brought about by BRICS' proactive approach and co-ordination.

"We need to make the international order more just and equitable. Our ever closer ties require that we five countries play more active in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved," Xi told the gathering.

Speaking at the opening of the plenary session at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Xi was quoted by PTI as saying the five-nation grouping need to forge unity to jointly advance solutions for international peace and development.

Chinese president Xi Jinping on Monday called on the BRICS countries to make the international order more just and equitable, asserting that many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved without their participation.

Here is what prime minister said at the meeting

An Indian government functionary told The Indian Express on Tuesday that they would try to bury the D-word. The D-word stands for Doka La. The Indian Express quoted sources as saying that after a bitter experience, it is time to move on."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping will also also look at the trade and commerce aspect of the India-China relationship, News18 reported. The report also noted that Doka La may also feature in the discussions between the two leaders.

Trade, an important part of Indo-Sino ties, likely to be discussed

Our 'no strings attached' cooperation model is driven purely by requirements of partner countries, PTI quoted the prime minister as saying at BRICS developing nations dialogue. Modi also suggested 10 noble commitments to be taken up by BRICS leadership for global transformation.

Narendra Modi has pitched for organised and coordinated action on counter terrorism, cyber security and disaster management at the summit, PTI reported.

"Multilateral trade negotiations are having a difficult time. The implementation of the Paris agreement on climate change is encountering resistance," Xi told leaders of emerging economies and developing countries.

Xi didn't refer to the United States by name, although Trump has said trade pacts are a threat to American jobs and had decided to pull the United States out of the Paris agreement on climate change.

Chinese president Xi Jinping on Tuesday warned that the world economy faces growing risks and uncertainties from countries turning inward on trade and resisting combating climate change, delivering an implicit rebuke to his American counterpart, Donald Trump.

The declaration will come as a major setback for Pakistan that will now find itself further isolated in the global community on the issue of terrorism. It happens to be the second time in a week that Pakistan has been rapped on its knuckles for its support to terrorists operating in the region. US president Donald Trumps recently-announced policy on Afghanistan also sought to shame Pakistan on the issue. Now, the expression of concern over Pakistan-based terror groups at the BRICS Summit will work to double the diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.

News18 reports that Narendra Modi is being accompanied by Foreign SecretaryS Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.

Who are with Modi in the meeting?

Speaking at the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present, Xi said: "Four years ago, I put forward the idea of building a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st century Maritime Silk Road. The initiative received a warm response from the international community. In May this year, China hosted a successful Belt and Road forum for international cooperation."

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday hailed the Belt and Road project at a BRICS forum in Xiamen, saying that the initiative has received a good response.

The prime minister, accompanied by senior officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, met the Chinese leader just before his travel to Myanmar from this port city.

Modi, who attended the BRICS Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue earlier in the day, met Xi on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS Summit here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today held their first substantive bilateral meeting after the Doka La standoff, which had put ties between the two countries under strain.

Xi Jinping is reported to have said, "India is a valuable partner. We seek guidance from India on the five principles of Panchasheel. India and China are world's two largest economies in the world." - News18

While there were speculation over a possible media briefing after the bilateral meeing, reports now suggest there will be no such thing. There will only be a few sound bytes by Foreign Secretary Jaishankar before he leaves. This is the last event before Modi leaves for Myanmar.

On counter-terrorism issue, which dominated the BRICS summit on Monday, Jaishankar said that they were not separately discussed during the bilateral meeting.

Urging better communication between the military personnel of India and China, Jaishankar said, "The two leaders felt that there should be closer communication between the defence and security personnel of India and China."

"Peace and tranquility at the border areas is a prerequisite for fruitful relations between India and China," Jaishankar said on the border issue between the countries.

Jaishankar said that while there are differences, they should not become disputes. "The two leaders also reaffirmed the understanding reached at Astana between Modi and Xi to not allow differences to become disputes," Jaishankar added.

"There was a forward-looking and constructive approach taken by both sides during the Modi-Xi meeting. The two leaders reaffirmed that it is in the interest of both India and China to have good relations," Jaishankar said on the overall outcome of the meeting.

"Whatever we do, will impact the world substantially. So, it is our solemn duty to make a better world  brick by brick, or, through BRICS....," Modi said.

Modi, while speaking at the 'BRICS Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue' organised by China on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS Summit as an outreach exercise, said India has a long tradition of partnerships with fellow developing countries, while pursuing its own aspirations for growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday pitched for coordinated action on counter terrorism, cyber security and disaster management, as he suggested 10 'noble commitments' through which BRICS leadership in global transformation can be achieved.

Xi told Modi that the two countries should pursue "healthy, stable bilateral ties", China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported. China is willing to work with India on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel), which were put forward by both the countries, to improve political mutual trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and push Sino-India ties along the right track, Xi was quoted as saying.

Ways to deepen security and defence cooperation, implementation of India-assisted development projects and the issue of cross border activities by certain insurgent groups along the India-Myanmar are likely to figure during Modi's talks with leadership of the country during the three-day visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Myanmar on Tuesday on his first bilateral state visit during which both sides are expected to ink a number of agreements and deliberate on key issues including exodus of Rohingya community.

Modi is scheduled to call on Myanmar President Htin Kyaw who is also hosting a banquet for him later in the day. The Prime Minister will hold wide-ranging talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi tomorrow.

The ASI will be undertaking further restoration work on a number of pagodas and murals that were damaged in an earthquake last year, he said.

Modi said he was looking forward to paying a visit to the famed heritage city of Bagan, where the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has done a "stellar work" in renovating the Ananda Temple.

In Yagon, the prime minister will visit the Shwedagon pagoda and will go to martyr's mausoleum to pay tribute to General Aung San, the Burmese nationalist leader who was assassinated. General Aung is father of Suu Kyi.

Modi will travel to Yangon where he will have a series of engagements including interaction with the Indian community.

"I do not think there is any misunderstanding between us and the Myanmar government on what we sought to do," she said. Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-kilometre-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

"I think it is very well known that actions were carried out along the border. It is a difficult border. It is a border on which the exact location of the boundary sometimes may be difficult to make out.

Asked about the Indian Army's action last year along the India-Myanmar border, Ranganathan said there was no misunderstanding between the two countries over the issue.

"Myanmar is a very very important partner in our Act East policy and neighbourhood first policy," said MEA.

India has an overall commitment of $1.75 billion for developmental programmes in Myanmar.

India would also convey to Myanmar about the kind of project it has on its priority list and whether it would like to partner with India in their execution. "We will be guided by Myanmar government in its choice of projects," the MEA said.

She said the Kaladan project and the trilateral high-way project will be discussed during the prime minister's visit.

On the exodus of Rohingya community, the MEA said, "The issue of the Rakhine state is a matter of great concern. There has been a prominent attack recently and a large no of people have lost their lives. We have reached out to Myanmar government after the attacks on what can be done."

Myanmar is the only ASEAN country which shares a border with India. Therefore, it is the only country which can act as a land link between India and an entity which would be the sixth-largesteconomy in the world if it were a single nation.

Should India manage to upgrade the Kalewa-Yargyi road segment to highway standard, while Myanmar develops the Yargyi-Monywa portion, it will greatly improve Indias connectivity and relationship with both Myanmar and Thailand.

In economic terms, the bilateral trade between the two countries is a little over $2 billion. There is significant scope of improvement to this number according to The Economic Times. Further, the official statistics don't take into account the informal trade which takes place at the border. Once greater transparency comes in, the economic engagement will get a boost.

There is also the 1,600 kilometre long border the two countries share. Myanmar is cheek by jowl with India's Northeast states and is critical for maintaining stability and peace in Northeast India according to the Livemint report. Indeed, some Indian insurgent groups operate from Myanmar. Therefore Myanmar's cooperation would go a long way in helping India deal with these insurgent groups.

China has been steadily increasing its influence (both economic and political) in the country. It is Myanmar's largest trade partner, has investments in the country and has played a proactive role in bringing various armed groups to the negotiating table. This cooperation on ethnic issues has reaped economic dividends as Myanmar has shown interest in China's One Belt One Road initiative.

"We will also look at strengthening our existing cooperation on security and counter-terrorism, trade and investment, skill development, infrastructure and energy, and culture," he said.

The burning issue of the Rohingyas and India's capacity building measures and infrastructure projects are expected to figure during Modi's visit to Myanmar. "During the visit, we will review developments in our bilateral relations, especially the extensive programme of development cooperation and socio-economic assistance that India is undertaking in Myanmar, and explore new areas in which we can work together," Modi said in a pre-departure statement.

There is also the 1,600 kilometre long border the two countries share. Myanmar is cheek by jowl with India's Northeast states and is critical for maintaining stability and peace in North East India.

Myanmar is the only country which can act as a land link between India and an entity which would be the sixth-largest economy in the world if it were a single nation. It can be India's gateway to Southeast Asia and give an impetus to India's Look East Policy.

In economic terms, the bilateral trade between the two countries is a little over $2 billion. There is significant scope of improvement to this number. Further, the official statistics don't take into account the informal trade which takes place at the border. Once greater transparency comes in, the economic engagement will get a boost.

On Wednesday, Modi will hold bilateral discussions with Aung San Suu Kyi, following which a number of agreements are expected to be signed. During the course of the visit, Modi will also visit Bagan, a heritage city where the Archaeological Survey of India is involved in the restoration work of a temple and some pagodas, and Yangon, where he will interact with members of the Indian community.

Modi arrives in Myanmar: Here is his itinerary for Wednesday

India is also attempting to counter China's influence in other ways. India is developing a road which runs through Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM), a 2,800 km-long corridor that starts from Kolkata and passes through Bangladesh and Myanmar before ending at Kunming in China.

Experts say that when it comes to Myanmar, China has repeatedly beaten India to punch repeatedly and continues to do so. China regards Myanmar as a land bridge to the Indian Ocean China has also shielded Myanmar from western criticism in the UN, on the issue of Rohingya Muslims.

As India seeks to deepen ties, experts fear China may have already beaten her to punch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the 1105 AD Ananda Temple which is another prominent Buddhist shrine in Myanmar. He will also visit the Martyrs Mausoleum which contains remains of Aung Sang after his assassination in 1947.

Modi also hopes to convince Myanmar about its seriousness in strengthening ties as China keeps a close watch.

Here is the list of agreements expected to be signed between India and Myanmar

Myanmar troupes and artistes have participated in South Asian and ASEAN cultural events in India. India has also responded to Myanmar's interest in restoring and renovating two historic temples in Bodh Gaya built by Myanmar rulers King Mindon and King Baygyidaw.

India and Myanmar share close cultural ties and a sense of deep kinship given India's Buddhist heritage. Building on this shared heritage India is undertaking some key initiatives: Restoration of the Ananda Temple in Bagan and GOI donation of a 16 foot replica of the Sarnath Buddha Statue which has been installed at the premises of Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said the government was very clear that the Rohingyas should go back. - IANS

Rijiju said no force will however be used. "We are not going to use force to throw out anybody. Such image may be painted that we are very inhuman; we are not. In fact, no other country has accepted as much refugees as India," he said.

The Centre and the Assam government on Tuesday made it clear that Rohingya immigrants from Myanmar have to return to their native country. Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of the North-East Democratic Alliance in the national capital, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said, "They (Rohingyas) are illegal immigrants in India. Deportation has to be through legal process."

Modi's visit is certainly a step in the right direction to mend Indo-Myanmar ties. He is scheduled to hold discussions with the holders of high office as he will call on State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Htin Kyaw. The bilateral visit should serve to give a boost to political and economic ties with a strategic eastern neighbour.

Myanmar, for its part has tried to follow a policy of preserving its independence from India and China. There has been a tendency in Myanmar to fear China while trying to cultivate friendship with India. This has changed with the actions of China as well as those of General Ne Win who imposed martial law in the country in 1962.

"You need to play it very smartly. You need to make it clear that Rakhine violence has regional implications... but India will not get into saying, This is how you should resolve it.'" - Reuters

The violence in Myanmar could hit development of a transport corridor that begins in Rakhine, with the Indian-built port of Sittwe and includes road links to Indias remote North East, analysts said. "Its going to be a very vexed and complex issue," said Tridivesh Singh Maini, a New Delhi-based expert on ties with Myanmar.

"If there is active economic activity in the state, many of the problems will be at least reduced," said Joint Secretary, Bangladesh and Myanmar in Ministry of External Affairs, Sripriya Ranganathan at a press briefing before Narendra Modi's Myanmar visit. She said India was working in that direction.

Ahead of Modi's visit to Myanmar, India, which has maintained that there is no change in policy on illegal immigrants, has said that New Delhi would encourage the Myanmar government to "find ways of stimulating socio-economic development" in Rakhine, reported India Today .

Apart from his engagements in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw, he will visit Yangon and Bagan. His visit will end on 7 September.

This is Prime Minister Narendra Modis first bilateral visit to Myanmar. During the visit, according to Ministry of External Affairs, Modi will hold discussions with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on matters of mutual interest and also call on President U Htin Kyaw.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Myanmar comes amid a spike in ethnic violence with Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine state. He is expected to raise the issue of the exodus of the ethnic Rohingyas into neighbouring countries.

"We hope that all stakeholders can together find a way out in which unity and territorial integrity of Myanmar is respected," Modi said. "At the same time, we can have peace, justice, dignity and democratic values for all." - IANS

"We share your concerns about the extremist violence in Rakhine state and violence against security forces and how innocent lives have been lost," Narendra Modi said in a joint address to the media along with Aung San Suu Kyi following delegation-level talks.

India shared its concerns with Myanmar over the situation in the country's Rakhine state, where the army has launched a crackdown on the Rohingyas, triggering a mass exodus.

In the bigger picture context it is hugely indiscreet and tactless but if a display of Indian confidence is the yardstick well, China would certainly be miffed that this visit does not bode well for the present plastic cordiality.

What Modi probably has to lose is the wobbly friendship with the military regime and the hawkish General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar's armed forces. By stopping over en route from the BRICS Summit in China where he and Xi Jinping played genteel footsies and little else in the thaw after the Doka La impasse Modi sent a message that he is not intimidated by big brother.

By visiting Myanmar, Modi sent a message that he is not intimidated by 'big brother'

- In field of elections (between Election Commission of India and The Union Election Commission of Myanmar).

- Extension on MoU on establishment of India-Myanmar Center for Enhancement of IT-Skill

- Cooperation in Medical Products Regulation (Between Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare of the Republic of India and Food and Drugs (FDA), Ministry of Health and Sports of Myanmar on Cooperation in Medical Products Regulation)

- Enhancing the Cooperation of the Upgradation of the Women's Police Training Centre at Yamethin, Myanmar.

India and Myanmar on Wednesday signed eleven agreements in a range of sectors, including one to strengthen democratic institutions in this country, to further build their multifaceted partnership. The following are the MoUs signed:

The prime minister, at a joint press statement with Suu Kyi, asserted that India stands by Myanmar amid the challenges the country is facing. Modi and Suu Kyi held talks and discussed ways to further cement the bilateral relations. - PTI

Modi's first bilateral visit comes at a time when the Myanmarese government is facing international pressure over the 125,000 Rohingya refugees that have poured across the Bangladeshi border in just two weeks after Myanmar's military crackdown in the Rakhine state.

India said today that it shares Myanmar's concerns over the violence in the Rakhine state and asked all stakeholders to preserve the country's unity and territorial integrity, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Modi held bilateral discussions with Myanmar's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also the country's foreign minister and Minister of President's Office on Wednesday. Following the discussions, Modi gave a speech at the joint press statement with Suu Kyi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday on a three-day visit to Myanmar amid a raging crisis involving Rohingyas in the country's Rakhine state.

Here are key points where India will cooperate with Myanmar on defence

More images coming in from Modi's visit to Anand Temple in Bagan

India is collaborating with Myanmar for the conservation and restoration of Anand Temple

The temple was first damaged in an earthquake in 1975, and then last year when a 6.8 magnitude quake shook Myanmar. India and Myanmar signed an agreement in 2010 to restore the Ananda Temple and New Delhi allocated $3 million to the project being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).- PTI (Read more here )

The temple, one of the surviving masterpieces of the Mon architecture, is believed to have been built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, one of the greatest Burmese monarchs.The temple's architecture shows Mon and Indian influence.

PM Narendra Modi arrives at Yangon where he will be meeting Indian diaspora

Along with physical connectivity, we have negotiated a land border crossing agreement, says Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar

The modalities of India-Myanmar bus service has been worked out, says S Jaishankar

PM Modi says India is proud to be a part of Myanmar temple's restoration work

This is where Subhas Chandra Bose had said 'Tum Mujhe khoon do, mai tumhe azaadi doonga', says Modi.

Modi begins his address to the Indian community by greeting people in Burmese, Tamil. The prime minister also recalls all the festivals Indians have been celebrating recently. "You represent thousands of years of shared culture, geography, aspirations. We don't just share borders but also emotions," says Modi.

We are not merely reforming our country, we are transforming India, says PM Modi

Our government has taken decisions on demonetisation and GST fearlessly, says Modi

Modi says he has decided to release 40 Myanmar fishermen lodged in Indian jails

For us nation is bigger than politics, says PM Modi

Modi begins his address to the Indian community by greeting people in Burmese, Tamil. The prime minister also recalls all the festivals Indians have been celebrating recently. "You represent thousands of years of shared culture, geography, aspirations. We don't just share borders but also emotions," says Modi.

We are not merely reforming our country, we are transforming India, says PM Modi

We are not merely changing India, we are building a new India: PM Modi addresses the Indian community in Yangon,Myanmar pic.twitter.com/i74d6zhna9

An India free from poverty, terrorism, corruption, communalism, casteism is being created: PM Modi in Yangon,Myanmar pic.twitter.com/HDtSQNAqgC

Our government has taken decisions on demonetisation and GST fearlessly, says Modi

EAM Sushma Swaraj is very active. She is sensitive to the concerns of every Indian in any part of the world and is always ready to help: PM pic.twitter.com/fvfL1Vwpn6

Modi says he has decided to release 40 Myanmar fishermen lodged in Indian jails

For us nation is bigger than politics, says PM Modi

Infraculture is important. By infraculture I mean quality infrastructure that benefits our farmers: PM @narendramodi

I read somewhere five Bs are base of India-Myanmar relations - Buddhism, Business, Bollywood, Bharatnatyam and Burma teak...: PM Modi

All eyes are on Xiamen in China as it hosts leaders from across the world for the ninth BRICS leaders from 3-5 September. The forum, which aims to strength partnership among the member nations, is also eyeing to expand its influence on the global front.

BRICS, which is an acronym for the charter members  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  is a group of emergining economies formed by China to challenge the dominance of the Western economies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian president Michel Temer, South African president Jacob Zuma and Russian president Vladimir Putin will all attend the summit, PTI reported.

Even before the beginning of the three-day ninth BRICS summit in China on Monday, Xi Jinping set the tone for the meeting by pushing for trade liberalisation at the forum's business meeting on Sunday.

We should push for an open world economy, promote trade liberalisation and facilitation, jointly create a new global value chain, and realise a global economic rebalancing, Xi told BRICS business leaders and senior officials.

Xi's comments only reiterate China's latest efforts to counter US president's 'America First' policy. For the same, China has invited five non-member nations  Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand  to further enhance its sphere of influence, The Live Mint reported.

At the Xiamen summit, Mexicos president Enrique Pena Nieto is set to be in China to discuss trade and investment, as Trump has renewed threats to scrap the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that he has labelled a killer of US jobs.

This year's summit is crucial as China is expected to appeal to other nations for the formation of a bigger bloc 'BRICS Plus'. Earlier, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was quoted as saying," China would explore modalities for BRICS-plus, to hold outreach dialogues with other major developing countries. We will widen the circle of friends and turn BRICS into the most-influential platform for south-south cooperation in the world.

Meanwhile, India is expected to raise its concerns over terrorism strongly and discuss Pakistan's counter-terror record. However, China, an ally of Pakistan, previously told the media that this was not an "appropriate topic" to be discussed in the forum.

India also did not rule out a possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the margins of the Summit on Monday with external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar saying it is a common practice to arrange bilateral meetings on the sidelines of such multi-laterals.

At the last BRICS Summit, hosted by India, Modi had described Pakistan as a "mothership" of terrorism worldwide.

The prime minister had sought decisive global action such as systematically cutting off funding, weapons supply, training and political support to terror outfits and asserted that selective approach to deal with the menace will be not only futile but also counter-productive.

With inputs from agencies
Xiamen (China): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting on Monday with trade and investment, natural gas, tourism and youth exchanges featuring in their discussions.

Furthering a special & privileged strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi meets President Putin on the sidelines of #BRICS2017 Summit pic.twitter.com/TmDl2gbVN0  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 4, 2017

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, "basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship", external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, briefing reporters in Xiamen.

"President Putin recalled the prime Minister's visit to Russia earlier this year," he added.

He said that Putin thanked Modi for India's high-level participation at the Eastern Economic Forum, being held in Russia's eastern port city of Vladivostok.

Both leaders discussed several aspects of bilateral issues in sectors like cooperation in the natural gas and oil sector, Kumar added.

Both sides also discussed how to promote bilateral trade and investment.

The meeting comes three months after the two leaders met, in St Petersburg for the annual India-Russia summit, and later at the SCO meeting in Astana in the same month where India was made a permanent member of the organisation.

At the St Petersburg summit, the two nations had signed an agreement on setting up units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu and decided to give a new direction to their defence cooperation.

Follow live updates here
Xiamen: The BRICS on Monday sought decisive action against Pakistan-based terror outfits like the LeT and the JeM as well as the Taliban, ISIS and al-Qaeda, as it asked all states to prevent terror activities from their soil and curb terror financing.

In the Xiamen Declaration issued at the end of the BRICS Summit's plenary session, the influential grouping  comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  called upon the international community to establish a "genuinely broad" international counter-terrorism coalition.

It reaffirmed that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and sought expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN.

Secretary East in the External Affairs Ministry Preeti Saran said all BRICS leaders, speaking at the summit, voiced serious concerns over terrorism.

At a restricted session of the BRICS leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also articulated India's position on the issue and offered to host a conference on de-radicalisation.

Talking about India's position on terrorism, Saran told reporters at a briefing here that, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

The BRICS declaration said the grouping deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

It stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also called upon all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

"We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard," it said.

The grouping also stressed on the need for increasing the effectiveness of the UN counter-terrorism framework, including in the areas of cooperation and coordination among the relevant UN entities, designation of terrorists and terrorist groups.

"We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism," said the declaration.

The challenges identified by it included containing the supply of weapons, drug trafficking and dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the internet including social media by terrorist entities.

"We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing," it said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said.
At the BRICS Summit on Monday, India was able to secure a major diplomatic victory for itself after the member countries backed the UN resolution on terrorism, specifically naming Pakistan-based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Haqqani Network in the declaration. This comes in the wake of BRICS member China's repeated blocking of a UN Resolution against JeM chief Masood Azhar, thus inflicting repeated diplomatic defeats on India.

This will come as a major setback for Pakistan that will now find itself further isolated in the global community on the issue of terrorism. It happens to be the second time in a week that Pakistan has been rapped on its knuckles for its support to terrorists operating in the region. US president Donald Trumps recently-announced policy on Afghanistan also sought to shame Pakistan on the issue. Now, the expression of concern over Pakistan-based terror groups at the BRICS Summit will work to double the diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.

This is also an important battle won from the Indian standpoint. In what seems like a major turnaround for the global narrative on terrorism, India has been able to hammer its stand against Pakistan-based terror groups into the minds of world leaders. A decade of sustained diplomatic tactics and its continued efforts to label terrorism as a crucial threat to world peace has started to yield meaningful results. By raising the issue of terrorism on international platforms, India has been able to successfully draw the attention of other countries towards the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terror activities in the region, something that was overlooked by the world community until a decade ago.

This is also of vital strategic importance in two ways; first, Pakistans strategy of 'death by a thousand cuts' is now under an international spotlight, with its civilian and military government facing intense pressure to rein in militant groups. By doing this, India has been able to successfully turn a bilateral issue into a global problem, requiring a common solution.

Second, by getting a variety of countries at international summits (including Monday's summit in Xiamen) to express concern about Pakistan-based terror outfits, India appears to have put the all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China under pressure. China, which is already facing an increasingly hostile international community because of its continued support to the North Korean regime, will now be under immense pressure to step back from providing any moral or diplomatic support to Pakistan's terror groups.

The indirect incrimination of Pakistan as a safe haven for terrorists will also bring the relationship between Pakistan and China under intense scrutiny. Chinas ambitions of regional primacy will be severely dented if it continues to back Masood Azhar at the UN, for this will signal Chinas willingness to undermine multilateral decisions. With China leading many alternative forms of regional multilateral groupings such as the SCO, BRICS and AIIB among others, its backing of a designated terror group will put a huge question mark over its credibility as a regional leader.

Until recently, China has shown very little regard for multilateral institutions and agencies. However, now with the US backing out of the Asian picture, China has been seeking to play a more active role in the region, thus securing for itself the position of Asian hegemon. As it is increasingly entrusted with regional leadership roles, China has shown its willingness in abiding by the norms. Its decision to agree with a much-resisted code of conduct framework at the recently concluded ASEAN member meet, being an important case in point.

India will be hoping that Chinas economic rise and its deepening economic engagement with other countries will work to blunt Chinese aggression in the region. More importantly, Chinas backing on the issue of terrorism will be an important test for the Pakistan-China friendship, and will put a greater strain on the strategic relationship between the Pakistan Army and the PLA.

By mobilising international support on the issue, India will be hoping to damage the Pakistan-China axis, thus killing two birds with one stone.

It will be interesting to see how the BRICS Declaration will manifest itself in the future, however, India must work to keep up the ante against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and seek to inflict death upon the Pakistan-China friendship by a thousand diplomatic cuts.

The author is a PhD research scholar of international politics at JNU
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached Xiamen on Sunday night to attend the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Summit, is expected to attend the plenary session on Monday morning, where leaders of five countries will speak, according to a report in The Times of India.

Modi is slated to hold bilateral meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Brazil president Michael Termer on Monday, according to the report.

Modi will meet Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha, and address the BRICS leaders' dialogue with the BRICS Business Council, which will be attended by 80 Fortune 500 companies, The Economic Times reported.

Modi will have a bilateral meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping on Tuesday. He will also take part in the Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue on Tuesday, according to the Economic Times report. Modi will be travelling to Myanmar after meeting Xi.

Hindustan Times reported that Modi will also meet Egypt president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt on Tuesday morning. Egypt is one of the five counties  Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan  invited as part of the BRICS-plus sessions, according to the report.

Modi arrived at the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen along with leaders of four other countries late Sunday evening.

He was received at the airport by Chinese assistant foreign minister Kong Xuanyou and the Chinese ambassador in India, Luo Zhaohui.

The meeting between Modi and Xi is scheduled to occur only a week after India and China announced resolution of the 73-day-long Doka La standoff. The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since 16 June.

On 28 August, India's external affairs ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Doka La area.

With inputs from PTI

Follow live updates here
Delhi Police arrested a 54-year-old British national named Murray Ward who is accused of sodomising blind children at New Delhi's home for the blind, reports said. A case has been registered against Ward under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

ANI tweeted that the victims were students at the National Association for the Blind in Delhi's RK Puram.

Delhi: British National arrested on charges of sodomizing visually challenged students at National Association for the Blind (NAB) in RK Puram  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017

The police were informed on Sunday about the incident. During inquiry, the alleged involvement of Ward, a frequent visitor to the institute, came to light, the police said. Ward allegedly sexually harassed the three visually-challenged persons on 2 September, the police said. Police are examining his cell phone. Furthermore, police told ANI that they have found objectionable material (video clips) in Ward's laptop during their preliminary investigation. "Accused Murray Denis Ward as per preliminary investigation is found to be a pedophile, (and) objectionable material found in laptop," the police told the news agency. According to India Today, Ward was a regular donor at the home for the visually challenged. He is accused of sodomising three students at the school, Times Now said.

British national held for sexually assaulting three minors, case registered against POCSO act https://t.co/9SfNd7JxZA  TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 4, 2017

Ward, a native of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, was working with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April. He had suffered a paralytic attack in February and has been under treatment since then.

According to its website, NAB has been working since 1979 for visually impaired persons. It is registered as a non-profit organisation.

With inputs from PTI
Mumbai: Byculla jail officials Monday produced before a court a production warrant issued by a Delhi court against Indrani Mukerjea, key accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, in connection with a money laundering case.

A case of money laundering has been filed against the Mukerjeas (Indrani and her husband Peter), former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram, and others by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

"We have submitted the warrant to the court," said a prison official. The court is likely to pass an order on 7 September, the next date of hearing in the Sheena Bora murder case.

The Delhi court had issued directions for her production on 9 September. The ED has registered the case against Karti Chidambaram, INX media and its directors, Peter and Indrani, and others, after taking cognizance of a recent CBI FIR against them.

The Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), the ED's equivalent of a police FIR, was registered under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The CBI had filed the FIR against Karti and the Mukerjeas on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, receiving illegal gratification, influencing public servants and criminal misconduct. It is alleged that Karti had received money from INX Media for using his influence to manipulate a tax probe against it in a case of violation of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) conditions to receive investment from Mauritius.

The CBI had also recovered vouchers of Rs 10 lakh which were allegedly paid for the services. These vouchers were issued in favour of Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Limited, a firm "indirectly" owned by Karti, the CBI had alleged.

P Chidambaram, after the CBI searches on 16 May, had issued a strong statement in response to the raids, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases", the senior Congress leader and former finance minister had said.

The CBI FIR was made out against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, the Mukerjeas (currently in jail on charges of murder their daughter Sheena Bora), INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services and its director Padma Vishwanathan.

Meanwhile, the special CBI court Monday continued recording the statement of accused-turned-approver Shyamvar Rai. Rai told the court that other than his own mobile number he remembers numbers of Indrani and her son Mikhail.

He told special judge JC Jagdale that he used to speak to Mikhail frequently and for long duration, but he never informed him about the conspiracy.

According to the CBI, Indrani had planned to kill both Sheena and Mikhail. The murder came to light three years later when Rai was arrested by Mumbai Police in another case, and he spilled the beans.

The CBI, which took over the case later, claimed that financial dispute was the reason for Indrani to hatch the conspiracy to murder Sheena. Rai's examination would continue on 7 September. Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, and her husband Peter Mukerjea are currently facing trial in the case.
Bengaluru: Apparently disappointed over not finding a ministerial slot in the latest reshuffle, Belagavi BJP MP Suresh Angadi on Monday faulted the state leadership for the dominant Lingayat community from north Karnataka not being included in the Union Cabinet.

At present, there is no Lingayat representation in Union cabinet from Karnataka. It has two Brahmins, a Vokkaliga and a scheduled caste member.

BJP banks heavily on the Lingayat vote base. "100 per cent Lingayats from North Karnataka, especially from Belagavi have not been represented in the Union Cabinet. I will definitely air this grievance before Javadekarji, if he invites me," Angadi told PTI .

Angadi's name as a probable candidate for ministerial berth was doing the rounds in the state BJP circles while Ananth Kumar Dattatreya Hegde, who has been appointed Minister of State for Skill Development emerged as a surprise pick.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, in-charge of BJP affairs in Karnataka, is holding deliberations with state party leaders in Bengaluru on party matters.

Angadi said there are many MPs from North Karnataka and whoever is capable should be made the cabinet minister. "There are many MPs from our region (North Karnataka), not only me. Whoever is capable let them be made," he said.

To a query, Angadi said the state BJP leadership should have made a favourable plea before the central leadership for giving representation to North Karnataka.

"Our state leadership or the team should have pleaded properly before the central leadership. Entire team should be united. My friend (Hegde) has become a cabinet minister. I am very happy for him," he said.

Angadi said he is a sincere worker of the party from the beginning, and rose to be a Parliamentarian from an ordinary post of Belagavi city vice president.

"My people have elected me thrice, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. The best testimony is that I have won elections from an area which boasts of having more than 50 percent Marathi votes," he added.
Political observers have consistently painted Prime Minister Narendra Modis actions as being borne out of a dogmatic ideology. But the reshuffle-cum-expansion of the Union Cabinet on Sunday is the latest event that suggests the opposite. Modi, an erstwhile Rashtriya Swayansevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak (full-time worker), has shown that as far as the interests of good governance are served, dogma and ideology can wait.

That is the clear message the emanates from the composition of the new members of his team, quite a few of whom are neither dyed-in-wool Sanghis (members of the RSS fraternity) or known Modi cheerleaders. They have been picked with very specific governance  and, of course, political  goals in mind.

Those who know Nirmala Sitharaman can vouch for the fact that her initiation to the RSS ideology began much after her student life. Puritans within the RSS fold would actually have reasons not to be entirely convinced of her ideological commitment. Sadhvi Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Pragya stand a better chance in comparison. Yet Sitharaman finds herself in the exalted space of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) which is the apex decision-making body on critical issues of governance. Sitharaman was rewarded for her performance, diligence and dignified conduct and not for her ideological proclivity.

Similarly, bureaucrats like RK Singh, Satyapal Singh, Hardeep Puri and Alphons Kannanthanam who were inducted into the Narendra Modi Cabinet can't even remotely be accused of having even tenuous links with the Sangh Parivars ideology. On the other hand, the manner in which Singh arrested LK Advani in Samastipur in 1991 during the Rath Yatra, boast of his bureaucratic credentials.

As home secretary, Singh was seen as pursuing the case of "Hindu terror" vigorously from the North Block. But what mattered more for Modi was his reputation as an efficient officer who delivered a high-class road infrastructure in Bihar.

Hardeep Puris stint as the ambassador of India to the United Kingdom drew him close to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. But he was equally at ease with leaders in the UPA government. Known as a highly efficient diplomat, Puris induction into the council of ministers is expected to give a fillip to India's exposure to international institutions and capital. Kannanthanam is similarly known for being a stickler for rules and for his proficiency in project delivery.

In these exercises, there emerges a clear pattern: Modi is hardly bound by any dogmas. The Cabinet expansion is just the most recent example in a consistent thread of actions that show that Modi can look beyond dogmas and dislikes. The picking of Ram Nath Kovind as the President of India and the patch-up with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar illustrate that. In the case of Kovind, it did not matter that his ideological connection with the Sangh Parivar was quite tenuous. Kovind, though a Dalit, is not a radical Ambedkarite. Yet, Modi, in his cabinet, gives space to a radical Ambedkarite like Ramdas Athawale.

The way Modi seamlessly facilitated the transition of Kumar from the Mahagatbandhan into the NDAs fold on 26 July is stunning for its lack of animus after all that transpired between the two leaders between 2013 and 2017.

It would be naive to look at this transition from the prism of rhetorical politics alone. Kumar is not an ordinary leader. He gave the BJP a body blow in the 2015 Assembly elections in Bihar. And he vowed to free India of the RSS and rhetorically coined the term Sangh-mukt Bharat to counter Modi's "Congress-mukt Bharat".

Now juxtapose Kumars arrival into the NDA fold with the installation of Yogi Adityanatah  the presiding head of Gorakhdham religious peeth and a fire-breathing Hindu nationalist  as the chief minister of the countrys most populous state a few months earlier. Kumar and Adityanath are polar opposites, yet both exist under the umbrella of the NDA led by Modi.

Perhaps for the first time after 1950s when Congress included in its fold different and often mutually contradictory strands, BJP has expanded the range of the political spectrum enormously under Modi. In the post-independent phase, Congress was an umbrella organisation which included political streams running counter to each other. Congress gradually lost this unique inherent characteristic after 1970 during Indira Gandhis tenure. With BJP emerging as a powerful principal pole of Indian politics, Modis pragmatism expands the BJPs area of influence without getting itself bound by dogmas of ideology.

Those familiar with BJP and its earlier avatar  Bharatiya Jana Sangh  are aware that the partys ideologues always have had difficulty in striking a balance between the Sangh Parivars core dichotomy  traditionalism versus modernity. BJP ideologue KR Malkani aptly summarised it, saying that the good governance of Bharat depends directly and fully on the formation of a nationwide party which will be as much revivalist of ancient values as it will be futurist in its target.

Modi, quite contrary to his perceived image as a dogmatic ideologist, seems to be navigating that dichotomy rather deftly.
New Delhi: The Congress on Monday said the criminal negligence of BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand had led to the deaths of hundreds of children and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action in the matter besides coming out with a statement on the issue.

"Will the prime minister and the health ministry wake up from their slumber," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala asked.

The question was whether they would take "decisive action" against the governments and health ministers of UP and Jharkhand, he said.

The Congress also urged the prime minister to issue a statement on the deaths and asked if he would now take action against the Union health minister and his ministry "who have been criminally complicit in ignoring this entire episode".

Surjewala told reporters here that "hundreds of children" had died in BJP-ruled states.

The Congress leader alleged that the criminal negligence of the BJP governments had "completely decimated" the health structure in the country. The deaths of children and others "exposed their lacklustre attitude and criminal neglect", he said.

The latest example, Surjewala pointed out, was the death of 49 children in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh.

"This comes after the Gorakhpur deaths reached 357," he claimed, adding that in the last 24 hours, 13 more children had died in UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath's citadel.

"Yogi has turned Uttar Pradesh into a 'rogi' (ailing) state," he said.

But such incidents were not restricted to Uttar Pradesh, he added.

Surjewala said in Banswara, Rajasthan, 86 children had died in the last 53 days. A total of 236 children had died in Banswara this year, he claimed.

In Ranchi in BJP-ruled Jharkhand, 133 children had died in the last 28 days, and 164 children in Jamshedpur.

A total of 800 children had died so far, he said.

"Who is responsible for this utter negligence and criminal neglect of the health of our children? In Farrukhabad, children are stated to have died again on account of lack of oxygen and medication," he said.

Surjewala said children were dying of Swine flu/H1N1, which had turned into an epidemic as 1,260 people had lost their lives to this till August 2017. In 2016, 265 people died of swine flu, he said.

He also said swine flu had taken 329 lives in Gujarat, 467 in Maharashtra, 80 in Rajasthan and 53 in UP.

If decisive steps were not taken, the epidemic would take the lives of thousands more, he said.

Officials in UP said on Monday that 49 infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital. Most of the deaths were caused by "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which a child has trouble breathing.

In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, parents of many of the children in Farrukhabad said there was a delay in providing the patients with oxygen and medicines.

The UP government on Monday transferred Farrukhabad district magistrate Ravindra Kumar, chief medical officer Umakant Pandey and chief medical superintendent Akhilesh Agarwal.
Mumbai: Senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam Monday said Shiv Sena-ruled Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) was responsible for the death of noted gastroenterologist Dr Deepak Amrapurkar who fell in an uncovered manhole on 29 August when heavy rains flooded the city.

He demanded that a case of murder be lodged against the civic body for the death of Dr Amrapurkar (58).

The doctor's body was recovered from a nullah near the Coast Guard's office in central Mumbai's Worli on 31 August, two days after he fell in the manhole near Elphinstone Road station while going home.

"The BMC (alternate name for MCGM) is responsible for Dr Amrapurkar's death. While walking home on a water-logged road, he fell into a manhole and his body was recovered 36 hours later ... The BMC should be ashamed of itself," Nirupam said.

The city Congress unit president was speaking to reporters after holding a condolence meet for the deceased doctor. Though the BMC claims to build good roads, nullahs overflow with the slightest influx of water, he said, adding that manholes are not even covered at several places in the city.

"It is shameful that the BMC commissioner blatantly says that though they cover manholes, their covers are stolen by unidentified people. There was no signboard near the sewer hole Dr Amrapurkar fell into to warn people. A case of murder should be lodged against the BMC," he said.

The Bombay Hospital gastroenterologist left for home on 29 August evening in his car, but due to water-logging he left the vehicle near the Elphinstone Road station and started walking when the incident occurred. After he went missing, a rescue operation was launched by the police and fire brigade and a complaint was registered in this regard at Dadar police station.
Lucknow: Doctors of Uttar Pradesh's Provincial Medical Services (PMS) on Monday threatened to proceed on mass leave to protest the registration of an FIR against some members of the fraternity in Farrukhabad over the deaths of 49 infants in a state-run hospital.

They said they would not report for duty on Tuesday and Wednesday and tender their resignation if the FIR was not withdrawn by 7 September.

Earlier in the day, officials said 49 infants died between 20 July and 21 August in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly.

An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered last night in Farrukhabad, about 180 kilometres from the state capital. City Magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that most deaths were due to breathing problems. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation.

Members of the PMS held a meeting in Farrukhabad and demanded that the FIR be withdrawn. They threatened to go on mass leave starting on Tuesday if their demand was not met.

UPPMS district unit secretary Dr Yogendra Singh said, "The committee comprising the city magistrate and the SDM did not have technical knowledge. The probe report is wrong and it should be withdrawn."

He said the probe committee was a non-technical one and its "fairness and competence" should be probed. "We have decided to proceed on mass leave on 5 and September. If our demands are not met, all the doctors of the district will resign on 7 September," he said.

UP PMS Association president Dr Ashok Yadav told PTI in Lucknow: "The report on the basis of which the FIR was filed was prepared by non-technical people. A committee of experts should have been set up. This is an attempt to incite doctors, who are working in adverse conditions."

"The government should recall officers, who did not have any knowledge of probing such cases. They should be properly trained. We are monitoring the situation there and will decide our future course of action," he said.
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, police, coast guard and navy have made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and safe immersion of Lord Ganesh idols on Monday on the occasion of 'Anant Chaturdashi'.

"Being the sea search and rescue coordinator, coast guard will be carrying out close to coast patrol by two each ships, hovercrafts and helicopters," a Defence spokesperson said on Monday.

"Indian Navy diving teams are deployed at Girgaon Chowpatty. Few diving teams are kept at standby in Dockyard. Helicopters (Seaking and Chetak) will be on standby for any search and rescue requirements at INS Shikra," he said.

"A total of 32 artificial ponds have been created for immersion while people can also immerse the idols of the elephant-headed deity in natural ponds across the city," a BMC official said.

"Life guards are being deployed, and first aid centres have also been set up in the city. Sixty ambulances have been kept ready," the official said.

As many as 9,000 BMC employees will be working to oversee the immersion. This number is around 2000 more than the number of civic staff deployed on the occasion last year, he said.

Prime locations for immersion are Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu beach, Powai lake, Dadar Chowpatty, Madh jetty and Marve in Malad.

BMC has appealed devotees to inform the civic authorities as and when they need any assistance or if they are stung by jelly fish or sting ray.The immersion process will begin early on Tuesday amid fanfare and tight security.

Police have beefed up security and companies of the State Reserve Police Force are also being deployed.Cranes, watchtowers, drones, CCTVs and floodlights have been arranged to keep a watch on every movement of the revellers and devotees, a police official said.

Rashmi Karandikar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) said police personnel will be deployed at all places where the Ganesh idols will be immersed.

"Police personnel will also be deployed on the routs leading to the immersion places," said Karandikar.

She also said Bomb Disposal Squads and Dog Squads will be deployed on specific routes through which procession of "famous Ganesh idols will proceed".

According to the official, atleast 12 companies of SRPF, Riot Control Police, Quick Response Teams, Local Arms Police will also aid the Mumbai Police.

Around 3,600 traffic police and 500 traffic warden will also assist police for managing traffic, she said, adding 53 roads in the megapolis have been closed.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Monday issued show cause notices to the Delhi government, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and others over the Ghazipur landfill collapse in which two persons were killed. A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar rapped the AAP government and civic bodies for not discharging their statutory obligations.

"Why did you not carry out the directions of the tribunal which have been issued time and again? Are people of Delhi expected to meet this fate? Are they supposed to die under a garbage dump? We had asked you to reduce the height of the dump and take appropriate measures for reduction of the waste. Why didn't you do it?

"You are killing people in the national capital under the hill of garbage. It cannot be more humiliating than this," the bench also comprising Justice RS Rathore said and posted the matter for hearing on 12 September.

A portion of the 45-metre high garbage dump in east Delhi's Ghazipur collapsed on 1 September because of heavy rain, killing two people and pushing a car and three two wheelers off the road and into a canal.

According to officials of EDMC, which manages the landfill site that was started in 1984 and is spread over 29 acres, the site was saturated in 2002 only, and the civic body had been "looking for an alternative site for a long time".

According to officials, the permissible height for a garbage dump is 20 metres. Every day, 2,500-3000 metric tonnes of garbage are dumped at the Ghazipur site.

The humongous heap sits like a Leviathan, with eagles and crows circling even as the stench from the mountain of trash fills the air.

In the wake of the accident, Lt Governor Anil Baijal had also imposed a ban on the dumping of garbage at the Ghazipur landfill site and the waste meant for it was diverted to a temporary site in Ranikhera near the Delhi-Haryana border.

Incidentally, the EDMC in last November had signed a MoU with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for using the solid waste from the site, in the construction of Delhi-Meerut Expressway, a section of the NH-24. The other major dumping sites in the city are in Okhla and Narela-Bawana.
In a shocking repeat of the Gorakhpur tragedy, which struck an Uttar Pradesh hospital on 11 August, 49 children have died within a month in a hospital in Farrukhabad allegedly due to lack of oxygen, media reports said on Monday.

According to CNN-News18, an FIR has been filed against the top officials of the government hospital.

While 30 children died in the sick newly-born care unit (SNCU) of the hospital alone, 19 others died at the time of delivery or soon after delivery at the hospital, Hindustan Times reported. District magistrate Ravindra Kumar had ordered a magisterial inquiry after 19 of his notices to the hospital authorities went unheeded.

The SNCU in-charge, Dr Kailash Kumar, however, claimed there were reasons ranging from children born prematurely to being underweight for the death of children.

Reacting strongly to the second such incident in state, the Samajwadi Party (SP) lashed out at the Yogi Adityanath government. "The heath minister must publicly apologise for his failures and the chief minister should ask him to go," SP leader Ghanshyam Tiwari told CNN-News18.

On 11 August, Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College had grabbed the headlines after more than 60 children, mostly infants, died at the hospital within the span of a week, reportedly due to encephalitis and lack of oxygen.

Following the deaths, cases were registered under various sections of the IPC, Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Medical Council Act against nine individuals.

A probe by local administration had revealed that there was overwriting in the log book containing the details of purchase and re-filling of oxygen cylinders at the BRD Hospital. The report also held Pushpa Sales, the supplier, responsible for the break in oxygen supply. However, the supplier maintained that despite the college defaulting on the payment for supply, the company never made any interruptions in the supply.
Ahmedabad: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicks off his Gujarat Assembly election campaign here on Monday with a direct dialogue with party activists from across all the 182 constituencies, in keeping with the party's focus on strengthening and revving up the organisation.

Gandhi, who is also scheduled to make two four-day visits later in September across the length and breadth of the state, is to meet the Congress rank and file at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Gujarat.

He is then expected to hold interactions with representatives of civil society organizations, industrialists and businessmen and traders before flying off to Delhi in the evening.

According to Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharatsinh Solanki, "Rahul will interact directly with workers from all 182 assembly constituencies. He will also hold meetings with NGO representatives, industrialists and other businessmen on Monday and take feedback from them."

"He is expected to speak about his expectations from the Gujarat unit and give advice on the party's strategy for the elections," Solanki added.

In view of the recent setback to the party during the 8 August Rajya Sabha elections when as many as 14 legislators quit the Congress and eight of them voted for the BJP against the official nominee Ahmed Patel, the opposition party is trying to ensure its flock remains together.

As part of this exercise, as many as 122 new office-bearers were recently inducted, including four working presidents, despite an existing full-time state chief, besides formation of committees on election, candidate selection, campaign and manifesto, accommodating functionaries from all regions.

Simultaneously, the party issued sack orders to eight legislators who cross-voted for the BJP during the Rajya Sabha elections and also initiated similar action against six others on the contention that they resigned and joined the rival party while the whip to vote for the official nominee was already out.

With the argument that they had defied the official whip and could invite disqualification from contesting any election for another six years, the party is planning a legal recourse to ensure they are barred and the rival BJP is unable to field them in the elections.

Rahul Gandhi will be in Gujarat again for four days from 22 September during which he will extensively tour the Saurashtra region in the west and the flood-affected North Gujarat districts.

The Congress vice-president will be on another four-day tour of central and south Gujarat regions later but the dates are still being finalised.

Former state party chief Arjun Modhwadia said for the first time Rahul Gandhi would cover a staggering 4,000 square kilo metre across the state to rejuvenate the party cadres.
New Delhi: Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who assumed charge as the Minister of State for Health on Monday, said that enhancing awareness on public health and reducing people's dependence on "medicines and needles" will be high on his agenda.

He stressed that cleanliness and good health were linked and vowed to take forward the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission of a clean and healthy India with dedication.

"My motto will be to spread awareness about public health so that people's dependence on medicines and needles is reduced," Choubey said.

Terming as unfortunate the death of 49 infants in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital in Uttar Pradesh, Choubey said that the government will fight these challenges.

Most of the children died from "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly, officials said on Monday.

Choubey, a prominent Brahmin face from Bihar, performed an elaborate puja and took charge amid chantings of sacred hymns. He immediately got down to work by signing a file relating to laying the foundation stone of a new medical college at Nahaan in Shimla.

Elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly for five consecutive terms, Choubey, 64, represents Bihar's Buxar in the Lok Sabha and was a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Estimates, Standing Committee on Energy, and Consultative Committee on Health and Family Welfare. He is also a member of Central Silk Board.

Choubey is known for the slogan "Ghar-ghar me ho shouchalaya ka nirman, tabhi hoga ladli bitiya ka kanyadaan" and helped in constructing 11,000 toilets for Mahadalit families in Bihar.

Choubey held portfolios such as Urban Development, PHED and Health both in NDA I (2005-2010) and NDA II (2010-2013).

Sudarshan Bhagat, who was earlier a junior minister in the ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare also took charge as the minister of state for Tribal Affairs in Delhi on Monday.

He said that he would strive hard for the overall development of the tribal community in the country work for the conservation of tribal arts and culture.

Bhagat represents Lohardaga (Jharkhand) constituency in Lok Sabha. With his induction, there are now two junior ministers of Tribal Affairs. The other BJP minister is Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, a sitting MP from Dahod in Gujarat.

Bhagat was also the member of 15th Lok Sabha (2009-2014). He was a member of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from 2000-2005 and was Minister of State for Human Resources (2000-2003) and CM Secretariat (Independent Charge) (2003-2004) in the Jharkhand government.
North Korea carried out its most powerful nuclear test to date on Sunday, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

South Korea's weather agency estimated the nuclear blast yield of the test was between 50 and 60 kilotonnes, five to six times stronger than North Korea's fifth test in September 2016.

India strongly condemned the presumed test and asked it to refrain from actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.

External affairs ministry called it "a matter of deep concern" that North Korea had again violated its international commitments.

Here's the full text of India's statement:

India deplores the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK this morning.

It is a matter of deep concern that DPRK has once again acted in violation of its international commitments which goes against the objective of the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula, which has been endorsed by DPRK itself.

We call upon DPRK to refrain from such actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the region and beyond.

India also remains concerned about the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies which has adversely impacted Indias national security.

The full text has been taken from the Ministry of External Affairs' official website and has not been edited by Firstpost.
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said the Punjab and Haryana High Court was monitoring the Dera Sacha Sauda issue and the administration will enter the sect's headquarters at Sirsa after the court appoints a judicial magistrate for the purpose.

To a question why the administration was hesitating to entering the sect's headquarters, he said in Karnal, "The high court is monitoring the entire (Dera) issue. We have sought appointment of a judicial magistrate and will also follow all the directions of the court." Khattar said the forces cannot enter on their own.

"They cannot go on their own. The court is monitoring the entire thing... We do not want that any finger is pointed at us tomorrow that how we allowed them (the forces to go inside the sect's headquarters)," the chief minister said.

Khattar said the sprawling campus of the Dera at Sirsa, spread over 800 acres, would be searched only after a judicial magistrate is appointed for the purpose.

The high court had earlier taken up a PIL filed by Ravinder Dhull, a Panchkula resident, who had raised concerns over the law and order situation and stated that over 1.5 lakh people had reportedly entered the district earlier despite prohibitory orders.

Violence broke out there after Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction in rape cases, leaving at least 35 people dead. Six others died in incidents of violence in Sirsa.

Ram Rahim was later sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Haryana government had come under attack for allowing a huge build up of Dera Sacha Sauda followers in Panchkula.

Earlier, Khattar had said the violence could have turned much worse had the government not been alert.

He said the state government had taken steps after due consideration in compliance with the directions of the high court.

"Had the government had not been alert, the situation could have been much worse," he said, adding, "Our priority was to produce Dera chief Ram Rahim in the court to avoid a situation like the one during the arrest of Rampal in Barwala (in 2014)."

On 30 August, Khattar, had ruled out his resignation after meeting BJP chief Amit Shah in Delhi, saying his government had acted with "restraint" in handling the situation.

Khattar also told reporters that he would contest the next election from Karnal as the people of the constituency have accorded him a lot of respect.

At the same time, he said, "However, I will accept whatever the party decides in this regard." Khattar (63) is a first-time legislator from Karnal. He became the chief minister when BJP came to power for the first time on its own in Haryana in October 2014.

He said the Haryana government would also organise a programme on the completion of three years of its tenure.

"The programme would be organised on a grand scale between 26 October and 1 November. The venue would be decided later by the committee concerned," he said.
With television media and social media speculating over the new portfolio allotments (even before the official announcement), Nirmala Sitharaman's elevation as the new defence minister in Sunday's Cabinet reshuffle hardly came as a surprise.

Post the announcement, critics pointed out Sitharaman's lack of defence experience, not realising that was the case with all her predecessors. As a Minister of State (Commerce & Industry) she had overview of the pathetic state of the government's defence-industrial sector; after the present government took control in May 2014, the chapter on defence on the official website of Ministry of Commerce and Industry noted that 50 percent of equipment held by the Indian Army is obsolete and the 33 percent provided by the DRDO is sub-standard.

Nothing much has progressed beyond the Make in India, which is in the process of taking off, is still unshackling the red tape. But, at the cutting edge where daily battles are being fought, the soldier is completely neglected  ill-armed and under-equipped, downgraded in pay and allowances, even humiliated indirectly to certain extent. As a seasoned politician watching the geo-strategic environment, Sitharaman would be aware of the threats to our security albeit this would also be part of the briefing to her on assuming the new appointment.

However, what needs to be urgently initiated is to define a National Security Strategy (NSS) and a Comprehensive Defence Review  which none of her predecessors could muster the will to order.

These voids have led to haphazard procurements and disjointed measures of so-called reorganisation. Unless we have the NSS and CDR in place and review them periodically, we will continue to play blind-man's buff. The recent knee-jerk measures including shutting down 39 Military Farms and redeploying 57,000 personel including 31,000 civilian-defence employees can hardly be classified reforms. Preparing civilian-defence employees for combats would actually cost the government less and improve their functioning.

Performance audit of non-combat organisations under the Ministry of Defence and making organisations like Defence Estates, Defence Accounts, DGQA, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), DRDO accountable is inherent responsibility of the ministry, and cannot be classified reforms. Similarly, 'Roll On' plan for fresh acquisitions to overcome 'surrendering' funds at the end of every financial year is misnomer, as it still leaves loopholes.

The requirement is for 'un-utilised' defence budget to be carried forward to next financial year. Former defence minster Arun Jaitley had recently said military power is key to a nation's rise to super power status, but military power cannot be built on 'negative' defence budgets; the current and previous one being in that category.

The reason why we cannot relate the defence budget to operational requirements is because of the missing NSS and CDR. We also need to look into the process of pre-budget procedure and bring in the Parliamentary Standing Committee on defence in the loop, similar to the US; let the military first present budgetary requirements to the Committee based on present and required operational capability, and let the Committee project to the government, including placing it on record in Parliament.

If in US, the President goes to the Senate for funds, why should we continue to allot defence budget based on the whims and fancies of the finance minister? Ad hoc measures like allotting Rs 20,000 crore to make up part deficiency of ammunition in the face of Doka La standoff, and enhanced financial powers to chiefs, vice chiefs in overall 'negative' defence budget are fooling oneself.

There is a dire need for the higher defence organisations, including the Ministry of Defence, to be reorganised. All previous defence ministers have shied away from this. The lack of NSS and CDR creates the happy situation of unaccountability but with adverse effects on national security. Currently, middle-level appointments in the ministry are being identified for manning by military officers.

Concurrently, Cabinet has approved creation of seven posts of Principal Directors (PDs) and 36 posts of Director on regular basis of in the AFHQ Civil Service, Ministry of Defence. Unless there is a 50 percent military representation 'at all levels' in the ministry, nothing will likely change. The solution is merging HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) with the ministry which was the premise on which latter was raised but stymied by bureaucracy.

The CDS was required years ago, but appears shelved even now. Besides, the CCS note on which HQ IDS was raised reads, "As and when the CDS is established, he will have equal voting rights as the Service Chiefs, and if two Service Chiefs disagree, MoD will arbitrate", implying the CDS can hardly speak as one voice to the government. The CDS is required more to ensure military synergy and oversee the much needs Revolution in Military Affairs (horizontally and vertically) under directions of the political authority.

The governmental military-industrial complex continues to be in a mess despite joint secretaries of the ministry on boards of DRDO-OF-DPSUs. We have not learned from countries like the US, Japan, UK, Germany and others that the key for such development lies in the private industry. The DRDO should be charged with and concentrate on R&D for future technologies, not production.

The recent sackings in OFB will alter the output little. The ordnance factories need to be privatised, even in the face of worker protests that are accustomed to easy time. Successive CAG reports are evidence enough that where major surgery is needed, few strands of band aid amounts to adopting the ostrich approach. The Western Theatre Command of China is responsible for China's borders with Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Afghanistan. In sharp contrast, India's international borders are manned by a variety of forces, not under one command. While placing all international borders under the army may be anathema, at least all these borders should by under the MoD, as is the case of the Indian Coast Guard. The advantage of this needs no elaboration where hybrid warfare is the flavor, we have a volatile neighborhood and borders are being exploited by the anti-India China-Pakistan combine.

Unlike, her predecessors who chose to remain mum, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman should exert her authority for officially being charged with the defence of India, instead of the Defence Secretary under existing Government of India AOB AND TOB Rules 1961, which must be amended. Participation of the Service Chief in the CCS and selected military officers in NSCS, NSAB, SPD, MoD too are need of the hour. As part of RMA, due emphasis is also required in cyber, space, and electronic warfare. The military needs to be integrated into such programs at the national level, if not in the vanguard like the US and China.

If the new defence minister can address and resolve these issues, she will make a mark for herself that none of her predecessors ever did.

The author is a retired lieutenant-general of the Indian Army
New Delhi: The labour ministry will continue consultations with all stakeholders on policy issues and expedite reforms by amending laws to create jobs, Union Minister Santosh Gangwar said on Monday.

On assuming charge as the Minister of State for Labour, he said the ministry will continue to hold tripartite consultations, involving government, unions and industry.

"We will work as per the need of the nation. We will take along all. In finance ministry also we talked about taking along all unions and not just Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)," he told reporters.

Gangwar was the Minister of State for Finance so far; in Sunday's Cabinet reshuffle he was given independent charge of the labour ministry.

On trade unions' allegations of being bulldozed and the government giving no heed to their demands and suggestions, the minister said, "We are positive towards all trade unions and we will take all of them along. I don't think that there would be any issue regarding this."

The minister said there is a lot of work to be done at the ministry while assuring that the tasks undertaken by his predecessor, Bandaru Dattatreya, will be completed.

After the BJP government took over at the Centre in May 2014, the BMS was called for discussion on issues related to 12 Charter of Demand of the trade unions and codes on wages and industrial relations exclusively. This caused resentment among other central trade unions.

Later, however, the ministry at various joint fora discussed with other unions the contentious issues related to labour reforms, contemplating changes in laws to improve ease of doing business in the country.

Gangwar further said, "The way nation is progressing in the twenty-first century, our ministry will also work at same pace. After working with the prime minister, I learnt that that one and one is not two but eleven. We will work at that pace."

Gangwar will have to deal with many issues including drafting a National Employment Policy, structuring 44 labour laws into four codes, building quality employment data, amending several labour laws and finding innovative way to improve employment scenario in the country.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Environment Ministry and the Andhra Pradesh government to examine a plea claiming that huge amounts of waste was being dumped in agricultural lands near the Polavaram project.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed them to look into the entire issue raised in the petition filed by an economist, Dr Pentapati Pullarao, and pass appropriate orders.

"The chief secretary of the state and representative of the Ministry of Environment and Forests are desired to take proper appreciation to the controversy. They will examine the entire issue raised in the present application after hearing the applicant.

"The chief secretary after hearing the applicant shall finalised and shall pass appropriate order. The applicant would have a right to challenge such an order, if he so desires," the bench said.

Pullarao had alleged environment violations at the site and claimed that huge quantity of waste material was being dumped in agricultural lands near Polavaram project.

The plea, filed through advocate Sravan Kumar, has sought directions to the state government to stop mud dumping in villages along West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh for construction of the dam.

Polavaram, which the Andhra Pradesh government claims is the "lifeline of the state", has been declared as a national project under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

"The central government shall execute the project and obtain all requisite clearances, including forest, environmental and rehabilitation and resettlement. The Union should take under its control the regulation and development of Polavaram," the Act says.

Accordingly, the Centre constituted the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) for the purpose. The state government has been going ahead with its execution for the last two years.
Srinagar/New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency has summoned Kashmir High Court Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom in connection with a case related to the funding of separatist activities in Kashmir Valley, officials said on Monday.

As news about the summons spread, lawyers across the Valley suspended work and decided to stay away from the courts on Tuesday as well.

The Bar Association said in a statement that the NIA notice was "dastardly persecution" of innocent people, who continue to be victims of the "NIA onslaught".

Qayoom, considered close to pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani who heads the anti-national conglomerate Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, has been asked to appear before the agency on Wednesday, officials said.

His name had cropped up during the interrogation of some of those arrested by the probe agency.

Qayoom is likely to face questions about properties that have allegedly been procured by him, NIA officials said.

On 24 July, the NIA arrested seven persons in the case of alleged funding of terror and subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley to fuel unrest.

On 30 May, NIA registered the case and named Hafiz Saeed, leader of the Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa and banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, as an accused.

It also accused separatist and secessionist leaders of being in cahoots with terrorist groups.

The case was registered on issues of raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including through hawala channels, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in the state.

It also included causing disruption in the Valley by pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India.

It was the first time since the rise of militancy in the early 1990s that a central probe agency conducted raids in connection with the funding of terrorist and separatist groups.

The Bar Association said in its statement that lawyers across the Valley had immediately suspended work and boycotted the courts.

A general body meeting would be held in the High Court on Tuesday to discuss the NIA summons and the chalk out future course of action, it added.

Lawyers would not attend work in the High Court or other subordinate courts on Tuesday, the association said.

District and mofussil bar associations would not work on Tuesday either in solidarity with the bar president.

It also linked the summons with an ongoing petition in the Supreme Court challenging Article 35-A, which gives special rights to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
There is nothing to criticise about Nirmala Sitharaman's appointment as the defence minister after Sunday's Cabinet reshuffle. In this day and age, the fact that she is a woman does not matter and her expertise, or lack of it, is equally irrelevant. To harp on about her gender is to patronise.

But there is no reason to celebrate either. Nothing dramatic has occurred and the same old story is repeating itself, albeit with a change of gender.

We can get excited and see it as a major development but all it proves is that ministers in India need to be politicians and are not required to possess knowledge pertaining to their portfolios.

Odds are that the newly appointed defence minister is not even aware of the ranks in the armed forces, let alone its needs. Once again, we are trapped in a seamless loop of ignorance  finding virtue in the fact that administrative capabilities and acumen are not compulsory qualifications for a minister.

Our ministers leap from portfolio to portfolio, oblivious to the needs and priorities of their ministry. Last week's commerce and industry minister is today's boss of the third largest army in the world.

For the purists, such cavalier appointments might rankle and many faults can be found in them. But this has been the way for years and the concept of a technocratic government has never really caught on, despite periodic intellectual stabs in that direction.

What is worrisome is that even the present government has not thought to bridge the yawning gap between the bureaucracy and the armed forces. We live in perilous times and if we have to maintain such a huge force then we are duty bound to maintain its morale.

In recent years, the forces have expressed their dismay over issues like disparity in pay scales, service benefits, one rank one pension (OROP) and promotional avenues. Social platforms are rife with retired and angry officers expressing their outrage. The forces could give you scores of examples on how civilian 'masters' enjoy keeping the men and women in uniform under control.

The fear of adventurous generals executing a coup has been palpable for seventy years in both political and bureaucratic circles and feeds on this improbable option voraciously. It then makes decisions based on this spectre and herein lies the rub. Sitharaman will depend largely on the civilian set up for advice, having no clue about the forces and its special texture.

You cannot then blame the servicemen for fearing that there could be a further reduction of benefits and perks. Under interim defence minister Arun Jaitley, the whittling of privileges had already begun. This is the only way that the elected government believes it can control the armed forces and it fails to realise the damage it does to the fighting soldier.

Recent history does not inspire confidence either. The former incumbent, now Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, was almost contemptuous of his job and wanted to scurry back to his state. He treated Delhi like a punishment posting. Then came a part timer in Jaitley, who is also the finance minister. It is safe to say that his holding additional charge of the portfolio was scarcely edifying.

Mentally, Sitharaman will have to discard her sari and put on a uniform. We have enemies on the borders and peace seems to be a far off prospect. She needs to listen to the civilians but also heed to the services' needs to do the right thing. You need them more than they need you. The recent unrest in Panchkula, Haryana elucidates that point perfectly.
New Delhi: The army, navy and air force chiefs Monday called on newly appointed defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and apprised her about the overall security challenge and preparedness of the forces.

The service chiefs also briefed Sitharaman about the operational preparedness and major issues concerning the forces during the meeting at her residence, official sources said.

Sitharaman is likely to take charge of the ministry on Wednesday as senior minister Arun Jaitley is attending a two-day bilateral security dialogue in Japan as defence minister.

Jaitley, who was holding the additional charge of defence, had Sunday said that he is attending the dialogue with Japan due to logistical constraints.

Sitharaman Sunday became the first woman in the country to hold the defence portfolio as a full-time minister. The 58-year-old Rajya Sabha member is the second woman to take charge of the crucial ministry.

Indira Gandhi, as the Prime Minister, had also held the portfolio. As the defence minister, Sitharaman will face several challenges, including strengthening the combat capabilities of the army, navy and the air force in the face of changing regional security matrix and geo-political dynamics.

Another key challenge for her will be to speed up the modernisation of the three forces.
One National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Khaplang (NSCN-K) militant was killed and an army jawan was injured in an anti-terror operation currently underway at the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh, media reports said.

#UPDATE 1 NSCN(K) cadre killed. 1 Army personnel injured. 1 AK-56, 1 radio set, 1 hand grenade,&live bullets recovered; Operation underway  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017

Twenty-one Special Forces men are involved in the operation, said India Today.

The operation is going on in the Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh since 7.30 am on Monday, ANI reported. One AK-56, radio set, hand grenade and live bullets have been seized by the army in the thick foliage.

Indian army sources added that it was not a cross-border strike by the armed forces, reported IANS.

Arunachal Pradesh shares a 520-kilometre-long border with Myanmar.

This is the second operation in the India-Myanmar border by the Indian Army since June 2015, when 38 Naga insurgents were killed in a surgical strike by 70 Indian commandos, according to The Hindu.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat spoke to the media on Monday afternoon after holding talks with Minister for State for Home Kiren Rijiju and said, "Its a normal, routine operation. Such operations happen everyday. Theres nothing big about them," reported The Indian Express.

Defence spokesman Colonel Chiranjit Konwer said in Itanagar that Monday's operation struck hard the illegal activities being carried out by the militant group, reported The Times Of India. Except the lone militant killed, the rest reportedly escaped in the thickly-forested region. The Indian army later found a shelter and destroyed it.

The NSCN (K) is led by Myanmar-based SS Khaplang and Khole Konyak. Khaplang, however, passed away at the age of 77 in June last year. Khaplang had also entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on 28 March, 2015.

NSCN split into two factions, NSCN (Isak Muivah) and NSCN (K) after a violent clash in 1988, according to this Indian Express report.

In August 2015, the Centre under Narendra Modi and the NSCN (IM) signed a landmark peace accord which indefinitely extended the ceasefire between the two. The signing of the pact is the culmination of over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 16 years with first breakthrough in 1997 when ceasefire agreement was sealed.

On Sunday, the Indian army's eastern command tweeted that a self-styled NSCN (K) militant Honcham Wangsa was killed near Kunsa in Arunachal Pradesh.

In recent times, Myanmar has been making headlines for an uptick in fighting between militants and Myanmar's military in strife-torn western Rakhine state which has forced 87,000 Rohingya minority members to flee to Bangladesh, according to a UN report.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Myanmar on 5 September for a bilateral meeting right after the conclusion of the BRICS Summit 2017 in Xiamen, China. It is his first bilateral state visit to Myanmar during which both sides are expected to ink a number of agreements and deliberate on key issues including exodus of Rohingya community.

In addition to the above, ways to deepen security and defence cooperation, implementation of India-assisted development projects and the issue of cross border activities by certain insurgent groups along the India-Myanmar are likely to figure during Modi's talks with leadership of the country during the three-day visit.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said the dynamic pricing regime, whereby prices of transport fuels are revised daily, would continue despite petrol prices going up by over Rs 6 per litre since the scheme was introduced pan-India from mid-June.

Speaking to reporters after taking over additional charge of the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship ministry following his elevation to Cabinet rank on Sunday, Pradhan said dynamic pricing ensures that the benefit of even the smallest change in international oil prices can be passed down the line to the dealers and the end-users.

"Daily revision in prices is good. When we started daily revisions on 16 June, rates dropped in the first fortnight. Thereafter, it has increased mainly because of rise in global oil prices," he said.

"It is in the interest of consumers. I don't think that there is a need for change in it," he said.

Daily revision allows any fall in international oil rates to be passed on to consumers immediately rather than having to wait for 15 days as in the old system, he added.

"Should prices be hiked by Rs 2.50 or Rs 3 per litre in one go or they should be spaced out in small doses," he asked.

Since daily revision was implemented, petrol prices have increased by Rs 6.60 to reach Rs 69.66 a litre in Delhi, while that of diesel have risen by Rs 4.02 to Rs 57.38. Petroleum products do not come under GST and prices vary at locations according to state taxes.

In the first two weeks of dynamic pricing, petrol prices fell by over Rs 2 a litre and of diesel by more than Re 1.

Earlier, the state-run oil marketing companies used to review and revise retail fuel prices every fortnight on the basis of global crude oil prices, while the revision took effect from midnight.

Prices of petrol and diesel are now revised at 6 am every day.

Dynamic fuel pricing is followed in many developed countries and India opted for it as a response to the recent volatility in global crude oil prices.

Pradhan also said that his ministry is seeking approval of the safety organisations for starting home delivery of fuel.

"The issue involves safety and we have to first get their approval before a pilot is launched," he said. "We are trying to secure permission."

According to the latest official data, the Indian basket, comprising 73 per cent sour-grade Dubai and Oman crudes, and the balance in sweet-grade Brent, breached the psychologically-important $50-a-barrel-mark last week.
Mumbai: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be on a day-long visit to Maharashtra on 8 September, party's state unit chief Ashok Chavan said on Monday.

"Rahul Gandhi ji will visit Nanded and Parbhani on 8 September. He will address a regional Congress convention at Nanded at 9.30 am. Thereafter, at 1.30 pm in Parbhani, he will address a Sangharsh rally, where he will speak about farmers' woes and demonetisation," Chavan told reporters in Mumbai.

He added that Gandhi will travel by road from Nanded to Parbhani and may halt at villages in between to interact with farmers.

Gandhi's visit comes in the backdrop of 580 farmers committing suicide between January and August this year, as per information revealed by the Aurangabad divisional commissioner's office.

The state government's ambitious loan waiver scheme announced earlier this year has also run into controversy, with the Opposition alleging that online submission of applications resulted in scores of farmers facing technical difficulties in the process.
New Delhi: A court in New Delhi on Monday asked a senior Delhi Police officer to appear and explain why they needed more time for investigation of Room 345 of Hotel Leela Palace where former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in January 2014.

Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned to appear before him, observing that despite its order to de-seal the room, which has remained locked since 17 January, 2014, the police are seeking more time on the pretext of investigation.

The police told court that they have sent some more items collected from the room to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and sought more time to keep the room sealed as they have to collect evidence.

The court said it wants the DCP present on 12 September, the next date fixed for hearing, due to lethargic attitude and laxity on part of investigating agency.

On 21 July, the court ordered the de-sealing of Room 345, saying that the hotel cannot be made to suffer continuously merely because the investigating team cannot ascertain the cause of death.

The hotel had told the court that as the room has been locked for over three years, termites, bugs and other pests have spoiled the whole room and even the adjoining areas.

It also said that it would allow the investigators to take whatever things they want as evidence from the room, even as it noted that no investigating agency had visited it for the past one year and keeping the room closed for three years had caused it great financial loss.
Bareilly: The family of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bareilly district president Ravindra Singh Rathore, who has been missing since last week, has sought the help of the police to trace him.

Rathore has been missing since Thursday, when he spoke to his family last, his brother Nirendra Rathore told reporters on Sunday after filing the missing report.

He said Rathore went to Mathura on Tuesday and sent his car and driver back from the town.

"On Thursday night, Rathore had spoken to his family members and he has been missing since. He cannot be contacted," he said.

Nirendra Rathore added that his brother is spiritually inclined and had earlier gone for 'dhyan' (meditation) for two-three days.

He filed the report after meeting SSP Jogendra Kumar on Sunday at the Prem Nagar Police Station in Bareilly.
Chennai: Amidst the internal bickering in the AIADMK, a meeting of the party MLAs called by Chief Minister K Palaniswamy camp, is likely to be held on 5 September, sources said.

MLAs of the sidelined AIADMK deputy chief TTV Dhinakaran camp have also been invited to the meeting, party sources said.

They were tight-lipped about the agenda of the meeting. However, the meeting comes in the wake of the ongoing tussle for power between Palaniswami and Dhinakaran, even as 19 MLAs owing allegiance to the latter have revolted against Palaniswamy.

The revolting legislators had told the Governor C Vidyasagar Rao that they had lost confidence in Palaniswamy and had sought his removal as chief minister.
Bengaluru: The BJP has a concrete action plan to meet the wishes of party workers and people who want to "throw out the anti-people and anti-democratic government" led by the Congress in Karnataka, Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said.

Javadekar, who is in-charge of BJP affairs in Karnataka, said, "Our workers and people are enthused. We have a concrete plan of action. People are with the BJP. They want to throw out this anti-democracy, anti-people, anti-farmer government led by Siddaramaiah lock, stock and barrel."

The minister said the people were eagerly waiting to utilise the opportunity to exercise their franchise next April to execute a change of guard in Karnataka.

On the brewing discontent among North Karnataka MPs over not getting an entry into the Union Cabinet, Javadekar, who has been holding talks with state BJP leaders, said, "We will give Karnataka good governance and best days again... On the very first day, we have had an intensive interaction for nearly six hours."

Discontentment has been brewing among MPs for not being given representation in the Union Cabinet in yesterday's reshuffle.

Earlier in the day, Belagavi MP Suresh Angadi told PTI that the dominant Lingayat community from North Karnataka has not been represented in the Cabinet and that he would air this grievance before Javadekar if he was invited for parleys.

Angadi's name as a probable candidate was doing the rounds in the state BJP circles, while Ananth Kumar Dattatreya Hegde, appointed Minister of State for Skill Development, is considered a surprise pick.

At present, there is no Lingayat representation in Union Cabinet from Karnataka. It has two Brahmins, a Vokkaliga and a Scheduled Caste member.

Javadekar declined to comment when asked for his comment on anti-NEET protests over a Dalit medical aspirant's death in Tamil Nadu, saying it was an issue which has been decided by the Supreme Court.

"National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) is an issue which has been decided by the Supreme Court and therefore, I will not make any comments," he said.

Protests erupted soon after 17-year-old Anitha, daughter of a daily wage earner, allegedly hanged herself at her house in Ariyalur district. She was reportedly upset after it became known that Tamil Nadu will not be exempted from the ambit of National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) for admission to medical courses.

The Supreme Court had last month asked the Tamil Nadu government to start counselling for admissions to MBBS and BDS seats in the state based on the NEET merit list.

It had given the directive after the Centre told the court that it was not in favour of a recent ordinance passed by the state to exempt it from NEET this year.
New Delhi: The BJP has no plans to impose a food code or food emergency in any state including Kerala, new tourism minister Alphons Kannanthanam said on Monday.

"It is absolutely untrue. Kerala is a beef-eating state. It is not going to stop eating beef. It will continue to eat beef. BJP doesn't have a problem," Alphons told NDTV after assuming his charge of the tourism ministry.

He said that in Goa, which is also ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the chief minister had made clear that the state would continue to eat beef.

"I am sure there is a lot of propaganda. They said churches would be demolished and mosques will be burnt if BJP comes to power but nothing like that happened. (Narendra) Modi as prime minister said 'I will take care of you all. I will protect you'," Alphons said in reply to questions.

The only Christian to be part of the NDA government, the former IAS officer said that he would be a bridge between the prime minister and the Christian community.

He said Christianity came to Kerala much before it came to other parts of the world. Christians are part of India and the prime minister probably thought of having a Christian as part of his ministry.

"I would be a bridge between the prime minister and the Christian community. The prime minister has talked of the development of all sections of the community," he said in reply to a question whether the prime minister was reaching out to the Christian community by inducting him into the council of ministers.
The third reshuffle in the Narendra Modi Cabinet on Sunday turned out to be an all-BJP affair, leaving its NDA allies feeling left out at the expense of the saffron party expanding its political footprint.

With the allies  Shiv Sena, JD(U) and AIADMK  left fuming over the decision, with Uddhav Thackeray and Nitish Kumar openly expressing their dismay at Modi's decision, highly-placed sources in the Modi government said that another reshuffle was likely to take place soon to accommodate the NDA allies, The Indian Express reported.

It was expected that its new partner, the JD(U), would get representation in the central government, but it turned out otherwise.

According to sources quoted by the report, the JD(U) was hoping for at least two berths in the Union Council of Ministers  a Cabinet Minister, and a Minister of State. "We would respond in a positive way if we get an offer in a respectable manner," JD(U) secretary-general KC Tyagi told The Indian Express.

"It was the BJPs internal reshuffle and not the NDAs, so we would not like to comment on it, Tyagi told reporters on Sunday.

The Shiv Sena, too, was unhappy with its non-inclusion in the Cabinet, stating that the NDA was "almost dead" and that BJP remembered it only when it needed some support, PTI reported.

Though a long-time ally of the BJP, the Sena has often been at loggerheads with the senior partner. Its lone member in the Union Council of Ministers is Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete.

Sources in the BJP said that members of their alliance might join the government later as there was still a scope for expansion of the Union Council of Ministers.

As per the quotas allocated in the Indian Constitution, the council of ministers must not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha, including the prime minister. This comes out to 82 berths. At present, there are 76 Union ministers, leaving room for six more.

According to Hindustan Times, there was intense speculation in the lead up to the reshuffle that two JD(U) leaders  RCP Singh and Ramnath Thakur  would be inducted in the Union council of ministers.

Hinting at the possibility of another reshuffle in the coming days, JD(U) Lok Sabha MP Kaushalendra Kumar told Hindustan Times, "You never know after 15-30 days there might be another reshuffle. We should be part of the Cabinet."

The report suggested that the AIADMK, which is battling internal dissension and has been on BJP's radar as the party's gateway into Tamil Nadu politics, might join the NDA once the dust settles in the southern party.

Meanwhile, a top leader of the JD(U), considered close to chief minister Nitish Kumar, claimed there was absolutely no differences with BJP or within the party over joining the Union Cabinet.

As this Firstpost report elucidates, internal differences within the AIADMK and the reported stand taken by Shiv Sena prevented the JD(U) from becoming a part of the Cabinet.

"Nitish Kumar was open to considering the proposal of joining the cabinet as he himself said but there was no consensus within other constituents of the NDA till the last minute. Shiv Sena was perhaps demanding more share and AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu was also far from stable. These are the reasons why the prime minister and Amit Shah chose to limit the rejig within BJP," the top leader explained.

BJP sources have, however, said that a decision on the allies joining the government would be taken at a later date.
Thiruvallur: Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswamy on Monday said late J Jayalalithaa had not named anyone as her political successor and that anyone in the party could aspire to reach such great heights with hard work.

He said efforts were also on to "topple" this government but asserted that was not possible as long as "true" party workers were with him. He was addressing a government function.

Palaniswamy's comments come in the midst of his bitter tussle with sidelined AIADMK (Amma) leader TTV Dhinakaran. MLAs supporting Dhinakaran have sought removal of the chief minister, saying they have lost confidence in him.

Following the revolt of the 19 MLAs who had asked Tamil Nadu governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to direct Palaniswamy to go for a floor test, Opposition parties have it too. The DMK, Congress and Left parties had even met President Ram Nath Kovind in Delhi early this week with the same plea.

Palaniswamy said it was Jayalalithaa's policy of equality that despite being a farmer's son, he could assume the reins of the state. Heaping praise on Jayalalithaa at the birth centenary celebrations of AIADMK founder and late chief minister MG Ramachandran, Palaniswamy said Jayalalithaa had shown no mercy to anyone who had acted against the party.

He said Jayalalithaa had not nominated anybody her heir and that is why she did not identify any individual as her successor. She proved even a party worker from the lowest ranks could become the chief minister, he said.

Anyone with "truth, hard work and personality" can attain heights like that of Jayalalithaa, he added.

"Some are trying to topple this government which follows the path shown by Amma. They (the Dhinakaran faction) are thinking of pulling it down by any means. But as long as true party supporters are with us, nobody can do that," Palaniswamy said.

Tamil Nadu has achieved great heights because of the hard work of these two (Jayalalithaa and MG Ramachandran) leaders, he said.

The chief minister further claimed that Tamil Nadu was ranked as the top state in attracting FDI and was a preferred investment destination.

After the success of the inaugural Global Investors Meet (GIM) held in 2015, efforts were on to hold the next edition in 2018, he added. These investments have led to creation of jobs which

would only grow in the coming years, Palaniswamy said.
Lucknow: Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, who arrived in Lucknow on Monday, alleged the previous dispensations of the SP and the BSP used the government machinery for their own benefit.

"The governments of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) served their personal interests upon coming to power. The BJP serves the people and that is the difference," he said.

"They politicised the government machinery for their own benefit," Pandey, who arrived in Lucknow to a rousing reception, alleged.

He said his target would be "winning all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh" and not just SP and BSP-free poll booths.

He said the primary responsibility of BJP workers is to make people aware of the government's works and collect feedback.

Pandey said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was a "sensitive leader" and that his government was prompt in fulfilling the promises it made in the run-up to the assembly elections.

Earlier, Pandey arrived at the Chowdhary Charan Singh Airport. He was received by outgoing UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is now the deputy chief minister, and other party leaders.
Mumbai: The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS), headed by MP Raju Shetti, formally withdrew its support to the BJP government in Maharashtra by submitting a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to that effect in Mumbai on Monday.

Last week, Shetti had announced snapping of ties with the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, accusing the NDA of failing to honour its promises made to the farmers.

The decision to pull out of the NDA and the 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance) in the state was taken during a state-level executive meeting of the party in Pune on 30 August.

Shetti handed over the letter to Fadnavis on Monday at his official residence Varsha.

Last week, Shetti had said, "We had supported the NDA and Mahayuti before the 2014 elections, as it promised the minimum support price for crops. However, in all these years, they have failed to honour their promises."

He had also said that the SSS had committed a "grave mistake" by extending support to the NDA, as "all the promises made to the farmers by the Centre and the state government in the election manifesto have failed to see the light of the day".

Earlier last month, the SSS had expelled Maharashtra Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot, who was a party MLC, for "anti-party activities".

Ravikant Tupkar of the SSS has also resigned as the chairman of Maharashtra State Textile Corporation Ltd.
Patna: Bihar chief minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Monday described the RJD's "BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao" rally on 27 August in Patna as a "family function" as there was nothing political in it.

"What was political in it? It was basically a family function. What should I say on that?" he said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad and JD(U) rebel Sharad Yadav were among the heavyweights who had attended the rally.

"I heard (RJD chief) Lalu Prasad jee's oft repeated speech at the rally. He has said this over a dozen times from Patna and Ranchi as he is quite busy these days," he said.

Prasad had gone to Ranchi several times in recent past to appear before a CBI court in connection with a fodder scam case.

Asked about the crowd at the RJD's rally, Kumar said that it did not have any meaning keeping in mind the kind of rallies political parties hold in Bihar.

"We also saw the photoshopped version of the crowd of the RJD's rally," the chief minister said.

The JD(U) had nothing to do with media speculation on the party's joining Union cabinet, but it gave an opportunity to the "darling of the media" Lalu Prasad to speak on the issue, he said.

On the Srijan NGO scam, Kumar appealed to people including media persons to submit documents or convey information on the NGO to the CBI.

If any one does not have faith on CBI probe on the scam, he or she is free to move court, he said.

Government funds were fraudulently transferred to other accounts in the scam, the chief minister alleged, adding the government is working on creating institutional mechanism to stop such practice.

On the flood situation in Bihar, he said that he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon regarding the damage caused by the floods.

Stating that he is hopeful of getting desired support from the Centre, Kumar said, "I have talked to the prime minister. We have reviewed all the departments separately."

Kumar said he and the prime minister had also discussed about what kind of support and assistance the state government needs for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The PM has announced Rs 500 crore as immediate assistance to the state government after conducting an aerial survey of flood-hit areas of Bihar.
P Jayarajan, a close confidant of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan who leads the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) in the politically charged district of Kannur, is in serious trouble this time.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last week chargsheeted Jayarajan for plotting the murder of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader E Manoj, another resident of Kannur whose family deserted the CPM for BJP and who was later sentenced for an attempt on his life.

The CBI says Jayarajan decided to eliminate Manoj after some 500 workers switched over to the BJP after the 2014 parliamentary elections under his influence. He was also seeking revenge on Manoj for a 1999 attack on him.

Behind the murder, the investigators found an attempt to create terror in public pursuance to prevent CPM members flowing into the BJP and hence charged him under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which carries a death penalty or life imprisonment as the maximum punishment, and prevents bail during the trial. The CBI court in Kochi will consider the report at a hearing this week. The CPM leader is currently out on bail after his arrest in the case earlier.

The chargesheet says Manojs murder on 1 September, 2014, was well-conspired, planned and well-organised and that his late father Chathukutty and his family were close to Jayarajan as members or sympathisers of his party.

After the death of Chathukutty, in 1997, Manoj switched his loyalties, much to the anger of Jayarajan who asked him to return to the CPM. Jayarajan also warned Manoj's brother and mother of dire consequence if they refused to abandon BJP and come back to CPM. However, as they refused to pay heed to Jayarajan's threats, Manoj became his target, the CBI chargesheet states.

There were two failed attempts on Manoj's life earlier in 1997 and 2009. However, the CPM leader reportedly decided to eliminate him once and for all after a function on 24 August, 2014, at Navaneetham Auditorium in Kannur, where 500 CPM workers entered the BJP's fold under Manoj's influence.

Jayarajan entrusted his close aide Vikraman with the job to mobilise lethal weapons and bombs and engage professional killers to execute his plan. After the murder, he sheltered the killers and tried to influence the investigation by the local police using his political clout. He now faces grave charges of attempt to trigger riots in his district, a hotbed of revenge killings where scores of political workers had already lost their lives, with the CPM steadily maintaining its presence on the one side of the conflict.

The CBI, which had earlier framed charges against the killers and launched a probe into the conspiracy angle, says it had strong pieces of evidence to prove his role.

Jayarajan was a high-value target for the BJP in its long-drawn blood feud with the Marxists, and he had suffered near-fatal injuries in the attempt on his life. Manoj was out on an appeal after being sentenced to ten years in jail along with five others for the attack on Jayarajan, when he was murdered. The assailants, in their characteristic style, exploded crude bombs before and after the killing in Kadirur village in broad daylight to scare away people, which the CBI says was a well-planned operation.

However, this is not the only murder under the CBI investigation against Jayarajan.

The local police had earlier in 2012 arrested him in the mob lynching of Abdul Shukkoor, a 21-year-old student leader of the Indian Union Muslim League, a key ally of the Congress party. On a plea by his mother PC Athikka, the high court early this year asked the agency to take over the case, which is now under investigation by another team.

The CPM workers detained Shukkoor and his four friends in a relatives house for hours before killing him in a paddy field as a mob of some 100 people stood witness to the kangaroo court.

They accused the undergraduate student of being part of an IUML mob that blocked the vehicle of Jayarajan and TV Rajesh, a young party legislator. They had also allegedly sent his image to an unidentified person to identify him before the execution.

The local police on 1 August, 2012, arrested both the CPM leaders on charges of not preventing the killing despite knowing of the conspiracy hatched by some local functionaries but the investigation progressed at a slow pace.

Also last week, the high court issued a notice to the central government on a plea by KK Rema, the widow of rebel leader TP Chandrasekharan, pointing finger at Jayarajan and seeking a CBI probe in Jayarajan's role in her husband's brutal murder. Though the trial court had sentenced 12 people to life in prison, Rema alleged that the local police ignored leads to Jayarajan who provided one of the convicts, a local CPM leader, with his car to get around and evade arrest.

Chandrasekharan had attracted many CPM cadres into his breakaway Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP), which even captured power in its bastion of Onchiyam grama panchayat.

A gang of seven waylaid the 52-year-old travelling alone on his motorbike on the night of 4 May, 2012, at Onchiyam, and brutally killed him mutilating his body. It took more than two hours for the doctors to stitch his body together.

Though the CPM denies any role in the killing, it is believed that the party leaders have been providing the killers with all assistance including legal aid. The police investigation had also found political vengeance as the motive behind the crime but it could not reach beyond local leaders.

Last month, one of the convicts on parole had thrown a wedding bash attended by many local leaders. A picture of local legislator AM Shamseer, visiting the bridegroom at their residence went viral on social media.

Rema had earlier alleged that Shamseer had close links with the killers and had produced telephone call details between him and one of the convicts.

Fight for justice

I was convinced that the orders to eliminate my husband came from the top. They mobilised men and resources from two districts for this well in advance, Rema told Firstpost.

The trial court had, in its verdict convicting the 12 accused, suggested further investigation to bring conspirators to law if needed. But the state government ignored it. So I moved the court, which is my last resort for justice.

She says the CPM continued to haunt her and RMP workers, and attacks on them has now become a routine. They even manhandled her during the last years general elections.

After Vijayan took the reins of power, the killers reportedly attacked jail wardens who refuse to take orders from them. They get special treatment. They are active on Facebook and WhatsApp, she says.

For them, prison cells are not for punishment but rest and leisure, more so when their masters are in power. They would come out and engage in killings again with their patronage, Rema adds.

In 2014, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the CPM state secretary and a former home minister, even visited the convicts in Chandrasekharan's murder in jail to ensure their "wellbeing" alleging that the jailers were torturing them.

Recently, Governor P Sathasivam, a former chief justice of India, rejected Vijayans recommendation for remission to them along with many such prisoners serving a life term.

In no other place in Kerala does a memorial have police protection. Chandrasekharans bust (near her home) was vandalised four times, she said.

Now, to prevent further assault, the police is on 24X7 vigil. Such is the vendetta that the CPM holds against us. They dont even let the dead lie in peace, Rema says.

She was a candidate in the Vadakara Assembly constituency against the three dominant coalitions led by the CPM, Congress and the BJP. Though she came third, she could garner 20,504 votes.

She says the CPM tried every trick in the book to defeat her. Besides physical assault and violence, which was the norm during the electioneering, she also had to face three namesakes in the election, forcing her to suffix TP House before her name on the ballot machine.

Women outnumbered men among voters, and the CPM ensured that most of them cast an open vote, even those who were as young as 35 or 40.

Women expressed their helplessness in openly supporting me because their men insisted on an open vote at the booths, she said. There were 139 booths, and each one saw at least 100 open votes. Many mothers in the CPM party villages told me they were willing to vote for me, but they were forcibly enrolled for open voting, putting their lives at risk. This is how the secrecy of the ballot was profaned, Rema states.

The previous state government headed by Congress leader Oommen Chandy had in 2014 decided to hand over the conspiracy probe to the CBI, after she staged a hunger strike before the State Secretariat. But the CBI refused to take it up saying the local police had investigated and convicted the killers, and there was no scope for a further probe.

Last year, she approached the BJP to pursue the case but she says she was waiting in vain for a positive response for the past 20 months and hence decided to move the court.

My fight will go on, and I hope we will get justice from the court like in the two other cases. The court has sent a notice to the central government on my petition seeking an independent probe into the conspiracy.
New Delhi: Nirmala Sitharaman became the first woman to be a full-time defence minister in India on Sunday. Her journey in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started as a spokesperson and grew in rank soon with her speaking style and debating skills.

On Sunday, Sitharaman became India's second woman defence minister and the first woman to be made in-charge of this key ministry full time. Then prime minister Indira Gandhi had held the Defence portfolio twice  from 1 December to 21 December in 1975, and 14 January 1980 to 15 January 1982.

"Somebody who has come from a small town, grown into the party with all the support of the leadership, and if given such responsibility, it just makes you feel sometimes that cosmic grace is there. Otherwise it is impossible," Sitharaman told reporters here after taking oath as a Union Minister.

An economist by education, Sitharaman will take charge of the crucial ministry at a time when tension continues along India's borders with Pakistan and China, and the government is undertaking major reforms in the ministry and forces, and has ambitious plans to increase defence manufacturing under its flagship 'Make in India' policy.

Born in the temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu in 1959, Sitharaman has humble roots.

Her father worked in the railways, and her childhood was spent in different parts of the state due to her father's transferable job. According to those close to the minister, her mother, a homemaker, loved books, which instilled a love for reading in Sitharaman as well.

After finishing her graduation in Economics from Seethaiakshmi Ramaswamy College in Tiruchirapalli, Sitharaman did a Masters and M.Phil in Economics from the premier Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. She then worked in the Agricultural Engineers Association, UK, in London, as Senior Manager, Research and Analysis with PricewaterhouseCoopers, also in London, and briefly with the BBC World Service.

After coming back to India, Sitharaman served as a deputy director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies at Hyderabad. She also started a school in Hyderabad and was a member of the National Commission for Women from 2003-2005.

In 2008, Sitharaman joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and was made a member of the National Executive and became a national spokesperson of the party in 2010.

As a spokesperson of the main opposition party at that time, Sitharaman, with her clear command of issues and a straight approach, came in the limelight soon.

When the BJP came to power in 2014, Sitharaman was inducted into the ministry, serving as Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs and then held charge of Commerce and Industry Ministry as Minister of State (Independent Charge).

Sitharaman is married to Parakala Prabhakar, an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University and London School of Economics, and the couple has a daughter.
Rehan Hooda

Huawei just launched its latest System-on-Chip (SoC) for mobile devices at IFA 2017 in Berlin, Kirin 970. The company announced that with the launch of Kirin 970, it is focusing on the future of artificial intelligence. Kirin 970 is the first SoC by Huawei to pack a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) meant for native AI processing.

Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group added, As we look to the future of smartphones, we're at the threshold of an exciting new era. Mobile AI = On-Device AI + Cloud AI. Huawei is committed to developing smart devices into intelligent devices by building end-to-end capabilities that support co-ordinated development of chips, devices, and the cloud..

He continued his statement by adding, The ultimate goal is to provide a significantly better user experience. The Kirin 970 is the first in a series of new advances that will bring powerful AI features to our devices and take them beyond the competition.

The Kirin 970 chipset is powered by an octa-core CPU built using 10 nm fabrication process. Huawei has also added a 12-core GPU in the package to ensure that the device can perform graphics-intensive jobs without any problem.

The company is touting massive performance gains in AI-processing related jobs because of the presence of the dedicated NPU. According to the company, the NPU results in 25x improvement of performance and 50x improvement in efficiency. The best part about this NPU is that developers can use the NPU for their 3rd-party applications using the Kirin AI API making Kirin 970 open platforms for mobile AI. The SoC packs about 5 billion transistors. The company announced that Kirin 970 will debut on 16 October with Huawei Mate 10.

With the launch of this SoC, we thought that this is the right time to compare the flagship mobile SoCs from leading mobile manufacturers. We have taken the major mobile SoCs in the market like Snapdragon 835 by Qualcomm, Apple A10X Fusion, Samsung Exynos 9 Series (8895) and Helio X30 by MediaTek in addition to Huawei Kirin 970.

One thing to note here is that the performance of the mobile SoC varies significantly on what kind of hardware configuration, operating system, and processor layout is employed by the OEM along with cooling facility. Due to such comprehensive list of variables, we are only taking in account, the specification of SoC on paper. In addition, a number of companies especially Apple have not specified some of the details about their SoC implementation. Here is how Huawei's Kirin 970 stacks against the competition:

In addition, a number of companies especially Apple have not specified some of the details about their SoC implementation. Here is how Huawei's Kirin 970 stacks against the competition
tech2 News Staff

The operator of KFC in China is rolling out a futuristic system of paying at a fast-food counter via facial recognition, as the country embraces the technology for everything from toilet paper to travel.

The "Smile to Pay" system will allow customers at a healthier spin-off of KFC in the eastern city of Hangzhou to keep their wallets in their pockets after ordering on a machine.

Yum China, which operates several major fast-food brands in China including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, teamed up with Chinese mobile payments firm Alipay, started by e-commerce giant Alibaba, on the technology.

Yum China called the concept a "world's first". The ordering machine will compare the customer's face with the verified picture on their Alipay account. China is racing ahead in its use of facial recognition technology.

It has even been installed at Beijing's historic Temple of Heaven to stop people pinching rolls of toilet paper. Airports and train stations are also jumping on the trend, with China Southern Airlines this year using facial recognition in place of boarding passes for the first time.

And in Qingdao, home to China's most famous lager, 25 suspects were recently arrested after they turned up to a beer festival only to be identified by the technology at entrance gates.

As per earlier reports, Fast food restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) launched its first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled cafe in Beijing, and had said it plans to create more innovative and interesting dining experiences for customers. With the cooperation of Baidu Inc, China's largest search engine, KFC started its first smart restaurant in the Financial Street area in Beijing on Friday, the People's Daily had reported.

Meanwhile, a computer algorithm that can recognise human expressions may become a boon for the gaming industry, a team of international researchers has found. Hyung-Il Choi of the School of Media at Soongsil University in South Korea who is working with Nhan Thi Cao and An Hoa Ton-That of Vietnam National University, in Ho Chi Minh City explained that capturing the emotions of players could be used in interactive games for various purposes.

With inputs from AFP
Reuters

Europes top court will rule on Wednesday whether US chipmaker Intel offered illegal rebates to squeeze out rivals in a judgment that could affect EU antitrust regulators cases against Qualcomm and Alphabets Google.

The ruling by the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) could also provide more clarity on whether rebates are anti-competitive by nature or whether enforcers need to prove the anti-competitive effect.

The European Commission in a 2009 decision said that Intel tried to thwart rival Advanced Micro Devices by giving rebates to PC makers Dell, Hewlett Packard, NEC and Lenovo for buying most of their computer chips from the company.

It handed down a 1.06 billion euro ($1.3 billion) fine, a record that was subsequently eclipsed by the 2.4 billion euro fine levied on Google in June this year.

A lower court upheld the EU competition authoritys decision in 2014, but last year an ECJ court adviser backed Intels arguments.

An adverse ruling for the Commission on Wednesday could result in a radical review of ongoing cases, said Andrew Ward, a partner at Madrid-based law firm Cuatrecasas.

A loss in such a high-profile case would be embarrassing (for the regulator), he said, adding that it might mean that long-established theories and processes would need to be reassessed.

Losing against Intel would clearly be a blow to the Commission and a confidence boost for Google since on the face of it the theory of harm is much more established in the Intel case.

Google has come under fire from the EU over its Android smartphone operating system and online search advertising.

U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm, meanwhile, faces EU charges of using anti-competitive methods to squeeze out British phone software maker Icera and of making illegal payments to a major customer for exclusively using its chipsets since 2011.

It would be a rare departure, however, for the ECJ to go against the Commission.

If the Commission wins, it will be business as usual. They will be even more confident in their agenda, another lawyer said.
IANS

Poland-based global ad tech company RTB House on Monday expanded its operations in India and appointed Kshitiz Randhir Shori, former Director of Sales for Criteo, as its new Country Manager.

"The Indian digital economy has the potential to become the world's third largest within the next decade. E-businesses will grow manifold and will require our innovative digital marketing solutions in order to tap into the next billion digital natives," said Jakub Ratajczak, Managing Director APAC, in a statement.

The company's expansion in India comes close on the heels of a record-breaking year in 2016 for the company that saw it bolster the workforce by more than 40 per cent, launch operations in Australia and New Zealand and also increase revenue by over 140 per cent.

"I am really excited to join RTB House and to be an integral part of the ad-tech eco system where the sacrosanct focus is on delivering actual sales for our advertisers with the help of next generation technologies like deep learning and artificial intelligence," Shori added.

RTB House is one of the few companies to have developed and implemented its own proprietary technology for purchasing advertisements in the RTB model (real-time bidding), a solution in which buyers participate in real-time advertising space auctions.
Asheeta Regidi

One of the key questions being raised after the right to privacy verdict is on the extent of its impact on the privacy practices of private companies. A previous article assessed the extent to which a fundamental right to privacy can be enforced directly in Court against a private person. This article looks at certain sectors  social media, job search portals, matrimonial sites, banking and insurance sectors, to assess the impact of this verdict on their privacy practices.

Fundamental rights (FRs) vis-a-vis the state and private persons

Before looking at the individual sectors, it must be understood that generally, fundamental rights are enforceable only against the State. In the case of private companies, fundamental rights are enforceable, but to a limited extent.

First, alternate remedies will have to be looked at. These may be found in other laws, in contracts between the parties and so on. An important effect of the right to privacy verdict is the SCs direction to the government to place a robust regime for data protection. Such a data protection law, will provide people with direct solution against private parties for privacy violations.

Only when other remedies are absent or inadequate, will the Courts consider a writ petition (filed for enforcement of fundamental rights) against a private person. To summarise the position:

Private bodies performing public functions: FRs can be enforced against certain private persons only, such as a private company performing a public function.

Matter of public interest: If in the WhatsApp Facebook case, the SC issues general privacy guidelines, similar to the Vishakha guidelines, then these will apply to all private companies. This approach will show that when there is a matter of public interest involving violation of fundamental rights, any private company can be sued.

Outcome of WhatsApp Facebook case: Any action of the SC against WhatsApp, in this case, will indicate what action may be taken against a private person for violating FRs.

Now, lets consider certain specific private companies:

Communication services

Existing privacy laws under the Information Technology Act and the IT Reasonable Security Practices Rules do not apply to all the SMSes, contact lists, and other data in the possession of communication services like WhatsApp. They only cover sensitive personal data, a limited category of data like biometric data, financial data, sexual orientation, and so on.

In the absence of an alternative remedy, the WhatsApp Facebook case before the SC will determine if communication services like WhatsApp are a private company performing a public function. This verdict will impact all similar services like Hike, Telegram, Skype and so on, and any directions passed will be applicable to them as well. This gives hope for immediate relief from any violative privacy practices, without having to wait for the data protection law to be framed.

Job Portals

Recent reports allege that Monster.com sold user data to third parties. An enquiry has been ordered into this by a court, stating that such information cannot be shared without informed consent. Though people expect data on such portals to be shared only with prospective employers, there is nothing to prevent the sharing with anyone.

The data in the possession of such job portals, such as professional qualifications and experience, are not protected under the IT Rules, leaving it to be decided by the Terms and Conditions of the website. Section 72A of the IT Act is unlikely to provide protection against such practices if the T&Cs of the company permit it, as is often the case. A data protection law, again, can force a change in such practices.

Matrimonial websites

Matrimonial websites can lead to a host of privacy violations, including sale of data, identity theft using that data, and so on. There was a report was of matrimonial websites specialising in divorcees, acquiring information illegally of new divorcees from matrimonial courts.

Such illegal acquisition of data and leakage of data can be addressed by a data protection law, since no data can be taken without the persons consent. At this point, it isnt clear what the provisions of the data protection act will be. Hong Kongs privacy laws, for example, have strict laws against direct marketing, with penalties of HK$500,000. Such provisions can prevent such violations.

Insurance sector

The insurance sector is highly regulated. Persons employed in this field are required to disclose a huge amount of data, which is essential to maintain the trust and integrity needed in this highly sensitive field. However, provisions for protecting against privacy violations are missing.

A data protection law can remedy such lacunae in insurance laws. In addition, the fundamental right to privacy may be enforceable directly against certain insurance companies such as LIC, which is established by statute, making it a statutory corporation, and thus a state authority.

Banking sector

The situation in the banking sector is similar to the insurance sector. Some banks like the State Bank of India are, like LIC, also established by statute. Some banking laws, however, provide people with the option of approaching either the banking ombudsman or the RBI for privacy violations.

For example, under the Credit Information Companies Regulations, 2006, an individual has the right to approach the RBI for a privacy violation by a Credit information company. Case law has also established that banks have a duty of secrecy towards their customers established under contract. In addition, the IT Act will also apply for disclosure of financial data.

If all such remedies are inadequate, then the data protection law, and finally the direct enforcement of the fundamental right to privacy can be turned to.

M-wallets

In the case of privacy violations by m-wallets, there are certain remedies  the IT Act for disclosure of sensitive data including financial data, and for disclosures in breach of contract, the RBI allows recourse to the banking ombudsman for redressal of grievances under the Circular on Pre-paid Payment Instruments, and the Draft Meity Rules for PPIs require a Grievance Officer to resolve customer grievances. When these remedies are inadequate, the data protection law can be turned to.

Internet Service Providers and Telecom Service Providers

This piece by Shourya Bari argues extensively that internet service providers are private bodies performing a public function, taking into consideration (among other things) their ability to regulate peoples fundamental right to speech, in terms of censorship. A similar argument can be made for TSPs. Based on this, it can be argued that a privacy violation by an ISP or a TSP can be addressed through suing for enforcement of a fundamental right to privacy.

Take it or leave it approach may no longer work

While the data protection act, when enacted, will finally define the extent of protection available, private entities can be expected to no longer be able to take the take-it-or-leave-it approach to their services. The Supreme Court in its right to privacy verdict, in particular, Justice SK Kauls verdict, has laid huge emphasis on the importance of informational privacy in the digital change.

Soon, a change should be seen in the privacy practices of private companies, with privacy practices tailored to the expected law and the fundamental right to privacy.
Dhaka: Hindus from Myanmar have joined streams of Muslim Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh after the killing of 86 people from their community in the ethnic violence in the neighbouring Buddhist-majority country.

Officials said nearly 500 Hindus arrived in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, bordering Myanmar, along with tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims amid escalated violence at home.

UN officials estimate some 90,000 people have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar in past 10 days and thousands more were trapped on borders without basic food and medicines.

"A total of 414 Hindus from (Myanmar's) Rakhine state took refuge at a Hindu village in Cox's Bazar," a Bangladeshi official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

However, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council President Rana Dasgupta, who visited the village, said the figure of Hindu refugees was 510.

He said the refugees took shelters in different Hindu houses after fleeing their home along with ordinary Rohingyas following the killing of 86 Hindus in ethnic violence.

"According to the Hindu refugees, unidentified masked people in black attires attacked their homes killing 86 people on 27 and 28 August at different places in Myanmar's Mangdu district," he said.

Dasgupta said ordinary Rohingya Muslims escorted them to borders from where these Hindus entered Bangladesh along with thousands others.

"The attack on Myanmar Hindus should be investigated to bring the perpetrators to justice," he said.

Meanwhile, Cox's Bazar's deputy commissioner or administrative chief Ali Hossain told reporters bodies of 54 Rohingyas washed up on the Bangladesh shore in last five days.

The latest spate of violence erupted in Rakhine state on 25 August after alleged Rohingya insurgents attacked several police posts, triggering a counter-offensive by the military that resulted in the death of at least 400 people.

Rakhine, the poorest region in Myanmar, is home to more than a million Rohingya. They have faced decades of persecution in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are not considered citizens.

Soldiers and armed residents have been accused of carrying out a killing spree against Rohingya Muslim men, women, and children.

Reports said Myanmar blocked all UN aid agencies from delivering vital supplies of food, water and medicine to thousands of desperate civilians at the centre of the bloody military campaign in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday reviewed the Rohingya situation in the monthly meeting of National Security Council that comprises her security adviser, chiefs of three armed forces, police, and the intelligence agencies, an official familiar with the meeting told PTI.

Dhaka had urged Myanmar to take steps to protect innocent civilians to prevent the mass exodus and then proposed a joint security clampdown.

Bangladesh also alleged that Myanmar military helicopters violated its airspace repeatedly on 27, 28 August and 1 September, prompting its air force and navy to intensify their security alertness.

"These instances of incursion into Bangladesh air space by Myanmar helicopters run contrary to the good neighbourly relations and could lead to unwarranted situation," Bangladesh foreign office said in a statement two days ago.
Washington: After North Korea claimed a "perfect success" for its most powerful nuclear test so far, a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States, President Donald Trump, asked if he would attack the North, said, "We'll see."

He also suggested squeezing China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital US trading partner, on the economic front, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert leverage on its neighbour.

Trump tweeted that the US is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." The latest military provocation from the isolated communist country reinforces the danger facing America, Trump said earlier in a series of tweets, adding that "talk of appeasement" is pointless.

"They only understand one thing!" Trump wrote, without elaboration, as he prepared to meet later with his national security team, which he said would include John Kelly, his chief of staff, as well as defense secretary Jim Mattis "and other military leaders."

Sunday's detonation by North Korea was the first nuclear test since Trump took office in January. After attending church near the White House, Trump made his "We'll see" comment in response to a question from reporters.

The precise strength of the explosion, described by state-controlled media in North Korea as a hydrogen bomb, has yet to be determined.

South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five such tests.

The impact reportedly shook buildings in China and in Russia. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was calling counterparts in Asia, and Trump's treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said he was putting together proposed new sanctions for Trump to consider that would seek to cut off trade with North Korea.

The action suggested in Trump's trade tweet would be radical: The US imports about USD 40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner. It's unclear what kind of penalties might make a difference. Lassina Zerbo, head of the UN test ban treaty organisation, said sanctions already imposed against North Korea aren't working.

Trump warned last month that the US military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the US would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America.

The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that's home to US bombers.

The North's latest test was carried out at 12:29 pm local time at the Punggye-ri site where it has conducted past nuclear tests. Officials in Seoul put the magnitude at 5.7; the US Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 6.3. The strongest artificial quake from previous tests was a magnitude 5.3.

"North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States," Trump said in the first of a series of tweets.

He branded North Korea "a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."

Yet Trump appeared to be more critical of South Korean president Moon Jae-in, who has attempted to reach out to the North.
Beijing: China on Monday indicated that there will be a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of on-going BRICS summit at Xiamen, but declined to say whether the Doka La issue will figure in their talks.

"I believe my colleagues have said from this podium that as a host China will arrange meetings with participating leaders," foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media in Beijing, replying to a question about a possible Modi-Xi meeting.

Geng did not specify when the meeting would be held.

Prime Minister Modi is in Xiamen to attend the annual summit of BRICS  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  a grouping of the five emerging economies.

The summit attended by Modi along with leaders of the five countries is due to end on Tuesday.

Geng evaded a direct answer to a question whether the recent bilateral tensions over Doka La standoff would figure in the talks between the two leaders.

"Details of the meeting we will release in due course," he said.

The summit comes days after India and China last month ended a 73-day standoff in Doka La by withdrawing troops from the area. The two sides were locked in a face-off after Indian troops stopped the Chinese People's Liberation Army from building a road in the area.

Click here for LIVE updates
Beijing: China on Monday said that Pakistan-based terrorist outfits like JeM, LeT and the Haqqani network have been included in the BRICS joint declaration due to concerns about their violent activities in the region.

Defending the move to include these terror groups for the first time in the BRICS joint declaration, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said BRICS countries have "shown their concerns to the violent activities raised by these organisations".

"These organisations are all sanctioned by the UN Security Council and have a significant impact for Afghanistan issue," Geng told PTI in a written response to a strong reference in the BRICS countries about these terror groups.

He, however, skirted a response to a question on whether the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) by the BRICS in which China is a prominent member marks a change in Beijing's stand of opposing the UN ban against the group's chief Masood Azhar.

"On the counter terrorism cooperation among the BRICS countries, we are very satisfied with the achievements made by the BRICS. We have a working group on terrorism," he said.

The 43-page 'Xiamen Declaration', adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary, expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

While JeM, LeT and Haqqani network are from Pakistan, Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement is fighting for a separate Uygur Muslim province in China's Xinjiang and it has bases in Pakistan.

This is for the first time China has agreed to include Pakistan-based terror groups in BRICS declaration.

In the last two years, China has stonewalled efforts by India and then later by the US, the UK and France to declare Azhar as a terrorist, stating that there is no consensus on the issue.

Click here to follow LIVE updates
Xiamen: BRICS countries, including India, on Monday strongly condemned North Korea's nuclear test and asserted that the prolonged nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula should only be settled through peaceful means.

North Korea on Sunday carried out its most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

BRICS, in its Xiamen Declaration issued during the Summit of the grouping's leaders, strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," it said in the statement.

The strong statement from BRICS countries comes amid global condemnation of North Korea's move. Significantly, it came on a day China said it had lodged an official protest with North Korea following Pyongyang's largest-ever nuclear weapons test.

China has "launched stern representations with the person in charge of the DPRK (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) embassy in China", foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a briefing.

North Korea in July had carried out two intercontinental ballistic missile launches that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range.

It has made rapid progress with its nuclear programme, in defiance of United Nations sanctions.

United States president Donald Trump on Sunday called North Korea a "great threat and embarrassment" to China and warned that "appeasement" won't work with Pyongyang.

Follow live updates here
Xiamen: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Brazilian president Michel Temer and discussed a partnership based on a "common global vision".

The two leaders met in this southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen on the sidelines of the ninth BRICS Summit.

"A partnership based on a common global vision & shared democratic values. PM @narendramodi engages with Brazilian President @MichelTemer," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

During the last BRICS Summit in Goa in October, Modi and Temer held a similar bilateral meeting.

Earlier, addressing the plenary session of the BRICS Summit, Modi said trade and economy were the foundations of the cooperation among BRICS - Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa.

He suggested some steps that can be taken to upgrade mutual cooperation.

He also called for the creation of a BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries.

The prime minister said a strong partnership among member nations on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the sustainable development goals.

Click here to follow LIVE updates
Xiamen: Chinese president Xi Jinping on Monday called on the BRICS countries to make the international order more just and equitable, asserting that many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved without their participation.

Speaking at the opening of the plenary session at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Xi called on the five nation grouping to forge unity to jointly advance solutions for international peace and development.

"We need to make the international order more just and equitable. Our ever closer ties require that we five countries play more active in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved," Xi told the gathering.

BRICS  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  is a grouping of the five emerging economies. The BRICS Summit brings together the leaders of these countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian president Michel Temer, South African president Jacob Zuma and Russian president Vladimir Putin participated in the meeting.

On the broader future role for BRICS, Xi said the bloc should speak in one voice and jointly present solutions to issues concerning international peace and development.

"This meets the expectation of the international community and will help safeguard our common interests," he said.

"We should remain committed to multilateralism and basic norms governing international relations, work for new type of international relations and foster peace and stable environment of all countries," Xi said.

The five-nation economic bloc also pitched for concluding the long-pending IMF quota reforms by 2019 to give more say to developing nations in the multilateral lending agency.

The quota reforms will increase the voting rights of emerging economies like India in the 188-member International Monetary Fund.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on BRICS Summit 2017
Beijing: The move to name some Pakistan-based terror groups in the BRICS declaration would "irritate" Islamabad and may strain its ties with China, a Chinese scholar said in a rare criticism of the government's decision.

Hu Shisheng, director of the state-run China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said Chinese diplomats will have a lot of explanation to do to Pakistan in the coming months. "How will we carry forward?"

He also said that naming the Haqqani network, which operates in Afghanistan and targets the NATO forces stationed there, in the document was "beyond my understanding".

"The head of the group is also the actual head of the Afghan Taliban. It will make China's role for Afghan political reconciliation process more difficult. Or you can say we have no role to play in future," the expert told PTI.

His criticism of China came after the BRICS declaration in the Chinese city Xiamen named the terrorist groups -including the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Taliban, and the Haqqani Network - for causing violence in the region.

"It is beyond my understanding how China agreed to this. I don't think it is good idea," Hu said.

"I think some persons who prepared this declaration got mislead. Otherwise, I could not understand why," he said.

In the light of the inclusion of the JeM, China may reconsider its stand on blocking a proposed UN ban on the leader of the group, Masood Azhar, the Chinese expert said.

Hu said the declaration will augment pressure on Pakistan, especially after US President Donald Trump rebuked Islamabad for harbouring these terror groups on its soil.

"This will irritate Pakistan. I don't think when the BRICS declaration was made, Pakistan was consulted. In the coming days, Chinese diplomats have to explain to Pakistan.

"I am not against listing LeT and JeM as terrorist groups. But there are more deadly groups than these - like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami of Pakistan, which was behind killing of two Chinese youths in Balochistan," he said.

China may have agreed to name these to include the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, which is active in its restive Xinjiang region. It is also said to have bases in Pakistan.

"(But) This is too costly to China... Pakistan will be very upset," he said, adding that this could be a victory for India, which "has done a lot of work".

However, another Chinese scholar, Wang Dehua, head of the Institute for South and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Centre for International Studies, said the BRICS declaration will set an example for the world community.

"To successfully counter all kinds of terrorism, the first important concern is violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaida and its affiliates and should reach consensus on which terrorists we should attack," he told PTI.

On potential listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, he said China may have had its reasons to block the move but, "I guess after India has given more facts, China may have changed its former stand."

Wang said all BRICS members should now adopt a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism. "May the BRICS member states make more contributions to counter terrorism, world peace and stability," he said.
Washington: US president Donald Trump is set to scrap a programme that grants work permits to immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as children, a move likely to impact more than 7,000 Indian-Americans, a media report said on Monday.

The programme  Deferred Action for Children Arrival (DACA)  was a key immigration reform of the former US president Barack Obama.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters on Friday that Trump would take a decision on the issue on Monday.

However, Politico in an exclusive story reported Sunday that Trump has already decided to rescind this programme and senior administration officials are now discussing the rollout of his decision which could come later this week.

However, senior administration officials have cautioned that there might be changes in Trumps decision until it is formally announced, Politico reported. Such a decision by the US president, which is one of his poll promises, is expected to draw widespread criticism including those from his own Republican party.

The move is likely to impact some 750,00 undocumented workers including more than 7,000 Indian-Americans.

In a radio interview Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives said that Trump should not terminate DACA as "these children know no other country than the US".

"I actually don't think he should do that. I believe that this is something that Congress has to fix," Ryan said on radio station WCLO in Janesville, Wisconsin. India ranks 11th among countries of origin for DACA students, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services statistics available till 31 March, 2017.

"Deporting patriotic, courageous young men and women who are American in every way would be disastrous for our communities, our economy and our nation," said Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives.

In a study released last week, CATO Institute said that termination of DACA, which would result in possible deportation of these students could cost over USD 200 billion to the American economy and the cost to the government would be USD 60 billion.

The average DACA recipient is 22 years old, employed, and a student. 17 percent of them are on track to complete an advanced degree.
Hours after North Korean state television said the country successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile, United States president Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday threatening to slap a trade embargo on countries that currently do business with North Korea.

Trump also suggested squeezing China, North Korea's patron for many decades and a vital American trading partner, on the economic front, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert leverage on its neighbour.

The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

The action suggested in Trump's trade tweet would be radical. The United States imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner. Lassina Zerbo, head of the United Nations test ban treaty organisation (CTBT), said sanctions already imposed against North Korea aren't working. On global trade flow, North Korea does not have a very significant impact. According to MIT's Observatory of Economic Complexity, the country is the 119th largest export economy in the world. The communist nation exports just shy of $3 billion worth of goods every year, which include items like coal, fabric, oil and retail products. The country relies heavily on imports totalling nearly $3.5 billion, the data shows. The top export destinations of North Korea are China, India, Pakistan, Burkina Faso and a few other nations in Asia, with China leading by a big margin. The biggest import origins for the country are China, India, Russia, Thailand and the Philippines, according to the data. Most of these major economies like India, Russia, and Pakistan also have strong bilateral relations with the United States. In 2016, China  Pyongyang's largest trading partner  was the biggest exporter to the United States, and the third largest importer from the nation after Canada and Mexico, according to the International Trade Administration. The trade in goods between China and United States last year totalled $578.6 billion. The trade in services between the countries was worth $69.6 billion, adding up to well over half a trillion dollars in trade every year, ABC News reported. Hence when Donald Trump tweeted with the threat of slapping embargoes on nations with economic ties with Pyongyang, there is little doubt America itself can sustain the economic hit. Others speculate that such a move can also lead to global recession.

..North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

As CNBC points out, America's relationship with China is already strained, while diplomatic ties to Russia are all but frayed in the aftermath of the contentious 2016 election. With those factors as a backdrop, economists say the US cannot afford to engage in a trade war with not just one but two major economies.

Multiple economists and commentators are not seeing Trump's trade threat as credible, as it could not only trigger an economic backlash but also a military one, The Guardian reported.

Others like Matthew Goodman, a trade expert at the Washington's Centre for International and Strategic Studies, said Trump's suggestion was not viable because it would mean the United States would cut off trade with not just China, but France, India and Mexico too. "The notion of stopping 'all trade' with anyone who does business with North Korea is absurd," ABC News quoted him as saying.

Besides, a complete trade ban would also destabilise political relations of the United States with different countries and result in its isolation, experts predict.

Sunday's detonation by North Korea was considered a nuclear test by several countries including the United States. The precise strength of the explosion, described by state-controlled media in North Korea as a hydrogen bomb, has yet to be determined.

However, no abnormal radiation readings have been detected from North Koreas nuclear test on Sunday, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority said.

South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North Korea's previous five such tests.

The impact reportedly shook buildings in China and in Russia. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was calling counterparts in Asia, and Trump's treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said he was putting together proposed new sanctions for Trump to consider.

Trump warned last month that the United States military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the US would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America.

The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that's home to American bombers.

The North's latest test was carried out at 12.29 pm local time at the Punggye-ri site where it has conducted past nuclear tests. Officials in Seoul put the magnitude at 5.7 on Richter scale; the United States Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 6.3. The strongest artificial quake from previous tests was a magnitude 5.3.

With inputs from AP
Houston: A 25-year-old Indian student has died days after she was rescued along with another Indian man from a swollen lake in the US state of Texas where Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc.

Shalini Singh, a student pursuing Masters degree in public health from the Texas A&M University, was rescued from the Lake Bryan, where she along with another Indian student Nikhil Bhatia, had gone swimming last Saturday.

While Bhatia died in hospital on 30 August, Singh, who continued to be in a critical condition, was declared dead late last night.

Her younger brother and maternal uncle, who flew in from New Delhi on 30 August, were with her at the time of death.

Singh, originally hailing from Delhi, came to the US only last month to pursue the two years Masters program after her degree in Dental Surgery from I T S Dental College in Greater Noida.

She will be cremated in Bryan on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, according to the consulate sources.

Singh continued to be on life support till intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, according to the Consulate officials, who were in regular touch with the family members in hospital.

According to their friends and some witnesses, Singh and Bhatia were swimming in the lake when a sudden current of water pushed them deeper.

The friends accompanying them noticed that the duo were in distress and flagged down nearby police officers. Bryan Police officers were able to rescue and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the victims until medics arrived, according to Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson.

Consul General of India in Houston, Dr Anupam Ray had been monitoring her medical needs and situation closely. Around 13 million people were battling "catastrophic" flooding and torrential rains in the storm-ravaged Texas where Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc, claiming at least 50 lives.

According to local community leaders, at least 150,000 Indian-Americans live in and around Houston area and have been badly hit by the hurricane.
Jerusalem: Israel says it will donate $1 million in emergency aid to Houston's Jewish community to aid in post-Harvey recovery efforts.

Diaspora affairs minister Naftali Bennett says in a statement that the funds will be earmarked to help the 60,000-strong community repair and rebuild schools, synagogues and a community center damaged in the storm and floods.

Bennett says that "for years the Jewish communities stood by Israel when it needed their help; now it is our turn to stand by Houston's Jewish community."

The aid money will be submitted for government approval at an upcoming Cabinet meeting. Harvey struck Houston on 25 August and pounded the city with five consecutive days of heavy rains, causing an estimated tens of billions of dollars in damage.
Dubai: Irans air defences have forced an approaching US spy plane and a reconnaissance drone to change course near its air space over the past six months, a military official was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, commander of the Irans air defence force, said an unmanned RQ-4 drone was intercepted last week and a U2 spy plane was warned away in March, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

When the warning was given to the pilot of this (U2) plane at the Strait of Hormuz, he knew that he was being targeted by two separate radars... and missile systems, Esmaili said.

Iran will never allow such hostile planes to approach its airspace and would not hesitate to bring them down if necessary, said Esmaili, quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

US officials have frequently complained of what they call unsafe and unprofessional interactions by Iranian maritime forces in the Gulf in 2017. Iran has said its forces act within their rights to protect Iranian territorial waters.

The Trump administration has recently struck a hard line on Iran, accusing Tehran of violating the spirit of an accord with world powers that lifted sanctions and sought to curb its nuclear programme.
Nairobi: Kenya will hold a fresh presidential vote on 17 October, the election commission said on Monday, after the country's Supreme Court overturned the result of last month's poll won by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"A fresh presidential election will be held on the 17th of October 2017," said a statement signed by Wafula Chebukati, chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

"This is in conformity with the Supreme Court decision annulling the presidential election held on 8 August, 2017."

Chebukati said only Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who brought the court challenge, would be on the ballot paper, along with their running mates.

On Friday, chief justice David Maraga cancelled the results of the August poll saying the election commission had failed to hold a legitimate election and that the results were therefore "invalid, null and void".

He added that the IEBC had committed "irregularities and illegalities" in the transmission of results from polling stations to the national tally centre.

However, a full explanation of the court's reasoning has yet to be published.

"It is imperative that a detailed judgement... is released in order to allow the Commission to identify areas that require improvement," Chebukati said.

Kenyatta has committed to campaigning hard to win the new election while Odinga has called for IEBC personnel to be replaced in light of the court ruling.
The United States warned it could launch a "massive military response" to any threats from North Korea following Pyongyang's provocative detonation of what it claimed was a miniaturized hydrogen bomb.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis spoke out on Sunday after North Korea carried out an unexpectedly strong nuclear test, said to exceed in power the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

President Donald Trump called an emergency meeting of his national security advisers and had his second telephone call of the weekend with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, but did not talk to South Korea's Moon Jae-In, instead accusing Seoul of "appeasement".

He threatened drastic economic sanctions, including "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea."

US monitors measured a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake near the North's main testing site on Sunday, felt in parts of China and Russia, with an aftershock possibly caused by a rock collapse.

The North  which in July carried out two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range  hailed its test of what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a rocket as "a perfect success."

Mattis told reporters: "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," he added, but warned: "We have many options to do so."

'Fratricidal war'

Pyongyang residents celebrated as a jubilant television newsreader hailed the "unprecedentedly large" blast which she said had moved the country closer to "the final goal of completing the state nuclear force."

It prompted an international chorus of condemnation, including from both the North's key ally China and Russia, which also has links with Pyongyang.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the test as "profoundly destabilizing," while the Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In, who advocates engagement as well as penalties to bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table, called for new United Nations sanctions to "completely isolate North Korea."

On Monday Seoul carried out a live-fire exercise in the East Sea, its name for the Sea of Japan, using a volley of missiles to simulate an attack on the North's nuclear site.

But Trump criticised the US treaty ally on Twitter, saying: "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

In a statement, the presidential Blue House retorted: "Korea is a country that experienced a fratricidal war." It "will continue to push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means working together with our allies", it added.

'Cut off North Korea'

Hours before the test, the North released images of Kim at his country's Nuclear Weapons Institute, inspecting the device it called a "thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power" entirely made "by our own efforts and technology," according to the Korean Central News Agency.

A series of US and United Nations-backed sanctions seem to have had little effect on Pyongyang. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday his department was preparing potent new measures that would "cut off North Korea economically."

The measures would ensure that "anybody that wants to do trade or business with them will be prevented from doing trade or business with us," he said on "Fox News Sunday."

While the United States has virtually no trade with the North, the burden of sanctions such as Mnuchin described would fall heavily on China, which buys about 90 percent of North Korean exports.

Tremor felt in China, Russia

South Korean experts said the tremor near the North's main test site was five to six times stronger than that from a 10-kiloton test a year ago.

As well as July's landmark ICBM tests, Pyongyang last week fired a missile over Japan.

Trump has warned Pyongyang that it faces "fire and fury" and that Washington's weapons are "locked and loaded."

But the North has huge artillery forces within range of Seoul, a city of 10 million people, and could inflict mass casualties in retaliation to any strike.

"There are no realistic military options in terms of striking North Korea, because doing so would likely spark a full-scale war," Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director for America of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told.
United Nations: The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss an international response to North Korea's latest nuclear test, diplomats said on Sunday.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting, to be held at 10 am local time (2 pm GMT), the United Nations mission said in a statement.

The council will meet in an open session, in contrast to many other meetings on North Korea that have been held behind closed doors.

North Korea on Sunday detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile, calling the test "a perfect success".

The underground blast was North Korea's sixth nuclear test, in defiance of United Nations resolutions that prohibit Pyongyang from pursuing nuclear and missile programs.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier condemned the nuclear test as "profoundly destabilising" for regional security and again urged Pyongyang to halt such acts.

"This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK's international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts," Guterres said in a statement, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"This act is also profoundly destabilising for regional security. The DPRK is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions."

Guterres called on Pyongyang to "cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations."
Seoul: North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, which it said was an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, marking a dramatic escalation of the regimes stand-off with the United States and its allies.

The test drew swift international condemnation, including from US President Donald Trump, who described North Korea as a rogue nation and said its actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States. Trump also appeared to rebuke ally South Korea, which faces an existential threat from North Koreas nuclear program.

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing! Trump said in an early morning tweet.

The White House said Trump would convene a meeting of his advisers later on Sunday.

Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin, who met on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in China, agree to appropriately deal with the North Korean nuclear test, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Hours before the test, Trump had talked by phone with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe about the escalating nuclear crisis in the region. The US president has previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash fire and fury on the regime if it threatened US territory.

Last week Trump said the time for talking was over, although he was later contradicted by his defence secretary, James Mattis, who said the United States had not exhausted all diplomatic options. Trumps tweet on Sunday, however, again suggested that he favours a non-diplomatic solution. The big question now is whether advisers like Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson can persuade him not to be too hasty in ruling out diplomacy.

North Korea, which carries out its nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions and sanctions, said on state television that the hydrogen bomb test ordered by leader Kim Jong-Un had been a perfect success. The bomb was designed to be mounted on its newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the North said.

The test had registered with international seismic agencies as a man-made earthquake near a test site in the North. Japanese and South Korean officials said it was around 10 times more powerful than the tremor picked up after North Koreas last nuclear test in 2016.

There was no independent confirmation that the detonation was a hydrogen bomb, rather than a less powerful atomic device, but Japans chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo could not rule out such a possibility. Experts who studied the impact of the earthquake caused by the explosion  measured by the US Geological Survey at magnitude 6.3  said that there was enough strong evidence to suggest the reclusive state has either developed a hydrogen bomb or was getting very close.

The head of the UNs nuclear watchdog, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said the nuclear test was an extremely regrettable act that was in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Seoul would push for strong steps to further isolate the North, including new UN sanctions. Japan also raised the prospect of further sanctions, saying curbs on North Koreas oil trade would be on the table. China, North Koreas sole major ally, said it strongly condemned the nuclear test and urged Pyongyang to stop its wrong actions.

The United States has repeatedly urged Beijing to do more to rein in its neighbour, but Beijing has lambasted the West and its allies in recent weeks for suggesting that it is solely responsible for doing so. It has said military drills by South Korea and the United States on the Korean peninsula have done nothing to lessen tensions.

Thermonuclear device?

Under third-generation leader Kim, North Korea has been pursuing a nuclear device small and light enough to fit on a long-range ballistic missile, without affecting its range and making it capable of surviving re-entry.

North Korea claimed in January 2016 to have tested a miniaturised hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear device, but outside experts were sceptical, suggesting it could have been a boosted device, an atomic bomb that uses some hydrogen isotopes to increase its explosive yield.

A US official who studies North Koreas military and politics said it was too early to determine if the test supported the Norths claim that it had succeeded in developing a thermonuclear weapon, much less one that could be mounted on an ICBM and re-enter Earths atmosphere without burning up.

The test comes amid heightened regional tension following Pyongyangs two tests of ICBMs in July that potentially could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the U.S. mainland within range.

One expert said the size of Sundays detonation meant it was possible it could be a hydrogen bomb test.

The power is 10 or 20 times or even more than previous ones, said Kune Y Suh, a nuclear engineering professor at Seoul National University. That scale is to the level where anyone can say (it was) a hydrogen bomb test.

Air raid sirens

When the test took place, people in the Chinese city of Yanji, on the border with North Korea, said they felt a tremor that lasted roughly 10 seconds, followed by an aftershock. I was eating brunch just over the border here in Yanji when we felt the whole building shake, said Michael Spavor, director of the Paektu Cultural Exchange, which promotes business and cultural ties with North Korea. It lasted for about five seconds. The city air raid sirens started going off.

Earthquakes triggered by North Korean nuclear tests have gradually increased in magnitude since Pyongyangs first test in 2006, indicating the isolated country is steadily increasing the destructive power of its nuclear technology.

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in Vienna said it had detected an unusual seismic event in North Korea that was larger than previous nuclear tests.

North Koreas mission is quite clear when it comes to this latest atomic test: to develop a nuclear arsenal that can strike all of Asia and the US homeland, Harry Kazianis, director of defence studies at the conservative Centre for the National Interest in Washington, said. This test is just another step towards such a goal. None of us should be shocked by Pyongyangs latest actions.

Hourglass-shaped device

Hours before the test, North Koreas state news agency KCNA had released pictures showing Kim Jong-Un inspecting a silver-coloured, hourglass-shaped warhead during a visit to the countrys nuclear weapons institute, accompanied by scientists.

The shape shows a marked difference from pictures of the ball-shaped device North Korea released in March 2016, and appears to indicate the appearance of a two-stage thermonuclear weapon, said Lee Choon-geun, senior research fellow at state-run Science and Technology Policy Institute.

KCNA said North Korea recently succeeded in making a more advanced hydrogen bomb. All components of the H-bomb were homemade and all the processes... were put on the Juche basis, thus enabling the country to produce powerful nuclear weapons as many as it wants, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

Juche is North Koreas homegrown ideology of self-reliance that is a mix of Marxism and extreme nationalism preached by state founder Kim Il-Sung, the current leaders grandfather. It says its weapons programmes are needed to counter US aggression.

Impoverished North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North regularly threatens to destroy the South and its main ally, the United States.
London: Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace announced Monday, as she was forced to cancel a public event due to acute morning sickness.

The 35-year-old is again suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that plagued her two previous pregnancies, and is being treated at home.

She has not yet reached the 12-week stage when women normally make the news public but made the announcement after being unable to attend an event in London on Monday afternoon, a spokeswoman said.

William, also 35, is second in line to the throne and the new baby will be fifth in line, pushing William's younger brother Harry down the order of succession.

"Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child," the palace said in a statement.

Queen Elizabeth II, William's grandmother, and his father Prince Charles were said to be "delighted" at the news, while Harry said he was "very, very happy for them".

The news comes as William and Kate's eldest child, four-year-old Prince George, who is third in line to the throne, prepares to start school in London on Thursday.

The couple also have a daughter, two-year-old Princess Charlotte.

The palace declined to say when the new baby was due, but a spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that Kate "hasn't reached the 12-week stage yet".

Read the press release in full  pic.twitter.com/vDTgGD2aGF  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) September 4, 2017

Many women wait until they are 12 weeks pregnant to announce the news, due to the risk of miscarriage.

"As with her previous two pregnancies, the Duchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum," the official palace statement said.

"Her royal highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London on Monday.

"The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace."

Kate was only around a month pregnant with Charlotte when the news was announced, again because she had to cancel a public engagement.

'Have more babies'

Prime Minister Theresa May was quick to offer her congratulations, saying, "This is fantastic news."

Speaking at an event in Manchester, Harry said it was "great" that he was going to be an uncle again, and said of Kate, "I think she's okay."

Kate was hospitalised with hyperemesis gravidarum during her first pregnancy in 2012, while it also forced her to cancel a trip to Malta when she was pregnant with Charlotte in 2014.

William and Kate moved back to London from their rural home in eastern England this summer as they take over more engagements from the ageing senior royals.

The 91-year-old queen has reduced her public events in recent years and Prince Philip, her 96-year-old husband, officially retired in August.

William gave up his job as an air ambulance pilot in July and relocated his family from Anmer Hall in Norfolk to their apartment at Kensington Palace.

There has long been speculation that the couple would like a third child.

On a royal tour of Poland in July, the duchess  who herself is one of three children  joked about having another after being given a cuddly toy designed to soothe tiny babies.

Saying thank you for the present, she turned to William and joked, "We will just have to have more babies."

Hyperemesis gravidarum causes excessive nausea and vomiting and affects around one in every 100 pregnant women, according to the state-run National Health Service (NHS).

Some women report being sick up to 50 times a day, and while most common in early pregnancy, symptoms can continue throughout the nine months.
Yangon: The BBC's Burmese language service on Monday said it was pulling a broadcasting deal with a popular Myanmar television channel citing "censorship" as the two partners clashed over coverage of the Muslim Rohingya minority.

The announcement is the latest blow to struggling press freedoms in the country and a remarkable turnaround for a news organisation that famously kept Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi up to date during her long years of house arrest under junta rule.

Since April 2014, BBC Burmese broadcast a daily news programme on MNTV with 3.7 million daily viewers.

On Monday, the BBC said it was ending the deal after MNTV pulled multiple programmes since March this year.

"The BBC cannot accept interference or censorship of BBC programs by joint-venture TV broadcasters as that violates the trust between the BBC and its audience," a report on the BBC's Burmese website said.

The BBC statement did not detail what content was censored.

But in a statement MNTV, a joint venture between private and state media, said it began pulling reports to comply with government orders over "restricted" words.

"The BBC Burmese program sent news that included wordings that are restricted by the state government," the statement said.

A station official said the problematic word was "Rohingya".

"That's why we cannot broadcast their service," the employee said, asking not to be named.

The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority in Myanmar's western Rakhine who face severe state-sanctioned persecution and have fled in droves in recent years.

Most international media call them Rohingya because the community has long self-identified that way.

But Myanmar's government  and most local media  call them Bengalis, portraying them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite many living in the country for generations.

Last week Suu Kyi's government called on media to only refer to militants as "extremist terrorists".

While local media have largely complied, the order was reminiscent of the years under the junta when the press was ordered what to write.

Hopes had been high that the new government of democracy icon Suu Kyi would usher in an era of free speech when they took power last year after half a century of military rule.

Suu Kyi was confined for years to a lakeside Yangon house under the junta but used to listen to the World Service and its Burmese language offshoot on her radio.
Yangon: A total of 418 schools in three townships in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state have been closed as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) terrorists continued their attacks, in which at least seven Hindus were killed, media reports said on Monday.

Of the schools closed, 183 are from Maungtaw township, 212 from Buthidaung township and 23 in Yathedaung township, said Xinhua news agency citing local media.

Over 80,000 students had enrolled in the Maungtaw district this academic year which started from June.

Extremist terrorists launched renewed attacks on 30 police outposts in northern Rakhine on 25 August.

According to reports, from 25 to 31 August, more than 52 terrorist attacks occurred, killing 13 security forces personnel and injuring 15.

Meanwhile, 14 civilians including seven Hindus and five Daingnet ethnic people were also killed while fleeing the attacks.

Over 2,625 houses from villages in Maungtaw were also burnt down by the terrorists.

About 38,000 Muslims from Rakhine state have fled toward the Bangladesh border, according to the reports.

Amid threat by ARSA, the security forces have evacuated 11,720 villagers to safer places and provided them with aid, the military said, adding that clearance operations against ARSA terrorists continued in the region.
Moscow: Russia demanded on Sunday that the US rethink its shuttering of Moscow's diplomatic premises, insisting that Washington bore sole responsibility for worsening ties after the "hostile act".

"We consider what has happened as an openly hostile act and a gross violation of international law by Washington," the foreign ministry in Moscow said in a statement. "We call on the American authorities to come to their senses and immediately return the Russian diplomatic properties or all blame for the continuing degradation in our relations lies on the US."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov for his part accused Washington of "trampling on international law".

On Saturday, Russia was forced to vacate its consulate in San Francisco and two diplomatic buildings in New York and Washington after the US ordered the move, the latest twist of a lengthy feud. US federal agents inspected a Russian trade mission in Washington to confirm its closure, a step that drew a fierce diplomatic protest from Moscow.

The foreign ministry said on Sunday that the "US intelligence services with the support of armed police were now in charge of the seized buildings."

Washington issued the closure order Thursday in retaliation for Moscow ordering the US to slash its diplomatic mission by 755 personnel by 1 September. The number of US diplomatic staff will now be capped at 455, the same number that Russia has in the United States.

The recent surge in tensions between the two nuclear-armed powers is a diplomatic setback for US president Donald Trump. During his campaign for office in 2016 and in the early days of his presidency he promised to try to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2016, tensions again escalated after US intelligence accused Putin of orchestrating a hacking and influence campaign to tip the presidential vote to Trump.

In the waning days of his tenure, president Barack Obama punished Russia by turfing out 35 diplomats and closing diplomatic compounds in New York and Maryland.

Moscow initially held off from retaliating but when Congress passed new sanctions, the Kremlin decided to belatedly strike back and ordered the US staff cut.
Beirut: Syria's army battled the Islamic State group on the edges of Deir Ezzor on Monday, seeking to break the siege of a government enclave and oust the jihadists from a key stronghold.

The jihadist group has already lost more than half of its nearby bastion of Raqa to attacking US-backed forces, and the loss of Deir Ezzor city and the surrounding oil-rich province would leave it with only a handful of isolated outposts.

Deir Ezzor province borders Iraq, where the Islamic State has also been expelled from former strongholds Mosul and Tal Afar.

The jihadists hold large parts of Deir Ezzor province, and more than half the provincial capital Deir Ezzor city, the remainder of which is controlled by the government and under the Islamic State siege.

Syrian troops backed by ally Russia have been advancing towards Deir Ezzor city on several fronts for weeks.

By Monday afternoon, Syrian state media said troops were swiftly approaching the city.

"The Syrian army has advanced towards Deir Ezzor to break the siege on it and is now just three kilometres (nearly two miles) from the city," a breaking news alert on state television said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said Syrian troops and allied fighters had arrived at the Brigade 137 base on the western outskirts of the city, and were battling to reach troops besieged by Islamic State inside.

A military source told AFP, "There have been multiple collapses of the Daesh (Islamic State) line in the west of Deir Ezzor province, allowing the army to move quickly."

"The siege on the government troops will be broken within hours," the source added.

Syrian troops were also quickly advancing on another front, said the Observatory, adding they were some 12 kilometres from Deir Ezzor's besieged military airport.

Provincial governor Mohamed Ibrahim Samra, quoted by state news agency SANA, said besieged residents were already celebrating as the army neared.

"Yesterday Deir Ezzor city saw celebrations and rejoicing among all segments of society ahead of the expected victory with the advance of the Syrian Arab Army to the outskirts of the besieged city," he said.

In Moscow, the Russian defence ministry also reported that Syrian forces were advancing on the city, backed by Russian air strikes.

"The fall of Islamic State in Deir Ezzor will be a strategic defeat for the international terrorist group in Syria," the ministry said in a statement.
Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh): A total of 87,000 mostly Rohingya refugees have arrived in Bangladesh since violence erupted in neighbouring Myanmar on 25 August, the United Nations said on Monday.

Thousands of the stateless Muslim minority have fled the mainly Buddhist nation and poured over the border since the latest round of fighting broke out, piling pressure on the already overcrowded camps in Bangladesh.

Around 20,000 more were massed on the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar's western state of Rakhine and waiting to enter, the UN said in a report.

Dhaka stepped up border controls after the latest round of violence began 10 days ago.

But in recent days Bangladeshi border guards appeared to be allowing the fleeing refugees to enter and the UN said there had been no attempt to prevent them from crossing.

Over the last five years Rakhine has been divided along ethnic and religious lines, but the current violence is the worst yet.

Scores of people have drowned attempting to cross the Naf border river, many in makeshift boats.

Most of the new arrivals have crammed into camps near the border, where the UN said local people were helping the relief effort.

Rakhine has been a crucible of religious violence since 2012, when riots erupted. Scores of Rohingya were killed and tens of thousands of people  the majority from the Muslim minority  were forced into displacement camps.

The latest round of violence erupted when Rohingya militants attacked remote police posts, killing 15 officials and burning villages.

Myanmar's army chief has said nearly 400 people have died since then, including 370 Rohingya militants.

Myanmar security forces have launched "clearance" operations to sweep out insurgents whose ranks appear to be swelling as male Rohingya villagers join their cause.

Rights groups allege massacres of Rohingya in remote villages led by Myanmar police and troops and ethnic Rakhine Buddhist mobs.

The Rohingya community numbering roughly one million is reviled in Myanmar. They are seen as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many have lived for generations in Myanmar.
United Nations (US): The United States on Monday urged the UN Security Council to impose the "strongest possible measures" against North Korea in response to its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy," US ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency council meeting.

Haley rejected as "insulting" a Chinese proposal for a freeze on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korean annual military drills.

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't," she declared.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting after North Korea detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

South Korea's defense ministry warned Monday that Pyongyang may be preparing another missile launch after two tests in July of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that apparently brought the US mainland into range.

Haley declared that the "time for half measures is over," suggesting the council must significantly ratchet up the pressure with biting sanctions to be decided in a new resolution.

The US ambassador did not spell out what measures Washington would support, but diplomats have indicated that an oil embargo would have a crippling effect on the North Korean economy.

Japan, France and Britain called for the swift adoption of a new sanctions resolution, but the call was expected to face opposition from Russia and China which maintain that sanctions alone will not resolve the crisis.

Russia and China have called for diplomatic talks with North Korea to address the threat from its missile and nuclear tests.

The council has imposed seven sets of sanctions on North Korea since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006, but Pyongyang has repeatedly found ways to circumvent the measures.

The most recent resolutions, however, have significantly toughened the sanctions, targeting key exports sectors such as coal that are a source of hard currency for North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's regime.
After North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test till date, alarm bells sounded all across the world.

The United Nations Security Council decided to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the international response.

Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin agreed to appropriately deal with the North Korean nuclear test. Japan called the test "extremely unforgivable" and "absolutely unacceptable". India too put out a statement "deploring" the nuclear test.

The common theme in all these statements was that they all condemned North Korea, the country which conducted the nuclear test.

And then there was Donald Trump.

While Trump declared that North Korea's words and actions were hostile and dangerous to the United States and followed that up with a barb at South Korea. He attacked its "talk of appeasement" and stated it wouldn't work.

This line of attack from the US president surprised many: After all, should North Korea decide to test its military might, South Korea is the first line of defence.

Further, the US and South Korea are allies. US-South Korea relations are governed by the Mutual Defence Treaty. The United States keeps 28,000 military personnel in South Korea.

The reason for the sudden Trump's sudden rhetoric towards could well be his inability to delink trade and security relations with Seoul.

Trump has tried to fulfill a campaign promise on trade while simultaneously trying to use the issue as leverage on security matters.

However, there are many reasons for the US and South Korea to remain allies. Breaking up the alliance would cost Washington dearly in several ways.

Deterring a belligerent North Korea

North Korea spews venom against South Korea of a very regular basis. And it follows them up with military action. As recently as 2015 North Korean soldiers sneaked across the heavily guarded border with South Korea and planted landmines near one of the Souths military guard posts, maiming two South Korean soldiers who stepped on them.

In 2010, a North Korean midget submarine fired a torpedo and sunk the South Korean Naval corvette Cheonan, killing 46 sailors and wounding 56 more. However, the despite having a larger army and being a nuclear power, the North has yet to launch a full-fledged attack.

The reason for that may be: Once a major attack takes place, the self-defence clause of the US-South Korea treaty kicks in and the US will be forced to come to its ally's aid. And despite its bluster, North Korea remains seemingly wary of taking on the might of the United States.

Should the US scale down or break the alliance, Kim Jong-Un would be emboldened to continue his blackmail tactics, this time with the added and very real threat of military action, according to The Atlantic.

The rise of China

If the US decides to give up the mantle of pre-eminent superpower in this region, the position won't remain empty for long.

China is primed to take over that position and would almost certainly offer Seoul an alliance of its own and would lead to Philippines and Malaysia being welcomed into the Chinese camp, according to The Atlantic report.

Even as things stand, as long as US keeps its eyes on North Korea, China can continue to do what it wants in the region, like build military facilities on artificial islands it constructed in the South China Sea, according to Vox.

The world is watching

The US has alliances and navy bases all across world.

These are built on the assurance that the US will honour its military alliances.

Should the US show weakness in the face of North Korean aggression, it would encourage others countries to develop nuclear weapons to get US to back down, says The Diplomat.

Further, the US would lose the trust of other allies who would be forced to look to other regional powers for protection.

'America's involvement in Korea a success'

American involvement in the Korean War led to the transformation of South Korea into a vibrant, democratic and economic power according to the The Brookings Institution.

It has shown that US alliance system works and is an example that allying with the US leads to prosperity and stability and the failure of the alliance will be a major blow to American prestige and will severely damage the US' ability to project itself as a force in the critically important region, according to The Brookings Institution.

Finally, the economic repercussions of breaking up the alliance are nothing to sneeze at as it would lose economic dealings with a country which is the 14th-largest economy in the world and is the US' sixth-largest trading partner.

With inputs from agencies
Despite its isolation and pariah status, North Korea has done it again. It confounded far more established nuclear powers by claiming to have tested a thermonuclear device, within a little more than a decade of its first test in October 2006.

The test was initially estimated to be a weapon with a yield of between 100-120 kilotonnes, six times more powerful than the one dropped on Nagasaki. The last nuclear test by North Korea was around 17 kilotonnes, lending credence to its claim that this was a bomb in an entirely different category.

Prior to this stirring event, it lobbed missiles, claimed a satellite launch, and most recently tested what seems to have been an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with an estimated range of 5,500 kilometres.

Stung by a barrage of invectives from US president Donald Trump, North Korea even threatened to fire a series of missiles near Guam, which would have entailed flying over Japan to reach the US territory. It may yet do so if the belligerence apparent in Pyongyang is any indicator.

Kim Jong-un, who succeeded his despotic father in 2011, has revved up the nuclear and missile programme of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Statistics show that half of all the tests conducted since the inception of the programme, occurred during Jong-un's watch.

Overall, North Korea's missile tests show a rising level of capability. First, the July test of the Hwasong 14 was on a clearly lofted trajectory, where the missile travelled vertically for nearly 2,800 kilometres (about seven times higher than the international space station) into the atmosphere.

Second, it has been able to evolve from wheeled to tracked launchers, which means that the missile battery can avoid roads, and remain well hidden almost anywhere before the launch.

Third, and most importantly, it has moved completely to solid fuels, which means that there is no difficulty in launching a missile at a moments notice. Liquid fuels, on the other hand, require hours of preparation, during which time the missile group is a sitting duck for enemy action.

A detailed analysis of the pictures released of the missile cone that is alleged to carry a thermonuclear weapon is yet to come, but even then there are pictures of rocket casings indicating that a future missile may be lighter and therefore longer in range.

Fourth, there is now an agreement among intelligence specialists in the US and Japan that North Korea's boasts that it has produced a miniaturised warhead may not be an idle one.

To understand how a country that has been under sanctions for decades and with a gross national income that is less than 5 per cent of its neighbour, there is a need to cast an eye on the operating methods of North Korea and its network of allies. In 2017, North Koreas economy actually grew despite being under heavy international sanctions.

Satellite imagery had shown an increase in the size of the markets, and new malls and cab companies coming into operation. According to available statistics, North Korea does more than 90 percent of its trade with China, who buys almost all of the coal that the country produces. Coal is North Korea's primary item of export.

China follows a 'stop-start' strategy with regard to sanctions, as it balances South Korea's purchase of US weaponry with hindrances on trade with Pyongyang. However, miffed by international criticism, it recently stopped all imports across the border and stopped oil exports, which should have brought the country to its knees.

That it did not, was due to the fact that North Korean ships continued to dock on the Chinese mainland, and a fleet of fishing boats also continued a brisk trade in everything from drugs to consumer goods. The activities of the DPRK embassy in Beijing and the use of several corporations to undertake suspicious and banned activities has been brought out in details by the report of a UN-appointed panel of experts.

A shipment of over 60,000 rocket-propelled grenades, caught in the Suez canal, but probably destined for Syria, underlined the activities of companies who continue to have access to the international banking system using Chinese cutouts in terms of agents or front companies.

China also 'assists' North Korea in much the same way as it does Pakistan. Tough sanctions are opposed at the UN Security Council, and more importantly, it provides assistance that is critical to North Korea's nuclear and missile programme.

For instance, in 2011, Xi Jinping approved the sale of 16 wheel trucks to the North Korean regime and was vital for the movement of completed missiles to launch pads. These trucks came from Chinese entities like CASIC (China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation) while yet another truck spotted towing a North Korean missile was identical to those used by Sinotruk. China also assists its neighbour in other ways. China allows more trade than North Korea can possibly pay for, and is its biggest donor for "humanitarian" aid, which includes the provision of high luxury goods to the elite within the regime.

Kim Jong-un, for instance, has a ski lodge that has "Made in China" written all over it. There also far more serious charges. Experts believe that the North Korean warhead design is similar to a warhead used in Pakistan, which originally came from China. This brings us to the critical triangle of cooperation between China, Pakistan and North Korea.

The story of the nuclear proliferation activities of Abdul Qadir Khan, the "father" of Pakistans nuclear programme, has been told in detail elsewhere. Quite simply, starting from 1984, Khan began by ordering twice the number of parts that the Pakistani nuclear programme needed and then selling the excess to other countries, notably Iran and North Korea. Such trading was both outgoing and incoming. For instance, Pakistan made a deal for the import of North Korean missiles, probably in return for the centrifuge designs that former president Parvez Musharraf admitted were supplied. During this period Khan made at least 13 trips to North Korea, sometimes travelling with military officials.

The Merchant of Menace as a 2005 Time magazine cover called him, also brought North Koreans to Pakistan, and the North Korean embassy in Pakistan was the hub of this and other nefarious activities. What was notable was that many of these flights to North Korea occurred via China. Khan was brought to heel only when his assistance to Iran riled the US enough to bust open the whole underground trade in 2004. But the whole China-North Korea connection and the clear involvement of Chinese corporations in Pakistans clandestine nuclear programme were swept under the carpet.

Years later, it emerged that the North Korean tunnel designs, which were used to optimally test a nuclear weapon, were similar to that "fish hook" design originally used by Pakistan. Whether this was provided during or after the Khan debacle was unclear.

India is alarmed with the tests done by North Korea, because the North Korean 'miniaturised' design may also reach Rawalpindi. There is, however, an, even more, cause for worry. The UN panel had also indicated activities of North Koreans in Sri Lanka, who had even met the country's minister of defence in late 2015.

Trump is right in saying that North Korea has been allowed to get away with its proliferation and smuggling activities by previous administrations. He is also right in singling out China as a prime source of the present crisis. The threat to sanction any company that does business with North Korea is logically right but practically difficult, to say the least.

As the wits on Twitter said, that would probably lead to a shutter down at Walmart. According to data from the US Government, the trade in goods between China and US alone totalled $578.6 billion last year while the trade in services was worth $69.6 billion. Thats a lot of money flowing around especially at a time when the US economy can hardly afford to take a hit.

However, the threat of sanctions, if supported by the usually tardy Europeans, could at least push Beijing into controlling its feisty neighbour. The most telling likelihood for that is simple. North Korea is no longer just an "evil" nuisance. With its latest test, it has crossed the Rubicon and is on the way to becoming a full fledged nuclear state. Beijing should put that in its noodle soup and mull over the consequences.
Xiamen, China: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday opens an annual summit of BRICS leaders that already has been upstaged by North Korea's latest nuclear weapons provocation.

The BRICS  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  had gathered in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen hoping to counter accusations that the group of big emerging economies was drifting apart and becoming irrelevant.

But North Korea stole the spotlight on Sunday by announcing it had detonated a powerful hydrogen bomb and claiming it could fit the device on a long-range missile, dramatically raising the stakes in its standoff with the world.

The nuclear test came just before Xi took the stage for a pre-BRICS address in Xiamen, timing that seemed deliberate and will doubt angered Beijing, which swiftly condemned the explosion.

The summit includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Brazil's Michel Temer and South Africa's Jacob Zuma. BRICS was already struggling to live down doubts about its own cohesion that have spiked since nuclear-armed China and India engaged in a protracted standoff over a disputed Himalayan region.

They backed off last week  perhaps to avoid ruining the summit  but the issue remains tense and eyes will be on the interplay between Modi and Xi on Monday. In his speech Sunday, Xi stressed the need for BRICS members to show mutual respect and "avoid conflicts" but otherwise did not mention the border dispute.

BRICS nations, who comprise more than 40 percent of humanity, came together a decade ago to advocate for the developing world's interests.

But policy analysts have increasingly questioned the group's relevance, pointing out that its members have little in common and face various economic challenges. Xi alluded to these questions in his speech.

"Some people, seeing that emerging markets and developing countries have experienced growth setbacks, assert that BRICS countries are losing their lustre," he said, admitting the group's members faced various "headwinds".

BRICS includes Communist-ruled China, authoritarian Russia and the democracies of India, Brazil and South Africa.

China remains an economic powerhouse, though a slowing one, while India is rising. But slumping commodity prices have hit hard the economies of exporters Russia, Brazil and South Africa.

Brazil's Temer and South Africa's Zuma, meanwhile, are distracted by political turmoil at home.

Perhaps the BRICS' biggest success has been the 2016 establishment of the Shanghai-based New Development Bank, envisioned as the developing world's World Bank, but many economists doubt it will be influential.

Intra-BRICS trade is heavily tilted in China's favour, fuelling complaints from fellow members. India alone has lodged several trade cases against China this year.

The North Korean hydrogen bomb claim represents an apparent major advance in Pyongyang's banned nuclear weapons programme and brought condemnation from the international community, which has forbidden North Korea's pursuit of atomic weapons and missiles.

Xi and Putin held a bilateral meeting late Sunday during which they discussed the North Korea blast and pledged to "appropriately deal" with the issue, China's official Xinhua news agency said, without giving details.
An Ohio board has approved an estimated $7.8 million tax credit for Amazon as the e-commerce giant plans a new fulfillment center outside Cleveland that could employ 2,000 people.

The Plain Dealer reports the Ohio Tax Credit Authority signed off on a 1.35 percent, 10-year tax credit last week in Columbus. The credit would go toward an 855,000-square-foot (79,000-square-meter) building in North Randall, where workers will pack and ship Amazon products.

The building is set to open in 2018.

State officials say the authority also approved a 1.39 percent, 10-year tax credit for a smaller Amazon project in Monroe. The state says Amazon expects that project to create 1,000 full-time jobs.

Seattle-based Amazon hasn't made an announcement about that facility.

___

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U.S. President Donald Trump agreed "in principle" to scrap a warhead weight limit on South Korea's missiles in the wake of North Korea's sixth nuclear test, the White House said on Monday.

During a call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Trump also gave "conceptual approval" for South Korea to buy billions of dollars of weapons from the United States, the White House said in a statement.

Separately, South Korea's presidential office said the two leaders had agreed to scrap the weight limit and to apply the strongest sanctions and pressure on North Korea through the United Nations.

In a separate phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin also on Monday, Moon said the U.N. Security Council should seek ways to sever North Korea's foreign currency income, including from its workers employed abroad and oil shipments, according to the South Korean statement.

Under the existing missile pact between the United States and South Korea, Seoul's warheads currently face a cap of 500 kg (1100 lb).

The agreement, last amended in 2012, was in the process of being changed in the wake of a series of missile tests by North Korea this year after Moon took office in May, including two intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting global condemnation and a U.S. warning of a "massive" military response if it or its allies were threatened.

An unlimited warhead weight allowance would enable the South to strike North Korea with greater force in the event of a military conflict.

The missiles would still be bound by a flight range cap of 800 km. No changes to the flight range were mentioned in the Blue House statement.

Most analysts and policymakers agree cutting off supplies of oil to North Korea would hurt its economy. It remains to be seen whether China, the North's biggest ally and trade partner, would cooperate.

South Korea said earlier in the day it was talking to the United States about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula after signs North Korea might launch more missiles.

(Reporting by Christine Kim in Seoul and Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and James Dalgleish)
Australian Constance Hall, a blogger and clothes designer, was appalled at the response she got for sending her son to school with a chocolate milk in his lunchbox.

The 33-year-old mom said on her radio show, The Queen Sesh, that her 5-year-old son was banned from drinking his chocolatey snack during his morning break because his teachers deemed it not healthy enough for recess. The boy told his mom he is only allowed to indulge in his dairy beverage at lunchtime.

MONSTER ENERGY SUED AFTER EMPLOYEE ALLEGEDLY BITES GIRLFRIEND'S FINGER

Hall was angered by how uncomfortable the teachers made her son feel over the drink she gave him  and why her son has to wait until later in the day to drink his snack.

So I said to the teacher, really? The options are that or juice and because he cant have any bread or anything substantial I give him the milk to line his tummy a bit because hes probably hungry, Hall said.

In addition to her son being shamed over what Hall packs in his lunchbox, Hall said she also has had to endure awkward lectures from her sons teachers about proper nutrition and sending her son to school with the worst breakfast ever, according to a Mirror report.

Hall, who is a mother of four biological children and two stepchildren, was offended by the teachers comments not just for herself, but for other mothers. She responded to the teachers comments on her radio show.

There are other mothers who cant even afford to do lunch orders and then for them to get shamed about what theyre giving their kid for recess, I just dont like it.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

The Like a Queen blogger often writes about financial pressures that face families and how to parent confidently.



When I was at my lowest and I couldnt even afford to do lunch orders and I had twin babies, newborn babies, I was living on my own, and I couldnt even get to the supermarket," she says.

However, Hall ended her angry rant on an empowering note  Power to the people! Let them drink milk!
A Texas restaurant employee was fired after he penned a Facebook post saying that Harvey evacuees in town should drown for allegedly asking for discounts and then not tipping him.

The man, an employee at the Rainforest Cafe in San Antonio, complained on the San Antonio Craigslist Facebook page earlier this week that customers from Houston and other Hurricane Harvey-stricken areas were cheap evacuees.

F--- each and every one of yall go back to Houston, Galveston and Corpus, and f---ing drown!!! the man wrote, according to the Houston Chronicle. Idgaf this is how I get paid if you not gonna pay me for your good service then die slow B----es you and your family!!! Idgaf!!!

The post has seen been deleted, but not before screenshots were taken and shared online, sparking massive outrage.

Keith Beitler, the senior vice president and COO of Landrys specialty restaurants division  the Rainforest Cafes parent company-- told mySA.com that the employee had been fired.

It was brought to our attention that an employee of Rainforest Cafe in San Antonio shared personal comments on a private group Facebook page, Beitler said in an emailed statement. This is not reflective of our companys views and this employee is no longer employed with us. Our hearts go out to all those affected by Hurricanes Harvey devastation.
Kyle Parry, a Lumberton, TX firefighter, was serving his community in the wake of Hurricane Harvey when his own neighborhood was threatened with massive flooding.

Parry had been evacuating people from their flooded homes early into Hurricane Harvey before he learned where he lived was about to be swallowed by water, as the Dallas News said. Parry became concerned for the fate of his home  not just for structural damage, but because of what it held.

CURVY SWIMSUIT MODEL CYBERBULLIED OVER REVEALING INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Parry and his fiancee Stephanie Hoekstra had been planning to wed a few weeks after the hurricane hit ground. They had stockpiled their wedding accoutrement, including boxes of linens, decorations, and the dress Hoekstra was to wear, at Parrys home.

It wasnt until days later when Parry was able to check in on his home to see how much damage had been done.

After seeing everything ruined, Parry posted a video on Facebook Live where you can see the water up to the roof of his car. He waded through the chest-deep flood into his house to survey the scene. It was then that Parry broke a promise he had made to Hoekstra about not looking at her dress before the wedding  Im sorry Steph, but I have to look, the firefighter said before turning off his video.

In a miraculous turn of events, her lace dress was unharmed, hanging just inches away from being ruined.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

The only thing left was the dress, Parry said fellow firefighters and paramedics back at the fire station, according to Dallas News.

Beckie Kelley, a fire department administrator, reportedly said, We can turn this into a wedding chapel in two days. Dont turn the wedding off.

However, the couple has decided to postpone their date instead. They havent set a date yet, but plan to marry when it feels right for both of them.
The minute anyone says income inequality half the country stops listening. They know this is code for some tax-the-rich-and-redistribute-to-the-poor scheme aimed at punishing success and rewarding failure. And any behavioral psychologist will tell you thats not a reinforcement system you want to service.

On the other hand, turning a blind eye to the fact that 60 percent of Americans now borrow money to pay for basics such as rent, food, gasoline and health care, is just as misguided. Theres no such thing as an economic recovery where more than half of the country doesnt participate.

So if punishing success, and ignoring the fact that Americans are going into debt to stay afloat arent the answer, then what is?

Well, for starters, we have to stop calling it income inequality. Whenever a catch phrase is used to mask a larger, more complex issue you can be sure were headed down the wrong path. Treating a symptom never did anything for curing the disease.

Everyone knows this cant last. There is no economic model wherein growing income disparity ends well. And since we have the benefit of knowing this beforehand, we can act to avert the disruption that other economies in similar circumstances have faced.

It turns out income inequality isnt about the growing gap between the wealthiest and poorest. Its one of many signs capitalism isnt working the way it did until the mid-Seventies. Thats when a historical bifurcation between worker productivity and wages began. And continued. Right on up to today.

Fact is, between 1948 and 2011, the productivity of American workers soared a whopping 254 percent. Imagine a graph with a line that begins at the bottom left corner and continues to the top right corner. Thats what U.S. worker output looks like over a 60-plus year period. Now imagine a second line paralleling productivity gains right on up to the mid-Seventies, when suddenly compensation flat-lines. Without warning, American workers stop reaping the benefits of more output.

So, what happened? What caused wages to stop keeping pace with productivity - to the point where income inequality became an issue?

The short answer is those wage increases were diverted to shareholders and investors.

Heres what happened (and how to fix it):

Prior to the Seventies, shareholder value was an organic byproduct of how well a company performed. When a business grew market share, expanded products and services, improved efficiency and profitability, the value of their stock increased commensurate with those advances. If you happened to own shares - or were a capital investor - you were rewarded with a nice profit. But shareholders and investors were not the only beneficiaries. Businesses also re-invested profits into more and better capital equipment, new facilities, long-term research and development, expansion into new markets, and yes, in the workers responsible for the prosperity.

But as tech IPOs came on the scene in the early Seventies, pressure to meet zealous analyst expectations began to mount. The driving force behind an obsession with quarterly forecasts was venture capital. By 1972, tech venture firms like Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers and Sequoia Capital had perfected the recipe for elevating the market value of their portfolio companies in quick order. Their sole mission was to take start-ups public and reap their profit as quickly as possible. It didnt take long before they had these quick flips down to a science.

Tech VC investments became so profitable during this period  rolling out one successful company after another (Tandem, Genentech, Apple, Compaq, Electronic Arts, Digital Equipment, etc.) - that by the end of the Eighties there were over 650 venture capital firms operating in the U.S. -- managing over $31 billion.

As the dotcom era came to full fruition and short-term investing, quick value building, and fast exits grew ever more popular, public companies were under the gun to show profits every 90 days. This had a devastating effect on industries that required long-term or risky investments in research and development.

Overnight, Boards and CEOs began demanding 3-6 months ROIs, and businesses began looking for ways to subcontract primary research, license or acquire. Some even resorted to buying back their own stock, making premature announcements and stuffing their channels to keep share values on track.

The pervasive short-sightedness also had a detrimental impact on how companies viewed employees. Instead of treating them as the value creators of the company, workers became an operational expense. And soon benefits, wages, training, pensions and every other thing that could be cut, was cut.

As businesses went looking for ways to meet quarterly analyst expectations, these wage increases and benefits were diverted to shareholders and investors in the form of higher returns.

It is only now, many decades later, that we see the toll this diversion has taken on the American worker. Sixty percent borrow every year to stay alive, while at the same time Wall Street breaks new highs.

But everyone knows this cant last. There is no economic model wherein growing income disparity ends well. And since we have the benefit of knowing this beforehand, we can act to avert the disruption that other economies in similar circumstances have faced. We can use foreknowledge to our advantage.

In truth, many public companies are waking up to the fact they can no longer kowtow to Wall Street and must return to reinvesting the way business did prior to the Seventies.

Progressive companies like Costco, Starbucks, Home Depot, Whole Foods, and others, are voluntarily raising worker wages to parallel productivity and profitability. They are making long-term investments rather than allowing themselves to be held captive to short-term ROIs. And they are returning to a healthier, sustainable form of capitalism  the kind that puts shareholders, producers and customers on equal footing.

Dont call it income equality. Call it short-sightedness. Call it venture capital run amuck. Call it the absurdity of requiring businesses to report profits every 90 days. Call it a temporary problem the free market can, and will, fixwithout any help from the government.

Its already happening.
The labor force that we recognize today wont be the labor force of my 8-year-old daughter.

Everywhere I go, when I talk with to academics and business people, the theme of the radical pace of change emerges. Technology is driving innovation, which in turn is driving massive change in our labor force.

In just three years, by 2020, a whopping 43 percent of the U.S. labor force will be freelance, up from 34 percent or 53 million last year. The gig economy will be a reality for my daughter, and I wonder if thats going to be a good place for her to earn a living.

AIartificial intelligenceis the latest buzzword of innovation in almost every industry. Much of it will indeed help us better synthesize data to serve customers of all kinds, from C-suite executives to patients in emergency rooms. But its accompanied by a host of moral considerations, including the machine question, as MITs David J. Gunkel puts it: Will a driverless car choose to hit the couple crossing the street in front of it, or endanger itself to protect the couple by swerving and crashing into a wall?

In just three years, by 2020, a whopping 43 percent of the U.S. labor force will be freelance, up from 34 percent or 53 million last year.

By the early 2030s, 38 percent of jobs in America will be replaced by robots and AI, says PwC. The trend will particularly affect the retail financial services industry, where employment has certain routine qualities that lends itself to substitution by automation.

When I made the shift from the corporate world to Silicon Valley to be among the handful of women CEOs starting businesses, it was a choice.

Today, becoming a freelancer or consultant is becoming the norm. Youre forced into it. Whether it results from exiting a company or trying to juggle work with caring for children or an aging parent, its a tenuous position to say the least.

Once out of the conventional workforce, its hard to get back in, underscored by new returnship programs.

With all of these dynamics at work, how do we give some structureand even confidenceto the next generation to succeed? How do we begin to really prepare them (and ourselves) for what lies ahead?

First, we cant stifle innovation as a means to protect existing jobs; innovation is essential to competitive success. Its far better to expand training in the art and science of running ones own business, since many more people will require such skills.

Second, if more people will be running their own businesses, then access to capital will have to be expanded. With just 7 percent of venture capital going to women-owned firms and about 1 percent to under-represented minority-founded companies, there is an enormous gap that needs to be filled. People who embrace the entrepreneurial spirit that shaped America are taking a larger share of the risks in business; they deserve a larger slice of the capital to do so.

In particular, we need to better equip the next generation of girls. People often ask me: why is it that progress for women in the business world has lagged over the last 20 years? The answer is too long to explain here, but the numbers are undeniable. Just 6 percent of Fortune 500 companies are led by women, only 36 percent of entrepreneurs are women, and just 14 percent of engineers are women.

If we dont change that and prepare our girls for the shifts ahead, theyll be left in the dustand so will our economy. We need to re-invent the way we teach, not just in schools but in the wider world outside.

At a national high school program called Girls with Impact, where I serve as CEO, we are seeing the results of bringing an MBA-like interactive program to teenage girls. Not only are they getting the business conditioning they sorely need, as one father described it, they are building a host of other skills critical to being true leaders. As one member put it, I feel powerful having begun to build a business  to see her potential come to life.

This Labor Day is a time of reflection: How can we as a nation provide the underpinnings we so desperately need  especially for the next generation? Lets use this time to use our talents toward that.
A Georgia high school teacher compared the President Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan to a swastika and ordered students wearing t-shirts supporting the president to leave her classroom.

The incident happened Aug. 31 at River Ridge High School in Cherokee County -- north of Atlanta - and it was all captured on video.

Click here for a free subscription to Todd's newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives!

Turning Point News first obtained the exclusive video and it shows the teacher explaining to students that they could not wear pro-Trump clothing "just like you cannot wear a swastika to school."

The video also shows the teacher doubling down on her argument that the kids have to leave the classroom because the shirts say "Make America Great Again."

"The Neo-Nazis...I'm not saying about Trump, but the slogan," the teacher said.

I warned you in my latest book, "The Deplorables' Guide to Making America Great Again," that our public schools have been overrun by liberals who are more interested in indoctrinating our children instead of educating our children.

And the only way to restore sanity to our local public schools is for parents and students to stand up and fight back.

Continue reading at ToddStarnes.com
Tuesday, President Trump is expected to announce whether or not he will ax the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals aka DACA program. House Speaker Paul Ryan wants him to delay the decision, and give Congress time to address the future of President Obamas executive order through legislation. Apparently Mr. Trump may choose to do just that.

Seriously? The same divided GOP caucus that failed to repeal and replace ObamaCare after seven years of squawking about it will now resolve our nations thorny immigration problems in just a matter of months? Unlikely.

More likely, given the recent history, Republicans in Congress would be cowed by the liberal media into swallowing whole the program that allowed an estimated 800,000 immigrants who entered the country illegally to stay and to acquire permanent status.

If Trump does turn the matter over to his wobbly Republican colleagues, he must demand they cut a deal: agree to grant the Dreamers permanent status in the U.S. in exchange for abolishing birthright citizenship. That single change could forever reduce the allure of sneaking into the U.S.

If Trump does turn the DACA matter over to his wobbly Republican colleagues, he must demand they cut a deal: agree to grant the Dreamers permanent status in the U.S. in exchange for abolishing birthright citizenship. That single change could forever reduce the allure of sneaking into the U.S.

Our country and Canada are the lone developed nations that still promise citizenship to anyone born on U.S. or Canadian soil. President Trump says the antiquated policy, drawn from the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, remains the biggest magnet for illegal immigration and he is correct. The parents of those Dreamers risked everything to come to the U.S. for jobs and security, but also knowing that any future children would automatically become American citizens.

Pew research estimates that about 275,000 children were born to undocumented persons in 2014 (the latest year available. Thats about 7 percent of all births.

In that year, again according to Pew, some 4.7 million U.S.- born children under the age of 18 were living with unauthorized parents. That large and growing number reflects the impact of granting citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., regardless of their status.

Not only does birthright citizenship encourage illegal immigration, it also promotes a robust birth tourism industry which attracts people from all over the world, and especially from politically volatile countries like China and Russia. Women come to give birth in the U.S. and then return home, having earned their offspring a safety-net passport worth a fortune in free food, health care, education and retirement benefits.

Once those youngsters turn 18 they may bring a spouse into the country and at the age of 21 they may sponsor other relatives including siblings, minor children and parents. Approximately two-thirds of our immigration is family-based; a good portion of it stems from people coming into the U.S. without papers. This makes a mockery of those waiting in line to enter the country legally.

The DACA program is popular with the public; a recent NBC survey found 64 percent of respondents in favor of DACA, with only 30 percent opposed. Many are swayed by the terms of DACA, which singled out people who came to the U.S. as children, and who have met certain standards of good behavior such as graduating from high school and not getting into trouble. Deporting such individuals seems heartless; even President Trump, who has generally taken a hard line against illegal immigration, appears sympathetic.

But good-hearted Americans also back changing our immigration system to one which prioritizes people who can contribute to the country. A Morning Consult/Politico poll of nearly 2,000 registered voters conducted early last month revealed that 61 percent support a points system based on attributes like education and job prospects.

President Trump has endorsed just such an approach, which has been proposed by Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue. Their bill, called the RAISE Act, would mimic the merit-based system used by Australia, reducing the so-called chain migration of family members entering the country.

There is zero chance Democrats will sign onto the RAISE Act, and even many moderate Republicans like South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham have denounced it. But Democrats are fervent in their support for the DACA, one of the few ways President Obama rewarded Hispanics for their overwhelming support in two elections. They are hopeful that those 800,000 Dreamers will eventually become citizens and also loyal Democrats.

Republicans should use that enthusiasm to their benefit, and begin the overhaul of our broken immigration system by negotiating an end to birthright citizenship. Many legal experts suggest that a clarification of the language in the 14th Amendment would suffice to change the policy, avoiding the two-thirds vote necessary to changing the Constitution itself. The language in the Constitution is ambiguous; just as numerous bills in Congress have defined the limits and protections of the 2nd Amendment, so could legislation narrow the scope of the Fourteenth.

Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), among others, once proposed a measure to do just that. During Bill Clintons presidency, Reid introduced the Immigration Stabilization Act of 1993, a bill that clarified the Fourteenth Amendment by pronouncing that kids born to illegal immigrants in the U.S. would not be entitled to automatic citizenship. At the time, Reid explained that his bill would abolish the "incentive for pregnant alien women to enter the United States illegally, often at risk to mother and child, for the purpose of acquiring citizenship for the child and accompanying federal financial benefits."

Now that the Hispanic vote is viewed as critical to Democrats fortunes, Harry Reid and his party have embraced birthright citizenship. But, Americans dont like the policy and would likely back a GOP deal to scrap it.

After the dismal failure to repeal and replace ObamaCare, Republicans in Congress need to show some backbone. They could start here.
Congress so far this session has passed 55 bills that have been signed into law including dozens with bipartisan support, from sanctioning North Korea to reauthorizing the FDA, allowing the agency to continue to collect outside funding for medical research and offer more hope to children with cancer.

Among the 28 bills passed with bipartisan support are the cancer-related RACE for Children Act and the Veterans Education Aid measure, which was pased without a single no vote.

This bipartisan bill will help  service members transition back to civilian life by opening doors for their future success," Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said about the so-called Forever GI Bill.

The veterans bill, signed into law last month by President Trump, extends educational benefits for military veterans including Guardsmen and reservists.

Members of the GOP-controlled Congress return Tuesday from August recess to face several key measures that will require tight-deadline votes and likely some measures of bipartisan support.

Among them is a request by Trump for $7.9 billion in immediate Hurricane Harvey disaster aid that appears to have solid Democratic and Republican backing.

Congress continues to face sharp criticism about its inability to pass legislation and help Americans, reflected in their most recent Gallup poll disapproval rating of 79 percent.

And while voters clamor for bipartisan efforts on Capitol Hill, such collaboration can be politically challenging, considering how members risk election-year backlash from advocacy groups and high-dollar political action committees for straying from their respective partys conservative or progressive-lean agenda.

When it comes to health care, when it helps children, bipartisan is great. Its not a Republican or Democrat issue, says Texas GOP Rep. Mike McCaul -- who helped lead the bipartisan effort, under the 2017 FDA Reauthorization Act, to have adult treatments for cancer studied for use in children.

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Most Americans likely know McCaul as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, appearing on TV to occasionally deliver unflinching assessments on domestic terror threats, even calling ISIS the standard bearer of evil.

However, McCaul, a father of five who lost a grade-school pal to cancer, acknowledges his efforts with the RACE for Children Act, or Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity for Children Act, have been more personal.

Its my job to protect people, but this has been emotional, rewarding, McCaul, who started the bipartisan Childhood Cancer Caucus upon joining Congress in 2005, told Fox News on Friday. Its only a small part of the overall picture. But it does bring some good news to people who are hurting.
Leaders of the GOP-controlled House purportedly plan to vote Wednesday on a $7.9 billion Hurricane Harvey relief package separate from deciding on whether to raise the federal debt ceiling, setting up a potential White House showdown and adding another twist to what will be an action-packed next several weeks on Capitol Hill.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday that he and President Trump wanted Congress to have a combined vote on the relief package and increasing the debt ceiling, amid concerns that they wont have enough money to help clean up from the deadly storm that flooded much of southeast Texas, then parts of Louisiana.

However, two of the Houses most fiscally conservative groups -- the House Freedom Caucus and the Republican Study Committee -- have already balked at the White House plan.

What happened in Texas is a tragedy and it needs an urgent Congressional response, North Carolina Rep. Mark Walker, leader of the Republican Study Committee, said Monday. Congress is united behind this effort, but I worry about jeopardizing an agreement with such legislative games.  The debt ceiling should be paired with significant fiscal and structural reforms.

Meanwhile, Congress top two Democrats have signaled some support for the idea.

"Providing aid in the wake of Harvey and raising the debt ceiling are both important issues, and Democrats want to work to do both," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, of California, said in a joint statement Sunday. "Given the interplay between all the issues Congress must tackle in September, Democrats and Republicans must discuss all the issues together and come up with a bipartisan consensus."

In addition to having to raising the debt ceiling by Sept. 29 and appropriate billions to hurricane victims in dire need, Congress also must pass a separate spending resolution to avoid a government shutdown after Sept. 30.

The linking of the emergency money and the debt ceiling is just the latest in a recent series of such proposals -- including Trump vowing before the hurricane to close down the government if the spending resolution doesnt include money for his campaign-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall.

The Associated Press reports the House will vote separately on the debt ceiling and the Harvey funding.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told Fox News on Monday the chamber will indeed vote Wednesday on the hurricane money. He also said he fully realizes Mnuchins concerns about having enough money but was not specific about whether the issues would be combined into one vote.

The GOP-controlled Senate has not said when or how it will vote on the issue.

Trump plans to meet with congressional leaders from both parties this week as lawmakers upon their return.

The government's cash reserves are running low because the debt limit has already been reached, and the Treasury Department is using various accounting measures to cover expenses.

Mnuchin originally had said that Congress would need to raise the $19.9 trillion borrowing limit by Sept. 29 to avoid a catastrophic default on the debt, allowing the government to continue borrowing money to pay bills like Social Security and interest.

But on Sunday, he said that deadline had moved up due to unexpected new spending on Harvey.

"Without raising the debt limit, I'm not comfortable that we would get the money that we need this month to Texas to rebuild," he said.

Trump's aid request would add $7.4 billion to dwindling Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster aid coffers and $450 million to finance disaster loans for small businesses. An additional $5 billion to $8 billion for Harvey could be tucked into a catch-all spending bill Congress must pass in the coming weeks to fund the government past Sept. 30.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday described the federal aid package as an important initial "down payment" on Harvey relief that he expects will come to $150 billion to $180 billion.

GOP lawmakers also head into the final quarter of the year trying pass Trumps plan to overhaul the federal tax code.

Meanwhile, Trump may be poised to throw another tricky issue Congress' way.

The White House says the president on Tuesday will decide the fate of the younger immigrants brought to the United States as kids and protected from deportation by former President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. If Trump ends or phases out the program, there will be pressure for Congress to step in with a fix to save nearly 800,000 from the threat of deportation.

Some Republicans have even begun to talk about the possibility of a deal to protect this group in exchange for funding Trump's border wall, despite Democrats called the proposal a nonstarter.

Fox News' Mike Emanuel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday asked the bodys Security Council to impose the strongest possible sanctions against North Korea in response to the rogue nations most recent nuclear test, saying the time for half measures  is over.

Haley spoke at U.N. headquarters in New York a day after North Korea claimed to have conducted an underground test on a hydrogen bomb.

It was the countrys sixth such test, following five previous ones on a nuclear warhead and recent launches of inter-continental missiles to land such weapons on foreign soil.

The United States is calling for a U.N. vote on sanctions as early as next week.

We cannot kick this can down the road any longer, Halley also said at the special U.N. meeting, convened after the weapon test overnight Saturday. "Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. ... But our country's patience is not unlimited."

Her statements follow President Trump a day earlier condemned the test in the strongest terms.

North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success, Trump said in one of several tweets Sunday.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said later in the day, in a White House meeting on the matter, that any threats by North Korea to the United State or its allies will be met with an "effective and overwhelming" military response.

North Korea is begging for war, Haley also said Sunday. The time for half measures by the Security Council is over.

And like Trump and other top administration officials, she also said the U.S. intends to impose economic sanctions on countries that do business with North Korea.
President Trump on Sunday appeared to rebuke South Korea for its talk of appeasement with North Korea prior to this weekends huge nuclear test, saying Pyongyang only understands one thing.

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!'' Trump said on Twitter.

Some questioned Trump's jab at an important U.S. ally.

Patrick Cronin, an Asia expert with the Center for a New American Security, said Trump's comment on South Korea was probably "intended to stiffen the spine of an ally." He said he agreed with the intention.

"I think Washington is very serious about showing some unexpected resolve," he said. "We need our ally and we need to remain ironclad. But at the same time, we can't afford South Korea to go weak in facing down this growing danger."

Kim Jong Un's regime on Sunday claimed "perfect success" in an underground test of what it called a hydrogen bomb. It was the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006  the first since Trump took office in January  and involved a device potentially vastly more powerful than a nuclear bomb.

Ely Ratner, a national security official in the Obama administration, told The New York Times that the U.S. is going to need close cooperation with not only South Korea but China as well, hes coming out swinging at all of them rather than trying to build support and coordination.

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital U.S. trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbor. Trump tweeted that the U.S. is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." Such a halt would be radical. The U.S. imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner.

Ratner told The Times that this weekends test may have a chance of pushing China into a place its never been before.

Trump warned last month that the U.S. military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the U.S. would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America. The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that's home to U.S. bombers and other aircraft.

The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

In South Korea, the nation's military said it conducted a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on North Korea's nuclear test site to "strongly warn" Pyongyang over the latest nuclear test. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles. The released live weapons "accurately struck" a target in the sea off the country's eastern coast, the JCS said.

"Denuclearization is not a viable U.S. policy goal," said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the U.S. accept North Korea as a nuclear power. "We should keep denuclearization as a long-term aspiration, but recognize privately that it's unachievable anytime soon."

The Associated Press contributed to this report
The midways are now vacant. The slick patter of carnival barkers have fallen silent as the temperatures chill, hinting fall is in the air. Summer is drawing to a close. No more state and county fairs. No more weekend church festivals or beach vacations.

The carnies have packed up all of the rides. The Viking Ship. The Tilt-a-Whirl. Zero Gravity.

Yet if you long for one more thrill, you can visit Capitol Hill in the waning days of summer for a ride on the Scrambler.

Step right up. Everyone knows the Scrambler, the dizzying egg-beater of an attraction that shuffles cars back and forth, in and out, mixing and weavinguntil youre ready to puke.

Well, thats kind of what Congress has on tap in the coming days.

North Korea. DACA. Preventing a government shutdown. Lifting the debt ceiling. The first tranche of aid for Hurricane Harvey. A second bundle of aid likely to cost at least $100 billion later this month. Tens of billions for flood insurance. Funding for the border wall. Reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration.

In addition, the Senate Health Committee working on stabilizing health insurance markets, after failed efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare. Russia lingers.

Tax reform is out there somewhere. And we havent even entered into a debate about the deadly Charlottesville, Va., protests, white supremacism, the Antifa movement, Confederate statues at the Capitol and President Trumps remarks about the whole affair.

Its enough to give you motion sickness.

The House and Senate return to session Tuesday for the first time in a month following the August recess. All of the above issues occupy the congressional docket.

Consider for a moment the volatility of the news cycle.

Charlottesville is on the mind of lawmakers as they return to Washington. That will be part of the conversation soon on Capitol Hill. But other subjects supplanted Charlottesville.

Just last Thursday there was chatter that Trump was on the verge of halting DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Thats former President Barack Obamas executive order that granted undocumented persons who entered the U.S. as minors time to secure legal status through good behavior, education or military service.

Then came word that Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., was working with other conservatives to craft legislation to address undocumented minors brought into the country.

Tillis spokesman Daniel Keylin said the senator wanted to create a fair but rigorous process for legal status that requires individuals 18 or older to either be employed, pursue post-secondary education, or serve in the Armed Forces.

By nightfall, focus reverted to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

White House budget Director Mick Mulvaney sent a letter to congressional leaders requesting an initial installment of $7.85 billion in emergency funding to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana.

Mulvaney told Congress the money would help with immediate recovery needs in the areas most affected. And he made the case that Congress needs to soon lift the debt ceiling to help with Harvey.

If the debt ceiling is not raised, it may not be possible to outlay the requested supplemental appropriations or funds from other critical Government operations, Mulvaney said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., responded: The Senate stands ready to act quickly.

The president jetted into Texas for a second time last week to inspect the devastation. Ironically, he spent substantial time chatting with Texas Democratic Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green before boarding Air Force One. He shook Greens hand several times. Earlier this year, Jackson Lee called on the president to resign. Green drafted articles of impeachment.

On Sunday morning, the conversation tilted to the debt ceiling.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin previously called for a clean debt limit increase by September 29. In other words, Congress would vote to simply raise the debt threshold with no strings attached. But on Fox News Sunday, he made a new case for Harvey relief and the debt ceiling.

The President and I believe that it should be tied to the Harvey funding, Mnuchin said.

Congress struggled in 2012 and 2013 to cobble together the votes to provide relief for the northeast after Superstorm Sandy. Support seems to be stronger to help out the Gulf Coast. But Republicans are leery of raising the debt ceiling without spending cuts.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., indicated their members were willing to help with the storm and lift the debt limit. Still, in a joint statement, they reminded Republicans which party was in charge and noted that Democratic votes were likely necessary to help the majority.

Given the interplay between all the issues Congress must tackle in September, Democrats and Republicans must discuss all the issues together and come up with a bipartisan consensus, they said.

By Sunday afternoon, the story shifted to North Korea. When asked if the United States would attack Pyongyang, Trump responded with a cryptic and equally foreboding well see. A few hours later, Defense Secretary James Mattis spoke at the White House.

Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response, he declared.

But so much for North Korea.

Early Sunday evening, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., posted the draft of the initial $7.85 billion Harvey spending plan.

We assure them that in their time of greatest need, we will come through for them, he said of the flood victims.

Twelve annual spending bills fund the federal government. This is a 13th. As an additional bill, the legislation includes no offsets to cover the unexpected funding. Since its emergency funding, none of the funds are subject to special budget caps or sequestration, the set of mandatory spending cuts Congress approved as part of a package to raise the debt ceiling in 2011.

On Monday morning, Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., chairman of the Republican Study Committee, fretted about linking the emergency aid and the debt limit.

I worry about jeopardizing an agreement with such legislative games, said Walker, who leads the largest bloc of conservatives in the House. The debt ceiling should be paired with significant fiscal and structural reforms.

Walker went on to suggest that Republicans may not take the problem of our $20 trillion debt seriously.

By Monday afternoon, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy signaled the House would vote Wednesday on the hurricane assistance.

That vote could be a big deal. Or it might not.

Thats because both the House and Senate expect classified briefings Wednesday on North Korea and Afghanistan by Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

It will be hard to keep track of everything on the congressional midway -- especially since lawmakers are now trapped inside the Capitol Hill Scrambler.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchins weekend call for Congress to tie its upcoming vote on increasing the federal debt limit to approving billions for Hurricane Harvey relief is getting support from congressional Democrats but apparent little backing from Republicans.

"The president and I believe the (debt ceiling) should be tied to the Harvey funding, Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday. With Harvey, it's moved the situation up earlier. ... And without raising the debt limit, I'm not comfortable that we would get the money that we need this month to Texas to rebuild."

Members of Congress left for the August recess knowing that the vote on raising the debt ceiling would be a high priority upon returning since the federal government has technically already reached its borrowing limit.

However, the unanticipated arrival of Harvey on Aug. 25 has thrown a wild card in the House and Senates already-packed agenda. The storm's record rainfall caused severe flooding throughout southeast Texas, then Louisiana, and is expected to cost as much as $190 billion.

Providing aid in the wake of Harvey and raising the debt ceiling are both important issues, and Democrats want to work to do both, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California, said in a joint statement hours after Mnuchins comments Sunday. Given the interplay between all the issues Congress must tackle in September, Democrats and Republicans must discuss all the issues together and come up with a bipartisan consensus.

Before the hurricane disaster, Mnuchin said that Congress would need to raise the $19.9 trillion borrowing limit by Sept. 29 to avoid a catastrophic default on the debt, allowing the government to continue borrowing money to pay bills like Social Security and interest.

Republican leaders were purportedly making plans to pair the debt limit increase with the first batch of Harvey aid -- the $7.9 billion initially being requested by Trump.

However, many of Congress' most fiscally conservative members sound opposed to the plan.

On Monday, Rep. Mark Walker, leader of the Republican Study Committee, a roughly 170-member conservative House group, expressed opposition to the plan.

What happened in Texas is a tragedy and it needs an urgent Congressional response, the North Carolina Republican said in a statement. Congress is united behind this effort, but I worry about jeopardizing an agreement with such legislative games.

"As we have stated for months, the debt ceiling should be paired with significant fiscal and structural reforms. The alarming trajectory of our debt imperils all supplemental appropriations for dealing with disasters like Harvey in the future.

The House Freedom Caucus -- another fiscal-conservative group whose roughly 36 GOP members represent a significant and powerful voting bloc -- also appears opposed to such a plan.

"To attach a debt ceiling vote to increased spending is not anything that any conservative would normally support," group leader Rep. Mark Meadows said before Mnuchin's comments Sunday.

The North Carolina lawmaker also said linking the two measures "puts everybody in a very difficult situation" and would not be practical.

Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations, told CNN on Monday that he was willing to consider bringing the issues together.

In addition to the debt-ceiling issue and the Harvey funding, Congress must also pass a spending resolution by Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.

Trump plans to meet with congressional leaders from both parties this week as lawmakers return to Washington after their summer recess.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
France is looking for help from Americans to ensure the world-famous cathedral Notre Dame lasts well into the future.

The Archbishop of Paris launched a fund-raising push  Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris  last year, but now it's specifically targeting American donors, according to the French version of The Local.

The foundation received charity status in May from U.S. tax authorities, which will allow Notre Dame to receive untaxed donations.

Notre Dame broke ground in 1163 and was completed in 1345. Now, the cathedral is looking for a total of more than $175 million for repairs.

It was put it to us that Notre-Dame is a world monument and we could look to raise money for its repair from outside of France, Michel Picaud, fundraising senior advisor for Friends of Notre-Dame, said.

We receive many requests from Americans wanting to know if there is a channel they can use to donate, he told The Local. The cathedral is a big part of Paris history but also a big part of American history in the city.

Friends of Notre-Dame reportedly will hold events in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. next spring to raise funds for repairs.
Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen is shooting down claims his Lakewood Church in Houston turned Hurricane Harvey victims away, saying that keeping the doors closed for a few days during and after the storm was the "safe thing" to do.

"There was safety issues that people didn't see. They see this building sitting up on a high hill, looks like a high hill, but behind the building is where the water comes in. And so our flood gates were keeping the water out until, I'm told, Sunday night or maybe even early Monday," Osteen told Fox News in an interview at his Houston church.

Osteen was blasted on social media by critics who said he didn't do the "Christian thing" by immediately opening his church doors instead of waiting four days.

"The only thing me and Joel Osteen have in common is that I don't want people staying with me either," wrote one Twitter user.

"Remember @JoelOsteen was already invited by Jesus to help the suffering and homeless. He didn't need The city to invite him. Shame on him," another critic tweeted.

However, Osteen and a spokesman told Fox News that the Lakewood church is not a safe building to serve as a shelter because the first floor is underground and was taking on water until Monday and the main level is nearly all glass.

"We opened the building on Tuesday. I think that was the safe time to open it. I feel at peace about it," Osteen told Fox News.

Osteen said there were about six staffers who stayed in the building around the clock during the storm -- and in that time, three people showed up looking for shelter and were taken in.

"We asked our security staff, we asked everyone... we have not turned away anybody. So anybody was welcome and we did take people in," Osteen told Fox News.

The massive church, which holds services in an arena that was formerly home to the NBA's Houston Rockets, was thrust into the spotlight in part after TMZ posted a video of a man showing that the doors were closed and locked.

However Osteen's spokesman, Donald Iloff Jr., tells Fox News he thinks the video is a "hit piece" because the man in the video shows only a small section of the building's nearly 250 doors and didn't show himself in front of "entry" doors where staffers or security could have seen him.

"It could be somebody wanting to discredit us," Osteen said.

On Tuesday, Lakewood Church officially opened its doors to evacuees and ended up taking in hundreds of people.

"The city was taking people down to their shelter. They said, 'We're a shelter, you don't need to be a shelter.' When they filled up, they said, 'we're out of room' -- well of course we'll be a shelter," the pastor said.

Osteen says he has learned a lesson from the ordeal and is now going to bring in experts to asses the church building to decide what can be done to make it safer to potentially serve as a shelter in any future storms. "I think the notion that we weren't going to take people in or we don't care for people -- we've been doing that for 58 years and just somebody, somehow a false narrative caught on."
A former Temple University student has been charged in the death of a current student whose remains were found over the weekend.

Joshua Hupperterz, 29, was taken into custody Friday and charged with murder after authorities found a body, confirmed to be missing college student Jenna Burleigh, 22. Burleighs body was found on property belonging to Hupperterzs grandmother.

Burleigh was reported missing on Thursday night, and was last seen on surveillance footage leaving a bar near campus in north Philadelphia, with a man police identified as Hupperterz.

Hupperterz was charged with murder, and faces charges of possession of an instrument of crime, evidence-tampering and abuse of a corpse.

Hupperterz last took classes as a junior at Temple last spring, Philly.com reported.

Court records showed he pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle in 2013, and drug possession in 2011.

In 2013, Hupperterz allegedly broke into a home and stole electronics, credit cards and beer.

Hupperterz gave a partial confession, according to Philly.com. Police say they believe he killed Burleigh in his Philadelphia apartment, then moved her body at least twice.

ARREST MADE IN SLAYING OF TEMPLE UNIVERSITY STUDENT

When investigators entered his apartment  which was near the bar where investigators believe he and Burleigh met  they found blood, drugs and cash.

Philadelphia Police Capt. John Ryan said the murder did not appear to be premeditated.

Burleighs cause of death was determined to be from a mixture of blunt trauma and strangulation, according to the news outlet.

Burleigh, who was studying film and media arts, had transferred to Temple last week from a community college and commuted to school.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Pennsylvania college student has been killed while she was train hopping with her boyfriend, according to reports.

Police said 21-year-old Lindsey Marie Michaels and her boyfriend were hopping a train in Pittsburgh when Michaels fell and was dragged underneath the train, WPXI-TV reported.

She fell as they were trying to jump on a Norfolk Southern coal train in Pittsburgh around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, WTAE-TV reported.

"The train, moving 130 cars loaded with coal, was traveling at about 3 to 4 mph through this area and then began to pick up speed, Norfolk Southern spokesman Jon Glass told the station.

The train crew did not see anyone trying to jump on the train and was not aware that anyone might have been hit," he said.

The boyfriend also fell and injured his ankle, the station reported.

Michaels attended Carlow University in Pittsburgh and was on the deans list, WTAE reported. She was a junior.

Her mother told the station that her daughter was a good kid who had just turned 21.

She said she believed her daughter and her boyfriend thought it would be fun to try to jump on a train.

The mother, who was not identified, told the station that her daughters boyfriend was beside himself over the accident.

We mourn her loss, Carlow University said in a statement.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency in the state as rapidly growing Hurricane Irma, now a Category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall later this week.

The state of emergency has been issued for all of Floridas 67 counties. Scott said that the state would prepare for the worst and hope for the best as Irma is expected to hit the state around Friday.

The governor tweeted Monday that he urges "all Floridians to remain vigilant and stay alert to local weather and news and visit FLGetAPlan.com today to get prepared."

Hurricane Irma poses a severe threat to the entire State of Florida and requires that timely precautions are taken to protect the communities, critical infrastructure, and general welfare of this State, the executive order stated.

Scott suggested on Twitter that state residents should use their Labor Day to prepare for Irma's arrival.

The announcement came after Puerto Ricos governor issued a state of emergency Monday. Irma is expected to hit the northwest Caribbean Tuesday, where government workers are preparing for the storm to make landfall.

Emergency officials have warned that the storm could dump up to 10 inches of rain, unleash landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to 23 feet as the storm draws closer.

If Irma makes landfall as a Category 4, it'll be the first time in 102 years that two Category 4 hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. within the same year, according to KOCO.

HURRICANE IRMA: PUERTO RICO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AHEAD OF CATEGORY 4 STORM

A hurricane watch was in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the British and U.S. Virgin islands and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch was issued for Dominica.

The Category 4 storm was moving west-southwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds up to 130 mph, according to the U.S. Hurricane Center. The storm was centered about 490 miles east of the Leeward Islands.
Seven months after Yale renamed Calhoun College in honor of Grace Murray Hopper, students are looking to the future as the college tries to shed its previous controversial identity.

Hopper, who graduated from the college in 1934, replaces U.S. vice president and class of 1804 graduate John C. Calhoun  who deemed slavery a positive good for both master and slave  across all administrative systems and on various signs on campus.

A ceremonial baptism on Sept. 5 will cap years of protest by students who said the association with Calhoun was offensive  and Yales initial decision to keep the name, only to reverse itself and change it.

It also comes at a time when communities and schools across the country are grappling with how to handle Confederate monuments and whether to simply remove them.

The head of Hopper College Julia Adams said the atmosphere on campus was extraordinarily upbeat and emphasized the importance of not erasing history.

Many first year students knew a lot about the colleges history even before they arrived, Adams told the Yale Daily News. Grace Hopper College also has a great set of documents on the history part of our website.

Current and former students at Hopper had mixed reactions to the new name.

For me it will always in a sense be Calhoun, sophomore Lauren Lee told The New York Times. Lee said she fought the name change because she believed that Calhouns contributions to political theory were his legacy.

Mark Barnett, 18, a black freshman, told the Times that he favored the name change.

I think the name is a step toward inclusion and equality, he said.

Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist who served in the U.S. Navy, received her masters and doctorate from Yale.

About 10 percent of Yales student population is black, according to university statistics.

Calhoun has not disappeared completely; his likeness remains in stonework above a few archways at Hopper College.
Houstons mayor says Americas fourth largest city is open for business but more than a week after Harvey parts of the city remain flooded, up to 500,000 vehicles have been damaged, floodwaters contain a toxic brew of chemicals and the total cost of repairs could exceed $180 billion.

Harvey, which roared ashore as a Category 4 hurricane, brought 52 inches of rain to some parts of the Houston metropolitan area and resulted in at least 60 deaths. The ferocious storm, which knocked out 30 percent of U.S. oil refining capacity, has led to price spikes and sporadic gasoline shortages in some parts of the city.

Flood models released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show more than 90,000 residential structures in Harris, Galveston and Fort Bend Counties could have been damaged by flood waters from the storm. Only 15 percent of Harris Countys 1.5 million properties, which includes Houston, are insured for floods.

Despite all that, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labor Day.

Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come, Turner, a Democrat, told CBS. "We can do multiple things at the same time.

One worry has eased--further explosions at the damaged Arkema chemical plant in Crosby after officials carried out a controlled burn Sunday evening of highly unstable compounds. The 1.5-mile evacuation zone around the Arkema facility was lifted on Monday and officials determined it was safe for residents to return to their homes.

Authorities said they would continue to monitor air quality around the site.

Floodwaters have also inundated at least five Superfund toxic waste near Houston and some may be damaged, though Environmental Protection Agency officials have yet to assess the full extent of what occurred.

Turner said Houston's drinking water hadn't been affected by the storm, but told CBS, We would hope that the EPA would be on the ground now to take a look at those Superfund sites, to make sure that contamination is contained and limited.

Other issues across the region: too much water still in houses, no water to drink and no way to get to work in the freeway-heavy city.

Utility crews went door-to-door Sunday shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that more flooding was possible  not from rain, but from releases of water from overtaxed reservoirs. Thousands of Houston dwellings were under mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

According to data compiled by Solera Holdings, up to a half-million cars have been damaged in Texas. Even rental vehicles have likely been damaged in Houston, a city where 94 percent of the population owns a car.

People briefly returned Sunday to some homes in the area, which included brick two-story and ranch homes bordering Buffalo Bayou, to try to salvage valuables.

More than a week since the storm hit, the 4 feet of water in her parents' home had receded just a foot, said Karen Mace. She was trying to retrieve family photos from the one-story ranch her parents built and have lived in for 56 years, which backs up to Buffalo Bayou.

"It came up fast. They had to get out by canoe," Mace said, adding they thought the home would have to be demolished.

Meanwhile, repairs continued on the water treatment plant in Beaumont, about 85 miles from Houston, which failed after the swollen Neches River inundated the main intake system and backup pumps halted.

President Donald Trump has asked Congress for a $7.9 billion down payment toward Harvey relief and recovery efforts. Abbott suggested the cost of recovery could be as much as $180 billion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As the debate rages over Confederate monuments, communities that are removing these old, heavy structures are grappling with the basic logistics of how to do it safely and where to relocate them.

The methods have varied from place to place.

In Franklin, Ohio, for instance, workers used ladders to tie straps around a monument to Robert E. Lee and used a construction lifting machine to raise the structure off its pedestal. In New Orleans, city workers in New Orleans wore flak jackets and helmets as they used construction machinery to break off the top portion of a Confederate obelisk in the dark of night.

When officials in Brandenton, Florida, brought in a removal crew to take down a Confederate monument at a cost of $12,700, the structure broke into three pieces during the removal process. However, local officials said it will be easy to fix.

After that experience, officials in Tampa are proceeding even more carefully in removing a 14-ton, 32-foot-tall marble Confederate monument that is composed of two Confederate soldiers and an obelisk.

Beginning this week, Hillsborough County has hired a team of experts and workers to take down the structure in 26 separate pieces over the course of several days and truck it all off to a new location to be inspected, cleaned, repaired and reassembled.

County officials have hired an outside contractor to oversee the $280,000 project.

"It's a deliberate and meticulous process," Josh Bellotti, the countys director of real estate and facilities services, told the Tampa Bay Times.

By the end of October, the site where the statue sits now will be covered in fresh sod.
Florida police rescued an Indian woman Saturday who was beaten by her husband and his parents who traveled from India to help assist him with the assault.

The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said Silky Gaind, 33, called her parents in India to tell them of the abuse. They then called the authorities.

Police said Gaind was being held in the Riverview home by her husband Devbir Kalsi, 33, and his parents Jasbir, 67, and Bhupinder Kalsi, 61, who traveled from India to help their son counsel and discipline his wife for being disobedient after he asked for their assistance, according to Fox 13.

3 FLORIDA TEENS CHARGED IN MMA FIGHTERS SHOOTING DEATH

When a deputy arrived at the residence, no one responded to a repeated knock. Then Gaind attempted to open the door and screamed for him to help her and her 1-year-old daughter.

The deputy forced his way in despite Kalsi trying to keep the door closed. While the deputy started to handcuff Kalsi, his parents confronted the officer, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Kalsi and Gaind argued Friday night where he battered her repeatedly and forcefully, according to the arrest report. Kalsis parents started striking her after Gaind attempted to defend herself. The infant was accidentally struck in the face while Gaind was holding her during the attack, the report stated.

Kalsi was threatened with a knife by Jasbir Kalsi. After the incident, Gaind was locked in a room and her cell phone was taken from her.

VIDEO SHOWS VEHICLE CRASHING INTO FLORIDA GAME STORE

"Awful, nobody should go through that," an unidentified neighbor told Fox 13. "It really is heartbreaking. There's a brand new baby. But who beats their wife up and his mother and dad help him? Who does that?"

Devbir and Jasbir Kalsi may face charges of false imprisonment, child abuse and denying access to 911, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Devbir Kalsi also could face felony battery charge, and Jasbir Kalsi was accused of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, the paper reported. Bhupinder Kalsi could face charges of battery domestic violence and failure to report child abuse.

They were all booked into Hillsborough County Jail and were being held without bond. Fox 13 reported that the three could face deportation back to India. Gaind and her infant were put in a safe place, the sheriffs office said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Michigan State University has been taken to court after it allegedly denied a request to rent space on campus for white nationalist Richard Spencer to speak later this month.

Georgia State University student Cameron Padgett, who tried to rent a conference room at the on-campus Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, sued Sunday alleging the university is violating Spencers free speech.

MSU announced in August that it would deny the group space.

Michigan officials said in a statement at the time that the decision to deny the rental space was due to significant concerns about public safety. It mentioned the tragic violence in Charlottesville, Virginia where Heather Heyer was killed after a car drove into a crowd counterprostesting a white supremacist rally.

Spencer was scheduled to speak at the rally in Charlottesville on Aug. 12.

In a message to the Associated Press on Sunday, Spencer praised Padgett as a brave young man who has my full support.

MSU has had controversial speakers on campus before, including Milo Yiannopoulous in December of last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A bar in Minnesota shut down after employees and customers learned the bar's owner had donated money to white supremacist and former KKK leader David Duke.

Shutting down Minneapolis' Clubhouse Jager wasn't a decision made by owner Julius DeRoma, but rather by the employees who operated the bar, according to the Star Tribune.

A number of former employees resigned after they learned of DeRoma's support for Duke. Some quit on the spot.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND A 'NEW GENERATION OF WHITE SUPREMACISTS'

The donation came to light in a story published by City Pages, which detailed DeRoma's $500 donation to Duke's failed 2016 campaign for U.S. Senate.

Word about the club owner's donation circulated quickly  performers and event organizers began to cancel scheduled shows, and weekly trivia night host Rob Callahan canceled his standing gig.

Callahan told City Pages that when he was called in to a Club Jager staff meeting that "Half the people were in tears, and the other half were pretty much punching walls."

According to the Tribune, people messaged club employees on social media and accused them of being Nazi sympathizers. One server said she was called a "Nazi" on the street, and was spit at.

In response to City Pages' report, Clubhouse Jager staff released the following statement:

"Clubhouse Jager is staffed by nearly 20 employees, who come from a diverse and inclusive background. We celebrate the diversity of our employees and we do not tolerate or endorse of any kind discrimination against anyone. Our focus remains on continuing our successful record of always providing our employees with a fun and positive work environment.

"Clubhouse Jager enjoys its positive relationship with the neighborhood and community, which includes a productive business relationship with City Pages for the past several years. Clubhouse Jager is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all employees and customers."

WHAT EXACTLY IS PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT?

When confronted at his home by WCCO, DeRoma said his donation was "just basically free speech," and added that "it's basically something that is blown up beyond what it should be."

The bar's doors were shuttered just as a Chinese restaurant in Santa Cruz, California, closed due to similar backlash, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. O'mei Szechuan closed after it was found owner Roger Grigsby also donated $500 to Duke's 2016 campaign.
A North Carolina man called 911 on Friday and told the operator that he woke up from a dream, covered in blood and found his wife stabbed to death in their bedroom.

I think I killed my  Matthew Phelps told the operator, according to The News & Observer. Theres blood all over me, and theres a bloody knife on the bed. I think I did it.

Raleigh Police charged Phelps, 28, with murder after he made the emergency call.

Phelps told the operator he took more cold medicine than he should have and woke up after his dream covered in blood and a knife on the bed he shared with his wife, Lauren Ashley Nicole Phelps, 29.

SNAPCHAT VIDEO OF DOG SET ON FIRE SPURS INVESTIGATION OF NORTH CAROLINA TEENS

I took more medicine that I should have. I took Coricidin Cough and Cold because I know it can make you feel good and sometimes I cant sleep at night, Phelps told a 911 operator.

Phelps reportedly said he was not sure if his wife was beyond help because he was too afraid to get close to her. He said that the blood he had on him had dried.

The woman died from stab wounds, authorities said.

I cant believe I did this, Phelps was heard sobbing. "Oh God. She didnt deserve this. Why?"

3 MORE CHARGED IN TOPPLING NORTH CAROLINA CONFEDERATE STATUE

State records show Phelps did not have a criminal record. He was being held without bail at the Wake County Jail, according to The News & Observer.

Phelps is due to appear in court on Tuesday and it was not immediately known if he had a lawyer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Utah nurse who was handcuffed for refusing to take blood from an unconscious patient said she did not release the police body camera video at first because she was unaware of how traumatic it was.

Alex Wubbels, a nurse at the University of Utah Hospital, was arrested on July 26 by Detective Jeff Payne of the Salt Lake City Police Department. The incident was caught on police body cam footage, however Wubbels didnt release to the public until more than a month later.

"It took me a while to really understand that I was in a traumatic experience and I needed that time to sort of give my emotions a chance to rest if you will, so that I could come out and be pragmatic and be effective in my communication,'' Wubbels told the Today Show on Monday.

In the video, Payne demanded that Wubbels take a blood sample from William Gray, a reserve officer in Rigby, Idaho, who was burned after being involved in a head-on crash with a pickup truck driver who was fleeing police and was unconscious. The driver died in the incident.

Wubbels told Payne that she would need to see a warrant, citing a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. After talking to her supervisor, Payne appeared to have heard enough before he was seen placing Wubbels under arrest and physically shoving her out the door as she screamed.

2ND UTAH POLICE OFFICER PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE DUTY OVER NURSE ARREST

Wubbels told the Today Show that she had no idea why Payne became so unsettled after she refused to take the blood sample.

"I personally didn't think there was any sense of urgency. I would have liked for a chance for him to sort of talk with one of his superiors prior to doing what he did to me. I don't know what his problem was, if you will," Wubbels said.

The video, which Wubbels released on Aug. 28, showed her yelling, Help! Stop! I did nothing wrong! while being handcuffed.

The nurse was then left in a hot police car for 20 minutes before realizing that blood had already been drawn as part of treatment, her lawyer, Karra Porter, said. Wubbels was released without being charged.

Payne wrote in a police report that he grabbed Wubbels and took her outside to avoid causing a "scene" in the emergency room. He said his boss told him to arrest Wubbels if she kept interfering.

PROTESTERS CALL FOR FIRING SALT LAKE CITY DETECTIVE SEEN IN VIDEO ARRESTING NURSE

Payne and another cop were both placed on paid administrative leave. Salt Lake Citys mayor and police chief both apologized to Wubbels on Friday. Prosecutors on Friday announced that a criminal investigation was ongoing.

When Wubbels was asked if she felt the punishment was acceptable, she replied, I cant say that. Im not here to police the police. The police need to do that if theyre going to regain any kind of trust by me or the public.

The video sparked outrage and prompted a protest outside the Salt Lake City Police Department on Saturday. Nearly 100 protesters called for Payne to be fired.

Wubbels said she hoped her public experience would open up dialogue between police and nurses.

"I feel a sense of urgency for this conversation,'' Wubbels said. We need to make this better. This can't be happening, it should've never happened, and if I have anything to say about it, it won't ever happen again."

Wubbels said she was overwhelmed by the publics support.

"I think this resonates with people all over, and that's a really unfortunate problem that we have to fix,'' Wubbels said."I strongly believe that with effective communication and better dialogue between our two agencies that we can potentially make this better."

Wubbels has not taken legal action yet but said she has not ruled it out.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


The heat wave that has shattered records and exacerbated wildfires across the western United States will continue into midweek, but relief is on the way for parts of the region.

The latest burst of heat brought the hottest conditions ever recorded in downtown San Francisco as the mercury soared to 106 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, Sept. 1. The previous record of 103 was set on June 14, 2000.

Dozens more all-time and daily record highs were set from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, and Missoula, Montana, over the weekend.

The hot, dry conditions fanned the La Tuna Fire north of Los Angeles, which has charred over 7,000 acres and burned three homes since Friday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. This is the citys largest wildfire in terms of acreage, Reuters reported.

California Gov. Jerry Brown issued a state of emergency declaration for Los Angeles County on Sunday due to the severity of the blaze.

The intense heat is over along the California coast, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, with more seasonable air taking control for the remainder of the week. One-hundred-degree Fahrenheit readings will dwindle over Californias Central Valley.

It will take longer for areas farther inland to finally catch a break.





Seattle and Portland, Oregon, will have to deal with record-challenging temperatures in the 90s and 100s, respectively, through Tuesday. Temperatures will remain near 90 in both cities on Wednesday.

The near-record heat will persist through Thursday in Boise, Idaho, and Missoula, Montana.

A state of emergency remains in effect across all counties in Washington due to extensive wildfires and heat. Many of the large blazes burning out West are clustered over Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

Unhealthy air quality levels will persist across a large portion of the West as wildfire smoke clouds the sky. Those with respiratory issues should limit time outdoors if at all possible. Heat-related illnesses are possible at any age or health level if proper care is not taken to hydrate and take frequent breaks in the shade.

Heat will finally back off across the Northwest late this week, according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

A system is expected to sweep in from the Pacific Ocean, triggering increased clouds and showers along the Northwest coast on Thursday and Friday. Thunderstorms could also be enhanced farther inland towards the northern Rockies.

While this will not be a significant rain event for a place like Seattle or Portland, residents and visitors will need to be sure to have a rain jacket or umbrella handy after weeks of not needing either items.

Roadways could be slick at the onset of rain, including a portion of Interstate 5.

It may take until the second week of September for the above-normal warmth to finally throttle back across the remainder of the West.
Two Iranian-Americans jailed in Iran have lost an appeal over their 10-year sentences, Iran and the men's lawyer have said.

Baquer Namazi, 81, and his son Siamak, an Iranian-American businessman, lost their appeals, according to a Tehran prosecutor, as cited by a semi-official Iranian news agency.

Both men suffer from health problems related to their incarceration at Tehrans Evin prison, which holds political detainees, Washington-based lawyer Jared Genser said.

GERMANY'S MERKEL: IRAN DEAL A MODEL FOR SOLVING NORTH KOREA PROBLEM

Siamak has spent much of his time in solitary confinement and has been interrogated relentlessly, beated and tased, according to Genser.

The Namazi family fled Iran after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Siamak traveled back a number of times. He called for improved ties between Iran and the U.S., and urged Iranian-Americans to act as a bridge between the two governments.

It was his calls for an improved relationship that set off suspicion among hard-liners in Iran. Siamak was accused by an Iranian website in May 2015 of taking part in a Western effort to infiltrate Iran.

Siamak was arrested in October 2015, and his father, a former UNICEF representative, and former governor of Irans oil-rich Khuzestan province, was arrested in February 2016.

IRAN LASHES OUT AT TALK OF NEW SANCTIONS, SAYS IT COULD ABANDON NUCLEAR DEAL 'WITHIN HOURS'

Iran does not recognize dual nationalities, therefore detainees cannot receive consular assistance. In most cases, dual nationals face secret charges in closed-door hearings in Iran's Revolutionary Court, which handles cases involving alleged attempts to overthrow the government.

In October, authorities said the Namazis had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for "cooperating with the hostile American government."

The Namazis are among several dual nationals with Western ties being held in Iran after the 2015 nuclear deal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The BRICS group of five major emerging economies called Monday for reform of the United Nations and tougher measures against terrorist groups, while denouncing North Korea's latest nuclear test at a summit in China that seeks to enlarge the organization's presence on the world stage.

The nations  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa agreed in a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation against a range of organizations it described as terrorist, including some based in Pakistan, in a diplomatic victory for New Delhi.

The five also pledged their opposition to protectionism, a theme increasingly taken up by host Chinese President Xi Jinping as anti-globalization sentiment in the West poses a threat to China's vast export markets.

BRICS COUNTRIES OPPOSE PROTECTIONISM, URGE UN REFORM

In the 43-page declaration, Xi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma said they would work together to improve global economic governance to foster "a more just and equitable international order."

They also strongly condemned North Korea's sixth  and most powerful  nuclear test that took place Sunday and has overshowed the two-day BRICS summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen that China is using as a showcase for its growing international status.

Preeti Saran, an official with India's Ministry of External Affairs, said each leader had referred to North Korea's nuclear test when they spoke during their meeting.

The declaration said the five emphasized that the issue should only be settled through "peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned."

They called for "comprehensive reform" of the U.N. and the U.N. Security Council "with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges."

BRICS LEADERS DISCUSS HOW TO SHAPE GLOBAL TRADE, FINANCE

No proposals on specific reforms were offered. China, the world's second largest economy, wants BRICS to play a more important role in international affairs. But some observers suggest the group's influence is waning given the ongoing political and economic rivalry between China and India and the economic woes faced by Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

In addressing terrorism, the declaration named organizations including the Pakistan-based militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.

Saran said it was the first time there had been a specific listing of alleged terrorist groups in a BRICS document, calling that "a very important development."

China, a key ally of Pakistan, has repeatedly blocked India's attempts to have the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Masood Azhar, put on a U.N. Security Council terror blacklist.

India has accused archrival Pakistan of harboring and training militants to launch attacks on its soil.China is a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council and has been seen as using that clout to gain an edge in its political and economic rivalry with India.

The nuclear-armed Asian giants recently ended a 10-week border standoff high in the Himalayas that re-awakened memories of their 1962 frontier war, paving the way for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the BRICS summit in China.

Saran denied any connection between China's agreement to list the Pakistan-based organizations and the withdrawal of Indian troops from the contested Himalayan area last week.

"This is a multilateral forum with five sovereign countries. There is no linkage to any other development," she said.

At earlier BRICS summits, China balked at India raising Pakistan-sponsored terrorism allegations and defended its ally's role in countering terrorism, said Sreeram Chaulia, dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs near New Delhi.

The inclusion of the two Pakistan-based groups in the declaration shows that "India has finally succeeded in persuading all BRICS members that Islamist fundamentalists pose a universal threat," Chaulia said.
Puerto Rico's governor declared a state of emergency on Monday ahead of powerful Hurricane Irma, which has strengthened into a Category 4 storm.

The National Guard was also activated as the U.S. territory prepares for the storm to hit on Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Despite the economic challenges Puerto Rico is facing, the approved budget has $15 million for the emergency fund, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said in a statement.

Government workers on the islands of the eastern Caribbean are clearing drains and pruning trees as authorities urge residents to prepare for Hurricane Irma, a Category 4 storm likely to begin buffeting that area Tuesday.

Emergency officials warned that the storm could dump up to 10 inches of rain, unleash landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to 23 feet as the storm draws closer.

A hurricane warning has been issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and St. Barts.

"We're looking at Irma as a very significant event," Ronald Jackson, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, said by phone. "I can't recall a tropical cone developing that rapidly into a major hurricane prior to arriving in the central Caribbean."

A hurricane watch was in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the British and U.S. Virgin islands and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch was issued for Dominica.



Long-range forecasts indicated Irma likely would curve to the northwest beginning late Monday and skirt to the north of the islands in the eastern Caribbean on a path that could potentially take it to the U.S. East Coast, but it was too early to make a definitive prediction.

The Category 4 storm was moving west-southwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds up to 130 mph, according to the U.S. Hurricane Center. The storm was centered about 490 miles east of the Leeward Islands.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared to drop his statesmanlike persona as corruption scandals mount against while his wife, Sara, was expected to be indicted for fraud regarding their household expenses.

With a slew of corruption scandals closing in on him, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dropping what remains of his statesmanlike persona in favor of an angry nationalism that's popular with his base.

Casting himself as an innocent outsider, the long-serving prime minister blames Israel's old guard "elites" for the array of inquiries into his financial conduct. He has been lashing out against the media and an all-powerful "left wing" for supposedly conducting a witch-hunt against him, while associates have taken to sniping at the court system and police as well.

Recent days' headlines have been dominated by arrests of Netanyahu confidants, a court ruling forcing him to reveal phone records, leaks from inside the investigation and indications that his wife Sara will be indicted for fraud.

With each new complication Netanyahu seems to grow more bellicose.

ISRAEL LAWMAKERS VISIT JERUSALEM HOLY SITE AFTER 2-YEAR HALT

Last week he visited a West Bank settlement and vowed never to evacuate any settlements on occupied land  his latest indication of backing off from a past pledge to pursue a two-state solution to the long conflict with the Palestinians. "We have returned here for eternity," he said. At his weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday, Netanyahu pledged new roads and other infrastructure projects for the settlements.

Netanyahu has also pledged to expel tens of thousands of African migrants who managed to enter illegally before Israel fortified its border with Egypt several years ago. At the Cabinet meeting, he spoke at length about the supposed suffering of residents of south Tel Aviv who live in poor neighborhoods alongside a large population of African migrants. He even visited the neighborhood twice  including an undercover mission that allowed him to view conditions firsthand.

"We have already removed some 20,000 illegal infiltrators, whose place is not here," he said. "The suffering is unbelievable and the future implications of the burden on the state of Israel ... require action now."

His comments were triggered by a Supreme Court ruling last week that Israel could not indefinitely incarcerate migrants to pressure them to leave, and a resulting uproar among some nationalists.

Netanyahu also held a boisterous rally recently at which he lashed out at the "fake news industry," apparently borrowing a page from U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he is close.

ISRAELI PROTESTERS ERECT GOLDEN STATUE OF HIGH COURT CHIEF

Though he has dismissed the suspicions against him as "background noise," they have piled up at a dizzying pace.

The first investigation reportedly concerns allegations he improperly accepted lavish gifts from wealthy supporters, including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. A second investigation reportedly concerns Netanyahu's alleged attempts to strike a deal with publisher Arnon Mozes of the Yediot Ahronot newspaper group to promote legislation to weaken its main competitor in exchange for more favorable coverage.

Netanyahu has been questioned in these cases, and police say they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. One of his closest former aides has become a state's witness against him.

Another investigation has engulfed his close associates and dominated news in Israel. The probe relates to a possible conflict of interest involving a $2 billion purchase of German submarines. Netanyahu's personal attorney, who is also his cousin, represented the German firm involved and is suspected of trading his influence over the prime minister in return for a hefty cut of the deal. A former Cabinet minister and top former navy and security officials have been questioned by police.

Erel Margalit, a lawmaker from the opposition Labor Party who has traveled to Germany on his own to investigate the submarine case, said Netanyahu should have resigned already and claimed the prime minister's "combative" behavior toward public institutions was damaging to the country's democracy.

"He has been doing things that are creating smoke screens and noise to take people's eyes off the criminal issues," he said. "It is very worrying because it implies or suggests that he is carrying out this kind of behavior because of his personal issues against the state."

In another embarrassing blow, a court forced Netanyahu to reveal the number of phone conversations he held over the years with his political patron, American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, and the former editor of Adelson's pro-Netanyahu newspaper, Israel Hayom.

The disclosure of the dozens of phone calls has raised suspicions that Netanyahu himself was dictating headlines and the paper's overall editorial bent  another potential legal complication.

Over the weekend, police arrested a former chief of staff suspected of accepting bribes, fraud, breach of trust and conspiracy. According to one report, Netanyahu's wife Sara is headed toward an indictment for fraud regarding their household expenses.

His Likud party and coalition partners are sticking with him for now, and his public approval ratings remain largely unchanged, despite virulent opposition from many on the left. Unless he is indicted, he is unlikely to face any serious demands to step down.

But Yoaz Hendel, a former spokesman for Netanyahu, said the prime minister is feeling the pressure and is now turning to his base.

"Netanyahu was always above the fray and maintained a statesmanlike appearance," said Hendel. "This is the fight of his life and that can rattle anyone, especially someone like him with a historical perception of himself."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Japan is reportedly planning for a possible mass evacuation of its citizens in South Korea as tensions with North Korea continue to rise amid threats of nuclear war.

"There is a possibility of further provocations," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday, according to Japanese magazine Nikkei Asian Review. "We need to remain extremely vigilant and do everything we can to ensure the safety of our people."

Plans of mass evacuation from the South come as North Korea continues to ramp up its threats of nuclear war, as well as reports that the regime appears to be preparing a ballistic missile launch to show off its claimed ability to target the U.S.

North Korea on Sunday said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb which possibly triggered a 6.3 magnitude artificial earthquake.

HALEY SAYS NORTH KOREA IS 'BEGGING FOR WAR,' CALLS FOR STRONGEST POSSIBLE UN SANCTIONS

Around 60,000 Japanese citizens currently reside in South Korea, the news outlet reported. About 38,000 are long-term residents, while roughly 19,000 are tourists or short-term visitors.

"If the U.S. decided on a military strike against the North, the Japanese government would start moving toward an evacuation on its own accord regardless of whether the American plans are public," a Japanese government source told the Nikkei Review.

Japan's proposed plan is comprised of four steps: seek to limit unessential travel to South Korea, discourage all travel to the South, advise Japanese citizens to evacuate and encourage them to shelter in place.

SOUTH KOREA HOLDS LIVE-FIRE DRILL SIMULATING ATTACK ON NUCLEAR SITE TO 'STRONGLY WARN' NORTH KOREA

South Korea held a live-fire training exercise simulating an attack on a nuclear site after North Korea's hydrogen bomb test in an apparent show of force to the North.

The United Nations Security Council met Monday for an emergency meeting following the North's recent provocations. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley told the council that while "War is never something the United States wants  enough is enough."

"We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited," Haley said. "The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country, that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions."

President Donald Trump said Sunday in a series of tweets that North Korea's incitements "continue to be very hostile and dangerous" to the U.S., and said hes considering cutting off trade with any country that does business with the communist regime.

The North's hydrogen bomb test was the country's sixth such test, following five previous ones on a nuclear warhead and recent launches of inter-continental missiles to land such weapons on foreign soil.
Emma Fisher already knows that art can draw people together.

The Carlisle High School junior has seen how creativity and collaboration can form a strong bond with her friends and kid sister.

Starting Sept. 12, she will be one of 26 students participating in a six-week program to produce a community mural that will be painted on an outside wall of St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church at the corner of North West and West Louther streets.

Not only will the painting serve Carlisle as a portrait of civic pride, it will be part of her legacy as a student and local resident.

Ive never done anything like this before, Fisher said. Its really exciting. Ill be able to see the final product for years afterwards.

She learned of the project on the first day of school after her art teacher, Ashley Gogoj, told the portfolio class about the artist-in-residence program to bring Ophelia Chambliss of York to Carlisle to mentor students on how to produce a mural.

Since then, Fisher has been sharing the news with other people, energized by the prospect of bouncing ideas off her classmates. She hopes the Carlisle community gets involved and appreciates the effort.

The mural will be created on parachute paper, which enables the full painting to be sectioned off. This will allow greater opportunities for local residents to be part of the creative process to bring unity to the community.

We have been filling up our pages with fun so that maybe we could incorporate some of those ideas, the 16-year-old Carlisle girl said of her fellow artists. I guarantee its going to be amazing. Itll be good because everyone in here is good.

Classmate Lanik Minaya thinks the early stages of the mural project will be the most stressful, what with all the planning and brainstorming. But she was also confident about the outcome.

The end product is going to be good, Minaya said. The point of it is to bring everyone together. Up until now, her biggest collaboration in art has been the annual Carlisle Arts Learning Center float for the Halloween parade.

The mural and the artist-in-residence program is an outgrowth of Color Carlisle, an initiative to bring art to the local community, said Gogoj, art and design program chair for Carlisle Area School District.

The artist-in-residence program will bring Chambliss into the high school art studio at least two days a week to teach upper-level students the step-by-step process of painting a mural that by early November could cover a 100-by-30-foot section of church wall facing Memorial Park.

Between the visits by Chambliss, students will work with Gogoj on the different steps of the process that would not only incorporate their ideas but the input and artwork of Carlisle residents.

Chambliss of Manchester Township, York County, specializes in projects that pull communities together in a way that embraces diversity. Color Carlisle recently held an event to drum up financial support for the mural and to allow the public an opportunity to have input into what Carlisle means to them.

I am excited about the way they are approaching this project, Chambliss said. I have not been on a project where it has been so well thought out before. I am also looking forward to working with the advanced art students.

Part of her instruction will involve talking to students about how visual images can be used to represent community pride. One of her goals is to have the art students use their skills to fine-tune the images provided by the public with shadow, depth and texture to add dimension to the collaborative work of art.

Junior Hailey Myers of North Middleton Township is looking forward to the opportunity of working with a professional who made a career out of her artwork. Its really a unique experience for a high school to have, Myers said. It would make the community proud that our high school did this.

Jamyla Spells, also of North Middleton, is a senior with aspirations of becoming an animator or a cartoonist. She already has an ongoing digital comic strip that she hopes to compile into a book.

Its really important for me to do something for my community, Spells said.

The artist-in-residence program is being funded by a $5,000 grant from Jump Street, a private, nonprofit community based arts incubator located in Harrisburg and serving central Pennsylvania.

The Bison Foundation of Carlisle Area School District has provided a $2,500 grant for the program, Gogoj said. She said the remaining $2,500 was raised through private donations.
North Korea appears to be preparing to launch a ballistic missile-- possibly an ICBM, South Korean media reported Monday.

South Korea's Defense Ministry said North Korea appeared to be planning a future launch to show off its claimed ability to target the United States with nuclear weapons, though it was unclear when this might happen.

Chang Kyung-soo, an official with South Korea's Defense Ministry, told lawmakers that Seoul was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test but didn't provide details about how officials had reached that assessment.

Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea on Monday fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion.

The heated words from the United States and the military maneuvers in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Korea's rapid, as-yet unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike the United States.

The most recent, and perhaps most dramatic, advancement came Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong Un's government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006.

Chang also said the yield from the latest nuclear detonation appeared to be about 50 kilotons, which would mark a "significant increase" from North Korea's past nuclear tests.

In a series of tweets, President Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for what he called "talk of appeasement."

South Korea's military said its live-fire exercise was meant to "strongly warn" Pyongyang. The drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles firing into the Sea of Japan.

The target was set considering the distance to the North's test site and the exercise was aimed at practicing precision strikes and cutting off reinforcements, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Each new North Korean missile and nuclear test gives Pyongyang's scientists invaluable information that allows big jumps in capability. North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

Both diplomacy and severe sanctions have failed to check the North's decades-long march to nuclear mastery.

In Washington, Trump, asked by a reporter if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see." No U.S. military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In briefs remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters that, We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said after meeting Trump and his national security team. But as I said, we have many options to do so.

Mattis said the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response -- a response both effective and overwhelming."

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that Kim should know Washington's commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
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U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter following North Korea's strongest-ever nuclear test explosion to criticize both Koreas and China. But his tweets will get as much attention in Asia for what's missing as for their tough words.

Following the clearest sign yet that North Korea is fast approaching a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, Trump again skipped what for decades has been the bedrock of U.S. policy on the Korean Peninsula: A firm assurance that the United States would defend South Korea against any attack.

This feeds a growing worry that has many in South Korea and Japan asking a startling question. Could Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un want the same thing, namely a separation, or "decoupling," of the decades-old security alliance between the United States and its top Asian allies, South Korea and Japan?

The White House has occasionally issued statements in which Trump has repeated what past presidents regularly declared about the U.S. commitment to defend its Asian allies. But his public comments on the alliance have more often reflected deep skepticism  and skipped any security reassurance.

Trump, for instance, previously questioned the expensive stationing of U.S. troops in South Korea and Japan, and suggested that Seoul and Tokyo pursue nukes themselves, instead of relying on the so-called U.S. nuclear umbrella. Trump also appears to be taking a shot at another pillar of the U.S.-South Korean alliance, a hard-fought free trade deal, by considering triggering a withdrawal from the agreement, a U.S. business lobbying group said over the weekend.

Then came Trump's five tweets after the nuclear test which criticized North Korea's main ally and aid provider, China, for failing to contain the North; South Korea's liberal president for "talk of appeasement" (despite what many see as a consistent hard line toward the North's weapons tests) and, of course, "rogue" North Korea.

Nowhere did he seek to reassure a frazzled South Korea that the United States would have its back if attacked.

This matters because North Korea's relentless pursuit of nukes is seen by many analysts less as a way to beat the United States in a war than as a way to separate Washington from its Asian allies. The goal is to cause the United States to seriously consider whether it's worthwhile to fulfill its treaty obligations by treating an attack on Seoul as it would an attack on San Francisco.

Ironclad U.S. vows of protection were easier before North Korea's recent demonstrations that it may be very close to actually being able to hit San Francisco and other parts of the United States with nuclear missiles.

"What people in South Korea worry about most is whether the United States will defend South Korea at a time when the U.S. mainland is under threat (by North Korean missiles). If you look at what Trump said now, the answer seems to be no," said Shin Hee-Seok, a graduate student in international law at Seoul's Yonsei University. "While it still remains a fringe opinion, some South Koreans are wondering if we should now build our own nuclear deterrent. If the U.S. is not a reliable ally, South Korea may have to think about Plan B."

The possibility of losing the free trade deal seemed for some here yet another hit to the alliance.

"The United States now is not the United States we used to know," the Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest daily newspaper, said in an editorial. "The president prioritizes dollars over the alliance."

Some see a not-too-distant future where North Korea's possession of dozens of nuclear-tipped ICBMs allows it to attack Seoul or Tokyo without U.S. intervention because of American fears that North Korean retaliation could kill millions in American cities.

"I'm worried about whether the U.S. is really serious about defending its ally, South Korea, or if it's putting its own national interest first," said Woo Young-soo, a law lecturer at a university in Seoul. "As a true ally, I wish Trump would have a defense policy that is truly meant for South Korea."

Others believe North Korea can still be checked with firm statements from Washington that make clear how strongly the United States will respond if its allies are attacked. Because Kim Jong Un cares deeply about keeping power, this argument goes, he won't risk an attack if an overwhelming U.S. response seems more likely than not.

Trump's experienced lieutenants have sought to signal this. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said all the right things after the test when he repeated what Seoul and Tokyo long to hear  that Washington's commitment to them is unshakeable.

"A lot of reassurance comes down to trust," Colin Kahl, a Georgetown University professor and former Obama administration national security official, said in a Twitter thread. "Our allies have to 'believe' we would trade San Francisco for Seoul or Toledo for Tokyo if push comes to shove. Yet instead of reassuring our democratic allies in East Asia, Trump has done the opposite."

"Undermining alliance solidarity at this moment is dumb and dangerous. It emboldens Pyongyang, increases the risk of (North Korean) miscalculation (and) potentially incentivizes (South Korea) and Japan to seek their own independent nuclear arsenals," Kahl wrote.

___

Associated Press writer Youkyung Lee contributed to this report.

___

Foster Klug, AP's Seoul bureau chief, has covered the Koreas since 2005. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/apklug
South Koreas second-largest-newspaper asked that the country begin building its own nuclear weapons amid North Koreas threats despite an agreement with the United States.

In an editorial, Dong-a Ilbo wrote that many of the countrys citizens want a nuclear arsenal following Sundays underground test carried out by North Korea, The Guardian reported.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns government claimed the test was a hydrogen bomb  the sixth nuclear test since 2006. The test triggered an artificial magnitude 6.3 earthquake that was detected about 34 miles north northwest of Kimchaek, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

HALEY SAYS NORTH KOREA IS BEGGING FOR WAR, CALLS FOR STRONGEST POSSIBLE UN SANCTIONS

South Korean media reported Monday that its northern counterpart could be preparing to launch another ballistic missile shortly.

In the "nuclear cooperation agreement", which was signed in 1974, South Korea was barred from creating its own nuclear weapons. The U.S., which currently has some 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea, is obliged by the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty to defend it in the event of a war.

As nuclear weapons are being churned out above our heads, we cant always rely on the U.S. nuclear umbrella and extended deterrence, Dong-a Ilbo, wrote in the editorial.

The U.S. held atomic weapons in South Korea following the Korean War that occurred from 1950-53 but took them away after North and South Korea agreed to a nuclear-free peninsula in 1991.

There is no reason for us to cling on to the declaration when it has come to mean the denuclearization of South Korea, not the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, the editorial stated.

NORTH KOREA REPORTEDLY APPEARS TO BE READYING FOR NEW LAUNCH

A poll taken by Gallup Korea in Sept. 2016 showed that nearly 60 percent of South Korean residents support building a nuclear weapons program.

With the North Korean nuclear threat getting worse, we should bring U.S. tactical nuclear weapons back into South Korea, Park Byung-kwang, a director at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, told The Guardian.

Park said South Korea should continue to work with the U.S. to handle the threats despite President Trumps unique character.

Trump faulted South Korea for its talks of appeasement following the test. The president tweeted Sunday: South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!

Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are slated to speak Monday.

At an emergency U.N Security Council meeting, the US delegation called Monday for the toughest sanctions possible on North Korea, saying enough is enough.

It would be difficult for South Korea to develop its own nuclear weapons because of international treaties, Park said. While sanctions dont always work on North Korea, the South Korean economy is completely integrated with the rest of the world, making it vulnerable.

Woo Jong-il, a South Korean resident who lives near the border with North Korea said the U.S. should allow them to build a bomb or give them one.

North Korea has nuclear weapons and are doing experiments despite the entire worlds opposition, Jong-il told The Guardian. Russia, America, China, they all have it, and even North Korea, a small country in deep poverty has it, so why arent we allowed to have it?

Either America gives us a nuclear bomb or allows us to develop one.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Thrasher Group will be celebrating the opening of its new office location at 100 Industrial Drive in Fredericksburg with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon.

Judges awarded five spirits from A. Smith Bowman Distillery with one Silver Outstanding and four Silver medals at the 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition, held earlier this summer in London.

On Nov. 4 at the University of Mary Washingtons Dodd Auditorium, the Fredericksburg business community will come together as the Fredericksburg Area Bar Association and UMWs Jazz Ensemble hold their fourth annual Jazz4Justice concert. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students.

Ken Machande, acting dean and associate professor in the College of Business at the University of Mary Washington, has been recognized with the J. Christopher Bill Outstanding Faculty Service Award for his contributions to the university as well as his involvement and leadership in the community. The award was presented on Tuesday at the opening faculty meeting.

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group announced that Rodney Nichols has joined their Fredericksburg branch. Rodney has worked in the mortgage industry since 1993 and will be assisting clients with their lending needs in and around the Fredericksburg area.

The Quantico Innovation Center board of directors announced Thursday that Jack Cavalier has been appointed interim executive director. Cavalier, a member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, replaces Michael Tentnowski, who has departed to pursue other opportunities.

Lowes has launched a campaign supporting the Boys & Girls Club of the Rappahannock region. From now until September 5, Lowes customers in Stafford, Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg can donate $1, $5 or $10 at the register to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas Back2School campaign.

Amanda Vicinanzo
Alyssa Benavides eyes lit up as she ran her fingers through her freshly cut brown locks and admired her reflection in the mirror.

The 6-year-old leaped from the hairdressers chair and did a little spin in her bright blue cotton dress before running to her mother, Yeny Benavides, to show off her new hairstyle.

Benavides said it was her daughters first trip to the salon, and professional haircuts just dont fit into the familys tight budget. She and her three children currently reside at the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter in Fredericksburg.

This is the first time we have come to a salon and been able to do whatever wed like with her hair, Benavides beamed.

Alyssa was among over a dozen children from the homeless shelter getting free back-to-school haircuts and styles at Creative Images Hair Studio in Spotsylvania County.

The parents who brought their children into the salon last week immediately felt welcome. One mother remarked that she enjoyed being treated like a regular customer instead of a charity case.

As they waited for their turn, brothers Micah and Jayden Edwards discussed haircut ideas. Ten-year-old Micah planned to ask for a Mohawk style and Jayden, 7, decided on a simple, short haircut. Both said they are excited to start school with their new hairstyles.

Salon owner Tammy Kelly explained that many children begin the school year with a back-to-school shopping spree for a brand new backpack, lunchbox and, of course, the perfect outfit to wear on their first day.

But, for others, even basic necessitiessuch as school suppliesare out of reach. This creates a daunting situation for children who already feel isolated from their peers because of their living arrangements.

So Kelly decided to do something about it. She wanted to ensure that children from the shelter receive a similar back-to-school experience as their peers, and not just the necessities. After collaborating with her cousin, Reedema Rocka volunteer with the sheltershe came up with the idea for free haircuts and styles for homeless children.

Every year, we do back-to-school discounts, Kelly said. This year, we wanted to do something a little different and give back to the unfortunate, like those in the shelter who cant afford to get their hair done.

Josh and Quin Edwards moved to Fredericksburg with their four children about a month ago. While they are still getting on their feet, they feel confident that it wont be long before they begin to call the city home.

Josh Edwards is looking for full-time employmenthopefully working with carsand already has a few leads. But not long ago, the family was in dire straits, with no access to transportation or the internet, making it nearly impossible to find a good job.

The family now has internet access and the children are ready for school thanks to donations of school supplies and the free haircuts and styles from the salon.

It is going a lot better, Edwards said. I know we will be able to settle down here soon.

Joe Hargrove, the shelters volunteer coordinator, said it takes a village to solve homelessness. The free back-to-school haircuts offered by the salon are just one example of the outpouring of community support received by the center.

Numerous individuals and organizations also donated school supplies and backpacks. In addition, Lifepoint Church provided a three-month supply of snacks for the children to take to school.

We dont want the child to go to school without a juice box and granola bar, Hargrove said. It can be embarrassing for them to approach the teacher to ask for food.

Hargrove explained that homeless children face additional challenges as they head back to school. They arent just worried whether they will like their new teacher or make friendsthey worry about where their next meal will come from and whether they will have a roof over their head at night.

When the community comes together to make sure they get the basicsand morethe children have less to worry about and a more normal school experience.

They get to go to school looking as sharp as everyone else. That is huge, Hargrove said.

Homelessness is more prevalent than many people realize, he explained. According to the centers website, in 2014, the shelter assisted 294 men, 256 women and 78 children. This included 54 families.

And no one is immune. Those assisted by the center include people with disabilities, veterans and college graduates. Five residents had some level of graduate education.

The goal of the shelter is to get families into permanent housing. Hargrove explained that once they are housed, the center continues to work with the families to ensure they are moving in the right direction. For example, they can identify if the kids need school supplies or snacks before school starts.

When the community is so generouslike this community isit helps out a lot, Hargrove said.
While some may fantasize about living in a foreign county, a Mechanicsburg native and his wife took their dreams to the next level by moving to Spain and soon will be featured in an upcoming episode of HGTVs House Hunters International.

Marty Agerton, a 1996 Mechanicsburg High School graduate, and wife Jen, a 1999 Central Dauphin grad, moved from their home in Austin, Texas, to a rented flat in Barcelona, Spain, with their toddler son Holtyn in October 2016. It was a move theyd considered for a while.

Marty and I love to travel and we were taking two overseas trips per year. After we had our son, (overseas) job recruiters started reaching out randomly to me through LinkedIn and I started going through a series of interviews, said Jen Agerton, who works in product management for a travel company.

Soon, the couple was faced with the choice of relocating either to Edinburgh, Scotland, or Barcelona. Marty Agertons ongoing studies of Historical European Martial Arts, or HEMA, made Barcelona, a historic city with a strong HEMA connection, an easy choice, along with a few other factors.

We wanted to live in a country where English is not the first language spoken. Plus, Spain is a very family-oriented country, so we thought it would be a good place to raise our son, Jen Agerton said.

The week that they moved, the couple followed through with a suggestion from Martys aunt and contacted HGTV about possibly being featured on House Hunters International. To their surprise, a response from HGTV expressing interest in their proposal arrived two months later. They get 22,000 applications a year for the show, Jen Agerton said during a visit this week with relatives in Mechanicsburg.

House Hunters International, which airs weeknights on HGTV, is a spinoff of the networks House Hunters series. Home hunters and real estate agents are shown browsing through foreign homes and a variety of architectural styles. Together, they work through the idiosyncrasies of buying real estate in other countries, according to the shows website.

After the Agertons filled out a long questionnaire, took part in three Skype calls and made a demo video for HGTV, a House Hunter producer pitched the couples story to the shows creator, who liked it. The Agertons story was a go. Marty Agerton speculated they were chosen for the show because were a new family. Barcelona was a major factor in that, too, and the sword fighting. I think it was a group of things (that contributed to the networks decision).

For the upcoming episode, HGTV staff spent four days filming the Agertons around Barcelona and at home in their 900-square-foot, two-bedroom flat on the third floor of a 10-unit dwelling. From their balcony, the couple enjoys watching their busy neighborhood filled with pedestrians and unique architecture.

The HGTV crew also spent a day filming around Mechanicsburg where Martys family still lives, focusing on a visit to Memorial Park. All that filming for a 20-minute show, Jen Agerton said with humor.

Although the Agertons episode has been edited and ready to go, a broadcast date hasnt been scheduled, but the couple expects it will air this fall.
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Its an old story, freshened anew by Hurricane Harvey: Republicans profess to hate Big Guvmint as a matter of principle  until catastrophe hits a red state. Suddenly, theyre fine with federal spending and completely dump their rhetorical boilerplate about the nanny state.

And hey, Texas is truly entitled to all the help it needs. Its just annoying that the Republicans currently begging for help are such hypocrites.

When New Jersey  indeed, the entire east coastneeded massive federal aid in the wake of Sandy, Texas Republicans denounced it as pork and voted against it. But now that their own fiefdom has been devastated, its supposedly a different deal. For proof, lets check in with Texas most infamous performance artist, Sen. Ted Cruz.

In January 2013, when Congress readied a $50-billion Sandy recovery package, 36 Republican senators  including Cruz and fellow Texas Sen. John Cornyn  voted to reject it. Those are the same senators, who, in the wake of Harvey, wrote a letter begging the federal government to provide any and all emergency protective measures.

This week, when Cruz was on MSNBC pleading for his any and all Harvey recovery package, he was asked about his thumbs-down Sandy vote. In response, he insisted that the bill was filled with unrelated pork. Two-thirds of that bill had nothing to do with Sandy.

Cruz lied.

According to a report released four years ago by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, virtually all of that recovery money was targeted for damage caused by Sandy  plus, in a few cases, to repair lingering damage from previous disasters. Some of the naysaying Texas Republicans (23 of 24 House members voted no) had also complained that a slice of the Sandy money was earmarked for the Head Start program  but, as the fact-checkers point out, that was limited to facilities that had been damaged [by Sandy] in New Jersey and New York.

But hey, when Texas gets whacked, their impulse is to open the spigot. As Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin observed, When something like Harvey comes long, the light ever so briefly goes on for the anti-government types ... When the tragedy is in deep-red Texas, not deep-blue New Jersey or New Orleans, suddenly the wonders of government become clear to them ... The crew that cheered Trumps proposed 11 percent cut to FEMA (government is bad!) will support billions of dollars in Harvey relief (my people are suffering!).

This kind of thing is standard Republican (mis)behavior. Ill refresh your memory:

Tom Cotton, the Arkansas Republican senator, voted no on that Sandy recovery package  but in 2015, he pleaded for federal money when his red state was hit by floods. Four Colorado Republican lawmakers voted no on the Sandy package  but months later, they pleaded for federal money when their state was hit by floods.

In 2011, Oklahoma senators Tom Coburn and James Inhofe tried to cut FEMAs budget, and when the emergency agency temporarily ran out of money, Coburn voted not to refund it. Then, in 2013, both guys voted no on the Sandy package. But when their own state got hit by killer tornadoes later that year, they begged for federal aid. Coburn declared: As the ranking member of the committee that oversees FEMA, I can assure Oklahomans that any and all available aid will be delivered without delay.

Then we have South Carolina. This one is a classic.

None of the senators or congressmen voted for the 2013 Sandy recovery package. House member Mick Mulvaneywho now serves as Trumps budget directoreven insisted that if the federal government sent aid to New Jersey, there should be corresponding cuts elsewhere in the federal budget. But in 2015, when South Carolina was flooded by a killer storm, Mulvaney suddenly felt differently. He insisted that his states relief money didnt need to be offset by budget cuts elsewhere: There will be a time for a discussion about aid and how to pay for it, but that time is not now.

The star of that show was Senator Lindsey Graham. He also voted no on the Sandy package, falsely calling it a porkfest. But when South Carolina got flooded, he surfaced on CNN to say that the taxpayers needed to pony up, big time: Rather than put a price tag on it, lets just get through this thing, and whatever it costs, it costs.

But that line of his  whatever it costs, it  sounds like the Cruz-Cornyn letter, which begs for any and all federal bucks. Hence, my definition of a big-government liberal: A conservative whose state has been hit by a climate catastrophe.

Rest assured when Congress votes on the Harvey recovery, Democrats wont whine about pork and budget offsets. Theyll vote to bail out Texas because they know its the role of government to aid citizens in crisis. And the next time a climate disaster strikes a blue state, it would nice if Republicans park their hypocrisy and respond with the same generosity.
Farming must shed its tweedy image to attract the best talent from outside the industry, the first female head of the Royal Agricultural University has warned.

Vice-chancellor Joanna Price said agriculture needed the brightest minds as the sector faced Brexit  its greatest challenge since the end of the Second World War.

We have an image of being populated by men wearing tweed jackets with leather patches and yellow cords, she told The Times.

See also: Share-farming matching service to inspire new entrants

See also: A beginners guide to a career in farming

Hopefully, having a face like mine at the university will change that.

It is widely recognised within the sector that agriculture needs to be seen as a career of choice if the best new entrants are to be attracted into the industry.

Many farmers nearing retirement age struggle to find a successor.

Based at Cirencester and founded in 1845, the Royal Agricultural University is the UKs oldest agricultural college.

Professor Price said encouraging farmers and estate managers from diverse backgrounds was the only way to navigate the uncertainties of Brexit.

Mixed reaction

Prof Prices comments met a mixed reaction from the farming community when The Times article was posted on social media.

Don't think tweed and what we wear is Agricultural biggest problem.  Gareth Wyn Jones (@1GarethWynJones) September 3, 2017

Welsh farmer Gareth Wyn Jones said he didnt think tweed and what farmers wear was agricultures biggest problem.

He added: Of course education is important, but I think we need to reconnect with our customers too.

Lincolnshire grower Andrew Ward said the biggest problem was educating the public to help them realise farmers care for the environment, nature and safe food production.

Sorry but disagree, biggest problem is educating the public to help them realise we care for the environment, nature & safe food production.  Andrew Ward ??? (@wheat_daddy) September 3, 2017

Seed trader Nick Rodgers said: Farming has been trying to educate the public for as long as I have been in the seed trade and we must keep trying.

Farming has been trying to educate the public for as long as I have been in the seed trade and we must keep trying  Nick Rodgers (@thez3bandit) September 3, 2017

Graduates

Prof Prices comments also attracted a reaction from former Cirencester graduates.

Former student Rachel Addyman said: Its probably an edited version of her interview, but if shes just going on what her students wear shes pretty shallow.

But Harper Adams graduate and rural business adviser Andrew Booton said: Ignoring the tweed metaphor, shes correct. The estate management industry is set in its ways, doesnt generally like non-traditional routes in and is very homogeneous.

Agronomist Peter Lowth the university needed to look at its own image first.
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kacylee at 4-09-2017 07:03 PM (5 years ago) (f)

Contrary to all the gists making the rounds in the last few weeks about the possible reason(s) for the crash of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusis marriage and why Oonis ex-Oloori, Wuraola, who has now changed her name to Queen Zynab was sent packing from the palace in Ile Ife, GISTMANIA has found out that it was the Oloori herself that actually took off, when she increasingly found it so difficult to continue to cope as Ooni Ogunwusis wife.

Contrary to all the gists making the rounds in the last few weeks about the possible reason(s) for the crash of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusis marriage and why Oonis ex-Oloori, Wuraola, who has now changed her name to Queen Zynab was sent packing from the palace in Ile Ife, GISTMANIA has found out that it was the Oloori herself that actually took off, when she increasingly found it so difficult to continue to cope as Ooni Ogunwusis wife.

In this report, one of our Correspondents who has kept an eye on the palace since the Ooni became King 2 years ago reveals the many mistakes she made in the 17 months they were married.



As you read this, Oloori Wuraola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Yeye Ogunwusi is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates cooling off. That was where she spent her Sallah holiday. That was what her Timeline showed, over the weekend when we checked her Instagram page. The page which she calls The Official Page of Her Highness Queen Zaynab-Otiti Obanor describes her as someone who is into providing aid for women and children across the world. Wishing Everyone A Happy & Peaceful Eid Al Adha was her message May the joys that come with this season continue to abide with us all, as we celebrate each other in remembrance of so many blessings from Allah!



Like she wrote in her Official Statement last week, Oloori Wuraola has moved on from the marriage and she is back as a single girl. She has dumped her Ogunwusi surname. She has also dumped her Wuraola name which the Ooni gave her, when he got married to him 17 months ago. Wuraola is Oonis late mums name. He named her after his mum.



But all that is history now, as Oloori Wuraola has closed that chapter of her life. The only anger she nurses now is the negative allegations of Infidelity and Infertility heaped on her as being possible reasons for her exit from the marriage. It was to correct this image that she issued an official statement last week. But insiders at the palace have come out to give reasons why the 17 month marriage crashed. According to them, the fact that Oloori Wuraola was not properly groomed on her role as the Oloori of such a big and important Oba in Yorubaland, was a big issue in the marriage, plus the fact that she was also not accommodating and trusting of the many people she met around Kabiyeesi, explained an insider. She was jealous of the women who came to see Kabiyeesi, explained a palace source. She was also afraid that the Kabiyeesi was likely to take a 2nd and possibly a 3rd wife. So she saw every pretty lady around Kabiyeesi as a potential 2nd wife.



That perhaps explains why early this year she gave a lot of women marching orders and many women stopped going to Ife to see Kabiyeesi for fear of the Oloori. There was also the allegation that she didnt show sufficient respect for her husband both privately and publicly. Kabiyeesis aides reveal how on several occasions the Oloori got angry and agitated and the Kabiyeesi had to overlook her excesses. They cited a recent example when she got angry in London, last March, when the Ooni travelled to the UK to see the Queen.City People gathered that she had a disagreement with the Ooni and her behaviour got the Ooni visibly angry.



Palace sources say the pretty Oloori has temper issues which atimes got really bad. GISTMANIA was told how when she gets angry many of the aides around her usually leave her alone to cool down.



What was also an issue for her was the closeness of her husband to his 3 sisters. Said an insider, throughout the 17 month relationship, she saw the sisters as a threat to her marriage, because Kabiyeesi listens to them a lot. Although the 3 sisters-Princess Folashade, Adesola and Adebimpe embraced her, after Kabiyeesi told them his decision to marry Oloori Wuraola, she felt uncomfortable with them, moreso their relocation from Lagos where they are based to Ile-Ife to support their brother, the King.



GISTMANIA gathered that unknown to many, the marriage has been having problems for months with the constant threats of the Oloori wanting to pull out. There are also those who revealed that the royal marriage had issues from day one.



Unknown to many, the marriage has been having problems for months with the constant threats of the Oloori wanting to pull out. There are also those who revealed that the royal marriage had issues from day one because of their irreconciliable differences. Many have also wondered the attraction the Ooni had for Oloori Wuraola. This is because of their different nature. Many saw her as a flamboyant celebrity lady who found the sedate life in the palace boring. What brought about all these feeling was the stories that hit the social media just before they got married. Also, her set of friends are popular big babes.



Once the news broke then that the Ooni was going to take Zynab as wife, the social media was agog with all sorts of stories about his bride to be. Some of these stories were brought to the attention of the Ooni then who just came on the throne a few months before. But Ooni didnt mind. He told all those who cared to listen that he would go ahead, more so Ifa had revealed to him that the lady he would marry will come to the palace by herself. Ifas prediction was that the person Ooni would marry will walk into the palace and a few days after the prediction, the new Oloori walked in to see the Ooni and he felt, truly, she must be the one.



Why was there a need for the Ooni to take a wife you may ask? GISTMANIA can reveal that the need for Ooni to take a wife was after his ex-wife, Adebukola had been rude to him a few years back before he became Ooni. They had issues and she out of annoyance, disrespected the Ooni, and the Ogunwusi family decided that she would have to be replaced. Although she attended the 1 week coronation of Ooni she was sidelined after the coronation rites and the search for a new bride began. That marriage was already over before the Ooni was called to contest for Oba and Bukky never supported the Ooni then, revealed a Palace source. It was only after he emerged that she came out wanting to be Oloori.



The new Ooni, conscious of the need for him to have a wife decided to put the issue of Oloori behind him as fast as possible, which explains why he didnt fault Wuraola when he met her despite all the stories. At the time she came on the scene there were other women who were being considered for the role of Oloori. But so many of those around Kabiyeesi were shocked when he announced to them he had decided to marry Wura, a Benin girl. The fact that she was Benin didnt go down well with a few people who would have preferred Ooni to marry an Ife girl. But the Ooni didnt see anything wrong in that. He explained in an interview he granted The SUN. He was asked: Critics have faulted your taking a Benin woman for a wife. They say there are enough Yoruba damsels to warm the royal bed of the spiritual head the custodian of Yoruba culture other than a foreigner. What is your reaction, Your Royal Majesty?



And his answer: It is another display of ignorance of people. Benin and Ife have so many ties and affinities. We are blood-related and that is the truth. One may be trying to claim supremacy over the other, I really dont care about that. We are one in the presence of God. But the truth is that my Oloori has her root in Ife here, from Oluyari compound in Ile-Ife. They migrated to settle down in Benin for bronze casting. So, she is back at home. Her forebears left Ife to start bronze casting in Benin and after teaching and learning bronze casting, they came back to Ife to rejoin their families. So, they still have blood cousins and relations in Ife. So, you now understand why we are one and together.



And so the marriage took place. No sooner did she come in that she began to have issues with her new life as Oonis wife. Once she came in, she introduced her new rules. An insider revealed how she sidelined a few of those around Kabiyeesi who ushered her in. She took absolute control of the palace and exercised authority. She became uncomfortable with all the women she saw in the palace and became wary of the females who came to see her hubby moreso when she began to hear stories of an impending new bride coming in.



What did also not help the Oloori is her temperament. Though she looks gentle and easy going, insiders in the palace revealed how she often got angry and once she gets angry everyone leaves her alone. Before she finally took a walk, GISTMANIA gathered that she had made attempts from late last year to pack out because she just couldnt cope. She attempted to leave in January and the last straw was March when Ooni visited UK with Oloori and they had a misunderstanding. It was whilst this was happening that she got angry and did a few things which many saw as gross misconduct to Kabiyeesi.



GISTMANIA gathered that contrary to many gists that have been making the rounds, the Ooni showed her love. One of Oonis aides told GISTMANIA how Kabiyeesi showered her with material gifts and love. He took her everywhere he went on to tell her how he wanted her to complement him. So in love with her was Kabiyeesi that he built her a befitting apartment in the Palace but she couldnt move in till she left.



Some friends of the Oloori explained to GISTMANIA that what worsened the marital crisis was the fact that Oloori may have had an exaggerated picture of the kind of marriage she was going into. Though she loved the reality of living like a queen and having the prefix before her name, she came in only to find that the Ooni was not as stupendously rich and free with money as she had expected. She found life in the palace to be boring and it was not as rosy as she pictured it to be.



She also didnt find her new life in the palace funny. She was no longer free to move around like before and hang out with her old friends. But by the time the marriage became troubled the Oloori began to frequent Lagos and used to stay at the New Eko Hotel Signature which is very expensive. She had a permanent suite reserved for her there paid for by Kabiyeesi.



A lot of people around Kabiyeesi didnt like the idea of the Oloori frequenting Lagos and staying at Eko Hotel for weeks with Oonis cars with royal inignia parked at the foyer of the hotel. The fact that the Oloori couldnt get pregnant for the 17 months she was married did not go down well with some of those around Kabiyeesi. This is also a sore point for the Oloori, explained a friend, because she would have loved to give Kabiyeesi a son at least to cement their marriage.

She also didnt find funny the allegation of Infidelity levelled against her in the social media. That was why she had to quickly issue an offiicial statement denying the allegation of Infertility and Infidelity. In her statement she said there is absolutely no truth to the media circulated lies of Infidelity and Infertility on my end.



Why has the Palace not responded? Why has the Ooni kept quiet? GISTMANIA knows why. GISTMANIA gathered that its because of the age long tradition that the Palace need not respond to every single rumour and the Ooni too need not wash his linen in public. It is also to protect the institution from such a needless controversy. Why have the 3 sisters remained quiet also? An insider revealed its because they are too shocked at the turn of events because for the 17 months Oloori was their brothers wife, they took her in like a sister and they just cant imagine the Oloori dragging them into her marital crisis as being the cause of the breakup.



GISTMANIA also gathered from the palace that it is absolutely false that the Ooni physically or verbally abused her.



On the allegation making the round that she wasnt allowed to pack her things especially her Golden bed, a close associate of the Ooni at the Ife palace explained that the whole truth about the bed was that Kabiyeesi has a furniture maker in the palace and the guys names is Lanre Olafimihan.

He was the person in charge of Essential Furniture from his Inagbe Grand Resort in Lagos owned by the Ooni.

On ascension to the throne, Kabiyeesi moved the workshop to the palace to produce all the furniture needed at the palace.

So all the furniture in the palace was made by Mr. Lanre Olafimihan. Incidentally Zynab didnt like the bed made for her, then Mr. Lanre was given a new design by Zynab. The bed in question was hand crafted by the Palace furniture maker.

So, we dont know where she got the idea that she paid $25k for a bed made by her husbands employee. How could anyone also have claimed in the social media that Oonis sisters prevented her from removing her $25k bed?. This was at the same time the sisters were in far away Abuja for a family wedding, including Kabiyeesi. So, please tell me: how can someone be in Abuja and at the same time prevent her from moving her things in the palace? These are the same sisters who havent even been to Ife in over a year.



Many people at the palace feel that the London incident last March made Oonis, associates to dislike the Oloori. The allegation is that when the Ooni traveled to the UK last March, the Oloori was confrontational with her husband simply because she could not stand the sight of another woman with Kabiyeesi. According to an insider, can you imagine it, many people came to pay their respect, and she started giving them attitude, especially ladies? The insider revealed the incident that happened at Intercontinental Hotel 02, Greenwich, England which led to the Ooni paying 1,500 as damages in the hotel

Why did Kabiyeesi shut her out of the palace, GISTMANIA asked? Nobody shut her out. Kabiyeesi didnt shut her out. Kabiyeesi usually avoids having any exchange with her because it often gets messy.



GISTMANIA gathered that after the Ooni ascended the throne, as its customary, he decided to build a new apartment for her in the palace. In doing this, he simply wanted to correct what should have been from the beginning, by moving her into her newly built apartment in the palace.

But we hear the Oloori saw this as a way of quietly sidelining her in the scheme of things. Insiders say she saw this as a way of preparing grounds for a new Oloori to come in. She always comes to Lagos and when she comes she stays at Eko Hotel

Right now, a lot of elderly men at the palace in Ife are angry at what they call the disrespect Oloori Wuraola has accorded the throne by not only walking out, but by publicly announcing her exit. An elder at the palace says the Ooni has taken the Olooris exit in good faith. Its even better the way she went about it. You know in Yoruba land, Obas never divorce. So, its actually better because she is the one that walked away.

I can tell you that the whole crisis is about this lady not wanting Ooni to marry again. She does not want the Ooni to pick a new wife. In Yorubaland the wife of a revered king like the Ooni shouldnt say she walked away. But she has done just that. That goes to shows shes not fit for that position. Even if she walks away she doesnt need to say a word, or the things shes saying. She clearly lacks respect for culture and tradition. She has not properly represented Edo Kingdom well. In this report, one of our Correspondents who has kept an eye on the palace since the Ooni became King 2 years ago reveals the many mistakes she made in the 17 months they were married.As you read this, Oloori Wuraola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Yeye Ogunwusi is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates cooling off. That was where she spent her Sallah holiday. That was what her Timeline showed, over the weekend when we checked her Instagram page. The page which she calls The Official Page of Her Highness Queen Zaynab-Otiti Obanor describes her as someone who is into providing aid for women and children across the world. Wishing Everyone A Happy & Peaceful Eid Al Adha was her message May the joys that come with this season continue to abide with us all, as we celebrate each other in remembrance of so many blessings from Allah!Like she wrote in her Official Statement last week, Oloori Wuraola has moved on from the marriage and she is back as a single girl. She has dumped her Ogunwusi surname. She has also dumped her Wuraola name which the Ooni gave her, when he got married to him 17 months ago. Wuraola is Oonis late mums name. He named her after his mum.But all that is history now, as Oloori Wuraola has closed that chapter of her life. The only anger she nurses now is the negative allegations of Infidelity and Infertility heaped on her as being possible reasons for her exit from the marriage. It was to correct this image that she issued an official statement last week. But insiders at the palace have come out to give reasons why the 17 month marriage crashed. According to them, the fact that Oloori Wuraola was not properly groomed on her role as the Oloori of such a big and important Oba in Yorubaland, was a big issue in the marriage, plus the fact that she was also not accommodating and trusting of the many people she met around Kabiyeesi, explained an insider. She was jealous of the women who came to see Kabiyeesi, explained a palace source. She was also afraid that the Kabiyeesi was likely to take a 2nd and possibly a 3rd wife. So she saw every pretty lady around Kabiyeesi as a potential 2nd wife.That perhaps explains why early this year she gave a lot of women marching orders and many women stopped going to Ife to see Kabiyeesi for fear of the Oloori. There was also the allegation that she didnt show sufficient respect for her husband both privately and publicly. Kabiyeesis aides reveal how on several occasions the Oloori got angry and agitated and the Kabiyeesi had to overlook her excesses. They cited a recent example when she got angry in London, last March, when the Ooni travelled to the UK to see the Queen.City People gathered that she had a disagreement with the Ooni and her behaviour got the Ooni visibly angry.Palace sources say the pretty Oloori has temper issues which atimes got really bad. GISTMANIA was told how when she gets angry many of the aides around her usually leave her alone to cool down.What was also an issue for her was the closeness of her husband to his 3 sisters. Said an insider, throughout the 17 month relationship, she saw the sisters as a threat to her marriage, because Kabiyeesi listens to them a lot. Although the 3 sisters-Princess Folashade, Adesola and Adebimpe embraced her, after Kabiyeesi told them his decision to marry Oloori Wuraola, she felt uncomfortable with them, moreso their relocation from Lagos where they are based to Ile-Ife to support their brother, the King.GISTMANIA gathered that unknown to many, the marriage has been having problems for months with the constant threats of the Oloori wanting to pull out. There are also those who revealed that the royal marriage had issues from day one.Unknown to many, the marriage has been having problems for months with the constant threats of the Oloori wanting to pull out. There are also those who revealed that the royal marriage had issues from day one because of their irreconciliable differences. Many have also wondered the attraction the Ooni had for Oloori Wuraola. This is because of their different nature. Many saw her as a flamboyant celebrity lady who found the sedate life in the palace boring. What brought about all these feeling was the stories that hit the social media just before they got married. Also, her set of friends are popular big babes.Once the news broke then that the Ooni was going to take Zynab as wife, the social media was agog with all sorts of stories about his bride to be. Some of these stories were brought to the attention of the Ooni then who just came on the throne a few months before. But Ooni didnt mind. He told all those who cared to listen that he would go ahead, more so Ifa had revealed to him that the lady he would marry will come to the palace by herself. Ifas prediction was that the person Ooni would marry will walk into the palace and a few days after the prediction, the new Oloori walked in to see the Ooni and he felt, truly, she must be the one.Why was there a need for the Ooni to take a wife you may ask? GISTMANIA can reveal that the need for Ooni to take a wife was after his ex-wife, Adebukola had been rude to him a few years back before he became Ooni. They had issues and she out of annoyance, disrespected the Ooni, and the Ogunwusi family decided that she would have to be replaced. Although she attended the 1 week coronation of Ooni she was sidelined after the coronation rites and the search for a new bride began. That marriage was already over before the Ooni was called to contest for Oba and Bukky never supported the Ooni then, revealed a Palace source. It was only after he emerged that she came out wanting to be Oloori.The new Ooni, conscious of the need for him to have a wife decided to put the issue of Oloori behind him as fast as possible, which explains why he didnt fault Wuraola when he met her despite all the stories. At the time she came on the scene there were other women who were being considered for the role of Oloori. But so many of those around Kabiyeesi were shocked when he announced to them he had decided to marry Wura, a Benin girl. The fact that she was Benin didnt go down well with a few people who would have preferred Ooni to marry an Ife girl. But the Ooni didnt see anything wrong in that. He explained in an interview he granted The SUN. He was asked: Critics have faulted your taking a Benin woman for a wife. They say there are enough Yoruba damsels to warm the royal bed of the spiritual head the custodian of Yoruba culture other than a foreigner. What is your reaction, Your Royal Majesty?And his answer: It is another display of ignorance of people. Benin and Ife have so many ties and affinities. We are blood-related and that is the truth. One may be trying to claim supremacy over the other, I really dont care about that. We are one in the presence of God. But the truth is that my Oloori has her root in Ife here, from Oluyari compound in Ile-Ife. They migrated to settle down in Benin for bronze casting. So, she is back at home. Her forebears left Ife to start bronze casting in Benin and after teaching and learning bronze casting, they came back to Ife to rejoin their families. So, they still have blood cousins and relations in Ife. So, you now understand why we are one and together.And so the marriage took place. No sooner did she come in that she began to have issues with her new life as Oonis wife. Once she came in, she introduced her new rules. An insider revealed how she sidelined a few of those around Kabiyeesi who ushered her in. She took absolute control of the palace and exercised authority. She became uncomfortable with all the women she saw in the palace and became wary of the females who came to see her hubby moreso when she began to hear stories of an impending new bride coming in.What did also not help the Oloori is her temperament. Though she looks gentle and easy going, insiders in the palace revealed how she often got angry and once she gets angry everyone leaves her alone. Before she finally took a walk, GISTMANIA gathered that she had made attempts from late last year to pack out because she just couldnt cope. She attempted to leave in January and the last straw was March when Ooni visited UK with Oloori and they had a misunderstanding. It was whilst this was happening that she got angry and did a few things which many saw as gross misconduct to Kabiyeesi.GISTMANIA gathered that contrary to many gists that have been making the rounds, the Ooni showed her love. One of Oonis aides told GISTMANIA how Kabiyeesi showered her with material gifts and love. He took her everywhere he went on to tell her how he wanted her to complement him. So in love with her was Kabiyeesi that he built her a befitting apartment in the Palace but she couldnt move in till she left.Some friends of the Oloori explained to GISTMANIA that what worsened the marital crisis was the fact that Oloori may have had an exaggerated picture of the kind of marriage she was going into. Though she loved the reality of living like a queen and having the prefix before her name, she came in only to find that the Ooni was not as stupendously rich and free with money as she had expected. She found life in the palace to be boring and it was not as rosy as she pictured it to be.She also didnt find her new life in the palace funny. She was no longer free to move around like before and hang out with her old friends. But by the time the marriage became troubled the Oloori began to frequent Lagos and used to stay at the New Eko Hotel Signature which is very expensive. She had a permanent suite reserved for her there paid for by Kabiyeesi.A lot of people around Kabiyeesi didnt like the idea of the Oloori frequenting Lagos and staying at Eko Hotel for weeks with Oonis cars with royal inignia parked at the foyer of the hotel. The fact that the Oloori couldnt get pregnant for the 17 months she was married did not go down well with some of those around Kabiyeesi. This is also a sore point for the Oloori, explained a friend, because she would have loved to give Kabiyeesi a son at least to cement their marriage.She also didnt find funny the allegation of Infidelity levelled against her in the social media. That was why she had to quickly issue an offiicial statement denying the allegation of Infertility and Infidelity. In her statement she said there is absolutely no truth to the media circulated lies of Infidelity and Infertility on my end.Why has the Palace not responded? Why has the Ooni kept quiet? GISTMANIA knows why. GISTMANIA gathered that its because of the age long tradition that the Palace need not respond to every single rumour and the Ooni too need not wash his linen in public. It is also to protect the institution from such a needless controversy. Why have the 3 sisters remained quiet also? An insider revealed its because they are too shocked at the turn of events because for the 17 months Oloori was their brothers wife, they took her in like a sister and they just cant imagine the Oloori dragging them into her marital crisis as being the cause of the breakup.GISTMANIA also gathered from the palace that it is absolutely false that the Ooni physically or verbally abused her.On the allegation making the round that she wasnt allowed to pack her things especially her Golden bed, a close associate of the Ooni at the Ife palace explained that the whole truth about the bed was that Kabiyeesi has a furniture maker in the palace and the guys names is Lanre Olafimihan.He was the person in charge of Essential Furniture from his Inagbe Grand Resort in Lagos owned by the Ooni.On ascension to the throne, Kabiyeesi moved the workshop to the palace to produce all the furniture needed at the palace.So all the furniture in the palace was made by Mr. Lanre Olafimihan. Incidentally Zynab didnt like the bed made for her, then Mr. Lanre was given a new design by Zynab. The bed in question was hand crafted by the Palace furniture maker.So, we dont know where she got the idea that she paid $25k for a bed made by her husbands employee. How could anyone also have claimed in the social media that Oonis sisters prevented her from removing her $25k bed?. This was at the same time the sisters were in far away Abuja for a family wedding, including Kabiyeesi. So, please tell me: how can someone be in Abuja and at the same time prevent her from moving her things in the palace? These are the same sisters who havent even been to Ife in over a year.Many people at the palace feel that the London incident last March made Oonis, associates to dislike the Oloori. The allegation is that when the Ooni traveled to the UK last March, the Oloori was confrontational with her husband simply because she could not stand the sight of another woman with Kabiyeesi. According to an insider, can you imagine it, many people came to pay their respect, and she started giving them attitude, especially ladies? The insider revealed the incident that happened at Intercontinental Hotel 02, Greenwich, England which led to the Ooni paying 1,500 as damages in the hotelWhy did Kabiyeesi shut her out of the palace, GISTMANIA asked? Nobody shut her out. Kabiyeesi didnt shut her out. Kabiyeesi usually avoids having any exchange with her because it often gets messy.GISTMANIA gathered that after the Ooni ascended the throne, as its customary, he decided to build a new apartment for her in the palace. In doing this, he simply wanted to correct what should have been from the beginning, by moving her into her newly built apartment in the palace.But we hear the Oloori saw this as a way of quietly sidelining her in the scheme of things. Insiders say she saw this as a way of preparing grounds for a new Oloori to come in. She always comes to Lagos and when she comes she stays at Eko HotelRight now, a lot of elderly men at the palace in Ife are angry at what they call the disrespect Oloori Wuraola has accorded the throne by not only walking out, but by publicly announcing her exit. An elder at the palace says the Ooni has taken the Olooris exit in good faith. Its even better the way she went about it. You know in Yoruba land, Obas never divorce. So, its actually better because she is the one that walked away.I can tell you that the whole crisis is about this lady not wanting Ooni to marry again. She does not want the Ooni to pick a new wife. In Yorubaland the wife of a revered king like the Ooni shouldnt say she walked away. But she has done just that. That goes to shows shes not fit for that position. Even if she walks away she doesnt need to say a word, or the things shes saying. She clearly lacks respect for culture and tradition. She has not properly represented Edo Kingdom well.

Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 4-09-2017 07:03 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Coming from the airport into this city of about 15 million people and 5 million cars, as my driver describes it, I pass ancient Roman ruins and blocks of upscale shops; an old hotel where Agatha Christie penned Murder on the Orient Express, smoke shops and modest restaurants, and luxury car dealers. It is a metaphor for the choices Turks are being forced to make under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: forward to a better future and a recapture of their secular state, or back to a nostalgic past when Islam was the official religion of the Ottoman Empire.

Recent waves of terrorist attacks throughout the country have raised security levels. My car was stopped and given a cursory search before being allowed to proceed to the hotel entrance where I was then required to pass through a metal detector and have my hand luggage scanned before approaching the registration desk.

Here, where the Bosphorus Strait divides Europe from Asia, President Erdogan seems bent on imposing his brand of radical Islam on what has for decades been a nation ruled by secular leaders. It was the late president Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who helped establish the Republic of Turkey, modeled on Western governments and their belief in church-state separation.

Erdogan, it appears, hears more than the Muslim call to prayer. Its as though he hears a call to tear down the wall separating mosque and state and, writes the Christian Science Monitor, restore Turkey to its historical Ottoman influence.

The controversial election last April resulted in just over 51 percent of voters approving constitutional reforms, which eliminates the office of prime minister and allows Erdogan to possibly hold onto power for years to come. There is still disagreement over whether Erdogan and his party cheated in order to win.

In addition to questions about Turkeys future role in NATO, how would a Turkish Islamic state change the fight against radical Islamic terrorism, as President Trump called it until recently when that label seems to have disappeared from his rhetoric?

An American citizen who has lived and worked in Turkey for some time, but wishes to remain anonymous for fear that his comments might bring him harm, tells me that Turks who have the resources to leave the country are getting out. He says there has been an upsurge in property purchases in the U.S., particularly in Florida.

An August 2016 article in The Wall Street Journal reported: luxury-condo developers are seeing about 5 percent of preconstruction inventory sold to buyers from Turkey.

My American friend says there is no convincing political opposition in Turkey at the moment. Clerics no longer define Islam, Erdogan does.

In 2004, Erdogan participated in a panel at The Academy of Achievement in Chicago. Asked about Islamic terrorism, he responded: Turkey is not a country where moderate Islam prevails. This expression is wrong. The word Islam is uninflected, it is only Islam. Others would disagree, so who gets to decide? That is a question debated throughout the Islamic and non-Islamic world. Who SHOULD decide is the larger question. In Turkey, Erdogan has set himself up as the lone decider.

Further contributing to instability in Turkey is a referendum on independence scheduled for September 25 by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Daniel Pipes, who heads the Middle East Forum, says while he supports Kurdish independence and a single, grand Kurdish state, I see the referendum as a danger to all concerned by further unsettling a highly unstable region, perhaps provoking any of Turkish, Iranian, or Iraqi central government invasions of the KRG, perhaps leading to a confrontation between U.S. and Russian forces.

As if we dont already have enough to worry about.

One of Turkeys main exports in addition to Turkish towels, the Turkish bath and Turkish coffee is the delicious confection known as Rahadlakum, or Turkish Delight.

Unfortunately, with their prospects declining, many Turks today worry that their future may not be anything in which they can take delight.
    :             ,     
On Friday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey departed Brisbane for an official visit to Cairns.

In the afternoon, at Cannon Park Racecourse, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the Cairns Amateurs Ladies Race Day where His Excellency presented the Governors Trophy.

In the evening, at the Cairns Esplanade, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the 2017 Cairns Amateurs Ball where His Excellency addressed guests.
On Saturday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey departed Cairns for an official visit to Wondai.

In the afternoon, at the Wondai Showgrounds, the Governor, with Mrs de Jersey, officially opened the 100th Wondai Show and addressed guests, and then returned to Brisbane.
On Sunday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC departed Brisbane for an official visit to the Gold Coast.

Following, at Point Danger, Coolangatta, the Governor officially unveiled the South East Queensland Vindicatrix and MN Mariners Association Monument to all Seafarers and addressed guests, and then returned to Brisbane.
It is true that we can expect more coastal flood events due to rising seas caused by climate change. And, the frequency and severity of storms that dump extreme amounts of rain can be expected  due to climate change. But what I'm talking about is just choosing to build and live in hazardous areas.See this Politico article,which was shared by Claire Rubin. This is what happens when elected officials cater to special interests who give money to their campaigns for re-election. It is why the Social Security Administration cannot negotiate the cost of drug prices with drug companies  Congress has barred them from doing so, even though they rail against the fact that the entitlement program will go bankrupt in the future. Throw the bums out!! That is how all of the above makes me feel.Yes, you should represent your constituents and your community, but when they are "digging themselves into a hole" in order to have continuous new construction that feeds their economies, while at the same time dooming their citizens to suffer natural disasters, who are they really representing?The fact is that "building to code" many times means nothing if you are putting the properties at risk based on where you locate them. Then there is the fact that the fox is guarding the hen house since builders and developers are the ones with significant influence on what is in the building code. It is in their best interests not to build resilient structures since rebuilding them is good for business.Sometimes elected officials have to do what is best for the nation over and above what is best "economically" for their district. Selfless service is not something that is popular today. The myopic sense of what is good for today ignores what is good for the future.I foresee a $$$$ trillion-dollar disaster at some point in our nation's future. Then what? Time to rebuild!
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McLaren is poised to announce its switch from Honda to Renault power for the 2018 season.

It was a weekend of high-politicking at Monza, with the outcome expected to be McLaren dumping Honda, the Japanese supplier moving to Toro Rosso, and Fernando Alonso staying at a newly Renault-powered McLaren for 2018.

"We know what the Renault engine can do -- Red Bull has done five or six consecutive podiums," Alonso said at Monza.

"As a driver I can choose more or less where I want to go and what category I want to be in.

"McLaren is the team with the second best numbers in the history of this sport and they want to win again, and as a member of this team I want that as well," he added.

The Spaniard's boss, Zak Brown, confirmed that it's "very, very likely" that if the McLaren-Renault deal is completed, Alonso will sign a new deal for 2018.

Alonso continued: "It's an important week for McLaren to make some decisions. Hopefully we'll know something before Singapore so we can make some comment there."

Many in the paddock also believe that, although McLaren is giving up millions in works Honda backing, the move to Renault is a good idea.

"McLaren is a good racing team, but Honda ... I know them well," former works Honda driver Jacques Villeneuve told AS newspaper. "I do not think they will be successful, and Fernando needs to win."

"McLaren-Renault will be much better than McLaren-Honda," the Canadian predicted.

(GMM)
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Well-Spring Solutions is offering the class Legal Issues in Family Caregiving: Estate Planning from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Christ United Methodist Church, 410 N. Holden Road in Greensboro.

Kristy Andraos, the principal attorney at Andraos Law, a local law firm dedicated to serving seniors and individuals with special needs, will present information about estate planning and answer questions.

To register, visit www.ACEcare.org/registration or contact Kolada at 336-274-3559 or jkolada@ well-spring.org.

Let Kolada know by Wednesday, Sept. 6, if care for a loved one is needed during this time as prior arrangements are required.

***

Westover Church is offering Family Grace, a faith-based community support group to help the families of those living with a mental health difficulty or disorder, from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 13.

Family Grace, a curriculum-based support group, provides psychoeducation and practical tools.

The class covers such topics as the stigma of mental illness, communication with loved ones dealing with mental illness, medication and more.

The church is at 505 Muirs Chapel Road in Greensboro. To register, visit westoverchurch.com/mentalhealth.

***

Greensboro AHEC, Mental Health Association in Greensboro and Cone Behavioral Health will present the third annual Mental Health Recovery Summit: Building Resiliency Through Integrated Trauma-Informed Care from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Union Square Campus, 104 E. Gate City Blvd. in Greensboro.

This program will cover topics related to trauma-informed care, de-institutionalization and de-criminalization of persons with mental illness and trauma, peer support services and collegiate recovery programs.

To register, visit www.aheconnect.com/ncahec/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=51447.

***

The Guilford County Coalition on Infant Mortality will observe Infant Mortality Awareness Month by pushing 46 empty strollers through downtown Greensboro.

The walk will begin at 11 a.m. Sept. 21 and end at Center City Park.

The strollers represent the 46 babies who died in 2015  the 2016 number will be released in October or November 2017.

For information, call 336-641-7777.

***

The JDRF Piedmont Triad chapter will hold the TypeOneNation Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Koury Convention Center, 3121 W. Gate City Blvd. in Greensboro.

The summit is an educational conference and networking opportunity that provides information and inspiration for Type 1 diabetics and their loved ones.

Attendees will participate in a variety of breakout sessions and a keynote speech by Gary Scheiner, the 2014 Diabetes Educator of the Year and author of Think Like a Pancreas  A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin.

For information, call 336-373-1768. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com.

***

The Americas Guardians Motorcycle Club will hold a public Memorial Motorcycle Ride at 9 a.m. Sept. 23 at American Legion Post 87, 409 W. High Ave., High Point, to honor the memory of Charles Shellshock Ladd. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the MaCares and Faith Cares Service Dog Support Program.

Staff Sergeant a staff sergeant served, in the U.S. Army for eight years, completing two combat tours in Iraq and four combat tours in Afghanistan. He was a Purple Heart recipient and received many other medals while in the military.

For information, email weCare@maCares.org or visit www.macares.org.

***

Greensboro Imagings 11th annual Pink in the Park will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at LeBauer Park, 208 N. Davie St. in Greensboro.

The free event seeks to bring the Greensboro community together to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month and support those who are fighting the disease.

There will be vendors and a variety of activities.

For information, email mjnelson@greensboro imaging.com or visit www.pinkinthepark.com.

***

The American Red Cross needs about 250 volunteers to participate in local Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events.

Teams will go from door to door in the Woodlea Lakes and Woodlea Acres areas of southeastern Greensboro on Sept. 29 and the Washington Terrace community in High Point on Sept. 30.

The nonprofit organizationss goal is to install 750 smoke alarms.

To volunteer, visit www.soundthealarm.org/wnc. Groups who wish to volunteer should contact Anne Vestal at 336-333-2111 or anne.vestal@redcross.org.

***

The Lupus Foundation of America, in partnership with Inspire, recently unveiled LupusConnect, an online lupus community where individuals with lupus and their loved ones can engage with others like them to share experiences, find emotional support and discuss practical insights for coping with the daily challenges of the disease. It can be accessed at Lupus Connect.Inspire.com or through the National Resource Center on Lupus.

The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission recently launched the fourth phase of its Talk It Out campaign, the statewide multimedia effort designed to raise awareness of underage drinking prevention and empower parents to talk with their kids about the issue.

The campaign launched in 2014 to combat a problem that research shows starts at the average early age of 14 years old.

Campaign research shows that parents who have seen the ads are more likely to talk to their kids. The same research also shows, however, that parents still do not feel prepared to have those tough conversations, and many are unsure how to approach the conversations.

Phase IV is aimed directly at parents to help them understand that talking to their kids about alcohol doesnt have to be a big production. The new commercials urge parents to take immediate action to begin having these necessary conversations and make them part of their regular routine. The campaign has developed new tools in both Spanish and English to help parents overcome their hesitancy to start these conversations.

To view the Phase IV ads, visit http://www.talkitoutnc.org/new-talk-ads-encourage-parents-ongoing-conversations/. Visit http://www.talkitoutnc.org/ to access new parent resources and learn more about the Talk It Out campaign.
MADISON  Two students from a school in Rockingham County face disciplinary action after authorities seized two guns from their bookbags.

The guns were seized from two boys at New Vision School of Math and Science in Madison, Jane P. Frazier, the schools principal, told WGHP/FOX8.

The students told their teacher they had been playing with the guns at home, which prompted the administration to search their book bags.

The weapons were immediately taken from the students and nobody was ever in danger, Franzier told FOX8 in an email.

Safety is our number one priority and we are addressed this situation based on Rockingham County School policies, she said.
North Carolina Republicans appeared to fall just short in Tuesdays General Assembly elections of gaining large enough majorities to override Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes on their own. But their seat gains eroded further the Democrats ability to block bills on abortion and other highly contested legislation. The Senate GOP increased their seats to the number needed to have a veto-proof majority. But Speaker Tim Moore said that House Republicans were one seat shy of a similar threshold. Moore said Wednesday he's confident House Republicans can get help from Democrats in an override. But that could be more difficult on abortion restrictions, which Cooper and other Democrats campaigned against.
One person was killed and a horse had to be put down at the scene after a pickup collided with a wagon train in the western North Carolina community of Maggie Valley on Friday, according to multiple media outlets.

One witness was quoted as saying it sounded like a bomb went off when the collision occurred Friday afternoon.

BREAKING: Truck rams into Haywood Co wagon trail on Jonathan Creek Rd. We're told one fatality, others hospitalized @WLOS_13 pic.twitter.com/jXzpiAMyWA  John Le Reporter (@AbsoluteLe) September 1, 2017

The Mountaineer newspaper reported at least two other people were injured in the crash, which involved the Haywood County Labor Day Wagon Train.

The 35-year-old hobbyist group crosses the county each Labor Day weekend and is a participant in the Canton Labor Day parade.

The accident occurred in front of the Pride Resort in Maggie Valley and involved a Ford Ranger that hit the back of the wagon train, WLOS reported. The station said several people are hospitalized, including a man and his grandson.

The wagon train had 18 wagons and 20 horses included, media outlets said. Organizers of the Haywood County Labor Day Wagon Train said in a Facebook post that their Labor Day events were canceled as a result of the accident.

We ask that you keep the prayers coming, said a Facebook post for the group. We have several folks who are currently in the hospital and under going surgery...Right now I ask special prayers for The Summey Family & The Fergusons who were also injured in this horrific accident. Continued prayers of love & comfort to the Messers and everyone involved.

The Mountaineer reported one horse was put down at the scene and another was transported to receive veterinary care for a wound to its hind leg. Karan Goins of Morristown, Tennessee, told the Mountaineer that the driver was still moving after he hit it. People were flying and one horse was pinned against the rail.
The Sea Ceptor weapon system recently completed its first successfully firings from HMS Argyll. The frigate is one of three Royal Navy Type 23 frigates being modified with the Sea Ceptor system, replacing the older Sea Wolf. The test is a major milestone for the life-extension program of Type 23 frigates.

HMS Argyll is the first Type 23 to undergo the life-extension program. She will conduct further firing trials of the Sea Ceptor system before deploying to Japan next year. Sea Ceptor will provide the Royal Navy with an improved shield against airborne threats such as the new generation of supersonic anti-ship missiles, fast jets, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. Alongside providing robust self-defense, importantly Sea Ceptor defends escort vessels within a maritime task group, such as for the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Sea Ceptor uses MBDAs next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM), is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf weapon system on these frigates, as well as the new Type 26 and, it may also be selected for the future Type 31 about to replace them in the Type 23s next decade. The Sea Ceptor development and integration was funded under contracts worth 639m contract and fit them to the Type 23 and Type 26 frigates.

Compared to Sea Wolf, CAMM is faster, has longer range, has a two-way data link, and has a much more advanced seeker, all of which enable the missile to intercept more challenging targets. The missile capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 3 and will have the ability to deal with multiple targets simultaneously, protecting an area of around 500 square miles (1,300 square Km) over land or sea.

Traditional air defense systems utilize semi-active radar guidance, meaning they rely on a surface-based fire control radar to illuminate the missiles target. The missile uses an active radar seeker and data link on the missile thus avoiding reliance on the ships radar for guidance. This technology enables the ship to employ multi-mission radars and intercept more targets simultaneously, across 360 degrees  something a semi-active system could not do. Its clean aerodynamic design yields improved performance and easier, more compact installation on board. The use of an innovative soft vertical launch system significantly reduces the impact of a traditional hot launch missile on both the ship and the crew.

Land Ceptor  the land-based derivative of Sea Ceptor  will replace Rapier in British Army service as the future generation Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD).
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Public art works well when it adds beauty to or sparks interest in an otherwise undistinguished location. Its even better when it makes significant connections to local heritage or culture.

Greensboro has long had a significant population of Lumbee Indians. To highlight and celebrate that fact, Greensboro developer Marty Kotis asked two young Lumbee Indians, Madison Davenport and Tecumseh Jones, to serve as models for artist Matt Adnate. They agreed, appearing in dazzling native attire. The result, it appears, is stunning.

It seems that, before long, there will be something to see everywhere one looks in Greensboro, thanks to people with vision.

Dont panic about gas

Compared to the suffering of so many people in Texas, paying a little more for gasoline here isnt much of a hardship.

If Triad motorists take it in stride, the disruption in supplies shouldnt even cause serious problems. Its only when everyone tries to fill up at once that major shortages are seen.

Of course, it may be a good idea to avoid unnecessary road trips for a while. That will help assure that supplies are adequate and we save money. What we dont spend on gasoline we can send to disaster-relief efforts.

Death race 2017

The same man who wants to meddle in North Carolinas judicial districts also wants to bring back the electric chair

State Rep. Justin Burr is advocating on his Facebook page that electrocution by the state be brought out of mothballs and reinstituted as a form of capital punishment. He even has created a catchy slogan (#MakeTheChairGreatAgain), reports The News & Observer of Raleigh.

North Carolina hasnt executed anyone since 2006.

In the meantime, weve seen several cases of people exonerated of murder convictions in the state, a clear sign that the system is flawed.

Who knows, before the era of DNA testing, how many innocent people were put to death? But if Burr, who is a bail bondsman by trade, has his way, the state will release the pause button on executions and hit fast forward.

In fact, Burr believes executions in North Carolina should be multiple-choice affairs. Let those who are to be put to death choose among the gas chamber, lethal injection, a firing squad, hanging and the electric chair.

All the more reason not to let this man get anywhere near our judicial districts.

Rescue and recovery

Eighteen members of the Greensboro Fire Departments swift-water rescue team are in Texas providing whatever assistance they can.

Their assignments could range from pulling still-stranded people to safety to recovering bodies. At this point, the latter chore might be more likely.

These professionals are trained to perform difficult, life-saving work.

Theyll face some new challenges in Texas, and they deserve our gratitude and admiration for their service. We hope they end up doing more rescue than recovery.

Heres mud in your eye

Even if it serves our Democratic governor iced tea, our GOP-controlled legislature cant resist lacing it with castor oil.

So it goes with funding Gov. Roy Cooper requested to address the impact of the chemical GenX on some drinking water sources in the state.

The General Assembly provided much less money, $435,000, than Coopers $2.6 million request to hire more scientists to study the issue. And it bypassed Cooper administration agencies to give the money directly to UNC-Wilmington and local utilities. To add insult to injury, the bill also overturns a plastic bag ban on the Outer Banks.

The governor was right to want a better response to an important issue. But even when the public interest is involved, if he asks for an inch these days, he can usually count on losing a foot.
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GREENWICH  Whitbys 415 students kicked off the academic year with an enthusiastic welcome ceremony highlighting the many new faces who will lead, learn and teach at the private school this year.

You are the Whitby community, Simone Becker, assistant head of school and head of the Lower School, told students Friday in the school Performing Art Center. This is a place where we want to hear you. Where your ideas, questions matter, so take advantage of that. You have a voice  use it.

Becker will head the school this year in partnership with Michelle Summers, chief financial officer and dean of business affairs. Former Head of School Bryan Nixon announced his departure from Whitby in June.

The two of us are sharing all aspects (of leadership), said Becker. We want to serve Whitby in this transition year and ensure that we are continuing down that really successful path that we have been on in the past couple of years.

The Whitby Board of Trustees has been interviewing new head of school candidates throughout the summer and is expected to announce a choice this fall.

This year, some 83 new students join Whitby, which serves children in nursery school through grade 8. On Friday, the second day of school, students sang a welcome song acknowledging the global nature of the student body.

We speak different languages, we may not be the same, the students chorused, But I reach my hand out to you.

Students got to know the schools new teachers or staff who had moved to new positions through a school-wide game of two facts and a fib. Bubbling with enthusiasm, the students used their arms to show which statement they thought was a fib and cheered loudly when they got the answer right.

The welcome ceremony concluded with each student touching the Whitby stone, a pentagon-shaped rock on a pedestal in the Performing Arts Center which comes from the schools namesake, the Whitby Abbey in Whitby, England. Students touch the stone at the start and close of each school year for good luck.

Whitby School will turn 60 years old in January 2018.

emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson




Haiti - NOTICE : IDB Launches the Haiti Creative... contest





For several years, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has been increasingly interested in the cultural and creative industries, grouped under the name "Orange Economy". It has published several studies on the subject by combining creative perspectives and economic concerns, while giving a privileged place to digital and new technologies.



In Haiti, the IDB is launching the "Haiti Creative : Creation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship" competition for candidates who, individually or as a team, can present proposals in the field of creative and cultural industry, ideas, products, services, demonstrating both creative and innovative talent and economic potential for Haiti.



This competition gives them the opportunity to submit their proposal online. After a first selection and an exclusive training in entrepreneurship, intended for the best candidates. The finalists of the competition will be invited to make a final presentation (pitch) before a jury of experts, during the day of dialogue called "Haiti Creative: Creation, Innovation, Entrepreneurship in the Haitian Orange Economy" to be held in Port-au -Prince, at the Convention Center of the BRH, on Friday 13 October 2017, organized in partnership with FOKAL and COOPI.



The winners will be invited to attend the prestigious international event "Demand Solutions - Dominican Republic" on 9 November 2017 in Santo Domingo. They will be able to meet with some of the most creative people in the world, discuss with them and share innovative solutions to the challenges of Latin America and the Caribbean.



Download the full contest rules : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/concours-bid-09-2017.pdf



Step 1: Online Registration :

To enter the contest, candidates (individuals or teams) must submit an online application via a Google form, where they submit their proposal in the area of the Orange Economy.



Address of the online form ** :

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGmb1H_ztsvImiw2O5G8MdBZcPhsYq28Dx3e2s6McxyVYD8w/viewform



** The form can be filled in Creole, French or English.



Deadline to apply online: September 30, 2017



For further information write to : salut@haitientreprendre.com



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





The "Presyez" gully is in flood

The gully "Presyez" is in flood. An early flood is observed in the town center of Petite Riviere de l'Artibonite. Civil Protection is mobilized.



Petit-Goave : MICT talks with PHTK protestors

Saturday at the Empress Hotel in Petit-Goave, was held a meeting between activists and allies of PHTK of Petit-Goave and a delegation of the Ministry of Interior (MICT), composed of Belidor John Harold, responsible for Technical Mission of the General Directorate and Anthonio Dorsainsil, in charge of Mission. After much discussion, it was decided to set up a Special Commission to collect the grievances of the militants and to send them to the central authorities with a view to satisfying them or facilitating their integration. Meanwhile, the militants intend to maintain pressure on the Government and announce a new demonstration... See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21810-haiti-news-zapping.html . HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondant Petit-Goave)



Solidarity with Texas

"The Haitian people are in solidarity with the people of Texas in the United States who are suffering the floods caused by the storm Harvey," said Moise



Distribution of school supplies and furniture in Panyol

On Friday, as part of the new school year, the Louis G. Lamothe Foundation (FLGL) conducted a distribution of supplies and school furniture (desks, benches, tables, chairs) in the locality of Panyol (Kenscoff). These materials will be used to equip the Center of Classical Formation of Panyol, freshly rebuilt on the initiative of the Foundation.



Words of Jovenel Moise

"To be a teacher is to transmit with the heart... it is to prepare a better world. Happy school year to all teachers ! I wish an excellent return to all the children who resume this Monday the way of the school," declared the President Jovenel Moise.



TNH now broadcasts to Jeremie

After the South, the General Directorate of the National Television of Haiti (TNH) announces that after of test transmissions https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-21941-icihaiti-social-tnh-broadcasts-again-over-the-department-of-grand-anse.html , the town of Jeremie and the other towns of La Grande-Anse have been receiving, since September 1, 2017, signals from the Public Service Channel on Canal 10.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















By Lisa Espinosa | Published on 2017/09/03

Head to KCON and there you will always find something to do, taste, see, smell, and hear. This year saw the biggest KCON to date and part of that was due to the flurry of activity. My photographer Sara and I never experienced a moment of boredom. To help you do the same in the coming years, here is a list of the top 8 things to do at KCON!

1. Make Friends

KCON is nothing if not a place where Hallyu lovers can find others of like mind and heart. There is no one here to mock the love of an idol or fangirling or fanboying over a show. Rather, you will find someone who does the same things as you. Cooking while listening to their favorite SEVENTEEN jam or watching the latest episode of "Oh My Ghostess" to relax before bed. Meet someone who stans the same group as you and you have an instant friend. People come together and leave the world behind.

2. Join the fun

Not only can you watch your favorite idols shake their groove thang and croon like the old time greats, but you can strut your stuff as well. Idol contests, dance offs, and performances by people like you and me are happening everywhere. Live your dreams a little as you work the dance you spent months learning. Sing on a stage in front of a cheering crowd. Submit your best fan art. Drink some tea with the flower boys at the Flower Boy Cafe. On the other side, get your make up and nails done by experts in the K-Beauty Block in between shopipng. Which brings me to...

3. Shop

...well, shopping! There is so much swag to get your hands. Shirts, dolls, albums, skincare, makeup, language books, accessories. There aren't quite as many dramas as I'd love to see, but the beauty section is well-represented with all the top brands to choose from. And I walked away with a couple posters of my favorite idol groups and Korean dramas.

4. Beauty

One of the biggest Korean exports is their beauty found at KCON's Beauty Block. The industry is booming with innovation and the desire to make skin youthful, and healthy. The Face Shop, Beauty People, Glow Recipe, and more were represented as well as many up-and-coming brands looking to make an impression. I walked away with ten facemasks for $5, CC cream for $10, and tons of free samples to give away to you guys so you can enjoy the latest formulas, which are really about giving skin a healthy glow.

5. Panels

I participated on two panels this year: "So Much Drama" and "The Return of the Secret Life of K-pop Fans Over 30". Both panels were well attended and were just two of the many. "So Much Drama" was an intro to drama basics, which I doubt many of you readers need, but at the same time, it was wonderful to chat about the basic components that go into the dramas we love. The other panel talked about older fans, not just of K-pop, but of Hallyu, a scene that skews towards younger people, but also that has many, many, many older fans. Do any of you fall into that category like me?

Other panels included well-known beauty bloggers like Edward Avila and Joan Kim, talks with LDN Noise, Meet and Greets with Sam Okyere and Kevin Woo. Panels ran the gamut of topics and there was something for everyone. This is one of my favorite parts of KCON, to hear from the industry professionals who can bring first hand experience to the fans.

6. Food

Advertisement

KCON Food Street had tons of vendors, tons of hungry Hallyu fans, and tons of adorable take home items. It's a place to indulge your wild food hankerings and explore new flavors. Just be sure to find some shade because summers in LA can be doozies.

Courtesy of CJ E&M

Courtesy of CJ E&M

7. Fan Engagement

Our favorite artists only come once very few years, if we're lucky. So to have our biases come and interact with us is a dream come true. KCON fulfills that dream with hi-touches, fan meetings, panels, and the Saturday and Sunday night concerts. There are so many ways to interact with our idols who are normally across the world. And that makes KCON special. It brings the stars to us.

Courtesy of CJ E&M

Courtesy of CJ E&M

Courtesy of CJ E&M

8. Concerts

KCON was founded on the concerts and the rest of the convention proper has grown around them. This year's concerts were the best I've seen and the performers were (as they always are) surprised and warmed by the enthusiastic reception of the North American audience. Transitions were smoother this year, making the audience wait through fewer gaps in performance and giving them many more interactive concert experiences than before. Artists were clearly stoked to be on stage and the talent was undeniable.This is a key draw of KCON and know you can experience that magic every year.

What were you favorite experiences at KCON if you went? What would you want to do if you had the chance to go? Let us know in the comments below. And don't forgot to enter our beauty bag giveaway below!

Korean Beauty Bag #2

Written by: Lisa Espinosa AKA Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'




Boutinot gives Italia portfolio makeover

By Lisa Riley

Boutinot has given its Italia range a heritage-inspired makeover to boost the Italian wine category in the UK.

Designed to attract new UK consumers to the Italian wine aisle, the overhauled portfolio features updated labels based on Italian poster art of the 1960s in a bid to create an authentic and stylish look.

In addition, they include locally sourced food matching tips on the back labels.

The new look for the six-strong portfolio - the first revamp in four years, "digged deep into and clearly communicated" the roots of Italian food and wine culture, said Boutinot, adding it followed a programme of consumer insight and internal category analysis.

Italian wine is the second most important category in the UK, but its in decline, and is failing to attract new consumers, with recruits being seduced by countries like New Zealand and Argentina and their contemporary attitude to wine branding and marketing, said Fran Draper, head of customer & brand marketing.

If we want to attract new consumers, we have to adopt a similarly modern, fresh approach and the new look clearly says Italy from the style and grape to the imagery on the front label."

Boutinot has given Italia several refreshes over the years, but this time it had taken a "revolutionary rather than evolutionary stance", she said.

"We have injected some more Italian personality into the brand and created a support package that will build trial and loyalty."

Boutinot is supporting the relaunch with an integrated social and digital media campaign built around Italias new brand ambassador - Italian food writer Eleonora Galasso.

The six-strong range comprises Primitivo and Sangiovese from Puglia, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Pinot Grigio Rose di Pavia, Prosecco and Sparkling Pinot Grigio Rose.
ADF sends policy protecting student privacy to school districts nationwide

Model policy provides solution for public schools to protect privacy, dignity of all students

From Hawaii Family Forum -- News Release from Alliance Defending Freedom, August 24, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.  Alliance Defending Freedom e-mailed an updated letter Thursday to public school districts nationwide to provide them with a recommended policy that protects the physical privacy and dignity of all students in locker rooms and similar facilities while still providing a solution for school officials concerned about students struggling with their gender identity. The letter specifically notes that districts should no longer rely upon a guidance document issued last year by the U.S. departments of Education and Justice, which the two agencies recently rescinded due to its lack of consistency with federal law.

The ADF letter explains that, contrary to what some mistakenly believe, no federal law requires public schools to allow boys into girls restrooms or girls into boys restrooms. In fact, school districts could be exposing themselves to legal liability for violating students privacy rights.

Schools have a duty to protect the privacy and dignity of all students, said ADF Senior Counsel Matt Sharp. No child should be asked to share an intimate settinglike a locker room or showerwith a child of the opposite sex. Our model policy provides a solution that prevents children from being exposed to threats to their privacy and dignity.

Any student privacy policy should respect all childrens privacy rights because every child matters, added ADF Legal Counsel Kellie Fiedorek. Personal privacy is something we all hold dear, and respect means ensuring that no school forces a young boy or girl into an emotionally vulnerable situation.

The ADF letter accompanying the model policy cites pertinent legal precedent, including court rulings that support the ability of public schools to limit locker rooms and restrooms to members of the same sex for privacy and safety reasons without violating Title IX, a federal law concerning sex discrimination in public school programs and activities.

It is well-settled law that public school districts enjoy broad authority and discretion in operating their schools, the ADF letter states. It should go without saying that this discretion includes regulating the use of school restrooms and similar facilities. In this context, protecting every students privacy and safety is at a premium. Allowing students to access restroom and locker room facilities dedicated to the opposite sex accomplishes neither goal, and has a high probability of violating the constitutional right to bodily privacy enjoyed by all students. The most important point is this: schools have broad discretion to handle these delicate matters, and the federal government supports the authority of school districts to craft local policies to address student privacy.

Much of the confusion over privacy facilities was driven by a short-lived effort by federal officials to redefine sex to mean gender identity under Title IX via a Dear Colleague Letter to school officials in 2016, the letter continues. That misguided effort endedwhen the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice issued a Dear Colleague Letter that rescinded the 2016 Letter which had wrongly told schools to allow students to use showers and restrooms on the basis of their professed gender identity or risk losing federal funding. The Departments rejected any further reliance on that rescinded guidance . We advise school districts to continue to handle these matters as they arise utilizing the advice given in this letter or to adopt the model policy proposed by ADF or a substantially similar policy.

---30---

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.
Honolulu Republicans: On Labor Day Celebrate Entrepreneurship

From Oahu GOP September 3, 2017

On Labor Day, we commemorate the birth of the American labor movement and all that American workers have accomplished to grow our economy and spur innovation around the world.

Unfortunately, too many Americans today are working under antiquated labor laws that deprive employees of basic personal decisions and often subjects them to coercion by unions. While the regulatory burden, at local, state and federal levels continue to disproportionately impact our small businesses, the engines of our economic growth and job creation.

While the country's union membership is at a historic low, Hawaii's workforce is the second-most unionized in the nation, 19.9 percent of Hawaii's workers were part of a union in 2016; with the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) and Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) being the two most prominent and powerful unions in our state. Additionally, Hawaii is one of the most hostile places in America to start or run a business because the state government actively interferes with business', with strict worker compensation requirements, mandatory short-term disability insurance, and compulsory unionization with no right to work law.

Hawaii Republicans believe that each individual should have a right to work and we support right to work legislation. We support voluntary union membership and periodic, independent audits of union finances to ensure that no funds are used in violation of state or federal laws. We also support a reduction of burdensome regulations on our small businesses, as they create the bulk of new jobs for our communities and greatly benefit the States economy.

We fully support President Trump's economic plan that focuses on implementing pro-growth tax reform to help American workers and businesses keep more of their hard-earned dollars, placing a moratorium on new federal regulations and ordering federal agencies to identify job-killing regulations that should be repealed, and for renegotiating existing trade deals ensuring trade agreements bring good-paying jobs to our shores and support American manufacturing, the backbone of our economy.

By standing side-by-side with Americas workers and businesses, President Trumps policies will unleash economic growth, create 25 million new jobs, and help Make America Great Again.

On this holiday, the Honolulu County Republican Party wish you and yours a very Happy Labor Day. We hope you take a moment and reflect on how much Americas entrepreneurial spirit and free market economy have enabled us to prosper and enjoy a standard of living unrivalled in history. Let us rededicate ourselves on this Labor Day to unleashing the untapped potential of our states and our nations economic engine so we can leave our children and grandchildren with a better Hawaii and nation.

May God bless you and our great country . . .

As America's workers enjoy this holiday, let us all be thankful for the prosperity we have achieved and let us work together to meet the challenges ahead and turn them into opportunities for all Americans. Ronald Reagan (September 3, 1984)

Respectfully,

Brett Kulbis

Honolulu County Chairman
Bullying has a devastating effect on the mental health of victims especially if their claims are being dismissed by senior management, said Dr McMillan.

However, this new study has found that many casual employees are not even getting to the point of telling their managers.

Dr McMillan added it is the responsibility of business leaders to create healthy workplace cultures and to not treat casual workers as second-class citizens.

Business leaders need to build workplace cultures that encourage everyone to speak out against bullying, otherwise they will end up with systemic turnover issues and seemingly no reason for it, he said.

The casualisation of the workforce means more people have less job security, and that makes people afraid of making mistakes or stepping out of line, because they feel expendable.
Equal Pay Day is a significant reminder of the continuing challenges women face accessing the same financial rewards for their work as men, according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency director Libby Lyons.



Australia has achieved genuine equality between women and men in education, said Lyons.



However, she said the persistent gender pay gap reflects the barriers women face in accessing equivalent pay packets to men.



Recent figures from WGEA show the national pay gap  the difference between mens and womens average weekly full-time earnings  is 15.3%, or around $251.20 a week.



This is bad news for the economy, because it shows that business is not drawing on the enormous talent available in the female workforce, said Lyons.



And it is a disaster for women, who are retiring with vastly smaller nest eggs than men due to the compounding effect of the gender pay gap and their far greater time spent on unpaid care work.



Closing the gender pay gap must be recognised as an urgent social and economic priority.



Moreover, according to a study into Australia's largest 200 companies earlier this year, men named Peter or John were found to be 40% more likely to be at the helm of a company, than women.



The Minister for Women, Senator Michaelia Cash, said it was encouraging that the gender pay gap narrowed from 16.3% to 15.3%, but more work needs to be done.



The further reduction in the gender pay gap demonstrates the Turnbull Governments policies to assist women breakdown barriers in the workforce are delivering results, yet, I remain acutely aware that more work needs to be done, said Cash.



By boosting workforce participation of women we can further close the gender pay gap, raise living standards across the board and secure Australias future prosperity.



WGEA also found the gender pay gap is highest in the 45-54 age group at 20.0%, and in the past 20 years the national gender pay gap was highest in 2014 at 18.5% and lowest in 2004 at 14.9%.



The gender pay gap is influenced by a number of factors, including:



 discrimination and bias in hiring and pay decisions

 women and men working in different industries and different jobs, with female-dominated industries and jobs attracting lower wages

 womens disproportionate share of unpaid caring and domestic work

 lack of workplace flexibility to accommodate caring and other responsibilities, especially in senior roles

 womens greater time out of the workforce impacting career progression and opportunities.




Sipila on Thursday pointed out that although the share of unemployed job seekers of the working-age population has decreased in 15 administrative regions in Finland since mid-2015, many aspects of the employment situation remain a concern for the government.

The Finnish government must continue its work if it is to raise the employment rate to 72 per cent by the end of 2019, admits Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre).

We have more job vacancies than ever before in the past ten to twelve years, he highlighted in a press conference. But the share of job vacancies that are difficult to fill has grown at a comparable rate.

The government decided in its budget session to address the labour market mismatch by, for example, expanding the eligibility criteria for unemployment security benefits to also cover job seekers who are participating in training and education programmes lasting a maximum of six months. Job seekers will similarly be able to receive unemployment benefits for four months after starting a business.

Expanding the eligibility criteria is estimated to cost 13.5 million euros a year.

The government proposed that the annual appropriations for employment services be raised by 25 million euros to develop the services provided to the unemployed, such as the quarterly interviews with employment officials.

As the employment situation has been developing positively, youth unemployment has emerged as a particular concern for us, reminded Sipila. The number of study places in vocational education will be increased by roughly a thousand and the availability of wage subsidies will be improved for under 30-year-olds.

The number of study places will be increased especially in sectors that are struggling to find skilled workers. The appropriations for vocational education will consequently be raised by 9.5 million euros.

The government also revealed that it will acquire employment services from private service providers by means of performance-based agreements with the objective of ensuring as many as 10,000 under 30-year-old job seekers enrol in training or find employment. A total of 15 million euros has been earmarked for remunerating the service providers for re-introducing young people to the ranks of the employed successfully.

Petteri Orpo (NCP), the Minister of Finance, on Thursday voiced his confidence that the measures agreed on will ensure the fruits of the economic growth can be enjoyed by a growing number of Finns.

A high employment rate is the best way to fight social exclusion. Its the best way to guarantee a high level of well-being. Its the best cure for inequality, he listed in the press conference.

Weve got an opportunity to reach an employment rate of 72 per cent by the end of this electoral term. More work is still needed, but in the long term we must examine structural reforms as a means to look further into the 2020s where our objective must be to reach the level of other Nordic countries, stated Orpo. Our work isnt done yet.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Mikko Stig  Lehtikuva
Haatainen on Saturday received almost 49 per cent of the votes cast in a meeting of the party council of the opposition party to beat her rival candidates  Maarit Feldt-Ranta (42%) and Sirpa Paatero (9%)  for the nomination.

The Social Democratic Party has nominated Tuula Haatainen, a 57-year-old Member of the Parliament from Helsinki, as its candidate for the presidential elections held in Finland in January, 2018.

Finland is a growing success story that no one believed would happen. But it did happen. Laying yourself on the line bears fruit in the long term, she stated in her victory speech before the party faithful in Jyvaskyla on Saturday.

The country, she viewed, owes much of its success to the education system and the skills possessed by its labour force. Its no coincidence that weve been able to reach the top of the world in so many fields. Education is also the key to social well-being.

Haatainen estimated that there is a consensus on the main elements of foreign and security policy making in Finland. Although the country must consider new measures to prevent terror attacks, it must not resort to any measures that are in non-compliance with the principles of the rule of law, according to her.

The idea of us limiting free movement in the Nordics is absurd, she commented on one of the proposals that has been floated in the wake of the suspected terror attack in Turku on 18 August.

The European Union, she added, is more significant than ever and must strive to develop its operations further. An EU that co-operates closely is in the best interests of a small country such as Finland. Finland must actively contribute to defining the future of the EU, she said.

She also urged the country to adopt a zero tolerance for hate speech.

Theres no room for hate speech or trampling on human dignity in my Finland. Human dignity is not a relative concept. Those who defend it arent an extreme. Theres no room for racism in Finland. Id represent everyone as the president, said Haatainen.

The Social Democratic Party struggled to find a suitable candidate for the presidential elections after the candidacy was turned down by many of its most senior members, including incumbent chairperson Antti Rinne, ex-Minister of Finance Jutta Urpilainen, ex-Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja and ex-Speaker of the Parliament Eero Heinaluoma.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Tommi Anttonen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
THE retirement party for Cliff Austin on Tuesday last week was hosted by Mayor Kellie Hinton, who presented him with John Lewis vouchers worth 250.

She told the guests: I have only been on the town council for six years so thats only a small part of time that Cliff has been here. I am sure you have all got your own stories about him and about how supportive he has been.

When there has even been anything that I needed Cliff has always been supportive.

Speaking to Mr Austin, she said: Thank you for everything that you have done. I would like to give you a gold watch and 10,000 but we are a town council so we have got you a little something.

We all thought about giving you more but it is the thought that counts. Thank you so much for everything you have done, it really wont be the same here without you.
A LANE of a busy road into Henley will be shut next week to allow water mains to be replaced.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on White Hill from Monday as Thames Water carries out the work to install plastic pipes which are less likely to leak or burst.

The work is expected to take about seven weeks and will involve the closure of 800m of the westbound lane heading into Henley.

The company has warned residents and businesses in the area in writing.

A similar project is currently taking place in Crazies Hill, where the main road in the village has been closed.

Project manager Jon Wickens said: Although we appreciate our work will cause some delays, feedback from our customers is they want to see us investing money and upgrading our ageing network of pipes to reduce leaks and bursts.

They want reliable water supplies that are fit for the future so its vital we replace the old pipes.

The work weve already done on Crazies Hill in recent weeks has gone really well and once were done on White Hill well be moving in to other parts of the area.

Further work to upgrade the water pipes under Remenham Hill and Aston Lane is planned for later this year and early in 2018.
The daughter of a Dublin grandmother, who was killed and dismembered, has been questioned by gardai in relation to the case.

Louise O'Connor (38), and two other people well known to Patricia O'Connor (61), were arrested and released without charge.

The grandmother's dismembered remains were discovered across the Wicklow mountains over a number of days in June.

A man is currently before the courts in relation to her death.

A 19-year-old woman was also arrested on Saturday in the capital, while a 73-year-old man was detained in Co Meath.

All three were questioned for 24 hours at Bray and Wicklow Garda Stations, before being released without charge.

Files are now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the arrests. The grandmother was reported missing on June 2, and her partial remains were located more than a week later at sites across rural Wicklow.

Days after the initial discovery, her decapitated head and her hands were discovered in a plastic bag.

In a previously unpublished interview, the victim's daughter Louise O'Connor revealed how her family had been forced to bury her mother in private, due to the media attention the case received.

Homeless

She said she and her children had been left homeless for two weeks after the murder, as gardai carried out forensic examinations of her home.

"I know that come the trial there will be plenty to say, but people are just printing stories now because people want to know everything about us," she told the Sunday World.

"I'm praying to God now that the council will get us out of this house.

"Can you believe my children have to stay here? We were out on the street when the house was sealed off.

"But they said it would take two weeks for them to get me a hotel room even though we had nowhere to go.

"I stayed in people's houses on floors here, there and everywhere. I've children, the eldest is 19 and the youngest is three.

"But they put us out on the street and I'm waiting to hear now whether they are going to bump me down the list.

"It is a joke, it is," Louise O'Connor added.

Asked about how her neighbours had reacted since her mother's death, she said some people have been lovely.

Horrible

"But you have some people who are just horrible, saying how could I stay here?," she said.

"But I don't have a choice. We have nowhere to go.

"I have a health nurse and a psychologist trying to help find accommodation.

"We wanted the grandkids to be able to go to the funeral without the media being there.

"So we didn't make it public knowledge It was very small and very simple," Louise O'Connor added.
Derek Bottler Devoy was the intended target of the attack

The man arrested in connection with the murder of two innocent people - in a botched hit on Derek 'Bottler' Devoy - is a convicted drug dealer from the north of the city, it has emerged.

Detectives investigating the killings of Antoinette Corbally-Devoy (47) and Clinton Shannon (30) questioned a north Dublin criminal for a number of days over his suspected involvement in the shooting.

Gardai believe the suspect, aged in his early 30s, provided logistical support for the double murder in Ballymun last month.

Sources said the man, who is well known to gardai in north Dublin, has a number of convictions for being in possession of drugs with the intent to sell or supply.

"He would be a serious criminal in the local area," a source said.

It is understood gardai believe he supplied vehicles to the hit team responsible for the brutal attack.

He was arrested last Monday and held for a number of days before being released without charge. The Herald previously revealed that two notorious criminals from the north inner city were being blamed for carrying out the atrocity.

Associates of the intended target of the attack, 'Bottler' Devoy (37), believe the two men were responsible.

Among the two being blamed by Devoy's gang is the chief suspect for the 2014 slaying of Bottler's brother, Michael 'Mad Mickey' Devoy (41). He was murdered shortly after his release from Portlaoise Prison.

Feud

The military-trained hitman, aged in his mid-20s, is also a suspect in the Hutch/Kinahan feud murder of Michael Keogh.

"This 'gun for hire' is a heavy hitter in terms of organised crime and he has close links to a number of gangs, including both sides of the feud," a senior source told the Herald.

"He is involved in extortion, debt collection and is associated with Provos in the north inner city."

The other suspected hitman has been closely monitored by gardai.

They believe he could be used at a "minute's notice" to carry out the murder of a rival Kinahan cartel member.

Aged in his 40s, he has been out of prison since 2013.

He served a lengthy sentence after being busted following a major surveillance operation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

A major Garda investigation is continuing into the double murder last month.

The two victims - mum-of-six Ms Corbally-Devoy and Bottler's friend Mr Shannon - were riddled with bullets when the gunmen emptied their magazines into them, the post-mortem examinations established.

Also injured in the gun attack, in Balbutcher Drive, Ballymun, were an 18-year-old relative of 'Bottler' Devoy and an innocent bystander.

Detective Superintendent Colm Fox, who is leading the investigation, said the cars that were used in the murder had been bought weeks before.

Funerals

He added that a silver Opel Zafira - registration 08-LS-3101 - was parked beside a building site at the junction of Balbutcher Lane and Balbutcher Drive for at least an hour before the shooting.

The funerals of the two innocent murder victims took place last week.

Despite the threat to his life, 'Bottler' was among the chief mourners at his sister's funeral Mass in Ballymun.

The funeral of Clinton Shannon, which took place in Laytown, Co Meath, heard his parents "hold no animosity" following the murder of their son.
Gardai searching a west Dublin green area for missing Trevor Deely will target the area of the dig site where they believe his body might be discovered.

The large-scale search operation has been ongoing over the last number of weeks at a three-acre site in Chapelizod.

It is now entering a crucial stage, according to sources.

In the first week of the search, a firearm was recovered wrapped in a plastic bag, which has undergone forensic examination.

Gun

It has not yet been established if the gun is linked to Mr Deely's disappearance. A Garda unit has been searching and clearing the site over the last three weeks. It is understood a number of key areas have been selected as being of interest.

An informant has told gardai that the bank employee was shot dead by a known criminal on the morning of his disappearance. Mr Deely, a Bank of Ireland worker, was last seen in the early hours of December 8, 2000, in the Haddington Road area of the city centre.

The individual who has given information to gardai has not supplied any motive for the alleged murder of Mr Deely.

It has been claimed he was killed after having an interaction with a criminal on the morning of his disappearance.

It is understood the source was not influenced by the offer last April of a 100,000 reward.

Officers also said it was not linked to any leads that had been examined in the past.

A well-known criminal from the Crumlin area has been nominated as a suspect by the informant. This man's associates were linked to prostitution in the south-inner city at the time of Trevor's disappearance, and are suspected of murdering Sinead Kelly (21) months previously.

The last known images of Mr Deely were captured by a CCTV camera at the junction of Haddington Road and Baggot Street, at 4.14am.

A man dressed in black, who gardai believe also spoke to Mr Deely outside his place of work minutes previously, can be seen following him in the direction of Haddington Road.

This footage was only made public earlier this year after a specialist unit, set up at Pearse Street Garda Station to review the case, secured improved CCTV images.

Since the dig got under way, the continuous flow of gardai entering the sealed-off woodland in Chapelizod marked just how extensive their recent search has become.
More than $65,000 in treatment costs and a lengthy stay in the neonatal intensive care unit are realities for each infant born addicted across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.

A healthy newborn, in contrast, costs around $8,500 after prenatal, delivery-related and postpartum care, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Total costs in treating NAS babies have risen sharply. For fiscal year 2015, which ended in December 2016, taxpayers across the country paid $53 million to treat babies born with NAS. Many families have no insurance, meaning state and federally funded assistance programs along with taxpayers have to pay the costs to treat a drug-addicted baby.

For babies born addicted, an average of 17 days is spent in the NICU, with medical care from hospital staff, equipment costs and prescriptions making up only some of the mounting costs. A healthy baby typically has only a three-day stay, according to Dale Poe, vice president of finance for Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee.

The biggest percentage of cost comes from the standpoint of human resources; many of our NICU nurses often work overtime, Poe said.

The number of hours needed to take care of NAS babies is an element that people often forget, he added.

The number of NAS babies admitted to the NICU has steadily increased in recent years, leaving hospitals and state agencies like TennCare burdened by the cost of their care. Newly released data from taxpayer-funded state Medicaid agency TennCare also sheds light on the true cost of NAS.

TennCare is funded approximately 35 percent state dollars and 65 percent federal dollars, said Sarah Stockton, deputy communications director for the states Division of Health Care, Finance and Administration. Since TennCare is a managed care program, we pay our managed care organizations a capitated [set] rate. Providers and facilities then contract with the health plans.

Stockton said that TennCare has taken a number of steps in recent months to reduce NAS costs across the state, including reducing the number of opiate prescriptions written by providers and paid for by TennCare each year; increasing access to contraceptive services for women taking narcotics; and providing coverage for treatment of opiate addiction.

We are beginning to see a reduction in opiate prescriptions paid for by TennCare, but this is a complicated problem, Stockton said. TennCare participates in a multi-agency task force that is focused on public health, substance abuse, child welfare and law enforcement, all of whom have a role to play in combating this problem.

The same is true in Virginia, with the average treatment cost for an NAS baby at $65,000, which includes almost three weeks in the NICU, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Each day that an NAS baby spends in the NICU adds an additional $1,246 to the cost of care, according to the Virginia All Payer Claims Database.

Doctors in both Tennessee and Virginia use the neonatal abstinence scoring system known as the modified Finnegan scale to assess NAS babies for the 21 symptoms most frequently observed in opiate-exposed infants. Each symptom and its degree of severity are assigned a score, and the total score is used to determine effective treatment measures to be used  and how much the treatment will cost.

Siobhan Dunnavant, a state senator and obstetrician from Henrico County, asked members of the General Assembly to set aside $124,000 as seed money to create the Virginia Neonatal Collaborative, which will set standards for caring for drug-addicted pregnant women and newborns with NAS.

Though the collaborative will eventually consider all aspects of care necessary to keep mothers and babies healthy, the opioid and heroin epidemic is the most pressing. Dunnavant said the number of infants in Virginia exposed to drugs in utero increased 21 percent in the past year.

Holston Valleys Poe said the cost of NAS for the health care system is overwhelming, but he expresses hope that with advances in research, analysis and awareness, the rate of NAS cases, as well as the syndromes effects and the length of NICU stays, can be reduced.

We want to see these babies get healthy  and with any NAS case, you have normal factors that drive up costs, Poe said. We just have to be efficient and strive for the absolute best.
BRISTOL, Tenn.  City police said Sunday evening they have no new information regarding Fridays fatal shooting in a Walmart parking lot.

Authorities still believe the death of Michael Heatherly, 43, of Bristol, Tennessee was a targeted slaying and that the public is not in danger. Investigator Justin Bush said Sunday police have no new information to release.

Heatherly was gunned down Friday at 3 p.m., in the Walmart parking lot at 220 Century Blvd., as he attempted to get into his gray four-door sedan. The keys were still in the door lock and bags of items lay on the ground near the vehicle.

Authorities said he died about an hour later at Bristol Regional Medical Center.

On Saturday police issued a written statement saying two people who were persons of interest in the case have been interviewed.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Bristol Tennessee Police Department at 423-989-5600, email tips@bristoltn.org, or contact Investigator Justin Bush at jbush@bristoltn.org or 423-989-5530.
J.D. Vances book Hillbilly Elegy, published last year, has been assigned to students and book clubs across the country. Pundits continue to cite it as though the author speaks for all of us who grew up in poverty. But Vance doesnt speak for me, nor do I believe that he speaks for the vast majority of the working poor.

From a quick glance at my resume, you might think me an older, female version of Vance. I was born in Appalachia in the 1960s and grew up in the small city of Newark, Ohio. When I was 9, my parents divorced. My mom became a single mother of four, with only a high school education and little work experience. Life was tough; the five of us lived on $6,000 a year.

Like Vance, I attended Ohio State University on scholarship, working nights and weekends. I graduated at the top of my class and, again like Vance, attended Yale Law School on a financial-need scholarship. Today, I represent people whove been fired illegally from their jobs. And now that Im running for Congress in Northeast Ohio, I speak often with folks who are trying hard but not making much money.

A self-described conservative, Vance largely concludes that his family and peers are trapped in poverty due to their own poor choices and negative attitudes. But I take great exception when he makes statements such as: We spend our way into the poorhouse. We buy giant TVs and iPads. Our children wear nice clothes thanks to high-interest credit cards and payday loans. We purchase homes we dont need, refinance them for more spending money, and declare bankruptcy. . . . Thrift is inimical to our being.

Who is this we of whom he speaks? Vances statements dont describe the family in which I grew up, and they dont describe the families I meet who are struggling to make it in America today. I know that my family lived on $6,000 per year because as children, we sat down with pen and paper to help find a way for us to live on that amount. My mom couldnt even qualify for a credit card, much less live on credit. She bought our clothes at discount stores.

Thrift was not inimical to our being; it was the very essence of our being.

With lines like We choose not to work when we should be looking for jobs, Vances sweeping stereotypes are shark bait for conservative policymakers. They feed into the mythology that the undeserving poor make bad choices and are to blame for their own poverty, so taxpayer money should not be wasted on programs to help lift people out of poverty. Now these inaccurate and dangerous generalizations have been made required college reading.

Here is the simple fact: Most poor people work. Seventy-eight percent of families on Medicaid include a household member who is working. People work hard in necessary and important jobs that often dont pay them enough to live on. For instance, child-care workers earn an average of $22,930 per year, and home health aides average $23,600. (Indeed, it is a sad irony that crucial jobs around caretaking and children have always paid very little.)

The problem with living in constant economic insecurity is not a lack of thrift, it is that people in these circumstances are always focused on the current crisis. They cant plan for the future because they have so much to deal with in the present. And the future seems so bleak that it feels futile to sacrifice for it. What does motivate most people is the belief that the future can be better and that we have a realistic opportunity to achieve it. But sometimes that takes help.

Yes, I worked hard, but I didnt just pull myself up by my bootstraps. And neither did Vance. The truth is that people helped us out: My public schools guidance counselor encouraged me to go to college. The government helped us out: I received scholarships and subsidized federal loans to help pay my educational expenses. The list of helpers goes on.

Now that so many people have read Hillbilly Elegy this summer, I hope they draw this better moral from the story: Individuals can make a difference in others lives, and by providing opportunities for all, our government can do the same. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should be legitimate expectations for everyone, hillbillies included.
 Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?

He will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.   Matthew 25:44-45

They are the least of these.

They are women without faces, men without voices, children without names. More to the point, they are families without homes, running to escape hunger, war, oppression, and death.

And maybe this would pull at your heartstrings, open up within you that reliably human thing we saw in Houston, where people reached out to the suffering stranger, squeezed tighter in the boat to make room for one more. Except that the people were talking about are not from Houston.

They come from different places, speak different languages, sing to another God. And they huddle behind a collective noun: refugee. All of which makes it easier to objectify them, to see them as anonymous and abstract, to subsume their trauma in your unreasoned fears. It makes it easier to support dumb ideas like extreme vetting.

Anyone who does could benefit from reading Refugee, the new novel by Alan Gratz. It is a tripartite narrative, stories of escape as experienced by three children in three different eras. In 1939, Josef and his family are running from Nazi Germany and its persecution of the Jews. In 1994, Isabel and her family are fleeing the hunger and repression of the Castro regime. In 2015, Mahmoud and his family are trying to get away from the civil war that that has turned Aleppo, Syria, into a wasteland of blasted rubble.

Gratz is a writer of young adult fiction, but there is nothing childish about the ordeals these children face. Captured by the Nazis, Josef must help his mother make an unbearable decision. Capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, Mahmoud must do the unthinkable to save his infant sister. And then, there is Isabel, racing for the bright lights of Miami Beach as a U.S. Coast Guard ship bears down.

Under the immigration policy later dubbed wet foot-dry foot, if she and her family and friends are caught before reaching land, they will be sent back to Cuba, but if they make the beach, they can stay. That rule was always controversial. People complained that it discriminated against Haitian refugees, who enjoyed no such favor. Others feared a new influx of refugees would overwhelm Floridas economy.

But those concerns are far from your mind as the Coast Guard closes in on Isabel. Having endured a harrowing trip with her on a rickety boat crossing the Florida Straits, youre just pulling for her to make it.

Its not that the political concerns are immaterial or even wrong, but that they tell only part of the story. In Refugee, Gratz tells the rest, which is that human beings and human lives get caught in the gears of those politics.

His book is dangerous because, once having lived in Isabels shoes, in Josefs and Mahmouds shoes, you will find it that much harder to ever again reduce a refugees plight to just its policy dimensions. Much less, to your fears. The book demands more. It demands your humanity.

At its best, fiction is a lie that reveals truth. The truth these pages reveal could not be more timely for a nation arguing over Muslim bans even as Syrian families run for their lives.

That truth is this: What we so readily see as nameless, voiceless and faceless is really none of those things. It is girls and boys, women and men, people like us, just trying, like us, to navigate safely through this challenging life.

And all theyre asking for is a seat in the boat.
Shawna Ramos, Tri-Cities resident whose son was born with NAS "I feel so guilty. All babies cry, but he has a high-pitched cry  like he hurts."  Shawna Ramos, Tri-Cities resident whose son was born with NAS

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.  Ashton Shephards monitor beeped quietly, alerting those in his room at Niswonger Childrens Hospital Special Care Unit that he was in respiratory distress.

Respiratory distress was just one of the withdrawal symptoms the newborn had experienced since his birth 10 days earlier.

Born exposed to the Subutex that his mother, Tri-Cities resident Shawna Ramos, took throughout her pregnancy, Ashton started receiving morphine every three to four hours to help ease the effects of withdrawal. But he was now down to twice a day. Subutex is a drug used to treat opioid dependence, but because its also an opioid, it can be abused. Ramos, a 26-year-old mother of three, cried when she described the first time her infant shrieked from the pain of withdrawal. She admitted that he was paying the price for her eight-year addiction to prescription and illegal drugs.

She spoke to the Bristol Herald Courier from the hospital in June.

Ramos other children, ages 4 and 3, were also born drug-exposed, but they did not suffer the same withdrawal symptoms.

I feel so guilty, she said, tears streaming down her face. All babies cry, but he has a high-pitched cry  like he hurts.

She went on to explain that he also has a high temperature, stiffness and mottled skin, and he sucks excessively.

The symptoms Ashton experienced are common in babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Other symptoms include tremors, irritability, sleeping issues, seizures, excessive sneezing and yawning, sweating, diarrhea and dehydration.

Ramos said Ashton had some of the other symptoms when he was first born, but the morphine helped alleviate them.

Hes taking less [morphine] than he was at first  which is good  but no baby should ever have to feel the pain of withdrawal, and its hard knowing I did this to him, she said.

Ramos addiction started when her boyfriend died. She was 18.

I couldnt shake the numbness I felt after his death, she said. My doctor gave me a prescription for painkillers, and when I couldnt get it refilled, I got drugs off the street.

By the time she was 22 and pregnant with her first child, Ramos was hooked on the painkillers oxycodone and Roxicodone. She said she couldnt stop taking drugs because of the severe pain of withdrawal. So she went to a clinic for help.

I hurt really bad. Everything hurt  my back, legs, everything in my body hurt like it was coming up from my bones, she said. I didnt want my baby to feel that, so I went to a clinic to get Subutex. I thought taking that would be better than what I was on. The doctors at the clinic never told me that my babies could be addicted when they were born. They told me it was better for me to be on prescription drugs instead of illegal drugs, so I thought I was doing the right thing.

Ramos said her first childs NAS scores were a little high, so he spent five days in the hospital nursery. She also said since he wasnt transferred to the NICU, she believed he was OK.

The NAS score sheet  called the Finnegan scale  lists 21 symptoms most frequently observed in opiate-exposed infants. Each symptom and its degree of severity is assigned a score and totaled  higher scores indicate a higher level of drug exposure. A baby must have a score of five or lower for three or more consecutive days to be released from the hospital.

Shortly after her first son was born, Ramos said she slipped up and starting using again. Soon, she was pregnant with her second child. His scores were also low, and he was released after five days.

Having two young kids was hard, and being a single mom with little or no income added to the stress, she said. There are options to help with the stress, but the one I go to is drugs  theyre everywhere. Its always around. Theres always someone who has something, and I started using again.

When Ramos got pregnant with Ashton, she headed back to the clinic for help because her other two children werent born addicted. But watching Ashton withdraw has changed her mind on the cycle of taking Subutex for treatment.

Its been a wakeup call. Seeing him like this and knowing what he is going through makes me realize that I need to stop using, Ramos said, looking at her son sleeping in her lap. I know now that I need to even stop taking the Subutex because even though it helps me, its not worth this  I think seeing the pain he is in will help me to get clean.

After her first two children were born, the hospital called the Department of Childrens Services to make them aware that the babies were born drug-exposed, she said.

But because I was on a prescription medication, they closed the case pretty fast, Ramos said. They made sure I had a prescription, checked my home to make sure it was safe, drug-tested me, and at that point, they closed the case.

DCS was called again when Ashton was diagnosed with NAS, and Ramos said they are handling things differently this time.

What is WOVEN? WOVEN is a specialized program funded by the Tennessee Department of Health and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, designed to serve mothers who deliver, or are at risk of delivering, a drug-exposed infant. Participants may enroll in the program while pregnant or upon delivery of the baby regardless of the custody status. The goals of WOVEN are to provide support for women to obtain sobriety and maintain a drug-free lifestyle. This includes alcohol and drug treatment, resource linkage to meet basic needs and counseling on long-term, reversible birth control. WOVEN participants will also receive parenting education and hands-on support to facilitate appropriate bonding with their newborn. Each participant in the program receives:  Coordination of services with the Department of Childrens Services, Health Department and medical providers (to address the needs of the infant, and the mom, as well as counseling for family planning);  Alcohol and drug treatment;  Individual case management services, which will take place in the clients home or community setting;  Parenting education, including class instructions and individual services  Evidence-based programming including Nurturing Parenting and Seeking Safety  Assistance with accomplishing goals established by the Department of Childrens Services  Life skills education Information from the Families Free website at https://www.familiesfree.com/woven

This time, the case worker that came to the hospital told me about a program in Johnson City called WOVEN, she said. They have support groups and other things that can help me come off drugs and stay clean. Ive already talked to them twice, so Im going to go there, and they can help me come off of everything.

The program is offered through Families Free in Johnson City and is for women who have delivered, or are at risk of delivering, a drug-exposed infant. Families Free is a faith-oriented, community-based organization that provides free treatment, education and intervention services to women and families affected by substance abuse, incarceration and domestic instability.

Ashtons case with DCS is still open, and because of his addiction Ramos is unsure how long DCS will be involved with her treatment and recovery.

My parents have temporary custody of my other two kids, she said. And when Ashton is released from the hospital, were going to live with them while I go through recovery. They are the only support system I have left.

Addiction takes everything and everyone from you, she added through tears. I dont know what Id do without my parents. They are the only ones left who are willing to help me.
Rachel Carson's expose shocked the world. And we're better for it

columns
SPRING CREEK  To possibly deliver other sources of revenue to pay for road and amenity maintenance in Spring Creek, homeowners association directors have decided to continue looking at municipality options.

President Jessie Bahr sought the boards opinion during its regular monthly meeting on whether to continue looking at options for the association, which would be an added expense in the SCAs budget, or conclude the research process.

Bahr asked if the board wanted her to look deeper into alternatives that were reported in a study by Hansford Economic Consulting earlier this year. Residents have expressed a preference for a governance option that would not cost them more money and would maintain a Spring Creek governing body.

It would be finding different revenue sources so we dont have to raise assessments, Bahr said.

The Hansford study revealed five options, including remaining an HOA; becoming an unincorporated town; forming a district for maintenance of roads; or becoming a general improvement district for roads, a GID; or a multiservice GID.

Contract cities and legislative changes were two other options Bahr said she could investigate, along with more study into a regular GID.

Pursuing the idea of receiving consolidated tax distributions was a long shot, but may work, Bahr said. The unincorporated town of Jackpot receives proceeds from liquor, cigarette or sales taxes.

In California, Denver and Washington state, cities or towns contract maintenance work to local businesses, but that could result in losing control of not having your own employees  and a small amount of businesses to pick from to perform the work, Bahr said.

Director Paddy Legarza said she believed the board received its answer from the initial study and in-depth analysis of the SCA by Catherine Hansford and from an April workshop and meeting of property owners in June.

We got an answer we really didnt want, they didnt want us to have, but I think we have our answer, Legarza said,  we all came back with HOA.

Director and board chair Josh Park said he believed the study provided many options, and it was worth forming another workshop to discuss the alternatives so that the new at-large members, Molly Popp, Tom Hannum and Jake Reed, will have a fresh perspective on the issue along with the rest of the board.

Director Jim Jefferies agreed that it was worth kicking around again and again because the Hansford team provided information but didnt tell the SCA what to do with it.

Park added that although most property owners would like to see the SCA dissolve and the assessments disappear, the money to pay for services would still need to come from someone.

Depending on which direction you go, we still have to have services, and public services have to be contracted with the county or hire someone, Park said, adding he did not have a preference in any of the options.

The board of directors gave Bahr approval to continue exploring municipality options.
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There is only one clear, unequivocal message from Sundays reshuffle of the Union Cabinet. India has never seen a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi. One reason why all predictions about his likely actions fail is that there is no precedent for many of the things that Modi does and, therefore, no reliable way of assessing what he will do next.

For days before the reshuffle, television channels ran wall-to-wall coverage of what was likely to happen. With one possible exception (the inclusion of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh), nearly every prediction was wrong. Even after the new ministers were sworn in, journalists made fools of themselves by declaring that there would be no defence minister and that Arun Jaitley would keep the portfolio. I did not see one report that predicted the elevation of Nirmala Sitharaman.

Weak governments leak all the time. During UPA II, everybody, from the PMO to the CAG to the lowliest junior minister, leaked. It is a mark of the strength of the Modi government that nothing ever gets out  unless he wants it to.

Ministerial appointments are one example. Nobody expected Smriti Irani to be made HRD Minister, nobody thought she would be shifted to textiles and nobody predicted her sudden return to prominence.

This is as true of the states. One reason why the BJP avoided naming a chief ministerial candidate before the UP elections was because Modi had Yogi Adityanath in mind all along. And hardly anyone guessed what he was up to.

So it has been with many of the prime ministers other initiatives. Who knew that he was flying off to Pakistan to wish Nawaz Sharif on his birthday? Even as massive an enterprise as demonetisation was kept secret till the moment that Modi went on TV to announce it.

Disappointed journalists have made the point  in the aftermath of the medias humiliation  that neither Modi nor his key aide, Amit Shah confide in the press. This is indisputable. But, to focus on the Modi-Shah duos allergy to the media is to miss the big picture. Many of the (completely wrong) reports about who was in and who was out emerged out of briefings from top BJP sources. Clearly these people also knew nothing.

But equally some people must have known. Many of those being elevated were consulted. Modis bureaucrats, who apparently prepared performance reports about his ministers, must have had some idea of what was going to happen. But they never let a word slip.

Similarly, the Foreign Office knew about the prime ministers surprise trip to Pakistan. Various bureaucrats, RBI officials and those at the mint knew about demonetisation. But not one hint got out  even to the Cabinet.

No prime minister has been as much of a secretive loner as Modi. He is often compared to Indira Gandhi but she had a kitchen cabinet and then, a full-fledged court. If you were close to first, PN Haksar and later, RK Dhawan, you knew what was coming. Modi has no kitchen cabinet, no high-profile advisors, no courtiers and no cronies.

As for the reshuffle itself, it follows none of the patterns predicted by political analysts. We were told that the RSS would play a key role but while some RSS favourites have been included this is not an expansion that benefits gaurakshaks. We were told that non-performers like Radha Mohan Singh would go. They have survived. We were assured that poll-bound states such as Himachal and Gujarat would get greater representation. They have not.

We were informed that Arun Jaitleys star was on the decline, that he might even lose finance. In fact, he seems stronger than ever. The two great promotions have gone to his proteges, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman.

So, is there an overarching pattern to the reshuffle? Well, it confirms two things. One: Modi wont give in to pressure. So despite a chargesheet, Uma Bharati stays. Suggestions that ML Khattar would be removed from Haryana and given a face-saving Cabinet portfolio after the Ram Rahim fiasco have also proved wrong.

And we know that Modi likes bureaucrats. So theres lots of them in the ministry, though not necessarily in areas where they have any expertise. Hardeep Puri was one of our ablest diplomats but hes been parachuted into Urban Development. Nor is it clear why KJ Alphons should get tourism or RK Singh should be placed in energy.

But there is nearly always an internal logic to Modis moves. The trouble is: we cant predict these moves and the logic is something that only he understands.

Till we figure out how his mind works, he will keep India guessing.

The views expressed are personal

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Serzh Sargsyan congratulates Emergency Workers Day (video)

SERZH SARGSYANS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON EMERGENCY WORKERS DAY Dear Emergency Service Officers and Veterans, I cordially congratulate you on your professional holiday, the Emergency Workers Day. You are entrusted with the crucial task of possibly preventing natural and manmade disasters on the territory of our country and - should they occur - responding, managing, mitigating and eliminating their consequences. A great role here has to be played by the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and, in particular, the National Center for Crisis Management. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is a relatively new structure that brings together a number of recently established and already existing services. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is entrusted with a wide range of activities; nevertheless the MES staff has lived up to the task in a dignified manner. In terms of building capacity in other spheres related to rescue and prompt response activities, we need to enhance the safety of the most important facilities. The Ministry of Emergency Situations cannot comply with this task on its own, so we need to introduce new effective mechanisms in order to coordinate the operations of different public structures and services. Emergency situations know no State borders. Therefore, sustained partnerships should be built at regional and international levels. I welcome the involvement of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the joint programs implemented by relevant international organizations. I would also like to highlight the importance of Armenian MES experts participation in disaster response operations in the region. In order to properly organize work in emergency situations, we need to take into consideration our countrys natural peculiarities. In this respect, another key priority is the continued reform of the seismic protection system; serious efforts should be made in the field of landslide management. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has been instrumental in terms of countering the recent emergencies by organizing and coordinating effective response to wildfires. It was very important that State-managed and even private instruments were used to deal with these challenges. The above testifies not only to the professionalism of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, but also to its staffs high moral and psychological qualities. Reiterating my congratulations on the occasion of your professional holiday, I wish you all robust health, every success and new achievements for the safety and progress of the Republic of Armenia and our people.
In an interestingly cryptic post, Susanne Khan has supported her former husband and Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan in the ongoing ugly and public spat between him and his alleged former girlfriend Kangana Ranaut. Posting a cute picture with Hrithik, Susanne tweeted, The[re] is no allegation or sad plot that can have the weight to triumph over a good soul. #powerofthetruth #mafamilia #goodoverevil.

Kangana has alleged that Hrithik was in an extramarital relationship with her while the Kaabil actor maintains he only knew her in a professional capacity. In two of her recent interviews, Kangana has attacked both Hrithik and his father, Rakesh Roshan. She has gone to the extent of saying that she feared for her life and also demanded an apology from both Hrithik and his father.

The is no allegation or sad plot that can have the weight to triumph over a good soul. #powerofthetruth #mafamilia #goodoverevil  pic.twitter.com/WlVKbIhFjE  Sussanne Khan (@sussannekroshan) September 3, 2017

Kangana and Hrithik were engaged in a public war when she talked about her silly ex in an interview almost a year ago. Hrithik retorted to this with a rather nasty tweet, writing, Ther r more chances of me having had an affair with d Pope dan any of d (Im sure wonderful) women d media hs ben naming.Thanks but no thanks (sic).

Ther r more chances of me having had an affair with d Pope dan any of d (Im sure wonderful)women d media hs ben naming.Thanks but no thanks.  Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) January 28, 2016

Later, Hrithik sent a legal notice to Kangana. Since quite sometime you (Kangana) have been insinuating and trying to create an image within the film industry through print and social media and in public at large that there was some relationship between our client (Hrithik) and you, the notice sent by Hrithiks advocate Deepesh Mehta on February 26, 2016 said. Kangana had replied with counter-notice and the war between the two escalated. However, everything had been quite for the last few months.

But in two of her recent interviews, Kangana raked up the controversy once again, bringing back the focus on the ugly war between the former co-stars from Krrish 3.

In an interview to Rajeev Masand, Kangana said, There are so many things that happen in extramarital things really. Look at what happened in the Malayalam (actress) case. What that man did to her for a complaint to his wife. He got her raped, got her videos circulated. All this only happened now but girls get pregnant, they get shot, they get killed for things like these. Of course, I feared for my life, she said.

Kangana also said, He sent me a notice seeking an apology and asked me to organise a press conference to clear his name. He said he will date the pope but not me. He also threatened me to leak mails and do other things if I dont apologise. He made a file (of mails) just to keep my mouth shut. When did I say I want anything from you? He himself has sent those mails from my account.

This is not the first time that Sussanne came to Hrithiks aid during this rather public spat. When an allegedly photoshopped image of Hrithik and Kangana at the same party was leaked in 2016, Sussanne had shared the real image from the same party where she was also present. She had tweeted along with it, Pictures are photoshopped and untrue stories carry too much weight. Another picture for the record. I support Hrithik in this. Hrithik and Sussanne separated in 2013 and got divorced two years later.

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Kangana Ranauts interview with journalist Rajat Sharma on his chat show Aap Ki Adalat has made heads turn. While many are appreciating Kanganas bold stance on her feud with Hrithik Roshan, others want the Roshans to clarify their position.

However, Kangana Ranaut didnt only talk about her alleged affair with Hrithik Roshan. She actually talked about five people on the show. She named three of them and opted to hide the identity of the other two.

Aditya Pancholi

It all started with Kangana narrating her harrowing experience when she was a struggling teenager in Bollywood. She referred to film actor Aditya Pancholi and how he used to beat her up.

She said, He got an apartment for me but didnt allow my friends to come there. It was a kind of house arrest. Then I went to meet his wife. His daughter is a year older than me. My film Gangster was about to release then. I was a minor. I remember going to his wife (Zareena Wahab) and meeting her, and I was like Please save me! Im younger than your daughter. Im a minor and I cant tell my parents. She said to me that they were relieved that he was not at home otherwise he raised his hand on domestic helps and others. She said its actually good for us if he is not around, so I cant help you.

Rakesh Roshan

Kangana then targeted Hrithiks father Rakesh Roshan who made a public statement about exposing her. Its been a year and I am still waiting for him to expose me, she posed.

Adhyayan Suman

Kangana was in a relationship with actor Adhyayan Suman who later accused her of beating him up and practicing black magic. Kangana denied his claims but said she should have done something about Suman. She hinted beating him up wouldnt have been a bad idea. He was 95 kgs and I was of 49 kgs. How could I ever hit him? I wouldnt be able to? However, now that I look at it I should have hit him? she said.

Those she didnt name

A film writer was also in her line of fire. The Queen actor said the writer whose wife is an actor threatened her and advised her to shut up. She didnt name the writer.

A journalists name also popped up when Kangana said how the journalist called her sister, Rangoli, and expressed concerns over her safety. Kangana suggested it could have been a veiled threat.

Ketan Mehta

Filmmaker Ketan Mehtas name was also mentioned when Rajat Sharma brought up the topic of making a film on Rani Laxmibai. She said how Mehtas script of the proposed film on Jhansi Ki Raani was the worst she read in 10 years.

On the work front, Kangana is gearing up for the release of director Hansal Mehtas Simran on September 15, 2017. She is also playing Rani Laxmibai in Manikarnika.
Hold your breath guys! Priyanka Chopra is here to rule your hearts again. Vogue India just dropped its September issue and features global icon Priyanka Chopra on the cover.

She is seen dressed in a black halter neck bikini top, posing against a black net. She wore bold makeup with shiny hair flying, red hot lips, a long-long bird wing-winged liner, filled in bold eyebrows and manicured metallic lip.

Unstoppable. Unruly. Unconstrained. Call it what you like. It is what it is. Thank you @VOGUEIndia... pic.twitter.com/bRwU1wYexX  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 4, 2017

Recently she also posted a selfie of her from the shoot and captioned it, Unruly hair.. unruly temperament.. oooh we have so much in common hair.. #shootlife.

On the professional front, Priyanka Chopra is currently shooting for her next Hollywood project Isnt it Romantic? alongside Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth and Adam Devine.
Shah Rukh Khans daughter, Suhana, has left for London to complete her studies, and the star wrote a message on Twitter about how he misses her. When the little one goes back to school & there is nobody to point out that u r using too many filters! he wrote, alongside a heavily-edited photograph of the father-daughter duo.

When the little one goes back to school & there is nobody to point out that u r using too many filters! pic.twitter.com/KKU9wRsRi9  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) September 3, 2017

Like her brother Aryan, Suhana is expected to make her debut in the Hindi film industry after completing her studies. She is being spotted in public more frequently than ever before. Only last week, she attended a bash thrown by fellow star kid, Ahaan Panday, Chunky Pandays nephew.

It was also rumoured that Suhana had visited filmmaker Karan Johars offices in Mumbai for a screen test before leaving for London. Johar has made it clear that were SRKs children to make their movie debuts, he would like to introduce them.

In an interview with DNA, Shah Rukh spoke about his daughters acting ambitions: Suhana wants to be an actress. I see that zeal in her. Shes extremely good on stage, Ive seen her performances. Shes admittedly a cinema fan and wants to be in the industry. But my point is simple  you need to complete your education before doing anything. Thats the only thing I have told my children. Otherwise, they are free to be in the film industry, not be in it and do whatever they like. I will be supportive of whatever they want to do. While Aryan has now grown up and is more macho, hes building his body and all, Suhana is more loving. I think shes the softest person in the house. And AbRam is my little monster.

Awwww.....  This is the cutest father-daughter duo I have ever seen pic.twitter.com/5RudRG14OQ  Ilsa (@SRKxANUSHKA) September 3, 2017

was longing for a SHAHlfie in the morning..& before i could ask for it..u posted.. connection bhi na kamaal ki cheez hai  looking loveable  a    a (@MyNameIsSneha) September 3, 2017

Both r going lil far from u :(

But abruuu is there na so bus apni smile n dimples dikhate raehna meri jaan

Lov u till my last breath  pic.twitter.com/Lpa23OaKbE  BINDIYASRK FAN (@SRKsDimples_) September 3, 2017

U look incredibly handsome  ND suhana is looking damn gorgeous  pic.twitter.com/6VRDri4jBx  KHUSHI (@SrksSoulmate) September 3, 2017

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I first went to meet her in the 1970s for a feature story for Junior Statesman, a magazine of which Desmond Doig was the editor. Doig then thought we should publish a book on her so I went to take pictures of her three or four times.

Later, I wanted to do my own book of pictures of her. However, I was a bit unsure of myself at that point when it came to photographing Mother for two reasonsone, I was male, and, two, I was not Christian.

Nevertheless, I decided to go ahead because I hadnt met anyone like her before, she was extremely precious to me. There was one other hurdle that I had to overcome and that was Mother herself. She was not fond of photographers taking pictures of her. In fact, she said to me, Youve already done a photo book on me, havent you had enough? But I persisted, I was extremely sensitive and careful in the way I photographed her and the sisters, and she eventually said, Let me do my prayer and I shall let you know. I said, Mother I have done my prayer and the answer is YES. At this, she looked at me and then said simply, Okay, lets do it. This touched me deeply, it showed how much she believed in prayer, and treated everyones prayers the same. She did not think her prayers were superior to mine but that we were all equal in the eyes of our Divine Maker. However, may I say that my prayers could never match her prayers.

In all the years that I was in Mothers presence, my admiration for her never slipped. I remember one such occasion that made me so proud to be her loving son, and even more proud to be an Indian. One day I was photographing Mother in Kalighat, at the Nirmal Hriday home. She was busy attending to a sick person.

A sister came and told her that a Swiss banker wanted to see her. She acknowledged the message but continued to nurse the ailing old woman. After she had made her as comfortable as possible, she met the Swiss banker who offered her a hefty donation. But there was a touch of arrogance about the offer. Mother heard him out patiently and then said, I am sure there are old people in your country who also need a home and care. Why dont you do something there? Because my people in my own country give me enough to look after our poor.

***

Saint Teresa died of a heart attack on 5 September 1997 at Mother House in Calcutta. She had already ensured that a successor, Sister Nirmala, was in place to lead the order. Sister Nirmala had this to say about Mother:

Even when His glorious light falls on a dust particle, it begins to shine. So Mother was blessed with that glory.Her death provoked universal grief. The Government of India gave her a state funeral that was attended by leaders from around the world. Millions mourned her. At the time of her death, as I have mentioned earlier, her order girdled the globe. She had received hundreds of honours from every continent, including the Bharat Ratna and the Nobel Prize for Peace. The world would not see her like again, this tiny woman with a heart as big as all humanity. But the big awards of the world, the adoration of the people meant little to her. She saw herself, in her own words, as a small pencil in the hands of the Lord and her mission, simply stated, was: What the poor need most is to feel needed, to feel loved.

As Vice President Hamid M. Ansari said at an event in Calcutta on 2 October 2016, to celebrate her canonization, we would all do well to heed Saint Teresas message: Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta: A Celebration of Her Life and Legacy

By Raghu Rai

Publisher: Aleph Book Company

Pages: 148

Price: Rs 1,499
Translating literature into cinema is not new for the Hindi film industry. Now with the emergence of digital platforms and a shift in audience tastes, publishers and content providers are increasingly looking to chart a more streamlined roadmap to bring compelling narratives to screen.

This idea of adapting a book to a movie is becoming more commonplace as compared to five years ago, Anish Chandy, who heads business development and sales at Juggernaut Books, said.

Around five years ago, there was no demand.... So we were on a zero base. But now, theres a significant demand, where people are getting in touch with us and asking what else is there, said Chandy, who describes over-the-top (OTT) platforms Amazon Prime Video and Netflix as rich uncles who have given a boost to the word-to-screen format.

Netflix has already commissioned Sacred Games, based on author Vikram Chandras book, and Selection Day, based on the book by author Aravind Adiga, for the Indian market. These apart, there are a string of books being made into films or web series.

Netflix has already commissioned Sacred Games, based on author Vikram Chandras book, and Selection Day, based on the book by author Aravind Adiga, for the Indian market.

Hoping to bridge the gap between all the players involved, Jio MAMI (Mumbai Academy of Moving Image) Mumbai Film Festival with Star organised the second edition of the Word to Screen Market in Mumbai last month. It saw representatives from content studios and publishing houses as well as filmmakers and authors.

Actor Sonam Kapoor, who has confirmed that she is featuring in a screen adaptation of Anuja Chauhans 2008 novel The Zoya Factor, said at the gala: Books were my respite when I was growing up and then films became my profession. I think the marriage of both is very important, especially because for a consumer who cant consume books as well, its easier to consume films.

Filmmaker Kanu Behl said: Books seem to be disappearing off desks and the hard copy versions of books are going out of peoples minds. So in todays time, its even more important that books are talked about.

While the filmmaking world has become more receptive to the idea of adapting from books, publishers and authors are trying to decode the right pitch apart from looking for the red flags while dealing with content producers.

Chandy says 20% queries from content providers turn into deals, and according to him thats huge for now.

We are hoping for it to increase on a rapid pace, he said.

Arpita Das of Yoda Press said: The writers are back in the centre. The writer had been relinquished or sidelined for sometime, and I think the next step would be to look towards literature and the stories that it has because thats a better source.

The Jio MAMI team is trying to put in place a skeletal system that can help filmmakers, publishers and authors in recognising the best content and in striking the right deals.

Smriti Kiran, creative director, Jio MAMI, said: This broken, sporadic relationship that the film industry and literature share in this country needs fixing. Cinema needs stories and literature has plenty to offer. We are trying to enable these two worlds to forge friendships, collaborations and find these untapped narratives.
Banker-turned-writer Amish Tripathi is the latest public figure to support repealing Section 377 of the IPC. Tripathi says Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises sexual acts against the order of the nature, and affects the rights of LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders) community, is an egregious and illiberal section and it must be repealed.

There is widespread support for scrapping of Section 377 among writers and intellectuals in India and the likes of noted poet Vikram Seth and writer-politician Shashi Tharoor have openly advocated repealing of this Victorian-era statute. Amish Tripathis arguments, however, are slightly different.

In his first non-fiction book Immortal India, Tripathi lays out the vast landscape of ancient Indian culture and argues that it had a fascinatingly modern outlook.

I believe its time we debated Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises sexual activity of LGBTs. It is an egregious and illiberal Section that must be repealed. There are some who have reservations based on cultural and religious grounds. Well, lets discuss them, Tripathi writes in his essay on LGBT rights before presenting his arguments, validated by his research and knowledge of Hindu mythology.

I am not an expert on religious mythologies of other religions, but as far as Hindu scriptures are concerned, I think there are ample examples to substantiate that LGBT rights were accepted in ancient India, Tripathi told IANS when asked what made him reach this conclusion.

His essay in the book is written from a Hindu perspective and draws immensely from ancient scriptures. He cites several examples and anecdotes from Hindu religious texts to make his point  that LGBT rights were accepted in ancient India.

Purush napunsak nari va jiv charachar koi / Sarv bhav bhaj kapat taji mohi param priy soi. (Any man, any transgender, any woman, any living being, as long as they give up deceit and come to me with love for all, they are dearest to me.)

These lines were said by Lord Ram in the Ramcharitmanas. He did not differentiate between man, woman or transgender. What does this mean? According to me, this shows our liberal ancient attitude towards LGBTs. And there are other examples in the Mahabharata too. Such stories were celebrated in ancient India and this, to my mind, reflects the liberal attitude we had towards LGBT communities, he elaborated.

Tripathi also argues in the book that Section 377 does not reflect the traditional Indian attitude towards sex. It is, instead, he argues, a reflection of the British colonial mindset, influenced by medieval interpretations of Christianity.

I think there is a great deal to learn from such examples. If we had such a society, which accepted LGBT communities with openness in ancient India, I surely think we can think on similar lines today as well. Also, on the principle of individual liberty, if heterosexuals can lead their lives in the way that they see fit, then LGBT communities should also have the same rights and freedoms to decide how they want to lead their lives, he maintained.

The best-selling author with gross retail sales of over Rs 100 crore further asserted that religion is an integral part of most societies but, in his opinion, modern laws should be based on individual liberty rather than on any religion.

I am a very proud Hindu and I am a very religious person, but I do not think that religious beliefs should lay the foundation of any laws in the modern world. Modern laws should be based on the concept of individual rights and liberty. Everybody should enjoy equal freedom and rights in all aspects. Religion has a very important place in society. But laws should be based on secular principles and individual liberty, and they should not be influenced by any religion, he contended.

Tripathis mythological fiction titles have sold more than four million copies and have been translated into about 20 languages. He worked for 14 years in the financial services industry and quit it only after, in his own words, his royalty check became greater than his salary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday and discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially in the oil and natural gas sector.

The two leaders met in this southeastern Chinese city on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime ministers visit to Russia earlier this year. And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in Xiamen.

Kumar said several bilateral issues such as cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector were discussed during the Modi-Putin meeting.

Kumar said the two leaders also discussed how they should work together to promote trade and investment.

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges.

President Putin mentioned about the Festival of India, which was organised in Russia earlier this year. Discussions also took place on the promotion of tourism between the two countries and also on the student exchange between the two sides, Kumar said.
It is ironic that the monsoon, often described as the lifeblood of the Indian economy, can cause its major cities so much misery. In the last one month, we witnessed a string of civic disasters, probably some of the worst recorded in recent times.

Mid-August, residents of Bengaluru were forced indoors when two of the citys giant lakes spewed so much toxic froth that it became difficult to breathe. A week later, Chandigarh, Indias best-planned city, was swamped with such forceful rainwater back-flow that cars floated away.

On August 29, floods in Mumbai killed five and left thousands stranded. Two days later, a 117-year-old building in south Mumbais Bhendi Bazaar collapsed, killing 34 people. Delhi, which was already anticipating severe waterlogging with the return of the monsoon rain after a brief dry spell, had a chunk of its biggest landfill come hurtling down on people, killing two.

Although the authorities blamed heavy downpour for these civic tragedies, none of this came without a warning. Poisoned with citys sewage and industrial waste, Bengalurus lake crisis was building up for years, leaving us with unbelievable spectacles of water bodies catching fire. Chandigarhs natural storm water channels remain choked for the last two decades.

Read: Metro Matters: This monsoon in Delhi, lets give lowly creepers and hedges a chance

Evidently, Mumbai learned no lessons from the 2005 floods that killed 500 people. When the city flooded again 12 years later, the project to upgrade the British-era drainage system was only half complete. Mumbais natural drainage system  the wetlands, lakes and the Mithi river  remain stuffed with concrete and garbage.

In Delhi, while the officially designated landfills were already experiencing mini-landslides under the weight of citys garbage when the Ghazipur disaster struck, hundreds of water bodies have been turned into makeshift dumpsites for want of proper waste disposal.

The national capitals gutters and stormwater channels are clogged with plastic, construction waste, road dust and domestic sewage. Ponds and water bodies are long lost to real estate development. Unsurprisingly, even minor showers cause waterlogging, sewage back-flow and traffic jams. We talk about building smart cities even as we cant stop our biggest urban centres from falling apart.

Far more obsessed with growth and urbanisation than India, even China has decided to pay more attention to the basics of civic planning than just executing vanity projects. In 2012, when flooding killed 79 people in Beijing, the authorities, like they do here in India, blamed the volume of rain and not their citys mindless concretisation and inadequate drainage for the tragedy.

But a rethink followed and Chinese President Xi Jinping stepped in to announce the development of 16 sponge cities. The project, launched in 2015, is about developing storage ponds, filtration pools, and wetlands in residential areas, and roads and squares built with permeable materials that allow storm water to soak into the ground more effectively.

The pilot projects in Beijing, Shanghai and Xinjiang have shown that 85% of the storm water run-off can be reduced yearly, China Water Risk, a non-profit organisation, reported. The harvested grey water is meant to be used in toilets and for washing the streets.

Read: Metro Matters: How to secure children in Delhi? Lets hear it from them

While there is anxiety around long-term funding and top-down approach in implementing the project, there is general consensus among all city administrations that this is their best shot at achieving flood mitigation and water security at the same time. Today, 30 Chinese cities are on board.

As the threat of climate change looms large, cities world over are, in fact, getting bolder in their initiatives to achieve resilience. Seoul (South Korea) has reclaimed the Cheonggyechon River, which had been covered by a highway. Inspired, planners in Mexico City are proposing to tear down the east-west highway, one of the busiest roads in Mexican capital, which encases the Piedad River. Initially done to control flooding, the cementing reduced the river to a drain, destroying its ability to absorb storm water.

Delhi has similarly built mega structures such as Barapullah elevated road and Dilli Haat at INA over the natural channels that used to carry rainwater to the Yamuna. Ideas to demolish them and free up the nullahs may never gain political currency. But whats stopping the city administration from unclogging the rainwater channels that can still be unclogged?

shivani.singh@hindustantimes.com

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Direct metro connectivity between a major part of east Delhi with southern parts of the city has been delayed further because Delhi Metros longest line -- the 58.6km Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar corridor -- will operate in two segments as a small part of the line is stuck over land issues.

This line will connect north and west Delhi with south and east Delhi. But about 4km is stuck over land acquisition and rehabilitation of affected people in east Delhis Trilokpuri.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has to rehabilitate 108 residents but is falling short of land. Only 66 families can be accommodated on the plot it has been alloted for the purpose.

It has requested the Delhi government for more land but the process will take time, which means construction on that 4-km stretch will not be over before the end of 2018.

In Trilokpuri, we are not able to accommodate all these people on the piece of land given to us. This is because the available land for the dwellings has reduced as the road width had to be increased. We have asked for additional land from the Delhi Urban Shelter improvement Board (DUSIB), DMRC chief Mangu Singh said.

We really do not know how much time it will take so we will leave that part. Trains coming from Mukundpur will be reversed from Mayur Vihar pocket 1 station while those operating from Shiv Vihar will return from IP extension . We are hopeful it will be resolved soon, Singh said.

DMRC hopes to open rest of the portion by March 2018. But passengers from east Delhi areas such as Shiv Vihar, Welcome and Krishna Nagar will have to use Anand Vihar as an interchange to go to south Delhi or Gurgaon and Faridabad.

Once the entire line is complete, they can commute to Lajpat Nagar and INA directly, without going to RajIv Chowk.

The entire line was scheduled to be launched by December 2016. This stretch also provides crucial connectivity to the depot but DMRC will manage parking of trains by taking them all the way back to the origin stations.

The DUSIB had allotted a 11,138 square metre plot to DMRC in front of blocks 15, 16, 17 and 18 in Trilokpuri to relocate affected persons. But due to resistance from local residents, work could not begin at the plot on time.

The residents had moved court but the judgment went in favour of DMRC. Work in this section started in August, 2013. DMRC will take a year and a half to complete the relocation work. Construction of a viaduct at the affected portion will begin after the residents shift to their new accommodation.

Construction of 108 houses for shifting affected persons of Trilokpuri block 15 started on October 13, 2016 as per the Delhi High Courts direction. The DDA said the right of way in front of these quarters is 30 metres. But the width of the existing road is 21 metres. The DDA plans to develop Sanjay Lake and a commercial complex, which will increase traffic on this road. So the road will be widened by taking nine metres from the plot given to DMRC. So only 66 quarters can be constructed on the remaining land, a DMRC official said.

For the remaining 42 residents, the DMRC has asked for a 2,615 square metre land in front of Block-14, Trilokpuri.

With 10 interchange stations, the line was set to take off load existing ones, especially Rajiv Chowk. The line is constructed in a way that it will decongest all the other lines, said a DMRC official.

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Statement by the Spokesperson on the conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts

Foreign Minister of Armenia to participate in the Fifth Paris Peace Forum

Armenia: EU and Armenia Hold annual Dialogue on Human Rights

Todays Shushi, Occupied and Cleared of Armenians, is a Real Example of Turkish-Azerbaijani Policy of Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh

Ookla, the the global leader in internet testing and analysis has awarded Ucom

Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

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I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments
The National Green Tribunal on Friday pulled up the Delhi government, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and two other agencies over the Ghazipur landfill collapse, stating that nothing can be more humiliating than being buried alive under tonnes of garbage.

Two people were killed when a portion of the waste dump, estimated to be as high as a 15-storey building, collapsed on a road connecting Ghaziabad with Noida on Friday.

The green court then issued show cause notices, asking why punitive action must not be taken against the Delhi government and criminal proceedings initiated against civic body officials in this regard. Why did you not carry out directions issued by the tribunal time and again? Are the people of Delhi expected to meet this fate? Are they supposed to die under a garbage dump? We had asked you to reduce the height of the dump and take appropriate measures to reduce waste, a bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said, observing that no collective steps were taken to ensure that the garbage was processed, segregated and compressed.

The bench  also comprising Justice RS Rathore  said it was unfortunate that residents of the countrys capital have to die because of improper, unscientific and indiscriminate dumping of solid waste at the site. You are killing people under garbage. It cannot get any more humiliating (than this), it added.

The tribunal then asked why compensation should not be awarded to the relatives of those who died in the landfill collapse due to sheer negligence, before posting the matter for further hearing on September 12.

EDMC counsel Balendu Shekhar said the corporation had already moved a plea seeking allotment of land to develop sanitary landfills meant for handling municipal solid waste. There was an immediate requirement for alternative land because the Ghazipur landfill site  which handles 13 metric tonnes of waste every day  is no longer sufficient for the purpose, he added.

The tribunal also issued similar notices to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in this connection. While the NHAI was slammed for not lifting segregated waste despite specific directives, the bench asked the DDA to explain why appropriate landfill sites were not allotted to the citys civic bodies for the purpose.

The green tribunal gave all the municipal corporations concerned a weeks time to submit an action plan charting immediate steps for restoring landfill sites across the city.

Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal imposed a ban on dumping at the Ghazipur landfill site soon after the incident. The garbage is now being diverted to a temporary site at Ranikhera, near the Delhi-Haryana border.
When his mother fell off a moving train while fighting off a snatcher, 19-year-old Gaurav Bansal jumped behind her without a second thought. Entering into the Old Delhi railway station, the train was slow and Gaurav hoped the fall would only result in minor non-fatal injuries to his mother.

But as he got back on his feet and looked towards his 43-year-old mother, Sudhir Bansal, his heart sank. His mother had landed under the train instead of the adjacent tracks. But reality struck Gaurav only a few seconds later when the last compartment of the train passed. His mother had lost her right hand and leg and had received severe injuries to her head.

He looked around frantically in the hope of spotting someone who could help him. But there was no one in immediate sight.

Not sure about what to do, Gaurav decided to carry his mother in his arms. But he immediately realised that it was practically impossible because of the long and tough distance he would have to walk along the railway tracks. The nature of injuries to his mother did not make it feasible either.

He then decided to call the authorities for help. I called the police, the ambulance and other numbers I could remember. But I received no response for over an hour, alleged Gaurav, who would be attending his first day of graduation at a DU college if not for the tragedy.

Seeing a delay in help, Gaurav again looked around for people. He spotted a few, most of them visiting the railway tracks to attend the call of nature. I begged them with folded hands. I told them it was my mother on the tracks. But not one person decided to help us, said an angry Gaurav.

Every few seconds, Gaurav said, he would check if his mother was still alive before again beginning to beg the passersby. He did not realise when she stopped breathing, but by the time a police team reached the spot, she was already dead.

Gaurav said he had read in the newspapers about Delhis lack of sensitivity towards people in need, but never thought he would be a victim on the day he landed in the city to pursue his education.

You have been writing about peoples apathy, but did it change anything? Did it bring people to save my mother? You writing about it now will neither stop snatching, nor bring humanity in the people, Gaurav told a small media gathering at Sabzi Mandi mortuary as the post-mortem was being conducted on his mother.

My son is an educated boy. He knew how to seek help, but he was forced to stand helpless in front of his dying mother, said Gauravs father, Satyavan, just before breaking down.

Some people inside the train, who were standing behind Gaurav, had witnessed what had happened, but they too did not alert anyone, he added.

As the family took back Sudhirs body to their home town in Haryanas Bhiwani, relatives said Delhiites had left them heartbroken. Gaurav says he doesnt want to study in a city that couldnt save his mother. We will try to guide him to make the right choice once he recovers, said Gauravs cousin, Sanjay.
The US-Iran nuclear deal lives to fight another day. The International Atomic Energy Agency last week once again certified Iran was in compliance with the nuclear agreement that Tehran signed with six other countries, an agreement that officially goes under the snappy title Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The IAEAs continued green light is important because it denies legitimacy to United States President Donald Trumps hostility to the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has repeatedly spoken of his desire to abrogate the deal.

The IAEA did have points of disagreement with Iran. Specifically, the two disagreed on whether the agency had the right to inspect Iranian military nuclear sites. Irans president, Hassan Rouhani, insisted such sites were off limits. The agencys director, Yukiya Amano, diplomatically said the IAEA had the right to inspect all relevant locations but would only ask for military sites if it had reason to believe they were home to any nuclear activity that violated the agreement. Washington has seized on this point of difference, but has not provided any evidence of Iranian nuclear hankypanky.

The importance of the Iran nuclear deal cannot be stressed enough. While it allows Iran the right to enrich uranium, it keeps the weaponisation of its nuclear capability on hold for a decade in return for a lifting of international economic sanctions. Without the agreement, Tehran would be free to pursue nuclear weapons and the international community would face two bad options. One would be to accept Iran as a de facto nuclear weapons state with the likelihood this would trigger a nuclear scramble among other regional powers including Saudi Arabia. The other would be to carry out military strikes against Irans nuclear facilities, with the hugely disruptive consequences that would follow  including a wider regional war and a superspike in global oil prices.

The Trump administration may feel Iran has been given too free a rein given its record of violating its international treaty obligations on nuclear issues. But it has provided no real alternative to the present Iran nuclear deal. It has also provided no evidence Tehran is in violation of the deal, even though the US refusal to follow other countries and lift sanctions against Iran is violative of the spirit of the agreement. Fortunately, the US seems to accept the weakness of its case: Trump has twice certified that Iran is in compliance to the US Congress. But the US presidents attitude and the potential for disagreement on Irans military sites is a reminder that stability in the Persian Gulf has weak roots.
New Delhi The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to include a student, seeking admission to MBBS course through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) as an NRI candidate in the waiting list of deemed universities. The student had appeared for the entrance exam as a resident candidate.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru said that this would enable the student to approach the deemed universities directly and his counsel said this was acceptable to him.

The high court passed the direction after Central government standing counsel Jasmeet Singh informed that all vacant seats had been released to the deemed universities.

The only assistance that can be granted to the student is that his name can be included in the waiting list as an NRI candidate for onward transmission to deemed universities.

The court was hearing the students petition, filed through advocate Pradeep Kumar Arya, seeking direction to the Centre to consider and admit him as an NRI candidate for the admission in MBBS in pursuance to NEET (for admissions to medical and dental colleges) for year 2017-18 in the Central list for deemed universities.

The student, who completed Class 12 last year from Saudi Arabia, said his father was a resident of Madhya Pradesh and his mother was a non-resident Indian as she had spent more than 180 days in the last financial year in Saudi Arabia.

He had applied under the NEET as a resident candidate and not as an NRI and could not be considered in the NRI category.

However, the Centre had issued a notification on July 21, informing all NRI candidates who had registered under unreserved/ Indian category at the time of registration for undergraduate MBBS/BDS seats and were eligible to be considered under NRI quota, to send their relevant documents supporting their status by July 25 (for being considered under the NRI category) the plea said.

The student did not send any of the application or documents following the notification but claimed that he had made the request prior to July 21 and even after July 25, which should have been considered.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday greeted teachers on the eve of birth anniversary of former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan celebrated as Teachers Day across the country.

In his message, he said India has a warm tradition of the Guru Shishya parampara by which teachers impart their knowledge to students and empower them.

It is our moral responsibility to pay respect and regard to teachers, as they are role models who guide children to become good and productive human beings. Teachers also develop the creativity of children and kindle a desire in them to be innovative, he said.

On this occasion, I pay my homage to Dr Radhakrishnan and extend my heartiest greetings to all teachers of our great nation, the president said.
Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that the detailed project report (DPR) for the much-awaited POD taxi project between Manesar and Dhaula Kuan has been prepared but some of the issues that may hinder the project include safety concerns, capital-intensive project.

He was speaking at the launch of 1,000 e-rickshaws in the city at the Huda City Centre Metro station.

Gadkari travelled from Delhi to Gurgaon and back for the event in the metro.

DPR for the POD taxi project between Manesar and Dhaula Kuan has been issued and we are in the process of issuing tenders. The project has run into trouble with respect to safety problems and is awaiting clearance from authorities concerned, Gadkari said.

Gadkari added that the government has envisioned POD taxi as an eco-friendly public transport and are committed to provide the service at the earliest. He added that since the project is highly-capital intensive, the government is trying to reduce its running costs and match tariffs to that of Delhi Metro service.

In September 2016, during the foundation stone laying of new underpasses and flyovers on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, Gadkari had announced that construction on the POD taxi project will commence in the three months. Last October, the POD taxi project had come to a standstill after Niti Aayog had raised objections regarding its safety.

In collaboration with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), 300 Smart E rickshaws were added to the Gurgaon roads, with 700 more vehicles to be incorporated in the coming months.

Gadkari, minister of state (independent charge) for planning Rao Inderjit Singh, DMRC managing director Mangu Singh and Palash Roy Chaudhary, chief mentor of SmartE flagged off the service.

Aimed at eradicating last-mile connectivity issues in the city, Smart E e-rickshaws are GPS-enabled and their movement will be tracked by a control room.

It will ply from five DMRC stations in the city  Huda City Centre, IFFCO Chowk, MG Road, Sikanderpur and Guru Dronacharya. It can accommodate a maximum of four passengers at a time and is permitted to cover areas within a 5km radius.

Drivers will be verified by the police and the fares will start from Rs10 for the first two kilometres and Rs5 per km.

SmartE officials revealed that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Haryana government at last years Happening Haryana Summit to roll out five thousand eco-friendly vehicles.

Rao Inderjit Singh highlighted the problem of smog caused by crop burning in Haryana and Punjab during winters, which increases pollution at alarming levels in NCR and proposed that e-rickshaw service can assist in reducing pollution level.

Mangu Singh, managing director of DMRC, acknowledged that despite having a comprehensive metro service, last-mile connectivity remains a hassle and e-rickshaw services can be a solution to the issue.

At the event, Gadkari said that the government is working towards adding air-conditioned electric double decker buses in the metro cities.

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Overflowing sewage and contamination of drinking water have put the health of Taksila Heights residents in Sector 37C at risk. They claimed that despite repeated requests with the civic authorities, they are yet to show any urgency to resolve this problem.

The condominium, spread across 11 acres, has 596 apartments. The complex is currently home to 425 families.

While thousands of residents have moved into the sector over the last couple of years, main sewage lines have yet to be laid by the authorities.

The society also grapples with a perennial waterlogging problem, putting residents at risk of diseases such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya. Last year, as many as nine residents were diagnosed with chikungunya and the threat of mosquito-borne diseases is clear and present this year as well, as sewage pipes are yet to be connected to the main discharge line leading to sewage spill or overflow outside the complex.

We are using tankers to dispose of the sewage, as there are no pipelines connected to the main (discharge) line. Shockingly, the authorities have not laid the sewage lines as yet. We have been suffering for the last couple of years and yet, the authorities dont seem to care, Vaneet Bansal, a resident, said.

In all four sides of our society, there is waterlogging and we are always living in fear of coming down with malaria or chikungunya. Last year, every member of my family tested positive for chikungunya and this year, several other residents have suffered from this disease, Vikas Bansal, general secretary, residents welfare association (RWA), said.

Residents alleged that they are forced to bear the stench of sewage water overflowing outside the society.

They said they have written to the authorities on several occasions, but each time, their pleas fell on deaf ears. They said sewer lines werent laid despite several reminders to the authorities.

Already, the sewage water has started the groundwater source in the area and residents on the ground floor are majorly affected. We are using purifiers to remove the stench, but nothing seems to work. We all are dependent on mineral water for our daily use. But how long are we to depend on mineral water? Rajat Prashar, a resident, said.

We have paid the internal development charges (IDC) and external development charges (EDC) to government as per policy and invested our savings in purchasing these flats in the hope that the government, some day, will provide the basic services, including sewer lines. But sadly, nothing has happened, Jagdish Kumar a resident, said.

Residents said that if officials fail to provide the services, they should refund their EDC/IDC amounts and levy the charges once the basic infrastructure is in place.

Haryana urban development authority (HUDA) officials said work has already begun on laying sewage pipelines and the problem will be resolved at the earliest.

We are laying the lines wherever we are getting vacant lands and soon the sectors sewage lines will be connected to the main line, Jagdish Kumar, executive engineer, HUDA, said.

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George Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, made their first public appearance since becoming parents to twins in June. The couple were attending the ongoing Venice Film Festival, where Georges new film as director, Suburbicon, premiered in competition.

US actor and director George Clooney and his wife Amal attend the premiere of the movie Suburbicon presented out of competition at the 74th Venice Film Festival. (AFP)

Amal wore a stylish lilac Versace gown at the premiere, but her after-party look attracted just as much attention. According to People, celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury wrote about Amals look - a tiered, brightly-colored one-shoulder minidress and metallic pumps - on her Instagram.

Clothing line William Vintage took to Instagram to share the origins of Amals dress. It was designed by Madame Gres, a leading French couturier, in 1967.

On June 6, Amal and George Clooney became parents to twins Ella and Alexander, just a few days before fellow celebrity couple, Beyonce and Jay Z.

US actor George Clooney and his wife Amal arrive at the Excelsior Hotel during the 74th Venice Film Festival. (AFP)

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Angelina Jolie took time from promoting her new film, the Cambodia-set drama First They Killed my Father, at the ongoing Telluride Film Festival, to answer questions about her life as a newly single person. This is the first time I have done this for a long time. Its not easy. I am a little shy this time, because I am not as strong inside as I have been in the past, she said.

Speaking with the Sunday Telegraph, the star, 42, said, I dont enjoy being single. Its not something I wanted. Theres nothing nice about it. Its just hard.

Sometimes maybe it appears I am pulling it all together, but really I am just trying to get through my days, she added. Emotionally, its been a very difficult year and I have had some other health issues. So my health is something I have to monitor.

Jolie previously spoke about her illness - she was diagnosed with Bells Palsy - in a Vanity Fair spread published in July.

Jolie abruptly filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, her husband of two years and partner of 12, in September 2016. Since then, theyve been locked in a heated custody battle over their six children. In January, a judge agreed to keep the proceedings private - no details about it will be made public by the court.

Recently, reports suggested that the divorce was on hold. In August, an E News report quoted a source as saying, They are taking a breather and seeing what happens.

The rumours were denied by a different source in a separate story on E News.

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Ten days after 38 followers of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh were killed in clashes with security personnel while protesting his conviction in a rape case, the Haryana Police recovered 33 of the 67 licensed weapons from the controversial sects headquarters in Sirsa on Monday.

Police said the weapons seized included pistols, revolvers, .315-bore rifles and modified weapons.

Sadar station house officer (SHO) Dinesh Kumar said, There are 67 licensed weapons in the name of Dera Sacha Sauda. We got information from the dera administration that it has collected 33 of them and that we should take them from its office. They (the dera followers) modified the .315-bore rifle so that it looks better.

Asked about the remaining 34 weapons with the dera, he said, We have asked the dera administration to deposit the rest of the weapons as soon as possible else the police will take action according to the law.

Sources said dera chairperson Vipassana Insan has urged followers to deposit their weapons with the police.
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Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

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EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

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This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments
The Uttar Pradesh government was left red-faced on Monday after a probe into the deaths of 49 children at the Farrukhabad district hospital within a span of one month put the blame on the lack of oxygen supply.

Senior officials in capital Lucknow went into damage-control mode, telling the media that the findings by the Farrukhabad city magistrate on the child deaths at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital between July 21 and August 20 were superficial and insisted that the fatalities were not because of an oxygen crisis.

The government, however, had hours earlier transferred Farrukhabad district magistrate Ravindra Kumar and two top medical officials over the deaths.

In all, 30 children died at the hospitals unit for newborns and 19 died during delivery, reviving memories of the Gorakhpur tragedy in which about 100 children died in a week last month at BRD Medical College.

City magistrate Jainendra Kumar Jain had lodged an FIR with the Kotwali police station, saying doctors at the hospital had neither administered oxygen nor any medicines in the course of treating the children. Attributing the deaths to perinatal asphysia  a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly, Jain said: It was amply clear that most children died because of lack of oxygen.

But senior bureaucrats, including the principal health secretary and the principal information secretary, said the district officials transfers had nothing to do with the police complaint.

A technical team headed by the director-general of health would visit Farrukhabad on Tuesday to investigate and submit a report, Prashant Trivedi, the health secretary, and Avinish Awasthi, the information secretary, informed.

Action will be taken against officers and doctors on the basis of the report of the technical team, Trivedi said. Terming the city magistrates report superficial, he said no action would be taken on the basis of the FIR lodged in the case.

Sundays FIR follows an investigation into the deaths by Jain and tehsilder Ajit Kumar Singh.

The duo examined hospital documents and spoke to family members of the dead children.

Sources said it was only when the two officials spoke to the parents personally and over the telephone that the issue of lack of oxygen cropped up.

Farrukhabad superintendent of police Dayanand Mishra said a case has been registered over the deaths. The police are investigating it and further action will be taken as the investigation progresses, he said.

The district magistrate admitted lapses by doctors and the hospital. But the hospital authorities blamed most of the deaths on the childrens weight, premature birth, and their delayed arrival at the hospital in a critical condition.

Mortality among such children is quite high; often we get children who weigh less than a kilo or two kilos. At times the children are born with complications or there is a delay in referral from primary health centres to the hospital, Dr Kailash Kumar said.

Dr Archana, who works in the hospitals maternity wing, blamed the deaths on the ignorance of the mothers.

They are not educated, not aware. If their children have water or blood deficiency, they will not know unless the issue becomes complicated, she said about the deaths of 19 infants on her watch. Often they delay the surgery, taking much time in deciding if they should go for it, she added.

Dr Akhilesh Agarwal, the hospitals chief medical superintendent, said at least 24 of the 30 children who died at the unit for newborns were born at private hospitals or someplace else. When they were brought to the hospital, their condition was already grim, he said.
Should a person convicted in a criminal case be forced to languish in jail indefinitely, until his or her appeal is disposed of by a higher court?

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine this question raised in a petition filed by a group of lawyers, who challenged a Madhya Pradesh high court order stating that inordinate delay in deciding an appeal cannot be grounds for releasing a convict on bail.

Advocate Navin Prakash, the counsel for the petitioner, stated that the high court was yet to hear appeals filed in 1999-2000. In some cases, the appeals were rendered infructuous because the person remained in jail for a longer period than the sentence received. But the conviction was not set aside, he told a bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar.

Bail is an assurance of ones liberty. This is a matter of serious concern, the bench replied, issuing a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government. It even asked the high court registry to furnish details on the number of appeals pending before it, besides instances where life imprisonment was awarded.

Justice Chelameswar made a comparison between the Allahabad high court, where appeals are not looked into for more than 20 years, and the Andhra Pradesh high court during his exit in 2007, when appeals not over two years old were being heard. If one high court can do it, then why cant others? he remarked.

The matter was then adjourned for six weeks.

A three-judge bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court had held on April 26 that a convicted person cannot be released on bail merely because he or she had served a substantial part of the sentence in jail during the pendency of the appeal. According to petitioners, the situation has now worsened to the extent that the convict-appellants  in certain cases  have remained incarcerated for periods almost equivalent to that of the sentence and their appeals.

It would indeed be a travesty of justice to keep a person in jail for a period of five or six years for an offence that is ultimately not found to have been committed by him. Can the court ever compensate him for his incarceration, which is found to be unjustified? the appeal filed by the lawyers body read.

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On the first day in his new office as tourism minister, bureaucrat-turned-politician Alphons Kannanthanam touched upon the controversial issue of beef, saying it would continue to be consumed in Kerala.

Talking to PTI, the 1979 Kerala cadre officer said that the BJP had never said that beef cannot be eaten.

As Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar has said that beef will be consumed in the state. Similarly, it will be consumed in Kerala, he said.

The BJP does not mandate that beef cannot be eaten. We dont dictate food habits in any place. It is for the people to decide, he said.

Kannanthanam said if a BJP-ruled state like Goa was eating beef, there should be no problem in Kerela.

He later told a TV channel that he act could be a bridge between the Christian community and the BJP.

Addressing some of the concerns that were raised by the Christian community about the BJP in the past, Kannanthanam said it was mere propaganda.

There was a lot of propaganda in 2014, that if Modi comes to power Christians will be burnt, churches will be demolished. The prime minister has made it clear that believe whatever you want, I will protect you. The PM has done a fantastic job in taking everyone along, he said.

Parrikar, in July, had said in the Assembly that he would ensure that there was no shortage of beef in the state and, if required, it would be imported from neighbouring states.

Cow slaughter is banned in as many as 21 states. Consumption of beef has also been barred in some of these states, including Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. It is also banned in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Kerala is among eight states where there are no restrictions on cow slaughter.

However, widespread protests and beef fests were organised in Kerala in May following a central government notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has stayed the Centres notification on cattle slaughter ban, while the Kerala High Court refused to order a stay on it.

The Supreme Court later clarified that Madras High Courts stay on the notification is operational, implying that the stay on cattle slaughter ban is effective across the country
West Bengal government has decided to lobby with the Centre to prevail upon the Sikkim government to cooperate with the Bengal police to arrest Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president, Bimal Gurung, who is believed to be hiding in the Himalayan state.

The Mamata Banerjee government and Pawan Chamling administration are locked in a bitter confrontation over GJM senior leaders such as Bimal and GJM youth wing leader Prakash Gurung and several others who have taken refuge in Sikkim.

Last week, police of South district of Sikkim prevented a team of Bengal police to bring back GJM supporters who were arrested from a spot near Namchi.

Sikkim Police said that the Bengal team entered their state without any information and did not have any document to arrest the GJM leaders.

Read more: Sikkim police prevent Bengal team from taking away arrested GJM members

Murder charges have also been slapped at Namchi police station against the police superintendent of Kalimpong district and his men.

Incidentally, on Monday a Namchi court gave bail to Sabitri Rai, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha member who was arrested by Bengal police, said defence lawyer Yanzee Pinasha.

The order was a setback for the Bengal police that was locked in a bitter confrontation with the Sikkim Police when the latter prevented them to bring the arrested leader to Bengal.

The confrontation between the two states began on June 20 when the Sikkim chief minister shot off a letter to home minister Rajnath Singh expressing his support for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Read more: Bandh till Centre calls tripartite meet on Gorkhaland: Bimal Gurung

The Bengal strategy, according to state government sources, will be two-pronged.

First, the state will be writing to the Union government highlighting incidents of non-cooperation by the Chamling administration.

Second, bureaucrats will hold regular parleys with the Sikkim and Central government.

The government, has decided to go by the rule- book before conducting any police action within Sikkim to arrest Gurung, following the Sikkim governments allegations that the last police raid by Bengal police was without prior permission.

The CID (north Bengal), Ashoke Prasad, has already written a letter to South Sikkim SP Pratap Pradhan seeking permission to conduct a raid at Namchi, where Gurung is believed to be hiding, said an officer of the West Bengal home department.

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Four documents, including on cooperation, were signed by the Brics countries on Monday with an aim to deepen commercial ties among the groupings members.

Apart from the action agenda on economic and trade cooperation, the three other documents signed in the presence of leaders of Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) were action plan for innovation cooperation (2017-2020), strategic framework of BRICS customs cooperation and Memorandum of Understanding between the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank on Strategic Cooperation.

All these instruments were aimed at giving boost to trade ties within the five-nation grouping, officials said.

According to IMFs estimates, Brics countries generated 22.53% of the world GDP in 2015 and has contributed more than 50% of the world economic growth during the last 10 years.

Assuring Indias support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the meeting with the BRICS business council said, We will offer full support to your endeavours. And we also count on the BRICS Business Council to take us closer to our common objective of improving business and investment cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Xiamen to attend the Brics Summit during which he would look forward to having productive discussions and positive outcomes with leaders of the grouping to support the agenda for a stronger partnership among the member countries.

Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday at the end of the Brics summit for the first time since the resolution of the two-month standoff in Doklam along Sikkim border.

BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

On Monday, Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin, and is expected to meet President Michael Temer of Brazil.

Modis tight schedule includes a meeting with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt on Tuesday morning  Egypt is one of the five counties  Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan  invited to take part in a meeting on the sidelines of Brics.

Highlights:

7:50pm: Congress welcomes BRICS declaration condemning terrorism, hope PM Modi will now take up the issue of declaring Jaish chief Masood Azhar an international terrorist.

7:40pm: The BRICS nations decide to boost their role in global health governance, especially through the World Health Organisation and other such United Nations agencies

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) delivers his speech while flanked by Brazilian President Michel Temer (L), Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd L), South Africa's President Jacob Zuma (2nd R), and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) during the BRICS Business Council signing ceremony. (PTI)

7:15pm: The Xiamen Declaration, issued at the end of the BRICS Summits plenary session, says the member countries will work together to promote the most effective use of fossil fuels and wider use of gas, hydro and nuclear power.

7:00pm: India and four other BRICS nations pledge to abide by the principle of utilising outer space for peaceful purposes.

5:50pm: China will give $80 million in funding for BRICS cooperation plans, Chinese President Xi Jinping says.

5:30pm: The GST introduced in July is Indias biggest economic reform measure ever. In one stroke, a unified market of 1.3 billion people has been created, says PM Modi.

5:20pm: To boost cooperation in different areas, including economy and trade, BRICS member states sign four agreements.

5:00pm: The 5-nation BRICS economic bloc pitches for concluding the long-pending IMF quota reforms by 2019 to give more say to developing nations in the multilateral lending agency.

12.20pm: You cannot have double standards, what came out today acknowledged we must come together in handling it: Preeti Saran on terrorism.

12.19pm: All the initiatives are not only from India, we have full cooperation from the other countries, says Preeti Saran, secretary (east) in the MEA.

12.17pm: Members of BRICS countries have suffered due to terrorism, says Preeti Saran. For the first time there was specific listing of terrorists outfits, she says.

12.15pm: The BRICS leaders called on states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories, says Preeti Saran.

12.14pm: Preeti Saran, secretary (east) in the MEA, says there was consensus in the BRICS declaration.

12.10pm: PM Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

Deepening the India-Russia partnership...PM @narendramodi and President Putin meet at the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. pic.twitter.com/FbuG5G8sG5  PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2017

12.08pm: For the first time, there was specific listing of terrorists outfits, says Preeti Saran, secretary (east) in MEA.

12.07pm: Preeti Saran, secretary (east) in the MEA said PM Modi gave a futuristic forward looking transformational blueprint for BRICS for the next decade.

12.06pm: MEA officials say all BRICS leaders strongly condemned terrorism. All BRICS leaders called for greater efficiency in designation of terrorists, said secretary (east) in MEA Preeti Saran.

12.05pm: PM Modi spoke about people to people contact, said there was a need to boost tourism in all BRICS nations.

12.03pm: PM Modi mentioned international solar alliance, said BRICS cooperation should be accelerated on smart cities.

12.02pm: MEA officials say PM Modi focused on reform of the United Nations Security Council, as well as BRICS.

11.58am: MEA officials say PM Modi said BRICS has gained credibility. Modi said BRICS leadership will be crucial.

11:46am: We deplore terrorist attacks worldwide including attacks in BRICS countries, condemn terrorism in all its forms, BRICS statement

11:45am: Brics declaration names LeT, JeM, Haqqani network, Taliban, al Qaeda, ISIL-DAISH among groups causing violence, security concerns.

9:54am: A strong Brics partnership and innovation, I am sure, will be the instrument for progress

9:53am: We are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education: PM Modi

9:50am: PM urges early creation of Brics rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries

9:49am: I am confident that Brics will scale new heights of partnership,says PM

9:46am: Brics has developed a robust framework for cooperation; contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty, says PM Modi

9:45am: Technology and innovation are foundation of next generation, says PM in Xiamen

9:44am: Cooperation is important for peace and development: PM Modi

9:42am: PM Modi says trade and economy is the foundation of our cooperation

9:41am: PM Narendra Modi is speaking at the Brics Plenary Session

9:15am: Our ever closer ties with rest of the world require that we 5 countries play a more active part in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved: Chinese President

9:08am: President Xi Jinping says China will launch plan for Brics countries with 500 million Yuan to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation in economy and trade

9:05am: We should speak in one voice and jointly present our solutions to issues concerning international peace & development: Jinping

9:00am: Despite our differences in national conditions, our 5 countries are in similar stage of development and share same development cause: Jinping

8:57am: As the world undergoes profound changes, Brics cooperation has become more important: Chinese President Xi Jinping

8:45am: Brics plenary session begins in Xiamen

7:55am: The Prime Minister will also attend meeting with Brics Business Council and Signing Ceremony

7:50am: PM Modi will attend Brics plenary session, opening ceremony of Brics Cultural Festival in Xiamen, China today

7:35am: Brics leaders pose for a group photograph at the International Conference Center in Xiamen, China

BRICS leaders from left: Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Jacob Zuma, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (AP)

7:30am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the International Conference Center in Xiamen.

7:25am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at International Conference Center for welcome ceremony
It was serendipity that might have played a role in the induction of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat into Prime Minister Narendra Modis council of ministers.

The 49-year-old Member of Parliament from Jodhpur, who does not get along with Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, got an appointment with the prime minister before the Budget Session to discuss an issue of his constituency.

Shekhawat finished talking about it in 30 seconds. The appointment was for two minutes. The PM casually asked him about anything special he was doing. Shekhawat told him about his initiative to bring together a young team of alumni of IITs, IIMs, NLUs and AIIMS, who were working on fresh ideas for nation building.

The PM was impressed: He heard Shekhawat for seven minutes before asking him to meet his principal secretary about his project.

A few days later, he was informed that the PM wanted him to make a presentation about his project before the party parliamentarians. The PM introduced his project and then sat down with the members of LS and RS to listen to the detailed presentation that lasted eight minutes.

The PM asked questions twice and was so impressed with the initiative that he asked other MPs to also think out of the box ideas like Shekhawats.

On August 27, as the chief guest at a workshop on developmental journalism, the Jodhpur MP narrated this incident to a group of journalists.

Many in the audience told him he will find the pride of place in Team Modi during the next expansion. Shekhawat had only smiled at the suggestion.

The MP has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since his student politics days at Jodhpurs Jai Narain Vyas University. He has been engaging with the youth on Q&A microblogging site Quora for a long time. Thats the best platform to propagate your ideology, he said at the workshop.

Shekhawat is the most popular Indian politician on Quora with 57,968 followers. His replies on the site have been viewed more than 5.8 million times, more than former US President Barrack Obamas answers.

Shekhawat worked with Swadeshi Jagran Manch, the economic wing of the Sangh, and Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti, an organisation working in border towns and villages. He is usually seen wearing cotton trousers with shirt not tucked in.

As for his Rajput caste being a factor in his selection, Shekhawats childhood friend and political activist Rajendra Singh Bhiyad says: It is true that the state government is facing Rajput ire over a series of incidents, including the killing of gangster Anandpal Singh in a police encounter, but Shekhawat wasnt picked up to assuage the Rajputs; the PM was impressed with his work among the youth.

If Rajput was a factor, the PM had already promoted Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and did not need to include one more from the community into his team, Bhiyad reasoned.

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The Congress on Monday welcomed the BRICS declaration condemning terrorism and hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi would now take up the issue of declaring Jaish chief Masood Azhar an international terrorist.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said terrorism had no place either in India or on the world stage and challenge of terrorism was something that BRICS nations, as also all other countries, must fight unitedly.

Expressing happiness that BRICS nations condemned acts of terror outfits such as Taliban, ISIS, Al-Qaida, Haqqani Network, Lashker-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb ut-Tahrir, TTP and others, he said, It is a welcome start and I think it needs to be taken forward.

We sincerely hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi now will take up the issue of declaration of Maulana Masood Azhar as an international terrorist since Jaish-e-Mohammed to whom he is affiliated, has now been declared by BRICS nations as a terrorist organisation, he said.

Surjewala said China did not have moral or legal rights now to stand in the way or to prevent the United Nations from declaring him as an international terrorist.

On Modis statement in BRICS that India was in mission- mode to eradicate poverty and ensure health, sanitation, gender equality, the Congress leader said he needed to go from rhetoric to reality and recalled the death of children in Farukhabad, Gorakhpur and Ranchi among other cities.

Is this the health security that the prime minister speaks about? When 1,260 people die in the country, majority in BJP-ruled states, due to swine-flu, is this the health security that the prime minister speaks about?

There is difference between the reality and rhetoric of the prime minister. It is time for him to walk the talk, he said. PTI SKC AAR
Doctors of Uttar Pradeshs Provincial Medical Services (PMS) on Monday threatened to proceed on mass leave to protest the registration of an FIR against some members of the fraternity in Farrukhabad over the deaths of 49 infants in a state-run hospital.

They said they would not report for duty on Tuesday and Wednesday and tender their resignation if the FIR was not withdrawn by September 7.

Earlier in the day, officials said 49 infants died between July 20 and August 21 in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from perinatal asphyxia, a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly.

An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered on Monday night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital.

City magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that most deaths were due to breathing problems. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation.

Members of the PMS held a meeting in Farrukhabad and demanded that the FIR be withdrawn. They threatened to go on mass leave starting tomorrow if their demand was not met.

UPPMS district unit secretary Dr Yogendra Singh said, The committee comprising the city magistrate and the SDM did not have technical knowledge. The probe report is wrong and it should be withdrawn.

He said the probe committee was a non-technical one and its fairness and competence should be probed.

We have decided to proceed on mass leave on September 5 and 6. If our demands are not met, all the doctors of the district will resign on September 7, he said.

UP PMS Association president Dr Ashok Yadav told PTI in Lucknow: The report on the basis of which the FIR was filed was prepared by non-technical people. A committee of experts should have been set up. This is an attempt to incite doctors, who are working in adverse conditions.

The government should recall officers, who did not have any knowledge of probing such cases. They should be properly trained. We are monitoring the situation there and will decide our future course of action, he said.
Two weeks ago, intelligence agencies informed Jammu and Kashmir police about a possible infiltration attempt by a fidayeen squad of 13 Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants, headed by a former commando in the Pakistan Army.

Indian security officials, including the Kashmir police, are continuing to monitor the situation.

The intelligence documents, which were accessed by HT last week, suggest that the 13 militants, based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), are planning to hit a major army installation and an air force base in Punjab or Jammu and Kashmir.

The documents say the threat comes from a JeM squad led by Haji Ali Asghar, a former junior commissioned officer of the Pakistan Armys elite special operations unit, the Special Service Group.

The Indian intelligence document was an overview of the movement of militants in PoK and Kashmir.

It was circulated during a time of increasing violence. On Saturday, three JeM militants killed at least eight Indian security personnel at a heavily fortified police facility in Kashmirs western Pulwama district. JeM also killed three Indian Army troops in Kupwara, a district in northern Kashmir, on April 27, and injured more than a dozen security personnel in seven attacks across Jammu and Kashmir on June 13.

According to a senior intelligence source, the 13 members of the squad are not the only JeM militants trying to infiltrate Kashmir. During a press conference on Sunday, Muneer Ahmad Khan, inspector general of Kashmir police, said that JeM is taking a lead role in carrying out strikes on Indian police officers and soldiers.

The same intelligence source and a senior security official both said that the attacks are a response by JeM to recent successes of Indian security personnel. In the last month alone, Indian forces have killed two top commanders of militant groups: Abu Dujana, formerly of Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Yasin Yatoo, formerly of Hizbul Mujahideen.

As a result of many successful encounters in 2017, JeM has decided to increase their activities in the valley, the senior security official said.

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Newly appointed railways minister Piyush Goyal, who took charge on Monday, said his top priority would be to ensure passenger safety even as he described his predecessor, Suresh Prabhu, as his mentor and guide.

I will strive to work on the template of rail modernization that my predecessor Suresh Prabhu had outlined, Goyal told reporters. Prabhu, who was appointed commerce and industry minister on Sunday, had taken a number of initiatives to revitalize the railways but offered to resign following a spate of fatal rail accidents.

Similar gestures towards their predecessors marked the first day in office of many ministers who were given new responsibilities by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sundays Cabinet reshuffle.

Former diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri, who was given independent charge of the housing and urban affairs ministry, hit the ground running on Monday, holding three meetings -- on the status of metro rail expansion, the NDA governments flagship programme Housing for All and the functioning of CPWD. Former Prime Minister Manmnohan Singh, during whose term Puri was Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called to congratulate him on Monday.

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs (Independent Charge) being felicitated by Medithi Ravi Kanth, CMD HUDCO while he takes charge at his office in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

Puri, who was in Colombo a day before the reshuffle when he got a call about his appointment, had a packed day. At the meeting on metro rail, he impressed upon officials that India was lagging behind China in expanding the metro network. We need to catch up, an official quoted the minister as saying. Puri advocated private investment wherever feasible, said the official. Ministry officials also gave him a two-hour presentation on Housing for All. It (the ministry) is a new chapter but the issues are not completely unfamiliar. As Indias permanent representative to the UN, I had to deal with issues of habitat cities and urban space management, he said.

Road transport and shipping minister Nitin Gadkari, who was also given the charge of water resources and Ganga rejuvenation on Sunday, announced the setting up of an inter-ministerial task force to expedite implementation of Namami Ganga mission, Modi governments ambitious programme.

Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadari travelling in Delhi Metro to participate at an event at Huda City Centre in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

We will form a task force...We will come out with a schedule of targets to be achieved under the mission in a week. We will try to realise the dreams of the PM in a time-bound, transparent manner...we will meet all the deadlines fixed by my predecessor Umaji, he said. Uma Bharti, who has been shifted to sanitation and drinking water ministry, opted to field questions on Ken-Betwa river-linking project when it was posed to Gadkari.

Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was promoted to Cabinet rank and given additional responsibility of skill development and entrepreneurship, also took charge on Monday and said that his top priority will be to work towards bringing scale and speed to PM Skill India programme.

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan speaks on phone in New Delhi, India, May 5, 2016. (Reuters File Photo)

Giving credit to his predecessor Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Pradhan said, This is a policy-driven ministry and in the last three years we have been able to lay down the foundation for skill development in the country We will now explore all possible grid system, information systems, technology advent that the country is witnessing, conventional jobs and new age skills to enable a more efficient outcome of our programs and schemes in skills.

Kiren Rijiju, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and other BJP MPs after the BJP parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on August 8, 2017. (PTI)

Alphons Kannanthanam took charge of the tourism ministry on Monday. In deference to his predecessor Mahesh Sharma, who was divested of his tourism portfolio, the former Delhi Demolition Man waited for about an hour for his predecessor to arrive and hand over charge. In the mean time, the former bureaucrat refused to occupy his chair.

Outgoing Minister Mahesh Sharma welcomes Alphons Kannanthanam , Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, as he takes over the charge in his office at Transport Bhawan in New Delhi, on September 4, 2017. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

When Sharma walked in, Kannanthanam insisted that his predecessor sit on the same chair. We can go much, much beyond incredible India. We want to create an India where we love ourselves, love a clean India and its history. Then we tell the world, come and see us, he said, in his first remarks as tourism minister.

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the surprise pick of Sundays reshuffle of the union council of ministers, has her task cut out as India looks to modernise its military and build more equipment at home to cut dependence on imports.

The 58-year-old Sitharaman is the first woman to be the full-time defence minister of the country. Indira Gandhi held the portfolio 35 years ago when she was also the prime minister.

I am overwhelmed. I understand the impact of the decision. It is a huge responsibility, Sitharaman, a trained economist, said after she was promoted to the cabinet.

The five big challenges that await the new Raksha Mantri:

1 Modernisation

Sitharamans promotion complements the reputation she built as a tough negotiator in the commerce ministry.

She will be charged with carrying out a modernisation programme of one of the worlds largest armies before parliamentary elections in 2019.

The government is pushing to build fighter planes, submarines and helicopters in the country. The minister will have to take forward the Make in India programme to cut dependence on imported weapons and systems.

India is the worlds largest importer of arms as state-run ordnance factories struggle to meet to meet the shortfall in ammunition and churn out poor quality of products. Efforts are on to revamp the Ordnance Factory Board, which oversees 39 manufacturing units.

2 Reforms

The minister will be tasked with ushering in military reforms, including creation of a chief of defence staff as principal military adviser to the government, restructuring the Defence Research and Development Organisation and set up special operations, space and cyber commands to fight future wars.

Restructuring of the army has already begun. At least 57,000 soldiers are being redeployed in combat roles to sharpen the forces fighting edge.

The revamp is aimed at improving the armys tooth-to-tail ratio -- the number of personnel (tail) required to support a combat soldier (tooth). The army has around 40,525 officers and 1.15 million other ranks.

3 Volatile borders

India is surrounded by hostile neighbours, with significant parts of the frontiers with Pakistan and China not clearly marked. Cross-border skirmishes are common with Pakistan while experts warn that the latest India-China standoff over Doklam across Sikkim could resurface in other sectors.

These factors will test Sitharaman who has a calm head and speaks in a measured tone, a big plus in face of shrill rhetoric that keeps emanating from China.

China is strengthening its navy and has stepped up activity in the Indian Ocean, which India considers its backyard. The Indian Ocean also figures prominently in President Xi Jinpings ambitious One Belt, One Road initiative to build a new Silk Route.

4 Funds for big buys

For military to modernise, funds have to flow. In August, the defence ministry sought an additional  20,000 crore from the finance ministry to upgrade the militarys capabilities.

The Indian Navy recently released two requests for information (RFI) as it plans to float global tenders for 234 helicopters, costing more than $5 billion, by middle of 2018 to replace its outdated Westland Sea Kings choppers and French-designed Chetak helicopters.

The air force in the next two months is likely to release a request for information to build single-engine fighter planes to help scale up its combat capabilities.

The warplanes will be built by an Indian firm with a foreign contractor under Indias strategic partnership model that seeks to bring in high-end military technology for manufacturing cutting-edge defence equipment.

5 Gender bender

Sitharaman takes over at a time when India is set to get its first women fighter pilots. She will be expected to push for a greater role for women in the military, including opening new combat avenues in the army and navy.

Gender parity in the armed forces has been a raging debate since India began recruiting women to non-medical positions in the military in 1992.
The Allahabad High Court on Monday refused to stay the arrest of a Gorakhpur BRD Medical College doctor named in an FIR lodged in connection with the death of a large number of children admitted there last month.

A division bench comprising justices Ramesh Sinha and Krishna Singh dismissed the petition of Satish Kumar Rai, the head of the Anesthesia Department in the medical college, against whom an FIR has been lodged by the director general, the Directorate of Medical and Health Services of Uttar Pradesh.

Rai is among six persons named in the FIR that has been registered following the death of more than 30 children within a span of 48 hours in the second week of August.
The government will expedite its initiative to skill youth in different trades and develop entrepreneur skills as it looks to create employment avenues for one million youth who join the job market every year.

Dharmendra Pradhan, who took over as the minister for skill development and entrepreneurship, said his priority would be to create an eco-system of jobs.

Every year one million youth come in the job market. Our effort will be to coordinate with the state governments and other agencies to find employment avenues for them, he said in New Delhi.

After coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi created the new ministry for coordination of all skill development efforts across the country, removal of disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower, building the vocational and technical training framework and skill improvement, he said.

He said his job would be to skill youth on a large scale with speed.

We will increase the pace and take forward the work already done (under Rajiv Pratap Rudy), he said.

Pradhan, who was elevated as cabinet minister for petroleum and natural gas in the reshuffle carried out by Modi on Sunday, said realtime data would be used to map sectors for employment opportunities.

Skill Development Ministry is an additional charge that he has been given.
An ardent devotee of goddess Durga, Union minister of state for health Ashwini Kumar Choubey assumed office amid chanting of hymns and recitation of shlokas at the Nirman Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday afternoon.

Choubey, who devotes at least a couple of hours every day for prayers, was accompanied by four priests, including a head priest, who performed puja at his official chamber before he occupied the ministers chair. The priests recited shlokas and blew conch shell as the minister prayed and also sprinkled holy Ganga water during the 15-20 minutes puja ceremony, said an insider who was privy to the function.

Choubeys family members and friends, the Hindustan Times spoke to, said his belief in god went up several notches after he survived the 2013 flash floods and landslide following cloud burst in Uttarakhand that led to massive destruction and loss of lives.

Choubey, who was then inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Kedarnath temple, had a providential escape, as he lay unconscious there. He lost three family members  brother-in-law and his wife and nephew. Their family priest and his security personnel also perished in the floods along with scores of other pilgrims.

Choubey was stranded inside the Kedarnath temple for nearly two days on June 16 and 17, 2013, without food and water.

Recounting his horror after his return to Patna, Choubey had said that it was at the behest of the then BJP national president Rajnath Singh that a rescue team airlifted his family and him to Delhi.

Like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Choubey, too, fasts all through the nine-day long Navratri (Dussehra festival) during which he worships 4-5 hours a day.

Later, talking to reporters at his office on Monday, Choubey said, as a health minister, his endeavour would be to ensure that every single person in India was disease-free and happy.

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The ministers promoted were Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman.

Here is the revised list of portfolios of the ministers:

1. Rajnath Singh: Minister of Home Affairs.

Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh seen with New Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba in New Delhi. (PTI)

2. Sushma Swaraj: Minister of External Affairs.

3. Arun Jaitley: Minister of Finance; Minister of Corporate Affairs.

4. Nitin Jairam Gadkari: Minister of Road Transport and Highways; Minister of Shipping; Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

5. Suresh Prabhu: Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Commerce and Industry minister Suresh Prabhu meets with senior officers after taking charge of the Commerce ministry in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

6. DV Sadananda Gowda: Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

7. Uma Bharati: Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

8. Ramvilas Paswan: Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

9. Maneka Sanjay: Gandhi Minister of Women and Child Development.

10.Nirmala Sitharaman: Minister of Defence.

Nirmala Sitharaman being sworn-in as a Union Cabinet Minister of Defence by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India, on Sunday. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)

11. Ananthkumar: Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

12. Ravi Shankar Prasad: Minister of Law and Justice; Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.

13. Jagat Prakash Nadda: Minister of Health and Family Welfare.

14. Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati: Minister of Civil Aviation.

15. Anant Geete: Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

16. Harsimrat Kaur Badal: Minister of Food Processing Industries.

17. Narendra Singh Tomar: Minister of Rural Development; Minister of Panchayati Raj; Minister of Mines.

18. Chaudhary Birender Singh: Minister of Steel.

19. Jual Oram: Minister of Tribal Affairs.

20. Radha Mohan Singh: Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

21. Thaawar Chand Gehlot: Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

22. Smriti Zubin Irani: Minister of Textiles; Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

23. Harsh Vardhan: Minister of Science and Technology; Minister of Earth Sciences; Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

24. Prakash Javadekar: Minister of Human Resource Development.

25. Dharmendra Pradhan: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan (C) arrives to assume charge of his portfolio at the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

26. Piyush Goyal: Minister of Railways; Minister of Coal.

Piyush Goyal after taking oath as a Cabinet Minister by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on September 3, 2017. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)

27. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi: Minister of Minority Affairs.

Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (R) takes charge at Minority Affairs ministry in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

MINISTERS OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

1. Rao Inderjit Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

2. Hardeep Singh Puri: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

New Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh take charge in his chamber on first floor of Nirman Bhawan (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

3. Santosh Kumar Gangwar: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

4. Shripad Yesso Naik: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

5. Jitendra Singh: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; Minister of State in the Department of Space.

6. Alphons Kannanthanam: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Tourism; Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Alphons Kannanthanam, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Tourism; Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology takes over chare at his office in New Delhi. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

7. Mahesh Sharma: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture; Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

8. Giriraj Singh: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

9. Manoj Sinha: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Communications; Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.

10. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore taking office at Sports Ministry in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

11. Raj Kumar Singh: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Power; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

MINISTERS OF STATE

1. Vijay Goel: Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of State in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

2. Radhakrishnan P: Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance; Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping.

3. SS Ahluwalia: Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

4. Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi: Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

5. Ramdas Athawale: Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

6. Vishnu Deo Sai: Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel.

7. Ram Kripal Yadav: Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development.

8. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

9. Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Mines; Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal.

10. Rajen Gohain: Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.

11. VK Singh Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.

12. Parshottam Rupala: Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Minister of State in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

13. Krishan Pal: Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

14. Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor: Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

15. Shiv Pratap Shukla: Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.

16. Ashwini Kumar Choubey: Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare offers prayers before assuming charge at the Health Ministry in Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. (Arvind Yadav / HT Photo)

17. Sudarshan Bhagat: Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

18. Upendra Kushwaha: Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

19. Kiren Rijiju: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

20. Virendra Kumar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development; Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

21. Anantkumar Hegde: Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Minister of State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Anant Kumar Hegde (C-Right) assumes charge of his new portfolio. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photos)

22. MJ Akbar: Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.

23. Niranjan Jyoti: Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

24. YS Chowdary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State in the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

25. Jayant Sinha: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

26. Babul Supriyo: Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

27. Vijay Sampla: Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

28. Arjun Ram Meghwal: Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

29. Ajay Tamta: Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles.

30. Krishna Raj: Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

31. Mansukh L Mandaviya: Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping; Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

32. Anupriya Patel: Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

33. CR Chaudhary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

34. PP Chaudhary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice; Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice; Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs takes charge at Ministry of Corporate Affairs at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

35. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre: Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence.

36. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

37. Satya Pal Singh: Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development; Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
The Brics grouping on Monday bracketed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed with global terror groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda, marking a significant diplomatic win in Indias efforts to counter cross-border terrorism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma condemned terror attacks worldwide and said those committing, organising or supporting such acts must be held accountable.

This is the first time anti-India groups such as LeT and JeM have been named in a Brics declaration though the five-country grouping has denounced terror in the past. In the run-up to the summit in Xiamen, Chinas foreign ministry had even suggested the counter-terror efforts of its iron brother ally Pakistan would not be an appropriate topic for discussion.

The 43-page Xiamen declaration, with 17 references to terrorism, made it clear that India had been able to convince others in the grouping about the threat posed by Pakistan-based organisations as the document also contained references to groups such as the Haqqani Network, Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement and Pakistani Taliban that have targeted Afghanistan and China.

We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in Brics countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms..., said the declaration released after the plenary session of the 9th Brics summit.

We...express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani Network, Laskar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb-ut-Tahrir, it said.

The document did not specify which region it was referring to but added: We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organizing or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.

Mondays statement was a marked departure from earlier Brics statements - the declaration issued after last years summit in Goa referred to terrorism several times but only named one group, the Islamic State.

There have been reports that cadres of the ETIM, which China accuses of fomenting terrorism in its restive Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, have been trained in Pakistans tribal belt.

For the first time (in a Brics declaration), there has been a specific listing of terror organisations, Preeti Saran, joint secretary (east) in the external affairs ministry, told a media briefing.

Saran said Modi had mentioned the need to jointly fight terror at the restricted session of Brics leaders on Monday morning. Modi proposed a mechanism to fight spreading radicalisation and added that India could host an international conference on the issue.

Saran did not respond to a question on whether the naming of JeM as a terror group by Brics would lead to its chief, Masood Azhar, being sanctioned by the UN Security Council.

Though the language of the statement is explicit, it remains to be seen whether China  which has repeatedly blocked Indias attempts to get Azhar designated a terrorist at the UN  decides to support that move.

Later on Monday, China said Pakistan-based groups such as JeM, LeT and the Haqqani Network were included in the Brics declaration because of concerns about their violent activities in the region. Defending the move to include them in the declaration for the first time, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Brics countries have shown their concerns to the violent activities raised by these organisations.

These organisations are all sanctioned by the UN Security Council and have a significant impact for (the) Afghanistan issue, Geng said. He skirted a question on whether the naming of JeM by Brics marked a change in Beijings stand of opposing a UN ban on its chief Masood Azhar.

Saran too didnt explain what convinced China to allow the LeT and JeM to be named in the declaration. Indian diplomats said the document, which came a week after India and China resolved a military standoff at Doklam near the Sikkim border, vindicated Indias consistent stand on terrorism.

Saran also didnt respond to a question linking the resolution of the Doklam standoff to the statement. Brics is a multilateral forum, Saran said, declining to offer any comment.

The terror aspect of the declaration showed that countries now agree the menace needs to be tackled. Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed by the entire international community. You cannot have double standards in tackling terrorism. You cannot have good (or) bad terrorism, Saran said.

Saran said leaders of all Brics states had endorsed the declaration, indicating the consensus on terrorism. She added the statement was agreed on after several rounds of negotiations and deliberations.

The statement also called on the world community to adopt a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism, including the countering of radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists and foreign fighters, blocking sources of terror financing such as money laundering and drug trafficking, dismantling terror bases, and countering the misuse of the internet and social media by terrorist entities.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday scotched speculation about the non-inclusion of his ruling Janata Dal(U) in the just-revamped Union council of ministers, saying no discussions had been held in the first place over such an induction.

We had learnt about the move to give representation to the JD(U) in the Union council of ministers through the media. There was no such talk of joining the ministry, Kumar said a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought in nine new faces into the cabinet, but failed to accommodate the JD(U). The non-representation of JD(U) has been a subject of animated discussion in political circles because it was widely expected that Kumars party will find berths in the Union cabinet to cement his ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Kumar dumped Lalu Prasads Rashtriya Janata Dal as a coalition partner and stitched a new alliance with the BJP to form a new government in Bihar in July. While it was widely expected that senior JD(U) leader RCP Singh will get a ministerial berth, state BJP sources fuelled the speculation by saying that Kumars party had been offered a cabinet and a minister of state berth.

JD((U) leaders are currently working overtime to dispel rumours that the partys claims have been overlooked by Prime Minister Modi. It was the BJPs internal reshuffle and not that of the National Democratic Alliance, insisted JD(U) national spokesman KC Tyagi, referring to the NDA alliance led by the BJP.

Another JD(U) leader sought to give the non-inclusion a different spin, saying it signalled that Kumar was not willing to surrender his independence, despite allying with the BJP.

JD(U) leaders ruled out any bitterness over the non-inclusion, saying the party would be accommodated at a later date. The BJP will have to take into account the aspirations of all its allies, said a leader.

Some party leaders admitted that the BJP would weigh in the pros and cons before inducting the JD(U) in the central ministry. The BJP will not like to place one ally over another. JD(U) may get a berth in the Union cabinet, but it will not be at the cost of other allies, pointed out a leader, referring to the Shiv Sena that has nine MPs and is seeking one more ministerial berth.

The JD(U) on the contrary has two MPs in the Lok Sabha and seven in the Rajya Sabha. There has been speculation that the Prime Minister balked at including JD(U) in his ministry so as not to annoy the Shiv Sena whose demand for an extra berth could not be accommodated.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU) have reason to celebrate the reshuffle in the Narendra Modi government as alumni of the two institutions added heft to the ministry on Sunday.

JNU alumna Nirmala Sitharamans elevation as the defence minister from minister of state for commerce came as a complete surprise development.

Varsitys vice-chancellor Jagadesh Kumar immediately took to Twitter to congratulate her: JNU community is proud that the new defence minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman is an alumna of JNU. Congratulations.

Sitharaman did her MA (Economics) and MPhil from JNU and will now be part of the Prime Minister-chaired Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which already has two DU alumni  Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley.

Jaitely was an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leader who went on to become in Delhi University Students Union president in 1974.

The other two ministers in the CCS are home minister Rajnath Singh, who graduated from Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, and external affairs ministry Sushma Swaraj, a Panjab University degree holder.

Notably, Maneka Gandhi, the women and child development minister, is an alumna of both DU and JNU. She went to Lady Shri Ram College for Women and later studied German at JNU.

Sitharaman and Gandhi are the only two ministers from JNU, a top-ranking social sciences varsity which was roiled in a controversy due to student protests last year.

Among the ministers of state (independent charge) inducted on Sunday, Dr Hardeep Puri, former Indian diplomat to the United Nations, and Raj Kumar Singh, former Union home secretary, are DU alumni. Singh studied at St Stephens and Puri at Hindu college, both affiliated to DU. Puri later lectured at St Stephens.

Former Mumbai police commissioner, Satyapal Singh, who was made minister of state (Human Resource Development; and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation) is also a DU alumni.

Vijay Goel, who was shifted to parliamentary affairs and statistics ministries on Sunday, went to Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) of DU.

Other DU alumni are minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, culture minister Mahesh Sharma, minister of state (independent charge) of planning, Rao Inderjit Singh, who went to Hindu College, and minister of state (health and family welfare) Anupriya Patel.
A 75-year-old woman was strangled to death and then stabbed repeatedly by a villager, who went to town boasting about the act because he believed her witchcraft had led to his mothers death.

Raj Kishori was babysitting her grandson at home in Bhatolia village of Bihars Muzaffarpur district late on Sunday evening when Tarkeshwar Rana (45), a daily wager, attacked her.

Kishoris son and daughter-in-law were not at home when the incident took place, police said.

After committing the crime, Rana went about the village claiming that he had killed the woman as it was because of Kishoris black magic that he lost his septuagenarian mother last Saturday. He even alleged Kishoris black magic had caused his children to become unwell, police said.

Villagers, however, said that Ranas mother was not keeping well for the past several days and his younger brother had taken her along with him to Bengaluru for medical treatment.

They also said that Rana was a drunkard and used to beat his wife and children in inebriated state, following which they left home.

Station house officer of the Minapur police station Sona Prasad Singh said Rana was absconding.

The body, with multiple stab injuries was sent for post-mortem.

Crime on women due to superstitious beliefs is not new to Bihar. At least 20 incidents of women being assaulted have been reported in the past one year from Muzaffarpur, 70 km north of Patna.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who assumed additional charge of water resources on Monday, has announced the formation of an inter-ministerial task force to expedite implementation of the Centres Namami Gange mission.

Accompanied by his predecessor Uma Bharti, he also said the ministry would come out with a detailed schedule on achieving various targets under the mission in a time-bound and transparent manner in a week.

He also heaped praises on Bharti for working hard and doing all the ground work towards cleaning the river in the past three years and said he would try to see that the ministry attained all the goals she had set.

We will form a task force...We will come out with a schedule of targets to be achieved under the mission in a week. We will try to realise the dreams of the prime minister in a time-bound, transparent manner...we will attain all the deadlines fixed by Umaji, Gadkari told reporters here.

The task force is expected to have ministers and officials from water resources, urban development, drinking water and sanitation and rural development among others onboard.

Praising Bharti, who headed the water resources ministry till the Cabinet was reshuffled yesterday, he said, Assuming charge from her is like everything was ready in the kitchen and I took charge when the food was about to be served.

On her part, Bharti exuded confidence that the ministry would be able to attain its goals under Gadkaris leadership.

Ministers of state for water resources Arjun Ram Meghwal and Satyapal Singh were also present at the briefing.

Gadkari replaced Bharti in the ministry, allegedly as the Namami Ganga mission, dear to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a key poll promise of the ruling BJP, was moving at a snails pace.
The RBI has told a parliamentary panel that it has no information on how much black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation of Rs 500/1,000 notes or about unaccounted cash legitimised through exchange of currency post note ban.

Stating that an estimated Rs 15.28 lakh crore in junked notes has come back subject to future corrections based on verification process, the Reserve Bank also said it has no information whether demonetisation is being planned to be implemented at regular intervals.

The RBI has been facing flak from the opposition parties for demonetisation and delay in disclosing figures on the junked notes, even as the government has maintained that the November 8, 2016 decision to ban Rs 500/1,000 notes in circulation at that time has helped in curbing black money, among other benefits.

Last week in its annual report, the RBI finally made public the details of the junked notes that have come back into the system putting the figure at Rs 15.28 lakh crore. The same figure has now been shared with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.

Replying to queries from the panel, the RBI said the verification for authenticity and numerical accuracy are still on, while some of the specified bank notes (old Rs 500/1,000 notes) which were accepted by banks and post offices are still lying in currency chests.

The central bank also informed the panel that the completion of the process of verification will take time in view of the large volume involved.

The process is going on in full swing with most RBI offices working in double shifts and with the help of high-end verification machines, the central bank said.

Till such time, these notes are processed by the RBI, their numerical accuracy and authenticity, only in estimation of SBNs received back is possible. Subject to future correction, based on verification process when completed, the estimated value of SBNs received as on June 30 is Rs 15.28 trillion, the RBI said in its written reply to the panel.

To a query on how much amount of black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation, the central bank said, The RBI has no information in this regard.

The RBI gave similar reply to another question on how much unaccounted money has been legitimised through exchange of junked currency.

The central bank did not give any direct reply on adverse impact on the informal and unorganised sector, as also about the GDP loss. The RBI said the deceleration in overall economic growth figures for 2016-17 had begun much before demonetisation due to weakness in industrial and services sector.

Last week, several members of the panel had sought redrafting of its draft report on demonetisation as the RBI at that time had not provided some crucial details including on the quantum of junked Rs 500/1,000 notes.

The acceptance of the report was deferred as member MPs across party lines including BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, SP MP Naresh Agrawal and BJP MP Nishikant had said that the panels report on demonetisation needed to be redrafted while some of them stated that it lacks punch.

In its annual report for 2016-17, the RBI had disclosed that all but about 1 per cent of the scrapped currency notes have come back into the system.

The government had on November 8, banned old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in an attempt to weed out black money in the country. The old notes were allowed to be deposited in banks, with unusual deposits coming under income tax scrutiny.

The government replaced old Rs 500 notes with new ones, but no replacement for Rs 1,000 notes has been made. Instead, a new Rs 2,000 note was introduced post note ban.
The road ahead of the Doklam impasse will likely be the broad focus of discussions when PM Narendra Modi meets President Xi Jinping at the end of the 9th BRICS Summit at the southeastern coastal city of Xiamen on Tuesday.

The troops of the two countries were engaged in a 72-day standoff at Doklam near the mountainous India-China border at Sikkim, and were disengaged last Monday, giving the leaders an opportunity to chart a course forward.

Even if the two leaders look at the broader framework of bilateral ties, the standoff and its resolution will possibly be a starting point for the conversation  it will give diplomats and officials of the two countries to the take the initiative forward.

There was considerable buzz about the meeting between Modi and Xi ahead of the Summit, especially because both are looked upon as strong leaders with popularity and influence.

Foreign diplomats and journalists attending the summit are keen to follow how Modi and Xi take India-China ties forward and provide leadership to the BRICS despite bilateral differences.

The atmosphere for the meeting was suitably smoothened  at least for India  by Mondays Xiamen Declaration for this BRICS summit which bracketed Pakistan-based terror groups JeM and LeT with ISIL and Taliban.

It was the first time anti-India groups have been named in a BRICS declaration although the five-country grouping has denounced terror in the past. In the run-up to the summit in Xiamen, Chinas foreign ministry had even suggested the counter-terror efforts of its iron brother ally Pakistan would not be an appropriate topic for discussion.

Thats not a guarantee that China and India will now be on the same page on counter-terrorism especially where, as far as New Delhis contention is, Pakistan is involved

Interestingly, it actually wasnt the first time that the Pakistan-based groups were put in the same group with ISIL at a multilateral forum: the first time was in the Amritsar Declaration released at the end of the 6th Ministerial Conference Of Heart Of Asia, a mechanism to discuss regional and security issues.

We remain concerned by the gravity of the security situation in Afghanistan in particular, and the region, and the high level of violence caused by the Taliban, terrorist groups including ISIL/DAISH and its affiliates, the Haqqani Network, Al Qaida, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, East Turkistan Islamic Movement, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Jundullah and other foreign terrorist fighters, the declaration said.

The declaration was incidentally endorsed by both Pakistan and China.

However, in the months after endorsing the declaration, China, at least twice, blocked Indias efforts to get JeM chief, Masood Azhar, banned at the UN Security Council.

Also Read: Chinese reporter sings old Bollywood song during BRICS summit, Twitter finds her adorable
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will meet party workers from Gujarats 182 assembly constituencies to hold a dialogue with them at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad on Monday afternoon just months before the western state goes to polls.

A T-shape ramp and a dome have been erected by the party for the event which is expected to be attended by some 10,000 workers.

Election or worker rallies are common. Through this platform, Rahulji will directly connect with the cadre, said Bharatsinh Solanki, president of the Gujarat unit of the Congress.

The workers will apprise Gandhi of the functioning of the state leadership and also air their grievances. The Congress leader will also seek their assessment of the elections scheduled for November-December this year.

The event comes after the high-octane Rajya Sabha election in which party veteran Ahmed Patel won despite six of Congress MLAs resigning and other eight cross-voting in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The hard-fought victory of Patel has breathed fresh life into the otherwise crumbling Gujarat Congress months before the state goes to polls. Upbeat after the RS win, the Congress wants to rejuvenate the cadre through the event before Gandhi kicks start the campaign for the assembly election to be held at the end of this year.

Though it won the seat, the grand old party suffered a blow after 14 of its MLAs, including veteran leader Shankersinh Vaghela, quit the party.

In a shot in the arm for the Congress, as many as 500 full-time activists of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) joined the party on Sunday expressing anguish over their two legislators switching loyalties to the ruling BJP during the recent Rajya Sabha elections.

The Congress is out of power for more than two decades in Gujarat and will face a tough task given that BJP president Amit Shah has already set an ambitious target of 150-plus seats in the 182-member House.

As a part of the campaign, Gandhi will also undertake a 4,000km yatra in Gujarat. He is expected to start the yatra from September 22 and travel through Saurashtra and north Gujarat for four days in the first phase. Later, he will hold similar yatras in central and south Gujarat.

Tight security arrangements have been made at the venue after a stone hurled at his cavalcade smashed the window pane of Gandhis car when he was touring a flood-affected area in Gujarat last month.

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Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is headed to the United States where he is likely to meet the pioneers of research on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the science of making machines that think like humans.

Gandhi, who recently returned from Norway, is gearing up for another offshore visit, this time to the Silicon Valley in the US to expand his thoughts about artificial intelligence, party sources here said.

The sources said Gandhi wants India to lead in the niche area which comes after software development, in which India has already won global recognition.

While AI is still a nascent subject to most in India, many countries including China have begun investments in the area to strengthen research in it.

A senior Congress leader said the idea was to bring back knowledge and implement it at the policy level in the Congress partys vision documents.

Facilitating Gandhis US visit is the chairman of Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda, a technology innovator who was brought back to India by Rajiv Gandhi and was among those behind the telecom revolution in the country.

The Congress VP had met leaders in the field of biotechnology during his Norway visit.

He is currently grappling with the partys sliding electoral graph after a series of defeats. The Congress is set to lose Himachal Pradesh to the BJP in the upcoming state assembly poll.

The party is weighed down by anti-incumbency sentiments and infighting in the state unit in Himachal Pradesh. In Gujarat, where elections are slated to be held later this year, it lost a veteran when party leader and former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela walked out of the Congress.

Gandhi will also address a conference on India At 70: Reflections On The Path Forward at the University of California, Berkeley, on September 11.
Nirmala Sitharamans appointment as Indias new defence minister was the biggest surprise from Sundays cabinet reshuffle, creating quite a few ripples.

Sitharaman, the former minister of state for commerce, becomes the second woman after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to be a part of the cabinet committee on security (CCS) in PM Narendra Modis government. Before her, former prime minister Indira Gandhi was the only woman to have held the defence ministers post.

On Monday morning, Sitharamans appointment was splashed across newspapers with headlines focusing on how she has broken the glass ceiling.

Her previous portfolios came in for scrutiny as well as her stint as BJPs spokesperson, but there was focus on one other detail: that Sitharaman is an alumna of Delhis prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University, which has found itself reviled as a left-wing bastion.

Heres a look at how the English media covered the cabinet reshuffle:

Hindustan Times

HTs front Page report on Nirmala Sitharaman said the surprise package of restructuring in Modis council complements the reputation she (Sitharaman) had built as a tough negotiator in the commerce ministry and successfully put across Indias point of view at the WTO, impressing Modi.

This is the second time Modi showed faith in the 58-year-old BJP leader from Tamil Nadu and an alumna of Jawaharlal Nehru University. She was not even a Member of Parliament when he picked her as junior commerce minister after the BJP swept to power in 2014.

The Indian Express

The Indian Express front page article focused on womens role in the Modi cabinet and included words of caution by members of opposition parties. The headline was a creatively played with the word ceiling -- Nirmala breaks glass C(CS) ceiling, Opp says go beyond symbolism.

With very few alternatives available among senior leaders, Sitharaman fitted the bill. She is serious, uses measured language, has a staunch nationalistic streak and has so far behaved in a way that no accusing finger has been pointed towards her, the article said, quoting Congress MP Sushmita Dev.

The Times of India

The Times report, headlined Nirmala Smashes Defence Glass Ceiling, said Sitharaman was soft-spoken, articulate and influential, adding that the minister got to know about her portfolio hours after taking oath.

The JNU alumna -- she is an MA in economics -- came to know of her portfolio hours after taking oath as a Cabinet-rank minister. With external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Sitharaman will be the second woman member of the Cabinet Committee on Security , an elite ministerial group that deliberates on major strategic issues.

The Cabinet changes are seen to reflect Modi and BJP chief Amit Shahs assessment of performance and accountability of the ministerial team.

The Hindu

The Hindus page one story on Nirmala Sitharaman said the new defence minister was conscious of the fact that the CCS now has two women on board. It ran with a straight headline: Nirmala Sitharaman gets Defence; key posts for Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal.

With this, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the most important of Cabinet sub-committees, has two women on board, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also part of it. The new Defence Minister was conscious of the fact and said so in one of her first reactions to her appointment. What is more important is that there are going to be two women in the CCS.

The Telegraph

The Telegraph took a spin at the development, with the lead article on its first page reading: JNU gifts defence minister and a slug over Sithramans oath-taking ceremony saying, Cosmic elevation.

Sitharaman, a Modi-Shah favourite who relieves finance minister Jaitley of the additional charge of defence, will now rub shoulders with seniors Rajnath, Jaitley and Sushma in the governments elite club, the cabinet committee on security.

Todays exercise mirrored the dominance of the north -- the BJPs stronghold -- and an effort to reach out to the south, where the party is keen to expand... But the highlight of the shuffle was Sitharamans rise from a low-profile, southern, English-speaking spokesperson to holder of a heavyweight ministry. She attributed it to cosmic grace.

The Tribune

Chandigarh-based The Tribune featured Sitharaman on the front page with the headline: Take a bow, Defence Minister. The report said her promotion was by far the biggest statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In another article on the rise of Sitharaman, Vibha Sharma wrote for The Tribune: Apart from the optics of a woman Defence Minister who will be saluted by the three Service chiefs, Sitharaman with roots in both Tamil Nadu and Andhra region will be serving many messages.

She is someone who is considered among the performers. When she had joined the government in 2014 as a Minister of State, the only credentials she carried with her were a degree in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, a good track record as a BJP spokesperson and an impeccable knowledge of a range of subjects.
Addicted to making obscene calls to women, a 30-year-old man from Morena district of Madhya Pradesh harassed about 300 policewomen across India over phone in the past eight months.

Durgesh Agrawal who is a vegetable vendor targeted the cops from constables to additional director general (ADG) ranked police officials in different states, according to police.

On a complaint of a policewoman in Hyderabad to the citys deputy commissioner of police, Telangana cops tracked down Durgesh Agrawal at a distance of 1250 km away in Morena.

Telangana police informed their Madhya Pradesh counterparts. The police kept his mobile number under surveillance for about two weeks.

After getting ample evidence Agrawal was arrested on Monday evening by Telangana crime branch sleuths and was taken to Hyderabad.

Police say Agrawal is a married man. He used to search the cell numbers of woman cops from the websites of different state police. He used to call them randomly from midnight to wee hours, said police.

As per call details he made most of the calls between 12:30 am to 3 am to policewomen cops in Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and a few other states. According to the initial investigation he did not call any woman cop in Madhya Pradesh.

When the police team reached the accuseds house to arrest him his family members tried to shield him by saying he was mentally unstable after having suffered losses in business.

He doesnt look mentally unstable. However, police will verify the claims with the help of doctors, superintendent of police, Morena, Aditya Pratap Singh said.

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Jat leaders on Sunday warned the state government of re-launching their Delhi Kooch plan if they do not get reservation in jobs and educational institutes within two months.

At a massive rally in Jhajjar, All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) president Yashpal Malik asked the government to finish all legal hurdles to ensure Jat quota and fulfil all their demands that were agreed to by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

The rally comes two days after the Punjab and Haryana high court upheld reservation for Jats and five other communities in Haryana, but stayed its implementation till March 2018, asking the Backward Classes Commission to submit a report on the extent of quota that could be given to the six communities. The Khattar-led government had granted 10% quota to the six communities after Jats ran riot in Haryana in February 2016.

The court has asked government to submit its report by March 2018. But our demand is that government submits report quickly and requests the high court for early hearing. This, along with our other demands, should be fulfilled within two months or we will prepare our tractors for Delhi Kooch again. This time, it will be bigger than ever, Malik warned. The communitys threat to march towards Parliament with thousands of tractors in March this year had brought the entire National Capital Region to a standstill. The protest call was postponed after state government had agreed to fulfil their demands.

However, Malik said many of their demands, including reservation in Centre, were still pending. Many Jat youths are still lodged in jails. In our meeting with government on March 19, it had agreed to free them and withdraw cases related to violence during February 2016 agitation. Also, no action has been taken against BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini who continues to make derogatory statements against Jats and Jat leaders, he said.

The Jat leader further demanded the government to arrest khap leader Sube Singh Samain, whom he accused of attacking him during Jat meet in Fatehabad on August 14. He demanded to sack a DSP and a inspector rank officer for allegedly protecting Samain, and asked for a CBI probe to find involvement of local BJP MLA and party state president Subhash Barala in the entire episode.

Tell Abhimanyu to take back cases or face black flags

Jat leaders warned finance minister Capt Abhimanyu to take back cases related to loot and arson at his residence during the last years quota stir or he will have to face black flags everywhere. Abhimanyu was recently shown black flags by Jat protesters at Rohtaks Titoli village.

More than 18 Jat youths are still locked in jail in Abhimanyus case. If he doesnt withdraw cases, the community will be forced to boycott him, AIJASS president Yashpal Malik asked said.

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Indias new Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam on Monday said his ministry had a great role to play in Prime Minister Narendra Modis dream of creating a new India where all citizens can live with dignity.

The bureaucrat-turned-politician, who was appointed as minister of state for tourism (independent charge) yesterday, refused to sit in his designated chair, waiting for almost an hour for his predecessor, Dr Mahesh Sharma, to arrive and hand him charge of the ministry.

The camaraderie was evident as Sharma, who was in a meeting, walked in and the new inductee insisted that his predecessor claim the ministers high backed chair.

I am so grateful to Maheshji who has been a friend and well-wisher for a long time. He has done a fantastic job in tourism and culture and I am happy that I get to start where he left off, he said.

The new minister is known for his strong anti-corruption stance. On Monday, starting on a whole new role, Kannanthanam seemed confident of success.

I am happy to be part of the PMs dream of creating a new India where all Indians can live with dignity and the tourism ministry has a great role to play in this, he said.

Spelling out his vision for the future, Kannanthanam said India can take over the world as it is a 5,000-year-old civilization.

We can go much much beyond incredible India. We want to create a India where we love ourselves, love a clean India and its history. Then we tell the world, come and see us, said the 1979 batch IAS officer.

He also came in for high praise from Sharma, the minister of state for culture as well as environment, who likened him to a flower who had been handpicked for the job.

Today my big brother and friend with whom I have had a familial relationship for more than 30 years and a resident of Noida is taking charge as the tourism minister. I have always taken directions from him. He has created an image of himself as an able administrator, Sharma said, holding Kannanthanams hand as they sat side by side.

The PM has for this reason handpicked Alphons for the job. He is like a flower that Modi has picked from a bouquet. When the tourism development rate globally is 4.7% Indias is 17.3%. I hope next time when these statistics are issued, Alphons would have bettered this, he added.

Kannanthanam, a Kerala cadre officer, first shot to limelight during his tenure with the Delhi Development Authority in the 90s and earned the sobriquet demolition man after he got scores of illegal constructions demolished.

He served as the district collector of Kottayam in 1988 and helped make Kottayam town the first 100% literate town in India the following year.

Kananthanam began his political journey by becoming an independent MLA backed by the CPI(M) in Kerala in 2006, when he resigned from the civil services. He joined the BJP in 2011 and is a member of the BJP National Executive.
Nirmala Sitharaman is now a member of a powerful sisterhood of 16 female defence ministers, in a sign of rising women empowerment in an overwhelmingly male-dominated arena.

Sitharaman, who got the portfolio on Sunday, heads the worlds third largest defence force of 1.4 million personnel. It is also the strongest of those headed by female defence ministers.

She and Florence Parly of France are the only two women to head the defence ministry of nuclear-armed nations.

Parly succeeded another woman, Sylvie Goulard, who stepped down after less than two months on the job amid allegations that as a member of the European Parliament she had used her assistants for party work.

France has a defence force of 204,00 active duty personnel including reservists, according to the Global Fire Power (GFP), which tracks military statistics from around the world.

In Bangladesh, with 160,000 active duty military personnel, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds the defence portfolio.

The other important women defence ministers are (with the size of their active duty military personnel according to GPF in parenthesis): Italys Roberta Pinotti (247,000), Germanys Ursula von der Leyen (180,000), Spains Maria Dolores Cospedel (124,100), South Africas Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (78,050), and Australias Marise Payne, (60,000).

Africa has another woman holding the defence portfolio, Raychelle Omama of Kenya. Her position is uncertain now because Kenyas Supreme Court has annulled the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and called for fresh elections.

Three small countries formed after the break-up of Yugoslavia in a region that was wracked by wars, civil wars and insurgencies in the 1990s have women defence ministers: Marina Pendes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Radmila Sekerinska in Macedonia, and Andreja Katic in Slovenia.

The other European defence ministers are Norways Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Netherlandss Hennis-Plasschaert and Albanias Mimi Kodheli.

Olta Xhacka is scheduled to succeed Khodeli this month.

Latin America has only one woman defence minister, Martha Elena Ruiz Sevilla of Nicaragua, a country that has seen prolonged civil war and insurgency.

North America has none, although Kim Campbell held the defence portfolio in Canada for less than six months before becoming Prime Minister in 1993.

In 1960, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandarnaike became the first woman to hold the defence portfolio and she was followed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Marta Elisabeth Rehn of Finland in 1990 became the first woman who was not a prime minister or president to head a defence ministry.

The first woman in Asia to hold the portfolio solely as minister was Japans Yuriko Koike. She held the job for less than two months in 2007 and resigned after revelations that navy personnel leaked classified information about the high-tech AEGIS radar systems.
The BRICS Summit began in Xiamen in China on Monday, with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries and was preceded by a handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who received the leaders of Brazil, Russia and South Africa ahead of the meeting.

Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, venue of the 9th BRICS Summit in this port city of China and was followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi on Tuesday.

The Summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on expeditious disengagement of their border troops in the disputed Doklam area on August 28 after over a two month standoff between them.

The leaders will participate in the plenary during which they will explore ways to enhance cooperation within the members of the grouping in key areas. They will also deliberate on international issues of significance, including global economy and challenges.

The Summit will end with the adoption of a Xiamen declaration, which will capture the essence of the deliberations and future road map.
The state health department on Monday suspended three doctors, put five on awaited posting order (APO) and asked for disciplinary action against three after the death of 86 infants at the Banswara district hospital in last two months.

In addition, four nurses have also been suspended and another four given showcause notices.

At least 37 of the 86 infant deaths at the district hospital in Banswara were due to the alleged carelessness of the doctors, following which health minister Kali Charan Saraf had constituted a four-member committee, headed by Dr SM Mittal.

After Dr Mittal submitted his report, Saraf consulted the district collector and on Monday three doctors  principal medical officer (PMO) VK Jain, PC Yadav and Jitendra Banjara  were suspended. Five other doctors  Manisha Choudhary, Divya Pathak, OP Upadhyay, Jaishree Jain and Shalini Nanawati  have been out on APO, and three other doctors  Pushpa Kumari, Pritesh Jain and MK Jain  has been issued showcause notices.

In addition, four nurses have been suspended and showcause notices have been issued to Sunderi Vaishnav, Indra Maida, Sunni MT and Sukli Garasiya, said the minister.

Alternate arrangements have been made after the suspensions. Dr MP Sharma has been deployed as PMO. Dr OP Kuldeep, Dr Dipti Chitra (gynecologist) and Dr Amit Srivastav (pediatrics) from Chittorgarh, Dr Banwari Lal from Dungarpur and Dr Satnarayan Sharma from Salumber have also been deputed to Banswara. Additional nursing staff  Jaya Ahiri, Kirti Pathan, Dipti Singh and Kamla Damore  has also been deployed, said Saraf.

A senior official said that in the report the team of doctors had found gross irregularities, especially in the delivery room. There was lack of supervision by doctors. There was also a shortage of staff and even doctors.

Maximum infant deaths at the hospital were due to birth asphyxia, a medical condition resulting from deprivation of oxygen to a newborn during the birth process.

During field visit, irregularities were found on the part of health workers. Pregnant women were neither given supplementary nutrition nor counseled. There were also no health check-ups of the pregnant women, said Saraf.

On Sunday, the health department had sent a team of doctors to Banswara from Udaipur medical college, which comprised six senior doctors  three gynecologists and three pediatricians. Saraf has also directed all doctors to lay special focus on newborns. There are many health schemes running for newborn and pregnant women by the state and central government. It should be ensured that all schemes are executed effectively, he said.

The issue came to light when the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Banswara, Dr HL Tabiyar noticed that the district hospital has recorded deaths of 86 neonates (newborns who are less than 4 weeks old) in July and August, following which he conducted a probe.

Of the 86 deaths, 37 were due to birth asphyxia. Those 37 newborns could have been saved. We will find out the doctors responsible for this and initiate action against them, Tabiyar had told HT.
Jaipur: The results of students union elections in most universities and colleges across the state, which were declared on Monday evening, threw up many surprises.

Among the four major universities, the results of which were declared till the filing of this report, independent candidates won the presidents post in two and the RSS-affiliate Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the other two.

Independent candidate Pawan Yadav won the presidents post at University of Rajasthan (RU), defeating ABVPs Sanjay Macheri by 2,656 votes. Yadav polled 5,359 votes. Deepak Meena, the candidate of Congress-backed National Students Union of India (NSUI), came third with 2,552 votes.

Yadav was initially a contender for the ABVP ticket but the organisation fielded Macheri, which, some say, was done under pressure from a BJP bigwig. Ticket denial to Yadav, who has the reputation of a committed student leader, caused resentment among ABVP cadres, leading to switch in votes. During the run-up to the elections, most students became sympathetic towards Yadav who, they felt, got a raw deal.

For the general secretary post, NSUIs Manvendra Budaniya, who polled 6,082 votes, defeated ABVPs Rakesh Yadav by 955 votes. Jat voters (6,000-7,000) in the university might have helped Budaniya sail through the elections. Budaniya was also a contender for the NSUI ticket for president.

For the vice president post at RU, NSUIs Mahima Choudhary defeated ABVPs Ritu Choudhary by 268 votes; ABVPs Manisha Meena won as the joint secretary, defeating NSUIs Ramesh Kumar by 2,952 votes.

At University of Kota, ABVPs Pinkesh Meena won the presidents post, defeating independent candidate Abhishek Malav by 114 votes. At Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, ABVPs Jaiveer Singh Bhati defeated independent candidate Praful Hatila for the presidents post. The ABVP swept all four posts at the university in Jodhpur.

Independent candidate Manish Poonia won the presidents post at Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer. ABVPs Neha bagged the general secretary post.

The polls were conducted in the colleges and universities on August 28, except in Udaipur division where they were postponed due to the Prime Ministers visit. The results were withheld in rest of the state till August 4 so that they wont influence the polls in Udaipur division, which were conducted on Monday.

The counting of votes was going on in Udaipur till late evening.
Binay Tamang, the expelled chief coordinator of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), has claimed that his life has come under threat since conspiracies are being hatched to hire sharpshooters to kill him.

Two sharp shooters from Nepal has been fired to kill me, Tamang said in Darjeeling on Sunday.

Read: Two GJM leaders arrested amid intensified police vigil in Darjeeling hills

Though he did not name anybody the hint was clearly against GJM president, Bimal Gurung, who has gone underground after being slapped UA(P)A charges by the state government. Gurung is believed to be hiding in Sikkim now.

File picture of Bimal Gurung. The indefinite bandh that started on June 15 will continue till the Centre calls a tripartite meeting on Gorkhaland, he told HT. (Samir Jana)

During a press conference, Tamang also threatened to expose senior GJM leaders and the financial corruption they indulged in.

Tamang is already under tremendous pressure after he held a public meeting on August 31 and announced a 12-day suspension of the bandh. GJM subsequently expelled him and Kurseongs Morcha heavyweight Amit Thapa from the party.

The state government has already arranged special security for Tamang.

Read: Bandh till Centre calls tripartite meet on Gorkhaland: Bimal Gurung

In the meeting of the GJM central committee, where the decision to expel me was taken, only six of 93 committee members were present. Since it was not a majority decision the expulsion is totally illegal, argued Tamang.

Meanwhile, West Bengal government sources said in the crucial meeting on Darjeeling crisis in Siliguri on September 12, 2017, both Tamang and his close associate, Anit Thapa will be invited. After all Tamang was present in the meeting at the state secretariat on August 29, said a member of the state cabinet on condition of anonymity.

Tamang also refuted allegations by Gurung and his associates that he succumbed to the lure of money and power and entered into an understanding with the state government. These are all false allegations. On the contrary, I have full information on who misappropriated crores of rupees and I will expose them soon, Tamang claimed.

On Sunday police arrested Rohit Thapa, a GJM central committee leader from the Dooars who attended the August 29 meeting with the state government along with Tamang. Thapa had reportedly told Bimal Gurung over phone how Tamang and Anit Thapa were conspiring against Gurung and were planning to float a new party.

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The authorities of Mahajati Sadan, a prominent government-owned auditorium in Kolkata, have cancelled the booking for an event scheduled for early October where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was supposed to deliver a speech.

Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi was also scheduled to attend the programme on October 3. The subject of the speech was Sister Niveditas role in Indias nationalist movement.

By July we completed all formalities and informed the police about the VIP movement. Suddenly, on August 31, the auditorium told us our booking could be cancelled and gave several vague reasons, finally asking us to obtain a no-objection certificate from the police. This NOC was never required before but we approached police anyway. The authorities called us on September 1 and said the booking was cancelled for maintenance, Rantideb Sengupta, general secretary of Sister Nivedita Mission Trust, told HT on Monday.

The organisation is now looking for another auditorium.

Sources said though the topic of discussion is not communally sensitive, the state government thought the timing of the visit was itself fraught with risk. Bijoya Dashami (the last day of Durga Puja) and Muharram are on subsequent days on September 30 and October 1.

The saffron camps have already planned to hold shastra puja or weapon worship on Bijoya Dashami.

Well go ahead with the event for sure. Once we finalise the new venue,it will be informed to the Governor and Bhagwat, Sengupta said.

This is not the first time the state government tried to stop Bhagwat from addressing public gatherings. Earlier in January, Kolkata Police denied permission for Bhagwats rally in the city but the high court ruled against the decision.

In 2016, too, Muharram fell a day after Bijoya Dashami, and the state witnessed clashes between Hindus and Muslims in several districts that continued for nearly a week.

In case clashes break out again, Bhagwats presence in the state will only worsen the situation, an administrative officer said.

On Monday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, too, expressed concerns over the planned shastra puja events.

Weapons are best suited in the hands of Maa Durga. Just be careful so that there is no attempt to create tension on the Bijoya Dashami day in the name of sashtra puja, or procession with arms, the chief minister said during an administrative meeting with the states top policemen.

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At least 12 lawyers were injured on Monday after an overloaded lift came crashing down from the fourth to the ground floor of a seven-story building inside the Lucknow district court campus.

The mishap took place around 12pm when the power supply went off and the lift got stuck just before the fourth floor of the building. When the power supply came back, it came crashing down to the ground floor instead of going up.

Lawyers present at the court campus and the lift operator, who was standing outside, broke open the doors of the lift to rescue people trapped inside. The lift was carrying 24 people, four more than its capacity.

All were the injured were rushed to the nearby Balrampur Hospital.

District judge AK Upadhayay ordered a probe into the mishap.

People gather at the Lucknow district court after an overloaded lift came crashing down from the fourth to the ground floor . (ANI)

Initial investigation pointed out that the lift was overloaded and could not resume its onward journey to the fourth floor when the power supply was resumed. It also indicated that the lift had a technical flaw - the overload warning alarm system was not working.

If the lift is overloaded then it should stop at the ground floor itself instead of moving up. As the overload warning system of the lift was not working, it moved up despite being overloaded, lifts operator Ram Sumeran Pal said.

The district court campus has seven lifts and most of them are in a bad shape, complained lawyers.
New faces from Uttar Pradesh in the Modi ministry  Rajya Sabha MP Shiv Pratap Shukla, 65, from Gorakhpur in east UP and former Mumbai police commissioner Satyapal Singh, the 62-year old Baghpat MP  essentially reflect BJPs attempt to balance caste equations after the resignations of two UP Brahmins and a Jat from Modi government.

Union MSME minister and Deoria MP Kalraj Mishra, 76, resigned due to advancing age while union minister of state for HRD and Chandauli MP Mahendra Pandey, 59, resigned after being made UP BJP chief. In west UP, the party replaced Muzaffarnagars Jat MP and union minister of state for agriculture Sanjiv Balyan with another Jat Satyapal Singh.

More than western UP, it was in eastern UP, heavily divided on caste and ego wars between two dominant upper castes  Brahmins and Thakurs  where the party leadership surprised everyone by settling for Shukla.

Thats because Shukla, a four-time former lawmaker and minister in Kalyan Singh government who was made the Rajya Sabha MP last year, comes from Gorakhpur  the constituency and home to chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Though it is said they had patched up of late, Shukla and Adityanath werent known to share the best of relations, their rivalry dating back to 2002.

Thats when Adityanath got present Gorakhpur city lawmaker and doctor Radha Mohan Das Agarwal to contest and win against BJP candidate Shukla on a Hindu Mahasabha ticket, recalls Vinay Tiwari, BSP lawmaker from Chillupar assembly constituency in Gorakhpur.

Interestingly, when contacted Agarwal refused to read much into Shuklas elevation saying in politics things change. Its 2017 now and its unfair to keep referring to 2002, Agarwal said. The background nevertheless led to fierce speculations about the reasons for BJP leadership favouring Shukla. Its a reward for loyalty as despite being virtually mauled politically Shukla remained loyal to the party, a BJP leader said.

There are sizeable Brahmins in and around Gorakhpur and the elevation of a loyal Brahmin leader is good symbolism, a party source said adding much thought had gone into the expansion. Adityanath, meanwhile, has congratulated all those who became ministers.

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Other issues students raised

The quality of teachers appointed is pathetic as per standards of a National Law University. There are instances where teachers have accepted not knowing the subject at all. This has resulted in the deterioration in the quality of education.

The last two recruitment of the teachers show that the appointed teachers are highly incompetent as per NLU standards.

Funds allotted to the University have been used as per the whims and fancies of the administrative officers and not in the interest of the students. There has been heavy misuse of these funds as they have been spent on unnecessary infrastructural development projects such as the poorly built joggers path, while there are major fund requirements for academics and co-curricular activities of the students.

The budget allocation to the various committees catering to student interests is highly arbitrary. The overall development of the students is thus, hampered. Time and again unreasonable monitory penalties have also been imposed on students.

The University faces a serious crisis on the placement front. The administration offers no sort of cooperation or funds to facilitate the same. Thus, placements have deteriorated in the past two years.
Hollywood actor Olivia Wilde says motherhood made her change her beauty regime because she was fearful of what products would have a negative effect on her babies during her pregnancy. The 33-year-old, who has three-year-old son Otis and 10-month-old daughter Daisy with her partner Jason Sudeikis, says that she started to consider and alter what cosmetic products she was using when she became a parent, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

When asked if her daily regime has changed since she became a mother, the House star told W magazine: Yes, absolutely. We often dont consider what were putting on our skin until were responsible for growing another human. Why cant we be that thoughtful on behalf of just ourselves? I was struck by how serious the warnings were about the dangers of skincare while pregnant. Why is it okay to expose ourselves to such harmful chemicals at any point in our lives?

She added: I was not aware of the complete and utter lack of regulation in the American beauty industry until I met Hillary (Peterson) and Christina [Mace-Peterson] from True Botanicals. I knew the US was behind in terms of regulation, but I was not aware of just how far behind. The EU has banned more than 1300 ingredients. The US has banned 20. It is beyond shocking. Its sad.

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Marie Cho, a 30-year-old Hong Kong homemaker, knows India by three of its assets - the Taj Mahal, Aamir Khan and spices. While the marble monument and the Bollywood actor are at a fair distance, she is happy to have fragrant spices at hand.

Indian spices have found their place in the Hong Kongers taste buds, and kitchen. More and more people in the former British colony have been including cardamom, pepper and other condiments imported from India as key ingredients in their local cuisine. You will find Indian cardamom, cumin and fenugreek in all my dishes. Small cardamom is the principle ingredient in my food now, said Marie.

She first learnt about Indian spices when she visited an Indian restaurant in Hong Kong. She can still recall the taste of the daal makhani and seekh kebab she had there. When I cooked these dishes at home I realised the Indian pepper and cumin I was using could be part of my Cantonese dishes, too. So that is when I started using Indian spices in many of my dishes, she added.

India is among the top producers, consumers and exporters of spices in the world. Over 60 varieties of spices grow in the country because of its varied agro-climatic conditions and soil types. About 6.9 lakh metric tonnes of spices are exported to over 150 countries.

Wang Yi, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, uses Indian black pepper in many local dishes he cooks for his family. He has never visited India but is a very big fan of the spice. The strong taste of the Indian pepper gives his dimsums an extra zing that make the steamed dumplings, and thereby him, immensely popular among his teenaged daughters and their friends, he laughed. Wang said he used Indian spices not only because of the flavours, but also because of their medicinal effects.

Indian turmeric, for instance, is gaining attention for health reasons. About 83% of Hong Kongs imports of turmeric, which researchers say has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects, are from India. Among the Indian spices that have shown a marked rise in the Hong Kong market are nutmeg, mace and cardamom. Imports from India grew in the first six months of 2017 by almost 50%, compared to last year, data provided by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) show.

Pepper imports during this period went up by 113.3%. Indian pepper is much in use in restaurants and street food eateries serving Cantonese food, where the traditional spices are pepper, cinnamon and star anise. I heard about people using Indian spices in their food at home. I experimented with pepper, cardamom and fennel seeds and came up with dishes that were familiar but different in taste, Karysuen, the owner of a roadside eatery, said.

Some Cantonese restaurants are trying out food preparations on the lines of Indian-Chinese, a version of the cuisine popular in India, and are tweaking recipes by using Indian spices in traditional dishes such as congee (rice porridge) or char siu (a way of preparing barbecued pork).

Peking Dumpling, a popular restaurant in Hong Kongs Wan Chai area, uses Indian spices in its sauces and allows customers to try out and choose flavours. We use different flavours of Indian spices such as saffron, black pepper and cumin to bring out their special taste in our sauces, said restaurant cook Kimball Ho.

Taste and flavour are not the only factor drawing Hong Kongers, towards Indian spices. They are also opting for natural Indian products to minimise their exposure to chemical content, an issue that many locals feel strongly about. India produces a lot of spices of medicinal value. People are becoming more discerning and they want to know about the ingredients and their importance for a healthier life, said Sophia Chong, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC.

Many in Hong Kong, known as a bustling food hub, with some restaurants rated among the best in the world -- have also been experimenting with different kinds of cuisines. The demand for Indian spices is growing in Hong Kong also because these days people are interested in cooking international cuisine and the philosophy behind different kinds of food, Chong added.

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Around 400 B-ward contractors have gone on strike in protest against the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), which they claim has not cleared their dues.

The contractors, who work for the housing authority, have refused to repair any dilapidated structures in the ward  comprising J J Marg, Mandvi, Abdul Rehman Street, Dongri, Sandhrust Road, Bhaat Bazaar, Masjid Bunder and Bhendi Bazaar  until they get their pending amount.

They said their dues run into lakh of rupees.

The protest comes days after a 117-year-old collapsed in Bhendi Bazaar, killing 33. Mhada flagged the building in 2011 and served an eviction notice.

The strike has now put thousands of lives at risk as it is likely to hamper the redevelopement and repairs of old structures.

According to the Mhada Contractors Association (B ward), there are approximately 1,200 cessed buildings in the ward. Mhada collects cess from tenants, which is then used to repair these old buildings. It awards repair tenders to contractors. Once repairs are competed, Mhada uses the cess money to pay contractors.

We do not have limitless amounts to spend and we cannot run the show if Mhada does not reimburse us, said Asif Quereshi, president of the association. The association has warned the housing authority that contractors should not be responsible for any collapse and the onus will be on Mhada.

Mhada sanctions Rs3 lakh to Rs4 lakh for smaller buildings, while the budget goes up to Rs 10 lakh to Rs20 lakh for bigger buildings. Most of the buildings are more than 60 years old and are in bad to extremely bad shape.

Though residents have complained of substandard repair, they have no alternative as landlords do not undertake such work. Repairs by contractors offered some respite to dilapidated structures.

However, Mhada has defended itself saying the accusations were unfair. We have been paying the contractors regularly and their bills have been cleared till June. The contractors have got contracts through e-tenders and we will take action if they do not start the work or leave it incomplete, said Sumant Bhange, chief officer, Mhada (repair board).

However residents have expressed unhappiness over the issue.

Tenants are caught between Mhada and the contractors. Our buildings are in bad shape and if repairs are not done, they will surely collapse, said Sayed Mehboob, a local resident and social worker

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One out of five ventilators at Sir JJ Hospital  the largest government-run medical facility in the state  are defunct or temporarily dysfunctional. Ventilators are lifesaving machines because the machines provide mechanical breathing assistance to patients in critical condition.

Responding to a query by a citizen under Right to Information (RTI) Act, four major departments of the hospital  Medicine, General Surgery, Cardiology and Paediatrics, revealed that of the 69 ventilators in seven wards, seven are currently not working and eight have been condemned to be scrapped because they cannot be repaired.

Public health activists expressed concern over this state of affairs at a medical facility that treats more than five lakh patients every year.

Behind every absent ventilator, one critical patient suffers because the family is forced to check for other private or civic hospital and in such cases, every minute wasted can cost lives. Moreover, a sentinel centre such as JJ Hospital, which treats critical cases from across the state, having such lackadaisical approach towards life-saving machines is not at all accepted, said Chetan Kothari, who asked for the information through a RTI application.

Dr T P Lahane, dean of Sir JJ Hospital, denied claims that the ventilators are not functioning. Kotharis RTI revealed the number of old ventilators, which were brought in 2001. The data is maintained because the ventilators have not been officially discarded yet, he said. Dr Lahane said they have recently purchased five ventilators and in all they have 52 functioning high-quality devices.

Kothari said the hospital has not revealed the period during which the ventilators were unavailable. The hospital also didnt reveal how many patients have been turned away owing to the non-availability of the life-saving machines, adding that the official data of such patients is not maintained by the hospital.

Abhijeet More, co-convener of Jan Aarogya Abhiyan, a conglomerate of Non-Government Organisations working on public health issues, said, Its important to check when these ventilators stopped working, and the hospital is clearly trying to hide that data. Patients of tertiary care public hospitals, commonly, belong to weaker economic sections and non-availability of ventilators means they have to take the patients to private hospitals, said More, who added the average cost of a bed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital is about Rs7000-10,000 a day.

Other public hospitals are also struggling with broken equipment in their ICUs. In 2016, information collected by citizens through RTI queries revealed that about 20 of the 104 ventilators at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Sion, BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai Central, Dr R N Cooper Hospital, Vile Parle, and Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Hospital, Jogeshwari, were not in use. The hospitals had revealed that they had to turn away about 3000 critical patients in a year to other medical facilities due to non-availability of ventilators.

Sir J J Hospital did not see the dysfunctional and defunct ventilators as a major problem. The medicine department, having four non-functional ventilators out of the total 15 said that the number of available ventilators is enough to meet the current demand. On an average, 10-12 patients a day are on the ventilator. The number of ventilators is enough as per the bed strength as present, said department head.

But public health activists said hospitals should be prepared for mass casualties from seasonal diseases and accidents. These important issues should have been resolved before the monsoon because the need for ventilator due to dengue or other seasonal ailments multiplies two or three fold. Also if there is a mass tragedy in or around Mumbai, JJ Hospital will need to play an important role in treatment of patients and non-availability of ventilators can cause loss of lives, said More.
From better buses, mobile app for real-time updates to dedicated bus lanes  the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) buses are all set to get a makeover by the end of the year, Dr Surendra Bagde, general manager of the undertaking, announced at a roundtable of all stakeholders organised by Hindustan Times as part of its BEST Bachao campaign.

In its campaign from August 1-4, HT highlighted the need to transform the citys second largest public transport system, once regarded among the best in Asia.

At the roundtable, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, additional municipal commissioner (projects), BMC; Dr Bagde; Shashank Rao, union leader of the BEST Workers Union; Kedar Hombalkar, ex- BEST committee member and a BEST expert, transport experts Ashok Datar and AV Shenoy discussed the problems plaguing the citys public bus service and key measures to be taken to save the organisation.

Dr Bagde promised reforms such as market surveys and research to understand the needs of new-age commuters, rationalising of routes and better operational efficiency.

Mukherjee said just as a father cannot let his son drown, the BMC, the parent body of BEST, will not allow the citys bus services to sink. We will do everything possible to keep the citys bus service going. We all agree that public transport is important and needs to be prioritised, he said.

(From left) Trabsport expert AV Shenoy, labour union leader Shashank Rao, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, additional municipal commissioner (projects), BMC; Dr Surendra Bagde, general manager of the undertaking; transport expert Ashok Datar and ex-member of BEST committee Kedar Hombalkar at the roundtable. (Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

Talking about the four big reforms on cards by the end of this year, Bagde said, Flexibility in the size of bus fleet, mobile applications to give commuters estimated time of arrival, re-starting dedicated bus routes, including at BKC and from Haji Ali to Worli naka, and wet leasing of bus services are on the cards.

He said the BEST will issue a tender next week to get information technology support, including global positioning system, for bus services. Commuters will prefer BEST buses if they know how long the bus will take to arrive. We have the mechanism in place. We will launch the mobile application within six months, said Bagde.

The authorities also plan to start the long-pending dedicated bus lanes by coming up with a policy in consultation with Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Mumbai police and BMC. They plan to commission four bus lanes giving right of way or special passage for buses from Haji Ali to Worli naka by the end of the year.

Bagde said they plan to alter the routes to suit passengers needs, which they arent currently unaware of, and offer quick services. We will introduce smaller buses, which will reduce the waiting time for passengers, he said.

The BEST authorities are also looking at the possibility of introducing smaller AC buses on shorter routes and wet leasing of buses, allowing the vehicles to be hired along with the staff.

The BEST and BMC has also changed its agreement in its Escrow account to make Rs50crore-Rs65 crore available to the bus authority for 21 days. Earlier, BEST had to deposit the money in the account in the first 10 days, but with changed rules, it can deposit the money by the end of month.

The BMCs help, however, will not come unconditionally. Mukherjee pointed out BEST will have to deliver on drafting and implementing capital investment and business development plan. The civic body will provide capital expenditure and will fully support the organisation. However, we want to see the investment and the channel through which the expenditure will be used, he said.

A minimal fare hike on longer BEST routes can be expected with Mukherjee calling for some sacrifices from all stakeholders, including commuters.

Enough of slow and steady, time to get fast and furious

A revamp in keeping with the changing times is a must for the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) buses to stay relevant.

Transport experts and union leader of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), who were part of a stakeholders roundtable organised by the Hindustan Times as part of its BEST Bachao campaign, called for sweeping and immediate changes to the functioning and organisation of the citys trademark red buses.

While the experts raised concerns over BEST managements failure to understand the market situation and commuters demand, they highlighted how the lack of overall policy and vision for the company had stunted its growth. From weeding out political interference, introducing dedicated bus lanes to an effective IT system  several suggestions were made at the roundtable.

Underscoring the lack of expertise, Kedar Hombalkar, ex-BEST committee member, pointed out how corporators on the committee focus more on pleasing their constituency, instead of making BEST more efficient. The result, according to Hombalkar, is arbitrary bus routes introduced without market research. The BEST committee needs to include transport experts, environmentalists and automobile experts to get a better understanding of the market, said Hombalkar.

Transport expert Ashok Datar said even though at least 10 people die falling off local trains daily, people still prefer railways over BEST. (File)

Transport expert Ashok Datar said even though at least 10 people die falling off local trains daily, people still prefer railways over BEST.

Unlike the railways, BEST buses dont have a defined right of way. They also dont have our mindspace. In a city where space is at a premium, BEST buses occupy less than 2% of our road space. Unless, buses get speed,

commuters will not opt for them. People prefer trains despite congestion because they are fast and reliable, said Datar.

Datar said dedicated bus lanes, with buses operating every 30 seconds, could prove to be most efficient on busy arterial routes.

AV Shenoy, transport expert, said scrapping the transport deficit loss revenue (TDLR) led to sinking of the transport wing of BEST.

The transport wing was functional and working fine until island customers were paying TDLR. Once TDLR was scrapped, the BMC should have taken immediate responsibility for BEST, which it didnt, he said, adding, The drop in speed of buses  which takes more two hours to reach the destination at times  has made the service unviable.

Utilising bus depots for better revenue and giving it for private purposes like railways could help BEST tap into its own resources, he said.

We need dedicated BEST lanes to get away from congestion. The rules should be strict and offenders should be charged hefty fines. This will help in smooth movement of buses, and, in turn, boost the ridership, said Shashank Rao, leader of the BEST Workers Union, agreeing with experts on the need to give right of way to buses.

He said there was a need for a three-member high-powered committee of experts from finance, transport

and IT to advise BEST on implications of their policy decisions, and a drive against illegal buses operating in the city.

He emphasised the need to look at BEST as an essential service on the lines of education and health, instead of through a prism of profit and loss.
Brace for a noisy last day of Ganeshotsav as mandals across the city are expected to use 35,000 loudspeakers.

On Monday, the Supreme Court relaxed noise restrictions by staying an interim order of the Bombay high court (HC) that banned the use of loudspeakers in silence zones across Maharashtra.

Many mandals welcomed the move. We thank the Supreme Court and the central and state governments for allowing us to celebrate without restrictions. We were worried that the HCs interim stay on Friday meant that police permissions to use loudspeakers would be voided. However, now these permissions are in effect, said Naresh Dahibhavkar, president, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), the umbrella body of the mandals.

He added that mandals would, however, adhere to noise rules by keeping decibel (dB) levels in check. Only traditional music will be played during immersions and the midnight deadline will be strictly followed, he added.

BSGSS members said 33,000 loudspeakers were used last year.

Noise levels from drums, dhols, banjos, DJ systems and loudspeakers was at 116.8 dB on the second day of the festival, which was louder than the whole of last years festival. Anti-noise activists said the elimination of silence zones was to blame for high decibel levels during the first few immersions days even as the HC was hearing the matter.

We are deeply disappointed by the SCs ruling. Mumbaiites had made it clear that doing away with silence zones was not in the interest of the public, Now, the people will suffer. For just one festival, the Apex Court has done away with silence zones for the entire country , said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation.

Other activists said it citizens only stood to lose. It pains me that we as citizens need to convince the government to hold a peaceful celebration. It is unfortunate that critically ill patients, pregnant women, senior citizens and children will all have to face noise pollution on Tuesday, said Dr Mahesh Bedekar, anti-noise campaigner from Thane.

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One of the notorious practices in the medical profession, termed as cut practice, will soon be illegal in the state, with offenders liable to face maximum imprisonment of up to five years, if found guilty.

Cut practice refers to unethical methods where patients are referred to specific hospitals, pathology laboratories to undergo tests, examinations, in exchange for a certain commission to the referral physician. There is often a close nexus between laboratories, hospitals and doctors, who indulge in this practice.

The states medical education department has now drafted a bill, Prevention of Cut Practice in Health Care Services Act, 2017 against this cut practice. The bill is likely to be tabled in the winter session of the state legislature.

The proposed legislation covers hospitals, maternity homes, nursing homes, dispensaries, clinics, sanatoriums or an institution by whatever name that offers medical services, facilities, apart from doctors. The bill has proposed that doctors found involved in such a racket, depending on the nature of their offence, can also lose their licence for a period of three months, along with a penalty of Rs50,000.

Under this legislation, anyone can complain against this practice to the anti-corruption bureau (ACB). The ACB will inquire into the veracity and genuineness of the complaint within three months. The authority has been granted powers to search, seize and arrest under this legislation, during its investigations. Once an investigation is complete, the ACB will file a complaint and all such cases will be tried under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, says the draft bill, which will now be uploaded on the website of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) calling suggestions and objections from the people. The state government can also suo motu initiate proceedings against a health care service provider for cut practice, the draft bill states.

Sources said there will be two types of action in such cases  civil and criminal. For doctors registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), the latter will initiate an inquiry after receiving a complaint and take action such as suspension of licence for minimum period of three months, if the allegations are found to be true, which will be called as civil action. But for those who are not registered with the MMC, the ACB will start its probe and initiate action. Similarly, the MMC can also recommend criminal action against its doctors if it finds the offence to be serious.

Girish Mahajan, state medical education minister, said the practice has unnecessarily increased the cost of health care services ultimately putting a burden on the common man.

We have taken all the people concerned, including the Indian Medical Association, MMC, private practitioners and non-governmental organisations working in this field into consideration before preparing the draft bill. It will also be uploaded on the website for public suggestions, Mahajan told HT.

The issue of cut practice came to the fore after the BKC-based Asian Heart Institute put up a hoarding that read Honest opinion, No commission, which according to the Indian Medical Association  Indias largest body of doctors  brought disrepute to the profession. The medical education department then had formed a nine-member committee, which drafted this bill.

Dr Pravin Shingare, director, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) and one of the committee members, said the draft will remain in the public domain for two to three weeks and based on the suggestions and objections, changes will be made to the bill. This will be done before the bill is submitted to the government for a final nod.

Dr Abhay Chowdhary, former director of the Haffkine Institute and administrator of the MMC said the council is committed to ethical practices in the profession, but cut practices are prevalent. The only concern in the fraternity is that the bill should not be misused. Some doctors feel it would be unfair if outsiders, not from within the profession, are asked to make judgement calls about our practices or a genuine referral is treated as mischievous. However, the draft bill considers such issues, Chowdhary told HT.

Read more:

60% of bone cancers occur in teenagers and young adults, reveals Mumbai hospitals study

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The Shivaji Nagar Police on Saturday registered a case after a 24-year-old man was assaulted over a tiff that took place over a cigarette.

Based on the complaint filed by Saddam Sayeed Khan, 24, a resident of Baiganwadi in Govandi, the police arrested and booked Abibullah. They said Abibullah and his two his friends were standing near a dispensary at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Nagar when the incident occurred.

Khans brother was passing by when he was stopped by the trio. They told him to buy them a cigarette, said a police officer.

Khan left home in the early hours of Saturday to seek explanation from the trio about their action. However, a fight broke out between the four around 4am. A couple of hours later, the three accused attacked Khan with bamboo and a sharp weapon.

While Abibullah hit Khan on the back and legs with the bamboo, another attacked him on head and fingers with the sharp weapon, the officer added.

Khan was rushed to the nearby hospital. While the police arrested Abibullah, they are on the lookout for his friends.

A case has been registered under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
The allegations on social media questioning the Mumbai police anti-terrorism squad chief Heman Karkares investigations into the 2008 Malegaon blasts have not gone down well with officers who knew him well. Karkare, who was killed during the 26/11 terror siege of Mumbai and was awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously, is well-regarded for his professionalism and honesty.

The innuendoes that began when Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was given bail in April this year reached a crescendo when Lt Col Prasad Purohit was granted bail on August 21.

The former Mumbai police commissioner Julio Ribeiro, said Karkare walked into his office a day before 26/11 attacks with the files of [2008 Malegaon blasts] investigation. He came to me one day before he was killed. He brought a policeman along with him with all those files. I told him I dont have the time to go through those files. I believed him. Why should he unnecessarily implicate Purohit? He did not know him before, said Ribeiro.

Calling Karkare an honest and a competent officer whom the country should be proud of, Ribeiro said, The job of the police is to disclose the facts  that is our dharma and Hemant did exactly that. They want him to get him because it is according to their ideologies and not based on truth and facts. I take strong objection to sullying a good mans name to merely uphold an ideology, added Ribeiro.

Several senior Mumbai police officers, who asked not to be identified, said it was up to the courts to give a verdict and that it would be immoral to question Karkares credentials and sling mud on his career.

I was not closely involved in the Malegaon blast investigation but I know Karkare very well. I have worked with him. The man is absolutely above board, he is a man of integrity. Whatever investigation he would have done, would have been the right thing I can say that blindly. Political pressures apart, he would have done what was right and nothing wrong. Saying this and that against him is not appropriate now that he is no more, said D Sivanandan, former Mumbai police commissioner.

In the end, the courts verdict in the terror case will be based on the facts. Sivanandan pointed out, While governments change, the facts remain the same.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday approached special CBI court seeking custody of Indrani Mukerjea in connection with a money laundering case related to INX Media.

Mukerjea and others including Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union minister P Chidambaram have been booked by ED for money laundering in connection with the deal related to INX Media.

ED has approached the special court in Mumbai as Mukerjea is presently facing a trial before the CBI court in the Sheena Bora murder case. The agency had last month obtained a production warrant from the Delhi court for her interrogation in connection with the deals and money laundering allegations.

The court has now asked CBI to respond to EDs plea and it would be heard later in the week.

The allegation of money laundering dates back to May when CBI registered a case regarding irregularities in granting Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media. The investigative agency had registered a case on May 15 this year regarding alleging irregularities in granting the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media in 2007, when Chidambaram was the finance minister.

The agency has registered the case against INX Media through its director Peter, Indrani, Karti Chidambaram, Chess Management Services (a company of Karti), Advantage Strategic Consulting Limited through its director Padma Vishwanathan.

It was alleged that clearance was obtained through Chess Management, company owned by Karti. Further it was alleged that he received kickbacks from the media house while his father was the finance minister. This was allegedly in return for the latters help in getting the finance ministry to overlook irregularities at the company.

Two days after CBIs action, ED too initiated probe for money laundering against all the accused. During their probe ED had approached a court in Delhi for production warrant against Indrani to interrogate her in connection with the deal. The court allowed their plea and issued a production warrant for Mukerjea.

Hear Peters plea for Arms case diary again, orders HC

The Bombay high court on Monday struck down a lower court order rejecting former media baron Peter Mukerjeas plea seeking the case diary in the arms case registered against accused-turned-approver Shyamvar Rai in the Sheena Bora murder case. The HC has asked the lower court to hear the plea again.

Justice AM Badar of the HC said,The trial court proceeded on a wrong assumption that the statements of the two police officers  Ganesh Dalvi and Dinesh Kadam, who had apprehended Shyamvar Rai in the arms case  were available in the charge-sheet in the arms case and therefore decided to not call for the case diary.

The HC said the trial court failed to ascertain the necessity and desirability of the case diary for the trial [of Sheena Bora murder case] and so it was necessary to send the matter back to the trial court for fresh adjudication.

On August 21, 2015 Shyamvar Rai, who worked as a driver for Peters wife Indrani, was arrested by a team attached to Khar police station when he was found moving suspiciously. The police recovered a pistol and three live cartridges from him and booked him under relevant sections of the Arms Act.

During interrogation, Rai disclosed about the killing of Sheena, Indranis daughter purportedly from her first relationship. On the basis of his revelation, police inspector Ganesh Dalvi registered a new FIR against Rai and his employer, Peters wife Indrani and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna. Now, Khanna has turned approver in the murder case and Peter wanted the diary of the arms case to confront him in the trial.

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More than three months after the on-screen marking (OSM) assessment of answer scripts of lakhs of students began, officials from University of Mumbai (MU) are now searching for misplaced answer booklets. They claim the answer sheets could be lying in a warehouse, misplaced in the assessment software or lost altogether.

When we say the answer scripts are misplaced, we mean some of them have been uploaded under a different subject code on the assessment software. A search is also being conducted physically to see if any papers are still lying at the warehouse, Arjun Ghatule, director (in-charge), Board of Examinations and Evaluation told HT.

Online assessment of all MU exams conducted between March and May this year began in mid-May. Answer scripts were first scanned at the examination house situated in MUs Kalina campus, after which they were uploaded on the assessment software as per subject codes and made available to teachers for assessment. Right from the start, teachers complained about receiving answer papers with the wrong subject code or in another language under their log-in ID.

Most of us received wrong answer scripts, but for the first few days MU was not even sure how to deal with it. Everyone was conveniently asked to segregate such answer scripts as an exception. I now believe the same have been misplaced, said a teacher from a suburban college, on condition of anonymity.

Nagendran S, executive vice-president for Merit Trac, the online firm conducting OSM refused to comment. The university has categorically told us media interaction will be handled by them, so Im not allowed to comment on this matter, he said.

Many teachers were also surprised to be called back for assessment duty, weeks after subject chairpersons informed teachers their work was complete.

In the first week of August, we were informed that assessment for our subject was complete. Two weeks later, three papers emerged so I was called for assessment. Thats when we realised that some answer scripts were misplaced and were being uploaded as and when they were found, said another teacher.

By the end of Monday, 463 of the 477 results were announced, leaving only 14 more results to be announced by the university. However, assessment of 60,000 and moderation of 45,000 answer scripts remains pending. These include close to 30,000 papers from MUs Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) and thousands of students whose results have been held in reserve, leaving MU with a daunting task at present.

For 21-year-old Akriti Singh (name changed), the long wait for her results currently held in reserve has left her with no option but to drop pursing her academic plans. I topped my batch in the previous semester and this time Im worried if Ill even pass the year. To make it worse, if the university has misplaced my answer booklet, I dont know what to do, said the TYBMS student of NM College, Vile Parle.

Read more:

Mumbai university result mess: Moderator makes mistake while entering marks, 250 law students fail

Mumbai varsity results mess: Students can now register complaints on new MU website

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A team of doctors from Sir JJ Hospital on Friday checked a thirteen-year-old rape survivor from the citys western suburbs, who is now in the 32nd week of pregnancy, to find out if she can safely undergo abortion.

While the doctors from the hospital said the report has been sent to the Apex Court on Friday, the girls lawyers claimed the court hasnt received it.

We are trying to get in touch with the hospital and procure the report. The case as now been adjourned for tomorrow, said the lawyer who will represent the girls case.

Her parents had moved the Supreme Court on August 23, seeking permission to abort their daughters unborn child as she was past the 20-week legal abortion deadline.

The parents had learnt about their daughters pregnancy only during the 29th week of her pregnancy, when the girls mother took her to a local doctor as she had put on a lot of weight.
An error by a moderator of the law department of the University of Mumbai led to 250 law students  final year students of the three-year and five-year course  being marked as failed.

According to the new assessment system introduced by the university this year, a moderator has to re-check an evaluated answer script and update the revised total of a student on the assessment software.

However, in this case the moderator mistakenly fed the difference in the scores into the system, leaving students with one-digit marks in some subjects.

Some students complained about this, after which we approached the university. We were told the updated results would soon be uploaded, making it very clear there has been an error on their part, said the principal of a law college in the city.

By Sunday night, the errors were rectified and new results were uploaded on the website.

We have assigned staff to check all results of law division as well as other departments, especially for cases where a student has done well in all subjects, but failed in one subject. It is costing us a lot of time and money, but we dont want students to suffer, said Arjun Ghatule, director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation (in-charge).

He added that as of now the university is focussing on announcing all results and action against this particular teacher will be taken by the board soon.

The board of examinations will look into this error and decide what action needs to be taken against the particular teacher, added Ghatule.
Students from the University of Mumbai (MU), who are unable to check their results or have received unexpected results, can now register their complaints on the varsitys website instead of visiting the MU personally.

Faced with growing number of complaints related to erroneous results, the varsity launched an online portal  www.asia-sp.in/MU/results.php  which allows the students to register their grievances. The complaints are then forwarded to varsity officials.

Students who have doubts or complaints regarding their results are required to submit their queries online. The university will try to redress their grievances on a priority basis, said Dr Dhiren Patel, acting pro vice-chancellor of the university.

The site will also double as an alternative website for checking results. The varsity said so far it has resolved about 500 complaints registered by the BCom students online.Before the portal was launched, the students had to visit the exam house at universitys Kalina campus. The university has also assured that the results that have been withheld will be released soon.

The university will strive to declare the results held in reserve for various reasons in the next 10 days, said Arjun Ghatule, in-charge director, board of e-examination and evaluation.

MU saw a huge delay in results of the examinations held in the first half due to its decision to adopt an on-screen assessment system. The delay has affected thousands of students aspiring for higher education and job opportunities. Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, as chancellor of all the universities, asked the university to declare the results by July 31. The varsity failed to do that.

Many students whose results have been declared have complained that they have been marked absent for exams they appeared for in April, and their results have been withheld for the same reason. The varsity had explained that if a paper is misplaced or damaged, the result is held in reserve. But in order to do so, the system requires the student to be marked absent in those papers.

After missing several deadlines to announce results of all 477 exams held by MU between mid-March and May 2017, the varsity in a board of examination meeting decided to declare the results of the examinations, if the results of 90% students are ready. However, the decision has filled the students, whose results have not been made available, with anxiety. On the other hand, some students said that they scored much fewer marks than their expectations.

So far, the varsity has declared 463 results out of 477 exams held in the first half of the year. The bulk of the pending results are of commerce faculty, including BCom (Finance and Accountancy), BCom (Financial Markets) and BCom (Banking and Insurance).

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You may not get respite from surge pricing  rise in prices when vehicles are in demand -- by app-based taxis, electric taxis and autorickshaws anytime soon.

The government-appointed four-member Khatua panel, which was to come up with a fare structure for all cabs and autorickshaws, failed to submit its report within the set deadline of August 31.

According to transport department sources, the committee, chaired by retired IAS officer BC Khatua, is likely to submit the report within 15 days.

Once the report is submitted, the government will take at least 2-3 months to decide the fares.

The panel, which is reviewing the taxi and autorickshaw fare fixation formula derived by government-appointed Hakim panel in 2012, will fix the upper and lower limit for surge pricing.

This is the third time Khatua panel has missed the deadline for submission of the report.

Earlier, it missed the June-end and July-end deadlines set by the state government and Bombay high court, respectively. After missing previous deadline, the panel had sought an extension of a month, which the government granted.

Maharashtra has around 7.5 lakh autorickshaws and 1.5-2 lakh taxis, including app-based taxis. Of these, more than 1 lakh taxis and 2.5 lakh autorickshaws ply in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The delay has irked consumer activists. The government wasted almost one-and-a-half year before appointing the Khatua panel. If the government had acted immediately after announcing appointment of the new committee, the report could have been out long ago. This would have given passengers much-needed relief, said Varsha Raut, activist of Mumbai Grahak Panchyat, a consumer rights body.

Khatua did not respond to the query on the submission of report.

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Although away from her home in Kerala, Sridevi Parmeshwaram, 59, a resident of Kalyan, didnt want to miss out on Onam festivities. So she made sure she visited the Asthika Samaj Temple on Monday morning with her daughter.

While Malayalees living in Mumbai joined the celebrations across the city, most feel it is not the same as Kerala.

Pookalam, a flower rangoli, drawn at the temple in Matunga. (PRATIK CHORGE/HT)

As we stay in a city in nuclear families, we dont have those grand celebrations. We attend the programmes organised by Nair Samaj and Kerala Samaj. When we have the festivity there, it seems like we are celebrating with our family, said Balamami Harikumar Kurup, a resident of Sion.

The celebrations by these groups usually take place later in the month on a holiday, so most people can attend.

A flower rangoli at Panvel station. (Bachchan Kumar)

However, the authorities at the temple said the nature of festivities has changed as people are now independent and have more money at their disposal.

Earlier people did not have much money, so they would save to splurge on Onam. People now have the special meal, Sadhya, which was earlier exclusive to Onam, on a regular day too. So there is no novelty, said Govindan Kutty, treasurer, Asthika Samaj Temple .
The Shiv Sena on Monday said the recent cabinet expansion was the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) political need, and the Narendra Modi-led government is having to still conduct experiments despite it being in power for three years now.

In an editorial in the partys mouthpiece, Saamana, the Shiv Sena said there have been some shocking decisions in Sundays cabinet expansion such as the elevation of Nirmala Sitharaman to the defence ministry, handing over railways to Piyush Goyal and shifting Nitin Gadkari as in charge of the Ganga rejuvenation project.

A cabinet expansion is like shuffling a pack of cards. A joker or a jack may become a king, but the kings condition may be like a jack. There doesnt seem to be anything different in the recent cabinet reshuffle, the party said in its mouthpiece.

The party also questioned the urgency of the cabinet reshuffle, and as to why Prime Minister Narendra Modi felt like he should complete the exercise before his official visit to China. Its not as if Xi Jinping would have been upset if Modi had not carried the list of the new council of ministers in his pocket, and would have once again started tensions at Doklam. The cards of the cabinet could have easily been reshuffled even after Modis trip, the Shiv Sena said.

The party added, only those names who Modi and BJP President Amit Shah had in mind have made it to the list, and it is said that this is the partys preparation for the 2019 election. To win elections and form governments has anyway become a political and national game. So the pawns on the governments council are also picked accordingly, the Shiv Sena said.

Although there were no formal discussions, the party was expecting at least one additional cabinet portfolio that Sena leaders said was due to it a long time ago.

The party, which has 18 parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha, currently has one minister in Modis cabinet  Anant Geete, in charge of the heavy industries and public sector enterprises ministry.

In the first cabinet reshuffle itself in November 2014, the Shiv Sena was expecting additional portfolios when Modi inducted 21 new ministers. However, after much drama, the Sena, which did not get a piece of the pie, boycotted the oath-taking ceremony. Senas Desai who left for Delhi for the ceremony on Thackerays orders returned to Mumbai from the Delhi airport itself.

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With Suresh Prabhu out of the ministry of railways and another Mumbaiites Piyush Goyal occupying his place, the big question being asked is  what happens to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

Known as Prime Minister Narendra Modis dream project, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has not made much progress due to high cost involved and delay in acquiring land.

The Maharashtra government is not keen to hand over land at Bandra-Kurla Complex to build a terminal for the project, as it wants to build an International Finance Centre at the same spot. Villagers in Palghar district are up in arms against acquisition of land for the same.

While Prabhu was in favour of the project, he could not give it a major push. Will Goyal manage to do that?

The estimated cost of the project is Rs1 lakh crore and Japanese agencies are willing to fund it. The foundation stone for the project is likely to be laid in October, apparently in the presence of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Sources in the railways said the project is likely to be a priority for Goyal even as the railways is getting flak for not improving basic infrastructure that has led to a series of accidents involving deaths of a large number of passengers.

Considering the fact that Goyal is close to PM Modi and the latter wants to launch the project at the earliest, we think the new railway minister will take it up on priority basis, said a senior railway official.

According to senior railway officials working on the project, a meeting of senior officials from the Central Railway and the National High Speed Rail Corridor (NHSRC) which is implementing the bullet train project  was held in Mumbai two days before the cabinet reshuffle. Possible changes in the project plan were discussed in the meeting.

The bullet train project will pass through major areas belonging to both Central and Western Railway and that is the reason that both of them should be equally informed about it. We are also looking at alterations and changes at the moment. said a senior railway official.
When the trains stop, Mumbai stops  like during the deluge last Tuesday. Native Mumbaiites will tell you that unless you have travelled in a Churchgate or CST local during peak office hours, you will not understand the city or its needs. If that is the case, the new Railway minister is well qualified, as was, to be fair, the man he replaced.

Sundays Cabinet reshuffle saw the man from Matunga, Piyush Goyal, replace the man from Dadar, Suresh Prabhu, in the Railway ministry, which is the one that matters most to Mumbaiites.

Goyal has big shoes to fill. During Prabhus tenure, the citys big ticket suburban railway projects got an estimated Rs40,000-crore boost.

The two have a lot in common, though Prabhu is 10 years older. Both are chartered accountants and lawyers. Both were bankers before they became politicians. BJP sources say both ministers also know first-hand the travails of travelling by locals during peak college and office hours.

Prabhu is a politician by accident. He was managing director at Saraswat Bank when he met Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, who prevailed on him to join his party. The four-time MP from the Senas safe seat of Rajapur, lost the confidence of Thackeray during his tenure as minister in the Vajpayee cabinet -- apparently for maintain his clean image at the cost of the partys interests. But Prabhu won an admirer in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Goyal, however, is from a political family with close links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His late father, Ved Prakash Goyal, was Union minister of shipping and national treasurer of the BJP for more than two decades. His mother, Chandrakanta Goyal, was thrice elected legislator and was known for her social work.

Vajpyee made Prabhu chairperson of the Taskforce for Interlinking Rivers in 2002, and nominated Goyal as one of the members.

In the Vajpayee government, Prabhu was known for his work in the power sector. He is credited with drafting the Electricity Act of 2003 that opened up opportunities for private sector investment and augmented power generation. At least some of Goyals success as power minister in the Modi cabinet is because of the base created by Prabhu.

Both ministers are comfortable with social media and maintaining relations with people across the political spectrum.

Prabhu at one time was close to both Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar. Prabhu also refused an invitation to speak at Wharton in 2013 after the top management school withdrew an invite to Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat chief minister.

Goyal is close to the RSS as well as the top BJP brass; he was in charge of the party advertising and publicity campaign ahead of the 2014 polls.

Successes and challenges

Railway officials credit Prabhu with giving Mumbai more during his tenure. He approved the third phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project, along with the Bandra-Virar elevated corridor, the CST-Panvel elevated corridor and the Virar-Diva-Panvel line quadrupling. All these are big ticket projects that will eventually augment the carrying capacity of the suburban network.

Local railway officials credit Prabhu with several reformative steps that will yield substantial gains in the long run. For instance, he focussed on improving speed and quality of long distance trains -- for example the Tejas express, the first luxury train on Mumbai-Goa route. Besides, he gave more powers to general managers of zonal railways, brought in a catering policy, introduced WiFi and RO water fountains at stations - basic amenities for lakhs of city commuters.

Prabhu was not an aggressive minister. Hence railway officers took his ideas and plans lightly. What hindered work were his constant Mumbai visits and a lot of inaugurations. We were kept busy in just unproductive matters, said a railway official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Prabhu also could not get the state government on board on two big ticket projects  the Bandra-Virar and the CST-Panvel elevated corridors.

Local railway officials hope that Goyal will succeed on this front. ``Goyal has a way with bureaucracy and officials. In the case of power ministry, he also did well because of his comfort with the industrys leaders and business professionals. Whether the same skill sets can work for railways is not known. But, he will deliver better when it comes to co-ordinating with the state because he has been over the last two years playing a role in advising the state leadership on big events including the city civic polls, said a senior BJP leader.
He shot Jawaharlal Nehru playing with his grandchildren in Kashmir; a young Sonia Gandhi with jet black hair posing with her Indian family; Satyajit Ray in a short kurta and broad lehenga, holding a cigarette and leaning against a spanking new Chrysler; model Zaheera looking sensuous in a white two-piece bikini and yellow shrug.

In a career spanning 50 years, the late photojournalist Jitendra Arya (1931  2011) managed to capture iconic people in unusually candid settings, and important moments in the history of a young and fast-changing India.

What makes him unique is the intimate, simple yet stylised nature of his work.

You can see some of his iconic photographs at the NGMA all this month, where a retrospective titled Light Works has been curated by Sabeeha Gadihoke, a photo historian and professor at Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi.

Highlights WHAT: Light Works: a Jitendra Arya retrospective WHERE: National Gallery of Modern Art, Fort WHEN: September 2 to October 8, 11 am to 6 pm (Closed on Wednesdays) CALL: 2288-1969 ENTRY FEE: Rs 10

The exhibition presents 300 images, selected by Gadihoke over almost a year, from a total of 7,000 in Aryas archive.

Arya shot great portraits and loved natural light, Gadihoke says. He was also the one who initiated fashion photography in the country, as he shot several cover photos for Femina and Filmfare.

His pictures on film sets gave people a glimpse into the world behind the camera, and are still a great resource for cinema historians.

Arya was born in Delhi, grew up in Nairobi and moved to Bombay in 1950.

He was given his first camera when he was 10, an inexpensive Eastman Kodak Brownie, which he used to take pictures of friends and family members. At 15, his portrait of Kenyan anti-colonial activist Jomo Kenyatta was published in the Colonial Times.

The following year, his father Prabhu Dayal Arya took a loan to send him to England on a ship to pursue his passion, says Aryas son Kavi.

Once, there he worked for the Hungarian-British photojournalist Michael Peto before striking out on his own.
A 64-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Vile Parle (East) on Sunday morning. While passers-by said it was an autorickshaw that hit him, police have not found any CCTV from the accident site to confirm their claims.

Danesh Vadva, a former businessman, was rushed to a hospital by passers-by, but he succumbed to the grievous head injuries he had suffered during treatment on Sunday.

According to the Vile Parle police, the incident took place at around 11.30 am at Shahaji Raje road near Alpha junior college in Vile Parle (East). Vadva used to live nearby in a housing society and his son Hemant told HT, My father was returning home after dropping clothes off for ironing. We were told some autorickshaw hit him and fled. The public rushed him to a hospital and informed us.

When asked if police action has been satisfactory, Hemant said, We dont care. Even if they catch the accused it doesnt matter. It wont bring him back.

Vadva was rushed to a hospital nearby but since it did not have the necessary facilities, his family took him to Nanavati hospital, where he was declared dead while receiving treatment. He had suffered grievous head injuries.

The Vile Parle police had registered a case of rash and negligent driving causing grievous injuries on Monday and changed it to causing death due to negligence under section 304 A of the Indian Penal code (IPC) later.

A police official from the Vile Parle police station said, We checked for CCTV cameras in the area but have not found any till now. But we are recording statements of people who saw the accident. They may help us with registration number of the rickshaw. Till now we have no leads.
A 29-year-old man from Versova lost Rs1.45 lakh in a cyber fraud after his credit card was used for transactions on national and international portals.

Tahir Shaikh works in a private firm. He received the credit card from a public sector bank in April. He told the police that he had used the card only once when he paid fees online to an educational institute. He lost the money on August 21 and 22, said an official from the cyber police.

Between 6.10 am and 6.13 am on August, he received 30 SMSes informing him that Rs89,410 was withdrawn from his account.

He called the bank and got his card blocked. We asked Shaikh to call the bank to get more details. The bank informed him that another Rs55,590 was withdrawn on August 21. But he did not receive any SMS on the transaction, said the official.

Aftab Siddique, a relative of Shaikh, said, The government needs to take measures to safeguard online transactions. There is no proper guidance for the public. There is a dire need to upgrade the cyber police, who are finding difficult to nab fraudsters.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the surprise pick of Sundays reshuffle of the union council of ministers, has her task cut out and her appointment should not be seen through the prism of gender, senior serving and retired officers said. The 58-year-old Sitharaman is the first woman to be the full-time defence minister of the country after Indira Gandhi held the portfolio 35 years ago when she was also the prime minister.

I dont think it should be seen as a move to empower women. Thats good but not an end in itself. The ultimate goal is to empower the armed forces, said former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha during whose term the government ended a rigid gender-based combat exclusion policy in the air force two years ago.

Sitharamans appointment comes at a time when Indias first female pilots are preparing to fly warplanes after they complete the last leg of their training later this month.

Raha said a key test for Sitharaman would be to introduce accountability for all stake holders.

When you talk about defence acquisition or defence finance wings, they are important stakeholders but have no accountability. She will have to ensure decisions are outcome based and not process based, Raha said.

The main challenges that the new minister will face include modernising the military, ushering in big-ticket reforms, managing volatile borders and arranging funds for big buys.

Weapon buys cant be seen as just commercial transactions. We cant lose sight of what is good for the country strategically Women by nature are very determined and if she can work with the same efficiency as she did in her previous ministry, things will change in the defence ministry, Raha said.

But what about the criticism that a key portfolio has been given to a relatively less experienced person?

Former northern army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda doesnt agree. He said most of Sitharmans predecessors also did not have too much of experience in dealing with defence. In that sense, its not a negative. Shes quite articulate, sincere and has a reputation for being competent. Also, its about a persons calibre and not their gender, Hooda said. Sitharamans promotion complements the reputation she built as a tough negotiator in the commerce ministry.

Former navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash said he would rate her performance on two factors: how much time she devotes her portfolio and if she is able to create a synergy between the military and the bureaucracy.

This is a 24X7 job and hardly any of her predecessors have devoted sufficient time due to political preoccupation. It will require her full attention, Prakash said.

She will be responsible for carrying out the modernisation of one of the worlds largest armies before parliamentary elections in 2019. The government is pushing to build fighter planes, submarines and helicopters in the country.

The minister will also be tasked with ushering in military reforms, including creation of a chief of defence staff as principal military adviser to the government, restructuring the Defence Research and Development Organisation and set up special operations, space and cyber commands to fight future wars.

Gender is no issue. We are only concerned about sharpening the militarys capability swiftly, said a senior army officer.
The Uttar Pradesh government officials have asked the state agencies to expedite contribution of funds for the 9.41km metro link in Ghaziabad. UP principal secretary (industry department) Alok Sinha on Monday asked officials of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) to contribute their share.

As per the proposal, the project has eight stations on an elevated section in Ghaziabad, which are under construction. The project is pegged at Rs2,210 crore and as per the present funding pattern, different UP departments have to share Rs1,479.6 crore, in a specified ratio, with the rest being contributed by Government of India and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

During the meeting, the principal secretary asked UPSIDC to contribute its share towards the metro. The agency officials said that they want an equity in the project but they were told that the project has no special purpose vehicle concept and is being funded by different UP agencies, including Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), said AK Gupta, officiating chief engineer, GDA, who attended the meeting in Lucknow.

The GDA has paid the majority of its Rs 695.8 crore share, while the other agencies  municipal corporation, UP Avas Vikas and UPSIDC  have to contribute Rs246.35 crore, Rs440.45 crore, and Rs97 crore, respectively.

The Avas Vikas has also agreed to pay its share. There will be a book adjustment for the municipal corporations share as GDA has taken over the corporations land and the authority cannot pay directly to the agency. UPSIDC was told that unlike the Lucknow metro, the state government is not contributing to the project and instead, departments will share the cost, Gupta said.

During his recent visit, principal secretary (housing), Mukul Singhal had said that a quick appraisal of the 9.41km metro project was taken up by Lucknow metro officials and appraisal report was sent to DMRC. Once the DMRC clears the points raised in the appraisal report, the revised detailed project report (DPR) of the Ghaziabad metro project will be put before the state cabinet.

The cost of the project was revised from Rs1,770 crore to Rs2,210 crore in December 2014. The clearance of the revised DPR will enable the Ghaziabad metro project get a grant of Rs402.4 crore from Government of India.

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A unanimous parliamentary resolution in Islamabad on August 30, which denounced United States President Donald Trumps complete disregard for Pakistans vast sacrifices in counter-terror efforts and called on the government to consider suspending cooperation with the US, possibly defined the new contours of ties with Washington. Also, the tone and tenor of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who chaired two emergency huddles of the National Security Committee (NSC), a forum comprising top civilian and army officials, indicated that after a decade-and-a half of rocky ties Pakistani civilian and military elites have decided to collectively reject Trumps intimidation of Pakistan while unveiling his new Afghan and South Asia strategy, on August 20.

With this Pakistan drew the line between its own course of anti-terror action and the demands placed by Trump. It went into an enough is enough mode in unison, and foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif put off his Washington visit, advising Alice Wells, US secretary of state for South and Central Asia, to do the same to avoid mutual embarrassments.

Both Abbasi and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa openly rebuked Trump for singling out Pakistan as the cause of Afghanistans troubles, and instead demanded due recognition of its material losses (up to $125 bn) and human sacrifices (nearly 70,000) in the anti-terror war. Abbasi went to the extent of forecasting doom for Trumps Afghan policy.

And there are cogent reasons for this bravado in Islamabad.

First, Trump and Prime Minister Modis ascendant views on Pakistan have fuelled frustration and driven the political Right and Left into believing that the unholy collusion comprising India, Afghanistan and the US is aimed at hurting the interests  not only of Pakistan but also of its political allies such as China and Russia. Even the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), an ardent supporter for friendly relations with India, and Imran Khans PTI, appeared incensed over the India-US synergy on Afghanistan. Raza Rabbani, the chairman of the upper house of parliament and a former PPP stalwart, too, openly speaks of New Delhis intransigence.

Second, most Pakistani officials insist, that the Trump strategy gives an open cheque to India for mounting a double front against Pakistan, and hence are extremely suspicious of the motives.

Third, Pakistans security establishment views the Trump strategy as an excuse for long-term presence in Afghanistan with the ultimate objectives of containment of China, a check on a resurgent Russia and preventing both from turning the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) into a formidable regional block.

Security officials dont rule out economic sanctions or intensification in kinetic attacks on targets inside Pakistan if the Trump administration decided to ramp up pressure. However, a senior security official dealing with policy responses argued that Pakistan was ready to face any challenge arising out of Trumps threats.

General (rtd) Nasir Khan Janjua, Pakistans national security adviser, cautions against the use of force on either side of the border: One should not try to win war in Afghanistan by way of vengeance .. this will further spread the conflict and spiral things out of control, Janjua said in his meeting with US ambassador David Hale.

Janjuas message implied that responsibility for peace in Afghanistan rested on all, who must seek the closure of the conflict, instead of trying to win it through military means.

Fourth, is the message related to bullying by the US. If a chance of Pakistan bending under pressure ever existed at all that would have been before China offered its strategic embrace through the China-Pakistan Economy Corridor (CPEC) in 2015, a multi-billion dollar undertaking involving communication, energy and infrastructure projects.

Fifth, unlike Trump and Modi, Chinese, Russian and Iranian leaders think differently on the chequered peace process in Afghanistan and are more aligned with the Pakistani view on the way forward in Afghanistan.

Sixth, undeterred by Afghan objections, Pakistan is forging ahead with its new border management mechanism. However displeasing it may be for Afghans, who historically prefer to see the Durand Line as border, Pakistan is setting up new security posts, digging protective trenches and placing fences at critical segments of the 2,560-km border with Afghanistan. It has also rejected demands by Afghans for third party verification of Pakistans counter terrorism actions in the deep seated multilateral mistrust.

Without confronting the US head-on, Pakistani officials hope to blunt the Trump-led allegations of Pakistan being the source of violence in Afghanistan. The silver lining lies in what US secretary of defence James Mattis said in Washington last Thursday. We intend to work with Pakistan in order to take the terrorists down. I think thats what a responsible nation does, Mattis said when asked as to what kind of relationship the US wanted to keep with Pakistan.

Imtiaz Gul is an author and heads the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad

Twitter: @vogul1960

The views expressed are personal
Indias criminal justice system has long relegated the victim to the periphery. But things have changed in the last 20 years. The chatter on social media over the inadequacy of the sentence to former Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is an indicator of societys cry for justice.

While the courts are empowered to decide on punishment, statutory amendments have wrought changes in the manner in which victims may receive compensation and be rehabilitated. In 2013, Section 326A and B of the Indian Penal Code (acid attack) and Section 376D IPC (gang rape) provided for a fine for medical expenses and rehabilitation of victims. The Justice Malimath Committee (2003), which suggested that victims be assured of some rights, led to Act No. 5 of 2009, which amended the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, and conferred victims the right of appeal for the first time.

Similarly, Sections 357A to C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, also brought in 2009, introduced the Victim Compensation Scheme, directing states to provide compensation to victims or dependents, irrespective of the status of the trial and also empower the State and District Legal Services Authority to provide compensation and/or medical aid. Parliament in 2009 and 2013 and the Supreme Court have also directed states to compensate victims of rape. The SC also upheld the right to reproductive choices of a woman, who has been raped in a State-run welfare institution. This judgment was recently upheld by the SC bench in the privacy case.

In Ms. Z vs. State of Bihar (2017), the rationale of the Suchita Srivastava & Anr. Vs. Chandigarh Administration (2009) 9 SCC 1 has been pushed further by the bench. The Bench came down heavily on the States delay and at the HC and the insistence on the consent of the father/husband, which resulted in a lady allegedly subjected to rape having to continue with her pregnancy as the period under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act lapsed and there was danger to her life if the pregnancy was attempted to be terminated at a late stage.

Recognising her suffering and injury caused by the State negligence, the court held that a compensation of Rs 3 lakh and then Rs 10 lakh be paid. The SC also directed that medical care be provided to the child to be born. While Ms. Z vs. State of Bihar (2017) is a decision in exercise of writ jurisdiction, it sets the bar high for the determination of compensatory and rehabilitative measures. It will also go a long way in interpreting the 2009 and 2013 amendments in the CrPC and the IPC.

Sidharth Luthra is senior advocate and visiting professor Northumbria University.

The views expressed are personal
A perusal of the bank accounts of Srijan Mahila Sahyog Samiti, the NGO accused of siphoning of hundreds of crores of rupees from government accounts through fraudulent transfers to its own accounts, has revealed frequent withdrawal of funds.

The CBI, now probing the scam worth an estimated Rs 1,300 crore, has undertaken the process of ascertaining transaction details of six active accounts of Srijan in Bank of Baroda (BOB) which were frozen soon after the scam was unearthed. A team of CBI officials had visited main branch of BOB last week.

On Monday, the CBI team interrogated a local official of the Indian Bank, in which Srijan has accounts.

Major illegal parking of government funds of land acquisition and welfare departments in BOB accounts has already been detected.

As per a preliminary assessment, the total balance taking together all the accounts is around 10-15 lakhs, a very low figure. Account details suggest people at the helm of affairs in Srijan had withdrawn the funds in a planned way, apprehending the unearthing of the scam.

The amount left in the accounts could be taken as meagre if the total government money that was transferred to Srijan account was taken into consideration.

A police officer involved in the scam investigation, as a member of the police special investigation team (SIT), which probed the matter before the CBI took over, said apart from active accounts there are number of other accounts of Srijan in local bank branches that remained operational for a certain period before being closed.

Srijan accounts at Indian Bank and Bhagalpur Central Cooperative Bank, apart from BOB, were identified at local level in which government funds had been transferred.

Sources said altogether 75 accounts of Srijan were frozen after the scam was unearthed. The income tax department has also started scanning the details of the accounts, sources said.

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Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday accused RJD chief Lalu Prasad of making all efforts to ruin him politically. However, it was thanks to the opportunity offered by nature that he got to serve the people of Bihar again, he said.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of his weekly public feedback on governance programme Lok Samvad, Kumar said even though Prasad was a darling of the media these days, people hardly took any notice of him.

The CMs outburst was apparently a reaction to the RJD chiefs diatribe against the JD(U) leadership for denial of berth in the Union cabinet, which was expanded on Sunday, and his tirade against the state government for its failure to prevent floods.

Kumar said he was follower of Gandhi and Lohia and hence able to withstand all attacks. If I keep on replying to the statements, will I have the time to fulfil my commitments towards Bihar? he asked. He also dismissed the RJDs Desh Bachao, Bhajapa Bhagao rally here on August 2 as a family festival.

There is no meaning of the crowd at the rally. I have seen the photoshopped pictures of the crowd and the real visuals, said the CM, as he ridiculed the sequence of speakers at the RJD rally. RJD legislators were completely sidelined, he added.

Kumar said it was a flash flood that Bihar had witnessed. It was caused by unprecedented rains in the catchment area of rivers, in Nepal. People of north Bihar claimed the scale of rain that lashed the area had not been seen in the last 90 years. I am busy helping the marooned people and officers are on the task to restore the infrastructure damaged due to flooding, said the CM.

Claiming that scale of devastation was more than the previous floods, the CM hoped that the Centre would suitably compensate the losses, which ran into hundreds of crores of rupees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the flooded areas and instantly announcement Rs 500 crore help. It is not the last. We will submit the memorandum of demand as per the damages, said Kumar.

Regarding the special financial help he was expecting from the Centre after establishment of an NDA government in the state, in July, when he jettisoned the grand alliance and joined forces with the BJP, Kumar said all departments were compiling comprehensive proposals to be submitted to the union government.

We will meet the PM after the flood conditions improve. I hope for full cooperation from the Centre as we (JDU and BJP) are working for common goal of rapid development of Bihar, said the CM.

The CM, however, parried a question as to why the government took four years to act against an ADM rank officer for her involvement in Rs 1,300 crore Srijan scam and what happened with the inquiry into the matter that was conducted by the cooperative department.

The CM said he brought the scam in public domain on July 9 soon after he received a brief about it on July 8, oblivious of the fact that the first FIR was lodged with Tilkamanjhi police station on July 7 (494/2017).

No one who indulged in the scam would be spared as the CBI had taken up the probe. I have full faith, and those who dont can approach the high court or the Supreme Court for its monitoring, said Kumar, adding only the bosses of the departments concerned could give the details of the case.

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Clearing the air on how violence in Panchkula was controlled on August 25, city police commissioner AS Chawla on Sunday said, It was the paramilitary forces, and not the Indian Army, that helped state police in controlling unruly dera followers.

The mob went on a rampage soon after CBI court held dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim guilty of raping two of his disciples. I would like to place on record the invaluable support by para military forces (misunderstood as Army by many) in the operation on 25th Aug, Chawla tweeted on Sunday.

His take assumes significance since there was a lot of confusion over the role of security forces in the entire operation as many reports had claimed the situation came under control after army was pressed into service when clashes broke out on the streets of Panchkula. As many as 35 dera followers lost their lives and many sustained injuries.

6 columns of army arrived in evening after situation was under control

Talking to HT after his tweet, Chawla said his statement did not mean to disgrace any institution but to put the facts straight. Many people in public and private told him the good work of the army in the operation.

There is no denying of the fact that army had a positive role creating enough deterrent. But six columns of army arrived here in the evening when the situation was brought under control. Even army is not claiming to have involved in firing on the ground, he said.

Chawla added that it was largely a joint operation of paramilitary companies and state police, which had direct contact with unruly crowd and their collaborative effort helped in flushing them out when the situation turned tense here that day in the afternoon.

There is no denying of the fact that army had a positive role creating enough deterrent.

I thank the people of Panchkula for cooperating with us during this tough time. The city has been saved, he emphasised. According to him, the deployment of the paramilitary forces was slow initially slow but we had 50 companies with us on the final day that strengthened our anti-rioting and crowd-controlling measures in the afternoon.

However, Chawlas statement raises important issues as to what led to the delay in deployment of army, which many believed, could have reduced the fatalities in the entire operation if they had intervened in the days leading up to the gathering of dera followers.

He said that he is not in a position to talk about these issues. He said the army was on standby and was brought here accordingly.
Astronaut Peggy Whitson returned to Earth late Saturday, wrapping up a record-breaking flight that catapulted her to first place for US space endurance.

Whitsons 665 days off the planet  288 days on this mission alone  exceeds that of any other American and any other woman worldwide.

She checked out of the International Space Station just hours earlier, along with another American and a Russian. Their Soyuz capsule landed in Kazakhstan shortly after sunrise Sunday  Saturday night back in the US.

Whitson was the last one carried from the Soyuz. She immediately received a pair of sunglasses to put on, as she rested in a chair on the barren, wind-swept Kazak steppes. Medical personnel took her pulse, standard practice. She then received a bouquet of flowers with the greeting, Welcome back, Peggy.

Besides duration, Whitson set multiple other records while in orbit: worlds oldest spacewoman, at age 57, and most experienced female spacewalker, with 10. She also became the first woman to command the space station twice following her launch last November.

Returning cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin logged even more time in space: 673 days over five missions. NASA astronaut Jack Fischer returned after 136 days aloft. The men flew up in April.

All three briefly held hands for a photo op, before being carried one by one in their chairs to the medical tent.

It was an emotional farewell to the space station for Whitson, Yurchikhin and Fischer. Before retreating into their Soyuz, they embraced the three colleagues they were leaving behind at the 250-mile-high complex. Yurchikhin patted the inside of the station before floating into his Soyuz for the final time.

Ground personnel carry US astronaut Peggy Annette Whitson after landing in a remote area outside the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. (AP Photo)

Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin, Peggy Whitson (left) and Jack Fischer (right) pose for a photo after landing in Kazakhstan. (AP Photo)

The stations newest commander, Randy Bresnik, noted the outpost was losing 1,474 days of spaceflight experience with the departure of Whitson, Yurchikhin and Fischer. Four years and two weeks, he pointed out.

We are in your debt for the supreme dedication that you guys have to the human mission of exploration, Bresnik told them on the eve of their departure. He offered up special praise for Whitson  American space ninja  and wished them all Godspeed.

Yurchikhin is now No. 7 on the worlds all-time endurance list, followed by Whitson at No. 8. The top spot belongs to Russian Gennady Padalka, with 879 days in space over five flights.

Carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew of Jack Fischer, Peggy Annette Whitson of the US and Fyodor Yurchikhin of Russia lands in a remote area outside the town of Dzhezkazgan. (Reuters Photo)

Whitson, a biochemist, set a breakneck pace on all three of her space station expeditions, continually asking for more  and still more  scientific research to do. Scientists on the ground said it often was hard to keep up with her. She even experimented on food up there, trying to add some pizazz to the standard freeze-dried meals. Tortillas transformed into apple pies on her watch.

Whitson was supposed to fly back in June after a half-year in space. But when an extra seat opened up on this Soyuz, she jumped at the chance to stay in orbit an extra three months. Only one other American  yearlong spaceman Scott Kelly  has spent longer in space on a single mission.

Heres what happens when space-folk take some pictures to show their USA-Pride micro-gravity allows for some cool poses! Happy B-day USA! pic.twitter.com/24rPrx9K9y  Peggy Whitson (@AstroPeggy) July 4, 2017

Except for the past week, Whitson said her mission hurried by. Shes hungry for pizza and cant wait to use a regular flush toilet again. Shes also eager to reunite with her husband, Clarence Sams, a biochemist who also works at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Because of the effects of Hurricane Harvey, NASA could not get its plane from Houston to Kazakhstan in time for the crews landing. Instead, the European Space Agency offered to transport Whitson and Fischer to Cologne, Germany, where they will meet up with the NASA plane for the final leg of their journey. They were due back in Houston on Sunday night.

Three men remain at the space station: Bresnik, a Russian and an Italian. They will be joined by two Americans and a Russian following liftoff from Kazakhstan on September 12.
Standing on a roof in central Saint Petersburg, Marta Granadeiro gasped as she watched the statues on the Hermitage Museums facade gleam in the sunset.

We wanted to see something extraordinary in Saint Petersburg and now we have, said Granadeiro, a 23-year-old Spanish tourist who climbed onto the roof of an apartment building on a tour organised by a local tourism agency.

The rusty rooftops of Russias tsarist-era capital, with its romantic skyline of elegant onion domes and pre-revolutionary buildings, have long been a coveted destination for illegal excursions.

To convince officials to let tourists admire the city from above, the agency PanoramicRoof spent four years navigating bureaucratic hoops to get the necessary permits.

I had this idea after getting my wedding photos taken on Saint Petersburgs roofs, said Anastasiya Krasitskaya, the agencys coordinator. It was fantastic but dangerous and uncomfortable, the roof was slippery, and all in all it was stressful.

The citys 18th-century founder Tsar Peter the Great ordered architects not to build anything higher than the Peter and Paul Fortress (in picture). (Shutterstock)

Previously tourists could only surreptitiously access the buildings roof. Those living in the flats below sometimes called the police when they spotted visitors clambering up the stairwell.

Eventually the agency decided to strike a deal with the residents, offering to repair the stairwell in exchange for access to the roof.

Only for foreigners?

The city of 5.3 million annually draws in throngs of visitors  6.9 million in 2016  eager to see sights associated with the rule of the Russian monarchs and gape at its museum collections.

But some tourists are also drawn to go off the beaten path for a more adventurous experience. Rooftops offer the best view of the citys skyline, which has remained lowrise in the historic centre.

The citys 18th-century founder Tsar Peter the Great ordered architects not to build anything higher than the Peter and Paul Fortress: 122.5 metres (402 feet).

Alexander Semyonov, the head of PanoramicRoof, took five tourists through the buildings attic, heading toward the roof. Before going out to the open air, he repeated safety instructions: dont walk too fast and carefully follow the guide. He distributed hard hats and binoculars.

Safety is paramount, Semyonov told the tourists, who were busy clicking photos. They proceeded carefully along the crest of the roof, gripping a metre-high metal barrier to avoid slipping down the slope.

For Andrei Stepanov, who takes groups on more clandestine outings, PanoramicRoofs trip is too tame and mostly for the elderly and for foreigners.

For him going the official route is a waste of time: residents rarely make a fuss and even when they do, the fine is only 500 rubles ($8, seven euros). He said the agency charges too much (500 to 700 rubles) and only skims the surface of the citys world of rooftops.

For that price, we can arrange a visit to several roofs, and even walk along from one to another, to take in more views, he said.

Thats whats extraordinary, not any officially sanctioned visit.
Actor Bobby Darling has filed for divorce from her husband, Ramneek Sharma, citing domestic violence and unnatural sex. Speaking with Bombay Times, the actor said, Ramneek would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man.

Bobby alleged that Sharma usurped her property and money.

He made me give him co-ownership of my flat in Mumbai, and did the same when we bought our penthouse in Bhopal. He also bought a SUV using my money immediately after the marriage, she said. Now, I am left with nothing.

To keep an eye on her, Bobby said that Sharma paid the buildings security guards who would inform him of all (her) moves.

He kept a tab on who I spoke with and where I went. Tired of the constant bickering, I suggested that we get divorced with mutual consent, but on the condition that I would get my property and the car back. However, he didnt agree to it. I want my property back so that I can sell it off and move back to Mumbai, she said.



Bobby also told HT that she is facing a threat to her life, My husband has a criminal record which I was unaware of at the time of marriage. After my marriage, I saw him getting violent with even his mom and brother. You can check with the Bhopal Police.

HT has a copy of the complaint Bobby sent to IG Bhopal, Yogesh Chaudhary. The complaint mentions her husband, mother-in-law and brother-in-law and how Bobby has lodged an FIR in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi. The complaint also says that a policeman was helping Ramneek. Chaudhary said that Bobby has shared her complaint with him, Bobby has shared screenshots with me over WhatsApp and I have forwarded the complaint to my DSP. I think they have taken cognisance of the matter.

Bobby has registered an FIR with the Delhi Police and also alleged dowry harassment against Sharma, his mother and brother.

Bobbys lawyer Meera Kaura Patel said, This case is unique and challenging in the sense that it is for the first time in Indian history -- to my knowledge -- that a member from LGBT community has knocked the doors of the legal system as a woman after changing her gender. LGBT community is very vulnerable in India. We need to see how legal system will help and protect Bobby. She has filed a case against Ramneek for cheating (section 420), breach of trust (section 406), matrimonial cruelty (section 498A) and unnatural sex (section 377).

The one-year she spent with Sharma was filled with abuse, she said.I have faced a lot of domestic violence. I still cant move my left hand freely and limp while walking. My speech is also slurred. I would cry like a child and pee in my clothes while pleading with him to stop hitting me.

Speaking about how she finally decided to flee their Bhopal home for New Delhi, the actor told the tabloid: Ramneek had gone out to get his phone repaired and I seized the opportunity. I booked a cab and told the cabbie to give the wrong address to the buildings security guards. Had they realised the cab had come to fetch me, they would have informed Ramneek. I packed my belongings and important documents in two suitcases and fled to the airport. Fearing that he would come for me, I spent eight hours in the airport washroom. I also switched off my phone so that my whereabouts couldnt be traced.

Bobby married the Bhopal-based businessman in February 2016. She underwent sex change surgery in Bangkok in 2015.

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Onam celebrations are in full swing in Kerala. The harvest festival is one of the major annual festivals in the state and is celebrated with festivities such as boat races, tiger and mask dances, and elaborate flower arrangements.

According to legend, Lord Vishnu took Vamana avatar to bless Mahabali, who despite being a demon king, was an extreme devotee of Lord Vishnu and ruled his kingdom with the principles of honesty and truth. Lord Vamana blessed Mahabali and promised him the Indra position after the current Indra. He also allowed him to visit his kingdom once in a year. Onam is a celebration of Mahabalis sacrifice.

This year telly stars share their greetings for fans celebrating Onam:

Devoleena Bhattacharjee: Keep the spirit of Onam in your hearts. May your home be filled with joy, love and peace. Happy Onam!

Manu Punjabi: Life filled with Joy, Peace, Prosperity, Happiness and Contentment. Thats the life I wish for you this Onam festival. Have a Happy Onam.

Suyyash Rai: Keep the spirit of Onam in your hearts. May your home be filled with joy, love and peace. Happy Onam!

Helly Shah: To my wonderful well wishers. Im hoping that this Onam festival be the start of your good and prosperous life. Have fun with your family! Love lots and stay blessed.

Manish Goplani: This Onam, I wish everyone to have Good life, Successful career and Happy time with your family and friends. Have a wonderful Onam!

Tanya Sharma: May everyone have a happy and joyous Onam celebration. Wishes for everybodys good health and prosperity.

Kunal Jaisingh: From the bottom of my heart, Im sending my warmest greetings to you. May you and your family have a wonderful Onam celebration.

Mahika Sharma: Im wishing you a life as colorful as pookalam, as festive as this Onam festival and as prosperous as bountiful harvest. Happy Onam.

Puru Chibber: Celebrate this day with a heart filled with peace, love and hope. Im wishing that everyone enjoys a good health, wealth and happiness in life. Happy Onam!

Soni Singh: May the spirit of Onam guide us in our life. Let it live inside our heart. Fulfill what we desire and hope for the best. Happy Onam!

Paras Babbar: As Onam festival fills the atmosphere with spirit of love and delight, heres wishing that this occasion brings happiness and more blessings to your way, Best wishes to everyone on Onam.

Yuvika Chaudhary: Accept my warmest greetings on Onam festival. May everyone has an enjoyable and fun-filled Onam celebration, as we join the fun by heart. Happy Onam!

Meghna Naidu: I wish this Onam brings lots of success and fun-filled moments for everyone. When King Mavel was ruling the land all people were equal and same, there was no theft and betrayal. Not even little bit lying. Hope the time returns back. Happy Onam!

Abhinav Kapoor: Wishing everyone a colorful, bright, prosperous, joyous, merry and successful Onam!

Amrapali Gupta: Let this Onam brings you happiness, prosperity and peace. I wish lots of success for everyone. Lots of love. Happy Onam.

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A 106-year-old Afghan woman who made a perilous journey to Europe, carried by her son and grandson through mountains, deserts and forests, is facing deportation from Sweden after her asylum application was rejected.

Bibihal Uzbeki is severely disabled and can barely speak. Her family has appealed the rejection.

Their journey made headlines in 2015, when they were part of a huge influx of people who came to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries. They traveled by foot and on trains through the Balkans before finally reaching Sweden.

Two years later, she and her 11 family members are living in the small village of Hova, in central Sweden.

Her rejection letter came during Ramadan. While the family avoided telling her, the constant grief from her granddaughters made her suspicious.

My sisters were crying, explained 22-year-old Mohammed Uzbeki. My grandmother asked, Why are you crying? The family says that soon after she understood her request was denied, her health started deteriorating and she suffered a debilitating stroke.

The Swedish Migration Agency confirmed in a statement to the AP they had taken a decision regarding an expulsion in the case, adding generally speaking, high age does not in itself provide grounds for asylum.

People whose applications are rejected are allowed up to three appeals, a process that can take a long time. The applications of other family members are in various stages of appeal.

The family feels the plight of Afghans is being ignored by Swedish authorities. Many countries in Europe deny asylum to Afghans from parts of the country considered safe.

The reasoning from the migration agency is that its not unsafe enough in Afghanistan, said Sanna Vestin, the head of the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups. But she said many of the big cities cited as safe are not at the moment.

Before their journey to Sweden, the family had been living illegally in Iran for eight years. They left Afghanistan because of an ongoing war and insecurity, but Mohammed Uzbeki said its difficult to prove that the family faces a specific enemy if they return.

If I knew who was the enemy, I would have just avoided them, he said, citing the Islamic State group, the Taliban and suicide bombers as possible dangers.

In the Uzbeki home, Bibihals daughter-in-law gently readjusts the elderly womans veil as Mohammed Uzbeki watches over her.

She still cannot speak properly, she has hallucinations, he laments. She says they are coming to kill us, we should run away.
Leaders of the BRICS grouping of emerging economies said Monday they strongly deplore North Koreas latest nuclear test and hydrogen-bomb claim, which has overshadowed the five-nation groups annual summit.

Their joint statement from the summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen added to world condemnation of North Korea, which announced Sunday it had detonated a powerful hydrogen bomb that it claims can fit on a long-range missile.

We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK, BRICS leaders said, using the initials of North Koreas official name.

BRICS is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and summit host China  North Koreas longtime patron.

We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, said the declaration.

It added that BRICS collectively believe the issue should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned.

The North Korean move dramatically raised the stakes in its standoff with the world and upstaged the BRICS summit, which Chinese President Xi Jinping opened earlier Monday and had hoped would spotlight Beijings claims to developing-world leadership.

The nuclear test was a slap in the face for Beijing, and Chinas foreign ministry condemned it hours after it took place. The ministry added on Monday that it had launched stern representations with North Koreas embassy in China.

The summit includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi and presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and South Africas Jacob Zuma.

Pyongyangs actions marked the second time this year that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un timed the use of his banned weapons programmes apparently to steal Xis thunder on the world stage.

In May, Pyongyang conducted a missile test that embarrassed Xi just as he was hosting a large international summit on trade.

Some analysts believe such provocations may be aimed at pressuring China to in turn push Washington to engage directly with Pyongyang.

The nuclear test and H-bomb claim could throw into sharper relief the divisions over how to deal with Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump, who has previously threatened to rain fire and fury on North Korea if it endangers America by raising the nuclear stakes, denounced the test as very hostile and dangerous and left open the possibility of a military response.

Russia and China, however, have pressed for a diplomatic solution.

Putin condemned the nuclear test, North Koreas sixth and most powerful, in a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to the Kremlin, but called for diplomacy.

Both Xi and Putin are due to hold press conferences on Tuesday in Xiamen.

Family feud

BRICS was already struggling to paper over doubts about its own cohesion that have spiked as nuclear-armed China and India engaged in a protracted standoff over a disputed Himalayan region.

They backed off last week  perhaps to avoid ruining the summit  but the issue remains a source of tension.

BRICS nations comprise more than 40% of humanity. The grouping came together a decade ago to advocate for the developing worlds interests.

But policy analysts have increasingly questioned its usefulness, pointing out that its members have little in common and are too distracted by economic challenges of their own to achieve much as a group.

Chinas economic expansion is slowing while India seems on the rise.

Slumping commodity prices have hit hard the economies of exporters Russia, Brazil and South Africa, while Temer and Zuma face political turmoil at home.

Many economists view BRICS achievements to date as low-hanging fruit that take the bloc little closer to its goal of re-aligning the global economic and governance system.

Little of consequence is expected from the summit.
Trade and investment figured prominently in Prime Minister Narendra Modis bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazils President Michael Temer on the sidelines of the BRICS summit here on Monday.

Modi and Putin touched on various aspects of bilateral ties, Indian diplomats said, adding trade and investment was among the issues the two leaders discussed. They also discussed cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector.

Furthering a special & privileged strategic partnership, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, tagging photos of Modi and Putin shaking hands and sitting for talks.

Briefing the Indian media later, Kumar said the two leaders spent a lot of time discussing different aspects of bilateral ties.

The meeting between Modi and Putin came three months after they met in St Petersburg in June for the annual India-Russia summit, and at the SCO meeting in Astana the same month where India was made a permanent member of the organisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left), Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the plenary session of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China, on September 4, 2017. (PTI)

At the St Petersburg summit, the two sides signed an agreement for building Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, and decided to give new direction to their defence cooperation.

While the focus is on Modis meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, his meeting with Putin assumes significance not only in the context of BRICS but also to keep bilateral ties on track.

Russias support would have been crucial for India to have prevailed on China to include the names of specific terror groups in the Xiamen statement released earlier on Monday.

Xi also met Putin on Sunday evening, when the two leaders agreed to appropriately deal with the latest nuclear test conducted by North Korea. According to official Xinhua news agency, Putin said it is significant for China and Russia to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and to boost communication and coordination on major international and regional issues.

Putin added Russia stands ready for closer cooperation with China in areas such as investment, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and aerospace and aviation.
Chinas Global Times warned against any move to cut off North Koreas oil supply or shut the border in response to Pyongyangs nuclear test on Sunday.

In a widely cited editorial in April, the Global Times had raised the prospect of curbing oil supplies to North Korea, saying Chinese society would approve of such a measure if the North engaged in further provocative behaviour.

On Sunday, the Global Times said more stringent United Nations Security Council sanctions were inevitable after Pyongyang conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, but urged restraint.

Despite the anger of the Chinese public toward North Koreas new nuclear test, we should avoid resorting to rash and extreme means by imposing a full embargo on North Korea, it said in an editorial.

The tabloid is run by the ruling Communist Partys official Peoples Daily, although its stance does not necessarily equate with Chinese government policy.

If China completely cuts off the supply of oil to North Korea or even closes the China-North Korea border, it is uncertain whether we can deter Pyongyang from conducting further nuclear tests and missile launches. However, confrontation between the two is likely to occur, it said.

If so, the conflict between China and North Korea will transcend any conflict between the US and North Korea, and take centre stage on the Korean Peninsula. Then Washington and Seoul can boldly shift the responsibility of the North Korean nuclear issue to China, which does not fit Chinas national interests.

North Korea gets the bulk of its oil from China, its main ally and trading partner, and a lesser amount from Russia.
Four documents were signed at the BRICS leaders meeting in the Chinese city of Xiamen. They are:

1. BRICS action agenda on economic and trade cooperation

2. BRICS action plan for innovation cooperation (2017-2020)

3. Strategic framework of BRICS customs cooperation

4. Memorandum of understanding between the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank on strategic cooperation.

Five salient points from the Xiamen Declaration:

1. Besides naming terror groups responsible for violence and causing concern, Brics called for a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism, including countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists, supply of weapons and money laundering.

2. Working together to promote most effective use of fossil fuels and wider use of gas, hydro and nuclear power, which will contribute to the move towards a low emission economy, better energy access and sustainable development.

3. Commitment to promote green development and low-carbon economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

4. Enhancing Brics anti-corruption cooperation and supporting the strengthening of international cooperation against corruption.

5. BRICS strongly deplored the latest nuclear test conducted by North Korea, and expressed deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea on Sunday claimed a perfect success for its most powerful nuclear test so far, a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States. President Donald Trump, asked if he would attack the North, said, Well see.

He also suggested squeezing China, the Norths patron for many decades and a vital US trading partner, on the economic front, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert leverage on its neighbor.

Trump tweeted that the US is considering stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.

The latest military provocation from the isolated communist country reinforces the danger facing America, Trump said earlier in a series of tweets, adding that talk of appeasement is pointless.

They only understand one thing! Trump wrote, without elaboration, as he prepared to meet later with his national security team, which he said would include John Kelly, his chief of staff, as well as Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other military leaders.

Sundays detonation by North Korea was the first nuclear test since Trump took office in January.

After attending church near the White House, Trump made his Well see comment in response to a question from reporters.

The precise strength of the explosion, described by state-controlled media in North Korea as a hydrogen bomb, has yet to be determined.

South Koreas weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the Norths previous five such tests. The impact reportedly shook buildings in China and in Russia.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was calling counterparts in Asia, and Trumps treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said he was putting together proposed new sanctions for Trump to consider that would seek to cut off trade with North Korea.

The action suggested in Trumps trade tweet would be radical: The US imports about USD 40 billion in goods a month from China, North Koreas main commercial partner.

Its unclear what kind of penalties might make a difference. Lassina Zerbo, head of the UN test ban treaty organization, said sanctions already imposed against North Korea arent working.

Trump warned last month that the US military was locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely and that the US would unleash fire and fury on the North if it continued to threaten America.

The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create enveloping fire near the military hub thats home to US bombers.

The Norths latest test was carried out at 12:29 pm local time at the Punggye-ri site where it has conducted past nuclear tests. Officials in Seoul put the magnitude at 5.7; the US Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 6.3. The strongest artificial quake from previous tests was a magnitude 5.3.

North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States, Trump said in the first of a series of tweets.

He branded North Korea a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.

Yet Trump appeared to be more critical of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has attempted to reach out to the North.
Hindus from Myanmar have joined streams of Muslim Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh after the killing of 86 people from their community in the ethnic violence in the neighbouring Buddhist-majority country.

Officials said nearly 500 Hindus arrived in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar, bordering Myanmar, along with tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims amid escalated violence at home.

UN officials estimate some 90,000 people have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar in past 10 days and thousands more were trapped on borders without basic food and medicines.

A total of 414 Hindus from (Myanmars) Rakhine state took refuge at a Hindu village in Coxs Bazar, a Bangladeshi official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

However, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council President Rana Dasgupta, who visited the village, said the figure of Hindu refugees was 510.

He said the refugees took shelters in different Hindu houses after fleeing their home along with ordinary Rohingyas following the killing of 86 Hindus in ethnic violence.

According to the Hindu refugees, unidentified masked people in black attires attacked their homes killing 86 people on August 27 and 28 at different places in Myanmars Mangdu district, he said.

Dasgupta said ordinary Rohingya Muslims escorted them to borders from where these Hindus entered Bangladesh along with thousands others.

The attack on Myanmar Hindus should be investigated to bring the perpetrators to justice, he said.

Meanwhile, Coxs Bazars deputy commissioner or administrative chief Ali Hossain told reporters bodies of 54 Rohingyas washed up on the Bangladesh shore in last five days.

The latest spate of violence erupted in Rakhine state on August 25 after alleged Rohingya insurgents attacked several police posts, triggering a counter-offensive by the military that resulted in the death of at least 400 people.

Rakhine, the poorest region in Myanmar, is home to more than a million Rohingya. They have faced decades of persecution in the Buddhist-majority country, where they are not considered citizens.

Soldiers and armed residents have been accused of carrying out a killing spree against Rohingya Muslim men, women, and children.

Reports said Myanmar blocked all UN aid agencies from delivering vital supplies of food, water and medicine to thousands of desperate civilians at the centre of the bloody military campaign in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday reviewed the Rohingya situation in the monthly meeting of National Security Council that comprises her security adviser, chiefs of three armed forces, police, and the intelligence agencies, an official familiar with the meeting told PTI.

Dhaka had urged Myanmar to take steps to protect innocent civilians to prevent the mass exodus and then proposed a joint security clampdown.

Bangladesh also alleged that Myanmar military helicopters violated its airspace repeatedly on August 27, 28 and September 1, prompting its air force and navy to intensify their security alertness.

These instances of incursion into Bangladesh air space by Myanmar helicopters run contrary to the good neighbourly relations and could lead to unwarranted situation, Bangladesh foreign office said in a statement two days ago.
An Indian man from Punjab and his parents were arrested on Saturday from Floridas Hillsborough county for abusing and beating his wife, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

Behind the arrest lay a shocking tale of domestic abuse and violence, as it emerged that the mans parents had not only colluded with him in beating his wife, but travelled expressly from India to do so.

According to Hillsborough county sherrifs office, 33-year-old Devbir Kalsi used to regularly beat his wife, Silky Gaind, and had told his parents that she was disobedient. At his behest, his father Jasbir Kalsi, 67, and mother, Bhupinder Kalsi, 61, travelled from India especially to counsel and discipline his wife.

On Friday, an argument between the couple ended in Kalsi hitting Gaind repeatedly and forcefully. When she tried to defend herself, his parents began hitting her too, and Jasbir Kalsi held a knife to her throat.

It was Gainds distress call to her parents in India that brought the abuse to the polices notice. Gaind had told her parents that she was being beaten and held captive against her will in her husbands house. According to the report in Tampa Bay Times, the caller who reported the abuse told deputies that Gaind may be afraid to approach the authorities because of cultural traditions.

When Hillsborough deputies arrived at Kalsis home in Riverview at 6.30 am on Saturday, no one answered the door. When the deputy kept knocking, Gaind tried to open the door and screamed for help, asking the police to save her and her one-year-old child.

Officers had to force their way in, as Kalsi tried to block the door. When the deputy tried to arrest Kalsi, his parents confronted the police. Gaind was found badly bruised and beaten, and investigations indicate that she had suffered abuse for a long time.

Gaind and her child were taken to a safe place and The Florida Abuse Hotline as well as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement were notified since all the parties are Indian nationals.

Kalsi was charged with false imprisonment, felony battery, child abuse, and denying access to 911. His father Jasbir was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (knife), false imprisonment, child abuse, and denying access to 911 while his mother Bhupinder Kalsi faces charges for battery, domestic violence and failure to report child abuse, said the news report.
Israel is gearing up to hold its largest military drill in nearly 20 years, a combined arms exercise along its border with Lebanon at a time of rising tensions with Iran and Hezbollah.

A military official said on Monday that the joint exercise, which will begin Tuesday and involve thousands of ground, sea and air forces, will prepare soldiers for preserving the current stability in the northern sector.

The exercise will also incorporate Israels multi-layered missile defense systems.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, says the drill will run through September 14.

Israel has voiced growing concerns about Irans buildup in neighbouring Syria and Hezbollahs alleged stockpiling of weapons in southern Lebanon.
Vince Cable, who as business secretary in the David Cameron government interacted with his counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman on trade issues, has hailed her new role as Indias defence minister even as many here recalled her straight-talking on India-UK ties in the past.

Sitharaman, who previously worked at Pricewaterhouse Coopers in London and the BBC World Service, was here in January 2015 as the minister for commerce for the tenth India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting, when she had a bilateral with Cable.

Now leader of the Liberal Democrats, Cable told Hindustan Times: Sitharaman is a highly impressive minister with whom I had very productive meetings. I am delighted she has progressed to such a crucial and sensitive post in the (Indian) cabinet.

Industrialist Swraj Paul added: It is a great appointment. She is a very efficient and capable person. Everyone knows my admiration for the first woman who held the defence portfolio: Indira Gandhi. Sitharaman has a very big act to follow; I wish her the best.

When Prime Minister Theresa May travelled to India in November 2016 on her first visit outside the European Union, seeking to enhance trade ties after Brexit, Sitharaman did some straight-talking while May was there.

The visa issue overshadowed Mays visit while her desire for a free trade agreement with India got less traction in the British and Indian media. As the commerce minister, Sitharamans remarks were considered significant in London.

Interviewed by a London-based presenter on BBCs Hard Talk programme, she said from New Delhi that British visa restrictions for Indians sound like non-tariff barriers in the services sector, and noted that India was not being treated as old friends any longer.

Its a tight professional engagement, while we are also looking at Indias strengths and demanding our due place in the trade deal...Hope there will be necessary course correction during formal talks on a trade deal after Britain leaves the EU, she said.

London believes that unlike the yet-to-be-reached free trade agreement between India and the European Union, it will be easier to forge such an agreement with post-Brexit UK when it is free from the bureaucracy of Brussels.

However, Cable is not so sure: There is no sign of rethinking on the visa issue. I dont think it (free trade pact) will happen. Sitharaman valued good relations, but there was quite a serious obstacle on the mobility issue in the trade talks.

Britains current crop of ministers seem not to have taken on board that the attempted EU-India agreement foundered not because of the rest of the EU but, in substantial part, because Britain rejected it.

Attempts to open the UK to more Indian IT specialists and other professionals (the so-called Mode 4) foundered on the objections of Theresa May. The main irritant in UK-India relations is visas. In the absence of creative ideas on freeing up immigration and visiting rights from India, ministers will continue to get a flea in their ear in Delhi, Cable added, reflecting the views of Sitharaman.

As defence minister, Sitharaman will oversee close relations with Britain, which are seen as another important pillar in bilateral cooperation. The most recent publicly held joint event was the naval exercise Konkan 2017, which was conducted in Plymouth in May and attended by the stealth frigate INS Tarkash.

The last annual meeting of the Defence Consultative Group of the two countries was held in New Delhi in December 2016. During the visit here of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015, the two sides agreed to elevate their defence relationship by establishing capability partnerships in strategic areas.

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A Nobel laureate and Muslim nations in Asia criticized Myanmars persecution of its Rohingya Muslim minority as thousands in Indonesia and elsewhere staged angry protests against Aung San Suu Kyi and her government.

At least 87,000 refugees from Myanmars western Rakhine state have fled to neighboring Bangladesh since violence escalated in late August, according to the United Nations, overwhelming existing camps for the displaced.

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, said her heart breaks at the suffering of Rohingya Muslims and urged Myanmars leader, a fellow Nobel laureate, to condemn the violence against the Rohingya minority.

Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment, she said in a statement posted on Twitter. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same. The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting.

The latest eruption of violence in Rakhine state has killed more than 400 people and triggered an exodus of Rohingya into Bangladesh. It began after insurgents attacked Myanmar police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority Buddhist country.

In response, Myanmars military unleashed what it called clearance operations. Human Rights Watch says satellite imagery shows 700 buildings were burned in the Rohingya Muslim village of Chein Khar Li, just one of 17 locations in Rakhine state where the rights group has documented burning of homes and property.

Myanmar denies citizenship to Rohingya, who have lived in the country for generations, and the group has frequently faced hostility and violence from the Buddhist majority, often fanned by hard-line monks and inflammatory comments from officials.

Reports of killings by security forces and images of lines of people including children and the elderly attempting to cross the swampy border into Bangladesh have sparked anger and battered the reputation of Suu Kyi, previously lionized for her decades of resistance to Myanmars former military rulers.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russias predominantly Muslim Chechnya to protest what the Chechen leader called genocide of Muslims in Myanmar.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo has called for an end to violence in Rakhine state and sent his foreign minister to Myanmar where she with met Monday with Suu Kyi and armed forces commander Min Aung Hlaing.

Interviewed by Indonesian TV after the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi sidestepped questions about domestic pressure in the worlds most populous Muslim nation to sever diplomatic ties with Myanmar.

She said Myanmar security authorities need to immediately stop all violence in Rakhine and allow Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations to assist with humanitarian aid distribution. Suu Kyi responded positively to a five-point Indonesian plan to stabilize the situation, Marsudi said.

God willing, we would be able to directly help the Rohingya refugees, Marsudi said. The priority is the safety of the Rohingya refugees.

Pakistans foreign ministry said it is deeply concerned by reports of growing numbers of deaths and the forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims. It urged Myanmars government to investigate reports of massacres and to hold those involved accountable.

Several hundred Muslim women demonstrated outside Myanmars embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Monday, calling for the government to take a tougher stance against persecution of the Rohingya.

Dozens of armed police are guarding the embassy, which is cordoned behind barbed wire, after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at it over the weekend.

Protesters, organized by an Islamic group called Friends of Muslim Rohingya, shouted Save Rohingya, and held big banners that read, Unite the people to free Rohingya Muslims and Stop Muslim genocide in Myanmar!

Protests were also staged in other major Indonesian cities including Bandung and Surabaya.

Over the weekend, protesters in Jakarta set fire to a poster of Suu Kyi outside the Myanmar embassy and further protests are set for this week. Local media reported that one group plans to stage a protest at Borobudur, a famous ancient Buddhist temple in central Java.

The world remains silent in the face of the massacre of Rohingya Muslims, said Farida, an organizer of Mondays protest who uses a single name.

They have been tortured and killed like animals by Buddhists in Myanmar, she told the crowd outside the embassy. We demand the government puts pressure on the Buddhist government of Myanmar. We demand mobilization of our military to rescue the Rohingya.
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday said the United Nations Security Council should urgently look at imposing new sanctions on North Korea and speed up implementation of existing ones.

Pyongyang conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test earlier on Sunday.

This latest action by North Korea is reckless and poses an unacceptable further threat to the international community, May said in an emailed statement.

I discussed the serious and grave threat these dangerous and illegal actions present with Prime Minister Abe in Japan this week and reiterate the call we jointly made for tougher action, including increasing the pace of implementation of existing sanctions and looking urgently in the UN Security Council at new measures.

Russia says it has seen no positive impact from North Korea sanctions

Russia is ready to take part in talks to try to solve the North Korean issue but has yet to see any positive impact from sanctions against Pyongyang, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea in early July over its two intercontinental ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were said to have the potential to cut the Asian states $3 billion annual export revenue by a third, but Russia questions their effectiveness.

The imposed sanctions have not created any positive outcome. On the contrary, the situation leaves something to be desired, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

When asked if Russia would support new sanctions against North Korea after it carried out a nuclear bomb test on Sunday, Peskov said: The Russian Federation is ready to take part in all discussions on North Korea problems within a framework of United Nations Security Council and in other forms.

Peskov said it was premature to speak of specific modalities of Russias possible actions ahead of new talks on North Korea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is now in China for a summit of BRICS leaders, discussed the bomb test with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier on Sunday. Both leaders expressed their deep concerns about security on the Korean Peninsula.

Later on Sunday Putin also had a phone call with Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and they both condemned Pyongyangs bomb test, Peskov said.

Vladimir Putin said the international society should avoid being overwhelmed by emotion, it should act calmly and prudently. He also highlighted that a complex settlement of the nuclear and other problems of the Korean Peninsula could be achieved solely by political and diplomatic means, Peskov said.

For now, Putin has no plans to have a telephone call with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Peskov said on a conference call with reporters.

Peskov also said that Putin was aware of a US decision to take over Russian diplomatic property in the United States.

Peskov said that these actions would lead to a further deterioration of bilateral relations, adding that they also undermine international law.

Moscow denounced the American decision to close three Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States as a blatantly hostile act that violated international law and demanded Washington reverse the order.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, said that a search that U.S authorities carried out at Russias diplomatic facilities was an attempt to prove that Moscow meddled in U.S. presidential elections, TASS state news agency reported.

Russia denies any allegations of involvement in the US elections in 2016.
South Korea has detected signs that the North is preparing another missile launch, the defence ministry said Monday, adding it could involve an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The ministry said signs that North Korea was preparing for another ballistic missile launch have consistently been detected since Sundays test, referring to Pyongyangs sixth nuclear test.

It did not give details, or indicate when a launch might take place.

Sundays blast had a strength of 50 kilotons, defence ministry officials told a parliamentary briefing.

Pyongyang on Sunday triggered global alarm with by far its most powerful test to date, after it claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted onto a long-range missile, which analysts say is a major advancement in its nuclear programme.

The explosive power of the Norths nuclear test is estimated to be 50 kilotons, a senior ministry official told lawmakers at an emergency parliamentary briefing.

That would make it five times the size of the Norths previous test in September last year, and more than three times bigger than the US device that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945.

The official did not confirm whether the tested device was a hydrogen bomb but said a variety of nuclear material appeared to have been used.

The North  which in July carried out two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range  has rapidly made progress with its weapons programme in defiance of seven sets of UN sanctions.
Residents of Yanji town near the China-North Korea border felt the tremors from the impact of the hydrogen bomb test which Pyongyang carried out on Sunday.

Thousands of miles away, the test shook the south-eastern coastal city of Xiamen, where leaders of the BRICS countries, including Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, have gathered for the 9th summit of the group.

Modi is likely to discuss the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit on Monday afternoon.

The test has also put China in tighter bind about how to deal with its key ally amid rising international pressure, led by the US, to be more firm on the reclusive, dictatorial regime.

Ironically, the test fell into a pattern  Pyongyang had also carried out a missile test to coincide with the high-profile Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum in May.

China, of course, was quick to state its firm opposition to and strong condemnation.

In a statement, its ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) said Chinas firm stance, as well as the common goal of the international community, is achieving denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula, protecting the nuclear non-proliferation mechanism and maintaining peace and stability in northeast Asia.

Later, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russians Putin agreed to appropriately deal with the matter during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit.

The two leaders agreed to stick to the goal of denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula and keep close communication and coordination to deal with the new situation, official news agency Xinhua said.

But Chinas apparently ambiguous stance on North Korea was possibly  at least partially  reflected in an editorial piece in the nationalistic Global Times newspaper which blamed the escalating tension on the Washington-Seoul alliance.

Calling for an end to Chinese sanctions on North Korea if the latters nuclear activities dont contaminate Chinas north-eastern regions, the daily said the military pressure of the Washington-Seoul alliance generates a sense of insecurity in Pyongyang, which takes to nuclear empowerment to guarantee its survival.
North Koreas claim of testing a hydrogen bomb have raised concerns among Indian security experts of a possible reverse flow of the advanced technology to a country that Pyongyang has for long secretly cooperated with on nuclear and missile know-how  Pakistan.

The US Geological Survey registered a 6.3-magnitude quake at North Koreas Punggye-ri test site on Sunday, and Western experts believe this indicated Kim Jong-uns regime had detonated a hydrogen bomb with a yield of 100 kilotons.

This is almost 10 times bigger than North Koreas last nuclear test in September 2016. By contrast, the bomb dropped by the US on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945 had a yield of about 15 kilotons.

Hydrogen or thermonuclear bombs use fusion, or the merging of atoms, to unleash huge amounts of destructive energy, unlike atomic bombs that use fission. More significantly, this is a technology Pakistan is not believed to have mastered as yet.

Collaboration between Pakistan and North Korea on nuclear and missile technology dates back to the 1980s. In his 2008 book Goodbye Shahzadi, journalist Shyam Bhatia quoted late Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto as saying that she had smuggled in uranium enrichment know-how during a state visit to North Korea in 1993.

This data was reportedly used to facilitate a missile deal, whereby North Korea supplied Pakistan with long-range missile technology in violation of non-proliferation regimes. It is widely believed Pakistans Ghauri missiles are based on North Koreas Nodong missiles.

Timeline of nuclear and major missile tests in North Korea since January 2016.

Based on the earlier patterns of cooperation, there is an immediate need to study whether there could be a reverse flow of the technology from North Korea to Pakistan, said Commodore (retired) C Uday Bhaskar, director of the Society for Policy Studies, a Delhi-based think tank.

There has been a nuclear-missile trade-off between Pakistan and North Korea and the Chinese provided facilitation to close the gaps, he told Hindustan Times.

Air vice marshal (retired) Kapil Kak, a former deputy director of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said there was a long history of clandestine cooperation between Islamabad and Pyongyang. If North Koreas nuclear technology has advanced to this extent and if it is shared with Pakistan, it will be a major crisis, he said.

Kak said the policy of escalation adopted by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also represented a major concern for India and the region. He is escalating to the hilt and no one will take chances with him. He has everything to lose if he doesnt play this escalatory game, he added.

Experts believe these developments will have a say on how India fashions its national security policies vis-a-vis China, which continues to be the biggest backer of the North Korean regime despite its criticism of Pyongyangs recent nuclear and missile tests.

The shared concerns of India and Japan about Chinas backing for countries such as North Korea and Pakistan helped lay the foundation for closer security cooperation between New Delhi and Tokyo in the 1990s and continues to be a key factor even now.

Experts said India will also have to focus on Chinas larger strategic objectives behind enabling the WMD programmes of countries such as North Korea and Pakistan. The patterns here are very opaque and we have to keep a close eye on what the Chinese hope to achieve, Bhaskar said.

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A 25-year-old Indian student has died in Houston, days after she was rescued along with an Indian man from a swollen lake in the US state of Texas where hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc.

Shalini Singh, a student pursuing Masters degree in public health from Texas A&M University, was rescued from Lake Bryan, where she along with another Indian student Nikhil Bhatia had gone swimming last Saturday.

While Bhatia died in hospital on August 30, Singh, who continued to be in a critical condition, was declared dead Sunday night.

Her younger brother and maternal uncle, who flew in from New Delhi on August 30, were with her at the time of death.

Singh, originally hailing from Delhi, came to the US only last month to pursue the two years Masters programme after her degree in Dental Surgery from I T S Dental College in Greater Noida.

She will be cremated in Bryan on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, according to the consulate sources.

Singh continued to be on life support till the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, according to the Indian consulate officials, who were in regular touch with the family members in hospital.

According to their friends and some witnesses, Singh and Bhatia were swimming in the lake when a sudden current of water pushed them deeper.

The friends accompanying them noticed that the duo were in distress and flagged down nearby police officers.

Bryan Police officers were able to rescue and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the victims until medics arrived, according to Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson.

Consul General of India in Houston, Dr Anupam Ray had been monitoring her medical needs and situation closely.

Around 13 million people were battling flooding and torrential rains in storm-ravaged Texas where hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc, claiming at least 50 lives.

According to local community leaders, at least 150,000 Indian-Americans live in and around Houston area and have been badly hit by the hurricane.
With a sudden lunge through jihadist lines, the Syrian military and its allies are close to relieving the Euphrates city of Deir al-Zor, where Islamic State has besieged an army garrison and 93,000 civilians for years.

The advance on the eastern city marks another stinging setback for the once-triumphant Islamic State, fast retreating in both Iraq and Syria as its self-declared caliphate crumbles.

Deir al-Zors provincial governor said he expected the army to reach the city by Tuesday night. A military media unit run by the governments ally Hezbollah said late on Sunday that the army was only about 10 km (6 to 7 miles) away.

Islamic State is in confusion. There is no leadership or centralised control, said a commander in the military alliance supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Hemmed in on all sides, Islamic State is falling back on a last Euphrates stronghold downstream of Deir al-Zor in the towns of al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal near the border with Iraq.

But as it has lost its core territory - defeated in Iraqs Mosul and yielding street after street in its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa - the ultra-hardline group has still been able to launch attacks in the West and maintain a threat in other centres such as Libya.

In IS-encircled Deir al-Zor, news of the armys approach prompted people to take to the streets to celebrate, governor Mohammed Ibrahim Samra said by phone.

The city has been cut off since 2013, after rebel groups rose up against Assad during the first flush of Syrias six-year war. Islamic State then overran rebel positions and surrounded the armys enclave in the city in 2014.

It was a major prize. Deir al-Zor is the centre of Syrias oil industry, a source of wealth to the group and a serious loss to Damascus. As the army has pushed east in recent months, oil and gas fields have once more fallen to the government.

Islamic State fighters have stepped up efforts this year to seize the enclave before the army could arrive. In January, they managed to sever it from the military airbase in the city and take over a nearby hill, further straining its links to the outside.

During the long siege, the city has been supplied via high-altitude air drops. The United Nations said in August it estimated there were 93,000 civilians in the governments Deir al-Zor pocket, where conditions were extremely difficult.

Despite all this and despite the shelling and injured, things are running in the city. The institutions are running, the bakeries. Water is also pumped twice a week to our residents, aid is distributed daily, governor Samra said.

RAPID ADVANCE

For Assad, the weekends lightning advance caps months of steady progress after government forces turned from their victory over rebels in Aleppo last December to push eastwards against Islamic State.

The army has been advancing in a rapid and calculated way from all directions, a Syrian military source said, referring to the months-long campaign across the desert.

Aided by Russian jets and an alliance of Shiite militias backed by Iran, including Lebanons Hezbollah, the Syrian army has captured swathes of the central and eastern deserts in parallel offensives from Palmyra and al-Resafa.

Those offensives have accelerated since linking up last month, enclosing two big Islamic State pockets and overrunning all but a small portion of one of them, near the town of al-Salamiya.

As the army and its allies have advanced on Deir al-Zor, Islamic State has pulled reinforcements from al-Mayadin and used its usual tactics of booby traps, mines and sudden raids, the commander in the pro-Assad military alliance said.

The very rapid advance in recent days was the result of heavy preparatory bombardment, a multi-pronged assault and gains in high ground commanding the surrounding area, the commander said.

Meanwhile, as the army and its allies have forced other militant pockets to surrender, including an Islamic State enclave on Syrias border with Lebanon a week ago, it has been able to transfer more troops to the desert campaign.

It helped a lot to switch the military effort of the Syrian army and the resistance to the eastern Syrian desert, the commander said, adding that thousands of troops had arrived from the battle on the Lebanon border.

Islamic State fighters and their families evacuated from that enclave as part of a surrender deal were escorted by the Syrian army and Hezbollah to east Syria, but have been stopped by a U.S.-led coalition from reaching Deir al-Zor.

Ten of the original 17 buses are now stuck in no-mans land between pro-government forces and Islamic State territory and six buses retreated back into government areas, the commander added.
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Russias predominantly Muslim Chechnya to protest what the Chechen leader called genocide of Muslims in Myanmar.

Myanmars security officials and Muslim Rohingya insurgents are accusing each other of atrocities in Myanmars Rakhine state, where nearly 400 people, most of them insurgents, have died in clashes.

A huge rally was held on Monday in the Chechen capital Grozny to support the Rohingya minority.

In a speech, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov compared the violence against Rohingya to the Holocaust. In a video released earlier on Monday Kadyrov said he would go against Russia if the Russian government supports Myanmars military.

Russian federal forces fought two bloody wars in Chechnya in the 1990s.
The UN Security Council on Monday opened an emergency meeting to agree to a response to North Koreas sixth and most powerful nuclear test as calls mounted for a new raft of tough sanctions to be imposed on Pyongyang.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting after North Korea on Sunday detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley urged the council to impose the strongest possible measures against North Korea.

Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy, she said.

With Seoul warning that Pyongyang could be preparing another missile launch, Japans UN representative called for a raft of tough new sanctions.

We cannot waste any more time, Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho told reporters shortly before the Security Council meeting.

We need North Korea to feel the pressure, Bessho said. If they go down this road there will be consequences.

South Koreas defense ministry said Pyongyang may be preparing another missile launch after two tests in July of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range.

Adding to already sharp tensions, the United States warned Sunday that it could launch a massive military response to any threats from North Korea and said it might cut off all trade with any country doing business with North Korea -- a step that would keenly affect China, biggest trading partner of both the North and the United States.

Bessho said Monday that as Japan and the United States study next steps with their international partners, China, Russia and South Korea must be on board as well.

Every permanent member of the council -- including Russia and China -- on Sunday strongly condemned the blast, which UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried as profoundly destabilizing.

Nor was there much prospect for a lessening of tensions soon.

South Koreas defense ministry said it was already strengthening its national defenses, in part by deploying, in cooperation with the US military, more Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile launchers.

That announcement came after Seoul fired an early-morning volley of ballistic missiles in an exercise simulating an attack on the Norths nuclear test site.

Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the east coast.

Pyongyang said the device it detonated Sunday was a hydrogen bomb small enough to fit into a missile.

The blast threw down a new gauntlet to US President Donald Trump. He met Sunday with his national security advisers, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued an extraordinarily tough-sounding warning to the North, saying that any new aggression against the US or its allies could lead to its total annihilation.

South Korean defence ministry officials estimated the strength of the blast at 50 kilotons but did not confirm whether it was a hydrogen bomb, saying only that a variety of nuclear material had been used.

But Defence Minister Song Young-Moo said Seoul believed Pyongyang had succeeded in miniaturising its nuclear weapons to fit into an ICBM.

The South had requested the US deploy strategic assets such as aircraft carriers and bombers to the peninsula, he said, but denied reports Seoul was seeking the return of US tactical nuclear weapons.

Signs that North Korea was preparing for another ballistic missile launch have consistently been detected since Sundays test, the ministry said.

It did not indicate when a launch might take place, but said it could involve an ICBM being fired into the Pacific Ocean to raise pressure on Washington further.

- Appeasement accusation -

Trump had his second telephone call of the weekend with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but he did not talk to South Koreas Moon Jae-In for more than 24 hours -- instead accusing Seoul of appeasement, raising jitters in Seoul about the two countries decades-old alliance.

Moon, who advocates engagement as well as penalties to bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table, called for new United Nations sanctions to completely isolate North Korea.

But Trump criticised the US treaty ally on Twitter, saying: South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!

At a summit in China, the Norths key ally, the five-nation BRICS grouping -- taking in the host nation as well as Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa -- said Monday it strongly deplores the test.

Moon and Abe agreed to work for stronger sanctions against the North, but seven sets of UN measures have so far done nothing to deter Pyongyang.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday his department was preparing measures to cut off North Korea economically and ensure anyone trading with it could not do business with the US.

- Perfect success -

On Sunday US monitors measured a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake near the Norths main testing site, felt in parts of China and Russia, with an aftershock possibly caused by a rock cave-in.

According to the Souths Yonhap news agency, Seouls National Intelligence Service said it was the fifth blast the North had conducted in the same No 2 tunnel at the Punggye-ri test site, and it was likely to have collapsed.

But it said the North had already completed construction of a third tunnel, so that it could carry out another test at any time it chose, and work was underway on a fourth.

The North hailed the test as a perfect success.

Hours before the test, the North released images of leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting a device it called a thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power entirely made by our own efforts and technology.

The respected 38 North website urged caution, saying it was likely the item pictured was only a model mock-up.

The North says it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against the threat of invasion, and analysts say it is seeking to strengthen its hand for any future negotiations with Washington.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday shot back at North Koreas claimed test of a hydrogen bomb with a blunt threat, saying the US will answer any threat from the North with a massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming. Earlier, President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for its talk of appeasement.

The tough talk from Americas commander in chief and the retired Marine general he picked to oversee the Pentagon came as the Trump administration searched for a response to the escalating crisis. Kim Jong Uns regime on Sunday claimed perfect success in an underground test of what it called a hydrogen bomb. It was the Norths sixth nuclear test since 2006  the first since Trump took office in January  and involved a device potentially vastly more powerful than a nuclear bomb.

Trump, asked by a reporter during a trip to church services if he would attack the North, said: Well see. No US military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In South Korea, the nations military said it conducted a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on North Koreas nuclear test site to strongly warn Pyongyang over the latest nuclear test. Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said the drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the countrys land-based Hyunmoo ballistic missiles. The released live weapons accurately struck a target in the sea off the countrys eastern coast, the JCS said.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting at the request of the US, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea. It would be the Security Councils second urgent session in under a week on the Norths weapons tests, which have continued in the face of a series of sanctions.

Members of Congress expressed alarm at the Norths test and emphasized strengthening US missile defenses. Leaders in Russia, China and Europe issued condemnations.

In briefs remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Mattis said America does not seek the total annihilation of the North, but then added somberly, We have many options to do so. The administration has emphasized its pursuit of diplomatic solutions, knowing the potentially horrific costs of war with the North. But the decision to have Mattis deliver a public statement seemed to suggest an escalating crisis.

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and that Kim should know that Washingtons commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

The precise strength of the underground nuclear explosion had yet to be determined. South Koreas weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the Norths previous five tests.

North Koreas state-run television broadcast a special bulletin to announce the test, and said Kim attended a meeting of the ruling partys presidium and signed the go-ahead order. Earlier, the partys newspaper published photos of Kim examining what it said was a nuclear warhead being fitted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Sundays detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the mainland US. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target US cities.

The Arms Control Association said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests the North tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Hans Kristensen, a nuclear weapons expert at the Federation of American Scientists, said the North probably will need to do more tests before achieving a functioning hydrogen bomb design.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Koreas accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the US as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Trumps jab Sunday at South Korea. He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its talk of appeasement will not work. The North Koreans, he added, only understand one thing, implying military force might be required. The US has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

Patrick Cronin, an Asia expert with the Center for a New American Security, said Trumps comment on South Korea was probably intended to stiffen the spine of an ally. He said he agreed with the intention.

I think Washington is very serious about showing some unexpected resolve, he said. We need our ally and we need to remain ironclad. But at the same time, we cant afford South Korea to go weak in facing down this growing danger.

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the Norths patron for many decades and a vital US trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbour. Trump tweeted that the US is considering stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea. Such a halt would be radical. The US imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Koreas main commercial partner.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was calling counterparts in Asia.

Its unclear what kind of sanctions might make a difference. Lassina Zerbo, head of the UN test ban treaty organization, said sanctions already imposed against North Korea arent working.

Chinas official Xinhua News Agency said President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, meeting on the sidelines of a Beijing-led economic summit, agreed to adhere to the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, have close communication and coordination and properly respond to the test.

Experts have questioned whether the North has gone too far down the nuclear road to continue pushing for a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, an Obama administration policy goal still embraced by Trumps White House.

Denuclearization is not a viable US policy goal, said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the US accept North Korea as a nuclear power. We should keep denuclearization as a long-term aspiration, but recognize privately that its unachievable anytime soon.

Trump warned last month that the US military was locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely and that the US would unleash fire and fury on the North if it continued to threaten America. The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create enveloping fire near the military hub thats home to US bombers and other aircraft.
Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, called on her fellow laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to condemn the shameful treatment of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, saying the world is waiting for her to speak out.

Nearly 90,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar in August, in the biggest political challenge facing the countrys leader Suu Kyi, who stands accused by Western critics of not speaking out for the minority that has long complained of persecution.

Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment, Malala said in a statement on Twitter. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same.

The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting.

Activists from Indonesia, home to the worlds biggest Muslim population, on Saturday called on the Nobel committee to withdraw Suu Kyis peace prize during protests outside the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta, state news agency Antara reported.

The recent violence in Myanmar was set off by a coordinated attack on August 25 on dozens of police posts and an army base by Rohingya insurgents. The ensuing clashes and a major military counter-offensive have killed at least 400 people.

Myanmar officials blamed the Rohingya militants for the burning of homes and civilian deaths but rights monitors and Rohingya fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh say a campaign of arson and killings by the Myanmar army aims to force them out.

Malala, 20, came to prominence when a Taliban gunman shot her in the head in 2012 after she was targeted for her campaign against efforts by the Taliban to deny women education. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
Five major emerging economies opened a summit Monday to map out their future course, with host Chinese President Xi Jinping calling on them to play a bigger role in world governance, reject protectionism and inject new energy into tackling the gap between the worlds wealthy and developing nations.

We need to make the international order more just and equitable, he told the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa in his opening address. Our ever closer ties with the rest of the world require that our five countries play a more active role in world governance. Without us, ... many challenges cannot be effectively resolved.

Xi said they should speak with one voice to jointly present their solutions to global problems and safeguard their common interests.

He also called on his BRICS partners, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South African President Jacob Zuma to oppose a growing tide of protectionism across the world. The leaders are holding their annual summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen through Tuesday.

BRICS was formed as an association of fast-growing large economies about a decade ago to advocate for better representation for developing countries and challenge the Western-dominated world order that has prevailed since the end of World War II. It soon achieved agreement to increase the share of voting rights for emerging markets in world financial bodies the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. It has also started operating its own development bank.

Xi wants BRICS to play a more important role in international affairs, even as some observers suggest its power is waning given rivalry between China and India and the economic woes of Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

BRICS country cooperation is not a talking shop but a task force that gets things done, Xi said in a speech to BRICS business leaders Sunday. Our goal is to build a big market of trade and investment, promote smooth flow of currency and finance, improve connectivity of infrastructure and build close bonds between the peoples.

The five nations all broadly support free trade and oppose protectionism, although China in particular has been accused of erecting barriers to foreign competition as its own companies buy up others overseas. But Xi has positioned himself as a champion of globalization at a time when his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump is renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and pulled the U.S. out of a planned trade deal with Pacific nations.

Yet clear political and economic differences exist among the BRICS countries. They range from democratic to autocratic, with some maintaining heavy government control over the economy and civil society. And the economies of Brazil, Russia and South Africa are driven largely by raw material exports and have been hit by slumping commodity prices, while China and India are oriented more toward manufacturing and services.

Trade within BRICS is also heavily in favor of China, the worlds second-largest economy and a key driver of sustained world economic growth.

Suggesting disagreements lie ahead in Xiamen, South African President Jacob Zuma said that despite a doubling of his nations trade with BRICS countries from $15 billion in 2010 to $31.2 billion in 2016, it had been inequitable.

The character of trade has been highly inequitable, he said in remarks to the BRICS Business Council on Sunday. Exports from South Africa have been driven particularly by raw materials. This dominance of raw material exports has adversely impacted South Africa.

He called on the other BRICS nations to invest in supply and development programs in Africa and skills development and technology transfer, and engage in projects that would support inclusive development and equal partnerships.

He also called on the New Development Bank, which was created by BRICS in 2014 and started operating last year, to lend more to Africa.

Xi told the other leaders on Monday that they had yet to fully tap the potential of BRICS cooperation.

Of the $197 billion outbound investment made by BRICS in 2016, only 5.7 percent was within the five countries, he said, calling for more cooperation in finance, connectivity, sustainable development, innovation and industrial cooperation.

A meeting between Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to take place Tuesday. Last week, the two hurriedly concluded a 10-week border stand-off over disputed land in the Himalayas, which was their most serious confrontation in decades, to smooth the way for Modis participation in the summit. The two greeted each other smiling and with a firm handshake at Mondays welcoming ceremony.

Some observers say admitting other countries to BRICS would answer some of its problems. While no formal progress is expected on that at this summit, China has invited the leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand to attend a dialogue with the BRICS presidents and prime ministers on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Xi met on the sidelines with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed North Koreas latest nuclear test  its sixth and most powerful yet, which has cast a shadow over the summit hosted by Pyongyangs only major ally, China. The official Xinhua News Agency said they agreed to appropriately deal with it, without elaborating.

Putin also spoke to Japanese leader Shinzo Abe by phone after arriving in Xiamen on Sunday, and urged restraint in responding to North Koreas claim to have set off a hydrogen bomb test, according to a Kremlin spokesman.

Xinhua also reported that Xi and Putin had agreed to enhance military cooperation between China and Russia.
Russia is likely to back a further extension of the OPEC agreement cutting oil output, judging that it has helped to stabilize the market, the country's deputy prime minister said.

"The most likely outcome is that the deal will be extended," Arkady Dvorkovich said in an interview, though he added that it's still too early to make a definitive decision.
A week after Luann Ash evacuated her apartment via a fisherman's boat, she entered the lawn of the First Presbyterian Church in Dickinson with a frayed smile.

Hurricane Harvey had battered both the church and its town. The service was outdoors because the church's building had been lost to the storm.

Ash's arm was bruised from an IV. At the storm shelter where she'd spent four days, she suffered a panic attack and had been given intravenous fluids.

But this morning, Ash, a member of First Presbyterian for 16 years, hadn't come to First Presbyterian seeking health care or supplies. Instead, she said, "I need a hug."

Organizations across the country continue to offer shelter and food to those in need after Hurricane Harvey. But on Sunday, declared a National Day of Prayer, people also were desperate for empathy, for small yet necessary gestures like a hug.

LIVE MAP: Where you can do the most good

Churches, mosques, temples and other religions organizations across the city have opened their doors for evacuees, rallied relief efforts and comforted the faithful.

In Stafford, Chung Mei Buddhist Temple held a special chanting service on Sunday.

In Meyerland, 900 volunteers for the Westbury Church of Christ distributed a thousand bags of cleaning supplies to the neighborhood. The church expects two more trucks filled with supplies, donated from Churches of Christ outside Texas, to arrive soon.

In Houston's Rice Village neighborhood, Christ the King Lutheran Church held its service in a flooded but still functioning building - with attendance 20 percent higher than usual.

"We've seen this before in times of crisis," said interim head pastor Duane Larson.

Fish and snakes

In Dickinson, one of the areas hardest hit by Harvey, Ash's First Presbyterian Church had suffered as much as its congregation. At the height of the flood, its neighborhood was 5 feet underwater.

Water crashed through the church's doors, flooding the pews, bathroom, nursery, organs, walls, offices and books.

A boat, abandoned on the other side of the highway, had crashed into the church, breaking the wooden pillars and scuffing the red brick wall.

When Rev. Kathy Sebring first ventured in, fish and snakes came swimming out. The ceiling, black with mold, demonstrated how fast humidity alone can ruin a building.

Except for the stained glass, everything is lost.

But Sebring, like many area pastors, chose to host services Sunday.

"That is not our church," she said, pointing to the ruined building.

She pointed to the 25 people seated in folding chairs before her:

"This is our church."

Odor of garbage

Sebring asked her congregation to pray for those whose lives were devastated, still in the first stages of recovery.

Congregants named the families that came to mind:

"The Williamses."

"The McBrides."

"The Vasquez family."

Then came Sebring's sermon. Everyone needs something, she preached, and everyone can play a part to help.

"We're here as a community. We're here for you."

HURRICANE HARVEY: A closer look at Houston's biblical floods

A faint odor of garbage hung in the air. The M.I. Lewis Social Service Center, adjacent to the church, remained a hazard zone because raw meat and other food was inside when it flooded.

Before the members took communion, dipping bread into wine, they wiped their hands with disinfectant.

Then, when the service was done, the crowd didn't disperse so much as move into action, serving people in need.

But Sebring, used to helping those in times of crisis, acknowledged the tough road ahead for the church. She said early donations could be a game-changer.

"If we could just get the floors and electricity up, we could start bringing people in," she said. "They need us."

David Barron contributed to this report
Rooms normally rent for about $120 a night at a Best Western near Corpus Christi  but when Hurricane Harvey's storm surge hit, prices surged, too: to more than $320, as Austin's KXAN TV crew discovered.

Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told CNBC he'd received more than 500 complaints of price gouging related to Harvey, including quadrupled hotel room rates, $99 cases of water and gas prices of up to $10 a gallon.

Meanwhile, other businesses took a more compassionate approach. Houston institution Gallery Furniture turned its massive showrooms into shelters, while Uber offered evacuees free rides. Airbnb, the international short-term rental service, enlisted the aid of more than 1,000 hosts offering free temporary housing. Grocery chain H-E-B distributed supplies to the hardest-hit areas.

Along with food, water and shelter, some companies offered free access to that most precious of commodities in a crisis: information. Media outlets including The New York Times, the Washington Post and the Chronicle dropped their paywalls; Comcast created 53,000 WiFi hotspots in and around Houston; and AT&T waived data overage fees for customers in the area.

So why do some businesses turn their backs on customers during disasters while others come to their rescue? And what are the consequences of companies' behavior in times of trouble?

There's no easy answer to the question of why some companies help out while others stand idly by  or worse. But at least some of it likely comes down to the moral views of a company's key decision-makers, according to Isaac Smith, an assistant professor of management in the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.

"How broadly do they construe the scope of their moral obligations? Are they only morally obligated to have concern for the bottom line? Or do their moral obligations extend beyond shareholders to employees, customers and the communities in which they do business?" Smith asked. "The broader a given decision-maker's scope of moral concern, the more likely they will make a decision to help."

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

In times of crisis, these decisions make more impact than normal: People see them as indicators of what corporate leaders are truly made of, and justifiably so, says Anastasiya Zavyalova, an assistant professor of strategic management at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business.

"Catastrophes tend to bring out people's true character. And companies' leaders are a case in point," she said. "The decisions a CEO makes during such tragedies as Harvey are likely consistent with the decisions he or she will make as a company executive. What is important for us, the stakeholders, is to pay attention to the choices firms made during Harvey and figure out if the company's actions are consistent with our beliefs and goals."

Many corporate leaders have come to the aid of the hurting Houston area in recent days. By Friday afternoon, CNN reported, companies had pledged more than $141 million in Harvey relief.

In general, more companies want to help than people might expect, Smith said.

"Despite the pervasive perception that businesses are strictly driven by self-interest and profit-maximization, there are countless examples of companies stepping up in a big way following natural disasters," he said. "Several years ago, a team of researchers analyzed the corporate social responsibility reports of 84 of the world's largest companies. They found that roughly 71 percent had engaged in disaster-relief efforts within the previous year. Though the reasons for doing so are varied, I like to think that many business decision-makers certainly get involved, at least in part, because they think it is the right thing to do  for moral or ethical reasons, if you will."

For Airbnb, which has seen an unprecedented outpouring of help from its rental hosts since Harvey hit, the decision to offer free housing during disasters didn't come from executives: It started as a groundswell of interest from the renters themselves.

In 2012, after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the Northeast, hosts asked how they could list their properties for free to those affected. At the time, $0 wasn't an option in the Airbnb fee scale.

"We were humbled," said Laura Spanjian, Airbnb's public policy director for Texas. "Airbnb started building tools to scale these generous acts across our global community."

Kellie Bentz, head of global disaster response for Airbnb, expects the number of volunteer hosts across the Gulf Coast to climb in coming days. The company is also waiving its fees, so neither hosts nor guests will pay anything.

"Many people are benefiting from this program, and we're really grateful for the ability for our host community to offer support in this way," Bentz said. "They're super gracious and generous for doing this."

But if helping during a disaster means sacrificing profits in the short term, it can also carry long-term benefits, points out Utpal Dholakia, a marketing professor at Rice Business.

"These types of goodwill gestures are ways to create a halo around the company's brand by associating it with positive activities," Dholakia said. "Another benefit to the company is that it is a relatively inexpensive but highly visible way to show that it is connected to the community within which it operates. In academic terms, we can call it local corporate social responsibility. Most people are going to remember such good deeds long after the disaster is over and see the company in a positive light, as a member of their community."

You don't have to be a local mom-and-pop shop to reap the rewards of community goodwill. Walmart's outpouring of aid in the 2005 aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been cited as the gold standard for corporate disaster relief: "a model for logistical efficiency and nimble disaster planning," as the Washington Post put it.

With immense resources at its disposal  including a mammoth supply chain and distribution network  Walmart proved that corporations could be a powerful force for good in a disaster, especially compared to the government agencies whose notoriously sluggish, scattered response to Katrina earned the public's ire.

Walmart's donation of $3 million in supplies and $17 million in cash to Katrina's victims came at an opportune time for the corporation, eclipsing a rash of bad publicity over lawsuits, labor issues and falling stock prices. The lesson hasn't been lost on other companies looking to divert the public's attention from negative press.

"There are many strategic advantages to getting involved, the most obvious of which is an enhanced reputation in the eyes of the general public, including potential customers. And research has also shown that employees find pride in working for companies that 'give back,' which might reduce rates of employee turnover or even increase their overall productivity," Smith said.

Not all companies can offer Walmart-level assistance, of course, even if they want to. Company size, and the degree to which they themselves are impacted by a natural disaster like Harvey, are limiting factors. But while Walmart's Herculean efforts earned lasting admiration, relatively small acts of insensitivity can evoke swift and brutal blowback.

Take the way one Houston-area Best Buy store fumbled its Harvey response by charging $42 for a case of water. A photo of the price tag went viral on social media outlets, and a public outcry ensued.

This wasn't part of a top-down policy to gouge Houston's panicked residents, Best Buy later clarified in a statement. "This was clearly a mistake in a single store," the company's media relations team wrote. "We feel terrible about this because, as a company, we are focused on helping, not hurting people affected by this terrible event. We are all deeply sorry that we gave anyone even the momentary impression that we were trying to take advantage of the situation."

It's worth worrying about, researchers say: even a momentary impression that a company is exploiting customers can have lasting repercussions.

"While price gouging might appear on the surface like the logical capitalist response to tremendous demand and limited supply (like the Best Buy example), companies may do better over the longer term by helping those in need," said Marina Andrea Welker, an anthropology professor at Cornell who studies the relationship between business and society. "The media has a critical role to play here in calling attention to harmful practices."

And as a rule, people tend to remember bad publicity longer than they remember acts of heroism, says Zavyalova. It has a way of sticking in the public consciousness.

"It's much more difficult to shed [unwelcome] attention, because it involves a lot of negative emotions, and people are much more locked into those kinds of feelings," she said. "Even with the positive form of fame, when there's admiration and adoration, a couple of missteps will drag you down."

So will Airbnb walk away as Harvey heroes, and Best Buy as villains? It's not that simple, Smith says. While customers tend to remember corporate misdeeds longer than altruism, nothing is permanent. Outrage tends to fade over time, especially after the news media moves on to the next disaster.

"On the whole, despite concentrated sets of boycotts here or there, the general consumer seems to be fairly forgiving (if not often completely ignorant) of companies' indiscretions and exploitations," he said.

Jennifer Latson (@JennieLatson) is a writer and editor at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University and the author of "The Boy Who Loved Too Much."





Bookmark Gray Matters. $0 wasn't an option.


President Donald Trump pardoned a tough-on-immigration Arizona sheriff accused of racial profiling. He threatened a government shutdown if Congress won't deliver border wall funding. He banned transgender people from serving in the military. And he is openly contemplating ending a program that shields from deportation young undocumented immigrants who consider the United States home.

These and other moves - all since Trump's widely repudiated remarks about the hate-fueled violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, less than a month ago - are being heartily cheered by many of his core supporters. But collectively, they have helped cement an image of a president, seven months into his term, who is playing only to his political base.

Trump's job-approval numbers remain mired in the 30s in most polls, and several new findings last week gave Republicans interested in expanding the party's appeal fresh reason to worry. A Fox News survey, for example, found that majorities of voters think that Trump is "tearing the country apart" and does not respect racial minorities.

The findings come ahead of what could be another turbulent stretch in Trump's presidency. He and Congress are seeking this month to keep the government funded and raise the nation's debt ceiling, amid a Russia probe that is gaining steam and continuing feuds between Trump and fellow Republicans.

In interviews, White House aides and advisers played down concerns about Trump's standing in the polls, with some suggesting his numbers are more a reflection of broader disgust with Washington. Some also said it is important to keep Trump's base energized at a time when he has yet to deliver on legislative promises and has seen some erosion among key constituencies, including working-class whites.

At the same time, Trump allies pointed to his visits to areas ravaged by Hurricane Harvey - the latest on Saturday as he sought to show empathy for victims and emergency responders in Texas and Louisiana - as evidence of a president seeking to unite the country. The crisis in North Korea presents another test of Trump's ability to bring the nation together.

And heading into the fall, Trump aides and advisers argue that a major push for tax cuts has the potential to boost Trump's standing among Americans well beyond his base. Though there is no concrete plan and many thorny issues remain, Republicans in Congress are hoping to rally behind legislation that would demonstrate an ability to govern that so far has been elusive during Trump's tenure.

"Voters are very skeptical it will happen," said Tony Fabrizio, who served as Trump's pollster during last year's election. "If the president can get a tax-reform package passed, it will confound their expectations and be a huge win."

Trump plans to pitch the idea of tax legislation this week in North Dakota, marking the second trip in as many weeks aimed at building momentum for both corporate and personal income tax cuts. Both this visit and one last week to Missouri are being staged in states Trump won last year and where there is a Democratic senator whose support could be crucial to the fate of any legislation.

For an unorthodox president, such trips are fairly traditional ways to build pressure on Congress to act and have given more mainstream Republicans some reason for hope about Trump's engagement following the GOP failure to pass health-care legislation.

In the meantime, though, many in the GOP are openly questioning Trump's words and actions on issues that are divisive, even among Republicans. Trump's assertion that many "fine people" marched alongside white supremacists in Charlottesville drew condemnation across party lines.

And some in the GOP say other recent choices appear designed to bolster the president's standing only among his most loyal supporters. In recent weeks, Trump has continued his practice of holding campaign-style rallies in states he won, creating an echo chamber of support with his most loyal backers.

"It's almost as if he's the pilot of a plane that's in a terrible downward spiral and he's insisting on continuing to do things to make it worse," said John Weaver, who was chief strategist for the 2016 presidential campaign of Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio. "You can't govern like that, and you can't win re-election like that, and you can't take your party into the 2018 midterms like that."

Recent polling has underscored the narrow band of support Trump enjoys for some of the policies he is advocating.

Only 34 percent said Trump did the right thing by pardoning former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio, while 60 percent said he did the wrong thing, according to an NBC/SurveyMonkey poll released last week. Arpaio, a major Trump booster during last year's campaign, was convicted of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal judge's order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants.

In the same survey, only 30 percent said they oppose the policy begun under President Barack Obama that has provided two-year work permits to nearly 800,000 immigrants known as "Dreamers" who have been in the country illegally since they were children. Sixty-four percent voiced support for the policy, which Trump has threatened to dismantle. He plans to announce his intentions on Tuesday.

Some leading Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., on Friday urged Trump not to rescind the program.

Speaking more broadly, White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said that Trump "is a president for all Americans, and his agenda reflects that."

"This fall, he will be focused on funding recovery efforts for Texas and Louisiana following Hurricane Harvey and bringing real tax relief to American families," she said. "He's also been focused on renegotiating unfair trade deals, rebuilding our nation's military and many issues that all Americans, regardless of their party identification or who they voted for, can get behind."

Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly taken actions with little crossover appeal to Democrats or independents but strongly backed by Trump voters, including efforts to ban entry to the United States from a group of majority-Muslim countries and pull out of the Paris climate change accord.

Polls have also showed majorities of Republicans favoring a border wall but only small percentages of Democrats in support. In the Fox News poll, only 18 percent of overall voters thought it was a good idea to shut down government to force the issue - an idea Trump appears to have backed away from, at least for now.

Trump boosters say he is merely following through on his campaign promises.

"He is part of his base," said Barry Bennett, a Republican strategist who advised Trump during the general election. "When he does these things, the base likes it, but he's doing it because he believes it."

Others suggest there is more political calculation involved.

"He's stoking his base with rhetorical messaging in part because it's taking longer than hoped to get some of his major campaign promises checked off," said one Republican strategist close to the White House, who insisted on anonymity to speak candidly.

Trump associates say it's also important to keep the base energized so that they turn out for Republicans in next year's midterm elections and for Trump's re-election bid. Some of Trump's supporters last year were not regular voters.

Trump's job approval rating dipped to 34 percent last week in Gallup's daily tracking poll, matching his low mark for the year. Recent polls have showed erosion among Republicans and subgroups such as white working-class voters, who were key to Trump's election last year over Democrat Hillary Clinton. A poll by Fabrizio's firm, for example, showed the number of Republican and Republican-leaning voters who disapprove of Trump's performance rising from 19 percent in June to 25 percent in August.

Fabrizio, who said he has not done work for Trump since the election, characterized the erosion as "negligible" and pointed to a Fox News finding that 96 percent of Trump voters remain satisfied with their vote from last year. That is higher than the 93 percent of Clinton voters who remain satisfied.

Ed Goeas, a Republican pollster and strategist, argued that after an uptick following the election, Trump's favorability has basically fallen back to where it was during a campaign season in which voters faced a choice between two largely unpopular candidates.

The good news for Trump, Goeas suggested, is that many people who don't like Trump are turned off by his personality rather than the issues he's pushing. That creates the possibility of broader acceptance if he's successful in pushing tax cuts.

Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, said the deterioration in Trump's overall job approval has been fairly typical of recent presidents during their opening stretch in office. What's different, he said, is that Trump started from a much lower point that other presidents.

Even Trump's detractors acknowledge that he seems to have a core group of supporters unlikely to abandon him regardless of what transpires in Washington. That in part explains Trump's frequent travel for campaign-style rallies, said Rick Wilson, a GOP strategist and frequent Trump critic.

"There's nothing he's got right now except adulation from his base," Wilson said. "He could eat a live baby on stage and they'd forgive him. He can do no wrong."

A Monmouth University poll released last month showed about a quarter of respondents saying that not only do they approve of Trump, but that they also "cannot see Trump doing anything that would make them disapprove of him."

Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic consultant, said Trump appears to be battening down with his base in anticipation of fallout from the special counsel's investigation into Russian meddling in last year's election. If things get rough for Trump, the defense of core supporters becomes even more crucial, she said.

"If you look at it through that lens, it makes sense," Marsh said. "Any other president would have spent their time trying to expand their support."
DAMON WINTER/STF

While Hurricane Harvey has been our focus of late, don't think we didn't notice President Donald Trump's recent controversial pardon of former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, his fellow Obama "birther" whose hard-nosed policies and affinity for racial profiling made him a hero to some, a pariah to others.

We fall in the latter category because this was a publicity-hungry man who trampled on the rights of Hispanics in his manic pursuit of undocumented immigrants, retaliated against journalists and others who criticized his policies, held prisoners in scorching hot desert compounds he called "concentration camps" and, of course, pursued and tried to legitimize the fiction that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya, not Hawaii.
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niversity lecturer has come under fire for his disappointing and short-sighted comments after implying Muslims dont make good employees.Dr Raymond Richards  who teaches American history and religion at the University of Waikato commented on a Z Energy Facebook post late last week.The post  which was about workplace diversity  featured a photograph of a Z Energy employee wearing a turban."Who needs employees if they stop work five times per day to talk to an imaginary being?" asked Richards, apparently confusing the Sikh employee with a Muslim.Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie, chief executive of Diversity Works New Zealand, said Richards was misinformed and urged New Zealand employers to embrace workplace diversity.The comments from Dr Richards are disappointing and short-sighted, she told HRD. A diverse workforce gives organisations a competitive edge  they can access new markets, connect with new customers, and improve their bottom line.She also said organisations would reap the rewards if they ensured employees felt comfortable being their real selves at work  regardless of religion, cultural beliefs, family commitments or sexual orientation.Not only can we learn from other cultures, experiences and working styles, but having another viewpoint can enhance decision-making and result in an engaged, high-performance business culture, she said.Richards employer has also spoken out about the incident and has promised to investigate."The University of Waikato does not condone language or actions that perpetuate hate, discrimination or harmful stereotypes, said Alice Clements, director communications and external relations.We are an institution that values diversity and have clear expectations of staff conduct, she continued. We will be examining this matter carefully."Richards, however, is yet to back down.I'm speaking as an individual, expressing my own personal opinion, he told NZ Herald. "I think it's very important people exercise their freedom of speech and not be intimidated.
If the decision went the applicants way, the criminal record would still exist but the person would not be required to disclose it to any potential employers and employers would be unable to see it.

While the suggestion has sparked debate in the UK, its not actually a new idea and a number of states across America have already implemented similar schemes.

Evidence from Massachusetts and some parts of California  where the initiative is currently in operation  show reform of criminal record regimes can boost employment rates among former offenders and reduce the cost of welfare benefits.
Matheson  whose organisation won the Diversability Award for its efforts employing and training people in the deaf community  says the difference can actually be explained in a better way.

To me, diversity is like a musical instrument  you think about a guitar and you think about Hendrix or Clapton or Carlos Santana, even Ed Sheeran, all of these amazing guitarists who all play the same instrument but its so unique and personal to them, says Matheson.

Inclusion, on the other hand, is about bringing different instruments together to create a band or an orchestra because theyre not just being thrown together like fruit in a fruit salad, theyre working together and theyre actually more aware of the people around them.

Just like in an orchestra, Matheson says if one section or person starts to fall behind, the others dont just blindly carry on playing.

With the help of the conductor, everybody slows down, everybody waits, they find that beat together and then they all come in and they all start on the same piece again, she tells HRD.
Capturing your child's first day of school in a photograph and sharing it with friends and family is a proud moment for any parent.

And as sharenting and social media use continues to rise; more pictures than ever are expected to be shared online this month as tens of thousands of mums and dads post the infamous back to school snap.

A number of witty pictures - including ones with parents celebrating while their children looked miserable - have previously gone viral on social media.

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An Ofcom study released earlier this month found 42% of parents say they share photos of their children, with half of these parents posting photos at least once a month.

Out of those parents, just over half said their children are happy for them to do so and the majority say they only share things their children would be happy with.

This shows that in most cases parents are well-versed on the impact of sharenting and are very sensible about what they post online.

And more than half of UK parents - 56% - said they did not post photos or videos of their children on social media, with 87% saying the main reason was they wanted their children's lives to remain private.

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Internet Matters is encouraging mums and dads to follow a few simple rules to make sure they are thinking about the potential risks of over-sharing - providing help with ensuring social media privacy settings are up-to-date, to recognising how a photo posted online forms part of their child's digital footprint.

Once a picture is online, it can be tough to control where it can be seen and how it is used - despite being careful with your own privacy settings.

The internet has a long memory, and it can be very difficult to remove photos completely. Children have a right to dignity and privacy, both now and in the future. A good rule of thumb is not to post the sorts of pictures of your child that you wouldn't be happy sharing of yourself.

Before the arrival of social media, we would share pictures we had in our purse or wallet and pull them out to show specific people, which meant as parents we were in control of that picture.

But now many parents may have hundreds of friends and followers, which means that pictures you post of your children are seen by a much bigger audience and if you don't have the right settings, you run the risk of losing control of that picture.

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So here's seven tips to ensure you're sharing safely and in full control of what you're posting online.

Seven tips on safe sharenting:

1. Don't post photos that might embarrass your child, now or later in life.

2. Ask permission before posting photos of someone else's child. Avoid the awkwardness of a friend asking you to take something down.

3. Think carefully before posting photos of your child in their recognisable full school uniform, or outside their school - this can lead to easy identification of your children or their friends

4. Ask friends and family not to tag themselves in photos of your child - this can make your picture viewable by their friends and followers.

5. Check your privacy settings so only friends can see your posts and turn your location settings off, so people can't see exactly where you took it. Consider what's in your profile information and the other updates you post.

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6. Don't post nude or nearly nude pictures of your child; even innocent pictures can be harvested, posted elsewhere online and potentially accessed by predators.

7. If you're posting pictures of your child in recognisable places, turn off location tagging.
With so many important areas to bear in mind when we think about schools, apparent side issues don't always get the careful consideration they deserve. School uniform is one of those issues. We are not in the position of other educational systems around the world. In the U.K., they're an established part of school culture, but that should not mean that we take uniforms in their current format as a given. As in all other areas, innovative thinking could lead to improvements benefiting children's learning experiences.

School uniforms are said to encourage a sense of collective membership, helping young people value togetherness and democratic ideals of equality, promoting unity. Uniforms encourage social mobility since they reduce class differences between peers. There is no pressure to dress in a particular way and consequently one less reason for social exclusion. In practical terms, there are likely to be fewer incidents of lateness too given students can get dressed quickly in the morning. Then there are the imagined benefits for our children which have little empirical evidence to support them. We believe uniforms help improve discipline and academic performance, but it is likely the way schools enforce policies which teaches students important lessons about such matters.

So how can we make uniforms more beneficial to a child's learning experiences? One of the main purposes is to eliminate distraction and create a level playing field. However, some would argue uniforms don't do that when schools insist on girls wearing skirts. A practical concern is how restrictive skirts can be, given they prevent girls moving in certain ways. As Happel notes, 'wearers must negotiate how they sit, how they play, and how quickly they move. Skirt-wearing, consciously and unconsciously, imposes considerations of modesty and immodesty, in ways that trousers do not'. Yet many girls want to wear them and, in terms of temperature control, skirts can be preferable in summer. We must give the same level of consideration to boys' uniforms. They must be practical, a fact highlighted by reports in the summer term of boys having to wear trousers we consider suitable for the depths of winter on the hottest days of the year. Just as there should be no rigid insistence on girls having to wear skirts, neither should there be no alternative in hot weather to trousers for boys. There needs to be a sense of balance.

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We need to take this further, thinking beyond offering uniform options and more about the service the uniform can provide in practical terms. The style of uniform matters. We might not have believed it was summer at the beginning of the holidays this year, but the end of the summer term was hot. Sun exposure can be reduced by the type of clothing we wear. Australian research has shown that minor alterations, such as extending the length of sleeves to the elbow and shorts to the knee can significantly reduce mole acquisition, as well as melanoma risk. At the other end of the year, should we not also consider whether school uniforms adequately meet the demands put upon them by seasonal differences? Are they really warm enough in winter? Students wearing the same uniform year-round suggests they are most suitable for a median temperature, not for the extremes of hot summers and cold winters. We might then consider whether school uniform policy should allow for, but due to costs, not insist on, separate winter and summer uniforms. This could disrupt the visual aesthetic of a whole school uniform, but the purpose of the uniform is to best meet the needs of the student and if particular fabrics better suited to particular weather conditions make students more comfortable, surely this is something we must consider.

How can we make uniforms more practical for parents and carers? It is important for the children themselves to have a sense of belonging and also for the community to know who they represent, but uniforms can be costly, particular for families with multiple children, perhaps attending different schools. Schools could make the process of procuring uniforms easier and cheaper by choosing particular colours to represent the school with a sew-on badge for identification, rather than an embroidered jumper or blazer only available from a single supplier. Shoes are also an issue. Some primary schools insist each student has two pairs; one for outdoor and one for indoor use. It is true that in schools abroad, particularly in Central and Northern Europe, students have indoor and outdoor shoes. Their indoor shoes tend to be little more than slippers, more comfortable around school for the children, preventative in terms of the amount of mud brought inside after wet break and less likely to cause wear and tear on carpets. This model has been adopted by some schools here. However, health and safety concerns in other schools, particularly in terms of the potential for students to slip over, has meant what seemed a good idea only really prevents a degree of dirt and is costly for parents and carers. Yet there are websites which offer the opportunity to buy and sell clothing children have outgrown and the https://www.gov.uk/help-school-clothing-costs website can provide information on possible help with uniform costs.

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Workers in two McDonald's restaurants in Crayford, south east London, and Cambridge made history on Monday 4 September when they became the first ever McDonald's workers in Britain to go on strike. They joined a growing band of McDonald's workers around the world that have unionised and struck to fight one of the biggest and best known global fast food operators. Workers in New Zealand are but just one example of this.

I wrote about the reasons for the strike and the significance of the strike in an earlier piece. Suffice it to say that the hope is that what one of the strikers said comes to pass:

Our strike will be just the beginning. It's the tip of the iceberg. There are hundreds of thousands of fast-food workers in Britain and we believe they're experiencing the same issues as we are. ... We've already got thousands of others preparing to join us - other stores are organising at this point already, but haven't gone public yet.

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Indeed, a McDonalds' worker at another restaurant commented: 'Seeing workers mobilise in two restaurants and balloting in favour of action has inspired me to build the union in my workplace and fight for the same pay and conditions'.

In this article, I want to turn to the issue of how it was that the strike came to pass in terms of the internal union organising.

The strike is a major milestone in the work of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union (BFAWU) and the Fast Food Rights campaign. The Fast Food Rights campaign was established in early 2014 to try to replicate the fight of fast food workers in the United States.

But it is worth noting that until the McDonald's strike, the Fast Food Rights campaign has been mainly about protests outside fast food outlets, often largely by those supportive non-fast food workers. The strike signifies that a small number of fast food workers are now prepared to try to close down operations themselves, and critically, to do so from the inside (even if they have to then stand on the picketline outside the strikebound premises). This new found spirit will be critical in determining whether the strike grows into the necessarily bigger challenge to the company (amongst the tens of thousands of workers it employs in Britain) that it must.

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If we delve a little deeper, we can see that many years of slow, patient, stop-start work has been put in by the activists with the support of the BFAWU to get to the point of balloting for action and then strike action itself. There have been many small steps forward and many small steps back as interviews with the main activists by the Solidarity and Socialist Worker newspapers attest to.

High staff turnover is a problem as is an anti-union management. But neither factor is insuperable. What appear to have been the critical factors are a small number of steadfast activists and an orientation on i) stressing that the union is the workers themselves, and ii) the agenda of the workplace union must be set by the workers themselves.

Indeed, one the activists recounted in Socialist Worker that: 'A BFAWU organiser said the union is workers coming together to change things that they couldn't change by themselves. We started saying that and that's what really changed things' while another told Solidarity that: 'Our strategy has been to find out what their issues are and how they are affecting them, and get them to imagine what it would be like if it wasn't the case. ... We tell them a union is people like them organising together and using their strength in numbers to win things they couldn't do on their own'.
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It is back to classes this week for most children, but although much of the routine will seem fairly familiar, a quiet revolution will occur for those taking a GCSE in Religious Studies at the end of this academic year.

It marks the end of days when one could study just one religion, whereas from now on, pupils will be examined in a second faith. The motive is social rather than academic, for the increase in different faiths in Britain in recent decades has been accompanied by a rise in religious extremism and intolerance.

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Is it that because that home influences trump any talk by teachers about harmony, with the prejudices one imbibes from kitchen table talk being much more powerful? Or because of the exclusive admissions policies perpetuated by Faith Schools whose pupils do not mix with those of other faiths?

Whatever the reason, the Government decided that no school will be allowed to focus solely on their own faith in RE, but have to study a second one. Not only will they learn about where another tradition differs from them, but also see the points of commonality.

When this enlightened idea was first proposed, it was greeted with horror by certain groups, particularly the Catholic and the Jewish Orthodox authorities. They found it difficult to oppose the principle, and instead claimed that there was not enough time on the curriculum to study their own faith properly, let alone another one.

Now that the proposal is law, it is fascinating to note how they have reacted to the change. The Catholics have directed their schools to add the teaching of Judaism and discouraged them from covering any other faith.

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This is officially is because of the strong links between Judaism and Christianity and the sharing of biblical texts. While this is true, if the school was in an area with a sizable Muslim community, it would make more sense to explore Islam so that Catholic pupils understand their neighbours better.

It leads to the strong suspicion that the advice is for reasons of religious politics, as Islam is the single greatest threat to Christianity in terms of numbers and influence in the worlds, fighting each other for superiority in various countries abroad, especially Africa, while here in Britain, many from Catholic homes becoming Muslim

On the Jewish side, the Chief Rabbi has suggested that Orthodox Schools should be teaching Islam as their preferred option. Officially this is because it is a major religion in Britian today - but surely Christianity even more significant!

It suggests that the underlying reason may be that many in the Orthodox community still fear Christianity as a missionary religion out to convert Jews, and so no way are they going to let Jewish children study it for GCSE.

But although this opportunity for broadening both general knowledge and social cohesion may be diminished in some schools, others will take it up with great excitement. Ideally it should be extended so that all British pupils are conversant with the major belief systems in Britain today.

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War on Want

My name is Lewis Baker. I have worked at the Crayford McDonald's store for around four years now.

I will strike, and will be joined by colleagues from Crayford, and from Cambridge.

The truth is this. We have been left with no choice but to strike. It's our only real option. We need to raise awareness over our working conditions, and the way we are treated in McDonald's. I - like many others - have had our grievances ignored by the company, time and time again.

I work at McDonald's largely because of the flexibility the company claimed to offer. I'm studying at university, so I initially I thought i would work there until I finish my course. But, over the past few months, my thinking has definitely changed. I have experienced real problems with managers trying to force me to change my availability or be threatened with no shifts. Other workers have experienced the same.

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Shifts have been rostered with six hours' notice: workers find out what shifts they're working at 10pm and then have to start at 4am the next morning. McDonald's have power over my whole life: whether I can make medical appointments, meet my university commitments or to be there for friends and family. Yet on the flip side, if a worker misses a shift, even for genuine reasons, then the McDonald's punishes us. This system of unpredictable hours is unfair and it's time for it to change.

I'm motivated to strike because I want to see a change and change doesn't happen without fighting for it. If we McDonald's workers just accept the conditions we face, then this will all just carry on. We are not asking for a lot. We are asking to be treated with respect, have guaranteed hours, and to be paid a decent living wage of 10 that we can afford to live on. It's all very reasonable when you actually think about it.

Since the strike was announced, managers have done their best to make us feel uncomfortable. Our social media profiles have been sent to managers, who are trying to persuade us not to strike. They have made comments and jokes trying to belittle the union. We would be punished if we said similar things with our opinion. Despite this, we're sure that the joining the union and taking action is the best way for us to get the respect we deserve. We will not be intimidated.

I want to fight to make a positive impact for every one of my colleagues not just myself. I think working in fast food is a hard job and a lot of people underestimate the amount of work we as the workers actually put in. We deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I have colleagues who are 16 earning a lot less than a 21 year old simply because of their age - but it's the same job really and, therefore, we should all be treated fairly. It's not too much to ask from a company that earns billions.

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It was just gone 9pm, at Lumley Junction, a busy, urban intersection in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The car windows windows were up and the doors were locked. Lumley Junction has an extremely unsavoury reputation.

Ocadas - the city's ubiquitous motorbike taxis - swarmed in all directions. I negotiated a path through the bulk of them, before one grazed the side of the car. The driver and I briefly locked eyes, then he roared off in the opposite direction.

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In another 10 or so yards, the car began listing heavily to the right. The man who knocked on the car window and pointed to the tyre, confirmed my suspicions. The Ocada had gouged a fist-sized hole in the front, passenger-side tyre.

Women, all over the world, are repeatedly warned about the ruses that the ill-intentioned use to lure them from the safety of their vehicles. I tend to treat these with a degree of scepticism, nevertheless urban legends often come with a small nugget of truth so it's hard to discount them totally. During one long, French summer, a story circulated about a pair of violent car thieves, who faked breakdowns on deserted country roads in order to steal from unsuspecting good Samaritans. This story may have prevented a few robberies, but it probably caused way more distress to those who had genuinely broken down and waited in vain for someone to stop and help.

In Nigeria, highway robbery and kidnapping, are frequent enough to persuade most people to keep driving. I haven't heard of any kidnappings in Sierra Leone, but I have heard stories about people who have fallen victim to car thieves in circumstances very similar to the one I found myself in. So half my brain told me this incident had all the hallmarks of the incidents I'd been warned about, while the other half reasoned that I could not go another yard, let alone several more miles on this tyre.

The man who pointed out the burst tyre, commiserated with me under the heavy rain, then offered to help me change it. I had a dilemma. I could place my trust in a random stranger, in a dodgy location, who for all I knew, had as much idea of how to change a tyre as I did and was planning to rob me. Alternatively, I could call my usual driver, but he would take around an hour to get to me.

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Mohamed was the stranger's name. When we went round to the back of the car to get the spare tyre and jack, he warned me to keep a tight hold of my bag and my phone. I already had a vice like grip on both, but I doubled it.

The reason women find it so hard to change tyres is because it's a dirty and dangerous procedure, especially at night, in the pouring rain on muddy ground covered with God alone knows what. Plus it actually necessitates brute strength and a lot of lying on the ground looking into the under-carriage, as well as items like jacks, braces, and locking wheel nuts. These all have very specific functions and have to be kept in sight at all times.

It is rarely a one-person job and this Toyota Pathfinder was certainly too big a job for Mohamed to manage on his own, so one by one, he recruited other locals. There were too many for me to keep my eyes on, and I started to feel that I'd lost control of the situation. It took a couple to raise up the car for some reason I didn't quite grasp, and another to trundle off to pump the spare. I watched him go with some regret, thinking: "Well there goes my spare tyre." Then when another asked to borrow my phone to better light the undercarriage, I thought: "Well there, no doubt, goes my phone." When we pulled the mats from the car so Mohamed didn't have to lie on the soaking, filthy ground, I thought: "Won't be seeing those again."

By this stage, the process had taken well over an hour in the dark and the rain. Every second of that time, I felt that I had most likely made the wrong decision.

It was only when the tyre trundled back properly pumped, my phone was handed back to me and the steady trickle of rain became a torrent, that I started to feel confidence in these strangers. Four carried on working; while one went to fetch an umbrella. Then, all of a sudden they were packing up, and the mats, jack, burst tyre and other odds and sods were all returned to the boot.

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When I thanked them, I asked them to line up so I could take a photo. Human nastiness tends to be more memorable than kindness, and warps our thinking about people and places. It is easy to become desensitised in a country like Sierra Leone where the stream of misery, death and disaster is almost ceaseless. My friend describes it as being 'embalmed'. I wanted to remember these five strangers, their kindness and generosity, and my own suspicion in the face of it.

Over 120 years ago, Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem 'If' for his son, which paraphrased says: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too. If you can watch the things you gave your life to broken, and stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools .... you'll be a man, my son."
"Government spokespeople" inevitably say a lot of bland, meaningless words. They're individuals not to be held personally responsible, representing a position that may well not reflect their personal views.

That's one thing. It's another thing when they state blatant untruths.

So it is worth highlighting the following quote: "A government spokesperson said: 'The UK is a recognised world leader in disability rights and equality'."

This was clearly false, given the context in which it was given: this was a UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) two-day hearing in which the chair said the evidence she'd heard from the UK was of "human catastrophe", concluding that the UK government had "totally neglected" disabled people. Those are extraordinarily strong words in the context in which language is usually downplayed and restrained.

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You would expect the conclusions drawn by the CRPD to be splashed all over the newspapers, sounding loud on the airwaves. But you'd be wrong.

The strength of the words should have made an impact, and I'd question particularly the BBC, as our "public service broadcaster", has apparently not been covering this hearing and its conclusions.

But it was a tweet from a journalism academic, Ali Haynes from the Leicester Centre for Journalism that made me think about another aspect of this story - the official statement.

She was commenting on the story that got some play, about the government, deliberately repeating statistics on foreign students overstaying visas that helped to justify the whole. She said: "we're increasingly seeing that the source of #FakeNews is Government as much as the media".

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The official statement on disability policy was just as false, yet it got, as such statements so often do, a downpage, "we've got to put in the official response" placement.

How have we got to the point where statements, claims, statistics, can be utterly detached from reality but just repeated verbatim, without question?

That's not to criticise any individual journalist or news outlet. This is just the norm - the way journalism works.

I've been contemplating this also with regards to statements over the Sheffield street privatisation fiasco that's led to the wholesale massacre of mature, healthy street trees in the city and a strong, determined campaign by residents to stop the slaughter. Councillor Bryan Lodge, in charge, claimed, including to the Financial Times, that the council could face "catastrophic consequences" as a result of delays, using this to justify court action against the protesters.

Yet clause 19 of the FOIed contract with Amey explicitly states that it should bear the cost of delays caused by protest: as Cllr Lodge made clear this week, in a story that got far less attention.

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I don't believe that "fake news" is anything new. Go back to the English Civil War and see some of the scurrilous circulating broadsheets then for just one example.

But I am starting to wonder if we're not now being, certainly in terms of recent decades, being uniquely badly served by our media.

Certainly, disabled people have powerful cause to say they are being astonishingly badly served by a media that occasionally likes to highlight stories of individual tragedy and suffering (although rather less often than it likes to highlight extraordinarily rare cases of abuse of benefits and fraud), but has done almost nothing to explore the way the system is designed to operate.

The media very rarely explains that successive governments have aimed to torment, to spread fear, to discourage or prevent disabled people obtaining help to which they are entitled by our signature on the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People.

Just as it has failed to explain the causes of our economic crisis (not government spending but financial speculation), our desperate environmental state (yes the BBC is still inviting Nigel Lawson to talk nonsense about climate change), and it failed entirely to explore the complexities of Brexit before the referendum.

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A collection of unchallenged quotes, even from "each side", is not a story. It doesn't help readers or viewers understand the complex realities of our world today. Following the "hot" story of the day, whether deeply dubious "self-driving lorries" or Tory leadership speculation, doesn't inform them.

This isn't good enough. The Fourth Estate is crucial in a democracy. We need one that works.
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North Korea recently launched its sixth nuclear test. The size of the explosion was much larger than previous tests, suggesting a faster-than-expected pace of the country's nuclear programme. Moreover, the state news agency KCNA released pictures of the bomb small enough to fit a missile tip, signalling the state's capacity to mount it on long-range missiles. If North Korea now has a weapon almost ten times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima that can be fired across continents on missiles, what on earth can we do about it? Quite bluntly, the world is quickly running out of options to transform North Korea from the outside. I suggest we turn around the table, and change North Korea from one place on earth they can never nuke: from within their own country.

Although previously I argued that Kim Jong-un is unlikely to press the red button , the small chance that he might do so will be enough to deter many of the options currently on the table. For instance, South Korea's plans to carry out air-strikes on Kim's military headquarters will become too dangerous with the nuclear threat. Even Trump's tweets (whatever strategic purpose that serves) may require some moderation, because, as history has seen during the Cuban missile crisis, the smallest of misunderstandings can bring the world to the verge of nuclear Armageddon.

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Then what? Do we just stand by and do nothing, while tens of thousands suffer under this horrendous regime? Of course not. We just a need a new strategy. North Korea must transform from within.

There is strong evidence that North Korean citizens are secretly tuning into outside media. According to a survey conducted by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), foreign media is the second most important source of information within North Korea, the most important being 'word of mouth'. Similarly, Jieun Baek, a Ph.D. student at Oxford University, tellingly describes the importance of foreign media inside North Korea in her book titled North Korea's Hidden Revolution: How the Information Underground is Transforming a Closed Society.

While North Korea's nuclear development may challenge our other options, it leaves this route of influence relatively intact. No matter how harsh the domestic challenge, nuclear warheads are useless for targeting individual dissenters within one's own country. Kim simply cannot nuke individual 'bad guys'. Also, while foreign media broadcasting into North Korea may be a nuisance to the regime, it is not enough of a provocation for Kim Jong-un to pull out his nuclear card.

Currently, there are many foreign media outlets broadcasting into North Korea. For example, in the UK, the British Broadcasting Corporation is soon to launch its Korean Service, whose goal is to provide BBC World Service contents to all Korean-speaking people around the globe - including North Koreans. Although both the U.S. and South Korea are becoming less likely to engage in dialogue with Kim Jong-un, speaking to ordinary North Korean citizens is an entirely different strategy. If the former is becoming increasingly infeasible, the latter is now one of our strongest cards. It is crucial not to confound the two.

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So, if your government is sponsoring a broadcasting service into North Korea, I urge you to lend your support. Otherwise, in the heat of this mutually hostile atmosphere, states might end up liquidising these efforts to focus on more militarised options.
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The UN has described the Rohingya Muslim community in Burma as the Palestine of Asia and one of the most-persecuted minorities in the world. It pains me to have to repeat this sentence as I have reported on the unprecedented bloodshed and plight of the Rohingya community for years and nothing has changed. Aung San Suu Kyi, politician and ironically a Nobel Peace Laureate dismisses the ill treatment of the 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims living in Burma.

Frustratingly, the injustices, human rights violations, rapes, murders, beheadings of the Rohingya community and victims as young as babies, have not been enough to make front page headlines or be on every international news channel. More needs to be done to put an end to the suffering of innocent Rohingya civilians which should not have to undergo this brutal form of ethnic cleansing that the Burmese government have inflicted upon them.

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Countries around the world have been urged to intervene to stop the brutal massacre of Muslims in Myanmar on the grounds of human rights and killing of innocent civilians. However, despite the countless calls for intervention the massacre of the Rohingya community continues without successful intervention from human rights organisations or government officials.

It is heart-wrenching to see innocent civilians, babies and children losing their lives and facing extreme violations of their basic human rights. In Burma, Rohingya Muslims are not even considered to be worth of citizenship. In addition, Burma's 1982 Citizenship Act does not even bother to recognize them as one of the country's national races.

Rohingya Muslims are essentially stateless people who are not even allowed to attend educational institutions. The government in Burma continue to restrict the Rohingya community from living a normal life and restricts their movement within Rakhine state and beyond its borders. The injustices do not stop with just restrictions but move on to severe violence, killings, physical and verbal abuse and oppression. Rohingya Muslims are also forced into unpaid labour to help government-run projects, like breaking stones to build roads. Human Rights Watch reports some children had been forced into labour work as early as the age of seven.

The violation of human rights is clearly evident due to the continued bloodshed of the Rohingya people over the years. Despite the prevalence of human right violations there needs to be more action implemented to held those accountable and bring them to justice. In addition, governments need to work together to implement strategies to help the Rohingya community, to give them a safe place to live and enable them to rebuild and rehabilitate their lives.

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There are many obstacles that we need to overcome in order to expose the intolerances of governments and the many accounts of human rights violations that remain in the world today. Powerful states continually manipulate the law and try their best to conceal their crimes from international criticism for their own political advantage, however when crimes are being done openly leaders need to take action to make those accountable be brought to justice.

Ensuring accountability is important because, first and foremost, those who have suffered harm have a right to truth and justice. institutions. Efficient and effective mechanisms for accountability can The atrocities taking place in Burma have heightened due to the fact that there is no one being brought to justice and stopped from carrying out this brutal form of genocide.
The more people who participate in a democracy, the more democratic it becomes  or so de Tocqueville believed. But sceptics have challenged that assumption on the basis that not everyone has the skills to make informed political decisions. In his new book, Russell J Dalton argues that the problem lies with the participation gap: the better-off are more engaged in policy, while the poorest vote less and lack the resources to lobby for change.

It seems an odd question, but researchers are increasingly asking whether citizen participation is good for democracy. Robert Putnams concern about apparently diminished participation in the US reflects a Tocquevillian belief that more citizen participation benefits society and the polity. Many political observers lament the decline in voting turnout across the established democracies and view this trend as detrimental to the democratic process.

In contrast, a different chorus of experts claim that democracy suffers because too many active citizens lack the abilities and resources to make meaningful decisions. Some sceptics state that democracy is based on fairy tales and folk theory because of the limitations of the citizenry. Other voices seemingly yearn for an epistocracy where the knowledgeable decide. Thus, the experts agree: contemporary democracies are suffering; the reason is either too little or too much citizen participation.

My forthcoming book, The Participation Gap, argues that both critiques are flawed. Contemporary democracies face a dilemma, but it involves balancing the actual expansion of citizen participation against its unintended effect on widening the social status participation gap. Besides the strong normative argument for political equality, I show that the absolute level of participation and the inequality in participation are both linked to the quality of democratic governance.

The expansion of citizen participation

I primarily examine evidence from the International Social Survey Program that measured citizen participation in established democracies in 2004 and 2014. The decline in voting turnout is obvious and a very troubling trend. However, the good news is that democratic institutional reforms and citizen innovation have increased the number and variety of access points that people can use to influence political outcomes. The expansion in citizen skills and resources also enables more people to engage in these more demanding forms of participation.

Direct contact with political leaders has increased. More people are joining public interest groups, civic associations, Burgerinitiativen, and other collective forms of action. People have developed new methods of political action, such as political consumerism, new forms of contentious action and creative activism. The internet enables new methods of peer-to-peer involvement among citizens who share political views and want to be active. The ISSP surveys thus describe an interested and involved citizenry, more engaged than their parents or grandparents generation. Many of these activities also offer greater policy content and policy focus than the simple act of voting.

Rising political inequality

It is not all good news, however. While participation opportunities have broadly expanded, the skills and resources to utilise these new entryways are unevenly spread throughout the public. I describe a sizeable socio-economic status (SES) participation gap across all types of political action. A persons education and other social status traits are very strong predictors of who participates.

The expanding repertoire of political action widens this participation gap. Participation research often focuses on voting turnout, but this is where the social status gap is generally smallest. Labour unions, citizen groups, and political parties can mobilise lower status voters on election day. However, as citizens become more active in non-electoral forms of participation, skills and resources are even more important in facilitating these activities. To write a letter, work with a community group, post a political blog or boycott environmentally damaging products requires more than just showing up on election day to mark a ballot and leave. So the expanding repertoire of political activity widens the SES participation gap.

The participation gap is also widening over time. Evidence from several nations shows that the decline in voting turnout is concentrated among lower-status citizens, while the better off continue to vote at roughly the same levels as the past. Given the centrality of elections in selecting the officials who govern, this widening participation gap in turnout implies unequal representation with all the implications that this signifies.

For non-electoral participation, the increase in activity has come disproportionately from better-educated and higher income citizens who possess politically valuable skills and resources. Protest activities often display the widest social status participation gap. And while there is a one-person/one-vote limit on voting that moderates inequality, no such ceiling exists for writing emails, working with public interest groups, protesting, and other non-voting forms of action. The sum result is a widening in the SES participation gap in overall terms.

Thus, democracys dilemma is that the expansion of participation in old and new forms comes at the cost of a widening gap between the politically rich and the politically poor. This runs counter to democratic ideals, and it runs counter to democracys goal of effectively reaching the best policy outcomes for society by involving all of the public in the process.

Participation, inequality and governance

The two views of citizen participation summarised at the start of this post offer contrasting assessments of whether an active citizenry improves or harms the functioning of democratic governance.

I directly consider the basic Tocquevillian logic that democracy will benefit when more citizens participate. There are many potential ways to test this thesis, and I turn to the simple example of the quality of governance. Does government function better if the public is more involved? The Economist Intelligence Units measures the quality of governance with a 14-item index of the functioning of the government, including items such as quality of administration, government control of its territory, regularised government and the rule of law. (There is no explicit item on participation in the index.). The 2004 ISSP provides overall participation levels for about a dozen and a half nations, plus Belgium and Iceland from the 2014 survey. I test whether an active citizenry correlates with good governance.

Nations with higher overall political participation also have better performing government (Figure 1). This is a substantial relationship based on these 20 democracies (r=.55, p=.01). Nations that score highly on the EUI index, such as Norway, New Zealand, Canada and Denmark, also have fairly high levels of overall citizen participation. Conversely, the four lowest levels of participation occur in nations that are below average in the functioning of government. This supports the general logic that an attentive and involved public press the government to be more responsive and effective. Simply put, good citizens make for good democratic governance.

Figure 1: Citizen participation and the functioning of government

Source: Overall political participation is from the 2004 ISSP, 2014 for Belgium and Iceland; functioning of government is from the Economist Intelligence Unit.

We can go one step further: does inequality in participation detract from democratic governance? Voices are unheard, needs are unmet, and government acts without full information when inequality is substantial.

Figure 2 displays the independent effects of overall participation level and the inequality of participation on good governance. (Inequality is the total strength (Multiple R) of four social status traits in predicting participation levels.) In addition to the EIU index, I include the World Banks measure of government effectiveness, which measures traits such as the quality of public services, performance of the civil service, and the quality of policy formulation and implementation. The contrasting  and independent  effects of both aspects of participation are quite clear. The overall level of citizen participation is positively related to both measures of good governance. Even with a small number of countries, these are significant relationships.

Figure 2: Participation, inequality and the functioning of government

Note: Figure entries are standardised regression coefficients from OLS regression. Source: Overall political participation and the inequality of participation are from the 2004 ISSP, 2014 for Belgium and Iceland; functioning of government is from the Economist Intelligence Unit and the World Bank.

Equally important, when there is large SES inequality in overall participation, good governance is lower. In sum, the best democratic governance generally occurs with citizens are more active and the participation gap is smaller.

In conclusion

Arend Lijphart used his 1996 presidential address to the American Political Science Association to make both the political and normative arguments that inequalities in voting turnout are detrimental to the democratic process: unequal participation spells unequal influencea major dilemma for representative democracy. Now Lijphart looks like the optimist, because time and the expansion of political repertoires has only worsened this dilemma.

I recognise that a more active citizenry makes governing more complex. Few civil servants sit at their desks hoping to hear from dissatisfied citizens. Public hearings and transparent government can slow the decision-making and administrative processes. It is easy to understand why there are concerns about the complications of governance if more citizens participate in more ways. The NIMBY syndrome, veto groups and other challenges to technocratic decision-making often appear. But democracys goal is not to maximise efficiency, but rather to balance social interests and eventually make good (or at least better) decisions than epistocratic or autocratic alternatives.

Democratic theory also holds that societies benefit in the long run from the participation of all its citizens; Larry Bartels demonstrates that policy outputs are often biased to the affluent, while the needs and preferences of the most needy can be overlooked if they are uninvolved. The human, social and economic costs of deindustrialization are greater in the long term if they are ignored, rather than addressing the needs of displaced workers. The lost productivity, life quality, and diminished societal contributions that may follow from the participation gap are substantial. And with a deficit of political representation, some citizens may turn to populist or extreme options that offer them voice. An active and relatively equal public go together with good governance.

This is painting on a large canvas with broad, imprecise brush strokes. Even multi-indicator measures of the functioning of government are imprecise. More sophisticated modelling is needed to assert causality. Do good citizens make good governments, or do good government make good citizens? To some extent, both are true; these things go together regardless of the direction of causality. Yet, while others theorise and write op-eds on the perils of citizen participation in the democratic process, the empirical evidence suggests otherwise. These exploratory data reaffirm the argument from Thomas Jefferson to Alexis de Tocqueville to Sidney Verba: Expanding the publics voice is essential to have a democratic polity and broadly improves the quality of governance. The dilemma for democracy is to embrace a more active public, while ensuring the equality of political voice at the same time.

______

Note: This article originally appeared at our sister site, Democratic Audit.



About the Author

Russell J Dalton is Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine.

Source: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/is-citizen-participation-actually-good-for-democracy/
IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol was in Vienna, Austria, on Monday for a bilateral meeting with Austria's Prime Minister Christian Kern to discuss the countrys efforts to implement energy policies that promote environmental protection, economic growth and energy security. Their meeting was followed by a joint press conference and official lunch.

Prime Minister Kern announced a range of energy policy targets for Austria, including new business models for solar and wind power, and plans to tackle challenges in transport and energy efficiency. Dr Birol welcomed the plans, noting that if realized these plans and targets could make Austria a good example when it comes to sustainable energy by reducing emissions, supporting economic growth and adding jobs. Dr Birol also noted that sound policy coordination will be necessary to ensure the success of Austrias energy targets.

During the visit, Dr Birol also gave a special address at the 15th International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) European Conference, titled Global Energy Markets in Transition: Implications for the economy, environment & geopolitics. The event was organised by the Technical University of Vienna, where Dr Birol studied and received his MSc and PhD in energy economics.
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Kendall Jenner was one of the only people who did not respond to her Pepsi advert. The reality TV star remained deafeningly tongue-tied while the commercial was eviscerated in countless think-pieces, memes, and parodies and then dropped by the company.

But the model, who is the second youngest of the Kardashian clan, has now finally addressed highly controversial ad. Borrowing images from the Black Lives Matter movement, the Live For Now Moments Anthem was accused of commodifying and trivializing social movements to sell soft drinks and belittling the experiences of minorities enduring police brutality back in April.

In a trailer for the 14th season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Jenner can be seen sitting on a bed discussing the backlash with her sister Kim Kardashian West. She can be heard saying: It feels like my life is over.

Her sister did not mince her words, saying: You made a mistake.

Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Show all 20 1 /20 Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner stars in Calvin Klein Jeans ad Alasdair McLellan/Calvin Klein Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Harper's Bazaar Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendal Jenner models at the Chanel autumn/winter 2015 show Getty Images Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner models for Balmain spring/summer 2015 Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Behind the scenes of Kendall Jenner for Estee Lauder Estee Lauder Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner on the runway at Givenchy Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner on her biggest catwalk job yet leading Dolce & Gabbana's finale during Milan Fashion Week EPA Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner walks the runway at Tommy Hilfiger Women's fashion show during New York Fashion Week Getty Images Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Model Kendall Jenner walks the runway at the DKNY show Getty Images Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner walks the runway at the Diane Von Furstenberg fashion show during New York Fashion Week Getty Images Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne for Love Magazine photographed by Slve Sundsb, Styling: Katie Grand Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner on one of the covers of Teen Vogue's September issue Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner on one of the covers of Teen Vogue's September issue Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner Love Magazine LOVE Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner at Chanel's autumn/winter 2014 fashion show Getty Images Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner at Chanel's autumn/winter 2014 fashion show Getty Images Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner poses for Givenchy alongside Isabelle Huppert and other models, photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott Givenchy Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Riccardo Tisci with Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber Tisci Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Getty Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making Kendall Jenner's fashion career in the making (L-R) Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner accept the choice reality show award for Keeping Up with the Kardashians Reuters

This is not the first time Kardashian West has weighed in the controversy and previously said: She totally understood at the end of the day and she felt really awful for it. She just wants to move on from it.

The premise of the commercial was neither complicated nor sophisticated. Jenner ditches a modelling shoot to join hoards of smiling young protesters. There, the 21-year-old hands an ice cold can of Pepsi to a riot officer who is monitoring the march, sparking raucous applause from the crowd and the policeman to flash a grin.

The moment where Jenner approaches a line of officers is a clear reference to the iconic image of a female protester named Ieshia Evans standing stalwartly while being confronted by heavily armoured riot officers during a Black Lives Matter protest in Baton Rouge after Alton Sterling was fatally shot by police last year.

Pepsi was forced to bow to widespread criticism at the time and remove the video from YouTube. In a statement, they said: "Pepsi was trying to project a global a message of unity, peace, and understanding.

"Clearly, we missed the mark, and we apologise. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are pulling the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologise for putting Kendall Jenner in this position."

This represented something of a radical departure from their previous statement which defended the ad as depicting various groups of people embracing a spontaneous moment  to live life unbounded, unfiltered and uninhibited.

Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

Martin Luther King Jrs daughter, Bernice King, and Lena Dunham, criticised the advert. What's more, activists said the advert, which was set to a tune by Bob Marleys grandson Skip Marley, bore no relation to their actual experience of protesting against police brutality.

It was not the first time PepsiCo was forced to backpedall and apologise for an advert. In 2013, it pulled an ad for the soft drink Mountain Dew that was criticised for portraying racial stereotypes and appearing to make light of violence toward women.
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Lil Wayne was admitted to hospital on 3 September after being found unconscious in a Chicago hotel room, according to TMZ.

The Grammy-award winning rapper is said to have suffered a seizure at the hotel, then a second seizure at the hospital.

His representative confirmed to TMZ that the 34-year-old had suffered multiple seizures.

The incident comes more than a year after the rap star was treated after suffering what his representatives called two minor seizures.

Four years ago Lil Wayne, whose given name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, spent several days at a Los Angeles hospital, after which he told radio station Power 106 he was epileptic and prone to seizures.

He spent six days in hospital for the condition in 2013, and was also admitted to hospital following an incident during flight in 2016.

Lil Wayne had been set to perform in Las Vegas at Drai's Nightclub late on Sunday night. He is currently on tour with Rae Sremmurd.

The New Orleans-born rapper began his professional career aged nine, when he became the youngest artist to be signed by Cash Money Records.

His Grammy Award wins include the best rap album award in 2008 for Tha Carter III.

Additional reporting by Reuters.

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Queen Victoria would have been horrified by Brexit had she been around today, the creator of a hit television series about the monarch has said.

Daisy Goodwin is the writer of Victoria, the second series of which is currently being screened on ITV.

Having spent months researching Britains second longest-serving monarch, Ms Goodwin said Queen Victoria believed in a united Europe that was a liberal, constitutional force for good.

She had her own opinions and she stuck to them, and Im quite sure she would have been horrified by Brexit, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

She would not have been amused, I know thatshe really wanted Europe to be more like Britain and her idea of Europe was one where she was basically the boss, where she was the matriarch of Europe.

Ms Goodwin said Queen Victoria had almost succeeded in that aim, pointing out that her relatives had sat on seven of Europes thrones.

She added: She was very worried about the Russians  she didnt want her granddaughters to marry into the Russian [royalty] because she thought the Russians were a very dangerous lot and would get bumped off, and indeed she was right."

Daisy Goodwin said severing ties with Brussels would have been 'unthinkable' for the monarch (PA)

Queen Victoria, the daughter of a German princess, was part of a cosmopolitan family. Her husband, Prince Albert, was also German and their oldest daughter, also named Victoria, married the Crown Prince of Prussia. One of her sons, Alfred, wed the daughter of the Russian Emperor and several of her other children married German aristocrats.

The monarch described the prospect of an alliance between Britain and Germany as a world-saving idea.

Ms Goodwin said: Her and Alberts big plan was to marry their children into the courts of Europe and to use them as moles to make Europe into a string of constitutional monarchies rather like Britain.

Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed Show all 10 1 /10 Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240012.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240013.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240015.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240017.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240018.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240020.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240021.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240022.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240023.bin Queen Victoria's bloomers revealed 240033.bin

The Empire was very important to her but she saw Europe as a European power because she had grown up with this big enemy, the French.

"The French were the enemy all the way along and then suddenly the Russians became the enemy and she wanted Germany and Europe to be united as a liberal, constitutional force for good within Europe."

In an earlier article for Culture Today, she wrote: The idea [Queen Victoria] would have approved of Brexit is unthinkable.

If Victoria were alive, she would, I am certain, be penning one of her famous letters to her prime ministers, full of capitals and underlining, and pointing out the wicked folly of leaving the European nations to their own devices.

Reports last year suggested the current queen, Elizabeth II, had privately expressed support for Brexit  a claim that was vehemently denied by Buckingham Palace.
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If you havent done so already, nows the time to swap out your summer duvet for something altogether more snuggly. Not only will it keep you toasty warm when the temperature plummets, but itll save you from turning up the notch on that gas-guzzling thermostat. With the energy crisis in full throttle, we all need to do everything in our powers to avoid that.

Traditionally, being naturally insulating, a feather and down duvet was thought to be the best defence against the cold but, more and more, were seeing technologically advanced materials used that effectively mimic feathers and the fluffy underbelly of birds, with synthetic fibres that are just as warm, lightweight and breathable.

That said, wool duvets are getting a fresh look-in, with contemporary products laying claim to being naturally hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking, the ideal properties youd want in a winter duvet. Not to mention sustainable and eventually biodegradable.

When it comes to thermal tog ratings, a winter-ready duvet should sit somewhere between 10.5 and 15, but this is largely down to personal taste. For some, only the weightiest duvet will provide that perfectly snug feeling all night long. For others, including those with menopausal symptoms and night sweats, a winter duvet should feel snug, yes, but also lightweight enough to easily move around in.

A word on washing: while some winter duvets give you the option of a handy machine wash, its worth bearing in mind that anything bigger than a standard double duvet (200cm x 200cm) will require a large-capacity washing machine. Depending on the materials used, some brands advise a dry-clean or professional clean only.

How we tested

We slept our way through a wide range of winter and all-season duvets, from high-tech synthetic products to more-traditional feather and down, as well as wool. We trialled the duvets over a number of nights, looking for warmth, first and foremost, but also breathability, weight, quality of craftsmanship and affordability.

The best winter duvets for 2022 are:
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The former editor of British Vogue has publicly slammed John Humphrys for mansplaining fashion to her in an interview, after leaving the title in July following a 25-year-long reign at the helm of the fashion bible.

Alexandra Shulman was left reeling at Humphrys accusations when he interviewed her on BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

I unexpectedly found myself having to defend the fashion industry from all manner of evil, such as promoting anorexia among young girls, the editor and author wrote on the Mail Online.

Though the interview began well, it wasnt long before Shulman found herself being ruthlessly grilled by Humphrys about the fashion industry.

Just 1.55 minutes in, the Radio 4 host started accusing Vogue for promoting an unhealthy body image.

He told her that it was rare to see "reasonably cosy, comfortably shaped women" on the cover of Vogue.

He then interjected in the fashion moguls counter argument, adding that "now you have to be skinny as a rake".

Shulman was quick to jump to the magazines defence, rattling off a list of prominent women that featured in the title, whose recent profiles include plus-size model Ashley Graham, tetraplegic Melanie Reid, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, and the women working on Crossrail.

Unrelenting, Humphrys went on to lambast the fashion industry for being cruel to women for making them feel as though they ought to wear excruciatingly painful high heels, a claim which Shulman fiercely disputed.

Recommended Former Vogue editor shares bikini selfie on Greek holiday

Suddenly I was confronted by a grey-haired guy in chinos hectoring me on the business I had worked in for a quarter of a century and which he neither knew, nor cared, much about, she wrote.

Shulman explained that this was the same banal conversation that she had been subjected to in numerous interviews before and confessed that she finds it repetitive and limited.

Bang had gone my hopes of having an interesting and educated conversation on one of the most listened to current affairs programmes on radio, she wrote.
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Meat vs Fish is the ultimate event for the pescetarians to get one over on the carnivores.

Luxury hospitality specialists, The Change Group, is hosting the one-off event to settle the battle between meat and fish by bringing 10 of Londons finest restaurants, five cooking meat dishes and 5 cooking fish dishes.

The Meat team consists of The Manor, Salt Yard, Tom Simmons, Rail House Cafe and The Sail Loft and the Fish Team features The Thomas Cubitt, Aqua Shard, Nushimi, Claw and Anglo.

They go head to head on Wednesday, 6 September, from 6pm until 11pm.

Guests can expect only the finest ingredients for the foodie event as the chefs will be focusing on sustainability and British-sourced produce.

Tickets are a minimum donation of 25 per head and will include two meat dish tokens and two fish tokens. Additional food and drinks will be on sale on the night. Guests must be over 18 years old.

Proceeds to the event will go to Action Against Hunger.

Photo: Laura Maccabee
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Facebook has managed to map hundreds of millions of peoples homes to within five metres.

The company has been using image-recognition technology, government census numbers and data gathered by space satellites to pinpoint every human-built structure in 23 countries.

Its been trying to figure out how populations around the world are distributed.

How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Show all 9 1 /9 How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Lock your profile down If you havent done this already, do it now. In Settings, hit the Privacy tab. From here, you can control who gets to see your future posts and friends list. Choose from Public, Friends, Only Me and Custom in the dropdown menu. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Limit old posts Annoyingly, changing this has no effect on whos able to see your past Facebook posts. Instead, on the Privacy page, you have to click on Limit Past Posts, then select Limit Old Posts and finally hit Confirm on the pop-up. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Make yourself harder to find You can stop completely random people from adding you by selecting Friends of Friends from the dropdown menu in the Who can send you friend requests? section of the Privacy page. Its also worth limiting who can find your Facebook profile with your number and email address. At the bottom of the page is the option to prevent search engines outside of Facebook from linking to your profile. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Control access to your Timeline You can limit who gets to post things on your Timeline and who gets to see posts on your Timeline too. In Settings, go to Timeline and Tagging and edit the sections you want to lock down. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Block people When you block someone, they wont be able to see things you post on your Timeline, tag you, invite you to events or groups, start conversations with you or add you as a friend. To do it, go to Settings and Blocking. Annoyingly, you have to block people on Messenger separately. You can also add friends to your Restricted list here, which means theyll still be friends with you but will only be able to see your public posts and things you share on a mutual friend's Timeline. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Review tags One of Facebooks handiest privacy features is the ability to review posts youre tagged in before they appear on your Timeline. Theyll still be visible on the News Feed while theyre fresh, but wont be tied to your profile forever. In Timeline and Tagging, enable Timeline review controls. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Clean up your apps You can view a list of all of the apps youve connected to your Facebook account by going to Settings and Apps. The list might be longer than you expected it to be. Its worth tidying this up to ensure things you no longer use lose access to your personal information. If you dont want to log into websites and apps with your facebook account, scroll down and turn Platform off. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Change your ad preferences You can view a list of everything Facebook thinks youre into and tinker with your ad preferences by going to Settings and Adverts. A lot more information is displayed on the desktop site than the app, so wed recommend doing this on a computer. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Download your data Facebook lets you download all of the data it has on you, including the posts youve shared, your messages and photos, ads youve clicked on and even the IP addresses that are logged when you log in or out of the site. Its a hell of a lot of information, which you should download to ensure you never over-share on the social network again.

Facebooks goal is to get as many people connected to the internet as possible, and finding out where so many people live is a major achievement.

In a blog post published last year, Facebook Connectivity Lab communications systems scientist Tobias Tiecke said the people and homes being mapped in the 23 countries cover about one third of the world population.

These countries include Kenya, Malawi, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Haiti and South Africa.

From this preliminary analysis, we've determined that slightly less than 50% of the population lives in cities, he revealed at the time.

However, 99% of the population lives within 63 km of the nearest city. Hence, if we are able to develop communication technologies that can bridge 63 km with sufficiently high data rates, we should be able to connect 99% of the population in these 23 countries.

The company is trying to determine the best ways to get different people in different places online.

Short-range access networks such as Wi-Fi hotspots are suitable for people living close together, while cellular technologies are better for regions where people live farther apart, in isolated houses, Mr Tiecke and Andreas Gros have explained.

Additionally, knowing how communities are located in relation to one another is important for planning backhaul networks  the links to the internet backbone. Villages lined up along a river or road could be connected by a string of terrestrial point-to-point links, while scattered settlements might require an aerial backhaul solution such as unmanned aerial vehicles or satellites.

CNBC reports that Janna Lewis, Facebook's head of strategic innovation partnerships and sourcing, seems especially keen on satellites.

Satellites are exciting for us. Our data showed the best way to connect cities is an internet in the sky, she said. We're trying to connect people from the stratosphere and from space.
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Its back-to-school season. Parents mark their youngsters height on the wall and marvel at how much theyve grown  but whats going on just below the pencil line in that childs brain?

We know brain development continues from infancy to adulthood, but many parents underestimate how much a childs brain changes from year to year, and how those changes can influence behaviour.

Decades of scientific studies have shown even an immature brain is capable of extraordinary feats. Yet a fully developed brain is necessary for actions that adults take for granted, such as risk assessment and self-control.

According to developmental psychologists, parents who better understand the stages along the way can help guide their child over the hurdles.

Babies, for example, are surprisingly good at communicating.

They are looking, listening and imitating from the time they are born. Stick your tongue out at a baby, even an infant just hours old, and he or she may do the same back at you, said Sarah Lytle of the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington.

Yet many parents dont realise how quickly infants begin to develop social and emotional awareness, said Ross Thompson, who is president of the child development organisation Zero to Three, and a cognitive psychologist at the University of California at Davis.

Parents underestimate how sensitive a child is to their emotions, he said. As early as six months old, a child can be affected by a parents depression or anxiety, and by marital squabbles.

Babies also look to their parents for guidance in uncertain situations. If youre on a subway and start interacting with the little one next to you, the baby may turn to the parent to see how to respond to you.

This process is called social cognition or social referencing, and its not so different from when adults at a party wait to respond to a joke when theyre unsure whether others will find it funny or offensive.

To help infants learn, Lytle suggests that parents should frequently look at what theyre talking about, and change their gaze slowly. This important social cue helps with language development, she said  with babies who follow gazes closely having a more diverse vocabulary by the time theyre two.

All languages sound the same initially to a newborn, and then a tuning process begins. By about 10 months, babies start to specialise in the language theyre used to hearing.

Its important to talk to your child during the first year, especially using parentese, Lytle said. This infant-directed speech is not baby-talking, despite its typical singsong tone and repetition, but uses real words in grammatically complete sentences.

While we typically underestimate babies ability to understand and communicate before they begin speaking, we tend to overestimate the brain power of walking, talking toddlers.

Toddlers are seemingly mentally incapable of sharing and self-control. In a survey conducted by Zero to Three in 2015, nearly half of parents believed their children could learn to share by the time they are two.

But according to the cognitive psychologists at Zero to Three, this skill does not typically develop until a child is three or four. That may be because they havent yet developed whats known as theory of mind.

Theory of mind is the ability to differentiate ones own perspective and preferences from someone else. A classic experiment in theory of mind is known as the Sally-Anne test. A child is told Sally has a basket and Anne has a box. Sally puts an object in her basket, then leaves. While Sally is gone, Anne moves the object to the box.

The child is then asked where Sally will look for the object when she returns. Correctly answering that Sally will look in her basket signals the child understands they have a perspective that is different from Sallys.

Theory of mind is important for developing empathy, making friends and even doing well academically, Lytle says. Parents can help their children develop perspective by talking them through scenarios like the Sally-Anne test, or reading books that help them to build cognitive parallels. For example, in a book where a character goes to a doctor, they can compare the situation to when the child went to the doctor and discuss how the experiences were similar or different.

Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests  but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty

According to that 2015 survey, the majority of parents also believed two-year-olds can control their emotions and impulses. Yet children have very limited self-control abilities until they are about four. When toddlers wont stop throwing a fit, do something forbidden or refuse to share, Thompson explains that theyre not being willfully obstinate: Many parents overestimate a childs capacity for self-control.

Thompson recommends helping young children with self-control  for example, by distracting them with a favourite toy while passing candy in the grocery store checkout aisle. And when dealing with a tantrum, acknowledge a childs feelings by putting them into words. A lot of their frustration is the feeling of being misunderstood, he noted.

He also suggests giving the child the impression that they have some control. In his own case, when his young son didnt want to go to bed, Thompson would ask the boy whether he wanted to play for a few more minutes.

Yes, a distinguished professor in psychology was on his knees, negotiating with a three-year-old, but Thompson says parents who understand how their toddlers brains work (or dont work) will find it fairly easy to outsmart them. Its good to tell a child no because theyre learning language, he added, but you cant expect them to change their behaviours.

Teenagers dont think with the same parts of their brain as adults.

For some parents, a seemingly erratic teenager can make those long-ago toddler days seem like a walk in the park. Frances Jensen, neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of The Teenage Brain suggests understanding how teens think can improve the experience for both sides.

Connections in our brain develop from the back to the front, and those important for higher-order thinking continue to form and strengthen into a persons twenties. Teenagers have good connectivity up to about their ears, Jensen explained. And at this age, the midbrain  important for emotion  sexual function, learning and memory, is hyperactive.

As teens transition into adulthood, connections in the front of their brain are strengthened, while those in the other regions are pruned. A fully developed frontal lobe is essential for planning, decision-making, impulse control and risk avoidance.

These stages of development showed up in a 2006 imaging experiment. Researchers discovered adults trying to identify fearful facial expressions used more of the front of their brain, while teens used the emotional centres in the midbrain  meaning teens literally think using different parts of their brain.

The finding might explain why some teen behaviours surprise adults. Teenagers are actually more susceptible to stress, Jensen said. If your teen comes home distraught because someone made fun of their hair, you might be tempted to say its no big deal. But the activity in their brain likely resembles an adult brains response to news of a major international incident.

The plasticity of teen brains  their ability to lose, form and strengthen connections  also makes adolescents especially susceptible to addiction, to everything from video games to cocaine, Jensen said. Activities such as binge drinking and chronic marijuana use can be especially damaging at this age.

Jensen recommends giving teens a frontal-lobe assist by helping them to plan, prepare and even rehearse for situations that require higher judgement. Help them develop and learn phrases to use as excuses to avoid making a bad decision amid social pressure, for example. And if they do make a bad decision, she suggests using the situation as a teachable moment instead of lecturing or alienating them.

Throughout a childs life, parents who understand some basics of brain development can adjust their expectations, and better come up with strategies to prevent frustration for everyone.

In other words, a little understanding goes a long way.

 The Washington Post
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One of Londons best-known public relations firms has been stripped of its membership of the industrys trade association after being accused of stirring up racial tensions in South Africa.

In a damning statement, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) said on Tuesday that Bell Pottinger  whose clients range from multinational businesses to governments, public sector organisations, entrepreneurs and some of the worlds richest individuals  had brought the PR and communications industry into disrepute.

Bell Pottingers chief executive, James Henderson, resigned over the weekend, and while the PRCAs move will not prevent the company from conducting business, some have said that it could inflict considerable reputational damage on the firm. Several clients have reportedly already cut ties with the company.

The accusations relate to Bell Pottingers year-long relationship with Oakbay, a company controlled by the wealthy Gupta family of Indian-born businessmen, which has widely been accused of exerting undue influence over South African president Jacob Zuma.

The PRCA launched an investigation into Bell Pottinger following a complaint from South Africas main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA blamed the PR company of working to divide and conquer the South African public by exploiting racial tensions in a bid to keep Jacob Zuma and the ANC in power.

The allegations reportedly stemmed from leaked emails that suggested Bell Pottinger had worked with Oakbay to create a narrative that grabs the attention of the grassroots population.

An email published in South African media earlier this year claimed to show that Bell Pottinger said the campaign needed to stress the continued existence of economic apartheid.

Bell Pottinger left the Oakbay account in April, and in July the group said that it had fired one partner and suspended another, as well as two other employees, as a result of the campaign. Mr Henderson at the time said he was deeply sorry that this happened.

On Monday, the PRCA said that it had imposed its most serious sanctions on Bell Pottinger.

The firms membership of the PRCA has been terminated with immediate effect and Bell Pottinger will not be eligible to reapply for corporate membership for a minimum period of five years. It cannot appeal the decision.

Expulsion from the PRCA does not stop Bell Pottinger from taking on new clients, Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA told The Independent. He said that the PRCAs decision reflects the huge importance that the PRCA places on the protection of ethical standards in the business of PR and communications.

Recommended UK PR giant sacks partner after South Africa campaign fuels racism row

In response to the decision, Bell Pottinger said it accepts that there are lessons to be learned but disputes the basis on which the ruling was made.

The overwhelming majority of our partners and employees played no part in the Oakbay Capital account and have not been accused of breaching the PRCA code. Many of them will now consider applying for individual membership, said a spokesperson.

Bell Pottinger said it would now refocus on delivering outstanding work for our clients and looking after our people.

The PRCA initially launched its investigation on 5 July. Bell Pottinger and the Democratic Alliance were able to present written and oral evidence at a hearing of the PRCAs Professional Practices Committee on 18 August.

The committee was unanimous in its view that the professional charter and codes of conduct had been breached, and recommended to the PRCAs board of management that Bell Pottingers membership be terminated. The board approved that recommendation unanimously. Bell Pottinger was given five days to appeal the decision and submitted an appeal to the PRCA. On Monday, the PRCAs board of management made its final decision.

Separately on Monday, international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills published the findings of an independent review into the case, in which it accused Bell Pottinger of failing to exercise extreme care over the campaign.

[Bell Pottingers] senior management should have known that the campaign was at risk of causing offence including on grounds of race, the report says.

In such circumstances, [Bell Pottinger] ought to have exercised extreme care and should have closely scrutinised the creation of content for the campaign. This does not appear to have happened.

South Africa, which is the continents most industrialised economy, abolished apartheid more than two decades ago, but many living there are still frustrated by lasting inequality.

Black people make up about 80 per cent of the 54 million-strong population, but a lot of the land and a large proportion of businesses remain in the hands of white people, who account for around 8 per cent of the population.
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Argentinas push to ramp up agriculture exports is moving to a new frontier: micro-chipped cows.

For the first time, the nations government will work to promote the technology in an effort to increase the traceability of supplies and make beef shipments more attractive to potential buyers in the US and Asia, according to Jorge Dillon, the president of the countrys agricultural sanitary service, or Senasa.

Currently, farmers use coloured ear tags to manually track cattle. Microchips, and the accompanying digital tracking, would eliminate errors that arise from monitoring animal movement with paperwork, Mr Dillon said in an interview in Buenos Aires.

The technology can pave the way for Argentina to sell its beef to countries with even the most stringent import requirements, he said. Shipments to the US have been banned since 2001 because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Countries focused on beef exports, such as Australia, have already turned to micro-chipping as Asias desire to track steaks all the way back to the ranch increases and world concerns over food safety intensify, said Glynn Tonsor, an associate professor of agricultural economics who specialises in traceability at Kansas State University.

The move to push micro-chipping, which could be published in Argentinas federal register as soon as next week, reflects broader efforts to open up Argentinas beef sector under President Mauricio Macri.

Hes been leaning on farmers to drive an economic recovery since taking office in December 2015. Its a turnaround from his predecessor, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who focused on protectionist policies.

Beef producers were among the worst hit in the Fernandez de Kirchner years, as high export taxes and domestic price controls stifled the industry.

Argentine officials have been in talks with counterparts in the US to resume exports to the country for months.

Progress in those negotiations could expedite access to countries in Asia, including Japan and South Korea, Dillon said.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

The US would put us in the shop window for other very demanding markets, Mr Dillon said.

The microchip system will initially be voluntary because the cost would be too high for small-scale farmers with fewer than 100 cattle, Mr Dillon said.

US inspectors visited Argentine slaughterhouses in December, but there hasnt been much movement in the negotiations since then.

Mr Dillon said the American officials had requested extra information on sanitary controls and that Argentina responded two weeks ago. If the inspectors are happy with the clarifications, approval could be imminent, he said.

Bloomberg
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The trial of three former senior executives at Tesco accused of fraud and false accounting was adjourned on Monday until 25 September.

Christopher Bush, who was managing director of Tesco UK, Carl Rogberg, who was UK finance director, and John Scouler, who was UK food commercial director, are all charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position and one count of false accounting at Britains biggest retailer.

All three pleaded not guilty at a hearing on Sunday.

The case stems from an overstatement of Tescos profit forecast in 2014.

On 22 September 2014 the group issued a statement to the London Stock Exchange saying that during its final preparations for an interim results announcement it identified a 250m overstatement of its expected profit for the half year, mainly due to booking commercial deals with suppliers too early.

In the following weeks the company suspended eight senior members of staff including Mr Bush, Mr Rogberg and Mr Scouler.

Tescos shares tumbled and the company was plunged into the worst crisis in its near 100-year history.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

The estimated profit overstatement, identified three weeks after Dave Lewis took over as Tesco chief executive from Phil Clarke, was later raised to 263m. Clarke had been fired due to the companys poor performance.

The overstatement concerned guidance published by Tesco in a trading update on 29 August 2014, downgrading its outlook.

According to the charges, all three men concealed Tescos true financial position from its auditors and other employees between 1 February 2014 and 23 September 2014.
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Elon Musk has warned that competition for superiority in the world of artificial intelligence could trigger World War III.

The entrepreneur and chief of the SpaceX, Tesla and The Boring Company tweeted, China, Russia, soon all countries w strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo.

His tweet followed a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin that artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind  It comes with colossal opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to predict. Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.

Musk said he was less concerned about the threat of a nuclear missile strike from North Korea, and said any such action would be suicide.

Musk has long since been a vocal opponent of lethal autonomous weapons.

He was one of 116 signatories of an open letter last month calling for a UN ban of such AI-led weapons.

Once developed, lethal autonomous weapons will permit armed conflict to be fought at a scale greater than ever, and at timescales faster than humans can comprehend, the letter read.

These can be weapons of terror, weapons that despots and terrorists use against innocent populations, and weapons hacked to behave in undesirable ways.

We do not have long to act. Once this Pandoras box is opened, it will be hard to close.
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A man has been stabbed to death in front of passers-by in a London street.

Witnesses said they saw the victim lying on the pavement with a neck wound as members of the public tried to save his life.

Cristina Serrao, who was passing in her car shortly after the attack, told The Independent she saw a woman was trying to stop the man bleeding.

I saw a black male on floor with a woman holding blue roll of tissue to his neck, he was laid on his back quite near the road, she added, saying a white van also pulled up to help.

There were no crowds or anyone else nearby - I initially thought maybe he had been knocked down by the van until I saw her holding his neck.

By the time the lights changed, police vans and cars were rushing down Hampstead Road and some went down side roads.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene in Camden at around 11.45am and have closed roads in the area.

A spokesperson said the attack happened in Granby Terrace, at the junction with Hampstead Road, adding: Officers attended, along with the London Ambulance Service and a London Air Ambulance vehicle.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 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leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon 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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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Members of the public were evacuated from the scene as medics treated the victim on the pavement, with road closures put in place and some train services disrupted.

Surrounding roads were cordoned off and the victim's body was covered in blue tarpaulin.

The busy intersection sits between Euston railway station and Mornington Crescent Tube, near the Ampthill estate.

Investigators are working to identify the victim, who is thought to be aged in his late teens or early 20s, and inform his family.

A spokesperson for Scotland Yard said a 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the investigation and was taken to hospital.

Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of the attack.

There have been several murders in recent weeks, including a shootings in Newham and Enfield and deadly stabbings in Islington, Manor Park, Brixton, Eltham, Peckham and Croydon, with the victims as young as 15.
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Britain's armed forces are "hollowing out" due to low recruitment levels, according to a new report by a Conservative MP.

The study by former Armed Forces minister Mark Francois, which was commissioned by Downing Street, says all three branches of the military are "running to stand still" as they struggle to replace the numbers leaving.

The report comes weeks after The Independent revealed how the latest armed forces personnel statistics had led to claims that a flawed Government austerity drive had left the Army facing a recruitment crisis.

In his report, Mr Francois confirmed that the Army faced the biggest problem, pointing out that it needs to recruit 10,000 people a year to maintain its strength, but only managed to attract 7,000 entrants last year.

Mr Francois further reported that all three branches of the armed forces were struggling to replace personnel who were leaving.

Mr Francois said that in the year to April 2017 12,950 recruits joined the regular armed forces, but 14,970 service personnel left.

The Filling the Ranks report states: "The Royal Navy and the RAF are now running at around 10 per cent short of their annual recruitment target, whilst for the Army the shortfall is over 30 per cent.

"Constant pressure on recruiting budgets has only compounded the difficulty.

"This continuing process of 'hollowing out' in the ranks, the report adds, While costing the armed forces valuable experience, also threatens to compound the problem by increasing the pressure on those personnel who remain.

While some elements of the armed forces maintain a high tempo of operations, this problem is likely to become increasingly difficult to sustain in the medium to long term."

In his report Mr Francois also expressed concern about controversial outsourcing company Capita, which in 2012 took over Army recruitment in a partnership contract said by the firm to be valued at around 44m a year for 10 years.

Echoing earlier criticism, Mr Francois said: The Armys recruiting problem is exacerbated by an outsourcing contract with Capita which is performing badly.

Mr Francois, who had sought to be a candid friend to the Ministry of Defence, also said the MoD needs to do "far better" at recruiting people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds who currently make up only 7 per cent of the armed forces.

Mr Francois pointed out there is no BAME officer of two star rank, major general level, or above, in the military.

Army Photographic Competition 2016 Show all 13 1 /13 Army Photographic Competition 2016 Army Photographic Competition 2016 Corporal Sean Neill, from Kilmarnock, kissing his daughter Madison in the streets of Glasgow after the 400 strong Homecoming Parade. The photo, by Mark Owens, has been named Winner of Best Online Image (voted by the public) in the Army Photographic Competition 2016 Mark Owens/Army HQ Scotland/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 This photograph shows Officer Cadets from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) on Exercise Dynamic Victory, Grafenwoehr & Hohenfels Training area, Bavaria Bombardier Murray Kerr RA/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 Great Men, by Bombardier Murray Kerr RA Bombardier Murray Kerr RA/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 The photograph shows the changing room buzzing 30 minutes before forming up Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 Prepping for the Worst, by Cpl Timothy Jones Cpl Timothy Jones/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 Y Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, conducting jungle warfare training in Brunei, learning to live, survive and fight in the unique training environment Cpl Timothy Jones/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 Right Hook, by Bombardier Murray Kerr RA Bdr Murray Kenneth Kerr, Royal Artillery/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 Army Photographic Competition 2016 The Climb, by Capt Ben Norfield, RGR Capt Ben Norfield, RGR/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 This photograph shows the TIGERS Freefall Parachute Display Team from the 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (1 PWRR) send a Birthday message to the Queen from 8,000 feet above Paderborn in Germany Dominic King AMC/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 Nightlife in Otterburn, by Cpl Timothy Jones Cpl Timothy Jones/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 The photograph shows Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes of the Coldstream Guards making inspections of the soldiers drill Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC/PA Wire Army Photographic Competition 2016 Y Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, conducting jungle warfare training in Brunei, learning to live, survive and fight in the unique training environment Cpl Timothy Jones/PA Wire

With women making up just 10 per cent of the armed forces, more effort needs to be put into attracting female applicants, the report says.

It urges the armed forces to give "maximum publicity" to the fact women are now able to serve in ground close combat roles alongside men  despite this move having by being vehemently criticised by some former senior officers.

Mr Francois, the Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford in Essex, also called for schoolchildren to be educated about the importance of the armed forces as part of the national curriculum  despite possible resistance from left-wing teachers.

He called for more school cadet units so children from all backgrounds could get "a greater opportunity to experience the military ethos and to benefit from it", and suggested pupils could be taught about the role of the armed forces in citizenship lessons.

He told The Telegraph: "You have to make it a formal part of the curriculum to ensure it will be taught. There is a risk you could encounter resistance from some left-wing teachers to the idea.

Research shows that young people today don't necessarily have much familiarity with the armed forces unless they served in a cadet unit or someone from their family served in uniform.

You have large numbers of people leaving education with no real understanding of the armed forces and why it's important to them."

The report also states that the MoD's health assessments need to be externally reviewed because in the year to February 2017 more than 14,000 candidates for the Army were rejected on medical grounds  often for "relatively minor ailments" such as asthma or eczema.

As reported by The Independent in July, some critics have suggested that the Armys recruitment problems stem from 2012 when Philip Hammond, then the Defence Secretary, unveiled a plan to cut 20,000 soldiers from the regular Army by 2020.

At the time Mr Hammond insisted that cutting the full-time Army to its smallest size since the 19th century would be possible because this would be offset by increasing the strength of the Army Reserve from 19,000 to 30,000 part-time soldiers by 2020.

He also justified reducing regular soldier numbers from 102,000 to 82,000 by relating it to the need for austerity and citing the massive overspend inherited from the previous Labour Government. But from the beginning, the plan was dogged by claims that the target of increasing reservist numbers by 58 per cent was unrealistic.

In June 2015, the independent Major Projects Authority gave the Army Reserve plan a red rating, for schemes that appear unachievable.

But The Government pressed on with the Army 2020 plan, insisting it had taken significant steps to address issues raised by the red rating.

In July the MoD responded to suggestions the Army was facing a recruitment crisis by telling The Independent: Armed forces recruitment and retention has, in general, held up well.

An MOD spokesman said on Monday: "We thank Mr Francois for his report and agree that recruitment is one of the MOD's top priorities.

"Joining the military offers the opportunity for a great career, learning new skills and gaining unique experiences not available in civilian life.

"We're aware of and working on the issues outlined in the report, including investing in recruiting the next generation of talent, diversifying our workforce and increasing our reserve numbers."

In July Capita told The Independent it flatly rejected suggestions its Army recruitment scheme was failing, and insisted it was performing strongly.

A Capita spokeswoman said: Total applications to join the British Army have increased significantly in recent years, and application performance remains strong, thanks to the improvements made to the recruitment process.
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The number of Britons who say they have no religion has hit a record high, new data has revealed.

More than half of the British public (53 per cent) say they are not at all religious  a figure that has increased by five percentage points since 2015 and by 19 percentage points since 1983, when just three in 10 people deemed themselves non-religious.

The news has prompted fresh calls for the Government to cut the amount of public money going to the church and reduce its influence in society.

The decline in religious affiliation is hitting the Church of England particularly hard, with the number of people considering themselves Anglican having halved since 2000  at just 15 per cent. Young people were particularly underrepresented, with just 3 per cent of those aged 18-24 describing themselves as Anglican, compared with 40 per cent of those aged 75 and over.

Just over four in 10 people said they followed some form of Christianity, while around one in 20 people in the UK said they belong to non-Christian religions, with 3 per cent describing themselves as Muslim, 2 per cent Hindu and 1 per cent Buddhist.

The figures, collated from a survey of 2,942 adults in Britain by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), mark the first time the proportion of non-religious Britons has risen since 2009, when the number of people saying they had no religion hit 51 per cent. Prior to that, a gradual increase between 1983 and 2009 saw the figure rose from 32 per cent to 51 per cent.

More than seven in 10 (71 per cent) of young people aged 18-24 saying they had no religion in 2016, up from 62 per cent in 2015, the figures show. Four in 10 people aged 65-74 meanwhile said they had no religion  with this figure dropping to 27 per cent for those aged over 75.

While there has been a decline in people classing themselves as Anglican Christians, the proportion of people describing themselves as Catholic remained relatively stable over the past 30 years  at around one in 10.

It comes after figures last year showed that Church of England had lost more than 100,000 worshippers in a decade, with attendance falling an average of 1 per cent each year and 11 per cent since 2005.

Analysis of figures showed that for the first time, more people were being educated in state-funded Church of England schools, attending compulsory collective worship every day, than attend Church of England churches each week.

An average of 980,000 people attended church each week in 2014, the figures showed, down from the 1,009,100 initially calculated for 2013. Meanwhile, Department for Education statistics showed that 1,027,584 children were enrolled at Church of England schools in 2014, surpassing the figure for weekly church attendance for the first time.

Just under one in seven (16 per cent) of all school places in England are subject to religious admission criteria, and both Church of England research and independent polling have revealed that a large number of parents are forced to attend church simply to get their children into their local school.

Responding to the latest figures, Humanists UK, a national charity working on behalf of non-religious people, said it was meaningless for the Church of England to remain the national legally established church, and to urge the Government to end the ever-increasing state funding for religion.

The charitys chief executive Andrew Copson said: How can it be right that 97 per cent of young people today are not Anglicans, but some 20 per cent of the state schools to which their children will go belong to the Church of England?

More generally, how can the Church of England remain in any meaningful sense the national legally established church, when it caters for such a small portion of the population?

Mr Copson urged that the collapse in people adhering to the Church of England indicates that the Government should reduce state funding for religion and public emphasis on religious groups, adding: It is clear that the Church of England is experiencing ongoing and probably irreversible collapse in adherents.

This should just be their private concern, but the fact that their response to this has been to seek ever more power and public money, even as the case for such state support evaporates, makes it a matter of public interest.

It is long overdue that the Government woke up to the demographic reality of todays Britain and recognises that ever-increasing state funding for religion, and public emphasis on the activities of religious groups, is the reverse of what the public wants.

Responding to the findings, representatives of the Church of England recognised that it was more honest for many people to say they were not religious than to say they were Christian, but added that this did not amount to atheism.

The Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, said: In this modern world people are more willing to be honest and say they have no religion rather than casually saying they are Church of England.

This honesty is welcome. Of course the latest BSA figures bring a continuing challenge to the churches, to speak clearly of our faith into a sceptical and plural world. But saying no religion is not the same as a considered atheism. People's minds, and hearts, remain open.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, said the decrease in numbers was troubling, saying: Of course it's always troubling for the institution of the church to see numbers declining and to hear how younger people are less and less engaged with the life of the church.

But the church is not an institution. The church is that community of men and women whose lives are centred on Christ. We do care about numbers, but only because we care about people.

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Roger Harding, head of public attitudes at NatCen, which carried out the research, said: This increase follows the long-term trend of more and more of us not being religious. The differences by age are stark and with so many younger people not having a religion its hard to see this change abating any time soon.

The falls in those belonging to the Church of England are the most notable, but these figures should cause all religious leaders to pause for thought.

We know from the British Social Attitudes survey that religious people are becoming more socially liberal on issues like same sex relationships and abortion. With falling numbers some faith leaders might wonder whether they should be doing more to take their congregations lead on adapting to how society is changing.
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A council has threatened families with a 2,500 fine and a criminal record if they put out bins that are too full.

Households which leave out their rubbish before or after allotted times would also be breaking the rules under new anti-social behaviour laws.

Businesses, including local shops, could also face penalties of up to 20,000 for not dumping their waste in line with the changes.

The council warning came despite the fact that in some areas rubbish is only collected once a fortnight or month.

This has left some homeowners complaining about the health hazard when bins are left to fester.

Households deemed to be committing offences have nonetheless been sent threatening letters over their unreasonable conduct, which affects the quality of life in neighbourhoods.

Stoke-on-Trent issued the warning notices, while other local authorities across the UK are thought to be planning similar aggressive strategies that include threats of criminal convictions.

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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

James Price, of the TaxPayers Alliance, told the Daily Mail: It beggars belief that council workers think this is an acceptable way to treat taxpayers.

One of the main services people expect from their councils is efficient bin collections, and they will be rightly shocked to see their money spent on threats of this nature.

Andrew Allison, of the Freedom Association, said that the government needed to act to prevent councils from behaving in this way.

Some town halls have already installed CCTV cameras on bin trucks to monitor how households dump their rubbish, while in some areas dustmen have been ordered to pick through waste in green bins to ensure it is not contaminated with material that is not recyclable.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council sent out its warning letters to residents on at least two streets over the summer.

The council said it acted to tackle the severe inconvenience to neighbourhoods when rubbish was dumped in way that was outside of the rules.

Recommended Greenpeace calls for action as rubbish islands reach Arctic circle

A spokesman said: We appreciate the letter might come over as harsh but this is a legal warning informing people that their actions are causing a problem.

Lilian Dodd, the citys Deputy Lord Mayor, also defended the letters.

She said: If people are continuously flouting the law with bins then they should receive a warning letter and hopefully they will respond appropriately. The level of fines being threatened does seem slightly extreme but this has to be done because of the mess in the streets.

Tameside council in Greater Manchester also has a waste policy and enforcement strategy allowing it to issue prosecution threats to householders who do not meet expectations.
Kham-Inh Khitchadeth (standing,left), Head of the Lao Permanent Mission to the UN,

World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva,

Switzerland, delivered a speech to congratulate Vietnam on National Day (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Kham-Inh Khitchadeth, Head of the Lao Permanent Mission to the UN, World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, Switzerland, made the remarks while congratulating the Vietnamese mission on the countrys 72nd National Day (September 2nd).



The Lao diplomat congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements and expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people would obtain more important successes in the cause of national construction and development.



For his part, Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, Head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, stressed the 72-year development path of Vietnam since 1945 has seen milestones in its friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.



He said the close coordination between the Vietnamese and Lao permanent missions in Geneva is also a demonstration of the Vietnam-Laos traditional relations and special solidarity.



Dung unveiled that in mid-September, the Vietnamese mission plans to hold a ceremony to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of Vietnams National Day and 40 years since it became an official member of the UN./.
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Campaigners are calling for an immigration removal centre to be shut down after G4S guards were filmed allegedly choking, mocking and abusing detainees.

Among the hundreds of men held at Brook House is Samim Bigzad, an Afghan asylum seeker who faces deportation despite being threatened with beheading by the Taliban.

He has been detained for two months and is attempting to gather evidence for a fresh asylum claim after being granted a temporary reprieve by a Turkish Airlines pilot who refused to take off with him on board last month.

I escaped from my country because I was targeted by the Taliban and I am scared to go back, he told The Independent.

I just need a chance for the Home Office to save my life.

Activists have called a demonstration outside the Home Office on Wednesday, where they will highlight Mr Bigzads case, call for Brook House and all other immigration removal centres to be shut down, and for G4S to be stripped of its government contracts.

Organisers from the Kent Anti-Racism Network, Brighton Against Detention, SOAS Detainee Support and the Movement for Justice by Any Means Necessary are also hoping to highlight the UKs use of indefinite detention as an abuse of human rights.

Riot officers preparing to enter a room in G4S-run Brook House immigration detention centre (BBC Panorama) (BBC)

Undercover footage to be broadcast by BBC Panorama shows distressing scenes, including the response to a man who was trying to strangle himself and put a mobile phone battery in his mouth.

A detainee custody manager who was on the scene at Brook House, near Gatwick, was filmed telling him: Plug him in and hell be a Duracell bunny.

The man, who is believed to be among nine G4S staff suspended as a result of the investigation, added: If he wants to suck on a battery, he can suck on a battery.

Recommended G4S hit by new scandal over immigration detention centre

If its what he wants to use as his dummy, its fine, Im happy with that.

As the man was being restrained, the undercover reporter filmed another member of staff allegedly choking the detainee in what he described as the most distressing treatment he saw during his time at Brook House.

[The guard] basically stuck both of his fingers into his neck, and he was pushing so, so hard I could hear the detainee trying to gasp for breath, said the whistle-blower, Callum Tulley.

I actually thought he was going kill him and I said easy, easy.

Mr Tulley, 21, was employed as a guard by G4S for more than a year, collecting evidence before agreeing to wear hidden cameras for the BBC.

His footage also revealed that drugs, particularly the powerful former legal high Spice, are rife inside the centre, where convicted criminals are mixed with vulnerable asylum seekers.

G4S guards responding to a detainee who had taken Spice at Brook House (BBC Panorama)

One incident saw a G4S guard allegedly denying urgent medical assistant to a detainee who was chewing his face off.

Footage showed a custody manager calling the man a div and scrotum, adding: F***ing leave him. A bucket of cold water. Thatll sort his heart rate out. That would do it the world of good.

Another custody officer was filmed openly confessing to assaulting a detainee by banging his head and bending his fingers back.

Concerns have also been raised for the welfare of hunger strikers after the BBC documented at lest one incident where a manager ordered Mr Tulley to record that a man ate when he was refusing food, adding: Oh f*** him, cross him off. Hes a prick.

There have been 53 cases of detainees needing medical treatment for self-harm at Brook House in the past year alone, as well as another 451 cases where detainees were judged to be at risk of hurting themselves and 316 recorded incidents of refusing food.

A Pakistani doctor who was held at Brook House three times after his student visa ran out said he thought someone was going to kill him on his first night.

I couldnt sleep, my sleep was disturbed throughout the night, said Alif Jan, who was working as a trainee audiologist at a London hospital.

In Brook House you can be put with any criminal in the same room. Guys were like fighting with each other, banging their doors, screaming, shouting and swearing.

Whistleblower Nathan Ward, a former senior custody manager at G4S (BBC Panorama)

Mr Tulley said criminals detained at the end of prison sentences swam like sharks around asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, adding: They will just get eaten alive, just snapped up like that.

Another whistleblower, Nathan Ward, told Panorama that he warned the managing director for G4S detention services about the behaviour of some staff three years ago.

The vast of majority were good decent people but there was a group that actually concerned me on their relationship with detainees it was around language that they used, a sense of roughness and the use of force, how force was used, the former senior G4S manager said.

The private security firm has been embroiled in a series of scandals over its handling of British prisons and detention centres, with three guards being cleared of manslaughter after the death of a migrant who was forcibly restrained on a deportation flight from Heathrow in 2010.

G4S has been paid more than 100m pounds by the Home Office to run Brook House since it opened in 2009, and also operates another immigration removal centre.

Brook House, which holds up to 508 adult male detainees, was designed to take people for 72 hours but some inmates have been held for months or even years.

Evidence collected by Panorama also included a teenager who claimed he was just 14 years old and was forced to test a batch of Spice by his roommate, but took two weeks to be taken into social care.

G4S said it could not comment on specific cases but vowed to take appropriate action on any evidence presented.

Samim Bigzad, an Afghan asylum seeker, is being held at Brook House while facing a new attempt to deport him to Kabul

Nine members of staff were suspended over Panoramas findings pending further investigation last week and the firm said it investigates all complaints, as well as running confidential whistleblowing channels.

Jerry Petherick, managing director for G4S custodial and detention services in the UK, said: There is no place for the type of conduct described in the allegations anywhere in G4S.

Such behaviour is not representative of the many G4S colleagues who do a great job, often in difficult and challenging circumstances, across the country.

The firms website says it treats detainees in a culturally sensitive way with all possible dignity, humanity and without discrimination.

But campaigners have called for G4S to be stripped of all detention contracts in light of its record around the world.

Mr Ward, who is now a priest in the parish of Holy Trinity South Chatham, said the abuse uncovered by Panorama was not a case of a few rotten apples, but the tip of the iceberg.

It stands to reason that we should now be asking what is happening in other detention centres up and down the country and  most importantly  what the Government should be doing about it, he added.

This is not about immigration; it is about ending inhumane practices which are expensive and infective.

The UK is a developed nation with high standards  we must demand better than this for our detention centres.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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

Britain is the only country in Europe that allows indefinite immigration detention, despite a 2015 parliamentary inquiry recommending a 28-day limit and a subsequent report by Stephen Shaw, the former Prisons Ombudsman, calling for exceptions for vulnerable people including rape victims, PTSD sufferers and pregnant women.

The Bishop of Rochester, James Langstaff, also called for a limit to detention and the wider treatment of people that society doesnt know what to do with.

He added: Those featured in the documentary are human beings with friends, families, and personal stories. And yet the alleged treatment they have received can only be described as inhumane. This system fails not only those directly affected by it, but it fails us as a nation.

Amnesty International said the physical abuse documented at Brook House runs alongside wider mistreatment and harm to immigration detainees.

Steve Valdez-Symonds, the charitys refugee and migrants programme director, said: Large-scale, routine and indefinite detention has consequences.

As independent and cross-party inquiries have stressed, there is an urgent need for a radical reduction in the use of immigration detention and a time limit on its use.

The Home Office said the dignity and safety of those in its care is of the utmost importance and that it closely monitors Brook House, having already ordered a new review by Mr Shaw into the welfare of immigration detainees.

A spokesperson added: The detention of people without the right to remain in the UK who have refused to leave voluntarily is key to maintaining an effective immigration system.

Panorama Undercover: Britains Immigration Secrets will be broadcast at 9pm on BBC One
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An Iranian refugee whose work about life in a Manus Island detention centre has been shortlisted for this years London Film Festival is pleading with the UK Government to grant him a visa.

Behrouz Boochani has been held on the Papa New Guinea island for more than four years.

He shot his film, Chauka, Please Tell Us The Time, on a smart phone, aiming to capture the hardships of the islands notorious detention regime. It is co-produced by Netherlands-based film-maker Arash Kamali Sarvestani.

After his film was entered into the festivals competition category, he wrote to the Australian ambassador to the UK, requesting a visa to enter the country on 8-9 October, when it is set to take place. He sent the same letter to London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Mr Boochani, who hails from western Iran, wrote that the nomination was a great honour for any director and he would like to attend the festival screenings.

My movie was also selected to be shown in the Sydney Film Festival earlier this year, where it had its world premiere, but the Australian government did not allow me to attend, he said.

I am asking you to give me a visa to attend the London Film Festival. I have been here in this prison camp for more than four years, even though I have committed no crime, and I am kept here by the Australian government who exiled me by force.

Mr Boochani told The Independent: Its my right to attend the festival. My movie is in the competition category and it shows that I deserve to be there.

Im sure Australian immigration wont allow me to attend the festival. I dont think they will let me leave this island because they dont like the fact that Ive told the world about this prison.

I hope the UK ambassador and London mayor can help me. If the UK can grant me a visa, I should be able to go to London.

When he requested permission to attend the Sydney festival, the Australian government replied that he was not eligible to travel to the country under the transitory person provision of the Migration Act.

They added: The purpose for your travel does no satisfy the conditions.

For more than four years, around 800 asylum seekers have been held on Manus Island.

It has been dubbed an Australian Guantanamo, after the detention camp set up by the US on a naval base in Cuba to hold suspected terrorists captured on the battlefields of Afghanistan.

Manus has been called inhumane by human rights groups.

The majority of men at the detention centre have now been formally recognised as refugees. Others have either had their claims denied, or their cases are still being assessed or appealed.

Describing the wider situation for refugees on Manus Island, Mr Boochani said it was the hardest thing he had experienced in his life.

Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The Solidarity With Refugees group said Saturdays protest aimed to show our Government and the world that Britain is ready to welcome more refugees. Rex Features Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis People march through central London as they take part in a protest rally organised by Solidarity with Refugees in a bid to urge the Government to take more action on the migrant crisis Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The protest comes days before world leaders meet to discuss crisis at UN General Assembly Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Demonstrators made their way from Park Lane to Parliament Square in London on Saturday afternoon Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Marchers chanted refugees are welcome here and waved banners reading no-one is illegal and lets help people Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The march was supported by charities and groups including the Red Cross, Asylum Aid, Save the Children, Hope Not Hate, Oxfam and the UN Refugee Agency Rex Features Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis In the wake of Alans death, David Cameron pledged to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees in the UK over the coming five years but there have been additional calls to re-home those who have already reached Europe, as well as asylum seekers coming from other conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan Rex Features

Last April, Papua New Guineas (PNG) Supreme Court ruled that the detention of migrants on the island was illegal and violated the countrys constitution.

Over a year later, the centre is facing closure, with detainees set to be resettled to PNG.

But with sharp hostilities from local people on the island, refugees fear that being moved there will only intensify their suffering.

The Independent has contacted the Australian embassy for comment, but received no response at the time of publication.
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A young mother reportedly killed herself on the night of her birthday, after a sicko created a fake account on Tinder and was contacting men on the dating app using her profile photo.

Leanne Morrison, 23, had been targeted with the abuse as part of a campaign by online trolls and, in the months leading up to her death, had criticised what she called pathetic, disgusting lies being said about her.

Friends hit out after the mother-of-one took her own life, saying they hoped those responsible for the bullying will live in guilt and misery for the rest of their days.

Ms Morrison, who had been out for drinks with friends in Stirling, Scotland, killed herself just hours after she left for her home in nearby Cambusbarron.

Her family said they were utterly devastated about her death and were concerned for her four-year-old son Mason.

I spoke to her the night before her birthday when she came to get her cards and she was in good form and looking forward to her night out," Leannes grandmother, Isabel Morrison, told the Daily Mirror. She told me she had an appointment to see the doctor and I think she had been suffering from depression after having a few rough times recently  but no one realised how bad it was.

We are all utterly devastated. Leanne knew so many people and had so many great friends. She was the life and soul of the party and loved a night out but she lived for her wee boy and Mason is our main concern.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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

Ms Morrison had been dealing with the fallout after she recently split from Colin McLaughlin, the father of her son Mason, friends said.

A family member believed a campaign of online bullying pushed her over the edge.

They said: Some sicko created a fake Tinder account and was contacting guys with it. Police have been given a name for the person who is suspected and everyone who knows Leanne is hoping they get properly punished for it.

Leanne would always tell people she was doing OK but it was known that some of the setbacks shes had in the last few years have led to depression and she has struggled to cope.

Ms Morrison criticised bullies who had been targeting her in a post on Facebook in April.

She wrote: Well just want to clear a few things up, not a single person will get to me with their pathetic, disgusting lies. So say and think what you want about me cause every last one of you are irrelevant."

Friends reacted on the social media site after it emerged that Ms Morrison had killed herself.

Sasha Faichney wrote: Mental abuse from all angles. The people who done it know who they are and the guilt should be carried with them forever.

Police in Scotland have not commented over Ms Morrisons death.

Samaritans operates a 24-hour service all-year round and can be contacted at 116 123.
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Conservative peer and former cabinet minister Sayeeda Warsi has forcefully criticised Boris Johnsons response to the ongoing violence in Burma.

On Saturday, the Foreign Secretary called on Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto Burmese Prime Minister, to stop the violence that has broken out against Rohingya Muslims in the country, at the same time as praising her as one of the most inspiring figures of our age.

Mr Johnson said in a statement: Aung San Suu Kyi is rightly regarded as one of the most inspiring figures of our age but the treatment of the Rohingya is alas besmirching the reputation of Burma.

She faces huge challenges in modernising her country. I hope she can now use all her remarkable qualities to unite her country, to stop the violence and to end the prejudice that afflicts both Muslims and other communities in Rakhine.

It is vital that she receives the support of the Burmese military, and that her attempts at peacemaking are not frustrated. She and all in Burma will have our full support in this.

Baroness Warsi, the first Muslim woman to serve in the UK cabinet, condemned the Foreign Secretarys words in a tweet. She wrote: When brutal regimes murder THEIR own citizens -how WE respond to such brutality defines our values and who we are.

She also tweeted: A campaign of genocide is happening now on the watch of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi & this is Foreign Office response?

Malala Yousafzai has also called on Aung San Suu Kyi act on the tragic and shameful treatment of the Rohingya people

In a statement on Twitter, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, 20, told her fellow laureate that the world is waiting for her to act over unrest, with tens of thousands of people fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Ms Yousafzais intervention comes after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned Ms Suu Kyi, Burmas de facto leader, that the treatment of the ethnic minority group is besmirching the countrys reputation.

Burmese security officials and insurgents from the Rohingya are accusing each other of burning down villages and committing atrocities in Rakhine state in the west of the country.

Calling for an end to the violence, Ms Yousafzai said she had been left heartbroken by reports of young children being killed by security forces and urged the Burmese government to grant the group citizenship.

She wrote: Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment.

I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same.

The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting.

Almost 400 people have died in the recent unrest, with the Burmese military accused of committing crimes against humanity by campaigners.

Ms Yousafzai wrote: Stop the violence. Today we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmars security forces. These children attacked no-one, but still their homes were burned to the ground.

If their home is not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born.

According to the UNs refugee agency an estimated 73,000 people have crossed the border into Bangladesh since violence flared on 25 August, leaving relief camps near full capacity.

Ms Yousafzai, who narrowly avoided death in 2012 after being shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban for her outspoken campaigning over girls rights to an education, called for more countries to offer the Rohingya food, shelter and schooling.
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Brexit talks could be delayed due to an important intervention from Theresa May, the European Parliaments lead negotiator has said.

Guy Verhofstadt said that the next round of crunch talks with Brussels could be pushed back to the final week of September to accommodate an intervention from the Prime Minister on 21 September.

It comes as the Government indicated it was ready to intensify negotiations as talks appeared to have stalled after EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier accused the UK of pursuing an impossible deal.

Referring to the timetable for talks, Mr Verhofstadt told the European Parliaments Committee on Constitutional Affairs: Possibly the next round of negotiation will be the last week of September because apparently there will be an important intervention by the British Prime Minister in the coming days, foreseen on 21 September.

UK officials are reportedly keen to step up the negotiations to a rolling week-by-week basis, rather than one round of talks a months, until a breakthrough can be made.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA 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

A government source refused to be drawn on the timing of the talks but indicated that Mrs May was preparing to speak out about the Brexit negotiations.

The source said: Building on the papers that the UK has published over the summer, yes you can expect the Prime Minister to want to set out what we think this means about the relationship with the EU we are seeking.

No firm date or venue has been set for a speech and as the Prime Ministers spokeswoman set out today, we are keen to press on with the negotiations. We think this is in everyones best interests.
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Theresa May is considering the possibility of continuous negotiations with the EU in an effort to intensify the Brexit talks with the bloc.

Ahead of an anticipated decision from the EU next month on whether to progress onto talks about a future trade deal  the Prime Ministers priority  it was claimed the Brexit department is seeking to ditch the current format of the negotiations.

Instead of one round of talks a month in Brussels, UK officials are reportedly requesting to switch to a rolling week-by-week basis until a breakthrough is reached.

It comes after the talks appeared to hit a sticking point last week after Michel Barnier, the EUs chief negotiator, said the UK Government wanted an impossible deal where it retains the benefits of EU membership while leaving the bloc.

Asked about the prospect of stepping up the tempo of talks, the Prime Ministers official spokeswoman said the Government is ready to intensify the negotiations.

Nothing has been formally agreed but that is something that we can discuss, she added. Typically, with negotiations, as time goes on you see the pace pick up.

Referring to a report in Politico that the Brexit department has requested rolling talks to begin on 18 September and continue until a breakthrough is achieved, the spokeswoman added: Certainly we wouldnt rule that out but nothing has been agreed yet.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

The comments came after Nick Clegg, the former deputy Prime Minister, told the BBCs Radio 4 Today programme that the negotiations were moving too slowly and will not be completed by March 2019  the deadline permitted under Article 50.

Its a bit like staring at a building site and saying weve made progress because weve made a cup of tea, he added.

But the Prime Ministers spokeswoman also ruled out suggestions that the Government would seek to ask the EU 27 to extend the two-year timeframe for talks.

Speaking last week Mr Barnier told reporters in Brussels that decisive progress had not been made on principal subjects, though Brexit Secretary David Davis struck a more positive tone, saying the high-stress week of negotiations had delivered some concrete progress.
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A senior Conservative MP has cast fresh doubt on Theresa Mays grip on power by claiming she knows nothing about aggressive threats to rebels accused of planning a fresh Brexit revolt.

Anna Soubry condemned the macho attempt to crush dissent  after potential rebels were told they will be seen as supporting Jeremy Corbyn  but insisted the Prime Minister was not behind it.

Blaming the usual suspects, Ms Soubry said: I have no doubt the Prime Minister knows nothing about it.

She urged Ms May to take control of what was happening in her name, to end the self-defeating attitude that pro-EU Tories were thwarting the will of the people in order to build a consensus.

The comments come after Cabinet ministers appeared to be making Brexit policy behind Ms Mays back, while she took a long summer holiday in Italy and Switzerland.

Last week, the Prime Minister attempted to reassert control by insisting she planned to stay in No 10 to fight the 2022 general election, but most Conservatives believe she will be gone long before then.

Recommended Pound suffers lacklustre start to September as Brexit weighs

The sniping comes ahead of two days of debate on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, the vital legislation which will convert EU law into UK law ahead of 2019, before parts are junked.

Labour will vote against it next Monday and Labour backbenchers are attempting to woo Tory rebels to vote to stay in the EU single market, at least for a transitional period.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Ms Soubry said no Tory MP would vote against the Bill next week, making the threats made by party whips an absolute nonsense.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

However, Ms May insisted she and other pro-EU Conservatives would carry out their democratic duty to scrutinise legislation, put down amendments and attempt to win concessions.

I dont know of any Conservative member of Parliament that isnt going to vote for this Bill at second reading, Ms Soubry said.

I thought we had abandoned this sort of rather bullish, macho way of doing business over Brexit.

We lost our majority, so everything has changed, and one of the reasons I think we lost our majority was because of that rather silly, foolish, bullish attitude as I describe it.

Ms Soubry added: There is nothing weird, and there is certainly nothing treacherous, about putting down amendments and then speaking to them and indeed voting on them. Its called democracy.

Some Conservatives have suggested the threats and arm-twisting will backfire by increasing the chances of Ms May facing a leadership challenge this autumn.

If 47 Tory MPs - 15 per cent  send letters to Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 committee, expressing no confidence in her, a contest must be called.

Damian Green, the effective deputy prime minister, ordered Tory MPs to get behind the Bill to respect the will of the people and get the best possible deal for Britain.

No Conservative wants a bad Brexit deal, or to do anything that increases the threat of a Corbyn government, he warned.
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A suspected serial rapist charged with sexually assaulting 11 women, told a court that they were all his girlfriends. Nhlanhla Xaki even told one victim he loved her.

Xaki insisted the sex was consensual and happened when he had been in a relationship with each of the victims.

But a court in the South African city of Johannesburg heard that he attacked most of the women in a similar pattern.

After forcing his way into their homes or dragging them off the street, he robbed them at knife or gun point and raped them.

Xaki, who allegedly committed the crimes over four years, claims he is innocent  despite that DNA evidence is stacked up against him, prosecutors said.

Among the string of alleged rapes, he is accused of attacking a woman with a knife or gun and dragging her into a yard where he and an accomplice took turns to rape her.

Xaki also broke into the home of three cousins in the same area and demanded money from them, the Saturday Star reported.

He later took one of the young women with him at gunpoint elsewhere in the area and raped her there, the victim said, after ransacking the cousins home.

Elsewhere, he knocked on the door of another victims home in Tembisa and threatened her with a knife before demanding money.

He pushed her on to her bed and raped her after taking a small amount of cash. He also noted down her mobile phone number so he could stay in contact and said he loved her.

Xaki broke into another home in Phomolong but was disturbed when the female home owner discovered him, papers filed by prosecutor Gertrude Market show.

He ransacked her home before raping her  after holding her hostage with a screwdriver. He later made her wash herself in a bath before he fled the scene.

Xaki was investigated after a young man came forward to police and claimed that Xaki had raped his then girlfriend, the mother of his then two-month-old baby.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told Johannesburg High Court that Xaki had forced the woman into an empty yard by a man who, like the accused, had a scar on his lip.

He later witnessed Xaki rape his landlords girlfriend, who was pregnant, at his home. He ran to her aid after he heard the young womans screaming during the alleged rape.

Questioned by Xakis lawyer, the young man said it was unlikely Xaxi could have been in a relationship with his then girlfriend because she was with him and his family most of the time.

Prosecutors expect to conclude their case in the coming weeks. The trial continues.
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US security officials have classified the left-wing group Antifa as "domestic terrorists", confidential documents have revealed.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly been warning about the growing threat of violence between left-wing anarchists and right-wing nationalists since 2016, amid claims Antifa's activity has become more confrontational, according to documents seen by Politico.

A confidential intelligence report by the DHS and the FBI accused the "anarchist extremists" of attacks on police, government and political institutions, along with any other symbols of the "capitalist system" or displays of racism, social injustice or fascism.

It described some of their activities as "domestic terrorist violence".

Antifa, shorthand for anti-fascist organisations, refers to a loose coalition of decentralised, grassroots groups opposed to the many guises of the extreme right.

The group has come under growing scrutiny in the past weeks after Donald Trump blamed the "alt-left" for the deadly violence between white supremacists and counter protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia.

But law enforcement officials said that the US President helped spur the backlash through his own divisive rhetoric.

It was in that period [as the Trump campaign emerged] that we really became aware of them, one senior law enforcement official said.

These antifa guys were showing up with weapons, shields and bike helmets and just beating the shit out of people ... theyre using Molotov cocktails, theyre starting fires, theyre throwing bombs and smashing windows.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Officials are now warning of an escalation of violence as white supremacist and far-right groups grow stronger and more militant.

Everybody is wondering, 'What are we gonna do? How are we gonna deal with this?' said the senior state law enforcement official.

Every time they have one of these protests where both sides are bringing guns, there are sphincters tightening in my world. Emotions get high, and fingers get twitchy on the trigger.

In their April 2016 assessment, the DHS and FBI said the Antifa could become more dangerous if fascist, nationalist, racist or anti-immigrant parties obtain greater prominence or local political power in the United States, leading to anti-racist violent backlash from anarchist extremists.

The comes as close to 350,000 people signed a petition calling on Mr Trump to formally recognise anti-fascists as terrorists.

Recommended The US Government is giving white supremacist groups tax exemptions

The petition, which was created following the Virginia violence, urged the federal government to declare Antifa a terror group out of principle, integrity, morality and safety.

Mr Trump came under heavy criticism after he claimed there had been violence on both sides in the wake of the rally, which left one person dead after a white supremacist allegedly drove his car into a group of counter-protesters.
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President Donald Trump spent the final days of August dutifully performing his job. He tended to the massive recovery from Hurricane Harvey. He hit the road to sell his tax-cut plan. And he convened policy meetings on the federal budget and the North Korean nuclear threat.

Behind the scenes during a summer of crisis, however, Trump appears to pine for the days when the Oval Office was a bustling hub of visitors and gossip, over which he presided as impresario. He fumes that he does not get the credit he thinks he deserves from the media, or the allegiance from fellow Republican leaders he says he is owed. He boasts about his presidency in superlatives, but confidants privately fret about his suddenly dark moods.

And some of Trump's friends fear that the short-tempered President is on an inevitable collision course with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.

Trump chafes at some of the retired Marine Corps general's moves to restrict access to him since he took the job almost a month ago, said several people close to the President. They run counter to Trump's love of spontaneity and brashness, prompting some Trump loyalists to derisively dub Kelly the church lady because they consider him strict and morally superior.

He's having a very hard time, one friend who spoke with Trump this week said of the President. He doesn't like the way the media's handling him. He doesn't like how Kelly's handling him. He's turning on people that are very close to him.

Aides say Trump admires Kelly's credentials, respects his leadership and management skills, and praises him often, both in private meetings and at public events. In a tax policy speech on Wednesday in Missouri, Trump singled out Kelly's work to decrease the number of illegal border crossings when he was secretary of homeland security.

Meanwhile, people close to the president said he is simmering with displeasure over what he considers personal disloyalty from National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, who criticised Trump's responses to a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on 12 August. He also has grown increasingly frustrated with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has clashed with the president on issues including Afghanistan troop levels, the blockade on Qatar and Cuba policy.

This portrait of Trump as he enters what could be his most consequential month in office is based on interviews with 15 senior White House officials, outside advisers and friends of the president, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to share candid assessments.

In September, Trump will face deadlines to raise the federal debt ceiling and pass a spending bill possibly tied to his campaign promise to build a wall along the US-Mexico border; make his first big push for tax cuts; and oversee a potentially historic disaster recovery in Texas and Louisiana.

If Trump's 75-minute rally performance on 22 August in Phoenix served as a public testimonial to his rage over the media and Congress, he is agitating privately about other concerns as well.

Trump lashed out at George Gigicos, one of his original campaign staff members, for what the president considered unflattering television camera angles at the Phoenix rally, which Bloomberg News first reported. The president also was distressed by a New York Times report that was posted a few hours before the event documenting the turmoil between him and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican-Kentucky.

Trump was especially angered by something he learned about at his stop earlier in the day, a border visit in Yuma, Arizona, several of his associates said.

A group of border patrol agents who had endorsed him and become campaign-trail buddies initially were blocked by the Trump administration from attending. Although the agents eventually were allowed into the event, the President made his displeasure about their treatment known to Kelly, said multiple people who were briefed about the incident. Two of those people said Trump raised his voice with his chief of staff, whom he faulted for trying to restrict outside friends from having direct access to him.

That evening in Phoenix, Trump attempted to call Kelly onto the stage. Where's John? he asked. Where is he? Where's General Kelly? Get him out here. He's great. He's doing a great job.

Kelly did not join his boss in front of the crowd.

It is not unusual for staffers to hear him bluster about things, said Barry Bennett, a former campaign adviser. That doesn't mean it's real. There were people on the campaign staff that he said to fire a dozen times, but he never did it. It was just bark. And some people don't know the difference between the bark and the bite.

Kelly took the job with the express goal of implementing strict order on a West Wing that had become rife with turmoil, infighting and damaging leaks to the media.

Friends used to be able to call the White House and be patched directly through to Trump; now those calls are routed through Kelly, and do not always make it to the president. Friends used to drop by the West Wing when they had time to kill, wandering to the Oval Office to say hello; now they must have an official appointment - and a clear reason - to visit.

The changes are largely welcomed by senior administration officials, who say the President's time is too valuable to be wasted on chitchat and hangers-on.

But Trump sometimes defies - and even resents - the new structure. He has been especially sensitive to the way Kelly's rigid structure is portrayed in the media, and strives to disabuse people of the notion that he is being managed. The President continues to call business friends and outside advisers, including former chief strategist Steve Bannon, from his personal phone when Kelly is not around, said people with knowledge of the calls.

Donald Trump resists being handled, said Roger Stone, a former Trump adviser and longtime confidant. Nobody tells him who to see, who to listen to, what to read, what he can say.

Stone added, General Kelly is trying to treat the president like a mushroom. Keeping him in the dark and feeding him s- is not going to work. Donald Trump is a free spirit.

Kelly has told colleagues that he has no intention of controlling what Trump says or tweets. Although he has tried to manage the information the President receives, Kelly recognises that there are limits to what he can do, according to White House officials.

The president can turn on the television, the president can call people and the president can read the newspaper, said one Republican close to the White House. This person said the onus is on Trump, not his staff, to control his impulses.

Trump has jettisoned some of the more controversial figures in his administration this summer. For instance, the firing of communications director Anthony Scaramucci after just 10 days earned the flamboyant aide the moniker suicide bomber in the West Wing, for having taken down with him Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Trump also parted ways with Bannon, who often channelled the president's nationalist instincts.

More changes may be afoot under Kelly, who is continuing his personnel review and is said to be targeting aides without clear portfolios of responsibility.

On Tillerson, Trump has come to see his top diplomat's approach to world affairs as totally establishment, in the words of one Trump associate. Several people close to Trump said they would be surprised if Tillerson stays in his post past his one-year mark in January. They hinted that his departure may come far sooner, with one describing it as imminent.

And some who have recently seen Tillerson say the former ExxonMobil chief executive - unaccustomed to taking orders from a superior, let alone one as capricious as Trump - also seems to be ready to end his State Department tenure. Tillerson has grumbled privately to Kelly about Trump's recent controversies, according to two people familiar with their relationship.

Others, however, caution that Tillerson remains fully enmeshed in the administration. After lunching with the President on Monday, Tillerson sat in the front row of Trump's joint press conference with the President of Finland and was a key member of Cabinet discussions focused on handling Hurricane Harvey.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Wednesday that Trump absolutely has confidence in Tillerson.

Tillerson made headlines over the weekend when he was asked on Fox News Sunday, in the context of Charlottesville, whether Trump speaks for American values. The President speaks for himself, Tillerson told anchor Chris Wallace.

Many Trump insiders were aghast at the diplomat's apparent denunciation of the president, but several senior White House officials said Trump's frustration with Tillerson has been over specific policies. The Fox interview did not bother Trump, one official said, even though the president was upset about Cohn's scolding of him to The Financial Times.

Trump was especially upset that Cohn went public with his complaints about the President's handling of Charlottesville, even after Trump listened to Cohn vent during a private meeting on 18 August in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The president has been quietly fuming about Cohn for the past week, but has resisted dismissing him in part because he has been the face, along with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, of the administration's tax cut strategy.

Still, Trump has other ways to slight Cohn. The economic adviser travelled with Trump on Wednesday to Springfield, Missouri, for his taxes speech, yet when the president ticked through the many distinguished guests in attendance he did not mention Cohn. Afterwards, Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter, tweeted a call for tax reform with a picture of Trump backstage flanked by her and Mnuchin. Notably absent was the plan's co-architect, Cohn.

Asked about the perceived insults, Sanders told reporters aboard Air Force One on the flight home to Washington that it was pretty standard tactics for Trump not to call out staffers in his remarks.

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Show all 19 1 /19 The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A tattered U.S. flag damaged in Hurricane Harvey, flies in Conroe, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Lisa Rehr holds her four-year old son Maximus, after they lost their home to Hurricane Harvey, as they await to be evacuated with their belongings from Rockport, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People line up for food as others rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center AP Photo/LM Otero The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Volunteers with The American Red Cross register evacuees at the George R. Brown Convention Center Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard help the residents of Cyprus Creek Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents wade through floodwater Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents walk along the flooded roadway of Texas 249 as they evacuate their adjacent neighborhoods EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A man floats past a truck submerged on a freeway flooded by Tropical Storm Harvey on Sunday AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued by airboat as they evacuate from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey James Archiable carries his bike through the flooded intersection at Taylor and Usenet near downtown Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A massive sinkhole opened up on a motorway in Rosenburg, a city 25 miles southwest of Houston, Texas Rosenberg Police The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in an armored police mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey on a boat in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees are airlifted in a US Coast Guard helicopter after flooding due to Hurricane Harvey inundated neighborhoods in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees leave a US Coast Guard helicopter after being rescued from flooding due to Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents look on at a submerged motorway during a break in the rain in Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People photograph the submerged motorway interchange EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Debris lies on the ground after a building was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in Aransas Pass, Texas AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Dominic Dominguez searches for his boat in a boat storage facility that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Harvey near Rockport, Texas EPA

Pressed on the state of Trump and Cohn's relationship, Sanders said only that both men were committed to tax reform.

Well, look, she said, Gary is here. The President is here.

The Washington Post
The flag raising ceremony at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi on National Day September 2nd

(Photo: VNA)

President Htin Kyaw, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Vice Presidents Myint Swe and Henry Van Thio of Myanmar cabled congratulatory messages to Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.



The Myanmar leaders expressed their delight at the elevation of bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive cooperative partnership and measures to enhance cooperation. They voiced their belief that Vietnam-Myanmar relations will further develop in the following years for their peoples common interests and a stronger ASEAN Community.



In messages to their Vietnamese counterparts Tran Dai Quang and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi affirmed that India has attached importance to the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam.



They stressed the importance of 2017, which was designated as the Friendship Year to mark 45 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of the strategic partnership between Indian and Vietnam, believing that bilateral linkages will be further reinforced in the time ahead.



Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros also offered congratulations to President Tran Dai Quang, saying that his country wants to intensify political relations, bilateral cooperation and friendship with Vietnam.



In his message of congratulations to the Vietnamese President, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also noted his wish to bolster the relationship between Vietnam and Germany.



Meanwhile, President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in highly evaluated major achievements in his countrys cooperation with Vietnam, adding that the RoK wants to continue reinforcing bilateral ties and wishes Vietnam successful hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders Week this year.



Congratulating President Tran Dai Quang on Vietnams 72nd National Day, US President Donald Trump wrote that he expects to work with the Vietnamese leader to boost the bilateral relationship and also looks forwards to a visit to Vietnam in November.



Italian President Sergio Mattarella wrote in his message that the long-standing friendship is connecting Hanoi and Rome, creating prerequisites for both sides to step up cooperation in more spheres.



French President Emmanuel Macron also offered congratulations to President Quang, noting that he wants to further develop France-Vietnam relations in the lead up to five years of the strategic partnership and 45 years of diplomatic ties in 2018.



Describing Vietnam as an important partner of Australia in the region, Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove highlighted the fruitful development of multifaceted cooperation. He stressed the hosting of the APEC Year 2017 is a great chance for the world to witness Vietnams dynamic economic growth, and Australia will continue supporting the Southeast Asian nation to successfully organise the APEC Year 2017, thus strengthening bilateral ties.



Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and PM Volodymyr Groysman also sent congratulations to their Vietnamese counterparts, affirming their countrys special attention to the comprehensive development of bilateral relations.



They expressed their belief that strong efforts to beef up ties in all fields and seek new opportunities to realise existing potentials will continue generating positive outcomes, benefiting the Ukrainian and Vietnamese people and create a momentum for expanding win-win cooperation.



On this occasion, Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin alao extended congratulations to Vietnamese Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh./.
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A female patient with a brain injury was raped in a New York hospital, police said.

A nurse walked in to check on the women and found Keith Nembhard sexually assaulting the 32-year-old earlier this month, sources told the New York Post.

Staff at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital immediately called security, who detained the man before officers arrived.

The 37-year-old, who allegedly knew the victim, was arrested and charged with rape in the second degree.

Doctors told the police the womans injuries would have prevented her from consenting to sexual intercourse, the newspaper reported.

It is the second serious incident at the hosptial this year.

In June, a doctor armed with an assault rifle rampaged through Bronx-Lebanon Hospital killing another doctor and wounding six other people.

Dr Henry Bollo, a disgruntled former employee at the medical centre, turned the gun on himself afterwards.
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The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has estimated the cost of the damage from Hurricane Harvey at between $150bn to $180bn, calling it more costly than previous megastorms Katrina or Sandy and fuelling a debate over how to pay for the disaster.

Harvey, which first came ashore on 25 August as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in 50 years, has killed an estimated 47 people, displaced more than a million and damaged some 200,000 homes in a path of destruction stretching for more than 300 miles.

Mr Abbott, who is calling for US government aid for his state's recovery, said the damage would exceed that of Katrina, the storm that devastated New Orleans and surrounding areas in 2005, and Sandy, which overwhelmed New York city and the US Northeast in 2012.

"Katrina caused if I recall more than $120 billion but when you look at the number of homes and business affected by this I think this will cost well over $120bn, probably $150bn to $180bn," Mr Abbott told Fox News, adding, "this is far larger than Hurricane Sandy."

The administration of US President Donald Trump has asked Congress for an initial $7.85bn for recovery efforts, which Abbott called a "down payment".

Even that amount could be delayed unless Congress quickly increases the government's debt limit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. The United States is on track to hit its mandated debt limit by the end of the month unless Congress increases it.

"Without raising the debt limit, I am not comfortable that we will get money to Texas this month to rebuild," Mr Mnuchin told Fox News.

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Show all 19 1 /19 The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A tattered U.S. flag damaged in Hurricane Harvey, flies in Conroe, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Lisa Rehr holds her four-year old son Maximus, after they lost their home to Hurricane Harvey, as they await to be evacuated with their belongings from Rockport, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People line up for food as others rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center AP Photo/LM Otero The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Volunteers with The American Red Cross register evacuees at the George R. Brown Convention Center Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard help the residents of Cyprus Creek Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents wade through floodwater Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents walk along the flooded roadway of Texas 249 as they evacuate their adjacent neighborhoods EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A man floats past a truck submerged on a freeway flooded by Tropical Storm Harvey on Sunday AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued by airboat as they evacuate from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey James Archiable carries his bike through the flooded intersection at Taylor and Usenet near downtown Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A massive sinkhole opened up on a motorway in Rosenburg, a city 25 miles southwest of Houston, Texas Rosenberg Police The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in an armored police mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey on a boat in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees are airlifted in a US Coast Guard helicopter after flooding due to Hurricane Harvey inundated neighborhoods in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees leave a US Coast Guard helicopter after being rescued from flooding due to Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents look on at a submerged motorway during a break in the rain in Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People photograph the submerged motorway interchange EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Debris lies on the ground after a building was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in Aransas Pass, Texas AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Dominic Dominguez searches for his boat in a boat storage facility that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Harvey near Rockport, Texas EPA

Beyond the immediate funding, any massive aid package faces budget pressures at a time when Mr Trump is pushing for tax reform or tax cuts, leading some on Capitol Hill to suggest aid may be released in a series of smaller appropriations.

The head of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) called federal aid a "ray of hope" but said state and local officials also needed to do their part.

"They can't depend only on federal emergency management," Fema Administrator Brook Long told CBS News.

Houston was still struggling to recover. The city forced the evacuation of thousands of people on the western side of town to accommodate the release of water from a pair of reservoirs that otherwise might sustain damage.

The storm stalled over Houston, dumping more than 50 inches (127 cm) on the region in a matter of days.

The city cut off power to homes on Sunday morning to encourage evacuations, but conflicting information about who must leave angered some residents.

The area was barricaded and military vehicles were stationed on the periphery to assist in the evacuation. Some living near the reservoirs were told their homes were in danger of new flooding and would not be allowed to return if they left.

"It's hard to get the real story. We're having to make decisions on what we do day by day. Do we stay or go?" said Todd Kellenbenz, who lives in the affected area.

About 37,000 refugees stayed overnight in 270 shelters in Texas plus another 2,000 in seven Louisiana shelters, the highest number reported so far by the American Red Cross.

Some 84,700 homes and businesses were without power on Sunday, down from a peak of around 300,000, according to the region's major electric companies.

But Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said his city was making progress on several fronts, resuming city services and helping get people into housing and out of emergency shelters.

"This is a can-do city. We're not going to engage in a pity party," Mr Turner told CBS News.

Reuters
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Houston's mayor insists that America's fourth-largest city is open for business, but with areas under water, people not yet in their homes, and billions in damage to repair, major disasters that Hurricane Harvey created are by no means resolved.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labour Day.

Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come, he told CBS. We can do multiple things at the same time.

One worry, of further explosions at a damaged chemical plant, lessened after officials carried out a controlled burn on Sunday evening of highly unstable compounds at the Arkema plant in Crosby. Three trailers had previously caught fire after Harvey's floodwaters knocked out generators.

Authorities said they would keep monitoring the air, and people living within a mile and a half of the site outside Houston are still evacuated. But floodwaters also have inundated at least five toxic waste Superfund sites near Houston and some may be damaged, though Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials have yet to assess the full extent of what occurred.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott told CNN the EPA is working on some of them already, but they have restraints on their ability to check out some of them just simply because of the water.

Turner said Houston's drinking water hadn't been affected by the storm, but told CBS, We would hope that the EPA would be on the ground now to take a look at those Superfund sites, to make sure that contamination is contained and limited.

Other issues across the region: too much water still in houses, no water to drink.

Utility crews went door-to-door on Sunday shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that more flooding was possible  not from rain, but from releases of water from overtaxed reservoirs. Thousands of Houston dwellings were under mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

People briefly returned on Sunday to some homes in the area, which included brick two-storey and ranch homes bordering Buffalo Bayou, to try to salvage valuables.

More than a week since the storm hit, the 4 feet of water in her parents' home had receded just a foot, said Karen Mace. She was trying to retrieve family photos from the one-storey ranch her parents built and have lived in for 56 years, which backs up to Buffalo Bayou.

It came up fast. They had to get out by canoe, Mace said, adding they thought the home would have to be demolished.

Harvey slammed into Texas on 25 August as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other areas as a tropical storm. The rain totaled nearly 52 inches (1.3 metres) in some spots, and the storm is blamed for at least 44 deaths.

In other storm-ravaged neighbourhoods, people worried about thefts.

Police in the southwest Bellaire neighbourhood received reports of scavengers picking through water-damaged possessions and urged those cleaning up to keep anything left outside to dry closer to their homes and separate from what was considered a total loss. In the suburb of Dickinson, one homeowner used orange spray paint on a sheet of dirty plywood to warn: Looters Will B Shot.

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Show all 19 1 /19 The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A tattered U.S. flag damaged in Hurricane Harvey, flies in Conroe, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Lisa Rehr holds her four-year old son Maximus, after they lost their home to Hurricane Harvey, as they await to be evacuated with their belongings from Rockport, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People line up for food as others rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center AP Photo/LM Otero The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Volunteers with The American Red Cross register evacuees at the George R. Brown Convention Center Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard help the residents of Cyprus Creek Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents wade through floodwater Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents walk along the flooded roadway of Texas 249 as they evacuate their adjacent neighborhoods EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A man floats past a truck submerged on a freeway flooded by Tropical Storm Harvey on Sunday AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued by airboat as they evacuate from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey James Archiable carries his bike through the flooded intersection at Taylor and Usenet near downtown Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A massive sinkhole opened up on a motorway in Rosenburg, a city 25 miles southwest of Houston, Texas Rosenberg Police The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in an armored police mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey on a boat in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees are airlifted in a US Coast Guard helicopter after flooding due to Hurricane Harvey inundated neighborhoods in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees leave a US Coast Guard helicopter after being rescued from flooding due to Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents look on at a submerged motorway during a break in the rain in Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People photograph the submerged motorway interchange EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Debris lies on the ground after a building was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in Aransas Pass, Texas AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Dominic Dominguez searches for his boat in a boat storage facility that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Harvey near Rockport, Texas EPA

Meanwhile, repairs continued on the water treatment plant in Beaumont, about 85 miles from Houston, which failed after the swollen Neches River inundated the main intake system and backup pumps halted. And outside the town of Liberty, about 45 miles from Houston, dozens of people were still cut off by the swollen Trinity River. A Texas National Guard helicopter landed at the local fire department with pallets of drinking water.

President Donald Trump has asked Congress for a $7.9 billion down payment toward Harvey relief and recovery efforts. Abbott suggested the cost of recovery could be as much as $180 billion.

AP
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The nurse who stood up to an officer who tried to take blood from a patient without their consent or a warrant, has been praised by police in Idaho.

Salt Lake City detective Jeff Payne was caught on camera as he argued with and then arrested Alex Wubbels for refusing to take a blood sample from the patient, who turned out to be William Gray, a police officer for the Idaho city of Rigby.

The Rigby Police Department would like to thank the nurse involved and hospital staff for standing firm, and protecting Officer Grays rights as a patient and victim," the force said in a Facebook post. Protecting the rights of others is truly a heroic act.

Mr Gray was badly injured in a car accident in July and was flown to the University of Utah for emergency treatment.

In hospital, police tried to draw blood from the patient, who was unconscious and therefore unable to consent.

The hospitals policy states blood cannot be taken from an unconscious patient unless they consent, have been arrested or a warrant has been granted.

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

Ms Wubbels informed Mr Payne he could not take blood under the circumstances, after checking with her managers.

She was arrested and filmed being dragged from the hospital to a police car, but was later released without charge.

Detective Payne is now facing a criminal investigation.
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New York state authorities have threatened to sue Donald Trump if he ends the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, which is intended to protect those brought into the US illegally while they were minors from deportation.

There are approximately 800,000 people - so-called 'Dreamers' - who have benefited from DACA in the US since its beginning in 2012 under the Obama administration.

The programme allows Dreamers to obtain work permits as well.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement that if the President ends the programme it would be "cruel, gratuitous, and devastating to tens of thousands of New Yorkersand I will sue to protect them."

Dreamers are Americans in every way. They played by the rules. They pay their taxes. And they've earned the right to stay in the only home they have ever known," he noted.

Mr Schneiderman is also working with Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller to assist in the ongoing investigation of alleged ties between the Trump campaign team and Russian officials as it concerns possible crimes in New York state.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said ending DACA would be "an assault on the values that built [New York] and this nation."

"We have both a legal and moral obligation to make sure that the laws are faithfully executed without discrimination or animus, Mr Cuomo said.

Politico reported that the President plans to end DACA but implement a six-month window in which Congress would have time to come up with a suitable alternative.

In the meantime, Dreamers are in legal limbo and those hoping to enter the DACA programme may not due to mistrust of or lack of clarity on the policies of the Trump administration.

The Migration Policy Institute estimates that the number of people eligible for DACA is nearly 1.9 million, out of approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.

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

Potential participants had to be brought into the US before 15 June 2007 and have been brought in before the age of 16.

Critics have said rescinding protection from Dreamers does not make economic sense either, especially with Mr Trump's 'America First' doctrine towards American jobs and manufacturing.

Approximately 90 per cent of current DACA recipients are employed according to a survey by the Center for American Progress, with an average wage of $17.46 (13.50) per hour.

These employed DACA recipients also pay federal and state taxes where applicable, as well as regular payments into the country's social security programme.

Approximately 72 per cent of Dreamers are enrolled in higher education institutions as well.

With the potential loss of 700,000 American workers - many with higher education - the US may lose up to $460 billion in revenue.

While many of the Dreamers are from Mexico and Central America, there are those minors who have lapsed visas entered illegally from all over the world who are also eligible to become Dreamers.

Governors of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Virginia have also expressed public disapproval of Mr Trump's ending of the programme.

Attorneys General, state government leaders, and members of Congress from several other states like Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas have also opposed Mr Trump in the matter.
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Tensions between the US and North Korea have risen sharply as US ambassador to the United Nations said Pyongyang was begging for war after its testing of a thermonuclear device more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The time has come to exhaust diplomatic means before its too late, Nikki Haley said, during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

As Switzerland said it was prepared to act as a mediator, Ms Haley began her remarks by going through a history of UN actions against North Korea and repeated her belief that enough is enough. She called for the UN to vote next week to impose the toughest sanctions possible.

Twenty-four years of half measures and failed talks is enough, Ms Haley said, in what has become her characteristically bold rhetoric in the Security Council.

She praised her colleagues in the room for showing unusual unity when they passed the strongest sanctions ever on North Korea last month, banning exports on seafood, coal, and iron in a blow to the isolated leader Kim Jong-uns economy.

However, Pyongyang has conducted its sixth nuclear test just a few days ago, according to US intelligence officials.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said the latest test was profoundly destabilising for regional security.

We have nothing to cause us to doubt that this was a test of an advanced nuclear device, a US official said, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Over the weekend, North Korea claimed to have tested an advanced hydrogen bomb that was capable of being launched inside a long-range missile.

The US official said, however, it would take some time to complete a thorough analysis of the size of the blast and type of device detonated.

While the nature of the nuclear bomb is unclear, the US Geological Survey reported a seismic event of 6.3 on the Richter scale as a result of the test. Previous Pyongyang tests have resulted in events closer to five on the scale.

In July, US intelligence officials said they believed North Korea had been able to make a nuclear warhead capable of fitting on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as well. Recently, Pyongyang also launched a missile over the Hokkaido island of Japan.

 US: North Korea could be met with 'massive military response'

Donald Trump tweeted after the latest test of the alleged hydrogen bomb that the US is considering stopping all trade with any countries doing business with North Korea, which would include Americas largest trading partner, China.

Other large volume US trading partners like Mexico, India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Ms Haley reiterated the Presidents stance on trade during the emergency meeting as well, in what seemed to a be a thinly veiled warning to China.

The US will look at every country that does business with North Korea as giving aid to Mr Kim, who wants to be acknowledged as a nuclear power but does not understand the responsibility that comes with being one, Ms Haley said.

Chinas representative to the UN, Liu Jeiyi, said that Beijing recognised the situation on the Korean peninsula was deteriorating constantly.

However, he called for the crisis to be peacefully resolved and was clear: China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula.

China and Russia have partnered once again to offer a two-track solution that involves Pyongyang suspending nuclear tests while the US and South Korea suspending their military exercises in the region, but it is unclear how the dialogue will actually start.

A so-called freeze-for-freeze is insulting, Ms Haley had said in her remarks.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

Ms Haley also stressed that the US does not want war, but our countrys patience is not unlimited.

On 3 September, Mr Trump met with Defence Secretary James Mattis and a small group of military officials at the White House to discuss all available military solutions to the crisis.

Mr Mattis said the US is not looking for the total annihilation of North Korea, but stressed that there were many options in how to respond to Pyongyangs latest nuclear bomb test.

We made it clear we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, Mr Mattis said, standing at a podium in front of the White House, flanked by chairman of the joint chiefs General Joseph Dunford.

Mr Mattis said Kim Jong-un should take heed of the United Nations Security Councils unified voice on the issue, as shown by its decision to impose sanctions as well as its commitment to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

The Defence Secretary also stressed the iron-clad commitments of the US to allies like South Korea and Japan.

Any threat to the US, its territories  such as the Pacific island of Guam  or its allies would be met with a massive military response ... both effective and overwhelming, Mr Mattis said.

Neutral Switzerland said it was ready to mediate with North Korea, by hosting ministerial talks. Swiss President Doris Leuthard, said her countrys troops were deployed on the demarcation zone between South Korea and North Korea and said that Switzerland  along with Sweden  had a long history of discreet diplomacy.

But she said China and the US had to take their share of responsibility, warning against overreactions after the Norths sixth and largest nuclear test, according to Reuters.

I think it really is time for dialogue, she said at a news conference in Bern. We are ready to offer our role for good services as a mediator. I think in the upcoming weeks a lot will depend on how the US and China can have an influence in this crisis. Thats why I think Switzerland and Sweden can have a role behind the curtain.
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The body of a Mexican-born Houston volunteer - a young man who was living in the US under an immigration scheme Donald Trump plans to scrap - has been recovered from the floodwaters, four days after he went to help rescue people trapped in the water.

The family of 31-year-old Alonso Guillen, said they had warned him not to set out on an rescue mission with two friends, given the severity of the floods. But the group insisted, saying they wanted to help people in need.

Mr Guillen and two friends set off on their mission at midnight on Wednesday and did not return. Their vessel hit a bridge and sank in Cypress Creek, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Mr Guillen was one of the 800,000 immigrants brought to the US as a child under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, a scheme introduced in 2012 by Barack Obama and which Mr Trump is planning to terminate.

 Man plays piano in home flooded by Hurricane Harvey

In Texas, he worked as DJ Ocho, a radio presenter with 101.9-FM in Lufkin, located around 120 miles from Houston.

Reports said the body of Mr Guillen was spotted on Friday. A second person, 25-year-old Tomas Carreon Jr, was also killed and found floating in the river.

It was not until Sunday that the family of Mr Guillen was able to recover the young mans body. Reports said Mr Guillen father watched from the shore with other family members, and that one of those relatives entered the water and moved the body it to the river bank.

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Show all 19 1 /19 The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A tattered U.S. flag damaged in Hurricane Harvey, flies in Conroe, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Lisa Rehr holds her four-year old son Maximus, after they lost their home to Hurricane Harvey, as they await to be evacuated with their belongings from Rockport, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People line up for food as others rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center AP Photo/LM Otero The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Volunteers with The American Red Cross register evacuees at the George R. Brown Convention Center Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard help the residents of Cyprus Creek Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents wade through floodwater Reuters/Nick Oxford The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents walk along the flooded roadway of Texas 249 as they evacuate their adjacent neighborhoods EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A man floats past a truck submerged on a freeway flooded by Tropical Storm Harvey on Sunday AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued by airboat as they evacuate from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey James Archiable carries his bike through the flooded intersection at Taylor and Usenet near downtown Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey A massive sinkhole opened up on a motorway in Rosenburg, a city 25 miles southwest of Houston, Texas Rosenberg Police The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in an armored police mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People are rescued from flood waters from Hurricane Harvey on a boat in Dickinson, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees are airlifted in a US Coast Guard helicopter after flooding due to Hurricane Harvey inundated neighborhoods in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Evacuees leave a US Coast Guard helicopter after being rescued from flooding due to Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas Reuters The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Residents look on at a submerged motorway during a break in the rain in Houston, Texas EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey People photograph the submerged motorway interchange EPA The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Debris lies on the ground after a building was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in Aransas Pass, Texas AP The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Dominic Dominguez searches for his boat in a boat storage facility that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Harvey near Rockport, Texas EPA

Thank you, God, for the time I had with him, said his father.

The Chronicle said Mr Guillens mother, Ruiz de Guillen, was unable to be present because was stuck in the border town of Piedras Negras in Mexico while trying to obtain legal status to join her family in the US. It said she had applied for a humanitarian visa but that US Customs and Border Protection refused her request.

When are with God, there are no borders. Man made borders on this earth, she said.

Under DACA, Mr Guillen was safe from deportation. Yet if Mr Trump goes ahead with his proposal to scrap the programme - the most recent reports suggest he is planning to suspend the decision for six months - the young mans future would he been very uncertain.
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Smoke filled the sky and ash rained down all over Los Angeles from a destructive wildfire, prompting the city to declare a state of emergency.

And it was just one of several blazes that sent thousands fleeing homes across the US West during a blistering holiday weekend heat wave.

In Oregon, crews rescued about 140 hikers forced to spend the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge Trail. Search and rescue crews air-dropped supplies as flames prevented the hikers' escape.

Wildfires also burned in a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia trees near Yosemite National Park, forced evacuations in Glacier National Park and drove people from homes in parts of the West struggling with searing temperatures.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared a local emergency and at the state level, Governor Jerry Brown did the same for Los Angeles County after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighbourhoods.

More than a thousand firefighters battled flames that chewed through more than nine square miles of brush-covered mountains as authorities issued evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale.

Temperatures were in the mid-to-high 90s but crews got a break from increased humidity and winds that calmed to less than 5 mph.

"That can change in a moment's notice and the winds can accelerate very quickly," Los Angeles Fire Captain Ralph Terrazas told reporters. "There is a lot of fuel out there left to burn."

Officials were keeping an eye on thunderstorms in the mountains to the north, which could bring welcome rain but also the risk of flash floods and lightning.

Burbank resident George Grair was not in the evacuation zone but watched uneasily as flames blackened a hillside in the near distance.

"It's very difficult to feel safe. I've got kids in the house," he told KABC-TV. "I probably slept two hours all night."

Temperatures at Los Angeles International Airport reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) on Sunday, topping the previous record mark of 92 (33 Celsius), set in 1982. Records were also set in parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where the temperature hit 101 degrees (38 Celsius).

San Francisco residents, meanwhile, stifled under a third day of a rare heat wave in the coastal city, although highs in the San Francisco Bay Area fell Sunday from all-time records set the previous two days.

"I went to Home Depot, Walgreens, Office Depot, Target. They were sold out!" downtown office worker Alganesh Ucbayonas said, detailing her unsuccessful search for a fan.

Fires burning up and down the Sierra Nevada and further to the northwest cast an eerie yellow and grey haze over much of California, prompting alerts because of poor air quality.

In the Pacific Northwest, high temperatures and a lack of rain this summer have dried out vegetation that fed on winter snow and springtime rain.

Officials warned of wildfire danger as hot, dry days were forecast across Oregon and Washington over the holiday weekend.

In Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency across all counties as three major fires closed recreation areas and prompted evacuations.

Flames in Montana's Glacier National Park prompted officials to evacuate all residents, campers and tourists from one of the most popular areas of the park.

Forecasters said more heat could be expected when remnants of Tropical Storm Lidia move north from Mexico's Baja California during the weekend.

AP
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Soldiers and civilians in Burma are attempting to cover up the massacre of the countrys Rohingya Muslim population by gathering their bodies and burning them, an advocate for the minority group has said.

Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, which monitors violence in Burmas Rakhine state, said her organisation had documented the killing of at least 130 people in one settlement in the Rathedaung region.

She added that there were reports of three other villages where dozens of people had been killed.

 Rohingya Muslims fleeing Burma recall the horrors they left

A minimum of 130 people have been killed actually we think its more, she told Newsday on the BBC World Service.

The security forces have encircled villages and then [shot people] indiscriminately, but we also found that  compared perhaps to the violence that took place in October [and] November last year  there is more involvement of the local Buddhist population together with the military."

She added: "We have reports of at least three other villages where at least dozens of people have been killed."

What we have found ... is that now after the killings the military and other civilians are actually gathering the dead bodies and burning them so [as] not to leave any evidence."

The reports had not yet been confirmed and the Arakan Project had not yet carried out detailed interviews with victims in Bangladesh, but it had monitors that that were "still active inside Myanmar, she said.

Burmese security officials and insurgents from the Rohingya have accused each other of burning down villages and committing atrocities in Rakhine state.

Almost 400 people have died in the recent unrest, with campaigners accusing the Burmese military accused of committing crimes against humanity.

Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has accused Burma's forces of genocide

According to the UN's refugee agency an estimated 73,000 people have crossed the border into Bangladesh since violence flared on 25 August, leaving refugee camps near full capacity.

In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants Rohingya migrants swim to collect food supplies dropped by a Thai army helicopter after they jumped from a boat (R) drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants Rohingya migrants pass food supplies dropped by a Thai army helicopter to others aboard a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants A Rohingya migrant eats food dropped by a Thai army helicopter after he jumped to collect the supplies at sea from a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea. A boat crammed with scores of Rohingya migrants, including many young children, was found drifting in Thai waters, with passengers saying several people had died over the last few days In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants Rohingya migrants stand and sit on a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants Rohingya migrants stand and sit on a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants A Rohingya migrant eats food dropped by a Thai army helicopter after he jumped to collect supplies at sea from a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants Rohingya migrants bring back food supplies dropped by a Thai army helicopter after jumping to collect them at sea from a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea In pictures: Burma migrants abandoned at sea Myanmar migrants A Rohingya migrant woman holding a child cries as she stands on a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea

The Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has called on Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's de facto leader, to condemn the tragic and shameful treatment of the Burma's Muslim Rohingya people.

Ms Yousafzai told her fellow laureate that the world is waiting for her to act over the unrest.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned Ms Suu Kyi that the treatment of the ethnic minority group was besmirching the country's reputation.
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Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in the capital of Chechnya to protest the genocide of Muslims by Burmese authorities.

More than 400 people have been killed in the last week alone during clashes between the Rohingya Muslim minority and Burmas military, and both sides have accused each other of committing atrocities.

Pictures from the protest in the capital city of Grozny showed up to 30,000 people on the streets, one day after hundreds more appeared at the Burmese embassy in Moscow and other protests were held in Dagestan. On Sunday a small petrol bomb was thrown at the Burmese embassy in Jakarta.

The protests follow criticism from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov against the inaction of world governments to stop the violence against Muslims in Burma.

Burmas de factor leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is facing calls from United Nations officials to step in as she tries to re-establish amicable relations with the countrys military that once kept her under house arrest.

Most of the protest activity was ignored by Russian state-owned television channels.

Rohingya mothers face persecution Show all 10 1 /10 Rohingya mothers face persecution Rohingya mothers face persecution Ramida Begum holds her 10-day-old daughter in their shelter in Kutupalang, an unregistered refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. 'The military caught my husband and burnt our house down a week before I left Myanmar. Since then I don't know whether my husband is dead or alive' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Minara Begum sits inside the shelter, cradling her one-month-old son Ayub. Minara fled to Bangladesh from Nasha Phuru village in Myanmar with her husband and mother-in-law. 'My child doesn't get enough breast milk as I don't eat enough nutritious food. I have to buy milk powder from local market though it's not very good for my son' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Amina, pictured with her 16-day-old daughter Sumaiyin, is in a refugee camp Balukhali that neighbours Ramida and Minara's. 'One and a half months ago the military came to our village and kept firing their guns. I ran away with my neighbours to save our lives. You see us alive here only because the God was so kind. They caught my uncle and my younger brother and we don't know whether they are dead or alive' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Fatema sits beside her one-day-old daughter Aasma in Kutupalang. Fatema fled to Bangladesh from Jambuinna village in Myanmar two months ago after her house was burnt down by the military. She crossed Naf River by boat during the night. 'Our situation is better than many other refugees as my husband Mohammad Alom works here as a day labourer. Many of the new refugees have no work here, so they have to rely on relief' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Jamalida cradles her two-month-old daughter Shahida. Jamalida came to Bangladesh with her husband from Nasha Phuru village in Myanmar Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Rehana Begum lays her one-day-old daughter in front of her inside their tarpaulin shelter. Rehana fled her village of Jambuinna in Myanmar three months ago. 'We were in our home and suddenly the military came to our village and started shooting. When we heard the sound of gun shots we immediately went to our relatives. We walked for four hours without any food and water to reach the border at 1 a.m. We paid 25,000 Myanmar kyat (14) to a broker to cross.' Intercepted by Bangladesh border guards, Rehana's family narrowly escaped being sent home. 'They wanted to send us back, but then we heard gunshots from the Myanmar side and the guards released us, saying, "Stay in Bangladesh and save your lives"' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Noor Begum sits next to her one-day-old daughter Sumaiya as she stares into the camera. Noor came to the camp one-and-a-half months ago from Nagpura village with her husband Jahangir Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Rajuma Begum observes her one-month-old son Raihan. 'I fled to Bangladesh because of fear, because I needed to save my children. I was pregnant and suffering from fever while crossing the border. I also have an 11-month-old boy, so it was very difficult to reach the border from our village Wabek in Myanmar. I had to rest frequently. After six hours of horrible walking we finally reached the border at 2am and crossed after paying a broker' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Eighteen-year-old Asmot Ara rests her newly born daughter on her lap. Asmot said she came to the camp one month ago with neighbours from Nagpura village. In Myanmar her father-in-law was killed and their home burnt down by the Myanmar military Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution As Marijaan holds her 25-day-old daughter Noor Habi, her son peers over her shoulder. Marijaan fled to Bangladesh from Khyeri Prang village in Myanmar one month ago after her house was burnt down by the Myanmar military. 'I reached the border at night and crossed by the boat. I paid the boatman to cross the Naf River' Reuters

On 25 August the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed support for the Burmese authorities.

During a speech in Grozny, Mr Kadyrov said he would go against Russia if the Russian government supported Burmas military, and he compared the violence to the Holocaust.

 Video shows Rohingya flee burning villages in Myanmar

Violence against the one million-strong Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority, re-emerged in Burmas western Rakhine state last October as the countrys military continued to wield its power in response to Rohingya insurgents allegedly attacking police posts.

Nobel Peace Laureate Ms Suu Kyi has been accused of downplaying the issue, and the violence has dampened expectations of democratic progress under the new government.

Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state Show all 2 1 /2 Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state pg-38-homelesss-getty.jpg Getty Images Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state pg-38-homelesss-2.jpg

Other Muslim nations in South East Asia have recently voiced concern as they face an influx of refugees, including Malaysia and Indonesia. Dozens of Rohingya people have died trying to cross the Naf river which forms part of the Burmese north border.

UN estimates show that around 87,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh. Survivors have described a crackdown including burning villages and attacking civilians.

Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai said in a statement that Ms Suu Kyi should condemn the tragic and shameful treatment of the Rohingya.

If their home is not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? she said. Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born.

Agencies contributed to this report
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
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China has lodged "stern representations" with the North Korean embassy in Beijing over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, the country's foreign ministry has said.

North Korea is clear about China's opposition to its nuclear tests, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding that China upholds talks as the means to resolve the Korean peninsula issue.

He went on to say North Korea "must be very clear" UN Security Council resolutions prohibit such activities, and said China hopes all parties, especially North Korea, "exercise restraint and refrain from further escalating tensions."

The North said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting a vow of "massive" military response from the United States if either it or its allies were threatened.

A day later, South Korea fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on North Korea's main nuclear test site.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

The heated words from the United States and the military manoeuvres in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Korea's rapid, unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike America.

In Seoul, Chang Kyung-soo, an official with South Korea's defence ministry, told MPs it was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test.

Mr Chang also said the yield from the latest nuclear detonation appeared to be about 50 kilotons, which would mark a "significant increase" from North Korea's past nuclear tests.

In a series of tweets, US President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with North Korea - a warning to China - and faulted South Korea for what he called "talk of appeasement".

In response, Mr Geng, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters in Beijing that China regarded as "unacceptable a situation in which on the one hand we work to resolve this issue peacefully but on the other hand our own interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardised.

"This is neither objective nor fair".

Additional reporting by agencies
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China is treading a very fine line as the crisis over North Koreas nuclear ambitions continues to escalate, condemning its neighbour for its latest missile test but also calling for calm from all sides  and in doing so making it clear to the US it will not be bullied into action it does not want to take.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns dangerous game of brinkmanship was admonished by Xinhua, Chinas official news agency. However, this was followed by the assertion that the USs belligerent tone and military exercises on DPRKs [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, as China officially refers to North Korea] doorstep ate into Pyongyangs sense of security. This, Xinhua suggested, was what prompted the nuclear test that caused as many political tremors as it did physical ones.

Geng Shuang, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that China made stern representations with North Korean diplomats following the blast. He also said, on the same day the US envoy to the United Nations called for the strongest possible measures against Kim Jong-uns regime, that all parties should refrain from further escalating tensions.

The timing of the latest flare-up could not be worse for Chinas President Xi Jinping, as it came in the middle of a meeting on Sunday with world leaders from Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa in the Chinese city of Xiamen, as part of a BRICS nations summit which continues today.

Similarly, last May Kim Jong-un fired off a ballistic missile hours before Mr Xi spoke to world leaders in Beijing. Peter Hayes, director of the North Korea-specialising Nautilus Institute research group, told The New York Times: Kim knows that Xi has the real power to affect the calculus in Washington. Hes putting pressure on China to say to Trump: You have to sit down with Kim Jong-un.

Indeed, war between North Korea and the US plus its allies would be disastrous for all involved in terms of lives lost, but China believes it has the most to lose politically. The collapse of the Kim dictatorship would cause millions of North Korean refugees to flee to China, and US troops could be based in a reunified Korea bordering China: something Mr Xi would not tolerate.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

Yet, it is domestic issues currently dominate the agenda for Mr Xi. The Communist Partys 19th National Congress will convene in Beijing in mid-October, with Mr Xi set to be pre-occupied with placing trusting allies in the Partys key decision-making Politburo, as well as accepting a second five-year term. Calm is the aim ahead of the meeting so China would like as little international strife as possible.

China will never allow chaos and war on the [Korean] peninsula, said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the UN, as he called for nations to respond to its joint proposal with Russia that North Korea stop its military actions in return for the US stopping military exercises with South Korea.

With US President Donald Trump laying the task of containing Mr Kim on Chinas doorstep, tweeting about how little success Beijing has had in reining in North Korea, another Chinese state-controlled media outlet, the Global Times newspaper, said that fewer promises of fire and fury threats from Mr Trump were key.

 Key moments in North Korea's nuclear programme

Pyongyangs frequent launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and its sixth nuclear test have obviously shocked the US, the newspaper said. It seems Washingtons military menace against Pyongyang is not only verbal.

This will add to North Koreas state of alert and its determination to complete its nuclear and missile technology research. A sense of military urgency will prevail between North Korea and the US and South Korea, which may brew a hotbed which causes a fatal strategic misjudgement.

In a dig about Mr Trumps threat to impose harsher sanctions on countries that trade with North Korea  namely China as Pyongyangs biggest trading partner  the newspaper added: If the US is not able to tame North Korea, how can it force big powers such as China and Russia to yield to its demands through sanctions and deterrence?

Mr Xi will have hated the timing of the latest step on Mr Kims road to helming full nuclear capability, as much as the tough talk it drew from the US. But North Koreas collapse  due to war or China crippling the countrys supply chains  will likely remain almost as unthinkable for him as it did before Sunday.
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South Koreas liberal President Moon Jae-in faces intensifying pressure from his own military leaders and some within his ruling Democratic Party to forget about reconciliation with North Korea and stick to a policy of no dialogue and no compromise.

Mr Moon, rounding up international support against North Korea, said he would tolerate no advances in nuclear technology in response to the Norths sixth nuclear test, by far its most powerful, over the weekend.

While running for president in May, after the ousting of his conservative predecessor Park Geun-hye, Mr Moon had promised to pursue a different strategy of engagement with the North and its leader Kim Jong-un, but that rhetoric has taken a back seat to the pragmatism of his Defence Ministry.

Recommended Russia says it will react to US missile expansion in South Korea

South Koreas Defence Minister, Song Young-moo, said bluntly that the country's leadership is leaning in a direction that strengthens the military standoff, rather than ... dialogue.

While Mr Moons government is not endorsing a preemptive strike against the Norths nuclear and missile facilities, South Koreas military command staged an exercise Monday that showed the aggressive response that commanders want. South Korean warplanes bombed and strafed imaginary targets in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan., that the Defence Ministry described as simulating an attack on North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un. The Americans have set the precedent for such exercises, mounting war games described as practice for decapitating Kim Jong-un.

Mr Moon and US President Donald Trump agreed in a telephone call to scrap a warhead weight limit on South Korea's missiles, South Korea's presidential office said, enabling it to strike North Korea with greater force in the event of a military conflict. That call came about 30 hours after the North Korea's nuclear test and about 24 hours after Mr Trump tweeted his disdain for Mr Moon's "talk of appeasement" over his want to engage with the North. Ties have also been strained by the fact that reports emerged just ahead of Pyongyang's latest missile test that Mr Trump was mulling pulling out of a trade deal with Seoul. Doing damage control ahead of the call by Mr Trump the US National Security Council affirmed its policies regarding North Korea had not changed and the US and South Korea were working closely.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

Mr Trump and Mr Moon also agreed to push for tougher punishments against Pyongyang, including tough sanctions via the UN for breaking resolutions against North Korean nuclear and missile programmes. In a statement, the White House said Mr Trump had also given his "conceptual approval" to the sale of "many billions of dollars" worth of military equipment to South Korea.

The South Korean President also spoke on the phone with Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while Mr Trump spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel with them also agreeing to push for harder sanctions.

In addition to the drill, South Korea will cooperate with the United States and seek to deploy strategic assets like aircraft carriers and strategic bombers, Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defence policy, told a parliament hearing.

 South Korea simulates attack on North Korea's nuclear sites

South Korea's Defence Ministry also said it would deploy the four remaining launchers of a new US missile defence system after the completion of an environmental assessment by the government.

The rollout of the controversial Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system at a site south of the South Korean capital, Seoul, which is vehemently opposed by neighbouring China and Russia, had been delayed since June.

South Korean defence officials warned that North Korea might well test-fire another missile, possibly a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), to mark the anniversary on Saturday of the formal founding of the North Korean government in 1948.

Mr Moon, however, is working hard to round up international sympathy as a prelude to persuading Mr Kim to think in terms of peace, not war. He sees Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on Wednesday on the sidelines of an economic summit in hopes of enlisting meaningful Russian support, possibly in the form of cutting off exports of natural gas to North Korea..

South Koreas foreign minister, Kang Khung-wha was also busy, talking on the phone to the foreign ministers of Japan and China and to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Dealings with China were especially sensitive since Mr Moon, contrary to his position while running for president, now favours keeping the THAAD on South Korean soil despite the strenuous objections from China.

The phone conversation between Ms Kang and Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi aeared to have been strained. South Koreas Foreign Ministry said blandly they focused on the circumstantial assessment of the sixth nuclear test and the direction of their future response.
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Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in have agreed to "maximise pressure" on Pyongyang after the US President approved a weapons deal with Seoul worth billions of dollars.

Mr Trump pledged to strengthen joint military efforts and approved to lift restrictions on South Korea's missile payload capabilities.

The two leaders spoke on the phone, and said they would "use all means at their disposal" to up pressure on North Korea.

Recommended Elon Musk says AI poses bigger threat than North Korea

The news comes after Mr Trump has lambasted China for "failing" to help in the effort against North Korea and the US ambassador for the UN, Nikki Haley, said North Korea's leader is "begging for war".

Ms Haley said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that the US would look at countries doing business with the regime and circulate a resolution this week and try and get it approved before 11 September.

"Enough is enough," she said.

"War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited.

The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country, that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions.

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting consternation from world leaders.

The UN Security Council meeting came just six days after it condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

The US promised a "massive" military response if it or its allies were threatened.

Ideas how to approach the regime differ. Russia and China have suggested that North Korea suspend its nuclear and missile development, but that also the US and South Korea stop their joint military exercises.

Pyongyang has blasted the joint exercises, viewing them as a rehearsal for invasion, while the US and South Korea say they are acting defensively.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. 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Mr Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the United Nations to quickly agree on tougher sanctions against Pyongyang, with German authorities calling the missle test a "new and unacceptable escalation" by the North Korean regime.

Ms Merkel told Mr Trump she would push for tougher sanctions from the European Union.
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Following US warnings to North Korea of a massive military response, South Korea's military has fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion.

The heated words from the United States and the military manoeuvres in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Korea's rapid, as-yet unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike the United States. The most recent, and perhaps most dramatic, advancement came on Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong-un's government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006.

In a series of tweets, President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for what he called talk of appeasement.

South Korea's military said its live-fire exercise was meant to strongly warn Pyongyang. The drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based Hyunmoo ballistic missiles firing into the Sea of Japan.

The target was set considering the distance to the North's test site and the exercise was aimed at practising precision strikes and cutting off reinforcements, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Each new North Korean missile and nuclear test gives Pyongyang's scientists invaluable information that allows big jumps in capability. North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

Both diplomacy and severe sanctions have failed to check the North's decades-long march to nuclear mastery.

In Washington, Trump, asked by a reporter if he would attack the North, said: We'll see. No US military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In briefs remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters that America does not seek the total annihilation of the North, but then added somberly, We have many options to do so.

Mattis said the US will answer any threat from the North with a massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming.

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and that Kim should know Washington's commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

The precise strength of the North's underground nuclear explosion has yet to be determined. South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five tests.

Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target US cities.

North Korea has made a stunning jump in progress for its nuclear and missile programme since Kim rose to power following his father's death in late 2011. The North followed its two tests of Hwasong-14 ICBMs, which, when perfected, could target large parts of the United States, by threatening to launch a salvo of its Hwasong-12 intermediate range missiles toward the US Pacific island territory of Guam in August.

It flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile capable of carrying nukes, in a launch Kim described as a meaningful prelude to containing Guam, the home of major US military facilities, and vowed to launch more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

Ahead of the North's test, photos released by the North Korean government showed Kim talking with his lieutenants as he observed a silver, peanut-shaped device that was apparently the purported thermonuclear weapon destined for an ICBM. The images were taken without outside journalists present and could not be independently verified. What appeared to be the nose cone of a missile could also be seen in one photo, and another showed a diagram on the wall behind Kim of a bomb mounted inside a cone.

The Arms Control Association in the United States said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotonnes of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests the North tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Korea's accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the US as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Trump's jab at South Korea. He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its talk of appeasement will not work. The North Koreans, he added, only understand one thing, implying military force might be required. The US has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital US trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbour. Trump tweeted that the US is considering stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea. Such a halt would be radical. The US imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner.

Experts have questioned whether the North has gone too far down the nuclear road to continue pushing for a denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, an Obama administration policy goal still embraced by Trump's White House.

Denuclearisation is not a viable US policy goal, said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the US accept North Korea as a nuclear power. We should keep denuclearisation as a long-term aspiration, but recognise privately that it's unachievable anytime soon.

AP
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Filipino troops fighting Isis-linked insurgents on the southern island of Mindanao say they have encountered armed resistance from women and children, the military has said.

Ground forces were braced for higher casualties amid fierce fighting in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, where the field of battle has shrunk to a small area in a commercial heart which has been infested with snipers and littered with booby traps.

"We are now in the final phase of our operations and we are expecting more intense and bloody fighting.," said Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, who heads the military in Western Mindanao. "We may suffer heavier casualties as the enemy becomes more desperate."

He added the number of fighters was diminishing and "troops in the field are seeing women and children shooting at our troops".

He said that was why it seemed they were not running out of fighters.

Citing information provided by four hostages who had escaped from the rebels, Gen Galvez said there were some 56 Christian hostages - most of them women - and about 80 male residents may have been forced to take up arms and fight the military.

The fighting was concentrated in an area around a mosque. He said soldiers were taking control of an average 35 buildings a day and at that rate, it could be three weeks before the city was under government control.

Inside Isis secret tunnels Show all 7 1 /7 Inside Isis secret tunnels Inside Isis secret tunnels Network of underground tunnels was discovered by Kurdish forces after they regained the town of Sinjar in Iraq Inside Isis secret tunnels A member of the Peshmerga forces inspects a tunnel used by Isis militants in the town of Sinjar, Iraq Reuters Inside Isis secret tunnels An entrance to the tunnel used by Islamic State militants is seen in the town of Sinjar, Iraq Inside Isis secret tunnels The secret tunnels allowed militants to freely move underground Inside Isis secret tunnels The tunnels appear to be wired with electricity Inside Isis secret tunnels Some of the tunnels are 30 feet deep Inside Isis secret tunnels Concerns remain that parts of the tunnels are rigged with explosives

More than 800 people have been killed in the battle, most of them insurgents. It began in late May when the militants occupied large parts of the predominantly Muslim town.

Although 90 per cent of the Filipino population is Catholic, Mindanao, which is at the southern tip of the country, is predominantly Muslim and has been a target for jihadists for several years.

These insurgents are under the command of Abdullah Maute and his brother Omarkhayam who are heads of a militant clan known as the Maute group.

It has gained notoriety in the past two years due to its ability to engage the army for long periods.

Under the name Dawla Islamiya, the Maute group has formed an alliance with Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of a pro-Isis faction of another group, Abu Sayyaf.

Gen Galvez said the army's intelligence indicated both Omarkhayam and Hapilon, Isis' anointed "emir" in Southeast Asia, were still participating in the fighting  contrary to intelligence released last month which suggested one or both of them had been killed in an air strike.

The island has been placed under martial law until at least the end of the year and controversial Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte warned that martial law could be extended to the rest of the country if the insurgency spread.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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A Belgian military pilot fell from his helicopter during an airshow.

Three soldiers in the helicopter jumped using parachutes as part of the demonstration but the pilot and co-pilot were not equipped with them, according to Belgian media reports.

Those involved in the incident said the co-pilot had helped the three paratroopers jump but then noticed the pilots seat was empty and his door wide open. He was able to land the Agusta A-109 helicopter safely and raise the alarm about his colleague.

Recommended Two dead in Dorset plane crash

A search is underway for the man, who is believed to have fallen several hundred metres.

The incident took place during an air show at Amay, near the city of Liege, on Sunday. The helicopter was being used to demonstrate parachuting to the public as part of the military show.

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

Soldiers, police and firefighters are now searching an area of woodland near to the location of the airshow in the hope of recovering the pilots body.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. An investigation is underway.
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A neo-Nazi mayoral candidate for a German town was greeted with laughter when he promised to ban Arabic numerals displayed as house numbers if elected  unaware that they are the same as western numbers.

Otfried Best is running on an anti-immigration ticket for the ultra-right NPD party, in the small town of Volklingen in the district of Saarbrucken.

Along with three other candidates, he was questioned about his policies in a debate ahead of the election in front of an audience.

Uwe Faust, representing the satirical Die Partei, appeared to set a trap for Mr Best when he asked him a joke question over a supposed regulation in Volklingen.

According to the building code, paragraph 126, each owner is obliged to label his property with the number given by the municipality, he said.

I find it alarming that in Volklingen many house numbers are displayed in Arabic numerals. How would you like to take action against this creeping foreigner infiltration?

Mr Best replied: You just wait until I am mayor. I will change that. Then there will be normal numbers.

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

As he appeared to answer the question seriously, Stern magazine reported that around 600 audience members began howling with laughter.

He appeared to brush off the raucous crowd, adding: Wait a moment, Mr Faust, until Im Lord Mayor, and Ill change that.

Atef Alshaer, a lecturer on Arabic and Linguistics in the University of Westminster, told The Independent: A German man actually translated Arabic numbers into the Western style used so it is incredible how ignorance can lead to this kind of political blindness.

Arabic numbers are based on the decimal number system and originated in India in the 6th or 7th century, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.

They were first brought to Europe in the 12th century by Arab mathematicians and paved the way for modern algebra.

The NPD party is accused of neo-Nazi links. Intelligence services in Germany have described it as racist and anti-Semitic.

But politicians in all of the countrys 16 states failed to outlaw the party in a bid through the Federal Constitutional Court.

It dismissed the appeal in January, saying the partys concept disregards human dignity but there was no concrete evidence it could achieve its nationalist goals.
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Germany should consider paying Poland as much as $1 trillion in World War II reparations, according to the Polish foreign minister.

Polands foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski told local radio station RMF that serious talks were needed with Germany to "find a way to deal with the fact that German-Polish relations are overshadowed by the German aggression of 1939 and unresolved post-war issues."

He said Polands material losses were about $1 trillion, or higher.

Recommended Poland could be stripped of EU voting rights

Polish defense minister Antoni Macierewicz also accused European critics of trying to erase the fate of the Poles at German hands during the war from the historical memory of Europe.

The countrys right-wing government has dismissed a 1953 resolution by Polands former communist government which dropped any claim to reparations from Germany, and are instead claiming that Germany is shirking its moral responsibility.

Critics of the government say they are talking about reparations to divert attention from their nationalistic agenda.

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

Around six million Polish citizens, including about three million Jews, were killed during the war and much of Warsaw was destroyed.

Mr Waszczykowski did not say when Poland would make public its formal position on repatriations.

An independent Ibris poll found that 51 per cent of Polish people objected to repatriation claims against Germany, while 24 per cent were in favour.

The current conservative Law and Justice party has faced criticism for introducing reforms that have been accused of eroding democracy in Poland, and the European Union launched legal action in July due to fears the reforms could restrict judicial independence.


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A man has been charged in connection with the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl who went missing during a wedding celebration in the French Alps.

Maelys De Araujo was last seen on 27 August in a play room in the village hall in Pont-de-Beauvoisin, 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Lyon in southeastern France.

The 34-year-old man was detained for questioning alongside another suspect last week, but was released without charges.

Divers of the French gendarmerie search for evidence in a pond near Pont-de-Beauvoisin, eastern France (PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images)

The Grenoble prosecutor's office said the man denied any wrongdoing but his explanation "did not convince investigation judges," who charged him with "kidnapping, illegal confinement or arbitrary detention of a minor of less than 15 years."

Maelys went missing at some point after 3am on Sunday morning.

She was at the wedding with her parents and older sister.

About 250 guests have been interviewed by police.

French police search through a forest in Pont-de-Beauvoisin in the French Alps (PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images)

Around 100 officers, including divers and dog handlers, launched a massive search for the girl, trawling through dense woodland and a nearby river.

Investigators believe the girl may have been taken in a vehicle after three sniffer dogs tracking the scent of her cuddly toy lost the trail in the car park outside the village hall.
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Neutral Switzerland is prepared to act as a mediator to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, Swiss President Doris Leuthard has said

Ms Leuthard said Swiss troops were deployed on the demarcation zone between South Korea and North Korea and the country had a long history of neutral diplomacy.

But China and the United States had to take their share of responsibility, she added.

"We are ready to offer our role... as a mediator," Ms Leuthard told a news conference.

"It is really time now to sit down at a table. Big powers have a responsibility."

South Korea said it was talking to the United States about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula after signs North Korea might launch more missiles in the wake of its sixth and largest nuclear test.

The UN Security Council has scheduled a second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North's persistent weapons programmes.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground on Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

North Korea is "deliberately undermining regional peace and stability," the council said when it rebuked the latest missile test, reiterating demands for the country to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting a warning of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said after meeting Donald Trump and his national security team.

"But as I said, we have many options to do so."

The US President previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash "fire and fury" if it threatened US territory.
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A German police force has come under fire for suggesting women avoid jogging solo, after a runner was sexually assaulted in a park.

Advice from the force in the eastern city of Leipzig said women should run in pairs to avoid being attacked, or make sure there is always someone else around.

When they run past someone, joggers should always look back to make sure they are not about to be attacked, a spokesperson advised, The Local reported.

It followed the rape of a woman in her 50s who was left extensive injuries that required emergency surgery earlier this month, in the city's Rosental park.

Leipzig mayor Burkhard Jung condemned the force for failing to reassure women that they will be better protected - and instead suggesting they restrict their freedoms.

The state's response to this inconceivable act and previous attacks must be: more policemen on the streets and in the parks, as I have been asking for years, Mr Jung told German tabloid, Bild.

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

We all want to live in a city where women can jog alone in a park, where everyone can move safely. And for that we need more visible police.

Investigators are still on the hunt for the rapist, who they described as being aged 25 to 35, with dark hair and a short beard.

He was wearing grey, knee-length shorts and a blue/green checked shirt at the time of the attack.
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One of Italys most infamous mafia bosses, known as the cocaine king of Milan, has been arrested after 23 years on the run.

Rocco Morabito was apprehended in Uruguay after fleeing from convictions for mafia association, drug trafficking and other serious crimes, according to the Italian Interior Ministry.

Morabito, 50, was described as the most wanted member of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, the most powerful organised crime group in Italy and Europe's biggest importer of cocaine from South America.

Morabito was detained in the seaside town of Punta del Este, about 50 kilometres east of Montevideo.

The arrest followed co-operation between Uruguayan police and Italian authorities who worked to discover his real identity.

Authorities had been searching for Morabito since 1994, according to newspaper Corriere della Sera, after he was rumbled paying 13 billion lire ($8m) to import almost a tonne of cocaine.

Morabito was issued an international arrest warrant in 1995, with the aim of extraditing him to Italy, where he would await a sentence of 30 years behind bars.

The mafia boss was on the Italian Interior Ministry's list of five most-wanted organised criminals.

Agencies contributed to this report
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Russia will need to react to the expansion of a US anti-missile defence system in South Korea, its Deputy Foreign Minister has said.

"It inevitably will raise the question about our reaction, about our military balances," Sergei Ryabkov told reporters at a summit in China.

His comments followed Seoul's announcement that it was strengthening its US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD), after North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb over the weekend.

 South Korea simulates attack on North Korea's nuclear sites

The anti-missile system has already created diplomatic tensions between South Korea and China, as Beijing believes its radar could be used to monitor its activities.

Russia and China  old rivals who appear to have found common ground on the North Korean issue  have criticised America's militarisation of the Korean Peninsula.

Relations between Moscow and Washington broke down further last week when Donald Trump's administration forced Russia to close its consulate in San Francisco and scale back its diplomatic presence in Washington and New York.

In response to the nuclear test, South Korea also completed live-fire drills off its eastern coast, simulating an attack on the North's main nuclear test site.

North Korea has repeatedly defied United Nations (UN) sanctions by developing nuclear weapons and testing missile systems.

In August, the isolated communist state sent an intercontinental missile over mainland Japan that landed in the Pacific Ocean. It also threatened to attack the US territory of Guam, a small Pacific island used as an American military base.

The US has warned that any threats to itself, it's territories or its allies will be met with a "massive military response".

 US: North Korea could be met with 'massive military response'

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 for its nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes.

The UN Security Council last month unanimously imposed new sanctions on the North over two of it's long-range missile launches in July. The sanctions focused on North Korean exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood.

Officials have said the UN could next consider banning textile exports from the North and stop supplying oil to the government and military.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

North Koreans could also be prevented from working abroad and senior officials could be banned from travelling.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to stop all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China.

But Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters at a briefing in Beijing this week, that such measures would be "neither objective nor fair".
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Sweden is set to deport a blind 106-year-old Afghan refugee who is believed to be the worlds oldest asylum seeker.

Bibikhal Uzbek was 105 years old when her son and grandsons carried her on their backs as they traversed rock-strewn mountain paths from Kunduz in northeastern Afghanistan through Iran and Turkey in the hope of seeking refuge in Europe in 2015.

Ms Uzbek, who is just weeks away from turning 107, had her application for asylum rejected by the Swedish migration agency and was ordered to return to Afghanistan.

The agency deem the familys hometown of Kunduz, where heavy clashes occur between Afghan security forces and the Taliban, to be safe enough for the entire family to return.

Ms Uzbek, who claimed refugee status in Skaraborg county on the western coast of Sweden, had a stroke when her application for asylum was rejected in June and is now totally bedbound and unable to see, speak, or walk.

The family say she is physically unable to survive the trip back to Afghanistan and have filed an appeal for her to stay in Sweden to live out the final period of her life.

"I don't understand, why?" Mohammad Uzbek, Bibikhal Uzbek's grandson, asked Al Jazeera.

"A hundreds and six years old. She doesn't see, she doesn't speak, she doesn't walk. She's sick," he added. "I don't understand, why? Why turn her down?"

In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby being taken on to MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos all images by Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby among refugees on a boat carrying 185 people off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Migrants and refugees sleeping after being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos ship Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A crew from MSF's Bourbon Argos ship rescuing a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya, at sunrise Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A woman in a stretcher being lifted onto MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden

He added: "In Afghanistan, there is war, there is death, problems with the Taliban and with Isil now. I don't understand why they want us to go back. Many people have died this year."

The Swedish migration agency said: Advanced age is not in itself grounds for protection.

Ms Uzbek, who is barely able to communicate and has been lying unresponsive in her bed since the deportation decision was reached, was one of 17 members of her family to make the long and exhausting journey via Germany where she was given a wheelchair.

Swedens Asylum Agency recently drew criticism for testing converted Christian asylum seekers about their knowledge of the religion.

Along with technical questions about their faith, they are tested on the difference between Orthodox and Protestant Churches and how many parts there are to the New Testament and quizzed on details about the sacrament.

In May, immigration lawyer Serpil Gungor said he often had to interrupt administrators to ask if the questions were relevant, given their complexity, telling Swedish public service broadcaster SVT he thought the questions were terrible and revealing he advised his clients to study the bible before their interviews.

Last year Sweden witnessed a record number of 4,542 asylum seekers withdraw applications and leave the country. The combined force of lengthy processing times, stringent rules on family reunion, difficulty in acquiring secure employment and pay-outs to migrants prompted the exodus.
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Iran has tested its first ever long-range missile defence system amid tensions with the US over its weapons programme, Iranian state media has said.

Work on the new Bavar 373 system is underway, Farzad Esmaili, head of the Revolutionary Guards air defences, told IRIB in an interview on Sunday. It is expected to be fully functional by March 2018, he added.

Iran already has an S-300 Russian-made defence system, designed to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles.

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While Tehran purchased it in 2010, international sanctions meant the import of parts was suspended for years. The system went online in March this year after the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which saw the measures which had crippled the Iranian economy lifted in return for curbs on Irans nuclear programme.

The Bavar 373  which translates as faith  was created after construction on the S-300 was brought to a halt. It is designed to intercept long range, or ballistic weaponry.

The system is made completely in Iran and some of its parts are different from the S-300. All of its sub-systems have been completed and its missile tests have been conducted, Mr Esmaili said.

Iran's 'Trumpism' contest Show all 10 1 /10 Iran's 'Trumpism' contest Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images

Also this weekend, Amir Hatami, Irans new Defence Minister, said the country has a specific plan to boost missile power, which he hoped would increase the combat capabilities of Irans ballistic and cruise missiles over the next four years.

Last month the Iranian parliament voted to shore up its ballistic missile programme and the international reach of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard with extra spending in retaliation to new ballistics-related sanctions slapped on Iran by the Trump administration.

While the US has admitted more than once that Iran is complying with the terms of the historic 2015 nuclear deal, the White House has insisted that Tehran will face consequences for the recent ballistics tests, which it says breach the spirit of the agreement reached under Barack Obama.

The wording of the UN resolution that endorsed the nuclear deal called upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.

Relations between Tehran and Washington have soured quickly since US President Donald Trump took office in January.

The new President immediately set about imposing new financial penalties on individuals related to terror-related offences, and imposed a travel ban for citizens of Iran and six other Muslim countries, which has since become the subject of intense legal battles.

Iran, in return, temporarily banned US citizens from travelling to the country, and conducted a ballistic missiles test in January, and another in July.

On the campaign trail, Mr Trump proposed scrapping the nuclear deal altogether, a move widely criticised for endangering an agreement which former Secretary of State John Kerry said made the world a safer place.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani recently warned that his countrys abandoned nuclear programme could be restarted within hours if US threats and sanctions continue.

The US president is yet to communicate his administrations broader Iran policy.
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The Syrian army and allied militias are on the brink of breaking a three-year-long siege imposed on the city of Deir Ezzor by Isis militants, both war monitors and Syrian state media have said.

Media outlets and reporters sympathetic to the regime claimed on Monday that the siege had already been broken on the east side of the city, although activist-run Deir Ezzor 24 and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and other monitors have not yet confirmed the development.

Videos widely circulated on social media and shown by Lebanese Hezbollah-friendly TV channel al Manar supposedly showed Deir Ezzor residents preemptively celebrating Isis downfall.

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One reporter said that the Syrian flag had been raised above the entrance to the citys Christian cemetery, although no picture was provided.

The morale is very high, Deir Ezzor governor Mohammed Ibrahim al-Samra told state TV.

The day before, the Syrian army had said it was between 24-48 hours from reaching the besieged zone after steadily advancing on the jihadist militants desert positions for several months with help from Lebanons Hezbollah and Russian air support.

In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Isis' weapons factories In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A mortar round fin manufactured by Isis in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis rocket components discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, Iraq in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortars discovered near Karamlais, Iraq, in November 2016 CAR In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis rocket launch frame in Qaraqosh, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A memo from Isis' COSQC on quality control at a manufacturing facility in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Electrically-operated initiators manufactured by Isis in forces Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortar tubes at a manufacturing facility in Karamlais, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis mortar production facility discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis weapons manufacturing facilities near Mosul in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Stocks of French-manufactured Sorbitol, Latvian potassium nitrate and Lebanese sugar at an Isis weapons factory in Iraq Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A destroyed Isis weapons facility in Qaraqosh, Iraq, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research

SOHR said on Monday that the advancing forces are less than 10 kilometres (six miles) from a besieged, government-occupied air base known as Brigade 137.

Syrian state TV and opposition-run Deir Ezzor 24 both said Assads forces and allied troops were much closer - in some cases only three kilometres (two miles) away from Isis front line.

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Reaching the base will mean breaking the years-long siege which has left Deir Ezzors 70,000 residents reliant on UN air drops of food, medicine and other supplies - and at the mercy of the jihadists tyrannical interpretation of Islam.

In Raqqa - Isis other remaining stronghold in Syria - US-backed Arab and Kurdish fighters have also made steady gains on the militants, over the weekend pushing fighters out of their de facto capitals historic Old City.

Thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in both areas - and hundreds have been killed by sniper fire and mines or caught up in US coalition and Russian bombing.

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Isis has lost swathes of territory across its so-called caliphate in both Syria and Iraq since the height of its powers in 2015.

Mosul, its de facto Iraqi capital and the largest city under the jihadists control, fell to Iraqi coalition forces in July after a gruelling nine-month-long battle.

While Isis days as a land-holding force are numbered, observers expect the militants to launch a ferocious insurgency campaign in both countries and step up terror attacks elsewhere around the world.
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In a quiet side street of one of San Salvadors infamous northern districts, lies a small community centre. All day, it is filled with small groups of children playing, paying little attention to how precarious their surroundings are.

Severe violence is an established reality in the capital of the Central American country of El Salvador. The districts residents suffer high levels of unemployment and underemployment, entrenched poverty, and a lack of access to adequate state services. Gang activity has taken a firm hold and deeply marks everyday life. The district lives under a feared system of social control meted out by a gang called MS-13.

While it remains difficult to obtain accurate numbers, the minister of defence, David Munguia Payes, has placed the number of gang members active in El Salvador at 60,000. And while the gangs arent solely responsible at the national level, El Salvador ended 2016 with 5,278 deaths attributed to violence. That indicates an average of between 14 to 15 people murdered daily, within a national territory roughly the size of Wales.

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While San Salvador suffers from the reality of these statistics, the community centre  which was established in 2009 and survives off charitable donations  exists as a refuge amid the violence. It offers a secure space outside of school hours where young people between the ages of five and 16 are able to safely interact with one another. This is crucial in a country where the narrowing of alternatives and the search for a place in the world often leads young people into the open arms of local gangs.

I began working with the centre in August 2011 to run a social group there. Since then I have been almost continually involved, either as a youth worker or researcher.

From truce to terror

In the centres early years, both gangs and the security forces battling them created a constant atmosphere of apprehension and suspicion. But there were no incidents to mention, and neither interfered with or restricted the growing number of programmes that the centre offered.

In 2012, a national-level truce was declared whereby the gangs pledged to end many of their violent practices and the state committed to reducing its most repressive anti-gang strategies. The effects in San Salvador were palpable and a tense calm was felt. The security forces became conspicuous by their absence and the gang members became emboldened and operated more openly.

By mid-2014, the truce had fallen apart. As the government backtracked on the concessions that had been granted and cut the mechanisms of dialogue with and between gang leaders, it resumed its heavy-handed repression of the gangs.

Since the end of the truce, the changes in this district of San Salvador have been profound. The mood became extremely tense and volatile. Open war was declared and the gangs responded. Exchanges of gunfire between gang members and security forces have become an almost daily occurrence since, on occasion just a few metres from the doors of the community centre.

Weapons handed in by six Salvadoran gangs during the truce in 2013 (EPA)

At the same time, the gangs began to impose themselves with greater force on the local population. Young men and women associated with the centre began to be targeted by the gangs in increasingly violent ways. Forced recruitment and sexual violence escalated, and many, to protect themselves and their families, were forced to join the wave of Salvadorans fleeing north to the US.

Few options remain

Today, those that remain have found themselves caught between increased gang activity and the repressive stance of the Salvadoran state, which has imposed itself in an ever more belligerent manner. Security forces now associate this district of San Salvador with violence and criminality. Any young person from there is deemed to be an active or potential gang member, and any resident an accomplice. This makes everyone an open target for intimidation and persecution.

The escalation of violence within the district has greatly restricted the lives of the young people who live there. The programmes offered by the centre have been cut back to a minimum. The charitable organisation no longer sends youth workers to the community and funds have narrowed considerably.

As the violence has drawn ever nearer to the everyday lives of the local population, little by little things have fallen apart. The gradual restriction of opportunities leaves very few options for many desperate young people. For some, gang membership is the only way to survive, despite the exposure to violence that it brings. For a generation of decent and conscientious young people, choosing a dignified future is an inherently treacherous exercise.

I am not calling for the gangs to be treated with velvet gloves, nor for the repressive security measures already in place to be intensified, but for the government to look beyond its current narrow focus to embrace a more complete approach to violence prevention.

Programmes that offer hope to young people are a more effective way of preventing violence at the root than the current repressive approach of the Salvadoran state. If not, its actions can only serve to further incriminate and condemn a whole generation of young people whose present and future is being lost among the brutality and the bloodshed.

Luke Grover is a PhD Candidate in Latin American studies, University of Liverpool. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
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A woman who rented out her Parisian studio flat on Airbnb for three weeks says she returned to her home to find it strewn with excrement, urine and rubbish.

The homeowner, identified only as Laurie S, posted photos of the damaged flat on Facebook.

She said the front door had been jammed, the shower and toilet had been damaged and the floor left warped out of shape by the Canadian renter.

The charming studio had literally been transformed into a squat full of excrement, urine and an impressive quantity of empty alcohol bottles, she wrote in the Facebook post.

I was really shocked and devastated to find my studio in that state when I returned.

The apartment was left trashed by an Airbnb renter (Facebook/Laurie S)

Laurie said the damage done to the apartment is worth around 10,000 (9,100), according to an estimate by a building firm.

Although she had not met the renter in person, her neighbours said he seemed nice.

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She later learned he was suffering from alcoholism.

Laurie contacted US company Airbnb to request for compensation and was told by the French branch that they would get back to her.

The firm finally got in touch after French media began to publicise her case last week, saying her claim was being examined.

Laurie told The Local she was still waiting for an Airbnb representative to evaluate the damage.

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The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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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. 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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. 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The company told France 3 television such damage was rare - with only 0.009% of 30 million flats rented on its site last year seriously damaged.

Airbnb offers a Host Guarantee which allows a homeowner to be reimbursed for damages up to 600,000, a scheme it describes as an unmatched level of protection in the travel industry.
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A man whose unruly behaviour on a Hawaiian Airlines flight caused the pilot to return to Honolulu must pay the airline $97,817 (75,600), a federal judge ruled on Monday.

James August of New Jersey pleaded guilty in February to interfering with flight crew members and attendants.

He was sentenced to three months of probation in June, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

Officials said the man, who had been on holiday in Hawaii with his girlfriend and her children, was causing a disturbance before the flight departed.

August was accused of drunkenly threatening his girlfriend, her children, other passengers, and crew members during the flight, as well as slapping a flight attendant on her shoulder, according to an FBI affidavit.

August said he did not remember what happened but did not dispute accounts that he was threatening and disruptive.

He had been drinking before the flight and tried to order more alcohol on the plane, whilst consuming some of the alcohol he had brought on board.

When the attendant asked him to move, he hit her on the shoulder with the back of his hand and other passengers had to restrain him.

Authorities said August then yelled, swore and threatened to punch his girlfriend in the face.

The judge ordered August to repay the airline the costs it incurred for turning the plane around, including fuel, maintenance, ground crew and costs associated with finding the passengers other flights.

The fee does not include the $46,900 in meal vouchers the carrier handed out to delayed passengers and passengers scheduled to take the same plane from New York to Honolulu.

Interfering with flight crew members and attendants is punishable in US law by up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Last year Ryanair called for UK airports to impose a two-drink limit before flights as excessive drinking was found to be an increasing cause for concern.
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Two years after South Africa introduced the worlds most draconian immigration policy for visiting families, British travellers are still losing thousands of pounds because they are unaware of the strict rules.

Elizabeth Jardine and her family, from Rhayader in mid Wales, were denied boarding at Manchester airport and spent an extra 4,000 because they had the wrong type of birth certificate for their eight-year-old daughter.

Any under-18 arriving in South Africa must present an unabridged birth certificate. This contains both the childs and the parents details. Many British families have only a short certificate, with details only of the child, because this is the one provided free of charge when a birth is registered.

The new rules were imposed by the South African Department of Home Affairs In June 2015, after several missed deadlines. They are intended to combat child abduction and trafficking of young people.

Within six months, an average of 10 families a day were being turned away at Heathrow for failing to comply fully with the new rules.

Airlines face fines from the South African authorities if they carry passengers under 18 who do not have the correct birth certificate and are therefore inadmissible.

The Jardine family had booked flights through the KLM website 10 months ahead at a cost of 1,915. They arrived at Manchester airport at 4.30am on 7 April for their flight via Amsterdam to South Africa.

I had been into manage your booking many times over the 10 months to check seats, meals, films etc, said Ms Jardine.

Not once was it obvious to me that I needed any further documentation to travel with our child.

We had been to South Africa as a family in April 2015, with just our passports, and had no difficulty then.

In about January 2017, my husband mentioned to me that we needed our daughter's birth certificate. This was the first I had been aware of the requirement.

I then went back into manage my booking and had to search for this information. There was a brief description on what was needed if travelling with both parents and then a more detailed description of what was needed when travelling with one parent or adoptive parents. As we are married and are both maternal and paternal to our daughter I thought no more about it.

Ms Jardine was unaware that there are two kinds of birth certificates issued in the UK, and that South Africa demands the rarer, Unabridged version.

After the family were denied boarding, they say they were offered two options by KLM ground staff to travel once they had obtained the correct certificate: either a new outbound flight from Birmingham and using the homeward return for an administration fee of 4,800, or finding their own outbound flight but paying KLM a fee of 2,500 for the privilege of using their already paid-for homeward tickets.

They bought completely new tickets for 3,500, flying outbound on Air France via Paris and back via Amsterdam, ironically, on KLM.

Additional costs such as hotels took the total cost up to 4,000. The Dutch carrier has refunded them only 315 of the fare they originally paid, pocketing the remaining 1,600.

For something so important and essential, surely the airline has a duty of care to make passengers travelling with children aware of this new, out of the ordinary, law? said Ms Jardine.

A spokesperson for KLM said: We regret to hear that a family was denied boarding in Manchester airport because they did not have an unabridged birth certificate.

As with all immigration regulations, it is the passengers responsibility to ensure that they have the correct documentation required to travel.

While our online reservation system does not have the capability to warn passengers about the immigration requirements for the country they wish to travel to, we do provide full details of the requirements for children travelling to South Africa on the KLM website.

If both parents are not travelling with the child, the South African rules are more complicated and involve legally endorsed affidavits.

"Unfortunately, it has had a really negative effect on tourism because families who are met at the airport with what we were, just end up not going," said Ms Jardine.
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What is North Korea up to and can Washington do anything about it?

Ever since Pyongyang this summer tested a missile capable of striking the US mainland, Washington has been forced to rapidly rethink its approach to the East Asian nation. A more recent test of what appears to be a thermonuclear device, several times more powerful than the ones America dropped on Japan 73 years ago, has intensified the panic.

Donald Trump has responded with bluster and noise. He has threatened to bring fire and fury upon North Korea, he has criticised South Korea for what he considers appeasement and, without mentioning China by name, he has threatened sanctions against nations that trade with North Korea.

Alongside this, other senior figures within the Trump administration, including Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, have continued to play up the path of diplomacy and talks. At times, whether intentionally or not, their comments have appeared to contradict those of the President.

Were going to continue our peaceful pressure campaign, as I have described it, working with allies, working with China as well to see if we can bring the regime in Pyongyang to the negotiating table, Tillerson said, following the most recent rocket launch.

It has been reported that when Trump was preparing to enter the White House after his surprise election victory, Barack Obama, then with just a few weeks left of his presidency, warned the man set to succeed him that North Korea, its young leader and its aggressive nuclear weapons programme would be among the most pressing challenges he would face.

In recent weeks, as North Korea has continued to surprise US experts with the pace of its testing and the sophistication of its weapons, Obamas forewarning has appeared only more prescient. How can this nation of 25 million, a dictatorship whose people have endured famines and human rights abuses, be challenging a superpower?

The West frequently falls back on cliches when talking about the East Asian country. We hear North Korea is a rogue nation, that its leader Kim Jong-un is crazed or, in the words of senator John McCain, is a crazy fat kid.

But while North Koreas leadership and its 33-year-old head of state remain mercurial, some experts see a consistency to Pyongyangs actions in recent months - a steady and measured declaration of its nuclear status that has sparked global jitters, but has almost certainly strengthened its own position and that of its leader.

Jon Wolfsthal, an expert at the nuclear policy programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, warned that anyone who proclaimed they knew North Koreas desires was lying or guessing.

Yet he added: All the information we have suggests that North Korea is rational. They seek regime survival, and nuclear weapons are a means to that end. Beyond that it's uncertain.

They may be seeking nuclear weapons to further undermine the US position in the region and disable South Korea. On the other hand they may hide behind their nuclear shield and engage an economic development and other domestic activities.

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

Alison Evans, deputy head of the Asia-Pacific Desk, Country Risk, at IHS Markit, said this was North Koreas sixth nuclear test and it appeared to be preparing a seventh.

Bellicose rhetoric from President Trump and high-level officials, intended to deter North Korea, probably reinforce the North Korean leaderships belief that such a capability is essential to deterring the perceived US threat.

North Korea has previously engaged in diplomacy. Six-party talks involving Pyongyang, Beijing, Washington, Tokyo, Moscow and Seoul were launched by George W Bush in 2003. They achieved mixed results and were most recently suspended in 2013 after Kim Jong Un succeeded his father, Kim Jong-il.

As the talks towards disarmament continued, North Korea also watched what happened to those leaders who handed over their nuclear weapons (Muammar Gaddafi) or suspended their programmes years ago (Saddam Hussein).

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a meeting with a committee of the Workers' Party of Korea about the test of a hydrogen bomb (STR/AFP/Getty Images) (AFP/Getty)

If North Koreas actions appear predictable - however condemnable - Washingtons response has seemed shifting and uncertain. Trumps approach appears to have created divisions among Americas regional allies, such as South Korea and Japan. Meanwhile, his suggestion of sanctions against China opens the prospect of a trade war with a country the US currently does $578bn worth of business with.

Unfortunately, US policy under President Trump has been uncoordinated and poorly communicated, said Wolfsthal.

Given his unpredictability I think it would be very dangerous for President Trump to directly engage Kim Jong-un. Right now, the most important thing is direct military-to-military engagement to avoid miscalculation and conflict.

While people such as Mattis insist the US has many military options, nobody thinks any of them are any good. Most immediately, the lives of millions of civilians in Seoul would be at risk from a retaliatory strike if the US were to launch a preemptive attack on North Korea.

We always have military options, but theyre very ugly, Mark Hertling, a retired US Army general, told CNN. In short, the US has no genuine alternative but to get North Korea back to the negotiating table.

Shortly before he was fired, Steve Bannon, until recently a special adviser to Trump, was asked by a reporter from Prospect magazine about the USs military options for North Korea.

Forget it, he said.

Until somebody solves the part of the equation that shows me that10 million people in Seoul dont die in the first 30 minutes from conventional weapons, I dont know what youre talking about, theres no military solution here, they got us.
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Is there anything that the United States can, or even should, do about North Korea? In the past month alone, under its thuggish young leader, Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang has successfully launched new long-range missiles, threatened to strafe the sea off the US Pacific base at Guam, and tested its first hydrogen bomb.

The fear now is that North Korea has  or soon will have  the capacity to put threats and capabilities together and might be rash enough to do so. That puts not just its immediate neighbours, including China and Russia, within range, but also the United States.

From a European perspective  both geographically and diplomatically  it is tempting to throw up ones hands and say that Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un deserve each other. Here, it would appear, are two leaders inclined to speak first, if not actually fire first, and think later; two leaders as unpredictable, unfathomable even, as each other; two masters of bluff and brinkmanship. At best, it could perhaps be hoped that in some strange way they have the measure of each other; that they recognise each others florid language for the rhetoric it is. Perhaps they even know where to stop.

There is, I think, something to be said for this argument. Trump was widely condemned for his threat to respond to any new North Korean provocation with fire and fury like the world has never seen. But that language seemed to get through to Pyongyang in a way that many more formal and considered representations have not.

 US: North Korea could be met with 'massive military response'

The official Korean news agency hit back with accusations of US war hysteria and recklessness. But the wording of its threat to Guam  that the Korean Peoples Army was carefully examining a strike  could be interpreted as a retreat dressed up as bombast for the home audience.

The difficulty is, of course, that real leaders in the real world cannot lightly dismiss bombast  or the risk of mistakes. After all, accuracy has not been a hallmark of North Koreas missile tests. What happens if an intended near-miss (on Guam, say, or Japan) becomes an unintended hit? What happens if North Korea becomes, as it may already have become, the latest state to flout the international nuclear non-proliferation regime? Should the US reach once again for its sheriffs gun, for all Donald Trumps campaign pledges about not waging more foreign wars?

Trump could argue, if he wanted to, that North Koreas now-proven intercontinental missile capability makes it a direct threat to US security. Such a claim would probably sit better with his campaign pledges than his recent U-turn to keep troops in Afghanistan.

So far, at least, however, a military strike does not seem to be what Trump has in mind  and thank goodness. Indeed, the greater and the more immediate the threat, the less his military talk has been. What was his tweeted threat in response to Kims H-bomb test? Not fire and fury, but a global embargo on anyone, anywhere, trading with North Korea.

 Key moments in North Korea's nuclear programme

Trumps secretaries of state and defence, for their part, have played good cop/bad cop. At State, Rex Tillerson spelled out that the US had no territorial designs on North Korea. At defence, James Mattis warned of a possible massive military response.

Trumps own preference  un-Trump-like though it might appear  has so far been to work through conventional diplomatic channels, and persuade others, notably China and South Korea, with more immediate non-military clout to use it.

Last month, the US supported a UN Security Council resolution on trade restrictions, but which also held out the prospect of talks. It was passed unanimously. With the UN Security Council meeting later today, something similar, if somewhat tougher-sounding, could be on the cards. Meanwhile, the Swiss President has offered her countrys services as intermediary, and it would appear that UN back-channels exist and have been used.

What effect any of this has will depend on what North Korea really wants. Does it aspire to a nuclear capability for its own sake or because it sees this as the only guarantee of its own security? Does it want to throw its weight around in the region, or is Kim in fact making an ill-judged cry  primarily to the US  for attention and help?

 Trump, May and other world leaders condemn North Korea's nuclear test

Given the amount of US military hardware in North East Asia and the continuing lack of a peace treaty between North Korea and the South more than 60 years after hostilities ceased, it would be entirely rational for Kim Jong-un to be looking for a stable and secure peace, but to remain intent on doing so without betraying weakness.

The question  whether for the UN or for Swiss mediators, or indeed for Donald Trump  should be how to help North Korea get from here to there, without accidentally falling into a war along the way.
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Im afraid that I have to confess that when I heard the news that the Duchess of Cambridge was to have another child I experienced a slight feeling of morning sickness myself. Curmudgeonly, yes, but my first thought was, Im sorry to say, Whos paying for that, then?

Well, me. And you. We will be footing the bill for the fees at Eton (boy) or Marlborough (girl), for the ponies (polo or My Little) and for the security detail. A lifetime of private school fees then nannies, flunkies, amazing travel, limos and the most expensive clothes, food and the royal jelly awaiting this lucky baby, and all of the costs of bringing this latest addition to the dynasty will be borne, one way or another, by what is in fact public funding. When will they stop breeding?

Given the Windsors remarkable fertility, we can see the size of the royal family ballooning some more in the coming decades. If all the living children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins and nieces and nephews of monarchs are counted it would come to hundreds. After a time and after a degree of separation from the line of succession they start to go common, by which I dont mean that they abandon their drawling accents and typical murdered vowels, but they do tend to get sort-of jobs and have to put the toothpaste on the toothbrush themselves. (Like Princess Margaret's son, who wound up as a fancy society carpenter).

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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 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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

Still, there are probably too many who receive some form of public subsidy, more or less hidden, maybe through grace and favour residences, travel on the public purse promoting Britain, often indistinguishable from a free holiday, or access to royal other facilities of one sort or another. To do them credit, Prince Charles and the Queen have moved to rationalise the annuities and funds that go via the Sovereign List (voted by Parliament) or otherwise to the many members of the clan. There are plenty of lopping opportunities on the overhanging branches on the family tree. Thanks to the child-rearing activities of the Queens antecedents there is a dizzying community of these, often bearing Shakespearean-sounding titles, but mostly very obscure now. Only the most obsessive royalist could, I suggest, work out which Kent is which, identify the Duke of Gloucester in a police line-up of elderly aristocrats, or distinguish one Lascelles from another. (Personal note: I did actually recognise HRH the Duke of Kent when I almost ran him over on Kensington High Street when I was test driving a Nissan Juke in sunlight yellow  a bizarre brush with regicide I still have nightmares about. Certainly an undignified way for the old boy to go. Oddly enough he was on his way to the cashpoint).

Anyway theres a lot of royals about, probably more than at any time in history. Imagine if Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have a few sprogs eachand then Harry and Meghan. Plus all of Princess Annes and Prince Edward's offspring (who Id forgotten about; I looked them up. Edwards son is, absurdly, the nine-year old hereditary Viscount Severn, just so you know where public money, as defined here, is going. He has a lake in Manitoba named after him, a bit confusingly, seeing he was named after a river). So there is more slimming to do. All that said, I do wish mum Kate and future baby well.

 All you need to know about the new royal baby

At this point the answer to the question about the upkeep of royal babies and the rest of it usually comes as follows  The taxpayer doesnt pay that much  a lot of it is down to the Queens personal income. This is true, and theres a distinction between the money Parliament votes for the Queen and her family to fulfil royal duties on the one side  all those banquets for foreign dignitaries for example  and the private income she and the Prince of Wales receive from their hereditary ownership of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, respectively. From those monies they look after their own. There are some other private sources of income too, from undisclosed but substantial investment portfolios  shares, bonds and other property I guess. Taxes are paid on a voluntary basis. Nice. The Sovereign Grant, by the way, is related to the value of Crown properties  belonging to the state and before the mid eighteenth century was regarded as the personal wealth of kings and queens. But if the value of the rents and incomes form the Crown Estate ever falls then the Grant does not index down with them. A bit of a one-way bet really. I dont accept, however, that this is really private at all. The distinction is a political convenience.

My contention, then, is that the monarchy and the British state are in fact inextricably linked and that the properties, incomes and privileges enjoyed by the monarch and those around the sovereign are in fact there by consent of Parliament and People. That is the reality of the relationship between sovereign and sovereignty (which, as the EU Referendum shows, firmly rests with the People), and it is time that the royal finances caught up with the democratisation of British society.

 Royal Family: Who has been the busiest in 2017?

All in all, the Queen is probably worth the best part of half a billion; so extremely wealthy by most standards, but not on the scale of some in the world. That is in fact public property.

Whatever the wealth amounts to, it is there as a function of the ruling dynasty being part of the fabric of the British state for 1,000 years (with a brief Cromwellian interruption). I am no republican, so I only ask this question as a way of making the analysis clear: If the royal family were to be abolished, would the Windsors be allowed to hang on to the income and assets of their various duchies and investment portfolios? No. Nor any of the palaces, paintings, cars, stamp collections, first editions, rare manuscripts and documents, race horses, tiaras, frocks, gifts received on royal visits from the people of Fiji or wherever, farms, antiques and manifold other assets theyve amassed over the centuries. Apparently the Queens grandma, Queen Mary, would just rock up at some stately home and if she fancied some nice bit of furniture would just drop a heavy hint to that effect and, lo, it would be in a van going to Buck House. Some of her predecessors were even less polite. In any case, the distinction between the royals private and public income is bogus, and the pretence of it is serving no one well.

We all need to ask what is the best use of those financial assets, and  most importantly  ensure that they are being spent in a way that is not offensive to the rest of the national family. To put it slightly harshly, Wills and Kate are not about to join the ranks of the just about managing, the folk who might find the idea of a third mouth to feed leaving them with some trepidation. So the nation needs to be content with the income and lifestyle  and size  of the royal family. Some will never be reconciled to the sort of privileged life they lead and would prefer them all to be made to live on a workers wage, like some Labour MPs insist on, or used to, donating the rest of their salaries to charity or some socialist cause. Maybe Jeremy Corbyn still believes that.

I dont think that is right or necessary, and indeed would be ridiculed. What is required is to make those members of the royal family who do perform public duties properly salaried, with set holidays and expenses the same as any other public servants. The royal family, then, needs to nationalised.

After that they can live undeniably lavish and comfortable lifestyles, with no financial concerns, though I admit that the kind of press intrusion they have to suffer has to end, as the death of Diana reminds us. Twenty years ago Earl Spencer said that It would appear that every proprietor and every editor of every publication that has paid for intrusive and exploitative photographs of her, encouraging greedy and ruthless individuals to risk everything in pursuit of Diana's image, has blood on his hands today." He was right.

 Prince George: Best moments from his fourth year

Maybe I am a bit ahead of things here. After that awkward time back in 1997, the Queen has stabilised the institution and it has made a long march back to assured popularity. Today, of all days, fawning and sycophancy are much more in evidence than militant republicanism  but that consent, as we have seen before, can be a fragile thing. I share the enthusiasm for a constitutional monarchy. But with the clan getting so big, and the costs of running crumbling royal residences and stately occasions escalating the time, there is a need to get the framework of Britains constitutional monarchy right, and that means making sure the population is broadly OK with it and comprehends what it does.

In her constitutionally near-flawless way, the Queen has recognised that she reigns solely by consent and the institution she has lead so skilfully since 1952, in times so changed and changing still, has to adapt and indeed bow to public expectations. All the Diana commemorations show us how important it is for that convention to be followed, even in areas that are nominally private, including, at that time, private family grief.

The concept of vast untaxed personal wealth being transferred down the generations is not one that sits well in today's Britain. The new prince or princess will be growing up in a Britain where attitudes to inequality of opportunity and wealth are hardening rapidly. It would be a tragedy if that political feeling was to damage the institution of the monarchy, which is actually a valuable one and has mostly served the country well. I happen to like the fact it has been around for a long time and offers continuity; that is in itself a political and economic asset, and a valuable one, when set against the kind of upheavals that have happened in almost every other European state. Its worth keeping, so its worth making sure that it is of manageable scale and the money is not diverted to dissolute opulence while the people are going through hardships. That, around the world, has usually been a prompt to get rid of the whole thing. A dedicated monarchist ought to recognise that.
Gardai said a man in his 60s was detained in Dublin over the deaths of Thomas Power and John O'Reilly

A man arrested over the murders of two men in an INLA feud 30 years ago has been released without charge.

Gardai said a man in his 60s was detained in Dublin over the deaths of Thomas Power and John O'Reilly in the Rossnaree Hotel, Drogheda, on January 20 1987.

The arrest follows an appeal earlier this year by two of Mr Power's sisters.

The men were shot dead after going to the hotel with the intention of trying to mediate in a bloody internal dispute in the INLA.

Gardai said the arrested man was released several hours after being taken in for questioning under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
Colum Eastwood, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party speaks to the media outside 10 Downing Street on June 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Brexit is helping fuel a restlessness again within Irish nationalism in the North, Colum Eastwood warns.

As a Derry man, the SDLP leader knows well the potential consequences of the UKs EU withdrawal for the border regions in particular.

Mr Eastwood agrees with the argument that it is impossible to enforce a border given the political problems. But hes clear that if the UK exits the Customs Union  a move he describes as shocking - a border somewhere will be the reality. And it will likely be down the Irish Sea, he says, even though thats unthinkable for unionism, and the DUP in particular.

I dont think they [DUP] have a strategy, Mr Eastwood says, in an interview with the Irish Independent at Stormont.

I think they have rowed in behind a narrow, British nationalism, which is actually an English nationalism, and they've been swept up in it. If you were a strategic unionist, you would have done everything in your power to make sure you stayed in the European Union. That Irish nationalism didn't feel restless, as we now do. That you supported the Good Friday Agreement and allowed for people to build relationships across this island and to get comfortable and confident, and for the economy to work. But they have supported the policy of Brexit and are now supporting a hard Brexit, I just cannot understand it.

Prior to Brexit, Northern nationalism was "comfortable", he argues, adding the constitutional sands on the island had now shifted.

When you talked about a united Ireland [prior to Brexit], there weren't many people looking to talk back. But now that has just shifted massively, and I think Northern nationalists are looking for an accelerated process around that, he says.

Mr Eastwood supports the idea of a border poll, but not immediately. The conversation needs to take place "at some point in the future". He insists a lot of groundwork is required for that conversation, including how to encourage unionism to join it.

"Irish nationalism hasn't done the work yet, and needs to start doing it," he says.

Mr Eastwood believes one way of getting unionists involved in the conversation is to argue that the Good Friday Agreement in a united Ireland should be maintained.

Our strong view is that in a united Ireland the [Good Friday] agreement, probably tweaked, but the agreement would be maintained, so there would be a Stormont institution, there would be power sharing, we would have to look at what those powers would be, but that unionist identity and the fact that the North is different would have to be recognised within any future united Ireland. Unionist identity can be respected. This is the bastion of unionism traditionally and historically, I would argue that we can keep it. Unionism would play a very strong part in a power sharing arrangement here and a very strong part in any future Government in the Oireachtas.

It's strong on aspiration, although there is much detail to consider. So far though, there's scant evidence that unionists will even want to have that conversation.

And they arent the only ones that have to be convinced. Southern voters do also. Why would they want a Northern Ireland that seems to be perennially in a state of political fragility? Mr Eastwood says the SDLPs strategy has always been to make Northern Ireland work, with a view to a united Ireland.

I don't believe in a scorched earth policy around a united Ireland so this all collapses and all of a sudden we fall magically into a united Ireland and southern voters save us. That's a disastrous strategy. We've got to make this place work, to show that it's worth joining. We should never take the voters in the south for granted on the future of a unity poll.

The problem the SDLP faces is that it is struggling against Sinn Fein to get that message across to voters.

The party of John Hume has had a bruising year. After Junes UK general election, it has no Westminster seats, although it made a gain in the Assembly elections for the first time since 1998. It has 12 seats in the Assembly, versus Sinn Fein's 27.

The party is in a period of internal reflection, Mr Eastwood says, but is tight-lipped on how it intends to rebuild.

We have to be honest with ourselves. In 1998, the SDLP achieved an enormous amount. We haven't always been as good setting out what the next mission is, the next phase of what constitutional nationalism is."

Sinn Fein, he argues, has enormous resources and money, but no answers.

But politics is polarised now to a level that suits them, and suits the DUP. Sometimes up here, the flag trumps everything, and a more nuanced moderate position doesn't always get through, he says. And Arlene Foster has been the biggest gift for Sinn Fein in many years. She has created a need in many nationalists minds to kick back, and they did."

Could a much-talked tie-up with Fianna Fail, if the latter was to stand in the North, be part of that reflection?

It's always something that's been talked about, Mr Eastwood says. If you think about how politics is shaking up, political realignment on the island of Ireland is absolutely a possibility. I think it will be a very strange thing to close your mind off to that possibility.

As for whether Stormont can get back up and running, Mr Eastwood is in gloomy form.

Power sharing collapsed earlier this year, and despite an election in March, theres no sign of Sinn Fein and the DUP forming a government, with a demand for a standalone Irish Language Act the main stumbling block.

With little sign of agreement in sight, Mr Eastwood worries direct rule will come to pass.

And he fears if that happens, it could spell the end of power sharing for a prolonged period.

I dont want to be pessimistic. Were committed to trying to make it work, but the outlook is fairly gloomy. It doesnt need to be like that. Sinn Fein and the DUP have their big mandates, but theres no point in having them if they arent going to use them. They have the lions share of the responsibility to try to form a government, he says.

The last time we had direct rule it lasted for five years. In this context of Brexit and everything else, I think if we have direct rule, well be very lucky to get this place [Stormont] back again.

And he stresses there continues to be a place for the SDLP in Northern Ireland politics.

The SDLP was born out of a tumultuous time in history, an important time for people to stand up and give big views on where Ireland was going, he says.

We're probably there again and we have to make sure people hear. We've been giving the best answers to all of these problems. This place is not pre-destined to fail all the time.
Police are treating the death of a 53-year-old woman as murder

Vital cross-Border sharing of policing expertise is going to become extremely difficult post-Brexit, former police chief Judith Gillespie has warned.

The former PSNI deputy chief constable, and member of Ireland's Policing Authority, said Brexit would pose huge challenges.

"I think Brexit is going to pose so many challenges for law enforcement - European Arrest Warrants, exchange of information, intelligence, fingerprints, DNA, all those things," she said.

"Any type of hard Border will have very significant costs both in the North and south.

"In the context of shrinking public-sector costs, that is going to be a real challenge - to continue to deliver policing, in the context of additional costs to policing a hard Border. It is a big concern."

Ms Gillespie said one of the main threats to policing post-Brexit would be the sharing of important experience between the Garda and the PSNI.

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Recent superintendent and chief superintendent promotion competitions have recruited a number of PSNI officers from the ranks of the Garda.

"But post-Brexit this movement of staff will become even more difficult than it is now," she warned.

Ms Gillespie, who retired from the PSNI in 2014 after 32 years, joined Ireland's Policing Authority in January 2016.

She said the Garda oversight body had a really important part to play "as a critical friend and in ensuring pace in delivery of change".

"That's important not just for the public but also for the very many good people within the organisation," she added.

An Garda Siochana has recently been hit by a number of controversies and Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan has faced calls to resign.

Ms Gillespie believes the Commissioner should be given a "fair chance" to transform the force - but warned the Policing Authority will be watching her performance "very closely".

"Noirin is an incredibly resilient person ... she has had a very difficult job to take over with the history of the organisation," she said. "I think she has to be given time to turn the organisation around."
Britain's largest private landowner risks flooding waterways with poisonous lead if plans to build a huge wind farm go ahead, residents have warned.

The Duke of Buccleuch has proposed a large wind farm in south-west Scotland is facing fierce opposition from local residents and politicians across the political divide.

Erecting 35 wind turbines on the hillsides between Sanquhar and Wanlockhead in Dumfries and Galloway will wreck the landscape, risk unearthing contamination from old lead mines and undermine plans for a community land buy-out, they say.

The accusations are denied by the Buccleuch estate, which says it has reduced the visual impact of the wind farm and will avoid contaminated areas.

It argues that its plans pre-date the community buy-out.

Buccleuch, Britains largest private landowner, has joined with a renewables company under the banner of the North Lowther Energy Initiative to apply for permission for a 151-megawatt windfarm.

The application is currently being considered by the Scottish Government. But leading SNP, Conservative and Labour MSPs have lodged forceful objections, as have community organisations and recreation groups in Wanlockhead and Leadhills.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has also objected because it is worried that not enough has been done to prevent water contamination.

Joan McAlpine, the SNP MSP for South Scotland, said: "The proposal to locate so many turbines in this area will irreversibly destroy its unique character.

And although she wanted windfarms in the right place, she shared community fears about contamination.

I am also concerned that this communitys wishes are being dismissed by a powerful landowner, she added.

McAlpine argued that Buccleuchs plan was at odds with community proposals to develop the land.

"I would therefore be concerned that the wind farm development undermines the communitys plans to empower itself through acquisition of the land," she said.

The Conservative MSP for Dumfriesshire, Oliver Mundell, claimed the windfarm had no local support. The application is motivated solely by financial considerations on the part of the landowner and cannot be justified," he said.

It would create a metal cordon around local villages which would be "completely engulfed", he argued.

The development could "destroy the local community" and leave Wanlockhead "a ghost town".

Claudia Beamish, Labour MSP for South Scotland, stressed that she was supportive of renewable energy. But she agreed with local concerns about the cumulative effect of too many wind farms in the area.

Soil and ponds near Wanlockhead are known to be seriously contaminated with lead and other heavy metals from centuries of mine workings.

Residents fear that erecting the turbines could result in pollution leaking into streams and rivers.

"I have concerns over the tremendous amount of lead-laced water that will be released into our waterways by the construction of this industrial wind park," said one Wanlockhead resident, Catriona Blewer.

And I have concerns over what this means for our village's future. Why does a corporation get to make huge amounts of money by ruining our quality of life and our dreams?"

Another resident, Harry Pickburn, was also anxious about the upheaval during construction.

"The disturbance of the pollutants within the ground is of great concern," he said. The negative effect they would have on wildlife is also unacceptable.

"We are not in opposition to progress, and appreciate we need to change, but feel enough is enough. According to the Scottish Government watchdog, Sepa, there was a danger of possible mobilisation of metal contaminants into the wider water environment.

The developer needed to do more work to properly assess the risks, it said.

The proposal to carry out further investigation prior to operations is not adequate to address our concerns, stated Sepas letter of objection.

We require further information at this stage to ensure that no significant impact to the water environment will occur.

Among other objectors are the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society, Lowther Hills Ski Club, Leadhills Community Council and Wanlockhead Village Council.

The windfarm was unnecessary, unwelcome and inconsiderate towards the future aspirations of the affected communities, said one member of the village council, Androulla Richford. Buccleuch, however, argued that the development would bring major economic benefits to an area that badly needed it.

The project will also deliver substantial habitat restoration that will improve the environmental and conservation landscape, said the estates chief executive, John Glen.

He said that there had been positive feedback from people in Sanquhar, Kirkconnel and Wanlockhead. The proposed windfarm was part of a major investment programme that would benefit the area hugely.

The design of the windfarm has been adapted to reduce visual impact, including a reduction in visibility from Wanlockhead, Glen told the Sunday Herald.

We are currently liaising with Sepa on some technical issues they have raised and are confident of addressing them satisfactorily, he added.

"We have avoided areas identified as being at risk of contamination from old mine workings. Glen attacked McAlpines objection as ill-informed and inaccurate.

It "betrays her willingness to put her anti-landowner agenda ahead of real benefit for people in the area", he alleged.

"It is a pity she chooses to attempt to grab headlines rather than accept our many invitations to engage directly with us."

Glen added: "Her suggestion that this proposal undermines a local community right to buy shows a lack of knowledge that the initiative was conceived and progressed before any suggestion of a community right to buy  which is still some way off from being applied for."

The Scottish Government confirmed that the application was undergoing consultations.

"We are unable to comment until the application process is completed and a decision has been made," said a spokesperson.
The likely late harvest will again delay the establishment of cover crops. Up to September 15 farmers will sow 20,000ha of catch crops for GLAS purposes.

Unfortunately, the Department of Agriculture specifications are unyielding and dictate management which is not always in the best interest of growers particularly from a pest and disease point of view.

There is no doubt that some of the specifications foisted on growers will lead to major problems over the coming years.

As a group, the Irish Tillage Consultants Association (ITCA) have sought changes to these specifications.

For example, DEFRA (UK) funded research indicates, as a general rule, once a third to half ground cover is achieved there is a substantial reduction in Nitrates run off and erosion risks.

In our opinion DAFM recommended seeding rates are way too high. Seeding rates should be determined by the cover crop species/ variety, weather, soil and seed bed conditions and especially the seeding date.

The high inclusion rates demanded by the Dept of Agriculture for cover crops for GLAS, regardless of seeding dates, are not necessary and can be detrimental in the long run for both establishment and management of the crops themselves and the subsequent cropping programmes.

For example, the GLAS minimum rate of 8kg per hectare for a mix of leafy turnip and fodder rape is much higher than required especially when you consider recommended oilseed rape sowing rates of approximately 2kg in late August.

This very high seeding rate is particularly worrying, when cover crops are sown early. Brassica mixes, particularly leafy turnip and rape, I understand, make up almost 90pc of the area sown to catch crops, partly due to their cost competitive advantage.

Cover crops are now the third largest tillage crop grown in Ireland. Brassica mixes should be avoided where the rotation includes oilseed rape as it increases the likelihood of club root, sclerotinia and nematodes and their over use can only lead to serious pest and disease issues and a reduction in suitable land available for oilseed rape production over the next number of years.

Pat Minnock is a Carlow based agricultural consultant and a member of the ACA and the ITCA. www.minnockagri.ie
Following Molson's recent acquisition of the Miller Brewing Company, Molson is now the largest US brewer, third biggest globally (after Anheuser Busch and Heineken) and has a market value of $19bn (16bn). Stock picture

More than 250 years ago an ambitious entrepreneur from Leixlip could take the chance on signing a 9,000-year lease on a plot of land at St James's Gate in order to set up a brewery. Arthur Guinness's gamble paid off, but could any of us imagine him taking a chance like that these days? Not likely!

In recent years the global brewing industry has been shaken up beyond recognition. A winner amidst all this activity is US/Canadian outfit Molson Coors. Following its recent acquisition of the Miller Brewing Company, Molson is now the largest US brewer, third biggest globally (after Anheuser Busch and Heineken) and has a market value of $19bn (16bn).

In the past decade the appetite for mega-mergers in the industry has surprised everyone. Nine years ago Molson Coors and SAB (South African Breweries) formed a joint venture to develop the Miller brand. But soon the financial engineers and the industry re-shapers arrived. Rival brewer AB AmBev threw lustful glances at SAB Miller, but the combination of the two largest global breweries brought the regulators' disapproval and forced the merged group to forfeit its part-ownership of Miller, which Molson immediately snapped up for $12bn (10bn).

All three companies - Molson, Miller and Coors - have an interesting heritage. Molson, Canada's oldest brewery, was founded more than 230 years ago in Montreal. The company thrived and by 1945 was floated on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Two centuries after its formation Molson became Canada's largest beer company following the acquisition of its rival Carling O'Keefe. In 2005 it merged with US brewer Coors Inc.

The two US concerns had a more difficult time than its counterpart across the border. Both Miller and Coors were founded by German immigrants and survived prohibition and other catastrophes. Miller brewery was set up in Milwaukee for $2,300 in the mid 19th century. It remained under family control until 1966 when it was sold to W R Grace. Within three years Grace sold to Philip Morris, who held it for 40 years before selling to SAB. Coors is the youngest of the three brewers, but allowing for the setting up of its brewery in Colorado later than Miller, the Coors family has become one of the great (and richest) beer families in the US. Despite globalisation, mergers, even a 1975 floatation; the Coors family still own 10pc, 144 years after Adolph Coors started his brewery.

The amalgamation of the three has resulted in a very diverse portfolio of owned and partner brands. It brews and sells its 'core' brands like Coors Light, Molson Canadian, Miller Lite, and Carling, and also Amstel, Heineken, Murphy's and Newcastle brown ale under licence from Heineken. It also markets brands like Molson Canadian cider, Becks, Staropramen, and Carling Black Label, and has a contract to produce Asahi Select and Peroni for the US.

The acquisition of Miller, Molson's largest ever, is a 'game changer' according to chief execuitve Mark Hunter. It gives Molson full ownership of Miller, access to its international portfolio, doubles its revenue, adds $1bn (843m) in earnings and has the potential to cut costs by $200m (168m) within the next three years. It also gives Molson scale, buying power and more efficient production in a market where mainstream brands are being seriously threatened by craft beers. The purchase also plays into Molson's strategy of international expansion by adding another well-known brand to its considerable portfolio.

Presently the company is going through challenging times, recording a fall in sales volume last year. Following indications costs and capital expenditure will rise this year; investors gave the group a chilly reception, driving shares to $89 (75), close to its yearly low and way off its high of $111 (94). However, the group explained that 2017 is a 'transition year' as it completes the Miller acquisition. Now may be the time to jump on board.

Nothing in this section should be taken as a recommendation, either explicit or implicit to buy any of the shares mentioned.
The bitch is back. Strong woman- cum-manipulative man-eater Ingrid Gleeson is about to return to Fair City after a five-year absence. The long-running RTE soap rang Vivienne Connolly in April to ask about her availability and interest in revising the role. The phone call came on the day of her son Ben Junior's Confirmation - his grandfather is Ben Dunne. "And it was funny because Katie," Vivienne says referring to her other child by ex-husband, supermarket heir Mark Dunne, "had only said a couple of weeks before that she'd love it if I was back on Fair City as she was so young the last time and wasn't allowed to watch it."

"I was on Fair City in 2011 and 2012," says Vivienne. "I come back for a while to stir things up. I can't say much more than that at the moment! You'll have to tune in," she laughs.

How did Ingrid acquire the reputation as a wicked, scheming hussy?

"I think because she was having a relationship with another guy, and then came back and took Louie, her ex, back from Carol, broke up their marriage at the altar - and headed back to America with him. That will probably do it every time!"

Acting came to her initially. In 1997, Vivienne, who was then one of Ireland's foremost models, was working on The Late Late Show fashion awards.

"The cameraman on the show, Tim Lawless, was friends with Brendan O'Carroll, and Brendan was doing a play called The Course and he was looking for someone to play a certain role and Tim suggested me for it."

Vivienne auditioned for the part and got it. "We played in The Olympia for six weeks and then in the Everyman in Cork. It was great fun."

Despite this, Vivienne left acting "for a while" (actually a decade) as she was making more money modelling. She took it up again in 2009, training with The Irish Film Academy with Rachel Sarah Murphy and then intensive training with Terry McMahon and David Scott. It was in November, 2010, in Oedipus at Dublin's Smock Alley, that Vivienne's performance as another strong woman - Jocasta, the Queen of Thebes, who along with her husband King Laius, binds their child's ankles and sends him off to the wilderness to perish - caught the eye of Fair City producer Brigie de Courcy, who was in the audience. "She asked me to audition, which I did, and was lucky enough to get the part of Ingrid."

Asked to describe her character, Vivienne says: "Ingrid is all about her family and kids. She will go to any lengths for her kids, she is a no-nonsense kind of person but I think she has a vulnerable side."

And you?

"Me? I am like her in that I will do anything for my kids," she replies. "I'm a strong person with a great sense of fun. I'm loyal and honest and always seeking new adventures.

"I'm a strong person, but I'm very soft underneath. My dad always said my bladder was too close to my eyes, because I cry so easily."

Video of the Day

To the best of my memory, the 1913 author of A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu, Marcel Proust, has never been officially referenced on Fair City in its 28 years on the national airwaves. Be that as it may, Vivienne Connolly's memory is positively Proustian. She can remember going to her granny's house in Limerick, at four years of age, for Christmas.

Her granny's name was Anne but people affectionately called her Bunny. She was, "a fab lady, who never drank or smoked. She was an amazing cook." That Christmas, in Limerick, the cooking was extra special, as was the festive atmosphere around the house. All her cousins were there too - Olivia, Cornelia, Darren, Gillian and Shane - "and I made everyone kneel in front of the crib on Christmas morning and pray and say happy birthday to Jesus before we opened our presents. I remember wanting to acknowledge the meaning of the day,'' smiles Vivienne before laughing.

"Or, maybe, I was praying Santa had brought me the right presents."

Growing up in a four-bedroomed house on two-and-a-half acres in Kilmeaney, Co Carlow, Vivienne Lee Connolly was born on November 23, 1972, the middle child in a family of five (between older siblings Derek and Lorna, and younger siblings Carl and sister Elaine). She went to school at St Leo's Convent nearby. The daughter of Liz and John, who ran a dry cleaners and drapery shop in Carlow town, she describes her childhood as "very happy, very carefree, fun, loving".

"It was a very close-knit family, which gives you strength." Vivienne was very close to her aunts and uncles, Bernadette and Gerard Bourke, Teresa Lenihan, Anne Walsh et al. "They spent time with us and played games which I think gives a child self-esteem and self-worth - to know that these people enjoy spending their time with you, as your time is the most precious gift you can give to anyone," she says.

"They would all play rounders and charades with us - the boys against the girls. There was good, healthy competition and a few obligatory rows thrown in, generally over the rules. It was always fun and we enjoyed winding each other up, and even the people who didn't want to play at the start ended up joining in and enjoying it." Her parents have been married for what seems like forever. Vivienne's high-profile marriage to Mark Dunne ended in 2010. They went for their first date in The Barge Pub in Ranelagh, Dublin, in 2000 and were married on December 3, 2005, in Ashford Castle. They were legally separated in April 2011.

Did the break-up feel almost extra painful on some levels because Vivienne expected and wanted to have the same long marriage as her mum and dad?

"Yes it did, because I never expected to be in that situation and obviously the hardest part was its effect on the kids. As I said, my family are quite traditional, so it was tough on everyone."

Vivienne previously told me: "And without being selfish, that was one of the things I couldn't get past for a long time: I felt very selfish. I kept saying to my sisters - 'How can I do this to my kids? Take their father away? Take that whole unit away?' That's the one thing I always miss, the family unit, because I had it."

I ask her how she dealt with that emotionally? "You just have to go with what feels right at the time, trust your guts and do your best. Sometimes you just have to learn on the job and that's what I did. I thought it was better to bring Ben and Katie up with two happy parents rather than in an unhappy environment where they were never going to flourish.

"People kept saying me 'you're so brave'. My response was, there is a very fine line between brave and stupid. I just did what I had to do and it was the hardest thing I've every been through. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone," she says.

"But I wouldn't recommend staying in an unhappy marriage to anyone either. Myself and Mark have two very strong personalities, I think that's one of the reasons it didn't work out."

Why, in hindsight, does Vivienne think they broke up?

"Neither of us was happy and it just wasn't working anymore. I would rather leave it at that. Mark deserves his privacy and so do the kids. Myself and Mark get on great now, thank God. He is a great father to Ben and Katie and they were our priority through all of this."

She says that being a mother to Ben and Katie - born on April 22, 2004, and August 22, 2006, respectively - is "the best and most satisfying job in the world. It can also be one of the toughest. It has made me realise what life is all about, there is nothing more precious than your children. It has made me value my time a lot more as you see just how quickly it goes by," Vivienne says, adding that Ben started secondary school last Thursday.

"Like how did that happen so fast? It's amazing watching them growing into young men and women. It makes you more appreciative and grateful, especially when you hear others aren't so lucky. It has definitely made me more patient, because you have to be, and probably taught me not to sweat about the small stuff. I always say to Katie, if something is stressing her to delay the worry. And it works."

How does Vivienne look back on the somewhat precocious Carlow girl, who once said to her parents at the kitchen table: "I can't believe I'm nine years old and haven't been out of the country yet."

What possessed her to come out with something like that? "You know, its funny because I remember saying that so clearly and I remember how serious I was, how much I meant it," Vivienne says, 35 years later.

"I think it was a natural urge inside me to see the world. I was curious and wanted to see everything, and when I started travelling I didn't stop and I'm not done yet. I think it's so true that travelling broadens your mind. It just completely enriches your life and you gain experience that you can pass onto your children."

Asked what it has taught her, Vivienne says "to really listen to my own kids and know that there is a lot of meaning in what they say and it can be quite revealing of their future personalities, because children shoot from the hip. They are honest - out of the mouth of babes and all that. Ben and Katie already love travelling and are very good at navigating airports and cities and other cultures which can only be a positive thing."

One of Vivienne Connolly's favourite books is Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Spend a bit of time in her company and it kind of shows. Prone to much philosophical self-analysis, Vivienne believes that life is "a great teacher" and "all of our experiences form who we are. Life has taught me that sometimes, or even often, things are not within your control... that the stuff that you worry about is usually not the stuff that actually happens to you; things come out of the blue and bite you on the ass, but I do believe, what's meant for you won't go by you, and that there is a bigger picture.

"It has taught me that time is the most valuable thing you have and spend it the best way you can with the people you love. Don't have regrets, they are a waste of time. Stop procrastinating and just do it!" she says, and then, without missing a beat: "Worrying never changes the result. So don't do it."

Does ageing worry her?

"My age has never bothered me," she says. "Ageing isn't easy for anyone, but it's inevitable. So my approach is just to embrace it and if you are having a tough day, just remind yourself how lucky you are to be here - a lot of sick kids and adults who didn't make it to this age would have given anything for the chance to grow old. It's the circle of life. Just make the most of it all."

As such, Vivienne has been using up her air miles with the abandon of the nine-year-old child who admonished her parents for never having been out of the country. She went to Australia in January for five weeks. "It was something I have been trying to do for a long time as I have two good friends living over there, but it wasn't easy to get that block of time together and I was nervous at the thought of leaving the kids for so long, but I took the bull by the horns and decided it wasn't going to happen unless I made it happen. So I booked my ticket in November on my birthday - a birthday present to me! - and I had one of those moments when you press the button on your computer of 'Oh my God, I am really doing this!'" she laughs.

"Obviously, I had discussed the possibility with Mark and he was more than happy to have the kids for that time," adds Vivienne, who has also travelled to Marrakech, Rome, New York and Paris over the last couple of years, and most recently, the Algarve, where she has a second home. "I'm heading back to the Algarve next week for Gail Kaneswaran's wedding."

Apropos of all this consciousness-expanding travelling and accumulation of truth about the world from her own life experiences, former top model Vivienne is currently setting up her website.

She will be blogging about fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle. "There is also a parenting section and I will answer any questions people have, from single parenting to advice on separations. There are a lot of people out there who feel they are alone and I want them to know that they are not. There are a lot of girls blogging and covering fashion and beauty for the younger age group but there is a definite gap when it comes to women in their 40s," she says, "also we can work through navigating the dating scene".

I ask her if there is any romance in her life? "Not at the moment," she says. "I need to get back in the dating scene."

Clearly not overly keen to dwell on the subject of her love life, Vivienne changes tack. "I think life is short so I like to make the most of it. I love seeing other people happy and I love surprising people, like I did earlier this year, when I took my mum to Paris for her birthday, because she had never been before," Vivienne says.

"She loved it. We did all the touristy bits for the first few days because I knew my sisters were flying in on the Friday."

Vivienne and her mother were enjoying lunch by the Eiffel Tower. She had planned it so that her mother's back was turned, so she couldn't see her two other daughters, Lorna and Elaine "come up behind her and frighten the life out of her. We were all in tears."

As the men on Fair City will be when Ingrid Gleeson returns next week.

vivienneconnolly.com
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy angered members of Dublin City Council (DCC) after he decided against appearing before the council to discuss the housing crisis.

The council had sent an invitation to the minister, asking him to attend its first meeting after the summer break, which took place tonight.

However, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Michael McDonacha, revealed Mr Murphy responded that he would appear only after the Rebuilding Ireland report had been completed.

He said he was disappointed with the minister.

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The decision was met with anger by members of all the parties on the council, other than the minister's Fine Gael.

The meeting had begun within a minutes silence, which remembered the homeless people who passed away in recent days, including Danielle Carroll (27), Jack Watson, who was in his 50s and Jennifer Dennehy, who was in her 30s.

"We're facing cowardice when we at Fine Gael in relation to the housing crisis," Fianna Fail councillor, David Costello, said.

Independent councillor, Christy Burke, was even stronger in his criticism.

"I think it's an absolute disgrace," he said.

"He has treated the 63 members of this council with contempt," he said.

Mr Burke said four homeless people had died in recent weeks and said he was aware of one person who had passed away but had not received pubic attention.

Sinn Fein's Daithi Dolan said it "beggars belief" the minister decided not to turn up.

He said the council was the biggest local authority on the island and the minister should have been there to answer questions.

The other left wing parties also hit out at the the minister's failure to appear.

However, Fine Gael councillor Paddy McCartan, defended Mr Murphy.

"There is no doubting the commitment of minister Murphy to deal with the housing crisis," he said.

"The commitment was to be here in September, he is prepared to do that.

"To suggest he is unwilling to come into the council is incorrect," he added.

He estimated a time period of two weeks before the report was completed.

A spokesperson for the Housing Minister said:

"The invitation was extended via Fine Gael member Paddy McCartan which the Minister accepted. The Minister suggested the council have a special meeting on housing and homelessness and was told this was okay. The Lord Mayor then issued his statement. Minister has no problem meeting the council and has already agreed to do so. Tonight's actions are unfortunately using a crisis for political purposes."
A PARISIAN chef, who shoplifted shoes to give to his girlfriend as a birthday present, was out of cash because of the high cost of living in Dublin, a court heard.

Sofiane Yahiaoui (31) claims he stole three pairs of women's shoes rather than go back to his girlfriend "empty-handed" on her birthday.

Dublin District Court was told he had never stolen before and had decided to return home to Paris because the cost of living was "unsustainable" for him. Judge Grainne O'Neill adjourned the case and said she would leave him without a conviction if he made a 200 charity donation.

Yahiaoui, of Grosvenor Place, Rathmines, pleaded guilty to stealing the shoes, worth 141, from the TK Maxx store, at the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre.

"I am guilty, your honour," he told the judge.

The court heard the incident happened on July 31.

The accused selected the shoes and then left the shop without paying for them. He was stopped by security and the goods were recovered in a saleable condition.

It was his partner's birthday and rather than go home and face her without a gift, Yahiaoui made the "stupid decision" to steal a present for her, said defence solicitor Stephen O'Mahony.

He added that the accused was from Paris and had been living in Dublin since last year.

Mr O'Mahony told the court Yahiaoui was a qualified chef and came here to learn English. He had worked in various jobs but is unemployed now and intended to return home to Paris.

He said the accused found the cost of living in Dublin "quite high" and staying was not sustainable for him.

Stealing was something he had never done before, the court was told.

"If he can raise 200, I will leave him without a conviction," Judge O'Neill said.

The accused was due to travel to Paris but would return to Dublin within two months, Mr O'Mahony said.

The judge said it was a serious enough matter.

However, because the accused had no previous convictions and the property was recovered undamaged, she would be willing to apply the Probation Act if the cash was paid. If that did not happen, the accused would be convicted and fined 200.

She added that Yahiaoui was excused from attending on the next court date if the money was paid to the Laura Lynn Hospice.
A man who has intellectual disabilities and has been spending his welfare payments on dating websites, today Monday lost control of how he spends his social income.

High Court President Mr Justice Peter Kelly said the man had a fatal attraction for trying to develop relationships by way of the internet and was vulnerable to exploitation and extortion by unscrupulous people.

The man, who has been previously stopped from boarding a plane to marry a woman he met on the internet, has already been the victim of previous internet scams. He is a ward of court for his own protection and attempts have been made to extort money from him through blackmail.

Last year court orders were made to prevent him travelling to the US where he had planned to marry a woman he had met online who, the judge said, would not have been of any great benefit to him in circumstances where he had a vulnerability towards himself and his finances.

Judge Kelly said the man remained intent on finding a girlfriend over the Internet and was currently seeking companionship from a woman of Afro-Carribean origins.

His carers have become worried about him and last month he was removed from the Dublin-Galway train as he travelled to Galway to meet a woman. He had also tried to befriend a Ghanain woman who was a victim of human trafficking.

The judge said the woman he wished to marry in the US was afterwards refused entry to Ireland and his affair with her had eventually fizzled out.

Since then his food and rent bills had fallen into arrears by almost 2,000 due to his spending on his phone. The man was an ardent user of the teenage dating social media site Tagged and had also posted his profile on Grindr a gay site.

Judge Kelly said he and the court and his carers were concerned for the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and he ordered that his social welfare payments would in the future be paid directly to a solicitor who would pay his debts for him.

The judge said the man had given out his personal bank details to unscrupulous people he had met online and who were seeking to exploit his disability for maximum gain.

Judge Kelly appealed to the man, who was in court to hear the judges remarks, to attend classes at the care centre where he resides and which assist in the responsible use, and particularly the dangers, of social media and the Internet.

We have your welfare at heart unlike the people you are contacting online, Judge Kelly told the man.
Three companies have submitted applications to store natural gas in Ukrainian underground gas storage (USG) facilities in the customs warehouse regime, a source in the Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine has told Interfax-Ukraine.

The source said that in coming days first pumping could start and first documents would be signed.

As reported, until recently, the customs clearance of natural gas transported to Ukraine for its storage in the UGS facilities could be carried out only in the customs transit regime. The provisions of the Customs Code of Ukraine set the time limits for transit transportation by pipelines - 31 days, but these conditions are not economically acceptable for most foreign traders.

After the Energy Customs of the State Fiscal Service issued order No. 45 dated June 1, 2017, PJSC Ukrtransgaz granted permission to open and operate a customs warehouse on the basis of the Ukrainian UGS facilities. This allows companies, including foreign ones, to store gas for 1,095 days (three years) without paying any taxes and customs fees for the further transportation of natural gas from the territory of Ukraine.

In recent years, Ukrainian storage facilities of 31 billion cubic meters were loaded by only 50%. In this regard, the operator of the Ukrainian gas transport system offers to provide storage services to foreign traders, primarily from neighboring countries where there is a shortage of gas storage facilities - Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova.

As of the beginning of June 2017, Ukrtransgaz declared its readiness to provide storage services at the lowest price in Europe of around EUR 0.4/MW per storage cycle.
A mother-of-one is facing trial accused of bringing a loaded gun to a Dublin train station.

Nikita Murtagh (20) had the case against her adjourned for the preparation of a book of evidence, after a judge ruled it was too serious to be dealt with at district court level.

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Whatsapp Nikita Murtagh was charged with possession of firearms

The young mum could face 14 years behind bars if convicted of the offence.

Ms Murtagh, from Mariner's Port, Sheriff Street in the north inner city is charged with unlawful possession of a CZ model semi-automatic pistol with two rounds of 7.65 Browning calibre ammunition and one shotgun cartridge.

The offences are alleged to have happened at Connolly Station on July 19.

Ms Murtagh had been subject of a gagging order, which banned the media from naming her.

At her first hearing at Dublin District Court on July 21, Judge Gerard Jones, then presiding, had agreed to a defence application for reporting restrictions and he directed journalists not to name her due to "safety concerns".

However, Judge Alan Mitchell subsequently discontinued that reporting ban after accepting submissions from the media that there was "no legal basis" for it.

When the case came back before Judge Mitchell, the district court heard the directions of the DPP were still outstanding.

However, Judge Mitchell asked for a summary of the allegations to be given so he could decide whether to accept jurisdiction.

After hearing this, he refused jurisdiction and adjourned the case. It will be sent to a higher court for trial when a book of evidence is ready.

A co-accused 23-year-old man, also from Dublin's north inner city, had his case adjourned to a separate date.

A gagging order on his identification by the media remains in place.

Ms Murtagh is alleged to have handed over a bag containing the loaded firearm and ammunition to the man and he is alleged to have carried it on a Dublin to Belfast train.

The pair were arrested following an intelligence-led operation involving officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

At her first court appearance, Gda Marguerite Reilly had objected to bail, saying Ms Murtagh had strong links outside the jurisdiction, in particular in Northern Ireland, and she has close associates throughout Europe.

Ms Murtagh was apprehended by gardai at Terminal 1 at Dublin Aiprort while, gardai believed, she was attempting to flee the jurisdiction.

Her solicitor told her bail hearing that Ms Murtagh denied knowing what was in the bag.
A garda alert has been issued to officers across the capital after one of Dublins most reckless young criminals was released from jail.

The 23-year-old, who gardai believe is dangerous and unpredictable, walked free from prison last month after serving a lengthy sentence for firearms offences.

A bulletin issued to Garda stations in the capital notified officers that the Crumlin criminal had been released from jail, and described him as a highly active criminal.

He is now being subjected to regular stop-and-searches by both uniformed gardai and armed detectives.

The criminal is suspected of being a significant distributor of drugs in the south inner city, as well as the Crumlin/Drimnagh area.

Serious

Gardai suspect he is leading a gang of young thugs who are considered as the up-and-coming generation of criminals in the capital.

The young criminal cannot be named, as he is currently facing serious charges before the courts.

There are fears the man will become involved in a campaign of violence on behalf of his drugs gang.

He has only been out a few weeks but is flat-out dealing again. There are grave concerns among locals about his release, a senior source said last night.

There is no doubt that he will become involved in attacks regarding outstanding drug debts.

The criminal was not due for release until 2019, but was let out last month due to receiving a partially-suspended sentence and remission for good behaviour.

He was serving jail time after being caught with a firearm on a south Dublin street.

Despite his young age, he has been on the radar of gardai for almost a decade, and began causing major concern for detectives when he was just 16.

He has links to local criminals associated with the Kinahan cartel, including senior figures Liam Byrne and Gareth Chubb.

After being cleared of a manslaughter charge in the Dutch capital Amsterdam, Chubb returned to Ireland and was recently pictured in Belfast.

A number of the recently-released mans associates have been locked up in recent years for firearms offences, but at least two of them are back on the streets.

The gang is suspected of being involved in a number of punishment shootings and beatings, as part of a personal dispute with a local man.

The dispute began when the two thugs damaged the mans car, and has since led to the innocent familys house being shot up. They were also behind a botched attempt on the mans life.

The young men were previously regarded as low-ranking members of a Crumlin-based gang, but have since built up reputations as ruthless criminals.
The five buildings that have been assessed were meant to provide 60 minutes of fire retardation to allow them to be evacuated. However, an audit for the Department of Education found that actual level of retardation would be less than that. Stock picture

Western Building Systems made profits of 8m (8.7m) between April 2007 and April 2010 - during the period it was developing the school properties under scrutiny over fire safety concerns.

The Northern Ireland company has also received financial backing from the UK arm of AIB, it has emerged. The Irish taxpayer still owns more than 70pc of the bank following its re-flotation on the stock market during the summer.

AIB's UK unit provided backing to Western Building Systems in 2008, 2011 and 2012.

The Northern Ireland firm built five schools, in Dublin, Wicklow and Mullingar, Co Westmeath, in 2008, where fire safety breaches have been detected by inspectors. The schools were built under the then-government's Rapid Build programme.

But Western Building Systems has built at least 25 other schools here.

The five buildings that have been assessed were meant to provide 60 minutes of fire retardation to allow them to be evacuated. However, an audit for the Department of Education found that actual level of retardation would be less than that.

Western Building Systems (WBS) has insisted that the buildings in question met all relevant fire safety and building regulations at the time of completion, and that it cannot be responsible for any works that were undertaken by third-parties subsequent to the buildings being handed over by WBS.

Soared

The Northern Ireland company is owned by managing director Martin McCloskey, of Coalisland in Co Tyrone, as well as Nora McCloskey, Declan McCloskey and Melissa Canavan, formerly McCloskey.

Accounts for Western Building Systems show that its profits soared from 572,000 in the 12 months to April 2006, to 4m in the year to April 2009, as it reaped the benefits of its contracts with the Department of Education.

It also undertakes projects in the UK.
Parents and local representatives have expressed their anger over fire safety concerns in schools, which they believe risks a "huge loss of life".

Safety fears were raised for thousands of school children after the Department of Education announced it would carry out fire audits at more than two dozen schools around the country built over the past 20 years.

Fire safety audits found breaches of standards at five recently built primary schools.

The buildings were meant to provide 60 minutes of fire retardation to allow them to be evacuated. However, the audit found the actual construction meant the level of retardation would be less.

The schools are Powerstown Educate Together National School (ETNS) in Dublin; Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath in Greystones, Co Wicklow; Mullingar ETNS in Co Westmeath; and Belmayne ETNS and St Francis of Assisi NS, both in Belmayne in Dublin.

One concerned parent, who has more than one child in the Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, said the issue was "of huge concern for a number of reasons".

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Irish Independent that parents have had "no reassurances" that their fire alarm system was to the required standard.

"We simply do not know if it is safe," she said. "They say a fire drill can evacuate everyone within five minutes, but we've already lost time (due to fire alarm issues). There's a huge potential for loss of life here."

She also said parents had not had any reassurances in regards to the fire certificates and whether they were adequate or not. "We have had no assurances at all of when the works will take place," she said.

"Fire will travel through these walls faster than regulations allow."

The mother said the delay in getting works done after the report was completed in July 2016 was extremely concerning.

"Why is that okay? There are hundreds of children and staff members at risk here," she said.

A letter sent to parents on Saturday night, seen by the Irish Independent, said the school was safe. "The principal and board of management wish to reassure you that there are no concerns around the health and safety of the school community," the letter said. "The issues outlined in the report do not in any way find that the buildings are dangerous."

Local representatives said it was "shocking" that fire safety issues had yet to be addressed.

Greystones councillor Grainne McLoughlin said the school had "already out-grown itself". She added: "The whole issue is totally shocking, to be honest."

Cllr McLoughlin said there was "a lot of anger amongst parents" over how it was handled.

A petition has also been signed by 415 residents in Belmayne attempting to force the building of two new schools in the area, which received planning permission in May 2016.

A statement from the Belmayne Residents' Group said it was "morally reprehensible" that the safety of more than 800 children was put at risk.

The statement described the issue as "shocking".
Twenty-five schools to be audited for fire safety checks across the country will be randomly selected and include constructions by several developers, the Irish Independent has learned.

Remedial work to address fire safety concerns at four primary schools in Dublin, Wicklow and Westmeath, are currently under way or are soon to begin and are expected to be completed by October.

Audits of the schools, carried out in January and April 2016, found fire safety breaches including a failure to meet a required 60-minute fire resistance level, gaps around fire doors, no clear exit signs, missing smoke seals and escape routes not being protected.

A fifth school, Powerstown Educate Together in Tyrrelstown, Dublin, has been moved to another building, but works on the other four schools have started or are about to begin.

The Department of Education said it had been in "constant contact" with the schools and it confirmed that the 25 schools now to be investigated would be chosen randomly on the basis they'd been built in the past 20 years.

It was confirmed to the Irish Independent last night that it was therefore the case that schools will have been built by different developers, but the list would include Western Building Systems (WBS) - which built the currently affected schools.

However, parents feel they are being kept in the dark about any potential risks associated with the fire safety issues. Principals are expected to be inundated with calls from concerned parents today.

Despite the safety breaches found, the department has insisted the buildings present no danger to children and the necessary updates will take place swiftly.

A spokesman from Educate Together said the schools "welcomed" the publication of a tender notice on the Government's e-tender site to commission fire safety audits for schools built under the Rapid Build Programme. But he added: "Despite numerous requests, the fire safety consultants' reports have not been made available to Educate Together, or to the boards of management of the schools. The publication of these reports and greater transparency from the department on such matters is welcome."

The four schools were audited after Rush/Lusk Educate Together National School was found to have several fire safety concerns. Extensive remedial work was carried out on that school in 2014.

Educate Together said it has "received assurances from the DES that their technical assessments have not indicated safety concerns at the schools and that any remedial work indicated has now been carried out".

WBS said it has been working with the department to upgrade the buildings. It added that "the buildings mentioned in the reports met all relevant fire safety and building regulations at that time" of construction. It did not believe it was "responsible for issues that have presented themselves since the handovers, some of which were designed and built almost 10 years ago".

The four affected schools, St Francis of Assisi Primary School and Belmayne Educate Together School, both in Belmayne, Co Dublin; Mullingar Educate Together, Co Westmeath; and Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath in Greystones, Co Wicklow, open for the start of the new school year today despite the concerns.

The department said WBS had carried out the most urgent and important repairs last August, but fire safety consultants found this wasn't the case.

WBS also built several hospitals, among them an acute psychiatric inpatient unit at Beaumont Hospital, and the Stroke Clinic at St James's Hospital, and an oncology unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The HSE said it will be "examining" the issue but it didn't "anticipate any problems".
Gardai have seized almost a million euro in the latest blow to the Kinahan crime gang.

Detectives arrested two men, aged in their 30s and 40s respectively, in Naas, Co Kildare on Saturday, September 2.

A quantity of cash was seized during the course of the arrest totalling 829,265.

In a series of follow up searches in Sligo, Lucan and Kildare, gardai seized a high powered car worth 50,000.

It is understood that the arrested man is a key member of the cartel.

The seizure is the latest in a serious of crackdowns on the international drug gang and follows the seizure of more than 1.5m in separate operations in recent months.

The follow up searches on Saturday were carried out by members of the Special Crime Task Force (SCTF), a dedicated Garda unit set up following the outbreak of the Hutch/Kinahan feud.

The unit works alongside the DOCB, and is made up of 38 gardai and six divisional asset profilers.

Since the outbreak of the feud, gardai have stepped up their efforts to target the gang.

It has led to some of its most senior members either being arrested, or forced to flee the country.

Extensive investigations from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) have also hurt the crime group financially.

Since the beginning of the feud, 12 lives have been lost, the most recent of which was in June.

Last week, senior gardai said 30 lives had been saved as a result of Garda operations targeting both feuding factions.

"They're not just ordinary run-of-the-mill interventions and the handing of forms to people, giving them notification of the fact that their life is in danger," Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll said.
A homeless family have moved the nation this morning with their story which was broadcast on national radio.

RTE reporter Emma O'Kelly spoke with the family, who did not wish to be named, for Morning Ireland.

The family - a mum and her four children aged 12-19 - have been homeless since last August.

The mum, Theresa*, is studying for a degree in Blanchardstown IT, while her oldest daughter, Jenny, is studying a degree in Marine Biology in Galway.

The younger children Amanda (17) and Matthew (12) are in secondary school and primary school respectively.

After a marriage breakdown Theresa couldn't keep up with her mortgage repayments and their family home of 20 years was reposessed.

She was unable to find accommodation and Theresa moved the family back to Dublin where she is originally from. They spent some time staying with friends and families but this was untenable in the long term.

Last August they were declared homeless and have been living in one room in a hotel ever since.

The family spoke about their struggles, with Amanda in particular expressing the strain she is under in school.

"Definitely the past year it's been a very huge eye-opener. It's been a huge culture shock and a huge change to how it was for us," she said.

"It's hard to fit in and to find someone that will accept you and your troubles and if you get to the stage where you can open up about this situation and the homelessness, it's still a sense of 'will they still be your friend or will they find you scum?'

"It's hard to pick the good people from the bad and then finding it hard to come out to people you've never met before.

"It took me five or ten minutes there earlier on to say that I was homeless to my deputy principal... I just couldn't say it. I could barely say to her when I did say it.

"It's very hard," she added.

Amanda wants her family to get a home and get their space back.

"If it was just out privacy back it would be ten times better than what we have now...there's no peaceful time," she said.

When asked what she would say to a Government minister given the chance she said:

"Give us our home please, we need it... we need it as soon as possible."

Mum Theresa said she believes public housing is the only solution to the crisis.

"Everybody should have a home,where they can walk in the door and smell their mother cooking their dinner. If anything you think that's what they miss chicken pasta bake and garlic bread," Theresa said, breaking down.

"Probably our old house back. Our dog doesn't really have a proper place to go and I'd rather her have a better place," Matthew said about his dog, who now lives with his granny.

"These are all old Dublin corporation housing stock that have been sold off over the years because for whatever reason the Government just doesn't want to carry housing stock.

"They should be making more, it's not the hotels, it's not landlords, it's the Government's responsibility to supply houses," she said.

Their story comes after three homeless people died last week - two who were sleeping rough at the time of their deaths and a young mum who took her own life in emergency accomodation.

Social Justice Ireland has said this morning that the Government must build 90,000 homes or admit failure.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said more radical action is needed to tackle the crisis.

*The names of the family members in this story have been changed to protect their privacy.
U.S. provide largest financing of donor projects in Ukraine in H1 2017

The United States became the largest donor of Ukraine in the international technical assistance projects in H1 2017, financing 104 projects by $1.5 billion, Ukraine's Economic Development and Trade Ministry has reported.

The ministry said on its website that in January-June 2017, a total of 415 projects for $5.32 billion were being implemented in Ukraine under the international technical assistance program.

Since early 2017 cooperation with international donors slightly grew year-over-year, while the number of the projects fell by 57. The country started cooperating with new donors  Norway and Poland, the ministry said.

The largest donors were also the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - $671.1 million for 39 projects, the European Union - $326.5 million for 139 projects. Another $206.9 million was injected to 26 projects by Germany, $150.3 million to 20 projects by Canada and $20.9 million to seven projects by Japan, according to the ministry.

The he largest amounts of financing were earmarked to national security and defense - 21%, nuclear safety - 21%, management and civil society - 13%.

According to the ministry, from the beginning of 2017 some 68 projects worth $137 million were completed. A total of 31 projects for $ 86 million were launched during this period.
A man who was arrested this morning as part of a cold case investigation into a double murder in 1987, has been released without charge.

The man was arrested in the Dublin area and had been detained at Drogheda Garda Station under the provisions of Section 30  Offences Against the State Act 1939.

Belfast natives Thomas 'Ta' Power and John Gerard OReilly were gunned down as they sat in the lounge of the Rossnaree, Hotel in Drogheda, Co Louth in January 1987.

The two men who died were members of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and the shooting is thought to have been related to an internal feud.

In March gardai launched a fresh appeal for information about the double murder. The case was also featured on Crimecall.

Thomas, John and two other men arrived at the Rosnaree Hotel at approximately 4.30pm. The four were travelling in a maroon coloured Ford Capri saloon car. They entered the bar area of the hotel and ordered sandwiches and bottles of orange, according to gardai.

At approximately 5.15pm three men drove into the car park of the hotel in a brown Toyota Cressida, registration number 273CZD.

Two of the men entered the hotel, one of the men looked into the dining room but it was closed. The two men approached the bar, they pulled nylon stockings over their faces and entered the bar.

Once inside they produced firearms and began firing in the direction of Thomas and the three men. A number of shots were fired. The four men attempted to escape. The two gunmen fled from the hotel to the awaiting Toyota.

OReilly was pronounced dead at the scene while Power was taken to hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later. The other two men were seriously injured.

Power's sisters made an emotional appeal for information in relation to the murder of their brother on Crimecall.

One of the gunmen was described as being in his late 30s with black hair and a strong black beard with a thin face. He wore a green knee length mackintosh coat with a felt type hat. The second gunman is described as late thirties, clean shaven and taller than the first man, he wore a long coat and a hat.

The Toyota Cressida, used in the double hit, was recovered burnt out at a wooded area in Summerhil, Co Meath the following evening at 9.30pm, 31 miles away from the scene of the shooting.
Eamonn Donnelly is pictured (glasses) With Sepp Tieber- Kessler in Rosslare on their arrival

An Irishman is almost home after walking an incredible 2,500km from Austria, all in the name of charity.

Musician and English language teacher Eamonn Donnelly (50) left his adoptive home in Graz, Austria on June 17 and spent over 70 days crossing Germany, France, England and Wales before landing in Ireland late last week.

He has been joined on this epic trek by his friend and fellow musician Sepp Tieber-Kessler. Now the pair are on their final leg as they make their way up Irelands east coast, first to Dublin, where Sepp will board a flight home to Austria, and finally on to Eamons hometown of Keady, Co Armagh.

The adventurous pair hatched the plan over a pint and Mr Donnelly revealed that they decided to do it in aid of dementia research after his mother Margaret died, aged 71, three years ago after suffering a rare and aggressive form of the disease.

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My mother was a very active woman, she was always trying to make things better in the community. She was a problem solver, he said.

Mr Donnelly explained that his mother raised seven children before returning to school as a mature student and achieving first her O Levels and then her A Levels.

Not satisfied to leave her education there, Margaret went on to Queen's University in Belfast where she completed a degree and then a Masters.

She was an incredible woman, so positive at home and in her community.

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But five years ago Mr Donnelly, his siblings and their father started to notice dramatic changes in the once powerful Margaret.

She was 69 when we first started to see changes. She was losing words, she stopped reading, she couldnt write anymore. She loved to paint and this regressed to buying colouring in books.

"It really went downhill from there until she couldnt speak at all.

It was also a physical impact; by the end she couldnt even swallow properly.

Mr Donnelly, a father of three, summarised: Within two years she went from being a really powerful woman to being weak and dependent on other people to look after her.

Margaret Donnelly died in 2014, leaving behind her husband, seven children and a huge legacy.

Asked if his mother would be proud of his current hiking challenge or think he was crazy Mr Donnelly ponders.

My mum was this kind of woman who was selfless. She never made a complaint. I think she would definitely be all up for it. My dad is dead proud of me.

Its not been easy for the Irishman and his Austrian buddy and Mr Donnelly tells Independent.ie that they completely underestimated the scale of the task ahead.

Setting out from Graz, in South East Austria on June 17 the pair faced one of their toughest challenge almost at the start of their journey.

Europes largest mountain range The Alps stood in between them and Germany so they needed to cross the imposing mountains.

The Alps were extremely difficult in that we were gaining such height but they were also so beautiful.

After several days in Germany, where they could speak the native tongue, the pair entered France in July and spent almost a month crossing through the country.

Mr Donnelly admits that this was perhaps the most difficult region to negotiate.

We were in France about a month and we struggled with the language and not having any contacts in the area.

We spent many nights sleeping rough so that was tough.

Due to the length of the journey the pair have been forced to pack light. Their rucksacks weigh between 10kg and 12kg, depending on food and water. They have just two-three t-shirts each, a pair of trousers, one pair of shorts and couple of changes of socks.

Mr Donnelly has a one-man tent while Mr Tieber-Kessler sleeps in a hammock with a tarpaulin that keeps him dry at night.

While they are not looking for handouts the pair admit that they have been the recipients of some incredible hospitality.

The best part about this whole journey has been the people, they have been absolutely great, he told Independent.ie.

Most of the people we have spoken to have someone in the family with dementia, it has shown us just how prevalent this disease is.

Total strangers have put us up in their homes. They have wined us and dined us and we have shared stories. Its sustenance for the body and the soul.

The walkers made it to Northern France off their own steam but were forced, at this point, to take a ferry to England.

We looked at options, like walking through the service route in the Channel Tunnel and kayaking from Scotland to Northern Ireland but neither of these were a realistic option. We had to bite the bullet and take a boat.

In England the walkers received huge help from the Alzheimer's Society and this support has continued here through the The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

The pair are now looking for people to share a leg of their journey as they make their way along the east coast of Ireland. Last night they stayed in Arklow, Co Wicklow and they are currently heading towards Dublin.

Mr Tieber-Kessler will take a flight home from Dublin but Mr Donnelly will continue on to Ardee, Carrickmacross and Castleblaney, before eventually crossing into Northern Ireland for the final few miles to Keady.

They have been raising cash along the way but, more importantly, raising awareness.

"We have raised in the region of 5,000 altogether. Its not huge but maybe we can get up closer to 10k. Whats more important is to get people talking about dementia."

You can follow their progress on 'The Long Walk Home for Dementia Research' and donate here
Senator Frances Black has warned that new legislation on alcohol must not be diluted by the drinks industry. Stock Image

Senator Frances Black has warned that new legislation on alcohol must not be diluted by the drinks industry.

The musician and addiction awareness campaigner will host a series of meetings nationwide to galvanise support for the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, amid fears that the powerful Irish drinks industry will be successful in getting some of its proposed measures watered down.

The first of the meetings will be staged in Cork next Sunday, with further meetings to be staged nationwide.

The legislation aims to reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland through measures on pricing, health labelling, advertising and availability.

Ms Black, an Independent senator, said: "The reality is that three people die every day in Ireland due to alcohol-related illnesses.

"We simply cannot ignore this any longer, or put industry profit over public health, and I am working tirelessly to get this legislation passed."
Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv has warned Sinn Fein not to "play political games" with the Irish language question.

The Galway Gaeltacht TD, who is a strong supporter and speaker of the Irish language, has also urged Sinn Fein to engage seriously with the Democratic Unionist Party on re-establishing power sharing in Belfast after a nine-month lapse.

Mr O Cuiv took to Twitter twice yesterday to express his strong views on the issue.

"Movement is needed to re-establish the Executive. SF is playing political games with the language question," he tweeted.

He also echoed the criticisms by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin at the weekend about the swift and abrupt way an approach by Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster was rebuffed by Sinn Fein.

"Disappointed SF didn't give more consideration to Arlene Foster's offer.

"Her remarks were significant re her approach to the Irish language," Mr O Cuiv commented in another tweet.

Fianna Fail has consistently criticised both of the main Northern Ireland parties, but aimed at Sinn Fein with increasing stridency in recent weeks over the failure to get power sharing back on track. Mr Martin has accused Sinn Fein of not caring about ordinary working people's jobs, which are at risk from the Brexit fallout.

Sinn Fein has said an Irish Language Act is required before any power sharing can function again. Fianna Fail, in common with other parties on the island, broadly supports that view but argues that Sinn Fein needs to be more flexible.

In the past, Mr O Cuiv has been more friendly towards Sinn Fein and at one stage fell out with his party leader on the issue. But in recent days he has strongly backed Mr Martin's insistence that there can be no coalition between the two parties after the next election.
Prices in the Dublin market are set to hit boom-time levels within the year, according to Pat Davitt, head of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV).

His comments come as IPAV releases the Residential Property Price Barometer, its first survey of house prices nationwide, which is published exclusively today in the Sunday Independent.

Figures compiled for the research show that the cost of an average family home in Dublin is now 517,894, more than double that of the national average three-bed which clocks in at 253,466.

"The Dublin market is on its way to reaching, or even topping, the high levels last seen in 2007. This could happen within the next year, and earlier in the more sought- after locations," says Davitt.

The country's highest priced three- and four-bed semis were recorded in Dublin 4, priced at 975,000 and 1.3m respectively. Dublin 2 topped the scale for two-bed apartments at 383,334.

When Dublin prices per square metre are measured, however, Dublin 4, Dublin 3, Dublin 14 and Dublin 7 hit the top slots.

"With so little stock availability and unprecedented and soaring demand, prices have nowhere to go but up," says Davitt.

Other findings in the survey show that the surge in Dublin house prices has had a knock-on effect on prices in the commuter belt. Average prices for a three-bed semi in Wicklow stand at 275,591, the highest outside the capital, while counties Meath and Kildare stand at 239,000 and 235,000 respectively.

When prices per square metre are analysed, however, Kildare tops Meath by 23pc, indicating that buyers may get more bang for their buck in Meath.

In other parts of the country, average house prices lag behind those of Dublin by a factor of up to 10, with counties Longford, Sligo and Leitrim recording the lowest prices for three-beds, at 90,000, 108,375 and 115,000 respectively. The best value for money is to be found in Longford, where prices per square metre for two-bed apartments were almost 7.3 times lower than those in Dublin 2.

"When we compare values in Dublin North or South to those outside of Dublin, it shows how far prices have fallen and how little many areas of the country outside Dublin have recovered since 2012."

The figures suggest there is still little incentive for builders to begin construction outside of the main cities as prices of second-hand homes remain well below the average 240,000 price of a new build, says Davitt.

According to Conall MacCoille, chief economist at Davy stockbrokers, the number of new houses needed each year to meet demand is 30,000 units.

Experts had previously predicted a lack of housing stock and government interference would drive property prices back to the heady days of the Celtic Tiger within three years.

Economist Ronan Lyons, author of the Daft.ie House Price Report, said family homes in Dublin were on course to hit 2006/2007 prices first. He said a lack of new houses coming on stream and a declining number of properties coming to the market were behind the surge.

A flurry of foreign investors spending big on small properties with the hope of selling them in a number of years and Irish emigrants returning home, was also fuelling price rises.
Fire safety audits in five schools have found a series of breaches of fire safety standards. We look at each school to see what issues were noted in each.

St Francis of Assisi NS, Belmayne, Dublin

Pipes, doors, walls flagged up as needing attention

The Department of Education requested a visual survey be carried out on the fire safety at the school on November 12, 2015.

On January 20, 2016, a more detailed inspection was ordered to find out if the buildings had been built in accordance with the design proposed and on the basis it had been granted a fire safety certificate.

Fire safety engineers prioritised immediate essential improvement works to be carried out.

These included notification that soil/drainage pipes must pass through the floor of the school to protect the floor construction and that an electrical cable cored hole be provided to protect the escape routes.

Essential works to be carried out included that a 60-minute fire resistance provision must be improved within elements of the structure but this was not noted to be sufficient to cause immediate collapse in the event of a fire.

Cavity barriers in external walls are to be installed, and while there is "inappropriate" fire-stopping there is a "level" of protection provided by the current construction and within plasterboards that need to be replaced, the report found.

Remedial works are also required on corridor doors to help with escape routes.

Mullingar Educate Together NS, Co Westmeath

Layout did not correlate with fire certificate

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A visual inspection of the school took place on November 12, 2015, and a more detailed inspection on January 14, 2016. Another visit on April 15, 2016, took place with a surface quality consultant to assess paint protection on steel used in the construction.

The building layout did not completely correlate with the initial fire safety certificate. The report noted: "From our searches with Westmeath Fire Service, it appears that a revised fire safety certificate was not obtained for these alterations."

There was a failure to meet a 60-minute fire-resistance target within the structure supporting the first floor. The report noted "several of the steel sections are enclosed in only a single layer of 12.5 mm plasterboard, which will not achieve 60 minutes fire rating".

Cavity barriers were required in external wall cavities in line with internal fire rated walls/partitions. "Minor" issues included incorrect/missing exit signage. And cross-corridor doors at first-floor level opened against the direction of escape.

Vertical cavity barriers in cavity walls had been "omitted". Sections of the building were found to have inappropriate fire-stopping, incomplete/incorrect plasterboard partitions and issues with missing smoke seals and gaps on fire doors.

Exit signage corrections were noted as being in need of immediate essential works.

Belmayne Educate Together NS

Immediate works urged after engineers' survey

Engineers carried out a visual survey on the school on November 12, 2015, and returned on January 19 and 20, 2016, for a more comprehensive inspection. While the school buildings were checked, the engineers did not inspect the adjacent portable classrooms, as they were not part of their brief.

The engineers stated immediate essential works must be carried out at the school. These were that "stores" would be removed under the stairs and replaced with fire-rated separation to protect the escape routes, that soil/drainage pipes were installed to pass through the floor to protect the floor construction in the event of a fire, and that a fire damper/fire door must be added to the 'DCC Room' to protect an escape route.

Essential works required were that compartmentation/cavity barriers be fitted in external wall cavities, that the '60 minutes' element of the structure be improved to assist in fire-resistance, though this wasn't found to be a "sufficient cause for immediate collapse". Fire-stopping had to be improved, but there was a "level of protection" provided already.

Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Greystones, Co Wicklow

Construction was 'not in compliance' with final design

An inspection took place in November 2015 and a more detailed one on January 12, 2016. The school has two separate wings and each has a different fire safety certificate as the buildings were not originally connected. A link building of "traditional build" was constructed between the two blocks at a later date.

The engineers stated they were only "instructed to inspect buildings A and B and not the interconnecting later build".

The construction was found "not in compliance" with the final design for which it received a fire safety certificate. The "main" issues within the school included that illuminated emergency signs were required.

The report noted "exit signage would have been required", while the first floor structure of block A and B needed to be updated to meet a 60-minute fire resistance standard.

This was, engineers found, not being provided with paint coverage within the structure or adequate plasterboard protection.

Engineers also found "no evidence" of fire collars or fire wraps within the first-floor structure.

Powerstown Educate Together NS, Dublin

'Problems related to old building knocked down last September'

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An initial survey was carried out in November 2015. A more detailed inspection took place on January 19 and 20, 2016.

Improvements had to be made to inappropriate or non-existing fire-stopping, issues with non-taping or filling of joints in fire rated partitions had to be resolved and plasterboard must be fire-stopped above ceiling level.

There was also found to be issues with missing smoke seals and threshold gaps on fire doors and with maintaining escape routes clear of combustible goods.

The building did not comply fully with the 60-minute fire protection timeframe.

But the report stated, if an agreement could be made with the Fire Authority, it could be possible to achieve a reduced time rating of 30 minutes fire resistance due to the size of the school.

Partitions did "not appear to have been constructed to achieve the 60 minutes fire rating".

In a statement at the weekend, the school board of management said the audit related to an old school building demolished in September 2016.
David Saakashvili, the brother of the ex-president of Georgia, ex-head of Odesa Regional State Administration Mikheil Saakashvili, must leave the territory of Ukraine, otherwise he will be forcibly expelled to the country of his citizenship, the State Migration Service of Ukraine has reported.

"The grounds for the stay of David Saakashvili in Ukraine ended back in April 2017, while information on the legal cancellation of the permit for employment and residence permit of David Saakashvili was distributed by his brother Mikheil in social networks on April 16. Immediately after the cancellation of grounds for stay in Ukraine, this person was obliged to leave the territory of Ukraine, but this was not done, which is a sign of disrespect and violation of Ukrainian legislation," it said on Facebook on Saturday evening.

The State Migration Service of Ukraine recalled that on September 2, David Saakashvili was discovered by the employees of the National Police and taken to the Pechersky District Department of the State Migration Service in Kyiv. After finding out all the circumstances, the person's stay on the territory of Ukraine and providing them with explanations, the migration service employees made a decision on his forced return.

The department said that in accordance with the law and the decision taken, David Saakashvili must leave the territory of Ukraine, otherwise he will be forcibly expelled to the country of his citizenship by a court decision.
The University of Limerick has announced its plans for a smoke-free campus - and the news has left some students fuming.

UL president Dr Desmond Fitzgerald said the smoke ban will also include the implementation of vape-free zones.

The smoke-free areas will be all around the campus within the coming months, with some expected to be introduced next month.

Under the policy, 'smoking' includes the use of electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes or other such electronic nicotine delivery systems intended to simulate smoking.

The students' union said it has "little control over the rollout of the initiative."

"We are aware that the policy change is welcomed by many and unwanted by some. The intention is for UL to be a healthier campus for students and staff. When we receive more information regarding the smoke-free/vape-free zones we will update you," the students' union said in a statement.

Some UL students took to Facebook to condemn the move.

"Stress levels will sky rocket," one student wrote.

"I will be a walking, breathing, smoking protest," another wrote.

Other students praised the plans to ban smoking on campus, saying it will offer an incentive for people to quit the habit.

University College Dublin and Trinity College are expected to follow suit and have also started the process to become completely smoke-free zones.
A Hyunmoo II ballistic missile is fired during an exercise at an undisclosed location in South Korea (South Korea defence ministry via AP)

South Korea said on Monday it was preparing fresh military drills with its ally the United States and ramping up its ballistic missile defences in response to North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test a day earlier.

The United Nations Security Council was set to meet later on Monday to discuss fresh sanctions against the isolated regime. US President Donald Trump had also asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defence chief.

South Korea's air force and army conducted exercises involving long-range air-to-surface missiles and ballistic missiles on Monday, the joint chiefs of staff said in a statement. More drills were being prepared with US forces in the South, it said.

The South's environment ministry will also announce on Monday its approval of an environmental assessment report for the deployment of a controversial US anti-missile defence system, a ministry official told Reuters.

Seoul said in June it would hold off installing the remaining components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system until it completed an assessment of its impact on the environment.

North Korea said an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile was tested on Sunday, prompting the warning of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said after meeting Trump and his national security team. "But as I said, we have many options to do so."

Trump has previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash "fire and fury" if it threatened US territory. That prompted the North to threaten to fire missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam, although it has since appeared to back away from that threat.

TOUGHER SANCTIONS?

Despite the tough talk, the immediate focus of the international response was expected to be on tougher economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

Diplomats have said the UN Security Council could now consider banning Pyongyang's textile exports and the North's national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Monday to pursue stronger UN sanctions.

"Both heads of state agreed to cooperate closely with each other and the United States and shared the understanding there must be the most powerful sanctions and pressure applied on North Korea," presidential Blue House spokesman Park Su-hyun told a media briefing after the two leaders spoke by phone.

The aim of stronger sanctions was to draw North Korea into dialogue, he said.

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In a series of tweets on Sunday, Trump appeared to rebuke South Korea for that approach.

"South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Trump said on Twitter.

Still, Trump's response was more orderly and less haphazard than he had offered to other provocations by North Korea.

His handling of Pyongyang's latest nuclear test reflected a more traditional approach to crisis management, which US officials said illustrated the influence of Mattis and new White House chief of staff, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly.

MARKETS CAUTIOUS

Japanese and South Korean stock markets were both down modestly on Monday, while safe haven assets including gold and sovereign bonds ticked higher, but trade was cautious.

"Assuming the worst on the Korean peninsula has not proven to be a winning trading strategy this year," said Sean Callow, a senior forex strategist at Westpac Bank. "Investors seem reluctant to price in anything more severe than trade sanctions, and the absence of another 'fire and fury' Trump tweet has helped encourage markets to respond warily."

South Korea's finance minister vowed to support financial markets if instability caused by the latest test showed signs of spreading to the real economy.

"We are aware that there could be negative ripple effects should geopolitical risks resurface," Kim Dong-yeon said in a policy meeting urgently scheduled with the central bank and financial regulators before financial markets opened.

"WRONG ACTIONS"

North Korea, which carries out its nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of UN resolutions and sanctions, said on state television the hydrogen bomb test ordered by leader Kim Jong Un had been a "perfect success".

Hours before, North Korean state news agency KCNA released pictures showing Kim inspecting a silver, hourglass-shaped warhead during a visit to the North's nuclear weapons institute.

The test had registered with international seismic agencies as a man-made earthquake near a test site. Japanese and South Korean officials said the tremor was about 10 times more powerful than the one picked up after North Korea's previous nuclear test a year ago.

China's National Nuclear Safety Administration said data from radiation monitoring stations near the North Korean border showed no impact on "China's environment or populace".

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As North Korea's main ally, China said it strongly condemned the nuclear test and urged Pyongyang to stop its "wrong" actions.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said that, while North Korea was not a puppet state of China, Beijing needed to do more to pressure its neighbour.

"The Chinese are frustrated and dismayed by North Korea's conduct, but China has the greatest leverage, and with the greatest leverage comes the greatest responsibility," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp on Monday.

Pyongyang tested two ICBMs in July that potentially could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the US mainland within range and prompting a new round of tougher international sanctions.
Candles flickered outside Leinster House last Friday night for Jack Watson. Jack, a returned emigrant who was in his 50s, was discovered unconscious in the doorway of the Superdry store on Suffolk Street in Dublin at 4am last Thursday morning and later died.

Gardai say his death is not suspicious. A CCTV camera captured him rolling off a ledge to the ground.

In his two years sleeping rough, he had embedded himself in the affections of the fellow rough sleepers, outreach workers in high-vis vests, and passers-by who paid tribute to him at the gates of parliament.

Many of them had been part of the "homeless occupation" of Apollo House, the vacant former Department of Social Welfare building. They remembered him as the guy who took charge of the kitchen and ruled it with pride.

Bev Porrino, a neuromuscular therapist, who volunteered at Apollo House, said he was "a sweetheart", a "clean freak. You didn't mess with his kitchen. He was fastidious about how things were stored and where they were stored." Luke, a team leader, said: "In the morning, at the crack of dawn, he'd have the breakfast ready for all the residents, toast, cereal, all laid out." Few knew much about what brought him to homelessness. The protocol in Apollo House was not to ask questions and not to judge.

A man in a smart outdoor jacket and a pair of strong walking shoes edged forward to the trestle table for a free coffee and some biscuits. He was in his 50s, had a soft accent, his clothes looked expensive and he looked very middle class.

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"I knew Jack," he said. Before the question could be asked, he said: "I am homeless myself. I live in a tent in the city."

Bill told a darker story about Jack Watson, about the dangers of living on the streets, and of the struggle to survive, the fights, the random assaults and the sheer ingenuity that is required to stay alive.

According to Bill, Jack had emigrated to Australia with his family from Northern Ireland when he was five or six. He worked as a chef in good restaurants. He was married and had two or three boys, he wasn't sure. He liked a drink, he got into trouble. He had to leave Australia and his children.

The two men met on a park bench in St Stephen's Green in 2015, both recently made homeless, and when Jack was newly arrived from Australia.

"Jack held a lot of things in," he said. "He was really embarrassedwhen I met him that first time, he talked about everything, he talked about the job he'd had, but he never told me he was homeless.

"I didn't hang around with him. But I did like the man," he said. "He got into a lot of trouble. I said to him, 'If you want to go drinking, go up to the Phoenix Park, no one will hurt you up there'. The boardwalk is junkies, guys on bikes, dealers. I told him, 'you would be hurt'.

"I would bring him out to Howth. I brought him to Dalkey. I told him this is how normal people live," he said.

Jack Watson was one of three homeless people who died in Ireland last week. Hours before Jack was discovered in Dublin, Danielle Carroll (26) took her own life in her emergency hotel bedroom in Leixlip, Co Kildare, where she struggled to raise her two young boys, according to her mother, Margaret Carroll. She lost her rented flat after Christmas when the building was sold and she was placed in emergency accommodation by South Dublin County Council in Leixlip House Hotel. She had been allocated a house in Lucan, but "the back door was burned" and "people had been sleeping rough in it''.

"She felt it was a hopeless situation. She was struggling. She went off the rails with worry and she would say that nobody cared about her," said Danielle's mother.

Yesterday brought news of the death of a 30-year-old woman who had been living rough in a tent at Gilabbey Rock, near Cork city centre. Like Danielle, it appears that she had been evicted from her rented flat. At 2am last Friday morning, friends went to her tent after becoming worried about her and found her unresponsive. Her death is not being treated as suspicious and her family is appealing for privacy.

Homelessness is reaching record levels; 5,036 adults and 2,895 children were homeless in Ireland in June, according to Government figures. The Government will release the figures for July later this week, under the cloud of last week's deaths. The numbers are expected to increase, going by figures released by Focus Ireland which show that 99 families and 214 children became homeless in Dublin for the first time in July.

At the vigil for Jack, Jim Sheridan, the film director who was a key figure in the Apollo House "occupation", seemed bemused at the failure to solve this problem. "I'm sure Simon Coveney wasn't lying to us when he said he'd get all the kids out of the hotels. He was probably doing his best and then he moved on. I honestly believe that," he said. "But it seems to be an intractable problem that is bigger than one individual."

After 10pm, the candles still burned and Bill still talked. He had lived a good life, had a successful business but something unmentionable happened a few years ago. "I made a bad decision and I am paying for it now," was all he said. He moved to Dublin and stayed in cheap budget tourist hotels, until his money ran out. He felt unsafe in hostels. He bought a tent and pitched it in dense shrubs in the city centre off a busy main road. Two wild foxes come to him to be fed.

"I've been there two years in the same spot. Nobody has ever come near me. I am secure. That's the most important thing for me," he said.

"My life is very simple. I do everything you do, except I live in a tent on 193 a week," he said. "I have a routine and I stick to it."

He rises at 6.30am and breakfasts in cafes. He washes in five-star hotels, saying: "I can get away with it. I dress pretty tidily." He walks everywhere. He goes to the library, reads newspapers. He survives on the dole and he has a medical card. He counts out his money to last the weekend. He does his laundry and has a pint on a Monday. He frequents well-known city centre pubs, because he feels safer.

Bill is not this man's real name. He does not want to be identified because his biggest fear is that his mother will find out that he is homeless. "I don't want anybody to know, my family or any of my friends. It would just break my mother's heart." For this reason, he avoids soup kitchens and outreach programmes in case he is recognised.

He said that when he visits his mother, he maintains an elaborate charade that he is working and that all is well. He worries that he will die in his tent. It is not the dying that scares him, but that foxes will eat his body and his mother will find out that her son was homeless.

"I'll get out of this," he said.

Additional reporting by Ralph Riegel
Although raw concrete is naturally porous, when sealed correctly its almost impossible to scuff or mark  making it ideal for flooring in busy areas such as the kitchen. Photo: Philip Lauterbach, 3.plpix.com

Giving the impression that you've abandoned your renovation project halfway through is all the rage as we head into autumn, with exposed raw materials taking precedence in many homes.

Exposed brickwork and bulbs, rough wood finishes and dark metals all contribute to an industrial vibe. It may be a brave step when matched with Ireland's chilly climate, but this doesn't mean it should be avoided.

Harking back to the Brutalist movement of the 1950s, concrete is one of the prime materials for creating an industrial atmosphere that's aggressive, overpowering and in your face. So much for the downside, but the positives make it a material worth considering.

First, this hard-wearing material is much more versatile than you might think. Easily manipulated for use in the busiest rooms, the finishes and colours available can turn it from aggressive to warm and inviting, for a look that's more New York loft-style modern than derelict building site.

"Polished concrete is completely customisable, so it allows for many different options," says Marie Hally of Concrete Fair (concretefair.ie). "A counter, for example, can be made in any colour. We find the most popular colours are concrete grey, black or white. Finishes can be paste (normal off-form finish), salt and pepper or exposed aggregate," Marie continues.

Exposed aggregate is achieved by removing the surface paste and showing off the beauty of the stones that are underneath - a beauty that's comparable to marble or granite, yet with a much more affordable price tag.

"Concrete, for polishing, is not difficult to lay," says Seamus Redmond, CEO of Renobuild (renobuild.ie). However, for big projects, like polished concrete floors, it's worth asking your contractor if they'd be comfortable laying it.

"Some contractors are quite happy to lay the concrete and they have the skill set, but other contractors absolutely will not," advises Seamus.

In the latter situation, his team will get involved - from laying the floor to polishing it.

Big projects, such as floors and walls, may be the ultimate goal, but experimenting with concrete furniture is a clever step when starting out.

"Polished concrete furniture is more and more on-trend," says Marie.

"Especially in the area of urban furniture. We mostly get requests for coffee tables and dining tables," she says, having recently completed a project in Cork's Facebook offices.

Related: Estimate your home improvement loan repayments with our calculator

While concrete is very well suited to commercial spaces, there's no reason why you can't introduce it to your home - a quick Google search will reveal all of the fun and creative ways you can experiment with the material. From DIY planters and vases to products found on the high street, more of us are cottoning on to the long-lasting versatility connected to this tough addition to the home.

Anna Shelswell-White is editor of House and Home magazine
A recent survey has revealed the magic number of sexual partners it's acceptable to have. Hallelujah, we cried, finally a truth to live by.

In truth, it's more like 'numbers' plural, because with crushing inevitability, it showed that men and women have rather different ideas of the right number for the opposite sex.

Generally, women are far more forgiving of a past in their lovers. Across most age groups, women had a higher 'acceptable' number for their partners. In our 20s, we ladies will apparently allow up to 10 - but men of the same age will grant us only seven (after which point presumably we are spent and so rounded up and sent to Slut Island to think about what we've done).

The survey also showed that one or two partners is thought of as 'too low'.

This is as much a nonsense as an upper limit.

The reason people are having terrible sex is nothing to do with previous experience, and everything to do with terrible communication, insecurity, lack of confidence, overconfidence and embarrassment. Ask and you shall receive. Don't rely on previous lovers to have 'broken in' your boyfriend. We know that people with astronomical numbers don't make the best lovers. A series of 50 or 60 one-night stands is not the way to figure out what makes women tick.

The other question that the survey dealt with was when you should have 'the conversation'. Not the 'what are we?' conversation, the other one: your history. Specifically, your number.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, most Americans believe that full disclosure should happen before you sleep together. Most of us Europeans, thank God, believe it should never happen.

We know that Americans are big believers in talking about things, but I suppose the strange and insidious suggestion here is that it should happen before sex in case the answer means you don't want to continue.

The stats mean that a man who had so far been, to use modern parlance DTF (that is, down toyou get it) upon hearing that the 38-year-old object of his desire has been with 11 dudes before him (that's only one for every two years of her sexually active life) might pull his trousers back on and run a mile.

The problem is that men often have pretty low self-esteem when it comes to sex - highly unrigorous anecdotal research on my part suggests that they tend to inflate their partner's number in their heads, believing that if she'll sleep with them she'll sleep with anyone.

But perhaps it all comes back to the good old virgin/whore dichotomy: the idea that has endured throughout history that a woman is either a goody two-shoes or an indiscriminate hoe-bag.

It seems we all have difficulty processing that there might be a middle ground - because what would that make her? There's no word for it. We don't like things that aren't black and white.

Research has shown that when it comes to cooking their books, women are more likely to play down their numbers while men are more likely to boost them. Under a lie detector test, they shift closer together.

We all seem to collude in protecting men's fragile masculinity by pretending that women are meek kittens who bestow their lady-flower upon a lucky and highly select group of men, while the men-folk go forth to spread their magical seed across the world. I know it's good to talk, and that frank and open discussion is the key to a healthy relationship. I have read Cosmopolitan. But this modern mania for honesty won't get us anywhere when it comes to sexual history. Generally, it's one of those times when it's better to say nothing. Because what does it mean, really? Having sex, or not, doesn't qualitatively change anything about you.

When we ask about a partner's number, what we really want to know is 'Am I special?', 'Are you safe?', 'Who were you before you met me?', 'Will you judge me?', 'Are you going to take this too seriously?', 'Do you love me?', 'You don't love me, do you?'.

It's probably better to just ask these questions right out, because extrapolating from numbers is a fool's errand. It's reading tea leaves. There are a million reasons why we may or may not sleep with people.

Perhaps in Ireland we're less likely to ask about numbers because, unlike the Yanks in their sprawling kingdom, we probably already know. Before we hop into bed with someone we'll have their sexual history from the age of 15 from various sources. We may as well walk around with our number stamped on our foreheads. It's hard to be coy in such a small, nosy country. I wonder whether our stats would reflect the rest of Europe's. Everyone knows that sex was only invented in Ireland in around 1992. Our history was built on religion and farming - two things that conspired, explicitly or not, to repress sex.

The idea that women shouldn't sleep around came along when humans copped on to farms. With agriculture came the idea of owning land. Once we owned land we wanted to be able to keep it and pass it down. And nobody wanted to give their precious farm to a kid that might not be theirs. And so, since women are the ones who give birth, but figuring out who's the daddy can be tricky, we decided that it would be best for everyone if we ladies just kept our knickers on.

It follows that millennial men could really loosen up when it comes to their beloved's numbers: it doesn't look like many of them will ever be owning a house, much less a farm, so they needn't worry about inheritance. So next time you're DTF and are tempted to ask for a number, ask yourself instead 'what do I really want to know?'. You'll find it has little to do with maths.
JUST A ROOF OVER MY HEAD: Sara Ortiz from Madrid on the hunt for accommodation in Dublin. Photo: David Conachy

Sara Ortiz is from Madrid. A psychology student who has come to Ireland to study in Maynooth College for a year as part of her university degree, the 27-year-old has been left in shock at Dublin's rental market - but even more so by the lack of action being taken to combat renters' woes.

"I came to Ireland to look for a place ahead of starting my course and I put two weeks aside to look around Dublin's rental market," says Sara.

"To say it has been very, very difficult would be a massive understatement.

"There are lots of places but they are very expensive, especially for what landlords are offering you, which is to live in very poor conditions."

Sara says her eyes were opened when she visited an apartment in Dublin's South city centre, after seeing an advertisement on Daft.ie.

"I went to visit one apartment in Dublin 2 and I was brought in to see the bedroom and there was four beds in it, two bunk beds on each side.

"For one of the beds I was asked to pay 700 per month and I had to share the small room with three others.

"It was totally crazy.

"When I got to the sitting room, the landlord, an Irish guy, pointed to the corner to show me where he would be living.

"It was a mattress on a floor in the corner of the living room. He had two bookcases around it to make a little wall so he could have a little space to sleep and for privacy. But the living room was joined up to the kitchen so he was going to be in this little communal area that we would all be living and eating in.

"I couldn't believe it."

She continues: "In another place near Drumcondra, I visited a house where 10 people were living. They wanted 600 per bed. The living room was a little place without light in the basement."

When her search in Dublin yielded no results, she expanded her search to Maynooth.

"It was no better there. Near the college they know they can charge people a lot of money for living conditions that aren't great because people are so desperate to find somewhere at this time of year.

"One of the places I visited there had 10 people sharing two bathrooms.

"When I spoke to the landlord he wanted me to pay 450 a month and he wanted the deposit up front and six months rent up front.

"So if I moved in to the place and found I couldn't stick it after a week I would have been stuck there for six months."

Now back in Spain, Sara says the rental market must be impacting on the mental health of city dwellers who find themselves stuck living in such conditions.

"I don't know how anyone can live in places like that long term," she said. Physically it is possible, yes, but mentally - how can you have any wellbeing with no space, no privacy and paying such high rents to be stuck in that situation?

"The stress for some people out there must be appalling. I couldn't imagine my life like that. I think it would be very difficult on your emotional and mental health."

Sara says what she is most taken aback by is not the rental market itself but the Irish attitude towards it.

"No one seems to be doing anything about it. I haven't seen or heard anything that shows it is going to be dealt with and people who live here just shrug and tell me that's what it's like, they seem to accept the situation for what it is.

"I have been to other cities around Europe and you can get far better accommodation for much cheaper.

"Dublin is meant to be a place for young people to come and live and work but I can see the rental market turning a lot of people off and them deciding to stay away - because it is just isn't worth it."
Kim Bielenberg ('Embracing our own horrible history with pillars of the past', Irish Independent, August 29) is not the first to question memorials to the 'Iron Duke' of Wellington, principally because of disobliging remarks he made about this nation, as he did about a lot of other people, including his wife and his soldiers.

Against that, he was the only Irish-born British prime minister who in the end used his powers to persuade a highly emotional George IV that Catholic emancipation had to be enacted in 1829, the main credit for which belongs of course to Daniel O'Connell and earlier campaigners like Denys Scully.

As Dr Thomas McGrath of Carlow College has documented, the Catholic bishops of Ireland in 1830 expressed extravagant gratitude to Wellington, stating in a national pastoral letter: "Among the counsellors of his majesty there appeared conspicuous the most distinguished of Ireland's sons, a hero and a legislator - a man selected by the Almighty to break the soul which scourged Europe [Napoleon] - a man raised up by providence to confirm thrones, re-establish altars, to direct the councils of England at a crisis the most difficult, and to staunch the blood and heal the wounds of the country which gave him birth."

The drafter of this letter, James Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, the then-famous JKL, was a seminarian in Coimbra during the peninsular war, and with a number of other Irishmen studying for the priesthood in the Irish College in Salamanca, acted as a scout for Wellington, according to Elizabeth Longford, against the French forces of occupation hated by the Spanish. Even Napoleon later admitted that his Spanish campaign was a serious mistake.

Thousands of Irish soldiers fought with Wellington. A few like Myles Byrne and Wolfe Tone's son fought with Napoleon. If we ever want to unite this country, it will not be done by trying, even at this late stage, to expunge the diversity of our history and traditions and of our memorials.

Martin Mansergh,

Co Tipperary

SF voters' interests not served

Sinn Fein voters from Dublin to Belfast and from Derry to Cork are hurt - but by cuts, not by a lack of Gaelic.

And by obstructing the restoration of a Stormont Executive, Gerry Adams is handing power over Northern Ireland back to a few English Tory ministers.

Is this what SF voters wanted? Does this serve their interests?

Tom Carew,

Ranelagh, Dublin 6

Harsh to say creches milking it

I have had it up to here with supposedly learned people (like Matt Cooper and Katherine Zappone) slagging off creche owners and appearing miffed that after 10 years of a price freeze, they are putting their prices up 10pc.

Costs went through the roof during the recession ... insurance, gas, diesel, food, compliance etc and small businesses absorbed these costs because they had no choice. I estimate creche owners pay themselves the average industrial wage, if even. The problem here is the Government, in its wisdom, puts the onus for all of the admin in the Affordable Childcare Scheme onto creches with an inadequate grant available to cover costs. Why doesn't Minister Zappone sit down with a few creches to examine their costs and decide whether they are milking or not?

PS... I am a parent, not a creche owner.

Sarah Nic Lochlainn,

Ardee, Co Louth

Learn true meaning of liberation

It irks me to read about China's alleged attempts to exercise restraint over the crazy North Korean regime, and even more so when assorted governments and diplomatic spokespeople laud Beijing for taking a responsible or enlightened position on dictator Kim Jong-un's latest act of geopolitical brinkmanship.

Let's not forget that China is an ally of North Korea. It supports the vile regime in spite of knowing what it does to its own people.

Let's also remember that China itself is not a democratic nation, with the exception of the one part of its territory fortunate to be free from despotism: Taiwan, the only part of China run by a democratically elected government.

I disagree fundamentally with much of US President Donald Trump's right-wing agenda, but I applaud his decision to take a call from Taiwan's president a few months ago, in breach of established diplomatic protocol.

How can it make sense for the US to censure such a gesture while maintaining cordial relations with the dictatorship in Beijing that stands against what America ostensibly holds dear ... life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness?

In China, as in North Korea, life is scarcely worth living for many people. Liberty is non-existent, and what's to be happy about in a system where Big Brother is not just watching you, but forever poised to pounce on you as an "enemy of the state" if you voice any criticism of the regime.

North Korea has been dubbed a "slave state". But so is Chinese-occupied Tibet, which was invaded and conquered by China in 1950. It was annexed and incorporated by China just as Nazi Germany extended its pernicious hegemony over the Sudetenland in 1938.

Revered ancient temples were demolished, monks were imprisoned or murdered, and a whole culture destroyed or driven underground. The Chinese dictatorship gets very annoyed when anyone refers to Tibet by its rightful name. It insists that the plundered nation be officially deemed part of China.

Sadly, many governments have succumbed to pressure from Beijing and withdrawn support from the international campaign to free Tibet.

So let's not be swayed by the cleverly packaged PR initiatives from China. After the evil tyranny in North Korea has been overthrown (as a result of sanctions or military force), the focus must shift to the plight of occupied Tibet, and ultimately to the long-suffering people of China itself. The Chinese deserve better than the gang of unelected paranoid bullies who dictate the course of their lives.

Liberation - a word beloved of the Beijing administration - needs to be given its true meaning.

John Fitzgerald,

Callan, Co Kilkenny

Astonishing audacity of the EU

It seems that the Tories are secretly prepared to pay Brussels a departure bill of 46bn (50bn). Oh, to not have such gutless politicians.

In most divorces the assets are fairly divided. Over 44 years we have contributed 160bn more than we have received from the EU.

All the UK owes the EU are programmes we are signed up to for the next few years. The EU, however, owes us a small fortune in "division of assets" ... however, I fancy we can go and whistle for it. We should not pay them a single brass farthing, and stuff we are contractually obliged towards, we should say "right, take it out of what you owe us". The chutzpah of these EU parasites is breathtaking.

Dai Woosnam,

Grimsby, England
A group of marines and a naval aviation aircraft of the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces took part in the Agile Spirit 2017 multinational exercise in Georgia on Sunday, which will last until September 11.

"A group of servicemen of the brigade of marines and a plane of the brigade of naval aviation of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took part in the multinational military exercises Agile Spirit 2017, which began on September 3, at the Orfolo (Georgia) military range," Ukrainian Navy of the Armed Forces said on Facebook.

The purpose of participation in the event is to work out joint actions of the Ukrainian unit with the units of NATO member countries and partner countries, increase field and air training, as well as strengthen the interaction between the Alliance's military and partner countries, the report reads.

The training will last until September 11.
In 1997, Labour returned to power under Tony Blair with a parliamentary landslide, winning a 179-seat majority in the House of Commons.

And 20 years on, BBC Parliament decided to show the BBCs election results coverage on television, as well as tweeting pictures and information on Twitter, giving people a glimpse into what the social media website might have looked like were it around in the 20th century.

There were some snazzy graphics

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 which one Twitter user pointed out looked more than a little like the Internet Explorer logo.

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Heres Tony Blair with wife Cherie, at the start of 10 years as the UKs Prime Minister.

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Alex Salmond went for a very 90s tie.

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Meanwhile, William Hagues tie shies away from the limelight a little more.

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And Gordon Brown would wait another decade before he became Prime Minister.

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Its fair to say the BBCs graphics have come a long way since 1997.

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Former Tory MP Edwina Currie here, with some eerily relevant thoughts.

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And its not just recognisable politicians either  journalists got the nostalgia treatment too.

Jeremy Paxmans hair may have changed colour, but his tone certainly hasnt.

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Meanwhile, Krishnan Guru-Murthy wasnt always a Channel 4 man you know  here he is in his youth, working a few channels down at the BBC.

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And to close, heres comedian Frank Skinner in a helicopter.

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The sort of random image that you wouldnt look twice at during an election day.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte in Poland earlier this year (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have just announced theyre expecting their third child, and it feels like some welcome good news after a divisive few years.

So whats a nice patriotic name the majority of the general public can get behind?

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Almost immediately after the royal announcement was made, a petition appeared on change.org asking the royal pair to call their latest offspring Brexit.

What could be more British than that?

The petitions creator, a so-called Fred Rogers, argues the name will help Britain secure trade deals as we gain our independence again, which would probably make the newborn the youngest envoy in royal history.

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The petition is urging the UK parliament, which returns to session on Tuesday, to consider the name.

But at the time of writing it only had a modest 13 signatures.

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Because if the tax-payer has to fund the royals, they should get a hand in naming them, right?

Plus, its pretty much gender neutral, which is very 2017.

On a slightly more realistic note, betting shop William Hill has Alice on 8/1 and Arthur at 12/1.
Chief of Ukraine's SBU Security Service Vasyl Hrytsak has asked chief of Russia's Federal Security Service Aleksandr Bortnikov to curtail special operations [in Ukraine] aimed at destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and Russia.

"I appeal to you as an officer. There are rules even in war which should not be broken by secret service agents. You have transgressed all these rules," Hrytsak said on Sunday evening during an interview with Ukrainian Priamy TV Channel.

"You and I both know Russian secret service agents were involved in terrorist acts committed in Odesa, Kharkiv, Kherson and other cities. Dozens of people died as a result. But this time you have broken all the rules and are prepared to destabilize the situation in Russia in order to justify invading Ukraine in a massive military campaign," Hrytsak said.

"Do you realize what geopolitical consequences these actions may have? Do you realize that you will be forced to answer for your actions? It is in your power to stop it. So, stop it now," he said.

As earlier reported, Hrytsak on August 17 said Ukrainian security services had learned Russia intended to send groups to Ukraine in order to launch terrorist attacks.
Crimes against humanity are being committed in Burundi, a United Nations commission of inquiry has said.

Killings, torture, sexual violence, degrading treatment, enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests have been taking place since April 201 5, and are still occurring, the report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said.

It added that high-level officials in Burundi's National Intelligence Services and police, military officials and members of the youth league of the ruling party, known as Imbonerakure, are among the alleged perpetrators.

More than 500 witnesses were interviewed during the several months of investigations, including many Burundians living abroad as refugees and others still in Burundi, often at risk to their lives.

The report said accounts from victims, their families and witnesses were rigorously checked and corroborated.
A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crew fight a brushfire on the hillside in Burbank, California (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Smoke filled the sky and ash rained down across Los Angeles from a destructive wildfire that the mayor said was the largest in city history.

It was one of several blazes that sent thousands fleeing homes across the US West during a blistering holiday weekend heatwave.

In Oregon, crews rescued about 140 hikers forced to spend the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge Trail.

Search and rescue crews air-dropped supplies as flames prevented the hikers' escape.

Wildfires also burned in a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia trees near Yosemite National Park, forced evacuations in Glacier National Park and drove people from homes in parts of the West struggling with blazing temperatures.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared a local emergency and at the state level, Governor Jerry Brown did the same for the county after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighbourhoods.

More than a thousand firefighters fought flames that destroyed more than nine square miles of brush-covered mountains as authorities issued evacuation orders for homes in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale.

In Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency across all counties as three major fires closed recreation areas and prompted evacuations.

Flames in Montana's Glacier National Park prompted officials to evacuate all residents, campers and tourists from one of the most popular areas of the park.

The order affects the Lake McDonald area, the western side of the dizzying Going-to-the Sun Road and some of the most visited trails in the area. The Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, closed last week because of heavy smoke in the area.

AP
A Hyunmoo II ballistic missile is fired during an exercise at an undisclosed location in South Korea (South Korea defence ministry via AP)

South Korea has fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on North Korea's main nuclear test site, a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest-ever nuclear test explosion.

South Korea's defence ministry also said North Korea appeared to be planning a future missile launch, possibly of an ICBM, to show off its claimed ability to target the United States with nuclear weapons.

The US had warned North Korea of a "massive military response".

The heated words from the United States and the military manoeuvres in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Korea's rapid, unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike America.

The most recent and perhaps most dramatic advance came on Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong Un's government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006.

The United Nations Security Council is planning to hold its second emergency meeting about North Korea in a week to discuss responses to the test.

In Seoul, Chang Kyung-soo, an official with South Korea's defence ministry, told MPs it was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test.

Mr Chang also said the yield from the latest nuclear detonation appeared to be about 50 kilotons, which would mark a "significant increase" from North Korea's past nuclear tests.

In a series of tweets, US president Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with North Korea - a warning to China - and faulted South Korea for what he called "talk of appeasement".

In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, told reporters in Beijing that China regarded as "unacceptable a situation in which on the one hand we work to resolve this issue peacefully but on the other hand our own interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardised. This is neither objective nor fair".

South Korea's military said its live-fire exercise was meant to "strongly warn" North Korea. The drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles firing into the Sea of Japan.

The target was set considering the distance to North Korea's test site and the exercise was aimed at practising precision strikes and cutting off reinforcements, Seoul's joint chiefs of staff said.

AP
The move comes ahead of Francis' visit this week (AP)

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos has said the government will sign a bilateral ceasefire with the nation's last remaining major rebel group ahead of Pope Francis' visit this week.

Mr Santos said the agreement will be signed later in Quito, Ecuador, where negotiations with the National Liberation Army have been taking place since February. The ceasefire takes effect on October 1.

Mr Santos said the agreement will initially run through to January 12 and can be renewed as the peace talks advance.

Last year the government reached a peace deal with the much larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc.
President Donald Trump has been wrestling for months with what to do about the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump is expected to announce that he will end protections for young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children, but with a six-month delay.

The delay in the formal dismantling of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme would be intended to give Congress time to decide whether it wants to address the status of the so-called Dreamers in legislation.

But it was not immediately clear how the six-month delay would work in practice and what would happen to people who currently have work permits under the programme, or whose permits expire during the six-month stretch.

It also was unclear exactly what would happen if Congress failed to pass a measure by the considered deadline.

The president, who has been grappling with the issue for months, has been known to change his mind in the past and could still shift course.

Mr Trump has been wrestling for months with what to do about the Obama-era Daca programme, which has given nearly 800,000 young immigrants a reprieve from deportation and the ability to work legally in the form of two-year, renewable work permits.

The White House faces a Tuesday deadline set by Republican state officials threatening to continue sue the Trump administration if the president did not end the programme.

The deadline comes as Mr Trump digs in on appeals to his base as he finds himself increasingly under fire, with his poll ratings at near-record lows.

Mr Trump had been personally torn as late as last week over how to deal with what are undoubtedly the most sympathetic immigrants living in the US illegally.

Many came to the US as young children and have no memories of or connections to the countries they were born in.

During his campaign, Mr Trump criticised Daca as illegal "amnesty" and vowed to eliminate the programme the day he took office.

But since his election, he has wavered on the issue, at one point telling The Associated Press that those affected could "rest easy".

Mr Trump had been unusually candid as he wrestled with the decision in the early months of his administration.

In February he said the topic was "a very, very difficult subject for me, I will tell you, to me, it's one of the most difficult subjects I have.

"You have some absolutely incredible kids - I would say mostly," he said, adding: "I love these kids."

All the while, his administration continued to process applications and renew Daca work permits, to the dismay of immigration hardliners.

News of the president's expected decision angered advocates on both sides of the issue.

"IF REPORTS ARE TRUE, Pres Trump better prepare for the civil rights fight of his admin. A clean DREAM Act is now a Nat Emergency #DefendDACA," tweeted New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat.

But Steve King, an Iowa Republican who has called Daca unconstitutional, tweeted: "Ending DACA now gives chance 2 restore Rule of Law. Delaying so R Leadership can push Amnesty is Republican suicide."

The Obama administration created the programme in 2012 as a stopgap to protect some young immigrants from deportation as it pushed unsuccessfully for a broader immigration overhaul in Congress.

Daca protected people in the US illegally who could prove they arrived before they were 16, had been in the country for several years and had not committed a crime while there.

As of July 31 2015, more than 790,000 young immigrants had been approved under the programme.

AP
A 10-year-old boy died of carbon monoxide poisoning after being sent to bed with flu-like symptoms while on holiday.

Gavin Klebs was staying in a cabin with his mother and sister near Big Lake, Alaska, when he began vomiting.

His mother, Sarah Klebs, believed he had the flu virus, as his sister Caroline had already complained of headaches.

The family went to bed, believing they had caught a bug. The next day, the three were found unresponsive in the cabin from carbon monoxide, which has no smell or taste.

Ms Klebs and her daughter were found in bed and taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center on 20 August, before being flown to Seattle for hyperbaric chamber oxygen treatment.

Gavin did not survive.

Investigators found a faulty propane-powered fridge had leaked carbon monoxide into the home as the three slept.

The family had not yet installed a carbon monoxide detector in the cabin but said they planned to do so in winter.

Ms Klebs said she believed her son and daughter had caught the flu and did not realise they were being poisoned.

Prior to this, I never would have thought about it, she told Alaska Dispatch News.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause dizziness, nausea, tiredness and confusion, as well as loss of consciousness and seizures.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for the Klebs family.
Northumbria Police handout of Paul Leighton, who tricked scores of youngsters across the world into sending him nude selfies then blackmailed them into sexually abusing young relatives on camera has been jailed for 16 years.Photo credit should read: Northumbria Police /PA Wire

A paedophile who tricked scores of youngsters across the world into sending him nude selfies then blackmailed them into sexually abusing young relatives on camera has been jailed for 16 years.

Remorseless Paul Leighton, who created up to 40 fake Facebook profiles to befriend teenagers in the UK, Canada, the US and Australia, admitted three counts of rape despite being thousands of miles away when the offences happened.

One 14-year-old from Florida was tricked into believing he was talking to a girl, then blackmailed into repeatedly raping his one-year-old niece.

Leighton threatened the teenager that he would post videos of the abuse online if he did not do more.

The boy has since been charged by the US authorities.

Sentencing Leighton to 16 years with a six year extended licence, Judge Robert Adams told him: "You have effectively destroyed the lives of these people against whom you made these threats."

The judge ruled Leighton was "clearly dangerous" and posed a risk to children in the UK and abroad.

Leighton blackmailed two British teenage girls and also sexually abused a nine-year-old girl living in the north east of England.

The FBI is investigating other victims Leighton may have targeted.

Leighton (32) from Malvern Crescent, Seaham, County Durham, was arrested in November by police investigating reports he had exchanged indecent images on Facebook.

When officers examined his phone they found evidence that as many as 100 children in North America had been abused.

The spray-painter appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced for blackmail, raping a child under 13, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, making indecent photographs of a child, sexual assault, possessing cannabis, distributing indecent images of a child and possession of an indecent video.

Paul Reid, prosecuting, said of Leighton's conduct with the Florida teenager and his niece: "This was a campaign of rape."

He added: "The defendant has pleaded guilty to the rape of this baby 4,000 miles away as he was using (the uncle) as an accessory."

Mr Reid said the case involved the "utterly appalling abuse of many children".

Leighton set up multiple fake profiles of young girls on Facebook, then joined groups for teens.

He would make contact with them and get them to send indecent photos of themselves.

Leighton then used those images to blackmail them into attacking younger relatives, telling them they faced exposure to friends, family and schoolmates if they did not comply.

The paedophile even threatened the teens that he would go to the police if they did not do as he said, the court heard.

He threatened the boy in Florida, saying: "Block me, I immediately post them (the images). Do you want that? Do everything I say to her or I will."

Leighton also trapped a 13-year-old girl in Tennessee and forced her into having sex with her older brother.

She begged Leighton to delete the pictures she had sent him, but he refused.

The judge was told the brother has now been charged with incest and rape.

Andrew Rutter, defending, said Leighton was a cannabis user and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He added: "He protests it was not for sexual gratification but because it gave him a feeling of power to exercise the utmost control over other individuals."

Outside court, Detective Sergeant Peter Morgan said it was the worst case of his career.

"He has victims in this country, America, Canada and Australia and there may be dozens more who have not yet reported abuse to the authorities," he said.

The detective said the offending left an impact on his team but Leighton showed no remorse.

He added: "He was calculated and sophisticated in his approach to this abuse and his lack of thought for his victims is spine-chilling."

Superintendent Michael Barton, the force's digital forensics lead, said the case showed the dangers of young people speaking to strangers online.

"Unfortunately we live in a world where sick, vile creatures like Paul Leighton take advantage of young children using the internet," he said.

Gary Buckley, of the CPS, said the offences made for "chilling reading" for any parent.

He said: "The CPS was also able to successfully prosecute Leighton for the serious of rape, proving that he was as guilty in instigating the overseas offending as he would have been committing the crime itself."
Enhanced satellite image showing Irma in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean (Nasa/NOAA/AP)

Hurricane Irma has grown into a powerful Category 4 storm as it approaches the north-eastern Caribbean and is forecast to begin buffeting the region on Tuesday.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 130mph and the US National Hurricane Centre said additional strengthening was expected.

Emergency officials warned the storm could dump up to 10in of rain, unleash landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to 23ft.

"We're looking at Irma as a very significant event," said Ronald Jackson, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

"I can't recall a tropical cone developing that rapidly into a major hurricane prior to arriving in the central Caribbean."

The storm's centre is forecast to move near or over the northern Leeward Islands late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday, the hurricane centre said.

US residents were urged to monitor the storm's progress in case it should turn northwards towards Florida, Georgia or the Carolinas.

"This hurricane has the potential to be a major event for the East Coast. It also has the potential to significantly strain Fema (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other governmental resources occurring so quickly on the heels of (Hurricane) Harvey," said Evan Myers, chief operating officer of AccuWeather.

In the Caribbean, the governor of the British Virgin Islands urged people on Anegada island to leave if they could, noting that Irma's eye is expected to pass 35 miles from the capital of Road Town.

Antigua and Anguilla closed schools on Monday, and government office closures were expected to follow.

Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands expect 4in to 8in of rain and winds of 40-50mph with gusts of up to 60mph.

Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rossello activated the National Guard, cancelled classes for Tuesday and declared a half-day of work.

He also warned of flooding and power outages. "It's no secret that the infrastructure of the Puerto Rico Power Authority is deteriorated," Mr Rossello said.

Meteorologist Roberto Garcia warned that Puerto Rico could experience hurricane-like conditions in the next 48 hours should the storm's path shift.

"Any deviation, which is still possible, could bring even more severe conditions to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands," Mr Garcia said.

The US Virgin Islands said the school year would open on Friday instead of Tuesday.

Governor Kenneth Mapp said most hotels in the US territory were at capacity with 5,000 tourists. He noted the storm was expected to pass 40 miles north of St. Thomas and warned that the island could experience sustained winds as high as 80mph

"It's not a lot of distance," he said, adding: "It could affect us in a tremendous way. I'm not saying that to alarm anyone or scare anyone, but I want the Virgin Islands to be prepared."

A hurricane warning was issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Martin, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten and St Barts.

A hurricane watch was in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the British and US Virgin islands and Guadeloupe.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for Guadeloupe and a tropical storm watch for Dominica.

AP
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko demands to stop the oppression of the church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate in the annexed Simferopol.

"We must protect our state, our citizens, and our faith, as well as protect the Ukrainian church, which was attacked in the occupied Crimea the other day. We are not going to put up with it, nor accept it. We demand to stop actions against the Ukrainian church," a statement reads distributed by the presidential press center on Saturday evening.
In this undated photo distributed Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, left, visits the Chemical Material Institute of Academy of Defense Science at an undisclosed location in North Korea. North Korea's state media released photos that appear to show concept diagrams of the missiles hanging on a wall behind leader Kim Jong Un, one showing a diagram for a missile called "Pukguksong-3." Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this photo. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Neutral Switzerland is prepared to act as a mediator to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, Swiss President Doris Leuthard has said.

Ms Leuthard said Swiss troops were deployed on the demarcation zone between South Korea and North Korea and the country had a long history of neutral diplomacy.

But China and the United States had to take their share of responsibility, she added.

"We are ready to offer our role... as a mediator," Ms Leuthard told a news conference.

Expand Close (L-R) Swiss President Doris Leuthard, her husband Roland Hausin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan stand in front of a panda ice sculpture as they launch the Swiss-Sino year of tourism on the side line of the 47th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 17, 2017. REUTERS/Laurent Gillieron/Pool / Facebook

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Whatsapp (L-R) Swiss President Doris Leuthard, her husband Roland Hausin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan stand in front of a panda ice sculpture as they launch the Swiss-Sino year of tourism on the side line of the 47th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 17, 2017. REUTERS/Laurent Gillieron/Pool

"It is really time now to sit down at a table. Big powers have a responsibility."

South Korea said it was talking to the United States about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula after signs North Korea might launch more missiles in the wake of its sixth and largest nuclear test.

The UN Security Council has scheduled a second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North's persistent weapons programmes.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground on Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

North Korea is "deliberately undermining regional peace and stability," the council said when it rebuked the latest missile test, reiterating demands for the country to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes.

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting a warning of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said after meeting Donald Trump and his national security team.

"But as I said, we have many options to do so."

The US President previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash "fire and fury" if it threatened US territory.
A volunteer heads out on a jet ski to look for people in need of help in Orange, Texas, yesterday. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

The damage from Hurricane Harvey could hit $180bn (150bn), making it more costly than epic hurricanes Katrina or Sandy, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Harvey, which first came ashore on August 25 as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in 50 years, has killed an estimated 47 people, displaced more than one million and damaged nearly 200,000 homes in a path of destruction stretching for almost 500km.

Mr Abbott, who is pleading for US government aid for his state's recovery, said the damage would exceed that of Katrina, the storm that devastated New Orleans and surrounding areas in 2005, and Sandy, which overwhelmed New York city and the US Northeast in 2012.

"Katrina caused if I recall more than $120bn but when you look at the number of homes and businesses affected by this I think this will cost well over $120bn, probably $150bn to $180bn," Mr Abbott said, warning: "This is far larger than Hurricane Sandy."

Us President Donald Trump has asked Congress for an initial $7.85bn (6.6bn) for recovery efforts, which Mr Abbott called a "down payment".

Even that amount could be delayed unless Congress quickly increases the government's debt limit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said yesterday. The US is on track to hit its debt limit by the end of the month unless Congress increases it.

"Without raising the debt limit, I am not comfortable that we will get money to Texas this month to rebuild," Mr Mnuchin said.

Beyond the immediate funding, any massive aid package faces budget pressures at a time when Mr Trump is advocating for tax reform or tax cuts, leading some on Capitol Hill to suggest aid may be released in a series of smaller batches.

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) called federal aid a "ray of hope" but said state and local officials also needed to do their part.

"They can't depend only on federal emergency management," said Fema administrator Brook Long.

Houston was still struggling to recover yesterday, when the city forced the evacuation of thousands of people on the western side of town who were affected by the release of floodwater that had built up in a reservoir.

The city cut off power to homes yesterday morning to encourage evacuation of those who had been reluctant to leave.
Security personnel at the site of an attack on a politician in Karachi, Pakistan (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

A man suspected of involvement in an attack on a politician killed one officer and injured another during a raid on his home in eastern Karachi before escaping, police in Pakistan said.

Police officer Rao Anwar Ahmed said the suspect was wounded in the swoop on Monday.

He said Abdul Karim Siddiqi was the mastermind of an attack on ethnic politician Khwaja Izharul Hasan on Saturday.

Mr Hasan escaped unhurt but a policeman and a child were killed. Police later chased and fatally shot one of the attackers.

Mr Ahmed said Siddiqi belongs to a militant group and planned to assassinate the politician to ignite violence in the city.

Mr Hasan's party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, has a history of violent reaction over killing of its people.

AP
A Rohingya woman cries after being stopped by Bangladeshi border guards at a makeshift shelter at Ghumdhum, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (AP)

Thousands of Rohingya refugees are streaming across the border into Bangladesh every day, fleeing violence in western Burma.

One hospital is struggling to treat dozens of men who had arrived with broken bones, bullet wounds and horrific stories of soldiers opening fire indiscriminately.

Already, some 87,000 Rohingya Muslims have entered Bangladesh, fleeing violence which erupted on August 25.

The asylum seekers have filled three older refugee camps set up in the 1990s.

UN spokeswoman Vivian Tan said: "The existing refugees have taken in the new arrivals into their homes."

Thousands more are sheltering in local villages, or in open fields - wherever they could find space.

Ms Tan said: "What we desperately need is for land to be made available to get more emergency shelters up," as well as help with other aid supplies.

"These people have been walking for days. They likely have not eaten since they left their homes."

Many needed medical attention for respiratory diseases, infections and malnutrition.

"They are exhausted, they are traumatised ... There are babies, some newborns, who've been exposed to the elements."

On Monday, at the Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital about two hours from the border, doctors were treating 31 men who arrived "distressed and afraid" with broken bones and bullet wounds, mostly to their limbs, according to the resident medical officer Dr Shaheen Abdur Rahman Choudhury.

They all told similar stories of Burmese soldiers opening fire randomly on their villages in western Burma on August 26-27 and setting buildings aflame, Dr Choudhury said.

The hospital, already "hugely overburdened," expects to receive many more wounded refugees, he said.

"What we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg."

The violence and the exodus began on August 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked Burma police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority-Buddhist country.

In response, the military unleashed what it called "clearance operations" to root out the insurgents. The violence led the UN World Food Programme last week to halt aid deliveries to some 250,000 people in Rakhine state.

The latest violence is part of an ongoing struggle between Burma's minority Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists. Bloody rioting that erupted in 2012 forced more than 100,000 Rohingya into displacement camps in Bangladesh, where many still live today.

On Monday, Pakistani rights advocate Malala Yousafzai condemned the violence against Rohingya, in a Twitter statement. "I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same," she said of Burma's leader.

Security officials and Rohingya insurgents have accused each other of atrocities. The military has said nearly 400 people, most of them insurgents, have died in clashes.

Bangladesh police said dozens of Rohingya have died attempting to cross the river separating the two countries.

Burma's government blames the insurgents for burning their own homes and killing Buddhists in Rakhine state.

Outside the hospital in Cox's Bazar on Monday, Rohingya refugees who had been treated for bullet wounds recalled the violent events across the border differently.

Mohammad Irshad, 27, said he saw at least eight bodies after his village near the coastal town of Maungdaw was visited by at least 30 soldiers, who he said opened fire indiscriminately before setting fire to homes and other buildings.

Sixteen-year-old Mohammed Osama said he had tried to flee into the nearby forest when soldiers entered his village on August 26, but instead was shot by one of them in the thigh.

With a gaping bullet wound in his leg, he was carried by his father and some of his 11 siblings across the border. His family joined thousands now packed into the Bangladeshi fishing village of Shah Porir Dwip.

Yet another village near Maungdaw, in Burma, was destroyed by about 50 soldiers, according to 25-year-old Rohingya villager Mohammad Arafat.

"I started running when the firing started and lost track of both my parents. I don't know if they're dead or alive," he said.

"They're cutting up people, shooting people. I'm very afraid. I never want to go back."

His wife and mother-in-law were sheltering in the border area of Teknaf, but Mr Arafat sought treatment for his wound.
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Russia's predominantly Muslim Chechnya to protest against what the Chechen leader called "genocide of Muslims" in Burma.

Burmese security officials and Muslim Rohingya insurgents have accused each other of atrocities in Burma's Rakhine state, where nearly 400 people, most of them insurgents, have died in clashes.

A huge rally was held on Monday in the Chechen capital Grozny to support the Rohingya minority.

In a speech, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov compared the violence against Rohingya to the Holocaust.

In a video released earlier, Mr Kadyrov said he would "go against Russia" if the Russian government supports Burma's military.

Russian federal forces fought two bloody wars in Chechnya in the 1990s.

State television footage showed tens of thousands rallying in Grozny's main square to support the Rohingya.

Mr Kadyrov, who has ruled the republic for more than a decade, keeps a tight grip on Chechen society, and any public displays there are carefully orchestrated.

Local police authorities reported that 1.1 million people attended the rally.

The entire population of Chechnya is 1.4 million, according to official statistics.

On Monday, police arrested 20 people for disturbing public order outside the Burmese embassy in Moscow, Russian news agencies reported.

On Sunday, some 800 people held an unauthorised protest outside the embassy.

Russia has developed military ties with Burma in recent years. Russia's defence minister hosted Burma's commander in chief in June, and Russia has been selling arms to the South Asian nation including some of its most advanced fighter jets and artillery systems.

Mr Kadyrov fought with Chechen separatists in a war with Russian forces in the 1990s, but switched sides in the second war that began in 1999.

In recent years, Mr Kadyrov has cultivated ties with several leaders in the Muslim world and has recently used Russia's involvement in Syria to position himself as Russia's most influential Muslim.

Mr Kadyrov's charitable foundation has been sending humanitarian aid to Syrian children and offering funds to restore Aleppo's oldest mosque and other landmarks.
Militants of illegal armed formations have fired positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) area 44 times, as a result of which one Ukrainian serviceman has been injured, the press center of the ATO headquarters has reported.

"Tensions continued to escalate last night. Ukrainian strongholds came under 44 attacks, including 21 instances of random fire. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded during the day," the ATO staff said on Facebook.

In the Donetsk sector, five attacks by the militants on Ukrainian army positions using infantry combat vehicle weapons, grenade launchers and heavy machineguns were seen after 6 p.m. near Zaitseve; the militants attacked the Avdiyivka industrial zone thrice and twice fired on Ukrainian army strongholds near Mayorske.

In the Mariupol sector, the militants mounted three attacks using small arms and five mines of 82mm caliber on the vicinity of Pavlopil, while small arms were used near Hnutove, Talakivka, Lybidynske and Shyrokyne, and a grenade launcher shelled the Maryinka area, the report said.

In the Luhansk sector, at about 21:00 Kyiv time, cynically disregarding ceasefire agreements and deliberately endangering civilians, the Russian-backed mercenaries started firing small arms on the Stanytsia Luhanska checkpoint. Despite full readiness to return fire, the ATO forces did not open fire in response, thus fulfilling ceasefire agreements and showing restraint for the sake of peace. "This fact once again confirmed that the militants do not wish to observe the ceasefire in this area, which had to begin the process of "mirror" withdrawal of troops," the ATO HQ said.
A photo distributed by the North Korean government shows what was said to be the launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)

President Donald Trump's threat to cut off trade with countries that deal with North Korea is unacceptable and unfair, China has said.

Mr Trump said on Twitter on Sunday the United States is considering halting trade with "any country doing business with North Korea".

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His remarks came after North Korea detonated what it claimed was a thermonuclear device in its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

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Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters at a briefing in Beijing on Monday that China regarded as "unacceptable a situation in which on the one hand we work to resolve this issue peacefully but on the other hand our own interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardised".

Mr Geng said: "This is neither objective nor fair."

China is the North's closest ally and commercial partner.

Beijing's comments come amid claims in South Korea of preparations in North Korea for a new missile launch.

The projectile being prepared may be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), South Korean military sources said.

Seoul's defence ministry also measured North Korea's nuclear test at 50 kilotons, Yonhap news agency reported.

The detonation on Sunday was the strongest ever from the North, which claimed the test was of a hydrogen bomb.

South Korea responded to the nuclear test with live-fire drills off its eastern coast on Monday that were meant to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site.

The leaders of South Korea and Japan have agreed to work together to build support for further sanctions against North Korea following its latest nuclear test.

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Japanese broadcaster NHK said Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean president Moon Jae-in discussed the crisis by telephone on Monday, ahead of an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Mr Abe also spoke with Mr Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin late on Sunday night.

The A live-fire exercise was carried out to "strongly warn" Pyongyang over its claimed test of a hydrogen bomb, Seoul's joint chiefs of staff (JCS) said.

The drill involved F-15 fighter jets and South Korea's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles, and the released live weapons "accurately struck" a target in the sea off the country's eastern coast, the JCS said.

It came after Kim Jong Un's regime on Sunday claimed "perfect success" in the underground test.

US defence secretary Jim Mattis hit back, saying the US will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming".

Expand Close US President Donald Trump. Image: AP Photo / Facebook

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Mr Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for its "talk of appeasement".

The tough talk from America's commander in chief and the retired general he picked to oversee the Pentagon came as the administration searched for a response to the escalating crisis.

Mr Trump, asked by a reporter during a trip to church if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see."

No US military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect so far.

The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting at the request of the US, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea.

It would be the Security Council's second urgent session in under a week on the North's weapons tests, which have continued in the face of a series of sanctions.

Members of the US Congress expressed alarm at the North's test and emphasised strengthening US missile defences.

Leaders in Russia, China and Europe issued condemnations.

Mr Mattis told reporters America does not seek the "total annihilation" of the North, but added: "We have many options to do so."

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The administration has emphasised its pursuit of diplomatic solutions, knowing the potentially horrific costs of war with the North.

But the decision to have Mr Mattis deliver a public statement seemed to suggest an escalating crisis.

The precise strength of the underground nuclear explosion is not yet clear.

South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five tests.

North Korea's state-run television broadcast a special bulletin to announce the test, and said Mr Kim attended a meeting of the ruling party's presidium and signed the go-ahead order.

Earlier, the party's newspaper published photos of him examining what it said was a nuclear warhead being fitted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the mainland US.

The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target US cities.

North Korea's accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the US is creating political complications for Washington as it seeks to reassure allies it will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Mr Trump when he tweeted that Seoul is finding its "talk of appeasement" will not work.

He added the North Koreans "only understand one thing", implying military force might be required.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at an undisclosed location, as state media said he had inspected the loading of a hydrogen bomb into a new ICBM (KRT via AP Video)

President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania, outside church in Washington (Susan Walsh/AP)

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has reacted to North Korea's latest nuclear test by saying threats to the United States and its allies "will be met with a massive military response".

Mr Mattis spoke at the White House following a meeting with President Donald Trump and national security advisers. He said any response will be "both effective and overwhelming".

Mr Mattis said the United States is "not looking to the total annihilation" of North Korea, but added "we have many options to do so".

North Korea claimed "perfect success" in an underground test of what it called a hydrogen bomb - potentially vastly more destructive than an atomic bomb.

It was the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006, but the first since Mr Trump took office in January.

In a brief statement to reporters Mr Mattis said the international community was unified in demanding the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and said the North's leader, Kim Jong Un, should know that Washington's commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

Earlier, Mr Trump raised the stakes in the escalating crisis over North Korea's nuclear threats, suggesting drastic economic measures against China and criticising ally South Korea.

With General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at his side, Mr Mattis said: "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response - a response both effective and overwhelming."

Those words alone were within the usual bounds of US commentary on answering North Korean aggression. But he seemed to take it a step further with the reference to "total annihilation".

Mr Mattis, who did not take questions from reporters, said he had attended a "small group" national security meeting with Mr Trump and others. He said the president wanted to be briefed on each of what Mr Mattis called "many military options" for action against North Korea.

"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attacks, and our commitments among the allies are ironclad," he said.

Mr Trump, asked by a reporter during a trip to church services if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see."

The precise strength of the underground nuclear explosion had yet to be determined. South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five tests.

North Korea's state-run television broadcast a special bulletin to announce the test, and said Kim attended a meeting of the ruling party's presidium and signed the go-ahead order.

Earlier, the party's newspaper published photos of Kim examining what it said was a nuclear warhead being fitted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the mainland US.

The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target US cities.

The Arms Control Association said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests the North tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Hans Kristensen, a nuclear weapons expert at the Federation of American Scientists, said the North probably will need to do more tests before achieving a functioning hydrogen bomb design.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Korea's accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the US as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Mr Trump's jab on Sunday at South Korea.

He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its "talk of appeasement" will not work.

The North Koreans, he added, "only understand one thing", implying military force might be required.

The US has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

Mr Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital US trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbour.

Mr Trump tweeted that the US is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea".

China's official Xinhua News Agency said President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, meeting on the sidelines of a Beijing-led economic summit, agreed "to adhere to the goal of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, have close communication and co-ordination and properly respond" to the test.

AP
ISIS fighters may have escaped to Iraq, despite US promises to stop them

BEIRUT - An Islamic State convoy stranded in the Syrian desert for five days has split up and some fighters may have found their way into Iraq, despite the U.S. military's determination to stop them from reaching militant-controlled territory, according to reports from Syrian activists, Iraqi officials and the U.S. military on Sunday.

Conflicting reports and claims put the 17 buses that made up the original convoy in a variety of locations, illustrating the difficulty of establishing with any certainty events in the remote desert war zone spanning Iraq and Syria.

The buses set out in a convoy from western Syria on Tuesday under the terms of a deal brokered by the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah movement to relocate the fighters to the Islamic State-controlled town of Bukamal on the Iraqi border, in return for the bodies of Lebanese army, Hezbollah and Iranian soldiers.

The convoy has since become the center of a regionwide controversy over whether such deals are acceptable, with the United States and its allies trading accusations with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies over who is doing more to fight terrorism.

Iraq's government expressed outrage at the relocation, which would have enabled the 300 Islamic State fighters on board the convoy to reinforce militant positions in Iraq. The U.S. military vowed to prevent them from doing so and on Wednesday blocked the convoy's path, by bombing the desert road ahead of it.

At least some of the buses have since been stranded in the desert between Syrian government and Islamic State lines, with U.S. warplanes circling overhead to deter any further attempts to reach Islamic State territory.

On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry slammed the U.S. military's surveillance of the buses as "illogical" and said the lives of pregnant women are at risk, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency.

On Sunday, the U.S. military said six of the buses had crossed back into government-held territory and headed toward the Syrian-government-controlled town of Palmyra, leaving 11 buses stuck in the desert. The whereabouts of the six buses that headed to Palmyra were not clear.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said that four of the buses reached territory controlled by the Islamic State, in fulfillment of the Hezbollah deal, and that six were stuck in the desert. It did not say what had happened to the other seven buses. The Islamic State is also known as ISIS and ISIL.

According to Syrians in the area and Iraqi officials, however, all or most of the original fighters who set out on the convoy have got off the buses and made their way to Iraq, using back roads to bypass the path bombed by U.S. warplanes.

Omar Abu Layla, who heads an activist network called Deir al-Zour 24, said the fighters traveled on foot to meet up with Islamic State fighters nearby and have been transported to two western Iraqi towns, Rawa and Aana. He cited the accounts of two reporters in his network who live in the area.

Two Iraqi officials said they believed all of the fighters and their families had arrived in Rawa in recent days. Residents told Mohammed Karbouli, a member of Iraq's parliamentary committee on defense and security, that hundreds of Islamic State fighters from Syria showed up in Rawa on Friday and that they were apparently those from the convoy.

"That deal was a big mistake, and it harms only Iraq," he said.

Asmaa Al-Ani, a member of the local council in Anbar province, said residents of Rawa told her that about 700 Islamic State fighters and their families had arrived and had taken up residence in empty homes. "These reinforcements will have a negative impact on the military situation for the coming operations," she said, referring to the Iraqi army's plans to recapture the area, one of the last remaining pockets in Iraq controlled by the Islamic State.

The claims left it unclear who, if anyone, may still be aboard the buses stranded in the desert. Hezbollah has accused the U.S. military of endangering the lives of women and children who are on the buses, but the U.S. military says it will not prevent supplies from reaching the vehicles.

The U.S. military did not respond to requests for comment on whether the Islamic State fighters are in Iraq.

---

Salim reported from Irbil, Iraq. Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.

isis

Washington Post News Service (DC)

9/3/2017 4:20:40 PM Central Daylight Time
The investigation into the murder of former State Duma deputy Denis Voronenkov is almost over now, deputy prosecutor general of Ukraine Yevhen Yenin has said.

"It is actually solved, and as soon as the interests of the investigation allow it, the results will be open to the public. I can only say that the murder was put the lid on. The key things are already known to the investigation," Yenin told the Insider edition published on Monday.

As reported, former Russian State Duma parliamentarian Voronenkov was murdered in central Kyiv on March 23. Murderer Pavlo Parshov was injured by the ex-deputy's security guard and died later in hospital.

Voronenkov's murderer had an accomplice Yaroslav Levenets, who has been wanted for economic crimes since 2012. Tarasenko is suspected of committing a crime pursuant to the article of the Ukrainian Criminal Code dealing with premeditated murder. He was detained on June 16.
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
Ukraine's deputy Prosecutor General's Office chief Yevhen Yenin has said that the return of Dmytro Firtash to Ukraine is unlikely in the near future.

'Today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow  this is unrealistic The issue of Firtash's return to Ukraine is not only a hypothetical question. It is today an unrealistic event," Yenin said in an interview with the Insider edition published on Monday.

Yenin said U.S. seeks Firtash's extradition and there is an arrest warrant for Firtash issued in Spain.

"The way the process works is as follows: if one country's request is turned down, the other country's request is considered." He refused to speculate about attempts to extradite Firtash from Austria.

"I had the opportunity to see the fat binders of documents turned over by American lawyers to Austria. And, of course, there is a political side to the case. If we consider the level of Firtash's defense, it includes Austria's former justice minister. Contacts here, as in most countries, play a very important role and are complicated," he said.

Asked whether Ukraine plans on filing an extradition request for Firtash, Yenin replied, "I do not answer for the investigation regarding Firtash, but it seems to me that suspicions against heads of his companies are well grounded."

Yenin confirmed Ukraine's involvement in the money-laundering case against [Syrian businessman] Hares Youssef.

"We of course cooperate closely with our foreign partners. A Spanish delegation last year visited us Several months ago we met with Spain's prosecutor general and discussed further steps. We see progress over the last several months, and there are plans to take steps involving structures connected with Firtash," Yenin said.

As earlier reported, Firtash was arrested in Vienna on March 12, 2014 at the request of U.S. law-enforcement agencies, who suspect him of bribing officials in India to secure sales of Titanium sponge to U.S. customers.

Firtash denies all wrongdoing.
Bold and beautiful are two tags that perfectly fit Esha Gupta. Esha, who has been the talk of the itnternet town since a long time now is known for her carefree attitude. In India, women are constantly scrutinized and judged for their choices and thanks to women like Esha Gupta who know how to use their free will to do whatever their heart wishes to.

Life's too short, laugh it out A post shared by Esha Gupta (@egupta) on Aug 10, 2017 at 10:30pm PDT

A few weeks ago, Esha had posted some sensuous photographs on Instagram from a photo-shoot and that 'obviously' offended a lot of people who couldn't handle her bold avatar. In all her recent interviews, Esha has proved that women need to be carefree and do what they want and that's exactly what she did recently.

 @taras84 A post shared by Esha Gupta (@egupta) on Aug 25, 2017 at 7:52pm PDT

Esha faced the brunt of trolls who had some nasty comments to make about her pictures and to cut down all the negativity, we are sure Bali is the only place that must have fit the bill. Esha is holidaying in Bali, post release of Baadshaho and looks like she's having the time of her life.

A bikini clad Esha Gupta has taken over the internet and her pictures will give you some major vacation goals. Have a look!

#1

 @mehakoberoi A post shared by Esha Gupta (@egupta) on Sep 3, 2017 at 12:59am PDT

#2

 @mehakoberoi A post shared by Esha Gupta (@egupta) on Sep 3, 2017 at 2:21am PDT

#3

A post shared by Esha Gupta (@egupta) on Sep 3, 2017 at 8:10pm PDT

#4
In a rather shocking turn of events, Actor Bobby Darling has filed for divorce from her husband, Ramneek Sharma. Bobby has cited domestic violence and unnatural sex. In an interview with Bombay Times, the actor said, Ramneek would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man.

She has further alleged that her husband usurped her property and money.

Talking about the same, she said,

Instagram

He made me give him co-ownership of my flat in Mumbai and did the same when we bought our penthouse in Bhopal. He also bought an SUV using my money immediately after the marriage. Now, I am left with nothing.

She added that her husband in intrusive in her personal life to an extent that in order to keep a check on her, he even went on to pay the buildings security guards, who would inform him of all (her) moves. In the media interaction, Bobby added,

BCCL

He kept a tab on who I spoke with and where I went. Tired of the constant bickering, I suggested that we get divorced with mutual consent, but on the condition that I would get my property and the car back. However, he didnt agree to it. I want my property back so that I can sell it off and move back to Mumbai. He used to beat his elder brother and mother too with belt n kicks. All neighbours know that both brothers are heavy drinkers and fighters and have also beaten society head and guards."

She also claimed that her husband has a criminal record with Bhopal police and she wasn't aware of when she got married to him. She said,

Instagram

Both (brothers) have a bad reputation in the society and a lot of criminal records of my husband in the past. One can check with the police."

In her complaint, Bobby has alleged that Ramneek is a fraud and he faked his profession as he had introduced himself as a cineplex owner. She also added that he has a fake Facebook profile.
Back in 1992, Donald Trump played a six-second cameo role in the adventure/comedy movie Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. And now, Hollywood actor Matt Damon has spilled the truth behind the apparent cameo appearance.

Twitter

Damon revealed the deal that Trump made to the filmmakers in exchange for the use of his Manhattan hotel for the shoot.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 46-year-actor told that President Trump would only let the crew of the film on his properties if they wrote him a part in the movie.

He said, The deal was that if you wanted to shoot in one of his buildings, you had to write him in a part.

Adding, [Director] Martin Brest had to write something in Scent of a Woman, and the whole crew was in on it.

AP

You have to waste an hour of your day with a bullshit shot: Donald Trump walks in and Al Pacinos like, Hello, Mr. Trump! You had to call him by name and then he exits, noted Damon.

You waste a little time so that you can get the permit, and then you can cut the scene out. But I guess in Home Alone 2 they left it in, he explained.

The Downsizing star also revealed that he has never met Trump in person and he clearly isnt a fan of him. Damon is currently promoting his new movie Suburbicon at the Venice Film Festival alongside Hollywood actors George Clooney and Julianne Moore.
As the dance of death continues in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, data on deaths of children compiled by the UP government show a sharp drop in casualty figures in the BRD Medical College this year compared to those in the last three years.

AP

According to the data compiled by the UP health department, made available to PTI, 1,317 children had died in the state-run facility so far this year. The number of deaths stood at 5,850 in 2014, 6,917 in 2015 and 6,121 in 2016, the department data said.

The data showed the average daily deaths translating to 16 in 2014, 19 in 2015 and 17 in 2016 -- as against 5.3 a day till August this year.

AFP

"This (death figure) is much lower than that in the previous years," Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh said.

Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh had charged the Uttar Pradesh government with failing to check the deaths in the BRD medical college.

"The toll is alarmingly high and the government has failed to check the casualties," he had said.

PTI

Countering him, the health minister said "good work" was being done by the Yogi Adityanath government in the state.

"The reason (for the fall in death figures) is the good work done in the last five months. We have strengthened encephalitis treatment centres and taken various effective measures to check the dreaded disease so that more patients are treated at community health centre levels and do not just rush to the BRD medical college," Singh told PTI.

According to BRD medical college records, 152 children died in January this year, 122 in February, 159 in March, 123 in April, 139 in May, 137 in June, 128 in July and 325 in August.

Taking into account 32 deaths in the first two days of September, the total came to 1,317.

PTI

A total of 51,018 children were admitted to the hospital in 2014, 61,295 in 2015 and 60,891 in 2016, according to the data put together by the department and its partner, PATH Foundation, a nonprofit organisation. There were no admission figures for this year.

Health department sources said till August 31, admissions in district hospitals and encephalitis treatment centres had gone up to 62 per cent as compared to BRD hospital.

"We have to bring this up to at least 80 per cent. We are on the right path," said an official.

Because of seasonal illnesses, August usually sees a rise in the number of children being admitted to the medical college which caters to Gorakhpur and adjoining districts in Uttar Pradesh, with patients also coming from neighbouring Bihar and Nepal.

AFP

The Numbers of deaths of children in August in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were 587, 668 and 567 respectively, as against 324 last month, according to the data.

"During 2017, larvicidal spraying and fogging were undertaken in 529 villages/urban areas in seven endemic districts of Gorakhpur and Basti division where community meetings and awareness programmes for health workers are being carried out," Singh said while explaining the drop in the casualty figure this year.

The health minister said, "The combat against Japanese Encephalitis (JE)/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) continues to be a priority for the state government and every effort is being made to ensure proper treatment and management of cases by taking preventive initiatives to educate and involve the community in our fight against these diseases."

PTI

He said a special vaccination campaign was carried out in 38 endemic districts from June 29 to July 15 this year covering 92 lakh children in the 1-15 year age bracket.

When contacted, Congress spokesperson Singh expressed doubts over the figures, while Samajwadi Party leader and MLC Rajpal Kashyap dismissed the data.

"The government is trying to run away from its responsibilities of providing better health care facilities," Kashyap said.
Nirmala Sitharaman was on Sunday named the new Defence Minister, only the second woman to hold the post since former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Sitharaman is one of four ministers elevated to cabinet rank on Sunday. She attributed her promotion to "cosmic grace".

AFP

"Somebody who has come from a small town, grown into the party with all the support of the leadership, and if given such responsibility, it just makes you feel sometimes that cosmic grace is there. Otherwise it is impossible," she told reporters here after taking oath.

Sitharaman takes over from Jaitley who also holds the heavy-workload finance ministry. He was keen to be rid of defence and said as much.

On Friday, he indicated he may not be defence minister for much longer.

"At least, I hope, not very long," Jaitley had quipped, when being asked about the reshuffle.

AFP

Sitharaman - who was minister of state for commerce - is seen to have gained in confidence in handling the ministry and has done well in multilateral negotiations, said party sources. She also made her mark as party spokesperson when the BJP was in the opposition.

When Sitharaman was give the commerce ministry, as an independent charge, it was a role she grew into after an initial period when her direct manner was markedly different from what officials were used to. But of late, she has been seen to have come into her own, gaining control over her turf and dealing with trade negotiations with increasing certainty.

I am sure, now that I have an extremely competent successor in Nirmala Sitharaman, she will carry the road forward: Union Min Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/0df19i0X7l  ANI (@ANI) 3 September 2017

Sitharaman was recently in China for a BRICS meeting where she was engaged in discussions with counterparts even as the protracted India-China border row played out in Doklam.

The new defence minister highlighted her achievements as commerce minister.

"With the support of the prime minister, so many things have happened in the ministry like Start up India, Make in India etc. There is some misconception about 'Make in India', but it will be answered," she said.

Jaitley said Sitharaman will be "an extremely competent successor" to him.
We all know about Elon Musk's warning bells on AI, and Mark Zuckerberg's exuberance on the topic.

But there's a new voice that's joined the AI debate, a voice that needs to be taken the most seriously, perhaps -- that of Vladimir Putin's.

reuters

Last Friday, Putin made his intentions clear about the field of AI, while speaking with students about science and technology at the beginning of the new school year in Russia. According to RT.com, the Russian President was quoted as saying that "the future belongs to artificial intelligence."

"Whoever masters AI will rule the world" - Putin

Vladimir Putin further clarified his position on AI by saying that AI holds "colossal opportunities" for humankind all around the world. But it also comes with "threats that are difficult to predict." By saying that did Putin just reinforce Elon Musk's worldview on the future of AI?

While the President of Russia emphasized that he wouldn't like any one country or corporation "monopolize" the potential that AI holds, he was very clear in signalling that whoever became the "leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world."
Scientists have just made a discovery that flies in the face of what we know about the timeline of human evolution. Researchers, have just discovered a 5.7 million-year-old human-like footprint in Crete that suggests our ancestors roamed Europe well before previously believed.

Linda Koffmar - Uppsala University

Discovered In Trachilos in western Crete, the footprint could has serious implications for our theories of how humans evolved and spread out from Africa.

Earlier studies had indicated that all human fossils older than 1.8 million years came from Africa, leading researchers to believe thats where we originated from. What makes this controversial is the age and location of the prints, said one of the studys authors Per Ahlberg, Professor at Uppsala University in Sweden.

At 5.7 million years, the new footprints are just shy of the oldest known human-like fossil, yet over a million years older than the closer-resembling fossils of our ancestors, Ardipithecus Ramidus. The problem is that Ardipithecus had an ape-like foot, and was believed to be the direct ancestor of later evolved humans. However, these new fossils that predate it have footprints even closer to our own, something that shouldnt have been possible.

One possibility that explains this is that early hominins ranged across not just Africa, but also south-east Europe. At the time, the Sahara Desert did not exist and the island of Crete had not yet separated from the mainland.

It shows just how much of our knowledge of our ancestors is actual concrete evidence, and how much is educated guessing based on the evidence. In any case, at least a few details are going to have to change in school history books in the future.
The German Federal Government will provide financial support to the humanitarian activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Ukraine in the amount of EUR 6.5 million, the German Embassy in Ukraine has reported.

Thus, the total German funding for ICRC projects and events in Ukraine in 2016-2018 will increase to EUR 14.5 million.

The embassy reminded that Germany provides financial support to numerous humanitarian activities within the framework of the ICRC project: assistance, protection, prevention and cooperation ties in Ukraine, which are held mainly in eastern Ukraine. The project activities cover medical care, trauma care, support for health facilities, preventive measures, food and hygiene, water supply, training of medical personnel and service personnel, the search for missing persons and the restoration of family ties, visits to detainees, information activities on the dangers of mines and unexploded ammunition, etc.
The(ASA) is the latest well-known institution to come to the defense of the former head of Greece's Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT), Andreas Georgiou, reminding Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that the "goal of a statistical agency is to describe reality, not to create it."
Listen To Those "Or Elses"

By Eric Margolis

September 04, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Old Chinese saying: when elephants battle, ants get crushed. Think of the current crisis on the Korean Peninsula in which the government in Seoul has been all but ignored.

South Koreas newly elected president, Moon Jae-in, keeps insisting that the US must not launch war against North Korea without South Koreas agreement.

President Donald Trump and the US media appear not to have heard Moons pleas, or are simply disregarding them.

Amazingly, six decades after the end of the 1950 Korean War, South Koreas 650,000-man active armed forces and 4.2 million-man reserves remain under the command of a US four-star general. This neo-colonial arrangement was supposed to have ended years ago, but successive conservative South Korean governments maintained their nations acceptance of Washingtons Asian Raj. So does Japan.

The most recent South Korean rightist leader, Park Guen-hye, was ousted for alleged corruption and is now in jail awaiting trial. Many of South Koreas rightists are Protestant Christians  as was the US-backed Korean War leader, strongman Syngman Rhee. South Koreas Christians are ardently anti-Communist and support war against North Korea. Whatever happened to turn the other cheek?

President Moon, an anti-war moderate leftist, keeps calling for a peaceful solution to the present crisis. Most South Koreans back him. As Ive found on my many assignments in Korea, most Southerners shrug off the threat from North Korea  or even laugh it off. They certainly dont want a full-scale war on their front door. The 1950-53 conflict left at least 2.5 million Korean civilians dead and most of the peninsulas major cities bombed flat by US B-29s.

North Korea, by contrast, constantly harangues South Koreans that their nation is a US puppet and colony run by traitors. Pyongyang insists that North Korea is the authentic Korean state while the South is a mere US/Japanese colony. Many young South Koreans absorb such claims; some are even proud of North Korea for standing up to the mighty United States even though South Koreas economy is 45 times larger than that of threadbare North Korea.

Kim Jong-uns bombastic challenge to President Trump is emboldening Korean nationalists. Many point to the fact that North Korea developed nuclear weapons and delivery systems on its own while South Korea was stopped from doing so by US pressure in the 1970s.

At the same time, North Koreans are jumping for joy that their nation just launched a medium-range missile over Japan that panicked and humiliated the much hated Japanese. The missile launch came on the anniversary of Japans takeover of Korea as a colony in 1910. Imperial Japan exploited and humiliated the proud Koreans, treating them as sub-humans. Koreans have never forgotten. Many long for revenge.

Thats what Kim Jong-un is doing.

The second North Korean missile to fly over Japan makes painfully clear that Japan must have nuclear weapons to defend itself, something this writer has been urging for years.

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Otherwise, the worlds number three economy is utterly naked to its foes, who include North Korea and China. Emphasizing the point, this week air raid sirens wailed in various parts of Japan, giving the population a big scare and undermining respect for its conservative government.

Point defense missiles  Japans current response  wont give it adequate protection. As Frances Maginot Line so dramatically showed, fixed defenses can be overcome by spirited, innovative offensives. To defend itself, Japan  and perhaps South Korea  need massive retaliatory capability. But even then, if there is a north Asian nuclear conflict, its likely North Korea will save at least one or two nuclear missiles for revenge against Japan.

Chinas Foreign Ministry has proposed the obvious, sensible solution to this trumped-up crisis: the US to cease its provocative annual air, land and naval demonstration around North Koreas borders in return for the North outing a moratorium on its provocative missile tests. So far, Washington has refused this sensible solution.

Meanwhile, in a little-noticed, menacing statement, Chinas Ministry of Defense just warned that China would not allow US or South Korea troops to enter North Korea. This is a very serious warning that deserves utmost attention in Washington.

It reminds me of Imperial Russias warning Austro-Hungary not to invade Serbia in the fall of 1914  or else. The or else came: World War I. And, of course, Maos China warning US Gen. Douglas MacArthur not to cross the Yalu River in 1950  or else. Soon after, 500,000 Chinese troops invaded Korea.

Eric S. Margolis is an award-winning, internationally syndicated columnist. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune the Los Angeles Times, Times of London, the Gulf Times, the Khaleej Times, Nation  Pakistan, Hurriyet,  Turkey, Sun Times Malaysia and other news sites in Asia. https://ericmargolis.com

Copyright Eric S. Margolis 2017

See also

North Koreas Sixth Nuclear Test: Strong Tremor Felt in China

North Korea says has developed advanced hydrogen bomb that can be fitted on ICBM

Electromagnetic Pulse: North Koreas Latest Threat Against U.S.

Kim's final warning: James Mattis raises threat of 'total annihilation' of North Korea

'Unacceptable': China slams Trump's threat to end commerce with N. Korea's trade partners

WikiLeakss Assange: Trump may be deposed if blocks trade with China
The Risk of NATOs H-Bombs in Turkey





Exclusive: As the world nervously assesses North Koreas claims about having a hydrogen bomb, another danger point is in Turkey where an erratic leader could seize NATOs H-Bombs, warns Jonathan Marshall.



By Jonathan Marshall

Even in this contentious era, one proposition still enjoys near-universal support: the United States should make it the highest priority to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of hostile states.

Its far too late to stop North Korea from getting the Bomb, despite all the militant rhetoric coming out of Washington. But we still have a chance to prevent an erratic Middle East strongman from holding the United States hostage by threatening to seize dozens of deadly hydrogen bombs.

Im referring, of course, to Turkish President Recep Erdogan.

As I warned more than a year ago, he controls overall access to NATOs largest nuclear storage facility  a stockpile of some 50 B-61 hydrogen bombs at Incirlik air base in southeastern Turkey. Each weapon has a yield of up to 170 kilotons, nearly 12 times greater than the atomic bomb that wiped out Hiroshima in 1945.

The bombs are a holdover from the Cold War, with no current strategic rationale. They represent a growing risk to U.S. security, not a safe deterrent.

As Erdogans relations with the United States and Western Europe go from bad to worse, the case for withdrawing those weapons of mass destruction from his reach grows ever more urgent.

It is the worst place possible to be keeping nuclear weapons, said Joseph Cirincione, a nuclear arms control expert and president of the Ploughshares Fund. Citing the relocation of American families from the air base as U.S.-Turkish tensions have grown, he asked rhetorically, it is not safe for our military spouses and children, but it is OK for 50 hydrogen bombs to be there?

His concerns were recently echoed by a former senior NATO official who agreed the weapons should be removed given the instability, both in the country and across the border in Syria and Iraq.

Growing Tensions

Although the United States and Turkey are technically NATO allies  and Turkey still allows the U.S. Air Force to conduct bombing raids into Syria and Iraq from Incirlik  theres growing friction between them.

Just the other day, Erdogan blasted the U.S. judicial system as scandalous following reports of new indictments against members of his armed security detail who brutally attacked peaceful pro-Kurdish demonstrators outside the Turkish ambassadors residence in Washington last spring. More than a dozen Turkish security officials have been charged since that melee was caught on video.

Erdogan has also bitterly attacked Washington for supporting Kurdish rebels in Syria, whom he regards as supporters of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. As a sign of his anger, Turkish-led forces have directed fire at U.S. allies in Syria, and Ankara recently published the location of U.S. Special Forces in that country, putting them at risk and triggering a Pentagon protest.

Showing no deference toward his allies, Erdogan has jailed an American pastor , a French journalist , and at least a dozen German citizens on apparently trumped up political charges, despite pleas by senior government officials from those NATO countries. An angry German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently said Berlin needs to react decisively against Turkeys violation of its citizens rights, and rethink its relations with Ankara.

As international human rights groups point out, those Westerners represent only a tiny percentage of the victims of Erdogans authoritarian crackdown since the failed military coup against his regime in 2016. Under the ongoing state of emergency that Erdogan imposed, authorities have opened criminal investigations against more than 150,000 people accused of supporting the coup.

As a result of the crackdown, some 50,000 people languish in jail, writes John Dalhuisen, Amnesty Internationals European director. Among them are at least 130 journalists, the highest number of any country in the world. More than 100,000 public sector workers, including a quarter of the judiciary, have been arbitrarily dismissed . . . and hundreds of academics were cast out of their jobs.

Erdogan has warned that the state of emergency may be extended several more years. He also vowed to show no mercy to his enemies: First, we will chop off the heads of those traitors. When they appear in court, lets make them appear in orange suits like in Guantanamo Bay.

Washingtons Ambivalence

Such authoritarian outbursts are deeply embarrassing to NATO, which professes democratic values. Left to his own devices, President Trump would likely ignore Ankaras transgressions, out of gratitude for Erdogan overseeing the launch of Trump Towers in Istanbul in 2012. But the special prosecutors investigation of Trumps first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, for failing to register as a lobbyist for the Turkish government last year, has undoubtedly forced Trump to keep greater distance from Erdogan.

No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Your Free Daily Newsletter

As a result, Trumps attitude toward Turkey  as with so many issues  appears conflicted. In a recent snub, the Pentagon refused Ankaras request to send personnel to train Turkish F-16 pilots, to replace the several hundred fighter pilots dismissed in the wake of last years coup attempt.

On the other hand, Washington seems committed to using Incirlik as its primary base from which to carry out air strikes in Syria and Iraq. According to Stars and Stripes , the Pentagon wants to spend about $26 million to house 216 more U.S. airmen at the base. (It also plans to spend another $6.4 million to support a missile defense radar site in Eastern Turkey.)

The good news is that the additional airmen arent pilots, but Air Force security personnel, charged with improving base security. If thats a first step toward safeguarding NATOs hydrogen bomb stockpile, we should all applaud.

But 216 men cant stop the Turkish army from seizing those weapons if Erdogan ever decides he wants to hold NATO hostage or turn Turkey into a regional superpower. Theres only one truly secure solution to this growing nuclear peril  total redeployment of these weapons back to the United States.
Trump, North Korea and the danger of world war

By Peter Symonds

September 04, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The North Korean nuclear test yesterday, its sixth and most powerful, has once again exposed the extremely volatile and precarious state of global geopolitics and the great danger of a descent into a nuclear world war.

The unstable regime in Pyongyang has concluded that its only hope of self-preservation, in the face of provocative threats from an unstable Trump administration, is to try and expand its nuclear arsenal as quickly as possible. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is acutely conscious of the brutal end of Iraqs Saddam Hussein and Libyas Muammar Gaddafi, after they abandoned their so-called weapons of mass destruction.

While the actions of North Korea are certainly compounding the risk of conflict, prime responsibility for pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war rests with US imperialism. Moreover, as the reckless and belligerent statements from Trump and his officials demonstrate, North Koreas limited nuclear weaponry and reactionary nationalist bombast will not prevent the US from using its military might, including its huge nuclear arsenal, against the North Korean people.

After a meeting between Trump and his top military and national security advisers, US Defence Secretary James Mad Dog Mattis warned North Korea that it faced a massive military response to any threat to the US or its allies. We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, Mattis continued, but as I said, we have many options to do so. President Trump wanted to be briefed on each one of them, he added.

Trump himself warned of a US nuclear attack against North Korea when he declared last month that it confronted fire and fury like the world has never seen. A White House readout from his phone call yesterday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explicitly declared that the US stood ready to use the full range of diplomatic, conventional and nuclear capabilities at our disposal.

Trump was asked on Sunday: Will you attack North Korea? He refused to rule out pre-emptive military strikes, simply declaring: Well see.

The US president has repeatedly said that he would not signal a military attack in advance, compounding the uncertainty, and hence fears in Pyongyang. Furthermore, as the crisis on the Korean Peninsula has escalated, the divisions in the Trump administration have resulted in an incoherent policy, which swings wildly between threats of all-out war and suggestions of talks, further inflaming the already explosive situation.

In the aftermath of yesterdays nuclear test, the White House, along with the American media, has turned its fire on China and Russia, underscoring the fact that the US confrontation with North Korea is bound up with far broader strategic aims. American strategists regard domination of the vast Eurasian land mass as the key to US global hegemony and China as the chief obstacle to that goal.

NBC presenters Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd on yesterdays Meet the Press, repeatedly emphasised the accusation that China and Russia were providing economic help to North Korea. Republican Senator Roy Blunt added: Theres some sense that they have been more helpful than they should have been and more sustaining to the economy than they should have been.

Last month, both China and Russia voted for, and have begun implementing, crippling UN sanctions on North Korea that will slash its exports by one third. What is now being actively discussed in Washington is a total economic embargoitself an act of warand the cutting of trade with those who continue to conduct any with North Koreaabove all China and Russia.

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Trump, who is already preparing trade war measures against China over its alleged theft of intellectual property, tweeted yesterday: The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin confirmed on Fox News Sunday that he was preparing a sanctions package to send to the president, for his strong consideration to do just that.

The implications for the global economy are immensea collapse of trade, plunging the world into economic depression, as in the 1930s. That such a possibility is being actively considered is a measure of the depth of the economic and geo-political tensions wracking the world. Moreover, the threat of all-out trade war between the worlds two largest economies is being accompanied by the preparations for all-out military conflict.

The Trump administration has accelerated the diplomatic, economic and military challenge to China begun by President Obama under his pivot to Asia. The massive US military build-up in North East Asia, including the installation of anti-ballistic missile systems and huge and highly provocative joint US-South Korean war games, is directed more at fighting a nuclear war with China than a conflict with the small, backward country of North Korea.

As well as ramping up the confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, the Trump administration has given the green light for more freedom of navigation operations in another of the regions volatile flashpointsthe South China Sea. The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the US Pacific Command is preparing to sail warships and send military aircraft directly into waters and airspace claimed by China around its islets, two or three times in the next few months as part of a regular schedule.

In Europe, the US is escalating its confrontation with Russia by taking the first steps towards annulling the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with the former Soviet Union. As Germanys Suddeutsche Zeitung warned, the danger is that the US will construct new missiles and station them in Europe, raising the terrifying spectre of a nuclear war in Europe between the two countriesthe US and Russiathat both possess thousands of nuclear warheads.

The most dangerous factor in this highly volatile situation is the profound economic, social and political crisis of US imperialismof which Trump is the most malignant expression. His administration confronts deep internal divisions and a huge and mounting social crisis, which is generating massive domestic opposition, as a result of its incompetence and indifference to the human suffering caused by the Houston flooding. The danger is that Trump will resort to a war against North Korea with incalculable consequences, as a means of directing acute domestic class tensions outwards against an external foe.

At the same time, these social tensions, in America and around the world, are fuelling the coming revolutionary upheavals of the working class. The crucial issue is the building of a revolutionary leadership, to forge a unified international movement of workers guided by a scientific socialist program and perspective to put an end to the capitalist system and its outmoded division of the world into rival nation states. That is the perspective for which the International Committee of the Fourth International and its sections fight.

Copyright  1998-2017 World Socialist Web Site
North Korea Tests A New Nuke

By Moon Of Alabama

September 04, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - North Korea published pictures of its leader Kim Jong Un admiring a thermonuclear device or H-bomb. Hours later it tested such a bomb in an underground explosion. The North Korean news agency announced :

Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un guided the work for nuclear weaponization on the spot. He was greeted by senior officials of the Department of Munitions Industry of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and scientists of the Nuclear Weapons Institute before being briefed on the details of nuclear weaponization.

...

He watched an H-bomb to be loaded into new ICBM. Saying that he felt the pride of indomitably bolstering up the nuclear forces at a great price while seeing the Juche-oriented thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power made by our own efforts and technology, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that our scientists do anything without fail if the party is determined to do.

...

The H-bomb, the explosive power of which is adjustable from tens kiloton to hundreds kiloton, is a multi-functional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP attack according to strategic goals.



The Peanut - bigger

The Walter Cronkite of North Korean TV, Ri Chun Hee, showed more pictures from the visit (vid) the visit and later announced the nuclear test.

Some analyst nicknamed the new device the Peanut. The bomb type obviously differs from the implosion type Disco Ball of March 2016. The "Junche orientation" component, which presumably guarantees the ideological conformity of the device, seems to be the round white box on the left :-/.

(More seriously: Juche refers to self-sufficiency - i.e. North Korea made the components and built the device by itself.)

A graphic in one of the pictures shows the peanut within the warhead bay of a Hawsong-14 Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile.

An hour after the above release, earth-quake detection monitors in south Asia went off. A seismic event of 6.1 to 6.3 magnitude on the logarithmic momentum magnitude scale was detected in the area of Punggye-ri. Like earlier North Korean nuclear weapon tests in the same area, the event happened exactly on the half hour mark (at 12:00am local time). The magnitude points to a large device with an explosive power between 100 kilotons and 1 megaton TNT equivalent. (All previous North Korean nuclear tests were in the low kiloton range.) Some detection stations found another seismic event of 4.6 magnitude shortly thereafter. If confirmed it was likely caused by a "cave-in" of the sub-terrain test chamber. It will take some time to assess the data and to come to more precise estimates, but the qualitative different size of this test compared to previous ones is undeniable.

Added: A later statement by the North Korean news agency confirmed a successful test of a two-stage thermonuclear device. It claimed that no radiation was released to the atmosphere.

One must now assess that North Korea has the capability to make, launch and deliver staged thermonuclear weapons up to megaton size at ICBM ranges. Most of China, Japan and at least the U.S. west coast are in reach of such a weapon. With this warhead size the somewhat dubious accuracy of North Korean missiles has much less relevance.

Before the U.S. and South Korea started this years invasion maneuver Ulchi on August 22, North Korea had warned that it would test-launch four Hawsong-12 mid range ballistic missiles towards the large U.S. base on Guam if, and only if, the U.S. would continue to use "strategic equipment" around its borders. This referred to B-1B nuclear bombers and aircraft carriers.

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The U.S. understood and scaled back the planned maneuver. No "strategic equipment" was used.

On August 28, when the maneuver had ended, North Korea launched a test of a single Hawsong-12 medium range missile into the Pacific. The missile crossed over Japan at a height of 550 kilometer. (It thereby did NOT violate Japanese air -space.) Earlier tests had been flown in unrealistic steep trajectories to avoid such an overflight. This test was likely designed to prove to the U.S. the capability to reach Guam.

On August 31 the U.S. flew another "show of force" with B-1B bombers and F-35 stealth fighter planes over South Korea. The planes trained precision bombing with live bombs at a South Korean training area. These plane types are "strategic equipment" and the training makes only sense in a "preemptive strike on North Korea" scenario .

One can understand today's nuclear test as a response to these continuing U.S. provocations. The U.S. will of course claim that only North Korea is "provoking" here and it itself is only "responding". But such a hen-egg discussion and juvenile tit-for-tat is not only useless but dangerous. History tells us that the U.S. completely devastated North Korea and killed some 20% of its population, not vice versa. So far only North Korea had to fear nuclear destruction. That has now changed into a more balanced situation. A preventive or preemptive war on North Korea is no longer an option .

Today's event should convince even the dumbest of the doubters that North Korea's claimed capabilities are real. It should also demonstrate to the White House that verbal "fire and furry" insults, tit-for-tat shows of force and further economic sanctioning of North Korea and/or China are, as predicted , only worsening the situation.

Phillipe notes in the comments that today is the opening of a BRICS summit in Xiamen in China. Xi Jinping is giving a big speech. He will not like this disruption. China strongly condemned the test but there is little else it could reasonably do.

North Korea has offered several times to negotiate with the U.S. towards a peace agreement. (As the Korea War only ended in a ceasefire the nations are still at war.) It offered to stop all its nuclear and missile testing if the U.S. stops the large scale maneuvers in South Korea. Russia, China and South Korea have long urged the U.S. to pick up on that offer. The U.S. could have done so every day since the offer was first made years ago. Not doing so has only created the current situation and today's events.

One September 9 North Korea will celebrate its Independence Day. Such occasions are often used to demonstrate new capabilities. Today's first KCNA statement included the lines:

[Kim Jong Un] watched an H-bomb to be loaded into new ICBM

...

[which] can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP attack

A strong nuclear explosion at great height can cause an Electro-Magnetic-Pulse which does not directly kill people on the ground but creates some damage to unprotected electric and electronic equipment. The EMP threat is largely exaggerated but a hobby horse of many fear- and war-mongers in Congress. North Korea surely knows this and the statement thereby touches a sensible point. I find it unlikely that North Korea would go with such an unproven concept. This is mere trolling. But a September 9 ICBM missile test, on a realistic trajectory and with a simulated nuclear load, is definitely a possible next step to up the pressure towards new negotiations.

I for one feel no urge to witness a full Hawsong-14 ICBM test with even a dud megaton nuclear device on board. If the White House feels the same it must NOW stop further provocations and immediately agree to open-ended talks with North Korea.

This article was first published by

Moon Of Alabama

-
What the Media isnt Telling You About North Koreas Missile Tests





By Mike Whitney

September 04, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Heres what the media isnt telling you about North Koreas recent missile tests.

Last Monday, the DPRK fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japans Hokkaido Island. The missile landed in the waters beyond the island harming neither people nor property.

The media immediately condemned the test as a bold and provocative act that showed the Norths defiance of UN resolutions and contempt for its neighbors. President Trump sharply criticized the missile test saying:

Threatening and destabilizing actions only increase the North Korean regimes isolation in the region and among all nations of the world. All options are on the table.

What the media failed to mention was that, for the last three weeks, Japan, South Korea and the US have been engaged in large-scale joint-military drills on Hokkaido Island and in South Korea. These needlessly provocative war games are designed to simulate an invasion of North Korea and a decapitation operation to remove (Re: Kill) the regime. North Koreas supreme leader, Kim Jong-un has asked the US repeatedly to end these military exercises, but the US has stubbornly refused. The US reserves the right to threaten anyone, anytime and anywhere even right on their doorstep. Its part of what makes the US exceptional. Check out this excerpt from an article at Fox News:

More than 3,500 American and Japanese troops kicked off a weeks-long joint military exercise Thursday against the backdrop of an increasingly belligerent North Korean regime. The exercise, known as Northern Viper 17, will take place on Hokkaido  Japans northern-most main island  and will last until Aug. 28. We are improving our readiness not only in the air, but as a logistical support team, Col. R. Scott Jobe, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement. We are in a prime location for contingency purposes and this exercise will only build upon our readiness in the case a real-world scenario occurs. (US, Japanese troops begin joint military exercise amid North Korea threat, Fox News)

Mondays missile test (which flew over Hokkaido Island) was conducted just hours after the war games ended. The message was clear: The North is not going to be publicly humiliated and slapped around without responding. Rather than show weakness, the North demonstrated that it was prepared to defend itself against foreign aggression. In other words, the test was NOT a bold and provocative act (as the media stated) but a modest and well thought-out response by a country that has experienced 64 years of relentless hectoring, sanctions, demonization and saber rattling by Washington. The North responded because the Washingtons incitements required a response. End of story.

And the same is true of the three short-range ballistic missiles the North tested last week. (two of which apparently fizzled out shortly after launching.) These tests were a response to the 3 week-long joint-military drills in South Korea which involved 75,000 combat troops accompanied by hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles, landing craft, heavy artillery, a full naval flotilla and flyovers by squadrons of state of the art fighters and strategic bombers. Was the North supposed to sit on its hands while this menacing display of brute military force took place right under its nose???

Of course not. Imagine if Russia engaged in a similar operation over the border in Mexico while the Russian fleet conducted live fire drills three miles outside of San Francisco Bay. What do you think Trumps reaction would be?

Hed blow those boats out of the water faster than you could say Jackie Robinson, right?

So why the double standard when it comes to North Korea? Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

North Korea should be applauded for showing that it wont be intimidated by the schoolyard bully. Kim knows that any confrontation with the US will end badly for the North, even so, he hasnt caved in or allowed himself to be pushed around by the blustering, browbeating thugs in the White House. Booyah, Kim.

By the way, Trumps response to Mondays missile test was barely covered in the mainstream media, and for good reason. Heres what happened two days later:

On Wednesday, a US-led flight-group of F-35B fighters, F-15 fighters and B-1B bombers conducted military operations over a training range east of Seoul. The B-1Bs, which are low-altitude nuclear bombers, dropped their dummy-bombs on the site and then returned to their home base. The show of force was intended to send a message to Pyongyang that Washington is unhappy with the Norths ballistic missile testing project and is prepared to use nuclear weapons against the North if it fails to heed Washingtons diktats.

So Washington is prepared to nuke the North if they dont straighten up and do as they are told?

It sure looks that way, but who really knows? In any event, Kim has no choice but to stand firm. If he shows any sign of weakness, he knows hes going to end up like Saddam and Gaddafi. And that, of course, is whats driving the hyperbolic rhetoric; the North wants to avoid the Gaddafi scenario at all cost. (BTW, the reason Kim has threatened to fire missiles at the waters surrounding Guam is because Guam is the home of Anderson Airforce Base which is the point-of-origin for the B-1B nuclear-capable bombers that have been making threatening flyovers on the Korean Peninsula for some time now. The North feels like it has to respond to that existential threat.

Wouldnt it help if the media mentioned that fact or does it better serve their agenda to make it look like Kim is barking mad by lashing out against the totally innocent United States, a country that only seeks to preserve the peace wherever it goes?

Give me a break!

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It is so hard to find anything in the media that doesnt reflect Washingtons bias and hostility. Surprisingly, there was pretty decent article at CBS News last week written by a former Western intelligence officer with decades of experience in Asia. Its the only article Ive found that accurately explains whats really going on beyond the propaganda. Check it out:

Prior to President Trumps inauguration, North Korea made it clear it was prepared to give the new U.S. administration time to review the policy and come up with something better than President Obamas. The only wrinkle was that if the U.S. went full-steam ahead with its annual joint exercises with South Korea (especially if that were accompanied by more talk of decapitation and more flights of strategic bombers over the Korean peninsula), the North would react strongly. In short, the U.S. did, and the North reacted. Behind-the-scenes contacts went up and down, but couldnt get traction. In April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paraded new missiles as a warning, to no effect. The regime launched the new systems, one after another. Still, Washingtons approach didnt change. (Analysis: Pyongyangs view of the North Korea-U.S. crisis, CBS News)

Okay, so now we know the truth: The North gave it their best shot and came up snakeeyes, mainly because Washington doesnt want to negotiate, theyd rather twist arms (Russia and China), tighten the embargo and threaten war. Thats Trumps solution. Heres more from the same piece:

On July 4, after North Koreas first successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, Kim sent a public signal that the North could put the nuclear and missile programs on the table if the U.S. changed its approach. The U.S. did not, so the North launched another ICBM, very deliberately deeming it a warning to the U.S. that they were to be taken seriously. Still, more B-1 bombers flew over the Peninsula, and the U.N. Security Council passed new sanctions. (CBS News)

So, the North was ready to do some serious horse-trading, but the US balked. Kim probably heard what a wheeler dealer Trump was and figured they could work something out. But it hasnt happen. Trump has turned out to be a bigger bust than Obama, which is pretty bad. He not only refuses to negotiate but he also delivers bellicose threats almost every day. This isnt what the North was expecting. They were expecting a non interventionist leader who might be receptive to a trade-off.

The current situation has left Kim with no good options. He can either cave in and terminate his missile program altogether or increase the frequency of the tests and hope that they pave the way for negotiations. Kim chose the latter.

Did he make a bad choice?

Maybe.

Is it a rational choice?

Yes.

The North is betting that its nuclear weapons programs will be valuable bargaining chits in future negotiations with the United States. The North has no plan to nuke the west coast of the United States. Thats ridiculous! That doesnt accomplish anything. What they want is to preserve their regime, procure security guarantees from Washington, lift the embargo, normalize relations with the South, extricate the US from the political affairs of the peninsula, and (hopefully) end the irritating and endlessly provocative 64 year US occupation. Yankee go home. Please.

Bottom line: The North is ready to deal. They want negotiations. They want to end the war. They want to put this whole nightmare behind them and get on with their lives. But Washington wont let them because Washington likes the status quo. Washington wants to be a permanent feature in South Korea so it can encircle Russia and China with lethal missile systems and expand its geopolitical grip bringing the world closer to nuclear Armageddon.

Thats what Washington wants, and thats why the crisis on the peninsula will continue to boil.

Mike Whitney

lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition . He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com .
Deterrence Believers Should Cheer the North Korean Bomb

By Craig Murray

September 04, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - If the theory of nuclear deterrence holds true  and it is the only argument the supporters of WMD have got  then we should all be cheering the North Korean bomb. The logic of nuclear deterrence is that it is much better that every state has nuclear weapons, because then we can all deter each other. It is demonstrably true that possession of nuclear weapons is not a deterrent to other nations acquiring them. But it is supposed to deter other nations from using them. In which case, surely the more the merrier, so we can all deter each other.

The madness of the argument is self-evident. We are borrowing hundreds of billions we cannot afford for Trident, yet in all the reams of analysis of what to do about North Korea, Trident never gets a mention. It is a system entirely useless even in the one situation in which it was supposed to be effective.

How did we get here? In the 1950s the USA dropped 635,000 tonnes of bombs on North Korea including 35,000 tonnes of napalm. The US killed an estimated 20% of the North Korean population. For comparison, approximately 2% of the UK population was killed during World War II.

That this massive destruction of North Korea resulted in a xenophobic, American-hating state with an obsession with developing powerful weapons systems to ensure national survival, is not exactly surprising. The western media treat the existence of the Kim Jong-un regime as an inexplicable and eccentric manifestation of evil. In fact, it is caused. Unless those causes are addressed the situation can never be resolved. Has any western politician ever referenced the history I have just given in discussing North Korea?

This has so often been my despair. My book The Catholic Orangemen of Togo recounts my frustration whilst Deputy Head of the FCOs Africa Department, at failing to get the Blair government to pay attention to the massive historical and continuing grievances that underlay the horrific violence in Sierra Leone. Politicians prefer a simplistic world of enemies who are evil for no reason. Newspaper editors prefer it even more. It justifies war. The truth is always a great deal more complicated.

Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and Rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010. https://www.craigmurray.org.uk
Former President of Georgia, ex-head of Odesa regional state administration, Mikheil Saakashvili, has said that he arrived in Copenhagen (Denmark) for a meeting with the leaders of the European People's Party (EPP).

"Copenhagen, where I arrived with my Ukrainian passport for meetings with the leaders of the European People's Party and the European parliamentarians," Saakashvili wrote on his Facebook page on Monday, without specifying whether he arrived in the country by the Ukrainian passport.

He added that in the morning he had met with President of the European People's Party (EPP) Joseph Daul and Secretary-General Antonio Salafranca, and also gave numerous interviews.

As previously reported, earlier Saakashvili said that he intended to visit Denmark and Belgium before returning to Ukraine.
Diseases of Despair

By Chris Hedges

September 04, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The opioid crisis, the frequent mass shootings, the rising rates of suicide, especially among middle-aged white males , the morbid obesity, the obsession with gambling, the investment of our emotional and intellectual life in tawdry spectacles and the allure of magical thinking , from the absurd promises of the Christian right to the belief that reality is never an impediment to our desires, are the pathologies of a diseased culture. They have risen from a decayed world where opportunity, which confers status, self-esteem and dignity, has dried up for most Americans. They are expressions of acute desperation and morbidity.

A loss of income causes more than financial distress. It severs, as the sociologist Emile Durkheim pointed out, the vital social bonds that give us meaning. A decline in status and power, an inability to advance, a lack of education and health care and a loss of hope are crippling forms of humiliation. This humiliation fuels loneliness, frustration, anger and feelings of worthlessness. In short, when you are marginalized and rejected by society, life often has little meaning.

When life is not worth living, everything becomes a pretext for ridding ourselves of it  , Durkheim wrote. There is a collective mood, as there is an individual mood, that inclines nations to sadness.  For individuals are too closely involved in the life of society for it to be sick without their being affected. Its suffering inevitably becomes theirs.

White men, more easily seduced by the myth of the American dream than people of color who understand how the capitalist system is rigged against them, often suffer feelings of failure and betrayal, in many cases when they are in their middle years. They expect, because of notions of white supremacy and capitalist platitudes about hard work leading to advancement, to be ascendant. They believe in success. When the American dream becomes a nightmare they are vulnerable to psychological collapse. This collapse, more than any political agenda, propelled Donald Trump into power. Trump embodies the decayed soul of America. He, like many of those who support him, has a childish yearning to be as omnipotent as the gods. This impossibility, as the cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker wrote, leads to a dark alternative: destroying like the gods.

In  Hitler and the Germans  the political philosopher Eric Voegelin dismissed the myth that Hitleran uneducated mediocrity whose only strength was an ability to exploit political opportunitiesmesmerized and seduced the German people. The Germans, he wrote, voted for Hitler and the grotesque, marginal figures surrounding him because he embodied the pathologies of a diseased society, one beset by economic collapse, hopelessness and violence. This sickness found its expression in the Nazis, as it has found its expression in the United States in Trump.

Hannah Arendt said the rise of radical evil is caused by collective thoughtlessness. Desperate to escape from the prison of a failed society, willing to do anything and abuse anyone to advance, those who feel trapped see the people around them as objects to be exploited for self-advancement. This exploitation mirrors that carried out by corrupt ruling elites. Turning people into objects to be used to achieve wealth, power or sexual gratification is the core practice espoused by popular culture, from reality television to casino capitalism. Trump personifies this practice.

Plato wrote that the moral character of a society is determined by its members. When the society abandons the common good it unleashes amoral lustsviolence, greed and sexual exploitationand fosters magical thinking. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus called those who severed themselves from the moral and reality-based universe idiotes. When these idiotes, whose worldview is often the product of relentless indoctrination, form a majority or a powerful minority, the demagogue rises from the morass.

The demagogue is the public face of collective stupidity. Voegelin defined stupidity as a loss of reality. This loss of reality meant people could not rightly orient his [or her] action in the world, in which he [or she] lives. The demagogue, who is always an idiote, is not a freak or a social mutation. The demagogue expresses the societys demented zeitgeist. This was true in Nazi Germany. It is true in the United States.

The fool in Hebrew, the nabal, who because of his folly, nebala, creates disorder in the society, is the man who is not a believer, in the Israelite terms of revelation, Voegelin wrote. The amathes, the irrationally ignorant man, is for Plato the man who just does not have the authority of reason or who cannot bow to it. The stultus for Thomas [Aquinas] is the fool, in the same sense as the amathia of Plato and the nebala of the Israelite prophets. This stultus now has suffered loss of reality and acts on the basis of a defective image of reality and thereby creates disorder.  If I have lost certain sectors of reality from my range of experience, I will also be lacking the language for appropriately characterizing them. That means that parallel to the loss of reality and to stupidity there is always the phenomenon of illiteracy.

A society convulsed by disorder and chaos, as Voegelin pointed out, elevates and even celebrates the morally degenerate, those who are cunning, manipulative, deceitful and violent. In an open society these attributes are despised and criminalized. Those who exhibit them are condemned as stupida man [or woman] who behaves in this way, Voegelin notes, will be socially boycotted. But the social, cultural and moral norms in a diseased society are inverted. The attributes that sustain an open societya concern for the common good, honesty, trust and self-sacrificeare detrimental to existence in a diseased society. Today, those who exhibit these attributes are targeted and silenced.

The deep alienation experienced by most Americans, the loss of self-esteem and hope, has engendered what Durkheim referred to as a collective state of anomie. Anomie is a psychological imbalance that leads to prolonged despair, lethargy and yearnings for self-annihilation. It is caused by a collapse of societal norms, ideals, values and standards. It is, in short, a loss of faith in the structures and beliefs that define a functioning democracy. The result is an obliteration of purpose and direction. It leads to what Friedrich Nietzsche called an aggressive despiritualized nihilism. As Durkheim wrote in his book  On Suicide :

It is sometimes said that, by virtue of his psychological make-up, man cannot live unless he attaches himself to an object that is greater than himself and outlives him, and this necessity has been attributed to a supposedly common need not to perish entirely. Life, they say, is only tolerable if one can see some purpose in it, if it has a goal and one that is worth pursuing. But the individual in himself is not sufficient as an end for himself. He is too small a thing. Not only is he confined in space, he is also narrowly limited in time. So when we have no other objective than ourselves, we cannot escape from the feeling our efforts are finally destined to vanish into nothing, since that is where we must return. But we recoil from the idea of annihilation. In such a state, we should not have the strength to live, that is to say to act and struggle, since nothing is to remain of all the trouble that we take. In a word, the state of egoism is in contradiction with human nature and hence too precarious to endure.

Pope John Paul II in 1981 issued an encyclical titled  Laborem exercens , or Through Work. He attacked the idea, fundamental to capitalism, that work was merely an exchange of money for labor. Work, he wrote, should not be reduced to the commodification of human beings through wages. Workers were not impersonal instruments to be manipulated like inanimate objects to increase profit. Work was essential to human dignity and self-fulfillment. It gave us a sense of empowerment and identity. It allowed us to build a relationship with society in which we could feel we contributed to social harmony and social cohesion, a relationship in which we had purpose.

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The pope castigated unemployment, underemployment, inadequate wages, automation and a lack of job security as violations of human dignity. These conditions, he wrote, were forces that negated self-esteem, personal satisfaction, responsibility and creativity. The exaltation of the machine, he warned, reduced human beings to the status of slaves. He called for full employment, a minimum wage large enough to support a family, the right of a parent to stay home with children, and jobs and a living wage for the disabled. He advocated, in order to sustain strong families, universal health insurance, pensions, accident insurance and work schedules that permitted free time and vacations. He wrote that all workers should have the right to form unions with the ability to strike.

The encyclical said:

[In spite of toil]perhaps, in a sense, because of itwork is a good thing for man. Even though it bears the mark of a bonum arduum , in the terminology of Saint Thomas, this does not take away the fact that, as such, it is a good thing for man. It is not only good in the sense that it is useful or something to enjoy; it is also good as being something worthy, that is to say, something that corresponds to mans dignity, that expresses this dignity and increases it. If one wishes to define more clearly the ethical meaning of work, it is this truth that one must particularly keep in mind. Work is a good thing for mana good thing for his humanitybecause through work man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes more a human being.

Work, the pope pointed out, constitutes a foundation for the formation of family life, which is a natural right and something that man is called to. These two spheres of valuesone linked to work and the other consequent on the family nature of human lifemust be properly united and must properly permeate each other. In a way, work is a condition for making it possible to found a family, since the family requires the means of subsistence which man normally gains through work. Work and industriousness also influence the whole process of education in the family, for the very reason that everyone becomes a human being through, among other things, work, and becoming a human being is precisely the main purpose of the whole process of education. Obviously, two aspects of work in a sense come into play here: the one making family life and its upkeep possible, and the other making possible the achievement of the purposes of the family, especially education. Nevertheless, these two aspects of work are linked to one another and are mutually complementary in various points.

It must be remembered and affirmed that the family constitutes one of the most important terms of reference for shaping the social and ethical order of human work, the encyclical continued. The teaching of the Church has always devoted special attention to this question, and in the present document we shall have to return to it. In fact, the family is simultaneously a community made possible by work and the first school of work, within the home, for every person.

We will not bring those who have fled a reality-based world back into our fold through argument. We will not coerce them into submission. We will not find salvation for them or ourselves by supporting the Democratic Party. Whole segments of American society are bent on self-immolation. They despise this world and what it has done to them. Their personal and political behavior is willfully suicidal. They seek to destroy, even if destruction leads to death. We must organize our communities to create a new socialist order and overthrow the corporate state through sustained acts of mass civil disobedience. We must achieve full employment, guaranteed minimum incomes, health insurance, free education at all levels, robust protection of the natural world and an end to militarism and imperialism. We must create the possibility for a life of dignity, purpose and self-esteem. If we do not, the idiotes will ensure our obliteration.
The Lagos state police command has confirmed the death of the 2006 Gulder Ultimate search season 3 winner, Hector Joberteh.

This was confirmed via a telephone interview with Linda Ikeji Blog (LIB) this morning, the public relations officer of the Lagos state police command, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the command got a report of the assassination of Hector at about 8am yesterday. He said the deceased was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by the doctors.

The incident was reported at about 8am. The deceased was rushed to the hospital but later died. Investigation is ongoing to trail those involved he said.

Source: ( Linda Ikeji )
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has told Nigerians that it is difficult for anyone to monitor Boko Haram activities in the northeast, he also said that the attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents would continue because the region is a vast area.

His spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement, quoted him as saying this during the Eid-al-adha lunch held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Osinbajo, the northeast is equivalent of the whole of the United Kingdom plus Denmark or Switzerland.

He said: I was speaking to the UK Foreign Minister a few days ago and I explained to him how it is so difficult to police the northeast. I said that this northeast that you speak about, over the past two years, we have managed to ensure that Boko Haram does not hold any territory, but there are still opportunistic attacks here and there.

So, I explained to the Foreign Minister that we are still going to experience these attacks because of the vast area that we are dealing with. I said that the northeast is equivalent of the whole of the United Kingdom plus Denmark or Switzerland. So, we are dealing with a vast country.

I have seen the vast farmlands of Kebbi, Jigawa and Kano. The other day we were in Taraba, a place that is already producing vegetables, cucumbers, peppers and supplying the major supermarkets in Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna that used to import these vegetables. Just five hectares of greenhouse in Taraba state is producing the needs of all the major supermarkets in Abuja, Kaduna and Lagos states.

An Israeli farmer who works in one of those greenhouses, on getting to Jalingo for the first time and seeing the beautiful hills, sent a message to his wife saying, We are close to heaven. But by the time he got to Mambilla and got to the plateau, he sent another message and said, We are now in heaven!

This is a country that has all of what other countries and people will spend money and other resources to go in search of, all of the tourism resources that people will spend money and get visas to go and see.

This lunch this afternoon is how God wants us to be, to eat together, live together, work together and build that nation that God had in mind. I know that most of us here understand that plan of God for us. I certainly look forward to that country.
The state and federal governments has been urged by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to be more proactive to curtail flood disaster in the country.

This was released in a statement by the partys Head, Publicity Division Administration, Chinwe Nnorom, for the National Publicity Secretary, on Sunday in Abuja, said the party expressed its sympathy with government and people of Benue over recent devastating flood in the state.

She said that the party urged all agencies of government whose duty it was to provide emergency services to do so promptly to save lives.

She stated that we call on both the state and Federal Government to be more proactive by taking adequate steps to put in place mechanisms that will curtail such level of disaster in other flood-prone areas across the country.

We pray for the souls of all those that lost their lives to rest in perfect peace and condole with affected families to bear this irreparable loss.

Flood ravaged communities in Benue last week, where villages, farmlands and food storage facilities were washed away and many displaced.

Two camps have already been opened in Makurdi to ensure that the displaced persons have shelter and receive assistance as chairmen of the 23 local government areas were directed to use some primary schools as designated camps for affected victims in their areas.

President Muhammadu Buhari had immediately directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to provide relief materials to support persons affected by the flood.

The flood submerged two major bridges on River Guma at Tor Kpande, and Mande Ortom.

Some 11 bridges and culverts were submerged, while the worst hit communities included Tse-Adorogo, Tse-Igba, Tse-Akor, Tse-Terzar, Tse-Abi, Tor Kpande and some villages on the stretch between Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi and Gbajimba, the local government council headquarters.

Source: (NAN)
An operative of the Osun Police Command allegedly shot dead a resident identified Segun Emir, in the States capital, Osogbo after a clash broke between protesters and the police.

According to reports, a policeman shot Segun on his chest during a hot argument at Gbeja area of the capital.

Segun was said to have been rushed to a private hospital, but he was rejected, and died later as he was being taken to the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital.

The situation immediately ignited a protest from youth who made their way to the Oja-Oba police station and made an attempt to torch it, but were prevented by armed police officers.

They also prevented free movement of vehicles and caused panic among residents within the city.

The Police Public Relation Officer in the State, Folasade Odoro, in her response, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Fimihan Adeoye, had ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

She explained that the shooting occurred when thugs attacked a police patrol team on their way to respond to a distress call that thugs were harassing innocent citizens.

We received a distress call that over 50 thugs were harassing innocent people at Aloyunkewu, Imole n fe Alaafia street, Lion Junction, Ori Eeru, Oke Allahu all at Oke Baale area in Osogbo and that peoples lives were in danger, Ms. Odoro said.

Policemen were deployed to the scene swiftly to rescue people and when the police patrol team got there, the thugs attacked the policemen with dangerous weapons.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Fimihan Adeoye, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

It was however gathered that the police officer who fired the deadly shot, whose name was yet to be made public, had been detained by the police authorities for investigations.

Source: ( Premium Times )
The Enugu State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of a kidnapper in the state identified as Ikechukwu Nnadi Daniel, popularly known as Dan, who is also part of a robbery group called Umu Malaysia.

A statement by SP Ebere Amaraizu, the Spokesman of the police command noted that Umu Malaysia, the dreaded group is linked to various criminal activities ranging from kidnap, robbery, burglary, theft, and murder of people within Nimbo/Adani/Opanda axis of Uzouwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

She said the suspected notorious kidnapper, Dan Ikechukwu was arrested recently after an operation borne out of intelligence information in the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality in the area and its environs. Ikechukwu, now helping the police in their investigations in relations to the alleged criminal and nefarious activities, has been on the wanted list of the police after he was linked with an allege kidnap and murder of one Enechi Ejiofor and one Emmanuel Okeja on December 13, 2016 and January 3rd, 2017 respectively.

He said,The command has vowed to sustain the tempo of the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality in Adani and Nimbo axis of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Nsukka Zone of Enugu State.

Source: ( Linda Ikeji )
Residents of Biafra, South-eastern part of the country have openly come out to show their support for the number one citizen of Nigeria.

Human and vehicular movements were, on Monday, grounded in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, following a peaceful pro-Buhari rally staged by the states chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The rally, Daily Sun gathered, was organised to thank God for the recovery and safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his recent medical trip in London.

It was also to reaffirm their unreserved support for the APC-led Federal Government. The party faithful were led by the Minister of Science and and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and a former governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi.

Also in the peaceful rally were former House of Representatives members for Afikpo North/South, and Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituencies, Chief Christopher Omo-Isu, and Chief Peter Ogoali respectively; former governorship aspirant on the 2015 under PDP, Engr. Paul Okorie, among others.

From the parties secretariat, located along the Abakaliki/Afikpo Highway, the APC faithful, under the leadership of Pastor Eze Nwachukwu, led a very long procession through the popular Ogoja Highway, crisscrossing the Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway.
A father has reportedly killed his own son after he decided to go ahead with plans to marry an older woman in Anambra state.

A father in Awka, the Anambra State capital has shocked many people by killing his only son, Chibuzor, for proposing to marry a woman older than he (Chibuzor) is, Punch has reported.

According to the report, the man allegedly hired some soldiers to execute the act. An eyewitness revealed that the men in the Nigerian Army uniform had beaten their victim to coma before he died at a nearby hospital where he was taken to.

The deceased, it was gathered , was the only son of his father. Punch reported that trouble began when the late Chibuzor brought home a lady he had proposed to marry and introduced her to his father.

A source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that Chibuzor had had an altercation with his father after the introduction. The source said,The father had rejected the choice of the woman Chibuzor brought home, saying the lady was older than his son.

Chibuzor who had had a failed marriage that produced a child, decided to remarry after separating from the first wife,.

He was disappointed when the father refused to give his approval to the marriage.

When the rift between the decease and his father escalated, the father invited some soldiers; this annoyed his son, Chibuzor, who as a result poured hot water on his father.

The soldiers descended on the deceased and beat him to a pulp and he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died. The event which happened on Saturday in Umuayom village Awka, triggered a protest by the youths in the community. The protesters made bonfires and blocked major roads in the area asking for justice over the killing of their kinsman.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Nkeiru Nwode, said the command was investigating the matter.

She said the proposed wife in question had been given police protection while investigation was ongoing.

The PPRO maintained that nobody would be allowed to take the laws into his hands, stressing that those found culpable on the matter would be prosecuted accordingly, irrespective of their status.
The Former Vice President Of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has donated N5million to the displaced people of Benue who are currently been ravaged by flood.

The Nigerian politician and philanthropist has extended his hand of generosity and love to the people of Benue.

Via a statement form his media office:

the massive flooding in Benue state that has led to the displacement of over 100,000 fellow Nigerians is a harrowing experience and that he is moved to sympathize with the people of Benue State. In this regard, Atiku is thus making a donation of Five Million Naira to the relief efforts for the flood victims in Benue state, according to the statement. He also calls on other Nigerians to be their brothers keeper in his time of need. Atiku Abubakar noted that it is most gratifying that the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency, has mobilized human and material resources to the affected areas and commends President Muhammadu Buhari for this intervention. Again, the Zege Mule U Tiv commiserates with the government and people of Benue state as they go through these challenges, and urges them to stand firm as all Nigerians feel their pain and share their suffering.

Source: Yabaleftonline
A woman identified as Miss Aisha Jimoh, who was tested with Lassa Fever in Kogi State, has been confirmed dead.

The death was confirmed by the brother to the deceased, Mr Asipita Jimoh, who told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lokoja that Aisha, 18, died in the early hours of Monday at the Irua General Hospital in Edo, where she was rushed to.

Asipita said that his family was contacted on the development, shortly after Aisha, a student of the Muslim Community Secondary School, Lokoja, gave up the ghost.

Asipita, who spoke to NAN at his family house at Gadumo Layout in Lokoja, said that Aishas sickness started about five days ago.

He said that the lady was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja from where she was transferred to the General Hospital in Edo.

We lost our parents about two years ago and we have lost our sister again, Asipita cried.

He said that other members of the Jimoh family would need medical assistance to stop the spread of the disease.

The authorities at FMC Lokoja, had on Sept. 3, suspected that Aisha might have been suffering from Lassa fever and had, consequently, referred her to the General Hospital, Irua for confirmatory test and treatment.

The Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, later told NAN that Aisha had tested positive to Lassa fever.

Audu said that the State Government was working on tracking people, who might have had contact with Aisha.

Source: ( NAN )
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has strengthened security measures at all sections of the border in connection with the Russian-Belarusian exercises Zapad 2017 (West 2017), which will be held from September 14 to September 20.

"Now control at all the sections of the state border is being intensified. The situation is being monitored not only in the north, but also in the ATO area, the western, southern, and eastern sections and on the border with occupied Crimea. Border guards will cover the directions of possible provocative actions and armed incursions into the territory in a close interaction with the Armored Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and the National Police," reads a statement on the website of the State Border Service.

Two-level command and staff exercises of command and control units have been launched in the Border Guard Service. They are conducted within the framework of the operational training of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The reserves of the State Border Service are also involved in the exercises.

As reported, Ukraine's Armed Forces Chief of Staff and Commander-in-Chief Viktor Muzhenko said the Russia-Belarus Zapad 2017 exercise poses a threat to NATO countries and the nations of the post-Soviet world. Due to this Ukraine is preparing for various scenarios amid Zapad 2017 military exercise, he said.
Every night as dusk falls in Piazza Gastone in the Noce district of Palermo, a tall, imposing Ghanaian woman dressed in traditional West African robes stands before a small congregation sweating in rows of plastic chairs before her.

The Pentecostal Church of Odasani has been converted from an old garage in a backstreet into a place of worship, albeit one unrecognised by any formal faith group. But what many of the congregation  largely young Nigerian women  have come for tonight is more than prayer; it is freedom.

Nigerian women come to me for help, they have bad spirits that have been put inside their bodies by people who want to make money from them, says the self-proclaimed prophetess, as she prepares to start her service.

She gestures to her devotees, who sit nervously fiddling with their phones as they wait for her to begin. The spirit is forcing them to remain in a life of prostitution. When they come to Europe and realise they cant live this life, they come to me and I help free them of this juju forever.



She says she has spent the past 10 years battling the juju curses that are potentially keeping tens of thousands of Nigerian women under the control of human traffickers across Europe.

The abuse of religious and cultural belief systems in Nigeria has proved a deadly and effective control mechanism for traffickers involved in the recruitment of women destined for the sex trade in Europe. A hugely profitable and well-organised criminal industry has been operating between Italy and Nigeria for more than two decades but the UNs International Organisation for Migration says it has seen an almost 600% rise in the number of potential sex trafficking victims arriving in Italy by sea over the past three years.

In 2016 its staff registered more than 11,000 Nigerian women at landing points in Sicily, with more than 80% of them victims of trafficking and destined for a life of forced prostitution on street corners and in brothels across Italy and Europe. Before they left Nigeria, many of them will have been made to undergo traditional oath-taking ceremonies involving complicated and frightening rituals often using the womens blood, hair and clothing. These rituals  which have become known as the juju  bond the woman to her trafficker and to any debts she will incur. The rituals make it clear that failure to pay off those debts will result in terrible things happening to the woman and her family.

This juju might seem like something small or meaningless to people here in Europe, but to the women these curses are real and they are terrifying, says Princess Inyang Okokon, who runs Piam Onlus, an anti-trafficking NGO and who was herself taken from Nigeria to Italy in 1998.

Using these very old belief systems passed down through generations is a psychological form of control that is much stronger than any violence that can be done to them.

Psychologists in hospitals across Sicily say they are witnessing a growing mental health crisis in these women among Nigerians who have been persuaded to leave their traffickers by the authorities or NGOs. At the Vittorio Emanuele hospital in Catania, 20 Nigerian women are being treated by the psychiatric department  double the number last year. These women, who are brought to us by our emergency staff, have been abused, they have been raped, imprisoned and blackmailed. Some of them are as young as 12, says Dr Aldo Virgilio.

He says that 80% of those coming to the outpatient clinic are asylum seekers. Already this year we have seen 80 cases of women being brought to us, but many refuse food and treatment, they are afraid something is coming to hurt them. We cannot convince them that this is not the case.

We can treat their symptoms with drugs but this doesnt resolve the deep-set psychological fractures that have occurred. So aside from the drugs there is little we can do for them.

At the Paolo Giaccone hospital in Palermo, Dr Filippo Casadei and Dr Maria Chiara Monti are trying to help five Nigerian women referred by migrant reception centres and shelters.

They say that while they understand the womens psychotic episodes, hallucinations, panic attacks, insomnia and fits to be the physical signs of post-traumatic stress disorders, the women themselves see them as proof that the juju is coming to punish them for leaving their traffickers and breaking their oaths.

On top of the terrible abuse they have faced while being trafficked, the juju is a constant source of strain on these women, they feel under constant threat and this creates a kind of psychological dependency and addiction, says Monti. So when they leave their traffickers, the pressure of the years of carrying this curse on their shoulders can break them. Casadei says that they recently had a young patient who had been trafficked from her home town in Edo state and had been referred to the hospital after escaping her traffickers.
The Police Command in Enugu State on Sunday says it has arrested one Nnadi Daniel, a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping suspect in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by the commands Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, noted that the arrest was part of ongoing onslaught by police operatives at Adani and Nimbo axis of Uzo-Uwani councils of the state to tackle crime in the state.

Amaraizu stated that the suspect and other suspects were arrested through a well coordinated operation borne out of intelligence information.

He said the suspect was implicated in the alleged kidnap and murder of Enechi Ejiofor and Emmanuel Okeja on Dec. 13, 2016 and Jan. 3, 2017.

The spokesman said the suspect also participated in other kidnappings, robbery, murder, burglary, stealing and other vices that had taken place in the area and its environs in the past.

He added that in our ongoing onslaught at Adani and Nimbo axis of Uzo-Uwani council, police operatives raided an identified notorious forest known as Malaysia forest through a well co-ordinated operation.

The command arrested many suspects among whom is a dreaded armed robbery and kidnap kingpin and a gang member of the outlawed vigilance group, as well as staunch member of a notorious cult group called Umu Malaysia that allegedly kidnap, rob and murder people, identified as Ikechukwu Nnadi Daniel a.k.a Dan.

He said the suspect had been helping the command in its investigations in relations to their alleged criminal and nefarious activities.

Amaraizu assured the public that the command would not rest on its oars in the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality until the entire area and its environs were made safe and secure.

The command has vowed to sustain the tempo of the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality in Adani and Nimbo axis of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Nsukka Zone of Enugu State, he said.

He emphasised that there would be no hiding place for criminally-minded persons and hoodlums under any guise.

The ongoing onslaught, which commenced on Aug. 27, recorded arrest of 15 hoodlums who had been disturbing the peace of the area.

 Vanguard NGR
The Inspector General of Police have been petitioned by three of the four police officers who were dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force last July over their illegal and unlawful dismissal.

The officers identified as Mufutau Ilaosun, an inspector, with Force Number: 122800; Adesoye Ayokunlehi, a corporal, with Force Number 455554; and Temitope Adebayo, a sergeant, with Force Number 455593 also petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) alleging not being given fair hearing before their dismissal.

The Ijebu-Ode Division of the Ogun State Police Command had dismissed the officers including a fourth person, Bakare Taiwo, a corporal, for extortion.

The police said the officers were charged, tried and found guilty in an orderly room trial for extorting N50,000 from a member of the public.

But in their petition through their lawyer, Aiyewunmi Remilekun, three of the dismissed officers said the money was recovered and kept as an exhibit because the owner was unable to give a satisfactory account of it.

The petition, dated August 27, 2017, was titled: Unlawful and illegal dismissal of Mufutau Olaosun AP/No:122800: Adesoye Ayokunlehi F/No. 455554, Temitope Adebayo F/No. 455593. A pre-action notice pursuant to section 6(1) of this Police Service Commission Act and Complaint of intimidation, harassment, political manoeuvering of orderly room proceedings and conducts unbecoming of Police officer against ACP Funsho Ajao (Area Commander Ijebu-Ode), ACP Abayomi Shogunle (Officer-in-Charge of Public Complaint and Rapid Response Unit), and Adedoyin Adeola (orderly room adjudicating officer).

In presenting the facts of the case that led to the dismissal of the three policemen, the lawyer stated that sometimes in June 2017, information was lodged at the Area Commanders office, Igbeba, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, that some boys numbering ten were conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace at Molupa.

On receiving the information, according to the lawyer, the three officers and one other were drafted to the area to prevent a breakdown of law and order, and for possible arrest, which the affected officers immediately booked at the charge room before leaving for the area.

The lawyer also stated that on getting to the area, the affected police officers were able to arrest two of the boys while others ran away on sighting them.

One of the boys, when asked to identify himself, could not give a satisfactory explanation, upon which the officers became suspicious and the boy was taken to their office for interrogation and investigation.

According to the lawyer, the dismissed officers stated that they conducted a search on the arrested boy named Akala Oluwatobi and the sum of N50,000 was recovered from him because he could not give a satisfactory account of the money.

They added that when the money was recovered it was registered with the Exhibit keeper in register084/2017, of June 6, 2017, and a case file was opened and the statement of the arrested boy was taken.

The lawyer also stated that instead of the arrested boy to present himself on the next day with his father, whom he claimed to be his boss, as directed by the police officers, he opted to call Police Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), and that the Officer-in-Charge of the Unit directed the DPO of Igbeba Police Division to investigate the matter and report.

He further stated that the DPOs report exonerated the officers which did not go down well with the Area Commander who subsequently directed that his clients be tried in an orderly room. The lawyer claimed further that the Area Commander conspired with others to alter the proceedings and the judgement of the investigation and the orderly room trial.

He stated that it is also surprising that the testimony of Mr. Oluwatobi and the document tendered, particularly, his statement, bail bond, and undertaking written by the arrested boy that support the innocence of his clients were intentionally concealed and waved aside. This, he claimed, showed the height of bias and prejudice to the dismissed policemen by the Funsho Ajao, Abayomi Shogunle and Adeola Adedoyin, which he said resulted in the dismissal of his clients.

He also claimed that his clients were not given fair hearing as no memorandum of appearance was issued to them before their trial and they were also denied the right of appeal. The act, he also claimed to be in contravention of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to fair hearing, and the Police Act and regulation.

Consequently, the lawyer demanded an immediate retraction of the police wireless message DTO: 291121/06/2017, the publication dismissing his clients from the Nigeria Police Force.

He also demanded their immediate reinstatement to their position without any loss of rank, status and remuneration, with a letter of apology to each of them.

The lawyer threatened to institute a legal action, if the above demands are not met within a reasonable time.

Source: ( Premium Times )
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has said that he would kill anybody who touches his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Foluke Adeboye.

He said, although he could not do anything to anybody who slaps, criticizes or lies against him, but to do such against his wife, he would kill the person.

The man of God however enjoined couples to be ready to lay down their lives for their partner if they truly loved them.

Pastor Adeboye stated this during a Sunday service while delivering a message titled Activating Your Destiny at the National Headquarters of RCCG, Throne of Grace Parish, Ebutte Meta, Lagos.

Daddy G. O, as he is fondly called, urged those seeking life partners to marry for love because, such love endures for long.

He said despite the fact that he has been married to his wife for 50 years now, that he is still on his honeymoon.

He also urged ladies to marry a pastor if they wanted an influential man.

Pastor Adeboye however added that he would not do the killing with knife or gun but will ask his Daddy above and the person will sleep and not wake up again.

According to him, Be ready to lay down your life for your partner if youre truly in love. My wife doesnt like me saying this:

You can slap me; you can lie against me, you can criticise me, it doesnt bother me, but touch my wife, Ill kill you!

I want the world to hear. Theyll say if I killed, theyll arrest me, jail me, that is if I killed with cutlass or gun.

If you tamper with my wife, I will talk to my Daddy and youll sleep and will not wake.

If you want to marry a person whos influential, marry a pastor. If he does not fall into sin, hell remain a pastor forever.

Marry for love. Itll endure. Ive been married for 50 years and still on honeymoon. I was the poorest among those lurking around the girl I married.

One was a lawyer who had a car; I had nothing. But I told the girl that if you marry me, whatever I am, wherever I ever become, will be yours.

I was not a Christian, but i was an incurable optimist. We struggled over pomo as I usually hear me say, but today if we want to eat a cow now, God will provide.

After our wedding in September 8, 1967, we faced challenges. The baby came 1968. It was tough. We were happy because we were in love.

I had no car, no house, a marriage into a rented room and a parlour. We have stories to tell. If you marry for love, the reason it will last is because God is love.

You must continue to tend the fire, meaning: no matter how little, you must constantly give gifts to your partner. If its given in love, itll be appreciated.

When two people are in love, they exchange gifts. Always open your mouth to say to your partner I love you.
Police in Florida, United States have arrested three Indians, the Kalsis, after officers found a manhandled woman and child being held at a home in Hillsborough County.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs office, the womans husband  33-year-old Devbir Kalsi  had beaten her and his parents had flown in from India to counsel and discipline the woman  33-year-old Silky Gaind  at his request.

Deputies described Gaind as badly beaten and bruised over her entire body, allegedly from beatings by her husband and his parents.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, police said the alleged beatings had been ongoing for an extended period of time.

Authorities learned about the case when Gaind called her parents in India on Saturday to tell them. Her parents then informed police in the US.

Police officers arrived at the house at around 6.30 a.m. on Saturday morning and heard Gaind (scream) for the deputy to save her and her child, the Sheriffs Office said, according to the newspaper.

An officer began arresting her husband, Devbir Kalsi, but was confronted by the mans father, Jasbir Kalsi, 67, and mother, Bhupinder Kalsi, 61.

The newspaper reported that an official investigation found that the parents had flown over from India to counsel and discipline Gaind.

According to the arrest report, which was seen by the newspaper, Devbir Kalsi and his wife argued late Friday night, during which he allegedly hit her repeatedly and forcefully. According to the arrest report, the mans parents then allegedly began hitting her, causing bruising to the face, neck and torso. During the fight, the woman was holding her child, who was reportedly inadvertently hit in the face.

The arrest report also states that the woman was locked inside a room after the argument.

Devbir and Jasbir Kalsi face charges of false imprisonment and child abuse while Devbir Kalsi also faces a charge of felony battery and his father faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, for allegedly threatening the wife with a kitchen knife.

Bhupinder Kalsi faces charges of battery domestic violence and failure to report child abuse, according to the newspaper.

The trio have been booked into Hillsborough County jail.

 Tori
Milverton, ON (September 4, 2017)- Round 11 of the 2017 NASCAR Pintys Series took place on Sunday at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) with all three 22 Racing teams recording top ten finishes. Tagliani in the #18 EpiPen/Lowes Dodge notched another podium with his second place finish, while Marc-Antoine Camirand in the #22 GM Paille Chevrolet was seventh and Adam Andretti in the #44 Engineered Components Co/Anchor Bolt & Screw Dodge was tenth.

Saturdays practice session had Tagliani, who was doing double duty on the weekend with entries in both the Pintys series & the Camping World Truck series, in second while Camirand was eighth and Andretti was 11th quickest. The teams went to work to try and some adjustments to the cars for qualifying. Camirand reported that his car was in his words twitchy and Andretti said he just wasnt comfortable with the feel of the car yet. Qualifying was done in three stages and when all complete Tagliani would be third quickest behind Lacroix and Simone. Camirand would be eighth and Andretti dropped back to 14th. Sunday morning dawned with rain showers in the area. Clearing skies prevailed though prior to the start of the Total Quartz 200, but NASCAR deemed it a wet track and all the teams made way to their pit stalls to install grooved rain tires.

The 51-lap event started with the teams making slow progress around the wet track. By lap thirteen the 22 Racing teams had all made it to pit road for fuel and were being scored as Tagliani in second, Camirand in fifth and Andretti in eighth.

Soon after the drivers advised their crews the track was dry enough to go back to slicks and they all made their way to pit road for tires.
Hong Kong is Asias most-developed D&O insurance market, according to American International Group ( AIG ).Asian markets are quickly taking up sophisticated risk-management tools like directors and officers insurance. In 2016, AIG paid out US$13.6 million in claims under D&O policies issued by its Asia-Pacific operations. Thats a 47% increase over 2012 claims figures  and its in Hong Kong that the trend is most pronounced.In 2012, the city represented just over one third of Asian D&O claims for AIG, Jason Kelly, AIGs head of liabilities for Greater China and Australasia, wrote for Forbes. In 2015, it was 73% of claims. This places Hong Kong firmly as the regions most-developed insurance market, in terms of D&O claims experience.The increase is largely the result of a 2012 amendment to the listing rules of the Hong Kong stock exchange. The amendment required publicly traded companies to hold D&O insurance or explain why they decided not to purchase it.This comply or explain regime has been effective in compelling virtually all publicly listed companies in Hong Kong to take up a D&O policy, Kelly wrote.Theres also been a rise in regulatory enforcement actions; AIG estimates that up to 90% of claims cost in Hong Kong is the result of regulatory investigations.This is a trend we can expect to continue, primarily driven by the focused new leadership at the Securities & Futures Commission, which has made it clear that it is taking a vigilant approach to supervision and regulation of market participants and listed companies, Kelly wrote.
Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) officials detained a large group of Russian resident spies in Kharkiv in August, SBU head Vasyl Hrytsak has said.

"A large station of Russian intelligence comprised of 18 people was detained in Kharkiv on August 17. Seven of them have already been notified of charges brought against them, and 16 searches have been conducted. They had carried out reconnaissance and sabotage activities in our territory," the SBU head said in an interview with the Priamy TV channel.

"The station's curator was involved with Russian intelligence, he controlled the group's activities in Ukraine from Belgorod," Hrytsak said.

In addition, the SBU is "documenting" another group engaged in similar activity, he said.
It is a criminal offence if directors do not apply for their director ID on time
Speaking at the 2017 RIMS Risk Forum Australasia, held in Sydney last week, Noel Condon , CEO of AIG in Australia, said that advice is key to a brokers value proposition, even in the face of rising automation and commoditisation.Insurers are not in the business of giving advice, that is the brokers job, Condon said. When we [as insurers] try to get into that, which we have in the past, it is extraordinarily time consuming and we are not good at it.Willem Van Wyk, CEO of Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty in the Pacific, said that advice will continue to be an important aspect of the broking business model but noted that technology will still have an impact on the market.I do believe there are certain parts of industrial insurance that can be automated but there will definitely be a part where human interactions still have to be, Van Wyk said. I believe brokers have a big future in that and they do provide advice. They are there for the client, they market the clients business but their role might change a little bit.While much has been made of the level of disruption to be expected in the small to medium sized business market, John Donnelly , head of placement for Asia-Pacific at Marsh , said that although the corporate market seems safe now, disruption is creeping up. Meanwhile, Catherine Carlyon, head of claims Asia Pacific at XL Catlin, said that the industry will increasingly have to look beyond its own borders to gauge progress.Rather than wanting to improve in increments and looking at our current competitors, which is our baseline, we also have an eye to what will be the disruption coming into the market, Carlyon told attendees.Condon said that the threat of a business from outside the industry, without any of the negative connotations consumers often place on insurance as a sector, is a very real one.If we are complacent that is going to happen, Condon continued. It is all about claims capabilities, whether it is on property, liability or financial lines. If we can take care of customers and give them confidence in our abilities then those potential clean skins that come in may find it difficult to take us on.Van Wyk stressed that it is not just brokers that need to carefully consider their place in the insurance value chain, as other industry participants face challenges.You could also ask is there a future for the underwriters because the broker often owns the data of the client, and with that data they can just go and sell that into the financial market and get cover as well, Van Wyk continued. So there are a lot of different movements at the moment but if you look at the next 10 or 20 years, we all still have a role to play  it just might be in a different way.
An ASX-listed insurer has teamed up with a Spanish start-up to provide an ever rising number of renters with an alternative to stumping up for a costly bond at the beginning of a tenancy.The tie-up between Suncorp Group and online reputation company Traity will see the insurer offer a surety bond called Trustbond to landlords via its Terri Scheer landlord insurance network.Suncorp is preparing to offer the product to tenants to enable them to pay a premium, which is a proportion of the rent paid for the term of the lease, instead of a traditional bond that can often be worth thousands of dollars paid upfront, Australian Financial Review reported. Through the product, a renter paying a $2,000 bond would instead pay a one-off fee of $250 that would cover the same breaches of a tenancy agreement, including unpaid rent, damage, broken leases, and associated costs.Trustbond measures the potential trustworthiness of renters through the use of blockchain. It uses data from social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Airbnb, eBay, and Uber, to determine a tenants TrustScore.Juan Cartagena, Traity chief executive, said South Australia is the only state in the country that has tenancy laws that allow for such an option.Currently it is a no-go in Queensland and the law is unclear in NSW, so we are getting further legal advice. We hope to get an agreement from the authorities because Trustbond will help people access affordable housing, he told AFR. Some tenancy laws have not caught up to the changing demographics where more people are renting, but we believe that this can change.Louise Dwyer, EGM of global partnerships at Suncorp, said that for many people, renting is the new normal, and being able to help these people use their capital in a different way is a huge advantage for their customer base.It [Trustbond] helps to make the rental market that much more affordable and we can use the data to make different decisions about lending criteria in the future, Dwyer told AFR.According to the most recent census, Australians who own their own home dropped from 32.1% in 2011 to 31% in 2016. By contrast, people renting rose from 29.6% to 30.9% in 2016.
A group of WA farmers has proposed an alternative to multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI)  a flexible risk-management crop insurance program, which they hope will be endorsed by agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce.The proposed risk management scheme would employ weather hedges  index-based instruments that use observed weather data to create an index on which a payout can be based  to allow farmers to insure a single crop against drought or frost for one month at a time.And unlike multi-peril or other indemnity-based cover, the use of weather hedges, also referred to as derivatives, do not require farmers to demonstrate that a loss has been suffered.According to The West Australian, the scheme would mean farmers will pay a premium of about 6% to insure their cost of production, worked out using actuals over five years. This scheme would not yield farmers a profit, but will buffer them from huge financial losses they may face during weather events. It is understood that Swiss Re is interested in managing the scheme, but wants the state government to underwrite it during the first few years.Noel Bairstow, a Lake Grace farmer who is part of the group, said hedging against weather could remove the risk from any farm commodity.Any farm that is even a little bit marginal or has an issue, as we do in Lake Grace with frost, would benefit, he told the publication. The strategy would be to recover your costs with a small amount on top of that to live without having to use savings.Bairstow also said that MPCI is often not suitable for WA farming conditions.It is limited because it is a large insurance policy that usually covers loss on the entire crop for up to a year, he said. Exceptional circumstances, which are the basis of triggering an MPCI policy, can be difficult to achieve because periods of drought typically experienced in WA will not trigger a payment on an MPCI policy. The other thing is you cant insure at all against frost. In Queensland, for example, an MPCI policy is more likely to trigger because they have longer periods of drought in many areas.The Lake Grace farmer added that he expected weather hedging in agriculture to become commonplace in the future.Previously there was not enough data for the insurance companies and underwriters, he told the West Australian. It has been important for us to analyse the weather and frost events on the farm. The area has been trending drier but the data shows our farm is only trending lower rainfall in June. Our overall rainfall is the same as it has ever been, except most of the wet weather has been in April.Bairstow also said farmers didnt want handouts.Weather hedging is taken out with the insurer for one month and to lose your money is a good thing because it means that youve had a successful crop, he told The West Australian.
Texas and Louisiana are slowly edging towards calm after Hurricane Harvey battered the Gulf Coast, leaving devastation in its wake. As the states prepare for recovery, the insurance and reinsurance industries have kicked into overdrive.Insurers likely to feel the harshest sting are those that offer super-cat, a specialised type of insurance that covers property damage from natural catastrophe. Berkshire Hathaway Inc., an Omaha-based firm headed by Warren Buffett, used to specialise in super-cat. The company dealt with claims totaling $1.1 billion for Hurricane Sandy and $3.4 billion for Katrina.But Berkshire wont be weighed-down by billions of dollars in insurance claims due to Harvey, according to the Omaha World Herald.In fact, Berkshires property insurance companies have almost entirely vacated the super-cat market. Buffett explained this was due to less damage from hurricanes in recent years, which caused a dip in premiums paid for super-cat coverage, meaning premiums didnt offset the risk of super-cat claims.The exact losses caused by Harvey will not be known for some time. The National Hurricane Centre has estimated property damage from Harvey at US$58 billion, currently less than Sandys US$71.4 billion in 2012 and Katrinas US$108 billion in 2005.Speaking to CNBC and Fox News, Buffett said that Berkshire and other insurance companies will not have to pay for Harveys flooding of homes and businesses because of the state of flood insurance in the US.People who live in flood plains are the only ones who want to buy flood insurance, he said. People who live on higher ground dont buy flood insurance and therefore dont share the risk or make claims. Buffett said premiums wouldnt cover the risk of damage, which is why flood insurance is a tax-subsidised government program.Rather than dealing with super-cat claims, Berkshires claims will be for motor vehicles, through its Geico division. Geico covers about 50,000 vehicles in the Houston area, according to Buffett, which could total around US$500 million if each claim comes in at around US$10,000.
European insurers Allianz and Baloise Holding, along with buyout fund Cinven, are among the final bidders vying to buy the Belgian unit of Europes third-largest insurer.



The bidders are finalizing their offers for Generalis Belgian unit before a September 08 deadline. The deal could be worth up to 500 million euros ($595 million)  which would make it the Italian insurers largest divestment in its latest reorganization.



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Generali wants to wrap up the auction by mid-September, according to a Reuters report. It also hopes to sell the entire Belgian business to a single buyer rather than slicing it up into back books  existing contracts with no access to new clients.



Allianz, Baloise and Cinven are looking to buy the whole business, Reuters reported. Other bidders, such as Bermuda-based insurer Anthene Holding, are thought to be targeting only the back books.



The auction is part of Generalis effort to cut costs and boost profit. The company has been in Belgium since 1901. Its Belgian unit has 6.3 billion euros of assets under management and had a net profit of about 89 million euros in 2016, according to Reuters.


With recovery from Hurricane Harvey just begun, and with the powerful Hurricane Irma bearing down in the days to come, policymakers are being forced to think hard about federal policies that long have encouraged development in coastal zones and other floodplains.

In that vein, new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on the state of the National Flood Insurance Program should prove highly illustrative. The CBOs report demonstrates that a full 85 percent of NFIP properties exposed to coastal storm surge effectively are subsidized by taxpayers  paying less than the full risk-based rate and accounting for most of the programs expected annual shortfall.

Using data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, CBO analyzed roughly 5 million of the NFIPs 5.1 million policies that were in effect as of Aug. 31, 2016. Summing up all of the programs expenditures and premiums, CBO projects that, as currently structured, the program should be expected to lose $1.4 billion on an annual basis. Thats $1 billion more than FEMAs own estimate of the NFIPs shortfall, the basis on which it sets the programs premiums.

According to the CBO, the NFIP rings up $5.7 billion in annual costs. The bulk of that total, $3.7 billion, is from anticipated claims, with another $1.1 billion going to private companies who write and service NFIP policies, as well as $200 million on salaries and operating expenses for NFIP and FEMA personnel. Another $700 million is spent on additional expenses, including $200 million each on mitigation-assistance programs and floodplain mapping and management. Separately, the program must spend $300 million annually to service interest on the programs debt, which stood at $24.6 billion prior to the strike of Hurricane Harvey.

Against that $5.7 billion in costs, the program raises just $4.3 billion in annual revenues. But the top-line figure only tells part of the story. In fact, CBOs report shows that no single piece of the NFIPs operation is sustainable.

The program collects $3.3 billion in rate-based policyholder premiums, which isnt enough even to cover the expected $3.7 billion in annual claims, even before you account for the fact that one-third of that total, $1.1 billion, is going to private insurers who administer the NFIP through its Write Your Own program. The program also collects $200 million from the federal policy fee, which is intended to fund administrative and floodplain-mapping costs. The mapping costs alone are equal to revenues from the policy fee.

The NFIP collects another $500 million in reserve-fund assessments, created under changes to the program in 2012 that were supposed to allow it to buy reinsurance and prepare for future catastrophic claims like the ones it experienced during Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. However, the bulk of that money currently is used just to pay interest on the NFIPs debt, with essentially no money left over to pay down the massive principle. The program did execute a $1 billion reinsurance program this year, and it appears Hurricane Harvey claims likely will trigger all of it, but the NFIP is not exactly well-positioned to make the even larger reinsurance cessions that it needs and that the global reinsurance markets clearly want.

Another issue concerns the roughly 1 million NFIP policies that are explicitly subsidized  primarily properties built before flood insurance rate maps were developed in the mid-1970s. CBO estimates the net cost of these policies to be about $700 million. While the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 set most of these policies on a path toward actuarial soundness, many of those changes were slowed or halted by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, also known as Grimm-Waters. To make up for the reduced revenues it would collect from the subsidized (or, in the language of the CBO report, discounted) policies, Grimm-Waters instituted annual surcharges of $25 on all primary residences and $250 for all other NFIP policies. But CBO estimates those surcharges raise only $400 million, leaving a $300 million hole.

Moreover, the report makes the source of the programs problem crystal clear. If you look solely at NFIP policies in coastal counties, the net expected shortfall is $1.5 billion a year. Inland counties actually produce a net surplus of $200 million. Breaking it down by county, CBO found 823 counties where NFIP premiums are expected to fall short of anticipated claims, for a combined shortfall of $2 billion. In particular, 33 countiesmostly coastal counties in the Southeast and along the Gulf of Mexicoeach had an expected shortfall in excess of $10 million. Together, these 33 counties account for 90 percent of the total shortfall, and for 41 percent of all NFIP policies nationwide.

To understand how this is possible, its first necessary to grasp the outsized role that hurricanes play in the NFIPs financials. While riverine and other floods continue to be a major issue across the country, its hurricanes that overwhelmingly drive the majority of NFIP claims. Over the past 35 years, 37 percent of the programs claims came from tropical storm-driven storm surge, with hurricane-related rainfall accounting for another 16 percent.

Those statistics are even more remarkable when you consider that just 3 percent of NFIP policies are in what the program considers Zone V  that is, coastal areas where tidal surge adds at least three feet to the water levels reached in a 100-year flood. Not only are these coastal properties responsible for a disproportionate amount of the programs claims, they also receive a disproportionate amount of its subsidies.

According to the CBO, 29 percent of all Zone V properties are discounted  that is, they do not pay risk-based rates because the properties were in place before flood maps were created for those communities. Separately, 69 percent of Zone V properties are grandfathered  that is, despite being identified by FEMA as being in Zone V, they are charged rates for Zone A (properties in 100-year floodplains that arent exposed to storm-surge risk) or Zone X (properties that lie outside the 100-year floodplain.) In fact, 13 percent of Zone V properties are both grandfathered AND discounted.

This should make clear the heart of the problem. Existing and longstanding federal policy asks inland residents to subsidize insurance coverage for Americans to live at the coast. This is an explicit cross-subsidy within the National Flood Insurance Program, which doesnt even count the additional tens of billions of dollars that U.S. taxpayers have paid to bail the program out.

The subsidy also has compounding effects that tend to make it worse over time. It encourages more development in coastal regions, including in wetlands and barrier islands that otherwise would serve to absorb storm surge and dampen the destructive effects of hurricanes. Moreover, the effect of these subsidies tends to be to raise housing values in these coastal regions, leaving that much more value that needs to be insured. And these effects are before one even takes into account the impact of climate change and rising sea levels, which could serve to make the devastation that much worse.

Congress is unlikely to pass major reforms to the NFIP before its statutory authorization expires Sept. 30. In the midst of a major disaster recovery, a short-term extension is all that can be expected, putting on hold necessary decisions about the longer-term questions. But sooner or later, lawmakers will have to grapple with the words that have been with us since the Book of Matthew:




PwC 100 street # 11A  35; 3rd floor Bogota Colombia

Tel: +57 (1) 6340555 Ext. 10404 Email: carlos_mario.lafaurie@co.pwc.com Website: pwc.to/2aY17LQ Carlos Mario Lafaurie is the lead partner of PwC's tax and legal practice in Colombia. Recognised among practitioners, he has almost 30 years of experience in national and international projects, serving clients from different industries and helping them to become more efficient in managing their company tax issues. He has carried out national and international projects regarding tax planning, legal and tax litigation and transfer pricing to deliver the highest value to his clients. In 1989, Carlos Mario joined the firm, overseeing matters such as tax, corporate, commercial, labour law and compliance. In 1997, he was promoted to partner and as a result of an outstanding career within the firm, in 2009 he was named the lead partner of PwC's tax and legal practice in Colombia. Carlos Mario is a qualified lawyer from the University of Rosario. He has also completed degrees and post-graduate courses in taxation from the University of Los Andes; in corporate law from the Pontifical Javeriana University; in commercial law from the Pontifical Javeriana University; and in international tax law and constitutional law from University of Salamanca, Spain. Carlos Mario is the founder and director of the tax law degree programme of the Pontifical Javeriana University, as well of the tax regime programme from the same university. He is also an honorary member of the Colombian Tax Law Institute (ICDT) and former president of the institution. As a recognised lawyer he has been speaker at differences tax congresses and has been named as one of the leading lawyers for the tax practice by Chambers & Partners. His expertise, leadership and commitment have contributed to his aim of creating an efficient tax culture in Colombia.
The Kyiv Court of Appeals has dismissed the appeal from the defense of MP from the Opposition Bloc faction Mykhailo Dobkin against the ruling of the first instance court to seize the property of the parliamentarian.

The press service of the court said on Facebook on September 4, 2017 the panel of judges of the Court of Appeals considered the appeal filed by the defense of Dobkin against the decision of the judge of the Kyiv Pechersky District Court dated July 19, 2017, which satisfied the petition of the senior investigator of the main investigation department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine on arrest of the movable and immovable property belonging to suspect Dobkin.

The board of judges for consideration of criminal cases at the Kyiv Court of Appeals decided to leave the appeal filed by the defense of Dobkin without satisfaction.

As reported, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine handed Dobkin a suspicion of fraud and abuse of official authority.
Update 10.04am: Irish Water said it is hoping to restore water services in Listowel and surrounding areas later today.

Around 4,000 local residents have been left dry since a pump failed at the Listowel Treatment Plant.

Repairs were successfully completed during the night on one pump serving the Listowel Regional Water Treatment Plant, and it began pumping water to the plant at about 12.15am, a statement from Irish Water read.

Water is now being pumped to the treatment plant and on the basis that the reservoirs are being refilled, we expect that water will slowly return to homes and businesses across the impacted areas in Listowel, Tarbet, Moyvane, Knockanure, Lisselton, Finuge, Lixnaw and surrounding areas during today.

Senior officials from Irish Water and Kerry County Council will continue to monitor the situation closely as water supply returns to homes and businesses.

Work will continue on implementing a back-up pumping system so that we have the necessary resilience in place for securing the supply. We will be implementing a full replacement of these pumps as part of an upgrade programme and the timing of this replacement is being reviewed by Irish Water following this incident.

Irish Water and Kerry County Council thank the Civil Defence for their assistance throughout the outage as they distributed bottled water to vulnerable customers and assisted with the distribution of information leaflets to homes and businesses.

Alternative water supplies were diverted to the local hospital, nursing homes and where possible to other businesses in the area.

The statement adds: Irish Water and Kerry County Council apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience while crews worked to repair the pump. Customers can contact our customer care helpline 24/7 on 1850 278 278 or visit www.water.ie for further updates.

#IWKerry: Update  If affected by the Pump issue in Listowel & surrounds. For Water tanker locations please see https://t.co/fbFWqKA2VS.  Irish Water Care (@IWCare) September 3, 2017

Update 8.27am: Water service will not return to parts of Kerry until tomorrow at the earliest, according to a local Councillor.

"One of the pumps has been rebuilt at a repair place in Mallow yesterday, and actually was brought down to Listowel yesterday evening," said Listowel Councillor Aoife Thornton.

"They hope to make it operational as soon as possible, but even if it is operational early this morning, the water outage will continue for today because it will have to be a gradual, as I understand it, feedback of the water supply."

Earlier:

Repair works are underway in Kerry after 4,000 people were left without water.

A pump failed at Listowel Regional Water Treatment Plant over the weekend, disrupting water supply to residents in Listowel, Tarbert, Moyvane, Knockanure, Lisselton, Finuge, Lixnaw and surrounding areas.

The broken pump has been rebuilt and arrived on site last night - however it is not yet known how soon supply will be restored.

Water tankers have been deployed in Listowel and surrounding areas and will remain in place until repair works are completed.
Financial pressure on the Norths health service could force the UK Government to step in if political powersharing cannot be resurrected soon, James Brokenshire has warned.

All party leaders agreed on the need for devolution during talks with the Secretary of State on Monday and Sinn Fein claimed a deal could be done in days with the right attitude.

DUP chief Arlene Foster said talks could not be prolonged.

Mr Brokenshire warned he could be forced to pass a budget at Westminster as public services suffer.

He said: "I cannot ignore the growing concern in the wider community here about the impact that the current political impasse is having on the local economy and on the delivery of key public services."

It has been seven months since Stormont ministers took decisions and political negotiations were paused over the summer.

Health trusts recently unveiled 70 million of cost-saving proposals.

Mr Brokenshire said: "The window of opportunity to restore devolution and to form an executive is closing rapidly as we move further into the autumn.

"With pressures on public services already evident, most particularly in the health service, the need for intervention is becoming increasingly clear.

"The UK Government has a duty to the people of Northern Ireland to provide political stability and certainty.

"If this political impasse continues I will be forced to legislate in Westminster for a budget for Northern Ireland and consider next steps.

"I dont want to have to take this action."

Mrs Foster has said the Northern Ireland Secretary needed to make a decision by next month on the prospect for fresh talks or direct rule from London.

Mr Brokenshire said he would continue to meet the parties bilaterally to establish emerging grounds for consensus, potentially returning quickly to a structured multi-party process.

Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney will meet the parties on Tuesday.

Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill said: "There is a short window in front of us where we need to find solutions and a way forward.

"We need a short, sharp and focused negotiation in the small time-frame we have ahead of us."

The DUP leader said Sinn Fein had reacted with breakneck speed to reject her suggestion last week that a ministerial executive at Stormont be restored alongside a parallel process dealing with cultural issues such as the Irish language.

Powersharing has been in deep freeze since early this year when the late Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest at the DUPs handling of a botched green energy scheme which risks landing the taxpayer in millions of pounds of debt.

Mr Brokenshire held discussions with the Ulster Unionists and Democratic Unionists, nationalist SDLP, cross-community Alliance Party and Sinn Fein on Monday on whether to initiate another round of talks.

Outstanding issues in the dispute between the parties include legal protection for the Irish language and dealing with violence from Northern Irelands past.

Mrs Foster has called for a "common sense" solution appointing Stormont ministers alongside a time-limited process for the Irish language and Ulster Scots.

Mrs ONeill said: "What she did was go away and call for something which she knew would be rejected."
A British court has today heard a man admit carrying out the sexually motivated murder of a teenage college student.

Mark Buckley (aged 51) attacked 18-year-old Ellen Higginbottom, before taking her laptop and mobile phone and then leaving her for dead near a wheat field close to Orrell Water Park in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Miss Higginbottom was reported missing after failing to return home from Winstanley College in Orrell on June 16.

Her body was found the next day and a post-mortem examination confirmed she died from multiple wounds to the neck.

Today, shaven-headed Buckley, of New Hall Lane, Preston, pleaded guilty to the murder when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court.

He replied "Guilty" when the charge was put to him and he was asked to enter a plea.

Mark Hayton QC, defending Buckley, asked Judge David Stockdale QC to adjourn the case until next week for sentencing.

The facts of the case were not given in court and further details will be revealed when Buckley is sentenced, but Neil Fryman, prosecuting, told the hearing: "There was a sexual motivation for this offence and also it was pre-meditated."

David Steele (aged 47) of Oakley Avenue, Billinge, appeared alongside Buckley in the dock on today, charged with perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.

He was not asked to enter a plea following an application by his lawyer, Brian McKenna. He will next appear in court on October 6.

Two other defendants, Dean Speakman and his partner Vicki Calland, both aged 30 and from Cobmoor Avenue, Billinge, each pleaded guilty last month to a single charge of perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.

Both admitted they handled the mobile phone, laptop and other property belonging to Miss Higginbottom and that they destroyed the property believing she had been murdered.

Judge Stockdale remanded Buckley into custody for sentence on Thursday next week when he, Speakman and Calland will be dealt with.

After her murder, Miss Higginbottom's family paid tribute to the teenage psychology student, who loved animals and enjoyed cooking and "messing on her phone".

A man accused of murdering 18-year-old student Ellen Higginbottom at Orrell Water Park is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court shortly. pic.twitter.com/acuWwubMw9  Rock FM News (@RockFMNews) September 4, 2017

In a statement released at the time, they said: "We could tell you about how excited she was when we tentatively suggested she might want a kitchen mixer for her 18th birthday.

"Not clothes and make-up and jewellery for Ellen, not really her thing.

"We could tell you how she had astonishingly reinvigorated her love of learning over the last few months after some difficult times.

"We could tell you that the last time we 'had words' was in 2001 when she jumped in a puddle after being told not to.

"But none of this makes sense because they're just yellow stripes highlighting the book of her life and you haven't read the rest of it.

"If a legacy is planting seeds in a garden you never get to see, then thanks to people like our remarkable Ellen it's coming to beauty and love and kindness."
The British Irish Chamber of Commerce said policy measures were needed to safeguard the competitiveness of Irish SMEs.

The organisation called for the reinstatement of the reduced lower rate of employer PRSI to 4.25%, and the expansion of the entrepreneur relief on capital gains tax (CGT) to a lifetime limit of 15m. It also called for the introduction of a voucher scheme for all SMEs dealing with customs for the first time as well as for an increase in capital expenditure to 4% of GDP, with a specific call to bring forward the scheduled start date for Metro North and Brexit proof national ports and airports.
As the talks between the British and EU negotiation teams become bogged down, as a degree of acrimony creeps into the discussions, the prospect grows of a deadlock between the parties come October.

Much of this may be mere posturing as the protagonists push forward their various arguments.

The position papers sent from London to Brussels have received a dusty reaction from Michel Barnier and his EU colleagues, but there are hints at compromise, particularly in relation to the planned transition period and ongoing acceptance of rulings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

The Labour Partys apparent shift of position in favour of a lengthier transition and a softer Brexit raises the prospect that the House of Commons could play a really significant role in support of pragmatists such as the British chancellor, Philip Hammond.

It is also clear however that the hardliners remain firmly committed to an eventual British exit from both the customs union and the single market.

At this juncture, it is worth examining the mindset of the more hardline Brexiteers who have, to a significant degree, been driving events across the water since the former prime minister David Cameron committed his country to a referendum on an exit from the EU.

A key figure in Brexit land is the veteran economist, Patrick Minford.

Mr Minford first came to public attention in 1981 when 364 economists signed a letter to The Times criticising the policies of the then prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.

At the time, unemployment was soaring after Ms Thatchers chancellor Geoffrey Howe had introduced two tough budgets aimed at reining in the deficit and cracking down on inflation.

Mr Minford rallied to Thatchers side in a robust response to the letter and when the economy rebounded some years later, he was perceived  on the Right  to have been proven correct.

A long time eurosceptic, he has welcomed the recent drop in the value of sterling, which broke through the 93p mark against the euro, last week.

He argues that with 80% of Britains economy made up of services, the impact of Brexit will not be huge in the short term.

In the case of food and manufacturing, the removal of EU protections should result in a 20% drop in prices and an 8% gain in consumer living standards.

Farmers would continue to be aided  by the British government. By how much and for how long, he does not say.

He believes that the fall in the value of the pound has already boosted the economy, but the unrolling of Brexit will push competition throughout the economy helping to boost living standards.

Mr Minford is a long-time backer of supply side reforms and labour market liberalisation.

He is convinced that Brexit will allow the UK to join the global market as a free trading nation, able to buy goods from around the world at cheaper prices than available to those operating behind EU customs barriers.

He appears to accept that the UK was right to join the Common Market back in 1973.

Our economy was struggling and signing up to a degree of protection of goods seemed the right thing to do, he has said.

However, since then, he has said: The EU has become more centralised and controlling, raising prices in agriculture and manufacturing by about 10%.

As prices of food and other goods fall, resources would switch to the purchase of services.

As he puts it: We now trade in skills more than we do in things.

But he adds: Over time... we will mostly eliminate manufacturing, leaving industries such as design, marketing and high tech. But this shouldnt scare us.

It may, however, scare many people in the manufacturing-rich north and midlands, regions which voted in no uncertain terms for an EU exit.

Another important pro-Brexit voice is the commentator and scientist, Matt Ridley who insists that he is more sure than ever that Brexit was the right thing to do.

He focuses on a traditional target of English nationalist scorn, Brussels bureaucrats. He argues that EU officials are interested in making their integrationist bureaucracy thrive rather than in looking after the economy of the continent. Clearly the Brexiteer thinkers remain unapologetic, though the arguments now lay more stress on the longer term benefits of Brexit as the clouds begin to gather over the economy across the water.

The Thatcherites are fastening their safety belts. The ride ahead looks bumpy.
Pavlo Bohomazov, a lawyer for former governor of Odesa region Mikheil Saakashvili, said he had received official replies from the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), the National Police, the Justice Ministry, and the State Border Guard Service, all of them confirming that there were no legal obstacles to Saakashvili's entry to Ukraine.

The Security Service said in reply to Bohomazov's written inquiry that Saakashvili's name was not on its entry ban list, the Movement of New Forces political party said in a statement on its Facebook page.

The National Police Service said it did not have Saakashvili's name in its automated databases, either.

The Justice Ministry said it did not have requests from Georgian authorities for Saakashvili's extradition or information on his convictions in Georgia.

The State Border Service said it had no instructions from authorized government bodies to bar Saakashvili from entering the country, the statement said.

"Therefore, there are no legal grounds to obstruct Mikheil Saakashvili's crossing of the Ukrainian border at the Krakovets border checkpoint on September 10. Any attempts by law enforcement agencies not to allow Mikheil Saakashvili to enter the Ukrainian territory could be seen as unlawful and violating Ukrainian law," it said.

As reported, on July 26, 2017 it became known that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had signed a decree depriving Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship. Saakashvili himself was in the United States at the time, from which he traveled with his Ukrainian passport to Poland and then Lithuania. At present Saakashvili is in Denmark.

Saakashvili announced on August 16 that he would return to Ukraine through the Krakovets checkpoint in Lviv region on September 10.
The company denied speculation over 100 roles could be in the firing line, saying a small number of roles were to be transferred.

It is thought the jobs, in financial planning and analysis, could end up in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. There are around 300 employed at One Albert Quay .
Mr Coveney said such comments from British minister Liam Fox were unhelpful and said that while talks between the EU and the UK last week were very difficult he said he welcomed the progress made on Irish issues.

Mr Coveney said he and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar deliberately hardened the position of the Government about the prospects of technology being used to monitor traffic moving between the Republic and Northern Ireland, saying it was nonsense.

We needed to kill that because it is nonsense, once you begin that you create a border, that is a big step forward, he said.

A spokeswoman for prime minister Theresa May has denied a Sunday Times report that she was preparing to pay a Brexit divorce bill of up to 50 billion to the EU.

Mr Coveney said the solution was for the UK to remain in the Customs Union, a call echoed by a cross-party committee in Westminster. Their report spelt out clearly the dangers posed to the island of Ireland as a result of the UK leaving the Customs Union.

The committee, co-chaired by a Tory and a Labour MP, describes the decision to leave the customs union as; a reckless and economically dangerous self-inflicted wound.

The report calls out the UK governments recent paper on future customs arrangements as being; overly optimistic to the point of being irresponsible and equally vague, while slamming the government for having done very little domestic work to prepare.

Mrs May warned lawmakers that Britain could be faced with a Brexit cliff edge if they failed to back her EU repeal bill, as reports suggested momentum was growing within her party to unseat her.

With British lawmakers readying for their first full parliamentary debate on the legislation that will sever the countrys ties with the European Union, the minister responsible for overseeing the divorce proceedings admitted yesterday that some payments would continue to Brussels after Britain left.

Mrs May failed to win a clear mandate at a snap election in June and only has a slim majority in parliament that rests on an agreement with a smaller party.

She remains vulnerable if pro-European lawmakers in her Conservative party team up with other parties to vote down legislation or support amendments.

In Thursdays debate, the main opposition Labour Party is planning to propose several changes to the repeal bill with a view to keeping Britain in the single market and customs union during a Brexit transition period after 2019, according to The Times.

On Saturday, Mrs Mays deputy advised Conservative lawmakers against doing anything that would increase Labours chances of returning to power, while Mrs May said the bill was the best way to ensure a successful Brexit.

Additional reporting: Reuters
Entrepreneurs in the sector have sharply criticised the decision by University College Cork and the Cork Institute of Technology to withdraw staffing and funding from the Irish Marine and Energy Research Cluster (Imerc) in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

The decision was made on foot of a controversial 2016 report commissioned by the two colleges into the operation of Imerc  a collaborative initiative which was established jointly by UCC, CIT, and the Irish Naval Service in 2010 to make Ireland a world leader in the commercialisation of marine research projects.

The report, which was prepared by a team of consultants led by the former secretary general of the Department of Enterprise and Employment, Paul Haran, concluded Imerc was not fit for purpose.

Imerc was set up to facilitate collaboration among its partners including the National Maritime College of Ireland, a constituent part of CIT, and the Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy (MaREI) which is co-ordinated by UCC.

Start-up businesses which benefitted from their association with IMERC through its incubation hub on the Ringaskiddy campus have expressed anger and frustration in recent weeks following publication of the report which warned that UCC, CIT, and the Irish Naval Service were being unduly exposed to reputational and financial risk by poor public procurement, public relations and financial and human resource management at Imerc.

They claimed its findings were inaccurate, and failed to reflect their positive view of Imercs role in assisting new businesses in the marine research sector.

A number of sources close to Imerc have confirmed that the Irish Naval Service was very unhappy with the decision to effectively shut down Imerc.

In a statement issued through the Department of Defence  although questions were submitted directly to the Irish Naval Service  no comment was provided on its attitude to the reports findings, or on the related decision by UCC and CIT to withdraw funding and staffing from Imerc.

The Department of Defence also failed to respond directly to a detailed series of questions about the Irish Naval Services role in events given its joint partnership in Imerc with UCC and CIT.

A Department of Defence spokesperson said that the Irish Naval Service continued to enjoy a very good relationship with both colleges.

The Naval Service also continues to collaborate closely with both institutions in research projects through their constituent research centres and particular academic departments, the spokesperson said.
Fine Gael ministers are to meet tomorrow to begin discussion on what several have accepted will be their final budget before going to the polls next year.

As a result, the party is adamant that it outlines three years of expected revenue and spending as a means of disguising how little money is available this year, but also to box the opposition into its agenda.

However, with the certainty that an election will happen next year, attention is again focusing on who can make up a government.

Several sources within Cabinet have told the Irish Examiner that despite mounting calls for the two old enemies to enter a full coalition, Mr Varadkar has said such a scenario is not preferable and should be avoided.

The Taoiseach is totally focused on maximising the Fine Gael vote as he and other senior party figures fear that should they lose to Fianna Fail, the party could be out of government for up to a generation, several sources have said.

While others in the party like Brian Hayes have publicly been pushing the grand coalition option, Leo is definitely not a supporter of this, one senior minister said. He has made it known such a deal would be a nightmare.

Leo wants to maximise the Fine Gael vote and be ahead of Micheal Martin so he will by rights have the run of the table, the minister added.

The Irish Examiner understands that Fine Gael is targeting at least 30% of the vote, which it hopes will deliver a return of 60 seats in the next Dail.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney yesterday gave voice to the likelihood of a general election in 2018, saying his partys preparations will begin this autumn.

But if you dont know when an election is going to be, you want to be prepared, for all eventualities. Fine Gael will be ready. So we will focus on election planning this autumn, he said.

We dont want an election this autumn, he added.

Mr Coveney said that he hoped Fianna Fail does not play political games in trying to dictate the timing of the election that suits it, at the expense of the public good.

I hope Fianna Fail will be responsible not to play politics with the timing of the election that does damage.

There will be an election, of course there will be. If you are looking for predictions, the commitment was for three budgets; we will certainly get two and lets see where it takes us after that, he told Newstalk.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, writing this weekend, sought to put the notion of a coalition with Sinn Fein to bed.

Fianna Fails established policy on Sinn Fein is that it is unfit for Government in Dublin and we will oppose any and all efforts by them to get into Government, he wrote in the Sunday Independent.
The changes, scheduled for the beginning of September, were announced in May by Bishop of Kerry, Dr Ray Browne.

The 53-parish diocese is undergoing major changes, because of a decline in the number of priests. Now, just one priest under the age of 40 is serving in the diocese, which takes in parts of west and north Cork and stretches to the Limerick border. Six parishes have no resident priest.

In July, Bishop Browne said the day was not far off when churches would not have a weekend Mass.

To fill in for the empty parishes, the diocese has been divided into pastoral areas, corresponding to old deaneries. Few parishes now have a full-time priest and a rota system is being rolled out, the Bishop has also said.

However, Bishop Browne also looked to the growing role of the laity in Kerry, in administering to each others spiritual needs.

Kerry is only the second diocese  outside of the archdiocese of Dublin  to introduce a ban on Sunday funerals.

The ban on Sunday funerals is because of the extra liturgical demands on already over-burdened priests in Kerry.

It applies from Saturday mid-afternoons, although removals to the church can take place on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Bishop Browne said many people would have reservations about the decision. However, it had been taken after extensive consultation with parish councils and with clergy. The retirement age for priests in Kerry is 75.

Six parishes have no resident priest: Valentia Island, in the south-west of Kerry; Allihies, in west Cork, and Tarbert, along with Ballyheigue, Duagh, in the north of the county, and Knocknagoshel, on the Limerick border.
TO paraphrase a former US secretary of state, the UK has lost a community, but not yet found a friend. That is is adrift became ever clearer last week. British officials made little progress in their third round of talks over how to exit the EU.

While negotiators wait to get the preliminaries out of the way, so substantive talks can begin, the real question may be how much more dependent has Brexit made the UK on the US?

British leaders know they must build trade alliances, and Theresa Mays

government is trying. Last week, the British prime minister went to Japan to press for a bilateral agreement along the lines of the trade treaty Japan is about to sign with the EU, but Japanese leaders are cautious, delaying talks until Britains position was clearer.

For the UK government, the US is the obvious  and perhaps the only  port in a storm that may engulf the British economy. The US is Britains largest single trading partner, with trade between the two countries worth $230bn annually, and investment in each others economies amounting to $1trn. In US president Donald Trump, the Brexiteers have an apparently strong ally; the president has commended a prospective accord as very big and

exciting, while condemning the EU

as very protectionist with the US.

The May government is thus respectful toward its big friend. She was the first world leader to meet Trump after his inauguration and  unlike the chilly encounter between the president and German chancellor Angela Merkel  appeared to enjoy the session.

The British cabinet follows the same line. Foreign secretary Boris Johnson, having once quipped that he would not go to New York for fear of meeting Trump, has since been full of praise, saying Trump has gripped the imagination of people around the world.

The US wants access to the UK market most of all for the export of food, but here there are two large problems. American chickens are washed with chlorine, which the EU regards as a

reason for keeping them at bay. And much of US grain sent to the UK would be genetically modified  which is

another disagreement with the EU. Were these products to be admitted into the UK, the protests from British farmers and environmentalists would be loud, long, and damaging to any trade pact between the UK and the EU.

A further complication is Trumps

international isolation and unpopularity. Even May was moved to protest his many-sides-to-blame comments, after

a white supremacist killed a counter-protester in Charlottesville last month.

A state visit, planned for this year, is likely to be postponed, because Trump told May he didnt want to do it if mass demonstrations were expected.

On the European side, the UKs

Brexit secretary, David Davis, is locking horns with Michel Barnier, the European Unions chief negotiator.

Barniers charm is legendary. He is a politician with many terms of office in French cabinets and in the European Commission. The EU will present a united front, with all 27 other members backing Barnier. So far, in spite of

disagreements between the Central European states (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) and the EU on immigration, none has given any sign of following the UK out of the EU.

The 27 will be unyielding, demanding a large divorce settlement  as high as 100bn  together with a pledge that EU citizens who have been living in the UK for at least five years gain permanent residence.

A concerned Barnier warned that the latest talks yielded no decisive progress on the main subjects. The UK negotiators say progress has been made, but is impeded by an over-rigid EU. Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president and the most bitterly opposed to Brexit of the EUs leadership, infuriated the UK

government earlier this week by contemptuously dismissing the documents it submitted, saying that he found none of them truly satisfactory.

Junckers contempt unites the Brits. More divisive are the nations fears that the price for Brexit is beginning to be paid even before a settlement with the EU is reached. Banks, both UK and foreign, are discussing moving thousands of jobs out of the City of London. The pound is sinking, and Morgan Stanley thinks it may soon be on par with the euro. A world in which states make individual trade pacts will cut against the EUs bloc approach, where trade

negotiations are centralised and one size is meant to fit all.

Britain must hope that the EU fails  if not in the economic sense (that would damage the British economy, too)  then in its aspiration to further integrate at least the euro-zone states.

The conservative vision of international relations based on nation states would be in competition with the idealistic prospect of a post-national space, in which power would be shared among the EU, the nations, the regions, and even the cities.

Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron seem committed to regenerating the Franco-German motor for the EU, pushing for greater integration and even the appointment of a eurozone finance minister.

Merkel, with the whip hand of a healthy economy, is the more cautious, and will make further movement dependent on radical change in France  especially in reforms to the labour

market. The future of a Franco-German EU depends largely on Macrons domestic success. Though couched in technocratic language, integration would be a huge political leap  the substitution of centralised, economic decision-making overriding national priorities, carving deep into what has so far remained largely the prerogative of sovereign legislatures.

If it does not succeed, the EU must come to terms with a reality that dictates the continuation of sovereign national states  willing to collaborate on trade and other issues, such as security and defence, but not to attempt the building of supranational political institutions. Its the EU most British political leaders always thought the only practical option. Ironically, it may come about in their absence.

The former US secretary of state I cited at the beginning of this essay was the Truman administrations Dean Acheson, who said of post-war Britain that it had lost an empire, but not yet found a role.

Britain has now found, or stumbled into, a role. It is, with the US, to make of the special relationship a separate pole of attraction, not just for each other, but also for the rest of the world.

John Lloyd co-founded the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, where he is senior research fellow.
Last month, North Korea went a couple of weeks without launching any missiles or testing

nuclear weapons. That short

interval, which has since ended, was enough to inspire US secretary of state Rex Tillerson to declare that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was showing restraint.

Perhaps, Tillerson concluded, Kim is ready to engage in dialogue. To some extent, he may be right. To be sure, claims that the North was showing restraint were clearly premature.

Over the weekend, Pyongyang said it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb  a device many times more powerful than an atomic bomb  that could be loaded on to a long-range missile. It claimed its sixth nuclear test was a perfect success, after seismologists had detected an earth tremor.

North Korea has also fired three short-range ballistic missiles from its east coast into the sea, and, more ominously, launched a ballistic missile over northern Japan.

Tillersons optimism about such a short pause reflects the pressure

diplomats face in reassuring allies  and, in Tillersons case, his boss,

President Donald Trump  and easing tensions with enemies.

Nonetheless, Tillerson is probably right that North Korea is ready to talk to the US  but only as one nuclear-weapons state to another.

What the countrys leaders are patently not ready for is to meet Americas own requirement: That negotiations are based on the international commitments made in 2005, at the end of the fourth round of the so-called six-party talks.

Chief among those commitments,

enshrined in a joint statement released at the end of the talks, is North Koreas abandonment of all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes.

In exchange, the other five participants in the talks (China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, US) were supposed to provide North Korea with energy and economic assistance, respect its sovereignty, and pursue the normalisation of diplomatic relations. The five participants stood by their commitments, but North Korea repudiated its own in 2009.

According to critics, creating the precondition that the North stick to its original commitments amounts to a death blow to new talks. And, indeed, the Kim regime has shown no interest in resuming the six-party process, the stated purpose of which is to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula.

In its 2013 constitution, North Korea for the first time even referred to itself as a nuclear state. Tillerson rightly refers to a two-track policy towards North Korea.

One track is dialogue; the other is pressure, applied through sanctions and other measures aimed at isolating North Korea and convincing its leadership that it has no future with nuclear weapons.

After North Koreas tests of its new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last month, Tillerson and the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, focused on the second track, working with other Security Council members to impose the toughest sanctions ever against the North. Those sanctions could erode much of North Koreas trade with China, the Kim regimes economic lifeline.

But the US cannot rely excessively on other countries to constrain the North Korean regime, whose pursuit of nuclear weapons is not a symbolic quest.

As its ICBM tests show, the goal is to threaten the US explicitly, in order to compel it to reduce its presence in north-east Asia  and perhaps even

reconsider its alliances with Japan and South Korea.

This ambitious goal is not without tacit support in the world: Russia and China have proposed that the US suspend its annual military exercises with the South, in exchange for a freeze of North Koreas nuclear programme.

This supposedly fair-minded freeze-for-freeze proposal would do more to weaken the US-South Korea alliance than it would to impede North Koreas development of a deliverable nuclear weapon.

The proposal highlights how difficult it is to mount an international response to the North Korea nuclear issue. Though China agreed to the recent sanctions in the Security Council, there is widespread scepticism about whether there is an internal consensus about the future it wants for the Korean Peninsula.

Russia, for its part, seems to be pursuing a foreign policy guided more by spite than national interest.

Americas allies in the region, meanwhile, are under serious pressure. South Koreas new government is stuck between the need to manage its relations with the US and the desire to open a dialogue with the North. And, as the Norths latest missile launch shows, Japans hosting of US military assets puts it on the front lines of the crisis.

This complex situation would require careful and precise diplomacy in the best of times, with the US using the various levers of its power. But this is not the best of times.

Trump has been mercurial, given to making unscripted pronouncements on the topic. This has called for assurances from Tillerson, secretary of defence James Mattis, and others eager to

mitigate the impact of bellicose

exclamations  incongruously issued off the cuff from the clubhouse of a golf course  about fire and fury.

Trumps statements about Chinas role in addressing the problem dont help, as they imply an interest in effectively outsourcing the job of reining in the Kim regime, in exchange for vague economic and trade assurances. The

result is a perception of American

unseriousness about this most serious of challenges.

The Trump administration has assembled before it all the components of an effective North Korea strategy: Co-operation with China; pressure on North Korea through sanctions and isolation; reassurance of allies, including by providing the most up-to-date anti-ballistic missile defences; and a willingness to talk.

But for any of these instruments to have an impact, they must be used in concert and with precision in tone and substance  a quality of statecraft that the Trump administration has been slow to master.

In this sense, the challenge in North Korea is not just a nuclear crisis. It is a crisis of the quality of US leadership. Many see the problem, but no one knows yet how to overcome it.

Christopher R Hill, former US assistant secretary of state for East Asia, dean of the Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, and author of Outpost.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017
Fernando Romero, world-wide known architect, global investor and representative of the billionaire Carlos Slim family, visited Allseeds Oil-Extraction Plant in Yuzhny Port nearby Odessa during his visit to Ukraine.Mr. Romero said that Ukraine has significant investment potential, especially in the agrarian sector, and such companies as Allseeds bring it to a higher level of efficiency. "Allseeds is now growing rapidly, so we are actively establishing cooperation with international investors. The strategic investment potential of Allseeds in Ukraine is USD 400 million, which includes an increase in processing, logistics and energy capacities, marketing development and diversification which will make our business more competitive with complex oil-extraction plants as well as a vegetable oil terminal which is quite a unique enterprise in Europe", said Viacheslav Petryshche, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Allseeds Group.To honor the visit to the enterprise of a special guest, according to Allseeds' tradition, Viacheslav Petryshche and Fernando Romero planted together a maple seedling on the memorial alley of the plant.
Q: Are preventative vaccinations covered under Medicare preventative benefits?

TE

Answer: Yes, Medicare does cover most preventative vaccinations. Now is a great time to talk with your doctor with cold and flu season being right around the corner.

According to the CDC, an estimated 1 million Americans get shingles every year, and about half of them are 60 years old or older. Additionally, over 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people 65 years and older.

Immune systems tend to weaken over time, putting older adults at higher risk for certain diseases. This is why, in addition to seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), you should also get:

Pneumococcal vaccines, which protect against pneumococcal disease. It is recommended for all adults over 65 years old, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain chronic health conditions. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a pneumococcal shot to prevent pneumococcal infections (like certain types of pneumonia). Part B also covers a different second shot one year later.

Zoster vaccine, which protects against shingles and is recommended for adults 60 years or older. It is generally covered by Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D).

Talk with your doctor to find out which vaccinations are recommended for you.

Q: I would like a lift chair. How can I get one?

AV

Answer: A lift chair can be purchased outright or if one is medically necessary then a doctor can prescribe one. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment (DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home.

Medicare will only cover your DME if your doctor and your DME supplier are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctor or DME supplier isnt enrolled, Medicare wont pay the claims submitted to them. You are responsible to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

Its important to ask your DME supplier if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If your DME supplier doesnt accept Medicare, theres no limit on the amount they can charge you.

There are several companies in Forsyth County that carry a variety of durable medical equipment. Many companies accept Medicare and private insurances, however some deal only with cash purchases. You should always verify any out-of-pocket expenses, and ask about delivery, setup and repair services and fees. In addition, many local pharmacies carry a wide range of medical equipment.

If you need DME that is not covered by insurance, and its cost prohibitive, or you only need it short term, you may be able to get the needed equipment from a lending closet. Lending closets accept a variety of new and used medical equipment. There is no cost for the equipment and a doctors order is not needed. Items typically found in lending closets include wheelchairs, canes, walkers, bath seats or benches, and bedside commodes. The equipment must be picked up as delivery is not available.

For a list of local DME companies and/ or lending closets please email agewise@seniorservicesinc.org or call 336-724-2040.

Q: I cannot always take off work to take my mother to the grocery store or to her medical appointments. What are some transportation options for her?

PT

Answer: There are a variety of transportation options in Forsyth County. Some are run by volunteers, some are publicly funded and others can be paid for privately. It depends on the situation of the person needing transportation and where they live. Volunteer ministry services typically transport to medical appointments and the grocery store. Volunteers use their personal cars (not wheelchair accessible). There is no cost for their service but donations are accepted. There are, however, a variety of private pay wheelchair accessible options through private companies and taxi services. Trans-AID is Forsyth Countys publicly funded wheelchair accessible transportation option for older adults and people with disabilities. There is a nominal fee for their service.

For a comprehensive listing of transportation options please email agewise@seniorservicesinc.org or call 336-724-2040.
RALEIGH  While many Republican-led institutions saw spending increases in times of fiscal plenty this year, Gov. Roy Cooper was forced to make significant cuts that critics of the GOP-controlled legislature say were designed to punish the states top Democrat.

Cooper and the governors Democratic successor as attorney general, Josh Stein, faced surprise blanket reductions within the final state budget approved this summer. Republicans have criticized them for failing to take on litigation or for opposing GOP legislation.

Coopers cuts were punishment for him being a Democrat  and winning last November, said Rep. Mickey Michaux of Durham, the top budget-writer when Democrats led the House.

Unlike the more than 40 lawyers and staff that Stein said last month he had to lay off to address part of a $10 million cut, Cooper avoided giving out pink slips to meet nearly $1 million in operating reductions in his smaller office.

The governor shifted seven workers from his more than 60 positions to other Cabinet-level departments he leads, Coopers office said. Those employees were transferred to positions earmarked in the departments for policymaking staff to perform agency projects and administration projects, spokesman Ford Porter said. Two other positions Cooper eliminated were vacant.

With smaller cuts to travel, postage and supplies, Coopers office said hes fulfilled the administrative reductions of $979,000, or about 17 percent of the $5.8 million originally estimated to keep the office running at recent levels. When higher funding for salaries, benefits and association dues are included, taxpayer funding for Coopers office fell 7 percent, according to budget documents.

Stein said his cuts would reduce the effectiveness of his office to prosecute criminals. Julia White, a deputy chief of staff for Cooper, said its unclear whether the 15 percent workforce reduction in the governors office will affect its ability to serve citizens.

The governor will keep doing his job. The work continues even if the number of people to do it decreases, White said in an interview.

The reshuffled employees were mostly lower- or mid-level staffers. One is the facilities manager for the Executive Mansion, who is now employed by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, according to Coopers office.

GOP legislative leaders have made clear the cuts to Steins department were related to their unhappiness with how hes done his job. Cooper said in June he assumed the cuts to his office were for political spite or something.

Senate leader Phil Berger said thats not the case with Cooper, with whom hes often battled in the courts in recent months over legislation that the governor has challenged.

I bear no animosity to the governor, Berger said, attributing the reduction to simply finding savings that wouldnt prevent Coopers office from performing core functions. But he said the way the governor handled the reductions affirms there were savings to be found.

Moving folks around in the way that was done  thats time-honored tradition in (the) Democratic executive branch, Berger said.

Reductions for Stein and Cooper werent included in either the House and Senate versions of the budget approved in the spring. The cuts occurred although the final budget left $500 million unspent when the fiscal year ends next June.

The budget saw significant increases to the agriculture department run by Republican commissioner Steve Troxler and the insurance department led by Republican commissioner Mike Causey. General Assembly funding has steadily increased over the past five years.

Separately, the budget moved from Coopers office to the Department of Public Instruction a $2 million grant program for school districts with innovative career and college prep initiatives.
In a free society, we long ago established that the actions of parents were not held against their children. Debtor courts may move against the assets of the parents, but not to the future assets or incomes of their children. A child can not be charged with the crime committed by a parent as long ago stated in the bible: Ezekiel 18:20 tells us, The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son.

Undocumented children brought into our country by their parents should not be removed against their will, given that they had no say in leaving their country of origin. There are approximately 2 million such cases in the United States, 800,000 having been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals through the issuance of the U.S. Employment Authorization Card, a vetted federal I.D.

My brother and I were brought to the U.S. from Costa Rica in the early 1960s. A third brother was born in the U.S., and then my mother suffered a post-partum depression, so she returned to Costa Rica, with now, three children. After a year of recovery, she reunited with my father and two more siblings were born in the US. We were finally able to reunite as a family in 1970, at which time my brother and I became the first two Latino students to ever set foot in the Lincoln County (N.C.) Public School System. We lost a brother to a rare lung decease, but four of five siblings hold college degrees and are working, contributing members to the society in which we live. We recently celebrated 50 years in America. It started with a man landing at JFK with $50 in his pocket, pursuing the American Dream. It was not achieved alone. It took the effort and the help of many people. A hand up is not a handout.

Eventually we all became American citizens, but, one must understand, immigration is a very difficult and traumatic experience for a young person. I recall crying myself to sleep knowing it could be many years until I saw my father as he worked to establish himself to bring his family to the U.S., then missing my grandparents and other family in Costa Rica upon permanently moving here.

America has been the beneficiary of the labor of those having been granted Deferred Action. These individuals were hired for their skills and future potential, not because they had been issued Deferred Action. In a full-employment economy, the challenge of every business today is for intellectual capital. Maybe the U.S. economy could sustain the loss of these working young people. Morally, this would be a collective stain on our sense of righteousness.

Americans are better than this.

Luis G. Lobo, a banking executive, lives in Winston Salem.
Wang Shouwen, vice commerce minister, briefs media on trade and investment cooperation of BRICS countries in southeast China's Xiamen. (Chen Lidan/People's Daily Online)

Leaders of five BRICS countries will adopt consensus and proposals on consolidating the partnership in trade and investment cooperation, which were achieved ahead of their annual meeting this year, said a senior Chinese official Sunday in Xiamen.

Contributing 23 percent of global economic output and half of world economic growth, BRICS nations play an increasingly significant role in driving the global economy and governance, said Wang Shouwen, vice Chinese commerce minister, in a press conference held in Xiamen.

However, the mutual investment among the five countries lagged behind, making up only six percent of their total outbound investment. China, who took over the rotating BRICS presidency this year, brought trade ministers together last month in Shanghai to address this gap.

Ministers all agreed to expedite the economic integration within BRICS countries and proposed guideline and measures on trade facilitation, e-commerce, capacity building and intellectual property protection.

The consensus and proposals are expected to be reaffirmed by leaders of BRICS nations and would help yield more significant outcomes from the summit, Wang said. He also stressed that the new measures would not only bring the intra-BRICS cooperation to the next level, but also enhance the partnership's competitiveness in the broader global market.
UN investigators on Monday accused Burundi's government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and urged the International Criminal Court to open a case "as soon as possible".

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said it had "reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed and continue to be committed in Burundi," pointing a finger at "the highest level of the state".

The three investigators, appointed by the Human Rights Council last September, described a "climate of fear" in the crisis-hit east African country.

The report detailed widespread and systematic abuses including extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, torture and sexual violence.

"We are struck by the scale and the brutality of the violations," commission president Fatsah Ouguergouz said in a statement.

Decrying impunity in Burundi and the "strong likelihood that the perpetrators of these crimes will remain unpunished," the investigators asked "the International Criminal Court to open an investigation ... as soon as possible".

If it wants to follow that advice, the ICC will indeed need to move quickly: last year, Burundi formally announced it was withdrawing from the court, with the move set to take effect on October 27.

After that date, the ICC can only open a case if asked to do by the Security Council.

- President responsible? -

Burundi was thrown into a political crisis in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term that his opponents said was unconstitutional.

He won elections in July that year which were boycotted by the opposition.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in clashes in the country, according to UN and NGO sources. More than 400,000 people have fled and dozens of opposition activists have been forced into exile.

In its report Monday, the commission put blame for the likely crimes against humanity in Burundi at "the highest level of the state".

The perpetrators included members of Burundi's National Intelligence Service, including high-ranking officers, the national police, military officials and members of the ruling party's youth league, the Imbonerakure, investigators said.

Nkurunziza himself, surrounded by a close-knit circle of "generals", was behind "big decisions, including ones that led to serious human rights violations," it said.

Armed opposition groups were also responsible for rights violations in Burundi, the report said, noting that these abuses had been more difficult to document.

- List of perpetrators -

The UN investigators were never permitted to enter Burundi, forcing them to conduct their probe from neighbouring countries, where they interviewed more than 500 victims and witnesses.

They said they were drafting a confidential list of suspected perpetrators of crimes against humanity, along with detailed information about the acts they are accused of committing or ordering.

The UN is prepared to share the list with any credible judicial body, the report said.

Monday's report meanwhile said that despite a range of abuses against the Tutsi minority, there was currently no evidence of genocide in Burundi, as widely feared.

But the commission said it remained deeply concerned by ethnically-loaded comments made by state and ruling party officials.

"While this discourse does not constitute direct incitement to commit genocide, it nonetheless contributes to create a climate of dangerous hatred and to terrorise the population, and could revive ethnic tensions," it warned.

Burundi suffered a civil war from 1993 until 2006 between majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, which claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.

The current unrest has also sparked fear of a wider crisis in Africa's volatile Great Lakes region, with the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda having been fuelled by similar ethnic tensions.
Serbian prosecutors said on Monday they had charged five people with torturing and killing 20 civilians, mostly Serbian Muslims, during the 1990s war in neighbouring Bosnia.

A group of Serb paramilitaries on February 27, 1993, stopped a train in the village of Strpci on the border with Bosnia, the indictment said.

They took off the train 20 passengers, mostly Serbian Muslims, brought them to Visegrad in eastern Bosnia, where they tortured and killed all of them, dumping their bodies in the Drina river.

All the victims were from the Muslim-dominated Sandzak area in western Serbia, which borders Bosnia, where at the time a bloody inter-ethnic war among Muslims, Serbs and Croats, was raging.

A total of 16 suspected members of the paramilitary group were arrested in 2014 in Bosnia's Serb-run entity or Serbia itself.

Eleven have gone on trial in Sarajevo, one of whom pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2016 after reaching a deal with the prosecutors.

Another member of the group was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2002 by a court in nearby Montenegro.

Leader of the group, Bosnian Serb Milan Lukic, was sentenced to life in prison by a UN tribunal for war crimes during Bosnia's 1992-1995 conflict, but he was never charged over the Strpci atrocity.

His brother, however, Gojko Lukic figures among the five recently accused.

Bosnia's 1992-1995 war between its Croats, Muslims and Serb claimed around 100,000 lives.
Photos Credit: Shutterstock.com

The beautiful archipelago nation of Fiji consists of 300 islands that are surrounded by turquoise blue waters. Each piece of land features lush forests, rugged views, powdery soft beaches, coral reefs and shallow, clear lagoons. With all these delicious attractions, it is no surprise that Fiji is placed among the best of luxury holiday destinations in the world.

The capital of the country is Suva, a port city situated on the Viti Levu island. Viti Levu is one of the most major islands, and is also where the international airport is located. The basic unit of currency is the Fijian dollar. There are certain local customs that tourists should abide by. For example, if you're visiting a village, make sure not to wear a hat as doing so is considered as an insult to the chief of the village.

To get the best of Fiji, be sure visit Vanua Levu or Taveuni. These villages are a paradise for beach goers. Trek through lush, virgin rainforests and make time to go scuba diving to discover a colorful world underneath the waves. Adventure lovers should visit the Naihehe Cave in Viti Levu, which is also known as the Cannibal Cave. To reach the cave, you must take part in a traditional kava ceremony on the shores of the Sigatoka River before climbing on board a bamboo raft (known as a bilibili).The journey on the raft will have you floating past contemporary villages, ancient tribal forts, and Hindu temples before reaching the Naihehe Cave which is where the last cannibal tribe of Fiji held their ground against colonial settlers in the 19th century.
South African President Jacob Zuma delivers a speech at the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 3, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

XIAMEN, China, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- South Africa will host the 10th summit of the BRICS bloc, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, in 2018, South African President Jacob Zuma said here on Sunday.

Zuma, addressing the BRICS Business Forum preceding the current BRICS summit, said that South Africa, with broad perspectives and opportunities for investment, welcomes attendees at the forum to visit the African country.

The African continent is a new frontline, a frontline of growth and prosperity, Zuma said, adding that South Africa expects to realize comprehensive and inclusive economic development and further increase its trade with other BRICS countries.

Trade between South Africa and the other BRICS countries reached 31.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, according to Zuma.

About 1,200 business elites from more than 600 enterprises gathered in Xiamen of southeast China's Fujian Province to attend the BRICS Business Forum. The two-day forum that started Sunday is an important side event of the BRICS summit.
Brazilian President Michel Temer at BRICS Forum (photo/Chinanews.com)

The BRICS mechanism has witnessed a non-stop improvement in the past decade, Brazilian President Michel Temer said ahead of the ninth BRICS Xiamen Summit, adding that the establishment of the mechanism is a natural process of gathering the members together when conditions were ripe.

After 10 years of evolution, rich fruits have been scored from the cooperation mechanism that reveals the appeal of the developing nations, the president told the Peoples Daily.

He praised a slew of timely meetings hosted by the BRICS members, saying that the bloc has grown stronger as the members discussed important agendas at each meeting.

The whole world has recognized the importance of BRICS bloc which contributes over 50 percent to global economic growth and makes up more than 40 percent of the world's population, he stressed.

The president refuted the gloomy tone in the international community over a fading BRICS, saying that he did not see any weak signs, but only signals of strength.

China, Brazil and other BRICS members are now committed to reforming their economic structure, he explained.

During the Xiamen Summit, five non-BRICS countries have also been invited to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, said Temer, adding that as a reflection of the BRICS plus idea, it also means the mechanism has gained recognition from the world.

He also gave a thumbs up to Chinas development path, saying that a Brazilian delegation comprised of ministers and lawmakers would visit China along with him.

Bearing a stronger interest in bilateral economic and financial cooperation, the delegation members hope to better understand China and further intensify bilateral ties, the president noted.

The BRICS members have reinforced their bilateral and multilateral ties thanks to the cooperative mechanism, said Temer, explaining that the bloc also provides a platform on which the members could develop their bilateral relationship.

Temer expressed a hope to see China take part in Brazil's privatization efforts. The Brazilian government has decided to grant 57 sectors to the private enterprise after the previous 34 projects, he introduced the countrys new economic policies.

We hope that Chinese companies may become interested in these concessions since it can help us ease employment burden, he said.

BRICS members cooperated more on economy and trade in early days, but have extended more ground to people-to-people and cultural exchanges in recent years, the president said, hoping Brazil and China could embrace a promising tourism cooperation in the future.

Temer said he has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping multiple times, and set up a very good relationship with Xi. Xi, in my eyes, has an extraordinary charm, he added.
KEARNEY  An alleged ploy by four Illinois men to buy cigarettes with fake credit cards went up in smoke Thursday in Kearney.

Renard Carter, 29, Antonio Hill, 26, and Chad Jennings, 19, all of Chicago, and Willie Brown Jr., 24, of Forest Park, Ill., are each charged in Buffalo County Court with felony possession of a financial transaction device on Aug. 31. Theyre accused of purchasing 65 cartons of cigarettes and alcohol with fake credit cards.

The men were arrested after a report of suspicious activity at a north Kearney convenience store. Court records say three men had tried to purchase cigarettes and alcohol with several different credit cards, several which were denied.

One credit card was accepted, and the purchase was completed.

Kearney Police Department officers contacted the men inside a vehicle in a north Kearney parking lot and searched their vehicle where they located the cigarettes. Several cartons were packed in a black duffel bag, but the majority of the cigarettes were inside a gas station bag. Alcohol, drug paraphernalia and a credit card receipt from a gas station in Lincoln also were found in the vehicle.

Records say three credit cards had Jennings name on them and were from various banks. All of the cards had the same customer service number on the back, and when police called the company listed on the card, they were told none of the 52 cards were from the bank.

Police obtained a search warrant for a Kearney hotel room where several more cartons of cigarettes and fraudulent credit cards were found. In all, 146 cartons of cigarettes were recovered from the vehicle and hotel room. The items were valued at an estimated $8,760.

Judge John Rademacher set bond for each man at 10 percent of $25,000, which means they must post $2,500 to be freed. They are scheduled to appear in court in September.

@HubChic
WILCOX  A new Uncle Dusty flag will fly as a companion to an American flag at Cheryl Schepkers Axtell home.

At the Wilcox Lions Hall Saturday, Honor and Remember Nebraska Chapter volunteers presented a special flag for fallen heroes to the family of Marine Capt. Dustin Lukasiewicz, a 2003 graduate of Wilcox-Hildreth High School who died May 12, 2015, during a humanitarian mission to help earthquake victims in Nepal.

His parents are Keith Lukasiewicz of Farwell and Schepker.

A report issued after a Marine Corps investigation said two factors probably were involved in the fatal accident: a decision by the crew to take an unfamiliar, although more direct, route from a remote village to Kathmandu while transporting critically injured people and rapidly changing weather conditions that enveloped the helicopter in clouds or rising air currents that lifted it into the clouds.

The weather caused the pilots to lose sight of the terrain, and the helicopter hit the ground, the report said.

Earlier the same day, the crew had delivered supplies and rescued three other injured Nepalese.

I dont know if I will fly it all the time, Schepker said about the red and white Honor and Remember Flag that features a gold star, flame, folded American flag and Dustys name,  ... but definitely on special occasions, like his (June 17) birthday.

The American flag is up every day at home. Brooklyn calls it Uncle Dustys flag, she added.

Brooklyn is the 4-year-old daughter of Dustys sister Nicole and her husband Derek Ingram of Minden. The two dozen family members at Saturdays ceremony also included older sister Danielle Kersten of Grand Island.

Dustys wife, Ashley; daughter, Isabelle, 4; and son, Dustin Mark, born June 10, 2015, a month after his fathers death and four days after his funeral, did not travel from their Florida home.

Keith Lukasiewicz said he visited Ashley and his grandchildren there two weeks ago and also attended a ceremony at the Marine Aviation Bell Tower in Pensacola that honored Dustys crew and several other Marines who recently lost their lives. Pensacola is where Dusty earned his wings as a UH-1Y Huey helicopter pilot.

Honor and Remember Nebraska Chapter Director Jim Meier of Waterloo and Secretary John Adams of Papillion said most flags are requested by family members or their friends.

We also search for them (families), Adams said, explaining that the flags honor military service members who died in all conflicts. A lot of it is word of mouth. A lot of times its at things like this where we meet another Gold Star family.

Schepker said she was invited to the May 2016 Honor and Remember annual event in Omaha and also knew about the flag from a lunch friend. They often meet with two other Kearney area women of have lost a soldier.

Each $350 flag is sponsored. Adams said, Gold Star families who receive flags often fund flags for other families.

His business, DWF, a flower wholesaler in LaVista, sponsored Dustys flag. Adams brought Schepker a bouquet of roses.

The Honor and Remember website says the flag project was initiated by George Anthony Lutz. After his son was killed by a sniper Dec. 29, 2005, while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, Lutz learned there was no universally recognized symbol to acknowledge American service members who never made it home. So he created one.

Unlike triangle-folded American flags that are presented to families at funerals and retired, Honor and Remember flags are meant to be displayed on appropriate days to remind people that someone paid the price for how Americans live. Adams said thats why the name of the fallen hero, date of death and place are embroidered on the bottom.

The family never forgets, he added. Its up to us as a nation to hold those memories as well.

Although it is known that 42 million-plus people have served during the 83 wars-conflicts since the United States was born and more than 1.3 million have died, Meier said it is impossible to know how many people are part of Gold Star families directly affected by those deaths.

Dusty has a story. Dustys story continues to be in your heart and your head ... Its also your story, he told Dustys family.

After describing the last mission for Dusty and his helicopter crew to help people they didnt know in a faraway country, Meier used a quote by President Ronald Reagan, Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines dont have that problem.

Keith Lukasiewicz said Saturdays flag ceremony was special and they honored Dusty very well.

However, the healing process continues.

Somebody told me it takes two years, Schepker said. I dont think so. Its a long road. Its a bumpy road.
Guinean President Alpha Conde (file photo)

The BRICS mechanism is an important platform for South-South cooperation and its BRICS Plus model is very worth exploring, Guinean President Alpha Conde told Peoples Daily before the 9th BRICS Summit is about to kick off in Xiamen.

The emerging markets and developing countries can learn from the BRICS experience since both sides are similar in development background, Conde said.

We expect that through the Xiamen Summit, the BRICS countries could provide the developing nations with specific and feasible plans for development, in finance and other areas. We also think it is crucial to enhance South-South cooperation, especially cooperation with China, the president continued.

During Condes Chinese visit last November, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to upgrade bilateral relationship to comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. They also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering finance, infrastructure and mining.

Both Chinese and Guinean public have benefited from bilateral cooperation and their steady and vigorous relations, Conde expressed.

Guinea hopes to reinforce cooperation with China, the president said, adding that over the past years, China has provided financing support to Guinean projects including the Kaleta hydroelectric facility, the Port of Conakry and highway construction.

The two countries have strengthened exchanges and cooperation in culture, education and health care as well, according to Conde.

China enjoys a time-honored history and splendid culture. The Guinean youth need to learn Chinese and Chinese people can also learn Guinean culture as such exchanges are mutual, the president noted.

Conde hopes the Xiamen Summit will further encourage the BRICS countries to increase support to African countries in areas of infrastructure, health care and agriculture.

Chinas 10 major plans to boost cooperation with Africa totally agree with the future plans of Africa, and the 10 plans covering a wide range of fields will bring real changes to Africa, the president said.

As the rotating chairman of the African Union, Conde said he really appreciates Chinas constructive role in pushing for the Paris Agreement.

China shares the same stance with Africa on the issue of climate change and the country is helping Africa develop renewable energy sources, Conde said, adding that he hopes China will keep up its support to Africas development as well as technology advancement of its renewable energy.

The win-win cooperation between Africa and China has brought tangible benefits to both sides and their peoples, Conde said.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence serve not only as the cornerstone of Chinas foreign policy, but also as the foundation of China-Africa cooperation that conforms to the future expectation of the African people, the president pointed out.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
President Donald Trump had the right to pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizonas Maricopa County after he was convicted of defying a federal judge. But just because a president has the right to do something doesnt make it the right thing to do.

Those are two different questions, and Trumps pardon symbolized many of the worst instincts of his presidency: his contempt for the rule of law and the role of federal judges; his appeal to racial fears and phobias; and his willingness to divide the country and pander to his political base, no matter how deeply he offends national traditions and values.

And thats not the worst of it. Trumps pardon raises a deeply troubling question: Is he signaling his future intentions? Is he ready to cause a constitutional crisis, using his power to abrogate any convictions emanating from special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian meddling in last years election?

Professor Cas Mudde of the University of Georgia, an expert on political extremism, told the Washington Post that Arpaios example could undermine Muellers work: There are several key people in (the presidents) former entourage who are at the point of caving to pressure to working with the Mueller investigation. Trump has shown them that they have nothing to fear, because he can and will pardon them, irrespective of the circumstances.

Trump and his supporters are defending his actions by recalling how past presidents abused the pardon power. And yes, Bill Clinton made a huge mistake exonerating the fugitive financier Marc Rich after Richs wife contributed heavily to Democratic causes.

But Arpaio is in a very different category. He was a sheriff sworn to uphold the law. Instead, he used his position to target Hispanic immigrants for persistent harassment. When he defied a court order to stop, a federal judge found him guilty last month of criminal contempt, citing the sheriffs flagrant disregard for the law.

Trump said Arpaio was convicted for doing his job when the exact opposite is true. The sheriff corrupted his position and violated his oath, and now the president has endorsed that corruption, a record that deeply offends true conservatives like the ones writing the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal.

Pardoning Mr. Arpaio sends a message that law enforcers can ignore court orders and get away with it, they wrote. All you need is a political ally in the White House or the governors mansion. Down that road lies anarchy.

Trump is clearly Arpaios ally, even his soul brother. Like the sheriff, the president has repeatedly tangled with federal judges. And like the sheriff, Trump has pursued a cynical and destructive strategy, demonizing racial minorities as a way of galvanizing his political base. Both men were early proponents of the birther movement that tried to brand Barack Obama as foreign-born, non-Christian and non-American.

Arpaio had the power to arrest Hispanics and detain them under harsh conditions he openly called concentration camps. Trump didnt have a badge, so he had to settle for calling Mexican immigrants rapists, advocating a ban on Muslims entering the country and saying the neo-Nazis that marched in Charlottesville included some very fine people.
Each year the Department of Revenue issues a report detailing the specifics of Nebraskas tax incentive programs that target economic development and business growth. The release of these statistics renews discussion about the value and cost of Nebraskas incentive programs by opponents and supporters alike. In addition to the revenue calculations and economic modelling provided annually by the Revenue Department, the Legislative Performance Audit Committee, which I chair, conducts detailed evaluations of the programs in light of the policy objectives established when they were passed into law.

Tax incentive programs elicit strong responses. Advocates argue for their necessity and expansion to recruit new business and promote job growth. Opponents see the incentives as lost revenue that could be spent for other government programs. Discussion of the pros and cons is muddled by the programs complexity.

Nebraska has multiple tax incentive programs for economic development. Largest of these is the Nebraska Advantage Act, which became law in 2006. It replaced prior programs, including the Invest Nebraska Act, which stopped accepting new applicants. Several smaller incentive programs focus on more specific economic targets. These include the Nebraska Advantage Rural Development Act, the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Act, and the Nebraska Advantage Research and Development Act.

Businesses are required to apply and qualify for the incentive programs. Each program has criteria for qualification of benefits, which vary between program and tier. The Advantage Act alone has six separate tiers, with subdivisions of some tiers. The amount of capital investment, number of full time equivalent jobs created, and wage levels all determine eligibility for an incentive program. Depending on the program, business have between 5-7 years to attain qualification for the program, can accumulate benefits over a 6-10 year period, and can carry over and collect earned benefits for a period after their entitlement period. A business can participate in an incentive program for a maximum life of 10-15 years, depending on tier and program.

Tax incentives provided are also quite variable, depending on the program. Qualified businesses can receive a direct refund of sales and use taxes that are paid for the purchase of personal property and aircraft. A portion of the total investment in the business, between 3 percent and 15 percent, can be earned as an investment credit. These credits can be accumulated over years, and used to refund additional sales taxes, offset income taxes that are due, or reimburse for property taxes paid.

Compensation credits can be earned, which are determined as a percentage of the total new full-time equivalent jobs created each year, multiplied by the average wage of those new jobs. Thus, more new, higher paying jobs would earn the business more compensation credits. Those credits can be used to offset income tax withholding or income taxes due for those businesses. Credits earned do not have to be collected in a single year, but can be applied over the span of the businesss participation. Certain qualifying personal property can also receive an exemption from the businesss personal property tax liability.

These programs defy a simple explanation and evaluation. As of 2016, 114 projects had qualified under the Nebraska Advantage Act alone since 2006. Those businesses earned $842 million in tax credits and collected $362 million of those qualified reductions.

So far, $473 million remain as outstanding credits capable of being collected in future years.

During 2006-2016, the projects of the Advantage Act made $7.4 billion in new capital investment and created 13,993 new full time equivalent jobs in Nebraska. At the same time, $159 million was provided in sales tax refunds, and $5.2 billion of personal property value

was given an exemption.

Evaluating the merits and drawbacks of these programs requires a deeper dive into the details of each specific program.

In the coming weeks I will provide insight into the attempts to objectively evaluate these programs and determine whether they are meeting their intended objectives.

Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell represents District 38 in the Nebraska Legislature. The district encompasses southwest Buffalo County and all of Clay, Franklin, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps and Webster counties.
There is a fine line between teaching the history of the Civil War, accurately and honestly, and celebrating men who fought on the side of slavery. The community of Lecompton is an example of the former.

In 1855, Lecompton was established as the pro-slavery capital of the Kansas Territory. The next year, the Legislature for the Territory met in Lecompton and drafted a pro-slavery constitution in hopes of getting Kansas admitted to the union as a slave state. Paul Bahnmaier, president of the Lecompton Historical Society, calls it the beginning of the end of slavery.

So without the fight over the Lecompton Constitution in Washington, D.C., that was written on the second floor of Constitution Hall, Abraham Lincoln would not have been elected in 1860, Bahnmaier says. So thats why we can very legitimately say, Lecompton is the first place in the Civil War where slavery began to die.

There was a time when Lecompton was billed as the slavery capital on I-70 billboards. Lecompton is now billed as the Birth Place of the Civil War.

Visitors to Lecompton can tour Constitution Hall, the building where the Kansas Territorial Government convened in the fall of 1857 and drafted the pro-slavery constitution. They can visit the original Democratic Headquarters and tour the Territorial Capital Museum. There are re-enactments.

Simply put, Lecompton is a must stop for anyone interested in understanding the Bleeding Kansas era.

Journal-World, Lawrence, Kan.
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FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2017 file photo, Steven Hathaway searches for people to help in an apartment complex in Kingwood, Texas. Authorities say standing water will contain untreated sewage, along with spilled fuel and toxic waste. TheyAore urging residents to stay out of it when possible. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
South Korean army's K-1 tanks move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea's military on Monday fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA chant slogans and hold signs while joining a Labor Day rally in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. President Donald Trump is expected to announce this week that he will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, but with a six-month delay, according to two people familiar with the decision-making. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2013, file photo, the "Man" burns on the Black Rock Desert at Burning Man near Gerlach, Nev. A Nevada sheriff says a man who ran into the flames at the Burning Man festival's signature burning ceremony has died. Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen identified the man as Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, who died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, morning at the UC Davis hospital burn center in California. (Andy Barron/Reno Gazette-Journal via AP, File)
For severely injured soldiers across the country, one group in Kenosha is making a difference.

The Southern Wisconsin All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association Inc. has been raising money for these wounded warriors for years, personally delivering $1,000 checks to the soldiers recovering in the hospital  without taking one penny for administrative, travel or any other costs.

This is a huge help, especially at the time, because you dont know how this is going to affect you, said Adam Keys, of Annapolis, Md. Ive been saying Ive wanted to help and thank everyone else in the chapter because what youre all doing is amazing to us.

Keys and two other soldiers aided by the group  Jon Powers, of Bethesda, Md., and Kenosha native Matthew Grashen  were in attendance Sunday at one of the groups prime fundraisers, the 15th annual Fundraiser Car Show for Our Severely Wounded Warriors on Simmons Island.

The proceeds from the event  each of the 301 entrants paid $10 to exhibit vehicles  benefit wounded veterans locally and around the nation. The event is not affiliated with other wounded warrior programs.

Powers, Grashen and Keys all lost limbs when improvised explosive devices detonated while they were on duty. The All Airborne chapter gave $3,000 to the three men, who were recognized during a ceremony at the auto show, according to Nick Pulera, a coordinator of the annual show.

Keys was injured as a result of an IED explosion while he was in Afghanistan in 2010, where he was part of the military surge that year. He said his injuries were very traumatic in the beginning.

But Keys credited the organization, especially Dan Boring, a chapter member, for making connections and helping him through his ordeal.

Keys lost both legs and his left arm in the explosion. You know, thats not the worst thing, because I still made it home to good people, he said. So thats just an obstacle.

This year, Keys said, his schedule worked out for him to come to Kenosha.

Its an incredible thing to see the goodness in people after someone is injured like that, he said of the fundraising efforts. I cant thank them enough.

Powers, a U.S. Army veteran, lost his right leg below the knee and fingers on his left hand in an explosion last year while serving in the Middle East.

He said the group has helped him, not just financially, but by giving him a break to come up here to visit the show. Powers is also a car enthusiast.

Im a car guy. I like cars, trains, motorcycles  anything mechanical, you name it, said Powers, a California native who had just come from Monterey Car Week before attending Sundays event. And it kind of resets you, gets you back into the public ... out of that hospital setting.

Powers is still under medical care, as many as five days a week, at Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

Its nice to have a break, thats for sure, he said. Its pretty grueling, so to get a break and to be able to partake in something like this, its great.
As the BRICS summit opens in Xiamen, Chinas tradition of engagement and friend making is unmistakable

In China, the red carpet is part of the culture

At this years BRICS summit in Xiamen, five other developing and emerging economies are in attendance. China has employed a "BRICS Plus" approach this year by inviting leaders from Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand to attend the summit. The goal was for "a more broadly based partnership," according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Although BRICS is a grouping that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa, chinas commitment to stronger partnerships and south-south development is evident if not unmistakable.

Chinas policy to engage any country for development and cooperation purposes regardless of their history, political or economic system is conspicuously present in this years BRICS agenda.

It is China saying that development and prosperity cannot be exclusive to a few countries but rather shared, equitably, with the world.

Stronger partnerships, Brighter future

There is talk that the leaders may discuss expanding BRICS include new members. If this actually happens, it will breathe fresh impetus into the grouping, whose global influence has grown widely as it marks its tenth anniversary.

With 42% of the worlds population, the inclusion of new members into the bloc will only grow its demographic and numeric advantage. At a time when world growth is seeing a slump, BRICS has accounted for 50% of the increase in world growth, driven mainly by China and India.

The BRICS also account for 23 percent of global gross domestic product  a figure that is expected to steadily increase.

Global governance, BRICS and Chinas time

At a time when Americas role and influence especially in the developing world is waning, BRICS must prepare to take global leadership as it embarks on another decade of its existence.

With Americas withdrawal from the Paris climate deal, the threat of further global warming and further catastrophic consequences of a changing climate will be for blocs like BRICS, together with other countries and organizations, to stop. China and India, two of the worlds leading greenhouse gases emitters' commitment to the deal is a good thing. The use of renewable energy and cutting dependence on coal to power emerging economies is also expected to be discussed at the summit.

At a time when countries are increasingly becoming protective, BRICS should champion globalization and free trade. The BRICS trade ministers have spoken out strongly for free trade and multilateralism. The BRICS spirit of openness, mutual benefit and inclusiveness should even be deepened going into the next decade.

BRICS and Africas opportunity

At the 2006 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, former Chinese President Hu Jintao opened the ceremony with a speech which he reminded African dignitaries and guests of the centuries-old trading relationship between China and Africa, and the ancient civilizations that bind China and Africa together.

As early as 2,000 years ago, ships were leaving the various ports in east Chinas present day Fujian province sailing westwards. Navigating rough seas, the ships carried Chinese silk, porcelain; lacquerwork and ironware, white pepper, flax, spices, grape and pomegranate entered China- using sea routes, which came to be known as the maritime Silk Road.

Sino-African trade topped $188bn in 2015 while Chinese investment in Africa is projected to reach $200bn by 2020. In the past few years, China has improved the infrastructure of more than 50 African nations, created hundreds of thousands of jobs and seen its trade with the continent mushroom into a multi-billion partnership.

From the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway to the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway, China has shown that indeed it is and will be a reliable partner for Africas development. The Mombasa-Nairobi railway is Kenyas biggest infrastructure project to date and would never have been possible without Chinese money, technology and manpower. It is both a spectacular engineering feat and an asset to cherish.

In Uganda, China is providing loan funding and manpower for a 600MW hydropower dam that will see the production of surplus energy once switched in 2020. As a country urbanizing at a fast rate, Uganda needs to increase the percentage of her population with access to electricity and attract investment that will create jobs and incomes. In the south of Kampala, China is providing funding and manpower for the construction of two expressways to ease traffic flow in and out of Kampala. As a developing country, Uganda needs this infrastructure to move her people and businesses.

Since the elevation of Sino-African relations to a strategic partnership level, China and Africa are bonding in amazing fashion. The Belt and Road Initiative has made this bond even stronger through encourage robust people to people connectivity.

By aligning itself with BRICS, Africa and the rest of the developing world will be on better ground to learn and benefit more.

A decade of progress, a future of strength

As the wests role and influence in the developing world especially Africa reduces, the continent must embrace the hand extended by BRICS to share in this community of emerging economies.

The New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral financial institution created by BRICS countries in 2014 is one of the blocs biggest achievements over the last ten years. It presents an alternative for Africa to get credit to power its growth and economic targets. The institution is also critical in south-south cooperation, which is for global governance and economy.

Africas agenda 2063, a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years is truly compatible with BRICS vision of having emerging economies have more say in the global economy. As Africa seeks to industrialize and modernize agriculture, BRICS presents not just a market but also capital and the critical technology and skills.

Ronald Kato is a journalist and broadcaster with the Vision Group in Kampala, Uganda. He is a 2017 fellow of the China-Africa Press Centre. Follow @RonnieKulabako on Twitter.
By Ahmed Hassan Omer (Sudan News Agency)

Since the beginning, relations between Khartoum and Beijing have been based on mutual respect for the principles of peaceful coexistence, non-interference in domestic affairs, and resolving political differences through dialogue. These principles constitute a solid base for the development of the bilateral relationship that continues to develop regardless of change in government in Sudan and despite differences in our two political systems.

The exchange visits between leaders of Sudan and China is very important, because the two sides are satisfied with the smooth development of their ties in all fields and because they also enhance bilateral friendly cooperation. The two countries have continuously promoted their friendly cooperation in all fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both Sudan and China face the tasks of maintaining world peace, developing economy, and providing a higher living standard. The two countries have always helped and supported each other and continuously strengthened their friendly cooperation in all fields.

The Communist Party of China contacts with the National Congress Party in Sudan shows that Chinas keenness to develop communication between the two sides. The CPC treasures and attaches great importance to friendly exchanges and cooperation with political parties in Sudan. At the same time, the National Congress plays an important role in Sudans political and economic life. Sudan is ready to work with China to further boost relations and develop them in all aspects.

The exchange visits between Khartoum and Beijing is significant for bilateral relations and will lift the ties of the two countries. The long-term standing friendship between Sudan and China and the profound feeling between the two countries peoples provide a solid foundation for strengthening Sino-Sudanese friendly cooperation in the new era. The Sudanese National Congress Party places great importance on expanding exchanges with the CPC in order to promote party-to-party communication.

Sudan is glad to see the CPCs determination to transform our relationship into a strategic partnership. China has achieved continuous economic development, improved peoples livelihoods, and its growing status in the international community is a win for developing countries and African countries in particular.

Economic and technical cooperation between the two sides began in the early 1970s, at which time China provided interest-free loans to a number of projects in Sudan, including building bridges and public health clinics. The Hisahisa Weaving and Textile Factory, the Friendship Hall in Khartoum, the Medani-Gedarif Highway, the Huntoub Bridge, and the Friendship Hospital in Omdurman Town, Khartoum, are all fruits of cooperation with China.

We can say that political relations between Sudan and China were established February 4, 1959. The Sudanese government has shown keenness to promote its ties with China, while Beijing appreciates Sudans efforts to bring together and secure the support of the African countries, so that China would gain UN membership in 1971. And with regards to the question of Taiwan, Sudan Supports the One-China Policy and stands against giving Taiwan membership in the UN.
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As Sen. Bernie Sanders prepares to introduce a universal health care bill in the next few weeks, many progressives who support a universal single-payer program worry about its effects on abortion access. Can we win Medicare-for-all while protecting hard-won reproductive rights? As a woman of color, a reproductive rights advocate, and graduate student of public health, I recognize the importance for marginalized groups to stand in solidarity for progress to happen. I urge single-payer advocates to push to repeal the Hyde Amendment as part of our fight for truly universal health care.

Its no surprise that the majority of Americans support a national health program. Although the U.S. spends twice as much on health care than other industrialized nations, key health outcomes such as life expectancy and infant mortality fare much worse as compared to our international counterparts. Most of this difference in spending can be traced to our fractured, profit-based insurance industry, which wastes nearly a quarter of our health care dollars on billing, advertising, and profits, none of which contribute to quality of care. In contrast, a single-payer health program is a universal health care model that is publicly financed and covers all Americans for medically-necessary care, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, long-term care, and drugs.

Single-payer has been a long-standing progressive cause, and would seem to have no problem gaining support from all progressive groups. However, many womens advocacy groups are hesitant to back a single-payer system because it could restrict access to abortion. The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976 after the landmark Roe v. Wade case legalized abortion, bans all federal funding for abortion services except in the cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment to the mother. Therefore, a single-payer program could not fund abortion, unless explicitly stating that reproductive and abortion services would also be covered. Single-payer advocates should ally with womens advocates and work to repeal the Hyde Amendment to increase support for both causes.

Progressives can learn a lot from efforts to enact single-payer programs at the state level. For example, in November 2016, Colorado lawmakers tried to enact a health care system similar to single-payer, known as ColoradoCare. However, NARAL (National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) opposed the plan because it would leave more than 550,000 women without access to abortion services due to the states constitutional ban on funding for abortions except for life-threatening circumstances. Many women who have access to abortion services through private insurance plans would have lost this coverage under ColoradoCare. According to a statement by NARAL, the bill is not truly universal since it does not guarantee abortion services. Ignoring reproductive health caused ColoradoCare to lose key supporters necessary to win universal care.

The statewide single-payer legislation in New York serves as a promising model that explicitly incorporates reproductive services in the health system. The program, known as New York Health, covers all medically-necessary services that are currently covered by the state Medicaid program, including abortions. Diverse health organizations such as New York State Family Physicians and the Reproductive Health Access Project were heavily involved in crafting the bill from the start, underscoring the need for single-payer and womens health groups to build legislation together.

In order to avoid the mistakes of ColoradoCare at both the state and national level, single-payer groups must explicitly advocate for coverage of abortion services, and work with reproductive health advocates to repeal the Hyde Amendment. While it is laudable that the single-payer advocacy organization Physicians for a National Health Program recently released a statement supporting abortion coverage, supporting causes ideologically is not enough. Reproductive health services, including abortion, must be explicitly written into any single-payer bill. If we want a universal health care system, it must be a system that covers comprehensive reproductive services as well.

Vidya Visvabharathy is a graduate student in public health with a concentration in maternal and child health epidemiology.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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My first year after completing surgical residency was an exhilarating and exhausting experience that most physicians will recall as part of their training. The American medical culture has imagined that the nations doctors  no matter their workload  simply dont reach physical or emotional exhaustion in their work. But they do, and as we debate the future of healthcare in our country, we need to address this problem and quickly get to solutions, helping ensure that the practitioners closest to tomorrows patients can always be at their absolute best.

To define the problem, look at the three fundamental factors common to any American doctors routine:

Always on. The medical occupation is one of very few where the professionals never work a shift or a predictable, set period  nor are they ever expected to. Once engaged in treating a patient, doctors work round-the-clock to ensure the patient receives quality care  often days straight in the most critical cases, snatching the 15-minute gurney naps many Americans know from medical procedurals on TV before plunging back into surgery.

Head and heart. Our professional oath compels us to adhere to ethical standards that put patients first. As with the commitment to work-until-the-work-is-done, this kind of dispassionate commitment is not just routine but expected. However, while toughness is valued in the profession and the emotional elements may not be widely discussed, they do exist  they always have  and they add up. As patients, we regard our doctors to be professional, rational superheroes. But as human beings, we need to recognize that our doctors are human beings, too, and face similar stressors outside of work like the well-being of our own children.

Broader systems. The healthcare system is incredibly complex, and while doctors are a component of this system, their work is impacted by other elements within the system and by broader social, legal and economic forces. From running their own practices, negotiating contracts with payers or working in an administrative environment where things dont move as efficiently as you might expect, these external forces are an additional layer of pressure that can accelerate a doctors feelings of mental fatigue  especially because they are forces beyond the doctors own control.

These add up to a formidable reality for any practicing doctor and, indeed, an entire occupational culture. But I think there are four, manageable steps to begin making progress against this very real problem:

Recognition. More than half of U.S. physicians are now experiencing professional burnout. As a profession, we need to do a better job acknowledging this issue exists to remove the stigma and address the problem.

Transparency. What safe, healthy medical cultures across the country have in common is transparency. Any healthy culture has open communication, where people are comfortable to speak up, and staff are empowered to identify peers showing signs of stress and who may need help. At Hospital for Special Surgery, we have found this type of environment lowers workplace stress and creates a culture of safe, secure identification, where doctors know they can not only ask for help, but that others are looking out for them, too.

Quality. A rigorous quality program helps ensure that any hospital system has surveillance on outcomes, both good and bad, and can then diagnose individual outcomes to determine any patterns that warrant deeper examination. Without a commitment to quality, doubts can quickly become problems  and patients can begin suffering just as fast.

Treatment. As with any diagnosis, symptoms of burnout demand sustained, quality treatment, including access to psychologists, psychiatrists and other counselors without question or stigma  an indignity that has for decades kept people from asking for the help they need and deserve. At Hospital for Special Surgery, we have psychologists on staff to support our residents and attending doctors at all times.

To help ensure a sustainable, healthy occupational culture across the country, we must establish sector-wide protocols so that every doctor knows that the problem exists and that they can get help, as needed, without judgment and throughout their career. Similarly, hospital systems must re-commit to quality programs that support their doctors by helping identify opportunities before they become problems. Americas medical community deserves nothing less, because Americas patients deserve our best.

Todd J. Albert is surgeon-in-chief, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Bobby Darling slaps legal notice against husband



Former 'Bigg Boss' contestant Bobby Darling aka Pakhi Sharma (after she underwent sex change surgery) is back in news. Unfortunately, this time it's not a happy one. In 2015, she underwent the sex change surgery and adopted a new identity. She renamed herself from Bobby Darling to Pakhi Sharma as she got married to a Bhopal-based businessman Ramnik Sharma.



But soon this love reportedly fizzled out. In an interview with Bombay Times, Bobby Darling aka Pakhi made some startling revelations about her strained relationship with Ramnik and how things turned topsy turvy after marriage.



The actress has now filed a FIR with the Delhi Police against her husband, accusing him of domestic violence and unnatural sex, reportedly. According to Times of India.com report originally attributed to Bombay Times, Bobby revealed, "Ramnik would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man. He also usurped my property and money. He made me give him co-ownership of my flat in Mumbai and did the same when we bought our penthouse in Bhopal. He also bought an SUV using my money immediately after the marriage. Now, I am left with nothing. He had paid the building's security guards to keep an eye on me, and they would inform him of all my moves. He kept a tab on who I spoke with and where I went. Tired of the constant bickering, I suggested that we get divorced with mutual consent, but on the condition that I would get my property and the car back. However, he didn't agree to it. He would, in fact, beat me to because will in his name. I want my property back so that I can sell it off and move back to Mumbai."



Read More...


By Marc Jones

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The super-rich have seen their jewellery, fine wine and musical instrument collections jump in value again but the Old Master paintings and garages full of classic cars have been a bit of a drag, according to new figures.

Now in its twelfth year, blue-blooded UK bank Coutts' 'passion' index of the finest things in life returned to positive territory in 2016 after a dip in 2015.

It came thanks to 16.4 percent and 11.6 percent rises in instrument and jewellery prices, a near 10 percent jump in wines, a 6.7 percent rise in watch prices and a 5.3 percent gain for coins where gains since 2005 hit 225 percent.

There were some strains for the ultra-wealthy however.

The index's overall 1.2 percent rise was well below its yearly average of 5.3 percent. For the first time in a decade, it was also overtaken by MSCI's all world stocks index in terms of total, cost-adjusted gains since 2005.

A combination of Brexit, tax changes and frothy price worries saw London's "billionaire", valued at more than 10 million pounds, properties drop 7.5 percent. And even though New York prices jumped 20 percent, globally the category only managed a 1.8 percent overall rise.

Coutts Managing Director Mohammad Syed said it could be a similar story this year.

"Billionaire property looks like it is holding its value in 2017 but there are a range of headwinds which make the environment challenging such as the potential impact on Sterling due to Brexit uncertainty and the recent increases in Stamp Duty."

Classic cars such as Ferraris, Aston Martins, Jaguars and Porsches, whose prices have risen more than 332 percent and more than any other category since 2005, also went into reverse.

They dropped 10.4 percent though values for extremely sought after models remains strong.

A rare 1961 SWB California Spider Ferrari 250 GT found in a barn fetched a 250 GT record of $18.15 million last year and last month a new record was set for a British car when a 1950's Aston Martin DBR1 sold for $22.55 million.

Fine art prices fell between 4.3 and 7.9 percent depending on the style last year.

Since the financial crisis Old Master and 19th Century Art has been the worst performers on the Coutts index by some margin, with prices down by more than 40 percent on a cost-adjusted return basis.

($1 = 0.7720 pounds)

(Reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
WARSAW, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Lotos , Poland's second biggest oil refiner, said on Monday that it had received its first crude oil cargo from Canada.

The cargo of 100,000 tonnes, equivalent to almost 700,000 barrels of Canadian Hibernia oil, arrived in Poland on Saturday aboard the Minerva Lisa tanker, Lotos said.

"This is the first delivery from Canada in Lotos refinery's 40-year history. The group is in talks with American partners to obtain a mixture of oil types that would best suit the needs of Lotos refinery in Gdansk," Lotos said in a statement.

State-run Lotos, like bigger rival PKN Orlen , refines mostly Russian oil but is aiming to diversify its supplies. Currently around 25 percent of the oil it refines comes from sources other than Russia, the company said.

(Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko; editing by Jason Neely)
MOSCOW, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Russia's sovereign wealth fund wants to increase its stake in Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneft and is separately proposing a share swap, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund told Reuters.

Although the Russian government holds all of Transneft's ordinary shares it owns 78.1 percent of the company as 21.9 percent of its share capital is in preferred shares.

Only Transneft's preferred shares are traded and RDIF became a shareholder this year after United Capital Partners, a Russian private investment group, sold most of its preferred shares to a group of investors. Gazprombank, which manages Transneft's investor relations, says RDIF directly owns 0.43 percent of the preferred shares, while the Russia-China Investment Fund, RDIF's co-fund with China's CIC, owns another 1.49 percent.

RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev told Reuters in a telephone interview that some of its Middle East partners had also invested in Transneft preferred shares. He did not disclose the name of the funds or their stakes.

"We see a chance to significantly increase the exposure - our partners from Asia and the Middle East are interested in this," Dmitriev said, although he did not say from whom RDIF wants to buy.

According to Gazprombank, the bulk of the preferred Transneft shares, or 53.6 percent, are owned by a fund, which, in turn, is owned by the Gazprombank group and a Transneft unit.

Dmitriev, who is a Transneft board member in charge of the strategic, investment and innovation committee, said that RDIF had started talks with the government over the idea of converting Transneft preferred shares into ordinary ones.

"This would allow shareholders to more actively take part in the company's business while the state would retain the control, holding 78 percent (in the capital after conversion)," he said.

Dmitriev declined to comment on how such a conversion might be linked to Moscow's long-running plan to privatise Transneft, which has stalled over low oil prices and the management's opposition to making the company more public. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Alexander Smith)
TASHKENT, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan's central bank aligned the local sum currency's official exchange rate with the market one on Monday, setting it at 8,100 sums per dollar, down from 4,210 sums per dollar previously. The regulator adjusted the exchange rate - previously kept artificially strong - on the eve of a broad foreign exchange reform under which Uzbek companies and citizens will be able to freely trade foreign currency from Sept. 5.

(Reporting by Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Stuff reports:

Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett has promised an $82 million methamphetamine and gang crackdown if National is re-elected. The funding  spread over four years  would go towards tough measures towards some drug dealers that Bennett believes have fewer human rights than others, as well as more drug rehabilitation places. The enforcement measures, costing $42 million, would give police new powers to search cars and houses of serious criminal gang members at any time with no warrant to ensure they dont have firearms, double the number of drug dog teams, increase penalties for synthetic cannabis, put new restrictions on gang members on benefits, and introduce a new charge for those who damage a property with meth production or consumption. $40 million would go toward 1500 additional drug treatment places and community treatment.

I like the mixture of rehab and treatment and stricter law enforcement measures.

Police would be able to search the houses and cars of known gang members with a previous serious violent conviction at any time with no warrant under the new law, which Bennett admitted presented a human rights issue. It probably does breach the rights of some of those criminals but they have to have had a serious violent offence behind them already and a firearm charge and on the basis of that we are going ahead with it, Bennett said. Asked point blank whether she believed criminals had human rights, Bennett replied some have fewer human rights than others when they are creating a string of victims behind them.

I would not say they have fewer human rights  human rights are universal. But once you are a convicted criminal you can face more onerous requirements for stuff such as bail, parole and ability to access firearms etc. Likewise if you are serving a sentence you lost some rights such as liberty. But such restrictions should be proprtional.

I dont like using gang membership as a proxy for serious offenders. There may be a case for allowing warantless searches of people with a string of serious convictions  but that should be regardless of membership of a gang.

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Stuff reports:

North Koreas sixth nuclear test was expected. The timing speaks of leader Kim Jong Uns willingness to provoke China; and an attempt to seize the moment to wedge South Korea and US President Donald Trump.

A military response from the United States appears less likely than a decision by China to finally reach for its biggest gun  cutting the oil pipeline to North Korea. 

The United States has been urging China to cripple North Korea by cutting its energy supply. China has to date resisted and Chinese foreign policy analysts have said this is because Beijing had to keep one card up its sleeve for the day Pyongyang crossed its red line.

China hates nuclear tests on its border the way the US hates an intercontinental ballistic missile test that could potentially reach the US mainland.
(File photo)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- "Major-Country Diplomacy," a six-episode political documentary series, has aroused heated discussions about China's diplomacy led by President Xi Jinping, and has won applause from the Chinese public, overseas Chinese communities and foreign media and experts.

On August 28, China Central Television (CCTV) began the telecast of Major-Country Diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, which summarizes the achievements of China's diplomacy over the past five years.

The political documentary was jointly produced by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Xinhua News Agency and the CCTV.

The Guardian newspaper reported that Viewers of the six-part series are told that "for the first time, China is standing at the center of the world stage," the Guardian newspaper reported. "This is a new historical course charted by President Xi Jinping," it said.

Hong Kong newspapers including Sing Tao Daily, Hong Kong Economic Journal and Sing Pao Daily News, have all reported the documentary, and applauded its authoritative interviews and vivid stories, which not only depict the theoretical framework of the Chinese-style diplomacy, but also reveal great practices of China's diplomacy in the new era.

The Hong Kong Economic Journal said that "Major-Country Diplomacy" displays major progress in diplomacy with Chinese characteristics over the past five years, during which 28 visits took Xi to 56 countries and major international and regional organizations on the Five Continents after he assumed the Chinese presidency in 2013. Thus, Xi could be called "China's chief diplomat", the journal said.

Huang Yong, Chinese ambassador to Latvia, said this is a masterpiece inspiring heart and enlightening soul. The political series embody the new thinking, new look and new landscape of the major-country diplomacy featuring Chinese characteristics, he said.

He added that it shows China's responsibility as a major country and enables people around the world to further know China's reform, development and relations with other countries.

Overseas Chinese communities have also applauded the hot telecast of the documentary and have posted the series on the Internet through their WeChat accounts in entirety or in parts.

Wu Hao, chairman of the Overseas Chinese Youth Federation in Russia, said he felt warm-hearted when seeing the shot of Xi's visit to Russia. Over the past five years, the China-Russia relationship has been promoted to the highest level in history, which is the best proof of China's major-country diplomacy achievements, he said.

Chen Ronghua, honorary chairman of the U.S. association of Fujian townsmen, said China's diplomacy is committed to the cause of peace and shows the responsibility of a major country, thus making China more of a mainstay, a driving force for world prosperity and an example of peaceful development.

Zhu Liangwei, vice chairman of the Promotion of China-Reunification Society in the UK, said the world expects a force of responsibility and justice and a voice speaking for the interests of mankind. Shouldering responsibility is China's mission, while pursuing peace its path and aim, according to Zhu.

Wu Xiaowang, vice chairman of China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, said the Belt and Road construction will provide new opportunities for overseas Chinese and participation in the Belt and Road construction is equal to taking part in the great cause of rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Chinese Ambassador to Slovakia Lin Lin said people can see that China is active in maintaining world peace, promoting international exchanges and serving the Chinese people's interests.

Lin said a developing and prosperous China will make more contribution to the world as a whole.
Hollywoods only Chinese-American superhero has stirred up heated debate on social media after she spoke out against discrimination in American show business.

Chloe Bennet, a Chinese-American actress who stars in Marvels trending TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., explained on social media why she changed her last name from Wong to Bennet, arguing that Hollywood is racist and wouldnt cast her with a last name that made them uncomfortable.

Changing my last name doesnt change the fact that my BLOOD is half Chinese, that I lived in China, speak Mandarin, or that I was culturally raised both American and Chinese, replied Bennet.

Bennets remarks come after Ed Skrein stepped down from his role as Major Ben Daimion in the upcoming Hellboy movie for fear that his participation would be whitewashing a character of Asian descent.

Racial barriers have been a crucial problem in Hollywood. According to research conducted by the University of Southern California in 2015, nearly three-quarters of all characters in the top 100 films of 2014 were white, while only 5.3 percent of Asian artists can share the same privilege. In another report released in 2017, only 3.4 percent of over 1,000 surveyed films had an Asian director.

Asian artists can hardly stand out in Hollywood. Most roles starred by Asians are fixed and stereotyped, as if all Asians are good at math and martial arts. There is an invisible discrimination lurking in show business, as the difference of your skin color may bring disparity in your income and opportunities, said Alex She, a New York-based Chinese-American photographer and movie maker.

Bennets experience has led to heated debate on both Chinese and foreign social media. As of press time, over 17 million netizens have viewed the hashtag WangKeYing (Chloes Chinese name) on Sina Weibo, leaving over 14,000 comments supporting the actress.

Its understandable that Wong is forced to abide by the rules made by white society. However, Im tired of Hollywood movies depicting Chinese as either martial masters or nerds. We need more good Asian artists to reshape Chinese peoples images among foreign audiences, changing their biased view of us, wrote a netizen.

In response to the public concern, Bennet told fans that she will do everything she can to make sure no one has to change their name again, just so they can get work.
Actress Ha Ji-won from MBC's medical drama "Hospital Ship" / Courtesy of MBC

By Park Jin-hai

Three leading actresses are expected to show a strong presence on the small screen this fall. They are Ha Ji-won in MBC's medical drama "Hospital Ship," Chun Woo-hee in tvN's fact-chasing journalist story "Argon" and Seo Hyun-jin starring in the upcoming SBS romantic comedy "Temperature of Love."

MBC's new Wednesday-Thursday drama "Hospital Ship" develops around actress Ha, who is regarded as one of the few powerful stars who can lead a drama to the end, with or without a male costar. This is rare to find in Korean dramas which heavily depend on romantic stories.

The 32-part drama, comprised of 30-minute episodes, deals with a lesser-known hospital ship sailing around small islands around the world to give aid to island residents. The 39-year-old veteran actress takes on her first doctor role in the drama. Playing Song Eun-jae, a cold-minded and ambitious surgeon, she joins the ship after the death of her mother living on a remote island.

Ha's first drama in two years is off to a great start, maintaining the top spot in its timeslot, since it premiered Aug. 30. Its latest episode airing Aug. 31 recorded a 10.7 percent viewership, according to Nielsen Korea.

Chun, who has mostly worked in films including the multiple prize-winning film "Han Gong-ju," is another actress who is praised by TV viewers. In tvN's new journalist drama "Argon," which will premiere Monday, the 30-year-old actress takes on the role of a reporter who joins the investigative news program team Argon, struggling to separate "fact" from "fake news." The drama is directed by producer Lee Yoon-jung, whose previous works include the popular 2007 "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince."

Seo, who earned the rom-com queen title with her delicate expressions of emotion in recent romantic comedy series, including "Another Oh Hae-young" and "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim," will be back with another deep melodrama "Temperature of Love" next month, which depicts a story of a couple's breakup and reunion.






Sol Kyung-gu plays retired serial killer Byung-su in the thriller film "Memoir of a Murderer" / Courtesy of Show Box



Sol Kyung-gu loses 10 kilograms for his character

By Kim Jae-heun

Korean thriller film "Memoir of a Murderer," based on a bestselling fictional story by author Kim Young-ha, has been invited to screen at the 61st BFI London Film Festival, according to the distributor Showbox, Monday.

Showbox confirmed its film has been selected for the "Thrill" section at the biggest British theatrical event co-hosted by the British Film Institute held from Oct. 4 to 15. More than 300 movies, documentaries and shorts from over 50 countries participated in the festival and Korean films like "New World" (2012), "A Hard Day" (2013), and "Assassination" (2015) have been invited to previous years of the film festival.

"The black humor and elegantly twisted tale of Memoir of a Murderer, along with the unforgettable acting by Sol Kyung-gu has fascinated the festival programmers," said Clare Stewart, the director of the BFI London Film Festival. "We are happy to introduce the thrilling and entertaining Memoir of a Murderer to the European audience for the first time, here."

After the Korean thriller will be screened at local theaters in Britain after the BFI London Film Festival, it will meet North American audience with its release on Sept. 8. The film is also set to open in countries including Australia, New Zealand, France, Turkey, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines.





Poster of "Memoir of a Murderer" / Courtesy of Show Box



"Memoir of a Murderer," directed by Won Shin-yun portrays the story of retired serial killer Byung-su, who has been diagnosed with dementia. His daughter Eun-hee recommends he write a diary to help his memory and he secretly recalls his murderous youth. One day Eun-hee introduces her boyfriend Tae-joo to her father, who instinctively recognizes Tae-joo is a killer. Byung-su plans to kill his daughter's boyfriend but he has to fight his memory first and remember Tae-joo's name.

Actor Sol Kyung-gu, who played Byung-su, recalled difficulties acting a 70-year-old man suffering from Alzheimer's. He lost nearly 10 kilograms to fit himself into the character, who is 20 years older than him.

"Byung-su was like a big mountain to me," Sol said during the press conference for the thriller at Megabox Dongdaemun, Seoul, on Aug. 28. "It is impossible to experience dementia, even indirectly, so I thought it would be very difficult to act the character. But I also thought it would be fun, so I challenged to play Byung-su's role."

Sol added that he avoided special makeup to make him look older and chose to fast, which naturally gave him wrinkles and left him feeling tired.

The filmmaker Shin had to make changes to another leading role Tae-joo in the film compared to the original character.

"In the book, Tae-joo plays an assistant role supporting character Byung-su, but it plays a pivotal role creating an axis in the film. Tae-joo could be one character but I also perceived Tae-joo could be another part of Byung-su's ego or could be himself in the past. Or possibly the current Byung-su. So I had to give more identity to Tae-joo and make him a sophisticated character," Shin said.
Fair Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Kim Sang-jo speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Korea Fair Trade Mediation Agency in Seoul, Aug. 29. / Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki



FTC chief calls on Samsung, Hyundai Motor to improve governance voluntarily



By Lee Hyo-sik

Samsung, Hyundai Motor and other top family-controlled conglomerates should institute "self-reform" and create a fair, prosperous business ecosystem that also benefits subcontractors and workers who are socially vulnerable, the head of the nation's antitrust agency said.

Kim Sang-jo, since stepping up as chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in June, has repeatedly pressed large business groups to reform themselves. In particular, he urged them to voluntarily make their governance structures more transparent, stop undue inter-subsidiary dealings and treat small business partners better.

If not, Kim, nicknamed the "chaebol sniper," has warned the FTC and other government bodies will take the necessary steps to force them to correct their business practices.

"I will patiently wait for large companies to make the necessary changes on their own," the former economics professor and civic activist said in an interview with The Korea Times, Aug. 29.

"We will wait and see what they do for the time being. But it doesn't mean the government will wait forever," the chairman said. "If businesses fail to meet the expectations of society and the market, the FTC and other agencies will step in and force them to do away with their deep-rooted practices, such as the irregular transfer of managerial control within owner families and circular investment among subsidiaries."

At the crossroads

Kim said Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group face the biggest crises in their history, calling on Korea's top two business groups to implement drastic changes to remain competitive global players.

"It is not an overstatement to say they are the two pillars of the Korean economy, but now they are in big trouble," he said. "I hope Samsung Group and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will take the ongoing legal troubles as an opportunity for further growth."

On Aug. 25, the heir of Samsung Group was found guilty on five charges including bribery and capital flight, over his involvement in former President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

For the remainder of the year, Samsung Group will not likely make any significant management decisions until the Supreme Court decides Lee's fate, according to Kim.

He said despite the absence of the top manager, Samsung Electronics will run fine thanks to its solid management system.

Still, he expressed concerns about other Samsung units, which are less competitive in the global market.

"The thing is nobody told Samsung to abolish the group control tower, but it hastily did so. This will hurt the group for a long time to come," he said. "I have become a diehard Samsung critic, not because I hate it, but because I want it to be better, because if it collapses, the Korean economy goes down with it. Samsung should make decisions to grow its business, not to benefit Lee and other members of the founding families."

Hyundai ownership change

On Hyundai Motor Group, which has been grappling with plunging sales here and abroad in recent months, the FTC chief said the carmaker should accelerate the father-to-son management succession and bring changes to its cross-shareholding structure among its affiliates.

"Hyundai Motor's biggest risk is nobody is doing anything to have managerial control transferred from Chairman Chung Mong-koo to his son Eui-sun. If it just wastes time and does nothing, Eui-sun could end up being like his Samsung counterpart," the chairman said. "I know no one would dare to talk about management succession in front of Chairman Chung. But Hyundai Motor really has to move quickly to improve its governance structure and let Eui-sun assume a more significant role."

Kim said he has told Hyundai's top managers, including Eui-sun, many times to take the necessary steps soon to administer succession for the third generation. He stressed, "If Hyundai Motor waits until Chairman Chung becomes sick as Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee did, it will be too late."
Policymakers pledge prompt stabilization steps



By Nam Hyun-woo



Policymakers have vowed to take prompt and necessary measures to more effectively contain growing financial market instability, following North Korea's sixth nuclear test Sunday.



They also pledged Monday to work closely with foreign investors and global credit ratings agencies to prevent capital from exiting Asia's fourth-largest economy.



"Along with Sunday's test, the North Korea issue is becoming a global matter these days and it will not be managed easily," finance minister Kim Dong-yeon said during an emergency meeting with Bank of Korea governor and Financial Services Commission (FSC) chairman.



"Since the impact on financial markets is unlikely to be limited to the short term and may affect the real economy, the government will monitor the development of the North Korea issue, domestic and overseas financial markets, exports, commodities, and foreign investments around the clock."



In a separate press briefing, FSC Chairman Choi Jong-ku said the country's financial markets are reacting with "relative calm," but promised to raise the alert to contain the impact of the North's provocation spreading to the real economy.



Financial Supervisory Service Governor Zhin Woong-seob also presided over an emergency meeting and ordered monitoring around-the-clock on domestic and foreign capital flow.



A day earlier, the North claimed that it detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its sixth nuclear test.



The benchmark KOSPI started at 2,316.89 points on Monday, plunging 40.8 points from the previous session. However, it rebounded in the afternoon on a buying spree by foreigners and institutional investors and closed at 2,329.65 points, down 1.19 percent or 28.04 points.



Some analysts say the test will be followed by heightened geopolitical risks and volatility on the domestic financial market, but will not likely affect the bourse in the medium run.



"Since February 2005, the North has conducted six tests and the drops in stock prices followed on the day the regime announced them," Mirae Asset Daewoo analyst Ko Seung-hee said.



"However, a week or month after the announcements, neither yield nor stock prices were heavily affected. Unless there is an extreme situation, the short-term adjustment in stock prices comes as a good opportunity for expanded investments."



On the other hand, Hanwha Securities analyst Ma Ju-ok said investors should not rule out the possibility of the North Korea effect being prolonged in the stock market.



"Since the geopolitical risk is likely to be prolonged, it may hamper the KOSPI from rebounding or sway it temporarily," Ma said.



Unlike the calm response in the stock market, the foreign exchange market keenly reacted, with the Korean won closing at 1,133 won against the U.S. dollar, down 10.2 won from Friday.



The gold price has also surged following an increased preference for safer assets. As of 3 p.m., gold was trading at 48,599 won per gram, up 2 percent from the earlier session.



South Korea's credit default swap premium, measuring the country's credit risk rose to 64.57 basis points, up 4 basis points from the previous session.




By Nam Hyun-woo



U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remark to withdraw from the free trade agreement with South Korea is ill-timed and has no merit, analysts here said Monday.



They say Trump should not have made such a "reckless" statement at a time when the two allies should cooperate more closely to cope with the escalating geopolitical risks associated with North Korea's nuclear bomb and missiles tests.



The Washington Post reported that Trump has ordered his economic advisers to prepare the U.S. to withdraw from the FTA because the allies had only reaffirmed their differences on the trade deal at a recent meeting in Seoul. The newspaper also reported that the U.S. could start the process this week.



On Sunday, when asked to confirm media reports that he had asked his advisers to exit the FTA, Trump said "I am .... It's very much on my mind."



The remark came hours before the North claimed that it detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its sixth nuclear test conducted Sunday.



Analysts said the FTA will not be terminated or renegotiated immediately this week, but repeated comments on the issue will likely raise uncertainties in the economy.



"The problem is the backdrop of Trump's remark, amid the rising geopolitical risks stemming from North Korea," KB Securities chief economist Chang Jae-chul said. "This is presumed to be the U.S.'s bid to build up its lead not only in its trade relations with South Korea but also securities talks with Seoul."



According to Chang, the termination remark has come up because termination could happen faster than a revision of the deal, which will take up to 546 days, and does not require South Korea's consent.



"However, many U.S. non-government associations, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a number of international institutions including the International Monetary Fund are strongly opposed to the move as well as expressing concerns on the country's protectionism," Chang said. "Also, a termination of the FTA may lead U.S. manufacturers to endure higher customs rates in Korea than vice versa. This means the economic impact of the renegotiation will not be as huge as previously thought, thus lowering the likelihood of the withdrawal."



Shin Seung-kwan, president of the Institute for International Trade at the Korea International Trade Association, also said "it was bad timing, though coincidental."



"In circumstances requiring a stronger alliance between South Korea and the U.S., economic cooperation should come together," Shin said.



"Since the remark came before the North's hydrogen bomb test we should see that it was coincidental. The problem is Trump is a great negotiator. It is very much uncertain whether he will realize the remark or use it as leverage for negotiation."



Prof. Sung Tae-Yoon of Yonsei University said it is no surprise that Trump is calling for the termination of the FTA, but stressed that he is talking about something he is capable of.



"Including NAFTA and other agreements, he has been reiterating pulling the U.S. out of free trade deals, as well as dropping hints at how the U.S. will take the advantage in negotiations," Sung said.



"And we should not rule out the possibility of Trump realizing his words. For South Korea, it should seek maintaining the FTA as it currently is, stressing to the U.S. that the deal has been beneficial for both countries, but it should prepare for termination at the same time."



KB Securities' Chang added the U.S. trade deficit with South Korea _ Trump's main ground for withdrawal from the FTA _ should be attributed to the lack of competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector.



Also he said poor imports by South Korea from the U.S. can be attributed to the South's slowing economic growth and the structural weakness in domestic demand.



"One favorable thing is that the industries in both countries understand that the FTA is mutually beneficial," Chang said.



Reuters reported Sunday that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce memo asked its senior executives to push for an "all hands on deck effort" to convince the White House not to terminate the deal.



National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn also reportedly expressed their opposition to the termination of FTA, saying economic tension could hurt the alliance between South Korea and the U.S.



Wendy Cutler, former acting deputy to the U.S. trade representative, wrote a contributing article to The Hill, titled "Now is not the time for US-South Korea trade tensions,"




South Korean stocks opened sharply lower on Monday after North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test a day earlier, escalating geopolitical tension in the Northeast Asian region.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) plunged 26.87 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,330.82 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

On Sunday, Pyongyang claimed it successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb that can be loaded on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Tech giants lost ground, with top cap Samsung Electronics dropping 1.42 percent and chipmaker SK hynix losing 1.6 percent.

Flat panel maker LG Display shed 1.79 percent.












U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Sunday to cut off all trade with countries doing business with North Korea, an apparent warning to China following Pyongyang's sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date.

Trump tweeted the message ahead of a meeting with his national security team on what the North claimed to be an H-bomb explosion earlier in the day.

"The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea," he said.

Such a ban would affect China the most as it is responsible for 90 percent of North Korea's trade.

In a series of tweets earlier in the day, Trump slammed the North and also accused South Korea of conducting a policy of "appeasement" toward the North.

"North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test," he said. "Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

Trump then added, "North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."

Indicating a policy rift with Seoul, he went on to say, "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

Washington's first reaction came about eight hours after tremors were detected near the North's main nuclear test site in northeastern Punggye-ri. Pyongyang announced later that it had successfully tested an H-bomb which can be mounted on its intercontinental ballistic missiles.
By Park Si-soo; Chyung Eun-ju



North Korean appears to be preparing to launch another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICMB), the South Korean military said Monday.



In a separate announcement, Seoul's spy agency said the reclusive state might soon fire another ICBM toward the Pacific Ocean, possibly this week to celebrate the Day of the Foundation of the Republic on Sept. 9.



The National Intelligence Services (NIS) also raised the possibility that the North's next provocation would be to launch a ballistic missile from a submarine or submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).



The NIS said the North appeared ready to conduct its seventh nuclear test at the site used for the sixth test on Sunday.



This move could further raise tensions here a day after Pyongyang conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear detonation.













Chang Kyung-soo, acting chief of the defense ministry's policy planning office, said at a parliamentary hearing, "We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile."



At a separate hearing, NIS chief Suh Hoon told lawmakers that the North "could make additional provocations by firing an ICBM toward the North Pacific."



The spy chief said there were two more underground shafts undamaged by the Sunday detonation, and these could be used for another nuclear test.



South Korea conducted a live-fire drill with North Korea's main nuclear test site as the virtual target. The drill was meant to "strongly warn" Pyongyang.



South Korea earlier in the day paved the way for full deployment of a U.S. missile defense system.

The Environment Ministry conditionally approved an environmental impact report on the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) on Monday.



South Korea's defense ministry announced that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) would soon install four more THAAD missile defense launchers at its new southern base.



Seoul and Washington also discussed deploying a U.S. carrier group and strategic bombers.
South Korea and the United States will seek to deploy a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, strategic bomber and other powerful assets to the Korean Peninsula as a response to North Korea's latest nuclear test, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday.

In its report to the National Assembly's defense committee, the ministry also said that its military will stage a unilateral live-fire drill, which involves Taurus air-to-surface missiles mounted on its F-15 K fighter jets, this month.

The show-of-force measures were unveiled a day after Pyongyang conducted what it claims to be a test of a hydrogen bomb mountable onto an intercontinental ballistic missile, sharply raising military tensions. (Yonhap)












By Choi Ha-young

President Moon Jae-in is facing growing criticism regarding his peace overtures to North Korea following the latter's sixth nuclear test Sunday.

Opposition parties are launching a political offensive against Moon, claiming his naive ideas about the Kim Jong-un regime are making the situation worse. Right after the test, Moon expressed fury and strongly criticized it but reiterated using "diplomatic measures" to halt the North's nuclear program.

In contrast, the largest conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP) touted military options, reaffirming its support of the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons and the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

"South Korea should operate THAAD batteries right now," LKP floor leader Chung Woo-taik said.

"The nation should start negotiations to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines; permanently deploy U.S. strategic weapons on the peninsula; and completely cut off the oil supply from China to the North."

LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo slammed "inexperienced" government officials, targeting Moon's chief of staff and foreign minister. "The President should abandon leftist amateurs in the Cabinet rapidly and organize a professional team," Hong said.

The minor conservative Bareun Party spoke against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae's dovish approach to Pyongyang. In line with the administration's stance, Choo insisted on dialogue and a peaceful solution with North Korea, Monday.

"Her remarks show that the ruling camp doesn't have any idea other than dialogue," Bareun Party chief spokesman Park Jeong-ha said.












Global Fund External Relationship Director Christoph Benn / Yonhap



By Jhoo Dong-chan

An international organization director said the world should continue its humanitarian aid to North Korea regardless of the regime's provocative nuclear test.

Christoph Benn, a director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said humanitarian aid to the North Korean people should be dealt with separately from its regime.

"I believe a number of Korean people would feel a great deal of anxiety about North Korea's recent nuclear test," Benn said.

"However, helping North Korean people is a humanitarian mission that should be dealt with separately from its government. It's not giving money to the government but providing medicine to its people. Korea should demonstrate its strong bond with the international community in times like now."












Moon, Abe agree on whole new level of pressure'

By Kim Rahn

North Korea appears to have succeeded in miniaturizing a nuclear warhead, Defense Minister Song Young-moo said Monday, a day after Pyongyang conducted its sixth nuclear test.

It also suspected the North will soon carry out its third test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

"We assume that North Korea has secured the capability to miniaturize its nuclear warhead to less than 500 kilograms through the six tests," Song said during a National Assembly session.

He added the government presumes the warhead is small enough to be mounted on an ICBM.

After conducting its sixth nuclear test Sunday, Pyongyang claimed it had developed a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on its new ICBM. North Korea has test-fired two such missiles so far, July 4 and 28, claiming the long-range missile can strike the U.S. mainland.

The ministry and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said they had detected signs of North Korea preparing for another ICBM launch.

According to the NIS, it is likely the North will carry this out around its Foundation Day, Sept. 9, or the anniversary of its Communist Party, Oct. 10.

It said there is a chance Pyongyang will fire an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean on either of the days using a regular trajectory rather than the high-angle one it has used to date.

The NIS also said Sunday's test was conducted at the second shaft of the North's nuclear test site in Punggye-ri, North Hamgyong Province, and additional tests are possible at any time because the third and fourth shafts have also been prepared.

It estimated the explosion yield of the nuclear test at about 50 kilotons, five times stronger than the North's fifth test about a year ago, but added it is examining whether it was really a hydrogen bomb or an enhanced nuclear weapon.

The defense ministry said it is consulting with the U.S. about deploying a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and strategic bombers here. "We asked the U.S. to regularly deploy assets of extended deterrence such as aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines," Minister Song said.

He said participants of the National Security Council presided over by President Moon Jae-in right after the test Sunday agreed that it was time to focus on pressure rather than the peace overture proposed in Moon's Berlin speech in July.





Live-fire drill targets nuclear test site

In a direct response to the nuclear test, the military conducted a live-fire missile drill Monday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
By Kim Se-jeong



Women's rights activists held a bicycle rally in Seoul, Saturday, challenging the assertion that the way women dress contributes to sexual crimes.



Ten participants gathered at the Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul wearing shorts and crop tops exposing their bellies _ some wore only a bra as a top.



Phrases such as "slut" and "this is how I am,"was written on their bodies.



Their bicycles were also decorated with messages such as: "Stop looking at my body! Wash your hands."



At the end of the one-hour ride, the participants came together to jump rope  the rope was made with bras.



"Earlier this year, I read an opinion piece in a local newspaper in which the author, a policeman, wrote that to reduce summer sexual crimes, women should look at what they wear," an activist from Femimonsters, a women's rights group, said as to why she organized the "slut ride."



She added "that such a message can run in the newspaper speaks volumes of patriarchal characters in the Korean society. It's so wrong to believe that sexual crimes take place because of women's behaviors."



The organizer said there's a reason for choosing a bike for a rally.



"A long time ago, women were not allowed to ride bicycles because women couldn't wear skirts on a bicycle, and it involved active leg movement which wasn't regarded as proper. Also, a bicycle was a symbol of independence because a woman could go anywhere on a bicycle, and men didn't want women to do this," the activist said.



The bike rally is another example of women speaking out against the patriarchal Korean society. A crime which happened outside Gangnam subway station involving a man murdering a woman fueled a nation-wide debate, prompting many angry women to the streets for rallies.



The "slut ride" is based on the 2011"slut walk" in Toronto, Canada.



Hundreds of women turned out for a walk in the street in response to a comment by a local policeman who advised female college students to monitor what they wore so as not to fall victim to sexual crimes.








South Korea's military said Monday it conducted a combined live-fire exercise in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test a day earlier.

The training involved the country's Hyunmoo ballistic missile and F-15K fighter jets.

In the drill, the Hyunmoo-2A surface-to-surface missile and the F-15K's SLAM-ER long-range air-to-ground missile accurately hit designated targets in the East Sea, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The South's military, in particular, said the range to the simulated targets was set in consideration of the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site in its northeastern province.

The JCS added it's also preparing for joint measures with the U.S. military for a show of force against the North's provocation.

The Hyunmoo-2A's range is around 300 kilometers.

South Korea is seeking to double the maximum payload of its ballistic missiles. Under a bilateral accord with the U.S. revised in 2012, it can develop ballistic missiles with a range of up to 800km and a payload weight of up to 500kg.

In their recent phone talks, the South's President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed "in principle" to revise the so-called missile guidelines. (Yonhap)
South Korea's military fires a Hyunmoo II ballistic missile during an exercise at an undisclosed location Monday. The military conducted a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on North Korea's nuclear test site to warn Pyongyang over its latest nuclear test. / AP-Yonhap



By Kim Jae-kyoung

President Moon Jae-in faces a dilemma with North Korea as he is running out of options to deal with the reclusive state following its sixth nuclear test Sunday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has rejected Moon's peaceful overture, and U.S. President Donald Trump also believes Moon's "talk of appeasement will not work."

Then, what options are left for Moon to rein in North Korea and defuse tensions on the Korean Peninsula?

Unfortunately, there are very few as the Kim regime is wholly uninterested in anything President Moon has to say.

Against this backdrop, experts said that Moon should take the dialogue option off the table for the moment and strengthen international cooperation to tighten sanctions against North Korea and deepen its diplomatic isolation.

In particular, they stressed that it is crucial for South Korea to be on the same page and maintain strong ties with the U.S. and other allies to increase pressure on the North and thwart its attempts to sideline the South by using its nuclear leverage.

Joseph DeTrani, a former U.S. special envoy to the six-party talks, said that South Korea should get tougher on Pyongyang if the North keeps refusing to halt nuclear tests and missile launches.

"South Korea, working primarily with the U.S. and Japan, can enhance its missile defense capabilities and intensify joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, inviting Japan and Australia to also participate," DeTrani told The Korea Times.

"Additionally, working with the United Nations, it can impose even more intrusive sanctions on North Korea, with a focus on revenue going to its leadership," he added.

But DeTrani, a former director of the U.S. National Counter Proliferation Center, suggested that both Washington and Seoul should seek ways to hold exploratory talks with Pyongyang behind the scenes at the same time.

"If North Korea agreed to halt nuclear tests and missile launches during exploratory talks, there could be value in dialogue to determine if an approach similar to the Sept. 19, 2005, Joint Statement process could be established," he said.












By Jun Ji-hye



The militaries of South Korea and the United States are discussing holding joint war drills featuring various U.S. strategic assets following North Korea's sixth nuclear test, South Korean officials said Monday.



The U.S. military will bring in stealth fighter jets, heavy bombers and nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to South Korea for the "biggest-ever exercise" to retaliate against North Korea's provocation, the officials said.



Some of the drills will be aimed at striking the North's key facilities and its leadership, including the young leader, Kim Jong-un.



On Sunday, Pyongyang claimed to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The Kim regime has claimed its ICBM is capable of striking targets on the U.S. mainland.



Following the large-scale provocation, Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo, chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and his U.S. counterpart Gen. Joseph Dunford held a phone conversation and agreed to come up with "effective military responses" at the earliest possible date aimed at demonstrating the allies' force and resolve.



"Jeong and Dunford are currently holding relevant consultations," an official said, asking not to be named.



Dispatching F-22 Raptors and F-35B stealth fighters to the peninsula could be one measure, along with the dispatch of B-1B and B-52 strategic bombers. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan or the U.S. Forces Japan's nuclear-powered submarines could join as well.



Allies are reportedly considering conducting the heavy bombers' live-fire exercises in which they would drop bombs on simulated targets.



Another official noted the allies are also discussing the possible rotational deployment of U.S. strategic weapons, mindful of skepticism that dispatching such weapons temporarily is less effective.



The possible deployment plans include deploying F-22s and F-35Bs every three months at either Osan in Gyeonggi Province or Gunsan in North Jeolla Province, where U.S. Air Force bases are located, according to sources.



For his part, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has warned that the North's threats to strike Washington and its allies would face a "massive" military response, saying the U.S. has "many military options" and U.S. President Donald Trump wanted to be briefed on each one of them.



"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack, and our commitments among the allies are ironclad," Mattis said after a National Security Council meeting with President Trump at the White House.



"Any threat to the United States or its territory, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming."




With the Republic of Korea Navy currently operating the Type 209 and 214 submarines, the Moon Jae-in government is moving to build nuclear-powered submarines to better deter threats from North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missiles. / Graphic by Cho Sang-won



By Jun Ji-hye

South Korea is moving in earnest to build the nation's own nuclear-powered submarines as part of efforts to enhance its domestic defensive capabilities amid evolving threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

The move is in line with President Moon Jae-in's vow to better deal with North Korean submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) threats.

During his presidential campaign, Moon said, "We need nuclear-powered submarines in this era," pledging to make efforts to revise a nuclear cooperation deal between South Korea and the United States.

In accordance with Moon's aims, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy is working to commission a private institute to conduct a feasibility review for building such a sub.

In an apparent bid to gain support from the U.S., which virtually controls the uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel reprocessing of South Korea, Defense Minister Song Young-moo reportedly mentioned the need for Seoul to have its own nuclear submarines during his meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis at the Pentagon last Wednesday.

President Moon also broadly mentioned the need for the nation to have these during his phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump in early August.

Calls for developing the nuclear subs were reignited after the North successfully launched an SLBM in April last year. Another SLBM fired in August that year flew about 500 kilometers, indicating significant improvement compared to previous tests.





Defense Minister Song Young-moo shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis at the Pentagon, Wednesday, ahead of their meeting during which time Song reportedly mentioned the need for Seoul to have nuclear-powered subs. / Yonhap



Defense officials and experts said Pyongyang's possible deployment of SLBMs could pose a grave threat as it is hard to detect when and where they will be launched.

Supporters for having nuclear subs say they are the only way to counter the North's SLBM threat, saying they could strike the North's submarine before it launches a missile.

They say a nuclear submarine does not have to surface frequently as it is powered by a nuclear reactor, making it difficult for the enemy to detect them.

The ROK Navy currently operates the Type 209 and 214 attack submarines.

The Type 209 sub is propelled by diesel-electric transmissions and is capable of remaining underwater for only about two to three consecutive days as it needs to surface frequently to access air. There is great possibility for this submarine to be detected by an enemy every time it surfaces because of its heat and noise.

The Type 214 sub, an improved version of the Type 209, uses air-independent propulsion that allows a non-nuclear sub to operate without access to the air. This sub is capable of continuing underwater operations for a maximum 13 to 14 days.

On the other hand, a nuclear-powered sub can operate underwater almost unlimitedly as long as other conditions such as food supply are met.

Currently, only six nations  the U.S., Russia, Britain, France, China and India  possess their own nuclear-powered submarines.

The South Korean military reportedly has the capability to construct a small nuclear reactor for a nuclear-powered submarine, but the problem lies in other challenges such as how to secure enriched uranium for fuel.

The first question is whether the U.S. would approve of Seoul's uranium enrichment activity to operate nuclear subs.

Some say that the Seoul-Washington nuclear cooperation deal, revised in 2015, would allow Seoul to enrich uranium to a level of 20 percent when using U.S. ingredients.

But critics point out that the agreement disallows the uranium enrichment for military purposes. This is why President Moon vowed to work to revise the deal.

Even if Seoul got the nod from the U.S., the development of a nuclear submarine could still provoke controversy over whether or not the South Korean government should shift its position from the 1991 inter-Korean denuclearization declaration. Ahead of this, South Korea ratified the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1975 and has remained formally committed to it since then.

"This can be a problem even though a nuclear sub is not armed with nuclear weapons but uses nuclear fuel as a power source only," a source said, asking not to be named.

Other problems are possible protests from neighboring countries, especially China, which is already protesting the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery on South Korean soil.

China believes that the deployment of the THAAD battery seriously harms its national interests. Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong Global University, said, "From China's point of view, if the development of nuclear submarines is realized in Seoul, it would threaten Beijing's national security much more than THAAD would."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to remove the limit on the payload of South Korean missiles under the allies' missile guideline in a move to enhance South Korea's own defense capabilities against North Korean provocations, Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.

The agreement was reached in a telephone conversation between the two leaders held late Monday.

"President Moon held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump between 10:45 p.m. and 11:25 p.m. (Seoul time) and discussed countermeasures against North Korea's sixth nuclear test in-depth," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun said in a press release.












South Korea's ruling party chief on Monday proposed sending special envoys to both the United States and North Korea to defuse tensions aggravated by the communist regime's recent provocations, including its nuclear test.



During her policy speech at the National Assembly, Choo Mi-ae also suggested that Seoul continue to pursue cross-border talks and broker dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, stressing it must remain opposed to any possibility of war on the peninsula.



Her remarks came amid growing skepticism both in Seoul and Washington over diplomatic solutions to the decades-old nuclear standoff that has shown no signs of abating with the North holding firmly onto its nuclear and missile programs as a means of regime survival.



"The (Seoul) government must oppose any war on the Korean Peninsula under any circumstances, and must not stop or give up dialogue efforts," Choo said in the speech marking the start of a 100-day regular parliamentary session.



"Our government, within its capacity, has to actively urge for or broker dialogue between the North and the U.S.," she added.



The party leader also used the speech to condemn Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test on Sunday and warned that the government and the party will "sternly respond to the North's reckless provocation" with all available military means.



Tensions spiked as the North conducted what it claims to have been a test of a hydrogen bomb mountable on an intercontinental ballistic missile. The provocation has escalated calls for the liberal government to rethink its "dovish" stance towards the unruly regime.



During her speech, Choo reiterated the importance of peace, saying a "balance of terror" must be changed into a "balance of coexistence."



The balance of terror -- a nuclear deterrence strategy adopted during the Cold War era -- is based on the belief that a nuclear exchange would lead to mutual annihilation.



Choo, in addition, berated the conservative bloc for criticizing the current government's North Korea policy, stressing that it was the past two rightwing governments that cut all inter-Korean dialogue channels and escalated military tensions on the peninsula. (Yonhap)




By Choi Ha-young





Choo Mi-ae

Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae urged the administration, Monday, to push for talks between Pyongyang and Washington, as a solution to ease tension on the Korean Peninsula.

"The government should actively call for and mediate talks between Washington and Pyongyang," Choo said in a speech at the National Assembly. "At the same time, the government should make all-out efforts to restore the inter-Korean channel."

"For this, I strongly demand the government dispatch special envoys to Pyongyang and Washington, in order to push for a two-track dialogue, one between the U.S. and North Korea and the other between South Korea and North Korea."

Choo reiterated her earlier proposal to the North to give up nuclear weapons and strengthen its ties with the South. "North Korea should abandon its bid to isolate South Korea, which is a vestige of the Cold War."

The chairwoman also pressed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to engage in talks citing palpable changes in the reclusive society.

"We need to note the newly emerging generation, the so-called Jangmadang generation that is accustomed to a capitalist system. They are relatively free from North Korean socialism and known to harbor ill feelings against propagandistic ideologies."

In protest of her speech, some conservative opposition lawmakers left while she was speaking, criticizing the ruling party leader's "naive" views about North Korea.
By Tom Plate



With North Korea's military trying its hardest to get everyone's attention with the hard power of the nuclear option, it's not the time to tear down the U.S. military. But it is- alas - so easy to imagine that in some officers' club, perhaps at Yulin naval headquarters on Hainan Island, where China's brass gather and after a few belts of Baijiu recycle submarine stories - it's easy to imagine them laughing their heads off. Why? The embarrassing recent stumbles by the US Navy's Seventh Fleet just have to be the toast of the PLA Navy.



The object of their presumed hoopla - four astonishing U.S. Navy mess-ups in the Pacific that left sailors dead and/or missing - is obviously anything but a joking matter to America's military establishment. It is extremely painful.



Earlier last month, off Singapore, the destroyer USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker slammed into each other, injuring sailors and leaving others missing. In June, off Japan, seven sailors perished and many others were injured when the destroyer USS Fitzgerald creamed a container ship. There were other blunders at sea. In May, the USS Lake Champlain rammed into a South Korean fishing boat. In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka, home port of the Seventh Fleet.



The Pentagon sacked the admiral in charge of the Pacific armada, which oversees roughly 52 percent of the Earth's surface, from the waters of the U.S. west coast to the west coast of India. A red-faced Navy fleet command officially explained that the three-star admiral had been relieved "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command." That might seem to use dry-docked civilians as a bit of an understatement. Joking aside, Pacific waters are now so very dangerous. China and the U.S. circle like sharks around each other constantly, and yet here we have American boats evidently bobbing all over the Pacific more like drunken sailors. This might well prove colossal misjudgment (and if it turns out I am overstating the case, I apologize in advance and accept being confined to quarters): But to me this steady stream of sorry blunders is the most unnerving story of serious U.S. naval napping since Pearl Harbor. Consider that over the decades the U.S. Pacific Command has been the premier perch for some of America's most distinguished military leaders, such naval icons as Arthur W. Radford; Ulysses S. Grant Sharp, Jr.; John S. McCain Jr.; and William J. Crowe, Jr., to mention just a few.



Nonetheless, in the American media, these embarrassments about our otherwise revered Navy and the evident lack of attention to detail of some otherwise admired officers and crew more or less slipped under the radar of much of our American media. With the TV media especially locked and loaded at another target, the sinking sagas in the Pacific seas were viewed as an egregious annoyance and unworthy interruption of the (endless and repetitive) Donald J. Trump attack. Now the media focus is almost solely on North Korea and its nuclear and missile tests.



There is much talent in the American Navy. In more recent times, I came to admire Admirals Joseph W. Prueher, who was to become ambassador to China in the late Clinton administration years; Dennis C. Blair, who was to become National Security Adviser under the Obama administration; and Thomas B. Fargo, a droll Clint Eastwood-style submarine commander who was to become the role model for the character of "Commander Bart Mancuso" in the hit film The Hunt for Red October.



These officers and gentlemen had smarts and charisma - no enemy would under-estimate them. They were also sensible souls: Well trained at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland - and, in Blair's case, at Oxford as well - they were exposed to an excellent social-science faculty as well as the standard combat canon, in an effort to turn out professional warriors, not thoughtless warmongers. So here's a cautionary thought for the admirals of Yulin: Hold off on breaking open the champagne and for the time being stay steady-as-you-go in the South China Sea.



You could also joke with them that, given recent evidence, if you get hit by an American warship, don't assume it was purposeful! On the other hand, maybe we're over-rating the sense of humor of China's naval command. Surely the PLA Navy has experienced its own share of embarrassing moments it has not permitTed China's news media to share with the world. It may even have some sympathy for the U.S. Navy - professionally speaking, not politically of course. They swim in the same roiling waters, and have been well briefed on our current U.S. president's adoration of naval power. Mr Trump is, after all, of the generation that had it all glorified in a memorable documentary series about the U.S. struggle against Japan whose title was Victory at Sea. They may be thinking: there's nothing very funny about that.



There's also nothing funny about our President's hardline toward North Korea. But how smart is it? The President should dispatch (and North KoreA should welcome) Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who, as far as I can tell, everyone who has dealt with him respects, to Pyongyang for a down-to-issues talk with President Kim Yong Un and his generals. It is hard to see how this could add to the current high level of tension. My suggestion is certainly not intended as a joke.





Columnist and Loyola Marymount University Prof Tom Plate's new book is "Yo-Yo Diplomacy: An American Columnist Tackles the Ups and Downs Between China and the U.S."




The shortcomings of Cheong Wa Dae's personnel vetting process were highlighted once again after a presidential nominee for a Constitutional Court justice pulled out from consideration.



The presidential office has focused too much on the political inclination of nominees while overlooking crucial qualifications, particularly ethical standards. Lee You-jung, a prosecutor-turned-lawyer, withdrew her nomination last week amid controversy over her dubious stock investments.



She was the fifth nominee for a vice ministerial-level or higher post to pull out due to various reasons since President Moon Jae-in took office in May.



The post of the justice of the Constitutional Court requires the highest ethics and morality.



Since Moon nominated Lee as a candidate for such an important job, her lucrative stock investments, political inclination and suspected plagiarism astonished many people.



Many were surprised by her incredible earning of 1.2 billion won ($1.1 million) in profits in stocks over the past 18 months. She is suspected of using insider information in her investments.



The 49-year-old denied the allegation but apologized for failing to meet the public's expectation of high ethical standards for public officials. Although she withdrew from the nomination, financial authorities should investigate the allegation that she may have used insider information.



Lee's withdrawal shows Cheong Wa Dae's faulty vetting process. Whenever nominees withdraw over controversies, the presidential office routinely says, "We respect the will (of the nominee) and it's regrettable."



It is irresponsible for the presidential office only to say that Lee did not talk to them in advance about the huge earnings and they did not find any illegality in her stock investment during the vetting process.



No one in charge of personnel management at the presidential office has been held accountable for these failures. The people deserve a clear explanation about who recommended the failed nominees and why the vetting process did not function properly.




By John Burton





While President Moon Jae-in has been trying to promote a policy of reconciliation toward North Korea, known as the Sunshine Policy 2.0 after similar approaches pursued by Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, he is also overseeing a strong defense build-up, dubbed by some as Defense Reform 2.0.

Moon's defense plan is patterned after Defense Reform 2020 launched in 2006 by Roh, under whom the current president served as chief of staff. Previously, South Korea's military structure was heavily tilted toward the Army, whose troops would be expected to do much of the ground fighting in a second Korean War, while the U.S. would provide air and naval support.

But Roh sought to introduce a more balanced structure among South Korea's Army, Navy and Air Force branches to make the country less dependent on the U.S. if a future conflict erupted. He also wanted South Korea to assume operational control of joint allied forces from the U.S. in the case of war.

The military should "strongly push ahead with a reform of the military structure to meet [the requirements] of modern warfare so that it can immediately switch to the offensive if North Korea makes a provocation that crosses the line," said Moon last week in endorsing Roh's vision. Moon added, "It's regretful that we can't deal with North Korean military power and only rely on the combined defense capabilities [with the U.S.] even if we put a lot into military spending."

Defense Reform 2020's goal was to create a smaller, but more self-reliant armed forces with a higher percentage of professional soldiers rather than relying mainly on conscripts. This effort has resulted in increased spending for Navy and Air Force equipment. In many respects, Roh's successors, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, followed the outlines of this policy.

In terms of the Navy, this has meant creating a "Blue Water" fleet that would operate not just close to the Korean Peninsula but in international seas. It now has destroyers equipped with Aegis missile defense systems. Moon would like to add a fleet of nuclear submarines, which was first proposed under Roh.

As for the Air Force, it is being supplied with updated longer-range fighters such as the F-35 to supplement the current force of F-16s and F-15s as well as the acquisition of air refueling aircraft. To improve aerial surveillance of North Korea, Seoul is buying the high-altitude Global Hawk surveillance vehicle and other smaller drones.

Meanwhile, the Army is being beefed up with precision-guided artillery to knock out North Korean batteries that threaten Seoul and bolstering special operations forces and cyber warfare capabilities.

Fulfilling Roh's initial vision is why Moon has proposed increasing defense spending this year to nearly $39 billion. This represents 2.9 percent of gross domestic product, which would be the biggest military budget since the mid-1980s when General Chun Doo-hwan was in power.

A good chunk will be going to big-ticket defense systems, including the Kill Chain, Korean Air and Missile Defense and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation programs. These related projects involve assembling a strike force of ballistic and cruise missiles, air power and commando units to destroy North Korea's nuclear arsenal and the Pyongyang leadership, while protecting South Korea against missile attacks from the North through upgraded Patriot missile batteries as well as the U.S. THAAD system. The Moon administration is hoping to complete the installation of the "three-axis" system by the early 2020s.

Although North Korea has a bigger military force on paper, with more aircraft, tanks, artillery and warships than South Korea, most of these weapons are out of date and would be no match for Seoul's more modern armed forces.

Efforts will continue to increase the number of professional soldiers in the army, who now fill about 40 percent of the ranks. To attract more long-term recruits, the government wants to improve pay and living conditions.

But some military experts worry about some aspects of the defense plan. As part of its plan to promote a more professional force with fewer draftees, the government is proposing cutting back the enlistment period _ and thus training _ for Army conscripts from 21 months to 18 months and a similar reduction for Air Force and Navy personnel.

Moreover, in reducing the number of soldiers, the biggest cutbacks have been in logistical units instead of frontline troops. That has caused worries since logistics usually determines the outcomes of wars. As U.S. General John Pershing said, "infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars."

As it is, South Korea's infantry is being shortchanged. While money is being lavished on sophisticated military weaponry, its soldiers are still carrying a rifle, the K2, which is more than 30 years old and has not been greatly modified since its introduction. While North Korean soldiers are carrying an even older weapon, the AK-47, it is being continually updated and is regarded as one of the dependable guns in the world.





John Burton, a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is now a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and consultant. He can be reached at johnburtonft@yahoo.com.
Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee speaks during the opening ceremony for this year's Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference at the COEX Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul, Monday / Courtesy of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport



By Jhoo Dong-chan

The Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference is being held at the COEX Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul to pioneer new overseas construction markets, the transport ministry said.

The three-day conference, which started on Monday, is the fifth of its kind since 2013. The transportation ministry expects the event this year to be the largest ever with more than 1,500 domestic businessmen as well as 147 high-ranking officials at 86 ordering agencies from 46 countries participating. Six transnational development organizations, including the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and African Development Bank, are also participating in the conference.

Korean construction companies are looking forward to the conference since it follows the 2017 Smart Geospatial Expo, the nation's other three-day infrastructure event that opened on Aug. 30. The World Smart City Week 2017 is also being held for five days from Sept. 4 at the KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

"Infrastructure development is more than renovation. It creates jobs, improves the quality of lives and realizes social integration," Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee said in her speech during the opening ceremony, Monday.

She also held a series of bilateral talks with visiting ministers from Oman and Armenia on the morning of the first day. Kim also met Ahmed Omar Maiteeq, Libyan Deputy Prime Minister, to discuss possible infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.

"The government is giving special priority to improve the economic situation by paying more attention to restoring the damages in our infrastructure sectors, such as water supply, electricity and the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure in ruined cities which were heavily damaged during the war against ISIS, such as the cities of Sirte and Benghazi," said Maiteeq.

"The potential in Libya is great, and I hope we can succeed in our mission. This event should be considered as a new beginning for our partnership with you, which I am confident enough will thrive again in the near future."

In the four previous conferences, Korean construction companies and the government shared the plans of their future projects and infrastructure development and expanded their networks with officials invited from ordering countries such as ministers and vice ministers.
By Park Jae-hyuk





Chey Yoon-chung, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won's oldest daughter

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won's oldest daughter will tie the knot with a man working for a startup company, according to the nation's third-largest conglomerate, Monday.

Chey Yoon-chung, 28, will have a private wedding Oct. 21 in Seoul with a man surnamed Yun, who worked with her at Bain & Company. The soon-to-be couple purportedly fell in love while working for the global consulting firm.

Yun, who is known as the third-oldest son of an ordinary family, reportedly works for an IT startup, and a graduate from Seoul National University. His first name, age and other details have yet to be ascertained.



Considering that he worked for the consulting firm, observers said Yun must be from an influential family, although he may not be a chaebol heir. Because consultants meet executives at various companies, global consulting firms are known to prefer hiring sons and daughters of powerful families, so as to take advantage of their social connections.

SK said Chey and Yun will exclusively invite their relatives and friends to the wedding ceremony next month.

Born to Chairman Chey and Art Center Nabi's director Roh So-yeong, the daughter of former President Roh Tae-woo, Yoon-chung started working as a manager at SK Biopharmaceuticals this year, after working as a consultant at Bain & Company from 2015 until this January.

She graduated from the International School of Beijing and studied biology at the University of Chicago, which has been mentioned as a reason for the group's decision to hire her as a manager at the subsidiary specializing in research and development of new drugs.

She also finished an internship program at Harvard's physics and chemistry lab.

Her younger sister Min-jeong, 25, has served in the navy as a first lieutenant. As the first woman from a chaebol family to serve in the military, she was dispatched to the Gulf of Aden in June 2015 as a crew member of the destroyer to combat piracy off the coast between Yemen and Somalia.

Chey In-keun, 22, the only son of the chairman and Roh, has been studying at Brown.
(Xinhua) 21:12, September 04, 2017

KAMPALA, Sept. 4 -- Ugandan police on Monday said that they have arrested three suspects in connection with last week's murder of a Chinese woman in the central district of Mukono.

Polly Namaye, the deputy police spokesperson, told Xinhua in an interview that the three suspects are being held over the Friday shooting of the 60-year-old Yang Yeshu, a branch cashier at Nile Steel and Plastics Company Limited in Mukono.

"We have taken witness statements, got exhibits and extracted the video footage from the security cameras to help in the prosecution," she said.

Namaye declined to name the suspects for fear of jeopardizing the on-going investigations.

The footage from the security cameras shows two men armed with a pistol entering the factory premises, located along the Kampala-Jinja highway, using a motorcycle.

The duo briefly talked with the victim before pulling out a pistol and shot her dead.

"From the footage she died while trying to fight for her life. We shall ensure those who carried out this brutal murder are brought to book," said Namaye.

Yang became the third Chinese woman to have been killed in the east African country in less than a year.

The two other Chinese women were stabbed to death in Kikoni in February, a suburb in the capital Kampala.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 3, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 -- International scholars and experts have highly commented on the speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in southeast China's Xiamen City on Sunday.

Xi said in the speech that there are three important practices that should be carried forward in reviewing the past progress of BRICS cooperation -- first, treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while shelving differences; second, taking a results-oriented, innovative approach to make BRICS cooperation benefit all; and third, developing BRICS itself to help others with the well-being of the world in mind.

The three important practices have been summarized as the three-point BRICS spirit.

"The three-point BRICS spirit reflects the state of regional and international equations, as well as the state of development in the BRICS countries," said B. R. Deepak, Sinologist and professor at the Center of the Chinese and Southeastern Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University of India.

"I believe it's also in sync with China's foreign policy goals, as China has advocated that irrespective of differences in social systems, level of development, and the size of countries we must treat each other as equal, seek commonalities and reserve differences, BRICS not being an exception," said Deepak.

"This would enable the members to minimize their differences and maximize political trust... the spirit of BRICS will foster partnership rather than building alliances, it will foster dialogue over confrontation," said Deepak.

"The three-point BRICS spirit certainly provided some answers to our common problems," said Deepak.

The three-point spirit is very crucial for the establishment of any effective partnership, said Stephen Ndegwa, lecturer at Multimedia University and public policy analyst in Kenya.

The three-point spirit for BRICS stressed by Xi is very important for BRCIS countries' vision to support world peace and stability better and keep consistency when they strive for their development goals, said Gerishon Ikiara, lecturer of International Economics lecturer at University of Nairobi.

Each point of the spirit is very important, as the world peace and security is currently under threat, said Ikiara, adding that the BRICS countries are playing a more important role in world affairs.

Earlier before the BRICS Business Forum opened, Brazil economist Ronnie Lins told Xinhua in Brazil that the BRICS Business Forum would be a very important sideline event when the BRICS Summit was held in Xiamen, which aims to strengthen exchanges and dialogue among business leaders of BRICS countries and enhance trade among BRICS members.

He said that the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, the largest one in the BRICS history, was sure to score positive outcomes.

At the forum, President Xi called on the BRICS bloc to expand the coverage of its cooperation, and that can only benefit the people of those countries, said Iqbal Surve, chairman of South Africa BRICS Business Council.

Also speaking of the BRICS spirit proposed by Xi at the BRICS Business Forum, Singaporean economist Koh Chin Yee said that it is very important for BRICS countries to treat each other as equals, seek common ground and shelve differences, as there are discrepancies, differences and competitions among BRICS countries.

China is a very active and influential member of BRICS, which is pushing ahead the construction of BRICS mechanism, and China's role is very weighty in BRICS, he said.

Li Renliang, professor at Thailand's National Institute of Development Administration, said Xi's speech reflected China's willingness to strengthen and deepen cooperation within the BRICS mechanism.

Li also said BRICS countries, in the past 10 years, carried out effective cooperation based on the principle of equality in such major global affairs as climate change, U.N. reform and poverty reduction.

BRICS is more than a mechanism, Li said, it is a bridge for South-North dialogue and South-South cooperation.

The reality that the BRICS countries are of different national situations, at different stages of development and of various cultures and faiths does not have a negative impact on their practical cooperation. Instead, it has boosted the principle of "seeking common ground while shelving differences" and encourages sound cooperation between the five countries in the past 10 years, he said.

Guo Shengxiang, dean of the Academy of APECCreative Finance, an Australian think tank, listed that over the past decade, the BRICS countries have contributed more than half of global growth, and that their total volume of trade and overseas investment accounts for 16 percent and 12 percent of the world's total, up from 11 percent and 7 percent in 2006.

The numbers testify to the importance of the supporting role the mechanism has played for other developing countries as a whole, he said.

Meanwhile, all being developing countries, the five have common interests in lower tariffs, less tariff barriers and more feasibility in global trade and investment, Guo said. Therefore, there is a sound foundation for their cooperation in tariff and fee reform, according to him.
Sameh Shoukry met with his Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu in Bucharest on Tuesday for wide-ranging talks, marking the final stage of the Egyptian minister's European tour

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry met with his Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu in the Romanian capital Bucharest on Tuesday, signing three memorandums of understanding between the two nations, ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement.

Among the agreements is a mutual exemption from entry-visa requirements for diplomatic and important missions. Another agreement established a mechanism of political consultation between the two countries, while the third established cooperation protocol between the ministries of tourism.

Shoukry is also set to deliver a letter from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Romanias President Klaus Iohannis.

Shoukry and Melescanu engaged in wide-ranging discussions on Tuesday, said Abu Zeid.

Among the topics considered was means of boosting bilateral cooperation, especially regarding joint projects and programs within the framework of Egyptian-Romanian Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

The fields cooperative activity include small- and medium-size enterprises, agriculture and water resources.

Shoukry and Melescanu also discussed the situation in the Middle East, with Shoukry explaining Egypt's views on Libya, Syria, Yemen and Iraq, as well as the Israel-Palestine peace process.

Discussion also covered Egyptian efforts on the issues of counter-terrorism and illegal migration into European Union.

Melescanu stressed on the significance of his country's relations with Egypt, which represents a priority for Romania.

He said Romania is keen to develop strong relations with Egypt as a significant economic partner in the region.

Shoukry's visit coincides with celebration of 110 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Romania. It is the first visit by an Egyptian foreign minister since 2010.

Bucharest is the third and last stop on Shoukry's European tour, which started on Sunday in Berlin, where he met German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel.

The second stop was in the Belarussian capital Minsk, where he delivered a letter from El-Sisi to President Alexander Lukashenka, and held meetings with both ministers of trade and foreign affairs on Monday.

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In his speech at the BRICS summit, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi outlined Egypt's economic reforms and highlighted improved opportunities for investment

Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen, state-run news agency MENA reported.

The meeting included talks on several bilateral and international topics of a common interest, said MENA.

According to the presidency spokesperson Alaa Youssef, Putin praised the increase in trade between the two countries, as well as the bilateral coordination on regional and international issues.

Meanwhile, El-Sisi invited Putin to attend a celebration at the site of the Dabaa nuclear-power station, which Egypt is planning to build with Russian assistance.

Sisi and Putin also tackled the issue of resuming Russian flights to Egypt, which have been suspended for security reasons since late 2015. Putin showed his appreciation for Egypt's efforts to make its airports secure, saying he hoped flights would resume soon, following technical consultations between the two sides.

The Egyptian and Russian presidents also addressed the various conflicts in the region, agreeing on the need for political solutions to those conflicts in order to restore security and stability to the Middle East.

El-Sisi is also expected to holding bilateral meetings with his Chinese and Indian counterparts during the three-day summit, as well as meeting with a number of large Chinese companies investing in Egypt.

The Egyptian president arrived in China on Sunday to participate in the BRICS summit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Earlier today, Sisi delivered a speech before the BRICS Business Forum, where he spoke of Egypt's economic reform program, and related reforms of the subsidy system and social security system.

During his speech, he also mentioned changes to the nation's monetary policies, with flexible exchange rates, aimed at eliminating the black market, increasing the competitiveness of Egyptian exports, and attracting investments.

Also stressed in the speech was the new investment law, that El-Sisi said provides many advantages and incentives to invest in different fields, including strategic projects.

He said that the length of time required to obtain industrial licenses had been reduced from 600 days to only seven days, reflecting Egypt's willingness to provide an environment that is friendly to business and investment.

A number of national projects were also highlighted during the speech, in the fields of infrastructure, energy, tourism, agriculture, and the construction of new cities.

Egypt's ambassador to China, Osama El-Magdoub, said earlier on Sunday that many joint projects between the two countries, in various fields, will be announced soon.

Speaking on the first day of the summit, El-Magdoub told Egyptian private news channel Extra News that relations between Cairo and Beijing are witnessing strong growth, and that the Chinese are interested in investing in Egypt.

The Egyptian ambassador said China would be investing $3.2 billion in Egypt's new administrative capital, with Chinese companies making other investments totaling $8 billion.

The summit, which features the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is being held from 3 to 5 September. The theme of the ninth annual summit is Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future.

According to El-Magdoub, China supports Egypts recent programme of economic reforms.

He said the summit would focus on economic issues, and will address the means of cooperating to overcome the problems of the global economy, especially structural issues.

Egypt is focusing on several major issues during the meetings at Xiamen, such as activating cooperation between the countries of the global south, especially among BRICS countries and emerging economies such as Egypt.

The suggested focus of cooperation is in fields of investment and infrastructure.

Egypt is also addressing ways of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, as well as consolidating the cooperation between Egypt  as a representative of Arab countries  and Chinas "One Belt, One Road" initiative.

The initiative aims at reviving the ancient trade routes between China and the Mediterranean countries through Asia and Europe.

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LA County Fire Dept.

[Sept. 6 Update: The largest Los Angeles fire by acreage in the city was actually in 1938, LAFD records confirm. Check it out. ]



It's been a hairy weekend for people in the communities near La Tuna Canyon and along the Verdugo Mountains  threatening flames, thick smoke, mandatory evacuations, air drops day and night, and way hot temperatures. As of Sunday night, the evacuations have all been lifted and the 210 freeway reopened for the first time all weekend. What they are calling the LaTuna Fire of 2017 is only 30 percent contained, so the numbers could rise, but the stats this far are three homes burned in the city of Los Angeles and a revised Sunday night estimate of 7,003 acres of brush scorched. Four firefighters have suffered non-life threatening injuries. More than 1,000 firefighters have been engaged.

The weekend fire's threat was aimed at the Shadow Hills, Sunland and Tujunga communities of Los Angeles, so there also were lots of horses, other animals and older residents who had to be relocated. Tense times for a lot of people there and in the cities of Burbank and Glendale, which also had ordered some limited evacuations.

You'd think from the headlines, though, that Los Angeles was under a fire siege  in part because of the great media pics and social media  and because on Saturday morning Mayor Eric Garcetti told the world that this was the biggest wildfire in city of Los Angeles history. At the time, the number was around 5,000 acres  well behind the life-changing Bel Air fire in 1961 that burned 6,090 acres and destroyed 484 homes.





Confirmed this is now largest fire by acreage in LA City history. EG  Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) September 2, 2017



On Sunday night, the fire command provisionally bumped La Tuna's acreage up to to over 7,000 acres. So if that holds, the mayor will now be right on the acreage within the city limits criteria. Even so, this weekend's conflagration is small in the recent annals of Los Angeles area fires. And it's not even the worst La Tuna Canyon fire on record.

The La Tuna Canyon fire that is in the history books  and that probably informed the massive official response when flames broke out on Friday  occurred in November 1955. It started in a backyard on La Tuna Canyon Road on a Sunday and spread quickly, burning for five days over at least 4,500 acres. Few houses were lost. This was before water-dropping helicopters and planes, so the fight was on the ground, ridge by ridge in the brush. Almost every employee of the Los Angeles Fire Department was engaged in the fire in some way,

The toll, however, included a Los Angeles firefighter. Auto Fireman James L. Catlow, of Engine Company 39, died in a fire storm that swept over Green Verdugo fire road. About 100 other firefighters were treated at a hospital. Catlow was awarded the department's Medal of Valor.

"This was a big fire--it was a terrible fire--it was an educational fire," reads an account at the LAFD history website. "Every fire department employee was involved in some way whether actually on the fire lines, or in the background planning and coordinating the many phases of such a large scale operation.... This was a fire experience that will be talked about for a long, long time."

The deadliest brush fire in the city broke out on Oct. 3, 1933, in the Mineral Wells Canyon area of Griffith Park, near the old Los Angeles Zoo This was during the Great Depression, and a work crew of men from the county welfare relief rolls were being used to clear brush. They were re-directed to fight a small fire and got caught in the flames  29 of the men died and more than 150 others were hurt. "The county morgue wasn't big enough to handle all the remains, let alone the victims' grieving families and the inquisitive press," historian Mike Eberts wrote. The terrible toll came in a fire that only burned 46 acres before being put out.

The Bel Air Fire in November 1961 is the disaster that usually gets the most attention, in part because it was the first in Los Angeles to unfold on TV news and because the fire devastated some of the most expensive neighborhoods in Los Angeles. "The most disastrous brush fire in the history of Southern California," the official LAFD report said at the time. It's due to this fire that you don't see a lot of shingle roofs (or older houses) along Mulholland Drive, and if you live in the hills you get those official warnings every spring from the fire department to clear the brush around your home.

Here's an LAFD film made in the aftermath of Bel Air.





In November 2008, the Sayre Fire in the Sylmar section of the city destroyed 480 mobile homes and nine other homes as it swept across 11,262 acres.

There also have been many wildfires that burned mostly outside the Los Angeles city limits that were far bigger than this weekend's La Tuna fire. Many people remember the Station Fire that burned across the San Gabriel Mountains for more than a week in 2009, claiming 161,189 acres and killing two firefighters. Another fire event that disaster officials still study is a 1970 event that began as a brush fire in the Santa Clarita area, burned to the west end of the San Fernando Valley, and merged with a fire that went all the way to the ocean in Malibu. In all 157,058 acres were burned and more than 350 homes destroyed, and the experience spurred the adoption of new tactics for fighting fires  including the unified command structure that kicks in all the big fires these days.

Last year's Sand Fire in the San Gabriels and Angeles National Forest burned more than 35,000 acres,

As for the current fire, it is a major event  both the mayor and the governor have declared states of emergency  just not that epic by Los Angeles standards. It's actually one of the smaller, least destructive fires in California this summer, including a couple that have threatened Yosemite National Park and, just this weekend, a grove of giant Sequoia trees.

Even so, the mayor's quip that this was the largest fire in LA history enabled screaming headlines all over the place. The LA Times used the claim to attract eyeballs to its coverage, local TV did the same, and sites like BuzzFeed joined in breathlessly: Los Angeles Is Battling The Biggest Wildfire In Its History And The Photos Are Unreal.

By the end of the weekend Garcetti began to qualify the claim, but try putting that genie back in the bottle.

#LaTunaFire Tanker 901 DC10 making a drop to protect homes in Sunland @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/5OKmStOM6P  Kevin Takumi (@KevinTakumi) September 3, 2017




PRESS RELEASE

Chinas Foreign Minister Previews Next Weeks BRICS Summit in China; Invited Nations Anxious To Participate

Aug. 30, 2017 (EIRNS)At a briefing for the media this morning in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi put a focus on Chinas invitation to five non-BRICS nations to attend the Sept. 3-5 summit in Xiamen, China: "We need to have some further explanation about the BRICS Plus to help people better understand the rationale of this idea," Wang said. He explained that the host BRICS country has the option of inviting non-members, and previous hosts have done that, by inviting neighboring countries. Those discussions, he said, have been "very effective."

Regarding China, he said:

"Our practice is a little bit different; we are not just inviting countries in our neighborhood, but also countries from around the world that are interested in the BRICS mechanism."

The purpose, he explained, is to turn the partnership into the most important platform for South-South cooperation, CGTN reports. This is evident from the geographic breadth of the invited nations: Mexico, Tajikistan, Egypt, Kenya, and Thailand.

The invitations have been very well received, by the countries themselves, and internationally. Yaroslav Lissovolik, chief economist of the Eurasian Development Bank, told Xinhua that the initiative is

"aimed not at expanding the very core of the association and including the largest developed countries, but at increasing its openness and accessibility to integration for the states of the developing world."

Egypt is willing to further contribute to cooperation within the BRICS framework, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi told Chinese media before his trip to China for the BRICS summit.

"Our participation in the meetings with the BRICS countries is of great importance, especially as Egypt enjoys promising economic capabilities and provides an outstanding strategic location that can help it effectively support the BRICS community and its priorities,"

Sisi told Xinhua in the recent interview.

The Egyptian president said he expects the summit to contribute to the further understanding of major issues concerning developing countries, as well as the political, economic, and social challenges facing them. He also expressed his great appreciation of Chinese President Xi Jinping for inviting him to attend the BRICS summit, "which reflects the special bond between the two countries, as well as their strategic partnership." His participation in the BRICS summit is an opportunity for the two sides to continue consultation and coordination on various issues regarding mutual interests, the president said.

"The visit will also provide a good opportunity to follow up on the joint projects of cooperation between the two countries in various fields, taking into account the contribution of Chinese companies to several ongoing infrastructure projects in Egypt, including the new administrative capital project, electricity and energy development projects, and transportation," Sisi noted

To Thailand, the upcoming ninth BRICS summit means much, reports Xinhua today. It is expected to witness the signing of draft contracts of a railway project vital to the Southeast Asian nation. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend the dialogues on political and security issues on the sideline of the summit.

The Thailand-China railway project has been a focus of widespread attention in Thailand.

"It will be the first standard gauge high-speed railway of Thailand and will greatly shorten the traveling time from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima,"

said Huang Bin, head of the Chinese department at the Kasikorn Research Center, a Thai think tank. The future railway will "contribute to economic and social development in the less-developed northeast of Thailand," Huang added. During the BRICS Xiamen summit, Thailand and China are expected to sign the design and supervision draft contracts for the first phase of the railway project, according to Thai officials. The first phase project, divided into four sections, is about building a 253-km railway with a maximum speed of 250 km per hour to link the capital, Bangkok, and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. In the second phase, the railway will extend from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai on the border with Laos, where it will be further connected to the China-Laos railway that is under construction. When the whole project is completed, Bangkok and Kunming, provincial capital for Yunnan in Chinas southwest, will be connected by the modern railway.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has left Dushanbe for China for a state visit ahead of a summit of the BRICS. Several cabinet members are accompanying him on his visit, which ends on September 5. Chinese media reported that Rahmon was expected to attend a summit-related Dialogue of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries.

On August 23, Tajik lawmakers ratified a memorandum on cooperation under which China is to help build new buildings for the Tajik parliament and government in Dushanbe. Tajikistans economy and trade minister, Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, said that China had agreed to allocate 1.5 billion yuan (some $230 million) for the construction project.
PRESS RELEASE

North Korea Conducts Sixth Nuclear Test

Sept. 3, 2017 (EIRNS)North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test earlier today (Saturday night U.S. Eastern time). North Koreas state media claimed, in a "critical announcement" issued at 3:30 p.m. local time, that the test was a "complete success of a hydrogen warhead for an ICBM." The test took place hours after North Korea claimed that it had completed its thermonuclear technologies, and was now capable of producing "powerful nuclear weapons at will." The seismometer readings from China and South Korea measured 6.3 and 5.7 magnitude tremors, respectively, resulting from the blastsubstantially greater than North Koreas earlier nuclear tests.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that "appeasement with North Korea" will not work. "North Korea has conducted a major nuclear test," Trump said. "Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

Chinas Foreign Ministry said that China "expresses its firm opposition (to the test) and strongly condemns it." North Korea "has ignored the international communitys widespread opposition, again carrying out a nuclear test. Chinas government expresses resolute opposition and strong condemnation toward this," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the test

"yet another example of Pyongyangs outright disregard of the demands of respective UN Security Council resolutions and international law [and] deserves absolute condemnation."

At the same time, the ministry advised restraint and a return to dialogue.

"Under the unfolding conditions, it is essential to keep calm and to restrain from any acts, which may lead to further escalation of tensions,"

the statement said.

"We urge all interested parties to promptly return to dialogue and negotiations, the only possible way for a comprehensive settlement of the Korean Peninsula problems, including the nuclear problem."

Analysts initial estimates of the yield from Sundays test varied, ranging from 100 kilotons up to 1 megaton. Either way, said Jeffrey Lewis of the Arms Control Wonk website, it was "a staged thermonuclear weapon" which represents a significant advance in North Koreas weapons program, reported Agence France-Presse. Koo Kab-woo of Seouls University of North Korean Studies suggested that North Korea may not need any more tests, however, since Pakistan conducted six tests in 1998 and none since. "If we look at it from Pakistans example, the North might be in the final stages" of becoming a nuclear state, he said.
PRESS RELEASE

Putin Will Not Participate in the Upcoming UN General Assembly

Sept. 3, 2017 (EIRNS)Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Sept. 2 that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be participating in this years UN General Assembly, which begins in New York City later this month.

President Donald Trump has announced that a summit of world leaders will be held on the eve of the General Assembly session, to discuss reforms to the UN. According to an Agence France Presse news wire, Trump will urge the assembled leaders to sign a 10-point political declaration which backs UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "in making concrete changes to the United Nations." Fourteen countries will co-host the event (including Britain, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, and others), which will be addressed by Trump, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and Guterres. Peskov declined to comment on the planned meeting, when journalists asked him about it.
Amit Bhardwaj GainBitcoin Makes It Easy to Enter the Bitcoin Game

What Is Bitcoin?

In 2009, a man by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto released a white paper informing the world about his invention: Blockchain and Bitcoin. And in that same year, Amit Bhardwaj GainBitcoin CEO was already paying attention. The thing you must understand is that without Blockchain there could be no Bitcoin. And without Bitcoin there can be no true financial freedom. See, because that was Nakamotos dream - to create financial freedom. Well explain about the whole financial freedom thing later in the article.

As Amit Bhardwaj has explained in the past banks use a system that has been around since the beginning of time: it's called trust. People and businesses have had to rely on intermediaries such as governments and banks to ensure that trust. These intermediaries are in charge of very important tasks that build and keep the trust between all parties involved in processing the transactions, authenticating them and keeping the records of those transactions. Blockchain resolves this problem.

Intermediaries are most important when it comes to dealing with digital assets like money, stocks & intellectual property, are essentially files, they are incredibly easy to reproduce. So, people like Nakamoto had been attempting to create a solution since the 1990s. To solve the issue of needing a middleman, Blockchain was designed to be a type of distributed ledger or decentralized database of records of digital transactions. GainBitcoin.com is a service that allows anyone to get in the action.

How GainBitcoin Works With Blockchain

Bitcoin has to come from somewhere, and something has to give Bitcoin its value. And it is this process that has kept Amit Bhardwaj enthralled in the whole concept of Bitcoin way before most people knew it existed - this is his entire reason behind GainBitcoin.com!

Amit Bhardwaj Bitcoin CEO had this to say, When I started HighKart in 2013, the bitcoin space was very small and nobody was ready to listen to the concept. Thats when I realised that people were using bitcoins as a commodity for investment and not as a transaction mechanism. We stopped HighKart and we ventured into the mining space.

Without getting into the nitty gritty of the whole thing, mining is exactly what gives Bitcoin its value in the first place - it is the energy and time invested that makes it worth more than Gold and Silver at this very moment. And GainBitcoin makes this whole complicated thing easy for anyone with only a little capital get into.

All you have to do is buy hash power in order to be a part of the whole Amit Bhardwaj GainBitcoin club. Hash power is the amount of power a system uses to solve the complex algorithms that make Blockchain so safe and secure. When each algorithm is solved, a new Bitcoin is entered into the Blockchain and you get paid in Bitcoin in the process - thats the reward for solving the puzzle by the way. But it can be difficult as the puzzle becomes harder and harder to solve as more people enter the Blockchain system to solve the algorithms. This is how it keeps checks and balances.

Where Will Bitcoin Be in the Next Five Years

Bitcoin is poised to take over the world. For example, in countries such as Venezuela, the people are taking their own financial future into their hands. India and other countries are beginning to see the same revolution. Amit Bhardwajs company, GainBitcoin is a prime example of how easy it is to do just that: take back the power - cut out the middlemen.

Amit Bhardwaj has also released a few e-books that are a great source of information for those who are interested in knowing more about cryptocurrencies, mining Bitcoin, and trading Bitcoin.

Amit Bhardwaj, Gain Bitcoin CEO and founder of Amaze Mining & Research Limited, released one of his many groundbreaking ebooks earlier this year entitled Cryptocurrency for Beginners. Amit Bhardwaj hopes to explain in clarity the unexplored and technology-dense world of Blockchain and cryptocurrencies, but in a simplified way for beginners to understand.

This was actually Amit Bhardwaj's third book in a series. His earlier works of art were Cryptocurrency Trading for Beginners and Cryptocurrency Mining for Beginners. When he was asked about how important it was to read these books, Amit Bhardwaj answered, Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are set to transform the world with their efficient solutions. However, the promise and power of cryptocurrencies remain to be unleashed meaningfully  as limited awareness across stakeholder categories, plays spoilsport."

Amit Bhardwaj Has Done a Lot for Bitcoin in India

Amit Bhardwaj has inspired many in India to take up Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Amit Bhardwaj started mining Bitcoin all the way back in 2012 and built his empire around it. Now Amit Bhardwaj and his organization own 5 percent of all the hashing power in India. Amit Bhardwaj has invested in countless other first generation entrepreneurs and startups in the Blockchain space in India and throughout other parts of Asia, including China. Some of those he invested in were Rockminer, Alphapoint, and Airbitz.

Believe it or not, Amit Bhardwaj started his very first Bitcoin related company all the way back in 2010, HighKart. This was an online store that was one of the first online merchants to accept Bitcoin as payment. He decided to close Highkart and get into Mining Bitcoin. This is where Amit Bhardwaj got is stake to fame in India in the Blockchain and Bitcoin market.
Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs Angelino Alfano announced on Monday that it is sending Giampaolo Cantini on 14 September as Italian ambassador to Egypt to fill the position that has been vaccant for more than a year , state-run news agency MENA reported.

Meanwhile, Egypt is also sending Hesham Badr as its new ambassador to Rome on the same day, said MENA.

Alfano made the announcement during a session of the foreign affairs committee at the Italian parliament, according to Italy's AGI new agency.

"Egypt is an inextricable partner of Italy, and also Italy is an inextricable partner of Egypt," said Alfano. "Therefore, it is impossible for our countries not to have high-level political and diplomatic dialogue."

Alfano also said that sending Cantini to Cairo is intended to consolidate the political and ethical obligations of the Italian government regarding the search for the truth about the murder of Italian researcher Guilio Regeni.

Alfano also told the Italian parliament that the Regeni case was "a serious injury for our conscience, for all of us and for the whole country," Italian news agency ANSA reported.

He added: "The day the body of Giulio Regeni was found, bilateral relations suffered a big blow."

In mid-August Alfano announced that an Italian ambassador would return to Cairo more than a year after the envoy was recalled in the wake of the death of Regeni.

Regeni was conducting research on trade unions before he went missing on January 25 last year. His body was found with signs of torture on 3 February on the outskirts of the capital.

Rome recalled its ambassador to Cairo in April 2016, expressing concerns about the alleged lack of transparency in Egypt's investigations.

Egyptian authorities have been conducting an investigation to determine who killed Regeni and is updating Rome on developments. Egypt's top proesecutor visited Rome more than once since April 2016 to share information related to the ongoing inquiry with his Italian counterpart.

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Less than 24 hours after Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County, weather helped take the fight out of a more than 7,000-acre brush fire that officials said is the citys largest in decades by acreage.

The La Tuna fire, which has raged in the Verdugo Mountains since Friday, is 30% contained, according to fire officials. There is really no active fire left, said Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas, although he noted that the wind could help kick the fire back up.

Temperatures Monday were projected to reach 86 degrees, with winds at three to 10 mph and a relative humidity of 40% to 45%. But that was a far cry from the heat wave temperatures that had helped the fires spread.

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Very favorable to the firefighters making continued progress, Terrazas said. As long as the weather continues to cooperate, I am very confident and convinced well be fine.

The La Tuna fire destroyed four homes, shut down the 210 Freeway and led to evacuations in Burbank, Glendale and the Sunland-Tujunga area. At the peak of the fire, more than 700 residents were evacuated throughout the region.

The evacuations have since been lifted and the freeway reopened. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but officials said there is no evidence of arson.

The governors declaration came Sunday, at the urging of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who said it would ensure that state and federal assistance was provided as quickly as possible. Garcetti described the fire as the biggest in the history of the city in terms of sheer acreage.

Fire officials repeated that statement on Monday.

Were confident back to 1961, the Bel-Air fire, that this is the largest fire by acreage in the city of Los Angeles, Terrazas said.

Relief from the heat wave came for firefighters on Sunday , when temperatures dipped a bit and rain fell in some burn areas as monsoonal moisture from Tropical Storm Lidia moved into the region.

The moisture that damped down the fire yesterday was from Lidia, said Jet Propulsion Laboratory climatologist Bill Patzert. That was a gift from ... Lidia.

Because of concern over future rain and mudslides, bulldozers will be used to clear out basins, which could get clogged and lead to mud and water flowing into communities, Terrazas said.

Burbank police said they would continue to monitor the situation, but that their police and fire departments were initiating a demobilization plan.

Mother Nature kicked in overnight, said Sgt. Derek Green, a spokesman with the Burbank Police Department. We received some rain, some very welcomed rain.

Firefighters continued battling a 3,800-acre brush fire in Riverside County that forced more than 400 people to evacuate their homes.

The Palmer fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. Saturday west of Beaumont and rapidly spread by nightfall. The blaze is believed to have been ignited by fireworks, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

As of Monday, the fire was 50% contained. Evacuation orders and road closures were lifted Sunday afternoon.

Patzert of JPL said September is the heat wave month so the risk of other fires will persist as brush and grasses and other vegetation continue to become dry and desiccated.

The simple formula is that fire equals fuel, plus ignition, plus meteorology, Patzert said Monday. After above-average rainfall last winter through February, March turned dry, he said.

But the rainfall we did have really encouraged the brush and especially the grasses So we were primed for fires all over the Southland. And were definitely not done, Patzert said. The fire season is the Santa Ana winds season and historically thats October, with November being the peak of the old fire season.

Times staff writer Emily Alpert Reyes contributed to this report.

brittny.mejia@latimes.com

Twitter: @brittny_mejia

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Palmer fire in Riverside County grows to 3,800 acres

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Where the border fence meets the sea, a strange beach scene contrasting the U.S. and Mexico
Not long after dozens of black-hooded protesters were filmed pummeling people on his citys streets, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin made clear his disgust for the self-stylized vigilantes.

Antifa, he said, is no different than a street gang, and police should start treating protesters in the anti-fascist movement accordingly.

Later that day, legislators in Sacramento advanced resolutions that would treat violent acts committed by antifa movements enemies  white nationalists and neo-Nazis  as terrorist acts under state law.

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As forces on the extremes of the nations ever-widening political divide continue to battle with fists and weapons on the streets of California, law enforcement officials and politicians have started debating whether these extremist groups should be classified as street gangs.

Such a designation could give law enforcement new tools to combat the groups. Numerous laws on the books give authorities the power to restrict the movements of gang members and enhance criminal charges against them.

But such a move raises legal issues because unlike with traditional street gangs, the underlying motive of these extremist groups is political expression rather than criminal enterprise.

Law enforcement experts say the groups that have been warring in the Bay Area for months  which include anti-fascists and those using black bloc militant tactics, far-right organizations such as the Proud Boys and the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights, and white nationalist groups such as Identity Evropa  certainly share similarities with a street gang.

It is gang behavior with some ideology. But it is also a social entity as well as a political one, said Brian Levin, director of Cal State San Bernardino Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.

Arreguin, the mayor, said he believes that groups on both the left and the right meet this definition. But its something I would want to discuss with our enforcement partners before I make that announcement, he said.

There are violent extremists on both sides, and we need to look at a variety of legal and law enforcement strategies to deal with these groups, he said. There are organized groups  violent extremists groups  on the left and right that have encouraged people to come to Berkeley and physically confront the antifa or to confront the alt-right.

But some gang experts also expressed concern about linking the far left to street gang activity. While the groups may share commonalities with gangs, the idea of labeling them as such could be seen as a punishing a political viewpoint, no matter how extreme.

Theres an argument for it, but theres also a very grave concern because they are exercising their constitutional rights, said San Bernardino County Deputy Dist. Atty. Britt Imes, a nationally renowned expert on gang activity. Their criminal actions, not their free speech actions, their criminal actions, will determine whether they qualify as a criminal street gang.

Labeling either far-left or far-right groups as street gangs could have serious consequences for those arrested during the inevitable next clash at a counter-protest in California. Under the states Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act  a piece of legislation passed at the height of the nations gang boom  gang enhancements can add two to 15 years to a criminal sentence for people convicted of committing a crime in concert with gang activity.

Identified gang members can also be subject to injunctions, or civil restraining orders, that would prevent them from being in certain areas or congregating with friends and even family. Such tactics have been hailed as successes, and decried as draconian by civil liberties groups, in Los Angeles.

A spokeswoman for the Berkeley Police Department said she did not know whether antifa would qualify as a gang under California law.

Any law enforcement agency trying to label antifa protesters as gang members might also run into another problem: Technically, they dont exist.

Joanna Mendelson, a senior investigative researcher for the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism, said antifa generally describes a way of thinking, rather than a group.

The antifa is a loose network of individuals who believe in active, aggressive opposition to far-right movements, she said. Theres not a clear organizational structure. Its a movement.

Antifa does not have a membership, nor does anyone have to claim to be part of the group to embrace its tactics or approach to protests, she added. But some far-left groups that espouse violence have taken on this banner.

Some law enforcement officials believe those groups fit the description of a street gang, even if identifying their followers would be next to impossible.

I think under state law they could easily be declared a gang, said Wes McBride, president of the California Gang Investigators Assn. They behave like a gang. They have defined commitment to violence. They have their own gang dress.

They behave like a gang. They have defined commitment to violence. They have their own gang dress.  Wes McBride, president of the California Gang Investigators Assn.

Imes, who said that he was speaking as an expert and that his comments did not reflect the opinions of the San Bernardino County district attorneys office, added that many black and Hispanic factions defined as gangs under the law also lack structure or formal membership.

Antifas stated goal may be to defeat white supremacists and neo-Nazis, but if the means by which its followers achieve that mission are violent, they could still be defined as a gang, he said.

The question is going to become have they engaged in a pattern of criminal activity  and is that part of their primary purpose for existing? When you talk about a group engaging in civil disobedience, I am very hesitant to label them a street gang, Imes said. However, if their purpose is to come together to cause havoc, or engage in violence, and this is antifa or the white supremacist side  theyre going to engage in conduct that will eventually fit the definition of what a criminal street gang is.

Those standing across Bay Area battle lines from anti-fascists, including the Proud Boys and the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights, seem to have more in common with what the average citizen associates with gang lore. The Proud Boys, a national collective of western chauvinists founded by former Vice media executive Gavin McInnes, has a formalized initiation process that includes being beaten by members, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Members have to declare themselves as Proud Boys, follow a dress code that includes polo shirts and engage in violent brawls with anti-fascists as part of their initiation, the SPLC has said. The group has regional chapters, including in the Bay Area and Orange County, and some members refer to themselves as commanders of specific sets. After an April rally, the Bay Area Proud Boys claimed Berkeley as its territory, according to a tweet pinned atop its social media page.

When they do things like that, and they put things in writing like bylaws  it makes our job a lot easier, Imes said. It makes proving the associational organization much easier. When you talk about whether something is a criminal street gang or not, you look to what evidence you have.

Factions on both sides of the political divide also commit a pattern of crimes that are described in the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act, experts say. The repeat brawls in the Bay Area and elsewhere could constitute a pattern of assault. Arson is also listed under the law, Imes said, pointing to fires believed to have been set by anti-fascists during protests in Berkeley earlier this year.

Still, most experts agree that its easier to label a group a gang when its criminal acts are divorced from political speech. The Golden State Skinheads are a white supremacy group, for example, but its members have also been known to engage in robberies and drug trafficking.

McBride said hes less concerned with labels than he is with stopping the endless series of brawls in the Bay Area before they escalate into something worse.

These young men see it as an adventure with the excitement of a fight, he said, warning that sooner or later someone is going to pull a gun.

james.queally@latimes.com

benjamin.oreskes@latimes.com

richard.winton@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT @boreskes & @LACrimes for breaking news in California.

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210 Freeway reopened, all evacuation orders lifted as firefighters gain upper hand on Verdugo Mountains fire

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A line of thunderstorms moved through Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Sunday, bringing strong gusts and rain to some areas during a scorching heat wave.

A storm that barreled through Santa Barbara brought heavy downpour and strong winds to the beach, leaving beach-goers screaming and trying to grab their belongings as umbrellas flew above the sand.

Wind gusts of up to 80 mph, along with the rain, caused the temperature there to drop from 101 to 81 degrees within 90 minutes, said Carol Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

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The storms are fast-moving but theyre dumping a lot of rain, Smith said.

Leonard Diaz captured this incredible video as a severe #storm event rolled through Arroyo Burro Beach in #SantaBarbara. pic.twitter.com/wDHfl1IE9T  KEYT NewsChannel 3 (@KEYTNC3) September 4, 2017

Moisture from Tropical Storm Lidia also brought heavy showers and gusty winds to Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, offering some relief from a heat wave that has gripped the region for days.

Officials warned of the potential for flash floods, especially in burn areas that are more susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows.

Showers helped firefighters who continued to battle the 7,003-acre La Tuna fire that destroyed three homes and temporarily shut down the 210 Freeway. By Sunday evening, the blaze was 30% contained.

At the peak of the fire, more than 700 residents throughout the region were forced to flee their homes. By Sunday evening, all evacuation orders had been lifted.

Although temperatures dropped slightly Sunday, some areas  including Chatsworth, Northridge, Woodland Hills and Lancaster  still reached 101 degrees.

Los Angeles International Airport reached 97 degrees, Smith said, beating a previous record of 92 set in 1982.

Southern California was expected to cool down Monday, dropping below triple digits. Coastal areas should hover about 80 degrees, Smith said, while valleys and inland areas could reach 95 degrees.

We wont have any hundreds anywhere, she added.

Temperatures will continue falling Tuesday by about 5 degrees.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AleneTchek

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UPDATES:

9:55 p.m.: This article was updated with new acreage and containment figures of the La Tuna fire.

This article was originally published at 8:55 p.m.
Californias housing crisis is eroding the quality of life in the Golden State.

Rising rents and house prices are forcing Californians to spend more of their paychecks to keep a roof over their heads. Among renters, 1 in 3 pays more than half his income to his landlord, leaving little money for food, transportation and other essentials, much less for savings. Too many residents are one unexpected expense or rent increase away from homelessness.

Homeownership  one of the most important ways Americans build wealth  is falling out of reach for many Californians. Only half of the households in the state own their homes, among the lowest rates in the country and the lowest rate in California since the 1940s.

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To find affordable housing, workers often move to far-flung suburbs from which they commute hours each day, making traffic worse and exacerbating air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Employers complain that high housing costs make it hard to hire and retain skilled workers. That hurts the states economy and has led some companies to move to states where their workers can more easily buy homes.

These bills alone wont solve the states housing crisis. But they are a good first step in reversing decades of bad decision making.

The cause of the crisis? Californias traditionally high housing costs have been worsened by a decades-long failure to build enough housing to keep up with population growth. For example, the state projected it would need 1.5 million new homes between 2003 and 2014, yet fewer than half of those homes were built. California needs to build, build, build  both market-rate and affordable homes if it is to end the housing crisis.

Lawmakers finally have taken this to heart. There were more than 130 housing-related bills introduced this year. Now in the final weeks of the session, there are a handful of critical bills that must pass.

SB 35: Local governments often have thrown up roadblocks to building housing. Though they are sometimes justified, the overall effect of measures to combat sprawl, to mitigate traffic and to ensure adequate infrastructure is in place  in combination with unnecessary red tape and NIMBYism  has been to stymie or shrink badly needed housing development.

Sen. Scott Wieners (D-San Francisco) SB 35 would put some teeth behind the states fair share housing law that requires cities to plan for enough market-rate and affordable housing. The bill would require cities that have fallen behind on their housing construction goals to streamline the approval of certain apartment or condo projects. Developments that comply with existing land-use rules and that include affordable units could bypass the often lengthy and sometimes unnecessary environmental reviews and City Council votes. The idea is to make it easier and faster to build new homes in communities that have failed to approve the housing needed to meet population growth.

SB 2: While California should let the real estate industry create more luxury and middle-income housing, the reality is that the market alone will not build housing for the neediest Californians. There needs to be subsidized housing.

A decade ago, California communities collected more than $1 billion a year in property taxes to spend on low- and moderate-income housing. That affordable housing money disappeared after Gov. Jerry Brown and legislators eliminated the states redevelopment agencies in 2011 to help balance the budget. SB 2 by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) would restore a fraction of that annual funding by imposing a $75 fee on mortgage refinances and other real estate transactions, except for property sales.

That fee would raise about $250 million a year, the bulk of which would help finance low-income and homeless housing. The rest would provide assistance for homebuyers and funding for farmworker housing, and would help cities plan for housing development.

Some lawmakers have balked at the bill because it would levy a new fee. But it is a relatively small charge that will help California address the enormous need for housing for the states most vulnerable residents.

SB 3: This compromise bill by Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose) would put a $4-billion bond measure on the June 2018 ballot. If approved by voters, it would help fund the construction of new affordable rental housing and would provide low-interest loans to veterans buying homes. A $4-billion bond is a lot less than the $6 billion to $9 billion that Treasurer John Chiang and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon had been pushing for, but its more financially prudent, especially as California voters are likely to consider additional bonds next year for parks, water infrastructure and voting systems.

These bills alone wont solve the states housing crisis. But they are a good first step in reversing decades of bad decision making.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
A decision on the fate of DACA is due Tuesday. Ending the program would arguably be the most mean-spirited and shortsighted of the Trump administrations many anti-immigrant actions.

On the campaign trail, candidate Donald Trump attacked the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program as an executive amnesty perpetrated by President Obama. But after the election he repeatedly declined to simply shut it down, promising that he would find a way to do something for the kids. Now it appears he may have been putting the program on life support, to be terminated whenever a compelling political rationale came along.

The president is being pushed to pull the plug ostensibly because nine Republican state attorneys general, joined by Idaho Gov. C.L. Otter, threatened to sue the Trump administration if it failed to start dismantling what they consider to be an unconstitutional program by Sept. 5. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has already made it clear he wont defend DACA against the charge that Obama usurped congressional authority by granting temporary legal status to a large group of immigrants.

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But lets call the lawsuit what it is: a convenient pretext.

Apart from the constitutionality issue, opponents of DACA cling to the threadbare magnet theory, according to which any benefit provided by the federal government induces more illegal migration. But there is not a shred of evidence from scientific research that the availability of DACA, or any social service, is what attracts immigrants. Overwhelming evidence shows that they come because of family ties and wage and employment differentials between their country and the United States. Some are fleeing gangs and drug violence in their place of origin.

What these wrongheaded and inhumane measures have in common is profound ignorance of the on-the-ground realities of immigration and labor markets.

If Trump rescinds DACA or decides to wind it down gradually, what will be accomplished? It would rob more than 800,000 young people brought to this country by their parents of the chance to lead fully productive lives. It would restrict their access to higher education and make them vulnerable to exploitation by employers who could take advantage of their deportability. Their lifetime contributions to tax revenues would be stunted. And rather than causing DACA recipients to self-deport  the fantasy solution to unauthorized immigration cherished by conservatives  it would just push them underground.

These highly motivated young people have spent most of their lives trying to become full-fledged Americans, mastering English, staying out of trouble, paying taxes, pursuing any opportunity to advance themselves. In the vast majority of cases, they (and their parents) have no family or economic base in their home country to return to. If they must live permanently in the shadows in the U.S., they will.

DACA recipients interviewed by my research team in San Diego County in 2014 reported that even temporary protection from deportation  DACA protection lasts two years and is renewable  enabled them to get higher-paying jobs, making college more financially possible. DACA encouraged them to invest more in their education because legal employment would be available when they finished. It conferred important psychological benefits, giving recipients a sense of security, belonging and normalcy. And yet DACA recipients were also acutely aware of the precariousness of their temporary legal status.

Ending DACA is just one piece of the Trump administrations broad assault on immigrant families and communities. A policy memo signed in February by then-Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly stripped protection from deportation from undocumented family members of active-duty military personnel. Recently, the Trump administration enthusiastically embraced the RAISE Act, proposed by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and David Purdue (R-Ga.), which would tear apart our largely family-based legal immigration system with the goal of sharply reducing the supply of low-skilled labor  at a time when many U.S. employers face labor shortages that will deepen as 76 million baby boomers retire.

What these wrongheaded and inhumane measures have in common is profound ignorance of the on-the-ground realities of immigration and labor markets in 21st century America, together with eagerness to toss red meat to the nativists in Trumps base. Its up to Congress to restore some measure of sanity and constructive purpose to immigration policymaking.

Legislation introduced in July by Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) would do what should have been done long ago for DACA-eligible young people. The Dream Act would grant legal permanent resident status to an estimated 1.8 million undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States before age 18 and can meet other DACA-type requirements. If the Dream Act fails due to Republican obstruction or a presidential veto, GOP leaders will need to explain to the majority of Americans, who according to polls approve of DACA, why Congress wont stop punishing children for a misdemeanor  unauthorized entry  committed by their parents.

Wayne Cornelius is director emeritus of the Mexican Migration Field Research Program at UC San Diego and coauthor of One Step In and One Step Out: The Lived Experience of Immigrant Participants in the DACA Program.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook

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Advice for student protesters: Fly, dont drive

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A humble proposal for student activists as the new academic year gets underway: Fly, dont drive.

Heres what I mean. Following highly publicized plane crashes or hijackings, many people are tempted to drive rather than fly if they have the option. The impulse is irrational  youre far more likely to die in a drive across town than on a cross-country plane ride  but understandable. We feel less fearful and more in control behind the wheel of a car.

That inclination, I believe, provides much of the answer to a question Ive been asked by friends and colleagues about notorious incidents on college campuses over the last couple of years. At a time when climate change, increasing inequality and the current occupant of the White House are endangering the planet, why were Oberlin students going on about culturally insensitive sandwiches and Evergreen students about a professor who balked at calls for white staff and students to absent themselves from campus for a day?

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If a student cares more about climate change and governmental malfeasance than whats said on campus, shouldnt she give precedence to those commitments?

The objection has merit. On almost any rational calculus, the time and outrage devoted to such kerfuffles could be put to better use. Meanwhile, events like those at Oberlin College and the Evergreen State College provide ready-made rationales for pundits to mock college activists.

But rational calculi arent the only kind that motivate humans. We have a deep-seated need to feel in control of our lives and surroundings, as heaps of studies have shown.

If a student has 10 hours to devote to protesting, spending them outside the dining hall or the college presidents office is more likely to produce a change in policy than the same investment of time protesting outside the offices of a corporation that contributes to climate change or an elected official who supports the oil and gas industry.

But if that student cares more about climate change and governmental malfeasance than whats served or said on campus, shouldnt she give precedence to those commitments?

I phrase that as a question rather than a statement because I meant what I said about this being a humble proposal. A former student activist who has worked for a few decades as a professor and university administrator, I learned long ago that young adults have good reason to discount the priorities and strategies their elders urge them to adopt. Our recommendations stem not only from noble goals, but  lets be honest  from our desire for control. Wed like the next generation to continue what we and previous generations began, and wed prefer they direct their upset elsewhere than at us.

My proposal sidesteps those impulses: Its simply that students should examine their priorities. It leaves open where, how and toward what or whom student activists direct their actions. If a student concludes that the campus climate or college president is a better focal point for their activism this academic year than climate change or President Trump, so be it. There is a case to be made for the old adage think globally, act locally. Besides, students will have plenty of years post-graduation to tackle off-campus concerns.

To the extent that college activists are choosing their battles based on what feels most within their control, however, I respectfully suggest they reconsider.

Dont drive because youre afraid to fly.

Barry Glassner is the author of The Culture of Fear, a professor of sociology and former president of Lewis & Clark College.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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As a candidate, Donald Trump boasted of his lack of government experience and argued his business background qualified him to handle a presidents most august responsibility  handling the nuclear arsenal.

On Sunday, hours after North Korea claimed it had tested its first hydrogen bomb, far more powerful than its previous nuclear tests, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis emerged from a meeting that Trump had just held with his top national security advisors, and raised the specter of nuclear war.

Standing in the White House driveway with Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mattis warned Pyongyang that aggression against the United States or its allies would trigger a unified world response and what he termed the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea.

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Any threat to the United States or its territory, including Guam, or our allies, will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming, Mattis said.

The warning was all the more severe because it came from Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general who had sought to tamp down so many of Trumps bellicose comments and tweets in recent weeks that he was forced to deny a split with the president.

Sundays drama represented a new reality for Trump. His presidency has been defined largely by political crises of his own making, from his decision to fire FBI Director James B. Comey to his comments after racial violence in Charlottesville, Va. It was inevitable that circumstances outside his reach would complicate his tenure.

And now they have, raising the question of how he will handle a double-barreled pair of crises  the growing threat from North Korea and the recovery and relief efforts for hundreds of thousands of Americans caught in epic floods in Texas and Louisiana.

To add to his challenges, the White House has said Trump will disclose Tuesday whether he will authorize the deportation of 800,000 so-called Dreamers, immigrants brought here illegally as children  a decision that will be politically combustible no matter what he decides.

Off in the wings are high-stakes battles that will begin Tuesday on Capitol Hill, including funding the government to avoid a shutdown by Sept. 30, raising the federal debt ceiling, and approving billions in aid for the victims of Hurricane Harveys devastation.

Undergirding all these is special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation of whether Trumps aides cooperated with Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. That probe has steadily gathered steam, even if pushed out of view in recent weeks.

The combination would tax any president, but particularly Trump, who has proved to be a tempestuous and unpredictable chief executive. And Sundays events showed again his difficulty in gaining traction for his presidency.

Early this year, Trumps well-received address to Congress was buried within a day by negative developments in the Russian investigation. On Sunday, when he might have been basking in praise from Harvey victims he visited Saturday in Texas and Louisiana, he was instead overtaken by actions half a world away.

The abrupt change of focus from domestic recovery to international fear over North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns growing military might was clear Sunday morning in raw juxtaposition.

Trump and his wife, Melania, attended services in St. Johns Church, across Lafayette Park from the White House, to underscore his call for a day of prayer for the benefit of Harvey victims.

As he left, reporters shouted a question: Did he plan to attack North Korea?

Well see, he said, and returned to the White House to meet with his top national security advisors.

The confluence of crises hit Washington at the opening of a month already overwhelmed with challenges.

After Congress returns from vacation on Tuesday, lawmakers and the White House face a series of must-do items that have proved volatile and divisive in the past.

As September dawned, relations between the Republican-led White House and Congress remained raw from fallout of the failed effort to repeal and replace Obamacare, which Trump still would like to add to the fall agenda.

The multiple crises hit Trump as he languishes at the low end of polling for most presidents, a fact that limits both his opportunities for persuasion and his ability to threaten.

In a recent Fox News poll, 41% of Americans approved of the way he was conducting his presidency; about the same number, 43%, backed how he had handled the North Korea threat.

Were Trump to help engineer a smooth recovery from Harvey, his image could certainly benefit. But North Korea presents few good options for any president, and Trumps all-over-the-mat response so far has only fueled concerns that he is not up to the task.

Last month, he took two very different positions based largely on the same facts. In early August, he warned Kim against any more threats to the United States. Were any to occur, he warned, they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.

Two weeks later, at a campaign rally in Phoenix, he praised Kim.

I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much. Respect that fact, he said. And maybe  probably not  but maybe something positive can come about.

On Sunday, less than two weeks later, he was back to suggesting that the only solution was a military attack.

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing! he tweeted Sunday morning. Trump has added to the uncertainty over his approach by simultaneously threatening a free trade agreement with South Korea, the ally most at risk from the Norths belligerence.

Republicans on Sunday were supportive of the president but mindful of the limitations of his presidency. Several referred to the competency of his national security team, seen as a bulwark against the president himself.

Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, spoke in words both carefully crafted and suggestive of a lack of certainty about the presidents next moves.

We stand ready to work with the administration to support a comprehensive strategy that not only places an emphasis on deterrence but also empowers our allies and partners in the region, who must do far more to confront this threat, Corker said in a statement.

More blunt was Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, like Corker a Republican who has earned the presidents enmity for recent remarks critical of his presidency.

Asked by CNN anchor Dana Bash about his confidence in the administration, he repeatedly cited Trumps national security team.

Im confident that the people around the president are giving him good advice, and I believe that he will follow it, Flake said. I sure hope he does. Obviously, you like a leader thats measured and sober and consistent. Our allies want to hear that. I think our adversaries need to hear that.

Asked directly whether he was concerned about Trump himself, Flake replied: I have had my concerns.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz similarly disagreed with Trumps tenor  specifically his threat of fire and fury against North Korea. But he spun that as a positive.

The president speaks in ways that I wouldnt speak but that is his prerogative, he said. I do think it helps for North Korea and for China to understand that we have a president who is strong.

The question is whether a performance evincing strength  or other attributes  will be necessary in the battles ahead.

The North Korea crisis calls for nuance and deliberateness. The Harvey recovery effort will be measured in years, requiring a willingness to dig in for the long haul. Trumps Tuesday announcement on the fate of children brought to this country without proper papers will require top-notch political instincts.

The host of issues looming on Capitol Hill will require mutual respect and policy acumen and a deft hand at managing competing power groups.

So far, Trump largely has favored displays of strength and reveled in unilateral decision-making. The attributes he will now need remain sheathed, if they exist at all.

For more on politics from Cathleen Decker 

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Twitter: @cathleendecker

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Updates on California politics
President Trump has tentatively decided to leave the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program intact for six months to give Congress time to find a legislative solution, aides said Monday, a delaying tactic likely to please neither side in the bitter debate over immigration.

Aides cautioned that Trump could change his mind before Tuesday, when the White House says he will announce whether he will keep the Obama-era program going, or expose to deportation about 800,000 immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children.

As of Monday, it was unclear whether Trump will firmly commit to ending the DACA program after six months, begin allowing existing work permits to expire or simply revisit the matter at that time.

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The Republican-led Congress already faces a heavy agenda in coming months, including preparing a federal budget and writing a tax reform bill. Lawmakers have not passed any major legislation since Trump took office and its far from assured they will find the time and will to cobble together a DACA replacement.

Uncertainty about DACAs fate since Trumps election has created a palpable fear for the nations so-called Dreamers, people who were able to obtain work permits and other legal documents under its provisions.

Regardless of how Trump frames his decision Tuesday, ending DACA at some point would upend their lives, affect scores of communities and ripple through the economy.

Since June 2012, people could qualify for DACAs protections if they had lived in the country at least 10 years, had no criminal record and could pass a federal background check.

If approved, they could legally remain and work in the United States, attend school and apply for student aid, and serve in the military. The DACA protections could be renewed every two years.

Politico first reported that Trump would delay ending DACA for six months. Advocates on both sides responded with anger and concern on Monday.

Several senior lawmakers vowed to try to find a bipartisan fix this year.

If President Trump chooses to cancel the DACA program and give Congress six months to find a legislative solution, I will be supportive of such a position, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a frequent Trump critic, said in a statement.

Graham and Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) have jointly introduced legislation to create legal status for Dreamers.

A separate effort, led by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), would create a pathway to legal status for high school graduates without a serious criminal record who were brought illegally to the U.S. as minors before 2012.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) focused on the notion that Trump would end DACA in six months, denouncing it as a cruel act of political cowardice.

Congress must move immediately to protect these courageous, patriotic DREAMers, she said in a statement.

Although House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) has urged Trump not to dismantle the program, preferring a congressional approach, Republicans are deeply divided on the issue and risk alienating Trumps core supporters if they try to save the program.

But failing to act swiftly would almost ensure that the fate of the Dreamers would spill into the 2018 midterm election season, which would prove politically difficult for many lawmakers facing reelection.

During the campaign last year, Trump repeatedly vowed to end DACA as part of his pledge to crack down on illegal immigration and to step up deportations of people in the country illegally, including Dreamers and other longtime residents .

Since taking office, however, Trump has balked at pulling the plug on DACA, professing a sympathy for Dreamers that was encouraged by his daughter Ivanka Trump.

Many of the presidents more hard-line anti-immigration supporters, including Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, oppose DACA. Trump also faced pressure from attorneys general of 10 states, all predominantly Republican.

They pledged to sue the administration if Trump didnt take steps to roll the program back by Tuesday, though on Friday the attorney general of Tennessee withdrew from the group, citing the human element.

White House aides who favor more immigration restrictions have privately hoped a lawsuit by the states would pressure Trump to take action or prompt a court to end the program and shield Trump from political blowback.

But in recent days, as reports suggested that Trump was preparing to cancel the program, the president came under intense pressure from the other side.

Hundreds of the nations top business executives, religious leaders and top officials in Congress deluged the White House with petitions and other support for the Dreamers, urging the president to reconsider.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and leaders of corporations as diverse as General Motors and Starbucks all lent their clout to backing the young immigrants.

According to a report from the Center for American Progress, a liberal-leaning advocacy group, 87% of DACA beneficiaries are using their work permits and 83% of those in school also are working.

About 6% of DACA beneficiaries have started businesses, the report said, and 12% have purchased homes.

Work permits issued under DACA must be renewed every two years. Hard-line nationalists in Trumps inner circle, such as the recently removed White House strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, and senior policy advisor Stephen Miller, had advocated since January that the administration should stop renewing the permits and allow the program to die.

Bannon, who now runs the conservative media website Breitbart, has been pushing from the outside for Trump to halt the program.

This isnt a decision the president takes lightly, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Friday. The decision, she said, was weighing on him.

Trumps decision comes after months of signaling he was softening on his previous vows to deport Dreamers. In April, he told the Associated Press that people protected from deportation under DACA could rest easy.

Then in July, aboard Air Force One en route to Paris for Bastille Day celebrations, Trump told reporters he was struggling with what to do about the program.

Its a decision thats very, very hard to make, he said. I really understand the situation now. 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.

There are two sides of a story, he added. Its always tough.

Staff writers Noah Bierman, Lisa Mascaro and Katherine Skiba contributed to this report.

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

brian.bennett@latimes.com

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FRANCE

Slide show

Owen Haggerty will present Mont-Saint-Michel from the Inside, with images that explore the peaceful side of the cloistered French town and tourist attraction.

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Monday 11/17 at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (626) 449-3220.

AFRICA

Workshop

Enjoy slides showing Tanzanias wildlife parks while learning how to prepare for an African nature safari.

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When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday11/18 at the Adventure 16 store, 11161 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

Admission, info: Free. (310) 473-4574.

CAMPING

Workshop

Experts offer tips on gear, clothing, nutrition and more for winter campers.

When, where: 7 p.m. Wednesday 1/21 at REI stores in Arcadia, 214 N. Santa Anita Ave.; Manhattan Beach, 1800 Rosecrans Ave., Suite E; and Santa Monica, 402 Santa Monica Blvd.

Admission, info: Free. (626) 447-1062 for Arcadia; (310) 727-0728 for Manhattan Beach; (310) 458-4370 for Santa Monica.

AFRICA

Presentation

Photographer Alan Feldstein will present Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and Tracking Chimps in Mahale, with photos and stories from his African travel adventures.

When, where: Noon SaturdayFeb. 21 at Guelaguetza Restaurant, 3014 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.

Admission, info: $18.50 for lunch and program. Hosted by the Network for Travel Club. RSVP to (323) 578-3601.

Please email announcements at least three weeks before the event to travel@latimes.com.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have arrived at the decision to arrest former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh and transfer him to Saada province, a stronghold of the Houthis, according to a report from Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya news network on Monday.

A Yemeni source announced that the Houthis have decided to end their shaky alliance with the General People's Congress party headed by Saleh, who they intend to take into custody.

However, sources in Sanaa told Ahram Online that there were no confirmed reports of Saleh having been arrested, as of early Monday afternoon.

Reports from Sanaa indicated the withdrawal of Houthi forces from around Saleh's headquarters in Sanaa, where he has been kept under effective house arrest for several days.

Violence erupted late on Saturday between Houthi militiamen and Saleh loyalists in the capital city, after Houthi forces attempted to place Saleh under house arrest.

The fighting resulted in the deaths of eight of Saleh's loyalists, including Colonel Khaled Al-Radi, a senior member of Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC). Two members of the Houthi forces were also killed, according to news reports.

The tensions later escalated as Houthi fighters set up a security checkpoint near the home of Saleh's son, Salah, and his media office in Hadda district in southern Sanaa, where Radi was killed.

Attempts had been made to contain the rift within the alliance, but they finally failed last week.

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Dive in face first, fellow passenger Jason Mow advised me.

I was on Cabin, the start-up bus service outfitted with 24 sleeper beds instead of seats, for an overnight ride from San Francisco to Santa Monica.

Only problem: I couldnt figure out how to get into the upper bunk I selected. Acting on Mows advice, I reluctantly thrust myself forward and rolled in for a perfect landing. (Im sure there are easier ways to get into bed, but this worked for me.)

I needed to be in the Bay Area, but I had decided against flying (too frustrating) and wanted to try bus options instead. I spent $35.50 for a seat on Megabus on the way up and decided to take Cabin back to Southern California. I wanted to see whether the comfort and convenience, never mind a good nights sleep, were worth paying more than double the cost of a one-way plane ticket.

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I boarded the bus before 11 p.m. The pickup point was easy to find; its about a 15-minute walk from BARTs Embarcadero Station near the Ferry Building, though I was lucky enough to have a friend drop me off. I didnt miss shelling out for a taxi or Uber to the airport.

But mostly, the payoff was psychic. I didnt have to arrive two hours early. I didnt have to deal with landing at traffic-choked LAX. I didnt have to stand in line through airport security, then sit in a crowded airport lounge and listen to the endless announcements of gate changes or struggle to find a spot to charge my cellphone.

Of course, I could have driven myself, but making the 400-mile drive to the Bay Area would have meant having to make the 400-mile drive back home.

I needed to be refreshed, not ragged. And I really liked the idea of using my sleeping hours as travel time.

Mow, an IT engineer from Brentwood who works for a San Francisco-based company, felt the same way. He had taken Cabin to the Bay Area and liked it.

I usually fly, but the struggle of flying between L.A. and S.F. and how every flight is delayed is pretty frustrating, he said. So this is a much more seamless experience.

I agree. I loved the ride in Cabins bed pods, which resemble sleeper cars on trains. A host/attendant greets you when you arrive and stays on the bus the entire time.

Earplugs and a bottle of water were nicely laid out on my bunk too.

Each cabin comes with power outlets, USB sockets and free Wi-Fi, which meant I could charge my phone and get a little work done on my laptop before dozing off.

Theres a seating area on the lower level of the bus for insomniacs who want to work or grab a cup of tea. Theres a single-person bathroom too, but no shower.

I liked snuggling into my bed and pulling the aisle curtain shut for privacy. During my pre-snooze time, I didnt see or hear any other passengers, just enjoyed a smooth ride and quickly nodded off. Cabin calls its service a floating hotel, and I think thats not such a stretch. I arrived the next morning around 7 at Palisades Park near the Santa Monica Pier.

What did I gain? Instead of leaving San Francisco early for the airport or to start on the long drive home, I had a leisurely dinner with a friend. I saved money on parking a car in San Francisco, taking taxi or Uber rides to the airport, filling my gas tank, and other hidden costs connected with driving or flying. Mostly, I found a way to take the stress out of the journey, and that was well worth the price.

Cabin operates an overnight bus in each direction on select dates in September and almost daily in October and beyond.

Info: Cabin

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
Hundreds of protesters in Indonesia rallied for the third straight day Monday as Muslim nations across Asia voiced growing concern over Myanmars brutal military crackdown against its Rohingya Muslim minority .

Gathering outside the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta, the demonstrators, mostly hijab-clad women, chanted, God is great! and demanded the Indonesian government put pressure on neighboring Myanmar to stop the military operation that has sent tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees streaming into camps in Bangladesh  the second such exodus in the last 12 months.

We are here because of solidarity of Muslims, said one demonstrator who gave her name as Mama Bahin.

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The protests in the worlds largest Muslim-majority country reflected deepening outrage across Asia over the treatment of the Rohingya, an ethnic minority of about 1.1 million people in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar. But there was no immediate sign that the protests would sway Myanmar, which has ignored criticism of its treatment of the Rohingya for years.

The Rohingya  whom Myanmar characterizes as illegal immigrants even though many have lived there for generations  are denied citizenship and have faced an escalating campaign of violence by security forces and Buddhist groups since 2012.

The latest crackdown began after Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts in western Myanmars Rakhine state, killing 12 police officers. Myanmar authorities and pro-government vigilante groups responded with brutal force, setting fire to Rohingya villages and shooting civilians, according to accounts from human rights groups.

The United Nations said Monday that 87,000 Rohingya had crossed the border from Rakhine into Bangladesh in the last two weeks, further swelling overcrowded refugee camps and taking the total Rohingya exodus into Bangladesh since October to 174,000. Bangladeshi authorities, who in the past have tried to block Rohingya from entering the country, are not stopping the new flow of refugees, in part because their numbers are so great.

Rohingya Muslims in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh, display bullet wounds they say were inflicted by Myanmar army soldiers. (Muneeza Naqvi / AP)

Authorities in Myanmar, also known as Burma, said that of almost 400 people killed since Aug. 25, nearly all are insurgents. Officials on Sunday accused insurgents of burning Buddhist monasteries and statues.

The protesters in Jakarta said they wanted to raise awareness of the impact on Rohingya women who  according to eyewitness accounts cited by the U.N.  were sexually assaulted by Myanmar security forces during similar military operations in late 2016.

Much of the anger focused on the leader of Myanmars governing party, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has refused to criticize the armys actions. Her governments control over the military is limited by Myanmars Constitution, which allocates key security ministries and one-quarter of parliament seats to the army.

Early Sunday, a Molotov cocktail landed on the Myanmar Embassy grounds in Jakarta, causing no casualties but prompting a police investigation.

On Monday, as Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Suu Kyi and army leaders in Myanmar, some demonstrators in Jakarta called for Indonesia to sever diplomatic ties with Myanmar.

We as Muslims want Minister Retno not only to discuss humanitarian help with Suu Kyi but as the biggest Muslim [country] in the world to put more pressure on Myanmar, said Eva Rachman, another demonstrator. The ambassadors should go back to their countries.

Following the meeting, Marsudi said she had pressed Suu Kyi and the Myanmar army to bring an immediate end to violence in Rakhine and allow Southeast Asian nations to assist with aid distribution.

The priority is the safety of the Rohingya refugees, Marsudi told Indonesian television.

Condemnations of Myanmar and Suu Kyi poured in over the weekend from several Muslim-majority countries in Asia.

Pakistan

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and education activist from Pakistan, 20-year-old Malala Yousafzai, said she had been shocked by pictures of children apparently killed by Myanmar security forces and called on Pakistan to open its doors to Rohingya refugees.

Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment, Yousafzai, who survived a shooting attack by Pakistani Taliban insurgents in 2012, said in a statement. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same.

The Pakistani government said Sunday that it was deeply concerned about the violence and urged Myanmar to hold those involved accountable and take necessary measures to protect the rights of Rohingya Muslims.

Afghanistan

The Afghan Taliban, which is widely blamed for killing civilians, including children, in its insurgent campaign against the U.S.-backed Afghan government, condemned what it called Myanmars campaign of ethnic cleansing during Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest festivals on the Islamic calendar.

We welcome the statements of support for the Muslims of Burma by those governments of the Islamic world, organizations, media and individuals who have raised their voices, the group said in a statement Monday. We similarly call on Muslims worldwide to not forget these oppressed brothers of yours.

The Afghan government condemned the massacre by Myanmars forces and urged the U.N. and human rights organizations to investigate the attacks.

Turkey

The Turkish foreign minister last week called on Bangladesh to open its doors to refugees, saying Turkey would pay the bill. Turkey has so far contributed $70 million in relief assistance to the Rohingya.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken by phone with more than a dozen fellow Muslim heads of state, the pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper reported. Erdogan has said Myanmars actions amount to genocide against the Rohingya and pledged to bring up the issue at this months meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Malaysia

Last week, hundreds of Rohingya living in Malaysia demonstrated in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian police stopped them from marching to the Myanmar Embassy, prompting a chaotic confrontation in which nearly 100 protesters were arrested.

In late 2016, Malaysias government strongly criticized Myanmar over the expulsions of Rohingya, although some critics called it an attempt by Prime Minister Najib Razak to divert attention from embezzlement allegations.

But Malaysia has refrained from criticizing Myanmar over the current crackdown. One senior official said last weeks protests were carried out independently and did not reflect the governments view, while Najib in a tweet on Sunday called for calm and restraint.

We urge for calm and restraint. The dire situation facing our Rohingya brothers and sisters must be alleviated for good of Myanmar & region https://t.co/WGWFXWR2IB  Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) September 3, 2017

Chechnya

Outside Asia, in the Russian republic of Chechnya, large crowds of Muslims gathered in the capital, Grozny, in pro-Rohingya demonstrations supported by the powerful Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

In an address to protesters in the predominantly Muslim republic, Kadyrov  accused of persecuting gays, whom he has called devils  compared Myanmars treatment of the Rohingya to the Holocaust.

Special correspondent Roughneen reported from Jakarta and Times staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India. Special correspondent Aoun Sahi in Islamabad, Pakistan, contributed to this report.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia

Myanmars long-suffering Rohingya Muslims hoped that Aung San Suu Kyi would make them full citizens. They were wrong

In Myanmar, a young Rohingya dreams of leaving despite foiled boat journey

A brazen political killing shakes Myanmar, already teetering on the path to democracy
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Monday that North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, is begging for war, and called for members to exhaust all possible diplomatic measures and impose urgent economic sanctions to prevent it.

From the United States to Japan, ambassadors at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council spoke in increasingly shrill tones, expressing fear and anger after Sundays test of a nuclear bomb eight times as large as the device that destroyed Hiroshima at the end of World War II.

His abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats shows that he is begging for war, U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley said of Kim. She called for expanded sanctions to punish not just North Korea, but all of its trading partners--- echoing a call made on Twitter by President Trump on Sunday.

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The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions, Haley said.

But blacklisting North Koreas trading partners would almost certainly prove logistically impossible and economically unfeasible, given that China, which holds veto power in the Security Council, accounts for 80% of North Koreas trade and is also the largest U.S. trading partner.

The test on Sunday was North Koreas sixth and most powerful to date and the first since Trump took office. The device had an estimated explosive yield of 120 kilotons.

North Korean state media claimed tht the test was a perfect success. They also described the bomb as a multifunctional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP attack  referring to an electromagnetic pulse that might be used not to kill but to paralyze the electrical grid of a country targeted.

Mondays meeting marked the 10th time that the Security Council has met on North Korea this year and the second time in less than a week, according to Jeffrey Feltman, undersecretary for political affairs. The most recent followed North Koreas Aug. 28 launch of a missile over Japan.

On Aug. 5, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved sanctions that could cost North Korea $1 billion in export revenues, but additional tools for punishing North Korea are limited. The U.S. is drawing up a new resolution, which it expects will be brought for a vote Sept. 11.

New sanctions slapped on Pyongyang could result in another new round of provocations.

This adds to a cycle that we are quite familiar with and it is a cycle that has seemingly gotten worse, said Scott Snyder of the Council on Foreign Relations. But when you look at the necessity to pressure the regime, this turns out to be the most reasonable of the bad options.

We are in a downward spiral that I find very worrisome, said Joseph DeThomas, a professor at Pennsylvania State University and a contributor to 38 North, a respected North Korea-monitoring website. This is what the dynamic that took us into World War I looks like. There needs to be some credible voice that shows up with an alternative or we are going to stumble into something bad.

North Korea is the only country known to have tested a nuclear weapon in the 21st century, and the ambassadors at Mondays meeting decried Pyongyang as a threat to not just the United States and Asia, but the entire world. Among specific suggestions raised were banning all exports of food from North Korea and banning the use of North Korean guest workers abroad, one of the methods that Pyongyang uses to raise money for its weapons program.

On the U.N. side, we are at the point of diminishing returns, said Joshua Stanton, a Washington-based attorney and North Korean sanctions expert. The U.N. sanctions have always required member states to reinforce them. Chinas violations of sanctions have been so consistent and so flagrant they can only be the result of a deliberate policy of non-enforcement.

The Trump administration is also moving to cut off from the international financial system Chinese banks and trading companies that supply Pyongyang, however, those cases are moving slowly because of the hiring freeze at the State Department and personnel shortages at the Justice and Treasury departments, according to Stanton. The government has made some of the right policy decisions, at least in sanctions, but they are not putting enough people on task, he said.

Despite Beijings exasperation with a North Korean nuclear test so powerful that it rattled dishes across the border in northeastern China, there was little indication of a radical change of policy.

The peninsula issue must be resolved peacefully. China will never allow chaos and war [on the peninsula], said the Chinese ambassador to the U.N., Liu Jieyi.

Both China and Russia are pushing a proposal called suspension for suspension, in which North Korea would freeze its weapons program in exchange for reduced U.S. and South Korean military exercises.

Without mentioning China and Russia by name, Haley spoke sharply against the proposal, which she called insulting.

When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly wont.

ALSO

North Koreas sixth nuclear test was more than a slap in the face to President Trump. It also sent a signal to China

Analysis: Trump faces pair of double-barreled crises at home and abroad

Torched villages, dead civilians, squalid refugee camps: Myanmars Rakhine state is caught in a cycle of horrific violence. Heres why

barbara.demick@latimes.com

Twitter: @BarbaraDemick

ALSO

North Koreas sixth nuclear test was more than a slap in the face to President Trump. It also sent a signal to China

Mexican president says country will not compromise its dignity when dealing with the U.S.

Where the border fence meets the sea, a strange beach scene contrasting the U.S. and Mexico

UPDATES:

11:55 a.m.: This article has been updated with analyst quotes.

9:55 a.m.: This article has been updated with additional comments and details.

This article was originally posted at 8:35 a.m.
Seid Moradi never wanted to leave Iran. But under threats to his life because of his non-Muslim faith, he saw no choice. Savings in hand, he fled his hometown near the Iraqi border with his family, boarding a bus for the more than 20-hour ride across the countrys northwestern border with hopes of starting anew. And for a while, that dream didnt seem out of reach.

In the central Turkish city of Kayseri, the family  father, wife, sister-in-law and three kids  worked delivering groceries and sewing clothes to cobble together rent while undergoing interviews to become refugees.

But three years later, hope is slipping away.

When news arrived this year that the U.S. government would resettle them in Seattle, they moved out of their apartment in June, and sold all but what would fit into seven roller bags days before their scheduled flight.

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Then their flights were canceled. Three times.

Seid Moradi (Tumay Berkin / For The Times)

Weeks before the Supreme Court hears arguments on President Trumps travel ban, the Moradis  who follow the Yarsan religion, a syncretic faith that traces its roots to 14th century Iran  are among potentially thousands of refugees that it has left in limbo. Since it took effect in June, the ban has blocked the resettlement of most refugees who were previously cleared to travel to the United States.

Further complicating the matter: Legal challenges to the ban have produced court orders loosening and tightening it that have resulted in new flight tickets issued to people such as the Moradis that are canceled, reissued and canceled again as court battles go on.

This is not life, this is hell, said Moradi, 53, who is running out of money and at one point went through dumpsters for food and slept in a city park after vacating his apartment in Kayseri. The Turkish government told him and his family to settle in Kayseri after they initially applied for asylum in Ankara, the capital.

He complained of a heart condition that left him fatigued, and which he wanted to get treated in the U.S. He worried that his children, all in their 20s, would continue to encounter discrimination in Turkey, where feelings against refugees, ethnic minorities and non-Muslims run high. He hoped they could one day go back to school.

If I wasnt worried about my kids, I would have killed myself by now, Moradi said in a phone interview.

The ban blocks travel to the U.S. by nationals of Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Iran for 90 days, a period that ends Sept. 27. It also stops all refugee resettlement for 120 days, and cuts the annual refugee cap to 50,000 from 110,000.

The Moradi family, from left; Sirvan, Fanoos, Delnia, Seid and Saman. (Tumay Berkin / For The Times)

After the president signed an initial version of the executive order in January, courts repeatedly struck it down. Then, on June 26, the Supreme Court allowed the ban to temporarily go into effect as long as people with bona fide relationships to people or entities in the U.S. were exempt. But aside from listing those who had university admission or job offers or spouses and in-law children in the United States, justices didnt say what qualified as bona fide.

They also didnt say whether resettlement groups could use already established relationships with refugees such as the Moradis to exempt them from the ban.

Immigrant and refugee advocates have since fought with the Trump administration over whom the ban covers, with varied results. Currently, the only refugees allowed in are those who have a close relative in the U.S. The same goes for travelers from banned countries.

The Moradis, who were given the green light to immigrate to the U.S. while President Obama was in office but were not given travel dates until long after he left the White House, have no relatives in America.

Their first flight, scheduled for June 12, was canceled before the travel ban was put into place. Moradi said immigration officials told him three days before the flight that he could not travel because of his heart condition, which they said made it unsafe for him to fly. But why couldnt my kids and wife come? It didnt make sense, he said.

The Moradis on the porch of their friends home in Turkey. (Tumay Berkin / For The Times)

The second and third flights  the last scheduled for July 9  were supposed to take off amid the travel ban. The family was given less than a weeks notice of the cancellations.

They asked me if I have family in America. I told them, No, I dont, Moradi said.

According to court filings by the Trump administration and travel ban opponents, there are as many as 24,000 other refugees in similar situations who were approved for U.S. travel but blocked by the travel ban. Nongovernmental groups estimate that 4 out of 10 refugees have no family in the U.S.

This is the typical refugee family. They fled their country because of persecution, and then their host country, Turkey, isnt safe for them either as a minority. Their only option is to leave, said Nicky Smith, who directs the International Rescue Committee office in Seattle and has prepared for months for the familys arrival. For this family to have the safety and freedom from persecution in their grasp and have it snatched away like that. They were promised a new life, and now they have nothing.

We have asked the Department of State about them, as has the International Organization for Migration, and gotten no answer, so we can only assume its the travel ban, she said.

A spokeswoman for the State Department would not comment on the Moradis case. The spokeswoman said that in general, expired medical or security checks or a lack of family connections in the U.S. are among the reasons that delay refugee travel.

For now, the family lives in a small, third-floor apartment lended by a friend in June. Fanoos, Moradis 42-year-old wife, works odd jobs as a hairdresser. Saman, a 20-year-old son, sews clothing for cash. Another son, Sirvan, 23, a daughter, Delnia, 25, and a sister-in-law, Saltanat, 42, cant find jobs. Oftentimes, all six sleep in the same room, where beds and furniture are few and paint chips fall off the walls.

Seid Moradi, left, with son Sirvan, shows his familys suitcases that they have packed for their scheduled flights to the United States. (Tumay Berkin / For The Times)

If we dont work one day, that day we are hungry, said Moradi, who was a part-time repairman at a water and power plant when he lived in the city of Sarpol-e Zahab in Iran. When he asked for a promotion, he said, he was rejected and threatened with jail because of his minority religion. The Iranian government considers followers of Yarsanism to be part of a false cult.

If we go and apply for jobs, they ask us, Are you Muslims? Do you pray? Moradi said of his time in Turkey. We say, No, we are not Muslims and we do not pray. Do my kids have to pray so that they can get a job? I dont have one or two problems in Turkey. We have way too many problems and difficulties in Turkey.

For America, they have dreams that are simple and those that are grand.

They want a clean, quiet apartment in a suburban neighborhood, and neighbors who dont care about their religion or nationality. Moradi wants to visit the hospital for a better diagnosis on his condition. His wife wants to work at a salon, or perhaps start her own. They want the kids to enroll in universities and take up office jobs.

They also want to be patriots.

Im thankful for the people of America and the kindness of American people. I want to come to America to please and serve Americans, Moradi said. It doesnt matter what country we can go, wherever we can go we will worship their soul.

jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com

@jaweedkaleem

melissa.etehad@latimes.com

@melissaetehad

What universe does that come from? Judges criticize travel ban weeks before it heads to Supreme Court

Supreme Court lets Trump administration reinstate travel ban restrictions on refugees but not on grandparents

More national headlines
Fighters from a US-backed coalition battling the Islamic State group in Syria walk among heavily damaged buildings in Raqa's Old City as snipers on upper floors monitor

nearby jihadist positions.

The smell of decay rises from bodies of IS militant killed in the battle for the key district as Syrian Democratic Forces field commander Ardlan Hasake patrols in an

armoured Humvee.

"We pushed Daesh out of the whole of Raqa's Old City. It was their strategic centre and their main base for foreign fighters," he says, using an Arabic acronym for IS group.

"All their forces were here and they tried repeatedly to attack us in large numbers to retake it, but our comrades repelled their attacks."

The SDF announced on Friday that it had taken full control of Raqa's Old City after fierce clashes with the jihadists seeking to defend what remains of their one-time Syrian

bastion.

The Kurdish-Arab alliance, backed by an international coalition fighting IS in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, has seized more than half of the city since they first entered it in

June.

In a nearby building, commanders lounge on the floor. One holds a tablet computer which he uses to map the positions of IS fighters in a street just south of the Old City

wall.

An SDF unit then moves to the front line to strike the jihadists.

Snipers have installed firing points in the upper floors of buildings overlooking other parts of the city.

One of them sets up a rifle he nicknames "Zagros", after a mountain range that is home to many of the world's Kurds.

He trains his sights on an IS fighter near a mobile phone tower on the edge of the Old City, and prepares to squeeze the trigger.

A coalition air strike slams into a nearby street, sending clouds of grey smoke and dust billowing into the air.

"We're combing the streets around the Old City," Kurdish SDF commander Arkish Siyamand tells AFP.

"Daesh attacked some of our positions today (Sunday) but we pushed them back and the coalition bombed them."

Seizing the Old City has put the SDF in a position dominating the city centre, which includes key IS security bases and some of Raqa's most densely packed

neighbourhoods.

Siyamand says the jihadists are likely to try to retake the strategically vital Old City.

The SDF entered the Old City after coalition air strikes punched two holes in its Abbasid-era walls.

Parts of the wall have also been damaged, apparently by clashes.

Cars riddled with bullet holes sit at the entrances to side streets, evidence of intense combat.

In other parts of the Old City, SDF fighters have hung pink and brown curtains across major streets to allow them to move freely by blocking IS snipers' lines of sight.

The SDF's next target is a series of large grain silos around a kilometre (half a mile) south of the Old City.

Female snipers from the Kurdish Women's Protection Units sit on an upper floor of a building, monitoring IS fighters moving around the silos.

Biritan Judi, in her 20s, hovers a finger over the trigger of her rifle which protrudes from a window, the barrel resting on a decorated pillow.

"We monitor Daesh fighters and shoot them if they try to advance," she says.

"We're deployed in this strategic position and waiting for our prey from Daesh so we can smash their heads

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It is believed that lobbying in Kildare is being under-reported.

The Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation, Sherry Perreault, has pointed out that with 4.7% of the population, Kildare should have more than 3.6% of the lobbyists.

There are 57 Kildare lobbyists registered on lobby.ie, which was established as part of the the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 which is intended to provide information to the public about who is lobbying whom about what. Any person or organisation which is in contact with a politician or official at national, local or council level in order to discuss an area of concern to them, must register as a lobbyist.

According to Ms Perreault: More than 60% of registrants (associated with lobbying in Kildare) are based in Dublin which is not surprising.

Dublin is where many public officials are based, and is the headquarters of many organisations who are lobbying them.

Yet bearing in mind that the Act covers lobbying about local authority matters including planning as well as national matters, it is surprising to see such low numbers of registrants in counties outside Dublin.

It is hard to imagine that in two years, only a handful of people and businesses have lobbied their local councillor or TD, or communicated with a Minister or senior official.

Thirteen counties have less than 20 lobbyists registered in the two years the Act has been in force. Of those, five counties have registrant numbers in single digits, and one  Leitrim  has none at all.

For a communication to count as lobbying it must meet all three of the following criteria: the communication must be made by a person within scope of the Act, it must be made to a designated public official, and it must concern a relevant matter  the development, initiation or modification of policy, program or legislation, seeking funding, or  most broadly  the zoning and development of land.

The next deadline for registering lobbying activity is September 21, and any lobbying done between May 1 and August 31 must be registered by then.

Read more: 45 Kildare-based lobbying organisations registered
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John and Paula Quinn and their staff at Ashwood Veterinary Centre in Mohill has been listed as finalists for Veterinary Practice of the Year in the It's Your Field Animal Health All Star Awards.

The couple said "We were delighted to be nominated at the national level for our service, dedication and professionalism. Feeling fantastic."

Message of congrats have flooded in since with many complimenting the practice saying "ye provide a brilliant service to us all in our community."

Other Facebook comments stated "Fantastic practice and excellent customer service, you wholeheartedly deserve to win."

"Fantastic news and well deserved",

"No surprise all the staff are fantastic with animals and people."

Ashwood Veterinary Centre is a mixed practice with a wide range of patients including companion animals and farm animals. The practice was established in July 2001 by John Quinn, as primarily a two vet large animal practice. The new clinic was opened in 2005. It is a purpose built 3000sq. foot building designed to cater to all aspects of animal care. It has grown and developed into a modern 6 vet mixed practice with hospital accreditation.




Cavan Institute, one of the leading Further Education and Training Colleges in the country continues to attract over 1,300 students from Cavan and the surrounding region annually.

Speaking during registration which is currently taking place, the Director of the Institute, Ms Ann Marie Lacey, reported high demands across all course areas reflecting a continuing confidence that students and their parents have in the Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) sector.

While it has been reported nationally that points are down for many degree courses, the PLC route into higher education remains a very viable option for many students for a number of reasons stated Ms Lacey. Many students are still unsure about their career path and the courses offered at Cavan Institute allows them both time and space to reflect on their chosen areas and at the same time gain valuable qualifications at Level 5 and Level 6 on the National Qualifications Framework.

The new points system introduced this year is expected to further enhance the wide range of progression opportunities that graduates from Cavan Institute will have. Ms Lacey explained that the points system for graduates of PLC programmes has also changed. The points gained on successful completion of a PLC programme for entry into Universities and Institutes of Technology can often be greater than points students already achieved in their Leaving Certificate according to Ms Lacey.

Students who are considering their options at the moment should take into account that they can use these points from a PLC course as an alternative to repeating their Leaving Certificate, according to Ms Lacey.

The Institute Director also offers advice for students to think very carefully about their options. There are many paths to their chosen career and they should take time to reflect on what they really want to study. Students should not panic, there is a route for every student regardless of their Leaving Certificate results and the CAO points race. Some students will exceed their expectations and others will be disappointed with their results. Some students will find their options restricted because of their subject choice.

It is important that you are ready to take that next step, a year exploring a career you didnt previously consider may help you decide regardless of the fact your points permits you to aim higher than you planned. Ms Lacey also stressed that some students may receive an offer of a place on a course they hadnt really considered.

On the CAO list with 10 choices some students may receive an offer of a course down their list and one that they arent really sure of  it is important to seriously consider whether it is the course for you, says the Cavan Institute Director.

All courses at Cavan Institute offer an alternative route to a number of degrees, for example, science and music courses at Cavan Institute are linked with relevant degree programmes at NUI Maynooth while the business and computer courses are linked with similar courses in Athlone, Dundalk or Sligo Institutes of Technology.

"There is an established route for students who complete the Pre-Nursing course at Cavan Institute into Nursing degree programmes throughout Ireland and the UK while the Childcare and Social Care courses have well established links with degree programmes in Ireland and the UK.

It is also important to point out that while many students use a PLC programme as an alternative route to Higher Education, a substantial number of courses lead directly to employment. In many cases, there have been close to 100% employment progression for students from courses such as Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing and Hospitality stated Ms Lacey.
Kenya's education minister said on Monday that arson was to blame for a weekend fire that killed nine pupils at a girls' boarding school and that there had been similar attacks on other schools around the country.

Minister Fred Matiang'i said some arson attacks had been related to fights over staff appointments in schools, where senior positions can bring financial rewards.

"It was not an accident, it was arson," Matiang'i said of the blaze on Saturday at Moi Girls School in the capital in which nine girls were killed and 10 injured.

Matiang'i said that there had been a spate of arson attacks on schools around the country, including in the coastal city of Mombasa and the western city of Kisumu. He did not give the total number of attacks.

"Some of the fires we have faced before in the sector are related to that kind of thing, politicization of school headship, politicization of responsibility in the education sector. It is not right," he said in a televised press conference.

"We cannot resolve a conflict on the headship of the school by burning a school."

Unemployment is high in Kenya and corruption is rife, and control of a school can mean not just a government salary, but an opportunity to extort extra money from students and parents in fees or other charges.

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A MAN who is charged in connection with the robbery of a significant quantity of jewellery from a premises in the city centre last week has been refused bail.

Patrick Hogan, aged 35, who has an address at Bengal Terrace, Old Cork Road was brought before a special sitting of Limerick District Court at the weekend after he was charged in connection with an incident at JJ Keneally Jewellers, Wickham Street on August 30, last.

Opposing bail, Detective Garda Ronan OReilly said it will be alleged the defendant entered the premises at around 4:20pm and threatened two members of staff with a slash hook.

It's also alleged Mr Hogan smashed a number of display cabinets and removed a large amount of jewellery worth around 10,000 which he placed in a 'distinctive' bag, before fleeing on a pedal cycle.

It is the State case that the defendant was identified on CCTV close to the store wearing clothing matching those of the culprit.

Detective Garda O'Reilly told Judge Marie Keane an unlicensed, double barrel shotgun and drugs worth around 1,000 were found during a follow-up search of the accused's home.

Making a bail application on behalf of his client, solicitor Darach McCarthy insisted Mr Hogan would comply with any conditions set down as a condition of bail.

Judge Keane refused bail and remanded the defendant to appear in custody again this Tuesday.

Investigations are ongoing and file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
ONE OF Munsters top gospel collectives Unity Gospel Choir Limerick will commence a string of fundraiser events as part of a large campaign in the coming weeks.

The choir will kick off its first round of fundraising at the Crescent Shopping Centre, on Saturday, September 9.

The well-known local choir  now in its fifth year  was founded by musician Gretta McCormack-OShea, and has held many amazing performances and have served their community with great commitment and pride.

Ahead of the campaign, Ms McCormack-OShea said: I started this choir because I believe singing is healing, music breaks down barriers, builds bridges and gets a whole pile of like-minded people to sing out proud, with joy in their hearts.

We have done lots of gigs for charity and we are happy to do them, we have had amazing experiences at everyone of them, she added.

The Unity Gospel Choir Limerick will be flying the Limerick and Munster flag this winter when the collective takes off to Prague, Czech Republic, to participate in the International Choral Festival.

They will be fundraising in a number of ways starting on Saturday week at the Crescent Shopping Centre, where they will be singing their hearts out, and shaking their buckets performing their very popular Sister Act songs and many more.

For those interested in attending the fundraiser event, UGCL will be performing between 1pm and 4pm, on September 9.
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Soliman was among the jury members for several international film festivals

Egyptian film critic Fawzi Soliman passed away on Sunday 3 September, his family has announced.

In the course of a decades-long career, Soliman wrote about film and film criticism for several daily and weekly newspapers. He was also the culture editor of the daily newspaper Al-Masaa.

Soliman was the founder of the Goethe Institute Film Club, which he also presided over for 25 years. During this time, he introduced scores of Egyptian film lovers to German and international cinema and filmmakers.

He was also a member of the Egyptian Association of Film Critics, and was among the first Egyptian filmmakers to sit on the jury of numerous International film festivals.

He became a returning jury member of the Locarno Internatonal Film Festival (in 1996, 2001, 2012), while in 2016, he sat on the jury of the 41st Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

Soliman contributed as writer and editor of numerous international cinema guides.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Kerry Logistics Network Limited has appointed Claire Trench as Head of Food and Beverage (F&B), based at its Glasgow, Scotland office in the United Kingdom.

Trench has over 17 years experience in forwarding, most recently in senior management positions working with leading brands in the beers, wines, and spirits industry.

In her new role, she will support brands looking to export to the rapidly developing F&B market in Greater China, where Kerry Logistics offers complete cold chain logistics solutions, F&B trading, and production services.

Claire brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise - commercially and operationally - on both exports and imports, said Emma Rowlands, sales director of Kerry Logistics (UK). We look forward to developing this division and welcome the opportunity for growth from both new and existing customers in the near future."

Trench will collaborate closely with the F&B teams in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan, meeting customers requirements by providing complete cold chain solutions to ensure that all products stay at their optimum temperature along the supply chains, Kerry said.

Kerry Logistics said its cold chain solutions include sophisticated inventory management and multi-temperature warehousing and distribution solutions, ranging from deep frozen(25C), frozen (-18C) to chilled (0C to 4C) to air-conditioned (18C to 22C) and ambient (>25C). Its professional fleet of trucks supports just-in-time delivery, continuous replenishment to restaurant and retail chains and home delivery.

The Chinese F&B market represents a growing opportunity for Western brands, but the barriers to entry, from complex Customs regulations, to the sheer geographical diversity and size of the country mean that finding a partner with local knowledge is essential, said Trench.

Kerry Logistics has the local expertise and infrastructure in Greater China and the ASEAN region to offer customers end-to-end supply chain solutions for the region, from understanding regulations, to cold chain solutions and inventory management.

I am looking forward to working with customers to help them make the most of the opportunities in the worlds largest F&B retail market.

Kerry Logistics recently launched its own China-Europe Less than Container Load (LCL) rail service, offering 21-day journey times from Duisburg, Germany to Ningbo, China and enhancing its existing Full Container Load (FCL) and LCL services.
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In San Francisco, a group of union members decided to celebrate Labor Day by, well, working.

They were the 30-odd musicians with the Golden Gate Park Band who came out, as they do every Sunday and holiday during the spring and summer, to perform for park visitors at the Spreckels Temple of Music between the De Young museum and the California Academy of Science.

The bands conductor, 75-year-old San Francisco native Michael Wirgler, said the group of paid, unionized band members have performed on Labor Day every one of the 18 years hes conducted. The 135-year-old band is older than the holiday itself since Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894.

After the band opened the afternoon with the The Star-Spangled Banner, Wirgler welcomed the crowd to the free concert.

Labor Day is a day to honor and remember the working man, Wirgler told the crowd filling the parks green benches. It celebrates the social and economic achievement of the American worker.

The working man was lauded across the Bay Area Monday, including in Oakland, where hundreds of workers demanding a $15 minimum wage for fast-food workers and others marched through streets downtown.

But back in San Francisco, the band noted the holiday with its first piece: The Klaxon, a selection from American composer Henry Fillmore that was arranged as a tribute to the auto industry.

The show included upbeat songs ranging from American Folk Rhapsody No. 4 to fun things like melodies from Star Trek and the Blues Brothers.

The band decided, in the spirit of patriotism, to go with all-American pieces with the exception of Light Calvary Overture from the European composer Franz von Suppe, which Wirgler said was chosen because it was spirited.

Thank goodness its not quite as hot as it was yesterday, 70-year-old bassoonist James Blakly said before taking the stage in his red band uniform.

Park visitors enjoyed a welcome reprieve from this weekends record-breaking heat wave, which scorched much of the Bay Area.

Its such a nice day, San Francisco resident Jaime Brummett said as she watched her nephew play. Its so not 108 degrees today.

Brummett, who works for a hedge fund in the city, went metal detecting with her 9-year-old nephew, C.J., before heading to Golden Gate Park Monday.

I used to come here with my grandmother when I was his age, said Brummett, 40. I live across the street, so its not that hard.

The Paige family was at the park to visit the California Academy of Science, but after a while left the museum so their 1-year-old daughter Brooke could play in the sand outside.

Her husband was off work and Im a stay at home mom so I thought, might as well take advantage said Seta Paige of San Francisco.

They started their day with breakfast in Cole Valley at Zazie, and planned to end their Gouting before the 1 p.m concert and before Brooke tired herself out.

That would be around nap time for her, said Setas husband, Gene Paige.

San Francisco nanny Anna Panitz came to the park for the concert. Panitz, like the band, was working  babysitting a 6-year-old boy for a close friend.

I Googled it this morning. I was just looking for things to do, said Panitz. 31.

She said she wanted to do something patriotic with the day, even if she was still on the clock.

Even though Im working, its always a time to get together, she said of the holiday. Celebrate something.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
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One of north Lake Tahoes cutest residents, the American pika, has disappeared. UC Santa Cruz researchers have discovered an extinction spanning from Tahoe City to Truckee, the largest pika die-off in the modern era.

A new study, published in PLOS One, shows how the effects of climate change are playing out in real time. For six years, a team led by biologist Joseph Stewart scouted without luck for the high-altitude rodents in a 165-square-mile area of the Sierra Nevada.

Stewart said they found signs that pikas once flourished in the region as late as 1991, but today the animals are strangely missing.

RELATED VIDEO: Yellowstone grizzlies lose endangered species protection

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The loss of pikas from this large area of otherwise suitable habitat echoes prehistoric range collapses that happened when temperatures increased after the last ice age, said Stewart. This time, however, were seeing the effects of climate change unfold on a scale of decades as opposed to millennia.

Pikas are squeaky rabbit relatives about the size of a hamster. All summer long they hop from talus fields to meadows, carrying bouquets of wildflowers and grass to their high altitude homes storing up enough food for winter. Pikas have a thick fur coats and a furnace-like metabolism that helps during frigid days, but makes them vulnerable to hot summers.

Researchers believe they simply cant survive when it gets hot. When temperatures spike, pikas hide underground to avoid overheating. Unfortunately, long hours underground mean theyre not collecting food, which limits survival and reproduction.

Stewart predicts habitat thats suitable for pikas will decrease by 97 percent in the Lake Tahoe region by 2050, which will leave a void in the food chain. Pikas are important prey for owls, hawks, coyotes and weasels.

Two other recent studies show that pikas have disappeared from the Black Rock Range in Nevada and from Zion National Park in Utah. Researchers believe the die-off in Zion happened sometime between 2011 and 2015.

In recent years, efforts to protect pikas on the endangered species list have failed both on the state and federal level.

This post originally appeared on KQED.com
Chester B. Himes: A Biography

By Lawrence P. Jackson

Norton. 579 pp. $35

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Chester B. Himes was born in 1909 into an educated, prospering black family living in Jefferson City, Mo., across Lafayette Street from the Lincoln Institute, the African- American college where his parents taught. This places him in that generation of black Midwesterners including Langston Hughes, Aaron Douglas and Josephine Baker - artists who would bring so much talent and creativity to Harlem, Paris and the New Negro Renaissance of the 1920s. But Himes' early years did not follow that path.

As his family fell apart, Himes became derelict, delinquent and "out of control." In 1928, he was arrested for breaking into the home of a wealthy Cleveland couple and robbing them. Himes pleaded guilty, seeking leniency. No doubt because he already had a record, the judge sentenced 19-year-old Himes to 20 years in prison. He entered the state prison in Columbus, where Ohio State University is also located - and where Himes had briefly been a student.

In his vivid, engrossing biography, Lawrence Jackson, a professor at Johns Hopkins, gives us an in-depth portrait of Himes, whose 20 published books stirred controversy with their depictions of sexuality, racism and social injustice. The writings were often more sensational than revered - and raised questions as to Himes' place in modern literary history. Jackson takes on those questions in a biography that is a revisionist literary history accommodating and embracing a black author who wrote about black detectives, white women, labor struggles, Harlem streets - and did so while living outrageously both here and abroad.

Himes also wrote about himself, fictively and otherwise. One of Jackson's most important projects is observing how Himes created autobiographical fictions, beginning while he was in prison. A prime example was the 1933 short story "Prison Mass," which Jackson tells us "drew its characters from [Himes'] own life." Along with many other Himes stories, "Prison Mass" appeared in Abbott's Monthly, the Chicago black journal that also published in the 1930s Langston Hughes and the first work by Richard Wright. Himes was writing himself into the company of those writers, even before he left prison and met them. "Prison Mass" turned out to be the "proving ground" for Himes' 1952 prison novel, "Cast the First Stone."

Himes was paroled in 1936. He returned to Cleveland and soon met Hughes, who had traveled to the Soviet Union in 1932 to make a film with Himes' cousin, Henry Lee Moon. Hughes was living in Cleveland while "tightening" his musical comedy, "Little Ham," at Karamu House, Cleveland's black experimental theater. Moon saw the promise of Himes' writing and arranged for him to be in correspondence with the poet and Howard University professor Sterling Brown. Brown's "concerned suggestions" struck Himes as "the first clear, pointed and understandable criticism" he had ever received.

The publication of Wright's "Native Son" in 1940 stunned and inspired Himes. Jackson tells us that "for the rest of his life, Chester would admire Wright and his vision, at least partly because the characters from Native Son on - oppressed black men cut off from their peers - put onto paper so many dimensions of his life before Chester had reached middle age."

Everything changed for Himes with the publication of "If He Hollers Let Him Go" in 1945. In that novel, Himes boldly reversed the "symbolic interaction" between Wright's Bigger Thomas and Mary Dalton in "Native Son" and created a "black hero [who] was middle-class and upwardly mobile, and ... [a] white villain [who] was a dissipated cracker biddy." Jackson observes: "By the end of the novel Jones [the black hero] has been arrested for the attempted rape of a washed-out blowsy white Mississippi welder's helper, mainly because, in the published version ... he refuses to have sex with her. All of Jones' tangible symbols of success are gone: job, fiancee, car, and draft deferment." Clearly, he adds, Himes had "deliberately speared conventional good taste" even while "taming" the plot for its publication by Doubleday.

"If He Hollers Let Him Go" was praised in a review by no less than Wright. Himes and Wright were becoming "men of shared vision" in great part because both aspired, in Wright's words, to be "a new kind of writing man," not a "New Negro" of the past era. Ralph Ellison was certainly part of this coterie as well. Later in 1945, the Chicago Defender's Earl Conrad wrote an article that "corralled [Himes], Ralph Ellison, and Richard Wright into a 'blues school of writers' who were 'trying to show what the inexplorable [sic] caste system can do to the human being.' " How these writers were there - or not there - for one another, professionally and personally, is a key component of the rest of Himes' life story.

Jackson tells the story with remarkable insight and care, drawing in part on his research for books such as "Ralph Ellison: Emergence of Genius and the Indignant Generation: A Narrative History of African American Writers and Critics, 1934-1960" (Himes was certainly of that generation). Jackson's research on his own family (published as "My Father's Name: A Black Virginia Family After the Civil War") doubtlessly prepared him for plunging into Himes' genealogical history while seeking to understand Himes' family's pronouncements about race and class. The genealogical research is pioneering, as is the material Jackson presents from the Himes archives and the publishing records of journals and publishing houses.

Himes may not have been part of the Parisian black expatriate community in the 1920s and '30s, but he certainly was present among this group in the post-World War II era. It's fascinating to learn how Himes interacted with black artists and writers including Ollie Harrington, William Gardner Smith and James Baldwin while he reconnected with Wright. They needed each other: Wright needed the company of another writer who was a "black literary realist," especially after being castigated for that by Baldwin; Himes needed a guide to Paris, its writers and publishers, and "the wonders of the cafes." Indeed, Jackson gives an astonishing account of Himes being present when Wright and Baldwin had their legendary public argument at the Deux Magots. Of this, Jackson writes that "Himes had every reason to understand, however slowly, that he was not just a witness to the conflict, but Wright's codefendant, another writer whose work had been dismissed by Baldwin."

It was in this period that Himes completed several novels, including "The Third Generation" in 1954, which "reproduced his life in consummate detail" in its account of "an African-American family at the bottom of a caste system, and the dilemma of sexual desire in a male child growing up in such a family."

He also began to write the black detective stories featuring Harlem detectives Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson (based on men he knew) that would win him awards and international acclaim. Jackson explains how "the shift in American cultural space at the dawn of 1970" created a new era for Himes. Writing in the Chicago Tribune, Shane Stevens called him "the best black American novelist writing today." Jackson contends that "the proof of the new acceptance was in celluloid": The film version of "Cotton Comes to Harlem" was nearing completion, starring Godfrey Cambridge, directed by Ossie Davis, shot on location in Harlem.

In the 1960s, Himes came to know Malcolm X (they were introduced by Harlem bookstore owner Lewis Michaux); LeRoi Jones, who said that Himes "reminded him of his younger self and the reason he had gotten out of the United States"; and John A. Williams, whose 1967 novel, "The Man Who Cried I Am," drew from "the stories Chester had bubbled with over the years about himself and his friendship with Richard Wright."

"With his unfiltered disdain for established literary conventions and his immutable underdog credentials, Chester became the doyen of the black writers whose aesthetic values were formed in the maelstrom of the 1960s," Jackson declares. Among the writers Jackson lists are Ishmael Reed, Eldridge Cleaver, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou and Addison Gayle.

Jackson is a fine biographer fully attentive to Himes' personal history and to his place in literary history. He has indeed written the definitive biography that Himes - who died in 1984 - deserves.

---

Stepto teaches at Yale University and is the author of "A Home Elsewhere: Reading African American Classics in the Age of Obama."
The New Education: How to Revolutionize the University to Prepare Students for a World in Flux

By Cathy N. Davidson

Basic. 318 pp. $28

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At the beginning of the 20th century, Harvard President Charles Eliot helped reshape America's idea of a modern research university. To serve the needs of the industrializing economy, Eliot led higher education away from memorization and a fixed curriculum and toward specialization and electives. Now our economy is vastly different, and we need another rethink within our universities. So writes Cathy N. Davidson in "The New Education."

Davidson seems to see Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, as the Charles Eliot of our time. Crow wants to define the quality of his school not by how many applicants are rejected but by how many students are educated. And he is very willing to offer online programs to expand his university's reach, while still supporting high-level research. His "New University" is hungry for market share and demands scale. Although Davidson would probably not put it this way, we could say Crow and his ilk, for better and for worse, are following a path laid down by Silicon Valley.

Davidson, who for most of her career was a professor in literary studies, is one of the most thoughtful voices from within academia calling for a more student-centered university. "The New Education" is a welcome collection of stories detailing how professors, administrators and students are designing paths through higher education that are relevant to our changing culture and society. Many of her examples come from public higher education, which is, after all, where most college students are. She rightly emphasizes the damage done by policies that have defunded community colleges and public universities in the past decade. Forty-five states spent less per student in 2016 than they did before the Great Recession. The privatization of the state university and the rise of for-profit schools promising quick training for the newest jobs have had disastrous consequences for millions of students. As completion rates at these institutions have declined, student debt has soared. And as student debt has increased, the range of choices that students have after graduation has decreased. But how these unhappy trends are related to the new, digital economy and culture celebrated by Davidson remains unclear in her account.

But by no means is Davidson merely a cheerleader for technology as a force for change in the economy and on campus. In two strong chapters, she makes the case against both technophobia and technophilia. She is critical of professors who refuse to let students use devices in the classroom that are ubiquitous outside of it, and she provides strong examples of how she has used technology to help her students work more effectively in groups. However, she is also critical of digital tools that make learners more passive, such as many of the highly hyped, and then much derided, MOOCs (massive open online courses). She does an excellent job of showing how her own MOOC created opportunities for active learning rather than just delivering video lectures to be passively watched by however many across the globe.

At its core, the new education Davidson envisions creates a platform for student-centered, active learning. Technology will be a part of that, but only if it enhances student agency. She cites approvingly the conclusion of Tressie McMillan Cottom, a sociologist of technology: "If you believe technology is the answer to everything that plagues higher education, you probably don't understand technology or higher education."

"The New Education" provides strong examples of successful academic innovations. At the City University of New York, where Davidson leads the Graduate Center's Futures Initiative, the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) has more than doubled graduation rates at community colleges in New York City. "Unlike most education reforms," Davidson writes, "these treated students as full human beings with complex lives, not just test takers and statistics." Paying attention to the everyday experience of students living near the poverty line was key. "We have your back. And your books. And your MetroCard," is the slogan of ASAP, and it works. Lots of advising at ASAP works, too. Lessons from the program are now being applied in various parts of the country.

There is nothing "new economy" about the success of ASAP, nothing high tech. The reforms that get results at community colleges, at large public universities or at small private liberal arts colleges are changes that make learning the highest priority. This means schools have to treat teachers fairly, too, attending to their work conditions and opportunities for continued learning, which means providing opportunities to do research. That, however, may not be the way to produce scale and market share - it's not a Silicon Valley strategy or a new-economy approach.

Nineteenth-century educational reformers also argued for active learning, and in this regard they were building on Socratic traditions. In the early 20th century, as college enrollments increased, many innovators of the time called for more vocational paths through higher education, paths more attuned to the economy of that era. Others, such as W.E.B Du Bois and John Dewey, resisted the effort to turn a broad, liberal education into narrow training. Du Bois argued that education should lead to the empowerment of the whole person and not just a sharpening of skills with short-term value. Dewey, while acknowledging that education must be relevant to its time, rejected the specialization called for by educational reformers with the memorable line: "The kind of vocational education in which I am interested is not one which will 'adapt' workers to the existing industrial regime; I am not sufficiently in love with the regime for that."

At her best, Davidson writes in the tradition of Du Bois and Dewey, a pragmatist tradition that puts inquiry first and sees learning through the potential of the full, complex human beings students can become. If the new education is to be successful, whatever its use of technology, it will build on this tradition - as teachers and students make it their own, adapting it to changing times.

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Roth is president of Wesleyan University. His most recent books are "Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters" and "Memory, Trauma and History: Essays on Living With the Past."
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In the days since Harvey destroyed cities across Texas, rescue tales have emerged by the hundreds  maybe thousands.

Stories of rescued, wagging tails are circulating, too.

Nearly a week ago, Harvey made landfall in Rockport as Category 4 hurricane. The fatal storm made a slow creep through Texas, flooding Houston and its surrounding areas for days to come.

Rescuers  both authorities and civilians  from across the state and country set out to affected areas, answering distress calls from stranded victims and making room for furry friends aboard small boats that ferried evacuees to safety.

Photos of the moments were captured by Getty photographers, social media users and organizations like PETA, providing moments of levity in the midst of the disaster.

Some pets were left stranded as their owners fled while others were strays from the start, but still landed in the hands of some good hearts. Many were rescued along with their owners.

RELATED: 'I just had to come': Meet a few of the S.A. volunteers who rescued Hurricane Harvey victims

Even stars like country music songstress Miranda Lambert pitched in to save pets.

Speaking of stars  there were a few pups who made headlines and had viral fame bestowed upon them as the world had their eyes on Texas.

First came Otis, the strong, independent dog in Sinton who walked down the street with a large bag of dog food. And then we met little Kiwi, who grabbed her own feature stories across the nation for floating in a makeshift boat while still looking fashionable.

Some stories were buzzing for more harrowing reasons.

Take the dog who was the subject of a viral tweet which showed him stranded atop a car surrounded by rising floodwater. Or the story of Frankie and Bear, the two Dickinson dogs who were left behind in a boat.

Many rescuers who were boating around flooded Texas towns in search of humans were also able to pluck pets from the waters. Those who shared the stories of stranded animals penned subsequent posts, announcing dogs like Frankie, Bear and the scared dog on the car had been saved.

Houston businesses, like Midtown's Spot Fur Friends, kept people updated on how their guests were doing through the storm.

"These pups made it through the weekend with us," an update on the business Facebook page reads. "We are still dry and having fun!"

Local groups, like San Antonio Pets Alive and the Humane Society, also posted smile-inducing photos and explained how the public can get involved, either by donating or adopting.

See more pups in the gallery above.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
While most Fort Bend County residents have been yearning for Noah's ark during the past week, one Needville family had been aboard a ship in the Gulf of Mexico, longing to get back home.

The Raybion family happily boarded the Carnival Breeze in Galveston on Aug. 20, anxious to get to their first port of call in Cozumel for one last summer hurrah before school began.

After soaking up the sun in Cozumel, they were to head to Roatan Island in Honduras, and then Belize, before returning to Galveston on Aug. 27, refreshed and ready for school to start the following day.

They knew then-tropical storm Harvey was in the Gulf, so mom Carissa decided to check with the cruise line to see whether it would affect their trip.

"We called a few days before we left, because Carnival never contacted us to tell us anything was changing," Carissa said. "They just assured us that they would reroute around the storm and that they didn't have anything indicating any reason to change our schedule."

But on their first full day at sea, the decision was made to go to Roatan first, followed by Belize, then Cozumel, still returning to Galveston on Aug. 27.

"Then we got to Cozumel on Friday and the storm was still so bad and the port of Galveston was closed, so they added a day to Cozumel and we stayed there overnight and got to spend a whole extra day there," said Carissa.

Also overnight, what had become Category 4 Hurricane Harvey slammed ashore between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor, packing 130-mile-an-hour winds, and the destruction was just beginning.

Carissa and her husband, Lucas, and their three children enjoyed the extra day of fun in the sun, as did most of the other passengers, unaware of the devastation that lie ahead for much of Fort Bend County.

Sixteen-year-old Justufer, a junior at Needville High School, along with his sisters, 14-year-old Gracie, a freshman at that campus, and 7-year-old Maddison, a second-grader at Needville Elementary, were all too happy to trade the first day of school for a bonus day of excitement.

And their parents weren't exactly disappointed, themselves. But they kept an ear tuned to weather reports, concerned about family in Needville and other parts of the greater Houston area.

Dad Lucas said passengers were able to come and go from ship-to-shore Friday morning until about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

"We left there on Saturday, anticipating being able to go back to Galveston and disembark on Monday morning," Lucas said. "But we were informed that the port of Galveston was still closed and we were headed to New Orleans to refuel and reload on provisions."

By then, the Raybion children had learned that Needville ISD postponed the start date of the 2017-18 school year to Tuesday, Sept. 5. Catastrophic flooding across Fort Bend and Harris counties had just begun, and the Brazos, San Bernard and Colorado rivers were only a few days from reaching historic heights.

The Carnival Breeze reached the mouth of the Mississippi River the night of Sunday, Aug. 27, and docked at New Orleans early the following morning.

"It took about eight or nine hours to go up river to the Port of New Orleans," Carissa said. "People who wanted to were able get off and make their way back home or try and catch flights at their own expense. But everyone had to get off and go through customs. Those wanting to travel back to Galveston by boat had to get back on the ship by 1 p.m."

Some 2,000 of the 4,800 passengers, many of them from states other than Texas, decided to disembark and head home.

Explaining their decision to stay aboard, Carissa said, "It's been a really smooth trip; actually, one of the best we've been on, and we've taken about 10 cruises. The boat has had lots of activities to keep you busy, and they keep having to revise the schedule due to the itinerary changes. There has been plenty of food, water, drinks, etc., and at no point have we felt in danger."

On Tuesday, the Carnival Breeze headed up the Mississippi River, where it remained docked Wednesday. That night, it headed back to New Orleans, and it arrived in Galveston on Saturday, Sept. 2.

The Raybions said the scope of the catastrophic destruction left behind by Hurricane Harvey is hard to comprehend, but they are grateful that most of the Needville area was spared; and the kids are even looking forward to getting back to school, their friends, and the daily routine.

Carissa's parents took the Raybion family to the terminal in Galveston when they departed for Mexico so their vehicle wouldn't be parked at the coast in case Hurricane Harvey decided to head that way, so they picked up the family when they arrived in port.
WASHINGTON - Lawmakers and advocates on both sides began to stake out positions Monday for an extended public fight over whether Congress should provide legal status to young undocumented immigrants known as "dreamers" as President Donald Trump is preparing to rescind Obama-era protections for them.

Moderate congressional Republicans, and even some conservatives, suggested that they are open to crafting a legislative deal that could offer permanent legal status to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have been in the country illegally since they were children. Democrats lambasted Trump for his expected decision and called on the GOP to join them to protect the dreamers.

Urgency on Capitol Hill has mounted amid reports that Trump will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has allowed nearly 800,000 people to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. Trump, who is scheduled to announce his decision Tuesday, is leaning toward terminating the program but delaying enforcement for six months to give lawmakers time to find a solution, according to people briefed on the White House's deliberations.

Trump faces a Tuesday deadline from Texas and several other states that have vowed to sue the administration over DACA if the president does not terminate it. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an immigration hawk, has suggested that the Justice Department would not be able to defend the program's constitutionality in court and has lobbied Trump to end it. Other top advisers, including Chief of Staff John Kelly, have pushed him to maintain the program until lawmakers act.

Yet the odds that a sharply polarized Congress could strike a deal - steep in the best of times - are considered especially difficult at a time when lawmakers face a busy fall agenda. Congress is under pressure to raise the federal debt limit, pass a spending bill and approve a defense authorization bill, at a time when Republicans also hope to consider a tax plan and potentially try once again to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has been involved in previous bipartisan immigration reform efforts, said he would support Trump's plan to end DACA after a six-month delay. In a statement, Graham said the program amounted to "presidential overreach" by President Barack Obama, who created it by executive action in 2012.

But Graham added that he empathizes with the dreamers who "know no country other than America. If President Trump makes this decision, we will work to find a legislative solution to their dilemma."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Trump is poised to "break the hearts and offend the morals of all who believe in justice and human dignity." She called on Republicans to pursue legislation to protect dreamers "from the senseless cruelty of deportation and shield families from separation and heartbreak."

Trump's decision to include a six-month delay could be a bid to shift some of the political pressure and consequences over the dreamers onto congressional Republicans. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Wis., Sen. Orrin Hatch, Utah, and several other GOP leaders have urged Trump not to end the program and to let Congress pursue its own course of action.

The president and his senior advisers continued to deliberate Monday afternoon, and aides cautioned that Trump could still change his mind ahead of the announcement. Important details such as whether the administration would continue to accept DACA applications and issue renewals for two-year work permits during the six-month delay remained unresolved.

It also remains unclear whether Texas and the other states would move forward with their lawsuit if Trump announces that he will end the program in six months.

A deal on the dreamers has eluded Congress before - most recently in 2010, when the Dream Act, which would have offered the younger immigrants a path to citizenship, failed by five votes in the Senate after passing the House.

Ryan and other GOP leaders have not laid out a new legislative path, including whether the dreamers' future would be addressed in isolation - which would appeal to Democrats and moderates - or be coupled with proposals to increase border security and tighten immigration controls, which could win greater support from conservatives.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., an immigration hard-liner, suggested that he would be open to giving the dreamers legal permanent residence provided that any deal also include his legislative proposal, called the Raise Act, which would slash legal immigration levels by half over a decade.

Trump offered public support for that bill during an appearance with Cotton and Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., its co-sponsor, at the White House last month.

In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Cotton emphasized that he thinks the new class of green-card holders represented by the dreamers must be offset with cuts elsewhere.

"We should find a way to give [them] legal status," he said, "but we also have to mitigate the inevitable consequences of that action."

Others have suggested that Trump could attempt to use the dreamers to bargain for a down payment - an estimated $1.6 billion - on the U.S.-Mexico border wall he promised voters during the campaign. Senior lawmakers have shown no signs that they plan to support the wall in upcoming budget negotiations.

Such package deals were quickly discounted by immigration hawks and immigrant rights advocates Monday.

"Why would you have to make a bargain with the rule of law?" asked Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), an early Trump supporter who has vehemently opposed legal status for undocumented immigrants. "These are bright lines we're talking about."

Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, an immigrant rights organization, said that advocates are still pressing the White House to maintain DACA and that they hold out hope that Trump will protect the program.

However, if the president moves to unwind it, Sharry said, advocates think they will have the upper hand in a legislative fight, given polls that show broad public support for allowing dreamers to stay in the country.

A trade of the dreamers for tougher immigration restrictions or border wall funding "would not even pass the laugh test," Sharry said. "The momentum is with the dreamers."

Meanwhile, leading Democrats have said privately that they think Trump has been boxed in politically. His inability to secure funding for the border wall is wearing down support among his base, these Democrats said, while his hard-line immigration rhetoric is hurting him with moderates.

When rumors about Trump's expected actions on DACA first surfaced nearly two weeks ago, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., tweeted that dreamers "are not a bargaining chip for the border wall" funding or to pay for an "inhuman deportation force."

One factor that could alter the political calculus for Democrats is if the Trump administration were to start deporting large numbers of immigrants whose DACA protections have expired. Although administration officials have said they are not targeting dreamers, immigration rights advocates said they fear that more dreamers are bound to be swept up in deportation proceedings as the Department of Homeland Security widens its enforcement net.

Leon Fresco, an immigration lawyer who previously served as an aide to Schumer, said he doesn't think Congress would muster the political will to reach a deal on the dreamers - even if the administration begins ramping up deportations.

"I don't know if that's a strategy Democrats will want to reward or not. I don't know where the advocacy community will be," Fresco said. "Really, I just see a lot of bluster but nothing happening."

Immigration hawks, meanwhile, are gearing up to ensure that Ryan and other congressional moderates do not "give away" the dreamers without getting enough in return. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower immigration levels, has proposed a deal that couples legal status for dreamers with the immigration curbs in the Cotton-Perdue bill.

What he does not support, Krikorian emphasized, is legalizing the dreamers for money for the border wall.

The "appeal of the six-month delay" in rescinding DACA is that "it kicks it beyond the budget fight," Krikorian said.

To Trump supporters outside Washington, the most important part of the president's decision is living up to his campaign promises, said Dale Jackson, a conservative radio host in Huntsville, Ala.

Jackson, who in February asked then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer why Trump had not ended DACA, said he does not expect Congress to close a deal to provide a haven for dreamers. Trump, he suggested, knows that, too.

"Trump is probably doing the best he can do in this situation," Jackson said. "He ends the program and asks Congress to come up with a solution knowing . . . they can't. You see guys like Paul Ryan saying they want to do something to protect these people but they are not able to get anything through Congress."

- - -

The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe, Maria Sacchetti, Sean Sullivan and David Weigel contributed to this report.
Family and Children's Services of Mid-Michigan raised more than $14,000 at Fashion for Families, an Evening of Style, its sixth annual fashion show fundraiser that took place in August at the NADA Hotel and Conference Center.

Money raised at Fashion for Families will support the mission of FCS to inspire hope and well-being for people of all ages by providing counseling, education and support services.

Guests enjoyed appetizers, desserts, a raffle and silent auction and also had the opportunity to watch 50 models, including Andrew Keller and Meg McLeod from WNEM TV5, show more than 80 outfits provided by local retailers including Albert's General Store, Blue Moon Designs, Ferne Boutique, Little Forks Outfitters, LuLaRoe Andrea + Lindsay, Midland Country Club, Plaid Giraffe, Omoni Boutique, Super Cute, Sweet Peach Boutique, Willow and Younker's. Scott Stine of radio partner MY 96.1 WHNN was master of ceremonies.

"Each year, over 1,000 people reach out to FCS for counseling, classes, therapeutic groups and crisis services. When people reach out, we reach back in life changing ways," said Beth Sorenson Prince, CEO of Family and Children's Services. "We are grateful to those who show support for our organization and help to make mental health care accessible to students struggling with bullying, new moms coping with the transitions that come with welcoming a new family member, parents working to create a healthy environment for their children during the divorce process or the blending of families, those experiencing grief and loss or in recovery from substance abuse and so many more. Without hesitation, FCS opens its doors to our community and funds raised at Fashion for Families help us to help more people in our region."
From eternal Democratic officeholders to Republicans who think accepting settled science is a firing offense, California has plenty of political dinosaurs. But it has only one politically approved dinosaur.

Augustynolophus morrisi , a hulking, duck-billed vegan on the brink of becoming Californias state dinosaur, is a candidate everyone can get behind (and should not get in front of). The state Senate voted unanimously Friday to add the hadrosaur, hailing from the late Cretaceous period, to the states surprisingly long list of official insignia  33 in all, right down to a state dirt  sending the measure to Gov. Jerry Brown.

The old reptiles political appeal makes sense: Augustynolophus is a centrist, at least geographically, having been unearthed in Fresno County. He lacks the sort of long fossil record that opponents can nitpick, with only two specimens known. And you just cant argue with his firsthand account of climate change.

Politicians hail too many of their own acts as historic. Augustynolophus gave them a rare chance to unite behind something truly prehistoric.

Josh Gohlke, editorial writer
The Madison County Sheriff's Office issued the following press release Monday:

On Sunday, September 3, 2017, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Madison County Sheriffs Office, along with the Glen Carbon, and Maryville City Police Departments responded to a residence in the 100 block of Hillcrest Drive, in rural Glen Carbon, Illinois, for a call of shots fired. The responding officers met with multiple subjects at the home, and located an unresponsive 43 year old white male, in the backyard, who had been shot multiple times.

Officers detained one subject at the scene, who reportedly fired the gun that resulted in the 43 year old gunshot victims injuries. The gunshot victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Madison County Sheriffs Office is actively investigating this incident, and has taken the shooter into custody in connection with the investigation. The shooter is currently being held at the Madison County Jail.

Further information related to the investigation, as well as the identity of the victim will be released in the coming days. No further information is available for release as this time.
Ahead of a historic visit by Pope Francis, Colombian officials on Monday reached a temporary cease-fire deal with the leftist rebels of the ELN, potentially putting the long troubled nation on track for a broader era of peace.

The deal with the ELN marks Colombia's first cease-fire with an armed group founded in the 1960s with the aid of radical Catholic priests. It comes on the heels of a peace accord reached last year with what had been Colombia's largest armed guerrilla group, the FARC.

The ELN, or the National Liberation Army, has long been Colombia's second largest guerrilla movement, engaging in extortion, kidnappings and attacks on civilians and oil pipelines.

Under the 102-day cease-fire negotiated in Quito, Ecuador after months of talks and set to start Oct. 1, the ELN has pledged to halt those activities. In return, the jailed ELN fighters would receive improved conditions and the government would boost security for leftist community leaders, dozens of whom have been slain in recent months.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the deal on Monday morning, suggesting the cease-fire had come together in part to honor the visit of Francis, the first Latin American pope. A figure who has railed against social injustice, Francis is revered even by leftist guerrillas.

"The pope will arrive at a unique moment in our history, when we are turning the page of an absurd conflict and we are looking toward the future," Santos said in announcing the cease-fire.

Since rising to his office, Francis has presided over a surge of diplomatic efforts by his church in Latin America. Under the direction of the former cardinal of Buenos Aires, the Vatican helped broker the 2015 thaw in relations between Cuba and the United States, and has also sought to bring the government and the opposition together in Venezuela.

A priest from Francis's order of the Jesuits - Francisco de Roux - has played a key role in negotiations between the ELN and the Colombian government. De Roux has called on the ELN, which for years was led by a series of Catholic priests subscribing to leftist ideals, to renounce violence. "Kidnapping doesn't destroy capitalism, nor does it destroy imperialism. It destroys the kidnapper and the kidnapped," De Roux has said.

"The pope's impending visit to Colombia is a key factor" in the ceasefire, said Michael Shifter, president of Inter-American Dialogue, an organization based in Washington that promotes democracy and social equity in Latin America.

Yet Shifter and other analysts caution that a cease-fire, while promising, is still far from the lasting peace accord reached with the FARC. More so than the FARC, the ELN, with 1,500 to 2,000 members, operates as a decentralized group. It remains unclear the extent to which its leadership can control its rank and file. Last week, the group announced that it had killed a Russian hostage, allegedly as he tried to escape.

"It will be a test of trust on both sides, and a real big test of whether the ELN can have its orders complied with by all in the organization," said Adam Isacson, a Colombia expert at the Washington Office on Latin America.

---

Wesley Tomaselli contributed to this report from Bogota.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and wife, Cynthia, will host their annual Mid-Michigan Barbeque from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Midland County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5 p.m.

"My wife, Cynthia, and I consider the Mid-Michigan Barbeque a particularly special tradition," Schuette said. "This was a big year for Republicans, a big year for Michigan and we just want to give a big 'thank you' to those who have been and continue to be ever supportive of Team Schuette."

Cathy Leikhim, chair of the Midland County Republicans added, "This barbecue is such a fun event and a great way for friends and supporters to show our appreciation for Bill Schuette's leadership, vision and commitment to our community, our state and to the nation."

Organizers said this year's barbeque bash is set to be the biggest and best yet, packed with great food and fun for the whole family. There will be a pig roast, beer, ice cream and a food truck, along with music, silent auction, games for kids and more.

Tickets may be reserved in advance by contacting Katy Tylus at: katy@ktccllc.com. Tickets also will be available at the door.
SEOUL - South Korea's defense minister on Monday said it was worth reviewing the redeployment of American tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula to guard against the North, a step that analysts warn would sharply increase the risk of an accidental conflict.

As concern over Korea deepened following North Korea's huge nuclear test Sunday, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was "begging for war."

Here in Seoul, the Defense Ministry warned that Pyongyang might be preparing to launch another missile into the Pacific Ocean, perhaps an intercontinental ballistic missile theoretically capable of reaching the mainland United States.

President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, spoke on the phone for 40 minutes Monday night, Korean time - some 34 hours after the nuclear test and more than 24 hours after Trump took to Twitter to criticize Moon's "talk of appeasement."

The two agreed to remove the limit on allowed payloads for South Korean missiles - something Seoul had been pushing for - as a way to increase deterrence against North Korea, according to a statement from South Korea's Blue House.

They agreed as well to work together to punish North Korea for Sunday's nuclear test, pledging "to strengthen joint military capabilities," a White House statement said, and to "maximize pressure on North Korea using all means at their disposal."

In a later phone call, Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel "reaffirmed" the necessity of coordinating a response at the United Nations.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting, Haley pressed for the "strongest possible" sanctions against the North. The administration plans to circulate a new sanctions draft this week. Haley did not spell out how she would overcome the objections of veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia.

But she cautioned, "War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory."

Haley ruled out the "freeze for freeze" proposal backed by China and Russia, which would suspend U.S. joint military exercises with South Korea in return for suspension of North Korean nuclear and missile tests.

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't," she said.

Instead, she reiterated a White House threat from Sunday to cut off trade with any countries that also trade with North Korea. That would presumably include China, with which the United States had nearly $650 billion worth of trade in goods and services last year.

"The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," she said.

Her remarks appeared to be unpersuasive. "China will never allow chaos and war" in Korea, said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations. Sanctions alone will not solve the crisis, said Russia's U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia.

Earlier Monday, South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo said that he asked his American counterpart, Jim Mattis, during talks at the Pentagon last week that strategic assets such as U.S. aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and B-52 bombers be sent to South Korea more regularly.

"I told him that it would be good for strategic assets to be sent regularly to the Korean Peninsula and that some South Korean lawmakers and media are strongly pushing for tactical nuclear weapons [to be redeployed]," Song told a parliamentary hearing on North Korea's nuclear test, without disclosing Mattis's response.

A poll that YTN, a cable news channel, commissioned in August found that 68 percent of respondents said they supported bringing tactical nuclear weapons back to South Korea.

"The redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons is an alternative worth a full review," Song said, echoing a position closely associated with conservatives in South Korea but not with progressives like Moon, who was elected president in May after vowing to engage with the North.

The United States had about 100 nuclear-armed weapons, including short-range artillery, stationed in South Korea until 1991. Then President George H.W. Bush signed the Presidential Nuclear Initiatives and withdrew all tactical nuclear weapons that had been deployed abroad.

Shortly afterward, the two Koreas signed an agreement committing to making the peninsula free of nuclear weapons - a deal that North Korea violated by developing its own nuclear arms. But Pyongyang has maintained that Seoul has also broken its promise because remaining under the U.S. nuclear umbrella is tantamount, it says, to having such weapons.

After the defense minister spoke at the hearing, the South Korean president's office said that it was not considering redeploying tactical nuclear weapons. "Our government's firm stance on the nuclear-free peninsula remains unchanged," said Kim Dong-jo, a spokesman for Moon.

Military experts in the United States are almost universally opposed to the idea of deploying strategic or tactical weapons in South Korea.

"The thing that most concerns me about redeployment is that it introduces more room for miscalculation or unintended escalation," said Catherine Dill of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California.

In that situation, the ability to react more quickly could be a negative factor.

From the perspective of the military alliance between the United States and South Korea, having long-range ballistic missiles or strategic bombers is "perfectly sufficient" to continue to deter North Korea, Dill said.

As alliance partners, the U.S. and South Korean militaries work in close cooperation, regularly conducting drills together. This includes sending "strategic assets" such as bombers stationed on the Pacific island of Guam over South Korea on a regular basis, and having submarines make port calls during exercises.

As the North Korean threat has increased this year, the United States has sent F-35 stealth aircraft and other strike fighters on flyovers across the southern half of the peninsula in a not-so-thinly veiled warning to Kim. The U.S. Pacific Command even released photos last week of B-1B Lancers dropping bombs on a range on the southern side of the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas.

But a growing number of policymakers in Seoul say that Guam is too far away and that, if the South comes under attack from North Korea, it can't wait the two-plus hours it would take American bombers to arrive from their base in the Pacific.

"We need these strategic or tactical assets that can destroy North Korea's nuclear-capable missiles before they can inflict harm on us," said Chun Yung-woo, a former South Korean national security adviser.

"Right now they can retaliate, but by that time, tens of thousands of people might have been killed," Chun said. "We need a first layer of offensive weapons stationed closer to North Korea's nuclear and missile sites."

Jon Wolfsthal, a nuclear expert who served on President Barack Obama's National Security Council, said that in the South Korean context, "strategic assets" are all about giving "a tangible sense of reassurance" to the government in Seoul.

"The reassurance bucket is bottomless," Wolfsthal said. "You can pour stuff into it and it's never going to fill up."

South Korean officials have been asking for fighter jets and ballistic missile-equipped submarines to be based on the peninsula, and have long wanted B-1Bs and B-52s to land rather than just fly over - all to give a greater sense of U.S. commitment to South Korea.

But there are good logistical reasons that can't happen, Wolfsthal said. For one, South Korea doesn't have airstrips long enough for big, heavy B-52s, and second, the United States does not want its high-tech fighter jets sitting within North Korean artillery range.

South Korea has been flexing its military muscles in response to North Korea's provocations, practicing at dawn Monday for strikes on the North Korean nuclear test site at Punggye-ri.

The South Korean air force will stage a live-fire drill, launching Taurus air-to-surface guided missiles from F-15K fighter jets, later this month, the Defense Ministry said Monday. The missiles have a range of 300 miles - enough to carry out precision strikes on North Korea's key nuclear and missile sites.

The ministry also said it had seen signs of preparation for another North Korean ballistic missile launch, and South Korea's national intelligence service told lawmakers that it could be another intercontinental ballistic missile.

---

The Washington Post's Yoonjung Seo in Seoul and Anne Gearan in Washingtoncontributed to this report.
A former waiter, born in El Salvador, now writes code for a U.S. Navy contractor. A young man from South Korea is using the money he makes selling pastries to help pay for community college. And a psychology major from Ecuador, who feared she'd be stuck babysitting all her life, now plans to earn a doctorate and move to New York.

They are among nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants whose lives were transformed by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Obama-era federal program that President Donald Trump appears ready to phase out.

Trump - who has criticized the program but expressed admiration for the "Dreamers" who benefit from it - plans to announce Tuesday that his administration will stop renewing DACA work permits, starting in six months, those briefed on the situation say. The six-month delay is aimed at getting Congress to pass legislation that would allow the Dreamers to remain in the country legally, these officials said; they cautioned that the president could change his mind at the last minute.

DACA has opened unprecedented doors for young people who arrived here illegally as children or overstayed their visas. It has become, for much of the nation, a new embodiment of the American Dream.

The initiative shielded young immigrants from deportation and allowed them to get two-year, renewable work permits and drivers licenses and to more easily afford college. It meant opportunities beyond low-wage jobs where no official paperwork is filed, and a chance to climb the ladder and enter the spotlight at work as well as school.

"Taking that away is taking everything from us," said Renata Aldaz, who is studying psychology at George Mason University and joined other DACA recipients last week for a meeting with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., former running mate to Hillary Clinton, who had vowed to preserve DACA had she been elected.

Without DACA, "I personally will not be able to attend college," Aldaz, who came to this country when she was 3, told Kaine. "I will lose my job. I will lose having to support my family."

Critics of DACA say the program is a classic example of presidential overreach that takes jobs from citizens and legal U.S. residents. They warn that Trump will face massive opposition if he doesn't keep his campaign promise to end it.

"It's actually about protecting American workers," said Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, which has fought to end DACA since the program was created in 2012. The young immigrants in the program "have a compelling case, but struggling American millennials have a more compelling case."

But the program's many defenders say DACA recipients should not be punished for decisions made by their parents, and are making valuable contributions to U.S. society.

Some became high school valedictorians. Others are lawyers, engineers or medical professionals. Hundreds returned to school, because the program required it, and made it easier in some states to seek tuition assistance.

"It helped hundreds of thousands of young people feel as though they belonged," said Roberto Gonzales, a Harvard education professor who runs the largest study of undocumented youth. "It's been a huge game-changer for them."

If Trump phases out the program, or if it is successfully challenged in federal court, those young people will become undocumented again - eventually losing their work permits, jobs and health insurance and, in many states, their driver's licenses. The job losses alone - about 30,000 a month - would cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars in taxes and retraining, according to estimates by the Center for American Progress and Fwd.us.

Many states with large populations of undocumented immigrants, including California and Texas, already allow them to pay in-state tuition at public colleges - whether they have DACA or not. But those in the program say being allowed to work and drive legally - and being free from the threat of deportation - makes it much more feasible to pursue a college degree.

"I feel like as a country, we would be losing" if DACA was rescinded," Alexandra Duran, a 21-year-old Salvadoran who is a student at Marymount University, told Kaine last week. "We helped build it, in a sense."

Ricardo Amaya, a 26-year-old from El Salvador, waited tables for years before obtaining DACA and went to college part time, paying more than triple the cost for classes with the out-of-state tuition rate. Now he pays in-state tuition at George Mason and works at a Manassas, Virginia, technology company, where he has helped develop a dozen computer applications, including for the U.S. Navy, that have been downloaded by 60,000 people.

If Trump ends his permission to work, Amaya said, he'll have to drop out of school.

"I can only work through DACA," Amaya said at the roundtable. "This has helped me, getting me out of the shadows, off the ground."

An army of supporters have rallied to save the program, which has the support of 64 percent of Americans, including 41 percent of Republicans, according to an NBC/Survey Monkey poll released last week.

Thousands marched in the streets in New York, Washington, D.C. and California, and a group has kept 24-hour vigil in front of the White House. Twenty attorneys general, all Democrats, urged Trump to keep the program, even as a smaller group of Republican attorneys general and the Idaho governor threatened to challenge the program in court unless Trump rescinds it. Lawmakers filed bills in Congress to create a permanent way for the Dreamers to stay.

But Congress has been unable to pass such legislation in the past. And even if Trump were to grant DACA recipients a reprieve, officials in his administration have said the program may not survive a court challenge.

The DACA recipients who met with Kaine last week sounded grim as they considered their lives without the program. Among them was Min-Su Kang, the 18-year-old from South Korea who just enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale and plans a career in computer science; and Gloria Oduyoye, 25, who was born in England and is finishing up her studies at William & Mary Law School.

They know they have been carefully vetted by the U.S. government, which has their names, photographs, and even fingerprints, and by definition is aware of their undocumented status. They wonder how that data will be used if their deportation relief disappears.

Many have lived here nearly all their lives and are fearful of being forced to return to countries they barely remember.

Across the table from Kaine sat Alejandro Zuniga, a 19-year-old community college student originally from Bolivia. He wore a tie and aspires to be an aerospace engineer. Now he is afraid of being deported.

"We feel we're Americans, but the society sometimes doesn't see us that way," Zuniga said, adding that DACA has "given me the opportunity to go to school, to work, and to really get to where my parents wanted me to be."

"We're talking about the American Dream," Zuniga said. "Our version of the American Dream."

---

The Washington Post's Scott Clement contributed to this report
VICTORIA - The streets of Victoria no longer look the same as they did before Harvey rumbled into town. Now, stoplights are broken, trees are leaf-less and debris scattered everywhere.

But survivors of Harvey in this city of more than 63,000 are finding that the kindness of others has helped them weather the hurricane's wrath.

On Sunday, which President Donald Trump declared a National Day of Prayer for those affected by the storm, thousands of residents of Victoria, 125 miles southwest of Houston, received food, water and ice from state agencies and citizen volunteers.

"We've seen people from everywhere. They just show up and jump right in. It's very helpful and heartfelt," said Rick McBrayer, Emergency Management Coordinator for Victoria.

Harvey hit the coast as a Category 4 hurricane, then transformed into a tropical storm. When it struck Victoria about a week ago at a Category 2, the city was battered by winds and gusts in triple digits and plunged into darkness - the storm killed power in thousands of households and brought a deluge that led to a boil water notice. City residents were ordered to evacuate, and away they fled. Many Victoria evacuees have returned to their hometown, only to be without potable water and power to cook food and cool their homes.

Recovery begins

City and county officials in Victoria worked with the state to establish two points of distribution. The state has now sent out the Texas Army National Guard and Texas State Guard, many of them from San Antonio, to multiple municipalities in Texas.

In Victoria, the painstaking task of rebuilding and recovery has begun, impeded in part by lingering effects of the hurricane. As of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, there were 5,400 outages left in the Victoria County area, down from its peak a week ago of about 29,000.

"Not only did we get the force of Hurricane Harvey seven days ago, but then we had major flooding after that," McBrayer said.

The city has been under a major flood warning by the National Weather Service for days now, with waters reaching over 30 feet at crest on Friday. Residents experienced between 9 to 15 inches of rainfall countywide, McBrayer said.

Under a beating sun Sunday, red-faced volunteers and guardsmen handed out Meals Ready to Eat, or MREs. The food packets typically are passed out to the U.S. military, and have water-activated heaters - residents can eat hot spaghetti or tortellini just by adding water.

People came in droves, and at each handout residents gave thanks. "Thank you all for everything you do," one man said; "God bless you," said an elderly woman; "Can I shake your hand?" said another resident.

A smile but no house

About 1,700 families took advantage of their services Saturday at the community center site, which, McBrayer estimated, added up to some 4,000 people getting aid.

Moses Valenzuela, 20, drove down from Lubbock with his mother to lend a hand. They couldn't find a hotel room in Victoria - many are still booked from evacuees and temporary workers, or are out of order because of a lack of power - so they've been staying at a hotel in San Antonio and making the drive in the mornings.

"I just started thinking, I'm at home with my family while other people are not with their family. They're picking up debris from their house and trying to figure out their future. And I thought, I have to come down," Valenzuela said.

"Everyone is going to Houston instead of the other small communities," he said, as he grabbed two MREs and, with a smile, handed them to a family in a pick-up.

"How's your day?" he asked them, and they grinned. The woman shook his hand.

"Some don't even have a house and still smile," he said, as he shook his head in disbelief.

For about a week, the two distribution sites in Victoria each have issued between 2,200 and 2,500 cases of water per day and 2,600 to 3,000 bags of ice per day, McBrayer said.

"Now we're at the point when we're getting the resources we needed and the needs are slowly coming down," he said.

But while the "trickling effect," as McBrayer called it, of the hurricane is slowing, it's still not over.

Haresh Kumar, a kidney doctor, tended to four patients Saturday night that all had kidney failure because of dehydration.

"I've never seen four patients with heat exhaustion in one day like that. I can tell it's because they don't have good water to drink," he said.

"They're trying to fix their city and not keeping themselves hydrated," he added.

Both hospitals in Victoria closed, he said, sending upward of 300 patients in mass casualty ambulances to hospitals in San Antonio and other areas.

He said they reopened the hospitals on Wednesday. Kumar started work early on Sunday so he'd have time to get out to the distribution site and volunteer - he handed out the water.

"It's better to know they're getting water here than seeing them in the hospital," he said, shrugging, before rushing to hand off a pack to a couple.

He said beyond folks' physical well-being, he worries about their mental health.

"Most of the people that stayed thought they were going to die from the winds," he said. "You can see it was an emotional trauma."

'We're going to make it'

But around the city, churches, nonprofits and shops are beginning to open up, many offering free clothing or water to residents. Kumar said it's a different city now, but that that's OK.

"If you look around, we're getting so much support," he said. "I think we'll come out stronger."

McBrayer said the troops likely will pack their bags, and the distribution centers will close, when more residents get more power back and the water becomes safe to drink - all which could be solved as early as this week.

Susan Nevlud and her husband fled to Waco during the storm and when they returned found their home intact, but they've been without food and potable water. She said they've been scrounging around town, getting a free meal from a car dealership here, a case of water from a local church over there.

"We're just waiting at this point," she said, two MREs in her hands and a case of water in her backseat.

"The scariest part was coming home to see what we had left. But it's OK," she said. "We're going to make it."

"It's sad, but people are strong," said Bob Sparks, who was picking up meals for his neighbors. "We have a resilient people here. Out of the ashes, we will rise."
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A federal prison in Beaumont that decided Thursday not to evacuate inmates despite a precarious drinking water situation has come under criticism from the men being held inside.

FCI Beaumont, a federal prison that houses 1,812 low security male inmates, said that although the facility's water source was compromised and had intermittent power, it was "adequately maintained with generator backup power when needed. There is an adequate food and water supply for both inmates and staff," the Federal Bureau of Prisons said in a statement Thursday.

Messages from inmates obtained by Chron.com using a prison email system tell a different story.

EMPTY: In Texas gas shortage, man fills garbage cans at pump in Austin

One of those inmates is a 30-something-year-old man being held at Beaumont for possession of a large quantity of cocaine and possession of three firearms. His identity, and the name of the other inmate who provided messages to Chron.com, has been confirmed, but withheld because they fear retaliation from guards for speaking out against the prison. The man's girlfriend Andrea Hasberry said one way the prison could retaliate is by moving him to another facility farther away.

The man described a scene where a fellow inmate passed out Thursday night because of malnutrition; inmates haven't had a warm meal in more than five days, he said. Because of the water shortage, four portable toilets were brought in to service the man's building. No chemicals were placed in the toilets, which have already been "topped off" with waste, the man said.

"Save me Jesus," the man said in an email. "I never thought nothing like this would happen in prison."

SAVED: Stunning photo of coast guard rescuing infant during Harvey





This was a similar story from another 50-something-year-old inmate shared with Chron.com. He was found guilty of fraud. Communication with this inmate was facilitated by his daughter Morgan Owen.

"We are getting two bottles of water a day thus far. Which is obscene," the inmate said Friday morning over email. "We are getting three brown bags of peanut butter and bologna a day. ... Keep pounding the social media sites and call Washington, D.C. for the Texas senators, congressman, and attorney general Jeff Sessions who is actually in charge of us. The more information they get the better."

Hasberry has been using Facebook to raise awareness around conditions in the prison. She has also shared photos of her emails to her boyfriend on Facebook as well, which have received dozens of comments.

"Just because a person made a mistake they don't deserve to be treated as a animal," Hasberry told Chron.com Friday afternoon. "Animals are treated better then those men. They evacuated all those animals and made sure they were safe, why can't they make sure those men in those units are safe, fed, healthy with clean clothes and enough amount of water; they are people too."

HELPING HAND: Houston family takes in 16 strangers and pets displaced by Harvey

When presented with the exact claims brought up by both inmates, the Federal Bureau of Prisons provided Chron.com the following statement Friday afternoon: "[T]he storm impacted the city water supply; however, the FCC (federal correctional complex) has its own reserve of water for emergency situations to adequately operate the FCC. There is ample food and bottled water for inmates and staff."

On Tuesday, rising floodwaters from the Brazos River forced the relocation of an estimated 1,400 convicts from the Jester 3 and Vance prisons in Richmond to the other 100-plus state lockups across Texas.

Owen hopes her father feels some relief very soon.

"My dad has been without running or drinking water today, without AC and with maybe 1300-1500 calories of food all day. That speaks for itself doesn't it?" Owen told Chron.com Friday afternoon.
Miranda Lambert was in Dublin, Ireland when Hurricane Harvey began to ravage her home state. And the country superstar knew she had to do something.

Lambert quickly hopped on a plane and spent three days in Houston helping dogs and cats who were displaced by Hurricane Harvey.

The country superstar, who hails from Texas, led her MuttNation foundation into the city for a multilayered rescue effort that kicked off Tuesday. They were invited by The Humane Society to help out.

Lambert recounts the experience in the above video.

SWEET SOUNDS: Houston musicians and performers organize Hurricane Harvey relief concerts

MuttNation transported animals already in shelters to other areas so they could make room for animals that were displaced because of the storm.

"These animals need to stay close to their families so they can be found again," Lambert said in a statement.

A total of 233 animals were taken from Harris County Shelter, Houston Humane Society and Baytown Animal Control Facility to facilities in Oklahoma where they will then be transported across the U.S. "to find their forever homes."

SOCIAL SUPPORT: A Facebook status in the storm

Lambert also took two dogs back to Nashville with her, according to The Tennesseean. One is for a friend and one is for The Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden.

Lambert has also helped design a T-shirt that reads "We Are Texas - Come Hell or High Water" that is available for presale. All proceeds will go to flood relief efforts.

Watch the above video to see Lambert's rescue efforts in Houston.
State officials on Monday began returning 1,400 convicts to two prisons near Richmond that were evacuated a week ago because of flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey.

Jason Clark, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said transfers of prisoners to the Jester 3 and Vance units began around dawn from prisons in South Texas, after the two lockups near the Brazos River were determined to be safe.
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On Christmas Day 2015, at a Citgo gas station on the East Side, William Boyd Porter, 45, shot a man in the back of the head who he believed had kidnapped, beaten and raped his daughter.

On Friday, after a week-long trial, a jury rejected Porters legal defense of necessity in protecting another person and unanimously found him guilty of murder.

Porter showed no emotion as state District Judge Jefferson Moore read the verdict. His family and that of the victim, Trayvouns Tramone Edwards, 28, sat equally stoicly, then separately filed out of the courtroom to weep.

The jury, which took almost nine hours over Thursday and Friday to reach its decision, will return on Tuesday to determine the punishment. The sentence can be up to life in prison, but if the jury finds the shooting was an act of sudden passion it can be as few as five years.

Porters attorney, Edward Bravenec, said he was not surprised by the verdict, and said he will appeal.

Judge Moore destroyed our case, Bravenec said, when he did not allow the jury to hear testimony from two San Antonio women who reportedly told police they also were kidnapped, beaten, then raped by Edwards in separate incidents allegedly occurring in 2008 and 2012.

Bravenec said the women, both about 18 to 20 at the time, reported having had consensual sex at some point with Edwards, but over a period of days he then held them against their will, choked one girl almost to death, and raped them repeatedly. He said the police took a report in one case.

Homicide case law allows a judge to permit such testimony, said Bravenec, if the victim in the case is found to be the aggressor. Moore ruled that Porter, by pursuing Edwards at the gas station, was the aggressor.

Prosecutor Gretchen Flader told the jury in her closing argument that Porter made the choice of using a gun instead of calling the police.

Its not about what the defendant thought that Tray had done to (Porters daughter), she told the jury. Its about what the defendant decided to do  take the law into his own hands.

Flader declined comment after the trial.

Before the verdict, Bravenec said he was encouraged Friday morning when the jury sent Moore a note asking for the definition of immediate and urgent.

To me that means at least one person on that jury is considering the necessity defense for my client, he said. That essentially means he thought the threat to his daughter was so immediate and urgent that his response was a necessity.

Porters daughter, who is not being identified because she is the victim of sexual assault, testified Wednesday that she had met Edwards at a mall on Dec. 19, 2015.

We made eye contact, and he asked if I wanted to get something to eat, she told the jury. I said no. Then, he asked if I wanted to smoke. I said yes.

The young woman said Edwards convinced her to go to a friends apartment, but once at the complex, she said Edwards forced her into a vacant unit to snort cocaine, punched her in the face and stomach, then raped and beat her for four days.

The daughter said she tried to escape, but feared for her life. Flader asked during cross examination why no one called the police to report her absence. Porter said he didnt know where his daughter was or with whom, and felt that he could not give authorities enough information for them to help find her.

Relatives testified that it was not uncommon for the daughter to stay at different relatives homes for days at a time. Porter said his wife was able to use a cell phone application to locate their missing daughters phone, so he went to the Citgo gas station on Goliad Road to find her, bringing a gun and two other men.

Surveillance video from several angles showed the crime to rapt jurors. In them, Edwards could be seen walking with Porters daughter, then Porter arriving in a pickup.

The videos showed the daughter run toward the pickup as an altercation ensues between the men, and shows Porter shooting Edwards once in the back of the head at point-blank range.

The prosecutor asked Porter, Why didnt you tackle him? It was not necessary for you to shoot that man.

Porter responded, Hes between me and my child.

bselcraig@express-news.net
As it became clear that Hurricane Harvey, would make landfall in the Coastal Bend as a Category 4 storm, several agencies prepared to make rescues.

Among them were the Border Patrol's Search, Trauma and Rescue units.
Durban Pairwas face lights up when you ask him to talk about his friend Johan Fokkema.

Thats because it can be tough to find genuine friends if you have an intellectual disability.

Mostly Durban, who lives in Wellsford, rubs shoulders with paid Intellectually Handicapped Children (IHC) staff and housemates with similar disabilities.

Getting outside that small world is far from easy. Fortunately for Durban, he was introduced to Johan who signed up for IHCs volunteer friendship programme.

I tell Johan whats going on in my life. Its nice to be able to have some time together, one on one, Durban says.

Johan is also happy to have a friend in Durban. He says ever since his own children grew up and left home, he has been looking for a way to give back to the community.

At first, he considered becoming a mentor to youngsters without a father figure in their lives. But when he learned of the IHC programme, decided to give that a try instead.

Johan had no previous background in dealing with people with an intellectual disability and says things were a little awkward at first.

But they became easier as they got to know each other. Mostly they talk about what each of them has been doing in the previous week.

One of the real thrills for Johan is just how eager Durban is to see him each week. So eager, in fact, that Johan has learned to call just one day before each meeting, lest Durban be in a state of nervous excitement for several days.

Johan says its important for anybody considering the friendship programme that they show up when they say they are going to, otherwise the disappointment for the person with the disability can be crushing.

Mostly the friends go out for walks or for coffee or for something to eat. Johan is a former chef and he and Durban both share a keen interest in food.

Occasionally the pair go to the pub, with Johan making sure Durban sticks to just one beer. Soon they hope to do a fishing trip together.

IHC volunteer coordinator for the North Shore and Rodney, Berenice Langson, says its been a real joy to match up Durban and Johan as the pair get along so well together.

She says there is a big demand for more volunteers to be part of the programme. There are only three volunteers in the Warkworth and Wellsford area, and the IHC could do with five or six more.

Info: Berenice Langson on 09 529 8780 or text 021 244 0793
Skateboarding in New Zealand has taken a setback following a Kaipara District Council decision to delay funding for the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ).

The MAZ committee had hoped to secure a $500,000 grant from Council to complete the park before the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, which will include skateboarding for the first time.

However, its submission has been pushed into the Long Term Plan for 2018 to 2021.

MAZ chair Colin Gallagher says he is gutted by the decision.

Without this funding, we will never get the skate park finished and it wont become the top skate facility that we had envisaged, Colin says.

There are no other Olympic-level parks in NZ that have the flow bowl and street plaza areas our final design includes, so our top skaters are having to travel to Australia to train.

Skateboarding New Zealand director Jesse Peters says the non-completion of the park will have an impact on the sport in NZ.

I think it will impact the growth of the sport and it would have been an important part of our Olympic preparation, Mr Peters says. The quality of the current facilities in NZ are not world class.

Mr Peters holds the Bowl Jam skate event at the MAZ skate park and last year there were around 2000 skaters and spectators.

With events like this we can develop young talent and an expansion to the MAZ facility would increase our capacity to do this.

Kaipara Council acknowledges funding is available, but a spokesperson says a number of community projects must be considered before money is allocated.

Meanwhile, the activity zone has just completed its $60,000 crossfit circuit.

It consists of 12 exercise stations including press up bars, balance beam and scaling walls that are free for the public to use.

I am really happy with the result, there isnt much here for adults so this fills that space nicely, Colin says.

The circuit has had a lot of use already and even the Mangawhai ambulance staff want to use it for training.

Colin hopes two more apparatus will be added to the facility in the near future. The circuit was paid for with $20,000 from the Mangawhai Endowment Land Account, $10,000 from Pub Charities and the remaining $30,000 from grants and donations.
After being closed for over a year the Mahurangi Community Policing Centre reopened on August 14, and will be again manned by Senior Constable Hamish Buick.

The station closed in May last year after national police policy meant no station could open to the public without a police officer present.

Warkworth Police Sergeant Bede Haughey says he is very pleased to see the station reopen.

Some people are more comfortable to raise an issue with the police face-to-face rather than making a call and this gives us a physical presence in the area, Sgt Haughey says. The more people that report issues, the more prevention work we can do to reduce the crime rate.

Station hours are not set, but Hamish says people are welcome to talk with him any time he is at the centre.

Its great to have a local presence in Snells Beach especially ahead of the summer period when the area gets busy, he says.

Snells Beach Neighbourhood Support coordinator Lesley Leversha has welcomed the news.

More people will raise local issues through the station and crime will definitely be reduced because of this, Lesley says.

The station was built in 1994 after the community raised $52,000 and donated land to council on the condition they would be given a police presence in Snells Beach. Hamish is one of only two officers to have worked at the station; the other was Terry Mills.

Hamish was moved to Warkworth Police Station in May last year to cover a staff shortage.
Right Reverend Jim White officiates at the commissioning of Rev Ellen Bernstein.

Rev Bernstein receives a silver pitcher representing the water of baptism.

The new vicar of Warkworth is looking forward to ministering in a parish where most of those attending the Anglican Church are elderly.

Rev Ellen Bernstein, who was commissioned last month, says mature Christians are the bees knees.

They are brilliant. The longer we live and the more immersed we are in prayer and scripture, the more useful we are to others, she says.

I think churches full of old people are wonderful.

In this respect, Warkworth will present a sharp contrast to her previous parish based at St Stephens, in Tamahere, which had more young families, new immigrants and a high proportion of medical professionals.

Ellen says when there is a smaller proportion of older people, its very difficult to get things done because everyone is working 60 hours a week, and people are lucky if they can get to church once a month.

But an older congregation has a pattern and routine to their lives that prioritises church quite highly, she says.

At the same time, she says young people should not be put off from attending a church full of older people because they can benefit from their spiritual maturity.

Ellen was ordained as an Anglican priest five years ago.

She became interested in the vocation after working as a personal assistant to the Bishop of Waikato.

She found herself regularly talking to people about God, the meaning of life and difficulties people were experiencing in relationships.

She decided she needed to know what the Bible really said on such subjects and be able to communicate its message to others.

Ellen embarked on theological training to find out more.

When Archbishop Sir David Moxon learned that Ellen was thinking of becoming a priest, he got in touch to give her his enthusiastic support.

Ellen says she is passionate about building a church in Warkworth that makes room for every kind of believer.

We particularly dislike prejudice and discrimination. A place of safety and welcome for all people is paramount, she says.

She concedes it will be a challenge to serve five churches in the parish rather than just one, as she did in Tamahere.

The Warkworth parish includes Christ Church (Warkworth), St Leonards (Matakana), St. Michaels and

All Angels (Leigh), St Albans (Kaipara Flats) and Snells Beach Community Church.

Fortunately, she says the church has a rich taonga of retired and associate clergy to assist her.

I could not do it without them, she says.
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Culture / Art Republik

Sep 04, 2017 | By Art Republik

When the word dream is spoken in well-established art systems, it is almost always rhetoric. Conversely, in countries where a contemporary art system is yet to be built (or re-built), the word suddenly becomes alive and bright with meaning. Art operators in new contemporary art scenes might face many difficulties, but the invaluable advantage they possess is the tangible perception that what they are doing really matters. There, art is not an individual pursuit: it is linked with the growth of an entire society.

Since the 1980s, the cultural spirit of Phnom Penh has been slowly making its comeback into the capital after the bloody repression of the Khmer Rouge regime and forty years of war. While spaces like the French Cultural Center (now French Institute), New Art Gallery, Reyum Institute of Art and Culture, and Java Cafe have pioneered the contemporary art rebirth, new spaces are springing up. The new kid on the block is called Kon Len Khnhom, which translates as my place.

It was important to have a name for the art space in the Khmer language, because I wanted the locals to really feel it was their place, explains Meta Moeng, founder of the space. Im catering not only to the art community, but also to the non-art people. I want to increase access to Cambodian arts and culture and build a network here in Phnom Penh.

Meong explains that in Cambodia most people know little about local contemporary visual art, although there are a few artists, which are established internationally. We dont have art programmes in schools and the government is not really interested in promoting the art scene. We need education to be more focused on public programmes. We have to become part of the solution ourselves, to try to engage people who are not necessarily part of the art world and might be intimidated. We cant complain. With Kon Len Khnhom, I set out to work mostly with art institutions, art independent projects and students.

Audience building is a serious commitment for Meong, whose training is in management: Perhaps this makes the way that I see things a bit different. Art was something that was never encouraged in my family; all I had to do was to go to study. In 2013, she was awarded a place on the Creative Leaders Programme, a competitive personal development program for arts managers offered by the arts organization Cambodian Living Arts. That brought her closer to the arts, and she then became a co-founding member of the Cambodian Arts Network (CAN): I was really amazed to see the passion and love artists pour into their work, overcoming every struggle and leading a life that is so different from the rest of society. I enjoyed their intellectual speculations and just spending time with them. After meeting Erin Gleeson, a Phnom Penh-based curator and artistic director of SA SA BASSAC, she started working at this independent art space, becoming the Community Projects Manager.

Meong decided to open up her own space in February 2017 almost by chance. Initially, she was looking for a quiet space for herself in the city, to meet with clients and do her freelance work as a consultant and artists assistant, for she is currently studio manager to the internationally acclaimed Cambodian visual artist, Sopheap Pich. A friend offered her a house for rent: a two-storey traditional wooden Khmer house tucked in a silent alleyway near Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

When I got there, I had no doubt. This was not simply a house, it was my dream, she explains. Discarding the idea of a private studio, she started envisioning a space where the artistic community could gather. She immediately planned to use the space for art talks as opposed to exhibitions, as well as conjuring up a residency space devoted to students, researchers and curators: I didnt want to offer artists residencies, because we had Sa Sa Art Projects already and they were doing a great job, notes Meong. In order to contribute to the art scene, we need to do something different. I think the goal is to create and be part of a network.

Gleeson is on the same page. We are a small scene, and I believe the distinction of our different programmes should be seen as complements to one another and a broad range of artistic practice, she explains. Im thrilled and excited for Meong and her new initiative Kon Len Khnhom, which has immediately become integrated as a warm and welcoming space for artists and audiences in Phnom Penh. Her passion is bringing people together.

A native of Minneapolis, Gleeson first came to Cambodia as an artist with a grant from the Human Rights Centre at the University of Minnesota Law School. Her proposal was to be in Cambodia to research creative methodologies in human rights education and to extend her Art History honours thesis research on histories of photographic archives associated with genocide.

She then visited Cambodia again to pursue further research and interview Nhem En, a photographer at the prison S-21, and S-21 survivor and artist Vann Nath, as well as the painter Svay Ken and scholars Ly Daravuth and Ingrid Muan. Meetings like these were highly moving and inspiring. During that period, she was invited to teach an elective art history course at Pannasastra University, the first private liberal arts university in Phnom Penh, where she shaped a course in art history that would be meaningful in the Cambodian context: I learned with my students as we entered studios, listened to artists and attended exhibitions happening at that time.

Over the years, she became friends with Vandy Rattana, a leading artist and founder of Stiev Selepak art collective. Here the word dream comes into the picture again. From there we started dreaming of a lot of things, including a space of our own. That is how SA SA BASSAC was born: from the merging of Erins curatorial platform BASSAC Art Projects and Stiev Selepaks Sa Sa Art Gallery.

Rattana once told Gleeson something that often comes back to her: It becomes hard to think when we are forced to look down constantly so we dont trip. He was referring to the sidewalks of Phnom Penh, literally and metaphorically, recalls Erin. He implied that, at that time, that their unevenness and obstruction was deliberately kept that way.

Perhaps this is a suitable metaphor for the arts, in which most are operating largely without a local support structure or any semblance of an official cultural industry. Without government funding or established companies for the likes of art handling or PR in the arts, we remain D.I.Y. says Gleeson. Its challenging, of course, but it also breeds the art that is made, some of which profoundly inspires.

The programme of SA SA BASSAC is designed to fuel the local art environment, while connecting Cambodian artists to regional and international art networks: SA SA BASSAC is based in Phnom Penh, but not isolated there. We were founded in 2011 with a focus on emerging Cambodian artists. These early exhibitions, complemented by our public programs, extended through informal networks regionally and internationally, leading to artistic, curatorial and institutional collaborations. The many initiatives include a residency programme called FIELDS, which is programmed every three years by Gleeson and a co-curator and brings people together from different countries to exchange in different areas around Cambodia. SA SA BASSAC also dedicates a level of its space to its reading room and archive, which Gleeson notes is primarily of use to artists, and is of growing use to the growing amount of students, scholars and curators engaging in Southeast Asia and Cambodia.

In terms of the impact on the local cultural environment, Meong is open to the unpredictable: Kon Len Khnhom is an experimental platform for me. If you ask me what it will be in the future, I dont really know. I feel like Im experimenting with the space, with the students, so we can mutually grow. We currently have students-in-residence from The Royal University of Fine Arts from April to August 2017 and research team-in-residence from Roung Kon Project, an independent research team from May-October, 2017. And Im also interested in communicating with the wider art world and other fields, such as architecture. Above all, I want people to come here to do research and bring friends along.

Thinking back to the sidewalk metaphor, Gleeson has nothing but appreciation for working in the so-called margins of the art world: close to art and its conditions, on a small scale, in close relation with one another. But at the same time, she says, It is welcome when continued growth in the field cultivates access to more sidewalks on which we can think together while walking.

More information at konlenkhnhom.com and sasabassac.com.

This article is the third installment of the four-part More Life series covering visionary  and determined  individuals who are breathing life into the art scenes in Southeast Asian capitals. It was written by Naima Morelli for Art Republik.
Style / World of Watches (WOW)

Sep 03, 2017 | By Pameyla Cambe

From 16 to 30 September, TAG Heuer fans will get a close-up look at the brands rich watchmaking history through its upcoming exhibition, Heuer Globetrotter. As the name suggests, the 15-day exhibition will take place simultaneously at TAG Heuer stores across ten cities: Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong, Miami, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Venice and Munich.

No fewer than 400 wrist- and pocket-watches will go on display, all of which have been sourced from TAG Heuers museum in La Chau-de-Fonds, where the brand has been based in for 150 years. Some of the highlights include the Heuer Monaco worn by Steve McQueen in the film Le Mans, as well as the 1916 Mikrograph, the first stopwatch to record hundredths of a second.

The array of vintage timepieces will also include 20 watches sourced from each country and specially chosen by a local collector. On top of that, each of the ten exhibitions will have different themes corresponding to the city that it is held in. The Singapore edition, held at the TAG Heuer store in Wisma Atria, will aptly focus on the Formula 1 season.

Paris will be following a Classic Heuers theme, while Geneva will host an exhibition on Great Inventions. Over at Tokyo, the exhibition will examine the brands Design throughout history.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
It started with a trainload of cattle.

In the summer of 1877, the United States endured an outbreak of labor unrest so widespread and violent that some thought a new American revolution was in the offing, this time tinged with the communist ideals that had just burned through France.

The Great Strike of 1877 began in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on July 16 when railroad workers responded to yet another pay cut by shutting down the yard. Violent clashes broke out, and from there the trouble raced along the great railroad lines into Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Chicago and St. Louis, building in ferocity as it went.

Nearly two square miles of Pittsburgh went up in flames. Mobs of police and mobs of rioters hunted each other down in Chicago. The strike disrupted the B&O, the Erie and the Pennsylvania railroads, swept up miners, iron workers, longshoremen and canal boatmen, and touched places as far apart as Worcester, Massachusetts, and San Francisco, as far south as Nashville and Galveston, Texas. In some places, the strike erased the color line between white and black workers, at least for a while.

By the time the strike was put down, an estimated 100,000 workers took part and about 100 people died. It was the closest the young nation had come to a nationwide general strike.

"(M)any Americans would look back to the summer of 1877 as a turning point," writes Philip Dray, whose book "There Is Power in a Union" documents U.S. labor history.

The spark came when John W. Garrett, president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, signed off on a 10 percent wage cut. It knocked a brakeman's daily wage to $1.35 and was the second such cut in a year. It also came as Americans were still struggling after the Panic of 1873, one of the worst economic skids ever seen.

B&O workers in Baltimore tried to stage a protest but were thwarted by police. So the action moved down the line to Martinsburg, the terminus of that B&O section.

On July 16, a cattle train's crew walked off the job, leaving the beef to roast in the heat. Then a brakeman led workers in decoupling trains so that they couldn't leave the yard. Police moved in but were driven off. West Virginia's governor called up the local militia.

The militia took command of the cattle train the next day and got it moving, but they were met by strikers, one of whom threw a switch to divert the train. Shots were exchanged: one striker was killed, and a militia member was wounded. West Virginia Gov. Henry M. Mathews called on President Rutherford B. Hayes to send federal troops. Hayes complied.

Maj. Gen. W.H. French arrived in Martinsburg with 200 soldiers of the 4th U.S. Artillery and the hope, Dray writes, that a show of bayonets would be enough to restore order. The soldiers, without help from B&O workers, got the trains running.

But the strikers began a low-grade guerilla conflict. Railroad workers - joined now by miners, iron workers and boatmen from the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal - hid under bridges or behind blind curves, emerging to ambush trains with stones or block their tracks with debris.

Maryland Gov. John Lee Carroll, seeing his neighboring state in turmoil, called out the Maryland National Guard in Baltimore and dispatched them to Cumberland, a key B&O junction not far from Martinsburg. As 5th Regiment guardsmen marched from the city's armory to Camden Station, Baltimore factory workers came into the street to cheer - until word got out about why the soldiers were afoot. And soon the cheering crowd became a stone-throwing mob.

More troops were summoned, only to make things worse. As the Maryland National Guard's 6th Regiment followed the same path, thousands of protesters, perhaps tens of thousands - "a mob, composed of the worst elements in the city," as the New York Times put it - let loose with bricks. Some soldiers ran. Others fired into the air. Some fired into the mob, killing 10 people.

By now the rage had traveled the rails to Pittsburgh, the country's industrial heart. Trouble began after the Pennsylvania Railroad ordered that all trains go in "double-headers" - a configuration using two locomotives that forced one crew to do the work of two.

Not in Pittsburgh, the strikers said. Once again, police were powerless to intervene, and local militia stacked arms in sympathy with the strike. Pennsylvania Gov. John F. Hartranft summoned the Pennsylvania National Guard from Philadelphia, the Iron City's cross-state rival.

The Philadelphia troops - many Civil War veterans - arrived in a train gouged by stones and chunks of coal dumped on them during the journey. They were heavily armed, with artillery and a Gatling gun. On Saturday, July 21, at the corner of Liberty Avenue and 28th Street, the soldiers clashed with a mob of about 6,000 people. Shots were fired, killing least 20 people.

"Shot in Cold Blood by the Roughs of Philadelphia," a local newspaper blared. "The Lexington of Labor Conflict Is at Hand."

The crazed mob looted gun shops and weaponized freight cars loaded with coal, setting them on fire and rolling them downhill toward the roundhouse where the soldiers had sheltered. By the next morning, the soldiers had no choice but to flee under fire, and their Gatling gun was put to use. A chunk of the city had been put to the torch.

Chicago was next. Leaders of the Workingmen's Party - which was heavily influenced by Marxism and was a forerunner of the Socialist Party - addressed a crowd of 30,000 people in downtown Chicago to form a "Grand Army of Labor," Dray writes. "Pittsburgh! Pittsburgh! Pittsburgh!" the cry went up. Then violence broke out, and 30 people died.

In St. Louis, a relatively peaceful general strike shut down everything - and for that reason most frightened the leaders of industry, Dray writes. Talk spread of an "American Commune," and the Workingmen's Party led 10,000 in a parade singing "La Marseillaise." But martial law was declared, arrests were made, and the Great Strike was on its way to becoming memory.

Afterward, the railroad barons were unrepentant. The B&O's Garrett thought the soldiers should have killed more strikers. Others dismissed the unrest as the doings of foreign subversives. Politicians instead focused on strengthening the National Guard, often by building armories. But despite losing the strike, laborers also changed perceptions: In growing numbers, Americans came to believe that government should do more for social justice.

"What labor won was a new appreciation of its own strength," Dray writes, "and of the power of the strike."
Back in 1967, The Springfield Union led off page one with a story on an UFO hoax in southern England,

From the September 5, 1967 edition of The Springfield Union

A fist fight between U.S. military police and North Korean troops during a meeting in Panmunjom, Korea,

From the September 9, 1967 edition of The Springfield Union

And, hopeful contestants lining up at Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the annual Miss America pageant.

From the September 6, 1967 edition of The Springfield Union

These are some of the headlines you'll see from Page 1 of The Republican and its predecessors over the past fifty years for the week of September 3 - September 9. Each week I'll put together a slideshow of Page 1 images from selected years over the course of that week. We're starting with a look back at one, five, thirty, forty and fifty years ago, with Page 1s from each day of the week for those years.

The slideshow for September 3 - September 9 is embedded at the top of this article.

We'll also find some humor printed out on page one over the years. In 1967 'Dennis The Menace' could be found on the bottom of page one six days a week.

From the September 8, 1967 edition of The Springfield Union

Other newspaper comics from the archive can be found in the Featured Collection photo galleries on MassLive.

Fifty years ago, this week, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara ordered a barbed wire and electronic barrier laid across the DMZ between North and South Vietnam. The "barrier" would be more of an early warning system than a method to keep the North from moving soldiers and supplies across the DMZ into South Vietnam.

From the September 8, 1967 edition of The Springfield Union

And five years ago this week, UMass Amherst set a Guinness World Record by cooking up a 6,658 pound seafood stew during their annual Labor Day cookout. With the assistance of the Food Network Chef Jet Tila, a team of chefs spent an hour assembling and stirring the stew in a 1-ton frying pan set up on a traffic island on Massachusetts Avenue. The previous year, UMass set a world record cooking up a 4,010-pound stir-fry.

As you'll find with looking through the slideshow, that while many stories come and go, many of the issues and topics that affected lives in the past, continue to have an impact on our lives today.

Copies of these and other stories can be found in the online archives. The Historic Archive includes stories from 1824 to 1989, and the Newsbank Archive covers 1988 through the present day.
Fast food workers in Boston will hold a strike on Labor Day in order to march and demonstrate for a $15 minimum wage and better benefits.

The Fight For $15 organization is one of the groups coordinating the strike over social media. According to an event post, at least 300 workers are expected to join in the demonstration

"In order to bring back good paying jobs with benefits including paid family leave, healthcare and fair scheduling, we must win a union," the group wrote on the event page. "Most workers are being left behind as the gap between the wealthy continues to grow. It's time to turn up the heat in the demand not just for a $15 an hour minimum wage, but for union rights."

Fast food workers are expected to begin striking at 6 a.m. Monday morning. The rallying workers will meet outside the McDonald's on Tremont Street in Boston.

At 11 a.m. a formal speak-out and march will start at Copley Plaza.

In addition to calling for a $15 minimum wage, the striking workers will also be pushing Massachusetts lawmakers to pass a medical leave bill, according to the Associated Press.

This protest is part of a nationwide Labor Day strike.
A Massachusetts State Police sergeant shutdown traffic traveling through the Route 90 connector tunnel in Boston Monday night after a tiny kitten was discovered walking around the dangerous roadway.

After receeving several calls about the cat earlier in the day, Sgt. Bob Dateo and the Animal Rescue League of Boston were able to coordinate a swift rescue of the female feline.

Police said the cat was playing a dangerous game of "hide and seek."

The Animal Rescue League and Massachusetts State Police are now reaching out to the public for ideas on what to name her. Several hundred people have already posted potential names on the state police Facebook post.

The cat will be put up for adoption after she receives some medical care, police said.

"This little kitten looks like she has been through a lot, as she has lost quite a bit of fur on her tail from some sort of burn. Her prognosis is good however, and she will be up for adoption soon, when she is medically cleared," police wrote in a Facebook post.
AMHERST -- University of Massachusetts students arriving on campus over the weekend were greeted with massive banners on the Fine Arts Center carrying the message "Hate Has No Home At UMass" -- a slogan rolled out in an August statement by Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy.

The chancellor's statement, which followed rallies organized by white nationalists and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, blossomed into a campaign that included buttons distributed at last week's annual community breakfast, displays in other campus buildings and new pages in the "diversity" section of the university's website.

UMass launched the website following the events in Charlottesville last month, said spokesman Ed Blaguszewski.

Web content includes a "digital and social media toolkit that people can download to support the campaign on their websites, social media channels and e-mail messages," Blaguszewski wrote in an email.

Students interviewed on campus Monday were appreciative of the banners.

Emma Hollows, who just arrived from London last week to study theater, said it was a really "nice welcoming."

She said the message is clear -- the campus is welcoming all students no matter where they're from, or the color of their skin or gender.

Kamila Coehlo, a junior from Everett studying homeopathic medicine, said the campaign "reminds people bigotry is not welcome one campus."

"I think it's very important," she said. "Bigots do exist on campus. They should be expecting a lot of resistance from other people who don't accept what they believe in."

Nam Doan, a sophomore from Vietnam, appreciates the banners, but said the campaign won't eradicate the roots of violence.

He said "you have to fight it from the inside," adding that he believes the campaign and the banners "well help from the surface."

"I think it's good," said his friend Ki Song, also from Vietnam. "So you can be united."

Banners flank the UMass Fine Arts Center reiterating the campus commitment against hate.

Buttons carrying the slogan "Hate Has No Home At UMass -- Reject Hatred Stand Together" were handed out at last week's community breakfast, and Subbaswamy underlined that message when he delivered remarks.

Subbaswamy said the campus "will reject hatred in all its forms."

"Hate has no place at UMass," he continued, praising the Amherst and Hadley communities for sharing the school's values. And, he said, "we reaffirm UMass' commitment to providing a (safe) living and learning environment for everyone."

The campus is committed to "diversity, equity and inclusion," he said.

His remarks reiterated a statement he issued shortly after violence in connection with white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville left one woman dead when a man alleged to have Nazi sympathies drove a car into a crowd of counter-protesters.
Comcast has sued the Vermont Public Utilities Commission in federal court, saying the terms of the company's new, 11-year state operating permit are unlawful.



The agreement, issued in January, contains 57 conditions, which the PUC claims are "not unduly burdensome" and will not impair Comcast's ability to receive a fair rate of return in Vermont.



Under the franchise renewal, Comcast must build 550 miles of new cable to unserved areas at its own expense. The company must upgrade facilities to allow high-definition broadcasts from community access TV stations. What's more, Comcast must allow public access channels to list their schedules on an electronic programming guide. That requirement has been an ongoing bone of contention.



The PUC claims Comcast has been out of compliance with state and federal law, and also with the terms of its own previous contract, in its failure to adequately serve the public. Under a 2011 FCC order, the telecom is prohibited from treating public access stations differently from commercial ones.



The cable giant claims the commission exceeded its authority by imposing arbitrary conditions upon Comcast's continued operations in the state, and that compliance would lead to $4 million in unfair costs. The company says it should not have to pay for upgrades to its digital cable network in Vermont.

Comcast is asking the court to nullify the Vermont requirements.

Public access TV advocates told Vermont Public Radio that Comcast should have upgraded its high-definition network years ago, and that stakeholders had argued for strong language in the new permit.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com.
Seven Connecticut communities affected by the opioid crisis will join the city of Waterbury in a lawsuit naming major pharmaceutical manufacturers.



Bristol, Bridgeport, New Milford, Naugatuck, Oxford, Wolcott and Roxbury all agreed Thursday to take action, the Hartford Courant reports. Waterbury mayor Neil O'Leary predicted another 15 to 20 communities will sign on as co-plaintiffs.



The suit claims drug manufacturers deliberately misrepresented the facts about prescription painkillers, triggering a nationwide addiction epidemic.



The communities join a growing number of cities and states that are suing pharmaceutical companies over the impacts of opioid addiction. The cases, largely filed in state courts, cite the costs of education, prevention, emergency response, treatment, and broken families.

New Hampshire cities to sue drug manufacturers



Thirty-three people died of overdoses in Waterbury last year, a number that tripled since 2012. The city has already had 32 opioid-linked deaths this year. Attorneys at a Waterbury press conference told reporters the case could end in a settlement in "the hundreds of millions," according to the Connecticut newspaper.



Waterbury's suit alleges that Purdue Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Johnson & Johnson, Endo Health Solutions used sophisticated, coordinated and deceptive marketing to persuade pharmacists, physicians and patients that opioid painkillers were safe and effective over long periods of time for relatively minor ailments.

The firms have denied wrongdoing.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in June announced that her office has been working with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general to investigate whether manufacturers have engaged in unlawful practices in the marketing and sale of opioids. The Bay State lost over 5,000 people to opioid overdoses in the last three years, according to the AG's office.

States already pursuing legal action include Oklahoma, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio.
ENFIELD - Police are investigating a scene on Pearl Street where the body of an unidentified man was discovered Monday morning.

Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said it is being treated as a suspicious death at this point in the investigation.

He said police were called to a section of Pearl Street between Franklin and Frew streets at about 6:15 a.m. A caller reported finding a body by the side of the road.

Sferrazza said the body appears to be that of a white man between the ages of 25 and 20. He would not elaborate on whether there were any visible signs of trauma.

The Connecticut State Police Major Crime Unit has been dispatched to the scene to aid Enfield police, he said.

Police are expected to be processing the scene for evidence for much of the day, he said.

The section of Pearl Street is in the Thompsonville section of Enfield near the overpass over Route 190 or Hazard Avenue. It is roughly 1 mile south of the Longmeadow line.
AMHERST -- When he was young, Rody Lipson and his father built a gazebo in the woods near his New Marlborough home -- an experience he described as "the blind leading the blind."

Now, the 22-year-old Hampshire College design student, who says he's always been interested "building stuff," is at work on a house. A tiny house, that is, which he plans to donate to Syrian refugees when it's finished.

The house is Lipson's senior thesis. He expects to complete the project by December, when he will graduate. Right now he's about halfway done, and friends have been helping.

He began framing the house this summer when he took a class at Yestermorrow, a school in New London, Connecticut that offers a program in tiny house design and construction. He recently moved the structure to campus, where he will continue to work away.

"It's exciting," he said of the project. "It's tangible... not (just) conceptual."

He became inspired to design and build the house after learning about Michael Reynold's and the Taos, New Mexico-based Earthship Biotecture.

That company builds homes that are completely self-sustaining, providing all the electricity and water people will need. Lipson said people who have such a house wouldn't have to work because they can take care of all their needs, including the ability to grow food. "It's a utopian concept," he said.

While his home won't do all of that, he said, "tiny houses are more environmentally friendly" than a conventional home.

Still, he needs money to finish and launched a fundraising campaign to help. He raised about $7,000 on one fundraiser, and an additional $3,466 toward a $12,000 goal on another.

So far, he spent $5,000 on the trailer for the house, $2,000 on materials and $2,000 for the class in Connecticut.

And the cost doesn't include his labor -- hundreds of hours by the time he finishes the house.

He used software to help design the house and plans to install a composting toilet, solar panels and a built-in kitchen table. Two lofts will offer space for a sleeping area and storage. At roughly 160 square feet -- 230 including the loft space -- the house is best suited for two people.

The house will have propane for cooking, heat and hot water.

He said he settled on donating the finished home to a Syrian refugee family as a way "to make a statement."

"I believe that this donation will help send the message that America stands in solidarity with immigrants and refugees and that most of us are horrified by the racism and hate that have surged since Trump's election," he wrote on his fundraising website.

He doesn't know yet who will get the house but has been working with the Worcester-based Ascentria Care Alliance, which offers refugee and immigrant services, to find a family.
With President Trump expected to announce an end to an Obama-era policy that put off deportation of undocumented immigrants brought to the county as children, the presidents of Massachusetts community colleges and the head of Boston Public Schools on Monday issued a statement declaring their opposition.

The statement expresses support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, and expresses commitment to the education of all students regardless of immigration status.

"We remain committed to meeting the needs of every person who walks through our doors looking to learn and achieve, regardless of their immigration status. We stand together to fight for the continued protection of all the young people with and eligible for DACA," the statement reads.

It is signed by the presidents of the state's 15 community colleges, including John B. Cook of Springfield Technical Community College, Christina Royal of Holyoke Community College, and Robert Pura of Greenfield Community College.

Also signing the letter is Tommy Chang, the superintendent of Boston Public Schools.

Reports out of Washington have the President Trump is expected to announce as soon as Tuesday his plan to discontinue the DACA program. The New York Times is reporting the move will not be enacted for six months, apparently in order to give Congress time to come up with an alternative.

DACA was enacted in 2012 by then-President Barack Obama as an executive order without Congressional input.

Under the policy, the federal government would defer prosecution of any undocumented immigrant living in the United States who was brought to the county before age 16.

The policy required that to qualify, a person had to reside in the United States for at least 5 years, and either be in school, a high school graduate, or a member of the U.S. military or a veteran in good standing. Applicants were also to be younger than age 30 and have no history of arrests.

Those eligible for the program need to register with federal immigration officials and pay a $500 registration fee every two years.

There are approximately 800,000 people across the country registered under DACA.

According to FOX News, which cites a study by the Center for American Progress, 91 percent of those registered have jobs in the United States.

According to the statement from the community college presidents, "Individuals with DACA status live in our communities, pay taxes, and are ready and willing to continue to positively contribute to our local economies and communities. Ending DACA and subjecting these individuals to deportation not only contradicts our shared values and the inherent principles in our educational missions, but threatens the economic well-being of our region, state, and country."

According to the Massachusetts Department of Education, Massachusetts is home to a little more than 12,000 people who have successfully registered under the program.

According to a Massachusetts Board of Higher Education policy, a successful DACA applicant living in Massachusetts who has been granted a work permit is eligible to be charged the in-state tuition at any public college. DACA students are not eligible for federal financial aid programs.

Massachusetts Community Colleges presidents Joint Statement in Support of DACA uploaded by Patrick Johnson on Scribd
The lower level of the McDowell County Public Library in Marion will be closed this month due to recent water damage.

We first thought it was sewage but it was chlorinated water, said Steve Taylor, systems administrator for the library.

The water got into the Abe Simmons Genealogy Room & North Carolina History room, lower level staff offices and the IT section of the library. It did not get into the Childrens Area of the library or the downstairs meeting room, but those areas will remain closed during cleanup. The main level of the library was not affected at all.

The water was first seen entering into the lower level Monday morning.

Taylor added the water rose to about a couple of inches before it stopped. It only managed to get into the genealogy/N.C. history room, some staff offices and the IT room. Taylor said the water damage did not affect the librarys computer system. Patti Holda with the genealogy/N.C. history room said very little of the materials and books inside her section got any damage because most of them were off the floor.

The water entered into the library because the swimming pool at the nearby McDowell Rec Center was being drained. The amount of water from the Rec Centers pool being emptied overwhelmed the city of Marions sewer system and this caused the backup into the lower level of the library, according to Maintenance Director Terry DePoyster.

The librarys downstairs section is below street level and it was the closest to the Rec Center.

Both DePoyster and Taylor said chlorinated water got into the library rather than sewage.

The furniture and equipment from the genealogy room, the offices and the IT section have been moved into the Childrens Area and the meeting room, which suffered no damage. The carpet has been removed and the floors of the areas that were damaged have been scraped. New flooring will need to be put down there.

DePoyster said he does not yet know the cost of repairs.

Were still in the assessing mode, he added.

Because of this, the entire lower level of the Marion branch is closed until further notice including the parts that suffered no damage. It will be closed for the month of September.

The main level of the Marion branch will continue to operate as normal and the public can still make use of it. Taylor said the staff members on the main level were not aware anything was happening when the water came into the buildings downstairs.

Library patrons are encouraged to use the Old Fort branch for researching genealogy or local history or enjoying childrens activities, said DePoyster.

They can also continue to use the N.C. Cardinal, which is a consortium of North Carolina public libraries that share an online catalog and an integrated library system (ILS), and share resources with other member libraries. McDowell County Public Library is a member of this consortium.

Holda and other staff members said they are sorry the Childrens Area had to be closed since so many parents and their children look forward to coming there. For example, the Paws for Reading program has been popular for young people and is particularly effective for those youngsters with autism, said Holda.

Local civic groups and organizations which use the meeting room have been notified it is now closed until further notice.
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A mothers sleeping habits may strongly influence her childrens likelihood of developing insomnia, suggest researchers.

Share on Pinterest Children may have trouble sleeping if their mother has insomnia, a new study suggests.

Children, in much the same way as adults, can have trouble sleeping and be affected by insomnia. In fact, some studies have pointed out that around 25 percent of all children have behavioral insomnia, which excludes sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

Furthermore, other surveys have reported that as many as 27 percent of children in the United States do not get the amount of sleep that is recommended for their age.

Quite similarly to how sleeplessness affects adults, sleep troubles may affect childrens mental health and overall well-being, as well as impacting their learning and memory skills.

This is why researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, set out to examine the link between the sleep quality of parents and that of their children.

The findings  which were published in the journal Sleep Medicine  suggest that the mothers insomnia may lead to poor sleep quality in her children.

The study was jointly led by Natalie Urfer-Maurer, from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Basel, and Dr. Sakari Lemola, from Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick.

Urfer-Maurer and colleagues examined 191 children aged between 7 and 12, 96 of whom were born preterm. Otherwise, the children were healthy overall.

The childrens parents reported on their offsprings sleep habits by filling in the Childrens Sleep Habits Questionnaire.

This information was compared with objective data collected from the children one night using an in-home electroencephalography (EEG). The EEG was able to determine what sleep stage the children spent the most time in, as well as how long it took them to fall asleep.

The parents were also asked to report on the quality of their own sleep using the Insomnia Severity Index.
New research has suggested that financial worries may cause migraines in people who have two specific variations in a gene that regulates our biological clock.

Share on Pinterest A new study suggests that stress may lead to migraines in those with certain genetic variations that regulate our sleep-wakefulness cycle.

Our so-called biological clock is the collective name given to a range of interacting molecules that regulate our sleep-wakefulness cycle and the bodily and behavioral changes that go with it.

New research examines the link between this clock  which is also regulated genetically  and the risk of developing migraines.

The first author of the study is Daniel Baksa, of Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, and the findings were recently presented at the ENCP Congress, held in Paris, France.

As the authors explain, their research was prompted by previous studies suggesting that people with mood disorders often have symptoms that signal a disruption of their circadian rhythm.

Additionally, other studies referenced by the authors have pointed to a link between mood disorders and certain variations in the genes associated with the circadian rhythm, as well as to a genetic link between mood disorders and migraine.

Stressors have been shown to trigger migraines by disrupting the bodys rhythmicity, and all of this existing evidence made the researchers wonder whether circadian genes might also play a role in the development of migraines.
Music is not only a major part of Dan Fabbio's life, as a music teacher it is his livelihood. So when doctors discovered a tumor located in the part of his brain responsible for music function, he began a long journey that involved a team of physicians, scientists, and a music professor and culminated with him awake and playing a saxophone as surgeons operated on his brain.

Fabbio's case is the subject of a study published in the journal Current Biology that sheds new light on how music is processed in the brain.

In the spring of 2015, Fabbio was serving as substitute music teacher in a school in New Hartford, New York. He was in a small office at the school working on the capstone project for his Master's degree in music education when he began to suddenly "see and hear things that I knew were not real."

He became dizzy and nauseous and the episode prompted a visit to hospital in nearby Utica later that day. After undergoing a CAT scan, the doctors sat Fabbio down and told him they found a mass in his brain.

"I was 25 at the time and I don't think there is any age when it is OK to hear that," recalled Fabbio. "I had never had any health problems before and the first thing my mind went to was cancer."

The good news was that the tumor appeared to be benign - in fact, it had probably been slowly growing since childhood - and was in an area of the brain that was relatively easy for surgeons to access. The bad news was that it was located in a region that is known to be important for music function.

Fabbio was referred to UR Medicine's Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience and neurosurgeon Web Pilcher, M.D., Ph.D.

"When I met Dan for the first time, he expressed how concerned he was about losing his musical ability, because this frankly was the most important thing to him in his life, not only his livelihood, but his profession and his interest in life," said Pilcher.

A Precise Map of Brain Function

Pilcher, who is the Ernest and Thelma Del Monte Distinguished Professor of Neuromedicine and Chair of Department of Neurosurgery, had struck up a partnership with Brad Mahon, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Rochester Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. The two have developed a Translational Brain Mapping program for patients who had to undergo surgery to remove tumors and control seizures.

"Removing a tumor from the brain can have significant consequences depending upon its location," said Pilcher. "Both the tumor itself and the operation to remove it can damage tissue and disrupt communication between different parts of the brain. It is, therefore, critical to understand as much as you can about each individual patient before you bring them into the operating room so we can perform the procedure without causing damage to parts of the brain that are important to that person's life and function."

The brain mapping program Pilcher and Mahon developed is tailored to circumstances of the individual. Patients with brain tumors are now routinely referred to Mahon before undergoing their surgery. Mahon and his team subject each individual to a battery of tests, including brain scans that identify important functions - such as motor control and language processing - that may be located in proximity to the tumor and potentially impacted by the surgery.

"Everybody's brain is organized in more or less the same way," said Mahon. "But the particular location at a fine grain level of a given function can vary sometimes up to a couple centimeters from one person to another. And so it's really important to carry out this kind of detailed investigation for each individual patient."

While testing language and motor skills was relatively straightforward, evaluating musical ability, especially in a trained musician, was a different undertaking altogether. Perhaps nowhere in the world was Fabbio's case a better fit. Not only had Pilcher performed hundreds of these surgeries and had partnered with Mahon to develop a sophisticated brain mapping program that would be key to the procedure's success - but the famed Eastman School of Music, a part of the University of Rochester, could be called upon to help plan Fabbio's surgery.

Mahon reached out to Elizabeth Marvin, Ph.D., a professor of Music Theory in the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music. Marvin also holds a position in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and studies music cognition - the ability of our brains to remember and process music.

The two developed a series of cognitive musical tests that Fabbio could perform while the researchers were scanning his brain. During functional MRI (fMRI) scanning, Fabbio would listen to and then hum back a series of short melodies. He also performed language tasks that required him to identify objects and repeat sentences. The fMRI detects changes in oxygen levels, so the parts of the brain that were activated during the tests helped pinpoint the areas important for music and language processing.

Using this information the research team produced a highly detailed three-dimensional map of Fabbio's brain - with both the location of the tumor and music function - that would be used to help guide the surgeons in the OR.

Saxophone Serenades Surgeons

The ability to process and repeat a tune was an important measure, but the team also wanted to know if they were successful in preserving Fabbio's ability to perform music. So they decided to bring his saxophone into the OR and, if possible, have him play it during the procedure.

The challenge was that Fabbio would be lying on his side, so it would be difficult to play the instrument. Also, the pressure caused by the deep breathes required to play long notes on the saxophone could cause the brain, which would be exposed during the procedure, to essentially protrude from his skull. Fabbio and Marvin ultimately selected a piece - a version of a Korean folk song - that could be modified to be played with shorter and shallower breaths.

"The whole episode struck me as quite staggering that a music theorist could stand in an operating room and somehow be a consultant to brain surgeons," said Marvin. "In fact, it turned out to be one of the most amazing days of my life because if felt like all of my training was suddenly changing someone's life and allowing this young man to retain his musical abilities."

During the procedure, Pilcher and the surgical team used the map of Fabbio's brain that had been developed by Mahon to plan the surgery. They also went through a process of painstakingly reconfirming what the brain scans showed them. This was accomplished by delivering a mild electrical stimulus that temporarily disrupts a small area of the brain. While this was occurring, Fabbio was awake and repeating the humming and language tasks he performed prior to the surgery. Marvin was present in the OR and scored his performance to let the surgeons know whether or not they had targeted an area that disrupted music processing and, therefore, should be avoided during the procedure.

Once the tumor had been removed the surgeons gave the go ahead to bring over the saxophone and let Fabbio play. "It made you want to cry," said Marvin. "He played it flawlessly and when he finished the entire operating room erupted in applause."

Fabbio has since completely recovered and returned to teaching music within a few months of his surgery.

Harnessing Science to Improve Brain Surgery

While the brain mapping program's primary purpose is to help improve surgical outcomes, the information that the researchers gather before, during, and after the surgery is also helping advance understanding of complexities of the brain's structures and function.

"We study about 40 or 50 patients a year and what this allows us to do is ask what are the factors that we can identify in these patients before their surgery or early on after their surgery that distinguish which patients go on to have a good outcome versus which patients may have lingering cognitive impairments," said Mahon.

The data from Fabbio's case, which is the basis of a study in the journal Current Biology, has helped more precisely define the relation between the different parts of the brain that are responsible for music and language processing.

"As I think back about Dan's case and about the incredible outcome and what we were able to achieve, it reminds me of how far we have come," said Pilcher. "Ten years ago, we mapped the brain using very simple tools - electrical stimulation and image guidance. But now, we have all the tools of cognitive science. We have brought the cognitive science laboratory into the operating room and now almost as a matter of course with every single patient."
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PTSD is a psychiatric disorder which can manifest following exposure to a traumatic event, such as combat, assault or natural disaster. Among individuals exposed to traumatic events, only a minority of individuals will develop PTSD, while others will show resiliency.Little is known of the mechanisms behind these different responses. The last few years have seen much attention given to whether the modification and expression of genes - epigenetic modifications - might be involved.But there are several practical and ethical challenges in designing a research study on humans undergoing such experiences, meaning that designing relevant study approaches is difficult.The research group from the Netherlands, worked with just over 1,000 Dutch soldiers and the Dutch Ministry of Defense to study changes in biology in relation to changes in presentations of symptoms of PTSD in soldiers who were deployed to combat zone in Afghanistan.In a longitudinal study they collected blood samples before deployment, as well as 6 months after deployment. Most of the soldiers had been exposed to trauma, and some of the soldiers had developed symptoms of PTSD.For this pilot study, from the initial group, subgroups were selected of in total of 24 subjects; 8 of the soldiers had developed symptoms of PTSD; 8 had endorsed traumatic experiences but had not developed symptoms of PTSD; and another 8 had not been in serious traumatic circumstances and served as a control group. Using modern sequencing techniques, several types of miRNAs of which the blood levels differed between the groups were identified.MiRNAs (Micro RiboNucleic Acids) are small molecules with chemical building blocks similar to DNA. Unlike the more famous DNA, miRNAs are typically very short - comprising only around 20 to 25 base units (the building blocks of nucleic acids), and they do not code, in other words they do not specify the production of a protein or peptide.However, they have very important roles in biology (every miRNA regulates the expression, and thereby also the activity of several other genes), and they are known to regulate the impact of environmental factors on biology. In addition, brain-derived miRNA can circulate throughout the human body and can be detected in the blood.Differences in miRNA levels have been associated with certain diseases, such as some cancers, kidney disease, and even alcoholism. This regulatory role makes them also a candidate for investigation in PTSD."We discovered that these small molecules, called miRNAs, are present in different amount in the blood of persons suffering from PTSD compared to trauma-exposed and control subjects without PTSD", said first author Dr Laurence de Nijs (Maastricht University)."We identified over 900 different types of these small molecules. 40 of them were regulated differently in people who developed PTSD, whereas there were differences in 27 of the miRNAs in trauma-exposed individuals who did not develop PTSD." "Interestingly, previous studies have found circulating miRNA levels to be not only correlated with different types of cancer, but also with certain psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorders.These preliminary results of our pilot study suggest that miRNAs might indeed be candidates as predictive blood markers (biomarker) to distinguish between persons at high and low risk of developing PTSD.However, several steps need to be performed before such results can really have an impact on the larger field and in clinical practice. In addition to working towards biomarkers, the results may also provide novel information about the biological mechanisms underlying the development of PTSD"."Most of our stressful experiences don't leave a long-lasting psychological scar. However, for some people who experience chronic severe stress or really terrible traumatic events, the stress does not go away. They are stuck with it and the body's stress response is stuck in 'on' mode. This can lead to the development of mental illness such as PTSD.These individuals experience symptoms including re-experiencing of the traumatic event through flashbacks or recurrent nightmares, constant avoidance of reminders of the event, negative mood, and extreme arousal.This can manifest itself through insomnia and or hyper-alertness. Individuals with PTSD are six times more at risk of committing suicide and having marital problems, and the annual loss of productivity is estimated to be approximately $3 billion. Currently, there is no definite cure for patients with PTSD, and available treatments often are not effective".Commenting, Professor Josef Zohar (Ex-ECNP Chair, Tel Aviv, Israel) said:"The relevance of a better understanding of stress related events is unfortunately becoming clearer and clearer after each terror attack. This work points to an innovative avenue regarding the potential identification of risk factors for susceptibility to developing post-traumatic stress disorder".Source: Eurekalert
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Furthermore, these CRKP strains are also hypervirulent and belong to ST11 type of CRKP, the most prevalent and transmissible CRKP strains in Asia. As these strains simultaneously exhibit the features of hyper-resistance, hypervirulence and high transmissibility, they can be considered a real superbug known as ST11 CR-HvKP (ST11 carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae).ST11 K. pneumoniae strains proliferate in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) of human and animals and may cause opportunistic infections such as pneumonia in clinical settings. These strains, after acquiring plasmid encoding a carbapenemase gene, become resistant to the carbapenem antibiotics and caused untreatable or hard-to-be treated infections, therefore defined as superbug. These superbug strains could further evolve to become ST11 CR-HvKP through acquisition of the hypervirulence plasmids.The ST11 CR-HvKP strains do not only infect lungs and cause pneumonia, but also invade the bloodstream and other internal organs. Due to its hypervirulence and phenotypic resistance to commonly used antibiotics, ST11 CR-HvKP strains may cause untreatable and fatal infections in relatively healthy individuals with normal immunity.ST11 CR-HvKP strains possess a mucoid outer layer, which enables them to stick to various materials, such as the surface of medical devices and tubing as well as other surfaces in the ICU.The transmission route is not clear yet, but our data suggest that medical equipment such as ventilator and different catheters might be transmitting these new superbug strains. Human-to-human transmission may also be possible, mainly in hospital settings.Improved infection prevention and control policy in hospital seems to be effective to control further transmission of this superbug in the ICU. Novel strategies must be devised to prevent ST11 CR-HvKP from proliferating extensively in the human intestinal tract where they were detected. ST11 CR-HvKP can easily be detectable by the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, targeting specific resistance and virulence genes.The study showed that the use of colistin (the last resort drug for carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae infections) alone or in combination with other drugs were not very effective in treating infections caused by ST11 CR-HvKP. Ceftazidime/avibactam may be the effective antibiotic, but ST11 CR-HvKP may develop resistance to this antibiotic very quickly based on the clinical data from the USA.Prevalence of ST11 CR-HvKP strains in Hong Kong is currently unknown. Two studies conducted in Hong Kong have shown that mortality rate due to K. pneumoniae-mediated bloodstream infections was high, reaching 20% and 32% respectively.We plan to collaborate with clinicians in local hospitals to investigate the proportion of clinical K. pneumoniae isolates that belong to HvKP or CR-HvKP, and characterize their genetic features.This study is recently published in the prestigious academic journalSource: Eurekalert
Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common cancerous pediatric kidney tumor, generally seen in children of less than five years of age . It is also called as nephroblastoma and is named after Max Wilms, a German surgeon and pathologist, who was one of the first to describe this disease in 1899. Wilms tumor generally affects the kidney, but sometimes extra renal locations have been reported, such as the testis, retroperitoneum, inguinal canal, the sacrococcygeal region, uterus, and mediastinum.

Age- This tumor is generally common in young children, with the average age being about 3 to 4 years.

Race-The African-American children are at somewhat higher risk of getting Wilms tumor than whites and the risk is lowest among Asian-American children.

Gender- Girls have a rather higher risk of Wilms tumor than boys.

Family history- About 1-2% of children with Wilms tumors have one or more relatives but not the parents with the same kidney cancer and these children are somewhat more likely to have tumors in both kidneys.

Birth defects /Genetic syndromes - About 1 child in 10 with Wilms tumor also has certain birth defects or syndromes. Wilms tumor is more common in children with congenital malformations and certain birth defects:

Aniridia- It is characterized by complete or partial lack of the iris of the eyes.

Hemihypertrophy- Children with this defect have an oversized arm and/or leg on one side of the body.

Cryptorchidism- It is the failure of the testicles to descend into the scrotum in boys.

Hypospadias- This is a defect in boys where the urinary opening is on the underside of the penis.

Wilms tumor usually affects only one kidney (unilateral), but sometimes it affects both the kidneys (bilateral) in about 1 out of every 20 children diagnosed with Wilms tumor. Wilms tumors are classified into 2 major types based on their appearance under the microscope:

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Favorable: The tumor cells in this type dont look quite normal, but they are not of high malignant type or anaplastic. Majority of Wilms tumors have favorable histology and the chances of curing children with these tumors are very high.

Unfavorable (Anaplastic): The appearance of the tumor cells varies greatly, with large and irregularly shaped nuclei and is called as anaplasia. The treatment of Wilms tumor becomes inversely proportional to the level of anaplasia the tumor exhibits.

The reason why some children get Wilms tumor is not known, however researchers have made progress in determining how the Wilms tumor can arise during the course of normal development of kidneys.

Genetic Mutations leading to Wilms tumor - Mutations in some genes increase the chances of getting a Wilms tumor. For example, mutations in WT1 or WT2 genes, which are tumor suppressor genes found on chromosome 11 give rise to a small number of Wilms tumors.

In about 30 % of Wilms tumors, there is inactivation of WTX, a tumor suppressor gene present on the X chromosome. Further, CTNNB1, the gene encoding the proto-oncogene beta-catenin, is sometimes altered in Wilms tumor cells, but it is not clear exactly what causes these genes to be altered. Also, most cases do not have mutations in any of these genes. Some gene changes can be inherited, but most Wilms tumors are not the result of known inherited syndromes. Most Wilms tumors have no definite cause, but there are some factors that affect the risk.

Syndromes linked to Wilms tumor include:

WAGR syndrome: WAGR is a rare genetic syndrome and predisposes the affected children to -

Wilms tumor

Aniridia

Genitourinary tract abnormalities (defects of the kidneys, urinary tract, penis, clitoris, scrotum, ovaries or testicles)

Retardation

Children suffering from this syndrome lack the part of chromosome 11 having the WT1 gene and often have tumors in both kidneys.

Denys-Drash syndrome and Frasier syndrome: These syndromes are very rare and also been linked to mutations in the WT1 gene.

In Denys-Drash syndrome, when the child is young, the kidneys become diseased, the Wilms tumors develop and the reproductive organs dont develop normally. As the risk of getting Wilms tumors is quite high, doctors often advise removing the kidneys soon after the diagnosis.

In Frasier syndrome, the kidneys are also diseased, but they generally work till adolescence, the reproductive organs dont develop normally and these children are at increased risk for Wilms tumors and cancers in the reproductive organs.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome: It is caused by a defect in chromosome 11 that affects the WT2 gene. The affected children are quite big for their age, have larger than normal internal organs, an enlarged tongue and suffer from hemihypertrophy and have about 5% risk of having Wilms tumor.

Sometimes, Wilms tumor is linked to other syndromes such as Bloom syndrome, Perlman syndrome,Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Sotos syndrome, Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome and Trisomy 18.

It is difficult to find out the symptoms of Wilms tumor as these tumors grow large in the absence of any symptoms.

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Swelling or a hard mass in the abdomen -The first sign of a Wilms tumor is swelling or a hard mass in the abdomen which can be noticed by the parents while bathing or dressing the child. Generally, it is not painful, but it might cause abdominal pain and discomfort in some children.

Nausea, fever, shortness of breath, constipation, loss of appetite, blood in the urine are some other symptoms.

Sometimes, patients experience high blood pressure which can cause problems such as headaches, bleeding inside the eye, or even a change in consciousness, however, many of these symptoms can be caused by something else other than Wilms tumor.

Newborn kids with WAGR syndrome are noticed to have aniridia and should be subjected to further diagnosis (aniridia - complete or partial lack of the iris of the eyes).

To diagnose Wilms tumor, the doctor may suggest:

Physical examination: The doctor will look for the possible signs of Wilms tumor.

Blood and urine tests: These tests can't detect Wilms tumor, but they can indicate the kidney function and anemia.

Imaging tests: Simple test like an ultrasound is sufficient to diagnose the tumor. Once the tumor is suspected, ultrasound can be supplemented by CT scan to determine the exact location of the tumor in the kidney and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Biopsy: In most instances, imaging tests are sufficient to diagnose and confirm Wilms tumor. Very rarely a biopsy maybe suggested, where a small piece of the tumor is removed and checked under a microscope. The cells in Wilms tumors have a characteristic appearance.

Staging

Once Wilms tumor is diagnosed, doctor tries to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer to determine the treatment options. Staging requires tests such as a chest X-ray and a bone scan to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the kidneys. CT scan too is reviewed for such staging.

In the United States, guidelines developed through the National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) of the Children's Oncology Group include five stages:

Stage I: The cancer is localized within one kidney and can be completely removed with surgery.

The cancer is localized within one kidney and can be completely removed with surgery. Stage II: The cancer has spread to the nearby fat or blood vessels, but it can still be completely removed by surgery.

The cancer has spread to the nearby fat or blood vessels, but it can still be completely removed by surgery. Stage III: The cancer has spread beyond the kidney area to nearby lymph nodes or other structures within the abdomen, so, the tumor may splatter within the abdomen before or during surgery, or it may not be completely removed by surgery.

The cancer has spread beyond the kidney area to nearby lymph nodes or other structures within the abdomen, so, the tumor may splatter within the abdomen before or during surgery, or it may not be completely removed by surgery. Stage IV: The cancer has spread outside the kidney to distant structures, such as the lungs, liver, bones or brain.

The cancer has spread outside the kidney to distant structures, such as the lungs, liver, bones or brain. Stage V: In this stage, cancer cells are present in both the kidneys (bilateral tumors).

Depending on the stage of the tumor, treatment may vary.

Surgery: Treatment for Wilms tumor may begin with surgery to remove all or part of a kidney (nephrectomy). It may include:

If the tumor is very small, partial nephrectomy can be performed which involves removal of the tumor and a small part of the kidney tissue surrounding it.

can be performed which involves removal of the tumor and a small part of the kidney tissue surrounding it. In a radical nephrectomy, the kidney, surrounding tissues, part of the ureter, nearby lymph nodes and sometimes the adrenal gland are removed.

If the cancer has affected both the kidneys, then both the kidneys might be removed and in that case, dialysis and kidney transplant at a later stage is an option.

In an approach to cure the child of the cancer, different international groups have brought forward some different approaches. These are discussed below:

Chemotherapy: If Societe Internationale D'oncologie Pediatrique (SIOP) method is followed, then chemotherapy is used before surgery to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove (called as neoadjuvant chemotherapy).

NWTS too allows for chemotherapy to be used as an adjuvant therapy but after the surgery to kill any cancer cells that may remain in the body. Further, chemotherapy may also be an option for children whose cancers are too advanced to be removed completely with surgery.

Chemotherapy protocols vary from study to study; however, the main drugs administered include vincristine, dactinomycin, and doxorubicin.

As most of the medications used in chemotherapy for Wilms tumor cause side effects, the doctors will warn the parents on how to manage and reduce them.

Radiation therapy: Depending on the stage of the tumor, radiation therapy may be recommended. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to shrink a tumor before surgery or destroy cancer cells that remain after surgery and to treat a large tumor or a tumor that has spread to other parts of the body.

It is generally preferred for children with stage III or IV Wilms tumor with a favorable histology and for all children who have tumors with an anaplastic histology.

Prognosis: The outcome for Wilms tumor is very good for children and about 85 to 90% of Wilms tumor patients with favorable histology can be cured, however, the outcome is not good for patients with anaplastic histology, a more aggressive form of Wilms tumor.

Patients who have undergone treatment for Wilms tumor should continue regular medical follow-up as 25% of survivors develop health problems such as high blood pressure and problems associated with heart and kidney function.

The survivors of Wilms tumor are at increased risk of developing another cancer such as breast cancer, bone and soft tissue sarcomas, lymphoma, leukemia, gastrointestinal tumors and skin cancer.

As Wilms tumor is not caused by any known lifestyle or environmental factor, there is no way to prevent Wilms tumor in children. Wilms tumor arises in the fetal cells that failed to develop into mature kidney cells and that cannot be prevented by any means during pregnancy.

However, in children suffering from Denys-Drash syndrome, it is recommended to remove the kidneys at a very young age to prevent tumors from developing.
Tuesday's ballistic missile that flew over Japan was the first to be fired from a commercial airport, which brought the total to 21, VOA quoted the report from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

North Korea seems capable of firing missiles from pretty much anywhere now, having fired them from 21 sites between 1984 and this Tuesday, according to a report.

Most ballistic missiles were fired from two sites -- the missile bases in Wonsan and Gitdaeryong, both in Kangwon Province -- with 20 missiles launched from each.

Missiles were launched in Wonsan from May 2013 until April 2015, and the base in Gitdaeryong has been in use since July 2006, with the last missile fired from there only last week.

A launch site in Hwadae-gun, North Hamgyong Province was used for 17 missile launches until April 2009, including the first ballistic missile test in April 1984. But no missile has been tested there since 2012.

The CNS's director Jeffrey Lewis told VOA, "The missiles are mobile, so they can really launch them from any place..."
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called for the world to reject protectionism even as American and European pressure mounts on Beijing to lower market barriers, speaking at the start of a Chinese-led summit of five large emerging economies now overshadowed by North Korea's sixth nuclear test.

Lamenting that "protectionism and an inward-looking mentality are on the rise," Xi said that "only openness delivers progress and only inclusiveness sustains such progress."

Xi was speaking to business representatives of the BRICS nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- a day before he opens a summit with the leaders of these major emerging markets in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen. This will be the ninth summit of the BRICS grouping, which came together about a decade ago to push for an alternative world order that wasn't dominated by Western nations.

Xi said the BRICS nations had led the way in increasing the say of emerging economies and developing countries.

"The law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak and the zero-sum game are rejected," he told the audience, which included Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma.

"We should not ignore problems arising from economic globalization or just complain about them," he said. Rather, BRICS nations should work together with other members of the international community to find solutions, he said.

China has long been accused of putting up unfair barriers to foreign companies. However, Xi has become a leader who speaks out in favor of globalization at a time when protectionist sentiments are on the rise in Western countries. In January, Xi became the first Chinese president to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he cast his country as a champion of free trade in contrast to the protectionist rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Yet, foreign companies complain Beijing is reducing access to its markets for electric cars, computer security technology and other promising fields, at the same time as Chinese companies have been on buying sprees abroad. Beijing also faces U.S. and European complaints it is exporting steel, aluminum, solar panels and other goods at improperly low prices, threatening thousands of jobs in other countries.

On Sunday, Xi said: "The Chinese government will continue to encourage Chinese companies to operate and take root in other countries and likewise we also warmly welcome foreign companies to invest and operate in China."
Moscow is demanding Washington rethink its order to close three Russian diplomatic facilities, calling the closing a "hostile act."

"We consider what has happened as an openly hostile act and a gross violation of international law by Washington," the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said in a statement Sunday.

"We call on the American authorities to come to their senses and immediately return the Russian diplomatic properties or all blame for the continuing degradation in our relations lies on the U.S."

The U.S. State Department said Saturday it had seized control of three diplomatic posts vacated by Russia at the request of the U.S. government.
Incidents law enforcement officers responded to between Aug. 26 and 31 in Tuscola County by township and community:

Akron

 Assist Akron Fire Department with traffic control for a barn fire on 4000 block of Bradford Road.

Almer

 Operating while under the influence of liquor on Colling Road.

 Animals at large on 2000 block of W. Deckerville Road - dogs killing livestock.

 Driving while license suspended on Biebel Road.

 Littering on Bristol Road - subject found and warned.

 Family trouble on 1000 block of E. Deckerville Road - verbal argument.

Arbela

 Warrant arrest on 9000 block of Millington Road.

Dayton

 Assault and battery on 2000 block of Clifford Road.

Denmark

 Vehicle theft on 9000 block of W. Saginaw Road - stolen vehicle.

 Two-vehicle accident with one injury on Tressla Road.

Ellington

 Traffic issue on E. Caro Road - dead deer on side of road.

 Traffic stop on E. Caro Road - stopped for speeding and cited for no insurance.

Elmwood

 Assist Michigan State Police with injury accident on E. Caro Road.

 Driving while license suspend on Colwood Road.

 Assault and battery on 5000 block of Green Road.

Fremont

 Dispatched to 2000 block of W. Snover Road for subject on property refusing to leave.

Gilford

 Car/deer accident on Fairgrove Road.

 Traffic on Gilford Road - motorcycle hit chicken, driver injured.

 Traffic control on E. Dayton Road - until owner of injured dog arrived.

Indianfields

 Suspicious situation on 2000 block of Forest Drive - subject in wheelchair yelling - thought for help, but for a cat.

 Dispatched to state game area on Bliss Road - for lost subject.

Juniata

 Arson at a residence on 3000 block of Ball Road.

 Dispatched to W. Sanilac Road for subject wearing black and walking in road way - unable to locate.

 Car/deer accident on Dixon Road.

Kingston

 Assault and battery on 1300 block of Crawford Road.

 Car/deer accident on Cemetery Road.

Millington

 Malicious destruction of property on 3000 block of Barnes Road - damage to vehicle.

 Traffic stop on Sheridan Road - no license, and two-vehicle accident with four injured.

 Suspicious situation on 9000 block of Cardinal Drive - windows open on vacant house - secured.

 Malicious destruction of property on Barnes Road - burnt books in trailside library.

 Found property on 3000 block of Swaffer Road.

 Dispatched to 3000 block of Barns Road for possible breaking and entering - nothing found.

Novesta

 Single-vehicle accident with one injury on Deckerville Road.

 Dispatched to Deckerville Road for disabled vehicle.

 Warrant arrest on Cemetery Road.

Vassar

 Two-vehicle accident on 651 block of State Road.

 Car/deer accident on Washburn Road.

 Assist Vassar Fire Department with traffic control on 3000 block of Hanes Road.

 Welfare check on 7000 block of Hess Road.

Wells

 Car/deer accident on Orr Road.

Wisner

 Dog/car accident on Bay City - Forestville Road.

 Family trouble on 9000 block of Wilets Road - verbal domestic.

Fairgrove Village

 Assault and battery on 5000 block of Maple Street.

Kingston Village

 False alarm on 5000 block of State Road.

Millington Village

 Assist Millington Fire Department on 4000 block of Main Street for possible dryer fire - no fire.

Caro City

 Operating under the influence and driving while lichees suspended on Millwood Street.

 Returned lost dog found at 420 Court Street to owner.

 Assist Caro Police Department with possible domestic on 300 block of Madison Street - one arrest.

Unionville Village

 Family trouble on 3000 block of Bay Street - civil dispute.

Millington Village

 False alarm on 4000 block of Industrial Drive.

Vassar City

 Assist Vassar Police Department with an assault on 600 block of Welsh Boulevard.

*Listing includes information from the Michigan State Police and other law enforcement agencies
The April hard landing of a Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter that caused severe damage to the aircraft was the result of a steep bank at low altitude, a command investigation shows.

The incident, which took place April 5 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, was miraculous in that all five Marines aboard the aircraft walked away uninjured, even though the aircraft rolled multiple times before finally settling upside-down in the desert.

Photos of the crash site, obtained by Military.com through a Freedom of Information Act request, show the propeller completely sheared off, parts of the landing gear broken off, and holes in the body of the chopper.

"The investigation ... reveals a breakdown in mission planning that is underpinned by inadequate risk management, inattention to detail, lack of understanding of aircraft systems and aerodynamics, and violation of [Angle of Bank] limitations and [Training and Readiness] program manual hard deck altitude for defensive maneuvering," the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16, Col. Craig LeFlore, wrote in an endorsement of the investigation.

Related content:

"These culminating factors set dangerous conditions wherein the pilots put the aircraft into a high AOB turn in a reduced energy state close to the ground, ultimately resulting in power required exceeding power available and an unrecoverable rate of descent," he continued.

The pilots and aircrew were training in Yuma as part of the semi-annual Weapons and Tactics Instructor course.

On the day of the hard landing, they were set to participate in training that included rotary-wing defensive measures, fixed-wing defensive measures, and ground threat reduction training.

Although it is not cited as a direct cause of the mishap, both pilots were low on flight hours in the months before the crash. The lead pilot had logged 16.8 hours in the previous 30 days, but no additional hours in the 30 days preceding that. The secondary pilot had logged 7.8 hours in the previous 30 days, and 20 hours total in the previous 60 days.

The Corps has struggled in recent years to get enough flight hours for its pilots, amid maintenance and spare parts challenges that keep aircraft off the flight line. As a rough average, pilots are supposed to get 15 hours of flight time a month to keep their skills fresh.

According to the investigation, the hard landing took place just after 1 p.m. The helicopter had been flying low and banking hard throughout the day. Investigators found the crew descended below 100 feet 22 times, and 12 times got the "bank angle" verbal warning, meaning the aircraft had exceeded an angle of bank of 60 degrees, a dangerous threshold for the CH-53.

The crew however, recalled only a few instances when the angle had been exceeded.

The mishap took place as the Super Stallion attempted a hard right turn at just 50 feet off the ground.

"[The pilot] was at the controls and rolled into a 73-degree angle of bank right-hand turn and simultaneously lowered the collective by four to six inches and added right pedal," the investigation states.

The aircraft initially climbed to 125 feet and then began to descend, unable to gain enough power to overcome the steep angle.

The helicopter hit the ground, bounced, and then hit again, according to the investigation. When it finally came to rest, it was nearly upside-down.

At the time of impact, one of the CH-53's Marine crew members was ejected from the aircraft, his gunner's belt still attached. As the chopper rolled and spun, he was bounced and dragged with the aircraft before finally being able to detach himself.

Miraculously, he too walked away from the crash.

The investigation found multiple faults with the Marines on board the aircraft. The pilot not at the controls had failed to scan the instruments during the turn, it found, and both pilots and crew had failed to maintain situational awareness during the flight.

It also found that the pilots misunderstood the "bank angle" warning indicating danger for the aircraft. When it did not repeat, the pilots believed that the angle had been corrected. However, the system gives the warning only once and does not repeat.

The investigation recommended that all five Marines be evaluated, counseled or disciplined as deemed fit by the command, and that flight performance boards be convened for the two pilots.

It also recommended that the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization be updated to clarify how the bank angle warning system of the Super Stallion works.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune...
The Argyle mine, located in the Kimberley region in the far north-eastern area of Western Australia, was the worlds largest single producer of diamonds. The mine lies some 550km south-west of Darwin by air. The region is remote, rugged and hot, with temperatures of more than 40C during the wet season from October to March.
North Korea on Sunday said it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile. The official Central TV said the test of the "two-stage thermonuclear weapon" was a "complete success."

South Korean analysis of tremors said the bomb was five to six times more powerful than the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, and U.S., Chinese and Russian assessments suggest the blast was strong enough to level Seoul.

Chun Young-woo, a former presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security, said, "It appears that the process of miniaturizing a nuclear weapon to mount on a ballistic missile has been completed."

The nuclear test, the regime's sixth, was carried out underground at the North's test site in remote Pungye-ri, North Hamgyong Province near the Chinese border.

Data collected after the test suggest it is not bluffing. The Korea Meteorological Administration here detected an earthquake of 5.7 on the Richter scale and the U.S. Geological Survey a 6.3 tremor. North Korea appears to have detonated a nuclear weapon that was at least 59 to 100 kilotons in strength.

The last time North Korea conducted a nuclear test was in September of 2016.

Just six hours before the latest test, KCNA showed Kim touring a nuclear institute and touching a metallic object labeled "Hwasong-14 nuclear warhead (hydrogen bomb)."


DWSD bill payment kiosk

Beth Niblock, chief information officer for the city of Detroit

Amy Sovereign, program management officer for the city of Detroit

Reporting a problem with the Improve Detroit app

Amber Lewis, digital and social media manager for the city of Detroit

When Beth Niblock arrived in Detroit as the city's first chief information officer in 2014, she inherited something of an IT nightmare."The stories that hit when I first got here were, 'It took my machine five to seven minutes to boot,' or 'I never received emails,' or, 'If I received the emails, the version of Office we were using was so antiquated that we couldn't open any modern Office document,'" Niblock says. "Just on and on and on."But over the past three years Niblock has led city government through something of a tech revolution. Today, thanks to the work of the Niblock-led Department of Information and Technology (DoIT), Detroiters can report potholes and other infrastructure problems through an app, pay water and sewer bills through public kiosks, and track city crime through an online map.All those steps forward started simply by updating the technology that the city itself runs on. Post-bankruptcy, the city plowed $85 million into system upgrades over the course of an 18-month process. Program management officer Amy Sovereign, who joined the city just after Niblock did in 2014, says that alone had a major effect on the city's ability to better interface with residents through technology."There was a lack of investment prior to our arrival, and it really degrades the people's sense of confidence that they're going to be getting what they need out of their IT equipment," Sovereign says. "I think it really helped bolster that morale and that confidence."Since that first step, the city has adopted modern technology to better interface with Detroiters in a variety of ways. Most recently, the Detroit Water and Sewer Department introduced 37 kiosks across the city that allow residents to pay their water and sewer bills digitally instead of waiting in line at a city office. Niblock says kiosk services will eventually be expanded so that residents can also pay parking tickets and taxes."We're really trying to make it as easy as possible," she says. "However a citizen wants to interact with us, whenever they want to interact with us, is really what we're striving for."Another major DoIT initiative was the city's open data portal , which launched in 2015. The portal provides online access to city data ranging from demolition records to liquor licenses, and Niblock stresses that it's just getting started. DoIT is in the process of implementing a new civic engagement platform called Accela , which will help to streamline the back-end process of loading data into the system. Accela will also move the city closer towards implementing online permitting services.DoIT will also soon roll out an improved version of the open data portal's most popular feature: its city crime map "The way it displays right now is really hard to understand," Niblock says. "We're trying to make that crystal-clear, very easy, very clued from the iconography on the page. ... Right now it really takes some getting used to."DoIT has also stepped up its use of enterprise geographic information systems (GIS), something that Niblock says was once a strong suit for the city but fell by the wayside as the financial picture weakened. The city is currently working on GIS applications for 911 dispatch and blight surveying, and it recently completed a weekend-long commercial corridor survey using car-mounted GoPro cameras."You name it, we're doing it," Niblock says.One of DoIT's most successful initiatives so far has been the 2015 launch of the Improve Detroit app , which allows residents to report infrastructure maintenance issues to the city and track repair progress. The app leverages the SeeClickFix platform developed in New Haven, Conn., which is used in hundreds of communities nationwide. Sovereign says the system was appealing both for its ease of use and low-cost approach to achieving Niblock's goal of implementing a city 311 system."311 systems are fairly expensive and very labor-intensive to run," Niblock says. "We already have folks calling the mayor's office. We have folks calling the ombudsman and folks calling their councilmembers, and they call the departments directly because that's been the practice. So we try to pull that together in this Improve Detroit app."To implement the app, DoIT staff relied on the efficiency-minded concept of lean processa favorite of Detroit mayor Mike Duggans. DoIT worked with each of the departments that would be fulfilling Improve Detroit maintenance requests to understand their workflows and then incorporate the app into their operations."You never want to just put something in a catapult and lob it over and say, 'Here's your new thing,'" Sovereign says. "It's not going to happen and people are going to go around it. So one of the things lean does is engage the people who are filling the potholewith shovel in hand, going and watching them and seeing how this works and asking people what they do."The system has been overwhelmingly popular so far, with illegal dumping sites being the most frequently reported issue."People love it," Sovereign says. "Our usage has just skyrocketed since we've gone live with it."DoIT has also sought to engage citizens in simpler ways. When Amber Lewis came on board as the city's digital and social media manager in 2016, she first sought to streamline branding across the city's social media accounts. But she's also made an effort to introduce humor into the city's social media presence, and to introduce new programs by telling the stories of people who will be affected by them."You have to humanize it in order for people to feel that it's relatable," Lewis says. "You don't want to just seem like robots. We're telling people, 'This program is here. Contact this person for this,' but we care about what residents care about too."Lewis' approach fits right into DoIT's overarching philosophy of interacting with Detroiters. Niblock notes that there's a sizeable digital divide in Detroit, and many residents still interact with their government primarily by non-digital means. Technological interfaces, she says, are "in addition to that, not in lieu of.""As much as I'm clearly an advocate and somebody who embraces technology, I think we also have tried to remain really sensitive that we're just adding to the portfolio of ways that people can interact with us," Niblock says.Although they've made significant strides already, Niblock and her DoIT team are only planning to expand that portfolio further. DoIT is currently gearing up to compete with other city departments for a new round of city innovation funding."I don't acknowledge what we've done and done well, and in what a compressed amount of time we've been able to do things," Niblock says. "I only see the 87 things that are left to do."This article is part of a series on the state of STEM education and workforce development in Detroit. It is underwritten by the Michigan Science Center . Read more articles in the series here All photos by Nick Hagen
"The leaders of the two countries agreed in principle to revise the missile guidelines to a level that the South Korean side desires, sharing the view that South Korea needs to bolster its defense capabilities to counter North Korea's provocations and threats," presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun said Saturday.

That paves the way for boosting the maximum payload from 500 kg to 1 ton or more, which would make it possible to destroy North Korean underground bunkers dug deep in the ground.

President Moon Jae-in and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed "in principle" over the phone late Friday to increase the permissible payload of South Korea's ballistic missiles "to a level that the South Korean side desires."

Seoul is now going to set up a task force and begin formal negotiations with Washington to revise the current missile guidelines. A schedule will be agreed at the annual Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul next month.

Under the current guidelines, South Korea can only have ballistic missiles with a range of up to 800 km and a payload of up to 500 kg.

But under a trade-off rule, it can increase the payload if it shortens the range. For example, it can have a 1-ton payload for missiles with a range of 500 km and a 2-ton payload for missiles with a range of 300 km.

It wants to focus on increasing the permissible payload rather than the range because no target in the North is further than 800 km away. But if North Korea has really perfected the technology to mount a nuclear bomb on a ballistic missile, then even an increased South Korean payload would be no match for it.

A retired Army general here said, "No matter how powerful its payload is, no conventional missile can match a nuclear-tipped one."

Meanwhile, Moon and Trump agreed to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this month.

Moon meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on Wednesday.


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Adani Enterprises appears to be at odds with the state of Queensland over royalties for its Carmichael coal project, according to a media report, just days after the Indian company said it would soon break ground on the Australian mine.

Queensland is still negotiating with Adani over the details of its royalties agreement for the mine, despite a deal being officially reached on May 30, the Guardian Australian reported on Sunday citing a state government spokesperson.

This, even though an Adani spokesman said there were "no ongoing negotiations" over royalties, the paper added. (bit.ly/2eyRmdl)

Adani announced on Monday it would start work in October on the project using A$400 million ($319 million) of its own funds, even as it looks to lock in financing for the controversial mine. Previously it had said it needed to borrow under A$2 billion to get the project off the ground.

The company also said it would target first shipments from March 2020 for the first stage of the project which has been trimmed back to a cost of A$4 billion.

Adani shares rose 25 percent over the five sessions to Sept 1, buoyed by the Monday announcement.

Carmichael has been delayed for years by court challenges from environmentalists and indigenous groups concerned about climate change, and the impact on native land and water supply, but those challenges have been rejected.

The mines location 400 kms (250 miles) from a Pacific Ocean shipping terminal means the challenge of financing infrastructure costs has been at the forefront of debate over the projects economic viability.

The project relies on a A$900 million concessional loan to help Adani build a rail line linking the mine with a shipping port. The government is assessing whether to give Adani the loan through its Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility program aimed at encouraging economic development in rural regions.

Speaking at a rally against the mine on Saturday, the former leader of Australias Greens Party, Bob Brown, called on the federal government to rule out a loan deemed crucial to the project and lashed out at the heightened arrogance of the company for signalling it had secured that loan.

Brown likened this campaign against the project to one he led in Tasmania in the 1980s that stopped a hydroelectricity project and saw the area instead listed as UNESCO World Heritage. That Franklin Dam campaign is regarded as one of the most significant environmental campaigns in Australian history.

Banks including Deutsche Bank and Commonwealth Bank of Australia have publicly said they will not provide funding for the Carmichael project.

Adani had originally planned to develop the mine, rail and port infrastructure at a cost of A$16.5 billion, before last year downsizing the first stage and trimming the cost.

The Queensland government and Adani did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
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The Notice calling the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Member of the Company scheduled to be held on Monday, the 25th September ,2017 at 9.30 A.M. at Unit/Shop No. 205, Second Floor, Aggarwal City Mall Road Road No.44, Pitampura, Delhi North, Delhi-110034, Containing the Business to be Transacted thereat, is attached herewith.As per Section 108 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 20 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014 and amendments there to and Regulation 44 of the SEBI (Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the Company is Providing to its Member the Facility to cast their vote by electronic means on all resolutions set forth in the Notice. The Instruction for e-voting is mentioned in the said NoticeSource : BSE

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Please find enclosed herewith the Notice of the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Company scheduled to be held on Monday, 25th September 2017 at 1030 Hours at Plot No. 694, Road No. 33, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad  500033, Telangana.Source : BSE

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This is to inform that Annual General Meeting of the company is scheduled to be held on 29.09.2017, Notice of the same is attached herewith.Please take the same in your records.Source : BSE

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This is in reference to the Board Meeting of the Company held on 4th September, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at the registered office of the company presently situate at E-20, South Ext.  I , New Delhi - 110049. The Board of Directors have considered and transacted the following business:i) to consider and approve the Standalone and Consolidated Un-audited Financial Results for the quarter and three months ended 30th June, 2017.ii) The Board shall discuss and consider the quarter and three months ended 30th June, 2017 quarterly financial results and submission of the same on Stock Exchanges.iii) The meeting of Board of Director commenced at 12:30 .p.m. and concluded at p.m.Kindly take the above information on record and acknowledge receipt.Source : BSE

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Pursuant to Regulation 30 of Securities Exchange Board of India(Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirements) Regulation, 2015 this is to inform you that 44th Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Company is scheduled to be held on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 11.00 a.m at Mhatre Pen Building, 'B' Wing, 2nd Floor, Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West, Mumbai 400 028.(AGM notice attached).As per Section 108 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 20 of the Companies (Management & Administration) Rules, 2014 and Regulation 44 of the Listing Regulations, the Company is pleased to provide to its members the facility to cast their votes on all resolutions set forth in Notice by electronic means ("e-voting). The instruction for e-voting are mentioned in the Notice.Further pursuant to Regulation 42 of Listing Regulations, Register of Members and share Transfer Books will remain closed from 23rd September, 2017 Saturday to 29th September, 2017 Friday (Both days inclusive).Kindly take above on your record, and acknowledge the receipt of the same.Source : BSE

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Ashwani Gujral of ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18, "For the day, if you get the dip, buying strong stocks is still the right way to go. DHFL is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 510 and target of Rs 535. Vedanta is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 309 and target of Rs 325."

MOIL is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 368 and target of Rs 390. CESC is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 1,025 and target of Rs 1,080. Bharat Financial is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 900 and target of Rs 930," he said.
business Innoventive Industries case: SC order in favour of ICICI Bank It's a verdict that could set a precedent for other insolvency cases. The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by Innoventive Industries, after the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) sent it in for bankruptcy proceedings.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday blasted South Korea for its "appeasement" of North Korea.

The comments came after North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test amid warnings from the U.S. of massive retaliation which Trump has summed up as "fire and fury."

"South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Trump tweeted.

President Moon Jae-in has made several overtures to the North in an attempt to bring it to the negotiating table, which the North has barely bothered to brush off.


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India is not facing any scarcity of coal and the output of Coal India Ltd (CIL) is more than the country's power demand, the mining behemoth's interim Chairman and Managing Director Gopal Singh said.

Singh said the miner registered a high growth rate of 28 per cent output in FY17 over the last fiscal, while the average rise in power demand in the country was at 10.3 per cent.

Coal India is fully capable to fulfil the coal demand in India, he said, adding the company has plans to open new mines in the future.

Singh, who is the head of Central Coalfields Ltd, was given the additional charge of CMD of Coal India on September 1, following the retirement of Sutirtha Bhattacharya.

He also made it clear that there would be no privatisation of the state-owned mining major.

Talking about the Magadh coal mine in Jharkhand, which is the biggest open caste mine in Asia, Singh said that coal output in the mine has been reduced due to dispatch-related problems.

The output is likely to increase after completion of the miner's Tori-Shivpur rail project, he said.

Singh greeted Coal Minister Piyush Goyal, who was today elevated to the Cabinet rank and also given charge of the Railway Ministry.
trends Audi's take: Expect a drop in sales if cess is hiked The possible delay in implementing a hike in cess on luxury cars is good news for carmakers like Audi. But the German luxury carmaker warns that a hike, whenever it happens, will send the auto industry into a tailspin. CNBC-TV18's Uttkarsh Chaturvedi and Kritika Saxena gave us this report.
A logo is pictured at Google's European Engineering Center in Zurich April16, 2015. The European Union accused Google Inc on Wednesday of cheating competitors by distorting Internet search results in favour of its Google Shopping service and also launched an antitrust probe into its Android mobile operating system. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann - RTR4XK1M

Google has been struggling lately to maintain a positive brand perception among the people. A journalist has now claimed that Google had pressured her to take out a story which was critical of the company.

Journalist Kashmir Hill published a story in Gizmodo that narrated her experience when she was working in Forbes six years back. According to her, Google representatives implied that traffic would decline for publishers who did not add Google Pluss +1 social sharing button on websites on their stories. later she published a story on the matter after confirming the news with Googles press relations department.

The Journalist then writes that Google started to pressure Forbes to remove the story and claimed that her meeting with their representatives was intended to be confidential even though Hill was not told about this and she had not signed any non-disclosure agreement.

Soon the story was taken down and it's cached version disappeared pretty soon from Google search results. Hill believes that this was due to the manipulation by the tech giant. I dont have any hard evidence to prove that thats what Google did in this instance, but its part of why this episode has haunted me for years: The story Google didnt want people to read swiftly became impossible to find through Google, she wrote.

There have been several claims that the tech giant is consistently manipulating the net content and eliminating any data that it deems is against it. Though Google consistently declines the allegation there are several stories that back the claim.

After Google's anti-diversity fracas with its own engineer, recently a scholar was sacked for his anti-Google stand.

Barry Linn, a New America Foundation scholar, was fired for allegedly applauding a European regulators decision to fine Google for anti-virus violations.

His foundation denied the allegation stating that the scholar had failed to adhere to the standards.

The foundation is supported by Eric Shmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet which is the parent company of Google.
The Supreme Court Monday stayed the insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech, ruling in favour of a petition filed by homebuyers.

It has also issued notice to the Finance Ministry, Jaypee Infratech, Reserve Bank of India and the Uttar Pradesh Government. In addition, a notice has also been sent to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and IDBI Bank.

IDBI Bank had moved National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech for default of a loan of about Rs 526 crore.

A public interest litigation was filed by homebuyers seeking a stay order on (NCLT) insolvency proceedings against the defaulting company.

The petitioners claimed that around 32,000 homebuyers, who have not yet been given their flats as promised by Jaypee especially in the Delhi NCR region, face uncertainty over their investment in housing projects by the insolvency order.

The apex court will now hear the homebuyers' plea in the case on October 10.

Homebuyers who had invested in Jaypee's residential projects have been put through the grind of late with a number of changes that have been at best confusing. At the heart of their confusion lies the forms which are available for homebuyers to file their claims. In addition to an earlier form, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has introduced another form.

Last month, the Allahabad bench of the NCLT passed an order starting insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech, a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates.

As per reports, the lawyer on behalf of the petitioners argued that the NCLT order has put the homebuyers in a disadvantaged position as the order required them to fill up certain forms which will stop them from moving consumer courts. The lawyer also said the homebuyers are worried about their investments in the company's projects.

The buyers have also asked for a forensic audit of Jaypee Infra and its holding company Jaiprakash Associates to evaluate the magnitude of their bankruptcy.

Buyers of Jaypees flats were thrown off guard by recent developments. To make matters worse, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) introduced a new form to file claims.
Commercial

Globally, companies are still losing a huge amount of money because of data breaches. According to a Cost of Data Breach Study conducted by Ponemon Institute, the participating 419 companies lost USD 3.63 million on an average in FY2017. This, however, is less than what companies lost during the last year as the cost decreased by 10 percent.

The per capita cost of data breaches was found to be the highest in the US (USD 225) and Canada (USD 190) owing largely to high detection, notification and post data breach response cost. On the other hand, companies in Brazil (USD 79) and India (USD 64) incur lowest per capita data breach cost. Per capita cost implies total cost divided by the total number of data breaches.

Indian companies lost Rs 110 million due to data breaches in 2016-17. Read the full report here

India also featured at the bottom for notification costs. Notification costs include the creation of contact databases, determination of all regulatory requirements, engagement of outside experts, postal expenditures, email bounce-backs and inbound communication setups.

Indian companies experienced the most number of breaches (average 33,167) during the year, almost double that of Australia. India (with South Africa) was also predicted as most likely to experience a material data breach (minimum of 1,000 lost or stolen records) over the next 24 months. Adding to the worries, Indian organisations were the most likely to experience a data breach due to a system glitch or business process failure.

Source: Statista

Almost half of the breaches were caused by hackers with malicious or criminal intent. One-fourth of the data breaches were a result of human errors. Rest were caused by system glitches. Not surprisingly, malicious attackers hurt the companies the most. The per capita cost of data breaches due to malicious or criminal attacks was pegged at USD 156, significantly higher than the per capita cost of breaches caused by system glitches and human factors (USD 128 and USD 126, respectively).

The data breach at Yahoo detected in 2016, compromised more than 1.5 billion records. Similarly, MySpace, eBay and LinkedIn have also suffered from massive data leaks. More often than not, these data breaches are uncovered when the information contained is put on sale on the dark net.

Source: Statista

The cost of data breaches is also dependent on the time taken to identify and contain the data breaches. For example, Yahoos data which was leaked contained information dating back to 2013. The study shows, if companies can identify the breach in less than 100 days, the cost would drop at least 26 percent. Similarly, if companies take less than 30 days to contain the breach, the cost would drop by one-fourth.

Japanese companies are most prone to loss of customers due to breaches, followed by Italy. Brazil and ASEAN countries are least affected in terms of loss of customers. Categorising by industry, financial organisations lose close to 6 percent of their customers due to data breaches, followed by health. On the other end, education sector loses less than one percent.

Interestingly, the study revealed that cloud services and mobile phones are not helping the companies either. "Disruptive technologies, access to cloud-based applications and data as well as the use of mobile devices (including BYOD and mobile apps) increase the complexity of dealing with IT security risks and data breaches....cloud migration at the time of the data breach and mobile platforms were shown to increase the cost," said the report.

The Ponemon Institute study was sponsored by IBM Security. The highest number of participating companies was from the US and the UK. Total 39 countries from India also took part in the study.

Though details of companies participating in the study have been kept confidential, a different survey has found that, among major Internet-based companies, customers of Amazon and Google had the most trust in them to keep their personal data secure. The perception for Twitter, however, was mostly negative with two third of the respondents showing distrust in it.
In a bid to attract cutsomers, national carrier Air India has announced a 50 percent off on the base fare for students, army personnel, and senior citizens.

The airline announced the offer on Twitter last week along with terms and conditions to keep in mind to avail this offer.

One of the many riders includes that the passenger is required to buy the ticket at least 7 days prior to his or her travel. The offer is "subject to availability of seats" - meaning that it is based on the first-come-first-serve basis.

Here are the other terms & conditions:

> The students must be between 12 and 26 years, studying in India and enrolled educational institutions recognized, affiliated or aided by the state or the Centre.

> The army personnel is required to be an active military personnel. The offer is extended to their family members also.

> Senior citizen passengers are those above the age of 60.

Even without this offer, it seems that Air India is slowly getting back on track. They have launched new aircrafts, new destination lines - Stockholm to Copenhagen, Delhi to Ludhiana, etc.
Another misunderstanding is that you can copy from your textbook, notes and other reference material. But that would qualify as plagiarism. Students are typically to find, interpret and apply the information in the sources, the UNSW said. (Representative Image)

The much-touted aptitude test that was to be a part of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for entry into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) has been shelved, sources with knowledge of the matter said. JEE Advanced which will go completely online from next year is expected to have a similar exam pattern as this year.

The idea of having an aptitude test was to look at whether an individual has the specific skill-set to get enrolled into an IIT and stay put for the next four years. But we were not able to come to a consensus on whether it will be part of the JEE Advanced exam and if it would have any practical aspect, said an official close to the development.

From next year, JEE Advanced will go completely online, the details of which will be available in due course. In a statement, IIT Madras director and joint admission board 2017 Chairman Bhaskar Ramamurthi had said that JEE (Advanced) will be conducted online from 2018 onwards.

Under the advice of the then Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, a new pattern for JEE was launched in 2013 wherein the marks of the Class XII board examinations were to be considered. Further, All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) was scrapped and JEE Mains were introduced with 40 percent weightage for Class XII marks.

The JEE examination was split into two parts, JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Those who secure a rank among the top 2.2 lakh students are eligible for the JEE Advanced examination which is the entry criteria for getting admission into the IITs.

For final admission into the IITs based on JEE Advanced, a student must be among the top 20 percentile in their respective boards, a cut-off for which is released by the authorities every year. Here, an aptitude test was to be added to look into the basic knowledge of engineering concepts by students and to also gauge whether they would be able to cope with the system.

However, sources said that the test may be reconsidered in the future if they are able to find a provider for this and there is also a possibility of including it as a part of the JEE Advanced exam.
India's Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan poses after an interview with Reuters in New Delhi, India, May 5, 2016. To match Interview INDIA-ENERGY/ REUTERS/Adnan Abidi - RTX2D2M5

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Indian state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp plans to bid for Israeli offshore oil-and-gas exploration blocks, India's oil minister told Reuters, the first major deal between the two countries since a groundbreaking trip by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July.

India and Israel have deep defence ties but Modi and his right wing ruling group are pushing to expand the relationship into other sectors such as energy and technology with a country they see as a natural ally against terrorism.

A high-ranking delegation from India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, visited Israel last month to discuss taking part in the tender for blocks in the Mediterranean Sea and Israeli officials said they were pleased with the visit.

"We will definitely bid for Israel's oil-and-gas blocks," Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told Reuters.

There was no immediate comment from Israel's energy ministry.

When Modi visited Israel in July, both sides showed interest to build a broader economic relationship, rather than one based on defence, which had drawn them together because of similar concerns about militant threats they face. They are starting from a relatively low economic base as bilateral trade was just USD 2 billion in 2016.

Many oil majors have been hesitant to enter the Israeli market, fearing a backlash from oil-rich Arab states hostile to the country.

Israel put 24 exploration blocks up for auction in November 2016 and the country's energy minister, Yuval Steinitz, has said he would be happy to choose two or three foreign explorations groups. The auction closes on Nov 15.

India is conducting a technical and commercial analysis to participate in the Israel's bidding process, said Sanjay Sudhir, a joint secretary in the federal oil ministry, who led the delegation.

"We dove into all the relevant details of the tender - geological, technical - and familiarised them with Israel's oil and gas ecosystem," an official at Israel's Energy Ministry said on the Indian team's visit, declining to be identified in the absence of permission to speak to the media.

Israel wants to open up its hydrocarbon sector, which is currently dominated by a partnership of Noble Energy and Delek Group. They control the Tamar and the much larger Leviathan fields.

India also wants to participate in the upcoming auction to explore and develop gas fields off the coast of Lebanon, Pradhan said in July. Three of those blocks border waters with Israel, with which Lebanon has a long-standing maritime border dispute.

ONGC is India's biggest energy exploration firm and a source at its overseas investment arm ONGC Videsh said the firm would not bid for any block in areas disputed by Israel and Lebanon.

"Israel has said that none of the blocks it has offered are in disputed waters," said the source.

Another state-run explorer, Oil India Ltd, has not yet decided to bid in Israel's licensing round, the Indian company's chairman, Utpal Bora, told Reuters.

India's decision to bid for blocks off Israel and Lebanon comes after a setback in getting development rights for a giant gas field in Iran.

Indian companies discovered the Farzad B gas field in Iran in 2008 and have bid several times for the development rights, but media reports suggest that Tehran has decided to award the field to Russia's Gazprom.
The labour ministry will continue consultations with all stakeholders on policy issues and expedite reforms by amending laws to create jobs, Union Minister Santosh Gangwar said today.

On assuming charge as the Minister of State for Labour, he said the ministry will continue to hold tripartite consultations, involving government, unions and industry.

"We will work as per the need of the nation. We will take along all. In finance ministry also we talked about taking along all unions and not just Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)," he told reporters.

Gangwar was the Minister of State for Finance so far; in yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle he was given independent charge of the labour ministry.

On trade unions' allegations of being bulldozed and the government giving no heed to their demands and suggestions, the minister said: "We are positive towards all trade unions and we will take all of them along. I don't think that there would be any issue regarding this."

The minister said there is a lot work to be done at the ministry while assuring that the tasks undertaken by his predecessor, Bandaru Dattatreya, will be completed.

After the BJP government took over at the Centre in May 2014, the BMS was called for discussion on issues related to 12 Charter of Demand of the trade unions and codes on wages and industrial relations exclusively. This caused resentment among other central trade unions.

Later, however, the ministry at various joint fora discussed with other unions the contentious issues related to labour reforms, contemplating changes in laws to improve ease of doing business in the country.

Gangwar further said: "The way nation is progressing in the twenty first century, our ministry will also work at same pace. After working with the Prime Minister, I learnt that that one and one is not two but eleven. We will work at that pace."

Gangwar will have to deal with many issue including drafting a National Employment Policy, structuring 44 labour laws into four codes, building quality employment data, amending several labour laws and finding innovative way to improve employment scenario in the country.
A bird flies by the Vedanta office building in Mumbai August 16, 2010. India-focused miner Vedanta Resources said it will buy 51-60 percent of Cairn India for about $8.5-9.6 billion in cash to be funded via debt and cash resources, a move that would represent Vedanta's first foray into oil and gas, and help Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy fund an expensive drilling programme in Greenland. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui (INDIA - Tags: BUSINESS ENERGY) - RTXSAAV

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An engineer with the mining firm Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore died in an accident at its plant at Amona, 30 km from here, it said today.

"Engineer Umesh Pradhan died in an accident while he was attending maintenance activity at the conveyor carrying the coal at the Met Coke Division on Sunday evening," said the company's Chief Operating Officer Sauvick Mazumdar in a press release.

An official of the Bicholim police station said they have registered a case of accidental death, but didn't give more details.
North Korea conducted a test of a nuclear weapon on Sunday believed to have been in the 50 to 100-kiloton range, way more than the 15-kiloton bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The North is also thought to be close to miniaturizing a nuclear weapon so it can be mounted on a ballistic missile, though it is unclear whether the weapon was really a hydrogen bomb, as the North has claimed.

The damage from a blast of that magnitude could raze all of Seoul and parts of surrounding Gyeonggi Province. South Korean military experts estimate the strength of the latest North Korean nuclear test at around 50 kilotons, which is smaller than estimates by the U.S., China and Japan.

A military expert said, "50-kiloton marks the borderline between a boosted fission bomb and hydrogen bomb," which would result in leveling an area 1.7 times greater than the devastation in Hiroshima.
Ravindra Rao

Ever since crude-oil prices entered uncharted territory, no clear way out has appeared. Crude is finding it difficult to hold above $55 since US production rises sharply once prices touch that level. On the contrary, OPECs heavy reliance on income from exports of crude oil hurt their economies when prices drop to around $40-45. Hence, $45-55 seems to be the via media for prices of crude oil. OPEC and non-OPEC have talked about re-balancing the crude market. However, vested interests of some member countries seem to be a major headwind in re-balancing the demand-supply equation. Also, members are concerned about protecting their market shares in the context of a shale-oil boom in the US.

OPEC has extended its production-cut agreement to March 2018, as the earlier deal failed to achieve the desired results. Nevertheless, the deal does not seem to be working since all members have not been complying with it. Libya and Nigeria have been exempt from production cuts. As a result, their crude-oil production is rising steadily; Libyas to one million b/d in July (from 847,000 in June) and Nigerias to 1.75 million b/d in July (from 1.71 million). Libya and Nigerias rising crude-oil output offset OPECs efforts to cut production. Recently, Nigeria agreed to either cap or cut output from 1.8 million b/d, once it stabilises at that level. Libya is still exempt. And, Saudi Arabias production increased in July.

Chart: OPEC crude-oil production

Iraqs crude oil production declined to 4.47 million b/d in July, from 4.5 million the month prior. Recently however, its oil minister stated that the country aims at five million b/d by end-2017. Also, Ecuador said that it would not meet OPECs production cut as it needs to pump more oil to contain its fiscal deficit. It had agreed to cut production by 26,000 b/d, a small amount compared with OPECs pledge to cut 1.8 million b/d. This (bucking the trend), however, is significant due to the absence of unity among OPEC regarding production cuts. It could prompt other member countries to renege on their commitments.

OPEC's 78% June compliance with the deal slipped to a new low of 75% in July. The fear is that this compliance could slip further in coming months as lower-than-expected oil prices and slower-than-anticipated market rebalancing would discourage OPEC from cutting production. On the other hand, US crude-oil production has continued to rise. The EIA predicts that US production could rise to a record high of 9.9 million b/d in 2018. This re-inforces concerns of a global supply glut. Also, technological advances have reduced costs for US shale-oil producers. And, production by Brazil and Canada is increasing. So far, Russia has refrained from deeper production cuts. Latest data show global oil supply increased by 0.17 million b/d to 97.3 million b/d in July 2017. In Europe, stocks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region rose 6.9% from a year ago, to 43.9 million b/d.

Chart: US rig count vs crude-oil production

Source: OPEC monthly report

Nevertheless, a sharp decline in inventories in recent weeks could provide some relief to crude prices. The US rig count has fallen a fraction, but traders would need more data to conclude whether such a drop is sustainable. The most important factor that could change the short-term direction of crude price movement is sanctions on Venezuelas crude-oil sector. The economic, political and security situation in Venezuela is likely to worsen due to the controversial policies of its president. Also, debt is high and the country is unlikely to make payments. The ongoing turmoil in the country has led to a decline in its crude oil production to 1.93 million b/d in July, from 1.95 million the month prior. And the controversial policies of its president have led to the US threatening to impose sanctions on the countrys oil sector. If that happens, crude oil prices might climb up sharply.

Overall, the global supply glut is weighing heavily on crude oil prices. Further, the lack of unity among OPEC to re-balance the market is keeping prices down. If the compliance rate falls further, the possibility of crude oil moving below $40 cannot be ruled out. The outlook for crude oil is both bearish and bleak.
3:30 pm Market at Close: Selling pressure on the market kept the market weak through the day and indices managed to end on a negative note as well.

The Sensex closed down 189.98 points at 31702.25, while the Nifty was down 70.95 points at 9903.45. The market breadth was negative as 1011 shares advanced against a decline of 1,648 shares, while 162 shares were unchanged.

Midcaps managed to cut some of its losses from the morning, but ended weaker. Meanwhile, sectoral indices auto, banks, energy, FMCG, infrastructure and IT all had a weak day.

Coal India and Sun Pharma were the top gainers among both indices, while Adani Ports, Indian Oil and Bharti Airtel lost the most.

3:20 pm Television broadcasting stocks in focus: Sun TV Network, TV18 Broadcast and NDTV rallied up to 20 percent.

The rally in TV broadcasting stocks may be after Start India bagged media rights of IPL.

Star India has won the 'Global Media Rights' of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a period of five years (2018-2023) for a whopping Rs 16,347.50 crore, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced today.

The 'global media rights' include the Indian television, digital as well as the overseas broadcast and digital media rights.

(Disclosure: Reliance Industries, which owns Reliance Jio, also owns Network18, which publishes Moneycontrol.com.)

3:15 pm Resigns: Tim Leverton stepped down at president & CTO of Tata Motors, with effect from October 31, citing personal reasons.

3:10 pm Earnings: JBM Auto shares rallied 3 percent after its consolidated net profit grew by 5.1 percent year-on-year to Rs 19.4 crore and revenue rose by 6.3 percent to Rs 430.6 crore in the quarter ended June 2017.

Operating profit during the quarter increased sharply by 50.8 percent to Rs 46.8 crore and margin expanded by 370 basis points to 12.4 percent compared with year-ago quarter.

3:05 pm Defence deal: Hindustan Aeronautics today said it has signed a Rs 6,100 crore contract for supply of 41 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to the Indian Army and one to the Indian Navy.

The contracts will be executed in a period of 60 months, the company said. HAL, in a statement here, said, the contract was signed between the Ministry of Defence and HAL in New Delhi recently. Officials from the MoD, the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and HAL were present during the event.

"The latest order reflects the trust on HAL's capabilities and gives an impetus to the Make-in-India campaign...It reposes faith of Indian Defence forces in indigenous ALH which has been serving them with distinction for a long time," HAL CMD T Suvarna Raju said.

2:59 pm CEO steps down: Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail today said its division Pantaloons' Chief Executive Officer Shital Mehta has resigned from the company.

"Shital Mehta has resigned from the post of Chief Executive Officer, Pantaloons division of the company. Consequently, he will also cease to be one of the key managerial personnel of the company," Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL) said in a regulatory filing.

2:55 pm Interview: "We are seeing stable production in the crude oil space and gas. We are going to do better from the previous year," AK Srinivasan, Director-Finance at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) said in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

This will increase companys revenue space, also gas prices will be higher from October 1 than current prices, he added.

For every dollar increase in gas price, revenue gets impacted by Rs 4,000 crore and for every dollar increase in crude oil, revenue gets impacted by Rs 900 crore, said Srinivasan.

On Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) issue he said, HPCL will be a separate listed entity, will not merge with ONGC.

2:45 pm Market recovers: The Indian market were seen trimming some of the losses, with the Nifty back at 9900-mark.

The Sensex was down 187.40 points at 31704.83, while the Nifty was down 63.85 points at 9910.55. The market breadth was negative as 858 shares advanced against a decline of 1,652 shares, while 146 shares were unchanged.

2:30 pm NTPC stake sale: Government's sale of its 6.6 percent stake in the state-run power giant NTPC Ltd has no impact on the company's Baa3 issuer rating, Moody's Investors Service said.

After the sale, the government will continue to hold a majority stake of 63.1 per cent in NTPC.

The company's ratings remain supported by its strategic importance to the Indian economy, given its position as the country's largest power generation company, Moody's said.

NTPC's Baa3 issuer rating reflects its baseline credit assessment (BCA) of Baa3, it said, adding that the rating does not factor in any uplift from the government due to the high Baa3 BCA relative to the Baa3 sovereign rating.

2:12 pm Market Check: Investors on Monday continued to be wary of fresh talks of missile launch by North Korea, pushing global indices lower in the days trade. Back home, the Nifty breached 9900-mark, while the Sensex fell over 300 points intraday.

While the Street did witness a pullback of sorts from the days low points, weakness still continued.

The Sensex was down 273.59 points at 31618.64, while the Nifty was down 93.90 points at 9880.50. The market breadth was negative as 775 shares advanced against a decline of 1,707 shares, while 136 shares were unchanged.

Banks, auto, FMCG, IT and infrastructure sectoral indices bled, while midcaps cracked 1.25 percent.

2:00 pm New IPO: Online matchmaking services provider Matrimony.com will launch its initial public offer on September 11, with a price band of Rs 983985 per share of face value of Rs. 5 each of the Company. The Anchor Investor Bid/Offer Period shall be September 08, 2017, being one working day prior to the Offer Opening Date.

The public issue comprises of fresh issue up to Rs 130 crore and an offer for sale of up to 37,67,254 equity shares by promoter and promoter group.

The offer for sale comprises of up to 14,61,006 shares by Bessemer India Capital Holdings II, 1,55,760 shares by Mayfield XII (Mauritius), 16,83,207 shares by CMDB II, 3,84,447 shares by Murugavel Janakiraman and 82,834 equity shares by Indrani Janakiraman.

1:43 pm Market Check: Benchmark indices were sharply lower in afternoon as the Sensex was down 271.01 points at 31,621.22 and the Nifty down 88.80 points at 9,885.60.

1:25 pm Gold rallies: Gold prices hit their highest in nearly 10 months after North Korea's latest and most powerful nuclear test drove investors towards safe-haven assets.

US gold futures for December delivery were up 0.97 percent at $1,343.30.

1:15 pm Market Check: Equity benchmarks as well as broader markets traded lower in afternoon, tracking weakness in global peers after North Korea did a nuclear test on Sunday.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 223.50 points at 31,668.73 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 73.80 points to 9,900.60 but showed some recovery from day's lows.

About 1,673 shares declined against 756 advancing shares on the BSE.

1:05 pm Another North Korea's missile launch possible?: South Korea has detected signs that the North is preparing another missile launch, the defence ministry said today, adding it could involve an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The ministry said signs that North Korea was "preparing for another ballistic missile launch have consistently been detected since Sunday's test", referring to Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test.

It did not give details, or indicate when a launch might take place.

Sunday's blast had a strength of 50 kilotons, defence ministry officials told a parliamentary briefing.

Pyongyang on Sunday triggered global alarm with by far its most powerful test to date, after it claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted onto a long-range missile, which analysts say is a major advancement in its nuclear programme.

12:55 pm Drug launch: Pharma major Lupin announced the launch of its Olmesartan Medoxomil tablets, 5 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg after receiving an approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Olmesartan Medoxomil tablets are the AB rated generic equivalent of Daiichi Sankyo Inc's Benicar tablets.

It is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, to lower blood pressure.

Benicar tablets had US sales of USD 681 million, as per IMS MAT July 2017.

12:49 pm Buzzing: Jaypee Infra gained over 4.5 percent intraday as investors cheered a Supreme Court order that went in the companys favour.

The Supreme Court stayed the insolvency proceedings against the company in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

The move comes after IDBI Bank had filed a plea in the apex court after Rs 500 crore default.

12:45 pm Market Expert: Over the past couple of months, global markets are near their highs and any escalations or tension especially military confrontation between nuclear states like North Korea, US, and its allies could bring a lot of uncertainties in the market, Abhimanyu Sofat, Vice President, Research at IIFL told Moneycontrol.

The special relationship between North Korea and China will also be tested in case of such military confrontation. One may see a 4-5 percent kind of correction in the market if the situation escalates, he said.

A 4-5 percent fall from current levels could take the Sensex towards its crucial support level of 30,000 while for the Nifty, it would be somewhere closer to 9,400.

12:38 pm Europe trade: European markets opened sharply lower, as North Korea's latest nuclear test prompted investors to rush to safe-haven assets.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was down by around 0.64 percent shortly after the opening bell, with all sectors and major bourses in negative territory.

On Sunday, North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date, which it claimed was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile.

12:31 pm Novartis chief stepping down: Novartis Chief Executive Joseph Jimenez will retire in 2018, with chief drug developer Vasant Narasimhan taking over as CEO starting in February, the Swiss drugmaker said on Monday.

Jimenez is stepping down following a decade at Novartis after having successfully secured US approval for a new gene therapy for leukemia last week but before Novartis returned to sales growth, which the company has forecast will resume in 2018.

Jimenez arrived in 2007 to lead Novartis's consumer health division and rose to CEO in 2010.

12:24 pm Market Check: Equity benchmarks cracked further in afternoon on reports that Pyongyang was making preparations for another missile launch after hydrogen bomb test over the weekend.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 319.04 points or 1 percent at 31,573.19 and the 50-share NSE Nifty plunged 108.70 points or 1.09 percent to 9,865.70.

The broader markets also extended losses as the BSE Midcap and Samllcap indices dropped 1.3 percent each. About three shares declined for every share rising on the BSE.

12:15 pm Sugar prices: Sugar prices moved up by 1.38 percent to Rs 3,680 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators raised their bets amid uptick in demand in the spot market.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, sugar for delivery in October rose by Rs 50, or 1.38 percent, to Rs 3,680 per quintal, with an open interest of 90 lots.

Analysts said widening of positions by traders due to pick up in demand in the physical market, mainly influenced sugar prices at futures trade.

12:14 pm Volatility Index surged 17.39 percent to 13.71 on the National Stock Exchange.

12:12 pm Yen, gold, bonds gain: The Japanese yen, gold and sovereign bonds all rose today as North Korea's latest nuclear test, and reports Pyongyang was making preparations for another missile launch, provoked the usual knee-jerk shift to safer harbours.

The dollar was marked down to 109.57 yen, having been as low as 109.22 and off a whole yen from late on Friday.

Japan is the world's largest creditor nation and traders tend to assume Japanese investors would repatriate funds at times of crisis, thus pushing up the yen. Many wonder, however, if Japanese assets would really remain in favour if an actual war broke out in Asia.

Japan's Nikkei did not take the news well, losing 0.9 percent. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.75 percent with South Korea's main index down 1 percent.

12:07 pm All sectoral indices in red: All sectoral indices were trading lower amid North Korea tensions.

Nifty Bank, Auto, Metal, Pharma and IT indices fell 1 percent each while Nifty Realty index fell more than 2 percent.

12:00 pm Top valuation league: The Aditya Birla group has entered the top valuation league with a market cap of over USD 50 billion post listing of financial services arm Aditya Birla Capital (ABCL), but Tatas remain on top with over USD 132 billion.

The combined market valuation of the Kumar Mangalam Birla-led listed companies stood at Rs 3,42,354.87 crore (USD 53.5 billion) at the end of Friday's trade.

Among various listed companies of the group, UltraTech Cement's valuation stood at Rs 1,10,097.70 crore at the end of Friday's trade while that of Grasim Industries was Rs 76,881.73 crore.

The newly-listed Aditya Birla Capital's market capitalisation was over Rs 55,000 crore, Hindalco (Rs 54,607.09 crore), Idea Cellular (Rs 32,064.91 crore), Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (Rs 13,155.73 crore) and Aditya Birla Money (Rs 547.71 crore).

11:55 am Market Check: Equity benchmarks extended losses in late morning trade on rising tensions over North Korea that tested hydrogen bomb over the weekend.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 230.68 points at 31,661.55 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 81.80 points to 9,892.60 on weak market breadth.

About 1,460 shares declined against 865 advancing shares on the BSE.

11:40 am CLSA on Maruti: While maintaining buy rating on Maruti Suzuki with target price of Rs 9,230, CLSA said rising brand acceptance will enhance dominance of the company in passenger vehicle segment.

Nexa is making its brand more acceptable in the higher-priced segment.

It feels an improving long-term outlook justifies a premium valuation for the stock. Maruti is trading at 26x 1-year forward P/E versus an average of 15x.

11:35 am USFDA nod: Ajanta Pharma has received final approval from the US health regulator for Entacapone tablets, used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

In a BSE filing, Ajanta Pharma said it has recieved "final approval for Entacapone tablets from US FDA. It is a bioequivalent generic version of Comtan tablets".

The company said it will launch the product shortly in the strength of 200mg tablets.

This new approval is part of portfolio of products that the company has developed for the US market, it added.

11:30 am Buzzing: Shares of Garware Wall Ropes rose 3.75 percent intraday as the company has declared strong numbers in the quarter ended June 2017.

The company's Q1Y18 net profit increased 31 percent at Rs 25.9 crore against Rs 19.81 crore, in the same quarter last year.

Revenue of the company was up 14 percent at Rs 243 crore versus Rs 214 crore.

The margins was up 220 bps at 15.2 percent versus 13 percent.

The company has registered 10.3 percent jump in its net sales at Rs 243.2 crore in Q1FY18 against Rs 217.5 crore.

11:20 am Coal scam: Industrialist Naveen Jindal and others were today granted bail by a special court in a case related to the allocation of a coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar granted the relief to them on a personal bond of Rs one lakh each and one surety of like amount.

The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on October 31.

Besides Jindal, others who got the relief include Jindal Steel and Power Ltd's (JSPL) former Director Sushil Maroo, former Deputy MD Anand Goyal and CEO Vikrant Gujral.

The accused were summoned for alleged offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

In its charge sheet, the CBI has alleged that JSPL misrepresented the equipment purchase orders and misled the Coal Ministry.

Jindal is also facing trial in a case pertaining to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.

11:10 am Coal India in focus: Coal India shares rallied nearly 3 percent intraday after August production and offtake data and the appointment of new CMD.

Coal production for the month of August stood at 37.63 million tonnes, which was ahead of company's target of 36.96 million tonnes, the country's largest coal miner said in its filing.

Even the offtake came in higher than its target at 43.75 million tonnes. The company had estimated offtake for August at 43.09 million tonnes.

This was provisional production and offtake performance of Coal India and its subsidiaries for August.

Meanwhile, the ministry of coal has entrusted the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director, Coal India to Gopal Singh. He has taken over charge with effect from September 1, 2017.

The company its latest board meeting held on August 31, approved the revision in sizing charges and rapid loading silo charges; and revision in additional charges and for supply of slack and steam coal.

"Due to this revision, Coal India will generate approximate additional annual revenue of Rs 527 crore," it said.

11:03 am Most active shares: Reliance Capital, United Spirits, Reliance Industries, Raymond, BPCL and BEML were most active shares on exchanges.

10:58 am Gold update: Gold prices went up by a whopping Rs 241 at Rs 30,064 per 10 grams in futures trade today after speculators raised bets, tracking a firming global trend.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in October was trading higher by Rs 241, or 0.81 per cent, to Rs 30,064 per 10 grams, in a business turnover of 804 lots.

The yellow metal for delivery in far-month December too rallied by Rs 225, or 0.75 per cent, to Rs 30,213 per 10 grams in 13 lots.

10:52 am Rupee gains: The rupee firmed up by 2 paise to 64 against the US dollar in morning on selling of the American currency by exporters and banks.

Besides, the dollar's weakness against other currencies overseas on renewed geopolitical tensions after North Korea's latest nuclear test yesterday and below expectations US jobs data for August gave the rupee strength, dealers said.

They said, however, a lower opening of the domestic equity markets, capped the gains.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 111.64 points at 31,780.59 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 31.60 points to 9,942.80.

10:47 am Order win: "EdCIL, A Government of India mini ratna enterprise, has awarded Kellton Tech the prestigious 'Early Digital Learning Program (EDLP)' project of the Republic of Mauritius," Kellton Tech said.

The project involves supply, commissioning, and maintenance of tablet based learning programs in Mauritius. The order value is estimated to be about Rs 62 crore.

10:43 am Buzzing: AU Small Finance Bank gained more than 1 percent after getting certificate of registration.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, on August 31, has granted certificate of registration to the company, to act as corporate agent (Composite) with registration No. CA0515 under Registration of Corporate Agents - Regulations, 2015.

10:39 am Apex Frozen Update:

10:33 am Market Check: Equity benchmarks extended losses in morning as the Sensex fell more than 100 points, weighed by geopolitical tensions surrounding around North Korea after its latest hydrogen bomb test.

IOC and Adani Ports were top losers among Nifty50 stocks, down 2.6 percent followed by HDFC Bank, HDFC, Infosys, L&T, IndusInd Bank, HUL, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bharti Airtel while Coal India gained more than 2 percent after dispatch numbers.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 124.89 points at 31,767.34 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 37.00 points to 9,937.40. About 1,150 shares declined against 965 advancing shares on the BSE.

10:25 am Rajan on demonetisation: Less than a year after he demitted office as the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Raghuram Rajan said he had cautioned the Centre on the short-term costs of demonetisation outweighing the long-term benefits.

10:10 am Buzzing: Shares of Cadila Healthcare rose 2 percent intraday as it has received final approval from USFDA.

Zydus Cadila has received the final approval from the USFDA to market Mycophenolate Mofetil for injection USP, 500mg/vital.

The drug is indicated for use in combination with other drugs i.e. cyclosporine and corticostroids for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving renal, heptic or cardiac transplants.

The drug will be manufactured at the group's formulations manufacturing facility at Moraiya, Ahmedabad.

10:00 am New listing: Apex Frozen Foods listed with 14 percent premium at Rs 202 against issue price of Rs 175.

9:50 am Railway stocks: Railway related stocks gained up to 5 percent intraday after Piyush Goyal became Railway Minister in recent Cabinet reshuffle.

BEML, Titagarh Wagons, Texmaco Rail, Stone India and Kernex Microsystems gained between 1 percent and 5 percent on hopes of major developments in railway sector by Goyal who has done great job in coal sector.

Narendra Modi-led government on Sunday made big changes in Cabinet portfolios ahead of general elections in 2019.

Piyush Goyal, the Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, has been elevated to the cabinet rank. The 53-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party man has been inducted as the Railway Minister, a prestigious portfolio in Narendra Modi's cabinet.

9:45 am GST cess on cars: The government has notified hike in GST cess on a range of cars from mid-size to hybrid variant to luxury ones to a maximum of 25 percent, from earlier 15 percent.

Following assent by President Ram Nath Kovind, the government has notified the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Ordinance, 2017.

The Ordinance was last week approved by the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and was sent to the President for his approval.

It has come into force with effect from September 2 -- the date of official gazette notification.

With this amendment, taxation on luxury, SUV and other vehicles would be brought at par with that prevailing pre-GST rollout.

9:43 am Promoters offering in Buyback: Infosys promoters, including iconic co-founders N R Narayana Murthy and Nandan Nilekani, have offered to sell as many as 1.77 crore shares -- worth up to Rs 2,038 crore -- in the company's Rs 13,000 crore buyback offer.

The promoters group -- which includes most of the founders and their families -- have expressed their intention to be part of the company's first buyback plan in its over three-decade history and have offered to tender a maximum of 1.77 crore shares.

At a buyback price of Rs 1,150 per share, this could mean a windfall of Rs 2,038.94 crore for the promoter group, if all the shares tendered by them are accepted in the buyback offer.

The founders and families -- classified as promoters group -- held 29.28 crore shares, or 12.75 percent, in Infosys at the end of June 2017.

9:37 am Earnings growth: Bharat Iyer of JP Morgan said the research house believes FY18 consensus earnings growth numbers remain vulnerable to further cuts particularly for consumer discretionary and financials.

Nearly 77 percent of FY18 earnings growth estimated for the broad market is expected to be contributed by these sectors, he added.

"We estimate earnings growth of about 10 percent for FY18 and 15 percent for FY19 for the broad market," he said.

Valuations for the broad market at 18x 12-month forward consensus earnings are above +1 standard deviation expensive from historical averages seen over the last decade, he added.

9:29 am Auto sales: Jaguar Land Rover sold 9,421 units in the US in August, up 1 percent compared with 9,329 units sold in same month last year.

The growth was driven by Land Rover sales that increased 4.8 percent to 6,320 from 6,031 units on year-on-year basis.

Jaguar US sales fell 6 percent to 3,101 from 3,298 units YoY.

9:25 am Asian cues: Safe haven demand drove up gold and the yen while equities in Asia were pressured by elevated tensions on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea said it tested a hydrogen bomb over the weekend.

Japan's Nikkei 225 declined 0.9 percent and the Kospi fell 0.8 percent

9:15 am Market Check: Equity benchmarks opened mildly lower on Monday, tracking weakness in Asian peers following North Korea's nuclear test over the weekend.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 56.56 points at 31,835.67 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 2.75 points to 9,971.65.

Aurobindo Pharma, Cipla, Hero Motocorp, Coal India and Tata Motors gained up to 1 percent while IOC, Sun Pharma, BPCL, Asian Paints, M&M, Dr Reddy's Labs and L&T were under pressure.

TVS Motor, Ashok Leyland, ITD Cementations, Titagarh Wagons, VA Tech Wabag, M&M Financial, NMDC, Reliance Capital, Cadila Healthcare and Glenmark Pharma gained up to 3 percent.

Ujjivan Financial, Muthoot Finance, REC, Jaiprakash Associates and Aditya Birla Capital fell up to 5 percent.
A Bitcoin (virtual currency) coin is seen in an illustration picture taken at La Maison du Bitcoin in Paris, France, June 23, 2017. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Illustration - RTS18C0W

Chinas central bank has declared initial coin offerings (ICOs) as illegal and has demanded that all fundraising activities through this medium to stop at once.

As reported by Chinese news outlet Caixin, the central bank's document labels ICOs as an unauthorized fundraising tool that may involve financial scams and pyramid schemes, and which severely disrupt the social and economic order.

The committee also provided a list of 60 major ICO platforms that local financial regulatory bodies will need to thoroughly inspect and report on, Caixin states.

Initial coin offering or ICO is a crowdfunding method where new cryptoassets raise capital in exchange of new tokens with established ones like bitcoin, ether or even with fiat currencies like the US dollar.

In the first six months of 2017, Chinese investors have pumped 2.6 billion yuan (USD 394 million) in ICOs, a government study said. The study further assumes this number to be much larger as it did not include sales through private placements, as per Caixin.

Reports from the Chinese media in recent days had suggested that the government might soon crackdown on ICOs.

On September 2, Caixin reported that authorities had shut down a blockchain conference over the weekend on concerns that unregulated initial coin offerings (ICOs) were being used to raise funds illegally.

Since then, price pullback started in the market over the weekend and saw extended losses today after the news became official.

The cryptocurrency market has lost close to USD 36 billion in value since Friday and currently stands at USD 142 billion as per coinmarketcap.

After peaking close to levels of USD 180 billion, the total market cap of cryptocurrencies has dropped around 20 percent as of time of reporting.

Panic sell-off in newly formed cryptoassets is the major reason behind this drop.

Tokens like Achain, YOYOW, Hshare and many other have seen a correction of over 40-60 percent in the past 24 hours.

There has been heavy selling in some of the popular virtual currencies as well but it nowhere near compared to the sharp dip in the newly formed cryptoassets.

Bitcoin, the most dominant currency by market cap, saw close to a 7 percent drop to levels of USD 4300 on major exchanges globally.

Among the top ten currencies by market cap, except for bitcoin all others were down by double digits at the time of reporting.

Ethereum, litecoin and iota  all three witnessed the steepest fall of around 16 percent each, at the time of reporting as per coinmarketcap.

While experts say that such harsh measures might stifle innovation, regulators in countries like US and Singapore have also raised similar concerns regarding ICOs and plan to regulate the sector.
It was a bad start to the week on Monday as the Sensex cracked 332 points intraday on correction in global peers, but trimmed losses in late trade. Media reports indicated that North Korea may be preparing for another missile launch following hydrogen bomb test on Sunday.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 189.98 points at 31,702.25 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 61.55 points to 9,912.85, dragged by banks, FMCG and IT stocks.

The broader markets also caught in bear grip as the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices were down 0.7 percent each on negative breadth. About three shares declined for every two shares rising on the BSE.

All sectoral indices barring Metal and Media closed in red. Nifty Bank, Auto, FMCG and IT indices were down more than half a percent.

Experts expect some volatility to continue in near term due to geopolitical tensions. If North Korea tensions intensified then there could be sharp correction globally, they feel.

"Over the past couple of months, global markets are near their highs and any escalations or tension especially military confrontation between nuclear states like North Korea, US, and its allies could bring a lot of uncertainties in the market," Abhimanyu Sofat, Vice President, Research at IIFL told Moneycontrol.

"One may see a 4-5 percent kind of correction in the market if the situation escalates," he said.

Jayant Manglik, President, Retail Distribution, Religare Securities suggests maintaining limited leveraged positions and keeping them hedged until market resume its trend.

India Volatility Index surged 14.26 percent to 13.34.

Globally markets were under pressure after North Korea on Sunday conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date. North Korea claimed that it was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile. After this, the US warned that any threat from North Korea to its country or its allies would be met with a massive military response.

France's CAC, Germany's DAX and Britain's FTSE were down 0.2-0.4 percent at the time of writing this article. Among Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and South Korea's Kospi fell 0.8-1.2 percent. However, there was demand for safe havens like gold that hit nearly one-year high.

Back home, IOC was biggest loser among Nifty 50 stocks with 4 percent loss, followed by Infosys, HDFC Bank, Adani Ports, Tata Motors, HUL and Kotak Mahindra Bank that shed 1-2.5 percent.

Coal India bucked the trend, up 3 percent after better production and offtake numbers for August and the appointment of new CMD Gopal Singh.

Sun Pharma also saw buying interest in late trade, gaining 3 percent. ONGC, Bosch and Indiabulls Housing Finance gained 1 percent each.

Amond midcaps, Reliance Capital, the most active share on NSE, fell more than 4 percent ahead of ex-date for demerger of home finance business.

Sun TV Network (up 5 percent), TV18 Broadcast (7.8 percent) and NDTV (20 percent) saw a big surge, may be after the Star India won the global media rights of the Indian Premier League for a period of five years (2018-2023) at Rs 16,347.50 crore.

Reliance Industries, Reliance Capital and Sun TV Network were most active shares on the NSE.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
Soon after assuming office, newly inducted minister of state (independent charge) of the ministry of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Puri today said that the government had set ambitious and bold targets and that he will take the momentum forward from the work outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former ministry of housing and urban affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu, who is now the vice president.

Priorities for the urban sector have already been outlined by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, implemented by vice president Venkaiah Naidu when he was here. I will take the momentum forward. The targets we have are ambitious yet bold and transformative, he told reporters

The ministry is a hard core development oriented ministry and various new urban missions launched over the last three years have been doing well on ground and I have no doubt we are on way to accomplishing the tasks in given timelines, he said

Responding to a question on how does he look at the challenge of achieving targets under various missions, Puri said There are two sets of targets viz., some to be achieved by 2019 and some by 2022. If challenges are not met in two years, they cant be met even in six years. Going by the progress on the ground, they can be met.

The new minister later held a two-hour review of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and sought information about various aspects of the target of ensuring decent pucca houses to all the needy urban poor by 2022. He also asked about the expected demand for affordable housing in urban areas besides well performing and not so well performing states and reasons thereof.

Puri will be attending the inauguration of the first phase of 8.50 km stretch of Lucknow Metro between Transport Nagar and Charbagh tomorrow.

A former career diplomat, Puri, 65, is heading a ministry that is spearheading programmes such as Housing for All, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and The National Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY).

vandana.ramnani@nw18.com
Post RERA, brokers may focus on rental, resale segments: CommonFloor survey

With the number of residential project launches falling on the back of the implementation of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) from May 1, 2017, brokers are planning to focus on the rental market  READ FULL STORY

The post Post RERA, brokers may focus on rental, resale segments: CommonFloor survey appeared first on Housing News.











With the number of residential project launches falling on the back of the implementation of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) from May 1, 2017, brokers are planning to focus on the rental market to get more business, a recent survey said.

See also: What is RERA and how will it impact the real estate industry and home buyers?

In India, the broker sector plays an important role in real estate transactions and is estimated to be a Rs 25,600 crore industry, with around 5-9 lakh brokers, it said. According to the survey, nearly 84 per cent of the brokers opined that implementation of RERA will have increased benefits to the homebuyers. RERA brings in clarity and fair practices that would protect the interests of buyers and also impose penalties on errant builders, hence, making the real estate sector organised, transparent and consumer centric, it said. As per the survey, nearly 73 per cent of the participants who took part in the survey, consider that the successful implementation of RERA will result in the timely delivery of the projects.

The post Post RERA, brokers may focus on rental, resale segments: CommonFloor survey appeared first on Housing News.
An exterior view of Life Insurance Corporation of India's (LIC) headquarters is seen in Mumbai September 18, 2014. LIC Chairman S. K. Roy said he was "very bullish" about the banking, pharmaceutical, metals and IT outsourcing sectors because of expectations for a cyclical recovery and a stabilising rupee currency. Roy added LIC was headed for a "very good year", both in terms of its market investments and its core insurance business. The chairman said he expected growth of 12 percent in insurance premiums this fiscal year, in line with 13.4 percent last year. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui (INDIA - Tags: BUSINESS) - GM1EA9I1C5401

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India's largest insurer, Life Insurance Corporation or LIC has asked UCO Bank to induct a nominee from LIC on the board of UCO Bank, sources in know told Moneycontrol.

LICs demand comes after its stake in Kolkata-based bank increased to 17 percent.

According to a source who spoke to Moneycontrol, bank may soon announce extra ordinary general meeting to take shareholders approval for inducting a nominee on the banks board.

If approved, this would the first time LIC nominee will be appointed on the board of UCO Bank since 2003. So far, only nominee from the Reserve Bank of India is on the Board of UCO Bank.

At present, there are 6 members on the Board of Directors of UCO Bank. RK Takkar is the Managing Director & CEO, Charan Singh and G. Subramania Iyer are executive directors and Sindhu Pillai, Arvind Sharma, and Anil Sharma are directors on the board.
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Jaypee Infratech gained over 4.5 percent intraday on Monday as investors cheered a Supreme Court order that went in the companys favour.

The Supreme Court stayed the insolvency proceedings against the company in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

The move comes after IDBI Bank had filed a plea in the apex court after Rs 500 crore default.

The company was in the centre of litigation issues after a public interest litigation was filed by homebuyers seeking a stay order on NCLT's insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech, The Times of India reported.

The petitioners claimed that around 32,000 homebuyers, who have not yet been given their flats as promised by Jaypee especially in the Delhi NCR region, have been affected by the insolvency order.

Homebuyers who had invested in Jaypee's residential projects have been put through the grind of late with a number of changes that have been at best confusing. At the heart of their confusion lies the forms which are available for homebuyers to file their claims. In addition to an earlier form, IBBI has introduced another form.

In August, the Allahabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) passed an order starting insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech, a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates, for defaulting on IDBI Bank loan of Rs 526 crore.

The stock fell nearly 18 percent in the past one month, while its three-day gain stood at 6 percent. At 12:48 hrs Jaypee Infratech was quoting at Rs 17.80, up Rs 0.15, or 0.85 percent on the BSE. It touched an intraday high of Rs 18.50 and an intraday low of Rs 16.80.
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Schaeffler India (formerly FAG Bearings), a prominent player in ball and roller bearings of all types for industrial and automotive applications, has announced the merger of its unlisted group companies viz. INA Bearings (INA) and LuK India (LuK) with itself to create a strong Schaeffler entity in India.

We believe that the merger is positive for the listed entity on the back of synergies that are expected to come in. The investor community also reacted positively to the news as is evident from the stock price reaction post the deal announcement.

Schaeffler India is a leader in spherical and cylinder roller bearings. The erstwhile unlisted entities like INA is into the manufacturing of needle/linear bearings, engine, transmission and chassis precision components and LuK manufactures clutch and transmission components and system.

The swap ratio is 10 shares each for every 65 shares of INA and 35 shares of LuK. It implies an additional number of 14.64 million shares to be issued by Schaeffler India, which will bring the total shares outstanding to 31.62 million, up from 16.62 million. After the deal, the promoter shareholding in the listed company will be 74 percent, up from 51 percent.

As per the management, the combined entity is expected to benefit from the synergies that the transaction will bring in and the resultant entity will be one of the largest bearings suppliers in India.

What does the merger mean for the new combined entity?

The company is expected to gain from the revenue synergies by bundling product offerings. After the merger, Schaeffler India will be able to expand its product range to include needle roller bearings, linear roller bearings and precision spindle bearings. Moreover, the company would be able to cater to the full range of solutions in engine, transmission as well as chassis areas to the automotive clients.

Currently, Schaeffler India generates bulk of its revenue from industrial after-market whereas for INA, it is from passenger vehicles (PV) and two wheelers (2W). LuK is a dominant player in the auto after-market. Hence, integration of these entities would lead to the resultant entity catering to a wide-range of products, especially products in high growth PV and 2W segments.

Schaeffler currently has 205 distribution networks in the industrial segment and lacks its reach in automotive sector where LuK has around 130 distribution channels. INA will also provide additional 30 channels to Schaeffler in the industrial segment. After the deal, the management of Schaeffler India expects that it would be able to leverage the distribution channels of both the unlisted entities.The management through the deal plans to optimise warehousing and freight movement. It believes that the efficiencies would come in by combining the freight movement, warehouse operations, and distribution channels and thereby reduce costs.As per the pro-forma numbers, the resultant entity will have Rs 35.7 billion in revenues and around 3,000 employees.

Historically, the combined entity (on pro-forma basis) clocked revenue growth of 10.1 percent compounded annually over CY13-16, higher than that 8.2 percent clocked by Schaeffler alone. EBITDA of combined entity also witnessed higher growth when compared to the Schaeffler alone. EBITDA margin of the combined entity improved to 15.9 percent in CY16 from 9.3 percent in CY13. These data points indicate that the combined entity is expected to be better than the individual pieces. The synergistic benefits stand to impact numbers positively.

Implied valuations of INA and LuK were 3.5 times and 3.6 times on an EV/sales basis, respectively, and 25.1 times and 20.9 times on EV/EBITDA basis, respectively.

While the valuation of Schaeffler India at 28.3x CY17 and 23.4x CY18 projected earnings looks fairly priced, we are optimistic about the outlook for business in the medium-term.

With synergies playing out in due course, we believe that the company is well placed to capture opportunities arising in both automotive and industrial space in India.
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Uttar Pradeshs public health system continues to be under scrutiny, with as many as 49 children dying over the course of a month at a state-run hospital in Farrukhabad.

The state came under the radar after around 70 children died in August in BRD hospital in Gorakhpur allegedly because of disruption in oxygen supply owing to unpaid bills to the vendor.

The recent incidents are just some of the many child death tragedies that have taken place in big Indian states in recent months.

Uttar Pradesh

The 49 deaths, reported between July 20 and August 21, were allegedly due to lack of medicines and shortage in oxygen supply in Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in Farrukhabad, CNN-News 18 reported.

The reasons cited are similar to the recent infant deaths at Baba Raghav Das Medical College (BRD) hospital in Gorakhpur.

A first information report (FIR) has been filed against the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the hospital while the District Magistrate has ordered an investigation into the incident.

A total of 290 children died at Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College in Gorakhpur in August. Among these children, 213 were in the neonatal ICU and 77 in the encephalitis ward.

This happened despite the state government allocating Rs 4,479.5 crore in 2016-17 under the National Health Mission.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has said that India did not have a shortage of funds for healthcare, but the funds were not allocated wisely, the Mint reported.

Besides, UP has the highest Mortality Rate for children. As many as 64 infants (under one year) and 78 children under five years die annually out of 1000 babies born alive, as per NFHS report of 2015-16

The infant mortality rate (IMR) of UP, Indias most populous state, is now worse than 2013 when it was 50 per 1000 live births.

Jharkhand

In Jharkhand, 52 infants died at Jamshedpurs Mahatma Gandhi Memorial medical College hospital in a month, ANI reported on August 27. The same hospital saw a total of 164 children dying within three months earlier. The hospital also treats children from neighbouring West Bengal and Odisha.

Hospital Superintendent Bhartendu Bhushan told CNN-News18 that services in the hospital could be better. Meanwhile, the Congress lodged a police complaint against top hospital officials alleging that costly medical equipment remained idle while the children lost their lives.

The government is initiating a probe into the deaths at MGM hospital.

As many as 660 children have died in Ranchis Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences this year, IANS reported.

The medical institute claimed that 51 percent of the children died due to encephalitis followed by 17 percent due to pneumonia, while the rest died because of malaria, birth asphyxia or because they were underweight.

The National Human Rights Commission has notified the state government asking for a report on the matter within six weeks.

Madhya Pradesh

Although no single incident shook Madhya Pradesh, it has fared poorly in terms of child healthcare.

In February this year, a report presented by the government in the assembly showed that Madhya Pradesh has the one of the highest Infant Mortality Rates (IMRs) in the country. According to the 2014 survey, 52 infants die out of every 1,000 live births in a year. The national IMR is 41.

More than 60 children died every day in 2016 in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh. Archana Chitnis, Minister for Women and Child Development, told Hindustan Times that 25,440 children under six years of age had died due to diseases like diarrhoea and measles last year. The figures are even higher for rural areas, with the IMR being 59.

Experts have repeatedly said that shortage of doctors and lack of proper primary healthcare in rural areas are major reasons behind infant deaths. Repeated cases of medical negligence have also contributed to the death of infants.

Newborn care units to treat sick infants were introduced by the states health department in the district hospitals back in 2007. However, they failed to contain the infant mortality threats.

About a year back, the National Rural Health Mission took cognizance of the infant deaths and decided to extend the Child Death Review (CDR) program to all districts in the state. CDR is a process to record and understand the causes of deaths and then take measures to prevent such deaths in future.

Punjab

Punjab, a state with generally low IMR (29) than neighbouring Haryana, has also not been spared from the failure of healthcare system.

As per a report in the Hindustan Times, over 163 children (under 5yrs) have died in 10 months (April 1, 2016, to January 31, 2017) in Jalandhar district of Punjab. This is just the figure from health centres ran by the government and reported by the child death review committee (CDRC). Apart from this, 19 infants died in transit while 82 lost their lives in private hospitals over the same period.

The figures reveal that a total of 315 infants died over this period in Jalandhar.

The health department reportedly cited diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia along with premature birth, neonatal infections, and low birth weight as reasons behind the deaths.
Expand measures to back up innovation

On Aug 30, the State Council executive meeting decided to generalize measures that have proved mature and replicable in a larger scope or nationwide to step up innovation.

These measures are to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in carrying out innovation and enhance intellectual property rights protection. Universities and research institutions are allowed to adopt diversified salary payment approaches to introduce talents, and channels will be broadened for foreign talents to obtain permanent residence permits. In addition, central and local taxation affairs are set to be integrated.

Details:>>China to further reform to drive innovation

China to promote health service industry

The State Council urged stepping up efforts to develop the health service industry at its executive meeting on Aug 30.

An action outline for the development of health services should be worked out. Administrative reform will be further implemented. The National Health and Family Planning Commission should take the lead in setting up a comprehensive regulation system, and enhance talent cultivation in medical care, nursing and rehabilitation.

Social forces should be encouraged to make up for the shortfalls in existing health services, while financial authorities should look for ways to exert social forces and adjust taxation policies for elderly care enterprises.

Details:>>China mulls greater support to healthcare industry

Investigation into deadly mine explosions

The State Council recently released the results of an investigation into two fatal colliery explosions caused by the Jinshangou Coal Mine in Southwest Chinas Chongqing municipality and the Baoma Mining Company in Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Oct 31 and Dec 3, 2016, respectively.

The investigation team concluded that both tragedies were workplace safety accidents, revealing lax regulation in workplace safety and dereliction of duty in weeding out laggard production capacity demanded by the Party Central Committee and the State Council.

Details:>>China holds 57 people in investigation of deadly mine explosions

Rental housing to be built on collective construction land

According to a circular released by the Ministry of Land and Resources and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and 10 other cities will build pilot rental housing on collective construction land.

If the collective rental housing project works out, building rules can be improved and reform can be replicated in other regions, providing support to a unified urban-rural construction land market.

China to crack down on illegal activities in insurance industry

Recently 31 ministries, including the National Development and Reform Commission, Peoples Bank of China, and China Insurance Regulatory Commission, signed a memorandum of understanding to crack down on rule-breaking and dishonorable activities in the insurance sector.

According to the MoU, violators will face punishment, such as restrictions on market access and consumption. They may also be banned from enjoying some preferential policies or being given a commendation.

Non-residential natural gas price to be reduced

According to a circular released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), starting Sept 1, the benchmark price at natural gas stations for non-residential use will be cut by 100 yuan (about $15.12) per 1,000 cubic meters.

The move will help save 7 billion yuan in operating costs annually for those industries, such as power generation companies, central heating suppliers, and taxis, said the NDRC.

Integrated regional Customs clearance model canceled

The General Administration of Customs recently announced adjustment to its clearance model.

The integrated regional Customs clearance model was canceled.

As road manifests are put into use, fast cross-border Customs clearance is applicable to all direct subordinate Customs in Guangdong province.

Additionally, exported or imported goods transferred between Customs that are transported by water, air, railway or road while carried by road transportation within China can be operated paperless, on conditions that safety smart lock and satellite positioning equipment and other internet of things equipment are used.

Ministries to strengthen relief fund management

Four ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture, jointly released a circular on management of disaster relief funds for agricultural production, flood control and drought relief.

The circular made it clear that relief funds are allocated by the central government for disaster relief in agricultural production, flood control and drought relief, and geological disaster relief.
The Narendra Modi-led government has shelved plans to recognize the rights of transgender persons as the "third gender" in the country's labour law framework.

According to the Hindu, the Law Ministry has raised objections to the recommendations made by the Labour Ministry which proposed to codify wages, provide protection against discrimination by inserting clauses for transgender rights in all four codes of the labour code in India. The draft bill to codify wages also had provisions to curtail the discrimination against transgenders regarding the payment of wages.

However, the reform was disapproved by the Law Ministry which contended that transgenders fall within the definition of a "person" under the General Clauses Act of 1897, hence no separate clauses were needed for them.

The Wages Code Bill in India contains 44 labour laws divided into four codes and the Labour Ministry has proposed the inclusion of clauses pertaining to transgender rights in all four of them. The objection by the Law Ministry would also mean that the term "transgender" cannot be used while stating the entitlements related to gender.

The proposal was in lieu with the Supreme Court judgement of 2014 which recognised transgenders as the "third gender" and directed the Central and state governments to look into the matter of giving them equal opportunities in education and employment.

Transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi told The Hindu termed the LAw Ministry's argument as "illogical" and "hypocritical" as discrimination faced by transgenders at the workplace is a common affair. "The dignity of our body needs to be protected at the workplace as well, with basic facilities such as restrooms and equal wages," she said.

While the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 is still pending in the Parliament post the 2014 verdict, it has undergone many changes which nullified some of the key facets of the Supreme Court verdict.

The verdict had directed the governments to implement a series of welfare measures including affirmative action for the rights of the transgenders. In December 2014, Rajya Sabha MP of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) Tiruchi Shiva had passed a private matter bill which was unanimously passed by the Rajya Sabha but never reached the Lok Sabha.

Instead, the government drafted its bill in 2015 which excludes many tenets of the 2014 SC judgement, most importantly it disregards the effect on law making, with marriage, adoption, succession laws based on the binary of male and female. Criminal offences especially that of sexual violence also remain unchanged, judged only on a male-female basis.
The airfare between India and Japan may soon decrease as both the countries are set to sign an Open Skies agreement. This would enable airlines from both the countries to fly as many flights between Indian and Japanese destinations, depending on the availability of slots at airports.

"With Open Skies, Japanese airlines can add as many flights, depending on availability of slots, at six major airports in the country: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Our carriers can also have no restriction on adding flights to Japanese destinations, a report in The Economic Times cited an official in the aviation ministry.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries last week after a negotiation of two days. The signing of the formal agreement is due when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be visiting India later this month.

A similar agreement was also signed with six countries namely Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka as per National Civil Aviation Policy 2016. The policy allows Open Skies agreement with all SAARC nations and countries beyond a 5,000 km radius.

Currently, Air India and Jet Airways fly to Japan, whereas the Japanese airlines All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have operational flights to India. Both the Indian carriers are interested in expanding the operation, said the report.
Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to cast his vote for the country's next President, at the Parliament House in New Delhi, India, July 17, 2017. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi - RTX3BQ8J

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today strongly pitched for setting up of a BRICS credit rating agency to counter western rating institutions and cater to the financial needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing nations.

In an address at the plenary session of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit here, Modi said a separate rating agency would help the economies of the member countries as well as other developing nations.

"Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote cooperation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF (International Monetary Fund)," the prime minister said, urging early creation of the BRICS rating agency.

India had first mooted the idea of having such an agency for the BRICS grouping which can solve impediments for the emerging market economies posed by the present CRA market, which is dominated by S&P, Moody's and Fitch.

These three western rating agencies hold over 90 per cent of the sovereign ratings market now.

Indian officials were at the forefront at last year's BRICS Summit in Goa in pointing out the shortcomings and the need for having an alternative credit rating agency.
India_russia_Putin_Modi_Russia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

The two leaders met in this Chinese city on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The two leaders believed to have discussed ways to further ramp up bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas of defence, security and trade.
I hope such informal summits becomes a tradition between both the countries. I'll be happy, if in 2019, we can have such informal summit in India: PM Modi (Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, nearly a week after India and China announced resolution of the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff.

According to officials, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting on September 5 on the sidelines of the 9th Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Summit, which will start tomorrow in this port city of China.

After the bilateral meeting with the host, Modi will be travelling to Myanmar.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese army.

On August 28, India's External Affairs Ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area.

Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, which is among the five counties -- Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan-- invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.
New Delhi: A view of Parliament in New Delhi on Sunday, a day ahead of the monsoon session. PTI Photo by Kamal Singh (PTI7_16_2017_000213B)

The NDA government is planning another reshuffle for its allies including AIADMK and Janata Dal (United), reports The Indian Express.

On Sunday, the reshuffle was majorly for the BJP members. JD(U) and Shiv Sena chose to stay away from the oath-taking ceremony.

The far-right party broke an old alliance with the BJP in October Assembly elections of 2014 soon after NDA rose to power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May. However, the party mended its alliance again with the BJP in the same year.

JD(U) was expecting at least two berths in the Union Council of Ministers, the report said.

We would respond in a positive way if we get an offer in a respectable manner, JD(U) secretary-general KC Tyagi told The Indian Express.

Shiv Sena, which claimed it was not invited for the reshuffle, on Sunday said the NDA was 'almost dead'.

"BJP-led National Democratic Alliance exists only on paper. Whenever BJP wants some support like in Presidential election or in Parliament, we are remembered," Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

The NDA, Raut said, is almost dead and is restricted to only allied parties meeting.

On Sunday, the Cabinet was reshuffled as nine ministers took oath. Four ministers were promoted to the cabinet rank as the ruling party prepares for general elections in 2019.
India's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav speaks during a meeting with his party workers in the eastern Indian city of Patna June 20, 2009. REUTERS/Krishna Murari Kishan (INDIA POLITICS) - RTR24UMC

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad took a swipe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over non-inclusion of any JD(U) leader in the Union council of ministers, which was rejigged today, sarcastically claiming some of them had even got stitched "new kurta-pyjama and bundi" for the event.

"Some JD(U) leaders had got new kurta-pyjama and bundi (Nehru jackets) stitched for the swearing-in ceremony, but the invitation did not come," he said.

Kumar had yesterday said his party had not been invited to join the Modi government nor was it consulted about the recast its recast.

"Why should Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP chief Amit Shah consult Nitish Kumar when they know his character," the RJD boss, who has been unsparing in attacking Kumar ever since he walked out of the 3-party 'Grand Alliance' in Bihar and formed government with the BJP, said.

Lalu said, tongue and cheek, that it was a payback time for Modi. Kumar had withdrawn an invite to top BJP leaders in 2010 for a dinner when Modi was the Gujarat Chief Minister following an advertisement row.

Days ahead of the BJP's national executive meeting in Patna, posters had surfaced thanking Modi for a Rs 5 crore donation for Kosi flood victims. Kumar found it in bad taste and cancelled the dinner which was to be attended by senior BJP leaders including Modi.

Lalu claimed that Modi had not forgotten the "slight".

Modi was right in not accepting the invite for lunch with the chief minister at his official residence recently after the two made an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Bihar recently, the RJD leader said.

"Modi just returned the favour... he did that because of what Kumar did to him a decade ago," Lalu said.
Misplaced 3D glass boxes, international actors worked up with logistics--- the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has seen it all. However, these will be a thing of the past at its 48th edition this year.

With the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) taking over IFFI, film directors are looking at a bigger and better festival this season.

IFFI is our official film festival and is the window to the world for us. We should take a cue from several other international film festivals and understand the importance of intellectual integrity that goes into such events, said film maker Anand Gandhi.

Gandhi is a part of the 13-member steering committee appointed by I&B ministry especially for IFFI. Gandhi will be joined by names like filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, producer Siddharth Roy Kapoor, censor board chief Prasoon Joshi and many others.

According to Gandhi, IFFI is not a pop and pitch platform. We should use IFFI as a platform to showcase our philosophical discourse and do everything it takes to make the festival at par with its international counterparts. Even if certain things threaten to challenge our comfort levels we are looking at overcoming every roadblock that IFFI has faced earlier, Gandhi added.

Introducing fresh energy into the event will bring changes in the event at various levels.

An official statement from NFDC said they clearly mentioned that handling of the festival will now create synergies between two key platforms, which are both focused on providing filmmakers and industry executives access to new trends and best practices in world cinema in terms of content, business and technology.

NFDC shall now leverage the Festival and the Bazaar to promote the power of film as a tool of soft diplomacy and its importance in maintaining the cultural ethos of a nation, said the statement.

What's more, IFFI will also be represented by film-makers from the North East who are also part of the steering committee.

North East will finally get the prominence it deserves for the film industry we have here in this part of the country. We are looking forward to a great show and plan to work upon everything that went amiss in the previous editions of the event, said Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua. Barua is also a part of the steering committee alongside Meren Imchen from Nagaland.

The whos who of Bollywood, too, is looking up to the ministrys decision of roping in NFDC to take charge of the event. King Khan left a tweet saying Great endeavour by I&B Minister Smriti Irani"

https://twitter.com/iamsrk/status/898800919504068608
I hope such informal summits becomes a tradition between both the countries. I'll be happy, if in 2019, we can have such informal summit in India: PM Modi (Reuters)

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Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Xiamen in China to attend the 9th BRICS summit, soon after the Cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping likely on Tuesday is acquiring the halo of an all-important truce.

According to media reports, Narendra Modi will meet Jinping on Tuesday around noon before he leaves for Myanmar.

Already the bonhomie between the two leaders was apparent when Modi and Jinping shared a warm handshake to greet each other.

The two leaders' meet follows the withdrawal of troops from the tri-junction area of Doklam after a 73-day standoff. The meeting will also be crucial as a stronger Sino-Indian relationship is believed to be the bedrock for future border talks.

The standoff, which started on June 16 after India stopped Chinese troops to build a wall in a tri-junction border shared by Sikkim along with China and India, was finally resolved last week.

The External Affairs Ministry announced on August 28 that both the parties - New Delhi and China - have decided to retract its troop from the disputed border in Doklam.

On Sunday, in what was indicative of a peace offering, Xi Jinping hinted at "peace" and "development" rather than "conflict and confrontation". He added that the BRICS nations must use the chance offered by the meeting to try and solve "hotspot issues", not referring directly to the Doklam issue with India.

While India pushed for concerns over counter-terrorism by Pakistan in the BRICS summit, a BRICS joint declaration condemned the Pakistan terror organizations of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as reported by CNN News18.

The condemnation comes as a big diplomatic win for India as China had shunned the request calling it an inappropriate topic to be dealt with in the BRICS summit of 2017.

On August 31, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson of China Hua Chunying had said that India's concerns over counter terrorism will not be a part of BRICS summit discussions.

However, Jinping's comments on Sunday had reconciliatory grounds for the China-India relationship expected to be repaired during the 2-day summit schedule.
live bse live

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Auditors may not be allowed to audit listed companies if reports done by them previously failed to reflect existing discrepancies.

According to a Livemint report, a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) panel on corporate governance is mulling over the decision after it found out that the officially reported numbers for bad loans were far more conservative than that the estimate put forward by the Reserve Bank of India's own assessment.

The 21-member panel was formed on June 2 -- with Kotak Mahindra Bank MD Uday Kotak leading it -- with a view to advise SEBI on issues related to corporate governance.

The issue of corporate governance has been the subject of much debate since the ouster and the resignation of high profile individuals like Cyrus Mistry as the chairman of Tata Sons Limited and Vishal Sikka as CEO of Infosys respectively.

The Mint spoke to SN Ananthasubramanian, practising company secretary and former president of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, who considered it as the next logical step following the crackdown on professionals in shell companies and the rollout of the NFRA (National Financial Reporting Authority) in Companies Act 2013, for strengthening the credibility of governance architecture.

SEBI had earlier barred chartered accountants from operating under Section 11(B) of SEBI Act. It empowers the regulating body to stop any entity or individual from operating if SEBI finds their conduct harmful to the interests of investors.

The panel is expected to submit its report to SEBI by the end of September, after which the report would be put up for public comments before the regulator finalizes the new corporate governance rules.Recommendations will also be made by the panel on annual reports, concerning their disclosure and their timely release.
Low-cost carriers could soon offer direct flights to Europe at affordable rates. Indians will be able to fly directly to Europe by next year at a rate as cheap as Rs 12000.

According to a report in Times of India, the new low-cost flights will not only be launched just by the Indian low-cost carriers but also foreign carrier companies. While Indian carriers like SpiceJet and IndiGo are taking steps to launch low-cost services to Europe, Scoot, the subsidiary of Singapore Airlines is also trying to make inroads into the Indian market.

According to Scoot officials, this will be due to the Fifth Freedom rights that the company has. The fifth freedom permits a carrier to operate direct flights between two foreign destinations. Since we have fifth freedom, we can operate direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to destinations like Copenhagen, Vienna, Cairo and Manchester," said Bharath Mahadevan, who heads the Scoots operations in India.

While at present a direct trip to Europe costs at least Rs 45000, one way trip between Mumbai and Copenhagen could in future cost only around Rs 12000 including 20 Kg baggage and a meal, as per the Scoot officials.

The Indian low-cost carriers too are moving forward with their plans to launch long haul flights at low rates. Indigo and SpiceJet have already placed orders for 142 Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts suited for long haul flights.

And unlike Scoot, which will not carry direct services to London in order to avoid eating into the profit of Singapore Airlines, the Indian carriers could launch direct services to London-Gatwick.

India is all set to become the new big market for the Low cost, long haul air travel but the challenge will be to ensure the viability of the segment in the long run.
It is an elegant tradition: the outgoing US president leaves a letter for his successor in the aged oaken desk in the Oval Office, to be read upon his arrival.

The letter left by Barack Obama for Donald Trump, revealed some seven months after the handover of power, revolves around one central bit of advice: beyond the bitterness and brutality of political combat and power struggles, never lose sight of the importance of democratic institutions.

Publication of the missive, just shy of 300 words, comes at a difficult and chaotic time in the Trump presidency that has seen intense criticism even from Trump's own Republican Party for his lack of clarity - and of moral leadership - after the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"Dear Mr President," the letter begins, going on to congratulate Trump for his "remarkable run" to the White House and to offer well wishes "as you embark on this great adventure." The letter was obtained by CNN "from someone Trump showed it to," according to the channel.

"Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure," it says.

Obama had pounded Trump during the presidential campaign with a rare virulence, saying the real estate mogul was, in his eyes, a danger to American democracy. "The fate of the republic is in your hands," Obama told voters in North Carolina just days before the November 8 election.

But in the aftermath of Trump's shocking victory, with Democrats still badly shaken by the surprise defeat of Hillary Clinton, Obama insisted on the importance of a peaceful and constructive transition to the billionaire populist, even receiving him in the Oval Office in a meeting that would once have seemed unimaginable.

Emphasising that the US presidency is a "unique office" with no "clear blueprint for success," Obama nonetheless offers a few carefully worded suggestions to his successor.

Insisting on the importance of "indispensable" American leadership in the world, he emphasizes the need for a president to act thoughtfully and responsibly.

"It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend," Obama says.

He also exhorted Trump not to let the vicissitudes of daily politics overshadow the long march of American democratic values.

"We are just temporary occupants of this office," he writes. "That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for.

"Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them."

The final bit of advice extended by the 44th US president to the 45th took a more personal tone: "Take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches."

Saying that he and his wife Michelle "stand ready to help in any ways which we can," Obama closes with a wish of "good luck and Godspeed," signing the letter, "BO."

Trump said publicly that he was touched by the letter, though he has not seen Obama since the handover of power.

Of all the letters from outgoing to incoming presidents, the one left on January 20, 1993, by Republican George HW Bush to Democrat Bill Clinton stands out for its dignity and class.

Bush wrote to his successor - the man who had deprived him of a second term in office - that "your success now is our country's success."

Evoking the "sense of wonder and respect" for the office that he felt when he became president in 1989, Bush said, "There will be very tough times," but then added: "Just don't let the critics discourage you or push you off course."

Bush concluded: "I am rooting hard for you. Good luck."
The BRICS today voiced serious concern over violence perpetrated by terror groups like the Taliban, al-Qaeda and Pakistan-based LeT and JeM besides calling for expeditious adoption of a global convention by the UN to deal with the menace.

In a declaration, the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China- South Africa) also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism including countering radicalisation and blocking terror financing sources.

The grouping expressed concern over the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Haqqani network.

It also mentioned terror groups like the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Tehrik-i-Taliban and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

"We call for expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the United Nations General Assembly," the BRICS said.

The BRICS also called upon the international community to establish a "genuinely broad" international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard.

"We stress that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, international refugee and humanitarian law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"We reaffirm our commitment on increasing the effectiveness of the UN counter-terrorism framework, including in the areas of cooperation and coordination among the relevant UN entities, designation of terrorists and terrorist groups and technical assistance to Members States," the declaration said.
Japan and China today said they had not yet detected any atmospheric radiation from North Korea's nuclear test, amid fears of a leak from a "cave in" during the underground blast.

Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters there was "nothing special detected from monitoring posts across the country", nor from air samples taken by the Air Self-Defense Force after yesterday's blast.

China's environment ministry today said that radiation levels near its Korean border were also normal.

"Results of monitoring make clear that this North Korean nuclear test as of now has produced no effect on our nation's environment or the public," the ministry wrote on its official website.

Japanese defence minister Itsunori Onodera yesterday said that Tokyo had deployed "sniffer" planes capable of detecting radioactive particles.

Fears of a leak from North Korea's detonation of what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb came after Chinese monitors detected a second tremor shortly after the initial earthquake triggered by the blast.

The monitors said the second tremor, of 4.6 magnitude, could be due to a "collapse (cave in)", suggesting the rock over the underground blast had given way.

The resulting explosion was considerably larger than previous tests and was felt by residents in Chinese cities hundreds of kilometres from the North's border.
Rating agency Standard & Poor's has said that the tensions in the Korean Peninsula are not high enough to downgrade South Korea's sovereign rating.

"As long as there is no actual war outbreak, I think the impact is relatively limited, and that's why we don't change our outlook on the rating of South Korea," Kim Eng Tan, senior director of Asia-Pacific sovereign ratings at S&P, was quoted as saying by a Korean newspaper.

September What happened when we were asleep? 14, 08.00 The US State Department issued a statement saying they haven't given up on diplomacy to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Deaprtment spokesperson Heather Nauert said that the department is "realistic" but also "optimistic" that diplomacy will resolve the issue, expressing satisfaction with the new UN Security Council resolution against the North. The Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee (KAPPC), a North Korean communist organisation, demanded that that the United States be "beaten to death" like a "rabid dog" for pushing fresh UN sanctions on Pyongyang over its latest nuclear test and added that ally Japan should be "sunken into the sea". 19:37 North Korea is one of the worlds most secretive major exporters of small arms such as including Kalashnikovs, rockets and machine guns, according to a report of experts in Geneva. The Small Arms Survey Trade Update 2017 survey states that among 55 percent of nations who trade in small arms, the USD 6 billion market remains a murky industry in which weapons find their way into the hands of terrorists or are used by states to carry out human rights abuses. The survey singles out North Korea along with nations such as Saudi Arabia and Iran on transparency of small arms. "The five least transparent major small arms exporters are: Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE. These states do not provide information on their small arms exports to Comtrade or the UN Register, the survey states. "North Korea has received a score of 0 in every edition of the Transparency Barometer to date. It has never provided information on its small arms exports to Comtrade or the UN Register.30 In 2013, Comtrade recorded the highest value for North Korean small arms exports: USD 300,000," it says. 17:30 North Korea vowed today to accelerate its weapons programmes in response to "evil" sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council following its latest and most powerful nuclear test. The North says it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself from "hostile" US forces and analysts believe Pyongyang's weapons programme has made rapid progress under leader Kim Jong-Un, with previous sanctions having done little to deter it. Read the full story here. 16.17 US-based defence analysts have said that North Korea has resumed work at its underground nuclear weapon testing site. After studying recent satellite images, the analysts said they had detected new vehicles, mining carts and other signs of activity at the Punggye-ri underground nuclear test site in northeast North Korea. 15.21 In a well-rounded piece published today, Michelle Ye Hee Lee of the Washington Post talked about how South Korea now wants nuclear weapons of its own. Not too long ago, this was a fringe idea. But now that the threat from North Korea is escalating every passing day, the argument for South Korea to arm itself with nukes is gaining steam. Read the full story here. 15.15 Chinese expert on Korean Studies Lu Chao has said that he does not believe imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea will result in the rogue nation giving up its nuclear weapons program. "The US and its allies Japan and South Korea hope to suffocate North Korea and overturn its regime through economic and military pressure, but this will not work because China and Russia will not accept this, as it will affect their national interests and jeopardize the regional strategic balance," Lu said in an interview to Global Times. Read the full story by Global Times here. 15.06 In a statement yesterday, the Russian agriculture ministry said that Russia is ready to develop cooperation with the United States in the field of agriculture. The statement said Russia eyes promoting US investments in its agricultural sector. 15.05 The US State Department on Tuesday said that the current diplomatic row between Russia and the United States should not be escalated. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he believed that "no further escalatory action is necessary at his point" and that both countries should look ahead and try strengthening their ties. 14.53



#NEWSGRAPHIC The military balance in northeast Asia. North Korea vows to build up its weaponry in face of UN sanctions @AFP pic.twitter.com/wKPGs0t8Ao

 AFPgraphics (@AFPgraphics) September 13, 2017

14.51 "Of course, we take these proposals with interest. A creative look and approach to the situation are very much in demand," Ryabkov said when asked what Russia made of Merkel's statement. "But, saying this, I cannot but also say that complete and direct parallels between the two situations are probably already impossible, because the DPRK, unlike Iran, is a country that has already really mastered nuclear weapons technologies at least to a degree that allows Pyongyang to test nuclear explosive devices and move in the direction of constant improvement of delivery systems in the form of ballistic missiles." 14.50 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has said that Russia is considering German Chancellor Angela Merkel's proposal of an Iran-like negotiation with North Korea with interest, but direct parallels between the situations are almost impossible. 14.47 Even as some politicians have called for the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, the Moon Jae-in-led South Korean government has repeatedly declared its opposition to the idea, noting that it remains committed to the principle of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. 14.43 North Korea may be facing a shortage of oil at the moment and it does not have any oil reserves of its own either. But the rogue nation may be sitting on minerals worth trillions of dollars, including rare earth minerals and precious metals like gold and silver. Estimates over the last decade by South Korean authorities have pegged North Korea's deposits of coal, iron ore, zinc, copper, graphite, gold, silver, magnesite, molybdenite, and many others, to be worth between USD 6 trillion and USD 10 trillion. Read the full story by RT here. 14.33 Business Korea has reported that the leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan have started discussing ways to hold a summit meeting in New York during the 72nd regular session of the UN General Assembly scheduled for next week. 14.31 Chinese traders along the North Korean border and some regular visitors to the hermit nation have said that scarcer and costlier fuel, as well as earlier UN sanctions banning the export of commodities such as seafood and coal, are now taking a toll. Several Chinese traders said the sanctions had stymied North Korean businesses ability to raise hard currency to trade. 13.04 A day after North Korea conducted its largest ever nuclear weapons test, South Korean defense minister, Song Young-moo, told lawmakers in Seoul that a special forces brigade that defense officials described as a decapitation unit would be established by the end of the year. Although it is not a commonly followed practice to announce plans to assassinate someone, South Korea wants to make sure this one is widely heard and prevents North Korea from initiating any conflict. Read the full New York Times story here. 12.26 An article by Financial Times has explained in detail how a network of shell companies and old ships is helping North Korea circumvent the sanctions imposed on it by the United Nations. The registered offices of a lot of these shell companies have been found to be at the same address in Hong Kong, and multiple companies in this web own or manage the same ships. Read the full story here. 12.14 The UN sanctions on North Korea's textile industry are expected to impact a lot of businesses and cause compliance issues to clothing retailers in US and other parts of the world. North Korea exports USD 752 million of textile a year, 80 percent of which goes to China. A lot of clothing retailers in the US too depend on imports from North Korea and even though big retail chains like Walmart can afford to keep North Korean products off its shelves, smaller businesses may not have the wherewithal necessary to do so. 11.58 Australian journalist and documentary filmmaker John Pilger has expressed fears that although everyone seems to be wanting to avoid a nuclear war, the US and NATO are on a path leading to war, not just with North Korea but potentially with Russia and China too. 11.55 Former NATO Supreme Commander Wesley Clark has said that secret negotiations mediated by a neutral third party are key to resolving the North Korean crisis. 11.41 The New Yorker has published a very well-written piece titled 'To Do', in which the writer lists five things to do for the day, for each day of the week, arranged by priority. While the first five days seem like any other, the lists for the last two days are very interesting and sum up the prevalent American sentiment. Read it here. 11.25 Continuation of the KAPPC statement... 3. The south Korean authorities should not spout "strong military counteraction" for which they can not be responsible, a bluff unbecoming for their have-not position. The stooges moving at the beck and call of others, being subject to sycophancy and submission should not go unreasonable as to call for slapping "painful sanctions" and "pressure", and should stop provoking laughter of people with their such clumsy counteraction as "joint strike" reminiscent of children's playing at soldiers.

3. The south Korean authorities should not spout "strong military counteraction" for which they can not be responsible, a bluff unbecoming for their have-not position. The stooges moving at the beck and call of others, being subject to sycophancy and submission should not go unreasonable as to call for slapping "painful sanctions" and "pressure", and should stop provoking laughter of people with their such clumsy counteraction as "joint strike" reminiscent of children's playing at soldiers. 4. The world including the neighboring countries needs to have proper understanding of the nuclear issue of Korea. The nuclear blackmail and threat the U.S. has posed to the DPRK so far have been a wrong option against the rival of wrong choice. 11.24 In a report yesterday, North Korean state mouthpiece KCNA published the reactions of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee (KAPPC), a North Korean communist organisation. This was the KAPPC statement: 1. The U.S. should stop rash act and not run wild, with deep consideration of the position and weight of its rival Juche Korea that have undergone change after its access to H-bomb. If the U.S. adheres to sanctions and pressure, not properly judging the great significance and the stern warning given by the success in the H-bomb test of Juche Korea, it will face unprecedentedly resolute counteraction it can not hold control of.

1. The U.S. should stop rash act and not run wild, with deep consideration of the position and weight of its rival Juche Korea that have undergone change after its access to H-bomb. If the U.S. adheres to sanctions and pressure, not properly judging the great significance and the stern warning given by the success in the H-bomb test of Juche Korea, it will face unprecedentedly resolute counteraction it can not hold control of. 2. Japan should clearly understand its position and stop indecent deed of acting as the U.S. cat's paw. The army and people of the DPRK with pent-up wrath against the Japanese reactionaries are waiting for a moment to settle accounts with the present Japanese authorities who have taken the lead in tightening sanctions against the DPRK pursuant to the U.S. Japan should bear in mind that it is near the DPRK, world-level military power possessed of diversified A-bomb, H-bomb and rockets of deadly striking power and hit effect. 10.50 South Korea today said that it had found traces of radioactive xenon gas and confirmed them to be from the North Korean nuclear weapon test earlier this month. The country's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said its land-based xenon detector in the northeastern part of the country found traces of xenon-133 isotope on 9 occasions, while its mobile equipment off the country's east coast detected traces of the isotope 4 times. However, South Korea has still not been able to determine whether the test was for a conventional nuke or a hydrogen bomb. 10.43 According to a United Nations report released Saturday, Tanzania is one among 7 countries being investigated for violating the arms embargo imposed on North Korea by the UN. The other countries implicated in the report are Angola, Congo, Eritrea, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda and Syria. 10.36

There's no doubt that over the past 25 yrs theres been extensive cooperation b/w #Iran & #NorthKorea on ballistic missiles & likely more.  John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) September 12, 2017

10.33 A report by Asia Times today has talked about how, even at a time when North Korea's advancements in the field of nuclear weaponry is making other countries wary, the country's low-tech military equipment is something to worry about. The North Korean air force has 300 An-2 Biplanes that were designed way back in 1946 and are predominantly made of wood. These aircraft are known for their ability to fly low and slow and still be easy to maneuver, and are therefore used widely in other countries for crop dusting. However, North Korea could use these aircraft to disperse chemical or biological weapons, as it is known to have stockpiles of toxins like Sarin and VX. The wooden exterior of these aircraft make them very difficult to track by radar and they can carry as many as ten paratroops on board. Read the full story here. 10.16 With around 5 months to go for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea, the organizers are finding it very difficult to sell tickets. Given the frequent weapons tests by North Korea and mounting tensions in the Korean Peninsula, spectators seem to want to stay away from the ski resort town, which is located a mere 80 km away from the heavily-armed North Korean border. 10.10 The North Korean representative to the UN Han Tae Song said yesterday that the US is definitely on a path of military confrontation with North Korea. The sanctions and pressure campaign by the Washington regime to completely obliterate DPRKs sovereignty and the right to existence is reaching an extremely reckless level, Song said while speaking at the UN Disarmament Conference. Instead of making the right choice with a rational analysis on (the) overall situation, the Washington regime finally opts for political, economic and military confrontation. 09.59 Reacting to North Korea's warning that it will inflict on US "the greatest pain" it has ever experienced, Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said that the reaction was along expected lines. "On this scale of threats, intimidation and insults it's probably just par for the course from North Korea," Bishop said today. The foreign minister refused to acknowledge that the fresh sanctions would only stir the pot more and not result in a real solution. "The alternative would be to allow a rogue regime to continue down an illegal path that is in direct defiance of the UN security council. That is not acceptable," she said. 09.17 Coming under a lot of pressure because of its ties with North Korea, Egypt has reportedly severed military ties with the rogue nation. According to a report by AP, the announcement was made by the Egyptian defence minister during his visit to Seoul. 09.14 US-based monitoring website 38 North, which is associated with Johns Hopkins University, has estimated the nuclear weapon tested by North Korea on September 3 to have a yield of 250 kilotons, as opposed to earlier estimates of between 50 kt and 160 kt. 09.01 South Korea has said that it conducted its first live-fire drill for an advanced air-launched cruise missile that will strengthen its pre-emptive strike capability against North Korea in the event of crisis, the Washington Post reported. The South Korean military said today that the Taurus missile fired from an F-15 fighter jet travelled through obstacles at low altitudes before hitting a target off the countrys western coast. Read the full story here. 08.14 In its official response to the newly imposed sanctions, the North Korean foreign ministry said yesterday that UN resolution only reaffirmed the country's belief that its push for nuclear weapons "was absolutely right". It vowed to follow this road at a faster pace without the slightest diversion until this fight to the finish is over, and added that it will establish a 'practical equilibrium' with the United States. 08.01 Frustrated US lawmakers called for a high-powered response to North Koreas nuclear tests on Tuesday, saying Washington should act alone if necessary to stiffen sanctions on companies from China, Russia and any country doing business with Pyongyang. I believe the response from the United States and our allies should be supercharged, said Representative Ed Royce, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. We need to use every ounce of leverage ... to put maximum pressure on this rogue regime. Time is running out, the Republican Congressman added. September 13, 07.57 What happened while we were asleep? US President Donald Trump said that the UN sanctions on North Korea agreed upon this week were a small step and nothing compared to what would have to happen to deal with the countrys nuclear program. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned China, North Koreas main ally and trading partner, that if it did not follow through on the new measures, Washington would put additional sanctions on them and prevent them from accessing the US and international dollar system. 19:30 North Korea is trying to steal Bitcoins and cryptocurrencies says report According to a report by cyber security firm FireEye, North Korean hackers targeted at least three South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges. The firm suspects that the aim was to steal the digital tokens, to avoid sanctions. The report further said that the hackers used the 'spear phishing' method of sending emails to make them look like they were sent by someone you know  and sent malware to illicitly get the virtual cash. 18:47 Park Song Il, member of North Korea's Foreign Ministry has told The New Yorker, "Dont push us too hard, because youre going to start a war. And we should say, were not going to die alone." 17.08 DATA STORY: Can the US intercept a North Korean missile flying towards it? 17.03 United States Republican Senator Mark Miloscia has said that the threat of a nuclear strike on the US mainland is starting to become imminent. He warned the threat is growing with every weapons test, and urged lawmakers to back the bid for an emergency response plan. 16.19 North Korea today rejected the UN Security Council resolution imposing tougher sanctions on it and said the United States would soon face the greatest pain it had ever experienced. 14.41 A senior Japanese official has reportedly warned that the world faces its "last chance" to put an end to North Korea's nuclear program and said it is "very helpful" for countries like Australia to tighten the sanctions noose by targeting companies around the world that help North Korea dodge United Nations penalties. 13.03 On a lighter note, Italian senator Antonio Razzi, who is believed to be close to Kim Jong-un, revealed in an interview to The Sun that the North Korean dictator is a big fan of English football club Manchester United. Razzi also said Kim believes that North Korean footballers will take over the English football scene one day and dominate it. Read the full story here. 12.57 China's top four banks have reportedly stopped providing any financial service to North Korean clients amid concerns from the international community that China has not been hard enough on North Korea following the rogue nation's sixth, and most powerful yet, nuclear weapons test on September 3. 12.54 The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has said that it will petition the United Nations to investigate the cases of 6 South Korean detainees in North Korea, NK News reported. 12.50 The South Korean government has welcomed the United Nations Security Council's unanimous vote in favour imposing new sanctions on North Korea, calling it a "strict warning" to the rogue nation from the international community. "North Korea should accept the strict warning from the international community that continued provocations only deepen the diplomatic isolation and economic pressure," the South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement. 12.43 According to a report by security firm FireEye, North Korean hackers working for the Kim Jong-un regime have increased the number of attacks on South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges and related websites with a view of securing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. These cryptocurrencies can then be used to circumvent trade restrictions, including the new sanctions approved by the United Nations Security Council on Monday. 11.36 Scientists have warned that the possibility of a radiation leak at North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site is growing with every detonation and is inevitable. "Its just a matter of time to detect it, because there are cracks on mountains where radioactive substances will leak," said Chinese scientist Wei Shijie. This development comes a day after the Chinese government issued a statement saying the nuclear test by North Korea on September 3 did not affect the people or environment around China-North Korea border. China even stopped its emergency monitoring of the area, which was started right after the nuclear test and lasted for 8 days. 11.23 In an article published in the South China Morning Post, journalist Sylvia Yu has detailed the story of woman who was trafficked from North Korea to China for the purpose of being sold into marriage, escaped from China to Laos and from there to Thailand, and now intends to go to South Korea to find freedom. The woman, Mi-young, escaped from China with the help of volunteers from Helping Hands Korea. However, as Yu mentioned in her article, the passage out of China for North Koreans has become even more perilous now. China is currently witnessing its strictest crackdown on North Korean refugees in recent times. Moreover, because of an agreement signed in 1986 between China and North Korea, North Korean citizens don't get arrested by Chinese authorities, but get sent back to their home country. Read the full story here. 10.58 Jocko Willink, a former US Navy SEAL, made a very peculiar suggestion last week about how the North Korean crisis could be best resolved. Surprisingly, his suggestion wasn't about the use of military means at all. Instead of bombs, he said, the US should drop around 25 million iPhones in North Korea, put some satellites over the country and provide free wifi. North Korea's population is estimated to be around 25.2 million. The idea behind Willink suggestion is that if all the people of North Korea get their hands on iPhones and see for themselves what they are missing out on, Kim Jong-un's regime won't be sustainable any longer and it will be overthrown. 10.48 According to a report by South Korean daily JoongAng Ilbo, Cho Tae Yong, the deputy chief of South Koreas National Security Council under the administration of former President Park Geun-hye, requested the United States to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons when he visited the country between October 4 and October 7 last year and met with Daniel Kritenbrink, the then senior director for Asian affairs at the US National Security Council. 10.45 The head of the NATO military alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, has said that North Korea's "reckless behaviour" is a threat to countries across the globe and warrants a global response. "The reckless behavior of North Korea is a global threat and requires a global response and that of course also includes NATO. We are now totally focused on how can we contribute to a peaceful solution of the conflict," Stoltenberg said. 10.31

You can change the do... #trump #northkorea @smhletters pic.twitter.com/s7JPoO07aj john shakespeare (@johnshakespeare) September 12, 2017

09.53 In light of the growing threat from North Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's support ratings have gone up by as much as 50 percent. Of course, the Opposition being in disarray did not hurt. 09.31 This is an interesting web application that allows the user to enter a location, a specific yield (for a nuclear bomb) and type of explosion, and get an estimate of the damage that could possibly be inflicted. According to its estimate, if North Korea dropped the bomb it test-fired on September 3 on Seoul, it would kill over 400,000 people and injure close to 2 million others. Users can enter the names of any one of the 20 cities on the list and see for themselves the fallout of a nuclear explosion over there. Check it out. 09.23 The International Olympic Committee on Monday said that the escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula had so far raised "no hint" of a security threat for next year's Pyeongchang 2018 winter Olympics in South Korea. "We are in contact with governments concerned. In all these conversations with the leading figures in the different governments we can see there is no doubt being raised about the winter Games of 2018," IOC President Thomas Bach said.

08.51 The new sanctions imposed on North Korea include a cap on oil exports to the country but do not block them completely. In addition to the cap on oil exports, the resolution passed by the Security Council bans the country from exporting any textile and importing any natural gas, apart from setting a cap of 2 million barrels a year on refined petroleum sales. Seafood exports to North Korea have been banned too and a cap has been set on coal imports by the rogue nation as well. 08.06 In an article published yesterday, The Washington Post has detailed how Russia is quietly helping North Korea undercut the sanctions imposed on it. An examination of some official documents by US officials and interviews of key people have revealed that Russian smugglers have been coming to North Korea's aid with shipments of petroleum and other vital supplies for the last few months. Tanker traffic between North Korean ports and Vladivostok this spring has seen a marked increase from last year. With the sanctions imposed by the UN getting tougher with time, some Russian entrepreneurs have recognised the opportunity to make a quick profit. They set up multiple front companies to hide their transactions and launder their money, US officials said. Read the full article. 07.55 China's ambassador to the UN, Liu Jieyi, has called on North Korea to "take seriously the expectations and will of the international community" to put an end to its nuclear and ballistic missile development. He also called on all other countries and parties involved to remain calm and not stoke tensions. September 12, 07.52 The United Nations Security Council voted in favour of imposing new sanctions on North Korea yesterday but the sanctions were well short of what the Trump administration had first proposed. The original demands of the United States, which were made by American ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley last week, were significantly toned down after multiple negotiations with Russia and China, both of who were against the idea of imposing very harsh sanctions. 22:29

New, softer US North Korea sanctions resolution no longer calls for ban on oil exports. Also, no asset freeze or travel ban for Kim Jong Un.  Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) September 11, 2017

22:15 German Chancellor Angela Merkel hinted that an agreement similar to the Iranian nuclear deal could be the solution. According to the Iran Nuclear deal, the country agreed to scale back its nuclear program in exchange for easing of sanctions. "I could imagine such a format being used to end the North Korea conflict. Europe and especially Germany should be prepared to play a very active part in that," Merkel told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on Sunday.



18:19

"I could imagine such a format being used to end the North Korea conflict. Europe and especially Germany should be prepared to play a very active part in that," Merkel told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on Sunday. NEW VIDEO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosts glitzy gala for nuclear scientists, shows first video of purported H-bomb test pic.twitter.com/2gZZrEawwg Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) September 10, 2017



17:30 Speaking to CNN, Senator John McCain on Sunday had called for the US to step up its presence around North Korea in order to make it clear to the Kim Jong-un regime that their acts would lead to the extinction of the country. 17:03 North Korea warns US ahead of sanctions vote According to a report by CNN, North Korean Foreign Ministry, in a statement has said that it would respond in kind if the US went ahead with the "illegal and unlawful 'resolution'". "The forthcoming measures to be taken by the DPRK will cause the US the greatest pain and suffering it had ever gone through in its entire history," it said. 16:53 The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote to impose sanctions on North Korea, later today. We'll bring you all the latest updates. 15.08 China has reportedly not detected any abnormal rise in radiation levels along the border it shares with North Korea after the latter conducted its largest ever nuclear weapons test last Sunday. The Chinese government had imposed an emergency monitoring following the nuclear test but has now decided to end it since nothing out of the ordinary was found. 14.36 A United Nations report has revealed that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may be colluding with Syria for the development of chemical and ballistic missiles, UK-based Daily Star reported. A United Nations team investigated secretive contact between the two countries and discovered reported prohibited chemical, ballistic missile and conventional arms cooperation. 14.21 South Korean manufacturers of consumer goods are contemplating a scale-back or a complete pull out from the Chinese market because of heavy losses incurred over the last couple of months. The losses are because of the Chinese government boycotting South Korean goods after South Korea first deployed a US missile defence system. According to a report by Financial Times, Lotte Group, which is South Korea's fifth largest conglomerate, is planning to shut down its stores in China after incurring massive losses due the Chinese government boycott. Lotte estimated that the sales loss for this year would be to the tune of USD 900 million. 13.05 A CNBC report from earlier today has talked about how the THAAD anti-missile defence systems deployed in South Korea by the United States may not be enough to protect the country's capital. Seoul, which is only around 20 miles from the North Korean border, is out of the THAAD's range and therefore, any missiles fired at Seoul could not be shot down. Also, even if the THAAD systems are deployed in the Seoul metropolitan area, they may not be able to shoot down multiple missiles headed their way. Even if it is one missile but fired at a low height and high velocity, it would become nearly impossible for the THAAD to stop it. 12.47 According to a report by Singapore-based Straits Times, the Chinese government has instructed state-owned banks to suspend transactions through accounts held by North Koreans, thereby making trade between the two countries nearly impossible. 11.47 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today called for a boosting of the country's defence forces in light of the rising North Korean threat. In a speech to senior officers of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces Abe said, "No one else will protect you if you don't have the mindset of protecting yourself. We have to take all appropriate measures against (incidents such as) North Korea's missile launch over Japan." The Prime Minister has asked Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera to to draw up a blueprint for Japan's medium-term defence strategy. 11.00 According to some diplomats, the United Nations Security Council is likely to vote on a watered-down US-drafted resolution to impose new sanctions on North Korea over its latest nuclear test on Monday afternoon. However, it was unclear whether China and Russia would support it. 09.45 British Deputy Minister for Diplomacy Michael Oren has asked what the world intends to do about Iran aiding North Korea in its advances in nuclear weapon technolog. British officials recently compiled a list of countries that were suspected to be co-conspirators with North Korea and Iran was at the top of the list. The list also included Russia. The officials had said that it was implausible that North Korea could have developed all its weapons without outside help. "North Korean scientists are people of some ability, but clearly theyre not doing it entirely in a vacuum, a minister in the government was quoted as saying. 08.06 With the intention of gaining another ally in Asia to help curb North Korea's nuclear weapons program, US President Donald Trump will be hosting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, the

With the intention of gaining another ally in Asia to help curb North Korea's nuclear weapons program, US President Donald Trump will be hosting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, the Wall Street Journal reported. The meeting is scheduled to take place later this week, despite the US Department of Justice (DoJ) just starting a criminal probe into funds allegedly diverted from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). 08.00 According to some media reports, North Korea seems to be preparing for yet another nuclear weapons test. Workers have reportedly started repairing an underground missile launch pad in Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province. Sources told Radio Free Asia, who reported the story, that the regime is replacing an old Paektusan-1 or Taepodong-1 missile with a new Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile. 07.55 A Russian yacht has been seized in the Sea of Japan by a North Korean coast guard boat and is currently underway to North Korea. Another yacht has reportedly gone missing in the same area. Both yachts were headed to South Korea to participate in an international yacht racing event. 07.51 Meanwhile, top Chinese government officials believe that US holds the key to ending the North Korean crisis. Both China and US have agreed that they need to work toward ridding North Korea of its nuclear arsenal but have expressed different opinions about how it should be dealt with. While the US has repeatedly urged China to step in and end the crisis by using its leverage as North Korea's largest trading partner, China does not want to invite catastrophe by triggering an unwanted response from Kim Jong-un's regime. 07.44 "The forthcoming measures to be taken by the DPRK will cause the US the greatest pain and suffering it had ever gone through in its entire history," the North Korean foreign ministry said in a statement. "The world will witness how the DPRK tames the US gangsters by taking (a) series of action tougher than they have ever envisaged." September 11, 07.39 What happened overnight?

North Korea has said that the United States would pay a due price for spearheading a United Nations Security Council resolution against its latest nuclear test. North Korea has said that the United States would pay a due price for spearheading a United Nations Security Council resolution against its latest nuclear test. The United States wants the Security Council to impose an oil embargo on the North, halt its key export of textiles and subject leader Kim Jong Un to financial and travel ban, according to a draft resolution. The Norths Foreign Ministry spokesman said the US was going frantic to manipulate the Security Council over Pyongyangs nuclear test, which it said was part of legitimate self-defensive measures. 12:30 pm: Suggesting Iran style nuclear talks with North Korea, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a newspaper she would be prepared to become involved in a diplomatic initiative to end the North Korean nuclear and missiles programme, according to Reuters. 12:10 pm: Japan has backed the US push for the United Nations Security Council to vote Monday on another round of sanction on North Korea. It said that Pyongyangs nuclear program poses the most serious threat since World War II. The US-presented draft resolution calls for an oil embargo on North Korea, an assets freeze on its leader Kim Jong-un, a ban on textiles and an end to payments of North Korean guest workers. September 10, 11.55 am: Welcome to another day of live updates on the North Korean crisis. On Sunday, the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hosted a "huge" celebration party in order to congratulate the scientists and engineers involved in its sixth and biggest nuclear test a week ago. 21.01 It has been confirmed that Japan will host the North Korean football team in Tokyo on December 9 for the opener of the East Asian championship. The tie is expected to be politically charged since Japan recently joined a host of other countries in condemning North Korea for conducting its sixth, and most powerful yet, nuclear weapon test on Sunday. 20.57 According to media reports, the Japanese Air Self Defence Force and US Air Force today conducted more exercises over the East China Sea, just south of the Korean Peninsula. The exercises were conducted amidst growing tension about another possible nuclear test by North Korea and involved 2 Japanese F-15 fighter jets and 2 US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers. The B-1B Lancer is an aircraft that has the capability to carry nuclear weapons and was earlier earmarked for nuclear strikes only. However, since 1995, this aircraft has only been used as a conventional heavy bomber and no longer carries nuclear weapons. 17.52 Two North Korea propaganda channels on YouTube have been shut down by the video streaming website for violating its community guidelines. Numerous US-based North Korea experts, who often relied on these channels for information on the goings-on in North Korea, have urged YouTube to revoke its decision keeping national security in mind. 16.05 The BBC has reportedly dragged itself into North Korea's crosshairs by announcing that it will shortly be launching a Korean language news service to be broadcast in North Korea, despite Kim Jong-un's regime asking it to back down. BBC officials admitted that they were expecting a reaction like this but said they wouldn't give in to Pyongyang's demands. 12:51 North Koreans on Saturday celebrated another public holiday with familiar routines, laying flowers and bowing in front of statues and portraits of past leaders while the outside world kept a close watch amid speculations that another missile test is near, reports ABC News. South Korea's government earlier said North Korea could potentially mark the 69th founding anniversary with its third test of a developmental intercontinental ballistic missile. 10:47 The state media in North Korea marks the nation's founding anniversary today with calls for a nuclear arms buildup, in defiance of mounting international sanctions. 9:17 The US will be seeking a vote Monday on a draft UN Security Council resolution on North Korea, as it pushes for fresh sanctions against the regime after its recent nuclear test, reports Bloomberg. 9:01 South Korea looks like it is prepared for any possible missile test by North Korea even as the dictatorship country will be marking its founding anniversary today --only days after its sixth and largest nuclear test, reports the Telegraph. 8:57 As we start another day bringing to you updates on the North Korean crisis, North Koreas ambassador to Mexico has said its tensions with the US were not Mexico Citys business after President Enrique Pena Nieto ordered that he leave the country in protest over Pyongyangs nuclear tests. Read in full. 22:20 North Korea's Day of the Foundation of the Republic, a public holiday, is on Saturday, September 9, and global investors will be watching closely for any bold move from the nation. Some prognosticators think the North Korean version of the United States' Independence Day this weekend will bring another missile test, reported TheStreet. The last nuclear test North Korea conducted was Sept. 9, 2016  Foundation Day last year. The country conducted a test on Foundation Day a year ago which yielded an explosion equivalent to 10 kilotons of TNT, according to a statement from South Korean officials at the time, and triggered a magnitude 5 artificial tremor. 21:30 North Korea on Friday called US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley a "political prostitute" and derided her as "crazily swishing her skirt" after Haley said the rogue regime was "begging for war", reported Fox News. The state-run Korean Central News Agency described Haleys comments to the UN Sunday as a hysteric fit. Nikki should be careful with her tongue though she might be a blind fool, KCNA said. The US administration will have to pay a dear price for her tongue-lashing." 20:00 Mexico on Thursday ordered North Koreas ambassador to leave the country in 72 hours in response to the Asian nations latest nuclear tests, reports Bloomberg. Ambassador Kim Hyong Gil was declared persona non grata and will have to vacate the embassy in Mexico City, the Foreign Ministry said in an e-mailed statement. Mexico said it absolutely rejects North Koreas nuclear activity, calling it a serious risk to peace and international security and a growing threat to the region, including its "fundamental allies" of Japan and South Korea. The expulsion comes as US President Donald Trumps administration presses countries to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Kim Jong Uns regime over the nations missile and nuclear weapons program. The US wants the United Nations Security Council to tighten economic sanctions at a meeting on Sept. 11. The US is circulating a draft resolution at the UN that would bar crude oil shipments to North Korea, ban the nations exports of textiles and prohibit employment of its guest workers by other countries, according to a diplomat at the world body. 18:30 North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un will escape to a vast complex of underground tunnels if a nuclear war breaks out  with a huge supply of his favourite cheese, reports news.com.au. And a military expert says that if the brutal leader of the Stalinist regime does go underground he will be harder to take out than 9/11 terror mastermind Osama bin Laden. The luxury-loving tyrants passion for emmental is believed to have been sparked when he studied at a university in Switzerland.

The luxury-loving tyrants passion for emmental is believed to have been sparked when he studied at a university in Switzerland. Now a North Korea expert says it is likely Kim has ordered staff to stockpile supplies of the cheese if he is forced to flee into North Koreas vast network of subterranean passages in the event of war. 16.13 Leaders of 18 countries, including Australia and New Zealand, today signed a declaration which officially termed North Korea as a threat to not only Guam, but also the entire wider region. The signatories vowed to strip away the registration of any North Korean fishing boats they may have on their books, while New Zealand and Australia will help the other Pacific states to sniff out North Korean ships moving under the radar and reduce the costs involved for everyone. 16.06 With tensions in the Korean Peninsula rising every day, the question of whether India has to worry about North Korea's nuclear advancements is being asked by a lot of people. To make things clear, North Korea and Pakistan have been allies for a long time now when it comes to nuclear weapon technology. Like North Korea, Pakistan too is making rapid advancements in the field of nuclear warfare and is believed to have more nuclear warheads than India does. So even if India may not have to worry about North Korea being direct threat, the possibility of Pakistan acquiring a Hydrogen bomb from the rogue nation is certainly worrisome for India. 15.29 French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the international community to increase pressure on North Korea in the hope that it would result in bringing the rogue nation back to the negotiating table. 15.00 Sweden has urged its citizens to refrain from unnecessary trips to North Korea following the country's sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date. The Scandinavian country is the latest of a number of countries to issue such warnings to their citizens over the last week. 14.11 Chinese President Xi Jinping told French President Emmanuel Macron today that he hoped France could play a "constructive role" in restarting talks on North Korea, days after the rogue nation conducted its sixth nuclear test. 13.48 In the latest in a series of controversial comments, US President reportedly called South Korean President Moon Jae-in "a beggar" because of his repeated calls for dialogue with North Korea. The comment was reportedly made during a phone conversation between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 13.42 According to reports in the New Zealand media, a New Zealand-led proposal to cut off North Korea's ability to operate in Pacific waters has just been accepted by leaders at the Pacific Island Forum. The move will see New Zealand help identify North Korean fishing and cargo vessels that fly under the radar using flags of small Pacific states - and get them deregistered. 13.40 According to reports in the South Korean media, the South Korean military is considering introducing ship-based Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors to make up for shortcomings of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery that was fully deployed here on Thursday. 13.07 The Japanese are reportedly very concerned following Pyongyang's announcement that it has developed an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon that could paralyze the country's electronics and power grids. And EMP weapon generates an electromagnetic pulse by detonating a bomb at a height of over 400 kilometres. This does not kill anyone directly but damanges electronics, telecom networks and other social infrastructure. 12.21 Amid rising tensions in the Korean Peninsula, safe haven assets like gold have seen increased buying. Gold hit a one year high of USD 1,353.12 per ounce on Friday. 12.01 Bloomberg has reported, citing a report by US-based North Korea analyst organisation NK Pro, that the possibility of North Korea deciding to test-fire yet another intercontinental ballistic missile or nuclear weapon on Saturday is remote. An analysis of provocations in the past has revealed that there is little correlation between North Korea's nuclear weapons tests and key holidays and anniversaries in the country. Read here. 11.35 According to media reports, a Chinese customs office in the border region has closed its gates to North Korea since September 4. Chinese businessmen and merchants staying in North Korea had been notified beforehand. The move is being perceived as a warning to North Korea after the rogue nation conducted its sixth, and most powerful, nuclear weapons test on Sunday. 11.30 A poll conducted by Reuters on Friday revealed that a majority of South Koreans do not believe that North Korea will start a war. According to the findings of the poll, 58 percent of South Koreans believed that there was no possibility of North Korea starting a war, while only 37 percent believed that it would. 10.53 10.14 India is now worried that given Pakistan and North Korea's secret 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' understanding, under the benign guidance of China, Pakistan's own nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs are only going to benefit now that North Korea has successfully developed the technology by itself. 09.47 Evan Osnos of the New Yorker travelled to Pyongyang and has written a wonderful piece on the risk of nuclear war with North Korea. Read it here. 09.20 Diplomats from the United Nations have reportedly said that the United States is determined to have a vote at the United Nations Security Council on Monday on imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea. The diplomats, however, did not rule out the possibility of either China or Russia deciding to veto the decision. 08.59 China has detected higher level of radiation near the North Korean border, according to nuclear threat watchdog DEFCON Warning Systems. 08.52 Even as North Korea stepped up its nuclear weapons program and has so far managed to stay a step ahead of US intelligence with its fast-paced missile testing, top officials from the United States' armed forces have said that the US has never been more prepared to deal with the North Korean threat. However, they added that their leaders are keeping an eye on what kind of missile North Korea fires off next. 08.10 The US Army reportedly wants its troops deployed in South Korea to train for a potential attack with the use of hazardous materials, which could be either radioactive or chemical. It is expected to be a two-week training course, taught on-site at the US Camp Humphreys base in South Korea. The US has around 25,000 troops deployed in South Korea, at some 80 sites across the country. 07.52 What happened overnight? South Korea has maintained that it expects North Korea to test-fire yet another intercontinental ballistic missile on Saturday. In a press briefing at the White House, US President Donald Trump said that the US military has never been stronger and is armed with the best equipment in the world. "Hopefully we're not going to have to use it on North Korea. If we do use it on North Korea, it will be a very sad day for North Korea," Trump said. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping joined hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to call for tougher sanctions on North Korea. After speaking to each other over the phone, the two premiers concluded that the test conducted by North Korea on Sunday represented a significant danger to the security of the entire region and a serious violation of international law. "Both interlocutors called for a tightening of the sanctions against North Korea," Merkel's spokesperson Steffen Seibert said. 21:40 Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the two leaders decisively condemned North Korean weapons tests. We decisively condemned North Koreas launch of a medium-range ballistic missile that flew over Japans territory on August 28, as well as the new nuclear tests conducted on September 3, Putin said in a statement. Putin reiterated that the crisis around North Korea should be resolved only by political means, and that it posed a threat to peace and stability in the region. He called for it to be resolved through a road map proposed by Moscow and Beijing. 20:55 Everyone is waiting for Kim Jong-un's next move, but in South Korea, some people are more worried about Donald Trump. 19:58 It is not even a week since North Korea fired its sixth nuclear test. Now, South Korea says that its neighbour may fire an intercontinental ballistic missile this weekend. South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon suggested that Kim Jong Un could order a launch on Saturday, which is the 64th anniversary of the totalitarian regime's founding. Read it here. 18:59 So, what did North Koreans do after testing their hydrogen bomb? They celebrated by filling the streets of Pyongyang on Wednesday, reports Newsweek. 17:52 North Korea breaks its silence. It has vowed to take the fight to US if more sanctions are placed over its missile programme. It has called Washington a war-monger. Full read here. 17:20 Russian President Vladimir Putin has been vocal about the North Korean crisis. He predicted a 'global catastrophe' if North Korea didn't respond to diplomacy. Later, a more despairing Putin said it may be 'impossible' to solve the situation. And now, Putin has said that the US could be adding fuel to Pyongyang's fire, if it keeps its pressure on North Korea. Read it in full here. 16:49 An opinion piece in CNN.com written by Nic Robertson says that bringing North Korea to its knees will be harder with broken diplomacy. Read it in full here. 15.41 As both US and North Korea seem to be on collision course, many people have started asking what this means for them. Wall Street, however, has chosen to ignore the elephant in the room. MarketWatch has published an interesting read on how investors are living in denial about the risk of war with North Korea. Read it here. 15.30 The Russian President's comment comes after North Koreas Minister of External Economic Relations Kim Yong-jae said earlier today that his country will introduce strong countermeasures against the United States' attempts to exert pressure through sanctions. "Attempts to use unprecedented aggressive sanctions and pressure to intimidate us and make us reverse our course, are a huge mistake," Kim had said. "The United States should by all means keep in mind the nuclear status of our country, who owns nuclear and hydrogen bombs, and intercontinental ballistic missiles." 15.28 Russian President Vladimir Putin once again urged the US to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis in the Korean Peninsula and said that by increasing pressure through sanctions, US could be playing right into North Korea's hands. "It's a provocation from North Korea, it's obvious. They count on a specific reaction from the partners and they get it. Why are you playing along with it? Have ever you thought about it?" Putin said. 14.54 North Koreas Minister of External Economic Relations and head of the delegation at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Kim Yong-jae, has said that the country will introduce strong countermeasures against the United States' attempts to exert pressure through strong sanctions.

North Koreas Minister of External Economic Relations and head of the delegation at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Kim Yong-jae, has said that the country will introduce strong countermeasures against the United States' attempts to exert pressure through strong sanctions.

14.12 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that the unity among certain members of the UN Security Council was paramount for resolving the ongoing North Korea issue. Guterres said that unity between China, the United States and Russia was essential if North Korea's nuclear ambitions were to be put to an end.

14.05 "Given the new developments on the Korean peninsula, China agrees that the UN Security Council should respond further by taking necessary measures," Wang told reporters in Beijing. "We believe that sanctions and pressure are only half of the key to resolving the issue. The other half is dialogue and negotiation," he added.

14.04 China seems to have finally given in to the idea of imposing stronger sanctions on North Korea. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has said that China would support the United Nations taking further measures against North Korea.

13.31 European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has called for the European Union to impose additional sanctions on North Korea as a part of the international pressure being exerted at the moment on the rogue nation.

13.26 Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he hopes the situation in the Korean Peninsula does not descend to a conflict involving the use of weapons of mass destruction.

13.04 The price of automobile fuel has reportedly skyrocketed in North Korea, possibly because of developments related to the sanctions being imposed on the country. Last month, gasoline prices had risen to nearly USD 30 for 15 kilograms and they have risen substantially once again. Drivers in Pyongyang have had to visit multiple gas stations to get their tanks full as gas supply has been significantly reduced. Some stations are secretly charging extra too, according to some media reports.

12.54 This rare aerial footage of North Korean capital Pyongyang shows a city full of skyscrapers and other modern structures but devoid of pedestrians and cars.

12.53

12.32 "There are possibilities to achieve the settlement of Pyongyang's problem by diplomatic means. This is possible and must be done. We are telling them that we will not impose sanctions, which means you will live better, you will have more good and tasty food on the table, you will dress better. But the next step, they think, is an invitation to the cemetery. And they will never agree with this," Putin said in his address at Vladivostok.

12.31 Criticizing the United States' demand for stronger sanctions to be imposed on North Korea, Russia's Vladimir Putin said that if it happens, it would only push North Korea to start an armed conflict.

12.24 Speaking at the same forum in Vladivostok, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the issue surrounding North Korea needs quick action and that all major world powers must push Pyongyang to meet its obligations to the United Nations and put an end to its nuclear weapons and missile programs.

12.18 Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he believes that US President Donald Trump's administration is willing to defuse tensions in the Korean Peninsula, but reiterated Russia's opposition to imposing stronger sanctions on North Korea. Putin was speaking at an economic forum being held in Vladivostok.

12.09 In a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated China's commitment towards denuclearising North Korea, after Trump warned that any threat from the rogue nation will be met with an "overwhelming" response.

11.55 According to a report by The Times, UK, South Korean commandos will be working with the team of US Navy Seals who killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden to create a special squad to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

11.52 According to media reports, dozens of South Korean protestors have been injured in clashes between them and the South Korean police as the US military added more launchers to their THAAD missile defence systems deployed across the country. The police officers also reportedly smashed windows of cars that were being used to block roads.

11.47 Suki Kim, a South Korean-born American writer who worked undercover in North Korea for over 6 months, has said that an uprising by the people of North Korea against the Kim Jong-un regime is the only way of dealing with the issue. "Literally the only way to approach it is a regime change, North Korea as a regime will not cooperate, you cannot actually come to any conclusion dealing with [their] great leader system," she said.

11.42 South Korean citizens took to the streets today, protesting the deployment of THAAD missile defence systems by the US military. South Koreans have been opposing the THAAD systems for quite some time as they believe the system's presence will impact the environment and health of people in an adverse way. Some maintain that deploying these systems is only going to result in an escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula, not help calm them down.

11.34 South Korea has said that it expects North Korea to launch yet another intercontinental ballistic missile on Saturday, September 9. "The situation is very grave. It doesn't seem much time is left before North Korea achieves its complete nuclear armament," South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon was quoted as telling a meeting of defense ministers in Seoul today.

11.26 US-led military alliance NATO has urged all other countries to step up their efforts in imposing stronger sanctions on North Korea and stop its nuclear tests. The appeal was perceived to be aimed at North Korea's trading partners China and Russia, who seem to be holding back penalties.

11.12 Citizens of Pyongyang lined the streets to cheer buses carrying the specialists into the city, and tens of thousands of people gathered in Kim Il-Sung Square to praise their efforts.

11.10 North Korea on Wednesday held a mass celebration for the scientists involved in carrying out its largest nuclear blast to date, with fireworks and a mass rally in Pyongyang.

10.41 The rocket scientist behind North Korea's controversial nuclear weapons program was picked out of nowhere by Kim Jong-un after he spotted a mistake in 2012 missile test that went awry. After that, Kim Jong Sik, as he is known, was elevated to Kim Jong-un's inner military circle in 2012, after the successful launch of a Unha-3 rocket in December that year.

10.06 Reports have just come in that amid protests in the South Korean village where the THAAD systems have been deployed, US military personnel have added more launchers to the anti-missile systems.

09.59 Meanwhile, in the Chinese city of Dandong, which is on the Chinese-North Korean border, one could be excused for thinking there is nothing going on in the Korean Peninsula. Trucks are still seen plying to and from North Korea and people are seen walking calmly on the promenade in plain view of North Korean border guards. Even local businesses like hotels and restaurants said that the tourist season, which is drawing to a close, did not see much of an impact because of the war of words between US and North Korea.

09.50 Analysts have been quoted saying that if North Korea follows through on its threat of launching nuclear attacks, Asia's supply chain will be badly hurt. South Korea will be one of the worst-affected countries if war breaks out in the Korean Peninsula and it is one of the largest economies in the world. A lot of other countries depend on South Korea, particularly for electronics, and war-related devastation in the country could end up disrupting the entire manufacturing supply chain in Asia.

09.41 South Korea had already deployed two launchers of the US anti-missile Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system couple of days ago. Amid rising tensions, it decided to install the four remaining launchers of the THAAD system on a former golf course earlier today.

09.38 South Korea has reportedly deployed anti-missile systems across the country. Protestors in a South Korean village clashed with thousands of policemen today as components of a controversial system to guard against North Korean missiles were deployed.

09.23 In a statement issued yesterday, President Trump said that the US would no longer tolerate North Korea's actions, but that using military force would not be his first choice. The President's comments were perceived to be in line with the classified briefings to Congress made by Trumps top national security advisors - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence.

09.01 In fact, in a conversation over the phone before meeting with him, Moon asked Putin to ban North Korean workers, who are one of the rogue nation's biggest sources of foreign currency. But Putin maintained that diplomacy, and not stronger sanctions, is what is necessary to solve the North Korean problem.

08.57 South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have repeated their calls for stronger sanctions on North Korea, including cutting the country's oil supply, after a meeting in Russia today. Both Moon and Abe are in Russia to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the North Korean issue. After meeting with Moon yesterday, Putin refused to go through with stronger sanctions as he believed it was not the answer to the problem. Abe is scheduled to meet Putin later today.

08.20 US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin has said that he has an executive order prepared that will authorise him to stop trade with and impose sanctions on any country that trades with North Korea, adding that it was ready to go to the president. "The president will consider that at the appropriate time once he gives the UN time to act," Mnuchin told reporters.

08.12 "I feel like we still have two different polices on North Korea: one at the Department of State and Department of Defense, and another on the President's Twitter feed," Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, said in a press briefing.

08.02 US President Donald Trump's top national security advisers detailed the Trump administration's strategy for dealing with North Korea in back-to-back classified briefings on Capitol Hill in Washington DC yesterday. Although everyone seemed to agree that the security team's plan was a sensible one, given there has never been a good solution for the problem and that the problem had been troubling the US for decades now, the Democrats in the House believed that this plan was at odds with whatever President Trump has been saying through his Twitter handle.

07.55 Former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman, who is famous for his friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has said that he wants to try patching things up between Kim and Us President Donald Trump. Referring to his friendship with the North Korean dictator, Rodman said that he hangs out with him all the time. "We laugh, we sing karaoke, we do a lot of cool things together. We ride horses, we hang out, we go skiing, we hardly ever talk politics and thats the good thing.I just want to try to straighten things out for everyone to get along together," he said.

07.44 What happened overnight?

The US has proposed a series of new sanctions to be imposed on North Korea that includes an oil supply cut and freezing Kim Jong-un's assets. The draft proposal also includes banning textile imports from North Korea by other countries and banning Kim Jong-un from traveling internationally. It is still unclear whether this proposal has the backing of either China or Russia as both of them had expressed their concerns about imposing such sanctions on North Korea.

Bohai

China shot down incoming missiles on Tuesday early morning during a military exercise held over the waters that separate it from the Korean peninsula, reports South China Morning Post.The drill, which began at midnight and came just two days after Pyongyang conducted its latest nuclear test, challenged a ground unit, under Chinas air force, to shoot down simulated low flying missiles in the skies overBay, the report quoted the official military news website 81.cn.The missiles used in the sudden attack were shot down at the first attempt by the Peoples Liberation Armys missile force, the report said, without elaborating.

The exercise was the third in the bay area  the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea between China and North Korea  since late July.

20:00 Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell said Wednesday the US can't expect China to help with North Korea's nuclear weapons threat.

Mitchell, a key mediator in the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement in Northern Ireland, said the problem with the US and China teaming up is the latter's "long-term interests are the exact opposite of ours."

"In the short-term, we both want stability. We wish this guy would calm down," Mitchell told CNBC US in an interview," referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "But in the long term, we want a unified Korea and a democratic regime. And that's the last thing that China wants."

18:30 Here's a look at the nations that would be in the range of North Korean missiles

17:30 US cooperation may be needed to evacuate Japanese nationals from South Korea in the event of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Minister Taro Kono has said, reported The Japan Times.

In principle, Japanese nationals should leave by commercial aircraft or by other means, but US help will become necessary if airports and seaports are closed, Kono told a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Upper House on Tuesday.

Kono also said that the Japan-US defense guidelines stipulate cooperation in activities to evacuate noncombatants from a third country.

The remarks were made in reply to questions from Upper House lawmaker Antonio Inoki.

17:00 The government on Wednesday upgraded its estimated size of North Koreas latest nuclear test to a yield of around 160 kilotons  more than 10 times the size of the Hiroshima bomb  as a leading member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said the country should debate the deploying of US atomic weapons on Japanese soil, reports The Japan Times.

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera called Sundays nuclear test vastly greater than previous North Korean nuclear tests.

(North Korea) is evolving not just their ballistic missiles but also their nuclear technology, he added.

16.08 North Korea's primary foe is the United States, which commands the largest naval fleet and airforce in the world, and the third largest ground army. The US naval fleet consists of 11 aircraft carriers, with a combined tonnage of over 1.2 million tonnes. These carriers are the largest in the world and act as mini-navies by themselves, carrying over 80 aircraft at a time and packing lots of firepower. In addition to this, the US also has enough number of military aircraft to almost equal the rest of the world's put together.

16.00 China, of course, commands the largest army in the region, with a ground force of over 1.6 million personnel. In addition to this, China has three naval fleets  the North Sea Fleet, which has around 50 ships, the East Sea Fleet, which has around 60 ships, and the South Sea Fleet, which has around 82 ships, including the large aircraft carrier Liaoning, which carries 40 aircraft. The Chinese airforce is also one of the strongest in the world, consisting of over 1,300 fighter aircraft, and 11 airborne early warning planes.

15.43 Another major power in the region is Japan, which has an army of around 150,000 active personnel and a naval fleet of 124 ships, including 4 helicopter carriers, 26 destroyers, 10 frigates, and 18 attack submarines. In addition to this, the Japanese Airforce operates 373 fighter aircraft.

15.37 The South Korean army, which is also one of the largest in the world, has 625,000 active personnel serving in its armed forces, with around 425,000 of them being in the army. As of 2016, it also had around 70,000 active navy personnel and a fleet of around 170 commissioned ships, including 10 submarines and 10 amphibious warfare ships.

15.32 With all the talk about a possible outbreak of war in the Korean Peninsula, everyone has been wondering which countries will be involved in the war and how well are those countries armed. Well, as of 2012, the North Korean army had 1.1 million actively serving personnel, making it the fourth largest active army in the world. It has also worked hard over the last few years to increase its stockpile of weapons and according to a Pentagon estimate, currently has over 60 intercontinental ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear warheads.

15.23 Amid talks of a rapid escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula, China has now become the latest in a list of countries that have tested their own missile defence systems. A unit of the Chinese Airforce on Tuesday shot down missiles from a "surprise attack" in a drill conducted over the waters near North Korea.

15.01 When asked by South Korea's President Moon Jae-in to support the decision of cutting off oil supply to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to so. "I am concerned cutting off oil supplies to North Korea may cause damage to people in hospitals or other ordinary citizens," Putin said.

14.07 Vladimir Putin also said that the North Korea situation may be "impossible" to resolve. It is too dangerous to assume that North Korea is bluffing about its missile being able to reach US mainland, as recent studies of the test conducted and the shots fired have revealed that the claims may be legit.

13.46 However, in the joint press conference with South Korea's Moon Jae-in, the Russian President did acknowledge that North Korea possessing nuclear weapons was simply not acceptable. This comes a day after Putin said that North Korea would rather "eat grass" than give up its nuclear weapons.

13.42 Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for talks with North Korea, saying sanctions are not a solution to North Korea developing their nuclear firepower. The President was speaking after the meeting with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in, who had earlier urged Putin to support stronger sanctions against North Korea.

13.36 Talking to The Washington Post, Narang, along with Joel Wit and John Delury, gave suggestions about how to best handle the conflict with North Korea in an effective manner. Interestingly, none of their suggestions involved use of military means. Read it here.

13.31 According to Vipin Narang, a nuclear strategy and nonproliferation expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, bringing the North Korea situation under control does not really need US to fire even one shot. To get Kim Jong-un to do what US wants him to do will require two things Narang believes are now lacking: a coherent and unified message to Pyongyang from President Donald Trumps administration, and strong, believable reassurances to Americas regional allies.

12.46 Amid all the confusion about North Korea and the latest developments from the Korean Peninsula, perhaps the biggest question asked over the last three days is "What does Kim Jong-un want?". In an article published in July, The Washington Post talked about the North Korean dictator's agenda and how understanding it would give us some clues about his nuclear strategy. Read it here.

12.13 Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop has said that Australia is prioritising diplomatic and economic solutions over military alternatives when it comes to North Korea. "Sanctions will bite, and bite hard," she said.

12.07 In the bilateral talks held in Vladivostok, South Korean President Moon Jae-in has reportedly asked Vladimir Putin's help to "tame" North Korea. "The global political situation has become very serious due to North Koreas repeated provocations," Moon told Putin.

12.01 According to studies conducted by Chinese experts, the mountain where North Korea likely conducted its five most recent nuclear bomb tests could be at risk of collapse, potentially releasing radiation into the atmosphere. They believe the most recent tests were carried out under a mountain at North Korea's Punggye-ri test site, with a margin of error of around 100 metres.

11.55 South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said that he is open to all forms of talk with Kim Jong-un to resolve the ongoing tensions in the region, but stressed that this is not the time for dialogue.

11.37 In an article published by Abu Dhabi-based think tank TRENDS Research & Advisory on August 31 titled "North Korea and a Return of 'Balance of Terror'", Scott Englund speaks about how after a long gap, there is now a new balance of terror where two adversaries are capable of attacking one anothers cities with the most powerful weapons ever built. Read it here.

11.31 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is also planning to visit Vladivostok to talk to both Putin and Moon about North Korea. In an interaction with reporters in Tokyo, Abe said that North Korea must understand that it has "no bright future" if it continues doing what it is doing.

11.25 "If we fail to stop North Korea's provocations now, it could sink into an uncontrollable situation," Moon said in his opening remarks in Vladivostok. On his part, Putin said that he welcomed the opportunity to discuss North Korea with Moon.

11.23 South Korea's President Moon Jae-in has requested for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss how to prevent the North Korean situation from getting out of hand. Moon is currently in Vladivostok, Russia, for the Eastern Economic Forum that starts today.

11.06 US President Donald Trump has said that he will be speaking to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the security challenges being posed by North Korea. This would be the first interaction between the two leaders since North Korea successfully test-fired its largest-ever nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile on Sunday.

10.48 This piece, published by Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institue of International Studies on August 16, speaks about what could be done to deal with North Korea within the boundaries of diplomacy. Read it here.

10.42 Robert Kelly, Associate Professor of International Relations at Pusan National University in South Korea, has said that the possibility of the situation in the Korean Peninsula escalating to war is remote. "No Korea analyst of any stature has argued for war. I dont know one person in the Korea analyst community who thinks war is likely. Nor do I know anyone serious who has advocated air strikes or other kinetic options, Kelly wrote in his commentary on the issue on Wednesday.

10.35 There is also increased concern that although North Korea may or may not be able to reach the US mainland with its ICBMs, it would be able to reach mainland Europe. The French defence minister on Tuesday warned that North Korea may be able to develop missiles that could reach Europe sooner than expected, and acknowledged that the possibility of the situation escalating to full-fledged conflict cannot be ruled out.

10.29 After North Korea's comments on Tuesday in the UN about having "gift packages" ready for the United States, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that Russia would not be able to rush into the decision of imposing new sanctions on the rogue nation. As the situation is developing, there is more and more doubt that US would not be able to get the UN Security Council's go ahead for imposing new sanctions on North Korea, given that both China and Russia are also members of the Security Council.

09.59 Media reports from Tuesday said that the Pentagon estimated North korea to have upwards of 60 nuclear bombs that could be mounted on intercontinental ballistic missiles.

09.54 The North Korean media has also warned that the country could kill millions of Americans without ever firing a nuke at them by simply hitting the US with an electromagnetic pulse onslaught. If the power grid of a large area in the US, particularly on or near the east coast, collapses, it could lead to scores of casualties in a short span of time.

09.48 The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory asking Singaporeans to avoid all travel to North Korea that isn't absolutely necessary, as Singapore does not have diplomatic representation in the rogue nation.

09.33 The North Korean media has criticized South Korea's move to expand the South Korean-Japanese military intelligence protection agreement.

"The said agreement, which the Park Geun Hye group of traitors concluded with Japan in November last year under the pressure and backstage manipulation of the U.S., aims at the bilateral exchange of information on surveillance and espionage on the northern half of the Republic under the pretext of coping with the "nuclear threat from the north" and contingency," North Korea's Consultative Council for National Reconciliation said in a statement.

07:36 Asian stocks are trading lower, tracking Wall Streets slide overnight. The dollar was on the defensive with tensions in the Korean Peninsula showing little signs of abating. Japan's Nikkei shed 0.55 percent while South Korea's KOSPI was down 0.2 percent, on track for its fifth straight day of losses.

07:30 Here's what happened overnight:

A top North Korean diplomat has warned that his country is ready to send "more gift packages" to the United States, according to Reuters.

"The recent self-defence measures by my country, DPRK, are a gift package addressed to none other than the US," Han told a disarmament conference, using the acronym for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the countrys formal name.

On Tuesday (yesterday), South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) had said that North Korea is believed to be moving an ICBM. It also said that the missile's projectile and how it was being transported was unclear.

21:17 "I am allowing Japan & South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States," tweets US President Donald Trump.

18:39 US stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Tuesday, as geopolitical concerns surrounding North Korea's relationship with the West amplified jitters in market trading.

17:51 Does the US have enough defence systems to take on a North Korean nuke? Yes, it does. This CNN story tells you about the arsenal at US' disposal.

17:09 The UN is considering tougher sanctions on North Koreabut that could actually help Pyongyang, reports CNBC.

17:01 The single mountain under which North Korea most likely conducted its five most recent nuclear bomb tests, including the latest and most powerful on Sunday, could be at risk of collapsing, a Chinese scientist said.

16:56 Angela Merkel has called for more sanctions over North Korea. In parliamentary address Tuesday, Merkel said she would meet with EU foreign ministers this weekend to discuss ramping up sanctions against the rogue state.

15:56 South Korea said on Tuesday an agreement with the US to scrap a weight limit on its warheads would help it respond to North Koreas nuclear and missile threat after it conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test two days ago, reports Reuters.

15:33

South Korean Defense Ministry handout: South Korean Vessels taking part in a naval drill off the east coast on September 4, 2017.

15:27 South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has said that North Korea is believed to be moving an ICBM. It said that the missile's projectile and how it was being transported was unclear.

14:42 British Conservative politician William Hague said that Kim Jong-un is probably a prisoner of his own dictatorship.

Born the third son of Kim Jong-il, he has always faced a choice of getting absolute power for himself or facing the dire consequences of not doing so, Hague wrote in the Telegraph, adding that were Kim to dismantle the brutal North Korean regime, or even relax his grip on power, he could easily be assassinated.

14:10 Russian President Putin also warned that the escalating North Korean crisis could cause a planetary catastrophe and huge loss of life.

13:53 Japan's parliamentary committee today condemned the nuclear test by North Korea and is demanding tougher UN sanctions on the rogue state. It also urged the Japanese government to take leadership in pushing for tougher punishment against Pyongyang.

South Korean Navy releases new image of live-fire drills in direct response to North Korean provocations. Tensions continue to escalate. pic.twitter.com/fC5OFBvK6p Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) September 5, 2017

DPRK's

"The world is stunned by news that theintermediate-and-long range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 crossed the sky over islands of Japan along the preset flight track and accurately hit the preset target waters in northern Pacific.

The U.S. and Japan, the sworn enemies of the Korean nation, are struck with horror in face of the mettle of the DPRK which took the toughest counteraction against the U.S. insensible war drills. In the meantime, the Korean people feel relieved, their towering grudge settled," KCNA had reported on Monday.

13:17 Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that new sanctions imposed on North Korea would be "useless" and "ineffective", adding that imposing tougher sanctions on the regime of Kim Jong Un over its nuclear missile programme would not change the leadership in Pyongyang, but could lead to large-scale human suffering.

13:12 In an article published in KCNA, the state-owned news agency in North Korea, Kim Myong Gil, an officer of the Korean People's Army, said:

"Another thrilling nuclear thunder of Songun Korea is heavy punishment and sledgehammer blows to the US imperialists who are bringing the worst touch-and-go situation on the Korean peninsula while being carried away by ill-advised bravery.

Neglecting the strategic position of our country as a Juche-oriented nuclear power and a military power, they are bent on brigandish sanctions and stifling manoeuvres and hysteric war exercises. Todays triumph deals another heavy blow to them, but fills us service personnel with the inexhaustible might and courage."

13:01



Children in North Korea's northern border region get a ride home from school. Nuke test site is the very next province. #InsideNorthKorea pic.twitter.com/Uu6gKPvYRy  Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) September 5, 2017



12:58 pm The South Korean Defence Minister has said that he is "willing to review" the plan for redeployment of tactical US nuclear weapons to Korea for first time in 26 years.

12:53 pm Talking at the BRICS Summit being held in China, Russian President Vladimir Putin compared North Korea to Iraq under Saddam Hussein. "We must not forget and North Korean should not forget what happened in Iraq," Putin said.

12:20 pm The situation in the Korean Peninsula is very precarious at the moment. The United States is putting all its weight behind the sanctions imposed on North Korea, asking other member nations of the United Nations Security Council to stop supplying oil to the rogue state. Here's how the North Korean chessboard is currently placed.

10:39 am According to various media reports, North Korea may launch ICBM tonight or tomorrow.

10.35 am Dollar index trading close to 0.2 percent down at 92.48 amid a cautious mood prevailing among market participants due to tensions in the Korean Peninsula.

9.41 am Media reports said that North Korea has been spotted moving what appears to be an intercontinental ballistic missile towards its west coast.

9.01 am Speaking to the United Nations on Monday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that North Korea was begging for war. "Enough is enough," Haley said. "We have taken an incremental approach, and despite the best of intentions, it has not worked...War is never something the Unites States wants -- we don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory."

8.55 am The South Korean navy conducted major live fire drills today to warn North Korea against any provocation at sea. The drills were conducted in the Sea of Japan and involved the 2,500-tonne frigate Gangwon, a 1,000-tonne patrol ship and 400-tonne guided-missile vessels, among others, the navy said in a statement.

8.18 am From the United States' point of view, a military response would be the least preferable option for a lot of reasons. Firstly, given that US intelligence about the locations of Kim Jong-un's nuclear sites is limited and that mountains occupy 79.5 percent of North Korea's territory, it would be very difficult to carry out a pre-emptive attack. Secondly, going by analyst estimates, it would take the US weeks, if not months, to get enough troops, equipment and fighter aircraft in the region.

8.09 am In a phone call on Monday evening with South Koreas president Moon Jae-in, US President Donald Trump agreed to let the country build more non-nuclear ballistic missiles, something that South Korea has been seeking for many years. However, this might be too little too late as even if the South manages to build more missiles in time, it is unlikely to alter the strategic balance in the Korean Peninsula in a significant way.

7.59 am Also, China's trade with North Korea has steadily increased over the last one year or so and if it falls, South Korea is the one likely to take over. China will certainly not be overly comfortable with the idea of sharing a border with a US ally.

7.55 am It is unclear whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will go through with the decision to cut off oil supply to North Korea. China is North Korea's largest trading partner, accounting for around 90 percent of all trade carried out by the rogue state and all of the energy supply.

7.35 am In a last ditch effort to avoid using military means to resolve the ongoing tensions with North Korea, the US has urged other countries of the United Nations Security Council to cut off oil supply to the rogue state.

5.10 pm The problem with putting to use any one of the military options at the disposal of the US is that North Korea has, and always had, a lot of non-nuclear artillery within the range of the South Korean capital Seoul and its surrounding areas, which together house around 25 million people. Tens of thousands, if not more, would likely die if any military action is initiated.

5.07 pm Analysts have come out and expressed their doubts about whether the US really has any military options against North Korea that could actually be used. "We always have military options, but they're very ugly," said Mark Hertling, a retired US Army general, in an interactin with CNN.

4.57 pm Reports also quoted South Korea as saying that North Korea has completed preparations for a seventh nuclear test and is ready for launch.

4.18 pm Associated Press has reported that China has warned North Korea against proceeding with its reported plans to launch another ballistic missile, saying it should not worsen tensions.

4.15 pm According to media reports, Switzerland says it's prepared to mediate between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un.

3.30 pm Ever since US Secretary of Defence James Mattis warned of a massive miltary response by the US, safe haven assets like bonds and gold have risen across the globe.

3.08 pm Amidst the growing tension in the Korean Peninsula, the dollar index has fallen by more than 0.3 percent today. It is currently trading at 92.52.

1.49 pm Media reports say that China has called President Donald Trump's trade threat over North Korea "unacceptable" and "unfair."

1.46 pm Associated Press has reported, quoting South Korean government officials, that the US military will soon install additional missile-defense launchers at the site in southeastern South Korea in order to counter North Koreas provocations.

RAW VIDEO: South Korea simulates attack on Norths nuclear site. https://t.co/DeIVSp5LdB The Associated Press (@AP) September 4, 2017

1.39 pm Other media reports suggest that South Korea is in the process of deploying four Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems in response to the likely North Korean ICBM launch.

1.36 pm AFP has reported quoting Chinese foreign ministry officials that China has made a diplomatic protest to North Korea over its nuclear test.

News has just broken that North Korea may be close to launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). South Korean agency Yonhap reported the country's officials as saying they have detected missile launch activity in North Korea, which could be linked to an ICBM launch. We're tracking live updates.
Joseph Jimenez

Novartis Chief Executive Joseph Jimenez will retire in 2018, with chief drug developer Vasant Narasimhan taking over as CEO starting in February, the Swiss drugmaker said on Monday.

Jimenez is stepping down following a decade at Novartis after having successfully secured U.S. approval for a new gene therapy for leukemia last week but before Novartis returned to sales growth, which the company has forecast will resume in 2018.

"After 10 wonderful years in Switzerland, my family is ready to return to Silicon Valley and the United States," said Jimenez, a Stanford University graduate.

Jimenez arrived in 2007 to lead Novartis's consumer health division and rose to CEO in 2010.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at BRICS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first substantive bilateral meeting tomorrow after the Dokalam standoff, which had put ties between the two countries under strain.

According to external affairs ministry officials, Modi will meet Xi at 12.30 pm (10 am IST), the prime minister's last official engagement before flying off to Myanmar on a bilateral visit.

Modi had arrived here on Sunday and attended the BRICS Summit on Monday.

During the meeting, which is taking place amids efforts from the two sides to leave the bitterness caused by the 73- day face-off between their troops in Dokalam in the Sikkim sector, sources said the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to create confidence building measures.

However, they refused to divulge details about the issues to be discussed.

The sense is that both countries want to "move on" after the standoff.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army.

On August 28, India's External Affairs Ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area.

Asked if there was any link between the BRICS declaration which for the first time named Pakistan-based terror groups for their violent activities and resolution of the Dokalam standoff, Secretary (East) in the MEA Preeti Saran answered in the negative, saying BRICS is a multilateral forum where outcomes are based on consensus.

"It cannot be linked," she added.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media in Beijing that "details of the meeting we will release in due course."

Apart from Xi, Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, which is among the five counties  Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan  invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.
The BRICS today sought decisive action against Pakistan-based terror outfits like the LeT and the JeM as well as the Taliban, ISIS and al-Qaeda, as it asked all states to prevent terror activities from their soil and curb terror financing.

In the Xiamen Declaration issued at the end of the BRICS Summit's plenary session, the influential grouping -- comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- called upon the international community to establish a "genuinely broad" international counter-terrorism coalition.

It reaffirmed that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and sought expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN.

Secretary East in the External Affairs Ministry Preeti Saran said all BRICS leaders, speaking at the summit, voiced serious concerns over terrorism.

At a restricted session of the BRICS leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also articulated India's position on the issue and offered to host a conference on de- radicalisation.

Talking about India's position on terrorism, Saran told reporters at a briefing here that, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

The BRICS declaration said the grouping deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

It stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also called upon all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

"We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard," it said.

The grouping also stressed on the need for increasing the effectiveness of the UN counter-terrorism framework, including in the areas of cooperation and coordination among the relevant UN entities, designation of terrorists and terrorist groups.

"We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism," said the declaration.

The challenges identified by it included containing supply of weapons, drug trafficking and dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the internet including social media by terrorist entities.

"We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing," it said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the test of a new-type anti-aircraft guided weapon system organised by the Academy of National Defence Science. Photo: Reuters

The UN Security Council on Monday opened an emergency meeting to agree on a response to North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test as calls mounted for a new raft of tough sanctions to be imposed on Pyongyang.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting after North Korea on Sunday detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.
September 04, 2017

The Rohingya Of Myanmar - Pawns In An Anglo-Chinese Proxy War Fought By Saudi Jihadists

[Update Sept 7 - The post below received some criticism which, in my view, missed its major points. See here for a reply. - b]

Media attention is directed to some minor ethnic violence in Myanmar, the former Burma. The story in the "western" press is of Muslim Rohingya unfairly vilified, chased out and killed by Buddhist mobs and the army in the state of Rakhine near the border to Bangladesh. The "liberal human interventionists" like Human Rights Watch are united with Islamists like Turkey's President Erdogan in loudly lamenting the plight of the Rohingya.

That curious alliance also occurred during the wars on Libya and Syria. It is by now a warning sign. Could there be more behind this than some local conflict in Myanmar? Is someone stocking a fire?

Indeed.

While the ethnic conflict in Rankine state is very old, it has over the last years morphed into an Jihadist guerilla war financed and led from Saudi Arabia. The area is of geo-strategic interest:

Rakhine plays an important part in [the Chinese One Belt One Road Initiative] OBOR, as it is an exit to Indian Ocean and the location of planned billion-dollar Chinese projectsa planned economic zone on Ramree Island, and the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port, which has oil and natural gas pipelines linked with Yunnan Provinces Kunming.

Pipelines from the western coast of Myanmar eastwards to China allow hydrocarbon imports from the Persian Gulf to China while avoiding the bottleneck of the Strait of Malacca and disputed parts of the South China Sea.



via Geostrategic Media - bigger

It is in "Western interest" to hinder China's projects in Myanmar. Inciting Jihad in Rakhine could help to achieve that. There is historic precedence for such a Rohingya - Bamar proxy war in Burma. During World War II British imperial forces incited the Rohingya Muslim in Rakhine to fight the Bamar, the dominant Burmese nationalist Buddhists allied with Japanese imperialists.



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The Rohingya immigrated to the northern parts of Arakan, today's Rakhine state of Myanmar, since the 16th century. A large wave came under British imperial occupation some hundred years ago. Illegal immigration from Bangladesh continued over the last decades. In total about 1.1 million of Muslim Rohingya live in Myanmar. The birthrate of the Rohingya is said to be higher than that of the local Arakanese Buddhists. These feel under pressure in their own land.

While these populations are mixed in some towns there are many hamlets that belong 100% to either one. There is generally little integration of Rohingya within Myanmar. Most are officially not accepted as citizens. Over the centuries and the last decades there have been several violent episodes between the immigrants and the local people. The last Muslim-Buddhist conflict raged in 2012.

Since then a clearly Islamist insurgency was build up in the area. It acts under the name Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and is led by Ataullah abu Ammar Junjuni, a Jihadist from Pakistan. (ARSA earlier operated under the name Harakah al-Yakin, or Faith Movement.) Ataullah was born into the large Rohingya community of Karachi, Pakistan. He grew up and was educated in Saudi Arabia. He received military training in Pakistan and worked as Wahhabi Imam in Saudi Arabia before he came to Myanmar. He has since brainwashed, hired and trained a local guerrilla army of some 1,000 Takfiris.

According to a 2015 report in the Pakistani newspaper Dawn there are more than 500,000 Rohingya in Karachi. They came from Bangladesh during the 1970s and 1980s on the behest on General Ziaul Haqs military regime and the CIA to fight the Soviets and the government of Afghanistan:

Rohingya community [in Karachi] is more inclined towards religion and they send their children to madressahs. It is a major reason that many religious parties, especially the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the JI and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, have their organisational set-up in Burmese neighborhoods.

...

A number of Rohingya members living in Arakan Abad have lost their relatives in recent attacks by Buddhist mobs in June 2012 in Myanmar, said Mohammad Fazil, a local JI activist. Rohingyas in Karachi regularly collect donations, Zakat and hides of sacrificial animals and send these to Myanmar and Bangladesh to support the displaced families.

Reuters noted in late 2016 that the Jihadist group is trained, led and financed through Pakistan and Saudi Arabia:

A group of Rohingya Muslims that attacked Myanmar border guards in October is headed by people with links to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the International Crisis Group (ICG) said on Thursday, citing members of the group.

...

Though not confirmed, there are indications [Ataullah] went to Pakistan and possibly elsewhere, and that he received practical training in modern guerrilla warfare, the group said. It noted that Ata Ullah was one of 20 Rohingya from Saudi Arabia leading the groups operations in Rakhine State. Separately, a committee of 20 senior Rohingya emigres oversees the group, which has headquarters in Mecca, the ICG said.

The ARSA Jihadists claim to only attack government forces but civilian Arakanese Buddhists have also been ambushed and massacred. Buddhist hamlets were also burned down.

The government of Myanmar alleges that Ataullah and his group want to declare an independent Islamic State. In October 2016 his group started to attack police and other government forces in the area. On August 25 this year his group attacked 30 police stations and military outposts and killed some 12 policemen. The army and police responded, as is usual in this conflict, by burning down Rohingya townships suspected of hiding guerilla forces.

To escape the growing violence many local Arakanese Buddhist flee their towns towards the capitol of Rankine. Local Rohingya Muslim flee across the border to Bangladesh. Only the later refugees seem to get international attention.

The Myanmar army has ruled the country for decades. Under economic pressure it nominally opened up to the "west" and instituted "democracy". The darling of the "west" in Myanmar is Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Her party won the elections and she has a dominant role in the government. But Aung San Suu Kyi is foremost a nationalist and the real power is still held by the generals.

While Aung San Suu Kyi was propped up as democratic icon she has little personal merit except being the daughter of Thakin Aung San, a famous leader of the Burma Independence Army (BIA) and the "father of the nation". In the 1940s Thakin Aung San was recruited by the Imperial Japanese Army to wage a guerrilla war against the colonial British army and the British supply line to anti-Japanese forces in China:

The young Aung San learned to wear Japanese traditional clothing, speak the language, and even took a Japanese name. In historian Thant Myint-Us The River of Lost Footsteps, he describes him as apparently getting swept away in all the fascist euphoria surrounding him, but notes that his commitment remained to independence for Myanmar.

The ethnic strife in Rakhine also played a role in the British-Japanese conflict over Burma:

In April 1942, Japanese troops advanced into Rakhine State and reached Maungdaw Township, near the border with what was then British India, and is now Bangladesh. As the British retreated to India, Rakhine became a front line. Local Arakanese Buddhists collaborated with the BIA and Japanese forces but the British recruited area Muslims to counter the Japanese. Both armies, British and Japanese, exploited the frictions and animosity in the local population to further their own military aims, wrote scholar Moshe Yegar

When the British won against the Japanese Thakin Aung San change sides and negotiated the end of British imperial rule over Burma. He was assassinated in 1947 with the help of British officers. Since then Burma, later renamed to Myanmar, was ruled by ever competing factions of the military.

Thakin Aung San's daughter Aung San Suu Kyi received a British education and was build up for a role in Myanmar. In the 1980s and 90s she quarreled with the military government. She was given a Nobel Peace Price and was promoted as progressive defender of human rights by the "western" literati. But she, and the National League for Democracy (NLD). she leads, were always the opposite - ultra-right fascists in Buddhist Saffron robes. The hypocrites are now disappointed that she does not speak out in favor of the Rohingya. But doing so would put her on the opposite side her father had famously fought for. It would also put her in opposition to most of the people in Myanmar who have little sympathy for the Rohingya and their Jihadi fight. In general many of the 50 million people of the larger Myanmar fear overwhelming immigration from the 160 million Bengalis of the smaller, flood prone and overpopulated Bangladesh.

Moreover - the Chinese OBOR projects are a huge bon for Myanmar and will help with its economic development. The Saudis and Pakistani send guerilla commanders and money to incite the Rohingya to Jihad in Myanmar. This is a historic repeat of the CIA operation against Soviet influence in Afghanistan. But unlike in Afghanistan the people of Myanmar are not Muslim. They will surely fight against, not join, any Jihad in their country. The Rohingya are now pawns in the great game and will suffer from it.

Posted by b on September 4, 2017 at 19:08 UTC | Permalink

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Facing North Korea, Washington and Seoul must avoid war with each other

At approximately 12:29 p.m. Sunday in Punggye-ri, North Korea, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake was detected - it reportedly marked the country's sixth nuclear test and by far its largest yet. More detailed analysis will follow in the days ahead, including whether the North's claim of having successfully detonated a hydrogen warhead is credible. In the meantime, this is hardly the moment to show daylight between Seoul and Washington - as President Donald Trump appears to be doing.

Before Sunday's test, news reports spoke of Trump's impending decision to withdraw from the U.S.-South Korea free-trade agreement (KORUS). Such a move is unjustified in the first place. But after Pyongyang's most threatening nuclear test so far, withdrawing from KORUS would send the worst possible signal to North Korea and China. If the White House proceeds to drop KORUS even after the test, it will severely damage one of America's staunchest and important allies in Asia by throwing the U.S.-South Korea alliance to the wolves.

Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in ought to respond to the regime of Kim Jong Un jointly and without any ambiguity. For Trump, the temptation to hint about a preventive strike against North Korea will surely grow. Some members of Congress may advocate for a such a blow to end North Korea's nuclear threat once and for all. But a preventive strike is the worst possible option for South Korea.

Any preventive strike on North Korean nuclear sites will result in North Korean attacks on U.S. bases in South Korea, as well as on civilian targets. Even if a small-yield nuclear weapon were dropped in Seoul, hundreds of thousands would die, and millions would suffer from radiation poisoning. South Korea as we know it - the world's 12th-largest economy, the sixth-largest trading power and Asia's most vibrant democracy - would cease to exist.

Trump has every right to protect the welfare and safety of American citizens. But so, too, does Moon for 50 million South Koreans, as well as the hundreds of thousands of Americans and foreigners living in the country. Moon is entitled to disagree with the White House on a preventive attack. Real-time and verifiable intelligence is always in short supply when it comes to North Korea, and Trump must be prepared for a full-fledged war if he decides on a U.S. first strike.

For his part, Moon must end all engagement with North Korea. His proposal to jump-start inter-Korean dialogue has been rebuffed by Kim. Moon wants to reopen the shared Kaesong Industrial Complex and resume tourist trips if South-North relations improve. But a North Korea that has hydrogen bombs is not a partner. Moon must put his foot down on advisers who advocate extensive engagement with the North, provision of massive humanitarian assistance or the toning down of U.S.-South Korea military exercises. No one is against dialogue, but the Moon administration's one-sided love affair with Pyongyang must end.

For now, the two allies and Japan must sing from the same page. This means going through with the rest of the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) missile-defense deployments in South Korea and accelerating deterrence and defense assets. Many in Seoul have talked about the reintroduction of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons into South Korea. That's one option. South Korea's offensive capabilities against North Korea can no longer be stymied by tacit pressures from Washington. That doesn't mean South Korea should pursue its own nuclear deterrent as Britain, France and Israel have done. But South Korea cannot rely solely on U.S. deterrence; it has to accelerate the development and deployment of its own offensive weapons that can hit all North Korean targets.

If there's a need to tamper with KORUS, the goal should be renegotiation, not unilateral U.S. abrogation. It's true that United States has a $28 billion trade deficit in goods and services with South Korea, mostly in automobiles and electronics. But imports of American cars have risen since KORUS was signed - and the U.S. service surplus of $6.9 billion in 2011 rose to $10.7 billion in 2016. In 2016, South Korea imported $591 million in arms from the United States, or nearly 38 percent of its total arms imports. South Korea also provides $831 million for defense cost-sharing and assumed $767 million of the cost of building a U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek - the largest in Asia.

If Washington wants a trade war with South Korea, it will get one. The newly appointed minister of trade, Kim Hyun-jong, negotiated KORUS, and no one should doubt his brains or brawn. But a fight between the allies only benefits North Korea and China. As Sun Tzu reminds us in "The Art of War," many a campaign has been ruined through lack of cooperation, especially in the case of allied armies.

This is no time for a dispute between Seoul and Washington. No ally has been as loyal as South Korea. For Washington, now is not the time to begin a trade war with Seoul. And for Seoul, now is not the time for flaky assumptions about North Korea. We need a united front; there is no other option.

---

Chung Min Lee is a professor of International Relations at the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul. He is nonresident senior associate in Carnegie's Asia Program working on on security issues in Northeast Asia.

nkorea-comment

Washington Post News Service (DC)

9/4/2017 8:05:25 AM Central Daylight Time
Ever find it hard to find the right kind of movie to watch? This could fix that
Marilyn Gordon dedicated her life to education, and family and friends are continuing her legacy with a special event.

Gordon, a former Grace Ridge Retirement Community resident, died in February after a long battle with cancer. During her lifetime, she championed deaf education worldwide and worked in local public school and university systems.

Her husband, Dick Gordon, was faced with the challenge of figuring out what to do with Marilyns extensive wardrobe, including clothes, shoes, scarves, purses and jewelry. He consulted with some of her friends and came up with a way to honor her passion for education.

Dick and friends of Marilyns will hold a wardrobe sale on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ervin Community Room at Grace Ridge. The proceeds will support the Grace Ridge Education Fund. The fund loans money to eligible employees of Grace Ridge who are furthering their education. Employees have the loan forgiven based on the number of hours they work at the facility. For every hour worked, employees retire $2 of their loan.

Shoppers at the sale will make a donation to the fund based on the wardrobe items they choose. Sale organizers Patricia Lackey and Sally Dixon said there will be hundreds of items at the sale. Some of the items have never been worn. Certain higher-end clothing and accessories will be put into a silent auction for shoppers to bid on. Refreshments will be served.

Dixon, a teacher who is retired from the North Carolina School for the Deaf, met Marilyn there in the early 1970s as a fellow instructor. Marilyn was eventually appointed by former North Carolina Gov. Jim Holshouser to serve on the states Education Board for the Schools for the Deaf, according to her obituary.

You talk about a life of service, Dixon said. Everything she did was for the betterment of people. She truly thought outside the box with deaf education. Its a historical fact that she brought the education of deaf students to a new level.

Marilyn was a professional grant writer who won many grants for noteworthy education projects over the years. Her obituary said she worked as a grant writer for the Office of Development at Appalachian State University and at NCSD. Dick said she wrote more than $50 million worth of grants during her career.

He shared his memories of Marilyn facilitating an articulation agreement between NCSD and Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

When Marilyn had a class of about six or seven good students, she applied to Gallaudet, but they couldnt accept students from NCSD because they were too young, Dick said. Their average age of entrance was 22-25. So she got on a plane, flew to Washington, and worked her way up to the director. She said, If you send one of your investigators to our campus, Ill pay for it out of my own pocket, which she did. He flew down, and about a week later, the superintendent of NCSD called her in and said, I heard from Gallaudet. (He said) our students tested higher than any students theyve ever had.

He said she also revamped the day-care system for Burke County Public Schools. The set of 22 day care centers operated independently and supported themselves under her leadership and became a model for day care systems across the state.

Marilyn was heavily involved in the community as well as in education. Other positions and accomplishments highlighted in her obituary include:

 Founder of the first Community Schools Program in NC

 Teacher of the Year, Morganton High School, 1968

 Assistant superintendent, Yadkin County Schools

 Public information officer, Burke County Public Schools

 Associate director of development for the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia

 Founder and first director of Options

 Outstanding Young Woman in America, 1978

 Former public relations chair of the Burke County United Way

 Former board member of the Life Enrichment Center and the Flynn Home

 Professional church organist

 Licensed pilot

Shes the only person I know who has received state recognition for separate areas, Dick said.

Lackey met Marilyn through her custom alterations shop, Patterns. She said when she was looking into homeschooling her son, Marilyn provided vital information on homeschooling and supported her decision in the face of opposition from others.

I think she saw in people what people couldnt see in themselves, Lackey said.

Dixon said even in her retirement, Marilyn promoted deaf education by teaching American Sign Language to staff members at Grace Ridge so they could communicate more effectively with deaf residents.

Dick said he is pleased to see Marilyns memory and dedication to learning honored after her death through the sale.

Anything that would help education, she would be tickled with, he said.

For more information on the sale, contact Dick Gordon at 828-390-0114.

Tammie Gercken can be reached at tgercken@morganton.com.
CONNELLY SPRINGS  The Burke County Sheriffs Office has responded to a shooting on Deer Creek Drive off of Baptist Camp Road.

Nearby residents say the victim, who has not been identified, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital to be airlifted. The call came in around 11 a.m., according to scanner traffic.

Multiple deputies are on the scene with long guns drawn near a home. According to scanner traffic, the shooter is inside a home. Its unclear whether the shooter lives in the home he went into.

A nearby resident reported hearing yelling just prior to the shooting.

A News Herald reporter on the scene is being told to stand back.

The story will be updated as more information becomes available.
There was a 4.3% year-over-year drop in home sales in Illinois in July as the competitive market saw prices rise amid tight supply.



Sales by members of Illinois Realtors totaled 15,677 statewide while inventory dropped 12.6% from a year earlier to 60,541, The median price was up 5.8% to $210,000.



"For more than two years, Illinois' housing market has seen decreases in the number of homes for sale on an annual basis," said Illinois REALTORS President Doug Carpenter, ABR, AHWD, GRI, SFR of Mokena, managing broker of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group in Orland Hills. "This chronic lack of inventory is making the market challenging for all buyers, but particularly for those looking to purchase a more modestly-priced home."



Homes were also selling faster in July, at 47 days on market compared to 53 a year earlier.



"The concerns this month center on the continuing low inventory rates and the potential dampening of demand caused by real income growth failing to keep pace with rising house prices said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL) at the University of Illinois. Housing affordability is once again becoming a concern, especially for those seeking to enter the housing market.



In the city of Chicago, sales were down 5.7% to 2,621 with the median price up 3.8% to $301,000.
AUSTIN  Samurai swords. Hunting hogs from hot air balloons. Blocking marriages if the bride or groom is under 16. This is just a taste of the new Texas laws in effect Sept. 1.

Other laws make it a hate crime to harm a police officer, ban texting and driving and stiffen the penalties for online bulling.
There is a national call for union rights' on this Labor Day.

'Fight for $15' takes to the streets of Orlando on Labor Day

Workers gathered outside Sand Lake Road McDonald's Monday morning

Other protests took place in Tampa, New York, Seattle, Washington and Minneapolis

Workers in multiple cities in the U.S. took time away from their jobs Monday morning, including in Orlando, to protest workers' wages.

Not only do workers say they want their minimum wages raised to $15 an hour but they also want union rights as well.

A group of workers gathered outside the Sand Lake Road McDonald's Monday morning in Orlando. Protesters said that the rights are in order to fix economic and political systems in the U.S. that tend to benefit big corporations.

"It will help out a lot," said protester Jennifer Johnson of higher wages and union rights. "It will help out extremely, a lot with the health care, education. With the minimum wage going up, we'll be able to live a lot more comfortably."

Other protests took place in Tampa, New York, Seattle, Washington and Minneapolis.

In several California cities, as well as New York, Seattle, Washington and Minneapolis, $15 per hour has become a new labor standard.

Now the Fight for $15, as protesters are calling this movement, has found its way to Orlando. Local cooks and cashiers have gathered from McDonalds, Burger King and other fast food restaurants to express their unhappiness with the current economic climate.

Not only are fast food workers involved in this movement but hospital workers including nurses assistants and transporters have joined the movement.

Supporters said they are optimistic the added backing with help them gain momentum.
LUBBOCK -- The Libertarian Party of Texas Executive Committee will meet in Lubbock on Saturday, Sept. 9.

The committee will hold its quarterly executive committee meeting, to discuss party business, in Conference Room A in the Overton Hotel in conference Room A. The meeting is open to the public.

The committee will also be looking to see what Lubbock has to offer as a possible venue for the Texas Libertarian Party State Convention in 2020.

We brought our executive committee here to promote Lubbock for the to 2020 State Convention, explains Jordon Linnenkugel, secretary of the Lubbock County Libertarian Party. We know Lubbock has a lot offer and we believe Lubbock voters will be very be receptive to the Libertarians Partys message of personal freedom, personal responsibility and limited government.

In addition to the meeting, the Texas Tech Free Market Institute will have a lecture from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Monetary Issues and the Free Market. There is no charge to the public to attend the lecture. Limited seating is available.
At the end of a summer spent building community events and supporting the Durham/Middlefield Youth and Family Services, Coginchaug Regional High School graduates Sarah Collins and Garrett Puchalski were pleased with their experience and have left officials hoping to repeat the set up.



As the organizationss first interns from the high school, Collins and Puchalski supported events like Picnic in the Park and Yoga in the Park, researched drug and alcohol prevention, and conducted outreach for the organization, which is designed to promote drug-free living and healthy choices, especially among youth.



They were such a joy, said DMYFS Director Betsy Dean. We were happy to have them and we looked to them for opinions about what kids were thinking. They have a better view on what would resonate with kids. They were great.



The interns spent the summer mostly in the organizations office in the Middlefield Community Center.



I really, really enjoyed it, Puchalski said. It was nice being able to bounce ideas off each other.



The genesis for the internships started with Collins, whose enthusiasm in looking for summer work led Dean and Haley Shoop, the prevention coordinator for the DMYFS-affiliated Local Wellness Coalition, to examine the possibility of funding the idea.



I knew if there was one job I wanted to do it was helping out with the community, so I reached out to Haley, Collins said.



The most prominent activity supported by the interns was Picnic in the Park. Ultimately, two picnic events encouraged families to eat together and also brought the community together for education and fun.



Collins said it was a summer highlight.



Our success at Picnic in the Park was one of the best. Because we were all there and we all had our food and we got to see all the community members come with their bags, Puchalski said. Its nice to see how we as a team can work together to bring about a success for the community.



Its really satisfying to see the hard work pay off,Puchalski added.



Publicizing the event and lining up the support of businesses meant outreach. Puchalski said.



We got to meet a bunch of the owners of local businesses, which was really fun.



And its nice to see how much they care about the community, Collins added.



Collins admitted that approaching strangers was outside of her comfort zone, but once I did it I was glad I did.



The interns also created flyers and hope to leave next years EDGE group, the Local Wellness Coalitions youth group, with momentum and ideas, such as creating a safe after-prom event like Project Graduation.



Collins got involved in the DMYFS Youth Advisory Council and EDGE at CRHS. Puchalski started his junior year.



I wish I started earlier, he said.



Yoga in the Park, one of the last summer events, was a start to finish project for the interns.



I love yoga and I love the idea of yoga and meditation, Puchalski said, so he started looking for a yoga instructor for a free event. People dont notice that we have a fast paced environment even in a small town like this, so its nice to slow down and relax and meditate, he said.



Middlefield resident Nancy Ferraro led the free yoga event and said she would be excited to do more, saying that yoga changed her life. I found yoga as a refuge to strengthen my body and quiet my mind, said Ferraro. When we take the time to sink into our thoughts and emotions, and find some acceptance in that space, it is calming and restorative.



Once the school year starts, Puchalski will attend the University of New Hampshire this fall, majoring in environmental conservation and minoring in music. Collins will attend Springfield College and major in art therapy.



Dean said she hopes to continue with interns in the future.



They did phenomenal work, said Dean. They brightened our place, did whatever they were asked, and were creative on their own.






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When it comes to disasters, I've seen every variety. When it comes to charity rip-offs, sadly, I've seen too many.

In moments of crisis, people tend to let their guards down. They assume that all who say they want to help really mean it. Con artists and opportunistic aid groups know this, and they use it to their advantage.

Before I became a columnist, I spent 20 years covering wars and natural disasters for The Associated Press. From Rwandan refugee camps in Zaire, to Minnesota flooding in 1997, to an earthquake in India, to a volcano in Congo, to the tsunami in South Asia, I've seen plenty of death and destruction.

I've also witnessed remarkable heroism. And stupidity.

Aid groups have delivered high-heeled shoes to Sudanese refugee camps, sent tons of food where there was already plenty and supplied more Land Cruisers to a disaster zone than there were aid workers.

Men posing as preachers have conned the last pennies from the starving and literal fly-by-night aid groups have hung signs in disaster zones only long enough to take a fundraising photo before fleeing.

The most common problem, though, is the nonprofits that are more concerned with meeting payroll than offering assistance.

Sometimes even the biggest groups can lose their way, including the American Red Cross. Multiple investigations have cast doubt on the organization's fundraising and accounting practices without an adequate response from its CEO.

HURRICANE HARVEY: A closer look at Houston's biblical floods

National Public Radio and investigative reporting website ProPublica have documented irregular behavior in hurricane zones, such as driving empty trucks around to drum up free publicity.

Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern has so far refused to reveal how much of the money the organization collects is actually spent on disaster relief, and until she does, the group will be suspect.

Red Cross executive Brad Kieserman went on NPR to talk about Harvey relief efforts on Wednesday and refused to say how much of the millions of dollars the group has raised under Hurricane Harvey banners will actually end up helping victims.

"I am committed. My team is committed to using our resources and donor dollars in a way that best helps the people of Texas," was all Kieserman, vice president of disaster operations and logistics, would say. He added that he doesn't know details about fundraising.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Judiciary Committee, reported last year that the Red Cross received donations totaling $487 million to help Haiti and then spent $125 million, or about 25 percent, on itself. More than $360 million was given to partner organizations, many of which also took a substantial cut off the top for overhead before providing aid to the needy.

Just because an aid organization has an amazing marketing department doesn't mean it does the most good. The Red Cross gets only two out of four stars for financial performance from Charity Navigator, a nonprofit that evaluates Internal Revenue Service filings made by nonprofits.

My preference is to give to local groups that employ local people who have a vested interest in doing what's right by the community. The Greater Houston Community Foundation is a good option, among many others.

Then there are the rip-offs.

Last week I wrote about how victims can use crowdfunding sites to make it easier for friends and family to contribute to their recovery. After all, if someone you know needs a new car or to replace uninsured property, there is no more efficient way than to put money directly in their pocket.

Using a crowdfunding site to look for people in need, though, is a very bad idea. There are con artists setting up heart-melting profiles, complete with Bible verses, small children and puppies. If you don't have a long history with people, don't trust them.

WATCH OUT: How to avoid becoming a victim of insurance fraud

A special place, though, is reserved for those who victimize people a second time. And these scams can happen in person and via the internet.

The most detestable are those who promise to help you apply for thousands of dollars in assistance, if you pay them a fee. They usually claim the group they represent has lots of money, but they need to collect an application fee to discourage fraud. No reputable aid organization does this.

There are other con artists who claim to be federal disaster workers who are ready to help you fill out paper forms. They gather all of your personal information and then use it to steal your identity and the aid that you deserve. Always ask to see an ID.

Some scammers, meanwhile, will enlist Harvey victims as accomplices for insurance fraud. These folks exaggerate the damage done to your property for a cut of the extra-large payout. Get involved in a scam like this, and you can go to jail, too.

None of this should not deter people who want to help. The need is real, and insurance will only pay for so much. Just make sure you give wisely.
With only a few more hours to go in the Labor Day holiday weekend, state police are reporting that there was one traffic fatality on state roads as of 8 a.m. Monday.

Troopers say that in the period beginning Friday at 12:01 a.m. through Monday at a.m. there have been 765 drivers pulled over for speeding, 31 seat belt violations, 1,812 moving violations such as following too closely, and 36 arrests for driving under the influence.
Another 24 hours behind us and a whole of good things continue to happen.

First, the water levels have dropped significantly in the Bayou and in some neighborhoods. I have seen drops ranging between 6 and 18 inches. This has allowed us to open additional lanes on Voss. All lanes are now open. Special thanks to Bunker Hill Public Works employee (Gamma) who came in on Sunday and scrapped the 3 inches of sludge off the roads and power-washed the street. The good news is the bridges. Having the additional crossings is helping tremendously with keeping traffic moving. Yesterday, we again saw heavy traffic start to build shortly after 10 a.m. through about 8 p.m. Even though today is a holiday, I expect that traffic to be heavier as businesses that do not honor holidays will be open and clean-up workers will be working. Expect traffic to build starting at 9 a.m. and continue to be heavy throughout the afternoon as people return from the Holiday weekend. My guess is heavy traffic between 1 and 8 pm. Plan your day accordingly and avoid some headaches.

Yesterday, we also saw several accidents in the Villages, one a major accident with injuries that compounded the traffic congestion. Please drive safely and do not take anything for granted. In yesterday's accident another motorist waived cars through an intersection, not seeing an on-coming dumpster truck.

I am afraid to say that tomorrow will be a very heavy day for traffic as most of Houston will return to work, plus all of the continued road closures, first responders, security and construction and home rehabilitation workers. It will take 2 or 3 days for most people to figure out the best way for them to get where they need to be. We expect extremely heavy traffic starting as early as 8 a.m. and lasting until 9 p.m.

This week some of our schools will also reopen. Kincaid will start Upper-Class Students on Wednesday, Middle School Students on Thursday and everyone else on Monday. Duchesne Academy will start bringing students back Tuesday. Both schools will be having staggered times for student drop-off's and pick-up's. Parents will not be allowed to wait in traffic lanes under any circumstances. We must keep traffic moving and we will do our best to achieve that.

Next Monday, Sept. 11, all of the other schools either reopen or in the case of St. Francis open for the beginning of the school year. I expect traffic on Sept. 11 to be the worst day. Sorry, but until the Sam Houston, Highway 6, Kirkwood and other roads re-open this will be the case.

The same rules will apply at these schools. There will be no stopping, waiting, standing, cueing in the traffic lanes of thoroughfare streets, these include; Memorial Drive, Gessner, N. Piney Point Road and Beinhorn.

We have reprogrammed some of the flashing street signs telling passing motorists to stay on roads like Voss and Memorial. If we clog these streets with parents waiting to pick up children they will attempt to drive into neighborhoods and onto smaller roads. Please help us by picking up and dropping off children quickly, have your children ready to safely exit the car upon your arrival. The same when picking them up. The exchange should occur smoothly without delay. The safety of our children is most important. Everyone must be careful when near our schools and school busses. There will be a zero tolerance for aggressive drivers.

Starting tomorrow our officers will be joined by three federal agents. The additional personnel assigned to the MVPD will work alongside of our officers creating two-man units. They have complete arrest powers and will be a valuable asset for traffic control and handling calls as we will only need one unit in most incidents/ calls.

Signs are coming that state "Local Traffic Only, No Trespassing, No Soliciting" by order of the MVPD. Please do not move these signs that will placed along specific roads. These are being placed to assist with keeping pass through traffic on roads that lead to I-10 or Bridges.

Starting today between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams will be in the area of homes along the Bayou and going door to door. They will be wearing blue or red shirts that all clearly say, "FEMA" or "FEMA Corps" on them. They will also have identification badges and will be wearing Jeans or khakis. Most will be wearing blue vests with reflective stripes. They will be in teams of 2-4. The teams will assist residents with answering questions and with FEMA registration assistance.

Also yesterday, approximately 140 RED Cross Volunteers moved into the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. This is NOT a distribution or registration center. This is their living quarters and command center. Please provide them the opportunity to rest, re-energize and receive their next sets of orders and instructions. They are self-sufficient and being assisted by the church as needed.

Garbage continues to be picked up throughout the Villages. Arrangements are being made for the pick-up of damage debris and discarded household items (carpet/furniture, etc.) by each Village. Please separate your household garbage and waste items that came from broken refrigerators and freezers, so that the regular garbage collection can get these items out of the area quickly. Animals are tearing open food garbage bags mixed in the debris items.

Curfew patrols continue each night and arrests continue to be made. Unfortunately,each night a DWI arrest has been made in the area.

We love our DPS Officers. They have assisted us around the clock and continue to be there every time we ask. Please give them a big thumbs up when you see them.

If anyone wants to help us continue to feed our growing crew, please coordinate with our dispatch team before dropping off food, as some days we have plenty and others  well  it is a little sparse. 713-365-3700.

As always, thank you for your cooperation and continued words of encouragement.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office is seeking information regarding a home-invasion style robbery case in the Richmond area.

The Sheriff's Office reports that around 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, deputies were called to a residence in the 7000 block of Sharpsburg Drive in the Tara subdivision concerning the incident.

The initial report is that two black males carrying guns forced their way into a home and allegedly pistol whipped one of the residents in the house. Detectives believe there was another suspect waiting in the getaway vehicle, identified as a Cadillac. One suspect left the residence through the front door while the second suspect left through the back door.

Two men from the residence got into a truck and chased the suspects' vehicle. After a chase through the area, the truck crashed into the vehicle and the driver of the Cadillac jumped out of the car and left the area. Shortly after, that suspect was taken into custody by a Sheriff's Office detective who was in the area. Also, the suspects' vehicle was reported stolen out of Houston.

The first suspect was wearing a green shirt and was described as being thin and tall. He was also reported to be wearing white boxers and had tattoos on his arms. The second suspect was wearing a washed-out brown shirt and blue jeans. He was described as shorter than the first suspect and was heavier. Both men were wearing black ski masks.

"Our detectives are working hard to ID these crooks," said Sheriff Troy Nehls. "Considering all the difficulties we've endured during the hurricane, these guys struck when our victims were not expecting an attack. If you have any information about these thugs, please call our Crime Stoppers TIPS line and get the reward money."

Anyone who has information on this crime is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers, Inc.

Call (281) 342-TIPS (8477)

Submit Online at www.fortbend.crimestoppersweb.com. Information, which leads to the apprehension and filing of charges on the suspect(s) involved, could earn you up to $5,000 cash reward. All calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

Visit Facebook www.facebook.com/fortbendcountycrimestoppers for details on a new easy way to submit tips via the P3 Global Intel App.
In an awful way, it all made perfect sense, Gail T. Wells remembers thinking as neurologist Thy Nguyen matter-of-factly explained that she was ordering tests to check for an underlying cancer.

Cancer would explain the worsening symptoms - abdominal pain, incessant cough, weight loss and crushing fatigue - that had plagued Wells, to the puzzlement of her doctors.

"I felt like I was dying," said Wells, a nurse practitioner, of her initial meeting in February 2016 with Nguyen, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. "I really wasn't surprised. It was more like a kind of resignation."

But it was a resignation punctuated by icy stabs of fear, as Wells quickly underwent a mammogram and other scans in an effort to pinpoint where a malignancy might be lurking. She broke the news to her husband and their four grown children, reviewed her funeral arrangements and tried to steel herself for what lay ahead.

Four days later, the neurologist called. Wells's bloodwork showed no sign of cancer. In fact, most tests were normal. But one revealed a long-standing problem Wells had never known about.

"You could have told me I was pregnant, that's how astonished I was," recalled Wells, who was then 62.

The finding proved to be the key to her diagnosis and subsequent successful treatment. The possibility had been repeatedly overlooked because Wells had not shown the manifestations common to someone with her condition.

In 2005, after years of working in hospitals, Wells founded a primary-care clinic in Houston to treat people who were uninsured or underinsured.

She had long thrived on a pace others might consider grueling: 12-hour workdays during which she was often too busy to eat. To stay in shape, she ran and worked out regularly. Her only notable health problem was sporadic migraines.

About 15 years ago, after taking a powerful anti-seizure drug used to treat migraines, she developed numbness, or neuropathy, in her toes. The problem abated when she stopped the drug, but it never entirely disappeared.

In 2010, Wells developed heartburn and, later, a chronic cough, which she attributed to acid reflux.

In 2013, when her husband retired, Wells did, too. She sold her clinic, and the couple decided to spend more time traveling. Over the next two years, they visited Portugal, Spain, Italy and the Caribbean, trips that Wells found increasingly joyless and difficult. She noticed that normal activities, such as walking for exercise in her neighborhood, were becoming physically taxing.

She and her husband thought that she might be depressed. Wells had been busy for so many years that, once retired, she had relatively little with which to fill her days. To counter her malaise, she took a few graduate medical courses and registered with an agency for temporary nursing jobs.

Neither helped. Her fatigue worsened, and she found interacting with people increasingly exhausting. Some days, she didn't have the energy to get out of her pajamas.

Wells also developed an odd new problem. Once or twice a month, she would awaken from a sound sleep with intense abdominal cramps. Vomiting would sometimes relieve the pain, which typically disappeared after about eight hours, leaving her feeling wiped out.

Wells had also lost about 10 pounds between 2013 and 2015, which she attributed to better eating habits and the elimination of the two glasses of red wine she habitually drank after work. Because unintended weight loss can be a sign of underlying illness - including cancer - her primary-care doctor ordered tests to check her liver, kidneys and pancreas.

Everything looked normal. The doctor recommended that she see a gastroenterologist. Wells had never undergone a colonoscopy, which is recommended at age 50 for people at normal risk.

"I'm a big chicken," she said.

But in August 2015, before she made a gastroenterology appointment, Wells experienced an unnerving episode. Her left leg and lower lip suddenly went numb, and her tongue began tingling. Wells said she didn't think she was having a stroke because she could think clearly; the symptoms abated within hours. She saw a neurologist, who suspected multiple sclerosis or a vitamin B deficiency, both of which were soon ruled out. But a nerve conduction test, which uses electrodes attached to the skin to assess damage, showed decreased rates of nerve conduction in her left leg and both feet.

Because no underlying cause could be found, Wells was diagnosed with idiopathic degenerative neuropathy - nerve deterioration for no apparent reason - and advised to stay physically active to preserve muscle function.

That became increasingly difficult.

During Houston's mild winters, her feet felt constantly numb and cold, like "blocks of ice." She wore wool socks around the clock and slept beneath an electric blanket and two comforters. Her cough worsened, and Wells periodically felt short of breath, even though a chest CT scan and a TB test were normal.

"I felt like I was aging super-fast," she said. "I thought, 'How do people manage in their 70s and 80s?' "

In February 2016, she consulted Nguyen for a second opinion.

"I remember she was tearful," Nguyen said. "She said, 'I've been looking forward to retiring, and now I can't do anything.' " Her neurological exam, Nguyen added, was consistent with the weakness she described.

Nguyen decided to repeat the nerve conduction test, which showed a significant worsening. "Things were going kind of fast, and that's very unusual," Nguyen said. "At that point, you have to start thinking out of the box."

The neurologist ordered sophisticated blood tests. Among the most likely culprits, she thought, were a paraneoplastic syndrome (whose symptoms are caused by substances circulating in the blood in response to a cancer), elevated levels of vitamin B6 or Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that attacks mucous members and joints.

Four days later, Nguyen received the results of Wells's blood tests.

"I was pretty surprised - and I was nervous to call her" to break the news, the neurologist recalled.

There was no sign of an underlying cancer. But Wells was clearly infected with hepatitis C, a potentially fatal disease that can cause liver cancer.

For reasons that aren't clear, hepatitis C is most common among the members of Wells' generation: baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. It is also an occupational hazard for health-care workers, the result of accidental needlesticks or other contact with a patient's infected blood. Before 2014, there were no oral medicines specifically approved to treat hepatitis C, which was discovered in 1989.

"I was gobsmacked" by Nguyen's news, Wells recalled. She knew, and had told all her doctors, that she had been exposed to another infection, hepatitis B, years earlier, most likely in 1983 while working in an emergency room on a drug dealer who was bleeding profusely after a machete attack. Days after the incident, she had tested positive for hepatitis B. Like 95 percent of adults, Wells cleared the virus from her system and then became immune to hepatitis B.

But most adults are unable to clear hepatitis C from their bodies and unknowingly go on to develop a serious, chronic infection that can fester for years, damaging their livers.

Wells suspects she was exposed to hepatitis C during the same incident because co-infections were common in those days.

But her liver function tests had always been normal.

So what exactly was the cause of her symptoms?

Wells turned out to have a rare disorder caused by hepatitis C known as Type 2 mixed cryoglobulinemia.

It occurs when cryoglobulins - abnormal proteins in the blood - thicken and clump together, restricting blood flow to surrounding organs and causing damage to blood vessels. Cryoglobulins often develop in response to hepatitis C or an autoimmune disorder; roughly half of those with a chronic hepatitis C infection are believed to have cryoglobulins circulating in their blood, but fewer than 30 percent of them develop symptoms. Those signs include fatigue, abdominal pain, weakness, neuropathy and Raynaud's disease, a reaction to cold temperatures or stress that can result in a narrowing of blood vessels. Cryoglobulinemia is three times as common in women as in men. Most cases have been reported in those between ages 40 and 60.

"It's the most common manifestation of hep C outside the liver," Nguyen said. "In Europe, it's more commonly recognized."

The disorder was overlooked, Nguyen speculated, because Wells' symptoms - abdominal pain, numbness, fatigue - are common to many other diseases. And before Nguyen, no doctor had ever thought to screen Wells for hepatitis C.

Wells consulted a liver specialist, and in the summer of 2016 began a 12-week course of treatment with Harvoni, a medicine that costs about $92,000 and is considered to effectively cure hepatitis C. The cryoglobulin count in her blood steadily decreased, and by April of this year it was undetectable. (Although doctors didn't know at the time that Harvoni could reactivate her hepatitis B, Wells suffered no such complication.)

Nearly all of her symptoms, except the leg numbness, disappeared.

"I was just so relieved to have a cause," she said, "and so blown away that we actually had a cure." She is especially relieved that her family tested negative: Hepatitis C can sometimes be transmitted during childbirth and to those who live in the same house.

Wells says she feels "a renewed appreciation for life every waking hour." Her energy level has rebounded, and she feels well enough to take week-long out-of-town work assignments.

She wonders how many other people might have simmering hepatitis C infections or cryoglobulinemia, without knowing it.

"If I had not had hepatitis B," she said, "would anybody have found this?"

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Video: Gail Wells was diagnosed with hepatitis C and a rare condition that she says could have killed her. (Patrick Martin/The Washington Post)

URL:

http://wapo.st/2vyIQC8

Embed code:
Hero of Mollywood's first musical hit 'Thiramala' shares his Hollywood stint, directing Prem Nazir and more
WASHINGTON - Education leaders are calling on President Donald Trump to protect undocumented immigrants brought here as children amid reports that he may phase out a program that offered them work permits and a reprieve from deportation.

Trump is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday about the fate of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a decision that could affect nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants in the program. Of the nearly 1.2 million eligible for DACA in 2014, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that 365,000 were in middle and high school and 241,000 were in college.

Some educators have said that Trump's immigration policies and rhetoric have created additional stress for undocumented students or for children whose parents are undocumented. Some schools have worked to ease the stress and have emphasized that schoolhouses are generally off-limits for immigration enforcement.

But ending DACA will create uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of school students, ratcheting up stress in the classrooms and lecture halls, many educators say. They fear some may stop showing up to school altogether.

"A lot of these kids might start going into hiding," said Robert Runcie, superintendent of Broward County Public Schools in Florida. "There's going to be a lot of fear and uncertainty for young people."

Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan group of school chiefs from across the country, issued a statement last week calling for Congress to enact protections for "dreamers," undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as young people.

"They have grown up and been educated as Americans; most came here through no choice of their own, and many know no other country. They are working to make our communities richer and stronger," the coalition wrote. "Pushing them into the shadows would hurt our schools and communities."

Eli Broad, the billionaire philanthropist and charter school backer, said ending DACA "will do a great disservice not just to these individuals but to all Americans."

"As a child of immigrants, I know firsthand how hard immigrants work to make our country a better place," said Broad in a statement. "The undocumented migrants who came to America as children are thriving in our schools, our workplaces and our communities. They are our coworkers and classmates, our teachers and neighbors, our doctors and soldiers."

More than 1,300 Catholic teachers also joined the call, sending a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly last week urging him to protect "dreamers."

"We stand with our students who are DACA beneficiaries. Their perseverance, hard work and hopefulness is an example to us as teachers. We witness the obstacles they overcome each day as they pursue their dream of a better life for themselves and their families," they wrote. "In facing adversity and uncertainty with grace and hope, they embody the best of our schools, our country and the Catholic tradition."
As Larry Greer neared the end of a week-long stay at the Washington Hospital Center, he grew anxious.

Greer, 57, had suffered a severe leg burn in a hot bath at home in May. Greer has diabetic neuropathy, which reduces feeling in his legs, and he didn't realize how hot the water was. He received a skin graft at the hospital, where daily doses of oxycodone helped ease the pain.

Greer, a D.C. resident, lives alone, uses a wheelchair and would be going home with a bulky bandage on his leg. He wondered how he would get to the pharmacy several blocks from his apartment building for the narcotic he'd need on his first day home.

But Greer didn't need to worry about that. After counseling him about the painkillers, a pharmacist at the hospital left a few days' supply at the nurses' desk. "That was so helpful, because it took away the need for the trip to the pharmacy, and the stress," Greer said.

The University of California at San Francisco Medical Center, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the Montefiore Medical Center in New York are among many hospitals nationwide that have begun "meds to beds" or "meds in hand" programs, in which prescription drugs are given directly to patients just before they are sent home.

About 35 percent of U.S. hospitals offer discharge prescriptions, according to a 2016 survey by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Many hospitals begin the meds-to-beds program with a single department, such as cardiology or transplant medicine, see how well it works and then add more.

Because hospital pharmacies can bill only for medications used on the premises, drugs that will be used at home must come from outpatient pharmacies. While some hospitals have long had pharmacies for patients whose doctors have outpatient offices on the facility's grounds, others have recently added on-site pharmacies that all inpatients can use at discharge. Many hospitals, including UCLA and UCSF, partner with Walgreens for both discharge counseling and dispensing.

The recent growth in meds-to-beds programs stems from a 2012 Medicare rule that penalizes hospitals if patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge, said John Rother, president of the nonprofit National Coalition on Health Care.

"And once Medicare acted, other insurers began levying penalties for early readmission as well," said Joshua Seidman, a senior vice president at the health-care consulting firm Avalere. To avoid fines, Seidman said, many hospitals launched "transitions of care" programs that connect patients with post-hospital services such as follow-up doctor visits and medications to be used at home.

Data published this year by the Kaiser Family Foundation suggests such efforts work: Hospital readmissions have fallen since 2012, although how much can be attributed to the new prescription programs isn't broken out by Kaiser. Tricia Neuman, senior vice president and director of Kaiser's program on Medicare policy, said: "For older patients with complex medical conditions or dementia, taking their drugs, as prescribed, can be a serious challenge unless they have the support they need once they get home. Programs that target patients as they transition from one setting to another can help avoid preventable U-turns to the emergency room or hospital - which could lead to better patient care and lower costs."

Several studies confirm that patients don't always fill prescriptions, even after a hospitalization. A 2010 study of more than 75,000 recently discharged patients found that almost 30 percent failed to pick up a first-time prescription. That failure can be deadly. A 2014 study found that, over a two-year period, 30 percent of more than 15,000 Canadian hospital patients who had stents inserted to open blocked coronary arteries failed to pick up prescriptions for the blood thinner clopidogrel (Plavix) within three days of being discharged.

"Following a stent insertion, patients have to take clopidogrel daily, often for life," said Nilesh Desai, administrator of pharmacy and clinical operations at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Clopidogrel helps keep blood clots from forming in the stent, preventing further heart problems that can lead to death.

In 2011, Louis Teichholz, Hackensack's chief of cardiology, in collaboration with the hospital's pharmacy services department, launched a meds-to-beds program that targeted recent stent patients. A survey two years later found that the opt-in rate for the program was 94 percent.

Two small studies indicate the programs can reduce readmission rates. Researchers at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center found that the hospital's baseline readmission rates for stent patients from July 2015 to June 2016 was 17.8 percent - higher than the national average of 16.5 percent. But the hospital found that the readmission rate fell to 10 percent between June and November 2016 for 75 stent patients who participated in the discharge medication program. And a 2016 study of 124 children hospitalized for asthma found that the 77 children whose families opted to get medications at discharge reduced their odds of returning to an emergency room within 30 days by 78 percent compared with those who didn't use the program.

Marilyn Stebbins, vice chair of clinical innovation at the UCSF School of Pharmacy, said meds-to-beds programs, such as the one she helped launch, often reduce barriers, such as transportation, insurance authorizations, concern about tiring the patient or leaving them at home alone while caregivers pick up medications, and cost.

"It was so carefree, all I had to do was come home," said Bette Taylor, who had a kidney transplant at UCLA last year. "I didn't have to go to the pharmacy as I had to do after many previous hospitalizations."

But this is no mere drop-off service. Counseling about the medication is a critical component of the meds-to-beds programs. Taylor said a pharmacist went over all 23 new drugs prescribed for her, provided a list, taught her how to pronounce the drugs' names to help her ask questions, and gave her a business card so she could follow up with any questions. Many programs have a pharmacist contact the patient within a day or two, and a week or two later.

Patients have co-pays, just as they do at their neighborhood pharmacy, and pharmacists accept credit cards or cash at bedside. But they also check insurance coverage. If the prescribed drug isn't covered or the patient is unable to cover the co-pay, the pharmacy staff works to find a less expensive drug or helps the patient apply for discounts.

"Problems that can take days or longer to resolve when a patient tries to fill a prescription at a neighborhood pharmacy can usually be resolved before a patient goes home," Stebbins said. At Montefiore, for example, the prescription discharge team includes a social worker who can help access hospital funds for the co-pay if a patient can't afford the cost as well as help patients navigate benefits to pay for future doses.

For some drugs - such as blood pressure medication, which can require a dose adjustment after it is first prescribed - hospital physicians may prescribe only a short-term course and advise patients to follow up with their doctor when they return home. For longer-term drugs such as clopidogrel, some programs will dispense the discharge prescriptions and send refill prescriptions to any pharmacy the patient chooses.

Some patients who opt out of meds-to-beds programs do so because they want all their prescriptions dispensed from their local pharmacy, said Jonathan Hatoun, lead author of the report in Pediatrics. In that study, a third of parents preferred to have their children's prescriptions sent to their neighborhood pharmacy.

Patients learn about the programs from pharmacists and nurses and from discharge brochures, as Taylor did at UCLA. At Montefiore, information about the program plays on the in-house television network that patients watch.

Many hospitals start the discharge medication process as early as admission, asking patients then whether they want to opt in. Pharmacists work with doctors to learn which drugs will be prescribed and when the patient is likely to be discharged.

Hospitals with their own outpatient pharmacies may earn substantial profits from the service, said Regina Lohr, a senior consultant with the Advisory Board Co. At Hackensack, for example, at least 40 percent of patients who chose to get their medications at discharge continued to use the hospital's pharmacy for other prescriptions. While that may be a good option for some patients, Hatoun said he hoped that the pharmacists who dispense the discharge drugs make it clear that patients do not need to continue using the hospital pharmacy and that they don't feel pressured to leave their neighborhood drugstore.

The programs are not without bugs. For example, many hospitals provide the service only when the on-site pharmacy is open and thus may not be able to dispense medications if a patient is discharged at an odd hour. And the Institute for Safe Medication Practices recently issued an advisory noting that some patients had been given their daily medication in the hospital on their discharge day and taken the drug again when they got their package of medications for home.

"One reason Washington Hospital Center has nurses store the drugs rather than leave them with the patients," said Jenny Brandt, a pharmacist at the center, "is for a final reminder about which drugs to take when."
NEW HAVEN >> Frederick Douglass, the nations foremost African-American abolitionist, helped rally black soldiers, including an infantry regiment from New Haven, to fight for the Union during the Civil War.

His life and work will be celebrated by the Amistad Committee just months before the 200th anniversary of his birth. The event, taking place from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 16 at Criscuolo Park, Chapel and James streets, will feature a performance by actor Nathan M. Richardson as Douglass.

Frederick Douglass was important to our country, said Al Marder, president of the Amistad Committee. He was an outstanding voice rallying support for the Union side against slavery  and he was perhaps the outstanding African-American figure, a runaway slave, who achieved international prominence in writing his autobiography.

Marder said Douglass, born in February 1818, succeeded in mustering 200,000 black soldiers who werent accepted at first by the Union Army. Among them was the 29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, an all-black regiment that mustered out of Fair Haven in 1864, according to connecticuthistory.org.

The atmosphere at that time, of course  was that the military felt it necessary to have white officers, Marder said. Blacks were not considered by the military as fighters. The attitudes of slavery permeated our society and despite that these young blacks volunteered for service, appreciating that their struggle was a struggle against slavery and saving the Union.

Douglass had clashed with Abraham Lincoln over the presidents racial policies before Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Douglass had insisted that he call in the black troops, Marder said. Lincoln was very reluctant to do that. He thought it would add to the division. It became not only a good move but almost a necessity because of the troubles the Union was having against the Confederate Army.

Douglass was insisting that Lincoln had to call on young black people and 200,000 responded, Marder said.

According to connecticuthistory.org, the states governor and General Assembly decided to make the 29th a black regiment in November 1863 and by January it had fulfilled its compliment of 1,000 men. Connecticut had been the last Northern state to ban slavery, in 1848.

At Criscuolo Park, then known as Grapevine Point, Douglass spoke to the 29th and encouraged them and pointed out what the struggle was all about, Marder said. The 29th Regiment was successful in battle and was among the first regiments to march into the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.

Douglass went on to become internationally famous and died Feb. 20, 1895.

Were titling the event New Havens Response to Charlottesville and were trying to mobilize the community because its not an abstract historical event and we still face the cancer [of racism]  a different form, of course, but its quite obvious its still alive and well, Marder said.

On Aug. 12, neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members and other white supremacists protested the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and clashed with counterprotesters, one of whom was killed when a racist protester drove his car into the crowd.

The free Sept. 16 event will feature music by the Heritage Choir and as well as Richardsons portrayal. He does a performance taken from the speeches and autobiographical material, Marder said.

Richardson is a poet who is performing The Frederick Douglass Speaking Tour for the third year. He has been a featured author at The James River Writers Festival and other conferences. He lives in Virginia.

The Amistad Committee was formed in 1988 to carry on the spirit of the African captives aboard the schooner Amistad who attempted to revolt in 1839 and brought to Connecticut. A trial was held in New Haven and the Africans were freed by a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Call Ed Stannard at 203-680-9382.
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The Bay Area started to get some relief Sunday following two days of scorching heat that broke all-time records and sent residents scrambling for sanctuary.

Temperatures still hit the triple digits in some areas before the real cooling was set to begin later in the week, forecasters said.

Its significantly cooler than it was yesterday in spots, said Steve Anderson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. But its still hot inland.

The heat eased off anywhere from 5 to 35 degrees from Friday and Saturdays oven-like burn that left nowhere in the state untouched  normally cool Eureka was 87, Monterey was 98 and Redding was a hellish 114.

While things were cooler everywhere around the state on Sunday, officials warned that the Bay Area was not yet over the heat hump, with temperatures not expected to return to normal until Tuesday.

The weather service issued an excessive heat advisory for parts of the inland East Bay and higher elevations in the North and South Bay. Livermore hit 106 by the midafternoon on Sunday and Concord was 102.

San Jose and Oakland were in the mid-90s. San Francisco, which had a high of 102 Saturday, topped out at 84.

Freeways in the most popular places along the North and South Bay coastline have been clogged up by an influx of drivers seeking refuge from the heat over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Now Playing: KTVU's Rosemary Orozco has your forecast. Video: KTVU

Roads in and out of Half Moon Bay, including Highway 1, were gridlocked into late Saturday as thousands of Bay Area residents converged on the small coastal community.

At the same time, crews with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. were busy restoring power to thousands of customers as soaring temperatures put stress on electrical equipment amid high demand from whirring air conditioners.

Overnight Saturday, more than 12,000 customers were without power around the Bay Area, a number that fell to just over 2,200 by 8 a.m. Sunday, said J.D. Guidi, a PG&E spokesman.

The cooling comes as a mass of high pressure over the West Coast begins to weaken and push east into the Great Basin in Nevada and Utah, forecasters said.

The weakening pressure will allow the remnants of Tropical Storm Lidia to push north into California in the coming days. The moisture and some humidity from the storm, which hit western Mexico late last week, will likely be concentrated over the South Bay and possibly inland areas.

Though temperatures will ease in the coming days, the hazy conditions of late are not likely to vanish. Smoke from wildfires in Oregon, Northern California and the Sierra Nevada may continue to collect around the region, contributing to poor air quality.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued Spare the Air alerts for Sunday and again for Monday. That makes five Spare the Air days in a row and 14 for the year.

Residents were warned about unhealthy air quality and asked to cut back on pollution-causing activities like driving and using aerosol products.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
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VICTORIA  Survivors of Harvey are finding that it is the kindness of others that has helped them weather the storms wrath, from hurricane to tropical storm.

On Sunday, which President Donald Trump declared a National Day of Prayer for those affected by the storm, thousands of Victoria residents received food, water and ice from state agencies and resident volunteers.

Weve seen people from everywhere. They just show up and jump right in. Its very helpful and heartfelt, said Rick McBrayer, the citys emergency management coordinator, who added with a laugh, Now I sound like a politician.

Harvey hit the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane, then transformed into a tropical storm. When it struck Victoria about a week ago at Category 2, the city was battered by wind gusts in the triple digits and was plunged into darkness  the storm killed power in thousands of households and brought a deluge that led to a boil water notice. Residents were ordered to evacuate, and away they fled.

Now, many Victoria evacuees have returned to their hometown, only to be without potable water and power to cook food and cool their homes.

City and Victoria County officials worked with the state to establish two points of distribution. The state has now sent out members of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas State Guard, many of them from San Antonio, to multiple municipalities in Texas, including Beaumont, Goliad, Refugio, Rockport and Aransas Pass.

Victoria has begun the painstaking task of rebuilding and recovery, impeded in part by occasional ripple effects of the hurricane. As of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, there were 5,400 power outages in the Victoria County area, down from a peak of about 29,000 one week ago.

Not only did we get the force of Hurricane Harvey seven days ago, but then we had major flooding after that, McBrayer said.

The city has been under a major flood warning by the National Weather Service for days now, with waters reaching over 30 feet at crest Friday. Residents countywide experienced between 9 and 15 inches of rainfall, McBrayer said.

Under a beating sun Sunday, red-faced volunteers and guardsmen handed out Meals Ready-to-Eat, or MREs. The food packets typically are passed out to the U.S. military and have water-activated heaters  residents can eat hot spaghetti or tortellini just by adding water.

People came in droves, and at each handout, residents gave thanks. Thank you all for everything you do, one man said; God bless you, said an elderly woman; Can I shake your hand? said another resident.

About 1,700 families took advantage of their services Saturday at a community center, which, McBrayer estimated, added up to some 4,000 people getting aid. And considering the nonstop line of cars Sunday, he predicted that that day and Monday would serve about the same number of residents.

Moses Valenzuela, 20, drove down from Lubbock with his mother to lend a hand. They couldnt find a hotel room in Victoria  many are still booked by evacuees and temporary workers or are out of order because of a lack of power  so theyve been staying at a hotel in San Antonio and making the drive in the mornings.

I just started thinking, Im at home with my family while other people are not with their family. Theyre picking up debris from their house and trying to figure out their future. And I thought, I have to come down, Valenzuela said.

Everyone is going to Houston instead of the other small communities, he said as he grabbed two MREs and, with a smile, handed them to a family in a pickup.

Hows your day? he asked them, and they grinned. The woman shook his hand.

Some dont even have a house and still smile, he said, as he shook his head in disbelief.

For about a week, the two distribution sites each have issued between 2,200 and 2,500 cases of water per day and 2,600 to 3,000 bags of ice per day, McBrayer said.

Now were at the point when were getting the resources we needed and the needs are slowly coming down, he said.

But while the trickling effect, as McBrayer called it, of the hurricane is slowing to a drip from a roar, its still not over.

Haresh Kumar, a kidney doctor, tended to four patients Saturday night that all had kidney failure because of dehydration.

Ive never seen four patients with heat exhaustion in one day like that. I can tell its because they dont have good water to drink, he said.

Theyre trying to fix their city and not keeping themselves hydrated, he added.

Both of Victorias hospitals closed, he said, sending upward of 300 patients in mass casualty ambulances to hospitals in San Antonio and other surrounding areas. The dialysis clinics where he worked closed, and they had to order enormous water tanks and back-up generators to get people through the storm.

The building at the hospital where his brother works collapsed, he said, which means close to 200 employees are out of a job.

He said the hospitals reopened Wednesday. Kumar started work early Sunday so hed have time to get out to a distribution site and volunteer  he handed out the water.

Its better to know theyre getting water here than seeing them in the hospital, he said, shrugging, before rushing to hand off a pack to a couple.

He said that beyond folks physical well-being, he worries about their mental health.

Most of the people that stayed thought they were going to die from the winds, he said. You can see it was an emotional trauma.

The streets of Victoria dont look the same as they used to, with broken stoplights, leafless trees and debris scattered everywhere. But around the city, churches, nonprofits and shops are beginning to open up, many offering free clothing or water to residents.

Kumar said its a different city now, but that thats OK.

If you look around, were getting so much support, he said. I think well come out stronger.

McBrayer said the troops likely will pack their bags, and the distribution centers will close, when more residents get power back and the water becomes safe to drink  all of which could be solved as early as this week.

Understanding the overall picture is a challenge, he said, and emergency management now is working to connect people to resources such as registering their property damage and other steps to rebuild.

Susan Nevlud and her husband fled to Waco during the storm, and when they returned, they found their home intact, but theyve been without food and potable water. She said theyve been scrounging around town, getting a free meal from a car dealership here, a case of water from a local church over there.

Were just waiting at this point, she said, two MREs in her hands and a case of water in her back seat.

The scariest part was coming home to see what we had left. But its OK, she said. Were going to make it.

Its sad, but people are strong, said Bob Sparks, who was picking up meals for his neighbors. We have a resilient people here. Out of the ashes, we will rise.
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A 29-year-old San Antonio man was jailed Sunday after he allegedly stomped a man's head so badly that he was placed on life support for more than two weeks until he eventually died, according to court records.

The suspect in the stomping attack, Shandrick Van Anthony Buckley, now faces a murder charge in connection with the death of 55-year-old Jose Gustavo Hernandez, who was found around 11 a.m. on Aug. 9 near the Union Pacific railroad tracks behind the Haven for Hope shelter.

RELATED: Arrests made, weapons, cash and drugs seized by BCSO following East Side motel drug bust

When paramedics found him, Hernandez was suffering from severe facial fractures, brain swelling and other internal injuries. He was transported to University Hospital and placed on life support. On Aug. 28, more than two weeks after the attack, Hernandez was pronounced dead.

According to the arrest affidavit, Buckley was originally arrested in connection with the stabbing of 45-year-old Eloy Gutierrez, who was found with non-life threatening stab wounds in the parking lot of a bail bond company about a quarter of a mile from Haven for Hope. The stabbing happened less than an hour before Hernandez was found.

Immediately after Gutierrez was found, security at Haven for Hope began checking people trying to enter the shelter. Security Officer Thesus Bryant observed Buckley, who had a history of violence at the shelter, with blood all over his hands, pants and shoes, according to the affidavit.

Police detained Buckley in connection with Gutierrez's stabbing and transported him to a police station for interviews. Buckley denied any involvement with the stabbing, only admitting he had been involved in a "minor" altercation earlier with someone else. Officers photographed Buckley, took swabs of the blood found on him and then released him.

RELATED: Police seek info on suspect who shot, killed man walking on NE Side road

In the process of investigating Gutierrez's stabbing, police reviewed security camera footage from haven for Hope. They found footage captured to the east of Haven for Hope, between the shelter and the railroad tracks. The footage showed a man knock another man down in an apparent "unprovoked attack." The attacker then "repeatedly stomps" in the head of the victim, now identified as Jose Hernandez.

The footage shows the attacker walk to Haven for Hope, and then be detained by Bryant, who identified the man as Shandrick Buckley. The affidavit emphasizes the fact that "there is no break in camera coverage between the cameras, and it is clear that the same individual who assaulted [Hernandez] is the individual who was detained by Thesus Bryant."

It is unclear whether Buckley was involved in Gutierrez's stabbing, which is being considered unrelated to Hernandez's death at this time, according to the affidavit.

Buckley remains in the Bexar County jail on a $100,000 bond.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdowns
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Two local developers have released plans for a four-story apartment complex next to the Hays Street Bridge, reigniting a long-running debate over whether to protect the landmark from growth.

A partnership between developer Mitch Meyer and Alamo Beer Co. owner Eugene Simor wants to build a 148-unit complex and a restaurant just north of the city-owned bridge. Under an agreement reached years ago with the city, the restaurant would have tables on the bridge itself, and Simor plans to turn the land underneath into a park for the brewerys guests, he said.

The apartment complex would bring relatively affordable housing to Dignowity Hill, a neighborhood just east of downtown that is changing fast with an influx of new residents, Simor said. All of the units would rent for under $1,000, he said.

RELATED: Austin developer plans 1,000 apartments on 1604

There is nothing like this in the neighborhood, Simor said in an email. The new apartments will offer high-quality, cost-effective housing to a neighborhood that currently does not have any new apartments.

Many Dignowity residents are concerned that the complex, at 803 N. Cherry St., would block views of the iconic bridge, a popular destination for photo shoots, yoga classes and urban skaters that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Putting restaurant tables on its planked walkway would make pedestrians feel like theyre intruding on a private party, said Liz Franklin, who lives nearby.

It really is the only icon and gateway here on the East Side, Franklin said of the bridge. Four stories is too high. Its two stories higher than anything around it.

The site of the proposed complex is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit between the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group and the city of San Antonio. The group sued the city in 2012 to prevent it from selling the land to Alamo Beer Co., saying the sale violated the terms of a 2002 memorandum of understanding that the group says required the land to be made into a park.

After the 4th Court of Appeals sided with the city in March, the group appealed the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court.

The citys Historic and Design Review Commission will consider the apartment complex, named the Bridge, at its meeting Wednesday. Franklin said she could accept a smaller project, such as a three-story complex, but Simor said he isnt open to compromise.

Before a recent meeting with the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association to reveal the projects design, the developers made it clear they wouldnt change the design, said Brian Dillard, the associations president.

RELATED: Photos: Burgers, brews, foodies converge for Texas Sized Burger Bash at Alamo Beer

Obviously Im not very happy about it, he said. Im in favor of some type of development, but I would love to have had community input on it. Thats something that was definitely missing, and definitely weighs on my conscience.

Simor said he has already compromised. The property was formerly zoned for high-rises, but he agreed to deed restrictions limiting the height of anything built there when he bought it from the city, he said.

The neighborhood association will decide before the HDRC meeting whether to support the project, Dillard said.

The city has awarded Meyer and Simor about $1.2 million in incentives for the apartment complex and restaurant through the Center City Housing Incentive Policy, according to data from the city.

The city sold the land in 2014 to a company controlled by Simor, Simor Texas Land Co., for $295,000, records show. At the same time, it provided the company with a grant of about the same amount to be used for landscaping, Simor said.

To opponents of the project, it is another instance of developers encroaching on public space against the will of the surrounding neighborhood. Many San Antonians who live near downtown complain that developers build overly dense projects that tear the fabric of their neighborhoods.

You give them an inch, they take a foot, said Brian Gordon, a member of the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group.

READ MORE: Stunning Dignowity Hill house transformation is the talk of the neighborhood

Some advocates for the bridge want the city to create a viewshed ordinance that would restrict the height of buildings in the surrounding area, similar to the ones that have been created around San Antonios missions. An online petition, with 1,117 local signatures and 14,489 overall, asks the city to create the viewshed, prohibit the bridges exclusive use by businesses and install public restrooms nearby.

For his part, Simor noted that the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association came out in support of his original proposal to build his brewery at 803 N. Cherry in 2011. He decided to build it on the other side of the bridge after the lawsuit.

But Simors original proposal for the property was completely different from the apartment complex the partnership wants to build now, Dillard said.

That was a totally different project, he said. And its a much different neighborhood now than in 2011.

Putting restaurant tables on the city-owned bridge wouldnt be unprecedented, Simor said. The city licenses space to businesses in Brackenridge Park and other public spaces, he said.

Even at our very special River Walk, restaurants set up tables in the public right of way, he said.

rwebner@express-news.net

@rwebner
ZANU PF Mashonaland East province has decided to throw a big party for Mabel Chinomona today following her recent appointment to replace former First Lady Grace Mugabe as womens league boss.

Provincial womens league secretary Aplonia Munzverengi yesterday said the celebrations would be held at the party offices in Marondera.

We will be celebrating as a province, thanking President [Emmerson] Mnangagwa for bestowing Mashonaland East province the national womens league top post.

We are welcoming the position that was given to one of our own, Mabel Chinomona, she said.

We have invited executive party members, Cabinet ministers, chiefs and other dignitaries for the special day. We are appreciating and acknowledging the honour given to us by the President.

Chinomona, who is also Mutoko North legislator, bounced back into the party structures last month after Grace and her cabal were kicked out in a military operation that also saw former President Robert Mugabe being replaced by his ex-deputy both at party and government levels. Newsday

Breaking News via Email
ZIMBABWE will this week open the Beitbridge Border Post to receive without conditions more than 3 000 of its citizens most of whom crossed the border illegally into South Africa and have requested that they be sent back home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lovemore Matuke told Sunday News in an interview on Friday that the country was going to open the border post this week to receive more than 3 000 citizens from the neighbouring country.

Hovever, he could not reveal the exact day. He said all logistics with their South African counterparts were being made to allow even those without the requisite papers to pass through.

We are going to open the Beitbridge Border Post to allow for the passage of the countrys citizens back into the country. We have more than 3 000 who have requested to be sent back home.

As you know the South African side of the border is closed too, but we have made arrangements that they be allowed to pass.

We are therefore saying even those without the required papers should not be afraid. No one is going to be arrested. We dont want them to use illegal channels to come back because we want to account for everyone in the wake of Covid-19.

The Government has put everything in place to ensure they are catered for, said Deputy Minister Matuke.

He said some of them were of no fixed abode in South Africa and were living a cat and mouse life with that countrys law enforcement agents while others were doing odd jobs which have been cut off by the novel pandemic with South Africa last week extending its lockdown period by two more weeks.

The first phase was for three weeks.

The Deputy Minister said they have created space at the National Social Security Authoritys (Nssa) Beitbridge Hotel in readiness for the arrival of the migrants from South Africa where those returning will be isolated and tested for the disease.

He added that the Government will, through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, provide the necessary supplies during their stay at the identified hotel.

Deputy Minister Matuke said he would be touring facilities that have been set to host the countrys citizens that have chosen to return home from neighbouring countries in the wake of a regional lockdown caused by Covid-19.

We have people coming from Botswana who are housed at Hillside Teachers College, Bulawayo Polytechnic and some at Plumtree High School. I will be touring those places to get an appreciation of their safety to handle the numbers.

Government and its partners will also be providing for them in terms of food and other provisions, he said.

Asked on street children, destitutes and mental patients littering the streets of the countrys urban areas, Deputy Minister Matuke said in most areas those have been taken care of.

We have taken street kids to various childrens homes while mental patients have been taken to psychiatric hospitals. We are, however, receiving reports that some are running away from the homes we have put them but our security forces are on the ground to enforce the lockdown and make sure no-one exposes themselves to the pandemic, he said.

Deputy Minister Matuke said the Government was working to capacitate childrens homes that have absorbed the street kids.

He said vulnerable households have started receiving the $180 amounts the Government promised, hinting that the process was delayed by the vetting process.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean Embassy in Namibia has also requested all Zimbabwean nationals who have been affected by the lockdown and wish to travel back home to register their names tomorrow and on Tuesday. However, unlike those in South Africa, those in Namibia are required to have valid travelling documents and national identity cards and they would meet their own travelling costs.

A letter written by the Consular Department says those that want to travel would go through Zambia where there is a possibility of a 14-day quarantine at the Zambian border before proceeding to Zimbabwe.

There will also be a mandatory 21-day quarantine upon arrival in Zimbabwe, reads part of the letter by the Consular Department. We are, however, receiving reports that some are running away from the homes we have put them but our security forces are on the ground to enforce the lockdown and make sure no one exposes themselves to the pandemic, he said.

Deputy Minister Matuke said the Government was working to capacitate childrens homes that have absorbed the street kids.

He said vulnerable households have started receiving the $180 amounts the Government promised, hinting that the process was delayed by the vetting process.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean Embassy in Namibia has also requested all Zimbabwean nationals who have been affected by the lockdown and wish to travel back home to register their names tomorrow and on Tuesday. However, unlike those in South Africa, those in Namibia are required to have valid travelling documents and national identity cards and they would meet their own travelling costs.

A letter written by the Consular Department says those that want to travel would go through Zambia where there is a possibility of a 14-day quarantine at the Zambian border before proceeding to Zimbabwe.

There will also be a mandatory 21-day quarantine upon arrival in Zimbabwe, reads part of the letter by the Consular Department.

 SundayNews

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The African Union (AU) has said that the military takeover codenamed Operation Restore Legacy by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in November was not a coup. The AU chose to describe the militarys takeover of power as dialogue between the leadership of the country. The AU also said that it was not going to take any action Zimbabwe because of the events which occured in November.

AU commissioner for peace and security Smail Chergui told Russian publication Sputnik:

Its not a coup according to African Union rules because we are the one to declare if someone has made a coup and then apply sanctions We are neither in a crisis in Zimbabwe nor in an extraordinary situation.

We didnt lose a single life in this process, totally peaceful and at the end, even the [former] president left with honour.

It was just a dialogue between the leadership of the country and the president and they convinced him that maybe some of the actions taken, including around him and his immediate surrounding, were not good for the country, and he accepted to submit his resignation willingly.

Former cabinet minister and alleged G40 Faction kingpin, Jonathan Moyo, who is reported to have fled the country for Kenya, has been very vocal in criticising the militarys actions as a coup. Moyo has called on the African Union and the SADC to fix what he called a historic wrong in Zimbabwe saying that A coup needs a cure. Members of the G40 Faction which was backing former first lady Grace Mugabe have since been expelled from Zanu-PF with Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and former president Robert Mugabes nephew Patrick Zhuwao preferring to go into exile. New Zimbabwe

Breaking News via Email
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will travel to Tallin and Tapa in Estonia on Wednesday and Thursday 6 and 7 September 2017. During his visit, he will have bilateral meetings with the Estonian President H.E. Ms. Kersti Kaljulaid, with the Prime Minister, Mr. Juri Ratas, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sven Mikser and with the Minister of Defence, Mr. Juri Luik.

On Wednesday, the Secretary General and the Prime Minister will travel to Tapa and meet troops contributing to NATOs enhanced Forward Presence at a military training facility headquarters.

On Thursday, the Secretary General will participate at the informal meeting of the European Union Ministers of Defence.

Mr. Stoltenberg will also deliver a speech at a meeting of the EEP Group of the European Parliament.

Media Advisory

Wednesday, 6 September

15:40 (local time) Joint press conference with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia in Tapa

Thursday, 7 September

08:30 Doorstep by NATO Secretary General at the Tallin Creative Hub Kultuurikatel

13:50 TBC Joint doorstep with Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Mr. Manfred Weber.

The press conference in Tapa will be web streamed live on the NATO website.

Still and video images will be available on the NATO website after the event.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg).
(Natural News) The Obamacare fail will continue unabated into next year, following the failure by Republicans to fulfill their seven-year-old promise to repeal and replace a law that is single-handedly destroying American health care coverage and delivery systems.

As reported by The Associated Press, tens of millions of Americans face a new round of double-digit health insurance premium increases in 2018.

Scores of American neither qualify for Obamacare exchange subsidies nor do their small employers provide coverage, so they must bear the full costs. Many are already paying hundreds per month in premiums and for insurance that comes with thousands in deductibles.

As noted by the AP:

Millions of people who buy individual health insurance policies and get no financial help from the Affordable Care Act are bracing for another year of double-digit premium increases, and their frustration is boiling over.

Some are expecting premiums for 2018 to rival a mortgage payment.

Worse, not only are costs going up but choices of health insurance providers are going down.

Those most at risk include middle-class Americans working for small firms; retirees; skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen; musicians; business owners.

Were caught in the middle-class loophole of no help, Sharon Thornton, a hairdresser from Delaware, told the AP. She noted that currently, shes paying around $740 per month in premiums, but shes anticipating a 35-percent increase next year, which will bring it to $1,000 or more.

Its like buying two new iPads a month and throwing them in the trash, she said, adding that the plan she has bought comes with a $6,000 deductible  so its like not having any coverage at all, except for those rare times when she might get hit by a truck.

To me, $1,000 a month is my beach house that I wanted to have, Thornton said.

When told that she could get taxpayer-provided subsidies if only shed just earn less, that made her even angrier. My whole beef is that the government is telling me, If you work less, well give you more.

The AP noted further:

If people such as Thornton drop out, they not only gamble with their own health. Their departure also means the group left behind gets costlier to cover as healthier customers bail out. Thats counter to the whole idea of insurance, which involves pooling risk.

Some of Obamacares provisions are popular, such as the prohibition against insurance companies banning coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. But what the president and the Democrats who passed Obamacare left out when they lied repeatedly to get their law passed is that its more expensive for insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions. Thats why insurance companies would charge those customers more back before Obamacare was the law of the land; it wasnt greed, it was a necessity. Sicker people cost more to cover. (Related: Thanks, Democrats: Get ready for another year of double-digit insurance premium increases.)

Speaking of Democrats, the AP tried to lay blame for Obamacares failure to accomplish practically anything it was supposed to accomplish  cheaper monthly premiums, lower out-of-pocket costs, more choice, etc  on Republicans:

[A]n influx of sicker-than-expected customers drove up costs for insurers, while many younger, healthier people stayed on the sidelines. Political opposition from Republicans complicated matters by gumming up the laws internal financial stabilizers for insurers.

This is a blatant lie, as not a single Republican voted for Obamacare. In fact, if anyone is guilty of gerrymandering with the law, its Obama, who unconstitutionally changed it repeatedly.

In any event, the GOP did fail to repeal and replace the law earlier this year after promising repeatedly for seven years that Republicans would do so if they have got a congressional majority and one of their own in the White House.

There is a bipartisan effort afoot now to make dramatic changes to the law in the Senate. But until lawmakers act, Americans will continue to get butchered economically by healthcare reform that only exacerbated the worst parts of the U.S. system as it existed before the Affordable Care Act was passed.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

SFChronicle.com

NaturalNews.com
The possibility that protections could come to an end for young immigrants in the United States triggered sharp responses from Bay Area politicians.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee lashed out at President Donald Trump on Monday after they heard the commander in chief is expected to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program  but with a six-month delay, sources told NBC News.

DACA has given approximately 800,000 young undocumented immigrants the opportunity to stay in the country and work legally in the U.S. in the form of two-year, renewable work permits.

If President Trump follows through, Congress is expected to use the six-month delay window to decide whether it wants to address the status of the legislation, sources told the Associated Press.

Pelosi issued a statement Monday urging leaders of Congress to protect those directly benefiting from the program.

"President Trumps decision to end DACA should break the hearts and offend the morals of all who believe in justice and human dignity," part of her statement read. "This cruel act of political cowardice deals a stunning blow to the bright young DREAMers and to everyone who cherishes the American Dream."

Lee, in a statement issued Monday, said that doing away with DACA would "continue to divide our community and tear families apart."

"This is an entire generation of young people  approximately 800,000 people  who have only known America as their home," part of his statement read. "They are hard-working individuals and diligent students who only aspire to achieve their dreams of educational excellence and economic prosperity. Their families fled to America from war-torn countries and dire economic straits because they saw this country as a place of refuge and hope. To punish them for seeking a better life is unconscionably cruel."

Over the past 5 years #DACA has helped protect, uplift & support immigrant youths & families across our nation. #DefendDACA pic.twitter.com/J19xQ3rWYA  Mayor Ed Lee (@mayoredlee) September 3, 2017

Prior to Monday, Feinstein took to Twitter and pledged her support for DACA on multiple occasions.

"There are more #DACA recipients in California than in any other state," one of her tweets read. "We stand with them. We have their backs. #HereToStay"

Dave Cortese, the president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, said agencies are already gearing up to assist the county's estimated 20,000 Dreamers.

"One of the things we'll be prepared to do tomorrow and every day after that is put local resources into helping people who are Dreamers, who are impacted by this decision," Cortese said.

Kevin Gaytan is part of a group of Dreamers graduating from a special county government internship program Tuesday. He said no matter what, he won't hide in the shadows.

"Understanding that we have a platform in which we have solid allies is definitely reassuring, to make sure we continue to fight," Gaytan said.

#DACA recipients have done everything that the federal government has asked of them. They don't deserve to live in fear. #HereToStay  Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) September 2, 2017

NBC Bay Area's Robert Handa and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Participants and spectators returned to the Scottish Highland Games in Pleasanton Sunday, a day after roughly 10 people at the event had to be treated for heat related issues.

Misting stations helped some people cool off during the popular annual event at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. And paramedics were on hand to help those who might feel any ill effects from the triple-digit temperatures.

The temperature in Pleasanton peaked at 106 degrees Sunday.

Attendance at the Scottish Highland Games has been hurt by the heat. It was down about 75 percent, officials said.
Rallies throughout the United States, including in Chicago, marked the Labor Day holiday Monday as workers marched in support of a $15-per-hour minimum wage.

Workers from a variety of professions, including child care providers, hospital workers, and fast food employees, marched through the streets of Chicago in support of that message on Monday afternoon.

We are standing together because we are sisters and brothers, and we want to make changes so we can make a living just like everyone else, SEIU member Chanel Noble said. Ive been working for 20 years for low wages, and its just not making the cut.

Noble was one of many participants in the rally that cited dissatisfaction with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, who vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage in the state to $15 per hour by the year 2022.

Governor Rauner vetoed the bill, and were gonna veto him, fast food employee Laura Williams said. Im living paycheck to paycheck, just trying to make a living and to pay my bills.

Rauner defended his decision to veto the bill in a signing statement, saying that he is willing to look for solutions to grow the economy, but that raising the minimum wage would have unintended, and negative, side effects.

This legislation would cost significant sums of money for the very people it purports to help, Rauner said in a statement. Illinois needs to be seeking comprehensive solutions that grow the economy and the number of jobs available where individuals can train, grow, and attain better lives for themselves and their families.

The workers marching Monday were not only protesting in support of an increased minimum wage, but also in support of unionizing.

I believe that what we do today is profoundly influenced by, and inspired by, the fights of our brothers and sisters, like the Pullman porters, the Haymarket martyrs, and many others who have gone before us. Deborah Pope of the Labor History Society said.
Congressman Brad Schneider has withdrawn his endorsement of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss after concerns emerged about the candidates running mate's stances on the United States' relationship with Israel.



In a Facebook post Sunday night, Schneider said that he was surprised to learn that Biss running mate Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, a Chicago alderman, was a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a pro-Palestinian group.

Following conversations with Senator Biss and Alderman Ramirez-Rosa, I have informed the campaign of the withdrawal of my support, Schneider said. I remain hopeful that as Alderman Ramirez-Rosa learns more about the importance of the US-Israel partnership to both our nations, the unique challenges Israel faces as the only democracy in a very dangerous neighborhood, and the commitment of the vast majority of the Israeli people to peace and a two-state solution, he will reconsider his position.

During their recent convention in Chicago, the Democratic Socialists of America, which Ald. Ramirez-Rosa joined in March 2017, passed a resolution in support of the BDS movement against Israel, according to The Daily Beast.

In an interview with The Real News in June 2016, Ramirez-Rosa said that the United States needed to explore divesting from Israel in an effort to support the people of Palestine.

I have not heard much discussion about the relationship of the U.S. with Israel, with divesting from Israel to support the people of Palestine, he said in the interview. Not a lot of that was discussed this weekend. And I think thats a conversation (that) needs to be had.

Republican Congressional candidate Jeremy Wynes, who is running for the 10th District seat in Congress, accused Schneider in a Facebook post of showing an inclination to shut off funding to Americas allies in Israel after the Congressman endorsed Biss candidacy for governor.

Senator Biss campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
South Florida was placed in the official forecast cone of Hurricane Irma Monday as hurricane watches and warnings were in effect for islands in the Caribbean for the powerful Category 4 storm.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in the state, so that "state, federal and local governments are able to work together and make sure resources are dispersed to local communities as we get prepared for this storm."

"Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared. Current forecast models have Florida in Irmas path  potentially impacting millions of Floridians," Scott said in a statement.

Early Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Irma reached 150-mph winds and posed a serious threat to the Leeward Islands, where it is expected to hit late Tuesday. The storm could bring storm surges of 6-9 feet and dump as much as 12 inches of rain as it moves through the Caribbean.

Irma was moving west at 13 mph Monday night, according to an advisory from the center. The hurricane was about 410 miles east of the Leeward Islands and less than 1,700 miles from South Florida.

NHC officials said there is an increasing chance of seeing some impacts from Irma in the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys later this week and this weekend.

Residents in South Florida were urged to make sure their hurricane plans were in place, and many stores were already seeing empty water shelves and low amounts of other supplies Monday.

American Airlines has canceled nine flights to and from Miami ahead of the storm. The airline is also proactively waiving change fees for flights to and from some Caribbean destinations. Passengers may be eligible to change reservations if they bought a ticket by Sept. 3, are slated to travel between Sept. 5-8, can travel through Sept. 12 and don't change the destination. See the American Airlines website here for details.

"This hurricane has the potential to be a major event for the East Coast. It also has the potential to significantly strain FEMA and other governmental resources occurring so quickly on the heels of Harvey," Evan Myers, chief operating officer of AccuWeather, said in a statement.



The Antigua and Barbuda weather service said Irma was expected to bring heavy rains, rough surf and high winds, and the government closed schools Monday. Hurricane watches were posted for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Monserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and St. Barts.

A hurricane warning was in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra. A tropical storm watch was in effect for Dominica while a tropical storm warning was in effect for Guadeloupe.

Here are the top 6 things you need to know for Friday, December 21st.

Long-range forecasts indicated Irma likely would curve to the northwest beginning late Monday and skirt to the north of the islands in the eastern Caribbean on a path that could potentially take it to the U.S. East Coast, but it was too early to make a definitive prediction.

Additional strengthening was expected over the next couple days and Irma is forecast to remain a powerful hurricane throughout the 5-day forecast period.

Antigua's prime minister, Gaston Browne, urged people to take preventative measures in case the storm should keep on its current arc, saying that should include cleaning drains and removing objects that could be sent flying by high winds. Workers began pruning trees and shrubs to reduce chances for branches to tear down power and phone lines.

"The passage of a hurricane is not a matter to be taken lightly, but we must not panic," Browne said in a statement.

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello said government agencies in the U.S. territory were prepared to deal with any emergencies caused by the storm but warned of flooding and power outages. He said 4 inches to 8 inches (10-20 centimeters) of rain were expected, as well as winds of 40-50 mph with gusts of up to 60 mph.

"We have established protocols for the safety of all," he said as he urged islanders to take precautions.

In the Dominican Republic, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said workers there were clearing away road works and also cleaning out blockages of sewer drains. He said President Danilo Medina would hold a meeting with emergencies agencies Monday to discuss storm preparations.

Meteorologists on Monday issued an alert for the Dominican Republic's entire eastern coast from the island of Saona to the town of Cabo Frances. Officials said the effects of Hurricane Irma would be felt Thursday.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday shot back at North Korea's claimed test of a hydrogen bomb with a blunt threat, saying the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming." Earlier, President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for its "talk of appeasement."

The tough talk from America's commander in chief and the retired Marine general he picked to oversee the Pentagon came as the Trump administration searched for a response to the escalating crisis. Kim Jong Un's regime on Sunday claimed "perfect success" in an underground test of what it called a hydrogen bomb. It was the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006  the first since Trump took office in January  and involved a device potentially vastly more powerful than a nuclear bomb.

Trump, asked by a reporter during a trip to church services if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see." No U.S. military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In South Korea, the nation's military said it conducted a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on North Korea's nuclear test site to "strongly warn" Pyongyang over the latest nuclear test. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles.The released live weapons "accurately struck" a target in the sea off the country's eastern coast, the JCS said.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting at the request of the U.S., Japan, France, Britain and South Korea. It would be the Security Council's second urgent session in under a week on the North's weapons tests, which have continued in the face of a series of sanctions.

Members of Congress expressed alarm at the North's test and emphasized strengthening U.S. missile defenses. Leaders in Russia, China and Europe issued condemnations.

In briefs remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Mattis told reporters that America does not seek the "total annihilation" of the North, but then added somberly, "We have many options to do so." The administration has emphasized its pursuit of diplomatic solutions, knowing the potentially horrific costs of war with the North. But the decision to have Mattis deliver a public statement seemed to suggest an escalating crisis.

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and that Kim should know that Washington's commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

The precise strength of the underground nuclear explosion had yet to be determined. South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five tests.

North Korea's state-run television broadcast a special bulletin to announce the test, and said Kim attended a meeting of the ruling party's presidium and signed the go-ahead order. Earlier, the party's newspaper published photos of Kim examining what it said was a nuclear warhead being fitted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the mainland U.S. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target U.S. cities.

The Arms Control Association said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests the North tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Hans Kristensen, a nuclear weapons expert at the Federation of American Scientists, said the North probably will need to do more tests before achieving a functioning hydrogen bomb design.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Korea's accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the U.S. as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decadeslong commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Trump's jab Sunday at South Korea. He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its "talk of appeasement" will not work. The North Koreans, he added, "only understand one thing," implying military force might be required. The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

Patrick Cronin, an Asia expert with the Center for a New American Security, said Trump's comment on South Korea was probably "intended to stiffen the spine of an ally." He said he agreed with the intention.

"I think Washington is very serious about showing some unexpected resolve," he said. "We need our ally and we need to remain ironclad. But at the same time, we can't afford South Korea to go weak in facing down this growing danger."

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital U.S. trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbor. Trump tweeted that the U.S. is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." Such a halt would be radical. The U.S. imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was calling counterparts in Asia.

It's unclear what kind of sanctions might make a difference. Lassina Zerbo, head of the U.N. test ban treaty organization, said sanctions already imposed against North Korea aren't working.

China's official Xinhua News Agency said President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, meeting on the sidelines of a Beijing-led economic summit, agreed "to adhere to the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, have close communication and coordination and properly respond" to the test.

Experts have questioned whether the North has gone too far down the nuclear road to continue pushing for a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, an Obama administration policy goal still embraced by Trump's White House.

"Denuclearization is not a viable U.S. policy goal," said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the U.S. accept North Korea as a nuclear power. "We should keep denuclearization as a long-term aspiration, but recognize privately that it's unachievable anytime soon."

Trump warned last month that the U.S. military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the U.S. would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America. The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that's home to U.S. bombers and other aircraft.
Chris Kennedy, one of two Democratic candidates for governor who have not yet announced choices for lieutenant governor, will do so next week.



Rebecca Evans, a spokeswoman for the Kennedy campaign, says "the campaign is planning an announcement for next week."



Though petitions will begin to be signed Tuesday, Evans adds, "we're excited to work with the 2,000 volunteers we have on board statewide to help us pass petitions."

The candidates for the March 2018 primary -- and not just those running for governor -- will begin passing petitions on Tuesday to get signatures to appear on the ballot.

At Democratic Day at the Illinois State Fair, Kennedy was asked if he's looking for an outsider -- someone outside of state government -- and he declined to answer, asking reporters to give him a couple of weeks.

There are reports from several political sources that Kennedy has had difficulty getting someone to join him in the 2018 campaign.



It's a job former Lt. Governor Robert Kustra quit in 1994 and others have tried to abolish the position altogether as unnecessary.

Names mentioned by multiple political insiders as possible running mates for Kennedy include: State Sen. Kwame Raoul, Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia, President of the Chicago Police Board Lori Lightfoot, state Rep. Jerry Costello and former City Treasurer Stephanie Neeley.

Chicago Deputy Mayor Andrea Zopp is also under consideration for the position.



The Kennedy campaign will not speculate on when the announcement will be made or whom has been chosen.



Scott Drury, a Democratic candidate, also has not announced his choice for lieutenant governor.


The Fight for 15 took to the streets across the country and across Connecticut this Labor Day. Rallies were planned in hundreds of cities nationwide in support of the movement to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Dozens of people participated in the protests in Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Haven and Waterbury on Monday.

Hold the burgers hold the fries make our wages supersized! A supersized crowd of cooks, cashiers and other Connecticut fast-food workers chanted as they marched outside the McDonalds on Albany Avenue in Hartford Monday morning.

We hope to get the message that $10.10 an hour is not enough and we need more and we deserve more. That and union rights, said Richard Grimes. Grimes works at a Burger King in Hartford and joined in the Labor Day strike, hoping Connecticut legislators would take notice.

We need more we deserve more and that's why we are out here early this morning, said Grimes.

Many of the groups participating in Mondays protests are also pushing for union rights as an economic fix. Other people said they the wage increase is simply about survival.

To get higher wages, it's hard where we live at, so like we need money to survive, said Kayla Foreman, an employee at McDonalds in Bridgeport.

We need this $15 to survive, this $10.10 an hour is not enough, said Nayya Malachi, a Dunkin Donuts employee in New Haven.

Connecticuts minimum wage bumped up to $10.10 an hour at the beginning of 2017. While not all lawmakers are in support of a minimum wage increase, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, who is running for Connecticut Governor, stands by the supporters.

They have a right to organize and they should make more money. They work hard and they deserve a living wage, said Mayor Drew.

NBC Connecticut reached out to the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and the Connecticut branch of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) on Monday morning, to see if they had a response to the protests. However, taking into consideration that Monday is Labor Day, there was not an immediate response.

What was clear from protesters was that the wage debate is a wager they are willing to bet on.

This is going to win us $15 an hour, said Grimes.
For the two mild-manned moderates vying to be the next governor of Virginia, running for office in the Trump era makes for some awkward looks.

Republican Ed Gillespie, a polished Washington insider who has long advocated that the GOP needs to be more welcoming of minorities and immigrants, is now campaigning on promises to crack down on illegal immigration and prevent Confederate statues from being taken down.

Ralph Northam, the Democratic lieutenant governor who boasts of his good working relationships with Republicans, has pledged unyielding resistance to President Donald Trump and called him a "narcissistic maniac" and a "dangerous" man.

The closely watched race for Virginia governor is ramping up for the post Labor Day push when voters typically start to pay more attention and with the two major party candidates still trying to feel their way with Trump in the White House. Both are trying to stick with the traditional basics of a gubernatorial campaign, talking about jobs, schools, and health care, while also keeping Trump's opponents and supporters fired up.

"In a post-Trumpian election cycle, neither campaign can really cut loose from their base," said Shaun Kenney, a former executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia.

A swing state that resembles America in miniature, the outcome in Virginia could serve as an early referendum on Trump's first year in office and a bellwether for the 2018 midterm elections for control of Congress and statehouses around the country.

Only two states are electing new governors this year, and Virginia's race is expected to be much more competitive than New Jersey's. The Virginia race is getting plenty of out-of-state attention, and billionaire-backed outside groups like the conservative Americans for Prosperity and the liberal NextGen America, supported by industrialists Charles and David Koch and environmentalist Tom Steyer, respectively, have pledged significant spending.

Public opinion polls have showed a competitive contest between Gillespie and Northam.

The growing Washington suburbs in the northern part of the state, which are more diverse and liberal than other parts of Virginia, have helped Democrats hold an edge in recent statewide elections. Virginia was the only southern state Hillary Clinton won last year, and Democrats have won every statewide election since 2012.

Gillespie is no stranger to the state's changing demographics and the obstacles Republicans must overcome to win statewide. His underdog bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Mark Warner in 2014 fell just short because of the Democratic wall in Northern Virginia.

Gillespie is trying to win over those same suburban voters while also appealing to the state's Trump supporters, many of whom live in economically depressed rural areas and are skeptical of the former Washington lobbyist and confidante to President George W. Bush.

The result is that Gillespie has largely tried to avoid talking about Trump while mimicking some of the president's positions. Gillespie's campaign messaging alternates between a center-right focus on lower taxes to Trump-like stances of cracking down illegal immigration and expressing support for preserving Confederate monuments.

"Gillespie is essentially caught," said Quentin Kidd, a political science professor at Christopher Newport University. "He's being pulled in two directions."

Northam has also struggled to reconcile the disparate parts of his party, with two proposed natural gas pipelines serving as flashpoints. Anti-pipeline protestors, which include land owners and environmentalists, have castigated Northam for not directly opposing the pipelines. Northam has not said outright if he supports or opposes the pipelines, only that they should meet strict environmental safeguards if built.

Northam also has tried to appeal to the strong anti-Trump feelings of his base with sharp attacks on the president, calling Trump a liar and a danger to the country.

The violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville last month over the city's planned removal of a state of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee highlighted how polarized the race has become.

The Republican Party of Virginia had to apologize after it put out a tweet accusing Northam of having "turned his back on his own family's heritage" by supporting the removal of Confederate monuments because one of his ancestors may have fought for the Confederacy. Democrats, meanwhile, have repeatedly criticized Gillespie for not explicitly condemning Trump's racially fraught comments about Charlottesville, with one group of Jewish lawmakers saying it was a "moral abdication."
As South Florida keeps a close eye on Hurricane Irma, drivers are dashing to gas stations across the tri-county area Monday in preparation for a possible strike. Drivers told NBC 6 they were stunned to see a jump in price at the pump. You may think the increase is in response to the looming hurricane in the Atlantic.

However, the price hike is a result of Hurricane Harvey. The powerful storm put a dent in 10 refineries in the Gulf of Mexico. Maximo Alvarez with Sunshine Gas Distributors says repairs will take at least a month.

"Some of them are still closed and it's been very difficult for the oil companies to assess the damage because a lot of the workers had to abandon their homes and they're living in shelters," explained Alvarez.

He added that gas prices will likely surge as supply thins out.

Oil companies are sending gas down from the Northeast to fill the demand, but gas stations will still be limited, Alvarez said.

He explained that distributors are allowed to buy a percentage of the amount of fuel they normally purchase. Alvarez also said there is a good reserve of crude oil available for the Southeast, but if it doesnt get refined it doesnt turn into gas. And, if Hurricane Irma hits South Florida or the Gulf of Mexico, the situation would be made worse.

Currently, the average price of regular gas is up 30 cents from last Monday -- now at $2.64 in Florida.
Police arrested a man they believe tried to abduct a girl as she was walking with her mother in Queens Village last week.

Vladimir Suero, 38, was arrested Sunday and faces charges of kidnapping, acting in a manner injurious to a child and harassment.

He's accused of grabbing the arm of a 12-year-old girl who was with her mom near the parking lot of Key Food on Jamaica Avenue.

Youre coming with me, he told the girl in Spanish as he yanked on her arm, according to police.

The alleged kidnapper wasnt able to get the girl away and fled.

On Saturday, police released images of a suspect with tatoos on his face, including a cross on his forehead and a rabit on his cheek.
What to Know The property manager of a Queens building being probed by the city over hateful posters in the lobby has been arrested

Posters lining the walls of the Sunnyside condo pay homage to the Confederate Army and to World War II dictators

NYC Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer led a rally at the building last month and de Blasio denounced the posters

The Queens property manager whose lobby posters of Nazis and Confederates scared residents and sparked an investigation by the city last month has been arrested.



Neal Milano, 70, was arrested Sunday afternoon and charged with stalking and harassing a woman, according to police. He was arraigned and ordered to return to court on Friday.

Law enforcement sources say that on July 13 a woman told police Milano followed her on numerous occasions and that he grabbed and pulled her.

The arrest is not related to the citys probe into the posters in the building, the sources said, adding that Milano has been out of the country up until recently.

Some residents of the building were relieved to hear of the arrest. They say the posters and his erratic behavior frightens them. The tenants said Milano has threatened them with eviction and fines, and that he walks around screaming at people and muttering racial epithets. They also said he has boasted about a dozen guns he claimed to have in his apartment.

"It's good for the people in this building that Neal Milano was arrested as soon as he got off the plane," New York City Council Major Leader Jimmy Van Bramer said.



Van Bramer is among the community leaders who have tried to help the terrified residents.



"They are now afraid for their lives when he comes back to their building," Van Bramer said, adding that he believes the NYPD removed the guns from his apartment.

"There are several outstanding harassment complaints against this man. There are numerous other complaints with regard to violations of civil rights," Van Bramer said.

In August, New York City's Commission on Human Rights launched an investigation into allegations of tenant harassment at the condo building Milano manages on 39th Place in the ethnically diverse neighborhood of Sunnyside.

Posters paying homage to the Confederate Army and to World War II dictators like Mussolini and Hitler line the walls of the lobby and stairwell of the building, as do posters in support of the National Rifle Association and President Trump.

Many residents in the building are immigrants. Last month, residents spoke to News 4 anonymously, terrified of retribution. They say the display of posters and propaganda started small and grew to the entire lobby. The building directory lists infamous Nazis Rudolf Hess and Josef Mengele as residents.

"I actually cried when I saw the Trump mural because it says 'build the wall' on it, and this building is full of people from all over different places, and that statement is loaded with hatred," one neighbor said.

It's illegal in New York City for housing providers, landlords or their employees or agents to discriminate against tenants by creating a hostile environment based on race, religion, immigration status, orientation or any other protected class. It's also against the law to harass tenants based on those classes.

It is now more important than ever for New Yorkers to stand united as one city and reject discrimination and intolerance, Mayor de Blasio said in a statement. We will not let tenants in Sunnyside or across the five boroughs be intimidated or threatened for speaking out against hatred.

Van Bramer, a Democrat, led a rally at the building last month, saying Milano has created a "house of horrors" for tenants there. Local lawmakers and leaders from the Anti-Defamation League of New York, the Sunnyside Jewish Center and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York were by his side.

It's unclear how Milano became building manager, although he does own at least one apartment in the building and has been reelected to the condo board. His attorney wasn't immediately reachable Sunday for comment on the charges.



Milano did not respond to NBC 4 New York's requests for comment on the initial story last month. Messages left with the board of managers were also not returned.
Twenty-six Wisconsin cheese companies are donating 17,000 pounds of "comfort food" to Houston's largest food bank, said Suzanne Fanning, vice president of the states Milk Marketing Board, NBC affiliate WMTV first reported.

"It's a very small thing for us to do with what they're facing," she told the station. "But let's face it: cheese is comfort food. It makes you happy. If we can bring a little bit of happiness to the folks down there then that's what we want to do."

The shipment, which will include everything from string cheese to cheese curds, as well as 300 pounds of butter, is expected to arrive in Houston on Thursday, according to WMTV.

After making landfall in Texas, the storm caused major damage to more than 13,000 mobile and multi-family homes in the county.
Three people were hit by Amtrak trains this weekend in the Philadelphia region.

One person died Sunday after being hit a New York-bound train at Torresdale Station around 7:30 p.m. More than 290 people were abroad the train at the time of the accident. No additional injuries were reported, Amtrak said.

Earlier on Sunday, a different person was hit at the Merion station. That victim was conscious when first responders arrived, officials said.

The platform was taped off, but trains still serviced the stop.

On Saturday, a teen heading to the Made in America festival was grazed by an Amtrak train in Malvern. Police said large groups of people heading to Center City were rushing to get onto the platform when the victim was struck.

Police increased patrols following the incident.
Search crews have recovered the body of an 11-year-old girl who apparently drowned at a Central California campground.

The Kern County sheriff's office says searchers found the body Saturday where it had lodged against a rock underwater in the Kern River.

The girl went missing Friday while swimming at a campground in the Sequoia National Forest in Kern County.

About a dozen people have drowned in the Kern River since spring. Authorities warn that record snows have many California rivers running colder and harder than usual.
What to Know The fire is estimated to have scorched 7,000 acres since it started Friday afternoon.

The 210 Freeway was closed for more than a 10-mile stretch through Sunland and Burbank. It reopened Sunday evening.

Hundreds of homes were evacuated.

A portion of the Foothill (210) Freeway closed for more than two days by the massive La Tuna Fire was reopened Sunday, while a brief downpour, cooler temperatures and a heavy bank of clouds today helped firefighters battling the record-setting blaze.

However, strong winds associated with the leftovers of a tropical storm presented new challenges to crews fighting the blaze, which has grown to more than 7,000 acres, with 30 percent containment, authorities said.

"There are still embers that are smoldering and these strong winds could move those embers and help them to reignite. So we've turned a corner today, but this is still not over," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a briefing that included Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas, county Supervisor Kathryn Barger and the mayors of Burbank and Glendale.

Garcetti welcomed a state of emergency declared Sunday in Los Angeles County by Gov. Jerry Brown, saying the decision placed the blaze at the highest priority and would bring new resources to fighting it.

Barger told reporters the county would issue its state of emergency on Tuesday, after the holiday.

The 210 Freeway remained closed for most of a third day, until officials reassessed the situation and reopened it as of 6 p.m.

Once again heavy smoke blew across the San Fernando Valley Sunday creating an unhealthy air quality situation, especially for people with breathing disorders such as asthma.

It also was announced that mandatory evacuations have been lifted by the cities of Burbank and Glendale, as well as in Los Angeles.

There were 1,061 firefighters battling what the mayor had called the biggest brush fire in the city of Los Angeles history, as crews worked for the third day on pockets of unburned brush churning through the northern end of the Verdugo Mountains. The estimate of burned acres increased.

Flames on Saturday and overnight filled in unburned areas lying between the fire lines and the center of the blaze, according to maps released by the fire department.

Garcetti also said there were 9 aircraft fighting the fire and that only 10 people from the City of Los Angeles had found shelter in the public shelters. He said that an estimated 90 percent of the 1,400 who actually evacuated have returned to their homes and he expected that would rise to 100 percent by Monday.

The maps showed fire activity on the western flank, near the Villa Cabrini condominium complex, a large development north of Burbank Airport. Fire activity was also concentrated above the eastern end of Roscoe Boulevard, and more fire above the Morning Glow subdivision in La Tuna Canyon.

'There is (still) a lot of fuel out there left to burn,' Terrazas said during the 10 a.m. news conference at Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace. At that point the fire remained at 10 percent contained with the effort of 206 engine companies, nine helicopters, five water tenders, four bulldozers, 12 hand crews and nine ambulances. It would rise to 15 percent contained by Sunday afternoon and 30 percent Sunday night, according to the unified fire command.

But the biggest concern in battling the blaze still remains the weather, he said.

"In terms of weather, that is our number one concern. Today and the rest of the week, we believe that the weather will become more favorable. Today we're looking at moderate heat impact, isolated thunderstorms with a very slight chance of showers, temperatures 90 and 94 degrees.

"Winds with three to four miles per hour with gusts at 12 (miles per hour) and that can change at a moment's notice and the wind can accelerate very quickly,' Terrazas said.

There were two firefighters taken to hospitals during the second day of the fire for heat-related illnesses. Their conditions were stable, he said. A total of four firefighters were treated, three for heat-related illnesses and one for burns.

Three homes have been destroyed and one was damaged. "We believe two of three had no brush clearance,' Terrazas said. "So I can't emphasize enough the importance of a minimum -- within L.A. city -- a minimum of 200 feet brush clearance, that's brush from your home. If there is no defensive space we cannot protect your house.

Mandatory evacuations in the city of Los Angeles remain in the McGroarty Park area, from McGroarty Terrace to Valaho Place, Wornom South of Sunland, and Morning Glow, South of La Tune.

In Glendale, in the Glenoaks area, at the end of Boston Avenue, El Lado Drive, Cedarbend Drive, Tanbark Place, Ferntree Place, Beechglen Drive, New York Avenue, and at Mountain Oaks Parks, Celita Way and Kadletz Road.

In Burbank, mandatory evacuation orders were up at midday for Castleman Lane, Wedgewood Lane, Kildare Court, Folkstone Court and Logan Court. Burbank police had also closed Joaquin and Haven; Bel Aire and Vista Ridge; Scott Road and Haven; Bel Aire and Amherst; Bel Aire and Cambridge; Groton and Stephen; Sunset Canyon and Walnut; Sunset Canyon and Harvard Road; Country Club and Walnut, and Keystone and Lamer.

McCambridge Park Recreational Center, 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd., was the designated evacuation center, Green said.

Mandatory evacuations in Glendale were at Glenwood Oaks and Mountain Oaks, with voluntary evacuations at Whiting Woods and Oakmont Woods would be ended by 6 p.m., it was announced Sunday afternoon.

Glendale's evacuation center was at Crescenta Valley High School, 2900 Community Ave., where pets are welcome and Pasadena Humane Society has set up at the location. No new evacuations have been ordered in Glendale.

In the Los Angeles, mandatory evacuations were in the McGroarty Park area, from McGroarty to Valaho in Tujunga and in Sunland at Wormon and Sunland. Evacuees were told to find shelter at Sunland Park, 8651 Foothill Blvd.

Voluntary evacuations in Tujunga were at Aileen and Hilllhaven, and McGroarty, from Oro Vista to Plainview.

Voluntary evacuations in the Revierier area were at Alene Drive to Hillhaven Avenue, Reverier, Glen O Peace Parkway, Tranquil Drive, Inspiration Way, Tranquil Place and Hillhaven Place.

Voluntary evacuations in the Haines Canyon Area were at Charrick Drive, Charrick Place, Estepa Drive, Wexlord Drive (Tujunga).

And in Sunland, voluntary evacuations were at Shadow Island Drive and Wormon Avenue south of Sunland.
Rescuers began a block-by-block search of tens of thousands of Houston homes Thursday, pounding on doors and shouting as they looked for anyone  alive or dead  who might have been left behind in Harvey's fetid floodwaters, which have now damaged more than 87,000 homes and destroyed nearly 7,000 statewide.

Elsewhere, the loss of power at a chemical plant set off explosions that prompted a public health warning, and the city of Beaumont, near the Texas-Louisiana line, lost its public water supply. The remnants of the storm pushed deeper inland, raising the risk of flooding as far north as Kentucky.

More than 200 firefighters, police officers and members of an urban search-and-rescue team fanned out across the Meyerland neighborhood for survivors or bodies. They yelled "Fire department!" as they pounded with closed fists on doors, peered through windows and checked with neighbors. The streets were dry but heaped with soggy furniture, carpet and wood.

"We don't think we're going to find any humans, but we're prepared if we do," said District Chief James Pennington of the Houston Fire Department.

The confirmed death toll stood at 38 late Thursday.

Unlike during Hurricane Katrina's aftermath in New Orleans, crews used GPS devices to log the homes they checked rather than spray painting neon X's on the outside. That avoided alerting potential thieves to vacant homes.

The blasts at the Arkema Inc. plant northeast of Houston also ignited a 30- to 40-foot flame and sent up a plume of acrid smoke that the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency initially described as "incredibly dangerous."

FEMA later backed away from that statement, saying that Administrator Brock Long spoke out of an abundance of caution. An Environmental Protection Agency analysis of the smoke showed that it posed no immediate threat to public health, the agency said.

The French operator of the plant warned that up to eight more chemical containers could burn and explode as chemicals stored there degraded without refrigeration.

The latest statewide damage surveys revealed the staggering extent of the destruction. The figures from the Texas Department of Public Safety indicated that nearly 50,000 homes sustained minor damage and 37,000 sustained major damage. At least 6,800 homes were destroyed.

Experts have already begun to offer economic damage estimates of Harvey, even as the historic floods keep rising, NBC news reported. The range, however, is wide: Hannover Re, one of the largest re-insurers in the world, predicted a price tag of $3 billion on insured losses, while Accuweather projected it to have a $190 billion impact on the economy.



About 325,000 people have already sought federal emergency aid in the wake of Harvey. More than $57 million in individual assistance has already been paid out, FEMA officials said.

Rescues continued apace, as did the search for shelter among people made homeless by the storm. Emergency officials reported 32,000 people in shelters across Texas.

The Harris County FEMA director said the agency was looking for ways to house people who lost their homes to Harvey. The priority is to get them into some form of temporary housing, with hotels being one option, he said.

"Right now nothing is off the table," Tom Fargione said. "This is a tremendous disaster in terms of size and scope. I want to get thinking beyond traditional methodologies you've seen in the past."

Although it has been downgraded to a tropical depression, Harvey was still expected to dump heavy rain on parts of Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky through Friday. Forecast totals ranged from 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters), with some places possibly getting up to a foot.

As the water receded in the nation's fourth-largest city, the greatest threat of damage shifted to a region near the Texas-Louisiana state line.

Some residents in Beaumont, Texas, began to get anxious after the city of nearly 120,000 lost water service when its main pump station was overwhelmed by the swollen Neches River. Officials said they were having difficulty bringing in enough bottled water to set up distribution stations because of flooded roads.

A procession of about 10 vehicles tailed a pickup towing a trailer packed with bottled water meant for emergency workers. The truck circled a downtown Beaumont block before Letorisha Hollier hopped out of the closest car.

"Give us a case!" Hollier shouted. Her persistence paid off. A firefighter handed her the water. She was the only tailgater to score a case.

Beaumont police spokeswoman Carol Riley said there were "some disturbances" in supermarkets because people were concerned about water.

The lack of water forced Baptist Beaumont Hospital to bring in ambulances and helicopters to move patients to other facilities, including some who had already been removed from flooded nursing homes. Hospital spokeswoman Mary Poole said other patients were able to be discharged.

In nearby Port Arthur, the Coast Guard used baskets and harnesses to pull people out of a neighborhood with chest-deep water. Many residents of second-floor apartments decided to stay.

Economists said the storm shut down everything from plastics plants to oil refineries to the Houston port  the second-busiest in the nation  which could affect the nation's economy.

With widespread reports of gas shortages, the head of the Texas agency that regulates the oil and gas industry urged drivers to wait three or four days to fill up their tanks. Panic buying is causing a run on gas and empty fuel pumps, Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton said.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry said he would release 500,000 barrels of crude oil from an emergency stockpile in a bid to prevent gasoline prices from spiking in the wake of disruptions caused by Harvey.

Also Thursday, Houston public schools pushed back the start of classes by two weeks. The nation's seventh-largest district had been scheduled to reopen Monday but will now begin school on Sept. 11 because of Harvey.

Health experts warned that sewage in the floodwater could make people sick and that mosquito populations could explode in the coming weeks because stagnant water offers abundant breeding grounds.

With temperatures likely to climb in to the low 90s over the weekend, residents were warned about the dangers of heat exhaustion, especially for people who lost power or must toil outdoors.

Houston's two major airports were slowly resuming full service. Limited bus and light rail service had also been restored, as well as trash pickup.

Harvey initially came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane in Texas on Friday, then went back out to sea and lingered off the coast as a tropical storm for days, inundating flood-prone Houston.

The storm brought five straight days of rain totaling close to 52 inches (1.3 meters), the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental U.S.

Vice President Mike Pence joined with state and local officials Thursday in Rockport, Texas, and said he was inspired by the resilience of Texans.

Pence said the Trump administration is "with you and we will stay with you until Rockport and all of southeast Texas come back."

Meanwhile, President Trump has pledged $1 million in personal funds to Harvey relief efforts, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday.
Opponents of a multi-year closure of the Georgetown Branch Trail held a rally on Monday in an attempt to keep the trail open.

The popular trail that connects Bethesda and Silver Spring, Maryland, is set to close on Tuesday due to construction of the Maryland light rail project known as the Purple Line.

Purple Line officials have said the trail will close for four to five years between Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda and Talbot Avenue in Silver Spring.

During Monday's Save the Trail rally, activists gathered at a section of the trail in Bethesda.

"We're encouraged by all this support. We're encouraged by the 1,600 people that signed our Change.org petition during a holiday weekend," said one man.

The petition is asking Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan not to cut down trees, close the trail or allow "any other irreversible environmental harm" until courts make their final rulings on the Purple Line.

PurpleLineMd.com

During construction, a detour route will take runners and cyclists along Jones Bridge Road, which some trail users have said is too busy and possibly unsafe, WTOP has previously reported.

"Construction activity will occur throughout the length of the existing Georgetown Branch Trail. To ensure safety for trail users, the trail must be closed," said a statement on the Purple Line website. "Montgomery County Department of Transportation has established an alternate trail route for use during construction."

The Purple Line is expected to open in 2022.

Opponents of a multi-year closure of the Georgetown Branch Trail say the alternate route is not as safe due to traffic.
Rostelecom Demonstrates On-Demand Transport Services with the First Multivendor Transport SDN PoC in Russia

Moscow, Russia, Tokyo, Japan and Westborough, Massachusetts, USA - September 4, 2017 - Rostelecom, NEC Corporation and Netcracker Technology announced today that the first proof of concept (PoC) interoperability test for transport software-defined networking (SDN) in the Russian Federation has been successfully completed. Rostelecom is Russia's leading long-distance telecommunications service provider. In the PoC, optical networking equipment from Huawei, NEC and Nokia, as well as their corresponding domain SDN controllers, were managed by an umbrella transport SDN controller provided by NEC/Netcracker. This new hierarchical approach to transport SDN provided complete end-to-end control and visibility, automating operations across three separate optical multivendor domains. Cloud applications and IoT services are driving rapid bandwidth growth, resulting in the need for networks to scale more dynamically. It is also driving the need to accelerate service creation, deployment and restoration times. Rostelecom recognized the opportunity to meet this need through transport SDN. It also used this opportunity to put to test the true multivendor promise of virtualization. The PoC was designed to test the scenarios mentioned above. The multivendor aspect was addressed by selecting Huawei, NEC/Netcracker and Nokia. The umbrella transport SDN controller provided by NEC/Netcracker provided a unified multidomain view, thereby increasing network agility, end-to-end visibility as well as rapid provisioning and restoration capabilities. With these elements in place, Rostelecom network users can self-select new, on-demand transport services that are provisioned automatically and optimized dynamically according to bandwidth and network performance requirements. The PoC also demonstrated significantly reduced service ordering, configuration and activation process times, cutting what used to take months to just hours. This reduces opex and results in simpler configuration processes. Based on the demonstration, service restoration after a fault can drop to an average of just several minutes. "Together with equipment vendors Huawei, NEC/Netcracker and Nokia, Rostelecom proves transport SDN's ability to reduce costs and improve network automation," said Alexey Sapunov, Rostelecom Senior Vice-President for Technical Infrastructure. "By using NEC/Netcracker's multidomain transport SDN controller, which managed multiple underlying domain controllers, Rostelecom was able to eliminate vendor lock-in and lay the foundation for a true multivendor infrastructure." "NEC is proud to successfully complete the first multivendor transport SDN PoC in Russia. It proves the maximum performance to service providers across all transport layers with this multidomain, multilayer and multivendor transport SDN solution that optimizes network traffic and automates configuration," said Akihiro Sakurai, Managing Director of JSC "NEC Neva Communications Systems," NEC Corporation's subsidiary in the Russian Federation. "This proof of concept proved the ability to provide end-to-end network automation and control." "Networks need to undergo a significant transformation and we are excited that the demonstration results showed our Multilayer SDN Controller's ability to simplify and automate complex networks," said Aloke Tusnial, Chief Technology Officer of SDN/NFV Business at Netcracker. "By proving interoperability across multiple optical vendors, NEC/Netcracker is helping service providers like Rostelecom to fundamentally rethink their network design and level of automation." "Huawei TSDN provides automatic discovery of resources, automatic service provisioning and recovery, and RESTful NBI to 3rd party orchestrators to achieve multidomain network unified control. This PoC test proved Huawei Transport SDN service automation and NBI openness," said Jin Yuzhi, President of Huawei Transmission Network Product Line. "Beyond that, Huawei has been developing the NCE (Network Cloud Engine) to streamline the end-to-end operation process on the network planning, management, control and analysis functionalities which will provide significant OPEX reduction." Demetrio Russo, Nokia Vice-president of the East Europe Market said, "The PoC proves once again that networks based on the Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) platform are open to automated Optical Service creation and operation even in multivendor environments, by using the Open Abstract SDN APIs of the Network Services Platform (NSP). The NSP platform, our flagship SDN controller, provides world leading service providers like Rostelecom with a unified and more efficient way to automate, optimize and assure network services across multiple network layers, physical/virtual infrastructure, as well as networks from multiple vendors." For more information about the test please visit https://www.rostelecom.ru/en/about/net/sdn_test.php

About Rostelecom

Rostelecom (www.rostelecom.ru) is one of the largest national telecommunications operators in Russia and Europe. The Company operates in all segments of the telecommunications market and covers millions of households in Russia. Rostelecom is an undisputable leader of the broadband and pay-TV markets in Russia with over 12.6 million fixed-line broadband subscribers and over 9.5 million pay-TV subscribers, over 4.6 million of which are subscribed to Rostelecom's IPTV services. In the first half of 2017, the Group generated RUB 145.6 billion of revenues, RUB 46.2 billion of OIBDA (31.7% of revenue) and RUB 6.0 billion of net income. The Group is a market leader in providing telecommunications services to government bodies and corporates of all levels. Rostelecom is an important innovator that provides solutions in the field of E-Government, cloud computing, healthcare, education, security and housing & utility services. The Group's stable financial position confirmed by its credit ratings. Rostelecom was assigned 'BBB-' and 'BB+' international credit ratings by Fitch Ratings and Standard&Poor's respectively, and AA(RU) by ACRA.



About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.



The NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit



http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/vision/message.html



About JSC "NEC Neva Communications Systems"

JSC "NEC Neva Communications Systems" (NEC Neva) was established in May 1997. Today NEC Neva's specialization is supply of solutions in the field of Telecom & IT, Public Safety and SDN. NEC Corporation has owned 100 percent of its shares since autumn 2009. For detailed information, please, visit the website http://ru.nec.com



About Netcracker Technology

Netcracker Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, is a forward-looking software company, offering mission-critical solutions to service providers around the globe. Our comprehensive portfolio of software solutions and professional services enables large-scale digital transformations, unlocking the opportunities of the cloud, virtualization and the changing mobile ecosystem. With an unbroken service delivery track record of more than 20 years, our unique combination of technology, people and expertise helps companies transform their networks and enable better experiences for their customers.

For more information, visit www.netcracker.com



About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Our aim is to enrich life and improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry. Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competitive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices and cloud computing. Huawei's 180,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees.

For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com



About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader innovating the technologies at the heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience. www.nokia.com





NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.  NEC Corporation.
A student too young to vote or even drive is promising to run for governor of Vermont in 2018.

This is a tough fight, acknowledged Ethan Sonneborn, 13, of Bristol.

Sonneborn is an eighth grader at Mt. Abraham Union Middle School.

He said he has requested all the documentation hell need to seek the office of Vermont governor as a Democrat, aiming to unseat first-term Republican Governor Phil Scott in 2018.

I always knew I wanted to run for public office, Sonneborn told necn Monday. I think Vermonters are looking for a fresh vision.

The Constitution of the State of Vermont does not specify a minimum age for a gubernatorial candidate, but does say a person seeking the office must have lived in the state for four years prior to Election Day. Sonneborn will have done that several times over, he noted.

Sonneborn, who called himself a history buff since age 5, said he admires political leaders including Robert F. Kennedy, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and former Vermont Governor Howard Dean.

He told necn his agenda is one of practical progressivism, focusing on climate change, improving access to quality health care, and doing more to prevent gun violence.

My generation is the one that will inherit this state and this country and this planet, Sonneborn said.

Asked if he worries if this effort will mean he could miss out on getting to be a normal kid, Sonneborn responded, I dont. Running for public office as a kid is kind of my dream childhood.

Faisal Gill, who chairs the Vermont Democratic Party, said he plans to invite the student to talk to the state committee about his platform.

We actually are going to treat him like a regular candidate, Gill said. He deserves to be treated seriously and Im certainly going to do that. I think what hes doing is a fantastic thing, and hopefully, itll encourage other kids his age to get involved.

The gubernatorial hopeful said still needs to fill out paperwork, as well as secure 500 signatures in support of his candidacy.

Ethan Sonneborn does expect challenges in next Augusts primary, but win or lose, he said he expects to stay active in politics.

The first year Ill be eligible to run for president will be 2040, Sonneborn said. Ill be 36.

James Ehlers, an advocate for clean water who works as the executive director of Lake Champlain International in Colchester, has already said he plans to seek the office of Vermont governor, also as a Democrat.

Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, is expected to seek re-election in 2018, though he has not formally launched that campaign since he is only nine months into his first two-year term.
Noble High School in North Berwick, Maine was closed for Labor Day, Monday, except for one precocious visitor -- an emu.

According to NBC in Portland, police found the emu wandering around town and the High School's campus Monday morning.

Police are asking for the public's help in finding the emu's home.

Any information regarding the whereabouts of this emu's owner can be called in to the North Berwick Police Department at (207) 676-2751.
Not made your Christmas pudding yet? Don't know where to start? Come along to a Christmas pudding workshop at Norwich Central Baptist Church on November 21 with MasterChef contestant Jane Wyndham.

Not made your Christmas pudding yet? Don't know where to start? Come along to a Christmas pudding workshop at Norwich Central Baptist Church on November 21 with MasterChef contestant Jane Wyndham.

Norwich Foodbank provides over 4,700 food parcels Norwich Foodbank gave out 4,793 emergency food parcels to people across Norwich in the last year  with 1,790 of these going to children. Read more

Poppies cascading in Sheringham church A fall of poppies cascades from the pulpit in St Andrews Methodist Church in Sheringham, and anyone is welcome to come and see them. Read more

Bishop Graham's prayers for COP27 climate conference Bishop Graham is publishing daily prayers on social media for the current COP27 climate conference, and is asking all to join. Read more

Discovering the Orange in your life The vibrant colours of autumn have been inspiring regular contributor Jane Walters to focus on the positive. Read more

YMCA annual celebration set to inspire YMCA Norfolk is set to hold its much anticipated 2022 annual celebration and awards ceremony on November 17, after almost 3 years since the last event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Hub manager vacancy at community shop Earlham Community Shop Community Interest Company is looking to appoint a manager for this new venture being developed in the heart of NR5 Norwich. Read more

Abbey Days brings Christmas Magic to Wymondham Visitors to Wymondham Abbeys Christmas fair will be able to treat their children to a magic show and fun baking workshop while they browse more than 60 stalls. Read more

Salvation Armys new Christmas Appeal in Norfolk The Salvation Army has launched their new Christmas appeal across Norfolk which, this year, has evolved from the much-loved Toys and Tins appeal. Read more

Are we storing up treasures on earth? Rising prices affect us all, and Anna Heydon urges us to spare a thought for those who will be struggling with the cost of living this winter. Read more

Latest Norfolk Christian community events Events of interest to the Norwich and Norfolk Christian community happening over the next few weeks are listed. Read more

Covid leaf memorial at Norwich church St Peter Mancroft Church Norwich Presents The Leaves of the Trees an installation by sculptor Peter Walker which provides a memorial for those who died of Covid-19 Read more

Community Chaplaincy Norfolk begins a new chapter Community Chaplaincy Norfolk (CCN) celebrated the beginning of a new chapter this week, as the new chair of trustees Chris Tomlinson led his first annual meeting. Read more

Lowestoft Christians launch on-line bible helps app The Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth branch of Good News for Everyone (GNFE), formerly the Gideons, have introduced a new mobile phone app called On-line Bible Helps. Read more

Addicts' rehabilitation centre plan for Drayton Hall Christian addiction charity Teen Challenge London is planning to turn Drayton Hall near Norwich into its headquarters and a rehabilitation centre for men, after it was gifted the freehold of the hall by its owner, the Lind Trust. Read more

The power of positive protest Philip Young encourages us to take a stand for what we believe, and has just written to Therese Coffey regarding climate change and the forthcoming COP 27. He explains why we should be prepared to protest. Read more

Norwich church celebrates with cribs and trees Rosebery Road Methodist Church in Norwich will be holding its annual Cribs and Trees Festival in December. Read more

Transforming Norwich lunch offers ministry tips Ex-Brighton vicar, Rev Phil Moon, will offer tips on how to keep going in ministry to the Transforming Norwich leaders lunch on Wednesday November 16. Read more
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has bagged another contract to supply Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the armed forces. The contract worth Rs 6,100 crore is for a total of 41 ALHs, which will be shared by the Indian Army and Navy.

In a release, T Suvarna Raju, Chairman and Managing Director said that the latest order reflected the trust on HAL's capabilities and gives an impetus to the Make in India campaign. "It reposes faith of Indian Defence forces in indigenous ALH which has been serving them with distinction for a long time" he said.

The choppers are expected to be supplied within 60 months. A contract to that effect was signed between Ministry of Defence and HAL in New Delhi recently. In March this year, HAL had signed a contract for the supply of 32 ALH to boost maritime security capabilities of the Indian Navy (IN) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

ALH is one of the countrys indigenously developed helicopters, which comes in both civil and military variants.

BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has bagged another contract to supply Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the armed forces. The contract worth Rs 6,100 crore is for a total of 41 ALHs, which will be shared by the Indian Army and Navy. In a release, T Suvarna Raju, Chairman and Managing Director said that the latest order reflected the trust on HAL's capabilities and gives an impetus to the Make in India campaign. "It reposes faith of Indian Defence forces in indigenous ALH which has been serving them with distinction for a long time" he said. The choppers are expected to be supplied within 60 months. A contract to that effect was signed between Ministry of Defence and HAL in New Delhi recently. In March this year, HAL had signed a contract for the supply of 32 ALH to boost maritime security capabilities of the Indian Navy (IN) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG). ALH is one of the countrys indigenously developed helicopters, which comes in both civil and military variants.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The RBI has told a parliamentary panel that it has "no information" on how much black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation of Rs 500/1,000 notes or about unaccounted cash legitimised through exchange of currency post note ban. Stating that an estimated Rs 15,280 crore in junked notes has come back "subject to future corrections based on verification process", the Reserve Bank also said it has "no information" whether demonetisation is being planned to be implemented at regular intervals.

The RBI has been facing flak from the opposition parties for demonetisation and delay in disclosing figures on the junked notes, even as the government has maintained that the November 8, 2016 decision to ban Rs 500/1,000 notes in circulation at that time has helped in curbing black money, among other benefits. Last week in its annual report, the RBI finally made public the details of the junked notes that have come back into the system putting the figure at Rs 15,280 crore. The same figure has now been shared with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.

Replying to queries from the parliamentary panel, RBI said the verification for authenticity and numerical accuracy are still on, while some of the specified bank notes (old Rs 500/1,000 notes) which were accepted by banks and post offices are still lying in currency chests. The central bank also informed the panel that the completion of the process of verification will take time in view of the large volume involved. The process is "going on in full swing" with most RBI offices working in double shifts and with the help of high-end verification machines, the central bank said. "Till such time, these notes are processed by the RBI, their numerical accuracy and authenticity, only in estimation of SBNs received back is possible. Subject to future correction, based on verification process when completed, the estimated value of SBNs received as on June 30 is Rs 15.28 trillion," the RBI said in its written reply to the panel. To a query on how much amount of black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation, the central bank said, "The RBI has no information in this regard." The RBI gave similar reply to another question on how much unaccounted money has been legitimised through exchange of junked currency. The central bank did not give any direct reply on adverse impact on the informal and unorganised sector, as also about the GDP loss.

The RBI said the deceleration in overall economic growth figures for 2016-17 had begun "much before demonetisation" due to weakness in industrial and services sector. Last week, several members of the panel had sought redrafting of its draft report on demonetisation as the RBI at that time had not provided some crucial details including on the quantum of junked Rs 500/1,000 notes. The acceptance of the report was deferred as member MPs across party lines including BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, SP MP Naresh Agrawal and BJP MP Nishikant had said that the panel's report on demonetisation needed to be "redrafted" while some of them stated that it "lacks punch". In its annual report for 2016-17, the RBI had disclosed that all but about 1 per cent of the scrapped currency notes have come back into the system. The government had on November 8, banned old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in an attempt to weed out black money in the country.

The old notes were allowed to be deposited in banks, with unusual deposits coming under income tax scrutiny. The government replaced old Rs 500 notes with new ones, but no replacement for Rs 1,000 notes has been made. Instead, a new Rs 2,000 note was introduced post note ban.

NEW DELHI: The RBI has told a parliamentary panel that it has "no information" on how much black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation of Rs 500/1,000 notes or about unaccounted cash legitimised through exchange of currency post note ban. Stating that an estimated Rs 15,280 crore in junked notes has come back "subject to future corrections based on verification process", the Reserve Bank also said it has "no information" whether demonetisation is being planned to be implemented at regular intervals. The RBI has been facing flak from the opposition parties for demonetisation and delay in disclosing figures on the junked notes, even as the government has maintained that the November 8, 2016 decision to ban Rs 500/1,000 notes in circulation at that time has helped in curbing black money, among other benefits. Last week in its annual report, the RBI finally made public the details of the junked notes that have come back into the system putting the figure at Rs 15,280 crore. The same figure has now been shared with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance. Replying to queries from the parliamentary panel, RBI said the verification for authenticity and numerical accuracy are still on, while some of the specified bank notes (old Rs 500/1,000 notes) which were accepted by banks and post offices are still lying in currency chests. The central bank also informed the panel that the completion of the process of verification will take time in view of the large volume involved. The process is "going on in full swing" with most RBI offices working in double shifts and with the help of high-end verification machines, the central bank said. "Till such time, these notes are processed by the RBI, their numerical accuracy and authenticity, only in estimation of SBNs received back is possible. Subject to future correction, based on verification process when completed, the estimated value of SBNs received as on June 30 is Rs 15.28 trillion," the RBI said in its written reply to the panel. To a query on how much amount of black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation, the central bank said, "The RBI has no information in this regard." The RBI gave similar reply to another question on how much unaccounted money has been legitimised through exchange of junked currency. The central bank did not give any direct reply on adverse impact on the informal and unorganised sector, as also about the GDP loss. The RBI said the deceleration in overall economic growth figures for 2016-17 had begun "much before demonetisation" due to weakness in industrial and services sector. Last week, several members of the panel had sought redrafting of its draft report on demonetisation as the RBI at that time had not provided some crucial details including on the quantum of junked Rs 500/1,000 notes. The acceptance of the report was deferred as member MPs across party lines including BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, SP MP Naresh Agrawal and BJP MP Nishikant had said that the panel's report on demonetisation needed to be "redrafted" while some of them stated that it "lacks punch". In its annual report for 2016-17, the RBI had disclosed that all but about 1 per cent of the scrapped currency notes have come back into the system. The government had on November 8, banned old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in an attempt to weed out black money in the country. The old notes were allowed to be deposited in banks, with unusual deposits coming under income tax scrutiny. The government replaced old Rs 500 notes with new ones, but no replacement for Rs 1,000 notes has been made. Instead, a new Rs 2,000 note was introduced post note ban.
S Lalitha By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Namma Metros Rail Grinding Machine is gradually emerging as yet another non-fare revenue source for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). It was set to be despatched by road to assist Mumbai Metro last week but the heavy downpour there has stalled it.

The machine was bought by BMRCL from a US-based firm Loram for `30 crore in 2014. This machine plays a key role in minimising derailments and extending life of the rails. Work is carried out at nights due to the huge noise it emanates while grinding.

BMRCLs Rail Grinding Machine

After completing work on our rails, we lent it to Hyderabad Metro last year, which helped us earn a couple of crores. Other Metros too have requested for it, said BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola.Barring the initial 6.7 km of Metro line from Baiyappanahalli to M G Road, opened in October 2011 for which the machine had to be borrowed from elsewhere, the machine has been put to good use for the remaining 36 kms out of the 42.3-km of Phase-I.

According to the information obtained from BMRCL, Mumbai Metro and the Alstom Factory at Chennai are now waiting to borrow the machine. We earned `2.19 crore from Hyderabad Metro, an official said. We hope to earn `2.37 crore from Mumbai and Chennai, he added.

While 23km of Mumbai rail will be ground soon, 15 km of rail in Alstom Factory in Chennai will require it. With the numerous cities across the country set to have their own Metros, it could become a revenue grosser for BMRCL.

Asked about the need for such a machine, a top official said, After initial construction works and laying of new rail, carbonisation layer has to be removed to smoothen the tracks. Also, due to continuous rail-wheel interaction, rolling contact fatigue is generated on the rail top. Regular profiling is therefore required.The output of this machine is good with grinding of 1km of track taking place in a 4-hour night block, he added.

BENGALURU: Namma Metros Rail Grinding Machine is gradually emerging as yet another non-fare revenue source for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). It was set to be despatched by road to assist Mumbai Metro last week but the heavy downpour there has stalled it. The machine was bought by BMRCL from a US-based firm Loram for `30 crore in 2014. This machine plays a key role in minimising derailments and extending life of the rails. Work is carried out at nights due to the huge noise it emanates while grinding. BMRCLs Rail Grinding MachineAfter completing work on our rails, we lent it to Hyderabad Metro last year, which helped us earn a couple of crores. Other Metros too have requested for it, said BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola.Barring the initial 6.7 km of Metro line from Baiyappanahalli to M G Road, opened in October 2011 for which the machine had to be borrowed from elsewhere, the machine has been put to good use for the remaining 36 kms out of the 42.3-km of Phase-I. According to the information obtained from BMRCL, Mumbai Metro and the Alstom Factory at Chennai are now waiting to borrow the machine. We earned `2.19 crore from Hyderabad Metro, an official said. We hope to earn `2.37 crore from Mumbai and Chennai, he added. While 23km of Mumbai rail will be ground soon, 15 km of rail in Alstom Factory in Chennai will require it. With the numerous cities across the country set to have their own Metros, it could become a revenue grosser for BMRCL. Asked about the need for such a machine, a top official said, After initial construction works and laying of new rail, carbonisation layer has to be removed to smoothen the tracks. Also, due to continuous rail-wheel interaction, rolling contact fatigue is generated on the rail top. Regular profiling is therefore required.The output of this machine is good with grinding of 1km of track taking place in a 4-hour night block, he added.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A British national has been arrested for raping three visually impaired students studying in a school in Delhi.

According to the Delhi Police, Murray Denis Ward (53), who was working with a multi-national company, was arrested after three minor students informed their teachers that he sodomised them inside the school.

He has been a donor for the last eight or nine years. He has been accused of sodomising at least three children, all under 8 years old. A case has been registered and accused has been arrested, Delhi police said in a statement.

Ward forced himself on the three kids on Saturday afternoon. He has been charged under sections of the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Murray was produced in a court on Monday and has been sent to two-day police custody, police said.



When cops checked accuseds laptop and mobile, they found objectionable videos of kids. They are claiming that these videos were sent through WhatsApp to some people.

The accused is from Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, and used to work with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April. He has a family of four including a wife and three kids, who live in UK. He had suffered a paralytic attack in February this year.

NEW DELHI: A British national has been arrested for raping three visually impaired students studying in a school in Delhi. According to the Delhi Police, Murray Denis Ward (53), who was working with a multi-national company, was arrested after three minor students informed their teachers that he sodomised them inside the school. He has been a donor for the last eight or nine years. He has been accused of sodomising at least three children, all under 8 years old. A case has been registered and accused has been arrested, Delhi police said in a statement. Ward forced himself on the three kids on Saturday afternoon. He has been charged under sections of the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Murray was produced in a court on Monday and has been sent to two-day police custody, police said. When cops checked accuseds laptop and mobile, they found objectionable videos of kids. They are claiming that these videos were sent through WhatsApp to some people. The accused is from Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, and used to work with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April. He has a family of four including a wife and three kids, who live in UK. He had suffered a paralytic attack in February this year.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government today inducted a technology-savvy farmer Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as a new junior agriculture minister and moved Krishna Raj to this important ministry, apparently aiming at strengthening the farm sector.

Shekhawat and Raj will replace SS Ahluwalia and Sudharshan Bhagat, who has been moved as Ministers of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation and Tribal Affairs respectively in the major cabinet rejig. Krishna Raj was earlier the minister of state for Women and Child Development, while Shekhawat, an RSS activist in Rajasthan, was a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.

Parshottam Rupala, also a junior agriculture minister at present, will hold the additional charge as minister of state for Panchayati Raj. In total, three junior ministers will be working with cabinet-rank Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to achieve the goal of doubling farm income and rolling out key farm schemes at the ground level. Shekhawat, Raj and Rupala are from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, respectively. Junior ministers are not only empowered on paper but also delegated important ministerial work.

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government today inducted a technology-savvy farmer Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as a new junior agriculture minister and moved Krishna Raj to this important ministry, apparently aiming at strengthening the farm sector. Shekhawat and Raj will replace SS Ahluwalia and Sudharshan Bhagat, who has been moved as Ministers of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation and Tribal Affairs respectively in the major cabinet rejig. Krishna Raj was earlier the minister of state for Women and Child Development, while Shekhawat, an RSS activist in Rajasthan, was a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance. Parshottam Rupala, also a junior agriculture minister at present, will hold the additional charge as minister of state for Panchayati Raj. In total, three junior ministers will be working with cabinet-rank Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to achieve the goal of doubling farm income and rolling out key farm schemes at the ground level. Shekhawat, Raj and Rupala are from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, respectively. Junior ministers are not only empowered on paper but also delegated important ministerial work.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Congress today said the criminal negligence of BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand had led to the deaths of hundreds of children and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action in the matter besides coming out with a statement on the issue.

"Will the prime minister and the health ministry wake up from their slumber," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala asked.

The question was whether they would take "decisive action" against the governments and health ministers of UP and Jharkhand, he said.

The Congress also urged the prime minister to issue a statement on the deaths and asked if he would now take action against the Union health minister and his ministry "who have been criminally complicit in ignoring this entire episode".

Surjewala told reporters here that "hundreds of children" had died in BJP-ruled states.

The Congres leader alleged that the criminal negligence of the BJP governments had "completely decimated" the health structure in the country. The deaths of children and others "exposed their lacklustre attitude and criminal neglect", he said.

The latest example, Surjewala pointed out, was the death of 49 children in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh.

"This comes after the Gorakhpur deaths reached 357," he claimed, adding that in the last 24 hours, 13 more children had died in UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath's citadel.

"Yogi has turned Uttar Pradesh into a 'rogi' (ailing) state," he said.

But such incidents were not restricted to UP, he added.

Surjewala said in Banswara, Rajasthan, 86 children had died in the last 53 days. A total of 236 children had died in Banswara this year, he claimed.

In Ranchi in BJP-ruled Jharkhand, 133 children had died in the last 28 days, and 164 children in Jamshedpur.

A total of 800 children had died so far, he said.

"Who is responsible for this utter negligence and criminal neglect of the health of our children? In Farrukhabad, children are stated to have died again on account of lack of oxygen and medication," he said.

Surjewala said children were dying of Swine flu/H1N1, which had turned into an epidemic as 1,260 people had lost their lives to this till August 2017. In 2016, 265 people died of swine flu, he said.

He also said swine flu had taken 329 lives in Gujarat, 467 in Maharashtra, 80 in Rajasthan and 53 in UP.

If decisive steps were not taken, the epidemic would take the lives of thousands more, he said.

Officials in UP said today 49 infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital. Most of the deaths were caused by "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which a child has trouble breathing.

In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, parents of many of the children in Farrukhabad said there was a delay in providing the patients with oxygen and medicines.

The UP government today transferred Farrukhabad district magistrate Ravindra Kumar, chief medical officer Umakant Pandey and chief medical superintendent Akhilesh Agarwal.

NEW DELHI: The Congress today said the criminal negligence of BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand had led to the deaths of hundreds of children and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action in the matter besides coming out with a statement on the issue. "Will the prime minister and the health ministry wake up from their slumber," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala asked. The question was whether they would take "decisive action" against the governments and health ministers of UP and Jharkhand, he said. The Congress also urged the prime minister to issue a statement on the deaths and asked if he would now take action against the Union health minister and his ministry "who have been criminally complicit in ignoring this entire episode". Surjewala told reporters here that "hundreds of children" had died in BJP-ruled states. The Congres leader alleged that the criminal negligence of the BJP governments had "completely decimated" the health structure in the country. The deaths of children and others "exposed their lacklustre attitude and criminal neglect", he said. The latest example, Surjewala pointed out, was the death of 49 children in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh. "This comes after the Gorakhpur deaths reached 357," he claimed, adding that in the last 24 hours, 13 more children had died in UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath's citadel. "Yogi has turned Uttar Pradesh into a 'rogi' (ailing) state," he said. But such incidents were not restricted to UP, he added. Surjewala said in Banswara, Rajasthan, 86 children had died in the last 53 days. A total of 236 children had died in Banswara this year, he claimed. In Ranchi in BJP-ruled Jharkhand, 133 children had died in the last 28 days, and 164 children in Jamshedpur. A total of 800 children had died so far, he said. "Who is responsible for this utter negligence and criminal neglect of the health of our children? In Farrukhabad, children are stated to have died again on account of lack of oxygen and medication," he said. Surjewala said children were dying of Swine flu/H1N1, which had turned into an epidemic as 1,260 people had lost their lives to this till August 2017. In 2016, 265 people died of swine flu, he said. He also said swine flu had taken 329 lives in Gujarat, 467 in Maharashtra, 80 in Rajasthan and 53 in UP. If decisive steps were not taken, the epidemic would take the lives of thousands more, he said. Officials in UP said today 49 infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital. Most of the deaths were caused by "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which a child has trouble breathing. In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, parents of many of the children in Farrukhabad said there was a delay in providing the patients with oxygen and medicines. The UP government today transferred Farrukhabad district magistrate Ravindra Kumar, chief medical officer Umakant Pandey and chief medical superintendent Akhilesh Agarwal.
By IANS

AHMEDABAD: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of promoting crony capitalism at a heavy cost to the small and medium enterprise.

"The debt of farmers in Gujarat is to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore, but Tata Nano has been given Rs 60,000 crore loan at 0.01 per cent," Gandhi asserted, addressing a massive gathering of party activists at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

"Can you see any Nano cars in Gujarat? How many youngsters got employment there," Gandhi asked.

He asserted, "The Narendra Modi government works for selected handful corporates. Some 50 of them."

In reply to a question by a party worker from Narmada district about media bias towards the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said, "Some six to seven corporate friends of Narendra Modi control the media."

"They are the same people who are breaking the back of farmers, tribals, workers and small and medium scale businesses," he added.

Rahul Gandhi is on a day-long visit to Gujarat to kick off the party's Assembly election campaign, with a focus on strengthening and revving up the party organization in the state.

AHMEDABAD: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of promoting crony capitalism at a heavy cost to the small and medium enterprise. "The debt of farmers in Gujarat is to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore, but Tata Nano has been given Rs 60,000 crore loan at 0.01 per cent," Gandhi asserted, addressing a massive gathering of party activists at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. "Can you see any Nano cars in Gujarat? How many youngsters got employment there," Gandhi asked. He asserted, "The Narendra Modi government works for selected handful corporates. Some 50 of them." In reply to a question by a party worker from Narmada district about media bias towards the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said, "Some six to seven corporate friends of Narendra Modi control the media." "They are the same people who are breaking the back of farmers, tribals, workers and small and medium scale businesses," he added. Rahul Gandhi is on a day-long visit to Gujarat to kick off the party's Assembly election campaign, with a focus on strengthening and revving up the party organization in the state.
By Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Its one of the most chilling stories from back the of the beyond of eastern Uttar Pradesh, expanding over four decades. More than 25,000 children, a majority of them below four weeks of age, have died due to encephalitis and other vector-borne diseases in Gorakhpur and surrounding districts. This is the official figure. Unofficially, the number could be more than double.

This August, 418 children died in Gorakhpurs Baba Raghav Das Medical Colleges Nehru Hospital, a majority of them due to vector-borne diseases, including encephalitis. The hospital gets patients from entire eastern UP, Bihar and Nepal.

According to data provided by the medical college, out of the 418 dead children, 236 were unnamed and below four weeks of age. They were admitted to neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU) of the hospital.

The total number of casualties this year has been 1,378 since January. The average number of deaths till July this year was around 130-140. Giving a month-wise breakup, college principal Dr P K Singh said that toll in January was 152, in February 122, March 159, April 123, May 139, June 137 and 128 in July. It spiralled to 418 in August, putting the hospital in the spotlight of international media for wrong reasons.

Dr Kafeel Khan, Gorakhpur doctor blamed for the death of 30 children at the hospital, was arrested on Saturday. Khan is among seven people named in a case registered over the death of the 30 children within 48 hours at the college on August 10-11.

Deadly Toll

1,378 deaths in Gorakhpurs Baba Raghav Das Medical Colleges Nehru Hospital since January

130-140 was the average number of deaths till July

The reason for such high casualty figures is the crumbling health system at the primary and community level. PHCs are good for delivery of pregnant women if midwives are available, says a doctor.

Shortage of doctors and medical attendants at ill-equipped and shabbily maintained PHCs and CHC adds to the woes. PHCs and CHCs usually have only a general physician and two Ayush medicos.

Between the monsoon-hit July and September and floods ravaging the region, nearly 200 patients a day inflicted by viral infections like dengue, swine flu and cholera arrive at PHCs.

In Gorakhpur district, the sanctioned staff of doctors is 284, too less vis-a-vis regular outbreaks of cholera and other viral infections. At present, there are only 201 doctors across PHCs and CHCs in the district. Rampant private practice by PHC doctors is another bane hitting the medical scenario.

In Gorakhpur division, the only tertiary level intervention is available at Baba Raghav Das Medical College to combat encephalitis across 15 districts and Bihar and Nepal.

LUCKNOW: Its one of the most chilling stories from back the of the beyond of eastern Uttar Pradesh, expanding over four decades. More than 25,000 children, a majority of them below four weeks of age, have died due to encephalitis and other vector-borne diseases in Gorakhpur and surrounding districts. This is the official figure. Unofficially, the number could be more than double. This August, 418 children died in Gorakhpurs Baba Raghav Das Medical Colleges Nehru Hospital, a majority of them due to vector-borne diseases, including encephalitis. The hospital gets patients from entire eastern UP, Bihar and Nepal. According to data provided by the medical college, out of the 418 dead children, 236 were unnamed and below four weeks of age. They were admitted to neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU) of the hospital. The total number of casualties this year has been 1,378 since January. The average number of deaths till July this year was around 130-140. Giving a month-wise breakup, college principal Dr P K Singh said that toll in January was 152, in February 122, March 159, April 123, May 139, June 137 and 128 in July. It spiralled to 418 in August, putting the hospital in the spotlight of international media for wrong reasons. Dr Kafeel Khan, Gorakhpur doctor blamed for the death of 30 children at the hospital, was arrested on Saturday. Khan is among seven people named in a case registered over the death of the 30 children within 48 hours at the college on August 10-11. Deadly Toll 1,378 deaths in Gorakhpurs Baba Raghav Das Medical Colleges Nehru Hospital since January 130-140 was the average number of deaths till July The reason for such high casualty figures is the crumbling health system at the primary and community level. PHCs are good for delivery of pregnant women if midwives are available, says a doctor. Shortage of doctors and medical attendants at ill-equipped and shabbily maintained PHCs and CHC adds to the woes. PHCs and CHCs usually have only a general physician and two Ayush medicos. Between the monsoon-hit July and September and floods ravaging the region, nearly 200 patients a day inflicted by viral infections like dengue, swine flu and cholera arrive at PHCs. In Gorakhpur district, the sanctioned staff of doctors is 284, too less vis-a-vis regular outbreaks of cholera and other viral infections. At present, there are only 201 doctors across PHCs and CHCs in the district. Rampant private practice by PHC doctors is another bane hitting the medical scenario. In Gorakhpur division, the only tertiary level intervention is available at Baba Raghav Das Medical College to combat encephalitis across 15 districts and Bihar and Nepal.
By PTI

XIAMEN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment along with the security situation in Afghanistan.

The two leaders met in this southeastern Chinese city on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. This was Modi's first bilateral meeting since his arrival last evening. The prime minister is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before he travels to Myanmar tomorrow.

"The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime minister's visit to Russia earlier this year. And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters at a briefing here.

When asked if the two leaders discussed Afghanistan, Kumar said some regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan was also deliberated upon. He, however, refused to give further details. He also said that during the Modi-Putin meeting several bilateral issues were discussed like the cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector.

Kumar said the two leaders also discussed how they should work together to promote trade and investment. During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges.

"President Putin mentioned about the 'Festival of India', which was organised in Russia earlier this year. Discussions also took place on the promotion of tourism between the two countries and also on the student exchange between the two sides," Kumar said.

Later, Modi also met Brazilian President Michel Temer and discussed a partnership based on a "common global vision".

"A partnership based on a common global vision & shared democratic values. PM @narendramodi engages with Brazilian President @MichelTemer," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

XIAMEN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment along with the security situation in Afghanistan. The two leaders met in this southeastern Chinese city on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. This was Modi's first bilateral meeting since his arrival last evening. The prime minister is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before he travels to Myanmar tomorrow. "The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime minister's visit to Russia earlier this year. And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters at a briefing here. When asked if the two leaders discussed Afghanistan, Kumar said some regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan was also deliberated upon. He, however, refused to give further details. He also said that during the Modi-Putin meeting several bilateral issues were discussed like the cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector. Kumar said the two leaders also discussed how they should work together to promote trade and investment. During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges. "President Putin mentioned about the 'Festival of India', which was organised in Russia earlier this year. Discussions also took place on the promotion of tourism between the two countries and also on the student exchange between the two sides," Kumar said. Later, Modi also met Brazilian President Michel Temer and discussed a partnership based on a "common global vision". "A partnership based on a common global vision & shared democratic values. PM @narendramodi engages with Brazilian President @MichelTemer," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In his bid to bring in more professionalism in governance, PM Narendra Modi picked four former administratorsthree bureaucrats and one ex-top police officer for his new team of ministers. While two of them Satya Pal Singh and RK Singh are first-time MPs, the other two, former diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri and ex-IAS officer KJ Alphons arent even members of parliament.

BJP leaders believe that the four administrators will be able to bring in professional perspective and proficiency to the government. They have ample administrative and governance experience. They have been strategically placed in the ministries. The purpose is to bring in more efficiency in governance as the government has only two years left for the next General election in the year 2019, said a BJP leader.

Law maker from Bihar, R K Singh was the Union Home Secretary before he joined the BJP and contested the 2014 election. He has been known for his no-nonsense attitude and has been given charge of power as minister of state.

Retired top police officer of Mumbai, Satya Pal Singh, the lawmaker from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, is known for playing key role in crushing organised crime syndicates in Mumbai in 90s. He has been given charge of HRD and water resources, river development and ganga rejuvenation as minister of state.

KJ Alphons was a bureaucrat who was popularly called the demolition man when he was with Delhi Development Authority. As a land commissioner with the land agency in Delhi, he played a key role in removing encroachments from government land. He quit the Indian Administrative Service in 2006 and won his first election with support of the Left Democratic Front in Kerala He joined the BJP in 2011. He has been made minister of State (Independent Charge) for portfolios like Tourism and Electronics and IT.

Hardeep Singh Puri, joined the BJP in early 2014 and he was long expected to be part of the government. This year, he was appointed as chairman of the Delhi-headquartered think-tank Research and Information System for Developing Countries. He has been given charge of housing and urban affairs as MoS independent.

However, bureaucrats joining government drew sharp reactions from some politicians. BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday criticised the fact that retired bureaucrats were being relied on more than politicians. "This is new drama being enacted by the BJP. In place of politicians, retired bureaucrats are being relied on more in the expansion and an attempt is being made to propagate the agenda of RSS, she said in a statement.



NEW DELHI: In his bid to bring in more professionalism in governance, PM Narendra Modi picked four former administratorsthree bureaucrats and one ex-top police officer for his new team of ministers. While two of them Satya Pal Singh and RK Singh are first-time MPs, the other two, former diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri and ex-IAS officer KJ Alphons arent even members of parliament. BJP leaders believe that the four administrators will be able to bring in professional perspective and proficiency to the government. They have ample administrative and governance experience. They have been strategically placed in the ministries. The purpose is to bring in more efficiency in governance as the government has only two years left for the next General election in the year 2019, said a BJP leader. Law maker from Bihar, R K Singh was the Union Home Secretary before he joined the BJP and contested the 2014 election. He has been known for his no-nonsense attitude and has been given charge of power as minister of state. Retired top police officer of Mumbai, Satya Pal Singh, the lawmaker from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, is known for playing key role in crushing organised crime syndicates in Mumbai in 90s. He has been given charge of HRD and water resources, river development and ganga rejuvenation as minister of state. KJ Alphons was a bureaucrat who was popularly called the demolition man when he was with Delhi Development Authority. As a land commissioner with the land agency in Delhi, he played a key role in removing encroachments from government land. He quit the Indian Administrative Service in 2006 and won his first election with support of the Left Democratic Front in Kerala He joined the BJP in 2011. He has been made minister of State (Independent Charge) for portfolios like Tourism and Electronics and IT. Hardeep Singh Puri, joined the BJP in early 2014 and he was long expected to be part of the government. This year, he was appointed as chairman of the Delhi-headquartered think-tank Research and Information System for Developing Countries. He has been given charge of housing and urban affairs as MoS independent. However, bureaucrats joining government drew sharp reactions from some politicians. BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday criticised the fact that retired bureaucrats were being relied on more than politicians. "This is new drama being enacted by the BJP. In place of politicians, retired bureaucrats are being relied on more in the expansion and an attempt is being made to propagate the agenda of RSS, she said in a statement.
By PTI

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government today suspended the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Lucknow over an allegedly "misleading" report which held that the suspicious substance recovered from the state Assembly was highly explosive PETN, an official said.

The state government has initiated a probe in the matter, he said.

Director FSL, Shiv Bihari Upadhyay, has been suspended for allegedly giving a wrong, misleading, incomplete and unconfirmed report about the substance recovered in the state Assembly, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said.

"Upadhyay got the substance recovered from the state Assembly examined and in the report it was held to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be silicon oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive," Kumar said.

The "suspicious" substance had been recovered from the UP Assembly on July 12.

Kumar added that Upadhyay had been suspended for allegedly getting the substance tested using an explosive detection kit whose usage date had expired in March 2016 itself.

Another charge against him was that it was tested by a person who was not an expert in the field, he added. Director, Vigilance, Hitesh Awasthi will probe the charges, the official said.

There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna, Bihar, from February 28, 2008 to August 20, 2012, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar said.

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government today suspended the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Lucknow over an allegedly "misleading" report which held that the suspicious substance recovered from the state Assembly was highly explosive PETN, an official said. The state government has initiated a probe in the matter, he said. Director FSL, Shiv Bihari Upadhyay, has been suspended for allegedly giving a wrong, misleading, incomplete and unconfirmed report about the substance recovered in the state Assembly, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said. "Upadhyay got the substance recovered from the state Assembly examined and in the report it was held to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be silicon oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive," Kumar said. The "suspicious" substance had been recovered from the UP Assembly on July 12. Kumar added that Upadhyay had been suspended for allegedly getting the substance tested using an explosive detection kit whose usage date had expired in March 2016 itself. Another charge against him was that it was tested by a person who was not an expert in the field, he added. Director, Vigilance, Hitesh Awasthi will probe the charges, the official said. There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna, Bihar, from February 28, 2008 to August 20, 2012, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar said.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AS her mothers last rites were performed on Sunday, Aswathi probably went about her work with a broken heart thousands of miles away in Saudi Arabia, unable to catch a final glimpse of her dead mom. Chandralekha, 43, hailing from a poor family at Maithri Nagar near Kottarakkara railway station, died of respiratory ailments on Friday. Her older daughter Aswathi, 23, works as a domestic help in Dammam.

The native Saudi family which employs Aswathi denied her permission to attend the last rites of her mother. She was wailing when she told us the employer rejected her repeated pleas. We too contacted them with the help of a translator, but to no avail, said Aswathis stepfather Thampi. Malayali organisations in Saudi Arabia had intervened to try and bring Aswathi over and Thampi, a daily wager, said he decided to go ahead with the cremation when all hopes of her arrival vanished.

Chandralekhas last rites were conducted at the Mulankadakam crematorium in Kollam on Sunday morning. Aswathi is Chandralekhas daughter from her first marriage. Thampi is her second husband; the couple have a daughter, Sandra who is a Plus I student. Aswathi went to work in Dammam owing to the familys dire financial state. Her mother encouraged her to take the job. Its heartbreaking she couldnt see her mother one last time, said Thampi.

He said while the family were unaware of whether Aswathi faced any problems at her workplace, they are now anxious for her safety. She went abroad a year and a half back and had come home once. She hasnt complained of any issues before, but the last time she called, the employer snatched her phone. They also refuse to pick up our calls, he said.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AS her mothers last rites were performed on Sunday, Aswathi probably went about her work with a broken heart thousands of miles away in Saudi Arabia, unable to catch a final glimpse of her dead mom. Chandralekha, 43, hailing from a poor family at Maithri Nagar near Kottarakkara railway station, died of respiratory ailments on Friday. Her older daughter Aswathi, 23, works as a domestic help in Dammam. The native Saudi family which employs Aswathi denied her permission to attend the last rites of her mother. She was wailing when she told us the employer rejected her repeated pleas. We too contacted them with the help of a translator, but to no avail, said Aswathis stepfather Thampi. Malayali organisations in Saudi Arabia had intervened to try and bring Aswathi over and Thampi, a daily wager, said he decided to go ahead with the cremation when all hopes of her arrival vanished. Chandralekhas last rites were conducted at the Mulankadakam crematorium in Kollam on Sunday morning. Aswathi is Chandralekhas daughter from her first marriage. Thampi is her second husband; the couple have a daughter, Sandra who is a Plus I student. Aswathi went to work in Dammam owing to the familys dire financial state. Her mother encouraged her to take the job. Its heartbreaking she couldnt see her mother one last time, said Thampi. He said while the family were unaware of whether Aswathi faced any problems at her workplace, they are now anxious for her safety. She went abroad a year and a half back and had come home once. She hasnt complained of any issues before, but the last time she called, the employer snatched her phone. They also refuse to pick up our calls, he said.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The process for restructuring of the State Congress and appointment of a new chief seems to have reached its last leg with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi summoning senior leaders to New Delhi on September 5 for a discussion.Sources said Gandhi will discuss condition of Congress in Odisha and how to strengthen its base with senior leaders besides indicating his preference for next State unit president. The discussion will be based on the recommendations of the three-member team from All India Congress Committee (AICC) which has already submitted its report to Gandhi.



As many as 32 senior leaders have been called by the high command to New Delhi. Probably, this will be the last phase of the long process of discussion going on in the party to prepare an action plan for its revival in Odisha following its miserable performance in the Zilla Parishad polls in February.



However, it is not yet certain whether the AICC vice-president will meet the leaders in a group or separately. Though details of the possible changes in the party are not available, sources maintained that the post of working president is going to be revived. There is likely to be three working presidents to look after organisational matters of a specific zone. However, Congress leaders refused to divulge details about the ensuing meeting called by Gandhi.



Former minister Niranjan Patnaik and former Union minister Bhakta Charan Das remain frontrunner for the post of next president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) while chances of the incumbent State chief Prasad Harichandan continuing for some more time cannot be ruled out altogether.

While Niranjan camp is hopeful that Gandhi will announce the name of next OPCC president on September 5, supporters of Harichandan ruled out such a possibility. A senior leader supporting continuance of Harichandan said when the process of organisational election has started, name of a new president cannot be announced. A new president of the OPCC can be announced by October-end when the election process will end, he said.

BHUBANESWAR: The process for restructuring of the State Congress and appointment of a new chief seems to have reached its last leg with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi summoning senior leaders to New Delhi on September 5 for a discussion.Sources said Gandhi will discuss condition of Congress in Odisha and how to strengthen its base with senior leaders besides indicating his preference for next State unit president. The discussion will be based on the recommendations of the three-member team from All India Congress Committee (AICC) which has already submitted its report to Gandhi. As many as 32 senior leaders have been called by the high command to New Delhi. Probably, this will be the last phase of the long process of discussion going on in the party to prepare an action plan for its revival in Odisha following its miserable performance in the Zilla Parishad polls in February. However, it is not yet certain whether the AICC vice-president will meet the leaders in a group or separately. Though details of the possible changes in the party are not available, sources maintained that the post of working president is going to be revived. There is likely to be three working presidents to look after organisational matters of a specific zone. However, Congress leaders refused to divulge details about the ensuing meeting called by Gandhi. Former minister Niranjan Patnaik and former Union minister Bhakta Charan Das remain frontrunner for the post of next president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) while chances of the incumbent State chief Prasad Harichandan continuing for some more time cannot be ruled out altogether. While Niranjan camp is hopeful that Gandhi will announce the name of next OPCC president on September 5, supporters of Harichandan ruled out such a possibility. A senior leader supporting continuance of Harichandan said when the process of organisational election has started, name of a new president cannot be announced. A new president of the OPCC can be announced by October-end when the election process will end, he said.
By PTI

XIAMEN: For the first time, Pakistan-based terror groups like the LeT and the JeM were named today in the Summit declaration of the BRICS countries that also asserted that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terror acts must be held accountable.

In a significant diplomatic win for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.

The 43-page 'Xiamen Declaration', adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary, stressed on the need for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan.

It expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

At the ninth Summit of the grouping, the BRICS leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

They stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable," the statement said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

According to officials, Modi raised the issue of terrorism strongly at the BRICS Summit and was joined by other leaders, who expressed willingness to fight this menace.

"For the first time specific listing of terror organisations has been made (in the BRICS declaration),"

Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.

The inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration is also significant as it indicated a slight shift in the Chinese view towards terror groups operating out of Pakistan.

Ahead of the BRICS Summit, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had said, "We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at the BRICS Summit."

During the last BRICS Summit in Goa, China did not allow inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration despite the fact that the Summit was taking place within weeks of the Uri terror strike carried out by a Pakistan-based militant group.

However, now it is to be seen that after being part of such a strongly-worded declaration on terrorism and indicting Pakistan-based terror group JeM, how China will act towards the designation of Jaish's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

Currently, China has put a hold on the proposal moved by the US and some other countries at the UN's Sanction's Committee.

The declaration referred to terrorism at least 17 times, apart from mentioning other forms of extremism and radicalisation. During the BRICS Summit here, India also offered to host a conference on countering radicalisation.

Talking about India's position on terrorism, Saran told reporters, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

Saran also said that prime minister Modi also raised the issue of speeding up the long-pending UN Security Council reforms during the Summit.

The BRICS countries also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism.

They said that the approach should include "countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)."

The BRICS leaders conveyed their commitment to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing.

They also recalled the responsibility of all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

"We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs)," the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said.

XIAMEN: For the first time, Pakistan-based terror groups like the LeT and the JeM were named today in the Summit declaration of the BRICS countries that also asserted that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terror acts must be held accountable. In a significant diplomatic win for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge. The 43-page 'Xiamen Declaration', adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary, stressed on the need for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan. It expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir. At the ninth Summit of the grouping, the BRICS leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever. They stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. "We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable," the statement said. Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. According to officials, Modi raised the issue of terrorism strongly at the BRICS Summit and was joined by other leaders, who expressed willingness to fight this menace. "For the first time specific listing of terror organisations has been made (in the BRICS declaration)," Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters. The inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration is also significant as it indicated a slight shift in the Chinese view towards terror groups operating out of Pakistan. Ahead of the BRICS Summit, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had said, "We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at the BRICS Summit." During the last BRICS Summit in Goa, China did not allow inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration despite the fact that the Summit was taking place within weeks of the Uri terror strike carried out by a Pakistan-based militant group. However, now it is to be seen that after being part of such a strongly-worded declaration on terrorism and indicting Pakistan-based terror group JeM, how China will act towards the designation of Jaish's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. Currently, China has put a hold on the proposal moved by the US and some other countries at the UN's Sanction's Committee. The declaration referred to terrorism at least 17 times, apart from mentioning other forms of extremism and radicalisation. During the BRICS Summit here, India also offered to host a conference on countering radicalisation. Talking about India's position on terrorism, Saran told reporters, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge." "You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said. Saran also said that prime minister Modi also raised the issue of speeding up the long-pending UN Security Council reforms during the Summit. The BRICS countries also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism. They said that the approach should include "countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)." The BRICS leaders conveyed their commitment to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing. They also recalled the responsibility of all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories. "We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs)," the BRICS declaration said. The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea. "We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said.
By AFP

YANGON: Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai and mainly Muslim countries in Asia led a growing chorus of criticism on Monday aimed at Myanmar and its civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi over the plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Nearly 90,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh in the past 10 days following an uptick in fighting between militants and Myanmar's military in strife-torn western Rakhine state.

The impoverished region bordering Bangladesh has been a crucible of communal tensions between Muslims and Buddhists for years, with the Rohingya forced to live under apartheid-like restrictions on movement and citizenship.

The recent violence, which began last October when a small Rohingya militant group ambushed border posts, is the worst Rakhine has witnessed in years, with the UN saying Myanmar's army may have committed ethnic cleansing in its response.

Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner of Myanmar's junta, has come under increasing fire over her perceived unwillingness to speak out against the treatment of the Rohingya or chastise the military.

She has made no public comment since the latest fighting broke out on August 25.

"Every time I see the news, my heart breaks at the suffering of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar," Pakistani activist Yousafzai, who famously survived being shot in the head by the Taliban, said in a statement on Twitter.

"Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same," she added.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman also questioned Suu Kyi's silence.

"Very frankly, I am dissatisfied with Aung San Suu Kyi," Anifah told AFP.

"(Previously) she stood up for the principles of human rights. Now it seems she is doing nothing."

Muslim neighbours riled

The growing crisis threatens Myanmar's diplomatic relations, particularly with Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia where there is profound public anger over the treatment of the Rohingya.

The Maldives announced on Monday that it was severing all trade ties with the country "until the government of Myanmar takes measures to prevent the atrocities being committed against Rohingya Muslims", the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Suu Kyi as well as Myanmar's army chief General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Monday in a bid to pressure the government to do more to alleviate the crisis.

"Once again, violence, this humanitarian crisis has to stop immediately," Indonesian President Joko Widodo told reporters on Sunday as he announced Retno's mission.

Hours before Widodo spoke, a petrol bomb was thrown at Myanmar's embassy in Jakarta while police there have previously thwarted two attempts by Islamist militants to bomb the compound.

Dozens demonstrated in front of the embassy on Monday, where armed police were deployed and the mission cordoned off behind barbed wire.

Pakistan's foreign ministry said it was "deeply concerned over reports of growing number of deaths and forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims" and urged Myanmar to investigate reports of atrocities against the community.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif added in a recent tweet: "Global silence on continuing violence against #Rohingya Muslims. Intl action crucial to prevent further ethnic cleansing - UN must rally."

Analysts have long warned that Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya would lead to homegrown militancy as well as support from international jihadists.

Since the latest fighting broke out, Al-Qaeda's offshoot in Yemen has called for retaliatory attacks against Myanmar while the Afghan Taliban urged Muslims to "use their abilities to help Myanmar's oppressed Muslims".

Thousands gathered in Russia's Chechnya region Monday for an officially staged rally over the plight of the Rohingya.

Defenders of Suu Kyi say she has limited ability to control Myanmar's notoriously abusive military, which under the junta-era constitution is effectively independent of civilian oversight.

The Rohingya are also widely dismissed in Myanmar as Bangladeshi interlopers despite many tracing their lineage back generations, making supporting them hugely unpopular.

But detractors say Suu Kyi is one of the few people with the mass appeal and moral authority to swim against the tide on the issue.

YANGON: Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai and mainly Muslim countries in Asia led a growing chorus of criticism on Monday aimed at Myanmar and its civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi over the plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority. Nearly 90,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh in the past 10 days following an uptick in fighting between militants and Myanmar's military in strife-torn western Rakhine state. The impoverished region bordering Bangladesh has been a crucible of communal tensions between Muslims and Buddhists for years, with the Rohingya forced to live under apartheid-like restrictions on movement and citizenship. The recent violence, which began last October when a small Rohingya militant group ambushed border posts, is the worst Rakhine has witnessed in years, with the UN saying Myanmar's army may have committed ethnic cleansing in its response. Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner of Myanmar's junta, has come under increasing fire over her perceived unwillingness to speak out against the treatment of the Rohingya or chastise the military. She has made no public comment since the latest fighting broke out on August 25. "Every time I see the news, my heart breaks at the suffering of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar," Pakistani activist Yousafzai, who famously survived being shot in the head by the Taliban, said in a statement on Twitter. "Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same," she added. Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman also questioned Suu Kyi's silence. "Very frankly, I am dissatisfied with Aung San Suu Kyi," Anifah told AFP. "(Previously) she stood up for the principles of human rights. Now it seems she is doing nothing." Muslim neighbours riled The growing crisis threatens Myanmar's diplomatic relations, particularly with Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia where there is profound public anger over the treatment of the Rohingya. The Maldives announced on Monday that it was severing all trade ties with the country "until the government of Myanmar takes measures to prevent the atrocities being committed against Rohingya Muslims", the foreign ministry said in a statement. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Suu Kyi as well as Myanmar's army chief General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Monday in a bid to pressure the government to do more to alleviate the crisis. "Once again, violence, this humanitarian crisis has to stop immediately," Indonesian President Joko Widodo told reporters on Sunday as he announced Retno's mission. Hours before Widodo spoke, a petrol bomb was thrown at Myanmar's embassy in Jakarta while police there have previously thwarted two attempts by Islamist militants to bomb the compound. Dozens demonstrated in front of the embassy on Monday, where armed police were deployed and the mission cordoned off behind barbed wire. Pakistan's foreign ministry said it was "deeply concerned over reports of growing number of deaths and forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims" and urged Myanmar to investigate reports of atrocities against the community. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif added in a recent tweet: "Global silence on continuing violence against #Rohingya Muslims. Intl action crucial to prevent further ethnic cleansing - UN must rally." Analysts have long warned that Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya would lead to homegrown militancy as well as support from international jihadists. Since the latest fighting broke out, Al-Qaeda's offshoot in Yemen has called for retaliatory attacks against Myanmar while the Afghan Taliban urged Muslims to "use their abilities to help Myanmar's oppressed Muslims". Thousands gathered in Russia's Chechnya region Monday for an officially staged rally over the plight of the Rohingya. Defenders of Suu Kyi say she has limited ability to control Myanmar's notoriously abusive military, which under the junta-era constitution is effectively independent of civilian oversight. The Rohingya are also widely dismissed in Myanmar as Bangladeshi interlopers despite many tracing their lineage back generations, making supporting them hugely unpopular. But detractors say Suu Kyi is one of the few people with the mass appeal and moral authority to swim against the tide on the issue.
By AFP

SEOUL: South Korean media called Monday for Seoul to consider building its own nuclear weapons amid growing doubts over its decades-old alliance with Washington following North Korea's sixth nuclear test.

Pyongyang on Sunday triggered global alarm with by far its most powerful test to date, after it claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted onto a long-range missile, which analysts say is a major advancement in its nuclear programme.

The South, which hosts 28,500 US troops to defend it from the North, is banned from building its own nuclear weapons under a 1974 atomic energy deal it signed with the US, which instead offers a "nuclear umbrella" against potential attacks.

But growing nuclear and missile threats from its belligerent northern neighbour is prompting some in the South to call for its own nuclear armament.

"As nuclear weapons are being churned out above our heads, we can't always rely on the US nuclear umbrella and extended deterrence," the mass-circulation Donga Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Monday.

The US stationed some of its atomic weapons in the South following the 1950-53 Korean War, but withdrew them in 1991 when the two Koreas jointly declared they would make the peninsula nuclear-free.

That pact was no longer binding, the editorial said, and added: "There is no reason for us to cling onto the declaration when it has become the 'denuclearisation of South Korea', not the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula".

The Seoul government should not "hesitate" in reintroducing US tactical nuclear weapons as well as building its own atomic devices.

Such a move would undoubtedly alarm Pyongyang, which consistently says it is at risk of attack by the US.

Following Sunday's test, South Korean President Moon Jae-In called for discussions on deploying "the strongest strategic assets of the US military", without elaborating on what those weapons could be.

But Moon's office later clarified that Seoul "maintains" its position on denuclearisation.

Analysts warn that growing doubts over the alliance, fuelled by rash comments from US President Donald Trump, could force the South to seriously consider nuclear armament.

"Undermining alliance solidarity at this moment is dumb and dangerous," tweeted Colin Kahl of Georgetown University, who worked for the Obama administration.

In a series of tweets posted hours after the test, Trump denounced the North but also criticised Seoul, saying: "South Korea is finding their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

On the campaign trail, Trump had accused US allies including Japan and South Korea of not paying enough for their defence and suggested they develop their own nuclear weapons, triggering major concerns about the alliance.

Trump must "stop attacking" the allies and tweeting before meeting them, Kahl said, adding: "The Administration needs to speak with one voice before confusion splits the US from its allies, produces a war, or both."

SEOUL: South Korean media called Monday for Seoul to consider building its own nuclear weapons amid growing doubts over its decades-old alliance with Washington following North Korea's sixth nuclear test. Pyongyang on Sunday triggered global alarm with by far its most powerful test to date, after it claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted onto a long-range missile, which analysts say is a major advancement in its nuclear programme. The South, which hosts 28,500 US troops to defend it from the North, is banned from building its own nuclear weapons under a 1974 atomic energy deal it signed with the US, which instead offers a "nuclear umbrella" against potential attacks. But growing nuclear and missile threats from its belligerent northern neighbour is prompting some in the South to call for its own nuclear armament. "As nuclear weapons are being churned out above our heads, we can't always rely on the US nuclear umbrella and extended deterrence," the mass-circulation Donga Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Monday. The US stationed some of its atomic weapons in the South following the 1950-53 Korean War, but withdrew them in 1991 when the two Koreas jointly declared they would make the peninsula nuclear-free. That pact was no longer binding, the editorial said, and added: "There is no reason for us to cling onto the declaration when it has become the 'denuclearisation of South Korea', not the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula". The Seoul government should not "hesitate" in reintroducing US tactical nuclear weapons as well as building its own atomic devices. Such a move would undoubtedly alarm Pyongyang, which consistently says it is at risk of attack by the US. Following Sunday's test, South Korean President Moon Jae-In called for discussions on deploying "the strongest strategic assets of the US military", without elaborating on what those weapons could be. But Moon's office later clarified that Seoul "maintains" its position on denuclearisation. Analysts warn that growing doubts over the alliance, fuelled by rash comments from US President Donald Trump, could force the South to seriously consider nuclear armament. "Undermining alliance solidarity at this moment is dumb and dangerous," tweeted Colin Kahl of Georgetown University, who worked for the Obama administration. In a series of tweets posted hours after the test, Trump denounced the North but also criticised Seoul, saying: "South Korea is finding their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" On the campaign trail, Trump had accused US allies including Japan and South Korea of not paying enough for their defence and suggested they develop their own nuclear weapons, triggering major concerns about the alliance. Trump must "stop attacking" the allies and tweeting before meeting them, Kahl said, adding: "The Administration needs to speak with one voice before confusion splits the US from its allies, produces a war, or both."
By PTI

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena vowed today to defend the military after a rights group filed lawsuits against a former general for alleged human rights abuses during the final phase of the conflict with the LTTE. Sirisena's remarks came as Human rights groups filed lawsuits in Brazil and Colombia against Sri Lanka's ambassador in Latin America Jagath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya was a commander in the final stages of the civil war with separatist Tamil rebels in 2009.

Tens of thousands of Tamils - and the rebel leadership - were killed at the end of the conflict, in which both sides were accused of atrocities. Referring to the lawsuit filed against Jayasuriya, Sirisena said, "I will not allow any war hero to be touched by anyone for defending the country". "This was an action taken outside Sri Lanka by an NGO sympathetic to the LTTE. I will not bow to their commands," Sirisena said during his Freedom Party's 66th-anniversary convention.

The president said when he took over in January 2015 from his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa Sri Lanka was on the verge of being slapped economic sanctions due to war crimes allegations being levelled through the UN human rights council resolutions. "My government managed to stop that. The world leaders assured me support to carry on with reconciliation and protection of human rights," Sirisena stressed. He said his unity government arrangement with his partys main rival, the UNP led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, was the reason for his success in countering international threats by way of economic sanctions against Sri Lanka. Sirisenas address came amidst speculation that some of his party members may leave the government to sit in opposition.

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena vowed today to defend the military after a rights group filed lawsuits against a former general for alleged human rights abuses during the final phase of the conflict with the LTTE. Sirisena's remarks came as Human rights groups filed lawsuits in Brazil and Colombia against Sri Lanka's ambassador in Latin America Jagath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya was a commander in the final stages of the civil war with separatist Tamil rebels in 2009. Tens of thousands of Tamils - and the rebel leadership - were killed at the end of the conflict, in which both sides were accused of atrocities. Referring to the lawsuit filed against Jayasuriya, Sirisena said, "I will not allow any war hero to be touched by anyone for defending the country". "This was an action taken outside Sri Lanka by an NGO sympathetic to the LTTE. I will not bow to their commands," Sirisena said during his Freedom Party's 66th-anniversary convention. The president said when he took over in January 2015 from his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa Sri Lanka was on the verge of being slapped economic sanctions due to war crimes allegations being levelled through the UN human rights council resolutions. "My government managed to stop that. The world leaders assured me support to carry on with reconciliation and protection of human rights," Sirisena stressed. He said his unity government arrangement with his partys main rival, the UNP led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, was the reason for his success in countering international threats by way of economic sanctions against Sri Lanka. Sirisenas address came amidst speculation that some of his party members may leave the government to sit in opposition.
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The Fourth Generation Audi A8 (Image: Audi)

All-new 2018 Bentley Continental GT. (Image: Bentley Motors)

BMW M5. (Image: AFP Relaxnews)

Jaguar E-PACE (Image: Jaguar)

Mercedes-Benz X-Class (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

All-new Porsche Cayenne. (Image: AFP Relaxnews)

Ferrari Portofino. (Image: Ferrari)

The 67th International Motor Show in Frankfurt doesn't open its doors to the public until September 14, but a host of major players including Audi, Bentley, Ferrari and Porsche have already started taking the wraps off cars that are destined to be a huge draw for visitors.Audi will be using the biennial Frankfurt show to introduce its all-new flagship A8 luxury sedan to the public. It was shown to the world's press in July, and it will be joined on the company's stand by the world premiere of its sportier little brother, the A7 four-door coupe.Bentley is showcasing the third-generation Continental GT at this year's event. It boasts sleeker exterior lines, a host of cutting-edge driver aids and creature comforts and a heavily revised 12-cylinder engine. It can now go from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and on to a 207mph (333km/h) top speed.BMW will be bringing a host of concepts to this year's show but the biggest real-world reveal will be the new M5 super sedan. The first ever M car to come with all-wheel drive as standard, it is also the first series production car from the company with a 190mph top speed. Until now, BMW electronically restricted its cars to 155mph.Fresh from winning the 2017 World Car of the Year award for its first ever SUV, the F-Pace, Jaguar will be attempting to make it two years in a row with the E-Pace, a more compact but equally sporting crossover; the company expects it to become its most popular car in history when it goes on sale.Mercedes could well have the event's ultimate star car on its stand -- a Formula 1-derived hybrid hypercar built in conjunction with AMG -- but it is keeping the car a tightly guarded secret until the event proper. The world's oldest carmaker will also be demonstrating a new autonomous car concept, the Smart Vision EQ fortwo, designed for ride sharing plus its first ever pickup truck, the X-Class. It will also be taking the wraps off the new S-Class Coupe and S-Class Cabriolet that will complete its flagship range after the S-Class sedan was unveiled in Shanghai in April.Porsche's biggest car at Frankfurt will be the new, third-generation Cayenne SUV. Longer and wider yet lower and lighter, it borrows a host of features and technologies from its seminal 911, including rear-wheel steering to boost handling and poise, even off road.Ferrari is celebrating its 70th year in business and as such, Frankfurt will represent just one of many opportunities for celebration and for showcasing its capabilities. Nevertheless, it will be using the show for the world premiere of the Portofino, a 2+2 convertible with a retractable hardtop and a twin-turbocharged 600hp V8 engine. Capable of hitting 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 199mph, it will be replacing the existing California T when it goes on sale early next year.The 67th Frankfurt motor show runs September 14-24.
Two-wheeler major Hero MotoCorp on Friday reported that during August 2017 it has achieved the highest-ever sales for any single month.According to the company, its sales rose by 10 percent to 678,797 units from 616,424 units sold in August 2016.The company's previous highest in monthly sales was recorded in September 2016 when it had sold 674,961 units."Maintaining a consistent trend of six-lakh-plus sales for the fourth consecutive month, Hero MotoCorp sold 661,490 units in the domestic market in India, while its global business -- spanning 35 countries across Asia, Africa and South and Central America -- contributed 17,307 units," the company said in a statement."The high sales in August have ensued owing to the early arrival of the festival season this year. Hero MotoCorp is poised to further consolidate its market leadership by meeting customer expectations with adequate inventory of its range of popular motorcycles and scooters at dealerships across the country."
Flagging concerns over the proposed hike in GST on luxury cars, German auto-maker Mercedes Benz has said it was eager to increase its output and headcount from the country if the government extended a little bit of support on taxation. "We do not understand suddenly why the need to actually review the cess all over again. We have so much to contribute. We have high ends jobs that we are able to create, willing to create..." Mercedes Benz India Managing Director and CEO Roland Folger told PTI.Recently, the Union Cabinet approved promulgation of an ordinance to amend the GST compensation law to pave the way for increasing cess on mid and large sized cars. According to the proposed ordinance that seeks to amend the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017, the maximum compensation cess can be raised to 25 percent, from 15 percent. Noting that the country was offering "significant potential" for luxury car market, Folger said, "we need a little bit of support on the taxation side and we could significantly increase our output and also the manpower". The company was waiting to see the effect of the cess. "We are waiting for the timing and also waiting for the height of the cess," he said.Folger was here recently for the inauguration of the AMG Performance Centre, designed to offer an exclusive and customized Mercedes-AMG product experience. He said the company was not only keen on increasing the employment opportunities at its factory (in Pune) but also at the dealership level, he said. "We were able to bring in new technologies to India as well. We have made it very clear that we are eager to do that", he said. Asked whether the company would invest further at its Pune facility, Folger replied in the negative, saying, "it was not necessary at the moment". He also said the company was "extremely happy" to see its progress made so far. "We have achieved close to 50 percent market share with sales of our AMGs (performance vehicles). This is in line with what AMG has seen overall around the globe". "We also see that in India... the testament to that is the expansion which came to 7 AMG centres", he said.Mercedes Benz currently has AMG Performance Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Pune and Chennai. On whether the company would make AMG Performance cars in India, he said though the company produced the vehicles from Germany, it was 'possible' to make them outside Germany. "But it still depends very much on volume. And that volume needs to raise significantly higher than what we have at the moment", he said.Answering a query on the used car business, he said the company had been "signficantly investing" in it under the Mercedes Benz Certified cars. "We see that as an additional... not as a source of income to our dealers, but also we see the entry into the Mercedes Benz brand (by our customers). We are very much in favour of doing this", he said. According to the company statistics, Mercedes Benz India sold 13,231 vehicles in 2016. From January to June 2017, the company has sold 7,171 units. The company's manufacturing facility at Chakan in Pune is spread across 100 acres set up at an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore. It has 89 dealership outlets in 41 cities.
After many years of a rough ride, Skoda Auto India expects over 30 percent sales growth this year on the back of the momentum it has been witnessing of late and has set a target of 18,000 units volume by December. Over the weekend, the Volkswagen Group company rolled out a racing variant of its popular model Octavia- the Octavia RS 230 - at a killer price of Rs 24.63 lakh, which is going to give a tough time to the rivals, which are priced much higher.The Czech automaker expects the performance-oriented RS 230 to contribute over 15 percent of the Octavia sales, which is the second largest volume grosser for the company. "Our internal target is to touch 18,000 units volume by December. In the first seven months of 2017, we've grown at over 22 percent to 10,500 units from 13,300 units we had sold in the entire 2016. So, we should be growing at about 40 percent this year to meet the target. The industry during this period grew just about 10 percent," Skoda India sales, service & marketing director Ashutosh Dixit told PTI.He said August volumes at over 1,750 units are the highest ever for the company and the momentum will gain further speed in the rest of the months due to festive sales. On sales expectation from the new Octavia RS, he said at least 15 percent of Octavia volumes should come from this, adding that the new car has already received over 100 pre-launch bookings though it's priced Rs 4.5 lakh above the Octavia. The RS 230, rolled out from the Shendra plant near Aurangabad, is powered by a 2-litre petrol engine with a top speed of 250 km/hm and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km in 6.8 seconds, making it the fastest Skoda made in the country. Compared to other Octavia models, the RS 230's chassis is lower by 15 mm. Globally, the company has sold over 2 lakh RS models, half of which since 2013. The RS 230 is pitched against the BMW 3 Series priced at Rs 43 lakh, the Mercedes C Class Cabriole priced at Rs 49 lakh, and the Jaguar XF, which is steeply higher at Rs 61 lakh.The main difference is that these rival models are diesel-powered, while the RS 230 is petrol-powered. In terms of speed, the RS 230 vrooms to 100 km from 0 in 6.8 seconds, XF does that in 7 seconds, Merc's C Class in 6.4 seconds, and the 3 Series in 6.1 seconds. On the new launches, Dixit said the company will shortly roll out the 7-seater SUV Kodiaq, having already launched a new variant of the Superb, the Rapid (Monte Carlo) and the Octavia. It had long back discontinued its compact SUV the Yeti here and currently has only three models on sale now- the Superb, Octavia and the Rapid. On dealerships, he said they have opened four new outlets this year and two more to take the total to 70 by December.
UM Motorcycles have launched two new iterations of their Renegade Commando series in the form of the Classic edition which is priced at Rs 1.89 lakh and the Mojave edition which is priced at Rs 1.8 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). The Renegade Commando Classic was first showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo whereas the Mojave edition is all-new offering in the Commando series of motorcycles.



Speaking at the launch, Rajeev Mishra, CEO, UM Lohia Two Wheelers Pvt. Ltd. said, There is a latent demand for such bikes with varied customer needs emerging in India. The customers are aware, ready to experiment and follow their gut. With the launch of Renegade Commando Classic and Mojave, we are looking forward to attracting young leaders. We are committed to setting a new benchmark in providing excellence not only in our products but also in service experience. Renegade Commando Classic and Renegade Commando Mojave will surely capture up-country customers with a progressive mindset.



Both these motorcycles are powered by a 279.5 cc single-cylinder Liquid-cooled engine that now comes with electronic fuel injection on offer as well. The power output stands 25.15PS at 8500 RPM and the torque delivered by this engine is 23 NM at 7000 RPM. This comes mated to a six-speed transmission setup and both the bikes will be offered with one saddle bag as standard. The second saddlebag can be purchased as an accessory which will replace the saree guard that comes on the motorcycle as standard.



The Classic edition comes with a lot of chrome touches throughout and a wind deflector at the front and is meant to be for those who are looking to have a big cruiser motorcycle feel in a budget motorcycle. Whereas the Mojave edition comes with a new matte finish and is meant to be an ode to the Mojave Desert in California.



These motorcycles mainly compete against the likes of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and the Bajaj Dominar 400.



Watch this space for our first ride impressions coming soon.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly pitched for setting up of a BRICS credit rating agency to counter western rating institutions and cater to the financial needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing nations.



In an address at the plenary session of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit, Modi said a separate rating agency would help the economies of the member countries as well as other developing nations.



"Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote cooperation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF (International Monetary Fund)," the prime minister said, urging the early creation of the BRICS rating agency.



India had first mooted the idea of having such an agency for the BRICS grouping which can solve impediments for the emerging market economies posed by the present CRA market, which is dominated by S&P, Moody's and Fitch.



These three western rating agencies hold over 90 percent of the sovereign rating market now.



Indian officials were at the forefront at last year's BRICS Summit in Goa in pointing out the shortcomings and the need for having an alternative credit rating agency.
The Commerce Ministry is not only responsible for implementing and promoting foreign trade policy, but also takes the lead in trade negotiations and formulates industrial policy. Suresh Prabhu, who was assigned this crucial ministry in Sunday's Cabinet reshuffle, will have to face these challenges on a priority basis.



Exports: Prabhu will have to work out a strategy to improve export performance, which has decreased in the past couple of years. India's exports have declined for three consecutive years: 2013-14 (Rs 19.05 lakh crore), 2014-15 (18.96 lakh crore), 2015-16 (17.61 lakh crore). There are some things which the Commerce Ministry can do absolutely nothing about like global trade conditions and the strength of the Indian currency. But Prabhu will have to do whatever is within his control to give a push to exports.



Trade negotiations: India is currently negotiating one of the largest free trade deals in the world with China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN and Australia and New Zealand. Negotiations at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are poised at a delicate stage, with India virtually isolated over its demand on market access to services.



Plus, the elephant in the room is China. Prabhu will have to tread carefully and take into account the political and economic repercussions. Plus, with the US under President Trump having turned hostile towards free trade, Prabhu will have another tough set of negotiations at the WTO. And, there are bilateral FTAs that India is negotiating with Canada, the European Union and Australia.



Foreign investment: One of the few positives, FDI inflows touched a record $60 billion. How much of this is long-term investment and how much short term "hot money" is still unclear. But Prabhu will have to work with the PMO and other ministries to make India an attractive investment destination. Manufacturing will have to receive a big boost to attract stable investment. The Foreign Trade Policy is up for review and Prabhu will have to come up with a policy that boosts trade and manufacturing.



Trade Balance: The good news is that the trade balance has been shrinking. The difference between exports and imports, India's trade balance has always been negative, which means the country imports a lot more than it exports, draining valuable forex reserves and causing the rupee to depreciate. Gold imports form a large, and some economists would say useless, chunk of total imports, given India's love for the yellow metal. Prabhu will have to keep a close watch on the trade balance and gold imports.
New Delhi: In a shameful rerun of last months Gorakhpur tragedy that claimed 63 lives, 49 children died in a government hospital in Farukkhabad, allegedly due to shortage of oxygen.



The deaths were reported over a period of one month at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Farrukhabad. While the District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar ordered a probe into the incident, according to latest reports, he has been transferred by the Uttar Pradesh government.



Apart from registering an FIR against the Chief Medical officer and Chief Medical Superintendent for negligence, the two have also been transferred by the government.



A press note from the government said that a high-level team from the government level would look into the factual and technical aspect of the incident to ascertain the reason behind the deaths of the children.



The 49 deaths took place over a month's time between July 21 and August 20 in the Sick Newborn Care Unit of the hospital. In the investigation, it was revealed that the reason behind the deaths was Perinatal Asphyxia which means lack of oxygen.



It has also been said in the FIR that the doctors should have the knowledge that an absence of adequate oxygen supply can result in deaths and that there is a clear negligence on their part.



Dayanand Mishra, SP Farrukhabad said, A case has been registered against the CMO, CMS and some other doctors. Further action will be taken as the investigation proceeds.



This comes just days after the Gorakhpur tragedy rattled Uttar Pradesh government with allegations of medical negligence. It was alleged that the hospital was running short of oxygen and neither the authorities nor the government did anything to prevent the deaths.



The Gorakhpur hospital authorities, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had claimed that the children at the BRD Medical College and Hospital had claimed that the deaths were due to Japanese Encephalitis and other ailments.



However, according to reports, the oxygen supplier at BRD Hospital had repeatedly raised the issue of pending dues for a period of six months. They had even warned the hospital authorities of snapping the supply if the dues are not cleared, which they did on August 7, soon after which the ailing children started dying one after the other.




Itanagar/ New Delhi: The Army's special forces on Monday carried out a major operation against Naga insurgent group NSCN(K) near the Indo-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh in which one hardcore terrorist was killed and another wounded while a soldier suffered bullet injury.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi is travelling to Myanmar on Tuesday on a three-day visit during which the issues of defence and security cooperation, including cross-border activities by certain insurgent groups, are likely to figure in his talks with the leadership there.



The operation, which began at around 7 am, was going on till late in the evening near Votnu village in Longding district, a senior army official said.



He said the team of special forces destroyed a temporary hideout of the NSCN(K) terrorists and recovered an AK 47 rifle, ammunitions and radio sets in the operation, adding one army personnel received bullet injury.



In New Delhi, Army chief General Bipin Rawat met Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal, and the operation against the Khaplang faction of the NSCN is believed to have figured in the discussion.



Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.



India has been concerned over some terrorist groups from the Northeast region taking shelter in Myanmar. The country has been assuring India that it would not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against India.



In June, 2015, the Indian Army had carried out an operation in areas near the Indo-Myanmar against the NSCN (K) terrorists, days after militants had killed 18 Army men in Manipur.



Gen Rawat, however, sought to downplay the operation saying such encounters occur regularly. "It was a normal encounter. These operations go on everyday. Nothing big about this operation," he told reporters after the meeting.



Army sources said similar operations against NSCN(K) have been taking place in Changlang and Kunnu areas in the last 10 days. An NSCN (K) militant was killed near Kunnu village on September 1.



The Army today launched a "swift and stealthy" operation after getting specific inputs about presence of NSCN(K) terrorists in near Votnu village, said an army official.



The forces came under heavy fire from the rebels and retaliated in which one terrorist was killed and another was injured, Defence spokesman Colonel Chiranjit Konwer said in Itanagar.



Monday's operation has struck a blow to the illegal activities being carried out by the underground outfit in the area, he added.



Using the cover of dense vegetation, the remaining militants escaped. The team later located and destroyed a shelter, the officials said.



A massive search operation has been launched in the area to capture the militants who managed to escape, they said.
New Delhi: The current ideological discourse on the idea of Bharat versus the classical Euro centric concept of India came in for some detailed discussion at a three-day RSS conclave at Vrindavan last weekend.



All the 40 Sangh affiliates participated in the annual meet held every year to coordinate working agenda of various RSS organs. BJP was represented by party President Amit Shah and General Secretary Ram Lal.



After BJPs ascension to power at the Centre, the ideological battle for the mind space between the RSS and the liberal Left has intensified manifesting itself on many occasions  from JNU controversy to award wapsi.



For instance, Jawaharlal Nehru University represents the Euro centric idea of India and Banaras Hindu University represents the idea of Bharat, a senior delegate who participated in the deliberations told News18.



The discussions on the subject were part of the larger debate on developments in the vaicharik or intellectual field.



RSS has in the last two years made a concerted effort to entrench itself in academic and cultural space once considered to be the domain of the Left. Pragya Pravah, an organisation set up by Sangh ideologues Dattipant Thegdi which was lying dormant for many years, was revived. Seh Prachar Pramukh and senior pracharak J Nandkumar was shifted to Delhi from Bhopal and asked to take charge.



Linked intrinsically to this debate is the economic model which India should pursue for sustained development  the indigenous model vs the western one.



The former found support from a large section of the delegates with some citing examples to illustrate how India could insulate itself against last two global meltdowns.



The family system in India and savings by common Indian household helped us to stave off the crisis, said another delegate who was present in the meeting.



These are interesting observations in the context of Reserve Bank of Indias admission that almost 99% of the money has returned to the banking system post demonetisation,



The economic challenges thus before the nation, RSS feels, are two fold  agrarian distress and employment generation.



Parts of country in the last six months have witnessed riots over sharp drop in farm produce. BJP in its manifesto for 2014 general elections had promised better crop prices to farmers and jobs to the unemployed. Underscoring these issues, perhaps the RSS in its own understated style reminded of the promises made as the party prepares for the next general elections in 2019.



Small and medium scale industries need impetus. They need support and that may also help create extra jobs, said an RSS leader.



Interestingly, the Sangh affiliate which mobilise small and medium scale industries  the Laghu Udyog Bhart (LUB)  had spoken about the hardships being faced by its support base at the time of demonetisation. They raised the issue with the government, but were asked to exercise a little patience.



LUB is now holding its annual general meeting in Delhi later this week to discuss issues related to credit availability and the new tax regime.



There were suggestions that government needs to work out a model to link agriculture, small scale industries and employment generation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Chinas Xiamen on Sunday to attend the 9th BRICS Summit. He is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the three-day event. Modi-Xi meeting will be keenly watched after the resolution of the Doklam border row, which pitted the armies of the two countries against each other for over two months.

Stay tuned for Live updates.

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New Delhi: A British national has been arrested in Delhi on the charges of sexually assaulting visually impaired kids at a school run by the National Association of Blind in RK Puram.



According to the police, Murray Denis Ward (53), used to visit the school run by the association on a frequent basis as he has been a donor for the last eight or nine years. He has been accused of sodomising at least three children, all under 8 years old.



DCP Chinmoy Biswal, in a text message, said that Ward forced himself on the three kids on September 2. The three kids are residents of NAB.



Police said that Ward was arrested after they received a call from the school on Sunday afternoon. He has been charged under sections of the Protection of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The 53-year-old was produced in a court on Monday and has been sent to two-day police custody.



During a preliminary examination of his laptop, police found some objectionable videos of kids. Police said that he also circulated some videos on Whatsapp and his phone is being examined.



Ward, police said, is from Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, and used to work with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April. He has a wife and three kids, who live in UK. He had suffered a paralytic attack in February this year.



Speaking to CNN-News18, child rights lawyer Geeta Rameshan said that apart from the case registered against Ward, police should also investigate the lapses at the National Association for Blind that allowed the accused such easy access to the kids.




New Delhi: A team of concerned citizens led by former union minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha has found that the sense of alienation of Kashmiris is growing due to the petitions challenging the validity of article 35-A.



The group, which calls itself the Concerned Citizens Group and is formed of 25 eminent citizens, had made its third visit to Jammu and Kashmir since October last year.



The most disquieting conclusion of the interactions that the CCG had with Kashmiri students, civil society and political leaders this time around was that as compared to the previous visits, the sense of dismay and despondency in the people had grown, a statement released by the group said.



Delving upon the reasons for this sense of dismay, the group said that the recent petitions in Supreme Court challenging article 35-A, which grants Kashmiris special status, and the central government's role in it has led to a lot of concern here.



Why it was being left to the state government to defend 35-A and why it was no longer the Constitutional obligation of the union government to defend the Constitution? Kashmiri representatives reportedly asked Sinha during his visit.



As per a statement released by CCG, some people in the valley expressed fears that this was part of the BJP's design to bring about demographic changes in the Valley.



Article 35-A had been challenged in the Supreme Court earlier too, but unlike now, never before has the AG argued for a wider debate on the Constitutional provision," the statement quoted Kashmiris to be saying.



The CCG members who visited this time comprised Yashwant Sinha, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Kapil Kak, Sushobha Barve (Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation) and Bharat Bhushan (Editor, Catch News).



The group met some prominent political parties, office bearers of the Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association, civil society representatives from Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, and college students and civil society representatives in Kupwara in north Kashmir.



People this time complained of not only of the military approach to the problem of Kashmir but also of a judicial/constitutional aggression against the people of Kashmir in attempts to undo Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution, the group said.



Rajiv Mehrishi, who recently retired as home secretary and has been appointed the next CAG, had called the Kashmiri alienation as a figment of media imagination. He had also conceded that a file pertaining to article 35-A has gone missing from union home ministry's records.
New Delhi: Not just Haryana Police, jailed Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim is also looking for Honeypreet, his adopted daughter. Her name features in a list of 10, given by Ram Rahim to Rohtak jail authorities as visitors he wants to have.



The list also includes his other daughters, two sons-in-law, son, daughter in law, his mother and two Dera Sacha Sauda functionaries including chairperson of the Dera Vipassana Insan.



Rohtak jail authorities have forwarded the list to Sirsa Police for verification. However, sources say none of his family members have gone to the police station yet, to get themselves verified for the jail visit.



Honeypreet, meanwhile, continues to be on the run. She was last spotted in Rohtak on August 25, when Ram Rahim was being flown out of Panchkula.



The police suspect her involvement in Ram Rahims escape plan from the Panchkula court premises and also in the violence and arson that ensued soon after his conviction.
New Delhi: The latest Cabinet reshuffle has naturally evoked copious response in the TV media  already the Sunday newspapers were full of the details regarding the exits and the new arrivals, even though there was much speculation on the new portfolios. Was this a routine change  blue bed to the brown? Should we read any messages, telegraphed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Is this indeed a first major step since PM announced last week the goal of New India by 2022.



It is necessary to comprehend that after nearly 65 years of governance, almost all Human Index Parameters in India have declined, to the extent of that India is nearly at the bottom of every international comparison.



In 1947, with the major institutional strength that India enjoyed, the expectation was that if the country consolidated itself politically and geographically, it would have been a world leader by now  this has not been the case, for variety of reasons, primarily misgovernance and escalating corruption; the political class has let us down in the past.



It is also a fact that the present government has sharply improved the administrative ethos at the Centre, even though the administrative decline in the states has not abated  on the contrary!



Major steps have been taken in the past three years on the economic field, primarily addressing the generation of black-money, and rationalizing the economic system, through a number of measures including GST and others. It will take few years to see the results  surely these are significant positive measures. However, a number of social sector issues had hitherto remained practically unaddressed, including in the fields of education, public health, water management, and attention to tiny / micro units.



This is the background, in a steadily declining economy and society, that the Prime Minister has made the major call for New India  it will be naive to expect that the adverse governance baggage of six decades can be got rid of overnight. The Aegean mess will take some time to clear up. These should be seen in backdrop of the latest Cabinet reshuffle.



Two or three elements are quite clear. Performance by ministers will be measured as a major index of continuation or removal  e.g. Rajiv Rudy, Kalraj Mishra, Bandaru Dattatreya and others.



It is equally significant that the replacements in the ministries dealing with MSME (tiny and small units), skills and employment, labour are seen to be capable, and are expected to deliver results. It is also a clear recognition that the issues of water management, employment etc have potential to destabilize the system over the next decade or so. The sectors of education and public health are equally if not more critical, though having a longer fuse  was it for political reasons that no change took place in these sectors?



Much has also been said on the induction of four ex-bureaucrats into the Cabinet; indeed two of them not even members of Parliament, which is a departure from general past practice. Many opposition politicians have described it as succumbing to officer-shahi.



It should be noted that all of the new inductees have outstanding performance records, enjoy excellent reputation, and are seen as go-getters. Again, it is not to be seen totally as an innovation  recall that Montek Ahluwalia, Mani Shankar Iyer, Natwar Singh and so many others had held ministerial berths, even though in hindsight their contribution to administration has been questionable  was it due to overall bad governance at the top?



Seventy years of administration has not clearly established that the leadership in the ministries is best done by politicians  it can be credibly argued that having politicians in senior administrative positions can be negative, with honourable exceptions.



China or Singapore, among others, are clear examples of technocrats delivering results as leaders of ministries. Note that in the US, which follows the Presidential system, the executive heads are nominated by the President.



Indeed there may be a case to consider shifting to the Presidential form in India  without going into details, the public may gain more than they lose. Note that for all practical purposes, the states are de-facto run on the Presidential model with the Chief Minister calling all the shots  it is not much different for most of the time at the Centre.



Also, it has to be noted that during the President Rule periods (Article 356), it cannot be argued that the governance is inferior to that during Cabinet rule  all anecdotal evidence may indicate otherwise! If Modis new move is interpreted as bringing talent to ministerial positions, this should be strongly welcomed  not necessarily only through bureaucrats, but also inducting from society at large; surely with odd exceptions, we will have better governance.



Some political commentators have referred to non-representation from other parties, referring to this optimistically as the collapse of NDA! Without any political insight into this matter, it can be speculated that when the Tamil Nadu situation clarifies in the near future, there is a possibility that this issue may be effectively addressed  it is probably not for nothing that many Cabinet Ministers hold more than one portfolio in the reshuffled Cabinet!



Finally, should one conclude that this reshuffle will significantly contribute to creation of New India? Surely not, it can at best be a first step. The key prerequisites include a major cleanup of the political and electoral systems, and addressing large scale corruption in the state governments. There is as yet no evidence of any steps taken in this direction. We still have a long way to go. The Indian is always an optimist  he currently trusts Modi  this opportunity should not be lost.



(The writer is former cabinet secretary of India. Views are personal.)
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Monday issued show cause notices to the Delhi government, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and others over the Ghazipur landfill collapse in which two persons were killed.



A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar rapped the AAP government and civic bodies for not discharging their statutory obligations.



"Why did you not carry out the directions of the tribunal which have been issued time and again? Are people of Delhi expected to meet this fate? Are they supposed to die under a garbage dump? We had asked you to reduce the height of the dump and take appropriate measures for reduction of the waste.



Why didn't you do it?



"You are killing people in the national capital under the hill of garbage. It cannot be more humiliating than this," the bench also comprising Justice R S Rathore said and posted the matter for hearing on September 12.



A portion of the 45m high garbage dump in east Delhi's Ghazipur collapsed on September 1 because of heavy rain, killing two people and pushing a car and three two wheelers off the road and into a canal.



According to officials of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), which manages the landfill site that was started in 1984 and is spread over 29 acres, the site was saturated in 2002 only, and the civic body had been "looking for an alternative site for a long time".



According to officials, the permissible height for a garbage dump is 20 m. Every day, 2,500-3000 metric tonnes of garbage are dumped at the Ghazipur site.



The humongous heap sits like a Leviathan, with eagles and crows circling even as the stench from the mountain of trash fills the air.



In the wake of the accident, Lt Governor Anil Baijal had also imposed a ban on the dumping of garbage at the Ghazipur landfill site and the waste meant for it was diverted to a temporary site in Ranikhera near the Delhi-Haryana border.



Incidentally, the EDMC in last November had signed an MoU with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for using the solid waste from the site, in the construction of Delhi- Meerut Expressway, a section of the NH-24.



The other major dumping sites in the city are in Okhla and Narela-Bawana.


New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is headed to the United States where he is likely to address a gathering on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the science of making machines that think like humans.



Gandhi, who recently returned from Norway, is gearing up for another offshore visit, this time to the Silicon Valley in the US to "expand his thoughts about artificial intelligence", party sources said.



They said he might speak on the issue on September 11, after meeting technology experts.



The sources said Gandhi wants India to lead in the niche area which comes after software development, in which India has already won global recognition.



While AI is still a nascent subject to most in India, many countries including China have begun investments in the area to strengthen research in it.



A senior Congress leader said the idea was to bring back knowledge and implement it at the policy level in the Congress party's vision documents.



Facilitating Gandhi's US visit is the chairman of Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda, a technology innovator who was brought back to India by Rajiv Gandhi and was among those behind the telecom revolution in the country.



The Congress VP had met leaders in the field of biotechnology during his Norway visit.



He is currently grappling with the party's sliding electoral graph after a series of defeats.



The party is weighed down by anti-incumbency sentiments and infighting in the state unit in Himachal Pradesh. In Gujarat, where elections are slated to be held later this year, it lost a veteran when party leader and former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela walked out of the Congress.
Hyderabad: Two men in Telangana, who failed to get land under a Dalit scheme, were on Sunday admitted to a hospital with serious burn injuries after they allegedly self-immolation.



The incident took place on Sunday outside an office of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), in Telangana, after they were asked to pay a bribe of Rs 20,000.



M Srinivas and Y Parushuram, had been running from pillar to post for several months, only to claim a piece of land that they were promised under a Dalits scheme, by the TRS.



The two men who were prevented from committing suicide, alleged that the village revenue office (VRO) was not only asking for a bribe of Rs 20,000 for the land, but some officers were also distributing the lands to ineligible beneficiaries.



The two men further sought an inquiry into the allocation of lands in Gudem village.



The two Dalit men took the extreme step on Sunday when the Manakondur MLA failed to meet and address their problem.



One of the victims said, "For the past many days, we have been raising the issue that certain plots in our village were being allocated to non-beneficiaries. The VRO had also asked for a bribe and were told that the list for land distribution was out and our names were not there."



"When we went to meet the joint collector, he was very rude and asked us to leave. Then we tried to meet the MLA and waited till evening, but he did not meet us. There were no options left for us."



The two Dalit men suffered serious burn injuries and have been shifted to Hyderabad for better treatment now.

Attacking the ruling TRS government on the incident, BJP spokesperson Krishna Sagar Rao said, "In the 2014 manifesto, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao promised the landless Dalits 3 acres of free agriculture land. We are asking the CM, why make false promises when you cannot deliver. Who is responsible for this? This is an anti-Dalit government. Dalits have been oppressed in the state for several times and few days back, there were incidents of police brutality on Dalits in Sircilla too."



Meanwhile, Telangana Finance Minister Etala Rajender promised stern action against those guilty. Speaking to media, Etala Rajender said, "We have suspended the VRO and an inquiry has been ordered into the allegations of wrongful allocation of land and the collector has been asked to submit a report. Sixty acres of land have been distributed in the area to the poor and if need be, more land will be sanctioned."
Srinagar: Two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed on Monday during an encounter in north Kashmirs Sopore town.



Army officials said they received inputs about the presence of terrorists in Shanker Gund Brath area of Sopore. The security forces were being fired upon as they were carrying out a cordon and search operation.



The security forces retaliated and two terrorists were killed.



On Saturday, a terrorist was killed during an encounter in Tantray Pora in Kulgam. The slain terrorist was believed to be involved in the brutal killing of 22-year-old Army officer Ummer Fayaz.



Officers of Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group killed at least one terrorist, who was identified as Irshad Padder. Forces are still engaged in a gunbattle with an unknown number of terrorists.



The newly commissioned Lt Fayaz was abducted and killed by Lashkar terrorists in May when he was attending a wedding in Shopian. This incident stoked concerns as militants had been indulging in direct face-offs with the security forces. However, targeting army officers, when off duty, and murdering them is not very common.












It is a quietly triumphant Narendra Modi who has set foot on Chinese soil, for the first time since the Doklam standoff was resolved, as he arrived in Xiamen to attend the BRICS summit. The feeling a week after Doklam was defused seems to be that India has managed to win this round through quiet but resolute diplomacy.



Here are the five things to watch out for when Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping:



1. A MEETING OF EQUALS

After all, how often can India boast of having quietly tamed the dragon? Modi has met Xi on more than half a dozen occasions in the last 3 years, second only to the number of times he has met former US President Barack Obama. But this will be the first time that both will be speaking like equals, not merely on the back of rhetoric, but now the Chinese know that Modi is willing to walk that talk with strong action on the ground.



2. WILL EITHER PARTY BRING UP DOKLAM?

While this meeting in Xiamen is all about BRICS, it is unlikely that Doklam will occupy too much talk time. But since there is a standalone bilateral between both leaders, this issue cannot not be talked about. It will be interesting to see if both leaders agree to put in any new special mechanisms to deal with potential Doklams in the future. Or designate chosen officials to prepare one for the future.



3. THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Both sides will not be hard pressed to bring up the issue of Pakistan and terrorism sponsored by Islamabad against India. China has already said that they think this is not the right forum to bring up Pakistans role. But this is one issue that both sides cannot afford to ignore, especially in light of the recent freeze in ties between Islamabad and Washington.



4. TERRORISM

This has been one of Prime Minister Modis pet themes in various bilateral fora. At last years BRICS summit in Goa, the Prime Minister had alluded to Pakistan as the mothership of terror. In the end, the joint statement did not name Pakistan explicitly or denounce terror groups by name. But that could likely change this time around as the names of Lashkar, Jaish and other terror organizations are expected to feature.



5. AN EXPANDED BRICS

China, this year has invited five different countries as observers, as part of the BRICS outreach programme. These countries include Egypt, Tajikistan, Mexico, Guinea and Thailand. None of these countries have anything in common other than the fact that China wants to establish listening posts in these countries to further its own interests. India has been cool to the idea of expansion, fearing one day BRICS might be expanded to include Pakistan.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday lashed at AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran, over delay in the FERA violation case against him. The court further warned him of a fine in case he delays the trial any further.



In July, the Madras High Court directed that charges against Dinakaran be framed afresh and the trial be concluded within three months.



The Supreme Court further reiterated the HC order on Monday, saying the trial must be finished within three months. The bench asked, You want to delay the case?



The court further warned Dinakarans lawyers as well.



The case of against Dinakaran is that he had allegedly acquired $1,04,93,313 in foreign exchange without obtaining prior permission from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Dinakaran then deposited the money the current account of a company in the British Virgin Islands.



The Enforcement Directorate (ED) built a case against the AIADMK leader under FERA violation and imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 28 crore.
We've been seeing a lot of exciting celebrity hair transformations over the summer, with extra volume, daring buzz cuts and sharp bangs all coming into their own. Here are the top fashion-approved styles you can expect to see as we head into fall.



The crop



The crop is, without a doubt, the fashion-girl cut of the moment. Perhaps inspired by the Fall 2017 catwalks, featuring Sixties-esque wigs at Moschino and super short styles at Alexander Wang, everyone from Katy Perry to Cara Delevingne has reached for the shears. They join the likes of Zoe Kravitz and Kristen Stewart, who have both been championing the look for some time.



The 'lob'



If a pixie cut is too drastic then channel Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid (to name a few) in opting for a long bob. Short enough to be edgy but with just enough length to be able to style, this is a look that has graced the biggest red carpets recently.



Bangs



Proenza Schouler showcased attitude-laden bangs on its Fall 2017 catwalk, and the look is sweeping through Hollywood. Channel Kerry Washington with a blunt cut, or Ciara with softer side bangs for a more subtle transformation.



Big curls



Zendaya always has her finger on the pulse, so it was no surprise to see her rocking voluminous, casual curls on the red carpet this summer. This relaxed yet fashion-forward vibe was seen on the Fall 2017 runways at Louis Vuitton, Max Mara and Fendi, amongst others.



The ponytail



Embrace the back-to-school season with a slick ponytail, which, thanks to some high-profile campaigning, is no longer the trademark of a schoolgirl but the hottest fashion accessory of the moment. Ponytails ruled the Fall 2017 catwalks with Mulberry, Oscar de la Renta and Prabal Gurung all tying back their models' hair, but away from the runway, they have been given the stamp of approval from Gigi Hadid and Lily Rose Depp.
This year's Venice Film Festival was conspicuous by its absence of Indian cinema. If the 2000 edition was marked by Mira Nair's top Golden Lion clincher, Monsoon Wedding, and a couple of years ago, Vetrimaaran's brutal look at the goings on in an Andhra Pradesh jail in Visaaranai,this autumn the Festival managed to throw up just two movies which had some kind of India connect. One of them was Ritesh Batra's Our Souls at Night (which I wrote about in these columns the other day)  whose claim to being Indian was the nationality of the director. The other film linked to India was Stephen Frears' Victoria and Abdul  which played on the Lido (the island off mainland Venice where the Festival takes place) on Sunday.Frears returned to Venice after his hauntingly sweet 2013 work, Philomena. Frears plotted a tragic tale here  of an Irish girl, Philomena, barely 14, in the early 1950s who is abandoned in a nunnery by her family after she gets pregnant. Forced to do the dirtiest of jobs there, she is separated from her baby son, allowed to see him only once a week. Finally, he, Anthony, is given away in adoption to a rich American family. For the next 50 years, the disgraced girl, Philomena, lives with the beautiful memory of her son, till one day, a chance encounter with a former BBC political journalist helps her realize that she must try and find her son. She must get her secret out. Finally when she zeroes in on him, he is already dead, having succumbed to AIDS. He was gay.The movie, based on a book published in 2009, worked not only as a catalyst for thousands of such shamed Irish mothers who also lost their children in a similar manner, but also as the basis for Frears daring look at a dastardly practice that even got The Vatican uneasy. What is more, Judi Dench essayed the older Philomena, and what a performance that was. And Dench who has been familiar to all of us as M in the James Bond thrillers  essays Queen Victoria in Frears' latest outing, while Indian actor Ali Fazal  seen in movies like Fukrey, Bobby Jasoos and Happy Bhag Jayegi  is Abdul Karim, a munshi or clerk in the royal household.As Karim, a clerk at the Agra Central Jail, his life lights up when he is sent to England, where he finds himself as the personal assistant to Queen Victoria.Based on a book, titled Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of The Queen's Closest Confidant by Shrabani Basu, Frears' examines how a young 24-year-old Abdul soon became a close confidant of an ageing Victoria  who had recently been devastated by the death of her Scottish gillie, John Brown. Her husband had been long gone. Abdul neatly places himself into this vacuum by becoming the Queen's teacher. He gives her Urdu lessons and keeps her informed about Indian political and social affairs during the turbulent 1887. Abdul's increasingly intimate relationship with Victoria gets the royal household uncomfortable and insecure leading to a near revolt. Pitted against a raging movement in India for independence from years of British rule and a growing hostility inside the royal palace is a tender story between an ordinary munshi and a prim-and-proper elderly Empress.Journalist Basu said in recent interview with Firstpost that she had looked for the descendants of Karim, but managed to find them only after she had published her book.I had tried for years to trace the descendants of Abdul Karim. I had found his grave in Agra and his house, but been told that the family had left for Pakistan after Partition, so the trail had gone cold. I published the hardback edition of the book in 2010 and in every media interview I said I was looking for the descendants. Within a month of publication, I was contacted by them and told there was journal in Karachi. I got my visa and flew to Karachi as soon as I could. When the family gave me the diary, it was the most amazing moment. Its the sort of moment that historians dream of. This was the journal that the royal household was determined should not be published, and it had survived over a hundred years, traveled from Windsor to Agra and then through the violence of Partition from Agra to Karachi, and finally fallen into my hands. It was an emotional moment as well, as I could feel that the story was finally complete. It corroborated everything I had researched but had some more details. I revised my book with the diary and the paperback was published in 2011Frears  who was presented with the Festival's Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award on September 3 just before Victoria and Abdul premiered  bases his movie mostly on Basu's accounts. As the tired monarch  the longest serving one at that point in time  Dench's Victoria seemed to have got her spirits restored after the munshi arrived in London. One has seen Dench as the English Queen earlier in John Madden's 1997 Mrs Brown, and 20 years later, Frears' work builds on that to show us how mortal and vulnerable she really was.In the ensuing drama, we see how an elderly monarch, her youthful good looks all gone, is helped by the handsome Karim (played with admirable ease by Fazal) to regain get some kind of interest in life. The film presents a remarkable view of Victoria's relationship with Karim  who has been sent to England to present a gold coin as a mark of India's appreciation for British rule.In his first ever meeting with the Queen, Karim is brazen enough to disobey royal orders. Never raise your eyes, Never look into her eyes. But he establishes glances with her, and Victoria makes a casual comment, I thought the tall one was terribly handsome. There is really no stopping Karim after that. She gets fascinated with his stories on India, even smitten by his good looks. Added to this, his devotion and his mastery over Urdu poetry and his calm temperament all endear Karim to Victoria. A time comes when she wants to honor him with a knighthood.But the royal household rises in revolt. The Queen has to step back, and Frears thrusts upon us the kind of horrid racism which existed in the royal household then. Victoria and Abdul ends on a very poignant note  as a largely well made effort that could have, though, done away with some characters like Karim's wife and mother-in-law (who also arrive in England). These women seem more like caricatures than anything real and fleshed out.Honestly, Victoria and Abdul is very much the Queen's story, Karim's appear sometimes like a mere apology for servility. Yes, we get to peep into the heartlessness and the self -centredness of the British establishment, but then the film does end on a chirpy note.
It's back to school time for Shah Rukh Khan's daughter dearest Suhana Khan, and before she leaves for the school abroad, the actor made sure to have one last picture with her. Suhana, who was in India for her summer term-break, is going back to her routine and on the 'sad occasion', SRK took to Instagram to share a perfect father-daughter picture with his fans.The actor wrote, "When the lil one goes back to school & is not around to tell u, u use too many filters!"Credit: @ Shah Rukh Khan Well, the picture is oozing swag and Suhana is looking no less than a diva with those expressions. The casual-chic avatar of Miss Khan, certainly give out model-like vibes and with SRK by her side, the frame just doubles its charm.Recently, in an interview with a leading daily when SRK was asked if Suhana is interested in acting, the actor replied, "Suhana wants to be an actress. I see that zeal in her. Shes extremely good on stage, Ive seen her performances. Shes admittedly a cinema fan and wants to be in the industry. But my point is simple  you need to complete your education before doing anything. Thats the only thing I have told my children.On the work front, SRK is currently busy with Anand L Rai's film which will see him essay the role of a dwarf.
New Delhi: The Cabinet reshuffle on Sunday has a distinct stamp of both the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. The performers have been rewarded while the laggards have been dropped.



But if one were to scrape the surface to read the grain on the wood, there is just one other leader whose imprint seems to be clearly etched on the reshuffling: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.



Ministers considered close to Jaitley have fared better. Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal are now holding key ministries in the Union Council and Dharmendra Pradhan has also been elevated.



Some new inductees, including Hardeep Puri, are also said to be in the good books of Jaitley. Its almost a redux of 2014 when the Modi government was sworn-in after an emphatic victory that bore a Jaitley trademark. In fact, sources say even Jitender Singh and Rajyavardhan Rathore were strongly recommended by Jaitley, however, the PM thought the two must wait for some more time.



Looking at the developments over the last two months, it is evident that Jaitley's involvement in the political affairs in BJP has grown. He has been appointed as the election in-charge in Gujarat.



For more than a year, he has been busy overseeing one of the biggest tax reforms in the history of Independent India, a paradigm shift which required both legal finesse and hard political bargaining.



With the Goods and Services Tax done and dusted with, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is quietly back in his role as the political troubleshooter for the party and the government. It all began with a seamless coup in Bihar late last month, say sources. The preparations, however, were on for almost six months before the big announcement was made in Patna.



There was a certain understanding in the BJP that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would not compromise with his clean image. In fact, the desperate attempts by top RJD leaders, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and Prem Gupta, to seek some Union ministers help in diluting the cases against the Yadav family, are said to have cast the die for the Mahagathbandhan.



Sources say the two RJD leaders had also approached Jaitley, seeking a bailout from the corruption cases. But the FM was aware of the deep rot within the RJD and how it was soaked in corruption and benami land deals, said a senior BJP leader.



It was at this point that Jaitley began to play an active role to take Nitish Kumar out of the alliance. Sources say, the day when Nitish decided to put in his papers, Jaitley was in touch with him, relaying PM Modi and Amit Shahs messages.



At a dinner hosted by Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal, the same evening at a five-star hotel in Delhi, Jaitley is said to have had a casual conversation with senior JDU leader Sharad Yadav. The JDU leader was still hopeful of sorting things out with the RJD, knowing little that at that very moment Nitish was sitting with the Bihar BJP MLAs.



Again, in Kerala, where the RSS continues to be engaged in a bitter and bloody war with the Left, Jaitleys recent visit to Thiruvananthapuram was seen as a strong message for the state government. The intervention, sources say, came with the prodding of the top RSS leadership last week where the BJP had up its ante.



At this juncture, Jaitleys legal credentials came in handy, with many speculating a possible Presidential rule in the state, should the violence go out of hand. The Communist government in Kerala is also under scanner for dubious land deals.



A BJP insider said the Finance Ministers increased involvement in political troubleshooting is also a statement on the Prime Ministers ability to utilise the resources at hand.



Jaitleys growing involvement in political affairs also takes shape just ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections slated for next year. He enjoys good rapport with leaders in the partys Karnataka unit. In the face of continued infighting, re-capturing Karnataka will be the next big challenge for BJP. It is the last big state which Congress still holds and Siddaramaiahs defeat can choke the Congress of its resources before the 2019 general election.



On the other hand, Tamil Nadu is the other state which is on BJPs radar. While Amit Shah has visited the state, the critical challenge now is to get the warring factions of AIADMK together. BJP has made it clear that both the OPS and EPS factions will have to come together. Rajinikanth, of course, would be the icing on the cake. The Tamil Nadu saga too is soaked in myriad legal hassles and who could be better than Jaitley to handle it.



In Rajya Sabha, where the BJP is now the single largest party, the Finance Ministers way with words and Amit Shahs winning streak and astute political sense could be the perfect blend in the House where the government still lacks majority.
Bengaluru: The BJP and the Karnataka government are set for a confrontation over the party youth wings plans to hold a massive 'Mangaluru Chalo' rally all over the state from Tuesday.



The BJP has planned to mobilise 20,000 of its youth workers for a bike rally to the coastal town to protest political killings of Hindus in the region in the last couple of years. Police in multiple districts have denied permission citing security concerns but the party has vowed to go ahead with its rally.



Late on Monday night, the police heads of Bengaluru, Kolar, Hassan, Hubli, Chikmagalur, Mangaluru, Bellary and Udupi prohibited the BJP from holding these rallies, citing different grounds. Primarily, the denial of permission is due to fears that the rally could spark violence. Anti-social elements could merge with the crowd and cause law and order disturbances. It could also lead to traffic problems in cities like Bengaluru, police said.



BJP MP from Udupi-Chikmagalur, Shoba Karandlaje, charged the government with trying to block a peaceful and democratically-carried out rally, and said the partys yuva morcha will go ahead with its plans anyway.



This government is creating communal tension. This is the anti-Hindu policy of government. We want to expose that. So the Congress is scared of our protests and are trying to stop us. We are not against Muslims or any religion, she told mediapersons on Monday.



The rally will converge in Mangaluru on Thursday, where BJP leaders, including state chief B S Yeddyurappa will address a public meeting. "We don't have to take permission from anyone's father (sic) to hold our demonstrations," Yeddyurappa said, referring to the government.



The Congress government, on the other hand, has called the rally an attempt to stoke tensions in the communally sensitive region.



Sources said the rally is aimed at upping the victim-projection-quotient of the party. The BJP says over 20 of its workers have been killed in the last two years in coastal Karnataka. It has demanded a ban on organisations like the Popular Front of India, which the party claims, is behind the attacks on its workers.



The rally has led to apprehensions of violence in the communally charged region, where RSS worker Sharath Madivala was hacked to death last month. His funeral procession, too, had seen stray instances of violence.



The BJP has alleged that they have been victims of politically-motivated killings much on the lines of what has happened in Kerala. They want all the cases to be investigated by the NIA, although in almost every case the accused have been arrested. In some of the cases, personal enmity was found to be the motive.



Newly-inducted Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who took charge of policing in the state just four days ago, had earlier said that any rally or protest will be allowed as long as it is peaceful.



All SPs and commissioners of respective districts and cities are looking into the matter. If BJP workers take law into their hands, it won't be tolerated and action will be initiated, Reddy had told News18.



Karandlaje further said one of the BJP's demands was to remove Ramanath Rai, the minister-in-charge of Mangaluru, who she said was responsible for inciting political violence.



Traditionally, the coastal Karnataka region with many Hindu-majority areas, has been a big vote bank for the BJP. But they had lost ground in these regions in the 2013 Assembly elections after allegations of illegal mining.



The BJP is trying to regain lost ground in the region as nearly 30 seats here will be crucial if they want to wrest power from the Congress in the upcoming polls that are in April-May 2018.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that Trinamool Congress MP Sultan Ahmed who died of cardiac arrest was under acute stress due to the Central Bureau of Investigation's handling of the Narada case.



Speaking to the media at the state secretariat Nabanna, she said, Today, we got information when his (Sultans) body was being taken that CBI served a notice in some Narada case. He was under stress. It is sad for us that we lost one of the great leader of Trinamool Congress.



Another party leader and MP Subrata Bakshi said, He (Sultan) was pressurized by the CBI in the name of investigation. The ruling party at the Centre is intentionally harassing our leaders because they cannot compete us politically.



Sultan Ahmed was mentally very depressed after being harassed in the case by the CBI, he added.



CBI has denied the allegation. Speaking to News18, a CBI spokesperson said, The allegations are baseless. We have not sent any notice to him today. Last time he was summoned on July 3 and that day he was asked to submit some documents - which he did on July 10.



Ahmed died of heart attack on Monday early morning after complaining of acute chest pain and became unconscious. His family and brother Iqbal Ahmed  a TMC MLA - rushed him to Belle Vue Clinic in Kolkata where he was declared brought dead.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said, Saddened on the demise of LS MP & former Union Minister Shri Sultan Ahmed. My thoughts are with his family & supporters in this sad hour.



Ahmed was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency as a Trinamool Congress candidate in 2009. From 2009 to 2012, he was the Union Minister of State for Tourism in the Manmohan Singh government.
Apple CEO Tim Cook became the latest voice against US President Donald Trump's stance on scrapping Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme. Reaffirming his support for the company's employees on Twitter, Cook became the latest to join the group that has raised its voice against the Trump stance. "250 of my Apple co-workers are #Dreamers. I stand with them. They deserve our respect as equals and a solution rooted in American values," he tweeted on Sunday. The DACA programme was established by former US President Barack Obama to shield hundreds of thousands of undocumented youths from deportation. After reports surfaced that the Trump administration was considering bringing the DACA programme to an end, nearly 300 tech leaders last week signed a letter urging the President to uphold it, The Verge reported. On Friday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith had criticised the presidential stance. "We are deeply concerned by news reports about changes to DACA that are under consideration. These changes would not only negatively impact thousands of hard-working people across the US, but will be a step backwards for our entire nation," Smith said in a blog post. "Ending DACA will drastically disrupt the lives of these individuals who willingly came forward to register with the federal government. They could lose their jobs and risk deportation," Smith added. The Microsoft executive also said that this repeal would also have significant economic consequences and it could cost the American economy $460.3 billion in GDP and $24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions over the course of a decade.Smith's post was followed by Nadella's comment. "As I shared at the White House in June, I am a product of two uniquely American attributes: the ingenuity of American technology reaching me where I was growing up, fuelling my dreams, and the enlightened immigration policy that allowed me to pursue my dreams," Nadella wrote. He added that there was no question that the priority must be to create more jobs and opportunity for every American citizen. "On top of this, smart immigration can help our economic growth and global competitiveness," Nadella posted. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan also urged Trump not to scrap the Obama-era programme that protects young undocumented immigrants. The White House said Trump will announce his decision on Tuesday. Ryan has urged the President to allow Congress to "work" on the issue.
Samsung is the latest to join the low-cost Android smartphone bandwagon offering a dual-lens setup with its Galaxy J7+. Samsung hasnt spoken much about of it but the Galaxy J7+ quietly appeared on the companys official website in Thailand. Priced at THB 12,900 which roughly translates to Rs 24,800, the device will begin to sell in Thailand starting September 25. This means the Samsung Galaxy J7+ can be expected to hit the Indian market as well soon.The device looks very similar to other Samsung phones in the J series with one major differencea dual-lens camera module at the back. The dual-SIM smartphone runs Android Nougat operating system and houses a 5.5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display. Powered by an octa-core 2.4GHz Mediatek Helio P20 processor with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, the device supports microSD cards of up to 256GB.The dual-lens camera module includes a 13-mepixel f/1.7 primary sensor along with a 5-megapixel f/1.9 sensor with LED Flash. There is a 16-megapixel f/1.9 selfie camera with LED Flash as well. Backed by a 3,000mAh battery, the device supports dual app feature. This means you can run two instances of the same app simultaneouslike two WhatsApp accounts.
The US will launch a "massive military response" to any threats from North Korea, Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Sunday in a blunt warning to the reclusive nation after it carried out its biggest nuclear test.North Korea claimed on Sunday it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb meant to be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was Pyongyang's sixth, and the most powerful nuclear test, which was set to raise tension in the region."We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack. And our commitment among the allies is ironclad: Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis told reporters at the White House.He made a brief statement to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House after a small group of national security members had a meeting today with US President Donald Trump and the Vice President Mike Pence about the latest provocation on the Korean Peninsula."We have many military options. The president wanted to be briefed on each one of them," he said."Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice - all members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses and they remain unanimous on their commitment to the de-nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea. As I said, we have many options to do so," Mattis said.Mattis' remarks came after US President Donald Trump warned that "appeasement" won't work with Pyongyang whose "words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous" to the US.
In a big win for India, the joint declaration of BRICS on Monday condemned Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also called for joint action on terrorism. The PM will meet meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, trade and terror are likely to be on the agenda. The meeting gains significance as it is the first exchange between the two leaders after the month-long Doklam standoff.

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China, Russia, soon all countries w strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017

May be initiated not by the country leaders, but one of the AI's, if it decides that a prepemptive strike is most probable path to victory  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 4, 2017

Billionaire tech executive Elon Musk has once again made an ominous warning about artificial intelligence, this time suggesting that it could be the reason for a third world war.His concerns were prompted by a statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in which he predicted that whoever takes the lead in AI will become the ruler of the world.Musk, who has vocalized his fear of AI repeatedly, chimed in on the subject at 2:30 am local time on Monday, clearly showing that such a prospect is giving him sleepless nights.Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind It comes with colossal opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to predict. Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world. Putin had said.Quoting an article with Putins above statement, Musk tweeted, It begins. China, Russia, soon all countries with strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo (sic), he wrote.In a series of tweets in which he hashed out his thoughts, the Tesla founder said that he was not just worried about the prospect of a world leader starting the war, but also of an overcautious AI deciding that a (pre-emptive) strike is (the) most probable path to victory.Known for his bold predictions, he also envisioned a scenario where governments could forcefully obtain AI systems developed by companies at gunpoint, if necessary. Governments dont need to follow normal laws, he tweeted.While United States is widely believed to be leading the charge towards AI currently, a report by investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted that China could soon catch up with the US.He also said he was not worried about North Korea launching a nuclear strike. NK launching a nuclear missile would be suicide for their leadership, as South Korea, US and China would invade and end the regime immediately, he wrote.Musks fears of AI warfare has been a driving force in his statements recently. Last month, he had snapped at Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg after he rejected fears of a super-intelligence running amok as far-fetched. Musk said he had come to the conclusion that Zuckerbergs understanding of the subject is limited.
Forbach, France: French President Emmanuel Macron accused French journalists of being "too interested in themselves" on Monday amid criticism by some media groups of his decision to give few interviews.



"I'm not interested in journalists, I'm interested in the French people, that's what you need to understand," Macron replied when asked why he "spoke so little" by French television reporters on Monday.



Addressing them while visiting a school in eastern France, Macron said the media should be reporting on the 12 million school children returning to their classes, rather than asking about him.



"But journalists have a problem. They are too interested in themselves and not enough in the country. Let's talk about the French people," he added.



Macron's approval ratings have fallen sharply since his election in May -- only 30-40 percent of voters view him favourably, according to polls -- with some analysts seeing his aloof style as one of the reasons.



The 39-year-old had promised before his election to keep his distance from the media and avoid being caught up in day-to-day politics, seeing his job as presenting a long-term vision for the country.



Government spokesman Christophe Castaner admitted at the end of August that the government had had "difficulties" in explaining its priorities in the first months in office.



On August 29, Macron also named a spokesman, former journalist Bruno Roger-Petit, seen as recognition that he needed someone to amplify his message in the media.
Geneva: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro will address the opening day of a three-week UN Human Rights Council session on September 11, a United Nations spokesman said on Monday.



Maduro's government has been criticised by Washington, the United Nations and major Latin American nations for overriding Venezuela's opposition-led Congress, cracking down on protests, jailing hundreds of foes and failing to allow the entry of foreign humanitarian aid to ease a severe economic crisis.



"We received a 'note verbale' today that he is coming," UN human rights spokesman Rolando Gomez said. "He will be speaking at the opening of the council session."
London: Education activist Malala Yousafzai has called on her fellow Nobel laureate Aug San Suu Kyi to condemn the "shameful" violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, saying the "world is waiting" for her to condemn the unrest.



The 20-year-old winner of the Nobel Peace Prize urged Myanmar's State Councillor and de-facto leader to act against the violence that has seen tens of thousands of people flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.



She also called on Pakistan, the country of her origin and where she was shot in the head by Taliban militants, to provide aid to the Muslim refugees.



"Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same," she said in a statement.



"The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting," she noted.



"Stop the violence. Today, we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmar's security forces. These children attacked no-one, but still their homes were burned to the ground.



"If their home is not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born."



Malala, who is set to begin her philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) course at Oxford University, was made the youngest ever UN Messenger of Peace earlier this year and was also the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize aged 17 in 2014.



She was shot in the head on her way home from school after writing her anonymous diary about life under Taliban rule in the Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan.



She became internationally known after the incident and relocated with her family to Birmingham for further rehabilitation.



"Other countries, including my own country Pakistan, should follow Bangladesh's example and give food, shelter and access to education to Rohingya families fleeing violence and terror," she added.



Last week, UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson had also urged Suu Kyi to curb the violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.



"Aung San Suu Kyi is rightly regarded as one of the most inspiring figures of our age, but the treatment of the Rohingya is alas besmirching the reputation of Burma," he had said.



Soldiers and armed residents have been accused of carrying out a killing spree against Rohingya Muslim men, women, and children in Chut Pyin village, leaving more than 200 dead.



About 58,600 Rohingya civilians have left Myanmar and fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.
Xiamen: The Xiamen declaration is out and for the first time in the history of BRICS, very strong and explicit language has been used on the issue of terror.



Paragraph 48 of the declaration explicitly names Pakistan-based terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed and implores joint BRICS action against terrorism.



This is a big win for Indian diplomats and particularly for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who at every multilateral forum, from the United Nations to G20 to now BRICS, has hammered the world's double standards when it comes to terrorism.



India had tried very hard in the last BRICS summit in Goa to get an explicit mention of Pakistan-supported terror groups but because of intransigence by China, it had to eventually give up its plans.







The fact that the Xiamen Declaration explicitly mentions groups such as Lashkar and Jaish not only exposes Pakistan in yet another global forum, it also puts pressure on China to stop protecting its 'iron brother', Pakistan on the issue of terrorism.



This will make it extremely difficult and certainly be embarrassing for the Chinese if they continue to oppose India's bid in the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee 1267 to list action against the Jaish chief Maulana Masood Azhar. China would look extremely silly if it were to override a joint declaration which has the approval of its President Xi Jinping. The joint declaration has been adopted by consensus and has the stamp of five heads of government.



China had put India's bid for action against Masood Azhar last year on technical hold. It finally expired in the end of 2016. And again, this year, another resolution calling for action against the JeM chief was brought forth by the US, UK and France. China has put this resolution too on hold. When this comes up for review in October, it will be extremely difficult for China to continue playing truant.


Downtown Lynchburg has had its share of major fires through the years that destroyed buildings and cost lives  including five firemen who died in a fire in 1883 that involved several downtown buildings.

A program on disastrous blazes in the Hill City will be presented by Lynchburg Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Lipscomb at the Lynchburg Museum, 301 Court St., on Friday at 3 p.m. The talk is held in conjunction with a Firefighting in the Hill City exhibit that runs through the end of the year at the museum and covers more than 200 years of fire history in Lynchburg.
Are we a failed state?

They have never seen a failed state. I have, more than one, and theyre not a pretty sight. I agree with Hamid Ghany (Sunday Guardian, August 27) when he says we are (nowhere) close to that when compared to the reality of failed states in other parts of the world. But dont take my word or Ghanys on this. The Washington- based Fund for Peace publishes an annual Fragile States Index (it used to be called the Failed States Index). The fund calls the FSI a critical tool in highlighting not only the normal pressures that all states experience, but also in identifying when those pressures are outweighing a states capacity to manage those pressures. The fund uses 12 conflict risk indicators to measure the condition of a state at any given moment. The 12 are placed three each under four headings. They are cohesion (security apparatus, factionalised elites, group grievance), economic (economic decline, uneven development, human flight), political (state legitimacy, public services, human rights), and social (demographics, refugees and internally displaced people, external intervention).

The 2017 FSI ranks 178 countries from the worst (South Sudan at No1) to the best (Finland at No178). Trinidad and Tobago is tied with Mongolia at No128, rated as better than a slew of Eastern European countries, including Russia, and two Western European, Cyprus and Greece.

(Were also better than Israel and Turkey.) Among Caribbean countries, were better than Belize, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica, but worse than Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas and Barbados.

No, we arent considered a basket case, but we could certainly improve. Rather, there are worrying signs of decline. If you judge by the indicators mentioned above, you have to be concerned about, say, our security apparatus, uneven development, economic slowdown, and public services. I dont propose to analyse all those areas now, but I join Ghany in the one he delicately calls functional institutional challenges. Its something Ive been writing and speaking about for a long time now. I published my first article on the subject in April 1995, inspired by then Prime Minister Patrick Mannings assault on the service commissions system, which he described as a creation of imperialism foisted on all Britains former colonies; it had outlived its usefulness, he fumed.

I described his charge of British imposition, at least where TT was concerned, as bereft of historical accuracy. On the contrary, I said, it was our then PM-designate, Eric Williams, who made sure that the provisions on service commissions were included in the Constitution being drafted for the impending independence of the country. Why? Because Williams understood that one major way to help defuse (the) tension (that existed then in TT) and lessen accusations of political interference was to make it constitutionally clear that politicians were not going to be directly involved in the transfer, promotion etc of public servants; there should be a buffer which should be independent and seen to be so. In other words, Williams saw the importance of the institution as one of the indispensable bases of the nation-in-making.

Yes, there are deficiencies in the service commissions arrangement, and they must be corrected.

But the decline of many of our other institutions has been public and palpable.

Weve all been witnessing the recent cock-ups: the Judicial and Legal Service Commission ole mas, with its negative impact on the Judiciary; the apparently deliberate denial of natural justice by the Defence Force to one of its former chiefs; botched Cabinet appointments; a Parliament which revels in finger-pointing, to the detriment of the people it is supposed to be representing; government bodies which parade incompetence and callousness regarding crucial inter-island sea transport; and so on.

It is particularly frightening that many of the people directly responsible for maintaining and strengthening our institutions are the very ones whose actions are damaging those institutions.

Without strong institutions, and consequent good governance, we may eventually slide into the fragile-state category.

We should learn from todays USA. That countrys institutions are standing up to, and pushing back against, the incoherence, bullying and egoism coming out of Washington DC.

If we are not careful, if we do not recognise that, as citizens, we have responsibilities as well as the rights we are always so quick to proclaim, and that, as part of those responsibilities, we must constantly monitor and guard our instit u t i o n s , we open the road to further and more rapid descent.

And that would be our fault, no one elses.
Mental health interventions for teachers is important

Some students will be anticipating the opportunity to relay the stories of their holiday exploits with great excitement, exaggeration and embellishments, while others will be worried, nervous and anxious as they embark on adventures into the unfamiliar territory of a new school with its unknown faces and high expectations.

The educational staff  the teachers, the heads of departments, the classroom assistants, the clerical workers, and all the other employees who keep the wheels of the education system spinning are not immune to those mixed emotions. That joy parents have when the holidays are coming to an end knowing that soon your childrens constant complaints of being bored or hungry will stop, your ears will get a rest from hearing their choice of music or worse  the tuneless singing to the music, or the concern about their safety.

They too will also be worried, nervous and anxious. The overall health and well-being of educational staff is a serious matter, but unfortunately it does not get the attention that it deserves. A study was undertaken by the NASWTU Union of 4,908 teachers in the UK and six in ten teachers said that in the last 12 months the job had negatively affected their mental health and one in ten teachers were taking antidepressants to cope with work-related stresses.

As the daughter of a retired teacher, I know only too well how much hard work most teachers put in on a day-to-day basis, and the sacrifices they make to cope with their ever-increasing workloads. I have seen my mother come home completely exhausted after a day at work.

She was teaching classes that were too large, having to cope with administrative issues, office politics, non-functioning or inadequate equipment, and give extra attention to those children struggling with lower level intellectual cognizance and behavioural challenges. She was teacher, social worker, counsellor, mediator and sometimes nurse while at school, and then come home to be a mother to her own moody, often mischievous, adolescent children.

She would prepare dinner, listen to our woes and protestations, help with homework (we decided to do it), deal with our outbursts of sibling rivalry and our fathers shenanigans, and still have do lesson planning or marking students assignments. I feel exhausted just thinking about it.

The demands of teaching are unique. Educational staff are expected to not only set examples for their students, but to respond to their needs sensitively, compassionately and empathetically even as they cope with issues of workloads, staff shortages, redundancies, lack of resources and bullying. All of which can take a toll on the mental well-being of the staff and some will succumb to alcohol and drug misuse, prescription medication dependency, self-harm, suicide ideation or destructive behaviours.

It is evident that to achieve high-quality education, the emotional and mental health of the staff must be factored into any plans, policies or practice.

Dr Yansie Rolston FRSA is a UK-based disability and mental health specialist advisor. She is a social strategist and trainer who works internationally at various levels of government, business and civil society. Contact her at yr@ efficacyeva.com
Canadian envoy inspires future leaders

Comprising bpTT s interns and the companys Brighter Prospects scholarship students, the group engaged in lively conversation with the Canadian diplomatic team led by High Commissioner Carla Hogan Rufelds.

The team was captivated by the wide range of topics discussed, which included public and political affairs, advocacy, trade, consular work, development assistance, security and personal experiences.

Rufelds was enthused about the visit. I am really impressed by the cadre of talent present around this table and it was a pleasure for our team to discuss how the high commission works and some of our key focus areas.

Its commendable that beyond supporting their educational pursuits and providing valuable work experience, bpTT is exposing these young people to a broader understanding of how the world works and the innumerable opportunities that are open to them. This exposure will serve them well as they grow into their expected roles as future leaders. The young team was guided by bpTT s community sustainability and stakeholder relations adviser Joel Primus and human resources recruitment co-ordinator Elisabeth Latiff-Russell.

Primus gave some insight into the companys perspective on the meeting: Over the years, weve facilitated meetings for our interns and scholarship recipients with persons in high office, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice and the Attorney General.

We see these young people as more than students and future workers. They are citizens of this nation and it is important to provide them with perspectives beyond their academic focus. It is critical that they see the bigger picture, understand the importance of building relationships and networks and their personal role in fashioning a better future for Trinidad and Tobago. BPTT s internship programme enrols the brightest students who are entering their final year of studies at university, while Brighter Prospects is one of bpTT s flagship education programmes that offer scholarships to tertiary level students from Mayaro and environs. The young people who met with the Canadian High Commissioner represented diverse areas of study including engineering, economics, law, communications, geology, dentistry, criminology and geography.

The experience was enlightening and inspirational for Renelle Kissoon, who is currently studying criminology and criminal justice at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. The discussions with the high commissioner and her team were very informative and revealing.

Understanding the nature of relationships between nations has given me an insight into the concept of diplomacy and collaboration for international development, Kissoon said.

The discussions on topics like reform to our criminal justice system, human rights and diversification of agriculture showed just how much we can tap into international resources to facilitate our nations progress. I am really happy that bpTT has facilitated these discussions for us.

I am even more energised than before.
STOP PLAYING POLITICS

It has been more than a month since Newsday ventured into the institution at Western Main Road, Diego Martin. The paper exposed deplorable conditions, dilapidated grounds and equipment, and most disturbingly the neglect of the youths at the home.

Since the report, not much has changed. The facility is still unkempt, security lax, and lackadaisical staff continue to leave the children unsupervised.

Newsday sought to find out from the people directly involved with the operations of the home, who is truly responsible for the home falling into such a grim state.

Ultimately, bureaucratic gridlock and internal politics have caused several people who have not been doing their jobs, to stay in key positions while the home slowly deteriorates.

Gender, Youth and Child Affairs Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy, in an interview with Newsday, called on employees at the home to stop playing politics and focus on the task of bettering the lives of the children in their care. She said the home has been given ample programmes for the participation of children, and enough funds to maintain the facilities.

People (at the home) have a moral high ground but they should think about the children, Webster- Roy said. These are adults who are neglecting their duties to the children they are being paid to look after. I do not care about politics.

I care about making a meaningful impact in the lives of these children. They need to be cared for despite the reasons for which they came into the institution. What we sow into the lives of these children, we will reap when they are adults.

Do we really want to sow violence and neglect into their lives? Newsday was told Webster-Roy made several unannounced visits to the home and was dismayed at the conditions under which the children live. On one occasion, she went into the home in an unmarked car and found the gates wide open.

Webster-Roy told Newsday the guards who were supposed to be manning the gate did not even recognise her as a minister when she asked why the gates were open. It took one of the youths to tell them who she was.

Another boy, barefooted and bare-backed, begged her to buy a box of KFC for him. She did not know whether he had any nutritional restrictions, so she told him no.

Webster-Roy said that home was not the only institution she visited unannounced. However, the difference between the boys home and others was staggering.

I went to St Dominics and I saw children laughing and playing and engaging in activities. I went to St Marys and I saw the same thing  there was even an Emancipation show going on where the children were singing and playing instruments.

What is the difference? The adults in the other institutions care. Sources from within the home have revealed the school gets a monthly grant of $900,000. This is used for the upkeep of the premises, payment of staff and other expenses such as food, clothing and medication for the boys, as well as for equipment for all the programmes.

However, sources complained very little is being done with the money. The boys are given small snacks and meals are being restricted.

No repairs have been done to the physical infrastructure, and programmes are at a halt.

Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley admitted his church was part of the internal politics which have caused problems for the home. However, he said while the church is committed to the betterment of the youths, they as a governing body have very little power over the decisions made.

In a recent interview with Newsday, Berkley said the Anglican Church, which has been operating the home since its inception over a hundred years ago, ran it wholly and solely. But, in the 1970s, a decision was made to merge with the State.

Now, the church is only allowed to appoint a board of nine people, inclusive of two church members, to run the home.

The church also has permission to employ contract workers who work under the manager. However, aside from these few contract workers, they cannot hire, discipline or fire employees at the home.

Newsday was told the board makes decisions and plans and sends them to the management to be executed. In recent times, it has been proven that these mandates either take a long time to implement or are ignored altogether. Not being able to discipline or fire, the Statutory Authorities Services Commission - the body responsible for appointing staff - is called in. The church will lodge their complaint and suggest how to move forward, but this is still only taken into consideration by the commission and an investigation has to take place before any decision is taken. This, as well, may take a long time.

Berkley said the bureaucratic gridlock which plagues the executive of the home has frustrated the church so much that they began making moves, starting in 2015, to remove themselves from the home altogether.

The actions of the church in the home are done without profit or favour, Berkley said.

It is done simply because they have taken care of the children in the home since its inception over a hundred years ago. We have sought to care for children at different levels of risk or trouble, but when something happens at the institution where the home is placed in a bad light, the church becomes scandalised.

We do not have the clout to hold people accountable. We have responsibility without authority. We should be advocating for the young boys, which we have been, but maybe we need to exclude ourselves so that we can begin advocacy .

Berkley mirrored Webster-Roys earlier statement that other institutions are being handled better because people charged with running those institutions are standing up to their responsibilities.

When you look at other institutions you would see things are not in such a disarray, because someone fulfilled their accountability and their role. Someone was responsible.

For some reason we cannot get that here. It is difficult (for the church) to hold people accountable because we are part of the problem, since we appoint the board. Attempts to reach manager of the home, Allison Joseph were futile.
Haleemas trip delayed

Haleema, her parents and her seven-year-old brother Haleem, who is her donor, were scheduled to leave today for India but will now leave next Monday instead.

Haleema was diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia Major, a blood disorder, since she was 18 months old. She was accepted by the Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, India to undergo a bone marrow transplant at a cost of $400,000.

Her ailment requires her to visit the hospital twice per month for blood transfusions.

The childs mother Kristal Mohammed said days before she undergoes blood transfusion, she would develop a high fever, become listless and nauseous and begin vomiting.

Haleemas father Hamil is a construction worker while Kristal is a housewife.

The couple has three children and Haleema is the youngest.

An application for assistance from the Childrens Life Fund Authority was turned down on the basis that the condition is not a life threatening one. But with the help of sponsors and fund-raisers, her parents were able to acquire the money for the surgery and three-month stay in India.

After the surgery on Haleema she would be required to stay in India for three months for doctors to continue to monitor her recovery.

Her brother, who will be donating bone marrow, will also have to undergo surgery.

When Haleema was 18 months old, her mother noticed something was wrong and took her to the doctor where she was diagnosed with the disorder.

She has been hospitalised on numerous occasions and is required to do blood transfusions on a fortnightly basis.

Desperate for their little girl to have a better life, her mother and her father decided to seek the publics help in raising the large sum of money.

The lions share of the money came through donations to the Islamic Broadcasting Network owned by businessman Inshan Ishmael with corporate Trinidad and Tobago and well wishers making up the difference within two to three weeks.
Son: Society lacking empathy

In an interview with Newsday yesterday, hours after his mothers body was found in her Fondes Amandes Road, St Anns home on Saturday evening, Stephen said, in recent years society has been desensitised to violence, pointing to a rising murder toll as the major reason for the publics indifference.

It is believed the womans throat was slit.

Crime is just a symptom of the lack of sympathy and understanding that we have for one another these days. I think that Trinidadians have become so accustomed to murder that they have lost their sensitivity to the victims and to people in general, Stephen said.

He said he was visiting a friend in Brasso Seco at the time of the incident and only learned of it when he received a call from one of his neighbours that a portion of the house was on fire.

Stephen also hit back at social media users who, in the wake of his mothers killing, have alleged it was part of a plot by family members to collect insurance money.

First of all my mother was a cancer patient and was not eligible.

The insurance companies would not insure her. So to answer their questions about relatives collecting insurance money is baseless, very insulting and very insensitive. To make a statement based on nothing, without any knowledge based on people or their circumstances, is irresponsible and it shows that insensitivity is one of our major problems. He said unless law-abiding citizens were prepared to partner with the police in securing their streets, crime and criminality would continue to run amok.

Up until late yesterday afternoon, there was a heavy police presence at the familys home as officers continued their inquiries into the murder. The home is bordered by a steep slope to its western side and is hidden from the opposite side by dense trees and underbrush.

Newsday also spoke to several residents of River Road, St Anns who were struggling to come to terms with the murder of the woman many affectionately referred to as Mama. One resident, who asked not to be identified, said the mother of three maintained a close relationship with members of the community and expressed his disgust at her demise.

We would scarcely see her outside her home but whenever she passed, she would always hail us out. She would stop and have these long conversations with us, she was really well-liked and its a real tragedy what happened to her. Were all very angry right now. Another resident, who asked only to be identified as Jerome, said Broadbridge would often employ young men from the community to do odd jobs around her house.

He said she would never hesitate to assist families in need.

She was a very welcoming person, she would always have a few young fellas from the neighbourhood helping her out, whether its to maintain her lawn or whatever. She was all there for us and what happened to her was an outrage. Several residents have speculated the killer or killers may have come from outside of the community, given her status in the area.

Police said, at about 5 pm on Saturday, residents saw clouds of black smoke rising from the other side of the slope and notified the Fire Service. When they arrived and searched the house, they found Broadbridges body.
SILWC board appointed

According to a statement issued by the Housing Ministry, Housing and Urban Settlements Minister Randall Mitchell presented the instruments of appointments to members of the new board on August 28. Attorney Dane L. Halls has been appointed chairman. Other members of the board are John Jaglal, Vinda Maharaj, Fedel Sherwin Adonis and Hinni Maraj.

The SILWC was formally established by Act No 64:05 of 1951 to control and administer the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund to Caroni workers and to provide proper housing solutions for sugar workers and cane farmers. Over time, its focus has shifted to include the improvement of housing for persons who were involved in the sugar industry. Mitchell thanked the members for offering themselves for public service.

He reminded them that their remit is aligned to the overall policy direction of the Ministry which seeks to improve the living conditions of citizens. In underscoring the considerable delay in finalising the new Board, Mitchell urged the members to always remember that their mandate affects peoples livelihoods and well-being, therefore they should not delay in addressing all matters.

The ministry said in the absence of a board, many residents in SILWC communities were unable to apply for and access loans. The ministry also said many communities were left in severe need of infrastructural upgrades and it is hoped this situation will soon be rectified. SILWC is considered one of the largest land owners in the country. The SILWC is estimated to have 24 housing developments stretching from Macoya in the East to La Gloria in South.

Since its inception, SILWC has assisted in the construction of approximately 14,000 homes.
Men and boys graduate from food preparation programme

On Saturday, 275 men and boys over the age of 13 took one step closer to equipping themselves to deal with these changes as they graduated from the Defining Masculine Excellence, and the Food Preparation and Home Management for Men and Boys programmes.

The joint ceremony took place at the Trinity College Auditorium, Trincity where Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Gender and Child Affairs Division, Ayanna Webster-Roy, addressed them. These shifting gender roles affect the social situation for men and boys, challenging their ideology of manhood, she said. The Government recognises the need for policies to address issues affecting both men and women at different levels, particularly if we are to fulfill our commitment to gender equality and equity. She told the audience the Defining Masculine Excellence programme assisted in the reduction in domestic violence, depression and other issues. She described it as a space where men could share their feelings openly and without reproach, that it could help men overcome negative stereotypes, and understand their importance within the family and community.

She said one of the three cycles of the programme targeted men in the protective service. She said Government recognised they carried additional burdens and stress and hoped the programme would provide them with extra coping skills, and help them assist men and boys they encounter in their line of work.

To the 80 graduates of the Defining Masculine Excellence programme she said, Women are able to achieve and do more but we cant do it without the supporting shoulders and push of the men in our lives. So regardless of what we may say to you, know that you are still valued for your leadership roles, know that you are still valued for your companionship, and know that you are still valued for the role you play in shaping and defining our beautiful nation. Webster-Roy explained the 195 Food Preparation graduates learned basic cooking skills and the art of fine dining in the hopes of encouraging males to participate in more non-traditional activities at home. She said some men were willing to share in these roles but lack the knowledge to do it and used her family as an example.

She said when she entered public life, her husband became the primary caregiver for their children.

At first he could not cook well but he learned and is now exceptional. She said she came home from a hectic day at the office and he had made bake. Well he was quite rewarded for his bake. She told the graduates women appreciated and found it attractive when they did other things and encouraged them all to pursue more knowledge and enlightenment, not only for their benefit as women find that attractive as well.




Charles Katazo (26) was remanded on his hospital bed by Harare magistrate Ms Josephine Sande. He was found in possession of two elephant tusks. The prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that Katazo entered Mana Pools National Park without a permit.

Meanwhile, suspended Zimparks director-general Edson Chidziya was remanded to September 5, on charges of concealing a 2015 audit report which exposed the theft of 56 rhino horns worth $3 million.



Chidziya (52), who is represented by Professor Lovemore Madhuku, appeared in court on Thursday with three other ZimParks employees in connection with the offence.



Chidziya is facing criminal abuse of office charges. His subordinates  Zimparks wildlife officer Padgewell Mazoyo (37), audit manager Gift Kuwora (51) and former security officer Munyaradzi Nhira (32)  are charged with theft of trust property.



It is alleged that sometime between September 2012 to May 1, 2013 Chidziya acted as director-general for Zimparks. He was eventually confirmed as the substantive director-general. But during his tenure as accounting officer, Chidziya is accused of flagrantly disregarding key security procedures.



The court heard that between December 2012 and July 2015, Chidziya gave orders to Mazoyo, Kuwora and Nhira to exchange keys to the ivory strong room among themselves.

And this, according to the court, was done without a proper hand-over take-over procedure, which violated laid-out security protocols. It is alleged that 56 rhino horns were lost as a result of lax security.

The theft was discovered through a July 2015 audit. As the accounting officer, Chidziya did not however report the matter to the police. It is believed that Chidziyas year-long silence prejudiced investigations.



Zimparks lost $3 million and nothing was recovered. Herald A Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) employee was shot and injured while allegedly poaching for elephant tusks at Mana Pools National Park.Charles Katazo (26) was remanded on his hospital bed by Harare magistrate Ms Josephine Sande. He was found in possession of two elephant tusks. The prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that Katazo entered Mana Pools National Park without a permit.Meanwhile, suspended Zimparks director-general Edson Chidziya was remanded to September 5, on charges of concealing a 2015 audit report which exposed the theft of 56 rhino horns worth $3 million.Chidziya (52), who is represented by Professor Lovemore Madhuku, appeared in court on Thursday with three other ZimParks employees in connection with the offence.Chidziya is facing criminal abuse of office charges. His subordinates  Zimparks wildlife officer Padgewell Mazoyo (37), audit manager Gift Kuwora (51) and former security officer Munyaradzi Nhira (32)  are charged with theft of trust property.It is alleged that sometime between September 2012 to May 1, 2013 Chidziya acted as director-general for Zimparks. He was eventually confirmed as the substantive director-general. But during his tenure as accounting officer, Chidziya is accused of flagrantly disregarding key security procedures.The court heard that between December 2012 and July 2015, Chidziya gave orders to Mazoyo, Kuwora and Nhira to exchange keys to the ivory strong room among themselves.And this, according to the court, was done without a proper hand-over take-over procedure, which violated laid-out security protocols. It is alleged that 56 rhino horns were lost as a result of lax security.The theft was discovered through a July 2015 audit. As the accounting officer, Chidziya did not however report the matter to the police. It is believed that Chidziyas year-long silence prejudiced investigations.Zimparks lost $3 million and nothing was recovered. Herald
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A 35-year-old woman died after a botched breast procedure in which a Chinese tourist gave her a lethal dose of anesthesia, police said. Jean Huang went into cardiac arrest during the procedure on Wednesday, ABC News Australia reports, and died two days later. Jie Shao, 33, who had been in Australia for five days, administered breast fillers and the fatal dose of anesthesia, police said. She was charged with recklessly inflicting bodily harm and using poison to endanger life, and police said she may face more charges. Neither Shao nor Yuegiong Fu, who was working as nurse, had any medical qualifications in Australia, 9 News reports. Fu is also under investigation.

Huang underwent the procedure, which does not require surgery, at Medi Beauty Laser and Contour Clinic in Sydney, where she worked as a manager. Shao's lawyer told a judge that she was a graduate of a medical university in China and was a specialist in dermatology. Shao, who was denied bail, had a return plane ticket to China. Her case was continued until Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery called for tighter regulations against clinics administering cosmetic fillers, Botox, and other injections. (A West Virginia mom died during a 'butt lift.')
A Minneapolis bar was forced to close after it was revealed the owner donated to David Duke's 2016 Senate campaign. Outraged to learn their boss had given $500 to the ex-KKK leader, many employees at Club Jager walked off the job, reports the Star Tribune. Several performers promised to boycott the bar, with one local DJ writing on Facebook that he couldn't condone a "venue where the owner supports the likes of David Duke and his messages of hate." Former bartender Drea Kingston tells WCCO the contribution is "vile and its disgusting." Jack Callahan, who canceled the trivia night he hosted, says per the Tribune that employees got angry messages calling them Nazi sympathizers. A group of men followed and spit on one worker, calling her a Nazi lover.

The bar was empty by mid-week save for a few white supremacists who showed up to support owner Julius DeRoma, per City Pages. By Thursday, the remaining employees decided to shut it down for good, Callahan tells theTribune, adding that they "didnt want to keep this guys business operating and continue to face the harassment." He calls the episode "pretty emotional" for the racially diverse staff. "Half the people were in tears," Callahan tells City Pages, "and the other half were pretty much punching walls." Workers felt betrayed by DeRoma, who was rarely in the bar but who Callahan says, per the Tribune, seemed like a "really nice" guy. De Roma tells WCCO his Duke donation "just basically free speech." He says the controversy was "blown up beyond what it should be." (Duke's godson was heir to the throneuntil he flipped.)
President Trump has finally named his pick for NASA administratorand lawmakers from both parties are not happy with the choice. Rep. Jim Bridenstine, an Oklahoma lawmaker first elected to the House in 2013, is being criticized as overly political and as lacking aerospace experience, Newsweek reports. The 42-year-old Republican, who was an early Trump supporter, served as a pilot in the US Navy Reserve and was executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium for around 18 months, but he has no formal science or engineering qualifications. He has been active on space issues in Congress, however, and is strongly supported by private space companies.

To become NASA's 13th administrator, Bridenstine has to be approved by the Senate, and both senators from Florida have expressed concerns. "I just think it could be devastating for the space program. Obviously, being from Florida, Im very sensitive to anything that slows up NASA and its mission," Republican Sen. Marco Rubio told Politico after the White House named Bridenstine on Friday night. "Its the one federal mission which has largely been free of politics and its at a critical juncture in its history." Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson echoed Rubio's concerns about Bridenstine having too much "political baggage," saying: "The head of NASA ought to be a space professional, not a politician." (Read more NASA stories.)
A former Temple University student was charged Sunday with murder in the death of a current student whose remains were found over the weekend on property linked to the suspect, the AP reports. Jenna Burleigh, 22, was reported missing by her family Thursday night. She was last seen on surveillance video leaving a bar near the school campus in north Philadelphia early that morning in the company of a man police have identified as Joshua Hupperterz. Hupperterz, 29, was taken into custody Friday in Paupack Township and a body was found Saturday on township property belonging to his grandmother. Philadelphia police say that the body had been confirmed as that of the victim. Besides the murder charge, Hupperterz faces charges of possession of an instrument of crime, evidence-tampering, and abuse of a corpse.

Philadelphia police say Hupperterz, who once attended Temple, told university police investigators on Friday that he "had been so drunk when he left the bar he had no recollection of who he had been with." Authorities believe Burleigh was killed in Philadelphia and taken to Wayne County township, about 25 miles east of Scranton. "We still don't even know the cause of death," Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross says. "We still have a lot of work to do, to include trying to figure out who else may have been involved, if there's anyone else at all." Temple University President Richard Englert says Burleigh started at the school this semester as a junior transfer student, majoring in film and media arts. Burleigh's father posted on Facebook Saturday evening that "Our Beautiful Angel Jenna is now in Heaven, adding, "Now I know for sure that you can have a 'broken heart' RIP honey. (Read more Temple University stories.)
With activity around missile launch sites suggesting North Korea planned more missile tests, Jang Kyoung-soo, South Korea's acting deputy defense minister, warned parliament Monday that the North also could be planning to "fire an intercontinental ballistic missile." Seoul wasn't letting grass grow under its feet: South Korea said it was talking to the United States about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula in the wake of its sixth and largest nuclear test, Reuters reports. As the UN Security Council was set to meet later in the day to discuss new sanctions against the isolated regime, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that while the US wasn't looking "looking to the total annihilation" of North Korea, "we have many options to do so."

One day after the North tested a powerful hydrogen bomb, the South's air force and army conducted war games that simulated a live-fire attack on the North's nuclear facility to "strongly warn" Pyongyang. The South also said it planned to deploy the four remaining launchers of the new THAAD US missile defense system, vehemently opposed by China and Russia. The US warned of "massive" military response if Seoul or its allies were threatened. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov urged North Korea to "stop provocative actions that destabilize the situation," the AP reports. In unusually strong language, Ryabkov told reporters that Moscow sees "a dangerous trend in how quickly North Korea is making progress" in its nuclear program. He insisted diplomacy was the only solution, adding, "The one who is stronger and smarter should show restraint." (Read more North Korea stories.)
One week after 9-year-old Maelys de Araujo went missing from a family wedding in the French Alps, a man has been charged with kidnapping. As search and rescue teams continued to scour the area for Maelys, investigators on Sunday charged a 34-year-old in connection with her disappearance. The Grenoble prosecutor said in a statement, per the BBC, that the suspect, who was not named, "persisted in his denials" that he had nothing to do with the case that has riveted France, but "this did not convince the investigative judges, who decided to hold him." Le Parisien reports the girl's DNA was found in the suspect's car.

Along with kidnapping, the suspect was charged with illegal confinement and detention of a minor under 15. Maelys was last seen Aug. 27 at the wedding north of Grenoble. The suspect, who had attended the wedding, was one of two men questioned and later released on Friday. Police have interviewed some 250 people in connection with the case, per the BBC, including 180 wedding guests, and searched about 40 homes, per the AP. Hundreds of volunteers fanned out over the weekend searching for the girl. Police divers plunged into waterways and cavers combed the rugged terrain. "The absolute priority is to find the young Maelys," deputy prosecutor Laurent Becuywe told reporters, per the AP. (Read more kidnapping stories.)
Authorities carried out a controlled burn Sunday at a chemical plant damaged by Harvey, sending small flames and gray smoke into the sky, after saying the highly unstable compounds that had caused previous explosions needed to be neutralized. Small flames burning in charred structures were seen, with a limited amount of the smoke, from the Arkema plant in Crosby. Sam Mannan, a chemical safety expert at Texas A&M University, said the gray smoke indicated a more complete burn with fewer harmful chemicals remaining. By Sunday night, officials said all fires at the plant were out, the AP reports.

Officials said the "proactive measures" to ignite six remaining trailers didn't pose additional risks to the community. People living within a mile and a half of the site are still evacuated. Three trailers containing unstable compounds had previously caught fire at the plant after backup generators were engulfed by Harvey's floodwaters, which knocked out the refrigeration necessary to keep them from degrading and igniting. (Read more Hurricane Harvey stories.)
Four years ago, a missionary pilot from Minnesota disappeared during a flight from South Africa to Mali and was never heard from again. Though no wreckage of the Beechcraft 1900C was ever found, South African authorities declared two months later that Jerry Krause had crashed and died. Now his family says new evidence has caused the South African government to remove their official report and that Krause is actually alive and has been seen, CBS Minnesota reports. The family even says the US government knows Krause's whereabouts but the Department of Defense doesn't have authorization to act on the information.

According to the family's "Find Jerry" Facebook page, their understanding is that President Trump or Vice President Pence would need to approve any rescue attempt. The family is asking people to contact their senators and representatives. As for the new evidence, "although we have sought to learn what [it] is, we have been denied access to it," per the Facebook post. The family claims Krause was kidnapped while making the flight on April 7, 2013, but no group has claimed responsibility. Per the family, "All contact was lost on his approach to Sao Tome, a small island off the coast of Africa" where he was headed to re-fuel. (This kidnapped woman tried to get help at a Starbucks.)
One day after North Korea conducted its largest-ever nuclear test, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley says the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, is "begging for war," CNN reports. Haley made the claim during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council Monday as part of a lobbying effort to convince them to take the "strongest possible measures" against North Korea after the country detonated a thermonuclear warhead underground on Sunday. "Enough is enough," Haley said. "We have taken an incremental approach, and despite the best of intentions, it has not worked." Yesterday Defense Secretary Jim Mattis responded to the latest test by saying the US will answer North Korean threats with a "massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming."

Experts believe the explosive tested Sunday has a power range of between 50 and 150 kilotons, far larger than the power of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima at the end of WWII, the BBC reports. Pyongyang claims it has the capacity to reduce the warhead in size and attach it to an ICBM capable of hitting the US mainland, though some analysts remain skeptical. Regardless, Haley said, US patience with North Korea is "not unlimited." "Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy," she told her colleagues on the security council. "We have kicked the can down the road long enough. There is no more road left." (Read more Nikki Haley stories.)
Colombia's government will sign a bilateral cease-fire with the nation's last remaining major rebel group ahead of Pope Francis' visit this week, President Juan Manuel Santos announced Monday. Santos said the agreement will be signed later in the day in Quito, Ecuador, where negotiations with the National Liberation Army, or ELN, have been taking place since February, AP reports. The cease-fire, whose details were being ironed out as late as Monday morning, would take effect Oct. 1 and initially run through Jan. 12, at which time it can be renewed if the two sides agree, he said. "The pope is arriving amid a unique moment in our history, as we turn the page on an absurd conflict and look to the future with hope," Santos said in a televised address.

The cease-fire could be a major step toward securing a lasting peace. More than five decades of conflict involving the two rebel movements, the army, and right-wing paramilitary groups have resulted in more than 260,000 deaths, the disappearance of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of 6 million. Reconciliation is expected to be a central theme of the visit by Francis, who in 2015 publicly urged government and FARC negotiators not to waste a chance to strike a lasting peace. Under the deal between the government and the FARC, the group has turned over its weapons and is in the process of reorganizing as a political movement to compete in elections next year. (Read more FARC stories.)
#Hyundai-new Grandeur Hyundai aims to sell 120,000 units of new Grandeur by 2023 South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. said Monday it is targeting to sell more than 120,000 units of the all-new Grandeur sedan in the domestic market by the end of 2023. Hyundai wil...

#BLACKPINK BLACKPINK, Seventeen win two prizes each at MTV EMA 2022 South Korean idol groups BLACKPINK and Seventeen have received two awards each at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards, their agencies said Monday. Girl group BLACKPINK was named...
A 106-year-old Afghan woman who made a perilous journey to Europe, carried by her son and grandson through mountains, deserts, and forests, is facing deportation from Sweden after her asylum application was rejected. Bibihal Uzbeki is severely disabled and can barely speak. Her family has appealed the rejection, the AP reports. Their journey made headlines in 2015, when they were part of a huge influx of people who came to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries. They traveled by foot and on trains through the Balkans before finally reaching Sweden. Two years later, she and her 11 family members are living in the small village of Hova, in central Sweden. While the family avoided telling her, the constant grief from her granddaughters made her suspicious.

"My sisters were crying," explains 22-year-old Mohammed Uzbeki. "My grandmother asked, 'Why are you crying?'" The family says that soon after she understood her request was denied, her health started deteriorating and she suffered a debilitating stroke. The Swedish Migration Agency confirmed in a statement to the AP they had "taken a decision regarding an expulsion in the case," adding "generally speaking, high age does not in itself provide grounds for asylum." People whose applications are rejected are allowed up to three appeals, a process that can take a long time. The applications of other family members are in various stages of appeal. "The reasoning from the migration agency is that it's not unsafe enough in Afghanistan," says Sanna Vestin, the head of the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups, adding that many of the big cities cited as safe are not at the moment. (Read more refugees stories.)
5.7 million years old human-like footprints found in Greece

London : In a finding that could challenge the widely accepted theories of human evolution, researchers have discovered 5.7 million years old human-like footprints on an island in Greece.

The new footprints from Trachilos in western Crete, described in the journal Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, could take the trail of early human evolution beyond Africa.

Also Read: North Korea claims successful test of most powerful hydrogen bomb

Earlier studies had suggested that all fossil hominins older than 1.8 million years (the age of early Homo fossils from Georgia) came from Africa, leading most researchers to conclude that this was where the group evolved.

Also Read: North Korea claims advanced thermonuclear weapon aka hydrogen bomb

"What makes this controversial is the age and location of the prints," said one of the study authors Per Ahlberg, Professor at Uppsala University in Sweden.

At approximately 5.7 million years, they are younger than the oldest known fossil hominin, Sahelanthropus from Chad, and contemporary of Orrorin from Kenya, but more than a million years older than Ardipithecus ramidus from Ethiopia, the oldest hominin known from reasonably complete fossils which has an ape-like foot.

The researchers who described Ardipithecus argued that it is a direct ancestor of later hominins, implying that a human-like foot had not yet evolved at that time.

This conflicts with the hypothesis that Ardipithecus is a direct ancestor of later hominins. But the new footprints from Trachilos have an unmistakably human-like form. This is especially true of the toes, the researchers said.

Watch: Landslide on Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway, videos go viral

The big toe is similar to our own in shape, size and position. It is also associated with a distinct 'ball' on the sole, which is never present in apes.

The Trachilos footprints were securely dated using a combination of marine microfossils, plus the fact that they lay just below a very distinctive sedimentary rock formed when the Mediterranean Sea briefly dried out, 5.6 million years ago, the study said.

The researchers noted that during the time when the Trachilos footprints were made, a period known as the late Miocene, the Sahara Desert did not exist and savannah-like environments extended from North Africa up around the eastern Mediterranean.

Also Read: World's oldest Italian wine found

Furthermore, Crete had not yet detached from the Greek mainland. It is thus not difficult to see how early hominins could have ranged across south-east Europe and well as Africa, and left their footprints on a Mediterranean shore that would one day form part of the island of Crete.
South Korea conducts live-fire drills in response to North Korea hydrogen bomb test

Seoul : South Korea on Monday conducted live-fire drills in which it simulated an attack on North Korea's nuclear test site, in response to the sixth nuclear test conducted by Pyongyang on Sunday.

The exercises included the launch of the Hyunmoo ballistic missile and projectiles fired by F-15 fighter jets, which accurately hit the designated targets in the Sea of Japan, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Also Read: North Korea hydrogen bomb test poses threat to US, says President Donald Trump

The distance to the simulated targets and their location were set in accordance with North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the northeastern province, where all six nuclear tests have been staged, a military spokesperson told Yonhap news agency.

North Korea on Sunday tested its most powerful nuclear bomb to date, technically known as a two-staged thermonuclear device which according to the North Korean regime, could be installed on an intercontinental missile, an achievement which would be a dangerous advance in its military capabilities.

Also Read: North Korea claims successful test of most powerful hydrogen bomb

The international community has unanimously condemned Pyongyang's new atomic test. Seoul and Tokyo have also called for more sanctions on Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump said that he was considering suspending trade with any country doing business with Pyongyang and also hinting at a possible attack on North Korea.

Defense Secretary James Mattis said Sunday in Washington, that the US is preparing for and examining all military options after North Korea said it successfully tested an H-bomb.

Also Read: North Korea claims advanced thermonuclear weapon aka hydrogen bomb

"Any threat to the US or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response - a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis said.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged the US and Russian presidents to push North Korea to a halt its arms development, in phone conversations with both presidents.

Also Read: Russia warns against new sanctions, use of force against North Korea after firing missile over Japan

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the new nuclear test conducted by North Korea. The meeting was called by the US, France, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea, according to the US mission to the UN.
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New Delhi:

A Delhi based man on Sunday night allegedly shot a woman and killed himself in northwest Mukherjee Nagar, the police said.

The woman, who is in her 30s, is battling for life at a hospital. The police had collected a suicide note from the spot, which is being under examination.

The accused Sonu shot himself in the head after shooting the woman. Both of them were rushed to the hospital where doctors declared him dead, a police officer said.

The womans husband is posted outside Delhi. It is suspected that the incident is a fallout of a relationship gone sour, the police said.

However, the police are probing all angles, the officer added.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Minor gang raped in Delhi, one arrested, two other accused absconding

ALSO READ | Delhi: Firing reported in Rohini; one injured


New Delhi:

The Uttar Pradesh on Monday will witness maiden run of the Lucknow Metro on the occasion of Teachers Day. It will be flagged off by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The Union Minister, who represents the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, will flag off the first train, whereas the Chief Minister will do so from the Transport Nagar metro station.

However, it will be available for public services from September 6. The part 1 of the project, which is 8.5-km-long will cover Transport Nagar to Charbagh. It will be operational for the public from 6 am to 10 pm everyday.

Earlier, the trail run on the same stretch was flagged off by former CM Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Yadav in December 2016.

ALSO READ: Delhi Metro loses 50 lakh passengers after May fare hike

However, the Union home ministers presence at the event is a strong signal from the BJP that it was the Narendra Modi government at the Centre which contributed the bulk of the funds to the project.

The BJP continuously attacked the Akhilesh government during the assembly election campaign for not running metro trains in the city.

As the matter got embroiled in politics, Akhilesh had shot back saying it was due to the delay in obtaining clearance from the commissioner, Metro Railway Safety, and had blamed the Centre for it.

The clearance finally came through recently, paving the way for commercial operations to begin.

The Centre had recently cleared a new Metro Rail Policy too, mandating private investment in such projects, in order to speed up future metro projects. BSP leader Mayawati had criticised the policy.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Nine cities to get additional 313 km on metro rail connectivity by March 2019
New Delhi:

Television personality Bobby Darling aka Pakhi Sharma has filed FIR against her Bhopal-based businessman husband Ramneek Sharma for domestic abuse, unnatural sex and dowry harassment. She fled from her house in Bhopal to Delhi and has filed the complaint with Delhi Police.

Bobby who tied knot in 2016 revealed nightmarish details while speaking to Bombay Times. According to the report she said, "Ramneek would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man. He also usurped my property and money. He had paid the buildings security guards to keep an eye on me, and they would inform him of all my moves. He kept a tab on who I spoke with and where I went."

"I have faced a lot of domestic violence. I still cant move my left hand freely and limp while walking. My speech is also slurred. I would cry like a child and pee in my clothes while pleading with him to stop hitting me.", she further added.

Read more: Bigg Boss Tamil: Haasan condemns Govt on NEET activist Anitha's death

However, on the contrary, Ramneek has an all together different story to tell, "Bobby is lying blatantly. She is the one who fled with my property papers, money and gold, and I have filed an FIR against her. She was after my money. I have never hit her. In fact, I went against my entire family to marry her. She lied to me that shell be able to conceive, but after learning that she wont be able to, I requested her to either try IVF or adopt a baby. But she didnt want to take the responsibility of raising a child."

She said intentionally didnt file a case with the Bhopal police as she declared that her husband had contacts. Also, she states that he threatened her to harm her family if she filed a complaint.
New Delhi:

The Police have arrested a British man for allegedly sodomising three visually impaired children at Delhis National Association for the Blind (NAB) on Monday.

The police have also registered a case under POCSO Act against accused Murray Ward, a resident of Gloucestershire in the UK.

The staff of NAB on Sunday called the police and informed about the alleged incident of rape of three visually impaired Ddivyangs.

A PCR call was received at PS RK Puram on 03/09 at noon hours regarding sexual harassment of minor kids at National Association for the Blind, Sector 5, RK Puram. A case has been registered in this regard under POCSO Act, police said in a statement.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh girl accuses father of raping her after school session on good touch, bad touch

Murray Ward was arrested from his house in Vasant Kunj and produced before the court as police seek his remand.

54-year-old Ward had been associated with a Gurgaon-based technology firm till April 2017.

He has been a regular donor to NAB for the last 8-9 years and the police suspect he could be a paedophile.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A 43-year-old woman died after falling from a running train while trying to prevent a thief from snatching her bag in Old Delhi railway station.

Police has identified the victim has Sudhir Bansal from Haryana.

According to railway police on the process of trying to save her bag from getting snatched she fell from the train and came under the wheels. She suffered critical injuries and died at the incident site due to excessive bleeding.

Police added that the as the train was nearing Old Delhi railway station around 5am, mother and son waited with their luggage at the train door. Barely half a kilometer from the railway station a snatcher pulled Bansals bag.

According to police they rushed the critically injured women to the hospital for medical attention where the doctors declared her brought dead.

The victims son Gaurav narrating the horrifying story to the told the media, My mother tried to resist the snatch. The snatcher pulled her off the train.

He further added that he jumped of the off the running train.

Police are yet to identify and arrest the snatcher.

A leg and a hand of her was severed. She also suffered head injuries, added Gaurav.

He further added help came to them after an hour.

I continuously tried calling the ambulance and police for help. Police team arrived only after an hour, said Gaurav.

A case of robbery and culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered by the Delhi Police.
New Delhi :

Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Monday gave his nod for the Delhi government's ambitious Mohalla clinics proposal with certain riders.

The AAP government had been blaming Lt Governor over delay in consent for the neighbourhood health facility scheme.

While approving the Mohalla clinic proposal, Baijal asserted that the administrative department would make it online with in six months which would be based on Aadhaar or biometrics of patients for better monitoring.

"The Lt Governor has approved the proposal pertaining to Mohalla clinics with incorporation of certain safeguards to promote transparency and ensure delivery of quality health care services to the residents of Delhi," the LG office said in a statement.

The Mohalla clinic proposal is aimed at providing free primary healthcare to the city residents closer home.

The statement also stated that to ensure that there is no compromise on the quality of healthcare, the LG emphasised that the doctors and staff engaged in these clinics should be properly qualified and they should be engaged through a transparent mechanism.

On August 30, 45 AAP MLAs had camped at the LG office for several hours, insisting that Baijal clear the Mohalla clinics file -- an act his office termed as "laying siege" to the office of a "constitutional functionary".

The development marked a fresh confrontation between the AAP dispensation and the LG's office which have frequently been at loggerheads.

However, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was today quick to thank the LG and assured him that the government will implement all the "safeguards"

"Thank u so much sir. We are grateful to u. We will implement all the safeguards," Kejriwal tweeted.

The LG observed that selection of premises for setting up of Mohalla clincis should be through a transparent and objective mechanism in such a way that the existing healthcare facilities are utilised in an optimum manner and the facilities are accessible to all without any duplication of

scarce public resources.

"In case of private premises, it has been noted that the selection of premises and fixation of rent should be through a transparent open process as per prevalent PWD or CPWD norms," the statement also stated.

To check complaints of data rigging, Baijal has advised that the administrative department must develop a sound mechanism to verify the number of footfalls claimed in the clinic.

Further, wherever required, statutory permissions and no objection certificates must be obtained from the local bodies and department concerned, Baijal said.

The LG office said Baijal directed that the functioning of these clinics should be regularly monitored by the health department to prevent any unfortunate happening.

The LG has also asked the department to ensure that all requisite instructions and codal formalities are followed with proper oversight while incurring expenditure for procurement, supply or outsourcing of services, medicines and goods.

The conditions laid down by the land owning agencies concerned for land use and construction of any temporary structure must be strictly followed.

The Health Department shall not transfer, assign or otherwise part with the ownership or possession of the whole or any part of the said land in any manner," the LG office said.

So far, nearly 110 Mohalla clinics have been set up across the city under the Arvind Kejriwal Government's flagship project. However, the proposal could not take off with its full strength as it was pending for the Lt Governor's approval.

In January this year, former Secretary-General of United Nations (UN), Kofi Annan, had commended Mohalla Clinic project. (With PTI Inputs)

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New Delhi :

Hitting back at RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that the former is darling of media and whatever he says, it gets published.

While clarifying over JDUs non-inclusion in cabinet reshuffle, Nitish said there was no talk on joining government, then why is it being discussed.

On Sunday, Lalu had mocked Nitish over non-inclusion of any JD(U) leader in the Union council of ministers.

"Some JD(U) leaders had got new kurta-pyjama and bundi (Nehru jackets) stitched for the swearing-in ceremony, but the invitation did not come," he said.

"Why should Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP chiefAmit Shah consult Nitish Kumar when they know his character,"the RJD boss had said.

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Monday described the RJD's "BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao" rally on August 27 here as a "family function" as there was nothing political in it.

"What was political in it? It was basically a family function. What should I say on that?" he said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The US envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley on Monday said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is begging for war and her countrys "patience is not unlimited".

Nikki Haley told an emergency meeting of the Council in New York that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had shown through his actions that he was "begging for war".

"War is never something the United States wants," she said. "We don't want it now but our country's patience is not unlimited."

She urged the Security Council to take the "strongest possible measures" against North Korea after its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sunday.

"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy," Haley said."We have kicked the can down the road long enough. There is no more road left."

Suggested Read | North Korea successfully tests 'missile ready' Hydrogen bomb

Haley also said that countries which did business with Pyongyang are aiding their nuclear ambitions.

"The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," Haley said.

South Korea warns Pyongyang could fire more ICBM:

A day after North Koreas sixth and largest nuclear test, South Korea has warned that Pyongyang could fire more Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

"We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile," Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defense policy, told a parliament hearing on Monday.

Earlier in July, North Korea had tested two ICBMs with an estimated range of 10,000 km (6,200 miles) which puts many parts of the United States within reach and prompting a new round of tough international sanctions.

South Korea also said that it was talking to the US about the deployment of aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula, reported the Reuters.

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New Delhi:

The security forces have launched a cordon and search operation in Sopore's Shangergund area in Jammu & Kashmir's Baramulla district.



According to reports, two terrorists are believed to be trapped in the area.

UPDATE:



#11:20 AM:

#Killed militants have been identified as Naeem(r/o Sopore) & Aashiq (r/o Pattan), HM outfit



# Troops recovered 2 AK 47 & 1 Insas rifle fm spot (earlier reported as 1 AK 47 & a pistol) search on

#10:39 AM: Two terrorists of HM killed 1 pistol 1 Ak recovered with there dead bodies. Identification being done searches still on

#10:20 AM: Exchange of fire taking place between security forces and terrorists at Sopore's Shangergund area in Jammu & Kashmir's Baramulla



On Saturday, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Ishfaq Paddar was killed in an encounter with security forces in Tantrypora area of Kulgam district.



According to the reports, the terrorist killed in the encounter was identified as Ishfaq Paddar, a resident of Machiwa. Ishfaq was involved in the killings of Lt Umar Fayaz, a Kashmiri Army officer.



On May 10, a bullet-ridden body of a 22-year-old Fayaz was found in Shopian district's Herman area in South Kashmir.



After the encounter of Fayaz, mobile internet services were temporarily suspended in Shopian and Kulgam districts in wake of protests.

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New Delhi:

Urging again for the diplomatic talks to address the crisis with North Korea, China warned at the United Nations Security Council that it wont allow chaos and war on the Korean peninsula.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi said, The situation on the peninsula is deteriorating constantly as we speak, falling into a vicious circle.

The peninsula issue must be resolved peacefully. China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula, he further added.

Russia also echoed Jieyis appeal saying diplomatic negotiations were the only way to settle the crisis over North Koreas nuclear and missile programs.

There was an urgent need to maintain a cool head and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

Russia backs Chinas proposal for a freeze on North Koreas nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills.

ALSO READ: No more road left, North Korea is 'begging for war', US tells UN Security Council

It was time to ratchet up the pressure on North Korea by enacting the strongest possible measures, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said while rejecting the proposal as insulting.

She declared, When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly wont.

However, Russia and China did not specify whether they would support additional sanctions on North Korea.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting after North Korea detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

South Koreas defense ministry warned Monday that Pyongyang may be preparing another missile launch after two tests in July of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that apparently brought the US mainland into range.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: North Korea says more missile to come, UN condemns launch

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Washington:

US President Donald Trump is set to scrap a programme that grants work permits to immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as children, a move likely to impact more than 7,000 Indian-Americans, a media report said on Monday.

The programme Deferred Action for Children Arrival (DACA) was a key immigration reform of the former US President Barack Obama.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters on Friday that Trump would take a decision on the issue on Tuesday. However, Politico in an exclusive story reported Sunday that Trump has already decided to rescind this programme and senior administration officials are now discussing the rollout of his decision which could come later this week.

However, senior administration officials have cautioned that there might be changes in Trumps decision until it is formally announced, Politico reported.

ALSO READ: Pakistan National Assembly rejects Donald Trump's new South Asia policy

Such a decision by the US President, which is one of his poll promises, is expected to draw widespread criticism including those from his own Republican party. The move is likely to impact some 75,000 undocumented workers including more than 7,000 Indian-Americans.

In a radio interview Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives said that Trump should not terminate DACA as these children know no other country than the US.

I actually dont think he should do that. I believe that this is something that Congress has to fix, Ryan said on radio station WCLO in Janesville, Wisconsin.

India ranks 11th among countries of origin for DACA students, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services statistics available till March 31, 2017.

Deporting patriotic, courageous young men and women who are American in every way would be disastrous for our communities, our economy and our nation, said Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives.

In a study released last week, CATO Institute said that termination of DACA, which would result in possible deportation of these students could cost over USD 200 billion to the American economy and the cost to the government would be USD 60 billion.

The average DACA recipient is 22 years old, employed, and a student. 17 per cent of them are on track to complete an advanced degree.

ALSO READ: Trump, Moon agree to lift cap on missile payload of South Korea

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New Delhi:

As the UN Security Council met to discuss a response to Pyongyangs sixth and most powerful nuclear test, Seouls presidential office said that US President Donald Trump and South Koreas leader Moon Jae-In agreed on Monday to remove limits on the payload of the Souths missiles.

The presidential office said that in a telephonic conversation, both Trump and Moon agreed to lift the cap on missile payload of South Korea as an effective countermeasure against Pyongyangs test on Sunday of what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

According to a bilateral agreement with the United States, South Korea was previously restricted to a maximum warhead weight of 500 kilogrammes (1100 pounds) on its ballistic missiles.

Earlier, the official Korean Central News Agency on Sunday claimed that North Korea has developed a hydrogen bomb which can be loaded into the countrys new intercontinental ballistic missile.

ALSO READ: No more road left, North Korea is 'begging for war', US tells UN Security Council

Thereafter, the US envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley on Monday said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is begging for war and her countrys "patience is not unlimited".

Nikki Haley told an emergency meeting of the Council in New York that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had shown through his actions that he was "begging for war".

She urged the Security Council to take the "strongest possible measures" against North Korea after its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sunday.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: China, Russia at United Nations urge talks with North Korea

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

North Korea's announcement of successfully testing a hydrogen bomb has plunged the world in worry. The United Nations Security Council has called for an important meeting on on Monday to discuss the future course of action in this regard.

United States Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Sunday confirmed the meeting on Twitter.

"We along w/Japan, France, the UK and S.Korea have called for an emergency Security Council meeting on N.Korea in the open tomorrow at 10am," she tweeted.

We along w/Japan, France, the UK and S.Korea have called for an emergency Security Council meeting on N.Korea in the open tomorrow at 10am  Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) September 3, 2017

UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the underground nuclear test by North Korea, calling it an act that is profoundly destabilising for regional security.



North Korea on Sunday carried out its most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Read | Any threat will be met with 'massive military response': James Mattis warns North Korea



According to a statement issued by a UN spokesperson, the Secretary-General said that North Korea's action is yet another serious breach of the its international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.



This act is also profoundly destabilising for regional security. North Korea is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions, the statement said, using North Korea's official name Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



The UN Chief reiterated his call on North Korean leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions, the statement said, noting that Guterres remains in contact with all parties concerned.



The head of the UN atomic agency has said that the nuclear test is an extremely regrettable act.



This new test, which follows the two tests last year and is the sixth since 2006, is in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community, said Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in a statement.



In its resolutions, most recently in 2371, the Security Council has reaffirmed its decisions that North Korea should not conduct any further nuclear tests and should abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

Also read | Difference between hydrogen bomb and atomic bomb  All you need to know

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New Delhi:

The five-nation conference BRICS Summit started in Chinas Xiamen on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached the city on Sunday night, will hold bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping along with other BRICS leaders.



He is also expected to meet leaders of countries like Egypt, invited by China as part of the outreach exercise. China has invited Egypt, Kenya, Tajikistan, Mexico and Thailand as guest countries for the Summit.



Ahead on the summit, PM Modi said that he looks forward to having productive discussions and positive outcomes with leaders of the grouping to support the agenda for a stronger partnership among the member countries.



I look forward to building upon the results and outcomes of the Goa Summit. I also look forward to productive discussions and positive outcomes that will support the agenda of a stronger BRICS partnership under the chairmanship of China, the prime minister had said ahead of his visit to this Chinese city.

Read | Looking forward to productive, positive outcomes, says PM Modi



Modis visit to attend the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Summit comes days after India and China managed to end the 73-day long Dokalam standoff.



Here are the live updates:

#1:15 PM: BRICS "strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK"- joint statement

#12:30 PM: We call for expeditious finalization & adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by UNGA: BRICS Declaration

#12:01 PM: MEA addresses a press conference in Xiamen, China

-For the first time there was specific listing of terrorists outfits: Preeti Saran, MEA Secretary (East)

-All BRICS leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, called for greater efficiency in designation of terrorists: Preeti Saran

-PM gave a futuristic forward looking transformational blueprint for BRICS for the next decade: Preeti Saran, secretary (east), MEA



-PM shared thoughts on deepening #BRICS partnership: Preeti Saran, Secy (East) #BRICS2017

-Leaders called on states to prevent financing of terrorist networks & terrorist actions from their territories: Preeti Saran

LIVE | India at BRICS 2017: Xiamen Declaration condemns LeT, JeMhttps://t.co/C9teedYwvu pic.twitter.com/BzPTGWf6VP  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) September 4, 2017

#11:55 AM: We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea): BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration

#11:40 AM: We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICScountries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms & manifestations wherever committed &by whomsoever & stress that there can be no justification: BRICS Xiamen Declaration

PM @narendramodi meeting Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of 9th #BRICSSummit in Xiamen, China pic.twitter.com/nLlj40isT7  PIB India (@PIB_India) September 4, 2017

#11:20 AM: PM Modi meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of 9th BRICSSummit in Xiamen, China

#9:42 AM: PM Modi addresses Plenary session of 9th BRICS Summit

-Modi says new bank will benefit all member nations

-PM @narendramodi begins his statement at Plenary Session by thanking President Xi for warm reception & excellent organisation of the Summit.



-PM: BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation; contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty



-PM @narendramodi : Our endeavours today touch diverse areas of agriculture, culture, environment, energy, sports, and ICT



-Appreciating thrust in people-to-people exchanges, PM states that such inter-mingling will consolidate our links & deepen our understanding



-PM: We are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education



-PM @narendramodi : Our womens empowerment programmes are productivity multipliers that mainstream women in nation building

Read | Terrorism talks at BRICS 2017: Jinping calls for holistic battle, PM Modi skips mention



-PM urges early creation of BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign & corporate entities of developing countries.

-PM: Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities & promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement & the IMF

-PM: Affordable, reliable &sustainable access to energy is crucial for development of our nations. Renewable energy is particularly important



-PM @narendramodi on International Solar Alliance: BRICS countries can work closely with ISA to strengthen the solar energy agenda.

-PM: We need to mainstream our youth in our joint initiatives; scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices

-PM emphasizes need to accelerate track of cooperation in smart cities, urbanization and disaster management - continuing dialogue at Goa

-PM @narendramodi : A strong BRICS partnership on innovation & digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency & support the SDGs



-PM welcomes cooperation for capacity building between BRICS &African countries in area of skills, health, infra, manufacturing &connectivity



#9:15 AM: Plenary session of 9th BRICS Summit underway in Xiamen

#8:50 AM - 9:15 AM: Chinese President Xi Jinping begins opening address at plenary session of the 9th BRICS Summit on Monday in Xiamen

-BRICS cooperation has traversed a glorious journey of a decade: Xi at BRICS Summit



-Though we have different national conditions, we share common development: Xi at BRICS Summit

-We need to seek practical results in our (BRICS) economic cooperation, not fully tapped potential of BRICS yet - Xi



-We need to expand converging interests in trade: Xi at BRICS Summit



-We have launched African regional center of BRICS Bank- Xi at BRICS Summit in Xiamen

-We need to make international order more just and equitable: Xi at BRICS Summit

-We must speak with one voice for issues concerning international peace: Xi at BRICS Summit



-We need to increase voice of emerging markets and developing countries: Xi at BRICS Summit

-Looking ahead, BRICS cooperation will play a bigger role in global affairs: Xi at BRICS Summit

-China will launch economic and technical cooperation plan for BRICS countries with 500 mln yuan for the first term: Xi Jinping



-Pleased to note imp consensus reached at leadership level on closer people to ppl exchanges,being translated into reality: Chinese President

-China to contribute US$4mn to NDB project preparation facility to support business operation&long term development of the bank: Chinese Pres

China: BRICS plenary session begins in Xiamen, leaders attend #BRICSSummitpic.twitter.com/tBhcoATJk4  ANI (@ANI)

#7:55 AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend meeting with BRICS Business Council and Signing Ceremony in Xiamen

#7:50 AM: PM Narendra Modi to attend BRICS plenary session, opening ceremony of BRICS Cultural Festival in Xiamen, China today

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed BRICS leaders at the International Conference Center in Xiamen #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/eSlZXf5H8U  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017





#WATCH: Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Conference Center in Xiamen #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/LROnlBf2xY  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017





#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the International Conference Center in China's Xiamen for the welcome ceremony #BRICSSummitpic.twitter.com/8cOE2kxjqb  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017





BRICS leaders pose for a group photograph at the International Conference Center in Xiamen,China #BRICSSummitpic.twitter.com/zMc47XTdDI  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017





Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the International Conference Center in Xiamen #BRICSSummitpic.twitter.com/zEBec0c21S  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017





China: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at International Conference Center in Xiamen for the welcome ceremony #BRICSSummitpic.twitter.com/6CvG9IM16w  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017





Xiamen (China): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at International Conference Center for welcome ceremony #BRICSSummitpic.twitter.com/lOTOJYvrgG

 ANI (@ANI)

Read | Five banks of BRICS nations sign agreement to establish credit lines: Report

The 2017 BRICS summit is the ninth annual addition of the summit, an international relations conference attended by the heads of state or heads of government of the five member states Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The summit is being held in Xiamen, China, the second time the China has hosted the summit after the 2011 summit.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A 42-year-old man who was surfing off a beach in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, was bitten by a shark on Sunday.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 10 a.m. while the man was surfing about 80 meters from the mouth of the Ota River, Fuji TV reported. He suffered bite wounds to his ankle and feet. Although the surfer said he did not see the shark, a man on shore said he saw a dorsal fin approaching the surfer.

Two weeks ago, there were multiple sightings of a shark reported in the same area, police said.

Shizuoka prefectural police and Iwata City officials have alerted residents to refrain from entering the sea.
KFC got our hearts all aflutter twice in 2016. In the spring, we visited its branch in the Takadanobaba neighborhood of Tokyo, which in the evening serves not only fried chicken but also beer and cocktails, and a few months after that the chain announced an all-you-can eat fried chicken deal.

And now comes what might be our favorite KFC offer yet: unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails at prices starting under 10 bucks.

KFC's Takadanobaba branch is located just a short walk from Takadanobaba Station, which is the closest major rail hub to Waseda University. Waseda has a reputation for academic excellence and enthusiastic drinking, and the pubs and restaurants in the area offer an array of all-you-can-drink plans.

KFC's is available nightly from 5 p.m. Ordinarily priced at 1,600 yen (US$14.50), you're allowed as many drinks as you want for 90 minutes, and you're not cut off from requesting a refill until the entire hour and a half have passed.
VANCOUVER, Sept. 4, 2017 /CNW/ - With more than 5 million students heading back to school, Breakfast Club of Canada is calling on the public to bring awareness to a shocking truth: every day, 1 in 5 Canadian children are at risk of going to school on an empty stomach. That number is even greater in First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities, where the risks are closer to 1 in 2. This means that of the 5 million children returning to school this September, over 1 million may be doing so without the proper nourishment required to give them an equal chance at academic success.

To help the rising number of students in need, on September 5th, Breakfast Club of Canada will be launching Start Me Up, a campaign designed to increase public awareness, raise much-needed funds to subsidize breakfast programs in the 500 schools on its waiting list, and gain the attention of the Federal Government, with whom they hope to create a national plan to feed all Canadian schoolchildren. The Club has set an ambitious goal: by 2020, all students in Canada will have access to an in-school meal program. Canada currently stands as the only G7 member and the only member of the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) without a national school meal program.

Three ways to help

The Club is currently providing 200,000 Canadian children and youth access to breakfast every morning in nearly 1,600 schools. However, over 500 schools are currently waiting for funding; the issue is ongoing and urgent. To support Breakfast Club of Canada, people can:

DONATE : It only takes $1 to purchase a healthy breakfast for a child! Anyone can donate online at www.breakfastclubcanada.org.

It only takes to purchase a healthy breakfast for a child! Anyone can donate online at www.breakfastclubcanada.org. GET SOCIAL : Share the Start Me Up campaign video found on the Club's Facebook page (@breakfastclubdejeuner). You can also use the hashtag #StartMeUp when posting your child(ren)'s back to school pictures on social media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwgloicH18w

Share the campaign video found on the Club's Facebook page (@breakfastclubdejeuner). You can also use the hashtag #StartMeUp when posting your child(ren)'s back to school pictures on social media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwgloicH18w SIGN-UP: For the charity's newsletter to be kept current on upcoming efforts, including volunteer opportunities in communities from coast to coast. www.breakfastclubcanada.org/newsletter/

To access stats on provincial breakfast programs click here: http://prdepartment.ca/breakfastclubofcanadastartmeup/

Ce communique est disponible en francais sur demande

SOURCE Breakfast Club of Canada

For further information: or to request an interview, please contact The PR Department at 416.988.5708 or [email protected]
NEW HAVEN >> Some of your favorite radio shows will be coming to you live from the top of Gateway Community College.

Officials with the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network and Gateway Community College announced a partnership between the two public entities Monday that is expected to give students broadcasting experience and expand WNPRs reach in the community.

Jerry Franklin, president and CEO of CPBN, said the decision to launch a news bureau at the college is an effort to reach beyond the broadcast signal.

We dont want to become Hartford-centric, he said. We want to restate our commitment to this area.

At a press event at Gateway, Franklin called upon hosts Diane Orson and Faith Middleton to recite the new openings of their shows, with both announcing their locations at Gateway Community College in New Haven.

Franklin said 140,000 people would hear Orson say the community colleges name at the beginning of Morning Edition.

There are a great wealth of story opportunities in this community, host Orson said, and I cant wait to dig into that.

Dorsey Kendrick, outgoing president of Gateway Community College, said the partnership will expand the schools mission of providing access and opportunities for its students with a state-of-the-art studio offering real experience in television and radio broadcasting.

Open hearts and open minds are being fully realized through this mission, she said, referencing a Gateway slogan.

Mark Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State College and Universities system, said the program will enhance CPBNs existing Institute for Advanced Media program, which offers broadcasting experience to veterans.

It really is the best of what we do, he said.

Additionally, Gateway students will have opportunities for internships.

Jesus Garzon, a student at Gateway, said he has been attending any informational sessions with WNPR that he can. As a political science major, he said he wanted to launch a podcast, but found there had not yet been any systems in place to make it happen.

Politics is in my veins, he said. I like the idea of giving people the ability to express themselves freely.

Evelyn Gard, Gateway director of public affairs and marketing, said the partnership will help to enhance communications programs within the humanities department.
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Almost 4,000 students are enrolled full-time at Fairfield County's two community colleges: Housatonic Community College and Norwalk Community College (NCC).

Together, their campuses provide residents with two-year degrees, vocational certificates, or the necessary education to transfer to a four-year institution.

When comparing the two, both college systems are mostly identical. According to education data site Niche, the average Housatonic student earns an annual income of $30,100 six years after graduating while a NCC student earns slightly more at $31,900 a year. The national average is about $33,000.

Similarly, NCC and Housatonic both see 83 percent of their students employed two years after graduation, according to Niche.

Housatonic is slightly cheaper than NCC, costing the average student close to $5,200 per year. NCC comes with a $7,900 price tag a year. According to Niche, these numbers are the "average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid as reported by the college."

"It's important to note that NCC and Housatonic charge identical tuition - about $4,300 annually for full-time [in-state] students - because both colleges are part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system," said Madeline Barillo, an NCC spokesman. "But since NCC offers a large Nursing and Allied Health program, Veterinary Technology program and many STEM offerings, some students may have higher costs because of pricier textbooks in these fields."

Students who attend Naugatuck Valley Community College's branch in downtown Danbury also enjoy a low sticker price of $6,493 a year and average early career earnings of $32,500.

Of course, it's not just tuition and income figures that determine where to receive a two-year degree. Using data on professors, safety, as well as student experience surveys, Niche ranked the 20 overall best colleges in Connecticut.

Housatonic ranked number 18 of all schools in the state, while NCC ranked 33. Other familiar Connecticut community colleges shined in the top 20, including Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Manchester Community College and Tunxis Community College in Farmington.

Click through above to see how Connecticut's community colleges compare to the top 20 in the state.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to provide clarification about the information provided by Niche.com regarding student enrollment and school costs.


Nigerian Police Command in Enugu State on Sunday says it has arrested one Nnadi Daniel, a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping suspect in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by the commands Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, stated that the arrest was part of ongoing onslaught by police operatives at Adani and Nimbo axis of Uzo-Uwani councils of the state to tackle crime in the state.



Amaraizu noted that the suspect and other suspects were arrested through a well coordinated operation borne out of intelligence information.



He said the suspect was implicated in the alleged kidnap and murder of Enechi Ejiofor and Emmanuel Okeja on Dec. 13, 2016 and Jan. 3, 2017.

He also stated that the suspect participated in other kidnappings, robbery, murder, burglary, stealing and other vices that had taken place in the area and its environs in the past.



He added that police operatives raided an identified notorious forest known as Malaysia forest through a well co-ordinated operation.
Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, has said that one of the major factors that contribute to the low value of the naira is the over $1billion, which foreign airlines repatriate yearly from the country and almost the same amount which the countrys airlines spend overseas for major maintenance of their aircraft.Onyema said that the failure of Nigeria to repatriate the airlines fund because of the economic recession in 2016 and 2017, should be a reminder that the country should evolve ways to reduce the amount of money repatriated by empowering local airlines to operate international routes and to facilitate the establishment of major maintenance, overhaul and repair (MRO) facility in Nigeria.He lamented that while Nigeria has huge population of travellers, the country imports every aircraft spare, imports aviation fuel and also imports technical personnel, adding all these, worsen the pressure on the naira.The Air Peace Chairman remarked that airlines are diplomatic tools, which countries use to not only project their image in the international community but leverage on to develop and grow their economy and because of this, every country protects its airline industry from being ravaged by foreign competitors.He cited example with the US, which is the home of aviation in the world, and noted that when Middle East carriers eroded the market of US airlines, the US government had to introduce policies that today curtailed the in-road of such airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and others, which started recording losses after losing some of their US market.Onyema urged government officials to bear it in mind that every decision they take, impacts on the nations economy, adding that they should take it as a point of duty to eliminate the exploitation of Nigerian passengers by foreign airlines through exorbitant fares by supporting domestic airlines to join the international and regional market.He also condemned the too many opportunities given to foreign airlines by the Nigerian government to operate multidesignation in the country, citing example with Ethiopian Airlines, which operates five destinations in Nigeria. He noted that in addition to that, there is rumour that the Nigerian government wanted to give the East African carrier management contract to take over Arik Air.According to Onyema, Arik Airs goodwill and opportunities are worth more than $12 billion, besides its assets, so if Ethiopia wants to manage the airline, it should put such amount of money down before it is given the opportunity to manage the nations major airline.Ethiopia Airlines should not be allowed to come through the back door to ravage our country. We have capable Nigerians that can run Arik Air, so Ethiopian Airlines expressing interest to take over Arik Airs management is not to the best interest of the country. This is similar opportunities that are given to other international airlines like Air France and Lufthansa, which operate from Abuja to Port Harcourt and back to Abuja before they take off to their country everyday; meanwhile, they still operate their Lagos destinations, he said.
The introduction of The Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) banking service across banks in Nigeria has made banking transactions seamless.This is a type of banking that allows you perform bank transactions by simply dialing a short code on your phone without internet connection.The USSD is a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication technology. It is used for sending texts messages between a mobile phone and an application programme in the owners network.Examples of these USSD banking codes include: Guarantee Trust Banks-*737#; Fidelity Banks *770#; First Banks *894#; Wema Banks *945#; Skye Banks *833#; Sterling Banks *822#; Diamond Banks *710#; Eco Banks *326#; Zenith Banks *966#; FCMBs *389#, Unity Banks *389#, United Bank of Africas *919#, Union Banks *389#, Heritage Banks *322#, Keystone Banks *322#, Access Banks *901# among others.You can use the USSD code to perform various banking transactions such as buying airtime, opening bank account, checking your account balance, transferring money to your bank and other banks, and payment of utility bills, etc.You must have a bank account linked to your mobile telephone number to perform a USSD transaction. You dont need to go to a bank to register for the USSD code. Registration is done with your mobile phone as long as you have your banks debit card and Biometric Verification Number (BVN). You can only use the particular SIM card or the telephone number you provided when opening your account. There is a limit to the amount of money you can transfer through USSD banking, and this is determined by your bank.Depending on your bank, there are various ways you can use the USSD application on your phone to carry out any of the numerous bank transactions. All you need to do is dial your banks USSD code. Each bank has specific codes for specific type of transaction. These are provided on the banks website. For some banks, a list of options will appear on your phone screen. Choose the transaction you wish to perform and follow subsequent instruction from the bank.Some banks may request your Bank Verification Number (BVN), Personal Identification Number (PIN) or the four digit number at the back of your ATM card. This is to confirm the authenticity of the person performing the transaction. If you find it difficult to perform USSD transactions on your phone, contact your bank customer service.There are some things you need to do when performing a USSD transaction: Your phone should be charged to avoid loss of power in the midst of the transaction. Double-check the receivers account number when transferring funds or paying bill. You must wait for the confirmation text from the bank that the transaction is successful. In absence of such confirmation and your account is debited, contact your bank immediately to resolve the transaction. In case of transfer, call the receiver to confirm receipt of the fund. If the response is no and your account has been debited, contact your bank to resolve it immediately.You must have avoid the following for a safe and successful USSD banking: Do not reveal your PIN or BVN to a third party. Do not repeat a transaction delayed or interrupted by the network. This is because the transaction might have been processed. If you repeat such transaction your account might be debited twice. All you need do is to wait for an hour or more for a notification on such transaction.
Happy New Month Nigeria! Welcome to the month of June. As the world searches for a respite from all its troubles since 2020 began, one can ...
United States Defense Secretary, James Mattis, on Sunday said North Korea can expect a massive military response for pushing the country to the edge.It re-echoed its warning following North Koreas latest threat against US territory of Guam and other Americas allies.White House said the president emphasized the range of retaliatory measures available to the US, including nuclear weapons, in a conversation earlier with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.Mattis, Trump and the presidents top advisers met at the White House Sunday about North Koreas announced hydrogen bomb test.The Pentagon chief told reporters that the US is not looking for the total annihilation of North Korea, but we have many options to do so.Secretary Mattis expressed the only viable option in his statement, which is a firm and clear deterrent policy toward North Korea, said Hoover Institution Fellow Michael Auslin.Auslin, however, told VOA the goal of North Koreas denuclearization, which Mattis also repeated Sunday, is unrealizable.Continuing to insist on denuclearization means further rounds of negotiations, and the past quarter-century has shown that negotiations do not work, he says.The Trump administration has the opportunity to chart a new, more realistic course for U.S. policy, but not if it adopts the failed policies and goals of previous administrations.
A retired senior official of the State Security Service has been held without trial by the agency for 48 days and counting over his alleged ties to Ibrahim Magu, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.Abba Kaka Mohammed was arrested by SSS agents on July 17 but had neither been released not charged to court ever since, his lawyers said.The Nigerian law allows a maximum of 48 hours for a suspect to be charged to court or freed on administrative bail. But Mr. Mohammed has now spent weeks languishing in detention without arraignment, amidst concerns by his family that he might have lost one of his eyes after being brutalised by SSS operatives in custody.His lawyers were granted access to him for the first time on Tuesday. They had since approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for fundamental rights enforcement proceeding against the SSS and Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.His family members also told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Mohammed had taken critically ill and should be released or charged to court in order to get adequate medical attention.Mr. Mohammed retired last year as an Assistant Director, Office of the Director General, ADODG, performing the role of a Chief of Staff to the Director-General of the SSS, Lawal Daura. But his relationship with Mr. Daura subsequently deteriorated.The SSS DG accused him of holding grievances against the SSS, a claim that is clearly not true, a relative of the deceased told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that Mr. Daura and his client had been long time acquaintances.The relative, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by the SSS, said when Mr. Mohammed was arrested on July 17, he was taken to his residence along the Airport Road in Abuja, and another one near Galadimawa neighbourhood, also in Abuja.But they found nothing after all the searches they conducted, the relative said. Nothing implicating was found.Mr. Mohammed was then taken to the SSS custody, where he was confined to a cell without adequate care, the relative said confirming that Mr. Mohammeds lawyer and his daughter were only allowed to see him last Tuesday.They also accused him of being a front for Magu, saying his long-time relationship with the EFCC boss was suspicious, the relative said.The relative said Mr. Daura had always known that Mr. Mohammed was a friend of Mr. Magu, having both hailed from Borno and being friends for over a decade.The SSS officers just wanted him to implicate Magu with anything, even when theyve never had any transactions together, said the relative.On August 25, lawyers from Femi Falana chambers on behalf of Mr. Mohammed approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for the following reliefs:A declaration that the detention of the applicant at Abuja by the first respondent in their detention facility since July 17, 2017 till date without being charged to court for a known offence is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of person and fair hearing as enshrined in section 34, 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.A declaration that the detention of the applicant at Abuja by the first respondent without access to his medical doctors, drugs, family and lawyers, since July 17, 2017 till date is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants fundamental rights to health, freedom of association as enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.An order of this honourable court directing the immediate and unconstitutional release of the applicant from custody of the first respondent forthwith.An offer of this honourable court compelling the respondents jointly and separately to pay to the applicant the sum of N2,000,000,00 (Two billion naira) as general and aggravated damages for the illegal violation of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of his person, fair hearing, health, freedom of movement and freedom of association.An order of this honourable court compelling the respondents joint or separately to publish in five national dailies a public apology to the applicant for two weeks for the violation of the applicants fundamental rights to life, dignity of his person, fair hearing, health, freedom of movement and freedom of association.An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further violating the applicants fundamental rights in any manner whatsoever and howsoever without lawful justification.Mr. Mohammeds daughter also swore an affidavit detailing how her father was arrested and the high chances that hed gone blind in one eye in custody of the SSS.The SSS could not be reached for comments due to its refusal to name a spokesperson .A spokesperson for the AGF, Saliu Isa, did not respond to requests for comments.The SSS is believed to be holding scores of Nigerians over an extended period of time without trial. The agency had declined to free a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, despite several court rulings for his bail.Mr. Mohammeds ordeal adds to the fallout of the worsening disaffection between Messrs. Daura and Magu.The duo had been locked in political and administrative rivalry since Mr. Buhari tapped them to head their respective agencies two years ago.The SSS twice thwarted Mr. Magus confirmation by the Senate, accusing him of being reckless and corrupt.Mr. Magu had also openly criticised the SSS, describing the secret police as an outfit without credibility when he appeared before the Senate for his last confirmation hearing.
Pentagon chief James Mattis says any threat to the US or its allies by North Korea will be met with a "massive military response".His comments came after a national security briefing with President Donald Trump about North Korea's latest nuclear test. North Korea claimed it had successfully conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, detonating a hydrogen bomb that could be loaded onto a long-range missile.But speaking to reporters outside the White House,Secretary Mattis said the US had the ability to defend itself and its allies South Korea and Japan."Any threat to the United States or its territories - including Guam - or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming."However, he said the hope was for denuclearisation, "because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea".North Korea has defied UN sanctions and international pressure by developing nuclear weapons and test missiles that could potentially reach the US. On Sunday, seismologists' equipment started picking up readings of an earth tremor in the area where North Korea has conducted nuclear tests before. The US Geological Survey put the tremor at 6.3 magnitude. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said there was no doubt this was North Korea's sixth nuclear test, calling it "unforgivable".Then North Korean state media confirmed it was indeed no earthquake and claimed the country has conducted another nuclear test in spite of warnings not to. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was pictured with what state media said was a new type of hydrogen bomb.Hydrogen bombs are many times more powerful than an atomic bomb. They use fusion - the merging of atoms - to unleash huge amounts of energy, whereas atomic bombs use nuclear fission, or the splitting of atoms.The latest move by North Korea has drawn international condemnation. The UN Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss an international response, according to the US mission.Meanwhile, President Trump has warned that America may stop trading with any country that does business with the North. Denouncing the test as "hostile" and "dangerous", President Trump described the North as a "rogue nation" which had become a "great threat and embarrassment" to China - Pyongyang's main ally.He also said South Korea's "talk of appeasement" was not working and that the secretive communist state "only understands one thing"."The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea," Trump later said in a tweet. North Korea relies on China for about 90% of its foreign trade.Leaders of various nations condemned the action of North Korea.South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for the "strongest possible" response, including new UN Security Council sanctions to "completely isolate" the country.China, meanwhile, also expressed "strong condemnation" and said the state "had ignored the international community's widespread opposition".Russia urged all sides involved to hold talks, saying this was the only way to resolve the Korean peninsula's problems.UK Prime Minister Theresa May said the "reckless" new test represented an "unacceptable further threat to the international community". She called on world leaders to come together to stop North Korea's "destabilising actions".
Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government of not acting...

Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government of not acting right.

He predicated his claim on the fact that the Buhari-led government has continued to allow brain drain of professionals to the United States.





The former Presidential aide said rather than stop brain drain, Buhari and his family members have continued to encourage the brain drain by going for medical treatments, schooling and shopping abroad.





Omokri observed that while Buharis children are still schooling in the United Kingdom, U.K, his wife, Aisha does her shopping in U.K too.





In a statement he issued, Omokri recalled when the Saudi Royal Families used to fly to Nigeria to receive medical care at the University College Hospital in Ibadan in the 50s and 60.





He lamented that about 77% of all black doctors currently in America are of Nigerian origin.

Omokri said, Let me ask a question: Is Nigeria not ashamed that when the BBC decided to do a story on why South Africas health minister feels that African leaders should be ashamed for going outside the continent for health care they used the picture of our President?

Think about it for a minute. Our President is now (at least in the eyes of the BBC) the poster boy for Presidential medical tourism.

This is so sad particularly when you consider the fact (yes, a historical fact) that in the late 50s and early 60s, the Saudi Royal Family use to fly to Nigeria to receive medical care at the University College Hospital Ibadan!

And it is not as if Nigeria lacks the manpower to staff a vibrant health sector. If we are really serious about it, we can build our health care system by repatriating our medical personnel abroad.

There are 26,000 Nigerian medical doctors practicing in the United States alone. 77% of ALL black doctors in America are of Nigerian origin. Fact.

And this fact is replicated in several other Western and Middle Eastern nation like the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia (where another former Nigerian President went for health tourism).

And the thing is that our government is not acting smart. We should be working with Nigerian diaspora organizations like NIDO (Nigerians in Diaspora Organization) to get a database of Nigerian professionals abroad and working with them to provide them the enabling environment that will entice them to return home.

But rather than do this, the priority of our government is to order the Nigerian military to monitor the social media accounts of Nigerian citizens for anti government comments. Can you imagine that!

A President who access his healthcare in the U.K, who schools his children in the U.K, whose wife shops in the U.K, is searching for anti Nigerian comments on social media? Does he not know that he himself is the epitome of anti Nigerianness?

The Shame of a nation is briefly summarized in these bullet points. a President treated in UK

His kids schooling in UK

His wife shopping in UK

 But the country he governs is NIGERIA!

But look at me talking about shame when the person who should be ashamed or not even ashamed and instead he was taunting Nigerians living in London for having the audacity to demonstrate against him!

That President Buhari asked them to also come home shows that he does not understand the finer points of Presidential etiquette. You are asking your citizens in the U.K. to come home when your own children are as we speak schooling in that same U.K. How hypocritical, how petty can a President get? First repatriate your own children before you tell other peoples children to return home!
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), in a recent interview said that he will be in Abuja on the 17th of October sa...

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), in a recent interview said that he will be in Abuja on the 17th of October saying: I am taking IPOB to Abuja on the 17th of next month for my court case.In the interview Kanu spoke on what is delaying Biafra saying What is delaying Biafra is that the people (Igbo) have not turned away totally from worshipping idols. I will be going to Arochuwku to build a temple there and well worship God how it used to be. There was a time God loved us, we used to obey Him by going to Arochukwu to offer Him sacrifice.We started suffering as soon as Arochukwu failed, because the people dabbled into idolatry The Igbo should turn away from idolatry and face God and Him alone, thats the message he said I should give my people. He also said that the person ruling Nigeria currently was hired a look-alike to stand in for the presidentis Muhammadu Buhari. The man you are looking at on the television is not Buhari, he is from Sudan.After extensive plastic surgery they brought him back. The person was taught Buharis mannerisms and he came back deceiving all of you.I can stand and prove who I am but Buhari cannot do the same thing. He cannot deceive Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, On his re-arrest Kanu said: President Muhammadu Buhari was the one who broke the laws, he disobeyed the direct court order to release me unconditionally, not once, but twice.Honourable Shuaibu of Wuse Magistrate Court granted me bail, Buhari did not release me. Hon Justice Ademola granted me unconditional bail, Buhari and his cousin, Lawal Daura refused to honour that court order. They are the ones who should be detained for flagrant disobedience to court orders.I want the northern Arewa irredentists to call for the arrest of Buhari and Daura for flouting court order after court order, asking for my release. Before now, Nnamdi Kanu is Igbo, he is a Biafran and can be arrested and nothing will happen but that would not be anymore, it would no longer happen.The worst mistake Buhari ever made was to arrest me. I will break the zoo into pieces. I am taking IPOB to Abuja on the 17th of next month for my court case.There will be 2 million people in Abuja. We take the battle to our enemies. You are under oath and by virtue of that oath you are under direct order from me, any day you hear I have been arrested, to burn down Nigeria to the ground. He also said: There is a superior force fighting for the Igbo in heaven, Chukuokike Abiama, the Almighty God in heaven is fighting. This is His battle, it is not Nnamdi Kanu or IPOBs battle. God is fighting His battle for us.Have you ever heard of earthquake in Nigeria? It happened in 2016 in the North when I was arrested; have you heard of locusts swarming everywhere and damaging crops before? Comparing Buhari and Jonathan Kanu said: Now, it is clearly demonstrated beyond every reasonable doubt that when former President Goodluck was in office, I went hard after him. It was said that I was being sponsored by APC. APC came in, I went after Buhari, but Jonathan was very sensible not minding where we have disagreement, he was very sensible, he ignored me. You create room for people with diverse views and opinions and ideas.Its better they are talking than fighting, thats why you have parliament, people dont know that. Kanu further said that if he was looking for money, he would have settled with the Buhari government. What am I doing with money? If I were looking for money, I would have settled with the Buhari government.I dont need money, the only thing I need is Biafra People give me stuff, the cars I use, people gave them to me. I dont buy anything, so, what do I need money for? I dont need to buy anything, the furniture in my house, people built them for me. I am serving my people everyday and today we have honour and prestige because of IPOB.Biafra is coming and that we must remain very strong and resolute. The only thing He requires of us is to worship Him, thats all He wants us to do and not to worship idol and Biafra will come and the world will see and will testify it.
Nigerians have been warned to stop making mockery of the Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un lest they pay a heavy price. Kim ...

Nigerians have been warned to stop making mockery of the Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un lest they pay a heavy price.Kim Jong-un A news service from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), took to its twitter handle @DPRK_News to issue the warning. The twitter handle does not bear the verification icon of twitter as an officially verified handle.It said: Impudent peoples of Nigeria are warned against mockery of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un, lest they pay a heavy price.
The National Identity Management Commission says one major reason most Nigerians are not getting access to credit from financial institutions, even after meeting up with other requirements, is lack of the National Identification Number.The Director-General, NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, who stated this to our correspondent on Friday, said any Nigerian without the NIN issued by the commission would soon run the risk of being regarded as a non-Nigerian by financial institutions in the country.The NIN enhances access to credit from financial institutions, protects citizens from identity theft, thereby being an antidote to identify theft driven frauds, Aziz said.He said, It expands access to other financial services, including insurance. It enhances e-commerce by providing a means of payment. It is a tool for non-repudiation and security for financial transactions and it facilitates financial inclusion and hence cashless economy.Other benefits of the NIN, the NIMC director-general said, included, one person, one identity. It enhances participation in the political process. It is an important tool for the fight against corruption and terrorism.It enables citizens to exercise their rights and facilitates management of subsidies and safety net payments such as the one that applies to Internally Displaced Persons.Posing the question of who you are  which every human being is faced with globally, Aziz explained that the NIMC was established to provide a single version of truth or unique identity for every citizen and foster the orderly development of an identity sector in Nigeria.He stated that Nigerians should utilise the opportunity provided by the Federal Government through the NIMC, and obtain a NIN.With the current campaign, the NIMC will continue to enlighten Nigerians on the importance of enrolling to obtain the National Identification Number, which fully confers on any citizen so enrolled Nigerian citizenship.Without the NIN, anyones claims of being a Nigerian citizen are doubtful; that is what the NIMC Act stipulates, he added.The NIMC was established by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, as an offshoot of the Department of National Civic Registration, to create, establish and maintain a unique National Identity Database, register persons covered by the Act, assign a unique National Identification Number, provide authentication platform for identity verification, issue general multi-purpose cards and harmonise and integrate existing identification databases in Nigeria.
A renowned man of God and General Overseer of the Word Bible Church, Prophet Julius Kumoluyi, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to...

A renowned man of God and General Overseer of the Word Bible Church, Prophet Julius Kumoluyi, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to see opposition from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as a veritable avenue to perform and impress Nigerians.

Kumoluyi said vibrant opposition is the bedrock of democracy, saying the criticisms from opposition individuals and parties will help Buharis government in doing critical appraisal and adjust when needed.





Praising Buhari on his giant strides to rid the country of corruption, the cleric told the president that it will be difficult to eradicate corruption in a country like Nigeria, regretting that the menace is deeply entrenched even in the house of God.





Speaking in Igbara Odo Ekiti on Monday after a three-day prayer organized by Ekiti zone of his church, Kumoluyi said it will be counter-productive for Buhari and his kitchen cabinet to label those criticizing him as enemies of government.





He said his Ministry in the last 25 years had preached the gospel of peace, love and unity among Nigerians, saying these are the qualities Nigeria needed to get to the promise land.





Kumoluyi, who said God had answered the prayers of Nigerians on the issue of President Buharis health, urged the citizens to continually pray for the president, describing him as the only president who exhibited zeal to tackle corruption by all means.





He commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on his loyalty to Buhari and his scintillating performances when he was the Acting President, saying these had established the fact that he is a real man of God.

Let me say this clearly, the worst is over on the issue of President Buharis health. God deliberately answered the prayers of Nigerians when he fell sick because he knew the man meant well for Nigerians.

Since I was born, I have never seen any President who fought corruption like this. God wanted him to be there at this point to effect changes, so all Nigerians, including men of God must support him.

Nobody should ever think of pulling him down or pray that he dies, whoever thought of that only wants to bring retrogression to Nigerians.

On the need for the present government to accommodate criticism, Kumoluyi said: Criticism is good for any democratic government and it will help President Buhari to grow and do well.

The President himself said this when he met with National chairmen of political parties that opposition is good. But as much as opposition too must play its role, it has to do such without hate, he advised.

Lamenting that the endemic nature of corruption in the country has made the anti-graft war very slow, Kumoluyi added: corruption will be difficult to eradicate in Nigeria, particularly among the present generation of leaders. It has become part and parcel of our lives.

If we must eradicate corruption, we have to train the coming generations in the ways of God. Corruption has dominated our lives. Even that of the house of God is worse. For us to win the war, we must also have family values.

President Buhari has been trying his best. I traveled regularly to London, they dont have mineral resources like Nigeria and they are progressive on daily basis. They make their money from the people in form of taxes and rates and they are transparent with it, so I dont know what is wrong with our nation.

This issue of whistle-blowing is also helping this government. Our people must be conscious of one fact, very soon now, the Europe will no longer use petrol for their vehicles, so how do we now survive as a nation? So, Nigeria must look inward and develop other sectors, he warned.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Monday met with the President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou to discuss cooperation between Sokoto state and Niger Republic.A statement by Tambuwals spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said meeting, which took place at the Presidential Palace in Niamey, the Niger Capital, discussed issues that bother on education, trade and cultural integration between Sokoto State and Niger Republic.Sokoto and Niger Republic have long standing cultural, religious and family ties. Governor Tambuwals visit to the Palais De Presidence is meant to enhance these ties and also explore other important areas of cooperation like education and trade, the statement read in parts.Tambuwal will also meet with Sokoto indigenes resident in Niger Republic as well as senior public officials and investors in order to explore areas of further cooperation.He was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Bashir Garba; Chief of Staff Government House, Mukhtar Magori; Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Mannir DanIya and other officials.
TRENTON -- A teacher who ran for secretary-treasurer of the state's largest teachers union and lost is suing the New Jersey Education Association and three local unions over multiple alleged violations of NJEA election rules.

The NJEA, one of the state's most powerful and politically influential unions, took no substantive action after Andrew Policastro, a Bergen County science teacher, reported the misuse of union dues to endorse his opponent, he claims in a federal lawsuit.

Among the alleged violations:

Policastro disputed the election results with the NJEA election committee to no avail, according to the lawsuit.

"I am a super-mad member of the NJEA," Policastro, who teaches at Tenafly High School, told NJ Advance Media.

NJEA spokesman Steve Baker declined to comment, saying the lawsuit is an internal matter.

The NJEA in April held an election for its officers, highly sought after, six-figure positions.

Marie Blistan, then vice president, was elected president. Sean Spiller, then secretary-treasurer was elected vice president, and Steven Beatty, a social studies teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, was elected secretary-treasurer.

The three officially began serving in their new officer positions Sept. 1.

Policastro previously filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, which the department denied, saying it does not have purview over state education association elections, according to the lawsuit.

Policastro is asking for the Department of Labor decision to be rescinded and compensatory damages to be determined at trial.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- Police are asking for the public's help in locating a black Mercedes-Benz convertible they said struck a 3-year-old child Sunday evening.

The child was struck around 5:22 p.m. while following a relative across Ridgewood Avenue, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said in a statement.

Police said the car's driver was described as a bald, light-skinned black man wearing sunglasses. The car was last seen heading south on Ridgewood toward Avon Avenue, authorities said.

Police said the child was listed in critical condition at University Hospital, but is expected to survive.

A photo of the suspect vehicle was not immediately available Sunday evening.

Authorities have urged anyone with information about the crash, or the whereabouts of the driver or the car to call the department's confidential 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).

Police said anonymous tips may also be placed online at www.newarkpd.org or through the Newark Police Division smartphone app available on iTunes and Google Play.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached by email at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. For confidential tips, you can make an anonymous ProtonMail account to send him encrypted messages at tmoriarty@protonmail.com.

Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK--Hundreds turned out on City Hall's front steps for a Labor Day rally and march on Monday.

Workers and their supporters turned out on a beautiful day and listened to more than a dozen speakers.

Gladys Sanchez, a member of 32BJ SEIU, used a megaphone to lead chants calling for higher wages and union rights.

The Rev. Timothy Graff from the Archdiocese of Newark blessed workers and their tools.

After the rally, people marched down Broad Street to Washington Park.

Ed Murray may be reached at emurray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Ed on Twitter at @EdMurrayphoto. Find NJ.COM on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A pedestrian whose left foot had to be amputated after he was struck by a New Jersey Transit bus two years ago settled his lawsuit for $2.5 million, according to a report.

The bus hit Antonio Almeida in a Newark crosswalk as the driver was turning left from Ferry Street onto Union Street, NJLawJournal.com said.

The driver first claimed Almeida walked into the bus but later admitted he was checking his mirrors and didn't see the 72-year-old until he hit him.

Almeida said he thought the driver saw him. By the time he realized the bus was going too fast, it was too late to avoid being hit. His foot was crushed, the report said.

Almeida now wears a prosthetic foot but his mobility has been limited since being hit

The accident took place on Aug. 3, 2015 and was settled July 6.

NJ Transit didn't immediately return a message from NJ Advance Media seeking comment on the settlement.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
EAST ORANGE -- A 23-year-old woman was killed in a shooting early Monday morning in the city, authorities said.

Breanna Williams, of Orange, was shot at 1:40 a.m. while sitting in a car on Chelsea Place, authorities said. She was taken to University Hospital, where she died at 2:19 a.m., Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly of the prosecutor's homicide unit said.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force and city police are investigating the killing.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call them at 877-847-7432.

Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka.

Find NJ.com on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY --An Orange man was charged with driving while intoxicated this morning in Jersey City after a Port Authority police officer saw his vehicle going the wrong way on a one-way street near the Holland Tunnel.

Officer Joshua Olivieri spotted the vehicle driven by Rodney Collins, 28, traveling in the wrong direction on 13th Street at 2:28 a.m. and then saw it run a stop sign, Port Authority Police spokesman Joe Pentangelo said.

When Olivieri tried to pull over the 2016 Nissan, it sped away with the officer following it. The Nissan eventually became disabled after crashing into a concrete barrier near Hoboken Road and Route 139, Pentanglo said.

Rodney Collins, 28, of Orange, was charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing into a concrete barrier in Jersey City this morning, Sept. 4, 2017.

Collins was arrested and charged with DWI after his blood alcohol concentration was found to be 0.20 percent, Pentanglo said. That's more than twice the legal limit for driving in New Jersey.

The investigation determined the vehicle had been rented under another person's name. It was also found that there was warrant for Collin's arrest out of Newark, Pentangelo said.
A Jersey City woman has been charged with hitting another woman in the back of the head with a scooter, causing a wound that required medical attention, including staples.

Lateefah Rabb, 34, of the 100 block of Carteret Avenue, was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated assault and a weapons offense related to the wooden scooter in connection to the incident on Aug. 26, a criminal complaint states.

The victim told police that she was struck in the head with the scooter and was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center where she received three staples to close the gash, the complaint says.

She told police her attacker was in a Jewett Avenue building and provided a description. When police located Rabb in the building, the victim began yelling "That's her. That's her right there," the complaint says.

Rabb made her first appearance on the charges in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City on Wednesday via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.

At the hearing, the state moved to detain her through the course of her prosecution. A detention hearing is set for tomorrow before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.

The complaint does not say what triggered the incident
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)  Survivors of Hurricane Ian face a long emotional road to recover from one of the most damaging storms to hit the U.S. mainland. For those who lost everything to disaster, the anguish can be crushing to return home to find so much gone. Grief can run the gamut from frequent tears to utter despair. The Lee County medical examiner says two men in their 70s even took their own lives a day apart after viewing their losses. Experts say suicides climb after disasters and more funding for mental health should be provided as climate change makes storms and fires more frequent and devastating.
A Council Bluffs police officer escaped injury on Monday after a driver allegedly tried to run him over during a traffic stop.

The incident happened around 11:45 a.m. in the parking lot of the Buckys gas station at North 16th Street and West Broadway.

Officer Mark Archibald, who has on a department motorcycle, had initiated a traffic stop in that parking lot, according to a press release from Sgt. Jason Bailey. While Archiblad was dismounting the motorcycle, he noticed the driver looking at him. The driver allegedly put the vehicle into reverse and accelerated, according to the release.

Archibald jumped out of the way and the vehicle struck the motorcycle, pushing it onto its side for about 30 feet. The driver then allegedly fled the scene. As officers were responding to the area, witnesses and bystanders directed them in the direction of the suspected vehicle.

A short time later, the vehicle allegedly ran the stop sign at North 25th Street and Avenue H, striking a 1999 Chevy Tahoe driven by Brianna Johnson of Council Bluffs. Johnson suffered minor injuries and advised officers she would drive herself to the hospital later if needed.

The driver allegedly fled the scene after the accident on foot. As officers arrived, they were directed by neighbors of the location of the suspect.

The alleged driver, identified as Jesse Barker, was taken into custody without incident and was taken to the hospital for evaluation as he complained of a previous injury and injuries related to the crash.

He was later booked into corrections without incident.

Baker is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and second-degree criminal mischief. He also had warrants for for his arrest for a probation violation and escape from custody as he is accused of walking away from the Residential Correction Facility.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the Avenue H accident and, after review with the Pottawattamie County Attorneys Office, will pursue charges if necessary.
Work in Northwest Indiana's steel mills, factories and refineries has always been dangerous. Through the years, workers have been crushed, pinned, electrocuted and blown up.

But Region workplaces  even the most heavily industrialized  have been getting safer, with fewer injuries and fatalities, organizations representing workers say. Advances in technology, increased automation and safety initiatives, such as empowering any worker to halt production at a mill over safety concerns, have made it more likely workers will return home at the end of a shift.

"I think it's really much safer and continues to get safer," said Tom Hargrove, president of United Steelworkers Local 1010. "But we can't rest as long as we have fatalities. Bad things can happen very quickly."

Indiana had a record low 3.8 injuries per 100 workers in 2015, the most recent data available, according to the Indiana Department of Labor. A total of 115 workers died on the job in 2015, down from a high of 190 in 1997.

The World Steel Association reports the injury rate per 1 million hours worked in steelmaking, the job the Region is best known for, has fallen to 1.39 in 2014 from 4.81 in 2004, a 71 percent decline.

"Safety has been a major concern of unions  and in particular the USW  in Northwest Indiana," said Mike Olszanski, a retired steelworker and labor historian.

"Initially, unsafe conditions often caused direct shop floor on-the-job actions by union workers, up to and including refusal to do unsafe work and shutdown of unsafe operations until they were made safe to the satisfaction of those doing the work."

Olszanski said later USW contracts included a provision that allowed individual workers to refuse to do work they believed was unsafe, without fear of being disciplined.

Safety movement

USW helped pass the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970 and worked to eliminate environmental hazards from the workplace, including exposure to carcinogenic emissions from coke ovens, Olszanski said.

"Local 1010 and District 31 created the first environmental committees in basic steel in the early 1970s, linking worker health with public health in Northwest Indiana by going after coke oven and other hazard emissions in contract negotiations, as well as through OSHA and Environmental Protection Agency enforcement," he said. "Local 1010 went to court circa 1980 to force the EPA to enforce Coke Oven Emission regulations against Inland Steel. I, along with our attorney, represented Local 1010 in court."

Once resistant to anything that slowed output, steel companies now tout their safety records. ArcelorMittal, one of Northwest Indiana's largest employers with more than 10,000 workers in the Region and metropolitan Chicago and 220,000 workers worldwide, says its Journey to Zero initiative aims to eliminate all workplace accidents and facilities.

"ArcelorMittal is committed to meeting all health and safety standards, but we cannot stop there," said Steve Thompson, director of health and safety at ArcelorMittal USA. "That is why we are committed to our Journey to Zero campaign, with the aim of becoming the worlds safest steel and mining company."

He said overall injury rates at ArcelorMittal USA continue to improve with a 25 percent improvement this year over last and a 57 percent improvement in the last decade.

"But we can never become complacent, which is why we have increased the number of required audits and observations at the shop-floor level, bringing together management and workers to discuss safety protocols and ways to improve them," Thompson said.

ArcelorMittal USA's Joint Safety Group brings together management and union workers several times a year for in-depth looks at how to make its facilities safer. The steelmaker's Health and Safety working team also convenes six times a year to review the company's safety progress.

The Luxembourg-based steelmaker reduced its companywide lost-time injury frequency rate to 0.82 per million hours worked in 2016, down from 0.85 percent in 2014. Fatalities, which included a semitrailer driver who died in a crash at ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor, fell to 17 worldwide last year, down from 23 in 2014.

"Safety used to be just a slogan. Nobody really meant it. It was only if it didn't interfere with the production," said Hargrove, whose union local recently went a record 75 straight months without a fatality.

"But things changed for the better. A lot changed when (Lakshmi) Mittal bought the old Inland mill. I think he is sincere with his commitment to safety, to reducing injury and fatalities. With ArcelorMittal, there's a full commitment to safety down the ladder."

Every day, steel workers start by going over the job they are supposed to do and all the safety procedures they're supposed to follow, Hargrove said.

"Little mistakes can be serious," he said. "The most important thing we can do is make sure we all come home."

U.S. Steel had two electrocutions at Gary Works in 2016, but reports its total OSHA recordable incident rate of 0.94 per million hours work, which was 73 percent better than the Bureau of Labor Statistics rate of 3.50 for iron and steel companies. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker's Days Away From Work Rate was 0.15 percent, which was 85 percent better than the Bureau of Labor Statistics rate.

Safety a priority

Local steelworker Terry Steagall said much has changed since he started working in the mills, including federal mandates where companies must tell workers about the chemicals they're exposed to while on the job.

"The old guys worked with cleaning solvents that they thought was bathwater," he said. "They didn't think nothing of it. But without rubber gloves, you absorb harmful chemicals that affect your kidneys, liver, blood, everything."

Steel mills have had many safety hazards, such as acid eating through the roof, or molten steel flying like shrapnel out of basic oxygen furnaces.

"You have mechanical, electrical, hydraulics and pneumatics at a mill," he said. "There's a lot of stored energy. When you think things are shut down, maybe a (mechanical) arm comes down with a roll of steel that could smash you."

Perhaps the biggest change is that steelworkers now can speak up about safety issues without threat of reprisal, Steagall said.

"The bosses would say you were insubordinate and send you home," he said. "The difference now is management isn't confrontational. They recognized accidents in the mill cost them money."

Now, operations get locked down when someone raises a safety concern until it's established that it's safe to proceed.

Unions also negotiated so they would have joint safety committees with management that look at different aspects of work, including how products are handled. As a result, mills no longer suffer five or six deaths a year the way they did 40 years ago, Steagall said.

"The company used to fight the union over everything safety-related," Steagall said. "But everything changed when they found out cutting out accidents saved them money. They realized it wasn't a good practice, killing people. Those at the top said, 'I want to be the king of steel,' not 'I want to be the king of death.' "
Yet another renewable energy boondoggle By Paul Driessen

Wilkinson Solar has filed papers requesting permits for a 74-megawatt solar electricity facility about 35 miles east of Greenville, NC. If approved, 288,120 solar panels would blanket 600 acres (0.94 square miles) of now scenic, serene farmland next door to the Terra Ceia Christian School near Morehead City. The company wants to catch the solar wave, and make a lot of money under net metering policies that require payment for electricity added to the grid, whenever it is generated and regardless of whether the electricity is needed at the time. Electricity generated from these new panels would not be sold in the local area; it would be exported to Virginia, Raleigh-Durham and other locations. Solar power installations doubled in 2016 over 2015, media outlets reported in February. There are now 1.3 million solar installations across the United States, with a cumulative capacity of over 40 gigawatts. Thats enough capacity to power 6,560,000 US households, they say. Of course, there are caveats. There was intense effort to install as much new photovoltaic as possible in 2016  driven by a fear that federal tax credits would not be renewed. Solar actually rose from 0.96% of US generation in 2015 only to 1.37% in 2016. 65% of electricity generation is still fossil fuels, 20% is nuclear, 6.5% hydroelectric, 2.0% biomass and geothermal, and 5.6% wind (which is as unreliable as solar). The reliability factor is critical. The capacity to power 6,560,000 households does not equal actual power generation. It is what panels can generate if the sun shines at high enough intensity 24/7/365. It can be a lot of the time in areas that are bright, dry and sunny most of the year  to very little in other regions. Those and related issues must guide decisions on whether the Wilkinson facility makes energy, engineering, economic and environmental sense for this North Carolina community, the Tar Heel State  or other locales facing similar decisions. Solar may be advantageous for politicians, corporations, renewable energy activists and their allies. But that should not override other considerations. A 600-MW capacity coal, gas or nuclear plant operates 90-95% of the time. Its actual output will thus be 540 to 570 megawatts  from 300 acres (or less): 1.8 to 1.9 MW per acre, reliably and affordably. Wilkinson would theoretically generate 74 MW from twice as much land. Thats 0.12 MW per acre  or 8.1 acres per MW. However, North Carolina averages only 213 sunny days per year, and perhaps 9 hours of good, electricity-generating sun per day. Instead of 90-95% efficiency, Wilkinson would bring only 20% efficiency. The 288,120 panels would produce electricity only about 20% of the year. That is unpredictable, unreliable, less affordable energy. The real output would be around 0.03 MW per acre or 33 acres per MW! Wilkinsons claimed ability to generate enough electricity for 12,500 households shrinks to 2,750 homes, when the sun shines. Wilkinson and farmers turned occasional power producers would still reap large sums of cash, via net metering and feed-in tariff policies. But crop and wildlife habitat lands would be converted to massive solar arrays, while neighbors would get a blighted landscape and no monetary or other benefits. As Solar Mania and Solar Sprawl spread, electricity consumers would see their rates climb: from the 9 cents per kilowatt-hour average they now pay in North Carolina and Virginia, ever closer to the 16 to 18 cents per kWh that residents pay in green energy states like Connecticut, New York and California. Families, hospitals, schools, businesses, farms and factories would face increasingly tougher times paying their electric bills. Poor and minority families would be hit hardest. Then theres the survivability issue. Since 1879, North Carolina has been hit by twelve Category 3 hurricanes, one Category 4 (Hazel in 1954) and multiple tropical storms. Imagine the shards of flying glass that would be torn from solar panels and sent flying in all directions when the next cane inevitably hits. What that would do to people, animals and property is not pretty to contemplate. Torrential rains brought by these storms would send flood waters roaring through the installation, wreaking further havoc. Solar proponents always tout energy, employment and climate stabilization benefits  which dont exist. Every megawatt of solar power must be backed up by coal or natural gas generators. Otherwise we have electricity when it happens to be available, instead of when we need it. Otherwise our offices, hospitals, assembly lines, televisions and internet go on and off constantly. No one can work or live that way. The backup power plants must be running on standby (spinning reserve) all the time  then must ramp up to full power every time the sun stops shining. That slashes their efficiency, and sends their fuel costs and emissions skyrocketing. Any supposed energy, sustainability and climate benefits disappear. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that any solar array can ever generate enough electricity over its entire life span to equal the energy that went into making, installing and servicing the panels. Mining the raw materials, turning them into metals and other panel components, hauling and installing the panels  all require enormous amounts of motor fuels, coking coal and electricity. The balance sheet is in the red. Add in what it takes to build, fuel and operate the backup power plants, and solar is bankrupt. Solar power does create jobs. In fact, U.S. Department of Energy data reveal that producing the same amount of electricity requires one coal worker or two natural gas workers  but 12 wind industry employees or 79 solar workers. That is hardly the ticket to a productive economy. Even worse, Spanish and other studies have found that, for every renewable energy job created, two to four jobs are lost in other sectors that are forced to pay more and more for less reliable electricity. Price and reliability are crucial in our digital age, with electricity the key to modern living standards, health, safety, and almost everything we make, eat and do. Solar electricity makes prices rise and reliability decline; its repeated electrical surges and slumps damage grid stability. Some say using fossil fuels  which provide 82% of the energy that makes modern civilization possible  causes dangerous manmade climate change. But Hurricane Harvey just ended the nearly 12-year record absence of a Category 3-5 hurricane striking the United States. Average planetary temperatures are back to the same level weve seen for almost 20 years, following the end of the 2015-16 El Nino. Those and other inconvenient realities completely contradict decades of alarmist climate predictions. And as just noted, overall fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions increase as solar power proliferates. All this underscores why we must build more pipelines from areas that have become major natural gas production regions, thanks to hydraulic fracturing. Whether a gas-fired power plant serves as a primary electricity generator, or as backup for wind and solar, new pipelines are essential. They determine whether families, hospitals and businesses have affordable electricity when they need it. Unfortunately, an array of governors, mayors, legislators, regulators and activist pressure groups are blocking pipeline projects from the Dakotas to New York and beyond, even as they promote more wind and solar. Pipelines and electricity are the backbone of our economy, civilization, jobs and living standards. Cut or paralyze that backbone, and our society will cease to function. Hearing officials must give local residents and energy experts opportunities to explain these issues and voice their concerns about energy, land use, job, economic, environmental, hurricane and other impacts from solar installations like Wilkinson. Anything less is a dereliction of duty that benefits a few players  at the expense of everyone else. That must no longer happen. 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 and other books on the environment. Home
HAMMOND  "Bonjour classe."

"Bonjour Madame."

"Comment allez-vous?"

"Tres bien, merci."

"Vous allez repondre present ou presente."

That's the exchange between Bishop Noll Institute French teacher Diane Wilson and her students as they enter the room and take their seats to get ready for nearly an hour of French, whether it's her French 1 or French 4 students.

Wilson speaks very little English in class so she can immediately immerse students in the language as she moves from identifying various objects in French to conjugating verbs.

Wilson, who has taught for 10 years, is in her seventh year at Bishop Noll. She has 72 students in French 1 through 4. She moved into teaching from the computer technology industry where she spent several years at Logitech as a project manager, though her college major was French.

Wilson calls the first 15 minutes of class a warmup. "They know how to talk to each other in French, and they'll be able to put together a little story about it in French," she said.

BNI freshman Abigail Kawalec said she chose French because she had Spanish in elementary school and French sounded interesting. "I like the class. We learn it because she says something and we repeat it. We do it every day and that helps us to understand the language and speak it better," she said.

BNI freshman Angel Trejo said he speaks two languages fluently already  English and Spanish.

"There are some similarities and differences in the languages. Right now, (French) is among my favorite subjects," he said.

In May, Wilson was selected as Secondary Teacher of the Year by her fellow Indiana members of the American Association of Teachers of French. The award will be presented in November during the annual Indiana Foreign Language Teacher Association conference.

"The award was a big surprise," she said with a laugh.

"I'm honored and humbled to think that my colleagues chose me. I had no idea I was even being considered," she said. "It's probably for more what I do outside of the classroom, in the community, locally and internationally."

Wilson said she has an exchange program with two schools in France and every year she takes her students to France to immerse them in the language and culture. Bishop Noll families host French students who visit the Region and take classes at the school.

In February, Wilson will bring in five students from France for 30 days. In April, a second group of 20 students or so will be in the Region for a week. This year's France trip is scheduled for June 6-19.

Making BNI French program 'the best'

Bishop Noll Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick said Wilson works hard to make Bishop Noll's French program is the best. "She works with our French partner schools in organizing cultural experiences. I'm thankful her extra energies were noticed by the association," Pastrick said.

Wilson said her students first connect with French students in October through a video conference.

"When the students go to France, they'll get a chance to see that the world is a smaller place than they think, and that people are much the same all over the world," she said.

"They go to the Eiffel Tower and other well-known tourist attractions. I have been there many times, but I get to see it through my students' eyes."

Wilson also has a relationship with several universities including Valparaiso University and DePaul University and her students visit the VU every year.

"This gives them an opportunity to see not only what college life is like but also what the college-level French classes contain," she said.

VU Professor Karen Berrier said Wilson began bringing her classes to the university when she was a new teacher.

"We allowed her students to participate and she prepared them well on things like how numbers were constructed in French," Berrier said. "We had a question-and-answer session with the students. We all thought it was wonderful.

"Diane has visited France often and gotten to know several French teachers, and she brings them to our events. She's wonderful and very inspiring to her students and well-respected by her fellow teachers."
INDIANAPOLIS  Fewer than 30 percent of the 438,000 Hoosiers enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan would be required to comply with Gov. Eric Holcomb's proposed work mandate.

Documents recently submitted to the federal government in support of his plan to make able-bodied, low-income Hoosiers work as a condition of receiving health coverage show the majority of HIP members qualify for at least one of 14 exemptions.

The largest group, comprising nearly one-third of HIP participants, are individuals who already satisfy the governor's recommended employment requirement by working at least 20 hours a week, eight months a year.

They nevertheless remain eligible for HIP, because their incomes are below the $16,400 maximum to qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage under the provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Other exempt groups include HIP members identified as medically frail, older than 60, full- and part-time students, primary caretakers of young or disabled children, pregnant women, participants in substance abuse treatment, the recently incarcerated and former foster children.

Gateway to Work

That leaves an estimated 130,000 HIP participants who, if the mandate is approved by the federal government, will be required to enroll in the state's "Gateway to Work" program, or lose their health coverage until they comply for at least one month.

Indiana has offered job-search and employment-training programs to HIP members on a voluntary basis since the Medicaid expansion alternative was established in 2015.

However, just 580 individuals attended Gateway to Work orientation services during the first 15 months the program was operating, according to state records.

State officials contend in their application for the work mandate that "employed individuals are both physically and mentally healthier, as well as more financially stable, as compared to unemployed individuals."

As such, the state claims an employment requirement would reduce Medicaid spending as individuals either earn incomes that exceed HIP eligibility standards, or transition to an employer-based or subsidized marketplace health insurance plan.

It's not clear how many HIP participants actually will find gainful employment and leave the program, since state records show approximately 40 percent have not earned a high school diploma and likely would not be hired at jobs that pay much above minimum wage.

Moreover, the proposed Gateway to Work mandate can be met not only through full- or part-time employment, but also by participating in job skills training, job search activities, education programs, community service, homeschooling and volunteering  none of which is likely to increase HIP member incomes in the short term.

Training costs

An actuary retained by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration estimates that a quarter of the HIP population subject to the Gateway to Work requirement will choose not to participate, and thereby lose their health coverage.

That means some 33,000 Hoosiers once again likely would rely on emergency rooms for health care. Indiana currently has $3 billion of annual uncompensated care, which was one of the primary reasons Indiana hospitals endorsed HIP and continue to pay a portion of HIP's costs through the hospital assessment fee.

In addition to insured Hoosiers potentially facing higher premiums as a result, state records show all taxpayers will pay an estimated $90 per eligible HIP member per month to cover Gateway to Work orientation, assessment, job skills training, job search assistance, and to track compliance.

In contrast, expanding HIP coverage to include treatment for substance use disorder, which also is part of the state's application to the federal government, will cost $7.58 per member per month, according to the state's actuary.

FSSA has requested that Gateway to Work expenses be shared at the same rate as health care costs for HIP participants: 95 percent paid by the federal government and 5 percent by Indiana.

However, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services typically only pay 50 percent for administrative programs, such as Gateway to Work, likely leaving Hoosier taxpayers to pick up the rest of the tab.

Proposal controversial?

Previous state attempts to impose work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries were rejected under Democratic President Barack Obama.

However, Republican President Donald Trump's Medicaid director, Seema Verma, who helped implement the Healthy Indiana Plan, sent a letter on the day she took office encouraging states to propose Medicaid innovations "that build on the human dignity that comes with training, employment and independence."

In addition to Indiana, other states that have requested or are in the process of applying for federal approval to impose employment mandates as a condition of receiving state-supported health coverage include: Kentucky, Ohio, Arizona, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Florida and Maine.

Holcomb, a Republican, said in May that Indiana's waiver submission was directly inspired by Verma's desire to give states "more freedom to design programs to meet the spectrum of diverse needs of their Medicaid population."

Public comments submitted to the federal government concerning Indiana's proposed employment requirement were overwhelmingly opposed to it.

For example, the American Diabetes Association pointed out that most Medicaid recipients who can work, already do.

It also noted that taking health coverage away from Hoosiers who fail to satisfy the requirement will drive up costs systemwide due to more emergency room visits, and cited studies showing that work mandates do not lead to sustained long-term employment.

"Work requirements are contrary to the goal of the Medicaid program: offering health coverage to those without access to care," said Dr. LaShawn McIver, ADA senior vice president for advocacy.

Families USA, a nonpartisan organization focused on affordable health care, suggested a work mandate may even be illegal without congressional changes to Medicaid's governing statutes.

A federal decision on Indiana's waiver application could come as soon as mid-September.

If approved, the work requirement is scheduled to be phased in over several years and likely wouldn't take full effect until 2019 or 2020.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.  Great Lakes water temperatures may have started their yearly decline ahead of schedule.

George Leshkevich, a research scientist at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, said each of the lakes is cooler than it was in late August last year.

"It seems like they're cooling. The cooling usually starts in September," he told the Traverse City Record-Eagle . "But, in just seeing the forecast for northern Michigan in the last week or so, night temperatures and frost risks will affect the water temperatures."

Lake Michigan seems to have been the least impacted, being only about 1 degree lower than last year, from 72 degrees to only about 71. Lake Superior was about 66 degrees last year in late August and about 63 degrees this year.

Normal air temperatures in late August usually land in the mid-70s  where temperatures are expected to linger for the foreseeable future, into Labor Day weekend, said Matt Gillen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Gaylord.

"In 2016, we were still in the low 80s, about 84 degrees which is about 5-7 degrees above normal for this time," Gillen said.

Leshkevich found it odd the lakes were already cooling, as in previous years the temperatures would remain fairly steady into mid-September.

"At this point though, it could still bounce back if we had some very hot, warm weather," he said. "But we would need at least a week or two of warm at this point to have an effect."

But Gillen said that's likely not going to happen.

"There's no signs of a substantial warm-up  that's for sure," he said.

The Great Lakes didn't freeze much at all in winter 2016-17, meaning the lakes had a jump-start on getting temperatures high and keeping them high, Leshkevich said.

"Winter wasn't that bad, there wasn't that much ice cover meaning heating season would last longer," he said. "In 2014 the opposite happened  we had a hard winter where the lakes froze and they weren't able to absorb as much energy because the ice was there longer."

Leshkevich said he wasn't sure what this will mean for the next season, other than it potentially shortening water recreation time on the Great Lakes, but circled back to air temperature as the likely culprit.

Nighttime air temperatures will "regulate" throughout the next week and return to the 50-degree range, about a 20-degree difference for some areas inland in northern Michigan that saw temperatures in the 30s, Gillen said.

The Labor Day weekend forecast, at this time, has similar temperatures in the mid-70s but a chance of rain for the last half of the holiday weekend.

"There's definitely some dry time mixed in for those still looking to get in for some outdoor activity," Gillen said.

The GLERL and NWS are both under the umbrella of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

___

Information from: Traverse City Record-Eagle, http://www.record-eagle.com
HAMMOND  A comment period remains open through Thursday on a lead-processing facilitys proposed permit to remove particulate testing requirements for new equipment approved earlier this year.

Hammonds Department of Environmental Management and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management said there have been no serious problems with emissions in recent years at Hammond Groups plant at 2308 165th St.

However, IDEM flagged the site for further investigation during a re-evaluation last year of all known lead sites in Indiana, a department spokesman said. The plant sits within a quarter mile of several residential areas, including the Tanglewood Apartments to the southwest and Hammonds Woodmar and Hessville neighborhoods to the south and southeast.

Lead emissions eventually settle on the ground, contaminating soil.

Hammond Group operates several chemical facilities in the city, including the Hammond Lead facility off 165th Street.

State and federal regulators in 1985 investigated lead contamination in the soil around Hammond Lead and three other industrial sites in the area. Elevated lead levels were found near a trucking yard to the north of Hammond Lead, in the 6100 block of McCook Street, near a bridge on Kennedy Avenue that crosses over railroad tracks close to an Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad office building, along a parkway fence in the 2100 block of Sherman Street and near the Painters Union Local 460 building north of Kenwood Street.

The three other industrial sites tested in 1985 included USS Lead Refining, 5300 Kennedy Ave. in East Chicago, the former Federated Metals facility near New York Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond and in the vicinity of the former Amoco Oil Refinery and LTV Steel near 129th Street and Indianapolis Boulevard in East Chicago.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began excavating contaminated soil from the Calumet and East Calumet neighborhoods north of USS Lead last year, and more than 1,000 residents of the West Calumet Housing Complex were forced by the East Chicago Housing Authority to leave their homes after lead and arsenic contamination there were found to be more severe and extensive than expected.

EPA also has been testing soil around the former Federated Metals plant, including in residential areas in the Robertsdale neighborhood in Hammond and Whiting. Residents have requested a public hearing on a proposed air permit for Whiting Metals, a lead-processing facility that now operates at the site, but no date has been set.

Ronald Novak, director of the Hammond Department of Environmental Management, said he likely would not submit any comments on the proposed air permit for Hammond Group because the facility has had no recent problems.

A representative at Hammond Group did not return a call seeking comment.

IDEM approved the construction of two new mills at the plant in April, both of which will vent to existing stacks.

IDEM said previous routine stack tests have shown lead emissions at the plant to be 0.5 percent of lead emissions limitations.

Furthermore, particulate emissions are comprised almost entirely of lead, and the lead limitations are 80 percent lower than the particulate limitations, IDEM said.

IDEMs Office of Air Quality reviewed the data and concluded compliance monitoring for lead is an appropriate means of monitoring for particulate, the department said. IDEM will revisit this decision when reviewing the results of the future stack tests and has the right to incorporate compliance monitoring specific to particulate if the department deems it necessary, a spokesman said.

Sam Henderson, an attorney for the Hoosier Environmental Council, said prevailing winds in the Region are from the south and west, so emissions from the plant likely would be carried toward Hessville rather than the Tanglewood Apartments. However, winds can blow in other directions a certain amount of time and may blow in different directions at different altitudes, he said.

Henderson urged any residents concerned about the permit to submit comments to IDEM before the Thursday deadline.

Im not aware of any independent air or soil testing thats been done to see whether there are any present or historical impacts from Hammond Lead, Henderson said. If I lived in Woodmar or Hessville, Id want to know about that.
LOWELL  The town's government is going to have to change its spending ways if it's to maintain a healthy cash balance in the future.

Damon Tsouklis, of the financial consulting firm of Cender and Co. in Merrillville, told the Town Council it needs to shift expenses around and collect more revenue if it wants to survive the state's circuit breaker  a maximum cap on how much, in taxes, can be collected on a property. While welcome news for taxpayers, the state's decision has proved to be a challenge to municipalities.

"It could wipe out your cash balances," Tsouklis said.

The financial consultant suggested looking at the stormwater utility fees charged residents and businesses as a way to increase revenue. "Everyone should pay their fair share," he said.

To that end, the council planned a joint meeting with the stormwater advisory board before its next meeting Sept. 11, contingent on all parties' availability.

Council President Leann Angerman, R-2nd, said she knows that the way businesses are charged a flat stormwater fee regardless of lot size is not equitable. Instead, fees should be charged based on the amount of impervious land they occupy; that is, land covered by asphalt, concrete and other hard surfaces that do not allow rainwater to pass through into the ground. Currently, she said, owners of vacant lots, though affecting stormwater, are not charged a fee.

"Now, the town's just picking up the bill," Angerman said.

Councilman Mike Gruszka, D-1st, suggested residential fees could be bumped up from the present $7 per lot to $10 per lot to bring in more revenue to cover the town's stormwater-related expenses.

Tsouklis said $10 is lower than many communities. He told the council he will check into the fees charged by other towns in northwest Indiana.

Angerman said some decisions need to be made soon because next year's budget must be approved in late September. "We need to be ready to plug in real numbers by Sept. 15," she said.

"The town currently has a healthy balance in the general fund (the operating budget)," Tsouklis told the council. He said steps suggested now are aimed at maintaining that health.

The council met earlier in August with department heads to learn what their needs and wish lists might be for the upcoming budget.
PORTAGE  Rick Henderlong usually spends his day answering calls about lost or roaming dogs throughout the city.

This summer, however, his animal control department has been responding to an uptick in calls for the removal of diseased raccoons.

Since early July, the Portage department has captured and euthanized 16 raccoons inflicted with distemper.

"This has been the heaviest year in the 13 years I've been with animal control," Henderlong said.

Portage Animal Control does not routinely answer calls concerning wildlife, he said, adding they refer residents to licensed wildlife companies to remove healthy wildlife, including raccoons, which may be causing residents problems.

Henderlong said they see an uptick in raccoons with distemper every five to seven years. The raccoons have been removed from every area in the city.

Stephanie Kadletz, director of the Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Valparaiso, said they have also been getting an increasing number of calls from residents. Their organization does not respond to calls to capture the sick animals.

"We've definitely seen an increase in Lake and Porter counties. Last year there were more in LaPorte County. Last year we had about 10 calls. This year we've been getting two to three calls a week for the last three to four weeks," she said, adding they also tell residents to call a licensed wildlife company to remove the animals.

The population of raccoons is "very high right now," said Kadletz, adding the disease, which is spread from raccoon to raccoon, is "somewhat nature's way to control the population."

Kadletz said there are three strains of distemper  canine, feline and mink. It is not contagious to people, but can be spread to pets, which emphasizes the need for residents to have their dogs and cats vaccinated against the disease.

"We had some coyotes come in earlier this year with distemper. Skunks and foxes can also catch it," she said.

Officials at both the Porter County and LaPorte County animal control agencies said they do not handle diseased wildlife and refer callers to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. A call to Lake County Animal Control was not returned.

Phil Bloom, spokesperson for the DNR, said his department's officers do not respond to calls to remove diseased wildlife. He said residents who encounter raccoons with distemper should contact a licensed wildlife control operator. A list of such operators in Northwest Indiana is available at in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-Licensed_Nuisance_Wild_Animal_Control_Op.pdf

Bloom said conservation officers have not reported a greater number of calls this year involving diseased raccoons.

"It is common. They see it, but it more common in urbanized areas where they spread the disease from one to another," said Bloom.
VALPARAISO  The complex topic of immigration will take center stage at the Valparaiso University Law School on Sept. 14.

The event, which features a screening of the movie Documented and a panel discussion by immigration experts, will take place from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Tabor classroom. RSVP is required at valpo.edu/law/documented.

Documented chronicles the life of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who outed himself as an undocumented immigrant in the New York Times Magazine in 2011.

The movie explores Vargas journey to America from the Philippines as a child.

Highlights include his re-connection with his mother, whom he hadnt seen in 20 years, and his work in the United States as an immigration reform activist.

The movie will be followed by a discussion on Immigration Enforcement: A Dialogue Concerning Borders and Sanctuary.

Panelists include: Mark Fleming, associate director of litigation at Heartland Alliances National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago; Karla Lopez-Owens, who crossed the Mexico-U.S. border in 1999 and lived in the United States without a legal status until her naturalization in 2009; and Judge Robert D. Vinikoor, who served more than 30 years as an immigration judge.

Geoffrey Heeren, associate professor and director of the immigration clinic at Valpo Law School, will moderate the discussion.

The panel will address whether the vision at the heart of Documented  a path to legalization for some of the undocumented immigrants in this country  still makes sense, Heeren said.

Discussion is expected to include how President Donald Trumps policies have impacted undocumented immigrants, and whether those policies are legal, moral or wise, Heeren said.

I hope the audience will learn that immigration is a complex topic and the black and white way it is often presented in the media and during policy debates can be misleading, Heeren said.

There may be ways to craft immigration policy so that it offers hope to some undocumented immigrants without encouraging lawbreaking. I also hope the audience learns that it is urgent that we, as a country, look for those sorts of solutions soon, because the system as it stands is dysfunctional and unjust, he said.
PORTAGE  Dr. Timothy Ames had a traditional primary care practice for a quarter of a century, starting in 1987. He grew increasingly incensed by the bureaucratic obstacles being put in the way of doctors caring for patients.

So he went nontraditional.

At his new practice, he doesn't accept insurance of any kind. He charges patients a monthly subscription fee for unlimited visits. He is available by phone, by text, after hours.

He explained the difference between the two approaches:

"In fee-for-service medicine, paid by insurance companies, there is a lot of emphasis on recordkeeping and billing codes. If all the bookkeeping is not done precisely right, insurance companies can deny or delay payment. That really just distorts the physician-patient relationship.

"In this practice, if it does good to talk to a patient for an hour, I will. If the very best thing is to see them today, I have the flexibility to do that. If a telephone call is helpful, I don't have to worry about how to bill and code for a telephone call. It really allows me to think creatively about how I deliver care to my patients without worrying about how to document my appointments to meet the requirements of the insurance companies."

Ames practices so-called direct primary care, also known as concierge or subscription medicine. Marilyn Carter, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Medical Association, called direct primary care an "emerging and evolving" niche in Indiana. About a dozen, or less than 1 percent, of the association's 8,300 members work in concierge medicine. The nearest to Northwest Indiana are in Plymouth and Mishawaka.

Administrative burdens rising

The most recent update of the medical billing coding system increased the number of codes to 68,000 from 14,000. Plus, with the huge number of insurance policies, doctor's offices now require large administrative staffs just to operate. That means they must see as many patients as possible in a day to pay for all that overhead.

Ames said the typical practice has overhead of more than 60 percent, has to see 20 to 25 patients a day and has a patient load of 2,000 to 2,500. By comparison, direct primary care offices have overhead of less than 30 percent, don't need to see a set amount of patients per day, and have 500 to 700 patients.

In Ames' opinion, the fee-for-service model lessens the quality of care.

"Patients are marched through the process with little ability on the part of doctors to think about what they're really like or their needs," he said. "Physicians have become accustomed to a system that leads to harsh and impersonal care."

Because of the growing administrative burdens, many doctors are choosing to become employees of large practices or hospital systems. For the first time ever in 2016, less than half of doctors were independent, according to the American Medical Association. A 2016 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that doctors spend nearly twice as much time on record-keeping than patient care.

"I, under no circumstances, would do what I did in 1987, again: come out of residency and try to run small practice," Ames said. "Accommodating insurance billing would require too much expertise and staffing. I would have found the overhead overwhelming."

'Small and unimpressive footprint'

Ames also doesn't require much space. He rents a 400-square-foot office at the Porter-Starke Services building in Portage. He said a typical practice is about 1,200 square feet.

"This model of practice is designed to have a small and unimpressive footprint," he said. "I don't have any staff. They call, and I pick up the phone."

Ames' subscription is $20 per month for children, $75 for adults aged 51-64, and $50 or less for all other adults.

The one downside Ames sees for direct primary care is that students and new doctors working in it might not get the experience they need because the patient volume is so small.

Errol Gerstler, 64, a general contractor who lives in Portage, said Ames has helped him manage complex, chronic medical conditions that required numerous visits.

"Where can you call a doctor and he'll meet you at 8 o'clock at night or call in a prescription at 8 o'clock or order blood tests for ya at 8 or 9 or 10 at night? It's unheard of," he said. "But that's how his practice works. I think it's the shape of medicine to come, it really is."

Gerstler said the only drawback is that when he needs testing he has to go to a separate facility, increasing his own administrative burden. But it's not enough to make him seek out a traditional primary care doctor.

"Where can you go for unlimited treatment for 50 bucks a month?" he said.
Police arrested a man Saturday night accused of raping an incapacitated woman in her bed at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital.

37-year-old Keith Nembhard of the Bronx is being charged with second-degree rape, police said Monday.

He was allegedly caught red-handed by a nurse who was checking on the 32-year-old victim Friday around 5:55 p.m.

Police said the victim has been incapacitated from complications from a stroke, and, because of her condition, there was no way for her to consent or defend herself.

Nembhard is an acquaintance of the victim, according to officials.



Investigators said he was arrested at the hospital.



Police are investigating.
My Pilgrimage, Chapter Twenty-Seven: The New World Order Confederacys World War III By Michael Moriarty

Not since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt tried to stay out of World War II, has America faced the present situation with an enemy as threatening as the Axis of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. World Communism, all of it, wants to destroy The Trump Presidency because the Far Left, including Americas treasonous members of both the Democrat and Republican Parties, truly believe that President Donald Trump is the worst thing to ever happen, not only to the United States but to the entire human race. Why? Donald Trump is an American Constitutionalist! A Nationalist! A Patriot! An opponent of The New World Order!! All Patriots, of whatever national stripe, have, in the light of The Progressive New World Order, become not only Persona Non Grata amidst a majority of diplomats at the United Nations, but a major enemy of what must be labeled The Bush Familys American New World Order. The very notion of a New World Order defies not only the American Declaration of Independence but, most disastrously for the entire human race, the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. America is now,

And has been for too many years,

In the first phase

Of her Second Civil War! Why hasnt this national agony of a house divided been formally diagnosed for what it is? Americas Second Civil War! The New World Order Confederacy is ultimately as treasonous and tyrannical an idea as was the slave-holding South. Why? It, and its powerful co-conspirators in the United States, are fully prepared to use the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence for toilet paper. Why can one think a little puppet dictator of a Communist satellite, North Korea, has been urged, yea encouraged by its Big Brother Nations like Red China to provoke what is now as inevitable as the Second World War was: World War III? Because the official Communist Party knows with profound certainty that the Democrat Party of America and the Bush, RINO half of the Republican Party, have fallen so far to The Left and The New World Order that this undeniably treasonous coalition is quite prepared to solve the obstacles standing in the way of their Progressive New World Order with a World War III. Yes. The point of no return has already been passed. How do I know that? North Korea and its villainy has been unleashed, not only by Red China but by the entire Democrat Party of America and the Bush half of the Republican Party. That Second Axis for a New World Order, following Hitlers version  for the Fuhrer was clearly determined to build his own concept of a New World Order  is so deeply and powerfully embedded in the United States Government, or The Swamp, as President Trump describes it, that The Communist Party feels more than confident enough to start World War III. Kim Jong-un

Of

North Korea

Has been given

By the New World Order Axis

Complete permission

To,

As they say,

Press the envelope

Until the entire world

Explodes into the Hell

Of

A World War III The Communist Battle Plan has already been formulated. It would include, by necessity, the very obstructionism that has been going on during the Pro-American, increasingly Patriotic Trump Presidency. The situation is beyond grim. However, Kim Jong-un is a pawn! As obvious a pawn of Evil as Lee Harvey Oswald was. It is possible that some corner of the United Nations is working on a very definite solution. With Red China consenting to the United Nations condemnation of North Koreas behavior, perhaps, with Red Chinas invaluable, yea, sine qua non assistance, the problem could be solved rather swiftly. Half of America, therefore, the Democrat and Bush/RINO half, have already empowered the United Nations to not only create Trump/Americas greatest problems but by now the U.N. has become the only governing body on earth able to quietly solve the very problems that the same, New World Order United Nations has deliberately created. Thank God

For Donald Trump

And the United States of America! America and the President of the United States must put the United Nations to work.

The legacy of Pol Pot...and Kim Jong-un What they will decide to do remains uncertain. The alternatives, short of world war, arent many. We have, in Kim Jong-un, a new Pol Pot! It was one of the worlds greatest intellectuals, Karl Marx, that dreamt of his malignant tyranny for saving the human race from individual freedom. It was eventually called Communism. Now its being called The Progressive New World Order. The Progressive Geniuses of the World, once American individual freedom is out of the way, plan for their worldwide empire to be run by The United Nations! Its an exclusive time for the United Nations  and nothing else  to solve the problem of North Koreas Kim Jong Un. World War III cannot help but be a Universal Holocaust! Before the United Nations can replace the United States as peacekeeper of the world, it must prove its ability to, in this dreadful situation, make the right decision. Im rather doubtful if The United Nations is capable of that. I doubt if the United Nations even wants to stop Kim Jong-un. Thank God for the United States and Donald Trump. Michael Moriarty is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor who starred in the landmark television series Law and Order from 1990 to 1994. His recent film and TV credits include The Yellow Wallpaper, 12 Hours to Live, Santa Baby and Deadly Skies. Contact Michael at rainbowfamily2008@yahoo.com. He can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/@MGMoriarty. Home
WASHINGTON  A plan President Donald Trump is expected to announce Tuesday for young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children was embraced by some top Republicans on Monday and denounced by others as the beginning of a "civil war" within the party.

The response was an immediate illustration of the potential battles ahead if Trump follows through with a plan that would hand a political hot potato to Republicans on the Hill who have a long history of dropping it.

Two people familiar with his decision making said Sunday that Trump was preparing to announce an end to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, but with a six-month delay intended to give Congress time to pass legislation that would address the status of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants covered by the program.

The move comes after a long and notably public deliberation. Despite campaigning as an immigration hard-liner, Trump has said he is sympathetic to the plight of the immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children and in some cases have no memories of the countries they were born in.

But such an approach  essentially kicking the can down the road and letting Congress deal with it is fraught with uncertainty and political perils that amount, according to one vocal opponent, to "Republican suicide."

Still other Republicans say they are ready to take on a topic that has proven a non-starter and career-breaker for decades.

"If President Trump makes this decision we will work to find a legislative solution to their dilemma," said Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham.

Officials caution Trump's plan, set to be unveiled Tuesday, is not yet finalized, and the president, who has been grappling with the issue for months, has been known to change his mind at the last minute ahead of an announcement.

It also remains unclear exactly how a six-month delay would work in practice, including whether the government would continue to process applications under the program, which has given nearly 800,000 young immigrants a reprieve from deportation and the ability to work legally in the country in the form of two-year, renewable permits.

House Speaker Paul Ryan and a handful of other Republicans urged Trump last week to hold off on scrapping DACA to give lawmakers time to come up with a legislative fix.

But Congress has repeatedly tried  and failed  to come together on immigration overhaul legislation, and it remains uncertain whether the House would succeed in passing anything on the divisive topic.

The House under Democratic control passed a Dream Act in 2010, but it died in the Senate. Since Republicans retook control of the House in late 2010, it has taken an increasingly hard line on immigration. House Republicans refused to act on the Senate's comprehensive immigration bill in 2013. Two years later, a GOP border security bill languished because of objections from conservatives.

Many House Republicans represent highly conservative districts, and if the president goes through with the six-month delay  creating a March deadline  the pressure is likely to be amplified as primary races intensify head of the 2018 midterm elections.

One cautionary tale: the primary upset of former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor to a conservative challenger in 2014 in a campaign that cast him as soft on illegal immigration. That loss convinced many House Republicans that pro-immigrant stances could cost them politically.

The Obama administration created the DACA program in 2012 as a stopgap as they pushed unsuccessfully for a broader immigration overhaul in Congress. Many Republicans say they opposed the program on the grounds that it was executive overreach.

Legislation to legalize the so-called Dreamers has been lingering in Congress for years, with a handful of bills currently pending in the House and Senate.

The one that has received the most attention, introduced by Sens. Graham, R-S.C., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., would grant permanent legal status to more than 1 million young people who arrived in the United States before they turned 18, passed security checks and met other criteria, including enrolling in college, joining the military or finding jobs.

It's unclear, however, whether the president would throw his support behind that or any other existing legislation. He could encourage the writing of a new bill  tied, perhaps, to funding for his promised border wall or other concessions like a reduction in legal immigration levels. But it's unclear how much political capital the president would want to put on the line given his base's strong opposition to illegal immigration, his campaign rhetoric blasting DACA as illegal "amnesty" and his reluctance to campaign hard for other priorities, like health care overhaul.

Graham said in a statement Monday that he would support the president if he decided ultimately to go through with the plan as outlined.

"I have always believed DACA was a presidential overreach. However, I equally understand the plight of the Dream Act kids who -- for all practical purposes -- know no country other than America," Graham said in a statement.

Sen. James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, agreed, saying that it should be up to Congress, not the White House, to set immigration policy.

"We must confront the nation's out-of-date immigration policy and finally resolve the issues of strong border enforcement and merit immigration," he said. "It is right for there to be consequences for those who intentionally entered this country illegally. However, we as Americans do not hold children legally accountable for the actions of their parents."

But Rep. Steve King, an Iowa Republican who believes that DACA is unconstitutional, warned that pushing the decision to Congress would be a big mistake.

"That would cause a great big civil war among the Republicans," he said last week. "We've got enough of never-Trumpers in Congress that are undermining the president's agenda."

"Ending DACA now gives chance 2 restore Rule of Law. Delaying so R Leadership can push Amnesty is Republican suicide," he added on Twitter late Sunday night.
Frustrated would-be customers have complained they dont want to come to downtown Auburn because they cant find anywhere to park.

Mayor Bill Ham has heard this sentiment, which he said is being voiced this year more than ever. Therefore, decisions had to be made to ease frustrations as the city works to pursue and implement other parking-related developments, none of which are cheap.

The city council in August approved amendments that eliminated free parking when classes are not in session at Auburn University, as well as modified metered-parking timeframes and costs. The amendments will go into effect Jan. 10.

Among the changes

The changes include a maximum of two hours parking, charging $1 for the first hour and $2 for the second for on-street parking. Parking at surface lots was increased to $1 per hour, and parking meters will be enforced 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, rather than the current 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

These changes, Ham explained, represent the citys effort to try to make as many people happy as possible, ranging from customers who spend money downtown and generate tax revenue, to downtown merchants whose livelihoods are invested in their businesses, to visitors seeking to shop downtown.

Ultimately, we want all those entities to be happy and have a great experience in our downtown, Ham said. But putting all those things together and, making all those people happy, is a little more difficult than people might imagine.

Citizen surveys from 2015-17 reflect that traffic flow and congestion is the No. 1 priority that Auburn residents want addressed.

The city conducted two parking studies in the 2000s, both of which informed the city that it needed more parking and charged too little for it, said City Manager Jim Buston. The studies also identified locations where parking would be ideal and that multiple, small parking decks would be favored over a single large one.

Looking to add spaces

The city has focused on means for adding approximately 600 additional parking spaces  roughly doubling the amount that is available, Buston said. One strategy was the one-year implementation of valet parking services, which provides room for about 100 vehicles in the municipal parking deck.

Additionally, the proposed new parking deck at the Auburn Baptist Student Center on North College Street is estimated to provide 300 spaces, Buston said. The city plans to purchase the property for approximately $2.3 million.

However, this prospect is still contingent on a final approval vote by the Alabama Baptist Convention in November and, if current negotiations are approved, the Baptist Student Union will inhabit an area of about 6,800 square feet of the ground floor.

The citys current development of a parking lot at the former Carolyn Apartments property on Glenn Avenue is expected to provide about 100 free spaces with no time limit.

A potential lot on the Auburn Bank-owned property near Burton Street and Magnolia Avenue will offer about 100 spaces as well, particularly for downtown merchant employees, if current negotiations with the bank for leasing the land are successful.

Now we dont know if thats sufficient for all the people who work downtown or not, Buston said. But at least we know its going to get a hundred off of the prime parking and allow that available parking for the rest of the customers.

Looking ahead to 2019

Excluding valet parking, which the council must decide whether to renew services in August 2018, the other plans could be developed and made available to the public by early 2019, Buston said.

Regarding costs for these projects, approximately $10 million is estimated for the new deck at the Baptist Student Center property, Buston said. Development of the former Carolyn Apartments property is estimated to cost $800,000, which includes streetscape enhancements and sidewalk widening to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

This is going to be more long-term, so its a much more expensive procedure, Buston said of developments at the former apartment property.

Constructing a lot on property owned by Auburn Bank is expected to cost about $200,000-250,000, Buston added, and the city is paying $91,193 for a years worth of valet parking services through P & P Parking Solutions, LLC.

Payment for these projects will come from a combination of existing capital in the citys general fund and the citys capacity to borrow for capital projects, according to Buston. In particular, $10 million for the prospective parking deck will be financed through a bond, he explained, adding that the city has a good bond rating.

Right now, were in a good position because a lot of the previous borrowings that we have done are starting to be paid off, Buston said. And so as they get paid off, that gives us more capacity to borrow more.

Dollar an hour 'is reasonable

City officials are aware that this is a lot of money to spend for additional parking, Buston said, which is why recommendations were made to increase parking costs.

Because we want to recoup some of it, Buston explained. We know were not going to recoup all of it, but at least were going to recoup some of that. And the other part of the parking plan, in order to make all of this work, is increased enforcement. We have been very lax in enforcement, but in order to make this work, were going to have to increase enforcement.

Those who fail to abide by allotted meter times will face fines, Buston added.

Cost for parking has been 25 cents since ne can remember, Buston said, particularly since he first came to the city in 1980 as a graduate student at the university.

Its not unreasonable to pay a dollar an hour, he said. Youll find that, in many cities, you pay more than a dollar an hour. But a dollar an hour is reasonable.
After the eviction of artisanal miners in Mubende district about three weeks ago, the leaders of the area have estimated a loss of about Shs 500m, which they would receive as taxes from various business owners in the mining camps.

According to the districts natural resource officer, Vincent Kinene, each of the eight camps had more than 50 shops, with each shop owner paying Shs 30,000 in the form of monthly fees. This amount would total Shs 200m collected annually from shops alone.

However, with the eviction of thousands who occupied the mines, Kinene said the local government will no longer get this money.

That is why the district administration has been sympathetic he said in reference to the shops that have been closed.

Kinene added: We had like eight mining camps, and we have been getting like Shs 30,000 a month from each enterprise in the camp.

Demolished structures in Mubende formerly used by the artisanal miners

Some camps are thought to have had more than 200 enterprises where fees could be levied per month, making him estimate a loss of over Shs 500m.

The money that comes in to the district [in royalties from the bigger mining companies ] has been less than Shs 20 million a year. Thats why the local authorities asked: what do we get from Kisita mining company? What do we get from AUC [Minitng Ltd]? Kinene added.

However, when we contacted AUC boss, Moses Masagazi, he refuted the claim that the company was not paying its fair share of fees. He instead blamed the districts political leaders and other senior government officers, whom he refused to mention, of failing his business.

There are tremendous costs to AUC and its investors in terms of the investment, lost time and market opportunities, Masagazis letter to The Observer partly reads.

He added: Apart from the investment in the area, to-date, the company, under the severely encumbered activities, continues to pay the license fees to Uganda Revenue Authority. This year (2017) alone, the company has paid over Shs 100m in form of license-related fees.

In Mubende, there are three companies with mining leases. One for Building Majesty Company Ltd, which deals in dimension stones mining, the other is for Bakisita Company Ltd and AUC Mining Ltd, both of which deal in gold mining.

The district vice chairman, Zziwa Birungi Amooti, said government did not engage the districts authorities in the exercise of evicting artisanal miners.

We didnt even get the eviction notice Mubende hasnt benefited from this mining activity because we dont even have enough information about the owners of the licences, Birungi said.



GEMSTONE INTERNATIONAL OR AUC?

According to Kinene, his office has had a torrid time in distinguishing between AUC and Gemstone International Limited. He said his records show that AUC has a mining lease of 5.8 square kilometres.

He also found out that Gemstone International, whose exploration licence expired in 2016, has a close relationship with one AUC director. Its due to this reason that AUC, which has a mining lease that was granted in January 1994 and ending on January 2, 2020, has been trying to move out of its mining lease and extend to the area covered by Gemstones exploration licence.

Some of the desperate former gold miners

Asked how much they could have lost as a result of AUC not paying royalties, Kinene was unable to estimate.

Nothing like their figures has ever been presented to us, he said.

They dont even do environmental impact audit from that time [1994]; they dont even allow inspectors. But from what we see in their mine, there is no serious activity taking place, and yet very many people were evicted from that place before it became a mining lease and were not adequately compensated, he observed.

Kinene explained that they dont even include Gemstone International on their list of companies in Mubende because its is temporary and just exploring.

Kinene disclosed that according to his documents, before Gemstone got the exploration licence, they were part of AUC.



CHALLENGES

Kinene said if they had received the money from these mining firms, they would have used it to solve infrastructural challenges like working on roads that are in a sorry state, hospitals and schools.

As the department of natural resources, we dont have a vehicle to move around those places. If we were getting that money, we would be able to buy machines like X-ray fluorescence machine to test for mercury on site and such pollutants, he added.

Kinene said as Mubende district, they have been getting a very small percentage of the royalties, money that would normally range between Shs 4m and Shs 5m.



WAY FORWARD

Kinene said to end the standoff in Mubende, Gemstone owners should tell the authorities the exact part where they have found gold, where they want to mine and then give up the other places to artisanal miners.

In those other places, we can grant artisanal miners location licences and have the local people do their work. The problem with Gemstone International is that they are greedy. They want to take over the 207 square kilometres yet they cant, Kinene said.

He added that as a district, they benefited a lot when thousands were in the mines because, people were employed, people were eating, people were spending money, and they were making the local economy of Mubende very vibrant.

Like Kinene, Birungi asked government to quickly intervene in the deplorable state of the evicted miners are going through, adding that the crime rate is going to increase in the district because many youths are still loitering in the area with no jobs.



tusiime.chris20@gmail.com
For the past three years, several Muslims have been arrested on charges including murder and terrorism.

The story of these arrests is not only filled with pain and suffering, but also incredible fabrication, deceit and dishonesty. That Muslims have disagreed and conflicted with each other for years is without question, but being accused of acquiring guns and killing each other, with the sophistication that was exhibited throughout the murders is not only mindboggling, but also bears no historical scrutiny.

Before even the courts pronounced themselves on the matter, it was common knowledge that Muslims did not have the means or the requisite ability to kill anyone.

During the sentencing on August 22, the tears that flowed thoroughly exposed the pain family and friends of the accused have borne all this while.

Women have been denied their husbands for years. Families have been traumatized by the absence of the breadwinner, exposing them not just to starvation, but also emotional stress and social stigma.

Businesses have been shattered, and the children of the accused have dropped out of school. Sadly, after being detained for years, and later found innocent, they returned home without compensation.

It is evident that the judgement and sentences were purely political. The judges did not speak their minds as learned fellows who thrive on evidence and eloquence, but they rather uttered the interests of a superior political power: President Yoweri Museveni.

The learned judges convicted our brothers of verbal terrorism, which is an entirely new phenomenon. Shockingly, there was absolutely no evidence for this charge to stand.

There was not a single voice, audio or video recording presented in court. Where is beyond reasonable doubt as evidence for this sentence to stand? Ironically, the number one manifestation of terrorism is murder, for which the suspects were acquitted.

Clearly, these judgements and sentences were vicious, malicious, hateful and clearly sought to portray Islam as a problem in Uganda.



HIDDEN BUT VISIBLE HAND

It is not by coincidence that all convicts and the deceased had participated in rebel activities against the government of President Museveni but had come out and received amnesty.

It is on official record that the following sheikhs received amnesty: Abdul Karim Ssentamu, Abdul Hakim Ssekimpi, Mustafa Bahiga, Ibrahim Hassan Kirya, Major Muhammad Kiggundu.

All the above have been killed. Muhammad Yunus Kamoga, Sirajje Kawooya, Murtadha Bukenya, Abdul salaam Ssekayanja were convicted and sentenced. One other amnesty recipient, Yahya Ramadhan Mwanje, is still battling charges of murder.

The exceptions to the amnesty recipients but sentenced are also punished for political reasons. Yusuf Kakande is being punished for refusing to take Shs 200m as remuneration (actually a bribe) from the IGP General Kale Kayihura to pin Kamoga.

Fahad Kalungi is being punished for being a leader of security at Nakasero mosqueone that has come to be portrayed, with no evidence whatsoever, as the terrorist hot spot!

By this turn of events, it becomes clear that all claims of amnesty were disingenuous, dishonest and fake. The government of President Museveni never actually forgave the amnesty recipients.

Amnesty was a lie; a trap to return them to Kampala streets and only have them murdered there. At the risk of appearing to condone their rebel activities, this actually spells danger to future rebel movements who might be promised amnesty.

They would have learned from former rebels cum amnesty recipients, that amnesty is actually suicide.



THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

Students of violence have noted that violence begets more violence. Either in defense or as normal cultured behavior, violence becomes the language of social and political negotiations.

This came to full life with the murder of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Afande Felix Kaweesi, who was murdered in a manner not different from the ways in which Muslim sheikhs were slaughtered on Kampala streets.

These cases have only increased by the day, playing out however with less prominent Ugandans. Close to 20 women have been raped and later murdered in Entebbe and Nansana.

Although these murders have taken a different form, they speak to a normalization of violence in our community, which is sadly happening in the capital of the country.

Sadly, our judicial system has been largely compromised. Torture of suspects, which started with Muslims in 1996 in safe houses and later Nalufenya police station continues unchallenged.

This blatant abuse of their human rights and freedoms should be a pain on the collective conscience of Ugandans. The cruelty of the torture inflicted on these poor Ugandans becomes visible in the injuries suffered by victims.

In addition to gaping sores, and broken skins all over their bodies, many lost their sexual prowess to beatings inflicted on their genitalia.

This torture is exacerbated by detaining suspects incommunicado. They cannot see their families and friends; neither can they access their lawyers.

Sadly, because this inhumanity hitherto targeted a Muslim minority, not even our legislators have come out to condemn it and would only overdo themselves after the NRM mayor of Kamwenge, Godfrey Byamukama, had fallen victim to torture.

There was a bit of concern when Justice Joan Kagezi was murdered, and the country would be struck by amnesia when the AIGP Kaweesi had been assassinated.

The so-called human rights NGOs at both local and international level such as Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHI), Uganda Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Network Uganda (HURINET), Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, are inexplicably silent (even after our directorate has entreated them numerous times).

Could this be by coincidence?

Very unlikely. The point I am trying to make here is that abuse of the law or violence towards any community ought to be condemned by all Ugandans because silence by the majority normalizes it.

Violence breeds more violence, and often at the point of escalation, it is indiscriminative.



The author is the spokesperson of Nakasero Masjid in Kampala.
When the final result was announced at about 11:40pm on the night of August 31, the ruling NRMs Richard Kyabaggu, who swept only two of Kalungu districts seven sub-counties, had won the hotly contested by-election for the LC-V chairman, by only 891 votes.

There was lots of drama and tension among DP and NRM supporters, moments before Kalungu district returning officer Leticia Nantabo officially announced Kyabaggu the victor.

Both camps declared their candidates winners before the official EC announcement and broke out in victory celebrations.

The DP tally centre was the first to declare Emmanuel Musoke as winner and, amid celebrations, camped outside the Electoral Commissions (EC) tally centre at Kalungu district headquarters.

President Museveni with Richard Kyabaggu

Within less than an hour, jubilant NRM supporters also arrived claiming victory. Police struggled to restrain the two groups until a night downpour forced majority of them back home.

Musoke, the DP candidate, won in five of the seven sub-counties, which make up Kalungu but the official tally compiled by NRM deputy Electoral Commission chief John Arimpa Kigyagi showed that the victorious ruling party candidate Kyabaggu won in only two sub-counties of Kyamuliibwa and Lwabenge.

ECs final declaration settled the confusion. Kyabaggu garnered 19,742 votes beating Musoke by only 891 votes.

Musoke polled 18,851 votes while independents; Matthias Kintu Musoke and David Luyombo Busagwa got 697 and 272 votes respectively.

This was a hard-fought victory for the NRM that ran a disjointed campaign. Many NRM officials did not expect victory.

The ruling partys fortunes changed in less than three days to election day, The Observer can reveal. Before President Museveni joined the campaign on August 29, the last day of the campaigns, the NRM secretariat dispatched a team of party cadres led by Mathias Kasamba, one of Ugandas recently elected representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), to try and reconcile the two warring NRM factions in the district.

Kasamba leaned on his friendship with former MPs Umar Lule Mawiya (Kalungu East) and Anthony Yiga (Kalungu West) to get them to convince their charges to support Kyabaggu.

It is understood that Mawiya was later given a special package to coordinate his troops in the district. Some of his campaigners, however, insisted on meeting Museveni. About 150 pro-Mawiya NRM leaders were selected, along with another 50 allied to Agriculture minister Vincent Ssempijja, to meet Museveni on August 29 when he joined the campaign trail.

The scheduled meeting was later called off after reports emerged that the groups planned to embarrass each other in front of the president.

Presidential aide Brig Proscovia Nalweyiso was later assigned to meet the Mawiya group and a compromise was reached.

According to sources at the NRM secretariat, this group was given some decent facilitation to abandon its opposition, but Mawiya roundly denies that money changed hands.

They went for the meeting not expecting anything and indeed they didnt get any money from there. All they wanted was to have their grievances heard and that was all, Mawiya said.

At the rallies that Museveni addressed, he spoke against the alleged discrimination of Mawiya supporters in the distribution of government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).

Museveni also promised the Mawiya faction a few perks, which seemed to have persuaded them to abandon their opposition.

Besides convincing the hitherto defiant NRM group, Museveni also addressed some of the flaws blamed on Ssempijja.

For instance, he launched a power line for Lwabenge sub-county and Lukaya town council. The second project is for the extension of piped water from Kyamuliibwa to neighbouring villages.

NRM NETWORKS

Besides Musevenis efforts, NRM also formed various networks to revive NRMs hopes of winning. The commanding officer of the Masaka-based Armoured Brigade, Brig Joseph Ssemwanga, according to NRM insiders, coordinated one of the groups.

This could explain the presence of soldiers that terrorised locals on the eve of election day. The Observer last Friday reported that EC commissioner Stephen Tashobya faced off with a group of soldiers that had rounded up residents of Bulingo landing site on August 31.

The soldiers were active throughout election day and the DP camp accused them of voter intimidation. Voter turnout was generally low, which according to Masaka municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga, worked against the DP camp.

Indeed the NRM camp, realising that not so many people were enthusiastic about the election, dispatched cars to pick eligible voters from their homes to polling stations.

This was mainly done in NRM strongholds of Lwabenge and Kyamuliibwa, the only two sub-counties that Kyabaggu won.

There were some lapses in our troops, Mpuuga said. The people we deployed in Lwabenge and Kyamuliibwa got excited about the results that were coming from elsewhere and forgot the role they had to play in those areas.



sadabkk@observer.ug
Jose Graziano da Silva

The global head of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jose Graziano da Silva, has called for more funding for a sustainable response to the refugee crisis in Uganda.

He also pledged more support to government in line with its refugee policy, which offers land for settlement and cultivation to asylum seekers.

This is my third visit to Uganda. I came back to see the friendship-refugee model of Uganda. I am pleased with the good relationship between refugees and local communities. Its difficult for you to make a distinction between the homes of refugees and those of communities, he said.

Graziano made the remarks at the ministry of agriculture offices in Entebbe, as he concluded his visit to Uganda. He revealed that at a meeting with agriculture minister Vincent Ssempijja and his deputy Joy Kabatsi (State for animal husbandry); they agreed to focus on ensuring food sustainability rather than relying on food aid.

Now that we have over a million refugees in Uganda, its important that funds be mobilized to support government of Uganda efforts to enable refugees grow their own food, he said.

Explaining the major reason for the change in policy, Graziano said FAO and its people are facing numerous logistical challenges associated to importing food. For instance, he said, it took about a year to bring a consignment of food donated by China to refugees in Uganda.

We agreed last year with China to deliver rice but it is reaching the refugees [in Uganda] now, one year after. Its not a simple thing. If we can be able to grow food locally, this would be very helpful, he said.

According to the United Nations high Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Uganda is a home to one million from South Sudan alone. Uganda also hosts other refugees from neighboring countries like Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Minister Ssempija pledged, on behalf of government, to continue providing infrastructure, safe water and other needs to both refugees and the refugee hosting communities to avoid likely conflicts over resources.

Now that we have this [refugee] problem, government will continue providing seeds for planting, infrastructure, safe water and other needs to local communities because if communities face scarcity, locals will lose patience [and] the goodwill could be lost as they may think that refugees are the cause of the problems, he said.

Graziano also wants the two parties to think about long-term solutions to the refugee problem.

He said, We now need to look for sustainability of this refugee crisis in a long run; where will these people be. The children will grow here [in Uganda]; some of them will stay forever. We have so many people born in Uganda so we need to look for their future.



MUTUAL AGREEMENT

At the end of the meeting between the FAO chief and the ministers, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Ssempijja represented government and while Graziano signed on behalf FAO.

According to Ssempijja, the MOU is to ensure that FAO and government of Uganda, through the ministry of agriculture, implement all the plans in the FAO agenda, which includes climate change mitigation, food security, and improved technology to be used by farmers.

Ssempijja said that in the MOU, youth and women are also required to embrace new agriculture methods like irrigation for better yields during drought and go through all the value addition chain processes to increase productivity and create more employment opportunities.

The documents, seen by The Observer, indicate that the purpose of the MOU is to strengthen the strategic partnership between FAO and Uganda in support of the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including technical cooperation programmes and government cooperation programmes.



namuloki16@gmail.com
As civil society and government lay out plans to have an inclusive national dialogue before October next year, religious leaders have been asked to embrace, promote and participate in the process to ensure it is a success.

During the Ankole region national dialogue consultation meeting held Wednesday at Oxford Inn hotel in Mbarara, more than 100 leaders from all religious denominations were told to be at the forefront of the process, pointing out its relevance and highlighting issues affecting people that need to be addressed.

The idea of a dialogue was conceived by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), together with the Elders Forum of Uganda, as a way to get a national consensus on political, economy and general governance through discussions with grassroots communities.

We want them to understand this [national dialogue] because they are the conveners, they are the flag bearers. The expectation is that we make them understand it so that they can talk about it, not only in churches but at whatever platform they get, at a burial, at a wedding, they have to tell people that this thing is important, Godber Tumushabe told The Observer.

Some of the participants at the dialogue

Tumushabe, an associate director at the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Planning, a local think tank, is one of the brains behind the national dialogue scope. Others are Inter -Religious Council secretary general Joshua Kitakule and Morrison Rwakakamba, the chief administrative officer of Agency for Transformation.

Other organisations among the organisers are the Women Situation Room, Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (Ccedu), National Consultative Forum and the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).

President Museveni assigned the prime minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, to represent government through the dialogue process.

Many people normally bring examples like Rwanda; how it has developed, but what has Rwanda done that we cant do? Kitakule said. All we need is to come together and find solutions for our problems as a country.



RELIGIOUS LEADERS SILENT

Ugandans on different platforms have attributed the religious leaders silence against injustices happening in the country on fear and being compromised by government. Similar sentiments filtered through during the Mbarara meeting.

Sometimes it is fear. As soon as these religious leaders come out of that fear, which is actually imaginary sometimes, this whole process will go on smoothly, Tumushabe said.

The Ankole diocese bishop, Rev Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, agreed that indeed religious leaders have erred sometimes in terms of fighting for good governance because we are not angels. However, he added, most of the work they do now is behind the scenes.

Who says that we dont talk? We do talk even more than the people you see making noise. We dont need to go to the newspapers or radio stations to talk. I have personally invited local government leaders to my office and we have talked seriously, Mwesigwa said.

During the Mbarara meeting, a Muslim leader expressed worry over the increasing mistrust that the public is having towards the religious leaders and how they would easily sell the dialogue to the people.

Tumushabe said that of all the institutions in the country, it was only the IRCU that was deemed credible enough to rally the population for the dialogue without mistrust. He added that the dialogue process now provides religious leaders with an opportunity to redeem themselves and take the lead role.

It is not about citizens trusting religious leaders, Tumushabe told the gathering.

Ugandans have lost trust in all institutions, the government and even we civil society are no longer trusted. What the citizens want to see is you [religious leaders] providing the right leadership to them.



kamogajonathan50@gmail.com
Katabi, a new town council, had found over the years, peace, prosperity and happiness, but that is threatened by the string of gruesome murders of its women and girls.

Katabi town council shares a border with Entebbe Municipality to the South and Kawuku Township on the Kampala-Entebbe road Official police figures show that at least 19 women and girls have been murdered randomly in Entebbe, Katabi and Nansana municipality over the last three months.

The latest murder occurred on August 27 in Katabi Town Council. The naked body of Jalia Nalule was found dumped in Kayirira forest reserve in Nkumba Central, Katabi town council.

Katabi was formerly a sub-county under Wakiso District, but due to its rapid development in recent years, thanks to its strategic location between Kampala and Entebbe, it was elevated to a town council.

Crucially, Katabi provides the buffer zone to Entebbe, the countrys only international airport and many government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the regional United Nations base and hotels.

Residents at the scene where one of the bodies was dumped

Katabi is a garrison town; it accommodates a barracks of the elite presidential guard, the Special Forces Command (SFC). Many of the soldiers also have homes and families in the town.

Katabi is also a university town; it has two fully fledged universities, Nkumba and Kisubi. The student population is huge and increasing. In addition, the town is home to St. Marys College Kisubi and a string of other above average nursery, primary, secondary and vocational schools. The headquarters of SOS childrens home is also based in the area.

Katabi town is also strong on the religious front with a very strong presence of Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal and Muslim faiths. The famed Catholic Brothers of Christian Instruction have their sprawling mission in the area, as well as the Cabana Gogonya Sisters.

Culturally, Katabi is home to powerful privileged Baganda families, including the family of the Queen of Buganda, Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, and former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, who owns the sprawling Katomi Kingdom Hotel in Garuga on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Much, if not all of the land in Katabi is mailo. Katabi has also attracted many people from outside Buganda. Some of the big name residents include; Gen Salim Saleh, President Yoweri Musevenis younger brother, Prisons Chief Dr Johnson Byabashaija, Police Spokesman AIGP Asan Kasingye, Businessman James Musinguzi Garuga and former Electoral Commissioner Tom Buruku, to mention but a few.

Blessed with beautiful climate and located on a peninsula, Katabi is home to picturesque beaches, rainforests, swamps and other greenery, making it the ideal location for many people.

Swathes of the town, especially in Garuga, Kisubi and Kawuku areas, are forested and swampy. The famous Zika Forest is also located in the area.

Reluctantly, Katabi Town Council, which includes places like Abayita Ababiri, Nkumba, Kitala, Kisubi, Ssiisa, Nakawuka, Kasenyi, Garuga, Lutembe, Kabale and Bunono, among others, has transformed into largely a middle and working class residential area, with plush gated homes and estates.

Norbert Muswa, a graduate of Nkumba College of Commerce, now Nkumba University, describes the residents of Katabi as warm, mild and friendly people who rarely quarrel.

Katabis peace and comfort however, has been rudely disrupted by the murders of women. Simon Kaggwa-Njala, a journalist and local politician, said the murders have jostled the residents to the very core. He said there are so many unanswered questions now that police is struggling to contain the killings.

People, according to Kaggwa-Njala, want to know the motive of the killers and how the situation can be contained. Andrew Billy Sebambulidde, an opinion leader in Kabale B Zone, wonders how the murders can persist in an area populated by members of an elite military force.

Although some police officials have since pinned down the murders to ritualistic reasons, Sebambulidde disputes that. He said the killings look to be stage-managed to send particular signals.

Sources point at the rapidly changing lifestyle particularly the 24/7 social spaces, beach life and big money; especially by the UN personnel, government and businesses as contributing factors.

Compensation for land and property to pave way for the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway has also poured lots of money into town. The town has other economic activities including a big weekly market at Abayita-Ababiri, trading, fishing and leisure.

There are at least 12 leisure places that operate literally 24/7. They include; clubs, bars and pork joints, all within the places where 11 murders have taken place.

These spaces get busier at night, populated by mainly young people, most of who have average, low or no formal education. Popular hangouts include; Windy, Travellers, Mango Tree, Sebutinde Pork Joint, Kaynela, Palz nightclub and Jazz Bridge.

In addition, there are numerous other social places. At night, townships like Abayita Ababiri, Kitala, Nkumba and Kawuku transform into bustling areas till the wee hours.

A young woman, only identified as Sarah, said in an interview that her only dream is to hook up a rich man with a Jeep.

The market for especially UN staffers and white men is especially high among many of the female revelers. Late in the night boda-bodas can be heard crisscrossing the area dropping revelers. Before the murders, that wasnt much of a problem considering that the area has very low crime rate, usually petty thefts.

Many residents who own cars park them in the open and you never hear of any cases of vandalism of the vehicles. A politician, who talked on condition of anonymity, said Katabi has now transformed into a melting pot of many ethnicities disrupting its traditional Bugandaness.

He said that while in the past landlords owned huge chunks of land, all that land has been sub-divided into plots and sold out to foreigners. He said the mailo land tenure system is attracting many people to Katabi, sending the price of land skyrocketing.

On the murders, the politician argues that they have the hallmarks of inter-security agency fights.

He said the killings in Katabi, a base for SFC, and gateway to State House, are meant to send a message to the powers that be.

Although the murders have shaken the people, majority are going about their activities normally but with heightened senses. Parents and guardians keep reminding those under their care to exercise caution and vigilance.

Police Spokesperson AIGP Asan Kasingye says the police are unrelenting till they bring the culprits to book.
John Baptist Nambeshe

Manjiya county MP John Baptist Nambeshe, who belongs to the ruling NRM, has been summoned by the partys disciplinary committee to explain why he has joined the opposition campaign against the Constitution Amendment Bill 2017.

Opposition politicians are currently holding countrywide rallies explaining the dangers of a government plan to amend Article 26 of the Constitution.

Once amended, the central government or local governments will be free to acquire private land for infrastructure and investment projects without prior full compensation of owners.

In case of a dispute with a private landowner, the central government or local governments would still be able to take possession of the land after depositing in court its compensation award.

However, since its tabling in parliament in July, the bill has drawn wide criticism, with sections of the public and the opposition labeling it as a law intended to grab citizens land.

The opposition launched a countrywide campaign thereafter, claiming that the amendments were unconstitutional and a ploy to deprive citizens of their rights to own land.

On August 21, a number of opposition legislators, led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kiiza, camped in Mbale town and held campaigns against the amendments.

Other legislators who attended the rally included Jack Wamanga Wamai (Mbale municipality), Julius Ochen (Kapelebyong), Roland Mugume (Rukungiri municipality), Francis Gonahasa (Kibweri), Gershom Sizomu (Bungokho North), Medard Sseggona (Busiro East), as well Conservative Party (CP) president, John Ken Lukyamuzi.

Nambeshe joined the opposition rallies and in one speech said he will not allow his constituents to be bulldozed into surrendering their land.

According to sources within the NRM party, the legislators remarks and presence at the rally rubbed the party officials the wrong way.

Justine Lumumba, the NRM secretary general, is reported to have summoned the legislator to appear before the disciplinary committee.

The committee, chaired by Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, was scheduled to meet Nambeshe yesterday but the meeting was postponed until further notice.

Interviewed for a comment yesterday, Nambeshe confirmed he had been asked by Lumumba to appear before the committee.

I attended the rally as the vice chairperson of Bugisu parliamentary group to consult and sensitize my people on the dangers of the land amendments. I was asked to explain why I was there, Nambeshe revealed.

He, however, said he is ready to defend his stance before the disciplinary committee.

Would I really be an MP if I did not go and consult with my people on some of these pertinent issues? I am now being branded a black sheep but I am not threatened by the summons, the MP said.

Lumumba didnt pick nor return our repeated calls. However, some opposition legislators said the NRM is creating a mountain out of a mole hill. One opposition MP said their rallies are a parliamentary affair since they are led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament.

This is not the first time Nambeshe is being summoned before the disciplinary committee. In May last year, Nambeshe and other NRM MPs including Peter Panadol Mugema (Iganga Municipality) were summoned to appear before the committee for voting for Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central MP) and not the NRM choice; Jacob Oulanyah during the election of deputy speaker of the 10th parliament.

According to sources within the party, Al Hajji Kigongo convened a meeting with the party chairman, President Yoweri Museveni, during which the errant MPs were chastised for going against the party position.

Government has faced a torrid time from within the NRM party since it tabled the land amendment. During an NRM caucus meeting on August 16, President Museveni accused a number of legislators, and particularly singled out Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo South), for openly decampaigning the bill and accusing government of plotting to steal citizens land.

During the meeting, there was an exchange between the president and Ogong, who stood up to defend himself but was ordered to sit down.

An opinion poll conducted by The Observer found that majority of NRM MPs are against the land amendments and have vowed not to support them.

The NRM caucus set up a 10-man committee, chaired by Vice President Edward Ssekandi, to scrutinize the amendments and come up with a position within two weeks.

Attorney General William Byaruhanga told The Observer yesterday that the committee has met but said he was out of the country at the time.



eyotaru@gmail.com
In this third and last part of our series on Gulu remand home, ABALO IRENE OTTO brings you the story of a food crisis that has forced officials to threaten to expel districts that have failed to remit their quarterly contributions. She also explores the possibility of a government takeover that has stalled for over two years.



Gulu district chairman Martin Ojara Mapenduzi says they are nearing a breaking point if other districts do not meet their financial obligations towards the running of Gulu Remand Home.

At a recent visit to the facility, Mapenduzi said management of the remand home has been left on the shoulders of Gulu and well-wishers as government and other districts have kept a distance.

A juvenile inmate at Gulu Remand Home prepares porridge

If they cannot contribute and help us, we are going to stop these districts from sending their children here. They should also know that children are children. If we do not give them the reform they deserve, they will become more dangerous, said Mapenduzi.

Some of the children in this facility are for capital offences which explains how much we have to do to rehabilitate them but the conditions under which they are living tantamount to child abuse.

Gulu Remand Home accommodates juvenile offenders and suspects from Gulu and the neighboring districts of Nwoya, Amuru, Pader, Lamwo, Agago, Kitgum, Omoro and Oyam.

In June, Gulu district contributed 50 bags of rice to this facility from the 500 bags given by the prime ministers office in response to food crisis in the region. But this was just a drop in the ocean.

In the financial year 2016/2017, Gulu district contributed about Shs 6m to running the facility. According to Joseph Kilama, the in-charge of the remand home, this could only take them for less than two months since they need at least Shs 3.7m per month.



UNMET PROMISES

The remand home was eventually hit by a food crisis in March this year and inmates went without food for three days until neighbours and well-wishers rushed to provide the little they could.

Gulu district local government resolved in 2013 that every other district that sends juvenile offenders to this remand home should contribute Shs 500,000 quarterly towards its operation.

Douglas Peter Okello, the Omoro LC-V chairman, was Gulu district speaker then and he says the agreement was a gesture to save the remand home from collapsing. However, compliance has since been a problem.

Okello says his district is still new but they intend to incorporate this contribution in their budgeting process for accountability purposes.

Meanwhile, Patrick Okello Oryema, the Nwoya district chairperson, says his district has fulfilled its obligation and remitted the Shs 500,000 to Gulu.

We are meeting our obligation as a district. Amidst the meager resources we have as local government, we should spare some percentage to contribute for the rehabilitation of our children, said Oryema.



NO OBLIGATION

However, according to Amuru district LC-V chairman Michael Lakony, there has been no written agreement in relation to this contribution.

He told The Observer that since he became the district chairman in 2016, contribution for the remand home has never been a subject of discussion by the councilors, neither has it been tabled before him.

There is no formal agreement between Gulu and Amuru to contribute for the remand home. It is not reflected anywhere. I have never seen a signed agreement on this, he said.

Lakony added that it is the responsibility of government, through the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to budget for the remand home.

We need the government to budget for the remand home because if other remand homes in the country are being budgeted for, why not Gulu? he said.

In 2015, Gulu wrote to government requesting it to take full control of this facility that is the only correctional center for children that come into conflict with the law in the sub-region.

However, James Kaboggoza Ssembatya, the assistant commissioner for children affairs in the ministry of Gender, says the ministry has never received the letter.

However, records show that the letter dated June 5, 2015 was received by the permanent secretarys office on September 3, 2015. This same letter was handed over to Ssembatya during a recent visit to the facility and he claimed to be seeing it for the first time.

I have just been to the remand home today and discovered that Gulu district actually wrote a letter to hand over the facility to government. I didnt know they had written, he said.

The commissioner said it is not automatic that the remand home can get a budget once they have written to the ministry. He says they have to get a vote from public service for staffing and for the budget at the ministry before they can begin remitting funds.

It is good that they have written that they are willing to hand over the remand home. Now we have to start thinking of getting approval from the ministry of public service for staffing. Reasonably, they have the structures. They already have separated dormitories, they have staff houses and they have enough land, said Ssembatya.

He says the new proposal at the ministry is to have children with shorter sentences of six months and below to serve them from the regional remand homes rather than taking them to Kampiringisa, the national remand home.

We can only take some cases which require two to three years to go through some training at Kampiringisa, he said.

Most regional and district juvenile remand homes are under the jurisdiction of local governments, further stressing their meager resources.

According to the law, remand homes are supposed to operate with short-term programmes. But in ideal situations, capital child offenders should not take more than three months on remand while minor cases should not take more than 45 days on remand. This, however, has not been in practice at most remand homes. At Gulu remand home, some children have stayed for years.



MEDICAL DILEMMA

The ministry of Gender recently initiated a special court piloted in Naguru Remand Home in Kampala that hears juvenile cases expeditiously with the aim to decongest the remand homes and release reformed children back to the community.

Gulu Remand Home was not saved of disease either. About 80 per cent of the children were recently diagnosed with malaria while 20 per cent had hepatitis B.

Life Church from the United Kingdom came to the rescue with medication and the facility now conducts two clinics a week to improve the health of the children.

One such big champion is Shirley Crawford, a registered nurse with Uganda Medical Council. She has been working with children at the remand home and was part of the team that fundraised to build a medical facility and pay for medication for children here. She says nutrition is a fundamental issue for children at the remand home.

For children who have HIV, food is fundamental because you cant take medication on an empty stomach, Crawford told The Observer.

She says the priority for donors is to provide medication to the children. While Kilama, the in-charge, is happy about the medication provided by the donors, he says the facilitys biggest problem is food.

They eat. I am not saying that they are gluttons but they are boys. The girls are always four, five but you know when they dont eat well, they turn out to be a problem. Running a remand home requires a lot of funding. Many districts want their own remand homes but with this experience, I dont advise them to start unless they are ready for the challenges, Kilama said.

He intimated that between February and March this year, four boys fled the remand home due to hunger.

They fled through that open space. As you see, we have no serious fence here and we never got them. We followed them to their parents homes but they never reached home. We had to abandon the case because I have to use my vehicle and fuel to follow them, which is expensive, Kilama lamented.



irene.abalo@gmail.com
Youth groups allied to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) continue to publicly trumpet the importance of removing presidential age limits.

In Lira, Soroti, Mbale and Kabale, a youth group calling itself Kick Age Limitations Out of the Constitution (Kaloc), held processions last month. The youths carried placards, banners and T-shirts with inscriptions urging the deletion of age limits for leaders from Ugandas law books.

The processions and demonstrations, according to people close to the organisers, are part of a wider plan by NRM strategists, to prepare the country for a Constitutional amendment of Article 102 (b), which sets the lower and upper age limit for presidential contenders at 35 and 75 years of age respectively.

L-R: KALOC coordinators Ibrahim Kitatta, Anderson Burora, Samuel Odong and Kassim Kamugisha

To broaden the campaign beyond the 73-year-old President Yoweri Museveni, who will be ineligible to stand in 2021 after clocking 75 years, the campaigners have now drawn in Section 112 of the Local government Act, which sets the age limit for LC-V chairmanship contenders.

Statistics show that the under 35s [years old] and those above 75 are eight million and one million people respectively and are all voters.

Why would they be denied the opportunity to contest and add their expertise and energy to the governance of our country, Kassim Kamugisha told The Observer on August 30.

Kamugisha is also a member of Kaloc, which according to insiders, is the mastermind of the demonstrations calling for the constitutional amendment.

The group is comprised of leaders from both the NRM Youth League and the National Youth Council (NYC). It has no structured leadership but in coordinating its activities, Kamugisha, the Kabale NRM youth league chairman, works with Ibrahim Kitatta, the NYC secretary general and NRM youth League Vice chairman for Buganda.

Other members include Samuel Odong, the NYC and NRM youth league publicity secretary, and Robert Anderson Burora from Wakiso. The group formally launched its activities in the western district of Kabale.

Interviewed on Saturday, the deputy NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, said that much as the ruling party has not yet generated consensus on the matter, its supporters are free to carry on the campaign.

Members are free to market what they believe in, although as a party, we havent discussed it [age-limit] to get an official position but members are free to move around just like the groups opposed to it [the amendment] are [doing], Todwong said.



SHS 10 BILLION BUDGET

At the peak of their activities in Kabale on August 28, a procession of NRM supporters moved through the streets of Kabale wrapped in dry banana leaves, a symbol for a term extension for Museveni.

They also carried banners and placards calling for the removal of the presidential age limits.

The legal provisions limit the active participation of the young people in governance and we feel as a generation that we should leave a legacy for the young people to actively participate in the decision making process beyond just voting, Kitatta said.

Before going to Kabale, the group held meetings with senior party leaders as well as youth leaders in various parts of the country to plan for the campaign.

We are planning a series of engagements that include but are not limited to processions, public debates, a massive media campaign including calling into radio and TV talk shows in order to awaken the consciousness of the youth on this matter, Kitatta said.

NRM supporters march in Arua town over weekend in protest against age limit

To finance its activities, the group has drawn a Shs 10bn budget, which Kitatta says will be raised through voluntary contributions from well-wishers both within and outside the country.

The group appears well facilitated but none of its members was willing to talk about the source of funds they have so far used to organise their activities.

We are inviting well-wishers to contribute to our budget. This is not a Museveni project but a project for the young people that paves way for a transition, Odong said.

According to Kamugisha, Kaloc is currently establishing countrywide grassroots support structures for the campaign against the discriminatory laws which lead to ageism.

We want to set a precedent by opening the leadership of this country to the young people, which we think shall consolidate the achievements registered by the senior leaders of this country especially in the areas of peace, stability and general infrastructure, Kamugisha said.

PARLIAMENT EFFORTS

This newspaper has reported on several efforts by a group of MPs to popularise the proposal that had previously been disguised under a private members Constitutional Amendment Bill 2016 brought by Nakifuma MP Robert Kafeero Ssekitooleko.

With the debate gaining traction, more MPs who have since September last year been quietly mobilising fellow Parliamentarians to support the proposal, are speaking out publicly.

The latest to speak to The Observer about the project is former FDC deputy Treasurer Anita Among, the Bukedea Woman MP.

What is important is an amendment that cuts across; reduce the lower age from 35 to 18 years and also open up at the top, Among said.

Among, who last year rattled her FDC colleagues when she spoke about her close friendship with President Museveni, told this writer on August 30 that the amendment should address the discrimination in the current provision and also reinstate the two term limit.

Why should [presidential contenders] have such limitations yet there is none for MPs? The best we should do is to bring back term limits, Among said.

Among is working with MPs Peter Ogwang (Usuk), Simeo Nsubuga (Kassanda South), Arinaitwe Rwakajara (Workers), Jacob Oboth-Oboth (West Budama South) and Ssekitooleko.

Their Mawokota South counterpart John Bosco Lubyaayi appears to have abandoned the group since he is now critical of the amendment.



sadabkk@observer.ug
Government has appealed to the striking judicial officials to return to work as it works out modalities to address their concerns.

Last week, judges and magistrates laid down their tools to compel government give them a pay rise and improve their working conditions.



The judicial officers under the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) started the strike after government failed to honour a commitment to increase their salaries.

They want the salary of the Chief Justice to be increased to Shs 55 million from the Shs 20 million and from Shs 18 million to Shs 53 million for the Deputy Chief Justice. They are also suggesting an increment for the principal judge from the current Shs 10 million to Shs 50 million.



According to their demands, the lowest paid magistrate should earn at least Shs 13 million per month, they also demand to be given medical insurance, housing and fuel allowances.

Minister Kahinda Otafiire addressing judges recently

The Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, General Kahinda Otafiire, says high level consultations have been conducted between the executive, the judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission to address concerns of the judicial officers and other groups.



"Cabinet directed the ministry of Public Service to develop a comprehensive pay policy to harmonize the pay across government. This exercise is expected to be concluded by October 2017," he said while addressing journalists at the media center this afternoon.



He explained that in the medium term government will focus on providing housing for judicial officers and review their emoluments.



"In the medium term, government will focus on providing housing to judicial officers and review their emoluments in tandem with other public servants. Therefore, government appeals to all judicial officers to return to work as government addresses their concerns and that of other public officers. Government further appeals to the other public officers who are demanding for salary enhancement to be patient as government fast-tracks the harmonisation pay across government", he said.



He also disclosed that government is fast tracking the enactment of the Administration of the Judiciary Bill, 2016 to enhance the administration of the judiciary as another arm of government.



"The bill is before cabinet and is almost complete. There are a few issues which, will be reviewed by next week so that it's sent back to Parliament for consideration," he said.
Many Kampala-based elites have indulged in a rendition of bashing Dr Kizza Besigyes brand of politics and labeling his avid supporters as intolerant, radicals and people blinded by loyalty.

I wish these elites could reflect on their own contribution to the change agenda in Uganda. This anti-KB slur-train originated from an unscrupulous section of elites who turn to bashing Besigye to whitewash their tainted conscience and justify the do-not-disturb attitude toward change and matters of accountability.

These are elites who may be socially conscious and yet political adolescents. In fact, most of the so-called Besigye radicals are average Ugandans whose sincerity and love for their country is unrivaled.

On the contrary, it is a fact that the traditional Besigye-bashing party is known for their propensity towards brown envelops and affluence.

Incidentally, our elites have remained indifferent to calls for change. Instead, this group scorns change agents while sitting on their hands on top of the fence.

The elite should be debating the requirements of the change process and materialising a post-Museveni Uganda instead of demoralising change agents.

Dr Besigye has built a reputation that attracts trust and he has been reliable through endurance and self-sacrifice against tyranny. Many of the elites have benefited from political spaces that the regime has unwittingly conceded due to Besigyes activism.

However, the elites will not fight constraining laws such as the Public Order Management Act. Instead, they are critical of Besigye while unbothered about the collapse of public institutions.

The ballot, prayers and compliance shall not defeat a three-decade establishment. This realization is the cause of the fault line between defiance and compliance that has emerged in FDC. These ideological positions have merits, and should face the rigors of sober contemplation and testing without throwing each side in the greasy sink.

Lastly, the Besigye attacks are not value-free. First, it serves the state agenda to dislodge Besigye from the politics of opposition in Uganda for Museveni to obliterate opposition by 2021.

Second, whenever change is about to occur, the force of inertia emerges, complete with its torque. The closer the change is, the stiffer the resistance.

Third, our unpredictable and unreliable elites who treat life as mere theatricals tend to resist change the most.

This lot remains conveniently unconscious of the widespread social inequalities and the political undercurrents that have radically transformed our society from a progressive, liberated and optimistic nation into a den for thieves, doom and pessimism.



Morris Komakech,

mordust_26@yahoo.ca.



Lessons from Nigerias oil curse on host communities



I was recently in oil-rich Port Harcourt of Nigeria where I visited several oil-affected communities and the common sentiment was that oil has brought nothing but death to the people of the Niger delta.

Nigeria is one of Africas largest oil-producing nations and the world at large. The Nigerian government gets over 70 per cent of its revenue from the oil sector.

With oil playing such a central role in Nigerias economy, you would expect that the countrys government would take better care of oil host communities. But no, it does not.

Majority of communities in the Niger delta are dependent on land and water for farming and agriculture. But oil spills have destroyed farmlands.

Community drinking water sources were also contaminated. These are a few of the reasons as to why it is said oil brought death to the Niger delta.

Therefore, as Uganda moves to producing first oil by 2020, these are the lessons citizens and government should learn. First, communities livelihoods must be protected by government and oil companies since majority of Ugandans survive on land and water for food.

Second, all Ugandans must be vigilant by tasking governments and oil companies to comply to environmental laws and international best practices. Lastly, Uganda should focus on transitioning to cleaner and more accessible renewable energy options such as solar energy.



Angella Tusiime,

Kampala.



KCCA new parking fees are unfair



KCCA has increased the parking fees on all gazetted roads, streets and access roads around the city from the usual Shs 500 to Shs 1,000 per hour and from Shs 42,000 to Shs 84,000 per month.

This increment is not bad but doubling these fees abruptly is unfair and inconsiderate to car owners in the city compared to their earnings.

These fees make me wonder whether Kampala city is becoming a preserve for the rich who may not feel the effect of this increment. The cost of living in Kampala is already high and increasing these fees makes things worse.

KCCA should instead focus on reducing congestion in the city and also improve the entire transport system by bringing in more buses that carry more people.

In addition, some Multiplex officers (parking fee collectors) are inefficient because some people park their cars on the streets and when they return, these officials are long gone. Then they have to look for them or risk a fine.

I suggest that since KCCA is raising parking fees, then the onus should be on them to ensure safety of peoples cars. Many peoples cars have been vandalized and even stolen on these streets without remedy.



Natasha Mariam,

Kampala.



National dialogue process on track



For long, many people believed that there is nothing that can be achieved peacefully unless violent means are applied. Such options are no longer working, the world has changed and if we keep resorting to the past, we shall remain in the same state.

This is one of the goals of the national dialogue consultative meetings by the Inter Religious Council of Uganda and the Elders Forum of Uganda.

The uniqueness of such meetings is that they are not owned by certain individuals but, rather, the whole nation. Everyone, irrespective of their political affiliations, is free to raise pertinent issues and be discussed on a roundtable.

This means we can come up with constructive ideas that benefit the entire nation. When we talk about dialogue, many people think about President Museveni and Dr Kizza Besigye sitting under one roof and settling their differences.

But this nation is bigger than individuals. We all have a stake and must have a say.



David Serumaga,

serumagadavid916@gmail.com.





letters@observer.ug
President Museveni took us to the Luweero bush war that brought him to power on a false pretence.

He led us to believe that he cared about us and/or the country, that he would bring the fundamental change that we desperately needed and deserved.

That he would end tyranny and life presidency. However, we are still waiting for that promised change 31 years later! Would anyone have shed his/her blood and/or sacrificed his/her life to bring Museveni to power, if he was truthful and told us (then) that I am fighting for myself?

In his letter dated July 10, 2017, to rookie MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine, Museveni acknowledged that the country is afflicted with lofty unemployment, endemic corruption of public servants and politicians, the rise in crime and leaders not connecting with the population!

Whose fault is it? Mr President, the buck stops with you. Museveni has never been interested in bringing the needed and desired fundamental change in Uganda but to satisfy his interests.

He told us during his inauguration speech in 1986 that we would hold presidential elections in four years to elect a president of our choice.

That never happened!

It was ten (10) years later, in 1996, when we had those elections, after he had made certain that the army was under his control. He further told us during the campaigns of 1996 that he would only run for two (2) terms; he is now in his fifth official term!

Museveni has always been a sole presidential candidate of the NRM. We all know what happened to Amama Mbabazi when he tried to run against him. If Museveni cant tolerate anyone to run against him in the NRM, how can he allow free and fair presidential elections in the country?

Basing on what has transpired over the past 31 years, and what the predicament is now  including the contemplation of lifting the age limit close from the Constitution and amendment of the land laws so that the government could take our land as it pleases  it is safe to say that we are on a one-way ticket to a life presidency.

Aside from that, during the proceedings of the Human Rights Commission of 1990 that was set up to hold the oppressors of that time accountable, Paul Muwanga (RIP) warned us about Museveni.

Muwanga said then: Ugandans are jubilating over Musevenis rise to power; however, they have no idea of what awaits them. I can read Museveni like a book, and I can even tell from his sitting posture or how he blinks, what he is thinking or plotting.

By the time Musevenis rule ends in 2060, the country will have lost all its possessions and national assets. The political class will be divided, one against the other, and Uganda will be in ruins.

I hate to call Muwanga a prophet. However, he was right. Museveni himself has revealed who he really is in so many ways and statements.

He once told us that he went to the bush and killed his animal; so, why would he share it with others? He has averred that he will never hand over power to the wolves. That is like being called ugly by a frog!

Repressive kleptocracy is spreading like a wildfire, led by a ruler(s) motivated by greed rather than by the interests of the people or the nation.

Blood and lives were lost to end the rule of the gun and replace it with the rule of the law; however, we are still led by the army. Museveni claims to have retired from the army; but he consistently wears the army uniform and even NRM officials wear the same often and/or whenever they go to Kyankwanzi.

He was in full combat uniform recently while giving the state budget speech at Serena hotel. He was also in full combat uniform recently when Kabaka Mutebi paid him a visit at State House Entebbe. Why? To remind us that he is the Sabalwanyi, and that it is the army that is in charge.

And if 31 years of Museveni rule is not enough, then what is? Apparently, it is business as usual! Life goes on. In other words, we are asking Museveni: Feed us more!

All Ugandans share the blame for condoning the 31 years of Musevenis rule. However, some of our leaders in various capacities and intuitions have betrayed us.

In future I will explain why we need to hold them accountable. There is also the need to get cool and sober heads together to lay out a strategy that should end the looming life presidency.



The author is a PhD fellow at Makerere Institute of Social Research.
Have you tried applying for a visa to a European country or to America in vain?

I understand the number of those who have been denied entry into these paradises is quite humongous. Well, you dont have to manipulate visa officers with juju and prayer warfare.

First, if you are poor, remove all the wax from your ears and get this very clearly: they dont need you there. Stay in Uganda!

If you feel compelled to tour, we have enough game parks around with gazelles, pangolins, ostriches, warthogs... Before you pick interest in crossing oceans, have you crossed your streams?

If you just want to know how it feels like to be away from Uganda, you can cross to Congo or Sudan. Europe and America are not for every Kato, Magala, and Opio.

But if you feel like contributing to their economies in gratitude for all they have done for miserable Africa, the cheapest visas are just about Shs 300,000 shillings. If you keep it in mind that you are not wanted there, the above loss wont hurt that bad.

Dont complain that when they are coming here, they automatically get their visas at Entebbe airport. They only do us a favour to come here; even the visa is just a formality. You know how badly we need investors and tourists.

Isnt that how a poor mans house is supposed to be? Who fixes an appointment to visit a shack in a slum? You just get in. If they complain, tell them you came along with food  if they open their mouths again, it will be to eat.

But a wealthy person is not to be visited anyhow. At the gate, you have to prove that you are not going to become an inconvenience inside. Dont expect to be received with open arms with your smelly broken shoes, sweat odour, and empty hands.

So, if at their embassies they ask you to submit your bank statement as proof of your income, simply abide. If you have no stable source of income to convince them that you can sustain yourself while in their country, stay home and use your peanuts to relax with some yellow bananas.

If they want to tour and get a feel of the life of the poor, they will find you at home. Go back and dress up for photos. Even their poor will come in as saviours amidst applause and glamour to experiment their generosity on you.

To get the visa, you need to prove that you have a family. Attach a marriage certificate, plus birth certificates of the children. If you are not married, you may not come back to your miserable shack that you call a country.

Maybe your wife and children could bring you back, if you will still be able to trace them in the African jungle. Or if malaria, starvation, HIV/Aids, or wild animals will not have killed them already.

Some countries will need a report on your health status. They know that you come from the headquarters of disease and wouldnt want you putting their citizens at risk too. If there is an Ebola outbreak in Liberia, remember that Africa is one country. As an African, you should be treated with suspicion too.

You will also need to prove that you have some property. Attach a land title. Never mind that some of them that come here do not even own a rabbit back home. At least they dont come here as a burden. Dont forget that when they look at you, they see a potential problem.

Prove that you are not trying to run away from the agony and poverty in your country. Prove that you are not just another desperate Ugandan seeking to benefit from achievements of others hardworking forefathers.

Those stories that their countries were built on African slave labour and outright colonial thuggery are just myths. Neither are they in anyway responsible for your deplorable conditions, its your laziness, intellectual inferiority, and bad self-governance.

At one of their embassies, they asked me to report back within one week on return. Yes, to prove that I was a good African boy who didnt disappear in Europe  a place we are always tempted not to leave. When I went back, the gentleman looked at my passport and gave me a grin, the kind you give a good-mannered child for not having licked the sugar.

A friend tells me of a nun who was applying for a visa to Italy and one of the things they asked her to do at the embassy to prove she was a genuine nun was to recite the rosary.

So, please take no chances; if you are a farmer, go with your hoe and dig for them a sample. You are a liar until you prove yourself otherwise, even if it means putting your intestines on the table.

Whereas in your culture looking elders in the eye means disrespect, note that at the embassy, not keeping eye contact could be proof that you are a blatant liar. In case of an interview, look directly into the officers iris.

You may also need to take advantage of the international reputation of Uganda as a homophobic country. Say that your neighbours wanted to burn up your house and knock out your teeth.

Make it look so bad. You could even plant a story in the papers. Pray hard that the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act comes back to light. That is invaluable visa capital.

But while you take note of all the above, whether you are applying on a gay card or not, I hope you have never said or written anything in public against homosexuality or homosexuals. That may matter more than anything else.



jsssentongo@gmail.com



The author heads the Center for African Studies at Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi.
A jealous woman was somehow able to control her ex-boyfriends life  forbidding him from seeing other women and even going to certain bars  for two years, by posing as police officers and convincing him that he was part of an investigation.

21-year-old Lauren Adderley and Mitchell Lloyd, 22, both from Shrewsbury, UK, were in a romantic relationship for only two months, in 2014, but even though Lloyd made it clear he wanted nothing more to do with her after that, the young woman spent the next two years making his life a living hell. She put together a sophisticated blackmail plan that was put into motion right after the breakup. Lauren told her ex that she had been the victim of a crime and asked him to provide a statement to the police. He accepted, and was soon contacted by a certain Robert Hay, supposedly a police officer and a friend of Adderleys family, asking for the statement by email. Little did Mitchell know that Robert Hay was actually an online alias of Laurens, and that he would become his biggest nightmare.

After walking home with a female colleague, after a Christmas party, in December 2014, which made Lauren Adderley very upset, Mitchell Lloyd received a threatening email from Robert Hay, asking why he had made his friend upset by seeing other women. But this was only the beginning of a long and painful road for Mitchell. Soon, Robert Hay started setting curfews for him, effectively banning him from going out to certain pubs and bars on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, which pretty much ruined his social life. He was also banned from seeing or even speaking to some of his friends, mostly women, and that failing to comply could result in hefty fines of up to 15,000.

He abided by this, believing that it was a legitimate order, due to the official wording and the formal terms used, according to Dafydd Roberts, the prosecutor in charge of this unusual case. On one occasion, Mr Mitchell wanted to take own mother and his young daughter out for lunch. They attended a public house together. However, he received an email from Robert Hay saying that he was breaking an order by doing so, and was threatened with a sanction. He was told that he could be fined around 3,000 for wasting police time, and that he would be fined around 15,000 if Laura Adderleys case did not succeed.

In order to keep the scam looking legit, Adderley dumped the Robert Hay alias, adopting Darren Clarke, a different police officer who had taken over the case, due to Hays personal connection to Lauren Adderley. After a while, the case was turned over to a certain Elaine Thomas, a senior police officer, and the nightmare continued.

As if being constantly threatened and pressured by police wasnt stressful enough, Mitchell Lloyd also had to put up with social media lynching from Lauren Adderleys friends, whenever he tried getting into another relationship. He would later find out that Lauren herself was behind that as well, posing as her own friends in order to make his life miserable.

Two years into the relentless blackmail, Mitchell Lloyd finally found the courage to tell his friends what he had been going through, and they advised him to go to the police about it. Real officers were immediately able to deduce that the emails he had been receiving were fake, and eventually trace them back to a certain Lauren Adderley, and she was jailed for nine months.

Lauren Adderley created a complicated fiction of multiple fake profiles interacting with each other to her own satisfaction and reason. She used this sophisticated catfish-style behaviour to completely manipulate the victims life, dictating when he could go out, where he could go and controlled his social interaction with other people for over two years, said Jason Corden-Bowen, District Crown Prosecutor and Domestic Abuse Lead with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service. The impact her actions had on the victims life cannot be understated and I would like to pay tribute to him for helping bring Adderley to justice.

This womans behaviour is undoubtedly disturbing, but who in their right mind goes along with something like this for two years, only getting contacted by the police by email? Did Mitchell never think it suspicious that he never got a phone call from these officers, not to mention meeting any of them face-to-face?

Sources: BBC, Metro.co.uk
James Henderson, CEO of Bell Pottinger, has quit ahead of expected sanctions imposed by Britain's ethics watchdog for its controversial work in South Africa.

James Henderson

"Whilst I had no involvement in the account, there were warning signs that I should have heeded. Therefore I must take responsibility," he told the BBC.

Henderson, who with fiancee owns about 40 percent of the firm, promised to keep a close watch on his investment.

BP is considering strategic alternatives, which may include a sale or buyout.
BROWNVILLE, Neb. (AP)  The square, white building would be easy to miss but for the sign dangling from a post.

FURNAS HOUSE, it reads, marking the unassuming former residence of Robert Furnas, the second elected governor of Nebraska, who died in 1905.

Converted into a museum, the house features mid-19th-century artifacts, from apple-picking ladders to Furnas personal rocking chair.

A framed picture in the homes foyer proudly declares the former governor as Nebraskas Renaissance Man.

Its a fitting moniker for Furnas, who not only dabbled in politics but in planting trees, growing fruit and harvesting honey.

Founded in 1854, Brownville is sort of a renaissance town in its own right, with its plethora of landmarks, shops and botanical must-sees, a surprisingly worthwhile stop halfway between Lincoln and Kansas City, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

Come during the week and the sleepy town will seem to move as slowly as the Missouri River it overlooks. But drive down Main Street, past the quaint brick storefronts housing everything from bookstores to ice cream parlors, and youll most likely encounter John Lauber, whos always ready to show off Brownville landmarks in his sky-blue Honda Fit.

Lauber, who has owned property in town since 1977, runs the Brownville Market and volunteers as a de facto tour guide.

He has lived in Brownville permanently since 2001 with his wife, Mary, who owns an emporium across the street from the market.

John, who also is a member of Brownvilles Fine Arts Association, is proud of the cultural and historical aura of the town that he describes as a sort of Little Paris.

Its probably the only village of its kind in Nebraska  a true arts town, he said.

Theres the old church thats been converted into the Brownville Village Theatre  in its 51st season  where high school and college students stage plays.

Another church, a white frame structure on the east end of town, was transformed into a concert hall, where artists from around the country come to take part in Brownvilles annual concert series, now in its 27th year.

Jim Aden, a native of Syracuse, Nebraska, has called the town home for less than a year since opening an art glass studio on Main Street.

On a humid, overcast afternoon, Aden is busy scorching glass rods over a fountain of fire, shaping them into delicate faux icicles.

The door is left open  a welcoming sign to strangers. Growing up in Syracuse, you could tell who lived in every house, Aden said. Our door was always unlocked. ... Brownville is like that.

Its a far cry from Portland, Oregon, where Aden lived until his wife died last summer.

As Aden places another glass icicle in a bed of cotton to cool, Luka, a graying black spaniel, wanders in from the street and nestles into the bed under a bench.

Aden shuts off the loud machine pumping flames through his spigot of fire.

I found it to be a good place to re-establish myself, he said. Its close to everything: Lincoln, Omaha, Kansas City.

The river town on U.S. 136  easily accessed from Interstate 29 or U.S. 75  is a little more than an hour from Omaha and about 90 minutes from Lincoln; Topeka, Kansas; and the Kansas City area.

Many of Brownvilles attractions, including its nine historical museums, are open only from Thursday through Sunday, when part-time residents  many from Lincoln and Omaha  return to open their doors, Lauber said.

Those include the Didier Log Cabin, which dates to 1854 and sits on the edge of Main Street, and a railroad museum south of U.S. 136.

In more recent years the Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard & Winery has drawn tourists with its wines processed and bottled on site.

A sixth-generation farm family  the Hasketts  has operated the winery for 15 years. Step one was converting 8 acres of farmland for growing grapes.

I like seeing everything from start to finish, said Matt Haskett, 26, who runs the winery and vineyard with his father. You live in the country, grow the grapes, bring them in to process and turn them into a product. It doesnt feel repetitive to me.

Down the street, former Sheldon Museum of Art director George Neubert runs the Flatwater Folk Art Museum out of a renovated church.

Neubert, who has lived in Brownville for 12 years, said the town of about 150 people with boutiques, bookstores and bed-and-breakfasts has become a hub for fine arts.

Were a frontier river town in which, fortunately, progress hasnt reached, Neubert said. We can only hope that we can keep that kind of charm and uniqueness.
Armed with the most powerful winds ever recorded for a storm in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Irma bore down Tuesday on the Leeward Islands of the northeast Caribbean on a forecast path that could take it toward Florida over the weekend.
Pete Ricketts' time as governor is coming to an end, but after spending over $3.8 million in the last 11 months, he will likely have an influence on the future of state leadership for years to come.
British national arrested for allegedly raping 3 kids at Delhi blind school

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

A British national has been arrested for allegedly raping three visually challenged children at National Association for the Blind (NAB) in Delhi.

Murray Denis Ward (54), the accused has been a donor for the last eight or nine years. He used to visit the school run by the association on a frequent basis and has been accused of raping least three children, all under 8 years old.

The police have also allegedly found 'objectionable' material in the laptop of the accused, Murray Ward.

Additional deputy commissioner of police (south) Chinmoy Biswal said initial probe has shown that Ward "could be a paedophile". He said Murray's mobile phone is also being checked.

Ward a native of Gloucestershire in the UK was working with a private firm in Gurgaon till April. He had suffered a stroke in February and has been under treatment since then, a senior police officer said.

Ward was arrested from his house in Vasant Kunj, and is being produced in court as police seek his remand. He has been charged under sections of the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The police have seized some objectionable videos of the kids and also examined Ward's laptop and mobile phone during the preliminary investigation.

OneIndia News
Jaitley statue at Kotla: Angry Bedi asks DDCA to remove his name from stands, quits membership

Reforms in India being done by conviction, not compulsion: PM Narendra Modi

BJP leaders pay tribute to former minister Arun Jaitley on his third death anniversary

Defamation case by Jaitley: HC levies fine of Rs. 5000 on Kejriwal for delay in filing reply

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Over delay in filing his reply to a fresh Rs 10 crore defamation suit filed by Union minister Arun Jaitley, the Delhi High Court on Monday imposed a fine of Rs. 5000 on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The case pertains to the use of an objectionable word against Jaitley by Kejriwal's former lawyer Ram Jethmalani.

Joint Registrar Pankaj Gupta directed Kejriwal to deposit Rs 5,000 in the 'Army Welfare Fund Battle Casualties'. The cost was imposed after Jaitley's counsel Manik Dogra informed the court that the chief minister's written statement to the suit was filed beyond the time of two weeks granted by this court on July 26.

In July, the Delhi High Court had imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Kejriwal, after the Delhi CM failed to file a response to a Rs 10 crore defamation suit filed by Jaitley.

Joint Registrar Pankaj Gupta had then directed the chief minister to deposit the fine amount while granting him two more weeks to file his response.

The high court had on May 23 sought response of Kejriwal on why defamation proceedings should not be initiated against him.

Jaitley had filed the second defamation suit after Kejriwal's then lawyer Ram Jethmalani allegedly "abused" him in open court during proceedings of another defamation suit he had filed against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and five other party functionaries. Jethmalani had called Jaitley a "crook".

[DDCA defamation case: Jethmalani calls Jaitley a 'crook']

During the cross-examination of the Union minister on May 17 before the Joint Registrar in the Delhi High Court, Jethmalani had allegedly used a term Jaitley had found objectionable. A day after, another high court judge, who was hearing a connected matter, had termed as "scandalous" the remarks allegedly made by Jethmalani against Jaitley before the Joint Registrar.

The court has now fixed the matter for October 12.

OneIndia news with PTI inputs
Cabinet reshuffle in Odisha: New Ministers to take oath tomorrow at 12 pm

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Gajendra Singh Shekhawat- the jeans wearing champion of 'Swadeshi'

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

He is a jeans wearing champion of Swadeshi. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was on Sunday sworn in as minister and this is being seen a loud message the BJP wants to send out in Rajasthan apart from bolstering representation in the state.

Born on October 3, 1967, in Jaisalmer, he was a member of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad in his college days. He was president of Jodhpur's Jai Narayan University in 1992 with the highest ever percentage of votes for ABVP.

An unconventional politicians, he is a jeans wearing champion of Swadeshi. He is also one of the most vocal politicians in the Lok Sabha. His answers in fact have been viewed a record 5.8 million times in 2017 alone.

Fondly known as Gajju bana he has promoted the "Make in India' campaign much before it was buzzing.

Party men say his modern approach has made this first-time MP popular on social media. Shekhawat is one of the most viewed and followed party MPs on the Q&A blogging site Quora with about 55,600 followers.

A regular on Twitter, he has 25.4k followers. "His popularity in the virtual world has added to his following on ground.

Known as a plain living persons, his travels to Jodhpur by train over the weekends have been discussed a lot. He is also referred to as the tech-savvy agriculturist and a businessman.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 7:49 [IST]
Ganesh Visarjan 2017: Roads to avoid in Mumbai, Pune on Tuesday

India

oi-Anusha

Thousands of devotees across the county will bid a grand farewell to the elephant God, Ganesh, on Tuesday. Elaborate arrangments have been made in cities like Mumbai and Pune where festivities reach feverish pitches during the Ganesh Visarjan. Mumbai and Pune police along with Ganesh Mandal organizers have put together route maps to help citizens navigate. Here is your guide to plan your travel in Mumbai and Pune on Tuesday as the cities bid a farewell to Ganpati bappa.

Mumbai: Procession routes

Ganesh Visarjan processions from major pandals will begin as early as 8 AM on Tuesday. Visarjan procession of the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja will begin from the pandal at Lalbaug market at 10 AM and pass through Bharat Mata Theater.

The procession will then reach Sane Guruji Marg and proceed to Byculla Railway Station, Clare Road and Nagpada. The procession will pass through Dunkan Road, Don Taki, Sant Sena Maharaj Marg in Kumbharwada, Suthar Gully, Madhav Baug and CP Tank before proceeding to Opera House and will conclude at Girgaum Chowpatty.

The grand Mumbaicha Raja will begin the procession from Dr SS Rao Road and proceed towards Ganesh Cinema, Chinchpokli Bridge, Arthur Road Corner, Saat Rasta, Sane Guruji Marg, will pass through Agripada, Dr Bhadkamkar Marg, Opera House and Wilson College before concluding at Girgaum Chowpatty.

Mumbai: Alternate routes

Southbound traffic on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar road will be closed from Bharat Mata Junction to Bawla Compound for heavy vehicles until September 5 midnight. The route will be shut for all vehicles between 3 PM and 7 PM for the same period.

Take right at Bharat Mata Junction towards Curry Road Bridge

Left at Shingate Master Chowk

Move towards N M Joshi Road

Proceed to Arthur Road junction

Move to S Bridge Road

To reach Babasaheb Ambedkar Road

Take left at Bharat Mata Junction towards Naik Chowk

Move to Saibaba Marg

Take left on GD Ambedkar Marg

Head straight towards Shrawan Yashvant Chowk

53 routes in Mumbai will remain closed along the procession and 54 routes will be converted into a one-way. 99 places along the procession routes have been notified as no parking zones for tomorrow.

Mumbai's elaborate security arrangements

Considering a large number of people who will take part in the processions, the Mumbai police have planned elaborate security. 3,600 policemen will be deployed on special duty to oversee Ganesh visarjan along the procession routes. 500 traffic wardens will be on duty for traffic movement, volunteers from NGOs, student organizations as well as Ganesh mandals will be present to help.

Since the Supreme Court had stayed the Bombay High Court's order on noise pollution levels, Tuesday is expected to be a loud affair in Mumbai.

Pune: Traffic restrictions

Pune will also bid adieu to Ganpati on Tuesday and elaborate arrangements have been made on traffic and security front. Following roads have been closed, according to Pune police, at varied time slots between September 5 and September 6, till the end of the procession.

Shivaji road: 7 AM onwards

Laxmi road: 7 AM onwards

Bagade road: 9 AM onwards

Guru Nanak road: 9 AM onwards

TIlak Road: 9 AM onwards

Ganesh Road: 10 AM onwards

Kelkar road: 10 AM onwards

Bajirao Road: Noon onwards

Kumthekar Road: Noon onwards

Shastri road: Noon onwards

Jangli road: 4 PM onwards

Karve road: 4 PM onwards

Fergusson college road: 4 PM onwards

Bhandarkar road: 4 PM onwards

Pune-Satara road: 4 PM onwards

Solapur road: 4 PM onwards

Prabhat road: 4 PM onwards

Pune: Parking spots

H C Desai College

River Bed to Pulachi road

Puram Chowk to Vishwa restaurant

Gadgil statue to Kumbhar ves

Congress Bhavan

Jayantarao Tilak bridge to Bhide bridge

Hamalwada to Narayan Peth

Shaniwarwada

OneIndia News
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Gorakhpur tragedy: Not first time Dr Khan has run into the wrong side of the law

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Dr Kafeel Khan arrested in connection with the Gorakhpur infant deaths has run into the wrong side of the law again. Khan had been suspended from the hospital following the incident after which a non-bailable warrant was issued against him.

Incidentally this is the third time that he has run into the wrong side of the law. Two cases against him were closed.

In the past he has battled cases of rape, impersonation in examination and giving a wrong affidavit to the Chief Medical Officer of Gorakhpur and also of running a private clinic.

In 2009, as per the Delhi Police, the principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Janakpuri, complained that during the National Board of Examinations held to test Indian nationals with foreign medical qualifications, Kafeel Ahmed Khan, then a medical student at Manipal University, was found to be impersonating Dr Vijay Kumar. Khan was however later discharged by the court.

In 2015, a woman had complained that Khan and his brother had raped under. She said that she was called in under the pretext of being given a job. However the case was closed after the police found that the allegations were untrue.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 11:14 [IST]
How floods have robbed millions of Indian children of food, shelter, education

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Sep 4: Talk about any war or natural disaster, it's the children who are the worst affected in terms of deaths, loss of parents, homes and education and lack of access to food and drinking water, to name a few.

As several parts of India are still reeling under floods, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam, according to an estimate millions of children have been affected by floods in the country, this year.

As per a report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in India, four states in the northern part of the country have been extensively affected by the flooding, affecting over 31 million people including 12.33 million children.

Some 805,183 houses are either partially or fully damaged and 15,455 schools have been damaged, disrupting the education of nearly one million students. Further heavy rains in Mumbai resulted in at least five deaths by drowning and three people including two children died due to house collapse.

The figures cited by the UNICEF highlighted only the plight of children in the northern states of the country. Child rights activists fear that the all India figure of flood-affected children could go as high as 20 million as several children have died and become homeless in Assam and West Bengal too.

In the affected states in India, the state governments following rescue operations are conducting relief, rehabilitation and recovery operations. The UNICEF, at the request of the state governments, is providing multi-sectoral planning and coordination support in the three worst affected states of Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Over 9.8 million people in Bihar have been given lifesaving information on topics such as safe drinking water and handwashing, UNICEF said.

Meanwhile, the UNICEF said that about 16 million children across India, Bangladesh and Nepal are in urgent need of life-saving support due to "catastrophic" flooding in the three South Asian countries.

"Millions of children have seen their lives swept away by these devastating floods" said Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. "Children have lost their homes, schools and even friends and loved ones. There is a danger the worst could still be to come as rains continue and flood waters move south" she added.

Weeks of torrential monsoon rains and catastrophic flooding in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh have devastated the lives of millions of children and families. The UNICEF estimated that almost 16 million children and their families are in urgent need of life-saving support. Since mid-August, there have been at least 1,288 reported deaths in these three countries due to floods.

Many areas remain inaccessible due to damage to roads, bridges, railways and airports. The most urgent needs for children are clean water, hygiene supplies to prevent the spread of disease, food supplies and safe places in evacuation centres for children to play, the UN agency said.

The UNICEF is on the ground working in close coordination with respective governments and humanitarian partners from three countries to scale up its responses and respond to immediate needs of affected children and their families.

"Massive damage to school infrastructure and supplies also mean hundreds of thousands of children may miss weeks or months of school" said Gough. "Getting children back into school is absolutely critical in establishing a sense of stability for children during times of crisis and provides a sense of normality when everything else is being turned upside down."

In Bangladesh alone, more than 8 million people have been affected by flooding, including around 3 million children. An estimated 696,169 houses have been damaged or destroyed and 2,292 primary and community schools have been damaged by high water. There have already been more than 13,035 cases of water-borne diseases in the country.

In Nepal, 1.7 million people, including 680,000 children, have been affected with 352,738 displaced from their homes. More than 185,126 homes have been damaged or destroyed in addition to 1,958 schools, affecting the education of 253,605 children.

"The flood situation in several parts of India is improving. Now, the main task before the government is the rehabilitation of flood-hit children. They need home, food, drinking water and schools to continue with their education. Otherwise, most of these children become labourers and leave education midway because of the twin scourge of poverty and floods," said Nagasimha Rao, a child rights activist from Bengaluru.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 7:08 [IST]
2 non-local labourers shot at by terrorist in J&K's Anantnag

FM Nirmala Sitharaman hints at possibility of Centre considering restoration of state status to J&K

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J&K: Security forces gun down two Hizbul terrorists killed in Baramulla

India

oi-Vikas SV

By Vikas

Two terrorists were killed in a gun battle with the security forces in Shangergund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Monday. The two terrorists killed belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen.

Two AK-47s and 1 INSAS Rifle were also recovered from the encounter site.

Earlier this morning it was reported that two terrorists were suspected to be trapped in Shangergund on Monday morning, following this a gun battle ensued.

The security forces had earlier cordoned off the area and a search operation has been launched.

On Saturday, one terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces at Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The encounter broke out in the wee hours of Saturday morning at the Tantrypora area of Kulgam.

On Friday, one policeman was killed and four injured after the terrorists attacked a bus ferrying security personnel in Srinagar's Pantha Chowk.

On August 20, a man was gunned down by the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district.

On August 15, a police bunker at Tengpora bypass in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, was fired upon by the terrorists.

[J&K: One policeman killed, 4 injured after terrorists attack bus in Srinagar]

On August 13, two police personnel were injured after terrorists attacked a police search party in Bandipora's Hajin area of Jammu and Kashmir.

OneIndia News
Karnataka government denies permission for 'Mangaluru Chalo', BJP decides to defy order

India

oi-Anusha

The Congress government in Karnataka, through the Mangaluru and Bengaluru police, has refused to grant permission to BJP's ambitious 'Chalo Mangaluru rally'. The BJP has, however, decided to defy the order and go ahead with the protest rally as planned.

The Mangaluru police have refused to allow protestors into the district citing law and order issues while the Bengaluru police have refused to grant permission for the flag off event from Bengaluru. The Bengaluru police have denied permission for a bike rally that was scheduled to be flagged off from Freedom Park on Tuesday.

"The organizers were asked to provide details about the rally but we have not received the same so far. About 1,000 bikes are expected to be part of the rally and there are possibilities of anti-social elements mingling with the protestors and causing law and order problems. Moreover, 1,000 bikes at a time will create a 2-km long line and may take three to four hours to exit the city, causing traffic snarls. The bike rally is headed towards Mangaluru but no permission seems to have been given by the Mangaluru police as well. Hence, permission for the rally is denied," read excerpts from Suneel Kumar's order.

The youth wing of the BJP had scheduled to take out a rally between September 5 and 7 to protest against killings of RSS and BJP workers in the state. The rallies from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, and Hubballi were to conclude at Mangaluru in a massive congregation of BJP leaders and youth wing workers. Permission for the same has been denied with the Mangaluru police deciding to cordon district borders.

"We have denied permission for Mangaluru Chalo rally but there has been no decision on a gathering. We will block protesters at all check points into the city. We will set up multiple checkpoints within city limits to prevent rallies," said Hanumantharaya, DCP, Law and Order, Mangaluru city.

BJP's 'Mangaluru Chalo' rally is aimed at highlighting attacks on RSS and BJP workers in the state apart from demanding a ban on organisations like the PFI, KFD and SDPI. On Sunday, BJP MP Pratap Simha who is also the head of BJP youth wing had alleged that the police were sending out notices to lodges along the route of the rally not to provide rooms for BJP workers.

Police have already started troubling Mangaluru Chalo. You cowards #stategovt. We are ready for the showdown pic.twitter.com/QaA5ZEF86i  Pratap Simha (@mepratap) September 3, 2017

BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar, K S Eshwarappa on Monday met the new Home Minister of Karnataka Ramalinga Reddy seeking permission for the rally. The minister, however, expressed concerns over traffic snarls and route plan and told reporters that there was no intelligence on possibilities of untoward incidents. "We have sought clarifications. If the same is provided then permission will be given. A lot of bikers will head towards Mangaluru from different districts and that may cause traffic hassles. Our concern is traffic and not communal issues. We do not want any untoward incidents to take place and we do not have any intelligence reports on possible untoward incidents as of yet," said Karnataka's new Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Despite no permission, the BJP has decided to go ahead with the rally as it planned. "The Karnataka government led by Siddaramaiah is behaving like a Hitler. RSS and BJP leaders are being attacked in the state and attempts are being made to stop protests. We will continue our fight and go ahead with the rally as planned," said BJP leader R Ashok.

The rally comes in the aftermath of Amit Shah's visit to Bengaluru during which he is said to have pulled up different wings of the BJP for failing to capitalise on issues leading up to the Karnataka assembly elections in 2018.

OneIndia News
Karnataka: Two youth attacked for taking selfies with girls in Belthangady

India

oi-Madhuri

Recommended Video

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Two youths from Chikkamagaluru who had come to college were allegedly beaten up for meeting their female friends. The incident happened on Saturday in Karnataka's Belthangady.

The youth who were attacked were identified as Mohammed Unais (19) and Yusuf (20). The video footage shows the locals allegedly objected two men meeting their female friends and beat them up.

The incident happened when Unais and Yusuf had come to Belthangandy on a bike to meet two female students. When the four were clicking the photographs, a group of youth arrived at the spot and assaulted Unais and Yusuf.

As the video surfaced on social media, the police took two men into custody on assault charge.

OneIndia News
Madras University mass copying: Fine imposed on four colleges

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Three colleges in Chennai are among the four which have been fined by the Madras University for mass copying. A fine of Rs 50,000 has been imposed on the four colleges.

At a meeting last month, the university syndicate resolved that the process of penalising repeat offenders would be made permanent and that the institutions would also lose the privilege of being named examination centres. Around 120 colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts are affiliated to the university.

Syndicate members said flying squads had reported that students at many of the university's affiliated colleges were in possession of mobile phones, printed copies of answers and hand-written sheets in the exam centres. In one case, a student had placed a 500 note in the answer booklet, provided a cellphone number and requested the examiner for pass mark.

In one exam centre, the answer scripts of all the candidates were were found to be identical in all respects, indicating mass copying. In another case, a student was found to have submitted two answer sheets, a syndicate member said. In another case of suspected examination malpractice, the same handwriting was found in the answer scripts of four different candidates.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 8:06 [IST]
Explained: Why did the ECI freeze the symbol of the Shiv Sena

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Modi, Shah playing 'dirty politics': Shiv Sena on cabinet reshuffle

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Questioning that urgency shown by the BJP-led government at the Centre for the cabinet reshuffle, the Shiv Sena, in its mouthpiece Saamna, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah of playing 'dirty politics'.

Even a day before the cabinet reshuffle, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had said his party was not informed about the cabinet reshuffle, adding that he came to know about it only through media.

"This Cabinet reshuffle was not just planned by Prime Minister Modi, but also the saffron party president Amit Shah as terming the last one before the General Elections of 2019. By doing this, they both are only playing their dirty politics in the system, which is so not accepted. The Cabinet can have a large number of people, but we will judge the Cabinet on its performance," ANI quoted a Saamna article as saying.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted nine new members to his Council of Ministers on Sunday.

Arun Jaitley would continue to handle the key portfolio of finance while Power minister Piyush Goyal was on Sunday given the charge of the railway ministry.

Gadkari, who has handled Surface Transport was given additional charge of Water Resources and more specifically Ganga Rejuvenation. Smriti Irani will hold full charge of Information and Broadcasting along with Textiles.

[After Cabinet reshuffle, NDA is almost dead, says Shiv Sena MP]

The Modi Cabinet now has nine new ministers and four others have been given Cabinet berth. Piyush Goyal, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi have been given Cabinet rank.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 14:10 [IST]
Mumbai University results 2017: Students panic after being marked absent

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

In what could be called as a case of further confusion, students of the Mumbai University are now queueing up to prove that they actually took the examinations.

Students who have been marked absent in the exams are queuing up at their exam centres to gather proof that they actually took the exams. This even as the varsity has said that students marked absent - it shows that their marks for that particular paper were unavailable at the moment - need not prove their attendance.

Students who have attended an exam, if marked absent, have to produce proof of attendance from their exam centres. While this year the university has done away with the process, a lack of clarity and anxiety among students forced them to approach the exam centres, the MU rules state.

With a large number of students marked absent across subjects, many students are panicking.

The university on Thursday issued a notification clarifying that students marked absent need not prove their attendance. "We have clarified that if a student has been marked absent, it does not mean they were absent but that their mark for that particular paper is unavailable at the moment. It is a default setting in the new system wherein we have to mark the student absent to withhold the result in the reserved category," said the acting director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation, Arjun Ghatule.

The university has appealed to students to not panic and wait till all the papers are assessed.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 7:15 [IST]
NEET 2017: 'Anitha's suicide a political conspiracy,' says TN BJP chief, receives flak

India

oi-Anusha

As protests against NEET 2017 continue in Tamil Nadu and much outrage is being expressed over the suicide of Anitha, BJP chief in the state has called it a political conspiracy against her party. Tamil Nadu BJP chief Dr Tamilisai Soundrajan has even warned "Modi baiters" over the issue.

On Sunday, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundrajan accused Tamil Nadu opposition party leaders of "misguiding" the people over National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. "NEET exam is not against Tamil Nadu students. 63 per cent students have been selected from State board. More rural, backward classes and scheduled castes students selected this year than previous years," she said. Soundrajan held private colleges responsible for lobbying against NEET.

Anitha's Sucide a political Conspiracy against BJP.Modi baiters warned against their uncivilized protest against PM.Don't test our tolerance  Tamilisai Soundrajan (@drtamilisaibjp) September 3, 2017

As Tamil Nadu simmers over the death of Dalit student Anitha over failing to secure a medical seat in the first round of counseling, the BJP and AIADMK have received severe backlash over imposing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. Tamilisai Soundrajan's tweet only made matters worse drawing more flak. The BJP leader was trolled for her remarks but refused to withdraw the same. Hundreds of netizens slammed the BJP leader for her 'insensitive' comments about the death of Anitha.

Anitha's family has, on the other hand, refused to accept the compensation announced by the Edappadi Palanisamy government. Meanwhile, the opposition parties in Tamil Nadu have decided to rally against the government for failing on many fronts including NEET exemption.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 13:00 [IST]
India will continue to rely on close cooperation of US to address global economic challenges: Sitharaman

Nirmala as defence minister: Breaking the glass ceiling or cosmetic act towards women empowerment?

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Sep 4: The word "women empowerment" is a loaded one, and we have seen how political parties have used it to their advantage for electoral gains. While most parties, irrespective of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Congress, shudder at the thought of giving 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament, at times we see governments (both at the Centre and in the states) coming up with women-related schemes or entrust plump positions to women.

There is no doubt that these are good and pro-women moves. However, the question that emerges is the real intention of the political parties behind such attempts. Are political parties really serious about women empowerment? Or, like the politics over minorities, politics over women empowerment is something that suits them well?

On Sunday, during the Narendra Modi government's latest cabinet reshuffle, the elevation of Nirmala Sitharaman as the country's Defence Minister was the most talked-about subject.

Several experts read various messages behind the Modi government's latest move to give defence portfolio, generally considered as a male-bastion, as it deals with country's military might and safety from any foreign aggression, to a woman.

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One point that everyone cited, including Sitharaman herself, is that it is a big step forward in the realm of women empowerment. Almost all the headlines screamed with the message that the elevation of the 58-year-old former minister of state for finance and corporate affairs and the minister for commerce and industry with independent charge as the defence minister is definitely shattering the glass ceiling (a term that signifies the unacknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession, especially affecting women and members of minorities).

Along with the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) alumna's promotion into the cabinet rank, the former spokesperson of the BJP has also been inducted into the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) by virtue of her appointment as the Union defence minister.

Sitharaman as India's defence minister is definitely a matter of pride and happiness for millions of Indian women who are still struggling to assert their rights within their families itself.

Sitharaman by becoming the second female defence minister after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also sends a strong message to the world that Indian women are really strong to head the powerful ministry of defence.

That is why even those who are generally critical of the Modi government cheered the news with great enthusiasm and congratulated the saffron party for working for women empowerment.

Delighted to see news of @nsitharaman as new Defence Minister. Thank you @narendramodi -Woman leading from the Front. Literally Now. Love it https://t.co/1KgrOdjSvW  barkha dutt (@BDUTT) September 3, 2017

It's actually fantastic that two key portfolios - Defence and Foreign Affairs- are with women @nsitharaman @SushmaSwaraj  Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) September 3, 2017

However, there are notes of caution amid all celebrations. Many fear that by giving Sitharaman, who does not have much political heft, the all-important post of defence minister, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will have a direct control over the ministry.

Thus, the PM by giving the post of defence minister to Sitharaman masterfully did two jobs--one projected himself as the champion of women empowerment and second kept his control over the ministry firm.

Moreover, Sitharaman's elevation is meant to compensate for the departure of Venkaiah Naidu, the party's tallest leader from the south, who has become Vice-President.

Important to note tho that @nsitharaman superbly competent as she is, lacks political heft. So will @PMOIndia control national security?  Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) September 3, 2017

Speaking to reporters after her elevation, Sitharaman said, "Somebody who has come from a small town, grown into the party with all the support of the leadership, and if given such responsibility, it just makes you feel sometimes that cosmic grace is there. Otherwise it is impossible."

Sitharaman added that her appointment sent a "big message to the world on what the status of women is in India". "This country will never stop promoting women," she told reporters.

Now, Sitharaman has the twin jobs to fulfill--one to continue as the flag-bearer of women empowerment and second to make the country's defence sector one of the strongest in the world.

OneIndia News
India will continue to rely on close cooperation of US to address global economic challenges: Sitharaman

Open mind on combat role for women says Nirmala Sitaraman

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

India's new Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has an open mind on combat role for women. After taking charge as the Defence MInister on Sunday she said that she is keeping an "open mind" on women in combat roles -- a matter that Army Chief Bipin Rawat said is being looked into.

"After my taking charge, I will be certainly be going through a lot of what has happened on that front... I will keep an open mind and look into the matter," 58-year-old Sitharaman said. The issue, she added, has even been discussed by the National Commission of Women.

Women are allowed in some select areas in the army - including medical, legal, signals and engineering wings. But in June, General Rawat had assured that the army is ready to open up combat positions for women and it will begin with inducting them as military police. Last year, the Indian Air Force had inducted three women as fighter pilots.

"We have already started the process," General Rawat had told Press Trust of India in an exclusive interview.

So far, only Germany, Australia, Canada, the US, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel have allowed women in combat roles.

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 6:16 [IST]
Re 1 clinics to shut down at central railway stations in Mumbai, officials are to blame

India

oi-Anusha

Mumbai's famous Re 1 clinics at eight locations in Central railway stations will shut down in two days thanks to apathy. Despite saving the lives of 200 accident victims and attending to 20,000 patients, the clinics face the threat of closure thanks to squabbling officials of the railways.

Speaking to OneIndia, Dr. Rahul Ghule, the founder of Re 1 clinics said that despite an investment of Rs 11 lakh, railway officials were reluctant to allocate space at 11 locations and even demolished a pharmacy at Dadar railway station. "Politics and administration are killing good schemes. We are shifting all eight clinics out of the central railway stations," said Dr Ghule.

Woman delivers baby at Re 1 clinic in a Mumbai Railway station

In a letter to the Divisional Railway Manager, Central Mumbai, Dr Ghule has said that the clinics will be withdrawn within three days. The letter dated September 3 says that since its inception in May 2017, eight Re 1 clinics on central railway stations have treated close to 20,000 patients and have saved 200 accident victims. In July, the clinic also helped a woman passenger deliver a baby.

"Because of internal railway officers' clashes, we have suffered heavy losses. As per our knowledge, some politicians are opposing the clinics and because of this very reason, railways is refusing to grant permission for 11 earmarked places," Dr Ghule said.

He insisted that despite the lack of permission and unnecessary red tapism, the Re 1 clinics will function, albeit in different locations. "We are shifting these clinics to slums or localities where people from the lower middle class live. We are also starting a home medical service. We will continue to serve those in need," Dr Ghule said.

The railways meanwhile, has said that there were no issues between its officials and the Re 1 clinic founders. Railways public relations office maintains that the clinics will not shut down. Members of Dr Gyhule's team allege that the permissions are not being granted to open more clinics or current structures are being demolished due to political pressure. The railways has to ensure that it gives free space, electricity, and water to the clinics. Space is offered by clearing illegal hawkers at the station. The clearance has come as a threat to the clinics with local administration, allegedly unwilling to provide space.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 9:12 [IST]
Anthony Bruno, one of Christensen's attorneys. [Photo/Xinhua]

Attorneys representing Brendt Christensen, who was charged with kidnapping of the missing Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying filed a motion on Friday, requesting to withdraw from representation of the client.

The attorneys indicated that they reached the agreement with the suspect when he was arrested under the charge of kidnapping that the payment will be increased if the prosecutors pursue higher charges.

According to the US Attorney's Office, the government raised the possibility that a superceding indictment with additional charge could be filed before the case goes to trial during a hearing on Aug 28.

However, the suspect and his family could not offer the payment requested by the attorneys. So they agreed that the suspect would be represented by a court-appointed lawyer and the motion will be viewed in court on Sept 8.
IAS officer interaction with school girls leave Nitish embarrassed; action against her likely

R K Singh: The man who arrested L K Advani

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

R K SIngh, the IAS officer from Bihar was sworn in to the Narendra Modi ministry on Sunday.

The first-term MP from Arrah was always known as a tough officer and his toughest assignment was to arrest LK Advani when the BJP stalwart's 'Ram Rath' rolled on unhindered from Ayodhya on way to Somnath in October 1990.

BJP was then propping up the VP Singh government and arresting Advani could have led to its fall and set off a chain of violence.

Singh had halted the rath yatra in Samastipur and arrested Advani, prompting the BJP to withdraw support to Singh's National Front government and resulting in its collapse.

The event paved the way for the emergence of the saffron party as a formidable force on the country's political firmament.

Ironically, he later became a joint secretary in the union home ministry when Advani headed it.

Singh, widely acknowledged as a no-nonsense officer, had a distinguished four-decade career as an IAS officer before he decided to take the political plunge in 2013 by joining the BJP. A year later, he won the Lok Sabha election from Arrah.

"It is a challenge for me but I am used to challenges.

Singh, 64, said his predecessor in the Power Ministry, Piyush Goyal, did a commendable job in the last three years and that would enable him inherit a well-oiled machinery to work with.

Singh, a 1975 batch IAS officer, has served both in Bihar and at the Centre in different capacities, including secretary, defence production, in the UPA government.

He headed the Bihar government's departments of home, industries and public works, and was also the district magistrate of Patna. He is known for his contributions to the modernisation of the state police and prisons, and laying down a framework for disaster management.

It was during the tenure of Singh as the Union home secretary that 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab and Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru were hanged.

Known to speak his mind, Singh had criticised the process of distribution of tickets by the BJP in the 2015 Bihar assembly elections, which the party lost.

However, his induction in the Modi ministry shows he has made up with the party leadership, which has rewarded him for his administrative acumen.

OneIndia News
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Terrorists lob grenade at CRPF camp in J&K, injures four jawans

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Four jawans were injured on Monday when terrorists lobbed grenade on a CRPF camp in Anantnag's Qazigund, prompting the security forces to cordon off the area.

The wounded jawans have been taken to a hospital for treatment.

The security forces have cordoned off the area after the attack and a hunt was on to nab them.

J&K: Four jawans injured after terrorists lobbed grenade on CRPF patrolling party in Anantnag's Qazigund (visuals deferred) pic.twitter.com/ijxgKswOjV  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017

In July, top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Bashir Lashkari and his associate was killed in a major gun battle with security forces in Anantnag.

Earlier in the day, two terrorists were killed in a gun battle with the security forces in Shangergund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Monday.

The two terrorists killed belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen.Two AK-47s and 1 INSAS Rifle were also recovered from the encounter site.

It was also reported that two terrorists were suspected to be trapped in Shangergund on Monday morning, following this a gun battle ensued.

OneIndia News
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UP: 49 children died in Farrukhabad hospital in 30 days due to lack of oxygen

India

oi-Madhuri

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The District Magistrate in Farukkhabad in Uttar Pradesh has ordered a probe into the deaths of over 49 children in a month in the Ram Manohar Lohia Rajkiya Chikitsalay.

The reasons for the deaths were allegedly due to oxygen and medicines shortage. An FIR has been filed against the hospital and the district magistrate has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The FIR has revealed massive lapses on the part of the hospital.

Meanwhile, the hospital CMO Umakant Pandey has defended the hospital, stating that negligence cannot be held responsible for the children's deaths.

Following the registration of the FIR, Farrukhabad DM Ravindra Kumar sacked the CMO and CMS at the hospital.

This comes just days after Gorakhpur tragedy which claimed around 60 infants died.

The Gorakhpur hospital authorities, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had claimed that the children at the BRD Medical College died due to Japanese Encephalitis and other ailments.

However, according to reports, the oxygen supplier at BRD Hospital had repeatedly raised the issue of pending dues for a period of six months. They had even warned the hospital authorities of snapping the supply if the dues are not cleared, which they did on August 7, soon after which the ailing children started dying one after the other.

OneIndia News
When Modi's minister, Ananth Kumar Hegde assaulted a doctor

India

oi-Anusha

A video of newly inducted junior minister Ananth Kumar Hegde beating up a doctor has resurfaced embarrassing the BJP. A day after he took oath and was inducted as a junior minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet, the ghost of a CCTV footage showing Hegde thrashing a doctor has returned to haunt him.

The incident dates back to January this year when Hegde, a proud Taekwondo expert, showed off his skills against doctors and medical staff at the Totagarara Seva Samiti hospital in Sirsi. The entire ruckus was caught on camera. The BJP leader was caught on camera thrashing doctors even as the other medical staff tried to intervene.

Video dated January 2, 2017

FIR against Karnataka BJP MP for assaulting hospital staff

The incident took place on the night of January 2, 2017. Hegde who spoke to the media later said that he was irate after the doctors refused to attend to his mother who had suffered fractures after a fall. While Ananth Kumar Hegde apologized for the incident later, the hospital staff refused to file a police complaint.

Due to media pressure, the Sirsi police registered a suo moto complaint against Ananth Kumar Hegde. The Sirsi market police have registered case against thr MP under sections 341, 323 and 504 of the IPC.

In 2016, Hedge was booked for inciteful speech. The hard core RSS supporter beat Congress veteran, Margret Alva, to step into Parliament as MP in 1996.

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 10:58 [IST]
Will cabinet reshuffle help Modi sarkar regain its lost glory before 2019 Lok Sabha polls?

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Sep 4: Since the past few days (well, after the violence in Haryana due to the conviction and sentencing of rapist and godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Mumbai deluge), the buzz has been about the final cabinet reshuffle of the Narendra Modi government before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Finally, it took place on Sunday, just hours before Prime Minister Modi left for the Chinese port city of Xiamen to attend the ninth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit.

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The new Modi cabinet after the reshuffle--with the elevation of a few loyalists, removal of a few non-performers, introduction of a few new faces and retention of a few old guards--looks like a smart packaging of a mixed bag of people done by the PM and his Friday man and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah to add a new vigour to the saffron regime before the big battle of the 2019 General elections.

Among a series of pictures posted by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the nodal media agency of the government of India, on Twitter, a group photograph where Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu (seen at the centre) along with prominent names from the present Union cabinet tries to give an impression to the nation that the current regime at the Centre means business.

The reshuffle has come at a time when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is facing severe criticism over its economic policies (failure of demonetisation and the dismal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, among others), law and order problems (failure of the BJP government in Haryana to stop the mayhem that led to the death of at least 38 people after the sentencing of Ram Rahim Singh) stand of the government on the issue of right to privacy (the Supreme Court has recently declared that the right to privacy is a fundamental right, a fact opposed by the Centre), regular terrorists attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, mob lynchings in the name of cow protection, and the Maharashtra's BJP-led government's lackadaisical attitude towards Mumbai floods, to name a few.

The saving grace for the government came recently as the standoff between India and China in Doklam ended after 73 days which is seen as a major diplomatic victory of Modi regime over the mighty China.

The recent striking down of the instant triple talaq--an age-old practice which allows Muslim men to divorce their wives instantly by uttering the word talaq (divorce) three times--by the Supreme Court is another victory of the Modi government as it has always supported a ban on the practice. Thus the verdict is seen as another feather in the Modi government's cap.

Now, the question is: was the reshuffle really necessary? Actually, reshuffle should have happened long back, probably back in March after former defence minister Manohar Parrikar left his job to don the hat of the chief minister of Goa.

After Parrikar's departure from the ministry, finance minister Arun Jaitley was immediately brought in to fill up the vacancy. However, it has always been clear that the defence ministry was given to Jaitley on an ad hoc basis. Moreover, Jaitley had the responsibility of the finance ministry (which he still has).

Both the jobs are demanding and clearly Jaitley who knew that the defence portfolio is not his main job, thus the ministry got neglected as we saw rise in the number of border skirmishes, both in the Pakistani and Chinese fronts.

Then, what took the Modi government almost six months to give India a new defence minister? As it can be seen, it was definitely not the urgency to make amends in the all-important defence ministry that Nirmala Sitharaman was given the job.

Here the agenda of reshuffle is not about one ministry, one person or one post. Modi and Shah, the duo known as election-winning machines, have clearly done the arithmetic of reorganisation of the cabinet eyeing the crucial 2019 elections.

So, was it all about a step forward by the Modi regime to capture the polls again in 2019? Or, was the cabinet rejig merely an eyewash to keep the nation's attention diverted from real problems?

Whatever may be the reason, the fact is that this cabinet has to perform well to help the BJP emerge as the winner in 2019 elections. Since, all the talks about cabinet reshuffle has been about performance of the ministers in various departments, all the new and old guards of the cabinet have a tough and arduous task to bring hope to the country by strengthening its economy, creating jobs, maintaining law and order situation, bringing down the attacks of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and controlling right-wing groups from taking up violence to fulfill their agenda, to name a few.

As around 19 months are left for the next General elections, it is all about perform or perish for the Modi sarkar.

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 8:26 [IST]
India will continue to rely on close cooperation of US to address global economic challenges: Sitharaman

Will Nirmala Sitharaman redeem JNU of its Anti-National tag?

India

oi-Shreya

By Shreya

In a move that is being hailed by the entire country as a massive step towards empowering women, Nirmala Sitharaman was appointed as the Minister of Defence in the much awaited cabinet reshuffle which happened on Sunday.

Sitharaman, who was heading the Commerce Ministry from 2014, is the second woman to head the Defence Ministry after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi held the portfolio twice.

At the start of her political career, Nirmala was appointed as an apolitical member of the National Commission for Women when the first National Democratic Alliance was formed under Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

However, after Congress came in power, she was removed from the Commission, only to be inducted as the Party spokesperson in 2006, as the second woman to become the National Spokesperson of the Party after Sushma Swaraj - Minister of External Affairs at present.

Sitharaman rose up the BJP ranks with an impressive pace, and was given a ministerial position in the party in spite of not being a Member of Parliament.

After being inducted into one of the top most cabinet ministries, Sitharaman said that the promotion was only possible for the "cosmic grace,"

In a press brief after the oath-taking ceremony, she said, "Somebody who has come from a small town, grown into the party with all the support of the leadership, and if given such responsibility, it just makes you feel sometimes that cosmic grace is there. Otherwise it is impossible,"

After graduating with a Bachelors degree from Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College in Tiruchirappalli, she completed her Masters in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1980, and M.Phill in International Studies from the same University.

JNU connection - With the controversy surrounding the noted University for being left-leaning, Sitharaman's induction into the cabinet ministry as the Minister of Defence garnered various comments, especially after Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar requested the Government to install a battle tank inside the University campus to instil love for army among students.

The University which been tagged as anti-national by many for its protests against the death sentence of Afzal Guru - convict in the 2001 Parliament attack, and also for the alleged Anti-India slogans raised inside the campus during the protest.

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) President Kanhaiya Kumar, along with student activists Anirban Bhattacharya and Umar Khalid were also booked under charges of sedition which triggered massive outrage from different parts of the country.

After the controversy Sitharaman in an interview to Indian Express expressed her resentment and said that she did not belong to 'this JNU'.

"On February 9, along with separatists, slogans were raised about 'Bharat Tere Tukade Hazar Honge (India, you will become a thousand pieces)'... to hold a meeting to remember the man (Afzal Guru) who was given all available opportunity under the judicial process and then say 'Tere Kaatil Abhi Zinda Hai (Your killers are still alive)'. Are you saying that the entire judiciary was wrong? Are you celebrating a person who has been punished after due process? I am sorry, this is not the JNU that I belong to" she said.

With the hype created around the University for its particular slant towards the left, when it comes to student politics, time will only reveal if the appointment of alumna as the Defence Minister will help the university redeem its anti-India tag.

Sitharaman earlier has worked with PwC, London and BBC World Service before starting her political career. She will be assuming office as the Defence Minister from Wednesday.

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 16:32 [IST]
With 76 ministers, is Modi's council still minimum government, maximum governance?

India

oi-Anusha

In 2014 when Narendra Modi led BJP came to power in India, "minimum government, maximum governance" was the slogan given to the people of the country. Three years later, Narendra Modi's council of ministers has 76 members, five more than what the UPA II had.

Only 46 ministers took oath and became part of the council, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 after the BJP swept the general elections. "I believe the government has no business to do business. The focus should be on Minimum Government but Maximum Governance," Narendra Modi had famously said after taking charge as the Prime Minister. Three years into the government a lot has changed, and the council of ministers has been expanded gradually.

The BJP had mocked the Congress for its umpteen number of ministers. The UPA had 68 GoMs and 14 EGoMs. The BJP-led NDA government abolished the 'Group of Ministers' (GoMs) and 'Empowered Group of Ministers' (EGoMs) that was prevalent during the UPA regime. "This would expedite the process of decision making and usher in greater accountability in the system. The Ministries and Departments will now process the issues pending before the EGoMs and GoMs and take appropriate decisions at the level of Ministries and Departments itself" a statement from the Prime Minister's office explained.

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There is neither a government nor governance: Congress

Today, the Congress is in a position to mock the BJP over the number of ministers in the council. After all, the Congress-led UPA had only 71 in comparison to current NDA Council of 76 ministers.

"Narendra Modi government has gone back on every single promise made to the country and it comes as no surprise that his (Modi) claims are going in the reverse on the minimum government, maximum governance front. Government is entering every sphere of life. His approach to governance and decision making has interfered in every possible sphere, including demonetisation, making people feel the power of the government. Where is the minimum government here? And we don't know what happened to governance. Everything is so Prime Minister-centric today that nobody else matters," said AICC spokesperson Dinesh Gundu Rao.

The Congress had launched a scathing attack on the BJP even in 2016 when Modi expanded his cabinet. The BJP, however, is defensive about its government's decision. "The Congress party obviously is not keeping track of the maximum governance and achievements under three years of Modi government. If 300 million bank accounts and financial inclusion for the poorest of poor or 25 million subsidized gas connection to the poor or 750 million people taking benefits of the mudra program for self-employment among various other schemes are not examples of maximum governance then obviously the Congress party needs to go back to the drawing board and understand what maximum governance means," BJP National Spokesperson Nalin Kohli told OneIndia.

While the Modi government is being hailed for rewarding performance and including bureaucrats into the council of ministers, giving it an executive push, the opposition parties believe that it is a mere eyewash. "When everything is PM-centric, I don't know if the number of ministers, which is currently more than what the UPA II had, makes any difference. The cabinet expansion has no logic with no means of assessing who performed and who didn't. It is applaudable that a woman has been made the defense minister but Nirmala Sitaraman was commerce minister and how growth has been affected in the country is for all to see," Dinesh Gundu Rao added.

When questioned about the cabinet expansion destroying the very idea of minimum government, the BJP maintained that governance was not being compromised. The party instead mocked the Congress for its comments. "With regards to the number of ministers, the Congress-led UPA with 71 ministers brought maximum corruption and scams and definitely lack of governance. They certainly do not have a rationale to make allegations on us with this track record of theirs," Nalin Kohli added.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 12:21 [IST]
BRICS: China recognises Pakistan terror, but will it back India at UN

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

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Is the China-Pakistan bonhomie wearing off? The BRICS declaration condemned the role various terror groups, but the one that was the highlight was the Jaish-e-Mohammad. It may be recalled that China had refused to support the ban on the Jaish chief Maulana Masood Azhar.

The BRICS declaration is clearly a signal that China has recognised the problem of Pakistan sponsored terror. The question however is whether a mere condemnation is sufficient or will China have to do more.

Experts are of the view that this is a great start. China has at least started recognising the threats posed by these groups. The next step would however be to back the ban on Azhar in the UN.

Will China back the ban? It is difficult to state for now if China would go that extra mile and back India's request. For Pakistan Azhar is a strategic asset. In fact only recently Azhar was told to play a bigger role in Kashmir. The Jaish had managed to ensure the infiltration of its men in large numbers. An Intelligence Bureau report spoke about these terrorists moving into Kashmir in a bid to carry out big strikes.

China taking a harsh stance on Azhar would mean angering Pakistan. Can China afford this?

China has plenty of business interests in Pakistan. China has sought from Pakistan an assurance that its assets would be protected and the same has been reciprocated.

Pakistan will deal strongly with any outfit in its country which threatens peace, but will remain mum on outfits such as the Lashkar-e-Tayiba or the Jaish-e-Mohammad which are a threat only to India.

Following the Pathankot attack, India had renewed its call to impose a ban on Azhar and declare him a terrorist. India had submitted evidence about the involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and also its leader in the Pathankot attack before the UN.

It even told the sanctions committee of the UN that not listing Azhar would expose not just India but the whole of South Asia to a potential risk.

The committee while submitting the proposal to UK, US and the other members said that if there is no objection then the decision to impose the ban would go through. However China stepped in and told the committee to place the decision on hold. It may be recalled that China had blocked India's move to ban Azhar after the 26/11 Mumbai attack as well.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 13:15 [IST]
At BRICS summit, Putin slams 'thoughtless and selfish actions' of certain states that hurt global economy

Fact Check: Did Putin visit South Africa this year to attend the BRICS Summit

BRICS Summit: Joint Declaration condemns Pakistan terror outfits JeM, Lashkar

International

oi-Madhuri

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In a major diplomatic win for India, a joint declaration adopted by the BRICS member states on Monday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

BRICS leaders' Xiamen declaration expressed concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

"We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism."

''We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Modi met on the sidelines of the BRICS meeting. ''They discussed about trade and tourism. Oil and Natural gas exploration was also on the agenda," says MEA Raveesh Kumar.

Putin later thanked Modi for participation in Eastern Eco Forum. Several aspects discussed energy cooperation, cultural exchanges, student and tourists exchange.

Modi and Xi are expected to meet on Tuesday, nearly a week after the two countries announced resolution of the 73- day-long Dokalam standoff.

According to officials, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting on September 5 on the sidelines of the 9th Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Summit. After the bilateral with the host, Modi will be travelling to Myanmar on a bilateral visit.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were in a standoff position for nearly 73 days since June 16 when the Indian side stopped construction of a road by Chinas army.

OneIndia News
BRICS Summit: Modi meets Putin vow to boost cooperation in oil, natural gas sector

International

pti-PTI

Xiamen, Sep 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. They discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially in the oil and natural gas sector.

The two leaders met in this southeastern Chinese city on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. "The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime minister's visit to Russia earlier this year.

And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters at a briefing here. He said that during the Modi-Putin meeting several bilateral issues were discussed like the cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector.

Kumar said the two leaders also discussed how they should work together to promote trade and investment.

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges. "President Putin mentioned about the 'Festival of India', which was organised in Russia earlier this year. Discussions also took place on the promotion of tourism between the two countries and also on the student exchange between the two sides," Kumar said.

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BRICS Summit: PM Modi to meet China's Xi today

International

oi-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS summit at Xiamen.

"PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to hold bilateral meeting at 12:30pm (10am IST) tomorrow in Xiamen," MEA officials told PTI on Monday.

Earlier in the day, China had also indicated that there will be a meeting between President Xi and PM Modi during the five-nation plenary, but declined to say whether the Dokalam issue will figure in their talks.

"I believe my colleagues have said from this podium that as a host China will arrange meetings with participating leaders," foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media here, replying to a question about a possible Modi-Xi meeting.

Geng had not specified when the meeting would be held.

Prime Minister Modi is in Xiamen to attend the annual summit of BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - a grouping of the five emerging economies.

The summit attended by Modi along with leaders of the five countries is due to end on Tuesday.

Geng evaded a direct answer to a question whether the recent bilateral tensions over Dokalam standoff would figure in the talks between the two leaders.

"Details of the meeting we will release in due course," he said.

The meet comes days after India and China last month ended a 73-day standoff in Doklam by withdrawing troops from the area.

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China avoids Azhar ban issue after BRICS declaration names JeM

International

oi-PTI

China on Monday circumvented questions on any change in its stand of blocking Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar's banning by the UN, even as the declarations of BRICS Summit for the first time named the terror outfit along with other Pakistan-sponsored groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba for spreading violence in the region.

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A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked moves to ban Azhar under the al-Qaida sanctions committee of the Council.

"On participating in international campaign against terrorism, our position is consistent and firm," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here, commenting on the strong stand taken by BRICS countries, including China, by naming Pakistan-based terror outfits among those spreading violence in the region.

He, however, skirted a direct response to a question on whether the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) by the BRICS in which China is a prominent member marks a change in Beijing's stand of opposing the ban against Azhar, who heads the group.

"I have not seen the BRICS joint declaration and don't know the specific content," Geng said.

"On the counter terrorism cooperation among the BRICS countries, we are very satisfied with the achievements made by the BRICS. We have a working group on terrorism," he said.

In the last two years, China has stonewalled efforts by India and then later by the US, the UK and France to declare Azhar as a terrorist, stating that there is no consensus on the issue.

This has led to bilateral discord between India and China as Beijing's move has been seen as an attempt to shield Azhar on behalf of Pakistan.

Early last month, China had again extended by three months its technical hold on the US, France and the UK-backed proposal to list Azhar for his role in the Pathankot terror attack.

China had in February this year blocked the US move to designate Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN. Earlier, it had also blocked India's moves to get Azhar designated as a global terrorist.

Also, in a move that could cause consternation in Pakistan, the BRICS declaration named Lashkar-e-Taiba besides the JeM for spreading violence. The inclusion of both the groups followed a tough stand against Pakistan enunciated by US President Donald Trump in his recent policy statement on Afghanistan and South Asia.

The BRICS expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

At the Xiamen Summit, the BRICS leaders called for swift and effective implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) international standards worldwide.

"We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard," the declaration said.

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 19:14 [IST]
Cooperation is important for peace, development: Modi at BRICS plenary session

International

oi-Madhuri

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday welcomed BRICS leaders at the International Conference Center in Xiamen. The Summit began with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries and was preceded by a warm handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping.

Modi while speaking at the BRICS Plenary Session in Xiamen said that the cooperation is important for peace and development. Modi also said that trade and economy is the foundation of the co-operation among BRICS countries

''NDB has started disbursing loans in pursuit to mobilize sources of infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS countries. We are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education,'' Modi said.

''A strong BRICS partnership and innovation I am sure will be the instrument for progress. BRICS countries can work closely with ISA to strengthen the solar energy agenda. Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities & promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement & the IMF,'' the Prime Minister said.

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Earlier, Xi, while inaugurating the BRICS business council, also called on BRICS countries to take a constructive part in the process of resolving geopolitical "hotspot issues" and make due contributions.

Xi said,''As the world undergoes profound changes, BRICS cooperation has become more important.'' ''Despite our differences in national conditions, our 5 countries are in similar stage of development and share same development cause. We should speak with one voice and jointly present our solutions to issues concerning international peace & development.''

China to launch plan for BRICS countries with 500 mn Grand to facilitate policy exchange & practical cooperation in economy & trade.

''Pleased to note imp consensus reached at leadership level on closer people to ppl exchanges, being translated into reality,'' the Chinese President said.

China to contribute US$4mn to NDB project preparation facility to support business operation&long term development of the bank.

''Our ever closer ties with rest of the world require that we 5countries play a more active part in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved,'' Xi said.

Modi is also said to meet Xi Jinping on Tuesday. Trade and terror are expected to feature in the agenda when the two leaders talk. The meeting attains significance as the first exchange between the two leaders after the month-long Doklam standoff.

India is also expected to raise its concerns over terrorism at the BRICS Summit, with Modi asserting that the grouping has to make important contributions in upholding peace and security, and address global challenges.

The Summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area on August 28 after over a two month standoff between them.

Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, venue of the 9th BRICS Summit in this port city of China and was followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

OneIndia News
N Korea 'profoundly' destabilising regional security: UN chief

International

pti-PTI

United Nations, Sep 4: Calling it an act that is "profoundly" destabilising for regional security, UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the underground nuclear test by North Korea.

North Korea on Sunday carried out its most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile. According to a statement issued by a UN spokesperson, the Secretary-General said that North Koreas action is yet another serious breach of the its international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.

"This act is also profoundly destabilising for regional security. North Korea is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions," the statement said, using North Koreas official name Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

The UN Chief reiterated his call on North Korean leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions, the statement said, noting that Guterres remains in contact with all parties concerned. The head of the UN atomic agency has said that the nuclear test is "an extremely regrettable act".

"This new test, which follows the two tests last year and is the sixth since 2006, is in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community," said Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in a statement.

In its resolutions, most recently in 2371, the Security Council has reaffirmed its decisions that North Korea should not conduct any further nuclear tests and should abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

PTI
Prince William, Kate expecting third child

International

pti-PTI

Britain's Prince William and wife Kate are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace today announced, bringing delight to the royal family. There had been little indication that the 35-year-old Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was pregnant.

The royal couple already have two children - Prince George and Princess Charlotte - aged four and two. George is set to start school in London this week and Charlotte celebrated her second birthday on May 2 this year.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child," Kensington Palace said in a statement. "The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the statement read.

Kate is suffering from severe morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum as in the early stages of her previous two pregnancies. Her condition has forced her to cancel a planned engagement at a children's centre in London today.

"The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace," the statement noted. George will be attending the Thomas' Battersea school near the royal couple's Kensington Palace home in the city. Prince William had resigned from his job as an air ambulance rescue pilot in July to take on royal duties full time and spend more time with his family.

The 35-year-old Duke of Cambridge had ended his job as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance after two years with the charity. The second in line to Britain's throne is also set to take on additional royal responsibilities as his grandfather and the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, commenced his retirement from royal duties last month.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had already cut down on long-haul travel for some years now, with younger royals taking on those duties.

PTI
Pyongyang could be preparing new missile launch: Seoul

International

oi-PTI

North Korea is likely to be readying another ballistic missile launch following its sixth nuclear launch. Seoul said on Monday as it strengthened its defences following Pyongyang's biggest-ever nuclear test and declaration it had a hydrogen bomb.

The South and the United States will deploy more of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile launchers that have infuriated Beijing, the defence ministry said.

The announcement came after Seoul fired an early-morning volley of ballistic missiles in an exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site.

Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the east coast.

Pyongyang said the device it detonated Sunday was a hydrogen bomb - far more powerful than the fission-based devices it is believed to have previously tested - and small enough to fit into a missile.

The blast threw down a new gauntlet to President Donald Trump, after the North in July twice tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range, and threatened to send a salvo of missiles towards the US territory of Guam.

South Korean defence ministry officials estimated its strength at 50 kilotons - five times the size of the North's previous nuclear test.

They did not confirm whether it was a hydrogen bomb, saying only that "a variety of nuclear material" had been used.

But Defence Minister Song Young-Moo said Seoul believed Pyongyang had succeeded in miniaturising its nuclear weapons to fit into an ICBM.

The South had requested the US deploy strategic assets such as aircraft carriers and bombers to the peninsula, he said, but denied reports Seoul was seeking the return of US tactical nuclear weapons.

Signs that North Korea was "preparing for another ballistic missile launch have consistently been detected since Sunday's test", the ministry said.

It did not indicate when a launch might take place, but said it could involve an ICBM being fired into the Pacific Ocean to raise pressure on Washington further.

The South Korean military carried out drills Monday in response to the test, with F-15 fighter jets and ground forces firing missiles in a simulated on North Korea's site.

PTI
Scrapping of DACA could impact 7000 Indian-Americans

International

pti-PTI

Washington, Sep 4: With US President Donald Trump set to scrap key immigration reform Deferred Action for Children Arrival (DACA), more than 7,000 Indian-Americans are likely to be affected.

DACA is a programme that grants work permits to immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as children. The programme was a key immigration reform of the former US President Barack Obama.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters on Friday that Trump would take a decision on the issue tomorrow. However, Politico in an exclusive story reported Sunday that Trump has already decided to rescind this programme and senior administration officials are now discussing the rollout of his decision which could come later this week.

However, senior administration officials have cautioned that there might be changes in Trumps decision until it is formally announced, Politico reported. Such a decision by the US President, which is one of his poll promises, is expected to draw widespread criticism including those from his own Republican party. The move is likely to impact some 750,00 undocumented workers including more than 7,000 Indian-Americans.

In a radio interview Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives said that Trump should not terminate DACA as "these children know no other country than the US".

"I actually don't think he should do that. I believe that this is something that Congress has to fix," Ryan said on radio station WCLO in Janesville, Wisconsin.

India ranks 11th among countries of origin for DACA students, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services statistics available till March 31, 2017.

"Deporting patriotic, courageous young men and women who are American in every way would be disastrous for our communities, our economy and our nation," said Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives.

In a study released last week, CATO Institute said that termination of DACA, which would result in possible deportation of these students could cost over USD 200 billion to the American economy and the cost to the government would be USD 60 billion. The average DACA recipient is 22 years old, employed, and a student. 17 per cent of them are on track to complete an advanced degree.

PTI
Trump's trade threat over N Korea 'unacceptable': China

International

pti-PTI

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Beijing, Sep 4: Criticising President Donald Trump's threat to cut off US trade with countries that deal with North Korea over Pyongyang's recent nuclear test, China on Monday rejected pressure to do more to halt the North Korea's nuclear development.

Trump issued the threat after North Korea on Sunday exploded a thermonuclear device in its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. The threat was seen as a warning to China, North Korea's main trading partner and only major ally.

A foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, criticized Trump's stance as unfair to Beijing.

"What is definitely unacceptable to us is that on the one hand we work so hard to peacefully resolve this issue and on the other hand our interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardized," Geng said at a regular news briefing.

"This is unfair. Such an approach would be drastic if applied to China, from which the United States imports goods worth about $40 billion a month," Shuang added.

Trump said it was under consideration "in addition to other options." Asked whether Beijing would support tougher UN sanctions such as cutting off oil supplies to North Korea, Geng didn't mention oil but said whatever happened would depend on discussions among council members.

Geng said China, one of five permanent Security Council members with power to veto UN actions, would take part in a "responsible and constructive way."

Geng expressed frustration at Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's comment that Beijing had a responsibility to influence North Korea due to its status as the North's main trading partner.

"We keep stressing that we cannot solely rely on China to resolve this issue," said Geng. "We need all parties to work in the same direction."

PTI
Why the nuclear test by North Korea is terrifying for the world

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

North Korea on Sunday tested a hydrogen bomb meant to be mounted on intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The bomb is reportedly the first by the nation to surpass the destructive capabilities of the 1945 bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII.

The test is North Korea's sixth test of a nuclear weapon overall, and the first carried out during the Trump administration.

North Korea claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb, which is a thermonuclear weapon more powerful than an atomic bomb, which is a fission weapon. Both the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII were atomic bombs, with the equivalence of 15 and 20 kilotons of TNT respectively.

South Korea's weather agency estimated the nuclear blast yield of the presumed test was between 50 and 60 kilotons, or five to six times stronger than North Korea's fifth test in September 2016. That would mark a significant step forward in the North's quest for a viable nuclear missile capable of striking anywhere in the United States.

On North Korean television, a newsreader called the test a "complete success" and said the "two-stage thermonuclear weapon" had "unprecedented" strength. Hours earlier, Pyongyang claimed its leader had inspected a hydrogen bomb meant for a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

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Seoul's weather agency and the Joint Chiefs of Staff said an artificial 5.7 magnitude quake occurred at 12:29 p.m. local time, in Kilju, northern Hamgyong province, the site where North Korea has conducted nuclear tests in the past.

Seoul officials revised their earlier estimate of 5.6 magnitude quake. The US Geological Survey called the first quake an explosion with a magnitude 6.3.

The US State Department had no immediate reaction. South Korea's presidential office said it will hold a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in.

South Korea's military said it has strengthened its monitoring and readiness while mulling a variety of possible responses that could be executed in collaboration with the US.

Japan confirmed that North Korea conducted a nuclear test, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said. "It is absolutely unacceptable if North Korea did force another nuclear test, and we must protest strongly," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

The USGS and China's earthquake administration detected a second tremor in North Korea minutes after the first, describing it as a cave-in or collapse. South Korea's weather agency, however, said no second quake occurred.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year, the last nearly a year ago, on the September 9 anniversary of the nation's founding. It has since maintained a torrid pace in weapons tests, including its first two intercontinental ballistic missiles test in July.

Last month, North Korea fired a potentially nuclear- capable midrange missile over northern Japan.

What appeared to be the nose cone of a missile could also be seen near the alleged bomb in one picture, which could not be independently verified and was taken without outside journalists present. Another photo showed a diagram on the wall behind Kim of a bomb mounted inside a cone.

State media said Kim visited the Nuclear Weapons Institute and inspected a "homemade" H-bomb with "super explosive power" that "is adjustable from tens (of) kiloton to hundreds (of) kiloton."

North Korea's nuclear and missile programme has made huge strides since Kim rose to power following his father's death in late 2011. The North followed its two tests of Hwasong-14 ICBMs by threatening in August to launch a salvo of its Hwasong-12 intermediate range missiles toward the US Pacific island territory of Guam.

It flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile capable of carrying nukes, in a launch Kim described as a "meaningful prelude" to containing Guam, the home of major US military facilities, and more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

It may be difficult for outside experts to confirm that the nuclear device detonated today was an H-bomb. State media reported that the test left no trace of radioactive material.

The US and its allies attempt to detect blast material to gauge North Korea's progress, but Pyongyang has become better at containing it as its nuclear program has evolved.

To back up its claims to nuclear mastery, such tests are vital. The first of its two atomic tests last year involved what Pyongyang claimed was a sophisticated hydrogen bomb; the second it said was its most powerful atomic detonation ever.

It is almost impossible to independently confirm North Korean statements about its highly secret weapons programme.

North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

The White House said President Donald Trump spoke with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan regarding "ongoing efforts to maximize pressure on North Korea."

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, September 4, 2017, 8:16 [IST]
 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd.

All rights reserved.

One News is a registered trademark

of One News Page Ltd.
by  Graham Pierrepoint



THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM

IMDb

Dir: Juan Carlos Medina

Starring Bill Nighy, Olivia Cooke, Douglas Booth, Daniel Mays, Sam Reid, Maria Valverde, Henry Goodman, Morgan Watkins, Eddie Marsan

3 STARS (out of 5)

Horror is an odd genre  it certainly seems to vary from country to country and from culture to culture. While US cinema has been happy to perpetuate slasher flicks since the dawn of film, the influence of the Japanese has helped to make the genre evolve into something a little more rounded. The British side of things, however, has always seemed a little more grisly, more old-worldly, perhaps even creepier  after all, Christopher Lee is still considered the iconic depiction of Dracula  and British Hammer Horror movies have plenty to answer for when it comes to inspiration on the modern genre. Its therefore not surprising to see a murky British horror thriller make its way onto modern screens again  even if this particular tale may not be the genre-changer it perhaps should have been.

The Limehouse Golem, adapted from Peter Ackroyds Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem, is a grim, murky tale sit in the mists of Victorian London  where it appears that a number of bizarre murders are escalating. The killings appear to follow ritual of some kind  and Inspector Kildare (Nighy) is brought in to help figure out who or what is behind the bizarre deaths  while playwrights wife Elizabeth (Cooke) stands trial accused of killing her husband, who himself was a suspect in what are being called the Limehouse Golem killings. Kildare finds himself pilloried by the press and in charge of a murder investigation which suggests that an otherworldly monster could be to blame  but is the truth more human?

Limehouse Golem is a movie which is chiefly concerned with plots, and narrative, and twists therein  therefore, it makes for a fairly nice change of pace amongst many films to have reached the big screen this year which flatter to deceive. Certainly, Golem is no stranger to going all-out on atmosphere, either  as the grimy Victorian stage is set for Ripperesque murder and mayhem which will likely appeal to a niche audience  its all very Sunday night BBC1  and this is perhaps where a number of its flaws may stem from.

The movie is a grandiose project which does well to provide plenty of twists and turns  as well as muddling flashback devices here and there  in an effort to flesh out the story. These storytelling quirks are certainly welcome, if not rather haphazard  and there are plenty of grisly moments thrown around here and there when it comes to the murders themselves. This is absolutely prime time Sunday night British TV viewing  albeit a little denser, a little more macabre but nonetheless still fascinating in its own little way. A longer running time, perhaps, would have gone a fair way here  especially when it comes to deepening the mystery. Anyone savvy enough with this sort of drama will have worked out the mystery long before Bill Nighy does  meaning that while much of the fun is gone from working out whodunit, you can at least enjoy the visual spectacle and the showtunes of old. Scene setting is nicely attended to here  that, at least, is a strength.

The Limehouse Golem - Official Trailer (Lionsgate)

The cast here is great  some of them well-known to British viewers, others just breaking through  and once again, Bill Nighy proves that he can carry a lead with vigour and passion. Nighys issues on the big screen lately have been to do with the characters hes been given as opposed to his performances  while Inspector Kildare may well be perfectly played by Nighy (though it was supposedly lined up for the late Alan Rickman), his character just isnt that interesting  theres too much twisting and turning of the plot and too little attention paid to either the story or Kildares journey for any of this to hit home as well as it could have.

What Limehouse Golem is, however, is different  perhaps even challenging  to the cinematic norm. It is richly atmospheric, and while episodes of Murder She Wrote may have had harder mysteries to work out, this is a movie which delights in being a little more macabre than you are expecting, perhaps a little more period than you were paying for  and while it certainly does provide for a fairly memorable trip to the cinema, it never really reaches for anything beyond its station. There are a number of flaws here which prevent Golem from being a game-changer  but, at the same time, it is a creepy, tense, grisly and engaging film that will very likely appeal to a niche audience  and then some. If anything, it is always worth seeing Bill Nighy on the big screen in a lead role  as far as British actors go, he continues to be one of the most reliable, and indeed versatile.
by  Graham Pierrepoint



With summer on its way out, you may be tempted to travel back in time to relieve the glorious sunshine  not us! Here at One News Page, we make use of our own glorious time travelling capabilities to look back on big stories and earth-moving moments from decades and centuries past. Heres what happened this week in time gone by!

September 4th, 2016  Mother Teresa Canonized

The late Mother Teresa  regarded as savior to many through her pioneering missionary work  was recognized as a saint this time last year under the gaze of The Pope.

September 5th, 1666  The Great Fire of London Ends

It was a disaster that saw over 13,000 homes destroyed at eight people killed  and its one of the more memorable dates British schoolchildren have memorized across the years.

September 6th, 1620  The New World Awaits

On this date in the 17th century, pilgrims aboard the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, UK, in search of the so-called New World  to you and me, that is of course the USA.

September 7th, 1996  Tupac Shakur Shot

This week sees the 21st anniversary of a drive-by shooting which would have a colossal knock-on effect in the music industry  as rapper Tupac Shakur succumbed to shots fired on this date less than a week later.

September 8th, 1504  Michelangelos David Unveiled

Michelangelo was a man of many talents  and while many will know him best for his breath-taking Sistine Chapel ceiling mural, others will recognize his statue of David most of all  in all his glory!

September 9th, 2015  Queen Elizabeth II Breaks a Record

As of this date two years ago, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch in British history  with a record-breaking 63 years and seven months on the throne. The record had previously been held by Queen Victoria  and as of the time of writing, Queen Elizabeth is only adding to her staggering reign by the day.

September 10th, 2008  The Large Hadron Collider Debuts

Its thought to hold the secrets to all matter in the known universe  well, near enough  but regardless of hyperbole, the incredible work completed by those overseeing the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland, started today nine years ago  as the machine was powered up for the first time.

Join us again for another trip back in time soon  next Monday should do it!
Lainey Gossip 13 Sep 2022

Burning Man is not as celeb-heavy as Coachella but this year, a few made their way to the desert including Kaia Gerber and Cindy..
OK! Magazine 12 Nov 2022

Also in attendance were Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Opalesque Industry Update - SYZ Asset Management, the institutional asset management arm of the SYZ Group, announces the opening of an office in Madrid as of 1 September 2017. This milestone follows the Munich and Milan branch openings in 2016, and a series of key hires and specific product launches, confirming SYZ Asset Management's commitment to and growing success in Europe. Based in Madrid, SYZ Asset Management (Europe) Ltd, Sucursal en Espaa, offers a wide range of funds from its OYSTER SICAV, a Luxembourg domiciled UCITS, as well as discretionary mandates for professional clients in Spain. Mr. Luis Beltrami Cruz, who brings over 11 years of industry experience, will lead the office as Branch Manager. Mr. Beltrami Cruz - who will drive and direct sales activity - joined the Group in April 2014 as Director of Institutional Sales where he successfully promoted the SYZ Asset Management's OYSTER Funds range in Spain. Due to recent strong growth that looks set to continue, Spain is an important market for asset management in the European Union. This large and growing asset pool is a key reason for SYZ Asset Management seeking to strategically extend its product and service offering to meet Spanish investor demand. The opening of the Madrid office is another step in the Group's drive to strengthen its client service and business development capabilities. It follows similar moves in 2016 and 2017 to bring on board top-level hires and the opening of two offices in Milan and Munich, respectively. Interest in the Group's investment strategies remains high both for existing and developing new strategies, notably in high-conviction equities, active fixed-income and multi-asset solutions. Commenting on the opening of the Madrid Branch, Ms. Katia Coudray, CEO of SYZ Asset Management, said: "Spain has a well-established fund market that has been growing strongly with an increasing appetite for innovative solutions". She added "A local presence confirms our commitment to strengthen existing relationships and work more closely with local investors to provide attractive solutions across the breadth of strategies we offer".
Global LNG Bunkering Industry Analysis Highlighting Forecasted Growth during the Period between 2014 and 2025

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Global IT Robotic Automation Market Insights & Forecast Analysis Indicating Growth at a CAGR of 47.1% till 2024

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Over the years, IT robotic automation has evolved as the go-to solution for organizations to profit from process automation and advanced analytics in processes and operations at economical prices. To further focus on IT robotic automation, a new study has been included in the huge online repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE). This research study is titled IT Robotic Automation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024. The report encloses precise data related to the prime market regions, top players, along with a forecast analysis talking about the prospects until 2024.Request For Free Sample Report:As per the report, a prime focus has been given to the key market drivers. Some of the major factors driving the global IT robotic automation market include ability to leverage other application software without integration, cost benefits and improved efficiency in process handling, increased adoption in finance and accounting (F&A) sector and alternative to offshore outsourcing. Further, it has been mentioned that the global market is likely to expand at a CAGR of 47.1% over the period between 2016 and 2024. If these statistics are maintained, the market would soon rise to acquire a valuation of US$ 16,884.0 Million by the end of the forecast period.The report initiates with a brief analysis of the market scope, key research objectives, and research highlights. Readers can also access information related to market dynamics which offers a clear vision about the opportunities lined up for IT robotic automation in the years to come.In the next section, market segmentation on the basis of several factors is carefully presented to enlighten the investors. The market segregation on the basis of the solution includes tools and services. Further, classification under tools comprises of model based and process based. Moving forward, by services the segmentation includes professional and training.Browse Full Report with TOC:In the later section, the study evaluates the geographically superior regions in terms of the market for IT robotic automation. The prime regions are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America. Further, the report evaluates the major providers of IT robotic automation, with a precise analysis on the basis of factors such as financials, business strategies, and recent developments. The active provider include Blue Prism, Be Informed B.V., IPSoft, Inc., Tata Consultancy Services Limited., Appian, Infosys Limited, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Atos SE, Capgemini, Genfour, Genpact Ltd., Sutherland Global Services, Inc., Automation Anywhere, Inc. and UiPath Srl.About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:
Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Professional Survey Report 2017

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This report studies Oil & Gas Project Management Software in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringDeltek, Inc.InEight, Inc.EcoSys Management LLCOracle Corp.LiquidFrameworks, Inc.AVEVA Group PLCSAP SEPenta Technologies, Inc.Siemens AGIBM Corp.IFS World Operations ABMicrosoft Corp.Stormgeo Holding ASAconex Ltd.Coreworx IncVarec, Inc.Download Sample Report Copy From Here:By types, the market can be split intoContract ManagementSchedulingAsset ManagementInventory ManagementCostingAnalyticsMaintenanceOthers (Weather Forecast and Logistics)By Application, the market can be split intoUpstreamMid & Down StreamBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaTable of ContentsGlobal Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Oil & Gas Project Management Software1.1 Definition and Specifications of Oil & Gas Project Management Software1.1.1 Definition of Oil & Gas Project Management Software1.1.2 Specifications of Oil & Gas Project Management Software1.2 Classification of Oil & Gas Project Management Software1.2.1 Contract Management1.2.2 Scheduling1.2.3 Asset Management1.2.4 Inventory Management1.2.5 Costing1.2.6 Analytics1.2.7 Maintenance1.2.8 Others (Weather Forecast and Logistics)1.3 Applications of Oil & Gas Project Management Software1.3.1 Upstream1.3.2 Mid & Down Stream1.3.3 Application 31.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Oil & Gas Project Management Software2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Oil & Gas Project Management Software2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Oil & Gas Project Management Software2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Oil & Gas Project Management Software3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Oil & Gas Project Management Software3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Share Analysis5.2 China Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Analysis5.2.1 China Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Overview5.2.2 China 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Analysis5.3.1 Europe Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Overview5.3.2 Europe 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.3.3 Europe 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Analysis5.3.4 Europe 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Share Analysis5.4 Southeast Asia Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Analysis5.4.1 Southeast Asia Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Overview5.4.2 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.4.3 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Analysis5.4.4 Southeast Asia 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Share Analysis5.5 Japan Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Analysis5.5.1 Japan Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Overview5.5.2 Japan 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.5.3 Japan 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Analysis5.5.4 Japan 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Share Analysis5.6 India Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Analysis5.6.1 India Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Overview5.6.2 India 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.6.3 India 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Analysis5.6.4 India 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Share Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Segment Market Analysis (by Type)6.1 Global 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales by Type6.2 Different Types of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Product Interview Price Analysis6.3 Different Types of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Product Driving Factors Analysis6.3.1 Contract Management of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.2 Scheduling of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.3 Asset Management of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.4 Inventory Management of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.5 Costing of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.6 Analytics of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.7 Maintenance of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.8 Others (Weather Forecast and Logistics) of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis7 Global 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Segment Market Analysis (by Application)7.1 Global 2012-2017E Oil & Gas Project Management Software Consumption by Application7.2 Different Application of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Product Interview Price Analysis7.3 Different Application of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Product Driving Factors Analysis7.3.1 Upstream of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis7.3.2 Mid & Down Stream of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Growth Driving Factor Analysis8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Oil & Gas Project Management Software8.1 Deltek, Inc.8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Deltek, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Deltek, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 InEight, Inc.8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 InEight, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 InEight, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 EcoSys Management LLC8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 EcoSys Management LLC 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 EcoSys Management LLC 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Oracle Corp.8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Oracle Corp. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Oracle Corp. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 LiquidFrameworks, Inc.8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 LiquidFrameworks, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 LiquidFrameworks, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 AVEVA Group PLC8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 AVEVA Group PLC 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 AVEVA Group PLC 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 SAP SE8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 SAP SE 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 SAP SE 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Penta Technologies, Inc.8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Penta Technologies, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Penta Technologies, Inc. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 Siemens AG8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 Siemens AG 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 Siemens AG 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 IBM Corp.8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 IBM Corp. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 IBM Corp. 2016 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Business Region Distribution Analysis8.11 IFS World Operations AB8.12 Microsoft Corp.8.13 Stormgeo Holding AS8.14 Aconex Ltd.8.15 Coreworx Inc8.16 Varec, Inc.9 Development Trend of Analysis of Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market9.1 Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Trend Analysis9.1.1 Global 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Size (Volume and Value) Forecast9.1.2 Global 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Sales Price Forecast9.2 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Regional Market Trend9.2.1 North America 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Consumption Forecast9.2.2 China 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Consumption Forecast9.2.3 Europe 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Consumption Forecast9.2.4 Southeast Asia 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Consumption Forecast9.2.5 Japan 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Consumption Forecast9.2.6 India 2017-2022 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Consumption Forecast9.3 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Trend (Product Type)9.4 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Trend (Application)10 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Marketing Type Analysis10.1 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Regional Marketing Type Analysis10.2 Oil & Gas Project Management Software International Trade Type Analysis10.3 Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Oil & Gas Project Management Software by Region10.4 Oil & Gas Project Management Software Supply Chain Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Oil & Gas Project Management Software11.1 Consumer 1 Analysis11.2 Consumer 2 Analysis11.3 Consumer 3 Analysis11.4 Consumer 4 Analysis12 Conclusion of the Global Oil & Gas Project Management Software Market Professional Survey Report 2017MethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceBuy Now This Report From Here:Global 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Smart Doorbell Market Outlook and Worldwide Foresight 2017 to 2022

Doorbell

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Basically, a smart doorbell is a device that your visitors push just like a normal doorbell. However, that s where the similarities between traditional and smart doorbells end, because you also get all kinds of cool features thanks to the ability to connect to a WiFi network.Get a Sample of Doorbell Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Smart Doorbell in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Major Players Included in Doorbell Market:LegrandHoneywellPanasonicSkebellRingCHUISandboxKivosDNAKEGuangdong Roule ElectronicsGuangdong AnjubaoLeelenAdvanteAnd Many OthersScope of the DoorbellIndustry on the basis of region:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Browse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Doorbell Market Report @Market Segment by Type, covers:Wireless Video DoorbellsWireless Invisible DoorbellMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:ResidentialCommercialCheck for Discount @About Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs-
Global Vulcanizing Machines Market Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin 2017- 2022

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Global Vulcanizing Machines Market 2017The market research report by QY Research provides detailed study on the overall Vulcanizing Machines market size, its financial positions, its unique selling points, key products, and key developments. This research report has segmented the Vulcanizing Machines market based on the segments covering all the domains in terms of type, country, region, forecasting revenues, and market share, along with analysis of latest trends in every sub-segment.CLICK HERE to FREE Sample Report @:The qualitative segmentation of Vulcanizing Machines market covered in the report gives in-depth information of the overall market. Furthermore, the market size, share, forecast trends, analysis, sales, supply, production, demand, major manufacturers, end-users, and many other vital factors are comprised in the Market Research Vulcanizing Machines report by QY Research. By these comprehensive data, it is simple to take and make precise and accurate decisions taking into consideration the present market situation and the forecasts of the global market, which in turn may result into profitable step for our clients.A competitive landscape that identifies the major competitors of the global market and their market share are further highlighted in the research report. A deliberate profiling of major competitors of the Vulcanizing Machines market as well as a inclusive analysis of their current developments, core competencies, and investments in each segment are also elaborated in the research report.Inquiry Here @ :The overall information of the Vulcanizing Machines market provided in the report helps our client to make precise and accurate decisions in order to gain maximum profit in this cutthroat competition in the global market. The report comprises various elements such as table, figure, charts, TOCs, chapters, and so on so as to provide a crystal clear data to the client giving a brief of the market and its trends. Thus, the report provides in-depth information of the Vulcanizing Machines market in terms of revenue, value, volume, region, and many more.About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Market Future Demand and Growth Analysis with Forecast 2022

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The Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) market size will be XX million (USD) in 2022 in United States, from the XX million (USD) in 2016, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) XX% from 2016 to 2022.Request A Sample copy of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Market @In United States market, the top players include Clariant ICL Agrium JLS Chemical Budenheim Changfeng Chemical Sanwa Flame Retardant Technology Jingdong Chemical Kingssun Group Lanyang Chemical Zhejiang Longyou GD Chemical Shian Chem Chuanhong Phosphorus ChemicalThis report with sales, revenue and market share for each type, split by product types/category, covering APP I APP II OthersThis report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) in each application, split by applications/end use industries, covers Liquid fertilizer industry Flame retardant industry OthersTo Browse the Entire Report, Visit:Table of Contents2017-2022 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Market Report (Status and Outlook)1 Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP)1.2 Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Market Segment by Types1.2.1 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Sales Present Situation and Outlook by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Sales Market Share by Types in 20161.2.3 APP I1.2.4 APP IIOthers1.3 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Market Segment by Applications/End Use Industries1.3.1 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Sales Present Situation and Outlook by Applications/End Industrials (2012-2022)1.3.2 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Sales Market Share by Applications/End Industrials in 20161.3.3 Liquid fertilizer industry1.3.4 Flame retardant industryOthers1.4 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Overview and Market Size (Value) (2012-2022)1.4.1 United States Market Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Overview1.4.2 United States Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) Market Size (Value and Volume) Status and Forecast (2012-2022)About Bharat Book Bureau:Bharat Book Bureau is the leading market research information provider for market research reports, company profiles, industry study, country reports, business reports, newsletters and online databases Bharat Book Bureau provides over a million reports from more than 400 publishers around the globe. We cover sectors starting from Aeronautics to Zoology.Contact us at:Bharat Book BureauTel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773Email: poonam@bharatbook.comWebsite:Follow us on: Twitter|Facebook| Linkedin |Google Plus
United States Stretch Ceilings Market Expecting an Outstanding Growth Till 2024

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Stretch ceiling is a suspended ceiling system consisting of two basic components a perimeter track and lightweight fabric membrane which stretches and clips into the track. Stretch ceilings allow the incorporation of all types of light fixtures, grilles and fixing points by the use of a proprietary background support.Get a Sample of Stretch Ceilings Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Stretch Ceilings in United States market, to split the market based on manufacturers, states, type and application.Major Players Included in Stretch Ceilings Market:NormaluSerge FerrariPongsMehlerVERSEIDAGHiraokaCLIPSOACS ProductionSarosNewmatAnd Many OthersScope of the Stretch Ceilings Industry on the basis of region:CaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisBrowse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Stretch Ceilings Market Report @Market Segment by Type, covers:PVC CeilingsPTFE CeilingsOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:IndoorOutdoorCheck for Discount @About Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs-
ABSTRACT

Specialists for internal medicine are very important group of the medical profession. Although they make up the largest group of specialized physicians, there is a shortage of physicians, and in particular of internists in Germany, Austria and under some aspects in Switzerland. Germany, Austria and Switzerland show also an intensive transfer of physicians. It is therefore of interest to investigate if the tern internist in the three countries under consideration is based on the same or equivalent education, in particular regarding the quality standards. Exchange date between the three countries, the organisation of the medical profession, the access requirements to the specialist medical training, the structure of the specialists training as well as the requirements for keeping the specialists name have been compared. The main differences are the access requirements and the linkage of the qualification to the independent exercise of the medical profession. Also regarding the performance catalogues, the Swiss education follows a different approach as in Germany and Austria.

Keywords:

Specialist, Internal Medicine, Specialists Training, Germany, Austria, Switzerland

1. Introduction

Specialists in internal medicine are deeply rooted in the healthcare system.

The importance of specialists in internal medicine is exhibited by the sheer size of this specialist group compared to any other group in the entire medical profession. In 2015, the specialists for internal medicine in Germany comprised of 50,834 people while the total number of physicians was 371,302 people (BAK, 2016a, Statista, 2016a) . In Switzerland, the statistical evaluation for 2015 shows a total of 35,325 physicians, with 8328 specialists for General Internal Medicine (Hostettler & Kraft, 2016) , followed by the specialists for psychiatry and psychotherapy. The same applies to Austria, in 2015, the internists made up the largest specialist medical group with 4204 members. The total number of physicians the same year was 44,002 (Statistik Austria, 2016a) . Thus, the physicians specialized in internal medicine represent the largest group with a specialisation in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

The main reason why internists make up the largest specialist medical group is due to the increase in life expectancy. The share of older citizens with care needs in the field of internal medicine has grown substantially as a result of the generally increasing life expectancy (Sieber, 2007, Statistisches Bundesamt, 2015) . Furthermore, early diagnosis and long-term therapy of chronic diseases, as well as current surgical therapy options often require life-long aftercare (such as type I diabetes mellitus) (Orchard et al., 2015) .

A parallel phenomenon is the deficit of physicians due to the migration movements within the specialist groups (BAK, 2015, Schmidt & Gresser, 2014) . Migration movements to Germany, especially from Austria, have been documented (in 2015, 2573 doctors moved to Germany from Austria (BAK, 2016a) ) and Eastern European countries, with a negative migration balance for Germany (Schmidt, 2014; Wismar et al., 2011) . At the same time, there is a movement of physicians from Germany to Switzerland (in 2015: 629 Germany doctors moved to Switzerland, in contrast to 252 physicians from Switzerland to Germany). Austria is in second place (in 2015: 264 doctors moved to Switzerland) (BFS, 2015, BAG, 2016a) . In Switzerland, German physicians are the highly represented group of foreign physicians (Statista, 2016b) .

The preceding data thus show the intensive transfer of doctors between the three countries.

This raises the question whether the commonly used term internist or specialist physician for internal medicine in the three countries under consideration is based on the same or equivalent education, in particular regarding the quality standards. Can patients and employers rely on the fact that the physician trained abroad can meet the qualifications required in the target country?

The results section starts with a comparison of the exchange of physicians between the three reviewed countries. Then, the organisation of the medical profession in the three countries and the access requirements for the specialist medical training are shortly summarized. More focus has been put on the structure and content of the specialists training as well as on the requirements for keeping the specialists name. The main and most relevant commonalities and differences in the specialists training in internal medicine are then emphasized in the discussion section. The conclusions section gives then a short summary of the most important insights and a prospect of the situation.

2. Results

2.1. Physicians Exchange between Germany, Austria and Switzerland

In Germany, the number of working physicians has risen by 21.1% from 306,400 (BAK, 2005) to 371,302 (BAK, 2016a) between 2005 and 2015. Nevertheless, one speaks generally of a medical deficit (Adler and Knesebeck, 2011, Stackelberg, 2010) .

For German physicians, Switzerland is followed by Austria as the most popular migrant countries (BAK, 2016a; Kopetsch, 2010, Statistisches Bundesamt, 2011) . In 2014 and 2015, respectively, 285 and 264 German physicians (BAK, 2016a) migrated to Austria. In 2014 and 2015, 629 German physicians migrated to Switzerland (BAK, 2016a) .

In Germany, emigration is caused by unsatisfactory working conditions both in the inpatient as well as in the outpatient sector (van den Bussche et al., 2012) .

In Austria, the main reasons for emigration are long working hours, low wages compared to neighbouring countries and deficits in medical education (Scharer and Freitag, 2015; Wismar et al., 2011) .

The highest exchange is with the neighbouring countries. Germany and Switzerland are the most popular migrant countries of the Austrian medical community (Wismar et al., 2011; Zimmermann and Purger, 2015) . This is justified by the common language (Wismar et al., 2011) .

Switzerland is a country of immigration for physicians (Jaccard Ruedin & Widmer, 2010) . The number of doctors in Switzerland is assured by feminization and immigration (Kraft and Hersperger, 2011) . Nevertheless, there is a shortage of doctors in Switzerland, since the number of doctors trained in Switzerland does not cover the needs (Kraft and Hersperger, 2011) .

In 2014, 17% of physicians working in Switzerland had a German degree (Hammer, 2015; Statista, 2016b) . In 2015 it was already 17.7% (Hostettler & Kraft, 2016) .

The same language (at least for the German-speaking part of Switzerland), higher salaries and better health system conditions compared to Germany are cited as reasons for their relocation (Bundesrat, 2011) .

The migration movement in the countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland therefore differs significantly. For Germany, emigration is predominant over immigration (BAK, 2016a; BAK, 2015; BAK, 2014a; BAK, 2013a; BAK, 2012; BAK, 2011a; Wismar et al., 2011) . In Austria, emigration and immigration are largely balanced (Wismar et al., 2011) . Switzerland shows a positive immigration balance (BAG, 2016a; Hostettler & Kraft, 2016) .

2.2. Organisation of the Medical Profession

In Germany, the medical profession is organized in the Federal chamber of physicians as well as the corresponding 17 provincial chambers (BAK, 2014b) . The provincial chambers are subdivided hierarchically into district and circuit associations. The membership in the regional chamber of physicians and the district chamber is obligatory for every physician active in Germany and is regulated in the Heilberufe-Kammergesetz (HKaG, 2002) of the respective federal state. This obligatory membership leads to the indirect membership of every physician working in Germany to the Federal chamber of physicians (BAK, 2016b) by means of the affiliation of the regional chambers. The chamber of physicians is also responsible for the continuing medical education (HKaG, 2002) .

The medical profession in Austria is organized in the Austrian medical association (OAK, 2016a) . As an umbrella association, all nine provincial chambers are members of the Austrian chamber of physicians (OAK, 2016a) . Doctors are, by law, members of the medical chamber responsible for them (ArzteG, 1998) . The Austrian Chamber of Physicians is also responsible for further training as a specialist (ArzteG, 1998; OAK, 2015a) .

The central body of the medical profession in Switzerland is the Swiss medical association Foederatio Medicorum Helveticorum, FMH (FMH, 2016a) . All cantonal and specialist medical societies (FMH, 1998) are organized in the FMH. In order to become a member of the FMH, a federal or equivalent medical diploma (FMH, 1998) is required. The membership is not mandatory per se, but is required to carry an FMH specialist medicine title earned in Switzerland (FMH 1998). The legal provisions for the acquisition of a specialist doctors title are laid down in the training regulations (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2002a) , for which the FMH is responsible (FMH, 1998) .

Table 1 summarizes the essential information on the organization of the profession in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

2.3. Access Requirements for the Specialist Medical Training

In Germany, training to become a specialist can only be started after the suc-

Table 1. Comparison of the organisation of the medical profession.

cessful completion of the medical studies, which encompasses the third medical state examination and the licence to practise medicine (BAK, 2003) . An exception here is the specialist training for oral-maxillofacial surgery. In this case, the prerequisites are the third medical state examination and the dental examinations (BAK, 2003) .

In Austria, the prerequisite for the start of the specialist training course is the successful completion of the study of human medicine, consisting of the oral examination and the submission of a diploma thesis (ArzteG, 1998; OAK, 2015b) . The physician is however not entitled to exercise the medical profession independently (ArzteG, 1998) . He now owns the so-called Ius operandi (ArzteG, 1998; Fisch, 2008) . After completion of the general medical training or specialist training, the Austrian physician receives the right to self-employment (Ius practicandi) (Fisch, 2008) and may call himself a physician for general medicine or specialist physician (ArzteG, 1998) . The term physician for general medicine (Arzt fur Allgemeinmedizin) does not correspond to a specialist title (OAK, 2015b) .

In Switzerland, the prerequisite for the start of the specialist training course is the successful completion of medical studies with the acquisition of the Swiss doctors diploma (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2000) . Like in Austria, the physician is not entitled to exercise the medical profession independently (MedBG, 2006) .

Table 2 summarizes the access requirements in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

2.4. Structure and Content of the Specialists Training

In Germany, the training period for the specialist for internal medicine is 60 months, 36 of which have to be completed as inpatient basic training in the field of internal medicine and 24 months as inpatient further training in internal medicine (BAK, 2003) . The content of the training is regulated in the training regulations (BAK, 2003) . The guidelines on the content of the specialist training contain indications over the number of required treatments and examinations to be carried out during the specialist training (BAK, 2003b) .

Table 3 shows an overview of the different specialist medical trainings in Germany.

Table 2. Access requirements for the specialist medical training.

Table 3. Overview of the specialist medical trainings in Germany.

The training of specialists in Austria lasts 72 months and includes a nine

months basic instruction for all physicians, where knowledge in conservative as well as in surgical fields is imparted (AAO, 2015) . The basic training is then followed by a 27-month basic training course and a 36-month specialized training in internal medicine (AAO, 2015) . Also in Austria, a minimum number of different treatments and examinations have to be carried out during the specialist training course for internal medicine (ArzteG, 1998; OAK, 2015c) .

Table 4 shows an overview of the different specialist medical trainings in Austria.

The duration of training as a specialist for internal medicine in Switzerland takes a total of 5 years (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2000) . Three years must be completed in general internal Medicine. This is referred to as common basis training (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2000, SIWF FMH ISFM, 2011) . The remaining two years can be completed in the two freely selectable modules of hospital internist and family doctor (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2011) . They are referred to as further training (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2000). At least one year of training is to be completed in another hospital as a second training centre (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2011) .

Table 5 shows an overview of the different specialist medical trainings in Switzerland.

Table 6 shows a comparison of the evaluation procedure and duration for the training as a specialist in internal medicine in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

2.5. Requirements for Keeping the Specialists Name

In Germany, the occupational regulations oblige physicians active in Germany to carry out continuous training (BAK, 2011b) . Within five years, 250 CME points (Continuing Medical Education Points) must be collected (BAK, 2013b) .

In Austria, continuing education is also mandatory. Similarly to Germany, 250 continuing education points are required within five years (OAK, 2006; OAK, 2010) .

In Switzerland, the mandatory continuous training requests 50 training credits and 30 hours of self-study, which must be documented, on a yearly basis (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2002a) .

Table 7 shows a comparison of the requirements for keeping the specialists name in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Table 4. Overview of the specialist medical trainings in Austria.

Table 5. Overview of the specialist medical trainings in Switzerland.

Table 6. Evaluation procedure and duration of the specialist medical training.

3. Discussion

Commonalities and Differences in Training as a Specialist for Internal Medicine in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

The differences are the access requirements and the linkage of the qualification

Table 7. Requirements for keeping the specialists name.

to the independent exercise of the medical profession to the specialist title. After the successful completion of the 3rd state examination and the acquirement of the licence to practise medicine, German doctors acquire the qualification for independent medical profession (BAO, 1961) . In Switzerland, the training title general practicioner (praktischer Arzt) or a specialist title are necessary for independently practising the medical profession (MedBG, 2006; SIWF FMH ISFM, 2002b) . In Austria, after completing their studies in human medicine, the doctors do not have the qualification for self-employed medical activities (ArzteG, 1998) . Self-employed medical practice requires the completion of at least 42 months of general medical training or the acquisition of a specialist medical examination (AAO, 2015; ArzteG, 1998) .

If the performance catalogues are compared, the Austrian and the German performance catalogue show clear similarities. This is different with the Swiss performance catalogue, which defines basic illnesses and problems in which basic skills are developed and in which certain levels of competence must be acquired in the form of skills, abilities and knowledge (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2016a; SIWF FMH ISFM, 2016b) . In the course of focus specialist training (hospital internist or family doctor), competencies must be acquired in connection with multimorbid disease pictures (SIWF FMH ISFM, 2016c; SIWF FMH ISFM, 2016d) . Such a classification of the competences to be acquired according to specific diseases is thus not found in the Austrian or the German performance catalogue.

The recognition of the specialist designation between Austria, Germany and Switzerland is regulated by law in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC (EUR-Lex, 2005) and the bilateral agreement with Switzerland (Freizugigkeitsabkommen, 1999) . The specialist titles listed are recognized and the correspondences of the specialist medical records in the country of origin to the correspondences of the specialist physicians in the target country are also laid down. In Germany and Austria the title specialist for internal medicine (Facharzt fur Innere Medizin) exists. The equivalent training in Switzerland leads to the title specialist for general internal medicine (Facharzt fur Allgemeine Innere Medizin) (BAK, 2003; OAK, 2015a, SIWF FMH ISFM, 2000) . In particular, it should be noted that the term specialist physician for general medicine (Facharzt fur Allgemeinmedizin) exists in the German education curriculum but is not identical to the Swiss specialist for general internal medicine (Facharzt fur Allgemeine Innere Medizin) (BAK, 2003; SIWF FMH ISFM, 2000) . The same applies to the Swiss title general practitioner (Praktischer Arzt) and the Austrian general practitioner (Arzt fur Allgemeinmedizin) (AAO, 2015; MedBG, 2006; SIWF FMH ISFM, 2002b) . Both forms characterize the successful completion of a shorter training section than a specialist training and are not a specialist title (AAO, 2015; SIWF FMH ISFM, 2000; SIWF FMH ISFM, 2002b) . In Germany, these terms are still used as colloquial language, although these names no longer exist officially with the amendment of the German training regulations.

4. Conclusion

Compared to other countries at European and international level, the specialists training in internal medicine can be considered very similar between the three countries. The main differences are the access requirements, the linkage of the qualification to the independent exercise of the medical profession to the specialist title and the performance catalogues, which are similar in the requirements with a predefined number of performances to be executed in Germany and Austria, but differ from the Swiss approach of competence levels. This also facilitates the recognition of the training periods and the specialists title, which is the reason for the high mobility of young physicians between Germany, Austria and Switzerland during or after the continuing education as a specialist in internal medicine. This may be a possibility for compensating the emigration- related supply bottlenecks via immigration from the other countries. However, further studies are needed for the empirical proof of these relationships.

Acknowledgements

This publication contains results from the thesis of Johanna Braun Vergleich der Weiterbildung zum Facharzt der Inneren Medizin zwischen den Landern Deutschland, Osterreich und Schweiz mit Ausblick auf die Europaische Union submitted at the Medical Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich.

Cite this paper

Braun, J., & Gresser, U. (2017). Comparison of the Specialist Medical Training in Internal Medicine between Germany, Austria and Switzerland: An Overview. Creative Education, 8, 1729-1741. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2017.811118

References
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Market Research Hub (MRH) has recently published a report titled Global Biofertilizers Industry 2017, Trends and Forecast, which is a comprehensive and professional research study about major regional market conditions across the globe. Biofertilizers are natural fertilizers prepared from biological wastes that contain living micro-organisms. Biofertilizers are environment friendly, unlike chemical fertilizers, which improve the fertility of the soil by enriching it with organic nutrients, promoting healthy growth of plants or crops. Making the plants diseases resistant, biofertilizers balance the level of salinity in the soil.Request Free Sample Report:The report provides key drivers impacting growth of the market. Awareness about environmental hazards associated with chemical fertilizers, especially contamination of the soil and food chain, and pollution, has necessitated the adoption of biofertilizers in agricultural sector. Rise in health concerns among people has also urged consumers in adopting organic food. As utilization of biofertilizers has become mandatory in organic farming, its demand is expected to surge in the near future. Another major factor propelling demand for biofertilizers is implementation of regulations by various governments, which favor the utilization of biofertilizers. However, substantial availability of synthetic fertilizers.Initially, the first section of the report offers basic information related to biofertilizers such as definition and classification, followed by its applications and market overview. Biofertilizers are primarily classified into potassium mobilizing, phosphate mobilizing, and nitrogen fixing. Among these nitrogen fixing is poised to gain higher traction over the forecast period. Major applications of biofertilizers include fruits & vegetables, oil seeds & pulses, and cereals & grains. Cereals & grains need a relatively large amount of biofertilizers for proper growth. Oats, barley, corn, rice, and wheat are essential cereal & grain crops, which are extensively cultivated around the world. Farmers have started using biofertilizers in place of chemical fertilizers, for sustaining the soil nutrient generation cycle. Demand for biofertilizers is being driven by this approach, particularly for cereal & grain cultivation.The next section of the report offers a detailed analysis on product specifications, raw materials, cost structures, and manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the report provides analysis on regional market conditions worldwide, including aspects such as product cost, capacity, production, profit, demand, supply, and growth rate of the market, on the basis of SWOT analysis, investment return analysis, and investment feasibility analysis. A comprehensive research has been offered in this section which can help market players in setting up a manufacturing plant of biofertilizers.Browse Full Report With TOC:A segment-wise regional forecast and analysis has been delivered in the report, including Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America, along with main countries, which include China, South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, and United States. The regional forecast comprises of the trends, drivers, and restraints impacting the specific region or country in the global biofertilizers industry. The report also sheds light on competitive landscape of the global biofertilizers industry, offering insights about key market players such as Italpollina, Novozymes, Bio Protan, and Biomax, Bodisen Biotech Inc., and Mapleton Agri Biotech. MRHs team of analysts utilize company proprietary tools for arriving at accurate revenue estimates on the basis of certain assumptions, which have been laid out clearly in the report.Enquire About this Report:About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Global Nuclear Medicine Molecular Imaging Technology Industry driven by Extensive Utilization in Diagnostic Applications

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Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging technology have witnessed a continuous evolution, advancing their impacts on treatment and diagnosis of various diseases. A recent report by Market Research Hub (MRH) titled Global Nuclear Medicine Molecular Imaging Technology Industry 2017, Trends and Forecast offers an in-depth analysis about the historic and current market scenario. The report provides information on the advanced imaging and hybrid modalities that depict significant growth potential, thereby influencing the market expansion.Request Free Sample Report:The first section of the report provides an executive summary of the global nuclear medicine molecular imaging technology industry. Highlighting various drivers, restraints and opportunities influencing growth of the industry, MRHs research renders a holistic perspective on its growth prospects. The industry is being driven by developments in disease-specific radiopharmaceuticals, shift towards hybrid PET/MRI and PET/CT imaging. Growth of the industry is also benefitting from extensive utilization of the technology in diagnostic applications including bone scans, myocardial perfusion scans, thyroid scans, gated heart pool scans, renal scans, and hepatobiliary scans. An imperative factor propelling adoption of nuclear medicine molecular imaging technology is its ability of providing physicians with better understanding of molecular level disease pathology. The technology is being witnessed to play an indispensable role in the post-therapy evaluation of the treatments efficacy, and determination of disease prognosis.With the healthcare sector shifting towards a value-based care, workflow of clinicians has become more demanding, however it is not only associated with integration of data for physicians of primary care. Healthcare institutions are seeking imaging solutions, which offer integrated patient information, higher diagnostic confidence on repeated tests, and automated processes. Innovations in nuclear medicines and molecular imaging technology pertaining to current and future requirements must be capable of addressing three key areas viz. enabling personalized medicine, improved workflow and automation, and integrated patient data.The next section of the report focuses on product definitions, classifications, specifications, applications and market overview, along with a comprehensive analysis on manufacturing processes, raw materials and cost structures. Moreover, the report provides in-depth insights and forecast on market conditions by focusing on main regions such as Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific (APAC), along with their predominant countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea. In APAC, large amount of funds are being invested in research and development activities across nations such as Japan, Australia, India, and China. Increasing incidences of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and cancer, coupled with the population expansion will contribute to growth of the industry in APAC.Browse Full Report With TOC:The last section of the report emphasizes on the competitive landscape of the industry, along with insights about key players related to nuclear medicine molecular imaging technology industry across the globe. MRHs research report identifies important business strategies adopted by these market players, SWOT analysis, marketing position of the players, financials, and latest developments influencing expansion of the industry. The section including competitive landscape of the industry also renders an overview of major contributing economies with respect to key players, strengthening their market position over the years to come.Enquire About this Report:About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
E Cigarettes & Vapourizer Global Market Research Sources & Application Analysis & Forecast 2022

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According to Publisher, the Global E-Cigarettes & Vapourizer Market accounted for $7.47 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to reach $28.57 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 21.1% from 2015 to 2022. Growing demand for distribution channels of e-cigarettes and accessories is the primary factor favouring the market growth. Furthermore, increasing number of brands, innovative product launches and product customizations are some of the drivers favouring the market growth. However, uncertain regulatory framework, increasing incidents of e-liquid poisoning and compatibility issues are some of the restraints hampering the market growth. New taxes on e-cigs in cities like Washington, D.C., are damping sales, as are new regulations, like measures passed this year in Indiana that require manufacturers to secure permits and list ingredients. The industry also is awaiting final rules from the Food and Drug Administration, which could require federal approval for nearly all flavored liquid nicotine juices and e-cig devices.For more information about this report:Disposable E-Cigarette segment commanded the largest share in 2015, while Rechargeable E-Cigarettes is growing at the highest CAGR durig the forecast period. North America is expected to witness highest growth rate over the forecast period. Europe being one of the largest markets in the e-cigarette industry it is hub to provide conflicting regulatory regimes.Some of the key players in this market include Japan Tobacco, Inc., First Union, International Vapor Group, Inc., Marlboro, Lorillard, Inc., Pacific Smoke International, British American Tobacco Plc (Bat), Cloudcig, Steamlite, Smokefree, Victory Electronic Cigarettes Corporation, Altria Group, Inc., Reynolds American Inc., Puff Ecig, Bull Smoke, Feellife Bioscience International Co. Ltd, Fontem Ventures, Philip Morris International, Inc., Ballantyne Brands, Llc and Nice Vapor.Composition Covered:- Flavors- Nicotine- Diluents- E-LiquidsProducts Covered:- E-go Electronic Cigarette and Tank- E-Cigars- Rechargeable E-Cigarette- Disposable E-Cigarette- Personal Vaporizers and Mods- E-Pipes- Other ProductsComponent Covered:- Cartridge- Clearomizer- Battery- Rebuildable Atomizer- Atomizer- CartomizerDistribution Channel Covered:- Online- Retail- Pharmaceuticals- Convenient stores- OthersRequest Sample Copy atRegions Covered:- North America- US- Canada- Mexico- Europe- Germany- France- Italy- UK- Spain- Rest of Europe- Asia Pacific- Japan- China- India- Australia- New Zealand- Rest of Asia Pacific- Rest of the World- Middle East- Brazil- Argentina- South Africa- EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsCompany profiling11.1 Japan Tobacco, Inc.11.2 First Union11.3 International Vapor Group, Inc.11.4 Marlboro11.5 Lorillard, Inc.11.6 Pacific Smoke International11.7 British American Tobacco Plc (Bat)11.8 Cloudcig11.9 Steamlite11.10 Smokefree11.11 Victory Electronic Cigarettes Corporation11.12 Altria Group, Inc.11.13 Reynolds American Inc.11.14 Puff Ecig11.15 Bull Smoke11.16 Feellife Bioscience International Co. Ltd11.17 Fontem Ventures11.18 Philip Morris International, Inc.11.19 Ballantyne Brands, Llc11.20 Nice VaporInquire before Buying atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
E Liquid Global Market Data Analysis & Validation, Forecast to 2022

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E liquid market is being driven on multiple promising factors such as slighter harmful ingredients compared to traditional cigarettes, cost-effectiveness, product customizations and presence of established brands. However, compatibility issues and tentative regulatory framework are the factors restraining the market growth.In 2015, prefilled E liquids segment has dominant share in global E liquid products market by accounting for more than XX% of share in total market. Furthermore, the distribution channels for e-cigarette and e-liquid are growing at a rapid pace, with the emergence of dedicated vape shops among other retail outlets. Europe ruling the global E liquid market due to the presence of multiple distribution channels across the region. The growth rate will increase considerably, with noteworthy revenue creation from developing markets of the Russia, Germany, and U.K.For more information about this report:Some of the key players in global E liquid market include Alchem International, Altria Group, Inc., Atom Vapes Plc, Ballantyne Brands, Llc., British American Tobacco Plc, Dongguan Boluvaper Technology. Co. Ltd., Electronic Cigarettes International Group, Feellife Bioscience International Co. Ltd, Fontem Ventures, Gamucci Electronic Cigarettes, Imperial Tobacco Group Plc, International Vapor Group Inc., Japan Tobacco, Inc., Litejoy International Private Limited, Nicoventures Ltd., Njoy Inc., Pacific Smoke International, Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI), Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), Shenzhen First Union Technology Co. Ltd, and Totally Wicked Inc.Product Types Covered:-Pre-Filled E-Liquid-Bottled E-LiquidDistribution Channels Covered:-Online Distribution Channel-Online Resellers-Online Websites-Retail-Vape Shops-Convenience Stores (C-Stores)-Other Distribution ChannelsRegions Covered:-North America-US-Canada-Mexico-Europe-Germany-France-Italy-UK-SpainRequest Sample Copy at-Rest of Europe-Asia Pacific-Japan-China-India-Australia-New Zealand-Rest of Asia Pacific-Rest of the World-Middle East-Brazil-Argentina-South Africa-EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsCompany Profiling9.1 Alchem International9.2 Altria Group, Inc.9.3 Atom Vapes Plc9.4 Ballantyne Brands, Llc.9.5 British American Tobacco Plc9.6 Dongguan Boluvaper Technology. Co. Ltd.9.7 Electronic Cigarettes International Group9.8 Feellife Bioscience International Co. Ltd9.9 Fontem Ventures9.10 Gamucci Electronic Cigarettes9.11 Imperial Tobacco Group Plc9.12 International Vapor Group, Inc.9.13 Japan Tobacco, Inc.9.14 Litejoy International Private Limited9.15 Nicoventures Ltd.9.16 Njoy, Inc.9.17 Pacific Smoke International9.18 Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI)9.19 Reynolds American Inc. (RAI)9.20 Shenzhen First Union Technology Co. Ltd9.21 Totally Wicked IncInquire before Buying atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Fiber Optic Sensors | An insight on the important factors and trends influencing the market

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A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Fiber Optic Sensors Market. The study, titled Fiber Optic Sensors Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024, is available for sale on the firms website.Global Fiber Optic Sensors Market: OverviewThe global market for fiber optic sensors is buoyed by the growing demand for various high end industrial applications along with sophisticated functions. Fiber optic sensors have a high tolerance capacity for extreme temperature conditions. Thus, the demand for these fiber optic sensors is expected to intensify over the next couple of years, especially in applications that have extreme environmental situations where the electrical sensors basically fail to function effectively. Some examples of applications with extreme temperature conditions are the manufacturing and oil and gas sector. Fiber optic sensors are gaining traction across several industries as they are more durable and reliable than their counterparts and predecessors. The deployment of power-efficient and ultra-miniaturized sensors is anticipated to significantly contribute to the growth of the market and further have a positive impact over the next couple of years.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Laser Systems, Materials And Components market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@The research report is a comprehensive review of the growth trajectory in terms of current, historical, and future prospects of the global fiber optic sensors market. It offers an evaluation of the aspects that are anticipated to impact the growth of the market and the chief trends have also been stated in the research study. The study further offers a diverse lookout on the competitive landscape of the market through Porters five forces analysis. The publication provides references of mergers and acquisitions, the research and development projects, details on licensing and collaborations. The report delves into the strategies related to marketing, shares, and product portfolio of the key participants in the global fiber optic sensors market.Global Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Trends and ProspectsThe global fiber optic sensors market is highly benefitted by the fast pace of technological advancements and the introduction of ultra-miniature and power efficient fiber optic sensors. The demand for fiber optic sensors is also expected to rise in the near future owing to the mounting need for durable and reliable sensors, thus bringing about a significant change in the manufacturing processes employed and the materials used in the manufacturing of fiber optic sensors. As a result of these trends, the global fiber optic sensors market has experienced a positive change over the last couple of years and is expected to grow significantly over the forthcoming years. The market has also been propelled by applications in concrete made structure such as crack monitoring. In comparison to the other monitoring technologies, fiber optic sensors are widely preferred for their capability to identify structural damage up to 0.15 mm and cracks in the concrete structure.Advantages of fiber optic sensors include high sensitivity, less power consumption, and high resistance to electromagnetic interference. Besides the use of fiber optic sensors in the telecommunications sector and in LAN operations, they are also employed largely in the oil and gas industry, smart buildings homeland security service operations, and generation of wind energy. However, the growth of the market is likely to be negatively impacted by the high cost of fiber optic sensors and the expensive deployment cost as well. But, this negative scenario is expected to change with the rising investments and initiatives by the governments to propel research and development.Get Request For Discount On This Report @Global Fiber Optic Sensors Market: Regional OutlookRegion-wise the global market for fiber optic sensors is classified into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. In terms of consumption, North America is expected to emerge as a promising market for vendors to capitalize on owing to the high adoption rate of fiber optic sensors across several end-use industries.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe leading vendors in the market are Ocean Optics Inc., Davidson Instruments, Avantes B.V., Intelligent Fiber Optic System Corp., OMRON Corp., Honeywell Sensing and Control and Agilent Technologies Inc. among others.This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends.Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Green/Intelligent Buildings | Emergence of advanced technologies and global industry analysis

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A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Green/Intelligent Buildings Market. The study, titled Green/Intelligent Buildings Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, is available for sale on the firms website.Green and intelligent buildings are those structures that are energy efficient and environment friendly throughout their life cycle. They integrate various Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and other building functions so as to effectively manage the available resources. This enhances the operational performance of the buildings by optimizing energy usages through automated controls and also guards against repair costs, productivity and revenue losses.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Green/Intelligent Buildings market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@The majority of the materials that are used in green and intelligent buildings are renewable and non-toxic in nature. They include fiberglass, recycled metal, lumber and use renewable sources of energy such as wind power, hydro power, and solar power for onsite generation of green energies. Also, there are low energy consumption appliances that are used in such buildings that keep the costs of energy consumption low. Further, rain water harvesting methods are implemented to conserve and reduce water wastage. Thus, green and intelligent buildings reduce the overall environmental impact and due to their energy efficiency, low operational costs and low carbon emissions they are widely used for industrial, commercial and residential purposes. The institutional applications include government, educational, public recreation and religious buildings.The increasing impact of global warming on the environment and the rising awareness for preserving the ecological balance is the prime factor fuelling the growth of green and intelligent buildings market. Implementing the concept of green and intelligent buildings optimizes the energy consumption and reduces carbon dioxide emissions thereby improving the ecological balance. Also, government in developing nations such as India and China, looking to invest in renewable sources of energy in response to the rising rates of electricity consumption and growing energy (power) deficits, has added to the growth of this market. Another factor fuelling the growth of green and intelligent buildings market is the strategies implemented by the property developers to attract buyers and tenants while maximizing the green value. With the improving lifestyles, people are looking for luxurious and energy efficient systems that reduce the operating costs and enhance their well-being. Therefore, to cater to such increasing demand property developers invest in green and intelligent building, which in turn results in increased asset values and rental rates and reduces the risk of depreciation. This increases their returns on investments in such concepts thereby adding to the growth of this market.However, the high cost of materials used to construct these buildings leads to high prices of such residential facilities that are unaffordable in majority of the cases. This restrains the growth of green and intelligent buildings market. Also, the investments involved are long-term and the end-users can expect returns after a certain period of time. Further, lack of skilled personnel to train the end-users in operating the systems and poor awareness of technology add to the factors restraining the growth of green and intelligent buildings market.Get Request For customize this Report@The major players in the market are being recognized and awarded for offering aesthetic roofing solutions. For instance, Bauder Ltd. (United Kingdom), one of the prominent players in green and intelligent buildings market, on May 17, 2014 was awarded by National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) for offering sustainable roofing at Tintern Abbey Gift Shop and Fulham Jetty in United Kingdom. The environmental qualities, problem solving and degree of difficulties were taken into consideration by NFRC while awarding Bauder Ltd. Some of the other prominent players in the market include The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company (U.S.), Gilbane Inc. (U.S.), Hensel Phelps Construction Company (U.S.), Turner Construction Company (U.S.), Clark Group (United Kingdom.), Forbo Intrnational SA (Switzerland), Certain Teed Corporation (U.S.), Binderholz GmBH (Germany), and Alumasc Group PLC (United Kingdom) among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Hydropower | Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored

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A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Hydropower Market. The study, titled Hydropower Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Growth and Forecast 2016 - 2024, is available for sale on the firms website.Global Hydropower Market: OverviewHydropower is presently one of the most widely researched and utilized renewable source of energy generation. With proper utilization of the vast usable resources of hydropower across the globe, it is possible to generate enough clean energy to provide for a significant portion of the continuously rising demand for energy from the global population. It remains the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S. and many other countries are amping up their efforts to advance in the field with new developments.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Hydropower market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Hydropower is presently utilized in over 100 countries globally, and accounts for nearly 15% of the worlds complete electricity mix. The rising focus of governments to make renewable energy sources an integral part of their energy mixes and reduce dependence on the highly polluting and exhaustible fossil fuels is expected to fuel development activities across the global hydropower market.This report on the global hydropower market presents a thorough overview of the present state of the market and a forecast regarding the potential growth prospects of the market and its segments over the period between 2016 and 2024. The report presents a thorough overview of the key factors expected to have profound impact on the overall development of the market over the reports forecast period. As such, detailed analysis of growth drivers, restraints, popular trends of present and past years, regulatory framework of key regional markets, and competitive and vendor landscape of the global hydropower market is included in the report.Global Hydropower Market: SegmentationHydropower plants can be classified on the basis of power generation capacity into small-, large-, micro-, and pico-hydro plants. Plants capable of generating electricity of more than 30 MW are considered large hydropower plants. The segment of small hydropower generally comprises hydropower plants having capacities between 100KW to 30 MW, whereas both micro- and pico- plants have power generation capacities below 100 KW.Generally micro and pico hydropower plants, with capacities between 100 KW and 30 MW, are often installed in remote locations to act as a decentralized source of electricity. In terms of installed capacity across the globe, the segment of large hydropower plants lead by a sizeable margin. Large hydropower plants have been operational across several parts of the world for over three decades and are expected to continue to contribute a significant portion of the worlds total hydropower generation capacity.Large hydropower plants are commonly classified into types such as pumped storage plants, diversion plants, and impoundment plants. Pumped storage and impoundment plants are currently amongst the most common hydropower plants globally and require the construction of a reservoir/dam. Diversion plants do not require the construction of a reservoir and are emerging as one of the most preferred hydropower technologies. This is because the construction of reservoirs for impoundment and pumped storage plants leads to vast capital expenditure, vast complications during rehabilitation and relocation of affected stakeholders, and significant pollution during construction, none or most of which are not required to operate diversion plants.Get Request For Discount On This Report @Global Hydropower Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsIn terms of geography, the report examines the hydropower market for regional markets such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Of these, Asia Pacific is the leading regional market for the hydropower industry, with China representing the largest share in the total installed capacity of hydropower plants globally, followed by Europe and North America. The hydropower capacity of China valued at 281.50 GW in 2013 and continues to show progress at an encouraging pace.Some of the key players operating in the global hydropower market are RusHydro, Hydrochina International Engineering Co. Ltd., Vattenfall AB, and Alstom SA.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Natural Colorants Industry: Global Survey, Trends, Outlook,Forecast by 2024

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A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Natural Colorants Market. The study, titled Natural Colorants Market - Global Industry Trends, Share, Analysis And Forecast 2016 - 2024, is available for sale on the firms website.Natural Colorants Market: OverviewColorants are used in the food and beverage industry to restore the color of processed foods, since some steps in food processing systems can result in partial loss of color. While the loss of color doesnt affect the quality of the foods, it can make them less appealing to consumers and thus affect the manufacturers sales. Achieving standardized coloring is thus the key reason for the use of colorants in the food and beverage industry.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Natural Colorants market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Natural colorants are an emerging class of colorants and are extracted from naturally occurring sources rather than being artificially synthesized. Natural colorants have been growing in demand in recent years due to the rising awareness about their environmental and health benefits. The growing government support to environmental initiatives is likely to remain a key driver for the natural colorants market in the coming years, as large-scale adoption of natural colorants often needs to be encouraged by financial incentives.The report studies the historical growth trajectory of the global natural colorants market and its current condition to present a complete overview of the markets growth patterns. A sound analysis of these figures is used to predict the global natural colorants markets future.Natural Colorants Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe demand to use natural ingredients rather than synthetic formulations has been consistent across the food and beverage industry in recent years. This is the result of the increasing awareness about the possible health complications of synthetic colorant formulations and the growing public perception of natural ingredients as being inherently safer. This is likely to remain a key driver for the global natural colorants market in the coming years, especially in developed regions, where the demand for organic food and natural ingredients is steadily gaining strength.Within the food and beverage industry, food is the leading contributor to the global natural colorants market and is likely to retain its dominant share in the coming years. The rising demand for processed and packaged food, driven by the growing urban population in dynamic emerging economies, has been a vital driver for the natural colorants industry and is likely to remain so in the coming years due to the higher need for colorants in processed food than in fresh produce.The resource-intensive extraction processes of natural colorants could, however, pose a significant restraint on the global natural colorants market in the coming years. Producing synthetic alternatives to natural colorants is easier and cheaper in most cases and also allows for the use of brighter and more attractive shades than the original. Due to the low amount of stabilizing agents used in natural colorants, they can also disintegrate faster than synthetic colorants.Get Request For customize this Report@Natural Colorants Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsThe global natural colorants market is divided geographically into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Among these, Europe is the key contributor to the global natural colorants market and is likely to account for more than a third of the market in the coming years. North America and Asia Pacific follow Europe in the global natural colorants markets regional hierarchy, with the latter expected to exhibit dynamic demand in the coming years owing to the rising urban population in countries such as China, India, Thailand, South Korea, etc. and the consequent rise in the demand for processed food.The report studies the competitive dynamics of the global natural colorants market by profiling leading players such as BASF, Firmenich SA, Symrise, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Givaudan, and CHR Hansen. The elaborative data about the market operations and strategies of the key companies will help provide readers with actionable insights into how the markets competitive environment is likely to affect their planned growth strategy.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
RNAI Technology | Advanced technologies & growth opportunities in global Industry

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A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global RNAI Technology Market. The study, titled RNAI Technology Market - Global Forecast, Share, Size, Growth And Industry Analysis (2010-2017), is available for sale on the firms website.Transparency Market Researchs report on the Ribonucleic Acid Interference (RNAi) technologies market offers an analytical snapshot of this highly dynamic market within the pharmaceutical industry. This report provides an overview of the global RNAi technologies scenario, before detailing each critical segment-based on type, application, and products-within this market. As well as estimating market value of the RNAi technologies market in USD million, the report provides accurate market forecasts for market size and production. In this market intelligence report, our analysts discuss in detail figures across each vertical within this market. The report further analyzes the projected RNAi technologies industry growth rate, capacity, and structure. We also provide an analytical overview of the historical data. Other important aspects, such as growth drivers and restraining factors are enumerated in this market research report.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the RNAI Technology market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@This report is a discussion of the overall landscape of the RNAi technologies market, focusing on the competitive and regulatory environment, the value chain, and the bargaining power of key stakeholders.RNAi is a mechanism of gene regulation, and an important pathway that is used by many different organisms. Entities in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical world are taking an active interest in RNAi technology, as it is poised to substitute the existing recombinant technology in therapeutics and drug discovery.The RNAi technologies market is witnessing numerous applications in agriculture, drug discovery, therapeutics, and medical research  specifically metabolism and functional genomics. Within the RNAi technology market, the therapeutics application segment can be further categorized as: neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and metabolic disorders. Based on the tools and products used for realizing Ribonucleic Acid Interference applications, the market can be classified into: libraries, software and vectors. Based on its type, RNAi technology can also be categorized as small interfering RNAi and micro RNAi.The prospects look promising for the RNAi technologies market, especially given the anticipated double digit growth. As the market for Ribonucleic Acid Interference technologies develops, it could outperform current post-genomic-era technologies such as Recombinant DNASeveral key market playersduly backed by venture capitalists and investorshave made massive investments in applying RNAi technologies in developing oligonucleotide drugs. This industry has been a field not just for research and development, but also for numerous mergers and takeovers. Specialty companies are rapidly emerging in the RNAi technologies market, and will likely shape the future of this sector in the coming years.Get Request For customize this Report@Among pharma giants that are looking for ways to fill their weak pipelines, many consider RNAi-based drugs as a lucrative solution for the same. Given that the RNAi technologies market is still at a nascent stage, companies are keen on earning an early-movers advantage.Companies mentionedSome of the key players in the RNAi technologies market are: Ambion, Qiagen, and Invitrogen.This market research report analyzes the following geographies:North AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
2017 Cyber Insurance Market Report for period 2017 till 2023 Lockton Companies, Zurich Insurance Co, Berkshire Hathaway, Munich Re Group, Lloyds, AON PLC, The Chubb Corporation and Others

Global Cyber Insurance Market Report for period 2017 till 2023

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Global Cyber Insurance Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Lockton Companies, American International Group, Zurich Insurance Co, Berkshire Hathaway, Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty, Munich Re Group, XL Group Ltd, Lloyds, AON PLC, The Chubb Corporation and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Cyber-insurance is an insurance product used to protect businesses and individual users from Internet-based risks, and more generally from risks relating to information technology infrastructure and activities. Risks of this nature are typically excluded from traditional commercial general liability policies or at least are not specifically defined in traditional insurance products. Coverage provided by cyber-insurance policies may include first-party coverage against losses such as data destruction, extortion, theft, hacking, and denial of service attacks liability coverage indemnifying companies for losses to others caused, for example, by errors and omissions, failure to safeguard data, or defamation and other benefits including regular security-audit, post-incident public relations and investigative expenses, and criminal reward funds.The global Cyber Insurance market will reach Volume Million USD in 2017 with CAGR xx% 2018-2023. The objective of report is to define, segment, and project the market on the basis of product type, application, and region, and to describe the content about the factors influencing market dynamics, policy, economic, technology and market entry etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Cyber Insurance Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:American International GroupThe Chubb CorporationZurich Insurance CoXL Group LtdBerkshire HathawayAllianz Global Corporate and SpecialtyMunich Re GroupLloydsLockton CompaniesAON PLCOthersGlobal Cyber Insurance Market: Key Product TypeSmall Medium EnterpriseLarge Medium EnterpriseOthersGlobal Cyber Insurance Market: Key ApplicationHealthcareRetailFinancial ServicesInformation Technology and ServicesOthersGlobal Cyber Insurance Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East and AfricaThe Global Cyber Insurance Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Cyber Insurance Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Cyber Insurance Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Cyber Insurance Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global GIS Market Report for period 2017 till 2022 Hyundai, ABB, Siemens, CG, GE, Fuji Electric, Schneider, NHVS, ALSTOM and Others

Global GIS Market Report for period 2017 till 2022

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Global GIS Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Hyundai, ABB, Siemens, CG, GE, Mitsubishi, Fuji Electric, Schneider, NHVS, CHINT Group, ALSTOM and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.GIS is a kind of metal enclosed switchgear. That means, all the equipment of the electrical switchgear are enclosed by gas tight metal enclosure and SF6 gas is used as insulation between live parts of the equipment and earthed metal enclosure. For establishing electrical substation in very limited place this type of SF6 insulated electrical switchgear plays the major role.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global GIS Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:ABBSiemensALSTOMCGGEMitsubishiFuji ElectricSchneiderHyundaiNHVSCHINT GroupOthersGlobal GIS Market: Key Product TypeUp to 38 KV38 KV-72KV72 KV-150KVAbove 150 KVGlobal GIS Market: Key ApplicationPower TransmissionIntegration of Renewable Power Generation Units to the GridIndustry ApplicationsOthersGlobal GIS Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global GIS Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global GIS Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global GIS Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global GIS Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global Airport lighting Market Report for period 2017 till 2022 Philips Lighting Holding, Cree, OCEM Airfield Technology, Astronics, Youyang Airsafe Airport Equipment, and Others

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Global Airport lighting Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Philips Lighting Holding, Cree, OCEM Airfield Technology, Astronics, Youyang Airsafe Airport Equipment, and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Airport lighting are essential for the safety and security of passengers, cargo, and aircraft. Constantly evolving technology has enabled airport authorities meet the safety norms set by the FAA. It helps aircraft to land and take off, even in poor natural lighting or bad weather.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Airport lighting Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:HoneywellHellaEatonOSRAMPhilips Lighting HoldingCreeOCEM Airfield TechnologyAstronicsYouyangAirsafe Airport EquipmentCarmanah TechnologiesVosla (NARVA)Abacus LightingATG AirportsOthersGlobal Airport lighting Market: Key Product TypeApproach LightsRunway LightsTaxiway and Apron LightsStop BarsOthersGlobal Airport lighting Market: Key ApplicationCivilian and Commercial AirportMilitary AirportGlobal Airport lighting Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global Airport lighting Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Airport lighting Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Airport lighting Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Airport lighting Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2011 Global Gummy Vitamin Market Report for period 2011 till 2022 Olly Nutrition, Bayer, Pharmavite, Herbaland, Softigel, Rainbow Light Gimbals, Life Science Nutritionals Inc, Albanese, VITAFUSION and Others

2011 Global Gummy Vitamin Market Report for period 2011 till 2022

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Global Gummy Vitamin Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Olly Nutrition, Bayer, Natures Way, Pharmavite, Herbaland, Smarty Pants Vitamins, Softigel, Rainbow Light Gimbals, Life Science Nutritionals Inc, Albanese, Natures Bounty, Inc., VITAFUSION, Hero Nutritonals and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2011 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2011 to 2022, etc.Gummy Vitamin is a vitamin supplement in form of gummies. When compared to the traditional pills and capsules, supplements in the form of gummies can be more appealing and convenient, not only for kids but also for older adults. It is the chewiness and flavorings (orange, cherry and raspberry, to name a few) that make them attractive to children and adults alike, as chewing gummies vitamins is more convenient than swallowing pills for any one.The Global Gummy Vitamin market is estimated to reach xxx Million USD in 2017. In the report, Children dominates the largest Application share in 2017. The objective of report is to define, segment, and project the market on the basis of type, application, and region, and to describe the content about the factors influencing market dynamics, policy, economic, technology and market entry etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Gummy Vitamin Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:AlbaneseBayerNatures WayPharmaviteHero NutritonalsHerbalandSmarty Pants VitaminsSoftigelRainbow LightGimbalsLife Science Nutritionals IncNatures Bounty, Inc.VITAFUSIONOlly NutritionOthersGlobal Gummy Vitamin Market: Key Product TypeBy TypeSingle VitaminMulti vitaminOthersGlobal Gummy Vitamin Market: Key ApplicationChildrenAdultsOthersGlobal Gummy Vitamin Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Gummy Vitamin Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Gummy Vitamin Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Gummy Vitamin Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Gummy Vitamin Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global Electromechanical Switch Market Report for period 2017 till 2022 Panasonic, Carling Technologies, ITW Switches, Electroswitch, ITT Industries, NKK Switches, OTTO, Honeywell, and Others

Electromechanical Switch

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Global Electromechanical Switch Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Panasonic, Carling Technologies, ITW Switches, Electroswitch, ITT Industries, NKK Switches, OTTO, Honeywell, and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.The main advantage of this type of switch is that it can be (> 50 GHz) in the working frequency range DC ~ millimeter wave, and is not sensitive to electrostatic discharge. In addition, the electromechanical relay switch can handle high power levels (up to several kW peak power) video leakage does not occur.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Electromechanical Switch Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:ALPSOmronTE ConnectivityPanasonicCarling TechnologiesITW SwitchesElectroswitchITT IndustriesNKK SwitchesOTTOHoneywellCopal ElectronicsSchneiderAPEMGrayhillCTSELMAE-SwitchCoto TechnologyTOPLYOthersGlobal Electromechanical Switch Market: Key Product TypeTactileRotaryEncoderTogglePushDetectMicroDipOthersGlobal Electromechanical Switch Market: Key ApplicationMilitaryAerospaceCommercialIndustrialHealthcareAutomotiveWhite GoodsOthersGlobal Electromechanical Switch Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global Electromechanical Switch Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Electromechanical Switch Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Electromechanical Switch Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Electromechanical Switch Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market Report for period 2011 till 2022 GH Chemicals, Zochem, Umicore, God Leaves, Zinc Nacional, ISKY, Zinc Oxide LLC, Silox, Hunan Jingshi, Rech Chemical, Newsky, Bohigh and Others

2017 Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market Report for period 2011 till 2022

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Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely The GH Chemicals, US Zinc, Zochem, Umicore, God Leaves, Zinc Nacional, ISKY, Xinxin Chemical, Zinc Oxide LLC, Silox, Hebei Yuanda, Hunan Jingshi, Rech Chemical, Newsky, Best-selling Chemical, Bohigh and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2011 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2011 to 2022, etc.The global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals market is estimated to reach 4.2 Billion USD in 2017. On the basis of region, Asia is the largest market segment of Inorganic Zinc Chemicals, followed by North America and Europe. In the report, HeyReport says Rubber Compounding dominates the largest Application share in 2017. The objective of report is to define, segment, and project the market on the basis of products, application, and region, and to describe the content about the factors influencing market dynamics, policy, economic, technology and market entry etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:US ZincZochemUmicoreZinc NacionalISKYXinxin ChemicalBohighZinc Oxide LLCSiloxHebei YuandaHunan JingshiGod LeavesRech ChemicalGH ChemicalsNewskyBest-selling ChemicalOthersGlobal Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market: Key Product TypeZinc OxideZinc SulfateZinc ChlorideZinc BorateOthersGlobal Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market: Key ApplicationRubber CompoundingAgricultureCeramicsPaints & CoatingsPharmaceuticalRayon & TextilesOthersGlobal Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market: Key RegionAsiaNorth AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaAfricaThe Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Inorganic Zinc Chemicals Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global 3D NAND Flash Memory Market Report for period 2017 till 2022 Samsung Electronics, Toshiba or SanDisk, SK Hynix Semiconductor, Micron Technology, Intel Corporation and Others

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Global 3D NAND Flash Memory Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely ASamsung Electronics, Toshiba or SanDisk, SK Hynix Semiconductor, Micron Technology, Intel Corporation and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.3D NAND Flash Memory is an emerging field of robotics rooted in cloud computing, cloud storage, and other Internet technologies centered around the benefits of converged infrastructure and shared services. It allows robots to benefit from the powerful computational, storage, and communications resources of modern data centers. In addition, it removes overheads for maintenance and updates, and reduces dependence on custom middleware.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global 3D NAND Flash Memory Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Samsung ElectronicsToshiba or SanDiskSK Hynix SemiconductorMicron TechnologyIntel CorporationOthersGlobal 3D NAND Flash Memory Market: Key Product TypeMLC TypeTLC TypeOtherGlobal 3D NAND Flash Memory Market: Key ApplicationSSDConsumer ElectronicsOthersGlobal 3D NAND Flash Memory Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global 3D NAND Flash Memory Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global 3D NAND Flash Memory Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years.The Global 3D NAND Flash Memory Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global 3D NAND Flash Memory Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
Global Employee Scheduling Software Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely TimeTrade Pulse 24/7 Calendly, Bobclass, Shortcuts Software, Veribook Reservio, and Others.

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This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Employee scheduling software allows businesses and professionals to manage scheduling appointments and bookings. This type of software is also called appointment booking software and online booking software. Companies use online employee scheduling software to automate scheduling tasks. The system can be used to arrange meetings and appointments. Top features include appointment reminders, employee and customer management, and calendar integration. Advanced solutions include payment processing, revenue processing, and mobile compatibility. You can use this software to update scheduling tasks and improve your companys efficiency.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Employee Scheduling Software Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Acuity SchedulingSimplybook.meAppointySetMoreMyTimeTimeTradePulse 24/7CalendlyBobclassShortcuts SoftwareVeribookReservioBookingRunCirrus InsightCozyCalSquareMINDBODYOthersGlobal Employee Scheduling Software Market: Key Product TypeCloud, SaaS, WebMobile - Android NativeMobile - iOS NativeOthersGlobal Employee Scheduling Software Market: Key ApplicationSmall BusinessMidsize EnterpriseLarge EnterpriseOthersGlobal Employee Scheduling Software Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global Employee Scheduling Software Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Employee Scheduling Software Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Employee Scheduling Software Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Employee Scheduling Software Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global Sclareolide Market Report for period 2017 till 2022 Avoca Inc., Aphios Corporation, and Others

Sclareolide

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Global Sclareolide Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Avoca Inc., Aphios Corporation, and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Sclareolide is a sesquiterpene lactone Sclareolide 95-97% product derived from various plant sources including Salvia sclarea, Salvia yosgadensis, and cigar tobacco. It is a close analog of sclareol, a plant antifungal compound. It is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and has been more recently marketed as a weight loss supplement, though there is no clinical evidence to support this effect.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Sclareolide Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Avoca IncAphios CorporationOthersGlobal Sclareolide Market: Key Product TypeSclareolide 95-97%Sclareolide>97%Global Sclareolide Market: Key ApplicationComesticsTobaccoBeverageOthersGlobal Sclareolide Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global Sclareolide Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Sclareolide Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Sclareolide Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Sclareolide Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global Cytotoxic drugs Market Report for period 2017 till 2022 Merck, Seattle Genetics, Takeda, Haosoh Pharma, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Jazz Pharma, and Others

2017 Global Cytotoxic drugs Market Merck, Seattle Genetics, Takeda, Haosoh Pharma, Novartis

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Global Cytotoxic drugs Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Merck, Seattle Genetics, Takeda, Haosoh Pharma, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Jazz Pharma, and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Cytotoxic drugs inhibit or prevent the function of cells. Cytotoxic drugs are primarily used to treat cancer, frequently as part of a chemotherapy regime. Recently, their uses have expanded to treat certain skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis), rheumatoid and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and steroid-resistant muscle conditions. The most common forms of cytotoxic drugs are known as antineoplastic. The terms antineoplastic and cytotoxic are often used interchangeably.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Cytotoxic drugs Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:RocheEli LillyCelgeneSanofieisaiSumitomo Dainippon PharmaMerckSeattle GeneticsTakedaHaosoh PharmaNovartisAstraZenecaJazz PharmaSpectrum PharmaGlobal Cytotoxic drugs Market: Key Product TypeInjectionSolid Oral Dose FormsOthersGlobal Cytotoxic drugs Market: Key ApplicationBreast CancerBlood CancerProstate CancerRespiratory/Lung CancerOthersGlobal Cytotoxic drugs Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global Cytotoxic drugs Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Cytotoxic drugs Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Cytotoxic drugs Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Cytotoxic drugs Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global States Emergency Ambulance Market Report for period 2017 till 2023 Braun, REV, WAS, Osage Industries, Toyota, NISSAN, Fuso, Babcock, JSV, Brilliance Auto, DEMERS, GRUAU, EXCELLANCE, BHPL and Others

States Emergency Ambulance

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Global States Emergency Ambulance Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Braun, REV, WAS, Osage Industries, Toyota, NISSAN, EMS, BAUS AT, Fuso, Babcock, JSV, Life Line Emergency Vehicles, Brilliance Auto, DEMERS, GRUAU, EXCELLANCE, BHPL and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Emergency ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of ill or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient.The global States Emergency Ambulance market will reach Volume Million USD in 2017 with CAGR xx% 2018-2023. The objective of report is to define, segment, and project the market on the basis of product type, application, and region, and to describe the content about the factors influencing market dynamics, policy, economic, technology and market entry etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global States Emergency Ambulance Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:REVWASToyotaNISSANEMSBraunBAUS ATFusoBabcockJSVLife Line Emergency VehiclesBrilliance AutoDEMERSGRUAUOsage IndustriesEXCELLANCEBHPLOthersGlobal States Emergency Ambulance Market: Key Product TypeSUV Emergency AmbulanceTruck Emergency AmbulanceBus Emergency AmbulanceOthersGlobal States Emergency Ambulance Market: Key ApplicationHospitalEmergency CenterOthersGlobal States Emergency Ambulance Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East and AfricaThe Global States Emergency Ambulance Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global States Emergency Ambulance Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global States Emergency Ambulance Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global States Emergency Ambulance Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Global Window blind Market Report for period 2017 till 2022 Budget Blinds, Advanced Window Blinds, Stevens (Scotland), Aluvert Blinds, Aspect Blinds, Springs Window Fashions, Nien Made Enterprise, TOSO Company, and Others

Global Window Blind Market Report

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Global Window blind Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Budget Blinds, Advanced Window Blinds, Stevens (Scotland), Aluvert Blinds, Aspect Blinds, Springs Window Fashions, Nien Made Enterprise, TOSO Company, and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Window blind are a type of window covering. There are many different kinds of window blinds which use a variety of control systems. A typical window blind is made up of several long horizontal or vertical slats of various types of hard material, including wood, plastic or metal which are held together by cords that run through the blind slats. Window blinds can be maneuvered with either a manual or remote control by rotating them from an open position, with slats spaced out, to a closed position where slats overlap and block out most of the light. There are also several types of window coverings, called shades, that use a single piece of soft material instead of slats.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Window blind Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:HillarysGraberHunter DouglasBudget BlindsAdvanced Window BlindsStevens (Scotland)Aluvert BlindsAspect BlindsSprings Window FashionsNien Made EnterpriseTOSO CompanyKresta HoldingsTachikawa CorporationChing Feng Home FashionsNichibeiOsung KFTDomir Blinds ManufacturingVerosolYunlong WoodLiyang XinyuanOthersGlobal Window blind Market: Key Product TypeWood BlindsFaux Wood BlindsAluminum BlindsVertical BlindsOthersGlobal Window blind Market: Key ApplicationCommercialResidentialOthersGlobal Window blind Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)The Global Window blind Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Window blind Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Window blind Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Window blind Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
D-dimer Testing Market | Growth Prospects, Key Opportunities, Trends And Forecast 2022

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At present, the in vitro diagnostics market is one of the fastest growing markets globally. This remarkable growth can be attributed to the improved health care awareness, preference of the people for preventive health checkups, accessibility to disease specific tests, and shift from manual to semi-automated and automated instruments. Diagnostic laboratories are facing challenges in delivering high-quality, efficient and timely testing solutions due to rising health care awareness and stringent regulations that put pressure on the health care budgets.This has led to growing adoption of automated solutions and new analyzers that deliver high throughput in lesser time and with enhanced efficiency. Point-of care testing has gained momentum in the past few years to meet the demand for quick turnaround time, thus accelerating reliable results. D-dimer assays and POC kits have been developed to confirm the exclusion of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).The D-dimer testing market has been extensively analyzed on the basis of testing methods, applications, and geography. Testing methods include point-of-care testing (POC) and laboratory testing. Laboratory testing has been further segmented into coagulation analyzers and clinical chemistry analyzers. Applications comprise deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).Each of the segments has been analyzed in detail for market trends, number of D-dimer tests, recent developments, outlook, and opportunities. The report provides current and future market size for each segment and sub-segment for the period from 2014 to 2022, in terms of revenue in USD million and number of tests in million, considering 2012 and 2013 as the base years. The compound annual growth rate (%CAGR) for each market segment has been provided for the forecast period from 2014 to 2022 along with the estimations of market size.This exhaustive report includes 14 data tables and 64 figures to give readers a 360 view of the D-dimer Testing Market. Browse through this 129-page report to know what factors will shape the market during the period 2014-2022Geographically, the global D-dimer testing market has been classified into six major geographical regions: North America (U.S., Canada), Europe (Germany, U.K.), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico), MENA (Saudi Arabia, U.A.E.), and Rest of the World (RoW). The regions have been further segmented by major countries. The current and future market sizes in terms of revenue (USD million) and number of tests (million) of these regional markets and their major countries have been provided in the report for the period from 2012 to 2022, with their growth rate (%) for the period from 2014 to 2022. The study also offers a list of recommendations and highlights of the market for new companies willing to enter the market and for existing companies to increase market shares, which is likely to help in the decision-making process. Heat map analysis has also been provided for various hematology and automated analyzer manufacturers designed to perform D-dimer tests.The market overview section of the report demonstrates the market dynamics and market trends such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that influence the current and future status of the D-dimer industry. The report also covers market attractiveness analysis, Porters Five Forces analysis and key market share analysis in the market overview section, in order to give a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global D-dimer testing market.The report concludes with the company profiles section that includes key information about the major players in the market. Key players profiled in this report include Abbott Laboratories, Alere, Inc., Beckman Coulter, Inc., Bio/Data Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Corgenix, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Helena Biosciences, Siemens Healthcare, Sysmex Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Trinity Biotech. Each of these players is profiled in the report considering parameters such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments.Request a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving D-dimer Testing Market during 2014- 2022About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Interventional Cardiology Devices Market | Growth Prospects, Key Opportunities, Trends And Forecast 2022

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Interventional cardiology devices are minimally invasive devices used in the detection and treatment of coronary artery disease. This report on interventional cardiology devices studies the current and future prospects of the market globally. The report comprises an elaborate executive summary, which includes a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments included in the study. This section also provides the overall information and data analysis of the global interventional cardiology devices market with respect to the leading market segments based on type of device, technique, and geography.The market overview section of the report comprises qualitative analysis of the overall interventional cardiology devices market considering the factors determining the market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities, along with Porters Five Forces analysis and market attractiveness analysis. In addition, various analyses such as value chain analysis, regulatory framework, market attractiveness analysis by geography and competitive landscape by key players has also been provided. Value chain analysis includes the study of major steps involved in the production and distribution of interventional cardiology devices. Regulatory framework includes the study of different regulatory norms and procedures that regulate the approval and commercialization of interventional cardiology devices and techniques. The market attractiveness analysis is provided in order to explain the intensity of competition in the market in different geographies. The competitive scenario between different market players is evaluated through market share analysis in the competitive landscape section of the report. All these factors would help the market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their shares in the global market.This exhaustive report includes 12 data tables and 33 figures to give readers a 360 view of The Interventional Cardiology Devices Market. Browse through this 118-page report to know what factors will shape the market during the period 2014-2022The global interventional cardiology devices market has been segmented on the basis of device type, technique, and geography. Based on device type, the interventional cardiology devices market has been categorized into five major segments: stents, catheters, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloons, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) guide wires, and other accessories. Stents have been further categorized into three sub-segments: bare metal stents, drug eluting stents, and bio-absorbable stents. Catheters have been further categorized into angiography catheters, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) guiding catheters, and pulmonary artery catheters. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloons have been subdivided into normal balloons, cutting balloons, scoring balloons, and drug eluting balloons.The imaging systems interventional cardiology devices market is subdivided into intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) systems, fractional flow reserve (FFR) systems, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems. Market revenue in terms of USD million for the period between 2012 and 2022 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2014 to 2022 are provided for all the segments, considering 2013 as the base year.Geographically, the interventional cardiology devices market has been categorized into six regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, and Rest of the World (RoW). North America comprises the U.S. and Canada. Europe comprises Germany, the U.K., and Rest of Europe. Asia-Pacific comprises China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific. Latin America comprises Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America. Middle East and North Africa comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Rest of MENA. The recommendations section included in the report would assist existing players to expanding their market share and new companies in establishing their presence in the interventional cardiology devices market. The report also profiles major players in the interventional cardiology devices market on the basis of various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Major players profiled in this report include Abbott Laboratories, Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical, Cordis Corporation, Medtronic, plc, St. Jude Medical, Inc., Smiths Medical, and Terumo Medical Corporation.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Interventional Cardiology Devices Market during 2014- 2022About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Lateral Flow Diagnostic Tests Market | Latest Trends and Forecast Analysis up to 2023

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Rise of Diseases Increases Demand for Lateral Flow Diagnostic TestsLateral flow diagnostic tests have become the need of the hour due to a global rise in the number of diabetics, cancer cases, patients suffering from cardiovascular conditions, and those struggling with autoimmune diseases across Asia Pacific. The demand for these diagnostic tests has also seen a spike given their ease of use and minimal operating instructions. At the same time, the increasing demand for point-of-care diagnosis has given this market a gigantic platform for growth. The increasing awareness about diseases and rising expenditure on healthcare are also augmenting this market.With these market drivers, the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market is expected to register a revenue of US$3.22 bn by the end of 2023 as compared to US$2.30 bn in 2015, as the market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 5.7%. Analysts predict that the untapped market for diagnosing cancer will present a lucrative opportunity to this market in the near future. The future also demand lateral flow diagnostic tests for the purpose of diagnosis a range of conditions such as drugs of abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy as consumers become aware of a myriad health conditions.This exhaustive report includes a 360 view of the Lateral Flow Diagnostic Tests Market. Browse through this 82-page report to know what factors will shape the market during the period 2015-2023Japan to Retain Lead, Even as China and India Follow with Large Population BaseThe report states that Japan is the key region in the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market and is expected to rise at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2015 and 2023. This growth will be supplemented by the fact that Japan is the second largest healthcare market. Furthermore, the ongoing infrastructural developments, growing access to medical, and investments in medical research are all contributing towards the growth of this geographical segment. Efforts to develop cost-effective diagnostic kits for Ebola by researchers at Nagasaki University are expected to help this country retain its lead in the coming years as well.Considering the exploding population of China and India, both these countries will continue to show remarkable progress in the healthcare sector, thus, propelling the adoption of lateral flow diagnostic tests. Changing lifestyles, increasing cases of obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and rising per capita incomes of the residents of these countries will also contribute towards sizeable earnings of the overall market.Greater Awareness about Pregnancy Testing to Boost Demand for Lateral Flow Diagnostic TestsLateral flow diagnostic tests are widely used in diagnosing pregnancy, HIV, influenza, syphilis, malaria, and others. Pregnancy was the leading application segment in 2014 due to a greater awareness about pregnancy testing amongst the female population, affordable pricing of these tests, and the increasing number of pregnancies in the region. During the forecast period, this segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.5%. The hepatitis application segment will also be an emerging segment in the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market as cases of hepatitis continue to be on the rise in the region.Some of the leading players operating in the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Alere, Inc., Beckman Coulter, Inc., Dickinson and Company, Becton, bioMerieux SA, EMD Millipore, Siemens Healthcare, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and QIAGEN. The competitive landscape of the market is defined as consolidated with the presence of a few large regional players. Companies will have to dedicate their research and development activities towards delivering solutions that are technologically advanced to stay ahead of the competition.Request a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Lateral Flow Diagnostic Tests Market during 2015- 2023About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
2017 Global Vincamine Market Report for period 2017 till 2023 WORLD MEDICINE, Biofarm, Rompharm Company, ThoughtFoods and Others

2017 Global Vincamine Market Report for period 2017 till 2023

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Global Vincamine Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely WORLD MEDICINE, Biofarm, Rompharm Company, ThoughtFoods, GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Vincamine is a natural nootropic supplement which is found in the Periwinkle plant (Vinca Minor). It was first extracted in industrial quantities by a team of scientists examining compounds that had vasoactive properties in 1955.The global Vincamine market will reach Volume Million USD in 2017 with CAGR xx% 2018-2023. The objective of report is to define, segment, and project the market on the basis of product type, application, and region, and to describe the content about the factors influencing market dynamics, policy, economic, technology and market entry etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Vincamine Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:BiofarmRompharm CompanyThoughtFoodsGlaxoSmithKline(GSK)WORLD MEDICINEOthersGlobal Vincamine Market: Key Product TypeVincamine TabletsVincamine CapsulesOthersGlobal Vincamine Market: Key ApplicationVincamine 10 mgVincamine 30 MgOthersGlobal Vincamine Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East and AfricaThe Global Vincamine Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Vincamine Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Vincamine Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Global Vincamine Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
Polyolefin Resin Market Growth with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2020

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Polyolefin resins are polymers containing one or more olefinic groups. These are high molecular weight hydrocarbons which include polyethylene, polypropylenes that comprise resins and copolymers. Polyolefin resins have the ability for withstanding exposures to almost all chemicals at most room temperature. They are less expensive and adaptable to different fabrication techniques. Automobile, film & sheet, fibers & tapes in the packaging, medical and construction are some of the key end user industries of polyolefin resins. Polyolefin resins are also used for coating and packaging purposes.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Among thermoplastics groups, polyolefins account for the largest product segment. Polyethylene and polypropylene are the most commonly used polyolefins. Polyolefin resins were invented in the research laboratory of Imperial Chemical Industries in 1931; however the large scale manufacturing did not start until 1950. Shift in the trend to use polyolefins over polyvinyl chloride (PVC) boosted the demand for polyolefin resins. PVC, an important compound used in the automotive and construction industry, is considered harmful for the environment and hazardous to life. Polyolefins have replaced PVC due to their rubber like properties and hence are suitable for high performance industrial applications. The market for polyolefin resins is growing at a steady pace on account of its low cost and its capability of being fabricated by using modern techonologies such as extrusion, blow molding, calendaring and injecting molding. Non-polyolefin resins produced from elastomers can be used as a substitute for polyolefin resins, however reasons such as higher production cost of the former prevents the entry of substitutes in the market.Polyolefin resin market is witnessing substantial growth on a global scale, owing to its increasing scope of applications coupled with technological advancement. Asia Pacific is the largest market for this compound accounting to the presence of key manufacturers in these regions. Other regions such as Latin America and Middle East account for the next largest market for polyolefin resins.Automobile industry, the largest end user of this product, is growing rapidly in developing economies such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa which has further fuelled the demand for polyolefins in Asia Pacific and other regions mentioned. China is the largest manufacturer of this compound in the world. However the production of polyolefin resins is increasing in Asian countries such as India, Malaysia and Indonesia. Availability of raw materials at low cost is attracting numerous North American and European based companies to set up polyolefin production site in Asia Pacific. Fluctuating prices of petroleum and oil is driving the Middle Eastern economies to reduce their dependence on petroleum products. The production of polyolefins and other compounds such as automobile coating materials is increasing rapidly; Middle East is expected to emerge as one of the largest exporters of polyolefin resins during the forecast period. North America is the third largest market for polyolefin resins.. North America fulfills most of its polyolefin demand by importing from countries in Asia Pacific. However the shale gas boom in North America has provided the opportunity of availability of cheaper raw materials. This is expected to fuel up the production of polyolefin resins in countries such as U.S. and Canada. The market for polyolefin is considerably low in Europe resulting from the sluggish economic growth. It is predicted that the presence of key market players such as The Dow Chemical Company will fuel up the demand for this compound in Europe by 2020.Request Discount of the Report @Some of the largest manufacturers of polyolefin resins in the global market include China National Petroleum Corporation, Dupont, The Dow Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries NV and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
LED Display Market Studies Research Report 2020

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Light Emitting Diode (LED) display is a flat panel display that use light emitting diodes for the video display. An LED display consists of several display panels, each including large number of light emitting diodes for video display. Light emitting diodes used in LED displays offer several benefits as compared to other light emitting sources. For instance, high brightness offered by the light emitting diodes has allowed LEDs to be increasingly used in outdoor displays such as billboards, store signs, and digital name plates in transport vehicles. LED displays also offer illumination along with the visual display, as and when used for stage lighting or other decorative purpose.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The overall global LED market has witnessed robust growth in the recent years. The steady growth can be attributed to the rising awareness about energy conservation amongst end-users. With swift penetration of LED technology in backlights of LCD TVs, laptops, and monitors, the LED display market has witnessed increased investment in by manufacturers across the globe. Looking at the opportunistic growth in the overall LED industry, the number of new players entering the market are expected to swell in the next few years. To gain competitive advantage in this technology driven market, the players are striving to offer end-to-end solutions (manufacturing, installation, and after sales service) to their customers. Increasing investment in R&D by the global manufacturers has led to improvements in the LED technology. In addition, it has led to developments in manufacturing processes and packaging, which, in turn has resulted in gradual decline in the price of the technology.Increasing demand for LED displays in outdoor advertisements is one of the major factors driving the market growth. Enhanced features such as energy efficiency, environment friendly, low operational cost, and durability have encouraged marketers and advertisers to use LED displays for outdoor promotional campaigns and advertisement. Furthermore, rising number of live concerts, sport competitions, and corporate exhibitions have further fueled market momentum. High initial cost of LED displays has somewhat inhibited the growth of the LED display market, especially in price sensitive economies such as China and India. However, with the advancements in technology, the prices of LED displays are expected to fall, thereby minimizing the impact of this challenge over the forecast period. Europe and North America collectively accounts for the major chunk of the market revenue. However, over the forecast period, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth, majorly on account of infrastructural development and rising number of sport events expected in emerging economies such as China and India.The Light Emitting Diode (LED) display market is segmented on the basis of types, applications, color display, and geography. The LED Display market is segmented on the basis of its types into two major categories, namely - conventional LED displays and surface mounted LED displays. On the basis of applications, the LED display market is segmented into two major categories, namely  backlighting and digital signage. The backlighting segment includes the application of LED displays for television, laptops, mobile and smartphones, and PC monitors among others. Similarly the digital signage application segment is further segmented into two major categories, namely  outdoor signage and indoor signage. On the basis of color display technology, the LED display market is segmented into three major categories including monochrome LED displays, tri-color LED displays, and full color LED displays. Furthermore, the LED display market is also segmented into four major regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa). China and Japan are the major LED display markets in Asia Pacific.Request Discount of the Report @Some of the key players in the LED display market include Barco N.V. (Belgium, Sony Corporation (Japan), Panasonic Corporation (Japan), LG Electronics, Inc. (South Korea), Daktronics, Inc. (U.S.) Toshiba Corporation (Japan), Samsung LED Co. Ltd. (South Korea) others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Energy Storage Technologies Market Growth with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2024

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Global Energy Storage Technologies Market: OverviewEnergy storage refers to a process of transfiguring energy from the traditional sources to a form that can be easily stored and then again converted back to the original state as per requirement. This process helps in storing energy that can be later used at peak demand and consumption periods, high generation costs, and low energy production. A robust rise in the demand for energy across the globe is expected to bode well for the growth of the global energy storage technologies market. Rising need to develop advanced low carbon energy technology is anticipated to drive the deployment of energy storage technologies across various industries. In addition, the mounting requirement for reliability and resiliency of the energy grid coupled with the integration of the available renewable energy resources is further expected to accelerate the progress of the global energy storage technologies market. Energy storage technologies are also anticipated to a play a prominent role in the energy industry in terms of de-carbonization by efficiently connecting electricity with heat networks. Energy storage technologies can shift the balance of supply and demand of energy for a short period of time. This helps in avoiding blackouts and also corrects load imbalances.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The research report is an examination of the growth trajectory based on the historical, current, and future opportunities of the global energy storage technologies market. It provides an evaluation of the dynamics that are anticipated to affect the progress of the market and the predominant trends have also been stated in the study. The report also presents a diverse viewpoint on the competitive landscape of the market through the value chain and Porters five forces analysis. The report mentions the research and development projects, mergers and acquisitions, details on collaborations and licensing. The study provides insights into the marketing strategies, products, and shares of the key players operating in the global energy storage technologies market.Global Energy Storage Technologies Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe growth of the global energy storage technologies market can be attributed to the growing demand for energy across the globe along with the rising need for low carbon emitting technologies. Energy storage technologies have application in cooling and heating networks, off-grid applications, and electricity grids. However, the most efficient and cost effective energy storage devices also face difficulties in terms of harsh regulatory and market conditions that are expected to hinder their deployment. Research and development may help in addressing these issues and are also likely to provide companies lucrative growth opportunities.Based on technology, the global energy storage technologies market has been segmented into solid state batteries, flow batteries, flywheels, compressed air energy storage, thermal energy storage, and hydro-power. Initial high investment and capital cost is further expected to restrict the growth of the market. In spite of the high cost, the pumped storage hydropower segment is likely to gain traction in the near future.Global Energy Storage Technologies Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global energy storage technologies market is classified into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Among these, North America is expected to emerge as the potential consumer region owing to its technological diversity. With the introduction of high-end storage projects, Europe and Asia Pacific are also expected to follow the trail.Request Discount of the Report @Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe key companies in the market are SEEO Inc., S&C Electric Company, Hawaiian Electric Company Inc., Eos Energy Storage, Convergent Energy + Power, General Electric, AES Corporation, ABB Ltd., and Alstom.This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsKey highlights of this reportOverview of key market forces propelling and restraining market growthUp-to-date analyses of market trends and technological improvementsPin-point analyses of market competition dynamics to offer you a competitive edgeAn analysis of strategies of major competitorsAn array of graphics and SWOT analysis of major industry segmentsDetailed analyses of industry trendsA well-defined technological growth map with an impact-analysisOffers a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and key product segmentsAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
www.ist.ac.at

https://quantumids.com/

http://ist.ac.at/de/forschung/forschungsgruppen/joesch-gruppe/

Johannes Fink and Maximilian Josch receive prestigious ERC Grants  Projects on quantum networks and neuronal mechanisms of attention funded---Johannes Fink and Maximilian Josch, both Assistant Professors at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), have been awarded Starting Grants by the European Research Council (ERC). With the two new awardees, 31 professors at IST Austria have so far been awarded highly prestigious research grants by the ERC. In their funded projects, Johannes Fink, an experimental physicist, will develop a transceiver for fiber optic quantum networks, while Maximilian Josch, a neuroscientist, will investigate the neuronal mechanisms required for attention.Maximilian Josch  Neuronal basis of attentionWe are constantly inundated with information. To cope with all the new sights, smells, and sounds that reach us, we and other animals have evolved attention: the ability to selectively concentrate on one thing, like reading this text, while ignoring others, such as the beep alerting us to the newest text message. Disorders that affect the ability to pay attention are a serious public health concern. Attentional disorder, like ADHD and ASD, affect around 5% of children worldwide. However, the attentional mechanisms the nervous system uses are not well understood.In this project, Maximilian Josch and his team seek to build a framework to study attention in health and disease by investigating the mouse superior colliculus. This brain region is evolutionarily conserved across vertebrates and known to be involved in attention and in transforming sensory stimuli into goal directed movements, the so-called sensorimotor transformations. By using the mouse modern genetic toolbox to study the brain, the team will monitor the activity of thousands of neurons while observing the animals behaviour. This will allow them to understand the neuronal mechanisms involved in sensorimotor transformations. The focus will be on visual information and how visual scenes seen by the mouse are represented and modulated by the superior colliculus. For example, when running through the forest, our brain needs to constantly process information to calculate the distance to the next branch or root to avoid tripping over them. Once the correct calculation is performed, the brain has to inform the motor system to activate the corresponding muscles correctly. The ability to attend to the relevant object in a natural world filled with task-irrelevant information is a non-trivial task. These studies will allow Maximilian Josch to characterize the neuronal mechanisms of such attentional and goal directed behaviours, as well as to understand the brain-wide modulations that change these computations according to the momentary need of the animal.In 2009, Maximilian Josch received his PhD from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany. He then worked as postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, and since 2010, as postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University in the lab of Markus Meister. Maximilian Josch joined IST Austria as Assistant Professor at the beginning of 2017.Johannes Fink  Bridging quantum networks and quantum computationSuperconducting quantum processors are expected to soon help solve complex questions faster. The logical next step in quantum computing will be to connect these processors in a quantum web, similar to the way PCs are connected through the internet. One, so far hypothetical, option would be to use the existing fiber optic infrastructure for a quantum network. But research into developing on-chip quantum devices and large-scale networks has progressed largely independently. Advances in the two are often not compatible. In the project funded by the ERC, Johannes Fink will develop a fiber optic transceiver that allows superconducting quantum processors to connect.Superconducting qubits, single microwave photons, are the bits of superconducting quantum processors. They allow for fast processing, but are susceptible to interference, thermal noise, and losses. This limits the use of qubits for quantum communication. In fact, superconducting quantum processors that work with qubits must be cooled to almost absolute zero degrees Kelvin to function. Sending qubits between such processors with a link at room temperature has so far not been possible.In the ERC-funded project, Fink will bridge the worlds of quantum networks and quantum computation. He seeks to build a transducer using silicon photonics for low-loss fiber optic communication, and integrate this with superconducting circuits for quantum processing. By integrating silicon photonics and superconducting circuits, Fink seeks to achieve a low-loss and high-bandwidth transceiver and extend the range of current fiber optic quantum networks.Johannes Fink received his PhD in Physics from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, in 2010. After a year as postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich, Fink moved to the California Institute of Technology, US. At Caltech, Fink worked as IQIM postdoctoral research scholar from 2012-2015 and as Senior Staff Scientist from 2015-2016. Fink joined IST Austria as Assistant Professor in 2016.IST AustriaThe Institute of Science and Technology (IST Austria) is a PhD granting research institution located in Klosterneuburg, 18 km from the center of Vienna, Austria. Inaugurated in 2009, the Institute is dedicated to basic research in the natural and mathematical sciences. IST Austria employs professors on a tenure-track system, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students at its international graduate school. While dedicated to the principle of curiosity-driven research, the Institute owns the rights to all scientific discoveries and is committed to promote their use. The first president of IST Austria is Thomas A. Henzinger, a leading computer scientist and former professor at the University of California in Berkeley, USA, and the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland.Weitere Informationen:Website of Professor Fink's groupWebsite of Prof Josch's groupQuelle: idw
http://www.media.uzh.ch/en/Press-Releases/2017/biodiversity-landscapes.html

Ecosystems with high biodiversity are more productive and stable towards annual fluctuations in environmental conditions than those with a low diversity of species. They also adapt better to climate-driven environmental changes. These are the key findings environmental scientists at the University of Zurich made in a study of about 450 landscapes harbouring 2,200 plants and animal species.---The dramatic, worldwide loss of biodiversity is one of today's greatest environmental problems. The loss of species diversity affects important ecosystems on which humans depend. Previous research predominantly addressed short-term effects of biodiversity in small experimental plots planted with few randomly selected plant species. These studies have shown that species-poor plant assemblages function less well and produce less biomass than species rich systems.Extensive study with about 2,200 species in 450 landscapesResearchers participating in the University Research Priority Programme Global Change and Biodiversity of the University of Zurich now demonstrate similar positive effects of biodiversity in real-world ecosystems in which mechanisms different from the ones in artificial experimental plots are at play. Using 450 different 1-km2 landscapes that spanned the entire area of Switzerland, they investigated the role of the diversity of plant, bird and butterfly species for the production of biomass, which was estimated from satellite data.Biodiversity is important for the functioning of complex, natural ecosystemsOur results show that biodiversity plays an essential role for the functioning of extensive natural landscapes that consist of different ecosystem types such as forests, meadows or urban areas, study leader Pascal Niklaus from Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies says. The analyses showed that landscapes with a greater biodiversity were more productive and that their productivity showed a lower year-to-year variation.Biodiversity promoted the adaptation of landscapesThe satellite data analysed by the scientists revealed that the annual growing period increased in length throughout the last 16 years, an effect that can be explained by climate warming. The prolongation in growing season was considerably larger in more biodiverse landscapes. These relations were robust and remained important even when a range of other drivers such as temperature, rainfall, solar irradiation, topography, of the specific composition of the landscapes were considered. This indicates that landscapes with high biodiversity can adapt better and faster to changing environmental conditions, Niklaus concludes.Literature:Jacqueline Oehri, Bernhard Schmid, Gabriela Schaepman-Strub, and Pascal A. Niklaus. Biodiversity promotes primary productivity and growing season lengthening at the landscape scale. PNAS. 4 September 2017. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1703928114Contact:PD Dr. Pascal A. NiklausDepartment of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity Research Priority Programme Global Change and BiodiversityUniversity of ZurichPhone +41 44 635 34 13E-mail:Weitere Informationen:Quelle: idw
Portland Public Schools will end classes two hours early Tuesday due to excessive heat in the forecast. Kindergarten and preschool programs will start Wednesday, a day late.

After-school activities in district buildings are also canceled, including childcare.

The Woodland, Washington, school district has also announced a two-hour early dismissal.

The Portland district is cutting classes short because only a handful of school buildings are equipped with air conditioning.

Tuesday's forecast could be worsened because wildfire smoke has prompted an air quality advisory, and windows must remain closed.

The district said families should contact their students' schools with questions. The district will also answer questions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at 503-916-6600.

-- Elliot Njus
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a mother and her two children after they became stranded next to a jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River Sunday.

Coast Guard officials say the womans worried husband called 911 Sunday afternoon, to report that the group was overdue. The husband was at nearby Fort Stevens State Park, which is situated in the northwest corner of Oregon, bordered by the Columbia River on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.

The Coast Guard was alerted to the missing group at 3:48 p.m.

It sent a 29-foot rescue boat and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter in search of the three. The Clatsop County Sheriffs Office, however, spotted the missing canoeists from a watchtower overlooking nearby Jetty Lagoon. The sheriff's office directed the rescue boat to them.

The family reported minor injuries, according to the Coast Guard. The ages of the children were not available.

-- Aimee Green
High temperatures and dry conditions have left a large part of Oregon under warning of extreme fire danger this Labor Day weekend.

Hundreds of thousands of acres are ablaze across the state, with the largest fire, the Chetco Bar fire, burning nearly 143,000 acres of Southwest Oregon as of Saturday. The Oregon Department of Forestry said there are four wildfires, or wildfire complexes, larger than 20,000 acres in the state.

Most of the state's big fires are in the Cascades, spanning from the Washington to California border.

Not too far from Portland, a new fire ignited Saturday afternoon in the Columbia River Gorge, leaving 140 hikers stranded overnight. The Eagle Creek fire quickly spread to the east, growing to about 3,000 acres by Sunday.

Officials on Sunday bused the stranded hikers to the Cascade Salmon Hatchery to be reunited with family and friends. About 130 homes were also evacuated in nearby Cascade Locks, and more residents were told to be ready to leave.

The Indian Creek blaze, which started at 7  Mile Camp, had already closed a portion of the Eagle Creek Trail. The fire had been burning since July 4, but within the past day, it doubled in size, growing to 700 acres, officials said.

The fires have prompted state officials to close a number of trails in the Columbia River Gorge and to prepare to close Interstate 84, if necessary. Firefighters on Sunday were trying to develop a containment strategy for the Eagle Creek fire, which is growing along steep land.

State police say the fire was possibly caused by fireworks.

The hot, dry weather has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning throughout the Willamette Valley and other regions in the state. Temperatures in the Portland area are expected to only increase over the next two days, rising to nearly record-breaking levels, while humidity remains low.

Here is a rundown of the latest on the largest fires in Oregon.

Chetco Bar fire

The Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office said the Chetco Bar fire northeast of Brookings was burning nearly 143,000 acres on Saturday. An update on the fire's size was not available Sunday, but the fire marshal's office said significant growth was possible.

Lightning started the fire on July 12. More than 1,600 firefighting personnel are dedicated to the blaze, which is 10 percent contained. Officials estimate it will be fully contained by mid-October.

Crews west of Cave Junction cleared fire lines that were used during the 2002 Biscuit Fire during Saturday's efforts.

An excessive heat warning remains in effect, as does a red flag warning because of wind gusts, low humidity and high fire danger, according to the fire marshal's office.

On Saturday, smoke covered Brookings. The thick smoke has limited crews' use of aircraft resources to fight the fire and is expected to affect visibility on U.S. 101 and U.S. 199.

A level 3 evacuation, which instructs people to leave immediately, was downgraded for residents in the Mountain Drive area north of the fire. Those residents are still under warning to be ready to evacuate, and the Oak Flats area, east of the fire in Josephine County, was also put on alert for possible evacuation.

High Cascades Complex

Twenty fires make up the High Cascades Complex, which is burning in and around Crater Lake National Park.

Lightning west of the park first started a fire on July 29, and additional strikes ignited new fires in the region. Nearly 650 firefighting personnel are working on the fires, which have burned more than 28,000 acres.

The High Cascades Complex is currently 33 percent contained, and firefighters hope for full containment by mid-October.

Residents in the Union Creek area of Jackson County have been put on notice of the possibility of evacuation.

Umpqua North Complex

The Umpqua North Complex consists of about 15 fires burning more than 27,000 acres about 50 miles east of Roseburg. The fires, which started in mid-August after lightning in the area, are expected to grow.

More than 1,000 firefighting personnel are assigned to the Umpqua North Complex, which is 20 percent contained. Officials hope for full containment by the end of September.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office lifted some evacuation orders on Sunday.

Milli fire

Lightning caused the Milli fire on Aug. 11, and the blaze has burned more than 22,000 acres west of Sisters. Just shy of 350 firefighters are working the fire, which is 50 percent contained. Officials hope for full containment by the start of October.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office on Sunday downgraded evacuation notices in two areas.

Miller Complex

The Miller Complex includes 25 wildfires that were caused by lightning on Aug. 14. It has burned nearly 18,000 acres east of Cave Junction.

Nearly 600 firefighters are battling the blazes, and containment is at 40 percent. Officials are estimating to have the Miller Complex fires fully contained by the end of October.

Several areas around the fire remain under evacuation notices.

Other fires across the state

Many other fires continue to burn a significant amount of acreage across Oregon. More detailed information on those fires can be found at InciWeb.nwcg.gov. For the latest on smoke conditions, check the Oregon Smoke Information blog.

Staff reporter Samantha Matsumoto contributed to this report.

-- Rebecca Woolington

503-294-4049; @rwoolington
A pilot crashed his single-seat ultralight aircraft into Nestucca Bay in Pacific City on Sunday night, according to Oregon State Police.

Brian Boehler, 50, walked away from the crash with no injuries.

Boehler took off from Pacific City's airport in his Fisher FP-303 single-engine airplane shortly after 7 p.m. on Sunday. Shortly after takeoff, according to police accounts, Boehler lost engine power as he tried to gain altitude.

He wasn't able to start the engine again and guided the plane into the bay, according to troopers.

Boaters and people on shore helped Boehler to safety. According to police, he was also able to recover the motor out of the bay. Boaters helped tow the plane out of the water. Boehler was not issued any citation.



-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen
Sarah Wyman was three months pregnant with her sixth child when she and her husband John moved into a log cabin in February 1837 at The Forks in Midland County.

Before 1820, only Native Americans and French fur traders inhabited an area known as Midland - Territory of the Saginaws and was an organized territory and simply known as The Forks. The Treaty of Saginaw in 1819 changed that. The region, including what would become Midland County, was ceded to the United States by Native Americans who were moved onto two reservations. in 1831 the government authorized the survey of what would become Midland County. In 1832 the survey of Midland County was completed and on Jan. 14, 1837 a treaty was signed saying that the government would pay the Native Americans for the land they had taken. On Jan. 26, 1837 Michigan became a state and the door was open for men waiting to build homes in a wilderness of virgin pine.

John and Sarah Wyman were the first white settlers to buy land in Midland County and make their home here. John had hired Charles Fitzhugh to build a log cabin for his family the fall of 1836 and in February of 1837 the Wyman family was permanently settled in Midland County.

In 1839 S. Augustine Mitchell published a map showing Midland County in the new state of Michigan.

On July 6, 1837 Sarah Wyman gave birth to a baby girl in that log cabin giving John and Sarah Wyman a permanent place in Midland history with that baby being the first white child to be born in Midland County. They named their new daughter Julia Ann Wyman.

Seventeen years ago, Gloria (Ross) Brethour, raised in Midland, stumbled upon the fact that she was the great-great-great niece of that Julia Ann Wyman. Her curiosity was piqued. What happened to that baby girl? When she grew up did she marry? Did she have children? Were there descendants still living? She decided to begin searching for Julia Ann Wyman and write her story. But there were bumps along the way.

One of the first things she found was an obituary for a Mrs. John McLean (Ann Wyman) who died in 1886 at the age of 35. As Gloria researched the seven siblings of Julia Ann Wyman, she began doubting that the Mrs. John McLean (Ann Wyman) was the woman she was looking for. As she researched the seven siblings of Julia Ann Wyman, she found Julia's name in a number of obituaries as still living.

Mrs. John McLean (Ann Wyman) was not the Julia Ann Wyman that she was looking for. Months followed months and years followed years before Gloria found the real Julia Ann Wyman and what became of the baby girl born in a log cabin on July 6, 1837.

John and Sarah Wyman had eight children: Henry, Charles, Daniel, Erastus, Maryetta, Julia Ann, Lucy Marie and John, Jr. The first five children were born in New York State with the John Wyman family moving to Genesee County the winter of 1836. Charles Fitzhugh a friend of John Wyman's built a log cabin at The Forks for the Wyman family. The winter of 1837 found John bringing his family to live in that log cabin and their sixth child, Julia Ann, was born there.

Two years later Lucy Marie Wyman was born on Dec. 14, 1839 in that same log cabin. Lucy Marie would become the great-great-great grandmother of Gloria (Ross) Brethour. Shortly after Lucy Marie's birth, John Wyman moved his family to Saginaw County so his children could attend school. John and his family lived next to the Charles Cronkright family; Charles was married to Lydia Snyder. Sarah Snyder Wyman and Lydia Snyder Cronkright were sisters.

Federal censuses are critical when researching ancestors. In the 1850 Federal Census John Wyman and his family were living in Tittabawassee Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. John was 47 years old and his wife Sarah (usually called Sally) was 45. Julia Ann was just called "Ann" in the census and was 13. Lucy Marie was 11. John and Sarah's oldest son Henry had married and was living in Genesee County.

The year of 1856 saw three Wyman children marrying and leaving home. Julia Ann married John T. McLane in Midland on Aug. 19, 1856 by John Larkin, who was Justice of the Peace at the time. Daniel Wyman and L. P. Bailey stood up with the young couple. Both men were Midlanders.

Nine months later, on April 25, 1857, Julia Ann and John became parents of a baby girl they named Alice Maud. On Feb. 18, 1860 a second daughter was born and named Cora May. By now, for unknown reasons, the spelling of McLane was now McLain. Julia Ann and her husband John were living in the Village of Midland City with their two little girls. Sometime around 1869, the town dropped the words Village of Midland City and went with just Midland. The census of 1860 listed John as a carpenter and aged 29. Julia Ann was 22 years old. Alice was 3 years old and Cora was 3 months old.

Skipping ahead to the Federal Census of 1870, Julia Ann and John were still in Midland with John aged 39 and Julia Ann now 32. John was still doing carpenter work and Julia Ann was keeping house. Changes were made in the next decade and 1880 found John still doing carpenter work but Julia Ann was now listed as a seamstress. Their daughter Alice was a school teacher and boarding at the home of James Ellis who lived in the village of Cedar in Grout Township in Gladwin County. James Ellis was listed as sheriff at that time. Alice was 23 years old.

On May 25, 1881 Alice became the wife of Madison Clark Scafford at the home of her parents in Midland. Reverend J. O. Bancroft performed the ceremony. The couple planned to honeymoon in New York State. The bridegroom was from Gladwin, Michigan.

Cora also became a teacher but never married and remained with her mother Julia Ann.

Alice and her husband Madison became the parents of a baby boy on Feb. 11, 1882, naming him Royston Earl Scafford. On April 4, 1888 a second son was born to the young couple and was named Clark Madison Scafford. Julia Ann now had two grandsons.

Julia Ann and her husband John McLain did not divorce but they did separate sometime between 1886 and 1887 and Julia Ann moved to Alpena to live with her daughter Cora while John remained in Midland. In the 1894 census John was living in Mt. Haley Township, boarding with the James Davidson family.

He was listed as a hired hand and also still doing carpenter work. He was 64 years old and listed himself as a married man.

By 1900. John McLain had moved to Homer Township and was boarding at the home of James Frost. His birth date was listed as December 1830 and he listed himself as widowed.

Julia Ann was living with her daughter Cora in Alpena, Michigan. They lived in Ward 2, 517 Second Avenue, and Julia Ann was listed as Head of Household. Her age was 62 and she had been married for 43 years. Julia's grandson Roy Scafford was also living with her and he was now 18 years old and attending school in Alpena.

John McLain died Oct. 26, 1908 at the home of John Vance in Midland. His obituary stated that he had married Julia Ann Wyman in 1860, that they had two daughters, Alice Scafford and Cora McLain. There was no mention of his grandsons.

Cora passed away on Sept. 13, 1910 while spending the summer with her sister Alice. She had taught in Midland schools and was one of the most popular teachers. In Alpena she had charge of the Normal Training School for 14 years. Cora died at the age of 50 years and seven months.

With the passing away of her daughter Cora, Julia Ann moved from Alpena to Gladwin to live with her daughter Alice and her son-in-law Madison Scafford. Julia Ann died Dec. 28, 1922 in Bay City, Michigan. She was 85 years and five months old at the time of her death. She is buried at the Highland Cemetery in Gladwin.

Besides her daughters Alice and Cora, she had two grandsons Royston and Clark Scafford. Both grandsons served in World War I. Royston Scafford became a well-known surgeon in Bay City. Clark Scafford worked with his dad Madison Clark Scafford in the Banking House of M.C. Scafford in Gladwin. This later became the Bank of Gladwin

Royston Scafford had no children. His brother Clark and wife Irene Miller had a daughter in 1925 in Bay City, and named her Virginia. On April 24, 1948 Virginia married Richard Jordan and they had four daughters: Gerry Amelia, Gwendolyn, Margaret Virginia and Ellen Lea.

History is made up of people. When they were born. When they died. What they did. Where they lived. Records show that John and Sarah Wyman and their first five children were the first white settlers to arrive in Midland and settle at The Forks. In 1837 Charles Cronkright and Sam Gordon walked from Saginaw to Midland County followed shortly by Joseph Snyder. Joseph Snyder had two daughters, Sarah and Lydia. Sarah was married to John Wyman and Lydia Snyder was married to Charles Cronkright.

In 1838 Charles Fitzhugh arrived in Midland. In 1842 Joseph C. Townsend came to Midland to make his home. Fitzhugh, Gordon, Cronkright and Townsend are familiar street names, all named after the first white settlers in Midland. At one point there was also a Wyman Street and an Ann Street. In 1844 John A. Whitman arrived from Saginaw, M to make his mark in Midland's history. Born in Vermont, he lived in Pennsylvania in 1835 moving to New York State by 1838 and moving to Saginaw in 1839 where he became Treasurer until 1844 when he moved to Midland. Mr. Whitman's first two sons, John A. and James, were born in Saginaw.

We owe an incomparable debt to the men and women who lived in log cabins. Turned wildernesses into farms and villages, towns and cities.

Gloria Brethour has called her story about her ancestor Julia Ann Wyman "Opening a Small Window to Midland's Past." Many small windows have been opened by many people giving us the immense window that lets our history tell us what we are and where we came from.
To the editor:

I am writing in response to the statements made by Richard Cundiff regarding the layoffs at Xalt Enegy.

Mr. Cundiff would like to lay blame at the feet of the Chinese for the current predicament he finds himself in. I would like to offer an alternative one: President Donald Trump. On the day Mr. Trump made the announcement to leave the Paris Climate Accords, I told my wife I was unsure how much longer my job at Xalt would last. Apparently, three months is all I had.

By announcing his intention to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accords, Mr. Trump told the world that we as a nation did not want to be a leader in renewable energy technologies. China is filling the void the U.S. ceded. It should come at no surprise to anyone that contracts are leaving our nation and heading overseas.

Xalt Energy is just one of many companies that will feel the brunt of this short-sighted decision over the coming years.

Progressive energy policies enacted by every other nation will be the engine that drives the economy for the next century. Our failure to join with them will insure that other countries will reap the rewards while we continue to dig in the dirt for our salvation.

I've struggled with how to close out this letter, writing and erasing paragraphs that were equal parts sadnes, anger and condemnation, all in a vain attempt to reconcile the differences between the things we were told, and the truth of reality. In the end, none of it will bring back the jobs we lost.

But before we try to point blame at others, we must first look to ourselves.

PATRICK STOCKTON

Former Xalt Energy employee

Midland
First Christian Church of East Moline rallies the congregation behind a unique outreach to the community.

The Church: First Christian Church of East Moline in East Moline, Illinois

The Challenge: Bring hope, purpose and community connections to a congregation suffering decline and discouragement.

One Big Idea: Rally the congregation behind a unique outreach to the community.

On a cool morning last June, a pack of motorcycles rumbled down the driveway of First Christian Church of East Moline in Illinois. For the second straight year, participants were leaving on a daylong ride to raise money for Helmets of Hope, First Christians ministry to provide formerly homeless veterans with cleaning supplies for their new homes.

The event has been a boon to First Christian, generating not only money for the cause, but also engagement in the community. And year-round, Helmets has emboldened a congregation steeped in discouragement after years of membership decline. In fact, the church has given itself a new slogan: A small church doing big things.

We can struggle to get 20 people in worship, says Pastor Bill Coley, who has served the congregation for 32 years. But were doing things rather expectantly. Despite our decline, its become evident God is just not done. Every time we think were done, God provides.

The infusion of hope started around 2014, when a church member approached Coley about collecting toiletries for veterans coming out of homelessness. For two years, the church placed a bin in its lobby for a three-week drive. But after the second year, Coley visited one of their community partners and saw shelves overflowing with toiletries. Toothpaste was not an unmet need. But cleaning supplies wereand no one else was donating those.

The church not only switched what it was donating, but how it donated. They began creatively fundraising year-round, purchasing the items in bulk to stretch dollars further.

In addition to the motorcycle ride, they also hold a craft fair each fall, which raises more funds for Helmets and connects the church to a different demographic.

One of the things weve struggled with over the years is getting out of our own building. We knew we would benefit from a signature ministry, but weve never had anything that distinguished and brought us into the community until now. Helmets has become that for us, says Coley.

Since the switch, Helmets has grown. Because the church continues to receive supply requests from their community partners, they recently expanded into another part of Illinoissomething Coley says they never thought would be possible.

He attributes this growth to several factors. First, to a congregation thats excited and empowered by the challenge, one thats not afraid to pitch in. Second, to keeping their eyes and ears open for signs as to where God is leading them and reminding one another of that movement when they feel discouraged. And, of course, deciding to act.

When a door opens, you have to walk through it, Coley says. We asked, and we found a need. Then we leveraged our resources and the gifts God has poured into our congregation to meet that need.

For us, this has been a lifeline, a surge of confidence and hope for our future. With small numbers and a sense of decline, disappointment and disheartenment, we had to convince ourselves to step through this open door, he says. Thats hard when youre small and dont think you can do much. But through us, God has been able to do great things.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF EAST MOLINE

East Moline, Illinois

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Q: I am a retired veteran and I use TriCare for my supplemental health care plan. I have several chronic conditions for which I receive prescriptions through TriCare and receive automatic refills delivered to my home through Express Scripts. I was notified there would be a change in the process. What are the changes and how will they affect me?

A: Beginning Sept. 1, Express Scripts needs annual consent from patients who want to receive automatic refills of their maintenance medications enrolled in TriCare Pharmacy Home Delivery.

Just before one of your prescriptions runs out of refills, Express Scripts will confirm if you would like your doctor to be contacted to renew the prescription and if you would like to continue in the automatic refill program. If not, Express Scripts will not refill your prescription.

For more information, visit the Express Scripts website or call 877-363-1303. This annual consent is part of the effort to ensure that medications veterans receive are appropriate and compatible with other medications.

Did you know?

The VA has a caregiver support line, a great resource for a caregiver of any veteran. The support line is staffed by caring, licensed professionals who know about available care and support programs, can access services through the VA, and can connect with a caregiver support coordinator at a local VA medical center.

The support line also offers monthly telephone discussions on a variety topics. Visit the VA Caregiver Support Line monthly presentations webpage or call 855-260-3274.

Q: I have received VA health care for several years and overall have had a great experience. However, I recently was prescribed a three-week regimen of medicine. I quit taking the medication due to the side effects.

My concern is that no one from the VA ever made a follow-up contact to discover how I was fairing with the new medication. It was like no one cared how I was doing.

A: Depending on the likelihood of a bad side effect, the VA often calls to see how the patient is doing with a new medication. However, the VA also strongly encourages veterans to be a full partner in their health. When you decided to stop taking the medication, you should have contacted your VA medical teams and relayed that information to them.

The VA list of medications is extensive; if the medical team knew about your side effects, they likely would have changed your prescription. Patients, especially those who receive VA health care, have a responsibility to keep the VA medical team informed of significant health events and to provide the information that they need to properly diagnose and treat the veterans health care needs.

Event

Ken Burns epic series, "The Vietnam War," will air on most PBS stations beginning at 7 p.m. Sept. 17. The 10-part, 18-hour series follows Americas involvement in Vietnam and the consequences during and after the conflict.

H. Wayne Wilson of Central Illinois has compiled a companion documentary with input and perspectives from a number of Central Illinois veterans who served in Vietnam. Wilsons documentary will air on WTVP beginning at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 and 4 p.m. Sept. 24.
Editor's note: This is part of a continuing series of stories The Pantagraph is publishing on challenges facing people after their release from prison, including issues in housing and employment, and re-entry efforts at the state and federal levels.

BLOOMINGTON  The transition from convict to parolee can be difficult as an offender struggles to leave old habits behind under the watchful eye of a parole officer and a community wary of an offenders best intentions to make the trip to prison his last.

In June, parolee Robert Pinkston was the first inmate from the states Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center to locate in Bloomington. A former resident of Chicago, Pinkston is a participant in Jobs Partnership, a Bloomington program that helps ex-offenders and others with housing, job placement and social service referrals.

I spent a lot of time doing things my way, not the right way. I've spent the better part of my life being a fool for no reason, admitted Pinkston, 54.

Pinkston, whose criminal history dates back to 1988 and includes six trips to prison, lives with a roommate in a west side Bloomington home owned by a couple who work with Jobs Partnership director Michelle Cook to find housing for program members.

I was blessed. I heard Michelle give a speech at Kewanee and she was talking about a lot of the things I was thinking about, said Pinkston.

The Kewanee program was a challenge at times, he acknowledged, but the program works if you work it. Youve got to buckle down and do what you got to do to stay free.

When he left prison, Pinkston had an advantage that most of the prisoners who leave Illinois penal system lack when they are released: an advocate to meet him when he arrived in the community.

We picked him up from the bus and we came here. The shelves were stocked with food and dishes. The furniture was here, said Cook.

Gone from the residence were the boxes that carried Pinkstons possessions and serve as a symbol of temporary living circumstances, said Cook.

Boxes have no place in freedom. Boxes mean DOC, said Cook.

Under the terms of Pinkstons parole, he will complete 60 days of intense supervision and be required to wear an ankle monitoring device for 90 days. In addition to regular visits with a parole agent, Jobs Partnership checks on him daily to make sure hes following the rules.

After the first two months, parolees begin to take on more responsibility for maintaining their independence when financial support from Jobs Partnership for rent and expenses ends.

The process of finding a job was delayed while Pinkston waited for a copy of his birth certificate from Cook County. He would like to be a short order cook, skills he learned in culinary arts classes while incarcerated.

He also plans to volunteer with the Joy Care Center, the Twin City-based nonprofit organization that sponsors Jobs Partnership along with support from Heartland Community Church in Normal.

The connections that help ex-offenders reintegrate into society can mean the difference between success and recidivism, said Cook. A second participant from Kewanee has asked to locate in Bloomington after his release later this month.

In addition to the connections Jobs Partnership has with local landlords, the group also works with more than 50 local companies that are willing to give former felons a chance. A job fair held several times a year for Jobs Partnership graduates links former offenders with companies looking for workers.

Cook said Pinkston has begun the process of applying for jobs and becoming responsible for his own expenses. "All our people work," she said.

The associates degree in liberal arts competed during his incarceration should be helpful in Pinkston's job search.

Family support, something many offenders lack when they return home, also is an important part of the re-entry process. Pinkston's family has made the trip from Chicago to visit this summer. "They are 100 percent behind me," he said.

He also is hopeful that he will be accepted into the community.

I hope people will give me an opportunity to show who I am. Dont judge me because Ive been incarcerated. I just want to live a normal life, he said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday shot back at North Korea's latest nuclear provocation with a blunt threat, saying the U.S. will answer any North Korean threat with a "massive military response -- a response both effective and overwhelming." While he said America does not seek the "total annihilation" of the North, he added somberly, "We have many options to do so."

In a brief statement to reporters outside the White House, Mattis said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and said the North's leader, Kim Jong Un, should know that Washington's commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

Earlier, President Donald Trump raised the stakes in the escalating crisis over North Korea's nuclear threats, suggesting drastic economic measures against China and criticizing ally South Korea.

With Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at his side, Mattis said, "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response -- a response both effective and overwhelming." Those words alone were within the usual bounds of U.S. commentary on answering North Korean aggression. But he seemed to take it a step further with the reference to "total annihilation."

Mattis, who did not take questions from reporters, said he had attended a "small group" national security meeting with Trump and others. He said the president wanted to be briefed on each of what Mattis called "many military options" for action against North Korea. He did not mention any specific options, but his comment suggested that they discussed everything from a show of force such as an overflight of the peninsula by U.S. bombers to the latest war plan for destroying the North's weaponry and eliminating its leadership.

"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attacks, and our commitments among the allies are ironclad," he said. The use of Mattis as the president's spokesman in this circumstance was, by itself, a reflection of the growing risk that the crisis could escalate to military action.

"Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice - all members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses, and remain unanimous in their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula - because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country - namely, North Korea," Mattis said, reading from a piece of paper. "But, as I said, we have many options to do so."

North Korea claimed "perfect success" in an underground test of what it called a hydrogen bomb  potentially vastly more destructive than an atomic bomb. It was the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006, but the first since Trump took office in January.

Trump, asked by a reporter during a trip to church services if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see."

No U.S. military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far. Members of Congress expressed alarm at the North's test and emphasized strengthening U.S. missile defenses. Leaders in Russia, China and Europe issued condemnations.

Trump said he was meeting at the White House with chief of staff John Kelly, Mattis "and other military leaders." Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended, according to his spokesman.

The precise strength of the underground nuclear explosion had yet to be determined. South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five tests.

North Korea's state-run television broadcast a special bulletin to announce the test, and said Kim attended a meeting of the ruling party's presidium and signed the go-ahead order. Earlier, the party's newspaper published photos of Kim examining what it said was a nuclear warhead being fitted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the mainland U.S. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target U.S. cities.

The Arms Control Association said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests the North tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Hans Kristensen, a nuclear weapons expert at the Federation of American Scientists, said the North probably will need to do more tests before achieving a functioning hydrogen bomb design.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Korea's accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the U.S. as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decadeslong commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Trump's jab Sunday at South Korea. He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its "talk of appeasement" will not work. The North Koreans, he added, "only understand one thing," implying military force might be required. The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

Patrick Cronin, an Asia expert with the Center for a New American Security, said Trump's comment on South Korea was probably "intended to stiffen the spine of an ally." He said he agreed with the intention.

"I think Washington is very serious about showing some unexpected resolve," he said. "We need our ally and we need to remain ironclad. But at the same time, we can't afford South Korea to go weak in facing down this growing danger."

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital U.S. trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbor. Trump tweeted that the U.S. is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." Such a halt would be radical. The U.S. imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was calling counterparts in Asia, and Trump's treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said he was putting together proposed new sanctions for Trump to consider that would seek to cut off trade with North Korea.

It's unclear what kind of penalties might make a difference. Lassina Zerbo, head of the U.N. test ban treaty organization, said sanctions already imposed against North Korea aren't working.

China's official Xinhua News Agency said President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, meeting on the sidelines of a Beijing-led economic summit, agreed "to adhere to the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, have close communication and coordination and properly respond" to the test.

Experts have questioned whether the North has gone too far down the nuclear road to continue pushing for a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, an Obama administration policy goal still embraced by Trump's White House.

"Denuclearization is not a viable U.S. policy goal," said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the U.S. accept North Korea as a nuclear power. "We should keep denuclearization as a long-term aspiration, but recognize privately that it's unachievable anytime soon."

Trump warned last month that the U.S. military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the U.S. would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America. The bellicose words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles toward the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that's home to U.S. bombers and other aircraft.

-- Associated Press writers Eric Talmadge in Tokyo contributed to this report.
HOUSTON (AP)  Crews went door-to-door Sunday in parts of western Houston, shutting off power and warning anyone still in homes left soggy by Harvey that more flooding was possible as engineers relieved pressure on overtaxed city reservoirs.

Some people took a break from their cleanup efforts in the sweltering heat to worship on a declared National Day of Prayer, while others worried about looters and scavengers in storm-ravaged neighborhoods.

Houston officials stressed that the recovery was already beginning despite the renewed flood threat, but an official in the town of Liberty, northeast of the city, said some people in outlying areas there had yet to even return to their homes.

"This will last for some people for months, if not years," said Liberty Fire Chief Brian Hurst.

Authorities also warned that fires from a chemical plant rocked by previous blazes and explosions were still a possibility in the suburb of Crosby and residents of nearby Beaumont remained without potable water.

At least 4,700 Houston dwellings were under new, mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave. The Army Corps of Engineers said the water release is necessary to relieve the Addicks and Barker reservoirs from several feet of rain from Harvey and to create space in case of more.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said anyone staying in already-waterlogged homes were endangering themselves and first responders. Harvey hit Texas Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other communities as a tropical storm. It is blamed for at least 44 deaths.

Still, Turner insisted that much of the nation's fourth-largest city was hoping to get back on track by Tuesday.

"The city of Houston is open for business. Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come," Turner said on CBS' "Face the Nation." ''We want you to still come. We can do multiple things at the same time."

But in the southwest Bellaire neighborhood, police received reports of scavengers picking through water-damaged possessions and urged those cleaning up to keep anything left outside to dry closer to their homes and separate from what was considered a total loss. In the suburb of Dickinson, one homeowner used orange spray paint on a sheet of dirty plywood to warn: "Looters Will B Shot."

Robert Lockey, a 48-year-old school district bus monitor, worked to clean up his flooded home in Spring, Texas, outside Houston, amid the 94-degree heat. A pile of wooden doors lay in his yard next to ripped out dry wall.

"They're sweating to death," Lockey said, looking at his neighbors and their similar piles of debris.

Added his roommate, Elizabeth Hallman: "This definitely is not fun."

Repairs continued on the water treatment plant in Beaumont, about 85 miles from Houston, which failed after the swollen Neches River inundated the main intake system and backup pumps halted. In the nearby town of Vidor, Pat Lawrence and her fiance, Jim Frasier, hopped on a tractor, the only way they could make it to services at the Pine Forest Baptist Church.

"You can't hardly comprehend all the water that's around," Lawrence said. "My house is not flooded but getting out is flooded. I've been in my house since last Saturday, not left the place until today."

Authorities continued to monitor Crosby's Arkema plant where three trailers of highly unstable compounds ignited in recent days, sending thick black smoke and tall flames into the air. There were no active fires at the facility, Sunday, but six more trailers were being watched.

Floodwaters also have inundated at least five toxic waste Superfund sites near Houston and some may be damaged, though Environmental Protection Agency officials have yet to assess the full extent of what occurred.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on CNN's "State of the Union'" that the EPA is "working on some of them already," but "they have restraints on their ability to check out some of them just simply because of the water."

Turner said Houston's drinking water hadn't been affected by the storm but added on "Face the Nation:" ''We would hope that the EPA would be on the ground now to take a look at those Superfund sites, to make sure that contamination is contained and limited."

Near the town of Liberty, about 45 miles from Houston, dozens of people were still cut off by the swollen Trinity River. Maggie King and her two children greeted a Texas National Guard helicopter that landed at the local fire department with pallets of drinking water.

"It's so far from over," King said. "There's so much more that has to be repaired from here."

Sunday was declared a day of prayer in Texas by Abbott and across the nation by President Donald Trump. He and the first lady attended services at St. John's, an Episcopal church in Washington a day after visiting Harvey evacuees in Houston and Louisiana.

At St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in the Gulf Coast city of Port Aransas, the clergy set out holy water and bug spray, and many anointed themselves with both.

"We will remember the destruction of this uninvited guest but we will never stop being a people of hospitality. The peace will return," the Rev. Kris Bauta told about 50 worshippers from the darkened sanctuary. The church, only four blocks from the Gulf, suffered only a damaged carpet from a leak in the roof, although the storm surge ended three feet from the building.

Trump has asked Congress for a $7.9 billion down payment toward Harvey relief and recovery efforts  a request expected to be swiftly approved when lawmakers return to work Tuesday. Abbott called that a mere "down payment" and suggested the total cost of recovery could be as much as $180 billion.

Harvey brought five straight days of rain totaling close to 52 inches (1.3 meters) in one location, the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental U.S.

Another storm, Hurricane Irma, was far out over the Atlantic. It could come near the eastern Caribbean Sea by early this week but no coastal watches or warnings were issued. Irma was a Category 2 storm moving west-southwest at nearly 14 mph (20 kph).

-- Associated Press writers Kelly P. Kissel in Port Aransas, Texas, and Johnny Clark in Vidor, Texas, contributed.
The Asian press is obsessed about reporting that the iPhone X will ship late as if that's a failure rather than a strategic move on Apple's part. While the iPhone 8 will be on track to ship in September, it's special anniversary iPhone that will debut with the latest features such as a larger OLED display and 3D facial recognition may begin sales later in the quarter.

Apple may very well want to ship in late November so that sales spill over to calendar Q1 to provide Apple with a strong fiscal Q2 report and to counter Samsung's Galaxy S9 that debuts in calendar Q1. South Korea's publication The Bell reports that the S9 may even debut well ahead of the Mobile World Congress trade show in late February.

A new report published today by the Korea Herald notes that "Korean parts suppliers for Apple's first OLED iPhone are said to have started their shipments just recently, hinting at the phone's delayed launch no earlier than November.

'We started our shipments from late August,' an official from a local Apple supplier told The Investor on condition of anonymity on Sept. 4. He said his firm usually ships parts for Apple in the initial phase of the supply chain, declining to further elaborate.

'Apple has not yet informed us the exact supply volume as it was still fine-tuning hardware specifications for the OLED iPhone until last week,'" he added.

The anniversary iPhone could be in the process of being fine-tuned, but that's only seen as a negative if you're a publication that supports Samsung. Though between now and Apple's keynote on September 12, I fully expect there will be all kinds of propaganda surfacing in the hopes of dampening the iPhone's effect on the market.

Most of Apple's competitors are saying that they have a better smartphone than Apple's iPhone 8. Xiaomi is even planning the release of their new Mi smartphone on September 11 so as to get ahead of Apple's big day. As if that will matter to a single Apple fan around the world.

Huawei got the news out yesterday that their new smartphone launching later in the year will have a new dedicated AI chip. Richard Yu, chief executive of Huawei's consumer business said in an interview during the annual IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin that "Compared with Samsung and Apple, we have advantages. Users are in for much faster (feature) performance, longer battery life and more compact design."

Yet the reality is that the new Huawei processor is perhaps more of threat to Qualcomm that powers the majority of Android phones than it is a threat to Apple.

In the bigger picture, keep in mind that Apple's chip supplier TSMC has hinted that specialty AI and AR chips will be covered by 7nm processors debuting sometime in the 2018 or 2019 timeline. So it's not like Huawei will have much of a lead on that front.

For now, just accept that the smartphone circus has rolled into town now that they know that the king of premium smartphones will debut on September 12. The wannabe's will be making the craziest of claims in the hopes of stopping customers buying the world's top premium smartphones while others will claim that Apple is having "mythical" production problems with their new smartphone.

In the end it's just expected carnival noise that will make it all the more fun when Apple's new iPhones once again take out their competitors at the premium level like a perfect bowling ball strike.

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As 2016 was coming to a close Patently Apple posted a report titled "Korea's Antitrust Agency Hits Qualcomm with Record $865 Million Fine for Excessive Licensing Fees to Phone Makers." Our report noted that the agency accused Qualcomm of coercing mobile phone makers, including South Korea's Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics as well as Apple of U.S., to pay excessive licensing fees under unfair conditions set by the company.

Qualcomm had subsequently filed two lawsuits with the Seoul High Court, one calling for the nullification of the regulator's decision and another seeking the suspension of the corrective order until a ruling on the first is made.

Today we're learning from Reuters that a South Korean court rejected Qualcomm's request to suspend an order by the country's antitrust agency to take corrective action on the way it licenses patents.

The court turned down the suspension request because it did not believe the regulator's order would pose a risk of "irreparable damage" to Qualcomm, a spokeswoman told Reuters.

The regulator also ordered Qualcomm to negotiate in good faith with rival chipmakers on patent licensing, and renegotiate chip supply agreements with mobile phone makers if requested.

If the order is upheld, such measures would affect Qualcomm's dealings with major tech firms including Apple, Intel, Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies.

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.
In/Out: Forms of Space in Science Fiction

The Fifth International Symposium on the Poetics of Science Fiction

Department of English and American Studies, Tel-Aviv University

18-19 March 2018

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2017

Science fiction is inseparable from the idea of space  the final frontier, as Star Trek defined it for the general audience. From its very inception in the works of H. G. Wells, Jules Verne, H. Rider Haggard and other 19th-century writers, SF has been concerned with exploring, mapping and conquering geographical and physical spaces. However, outer space is but one of the many continua the genre has ventured into. With the rise of cyberpunk in the 1990s, cyberspace has joined the iconic settings of SF, soon followed by virtual spaces, dream-spaces, unknown planets, parallel Earths, and utopian or dystopian communities of the future.

Narrative and cultural theories have recently experienced a spatial turn, as expressed by a rapidly-growing flood of scholarly articles and monographs concerned with representation of space. Grounded in the pioneering work of Henri Lefebvre and Fredric Jameson, titles such as Stephen Kerns The Culture of Time and Space (2003), Ryan, Foote, and Azaryahus collaboration Narrating Space/Spatializing Narrative (2016) and many others have come to epitomize the importance of space in the humanities. But despite the problematic of space receiving critical attention, the spatial poetics of SF has remained relatively under-theorized.

Our conference, the fifth in the annual series of SF symposia at Tel-Aviv University, seeks to address the cultural, historical, and narrative problematic of the representation of space in SF. We intend to go beyond the obvious nexus of SF and space exploration, and consider other aspects of spatiality in the genre such as virtual and cyber-spaces; psychological (inner) spaces; space as an active agent in the text; utopian/dystopian spaces; SF and urbanism; and the phenomenology of impossible or unnatural spaces. Topics can include, but are not limited to:

Space as the dominant aspect of the genres chronotope (in Bakhtins sense of the word)

The interrelation between physical and virtual spaces

Space as history (parallel universes, alternate Earths)

Inner/outer spaces

Space as utopia/dystopia

Apocalyptic spaces and the end of history

The difference between spaces of SF and of fantasy

Cyberpunk and spaces of the past

Postcolonialism and conquest of space

Poetics of impossible spaces

SF and the city

Proposals of up to 300 words and short CVs are to be submitted to egomel@post.tau.ac.il and tausfsymposium@gmail.com by September 30, 2017. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by the end of October 2017.

Select participants may be invited to join a follow-up publication to Science Fiction Beyond Borders, eds. Shawn Edrei and Danielle Gurevitch (Cambridge Scholars Publishing 2016).
Patna: Hoping to capitalize on the BJP's decision to keep Janata Dal  U leaders at bay from the latest expansion of the Modi administration at the Center, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, at a press conference at his home in Patna on Sunday, tried to pour salt in Nitish Kumar's wounds saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had obviously not forgotten about how poorly he was treated by the JD-U leader during the last Lok Sabha elections.

"Modi did the right thing by rejecting the invitation of Nitish Kumar when the Prime Minister was visiting flood zone in North Bihar last week. He has not forgotten how Nitish cancelled the pre-scheduled state dinner with him at the last minute in a move that was meant to insult the BJP leader. It is also clear that Narendra Modi has not forgotten how Nitish Kumar returned the check for Rs. 5 crore to Gujarat which it had given to Bihar towards flood relief fund. Modi got his revenge today when he not only did not include any JD-U leader in the cabinet, he also, as per Nitish Kumar himself, did not invite the Chief Minister for the oath-swearing ceremony in Delhi," the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief said.

Mocking the JD-U leaders, the former Chief Minister of Bihar said that it was comical to see how some members of the party had already ordered new Kurta and Pajama for the oath ceremony in Delhi only to be snubbed by Modi and Shah at the last minute.

Hoping to keep driving wedge between Kumar and the Prime Minister, Yadav further said that Modi had understood what kind of person he was and now he would give Kumar the treatment that he deserves.

"BJP leaders in Bihar have apprised Modi and Amit Shah about how Nitish was trying to form a majority by trying to break the Congress Party in the state. Now no one trusts him, not even the BJP and who can blame them after what he did to the BJP first and then to the Grand Alliance?" Yadav said.

Predicting a man cut down to size under the NDA administration, the RJD President whose family is facing CBI investigations in a series of corruption cases, said that Nitish Kumar will be the CM in name only while the BJP will pull all the strings.

"Under the Mahagathbandhan government, Nitish Kumar had all the freedom to take any decision. It won't be the same under NDA," he said.
Patna: Reacting to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's allegation that he was engineering a plot to split the Congress Party in the state in an attempt to bolster his own party's standing within the NDA, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that Yadav was in the habit of making such baseless allegations that were not grounded in truth or reality.

"Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is once again unemployed, is desperate to remain in news. What he is trying to do is demoralize the Congress to ensure the party of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi remains under his beck and call. He has a long history of treating the Congress leaders as pushovers who could be easily manipulated and this allegations about me trying to split the Congress in Bihar is yet another attempt by him to make sure Congress leaders continue to patronize him," the Chief Minister said.

Denying he had anything to do with the turmoil within the Congress Party, Kumar said that he was deeply committed to the development of Bihar and he neither had the time nor interest in splitting Congress or any other party in the state.

The Janata Dal  U leader also blamed the media for putting out false reports about JD-U leaders possibly being included in the latest expansion and reshuffle of the Narendra Modi cabinet.

"We had no expectations from the Modi government since we joined the NDA only a couple of weeks ago. This was never even in the making but the media went out and made up reports without ever asking us even once. It would nice for a change if the reporters first confirmed with us before printing reports based on pure speculations," Kumar said.

As reported yesterday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, before a crowd of reporters at his residence, teased the Chief Minister saying the Prime Minister was getting even with him for insulting him repeatedly during and after the last Lok Sabha elections.

"Modi did the right thing by rejecting the invitation of Nitish Kumar when the Prime Minister was visiting flood zone in North Bihar last week. He has not forgotten how Nitish cancelled the pre-scheduled state dinner with him at the last minute in a move that was meant to insult the BJP leader. It is also clear that Narendra Modi has not forgotten how Nitish Kumar returned the check for Rs. 5 crore to Gujarat which it had given to Bihar towards flood relief fund. Modi got his revenge when he not only did not include any JD-U leader in the cabinet, he also did not invite the Chief Minister for the oath-swearing ceremony in Delhi," Yadav told the press yesterday.
Tongues are wagging at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) headquarters in Accra over alleged misappropriation of a certain rent allowance that is supposed to be paid to personnel.



According to Business Days sources, the officers are entitled to 20 per cent of their salaries as Rent Allowance and duly received their allowances for the month of January.



Since then they have been expecting to receive allowances for February and the succeeding months but not a pesewa has been credited to their accounts.



Subsequent events have left despair on officers faces as tales emerge, suggesting that the money has been paid to the GNFS but cannot allegedly be accounted for. Not even a letter from the Ministry of Interior supposedly demanding the whereabouts of the cash has laid the matter to rest.



Our sources say GHC4, 622,517.42 has allegedly gone missing from the accounts of the GNFS.



It is the position of some personnel that the fund has been allegedly diverted into Treasury Bill accounts to yield interest for some top brass of the GNFS.



No trace



Briefs from deep-throat sources say that the disbursement of the monthly rent allowance was to cushion personnel who are not living in National Fire Service properties to rent private facilities.



According to sources within the service, the decision to allocate funds for the payment of rent allowance was a struggle between the immediate-past National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and the head office management of the service.



Business Day investigations have revealed that the government at the time thus, in the short term financial arrangement for the first quarter of 2017, made available 20 per cent rent allowance payable to personnel of the service upon request.



Consequently, personnel were paid their allowances in January but after allowances for February and the subsequent months were not forthcoming, the rumour mill was ignited. The GNFS then took the opportunity to write to the sector Ministry (Interior), seeking the whereabouts of the rent allowance.



As a result, the Ministry wrote a letter (intercepted by Business Day) July 7, 2017 demanding the whereabouts of the money. The letter was signed by Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, the Chief Director of the Ministry and addressed to the Ministry of Finance and copied to the Chief Fire Officer.



It is alleged that no response has been given to the letter, which was referenced as SCR/TB69/77/025 and headlined Request for Funds for the Payment of 20 per cent Rent Allowance for February and March 2017.



The content of the letter read: Please I wish to forward to you letter no. NFS/ADM/FA/017 VOL. /V123 dated June 28, 2017 and attached list of personnel received from Ghana National Fire Service on the above subject matter for your consideration and necessary action.



The Ghana National Fire Service is requesting for the release of four million, Six hundred and seventeen Ghana Cedis, forty two Pesewas for the payment of twenty per cent rent allowance to its personnel for the months of February and March.



11 million in



When Business Day contacted the Public Relations Unit of the GNFS, officials admitted that the rent allowance has not been paid since February.



Interactions with Mr. Billy Anaglatey, head of the PR Unit and Mr. Brako-Appiah, Director of Budget resulted in revelations that the Ministry of Finance has, through a letter signed by Deputy Finance Minister Charles Boahen, indicated that funds have been released.



Even though the letter was dated August 15, Mr. Brako-Appiah told Business Day that the GNFS received the letter on August 22  eight clear days after.



Mr. Brako-Appiah said the funds comprise over four million Ghana Cedis for the February and March allowances as well as more than six million Ghana Cedis for the month of April and June. These amounts total over eleven million Ghana Cedis for disbursement.



Therefore, he argued that the money has not been missing and it was his outfit that wrote to the Ministry of Interior seeking the whereabouts of the funds.



So, the letter from the Interior Ministry was further enquiries to the Ministry of Finance seeking clearance on the matter.



In the meantime, Mr. Anaglatey indicates that the service has commissioned a meeting of regional commanders, directors and deputy directors to brief them on the current status of the fund as well as the letter giving clearance for disbursement.

Source: Businessday.com









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed optimism of his governments ability to create employment for the teaming unemployed youth which is the greatest challenge confronting the nation.



He said his administration is working vigorously to fulfill all campaign promises adding that, the promises he made were not for political power but for the development of the country.



President Akufo-Addo, in a speech read on his behalf at a durbar of chiefs and people of Cape Coast during this years Oguaa Fetu Afahye, affirmed his administrations commitment in building a new Ghana where Ghanaians would live in peace and prosperity.



President Akufo Addo mentioned some of the initiative being rolled out by the Government and highlighted the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy as one of the key initiatives that government cherished in the development of the human resource base of the country.



The president urged parents to take advantage of the policy as it would help lessen their burden in an attempt to enroll their wards in senior high schools.



He expressed governments commitment in resolving the challenges of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to promote quality healthcare delivery in the country.



The President said the creation of three Development Authorities set to be carried out would fast-track the development of agenda of the government.



Osaberima Kwesi Atta II, the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, expressed concern about the falling standards of education in the Cape Coast metropolis and called for appropriate mechanisms to reverse the trend.



He also expressed worry about the situation where students from the area did not get admission into some of the well endowed senior high schools in the metropolis despite having the required passes to be enrolled into such institutions.



Osabarima Kwesi Atta called for the implementation of a policy that would ensure that students from the area with the required passes were given consideration for enrolment into senior high schools located within the metropolis.



He asked government to allocate a fraction of the revenue from the Cape Coast Castle as payment of royalties to the Traditional Council and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) for the development of the metropolis.



Mr Kwamina Duncan, the Central Regional Minister, assured the chiefs and people of Cape Coast of the governments commitment towards ensuring the development of Cape Coast and the Central Region in general.

Source: GNA









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A student of Achimota Senior High School is summoned before an Accra Circuit Court for defiling a 14-year-old girl on the school veranda at Achimota in Accra.



The student, whose name is given as Wiseman, is said to have rushed the victim into sex on the Class five block veranda at the Achimota basic school when the girl had visited him in midnight.



Unfortunately for the girl whose name was withheld, got defiled again by one Michael Aleke, a Shop Attendant, who resides near the school site.



Hearing at the Circuit Court presided over by Mrs. Janet Harriet Akweley Quaye, the Chief Prosecution, Inspector Kofi Atimbire, indicated that, right after the victim was going home after being defiled by Wiseman at that midnight, got approached again by Aleke, who took her to another portion of the school veranda and had sex with her from behind.



He narrated again that, the victim after the act complained of abdominal pain, so Aleke took her in a taxi and he went to purchase medicine for her at Osu.



Chief Inspector Atimbire, continued, the victim did not inform anyone until the complainant detected a change in her attitude and the manner she carried herself around and she revealed her ordeal and she began to mention the names of the accused persons.



Subsequently, a report was made to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service at Tesano where a medical form was issued to the victim to seek medical attention.



Aleke was subsequently arrested by the Police and during interrogation, he admitted the offence.



The chief prosecution further prayed the court to grant the Police enough time to complete investigations with Aleke as well as his accomplice, Wiseman.



Aleke, who pleaded not guilty to the charges against him was refused bail by the court.



According to the Chief Inspector, the complainant was a Miner residing at Achimota and a step father to the victim.



Aleke is remanded into custody to reappear on September 12, as Wiseman is currently under police search.

Source: Ghanacrusader.com









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One of Ghanas foremost second cycle institution, Achimota Senior High School (Motown) has recorded its first openly celebrated gay marriage.



An Alumnus of Motown (91 Year Group), Stephen Anertey Caesar, tied the knot with his male partner, Ryan Lathrum, at Sonoma Valley in America.



A woman who is believed to be the mother and a Ghanaian walked boldly with her son, Stephen Anertey Caesar and presented him to his gay partner, Ryan Lathrum.



One of the guest at the wedding stated, "The only school that has produced presidents not only in Ghana but in Zimbabwe, in The Gambia and so we support Stephen by singing our school's song."



Some of the guests believed to be Alumni of Motown joined in singing Achimota's school anthem.



They sang Achimota's school anthem boldly and showed their support to their colleague, Stephen Anertey Caesar.







Source: Ghanaweb.com









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The Minister of Communication, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has described as 'false and unwarranted' accusations levelled against her by Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.



The outspoken NPP MP had reportedly accused Ursula of being corrupt.



However, in a statement released Friday, the minister challenged Mr Agyapong saying: "I categorically refute the allegations of corruption made against me in relation to the award of the contract for the production of national identification cards by Mr. Kennedy Agyapong. They are patently false and I challenge him to come forward with evidence that corroborates his outlandish allegations



Meanwhile, Ken Agyapong has denied accusing the Communication Minister of being corrupt.



Read Madam Ursula Owusu's statement below

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Gov. Tom Wolf spent Labor Day thanking troops headed to Texas to assist with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

About 200 Pennsylvania National Guard members on Sept. 4 departed by air and convoy to Texas. The group is comprised of members of several units and includes mechanics, drivers and support personnel.

"These are really good women and men and this is what they do. They volunteered to serve the National Guard and that is what they do help. This is a situation where they are helping their fellow Americans," Wolf said.

"They are making all of us very proud," he added, from the 193rd Special Operations wing in Middletown.

Troops were deployed throughout the weekend in increments via C-17 Globemasters and C-130 Hercules operated by the Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Hawaii, and Tennessee National Guards.

The convoy was made up of heavy-duty trucks including M915 Line-Haul Tractor Trucks as well as Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks. The trucks are suitable for heavy transportation and re-supply.

About 200 Pennsylvania National Guard members on Sept. 4 departed by air and convoy to Texas. The group is comprised of members of several units and includes mechanics, drivers and support personnel.

Many of the troops that left on Monday will assist with supply deliveries, recovery operations and maintain about 90 helicopters being used by the National Guard in the relief effort.

"Texas is a big guard state as it is and their helicopter force has already over doubled, but there was no extra maintenance there," said Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania National Guard adjutant general. "Their maintenance was busting at the seams. They needed another heavy aviation maintenance capability and that is what Pennsylvania is delivering today. We are going to get down there and help keep those helicopters flying."

The latest group joins two Pennsylvania CH-47 Chinook Helicopters sent Sept. 1 to aid the efforts. Last week, six airmen from the Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing in Middletown who were the first group sent to assist with communications efforts in Texas.

Gov. Tom Wolf at the 193rd Special Operations Wing in Middletown on Sept. 4 as members of Pennsylvania National Guard prepare to leave for Texas.

Carrelli stressed there are places in Texas where it is still life and death, even as the number of rescues drop off. People are still suffering, he said.

He said it will take months for people to recover.

"There's a lot of small towns and different neighborhood areas that they got a dry spot but they don't have electricity and they are running out of food. It's not a critical rescue ... But we do need to get supplies out to those people and get the power back," Carrelli said.
Autopsy results have revealed 22-year-old Jenna Burleigh died of strangulation and blunt force trauma.

The Wayne County Coroner's office announced the cause of death Sunday afternoon following an autopsy earlier in the day. Joshua Hupperterz has been charged with murder in connection to the death after Burleigh's body was found in Wayne County near his grandmother's home -- 150 miles away from Temple University where Burleigh had recently transferred as a commuter student.

Joshua Hupperterz

Burleigh was with Hupperterz at around 2 a.m. at Pub Web near Temple's main campus. According to a Philly.com report, police found blood, large quantities of drugs and cash in Hupperterz's North Philadelphia home near the pub.

Authorities believe Hupperterz killed Burleigh in Philadelphia, took her body to his mother's home in Jenkintown and then his grandmother's property where she was found.

Hupperterz has confessed to elements of the crime, police said. He is charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and related charges.

Burleigh's friends remembered her as a passionate, free-spirited woman, who was unapologetically herself.
(Editor's Note: This editorial first appeared in The Washington Post)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin demurred when asked if he supports his predecessor's decision to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. "It's not something that I'm focused on at the moment," he said Thursday in a CNBC interview: "Right now we have a lot more important issues to focus on."

Granted, Mnuchin is dealing with such critical issues as a possible showdown on raising the national debt ceiling and the Trump administration's push for tax cuts. But Mnuchin is wrong if he thinks reneging on a promise to put the first African American woman on paper money is not important.

When the treasury secretary gets around to looking at this issue, let's hope he recognizes the need to include the images of women and minorities, and not just white men, on the currency of a nation that achieved greatness through the contributions of all.

To do so would reassure those Americans who suspect that President Donald Trump and his administration do not fully respect the rights of women, non-white Americans or those born outside the country.

A massive grass-roots drive for a woman to be included on U.S. currency preceeded last year's announcement by then-Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew that Tubman, a one-time slave, leader of the Underground Railroad and Union hero of the Civil War, would replace President Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill.

Lew had to contend with a thicket of delicate issues, but as we wrote at the time, he came up with a truly elegant way to provide for the addition of women and civil rights leaders on banknotes without dropping the presidents already depicted.

Jackson's image would be retained in a redesigned reverse side of the $20 bill, according to the plan.

Abraham Lincoln and Alexander Hamilton would remain on the front of the $5 and $10 bills, but the reverse of those notes would be redesigned to include depictions of such historic events as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream speech" at the Lincoln Memorial and a 1914 suffragette march at the Treasury building.

Lew knew that implementation of his scheme would rest with a new administration - final designs scheduled were to be unveiled only in 2020. But he dismissed concerns the reform would be reversed. "I don't think somebody's going to probably want to do that - to take the image of Harriet Tubman off of our money? To take the image of the suffragists off?" he said.

But then no one would have thought it possible that the president of the United States would want to describe people at a neo-Nazi rally as "very fine people" or equate those protesting white supremacy with those promoting it.

Harriet Tubman was a woman who distinguished herself during this country's greatest trial. Putting her on the $20 bill is symbolically important - and so, too, would be denying her that rightful honor.
By George F. Will

Summer brings no respite for academics committed to campus purifications, particularly at the institution that is the leader in the silliness sweepstakes, Yale.

Its Committee on Art in Public Spaces has discovered that a stone carving that has adorned an entrance to Sterling Memorial Library since it opened 86 years ago has become "not appropriate."

The carving, according to Yale Alumni Magazine, depicts "a hostile encounter: a Puritan pointing a musket at a Native American."

Actually, the Native American and the Puritan are looking not hostilely at each other but into the distance. Still, one can't be too careful, so the musket has been covered with stone.

This is unilateral disarmament: The Native American's weapon, a bow, has not been covered up. Perhaps Yale thinks that armed white men are more "triggering" (this academic-speak means "upsetting to the emotionally brittle") than armed people of color.

The National Review Online's Kyle Smith drolly worries that Yale University might be perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

If such campus folderols merely added to what Samuel Johnson called "the public stock of harmless pleasure," Americans could welcome a new academic year the way they once welcomed new burlesque acts. Unfortunately, the descent of institutions of learning into ludicrousness is symptomatic of larger social distempers that Frank Furedi has diagnosed abroad as well as in America.

Furedi is a professor emeritus in England and author of "What's Happened to the University?: A Sociological Exploration of Its Infantilization." Writing in the American Interest, he cites a warning issued to Oxford University postgraduate students about the danger of "vicarious trauma," which supposedly results from "hearing about and engaging with the traumatic experiences of others."

This, Furedi says, is symptomatic of the "medicalization" of almost everything in universities that strive to be "therapeutic." Universities are "promoting theories and practices that encourage people to interpret their anxieties, distress and disappointment through the language of psychological deficits." This generates self-fulfilling diagnoses of emotionally fragile students.

They demand mental-health services on campuses that are replete with "trigger warnings" and "safe spaces" to insulate students from discomforts, such as the depiction of a musket. What academics perceive as "an expanded set of problems tracks right along with the exponential growth of the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.' "

The socialization of children, which prepares them to enter the wider world, has been shifted from parents to primary and secondary schools, and now to higher education, which has embraced the task that Furedi calls "re-socialization through altering the norms that undergraduates grew up with." This is done by using speech codes and indoctrination to raise "awareness" about defects students acquired before coming to campuses that are determined to purify undergraduates.

Often, however, students arrive with little moral ballast bequeathed by parents who thought their role was, Furedi says, less to transmit values than to validate their children's feelings and attitudes: "This emphasis on validation runs in tandem with a risk-averse regime of child-rearing, the (unintended) consequence of which has been to limit opportunities for the cultivation of independence and to extend the phase of dependence of young people on adult society."

The therapeutic university's language -- students are "vulnerable" to routine stresses and difficulties that are defined as "traumas" -- also becomes self-fulfilling. As a result, students experience a diminished sense of capacity for moral agency -- for self-determination.

This can make them simultaneously passive, immersing themselves into groupthink, and volatile, like the mobs at Middlebury College, Claremont McKenna College, the University of California at Berkeley and other schools that disrupt uncongenial speakers. Hence universities provide "trigger warnings" that facilitate flights into "safe spaces." Furedi quotes an Oberlin College student who says: "There's something to be said about exposing yourself to ideas other than your own," but "I've had enough of that."

Times do, however, change, as the Yale Alumni Magazine delicately intimated when it said the stone now obscuring the Puritan's musket "can be removed in the future without damaging the original carving." And the future has come with strange speed to New Haven.

In a peculiar letter in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal, a Yale official says the university is removing the stone "that a construction project team had placed on the stonework."

By clearly suggesting, implausibly, that this "team" acted on its own, the letter contradicts the magazine's report that the covering up was done because the Committee on Art in Public Spaces deemed the carving "not appropriate." The letter, which says the uncovered carving will be moved to where it can be studied and "contextualized," speaks volumes about Yale's context.

George F. Will is a columnist for The Washington Post. His work appears on Mondays on PennLive Opinion.
India's PM Modi's $87 billion river-linking gamble set to take off as floods hit India







By Mayank Bhardwaj

DAUDHAN, India

Petroleumworld 09 04 2017

After years of foot-dragging India will begin work in around a month on an $87 billion scheme to connect some of the country's biggest rivers, government sources say, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi bets on the ambitious project to end deadly floods and droughts.

The mammoth plan entails linking nearly 60 rivers, including the mighty Ganges, which the government hopes will cut farmers' dependence on fickle monsoon rains by bringing millions of hectares of cultivatable land under irrigation.

In recent weeks, some parts of India and neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal have been hit by the worst monsoon floods in years, following two years of poor rainfall.

Modi has personally pushed through clearances for the first phase of the project - which would also generate thousands of megawatts of electricity - the sources say, despite opposition from environmentalists, tiger lovers and a former royal family.

That will involve construction of a dam on the Ken river, also known as the Karnavati, in north-central India and a 22-km (14-mile) canal connecting it to the shallow Betwa.

Both rivers flow through vast swathes of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states, ruled by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the prime minister hopes the Ken-Betwa scheme will set a template for other proposed river interlinking projects, one of the sources said.

We have got clearances in record time, with the last round of clearances coming in only this year, Sanjeev Balyan, the junior water resources minister, told Reuters. The Ken-Betwa interlinking tops the priority list of the government.

Government officials say diverting water from bounteous rivers such as the Ganges, Godavari and Mahanadi to sparse waterways by building a clutch of dams and a network of canals is the only solution to floods and droughts.

But some experts say India would be better off investing in water conservation and better farm practices. Environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts have also warned of ecological damage.

BJP STATES FIRST

The 425-km (265-mile) Ken flows through a tiger reserve nestled in a verdant valley. The government plans to clear out 6.5 percent of the forest reserve to build the dam, relocating nearly 2,000 families from 10 remote villages.

Around half a dozen clearances, including on environmental and forest protection, have been obtained for the scheme to link the Ken and Betwa, according to two sources and documents seen by Reuters.

Modi's cabinet is likely to give its final go-ahead for the project within a couple of weeks, sources say, after which he will flag off construction at the site about 805 km (500 miles) from New Delhi, currently marked only by rows of red concrete slabs placed on the ground.

The government is also finishing up paperwork on projects in western India linking the Par-Tapi with the Narmada and the Daman Ganga with the Pinjal. The projects involve Modi's home state of Gujarat and neighbouring Maharashtra, which includes Mumbai, both also ruled by the BJP.

The river-linking projects was first proposed in 2002 by the last BJP-led government. Work stalled because state governments sparred over water sharing contracts and clearances got stuck in India's notoriously ponderous bureaucracy.

This time, officials hope starting with projects that are all in BJP-ruled states will smooth negotiations.

Modi's government is touting the linking of rivers as a panacea to the floods and droughts that plague India every year, killing hundreds of poor people and withering crops.

Large areas of eastern and north-eastern India are reeling under floods in which hundreds have died, while torrential rain also brought the commercial capital Mumbai to a standstill this week. The southern state of Tamil Nadu, in contrast, recently rationed drinking water due to drought.

Not everyone is convinced the projects should be the priority, however.

Theoretically we can't find fault with the plan, said Ashok Gulati, a farm economist who has advised governments. But spending billions of dollars in a country which wastes more water than it produces, it makes more sense to first focus on water conservation.

India, which has 18 percent of the world's population but only 4 percent of the usable water resources, perversely gives incentives to produce and export thirsty crops such as rice and sugar cane.

TIGERS, VULTURES AND CANYONS

The proposed 77-metre high (250-ft), 2-km long dam on the Ken River will submerge 9,000 hectares of mostly forest land. A big portion will come from the Panna Tiger Reserve, near the UNESCO world heritage site of Khajuraho Temple in Madhya Pradesh.

The forest reserve, a major tourist attraction, is home to 30-35 tigers and nearly 500 vultures.

Building a dam in a reserve forest is an invitation to a grave environmental disaster, said Shyamendra Singh, the scion of the Maharajas who ruled a princely state near Panna during the British colonial era. It will lead to floods in the forest and drought in the downstream.

Authorities say they have planned for the safety of tigers and vultures.

People in Daudhan village, not very far from the Gangau dam built by the British in 1915, are ambivalent. With no access to electricity and other basic services, they want more information on what they will get in return for being displaced.

We never got to see electricity in our village, said village elder Munna Yadav, gesticulating towards the Ken flowing a few metres from his thatched cottage. If our children get to move out of this area and if the dam benefits everyone, we'll not oppose it.






North Korea Kim Jong dares Trump and Xi to stop him





U.S. and China have failed to agree on common approach. With a Powerfull Nuclear Bomb N.Korea could destroy any American city.

By Andy Sharp and David Tweed

TOKYO/HONG KONG

Petroleumworld 09 04 2017

In detonating North Korea's most powerful nuclear bomb yet, Kim Jong Un is betting it's too late for either U.S. President Donald Trump or Chinese leader Xi Jinping to be able to take away his atomic arsenal.

Kim's regime claimed on Sunday it successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb that can fit onto an intercontinental ballistic missile, advancing its quest to be able to hit the U.S. with a nuclear weapon. Earlier in the day it said it now had a bomb with a maximum force topping 100 kilotons -- more than six times the magnitude of what the U.S. detonated over Hiroshima.

Regardless of whether it was actually a hydrogen bomb, the explosion was big enough to pretty much end an American city if strapped on an ICBM, according to Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who focuses on nuclear issues. That makes it harder for either the U.S. or China to force Kim to back down, he said.

I had thought that maybe Kim hadn't tested number six for the past several months because that was a red line for China, Narang said. But clearly he decided to blow past it.

The failure of the U.S. and China to find a common approach has allowed Kim to accelerate his nuclear weapons program, something he says is essential to deter an American invasion. With each provocation he appears to have gained confidence that the U.S. won't resort to military action that could unleash World War III. Equally, he's betting China won't cut off the sales of oil and food that keep his regime afloat.

What a U.S.-North Korea War Might Look Like: QuickTake Q&A

North Korea carried out its test when both Trump and Xi had potential distractions: The U.S. president toured southern states devastated by Hurricane Harvey, while Xi is hosting leaders from Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa.

Trump did not respond immediately -- though he tweeted support for disaster relief efforts. In posts about eight hours later on Twitter he called North Korea a rogue nation whose actions were an embarrassment to neighbor and ally China.

The focus of Trump's comments and remarks by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin were on tighter sanctions, not military action. The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea, Trump said on Twitter.

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!

BRICS Summit

Xi didn't mention North Korea in a speech at the BRICS meeting in Xiamen. In a statement on Sunday, China's foreign ministry condemned the nuclear test and called on North Korea to return to the track of dialogue. Russia echoed those comments, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov saying the situation can only be solved through talks.

The timing during the BRICS summit shows China cannot force North Korea to give up its nuclear missiles, and North Korea is increasingly hostile to China, said Shi Yinhong, an adviser to China's cabinet and international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing. Beijing is increasingly skeptical about the strategy to implement more sanctions.

While China backed United Nations sanctions last month that cut a third of North Korea's exports, it resisted tougher measures, particularly to cut off oil flows. China has long calculated that North Korea's collapse may destabilize its economy and give the U.S. military greater influence in a unified Korea on its border.

Military Action

Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly threatened China with punitive measures if it fails to do more on North Korea. The U.S. has launched a probe of alleged Chinese intellectual property violations, and slapped sanctions on some companies based in China that the U.S. accuses of conspiring with North Korea to evade sanctions.

The U.S. must consider a different approach to North Korea as the status quo responses have very predictable results, according to William McKinney, a visiting scholar at the U.S.-Korea Institute of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Other options include game-changing engagement that reassures North Korea of its security or kinetic military action -- such as shooting down a missile or destroying launch sites.

The risk of U.S. military action is it provokes a response from North Korea that could devastate Northeast Asia. Seoul's 10 million residents live just 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the border -- well within North Korea's artillery range.

Former U.S. Negotiators Say Trump Needs to Rethink China Strategy

The discussions around North Korea have been far too narrow, focusing on nuclear weapons, when the real issue is what are the overall security requirements of North Korea, South Korea, China and Japan, former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in an interview on Sunday.

North Korea has said it won't put its nuclear weapons up for negotiation unless the U.S. drops its hostile policies. While the U.S. and its allies say they'll never accept North Korea as a nuclear state, the reality on the ground changes with each advancement: U.S. intelligence officials concluded that North Korea can miniaturize warheads to fit on missiles, and has as many as 60 nuclear bombs, the Washington Post reported last month.

It's safe to assume that North Korea has completed its nuclear program, said Park Jiyoung, a senior research fellow of the science and technology policy program at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. We probably saw its last nuclear test. If it comes with more nuclear tests in future, they're probably intended to threaten, not to verify their technology.

Further UN resolutions are likely to make little difference as China won't fully participate in sanctions and there's little the U.S. can do without risking a war in Asia, Andrei Lankov, a historian at Kookmin University in Seoul who once studied in Pyongyang, said by phone.

North Korea will will never give up its ambition of attaining usable nuclear weapons, Lankov said. I don't have enough fingers to count the number of times that North Korea has crossed an uncrossable red line with impunity.







Story by Andy Sharp and David Tweed; With assistance by Keith Zhai, Kanga Kong, Sonia Sirletti, and Ilya Arkhipov from Bloomberg.



bloomberg. com / 09 03 2017
The Van Meter Visitor Festival

(The World's Largest Monster Hunt)



Hello, grab your pitchforks and torches (or flashlights) and come along on an old fashioned monster hunt and we search for Iowa's most infamous creature and try to solve this 100-year-old Iowa mystery.



The festival will celebrate Iowa's unique folklore history with guided monster walking tours, paranormal presentations, monster themed games, drinks, food, and much more......



If you agree that this odd Iowa monster history would be of interest to your listeners, I have included all the information below--- and I would love to talk with you about the scary side of Iowa.



Keep an eye out,

Chad Lewis

715-271-1831



Van Meter Visitor Festival



Where: Downtown Van Meter, Iowa



Date: Saturday September 30th



Time: 1pm  9 pm



Cost: Free open to all ages



For more information: (515) 996- 2435



Schedule of Events:

2:00 p.m.  Festival Begins



2:30 p.m.  Will & Jacquelyn Conkel

Farrar, Iowa and the Paranormal



3:15 p.m.  Rae Hughes...

Buxton: A Lost Ghost Town



4:00 p.m.  Afternoon Tour led by Chad Lewis

Retracing a Week of Terror



5:30 p.m.  Josh Heard

Malvern Manor



6:15 p.m.  Kevin Lee Nelson

"Recent Sightings of Winged Creatures"



7:00 p.m.  Chad Lewis

Unearthing the Visitor



7:45 p.m.  Evening Tour led by Chad Lewis

Retracing a Week of Terror



8:30 p.m.  Festival Ends- Enjoy the monster sites on your own!

I haven't told this to anyone about this, until now. This happened on Nov. 7 & 8 of 2016 at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, the 1st casino in A.C. I had to take a workshop to satisfy a license I have. We all got seated and our instructor began to tell us that that floor we were on was haunted. Some of the employees will not go up there at night. A apparition of a cat can be seen on the 6th floor. As the day went on, our instructor kept complaining the lights were flickering. This room must had, had a gambling table in it at one time. There is a rectangular row of lights overhead. They flickered all of the eight hours we were there.



The next day, the instructor again spoke of the haunting there. The prior evening he spoke to management about the lights. The technicians checked out the system and found nothing wrong with the lighting. While he was sitting there the previous night, he heard the elevator door open and heard footsteps, but saw no one. The hotel staff had told him the tower of the hotel was haunted. We proceeded with our class then broke for lunch.



There is a small restaurant on our floor. From my vantage point, I could see the ocean and the boardwalk. As I ate, I could sense something near my table. Could feel the energy building more and more.Wondering why I can't see the entity. I know they like clairvoyants like myself. Eventually, I could see my mother, who is in spirit. I was after this that I could see him in my minds eye. He said, "follow me". Something conveyed to me, not to. I would had looked stupid if I did. I could see a middle aged man, with short hair in a dark suit, slender build. I didn't get a name. But it would had been nice to learn more about him. Why is he still there? How did he die?



When I returned to class, I wondered how professionals do this all the time. I could sense a darker energy from the encounter. Later I saw a flash of light. That was my mother leaving. I felt her with me that morning. After she left the ghost opened a closet in the room . Everyone got a laugh out of it. AEG

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This happened in the late 70s in Washington, DC. I was a child of about 7 or 8. My parents had just come home from the grocery store and my siblings and I were helping to bring the groceries in. It was summer, not sure which month, I just remember it was warm outside because I didn't have on heavy warm clothing. At some point I ended up on the front walkway by myself for a couple of minutes and it was at this time that something in the sky caught my eye. It was higher than the tree line, but not that vertically distant. It was whitish and somewhat see through and oblong shaped. It contracted as it moved through the sky from the southeast to the northwest. Its movements reminded me of a jellyfish except it contracted laterally. I just stared at it and had no fear but thought it was seriously out of the ordinary and that I had never seen anything like that before, or since for that matter. It came from over the houses on my side of the street and I lost sight as it contracted/moved off in the distant in a straight line north/northwest (toward Silver Spring, MD / Chevy Chase, MD) over the houses across the street. I dont recall telling anyone until I was an adult, not out of fear, I dont think I thought a great deal of it at the time. -******************************Police are warning residents of a Chicago suburb to avoid helping "zombie dogs" because they are infected coyotes that could sicken other pets with the disease.Hanover Park Police Department posted the warning on its Facebook page on Wednesday, saying the coyotes, usually nocturnal animals, are infected with sarcoptic mange that causes them to be active in the day.Infected animals will often appear mangy -- which looks just like it sounds. They suffer hair loss and develop secondary infections, eventually looking like some sort of zombie dog, the department said.Police said the infected coyotes arent typically aggressive, but warned residents in the area to avoid them and keep them away from their pets, who can catch the contagious disease.Please DO NOT approach these animals or allow your pets to approach them. You can avoid attracting them to your yards and neighborhoods by not leaving food out and by securing your garbage, the department said.Its common to spot coyotes in Illinois, especially in the southern, southeastern and west-central parts, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Though there hasnt been a reported case of coyotes biting humans in northeastern Illinois. - 'Zombie dogs' roaming near Chicago are infected coyotes, police warn ********************
Debris lies on the ground at Copano Cove in Rockport, Texas, last Wednesday. Homes sustained major damage from then-Hurricane Harvey. (Rachel Denny Clow/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP) Read more

What will Harvey, the storm that flooded Houston, cost Americans?

Gasoline prices rose a dime a day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of last week at our local Wawa, the Delaware County-based convenience-store chain that sells about one of every 100 U.S. tank fill-ups.

"That storm hit just in time for Labor Day weekend," three of the busiest driving days of the year, said Jay Hatfield, portfolio manager of InfraCap MLP ETF, a half-billion-dollar New York energy-investment fund.

Houston-area refineries prepare a third of the nation's liquid fuel. When they shut down in the flood, they stopped the supply of fuel moving north through outlets such as the Colonial pipeline. But by Friday, operators were heading back to work, with relatively little long-term refinery damage logged. "The market should clear very, very soon," Hatfield predicted. "Despite what you are reading on social media" and hearing from Texas TV speculation.

Refinery shutdowns don't just drive gas prices higher. They also slide crude-oil prices lower because there's temporarily less demand from shut refineries, and that adds to the crude-oil backlog already depressing prices, said Michael Dolega, senior economist at TD Bank.

Industry analysts sound more worried about a slowdown in Houston-area chemical-factory production of ethylene and other basics used in making plastics for cars and other U.S. industrial products.

The organic-peroxides fire and explosions at King of Prussia-based Arkema Americas' Crosby, Texas, plant provoked repeat apologies from CEO Richard Rowe to evacuated neighbors and smoked police for his company's failure to plan for such extreme flooding. He said he was sending a team of experts from King of Prussia to help recovery.

Wouldn't prevention be a better cure? Arkema, like DowDuPont and other operators of Houston-area chemical plants, has supported industry efforts to ease federal and state chemical and environmental enforcement, which have accelerated under the Republicans voters elected to top posts in Austin and Washington.

Just last winter, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the Crosby plant for 10 "serious" violations, most involving hazardous-chemical mismanagement. Rowe said Friday that he didn't expect the really deadly chemicals stored there would be affected by the fire. Let's hope Arkema's crisis management is more effective than those worst-case weather projections.

Industry will likely recover faster than the "devastated communities across the Houston area," which is six times more populous than the New Orleans region wrecked by Hurricane Katrina 12 years ago, noted a report by IHS Markit, the Philadelphia- and Boston-area economics firm.

As with Katrina, and Sandy in 2012, insurers will likely be fighting customers for years over how much damage was done by wind (typically covered by homeowners' insurance policies) vs. water (covered by government-subsidized flood insurance most don't buy). Robert Hunter, a former Texas insurance commissioner, said in a report for the Consumer Federation of America that four-fifths of the Houston-area homeowners with flood damage from Harvey don't have flood coverage. He projected that homeowners  or other government aid  will have to eat $28 billion in uninsured damage.

The claims that are covered may leave the government-run National Flood Insurance Program with a bigger deficit, noted Robert Farnam, insurance analyst at Boenning & Scattergood in West Conshohocken.

Credit analysts at Standard & Poor's are already preparing to downgrade towns in the Houston area, noting in a report that "an event such as Hurricane Harvey is more likely to have long-term ramifications," keeping people away for years.

Storm, like war, allows tests of new technologies. USAA, the Texas-based financial company that focuses on military veterans, said it got 15,000 insurance claims in Harvey's first days via its mobile app and website. "A dozen of the insurer's drones are currently flying over Corpus Christi," Danni Santana wrote in the publication Digital Insurance.

Up to 500,000 Houston-area cars will be scrapped with flooded crankcases and other totaling damage, Cox Automotive estimated in a report. Commuters who need replacement junkers should boost depressed used-car prices, wrote John Rowan, analyst for Philadelphia-based Janney Montgomery Scott.
It didn't rain on Philly's Labor Day parade, as it often does, so Joseph Ashdale, business manager and secretary-treasurer of the International Union of Allied Painters and Allied Trades, tried to put a matching bright face on the day.

"We're celebrating the labor movement. It's a celebration, not a demonstration," he said as he led union painters north on Columbus Boulevard toward the annual Labor Day party at Penn's Landing, part of a larger-than-usual Labor Day turnout.

But little is sunny for the labor movement, even in Philadelphia.

A case making its way toward the Supreme Court could  if decided against public-sector unions  severely hamper their finances and lead to layoffs. More states are adopting "right-to-work" laws mandating that in companies represented by unions, employees who don't want to belong to the unions don't have to pay dues but still must be represented. That's the view held by gubernatorial candidate Sen. Scott Wagner (R., York), who plans to challenge Democratic Gov. Wolf in 2018.

Union membership is still falling, with 14.6 million union members nationally, or 10.7 percent of workers, down from 17.7 million union members, or 20.1 percent, in 1983.

"You have a country in deep anxiety," said Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers, who spoke during pre-parade ceremonies at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 union hall. She cited education budget cuts and the news that President Trump apparently plans to end President Barack Obama's DACA program, which has exempted from deportation undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children.

With that, labor leaders say, Monday's message is internal: As important as it is to evangelize new members, it's equally important to preach to the choir.

"We have to be better organizers with our own members," said Patrick J. Eiding, who heads the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, the region's largest labor federation. "We want to make sure they understand what they have."

"The most important preparation we have is the reawakening of people up and down the union movement," with increasing activism in the rank-and-file, Weingarten said.

That back-to-basics approach is what John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, who leads both the Philadelphia Building Trades Council and the politically powerful International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, told members of the local gathered under I-95 for a pre-parade get-together of doughnuts and coffee.

"No politician gave us health care," Dougherty said, and no politician stepped in to help electrical workers make the switch to wireless from a livelihood based on running wires. Unions, he said, need to rely on themselves, not on politicians.

"Four Labor Days ago, I said I'm real close to investing [pension] money on East Market Street," he said. "No politician, nobody, from the mayor on down, put those buildings up on East Market Street. We did. That's your pension money. That's your lobbying." And, he said, it sparked nearby construction.

Here are some of the issues troubling Philly's labor leaders:

Stalled port expansion. John Cook, business manager of Local 1291, International Longshoremen's Association, said that the state allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to expand the port on a 200-acre tract of land known as Southport, but that project has been stalled, with the money being used instead to improve existing facilities. "A project like this may never come along again in my career," he said, adding that it would double the number of jobs at the port.

Lack of film production in Philadelphia. "We need more money for tax credits," said radio broadcaster Sam Clover, president of the Philadelphia local of SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents actors and broadcasters. "You spend money, but it's fivefold what you get back."

Infrastructure and worker safety. Esteban Vera, business manager of Local 57 of the Laborers International Union of North America, said his construction union is waiting for the promised spending on infrastructure, but is also worried about cutbacks to programs that protect worker safety.

Increased workload at Community College of Philadelphia. Bargaining is continuing between the American Federation of Teachers Local 2026, which represents faculty, and the college. John Braxton, treasurer of the local, said the college wants to increase the number of classes professors teach without significantly increasing their pay. Besides the money, though, he said, "our students need us to have workloads that allow us to spend time with them outside class."

Loss of jobs at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. "Energy security is a big issue for our workers," said Martin Williams, business manager of Local 13 of the Boilermakers. He said that Exelon Corp. has threatened to shut down Three Mile Island if it doesn't get price supports from the state. He said about 40 or 50 of his members work there.

Federal budget cutbacks. If the budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration pass, 5,000 federal employees in Pennsylvania could be laid off, said Richard Gennetti, the Pennsylvania representative of the American Federation of Government Employees. These include meat inspectors for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and maintenance engineers who repair the historic buildings at Independence National Historical Park.

Meanwhile, about 100 low-wage workers and their supporters, part of the Fight for $15 movement sponsored by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), spent Labor Day morning protesting outside the McDonald's restaurant on Columbus Boulevard.

Among them were home-care workers and employees of airline contractors at Philadelphia International Airport. Last week, after four years and numerous protests, the contractors agreed to bargain collectively with SEIU 32BJ for a contract for about 1,400 passenger service workers.

Fast-food worker Alicia Hamiel, 23, of North Philadelphia, said she was on strike and had no plans to report for her Labor Day shift at a McDonald's in Northeast Philadelphia.

"I feel as though I'm being mistreated," said Hamiel, who has two children and earns $9 an hour. She said she's not discouraged about the state of the labor movement, not with legislation in many cities that has increased the minimum wage for fast food workers.

Said Hamiel: "We've been winning."
A view from the 23rd floor at 500 Walnut Street in Philadelphia in March. The condo tower is highly sought after for its views of Independence Hall. Read more

With units in Philadelphia fetching prices as high as $17.85 million in the last few years, it might seem as if the city's condo market is stronger than ever.

After all, between the impending delivery of Tom Scannapieco's 500 Walnut sometime this fall and the opening of Carl Dranoff's One Riverside this past May, the two luxury towers together are expected to bring 103 new units to the Philadelphia market, totaling $330 million in sales if both sell out as planned.

What's driving the sales, both developers have said in the past, is demand among the region's wealthiest residents for an ultra-luxury product that has never existed before. Yet there's also another primary driver behind their successes: Both condo towers are in Center City.

According to a study prepared by Allan Domb Real Estate and Philadelphia economist Kevin Gillen, Center City is the only local market where condo towers are thriving today. Once outside of Center Citys borders, condominiums are generally faltering in Philadelphia, the study found, and have struggled to gain back values lost during the Great Recession.

Such unevenness in the condo market's recovery is surprising for the greater Philadelphia real estate market, which largely has been thriving for years  especially in the single-family house and apartment sector. Recently, neighborhoods across Philadelphia have seen single-family property values skyrocket beyond their 2007 pre-recession peaks, as prospective buyers, seeking more affordable housing, have pushed into lower-priced neighborhoods. Rents citywide, meanwhile, have climbed to new heights as more millennials have flocked to the city.

The condo market has been different, Domb and Gillen's study found, and has largely been divided among demographics. Wealthier baby boomers seeking an urban lifestyle have propped up the Center City condo market, developers and experts say. Younger buyers, however, have increasingly desired flexibility and delayed home ownership. As a result, the popularity of condos in more affordable areas  once a popular option for entry-level housing  has been eroded by both rental demand and a spike in new, tax-abated houses in gentrifying neighborhoods.

All the while, builders have continued to face tight lending standards, making it harder to build new product and jump-start enthusiasm in the condo sector.

Those circumstances have left Philadelphia with a condo market with much room to grow. After falling a cumulative 28 percent citywide from a peak in 2006, condo values on average have recovered just a part of what was lost.

"The market has been in recovery mode," Gillen and Domb wrote in the findings. But "current price appreciation has been rather sluggish."

"Citywide condo prices are only up 1.3 percent from a year ago," the report said, a rate that is "well below the 9 percent rate of annual appreciation that the single-family houses in Philadelphia are currently experiencing."

Some neighborhoods have fared better than others, the report found: The Rittenhouse Square condo market, for example, has fully recovered, and values are now 10 percent higher than where they were in 2006. In the second quarter of 2017, condos there had a median price of $813,565. Old City values are 4 percent higher, with a median price of $310,937. And values in the Washington Square condo market, where the median price was $375,213, are up 2 percent.

But outside of those wealthier, central areas, condos have struggled. In South Philadelphia, for example, where single-family properties recorded a 59 percent increase in values in the second quarter, condo values remain down 5 percent. The median price there was $409,041, according to the data. The same exists in the highly popular Northern Liberties and Fishtown area, where condo values are down 11 percent, Gillen found. The median price there is $339,027.

"This [study] pretty much confirmed what everyone has thought: You don't see baby boomers buying condos outside the core area," Domb said in an interview. "  They want to be in the center of the city, near restaurants and the theater."

"But with new millennials moving into Philly, they are the ones populating the Port Richmonds and the East Kensingtons, Francisville and Queen Village," Domb continued. "  They are making those come alive in the single-family market."

Indeed, local developers say, the strength of the Center City market has been guided by demand from wealthy baby boomers and Generation Xers, many of whom are leaving the suburbs, trading large, expansive homes for amenity-filled high-rise towers.

And they are willing to pay top dollar, Gillen and Domb's data show: From April to June, there were 28 sales at One Riverside for $1 million or more. At other properties across the city, there were an additional 23 sales for $1 million or more during the three-month period.

"Most of our buyers are 40 years old and up," said Marianne Harris, vice president for sales and marketing at Dranoff Properties. They "are people who  don't want to be in outlying areas."

"So much has happened in the last 10 years, and the reputation of Philadelphia has risen dramatically," she said. "People want to sell their property and move into the city. I think what was getting in their way previously was that there wasn't any product available."

While multiple developers rushed to build condos in the years running up to 2007 and 2008, many projects were canceled as the economy soured. Others went bankrupt. Some barely survived, while others were saved when different developers stepped in. Ultimately, between a bad history of success in Philadelphia and tighter lending standards, little condo construction occurred in the last decade.

Which meant that when One Riverside and 500 Walnut were announced, the supply drew immediate interest. Since One Riverside began pre-selling in 2015, Dranoff and his team have 59 units either sold or under agreement, for a total of $135 million in sales so far. Only nine units remain. At Scannapieco's 500 Walnut tower, $120 million of the tower's $180 million goal has been reached, including the $17.85 million penthouse currently under agreement.

Other Center City condo towers built in the late 2000s have benefited from the recent demand. At the Residences at Ritz-Carlton, which was delivered to the market next to City Hall in 2009, sales were more sluggish amid the recession. But recently, as the city has improved and new towers rise, sales have picked up: In May 2016 alone, the tower sold $23 million in units.

Still, three of the tower's four penthouses remain unsold. One, an 8,600-square-foot penthouse on the 48th floor, sold last year for $12 million.

Outside Center City, the situation is very different.

At the 10-year-old Waterfront Square in Northern Liberties, for example, "sales aren't bad," said Debbie Centofanti, director of sales at the property. She did "close to $30 million in sales" just two years ago.

Yet, she said, "we did sell them at a much higher price 10 years ago when the market was much stronger."

"Some of those units, investors are now selling them in the mid- to high-$400,000s," Centofanti said. "Originally, they would have sold for $600,000 or $700,000."

The reason: Many are seeking the townhouses and single-family projects that are now booming in Northern Liberties.

"A lot of my buyers might have come to me when they got matched here while doing their residency and have outgrown the condo lifestyle," she said. "They want more room; they want to start a family."

Elsewhere in the city, developers and officials say, older condo buildings have likely taken a hit in sales after Philadelphia's 10-year tax abatements expired. In the city, new construction in the condo market hit its stride in 2004, when nearly 3,000 building permits were issued for new units.

"The economist in me says that, if an abatement has expired, it takes away from interest," Gillen said. "If you have a huge tax break, you can rationalize paying a certain price."

After that, however, Gillen said, buyers might begin to think about selling.
Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night because your calf is in a painful cramp? When it happens to me, I have to swing my leg to the floor to stretch the cramp out. After one cramp, I'm usually doomed to several more the same night, in the same muscle or down in my foot.

My episodes are infrequent, but they are painful. And my experience is hardly unique.

More than half of the people responding to a nationwide survey reported experiencing nighttime leg cramps. Nearly 30 percent of adults get them at least five times per month; 6 percent get them at least 15 times per month, according to an analysis of the survey results published in the journal PLOS One in June.

Study author John Winkelman, a sleep medicine specialist at Harvard University, was not surprised by the prevalence. "Not at all," he said. "Because I see patients, I see how common they are."

A European group of researchers queried 516 French patients age 60 or older and found similar numbers: Forty-six percent reported having experienced cramps, 31 percent said cramps had awakened them and 15 percent said it happened more than three times per month.

Doctors sure hear about it from patients, but they don't have much solid advice to give. No one really knows what causes nighttime leg cramps. "As a sleep doctor, I tell patients, We don't understand the causes, and we don't have good, reliable treatments," Winkelman says. (Winkelman is an adviser to a biotech company developing an anti-cramping treatment.)

That's not to say there's not plenty of advice out there in Googleland. Stretching regimens, hydrating and taking vitamins are some of the things that you'll see recommended. However, the evidence is not strong for any of them.

Stretching the calves and hamstrings right before bed did yield a benefit, a small randomized study from the Netherlands found. Eighty people older than 55 had an average of three cramps per night at the start of the study. One group practiced the stretching exercises for six weeks: Its average cramp frequency decreased to one per night. The group whose members didn't stretch reported an average of two cramps per night at the study's end. This could have been a placebo effect from being under observation by researchers.

A small Israeli study assessed magnesium supplements in 94 adults, half getting the real thing and half getting a placebo. Both groups experienced a similar decrease in cramp frequency, which suggests a strong placebo effect.

A small study in Taiwan found an appreciable effect with vitamin B-complex supplements in elderly people with hypertension who had frequent nighttime cramping.

The list goes on, but you get the idea.

It's not easy to study, Winkelman says. "It's at night, during sleep  out of sight of a doctor. You can't do a test for it."

Also, there's no incentive to do larger studies. That's because the treatments that are proposed are already available, meaning they wouldn't be profitable, and big studies are costly, says Andrew Westwood, a sleep medicine specialist at Columbia University.

One treatment that has some reasonable science supporting it is the antimalarial drug quinine.

"The best evidence is for quinine," Westwood says. "But it's not recommended because of its side effects." Quinine can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, as well as fever, chills and dizziness. There are also rarer but more-serious side effects, such as severe loss of blood platelets. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning against the use of quinine (brand name Qualaquin) for nighttime leg cramps.

Westwood came across a different idea serendipitously. Patients who had begun using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines for sleep apnea would volunteer to him that their nighttime cramps had gone away. Westwood and his colleagues started keeping track and published their case reports.

Westwood says it's not clear why sleep apnea and nighttime leg cramps might be related. Still, he says, "now when patients tell me they have cramps, I think, hmm . . . sleep apnea?"

Nighttime leg cramps are more common in older people. They are sometimes related to such medical conditions as peripheral artery disease and diabetes. They also can occur as side effects of diuretics and some statins.

But often they just happen, without any obvious trigger. Doctors may suggest that patients try one of the treatments for which evidence is weak. "I have found in my clinical practice that trial and error works for most people," says Richard Allen, a family medicine doctor at the Utah HealthCare Institute. "I'll recommend one thing, and if it doesn't work, I'll recommend another. Eventually, everyone seems to find something that helps them."

There's little risk to doing stretching exercises before bed or taking B vitamins or magnesium. And they might work for you, at least a little.
Jenna Burleigh, 22, of Harleysville, was found dead on Saturday. Joshua Hupperterz of Philadelphia is charged with murdering her after they met at a bar near Temple University and taking her body to his grandmothers property in Wayne County. Read more

The last time Alexa Kluka saw Jenna Burleigh was at a farewell party.

The two young women, close friends since their senior year at Souderton Area High School, were celebrating another friend's move to Boston. They shared a drink and enjoyed blue champagne  a celebratory drink Burleigh regularly brought to special occasions.

"I just remember looking at her and just being so happy that we were all together," Kluka said.

What Kluka did not know that night was that it would be her final farewell to Burleigh. Two weeks later, the 22-year-old Temple University student from Harleysville was murdered, police allege, by a man she had just met at a bar near campus.

Kluka and other friends said Sunday they would remember Burleigh as an adventurous and passionate young woman, and a free spirit who was not afraid to be "unapologetically herself." An advocate for social justice and equality, she blogged about her views and attended marches and rallies. She was an aspiring filmmaker, and had recently transferred to Temple, where she began taking classes last week toward a degree in film and media arts.

Burleigh was last seen leaving Pub Webb with Joshua Hupperterz at 2 a.m. Thursday. He was charged Sunday morning with Burleigh's murder, which police said they believe took place in Hupperterz's apartment in North Philadelphia, around the corner from Pub Webb. Her body was found at Hupperterz's grandmother's house 140 miles away in Wayne County, police said. The coroner's office in Wayne County said Sunday Burleigh died of blunt trauma and strangulation.

Burleigh and Hupperterz met each other for the first time Wednesday night at Pub Webb, police said. Surveillance video shows them leaving the bar together  Burleigh wearing a T-shirt that read "positive vibes only."

That was the essence of Burleigh, her friends said.

"I truly believe in the good in people and the magic that can be found in all of us," she wrote in a March blog post.

Including insects.

"If a bug was in the house, she'd have to let out a spider  she wouldn't kill anything," Kluka said.

Burleigh graduated from Souderton Area High School in 2013 and went to college in Florida for one semester, her friends said, but returned home on medical leave with a foot injury. She took classes at Montgomery County Community College before transferring to Temple this year. Kluka and other friends who gathered Sunday to remember Burleigh said they did not know what career goals she had after college, but were sure that helping others would have been a key part.

"I think we all became much better people from knowing her," said another high school friend, Shauna Duggan.

When Burleigh heard friends saying something mean or judgmental, she would jump in to correct them.

"She'd say, 'That's not right. Accept them. Be Nice,' " Duggan said. "Every time I said something, I'd hear her in the back of my head."

Burleigh did more than just talk about the importance of acceptance. She attended the Women's March in Philadelphia in January, as well as a pride parade for LGBTQ rights, her friends said.

"I will always fight for equality for ALL. And my journey is just getting started," she wrote in a March blog post that turned out to be her last  and distressingly wrong.

Her posts on Facebook include a 2015 plea for friends to donate winter survival items in backpacks for her to hand out to homeless people in Philadelphia. A few months later, she posted a photo of her car filled with backpacks and supplies donated by school children.

"She actually went out and did something about it," said high school friend Caitlin Duddy. "The rest of us are just talk."

Burleigh was also a free spirit, her friends said, and was not afraid to be goofy or let her personality show. Once she showed up to Kluka's birthday party wearing a T-shirt on which she had written "happy bday."

She often wore headbands adorned with cat ears, bright pink jackets, and sunglasses shaped like hearts, said another friend, Dana Ciesielski.

"She didn't care what people thought about her," Ciesielski wrote in a message Sunday to the Inquirer and Daily News.

Ciesielski said she met Burleigh more than two years ago when Burleigh donated items to her shop, which sells secondhand clothing. Burleigh got to know Ciesielski by attending group meditation sessions at the shop, Artique Designs in Harleysville, where Burleigh talked with her about her love of poetry, literature, film, and fighting for women's rights.

During her first week at Temple, Burleigh went to dinner with her father, Edward. That was Wednesday night. He would later tell police that his daughter had plans to go out later that evening and to stay overnight with a friend near Temple's campus. After they ate, Edward Burleigh dropped Jenna off at a friend's house.

By the next evening, a distraught father reported his daughter missing after hours of not hearing from her. It was out of character for her not to be in touch for a long period of time, he told police.

On Saturday, he got the agonizing news  and posted a message on Facebook:

"Our Beautiful Angel Jenna is now in Heaven. Now I know for sure that you can have a 'broken heart' RIP honey."
Something smelled wrong about the election from the very start. In the weeks before the presidential balloting took place, millions of voters were bombarded with "fake news" about the candidates on Facebook and other social media sites. And when the vote tallies were announced, the nation was shocked by the results. There was scattered unrest, even violence  and loud whispers that the election had somehow been stolen. Some wondered about the role of Cambridge Analytica, the firm founded by a billionaire backer of Donald Trump.

Then, something remarkable  unprecedented, really  took place. The nation's highest court decided to launch a thorough investigation of what really happened on Election Day. What the justices eventually uncovered was shocking  a scheme to change results from the actual polling places when they were tallied electronically. What happened next was perhaps more surprising: The Supreme Court justices ordered a new national election.

Yes, this scenario actually just played out.

In Kenya.

In America, there is a stubborn, almost inexplicable blindness about the myriad problems with our own 2016 election  including the alarming possibility that at least some of those problems were the result of a now-pretty-well-documented effort by a foreign power, Vladimir Putin's Russia, to meddle in the selection of this nation's 45th president. It's getting harder and harder not to think our nation's top officials  not just President Trump and his aides who were the alleged beneficiaries of Russian meddling, but our intelligence agencies and even state and local officials  don't really want to know whether Moscow's interference was so great that it actually decided the race.

It's as if they are terrified by what they might discover.

First, let's review what we do know about Russia's 2016 tampering, because that's disturbing enough. We know that Trump officials eagerly met in June 2016 in Trump Tower with a cast of characters tied to Putin insiders and Russian intelligence who promised inside dirt on Hillary Clinton. A short time later, hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and a top Clinton aide went public on Wikileaks, at the same time Trump aides were keeping an anti-Putin plank out of the GOP convention platform and as Trump bizarrely made a public plea for Russia to find Clinton's deleted emails (a cause also adopted by a GOP insider who claimed he was working for Trump, right before he committed suicide). Then came an avalanche of fake news  much of it grown in Russian content farms  to convince blacks or young people in key states such as Wisconsin to stay home or vote third party.

That's bad, but it's not as bad as what we don't know: Whether Russia was able to hack into any state and local election systems in a way that might have changed the result  and thus throw the entire Nov. 8, 2016, result, with Trump's narrow Electoral College win, into doubt. Although officials have slowly confirmed over the last 10 months that there's evidence of Russian hackers trying to breach government election websites in nearly 40 states and actually gaining some access, at least in Illinois and Arizona, they've also assured us that a beefed-up effort by U.S. law enforcement and intelligence found zero evidence of Election Day hacking.

Now comes the New York Times to say: Don't be so certain about that. In a blockbuster report that was inexplicably dropped on the Friday before Labor Day weekend, the newspaper revealed a) in one of the key states that gave Trump the election  North Carolina  voters in heavily Democratic urban precincts faced unexplained computer glitches that in some cases prevented people from casting ballots, using an electronic system known to have been targeted by Russian hackers and b) no federal, state or local agency has really aggressively probed this possibility of Election Day hacking  despite mounting evidence that the attempted tampering was more widespread than first acknowledged.

The key takeaway:

After a presidential campaign scarred by Russian meddling, local, state and federal agencies have conducted little of the type of digital forensic investigation required to assess the impact, if any, on voting in at least 21 states whose election systems were targeted by Russian hackers, according to interviews with nearly two dozen national security and state officials and election technology specialists.

The Times article also raises the important possibility that Russian bad guys  or some other corrupt element  could have tampered with the U.S. presidential election in ways that no one has really focused on. A key point of the article involves problems on Election Day in 2016 with electronic poll books, the online system that officials at polling places use to determine who is eligible to vote and in what precinct.

Last Nov. 8, polling officials in Durham, N.C.  a town with a large college and non-white population that skews Democratic  found widespread problems with these records as voters showed up to cast their ballots. The problems were repeated in other localities in North Carolina and across the Sun Belt that had used electronic poll books run by software from VR Systems  a company that had been breached by Russian hackers months earlier.

The Times scoop makes the point that, while election watchers have looked for evidence that hackers stole the election by changing the actual votes that have been cast  and no hard evidence of that has been found  it was also possible to mess with the outcome by making sure that some votes in heavily Democratic wards were never cast at all. A recount is meaningless for votes that were prevented from happening in the first place. The even bigger problem, as noted by the Times, is that no one is looking too hard to see how often this happened, or why.

Something else here is important to note: American elections are easy to mess with because America's election system is terrible  Russian hacking or no Russian hacking. Voters went to the polls in 2016 after years of efforts by mostly GOP-led state governments to make it hard for citizens  but especially non-white citizens, college students or the elderly  to cast ballots. Consider Wisconsin, the state where Trump pulled arguably his biggest upset, winning by only 22,748 votes. Critics have said Wisconsin's turnout fell sharply because of its voter ID law (although maybe not by 200,000, as one study claimed.) Voters in the Badger State were also badgered with "fake news"  some of it undoubtedly from Russia. It's hard to tell an array of innocent computer glitches and malfunctions from criminal hacking.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist or political scientist to figure out what needs to be done. In the long run, we need massive election reform  including a new and improved Voting Rights Act that would pinpoint the most pernicious voter ID laws, an Election Day federal holiday, and same-day voter registration. We need a voting system that leaves a real paper trail that can be routinely audited and easily investigated when there are allegations of vote tampering. And, as the Times article makes clear, we need a more thorough investigation of computer hacking and other problems that occurred in 2016  regardless of the possibility that we might learn the unthinkable.

This isn't the first time America was afraid of asking hard questions. Does anyone remember the Warren Commission? There's no precedent for undoing an election result if an investigation uncovered proof of direct interference with the balloting, and so perhaps it's not shocking that the political establishment isn't eager to contemplate this. Personally, I think that Americans can handle the truth  and that a serious investigation is called for. But for right now, if you want a government that takes election tampering seriously, you may have to move to Kenya.
Bob Cratchit's toast to his miserly boss Ebenezer Scrooge as "the founder of the feast" that was his family's modest holiday dinner not only encapsulates the spirit of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, it seems to represent the attitude of American workers celebrating Labor Day.

A new survey by the research group Conference Board shows that for the first time in 12 years, more than half of U.S. workers say they are satisfied with their jobs. But when you consider their circumstances, you might wonder why more aren't railing for more pay and better benefits.

As stated in a recent Wall Street Journal article, "The average employee today shoulders more risk for her retirement and health care than in past generations, and enjoys less job security as the idea of a job for life has vanished."

Younger workers have no sense of what it meant to work for the same company for 20, 30, or 40 years and earn the proverbial gold watch, with other lucrative benefits awaiting you upon retirement.

After the recession, most veteran workers are just happy to have a job, any job. But underemployment is rampant. It is not unusual to see people with recently obtained college degrees performing tasks that have no relationship to their major, or even to college.

The Conference Board survey of 1,600 workers showed 51 percent were very satisfied to somewhat satisfied with their jobs. About 52 percent feel safe from being laid off, which is up 6 percent from 2011; and 41 percent say they are pleased with their wages, a 5 percent increase.

Those numbers mean most workers would like a higher wage, which makes sense. No matter your salary, more income is always welcome. But the unprecedented level of wage disparity in this country also has many employees feeling they aren't being paid fairly.

The top 10 percent of wage earners made about $2,095 in a typical week last year, compared with $415 for those in the bottom 10 percent. The Labor Department says that was the widest gap going back to 1979. Women generally make 80 percent of the salaries of their male peers.

Of course, executive pay is even more out of kilter. The base pay of the CEOs of Chipotle, McDonald's, KFC-Taco Bell-Pizza Hut, and Dunkin' Donuts is 66 times that of their cashiers, baristas, and delivery drivers, according to a survey by Eater, a Vox Media newsletter.

The unemployment rate rose slightly last month to 4.4 percent, but that's still near the 16-year low of 4.3 percent the nation saw in July. More Americans are looking for work, which may push the rate higher. But no one is predicting a chill in the economy.

As the survey suggests, the American worker has adjusted to working longer hours, often for less pay, when you consider the increased cost of health care benefits, including higher premiums and deductibles.

Older workers no longer pine for the good old days, which are never coming back, and younger workers have no idea what you're talking about. Taken together, those attitudes should make it easier for both groups to enjoy the day off  that is, if they have the day off.
Philadelphia International Airport workers, part of the 32BJ labor union, marched outside of Terminal B/C to demand a contract with American Airlines subcontractors PrimeFlight and Prospect, at PHL International in July. Read more

It was bound to be a busy August day when Philadelphia's unionized school bus drivers gathered at the district's Passyunk Avenue garage to bid for their routes. Lots of buses, hundreds of drivers, tons of commotion and fun, too, as people reconnected after a long summer. No heavy lifting there.

Not this year.

"We've been talking a lot to our members about the changes occurring in the labor movement," said Ernie Bennett, district leader of the Service Employees International Union Local 1201, speaking at a union officers' meeting a week before the bus bidding to discuss communication strategies.

"Folks are information-hungry," said SEIU field representative Mackenzie Permint. "They want to know how they can learn more."

There's a lot to learn. In the months since Donald Trump took office, much is changing for America's workers, union or not. These include delays or rollbacks in safety regulations and in new rules to expand overtime eligibility; cuts in worker training and in the budgets of federal agencies that investigate wage theft; and pending bills in Congress that would make it harder to unionize.

A landmark Supreme Court case looms that could eviscerate the finances of public employee unions, which explains why Bennett and Permint had to be doing more than shaking hands at the bus bidding event. And why Fred Wright, who leads AFSCME District 47, which represents 3,500 Philadelphia white-collar workers, said, "We're trying to speak to all our members, one on one."

On Sept. 25, the Supreme Court will decide whether to take up the case of child-support specialist Mark Janus, an Illinois state employee, who sued AFSCME, saying his First Amendment right to free speech is violated because, to stay employed, he must pay union fees even if he doesn't agree with the union.

Janus isn't a union member but is still required to pay an agency fee, covering costs unions incur for bargaining and grievances. If the court takes the case and rules in Janus' favor, as seems likely, public-sector unions, which have been the strongest part of the U.S. labor movement, will find themselves financially weakened.

An internal memo from SEIU's national president, Mary Kay Henry, says the union's administration staff "must plan for a 30 percent reduction" in its budget by Jan. 1, 2018, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. She also said that SEIU won't stop its push to raise wages and unionize fast-food and airport workers. Indeed, the union is planning to spend up to $100 million over the next 14 months to elect politicians friendly to labor on such issues as a higher minimum wage and broader access to health care. The SEIU's push will focus on the Midwest, including Pennsylvania.

The last Supreme Court case, making arguments similar to the Janus case, involved a California schoolteacher, Rebecca Friedrichs, and ended in a 4-4 tie in June 2016, four months after Justice Antonin Scalia's death. Since then, Trump's Supreme Court choice, Neil Gorsuch, has been sworn in.

"I'm pretty worried," Wright said.

Typically, unions spend resources on organizing nonunion workers, making the case that they'll get better benefits and wages if they bargain as a group with a union. But this summer, the organization has been focused on its own members, making the same arguments. Wright, for example, held a training meeting in June for 50 activists on talking points related to the Janus case. He plans another training in October.

Wright says District 47 has been good at making the case for full dues-paying membership, telling employees that they're already paying an agency fee and for a little more they can have a say in union governance and collective bargaining. The vast majority are paying full freight, he said. But it could be different if employees find they can get representation without paying anything.

Exactly, says Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, which is supporting the Janus case and a similar suit in Pennsylvania involving three teachers.

"They're going to have to go out and sell their product to workers and if they do it, they'll be strong and if they don't, it'll be, 'What you have done for me lately?' " he said. "I think many workers will decide that their [union dues] are just not worth it."

Public-sector unions have been a source of stability even as union membership has fallen to 14.6 million with 10.7 percent of workers as members, down from 17.7 million members, or 20.1 percent, in 1983. Half of the nation's union members work for the public sector, with one in three public-sector employees, or 34.4 percent, represented by unions. By contrast, only 6.4 percent of private-sector workers are in unions.

The Janus case, District 47's Wright says, isn't about some aspect of constitutional law. "It's about power and capitalism," he said. "They don't want workers to have a voice."

Here are some other changes:

Joint employer: In the gig and independent contract worker economy, who is responsible when temps are hurt on the job or improperly paid? Is it the staffing agency, the "independent contractor," or the company? In informal guidance, the Obama Department of Labor found that most independent contractors were actually employees, making the company responsible. That guidance has been rescinded, putting the burden back on the individual.

OSHA: The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration faces a cut from $552 million to $531 million. "There are all kinds of new hazards and the OSHA regulatory [process] is already extremely slow and extremely burdensome," said Jordan Barab, OSHA deputy assistant secretary in the Obama administration. "It takes seven to 10 years to issue any new standards and with [Trump's mandate of] two regulations out for every new one, this administration has effectively stopped rule-making. OSHA won't be issuing any standards. Instead, the agency's energies seem to be geared to rolling back standards."

National Labor Relations Board: NLRB decisions tend to fluctuate with each administration. Trump's two nominees to the five-member board are known to be more pro-management. Confirmed by the Senate, Marvin Kaplan drew praise from industry groups, but criticism from unions for his role as a staffer on the House Labor Committee who helped organize hearings attacking NLRB rules to speed up elections. Unions say faster elections are necessary to overcome employer intimidation. Management calls them ambush elections designed to circumvent companies' abilities to talk to their employees about the issue. William Emanuel, the other nominee, as yet unconfirmed, is a management-side lawyer with Littler Mendelson, a national firm often tapped by companies to prevent unionization.

Susan Harwood: A small, $10 million program, these grants for teaching workers safety will end next year, under the current budget. In Philadelphia, Harwood grants to the Philadelphia Project on Occupational Safety and Health (PhilaPOSH) funded teenage trainers who talked to young workers about safety at their first jobs and bilingual trainers who went to Home Depot parking lots and taught the basics of fall protection and trench safety to construction laborers hired by the day. "If there are 40 people in a class and one gets it, it's worth it," said trainer Damon Walker, who used to work full time at PhilaPOSH but had to get different work because of uncertain funding.

Beryllium: New OSHA standards to protect workers from cancer and chronic beryllium disease, were delayed from January until May, and are now partially under review for the construction and maritime industries. The levels are not under review, but related activities are, such as medical monitoring and workplace exposure measurements.

Silica: After more than a decade of review, enforcement of new OSHA standards for silica, which has been linked to cancer and lung disease, is set to start in September, delayed from June, but industry groups are asking OSHA for an additional stay.

Injury reporting: OSHA had required employers to report injury and illness data starting in July, but that has been delayed until December. OSHA said it intends to revise some provisions of the rule.

Persuader/NLRB: The Obama administration put in place new rules requiring companies to file how much they paid union-avoidance consultants, known as persuaders. That regulation was blocked in court and the Department of Labor filed a motion this summer, saying it intended to rescind the rule. Meanwhile, Congress is looking to reverse new procedures for faster NLRB union elections.
TOKYO  South Korea's president tried late Sunday to dismiss talk of a dispute between Seoul and Washington over how to deal with North Korea following its sixth nuclear test, after President Trump criticized the South Korean approach as "appeasement."

Moon Jae-in's office said that his government would continue to work toward peaceful denuclearization after tweets and actions from Trump that have left South Koreans scratching their heads at why the American president is attacking an ally at such a sensitive time.

As if to underline Seoul's willingness to be tough, the South Korean military conducted bombing drills at dawn Monday, practicing ballistic missile strikes on the North Korean nuclear test site at Punggye-ri.

The South Korean military calculated the distance to the site and practiced having F-15 jet fighters hit the target, the joint chiefs of staff said Monday morning.

"This drill was conducted to send a strong warning to North Korea for its sixth nuclear test," it said.

After North Korea conducted its nuclear test Sunday, Trump tweeted:

Trump did not talk to Moon on the phone Sunday  in stark contrast to the two calls he had with Shinzo Abe, the prime minister of Japan and a leader who has proven much more willing to agree with his American counterpart. This will worsen anxieties in Seoul that Tokyo is seen as "the favorite ally," analysts said.

Moon, who was elected in May, advocated engagement with North Korea but has also acknowledged the need for pressure to bring the Pyongyang regime back to talks. He has also come around to an agreement between his predecessor and the U.S. military to deploy an antimissile system in South Korea.

Trump's tweet was widely reported across South Korean media, and Moon's office responded to it with a measured statement Sunday night.

"South Korea is a country that experienced a fratricidal war. The destruction of war should not be repeated in this land," it said. "We will not give up and will continue to push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means working together with our allies."

Trump's twitter jab came amid news that the U.S. president has instructed advisers to prepare to withdraw from a free-trade agreement with South Korea  a move that is resolutely opposed by South Korea and one that would undermine the two countries' economic alliance.

Analysts said Trump's actions were puzzling.

"It's strange to see Trump going after South Korea more aggressively than he's going after China, especially since China also thinks that dialogue is central to solving this problem," said John Delury, a professor of international relations at Yonsei University in Seoul.

In an earlier tweet, Trump had said that China "was trying to help," although he added it was "with little success."

Delury said that what he called the "passive-aggressive" tone of Trump's tweets suggested that Moon had been standing up to the American president during their previous phone calls. They spoke Friday after North Korea sent a missile over Japan.

"It sounds like Moon is saying, 'We're going to have to talk to these guys'  which is true  and Trump is frustrated," Delury said, noting that the latest tweet seemed to address Moon directly, with its "like I told them."

Trump's tweet was even more puzzling, analysts say, because Trump himself  both as a candidate and as president  had repeatedly suggested he would be willing to talk to North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un.

On the campaign trail, Trump said that he would be happy to have a burger in a boardroom with Kim, and in recent months he has called Kim a "smart cookie" and has said he would be "honored" to meet him.

South Korea's response overall to Trump's recent pronouncements has been much more muted than its past explosions against its protector  a sign that they know Trump is a different kind of president.

"They think they're dealing with an unreasonable partner and complaining about it isn't going to help  in fact, it might make it worse," said David Straub, a former State Department official who dealt with both Koreas and recently published a book about anti-Americanism in South Korea.

"Opinion polls show South Koreans have one of the lowest rates of regard for Trump in the world and they don't consider him to be a reasonable person," Straub said. "In fact, they worry he's kind of nuts, but they still want the alliance."

On the Sunday talk shows in the United States, there was plenty of criticism of Trump's words.

"You gotta watch the tweets," Michael Hayden, a retired Air Force general and former head of the National Security Agency and the CIA who has been critical of Trump, said on CNN's State of the Union.

"I think we had an unforced error over the weekend when we brought up the free-trade agreement with our South Korea friends on whom we have to cooperate. . . . It's wrong on the merits, and it's certainly not integrated into a broader approach to northeast Asia," Hayden said. He served as NSA director from 1999 to 2005 and led the CIA from 2006 until 2009.

Rep. Adam Schiff, Calif., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, also questioned Trump's decision to admonish South Korea when the nation appears to be facing a growing threat.

"We need to be working hand in hand with South Korea, and with Japan," he said, also on CNN. "Why we would want to show divisions with South Korea makes no sense at all."

Even before the nuclear test, Trump's approach to South Korea, an ally since the end of World War II, had been questioned. Analysts were asking why Trump would rip up the free-trade agreement with South Korea at all, rather than revising it, let alone at a time when a united front was needed in the region.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that "no decisions" had been made but that trade deals must be in the United States' economic interest.

"The president has made clear that where we have trade deficits with countries, we're going to renegotiate those deals," Mnuchin said on Fox News.
Watchdog and Public Service reporter

Thad Moore is a reporter on The Post and Couriers Watchdog and Public Service team and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. To share tips securely, reach Moore via ProtonMail at thadmoore@protonmail.com or on Signal at 843-214-6576.
The State Ports Authority hopes to triple the number of cargo boxes filled with plastic pellets bound for overseas markets in the coming year. File/Provided/State Ports Authority
Two things are motivating the Charleston County School District to consider the idea. The first is the difficulty in attracting teachers to an area where they would struggle to afford housing. The second is the fact the district already owns land where apartments could be built. Read moreWith rents unaffordable, the Charleston school district considers building teacher housing
SC Attorney General Alan Wilson is challenging the CDC's recommendations on COVID vaccinations for kids. They have no force of law, so this is no different than the left trying to enforce its woke orthodoxy. Read moreEditorial: Alan Wilson should stick to the law, stop trying to silence opinions he dislikes
South Carolina lawmakers are looking at creating animal tethering laws for pets kept outside as one of its recommendations from a study looking at the humane treatment of animals. In 2012, Robert Jenkins of James Island had to keep his dog, Angel, on a chain in the front yard of his grandmothers house. Pet Helpers volunteers pledged to build a 20-by-30-foot chain-link enclosure in the yard so Angel could run free. File/Staff
One resident, numerous anecdotes

Name: Kim Ohly

Occupation: Retired teacher, law office co-owner

Age: 54

Where we found her: NAMI fundraiser

You had trouble coming up with your law office title.Theres really no title to what I do. I do a ton of filing and organizing. I run documents all day to other law firms and banks and loan officers. I check in on our staff and make sure everyones happy. Im getting in lots of steps and Im keeping myself out of trouble! I cant be retired yet. Im only 54 and none of my friends are retired, so that wouldnt be any fun. You want to be retired when your friends are retired and you can volunteer with them.

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I met you at a volunteer-focused event.Yes, the annual Whistle Binkies fundraiser for NAMI [National Alliance on Mental Illness]. A plethora of individuals get together to plan for months and months, and brainstorm what we can do to make more money to raise awareness and stop the stigma of mental illness. There are people every day that suffer from this and are dying.

How did you get involved?Connie and Randy, the owners of Whistle Binkies, are our best friends. Fourteen years ago, one of the bartenders at Whistle Binkies committed suicide, and they said, "What can we do?" They started a fundraiser and [later] approached Courtney Lawson at NAMI. My husband and I also had [a family member] attempt suicide and shes a survivor.  Its something we still think about all the time. I feel so bad for the people who are left behind. You feel like, I just saw them yesterday, what could I have done? What did I miss? Sometimes there arent signs. Sometimes someone is feeling lonely or not feeling a part of a community, or feels like no one cares about them and you dont know. What Ive learned from everything is that everyone has a story.

How much did you raise this year?$60,786.55 and counting, and 100 percent of those proceeds go to NAMI Southeast. They use it for suicide prevention and awareness programs in junior highs, high schools, and out in the community.

Are you from Rochester?Yes. Born and raised here. Graduated from Lourdes.

Have you always lived here?We moved away for 14, 15 years. My husband and I met in high school when we were 16. Thats a true story. We dated all through high school and we both went to the U. From there, he went to law school and we lived in the Cities until 1995. When his dad retired, we were asked to take over the law firm with his brother. We scooped the kids up and moved here. Rochester was such a great place to raise kids. Im happy that we made the move.

Do you remember your first date?It was a mixer at Lourdes. It was on a Friday night, September 19. He had football on Saturday afternoons, so he had curfew. I walked him out to the front and we had our first kiss under the flagpole that still sits in front of [the old] Lourdes. We still go to the flagpole on September 19. We dont go every year, but every now and then, hell text me: "Want to meet under the flagpole?" We were sophomores and on June 28 well be married 32 years.

Last song you listened to?Thats so funny. Just on the way here, I heard "Youre the Inspiration" by Chicago on the radio. I was going to quick text my husband and tell him I heard it! [Wedding music] is a big deal in the Catholic churchthey wouldnt allow any songs that werent hymns or church music. I wanted "Youre the Inspiration" and they said, "We dont do that." I said, "Why not? Give me one reason. Listen to the words!" The priest said, "Weve never done anything like this  I guess we could." So we did.

Is Chicago a favorite band?Jimmy Buffetts my favorite, come on. And I love Pink. I just saw her. She is like no other, so freaking amazingan amazing human being, an amazing mom, an amazing artist. I just sit there and my jaw drops.

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Best vacation?The only vacation we take every year is to Negril, Jamaica. We are three doors down from Margaritaville. My idea of vacation isnt going to New York City, every day rushing around to look at something. My idea is going to the beach and thats all you dowalk the beach every single day and talk to people. Theres nothing better than toes in the sand and sun in my face.

What story do you tell time and again?Im married to a man who has 13 siblingshes 12 of 14. When I tell people my last name, they say, "Are you part of that big Ohly family?" Occasionally, they do say, "Do you own Thee Only Shoe Repair?" and I have to say, "No, Ohly." But normally, its "Oh, youre part of the Ohly family." 

Family reunions must be huge.The only time we get together now is weddings, and theyre humongous. The Ohly family is three-quarters of the guest list.  When our kids were going through elementary school and had to make the family tree, they were so excited and Id say, "Go sit with Grandma Ohly and shell help you fill all the squares in." Of course it never all fit.

What advice do you give your kids?I probably give too much advice. I cant ever shut up.  The one thing we wanted for our kids was to be good people. To be kind. And I cant stress enough how filled I am with what good people they both are. I like to think when you raise them with mutual respect and love, they, in turn, will live that way as well.
Anis Shivani argues in Slate that its time for the left to give up on identity politics because this approach is dragging down the progressive agenda. He acknowledges, however, that its too late for such a change of course.

I agree. It would take decades for decades worth of indoctrination to be undone.

I also question Shivanis premise to this extent: it may well be that, for all of its drawbacks, identity politics represents the best hope of the modern American left.

To explain why, Im going to draw on Samuel Huntington. Not Huntingtons best known book, The Clash of Civilizations (1996) or his last work, Who Are We? The Challenges to Americas National Identity (2004). Rather, I will rely on a much earlier book, American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony (1983).

In American Politics, Huntington made the argument, familiar now but relatively fresh then, that America is a creedal society, founded and based on values of liberty, equality, individualism, democracy, constitutionalism. Political upheaval occurs when Americans come to believe that the gap between our creedal values and reality is unacceptable.

Huntington identified four periods in which such upheaval occurred: the Revolutionary Period (when the creed originated in two English revolutions and was articulated by British Whigs), the Jacksonian period, the Progressive Era, and the 1960s. During these periods, discontent was widespread and major reforms were demanded.

But what was distinctively American about each of these periods was that the demand for reform usually was presented in terms of our creedal values. By and large, the appeal was not to an ideology  e.g., socialism or communism  but rather to Americanism. We were falling painfully short of our ideals.

Huntington noted that creedal upheaval has occurred in America every sixty or seventy years. Even the American Revolutionary period began a little more than 70 years after Englands Glorious Revolution.

This means that were due for another upheaval. Indeed, Huntington said that if past patterns prevail, we will have a major creedal upheaval period in the second or third decade of the 21st century.

We seem to be in an upheaval period right now. But is it creedal?

I say it isnt. For the most part, the modern left isnt invoking the traditional American creed. How could it? The authors of that creed were unworthy men. They were racist, sexist, and homophobic. They were privileged and sought through the Constitution to become more privileged yet.

Part of this critique draws on identity politics, to be sure. But even if identify politics somehow could be purged from the left-wing play book, a creedal attack on the status quo still wouldnt do.

As noted, the creed Huntington identified consisted of these values: liberty, equality, individualism, democracy, constitutionalism. This is not where the modern left is coming from (nor did the left of the 1930s draw heavily on these values, which is a major reason why Huntington didnt include the 30s as a period of creedal upheaval).

Huntington was quite clear that equality in the creedal context means equality of opportunity. Equal distribution of income has never been part of the American creed, although high levels of inequality can, and have, helped spark and fuel creedal upheaval.

The contemporary left is doing much more than complaining about high levels of inequality. It is openly advocating socialism. Thus, in Huntingtons terms, its movement resembles the un-American ideologically-based upheavals of Europe.

Before turning to the implications of this analysis for identity politics, let me briefly consider whether President Trumps Make American Great Again movement can be considered a creedal upheaval in the sense described by Huntington. Certainty, there is a strong creedal element to it. Other elements are also present, including the questioning of expertise and the rise of social resentment.

Some seemingly key elements are missing, though. These include the demand for new rights and a hostility towards power (the Tea Party exhibited such hostility, but I dont see it from Trump supporters, at least as long as Trump is wielding the power).

In any event, its clear to me that the current leftist upheaval is not creedal. What does this mean for the role of identity politics?

I think it means the left needs identity politics. Identity politics sparks the passion that the gap between creed and reality normally provides. If the creed itself is an oppressive manifestation of noxious patriarchy, it cant be relied on. Nor can socialism. It may be a trendy ideology, but lacks the faith of our fathers status it enjoys in Europe. In this country, one normally outgrows socialism.

Thats why the sense of raw injustice and victimization instilled by identity politics is required. If America is, and always has been, a conspiracy to repress the other, thats reason enough to take to the street.

Identity politics also provides a colorable basis for adopting an anti-American posture in a creedal society. Even today, the strength of our creed is such that anyone whose radical activism is based not on our failure to live up to it, but rather on rejection of the creed itself, has got some explaining to do.

Identity politics provides the explanation. It enables one to argue that America is rotten to the core.

One can try to argue that were rotten to the core because income isnt distributed equally enough. But this argument has never worked in America. Despite recent inroads, it seems less promising than identity politics given our rapidly changing demographics.

What we may witness in the second and third decades of the 21st century is something not even Samuel Huntington could predict: two radically different upheaval movements, both of which exhibit some but not all of whats required to bring about creedal upheaval.

Is there any American precedent for this? Perhaps the 1930s to some degree.

I cant even hazard a guess as to how this dynamic will play out.
Power Line is honored to be the venue for our regular Friday feature from Ammo Grrrl, but it is long past time that we acknowledge a faithful Power Line reader and frequent supplier of pictures and ideas for the Saturday photo gallery: comedian/magician David Deeble. You should subscribe to his YouTube page, and follow him on Twitter, where he rivals Iowahawk for timely takes on the current news, like this:

Here are a couple of 30-second bits from his act that will give you the flavor of things. I especially like his subtle subversion of leftism with his plastic bag bit in the second one:

Here David explains the arc of his career, and how he re-invented his entire act after an injury:

Now if Power Line ever gets its act together and puts on our long-promised wine weekend retreat or a cruise to somewhere, well be sure to include a double bill evening performance by David and Ammo Grrrl.
An Ifa priest, Yemi Elebuibon, has declared that any man who sleeps with the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Zaynab Otiti-Obanor, faces death.

The Ifa devotee also noted that the former queen must undergo some cleansing rituals with any man before they can become intimate.

In addition, he said the cleansing process is necessary to enable the Olori to regain a normal life.

Mr. Elebuibon, who is also an actor, declared the consequence of a queen separating from a king in an interview with The Sun.

The former Ife queen popularly called Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi reverted to her maiden name in August after confirming that her marriage to the Ooni has broken down irretrievably.

While noting that Ooni would not be the first Yoruba Oba to be separated from his wife, Mr. Elebuibon said that marriage breakup is not very common among Yoruba Obas.

He said, The wife of the Oba will be asked to consult Ifa and Ifa will give directions on how she will make the necessary atonement for her cleansing. In Yoruba tradition, a woman who has been married to a king cannot lay with any other man even if the marriage breaks up. But when the right atonements have been made, there wont be any problem.

On the kind of problems which an Obas ex-wife might encounter if she refuses to undergo the traditional cleansing rites, Mr. Elebuibon said: For the woman, she might not really have a problem but for any man who sleeps with a queen or marries an ex-queen without the appropriate cleansing, the man may die prematurely, he may be struck with sickness or there might be retrogression in his life.

He explained that if an ex-queen wants to remarry, she would have to do the cleansing with her new husband.

Both of them have to take part in the atonement procedures so that they wont have any future problem. Any marriage she would be going into must not be elaborate. They should go far away and avoid any flamboyant wedding, Elebuibon warned.

The Ooni got married to his now estranged Edo bride at an elaborate traditional marriage which held in Benin, the Edo State capital on March 16, 2016

Wuraola, who is in her mid-30s, is from the Igun N Eromwon, a Benin bronze casters family.

The weeks of rumours and denials on the crash of the royal union between the revered monarch, and his beautiful wife, were put to rest on August 30, 2017 when the latter declared she was out of the marriage on Instagram.

The Ooni in a recent media statement said he would comment on the break-up at the appropriate time.

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A retired senior official of the State Security Service has been held without trial by the agency for 48 days and counting over his alleged ties to Ibrahim Magu, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

Abba Kaka Mohammed was arrested by SSS agents on July 17 but had neither been released not charged to court ever since, his lawyers said.

The Nigerian law allows a maximum of 48 hours for a suspect to be charged to court or freed on administrative bail. But Mr. Mohammed has now spent weeks languishing in detention without arraignment, amidst concerns by his family that he might have lost one of his eyes after being brutalised by SSS operatives in custody.

His lawyers were granted access to him for the first time on Tuesday. They had since approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for fundamental rights enforcement proceeding against the SSS and Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.

His family members also told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Mohammed had taken critically ill and should be released or charged to court in order to get adequate medical attention.

Mr. Mohammed retired last year as an Assistant Director, Office of the Director General, ADODG, performing the role of a Chief of Staff to the Director-General of the SSS, Lawal Daura. But his relationship with Mr. Daura subsequently deteriorated.

The SSS DG accused him of holding grievances against the SSS, a claim that is clearly not true, a relative of the victim told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that Mr. Daura and his client had been long time acquaintances.

The relative, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by the SSS, said when Mr. Mohammed was arrested on July 17, he was taken to his residence along the Airport Road in Abuja, and another one near Galadimawa neighbourhood, also in Abuja.

But they found nothing after all the searches they conducted, the relative said. Nothing implicating was found.

Mr. Mohammed was then taken to the SSS custody, where he was confined to a cell without adequate care, the relative said confirming that Mr. Mohammeds lawyer and his daughter were only allowed to see him last Tuesday.

They also accused him of being a front for Magu, saying his long-time relationship with the EFCC boss was suspicious, the relative said.

The relative said Mr. Daura had always known that Mr. Mohammed was a friend of Mr. Magu, having both hailed from Borno and being friends for over a decade.

The SSS officers just wanted him to implicate Magu with anything, even when theyve never had any transactions together, said the relative.

On August 25, lawyers from Femi Falana chambers on behalf of Mr. Mohammed approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for the following reliefs:

A declaration that the detention of the applicant at Abuja by the first respondent in their detention facility since July 17, 2017 till date without being charged to court for a known offence is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of person and fair hearing as enshrined in section 34, 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

A declaration that the detention of the applicant at Abuja by the first respondent without access to his medical doctors, drugs, family and lawyers, since July 17, 2017 till date is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants fundamental rights to health, freedom of association as enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

An order of this honourable court directing the immediate and unconditional release of the applicant from custody of the first respondent forthwith.

An offer of this honourable court compelling the respondents jointly and separately to pay to the applicant the sum of N2,000,000,00 (Two billion naira) as general and aggravated damages for the illegal violation of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of his person, fair hearing, health, freedom of movement and freedom of association.

An order of this honourable court compelling the respondents joint or separately to publish in five national dailies a public apology to the applicant for two weeks for the violation of the applicants fundamental rights to life, dignity of his person, fair hearing, health, freedom of movement and freedom of association.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further violating the applicants fundamental rights in any manner whatsoever and howsoever without lawful justification.

Mr. Mohammeds daughter also swore an affidavit detailing how her father was arrested and the high chances that hed gone blind in one eye in custody of the SSS.

The SSS could not be reached for comments due to its refusal to name a spokesperson.

A spokesperson for the AGF, Saliu Isa, did not respond to requests for comments.

The SSS is believed to be holding scores of Nigerians over an extended period of time without trial. The agency had declined to free a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, despite several court rulings for his bail.

Mr. Mohammeds ordeal adds to the fallout of the worsening disaffection between Messrs. Daura and Magu.

The duo had been locked in political and administrative rivalry since Mr. Buhari tapped them to head their respective agencies two years ago.

The SSS twice thwarted Mr. Magus confirmation by the Senate, accusing him of being reckless and corrupt.

Mr. Magu had also openly criticised the SSS, describing the secret police as an outfit without credibility when he appeared before the Senate for his last confirmation hearing.

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Cumulative unremitted revenue from domestic crude oil sales by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, stood at about N3.878 trillion as at December 31, 2015, a report by the technical sub-committee of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, revealed.

The report, which formed part of the submissions in the 2015 Annual Audit Report of the Federal Government Account by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, AuGF, said the stateowned oil company withheld about N644.377 billion in 2015 alone.

Out of about N1.55 trillion revenue from crude oil sales due for remittance to the Federation Account during the year, the report said the NNPC deducted about N892.124 billion and withheld the balance.

Further details showed that cumulative amount withheld from the Federation Account by NNPC as at January 1, 2015 was about N3.234 trillion, with another N67.556 billion withheld in February 2015.

It is not clear what the corporation used the unremitted funds for.

Throughout the year, remittances totaling N13.907 billion, were recorded in February and April (see table BELOW).

The AuGF requested the Group Managing Director of the NNPC to explain why the N3.878 trillion was not remitted to the Federation Account. The AuGF also ordered the corporation to henceforth remit all revenues due to the Federation Account accordingly and evidence of such remittances tendered to his office.

Further examination of the FAAC Secretariat records revealed that total revenue inflows to the Federation Account from the various collecting agencies for the year amounted to N6.001 trillion.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Component Statements in the FAAC records showed that the NNPC collected about N2.44 trillion for the year, and Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, N608.083 billion.

Also, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, realised about N2.403 trillion as total revenue, while the Nigerian Customs Service collected about N546.169 billion revenue.

However, the report noted that the NNPC had deducted about N865.448 billion as its Joint Venture Cash Call for the year, before transferring the balance of N1.577 trillion into the Federation Account.

Another N51.3 billion was deducted by the FIRS and DPR from their total revenue collections for the year and transferred into the PPT and Royalty Account, while balance was remitted to the Federation Account.

The NCS revenue consisting collections from import and excise duties, fees, penalty charges, common external tariff, CET levy and auction sales, was swept into the Federation Account.

However, the report frowned at NNPCs deduction from its revenues, describing it as contrary to the provisions of Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which makes it mandatory for all revenue proceeds to be paid to the Federation Account.

This had been a regular subject of Auditor Generals previous years reports without any positive response, from NNPC Management, the report noted.

Urging NNPC management to desist from further violation of the Constitution, the AuGF said henceforth all revenues accruing to the Federation must be promptly paid to the Federation Account without any deduction.

Date Crude oil Proceeds Amount Paid into Federation Account N Amount Withheld Cumulative N N N Jan.1, 2015 3.234 trillion Feb. 2, 2015 193.396 billion 125.839 billion 67.556 billion 3.302 trillion Feb. 23, 2015 - - (4.418 billion) 3.297 trillion Mar. 17, 2015 140.359 billion 72.127 billion 68.232 billion 3.365 trillion 42109 130.786 billion 84.619 billion 46.167 billion 3.412 trillion 42115 - - (N9.489 billion) 3.402 trillion 42137 107.447 billion 81.021 billion 26.425 billion 3.429 trillion 42167 161,316 billion 95.693 billion 65.623 billion 3.494 trillion 42207 149.222 billion 93.539 billion 55.683 billion 3.550 trillion Aug. 20, 2015 129.233 billion 68.983 billion 60.250 billion 3.610 trillion Sept.16, 2015 152.353 billion 67.339 billion 85.014 billion 3.695 trillion Oct.26, 2015 132.525 billion 64.521 billion 68.003 billion 3.763 trillion Nov. 24, 2015 157.782 billion 78.418 billion 79.363 billion 3.842 trillion Dec. 11, 2015 95.983 billion 60.019 billion 35.964 billion 3.878 trillion TOTAL 1.55 trillion 892.124 billion 644.377 billion

The Federal Government should agree on a percentage to be given to NNPC as cost of collection as it is being done to NCS (7%) and FIRS (4% of non-oil revenue), the report said.

Besides, it proposed that cost of collection and any other deductions by NNPC should be administered monthly by the FAAC, as was the case with other revenue collecting agencies.

NNPC spokesperson, Ndu Ughamadu, asked for time to see the audit report before responding to PREMIUM TIMES request for the corporations reaction to the queries raised by the AuGF.

I will check the report and get back to you, he said.

He said the Auditor General visited the NNPC recently and commended the Corporation on its accounts and transparency.

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The Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, has said the Nigerian Air Force has introduced Special Dog unit (K-9) to boost security in airports and NAF bases nationwide.

Mr. Abubakar made this known in Yola while celebrating Eid-el-Kabir with officers of the Yola Air Force Base engaged in the fight against insurgency in the North-east.

Mr. Abubakar said already some personnel of the unit had been trained by the Nigerian Police and some had gone for more training in South Africa.

Very soon, we will be deploying them to our airports and bases to add value to what we are doing in terms of protection, he said.

Mr. Abubakr also said that NAF has embarked on restructuring to effectively deliver on its responsibilities to the nation. He said that with the restructuring, the air force would be better placed and equipped to deliver on its responsibilities.

We are restructuring and thats why we have two more commands, Special Operations Command and Ground Training Command. Very soon in all our units, no technician will go for guard duty.

We are building capacity in terms of having the required number of Special Forces so that those trained as special forces will take over the defence of the base so that technicians concentrate on maintenance of aircraft.

Right now we are training 450 special forces in Kaduna in phases, he said.

Mr. Abubakar said that with the ongoing training and retraining of air force personnel to meet current challenges, the era when flying officers and lieutenants learn how to fly on the job would soon be over.

We will continue to build the capacity of our instructors and also ensure that we have sufficient aeroplanes to conduct the primary flying training. This will enable every student pilot that is admitted into the school complete his or her training as a cadet like we used to have in the 80s.

We are also building capacity in terms of tactical training for fighter pilots. I have just been informed that the 2nd batch of pilots going to fly with the Egyptian Air Force will be leaving very soon, an excited Mr. Abubakar said.

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The ambassadors will be received by President Andrzej Duda

Polish ambassadors will meet on Monday in Warsaw to discuss European issues and Poland's non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council, according to the Foreign Ministry. The meeting will end on Friday. On Monday, the ambassadors will be received by President Andrzej Duda.

The reception of the ambassadors in the Presidential Palace is "a new practice that the president wants to make regular", chief aide Krzysztof Szczerski said.

According to Minister Szczerski, during the meeting President Duda will sum up the last 12 months in Poland's diplomacy and present goals for the coming year. In this context he reminded that the past year had brought a number of key events for Poland, including the Three Seas summit, a visit by US President Donald Trump, and Poland's successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The consultations will also be attended by the Estonian and Slovak foreign ministers and Polish cabinet ministers.

The main topics of the annual event will include "issues related to Poland's non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council, which will start in 2018, and European issues, including the future of the European Union in the context of Brexit and the evolution of the internal market", the ministry told PAP.

The diplomats are also to discuss security issues, public and economic diplomacy, and the COP24 climate conference to be held in Poland next year. (PAP)
Krzysztof Szczerski, the chief aide to President Andrzej Duda, told PAP that at the Economic Forum in Krynica, southern Poland, which starts on Tuesday, the Polish president would highlight the country's support for a further enlargement of the European Union.

The 27th Economic Forum will last until Thursday, featuring, among others, the presidents of Georgia and Macedonia.

Both heads of state will join President Andrzej Duda at the opening panel of the forum on Tuesday.

Krzysztof Szczerski said that during the opening panel, titled "Unfinished integration and the aspirations of European countries", the president is going to underline Poland's support for a further enlargement of European integration and the efforts of new countries to become members of the EU.

This is particularly the case for the six Balkan countries, as well as the six countries involved in the Eastern Partnership, the aide explained.

"This is going to be a shared discussion about the necessity to create a wider Europe, which will transcend today's EU boundaries", Minister Szczerski said.

He conceded as of now there was a palpable "lack of interest" in further EU enlargement among the club's current members.

"Today, the enlargement policy, which used to be among the key initiatives, is somewhat pushed to the margins of European policy", the aide assessed.

He added enlargement talks were underway with several countries, but "without a clear political impulse", which could be provided by the forthcoming summit of the Eastern Partnership.

"We hope that this panel and talks in Krynica will highlight Polish support for a further enlargement of the EU", Minister Szczerski said.

He pointed out Poland was a border country both for the EU and NATO, which made it a natural advocate for an expansion of the Euro-Atlantic community to the south and east. Such expansion would move Poland to the centre of a strong region.

"It is in our interest for the Euro-Atlantic community to develop", the aide underscored. (PAP)
PHILADELPHIA (AP)  A former Temple University student was charged Sunday with murder in the death of a current student whose remains were found over the weekend on property linked to the suspect.

Jenna Burleigh, 22, was reported missing by her family Thursday night. She was last seen on surveillance video leaving a bar near the school campus in north Philadelphia early that morning in the company of a man police have identified as Joshua Hupperterz, 29.

Hupperterz was taken into custody Friday in Paupack Township and a body was found Saturday on township property belonging to his grandmother. Philadelphia police said Sunday that the body had been confirmed as that of the victim.

Besides the murder charge, Hupperterz faces charges of possession of an instrument of crime, evidence-tampering and abuse of a corpse. Court documents don't list an attorney for him and a message left at a number listed in his name wasn't immediately returned.

Authorities believe Burleigh was killed in Philadelphia and taken to the Wayne County township, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Scranton.

Philadelphia police said Hupperterz, who once attended Temple, told university police investigators on Friday that he "had been so drunk when he left the bar he had no recollection of who he had been with."

Capt. John Ryan, commander of the Philadelphia police homicide unit, said investigators found evidence relevant to the case at a Philadelphia apartment and a residence in Jenkintown before the body was found and Hupperterz was charged.

"We still don't even know the cause of death," Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross said. "We still have a lot of work to do, to include trying to figure out who else may have been involved, if there's anyone else at all."

Temple University President Richard Englert said Burleigh started at the school this semester as a junior transfer student from Montgomery County Community College, majoring in film and media arts.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to Jenna's family and her classmates, both here at Temple and at Montgomery County Community College," he said.

Burleigh's father, Edward, posted on Facebook Saturday evening that "Our Beautiful Angel Jenna is now in Heaven."

"Now I know for sure that you can have a 'broken heart' RIP honey," he said in the post.
OCEAN CITYPeople fitted in tank tops, shorts and sneakers with pinned numbers lined up on the beach at 23nd Street Monday morning right along where the waves met the shore. At the sound of the blow horn, the crowd of runners darted off to the south to run a Labor Day tradition.

About 250 people participated in the 27th Ocean City 5-mile run and 1-mile run/walk on the beach as the breezy, cool weather made it a perfect morning for runners and their families and friends, many of whom were spending one last weekend at the Shore.

Its bittersweet, said Lisa Rumer, professional triathlon trainer and race organizer. People came to the race year after year because they really like it, but they know their time in Ocean City is coming to an end.

The 5-mile runners started at 23rd Street, refueled at a water station at 34th and turned around at 46th to complete the course where they started.

Sherrif Stenhouse, 70, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, was easy to pick out as he was the one running with a tall American flag that waved above everyones heads. A lifelong runner, Stenhouse said he started carrying the flag in races since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

I carried it in a 7-mile race in Avalon yesterday, too, said Stenhouse, who owns a home in Brigantine. It was really a beautiful day for this one.

Siblings Teresa Dunbar and Tim Mitkus, both of Marlton, Burlington County, finished the 5-mile run while Mitkus wife and children cheered them on. The two and their families were staying at their parents home in Ocean City for a vacation weekend.

Dunbar, whose son already left for the start of college classes at Bentley University outside Boston, said she will miss regularly coming to the beach and participating in community events like the races.

Mitkus said the family tries to come visit in the off season as much as possible, even with the start of fall activities and school for his two sons.

A small portion of the crowd started off Labor Day morning with the 1-mile run or walk. Adults and children went about half a mile north on the beach before turning around and coming in at the finish line.

Audrey Schroeder, 10, of Ocean City, was the fourth finisher in the 1-mile race and the first girl to finish. Wearing a black tank that read, This little Beauty runs like a Beast, the soon-to-be fourth grader grabbed some water and cooled down beside her mother, Colleen.

Schroeder, who has competed in local races as well as ones out of state, including at Disney World, said Sundays course wasnt too bad, even if she was running in sand, because she had the wind giving her a boost for half the distance. It became harder on the return run, but that didnt deter her.

This is the first year for us racing here, Colleen said. But she really likes to do it. After watching her run so many races, I decided to start doing some a couple years ago. I figured, if she can do it, so can I.
A.C. safe return program helps ex-offenders rejoin community

{child_byline}ERIN SERPICO

Staff Writer

{/child_byline}

ATLANTIC CITY  When Jennings McMichaels finished his seven-year sentence at Bayside State Prison in April 2016, he didnt know what to do next.

He had a family and a place to live in the city, but he didnt have a job, he needed to pay fines, get a new identification card and birth certificate, and he needed help finding resources to do all of it.

He didnt want to end up back on the streets again, he said.

The answer for McMichaels concerns was behind a big, red door on Pennsylvania Avenue near Pacific Avenue: the office of the Atlantic City Safe Return program, run by Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.

If it wasnt for them, Id be back on the street, to be honest with you, said McMichaels, 52. Thats all I know. Thats all I knew.

The program, which has been in the city since November 2015, offers free services for people released from prison or county jail within the past three years who are not on parole supervision and either live in Atlantic City or are homeless in the city.

When the program began, the goal was to serve about 200 people each year. Since its inception, it has served about 1,400 people, and about 50 people come through the door each day, program coordinators said.

The services focus on housing, employment and treatment programs for city residents adjusting back into the community after incarceration. It links people with jobs and education, and also provides food and mental health services.

Were here to help make people independent, said Amanda Leese, regional director for Safe Return.

The Atlantic County jail held 640 inmates in mid-August. In 2015, 9,813 people were released, and 10,090 were released in 2016, county data show.

In other words, about 10,000 people each year could benefit from services such as Safe Return.

Some people who come through the doors might not be eligible for the program, however. In those cases, representatives at the office can link them with collaborative partners to a different re-entry program or service.

The program partners with several agencies in the area to help people who come in find what they need.

Its individualized planning here, Leese said. We dont discharge  theres continuous follow-up.

In the city Safe Return office, theres a room to work on a computer, a room to do phone interviews, classrooms to work on skills, and a closet full of food and professional clothes. The program is tailored to what the client needs, Leese said, in the hope they will continue to lead an independent lifestyle.

Many people who use the program are notified by social workers and representatives who speak with prisoners on their way out.

The program also goes out to the community, partnering with local and state law enforcement to find people who might be able to use their services.

Not everybody is comfortable coming to an office, Leese said.

McMichaels said a representative told him about the program just before he was to be released from prison. He thought there was a catch, he said.

What they were telling me, I didnt even believe it. I really didnt, he said.

The services offered him a place to go, although he did have a home. He needed help getting his feet back on the ground and finding his way after emerging from prison.

But it wasnt easy and it wasnt handed to him, McMichaels said. There were times he wanted to give up because it was hard to adjust to the change.

Things didnt move as quick enough as I would have liked to, he said. They just showed me a whole different way of how to be patient.

McMichaels had a job at Harrahs Resort Atlantic City by the summer.

The program might expand in the future to other counties, said Rebecca Fuller, vice president of development and communications for the VOA Delaware Valley. VOA runs a similar safe return program in Trenton, she said.

The program in Atlantic City emphasizes continuous follow-up, and McMichaels went in and out every day until he got what he needed.

Even when he felt more comfortable  and now more than a year later  he still stops by to check in.

This is my safe haven, he said. I still come here every day. Any chance I get, I come through.

{child_tagline}

{/child_tagline}
AtlantiCare nurses are among more than 50 from New Jersey working in Texas while the region recovers from Hurricane Harvey.

Brenda Mattessich, a hospital nurse from Manahawkin, Stafford Township, and Vicki Dunn, a trauma nurse from Berkeley Township, Ocean County, flew to Texas last week to relieve staff at Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster, about 25 miles south of Houston.

Everyone here has been incredibly kind to us, providing everything we need and going above and beyond to welcome us, Dunn said. We are truly amazed at the generosity from so many of the people weve met in the face of their own struggles with the devastation from Hurricane Harvey.

The storm, a Category 4 hurricane when it hit land Aug. 25, left thousands of people in emergency shelters and is blamed for at least 44 deaths.

Volunteers from New Jerseys Red Cross chapter and the state Office of Emergency Managements task force traveled to Texas to assist in search-and-rescue and relief efforts.

The local nurses flew out of Teterboro Airport on Thursday morning on a full flight of volunteers coordinated by the New Jersey Hospital Association.

Dunn said the two AtlantiCare nurses would work the night shifts at Bay Area Regional Medical Center, because it is one of the hospitals greatest needs.

Mattessich said she felt compelled to help when she heard Texas nurses were working 18-hour shifts despite many having lost their homes and possessions.

Im touched beyond words and have been forced to choke back the tears that are ready to fall when they share the events of the past week with us, she said. We are a drop in the bucket compared to the outpouring of hospitality and generosity they have expressed toward us.

Dunn said she wanted to help in whatever way she could after seeing the storms damage to the area. She said her AtlantiCare co-workers have offered to cover her shifts while shes away, so she could spend time helping in Texas.

In addition to the professional support, area hospitals are contributing financially to people suffering in Texas and other parts hit by the hurricane.

Jennifer Tornetta, AtlantiCare spokewoman, said the hospital donated $10,000 to the Texas Hospital Association Hospital Employee Assistance Fund, which was established to provide support to the network of hospital employees.
WILDWOOD  The 35-year-old man who drowned in the ocean Sunday afternoon appeared to be trying to save two children on a sandbar, police said.

Hany Mohamed, 35, of Middletown, Pennsylvania, drowned at Leaming Avenue, Detective Lt. Kenneth Gallagher said.

Lifeguards entered the water about 12:50 p.m. to rescue several swimmers in distress, police said. Once at shore, it was discovered Mohamed was still missing.

Two children playing on a sandbar were carried into deeper waters, possibly by a riptide, and it appeared Mohamed swam out to help them, Gallagher said.

Police, fire and beach patrol units from Wildwood, North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, the State Police Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted the search-and-rescue for Mohamed.

Surfers at the beach near Rambler Avenue in Wildwood Crest located Mohameds body in the water about 2:50 p.m., police said.

Wildwood Crest lifeguards retrieved the body and tried to revive him until borough rescue officials arrived, police said.

Mohamed was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

South Jersey beaches experienced an active season of rip currents that created dangerous swimming conditions, leading to five other drownings and hundreds of rescues.

In Atlantic City, three people died this summer. In Sea Isle City, two people died. A Cape May effort involving two firefighters and several lifeguards in August rescued one person.

Staff Writer Waldy Diez contributed to this report.
Domestic violence remains a serious problem in New Jersey, where it led to 52 deaths last year. In Atlantic County, which had the third-highest rate of domestic violence among the states 21 mostly more populous counties, its a special concern.

Last year a state task force on domestic violence made many good recommendations on changing statutes and improving law-enforcement response. Weve twice supported such changes and specific proposals in the Legislature.

But a bill passed by legislators without much opposition or public consideration, and signed into law last month by Gov. Chris Christie, seems unlikely to make a meaningful contribution to reducing domestic violence. It may, however, undermine an important legal right and be rejected eventually as unconstitutional.

The new law allows victims and witnesses in certain kinds of cases to testify from outside the courtroom via closed-circuit television, even if theyre older than 16. New Jersey, like all but three states, has long allowed child witnesses to use this method to avoid being traumatized by testifying in front of an alleged sexual abuser. One of the sponsors intended the bill to extend this ability to some older victims in sex-abuse cases, which can make sense with a judges approval.

Another sponsor pushed for and got remote closed-circuit testimony broadly allowed in domestic violence cases. Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera said she thinks the law will encourage victims to report offenses and file charges by allowing them to testify in a safe place and not feel intimidated by the abuser.

But domestic violence victims, the majority of whom refuse to testify and want charges dropped, arent worried about their safety in court. Theyre concerned about what happens outside the courtroom and when law-enforcement isnt around, or about giving the relationship to their abuser another chance.

Even Ruth Glenn, the executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said she doubted the law would increase reporting of domestic violence because victims are thinking about things like death threats, loss of a job or personal well-being, not about testifying in court some day.

Mosquera, other legislators and apparently even the governor seem to think a witness appearing on a TV screen in court is the equivalent of one appearing in person. Defense attorneys are likely to disagree. The mere fact that the accused is considered such a danger to the witness that the witness is allowed to stay out of the highly secured courtroom might inherently prejudice the case against the defendant. That alone seems enough to outweigh the probably negligible benefits of the law.

Legal experts expect a strong challenge to the laws constitutionality, since it seems counter to the basic right of defendants to confront their accusers in a court of law.

When the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the exception for child victims of sexual abuse, it did so because it was necessary to further an important public policy.

Such necessity will be hard to prove in this instance, especially since there are so many better approaches New Jersey officials could be taking to more effectively prosecute and reduce domestic violence.

A bipartisan bill to increase the penalties for aggravated assaults carried out in violation of a protective or restraining order passed the Assembly in June but then went nowhere. Thats a good place to start.

Another among the Legislatures 100 or so bills on domestic violence would require training on domestic violence for municipal prosecutors, who handle many such cases. That too only made it past the Assembly.

And advocates for victims would like to see police policies and training to ensure the more thorough and uniform gathering of evidence in domestic violence cases  including 911 calls, witness reports, photos of injuries and details of the scene found at the first response. Thats reasonable and necessary, too.

There are plenty of promising ways to further reduce heart-rending violence at home, including many suggested by the state task force.

Legislators and the governor should be focused on them.
AgDevCo is teaming up with Nika, a group of experienced Mozambican investors, to rehabilitate a banana plantation with the intention of increasing the hectarage and yields. Production will be sold in the local market as well as exported to South Africa. The farms are currently producing various citrus fruits, and the banana plantation will be rehabilitated to become the main focus of Citrum. In all, over 140 workers will be employed by the farm, and the company is committed to promote real gender equality at work with key positions being occupied by women, including that of General Manager.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/295904LOGO )



(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/524261/UKAid.jpg )



The funding from AgDevCo will finance capital expenditures, including irrigation, and operational costs related to the development plan. This investment will go a long way towards building one of the only Mozambican-run banana farms in the country. Nika have plans to create further agribusinesses and to foster local investments in the sector.

Carmen Ramos, Citrum General Manager, said "I am very proud of working with this strong and experienced group of investors and with Citrum which has a long and known history in Mozambique. The farms have a good potential for agriculture and its fruits enjoy good market access and customer success in Maputo. I hope to contribute positively to this ambitious project, and so do the workers at Citrum who are also very enthusiastic."

Arnaldo Ribeiro, Nika Director, said "I believe in the success of this investment because there is a growing market close to us, an experienced team managing the business and the two farms have very good growing conditions for bananas. Moreover, the Mozambican investors grouped in Nika and AgDevCo all have a sound experience in managing agribusinesses in Mozambique."

Rui Sant'ana Afonso, AgDevCo Mozambique Country Director commented, "The Nika team has a successful track record and is dedicated to making this investment succeed. We are very excited to support and develop Citrum. We believe that it will become a flagship project and encourage more local investors into the commercial agriculture sector."

The UK Government, through DFID, provides funding to AgDevCo, for investment in agricultural SMEs and new agribusiness ventures in Africa. This will benefit hundreds of thousands of people across the continent, including Zambia, with jobs and better incomes, linking farmers to markets and helping to increase food security.

About AgDevCo

AgDevCo is a social impact investor and agribusiness project developer, incorporated as a not-for-profit distribution company in the United Kingdom. With support from UKAid, AgDevCo invests patient capital in the form of debt and equity into early-stage agribusinesses. AgDevCo's mission is to reduce poverty and improve food security, and it has invested over USD 100 million in 58 agribusinesses in sub-Saharan Africa to date, connecting more than 240,000 farmers to markets and generating 7,675 jobs. For more information, visit http://www.agdevco.com .

For more information:

Jean-Baptiste Imatte

AgDevCo Ltd

jbimatte@agdevco.com

+44(0)20-7539-2667

SOURCE AgDevCo
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences (MINS) at the University of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce an international call for submissions for the inaugural Rising Star Award in neuroscience research. To highlight the "Year of Addiction Research" on Penn's campus, the award honors a young researcher for outstanding contributions to Addiction Research with a USD 10,000 personal honorarium at the MINS 34th Annual Retreat and Symposium on April 11, 2018.

"Drug addiction is a major, undertreated health problem. I am proud that MINS at Penn is at the forefront of research into the causation and consequences of addictions," said John Dani, PhD, director of MINS and chair of the Department of Neuroscience. "I look forward to honoring and encouraging a young researcher to advance our understanding of the addiction process and to advance future therapies."

In addition, the award recipient will present a research seminar at the symposium and, prior to, a separate introductory lecture on addiction. Also at the symposium, Prof. Wolfram Schultz, University of Cambridge, will give the Sprague Lecture, and Prof. Marina Wolf, Rosalind Franklin University, will give the Adler Lecture.

Researchers who received their first advanced degree, such as PhD, in 2004 or more recently are invited to submit a one-page description of their contributions to Addiction Research, full curricula vitae, and names of three references in a single PDF file by December 15th, 2017 to MINSRisingStarAward@lists.upenn.edu. More information can be found at www.med.upenn.edu/ins/wwaRisingStar.html.

About MINS:

The Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences at the University of Pennsylvania is a preeminent institution for integrated neuroscience research and training. As the University's intellectual nexus for the study of the brain, MINS supports cross-disciplinary and integrated approaches to fundamental, pre-clinical, and clinical research. With over 150 faculty from 32 academic departments and the associated Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, MINS provides a fertile collaborative environment that is a template for programs and institutions around the world.

CONTACT: Eric van der Vlugt

eric@articus.com

(+1) 215.519.9188

Related Links

http://www.med.upenn.edu/ins/wwaRisingStar.html



SOURCE The Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"Automotive artificial intelligence (AI) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 38.46% between 2017 and 2025"

The automotive AI market is expected to be valued at USD 782.9 million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD 10,573.3 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 38.46% between 2017 and 2025. The automotive AI market is expected to exhibit a significant growth between 2017 and 2025. The emergence of autonomous vehicle and industry-wide standards such as the adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot alert, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) would trigger the growth of the automotive AI market. However, the growing demand for convenience and safety presents an opportunity for OEMs to develop new and innovative artificial intelligence systems that would attract customers.

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p05090296/Automotive-Artificial-Intelligence-Market-by-Offering-Technology-Process-Application-and-Region-Global-Forecast-to.html

"Signal Recognition is expected to hold the largest market share in 2017"

Signal recognition is a method of generating result with the help of speech, visible patterns, and sound. The signals generally refer to the voice or the sound produced by machine or human being, which can be detected by natural language processing (NLP) machines to generate a result. Signal recognition is an important part of HMI, autonomous, and semi-autonomous driving applications as it can be used for traffic sign detection, driver assistance system, and several other uses. These factors make signal recognition the largest market, by process, in the automotive AI market.

"Market for autonomous driving application is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2017 and 2025"

Autonomous vehicle is the main target of the AI technology in the automobile industry. In full self-driving vehicles, the system performs all driving functions on all road types, at all speed ranges and environmental situations. While fully autonomous cars have not yet entered the market, but several companies are committing to their development in the near future. Some companies have begun testing of autonomous cars on city roads as well, with Google's Waymo leading with almost 3 million self-driven miles on city streets.

"Automotive AI market in APAC is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2017 and 2025"

APAC houses some of the established automakers such as Toyota (Japan), Hyundai Motor Company (South Korea), and Honda Motor Company (Japan). Countries in APAC, such as South Korea and Japan, have strong technological capabilities. The region, therefore, represents a balanced blend of demand and technology, making it an ideal investment for any OEM.

North America is expected to be the major contributor to the automotive AI market in 2017. The growth will likely be driven by two key factors: rapid development of autonomous vehicle technology and the strict government regulation for road safety. For instance, in 2016, the US government has spent USD 4 billion to accelerate the acceptance of autonomous vehicles on US roads. The automotive industry in the US is a highly advanced industry, with the "big three"Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Fiat-Chrysler Automotivecontinuously upgrading their product portfolios.

In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and subsegments gathered through secondary research, extensive primary interviews have been conducted with people holding key positions across several regions. The breakup of the profile of primary participants has been given below.

 By Company Type: Tier 130 %, Tier 245%, and Tier 325%

 By Designation: C-Level Executives35%, Manager Level40%, and Others (Sales, Marketing, and Product Managers)25%

 By Region: North America30%, Europe45%, APAC20%, and RoW5%

The companies covered in the automotive AI market are NVIDIA Corporation (US), Alphabet Inc. (US), Intel Corporation (US), IBM Corporation (US), Microsoft Corporation (US), Harman International Industries Inc. (US), Xilinx Inc. (US), Qualcomm Inc. (US), Tesla Inc. (US), Volvo Car Corporation (Sweden), BMW AG (Germany), Audi AG (Germany), General Motors Company (US), Ford Motor Company (US), Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan), Hyundai Motor Corporation (South Korea), Uber Technologies Inc. (US), Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (Japan), Daimler AG (Germany), and Didi Chuxing (China). Some important start-ups from the automotive AI market have also been included: AImotive (Hungary), Nauto Inc. (US), nuTonomy (US), Argo AI (US), and drive.ai (US).

Research Coverage

The automotive AI market has been segmented on the basis of offering, technology, process, application, and region. The market, on the basis of offering, has been segmented into hardware and software. On the basis of technology, the market has been segmented into deep learning, machine learning, context awareness, computer vision, and natural language processing. On the basis of process, the market is segmented into signal recognition, image recognition, and data mining. The market, on the basis of application, has been segmented into humanmachine interface, semi-autonomous driving, and autonomous driving.

REASONS TO BUY THE REPORT:

The report would help the market leaders/new entrants in this market in the following ways:

1. This report segments the automotive AI market comprehensively and provides the closest approximation of the size of the overall market and its sub-segments for various applications across different regions.

2. The report helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with the information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities pertaining to the market.

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p05090296/Automotive-Artificial-Intelligence-Market-by-Offering-Technology-Process-Application-and-Region-Global-Forecast-to.html

About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

http://www.reportlinker.com

__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

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CAMBRIDGE, England, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Cambridge Pixel ' s software processes radar video from Navico ' s Simrad 4G or Halo radars and provides a fused track (as ASTERIX or TTM format) into ASV ' s control software

Cambridge Pixel will be showcasing its radar products on stand S4-352 (South hall) at the DSEI Defence and Security show at the ExCeL Centre, London from 12-15 September 2017

Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display, tracking and recording sub-systems, is supplying its radar tracking and fusion software to ASV Global (ASV) to enhance situational awareness on ASV's range of unmanned boats.

ASV supplies unmanned and autonomous surface vessels for commercial, military and security missions. Its ASView control system supports autonomous and remote control of the vessels and has been deployed on over 80 unmanned new build and retrofitted vessels.

Dave Martin, Head of Control at ASV Global's UK facility, said, "Effective and reliable tracking of objects around our unmanned surface vehicles is critical to their safe operation. It was therefore important that we chose an experienced and established radar tracking company to assist us in implementing such a capability."

"Cambridge Pixel's engineers have worked closely with the ASV software team to not only fully integrate their tracking and sensor fusion capability into our ASView control system but also to optimise its performance and to enhance situational awareness in this very demanding environment," he added.

Cambridge Pixel's SPx Server radar tracking software receives radar video from the onboard radars, typically Navico's Simrad 4G or Halo radars. The processing of video to detect targets of interest uses adaptive algorithms to accommodate a wide range of operating conditions. Initially, plots are extracted as detections from the radar that exceed a background level. These plots are then correlated to differentiate clutter from true targets.

Once the target has passed a confidence test, a provisional track becomes established and is subsequently tracked from scan to scan with a multi-hypothesis, multi-model tracker. Navigation data from the ship is used to compensate for own-ship motion. The output from the tracking server is combined with AIS targets, using the SPx fusion software, and the resultant fused track is provided as a standard ASTERIX or TTM message into ASV's control software.

Richard Warren, Director of Software, Cambridge Pixel, said, "ASV has developed an advanced multi-sensor platform for autonomous vessels and we are pleased to have provided our tracking and fusion software to enhance situational awareness. Navico's Simrad 4G and Halo radars are well suited to this application and Cambridge Pixel's tracker can be configured to make the very best use of these sensors."

USVs are vehicles that operate on the surface of the water without a crew. They may be controlled remotely from a ground station or mothership, or operate fully autonomously. A typical surveillance USV is a sensor-rich platform with capabilities for self-guidance and automatic decision making. Radar is the key sensor for most USV applications as it provides the data to steer its course and avoid obstacles.

The market for USVs is growing rapidly, driven by demand from navies and commercial enterprises worldwide for more effective maritime security - to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling, to protect shallow waters and ports, and for environmental monitoring.

Cambridge Pixel's SPx suite of software libraries and applications provide highly flexible, ready-to-run software products or 'modules-of-expertise' for radar visualisation, radar video distribution, plot extraction, target tracking and sensor fusion.

Cambridge Pixel's radar technology is used in naval, air traffic control, vessel traffic, commercial shipping, security, surveillance and airborne radar applications. Its systems have been implemented in mission critical applications with companies such as BAE Systems, Frontier Electronic Systems, Lockheed Martin, Barco Defence, Blighter Surveillance Systems, Exelis, Kelvin Hughes, Navtech Radar, Raytheon, Royal Thai Air Force, Saab, Hanwha, Sofresud and Tellumat.

Cambridge Pixel will be showcasing its radar products on stand S4-352 (South hall) at the DSEI Defence and Security show at the ExCeL Centre, London, 12-15 September 2017.

For more information about Cambridge Pixel, please visit http://www.cambridgepixel.com or call: +44(0)1763-852749 or email: [email protected].

Media photo:

http://cambridgepixel.com/images/News/pr-asv.png

About Cambridge Pixel (http://www.cambridgepixel.com)

Founded in 2007, Cambridge Pixel is a developer of sensor processing and display solutions including primary and secondary radar interfacing, processing and display components for military and commercial radar applications. It is a world-leading supplier of software-based radar tracking and scan conversion solutions through its modular SPx software, and HPx hardware product range. Based near Cambridge in the UK, the company operates worldwide through a network of agents and distributors.

SOURCE Cambridge Pixel
FELTON, California, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The global cellulose acetate market to reach 820.04 thousand tons by 2024, driven by the increasing consumption of cigarettes in developing nations and growth in the textile industry. Cellulose acetate tow is used as a filter in the cigarette buds. Cigarette filters are used to cut down the overall tar and nicotine content during cigarette consumption.

Growing use of cellulose acetate tow in the cigarettes is anticipated to boost the market for cellulose acetate. Asia Pacific dominated the global cellulose acetate market in 2016 with the market share of 51.79% and is expected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. The region is projected to continue its dominance due to the prevailing cigarette consumption rate in countries such as Indonesia and China. Rising awareness about the ill effects of smoking and relative growth in electronic cigarette market is projected to slow the demand for cellulose acetate tow in North America and Europe.

Cellulose acetate is used in many applications such as textile & apparel, cigarette filters, tapes and labels, photographic films, extrusion & molding. Cigarette filter is the largest application by segment accounting for around 80% of the market in 2016. Cigarette filter segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period owing to increasing demand for low tar filters worldwide. The textile industry uses this filament in the manufacturing of garments. The textile & apparel application segment is estimated to grow because of the strong growth of textile industry in developing nations such as China and India. Cellulose acetate is also used in making protection films which are utilized in liquid crystal displays, spectacle frames, and plastic handles. It has become popular as an eco-friendly plastic which is not harmful to skin and health. Biodegradable and renewable nature of cellulose acetate is anticipated to boost the demand over the forecast period.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Cellulose Acetate Market Size and Forecast, By Product Type (Cellulose Acetate Tow, Cellulose Acetate Filament), By Application (Textile & Apparel, Cigarette Filters, Photographic Films, Extrusion & Molding, Tapes & Labels), And Trend Analysis, 2014 - 2024" at: https://www.hexaresearch.com/research-report/cellulose-acetate-market

Active companies in the market are adopting the strategy of merger & acquisition. For instance, in 2016, Solvay signed a definitive agreement to acquire Eastman's stake in their joint venture - Primester - and becoming its sole owner.

Browse reports of similar category by Hexa Research:

Argan Oil Market - The global argan oil market is anticipated to grow at a 19.6% CAGR in terms of volume from 2016 to 2024.

- The global argan oil market is anticipated to grow at a 19.6% CAGR in terms of volume from 2016 to 2024. Bio Based Polyethylene Terephthalate Market - The growing awareness about sustainability in the general populace, the depleting sources of oil and petroleum and the ever increasing demand for PET products has largely escalated the demand for a bio based PET variant.

- The growing awareness about sustainability in the general populace, the depleting sources of oil and petroleum and the ever increasing demand for PET products has largely escalated the demand for a bio based PET variant. Activated Carbon Market - Global activated carbon market is expected to experience considerable growth over the forecast period owing to increasing application in major end-use industries.

- Global activated carbon market is expected to experience considerable growth over the forecast period owing to increasing application in major end-use industries. Chromium Phosphate Market - Chromium phosphate has been witnessing strong growth on account of increasing demand for coating materials from major end-use industries.

Hexa Research has segmented the global cellulose acetate market based on product, application and region:

Segmentation by Product, 2014 - 2024 (USD Million)

 Cellulose Acetate Tow

 Cellulose Acetate Filament

Segmentation by Application, 2014 - 2024 (USD Million)

 Cigarette Filters

 Textile & Apparel

 Photographic Films

 Tapes & Labels

 Extrusion & Molding

 Others

Segmentation by Region, 2014 - 2024 (USD Million)

 North America

 Europe

 Asia Pacific

 Central & South America

 Middle East & Africa

Key players analyzed:

 Daicel Corporation

 Eastman Chemical Company

 Mitsubishi Chemical Holding Corporation

 Solvay

 SK chemicals

 Rayonier Advanced Materials

 Tembec.com

 Sappi

 Borregaard

 Celanese Corporation

About Hexa Research

Hexa Research is a market research and consulting organization, offering industry reports, custom research and consulting services to a host of key industries across the globe. We offer comprehensive business intelligence in the form of industry reports which help our clients obtain clarity about their business environment and enable them to undertake strategic growth initiatives.

Contact:

Michelle T.

Corporate Sales Specialist

Hexa Research

Phone: +1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: +1-800-489-3075

Email: [email protected]



Web: https://www.hexaresearch.com/

SOURCE Hexa Research
CHANGCHUN, China, Sept. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 11th China-Northeast Asia Expo opened Friday in Changchun, Jilin Province, drawing global attention to Northeast Asia to deepen international cooperation in the region through exchanges and cooperation.

The expo will promote the Belt and Road Initiative in Northeast Asia and coordinate development of the Northeast Asian countries to jointly expand international market.

Approved by China's State Council, the event is a comprehensive international fair attended by six Northeast Asian countries, namely China, Russia, Mongolia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It has become an important platform for regional economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, joint regional development of the Tumen River as well as the opening up of northeast China.

Featuring smart manufacturing, this year's expo was attended by senior executives from the world's top 500 enterprises and large multinationals such as Siemens, BASF, DuPont and Shell, and from China's central state-owned enterprises and large private firms.

This year's expo includes exhibitions and seminars on advanced technologies in rail transit equipment, satellites, drones, smart equipment and robots, 3D printing and Internet of Things.

The Northeast Asia region covers an area of 28.8 million square kilometers and has a total population of nearly 1.7 billion. The regional GDP accounts for one fifth of the world's total and half of the foreign exchange reserves.

Driven by economic globalization and regional economic integration, the region has seen closer economic and trade ties and become one of the most dynamic regions in the world's economy.

Hosted by Jilin Province, geographical center of Northeast Asia, the China-Northeast Asia Expo has been one of the most influential fairs in China since it began in 2005.

Senior political figures from more than 100 countries and regions and 620,000 businessmen have attended the past ten sessions of the event, with transactions of commodities exceeding 8 billion USD. The number of exhibition stalls has increased from 1,900 in 2005 to 3,300 in 2015.

In the early 1990s, the United Nations Development Program launched a development project in the Tumen River area among countries in the region. The Chinese government has been striving to make the development and opening-up of the Changchun and Jilin cities and the Tumen River area an engine for regional cooperation.

The expo is also dedicated to promoting inter-governmental exchanges with high-level forums to widen regional development consensus.

SOURCE China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Jilin Committee
LONDON, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

General Report Contents

- Market Analyses include: Unit Sales, ASPs, Market Value & Growth Trends

- Market Drivers & Limiters for each chapter segment

- Competitive Analysis for each chapter segment





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5076665/





- Section on recent mergers & acquisitions



The population of Europe has been growing at an average of 0.1% each year since 2003. That year, the average age of a person in the European Union was approximately 38; this is expected to increase due to decreases in mortality and fertility and higher life expectancies. By 2050, the average age in Europe is expected to be 52, thus driving the growth in healthcare industry and putting significant pressure on medical systems across Europe. In 2016, the United Kingdom accounted for approximately 25% of the total market value due to high unit sales and higher-than-average ASPs.



Unit growth in this market will be driven by increases in population, concerns about and new legislation for needlestick injuries and the rates of infection associated with established competing devices, such as three-way stopcocks. Germany and France had the highest number of needleless connectors sold, due to a larger population and earlier adoption of the device. Other countries that traditionally have a high usage of medical devices are expected to adopt needleless connectors at an increased rate over the forecast period.



The ASP of a needleless connector in Europe decreased from the previous year. Lower prices for needleless connectors may make it difficult for some companies to enter the market as it would be harder to make a profit without substantial unit sales. Companies have been trying to de-commoditize the market by creating new technologies as the anti-reflux and antimicrobial NLCs, but the buying decision has been mainly driven by price.



Abstract

In 2016, the European market for needleless connectors increased over the previous year. Growth in this market is driven primarily by the European population and demographic shifts.



Scope

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5076665/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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LONDON, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --



About Eyewear



Eyewear refers to products and accessories that are worn over eyes with the primary motive of improving or enhancing visual acuity. However, it is also used as a fashion accessory, and protection against dust and UV radiation. Eyewear is as important a fashion accessory as it is an equipment for vision correction. This makes the global eyewear market an integral part of the global luxury personal goods market.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3095454/



Technavio's analysts forecast the global eyewear market to grow at a CAGR of 7.49% during the period 2017-2021.



Covered in this report

The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global eyewear market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the retail value sales of the eyewear products.



The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:

 APAC,

 Europe,

 North America,

 ROW

Technavio's report, Global Eyewear Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.



Key vendors

 Essilior

 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care

 Novartis

 Safilo Group



Other prominent vendors

 Alexander McQueen Trading Limited

 Charmant Group

 CIBA VISION

 CooperVision

 De Rigo Vision

 Fielmann

 Lanvin

 Marchon Eyewear

 Marcolin

 Maui Jim

 Pivothead

 Specsavers Optical

 TAG Heuer

 Reliance Vision Express

 Walmart Stores



Market driver

 Product innovation and differentiation through functional and technological advances

 For a full, detailed list, view our report



Market challenge

 The presence of counterfeit products

 For a full, detailed list, view our report



Market trend

 Adoption of omnichannel distribution system and digital marketing

 For a full, detailed list, view our report



Key questions answered in this report

 What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?

 What are the key market trends?

 What is driving this market?

 What are the challenges to market growth?

 Who are the key vendors in this market space?



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3095454/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


SAN FRANCISCO, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The global healthcare EDI market is anticipated to reach USD 5.9 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to witness a CAGR of 9.4% over the forecast period, owing to increasing government support for healthcare IT coupled with surge in number of end-users and increasing adoption of EDI.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160524/371361LOGO )



In 2010, the ObamaCare Act (the Affordable Care Act) was passed in the U.S., which mandated the use of enrolled/dis-enrolled transactions between the payers and providers in the U.S. Implementation of favorable policy such as Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) to provide data privacy and security provisions to protect medical information is anticipated to propel the market growth. Increasing government funding for the EDI-Special Project congressional grants is befitting hospitals and non-profit organization, thereby expected to foster the market growth.

A surge in number of end-users such as payers, providers, pharmaceutical & medical device industries, and others are anticipated to fuel the demand of the EDI services or solutions during the market period. The healthcare payers use EDI for the evaluation of insurance claims before their payment settlement, prevention & detection of fraudulent claims to provide rapid services through collaborating with providers in order to gain a competitive advantage.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Healthcare Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Market Analysis By Component (Services, Solutions), Delivery Mode (Web & Cloud-based EDI, EDI Value Added Network, Direct EDI, Mobile EDI), By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-electronic-data-interchange-edi-market

Further key findings from the report suggest:

The services segment held lucrative market share in 2016 and is expected to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period, owing to growing demand from healthcare and insurance providers for healthcare claims filing, its verification, and accounts receivables

The mobile EDI segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period due to technological developments in the healthcare industry and rising adoption of mobile solutions from healthcare providers

North America is expected to dominate the healthcare EDI market over the forecast period due to rising demand for innovative IT solutions to streamline workflows coupled with increasing regulatory requirements regarding patient safety

is expected to dominate the healthcare EDI market over the forecast period due to rising demand for innovative IT solutions to streamline workflows coupled with increasing regulatory requirements regarding patient safety Some of the key players in healthcare EDI market are GE Healthcare; McKesson Corporation; Cognizant; Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc.; Siemens Healthineers; Optum, Inc.; Schreiner Group; The SSI Group, LLC; ZirMed Inc.; and Experian Information Solutions, Inc.

Browse related reports by Grand View Research:

Immunoinformatics Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/immunoinformatics-market

Telemetry Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/global-telemetry-market

E Clinical Solution Software Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/e-clinical-solution-software-market

Computer Assisted Coding (CAC) Systems Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/computer-assisted-coding-cac-systems-market

Grand View Research has segmented the global healthcare EDI market on the basis of product, end-use, and region:

Healthcare EDI Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Services Solutions

Healthcare EDI Delivery Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Web and Cloud-based EDI EDI Value Added Network (VAN) Direct (Point-to-Point) EDI Mobile EDI

Healthcare EDI End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Healthcare Payers Healthcare Providers Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Industries Others

Healthcare EDI Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK France Italy Spain Asia Pacific Japan China Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa (MEA) South Africa



Read Our Blog By Grand View Research: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/blogs/healthcare

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc

Phone: +1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]



Web: www.grandviewresearch.com

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
TAIZHOU, China, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Jolywood (Taizhou) Solar Technology Co., Ltd ('Jolywood') entered into an agreement with ACME Clean-tech Solutions Private Limited ( 'ACME'), a renewable energy developer in India, to supply Jolywood N-type High-efficiency Bifacial Monocrystalline Solar Modules. This not only marks the first large-scale use of N-type Bifacial Solar Products in India, but also a remarkable milestone for Jolywood to start an expansion. Mr. Lin Jianwei, the chairman of Jolywood Group, Mr. Liu Yong, the general manager of Jolywood Solar, and Mr. Ankur, CSO of ACME, attended this signing ceremony.

According to the agreement, for this time, Jolywood offered 72-cell N-type Bifacial Mono Transparent Modules with efficiency of 370W. It is the first time that India has such a great scale of application of N-type Bifacial Solar Products, which can bring higher investment return comparing to the conventional PV products.

India has become one of the most popular overseas markets for Chinese PV enterprises. With the advantageous location and abundant solar radiation resources, the Indian Market has great opportunities for renewable energy, including solar.

Mr. Modi, the Prime Minister of India, gave a broader proposal about achieving 100GW solar installation by 2022, in order to solve the power demand of over 100 million people in the countryside. This bid plan could be an important catalyst for the growing of Indian PV Industry.

International Energy Agency (IEA) reported the annual growth of electricity demand in India Market would be increased by 5%, meaning triple-size electricity system will be required by 2040. Modi showed his confidence in the solar energy being the key solution for power consumption issue in India, and released an ambitious solar plan right after he took office.

Mr. Ankur commented, "N-Bifacial Product can bring over 20% additional generation gain, which can highly increase the IRR of solar plant. It's not only a solution to lower the LCOE, but also a brand new solution can deal with the electricity shortage in India. Really worth trying, that's why Jolywood is our first choice this time."

"The cooperation with ACME is only our first step in India Market," said Mr. Liu Yong. "Double-side generation, zero LID, lower working temperature, with these features, Jolywood N-pert Products are very competitive for a high temperature environment such as India. We truly believe that our products can bring 10% or even more additional power for every solar plant, to lower the LCOE and also increase the IRR. We are looking forward to having a further cooperation with ACME, working together to expand more application of N-pert products, not only to bring lower LCOE and higher IRR for the investors, but also to provide affordable energy for India Market."

Ankur also showed, with confidence and expectation for future cooperation, that the two parties may have complementary advantages in power plant development.

SOURCE Jolywood (Taizhou) Solar Technology Co. Ltd.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121126/579634 )

The name change is part of an overall strategy by iomart to promote its wider and more comprehensive range of services to business and organisations in Manchester and across the north west of England.

Rob Grimshaw, Manchester Sales Director for iomart, says: "We believe the time is right to change the name to iomart to reflect the increased capabilities we can offer in all areas of digital transformation. iomart doesn't sell one type of hosting, we offer a vast range of products and services backed by industry-leading technical expertise to help with whatever IT challenges you are facing. By focusing on the iomart brand we can take this clear message to the whole of the north west."

iomart can help businesses and organisations with everything from designing, building and managing physical and virtual platforms, to moving them to a hybrid or fully cloud-based environment. Its services include: backup, Disaster Recovery, Security as a Service, DDoS protection and connectivity, all delivered from a secure ISO accredited network of UK data centres. It is a Microsoft, AWS and Google Cloud partner.

iomart acquired Melbourne Server Hosting, which has award-winning offices and two data centres in Archway, Manchester, in August 2012.

About iomart

iomart Group PLC (AIM: IOM) helps organisations maximise the flexibility, cost effectiveness and security of the cloud. From strategy to delivery, our 300+ consultants and solutions architects provide the cloud expertise to transform your business. With a dynamic range of managed cloud services that integrate with the public clouds of AWS and Azure, our agnostic approach delivers solutions tailored to your exact needs. iomart is a long term supplier to G-Cloud and our infrastructure and cloud and backup services are designed to meet the requirements of the UK public sector.

To find out more about our managed cloud services visit www.iomart.com

For information about our cloud consultancy visit www.systemsup.co.uk

SOURCE Iomart Group plc
MANCHESTER, England, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Manchester, UK. EDM, a leading global provider of training simulators to the civil aviation and defence sectors, has welcomed the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to open its new 1.3m facility.

Mayor Burnham officially cut the ribbon to celebrate the formal start of operations at the 20,000 square feet manufacturing facility at EDM's headquarters in Newton Heath, east Manchester.

The new structure has been built to meet the demands of the company's rapidly increasing order book with the company doubling in size since 2013, posting revenues of over 24m in 2016.

Housing 50 employees, EDM's new purpose-built facility sits adjacent to its existing 100,000 square feet site and provides all the resources necessary to enable the company to manufacture its full range of training simulators for defence and civil aviation customers.

In the past year EDM has announced orders from KLM, China Southern Airlines, S7 Airlines and Jet2.com and counts Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Thales amongst its defence client base. EDM has also just launched a new range of virtual reality training simulators to the airline industry and expects to win its first order with a major airline later this year.

"It was an absolute pleasure to have the Mayor open our new facility here in Manchester," said Tony Bermingham, Managing Director of EDM. "This significant investment will help us build more high quality training simulators for our growing customer base as we continue to expand our global presence."

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: "This is a fantastic new facility and the fact that EDM has grown so quickly, requiring new workspaces, is testament to their hard work and the quality of their products. I am immensely proud that there are successful and innovative manufacturers, such as EDM, operating on a global scale within the region, leading the way for Greater Manchester. They successfully bring together digital and advanced manufacturing and are a glowing example of Greater Manchester's strength in these sectors.

"Finally, I would like to thank EDM for having me today, being able to see what they do up close and meet the staff was a brilliant experience - I look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future."

For more information about EDM visit: www.edm.ltd.uk

About EDM

EDM is a leading global provider of training simulators to the civil aviation, defence, rail and other industries. Combining the highest engineering standards with leading-edge technologies, EDM provides airlines with Door Trainers, Cabin Service Trainers, Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainers and Full Size Mockups and defence organisations with Procedure Trainers, Maintenance Trainers, Ejection Seats, Simulators and Full Size Replicas. Serving organisations worldwide from its UK headquarters, EDM is committed to delivering exceptional quality and value to its clients to help them enhance safety and operational efficiency.

SOURCE EDM
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The impact of Hurricane Harvey on veterans has coincided with a steep uptick in online discussion along coastal Texas and Louisiana. Behavioral psychologist Sean D. Young, Ph.D., has unveiled initial data gathered by his research group at the UC Institute for Prediction Technology (UCIPT), using a new Twitter data visualization tool.

The tool, called Cloudberry, is an interactive analytics and visualization demo for large amounts of spatial-temporal data. The application was developed by UCI computer science researchers and has been collecting tweets since November 17, 2015, at the rate of approximately 30 tweets per second.

Currently, results for keywords at the state and county levels can be viewed for the United States.

Please see a set of screen shots displaying the real-time data and Dr. Young's YouTube video.

"One in four people worldwide - over a billion people - are using social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to create, share, and discuss content," said Dr. Young. "Social media users are continuously generating large volumes of public data containing information on their activities, plans and intentions, moods and opinions, and social interactions. UCIPT develops tools for analyzing this data to inform a wide range of important solutions for both the public and private sectors."

All of the data compiled in the past week are focused on tweets from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Tricare (the health insurance bureau of the Defense Health Agency), emanating from Coastal Texas and Louisiana. Dr. Young and his team have been able to track spikes in anxiety among the military veteran populations in distinct geographical zones, focused down to the county level, based on trends in recurring, sentiment-based key words and phrases.

"The importance of this research tool lies, to a great degree, in its diagnostic value," said Dr. Young. "But most significantly, having access to these data helps us pinpoint nodes of psychological distress among certain populations. We can take those data, and we can alert the local public health authorities to conduct preventive outreach to those who may be in crisis."

About Dr. Sean D. Young, author of "Stick with It":

Dr. Sean Young, an authoritative new voice in the field of behavioral science, knows a great deal about our habits - how we make them and how we can break them. He is the Founder and Director of the UC Institute for Prediction Technology and the UCLA Center for Digital Behavior. Dr. Young and his associates study cutting-edge and best practices for changing and predicting behavior, with particular expertise in health and medicine. His book, Stick with It, is Dr. Young's fascinating look at the science of behavior, filled with crucial knowledge and practical advice to help everyone successfully alter their actions and improve their lives. Whether it's absent-minded mistakes at work, a weakness for junk food, a smartphone addiction, or a lack of exercise, everyone has some bad habit or behavior that they'd like to change. But wanting to change and actually doing it - and sticking with it - are two very different things.

About UCIPT:

The University of California Institute for Prediction Technology (UCIPT) is a multidisciplinary, multicampus collaborative, accelerating innovations that leverage social technologies to predict human behaviors and outcomes. Some examples of potential research applications include:

- Tracking risk behaviors to predict disease, crime, poverty, or other negative outcomes and inform intervention efforts

- Discerning predictors of political opinion, social and moral values, academic success, or community involvement

- Understanding how and why people use certain technologies, buy certain products, or follow certain trends

The ultimate vision is to become a highly interdisciplinary, multisector hub of researchers, data scientists, and community partners that utilize, evaluate, and refine our tools and techniques for a broad array of applications.

Cloudberry uses an underlying data management platform called Apache AsterixDB, a Big Data platform originally co-developed by researchers spanning UCI and UCR.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE UCIPT
Pied a Terre seeks to distinguish themselves as an innovative project of residential hospitality that answers to the growing needs of a new generation of travelers and hosts. The travelers are in search of new accommodation options with high standards in hospitality and technology, and the hosts to provide high class hospitality services and promoting love and interest in arts, ecology and culture as well.

One of the distinguishing factors of Pied a Terre is their business model that incorporates innovative ways to update the demands of facilities and experiences that the new generation of travelers expect; including a concierge service that will work 24/7 for travelers and hosts; the standardization in the quality supplies and services that will be offered in the properties thanks to the new concept "Household goods", necessary to guarantee the quality standards, and the implementation of a promoting force in charge of the commercialization of travel routes.

During the launching event, the International Director, Luigi Galli, announced the first International photography, literature and ecology contest presented by Pied a Terre, called "The World We Live In".

The contest seeks to highlight and reflect the meaning of "The World We Live In" through an inspiring photograph, a poem that presents the aesthetic feeling of the photo, travel chronicles that compiles the different realities of the world, and the presentation of a project that exposes a solution to problems related to the preservation of the world's ecological balance.

The Contest Award Ceremony will take place in in the Chambord Castle located in Loire Valley in France and it offers to the winner $25,000 USD, plus accommodation, expenses and transportation for him and a companion.

Francisco de Paula Leon, Founder Member, announced Pied a Terre's first sponsorship, which will be for an International Conference to promote World Peace, that will be held in Morelia, Michoacan in Mexico on December 9th and 10th, 2017.

portal.piedaterre.world

Facebook: Pied-a-Terre-World

Instagram: pied_a_terre_world

SOURCE Pied a Terre

Related Links

http://portal.piedaterre.world


The Amazon Kick Bowl and Nutty Brazilian Bowl both feature Sambazon acai, the first and only certified organic, fair trade acai, and are both a heartier take on their smoothie counterparts, with all the same delicious ingredients blended together. The Daybreak Crunch Bowl includes fresh fruit, Greek yogurt and whole grain oats. All three bowls can be customized with add-ins such as leafy greens and toppings like coconut or honey.

"We are thrilled to bring Smoothie Bowls to all Planet Smoothie locations for a limited time," said Nicole Butcher, national marketing manager for Planet Smoothie. "All three of them are a refreshing and satisfying option for breakfast, lunch, or even a mid-day snack."

Sambazon is the first and only company to bring their certified organic and fair trade acai, a Brazilian superfruit, to the U.S. and is committed to sustainable management of the Brazilian Amazon where the fruit is grown. The company is structured with a triple bottom line business philosophy, reinvesting five percent of the raw acai they purchase back into local schools and hospitals, while supporting more than 20,000 local family farmers on fair trade wages, according to their website.

Promotional Smoothie Bowls

Amazon Kick Bowl  acai, blueberries, strawberries, bananas topped with granola & bananas

 acai, blueberries, strawberries, bananas topped with granola & bananas Daybreak Crunch Bowl  strawberries, bananas, Greek yogurt, whole grain oats topped with chia seeds & granola

 strawberries, bananas, Greek yogurt, whole grain oats topped with chia seeds & granola Nutty Brazilian Bowl  acai, peanut butter, bananas topped with granola & bananas

Smoothie Bowls are available nationwide now through Dec. 31, 2017.

About Planet Smoothie

Planet Smoothie, intent on redefining the smoothie category, is among the country's top smoothie concepts. The brand appeals to a demographic of loyal, active and occasion-driven customers who want to live a healthier lifestyle. Planet Smoothie offers real fruit smoothies with lower calorie, lower sugar, and higher protein options, giving customers a quick, portable snack or meal replacement. The brand's menu is organized into lifestyle categories to assist customers in finding the smoothie that helps them to achieve their personal goals, including protein, energy, and Planet Lite categories. The Planet Smoothie brand operates approximately 110 locations in over 20 states. In 2015, Planet Smoothie was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 22 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 2900 locations in 28 countries.

For more information about Planet Smoothie, Please visit: www.PlanetSmoothie.com.

For more information about Kahala Brands, please visit: www.KahalaBrands.com.

SOURCE Planet Smoothie

Related Links

http://www.PlanetSmoothie.com


WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer received a special welcome as they were flying home to Houston Sunday evening. President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Whitson and Fischer on a NASA plane following Whitson's record-breaking mission to the International Space Station.

Whitson, Fischer, and Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos, landed back on Earth Saturday in Kazakhstan. She and Fischer flew to NASA Johnson Space Center's Ellington Field Sunday.

"I want to congratulate Peggy and Jack for their incredible accomplishments. They make us all very proud," said President Trump. "Exploration has always been at the core of who we are as Americans, and their brave contributions to human spaceflight have continued that great tradition."

Whitson's records are:

She is the U.S. astronaut who has spent the most cumulative time in space with a total of 665 days during three long-duration missions.

She is the only female astronaut to command the station twice. During her second mission, she became the first woman to command the space station. During this mission, she became the first woman to command the space station twice -- she was station commander from April 9 through June 1 .

. She is the female astronaut who has spent the longest time in orbit during a single spaceflight -- 288 days.

She holds multiple spacewalking records: completing the most total spacewalks  10; and most total spacewalking time -- 60 hours, 21 minutes -- for a woman; and having the third most spacewalking time for any spacefarer (a cosmonaut is first and former NASA Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria is second).

"Peggy is an inspiration to us all," said President Trump, "especially to young women interested in or currently pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math."

This was the president's second call with the two astronauts. On April 24, when Whitson officially set the U.S. record for most cumulative days in space, Whitson and Fischer received a celebratory phone call from President Trump, First Daughter Ivanka Trump, and fellow astronaut Kate Rubins from the Oval Office.

"I appreciate President Trump reaching out personally to congratulate Peggy for her record breaking mission and Jack for his accomplishments on his first spaceflight," said acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot. "The president has had the opportunity to hear from Peggy and Jack first-hand how the work aboard the International Space Station is directly pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, and advancing American leadership in the boundless frontier of space. I want to add my thanks to the teams on the ground across the globe, especially in Houston, who are dealing with the aftermath of a Harvey, yet still maintained the focus to get Peggy and Jack home safely. It is an amazing team."

For images of Whitson and Fischer's return to Earth, visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto

SOURCE NASA
LONDON, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The pyridine & pyridine derivatives market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% during forecast period

The pyridine & pyridine derivatives market is projected to reach USD 656.3 million by 2021, at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2016 to 2021. Pyridine is a colorless liquid with an unpleasant smell. Pyridine is naturally found in coal and low temperature tar, and is also found in different types of pyrogenic oil. Pyridine is obtained from coal tar and also can be synthesized from acetaldehyde, ammonia, and formaldehyde. There has been a growing demand for pyridine due to its various applications, such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, latexes, food, and others. The growing use of vitamin B3 which is produced by the pyridine derivative, beta picoline is driving the pyridine market. The market is led by Chinese manufacturers focusing on expanding their production capacities. Pyridine is majorly used in the manufacture of parquat and diquat. It is also used in the manufacture of dyestuffs and textiles, while beta picoline is used to produce vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), alpha picoline is used in latex and other agrochemicals, and gamma picoline is used in 4-vinylpyridine.





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Beta picoline; the leading type in the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market by value

The beta picoline type in the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market is projected to witness high growth during the forecast period. This type of pyridine is widely used for producing vitamin B3. In addition, Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is used in pharmaceutical applications such as for the treatment of skin diseases, to promote digestive functions, to lower the risk of high cholesterol, and for diabetes. It is used in cosmetics, and in skin care products. Beta picoline is used as an intermediate for different agrochemicals, such as chlorpyrifos, haloxyfop, and fluazifop butyl. It is also used in pharmaceutical intermediates.



Pharmaceuticals; the fastest-growing application in the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market

Pharmaceutical is projected to be the fastest-growing application in the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market during the forecast period. A major driver of the pharmaceutical application is the growing demand for vitamin B3 which is manufactured using the pyridine derivative, beta picoline. Pyridine is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals such as CNS stimulants, and local anesthetics. It is applied in the manufacture of sulfa drugs. Pyridine is the intermediate for anti-infectives (including cetylpyridinium), antihistamines (including chloropheniramine maleate). Also Gamma Picoline is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of an anti-tuberculosis drug, Isoniazid.



Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing market for pyridine & pyridine derivatives during the forecast period

The Asia-Pacific is projected to be the largest and the fastest-growing market for pyridine & pyridine derivatives during the forecast period, globally, due to the growing population, increasing demand for food, low farm yields, and growing pharmaceutical industry in the region. Manufacturers of pyridine & pyridine derivatives are targeting this region as it has the fastest-growing industrial sector. India, China, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia are the major countries contributing to the growth of pyridine & pyridine derivatives market in this region. The increasing demand for pyridine & pyridine derivatives from applications such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and latexes is expected to drive the pyridine market in these countries.

Extensive primary interviews were conducted to determine and verify the market size for several segments and subsegments and information gathered through secondary research.



The break-up of primary interviews is given below:

 By Company Type - Tier 1  30%, Tier 2  43%, and Tier 3  27%

 By Designation - C level  21%, Director level  23%, and Others  56%

 By Region - North America  30%, Europe  18%, Asia-Pacific 41%, South America- 6%, and Middle East & Africa 5%

The companies profiled in the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market research report are Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd. (India), Vertellus Holdings LLC (U.S.), Lonza Group AG (Switzerland), Nanjing Redsun Co. Ltd. (China), Resonance Specialties Ltd. (India), Shandong Luba Chemical Co. Ltd. (China), Hubei Sanonda Co. Ltd. (China), Chang Chun Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), Koei Chemical Co. Ltd. (Japan), and C-Chem Co., Ltd. (Japan).



Research Coverage:

This research report categorizes the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market on the basis of type, application, and region. The report includes detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market such as drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into business overviews, products & services, key strategies, expansions, mergers & acquisitions, new product developments, agreements, and recent developments associated with the market.



Reasons to Buy the Report

The report will help market leaders/new entrants in this market in the following ways:



1. This report segments the pyridine & pyridine derivatives market comprehensively and provides the closest approximations of market sizes for the overall market and subsegments across verticals and regions.



2. The report will help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide them information on the key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.



3. This report will help stakeholders understand the major competitors and gain insights to enhance their positions in the business. The competitive landscape section includes expansions, acquisitions, and new product developments.

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LONDON, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Summary

In South Africa mobile subscriptions rose from 68.9 million in 2012 to 92.9 million in 2016, at a review-period (2012-2016) CAGR of 7.8%. Subscriptions will reach 110.5 million in 2021, at a forecast-period (2016-2021) CAGR of 3.5%, as is evident from penetration increasing from 74.3% users as a percentage of the population in 2012 to 83.6% in 2016. As mobile phones get cheaper and new technologies are introduced, penetration will reach 89.6% in 2021.



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Key Highlights

Network expansion and modernization to create opportunities for operators

In 2016, UMTS accounted for 38% of all mobile subscriptions. Its share will increase to 57.3% by 2021. However, the combined share of subscriptions on the HSPA and Long Term Evolution (LTE) platforms will also rise, from 15.7% in 2016 to 32.9% by 2021. Operators have the opportunity to invest in developing their M2M/IoT service portfolios based on faster LTE technology which will allow many to broaden their service offerings and tap into new revenue streams. Neotel is collaborating with the Western Cape government to launch 384 Wi-Fi hotspots across the province by 2019.



Fiber optic technology to grow

Fixed technology such as FTTH will enhance network quality and help operators to meet the demand for faster internet speeds that will ultimately drive subscriptions.

Telkom SA SOC Limited announced the launch of FreeMe Family, which brings the data-led convenience of FreeMe to families, who will then be able to share a data allocation across 10 SIM cards. It is also investing in the roll out FTTH and plans to pass one million FTTH connections by 2018, in addition to its plan to migrate its ADSL subscribers onto fibre optic networks.



Government initiatives driving broadband connections

The government's National Broadband Plan (NBA) will create opportunities for investors to fund the development of a national broadband network. South Africa will require funding to build a viable and long-term broadband plan in order to achieve its goal of universal broadband access by 2030. With the right funding and investments, broadband penetration can be increased.



Scope

- Risk/Reward Index - enables you to assess the risks and potential rewards of investing in the South African Telecommunications market in comparison with other Middle East and African countries.

- Industry Snapshot and Industry View - Key Telecommunications Industry Statistics including fixed/mobile revenue, subscriptions, churn, market share, and ARPS are analyzed to reveal the key issues and trends driving market performance in the South African Telecommunications market.

- Industry SWOT Analysis - Discover the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats impacting market performance and investment in the South African Telecommunications market.

- Industry Benchmarking - Benchmark how the South African telecommunications market is performing compared to regional and global markets in terms of fixed or mobile revenue, subscriptions, ARPS, penetration, and usage to gauge potential for growth or market entry.

- Competitive Landscape - Analyze and compare the performance of the leading players in the South African Telecommunications market by business segment on metrics such as such as churn, ARPU, and subscriber and revenue growth.



Reasons to buy

- What are the Saudi Arabian Telecommunications industry's Strengths and Weaknesses and what Opportunities and Threats does it face?

- How is the market performing in terms of: Revenues, Subscribers, ARPU, and Customer Churn?

- What will Saudi Arabia's mobile market look like in 2021?

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LONDON, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Catlin's insurance operations today announced the appointment of Owen Williams as Captive Centre of Excellence Manager.

Based in London, Mr. Williams will work with underwriters and XL Catlin's captive clients globally to deliver the best-in-class fronting services clients have grown to expect from XL Catlin. He will report to Matt Latham, Head of Captive Programmes, at XL Catlin.

Commenting, Matt Latham said: "We have grown our captive business significantly over the past three years; establishing our Centre of Excellence allows us to continue to deliver outstanding service for existing clients while growing our portfolio. Owen's stellar market experience ideally positions him to lead our Centre of Excellence and I am delighted to welcome him to the team."

Mr. Latham added: "In recent years there has been a steady trend for clients to expand the range of coverages written in their captives beyond standard property and casualty risks, to include emerging risks such as cyber or non-damage business interruption. Strengthening our team and offering allows us to support these clients as they move forward."

Mr. Williams has over 20 years' experience in the insurance industry. He joins XL Catlin from Zurich Insurance plc, where he spent 11 years, most recently as Head of Captive Services in the UK. Prior to joining Zurich Insurance plc, he held a number of underwriting positions at RSA Insurance plc.

About XL Catlin Insurance Operations

XL Catlin insurance companies offer property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty insurance products globally. Businesses that are moving the world forward choose XL Catlin as their partner. To learn more, visit xlcatlin.com.

About XL Catlin

XL Catlin is the global brand used by XL Group Ltd's (NYSE:XL) insurance and reinsurance companies which provide property, casualty, professional and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises throughout the world. Clients look to XL Catlin for answers to their most complex risks and to help move their world forward. To learn more, visit xlcatlin.com.

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New Delhi, Aug 30 : The walled city has long been a paradise for foodies but its culinary practices as well as the many famed eateries have undergone gradual changes over the years. The life of Sadia Dehlvi, belonging to one of the oldest families of Delhi, has run parallel to these changes and she takes us on a delicious journey to the walled city's famous by-lanes and describes its changing food culture in her latest book.

For all of its fascinating sights, sounds and smells, many of us have a special place for "Purani Dilli" (Old Delhi) in our hearts. And "Jasmine & Jinns: Memories and Recipes of My Delhi" (Harper Collins; Rs 699; Pages 232), takes you a step closer to it. Dehlvi leaves no stone unturned to capture the little nuances that have gone into shaping the culinary customs in the much celebrated area.

However, the book is not entirely focused on food and will not be very helpful if you are a beginner and looking for a comprehensive cookbook. It is partly a memoir, as Dehlvi interlaces Delhi's food history with her memories and the stories of her growing up in the city. As one of the oldest families of the Walled City, her life has run parallel to the changing times and, thus, this is a fitting memoir of not only her family but also of the culinary culture in the area. The language of the book is simple and is mixed with Urdu words which are explained in English.

They say one should not judge a book by its cover but book covers indeed have a certain pull for readers. The cover of this book is not very appealing. Images are just arranged together in a collage that is least pleasing to the eye. But this is very well compensated by the images of Old Delhi's legendary eateries when you flick through its pages.

Dehlvi lists some of the most popular shops in the walled city -- Kanwarji's Confectioneries, Old Famous Jalebiwala, Natraj Dahi Bhalle Walle, Shiv Chhat Bhandaar and Chaina Ram Confectioners -- which Delhiites still love to visit. She describes the life, culture and traditions of her community "Dehli Saudagaran" -- Hindus of the Khatri caste who embraced Islam at the instance of Sufi cleric Hazrat Shamsuddin in the mid-13 century. The community later moved to the city from Punjab at the invitation of Emperor Shah Jehan in 1657.

"Dehlvi" was adopted as the family name by the author's paternal grandfather to honour their long association with the city. In the initial chapters, Dehlvi details the food traditions of different empires that ruled Delhi. She credits the Mughals for adding colour and aroma to the city's culinary art and gives us a peek into their lavish tables.

The author goes on to explain Old Delhi's Muslim culture, lifestyle and "mehman nawazi". She gives us interesting details like how beef isn't appreciated, except for nihari and kebabs in Dilli Dastarkhwan. It is considered the poor man's meat and "taxing" on the digestive system.

She tells us how "Dilliwallahs" remain extremely particular about meat cuts and also about "taseer" of the food on the body. The title of the book "Jasmine & Jinns" is influenced by Dehlvi's childhood memories, filled with the fragrance of chamelis and the stories about jinns that "were always around".

She gives an account of how her childhood home, Shama Kothi -- named after the popular Urdu film and literary magazine founded by her grandfather and edited by her father -- used to host gatherings attended by stalwarts of Urdu literature like Kaifi Azmi, Majrooh Sultanpuri and famous film celebrities. Dehlvi credits her learning about traditions, culture and cooking to Apa Seeda -- the author's and her siblings' caretaker -- and to her mother.

However, the food culture detailed by Dehlvi is not the same any more. The city is changing with the times. For instance, today you will not find thick kadhai milk at every corner of the city. Also, if people want to binge on some good kebabs or qorma, they prefer ordering it online or visiting a fancy restaurant than take the pain of preparing elaborate dishes at home.

The "strict" table rules that the author talks about in the book have also changed. The tradition of "having at least one family meal together" is on the wane due to busy schedules where family members don't even get to see each other on a regular basis. The same goes for saying prayers before starting the meal or not criticising the meal served on the table. Too much to ask from today's generation!

Coming to recipes, Sadia shares her all-time favourite classic dishes which include "aloo salan", "khadey masale ka qorma", "yakhni pulao", "nargisi kofta", "biryani" and "shammi kebab".

In addition, there are recipes for seasonal specialities and festivals. So, if you love to cook, eat and feast and Purani Dilli's vibrant food culture fascinates you, then this book will give you some serious hunger pangs!

(Parul Soni can be contacted at parul.s@ians.in)
Beijing, Aug 31 : China on Thursday said India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan will not be discussed at the BRICS Summit next week.

Like in earlier occasions, China defended its "iron friend" Pakistan, hailing its efforts in countering terrorism.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Islamabad was at the "forefront" of counter terror efforts and had made "sacrifices" for the cause.

"The international community should recognise the contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan," Hua said at a press briefing.

"We notice that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at BRICS Summit," she said The three-day annual meet of the five-member grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) will begin at the Chinese city Xiamen from Sunday.

"China is willing to work with Pakistan and other countries to enhance our cooperation in counterterrorism. This serves the common interest of all parties."

Terrorism emanating from Pakistan is one the contentious issues between India and China.

Beijing has repeatedly blocked New Delhi's resolution at the UN to declare Pakistan's terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.

Last year, at the BRICS Summit in India, China did not back India's attempts to have names of terror groups like JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) included in the BRICS Declaration.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : India is one of the countries that recognises transgender people as a third gender, and Miss Transsexual Australia 2017 Laeticia Phylliscia Raveena feels if it continues to take positive steps for the community, it can become the best place for transgenders.

Raveena was in Gurugram to crown the first Miss Transqueen India last week. It was her maiden visit to north India -- she has been to the southern part of the country earlier.

"I was born in Kuala Lumpur, but my grandparents are from Madurai (Tamil Nadu). I have been to Chennai a few times for temple trips because I love temples. I've been to Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari and Pondicherry," Raveena told IANS.

Whenever she applies for an Indian visa, it makes her proud of her Indian heritage as the country has expanded its definition of gender. Earlier this year, a Parliamentary panel favoured reservations for transgender community in employment and education.

"India is doing so well. When I apply for a visa online, they ask if I'm 'a male, female or transgender'. I feel that India is moving ahead compared to other countries.

"If the surgeries (sex reassignment surgery) also get funded by the government, then people will look at India and say that it is 'the best place for transgenders'," she added.

Talking about meeting the 16 Indian trans women who were vying for the crown, she said: "We had a pyjama party where we shared our struggles. Even though they are all Indians, some are from Manipur, Chennai and other parts of the country, the trans culture in every state is different, which is interesting. I learnt a lot from them."

The pastry chef believes in learning new things throughout her life.

"I did my graduation in France. I want to show people that even trans women can do the same things that others do. I want to be an inspiration for the community," she said.

At a time when US President Donald Trump is getting slammed for signing a memo that bans transgender individuals from joining the military, Raveena emphasised on the fact that people from her community can take up any profession.

"I think trans women can do any job. It depends on how we portray ourselves in society. For that, education is important," she said, adding that a little help from the government could go a long way.

"To be a trans woman, it's very expensive. In England, the surgery is for free. The government pays for it. After the surgery, you can be a nurse or anything," she said.

Still, she is happy that things are looking up for transgenders now.

"There is discrimination when you come out. But I'm a very positive person. So I hardly remember the negative things. Now, when I see young girls, how far they have come, I feel inspired. I see a lot of positivity now," said Raveena, who prefers to keep her age "a secret".

"In the last three years, globally, there has been a lot of acceptance because of famous Hollywood celebrities. It is not a shock anymore," added Raveena, who says James Bond girl Caroline Cossey, a transgender, has been one of her inspirations.

(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)
Nairobi, Sep 1 : Kenya's Supreme Court on Friday invalidated the result of last month's contentious presidential election citing irregularities and ordered a new one within 60 days.

Four out of six judges upheld a petition filed by opposition candidate Raila Odinga, who claimed the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 8 was fraudulent, CNN reported.

The Election Commission had declared incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta the winner by a margin of 1.4 million votes.

"The presidential elections on August 8 were not conducted in accordance with the Constitution, rendering the declared results invalid null and void," Chief Justice David Maraga said, ordering fresh elections.

In a decision that surprised many observers, the court agreed with opposition arguments that the Electoral Commission had committed irregularities that invalidated the poll.

The Chief Justice said the verdict was backed by four of the six Supreme Court judges. The court ruling did not attribute any blame to President Kenyatta's party or campaign.

Opposition leader Odinga was jubilant as he welcomed what he called a "precedent-setting ruling" by the court.

"For the first time in the history of African democratisation, a ruling has been made by a court nullifying the election of a President," he said.

"This indeed is a very historic day for the people of Kenya and by extension the people of the continent of Africa."

Odinga also railed against the national election body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. "We have no faith in the electoral commission as currently constituted."

President Kenyatta's lead counsel Ahmednassir Abdulahi said in court that his client wanted to see the full judgement to understand how the alleged irregularities would "obliterate" his 1.4 million vote winning margin.

Kenyatta, in a televised address, said that it was "important to respect the rule of law even if you disagree with the Supreme Court ruling".

He called for calm, saying: "Let us be a people of peace. We are ready to go back again to the people with the same agenda that we delivered to the people," he added, looking ahead to the next vote."

As news of the court's decision spread, cheers and celebrations could be heard on the streets in parts of the capital, Nairobi.
Washington, Sep 2 : US President Donald Trump is due to visit the US state of Texas later on Saturday, this time to meet the families whose lives have been upended by Hurricane Harvey as well as volunteers with the rescue and recovery efforts.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump plan on visiting Houston and Lake Charles, Louisiana, both areas hit with severe floods, ABC News reported.

This will be Trump's second trip to Texas since Harvey hit the southeast part of the state last Friday, leaving many displaced and thousands of homes damaged or destroyed.

Harvey has been blamed for at least 47 deaths, and about 43,000 people are currently housed in shelters. Trump has asked Congress for $7.8 billion in recovery aid and has pledged to give $1 million from his personal funds to help disaster relief in Texas and Louisiana.

The President on Tuesday visited Corpus Christi and Austin, Texas, but opted to spend time with state and local officials rather than meeting hurricane survivors or seeing the damage firsthand.

He praised and thanked government officials and emergency responders, but did not make specific mention of victims of the storm.

The Vice President's trip on Thursday stood out in contrast to the President's visit. Pence hugged survivors and prayed with them, as well as helped clear away debris from a damaged home.

Harvey is the first natural disaster Trump has had to respond to during his presidency and he was slammed for his lack of empathy for the region in crisis.

The President has declared Sunday a "National Day of Prayer" for victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Meanwhile, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Friday that the city was starting to enter a recovery phase. He also said Houston's electrical grid was slowly recovering and that fewer than 35,000 homes were without power at the moment, CNN reported.

Garbage collection and mass transit service in the city also resumed. But the recovery effort is just beginning in the hardest-hit areas, with the White House estimating that 100,000 homes have been damaged and state authorities putting the number at 185,000.

The total cost of recovery and rebuilding could be as high as $190 billion, which would make Harvey the costliest natural disaster in US history, media reports said.

The storm, which first made landfall last week in southern Texas as the strongest hurricane to hit the US in 13 years and then made a second landfall as a tropical storm in Louisiana early Wednesday, also brought torrential rain and severe flooding to that neighbouring state.
New Delhi, Sep 3 : Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari was on Sunday also allocated portfolios of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Uma Bharti, who had these portfolios, has now been given charge of Drinking Water and Sanitation which was held by Narendra Singh Tomar.

Tomar, who retains his other portfolios of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, has also been given Mines, which was earlier with Piyush Goyal, now the new Railways Minister.

Harsh Vardhan, who was given charge of Environment Ministry after death of Anil Madhav Dave earlier this year, retains the portfolio, while Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who held Minority Affairs as Minister of State (Independent Charge), has been elevated to cabinet status with the same responsibility.
Xiamen (China), Sep 3 : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Sunday to attend the 9th BRICS Summit in the Chinese southeastern city Xiamen. He is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the three-day event.

Their meeting will be keenly watched after the resolution of the Doklam border row, which pitted the armies of the two countries against each other for over two months.

This will be the second bilateral meeting between the two leaders this year. The last one took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit.

They met informally at the G20 Summit in Germany in July amid the Doklam crisis.

Besides, Modi is expected to meet Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Michael Temer of Brazil. Also attending the event will be South African President Jacob Zuma.

The Indian leader will address the BRICS leaders' dialogue with 'BRICS Business Council' meeting.

He will take part in an event of the 'Emerging Markets and Developing Countries' Dialogue' on Tuesday morning.

After the BRICS Summit, Modi will travel to Myanmar.
Mexico City, Sep 4 : Mexico is readying aid for victims of hurricane Harvey, with the shipments expected to arrive in Texas on Monday, the media reported.

"There are a huge amount of people in trouble, and we have the crews to help," The Hill magazine quoted Carlos Sada, Mexico's Foreign Relations Ministry undersecretary to North America, as saying on Sunday.

The crews could arrive as early as Monday or Tuesday with a host of supplies in tow, including all-terrain vehicles, satellite phones, generators and mobile kitchens.

Sada told CNN that paramedics, doctors and rescue teams will also be on hand to help victims of the hurricane.

"We are very pleased to be able to support our brothers in need on the other side of the border," Sada said. "If it were the other way around, I think they would help us, too."

Last week, Mexico said it had offered its assistance to the US following the damage caused by Harvey that made landfall in Texas on August.

So far, over 45 people have been killed with thousands others injured.

The White House declined to say whether it would accept the offer. It told The Hill magazine that the issue was being handled by the State Department.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott had accepted Mexico's offer last week.
Ahmedabad, Sep 4 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicks off his Gujarat Assembly election campaign here on Monday with a direct dialogue with party activists from across all the 182 constituencies, in keeping with the party's focus on strengthening and revving up the organization.

Gandhi, who is also scheduled to make two four-day visits later this month across the length and breadth of the state, is to meet the Congress rank and file at the Sabarmati Riverfront here.

He is then expected to hold interactions with representatives of civil society organizations, industrialists and businessmen and traders before flying off to Delhi in the evening.

According to Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharatsinh Solanki, "Rahul will interact directly with workers from all 182 assembly constituencies. He will also hold meetings with NGO representatives, industrialists and other businessmen on Monday and take feedback from them."

"He is expected to speak about his expectations from the Gujarat unit and give advice on the party's strategy for the elections," Solanki added.

In view of the recent setback to the party during the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections when as many as 14 legislators quit the Congress and eight of them voted for the BJP against the official nominee Ahmed Patel, the opposition party is trying to ensure its flock remains together.

As part of this exercise, as many as 122 new office-bearers were recently inducted, including four working presidents, despite an existing full-time state chief, besides formation of committees on election, candidate selection, campaign and manifesto, accommodating functionaries from all regions.

Simultaneously, the party issued sack orders to eight legislators who cross-voted for the BJP during the Rajya Sabha elections and also initiated similar action against six others on the contention that they resigned and joined the rival party while the whip to vote for the official nominee was already out.

With the argument that they had defied the official whip and could invite disqualification from contesting any election for another six years, the party is planning a legal recourse to ensure they are barred and the rival BJP is unable to field them in the elections.

Rahul Gandhi will be in Gujarat again for four days from September 22 during which he will extensively tour the Saurashtra region in the west and the flood-affected North Gujarat districts.

The Congress vice-president will be on another four-day tour of central and south Gujarat regions later but the dates are still being finalised.

Former state party chief Arjun Modhwadia said for the first time Rahul Gandhi would cover a staggering 4,000 square km across the state to rejuvenate the party cadres.
Xiamen (China), Sep 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting here on Monday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

"Furthering a special & privileged strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi meets President Putin on the sidelines of #BRICS2017 Summit," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, tagging pictures of the two leaders shaking hands and sitting for talks.

The meeting between them comes three months after they met, in St Petersburg for the annual India-Russia summit, and later at the SCO meeting in Astana in the same month where India was made a permanent member of the organisation.

At the St Petersburg summit, the two nations had signed an agreement on setting up Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu, and decided to give a new direction to their defence cooperation.
Xiamen (China), Sep 4 : The BRICS nations have called for a global economic architecture reflective of the present landscape giving more representation to the emerging markets and developing countries.

The declaration adopted at the ninth BRICS summit here emphasised the importance of an open and resilient financial system for sustainable growth and development.

"We resolve to foster a global economic governance architecture that is more effective and reflective of the current global economic landscape, increasing the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing economies," it said.

The BRICS reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) 15th General Review of Quotas, including a new quota formula, by the 2019 Spring Meetings and no later than the 2019 annual meetings.

"We will continue to promote the implementation of the World Bank Group Shareholding Review."

The countries agreed to better leverage the benefits of capital flows and manage the risks stemming from excessive cross-border capital flows and fluctuation.

The declaration said the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) represents a milestone of the bloc's financial cooperation and development, which also contributes to global financial stability.

"We welcome the establishment of the CRA System of Exchange in Macroeconomic Information (SEMI), and the agreement to further strengthen the research capability of the CRA, and to promote closer cooperation between the IMF and the CRA.

The declaration welcomed the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) Africa Regional Centre launched in South Africa, which is the first regional office of the Bank.

"We encourage the NDB to fully leverage its role and enhance cooperation with multilateral development institutions, including the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, as well as with the BRICS Business Council, to forge synergy in mobilising resources and promote infrastructure construction and sustainable development of BRICS countries."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his intervention at the plenary session of the summit, said that the central banks of the five BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - must further strengthen their capabilities and promote cooperation between the CRA and the IMF.

Modi said the NDB has started disbursing loans in pursuit of its mandate to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS countries.

"At the same time, our central banks have taken steps to make the CRA fully operational. These are milestones of progress we can build upon," he said.

Modi also said that affordable, reliable and sustainable access to energy is crucial for the development of the emerging markets.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said the dynamic pricing regime, whereby prices of transport fuels are revised daily, would continue despite petrol prices going up by over Rs 6 per litre since the scheme was introduced pan-India from mid-June.

Speaking to reporters here after taking over additional charge of the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry following his elevation to cabinet rank on Sunday, Pradhan said dynamic pricing ensures that the benefit of even the smallest change in international oil prices can be passed down the line to the dealers and the end-users.

"Daily revision in prices is good. When we started daily revisions on June 16, rates dropped in the first fortnight. Thereafter, it has increased mainly because of rise in global oil prices," he said.

"It is in the interest of consumers. I don't think that there is a need for change in it," he said.

Daily revision allows any fall in international oil rates to be passed on to consumers immediately rather than having to wait for 15 days as in the old system, he added.

"Should prices be hiked by Rs 2.50 or Rs 3 per litre in one go or they should be spaced out in small doses," he asked.

Since daily revision was implemented, petrol prices have increased by Rs 6.60 to reach Rs 69.66 a litre in Delhi, while that of diesel have risen by Rs 4.02 to Rs 57.38. Petroleum products do not come under GST and prices vary at locations according to state taxes.

In the first two weeks of dynamic pricing, petrol prices fell by over Rs 2 a litre and of diesel by more than Re 1.

Earlier, the state-run oil marketing companies used to review and revise retail fuel prices every fortnight on the basis of global crude oil prices, while the revision took effect from midnight.

Prices of petrol and diesel are now revised at 6 a.m. every day.

Dynamic fuel pricing is followed in many developed countries and India opted for it as a response to the recent volatility in global crude oil prices.

Pradhan also said that his ministry is seeking approval of the safety organisations for starting home delivery of fuel.

"The issue involves safety and we have to first get their approval before a pilot is launched," he said. "We are trying to secure permission."

According to the latest official data, the Indian basket, comprising 73 per cent sour-grade Dubai and Oman crudes, and the balance in sweet-grade Brent, breached the psychologically-important $50-a-barrel-mark last week.
Xiamen (China), Sep 4 : BRICS leaders reaffirmed on Monday they remained committed to an open and inclusive world economy and firmly opposed protectionism.

"We will continue to firmly oppose protectionism. We recommit to our existing pledge for both standstill and rollback of protectionist measures and we call upon other countries to join us in that commitment," said the Xiamen Declaration, adopted at the 9th BRICS Summit here.

The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) said they remain committed to open and inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the World Trade Organisation.

"We emphasise the importance of an open and inclusive world economy enabling all countries and peoples to share in the benefits of globalisation. We remain firmly committed to a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO."

The countries reaffirmed their commitments to ensure full implementation and enforcement of existing WTO rules and said they were determined to work together to further strengthen the organisation.

"We call for the acceleration of the implementation of the Bali and Nairobi MCM outcomes and for the WTO ministerial conference to be held this year in Argentina to produce positive outcomes," it added.

The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Presidents Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
Xiamen (China), Sep 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting here on Monday with trade and investment, natural gas, tourism and youth exchanges featuring in their discussions.

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit here, "basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship", Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, briefing reporters here.

"President Putin recalled the Prime Minister's visit to Russia earlier this year," he added.

He said that Putin thanked Modi for India's high-level participation at the Eastern Economic Forum, being held in Russia's eastern port city of Vladivostok.

Both leaders discussed several aspects of bilateral issues in sectors like cooperation in the natural gas and oil sector, Kumar added.

Both sides also discussed how to promote bilateral trade and investment.

The meeting comes three months after the two leaders met, in St Petersburg for the annual India-Russia summit, and later at the SCO meeting in Astana in the same month where India was made a permanent member of the organisation.

At the St Petersburg summit, the two nations had signed an agreement on setting up Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu and decided to give a new direction to their defence cooperation.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : The Delhi High Court on Monday said it would be "highly improper" on its part to hear pleas challenging the exception in law that protects a husband from being tried for the rape of his wife, if the similar case is pending before the Supreme Court.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar said if the matter is being heard by the Supreme Court, "we cannot overlap" the matter and asked the parties in the case to find out if the contentions of these petitions are similar to those being heard by the Supreme Court.

The bench sought presence of advocate Gaurav Aggarwal, petitioner for NGO Independent Thought before the Supreme Court to get clarity on the issue as it posted the matter for September 8.

The high court has been hearing petitions filed by NGO RIT Foundation, All India Democratic Women's Association and a marital rape victim, challenging the exception to rape under Section 375 and Section 376B of the Indian Penal Code as unconstitutional.

The pleas challenge the Section 375, saying it does not consider sexual intercourse of a man with his wife as rape. Section 375, which defines "rape", also contains the exception provision which states that the rape law would not apply to assault or sexual intercourse by a husband with his wife over 15 years of age. Section 376B deals with sexual intercourse by a man with his wife during separation.

A men's right group -- Men Welfare Trust -- has also approached the high court contending that the existing laws were "very much capable of dealing with the cases of sexual abuse of women" and there is no need to either bring a fresh law to deal with it nor is there a requirement to withdraw the protection granted to husbands under Section 375 of the IPC.

"The sexual abuse in a domestic relationship should not be termed as rape," the men's plea has said.

The Central government has told the court that criminalizing marital rape may destabilize the institution of marriage apart from being an easy tool for harassing husbands.

In an affidavit, the government said that there can be no lasting evidence in case of sexual acts between a man and his own wife.

"It has to be ensured adequately that marital rape does not become a phenomenon which may destabilise the institution of marriage apart from being an easy tool for harassing the husbands," it said.
Xiamen (China), Sep 4 : The 9th BRICS Summit is indirectly serving as a venue to help mend ties between China and India after their recent border standoff, Chinese state-run media reported on Monday.

The summit brought together representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in this picturesque coastal city to strengthen South-South cooperation and give a greater voice to the world's emerging economies, Xinhua news agency said.

Even the intermittent rain did not dampen the positive mood at the three-day summit, which ends on Tuesday, it said.

"I think the trend is good, everybody is optimistic," said Atul Dalakoti, Executive Director of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, who spoke to Xinhua right after attending the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum on Sunday afternoon.

"I sense more internal optimism and external confidence," Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a prolific China expert and observer, said. But he admitted that fundamental differences exist among the BRICS countries.

Swaran Singh from the School of International Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University remarked on the recent friction between China and India and how that did not get in the way of the friendly and cooperative summit atmosphere.

"Even China-India differences have been carefully kept aside and not allowed to intervene in their multilateral cooperation," he told Xinhua.

Dalakoti pointed out the rapid growth of China-India trade over the past 15 years.

Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a face-off that began in June and lasted more than two months, seriously disrupting bilateral ties. Both troops last month withdrew from the disputed region called Doklam.
Taipei, Sep 4 : Taiwan's Prime Minister Lin Chuan on Monday announced that he had resigned from his post.

Addressing a press conference, he said he submitted his resignation on Sunday to President Tsai Ing-wen, who has yet to announce whether she has accepted it, Efe news agency reported.

However, Xinhua news agency reported that Tsai had accepted Lin's resignation.

After taking charge in May 2016, Lin rolled out controversial laws regarding pension reforms, the control of the assets of political parties and labour reform.

The Prime Minister said he had met sufficient targets and wanted to leave the President with enough room to deploy her people.

Lin said he told Tsai about his wish to step down on Sunday during a National Security Council meeting.

According to Taiwan's Central News Agency, a member of the government revealed that Lai Ching-te, Mayor of Tainan city and one of the most charismatic leaders of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will be made the new Prime Minister on Friday.

In several surveys, Lai has gained more popularity than the President herself. He did not respond to questions from the media regarding his future course.

Lin was the first Prime Minister under Tsai of the DPP, who took charge in May 2016.
Kunduz (Afghanistan), Sep 4 : Key Taliban commander Qari Sayed Yasin alias Zulfiqar was among 13 militants killed in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz on Monday, Army spokesman Abdul Khalil said.

"In the latest crackdown against militants in Eisa Khil area of Chardara district which began early today morning, notorious Taliban commander Qari Sayed Yasin alias Zulfiqar along with 12 of his armed fighters have been killed," Khalil told Xinhua news agency.

The physical elimination of Zulfiqar, according to the official, could prove a major setback to the Taliban insurgents in Kunduz and the neighbouring Takhar and Baghlan provinces.

Taliban militants who are in control of parts of the restive Chardara district and the neighbouring Dasht-e-Archi and Qala-e-Zal districts have not commented on the crackdown.
Yangon, Sep 4 : A total of 418 schools in three townships in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state have been closed as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) terrorists continued their attacks, in which at least seven Hindus were killed, media reports said on Monday.

Of the schools closed, 183 are from Maungtaw township, 212 from Buthidaung township and 23 in Yathedaung township, said Xinhua news agency citing local media.

Over 80,000 students had enrolled in the Maungtaw district this academic year which started from June.

Extremist terrorists launched renewed attacks on 30 police outposts in northern Rakhine on August 25.

According to reports, from August 25 to 31, more than 52 terrorist attacks occurred, killing 13 security forces personnel and injuring 15.

Meanwhile, 14 civilians including seven Hindus and five Daingnet ethnic people were also killed while fleeing the attacks.

Over 2,625 houses from villages in Maungtaw were also burnt down by the terrorists.

About 38,000 Muslims from Rakhine state have fled toward the Bangladesh border, according to the reports.

Amid threat by ARSA, the security forces have evacuated 11,720 villagers to safer places and provided them with aid, the military said, adding that clearance operations against ARSA terrorists continued in the region.
Bangkok, Sep 5 : Indonesia on Monday asked Mymnamar to protect its Rohingya Muslim minority even as protests continued in the archipelago nation over their persecution and a radical Sunni group engaged in sectarian violence in the country opened registration to send volunteers to Myanmar to defend them.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met her Myanmar counterpart and de facto head of the country's government, Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the head of the country's armed forces Min Aung Hlaing at Naypyidaw on Monday and urged the protection of the Rohingya community.

Marsudi told Suu Kyi that in order to check the crisis, the Myanmar security forces should act with restraint, protect civilians without discrimination on religion or ethnicity and allow humanitarian aid, reported Efe, citing Indonesia's Antara agency which quoted official sources about what transpired at the meeting.

Marsudi asked Myanmar to allow Indonesia, the International Red Cross and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to provide humanitarian aid to the Rohingyas.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Indonesians, mainly women, staged protests outside the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta on Monday, demanding an end to the persecution of Rohingyas by the country's security forces in response to an attack by Rohingya insurgents on August 25 in the Rakhine state.

The demonstrations took place a day after protesters threw a Molotov cocktail at the embassy.

Also, the chairman of a branch of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Suyadi Al Abu Fatih, said that the volunteers should preferably be aged between 21 and 40 years, and they can get the registration form from a post in Klaten or download it from the group's Facebook page, reported Efe quoting Indonesian media Tempo.

Suyadi said that the volunteers are to be trained by the organisation, founded in Indonesia in 1998, before traveling to Myanmar, but warned that they would need to bear the cost of travel and daily living once they reached their destination.

On Tuesday, Marsudi is scheduled to travel to Bangladesh to discuss the matter with the country's authorities.

At least 87,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh in the last 10 days, 81,000 of whom were staying in makeshift shelters, a UN official in Bangladesh told Efe on Monday.

The remaining 6,000 have been settling with relatives in the permanent refugee camps in Cox's Bazar district.

On August 25, the Myanmar Army began an operation following armed assaults on several police posts by hundreds of Rohingya insurgents under the command of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

In October 2016, the ARSA killed nine police officers in attacks against three border posts, which led to a violent military operation.

The UN and other organisations strongly condemned the military campaign, accusing the armed forces of committing various abuses against civilians, including murder, rape and burning houses.

At least 74,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh as a result of the campaign.

More than one million Rohingyas live in the western state of Rakhine, where they face growing discrimination due to the sectarian conflict, which left at least 160 people dead in 2012 and displaced nearly 120,000.

Myanmar authorities deny citizenship to Rohingyas, classifying them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and imposing many restrictions on them, including limits to their freedom of movement.
Nairobi, Sep 5 : Kenya's electoral body on Monday set October 17 for a repeat of presidential elections following the directive from the Supreme Court on Friday last week.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati said there shall be no fresh nominations in the envisaged fresh election which was ordered by the Supreme Court that annulled the presidential elections held on August 8.

Chebukati said opposition leader Raila Odinga along with his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka and President Uhuru Kenyatta along with his running mate, William Ruto shall be the only candidates, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The Commission is revising the operational and procedural requirements for the conduct of the fresh election and will share details with stakeholders sooner than later," he said.

"The Commission calls for patience and understanding among all stakeholders as we work together to deliver free, fair, credible and peaceful elections," he said.

The Supreme Court on September 1 called for a new election within 60 days after finding irregularities in the re-election of Kenyatta in last month's elections.

The court ruled that the presidential elections were not conducted in accordance with the constitution rendering the result invalid, null and void. The court said that Kenyatta was not validly elected.

Four out of the six-judge bench at the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Odinga who is from National Super Alliance (NASA) party that contested the election results and filed a petition at the apex court to have them overturned.
Couples who experience new things together, such as massages, bond more closely and encourage more rewarding connections.

What better way for a busy couple to relax together than a couples massage in Paso Robles? Paso Robles Massage Therapy is offering couples massage on Sundays for 20-percent discount off the regular price.

A couples massage is a shared experience; two people receiving a deeply relaxing massage in Paso Robles in the same room from two different therapists, while listening to gentle music. An hour, or hour and half, total escape from the daily grind of work, lawns to mow, laundry, the kids, traffic. Nothing to do but drift away in quiet, peaceful time together.

Why not try something new? Receiving massages from the skilled therapists at Paso Robles Massage Therapy can introduce couples to a new way to disconnect from the routine, unwind and reconnecting to one another in tranquility.

Couples who experience new things together, such as massages, bond more closely and encourage more rewarding connections. Trying new ways of getting to know each other is key to a long and happy relationship. Benefits of couples massage therapy include:

Enjoying each others company in a peaceful setting: Sometimes just being quiet together can erase the aggravations of daily life. Being fully engaged in sharing a restful massage at Paso Robles Massage Therapy can bring the same level of sharing to the entire relationship.

Massage is reported to increase feelings of affection and intimacy by releasing oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, creating a sense of contentment and well being that continues after the massage.

Couples sometimes struggle with finding time in busy schedules to spend quality, quiet and peaceful time together. A couples massage can be a wonderful way to reconnect.

The therapists at Paso Robles Massage Therapy, Darryl and Sandi Kilpatrick, also the owners, are professional massage therapists, licenses by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC):

Darryl has experience in both the spa and clinical settings and excels with deeper pressure for therapeutic massage. For clients experiencing intense neck or back pain, Darryl can provide chair massage for their comfort.

Sandi has experience in both the spa and clinical settings and enjoys providing medium pressure Swedish Massage for relaxation. Sandis gentle style is very calming and great for the first time client.

Call (805) 237-8263 to schedule a couples massage in Paso Robles.

Paso Robles Massage Therapy

475 S. Vine St

Paso Robles, CA 93446

(805) 237-8263

Press release by San Luis Obispo SEO company Access Publishing, 806 9th Street, #2D, Paso Robles, CA 93446. (805) 226-9890.
In just 5 years TVC has grown into the largest veterinary cooperative buying group with over 2,600 veterinary clinics representing about $2.5 billion in revenue from pet owners or about 15% of all pet owner revenue spent at veterinary hospitals.

The Veterinary Cooperative(TVC) was the brain child of a dinner discussion in October 2010 at a fall sailing regatta. There was interest in what a cooperative was since I mentioned I was a consultant in the cooperative industry, said Rich Morris, now CEO of TVC. I explained cooperatives are a way for independent business owners to compete against growing corporate consolidation, which takes place in all industries eventually. Corporations have the negotiating muscle to get better pricing. They hire MBAs that deploy best practice business tactics, and a corporation will share resources to develop advertising and promotions to increase sales and profits for the corporate locations. A cooperative is owned by its members and provides the same advantages of a corporation while allowing each owner to maintain the advantages of being independent. Morris often cites True Value Hardware and Ace Hardware as examples of cooperatives that often get the same prices on products as their corporate competitors (like Loews and Home Depot), while their advertising in national newspaper circulars draws sales into the independently-owned locations.

At the table was a veterinarian who said, Consolidation is whats happening in my industry right now. We need a cooperative to ensure that independent veterinarians will thrive into the future. The seed was planted and over the next 18 months of investigation and due diligence Morris concluded that the veterinary industry would benefit from a nationwide cooperative. In July 2012 a group of 4 veterinarians hired Morris to start up the cooperative and incorporated TVC. On September 4th, 2012 TVC welcomed veterinarians to join with TVCs 8 vendor programs.

Today those 4 member/owners have grown to over 2,600 clinics. The TVC ownership represents over $2.5 billion in revenue from pet owners or about 15% of all pet owner revenue spent at veterinary hospitals. By December 31st it was clear the idea was catching fire with 140 member/owners. My July 2012 prediction was that we would have about 2,000 member/owners in about 10 years. I felt that to provide all TVC member/owners with marketing support, education, best business practices and competitive pricing, TVC would need to eventually get to 5,000 member/owners. That dream is now within our sights within the next few years, way ahead of any predictions I could have made in 2012, said Morris. The changes happening in the Veterinary industry outpace those in others. For example, on March 16th 2017 Ace Hardware Corporation, the worlds largest hardware cooperative announced its global store count had exceeded 5,000 locations. Ace had a similar founding in the Chicago area with 5 owner/members in 1924-- about 93 years ago. Morris said, The pace from 4 or 5 member/owners to 5,000 is much quicker today as businesses realize the need to change and compete with the latest business tools to succeed and thrive, and veterinarians have quickly come to this realization and joined TVC.

In 2016, TVC member/owners purchased $141 million from the 100 vendor programs designed to help member clinics compete with big box stores and corporate accounts. That purchasing activity generated $11 million in rebates and discounts representing about a 7% increase in profitability for each TVC member/owner based on their purchases. Although often referred to as a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), TVC is not; it is a not-for-profit cooperative, the largest cooperative in the veterinary industry. Any profits are re-distributed to the member/owners at the end of the year in a dividend check. In 2016, TVC distributed $600,000 in dividends back to member/owners (on top of their rebates and discounts).

TVC member/owners also understand their part in supporting the cooperative and TVC vendors. TVC member/owners have gone from purchasing about $30,000 dollars each in cooperative vendors products and services in 2013 to a predicted $150,000 in 2017. Sales for TVC vendors in 2017 will be over 100% more than in 2016 and vendors are seeing the shift in sales with as much as a 25% increase in same store sales among TVC member/owners. Morris states: TVC member/owners need to have the independence to choose whatever brand of product or service they want. They need to have the flexibility to provide the pet health care in a way they think is best for their clients pets rather than be told by a corporation how to practice medicine; TVC member/owners in just a few short years also understand that supporting TVC vendors is in their best interest to Thrive and have responded in a way I could have never imagined. I am proud to have been chosen as the leader of such a great group of business owners. Their understanding of how a cooperative needs to operate and the ability to maintain their independence is better than any of the 150 cooperatives I have had a chance to see in my 15 years of consulting.

To celebrate our 5th anniversary TVC is reducing its onetime Joining fee from $1,000 to only $100. You get 30 days to try out TVC before you even have to make this payment. And that is the last payment you will ever make to TVC, says Morris. Just enter birthday5 at http://www.tvc.coop/join
Huckleberry's Restaurant and Tavern After Culinary School, I gained much experience in restaurants in France, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. In 2012, I moved to the United States with my husband and our three children to share my passion and experience with the people of Lancaster

The Fulton Steamboat Inn is pleased to introduce Chef Paula Phenneger to their award-winning Huckleberrys Restaurant and Tavern. Chef Paula, with her passion for fresh delectable preparations, pairs perfectly with Huckleberrys own zeal for featuring fresh local ingredients served daily in classic, signature dishes. Amid Huckleberrys charming atmosphere, Chef Paulas passion and international flair for preparing delicious and diverse recipes will find an ideal home for serving Fulton Steamboat Inn guests.

Chef Paula hails from Lyon in Southern France, where she found her passion for cooking at a young age watching her mother prepare fresh, scrumptious meals from scratch. She prepared her first solo meal at the age of 11 and entered Culinary School at the age of 15. Her work in the industry began on weekends and after school, gaining experience as she worked alongside renowned chefs. She left France for London, and expanded her passion in four and five-star establishments like The Four Seasons and The Park Lane. She then moved to South Africa, where she developed her culinary point of view working as a personal chef. After nearly two years there, she returned to Lyon, preparing luscious meals in Michelin Star restaurants. In 2012, she came to the United States to continue to grow, learn, and share her passion with the people of Lancaster and now, Chef Paula is excited to share that experience and creativity with the award-winning team at Huckleberrys Restaurant and Tavern.

Chef Paula will be adding her own international flair to the ever-popular menu selections at Huckleberrys Restaurant and Tavern, located at the Fulton Steamboat Inn, at the junction of Routes 30 and 896 in lovely Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Among guests favorites are the Lancaster County Omelette for breakfast with its smoky bacon, tart feta cheese, fresh spinach and mushrooms, and oven roasted tomatoes. At lunch, guests enjoy Crab Cakes Dijonnaise, a tasty offering of Chesapeake jumbo lump crab cakes served with the Chefs lovely Dijonnaise. For dinner, guests delight in Chicken Marsala featuring pan-seared chicken breasts with fresh Portobello mushrooms in Chef Paulas signature Marsala wine sauce.

"My passion for cooking began under the tutelage of my mother, in the south of France, where every ingredient was fresh from the market. After Culinary School, I gained much experience in restaurants in France, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. In 2012, I moved to the United States with my husband and our three children to share my passion and experience with the people of Lancaster.  Chef Paula, Huckleberrys Restaurant and Tavern.

The Fulton Steamboat Inn is delighted with the expertise Paula has brought to the award- winning Huckleberrys Restaurant and Tavern team.

Visit the Fulton Steamboat Inn (http://www.fultonsteamboatinn.com) featuring Paula at Huckleberrys Restaurant and Tavern today at http://www.FultonSteamboatInn.com and discover extraordinary hospitality, delectable dining, and exceptional accommodations.

Bio: The Fulton Steamboat Inn is designed to simulate a 19th century steamboat complete with decks featuring nautical and Victorian themes as a tribute to Robert Fulton. The onsite Huckleberrys Restaurant and Tavern carries on the charming theme serving up signature dishes made with fresh local ingredients. The award winning Inn and Restaurant strive to deliver unmatched hospitality conveyed by a friendly and accommodating staff to each and every guest.
Special thanks to Investors Bank.org for their support for our Award winning programs this season.

ArtsPRunlimited, Inc., announces our Newark Italian Emigration in the 1920's. with "organized labor" (Amazon.com) + Book Signing with Daniel P Quinn. can be added to other events including SACCO & VANZETTI on the 90th Anniversary of their execution in Boston and local history in Newark as well. We express our thanks to Express Newark, a Rutgers University-Newark Collaboratory, for co-hosting our audio and discussion event.

Daniel P Quinn will be reading "Quintillion's Quintet 4 Newark" which will be featured + published in Red Wheel Barrow # 10.(2017). Those dates are Sept. 29th (SRO) at Cafe and also on Weds. Oct. 4th, 2017 at William Carlos Williams Ctr. with other authors in Rutherford, NJ. Mr. Quinn's work has have been published by Red Wheelbarrow anthology in 2016, and 2015.

Xian Zhang, Music Director - Jan 13, 2018 at 7pm with GEORGE LI pianist. Mr Li wowed us at the Orchestre de Lyon concert at NJPAC in 2017. He will be the exciting soloist again in Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No.3 with the NJ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. We are offering $250- (50% is a charitable donation to Fractured Atlas). Patron tickets will include a reception at NJPAC for our group.

https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=11419

May 17, 2018: Showing of Nikon France Film Festival Award winning film: "Je Suis Tunisien 2045" Morris Museum Bickford Theatre. We expect to offer a panel on Tunisia as part of this program as well. Exploring and honoring the Nobel Peace Prize for Tunisia. 7pm at the Bickford Theatre. We will now work with The Tunisian American Center and colleagues with their Hannibal-USA Society as well.

ArtsPR was founded to present, produce, + promote the Arts. Fracturedatlas.org. E-mail Link http://conta.cc/2oFQOlg

Projected plans that need sponsors for 2018-19 include an art exhibit by Italian artist Antonio Masini from Potenza, Italy (Basilicata).

We also are working on a Opera program honoring Maria Jeritza who premiered works by Richard Strauss, Giacomo Puccini, and Leos Janacek in Vienna and The Met. Jeritza later retired and lived in Newark for 40 years. Much of her career was covered in The New York Times.

We have also been featured in The Star-Ledger. Italian Tribune, The Coast Star, Irish Voice; Irish Echo, The Bergen Record, Herald News, Staten-Island Advance, Jersey Journal, Performing Arts Journal, Sensations, Theatre Journal, + Variety. Olympia Dukakis: on my play FANGS TO RICHES: "As a great many indictments of American culture...performed w/gusto... it would have a strong impact....be an ideal project... You're a very talented man. " Olympia. ArtsPRunlimited, Inc is a sponsored program with Fracturedatlas.org. We welcome your generous support.for our Award winning work. http://conta.cc/2uh9EW2

ArtsPRunlimited, Inc., Season for 2017-18. Daniel P Quinn, (862) 208-0151. Special thanks to Investors Bank and our other 45 Patron's for their generous support for our Award winning programs this season.
Hurricane Harvey evacuees Cindy and Gordon receiving a ShelterBox tent There are no words to describe it. I mean I can't believe these people coming to help us like this, it's so great.

This past week, its been reported that more than 43,000 people were displaced by Hurricane Harvey and forced to seek shelter in emergency evacuation centers. Humanitarian aid organization ShelterBox is bringing privacy and comfort to the evacuees through the distribution of its Shelter-in-a-Shelter tents.

After George R. Brown Convention Center, the largest shelter in Houston housing evacuees, surged to more than 10,000 people this week, ShelterBox has been setting up its Shelter-in-a Shelter humanitarian tents. The tents now serve as critically needed private spaces for healthcare, lactation stations, AA meeting locations, and places of worship at George R. Brown Convention Center. ShelterBox is also distributing blankets, solar lights, groundsheets, and school kits.

A ShelterBox response team, joined by Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA, has been working across the affected areas, and was on site at George R. Brown Convention Center to help coordinate the set-up of the tents this week.

Its hard enough to lose your home and be traumatized by the massive devastation of a disaster. In these times, critical community services and support can be disrupted. We are providing the privacy tents to enable services to continue and a sense of normalcy to return. Women who are nursing still need places to breastfeed. People need places to receive counseling and attend AA and substance support meetings. People need places to worship, says Murray. In coordination with the Red Cross and Department of Public Health in Houston, ShelterBox USA set up Shelter-in-a-Shelter solutions that now serve as private spaces for HIV/STD consultation, lactation stations, places of worship, and more.

At a shelter in Crosby, Texas, Shelter Box distributed tents for displaced families, half of whose homes washed away in the hurricane. Many of these vulnerable families have young children and are living in a shelter set up at the American Legion Club. A woman who is seven months pregnant had tears in her eyes as she accepted a shelter tent as a place to temporarily call home, Murray said.

Cindy and Gordon lost their home after water from the San Jacinto River rose and flooded the mobile home park in which they lived. It's our new house," she said sitting inside her new tent. "We just got out with what we could, and we got out before a lot of other people did. We got out when the water started coming up. There are no words to describe it. I mean I can't believe these people coming to help us like this, it's so great. I feel like I'm in a big home (the tent). It's the best home we've had yet."

ShelterBox is widely known for its rapid response to natural disasters around the world, offering a variety of tented shelters to meet the immediate need of survivors made homeless in crisis situations. ShelterBox is the Project Partner of Rotary International in disasters. Typically, the ShelterBox tented shelters are used in outdoor settings. But, in the case of Hurricane Harvey, ShelterBox deployed the indoor tent/Shelter-in-a-Shelter solution to provide privacy in a congregated setting.

Since 2000, ShelterBox has responded to hundreds of emergencies, in 103 countries. Before Hurricane Harvey made landfall, ShelterBox USA was mobilizing to help fill the shelter-related gaps. And it quickly became apparent that the gaps were going to be massive, says Murray. While our goal is to deliver shelter and other essential non-food items to displaced people, at the same time, we want to support the extraordinary needs of the community in the most compassionate and helpful way possible. The Shelter-in-a-Shelter is certainly innovative in shelter care in the United States. We began using this solution in Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, providing a private place to shelter displaced families in an indoor congregated setting.

Immediately after Hurricane Harveys devastation, a ShelterBox Response Team was activated on the ground to assess the need for emergency shelter in Houston and other impacted areas. ShelterBox is planning to distribute more tents, solar lights, school kits, groundsheets, and blankets in the region as it continues to coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster (NVOAD), local city and state agencies, and other non-profits, to determine urgent shelter and aid needs, Murray said.

ShelterBox USA receives Charity Navigators highest 4-star rating and is recognized in its list of Charities Providing Assistance in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey. The nonprofit has established a designated fund to support the relief efforts in Texas: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/harvey/

ShelterBox has helped more than one million people worldwide rebuild their lives. It's provided help and hope following some of the world's most devastating disasters: Haiti's earthquake in 2010; Japan's Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011; Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013; massive flooding in Malawi and Malaysia in 2015; and the two massive earthquakes that shook Nepal in 2015. Some of the ShelterBox deployments in the United States include: Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, and the 2013 tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma. ShelterBox is currently also providing emergency shelter to families who have lost their homes in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Cameroon, Niger, Colombia, Somaliland and Nepal. It responded to the last tropical storm to threaten the U.S. in 2016 as Hurricane Matthew cut through Haiti, Cuba, and on to the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. For the latest on ShelterBox deployments, visit http://www.ShelterBoxUSA.org.

EDITORS NOTE: CONTACT: Susan Skog, ShelterBox USA Senior Communications Manager (970) 797-2270
On Monday morning in Beijing, a slew of Chinese regulatory agencies released a joint statement in which they affirmed that initial coin offerings (ICOs), a cryptocurrency-based fundraising method, are illegal in the country.

The market for ICOs has grown exponentially this year with some firms using the fundraising method to raise millions of dollars in minutes without offering an actual product. As such, many Wall Streeters are calling the market a bubble.

dollars,

Sebastian Quinn-Watson of Blockchain Global, a bitcoin exchange operator, told Business Insider in an email Monday morning that the news out of China is an "absolute win" for the cryptocurrency community because it will weed out illegitimate ICOs.

"The changes in regulation will take a lot of the bad actors out quickly," Quinn-Watson said. "Excellent result for every founder who has a good product, a sensible and well structure token sale process, and an international outlook."

Still, the 15 largest cryptocurrencies by market cap are all down more than 6% since Sunday, according to data from Coinmarketcap.com.

Litecoin, the fifth largest cryptocurrency, is down more than 15% at $64 per coin after surging above $80 on Friday. Likewise, bitcoin is lower by close to 7% at $4,340. Bitcoin surpassed the much-anticipated $5,000 benchmark for the first time on Saturday.

Ethereum is down nearly 16% at $288 per token. In total, the marketcap for cryptocurrencies has shed over $30 billion since Friday.

As reported by Business Insider's Oscar Williams-Grut, the wording of the statement by the People's Bank of China and the six other Chinese regulatory agencies also suggested that trading and usage of all cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, could now be illegal in China.
The origins of the holiday  springing from Industrial Revolution-era clashes between workers and employers  have largely faded from public memory.

But many labor protections, like weekends off or 40-hour workweeks, were won by striking workers during this period.

One of those protections, laws against child labor adopted during the first half of the 20th century, helped reshape the US workforce.

Lewis Hine, a photographer for

The descriptions come from

A Glassworks at midnight, taken in Indiana in August 1908.

Jewel and Harold Walker, 6 and 5 years old, pick 20 to 25 pounds of cotton a day. Father said: "I promised 'em a little wagon if they'd pick steady, and now they have half a bagful in just a little while." Location: Comanche County--[Geronimo], Oklahoma, October 1916.

Vance, a trapper Boy, 15 years old. He had trapped for several years in a West Virginia coal mine for $0.75 a day for 10 hours work. All he does is open and shut this door: Most of the time he sits here idle, waiting for the cars to come. On account of the intense darkness in the mine, the hieroglyphics on the door were not visible until plate was developed. Taken in September 1908.

Manuel, the young shrimp-picker, 5 years old and a mountain of child-labor oyster shells behind him. He worked the year before. Understands not a word of English. Dunbar, Lopez, Dukate Company. Location: Biloxi, Mississippi, February 1911.

Freddie Kafer, a very immature little newsie selling Saturday Evening Posts and newspapers at the entrance to the State Capitol. He did not know his age, nor much of anything else. He was said to be 5 or 6 years old. Nearby, Hine found Jack who said he was 8 years old, and who was carrying a bag full of Saturday Evening Posts, which weighed nearly 1/2 of his own weight. The bag weighed 24 pounds, and he weighed only 55 pounds. He carried this bag for several blocks to the car. Said he was taking them home. Sacramento, California, May 1915.

This little girl, like many others in this state, is so small she has to stand on a box to reach her machine. She is regularly employed as a knitter in a hosiery mill. Said she did not know how long she had worked there. Location: Loudon, Tennessee, December 1910.

Group of Breaker Boys in #9 Breaker, Hughestown Borough, Pennsylvania Coal Co. Location: Pittston, Pennsylvania, January 1911.

Four-year-old Mary, who shucks two pots of oysters a day and tends the baby when not working. The boss said that next year Mary will work steady as the rest of them. The mother is the fastest shucker in the place. She earns $1.50 a day. Works part of the time with her sick baby in her arms. Dunbar, Louisiana, March 1911.

Little Fannie, 7 years old, 48 inches high, helps sister in Elk Mills. Her sister (in photo) said, "Yes, she he'ps me right smart. Not all day but all she can. Yes, she started with me at six this mornin'." These two belong to a family of 19 children. Taken in Fayetteville, Tennessee, November 1910.

Young cigarmakers at Englahardt & Co., Tampa, Florida. These boys looked under 14. Work was slack and youngsters were not being employed much. Youngsters all smoke. Witness Sara R. Hine. Taken January 1909.

The interior of a tobacco shed, Hawthorn Farm. Girls in foreground are 8, 9, and 10 years old. The 10-year-old makes $0.50 a day. Twelve workers on this farm were 8 to 14 years old, and about 15 are over 15 years. Location: Hazardville, Connecticut, August 1917.

A spinner takes moment's glimpse of the outer world. She said she was 10 years old and had been working over a year. Lincolnton, North Carolina, November 1908.

The "Manly art of self-defense" Newsboys' Protective Association, in Cincinnati, Ohio, taken around 1910.

Messenger boy working for Mackay Telegraph Company, said to be 15-years-old, Waco, Texas, September 1913.

Street gang, corner of Margaret & Water Streets - 4:30 p.m. Location: Springfield, Massachusetts, June 1916.

Nan de Gallant, 4 Clark Street, Eastport, Maine, a 9-year-old cartoner, Seacoast Canning Co., Factory No. 2. Packs some with her mother. Mother and two sisters work in factory. One sister has made $7 in one day. During the rush season, the women begin work at 7 a.m., and at times work until midnight. Brother works on boats. The family comes from Perry, Maine, just for the summer months. Work is very irregular. Nan is already a spoiled child. Location: Eastport, Maine, August 1911.

A "colored school" at Anthoston. Census 27, enrollment 12, attendance 7. Teacher expects 19 to be enrolled after work is over. "Tobacco keeps them out and they are short of hands." Location: Henderson County, Kentucky, September 1913.
This is according to a Former Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Speaking on Accra-based Asempa FM Ablakwa said the NDC must improve the communication strategies of the party for Ghanaians to know what they achieved during their tenure.

READ ALSO: Ghanaian student in Amsterdam grabs 5 PhD awards

Free SHS is not starting in Ghana on the 11th of September this year, it is not President Akufo-Addo who is starting free SHS and many people dont know this. Free SHS was started in the year 2014, three years ago. The NDC under [former] President Mahama started free SHS.

We had a loan facility from the World Bank under the Secondary Education Improvement Programme. Under this there were four components; the first was to build the 23 senior high schools, the second component is the training we provided for Maths, Science and ICT teachers, and there was a third component called Quality Improvement Facility upgrade, and the fourth categorically was the scholarships for needy Senor High School students. The agreement we signed with the World Bank for the next five years at that time  2014 to 2019  was on granting scholarships, and implementing free SHS for 10,400 students, he added.

He was speaking after the Nana Addo-led government announced that the Free SHS programme will commence in September 2017 with the year students in all public High Schools in the country.

At a press conference in Accra, Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, said parents should not pay any fees demanded by heads of senior high schools since the government is taking care of all such expenses.
The trained teachers has, however, threatened to take a legal action against government if it fails to provide immediate employment for its members.

The threat comes at the back of a strike action embarked on by the Assembly earlier in August, calling on government to employ them.

About 100 members demonstrated through some principal streets in Accra to force government to honour its pledge of employing them.

The members said they've have been home since 2011 and despite engagements with government, nothing concrete came out of those meetings.

READ ALSO: Center for Learning Disabilities Assessment hails teachers licensing exam policy

Joshua Ankomah, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Assembly speaking on the development said "Since September marks the beginning of the academic year, the best we can do is to wait for about a week or twoso if the academic calendar starts and we dont hear anything then I think our patience will no longer hold on."
Punch reports that the father contracted men believed to be soldiers to kill his son identified simply as Chibuzor.

ALSO READ: Father beats son to death in Ogun

An eyewitness reportedly revealed to Punch correspondents in Awka, the Anambra State capital where the shocking act took place, that the men in the Nigerian Army uniform beat their victim to a coma.

Chibuzor, who it was gathered, had been the only son of his father, however, died at a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.

According to the reports, trouble began when the deceased brought his fiancee home to meet his father.

Pleading anonymity, a source revealed that Chibuzor had an altercation with his father after the introduction.

The source said,The father had rejected the choice of the woman Chibuzor brought home, saying the lady was older than his son.

Chibuzor who had had a failed marriage that produced a child decided to remarry after separating from the first wife,

He was disappointed when the father refused to give his approval to the marriage.

When the rift between the deceased and his father escalated, the father invited some soldiers; this annoyed his son, Chibuzor, who as a result poured hot water on his father.

Punch reports that the soldiers descended on the deceased and beat him to a pulp after which he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died.

The sad incident which occurred on Saturday, September 2, in Umuayom village Awka, reportedly triggered a protest by the youths in the community.

According to the reports, the protesters made bonfires, blocking major roads in the area while demanding justice over the death of their kinsman.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Nkeiru Nwode, while confirming the incident on Monday, September 4, said the command was investigating the matter.

She added that the fiancee has been placed in protective custody while the investigation was ongoing.
The judge, Mr Hassan Ishaq, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused a reliable surety in like sum, who must have a means of livelihood and reside within the courts jurisdiction.

Ishaq further ruled that the surety must submit his/her drivers licence or national identity and passport-size photographs to the courts registrar as part of the bail conditions.

Earlier, Police Prosecutor Helen Ashasim told the court that the complainant, Hannatu Audu of Karu had on July 17, reported the case at Karu Police Station.

She said the complainant went to Skye Bank branch at Karu on July 16 to withdraw some money with her ATM card.

The complainants ATM card got trapped in the machine after several attempts to withdraw money failed.

The complainant left the bank only for her to receive withdrawal alerts on her phone late in the night of the same day.

The two withdrawal notifications of a total of N184, 000 were sent to the complainants phone, she said.

Ashasim added: "Police investigations revealed that the sum of N84, 000 was transferred to an Access Bank account no. 0044258450 belonging to the accused, who used the complainants ATM card.

It was also discovered that the sum of N100, 000 was withdrawn using the ATM card.

She said police detectives immediately notified the management of Access Bank of the fraud which led to the arrest of the accused at its Nyanyan branch.

The offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal code.
She gave everyone reasons with her communication skills and brilliancy why she had to be the queen. She indeed earned it. She secured for herself a one-year modeling contract with a modeling agency in Italy and not forgetting the brand new luxurious Hyundai Elantra she drove home with.

The first runner up went to Herphie Armah, a student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism and second runner up, Emily Randolph also a student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism.

The night witnessed the 10 beautiful ladies that were shortlisted before the grand finale. This selection was actually based on some training programs and challenges that were held amongst them.

Each of the ten ladies represented a region. There was a cut off to five contestants as the night drew closer and there after the winners were mention after some mind cracking questions.

READ ALSO: This is how Efya keeps in shape without going to the gym

The organizers of this prestigious event did tremendously well on this on. The event was telecast live on Ghone TV and blessed our sights with glam and beauty but most importantly intelligence at its peak.

READ ALSO: Natural ways of getting rid of pimples
Their names have been given as Dauda Issah, 31 and Osman Issah, 30.

Addressing the media on Monday, the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Juliana Obeng said: The said suspects were arrested at their hideout in Adum and had in their possession, several fake ten (10) Ghana cedi notes which they intended to distribute into the system since it could easily pass as genuine."

She said the police, upon tip off, searched the homes of the suspects and found a money printing machine and 14 bundles of 10 Ghana cedi notes.

"The suspected fake 10 Ghana cedi notes were 14 bundles with each bundles amounting to 1,000 Ghana cedis," she said.

ASP Obeng added that: "Efforts are being made to arrest their accomplice, one Mallam-Rahaman Sulleyman, at his hideout in Techiman or Tamale."
According to the residents, the Land Guards are terrorizing them and forcing them out of their properties.

President of the Pekan Enclave East Legon Residents Association, Captain Budu Koomson (Rtd) said that these armed thugs fire gunshots sporadically, and this scares people in the community.

READ ALSO: One killed in robbery operation at Kasoa

He said that some of the residents have even been physically assaulted over the matter.

Unfortunately, the majority of residents believe that the East Legon District Police Commander, who is known to residents only as DSP Anokye, has done very little, if not condoning and conniving with the illegal activities of the [Land Guards].

We are appealing to the Inspector General of Police to intervene in this matter to save the lives of innocent children, vulnerable individuals and properties, Captain Budu Koomson (Rtd) said at a press conference over the weekend.

READ ALSO: Man arrested for stealing police uniform

Despite attempts by the security agencies to end the activities of Land Guards in communities, especially in developing areas, these armed thugs continue to terrorise residents.
According to him, Mahama "benefitted from such a situation in the Presidential petition of 2013 and cynically thought President Uhuru Kenyatta would have the benefit of the docility of the Kenyan Supreme Court."

The Supreme Court in Kenya has annulled the result of the country's recent presidential election.

Former President John Mahama advised Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, to go to court over the country's presidential election.

However, following the annulment of the presidential results by Kenya's Supreme Court in a 4-2 decision, and an order for a re-run in 60 days, some Ghanaians have taken to social media to troll Mahama.

They have accused him of executing his job poorly and that the cancellation of the August 8 vote is a proof.

But the citizen vigilante who has been a critic of the former President said he has no doubt that Mahamas cynical advice to Mr. Odinga was informed by past decisions of the Kenyan Supreme Court.

READ ALSO: Mahama arrives in Kenya to monitor elections

"Coincidentally, the head of a group of the election observers is reported to be our own John Dramani Mahama whom activists of free, transparent and fair elections, and anti-corruption crusaders had accused during the 2016 Presidential election in Ghana of using his appointment powers under Articles 43 and 70 of our Constitution for a rigging agenda. Having won the 2012 Presidential elections by a razor thin edge vote of the Ghana Supreme Court, he was cynical in advising the losing party in the Kenyan elections to concede defeat or challenge the results in the Kenyan Supreme Court, in the belief that once incumbent Presidents are declared winners of an election their Supreme Courts normally docilely endorse the declarations of the Electoral Commission even in the face of the glaring rigging of the election.
The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said it had "reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed and continue to be committed in Burundi," pointing a finger at "the highest level of the state".

The three investigators, appointed by the Human Rights Council last September, described a "climate of fear" fuelled by violations including executions, torture and sexual violence.

Commission chair Fatsah Ouguergouz told reporters in Geneva that the abuses were part of a "general or systematic attack against the civilian population" that could be considered "state policy".

"We are struck by the scale and the brutality of the violations," Ouguergouz said in a statement.

Given Burundi's record of impunity and the "strong likelihood that the perpetrators of these crimes will remain unpunished," the investigators asked "the International Criminal Court to open an investigation... as soon as possible".

If it wants to follow that advice, the ICC will indeed need to move quickly: last year, Burundi formally announced it was withdrawing from the court, with the move set to take effect on October 27.

After that date, the ICC can only open a case if asked to do so by the Security Council.

President responsible?

Burundi plunged into a political crisis in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term that his opponents said was unconstitutional.

He won elections in July that year which were boycotted by the opposition.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in clashes in the country, according to UN and NGO sources. More than 400,000 people have fled and dozens of opposition activists have been forced into exile.

The commission stressed that the total number of violations is nearly impossible to estimate, but chairman Ouguergouz said the cases of torture and extrajudicial killings ran into the hundreds at least.

About 40 women interviewed for the report recounted being victims of sexual violence, he added.

The perpetrators included members of Burundi's National Intelligence Service, the police, military officials and members of the ruling party's youth league, the Imbonerakure, investigators said.

Nkurunziza himself, surrounded by a close-knit circle of "generals", was behind "big decisions, including ones that led to serious human rights violations," it said.

Armed opposition groups were also responsible for rights violations in Burundi, the report said, noting that these abuses had been more difficult to document.

List of perpetrators

The investigators were never permitted to enter Burundi, forcing them to conduct their probe from neighbouring countries, where they interviewed more than 500 victims and witnesses.

They said they were drafting a confidential list of suspected perpetrators of crimes against humanity, along with detailed information about the acts they are accused of committing or ordering.

The UN is prepared to share the list with any credible judicial body, the report said.

Monday's report meanwhile said that despite a range of abuses against the Tutsi minority, there was currently no evidence of genocide in Burundi, as widely feared.

But the commission said it remained deeply concerned by ethnically-loaded comments made by state and ruling party officials.

"While this discourse does not constitute direct incitement to commit genocide, it nonetheless contributes to create a climate of dangerous hatred and to terrorise the population, and could revive ethnic tensions," it warned.

Burundi suffered a civil war from 1993 until 2006 between majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, which claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.
Images: Mercedes Sayagues, Jose Forjaz

I LOVE BOATS, SAILING AND THE SEA, SAYS Mozambiques iconic architect Jose Forjaz. This project was meant for me.

He is talking about the Museum of Fisheries, the newest and lovely addition to Maputos unique urban fabric, at the entrance of the fishing harbour in the Baixa or Old City.

The street side is almost austere: whitewashed ground floor and a surprising cantilevered first storey, all glass and beams in rich, reddish wood. The ocean side cascades in organic forms, lapping the vertical rhythms of wood screens, ramps and spatial surprises.

Its charms unfold as you roam: clean lines, airy space cooled by sea breezes, gently rounded ceiling curving like a white sail, polished wood, glass walls linking sea, sky, harbour and city with 360 fishbowl transparency. The feel is maritime, channelling a dhow.

And yes, says Forjaz, there is a clear intention of evoking technologies and forms used in nautical construction, like the roof structure supported in what could be a dhows ribs  not as a caricature but as a poetic metaphor

The challenges were many: small space confined by the harbour, its docks and a busy street; large, open ground- floor required to display boats and aquariums; a tight budget; the need for an eco-friendly building with low operating costs and easy maintenance in one of the poorest countries; and sturdiness against sun, salt, humidity and wind.

Instead of corrosion-prone steel or expensive reinforced concrete, Forjaz chose resistant timber for the structure. Unusually for a museum, wood-frame windows open outwards manually, to allow natural light and ventilation with minimum energy consumption. The curved roof slopes downwards to let breeze and landscape in, but blocks direct sun on windows  an African imperative.

Along the ramps, a curving wooden palisade evokes the traditional fishing traps known as gamboa, exhibited inside. The museum houses some 3 000 traditional fishing artefacts, the passion of Manuel Goncalves, a fisheries official who began collecting 30 years ago.

Fish, food and income

Fishing is embedded in Mozambiques identity and economy. The country has a 2 700km-long coastline - Africas fourth longest - and 1 500 fish species, of which 400 have commercial value. Best known are its tasty prawns grilled with piri-piri (chilli) sauce.

About 350 000 Mozambicans work directly in fisheries; 850 000 households, or 20% of the 25-million population, depend on fishing for their livelihoods and food security. Fish provides half of the protein consumed, 5% of GDP and 2% of exports.

And most of it  a whopping 90% of the total annual catch  is artisanal fishing by men, women and children on the sea, from the shore and river banks, from boats or on foot, with nets, traps, spears and fishing lines.

Semi-industrial fishing accounted for 2% and industrial for 7% of the 213 000 tons caught in 2012, according to the Ministry of Fisheries. Mozambique exports shrimp, prawns and kapenta (Tanganyika sardine), and imports cheap mackerel from Namibia and South Africa.

One has only to step outside the museum to see how vital and how poorly organised the fishing sector is.

At about 4pm, dhows and small trawlers return with the days catch.

Rows of rickety wooden stalls on the sidewalk o er grouper, snapper, swordfish, prawns, crabs and clams. There is no shade, ice or refrigeration, no toilets and no public lighting, although the market is bustling until midnight with the help of small LED lights, kerosene lamps and cellphones. In the rainy season, huge puddles of stagnant water stink.

The sellers, women known as mamanas, are assertive, good-humoured, and so ready to cheat on weight that most customers bring their own hand scales. People from all walks of life shop here; the last are the resellers for greater Maputo, arguing late-night cheaper prices.

Drive 15km eastwards to the Aldeia dos Pescadores (Fishers Village). At low tide, dozens of dhows, motorised boats and canoes painted in bright colours are moored on the sand. Redeiros (net makers) repair nets on the beach. Women sell magumba, a sardine, Maputos cheap and popular source of protein.

Rodrigues Pacula, 29, a fourth-generation fisherman, has been working for 14 years, is married with three children and doesnt see a future in fishing. There is less and less fish, he says. Ten years ago, one boat would bring 30, 40, maybe 50 boxes of fish in one day. Now its 10, 15, maximum 20 boxes. And some days we bring nothing.

The reasons, he says, are climate change and too many fishing boats. In Maputo city alone, the number of fishing gear sets in use grew by one-third between 2008 and 2011, from 42 750 to 56 600. And the mesh holes got smaller, from 25mm to 20 or 15mm, catching ever-smaller fish and depleting stocks, says Pacula.

The boat owner takes half the catch; the rest is shared among the crew. A 10m boat involves eight crewmen, three redeiros and a manager - a dozen people to share the catch. Most crewmen dont work for money, just for fish.

My father bought a car with his earnings; I cant, says Pacula. As improvements, he mentions the three-mile exclusion zone from the shoreline for semi-industrial fishing vessels, and credit facilities for buying new engines and fishing gear.
The news comes little more than a month after Middleton appeared at Wimbledon with a new haircut  and it got one journalist thinking.

Kate Proctor, a political reporter for the Evening Standard, noticed that the Duchess of Cambridge has gone for a new look prior to announcing her pregnancy before.

Proctor speculated that this could be a ploy to keep the press focused on her head, rather than her midriff. She tweeted:

Pattern is Duchess of Cambr... @ Kate Proctor

So, Business Insider put Proctor's theory to the test. This is what we found:

First up, Middleton's most recent pregnancy. Here she is at a V&A museum exhibition on 29 June.

Four days later, Middleton's hair was noticeably shorter. She swapped her trademark long, glossy, coiffed tresses for a trendy "lob," which was styled with some relaxed beach waves.

Kensington Palace announced Middleton was expecting her third child on Monday.

Something similar happened before it was announced that she was pregnant with her first child, Prince George. On November 8, the Duchess of Cambridge attended a dinner with her trademark coiffed tresses.

Later in the month, on November 27, she arrived at the opening of The Natural History Museum's Treasures Gallery with a 70s-style long fringe. Plenty of reports noted this at the time, including this one in BuzzFeed.

Three days later, on December 3, 2012, St James's Palace announced Middleton was pregnant for the first time.

With her second pregnancy, there was arguably less of a dramatic new look, but she did appear to experiment on various occasions with different hair styles and hats.

Before it was announced she was expecting Princess Charlotte, she visited a school sporting a half-up-half-down style on July 1, 2014.

And the following month, she wore her hair half up again, this time with the addition of a hat.

Her pregnancy with Charlotte was announced on September 8, 2014.
A survey conducted by ConservativeHome has revealed that 52% of Conservative members wish to see the prime minister step down as Tory leader before the next general election.

Almost 10% of 1328 members polled think that May should resign now, while 36% thought that she should not resign.

This follows the prime minister's claim that she is "here for the long term" when asked whether she would lead the Tories into the next election last week.

May said: "I'm not a quitter," and "What me and my government are about is not just delivering on Brexit but delivering a brighter future for the UK."

This contrasted with her comments to the Conservative backbench 1922 committee following the disastrous general election result when she said she would stay "as long as you want me."

Despite speculation of her resignation being close, May has consolidated her position, aided by confusion about who her successor might be, and the fear amongst Conservatives that a change of leader would result in a potentially fatal general election occurring.

Paul Goodman, editor of ConservativeHome and former Tory MP said: "As matters stand, our judgement is that as matters stand she doesnt have enough backing within either Party members or Conservative MPs to see her words of last week through.

"However, there is no consensus at all within the Party on who should replace her, and most Tory MPs (and activists) dont want to risk another election soon. Which gives her the chance to rebuild her position, if she and her team can take it."

A poll for ConservativeHome in August found that Brexit secretary David Davis and backbench MP Jacob Rees-Mogg were favourites to be the next Tory leader.
Trump works in the West Wing as an unpaid adviser to her father, having previously been a Trump Organization executive vice president and the CEO of her namesake lifestyle brand.

Since moving to DC, Trump has prompted widespread speculation over the substance of her White House role, along with her effectiveness as a moderating influence on her father.

So what do her days look like now that she and her husband Jared Kushner work in the White House?

In 2015, before her father's presidency catapulted her to the realm of politics, Trump spoke with MyMorningRoutine.com about her typical routine. It's not clear how much of her daily schedule survived the move from Manhattan to DC, but Trump's habits of two years ago give us a good sense of what an average day might look like for her:

Trump told MyMorningRoutine.com that she usually gets up at 5:30 a.m. She said that she "can't break the habit" of checking her phone straightaway.

Source:

After getting out of bed, Trump said she takes eight minutes to do her makeup.

Source:

She then reads the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the front section of the New York Times.

Source:

Trump practices transcendental meditation, a method that's popular on Wall Street. Every morning, Trump said she meditates for about 20 minutes. "It's been invaluable in terms of calming my mind and allowing me to think more clearly," she said.

Source: ,

She told MyMorningRoutine.com that she wakes up her children  Arabella and Joseph  at 7 a.m. In 2015, her youngest child, Theodore, hadn't been born yet.

Source:

To avoid "decision fatigue," she said that she and her children eat either Greek yogurt and berries or oatmeal sprinkled with toppings like "chia seeds, berries, flax seed, goji berries, cinnamon, walnuts, and almonds."

Source:

At breakfast, Trump drinks a glass of water with a lemon and a coffee.

Source:

In 2017, Trump and her family moved into a house in the Kalorama neighborhood of DC for a reported $15,000 a month.

Source: ,

Back in New York City, she would exercise in her building's gym before work. Nowadays, Trump seems to be getting exercise by going on frequent jogs with her husband.

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In 2015, Trump said she typically gets into work between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Source:

Trump works in an office on the second floor of the West Wing, near White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn.

Source:

The Boston Globe reported that the space was considered "prime piece of office real estate" and was held specifically for the First Daughter.

Taking a call in the White ... @ ivankatrump

Source:

Since moving to DC, Trump has incurred criticism for everything from trademark deals with China, to taking her father's seat during the G-20 summit, to her statement to Fox and Friends explaining her wish to "stay out of politics." "Jared and Ivanka have been stung by the vitriol directed at them," Sarah Ellison writes in Vanity Fair.

Source:,,,

On the weekends, Trump and her family sometimes attend the Dupont Circle-area Orthodox synagogue, the Shul. In observance of the Sabbath, Trump and Kushner cannot drive or use phones from sunset on Friday until Saturday night.

I am grateful to have exper... @ ivankatrump

Source:

After work, Trump says she occasionally unwinds over wine and reality TV. "Sometimes I like turning on 'Real Housewives' and sitting in front of the TV, eating a giant bowl of pasta with a glass of wine," she wrote in "Women Who Work."

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More often, Trump spends her nights checking on her inbox. "I answer email at night  my goal is to achieve inbox zero before I go to bed," she told MyMorningRoutine.com. "Some days I'm successful, other days, less so. Regardless, I aim to wake up to a clean slate."

Source:

She said she tries to get to bed by 11:00 p.m. "but that doesnt always happen."
Olajide is facing a two-count charge of breach of peace and malicious damage.

The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Okunade, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 30 at White House, Bamgboye, Ado-Ekiti.

He said the accused conducted himself in a manner that breached the peace in Bamgboye area by using broken bottles and cutlass to pursue people around.

Okunade said the defendant also maliciously damaged a chair valued at N30, 000, property of Mr Smart Babatunde, the complainant.

The accused went to the complainants shop and damaged the chair, he said.

Okunade said that the offences contravened Sections 86 (1) and 451 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2012.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mrs Modupe Afeniforo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N20, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Reports have it that the victim was attempting to withdraw money at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) when the yet to be identified security agent attacked him.

He had simply refused to be bullied off the queue by the officer who had just arrived the bank and was reluctant to join the long line.

Here is the situation of things in clear terms. Nigerian policemen are a bunch of entitled brats who think their uniform should earn them special privileges.

Ponder on this example. You find yourself in a really slow traffic on Ikorodu road and then you suddenly hear a wailing siren getting really close.

You are tired and really not interested but it is 09:30 PM and you still have about two hours to get home. Being stuck in the hold-up for a long period made you feel like you need a distraction so you turn around on your tight seat to look.

Blimey! It is a group of security officers in a van trying to muscle their way out of the traffic. That is your Nigeria Police Force!

And you wonder why the LASTMA contingents never challenge them? Here is your answer - everything and anything that is dressed in a uniform is pretty much the same. The Army, Navy, Airforce; they will march you with their boots like the Akure policeman did to the civilian in question.

Never insist on your rights is what they are telling us but is that what their bosses have instructed? To victimize and intimidate the people they were sworn to protect?

Have you ever taken a wrong turn while driving in an area you are not familiar with and visiting for the first time? A Nigeria police officer will never let you go with a warning. Abi you don go?

Let's not kid ourselves. Nigeria is no America! There are road signs but they are not placed everywhere.

Even if they were, the street hawkers standing and selling used wares at the Ikeja bypass would have blocked your vision, preventing you from seeing what lies ahead until a policeman with a cane jumps in front of your car and declares that you have committed a traffic offence.

The obvious problem is that these so-called security personnel aren't getting the right training and evidently not being managed properly.

Part of the on-boarding procedure for anyone looking to join the force must include a psych evaluation and an etiquette test.

The truth is that these men are no different from an average Nigerian. They have an annoying landlord and get broke a bunch of times. They often resume their patrol duties on their poor mental state and the outcome is a no-brainer - intense hostility against civilians.

But not all their misdeeds are motivated by bad days. Most arms bearing agents are simply just psychopaths no different from the criminals they claim to be fighting.

They don't like to be questioned no matter how polite one addresses them.

These are the set of individuals that get in the news for domestic violence at their homes. They are the reasons why we have headlines like "Policeman stabs wife for serving late dinner ". These guys are just not right in the head.

Police officers should actually be role models. They should look smart and neat in their uniforms, be respectful and bring honour to the force.
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I arrived Weija, the hilly state of Ghana, at night and it totally swept me off my feet. I was a child all over again as we passed in between the hills.

Excitement written all over my face, I have never seen anything like it in my life. The state of Weija, where we stayed, reminds you of bliss. It wasn't the poshest part of Ghana, but it felt like a balm for a wounded soul.

Getting to Weija involved a much longer drive than our trip from Lagos to Togo, but the journey was completely worth it for the beauty of the destination.

Arriving at our destination you could tell Nigerians had touched it! Loud music was booming from a restaurant called 'Nigerians delight'.

That night I slept like a baby after eating Ghanaian 'Cabbage soup' and rice.

Next morning I hit the streets of Ghana. How we got to West Hills Mall, I have no idea. Our host Gabriel , Wilson and Daniel couldn't stop boasting about how that mall was the biggest in West Africa (didn't look that big to me though).

Monday I decided to try their local meal of Banku (fermented corn and cassava dough), let's just say Banku is not for me.

Tuesday, we went sightseeing at Jamestown.

Jamestown is like Nigeria's Ebute-Metta and Tarkwa Bay. Historical relics and monuments, fishermen and children who don't want to go to school.

My guide, Humphrey Ayee tells me Jamestown is a fishing community inhabited primarily by the Ga. It is a popular tourist destination for those seeking to see the remnants of Accra's colonial past.

The original Jamestown Light, built by the British at James Fort in 1871, was replaced in the 1930s by the current Accra Light, which is 28 m (92 ft) tall.

We take a stroll through the Jamesfort prison which contains the cell that KwameNkrumah was kept in (Founding Father of Ghana).

It is a bit run down but bits have been kept (wall charts containing prisoner details and chains).

The prison is almost 400 years old and was originally built for 200 slaves. It housed over 740 male and female prisoners till the year 2007.

We decided to take some days off and head to the beach. Part of our "Ghana rendezvous". Unlike Nigeria where you have to pay for everything, there was no gate fee for the beach.

One thing that struck me was the raving madness of the beach. It behaved like someone had snatched its child and cut off his head.

One thing is certain the ocean ain't friendly in Ghana (nothing peaceful and calm).

Before leaving Ghana we decided to pay a visit to Ghana's hot spot, Purple Bar. Words alone cannot describe this place full of American exchange students from the University of Ghana, Nigerians, Cameroonians, Liberians and even folks from Zimbabwe!

It was like a street carnival in Jamaica.
Images: Mercedes Sayagues, Jose Forjaz

Halfway between Nampula province and Maputo lies the port city of Beira and the 950 km-long Sofala bank, Mozambiques richest fishing grounds. Most industrial fishing is based here.

In spite of its fish wealth, Mozambique is not a significant player in the world fish market, says a USAID study, and one reason is lack of capital for private and public investment.

A recent attempt to found a Mozambican tuna-fishing fleet turned sour. In 2013, the government issued

a $850-million bond to buy 26 fishing boats and four patrol vessels in France for the newly-formed EMATUM (Mozambican Tuna Fishing Company), which is 33% owned by the state security services pension fund and by government. The deal bypassed parliament, and was much criticised by donors and the opposition for its lack of transparency and high interest-rates (LIBOR +6.5%), to be repaid within seven years.

Elections were held at the end of 2014. In July this year the new finance minister described the bond as a bad deal. Having ballooned to $980-million and accounting for 13% of the national foreign debt, it had to be renegotiated. Citing EMATUMs distressed debt exchange, credit-rating agency Standard & Poor downgraded Mozambiques long-term rating from B to B-.

Instead of the trumpeted $200-million annual earnings, EMATUM posted losses of $35-million for 2013-2014. Mozambique doesnt even have trained crews for this fleet.

Meanwhile, the threat of Somali pirates sharply reduced foreign fishing, legal or illegal, in the Indian Ocean. But that danger receded in 2013, thanks to international patrolling using vessels and drones, and unscrupulous foreign trawlers are back in East Africa the worlds richest tuna fishing grounds, with shark and swordfish as well.

The 2014 Africa Progress Report: Grain Fish Money, by an expert group chaired by former UN chief Ko Annan, describes how Africa is losing billions to illegal and shadowy [fishing] practices. West Africa loses as much as $1.3-billion annually. In Senegal, losses amount to 2% of GDP.

Why? The report lists limited monitoring and tracking capabilities, poor domestic governance, corruption and links between politically IN

connected elites and fishing companies. The pay, fish, go system controls the number of vessels but not the volume of catches. One large trawler catches 250 tons of fish in a single day, the same amount that 50 pirogues catch in one year.

Africa is at the epicentre between sustainable management and unsustainable mining of marine fisheries, says the report.

Some 130 foreign fishing vessels from the EU, China and Japan pay Mozambique about $4.1-million in annual licence fees. Foreign ships dont employ Mozambican seamen and dont dock at Mozambican ports, preferring the efficient ports in Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.

On 22 July the Minister for Sea, Inland Water and Fisheries, Agostinho Mondlane, told parliament that foreign fishing vessels declare some 5 000 tons of catches but might well catch six times as much.

Telling the story

Back in Maputo, the museums director, Larsen Augusto Vales, a fisheries official who for 12 years dreamed of displaying this collection, is proud to preserve our cultural heritage.

Indeed, the artefacts have a handsome home. What it is missing is a coherent narrative that links the reed traps and sails inside to the mamanas and boats outside.

The building is contemporary in design, but the exhibition concept is traditional and static, its gaze turned towards the past. Fisheries conservation, management, social and economic context get short shrift. There is little interactivity - essential for its key public, urban students - except chatting to the guides.
He decried the level of devastation and destruction caused by flood and other environmental challenges in the state.

The governor said that the ecological challenges ranged from collapsed bridges, culverts, destruction of roads, farmlands and houses, among others.

Ortom said that erosion sites could be found in Guma, Makurdi, Tarka, Gboko, Obi, Otukpo, Ukum, Kastina-Ala and other areas.

He said that River Benue and River Kastina-Ala needed to be dredged as a major measure to control flooding in the state.

We are really handicapped with the situation. We need funds to build massive waters channels and big drains for uninterrupted water flow to River Benue.

We want to assure the Federal Government that every fund given to the state would be judiciously used in addressing the flood and environmental challenges, Ortom said.

The governor directed those living along the water channels to relocate on or before the first quarter of 2018 or their houses would be demolished.

Earlier, in his address, the minister of state, called for the enforcement of town planning regulations across the country to check the incidence of flooding.

Jibril advised that town planning regulations should be fully enforced to address some ecological issues such as flooding in the country.

He said that the regulations would prevent people from building on water drains to ensure uninterrupted water flow along the drains.

Jibril said that the Federal Government would introduce emergency measures that will evacuate people easily and quickly during disasters.

According to him, it is not easy to completely relocate people away from their ancestral homes.

We may not be able to relocate people completely from flood-prone areas, but we can provide basic emergency measures to assist victims immediately during disasters, the minister said.

He described the Benue flood incident as an urgent national issue that needs to be addressed.

Jibril said that he was in the state on the Presidents directive to inspect the ecological challenges that led to the flood disaster and report back to him.

He said that one of the causes of flood was climate change and commended the Benue Government for its efforts so far in addressing the issues.

He said that the ministry would provide technical expertise to Benue State Government for effective control of ecological challenges.
In a report by Punch, the Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), revealed how the Benue States N16.6bn was allegedly diverted fraudulently by ex-Special Adviser to Suswam on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Solomon Wombo and two others.

Wombo, who also doubled as the Chairman, Joint Allocation Account for Local Government Committee in the state, is joined in the suit alongside ex-Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Asen Sambe and Director of Accounts and Finance in the states Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary, Isiah Ipevnor.

The money was allegedly diverted from Benue States bank accounts for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme and the Joint Allocation Account for Local Government funds.

In an allegations contained in the nine counts of fraud and money laundering filed by the AGF through the Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice in the Federal Ministry of Justice, the case against the three suspects was filed before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on August 1, 2017 with case number FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2017.

Suswam's aide and other state officials allegedly diverted the sum of N16,604,314,604.01 belonging to the 23 local government areas of Benue State between June 27, 2011 and May 29, 2015, the day Suswam completed his second term in office.

It was also reported that out of the N16.6bn, the suspects allegedly, between June 15, 2012 and May 29, 2015, diverted N7,032,333,506.28 from the states SURE-P Local Government component bank account into the account of the Benue State Local Government Joint Account with the aim of concealing the money and for their own personal benefits.

The suspects were also said to have, between June 27, 2011 and May 29, 2015, diverted the sum of N5,342,028,098.73, paid into the state Local Government Joint Account by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

They were also alleged to have, between June 15, 2012 and May 29, 2015, diverted another sum of N4,230,953,000 from the states Local Government Joint Account into the Benue State Association of Local Government of Nigeria with the aim of concealing the money being property derived directly from corruption.
The governor gave the commendation on Sunday in Ilorin when the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari paid him Sallah homage.

Ahmed described the agricultural programme of the Federal Government as a focal point for diversification of the Nigerian economy.

The governor, who noted that the youths in the state have embraced agriculture, said the state had since commenced sustainable agricultural programme under the Off-Taker Demand Driven Scheme.

He said that this was to translate agriculture into wealth creation for the teeming youths.

Gov. Ahmed urged Local Government Transition Implementation Committees (TIC) in the state and the in-coming local government authorities to embrace agriculture as a major economic activity for driving the economic affairs of their areas.

According to him, reliance on federation allocation and 10 per cent of state IGR was no longer enough to support activities in the councils.

Ahmed challenged the local government councils, especially those in urban areas, to take advantage of their environment to improve their IGR in order to be able to pay the salaries of their workers and meet other necessary obligations.

Our administration will continue to service its people in terms of Human Capital Development and provision of sustainable Infrastructure across the state.

The road construction programme will resume immediately after the rainy season, Gov. Ahmed said.

Earlier, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari commended the governor for the development across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the killing to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi, said Toechukwu was shot by assailants on Saturday evening.

He said the deceased was robbed at gun point in his house at the close of business.

Yamu said that the robbers had trailed him from his shop to his house at Nyiman where they dispossessed him of cash and other valuables.

He said the deceased, however, died on Sunday morning at a private hospital where he was receiving treatment.

The PPRO said the police were yet to establish the motive for the killing but said investigations were in top gear to bring the killers to book.
Dr Jones Taiwo, the Head of Clinical Services (HCS) of FMC Lokoja told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Sunday that the female patient had been transferred to Irua General Hospital in Edo for further test to confirm if her disease was Lassa fever.

He, however, said that clinical tests carried out by FMC showed symptoms of Lassa fever on the patient.

The Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, told NAN that the female patient had been confirmed positive of Lassa fever at the Irua General Hospital where she was transferred to.

Audu added that the states Rapid Response Team (RRT) was on top of the situation to curtail the spread of the disease.

He added that it is a sad incident but our RRT has commenced thorough contact tracing and monitoring.

Community sensitisation and education is currently ongoing and by Gods grace, we hope to arrest the spread of the disease.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally created heavy human and vehicular traffic long Afikpo and old Enugu roads, among others.

Acting state APC Chairman, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, who addressed the rally, commended party faithful and other teeming supporters of APC for turning out in their large numbers for the rally.

We thank God for the recovery of Mr President from his sickness and successful return from the medical vacation in London to resume his normal duty as president.

The overwhelming crow that attended the rally is a clear indication that Ebonyi is indeed an APC state and by massively attending this solidarity rally is another indication of the love Ebonyi people have for our president and his populist government.

This is the third time APC in Ebonyi is organising this type of rally to demonstrate its love, support and loyalty for Buhari and APC led central government, Nwachukwu said.

He said that the rally was also to drum support for the people  oriented programmes and policies of the present administration, stressing that the anti- graft war of the administration had redeemed the battered image of the country at the international community.

We have witnessed tremendous live-transforming programmes and policies which are impacting positively on the lives of the ordinary citizens, including job creation, economic repositioning, infrastructure, anti-graft and fight against insecurity, among others.

We are calling for more support for Mr President while urging him to avail himself for 2019 to enable him consolidate on the many achievements so far recorded by his administration.

We want to reiterate that Ebonyi is an APC state and that we pledge our unalloyed and unflinching support and loyalty to the President and Commander  in  Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  Nwachukwu added.
Their arrival has piled yet more pressure on already overcrowded camps in Bangladesh and raised fears of a humanitarian crisis as aid agencies struggle to cope with the influx of mainly women and children.

Around 20,000 more were massed on the border waiting to enter, the UN said in a report.

Dhaka stepped up border controls after the latest round of violence, but one Bangladeshi border guard told AFP the sheer number of people desperate to enter the country from Myanmar's western state of Rakhine had made it impossible to keep them out.

"It is bigger than the last time," said the guard, who asked not to be named, referring to the influx of refugees that followed an outbreak of violence last October.

"If it continues then we will face serious problems. But it's impossible to stop the flow: these people are everywhere."

Many of the new arrivals lacked shelter from the heavy monsoon rains, and an AFP reporter said hundreds of new makeshift shelters had sprung up on the outskirts of the existing camps in recent days.

"It has been raining frequently since last week. We have to keep our children safe from being sick," said Amena Begum, a newly arrived mother of five.

Rakhine has been a crucible of religious violence since 2012, when riots erupted. Scores of Rohingya were killed and tens of thousands of people -- most of them from the Muslim minority -- were forced into displacement camps.

But the current round of fighting, which broke out when Rohingya militants ambushed security installations, is the worst yet.

Myanmar's army has said nearly 400 people have died in the fighting that ensued, including 370 Rohingya militants.

'Shameful treatment'

On Monday the office of Myanmar's de facto leader Suu Kyi said the military had fought 90 separate clashes with Rohingya militants since the ambushes.

In a statement it said more than 2,600 homes had been destroyed in Rohingya villages and 138 houses had been destroyed in non-Muslim villages -- blaming the fires and other damage entirely on the militants.

Suu Kyi is under increasing fire over her perceived unwillingness to speak out against the treatment of the Rohingya, who are viewed as interlopers in Myanmar.

The Nobel peace laureate, a former political prisoner of Myanmar's junta, has made no public comment since the latest fighting broke out.

"Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment," Pakistani activist and fellow Nobel peace prize laureate Malala Yousafzai said in a statement about the Rohingya crisis on Twitter.

"I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same."

The crisis threatens Myanmar's diplomatic relations, particularly with Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia where there is profound public anger at the treatment of the Rohingya.

Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi met Suu Kyi as well as Myanmar's army chief General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Monday to press for greater efforts to alleviate the crisis.

Bangladesh, already home to an estimated 400,000 Rohingya before the latest influx, has also come in for international criticism for pushing people back to Myanmar.

Rights groups say this is a contravention of its international obligations.

On Monday officials on the small island of St Martin's nine kilometres (around six miles) off Bangladesh's coast said authorities had forced 2,011 Rohingya seeking refuge there to leave.

Elected official Farid Ahmed said children were among the refugees who were rounded up on Sunday evening before being taken back to Myanmar by boat.

"Rohingya children were crying. But it is the government order. What can we do?" Ahmed told AFP.

"They (Rohingya) said, where should we go? They (Myanmar forces) were killing us there. Our houses were burnt. They were firing at us."

Scores of people have drowned while attempting to flee the violence, which also killed or displaced ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and other tribal groups allegedly targeted by Rohingya militants.
"It's very important for two member states, for the EU and for the region as such that the ruling of the arbitration is respected and implemented fully," the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on the sidelines of a western Balkans conference in the Slovenian lake resort of Bled.

"It's important... to show to the rest of the region that rules are to be respected," she added.

The area under dispute is a tranquil bay on the northern Adriatic Sea, where the medieval buildings of the southwestern Slovenian town of Piran tumble down to a sleepy port.

But the bay is also shared by Croatia, and the dispute over where the sea borders should be drawn has poisoned relations between the neighbours since they both declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

In 2009, the two countries signed an EU-supported deal to allow the arbitration court in The Hague to solve the row over the 13 square kilometres (five square miles) of largely uninhabited land and Piran Bay.

Zagreb had only agreed to join the proceedings after Ljubljana lifted its veto in 2009 to Croatia's accession to the European Union. But it pulled out again in 2014 following a phone tapping scandal.

Zagreb insists it does not recognise the June ruling, which awarded Slovenia uninterrupted access to international waters as well as a larger stake of the Piran bay, currently divided in half by the warring neighbours.

European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans warned Monday that Brussels "will insist with both parties that the implementation... is the best possible outcome of this process".
Sunday's prime-time TV clash had been billed as Schulz's last chance to sway millions to his cause and halt a devastating popularity slide.

But polls following the 90-minute showdown gave Merkel the clear edge over Schulz, a former European Parliament chief.

"Merkel came out as sure, Schulz was hardly able to land a punch. The candidate is an honourable man. But being honourable alone won't make one chancellor," wrote Sueddeutsche daily commentator Heribert Prantl.

With millions of voters still undecided, Schulz had been looking to the debate to erode the commanding 17-percentage point lead of Merkel's CDU party and their Bavarian CSU allies ahead of the September 24 polls.

Schulz, who had previously complained that Merkel was lulling voters to sleep with her refusal to engage in combative debate, went on the offensive quickly on the hot-button issue of migration.

He accused Merkel of failing to coordinate plans with EU neighbours when she decided to open Germany's borders in 2015 to allow in refugees, many from war-torn Syria and Iraq.

But Merkel was not rattled, countering that: "In the life of a chancellor, there are moments when you have to make a quick decision."

And as Schulz voiced his wish to end EU membership talks with Turkey amid escalating tensions with Ankara, Merkel stole the issue from under his feet as she said she did not "see them ever joining" the bloc.

Together with EU counterparts, she will examine if "we can end these membership talks", Merkel added.

Merkel's tough line comes after Ankara arrested two more German nationals for "political reasons", according to Berlin.

The plunge in bilateral relations began after Germany sharply criticised Ankara over the crackdown that followed last year's failed coup attempt there.

'Stiff and dowdy'

Opinion polls following the programme showed a clear victory for Merkel, with public broadcaster ARD saying 55 percent found her more convincing while 35 percent plumped for Schulz.

An ZDF survey was closer but still had Merkel ahead with 32 percent, against 29 percent who thought Schulz performed better.

Merkel "appeared to be more competent than in any previous duel. She was not brilliant, but sure. Schulz, on the other hand, was so stiff and dowdy, like Merkel was in previous duels," wrote Prantl.

Munich's Merkur daily also noted that "in an increasingly uncertain world which is led by testosterone-filled leaders, people don't know what Schulz wants. But they know what Merkel can do."

Members of Merkel's party feted the results, with Julia Kloeckner tweeting: "Angela Merkel: Stateswoman. Schulz: election candidate."

But Schulz's Social Democrats equally applauded the man who is known to be a fiery orator.

Manuela Schwesig, Mecklenburg-Pommerania state premier said: "Martin Schulz has shown that he can be chancellor."

Sunday's so-called "television duel" between the election campaign's two leading candidates is a highlight of Germany's electoral campaign season.

A poll published earlier Sunday by Bild am Sonntag said close to 30 percent of Germans believe that the TV debate would have a strong impact on the campaign, while 52 percent thought it would only have limited impact.

Having already fought three previous general elections, the famously cautious Merkel is no stranger to the TV format.
"An investigation has been launched and we are not ruling out terrorism because this attack is not a normal robbery," regional police chief Larry Kieng told journalists of the shooting in the town of Ukunda.

The area in the far southeast of the country has largely escaped the attacks waged by the Islamist Shabaab group in Kenya and neighbouring Somalia.

Kieng said the assailants shot at the officers and grabbed their guns, killing one on the spot while the other died in hospital.

Since May, more than 20 police officers and a similar number of civilians have been killed in a resurgence of attacks in Kenya, including roadside bombings.

Ukunda, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of the main port of Mombasa, has an airport used by the many tourists visiting Kenya's southern coast, including the popular beaches of Diani and Tiwi.
Since April 2014, BBC Burmese broadcast a daily news programme on MNTV with 3.7 million daily viewers.

On Monday the BBC said it was ending the deal after MNTV censored or pulled multiple programmes since March this year.

"The BBC cannot accept interference or censorship of BBC programs by joint-venture TV broadcasters as that violates the trust between the BBC and its audience," a report the BBC's Burmese website said.

The BBC statement did not detail what content was censored and MNTV did not respond to requests for comment.

But an official at the local channel said they objected to the BBC's use of the word "Rohingya" in their reports.

"That's why we cannot broadcast their service," the employee said, asking not to be named.

The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority in Myanmar's western Rakhine who face severe state-sanctioned persecution and have fled in droves in recent years.

Most international media call them Rohingya because the community has long self-identified that way.

But Myanmar's government -- and most local media -- call them Bengalis, portraying them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite many living in the country for generations.

Hopes had been high that the new government of democracy icon Suu Kyi would usher in an era of free speech when they took power last year after half a century of military rule.

Suu Kyi was confined for years to a lakeside Yangon house under the junta but used to listen to the World Service and its Burmese language offshoot on her radio.

Yet since coming to power in landslide elections, her civilian-led government has frequently clashed with the media over their coverage.

Defamation prosecutions have also soared, increasingly targeting social media satirists, activists and journalists.

A major bone of contention with foreign media is coverage of Rakhine state, which has been under an army crackdown since a small group of Rohingya militants attacked police border posts last October.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh while smaller numbers of Buddhist refugees have headed in the opposite direction.

The UN believes the military's response to the militant attacks in Rakhine may amount to ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya.

Suu Kyi's government have denied reports of atrocities, refusing visas to UN officials charged with investigating the allegations.
The massive explosion, which Pyongyang claimed was a miniaturised hydrogen bomb, has put the region on edge and raised questions about how Beijing will respond to its neighbour's latest provocation.

China "launched stern representations with the person in charge of the DPRK embassy in China", foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing, using an acronym for the North's official name.

"China opposes the DPRK in carrying out nuclear missile development and we are committed to denuclearisation of the peninsula. This position is well-known and the DPRK also knows this position perfectly well," he said.

"The DPRK must be very clear about that, so we hope all parties -- especially the DPRK side -- could exercise restraint and refrain from further escalating the tensions."

Geng did not say whether Beijing, which has long been hesitant to put excessive economic pressure on Pyongyang, would support further sanctions on the regime.

North Korea's announcement of Sunday's test brought strong condemnation from the international community.

The blast was five times larger than the last test a year ago, according to South Korea, and could be felt in Chinese cities hundreds of kilometres from the North's border.

Beijing is Pyongyang's only significant ally and crucial trade partner. It is considered a critical player in efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon its weapons programmes.

It has expressed strong condemnation of Sunday's test, carried out hours before Chinese president Xi Jinping was set to deliver a major speech at a gathering of BRICS nations in southern China.

The US has pushed China to take a tougher stance on North Korea.

On Sunday US President Donald Trump tweeted that he was "considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea".

Geng bristled at the suggestion.

"What is definitely unacceptable to us is that on the one hand we work so hard to peacefully resolve this issue, and on the other hand our interests are sanctioned and jeopardised," he said.
"The peninsula issue must be resolved peacefully. China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula."

His appeal was echoed by Russia, which said that diplomatic negotiations were the only way to settle the crisis over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said there was "an urgent need to maintain a cool head and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions."

Russia backs China's proposal for a freeze on North Korea's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley however rejected the proposal as "insulting" and said it was time to ratchet up the pressure on North Korea by enacting the "strongest possible measures."

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't," she declared.

Russia and China did not specify whether they would support additional sanctions on North Korea.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting after North Korea detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.
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Taipei, Sept. 4 (CNA) The Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) under the Cabinet, on Monday defended its decision to designate more than NT$ 116.2 million (US$ 3.8 million) of its fiscal year 2018 budget as classified, arguing that the decision was taken to safeguard the national interest in the face of diplomatic difficulties.
Posters of beautiful, smiling children soon will line Moline streets along the route of the Gabes Gift Memorial 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run.

This Saturday, at the third annual event, we remember the children who were taken from their families too soon by cancer, including one little boy in particular: Gabe.

Gabe Perkins, 7, of Moline, died Aug. 12, 2010, of a stage 4 rare childhood cancer of the abdomen, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. He would have turned 8 on Sept. 6.

Tomorrow, he would have been 15.

In conjunction with National Childrens Cancer Awareness month and Gabes birthday, his parents, Leslie and Matt, began the race to generate funds so families could attend Camp Sunshine in Maine. The only one in the nation of its kind, Camp Sunshine offers respite, recreation and support while enabling hope and promoting joy for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

It takes them through the various stages of a childs illness, including the grieving process. The Perkins family attended in 2013.

We have been blessed by a wonderful community, which has continued to support us over the years during Gabriel's battle with cancer and since he died in 2010, said Matt Perkins, a teacher for Moline schools.

This event is our way to keep Gabe's memory alive, as well as give back to help local families that have endured losing their babies to cancer like we have.

Mr. Perkins credits the Moline-Coal Valley School District for the ongoing support during and after Gabes illness. "The staff and students of the district help make this event successful, he said.

This year, the Perkins family hopes to raise enough money to purchase airline tickets to send two families to the free camp.

Mr. Perkins hopes to grow race participation so they also can raise funds for cancer research. We eventually hope that a cure is found, and we dont lose any more children to cancer, he said. Our little race may be small, but we hope to make it bigger and bigger and continue to keep the memories of our children alive. We want to do whatever we can to help others.

Showcasing the many faces of children who have been affected by cancer makes participants realize how many young lives have been lost to the horrible disease. At the same time, Mr. Perkins said participants help families cope with their loss.

It is an event for an entire family to gather, enjoy and make a difference, he said. I am a runner, and have enjoyed seeing others take part in the day of togetherness, reflection and celebration.
EFFINGHAM, Ill. (AP)  At a peaceful Vietnam protest in 1971, Anita Renshaw, of Strasburg, was given a silver "missing in action" bracelet with Joseph Smith's name on it. She's kept it with her ever since, even though she didn't know him.

"I just couldn't let go of it," said Renshaw, now 68. "I was thinking, 'Someday, I'll hear something.'"

It took 46 years for that to happen. News about Smith finally came in July. On the front page of the Effingham Daily News, Renshaw read that the man she had kept in mind for so many years had been found and his remains would be returned to his hometown of Assumption.

"I went, 'No. No way. That can't be Joseph Smith,'" she said.

Smith, 25, was lost after his F-100D aircraft plummeted from the sky into Cambodia on April 4, 1971. Because the crash happened near intense enemy activity, a recovery operation wasn't attempted. In May, his remains had finally been accounted for.

During the Vietnam War, MIA bracelets were distributed to remember lost servicemen. Over the years, Renshaw wore her bracelet or kept it in a glass jewelry case. Even throughout her many moves, the bracelet traveled with her.

"You would've thought it'd get lost," she said.

With Smith no longer missing, Renshaw decided to part with the MIA bracelet. On Aug. 9, she delivered it to the Assumption Historical Society.

"I was kind of depressed and I thought, 'What is wrong with me?'" she said. "I knew some day I'd have to give it up, but actually doing it is a big difference. It's kind of bittersweet."

A second MIA bracelet arrived at the society in August. It was worn by Special Agent Paul J. Russell for 20 years. He, like Renshaw, never met Smith. Russell died June 1, a month before Smith's remains were returned and buried in Assumption.

At the society's building, letters, photos, and newspaper articles tell Smith's story. The two new MIA bracelets will undoubtedly help with that now.

"It's amazing you still have the bracelet and could find it after all these years," president Joyce Throneburg told Renshaw. "I really appreciate this. It helps round out our display."
CHICAGO  Volunteers in Chicago have returned from Houston with 43 cats and dogs that their owners in flood-damaged Houston felt they had no choice but to give up for good.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports volunteers from PAWS Chicago spent three days in Houston and returned Sunday with the animals in three vans.

Volunteer Mark Lukas says the owners were tearful about parting with their pets. But he says the owners themselves no longer had homes and were happy the animals, including puppies and kittens, would find shelter.

The volunteers were moved by the support the received in Texas. Customers at one restaurant collected money to pay for the volunteers' dinner.

Most of the animals require some medical treatment, including for skin diseases. Once treated, they'll be available for adoption.
The groups board, which will hold its first meeting in the next few days, will be formed of senior representatives from each organisation, and will be chaired by Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.

NR says the board will bring track and train closer together allowing us to work as a whole industry to drive improvements. Freight operators are not yet part of the group, but they have been invited, and NR says discussions are underway on how they might be represented.

Britains railway is ever more important for economic growth so, working together, we are determined to deliver more for customers and communities across the country, says Mr Rob McIntosh, managing director of NRs London, North Eastern and East Midlands route. The board will work together with one voice to best represent the customers the length of the ECML.
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'The RBI risks becoming dangerously weakened, as successive governments and finance ministers have misunderstood its role'.

Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan has reiterated his concerns over the bureaucracy impinging on the powers of the central bank.

He has also said it should be made clear that the RBI chief is not just another bureaucrat.

There is a danger in keeping the position (of the RBI governor) ill defined, because the constant effort of the bureaucracy is to whittle down its powers, the 23rd RBI governor has written in his book, I Do What I Do.

This is not a recent phenomenon... the former governor has written. The RBI risks becoming dangerously weakened, as successive governments and finance ministers have misunderstood its role.

The RBI governor, as the technocrat with the responsibility for the nations economic risk management, is not simply another bureaucrat or regulator, and efforts to belittle the position by bringing it into the bureaucratic hierarchy are misguided, Rajan wrote, adding: Clarity about the RBIs role, and a clearer assertion of its independence, would be in the nations interest.

This is probably the first time Rajan has spoken so clearly on the issue, highlighting a clear divide between the finance ministry and the RBI.

In the section quoted above, he has clarified some points he made in his last speech as RBI governor on September 3, 2016, at St Stephens College in Delhi.

In that speech, Rajan had said, it was dangerous to have a de facto powerful position with low de jure status.

Rajan has also elaborated on the lack of a clear definition of the central bank governors position in the government.

The governors salary was at par with that of Cabinet secretary and he was appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the finance minister.

The governors rank in the government hierarchy is not defined but it is generally agreed that decisions will be explained only to the prime minister and the finance minister, he had said in his speech.

None of this, including the informal understanding of having the powers to make decisions for macroeconomic stability, should be changed, he had said.

He added if these issues were ever revisited, there may be some virtue in explicitly setting the governors rank commensurate with her position as the most important technocrat in charge of economic policy in the country.

In his book, Rajan also touched upon his interview, in which he compared Indias economic rise in a weak global environment as something like in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

It was greeted with controversy.

Rajan, in his book, writes he was finally fed up of perhaps the motivated search for controversy.

He later clarified his usage of the phrase in a subsequent speech, but even that speech was also somewhat misinterpreted.

Rajan reveals in his book that he thought there was no need to clarify further. Those who did not wish to understand could not be forced to do so.

The former RBI governor has written that had he known his Hitler remark on a speech would turn out to be so controversial, he would have never used the analogy and in no way was it connected to any specific administration.

In an honest admission, Rajan writes his first speech after assuming office, in which he underlined a reforms agenda and opened up a scheme of dollar deposits from non-resident Indians, was a facade of confidence to assure the public and investors that the RBI knew what had to be done.

The purpose was to send out a message that India had strong institutions like the RBI that could push reforms forward even when Parliament was stalled, and international investors should not write India off.

The message worked and the rupee, which had breached its record low of 68.87 a dollar a month before, stabilised and started strengthening.

In the book, Rajan is also candid about demonetisation and said he was not party to the decision.

He claims to have warned the government that the short-term cost of demonetisation would outweigh the long-term benefits and that there were better ways of achieving the same objective, without banning notes outright.

Rajan was then asked to prepare a note, which the RBI put together.

It outlined the potential costs and benefits of demonetisation, as well as alternatives that could achieve similar aims.

If the government, on weighing the pros and cons, still decided to go ahead with demonetisation, the note outlined the preparation that would be needed, and the time that preparation would take.

The RBI flagged what would happen if preparation was inadequate.

The government then set up a committee, attended by the deputy governor in charge of currency, to consider the issues. At no point during my term was the RBI asked to make a decision on demonetisation, Rajan writes.

Rajan demitted office on September 3, 2016. Demonetisation was announced on November 8.

This indicates, even at best, the RBI under Rajans successor, Urjit Patel, would have got a maximum of two months to prepare for demonetisation.

The period could, in fact, be much less, considering the secrecy required to make it a success.

In its annual report, the RBI has claimed that out of currency with value of Rs 15.44 lakh crore that was banned, Rs 15.28 lakh crore was back in the banking system.

This has sparked a nationwide debate on whether demonetisation was a success or a failure.

In an interview on September 3, Rajan said the exercise might not have been a success after all.

Dealing with bad debts, Rajan said, it was not easy to convince banks to take the task head on.

The pillar where we made the least progress, despite the involvement of the best and the brightest in the RBI, was in getting the banks to recognise financial distress and deal with it.

Photograph: Mark Theiler/Reuters
Brands in India are finding newer, more innovative ways to engage with a wider audience during festivals. But they still have a long way to go before they match global campaigns.

T E Narasimhan and Aneesh Phadnis report.

This Ganpati made out of auto parts sponsored by Ford India was quite the attraction at Oberoi Mall in Mumbai this Ganeshotsav.

Photograph: @nishant.sudhakaran/Facebook.com.

Inside the anodyne glass and chrome structure of Oberoi Mall, located off a busy highway in the western suburbs of Mumbai is a six-and-a-half feet high idol of Ganapati, the elephant-headed god worshipped as the remover of all obstacles. Made entirely out of auto spare parts, the idol sponsored by Ford India has turned into a major attraction at the mall drawing in ubiquitous selfie-addicts in droves.

In Pune, Vodafone India has, in partnership with the Pune Municipal Corporation, set up eco-ponds, a temporary water tank set-up equipped with a promoter and a life guard at its eight stores across the city.

In Mumbai's central business district, Parel, the five-star property ITC Grand Central has announced a special package which has thrown in a one-on-one with the deity at one of the most popular Ganapati pandals in the city at Lalbaug.

As is now the norm, brands are using the ongoing festival to engage with a wider audience.

However, the brand turnout for 2017 seems weaker in comparison with that witnessed during the previous seasons.

Experts point to numerous reasons for the apparent disenchantment.

Apart from the dampened economic outlook and anxiety around the newly imposed GST, brands are also experiencing festival fatigue, they said. There is a multiplicity of occasions today, and the noise around special days, sales weeks, local festivals and other national events has amplified to the extent that the uniqueness of association that brands once looked for has been lost.

Special occasions such as the ongoing Ganesh festival and the upcoming Dussehra/ Durga Puja and Diwali are sought out by brands because they help incorporate the product or service into the consumers' cultural timeline. It helps break through the clutter on digital and television media too.

The Ford Ganapati, for instance, said Saurabh Makhija, general manager, sales for Ford India is meant to drive home the auto brand's thrust towards safety and ease of service. In this way the brand looks to connect the broad message of safety and responsibility with the festival and with its own messaging.

"Having expanded the distribution of spare-parts through retail stores, we have not only ensured that genuine parts are always within customers' reach, but also the convenience of getting the car serviced wherever they want," Makhija added.

Bringing in a social message works well for brands in the digital age, it increases the share-ability of the message and, thereby, conversations on social media.

The challenge is differentiation said Sandeep Goyal, a Mumbai-based brand consultant. This forces brands to look for ways in which they can stand out and apart from each other.

"Of the 10 advertisements, nearly nine are getting lost because of similarity," he said.

And if marketers are creative enough, such occasions can be a trigger, he said.

Another challenge is getting maximum value out of the engagement.

Since the engagement is local and limited to a small area, digital helps brands address the cost factor, as short campaigns are cheap plus ensure traction added Goyal.

Consider the Vodafone initiative in Pune, for instance. By going local with its initiative, the brand is appealing to the community of subscribers in the region and by associating with an environment friendly cause, ensuring that the message spreads beyond the city and the festival, say experts.

Ashish Chandra, business head, Maharashtra & Goa Circle, Vodafone India said, "Ganeshotsav is one of the most celebrated festivals in Pune, and being the 125th anniversary this year, it makes it even more special."

The festival season is usually a dull one for business travel and that is what ITC Grand Central is hoping to change with a special package that includes a visit to the biggest idol in Mumbai.

"Business travel is usually sluggish during this season on account of festive long weekends. However, there seems to be an upward trend this year with innovative staycation packages," said Kerman Lalkaka, general manager, ITC Grand Central.

Harish Bijoor, a Bengaluru based brand consultant, said that festival occasions have not been capitalised enough by marketers. Indian companies are not as innovative with occasion-led branding as some of their global counterparts have been, according to several advertising veterans.
Five Star Business Finance is in the business of providing loans to MSME entrepreneurs. Gireesh Babu finds out more about the company that plans to grow to 3,000 crore by 2020.

Rajkumar, who sells saris door to door in Chennai, was finding it difficult to get a loan. While he had enough cash flow and employed four people, banks were reluctant to give him a loan.

That is when Five Star Business Finance stepped in, and offered him a 10 lakh business loan and later provided him a 25 lakh housing loan.

Chennai-based Five Star Business Finance is in the business of providing loans to entrepreneurs like Rajkumar.

It is a small-ticket business and housing finance company that provides secured loans to MSME customers such as shop owners, small restaurants, textile stores, bakery outlets, machine shop operators and self-employed people. It also provides loans for home improvement to MSME customers.

According to D Lakshmipathy, chairman and managing director of Five Star Business Finance, it is playing a niche role in serving the large number of small enterprises that are not catered to by most of the formal financial services companies.

It has raised its latest round of funding of 333 crore from investors led by Norwest Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, Matrix Partners and Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia. The capital is expected to help the company grow to 3,000 crore by 2020.

Five Star Business Finance has been putting in place various strengths, including expertise in assessing cash flows and underwriting credit. Once it perfected this method, all it needed was adequate capital for growth.

The company started its funding journey in 2014.

It raised 17 crore from Matrix Partners in February 2014, and 15 crore in a follow-on round in March 2015.

In June 2016, Morgan Stanley Private Equity came in with an investment of 114 crore.

"The fundraising helps us increasing our equity capital. Besides, private equity investments instill confidence in our lending ability," said Lakshmipathy.

Business model

The company does not want to enter unsecured lending and agriculture lending.

It lends mainly against property. This has saved it from shocks, including demonetisation.

Five Star Business Finance has 110 branches in four states in south India and serves over 18,000 customers.

The housing loan business in a total book size of 550 crore is around 10 crore. The target is to provide housing loans to existing customers.

There are several players in small-ticket lending. However, Lakshmipathy says he do not consider these a threat, as Five Star Business Finance has strengths in underwriting credit and assessing cash flows.

Vikram Vaidyanathan, managing director of Matrix India, says the focus of Five Star Business Finance on the small borrower sets it apart. The challenges are new customers, asset quality, funding and lending.

The major challenge lies in acquiring the right talent and in training.

Going forward

Lakshmipathy says plans are on to expand beyond Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. Five Star Business Finance will focus on expanding in Karnataka and Telangana this year and by the end of the year will foray into Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Five Star Business Finance targets its book size will expand from 550 crore in June to 1,000 crore by next March, and 3,000 crore by 2020.

The funds raised in the latest round will be adequate for the company to achieve this goal, but it will be open for further fund-raising.

Expert take

The MSME sector plays a crucial role in our economy with a significant contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. Yet, there is not enough institutional credit flowing to the MSME sector.

The latest Economic Survey shows despite various efforts by the government, growth of credit to the MSME sector is in decline over the past three years.

Entities like Five Star Business Finance play a crucial role in enabling timely and adequate credit to this large underserved sector.

Also, given the nature of the sector, the traditional approach of lending based on financial documentation proves to be a challenge. Alternate approaches to cash flow-based lending need to be explored.

The performance of Five Star Business Finance with its high touch and unique underwriting approach has proved the viability of providing credit to the sector.

Given the unmet demand, the opportunity for Five Star Business Finance to expand is big. As the business expands, capacity building and the underwriting process are crucial.

The success of Five Star Business Finance and similar players will lend credence to the opportunity in the MSME sector.
'The BJP has sent out a message that its allies are at its mercy.'

'The allies cannot pressurise or bargain with the BJP any more,' says Mohammad Sajjad.

The objective usually cited for a ministeral reshuffle is: To replace under-performers. But people read into, and beyond that.

Quite often, a reshuffle is an exercise to pacify dissenters, accommodate allies, make a political statement about social engineering, take care of regional and other factors of representation, and so on.

This reshuffle has taken place soon after:

a. The ruling National Democratic Alliance added an ally it had lost in June 2013 -- the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal-United in Bihar;

b. An institutionally certified version on demonetisation revealed that it did not achieve any of the purposes stated by the prime minister except that it subjected citizens to harrowing experiences including the death of around 200 people;

c. BJP regimes in Haryana (on the administration's failure in preventing Gurmeet Ram Rahim's rampaging devotees from assembling), and in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand (for being unable to prevent hundreds of children dying in the government medical college hospitals at Gorakhpur and Jamshedpur respectively).

On all these counts the BJP regimes suffered huge embarrassment. Though Opposition leaders in UP -- Akhilesh Yadav hardly made any effective intervention; Mayawati, having alienated her non-Jatav Dalit votes long ago, seems to have become oblivious -- were ineffective, but Jharkhand's Congress leaders Ajay Kumar and Subodh Kant Sahay made significantly strong interventions in Jamshedpur. Unlike Madhya Pradesh, where the bitterly factionalised Congress failed to cash in on the Vyapam scam.

So, is this reshuffle meant to divert the people's attention from these embarrassments?

Arguably, one of the most newsworthy aspects of this reshuffle is not inducting any of Nitish Kumar's loyalists into the Union council of ministers.

Nitish Kumar, it appears, has been placed on probation, probably till the next general election.

If he can deliver enough Lok Sabha seats in 2019 only then will the JD-U be rewarded proportionately.

Will Nitish retain his hold on the Ati Pichhrha and MahaDalit social base?

Or will this base switch sides, either towards the BJP or towards the Rashtriya Janata Dal, or both?

As of now, the RJD is not reaching out to these 'subaltern' groups which it has consistently been losing since 1997 after Rabri Devi succeeded her husband Lalu Yadav as Bihar chief minister.

The RJD continues to be a party of Yadavs and Muslims (M-Y) who together constitute around 30 per cent of Bihar's population.

Simple arithmetic would suggest that in a bi-polar polity, if the other 70 percent are on the other pole, the RJD will obviously continue to be only in the Opposition.

As of now, it looks less likely that the aspirational groups of non-Yadav Other Backward Classes and Dalits will veer around the RJD and let Lalu perpetuate his dynasty.

The BJP has also sent out a message that its allies are at its mercy.

The allies cannot pressurise or bargain with the BJP any more. The Coalition Dharma of consultation and adjustment is almost non-existent now.

Another takeaway from the reshuffle is that it tilted towards the upper castes, more specifically in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Inducting a Brahmin, Ashwini Chaubey, and a Rajput, Raj Kumar Singh, from Bihar seems to suggest this though another Rajput from the state, Rajiv Rudy, was eased out of the ministry.

R K Singh, a former Union home secretary, has been critical of Hindutva forces, particularly in some blast cases. Moreover, he was the district magistrate in Samastipur on October 23, 1990 when he had Lal Kishenchand Advani arrested, thereby halting the then BJP president's Rath Yatra at its peak.

The induction of bureaucrats may also be interpreted as a lack of talent pool within the BJP.

The BJP is also trying to send a message that it is consciously trying to build up a constituency of women.

The defence portfolio assigned to a woman and Smriti Irani running the information and broadcasting ministry may be interpreted in this way. If the BJP is really trying to build up such a constituency, then possibly in the near future, it will try pushing through the bill reserving legislative seats for women.

Subsidised LPG cylinders for a large number of households in Uttar Pradesh, by the way, was an important gamechanger in the 2017 assembly election.

The political Opposition inside the legislatures as well as on the streets look paralysed, only the pen-pushing critics and civil society groups offer some feeble criticism, saying that mere replacing the wheels will not do, and that a situation has arrived which needs a replacement of the engine.

Such voices are unlikely to create any effect given the fact that the leaderless Opposition continues to be in disarray.

In the mid 1970s and also in the late 1980s, a promising Opposition did arise with a leader emerging almost out of nowhere. Some critics of this regime therefore do harbour optimism.

However, one distinct difference this time is that the narrative of majoritarian nationalism and vilification of the religious minority is, at the moment, able to consolidate a significant support base for the BJP.

By virtue of this, it is able to gloss over its failures on various aspects.

Pro-corporate banking policies, farm distress, rising poverty and growing unemployment, scams, corruption and lawlessness in NDA-ruled provinces, and now the detection of a loss of Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 50 billion to Rs 60 billion) in demonetisation -- all these seem to have been made ineffective in mobilising the people against the incumbency in the face of such hyper-jingoistic nationalism, and also in the wake of a discredited, leaderless, Opposition.

Professor Mohammad Sajjad is with the Centre of Advanced Study in History at Aligarh Muslim University.

He is the author of Muslim Politics in Bihar: Changing Contours (Routledge, 2014) and Contesting Colonialism and Separatism: Muslims of Muzaffarpur since 1857 (Primus, 2014).

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi at the BRICS summit in Xiamen, China, the day after the reshuffle. Photograph: Press Information Bureau
'It is unrealistic to expect that security dilemmas and strategic distrust to disappear or even diminish any time soon,' says Rup Narayan Das.

The three-day 9th Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit began in the picturesque Chinese city of Xiamen on Sunday.

After rejigging his council of ministers Prime Minister Narendra D Modi flew to Xiamen to attend the summit. The standoff between the Indian and Chinese border personnel at Doklam was resolved just ahead of the summit, and this facilitated Modi's visit to China.

The BRICS grouping have developed a tradition of holding a slew of meetings at the ministerial level ahead of the summit. Over the years these ministerial meetings have been institutionalised to follow up on agreed action plans.

In addition, the national security advisers of the BRICS countries now meet ahead of the summit. Ajit Doval, India's national security adviser who played a very critical role in resolving the Doklam impasse, met his Chinese counterpart Yang Jichie in Beijing last month.

BRICS was an economic term coined by investment banker Jim O'Neill in 2001 to describe the emerging economies of Brazil, China and India.

O'Neill predicted that the economies of these countries would propel the trajectory of world growth and take the place of the industrialised countries of the West.

In 2003, the predictions were fine tuned in O'Neil's much report which predicted that China's GDP would be $44 trillion, India's 28 trillion by 2050.

The report also forecast that China would be the world's largest economy, India the third largest.

It also prophesised that China would forge ahead of Japan, the second richest economy, by 2015. China replaced Japan and became the world's second largest economy in 2010.

The emerging economies and the formation of BRICS is refection of not only the shifting of geo-politics from the Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific, but also the shifting of the growth engine from the West to the Asia-Pacific.

Although BRICS recognises the primacy of the United Nations system, it questions the efficacy of the architecture of the global economic governance structure and its institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

It argues that these institutions are archaic and do not reflect the shift of the world economy.

It bemoaned the non-implementation of the 2010 IMF reforms which negatively impacts on the IMF's legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness.

BRICS is in favour of making the IMF a quota-based institution. It is also against protectionism which militates against Donald J Trump's advocacy of 'America First'.

These are issues on which there exists convergence of all the BRICS member countries. On the issue of climate change and the Doha Round of trade negotiations, a broad agreement exists between India and China. The two countries are also on the same page with regard to farm subsidies provided by wealthy nations.

The narrative of BRICS is predominantly woven around India and China's developmental trajectory.

Thus, the main denominator of BRICS' success is largely dependent on the strategic trust or lack of it between India and China.

While Russia is slowly recuperating from its sluggish economy and trying to play its global role, Brazil's economy is in a precarious condition after the country overspent on the Rio Olympics.

Political turbulence has also exacerbated the economic backbone of the country. So is the case in South Africa.

It is only India and China whose economies shows signs of resilience in spite of the slight slowing down of their rate of growth and GDP.

Persistent security dilemmas like the Doklam standoff, strategic distrust on China's veto on Pakistan terrorist Masood Azhar, and its opposition to India's application for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the unsustainable trade deficit between the two countries stymie cooperation between India and China.

The margins of the summit provide very good opportunities for the leaders of the two counties to exchange notes and promote better understanding.

It is unrealistic to expect that security dilemmas and strategic distrust to disappear or even diminish any time soon.

It is in this given situation that India and China should approach their complex relationship through the prism of the Astana Consensus which stressed that differences should be distinguished from disputes.

If BRICS has to be successful, China must co-opt India as an equal partner in the multilateral grouping. One upmanship will not help.

For example, China should facilitate India to play a more decisive role in the BRICS Bank or the New Development Bank. India is the first president of the bank. India should have proper representation in the bank's governance structure.

Terrorism is another recurring theme at BRICS summits. Three of the member countries -- India, Russia, China -- have been victims of terrorism.

The BRICS summit in Xiamen should condemn all forms of terrorism including cross border State sponsored terrorism in one voice.

North Korea's nuclear brinkmanship will come up for discussion and the BRICS leaders need to restrain Pyongyang's nuclear adventurism.

Dr Rup Narayan Das is a Delhi-based foreign policy analyst and former senior fellow at IDSA. The views expressed are personal.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi is welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 9th BRICS summit in Xiamen, September 4, 2017. Photograph: Press Information Bureau
'The days when less government, more governance were spoken of are well and truly behind us.'

'More government, it is now believed, means more governance,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Ahead of the exercise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third reshuffle of his Union council of ministers was touted as one that would set the stage for the 2019 general election even while preparing the ground for the slew of assembly elections that will be kickstarted by Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat this year.

But a scrutiny of the latest Union council betrays no such thing.

There are many takeaways from Modi's latest rejig of his ministers, but to posit it as one that has its eye on 2019 is a bit of a stretch.

The major and much commented upon takeaway, of course, is the elevation of Nirmala Sitharaman from commerce and industry to the heavyweight defence portfolio which makes her an ex-officio member of the Cabinet Committee on Security.

It could be either a reward for Sitharaman's past performance as MoS commerce (independent charge), or an elevation keeping in mind the Bharatiya Janata Party's southern forays, or even both, though it is well acknowledged that given the multi-border challenges facing India, the defence ministry needs unwavering, laser-like focus.

Hopefully the new minister won't be weighed down by other considerations, and devote to her new portfolio the attention it so deserves and sorely lacked these last few months.

The other takeaway is the elevation, along with Dharmendra Pradhan, of the skill development and entrepreneurship portfolio, earlier under the independent charge of minister of state Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

Given that this was one of the Modi government's pet initiatives, and given the tremendous potential this ministry packs in a world that is fast being redrawn by the inexorable advance of technology, it is a singular measure.

Pradhan, too, has impressed his political bosses with his handling of the petroleum and natural gas ministry which he held as independent charge earlier, so this clearly is a reward for a job well done.

Also welcome is the elevation of the portfolios of coal and minority affairs, along with MoSes Piyush Goyal and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

If the elevation of Pradhan and skill development can be seen positively in light of this government's initiatives, the contrary is the case with another crucial sector.

The role of the micro, small and medium enterprises in employment generation cannot be over-emphasised, especially at a time when this government has made suitable noises in favour of the sector.

It is also no secret that the depredations of the demonetisation move, never mind the positive spin put on it, were particularly harsh on the MSME sector.

Given that a helping hand for it was the need of the hour, it is inexplicable why the portfolio was moved down from Cabinet (under Kalraj Mishra) with two MoSes assisting him, and put solely under an MoS, Giriraj Singh, never mind he now holds independent charge of it.

Contrast this with how another of this government's pet initiatives is being handled.

The ministry of social justice and empowerment has one Cabinet minister (Thawar Chand Gehlot) assisted by three ministers of state -- Ramdas Athawale, Krishan Pal and Vijay Sampla.

Or take agriculture and farmers welfare, which too has a Cabinet minister (Radha Mohan Singh) and three MoSes (Parshottam Rupala, Krishna Raj and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat).

Even an old bromide like Ganga rejuvenation, which all of us know is really going nowhere, has been put under one of the better performing Cabinet ministers (Nitin Jairam Gadkari), and with two MoSes (Arjun Ram Meghwal and Satya Pal Singh) to assist him.

Some of the ministerial allocations are indeed mystifying.

However, the government has also shown that it is willing to coopt talent from outside the political spectrum, as evidenced by the inclusion of career diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri and K Alphons, without waiting for them to run the electoral gauntlet first.

Perhaps it is also a tacit admission of the dearth of talent that is available to the government to shape policy and ensure effective implementation.

With the latest expansion of the Union council, its number now stands at 76, just five short of the Constitutional limit of 81.

Clearly, the limit will be reached at the next, and possibly final, reshuffle before this government goes to the hustings.

Obviously, the days when less government, more governance were spoken of are well and truly behind us.

More government, it is now believed, means more governance.

IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind administers the oath of office to the ministers of state.
'It is the government's most important duty to ensure that when war breaks out, the armed forces are absolutely ready to face the adversary -- well equipped, well trained and in high spirits,' says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

IMAGE: Soldiers search for terrorists in Lachipora in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, September 20, 2016. Photograph: Umar Ganie

Prime Minister Narendra D Modi has handed over the reins of the ministry of defence (MoD) to Nirmala Sitharaman, a trusted colleague in the Union council of ministers.

The minister will require all her management skills to set the right priorities for the MoD and the armed forces.

She will need to lead from the front and work closely with the leadership of the armed forces, the bureaucracy and her counterparts in the other ministries to put defence preparedness back on the rails and give a fillip to the stalled process of military modernisation.

As a member of the Cabinet Committee on Security, the minister will play an important role in formulating policies to successfully manage the threats and challenges facing the country.

IMAGE: Tanks fire at 'enemy bunkers' during Shatrujeet exercise in the deserts of Rajasthan. Photograph: @SpokespersonMoD

Defence Preparedness

The foremost item on the defence minister's agenda should be to address the 'critical hollowness' plaguing defence preparedness. The term used by General V K Singh, then the chief of the army staff, in the letter he wrote the then prime minister in May 2012.

Major operational deficiencies exist in the authorised war establishment of the three services.

For example, several army corps do not have independent artillery brigades that are authorised to them. These deficiencies must be made up early in order to increase combat efficiency.

Large-scale deficiencies in ammunition and important items of equipment continue to hinder readiness for war and the ability to sustain operations over anticipated time periods.

The army reportedly has some varieties of ammunition for barely ten days of conflict and it will cost over Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion) to replenish the stocks to the minimum required levels.

During the Kargil conflict in 1999, 50,000 rounds of ammunition had to be imported from South Africa for the Bofors howitzer. The occurrence of such a situation during a crisis must be avoided through a prudent replenishment and stocking policy.

Modern wars are fought mostly during the hours of darkness, but most of the infantry battalions and many of the armoured fighting vehicles -- tanks and infantry combat vehicles -- are still 'night blind'.

Warships, submarines, fighter aircraft, light helicopters, artillery guns, ground-based air defence, command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, are either held in inadequate numbers or bordering on obsolescence.

IMAGE: Indian soldiers at the Line of Control in Jammu. Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com

National Security Strategy

Cicero had asked many centuries ago: 'For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?'

Unlike other major democracies, India does not have a clearly articulated national security strategy. The defence minister should take the lead in acting as the driving force for the formulation of a comprehensive national security strategy that is inter-ministerial, inter-departmental and inter-agency in approach.

This exercise should be preceded by a strategic defence review to take stock of present and emerging threats, challenges and vulnerabilities.

The national security strategy should also take into account national interests and national security objectives.

While the initial spade work can be done by the National Security Advisory Board, a component of the National Security Council, a Group of Ministers must be appointed to draft the national security strategy and present it to the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval.

Like in most other democracies, the National Security Strategy should be signed by the prime minister who is the head of government, placed in Parliament and released as a public document. Only then will various stakeholders take ownership of the strategy and work unitedly to achieve its aims and objectives.

IMAGE: Then defence minister Arun Jaitley with the three service chiefs -- Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa -- pay homage to Kargil war heroes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi, July 26, 2017. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

Defence Reforms

Among the structural reforms that merit the new defence minister's immediate attention, the most important issue is the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

First recommended by the Arun Singh Committee on Defence Expenditure in the early 1990s, and then by the Group of Ministers led by L K Advani in the wake of the Kargil conflict, the appointment of a CDS has been hanging fire since then for want of a consensus.

Recently, the Naresh Chandra Committee recommended the appointment of a permanent Chairman of the CoSC as a more acceptable alternative. The appointment of an CDS is an idea whose time has come and no further debate or discussion is necessary.

The appointment of a CDS should be followed a few years down the line by the raising of tri-Service integrated theatre commands so as to ensure 'joint' formulation and execution of operational plans.

It has now been accepted by all modern militaries that 'jointness' or 'jointmanship' leads to the optimisation of single-Service combat capabilities.

Also, the army, navy and air force HQ have been only notionally integrated with the ministry of defence and are still 'attached offices' for all practical purposes.

The reforms approved for the army in August 2017, which were based on the recommendations of the (Lieutenant General D B) Shekatkar committee, are mainly aimed at reducing the teeth-to-tail ratio and much more needs to be done to streamline combat capabilities.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnesses an air show aboard the INS Vikramaditya off the Kochi coast, December 15, 2015. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

Defence Planning and Military Modernisation

The 13th Defence Plan (2017-2022) is now underway. It has not yet been formally approved with full financial backing by the Cabinet Committee on Security.

The government has also not formally approved the Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP 2007-2022) formulated by HQ Integrated Defence Staff.

Without these essential approvals, defence procurement is being undertaken through ad hoc annual procurement plans, rather than being based on duly prioritised long-term plans that are designed to systematically enhance India's combat potential.

These are serious lacunae as effective defence planning cannot be undertaken in a policy void.

The government must commit itself to supporting long-term defence plans or else defence modernisation will continue to lag and the growing gap in military capabilities vis-a-vis China's People's Liberation Army will assume ominous proportions.

This can be done only by reviving the dormant National Security Council as defence planning is in the domain of the NSC and not the CCS, which deals with current and near-term threats and challenges and reacts to emergent situations.

The NSC must devote the time and energy necessary to undertake long-term defence planning.

Modernisation of the armed forces has been stagnating due to the inadequacy of funds, the black-listing of several defence manufacturers and bureaucratic red tape.

Military modernisation has two major facets: The replacement of obsolete and obsolescent weapons and equipment with modern ones, which results in increasing combat effectiveness; and, the qualitative upgradation of combat capabilities through the acquisition and induction of force multipliers.

As the defence budget is invariably much smaller than the requirement, military planners face a major dilemma: How to improve operational preparedness while simultaneously making concerted efforts to modernise.

Logically, operational preparedness must take precedence over modernisation.

The art of leadership lies in finding an optimum balance so that all efforts that are made to enhance operational preparedness also contribute substantively to modernisation.

The inability to speedily conclude major defence contracts to enhance national security preparedness in the face of growing threats and challenges, exemplifies the government's challenges in grappling with systemic flaws in the procurement procedures and processes.

Despite having promulgated the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and the Defence Production Policy (DPrP), the government has been unable to reduce bureaucratic red tape and speed up acquisitions.

The government must relinquish its monopoly on defence research and development.

The DRDO should undertake research in strategic technologies that even the closest strategic partners are unwilling to share -- ballistic missile defence technology.

It should design and develop weapons platforms in conjunction with strategic partners and should completely outsource low-tech research to the private sector.

The MoD should progressively move away from its excessive reliance on the inefficient public sector for defence production.

The defence PSUs should be gradually privatised to make them more efficient and quality conscious.

The private sector must be encouraged and incentivised to contribute to the national quest for self-reliance in defence production.

Plans for defence modernisation must lead to substantive upgradation of India's defence technology base and manufacturing capability, or else the country's defence procurement will remain mired in disadvantageous buyer-seller, patron-client relationships.

No new defence acquisition should be undertaken without insisting on the transfer of technology (ToT), which, naturally, has a cost attached to it.

However, without ToT in cutting edge technologies, India's defence technology base will remain low.

The government has done well to announce its intention to allow defence exports.

Formal instructions to give effect to this policy should be issued early and it should be ensured that India abides by the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty even though it is not a signatory to the treaty.

The national aim should be to make India a design, development, manufacturing, servicing and export hub for weapons systems and other defence equipment in the next 10 to 15 years in conjunction with the country's strategic partners.

IMAGE: India's indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas made its maiden appearance at the Republic Day parade in 2017.

Financial Management

Financial management too needs a major overhaul.

The defence budget has dipped below 1.60 per cent of the country's GDP, the lowest since the disastrous 1962 war with China.

Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence and the armed forces have repeatedly recommended that defence expenditure should be raised to at least 3.0 per cent of GDP if India is to build the defence capabilities that it will need to face emerging threats and challenges and discharge its growing responsibilities as a regional power in Southern Asia.

Financial powers must be delegated to the services with appropriate checks and balances.

Large portions of the budgetary allocations earmarked on the capital account for the modernisation of the armed forces continue to be surrendered year after year with complete lack of accountability.

This can be overcome by setting up a rolling, non-lapsable defence modernisation fund of about Rs 50,000 crore (Rs 500 billion).

In the interim budget presented by the previous NDA regime in February 2004, the finance minister had earmarked a sum of Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion) for the modernisation fund; however, the UPA government that came into power after the election in May 2004 did not accept the proposal.

It is time to revive and implement the concept of a rolling defence modernisation fund.

IMAGE: Military veterans and their families protest the non-implementation of One Rank One Pension in New Delhi, 2016. Photograph: PTI Photo

Issues Undermining Morale

The relatively softer issues that can adversely affect the morale of soldiers, sailors and airmen must also be given due attention.

These include the large-scale shortage of officers, the grossly inadequate availability of accommodation for married personnel, the long-pending construction of a National War Memorial at India Gate in New Delhi, the setting up of the National Defence University and the long-pending 'one rank, one pension' (OROP) request of armed forces Veterans that has been accorded approval but not in full measure.

The new defence minister must ensure that the anomalies created by the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Pay Commissions are resolved to the satisfaction of the personnel of the three services.

The minister should in due course take stock of the numerous cases that the MoD is fighting in various courts against retired armed forces personnel, especially those against disabled Veterans.

A nation that fights its veterans in the courts of law over small claims shows itself to be unworthy of their selfless sacrifices.

The present state of affairs has come about because of the flawed defence planning and defence acquisition processes in existence, a grossly inadequate defence budget and the inability to fully spend even the meagre funds that are allotted.

During the long history of post-Independence conflicts with India's neighbours and prolonged deployment for internal security, the Indian Army and its sister services have held the nation together.

Dark clouds can once again be seen on the horizon, but the efforts being made to weather the gathering storm are inadequate.

The government must immediately initiate steps to build the capacities that are necessary for defeating future threats and challenges.

It must take the Opposition parties into confidence as a bipartisan approach must necessarily be followed in dealing with major national security issues.

The government should appoint a National Security Commission to take stock of the lack of preparedness of the country's armed forces for future conflict and to recommend measures to redress the inadequacies in combat capabilities that might lead to yet another military debacle.

In fact, such reviews should be undertaken periodically. The nation must not compel a future army, navy or air force chief to say 'We will fight with what we have', as General V P Malik was forced to say on national television during the Kargil conflict in 1999.

It is the government's most important duty to ensure that when war breaks out, the armed forces are absolutely ready to face the adversary -- well equipped, well trained and in high spirits.

Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd) is Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.
On the first day in his new office as tourism minister, bureaucrat-turned-politician Alphons Kannanthanam touched upon the controversial issue of beef, saying it would continue to be consumed in Kerala.

The 1979 Kerala cadre officer said that the Bharatiya Janata Party had never said that beef cannot be eaten.

"As Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar has said that beef will be consumed in the state. Similarly, it will be consumed in Kerala," he said.

"The BJP does not mandate that beef cannot be eaten. We don't dictate food habits in any place. It is for the people to decide," he said.

Kannanthanam said if a BJP-ruled state like Goa was eating beef, there should be no problem in Kerala.

He later told a TV channel that he could act as a bridge between the Christian community and the BJP.

Addressing some of the concerns that were raised by the Christian community about the BJP in the past, Kannanthanam said it was mere propaganda.

"There was a lot of propaganda in 2014, that if Modi comes to power Christians will be burnt, churches will be demolished. The prime minister has made it clear that believe whatever you want, I will protect you. The PM has done a fantastic job in taking everyone along," he said.

Parrikar, in July, had said in the assembly that he would ensure that there was no shortage of beef in the state and, if required, it would be imported from neighbouring states.

Cow slaughter is banned in as many as 21 states. Consumption of beef has also been barred in some of these states, including Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. It is also banned in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Kerala is among eight states where there are no restrictions on cow slaughter.

However, widespread protests and "beef fests" were organised in Kerala in May following a central government notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court has stayed the Centre's notification on cattle slaughter ban, while the Kerala high court refused to order a stay on it.

The Supreme Court later clarified that Madras high court's stay on the notification is operational, implying that the stay on cattle slaughter ban is effective across the country.
IMAGE: IMAGE: From left, Brazil President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Jacob Zuma and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photograph at BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China on Monday. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter



For the first time, Pakistan-based terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed were named on Monday in the Summit declaration of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) that also asserted that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terror acts must be held accountable.

In a significant diplomatic win for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.

The 43-page 'Xiamen Declaration', adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary, stressed on the need for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan.

It expressed 'concern' over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, Islamic State, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

At the ninth Summit of the grouping, the BRICS leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

They stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

'We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable,' the statement said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

According to officials, Modi raised the issue of terrorism strongly at the BRICS Summit and was joined by other leaders, who expressed willingness to fight this menace.

"For the first time specific listing of terror organisations has been made (in the BRICS declaration)," Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.

The inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration is also significant as it indicated a slight shift in the Chinese view towards terror groups operating out of Pakistan.

Ahead of the BRICS Summit, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had said, "We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at the BRICS Summit."

During the last BRICS Summit in Goa, China did not allow inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration despite the fact that the Summit was taking place within weeks of the Uri terror strike carried out by a Pakistan-based terrorist group.

However, now it is to be seen that after being part of such a strongly-worded declaration on terrorism and indicting Pakistan-based terror group JeM, how China will act towards the designation of Jaish's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

Currently, China has put a hold on the proposal moved by the United States and some other countries at the UN's Sanction's Committee.

The declaration referred to terrorism at least 17 times, apart from mentioning other forms of extremism and radicalisation. During the BRICS Summit here, India also offered to host a conference on countering radicalisation.

Talking about India's position on terrorism, Saran told reporters, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

Saran also said that prime minister Modi also raised the issue of speeding up the long-pending UN Security Council reforms during the Summit.

The BRICS countries also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism.

They said that the approach should include 'countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)'.

The BRICS leaders conveyed their commitment to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing.

They also recalled the responsibility of all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

'We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs),' the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

'We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned,' the BRICS said.

BRICS slams N Korea's nuke test, bats for diplomatic solution

BRICS countries strongly condemned North Koreas nuclear test and asserted that the prolonged nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula should only be settled through peaceful means.

North Korea on Sunday carried out its most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

BRICS, in its Xiamen Declaration strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasise that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned, it said in the statement.

The strong statement from BRICS countries comes amid global condemnation of North Koreas move.

Significantly, it came on a day China said it had lodged an official protest with North Korea following Pyongyangs largest-ever nuclear weapons test.

China has launched stern representations with the person in charge of the DPRK (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) embassy in China, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a briefing.

North Korea in July had carried out two intercontinental ballistic missile launches that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range.

It has made rapid progress with its nuclear programme, in defiance of UN sanctions.

US President Donald Trump yesterday called North Korea a great threat and embarrassment to China and warned that appeasement won't work with Pyongyang.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sought a strong partnership among BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to spur economic growth, saying that the bloc of emerging countries has contributed to the stability in a world 'drifting towards uncertainty'.

Addressing the plenary session of the BRICS Summit in China's Xiamen city, Modi said trade and economy were the foundations of the cooperation among BRICS.

He suggested some steps that can be taken to upgrade mutual cooperation.

He called for the creation of a BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries.

The prime minister said a strong partnership among member nations on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the sustainable development goals.

He also urged central banks of the member nations to further strengthen their capabilities and promote cooperation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement of the grouping and the International Monetary Fund.

The prime minister said BRICS countries can work closely with International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched by Indian and France in November 2015.

"Our five countries have complementary skills and strengths to promote use of renewable and solar energy. The NDB can also establish an effective link with ISA to support such cooperation. We would wish to see more clean energy funding, particularly in solar energy, from the New Development Bank," Modi said.

He also called for scaling up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices.

"India would be happy to work towards more focused capacity building engagement between BRICS and African countries in areas of skills, health, infrastructure, manufacturing and connectivity," the prime minister said.

The prime minister also emphasised the need to accelerate track of cooperation in smart cities, urbanisation and disaster management.

He said the New Development Bank has started disbursing loans in pursuit of its mandate to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS countries.

"After more than a decade of existence, BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation. We contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty," the prime minister said.

"While trade and economy have been the foundation of our cooperation, our endeavours today touch diverse areas of technology, tradition, culture, agriculture, environment, energy, sports, and and Information and Communications Technology (ICT)," he said.

Highlighting India's achievements, Modi asserted that country was in a 'mission-mode' to eradicate poverty and ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy and education.

He said women's empowerment programmes were 'productivity multipliers' that mainstream women in nation building.

He said India has also stepped up the fight against black money and corruption.

"Moving forward, using the springboard of our national experiences, BRICS countries can deepen partnership for win-win results," he added.

"The next decade is crucial. In an environment where we seek stability, sustainable development and prosperity. BRICS leadership will be crucial in driving this transformation. If we as BRICS can set the agenda in these areas, the world will call this its Golden Decade," the prime minister said.

Appreciating China's thrust in people-to-people exchanges, Modi said that such inter-mingling will consolidate our links and deepen our understanding.

President Xi chaired the plenary session and delivered an opening speech, in which he stressed on striking a balance between the speed of growth and quality of growth.

The focus needs to be on sustainable growth, the Chinese President said.

"It is important to strike a balance between the speed of growth and the quality and efficiency of growth. By implementing the 2030 sustainable development agenda, we have the opportunity to achieve balanced economic, social and environmental progress and bring about inter connected and inclusive development," he quoted.

Xi further said, "Though separated by mountains and oceans, BRICS countries have been closely bound by shared commitment to win-win cooperation."

"The BRICS has travelled a glorious journey of one decade, though separated by mountains and oceans, our five countries have been bound by a shared commitment. We owe the rapid development to the BRICS cooperation to our adoption of a right approach and that is the key to the rapid development for the BRICS countries cooperation," he said.

"Guided by this approach, we have respected and supported each other in following the path of development suited to our respective national conditions. We have pushed forward economic, political and people to people cooperation in an open inclusive and spirit and we have worked with other emerging markets and developing countries to uphold international justice and equity and faster sound external environment."

"Past progress shows that BRICS cooperation has met our common need for development and is keeping with the history. Though we have different national conditions, we share the commitment to pursuing common development through partnership. This has enabled us to rise above differences and seek winning results. As the world goes under profound and complex changes, the BRICS cooperation has become more important. Our people expect us to jointly boost development and improve their well being; the international community expects us to make contribution to world peace and common development."

Xi hoped that the second decade of BRICS would be as successful as the first one.

Modi, Putin vow to boost cooperation in oil, natural gas sector

Prime Minister Modi also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed ways for boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially in the oil and natural gas sector.

The two sides basically touched upon several aspects of the bilateral relationship. President Putin recalled prime minister's visit to Russia earlier this year. And, he thanked the prime minister for high-level participation from India at the Eastern Economic Forum," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters at a briefing in Xiamen.

He said that during the Modi-Putin meeting several bilateral issues were discussed like the cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector.

Kumar said the two leaders also discussed how they should work together to promote trade and investment.

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges.

President Putin mentioned about the 'Festival of India', which was organised in Russia earlier this year. Discussions also took place on the promotion of tourism between the two countries and also on the student exchange between the two sides," Kumar said.

With ANI inputs

IMAGE: PM Narendra Modi is received by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS 2017 welcome ceremony. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter
A 54-year-old British national has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting three visually-impaired minor inmates of the National Association for the Blind in south Delhi's R K Puram, the police said on Monday.

During inquiry, the alleged involvement of Murray Denis Ward, a British national and a frequent visitor to the institute, came to the light, the police said, adding that Ward had been associated with NAB as a regular donor for almost nine years.

Ward, who was subsequently arrested, allegedly inappropriately touched the three NAB inmates on September 2, the police said.

It was found that the accused had taken the inmates inside a room where he touched their private parts and tried to force himself on them, they added.

However, a caretaker at the institute, came there and Ward left the place. The three minors narrated their ordeal to the caretaker who informed the authorities about Ward's behaviour.

The institute then informed the police and the accused was arrested. He was produced before a court and is currently in police custody.

Police initially suspected it to be a case of sodomy.

Police were probing whether he had sexually assaulted any other child at NAB since he was a regular visitor there. They were also questioning staff members whether they had seen Ward misbehaving with any other inmate.

His cell phone was being examined, the police said, adding that they had found a couple of "objectionable" video clips from his laptop. It is suspected that he had shared some clips through Whatsapp.

Ward, a native of Gloucestershire, the United Kingdom, had been working with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April.

He had suffered a paralytic attack in February and has been under treatment since then. He was staying alone in New Delhi while his family is in the United Kingdom. Police suspect that he is a paedophile.
Rediff.com's Dominic Xavier introduces you to the new look CCS, the most elite club in government.

After Arun Jaitley returns from Tokyo -- where he traveled to attend the India-Japan strategic dialogue as officiating defence minister -- Nirmala Sitharaman will assume change as India's second lady Raksha Mantri.

Then prime minister Indira Gandhi was the nation's defence minister from January 14, 1980 to January 15, 1982.

As defence minister Sitharaman will be a member of the most elite club in government -- the Cabinet Committee on Security.

The CCS has only five members -- the prime minister, the home minister, the finance minister, the external affairs minister and the defence minister.

For the first time in Independent India's history, the CCS will have two women on it -- External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Sitharaman.

The prime minister, who turns 67 on September 17, is the oldest member of the CCS, followed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh (66), Swaraj (65), Jaitley (64; he will turn 65 on December 28) and Sitharaman.

The new defence minister celebrated her 58th birthday last fortnight, August 16.
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday said at the UN Security Council that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "begging for war," with the latest nuclear test that Pyongyang says is its first fusion device, a much more powerful weapon than it has exploded in the past.

She also warned every nation that does business with Pyongyang and is aiding its "dangerous" nuclear intentions will be on its radar.

North Korea on Sunday carried out its most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

"The time has come to exhaust all diplomatic means to end this crisis, and that means quickly enacting the strongest possible measures here in the UN Security Council," US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley said at an emergency UN Security Council briefing on North Korea.

"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy. We have kicked the can down the road long enough. There is no more road left," she added.

She said that the North Korean nuclear program is more advanced and more dangerous than ever and the country now claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb.

"To the members of the Security Council, I must say, 'enough is enough'. The time for half measures in the Security Council is over...We must now adopt the strongest possible measures," she asserted.

Haley also sent a warning to nations who continue to do business with North Korea, saying "this crisis goes well beyond the UN".

"The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," she added.

Under Secretary General Jeffrey Feltman told the Security Council meeting that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres counts on the UN body to remain united and take appropriate action.

"As was said in the Security Council meeting last week, as tensions rise, so does the risk of misunderstanding, miscalculation and escalation. The latest serious developments require a comprehensive response in order to break the cycle of provocations from the DPRK. Such a response must include wise and bold diplomacy to be effective," he said.

With the Council considering its reaction, the Secretary-General reiterates the importance of responding to humanitarian imperatives regardless of the political situation.

Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, said the latest nuclear test by North Korea represents a "grave and reckless provocation."

Cardi said Italy calls on the Security Council to adopt further measures in response to the latest nuclear test, "bearing in mind that sanctions must remain a tool for a wider strategy aimed at a peaceful and definitive solution for the Korean peninsula and the region as a whole."

"An effective sanctions regime is essential to make the DPRK leadership calculate the price of its challenge to the International Community and bring them back to the negotiating table for credible multilateral talks," he said.

Diplomats from France and Britain demanded for the North Korean regime to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes and urged further sanctions.

The Security council meeting was requested by the US, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea.

With inputs from agencies
The annual Peoples Choice for Royal Air Force image of the year has opened for public voting.

Members of the public are now able to choose one of nine contestants to receive the award as part of the RAF Photographic Competition 2017.

The winners will be announced on September 21.

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND

Two RAF Mk6 Chinooks transit over North Sea wind farms during a training exercise to prepare pilots and aircrew for contingency operations. The exercise included low-level flight training, troop extractions, evasive maneuvers and tactical formation flying.

Photograph: SAC Nicholas Egan RAF

MOHAVE MAYHEM

An RAF Mk4 Chinook inserts troops onto a mountain-top in the Mojave Desert during Exercise Black Alligator. Working alongside the British Army Air Corps and 40 Commando Royal Marines, the RAF Odiham crews trained for various roles, in challenging environmental conditions.

Photograph: SAC Nicholas Egan, RAF Halton

THE STARRY NIGHT

Two Mk4 Chinooks sit beneath the Milky Way in the Mojave Desert during Exercise Black Alligator. Chinook crews operated day and night out of Twenty nine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, working alongside the British Army Air Corps and 40 Commando Royal Marines. The training exercise tested interoperability between all elements, in an austere, challenging desert environment.

Photograph: SAC Nicholas Egan, RAF Halton

LIFE ON MARS

Gunners from 15 Squadron RAF Regiment, advance across Dartmoor Training Area during a section attack, using light provided by orange parachute flares. Assault troops, supported by mortar and heavy weapons teams, worked together to defeat the enemy.

Photograph: SAC Will Drummee, RAF Honington

GOING HOME

A member of the aircrew on board an RAF Chinook on one of its many sorties over the Falkland Islands. On this occasion, the helicopter was returning from the western side of the island to Mount Pleasant Airfield.

Photograph: Sgt Pete George, RAF Leeming

KL CITY WRAP

The Red Arrows perform a flypast over the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur city centre during their two-month tour of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. The tour saw them complete more than 20 displays.

Photograph: Cpl Steve Buckley, RAF Scampton

CLOSER

RAF Falcons Display Team practice jumps at Lake Elsinore Sky Diving Center, California. The RAF Falcons reside at RAF Brize Norton and often train outside of the UK to help with training and develop their unique skills to the RAF.

Photograph: SAC Matt Aherne, RAF Brize Norton

SEAT WITH A VIEW

RAF Tutor M1 aircraft of No 6 Flying Training School, based at RAF College Cranwell, in four-ship formation over Cambridgeshire.

Photograph: SAC Matty Smith, RAF Wittering

DRILL CHECK

Warrant Officer Chris Shaw, the College Warrant Officer amends his notes having just finished assessing the first drill check of Initial Officer Training Course 49, C Squadron, on Number 1 Parade Square at RAF College Cranwell.

Photograph: Mr Laurence Platfoot, RAF Cranwell
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first substantive bilateral meeting on Tuesday after the Doklam standoff, which had put ties between the two countries under strain.

According to external affairs ministry officials, Modi will meet Xi at 12.30 pm (10 am IST), the prime minister's last official engagement before flying off to Myanmar on a bilateral visit.

Modi had arrived in Xiamen on Sunday and attended the BRICS Summit.

During the meeting, which is taking place amids efforts from the two sides to leave the bitterness caused by the 73-day face-off between their troops in Doklam in the Sikkim sector, sources said the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to create confidence building measures.

However, they refused to divulge details about the issues to be discussed.

The sense is that both countries want to "move on" after the standoff.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army.

On August 28, India's external affairs ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Doklam area.

Asked if there was any link between the BRICS declaration which for the first time named Pakistan-based terror groups for their violent activities and resolution of the Doklam standoff, Secretary (East) in the MEA Preeti Saran answered in the negative, saying BRICS is a multilateral forum where outcomes are based on consensus.

"It cannot be linked," she added.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media in Beijing that "details of the meeting we will release in due course."

Apart from Xi, Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, which is among the five counties -- Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan -- invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.

IMAGE: PM Narendra Modi is received by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS 2017 welcome ceremony. Photograph: PIN
A second Indian student has died in Houston, days after she was rescued along with a compatriot from a swollen lake in Texas, United States, where Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc.

Shalini Singh, 25, who was pursuing masters degree in public health from the Texas A&M University, was rescued from the Lake Bryan, where she along with another Indian student Nikhil Bhatia, had gone swimming last Saturday.

While Bhatia died in hospital on August 30, Singh, who continued to be in a critical condition, was declared dead late on Sunday night by doctors.

Her younger brother and maternal uncle, who flew in from New Delhi on August 30, were with her at the time of death.

Singh, hailing from Delhi, came to the US only last month to pursue the two years Masters programme after completing her degree in Dental Surgery from I T S Dental College in Greater Noida.

She will be cremated in Bryan on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to the consulate sources.

Singh continued to be on life support till intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, according to the consulate officials.

According to their friends and some witnesses, Singh and Bhatia were swimming in the lake when a sudden current of water pushed them deeper.

The friends accompanying them noticed that the duo were in distress and flagged down nearby police officers.

Bryan Police officers were able to rescue and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the victims until medics arrived.

Consul General of India in Houston, Dr Anupam Ray had been monitoring her medical needs and situation closely.

Around 13 million people were battling 'catastrophic' flooding and torrential rains in the storm-ravaged Texas where Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc, claiming over 50 lives.

According to the local community leaders, at least 150,000 Indian-Americans live in and around Houston area and have been badly hit by the hurricane.

Photograph: Shalini Singh/Facebook
Protection of civilians in spotlight as fighting intensifies around Iraq's Telafar

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 22 August 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Protection of civilians in spotlight as fighting intensifies around Iraq's Telafar, 22 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad17264.html [accessed 14 November 2022]

In northern Iraq, with operations having commenced as of Sunday to retake the city of Telafar, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, remains concerned about the protection of Iraqi civilians.

Telafar city, in Ninewa province, some 65 kilometres north-west of Mosul, fell under the control of extremist armed groups in 2014. Its pre-conflict population was thought to be around 200,000. Since April this year, more than 30,000 people fled Telafar district, many living in camps sheltering other displaced families mainly from Mosul.

Humanitarian agencies have been without access to Telafar since 2014, but it's estimated that thousands of people could still be in the city. Conditions are said to be very difficult, with food and water running out, a lack of electricity and diminishing health facilities. People are said to have been surviving on unclean water and bread for the past three to four months.

Those families who have managed to flee the area have done so at great personal risk. Many talk of seeing dead bodies along the way, and there are reports that some were killed by extremist groups. Others appear to have died due to dehydration or illnesses.

People leaving Telafar are walking long distances to reach safety, without food or water, at times for up to 20 hours and in scorching heat. Temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius. They are often forced to leave behind their most vulnerable (children, elderly, disabled) who are unable to undertake the arduous journey.

Many arriving at the mustering points (Badoush fuel station, Scorpion Junction, Al Musaid mustering point) are physically exhausted and dehydrated. Large numbers have sustained wounds or injuries from sniper fire and exploding mines.

UNHCR protection partners have been present at the mustering sites, identifying and referring cases in need of specific assistance, such as unaccompanied and separated children.

In the past week, we have received some 1500 families in the Hammam Al Alil transit centre some 20 kilometres south east of Mosul, where overnight shelter and basic assistance is provided.

Additionally, we are finalizing another 1,000 family plots (6,000 people) in a new sector, Al Salamiyah 3 some 25 kilometres south-east of Mosul. The site is expected to open in about 10 days.

UNHCR has also taken over the management of Nimrud camp (about 7 km from Al Salamiya camp) (3,600 family plots) which will be able to receive up to 22,000 displaced people from Telafar in the coming days.

Additionally, around 150 families from Telafar (approximately 900 people) are sheltering in UNHCR camps east of Mosul.

We fear that Iraqi civilians are likely to be held as human shields again and that attempts to flee could result in executions/shootings. We call on all parties to the conflict to allow civilians to leave the conflict area and to access to safety.

We are also concerned about reports that in some instances displaced Iraqi families from Telafar are being denied access to safety in locations that have capacity to absorb them. We are equally worried about continued reports of harassment, revenge attacks and abuse of the displaced people from Telafar. We reiterate our call to the Iraqi authorities to double their efforts to ensure prevention, safe reporting and timely response to such incidents. UNHCR also echoes and supports the high level interventions of the Humanitarian Coordinator.

Across Iraq, more than three million people remain displaced due to conflict. We anticipate further displacement in the coming months as the Iraqi government is moving towards regaining control of extremist-held areas of Hawiga and West Anbar (Al Qa'im, Ana and Ru'aa) which could displace as many as 100,000 people.

UNHCR's humanitarian operations in Iraq remain critically underfunded. We urgently need US$126m this year for camp construction, support to returnees and winter assistance. A shortage of funding threatens to undermine our humanitarian response.
Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
UN Refugee Chief condemns attack on staff in Mali

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 24 August 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Refugee Chief condemns attack on staff in Mali , 24 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad24654.html [accessed 14 November 2022]

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi expressed shock and outrage after unknown attackers fired shots at a UNHCR vehicle in Timbuktu, Mali on Tuesday - injuring two staff members. The vehicle came under fire despite being clearly identified with the UN Refugee Agency's logo. Both of the injured are currently receiving medical care.

"I am deeply shocked by such an attack on our colleagues in Timbuktu, who are providing assistance and protection to those fleeing violence," High Commissioner Grandi said.

"Our colleagues are working tirelessly in Mali, under some of the most challenging conditions," he said, "and for such an act to happen just as we observed World Humanitarian Day is a painful reminder of the risks to those who put their lives on the line every day to save the lives of others".

Grandi repeated his call for the protection of humanitarian workers saying, "such an attack does not diminish our resolve to continue working to provide protection to those displaced by conflict. All our thoughts are with our colleagues and to their families, with hopes for a swift recovery."

In 2016, there were 158 major attacks against humanitarian aid operations globally, with a total of 288 aid workers killed, injured or kidnapped - including three UNHCR staff who endured 23 days in captivity in Darfur.
Australia should not coerce vulnerable people to return to harm

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 4 September 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Australia should not coerce vulnerable people to return to harm, 4 September 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad58d34.html [accessed 14 November 2022]

The Australian Government's announced change in legal status and withdrawal of support to refugees and asylum-seekers is a blatant attempt to coerce the most vulnerable to return to Papua New Guinea, Nauru, or their countries of origin. Removing accommodation and financial support leaves people at serious risk of destitution in Australia. Equally, the withdrawal of access to basic services such as trauma and torture counselling will exacerbate their already precarious situation.

Approximately 400 refugees and asylum-seekers remain in community detention in Australia, having been transferred from Papua New Guinea and Nauru due to both serious medical and protection concerns. The Government of Australia has implicitly recognized through these transfers that the conditions there are unacceptable.

The Government has not granted these refugees and asylum-seekers the right to work. Most were brought to Australia with acute medical needs. To claim abruptly that these same people should immediately support themselves financially is unfair and unreasonable.

Papua New Guinea and Nauru remain unsuitable as places of settlement for refugees and asylum-seekers sent there by Australia. UNHCR has consistently reported the impossibility of local integration on even a temporary basis for the vast majority of refugees and asylum-seekers, along with concerns for their physical security. Medical experts have repeatedly confirmed the urgent need for medical and psychological services which are unavailable in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

The majority of asylum-seekers transferred from Papua New Guinea and Nauru to Australia have still not had their claims for international protection determined after more than four years. Until their asylum claims are finalized, they should not be returned to their countries of origin. Going home is not an option for those who have a fear of serious harm and persecution.

As a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Australia remains responsible for those who have sought its protection. This includes a duty to consider claims for international protection fairly and efficiently, and to provide refugees and asylum-seekers with a minimum standard of living which is humane and dignified.

Those who have suffered most under inhumane conditions in Papua New Guinea and Nauru need care and compassion. Refugees and asylum-seekers who have been transferred to Australia, like all refugees and asylum-seekers, should be provided with adequate support and a much-needed long term solution outside of Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

Background

Since the adoption of Australia's current "offshore processing" arrangements to forcibly transfer refugees and asylum-seekers to Nauru and Papua New Guinea, individuals have been returned to Australia due to serious medical conditions that are unable to be treated in those countries, as well as protection concerns. At present, approximately 400 individuals are in community detention, having been re-transferred to Australia from Papua New Guinea and Nauru. As of 29 August 2017, approximately 70 of these highly vulnerable people have been informed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection that they will be issued with a new "Final Departure Bridging Visa E."

Under the six-month term of this visa, asylum-seekers and refugees will be permitted to work. Those over 18 years of age are not permitted to study or undertake training courses. Further, financial payments of AUD 200 per fortnight will immediately cease upon issuance of this visa, and government-supported housing will be withdrawn three weeks after. Although Medicare (Government-funded health care) will be provided, access to other services, notably Government-funded torture trauma services, will cease. Initially, the visa has been issued to adult asylum-seekers and refugees currently in community detention, who are not accompanied by family. The group of people potentially affected includes 400 people, including families and over 100 children. A majority of affected refugees and asylum-seekers are reported to be Iranian, Syrian, Afghan, Sri Lankan and stateless people.

Long-term solutions are needed for all people transferred by Australia to Papua New Guinea and Nauru since 2013. For those refugees who wish to be considered for relocation under the bilateral Australia-United States agreement, return to Papua New Guinea or Nauru respectively should not be a precondition to such consideration.

Australia's National Audit Office confirms that holding refugees and asylum-seekers in "offshore processing" facilities costs approximately 15 times more than allowing them to live in community detention in Australia.
UNHCR urges open borders for people fleeing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 29 August 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR urges open borders for people fleeing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State, 29 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad59674.html [accessed 14 November 2022]

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR Chief Spokesperson Adrian Edwards to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

In light of the dramatic worsening since Friday of the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine state, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has today communicated to the Government of Bangladesh its readiness to support Bangladesh in helping refugees fleeing across the border.

As of Sunday it was estimated that some 5,200 people had entered Bangladesh from Myanmar since Thursday. Several thousand were reported to be in locations along the Myanmar side of the border. UNHCR underscores the UN Secretary-General's statement of Monday in which he condemned the violence in Rakhine State.

On the Bangladesh side of the border some people are in cordoned off areas near the border, and others are mainly in the Kutupalong area. Most are women, children, or the elderly, and there have been reports of wounded people among them.

Aid efforts involving the Bangladeshi authorities, local communities, UNHCR partners and NGOs have been under way, including to get food, water, and medical help to the new arrivals. UNHCR is grateful to the Bangladeshi authorities for the support being provided. Rapid needs assessments are being planned, however with the precarious situation inside Myanmar we are concerned that numbers of people needing help may rise further over the coming days.

UNHCR is aware of several reported instances of people being prevented from entering Bangladesh. This poses very grave risk to the individuals affected. Bangladesh has hosted refugees from Myanmar for decades, and UNHCR believes it is of the utmost importance that it continue to allow Rohingya fleeing violence to seek safety there. UNHCR also calls on the international community to support Bangladesh in doing so, with all necessary aid and other help.

In Myanmar's Rakhine State meanwhile, the security situation means that access to populations in need of help is severely restricted. We are appealing to the Myanmar authorities to do everything possible to facilitate humanitarian help and ensure the safety of our staff.
Iran: Campaign to stop destruction of mass grave of those killed in 1988 prison massacre

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 4 September 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Iran: Campaign to stop destruction of mass grave of those killed in 1988 prison massacre, 4 September 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad65524.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The Iranian authorities must urgently stop the destruction of a mass grave in the southern city of Ahvaz said Amnesty International today, launching a campaign to urge authorities to protect the site, where dozens of prisoners killed during a wave of mass extrajudicial executions in August and September 1988 are buried.

Construction near the area began earlier this year. Recent footage obtained by the organization shows the site is gradually being buried beneath piles of construction waste. The campaign is being launched along with a video highlighting the imminent risks posed to the site.

"Bulldozing the mass grave at Ahvaz will destroy crucial forensic evidence that could be used to bring those responsible for the 1988 mass extrajudicial executions to justice. It would also deprive families of victims of their rights to truth, justice and reparation, including the right to bury their loved ones in dignity. By joining Amnesty International's campaign, people can help to press Iran's authorities to stop the imminent destruction of the site," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"Instead of desecrating the mass grave with piles of rubbish and waste and further tormenting families, who face repression for their efforts to protect the memory of their loved ones, the authorities should be upholding their duty to preserve all Iran's mass grave sites so that investigations can be carried out into the 1988 extrajudicial executions and other mass killings."

This month marks 29 years since the mass prisoner killings took place across the country.

The organization is calling on people to join the campaign by sending appeals to Ahvaz City Council and Iran's High Council for Human Rights, amongst other targets, and promoting the hashtag #MassGraves88 on social media.

To take action or for more information see: Stop the imminent destruction of mass grave site of victims of 1988 prison killings

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Kenya: Supreme Court annuls presidential election in historic ruling

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 1 September 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Kenya: Supreme Court annuls presidential election in historic ruling, 1 September 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad66194.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Responding to the Kenyan Supreme Court's decision to annul last month's presidential election and order a re-run, Justus Nyang'aya, Country Director at Amnesty International Kenya, said:

"Today's historic ruling demonstrates the independence of Kenya's judiciary and sets an example for the rest of the world.

"We urge all parties to comply with the judgement, and call on the police to observe restraint in their handling of any celebrations or protests that may follow this landmark ruling."

In its judgement this morning, the court said the election was marred by irregularities and was not conducted in accordance with the constitution, and ordered the electoral commission to organize a fresh poll in 60 days.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Russia: Aspiring female ship's captain to challenge sexist labour laws in court

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 31 August 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Russia: Aspiring female ship's captain to challenge sexist labour laws in court, 31 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad66684.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

A trial that opens today and sees a 31-year-old female navigation officer sue a Russian shipping company who refused to employ her as a ship's captain, represents a landmark challenge to Russia's sexist and outdated labour regulations, said Amnesty International.

Svetlana Medvedeva graduated in 2005 as a navigation officer in Samara region. In 2012 she applied for a job as a ship's captain by Samara River Passenger Enterprise, but the company's initial consent to hire her was later retracted because of labour laws that restrict women from more than 400 professions.

"For many years Svetlana Medvedeva has fought relentlessly to achieve her dream to stand at the helm of a river vessel. However, the state, in the country that once pioneered women's rights, continues to deny her this opportunity because of discriminatory restrictions that also prevent women from driving trains, becoming carpenters, truck drivers or professional divers," said Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia.

The current list of professional occupations that are banned for women in Russia lists 456 occupations and 38 industries that are considered too "arduous," "dangerous" or "harmful" to women's health, in particular to their reproductive health.

The "prohibited" list was originally adopted in the USSR in 1974. It was confirmed in 2000 by Russian Government Regulation No. 162 which allowed for exemptions only if safe working conditions were established by the employer.

Svetlana Medvedeva challenged the rejection of her job application in court, seeking a judicial order to compel the company to establish safe working conditions and allow her to work in accordance with Regulation No. 162. However her claim was rejected.

In May 2013, she registered a complaint before the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) alleging that her rights had been violated. The complaint claimed that she had been denied employment by the company because of her sex, on the basis of a blanket prohibition.

On 25 February 2016, the CEDAW Committee found in favour of Svetlana Medvedeva and urged the Russian authorities to grant her appropriate compensation and to facilitate access to jobs for which she is qualified.

In July 2017 Russia's Supreme Court ruled that her case should be re-opened. The trial begins today in Samara's District Court.

"Russia was the first major European country to grant women suffrage in 1917. The first female ambassador, in 1923, was from Russia, and so was the first woman in space," said Denis Krivosheev.

"It's time the Russian authorities drew inspiration from these remarkable women and put an end to the shameful regulations that hold women back and perpetuate stereotypes."

Amnesty International calls on Russia to comply with the CEDAW recommendation to amend Regulation No. 162 and to remove all arbitrary restrictions on women's employment.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Why China must scrap new laws that tighten the authorities' grip on religious practice

Publisher Amnesty International Author Roseann Rife Publication Date 31 August 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Why China must scrap new laws that tighten the authorities' grip on religious practice, 31 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad66bf4.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

As millions of Muslims worldwide prepare for the Hajj, those hoping to independently undertake the journey from China are more likely to end up in jail than in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this year, the Chinese authorities detained more than 200 Uighur Muslims for joining religious tours to the Middle East, as the government strengthens state control over religious activities.

Chinese authorities have long justified the heavy-handed restrictions on religious practice in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) by claiming they are necessary to combat terrorism and otherwise address outbursts of violence in the region. But the failure to uphold religious freedom risks fuelling rather than lowering discontent in the region towards Beijing's policies.

Total control

President Xi Jinping's is pushing curbs on religious practice under the guise of "guard(ing) against foreign infiltration by religious means". A raft of changes to the Regulations on Religious Affairs are likely to be implemented this year which will codify total state control over every aspect of religious practice.

Even before the National People's Congress rubber stamps the changes to this national law, provincial authorities are moving ahead with their own regulations. In March, the XUAR "De-extremification Regulation" was passed, with a clear nod to national security-related laws. The regulation prohibits "extremist" behaviour which includes wearing burkas, having "abnormal" beards, and refusing to take part in state cultural and recreational activities.

A local state newspaper, recently equated the local religious custom of not smoking among religious people as giving into "extreme religious thought". It criticized a local government official for not daring to smoke in front of religious leaders as "a sign of his timidity in fighting against religious extremism" which was also grounds for his demotion.

Many Catholics, Protestants, Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, and Falun Gong practitioners have been harassed or even imprisoned in the struggle to freely practice their religion or beliefs, but these new regulations and amendments only tighten the Chinese government's grip on religious practice.

Draconian changes

Behind the national law's bureaucratic title is a series of draconian amendments that will see more state interference, more religious activities banned, more financial penalties on religious organizations and encourage officials to ramp up persecution of those practicing their religion or beliefs outside of officially sanctioned organizations or churches.

More people are likely to face a similar fate as Pastor Bao Guohua. He was vocal in opposing his local government's removal of crosses from Christian churches in Zhejiang province, southern China. Bao and his wife Xing Wengxiang's efforts landed them 14 years' and 12 years' imprisonment respectively in February 2016.

Eager-to-please local officials can ban protestant "house" churches and bring criminal and administrative sanctions against practitioners who carry out activities outside of state-approved "patriotic religious associations".

People organizing unauthorized religious travel abroad, which could include Catholics attending Papal Masses and Muslims attending the Hajj, could face fines of up to 200,000RMB (30,000 USD).

Under other laws in the national security legal architecture, some individuals who make "unsanctioned" religious trips abroad, such as Tibetans attending teachings by the Dalai Lama, even risk being accused of "extremism", "separatism", or "endangering national security". These notoriously vague and overly broad charges are favoured instruments for the authorities to persecute Tibetan Buddhists and Uighur Muslims.

The proposed changes to the Regulations on Religious Affairs will be prone to the same misuse. Authorities will be able to revoke the religious standing of a monk or mullah, stop their teachings or performances of rituals, confiscate donations or other property, as well as invalidate registrations of their monasteries or mosques, all under claims of "extremism", "separatism", or even "terrorism".

In addition to these harsh punishments on targeted religious groups, the authorities seem intent on suffocating all religious practice through onerous bureaucracy in the new changes. For example, individuals who want to set up a Bible study group but do not have a state sanctioned place of worship, need the agreement of officials at the county-level, township-level and residents' committee simply to register a temporary location for their meeting.

Once the changes to the Regulations on Religious Affairs are passed, we can only expect an increase in the persecution of people attempting to practice their beliefs in ways unsanctioned by Chinese authorities. Better that Chinese authorities scrap these proposed changes and instead revise the law to guarantee freedom of religion.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Syria: Tens of thousands of disappeared must not be forgotten

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 30 August 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Syria: Tens of thousands of disappeared must not be forgotten, 30 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad67474.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The Syrian government and armed groups involved in the country's conflict must disclose the fate and whereabouts of tens of thousands of people who have been forcibly disappeared or abducted since the onset of the crisis in 2011, said Amnesty International on the International Day of the Disappeared.

"Amid the brutality and bloodshed of the Syrian conflict, the plight of those who have vanished after being arrested by the authorities or detained by armed groups is a tragedy that has been largely ignored internationally. Tens of thousands of families have been desperately trying to uncover the fate of their missing relatives," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"Russia and the United States, in particular, must use their influence to pressure respectively the Syrian government and armed opposition groups to grant independent monitors access to places of detention, disclose the names and whereabouts of those deprived of their liberty, and allow all detainees to communicate with their families."

According to the Syrian network for Human Rights (SNHR), 75,000 people have been subjected to enforced disappearance by the Syrian government since 2011.

Fadwa Mahmoud has described the agony of not knowing the fate or whereabouts of either her husband Abdulaziz Al-Kheir or son Maher Tahan since 20 September 2012. "The days pass by extremely heavily," she said. "I live on hope, which allows me to go on and pushes me to work hard for their release. I never lose hope that they will return. I always imagine that moment when I learn of their release." Her husband and son disappeared after being arrested by Air Force Intelligence at a checkpoint in Damascus, although the Syrian government denies this.

While the overwhelming majority of those who have disappeared in Syria have vanished in a network of government detention centres, more than 2,000 individuals have gone missing after being detained by armed opposition groups and the armed group that calls itself the Islamic State. Razan Zeitouneh, Wael Hamada, Samira Khalil and Nazem Hammadi, peaceful Syrian activists who worked at the Violations Documentation Center in Syria (VDC), an NGO that monitors human rights violations, were abducted by an armed opposition group from their office in Eastern Ghouta on 9 December 2013. Their families have been denied any shred of information about the fate of their loved ones.

"There has been total impunity for those responsible for disappearances in Syria. This issue must be addressed by the international community at every opportunity, including peace talks in Geneva and Astana, or else its consequences will be felt for generations and the prospects for healing and reconciliation will be undermined," said Philip Luther

To mark the International Day of the Disappeared, Amnesty International has launched an art exhibition in Beirut entitled "Tens of Thousands", which aims to raise awareness of Syria's disappeared and missing and give a voice to their families.

The exhibition at the Station Beirut gallery features items left behind by individuals who have been forcibly disappeared or abducted, as well as poems written by formerly detained poets describing their experiences in Syrian detention facilities. There is also a collection of portraits of women detainees by Syrian artist Azza Abou Rebieh. The exhibition will run from 30 August 2017 to 6 September 2017.

Amnesty International will also launch an online campaigning platform to shine a light on those who have faced enforced disappearance and abduction in Syria and help families in their efforts to find their loved ones.

Background

Amnesty International has been monitoring and campaigning against enforced disappearances and abductions, as well as other serious violations and abuses of human rights committed in Syria, since the start of the crisis in 2011.

Its 2015 report 'Between prison and the grave': Enforced disappearances in Syria details how the Syrian authorities have arrested and forcibly disappeared large numbers of peaceful government opponents and individuals they considered to be "disloyal". Amnesty International has also documented the abductions, torture and summary killings carried out by armed opposition groups against civilians, captured members of government armed forces and security forces, and of pro-government shabiha militias.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Sudan: Dr Mudawi released after eight months of wrongful imprisonment

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 30 August 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Sudan: Dr Mudawi released after eight months of wrongful imprisonment, 30 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad68b04.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Reacting to news that Sudanese human rights defender Dr Mudawi Ibrahim Adam has been released from prison and all charges against him dropped, Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, said:

"It is a great relief that this awful chapter has drawn to a close. Dr Mudawi, a prisoner of conscience, has been reunited with his family and is once again a free man.

"Dr Mudawi's eight months in prison represent a grave miscarriage of justice and his release must serve as a first step towards ending the criminalization of human rights work in Sudan. The authorities' relentless assault on any form of criticism endangers anyone who dares to speak out, and it must stop."

Mudawi was released, along with five other human rights defenders, late on 29 August. He faced six trumped-up charges, including 'undermining the constitutional system' and 'waging war against the state', both of which carry either the death penalty or life imprisonment. All charges against him have been dropped.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
The cost of "development": "The government sees Nicaragua as their estate and us as their animals"

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 4 September 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, The cost of "development": "The government sees Nicaragua as their estate and us as their animals", 4 September 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad68f64.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

When Francisca Ramirez saw a group of Chinese businessmen walking by her home in Nueva Guinea, a small village 400 kilometres east of Managua, guarded by local police officers and carrying measuring devices, she immediately knew something was terribly wrong.

A few months earlier, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega had announced the start of a new grandiose project that he claimed would lift the country out of poverty. The Grand Interoceanic Canal of Nicaragua is one of the most ambitious engineering projects in history. Spanning approximately 275 kilometres will connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and divide the country in two.

Francisca and her neighbours found out about the project when they saw the president talking about it on television. She says no one asked them what they had to say about it, which is surprising considering it would effectively leave them homeless.

"What are you doing here?" Francisca remembers asking the men.

"This land is no longer yours," she says the men responded.

And just like that, a new obscure chapter opened for the community.

President Ortega has sold the venture as a sure way to lift the nation out of poverty. With nearly 30% of people living on less than two dollars a day, Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America.

He has promised that the Canal will create thousands of jobs and attract foreign investment - the Hong Kong based HK-Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Co. Limited is already set to foot a large portion of the 50 billion dollar bill the construction will require.

But a look at the fine print suggests these shiny promises will quickly turn into something a lot more sinister.

The construction of the Canal was approved through Law 840, passed by the Nicaraguan Congress on 13 June 2013. The law also allows for a dozen related sub-projects, including an airport, two ports, a pipeline, a railroad track, and two free trade areas.

But, as an Amnesty International report recently pointed out, the new law, passed despite the lack of consultation with local communities, effectively opens the door to all manner of future projects without the need to ask those living in the affected areas for their opinion.

In practice, the law means nearly 120,000 people are at risk of losing it all. Their land, their homes and their livelihoods. Nicaragua has a population of almost six million.

The environmental cost of the project could also be devastating, with kilometres of fertile land and a large portion of the Great Lake of Nicaragua, the largest source of fresh water in Central America, likely irreversibly damaged.

"Taking away our land is like killing us"

Francisca never thought she would ever be a human rights activist. Born to a family of campesinos, she has dedicated her life to working her land and selling her produce in local markets.

But she now lives with the frightening prospect of losing the home she built for her four children and the land that provides their subsistence.

"I have worked the land since I was 12 years old, I do not know how to do anything else," said Francisca, passion in her voice, as we talk in Managua.

Francisca's community, La Fonseca, sits in the middle of one of the most fertile areas of Nicaragua. Around 2,000 people live there, nearly half of whom are children. They produce beans, Malanga (a type of sweet potato), corn, wheat and cheese.

"Since we found out about the construction of the Canal, life has become unbearable. Our lives depend on the land. Taking our land away is like taking our lives away," Francisca said.

So she decided to fight back. Francisca now dedicates her every waking hour to fighting the most powerful economic and political interests in her country. She was not prepared to give up everything she had spent her life building.

"We started talking amongst a small group of us and then we started to organize ourselves. We started to take to the streets to protest because they do not respect our rights, they do not consult us. The only thing they tell us is that we are going to be evicted," Francisca said.

But her campaign did not sit well with the authorities, who see Francisca and her community as a threat.

Community leaders and human rights defenders like Francisca who are vocal about their opposition to the Canal have been threatened and harassed.

Those who had dared to take part in any of the more than 90 demonstrations organized across Nicaragua have been brutally repressed.

Francisca herself has suffered a number of attacks. In 2015 she was arrested, and then again a year later. She has been threatened and harassed more times than she can remember.

"Since 2013, when the law came out, we have been persecuted, attacked, our rights have been violated. It is a very sad story. We have been demanding justice for four years and for four years no one has listened to us," Francisca said.

"A project that violates people's rights and that does not take into account what people think cannot be a development project. What kind of future can we have if they do not take our lives into account? The government is toying with our lives."

"The government has not offered us an alternative. We have done everything possible to try to get them to listen but they don't. This government is blind, deaf and dumb to everything, they do not see our reality."

This is a very tough fight. "How do you do it?" I asked.

"I keep going because giving up the fight would mean starting to die," Francisca said as she picked up a call from home. Her phone never stops ringing.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Cuba's Internet paradox: How controlled and censored Internet risks Cuba's achievements in education

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 29 August 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Cuba's Internet paradox: How controlled and censored Internet risks Cuba's achievements in education, 29 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad69994.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Maribel (not her real name) was the deputy principal in a state-run primary school in Cuba. She had worked there since graduating, and had been promoted fast.

Before she was ultimately pushed out of her job for her husband's political activism, which is effectively banned in Cuba, her salary was reduced by half.

The excuse given? She asked her pupils to look up information on the internet for a history lesson. And one of them used Wikipedia.

"They (the government) say children can't use Wikipedia, because everything in Wikipedia is a lie. (They say) that children have to learn what is in history books, and not look for other information," she told us when we met her in Mexico's border town of Tapachula earlier this year.

According to UNESCO, Cuba has one of the most educated populations in the hemisphere. Literacy campaigns have been central to Cuba's policies since the revolution, and the country's commendable education system continues to benefit from heavy investment. Yet decades of off-line censorship, and the apparent desire to continue restricting freedom of expression and access to information through a model of online censorship risks undermining Cuba's historical advances in education.

Cuba's distinctive model of online censorship

With a constitutional ban on independent private media, Cuba is unique in Latin America. While the independent media scene is transforming, according to a recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, a new generation of independent reporters operate in a murky legal environment and under constant threat of arbitrary detentions. They also face major limitations in accessing the internet. A pioneer in this kind of investigative reporting and news commentary is 14ymedio, an online independent daily.

14ymedio's website is one of those found to be blocked in a report published on 28 August by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI). Using open source (publically available) software, OONI has collected network measures from more than 200 countries across the world. Their aim is to gather facts about how internet censorship is being performed and to assess how the internet works, or doesn't work, in any given country. OONI's goal is to increase transparency, and prompt public debates about the legality and ethics of information control, rather than to make political assessments about what they see.

Between May and mid-June 2017, OONI tested 1,458 websites from eight locations across Havana, Santa Clara, and Santiago de Cuba. The list included websites under 30 broad categories. Of these, 1,109 were international sites, mostly from a standard list it uses all over the world for OONI-probe (its testing software for censorship.) They include major mainstream sites of general interest - including Facebook and Twitter. The remaining 349 sites were more specific to the Cuban context.

Of the total number of sites tested, OONI found 41 sites blocked. (OONI tests only a small sample - so many more sites which they didn't test are also likely blocked).

All the sites blocked had one thing in common. They expressed criticism of the Cuban government, they covered human rights issues, or had to do with circumvention tools (techniques to get around censorship). Blocking internet sites solely to limit political criticism and restrict access to information is - of course - contrary to international human rights law and a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

But this kind of blocking doesn't only happen on the web in Cuba. According to 14ymedio, Cubacel - the national cellphone network - has been censoring SMS text messages containing the terms "democracy" and "hunger strike". When graffiti artist and former prisoner of conscience, Danilo Maldonado, was in jail in January this year for painting "Se fue" (He's gone) on a wall after Fidel Castro's death, it seems text messages containing "El Sexto" (his artistic name) were also blocked.

According to OONI, the way the webpage blocking is done is "covert". When users try to access a blocked site, they are redirected to a block page, without an explanation of why the content can't be accessed. This makes it hard for a user to identify that they are experiencing internet censorship and not some transient network failure or error in loading the page.

Skype is also blocked in Cuba, but using a different kind of technology. For OONI it was something "quite interesting" and not commonly seen, though they have seen something similar in China. Either the government has bought some sophisticated technology they say, or they have some skilled people doing the blocking.

For the technically curious - it has something to do with a re-set package which you can read about more in OONI's full report. For non-techies, and users, the perceived effect is that Skype works very badly. Most of the time you can't log in or send messages or see your contact list. But according to OONI, this is "definitely intentional". And the blocking is being done not by Skype, but from servers probably present in the country.

It has long been reported in the media that Chinese company Huawei is providing the infrastructure services which create the back-bone of the internet and Wi-Fi-hotspots in Cuba. From what they detected inside Cuba, OONI says that it is pretty clear that Chinese contractors developed the software and frontends used for the WIFI hotspot portals. They found Chinese code left behind by them.

Although it makes sense that the government would get the censorship equipment from the same supplier as that rolling out the infrastructure of the internet in Cuba, Amnesty International has not seen any evidence to suggest this is the case.

Despite this, many widely used websites and applications are not blocked - WhatsApp is not. Nor is Facebook. Nor, of course, is Wikipedia.

The big question is why not?

Well, for now, it seems the government doesn't need to employ sophisticated blocking and filtering.

Dual Internet system

Like its dual currency, Cuba also has a dual internet system. The global internet - unaffordable for most Cubans. And its own intranet - cheaper and highly censored.

The Cuban government controls all the communications infrastructure in the country. (Until 2008, it banned ownership of computer equipment and DVDs). The Internet has long been viewed by the authorities as a "Trojan Horse" for US infiltration, and the US embargo is constantly blamed for Cuba's poor connectivity. Since the normalization of relations promoted by the Obama administration, and policy changes which have opened possibilities for US telecommunications companies to work in Cuba, this has become a harder argument to sell. And while President Trump's U-turn in political rhetoric allows the Cuban authorities to revive this excuse, US policy related to the Internet remains largely unchanged.

Instead, in recent years, the Cuban government has prioritized the "digitalization of society." But that digitalization, it argues, has to "guarantee the invulnerability of the Revolution, the defense of our culture, and the sustainable socialism our people are constructing."

The government has also set ambitious objectives. In a 2015 strategy, among other things, it said it would connect 50% of homes by 2020. It said that by 2018, entities of the Communist party, organs of the state, banks, and some companies would be 100% connected. By 2020 it said it would have 95% broadband connectivity in educational and health centres and scientific and cultural institutions.

Nevertheless, progress has been slow. In 2014, the national cellphone provider launched Nauta - a mobile e-mail service allowing users to send emails through the government-provided company. In March 2015, the government approved the first public Wi-Fi in Havana and has since opened hundreds of hotspots across the island. Home internet connections were legalized in a pilot program launched only in December 2016. Google Global Cache also placed servers on the island to speed up access to its content in December last year.

But as Cuban authorities continue with the digitalization strategy, the government remains reluctant to put an end to censorship programs. Instead, the government has developed a national internet - a kind of intranet - like the one you might get in a workplace or school in a connected country. Meanwhile, at 1.5 USD an hour, the cost of accessing the World Wide Web remains prohibitive for most Cubans with an average monthly salary of 25 USD, and most only use it to speak with family and friends in the diaspora. Estimates of internet penetration figures vary from 5-40% (depending on the source), but of this percentage many are only likely to be accessing the government-controlled intranet, not the global internet. And interestingly, rates for the intranet have been falling.

What does that mean in practice?

Those that access the national internet experience highly censored, government-curated information. EcuRed, Cuba's sort-of own version of Wikipedia - an online Cuban encyclopedia - for example, defames human rights defenders. Search for Laritza Diversent Cambara, a human rights lawyer, recently granted asylum in the US along with 12 other members of CUBALEX, Centro de Informacion Legal, and the site describes her as an "anti-Cuban mercenary" and her organization as "subversive."

Search for Yoani Sanchez, founder of 14yMedio, and EcuRed describes her a "cyber mercenary".

Ted Henken, Associate Professor of Sociology at Baruch College, a specialist on Cuba who has published extensively on the media landscape and internet, says "For most Cubans the intranet is a joke, because it's just a version of (the propaganda) they've been getting for 50-60 years but on the internet. It's out of date, the links are broken."

And yet this is where it seems the Cuban government wants to invest.

Just days ago, in an apparently leaked video, First Vice President Miguel Diaz Canel, widely expected to be the next President, indicated that the government would shut down OnCubas website, calling the site "very aggressive against the revolution." "Let the scandal ensure. Let them say we censure, it' fine. Everyone censors," he said.

In other speeches, has reportedly talked about the need to "perfect our platform" - the national network - and develop work against "subversive projects." He has also promoted the need to increase access for scientific and educational purposes, and economic reasons. In the same breath he has spoken about the need to generate production of Cuba's own content, to put "the content of the revolution" online.

Despite the government's ambitious plans for internet expansion, many Cubans like Maribel say the internet is only available in a limited way in educational settings. She, like other Cubans, says she knows of people who have been expelled from university for accessing "unapproved" information.

Working around "big brother"

Cuban journalists, bloggers and activists have not simply accepted these restrictions. Dozens of emerging digital media projects developed by independent bloggers and journalists (often blocked in Cuba) have found creative workarounds for getting their information published on the global net. Just days ago, 14ymedio published an article called "Recipes for circumventing online censorship."

Much has also been written about savvy young Cubans who are working around challenges to access and censorship through creative ways of sharing information. Perhaps the most famous innovation is "El Paquete" - pirated Netflix series, videos, music - shared on pen-drives through an island-wide distribution system. Then there's Streetnet (or SNET), an underground or "bootleg" Internet system built by gamers.

But while these grassroots and spontaneous innovations are exciting, the content in El Paquete or SNET is vanilla. It's not political in any way.

"In order to survive, it (El Paquete) behaves.... They stay out of politics that would get them shut down You might be discussing Game of Thrones much more than you are discussing the new electoral law," says Professor Henken.

Cubans pretty much all believe they are monitored and tracked online and that their private communications are intercepted. 'That's normal, everyone knows that,' is the standard response. After decades of physical surveillance by Committees of the Defense of the Revolution (local members of the communist party who collaborate with state officials and law enforcement agencies), it's a logical assumption.

Whether it's the case or not it's hard to say. Surveillance is notoriously hard to prove. But OONI explains something that is perhaps not immediately obvious. Censorship is an outcome, a sub-set of surveillance.

"When you do internet censorship, what you are effectively doing is implementing surveillence. In order to implement censorship you first need to surveil. You need to know what people are accessing so you can then block it. As we do see internet censorship happening (in Cuba) there must also be surveillance," OONI told Amnesty International.

And if you think you're being monitored online you're even more likely to self-censor.

Cuba's paradox: Censored education

The Internet is a vital educational tool in the modern world. By acting as a catalyst to free expression, it facilitates other human rights, such as the right to education. It also provides unprecedented access to sources of knowledge, improves traditional forms of schooling, and makes sharing of academic research widely available.

UNESCO and UNICEF have commended Cuba's educational achievements. Students from across the Caribbean, particularly medical students, graduate from its universities yearly. And yet decades of off-line censorship and this apparent desire to create a Cuban version of reality laden with political ideology through controlled access to the internet undermines this.

Professor Henken describes this simply as "a tragedy."

Many observers predict Cuba is going to repeat a Chinese model of censorship. OONI's findings - in a way a "historical archive" of what a network looks like at any moment in time - certainly hint at the potential for more sophisticated blocking and filtering in the future.

But there is another way.

With President Raul Castro expected to step down in 2018, Cuba's new President will have an opportunity to shape what role the internet plays in Cuba's future and in its education system.

After being pushed out her job, Maribel was eventually offered a job cleaning floors in a kindergarten. Instead she, like tens of thousands of other Cubans last year alone, decided to leave Cuba. And she took the education that made her question the system she lived in with her. She told Amnesty International, "Education is a constant revolution, a constant change. Things have to evolve."

The government would be wise to listen.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
South Africa: Hideous coffin assault case must spur government action on hate crime

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 25 August 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, South Africa: Hideous coffin assault case must spur government action on hate crime, 25 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad6a234.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

In response to the guilty verdict on the coffin assault case by the Middleburg High Court earlier today, Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed said:

"This hideous case lays bare the discrimination that still runs deep in South African society. The fact that the whole grotesque episode was captured on video and then posted to social media suggests that the perpetrators felt little concern that they would face justice.

"There is no place for racism or discrimination in any society, and this terrible case must spur the government to finalize the Hate Crimes legislation in order to deal decisively with incidents of discrimination."

Background

Two men were arrested after forcing Victor Mlotshwa into a coffin, and threatening to pour petrol over him in August 2016.

They were charged with kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempted murder and were put on trial at the Delmas regional court in Mpumalanga province.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Yemen: UN must respond as five children killed in night of horror

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 25 August 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Yemen: UN must respond as five children killed in night of horror, 25 August 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59ad6a734.html [accessed 14 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

An air strike which hit Faj Attan, a residential area of Yemen's capital Sana'a in the early hours of this morning, destroying three homes, killing ten people and injuring seven more, shows that after more than two years of devastating conflict in Yemen, Saudi Arabia is as brazen as ever in its disregard for international humanitarian law, Amnesty International said today.

"Last night the Saudi Arabia-led coalition rained down bombs on civilians while they slept, killing five children and leaving three others seriously injured. Locals say that a four-year-old girl was the sole survivor in her family, after the air strike killed the other seven members. Many people were trapped beneath the rubble of their homes until the early hours of this morning", said Lynn Maalouf, Middle East Research Director at Amnesty International.

An eyewitness said that the attack was one of a series of air strikes which began in the area at around 2:00 AM and continued for at least half an hour. According to local residents, there was no military target in the area at the time of the attack. Even if there were military targets, carrying out such an air strike when civilians were present would likely make it a disproportionate attack.

"In the aftermath of this night of horror there are serious questions for UN leaders, who last year made the shameful decision to remove the coalition from the list of violators of children's rights in conflict", said Lynn Maalouf.

"We are calling on the UN to look at the evidence - the schools and hospitals that lie in ruins, the hundreds of young lives lost to reckless airstrikes in the last year - and review this decision for the upcoming Children in Armed Conflict report. There is an urgent need to put Saudi Arabia under scrutiny for the raft of crimes under international law and other human rights violations its forces have committed in Yemen."

Background

In June 2016 a spokesperson for then-UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced that the Saudi Arabia-led military coalition would be removed from the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict's list of states and armed groups that violate children's rights in conflict. The move was a direct result of diplomatic pressure from Saudi Arabia.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) attending a meeting with a committee of the Workers' Party of Korea about the test of a hydrogen bomb, Sept. 3, 2017.

China's state propaganda machine swung into action on Monday to dampen online comments after Beijing condemned North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, which the isolated state said was of an advanced, "missile-ready" hydrogen bomb.

"Shut down all comment across the board on the North Korean announcement that [supreme leader] Kim Jong Un ordered a hydrogen bomb test, and related news items," the ruling Chinese Communist Party's propaganda czars said in a directive to news editors leaked and posted online by the U.S.-based China Digital Times website.

"All websites are banned from deliberately hyping related topics," the directive, which was likely transmitted verbally to news editors across China, said.

Directives regarding permissible news content may be issued by the State Council press office, the powerful Cyberspace Administration, the State Administration of Press and Publications, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), and the culture ministry, among other agencies.

North Korea said in a televised announcement on Sunday that the underground nuclear explosion, which registered on international seismic agencies as a human-generated earthquake, was a "perfect success."

China said it strongly condemned the nuclear test and urged Pyongyang to stop its wrong actions, while President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they would "appropriately deal" with North Koreas nuclear test, Xinhua news agency reported.

Chinese residents near the border with North Korea said they felt a "huge tremor" that lasted for less than a minute.

"Actually we have no idea [if this was the nuclear test], but the tremor went on for not quite a minute," a resident of Changbai county surnamed Zhang told RFA. "It has already been announced online that it was a 6.3 magnitude earthquake."

A second resident of Changbai, in the northeastern province of Jilin, close to the North Korean border, said rumors immediately began to fly that the tremor was a North Korean nuclear test.

"Some people were saying it was North Korea testing a nuclear weapon, while others said it was an earthquake," the resident said. "All of the bowls and chopsticks fell off the table."

'Very strong tremor'

An official who answered the phone at the Changbai county emergency response team confirmed the reports.

"There was a very strong tremor here, a very distinct one," the official said. "We have contingency plans, which have been put into place all along the border area."

China's State Nuclear Security Administration said it had begun nuclear radiation testing as part of emergency contingency plans in China's three northeastern provinces and the eastern coastal province of Shandong, which faces the Korean peninsula across the Yellow Sea.

Wu Fei, senior fellow at the Chinese public diplomacy and international relations think tank Chahar Institute, said the timing of the test seemed to be designed to embarrass Beijing, which is hosting the leaders of emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa in Xiamen this week.

"China is currently hosting the BRICS economic summit, and I think this nuclear test is intended to remind the leaders of China and Russia that they need to be discussing the North Korean nuclear issue at that summit," Wu said. "China's notion of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is only a target, basically."

"[China] is trying to deal calmly with it, and not give [North Korea] any recognition."

Wu said North Korea wants to be "taken seriously." But he said the likelihood of that happening in Beijing was "not very high."

The bomb was designed to be mounted on a newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Reuters cited Pyongyang as saying.

Washington has warned of a massive military response if the U.S. or its allies are threatened.

Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said after a meeting with President Donald Trump and his national security team.

President Donald Trump has also mooted the idea of cutting off trade with North Korea's trading partners, which would include China.

'Join forces to curb North Korea'

But Xia Ming, a political science professor at the The City University of New York, said China, Russia and the U.S. need to work together.

"No country has a hope of resolving this on their own," Xia said. "And if the U.S. hopes to bring China and Russia on side, it'll have to be ready to make some concessions."

"The only effective way to deal with this is for the three countries to maintain a three-way dialogue on the North Korean problem, and join forces to curb North Korea," he said.

Retired Toledo University professor Ran Bogong said such concessions might include a temporary halt to joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., a suggestion which Beijing has already put forward. Washington and Seoul are unwilling to do this.

"A halt to joint military exercises for one year could be offered in return for a temporary halt to North Korean nuclear tests," Ran said.

"That way, both sides would be able to cool off and return to the negotiating table."

"A delay of a year wouldn't hurt ... and if the talks didn't work, neither side would have much to lose."

He said the failure of previous years of six-party talks "doesn't mean necessarily that talks now would fail."

A resident of Baishan county surnamed Li said he doesn't expect a resolution to the issue while the current regime remains in power in Pyongyang, however.

"This evil will remain forever, unless the North Korean government falls, because their whole economic and strategic policy relies on their having an enemy," the resident said.

"They also need to make the [North Korean] people feel that their country is very powerful."

Reported by Wong Siu-san and Dai Weisen for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Yang Fan and Gao Shan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Undated photo of poet Wu Mingliang, known by his pen-name Langzi, who was detained in Guangdong's provincial capital Guangzhou on Aug. 18.

Authorities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong have detained a second person linked to a poetry anthology in honor of late political prisoner and Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo, who died in police custody of late-stage liver cancer in July.

Peng Heping, a close friend of poet Wu Mingliang, known by his pen-name Langzi, was detained in Guangdong's provincial capital Guangzhou in connection with his friend's "illegal business activity" charge brought by police on Aug. 18.

Now Peng, who helped Wu publish an anthology of his own verse last year, is being held under criminal detention on the same charges, writers' group the Independent Chinese PEN Center said, calling for the pair's immediate release.

"The Independent Chinese PEN Center was shocked to learn that one of its members, Langzi, whose real name is Wu Mingliang, was detained by Guangzhou police over the publication of a set of poetry volumes," center chief Bei Ling told RFA.

"Langzi's friend from the publishing world, Peng Heping, was also placed under criminal detention on Aug. 29 under the pretext of illegal business activity."

The Center said in a statement that Wu and Peng were roughly treated, and that their detention contravened their rights to freedom of expression as enshrined in the Chinese constitution.

"The right of poet Langzi to exercise his civil rights and freedoms with the publication of the memorial poetry anthology for Liu Xiaobo through the use of fabricated charges is giving rise to a miscarriage of justice," it said.

"This will cause serious harm to ... literary creativity and the constitutional rights of Chinese citizens."

Guangdong-based rights activist Wang Aizhong agreed that RFA the charges are trumped up, adding that the authorities are having trouble making them stand up, however.

"He is implicated in the charges against Langzi," Wang said. "The authorities have accused Langzi of illegal business activity, but they are finding it hard to make them stick."

Wu was pursued by "law enforcement from the Haizhu District State Administration for Press and Publications, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) after he planned to collate poems in memory of Liu, whose death prompted an international outcry over the authorities' refusal to allow him to seek medical treatment overseas.

"They need set up a chain of evidence, and so they have brought in Peng Heping, who introduced Wu to his printer," Wang said. "They are being treated as part of the same [case]."

Liu Xia back in Beijing?

Rights website Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch reported on Sunday that Peng was taken away for questioning on Aug. 29 by officers from the Huazhou police station in Haizhu district of Guangzhou.

Police told Peng's wife that she shouldn't worry, because he would likely only receive an administrative sentence of a few days, and said she wouldn't need to hire a lawyer, it said.

A printing works connected to Peng was also searched at the same time.

Wang said Langzi's detention appears to be connected to Liu Xiaobo's death, rather than the content of his poetry collection, published last year.

"His poetry collection ... came out last year, and there haven't been any issues with that since, but I heard that he was involved in putting together an anthology of verse after Liu Xiaobo's death," Wang said.

Liu Xiaobo's widow Liu Xia is reportedly back in Beijing after being taken to an unknown location, possibly in the southwestern province of Yunnan, by state security police during the seven-week mourning period following her husband's funeral on July 16.

Veteran rights activist Frank Lu, founder of the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said he had spoken to Liu Xia at the weekend.

"Liu, speaking in a weak voice, explained to me that she could not stop taking [her anti-depressants]," Lu told Hong Kong's English-language South China Morning Post at the weekend.

"I also asked her to quit smoking, and she promised me that she would smoke less."

The paper quoted Liu's friend Ye Du as saying that she had answered the phone when he called her Beijing home on Saturday but was unable to hear who was calling.

Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Hai Nan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
To compete against the big drug store chains, Buford Road Pharmacy sells home health equipment and offers in-store fitting for custom order Dr. Comfort brand orthopedic shoes, among other services.

Because there is not much (profit) margin in pharmacy retail sales of medications, thats why we have the home health department, said pharmacist Wendy Bare, store manager at Buford Road Pharmacy at 2608 Buford Road which last month marked its 60th anniversary.

Your standard rollators, wheelchairs, lift chairs, hospital beds.  We dont have the Medicare contract so we cant bill Medicare for it. But a lot of people, they just might prefer to have a hospital bed, and be willing to pay for it out of pocket, Bare said. The store rents and sells home health equipment.

Lafayette Pharmacy, a community pharmacy that turns 80 this November, also has adapted to the changing pharmacy landscape by adding services not always available at chain pharmacies, pharmacist Mel Fitzgerald said.

If you are just going to pour and fill, you are not going to be around, said Fitzgerald, who has owned the small neighborhood pharmacy on Lafayette Street in Richmond since 1986.

So we have developed a niche here. Its called adherence packaging, where we package (drugs) for people at home. It has just exploded, Fitzgerald said.

Independent, community pharmacies realizing that they cant compete on drug prices against the CVSs, Walgreens, and Rite Aids of the world or the mail order pharmacies are putting more emphasis on their ability to be more flexible and provide more personal service, including prescription delivery, custom compounding, convenience packaging of prescriptions, and related services such as immunizations, medication counseling and more.

Over the years, weve reinvented ourselves multiple times, looking for the newest niche, something unique that you cant find at other pharmacies, said pharmacist Catherine Cary, president and chief executive officer of Bremo Pharmacy, which was founded in 1976 by her father, Dan Herbert.

The consistent has been that relationship part, though. Weve always prided ourselves on getting to know our patients and making sure that we are helping them stay healthy, making sure the medicines are working for them, Cary said.

Even so, Bremo Pharmacy had to figure out new ways to build a client base and generate revenue, she said.

The pharmacy has a long-term care division that is focused on serving smaller, community adult homes and group homes.

It also has an arrangement with HCA Virginias Henrico Doctors Hospital to offer bedside delivery to patients being discharged. With Bremo Bedside, Bremo employees come by and pick up prescriptions, have them filled and bring them to the patient before the person is discharged from the hospital.

In another customer-friendly effort, Bremo Pharmacy offers the SyncRX program where customers with multiple prescriptions can arrange to have them refilled at the same time.

You just have to distinguish yourself as different. Its what we try to do, Cary said.

We dont have a drive-thru, and were not open 24 hours. But what we do thrive on is building that patient connection and helping to make sure people are taking their medicines and getting well, she said.

******

Nationally, about 22,000 independent community pharmacies operate in the U.S.  a number that has been stable for the past 10 to 15 years, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association.

The real change happened from about 1980 to 2000, said John Norton, spokesman for the association, which is based in Alexandria.

That is where you saw the real growth in terms of chain pharmacies.  That is when you saw a lot of independents being purchased by these publicly traded companies, he said.

The biggest chains are CVS, which has about 9,700 pharmacy stores, and Walgreens with about 8,175. Walmart and Rite Aid each have about 4,500 stores. Kroger has pharmacies in 2,255 of its stores.

Overall, independent pharmacies make up close to 40 percent of pharmacies, Norton said.

Independent pharmacies serve a need. We offer a lot of different services that chains dont have the flexibility to offer, Norton said.

In Virginia, about 9 percent of licensed pharmacists in the state work in independent community pharmacies, according to a 2015 Virginia Department of Health Professions workforce report on pharmacists. The report is based on survey responses of 12,440 pharmacists.

Norton said the main competition for independent pharmacies is not so much the chain drug stores as it is mail order companies.

Insurance companies contract with pharmacy benefit managers, PBMs for short, to oversee prescription drug benefits for employee health plans, and those PBMs often encourage patients to use mail order pharmacies to get the cheapest price or lowest co-pay, he said.

They hand us take-it-or-leave-it contracts. They are not open to negotiation. We dont have an alternative, Norton said.

In some cases, the PBMs own the mail order pharmacies.

They are our business partners and business competitors, Norton said.

For independent community pharmacies to be competitive, theyve got to establish a loyal customer base and be flexible.

If youre relying solely on prescription drug sales it can be challenging, Norton said.

***

The pharmacy profession is changing in other ways.

In Virginia and the U.S., more women than men are licensed pharmacists, a profession once dominated by men.

Leah Argie, a 2011 graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, is one of them.

When the independent pharmacy in Charlottesville that she worked for closed earlier this year, she opened her own.

I was faced with a what am I going to do next type of situation, Argie said. There were jobs out there for pharmacists along different career paths. I have always been interested in owning a pharmacy. I decided to go ahead and go for it.

Top Notch Family Pharmacy opened July 17 at 943 Preston Ave. in Charlottesville.

What we feel like sets us apart is our customers service. We really try to treat everybody who comes in like family, Argie said.

Top Notch offers custom compounding, free prescription delivery in town, home health supplies and custom medication packaging.

Most people come to us for customer service, compounding and medication packaging. We are able to get prescriptions out to people quickly, and delivery is a big portion of it. The total package of all these little extras are why people say they come to us, Argie said.

At Bell Creek Pharmacy, which opened in February, pharmacist and owner Hemal Patel also offers compounding, delivery and patient counseling. The pharmacy is located at 8324 Bell Creek Road in Hanover County.

Theres a need for compounding. A lot of chain pharmacies dont compound, so that was one aspect of it, Patel said.

Second was being your neighborhood pharmacist. A lot of times old school pharmacists knew their patients by name versus at the chain pharmacies. A lot of times you are seeing so many patients its more like a number rather than knowing the person individually. As a retail pharmacist at a chain pharmacy you will know some of the patients, but you are not going to know each and every one. The personal care is missing, Patel said.

VCU School of Pharmacy assistant professor Lauren M. Caldas has a sense of what incoming pharmacy students are thinking about the profession. She is faculty adviser for the National Community Pharmacists Associations student chapter, which has about 16 members.

Out of an incoming first-year pharmacy class of about 130 students, Caldas said maybe three indicate they plan to open up their own pharmacy.

Students get experience at independent community pharmacies during their course work. And after students earn their doctor of pharmacy degree, they can opt to do residencies, including a yearlong stint at a community pharmacy. Argie did a yearlong community pharmacy residency at Bremo Pharmacy.
The old door that once led out the back of the kitchen in the 18th-century stucco Colonial on Belle Glade Drive in Henrico, a recovery home and safe haven for men grappling with substance abuse, had often borne the brunt of their frustrations.

Glass panes were busted out, replaced with cardboard and paper, and chipped paint bore witness to frequent kicks.

People get pissed off and slam the door. That happens a lot, said Tim Jones, 29, who is staying at the group home run by the McShin Foundation for the second time.

But a new door, along with insulation, light fixtures and other improvements, were among the upgrades being made last week, designed to make the 3,900-square foot home a more comfortable place .

Dominion Energy, which was marking the 35th anniversary of its EnergyShare program, established to provide bill assistance, weatherization services and outreach to needy customers, had committed $20,000 to upgrade five group homes operated by McShin, a Henrico nonprofit that uses recovering alcoholics and addicts to help others overcome substance abuse.

This is an awesome surprise, said Jones, who is from Chesterfield and is attempting to overcome opiate and cocaine addiction.

A group of volunteers  including Dominion employees, members with the utilitys weatherization partner, Project Homes, a local nonprofit, and some residents of the homes  were working on the Belle Glade house and a nearby group home on Dumbarton Road last week.

We do a handful of projects like this every year, said Rebecca McNamara, a public policy representative from Dominion. The company has provided assistance to 800,000 families since EnergyShare began, said Dan Genest a Dominion spokesman. In 2015, as part of a deal struck with Gov. Terry McAuliffe to freeze base utility rates, the company expanded EnergyShare to veterans and people with disabilities. Dominion pledged $57 million to the program through 2019 .

Kerri Walker, Project Homes director of energy conservation programs, said the work has involved sealing attics and crawlspaces, putting in new insulation, tuning up and cleaning air conditioners and beefing up ventilation fans in bathrooms to reduce mold.

Honesty Liller, CEO of the McShin Foundation, said the organization spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on indigent care every year, and every dollar saved on energy costs helps the organization treat people who need help.
Authorities are investigating the death of a male found in a vehicle Sunday night after he had been shot.

Officers were summoned shortly before 10 p.m. to the 100 block of Wythemar Street near Midlothian Village Apartments off Midlothian Turnpike for a report of gunfire and a vehicle crash.

The male who had been shot was pronounced dead on the scene, said Richmond police Capt. Greer Gould.
While protesters and counter-protesters clashed in Charlottesville on Aug. 12, a diverse group of citizens quietly labored to rehabilitate a valuable historic resource in Petersburg. The Exchange Building, a Greek Revival marvel erected in 1842, has been the home of the Siege Museum for the past 40 years. Exhibits and displays in that facility mark how military actions between June 1864 and April 1865  actions that caused 70,000 men to die in the fields surrounding Petersburg  had a huge impact on the citys civilian population.

In the fall of 2015 the Exchange Building began to show serious maintenance issues. Rather than develop a careful triage program to get the building back online, the city chose to shutter the building and refused any outside inspections with misleading claims there were significant structural and environmental hazards.

When the Petersburg City Council announced in September 2016 it would cease funding museum and tourism initiatives, a group of preservation activists rallied.

They created a not-for-profit effort named the Petersburg Preservation Task Force and took over operation and management of city-owned museums  such as the 1735 Blandford Church and Centre Hill Mansion, built in 1823. Although the buildings are still owned by the city, the relationship between PPTF and the city is spelled out in a memorandum, with funding for the museums being the responsibility of the task force.

Although skeptical at first, city management, elected officials, and citizens have embraced the progress made since Dec. 1, 2016. More than 3,500 visitors from 40 states and 10 countries have shared in the unique stories of Blandford Church and Centre Hill and experienced at least a part of the historic fabric of this fabled town.

Yet the Exchange Building continued to languish. In April of this year a plan was devised to reopen the building through a combination of professional and volunteer initiatives. The cost of doing this was projected to be $50,000 to $100,000  significantly less than the proposed $1.2 million former city officials said it would take to get the edifice back to code.

On the day of the Charlottesville tragedy, 43 citizens  including Sons of Confederate Veterans, African-American officials, Protestants, Catholics and Jews, longtime natives and new transplants  spent four hours bringing a shine back to the 175-year-old structure. While dozens of people were injured and three lives were lost 100 miles up the road, this diverse group of Petersburg citizens never argued about the Confederate flag displayed on the wall. They were moved when they passed a display about African-Americans who fought in the fields surrounding Petersburg in 1864-1865, and they stood somberly at the display about Lt. Ruppert Sargent, an African-American who attended Virginia State University and posthumously received the Medal of Honor for bravery in Vietnam in 1967.

They were not there to celebrate causes; they worked to commemorate those who had made the ultimate sacrifice or those who devoted their lives to duty while bearing incredible hardships. They came together organically  citizen activists who picked up the pieces where elected officials have consistently preferred posturing to leadership.

In July 2015 the Virginia Board of Historic Resources learned of scattered incidents across the commonwealth regarding negative reactions to various Confederate symbols. As a senior member of that board and in an attempt to get in front of the issue, I advised the McAuliffe administration to develop  a careful examination of all applicable  state agency policies  to assure that there is coherent consideration for removal if removal is advocated. The suggestion went nowhere. Failures at all levels of government show this is not just a left-wing/right-wing issue. It is the unwillingness of the political class to provide the moral leadership desperately needed at this time.

Therefore, it is average citizens who need to seize opportunities to work together in a positive way. The Petersburg Preservation Task Force is using this period to gather resources and interpret the citys history in an inclusive and accurate representation of the diverse social, economic and ethnic background  as well as the subsequent struggles  of its inhabitants over the past 370 years.

Before we begin to remove statues, we need to consider adding context and interpretation that includes the fact that, in many cases, they were erected 140 years ago by people who were shattered by defeat and personal grief. Lets put away the placards and helmets and roll up our sleeves to make a small difference in meaningful ways. Creative and practical exercises  such as the day of work service projects in Petersburg  can further the dialogue about how to preserve our common heritage. One can hope that after actually working shoulder to shoulder, we will be in a better place to thoughtfully evaluate the next steps.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
MainStreet of Fremont recently contracted a Wisconsin-based firm to spend some time in Historic Downtown Fremont to get a better sense of what will happen with the area moving forward.

Shannon Mullen, executive director of MainStreet of Fremont, spoke Monday about how Todd Barmann of Barmann & Associates provided his specialty Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week by spending nearly a day and a half in the downtown area soaking up the landscape.

Mullen said he did a great deal of on-site sightseeing, met with Fremonts Market Place Task Force Team and spent time with Mayor Scott Getzschman and City Administrator Brian Newton to get a gauge on needs and plans.

A public meeting was held Thursday evening at the May Brothers Building to gather Fremont residents thoughts and feelings, too.

His specialty really is overseeing downtown areas, and he will be able to give us some great feedback about the feasibility of some things in the downtown moving forward, Mullen said of Barmann. Just how we can look forward into the future and determine how we can continue to grow the business mix downtown.

Barmann, Mullen said, was contracted for the job approximately two months ago because of his vast experience in the field.

Hes taking a look at how at our current business mix and how future developments are happening in other communities our size, as well as other communities around the United States, she said. He has a Main Street specialty and has been in the industry 20-plus years, and then he has his own consulting business so it just shows he has a really good feel for downtown.

Numerous previously completed studies regarding Fremonts downtown will be analyzed by Barmann, Mullen said, and his findings and suggestions should be completed by late November or early December.

He has taken into consideration lots of other studies that have been done downtown as well as other pieces (of information) that we have available, she said. He is also taking into consideration growth that will come from Costco (chicken processing plant) and new homes in areas that will be growing.

Studies like this are important because it shows things a downtown is doing well, and also areas that can use a little adjustment and improvement.

We want to ensure the success of all of our downtown businesses and make sure that we invite a great mix of businesses, Mullen said. We want to push the envelope a little and really see what we can do with the downtown, especially with some of the growth we are seeing.
MASON CITY | A Mason City woman was arrested for felony second-degree arson after setting a house on fire Saturday in Mason City, police say.

Donyale Jones, 29, is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Mason City police and fire departments responded to a fire around 1:50 p.m. at 218 Eighth Place Southeast, according to a news release.

Upon arriving at the scene, police say the structure was fully engulfed in flames.

Mason City firefighters were able to put out the fire with no personal injury or further property damage. Keith Riser owns the property on contract from Nick and Rita Zahariades, according to county assessor records.

During the initial response, police personal were provided information that the fire was intentionally set, the release said.

The Mason City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division along with the fire department and state fire marshals office conducted a joint investigation.

A hearing hasn't been scheduled for Jones. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison.
March 8, 1929 August 31, 2017 Irving Minter Groves Jr., longtime Martinsville banker, respected businessman, tireless civic leader, community advocate, and beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on Thursday, August 31, 2017, in Memorial Hospital of Martinsville. He was 88. He was born on March 8, 1929, in Martinsville, Va., the son of Irving Minter and Mattie Hundley Groves Sr. After graduating from Martinsville High School, he attended Randolph-Macon College, where he graduated with honors and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, ODK, and Who's Who. He then earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania. Groves joined Piedmont Trust Bank (now BB&T) in 1952 to start the bank's Trust Department. He held numerous senior management positions within the bank and was elected as its President and CEO in 1973. After the holding company, Piedmont Bank Group, was formed in 1977, Groves was designated as its first President and CEO. Under his leadership, Piedmont Bank Group grew to be one of the largest bank holding companies in Southwest Virginia before its acquisition by BB&T. His advice and counsel were solicited by many local companies, on whose boards he served as a Director. In addition to Piedmont Trust Bank and Piedmont Bank Group, he also served on the board of directors of American Furniture Co, Inc., Hooker Furniture Corporation, Nationwide Homes, Tultex Corporation, American Standard Homes, Henry County Plywood, and several small, closely-held companies. Aside from the business demands on Groves' time, he also spent countless hours serving in leadership positions for numerous community and charitable endeavors. Among these, he served as President and Drive Chairman of the United Way, on the board of Memorial Hospital, President of the Kiwanis Club, Organizer and Chairman of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, State Board Member of the Virginia Community College System, board member of the Virginia College Fund, board member of the Virginia Bankers Association, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee of Patrick Henry Community College, Trustee of Carlisle School, and President of the Community Recreation Center (predecessor to the YMCA). He also was an active participant in the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America (he was an Eagle Scout), the Bulldogs Boosters Club, and was Chairman of the Bond Drive for Martinsville High School. For his entire life, Groves was an involved member of the First United Methodist Church. Among other positions, he served the church as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Endowment Committee. Though Groves never sought recognition for his community service, the organizations that benefitted from his involvement and leadership chose to bestow upon him several prestigious awards, including: the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce's most prestigious award, the Heck Ford Award; the Jaycee's Distinguished Service and Key Man Award; the Chamber of Commerce's Fred Herring Award; the Economic Development Corporation's Pillar Award; the Home Builders Association's Beducian-Gusler Award; and the American Red Cross's Outstanding Leadership Award. He was preceded in death by his parents and his lifelong sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Jett Carter Groves. Surviving are his three children, Irving Minter Groves III, of Dallas, Texas, Jett Groves Wood (Reed) and Mattie Groves Sheppard (Steve) of Martinsville; six grandchildren, Vaughan Heilman, Claiborne Linvill (Darren), Mollie Dinnin (Adam), Jeremiah Wood, Micah Wood (Morgan) and A.J. Hice (Martha); three great-granddaughters; and a sister, Ruth Groves Chaney, of Martinsville. The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the many local doctors, nurses, and caregivers who gave so freely of themselves to comfort him, in particular during the last several years. A Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at Oakwood Cemetery, followed by a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Ron Mateer and Keith Ritchie officiating. A reception will follow at Chatmoss Country Club. The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, September 4, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either the First United Methodist Church (146 E. Main St., Martinsville, VA 24112), The Irving M. Groves, Jr. Scholarship at Patrick Henry Community College Foundation (Frith Hall 146, 645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia 24112), or to a charity of the donor's choice. McKee-Stone Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.
LAU Eleanor Tardy September 29, 1933 September 3, 2017 Eleanor Tardy Lau, 83, of Blacksburg, died Sunday, September 3, 2017, at Lewis Gale Hospital-Montgomery. She was born in Rockbridge County, Va. on September 29, 1933 to the late Emmett and Martha Tardy. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Norman Eugene Lau; and a brother, Willis Tardy. Eleanor was a longtime member and a Deacon at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. She retired from Radford University as a Professor in the school of education. She was an active member of the DAR. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Scott Norman and Jamie Lau; four grandchildren, Derek Lau, Brett Lau, Bryson Rasmussen, and Taylor Rasmussen; several nieces and nephews; special longtime friends, Robert and Betty Blasch. Funeral Services will be conducted Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 2 p.m. in the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Catherine Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time Wednesday at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions my be made to the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P. O. Box 287, Blacksburg, Va. 24063-0287. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
By Doris Crouse-Mays

Crouse-Mays is president of the Virginia AFL-CIO and a long-time resident of Vinton.

Labor Day is a day set aside to honor workers. But shouldnt workers be honored every day? Workers are the engine that drives this nation. Workers are the ones who put their lives on the line every day to build prosperity for businesses and to deliver public services.

Yet, at a time when we have become one of the most prosperous nations in the world, its working people who are being left behind. Wages have become stagnant, but company profits have gone up. Weve seen corporations ship our jobs overseas and stash profits offshore to avoid paying taxes while corporate-backed politicians chip away at the good pay, health care and retirement security we earned.

This Labor Day, working people are standing together to say thats not right. We must rewrite our economic rules so wages are high, benefits are strong, work is safe, retirement is secure and the right to form a union is guaranteed.

Workers put their lives on the line each day and no one expects this shift to be his or her last. The U.S. has become the most productive nation in the world, but now we must work to ensure that all workers return home safely at the end of the day. Last year, there were 43 fatalities that Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) investigated. That was nearly a 40 percent increase from the year before, and 2017 is on pace to be deadlier yet for Virginias workers. As of July, 19 workers have died of job-related injuries and illnesses in 2017.

Recently, there has been a lot of emphasis placed on where Virginia ranks in the nation for business. There should be the same emphasis placed on where Virginia ranks for working people  for workers compensation, unemployment benefits, and average pay for teachers and other public employees.

In Virginia, we should strive to rank the best for workers in these areas just like we rank where Virginia is for businesses. We may be the 7th best state for business, but Virginia consistently ranks in the bottom portion for all other worker benefits. According to CNBCs Americas Top States for Business 2017, it was stated that  Virginia has created the best workforce in the nation while promoting fiscal responsibility and growing industries such as bio-tech, cyber-security and health care. I truly believe that here in Virginia, we do have the best workforce in the nation. Its about time we started treating our workers as such.

Last year, Virginias voters rejected a constitutional amendment that attempted to enshrine right to work in the states constitution. Not only did that measure fail, but it failed in more than 72 percent of localities across the Commonwealth. More importantly, it sent a resounding message that voters in Virginia believe workers ought to have a voice on the job and the freedom to join together to negotiate a fair return on our work.

Unfortunately, not all workers in Virginia are able to exercise these freedoms. Virginia is one of only 2 states in the nation to prohibit public employees from collectively bargaining. The very workers who keep Virginia running  the first responders, police officers and firefighters who protect our homes and keep us safe; the emergency medical technicians and nurses who care for us when we are sick; the teachers who educate our children; and the municipal and state workers who provide vital services for our communities each day  do not and cannot have a voice on the job in Virginia. Why? Because the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in the 1970s that localities could not enter into official agreements with employees under the premise that a collective bargaining agreement in Arlington County had violated the Dillon Rule.

Later, the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation in 1993, officially stripping localities and public employees of their rights to enter into official agreements with one another. This is wrong and it should be changed. If public employees want to join in union, they ought to have the same opportunities to do so as their counterparts in the private sector.

Working people are coming together and winning in workplaces across the Commonwealth. From our eastern peninsula to our western most counties, workers in shipyards, grocery stores, manufacturing facilities, and offices have negotiated fair contracts that provide safer working conditions, better training, good benefits, and wages that allow us to provide for our families.

Virginias workers are moving forward. Were ready to continue to organize and push towards an economic agenda that works for all of us. So this Labor Day, lets commit to build on the incredible achievements of Americas working people  everything weve done and everything we will do.
LAKE SEMINOLE | Jay Jung of Charles City had been out on a boat with two guides looking for alligators since dawn on Lake Seminole in Georgia.

They had hooked two smaller gators who came unhooked before Jung caught the big one on Aug. 19.

The weather was gorgeous in the morning.

When we hooked it, the sun was starting to get hot, Jung said.

Since they were in a swamp, it was humid, muggy and buggy out but Jung didnt seem to mind.

After a two-hour fight with the gator, Jung was able to bring in an 11-foot, two-inch male alligator weighing in over 400 pounds.

It was surreal ... its like a dinosaur, Jung said. It didnt really hit you until it was in the boat.

The scale was not the most accurate and Jung said he was told the gator was probably closer to 500 pounds.

It was like, 'I cant believe I just killed that,' Jung said. It gets your adrenaline pumping.

Jung was told that the 11-foot gator was one of the biggest caught on the lake this year and the biggest gator how two guides caught on that lake.

Jung went down to Georgia at the opening of gator season.

It was quite an adventure, Jung said.

Jung and his two guides, Fred Fielder and Lee Nunnally, spotted the gator before he went back under. He popped back up about 30 feet from the boat. Once they hooked him, it took about two hours of fighting and getting other hooks in him.

We were able to get him close enough to the boat to shoot him, Jung said. Hes probably about 50 years old but its hard to tell.

The gator meat will be split between Jung and his two guides who live in Georgia.

Ive had it before and it is wonderful, Jung said.

The gator hide was sent to a tannery where the process will take about a year, Jung said. After that, hes not sure what to do with the hide. He has considers having the hide turned into boots but the process could cost $3,000.

Thats one expensive pair of boots, Jung said. I dont even know if I could wear them.

Jung, an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, hunts deer, pheasant and turkeys typically.

Ive had a couple of opportunities to hunt other game, Jung said.

Last year, he hunted feral hogs in Texas.

Im not a crazy, crazy all kinds of exotic game hunter, Jung said.

His cousin went to school at University of Georgia-Athens and caught a nine-foot gator before. Interested in the hunt, Jung applied for a gator tag. It takes about five years to draw a tag to hunt alligators in Georgia.

One of the guides had come up to Iowa to go deer hunting and they sort of had a bargain as guides.

I cant hunt gators up here and he cant hunt big white tails down there, Jung said.

Jung said he would love to hunt alligators again.

Next year, Ill put in for another tag, he said.
MASON CITY | The city has approved nearly $500,000 in forgivable loans in the past three years to help businesses upgrade their properties  and more of the same is expected Tuesday night.

There are three programs  one for the Federal Avenue corridor, one for downtown businesses and one for the Highway 122 corridor  that all operate under pretty much the same guidelines.

The city will match private investments of up to $30,000 in a loan that is forgivable if the property owner retains ownership and maintains the property for at least seven years.

So far, 18 loans have been approved for a total of $425,020 and three more are on the City Council agenda Tuesday night.

Director of Development Steven Van Steenhuyse said the loans have leveraged more than $1.2 million in improvements. The property owner benefits, and so does the city through an improved tax base, he said.

The loan requests coming before the council on Tuesday include:

 K&D Enterprises, owner of Market 124 at the corner of North Delaware Avenue and Second Street Northeast. Market 124 and a porcelain painting shop are on the first floor. An upper floor has a yoga studio, an attorney's office and an empty space. The applicant intends to tuck-point the brick exterior, replace 28 upper-story windows and do work on one of the walls. Total cost of the project is $65,971.87. K&D Enterprises is seeking a $30,000 loan.

 Craig and Janelle Binnebose, for property at 520 N. Federal Ave., just north of Birdsall's. The building contains a leased space in the front half with a machine and woodworking shop in the back half. The Binneboses want to repair a flat roof on the front half of the building. Total cost is $10,954. They are seeking a $5,477 loan.

 Tony and Kristi Marquis, 11-15 E. State St., just east of Moorman Clothiers. A State Farm Insurance office is on the first floor. The upper floor is vacant. The owners hope to put in dwelling units in the future. The applicants intend to tuck-point the brick exterior and replace three windows at the rear of the building. Total cost is $20,360.15. They are seeking a loan of $10,180.07.

The council meets at 7 p.m. in the Mason City Room of the public library.
Pictured from (left to right): Nehdi Tajabidi, Mohammed Chernarli and Mehdi Esmacpoor

THREE men sentenced to a total of 27 years in jail for running a meth factory in a suburban home are still at large almost a month after they were convicted.

Mehdi Esmacpoor (38), of Farm Drive, Rawmarsh, Mohammed Chernarli (30), of Mary Hill Road, Glasgow, and Nehdi Tajabidi (31), of Broom Valley Road, were found guilty of conspiracy to produce class A drugs on August 9.

But the three men failed to turn up for their week-long trial at Sheffield Crown Court, only their co-defendant, Luliana Otaraseanu (30) of Manor Fields Close, Kimberworth, attended and was acquitted of the same offence.

The men were sentenced in their absence, Esmacpoor and Chernarli both received ten years in jail and Tajabidi was sentenced to seven years.

The Iranian men had been in custody following their arrest last May after the Broom Valley meth house was shut down following police surveillance.

But were released after their custody time limits expired.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing last month, Det Sgt Anna Sedgwick, who led the investigation, said she was confident the men would be found quickly and that their passports had been confiscated.

But this week, South Yorkshire Police said the three men were still wanted and a warrant was out for their arrest.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101.
AN ARSON attack on a wheelie bin spread to a garage.

Firefighters were called to a property on Wales Road, Kiveton Park, at around 11.45pm on Saturday night.

A spokeswoman said the blaze had spread to a garage and it took a crew from Aston fire station around 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

A car burst into flames after being involved in a crash in Mexborough.

A crew from Dearne station was called to Adwick Road, where a Peugeot had been involved in a single-vehicle crash at around 4am on Saturday.

A mechanical fault was thought to have been the cause of a Ford Transit fire on Park Hill, Swallownest, at around 9.20pm on Sunday.

And arsonists also torched grass and a tree on Fenton Road, Kimberworth Park, at around 8pm on Sunday.
Oksana Senatorova has been famous in the jewellery world for a long time as a publisher of the Navigator in the Jewellery Trade journal, organizer of the international contest The Best Jewellery Store of the Year, curator of professional events and industry workshops on sales in the jewellery sector and an active blogger. She was given credit for her achievements and merits with a Memorial Faberge Foundation award. Oksana Senatorova answered the questions of Rough&Polished.

Recently, the contest The Best Jewellery Store of the Year has been held. What is its purpose and who are its participants?

The international contest The Best Jewellery Store of the Year is a centerpiece in the Russian and CISs jewellery industry during the last 16 years. It is not an overstatement to say that all the jewelers know about it. All the industry players  both traders and manufacturers  come to Moscow in June every year to take part in the ceremony of awarding the winners. From the point of view of the PR and marketing, it is prestigious to win the title of the Best and enjoy it for the whole year. And we strive for making our prize  the Pallas Athena statuette  a kind of the jewellery Oscar in our sector.

The contest has been held by our Navigator in the Jewellery Trade journal since 2002. Over 16 years, 3,258 jewellery stores from Russia and abroad - even from Italy - have taken part in it, but mainly the stores from the CIS countries. Nowadays, due to the crisis and political issues, the number of the participating countries decreased, the Ukraine does not take part However, the contest is still alive and 506 jewellery stores have become winners over the time of its existence. They are the pride of our industry, the best of the best!

A competent jury awards the distinguished title of a winner based on the very strict criteria. The contest is supported by the Chamber of Assay of Russia, Gohran (State Precious Metals and Gems Repository) of Russia and the Jewellers Guild of Russia. The main nominations include Grand Prix, The Best Decoration of the Retail Space, Jewellery Chains, special awards like The Best Organization of Sales, The Best Watch Store, etc.

The main purpose of the contest The Best Jewellery Store of the Year is to support and reward the professionals in the organization of jewellery sales. As you know, the marked dropped drastically, but still some ambitious store owners make renovations while preparing to the contest, and also rebrand, reequip and sometimes, we wait to the last moment for those who open a new store 

Internet-sales of jewellery are not a fresh topic. But lately, it has become a matter of considerable debate. There are diverse judgements upon the subject. What is your opinion about this type of trade?

The principle of trade is changing very considerably all over the world. Actually, the goods sales are going to the online space, and brick-and-mortar shops are becoming show rooms where a consumer really chooses a jewellery piece, tries it on, identifies it by a tag and then orders it online where the price could be less just because the online shop operating costs are much lower than those of an offline one.

Right now, the online jewellery selling looks like an order of a piece that is received and paid for in a special pick-up point, including doing this in a jewellery store.

What is your opinion about the online jewellery trading constraints?

Certainly, we want them to be lifted. The problems occurring in the online sales can be easily solved. I told this repeatedly at the meetings of the Public Council under the Chamber of Assay of Russia on this subject. The state bodies have active discussions with the jewelers, take into account their opinions and we hope that soon all the legislative issues will be settled.

Not to become just a show room, it is necessary to build and nurture relationships with your target customers, share a common language, and educate them, after all.

The Internet trade is the thing of the future. That is why today people live in two realities at the same time  in the true one and the virtual one. All our customers are in the internet and we should make use of this. Besides, online technologies are improving all the time. Even now, it is possible to present a jewellery piece on the website as a live one, show all its beauty and uniqueness.

How an active participation in the social networking sites could revive and optimize the jewellery industry?

Practically all Russians are present in the Internet. The audience of  (Odnoklassniki/ Classmates) and  (VKontakte/InContact), according to independent data, amounts to 140 mln people! Even taking errors and profile pages overlapping into account, it is a great many people. And people not just make fun in the social media, they make purchases there. That is why jewellery stores, companies and brands which will be the first to use the technologies of promotion and sales via social media will gain huge competitive advantages. And a manifold increase in sales, too. No doubt, this will be for the benefit of all our industry as a whole. The rest will have no choice but reach after the leaders and master their work in the social media.

That is why on September 25-26, 2017 we arrange the first training session Managing the online for jewelers

Tell us about this workshop in more details: how will it be held and what are your expectations?

We organize 2-day training session.

Day 1: Promotion of jewellery, companies and brands in the social media. Training will be in the Mail.Ru Group Tower in Leningradsky Avenue, Moscow. Mail.Ru Group unites many platforms and services, it owns the top social media  and  with their huge audience. The Mail.Ru Group experts will tell you clearly, easy-to-understand and in an algorithmic manner using the cases from the jewellery industry and luxury market how to efficiently promote your business in their social media.

Day 2: Online POS (point of sale): How to survive after Federal Law 54-FZ. We will listen to the .. (Yandex. Money.) experts advices and follow them. And then some.

There are many reasons to get training with us, and I will mention the main ones:

First: It is first-hand training  the best online experts conduct training, and not we do this. The editor-in-chief and myself are also among the participants in this workshop.

Second: Specially for the jewelers, the online cases from jewellery industry and luxury market are arranged. I cannot tell in advance whether many good examples could be found. But those that are at hand, of course, will be reviewed. In future, we will propose the brave jewelers to give their cases for after-action reviewing by the experts.

Third: There are programmes for executives. Rather often we hear something like As for the online marketing, I myself do not know oats. So it is not my bag . At that moment, I set my words half a tone higher: That is just a splendid thing for you! Word!

There are minimum two reasons: it is necessary to improve all the time! Once you stop and decide that you do not need this any more and that you know much already  you are lost. Alas! And there is one more  practical  reason: how to control what is proposed by those who are not knowledgeable? How to understand that the resource that an employee or outsourcer askes for is adequate to the result? You can do it once you mastered the technology and know what's what!

You actively visit the exhibitions and fairs, make presentations and arrange round tables. What the jewellery means for you  are they just goods in the professional sphere?

I work in the information space of the jewellery industry, so it is part of my profession to be always in the thick of action. I am proud of the confidence of those who know about Navigator, subscribe for it and like it, and I recognize my responsibility. I want very much to see jewellery stores full of customers, so in addition to the journal, we always have some other interesting and useful projects.

But I also love jewellery and am happy to wear it.

It is interesting to know what are your preferences?

Pearls are among my favourites. Well, of course, diamonds! I have got grown up daughters and I allow them wear something from my jewellery box.

Any new trends in the jewellery?

The purchasing power dropped but it is possible to maintain the market. Now, the demand for gold pieces is less than that for silver ones, which is understandable: the value of one kilogramme of gold equals to that of 40 kg of silver. In silver pieces, the fashion trends, modern style and unusual design are more important than ever before, gems should be bright and jewellery should be eye-catching  it is important to change the assortment when market is falling. Nowadays, diamonds are used even with silver settings, which never happened!

As far as I know, you are a physician by education, but you are a society lady and has been in the jewellery sector for a long time. How did you come to it, what attracts you?

Having three children made me alter my way of living drastically and leave medicine. When you have many children, there are not many employers ready to hire you.

It happened so that I started to do what had fallen into my hands - publish a journal. The Navigator in the Jewellery Trade journal has been published since 2001 and have been working there since 2004. At first, I was glad to realize my potential in something and later on, an interest appeared in the jewellery and  which is more important  enthusiasm to excel everybody at doing my job!

By Galina Semyonova for Rough&Polished




A step-cut, 16.90-carat, D-color, internally flawless diamond ring with a pre-sale estimate of $1.6 million to $2.2 million will lead Bonhams fine jewelry sale in New York on September 19.

The type-IIa diamond embodies rarity according to every criterion by which a diamond is measured: color, cut, clarity and transparency, said Susan Abeles, US head of jewelry at Bonhams.

A second notable lot is a sapphire and diamond ring featuring an oval-shaped, 7.54-carat sapphire with a surround of round, brilliant-cut diamonds. Bonhams gave it a pre-sale estimate of $375,000 to $575,000.

Signed pieces to feature in the sale include jewelry by Harry Winston, Cartier, Rene Lalique and David Webb, the auctioneer added.




The Indian government has notified the money laundering rules for the gems and jewellery sector with immediate effect.

Now, any entity dealing in precious metals, precious stones, or other high-value goods and has a turnover of $.0.301 mn or more in a financial year will be covered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA, 2002).

According to the government's notification, the limit of $ 0.301 mn would be calculated on the basis of the previous years turnover. The directorate general of goods and service tax intelligence has been appointed under the Act.

The governments move to apply the PMLA to the jewellery sector was a fallout of income-tax raids on jewellers soon after demonetisation last November, when it was found that they sold gold and jewellery at a huge premium and accepted old currency notes as payment.

The notification, issued on August 23, has surprised the sector. The new Act will cover many jewellers in rural areas, and experts say official and unofficial trade will run parallel.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Mustang Resources, which owns the Montepuez ruby project in Mozambique, said it is on track for its first sales revenue with a 200,000 carats auction in Port Louis, Mauritius end of October.

The company said in a presentation that it currently has an inventory of about 147,000 carats up from 500 carats in October 2016.

The gemstones were all sourced from initial processing of material from Alpha & LM01-06 deposits and rubies received from artisanal miner development programme.

Leading global ruby buyers have confirmed their attendance at the inaugural auction, it said.

Meanwhile, Mustang said its plant was currently working at full capacity of about 1,500 tonnes per day with consistent daily recoveries of high quality rubies.

Mustang licences lie along the established NW-SE ruby mineralisation trend which also transects the Gemfields licences.

It also identified multiple ruby deposits in the 193km2 land package.

Initial bulk sample confirmed significant new ruby discovery on recently acquired licence.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Finnish English



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY U.S. PERSON, OR IN OR INTO ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.





HKScan Corporation, Stock Exchange Release, 4 September 2017 at 10:45 Finnish time (EEST).

HKScan Corporation considers issuance of new notes and announces tender offer of its outstanding notes maturing in November 2019

HKScan Corporation (the Company) announces its intention to issue new euro-denominated fixed-rate notes (the New Notes). Nordea Bank AB (publ) (the Offeror) also announces today that it invites the holders of the EUR 100,000,000 3.625 percent fixed-rate notes due 21 November 2019 (ISIN: FI4000115415) (the Notes), issued by the Company, to tender their Notes for cash on the terms and conditions set out in the tender offer memorandum dated 4 September 2017 (the Tender Offer).

All or part of the proceeds from the New Notes will be used by the Company towards the purchase of the Notes purchased by the Offeror in the Tender Offer. The purpose of the Tender Offer is thus to extend the average debt maturity profile for the Company and to proactively manage upcoming debt redemptions.

The Offeror proposes to accept for purchase in the Tender Offer any and all of the Notes validly tendered, although the Offeror reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to decide on the acceptance of the Notes, including not to accept any Notes.

Whether the Offeror will accept for purchase any Notes validly tendered is subject, without limitation, to the pricing of the issue of the New Notes, on terms satisfactory to the Company (in its sole discretion), and the execution by the Company and the Joint Lead Managers of an issuance agreement for the issuance of New Notes.

The purchase price of the Notes is EUR 1,062.75 per EUR 1,000.00 in nominal amount of the Notes. Accrued and unpaid interest will be paid in respect of all Notes validly tendered and delivered and accepted for purchase.

The offer period commences on 4 September 2017 and expires at 12:00 noon Finnish time (EEST) on 13 September 2017. The indicative results of the Tender Offer will be announced on or about 14 September 2017. The completion date and the final results of the Tender Offer will be announced as soon as feasible, on or about 15 September 2017 and no later than 22 September 2017. The settlement date is expected to be 20 September 2017, and will in no case be later than 27 September 2017, subject to the completion of the issuance of New Notes.

A holder of Notes (a Noteholder) that wishes to subscribe for New Notes in addition to tendering Notes for cash pursuant to the Offer will receive priority in the allocation of the New Notes (the New Issue Allocation). The New Issue Allocation will be given for an aggregate nominal amount of New Notes up to the aggregate nominal amount of Notes subject to a Noteholder's valid tender instruction where an allocation of New Notes is also requested. Such tender instruction must relate to a minimum of EUR 100,000 in aggregate nominal amount of Notes in order to comply with the minimum subscription amount of the New Notes. New Issue Allocations will not be subject to pro rata scaling. Noteholders should contact any of the Dealer Managers to obtain a unique reference number in respect of the New Issue Allocation.

If any Noteholder wishes to subscribe for New Notes, it must make an application to subscribe for such New Notes to any of the Joint Lead Managers of the New Notes. Nordea Bank AB (publ) and OP Corporate Bank Plc act as Joint Lead Managers for the issue of New Notes.

Nordea Bank AB (publ) acts as Offeror and Dealer Manager, Nordea Bank AB (publ), Finnish Branch acts as Tender Agent for the Tender Offer and OP Corporate Bank acts as Dealer Manager for the Tender Offer. Information in respect of the tender Offer may be obtained from the Dealer Managers.

Dealer Managers:

Nordea Bank AB (publ): E-mail: Nordealiabilitymanagament@nordea.com / Tel: +45 6161 2996

OP Corporate Bank plc: E-mail: liabilitymanagement@op.fi / Tel: +358 10 252 1668

HKScan Corporation

Jari Latvanen

President and CEO

Further information: HKScan Corporation's CFO Tuomo Valkonen or VP Group Treasury & IR Keijo Keranen. Kindly submit a call-back request to Marja-Leena Dahlskog, VP Communications, tel. +358 10 570 2142.

HKScan is the leading Nordic food company. We sell, market and produce high-quality, responsibly-produced pork, beef, poultry and lamb products, processed meats and convenience foods under strong brand names. Our customers are the retail, food service, industrial and export sectors, and our home markets comprise Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. We export to close to 50 countries. In 2016, HKScan had net sales of nearly EUR 1.9 billion and some 7 300 employees.

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States or such other countries or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the New Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The New Notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

This communication does not constitute an offer of New Notes to the public in the United Kingdom. No prospectus has been or will be approved in the United Kingdom in respect of the New Notes. Consequently, this communication is directed only at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom, (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the Order), (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). In addition, this communication is, in any event only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" pursuant to the Prospectus Directive (2003/71/EC, as amended). Any investment activity to which this communication relates will only be available to, and will only be engaged with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) will hold the next meeting of its Young Diamantaires group at the September edition of the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, as per a press note from WFDB.

The meeting will feature a special session on September 15 to discuss the benefits that blockchain technology can bring diamond and jewellery businesses. WFDB Promotion Committee Chairman Rami Baron created the initiative last year to encourage younger members of the diamond industry worldwide to network.

Leanne Kemp, the founder of Australian start-up Everledger, which uses blockchain, smart contracts and machine vision to prevent risk and fraud for banks, insurers and open marketplaces and to ensure ethical trading, will make a presentation on the technology.

The group consists of younger members of organisations, diamond firms, bourses and diamond retailers from around the world who communicate on a regular basis using social media to discuss issues affecting them.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asin Bureau, Rough & Polished




Top Republican leaders have criticized President Donald Trump's decision to pardon controversial former sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio was convicted of criminal contempt by a federal judge last month for defying an order to refrain from racially profiling Latinos during patrols.

But Trump announced Friday he has granted a full pardon to Arpaio, saying the 85-year old American "patriot" kept Arizona safe.

A White House statement claimed Arpaio spent his time as sheriff protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration.

The President should not have pardoned the former Arizona sheriff who took a hard line on immigrants, according to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

"Law-enforcement officials have a special responsibility to respect the rights of everyone in the United States. We should not allow anyone to believe that responsibility is diminished by this pardon," said Ryan's spokesman, Doug Andres.

Ohio governor John Kasich came out publicly against the presidential pardon.

"It absolutely should be out of bounds for somebody to use [the power to pardon] as some sort of a political wedge," said the man who vied with Trump for a Republican ticket in presidential election.

Other prominent GOP critics of the pardon include Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

McCain, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said the President using his authority to make a pardon at this time "undermines his claim for the respect of rule of law as Arpaio has shown no remorse for his actions."

Democrats and human rights campaigners also condemned the move.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
McBride plc (MCB.L), a manufacturer of Co-manufactured and Private Label products for the Household and Personal Care , announced Monday that it has agreed to acquire Danlind a/s, a Denmark-based supplier of auto dish-wash and laundry products.

Consideration of 10.8 million pounds will be payable to the shareholder of Danlind, Lind Holdings ApS. Around 28 million pounds of net debt in Danlind will be assumed by McBride at completion. The acquisition will be funded from McBride's existing banking facilities.

The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing for McBride. Post-tax return on invested capital is expected to meet cost of capital in the third full year of ownership.

McBride expects to realise significant commercial, technical and operational improvement synergies from the acquisition.

The acquisition, which is subject to customary regulatory and closing conditions, is expected to complete in early October 2017.

On completion, Danlind, the management team and its employees will form part of the Household products segment.

Danlind operates from three manufacturing sites in Denmark, and has approximately 250 employees. For the year 2016, Danlind reported revenues of 58.4 million pounds, EBITDA of 1.6 million pounds, and a loss before tax of 1.3 million pounds.

For its financial year 2017, on a standalone basis, Danlind is currently expected to generate about 2.5 million pounds of EBITDA.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
French energy giant Total SA (TTA.L, TTFNF.PK, TOT) Monday said it has signed an agreement to divest its remaining 15% interest in the Gina Krog field in Norway to Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company or KUFPEC.

This agreement builds on the 2016 transaction between Total and KUFPEC concerning Norwegian North Sea assets, which included a 15% interest in Gina Krog. The overall consideration for both deals exceeds $600 million.

Upon completion of the sale, Total will no longer have an interest in the Gina Krog field, while KUFPEC will have a 30% stake alongside Statoil with 58.7%, which is the operator. PGNiG Upstream International will have 8% stake, and Aker BP 3.3%. The Gina Krog oil and gas field started production in June 2017.

Arnaud Breuillac, President, Exploration & Production, said, "In the framework of our portfolio management and optimization of the allocation of capital, we have decided to fully divest our interest in the Gina Krog project and focus on other opportunities in Norway, which remains a key country for Total. With the recent acquisition of Maersk Oil & Gas, announced on August 21, the Group's position in the North Sea will be significantly strengthened, in particular in Norway, with the participation in the development of the giant Johann Sverdrup field."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
(Agencia CMA Latam) - Telecom Argentina's shareholders approved in a meeting held yesterday the merger with Cablevision, still conditioned to regulatory approvals and other requirements. They also gave the green light to the exchange ratio of pesos per shares: each new 9,871.07 class A and D shares to be issued by Telecom Argentina will have a face value of 10.000 pesos.



Telecom is one of the main providers of landline and mobile telephony in Argentina access.



The companies indicated that the merger would serve to boost and optimize investments in , infrastructure, and bandwidth to provide the best services.



In this way, Cablevision shareholders will retain 55% of the capital of the merged company, while Telecom will hold the remaining 45%. The principal shareholders of the merged company will be Cablevision Holding and Fintech. The rest of the shares will trade on the .

by Agencia CMA Latam

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
(Agencia CMA Latam) - Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group announced on Twitter that it has agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with the Colombian government at the end of the third round of talks in Quito, Ecuador. The ceasefire came only a few days before Pope Francis' visit to Colombia.

"Yes, it was possible! We thank all of those who actively supported the efforts to achieve this bilateral ceasefire," wrote the ELN on its Twitter account.

The government and the ELN guerrilla group are conducting peace talks in the neighboring Ecuador. Last week, the head of the Colombian government delegation in Quito, Juan Camilo Restrepo, said that both negotiating teams were trying to achieve a ceasefire before Pope Francis' visit to Colombia, scheduled to start on Wednesday.

by Agencia CMA Latam

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
(Agencia CMA Latam) - Argentina's Production Minister Francisco Cabrera indicated that the South American country would keep on talking to the United States to defend its biodiesel exports after the White House slammed a tariff of up to 61% on imports of the Argentinean product.

"We filed a formal complaint, and the U.S. Commerce Secretary told me he would take the lead in the matter," Cabrera said in an interview with the La Nacion newspaper.

Last month, the U.S. Commerce Department imposed a 50% to 61% tariff on imports of the Argentinean biodiesel. The preliminary sanction results of research conducted by private U.S. biodiesel producers, which accused Argentina of dumping and unfair practices.

The official noted that "the magnitude of the tariff came as a surprise," since the government knew "that there would be a preliminary duty and then a negotiation, but this tax being so high does not encourage the American private sector to sit down and discuss," Cabrera said.

"Because of the magnitude of the sanctions that the U.S. has placed on Argentinean biodiesel, the move has left the U.S. policy in an offside position with Argentina, and now we can negotiate other things," Cabrera told La Nacion.

by Agencia CMA Latam

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Ocean View, Delaware, Sept. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market is projected to cross USD 2 trillion by 2024, as reported in the latest study by Global Market Insights, Inc. Growing discoveries of unconventional reserves coupled with increasing number of gas fired power generation stations across the globe will drive the gas pipeline infrastructure market size. In 2016, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) published that shale production in the country surpassed 15.2 trillion cubic meter (tcm) in 2015 experiencing over 1.7 tcm year on year increase.

Italy gas pipeline infrastructure market is projected to surpass cumulative installation of 300 000 km by 2024. Rising investments to develop transmission links to cross border transactions through offshore routes will complement the business growth. In 2016, Saipem entered into an agreement with Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG to develop 105 km of 36 offshore gas pipeline between coastlines of Italy and Albania.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2062

Rising energy demand across the developing economies owing to evolving substructure and rapid urbanization will foster the gas pipeline infrastructure market share. Increasing development has resulted in exponential growth of cross border exports and imports through pipeline networks. In 2016, the EIA reported that natural gas pipelines exports from Russia and Norway to Europe were raised by 16% in the last three quarters of 2015 when compared with 2014 level.

Upsurge in the need to enhance the international natural gas trade to suffice the energy demand and generation targets will positively drive the transmission gas pipeline infrastructure market. In 2016, Spectra Energy and TransCanada awarded contract to combinedly build, own and operate the new pipeline from Texas to Tuxpan, Mexico. The aim of the USD 3.6 billion worth 270-km pipeline plan is to successfully supply the U.S. shale to power plants in Mexico by 2018.

Browse key industry insights spread across 245 pages with 280 market data tables & 10 figures & charts from the report, Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/gas-pipeline-infrastructure-market

Increase in production of unconventional resources coupled with strict government norms toward adoption of low emission fuel will embellish the U.S. gas pipeline infrastructure market. Ongoing expansion of existing pipeline networks favored by increasing demand for exports will further complement the industry outlook. In 2017, the EIA published that natural gas production is expected to hold around 40% of the total energy production by 2020.

Algeria gas pipeline infrastructure market is predicted to grow over 6% by 2024. Substantial administration funding for extension of the national transmission and distribution networks will augment the industry growth. In 2016, the Algerian government owned O&G company, Sonatrach announced to invest USD 3.2 billion over four years to enhance the pipeline capacity.

Growing number of connected end users coupled with positive outlook toward hydrocarbons trade with nearby nations will propel the onshore gas pipeline infrastructure market. Regional governments have introduced targets and schemes to expand the existing network to reach customer base. In 2015, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR), Turkey underlined a strategic plan with an objective to add at least two more countries to the list of pipeline natural gas importing nations by 2019.

Key players across the gas pipeline infrastructure market includes Europipe, Gazprom, Enbridge, Snam Rete, APA Group, Saipem, Perusahaan Gas Negara, GAIL India, Engas, and National Oilwell Varco.

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Gas Insulated Switchgear Market Size 2017  2024

Gas Insulated Switchgear Market share for 2016 was valued over USD 14 billion and is forecast to grow over 8% CAGR by 2024. Escalating demand for compact size substations on account of high land lease rates will drive the gas insulated switchgear market share.

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/gas-insulated-switchgear-market

Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Market Size 2017  2024

Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Market share was valued over USD 2 billion in 2015 and is projected to exceed 21 GW by 2024. Increasing industrialization coupled with growing focus towards the deployment of cogeneration technology will drive aeroderivative gas turbine market share over the forecast timeframe.

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By SA Commercial Prop News

Despite the worldwide recession, South African skills are still much in demand in other countries, particularly in Africa and the so called war zones.

Rawson Finance, the bond origination company that services the clients of the 140 plus Rawson franchises countrywide fields approximately three enquiries per week from South Africans working abroad but wanting to buy residential property and needing a bond from a South African bank.

The problem that most face is that the different banks have different policies regarding South Africans working abroad, says Rob Lawrence, national manager of Rawson Finance. Buyers often apply to their own bank, only to find that its policy is too restrictive to assist them with their deal and they then cancel the property purchase.

The truth, however, is that if they work through a reputable bond originator it is usually possible to get anything from a 50 to 70% bond, depending on which banks lending criteria are being applied and how they are categorised as borrowers.

The majority of those working overseas and applying for bonds, said Lawrence, are quite well qualified but the banks are concerned as to what they will earn when they return to SA.

As salaries here are lower, the banks view is that, if they base the amount of the loan on the overseas earning, the client may not be able to service the bond if they have to return to SA. This is particularly true of South Africans working in the so called warzones like Afghanistan where danger pay is well remunerated.

Banks, said Lawrence, also review their policies quite frequently in line with their perceptions of current risk  but a good originator will know which is strongest in a particular market at any given time.

When the South African overseas does apply for a bond, he or she must produce an employment contract, preferably one with more than a year still to run, a work permit from the host country, salary slips and at least six months bank statements from the bank into which the salary is paid.

If the South African is working on a ship (e.g. a cruise liner) he will in all probability be paid in cash. If he then wants to buy SA property, he will have to give evidence of income by producing a copy of his bank account/deposit account, as well as a schedule of payments from the Bursar in lieu of payslips.

One of the drawbacks of being South African and working in a warzone is that it might be a condition of the bond grant to take out life and disability insurance cover for the amount of the bond.

Life cover, although recommended for all bondholders is not usually mandatory, but, in this situation, the bank often seeks additional safeguards to cover its risk.

The problem is that the insurance company will also want to mitigate its risk, so will price their product high if the applicant is in a dangerous part of the world.

In the 2005  2006 boom period, said Lawrence, literally hundreds of South Africans working abroad invested in SA property and, he said, very few later regretted it.

With the money markets overseas still delivering returns of less than 4%, he said, right now it still makes good sense to invest in SA property. Buy, let the property and use your rent to pay off your bond.

Ideally the person working abroad should pay well above the minimum set for the month bond repayments so that, on coming home he has a bond free property.
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Duterte urged to raise wages of workers; last big one was P25 in 1989

By ALU-TUCP

August 6, 2017

QUEZON CITY  Labor group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) is urging President Rodrigo Duterte declare a nationwide across-the-board wage hike to raise the wages of workers amid falling purchasing power of daily pay and rising cost of living.

The call was made as the wage board is about to meet in this week to deliberate on a final new wage increase for minimum wage workers in Metro Manila, labor group and wage hike petitioner Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) said yesterday.

President Duterte can text or call the wage board and prod them the amount of wage increase that he desires and it will be done. The President can also issue a presidential executive order mandating a wage increase amount needed by workers and their families to cope and survive with the increasing prices of goods and service. The President has the variety of options to make a significant wage hike, said ALU-TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay.

Tanjusay said the workers had been desperate for a significant across-the-board wage increase for many years because the wage board have always been granting meager and pittance wage increases despite an improving economy.

The last time the workers experienced a significant wage hike was in 1989 or 28 years ago when the late Pres. Cory Aquino gave a P25 daily across-the-board wage increase nationwide. After which, the wage board has been issuing pittance wage orders as if workers are beggars, Tanjusay said.

The ALU-TUCP said workers wage should be P675 a day instead the current P491 daily pay for workers in the National Capital Region. The real value of P491 has eroded to P375 a day.

In a position paper they submitted Friday last week in the light of their petition for wage hike, the ALU-TUCP filed an across-the-board P184 daily wage increase petition for workers in the cities and municipalities of the National Capital Region on top of the existing legislated P491 daily minimum wage in a bid to uplift them from poverty caused by rising cost of living and eroding purchasing power of their daily wage.

The Board last year issued Wage Order No. NCR-20 effective June 2, 2016 granting a Ten Pesos (P10.00) COLA per day. Before this, on 6 September 2013 granting Ten Pesos (P10) per day increase in basic wage effective 4 October 2013 and the integration of the Fifteen Pesos (P15.00) of the Thirty Pesos (P30.00) cost-of-living allowance (COLA) under W.O. No. NCR-17 effective 1 January 2014; (2) W.O. No. NCR  19 on 16 March 2015, or more than a year ago, that granted Fifteen Pesos (P15) daily increase in the existing basic wage effective 4 April 2015.

However, the said increases, small and inadequate as they were, have been overtaken by increases in electricity and water rates, health and education costs, the prices of oil and its products, LPG, and basic goods and services.

And that despite the gains in the economy and productivity, workers and their families have not been granted a single peso in real wage increase since 1989, the petition said.
The European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica and other senior EU officials will attend the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Apia this week.

I am delighted to attend the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting to reinforce our already excellent relations with Pacific countries, Commissioner Mimica said.

Aside from discussing the post-2020 relationship between the EU and Pacific partners, I will be working with leaders to encourage action on womens empowerment and gender equality, working in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Australia, commissioner Mimica said.

Commissioner Mimica will lead the Europen Union delegation and will be accompanied by the European Union Ambassador for the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs, the Director for Asia, Central Asia, Middle East/Gulf and the Pacific at the European Commissions Department for International Cooperation and Development, Pierre Amilhat, European External Action Service (EEAS) Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, Paola Pampaloni, Head of Unit EU- Africa, Africa Peace Facility, Dominico Rosa, and Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation for the Pacific, Christoph Wagner.

Commissioner Mimica will hold discussions with Pacific leaders to explore initial ideas for the focus of Pacific-EU relations after 2020 when the Cotonou Agreement expires. This comprehensive agreement was signed in 2000 between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States.

Commissioner Mimica and the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, will host an EU-Pacific Gender Conference in the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting.

At that occasion Commissioner Mimica and the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, will sign a financing agreement worth EUR$18 million to help tackle the root causes of gender inequality and violence against women and girls in the Pacific.

While in Samoa, Commissioner Mimica will sign an additional EUR$7 million financing agreement with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat focusing on technical cooperation and capacity building at the regional level, as well as a EUR$1.4 million financing agreement in support of the Cook Islands sanitation sector.

During his short stay in Apia, Commissioner Mimica will hold a number of bilateral meetings with Pacific Island leaders.

The Commissioner will also take the opportunity of the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting to strengthen the already excellent partnerships with Australia and New Zealand.
Education is one path towards a brighter future.

But it is not the only path.

Ask Epati Tuputasi and he is happy to tell you the road he took.

Education was always my number one priority, he said.

However sometimes things dont work out exactly the way you anticipate and thats when you need to be flexible.

The19-year-old of Lotofaga quit school in 2015.

Im a former student of Lepa College. I was always very passionate about going to school and my goal to get an education.

I have always wanted to finish my education so I can make my parents proud.

But the young man was forced to choose between pursuing his goal and helping his parents when he was in Year 12.

Thats when he decided to polish his other talent of designing and printing elei materials which he then sells for money.

It was an opportunity for me, he said. I know that in life when one door closes, another opens.

For now, even though Im still determined to go back to school but I know God has other plans for me

So Im using my other talent to pursue my dreams and earn what I can to support my family with elei making.

Even though the money I earn is not a lot but I am just happy to be able to contribute to our family.

Epati said he usually designs and print uniforms for their youth groups.

The young man is from a family of nine. Two of his sisters live overseas while the rest are in Samoa.

Epati plans to head to New Zealand to broaden his knowledge and find better opportunities.

I am ready to leave Samoa for New Zealand next month, and Im taking my little brother with me

This is all my sisters doing. Her desire is for us to live better lives. Im looking forward to it.

Who knows? He might even return to school and complete his unfinished business.
Our children are our priority and giving them the best education should always be the focus.

But a Seufatu Alanepi, 60, said the villages should be equipped with a lot more resources to allow young people to realise their full potential in education.

He was talking about modern learning equipment like laptops and computers and so forth.

He also wants a better building for their primary school, as he said it is in a very poor state at the moment.

As you can see, in our district, we have so many resorts, he said. These resorts have offered so many employment opportunities to our people, and Im thankful for it.

We need to prepare our young people better.

To do that, they need better schools.

Life is just great here in Lotofaga, he said. The one issue that has been bothering us for a very long time is our Primary School building.

Last year, our village received a warning from the government that our primary school will be closed if we dont work on improving our toilets facilities

When we received that warning last year, we started sending many requests to small organisations for help.

However, I guess it has fallen into deaf ears so we are on our own.

So, for now, our village council has no other options but come together and support our village by funding it on our own.

Right now, we the matai are doing fundraising every week so we can repair broken parts of our school building, mainly the bathrooms.

Asked how much they need, he said: About $30,000. Even the matai of our village living overseas; they also get to contribute to this.

We are all doing this because we care for our children and we dont want them to lose hope as they are at a stage of exploring greater opportunities.

Apart from that, Seufatu is happy with everything.

Nothing is wrong with life these days, he said. It is going smoothly.

Seufatu is a father of four. Some of them are in New Zealand.
The theme of this weeks 48th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting could not have been more fitting. The Blue Pacific, our Sea of islands, our Security through Sustainable development, management and conservation sums up quite well the challenges facing the leaders and delegates who are gathering in Apia today.

When it comes to the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting, these gatherings are premised on the belief that together we are stronger and that with one voice, we can influence better and bigger changes where it matters.

Which is what regionalism is about. The concept is based on the notion that we have something in common to share. And sharing is at the heart of the Pacific Way. We might not have much by way of money and resources, but we are family oriented and we share what little we have.

The challenge in advancing regionalism is cementing the kind of unity required to drive what needs to be done so that the benefits of sharing are evenly distributed. There is also the challenge of finding that one voice given that everyone coming to the table has an agenda.

Understand this, while we are all islands with different flags and coconut trees, each one is sovereign. At these meetings, they are coming with their own needs and challenges. They have their instructions depending on who is pulling the strings and that makes the goal of regionalism almost impossible.

The one thing all Pacific countries share is the Blue Pacific Ocean.

Which is why we say the theme of the meeting could not have been more fitting. It is the Pacific Ocean that connects us all. Despite the boundaries between our exclusive economic zones, when you remove those lines one could easily swim or paddle from one island to another.

That connection through the ocean brings positive and negative consequences.

When the going is great, everyone benefits.

But when the state of the ocean is threatened, we all suffer. Today, it is fair to say our Blue Pacific Ocean is under tremendous threat. Our fisheries resources are being exploited; climate change has the ability to turn our biggest natural resource into a deadly weapon threatening to bury us all alive.

Which raises the question about sustainability and the future. These are the challenges of our time and as custodians of our land and oceans, we have a moral responsibility to come together, work together and make decisions that are needed to be made for the sake of the future.

For the meeting in Apia this week, the lines have been drawn and the leaders know what to do. As the host of the meeting, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has already set the tone in his welcoming remarks.

In March this year the region met in Suva, Fiji to prepare their position for the inaugural United Nations Ocean Conference to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, held in New York in June 2017, Tuilaepa said.

The Conference, co-hosted by the governments of Fiji and Sweden, aimed to mobilise global action for the protection of the ocean for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. During the Conference, I had the privilege of launching the theme to the world.

The Blue Pacific our Sea of islands, our Security through Sustainable development management and conservation recaptures the collective potential of our shared stewardship of the Pacific Ocean based on an explicit recognition of our shared ocean identity, ocean geography, and ocean resources. No doubt, the discussions planned and organised for the Forum Week from 4th-8th will enrich and guide our journey forward.

According to Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, the issues on the table this week are of vital importance to the people of the Pacific.

Samoas choice of The Blue Pacific: Our Sea of Islands  Our Security through Sustainable Development, Management and Conservation as the theme for the 48th Pacific Islands Forum and its related meetings, is timely and inspirational, she said.

Not only does it build on the Honourable Prime Minister, His Excellency, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaois keynote address at the Global Oceans Conference held in New York in early June, where he said that an endorsement of The Blue Pacific is a commitment to a new narrative for collective political action in the Pacific, and to acting together as one Blue Continent, it also frames the substantive items for discussion and decision at this years Leaders meeting.

At their Retreat this year, Leaders will discuss The Blue Pacific within the context of advancing the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, which has and will continue to provide the platform and process for a renewed, reinvigorated regionalism.

The Agenda will allow for important deliberations on key priorities for achieving sustainable development, including Leaders priorities on Oceanic Fisheries as well as the requisite Pacific Resilience Partnership Arrangements to ensure we build our resilience to climate change and disaster risks.

Furthermore, Climate Change and the upcoming COP23, PACER Plus, Radioactive Contaminants in the Republic of Marshall Islands, the priorities of Smaller Island States will also be considered. With the conclusion of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in June, Leaders may seek to reflect on the experience and lessons learnt.

In recognition of the impetus of Agenda 2030 in progressing the regions development aspirations and the related need to ensure coherent regional support to Members in the achievement of this, Leaders will consider the Pacific Roadmap for Sustainable Development and the findings of Analysis of Regional Governance and Financing.

The latter reminds us that if Forum Leaders are at the apex of regional decision making and set regional priorities at the highest level, then a consistency and commitment of Members and their administrations to follow through on Leaders decisions across the regional system would lead to an appropriate allocation and alignment of resources to address and achieve our regions ambitions and aspirations.

Well with that said, we once again welcome all the leaders and the delegates who are in the country for the Forum. We wish you Gods blessings for your deliberation. Have a wonderful Tuesday, God bless!
Dear Editor,

Re: U.S. leadership and Samoas customary land

Hello Wendy, thank goodness the truth is the crossroads that brings our opposite universes to polarity in issues of humanity.

I just lost the aroma of my morning coffee when you mentioned Bernie Sanders and the crooked Democrats.

Not to mentioned the Fake News media of CNN, The Washington compost etc. Im trying to make up my mind whether I have time to write this big story that is jumping out of my brains longing to be told or live it for another day.

It should explain how everything is connected; right from why the Muslims despises us under the culture of Christianity, to the world finances, to the globalist controlling our world, to Donald Trump, to our customary land and all. They are all connected in this huge deception or what the Islam belief called the Great Satan.

I am not a Muslim nor do I support the Islamic belief, they are deceived too, neither am I a Christian or call myself as such.

I am of Jesus Christ, period. The truth. You are correct though in calling out Christianity because I also believe Christianity is a vehicle of this great deception. Christianity was annulled by Jesus Christ himself the origin of the Christian faith, more then 2000 years ago and yet were still loitering around a false belief using Jesus name because we honor a label instead of the man that created the label. A time will come when the sons of God will worship the father in spirit and in truth. John 4:23.

I aligned myself with Donald Trump not because I have republican beliefs, nor a far right, nor on his attempts to resurrect capitalism because you and I know its over, but because hes standing up to this great deception of the western culture. Dont give up on Jesus, Wendy.

He is NOT the Christianity you despise. He has already written a law in scripture to accommodate outsiders like you and I, ...for the gentiles though not of the law, are the law unto themselves because they do what is right in their hearts. That is written the Acts of the Apostles somewhere.

I dont have the exact scripture but its there. You know what is right more then 95% of the Christians in Samoa, which means you are already in before you know it. Please do not confuse Christianity with Jesus Christ. Hes a real cool guy.

Steve
Connectivity is the key to a sustainable future, Leaders of the Polynesian Leaders Group were told yesterday.

That was the message from caretaker Prime Minister of Tonga, 'Akilisi Pohiva, who chaired the meeting at Sheraton Aggie Greys hotel.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi joined leaders from American Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Niue.

The theme of this years gathering is Sustainable Polynesia which according to Pohiva is extremely important.

He said the Polynesian Leaders Group has a specific focus on empowering Polynesia through regional innovation, infrastructural cooperation and resilience.

In the sprit of regionalism, the regional Pacific Islands Forum is taking leadership, assuring issues that has been long, common and central to the survival of our Islands such as climate change, social economic development, and political stability, he said.

Similar platforms, of the P.I.D.F. is now dedicated itself to pursuing this issue more prominently.

In our annual meeting, we are reminded to pursue the uniqueness of Polynesia to sustain heritage, culture, traditional knowledge and information of which we have the privilege of diversity and continuity in maintaining our solemn states.

Pohiva said the Polynesian rival groups have the ability to be self-sustained with the luxury of the resources they have.

But Polynesia, what can we do to bridge the gaps in our development and survival? he asked.

This year, we would like to pursue firm tangible solution actions, only in depth decisions, and platforms for future partnership.

Excellencies as Pacific Nations, so small, we are the smallest yet we are the largest in the world in the oceans we occupy.

Connectivity is the key to overcome the isolation we experience not only through the world but with each other.

But for some of us, we cannot do this alone, hence we look into this Forum for collaboration and cooperation.
The beginning of the 27th Teuila Festival this year is going to be an unforgettable time for Fua and his wife Leleiga Uelese.

The couple from Vaitele-Uta are today the proud owners of brand new $124,000 2017 Ford Ranger thanks to Bluesky.

Honestly I was really shocked when I received the news a few hours ago, Mrs. Uelese said.

I have been a Bluesky customer since the company was first established in Samoa in years ago. And from the beginning of this promotion, I have been topping up my mobile phone but I never thought I could win a brand new car like this one.

The mother of three said this is a dream come true.

Who wouldve thought that me and my husband would win such an expensive car this time of the year, she said. But I thank God for his blessings, I mean this is a dream come true... Teuila celebration for this year is going to be memorable because of this.

Police officers Iosua Samia and Lanuola Mulipola were present from start to finish of the live draw held at Bluesky's Maluafou Office.

After a rigorous process of checking eligibility and ensuring all eligible entries were included prior to police witnesses generating the lucky number in random.org, Fu'a Uelese's mobile number (685) 7651 666 came out as the winning number, a statement from Bluesky said.

After all checks and confirmations were made by Bluesky staff to ensure Fu'a met all terms and conditions, a phone call was made with Police as witnesses, direct to Fu'a.

Fu'a later reported to Bluesky that he had no idea who was calling.

An unknown caller ID came up on his mobile phone and all he could think of were his children at school.

He picked up the phone to hear a representative from Bluesky on the other end inviting him to their Maluafou office.

Bluesky staff quickly learnt that Fu'a was home alone and his car didn't work due to a part that needed to be fixed and sourced. Bluesky then arranged for Fu'a and his wife to be picked up from their home in Vaitele Uta and brought to the Govt Building location where the live presentation would be held. There was no mention to Fu'a that he was the lucky winner prior to the presentation.

With the excitement of Teuila happening in the background, Bluesky Country Manager Alex Abraham proudly thanked customers for their enthusiastic participation in the 52-day-long WIN BIG WITH BLUESKY promotion.

Fu'a excitedly explained that his wife Fa'aleleiga was always texting 4444 from his number and so the 2017 Ford Ranger win comes just in time for her 44th birthday this coming Sunday 10th September.

The 2017 Ford Ranger comes as a welcome relief to Fu'a's family as their family car has broken down and been out of use for the last two weeks and the part needed isn't ready. Fu'a and Fa'aleleiga have 3 children.

Their oldest son is aged 19 years and second oldest son is 14 years of age. Their youngest girl is 11. Fu'a explains that the car is perfect for he and his family and it will be used for school runs, work and of course church. His wife Fa'aleleiga works with Ah Liki Wholesale and as the breadwinner for her family expresses that this was such a blessing for their family.

Country Manager Alex Abraham said, "We're excited we can give back to our customers. This is one way our customers can enjoy BIG benefits just for being with Bluesky. We're always looking for ways to WOW our customers and this has been one of our biggest promotions this year."

A warm thank you to all our customers for believing in Bluesky and continuing to have confidence in us. Also big thanks to all our partners including Ford for helping us this year to deliver another phenomenal promotion.
Your Excellency, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Dame Meg Taylor, Honorable Pacific Forum Leaders, Elected Representatives from around the Pacific, distinguished Guests and Friends, who are gathered in Apia this week.

As the Publisher of the Samoa Observer Newspaper, it is my pleasure to say Talofa to you all.

Indeed, it is my privilege to say, the Samoa Observer is duty-bound to join our Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II, Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sai'lele Malielegaoi, our government, and the people of Samoa, in welcoming you all to our humble nation, our home, Samoa.

Today is a special day for us all, since it is not often that we play hosts to so many distinguished guests from around the region, let alone from elsewhere in the world.

In your official programme, we see that your series of meetings started yesterday, and they would then continue for the next three days, ending Friday evening, with dinner at the Taumeasina Island Resort.

But then I want you to keep in mind, that there are certain social events being planned, that are meant to entertain, one of which is the annual Teuila Festival that is taking place in Apia right now.

For those of you who are not aware, the Teuila Festival is a seven-day cultural Festival of traditional events, promoting the Miss Samoa Pageant, from where a Miss Samoa is picked annually and crowned.

The festival is in the middle of town, so go on down and be entertained the Samoan way. There should be enough fun there to keep you well occupied.

Let me assure you all, that our government is doing all it can to ensure your stay in Samoa, is both happy and memorable.

Indeed, as you can well see, there is freedom everywhere; there are happy smiles and laughter too.

You may go anywhere and feel free to ask; we can assure you that everyone is eager to help where one can.

And if you have the time to spare, rent a car and drive around the country, or island if you will.

You can start going west from Apia and return from the east or vice versa; you choose. Either way, you are most likely to find the trip hugely satisfying.

But whatever you decide to do, please dont allow yourself to be sidetracked by unspoiled, mesmerizing Paradise.

Have a wonderful and memorable holiday in Samoa, and please feel free to return any time.

Soifua.

Muliaga Jean Malifa,

Publisher.




It is extremely disappointing that the region has still not been able to drawdown on the regional envelope of E.D.F11 funds to address the agreed priority areas identified by the region  Dame Meg Taylor

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Dame Meg Taylor, has urged leaders at the Pacific A.C.P Leaders (P.A.C.P.) Meeting to make a decision in relation to the European Unions development assistance to the region.

Dame Meg delivered the message when she spoke during the opening of the P.A.C.P meeting at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Greys Hotel this morning. The meeting is part of the build up to the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which opens tonight at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

Speaking about the European development assistance, Dame Meg reminded that such assistance is channelled through the European Development Fund (E.D.F.).

We are now in the middle of its 11th cycle, she said.

Excellencies, will further recall that at your meeting in 2016, Leaders were updated on the challenges faced in the programming the European Development Fund - Pacific Regional Indicative Programme for 2014  2020, commonly referred to as EDF 11.

It is extremely disappointing that the region has still not been able to drawdown on the regional envelope of E.D.F11 funds to address the agreed priority areas identified by the region.

Further, the region has witnessed in recent months, a redistribution of funds within the regional indicative programme. It has also been brought to my attention that the European Union is considering a reduction in the allocated funds for the Pacific Regional Indicative Programme, particularly in the focal area on Regional Economic Integration. This meeting provides the opportunity for Leaders to discuss this matter in more depth.

Dame Meg also touched on other high-level political issues and some operational matters including the Post  Cotonou Negotiations.

As the expiry of the Cotonou Agreement in 2020 approaches, we will need to be proactive in ensuring that the development support under this arrangement is channelled effectively to our region and aligns with our regional priorities. We must also ensure that our priorities are reflected in any future partnership agreement with the European Union.

The broader theme of the 48th Pacific Island Forum  The Blue Pacific - focuses on strengthening our collective identity and indeed collective political action to advance our regional priorities. I would therefore encourage the Pacific ACP Leaders to capitalise on this renewed impetus and new narrative, in progressing the preparatory discussions on post-Cotonou.

Lastly, she spoke about Trade and Private Sector Development.

Excellencies, on the important subject of trade and private sector development, you will recall your endorsement in 2016, of the Secretariat to be the Pacific ACP Regional Focal Point on the implementation of the A.C.P Private Sector Development Strategy (2014  2020), an Intra-ACP initiative focusing on empowering the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), amongst other priorities, she said.

The Secretariat is coordinating the execution of this work in partnership with the ACP Secretariat, the European Union, and other relevant stakeholders involved in supporting the regions private sector. Our efforts in supporting private sector is directly linked to the regions capacity to trade amongst the PACPS, as well as with the region as-a-whole and globally.

Relatedly, your guidance and direction with regard to our intra-regional and multilateral trade arrangements, including preparations for the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in December and efforts to reinvigorate regional trade through the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) are important.
Cancer researchers at University of California San Diego have been awarded $18.2 million to test a two-drug therapy on patients with B-cell cancers. These include various leukemias and forms of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

The two drugs use widely different mechanisms of action that converge on cancer, so its believed that the combination will work better than either alone. The goal is complete eradication, so patients no longer have to take cancer medications. In other words, to cure them.

Researchers will test ibrutinib, sold as Imbruvica; in conjunction with the experimental drug cirmtuzumab, or UC-961. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, or CIRM, awarded the clinical trial funding on Aug. 24. Cirmtuzumab was named for CIRM, the states stem cell agency.

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The clinical trial is classified as 1b/2a, meaning it is looking for both safety and early signs of efficacy. Patients and others interested can go online to j.mp/cirmibrut for more information.

Ibrutinib inhibits Brutons tyrosine kinase, an enzyme used in B cell development. Such tyrosine kinase inhibitors constitute a large class of cancer drugs, made possible by the research of Salk Institute scientist Tony Hunter.

Cirmtuzumab targets a protein called ROR1. This protein is normally made by embryonic cells for growth, and abnormally used by cancers in their growth.

Signs are that the drug may be widely useful.

The drug is being tested in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Go to j.mp/cirmcll for more information on that clinical trial.

Information for a trial using cirmtuzumab for metastatic or advanced breast cancer can be found at j.mp/cirmbcan.

In addition, cirmbuzumab may work against other cancers; laboratory research published in 2014 found evidence of effectiveness against ovarian cancer.

Oncternal Therapeutics, a San Diego biotech company, is commercializing cirmtuzumab.

The drug was developed in the lab of Thomas Kipps, M.D., deputy director of research at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. Colleagues included principal investigator Dennis Carson, M.D.; and Catriona Jamieson, M.D.

Kipps leads the new clinical trial, working with colleagues at UCSDs CIRM Alpha Stem Cell Clinic, the cell therapy arm of the universitys Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center.

The co-opting of the embryonic protein ROR1 in cancer is an example of similarities between cancer and stem cells. Cancers appear to be largely propagated by cancer stem cells, which like stem cells possess the property of self-renewal.

Just one cancer stem cell can regrow a tumor, making them the most dangerous form of cancer cell. Combining the two drugs provides the potential for eradicating every cancer cell, Kipps said in a statement from UCSD.

Although ibrutinib has been approved for treatment of patients with CLL or MCL, it is exceptionally rare for this drug by itself to get rid of all the leukemia cells or cause long-lasting remissions without continuous therapy, Kipps said in the statement. As a result, patients are recommended to take ibrutinib indefinitely  until they develop intolerance or resistance to this drug.

By blocking a survival/growth-stimulating pathway that provides a lifeline to the leukemia cells of patients taking ibrutinib, cirmtuzumab can work together with ibrutinib to potentially kill all the leukemia cells, allowing patients to achieve a complete remission and stop therapy altogether, Kipps said.

For further reading

UC-961 (Cirmtuzumab) in Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

States Stem Cell Agency Awards $18.2 Million Grant for B Cell Cancer Clinical Trial

California Stem Cell Agency Pushes $23 Million into Clinical Trials for Leukemia, Bone Marrow Transplants

Cancer stem cells target of new grant to UCSD scientists

Big honor for groundbreaking cancer researcher Tony Hunter

Leukemia drug trial starts at UCSD

Stem cell clinical trials are multiplying

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You manage a 25-employee brokerage whose offices occupy a single floor. One day, an employee informs you that his doctor has advised him to bring a comfort dog to work to deal with disabling panic attacks. You approve the request.

The next day, an employee who works near that worker informs you that the presence of the animal is triggering her asthma.

What should you do? You should immediately try to determine whether both employees may be accommodated without undue hardship to your business.

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California prohibits employers with at least five employees from discriminating against an otherwise qualified applicant or employee because of a known physical or mental disability or medical condition. The law requires an employer to engage in a timely, good faith interactive process with the employee or applicant to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, in response to a request for accommodation.

An employer need not hire or retain an employee who cannot perform the essential duties of the job, even with reasonable accommodations, without endangering himself or others.

Taking a pause, the employer cannot simply decline to accommodate the employees request for a comfort animal because the animals presence would endanger the health of the employee subject to asthma attacks any more than the employer could reject the asthmatic employees request that all animals be banned from work because it would endanger the health of the employee subject to panic attacks.

If there are several options that would reasonably and effectively accommodate an employees disability, the employer need not choose the one the employee prefers. California law authorizes the employer to choose a less expensive effective accommodation or the one easiest for the employer to provide. That right, however, may not be unlimited.

In a case decided this March, a South Carolina teacher sued after her school rejected her request to bring a comfort animal to school to help her deal with panic attacks she had developed after being trapped with her family in a hurricane. The school was concerned some students would be allergic to, or afraid of, dogs and suggested the teacher instead wear a weighted vest to provide the deep pressure that the dog provided to suppress the teachers attacks. A federal judge refused to dismiss the case, leaving it to a jury to determine whether, as the teacher maintained, a comfort animal was the only accommodation that would enable her to do her job.

An employer need not provide an accommodation that would be an undue hardship, meaning a significant difficulty or expense. In deciding employer claims of undue hardship, courts consider the nature and cost of the required accommodation, the impact of the accommodation on the employers operation, and the employers overall financial resources and number of employees. Undue hardship is not limited to excessive cost. An employer also is excused from providing an accommodation that would be unduly disruptive to its other employees or to its business operations.

The employee with anxiety disorder would prefer to bring her comfort animal to work. The asthmatic employee would prefer an animal-free workplace. The employer trying to accommodate both employees should work with the employees to identify alternatives to the employees preferred accommodations.

Examples of accommodations that may accommodate both employees include having the employees work different shifts, installing an air filter, isolating the work space of one of the employees, allowing one of them to work remotely, and giving the employees time to get medical treatments to control panic or asthma attacks.

When confronted with disabled employees making seemingly conflicting demands for accommodation, an employer should work creatively with the employees and their doctors to identify ways that will enable the employees to do their jobs without straining the employers budget or disrupting the workplace.

Dan Eaton is a partner with the San Diego law firm of Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek where his practice focuses on defending and advising employers. He also is an instructor at the San Diego State University Fowler College of Business where he teaches classes in business ethics and employment law. He may be reached at eaton@scmv.com. His Twitter handle is @DanEatonlaw.
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacifics longtime executive director Carmela Keeney retired at the end of August, making way for Bill Bonwit to take the helm of the landmark naval research facility in San Diego.

Bonwit has served as a lab director at the center for a dozen years. Often shortened to SSC Pacific, the center houses more than 4,700 scientists and engineers and is part of the Department of Defenses stable of research facilities worldwide.

A trailblazing woman in Navy engineering and the centers first female executive director, Keeney departs as a member of the senior executive service.

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In the world of cyber space and information dominance, Carmela Keeney is a true national asset, said Mary Lacey, former deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, test, and evaluation, in a written statement.

During an Aug. 29 ceremony to honor her career, new Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer told her she was the poster child for success.

Bonwit is slated to lead the center in the research, development and fielding of advanced technologies for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance  called C4ISR in the military while pioneering new cyber and space capabilities.

Before becoming the centers top civilian leader, he served as the senior scientific and technical manager.

A Navy veteran, Bonwit earned a bachelors degree in ocean engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1978, and a masters in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1984.

His operational assignments were aboard the destroyer Cochrane, frigate Fanning and carrier Kitty Hawk.

Before transitioning to the U.S. Naval Reserve at Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One, he completed a final tour of duty at the Naval Ocean Systems Center in San Diego, where he helmed the Warfare System Architecture and Engineernig C3I Working Group.

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cprine@sduniontribune.com
A brief but explosive shouting match erupted at Chicano Park Sunday afternoon between hundreds of park supporters and a small, right-wing group that had recently criticized the parks iconic murals.

The tense exchange happened as about a half-dozen people gathered for an event they called the Patriot Picnic. The group planned to eat lunch at the Barrio Logan landmark before taking a tour of the murals, Roger Ogden, one of the organizers, said in an email.

Ogden, who is behind a network of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant websites and social media accounts, said an email campaign has been started to get some of the artwork removed.

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The effort comes soon after city officials quickly removed a Confederate plaque from Horton Plaza Park in downtown San Diego, following similar removals across the country.

Word spread about the picnic, and a counter-demonstration, dubbed the Solidarity Gathering at Chicano Park, was planned for noon. Hundreds of people attended to show their support.

Dozens of speakers, including faith leaders and community activists, addressed the cultural significance of the space and the importance of protecting it. The park, which has been a symbol of community and Latino activism for decades, was designated a National Historic Landmark in January.

This is who we are as Latinos, said Tania Marquez, gesturing to the park around her. It talks about the struggles of the people through the years. Its identified as a place of community, of coming together, and knowing your roots. It has great significance.

Marquez is part of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego on Front Street.

Other speakers talked about the importance of standing unified in the face of hateful, racist rhetoric.

Theres people coming here and trying to promote divisiveness and hate and the community has come together to say this is our park, our community, said Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels, an immigrant rights group. There [was] blood, sweat and tears to create this space for our families and were not going to allow people to come here and promote the worst of the American spirit.

Five people showed up for the Patriot Picnic shortly after 1 p.m. After opening up a couple boxes of pizza, Ogden began waving at counter-demonstrators on the other side of the street. The right-wing group was soon swarmed by park supporters.

One attendee, Arthur Schaper, said in a video posted to Facebook that hed seen pictures of park murals on the Internet that he felt were anti-police and anti-American, and that he wanted to see them for himself. He volunteers for the California Republic Party, according to his social media accounts.

What is happening in this country when American citizens cannot visit a park in their own state, in their own country, without threats and violence perpetrated against them?! Schaper said in an email after the event.

A ring of about a dozen officers surrounded the group. Less than 10 minutes later, police advised the group they should leave and the males were escorted away. The crowd briefly took to the street to follow, chanting fuera, Spanish for get out.

More than two dozen San Diego police officers were visible in the surrounding area during the two events. Chief Shelley Zimmerman also was present.

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Smoke filled the sky, and ash rained down across Los Angeles on Sunday from a wildfire that the mayor said was the largest in city history  one of several blazes that sent thousands fleeing homes across the U.S. West during a blistering holiday weekend heat wave.

In Oregon, crews rescued about 140 hikers forced to spend the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge Trail. Wildfires also burned in a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia trees near Yosemite National Park, forced evacuations in Glacier National Park and drove people from homes in parts of the West struggling with blazing temperatures.

The La Tuna fire prompted Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to declare a local emergency. At the state level, Gov. Jerry Brown did the same for the county after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighborhoods. More than a thousand firefighters battled flames that chewed through more than 9 square miles of brush-covered mountains.

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Authorities eased evacuation orders for Burbank and Glendale later Sunday and were considering doing the same for Los Angeles as easing temperatures and a bit of rain helped the 1,000 firefighters slow the flames progress.

All but 10 percent of the 1,400 people ordered out of their homes in that fire had returned, Garcetti said.

That can change in a moments notice, and the winds can accelerate very quickly, Los Angeles Fire Capt. Ralph Terrazas cautioned. There is a lot of fuel out there left to burn.

Officials were keeping an eye on thunderstorms in the mountains to the north, which could bring welcome rain but also the risk of flash floods, mudslides and lightning.

Burbank resident George Grair was not in the evacuation zone but watched uneasily as flames blackened a hillside in the near distance.

Its very difficult to feel safe. Ive got kids in the house, he told KABC-TV. I probably slept two hours all night.

The high at Los Angeles International Airport reached 97 degrees Sunday, topping the previous Sept. 3 record of 92, set in 1982. Records were also set in parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where the temperature hit 101 degrees.

San Francisco residents, meanwhile, stifled under a third day of a rare heat wave in the coastal city, although highs in the San Francisco Bay Area fell Sunday from records in the 100s set the previous two days.

I went to Home Depot, Walgreens, Office Depot, Target. They were sold out! downtown office worker Alganesh Ucbayonas said Sunday, detailing her unsuccessful search for an electric fan. CVS! she remembered.

On Sunday, Ucbayonas sat at her desk in a building lobby squarely between two fans, both scrounged from her office buildings storage and trained straight at her face.

Fires burning up and down the Sierra Nevada and further to the northwest cast an eerie yellow and gray haze over much of California, and much of the state was under alerts because of poor air quality.

California authorities ordered evacuation for a third small town Sunday in one of the wildfires, a blaze that has burned 9-square-miles near Yosemite National Park.

Firefighters battling that blaze were making it a priority to safeguard the ancient grove of giant sequoia and a pair of historic cabins at the foot of the trees, fire spokeswoman Anne Grandy said. Fire crews had wrapped the two 19th-century cabins and an outhouse in shiny, fire-resistant material to protect them from the flames that had entered the Nelder Grove, Grandy said.

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com
Professors and deans from San Diego State University ventured south of the border Friday to meet social and business entrepreneurs in Tijuana and explore ways to expand its partnership with CETYS Universidad.

Were calling this a Tijuana entrepreneurship ecosystem tour, said Alex DeNoble, executive director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center at SDSU and one of the coordinators of the trip.

DeNoble said he thought of the tour over tapas in Spain while doing a joint teaching project with Eduardo Durazo Watanabe, a faculty member in the School of Business Administration at CETYS Universidad (Centro de Ensenanza Tecnica y Superior), which has campuses in Tijuana, Ensenada and Mexicali.

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Deans from the College of Professional Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and College of Sciences were among about 20 people from SDSU on the Friday tour of Tijuana, which stopped at four businesses and nonprofits before ending at the local CETYS campus.

This is just a start, DeNoble said. I want to bring students down. I want CETYS students and our students to work together on multicultural projects. Thats what todays all about.

SDSU and CETYS already have decades-long exchange programs, and since 2015 SDSU professors have taught classes on the global marketplace and international entrepreneurship at the Mexican university.

Looking ahead, DeNoble said he is working with CETYS to establish an entrepreneurship program and graduate program in entrepreneurship at the school.

The first stop of the day was at Estacion Federal, a former 1940s-era bus station that had been converted into a mixed-used plaza with residential units, work spaces, a coffee shop, barber and other businesses.

Miguel Marshall, a 2011 CETYS graduate, launched the project with his business Centro Ventures.

Our slogan is Impacting emerging neighborhoods, Marshall said.

With housing prices out of reach for many in San Diego, he said most of his tenants are Americans who are taking advantage of the $500 monthly rent for 360-square-foot micro units.

Marshall said the project reflects the values of the neighborhood, with a focus on design, art and sustainability. More than 10 murals adorn outside walls, and a small art gallery takes up one of the spaces.

Marshall said he learned about entrepreneurship as a CETYS economics student.

Just from the business class 101, everything started to make sense, he said. Im very tangible. I like to do things. By the first semester, I was working with an Israeli entrepreneur in Tijuana. We were selling wholesale clothing.

SDSU business professor Michael Sloan asked Marshall if he had a way of gauging what kind of impact the project was having on the neighborhood.

Marshall said he did not, which got Sloan thinking that he may have found an opportunity for his SDSU students.

I could say, Heres a startup in urban development that wants to have an impact on the community, but theyre not exactly sure how to measure it, he said.

Sloan asks his students each year to develop a project to help impoverished regions in other countries. Students have worked on projects in Bangladesh, Brazil and Ethiopia, where a portable threshing machine was developed for farmers.

While his original idea was to expose students to countries where theyve never been, Sloan said he is looking closer to home this year because more students are interested in the border region.

Stanley Maloy, dean of College of Sciences, said he sees collaboration between San Diego and Tijuana as a benefit for both cities.

Anything we can do to help improve the economy and stabilize Tijuana is also going to improve the economy and help San Diego, he said.

As another benefit, Maloy sees projects with Tijuana as a way of giving students a global perspective that is needed for businesses to be successful today.

Francisco Velez, dean of the School of Business at CETYS, saw a similar benefit to collaborating on entrepreneurial projects with SDSU.

It means giving CETYS the opportunity to better fulfill its mission of creating professionals who are globally minded and also socially conscious and committed to creating a community that is more prosperous, he said.

The tour also visited La Granja, a concrete bunker-like building in the distressed Camino Verde neighborhood, where Torolab Collective founder Raul Cardenas talked about the nonprofits far-reaching social innovation projects. Cardenas said state police had warned him not to move into the neighborhood seven years ago, but he said the presence of La Granja has been credited with helping reduce crime 85 percent in the area.

The tour also stoped at MIND Hub, a business incubator, and the Bit Center, a work space for companies and freelancers.

SDSU assistant professor Valerie Alexandra, who teaches international business and international management at Fowler College of Business, said the visits to La Granja and Estacion Federal demonstrated that the best way to make positive changes in society is from the bottom up and by working with people in communities.

What we saw here was that what really works is when people are part of the change, she said.

Alexandra said it is especially valuable to work with people in the border region, because they can see problems from both sides and can help build bridges to solutions rather than walls.

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Live snakes wrapped in tight coils. Sea turtle eggs in ice coolers. Exotic birds in nylon stockings, drugged and packed by the dozen in stereo speakers.

And most recently, a tiger cub, nestled between the feet of a passenger in a Camaro.

They are not as common as the drugs and unauthorized immigrants who are daily discovered trying to crossing the U.S.-Mexico border at ports of entry, but live animals are a regular sight in vehicles making their way north, part of an estimated $7 billion to $23 billion illegal global wildlife trade.

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In many cases the live cargo is destined for black markets where bird and reptile enthusiasts will pay to add to their collections. Sometimes the animals are to be consumed or taxidermied.

The tiger cub was an 18-year-olds misguided idea of a good pet, the teens lawyer said Friday.

The cub has captivated an international audience and is the newest star attraction at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where he is on display in the nursery to the delight of visitors.

While this is the first big cat to be seized at a Southern California port of entry in 26 years, the cubs appearance has served as a bleak reminder of the growing demand in the U.S. and around the world for illicit wildlife products.

Growing demand

The global wildlife trade is largely regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, an agreement between governments that lists particular endangered species of animals and plants. If a species is listed on CITES then a special permit is required for trade.

The U.S. is the second largest market for wildlife products after China, according to experts.

In general, its far more common than anyone would like, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Jane Hendron said of wildlife trafficking. With the potential money on the black market, its a huge problem.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported 101 smuggling cases in fiscal year 2016. The agency did not provide details as to the types of animals or dead versus alive.

Experts attribute much of the growing appetite to East Asian cultures, which have recently increased their purchasing power and where it is commonly believed that consuming everything from tiger bone wine to bear bile to pangolin meat are good for vitality and health.

Ivory also remains in high demand and has been targeted by governments and conservationist organizations on several fronts recently. Last year, San Diegos Safari Park hosted a huge bonfire with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, destroying $1 million of rhino horns, carved artifacts and items falsely labeled as medicines, the first of its kind held in the nation.

At the Southern California border, snakes and birds, such as parrots and fighting cocks, are the most common live animals smuggled, said Joseph Misenhelter, assistant port director for the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

Smugglers will often pack birds in stockings or other containers and hide them inside doors of vehicles, floor compartments, speaker boxes, tubes. They will smuggle birds in large numbers because a portion of the animals usually dies in transit, he said.

Its pretty cruel how they treat the animals, Misenhelter said.

Animal products such as iguana meat, sea turtle eggs, sea cucumbers, abalone and whale bones are also frequently seized in this region.

Last week, a Chula Vista resident pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to illegally importing $3 million of abalone from Mexico, a highly regulated trade in Mexico.

A spike in demand for totoaba fish bladders in recent years has made it one of the most lucrative wildlife products in the area. The endangered fish is exclusive to the Gulf of California and considered a delicacy in China. A single dried bladder can fetch as much as $30,000 in China. Illegal fishing of the totoaba has also threatened a small porpoise in the Gulf, the vaquita.

Big cats

A tiger cub who was confiscated when a teenager tried to smuggle the exotic cat into the United States from Mexico is doing well at the San Diego Zoo nursery.

Possessing a big cat is a different kind of draw. Many animal lovers have found something magical in bonding with a wild beast. Think Ace Bourke and John Rendall, the Australians who famously bought Christian the lion as a cub from Harrods department store in 1969 and lived with him in their London flat until he outgrew the city and had to be retrained as a wild lion in Africa.

In some cultures, having a big cat as a housepet is a status symbol of the wealthy.

Pablo Escobar, Colombias infamous cocaine king, kept a private zoo. Drug lords in Mexico  and other elite households in the country  have continued the practice.

In 1993, Mexican federal agents found more than 250 animals, including camels and a lioness, on a ranch believed to be owned by Jesus Chuy Labra, a reputed top lieutenant with the Arellano Felix Organization. Nala, an African lion at Tijuanas small municipal zoo, was found by police in the back of a drug dealers car and became one of the many seized and dumped animals that make up the menagerie.

It is not uncommon for junior narcos  the rich and famous playboy kids of drug kingpins  to flaunt baby jaguars, tigers and leopards on social media, along with their designer watches, expensive bottles of champagne and fancy cars.

In the Middle East, rich and even middle-class families keep cheetahs captive, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution and author of the upcoming book The Extinction Market: Wildlife Trafficking and How to Counter It. However, the cats, the fastest in the world, need ample space to run and often die after a few years, she said.

This year in Tijuana, a tiger was seized after a neighbor reported seeing a man walking it on a leash. It had been living in a home with children. Another fell out of a three-story window in Tijuana months later.

The U.S. has its own share of household tigers. In fact, experts believe there may be more captive tigers here  5,000 to 10,000 living in private homes and traveling zoos  than in the wild, according to a report by The Washington Post last year.

The large population means much of the trafficked tiger population in the U.S. is home-bred rather than smuggled from other countries.

The last tiger cub caught at the San Diego border, in 1991, was going south, not north. It belonged to businessman and former Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon, who over the years has amassed a huge private zoo. He told authorities the cub had been taken to the U.S. without his knowledge to a family members home and was being driven back to Tijuana  without a permit.

U.S. Customs Commissioner Carol Hallett announces in 1992 that Blanca the tiger, seized from Jorge Hank Rhons private collection as the cub tried to cross into Mexico from the U.S., will stay at the San Diego Zoo. (John Gibbins/U-T)

He paid a $25,000 fine but did not get to keep Blanca, the white Bengal who lived out her years at the Safari Park.

That makes the case of the northbound tiger cub extremely rare.

Luis Eduardo Valencia, a Perris teenager, initially told federal agents he was in Tijuana on Aug. 21 when he came across a man walking a full-sized tiger on a leash, according to the complaint filed in San Diego federal court. The teen asked about the tiger, and the man said he would sell Valencia a tiger cub for $300. Valencia said he waited for the man for several hours, met at a club, drove to another location to pick up the tiger, then tried to cross the border.

At the inspection lanes, Valencia said he had nothing to declare, but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer in the secondary inspection area saw the cub on the floorboard between a passengers legs, according to the complaint. The passenger at first said it was just a cat. Then he produced paperwork from AeroMexico Cargo showing the animal had been shipped on Aug. 22, as well as a sales receipt from a person in Mexico City to the tiger-leash man in Tijuana. The documents also falsely stated that the species was not covered by CITES.

Valencia told investigators there were no pictures of the cub on his cellphone, but a search found several photos of three tiger cubs dated April 18, as well as an AeroMexico flight itinerary. The teen then said he began communicating about the tiger on the 18th and came back a few days later to pick up the cub. Another picture showed the tattooed arm of Valencias passenger opening a special compartment built under the car seat.

Based on my training and experience, these types of compartments are used to smuggle wildlife, U.S Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Eduardo Nieves wrote in the complaint.

The agent added that the going rate for a Bengal tiger cub in the U.S. is $1,500.

Valencias defense attorney, Robert Schlein, described his client as an extremely sincere and straight and thoughtful young guy who works training Andalusian horses. Valencia merely wanted an exotic pet, he said.

He is not part of any ring or organized smuggling of tigers, Schlein said in an interview Friday.

He added: Its just a serendipitous story.

The origin of the cub is unknown. Mexico City is home to one of the countrys largest wildlife markets, in the Sonora market, where caged animals of nearly every kind have been sold.

The 6-week-old cub, unnamed for now, was taken to the Safari Park, where he will remain while a permanent home is worked out for him. He is likely part Bengal, part Amur and could grow to 500 pounds, according to an animal care supervisor at the park.

That is precisely the danger with taking in big cats as cubs, experts say. They dont stay small for long.

Animal sanctuaries such as Alpines Lions, Tigers & Bears often get the calls when big cats get too big for their owners, or are seized by law enforcement. One of their tigers, Maverick, was allegedly owned by rap star Tyga in 2014.

One guy had one on his yacht in San Diego, said Bobbi Brink, who founded the sanctuary in 2002.

The internet, and more recently the Dark Web, is the easiest way to obtain animals on the U.S. black market. Although enforcement is up, Felbab-Brown said, and buyers run the risk of dealing with undercover agents.

Until recently, tigers that were not considered purebred were not federally regulated in the U.S. A new law now requires permits for the interstate sale and purchase of all tigers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also prohibited roadside zoos and traveling circuses from allowing the public to handle baby big cats.

But the photo-op businesses still thrive in Mexico as a tourist draw.

Once they get too big to do the pictures, theyre done with them, Brink said of the petting zoo operators. She said she has given talks aboard cruise ships urging passengers not to support those businesses. Until people stop spending money to get their pictures taken, they wont stop breeding, Brink said.

In 2015, Mexico passed a law banning the use of exotic animals, including lions, tigers and bears, in circuses, creating a scramble to rid shows of such animals. Some were abandoned altogether in cages while others were sold to breeders, drug lords or others not equipped to house such animals, Brink said.

Reducing demand is seen as the best solution to wildlife trafficking, experts say.

One of the overarching lessons from the war on drugs is that the message needs to be very specifically tailored to a specific group, said Felbab-Brown, not focused on altruism but on harms and threats that the demand poses to customers. One example would be to convince a man that wearing boots out of endangered lizard skins is not attractive to the opposite sex.

Young people, they are the key, said Brink. They can keep the parents from doing wrong, too.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
North Koreas claim that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb dramatically raised the stakes Sunday in its escalating confrontation with neighbors across northeast Asia, and with a U.S. administration that is increasingly running out of good options.

Japan and South Koreas leaders condemned the latest sign that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, unfazed by strict U.N. sanctions and a chorus of international condemnation, has accelerated the countrys nuclear and missile development with astonishing success.



For the record: An earlier version of this article misspelled Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass last name as Haas.

President Trump denounced it as very hostile and dangerous to the United States.

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But Chinese officials met an even more sobering reality  that Beijing, Pyongyangs top ally and trading partner, has also become a target of its wrath.

On Sunday at exactly noon in Pyongyang, North Korea executed its sixth nuclear test  its first since Trumps inauguration, and its most powerful to date. The device had an estimated explosive yield of 120 kilotons, making it eight times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, according to NORSAR, a Norwegian earthquake monitoring agency.

North Korean state media claimed that it was a hydrogen bomb and could be attached to a missile capable of reaching the mainland U.S. It called the test a perfect success.

Experts say the test puts both China and the U.S. in a bind. It occurred just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinpings introductory speech at the BRICS Summit, a major international conclave in southeast Chinas Xiamen city. The forum  attended by several heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin  was Xis chance to show Chinas growing leadership role in the developing world, and the test was a striking intrusion.

Residents of Chinese cities and towns bordering North Korea reported feeling shock waves from the blast.

Its long been suspected that the North Koreans were designing this [nuclear and missile] program not only to keep the Americans out, but also to send signals to the Chinese, said Robert Kelly, a North Korea expert and professor at Pusan National University in South Korea.

They dont want to become a satellite state, like East Germany, he said. When the Soviets pulled the plug on East Germany, East Germany disappeared within 11 months. And North Korea just doesnt want to be that dependent on China.

North Korea has for decades posed a danger to its neighbors Japan and South Korea  in the event of a military conflict, its conventional weapons could kill thousands in Tokyo and Seoul. Yet it has been diplomatically and economically close to China since the 1950s. China accounts for 90% of North Koreas trade volume; its leaders fear that instability in Pyongyang could precipitate a refugee crisis along the two countries shared border.

To be sure, the timing wasnt just a slap in Chinas face. Americans woke to the news on Labor Day weekend.

The nuclear test was a vivid show of defiance against Trump, who warned last month hed bring fire and fury against the rogue nation if it continued to threaten the U.S.

Kims latest move presents one of the greatest challenges yet to the administration, which has issued muddled messages about its policy toward North Korea. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said the U.S. is open to negotiations with the country, while Trump last week said talking is not the answer.

In a tweet Sunday, Trump warned that he was considering stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea, in addition to other options. Such an action would impact some of Americas largest trading partners and could have a drastic effect on the global economy.

Earlier, Trump tweeted that South Koreas talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work.

The administration has found itself with the same buffet of dismal options as its predecessors. Any attack could lead to full-scale war on the Korean peninsula and cost millions of lives. But sanctions have failed to work, and China may only go so far.

Trump, who has alternately chastised China for its limited response and praised it, tweeted Sunday that North Korea has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.

Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said he was preparing a stiffer package of sanctions and hoped to enlist North Koreas neighbors in the effort. He specifically cited China.

Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis warned that any threat to the U.S. or its allies would be met with an effective and overwhelming military response.

The escalating North Korea tensions come as Trump is weighing pulling out from a free-trade pact with South Korea. One of Trumps key campaign issues was to scrap or renegotiate what he considers bad trade deals, but critics, including Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) say withdrawing from the trade agreement with South Korea would be a bad move at this juncture.

I dont think that would be good in any circumstances  now is particularly troubling, Flake, a frequent Trump critic, said on CNNs State of the Union.

Chinese officials also are facing widespread public alarm.

On Sunday afternoon, Sina Weibo, Chinas version of Twitter, lit up with news of the test. One user named Gaogao said she was attending a friends wedding in Helong County, about 60 miles from the test site, when the blast occurred.

I asked my friend why are you knocking the table, she wrote. My friend said No, Im not. Then we felt the whole ground shaking, and a bottle of water fell from the table to the floor. We then realized something was going wrong. We all evacuated from indoors.

Kims repeated nuclear and missile tests have clearly worn Beijings patience. An underground nuclear test in January 2016 came on the eve of the Chinese New Year and after Xis government had explicitly asked Pyongyang to refrain from such actions.

Several weeks of talks between China and the Obama administration finally led to a unanimous United Nations Security Council vote on March 2, 2016, for sanctions against North Korea.

Those sanctions, which included mandatory cargo inspections and a ban on exports of most natural resources, were called at the time the toughest to date. Chinas agreement on the sanctions was seen as crucial, and a reflection of its anger with North Koreas behavior. China again supported a new and even more restrictive package of U.N. sanctions last month.

This marks the second time this year that North Korea has interrupted a crucial Chinese diplomatic meeting. It conducted a missile test during a major international forum in May touting Xis signature Belt and Road trade initiative.

The latest test occurred as China prepares for a major leadership shuffle next month, its most important political event in five years. Officials are eager to avoid any incidents that could make Xi appear weak.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an unusually strongly worded statement on Sunday, expressed resolute opposition to the test and urged North Korea to stop taking actions that worsen the situation and return to the channel of dialogue.

Yet there are signs that China will remain cautious. Its position that stability in Korea is a top priority remains in place. In his speech Sunday, Xi did not mention North Korea, and Chinese state media have focused more on the BRICS conference than the blast. In a sign that Beijing is intent on trying to control the messaging, the term North Korea nuclear test has become unsearchable on Sina Weibo, apparently blocked by censors.

This test has forced every party into a corner, said Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Peoples University in Beijing. Chinas available leverage is being used up step by step, and still, nothing can assure [denuclearization].

He said Beijing would probably consider punishing North Korea by cutting off its oil supply  but perhaps only partially or temporarily.

I dont know what actions China will take, but I know that China is reluctant to completely and permanently cut off the oil supply to North Korea, he said. The first reason is, North Korea could hate China more and more. This is very bad. The second is that if China uses this measure, in the face of Mr. Trumps pressure, it will have even less room to maneuver.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in called the nuclear test severely disappointing, but added that South Korea would continue to seek peace talks with the North.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said North Koreas nuclear and missile programs were grave and urgent threats to his country that had entered a new stage.

The denouncements are far from any solution to North Koreas enhancing technical capabilities.

This test shows greater yield/smaller size, Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, said in a tweet. So much for efficacy of UN votes, [economic] sanctions, Chinese pressure, American bluster.

ALSO

For North Korea and the U.S., its been threats, sanctions and vitriol. Whatever happened to negotiations?

In reversal of tradition, South Korean president unlikely to pardon Samsung scion

As China and India tussle in South Asia, a pristine mountain kingdom is caught in the middle

Kaiman is a Times staff writer and Meyers a special correspondent. Gaochao Zhang and Nicole Liu in The Times Beijing bureau, special correspondent Matt Stiles in Seoul and staff writers Tracy Wilkinson and Laura King in Washington contributed to this report.

jonathan.kaiman@latimes.com

For more news from Asia, follow @JRKaiman on Twitter

UPDATES:

6:05 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional comments from Trump and Mattis.

10:20 a.m.: This article has been updated with comments from Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

This article was originally posted at 8:20 a.m.
Four cabins burned down and 14 more residences were evacuated as the Alice Creek fire near Lincoln grew an additional 5,887 acres Sunday night.

The latest evacuations include the Landers Fork and Elk Trail subdivisions northeast of Lincoln, as well as the Alice Creek Basin and Tom's Gulch areas on the southwestern flank of the fire.

Mandatory evacuations remain for residents on both sides of Highway 200, south of Highway 434, from mile marker 92 through mile marker 100, extending east to the south fork of the Dearborn River. Evacuations also remain for residents in the Evergreen Subdivision (Elk Meadows subdivision), and ranches west of Road 434/435 north of Highway 200.

Because of the numerous evacuations, officials are not allowing evacuated residents back into the fire area until they can get a better understanding of the fires overall growth. When conditions allow, the Lewis and Clark County sheriff may provide escorts. This may not occur until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Firefighters and law enforcement are still working to find and assess any additional structures that may have been impacted by the fire's growth.

A Red Cross shelter is on standby at Wolf Creek Elementary School, 150 Walsh St. Area residents who need assistance are encouraged to contact Red Cross at 1-800-272-6668.

Questions concerning the evacuations can be directed to the public information officer at 208-991-0067.

Valley Veterinary Hospital at 4880 North Montana Ave. in Helena is taking in animals displaced by area fires. Anyone wanting to shelter an animal should call first, 442-0188.

The fire was estimated at a total 17,480 acres Monday. It was sparked by lightning on July 22 about 16 miles northeast of Lincoln and is considered 5 percent contained.

Though law enforcement has set up an additional roadblock at Copper Creek and Highway 200, Highway 200 reopened Monday morning after closing from Highway 279 to Highway 287 Sunday.

"Rogers Pass is covered by smoke from the fire," Sheriff Leo Dutton said Monday. "Use caution when praassing through the area."

On Sunday, the National Forest Service closed all lands, trails and roads north of Highway 200 on the Lincoln Ranger District.
County governments largest employee union is under increasing strain as members take steps to leave the labor organization.

Three groups with at least 1,100 employees among them are attempting to decertify from Service Employees International 221, a formal process of leaving the union.

They initiated the move after becoming frustrated with how SEIU has managed ongoing negotiations with the county, while their colleagues in other unions have managed to ink new agreements with raises.

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Its been a farce from the get-go, Bob Grable, a former member of SEIUs bargaining team who sat through negotiations for three earlier contracts. Hes trying to leave that union and form a new group for some of the countys employees.

We started negotiations with nothing, no proposals, no negotiation, nothing. This ship sunk at the dock at day-one said Grable, a vehicle fleet support specialist.

SEIU leaders said they showed up at the bargaining table well-prepared and are pushing for a deal thats better for their members than what the county has proposed. They want a 5 percent raise every year for the next three years, and for San Diego County employees to earn more than all other California counties workers except in Los Angeles.

The county is offering SEIU, as it did its other unions, a 13 percent raise over five years.

A fair deal would compensate employees better for the work they provide the county, said Crystal Irving, a child protective services worker who participates in negotiations. She is in a different bargaining unit that doesnt plan to leave SEIU.

They work with some of the countys most vulnerable citizens, and some workers are in positions where they are sometimes threatened by the people theyre trying to help.

This is what we do on a daily basis, she said. My co-workers across the board have been known not to get compensation that mirrors the value that they contribute to society on the daily basis.

They also want the county to hire more employees to reduce overtime, Irving said.

Grable said the county has improved its approach to bargaining.

The county has negotiated in good faith with the union, and we were all very impressed because we didnt see that four years ago, he said.

Its not a great deal, but its a fair deal, he later said of the countys offer.

He and others who are trying to leave SEIU want to vote on the countys proposed contract, but they said that the unions leadership is preventing the general membership from even considering a new labor agreement.

Theres no point for members to vote on a contract yet, Irving said.

We have not engaged in bargaining at all, so theres no need to recommend a contract to our members, she said.

SEIU represents about 10,000 county employees, including some 5,600 who pay full dues.

The specter of groups leaving SEIU was referenced in an Aug. 18 letter from the Communication Workers of America Local 9509, a union that represents SEIUs in-house staff.

SEIUs was described in the letter as struggling and in disarray, with problems ranging from a poorly stocked supply closet to incompetent leaders who spend just a few hours in the office. Union leaders rejected those claims.

CWA some of the bargaining units SEIU represents would likely take steps to leave.

Thankfully most of the vocal anti-SEIU members have little to no skill sets to cause decertification. With SEIUs continued poor messaging, it is only a matter of time before someone helps them decertify, CWAs letter said.

The largest group seeking to leave has about 1,000 members including urban planners, psychiatrists and epidemiologists.

And 116 dispatchers in the Sheriffs Department are trying to leave SEIU. In a letter to the county the dispatchers said theyd fit better in another unit, and that they often feel overlooked in SEIUs membership. They also said they have received little or no attention and services from SEIU.

Paralegals who work for the district attorney, public defender and the Office of Child Support are also trying to splinter away from SEIU. Its unclear how many are in this group, and they did not explain their reasoning in a letter to county staff. They could not be reached for comment.

If members leave SEIU they could either form their own new union, join a different one, or be unrepresented.

They would follow nearly 400 Chula Vista employees who voted in May to leave after employees who led the departure said they were frustrated with the quality of SEIUs advocacy, high employee turnaround, and the expertise of the unions representatives. All were issues CWA mentioned in the letter it sent last month.

Over 300 Poway Unified School District employees voted to leave SEIU last year as well.

Sara Isgur, a real property agent who is working with Grable to decertify from SEIU, said members are losing money each month they are without a contract due to a new state law that impacts a type of pension payment. The countys proposed contract has an accounting workaround to restore the money the state law took away, but members havent been able to vote for it.

We actually took a decrease because were paying more in our retirement because we didnt get a raise, Isgur said. I have coworkers who are taking $100 more in pay cuts because of the union. Who are they actually representing when they cause their own members to take a pay decrease?

In the meantime, managers have gotten pay increases, while rank-and-file employees have gone without a new contract, Isgur said.

Both the county and union have accused the other of failing to bargain in good faith. Both parties deny the allegations.

SEIU is set to strike on Sept. 12 and 13, which would be the first walkout in over two decades.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
Louise Hay, who from a 1984 best seller built a self-help publishing empire that has attracted millions of devotees with its messages about the power of thought and attitude, died on Wednesday at her home in San Diego. She was 90.

Her death was announced on the website of her company, Carlsbad-based Hay House. The statement said she died of natural causes.

In books like You Can Heal Your Life, The Power Is Within You and Meditations to Heal Your Life, Ms. Hay espoused an upbeat message with a metaphysical underpinning. She wrote that there is a link between thoughts and disease and lifes other misfortunes, and she urged people to find a positive way to spin even the worst of them.

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Ms. Hay became an early example of the sort of self-improvement gospel that has sprung up over the last several decades. And she was one of its most successful adherents.

Few women have sold more books, and Hay House, which she started in her living room in the mid-1980s, has grown into a multimillion-dollar company handling a long roster of authors and an extensive line of products, including books, CDs and online courses. The company also stages lectures and workshops featuring its authors.

Ms. Hay (who sometimes used the name Louise L. Hay in her books) was born on Oct. 8, 1926, in Los Angeles. Few details about her early life, including her surname at birth, are readily known, though by her account it was a difficult period. As a teenager she dropped out of school and gave birth to a girl, her only child, whom she gave up for adoption.

After living in Chicago for a time, she moved to New York, where she worked as a fashion model and, in the mid-1950s, married Andrew Hay, an English businessman.

They divorced 14 years later, and in her devastation afterward she went to the First Church of Religious Science in Manhattan, whose message about the power of thought to improve ones circumstances resonated.

I heard somebody say there, If youre willing to change your thinking, you can change your life,  she told The Times Magazine. My jaw dropped. I said, Really?

Ms. Hay began to study and practice that philosophy, and around 1977, as she told the story, she had a chance to put it to a serious test when she was given a diagnosis of cervical cancer. She concluded, she said, that the disease had been caused by lingering resentment over childhood abuse. Refusing medical treatment, she said, she cured herself with a regimen that included nutrition, reflexology and forgiveness.

About the same time, she compiled a small book, Heal Your Body, a reference guide to the mental causes of physical ailments. She expanded on these ideas and philosophies in You Can Heal Your Life (1984), which became a best seller; according to her company, it has sold more than 50 million copies.

In 1985, at a time when fear of AIDS was high and those who had it were being shunned by much of society, Ms. Hay, by now relocated to the West Coast, began holding support meetings for people living with HIV or AIDS. The first sessions were in her home.

I said, I have no idea what were doing, but I know what were not going to do, she recalled in 2008. Were not going to play Aint It Awful.

Eventually the sessions, called Hayrides, were moved to an auditorium in West Hollywood, with hundreds in attendance, including mothers of those with the disease.

Whenever a mother came, we gave them a standing ovation, because so many mothers werent speaking to their sons, she said. What of the fathers? The fathers almost never came  they couldnt forgive.

In a 2009 Union-Tribune article about a Hay House-sponsored self-help conference that drew about 4,000 people to the San Diego Convention Center, Ms. Hay discussed the message of self-empowerment taught at the workshops.

People are learning that they can take control of their life, change it for the better, by changing their thinking, she said. When the world is in trouble, and things are a bit of a mess right now, they are looking for answers.

Her answers? Forgive. Release the past. Love yourself.

Ms. Hays brand of wisdom relied on catchphrases  Life loves you was one  that she urged people to adapt in their thinking. A list of 101 Best Louise Hay Affirmations of All Time on louisehay.com includes these:

Every thought we think is creating our future.

My happy thoughts help create my healthy body.

Only good can come to me.

I always work with and for wonderful people. I love my job.

In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole and complete.

Other affirmations were developed for more specific purposes and problems. You Can Heal Your Heart: Finding Peace After a Breakup, Divorce or Death (2014), written with David Kessler, suggests affirmations for someone resentful over a divorce that was initiated by his or her spouse. One is My divorce has no power over my future; another, I think we could still be married, but there is a greater knowledge in the Universe.

In the preface to You Can Heal Your Heart, Mr. Kessler, who writes and lectures on grief and loss, wrote of a conversation he had with Ms. Hay eight years ago in which she announced to him, David, Ive been thinking about it, and I want you to be with me when I die.

Mr. Kessler wrote that the remark had led him to ask her if there was anything wrong.

No, she replied. Im 82, healthy as I can be, and Im living my life fully. I just want to make sure that when the time comes, I live my dying fully.

Ms. Hay leaves no immediate survivors. Hay Houses statement said services will be private. Donations can be made in her memory to the Hay Foundation at hayfoundation.org

The New York Times contributed to this report.
Heat, a red flag wind warning, atmospheric instability and prolonged dry conditions meant there was only one thing certain about Sunday for Lolo Peak fire public information officer Larry Bickel.

Today is a day for fire.

On Sunday morning, the Ravalli County Sheriffs Office implemented evacuation orders for residents threatened by the fire. Roughly 200 homes  those west of Highway 93 from the north side of Bass Creek Road to the south side of Hannaford Avenue and west of Florence Carlton Loop  received visits from a deputy telling them it was time to go.

National Guard members were stationed at the roads leading into each of the evacuation zones. By mid-afternoon, the sheriffs office decided that fire conditions were too unsafe to allow anyone back in, with the hope of allowing escorted access Monday if conditions improve.

Evacuation warnings were also expanded to include residents south of Bass Creek Road and west of Highway 93 to South Kootenai Creek Road.

Theres a lot of concerned people out here today. A lot of people wondering what is going to happen next, Bickel said.

Julie Roberson and her 7-year-old son Nathan  who live in the Kootenai drainage  joined the small group gathered around the fire information trailer in the parking lot of the Super 1 grocery store in Stevensville.

She said she didnt get internet at her home, but on Sunday started getting text messages from friends asking if she was being evacuated.

Im just here to double-check if Im in a warning area or not because I have horses. Im ready to go if I need to, Roberson said.

Roberson said the thing that worried her most about the possibility of being told she needs to leave her home was what to do with her animals. Shes already taken a black marker and written her phone number on the hooves of her horses.

What if someone comes knocking at your door and says its time to go? Im just going to have to let them loose and hope.

Sonya Germann, incident information officer, said there was no one particular danger from the Lolo Peak fire. The blaze had pushed over containment lines on the northwest edge and reached the backup contingency lines, and firefighters didn't have a full picture of just how far it had spread in that direction.

A cold front coming down from the north throughout the day had the potential to draw the southwestern tip of the fire eastward, which could mean the blaze racing down one of the drainages toward homes and the highway.

High winds raised the danger of embers being carried from inside the fire lines to the newly evacuated zones, creating spot fires that would be beyond the containment lines. Patrols were busy looking for new spotting, and structure protection teams were in place in the evacuated drainages along the highway to snuff out anything that sparked.

Its really, unfortunately, an all-of-the-above problem, Germann said.

John Barnes, a retired deputy, got a call from Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton on Sunday morning, telling Barnes they needed all the help they could get. Barnes manned the check-in trailer for evacuees throughout the day, helping people like Whitney McBeth of the Sweeney Creek area fill out the form letting the sheriffs office know she had gotten out safe.

This was the second time in as many weeks that a deputy had shown up on her doorstep, knocked and told her the time had come to leave, McBeth said.

We actually laughed about it a bit. I just said 'same routine?' and he said, 'Yep,' she said.
Its Labor Day Weekend in the States  a 3 day holiday to put away your seersucker suit and white sandals and mourn the end of summer. Your last lemon squares, barbecue, corn on the cob and potato salad. Summer vacations last hoorah.

Here in Belize, Labour Day is also called May Day  and is celebrated at the beginning of summer, May 1st.

Summer, by my definition, is only over for the kids right now  high school started last week in San Pedro, all grade schools start today. The weather is still hot and humid for another few months as the hurricane season is still not at its peak (Sept 11). We wont be feeling that chill in the air until at least mid-November/early-December.

I am wrapping up 3 days on Cayo Frances  the large inner lagoon system about halfway up Ambergris Caye.

A world away from the other side of the island and San Pedro town. As I type, a small bright blue headed snake looked at me thru the screen. Even the rules are different.

Here are some pictures from my weekend at Cayo Frances Farm & Fly.

The green building with the solar panels and batteries.

Lemon grass growing  natures repellent but no match for Septembers mosquitoes.

Elsie lounging in her comfort cone. Shes has a scrape on her leg that she has spent too much time picking at.

A teenaged Little Blue Heron  according to my Birds of Belize book, they have pied (mixed) slate and white plumage their first summer.

Some of our weekend eats. The french bakery in town makes a DELICIOUS olive loaf  so perfect for sandwiches of arugula (grown here  it takes off like a weed), pastrami from the islands Sausage Factory, cheddar and lots of mustard.

And Jeffs stewed chicken. His work trying to perfect rice and beans  a seemingly simple dish  is really paying off. Just the right amount of coconut.

His model for perfection? The $10bzd lunch special at Brianas Deli on Back Street.

Chaya also grows like a weed.

Chaya flowers.

And chaya when its cooked with eggs and coconut oil. With some feta. Okay. With a ton of feta.

And then an actual weed that makes a real cool ground cover in areas where no grass grows. This stuff grows in the salt wetland.

According to my book The Plants of Caye Caulker, its an edible herb that prevents erosion of the shore line called seaside purslane. Heres an interesting article on how to eat it.

Good to know.

Hope you had a fantastic weekend. I did. And now Im heading back to town.
Fire and smoke were the Groundhog Day-style watchwords Monday around western Montana, with a windy Canadian cold front pushing fires ever larger and shoving choking clouds of smoke into the valleys.

Monday's updates from Inciweb on fire after fire painted a dire picture of the high winds and low humidity that left a Red Flag Warning in effect until 9 p.m., making it another tough day for firefighters.

"Normally, at this time of year, we're looking at the weather (forecast) and seeing some kind of season-ending event in sight, but right now, we don't have one," Jennifer Jones, spokeswoman for the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, said Monday.

Of the 77 large wildfires burning around the nation, Montana has 26, more than any other state. Some 26,500 people are fighting those fires, directed by 42 incident management teams, Jones said. "We're pretty highly committed right now," she said.

The 7.6 million acres of federal, state and private land consumed by wildlife so far this summer is more than 2 million acres above the 10-year average, according to NIFC statistics. This time last year, wildfires had burned about 4.7 million acres.

"We're seeing some pretty extreme fire growth on a lot of fires in Montana ... with a lot making really big runs," Jones said Monday.

One was the Rice Ridge fire east of Seeley Lake, which exploded over the weekend, and doubled down overnight Sunday, growing from 55,000 acres to 101,424 acres Monday morning. New evacuation orders issued Sunday in Powell County remained in effect Monday (see list below).

Two Type 1 and a Type 3 helicopter were assigned for water drops and aerial observation. Structure protection continued Monday along the Highway 83 corridor, and at Kozy Korner, Double Arrow Subdivision, the Big Sky Lake area, the Monture Guard Station and the Upper Blackfoot Ranch community.

John Thompsons Central Montana Type II Incident Management Team will transition to Greg Poncins Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

On the Caribou fire, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office continued the unenviable task Monday of contacting property owners affected by the fire that burned some structures over the weekend. The number of structures lost was still being verified Monday, with an update expected Tuesday morning, according to fire officials.

Heavy equipment connected with fireline construction in Canada and extended fireline to Lake Koocanusa along the U.S./Canada border. Night operations worked to contain a 3-acre spot fire Sunday night.

Some Ravalli County homeowners got a welcome, albeit short, reprieve from evacuation orders on the Lolo Peak fire Monday morning when the sheriff announced theyd be able to go back to their homes for 15 minutes at a time between 9 a.m. and noon to retrieve essential items.

Fire managers are concerned with the upcoming weather and dry fuel conditions in the area, was Monday's laconic report from the Sunrise fire in Mineral County, where fire officials issued an evacuation warning Sunday night.

"Critical fire weather expected today could cause significant fire growth and has potential to see active to extreme fire behavior," the report continued. "Due to the limited number of resources assigned to this fire, containment of spot fires and the main fire could be hampered.

After a Sunday-night cold front that saw winds gusting to 43 mph over a four-hour period, the Sprague fire burning in Glacier National Park, which forced evacuations from the Lake McDonald Lodge area Sunday, "slowed down a little Monday," said fire information officer Katie Liming.

The Fort Apache Hot Shots, along with structure protection engines, staged overnight Sunday in the Lake McDonald area, and a night shift patrolled the area. Structure protection was completed Sunday in the Lake McDonald area, and on Monday, structure protection hose lays and sprinkler deployments were set to begin in the Avalanche Creek Campground.

Monday evening's update listed the main weather concern through Tuesday evening as a persistent easterly wind pushing the fire closer to Lake McDonald. Monday, the fire crept over Mount Brown and down the west face of the slope "a little bit," said Katie Liming, Sprague fire public information officer.

Mop-up continued also Monday around the historic Sperry Chalet, which burned last week. And, as if things werent tough enough already on the west side of Glacier, a Sunday-afternoon update warned that "concern is for smoke concentrations to increase within the Lake McDonald and West Glacier areas."

Speaking of smoke: Monday morning, the Missoula City-County Health Department listed air quality as Very Unhealthy in Rainy Lake and Arlee on Monday afternoon, with Arlee was trending toward Hazardous air quality.

Air quality was Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in Clearwater, Rock Creek and the Potomac; and Unhealthy in Missoula, Frenchtown, Seeley Lake, Florence and Lolo.

***

The following evacuation orders issued over the weekend remained in effect Monday:

Caribou fire: Everyone in the West Kootenai area.

Highway 200 Complex: From the end of River Road West to Arnold Road, at the corner of Section 11.

Little Hogback fire: Both sides of Upper Rock Creek Road and adjacent roads/neighborhoods, beginning from and including Wild Rose Loop South to Stony Creek.

Lolo Peak fire: All residents west of Highway 93 on the north side of Bass Creek Road north to residents on the south side of Hannaford Avenue and west of Florence Carlton Loop  approximately 200 homes. Due to expected extreme fire behavior and the pending weather forecast, there is no access into the evacuation order area, the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday afternoon. The sheriff's office and Unified Command will evaluate fire danger Monday morning with a goal of escorted access.

The evacuation warning is lifted in the Highway 12 corridor from mile marker 24 (near and including Arena Drive) to the Highway 93 junction in Lolo. The evacuation warning was also lifted for residents in the Highway 93 corridor from the Highway 12 junction to mile marker 79 (near and including the Gravel Pit off of Old Highway 93 and the McClain Creek Road).

Rice Ridge fire: All of Coopers Lake area in Powell County. The warning area is everything else north of Highway 200 with the west and east boundaries being Missoula and Lewis and Clark County.

Sprague fire: All residents and visitors from the south end of Lake McDonald to Logan Pass. This includes the Lake McDonald Lodge, concession housing, Kelly Camp Area, and the Avalanche and Sprague Creek campgrounds. Logan Pass is still accessible from the east side of the park. Glacier Park Boat Company tours and Swan Mountain Outfitters horseback rides from the Lake McDonald lodge are canceled. Apgar is open.

West Fork fire: Residents in the 17 Mile Community Area of Pipe Creek Road and Upper Bobtail, including Hutton Drive. Pipe Creek Road is closed from the 12 Mile Marker to the summit.
Brazil's environmental policy under President Michel Temer creates concern among the environmental scientists. The concern relates to a decree issued by the President regarding the commercial mining in Amazon.

According to Phys.org, executive director of the known Society for Ecological Restoration, Bethanie Walder, many people in Brazil have a concern about the environmental policy. The key point of the concern includes the roll-back of the land protections and the environmental protections mainly across the Amazonia. The warning surfaced after a huge number of environmental scientists from sixty-five countries attended the international congress of the Society for Ecological Restoration.

It was the seventh international congress that took place in southern Brazil's Foz de Iguazu. President Temer issued a decree for the commercial mining in the vast area of Amazon that is famous for its natural reserve. Notably, a Brazilian court has suspended that attempt by the Brazilian President, The Guardian reported.

The order of the court came after an outcry from the climate activists and the environmental campaigners. The decree issued by the President of Brazil relates to the abolition of Renca, an important area of 17,760 sq miles. This area is receiving protection since 1984.

The Brazilian Court has hinted that the Brazilian President has surpassed his authority while issuing the decree. Importantly the said meeting in Brazil's Foz de Iguazu also occurred at the same time. Ignoring the outcome of the destruction of the ecosystem, mainly in Amazon must be very dangerous. It is obvious that the deforestation in the Amazon may bring serious consequences.

The final words of the meeting that took place in Brazil include the urge for the immediate ecological restoration. The words have also suggested that restoration is not sufficient to reverse the crisis regarding the global environment. Prevention of the destruction of the ecosystem is also essential to address the issue.

The Society for Ecological Restoration or the SER suggests the necessity of making appropriate legislation to address the issue. It even wants the active role for the indigenous communities to implement the environmental policies. Notably, the President of Brazil withdrew the decree and then reissued it including the clarification. The clarification includes the protections for the indigenous territory and the conservation areas.
FLORENCE, S.C.  A new Francis Marion University faculty member plans to unearth the Pee Dees history.

Christopher Barton, an archaeologist, is preparing for future excavations in the Pee Dee. Barton also is teaching classes in history and archaeology.

Barton said South Carolina is the center for historical archaeology in the states, but there is still much to be explored in the Pee Dee region specifically.

I want to bring the Pee Dee and Francis Marion into that area and really help develop the archaeology of this area to show that the Pee Dee has stuff that people should be proud of, Barton said.

Potential dig sites include sites associated with Gen. Francis Marion, such as Snows Island, and the Francis Marion campus. The land where the campus stands was once a plantation. Barton also will collaborate with Coastal Carolina University to work at Hobcaw Barony in Georgetown County.

Barton said that while not all parts of the past are pleasant, it is critical to spark discussions that will change mindsets for the better.

He plans to include university students and the community in his work. Barton said he has a unique set of skills, but he does not own history.

My perspective is that you get as many people to come in and have talks and conversations about the past, Barton said. Through all these different conversations, it helps us lead to a better recreation of the past.

This semester, Barton plans to give public lectures and speak with area historical societies and schools. As he introduces himself to the community, Barton wants people to know that they have a place in the archeological process.

Barton said excavation is the shortest part of the archeological process. Sites must be researched, maps drawn, equipment gathered and items cleaned and catalogued. While the workload is heavy, the thrill of discovery is what drew Barton to archaeology.

You dont know what is going to be under your next shovel, Barton said.

Barton is channeling that fascination for discovery to his students this semester.

Whitney Timmons, a senior history major, said the tangible objects on Francis Marions campus affect the schools history, the states history and even the nations history.

Since, historically-speaking, this is a former plantation, it is important for us to actually dissect the things that are here, Timmons said.

Elizabeth Floyd, a sophomore biology major, said experiences help her retain information. This semester she is most looking forward to going on class field trips and experiencing history through the archeological process.

Barton will be in Ireland next semester on a Fulbright scholarship, but once he gets back, he will be ready to dig further into the Pee Dees past.
On Labor Day, we take time to recognize the achievements and struggles of all working Americans. In 2017, this yearly celebration could not be more important. The economic system in our country is failing workers, especially young workers, the working poor, and retirees who either cant find decent employment that supports a family or cant afford to retire with respect and dignity.

We know we can do better; and if the politicians arent willing to do the work, we will do it ourselves. In fact, thats exactly what the labor movement is doing right here in Montana.

The coal industry in America is facing an uncertain future and so are workers. Nowhere is this truer than in Colstrip. There have been a multitude of politicians who have tried to take advantage of this uncertainty for their own political gain. They spent their time pointing fingers and saying closures were the fault of President Obama or Governor Bullock rather than actually rolling up their sleeves and working toward real solutions. Weve seen a lot of talk, but little action.

During the 2017 Legislature, there was an attempt to pass a bill that would have given some relief and certainty to the workers and families of Colstrip and held massive out-of-state utilities accountable. It was introduced by Senator Duane Ankney and was supported by both Governor Bullock and Attorney General Tim Fox. Unfortunately, the bill was defeated by a Republican controlled House Committee, whose leadership did the bidding for out-of-state corporations and utilities. When some legislators attempted to bring the bill to the House Floor, a small fringe group of extreme Republicans and Democrats worked together to kill the bill. The political system failed workers, again!

However, Montana Labor Movement did not sit idly by and wait for the future of our workers to be decided by the legislature. Instead, a coalition of labor organizations, government, and environmental organizations worked together in an effort to help our brothers and sisters in Colstrip. Because of this work, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded a $4.7 million grant to help coal communities in Montana stabilize and plan for the future. The coalition that made it happen consisted of Jason Walsh from the Obama White House; Montanas Commissioner of Labor Pam Bucy and her staff; the Northern Plains Resource Council; and the Montana AFL-CIO and our affiliates. If our politicians wont stand up for workers, unions and our allies will.

The Montana Labor Movement will continue to fight to improve the lives of all workers.

In 2016, thousands of Montana workers voted to join unions. Working people are organizing because they want a voice in the workplace, fair pay and benefits, and someone that has their back.

Workers know the rules of the economy are rigged against them and that unions are our best tool for fighting back. Inequality is not inevitable. The economy is simply a set of rules. We can, and we must, elect leaders and put policies in place that will rewrite those rules so wages are high, benefits are strong, work is safe, retirement is secure and the freedom to negotiate is universal.

As you celebrate this Labor Day, please remember what this day is about: the continued struggle for an economy that benefits those who work, not just those who are already incredibly wealthy.

Al Ekblad is the executive director of the Montana AFL-CIO, which is the largest labor organization in Montana.
CHICAGO  Democratic-leaning Illinois is the latest state to direct taxpayer money to private schools, a development that's caught some by surprise and brought condemnation from politically powerful teacher unions and Democrats looking to defeat the Republican governor in 2018.

Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic-controlled Legislature last week approved a sweeping overhaul of the way Illinois funds schools. It included a new $75 million tax credit for people and companies that donated to private school scholarships.

"It's an important way for lower income parents to have choices that higher income parents already enjoy because of the financial circumstances that they are blessed with," said Rauner, a multimillionaire and longtime advocate for school choice.

The program allows people and companies to get a credit worth 75 percent of their donation, up to $1 million. Lawmakers say it will provide scholarships for 6,000 to 10,000 students statewide to attend private schools, where teachers and other staff typically aren't unionized. The students must come from households with an annual income below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $73,000 for a family of four.

Unions argue it will take money from public education to benefit the governor's wealthy friends. The credit "is tantamount to planting a ticking time bomb on a bus and driving through school districts throughout the state, creating even greater debt and fiscal distress," the Chicago Teachers Union said.

Many of the more than half-dozen Democrats running for governor have vowed to try to eliminate the tax credit, if elected.

"Our governor shouldn't advocate for robbing public education to enrich private schools," said Chris Kennedy, a businessman and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy.

Nearly 20 states have tax credit scholarship programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most are Republican-led states, including Florida, Arizona and Indiana. But efforts to approve them are often difficult.

Idaho legislators have tried several times. South Carolina's has to be reauthorized each year as part of its state budget.

In Illinois, the tax credit that became law on Thursday didn't surface publicly until Monday, when it was introduced in a roughly 550-page bill negotiated behind closed doors. The state House approved it within hours, and the state Senate did so the next day.

Both Democrats and Republicans said the credit was a GOP idea that was critical to passing compromise legislation to get money to schools. Its sudden appearance baffled advocates who've been pushing for years to change Illinois' funding system.

"It sort of popped out of nowhere," said Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat of Peoria.

The approach is one of several school choice models, like vouchers and education savings accounts, allowing the use of public money to send children to private school. Approved nonprofit groups can solicit and collect donations  either from businesses or individuals  in exchange for tax credits. The organizations pay the private and parochial schools directly.

Critics say the setup allows for the misuse of funds.

Illinois' model will be tested out in a five-year pilot program and appears to have been crafted with those concerns, including provisions on transparency and accountability, said Josh Cunningham of the National Conference of State Legislatures, which studies the programs. He said Illinois "regulates the scholarship granting organizations at a level that no other state does."

Public school administrators worry about losing high-performing students while costs for the district, including paying teachers and running facilities, don't decrease. Peoria, with a population of about 114,000 people, has more than 20 private schools nearby, most of them religiously affiliated.

"I'm not afraid of competition, I just think it's not fair," Desmoulin-Kherat said. "When those dollars are being routed to them and they're getting to pick and choose (students). I don't get to pick and choose."

Almost 75 percent of the district's roughly 14,000 students are poor.

One of the chief backers of the tax credit was Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who said he's supported the idea for years and spoke with legislative leaders during the negotiations.

The Archdiocese of Chicago would be among the groups that would benefit the most. It runs more than 200 elementary and high schools around the Chicago area, serving around 80,000 students. Cupich dismissed the notion that private schools would siphon the best students, saying the Catholic schools in the city are diverse and don't turn people away.

"The most important decision that a parent makes, with regard to their children, is where their children go to school. There's a lot of people who don't have the freedom to make that choice because of their level of income," he said. "This evens the playing field for all parents and all children to do that."
Francesco Manna, cruise trading director of lastminute.com group, stated, Lastminute.com groups partnership with IST will boost the level of automation of our cruise booking system. We will leverage FIBOS cutting edge technology in our cruises brands: crocierissime.it, cruceros.rumbo.es, croisieres.lastminute.com.

Up until now the group has worked with FDF (FIBOS  DATA- FEED), ISTs solution which permits the automation of the cruise inventory, enabling the availability of sailings, prices and itineraries to be made available online and updated on a daily basis, allowing customers to request quotes for their cruises through one of the groups platforms.

In this new phase the group will extend the process to include the ability to make online bookings, allowing the user to book cruises with Azamara, Celebrity, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn and Princess.

Manuel Sardi, ceo and md of IST, said the new deal which will firm up and bring solidity to the relationship between IST and the group. Moreover, he stated that the fact that lastminute.com group had opted for an online booking system represented an advance in the automation of cruise sales.
The new company M3 Marine Remote Inspection offers remote aerial, underwater and confined space survey and inspection services for both onshore and offshore marine projects and assets using drones and mini-ROVs.

Remote controlled inspection is seen as a much more cost effective and safer way of surveying difficult and dangerous areas to reach on vessels and offshore structures. Remote inspections can be used for areas such as flare booms, double bottoms, storage tanks and underdeck areas.

It is important that in times like this that we keep our minds open to opportunities for further cost savings and safer practices. Partnering with ROV Inspeksi who have a credible track record in the sector makes sound business sense for both of us, said Mike Meade ceo of M3 Marine.
Michigan doubles capacity to prep inmates for in-demand jobs

BLACKMAN TOWNSHIP, Mich.  Inside what was once a prison license plate factory, 42-year-old inmate Richard Willett spends his days in a converted robotics lab, learning how to operate computerized machinery in hopes of working a good-paying job when he's freed.

It's better than his past two prison stints, when he mostly just waited for parole only to end up back behind bars.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get out there and do what I got to do to succeed," said Willett, who delivered pizzas after his last release. A hernia operation and painkiller prescription began a "downward spiral" into old bad habits in Taylor, he said, ending with a sentence for heroin possession.

Now Willett is among the first prisoners living and studying at a newly opened "vocational village" at the minimum-security Parnall Correctional Facility near Jackson. It's the second school to be launched in as many years by the Michigan Department of Corrections, more than doubling capacity from about 200 inmates to roughly 550.

Soon-to-be released prisoners who qualify are removed from the general population and assigned to the exclusive village for housing and job training that simulates a regular work day. It offers some of the same options provided at the other program  in Ionia  but also masonry, robotics, truck driving and fork lift operation.

The agency's leader next hopes to start a third village at the state's only women's prison in Ypsilanti. Of the 51 prisoners to finish at the Ionia village so far, 35  or 69 percent  are employed, including 16 who secured their job before being paroled.

"We are training these guys in jobs that are in demand, that are going unfilled in this state, and jobs that exist in the communities they're going back to," said Corrections Director Heidi Washington, who helped market the newest village to employers, workforce developers and others this past week. Among those in attendance at the open house were a state lawmaker and officials from Gov. Rick Snyder's and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's offices.

The anti-recidivism initiative is part of a "culture change" within the department in which the emphasis is on offenders' success, Washington said.

Michigan releases 10,000 prisoners each year, but repeat offenders make up nearly 40 percent of those entering the system. Inmates who receive educational training are 43 percent less likely to reoffend than those who don't, according to a 2013 Rand Corp. study. Officials believe the opportunities for inmate employment are greater now because of Michigan's shortages in skilled trades.

One business willing to employ ex-convicts is Livonia-based Alta Equipment Co., which sells, rents and services heavy equipment in the manufacturing and construction industries. Half of its 800 employees are mechanics. Some 100 will reach retirement age in the next five years.

The company covers tuition, books and fees for trainees to complete a technician program at Macomb Community College, after which they are offered a full-time job. Yet it can't find enough young students to participate. Now Alta has six ex-inmates on its payroll and is partnering with the state and nonprofits to screen and interview more.

Company officials probe each prisoner's crimes and the circumstances, including their age at the time and how long ago the crimes occurred.

"We were kind of in a situation where it was, 'Where are we going to find qualified people?'" said human resources vice president Rebecca Dioso. "People are people. People make mistakes. We had an opportunity to find successful people and give them a job."

Parnall Warden Melinda Braman said while the state has long offered vocational education, inmates now receive guidance on what jobs are actually available in their home counties. They get help securing vital documents needed for employment before their release. Those in the vocational villages live together and study and work all day to earn recognized trade certificates.

Braman, a 20-year veteran of the department, said she never could have imagined having truck driving or masonry programs inside prison walls.

"The reality is these guys are going back out," she said. "They're going to be our neighbors. They're going to be our families' neighbors. Why not give them the tools to be successful and be gainfully employed citizens out there making money, taking care of their own families, teaching them the right way so they don't come back here? That's what's exciting to me."

The Parnall village will have roughly 350 inmates when it's fully operational. Among the 40 or so prisoners already there is 43-year-old Ron Paschal, a former drug addict and dealer who's serving time for operating and maintaining a meth lab in the Paw Paw area.

He's a welder by trade and is learning about and teaching carpentry skills in part to become more marketable when he's let go. He said he hopes the "times are changing" and fewer businesses are "close-minded" to hiring ex-convicts.

"I want to be able to help society instead of tear it apart like my prior self," Paschal said.
Press Release

September 4, 2017 De Lima supports call to probe 'all unlawful deaths' in PH Senator Leila M. de Lima today expressed support to United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard's call to investigate "all unlawful deaths" in the country. De Lima, a known human rights defender, said President Duterte should welcome Callamard's call if his administration has nothing to hide about the unabated spate of extrajudicial killings in the country. "He (the President) is in his usual default in fending off criticisms, especially coming from international experts like Dr. Callamard. He intimidates, insults and even threatens people who dare to oppose him and his policy," she said. "If this administration has nothing to hide, it should wave its inflexible conditions and allow Callamard to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the extrajudicial and summary killings under the all-out war on drugs," she added. In a series of tweets on Aug. 26, Callamard extended her condolences to the bereaved family of Kian Loyd de los Santos who was killed by the police in a drug operation in Caloocan City, as she urged the present administration to make the demise of the 17-year-old student the "last" in the Duterte regime's bloody drug war. Instead of heeding the message, Duterte released an expletive-laced response to Callamard's statement, even saying "Huwag niya ako takutin...Republika ng Pilipinas ito, hindi teritoryo ng France." Callamard, in her recent statement, said she found regrettable Duterte's negative response to her mere expressing sympathy with the family of Kian. "I regret President Duterte's response to my condolences to Kian Lyod de los Santos' family. Kian and others like him deserve dignity and justice. His family and families like his demand our respect and empathy. Not expletives," Callamard said. The former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights reiterated that Duterte should stop painting the human rights advocates as enemies of the state, noting how upholding the right to life should be his administration's priority. "Let me remind the President that human rights advocates do not exist to oppose his administration but rather to oppose any unjust treatment or abuses inflicted upon the citizens of this country by those in authorities," she said. "Instead of criticizing the promoters of justice and rule of law, the President can do better by hearing the cry of his people to end the abuses and order the police to stop the killings now," she added. Last September, De Lima has filed Senate Resolution No. 153 urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to invite Callamard to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country. Since Duterte assumed presidency, more than 12,000 people have reportedly been killed either through vigilante-style executions or "legitimized" police operations. De Lima said she has high hopes that the death of Kian, along with many other Filipinos, will serve as a "wake-up call" to the public to stand up against abuses and cruelties happening in the country.
Press Release

September 4, 2017 PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF AKBAYAN SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE DISAPPEARED *Please check against delivery Mr. President, I rise on a point of personal and collective privilege. Last August 30, we mark the International Day of the Disappeared - a day when we come together to remember those who have been victims of enforced disappearances by despotic governments or non-state armed groups. The Spanish word for it is desaparecidos, and Latin American history is rife with accounts of those who have been disappeared and kept outside the mantle of protection of the law. In the Philippines, enforced disappearance was a key weapon of choice of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose Martial Law resulted in the deaths and disappearances of thousands of Filipinos, many of them young people. According to documented reports, some 2,300 individuals still remain missing in the Philippines since the declaration of Martial Law in the 1970s until around 2016. Hanggang ngayon, ang dalawang libo at tatlong daan na taong ito ay hindi pa nabibigyan ng maayos na libing, at hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pa din ang pangungulila at pagtatanong kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Isa na po dito si Ronald Jan Quimpo, Jan sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya, na ang huling mga salitang iniwan sa kanyang kapatid na si Susan ay pagtirhan siya ng ulam. Hanggang ngayon, nangungulila pa din ang kanyang pamilya. "Buti pa si Marcos, may bangkay", ang sabi ni Susan, sa kasagsagan ng mga debate hinggil ng pagpapalibing kay Marcos sa libingan ng mga bayani. Incidentally, Mr. President, on Monday we celebrated National Heroes' Day. Silang mga desaparecidos ay kasama sa mga tunay na bayani, hindi ang diktador na pumaslang sa kanila na ngayo'y nakahimlay kasama ng mga magigiting na Pilipino. Mr. Marcos's callous disregard for civil liberties and human rights plunged this country into two decades of darkness - and its effects are still felt to this day. And yet, it seems, that we have not learned the lessons of history. We commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared this year, 2017, under a similar spectre of darkness. A few months ago, the Commission on Human Rights revealed a secret detention center holding 12 people in a police station in Manila, right at the heart of the capital. In the past two weeks, the whole nation bore horrifying witness to the more than 80 killings in Caloocan, Batangas and Manila in the hands of policemen - all of which are a part of the many thousands of deaths under the President's War on Drugs. Kasama na dito si Kian, whose murder was clearly part of the design of the reprehensible Oplan Tokhang and whose family's vulnerability was capitalized on by the powerful who created that vulnerability in the first place. Ang tumawag kay Kian na drug runner, ang nagsabing blown out of proportion ang kaso ni Kian, ang nagsabing gawing state witness ang mga pulis na bumaril sa bata, at higit sa lahat, ang nagsabing papakain sa isda ng Manila Bay ang bangkay ng lahat ng adik - sila ngayon ang nakapaligid na parang buwitre sa mag-anak na kapit-patalim. Mr. President, we remember today those who have been disappeared through the years, not only in the Philippines, but all over the world. I especially mention today the Rohingya people, persecuted in Myanmar and targeted by a vicious military campaign that has resulted in scores of disappearances, including among women and children. And as we remember them, so too do we remember they who have been rendered invisible - they who have been called the dregs of society, they who have been deemed undeserving of second chances, those whose economic and social vulnerabilities have led to more vulnerabilities. We remember those felled in the dark alleys of the city, with a cardboard to mark their sins, and the grief of their loved ones unheard in the chambers of power unless sufficient traction is generated in the media and the status quo is shaken. Sa ngalan po ng mga desaparecidos, we call on the Philippine government to immediately ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPED), as well as strict and full implementation of Republic Act 10353, or the Anti Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance of 2012. But a call remains even more urgent: stop enforced disappearances, close down secret detention centers, and most of all, STOP THE KILLINGS. Itigil po ang karumal-dumal na patayan. Salamat po.
Press Release

September 4, 2017 No need for supplemental budget, include Bangon Marawi fund in nat'l budget Marawi has given Mindanao "knowledge and power" worth hundreds of billions of pesos that any amount government will spend to rehabilitate the war-ravaged city by the lake will only be a fraction of what it has given to Mindanao for more than half a century. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said he is providing this "important context" to government planners who are drafting the Bangon Marawi blueprint and computing the cost to implement it. "Let us always keep in mind that Marawi is the capital of the province where Lanao Lake is, which is the source of about a third of Mindanao's power supply," Recto said. It is also where the main campus of the Mindanao State University is located, Recto added, referring to the "UP of the South" which has produced thousands of graduates since its founding in 1961. "Marawi is both a source of light and enlightenment. Thus any aid package should be viewed within that context. To a large extent, the aid we will be giving is some sort of a payback," Recto said. Recto said Agus River, which flows through Marawi, "is the gateway through which waters that run hydropower plants downstream pass," Recto said. Six hydroelectric plants cascade from the mouth of the lake in the city. The plants have a combined installed capacity of 728 megawatts of clean and cheap energy. "For 70 years, the people of Lanao Del Sur have been good stewards of the watershed which feeds the lake which in turn provides the water for the hydroelectric plants that supply the whole of the island of electricity," Recto said. "There was a time when Lanao Lake was the only source of power. It lighted homes and the future of Mindanaoans. Unang tikim nila ng kuryente mula sa tubig ng Lanao Lake," Recto said. Another major contribution of Marawi not only to Mindanao but to the entire country "is that great university on the hill, the Mindanao State University, which was founded 56 years ago," he said. "For over half a century, Mindanao's best and the brightest have gone to that school, lured by free tuition and topnotch teaching. It was the first school of choice for many of Mindanao's high school honor students," Recto added. In the years that followed, 8 of the 11 satellite campuses of MSU, such as the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology and the MSU General Santos, have become autonomous units under what has become the MSU System. "What can't be denied is that MSU in Marawi helped build the human capital of Mindanao," Recto said. "It has been said that each town and city in Mindanao, and there are 455 of them, hosts at least 100 MSU alumni or former students." "Kahit na nga si Bato galing MSU bago siya pumunta sa PMA," Recto said, referring to PNP Director General Ronald de la Rosa who was an MSU student for three years in the early 1980s before he went to study to the Philippine Military Academy. So it can be said that Marawi lighted homes in Mindanao and lighted the torch of knowledge, Recto said. "Now the city which has given Mindanao light and enlightenment has been thrown into darkness. It needs help. So whatever amount will be spent to bring it up on its feet will just be fraction of what it had given to Mindanao," Recto said. Recto said those drafting the Bangon Marawi blueprint should take these into consideration. He pressed executive officials tasked to plan and implement Marawi's reconstruction to submit a budget to Congress before the two chambers wrap up work on the P3.767 trillion 2018 national budget by the first week of December. "The money proposed in the 2018 national budget for Marawi's reconstruction is P10 billion. Ang tanong ay kasya na ba ito? Magkano sa P25.5 billion Calamity Fund for 2017 ang nagamit na para sa Marawi? They should now run the numbers, so we will know if the P10 billion is enough," Recto said. Recto said instead of a supplemental budget, the funds needed to rebuild the city can be included in the 2018 national budget.
Press Release

September 4, 2017 Statement of Sen. Joel Villanueva on the killing of teen ex-UP student Carl Arnaiz Recently, our nation went in mourning for the death of Kian Delos Santos in the hands of our police. And yet again, we have witnessed another injustice as a young life was once again claimed by our policemen. We are one in mourning for the life of Carl Arnaiz, a young one who could have had a bright future ahead of him. We are calling out the authorities to stop putting the law in the triggers of their guns and in their hands. We must always remember that the law is created for the people and not against them. It must always be put to mind that the Philippine National Police is created to serve and protect the people. The recent injustices that happened clearly calls for a reevaluation of the sworn duty of the supposed protectors of our country.
Anyone who has searched for parking in San Francisco and noticed space after space taken by cars with blue disabled placards dangling from their rearview mirrors might wonder whether the city could possibly have so many drivers with disabilities.

Probably not, say transportation officials, advocates for people with disabilities, the state auditor and a Bay Area legislator. They say its time to do something about the fraudulent use of disabled placards.

Way too many are inappropriately used either by a person using a relatives placard or a dead persons or one they obtained at a flea market, said Bob Planthold, a San Francisco advocate for the disabled. There are too many people using them for their own convenience.

The plastic placards grant those who have them the privilege of parking free for as long as they want, not only in blue disabled spaces but also at parking meters and in green zones.

The promise of free, convenient, unlimited parking makes cheating a temptation, said Jaime Garza, a spokesman for the state Department of Motor Vehicles, and has fueled a surge in the number of fraudulently obtained or illegally used permits.

A state audit released in April found that most placard applications lacked proper descriptions of the recipients disabilities. It also found that tens of thousands are held by people who are dead or over 100 years old.

According to the audit, 35,000 disabled-placard holders were listed as deceased in the Social Security Administrations records and another 26,000 placard holders were 100 or older. California is believed to have just 8,000 centenarians. The state does not require families to return the placards or notify the DMV when an authorized user dies.

There are people who will keep using a dead relatives placard, Planthold said, and theyll ... keep getting (new) placards in the mail. Some people, when a relative dies, will go to a flea market and sell the placard and get several hundred bucks for it. Permanent disabled placards expire every two years and are automatically renewed.

In San Francisco, where parking anywhere is hard to find, there are 700 blue-painted disabled parking zones and 29,000 metered parking spaces. A total of 65,000 city residents have been issued disabled parking placards. In all of the Bay Area, more than 500,000 people hold placards.

Concern that people with unauthorized permits are stealing parking from people with disabilities and depleting the citys already insufficient supply of street parking has led to calls for a crackdown beyond increased enforcement.

Some are urging changes in the way disabled parking placards are issued, distributed and monitored, and a group in San Francisco has raised the idea of eliminating the free-parking part of the permit.

Were not trying to just get parking for us, Planthold said. But parking for you who are not disabled can also be a problem.

The DMV, which oversees the Disabled Person Parking Placard Program, stepped up enforcement stings and publicized them after the state audit came out.

In June, DMV investigators carried out 22 sting operations, resulting in 195 citations out of 1,633 drivers selected randomly for questioning. Citations can cost anywhere from $250 to $1,000.

Choosing locations based on complaints, investigators questioned drivers who pulled into spaces in cars displaying placards. They asked to see the placards, which contain an identification number, as well as ID to determine whether the holder was authorized to have the blue card. Placards are issued to individuals, not cars.

The number of citations issued during the departments June stings indicated that about 1 in 8 placards was being used fraudulently.

One out of every 20 or 30 is good, said Jaime Garza, a DMV spokesman, but some of them are 1 in 8. It varies by time of day, day of the week and location.

San Franciscos Municipal Transportation Agency, which confiscates about 1,500 placards a year that are fraudulently used or obtained, has its own parking force overseeing disability parking, along with regular parking enforcement officers.

Enforcement is an important part of finding a solution to more parking for people who need it, said Paul Rose, an MTA spokesman. But its not the only way to provide better access for disabled people.

Four years ago, a committee convened by the Mayors Office on Disability recommended increasing enforcement and upgrading oversight of how placards are issued and who certifies someone as eligible.

It also recommended setting parking time limits for people with disabled placards and requiring them to pay at meters like other drivers. But enacting those proposals would require changes in state law, and efforts in Sacramento went nowhere.

However, some lawmakers did show interest this year following the stinging report by the state auditor, which concluded that the DMV does not sufficiently ensure that applications for placards are legitimate.

The auditor recommended the DMV and Legislature conduct quarterly audits of applications, determine whether some people are getting an excessive number of replacement placards, and check Social Security lists to cull dead peoples names from the placard rolls.

The recommendations also call on the DMV to develop technology that will make it easier for city parking control officers to check the validity of a placard. DMV Director Jean Shiomoto agreed to implement all 16 recommendations in the audit.

Legislation proposed by state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, would require the DMV to conduct quarterly audits of applications, in conjunction with state health boards. It would also make placard holders apply for renewals every four years and limit the number of replacement placards to two every two years.

If you have a placard fraudulently, you know youre not going to get caught, Hill said. We need to change that.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@ctuan
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Editor s note: Here are five Bay Area startups worth watching this week.

Corinna Heyn-Jones and her boyfriend, Chad Dussiaume, both nurses originally from Canada, have spent the last year and a half working for a traveling nurse agency, taking contract work in Texas and now at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

Last week, they moved into a rental unit in the citys Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood that theyd had their eye on for a year. It is fully furnished, with clean linens on the bed and a kitchen stocked with pots and pans. After flying all day, Heyn-Jones said, they got to the apartment and hopped into a freshly made bed.

Theyd set up the rental with Homesuite, a company that connects business travelers with short-term leases in fully furnished units nationwide. The Bay Area is its largest market, followed by Los Angeles and New York. It has about 2,500 landlords on the website, according to CEO Chung-Man Tam, ranging from owners of just one or two homes to those with around a hundred units.

An apt analogy is long-term Airbnb, Tam said from the companys San Francisco office, which is in a former rug cleaning facility. Tam, previously an adviser to the company, took the reins in May to help Homesuite keep growing and develop its product, he said.

One-third of Homesuites customers are businesses looking to house employees who are relocating to a new city. Google, Kaiser Permanente, Facebook and Stanford University all use the service. Half of its customers consist of individuals who are relocating for work, but lease through Homesuite themselves.

The average Homesuite stay is 90 days, with 30 as the minimum, but some people sign or extend leases for more than a year. (Airbnb also allows hosts to list long-term rentals.) Prices vary, depending on the location and size of the unit, but Tam claims its typically cheaper than staying at a hotel.

Landlords can choose to get their units business-stay approved by the company, he said, which signifies that they provide a higher standard of amenities and have positive reviews from prior tenants. Tam said the quality of a temporary rental is much more important for individuals leasing for a month or more than it is for those renting for a couple of nights.

The company has 22 employees and a little over $12 million in funding, Tam said.

Its great for people like us who are moving around, Heyn-Jones said. We dont want to set up a whole place.

Also trending:

ContractRoom

What it does: An online system to manage contracts and other negotiations, tracking document changes and using artificial intelligence to suggest edits. It is used by Airbus, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Novo Nordisk.

What happened: The company just closed a funding round of an undisclosed amount, according Chief Operating Officer Peter Thomson.

Why it matters: Businesses are still trying to digitize their transactions and negotiations. Rather than discussing the terms of agreement over a confusing chain of emails or phone calls, Web systems allow for smoother editing and integration with artificial intelligence tools.

Headquarters: San Mateo

Funding: $3.4 million, according to Thomson.

Employees: 30

DataVisor

What it does: Uses machine learning to detect fake mobile app users, so companies dont have to pay advertising fees for downloads and account activity that stem from fraudulent users. Customers include Pinterest and Yelp.

What happened: DataVisor recently published a report on how common fake app installations are  it costs companies up to $300 million in advertising spending a year, the report said. The startup also announced last week that it protects more than 2 billion user accounts.

Why it matters: Advertising revenue keeps much of the Internet running. For companies shelling out millions to promote their products, its important to make sure these advertisements are reaching real people.

Headquarters: Mountain View

Funding: More than $15 million, according to Patrick Murray, vice president of products.

Employees: 70

SightCall

What it does: An augmented reality video-conferencing tool that companies can use to chat with their customers. It has features such as zoom and a drawing tool.

What happened: The company announced a partnership with Coresystems, a provider of cloud software for field service and workforce management.

Why it matters: Without a technician in person, it can be difficult to find the root problem of something like a broken cable box or TV, said CEO Thomas Cottereau. This allows companies to virtually interact with their clients, with more than just a basic video chat.

Headquarters: San Francisco

Funding: $14 million, according to Cottereau.

Employees: 50

GrokStyle

What it does: Users can take a picture of an object they come across, and GrokStyle can tell them exactly what the object is and how people have used it. Pinterest, which has a similar feature, is a competitor.

What happened: CEO Sean Bell said the company is working with large retailers with recognizable names. He refused to elaborate.

Why it matters: This technology can be used in a variety of ways: home decor, fashion and sightseeing. But there are many challenges it has to overcome, such as lighting and angles.

Headquarters: San Francisco

Funding: $2 million, according to Bell.

Employees: 10

Isha Salian and Trisha Thadani are San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: isalian@sfchronicle.com, tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Salian_Isha, @TrishaThadani

How we pick the companies

Every week, The Chronicle and Crunchbase, a San Francisco firm that tracks key businesses in technology, analyze private Bay Area companies based on their financial backing, employees and activity on Crunchbase. We feature five that are moving up in the ranks. For more information on the companies: www.crunchbase.com
Marilyn Langlois believes its her time to sit on the Richmond City Council.

Langlois, a co-founder of the Richmond Progressive Alliance, the group of left-leaning activists that formed in 2003 to kick corporate influence out of Richmond politics, is the presumptive choice to fill the seat vacated by Gayle McLaughlin, who stepped down to focus on her lieutenant governor campaign.

This transition is expected to be much smoother than the last time the council had to replace one of its members.

In 2015, the council wrangled to fill the seat left vacant after the inauguration of Mayor Tom Butt. Vinay Pimple, who emerged from a field of 17 contenders, was appointed after a weeks-long stalemate.

McLaughlin, who became the Richmond Progressive Alliances first political leader when she was elected to the City Council in 2004, went on to be elected mayor in 2006 and served two terms before returning to the council.

For the first time in its 14-year history, the progressive alliance has a majority on the council, and theres little doubt the group will maintain its grip even with McLaughlin, one of its founders, leaving.

Out of the 13 applicants for McLaughlins seat who will make pitches to the council on Sept. 12, three are affiliated with the progressive alliance. But only one  Langlois  has worked side by side with McLaughlin as the alliance made its push into Richmond politics.

Langlois, 67, has been politically active since she was a teenager. In 1974, her mother became the first woman elected to the Lafayette City Council, and when her father ran for the El Cerrito City Council in 1964, she joined her family ringing every doorbell in the city to campaign for votes.

Half a century later, in 2014, it was a similar door-to-door organization that helped the Richmond Progressive Alliance defeat well-funded candidates backed by Chevron.

I very much admired their service and some of the things they stood for, Langlois said of her parents, who both served one term. I always keep that in the back of my mind.

Langlois, who is the chair of Richmonds planning commission, lost her bid for the Richmond City Council in 2012. She was also one of the contenders for the empty seat in 2015.

Now, she feels its her turn.

With Gayle stepping down, its a huge loss to our City Council, said Langlois, who also worked as an aide to McLaughlin. A lot of people in the community have told me its (my) time. Its not something I decided on my own.

But not everyone supports Langlois.

In a recent email blast, Butt wrote that while Langlois has been a good planning commissioner, her world view is definitely on the fringe.

Marilyn Langlois believes the World Trade Center twin towers were blown up by the U.S. Government and that unknown forces from outer space are targeting many individuals on earth with mind control waves, Butt wrote.

Langlois said her words were taken out of context.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

It seems to me that he just doesnt want me to be on the City Council, she said. He voted against me when I applied for the vacancy in 2015.

She continued, I dont really understand, because Ive known Tom for years, and weve actually worked together closely on a number of issues that we agreed on. There are many issues that we both support.

But theres one issue in Richmond thats caused people to slam doors in the faces of their associates: rent control.

The progressive alliance campaigned in favor of rent control in 2016, and the rent control measure on the November ballot was approved by 65 percent of Richmonds voters. And Melvin Willis and Ben Choi were elected to the council, joining Eduardo Martinez, Jovanka Beckles and McLaughlin to give the alliance its majority.

Rent control was a wedge issue that (the Richmond Progressive Alliance) framed a wonderful narrative around. They were highly effective, said Jeffery Wright, a Richmond native and real estate broker who opposed rent control. They were able to use that to secure seats on the council.

And now, it appears, Langlois will get a seat at the decision-making table.

Its very satisfying to work with a group of people where theyre not in it for the ego, Langlois said of progressive alliance members. Were in it for the betterment of our city.
California is designed for drivers. Most people in most parts of the state need to drive in order to get to work or to school, and to engage in the daily activities of adult life.

As a society, weve collectively made a decision that adult life begins at the age of 18: Thats the age when you can vote, fight and die for your country, and hold a full-time work position.

Yet the state Legislature is contemplating a bill, AB63, that would expand current restrictions on young drivers licenses up to the age of 21.

The provisional program requires drivers ages 16 to 18 to have a permit for six months before they have a license, and prohibits them from driving late at night or with other young people without licensed supervision. The program, which dates to 1997, is one likely reason for the decline in teenage driving deaths over the past several decades.

AB63s author, Jim Frazier, D-Oakley, worked with well-meaning road and driver safety organizations. Their reasoning is based on the high social and economic costs of vehicle deaths, as well as scientific research showing that human brains arent fully developed until we reach our mid-20s.

But the research on improved safety rates for 18- to 20-year-old drivers with provisional licenses is much thinner than it is for younger teenagers. Plus, the tortured exceptions in AB63  18- to 20-year-olds can have exceptions to the license restrictions if they present a copy of their class or work schedules  show how fundamentally incompatible these restrictions are with the realities of young adult life.

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a version of this bill several years ago. Should the state Legislature send AB63 to his desk, he should veto it.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
A popular county park in the Sierra foothills started requiring reservations for parking and trail access last weekend.

Hidden Falls Regional Park west of Auburn, a wilderness-style park where visitors can hike, mountain bike or horseback ride to small waterfalls, has started requiring online parking reservations for Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Reservations are free until Oct. 15, after which they will cost $8. Parking now is free and will remain free Mondays through Thursdays.

The problem is a parking crunch, where hundreds of people get turned away on weekends. It is similar to what occurs at trailheads and staging areas on weekends on Mount Tamalpais in Marin, some open space reserves on the Peninsulas Skyline, and at Inspiration Point at Tilden Regional Park and other popular parks in the East Bay Regional Park District.

It is the second park in California to go to mandatory parking reservations on weekends. This spring, Uvas Canyon County Park in Santa Clara County went to online parking reservations for weekends after hundreds of people were being turned back at the entrance because of limited parking. Uvas Canyon also has a series of small, beautiful waterfalls that were flush last winter from the big rainy season.

In Yosemite National Park, the National Park Service tried out a short-term pilot program last year and sold reservations for 150 parking spots in Yosemite Valley.

At Emerald Bay near South Lake Tahoe, D.L. Bliss State Park has filled on summer days, and then rangers block the entrance.

The basic problem is unsolved: In the past 20 years, population has grown dramatically in many areas and the infrastructure is the same.

At Hidden Falls, I have hiked every trail in the park. It is 1.5 miles, one-way, to Hidden Falls, where there is an excellent viewing deck for the parks centerpiece: a pretty multideck waterfall, about 50 feet from top to bottom, which runs year-round. The best trip is a 5-mile loop with short spurs to views of Hidden Falls and other small cascades and pools.

For info, call Placer County Parks and Recreation at (530) 889-4016 or visit www.placer.ca.gov.

Tom Stienstra is The San Francisco Chronicles outdoors writer. Email: tstienstra@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @StienstraTom
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Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a master at marketing, having scaled to the top of three different professions.

But these days, the former bodybuilder and movie star is taking on perhaps his biggest sales challenge since he made Last Action Hero: Hes trying to get people to care about redistricting, the critical but arcane process of drawing political districts.

How those boundaries are drawn, block by block, once every decade, can determine which party controls the state legislatures and Congress. In many states, the process is overseen by a few politicians or whichever party dominates the legislature. That often leads to gerrymandering  districts created to favor a single party.

This distortion perpetuates a system in which 98 percent of House members are regularly re-elected in politically safe districts and is a big reason gridlock continues in Washington: The same players return year after year with no real fear of competition at home.

That lack of competition, Schwarzenegger said, has made voters think the system is rigged. And that frustration, he said, led many to vote for President Trump.

People elected an outsider because of frustration, Schwarzenegger said. Thats one way of reaction. The other way is to fix the system.

The 70-year-old is at the forefront of a push to change that system.

Challenges to existing redistricting systems are moving through courts in several states, with a pivotal case scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court next month. Former President Barack Obama said overhauling redistricting will be one of his post-presidency priorities. This month, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, fronted by former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder and others, will ramp up its operations, focusing on changing redistricting procedures in several states, either through the ballot box or court challenges.

But Schwarzenegger could be the movements most influential voice.

Nobody is probably going to change their opinion about redistricting because President Obama and Eric Holder talk about it, said Eric Rauchway, a professor of history at UC Davis. They might if Schwarzenegger does. He has his own platform. Hes a celebrity. And hes a moderate Republican.

Plus, Schwarzenegger has redistricting street cred. In 2008, he led the passage of Proposition 11 that set up a nonpartisan citizens commission to draw the boundaries for Californias legislative seats. Two years later, voters approved a measure that enabled the commission to draw the lines for Californias congressional districts as well.

The key to talking about redistricting and gerrymandering, Schwarzenegger said, is to keep it simple.

The mistake that a lot of people make is to talk about the details, Schwarzenegger said during a recent phone interview. Dont start with the details, because then people see the pine needles but not the forest.

The twist: If the Republican Schwarzenegger and his allies across the political spectrum, including Obama, Holder and Common Cause, are successful in taking the redistricting out of the hands of partisan officials, theres every reason to believe that Democrats would benefit from a more neutral way of drawing the lines, Rauchway said.

But Schwarzenegger, who has tried to cultivate a post-partisan image since leaving office in 2011, disagreed that improving redistricting is designed to create a partisan outcome.

Its an issue where there should be no advantage or disadvantage to any party, Schwarzenegger said. It is meant to be an advantage for the people.

And thats why hes directing his pitch at the mass market.

Hes been crafting his antigerrymandering campaign just as he would one of his action movies. Hes created a villain (Congress, entrenched politicians in general). Hes come up with a couple of memorable one-liners about his enemy  (Congress) couldnt even beat herpes in the polls. And he explains the path to a happy ending: Gerrymandering must be destroyed. You must demand gerrymandering reform in all 50 states.

Instead of dropping in on late-night talk shows to promote his new project, Schwarzenegger is drawing a mass audience to the issue by starring in a series of short, funny videos, heavily salted with quotations from his movies, that have gone viral. Each explains the issue in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

Gerrymandering has created an absurd reality, Schwarzenegger says looking straight into the camera in one video, where politicians now pick their voters instead of the voters picking their politicians.

Through San Franciscos CrowdPac, an online fundraising platform, hes raising money online ($98,217 as of Friday) to help fund a legal challenge to Wisconsin gerrymandering that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 3. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called the case perhaps the most important that the court will hear all year. Schwarzenegger will match what is raised online and likely kick in more support, as legal bills could approach $1 million.

He has spent much of the last week on the phone trying to arm-twist Republican members of Congress into signing onto an amicus brief in the Wisconsin case. Its been a tough recruiting effort. While politicians tell him privately that they support him, theyre hesitant to publicly sign something that party leaders think could be their political death warrant.

Republica-12

ns have mastered the redistricting process thanks to a concerted effort in 2010 to win state-level races that enabled them to draw the political maps to their advantage. The result is a strong majority in the House of Representatives that Democrats are unlikely to break unless they can redraw the maps into more competitive districts after the next census in 2020, analysts said.

The GOPs mastery of redistricting has helped them to dominate several levels of government. Since 2008, Democrats have lost more than 1,000 legislative seats across the country. Democrats hold 39 fewer seats in the House, three fewer in the Senate, and can claim 13 fewer Democratic governors than they did in 2007. The GOP controls 34 governors seats and dominates all branches of government in 26 states. Democrats control all three branches in only 15 states.

Schwarzenegger thinks that there will be more competitive races if the lines are drawn by non-politicians.

Competition creates better performances, Schwarzenegger said. If someone is worried about competition, they will go out and perform better.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
When it comes to taking in big bucks from big business, Californias Democrats and Republicans have a lot more in common than you might think.

More than 40 percent of the $60 million raised by Californias two major political parties for state candidates and campaigns during the 2016 election season came from corporate interests that gave to both sides, according to secretary of state finance records researched by MapLight, a nonpartisan, political-money, watchdog group.

Top double donors included:

The California Hospital Association, which gave $3.15 million to help Democrats and $1.6 million to Republicans.

The California Association of Realtors, which gave $1.3 million to Democrats and $850,000 to Republicans.

AT&T, which gave $1 million to Democrats and $637,000 to Republicans.

And Chevron Corp., which gave $885,000 to Republicans and $415,000 to Democrats.

Other major donors playing both sides of the aisle included Indian casinos, medical and dental associations, the telecommunications industry, the prison guards union, insurance companies, energy and utility interests and charter school advocates.

Powerful organizations that can afford to spend millions of dollars on politics invest in both parties to curry favor with lawmakers across the state  regardless of their party affiliation, said MapLight President Daniel Newman.

Its worth noting that although California limits donations to candidates for office, political parties are free to take whatever they can get. Party leaders can then pump large sums into races without having to identify the original source of the funds.

Out of the 117 organizations and business interests that together gave $25 million-plus to the parties for the 2016 elections, 76 gave more to the state Democratic Party and 31 gave more to the state Republican Party. The other 10 gave the same amount to both.

In total, the Democratic Party raised $39.8 million. Republicans raised $20.9 million.

The Democrats edge is hardly surprising, considering they have a hammerlock on all the statewide elected offices, plus hold a two-thirds supermajority in both the state Senate and Assembly.

Wherever you have one party in dominant control, thats the team that is going to get the most money, said Republican Party chair Jim Brulte. That is just the way it is.

As for why corporate donors would even bother with giving to the GOP: Its called covering your backside, said Larry Gerston, political science professor emeritus at San Jose State University. Even though Republicans are in the minority in the Legislature, every now and again their votes might come in handy.

What counts is who has been helpful and who has been with us, Gerston said. It all verifies, yet again, that interest groups are very close to lawmakers.

John Vigna, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said it isnt all about corporate money. He said new party chair Eric Bauman is working to dramatically ramp up our small-dollar fundraising as well.

But party activist Kimberly Ellis, who recently challenged Bauman for the party chair, said the numbers are proof that Democrats do not always practice what they preach.

If people want to know why meaningful health care reform in California stalls, just look at our partys donor list and you'll understand why, Ellis said. With the California Hospital Associations $3.15 million investment  nearly three times the partys next-highest contribution  we know who is really calling the shots in Sacramento.

Ultimately, said MapLights Newman, a statewide system of public funding of elections would let voters, not donors, have the greater voice in government.

Maybe, said Gerston. But until then, you take it from whoever gives it.

Kopp on guard: Carve another notch in the belt of contrarian Quentin Kopp, the 89-year-old former San Francisco supervisor, ex-state senator and retired judge who is now a member of the city Ethics Commission.

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge ruled the other day in favor of Kopp and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in a suit they filed challenging a new state law allowing public money to be used for political campaigning.

SB1107, passed by the Legislature last year and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, was intended to reduce the influence of special interests by letting cities and counties use public financing for political campaigns. Kopp and company said the law violated the 1988 voter-approved Proposition 73, which prohibits public funds from being used in campaigns.

The new bill had been championed by the good-government group Common Cause. And when Kopp joined the lawsuit in December, Common Cause tried and failed to block his reappointment to the Ethics Commission.

There is a bit of irony here. Being a charter city, San Francisco is exempted from the 1988 ban. Over the years, it has doled out millions of public dollars to finance candidate campaigns for city offices. Last year, the 12 eligible candidates received a total of $1.5 million.

And its the Ethics Commission that oversees the handouts.

Its the law, and I follow it, Kopp said.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
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The last remaining vestige of what was once San Franciscos top cooking school will pack up its saute pans and close its doors for good at the end of September.

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco  previously the California Culinary Academy, the training ground for a generation of Bay Area chefs in the late 20th century  is closing along with the 15 other U.S. locations of Paris-based Le Cordon Bleu schools operated by Career Education Corp.

When the last Le Cordon Bleu students complete the program Sept. 29, it will certainly be the end of an era. Yet other local cooking schools are thriving in its wake, with at least eight private institutions and community colleges running professional culinary programs in the Bay Area. Administrators of those schools say enrollment is robust, whether its the free culinary basic skills training offered at City College of San Francisco or the $68,000 degree program at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena.

Its going to have an impact, said Tom Bensel, managing director of the Culinary Institutes California campus, about the Le Cordon Bleu closure. The CIAs St. Helena branch regularly has 250 to 280 students in its professional training program, and the school recently opened an additional public-facing facility at Copia in downtown Napa. Youre starting to see some of the smaller community colleges really step up their culinary programs.

In December 2015, Career Education Corp. announced that it would close all U.S. branches of Le Cordon Bleu by this month, citing operating losses of more than $110 million in the previous nine months and the inability to find a suitable buyer as the reasons for the closure. The company, which only operates the U.S. division of Le Cordon Bleu, declined to comment further when reached for this story.

In recent years, the culinary school model has shifted in many ways, with many graduates no longer seeing restaurant jobs as the only outcome of a culinary degree, and fewer students coming straight out of high school into cooking school boot camp just to prepare for a lifetime of restaurant jobs. Programs are now expanding their reach, too, beyond a traditional Francophile direction; the International Culinary Center (originally called the French Culinary Institute) branch in Campbell even offers culinary training with a farm-to-table emphasis.

Bensel said only 50 percent of students say they plan to work in restaurants after school.

The other 50 percent look to do other things in the hospitality and food world, he said, such as food science, food manufacturing, media, hotel management or wine and beverages.

At the 5-year-old San Francisco Cooking School, founder Jodi Liano said most of her students have some college, graduate school or work experience before enrolling. She said 70 percent of the most recent class of students said they wanted to enter the restaurant industry, while the others have ended up working as private chefs, in test kitchens or as writers and recipe developers for companies like Sun Basket, which delivers meal kits to homes.

Because those types of opportunities have grown so much over the past couple of years, thats coincided with us seeing a lot of those people, said Liano.

City Colleges hotel and restaurant program has seen a 50 percent increase in signups from last year, said department chair Tannis Reinhertz. That partly has to do with low enrollment in the past few years, following the colleges accreditation crisis, but Reinhertz said many of her students are already experienced restaurant workers who want to expand their skills. (Plus, all classes are currently free to San Francisco residents.)

They want a deeper knowledge, said Reinhertz. They want to learn culinary math, they want to learn purchasing, they want to learn more about wine.

City Colleges program has long been the workaday alternative to the flashier California Culinary Academy, which was founded in 1977. In the California Culinary Academys heyday during the 80s and 90s, it had 2,000 students and filled a grandiose building on Polk street that attracted a society set to its student-run Careme Room restaurant. Alums include Ron Siegel of Madcap in San Anselmo  the first American to win Iron Chef  and Michelle Mah of the Slanted Door. Jeremiah Tower even taught there briefly.

Its downfall seemed to happen gradually after Career Education Corp. bought the school in 1999. In 2007, the school was the subject of a class-action lawsuit by former students who claimed administrators were misleading about graduates career prospects as students sank themselves in debt in order to attend. Enrollment dropped, and in 2008 Career Education Corp. closed the Polk street location, moving all classes to its new Potrero Hill campus.

Though Liano said she founded her smaller school as an antidote to traditional cooking programs like Le Cordon Bleu, she still feels the loss of the schools closure.

Its so sad to me, said Liano. Given how many amazing chefs in this city graduated from that program many years ago  that old guard from the culinary academy. There are a lot of great people who got so much out of that program. It was sad to see how it ended up.

Professional culinary programs in the Bay Area

Here are some examples of what's available.

The Art Institute of California

Location: San Francisco

Program: Culinary Arts/Baking and Pastry

Degree: Associate of Science

Length: 4 quarters/90 hours

Tuition: $50,045/$49,995

*The school also offers a 55-hour certificate program in cooking and baking and pastry (tuition $31,150/$31,205).

City College of San Francisco

Location: San Francisco

Program: Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management

Degree: American Culinary Federation Certificate

Length: 2 years

Tuition: free to San Francisco residents; otherwise $46 per unit

*The school also offers a 1-year certificate program in Food Technology & Service Training (free to San Francisco residents; otherwise $46 per unit) and a 250-hour Culinary Basic Skills Training (free to all).

Culinary Institute of America

Location: St. Helena

Program: Culinary Arts/Baking and Pastry Arts

Degree: Associate of Occupational Studies

Length: 21 months

Tuition: $68,525/$68,495

Diablo Valley College

Location: Pleasant Hill

Program: Culinary/Baking and Pastry

Degree: Associate of Science

Length: 2 years

Tuition: $46 per unit

International Culinary Center (originally French Culinary Institute)

Location: Campbell

Program: Pastry Arts/Culinary Arts/Culinary Arts with Farm-to-Table

Degree: certificate

Length: 6 months/600 hours

Tuition: $34,900/$35,900/$38,400

Laney College

Location: Oakland

Program: Restaurant Management and Cooking/Baking and Pastry

Degree: Associate of Science

Length: 2 years

Tuition: $46 per unit

*The school also offers a 1-year certificate program in Restaurant Management and Cooking and Baking and Pastry.

Napa Valley College

Location: St. Helena

Program: Culinary Arts

Degree: Associate in Science

Length: 13 months

Tuition: $20,000

San Francisco Cooking School

Location: San Francisco

Program: Culinary Arts

Degree: Certificate

Length: 6 months/700 hours

Tuition: $29,275
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Texas animal shelters are dealing with a large influx of displaced animals due to Hurricane Harvey, and now five Bay Area rescue groups are looking to help.

A plane full of animals arrived from Texas into Oakland Sunday, waiting to be adopted by locals, thanks to a donation.

HARVEY IN NUMBERS: Hurricane Harvey might be the most expensive natural disaster in US history

"We're taking over 70 dogs and cats that are available and don't have owners, to make room for the devastated dogs that can be hopefully reunited with their families at some point," said Muttville Senior Dog Rescue volunteer Patty Stanton.

Mad Dog Rescue, The Milo Foundation, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and the San Francisco SPCA will each take a number of the newly arrived animals into their shelters and foster homes, ready to be adopted in the coming days, Stanton said.

The groups paired with Austin Pets Alive in Texas and coordinated the trip to pick up the animals and bring them to Northern California. They worked with Charlie's Acres of Sonoma, which donated use of a private jet for the rescue mission.

ONE PART OF THE DESTRUCTION: Harvey flooding destroys hundreds of thousands of cars

In the days leading up to Sunday's trip, the groups collected kennels, medication, leashes and other supplies from donors and Pet Food Express to bring to the Austin group, and brought back the dogs and cats to be homed in the Bay Area.
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Even as the Bay Area was reaching the end of a heat wave Sunday, the fan market was still running hot as retailers continued to sell out of fans.

Customers at Cole Hardware, Target, and other retailers were confronted with emptied-out shelves, and desperate pleas to managers to see if there are any fans "in the back" were futile.

Candi King of San Francisco said she stayed indoors Friday and Saturday to keep cool, venturing out Sunday to see if she could find something to replace the tiny, clip-on fan in her room.

The fan aisle at City Target at San Francisco's Metreon was her second stop after a sold-out CVS, and it wasn't looking good.

"I haven't found one yet," King said. "I need a fan. Today's not so bad, but yesterday and Friday were bad."

WEATHER UPDATE: Relief begins to arrive from record Bay Area heat wave

Sarah Searles, front end manager of the Metreon Target location, said the store sold out of all its fans on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, Target added a meager four fans per day to the floor when they came in, and they sold out 10 minutes after opening, she said.

All that was left were a handful of pricy humidifiers.

While the temperatures in San Francisco and other parts of the Bay Area on Sunday were lower than those seen on Friday and Saturday, parts of the inland Bay Area were expected to continue seeing high temperatures. A heat advisory was still in effect for parts of the East Bay, as well as the higher elevations of the North and South Bay. Forecasters were saying it will begin to cool off later in the week.

Now Playing: Hardware stores in the East Bay ran out of portable air-conditioning units and people sought refuge from the record-breaking temperatures at their local movie theater in Pleasanton on Friday. Video: KTVU

At Cole Hardware on Fourth Street in downtown San Francisco, the story was much like Target's. Their in-store stock was wiped out on Friday, said floor manager Andrew Ross, and it was the same across the local chain's other locations.

Ross said the chain was able to secure extra fans to sell on Sunday, and they spread out the precious items across their various locations. That didn't last long, however, as the downtown store's new stock of 17 fans sold out in about 2.5 hours.

"We got some more box fans today at, maybe, 1:30 (p.m.)  and we sold them already," Ross said around 4 p.m. Sunday.

COMIC (WEATHER) RELIEF: San Francisco cannot handle how hot it is

Ross said the other chains were faring about the same, from what he knows, and that they're sold out as well.

Social media has been pulling together this weekend and helping others beat the heat, with many offering anecdotal advice of who's sold out of fans, and who still has them in stock. Among the chains that Twitter claimed were sold out of fans were Walgreens, Best Buy and other Target locations.

In fact, a Facebook post about Cole Hardware's new stockpile of fans on Sunday may have contributed to the chain quickly selling out. A helpful post to a neighborhood page announced that the chain would have more fans in two hours.

San Francisco Chronicle writer Evan Sernoffsky contributed to this report.
Now Playing: KTVU's Rosemary Orozco has your forecast. Video: KTVU

Instagram and Twitter were alight this weekend with photos of unusually vibrant sunsets across the Bay Area.

As though a cosmic reward for subjecting residents of a perpetually chilly city to triple-digit temperatures, the evening skies over San Francisco glowed a bright crimson, especially on Saturday.
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The decision by President Trump to end a program that protects young undocumented immigrants, who arrived in America as children, has set off a flurry of resistance in this Washington, and signs of Republican willingness to relent.

The developments, ahead of Tuesday's announcement by Trump, included:

--Threat to sue: Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said the state will sue to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program President Obama created by executive order. Nine conservative Republican AGs are promising legal action against DACA.

"If President Trump follows through on his reported decision to cancel DACA, after a six-month delay, the Washington Attorney General's office will file suit to halt this cruel and illegal policy and defend DACA recipients," said Ferguson.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced late Monday that his state will also sue to defend DACA.

Approximately 19,000 young Americans in this state are covered by DACA.

RELATED: Connelly: 300 business leaders to Trump -- let Dreamers stay, work in America

--Legislation needed: Joining a national group of universities to which the UW belongs, University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce urged immediate pressure on Congress to use the legislative process to enact DACA provisions into law.

"Please start NOW to contact your representatives in Congress to IMMEDIATELY start working on legislation that would codify DACA and its protections into law," Cauce wrote on her Facebook page.

Since begun by Obama in 2012, DACA has freed 780,000 young people from the threat of deportation, and allowed them to go to college and work and join the National Guard, where some have participated in the Hurricane Harvey rescue effort.

--Republicans and Dreamers: Leading Republican voices in Congress have called for passage of the so-called DREAM Act, which would allow the young people to stay. House Speaker Paul Ryan has called for legislative action. Conservative Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, want passage.

But Republicans have controlled the U.S. House of Representatives for more than six years, and done nothing. GOP rulers refused to even allow a vote on a comprehensive immigration reform package that passed the U.S. Senate in 2013 on a bipartisan 68-31 vote.

"Paul Ryan has not shown courage on a number of issues," said U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who worked on the 2013 Senate bill as an immigration activist.

RELATED: Jayapal to Rep. King: I am 'somebody else's baby' and a proud American

"The one thing Trump ending DACA does for us is put the focus back on Republicans in Congress," she added. "Republicans refused to pass the DREAM Act before. Now, with nearly 800,000 people affected, with CEO's speaking out, there is recognition this should have been done."

One small sign of change in this state: U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., a reliable Republican backbencher, has come out with a strong message -- protect the Dreamers.

"Any decision to end the DACA program would not merely be a disappointment, but a major setback for the young people I know who were brought here as children through no fault of their own," said Newhouse.

"I have listened to their stories, and these young people are struggling as their futures here seem in doubt, I will continue to work to protect Dreamers. It is my priority in Congress to give these people certainty."

Newhouse and nine other Republican House members -- including Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. -- signed onto a letter urging legislative action to provide certainty to the young Dreamers.

Washington state broke a logjam on its own DREAM Act three years ago, and offers a model for Congress.

The Democratic controlled State House of Representatives passed, on a bipartisan vote, legislation to make undocumented students eligible for said education financial aid. The students had to be high school grads, lived in the state for three years, and intend to be permanent residents.

The state DREAM Act was held up for nearly a year in the Republican-run Senate. Then, it suddenly moved. Seattle High Ed Committee Chair Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, went from blocking the bill to moving it. It was given a new name, the Hope Act.

What happened?

Attending an SEIU Labor Day forum with unorganized workers on Monday, House Speaker Frank Chopp chuckled, and credited the Dreamers rather than the lawmakers.

"The effective tactic turned out to be letting the kids come down (to Olympia) and tell their stories," said Chopp. Many were the first in their family to go to college, poster children for the American dream.

An influential Yakima Valley Republican, Rep. Brude Chandler, R-Granger, provided essential support.

The Republicans in Congress, making supportive statements about Dreamers, must now walk their talk.

House Speaker Ryan has much on his plate, from raising the federal debt ceiling, to funding the government by Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown, Hurricane Harvey relief, and the tax reform plan he was touting at Boeing two weeks ago.

He will have to control such far right legislators as Rep. Steve King, R-Idaho, who tweeted: "Ending DACA now gives chance 2 restore Rule of Law. Delaying so R leadership can push Amnesty is Republican suicide."

So is sticking a thumb in the eye of Latino voters, and adding to a n aura of white nationalism now hanging over the nation's capital.

Rep. Ilena Ross-Lehtinen, R-Floria, an Hispanic Republican, tweeted:

"After teasing #Dreamers for months with talk of his 'great heart,' @POTUS slams door on them. Some 'heart'"
HELENA, Mont.  Winds wreaked havoc on wildfires that were threatening two crown jewels of the National Park Service on Monday, pushing the flames toward man-made and natural icons in and around Glacier and Yosemite national parks.

The wind-driven fires, combined with high temperatures and dry conditions, have disrupted holiday travel and hampered firefighters across the West during a Labor Day weekend that capped a devastating summer in which an area larger than Rhode Island has burned.

Outside Californias Yosemite National Park, a wind-fueled fire drove deeper into a grove of 2,700-year-old giant sequoia trees. Officials said Monday that the fire had gone through about half the grove and had not killed any trees.

Giant sequoia are resilient and can withstand low-intensity fires. The blaze burned low-level brush and left scorch marks on some big trees that survived, said Cheryl Chipman, a fire information officer. They have thick bark and made it through pretty well.

The grove has about 100 giant sequoia, including the roughly 24-story-high Bull Buck sequoia, one of the worlds largest. Fire crews covered historic cabins in fire-resistant material to protect them from flames.

Elsewhere in Northern California, a fire in Trinity County has destroyed 72 homes and forced the evacuation of about 2,000 people from their houses. The fire has burned 14 square miles near the community of Helena about 150 miles south of the Oregon border.

In Los Angeles, a fire that destroyed four homes and threatened hillside neighborhoods was no longer actively burning, but firefighters remained at the scene Monday in case the wind reignited the blaze, Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said.

A fire in Montanas Glacier National Park emptied the parks busiest tourist spot as wind gusts drove the blaze toward the doorstep of a century old lodge. The 14-square-mile fire that consumed a historic Glacier backcountry chalet last week was about a mile away from Lake McDonald Lodge, a 103-year-old Swiss chalet-style hotel.

The lodges setting on the lake as the Going-to-the-Sun-Road begins its vertigo-inducing climb up the Continental Divide has made it a park symbol for many visitors, and its the jumping-off point for hikes, boat rides, horseback riding and tours in old-fashioned buses known as jammers.

Rangers evacuated tourists and residents from 55 homes near the lake Sunday as firefighters laid hoses and sprinklers around the hotel. On Monday, fire crews got bad news: The wind had shifted, and gusts were driving the fire down the mountainside toward the lake.

Losing Lake McDonald Lodge on top of the destruction of Sperry Chalet last week would be unimaginably devastating, said Mark Hufstetler, a historian who worked at the lodge for several years in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

These are some of the most remarkable buildings anywhere in the United States and they are an integral part of the Glacier experience and the Glacier tradition, Hufstetler said. If they did not exist, that experience and that tradition would not exist, either.

Crews understood the significance of the lodge and were ready to protect it, said fire information officer Diane Sine.

Its important to all of us and a very high priority to do whatever we can to preserve that, she said.

Matt Volz and Sudhin Thanawala are Associated Press writers.
MOUNT ZION  A small airplane was forced to make an emergency landing in a bean field southwest of Mount Zion, the Macon County Sheriff's Office said.

A media release from Lt. Jamie Belcher said neither the Mattoon-based pilot, or his passenger were injured, and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

Belcher said the incident happened about 4 p.m. Sunday evening near the intersection of Walmsley Road and Wells Road.

Belcher said that the pilot, a Mattoon resident, began to experience engine trouble while flying his single-engine Golden Eagle Chief airplane.

The pilot contacted the FAA once he exited the plane, Belcher said. Sheriff's deputies and units from the Mount Zion and South Macon fire protection districts were on the scene until the FAA investigators arrived, Belcher said.
DECATUR  No serious storm damage was reported Monday evening after a storm swept through the area, according to the Macon County Sheriff's Department and Decatur Fire Department.

The National Weather Service at Lincoln had issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 6 p.m. for parts of Macon, Piatt, Shelby and Moultrie counties. Hazards from the storm include quarter-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

The weather service did not predict rain for the rest of the week. On Tuesday, the forecast calls for sunny weather with a high near 74 degrees.
Now Playing: Bay Area unions take to streets on Labor Day to rally for $15/hr. minimum wage. Jesse Gary reports Video: KTVU

As union members march in Oakland, San Jose and other Bay Area locations today for a $15 national minimum hourly wage, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, added her voice to the chorus.

Describing the American workforce as "the most productive in world history," the Congresswoman said, "I stand with our union brothers and sisters in support of the Fight for $15 nationwide."
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PLEASANT HILL (BCN)

A San Francisco man was arrested this morning at BART's Pleasant Hill station on suspicion of making criminal threats to a station agent, police said.

Antonio Hayes, 52, was arrested after officers responded at 8:16 a.m. to the station where Hayes was allegedly trying to enter the system without a ticket.

Police said when the station agent told him that he needed to use a ticket Hayes allegedly became hostile, cursed at the agent and threatened to hurt the agent.

Police responded and arrested Hayes.
Dear Dr. Roach: There is a story going around the internet again that deep coughing after experiencing heart attack symptoms appears to keep the heart going while seeking help. Is there anything at all to that theory? It is being read by millions.

-- M.J.

A: There is something to the story, but it will only very rarely be of help to a bystander in the field.

I first became aware of this as a medical student, when I saw a resident physician, Dr. Mike O'Connor, rushing a patient on a gurney to the operating room and periodically (every second or two) telling the patient to cough. Eventually I was able to ask him about it, and he told me that a forceful cough can give enough blood flow to the brain that even if the heart isn't pumping normally, a person can stay conscious long enough to get to definitive help. That blood flow prevents the damage that can happen to the brain within minutes if the heart stops entirely.

Unfortunately, this knowledge isn't likely to be of help outside the hospital. More often than not, for the vast majority of the time that someone having a heart attack would need to keep the heart going, a person isn't conscious and cannot cough; people whose heart is beating enough to stay conscious don't need to cough. If you are having symptoms of a heart attack, your best bet is to call 911. If you find an unresponsive person, call 911 and start CPR if you are trained to do so. If you aren't trained, get trained. It's not hard to learn, and you might save a life.

* * *

The booklet on heart attacks, America's No. 1 killer, explains what happens, how they are treated and how they are avoided. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Roach, Book No. 102, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
Even hurricanes have a silver lining: The downpour washes away a lot of bull.

Don't get me wrong. This is a tragedy for untold thousands of people. And no upside could possibly balance the scale against the downside. The full human toll of Harvey, now a tropical storm, remains to be determined, but it's already steep. As of this writing, the official count of fatalities was up to 14, and that number will probably rise. The economic cost will take a long time to calculate. And the emotional price _ lost homes, heirlooms, pictures, worry, stress _ can never be calculated.

And yet, I couldn't help but notice that there is a "feel good" aspect to the whole catastrophe. The best example is the hyper-viral story of two men loading up their boat and driving into the storm. CNN's Ed Lavandera found them under a highway overpass readying the vessel.

"You guys just jumping in to help out?" Lavandera asked.

"Yes, sir," says one of the men.

"What are you going to do?" Lavandera asks him.

"Go try to save some lives."

That man was African-American. His partner appeared to be Caucasian or maybe Latino. But it doesn't matter at all. We don't know if they're Republican or Democrat, pro-Trump or anti-Trump, NRA members or fans of gun control. (Though let's be honest: This is Texas, so we can guess on that one.) All they wanted to do was help. While it was a journalistic faux pas not to get the men's names, it almost made the story more endearing that we didn't get them, because it reinforced the idea that they were just normal Americans.

All weekend, TV and social media highlighted stories like this. Granted, there were plenty of attempts to politicize the storm. Some had superficial legitimacy. Did Texas officials _ particularly the Democratic mayor of Houston and the Republican governor of Texas _ drop the ball in not ordering a mandatory evacuation? But even these debates lacked the bitter vitriol that marked coverage of Hurricane Katrina or even Hurricane Sandy.

Other attempts to bend an apolitical event to a preferred political narrative were more desperate and despicable. The Twitter account for an outfit called Charitable Humans unleashed a Cat-5 gale of schadenfreude at Houston's woes. Over a satellite image of Harvey: "Texas has been bitten by Karma, but they still have a huge debt to the bank of Karma." "I just can't bring myself to even consider providing aid to any red state, let them clean up their own mess."

To its credit, the organization later deleted its account and released an apologetic statement saying its leaders were "horrified" by their social media coordinator's actions.

But the point was already made. We live in an ugly, tribal moment in American history. Indeed, the more representative story of the weekend came out of Berkeley, where "antifa" goons beat up nonviolent protesters they unilaterally deemed to be fascist.

By comparison, despite the terrible plight of its victims, Harvey was the happy story, at least in one narrow respect. Politics is becoming a substitute for identity, even religion, for millions of Americans. How you vote, what team you root for on the cable shout shows, is becoming a signifier of who you are. The media fuel this attitude, in large ways and small, by turning the news into "narratives" of good people and bad people. This is an unhealthy development, regardless of which ideological uniform you wear.

But politics and ideology are, or should be, downstream from all of the most important things in life, at least in America. (It's a different matter in places like Venezuela or North Korea.) Under normal circumstances this can be hard to see, never mind appreciate, because we are lucky to live in a fabulously rich and free society where people can afford to make politics into a sport or fashion statement.

Most of us can see this within our own networks of friends and family, where political differences rarely trump more meaningful bonds. But on a mass scale, it becomes apparent only in dire circumstances, like when floodwaters wash away the nonsense and reveal the decency of the American people.

Jonah Goldberg is an editor-at-large of National Review Online. JonahsColumn@aol.com.
Its hard to find good help these days, at least if youre President Donald Trump.

People who work for the executive branch  people hes appointed  feel free to criticize him, distance themselves from him, disagree with him, or just refrain from defending him and his policies.

Writing in Politico Magazine, Rich Lowry says that Trump has an insubordination problem. His evidence includes Secretary of State Rex Tillersons pointed refusal to say that President Trump speaks for American values and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattiss contradiction of him on North Korea.

Lowry thinks that Trump weakened his sway over his own subordinates by first harshly criticizing Attorney General Jeff Sessions and then failing to follow through on that criticism. The original action made his other appointees less inclined to feel loyal, and the subsequent inaction made them less afraid to act on their feelings. Lowry concludes that White House chief of staff John Kelly needs to crack some heads to keep the administration from disintegrating.

The phenomenon to which Lowry is pointing is real. But the root problem isnt insubordination; its a lack of presidential seriousness.

A new example came in recent reports that Trump is angry with his aides over Chinese imports. He keeps telling them he wants tariffs, he reportedly said, and they keep moving forward with milder policies.

Yet it is within a presidents power to make himself be taken seriously by his underlings. Other presidents have all done it  or, rather, they have been taken seriously by default. They have rarely had to exert themselves to make sure their commands are being executed.

In the Trump administration, though, it is not always clear which of the presidents comments are meant to be orders and which of them are just self-expression. When the president says he wants a health policy that covers more people than Obamacare, does it mean his aides have to come up with a policy that accomplishes this goal?

Nobody has taken it that way, and Trump has not done anything about it. The Pentagon is slow-walking Trumps policy excluding transgender people from the military. If he is planning to do something about it, the news has not come out of his leak-happy White House. (He hasnt even tweeted a complaint, pathetic as that would be.)

Based on his conduct so far, Trump views the presidents most important role as being commenter-in-chief. Administering the White House and through it the executive branch so as to make his comments reality has not been nearly as high a priority. He hires people who dont share his views, complains when they dont act on his views, and  thats all.

If special prosecutor Robert Mueller is really conducting a witch hunt, as Trump claims, and his attorney general is too weak to do anything about it, as he also claims, then the remedy is not to be found on Twitter: Trump has to fire Sessions and replace him with someone who will remove Mueller. But he isnt willing to do that, perhaps because of the political fallout, so he instead pops off at the cost of his own credibility.

It has become a cliche that many of Trumps utterances are to be taken seriously but not literally. The consequence is that, more and more, executive-branch personnel are inverting that formula.

For them he is literally the president, but not seriously.
JAKARTA, Indonesia  A Nobel laureate and Muslim nations in Asia criticized Myanmars persecution of its Rohingya Muslim minority as thousands in Indonesia and elsewhere staged angry protests against Aung San Suu Kyi and her government.

At least 87,000 refugees from Myanmars western Rakhine state have fled to neighboring Bangladesh since violence escalated in late August, according to the United Nations, overwhelming existing camps for the displaced.

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, said her heart breaks at the suffering of Rohingya Muslims and urged Myanmars leader, a fellow Nobel laureate, to condemn the violence against the Rohingya minority.

Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment, she said in a statement posted on Twitter. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same. The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting.

The latest eruption of violence in Rakhine state has killed more than 400 people and triggered an exodus of Rohingya into Bangladesh. It began after insurgents attacked Myanmar police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority Buddhist country.

In response, Myanmars military unleashed what it called clearance operations. Human Rights Watch says satellite imagery shows 700 buildings were burned in the Rohingya Muslim village of Chein Khar Li, just one of 17 locations in Rakhine state where the rights group has documented burning of homes and property.

Reports of killings by security forces and images of lines of people including children and the elderly attempting to cross the swampy border into Bangladesh have sparked anger and battered the reputation of Suu Kyi, previously lionized for her decades of resistance to Myanmars former military rulers.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russias predominantly Muslim Chechnya on Monday to protest what the Chechen leader called genocide of Muslims in Myanmar. Pakistans foreign ministry said it is deeply concerned by reports of growing numbers of deaths and the forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims. And several hundred Muslim women demonstrated outside the Myanmar Embassy in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Monday.

Stephen Wright is an Associated Press writer.
1 Royal family: Prince William and Catherine are expecting a third child, who would be fifth in line to the British throne, Kensington Palace said Monday. The announcement came four days after the 20th anniversary of the death of Williams mother, Diana, in a Paris car crash. William and Kate married on April 29, 2011. Their first child, Prince George, was born on July 22, 2013, and their second, Princess Charlotte, on May 2, 2015. As in her previous pregnancies, the palace announced that Kate has hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration, weight loss and electrolyte imbalances. She is being cared for at Kensington Palace.

2 Fugitive arrested: A top crime syndicate boss on the run from Italy since 1994 has been arrested in Uruguay, where he was living under an alias and using a false Brazilian passport, authorities said Monday. Reggio Calabria Chief Prosecutor Federico Cafiero de Raho said Rocco Morabito, 51, played a major role in cocaine trafficking between South America and Milan, a distribution point for the drug to be sold elsewhere. Interior Minister Marco Minniti said Morabito has been convicted of mafia association and drug trafficking. Italian state radio said he was arrested Sunday in a Montevideo hotel, but had been living in Punta del Este, a resort town.
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UNITED NATIONS  The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Monday that North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, is begging for war and called for members to exhaust all possible diplomatic measures and impose urgent economic sanctions to prevent it.

From the United States to Japan, ambassadors at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council spoke in increasingly shrill tones, expressing fear and anger after Sundays test of a nuclear bomb eight times larger than the device that destroyed Hiroshima at the end of World War II.

His abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats shows that he is begging for war, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said of Kim. She called for expanded sanctions to punish not just North Korea, but all of its trading partners  echoing a call made on Twitter by President Trump on Sunday.

The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions, Haley said.

But blacklisting North Koreas trading partners would almost certainly prove logistically impossible and economically unfeasible, given that China, which holds veto power in the Security Council, accounts for 80 percent of North Koreas trade and is also the largest U.S. trading partner.

The test Sunday was North Koreas sixth and most powerful to date and the first since Trump took office. The device had an estimated explosive yield of 120 kilotons.

North Korean state media said the test was a perfect success. They also described the bomb as a multifunctional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP attack  referring to an electromagnetic pulse that might be used not to kill but to paralyze the electrical grid of a targeted country.

Mondays meeting marked the 10th time that the Security Council has met on North Korea this year and the second time in less than a week, according to Jeffrey Feltman, undersecretary for political affairs. The most recent followed North Koreas Aug. 28 launch of a missile over Japan.

On Aug. 5, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved sanctions that could cost North Korea $1 billion in export revenues, but additional tools for punishing North Korea are limited. The U.S. is drawing up a new resolution, which it expects will be brought for a vote Sept. 11.

Ambassadors at Mondays meeting decried Pyongyang as a threat to not just the United States and Asia, but the entire world. Among suggestions raised were banning the use of North Korean guest workers abroad, one of the methods that Pyongyang uses to raise money for its weapons program.

Both China and Russia are pushing a proposal called suspension for suspension, in which North Korea would freeze its weapons program in exchange for reduced U.S. and South Korean military drills.

Without mentioning China and Russia by name, Haley spoke sharply against the proposal, which she called insulting.

Barbara Demick is a Los Angeles Times writer.
Marijuana advocates can no longer claim legalization is devoid of catastrophic results.

The Denver Post, which has embraced legalization, analyzed federal and state data and found results so alarming they published a story last week under the headline Traffic fatalities linked to marijuana are up sharply in Colorado. Is legalization to blame?

Of course legalization is to blame. It ushered in a commercial industry that encourages consumption and produces an ever-increasing supply of pot substantially more potent than most users could find when the drug was illegal.

The Post reported a 40 percent increase in the number of all drivers, impaired or otherwise, involved in fatal crashes in Colorado between 2013 and 2016. Thats why the Colorado State Patrol posts fatality numbers on electronic signs over the highways.

Increasingly potent levels of marijuana were found in positive-testing drivers who died in crashes in Front Range counties, according to coroner data since 2013 compiled by The Denver Post. Nearly a dozen in 2016 had levels five times the amount allowed by law, and one was at 22 times the limit. Levels were not as elevated in earlier years, The Post explained.

All drivers in marijuana-related crashes who survived last year tested at levels indicating use within a few hours of the tests.

The trends coincide with the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado that began with adult use in late 2012, followed by sales in 2014, the Post reported.

Greenwood Village Police Chief John Jackson called the trend a huge public safety problem.

Colorado Springs Councilwoman Jill Gaebler, who wants a ballot measure to legalize recreational pot in Colorado Springs, tried to downplay the Posts findings in a comment on The Gazette newspapers website.

33 percent or 196 of all traffic deaths that occurred in 2016 were alcohol-related, Gaebler wrote. Yet you dont hear anyone trying to ban alcohol, even though it is far more dangerous, in every regard, to marijuana.

The Post found fatal crashes involving drivers under the influence of alcohol grew 17 percent from 2013 to 2015. Figures for 2016 were not available. Drivers testing positive for pot during that span grew by 145 percent, and prevalence of testing drivers for marijuana use did not change appreciably, federal fatal-crash data show.

The entire country has an enormous problem with alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Given our inability to resolve that problem, it is arguably idiotic to throw another intoxicating substance into the mix with the predictable result of more traffic deaths caused by impairment.

El Paso County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez gets it, as shown by a comment he left on The Gazettes website.

Recent data indicates crime is up statewide, homelessness up, black and Hispanic teen arrests related to MJ are up a lot, Gonzalez wrote. A Denver TV station did a month long data poll last year at a hospital in Pueblo (which has fully embraced MJ) and found that nearly half of all newborns were testing positive for THC in their bloodstream at birth. Who would want to expand MJ sales in face of such data? And the big supporters of rec MJ can only fall back on their go-to arguments, that it isnt as bad as alcohol or that the negative articles are biased or not credible.

Another Gazette commenter expressed surprise at Gaeblers casual attitude about the Denver Posts findings.

We already have alcohol, lets add MJ, and why stop there  people want and need their opioids. Let there be drinking, toking, shooting up in our beautiful city, the commenter wrote.

One must stretch the imagination to deny that legalized pot has caused a substantial increase in Colorado highway deaths. Pot is an intoxicating, psychoactive drug. That means it cannot be harmless. Expect emerging and troubling data to make this fact increasingly clear.

The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Israeli police arrested six government and military officials on Sunday in connection with alleged corruption in a US$2 billion deal to buy submarines and naval vessels from a German company.

Investigators believe that bribes were paid in order to ensure that the Israeli governments purchases of submarines and naval vessels from ThyssenKrupp went through despite opposition from the countrys ministry of defense.

The probe was sparked after Israeli media reported in November 2016 that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal lawyer, David Shimron, had worked as an agent for Mickey Ganor, former head of ThyssenKrupp in Israel.

Shimron allegedly lobbied for the deal in favor of ThyssenKrupp at the same time Netanyahu was pushing for the purchase.

Suspicions grew after Netanyahu agreed to buy more submarines than recommended by his defense ministry.

According to local media, the suspects include Benjamin Netanyahus former chief of staff, David Sharan, two political strategists, Natan Mor and Tzachi Lieber, as well as ex-navy commander Admiral Eliezer Marom, who had already been questioned by investigators, and high-ranking officials.

They were arrested after Ganor agreed in July to testify as a state witness in exchange for a reduced sentence and a US$2.8 million fine.

Ganor and the former National Security Council Deputy Director Avriel Bar-Yosef were previously arrested on allegations of bribery and fraud.

Ganor also told police that David Shimron was to be paid 20 percent of Ganors own commission from the deal.

Germany said it suspends the 2016 deal until the investigation was complete.

ThyssenKrupp vessel (Photo: Luis Diaz-Bedia Astor, CC BY-SA 2.0)

occrp.org
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A T-Mobile employee told the Advance she felt lucky to be alive after she was forced to the floor with a gun to her head during a robbery Monday.

Police responded to a report of a commercial robbery at wireless network operator's Charleston store, located at 3021 Veterans Road West, at about 11:15 a.m., according to a NYPD spokeswoman.

The 28-year-old employee said she was alone on the sales floor when two men entered, one of whom was wearing a ski mask and a camouflage snowsuit. She dropped to the floor and reached for an emergency alarm, but one of the men got to her first, she said.

"He [cocked] the gun, and then he was like, 'Oh, no no no. Let's go,'" said the single mother, who asked not to be identified out of fear of retaliation.

She said the man with the ski mask grabbed her by her ponytail and led her to the stockroom with a gun to her head. He forced her to the ground as both men filled what appeared to be black suitcases with smartphones, she said.

They dropped boxes near her head as they cleared the shelves, she said.

"I thought they were going to pull the trigger, because the guy who made me come into the back said, 'No, leave it,' to the other guy, who was standing right above me ... so I don't know if he was saying to leave me alone."

She recalled that throughout the ordeal one of the men was nicer than the other.

"He kept calling me 'sweetheart' and 'hun,'" she said. "He said it'd be OK, and just to get down."

Multiple people fled the scene in a silver Infiniti with New Jersey plates shortly before officers arrived, police said. The store is located less than a mile from the Outerbridge Crossing, which connects Staten Island and New Jersey.

As of Monday afternoon, no arrests had been made, police said.

Officers on scene could be seen speaking with a man outside of the store who, according to T-Mobile employees, entered the store as the suspects exited through the front door.

A male employee scheduled to work Monday said he had just missed the ordeal.

"If I hadn't smoked a cigarette, I would've been in there."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York City's Department of Administrative Services (DCAS) has released its examination schedule for September.

Open, competitive, computer-based tests will be administered throughout the month for positions, such as auto mechanic, emergency medical specialist, fire alarm dispatcher, communication electrician and housing inspector.

Applications for the positions will be accepted beginning Wednesday, Sept. 6.

New York City employs hundreds of thousands of people in its 80 agencies. Taking a test is the way to get started in the hiring process for most of these positions. Application fees range from $40 to $101.

For more information about registering for these and other tests, log onto the DCAS website.

The following is a list of things to know when taking an exam at a DCAS Computer-based Testing and Applications Center (CTAC).

Electronic devices, including cell phones, are not permitted in the testing areas.

Check the Notice of Examination for the test you will be taking to see if calculators are permitted.

If you are requesting a fee waiver, you must provide a copy of acceptable documentation. DCAS staff cannot make copies of your documentation.

Seating is limited. Once the CTAC is filled to capacity, no more candidates will be admitted.

You are encouraged to apply and schedule yourself to take a test earlier in the month since there is generally more seating available at these times.

You may not have any other person, including children, present with you while you are applying for, being processed for, and/or taking a test, and no one may wait for you inside a CTAC.

Testing centers are located at 2 Lafayette St. in Manhattan and 210 Joralemon St. in Brooklyn.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Joseph Carroll, district manager of Community Board 1, a government agency consisting of up to 50 volunteers and a small paid staff, has given up counting the years he's worked at the job he "loves."

His "great" position has him working with officials in Staten Island and across the city to make sure some of the needs of the North Shore, which essentially covers the entire area north of the Staten Island Expressway, are met.

He enjoys having the opportunity to interact with many individuals and to help correct things that have been "bugging" them, making their lives a little easier and, in addition, seeing the improvements and economic growth of the North Shore.

What are some board's duties?

It has four purposes: land use issues; zoning and variances; preparing budget priorities including capital and expense issues such as parks and children's services; and working with communities to see their needs -- such as obtaining traffic lights, repairing streets, solving traffic problems, and settling other situations which will improve the community -- are realized.

Why do you "love" your "great" job?

I have the opportunity to interact with many people and I am finally seeing the North Shore being developed. It is great because I am a member of a dedicated, hardworking team that makes positive ideas reach fruition after years of planning. In addition, elsewhere, some elected officials use boards to fight for them against each other. Our officials don't do that. They're above that kind of behavior. They work together which is good for the board. The board makes requests and the elected officials see that it gets done. I'm very grateful for that.

Are there any aspects of your job that you don't like?

Yes. We don't get enough money to do everything we'd like to do. There's a lot of competition for cash and we don't get enough funds needed to see some of the necessary things get done. It is very frustrating.

What do you see as a major victory and a major defeat for your area?

The major victory is renewed interest in the waterfront as it is critically important for us. The sad failure is the growing use of drugs.

Why is the North Shore development so important?

Its economic growth will chip away at the lack of employment. There is already economic growth as jobs became more available. It has awakened and inspired the Jersey Street Local Development Corporation, the Downtown Merchants Alliance, and the Economic Development Corporation, all of which have renewed interest in the growth of the area.

Putting people to work is better for the whole borough. That may sound old fashioned, but I believe in it. In addition, the cultural community has become very involved in the growth and is committed to help make the area more vibrant by attracting more Staten Islanders and tourists to see new arts projects on the North Shore.

Are there any negatives to this growth?

Rising rents, homes being sold out from under the feet of current tenants, loss of small businesses. The city must provide some protection to the current populations.

How can one bring a problem to and/or join the Board?

Boards meet once a month and are open to the public. Anyone can request speaking time. All members belong to a committee to which non-board members may apply to join.

To become a member of the board, half the members must be nominated by their City Council member and half selected and appointed by the borough president. Applications to the B.P. can be filled out online. Members must be active, involved people who live, work or have a significant interest in the community.

Get To Know Joe

His early life: Born in Manhattan, Joe attended St. John's Grammar School there, Bishop Loughlin High School, and Queensborough, Long Island University and Richmond colleges.

His career: Prior to obtaining the position of district manager, Joe held many jobs, including messenger; unloading meat for the A&P; preparing produce for sale; working with various unions teaching.

His family: Joe is the father of two daughters and one son, and the grandfather of three grand daughters.

His hobbies: Joe often exercises at the Y and bowls. He states he "is not very good at bowling, but it is fun."

His fun fact: Joe owns three cockatiels and five parakeets, all named Squawky but identified by a number from one to eight, who wake him up in the morning and screech when he comes home. He has had as many as 15 at a time. He still has the first one he received 12 or 13 years ago from a board member who obtained it from a bird refuge. He says he now owns his own bird burial grounds.
The New York Yankees today announced that the organization will donate $100,000 to support the relief efforts associated with Hurricane Harvey with $50,000 going to the Red Cross and $50,000 to the Salvation Army.

Additionally, the entire Yankees Major League roster has pledged to collectively donate $9,000 after every win for the remainder of the regular season.

"It is vital that we maintain our efforts to support the countless people and communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey," said General Partner / Vice Chairperson Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those affected by this terrible storm."

"Hurricane Harvey was a devastating storm that has affected so many lives across Texas and Louisiana," said Chase Headley. "It's been inspiring to see the overwhelming number of people who have made a positive impact in that region as it begins its long recovery, and we wanted to play a small part in that process."
Horror scenes as train derailment leaves shipping container mess Shock aerial footage showed the mess left behind following the derailment of a train, with a pile of damaged shipping containers sitting in what appeared to be floodwaters from the recent deluge.

No deal: Andrews refuses to do deals with Greens and Independents Premier Daniel Andrews has insisted "no deal will be offered and no deal will be done" with the Greens to allow him to retain power in a minority government, as a new poll showed support for the Coalition was growing.

01:50 Early voting begins in Victoria today Early voting has started today in Victoria with more than half of eligible Victorians expected to cast their vote before November 26th.

04:14 Medibank hackers release customer mental health data The Medibank hackers have released more confidential customer data on the dark web and say they'll continue to release information this week....
CALEDONIA  Following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, a Caledonia resident who owns property damaged by the historic storm, is planning a trip to Texas to clean up her damaged property.

Two years ago, Theresa Isaacson, who co-owns Yogi Bears Jellystone Park in Caledonia, bought the Raintree RV Park in Rockport, Texas, a little more than two miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

Its much different than (Caledonia) ... very much a fisherman, winter retreat area. It was in the eye of the hurricane, Isaacson said. Its a beautiful little town, but not right now.

Isaacson was shocked to receive pictures through her phone from her staff in Texas showing the destruction, including five of eight rental cabins damaged or completely destroyed.

Its unbelievable. Its something were not used to seeing in Wisconsin, Isaacson said.

Isaacson said her insurance is not going to cover the damage, so shes looking into grants and digging into contingency funds from her business in Caledonia to repair the damage.

We called the city down there and they dont want us to come. They want us to stay away. However, its not a good answer when you own something that could be salvageable, Isaacson said.

With an $850,000 mortgage to pay down on the Texas property, Isaacson decided to lead a group of friends and an employee down to Rockport clean up the RV park and get it ready for campers and potentially those displaced by Harveys destruction.

Isaacson managed to arrange for a trash bin and portable toilets to be delivered and is taking a compact track loader and other supplies with her to Rockport to get the park back into shape.

While Isaacson is in Rockport, the longtime RV park owner will be without electricity, water or sewer for her RV, but shes prepared until services can be restored to the city.

Its bad. We have to be pretty much be self-sufficient when we get there, Isaacson said. Every week well take our trailer to a dump station off site, an hour away.

Isaacson said her staff has to travel 30 minutes away from the area to get cell service.

Its going to be so hot there. Im trying to think about what we need to take, Isaacson said.

Opportunity to help

In the midst of the crisis, there have been signs of opportunity. Staff members are getting a number of calls from insurance adjusters interested in using Isaacsons 80 motor home sites in Rockport as temporary housing for evacuees.

Reportedly as many as 40,000 homes in the region were destroyed by the storm or the deluge of rain that caused historic flooding.

Isaacson said shes open to working with government to move in temporary FEMA trailers, but its too early for that discussion.

When you have no income now and a bank loan we have to do what we can do get it operational or you give up. But thats not us, Isaacson said. Were going to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Racine Automotive Group, which closed in August, left some unhappy memories with customers who describe a pattern of irresponsible dealings on trade-in vehicles.

Waukesha County resident Chuck Harvey, the managing partner, opened the used-car dealership at 6940 Washington Ave. in spring 2010 at the former Belle Dodge site.

One sign of potential trouble for the business appeared this spring when the Wisconsin Department of Revenue filed tax warrants totaling about $100,000 against Racine Automotive. As of Saturday, online court records showed two of those warrants, totaling about $63,310, as being unsatisfied (not paid off) and still active.

Also, in interviews with The Journal Times, complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau and state and Facebook comments, a disturbing pattern emerged; it involved Racine Automotive and some customers who traded in vehicles that hadnt yet been paid off. Those buyers described delays of weeks or months between when they traded in their vehicles and the dealership paying off the lien holders.

In the meantime, those buyers remained responsible for the loans and payments on vehicles they no longer owned  and which Racine Automotive had already sold, in some cases.

Rebecca Leininger, a Racine resident and Caledonia firefighter-paramedic, experienced that after she traded her Nissan Maxima to buy a Jeep Rubicon at Racine Automotive in July 2016.

The Nissan sold within a day, said Walter Leininger, her husband and a Caledonia Fire Department lieutenant. But it took about 2 months, and many efforts by the couple, before Racine Automotive paid off the Nissan loan. During that time, the couple had to make a $334 payment on the car while repeatedly trying to reach Harvey, they said.

Chuck was always on vacation, Walter remarked.

They were nice (at Racine Automotive), but I just didnt understand how they were doing business, Rebecca said. It didnt seem ethical.

The process repeats

During that period, the Leiningers warned Brad Leininger, Walters brother, about the payoff problem because he had also recently bought a vehicle from Racine Automotive.

But Brad was already ensnared. After learning from Chase Bank that the dealership had not paid off the loan on his Hyundai trade-in, he said he called his salesperson at Racine Automotive.

She said the person responsible would be Chuck (Harvey), and he was not in, Brad Leininger recalled. The voicemail he left for Harvey was the start of a series of attempts Leininger said he made to get Racine Automotive to pay off his trade-in. The entire process took about three weeks, during which he had to make a $275 payment on the Santa Fe.

In the meantime, Brad Leininger said hed seen his Santa Fe listed, then disappear, from the Racine Automotive website, apparently having been sold.

The dealership did eventually reimburse all three Leiningers for their extra car payments.

Dealers explanation

Last week, Harvey explained those payoff delays by saying: Thats a bank situation. Every dealer in the state is dealing with that.

About Racine Automotive Group buyers who described two- to three-month delays, Harvey said: I dont think there are cases like that.

He blamed delays on the process dealers must follow and on slow lender processing of payoff checks.

If the interest changes the payoff amount, the lender will send the check back to the dealership, Harvey said. Then the dealer has to cut a new check.

That happens often, Harvey claimed: Tons of times. Tons.

The result could be a four- to six-week delay in getting the loan paid off, he said.

The Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association did not agree.

I have never had a dealer tell me theres a flaw in the process, said Sue Miller, the associations vice president for services.

As a common practice, the dealer should call the lender the same day the payoff check will be sent to get the right amount, Miller said.

This crops up very rarely, Miller said, that the dealer starts delaying the payoff.

More delays, complaints

Other car buyers told of having experienced the same problem with Racine Automotive. When The Journal Times wrote about the dealerships closure, Facebook posts made in response included those from:

Erica Marks, who wrote that it took almost two months before Racine Automotive paid off the loan on her trade-in  and that the car had been sold before then.

Ann Couillard Krahn, who wrote that Racine Automotive took three months to pay off her trade-in.

Calvillo Caro, who wrote that Racine Automotive took two to three months to pay off her trade-in.

In a complaint filed with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, a Racine Automotive Group buyer wrote in part: I have recently been contacted by the lien holder for overdue payments on the vehicle I traded in two months prior.

The buyer wrote that Harvey said his business was in the process of switching banks and would take care of the lien as soon as funds were available to them. But, more than a week later, the customer wrote: The lien has not been satisfied and remains in my name, damaging my credit rating.

Complaints to the Better Business Bureau told similar tales of woe.

A BBB complaint posted Aug. 11 suggests the practice involving trade-in vehicles continued through Racine Automotive Groups final months in business. On May 3, a buyer had traded in a 2014 Jeep in exchange for a 2014 Chevy Equinox.

Today makes three months that have passed since the transaction, the buyer wrote. I have been calling and stopping into Racine Auto but I get the same story every time. They are working on it.

Well, in the meantime my husbands credit standing is being damaged so he has had no choice but to continue to make payments on the Jeep that is no longer in our possession.

A buyer wrote to BBB of selling a 2014 Dodge Dart to Racine Automotive on May 16 and wrote, As of today, June 21, no attempts for a payoff has been made from the dealerships end.

Every time I call Im told that the owner is the only person who can see and give details as far as where the payoff process is in standing. Ive asked a few times to speak with (Harvey) directly and  I still have not received one from him.

It concludes: Due to RAG not paying off the lien I have received a derogatory mark on my credit report for a vehicle I was told I was no longer responsible for making payments on.

Additionally, Ive had to make another car payment to my bank to avoid another negative mark on my credit report. This whole ordeal has been nothing but headaches from the beginning with RAG.
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context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948

/var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612eec3f370)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0279f90)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612eec3f370)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0279f90)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612efe6af48)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0279f90)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0279f90)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612ece54370)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f028ac90)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f028ac90)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
The carve up of Canberra's federal electorates to create a third lower house seat should be completed by July.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers has wasted no time in starting the process to create new seats for the ACT and Victoria, while a planned redistribution in South Australia will see one seat abolished.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

On Monday the commission published an indicative timetable for the ACT redistribution, naming July 13, 2018 as the deadline for the final determination of where the boundaries will be and what the electorate will be named.

Members of the public will be able to make suggestions about the redistribution in October and November, with feedback to the suggestions in November and December.
CBS Broadcasting repaid $142.7 million of Network Ten's debts on Friday, including bank loans and fees owed to shareholder guarantors Lachlan Murdoch, Bruce Gordon and James Packer.

However, the payments were about 24 hours late as they were supposed to be repaid on Thursday, August 31, according to a deal brokered in July. The money was held in a trust account while exact payment figures were sorted out.

The US broadcasting giant is close to buying Ten out of administration but still needs approval from creditors, the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and a judge to approve the transfer of shares to CBS.

CBS supplied Ten with an additional $30 million in "working capital" on Friday, administrator Korda Mentha and receiver PPB Advisory said on Monday.
A Melbourne labour-hire operator who allegedly paid an apprentice mechanic nothing for almost three months' work instead used the man's wages for a deposit on a Peugeot.

The Fair Work Ombudsman said the man trading as United Consulting or United Consulting Services has been hit with maximum penalties of $10,800 in the Federal Circuit Court and referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

The logo of French carmaker Peugeot Credit:Christophe Ena

Fair Work Ombudsman inspectors found the man Leonard Greenan, formerly of Mount Martha hired a 29-year-old Pakistani worker who came to Australia on a bridging visa. The worker took out loans to pay off $9,500 for a visa sponsorship which was not provided.

The employee worked as a mechanic at a car dealership in Richmond between January and March last year, but received no pay for his labour.
When the history books talk about Hurricane Harvey, the devastating storm that dropped more than 120 centimetres of water on south-east Texas, they'll call it a natural disaster. When the insurance companies  the ones that don't go bankrupt  categorise claims from the storm, they file them under "acts of God".

But though the trillions of gallons of water dropped from the sky  rainfall so immense that meteorologists had to add new colours to their maps, just as Australian meteorologists had to add new colours to capture record high temperatures in the country  the devastation the storm wrought was as much a result of choices made on the ground.

In the past three years, Houston has experienced three 500-year floods. Credit:New York Times

From urban sprawl to housing policy to climate legislation, the city of Houston's fate was shaped in state houses and on Capitol Hill, determined not only by policymakers' actions but by their inactions. And the solutions to the growing threat of storms like Harvey reside there as well.

Houston is the embodiment of Sunbelt sprawl, stretching more than 1554 square kilometres. It is a vast slab of concrete covering swampland, marshes, and prairie. Those swamps and marshes once served as ecological sponges, soaking in excess rainwater and filtering it through the region. But those natural floodplains are now blocked by sheets of pavement, the result of development that has allowed the metro area to swell to more than six million residents.
But I am optimistic about what smartphones and social media can do for people. I am thrilled to see kids learning on smartphones, doctors using apps to diagnose diseases and marginalised groups, such as gay and lesbian students, finding support they never had before through social networks.

The pace of change is what amazes me most. The challenges my younger daughter will be facing when she starts high school soon are light years away from what my elder daughter, who's now in college, experienced in 2010. My younger daughter's friends live a lot of their lives through filters on Instagram and Snapchat, two apps that didn't even exist when my elder daughter was dipping a toe in social media.

I spent my career at Microsoft trying to imagine what technology could do, and still I wasn't prepared for smartphones and social media. Like many parents with children my kids' age, I didn't understand how they would transform the way my kids grew up  and the way I wanted to parent. I'm still trying to catch up.

When my youngest child was born in 2005, the flip phone was still the coolest piece of tech you could get. Now I'm told that all three of my children are part of what demographers are calling iGen.

Still, as a mother who wants to make sure her children are safe and happy, I worry. And I think back to how I might have done things differently. Parents should decide for themselves what works for their family, but I probably would have waited longer before putting a computer in my daughters' pockets. Phones and apps aren't good or bad by themselves, but for adolescents who don't yet have the emotional tools to navigate life's complications and confusions, they can exacerbate the difficulties of growing up: learning how to be kind, coping with feelings of exclusion, taking advantage of freedom while exercising self-control. It's more important than ever to teach empathy from the very beginning, because our kids are going to need it.

For other parents trying to decide how to do their job in a way that feels right, despite the bewildering array of changes brought on by smartphones and social media, I want to share some of the resources that have helped me and my friends. Hopefully, these tips can spark conversation and help parents become resources for each other.

Learn about the issue: This month, The Atlantic ran a long story called "Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?" The headline is a little dire, but then again, so is what's reported in the article. It makes a strong case linking smartphones and social media to emotional distress. For example, eighth graders who use social media more than 10 hours a week are 56 per cent more likely to say they're unhappy than peers who use it less. A lot of the same issues are raised in the documentary Screenagers, whose producers encourage community groups to host screenings. Many parents have told me they like the film because it provides plenty of practical tips.

Unplug: One of my favourite things you can do is plan a "device-free dinner". It's not complicated. It's exactly what it says: an hour around a table without anything that has an on or off switch. Common Sense Media has provided great resources and is turning this simple concept into a movement. We don't allow mobile phones at the dinner table, and in my experience, they're right when they promise "amazing conversation".

Have tough conversations: One of the things that's likely to come up in conversation with your kids is the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why. The hype may have subsided a little since the show first aired, but it's still a hot topic. Every parent has to decide for themselves whether they will let their children watch and, if so, under what conditions. There are some excellent resources from the Jed Foundation to help you make these decisions and talk with your kids about the show, suicide, and what to do if they need help. And I always make sure to tell people about Crisis Text Line, an amazing crisis counselling service that provides free, 24/7 support and resources via text message.
Cella White in the anti-gay marriage advert. Girls in dresses: Protect their modesty. Be objects. No wonder White wants out of that lark. Me too. Dresses should be banned at schools, no matter what your gender. You have to ask yourself why Cella White has such a horror of her son in a dress. The answer is this: dresses impose a set of behaviours that she doesn't think fit her idea of what a son should be. She wants sporty and free but I always wanted that for my daughters, too.

French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu applied the word illusio to explain how we all come to agree on stuff. I'm reading him for my PhD and I thought illusio was a good way to describe how we have built a common understanding of what gender is, which basically limits women and men. Our illusio of gender, as exemplified by dresses, is women must learn to be adorned. That their clothing is not fit for purpose but fit for objectification. And Amanda Mergler wants that to stop. Girls Uniform Agenda began when she realised she would have to move her kids from their very local school because her daughter loved shorts. While the school policy itself said girls could wear the shorts available to boys, girls had learned to police femininity even in year one. Her poor daughter was told she had to use the boys' toilet because she was wearing boys' shorts. "They wanted her to perform in ways that would limit her. She wanted to run and play and her dress would get in the way," she said. "Her brother was allowed to wear shorts and she wasn't. I refused to say to her because you are girl your brother can wear shorts to school but you can't." Her two children have now moved to a school where everyone can wear the same comfy cotton elastic-waisted shorts with the pull cord.

Mergler doesn't want to name the school in Queensland because she says there is no point in shaming individual institutions  plus it's everywhere. She says every week her new organisation is being contacted by more and more parents wanting to make change. The latest success is in Western Australia. Now Girls Uniform Agenda is Australia-wide and researching the sad truth about Australian schools. Public schools are much more likely to allow girls to wear pants. Private schools are a hotbed of frocks. Ascham School in Sydney's Edgecliff: shorts and pants are only available for sport. Same at Melbourne Girls Grammar, Brisbane Girls Grammar, St Peter's Collegiate Girls School in South Australia. Canberra Girls Grammar has just introduced pants, bless their neatly folded cotton socks. St Michael's Collegiate School in Hobart has optional pants for winter. They need it there. Canberra Girls Grammar principal Anne Coutts said, "Our decision to offer pants was led by students, parents and staff and in all cases the view was that choice was a good thing and we are glad to provide that." She's English and the schools there offer pants all the time and no-one has died. No-one even raises an eyebrow, she says. Strangely, when I called these schools, some responded in absolute horror that the uniform policy might come under public scrutiny. "We are a very private school," said one. Real hotbed of reproducing class and gender structures right there not wanting to be examined too closely. Girls at those schools: rise up! Demand the freedom to wear what's comfortable and suitable. Or tell the blokes on your governing councils to start wearing tunics to work and see how that feels.

I asked Peter McNeil, a fashion historian and author, to explain why the whole dress thing unleashes all these feelings. He says it's only been for the past 600 or so years that men have worn pants. "The irony is that when men began wearing pants, all the moralists complained about them. Bernardino de Siena said parents were pimping out their sons by putting them in trousers." And trousers provide free movement for all. Which brings me back to Cella White. I'm on board with her at least for pants. Vote yes for pants for girls and boys. And yes for same sex marriage. Thanks for putting me straight, Cella.
Former government minister Bruce Billson will be examined by a bipartisan committee to determine whether he acted in contempt of Parliament by taking undeclared payments from a business lobby group.

In consenting to the investigation, Speaker Tony Smith said he was "sufficiently concerned" by the possibility Mr Billson had demonstrated "corruption in the execution of a member's office".

Bruce Billson in Parliament. Credit:Andrew Meares

Mr Billson, who retired from Parliament at the July 2016 election after being dumped from the ministry when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took over as leader, announced in March last year he was taking up a position with the Franchise Council of Australia. However, the income from this new position was not declared on his parliamentary register.

Since the failure to register the separate income was revealed, Liberal MPs have expressed surprise that the former small business minister began receiving his $75,000 salary from the industry group while serving as an MP and he has faced calls to donate the amount in question to charity.
The architect of Tony Abbott's controversial Commission of Audit has teamed up with a Liberal-leaning think tank to create a "blueprint for good government" for Malcolm Turnbull ahead of the next election.

But more than three years after his 2014 audit, which sank like a stone politically and helped to take the 2014 budget with it, Tony Shepherd is promising practical solutions that will set out the economic challenges facing Australia and outline policy solutions.

Tony Shepherd is working on a "blueprint for good government" with the Liberal-leaning Menzies Research Institute. Credit:Brook Mitchell

Mr Shepherd and the Menzies Research Centre will release five reform papers by the end of the first quarter of 2018, examining key challenges facing the economy; energy and infrastructure; pressures on state and federal budgets; innovation; and trade and investment.

The former Business Council president told Fairfax Media that Australia's tax settings - for people, businesses and the GST - will all be examined as part of the sweeping review.
A federal Liberal MP and former minister may have been elected to Parliament in breach of the constitution after it emerged he had direct financial links with a company awarded millions in government contracts.

But Stuart Robert, the Coalition member for the safe seat of Fadden in Queensland, has refused to detail how his directorship and shareholding in the company did not breach section 44 of the constitution, which forbids MPs from profiting - even indirectly - from the Commonwealth.

The former minister for veterans affairs and human services has dismissed the questions about his eligibility as a "mute [sic] point" and expert advice indicates the High Court would not force an MP from the current Parliament for being illegally elected previously.

ASIC records show Mr Robert was a director of the GMT Group - an IT service company he co-founded - from July 3, 2002 until August 20, 2010. He was also a director of GMT Gold Coast Pty Ltd until this time. He stood aside as director the day before the 2010 federal election - three years after he first joined Parliament.
Another bitter debate about same-sex marriage, a third attempt at the failed plebiscite, or even a backbench revolt could await the Turnbull government if the High Court kills off its plan for a postal survey this week.

With two days of hearings to begin in Melbourne on Tuesday, Coalition MPs were bracing for yet another round of infighting in the event the country's highest court rules the $122 million survey invalid.

Liberal MP Warren Entsch, one of the "rebels" who pushed for a free vote in Parliament, would not rule out a last-minute attempt to cross the floor before he leaves for a United Nations secondment next week.

"I cannot rule it out and I cannot rule it in. I'm watching in anticipation," he said. It was not helpful to speculate publicly through the media, Mr Entsch said.
What is hedonism and how does it affect your health?

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It took seven years, a debilitating ear condition, a lot of self-reflection, and hundreds of hours agonizing over songs in a DIY studio. But at long last, the pop singer Anna Wang thinks shes found her groove.
Address 154 Enmore Road, Enmore

Opening hours Fri-Sat 5pm-1am; Sun-Thu 5pm-midnight

Pro tip Turn up early to be guaranteed a seat, otherwise prepare to queue.

Try this The Vicious Virgin, despite the colour and composition, is actually incredibly crisp and refreshing.

Bottom line Cocktails $20-$40

I have an embarrassing confession to make. I've never watched Twin Peaks, and I have no intention of rectifying the situation. It looks terrifying. So when I heard the Earls' Juke Joint team was opening a ''Twin Peaks-themed tiki bar'', I was torn. On one hand, tiki bar! Who can resist that much rattan, barkcloth, hibiscus and things on fire? On the other, Twin Peaks.

The Vicious Virgin cocktail at Jacoby's Tiki Bar. Credit:Brook Mitchell

Here's what I know about the show without Googling it to pretend I've watched it: there's a backwards-talking dwarf, a lot of red velvet, a hot brunette who wears plaid and can do tricks with cherry stems, another hot brunette who likes cups of coffee, and a dead blonde wrapped in plastic. Intrigue, by all reports, ensues. So far at the bar, the only noticeable overlap are the scarlet velvet curtains guiding the way to the loos. Hooray!

The pitch here, as Sydney's first and only dedicated tiki bar, is an idiosyncratic mix of tiki drinks and natural wine. It turns out owner Pasan Wijesena and team are selling a surprising amount of Pheasant's Tears and other crunchy, skin contact-y things.
Training teachers to recognise the warning signs of an asthma flare-up could be the difference between preventing a life-threatening attack and the tragic death of a child.

A lack of education among school staff was a constant concern for Noah's family.

The nine-year-old has been rushed to hospital with a severe asthma attack five times in his life. Two of those life-threatening episodes flared up while he was at his Sydney primary school.

"It's absolutely terrifying," said Noah's father, Lloyd.
"He put the hair on her desk, right in front of her. She was so shocked she didn't say anything, and really only started talking about it at the Christmas party about a month later," said one source. At least two staff complained about the attack to an office manager, but no disciplinary action was taken. "Everyone was laughing about it, it was just a funny story to them. It was difficult to be a woman there and maintain a sense of respect. Particularly when no one had your back," said one former Macquarie staffer. In 2010, the same broker was accused of stalking another female employee outside her home, but a subsequent complaint was said to have been ignored. Another broker from the "millionaires factory" was accused of taking photographs on a mobile phone of a female manager in 2014 as she sat at her desk in the open-plan office on the 26th floor of 101 Collins Street.

The man responsible for the upskirting was asked to move desks, but again, no formal disciplinary action was taken. Another female assistant, described as "voluptuous", was also secretly photographed by a former Macquarie adviser who then circulated the images on his phone. "This is bullying, it's actually sexual assault, but no one had the courage to speak out, probably because they knew nothing would be done," one Macquarie source said. A Macquarie spokeswoman said the bank treated all allegations of inappropriate or illegal behaviour seriously. "You have raised serious and defamatory allegations of historic and inappropriate workplace behaviour, none of which involved current staff. The allegations were either never put to Macquarie, or those that were made were reviewed and appropriate action was taken," the spokeswoman said.

Macpherson Kelley Lawyers claimed in a letter to the corporate regulator that Macquarie's toxic culture had permeated every facet of the business. "The above cultural matters go beyond just colour. The matters got to the very heart of of the lack of supervision within Macquarie's wealth division. It is no surprise that in a workplace that which tolerated such behaviour that trading patterns and conflict of interest reached unacceptable levels" In June, Fairfax Media revealed two Macquarie Group executives repeatedly drugged a colleague with valium and laxatives during a business trip to South America. Macquarie's then divisional director Michael Rosenbaum and investment adviser Stefan Whiting allegedly spiked the drinks of a male colleague as they travelled across Brazil and Chile to inspect gold mines owned by Cleveland. Former Macquarie Bank investment advisers Stefan Whiting, left, and Michael Rosenbaum.

The 49-year-old victim has launched legal action against the investment bank, which was aware of the extraordinary allegations, but did not take any disciplinary action against the perpetrators. Fairfax Media does not suggest Mr Rosenbaum or Mr Whiting were involved in any harassment of female staff at Macquarie. Both men left the bank in 2013. But the pair have been accused of artificially inflating the price of Cleveland shares when they advised clients to buy the stock, according to the document sent to ASIC on behalf of disgruntled investors in the Perth-based company. Macpherson Kelley Lawyers have alleged that Mr Whiting played a key role in the acquisition of a Brazilian iron-ore mine that helped the stock to almost triple in value to 95 cents between March and April 2012. The share price collapsed in late 2012, before it was voluntarily suspended from the ASX in October 2016, when it traded at just 7 cents.

"Whiting was hopelessly conflicted... if Macquarie had had in place sufficient management and supervision, conflict of interest processes and Chinese walls, Whiting would have been sidelined from trading in CDG stock in September 2011, allowing clients to then receive independent and impartial advice," the letter by M+K Lawyers claims. "Whiting exited himself from CDG in the first six months of 2013 whilst not disclosing to his clients that he was selling CDG shares." Mr Rosenbaum purchased 480,164 Cleveland shares in the name of a company controlled by a relative, including 125,000 shares on April 3, 2012 - a day before a major ASX announcement by the Perth-based company. It is also alleged that Mr Rosenbaum was able to protect about 15 of his wealthy clients by moving them out of Cleveland, when he learned the Brazilian iron-ore project known as Ferradura was a dud in late 2012. At the same time, Mr Whiting was urging his clients to hold or buy more stock with repeated assurances it was destined to reach $1.20.

"At this time, there are two advisers sitting in the same office on the same floor and who are held by Macquarie as the lead advisers for Cleveland (one a divisional director) giving two polar opposite representations in relation to Cleveland," the letter states. Former Macquarie adviser Stefan Whiting. Credit:Facebook However, a Macquarie spokeswoman said an internal investigation had found no evidence of inappropriate trading. "As part of a full investigation into this matter, we wrote in June to clients who owned shares in the relevant company, Cleveland Mining, informing them we are conducting a review. That investigation is substantially complete and we have found no evidence of inappropriate trading," the Macquarie spokeswoman said. Macquarie accused Macpherson Kelley Lawyers of attempting to solicit clients for their class action, and warned they could be in breach of the Solicitors' Conduct Rules if they are unable to substantiate the allegations.
While working for the Australian Public Service several years ago, an online 'friend' left a series of disparaging comments about the then-Australian Prime Minister on my Facebook wall. Awkwardly dangling under a newspaper article I'd posted, I wondered how many of my work colleagues in Canberra had scrolled past the comments. A small handful of upper case expletives made them hard to miss. The views expressed by this friend made me feel uncomfortable and I didn't share them. I weighed up the pros and cons of deleting the article  the source of my friend's anger  that I'd so casually posted. But I quickly realised this response was an overreaction. I was about to censor a newspaper article, someone else's opinion and the views of a half-a-dozen Facebookers caught in-between. It felt wrong. Online discussions can be messy and I knew I had no right to erase his opinions. The Prime Minister at the time was a vocal and staunch advocate for free speech. So, I took a steer from him. I responded in disagreement and the comments stayed. Within 24 hours I'd forgotten about the minor social media drama, my Facebook feed back to its usual fusion of toddlers, cat videos and overly-curated holiday snaps. New social media guidelines tell public servants not to criticise the government by "liking" posts on Facebook. Credit:AP But today's public servants won't be able to forget and move on so easily, even though today's Prime Minister also champions free speech. A new social media 'guide' produced by the Australian Public Service Commission contains some worrying advice for our 150,000-plus public servants. The APS, of course, needs crystal clear guidelines about social media use. So producing a guide is a good idea and much of the advice is very sensible. And it's advice that will need to be continuously assessed and updated as online behaviour evolves and internet users jump to different platforms and new mobile apps. But the way in which this guide framed a number of potential online scenarios is concerning for three reasons. First, it exhibited a misunderstanding of how information flows online. For example, it equated many aspects of online engagement  liking, sharing and re-posting  as an endorsement of the content. Such an assumption may have held weight a few years ago but online behaviour has changed. A 'like' can mean that you are simply noting that you read another person's comments. This is especially common when they are responding to you. Facebook users often 'share' or repost an article just to expose it to their friends. This simple action has become important, especially since the US Presidential election, in helping break down Facebook filter bubbles. I value the efforts of a number of my Facebook friends  bureaucrats included - who open themselves up to and share diverse perspectives.

Public servants are advised to be careful about what they say on social media about their departments in guidelines released this month. Credit:AP Second, Australia needs an APS that provides 'frank, fearless and apolitical advice'. These aren't my words, they are Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's. But numerous reviews of the public service over the last few years have found many departments are held back by risk-averse cultures and that our officials in Canberra struggle with long-term and strategic thinking  the type of thinking that tends to inform good policy-making. This isn't a surprising finding given the pressures of a 24-hour media cycle and ministerial emphasis on talking points, colossal briefing packs and the never-ending search for 'annouceables'. But unnecessarily restrictive social media guidelines will only encourage self-censorship and further foster the very same risk-averse culture we need the APS to leave behind. Third and most importantly, some parts of the advice conflict directly with the Australian government's view of the world. The current government doesn't just advocate free speech, it is also specifically committed 'to actively promote an open, free and secure cyberspace based on our values of free speech, privacy and the rule of law.' This line is straight out of the government's new international cyber strategy. But the new social media guide advises the APS that 'it may be sensible to delete' the comments of others it described as 'nasty.' It also said that leaving such material on your social media pages could be seen as an endorsement of that material. The guide never discussed hate speech; rather it was advice on how to deal with what was described as 'anti-government' content. What the threshold would be for nasty anti-government content is anyone's guess. But I assume my friend's expletive-laden comments on our former Prime Minister would get the chop. If I were in the APS today I'd probably also delete the whole thread just to err on the side of caution. Frankly, I'd probably self-censor and stay clear from most social media debates altogether; I wouldn't want anything to get back to my colleagues or to interfere with my chances in the next promotion round. Australia is one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific with freedom of speech, a free media, and a free internet. In fact, across south-east and north Asia, internet freedom is in steady decline. Over the past year we've seen internet users arrested in Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and China for publishing content on social media that was categorised as 'anti-government'. Australia sits alongside a small group of other countries, including Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan, that can still claim a free and open cyberspace.
Deputy Prime Minster Barnaby Joyce has unveiled plans for more long-range moves of federal public servants, this time to Darwin.

Mr Joyce said the public servants, understood to be from his Agriculture Department, will be shifted from Geelong and Melbourne to staff a new $8 million "biosecurity hub" in Northern Territory Capital.

No northern exposure: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

It is unclear how many workers will be moved.

But the plan has done little to placate the Northern Territory Government which is still seething over the clear-out of the Australian Electoral Commission in Darwin
We're not even gonna try to suggest that the debate gripping Australia right now is about anybody other than same-sex couples, their families and children.

But it's bordering on the alarming how much the long-suffering men and women of the Australian Public Service have already been sucked into the maelstrom - and there might be worse to come.

The same-sex marriage postal survey could pose problems for Australia's public servants. Credit:AP

There was the ominous warning early this month from Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd to public servants that their rights to political participation were not what they thought they were, even on their private Facebook or other social media accounts, even in their own time.

Mr Lloyd's missive didn't mention the postal plebiscite or whatever-it-is, but the timing of his shot-across-the-bows spoke volumes.
Almost half a century ago, a reforming Justice Minister in Canada, Pierre Trudeau (soon to become Prime Minister and late father of the current Canadian leader, Justin Trudeau), memorably proclaimed "there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation." Trudeau went on to say "what's done in private between adults doesn't concern the Criminal Code," as he defended his omnibus bill introduced into the House of Commons proposing far-reaching changes to the Criminal Code of Canada, most notably the decriminalisation of "homosexual acts" performed in private. Among other controversial parts of the bill were revisions to abortion laws, making it legal for women to obtain one if a committee of three doctors felt the pregnancy endangered the mental, emotional or physical well-being of the mother.

Interestingly  and even more so in light of Tony Abbott's comment about marriage equality being "a war against our way of life"  Trudeau was a Catholic and a regular attendee at mass, which he had been all his life. While mostly private about his beliefs, he made it clear that he was a believer, stating, in an interview with the United Church Observer in 1971: "I believe in life after death, I believe in God and I'm a Christian." Trudeau maintained, however, that he preferred to impose constraints on himself rather than have them imposed from the outside. In this sense, he believed he was more like a Protestant than a Catholic of the era in which he was schooled. In other words, it was very much a personal, not a state, matter.

Same sex marriage supporters and opponents confront each other in Massachusetts. Credit:Michael Dwyer

The Trudeau reforms were in 1968, with the sexual revolution in full swing; hippies coined the hedonistic phrase "if it feels good, do it" and defied anyone to interfere. The state, for a time, did retreat from the bedrooms of not just Canada, but almost the entire Western world  but ever since there has been a rearguard action fought to constrain and regulate what is essentially personal behaviour by legislative and political means.

The apparent lull in the 1970s was short-lived. Those opposed to what became known as "the permissive society" began to regroup, perhaps best exemplified by the rise of the powerful Moral Majority movement in the United States. Founded by Baptist minister Jerry Falwell, who broke with his church's policy of separating politics from religion, he argued that a decline in traditional morality was damaging America, claiming he was pro-family and pro-America. He believed his stand against permissiveness represented the opinions of the majority of Americans (hence the movement's name). The Moral Majority encouraged electoral participation among its members and used registration drives to register church-goers to vote.
Manuka honey with a high UMF rating is significantly more effective than examples with a low rating, or regular honey, in improving wound healing, new research shows.

Researchers at the University of Sydney compared the effectiveness of manuka honey of different UMF (unique manuka factor) ratings (ranging from 5 to 20 depending on antibacterial activity) and ordinary, store-bought honey in healing large, bloody wounds on horses' legs.

They said the results were "quite remarkable" and applicable to humans.

"I have been doing wound-healing studies for many years and if you look across the board there are very few, if any, compounds that have a consistent repeatable effect," Sydney University equine surgical specialist Andrew Dart said.
The Children's Hospital will not be investigated by the three-day inquest. In her opening address, Ms Gerace said on August 6, four days after Carey's mother first noticed he was off-colour, the 13-year-old complained of aches and pains when he came home from school, and his parents thought he had the flu. On August 7, he stayed home from school because he was off his food and his temperature was hot and cold. The next day, he vomited a yellow fluid, and his mother took him to the family GP Dr Ian Ly at Burwood, where he was again thought to have the flu. "The nature of his presentation was [that] it appeared to be an uncomplicated viral illness," Dr Ly told the inquest. "Even though he was sick, he was still relatively well at that time."

When he woke up on August 9, Carey felt a little bit better  but as the day went on, he got worse, with puffy eyes, fatigue, diarrhoea and a sharp pain in his stomach. A local medical centre was too busy, so instead Carey and his mother went to Concord Hospital emergency at 6.55pm. Carey was so lethargic he was closing his eyes, while also suffering a headache, dizziness, and pain in his right foot. A triage nurse arranged for him to be put into a bed instead of sitting in a chair in the waiting room, and asked for Carey to be seen within 30 minutes. Several doctors and nurses, who will give evidence, tended to his care on what the inquest heard was a busy Saturday night, in the middle of the flu season. At 9.05pm, a nurse who wasn't treating Carey heard a thump as she walked past the toilet. She went inside with Carey's father to find the 13-year-old unconscious on the floor. When he roused, he said he had felt dizzy, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded him as having tachycardia  a fast, irregular rhythm of the heart. A doctor ordered for him to be given one litre of saline, and Carey was monitored for several more hours until he was discharged just after 2am on August 10.

The inquest heard he couldn't walk, so he was taken to the car in a wheelchair then carried inside by his father when the family arrived home. Hours later, at 7am, Carey had sharp pains in the big toe and heel of his right foot, and his mother noticed his hand was a purple-red colour. His family took him to Westmead Children's Hospital, arriving at 9.52am, and the hospital assessed him as having abdominal pain and shock. An ultrasound of his abdomen revealed fluid around his heart, and an on-call cardiology fellow was called to perform an echocardiogram. However, before the test began, Carey went into cardiac arrest. He was placed onto life support and taken to an operating theatre as CPR continued, however his cardiac arrest was "refractory and irreversible" and life support was "ceased". Carey was pronounced dead at 2.45pm, after his parents got to see him for a final time.

A doctor at Westmead diagnosed Carey with acute fulminant myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, which causes heart failure. In a post-mortem examination, forensic pathologist Dr Johan Duflou found Carey to have Influenza A, adenovirus and enterovirus in his system. He told the inquest that Influenza A, on its own, can be fatal. "Overall, I think this is an influenza-related death," Dr Duflou said. "By exclusion [of other causes], to me it seems myocarditis and its inflammation on the heart, or its effect on the heart, caused the death. "It was a particularly difficult case with a tragic outcome."
A fire that destroyed hundreds of hectares in Kurnell, south of Sydney has been brought under control despite difficult and windy conditions.

The fire ripped through 350 hectares of bush in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, south of Sydney, with 100 rural firefighters working to bring it under control.

The Kurnell fire broke out on Sunday and continued to burn throughout Monday. Credit:John Veage

The bushfire, which started just after 5pm on Sunday, was one of many blazes firefighters were dealing with on Monday with more than 40 fires not under control burning throughout the state.

Firefighters had battled the Kurnell blaze through the night with reports that fresh fires had broken out on Monday morning.
An auto worker installs mounts to motor and transmission units on an SUV assembly line at General Motors in Janesville, in April 2006.
The principal supplier of street level drugs in Kings Cross has been arrested during early morning raids in Sydney's inner east on Tuesday, police will allege.

The 41-year-old woman was one of four people arrested at properties in Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Redfern, all in connection with the supply of heroin and ice in the Kings Cross area.

Two men, aged 40 and 43, and a 34-year-old woman were also arrested when search warrants were executed at two properties on Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross about 6am on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old male remained in St Vincent's Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after sustaining a facial injury during the arrest, when it is alleged he became aggressive towards police.
When Australian couple Joe and Rosanna Natoli came across a painting bearing the signature of one of Australia's greatest artists, Tom Roberts, on the website of an English auction site, with a sale estimate of between 60 and 80, it seemed too good to be true.

"We thought it worth a shot," Ms Natoli said, a journalist from Seven News in Queensland. Come auction day, bidding was furious but, believing it to be a genuine, the Natolis gambled "everything we had at the time in the bank" and made a winning bid of 7500. Shipped to Australia they found the painting, curiously titled Rejected, in need of repair. After undertaking some restoration work they put it up to auction in Brisbane with an estimate of $30,000.

The couple thought: "That's not too bad, that's double our money". But the auction house brought in an expert who had too many questions and it was withdrawn from sale.

"I put it in a cupboard," Ms Natoli recalls. "Joe would take it out and hang it on the wall. He would talk to the characters in it. It shows a man who's distraught being comforted by a wife, or a woman, and he really felt an affinity with this painting. He still believed that it was a Tom Roberts, that someone wouldn't have copied him at a time when his work wasn't valued."
It is an issue that has troubled electoral officials for years: do NSW voters value their local council elections? And would a serving of Japanese fried octopus swing your vote this Saturday?

A voucher for a Japanese restaurant to the value of an octopus entree could now be at the centre of a NSW Electoral Commission investigation following alleged inducements for votes involving the ticket of the former Deputy Mayor of Hurstville, Nancy Liu.

Nancy Liu said she had no knowledge of the post and asked for it to be retracted. Credit:St George and Sutherland Shire Leader

In recent days, screenshots of a message sent by the employee of a local Hurstville travel agency owned by Ms Liu's husband via the popular Chinese social media messaging app WeChat, have been travelling around local political circles.

"Those [compatriots] voting for Group G [in the council elections] can come see me to get coupons for Hurstville['s] most authentic Japanese cuisine," a screenshot of the message, signed by "Vivienne  Goodtime Travel", reads, according to an accredited translation provided to Fairfax Media.
A so-called "criminal mastermind" horrifically burned in an alleged murder attempt on Friday died in hospital on Monday afternoon, police have confirmed.

Victor Graveson, 65, was rushed to hospital on Friday morning in a critical condition with burns to 80 per cent of his body.

Victor Graveson died in hospital after suffering to burns to 80 per cent of his body.

David Charles Edgerley, 34, had already been charged with attempted murder. The charge was upgraded to murder on Monday night, and Mr Edgerley was expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He allegedly poured accelerant on the retiree, who his family defended as a loving and caring man, while he was in bed at his home in Alexandra Hills, east of Brisbane, and set him on fire.
Just hours before a 31-year-old motorcyclist was thrown from his bike to a "nightmare" death in the Brisbane River, he shared his twin fears of drowning and falling from a great height, his sister says.

Dean Jagger was riding through the Brisbane CBD about 10.20pm on Saturday when he lost control on the ramp to the waterside Coronation Drive, crashing into the barrier and flying into the river.

Dean Jagger died when he was thrown from his motorbike into the Brisbane River.

His grief-stricken sister Tracy took to Facebook on Sunday to post a series of tributes to her brother and lash out at the pub where she said he had been drinking and lost about $2000 on poker machines before the crash.

He was telling Rolf last night how drowning would be the worst way to die, she wrote on Facebook.
Gatton schoolgirl Jayde Kendall was dead within two hours of being picked up by her killer Brenden Jacob Bennetts, a trial has heard.

Mr Bennetts has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but is on trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court for murder after the prosecution rejected his plea.

Jayde Kendall went missing after leaving her school in Gatton.

The jury has heard Jayde was last seen alive getting into Mr Bennett's distinctive red Toyota Corolla after school on Friday, August 14, 2015.

Jayde was meant to start her shift at McDonalds that evening but never showed up and was reported missing by her father that night.
Morgan Coleman was worried about his dog Milky after taking him to the vet.

"I was really disgruntled at the service I received and when I walked out I thought there has to be a better way to do this," the 27-year-old says. "I thought about the pain points I felt as a consumer and they were the lack of convenience and that it is stressful not just for the pet but also for the owners as well and also about the affordability."

Morgan Coleman with Milky who is the impetus behind Vets on Call. Credit:Justin McManus

Coleman saw a gap for Vets on Call which he describes as "Uber for vets" allowing pet owners to order veterinarian services through an app with vets coming to their home.

He wants to tap into the burgeoning demand for vets with Ibisworld valuing the veterinarian market at $3 billion.
An 11-year-old girl shot in the face at Deloraine in Tasmania's north has woken in hospital.

Phoenix Newitt was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne last week after a man allegedly fired a gun at her mother's car, hitting the young girl in the face as she sat in the back seat.

She was in a critical condition with bullet fragments lodged in her face, neck and heart.

Her mother Sarah Newitt said the grade five student woke from the coma about 6.45am Sunday, asking for her.
The Andrews government is trying to keep Victorians in the dark on doubts over the proposed West Gate Tunnel, relying in part on a precedent of confidentiality set by former premier Denis Napthine during his failed bid for the East West Link.

The premise is being used to deny the government's own hand-picked experts access to a review of traffic predictions for the $5.5 billion toll road.

An artist's impression of the West Gate Tunnel exit near Shepherd Bridge in Footscray.

The report by New Zealand transport expert John Allard is critical of traffic modelling done by project builder Transurban and the government.

That modelling helped Premier Daniel Andrews justify his support for the toll road, and to claim it would return $1.30 to the Victorian economy for every $1 spent building it.
That's all from me this morning. Unfortunately we've still got major delays on the Alamein, Belgrave, Lilydale and Glen Waverley loans. Hopefully you all got to work on time.

Thanks for joining me and I'll see you again tomorrow!
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.  Great Lakes water temperatures may have started their yearly decline ahead of schedule.

George Leshkevich, a research scientist at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, said each of the lakes is cooler than it was in late August last year.

"It seems like they're cooling. The cooling usually starts in September," he told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. "But, in just seeing the forecast for northern Michigan in the last week or so, night temperatures and frost risks will affect the water temperatures."

Lake Michigan seems to have been the least impacted, being only about 1 degree lower than last year, from 72 degrees to only about 71. Lake Superior was about 66 degrees last year in late August and about 63 degrees this year.

Normal air temperatures in late August usually land in the mid-70s  where temperatures are expected to linger for the foreseeable future, into Labor Day weekend, said Matt Gillen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Gaylord.

"In 2016, we were still in the low 80s, about 84 degrees which is about 5-7 degrees above normal for this time," Gillen said.

Leshkevich found it odd the lakes were already cooling, as in previous years the temperatures would remain fairly steady into mid-September.

"At this point though, it could still bounce back if we had some very hot, warm weather," he said. "But we would need at least a week or two of warm at this point to have an effect."

But Gillen said that's likely not going to happen.

"There's no signs of a substantial warm-up  that's for sure," he said.

The Great Lakes didn't freeze much at all in winter 2016-17, meaning the lakes had a jump-start on getting temperatures high and keeping them high, Leshkevich said.

"Winter wasn't that bad, there wasn't that much ice cover meaning heating season would last longer," he said. "In 2014 the opposite happened  we had a hard winter where the lakes froze and they weren't able to absorb as much energy because the ice was there longer."

Leshkevich said he wasn't sure what this will mean for the next season, other than it potentially shortening water recreation time on the Great Lakes, but circled back to air temperature as the likely culprit.

Nighttime air temperatures will "regulate" throughout the next week and return to the 50-degree range, about a 20-degree difference for some areas inland in northern Michigan that saw temperatures in the 30s, Gillen said.

The Labor Day weekend forecast, at this time, has similar temperatures in the mid-70s but a chance of rain for the last half of the holiday weekend.

"There's definitely some dry time mixed in for those still looking to get in for some outdoor activity," Gillen said.

The GLERL and NWS are both under the umbrella of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Daniel Andrews was utterly ferocious in opposition about the East West Link. His attacks on the secrecy surrounding what he called a "dog of a project" were central to his 2014 election win.

He was particularly critical of its traffic projections, once describing them in Parliament as having been "plucked out of thin air".

And so it comes as something of a surprise to see his government now using the East West Link as one justification for blocking the public release of a report critical of traffic modelling for Mr Andrews' own mega-road project, the West Gate Tunnel.

I covered the East West Link saga for The Age in some detail and had hundreds, perhaps thousands, of conversations with Labor MPs and advisors about the secrecy surrounding the plan.
An 11-year-old Western suburbs schoolgirl has notched a win for gender equality after a letter she wrote prompted the WA education department to allow girls to wear shorts instead of skirts to school.

Year 6 student Sofia Myhre told 9 News Perth that it was only fair that if her brothers could play sport in shorts, so should she.

A win for womens' rights: Krystina Myhre and her daughter Sofia, 11. Credit:9 News Perth

She wrote a letter to the education minister saying "I don't really like wearing skirts to school".

"It wasn't fair," she said.
Tokyo: Japan's "J Alert" system was activated in the early hours of last Tuesday, popping up messages on mobile phones across the country.

Takashi Fuyumuro, a 52-year-old Tokyo taxi driver, read the message still half-asleep. It said North Korea had fired a missile towards Japan, though not where it was actually headed.

"I was wondering which part of the country," he said.

He jumped out of bed and turned on his television to learn eventually that the missile had passed over the northern island of Hokkaido and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
Jakarta, Indonesia: Hundreds of protesters in Indonesia rallied for the third straight day on Monday as Muslim nations across Asia voiced growing concern over Myanmar's brutal military crackdown against its Rohingya Muslim minority.

Outside the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta, the demonstrators, mostly hijab-clad women, demanded that the Indonesian government pressure neighbouring Myanmar to stop the military operation that has sent tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees to camps in Bangladesh for the second time in a year.

"We are here because of solidarity of Muslims," said a demonstrator who gave her name as Mama Bahin.

The protests in the world's largest Muslim-majority country reflected deepening outrage across Asia over the treatment of the Rohingya, an ethnic minority of about 1.1 million people in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar. But there was no immediate sign that the protests would sway Myanmar, which has ignored criticism of its treatment of the Rohingya for years.
In a letter left on Inauguration Day for US President Donald Trump that was both congratulatory and cautionary, Barack Obama urged the incoming president to guard democratic institutions and traditions, and "sustain the international order".

"This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful," Mr Obama wrote in the letter, which CNN published on Sunday US time.

Barack Obama greets Donald Trump at the new President's inauguration. Credit:Bloomberg

"Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years."

CNN reported the letter was written in longhand on White House stationery and left in the top drawer of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The letter highlighted the concerns of a departing president who acknowledged the enormous responsibility of the job domestically and on the world stage.
Beijing: China's President Xi Jinping did not mention North Korea by name in the wake of the rogue regime's sixth nuclear test on the weekend, but the foreign ministry has launched "stern representations with the person in charge of the North Korean embassy in China".

China's full response to the nuclear test, which it "strongly opposed", will depend on the debate in the United Nations Security Council, the spokesman said.

Mr Xi said after meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Beijing that China was committed to the goal of North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons.

Some analysts have suggested Kim Jong-un's sixth nuclear test on Sunday, a powerful hydrogen bomb explosion, and the rapid progress of its missile technology, may force the global community to accept North Korea as a nuclear state but seek to rein in its dangerous behaviour through dialogue.
Washington: Americans and the world are still getting to know Donald Trump. But they've seen enough of the president to know he'll find it troubling that the optics of the North Korea nuclear crisis are not goodfor a self-declared "counterpuncher".

Trump likes to be seen walking the walk. But the reality here is that he's just talking the talk. There's a risk for all in how he might feel a sudden need to be seen to be walking, instead of just talking.

It's the unpredictable Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang who keeps doing stuff, and Trump and his administration, for now at least, just keep talking, confusing observers with conflicting messages and loose language.

Consider US Defence Secretary James Mattis' seeming big-stick response to North Korea's dramatic weekend weapon test: "any threat to the US or its territory, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response".
Houston: US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has challenged Congress to raise the government's debt limit in order to free up relief spending for Hurricane Harvey, a disaster that the governor of Texas said had caused up to $US180 billion in damage.

Harvey, which came ashore on August 25 as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years, has killed an estimated 50 people, displaced more than 1 million and damaged some 200,000 homes in a path of destruction stretching for more than 480 km.

As the city of Houston and the region's critical energy infrastructure began to recover nine days after the storm hit, the debate over how to pay for the disaster played out in Washington.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott estimated damage at $US150 billion to $US180 billion, calling it more costly than Hurricanes Katrina or Sandy, which devastated New Orleans in 2005 and New York in 2012.
The Trump administration has threatened a "massive military response" to any further threat following North Korea's nuclear test on the weekend, while China has "launched stern representations" at the North Korean embassy in Beijing.

The warnings came as South Korea detected that North Korea was preparing for another possible intercontinental ballistic missile launch, two days after its apparent underground detonation of a hydrogen bomb.

Chang Kyung-soo, acting chief of the South Korean Defence Ministry's policy planning office, said that North Korea was making preparations for a missile firing but didn't give a timeframe for a potential launch. South Korea's spy agency said there is a chance North Korea could fire another missile into the Pacific Ocean, Bloomberg reported.

South Korea has also responded sharply to the crisis, with its army and air force conducting a live-fire missile exercise simulating a long-range attack on the North's nuclear test site. Seoul has also rushed through approvals for four new missile launchers as part of its controversial missile defence shield.
South Korea's military says its air forces and the army have carried out a missile drill in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test, adding the drills targeted the area where the test had been carried out.

The military training involved long-range air-to-surface missiles and ballistic missiles, South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said in a statement.

Monday's drill was carried out by only the Korean military, but more are being prepared with the US forces in South Korea, the statement said.

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, which it said was an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile.
I'm confused. The president of the United States seemingly gives tacit approval to a demographic that preaches racial superiority. Doesn't logic suggest that supporting such groups will only get you so far? Politicians should actively support prison reform instead.

Reforms need be proactive, not reactive like the Lincoln Hills fiasco. Even if the prison population can't vote, millions of concerned friends and family members -- from many different demographics -- can vote.

Supporting prison reform can also help with social issues such as drug addiction. We need to build everyone up if the goal is to truly "make America great again."

Sean White, Jackson Correctional Institution, Black River Falls
SZV funds being drained; Bricks and Blocks will not improve the Quality of Care on St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In this article SMN News will go into details to highlight the current status on quality of Healthcare on St. Maarten and what the Minister of Public Health Emil Lee has done thus far to change the gloom and doom facing the people of St. Maarten.

NHI

Already the Dutch Government informed the government of St. Maarten that the National Health Insurance (NHI) which was placed on the back burner by several governments has to be implemented by December 31st, 2017 if not the country will have to face an instruction. The NHI which according to several stakeholders will not work for St. Maarten and definitely will cost the people of St. Maarten more money, said to be the only thing that will give almost everyone access to healthcare.

If and when implemented the Minister of Health Emil Lee intends for SZV to manage the NHI but that is like putting the blind to lead the blind since SZV is in total chaos and they have still not evolved from a creeping baby to a walking child, despite the millions spent on consultants over the past 5 years.

It has been proven in the past years that a health care financing system such as NHI, as perfect as it may look, is not sustainable in small scale economies and it becomes a burden for governments. It might work in countries with a strict tax system providing a steady income for government. Periodic premium increases and or economizing on the insured package will be unavoidable.

St. Maarten should start planning for alternatives financing systems and or for rigorous tax reform.



SZV and medical referrals.

Patients are given a hard time to get the medical referral they need while Louis Constant Hospital (LCF) claimed they were not paid for their services. Not to mention the CEO SZV Director Glen Carty knows nothing about medical referrals or Medicare and it is now rumored that the Minister of Health Emil Lee want to bring the retired director of AZV (Aruba) Anco Ringeling to take over from Glen Carty bear in mind this is a pensioner that is given another huge job while St. Maarten professionals sit on the sidelines. It is understood that the Council of Ministers already gave a negative on the hiring of Ringeling but the Minister of Health is hell bent on getting him to work at SZV even if as another well-paid consultant.

It is a known fact that SZV is spending millions on medical referrals, it also known that the medical insurance company is spending about $36M annually on referrals alone simply because many patients leave St. Maarten for medical investigations and treatment overseas and their stay frequently exceeds a month unnecessarily. During this period overseas, patients stay in hotels and they are collecting a daily allowance. Based on in debt research it shows that some patients go overseas at least three times per year just to hear the same thing over and over and absolutely no new insights result from these visits that improve the patients health.

What should be noted is that even though SZV has doctors working in house and they could request re-evaluation on patients that are leaving too often for medical care, SZV chose to approve the referrals instead of questioning some of the unnecessary referrals. This is mainly due to the lack of the necessary competencies and procedures in the medical department of SZV and political interference.

SMN News learned that several civil servants have been traveling to the Dominican Republic on SZV accounts and instead of seeking medical treatment they are busy building homes or involved in other activities in that country.

A particular employee of SZV has chosen to use her medical condition to travel to Curacao every school vacation and no questions are being asked. SZV even paid for this employee to stay at the Renaissance Hotel in Curacao during the mid-term break in October 2016 citing that the employee was there on a medical referral. Again in July this year when school vacation started the same employee managed to obtain a medical referral letter from a doctor on St. Maarten to travel for medical care. While SZV and its management are fully aware of the abuse of the medical referral process by this employee they have done absolutely nothing to put an end to the abuse. The said employee who has been abusing her benefits at the Social Insurance Bank chose to apply for the COO position, hopefully, management will ensure a healthy qualified candidate is placed in that position and not someone that has a health condition and is known for abusing SZV medical referral process.

As it stands now SZV has spent almost $30M on consultants that had to provide advices for the New General Hospital (NGH) and work on SZV 3.0. Besides that, a whopping $1M was paid as settlement to VAMED, yet there is still no NGH in sight.

It is clear that management of SZV has drained the ZV funds and has been dipping their hands in the other funds, mainly the AOV and AVBZ fund, from which money is transferred to the ZV funds to compensate for the high overhead caused by the New General Hospital Project and medical referrals abroad. The Minister and the CEO of SZV are trying to legalize this practice with the introduction of a swing fund for which there is no legal basis.

SZV has illegally spent money from the AOV fund on projects. This illegal activity was raised by the former Chairman of SZV Supervisory Board Dr. Michel Petit with Minister Lee. However no actions were taken.

Based on information SMN News received it shows that slowly but surely SZV will end up bankrupt if they continue spending at the same rate under the guidance of Minister of VSA Emil Lee and CEO Glen Carty.

Mr. Carty has been at the helm of SZV for the past three years, while also working full time at UTS. Besides the fact that he was supposed to be there no longer than a year at SZV, one may wonder how it is possible to manage two companies effectively at the same time and being paid full time at both. Due to the fact that he has no knowledge of health care and social insurances and the weak organization SZV is, this has resulted in millions being spent on consultants instead of hiring competent staff.



Agreement between Observatoire de la Sante and SZV

It should be noted that the French authorities are busy conducting an investigation into the alleged illegal activities conducted by Observatoire de la Sante (OBS) St. Martin that signed an agreement with SZV to handle medical referrals and payment to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital (LCF). Based on documentations SMN News received it showed that SZV has been paying OBS for the past 10 months through an offshore account to evade taxes while the LCF didnt receive any payment leading to the refusal of SZV patients.

Besides that OBS is an association that was created to foster better cooperation in public health and health care and conducts public health research between the French side and all other overseas countries and islands including Dutch St. Maarten.

Board members of the OBS include the Acting Secretary General and head of the Department of Public Health VSA Fenna Arnell and the Minister of VSA from Dutch St. Maarten, the Medical Director of LCF Louis Jeffry, the Director of OBS Arnauld BENET, Yawo Nyuiadzi, Fleur Hermanides and Monique Rakotomalala. OBS doesnt have any permit from the French authorities nor the authority to act as a Medicare broker. The fact that SZV signed an agreement with OBS paying OBS an annual service fee of circa $250K on top of the costs, clearly illustrates a lack of due diligence being conducted by SZV, the incompetence in medical referrals and the misappropriation of funds.

The French authorities are continuing their investigation and looking at possible financial fraud.



Tripartite

The tripartite, a platform consisting of the Ministry VSA, SZV, and the SMMC was initialized in March 26th, 2015 with the goal to develop a business case for the NGH. It soon became clear that SZV hijacked the tripartite and the Ministry who should be in the leading role became a follower. All activities related to this platform have been financed by SZV. KPMG became the biggest earner. The result so far of this derailed platform, a bidding procedure that ended in court and with a settlement with VAMED. The judge basically condemned the bidding procedure and indirectly concluded that the CEO of SZV and the Minister VSA have committed fraud. The business case is unacceptable for the CFT because it only discusses financial aspects and lacks the part how the quality and continuity of care will be guaranteed in the NGH. The financial analysis is based on assumptions without local data (financial and health) being available.

It is time the Tripartite is dissolved and the Ministry is reinforced and assumes its responsibility as a regulator, instead of tagging along with parties (SZV and SMMC).



Improving Healthcare at SMMC.

While its been a year Minister of Health Emil Lee is championing the construction of the New General Hospital and the Minister is trying effortlessly to secure funding from the Dutch Government or SZV and APS, it is clear that Minister Lee has not placed any focus on finding ways to improve healthcare on St. Maarten which would limit medical referrals abroad.

A larger hospital building with state of the art equipment will certainly not limit medical referrals if St. Maarten and SMMC does not place focus on finding fully qualified specialists that are willing to work at the medical institution while providing quality medical services to the people of St. Maarten.

One of the things the Minister has to focus on is to increase the fees for SMMC, the same money that is spent by SZV to send patients for 3 or more weeks overseas, can be used to increase SMMC fees in order for SMMC to attract and keep the much-needed specialists locally. The Minister of Health should make it a priority to have the necessary laws and policies in place that would allow the much-needed increase. Being part of the Netherlands Antilles is no longer an excuse since St. Maarten obtained its country status some seven years ago.

The Minister announced at several press briefings that he was working on legislation such as the BIG and he also paid some Euros 14,000.00 to Everard Van Kemenade to conduct a baseline study of the health care chain in order to improve the status of St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and Public Health. Thus far the Minister has not presented any law to the Council of Ministers or Parliament for approval. Suddenly the Minister has lost his hype on improving healthcare and these laws seemingly do not matter. Van Kemenade submitted three reports to Minister Emil Lee, after meeting with SMMC, Public Health, and the Inspectorate. While Minister Lee boasts of integrity and transparency he has refused to make the full contents of these reports available to SMN News and the general public. Besides hiding the reports which clearly outline the current situation at the entities especially at SMMC and where suggestions were made for improvements. Even though Euros 14,000.00 were spent on these reports the Minister has done absolutely nothing to put in place the necessary legislation which will ensure that due diligence is done when granting MBs to doctors that want to work on St. Maarten. If the Minister had quality health care in mind he would have ensured that management of SMMC gets their acts together when recruiting specialists to work at the islands only medical institution.

The slogan of the SMMC We Care doesnt seem to be applicable when it comes to making necessary improvements in quality and safety of care due to a lack of visionary leadership, poor communication and a weak board of directors and supervisory board.

This situation has amongst others resulted in at least 7 specialists abandoning the SMMC in the past 10 months and more to follow, while the SMMC has lots of difficulties recruiting new competent specialists.

It has been decided that this same organization and management will be in charge of the NGH.



Ministry VSA

Besides, that the Minister would have ensured that the Department of Public Health is up to speed with knowledgeable personnel that would conduct the necessary background checks on doctors who apply to work on St. Maarten.

Public Health over the years has not been working close enough with the Inspectorate of Education who are requested to vet diplomas submitted by candidate doctors. Another loop hole in the system which must be fixed is at the Inspectorate of Education which is tasked with checking to see if the diplomas submitted by candidate doctors are authentic. However, the Inspectorate of Education does not have the required knowledge and tools in place to see if specialists who applied to work on St. Maarten meet the requirements as laid down by Dutch laws. However, this task is left up to Public Health who often does not do due diligence when vetting specialists. Public Health went as far as advising to issue MBs to none Dutch or English speaking specialists to work at SMMC, certainly, this created confusion among the staff at SMMC. They have failed to ensure that specialists who want to work on St. Maarten has the required education and practical skills as stipulated by Dutch laws.

SMN News asked Minister Lee what he did to improve the quality of healthcare on St. Maarten and which legislation he implemented during his time in office to ensure that SMMC attracts the right types of specialists. Minister Lee simply said he is doing everything possible only focusing on the NHI and the NGH and not the legislation and suggestions made in the Van Kemenade reports.

What is evident so far is that the Minister of Public Health is refusing to follow the advices given to him by longtime healthcare professionals, the situation became so frustrating that at least two of those healthcare professionals that held key positions chose to leave St. Maarten because the Minister of Health simply refuses to follow the principle of the law. One being the former Chairman of SZV Supervisory Board Dr. Michel Petit who openly spoke out against the ills of the Minister of Health. It has also been learned that the Chairman of the Council of Health Dr. Theo Jolles who worked on St. Maarten for 35-years has chosen to step down and leave St. Maarten. It appears that the Minister of Health has chosen to go against most of the pieces of advices the Council of Health provided to him especially when it comes to allowing specialists that were recruited by SMMC to work on St. Maarten.

The Minister doesnt even support his own Inspectorate in trying to get the SMMC to provide quality and safe care. The SMMC is publicly strongly supported by the Minister which has led to an attitude of the SMMC against the Inspectorate resulting in many court cases which SMMC ultimately lost. The Minister went as far as to issue an MB against the Inspectorate basically paralyzing the Inspectorate in the execution of its legal tasks. A few days after issuing the MB the Minister had to withdraw the MB after being taken to court by the Inspectorate.

Under Minister Lee, the Ministry VSA has become more and more like a ship adrift not being given the attention it requires. Poor communication, many vacancies left unfilled, lack of necessary tools and deficient infrastructure have led to overloaded, demotivated staff and departments not being able to execute their tasks properly. The Minister has focused only on his NGH and NHI.

Mental Health and MHF

With the support of the Pan American Health Organization, a mental health survey was conducted on Sint Maarten resulting in the WHO-AIMS report in 2013. On September 30th 2013 a three day addiction and psychiatry conference Transforming Care was held at the Westin to initialize the follow up on the WHO AIMS report and the objective to draft a National plan on Mental Health for Sint Maarten. This National plan was finalized in August 2014.

At present we can conclude that not much progress has been made with the execution of the National plan. The revision of national mental health legislation in accordance with international human rights and expansion with much more community-based outreach, both priority strategic areas have not happened.

The Mental Health Foundation is for quite some time without a director in a crisis and being run by a management team, leading to much dissatisfaction and frustration amongst staff. The chairman of the board of MHF has been appointed a medical director at the SMMC but kept his position as chairman at MHF, leading to a dysfunctioning board.



Collective Prevention Services (CPS)

This department of the ministry is responsible for public health education, public health surveillance, vector (rodents, insects) control and youth health care. The lack of an epidemiologist for some years now and the recent departure of both the youth health care specialist and the head of the department have caused a tremendous gap and public health tasks not being executed optimally.

Home care, Nursing care, Rehabilitation care

These forms of care are provided by the White Yellow Cross Foundation and are for a great deal up to par. This institution is managed professionally by a director, management team and supervisory board. Expansion with a small new division providing terminal (hospice) care will be realized early 2018. Quality of care is a continuous focus.



GP care.

GPs are supposed to be the gate keepers of the health care system. This means that they have to be competent, skilled and possess good social skills. Nowadays this is a specialty of 3 years.

GP care is mainly provided by the doctors office in Sint Maarten. House visits are more an exception than rule. Theres is no availability outside office hours. Communication with specialists is poor. Feedback from specialists visited by patients is not structured.

Many GPs are 55+ years old. This might cause shortage problems in the near future.

It has become clear that this Minister nor his cabinet have the required knowledge and experience to run the Ministry nor guide our health care system in the right direction. The focus remains very limited while the Ministry is falling apart.

Meanwhile, SZV remains a very weak organization allegedly involved in illegal activities and the SMMC is not able to provide quality care in basic areas and faces many problems but aims to get JCI accredited.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The government of the Netherlands has issued a Hurricane Watch for the islands of Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten/ St. Martin. Other islands such Antigua, Guadeloupe, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis are all under hurricane watch as of 5 PM Sunday. The information was released by the National Hurricane Center (NOAA). At 5 PM Sunday Hurricane Irma was located at 17.6N 46.8W about 790 miles (1275) KM east of the Leeward Islands. Maximum sustained winds 115 MPH...185 KM/H with movement W or 260 degrees at 14MPH (22KM/H).

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:-

Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis

Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten

Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy

Interests in the remainder of the Leeward Islands, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of Irma. Additional Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches may be

required for portions of this area on Monday. At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 17.6 North, longitude 49.8 West. Irma is moving toward

the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A westward to west-southwestward motion with some reduction in forwarding speed is expected through Monday night. On the forecast track, the center of Irma is

forecast to approach the northern Leeward Islands late Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Irma is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some strengthening is forecast during the

next 48 hours. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN...

DATE ISSUED: Sunday, September 3, 2017 TIME ISSUED: 8:15 PM

...IRMA EXPECTED TO BE NEAR THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS BY

LATE TUESDAY...

Location: Lat. 17.4N ....Lon. 50.3W

About: 843 miles ESE of St. Maarten

Maximum sustained winds: 115 mph ....185 KM/H

Present Movement: W...260 degrees at 14 mph...22 KM/H

Minimum Central Pressure: 959 mb....28.32 inches

DISCUSSION AND 24-HOUR OUTLOOK

AT 8:00 PM...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRMA WAS LOCATED NEAR

LATITUDE 17.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE 50.3 WEST OR ABOUT 843 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF ST.

MAARTEN.

IRMA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 14 MPH (22 KM/H). A WESTWARD TO WESTSOUTHWESTWARD

MOTION WITH SOME REDUCTION IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 115 MPH...185 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

SOME STRENGTHENING IS ANTICIPATED DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 35 MILES (55KM) FROM THE CENTER AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND UP TO 140 MILES (220KM) FROM THE CENTER.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 959 MB...28.32 INCHES.

ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF IRMA IS FORECAST TO APPROACH THE LEEWARD ISLANDS LATE TUESDAY NIGHT. HOWEVER TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS IN ST. MAARTEN MAY BE FELT BY LATE TUESDAY.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AND SEA

WIND:

Hurricane conditions are possible in St. Maarten by late Tuesday night however Tropical storm force winds are expected by late Tuesday.

ALL CITIZENS/ RESIDENTS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT AND MAKE PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY AND BE READY TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION WHEN CALLED UPON.

THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR HURRICANE IRMA AND ISSUE SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETINS.

The next update will be issued tomorrow at 5:30 am (09:30 UTC).

Monday, September 4th, 2017

At 11:00 AM LST, the center of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 53.3 West or about 650 miles east southeast of St. Maarten. Irma is moving toward west southwest at 14 mph (22 km/h) but a turn toward the west is expected later today followed by a west northwestward turn late Tuesday. On the forecast track the center of Irma will move near St. Maarten Tuesday night into Early Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is anticipated through Tuesday night.

The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) will continue to monitor the progress of Irma. Members of the public are advised to monitor the updates on this system and make all necessary preparations for its passage.

OUTLOOK through Wednesday midday: Generally cloudy, breezy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Notebook: Notre Dame keeps blocking punts, WR Braden Lenzy hauls in amazing TD catch

Jack Kiser became the sixth different player with a blocked punt this year for Notre Dame.
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Algiers, September 4, 2017 (SPS) - President of the Algerian Red Crescent (CRA) Saida Benhabiles has denounced on Sunday the global decision of reducing the humanitarian aids to the Sahrawi people, calling on the UN and the international humanitarian organizations to put pressure on donors so to cancel such an "irresponsible" decision.

Speaking during a news conference she jointly hosted with Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar in Algiers, Benhabiles called on the UN and the international humanitarian organizations to cancel the global decision of reducing aids to Western Sahara people, under the pretext of the "financial crisis."

She affirmed that the situation in the Sahrawi occupied territories "is extremely worrying."

Benhabiles called for "the application of the international humanitarian law to safe the Sahrawis from genocide, through an economic decision with political ends," adding that "this irresponsible decision is contrary to the most elementary human rights."

Aminatou Haider has for her part denounced the "international complicity  which allowed the Moroccan occupying forces to exploit Western Saharas resources," recalling Frances attempts to pressure the European Union to cut humanitarian aids to the Sahrawi refugees in Tindouf camps.

Haidar warned against the consequences of this decision which may incite the Sahrawi youth to immigrate. (SPS)

062/090/APS
MEXICO CITY - In four days of North American free-trade talks opening here Friday, many numbers will be bandied about. To the dismay of Mexicans, one of them, $63 billion, stands above all the rest.

This is the size of the trade deficit in goods and services that the United States maintained with Mexico last year, and it's the number that President Trump repeatedly brandishes when he declares NAFTA "the worst trade deal in history" and threatens to abandon the treaty.

But for Mexicans close to these negotiations, and for many American trade experts, it is simply the wrong number to worry about.

"We know that's not the right index," said Moises Kalach, one of the leaders of a private-sector group that advises the Mexican government on the talks. "This is Econ 1 and we know that you cannot measure a trade agreement based on the deficit."

The deficit is just one of the areas of disagreement expected to arise in the second round of NAFTA renegotiation talks, being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the swanky Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City. Technical teams from the United States, Mexico and Canada are working through issues including how to resolve trade disputes, whether to raise labor standards, what percentage of parts must be made in North America for a product to qualify for free-trade status, and how to modernize the 23-year-old agreement for the era of e-commerce.

All that comes against the increasingly tense backdrop created by Trump's repeated warnings in recent days that he is leaning toward canceling NAFTA to negotiate a better deal for the United States. In response to those warnings, the Mexican government said this week that it would walk away from the table if Trump starts the process to scrap NAFTA.

"We don't think it would be the right path or a viable path to terminate the agreement just when we're in negotiations," Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told reporters on Wednesday.

The focus on the trade deficit in goods and services - the amount by which a country buys more than it sells - frustrates Mexico for many reasons. For one, the $63 billion U.S. deficit with Mexico is smaller than the American deficit with other countries, including China ($309 billion) and Germany ($67 billion), according to statistics issued by the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

But economists say the larger issue is that the trade deficit in goods and services is just one measure of the health of an economic relationship between two nations. The figure does not reflect other factors such as the flow of capital investment between countries or the fact that the lower cost of inputs from Mexico helps U.S. firms stay competitive and benefits American consumers with cheaper products.

"I have to be very clear," said Jaime Zabludovsky, who helped negotiate the original NAFTA agreement in the early 1990s, and who is also part of the Mexican business advisory group. "The trade deficit is a macroeconomic issue. It has nothing to do with trade policy."

Focusing on the deficit, he added, "is a huge mistake."

Many Americans, including Republicans, have made similar points in recent weeks. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., wrote in a recent op-ed in The Washington Post that trade deficits "are not always bad for U.S. workers and consumers, nor should they remain the focus in NAFTA renegotiations." He said that if trade made Mexicans wealthier, they would probably buy more from the United States. "That is why one of the best things that can happen to our economy is for other nations' economies to grow," he wrote.

Michael Camunez, a former U.S. assistant secretary of commerce in the Obama administration, said that there has been "so much emphasis and hype" around the deficit, but that this number is "not necessarily the best measure of the success or productivity of that relationship." He noted that some 40 percent of the content of a typical Mexican product comes from the United States - such as American-made parts that go into a car assembled in Mexico.

"You have to look at the relationship comprehensively," said Camunez, who is now chief executive of Monarch Global Strategies, a firm that advises U.S. companies interested in doing business in Mexico.

While a deficit is not necessarily a problem, though, some argue it can impact the type and number of jobs available, particularly in regions dependent on manufacturing.

Given the Trump administration's focus on this issue, Mexican officials say they are willing to discuss it, as long as the solution does not harm Mexico's economy. The private sector group that Kalach runs has produced detailed charts showing which sectors in the economy contribute to the trade deficit - the auto industry, which has been a bright spot for Mexico's economy, makes up the biggest portion - so they can react to various deficit-reduction proposals.

"If our commercial partners just want to insist on it," Kalach said, "we're going to try to make the best out of our arguments."

Mexicans are looking for ways to increase overall trade in North America to possibly reduce the U.S. deficit. Mexico's oil industry, which was opened to foreign investment in recent years, could play a role in decreasing the deficit in the future, some experts say. Mexico could buy more natural gas from the United States, as its demand grows and domestic production declines, and foreign companies drilling for oil may need imported products.

"The U.S. has a very large surplus in the energy trade with Mexico, which is an astonishing about-turn from where we were even five years ago," said Duncan Wood, director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank.

But few expect these talks to be easy. Faced with Trump's recent threats, more Mexican politicians, including leftist presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who is leading in polls in advance of next year's vote, have called on Mexico to walk away from the talks.

Dolores Padierna, a senator from the leftist PRD party who serves on a congressional committee that tracks the NAFTA talks, said: "My respectful recommendation to the Mexican government has been to leave NAFTA, to not wait for Donald Trump to throw us out, to leave in a way that is planned and gradual."

She added that Mexico shouldn't abandon free trade. "We are part of globalization, but these markets can continue exporting to other countries."

Mexican business leaders remain hopeful that the Trump administration will come to recognize the benefits of free trade for all three countries.

"I'm convinced that our officials who are in charge of this are going to exhaust every possible argument," said Gustavo de Hoyos Walther, the president of the Confederation of Mexican Employers (COPARMEX). But the threats by Trump "are hostile, and they are real."

- - -

The Washington Post's Gabriela Martinez contributed to this report.
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ST. LOUIS  Two men were charged Friday after one of them was shot by a St. Louis officer Thursday afternoon in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood following an arrest attempt.

Wendell T. Davis, 26, of the 5000 block of Idaho Avenue in St. Louis, was charged with gun theft, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a gun, resisting arrest and motor vehicle tampering. Charges say Davis was shot once about 4:30 p.m. in the 3800 block of Maffitt Avenue after police say he grabbed a 9 mm pistol from the ankle area of his pants leg and pointed it at an officer.

Another man, Joshua Polk, 29, of the 6500 block of Page Avenue in Pagedale, was charged with vehicle tampering and resisting arrest. Police say Polk was driving a stolen 2017 Ford Explorer and sped away when they tried to stop the SUV.

Polk and Davis jumped out of the SUV in the 3800 block of Maffitt . An officer ran after Polk and arrested him. A different officer chased Davis, yelling for him to stop and that he was under arrest, charges say. After the officer drew his gun and ordered Davis to get down, Davis retrieved a handgun and raised it toward the officer, identified in court documents only by initials, A.F.

Davis had turned away from A.F. so that he was facing away from him but pointing the gun back at A.F., a probable cause statement says.

Police recovered Davis gun, which was stolen from a mans car Dec. 2, charges say. The Ford Explorer had been stolen from a medical center parking lot on Aug. 11.

No officers were shot, but an officer assisting in the arrests injured his knee and was taken to a hospital.

The officer who shot the man is 39 years old and a 10-year veteran of the department, police said. He was placed on administrative leave, per policy, the department said.

Davis criminal history includes convictions in 2008 of kidnapping, robbery, burglary and armed criminal action. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for those crimes and released in December.

Davis bail was set at $50,000 cash. He remained hospitalized Friday; his condition was not available. Police on Thursday described his condition as guarded but stable.

Polks bail was set at $25,000 cash. His criminal history includes convictions for unlawful use of a weapon, domestic assault and arson.
. To do so, first type the original number into the text box. Then click on the "Scientific Notation" option located at the top of the floating window. Finally, click on the "Standard" button found beneath the text box to display your result. This program is useful for scientists and engineers working with decimal-based numbers. It provides easy access to those who need to convert those numbers into more compact forms without having to do heavy math calculations first.

Scientific notation is a way to express very large or very small numbers. It is used in physics, chemistry and other fields where large numbers are common. Those numbers are written as a power of 10 followed by a number with an exponent. For example, 1,000,000 (one million) is written as 1  103. The exponent shows how many zeros are after the first digit. For example, 1,000,001 is written as 1  102. Scientific notation is a useful tool for making calculations easier. You can use it to write down very big or very small numbers in one step instead of writing out both the large and small numbers separately. You can also use it to express large or small numbers in terms of other units like centimeters or millimeters.

Scientific notation solver is an online tool that can be used to convert any number into scientific notation. Simply enter any number to the left of the decimal point and it will automatically convert it into a scientific notation equivalent. This web tool can be very helpful when you need to convert a large number into scientific notation. However, please note that this online tool can only convert numbers that are in scientific format. For example, it cannot convert a non-scientific number like "1,085" into a scientific notation equivalent. It is also important to keep in mind that this web tool only works when converting numbers from one particular format to another. For example, if you want to change a non-scientific number like "1,085" into standard format, then you will have to use another online tool like NumberFormatting.com.
Special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible collusion between the Donald Trump presidential campaign and agents of the Russian government has been remarkably discreet, as it should be. But other sources have leaked three names  Michael D. Cohen, Felix Sater and Eric Schneiderman  that indicate that Muellers team is probing very deeply. If theres a smoking gun to be found, Mueller is getting closer to it.

Cohen is Trumps longtime lawyer and executive vice president of the Trump Organization. Sater is a childhood friend of Cohen, a former business associate of Trump, and a onetime government informant with ties to all manner of unsavory people, including Russian oligarchs. Schneiderman, at the opposite end of the probity scale, is New York states attorney general.

Cohen and Sater are making big blips on Muellers radar screen, as well as those of congressional committees looking into possible election collusion. Last week, The New York Times reported that Cohen had written an eight-page letter to the House Intelligence Committee vehemently denying allegations that he was a central figure in contacts between the Trump campaign and agents of the Russian government.

The allegations were made in a controversial dossier compiled by former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele. That dossier identified Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the man in charge of a Kremlin operation to damage Hillary Clintons candidacy and promote Trumps.

In January 2016, six months after Trump announced his candidacy, Cohen emailed Peskov asking for his help getting Russian government approvals for a proposed Trump Tower in Moscow. Peskov never replied. Trump had been fully briefed on the Moscow project, but by January 2016 claimed to have no business dealings with Russia.

Sater is the one who encouraged Cohen to contact Peskov. Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it, Sater wrote in an email to Cohen. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this, I will manage this process.

Sater does have connections in Russia but also has been linked to the Russian mafia, the U.S. mafia, money laundering and al-Qaida. He has served as an informant to the U.S. Justice Department. He also has connections with the Russian oligarchs who helped finance the Trump Soho hotel. Former associates say he met frequently with Donald Trump and traveled with his children.

Schneiderman is reported to be partnering with Muellers investigation into contacts that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had with entities tied to Putin. If Trump were to pardon Manafort of federal crimes, Manafort might still face state charges  unless he cuts a deal.

The deeper Mueller digs, the more alarming the possibilities become. Even Americans who dont care for this president should be worried about the presidency.
LaunchCode, a St. Louis-based tech firm, is getting well-deserved attention for its focus on training women computer coders as part of the workforce of the future. The company recently received a $100,000 donation to grow its three-year-old CoderGirl program, aimed squarely at arming women with the skills needed to launch careers in technology.

Studies indicate that women are generally better computer coders than men and that there are neither biological nor temperament reasons affecting their entry into the computer science field in greater numbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 73 percent of workers in the field are men.

The burgeoning tech industry is ripe for women. Social scientists say the gender difference in average mathematical ability that once favored males has disappeared in the United States. Though women tend not to do as well as men on tests of spatial abilities, that is not a significant factor in many tech jobs.

Women may be discouraged from entering the field because its not people-oriented, and women tend to be more attracted than men to jobs that offer contact with people. But another, darker reason that works against women seeking and keeping tech jobs is the high rate of gender bias, sexual harassment and overt sexism that has been documented in the industry.

By expanding training for women code writers through apprenticeships, LaunchCode will be providing women with the skills they need to compete on an even footing in a male-dominated industry. Boosting the presence of women in the tech workplace helps serve notice that gender imbalances and biases cannot be allowed to persist.

The image of Silicon Valley as a boys-only club that doesnt allow women to participate fully has spread through the industry. The representation of women in tech jobs has fallen the past 15 years, while women have made great strides in other fields, such as medicine and law. Women are not only hired into tech jobs at lower rates than men, they also leave them at twice the rate.

In the largest examination of the influence of gender in the industry to date, researchers analyzed data from a San Francisco-based open source software community with 12 million users. The analysis allowed them to determine whether bias was a factor in coding.

The study found that womens coding suggestions were accepted only 62.5 percent of the time when their gender was identified to new users of the companys software, and 71.8 percent when their gender was kept secret.

Future manufacturing jobs will depend on increasing automation and require skills such as programming, operating computer-controlled tools and maintaining and repairing sophisticated machinery.

There will be fewer and fewer boy jobs and girl jobs in the future, so the value of preparing women to compete in this realm is critical to this nations ability to compete.
Attendance by Lankan MPs View(s):

The infographic below compiled and analysed by manthri.lk shows the attendance of MPs in the Sri Lanka Parliament for the May-July 2017 quarter.

This publicly-available data follows a unanimous decision by MPs for parliament to release the attendance records from May 2017. The total number of sessions during this 3-month period was 21. The infographic shows 18 MPs (numbers 1 to 18) attended less than 25 per cent of the sessions; 43 MPs attended 25 to 50 per cent of the sessions; 74 MPs attended 51-76 per cent of the sessions and 90 MPs attended 76 to 100 per cent.

The last category (90 MPs) includes 18 MPs (numbers 18 to 32) who had 100 per cent attendance with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in this category.
New Presidential Commission to probe old financial scams By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

A Presidential Commission of Inquiry with wider powers is to be appointed soon to inquire into irregular acts pertaining to Treasury bonds and other financial fraud in the pre-2015 era. This will be at the conclusion of an ongoing probe by a commission of inquiry into bond scams in 2015 and 2016 implicating both former Central Bank (CB) Governor Arjuna Mahendran and his son-in-law Arjun Aloysius, sources at the Presidents Office said.

The new probe which would have more powers than the current bond commission would cover the period of the Rajapaksa regime and various deals by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in investing in some loss-making companies in the Colombo stock market including The Finance Co which figured in a 2012 corrupt deal involving the National Savings Bank, among other matters.

While EPF investments in the stock market are not unusual and permitted as long as they are prudent investments and benefit stakeholders  private sector employees, eyebrows were raised by the fund investing in some low-rated firms with the controversial Arjun Aloysius and his company, Perpetual Treasuries figuring in those deals.

A senior official of the Presidents office disclosed to the Business Times that preliminary arrangements are now underway to appoint this new commission to bring the perpetrators before the rule of law.

Many financial irregularities came to light in the countrys foreign reserve investments to purchase Greek Bonds valued at Euro 33 million in 2011 at a price of Euro 22.16 million.

He said according to provisional estimates, the country had lost over Rs. 2.1 billion from the deal. However former CB Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal strenuously denied the allegations claiming that the CBs decision to invest in Greek bonds was one of its reserve management strategies in 2011, and was successful.

According to Mr. Cabraal, it had yielded the highest-ever return of US$430 million on the reserves and he also stated that FR petition 457/2012 alleging that the Monetary Board and the CB were responsible for causing a huge loss by investing in Greek bonds, filed by a Minister of the present government was rejected by the Supreme Court. Corrupt practices in bond transactions carried out by the CB in the pre-2015 era under direct placement method have now come to light, and the new presidential commission will investigate it and CB officials responsible for such deals at that time will be called before the commission during its deliberations, he added.

Mr. Cabraal recently issued a statement saying he was willing to come before the ongoing bond commission to provide the exact estimated loss from the disputed bond transaction in 2015 and 2016. However the Commission had responded saying there was no reason to call him.

The senior official of the Presidents office noted that alleged financial misappropriation in investing EPF money used to buy shares of a leading non government finance institution in the Malaysian EPFs Khazanah National Berhard during the previous regime will also be probed by the new commission.

Furthermore allegations such as the Hyatt Hotel deal involving the EPF and Insurance Corporation, sale of around 40 tons of Sri Lankas gold reserves to Japans Suisse Securities, causing losses by investing CEBs EPF money in bonds through a private company, payment of money by the CB for various matters not relating to the banks functions will also be investigated, the senior official said.

The commission will also inquire into artificial increase of financial, gas and hotel company shares and buying those shares at high prices using the EPF money (pump and dump).

Several businessmen who became billionaires during the Rajapaksa regime who misappropriated state finances will also be brought before the commission, he revealed.
Rs.1 bln facelift for Palaly airport View(s):

Sri Lankan authorities are currently looking at the possibility of developing the Palaly airport with state assistance amounting to about Rs.1 billion.

The airport had been under the scanner by the Indian government which had expressed interest in developing, viewing it as a regional airport as well.

Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) H.M.C. Nimalsiri told the Business Times that the local authorities were to go ahead with the development of the Palaly airport as a civilian airport depending on the availability of funds.

He said they would request for an allocation of Rs.1 billion in the 2018 budget due in November.

The CAA had written to the Indian officials to obtain their response on the development of the said airport but had not yet received any communique in this regard.

Discussions between the Indians and the Aviation Ministry were held last year regarding the development of the Northern airstrip which is currently run by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

India has been interested in operating direct flight services between Jaffna and some southern Indian states like Madurai or Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu or Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala even with the present facilities available at this facility.

This project came in for criticism from some of the Tamil leaders like Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran who raised his objections with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to India funding the development of this airport.

Under the renovation plan, the airfield will be converted from the existing 1000 metre runway to a 1200 metre runway.

At present there is one terminal that has a capacity of about 200 people which is expected to be assessed for development, Mr. Nimalsiri explained.

Currently the SLAF operates Hercules C130 and Antonov An32 transport aircraft and Helitours run Chinese Xian MA60 type aircraft, SLAF spokesman Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne stated. (SD)
The Bars abandonment of commonsense and reason View(s):

In taking umbrage at Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayakes politico-talk on corruption of lawyers and judges and thereby allowing this to become a bone of contention so to speak, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka clearly lacks both commonsense and reason to the point of absurdity.

If the Bar proceeds to take legal action against him for contempt, no doubt this will delightfully spiral out of control. The Deputy Minister will use his privileges on the floor of the House to defend himself with vim and vigor. The resulting uproar will convert a sober discussion on the law of contempt into an explosion of sound and fury signifying precisely nothing.

Gone are the legal giants of yore

It is a pity that the Bar seems quite unable to perform its functions with a modicum of native intelligence. For the past several years, the interventions of this once premier body has swayed much like a demented yo-yo from side to another under the leadership of one President or the other, tilting too much to one extreme at each point whilst abandoning positions of moderation and principle. Gone are the legal giants of yore at whose sternly authoritative voices, the political leadership of the day once virtually trembled. Despite personal political predilections, these counsel of stature had the capacity to take public positions untroubled by primitive bias.

Now we have a far more pedestrian reality. Politicians proliferate even at professional social events to celebrate the conferral of silks. This may be understandable given that this is seen by the public more as a political favour than as an earned tribute. And in a palpable if not very public irony as we saw recently, these very silks allow themselves to be conducted with pomp and circumstance by the now departed Minister of Justice to the Presidential Secretariat, to be lectured to on the virtues of fair and impartial practice of the law. That would be vastly amusing if it did not so thoroughly reflect on the comprehensive degeneration of professional values.

However, I do not selectively single the sitting President of the Bar alone for censure. The responsibility of the immediate past President and numerous cheer groups in inciting (this word is used with great deliberation) President Maithripala Sirisena to dismiss a sitting Chief Justice by executive fiat in 2015, scarcely before the dew had dried on the January electoral verdict, was wholly unwise. It cast a dark shadow and caused many of us to shy away in alarm.

Is contempt attracted by partisan political opinions?

Even now, this promises nightmarish consequences with the potential to haunt the country at any given point if and when political fortunes of those in seats of power change. Similarly, the pressing for a particular provincial lawyer to be appointed a judge of the High Court was deplorable at the time. To wit, the protestations of those at the helm (now and then) that they act entirely uninfluenced by political considerations are fit only for the credulous.

Neither does this critique mean that personal calumny leveled at judges in web based media is acceptable. This is gross intimidation which should be stopped forthwith. But when battles are chosen, the ground must be prepared strategically. Singling out this garrulous Deputy Minister for his comments is manifestly not a felicitous choice.

Many years ago, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar put the matter in issue mischievously but very well. This was in response to a Supreme Court ruling holding the provincial correspondent of the Divaina in contempt for reporting an opposition parliamentarian who claimed that an ongoing case filed by Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the opposition presidential candidate had already been proved and if the petitioner did not win, that would be the end of justice in Sri Lanka. Mr Kadirgamar questioned as to whether the exclusive judicial function of the Court to determine cases is really usurped by an unbalanced and patently partisan opinion expressed by some politician? If so, then in every home and on every street corner, every day, thousands of contempts will be committed

Sage advice that is disregarded

And then there is the celebrated instance when British law lords refused to be provoked after an eccentric lay litigant threw one book and another at them following an adverse ruling. In The Due Process of Law (1980) Lord Alfred Denning points out, we took no notice as this would have given into her desire to draw more attention to herself (and) she left saying: I congratulate your Lordships on your coolness under fire. But this is sage advice that has been observed more in the breach here.

To put it mildly, our law on contempt has been as unstable as the Bar under its leadership at various times. At one point, we had an ex-Chief Justice Sarath Silva who sent a lay litigant to jail for reading out the provisions of the Constitution loudly in court. In any other country with professionals possessing an element of conscience, this would normally have evoked outrage. But the leaders of the Bar, formal and informal, were silent at the time. Other outfits ostensibly monitoring human rights also seemed to to prefer discretion to valour, some cowering in fear that contempt rulings, frequently threatened by this Chief Justice, would be waved against them in turn.

Examining the complaint of the lay litigant following his torture in prison in a petition filed under the Optional Protocol procedure of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by this columnist as his advocate, the United Nations Human Rights Committee echoed domestic calls for a fair and equitable law on contempt. Too much discretion is vested with the judiciary which is dangerous as this has the potential of misuse, it was opined. Years have passed since this recommendation. Various drafts on contempt of court have been in the public domain. None have been pursued with any degree of professional commitment.

An unfinished challenge

To be fair, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka is now in the main, engaging itself in more measured and judicious decision making than we have seen in quite a while. Threats of contempt are not casually issued by the appellate courts against luckless citizens as once was the case. That is certainly to the good. Regardless, the codification and reform of the law of contempt remains an unfinished challenge.

Perhaps this is one task that the Bar might usefully apply itself to instead of breathing publicity-grabbing fire on politicians who, after all, will only welcome the challenge.
The two year mixed economic performance of the Unity Government View(s):

The absence of any celebratory events last month to mark two years of the Unity Government was perhaps owing to the state of confusion of the coalition. On the other hand, civil society leaders, who had played an important role in electing the new regime, organised a public meeting to remind the government of the promises it had made two years ago and to urge the government to fulfil its promises of good governance.

Although there were serious lapses in governance, the regime change was a milestone politically. It restored democratic governance. The economic achievements were however modest and disappointing. It was yet another missed opportunity for economic development.

Overview

The political changes in January and August 2015 were momentous achievements for democracy, but the last two year economic performance was far below expectations. Much was expected but little achieved. The economy has certainly not taken off on a higher trajectory of growth. External finances have been in continuous crisis, export performance inadequate and foreign investment, so vital for development dwindling rather than growing.

Despite the governments boast that the two main parties in the country had joined together for the first time to resolve the countrys problems, its economic policies displayed an absence of agreement on vital economic issues. In retrospect, the coalition that was a political necessity was not advantageous for economic development.

Achievements

Then again, the government was not without significant achievements. Foremost among its achievements was the establishment of law and order and the rule of law and the establishment of good relations with foreign countries, especially those that matter for the economy. These are preconditions for rapid economic growth. Yet these alone will not suffice as the experience of the last two years amply demonstrates.

These achievements resulted in the restoration of GSP plus by the European Union that has boosted exports this year and tourism boomed. However, the advantages of these favourable development have been dissipated owing to a lack of consensus on economic policy, not only between the two main constituent parties of the government, but within them too.

Several government decisions have been changed or not implemented owing to opposition within the coalition. The recent resignation of the UNP Minister of Justice, who opposed the governments decision on the Hambantota Port Development Project, is a clear example.

Economic performance

There was a dip in economic growth during the current regime. Economic growth fell to 4.8 percent in 2015 and to 4.4 percent in 2016. This years economic growth is expected to be about 4.5 percent. Furthermore, growth was not achieved owing to higher production in agriculture and industry, but construction and services. This import biased growth led to escalating import expenditure and larger trade deficits.

The trade deficit grew from US$8.1 billion in 2014 to US$8.4 billion in 2015 and to US$9.1 billion in 2016. In the first half of this year the trade deficit expanded to as much as US$4.2 billion despite an improving export performance in the last three months as import expenditure increased by much more.

Most disappointing was the countrys inability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) that was so vital for rapid economic development. FDI was less than 1 percent of GDP during the current regime. Uncertainty in the governments economic policies is a root cause for this.

Fiscal consolidation

A significant economic achievement of the government is the recent reduction of the fiscal deficit. After an initial lapse in fiscal discipline as soon as the government was formed and in the November 2015 budget, there has been a significant improvement in the reduction of the fiscal deficit by increased revenue. Government revenue collection increased to a record 14.2 percent of GDP in 2016. There is every prospect that the overall fiscal deficit target of 3.5 percent of GDP would be achieved in 2020 with the implementation of the new Inland Revenue Act. This would stabilise the economy and be conducive to economic development. However, the government should be vigilant to ensure that the fiscal deficit would not rise owing to increased expenditure such as from supplementary estimates for flood and drought relief. These unforeseen expenditures should be met by cuts in other unessential expenditure.

Mitigating circumstances

Admittedly there were extenuating conditions that impacted adversely on the economy. Floods and drought affected agricultural production and decreased food production. Drought increased fuel imports owing to low hydro generation of electricity. Worker remittances that are an important source for offsetting the trade deficit and supporting the balance of dipped recently owing to political turmoil in the Middle East.

Political background

Political conditions have been an important reason for the less than potential economic performance. First there has been no consensus between the two parties that constitute the unity government on economic policies. Even when there has been an apparent agreement, it is changed subsequently. This policy uncertainty has been a disincentive for investment.

The most glaring instance was the agreement with a Chinese firm to develop the Hambantota harbour that was approved by the cabinet and signed. After the signing the President said he would amend it. This is a clear case of lack of consensus on economic policy that has eroded confidence in government policies.

The government has failed to announce an economic policy framework and adhere to it. In several instances the government has retracted from its policies owing to opposition from within and opposition parties.

The bond scam has been a serious distraction from the governments focus on economic policies. The controversies surrounding key ministers, resignation of ministers, constant and continuous protests and the obstructionist actions of the Joint Opposition has been to the detriment of the economy.

Obstructionist strategy

The opposition has a strategy to obstruct the governments policies. They have instigated trade union actions outside labour unions interests to cripple the governments economic programme. Trade union actions have become an obstructionist force in the economy. Even veteran trade unionists have pointed out that these actions were not legitimate trade union activities.

The opposition has also succeeded in mobilising large numbers of people to demonstrate and object to government programs such as the investment zone in Hambantota that has made the government shelve a foreign investment that would have contributed much to the economy.

These obstructionist actions not only deter the particular project but foreign investment in general. While other countries are inviting foreign investors to set up industries in their countries, we are frightening them away. This inhospitable environment has retarded the countrys development irreparably. The enemy is within.

Future

Although there are doubts as to whether the two parties will continue to govern together, the constitutional position is that the Presidents tenure is till 2020 and parliament cannot be dissolved for another two years. The UNP with its large number of MPs is likely to continue to govern with some changes in the composition owing to political expediency. What is imperative is for the government to pursue a consistent and certain economic programme for the remaining years of this parliament.
Indian Ocean not another South China Sea, please View(s):

There was a hive of activity this week in Colombo with a variety of international think tanks, strategists, analysts and senior military officers, Foreign Ministers and Ministers exchanging views and taking up positions  the focus being on the Indian Ocean and its surroundings.

Starting with the Defence Conference on Monday, the week concluded with the Indian Ocean conference. The Sri Lanka Navy, the US Embassy in Colombo and the India Foundation took the lead in these brain storming talkathons.

For Sri Lanka, it is a recognition that important players on the world stage and especially in and around the Indian Ocean, are interested parties to these dialogues. Had Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaikes Indian Ocean Peace Zone (IOPZ) proposal to the UN General Assembly in 1971 aimed at stopping the proliferation of military bases and imposing rules of the road for states been taken seriously, things might have been different today as these seas witness an escalation of tension and competing national interests.

India was not keen then, wanting an IOPZ regime that eliminated only foreign (US and others)bases. Even though the Non Aligned Movement supported the proposal, the IOPZ was led to a slow painless death. Today, with the emergence of a Blue water Chinese Navy, everyone else is getting excited over the rights for all parties to have safe trade, air and sea navigation over the Indian Ocean.

The other positive factor is that by this engagement, as far as Sri Lanka is concerned, there is a marked shift away from yesteryears pre-occupation on allegations of human rights violations. This was what dominated the foreign policy agenda of the US and West. With the US State Department now being sidelined by the new dispensation in Washington, the Departments holier-than-thou approach selectively picking on some countries and not others, has been thrown out of the window, and Sri Lanka can now look more to the future than the past.

Clearly, the US is left to rue this foreign policy miscalculation viz-a-viz Sri Lanka as China made quick inroads into the Sri Lankan economy in the meantime, and advanced its own geo-strategist game plan getting a firm foot hold in this country through the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota harbor projects. With the US State Department downgraded and itsDefence Department given the upper hand under the Trump Administration, it does not necessarily follow that it is good tidings for Sri Lanka and that the world is going to be a better place. No doubt, the US Navys Pacific Command based in Hawaii is renewing old contacts and cultivating new ones with its counterparts in Sri Lanka in a bid to counter growing Chinese influence. The super powers are making their moves on the global chess-board.

While India sent a high-level External Affairs Minister for the Indian Ocean conference, she had earlier sent a senior official from the ruling BJP on a quiet mission to meet the President and Prime Minister to express her concerns (to put it mildly) with developments surrounding the Hambantota harbour and Sri Lankas virtual capitulation to China on the issue.

The entire region is once again on the boil and the Indian Ocean must not become another hotspot like the South China Sea. Only a fortnight ago, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Independence of both, India and Pakistan we had mentioned how sans a solution to the seven decade long Jammu-Kashmir dispute between the two countries, they are getting drawn further apart andmore into the laps of US (India) and China (Pakistan). Non Alignment is seemingly irrelevant to both.

This week, Pakistan asked the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs not to stop over in Islamabad on her way to Colombo for the Indian Ocean conference in retaliation to accusations by Washington that Pakistan was harbouring terrorists. India has just about resisted a push by China to bulldoze its way into building a highway through Bhutan having already planned one through Pakistans Baluchistan region to run rings round India.

In the midst of this, India is launching a South Asia Maritime and Logistics Forum next week in Mumbai, backed by the World Bank, to promote regional trade. Sri Lanka cannot take a frog in the well attitude in the fast moving external scenario unfolding, mindful as it ought to be, that there are currents and under-currents in the Indian Ocean and that its geo-political location is a double-edged sword. Sri Lanka cannot fall on its sword.

It is unfortunate that the contribution of local international relations think tanks to this weeks dialogue has been nil. Ad-hocism therefore still rules the roost, and without a national strategy, or plan, it only allows corrupt political leaders  past and present, to revel in this playing field at the expense of the future of the country.

Rejection of Elections

While there is endless debate on Local Government and Provincial Council elections among political parties, last weeks announcement from the Election Commission that there is a slowing down of young adults registering to vote must surely jolt political leaders. Some may already be planning methodologies to take advantage of such a situation. But one of the reasons attributed for this drop  voter apathy with politicians  must hurt politicians who believe they are doing so much for the country.

One is not sure how the Elections CommissionChairman came to the irresistible conclusion that there seems to be a vote of no confidence among youth that political parties are not delivering the goods. Even so, politicians with an ear to the ground might grudgingly concede, it is a fact. One consolation for Sri Lankan politicians is that this is a world-wide phenomenon. Starting with the rejection of the Congress Party in India, the Brexit vote, the defeat of the Clintons and then the outcome in France there is a trend to be seen. In France, no sooner had they elected a young President his popularity ratings have plummeted. There is dissatisfaction with the Establishment everywhere.

On the other hand, very soon we will see the spectacle of wanna-be councilors to Municipal and Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas and Provincial Councils flocking to different party headquarters for interviews to be candidates. What is this contradiction?That is because they know that is where the gravy train is duty free car permits to sell and become millionaires overnight, overseas jaunts, other perks and privileges. While that queue will be a mile long, the queue to register as voters for these elected bodies is receding. Res ipsaloquitor; the facts speak for themselves.
Holy Family Convent presents Night At The Movies From The Silver Screen And Beyond View(s):

The Senior Prefects Guild of Holy Family Convent, Colombo 04 will present Night at the Movies From the Silver Screen and beyond an evening of dance and music will take place on September 23  24 from 6.30 pm at the school auditorium.

Filled with dance, music and theatre the talented students of the Holy Family Convent, Colombo 04 will bring to stage the vivid, well-loved musical scores from the silver screen.The Senior Prefects Guild of the school aims to encourage audience members to fully appreciate a diverse range of  from a spectrum of classic to modern.

In collaboration with acclaimed Music Director Soundarie David and founder of the well-established female ensemble Soul Sounds and choreographer Roshini Gunaratne, founding member of Soul Sounds who has made her presence in the artistic world felt with her work on and off stage. The girls of Holy Family Convent are geared to impress.

The girls are no stranger to theatre; their annual performances are aimed at showcasing the versatile talents of the students whilst opening up opportunities for students to unearth their inner creativity. Come watch the girls as they showcase their talents at a Night at the Movies.

Night at the Movies  From Silver Screen and Beyond will take place on September 23 and 24 at the Holy Family Convent, Colombo 04 Auditorium. Tickets are prices at Rs. 750 (Balcony), 1000, 1500 and 2000 (Box plan available) and will available at the school premises from September 07 onwards.

(TP)
Drastic drop in poaching after new law: More positive steps to settle issues By S. Rubatheesan View(s): View(s):

The ban on bottom trawling fishing in Sri Lanka has helped to drastically reduce poaching by Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait, Fisheries Ministry Secretary W.M.M.R. Adhikari told the Sunday Times. She said the reduction had come soon after Parliament in July approved a law criminalising bottom trawling as a punishable offence with provision to impose fines.

The reduction has come though the Government is yet to enforce the law. The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Amendment Act enables the courts to impose a two-year jail term and a fine of Rs 50,000 on offenders. The Sunday Times learns that the Government is to prosecute fishermen who are arrested for poaching in Lankan waters.

Northern Fisheries Associations confirmed that a drastic reduction of Indian fishermen had been observed in the past two months. Mannar Fisheries Cooperative Union President N.M. Aalam said that though poaching had reduced significantly, some isolated boats did trespass into Sri Lankas waters.

The Northern fishermen said the Sri Lanka Navys intensive patrolling of our territorial waters appeared to be one of the reasons for the reduction in poaching by Indian fishermen. Meanwhile a government delegation headed by Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera is to leave for New Delhi on September 13 for the next round of joint India-Sri Lanka committee talks on poaching issues.

Ms Adhikari said that at the next round of talks, both governments would further discuss other issues relating to poaching.We are hopeful of making progress on mutual agreements reached between the two countries. We see many positive steps taken by the Indian government, including the move to convert bottom trawlers into deep sea fishing vessels and developing Indian fisheries harbours, she said.

Last month, an Indian fishermens delegation was in the country to inspect the condition of some 42 detained Indian trawlers after they were released by the Ministry. A delegation spokesman said most of their trawlers were severely damaged and funds were needed to repair and take them back to India.

Indias External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj participating at the 2nd Indian Ocean Conference in Colombo on Thursday outlined Indias Blue Economy initiatives particularly in the areas of marine bio-technology, exploration and sustainable exploitation of ocean mineral resources, sustainable fishing practices, and harnessing of ocean energy.

In India, we are implementing targeted programmes for re-energising economic activity in our islands and our coastal areas. There is also a renewed focus on strengthening marine research, developing eco-friendly marine industrial technologies, promoting sustainable fisheries and, ensuring the protection of the maritime environment, she said.

Meanwhile, 76 Indian fishermen were released from custody in Jaffna this week after the Attorney General informed courts that they could be released because of the growing goodwill between the two countries. They are yet to be repatriated.
Premier calls for rule-based Indian Ocean order for regions peace and prosperity View(s):

Sri Lanka intends to take a lead role in initiating a legal order in the Indian Ocean to ensure freedom of navigation, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Delivering the inaugural address at the 2017 Indian Ocean Conference at Temple Trees, the Prime Minister said the country was looking forward to engaging with all interested parties and littoral states in creating a policy framework to promote intra-regional trade within a timeline so that economic activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) could be enhanced.

He said the recent Price WaterHouse Coopers (PWC) Report had noted that nine of the 32 countries predicted to be leading economies of the world in 2050, will be from the IOR. The nine countries are Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Iran.

This reality will increase our strategic importance in the globe, the Premier said.

spite these promising predictions, intra-trade in the Indian Ocean Region including the Bay of Bengal remains low, Mr Wickremesinghe said, adding that South Asia was the least economically integrated region in the world. The Premier said that unlike in the European and Pacific nations, there is an absence of political will to promote Indian Ocean Economic Cooperation more specifically, trade liberalisation and connectivity.

Businesses in the region must grow for intra-regional trade to develop, he said. These businesses require capital for expansion, which is a scarce commodity in the region. Proposing the establishment of an Indian Ocean Development Fund, the Prime Minister said such a fund would make financial resources available to national development banks, promoting growth and expansion in the region.

He pointed out that 10 critical choke points in the Indian Ocean remain vulnerable to air and maritime encounters and possible terrorist attacks by non-state actors. Given the rising conflicts in West Asia, the worlds major powers have deployed substantial military forces in the Indian Ocean Region. This trend will continue for some more time until the world community gets together and resolve the causes for these conflicts, he said.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka believed that maintaining the freedom of navigation was of paramount importance for Sri Lanka to become the hub in the Indian Ocean. It is only then, can we reap the full benefits of our strategic location as well as the availability of ports on all coasts and two international airports with good land connectivity.

The Premier proposed that a Code of Conduct which ensures freedom of navigation in the IOR would be an essential component in creating a shared vision for economic and security engagement in the region. In our view, the vital Sea Lanes of Communication in the Indian Ocean that fuel the global economy needs to be open for all and must be used for mutual benefit in a sustainable manner.

It is essential to maintain peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region which ensures the right of all states to the freedom of navigation and overflight, he said. It would also ensure that unhindered lawful maritime commerce was conducted in keeping with current international laws and regulations, he insisted.

It is our belief that if we all work for these common objectives, sustainable peace and prosperity in our region can be undoubtedly achieved, Mr Wickremesinghe said.
RDA heads for collision on expressways By Namini Wijedasa Engineers threaten all out action if privatisation proposal is approved View(s): View(s):

Road Development Authority (RDA) engineers have attacked Government plans to give management of existing and future expressways to an international company, saying this RDA division generated income and did not warrant privatisation.

The proposalaimed at raising an advance payment that could then be used to complete three other expresswayswas only revealed through a draft newspaper advertisement that came to the notice of the RDA Engineers Association (RDAEA). The union has invoked the Right to Information (RTI) Act to demand copies of all documents, including Cabinet papers, for scrutiny.

Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella told the Sunday Times last week the Government was considering outsourcing expressway operation, maintenance and management to a foreign entity for around 25 years. Some international companies had already expressed interest, he said.

RDAEA requests the management to stop this activity immediately without making the situation worst [sic] and compelling the employees towards trade union actions, the engineers state, in a letter to the RDA Chairman. All the unions of the RDA will collectively get the cooperation of all the employees as a team for an action against this type of activities and against the Chairman and management of RDA.

The development of the expressway network will lead to a steep increase in the number of users, RDAEA predicts. This will lead to higher income that, if the proposed privatisation takes place, will go to private partieslocal or foreignmaking it a very big damage to the country and the nation.

Twenty-four RDA trade unions, including the UNP-allied Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and the SLFP-allied Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya, have signed a petition to Highways Minister Kiriella opposing the proposal. The RDAEA has separately written to President Maithripala Sirisena requesting a meeting.

The RDAEA is also concerned about a purported move to withdraw monies from a deposit residing with the Expressway Operation, Maintenance and Management (EOMM) Division to settle contractor bills for other works. The RDA has a deposit of five billion rupees under EOMM which is intended for use in periodic maintenance of expressways.

The monthly average income from the expressways is now around Rs 500 million, of which Rs. 120 million goes towards operation expenses and Rs 60 million towards taxes. The monthly average saving is, therefore, around Rs 320 million and the annual average saving is Rs 3.84 billion.

The RDA management intends to use around Rs 4 billion from the deposit to settle contractor bills of other divisions, the RDAEA alleges. In a letter to the Authoritys Chairman and Director General, the RDAEA denounces this as wrong procedure. The tenders and work orders had been issued without financial control, beyond budget allocations. It is the responsibility of top management to work within budget allocations with a proper plan and limitations, the RDAEA points out.

The union has, once again, invoked the RTI Act to obtain information aboutamong other thingstenders and work orders; works issued/attended by Construction Division and EOMM Division; and any other special works including estimate amounts and tendered amounts; and money availability according to the approved programme for 2017 (including non-RDA roadworks).
SAITM dispute: President wants report in ten days By Anthony David View(s): View(s):

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a five-member committee to propose a solution to the longstanding dispute over the recognition of the privately-owned South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) within 10 days. The committee comprises Deputy Policy Planning and Economic Development Minister Harsha de Silva, Higher Education Ministry Secretary D.C. Dissanayake, Health Ministry Secretary

Janaka Sugathadasa, University Grants Commission Chairman Mohan de Silva and Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya.

Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva told the Sunday Times that the committee had been tasked to make recommendations to resolve the SAITM issue based on the existing positions. We are aware of the positions taken by the stakeholders in this issue and we will work out a structure on which a solution can be reached, Dr. de Silva explained.

He said they were expecting to reach a compromise based on the solution proposed and would be looking at making a national policy regarding private medical education. The move to appoint the committee came after a meeting between the President and the deans of state medical faculties, parents of state medical faculty students, representatives of the Government Medical Officers Association and other stake holders in the SAITM issue.

Dr. de Silva said he was confident in reaching a compromise, as one of the outstanding issues about minimum standards for private medical education had now been settled following discussions between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

The stand-off over the SAITM issue has led to boycott of lectures by medical students of state-run universities for the past eight months and a delay in registering SAITM graduates with the SLMC.
Keeping track of Mother Earth in a creative way Catch Cinnamon Colomboscope 2017s environment-themed art and performances at the Old Maradana Railway Terminus this week View(s): View(s):

Cinnamon Colomboscope, the citys multi-disciplinary contemporary arts festival launched its 2017 edition on Friday with an impressive mix of works from local and international artists.

Hosted by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts with the John Keells Foundation and conceptualised by the EUNIC cluster of Sri Lanka (Goethe-Institut, British Council and Alliance Francaise de Kotte), the festival, is currently on over six days (September 2-7), at the former Colombo Terminus Railway Station  open to the public free of charge.

The festival theme Re/Evolution signifies the need to relook at ways to act against the harm that our systems and ourselves are causing the planet. Through a programme of curated visual and performing arts, the hope is to highlight the importance of environmental sustainability and trigger progressive conversations on the topic.

With international artists from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, India, Pakistan, Poland and Turkey, and a strong local representation of local artists, the 2017 programme combines art with technology and new media. With some established names in the local arts scene, Anomaa Rajakaruna and Kesara Ratnavibhushana, as well as new entrants like Lekha Edirisinghe, the festival has a cross section of talent. Filmmaker Rajakaruna shares her haunting images of abandoned buildings in war-torn areas in the North and how little by little, Mother Nature is reclaiming them while Ratnavibhushanas Healing State aims to highlight a holistic approach to healing. Edirisinghes piece Inside a bottle captures the issues created by the bottled water industry.

International names such as Ackroyd and Harvey from the UK, Eva-Fiore Kovacovsky from Germany and Karine Bonnewal from France are also presenting compelling works in Colombo. One outstanding piece is the award-winning art work Chlorophyll apparition by Ackroyd & Harvey which creates spectral images formed by a concentration of chlorophyll that directly corresponds to the quantity of light available to it. For Cinnamon Colomboscope, the artist duo has adapted their process  they have used paddy for the first time. Overall, their approach is shaped by their concern with environmental degradation and socially engaged artistic practice.

The programme includes outreach education initiatives, talks, film screenings, music, dance and theatre performances. Talks on waste management, conscious consumerism, deforestation and development, organic food produce and green technology, among them a panel discussion between Heather Ackroyd, Dan Harvey, Kesara Ratnavibhushana and Channa Daswatte, moderated by Jagath Weerasinghe, a session on environmental advocacy moderated by Smriti Daniel and Pakistani artists Yasir Husain and Zahra Ali from Pakistan speaking on creative sustainability.

There will also be childrens workshops facilitated by Mind Adventures Theatre Co and Iridescence and an Eco-brick making workshop facilitated by Savera Weerasinghe. The programme has been designed and devised by a Sri Lankan team led by chief curator Menika van der Poorten.

Admission is free for all events.

Cinnamon Colomboscope will be held from September 2- 7 from 10 a.m.  7 p.m. at the former Colombo Terminus Railway Station, Maradana (Trace Expert City, Trace Lane, off Olcott Mawatha, Colombo 01). For more information visit www.cinnamoncolomboscope.com
Let us revive equality and peace among all beings this Hajj By A.H.M. Azwer View(s): View(s):

What is Hajj and what takes place during the annual pilgrimage? Let us turn to an English scholar who inscribed the following epitaph in late 19th Century, when British rule dominated much of the world:

But above all  and herein is its supreme importance in the missionary history of Islam  it ordains a yearly gathering of believers, of all nations and languages, brought together from all parts of the world, to pray in that sacred place towards which their faces are set in every hour of private worship in their distant homes. No stretch of religious genius could have conceived a better expedient for impressing on the minds of the faithful a sense of their common life and of brotherhood in the bonds of faith. Here, in a supreme act of common worship, the Negro of the West coast of Africa meets the Chinaman from the distant East; the courtly and polished Ottoman recognises his brother Muslim in the wild islander from the farthest end of the Malayan Sea. At the same time throughout the whole Muhammedan world the hearts of believers are lifted up in sympathy with their more fortunate brethren gathered together in the sacred city, as in their own homes they celebrate the festival of Eed al-Ad-haa

- T. W. Arnold, The Preaching of Islam

I am yet to find a more eloquent expression on Hajj even from a Muslim source than this by Sir Thomas Walker Arnold, who penned his observations in his book The Preaching of Islam, in 1896. Arnold, a prominent civil servant in India was awestruck by the rituals of Hajj. Any impartial observer would have felt the same at any given Hajj season be it in 1896, 1996 or even 796.

The format and rituals of Hajj have remained virtually unchanged since its inception 15 centuries ago, the rituals that signify the universal brotherhood that are enjoined in Islam. Although advances in technology may have changed and modes of transport have never been more comfortable; a time traveller from the Seventh Century would have found himself or herself at home in the Plains of Arafat in 2016 and in Makkah despite all the modernisation that has taken place.

Schams Elwazer, a producer covering the event of Hajj for CNN in 2012 found herself in an identical situation to that of T.W. Arnold. Under the caption A Non-Pilgrim at the Hajj: A Memoir, in her blog she had this to say:

Sitting there on the white marble floor of the Grand Mosque, it was difficult not be blown away by the diversity of the people passing by. Groups of Indonesians in crisp white wearing coloured headbands for identification and moving in tight phalanx formations quietly chanting the mantra of the Hajj (which translates approximately to Oh God, I have obeyed your call); Groups of West Africans in colourful garb almost singing verses of Islams Holy Book the Quran; Old Chinese couples, groups of blonde Europeans and Americans; it felt as if we were literally watching the entire world walk past. The effect was nothing short of hypnotic.(28.10.2012)

It all began, or should I say the tradition established by our great Patriarch Abraham (A) was revived 15 centuries ago after a single commandment of God, and proclaim to the people the Hajj, they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every distant pass.(Quran 22:27)

The practical aspect of it was taught by Prophet Mohamed (S) in his lifetime when he undertook the pilgrimage. He emphasised on equality of humans in the presence of God, regardless of man-made social and economic barriers. This scenario is repeated year in and year out at Hajj, where in addition to promoting universal brotherhood of mankind, the spirit of sacrifice to achieve it is also emboldened in the hearts and minds of pilgrims.

The modern world is plagued with racism and intolerance which Islam prohibits in no uncertain terms. Hajj is an ideal occasion to rebuild lost ground and revive the brotherhood and tolerance which is sanctified in Islam. In his final pilgrimage Prophet Mohamed (S) addressing a crowd of 100,000 people declared:

An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good action.

These words dispelled the myth that some races and classes of people are superior to others and established the fact that all humans are equal, for which Prophet Abraham (A) struggled in his life. We are all equal human beings in the eyes of God. It is for this same noble cause that Prophet Mohamed (S) worked tirelessly during his lifetime. When he left this world at the age of 63 he had no worldly belongings. Instead of living a life of luxury, he sacrificed all for the sake of humanity. His parting advice was to follow the Quran and his traditions and he vowed if we abide by them we will never go astray. In his own words you will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.

Todays Muslims are tested in various ways, latest being the fearmongering by certain groups that they will be ruled under Shariah or Islamic law in Sri Lanka and they stand to lose their freedom. This is a baseless allegation, thus it is imperative for Muslims of Sri Lanka to clear this misunderstanding among non-Muslims. It is forbidden to force anything on others.

Let it be known that under an ideal Islamic government, non-Muslims will have the same political and cultural rights as Muslims. They will have autonomy and freedom of religion. This clause was enshrined in the Constitution of Medina, also known as the Charter of Medina under the instructions of Prophet Mohammed (S) when it was drafted in the year 622 CE.

Dr. John Andrew Morrow, author of The Covenants of Prophet Muhammad (Angelico Press 2013), commends this exemplary conduct of Prophet Mohammed (S) and opined that under the Constitution of Medina:

identity and loyalty were no longer to be based on family, tribe, kinship, or even religion: the overriding identity was membership in the ummah (nation) of Muhammad. The Constitution of Medina decreed that the citizens of the Islamic state were one and indivisible regardless of religion. Be they heathen, People of the Book, or Muslims, all those who were subject to the Constitution belonged to the same ummah (nation). In doing so, he created a tolerant, pluralistic government which protected religious freedom. The importance of this is so extraordinary that it is often misunderstood.

This may come as a surprise to some, but it is the fact. Tolerance is important in Islam, and justice is equal to all as Andrew Murray stressed even Muhammad the Messenger of Allah was not above the law.

Had Muslims taken a little effort to spread this message, we would not have seen the misconceptions about Islam that are prevalent in society today. On this blessed day I urge my fellow Muslims take this as a religious duty and make a sincere effort to clear the doubts that exist among non-Muslims, not only on this issue but on countless others.

The events that T.W. Arnold observed will continue by the Grace of God but what takes place in Makkah should trickle down into our daily lives and the same should be reflected in the Muslim world at large. Then only can one proclaim that it has been a success. This is the true spirit of Hajj.

While celebrating the Hajj festivities, Eid ul Adha, let us pray for forgiveness, peace and prosperity of Mother Lanka and peace and prosperity of the world.

(The writer, a former Minister of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs passed away a day after he sent this article to the Sunday Times)




Jesse Hathaway, American Spectator -

There are many commemorative awareness weeks that bring peoples attention to a wide variety of issues. While all these events have their virtues  some more than others, of course  one awareness week is perhaps more important than all the rest: National Employee Freedom Week. This year NEFW ran from August 20 to 26, dedicated to promoting workers rights, especially union workers rights. Founded in 2012 by the Nevada Policy Research Institute, National Employee Freedom Week is a national effort to inform union employees of their right to choose whether to join a union or remain independent. READ MORE
The artist and her art By Tarini Pilapitiya Marie Alles Fernando launches her book  A 50 year Retrospective View(s): View(s):

Large canvases lined the walls leading to the ballroom, the paintings the work of the artist herself. It was a grand and colourful launch as Marie Alles Fernandos book on her work over the past 50 years  A 50 year Retrospective was launched on August 29 at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton.

Her remarkable career with awards and accolades aplenty has seen Marie Alles Fernandos work being exhibited on numerous occasions both locally and internationally in countries and cities such as Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, New Delhi and London among others.

Initiating the exhibition, Maries living legacy  her children, spoke of her life and work, her past influences that included her late mother, landscape artist Genevieve Edirisinghe Alles with whom Marie held the first ever joint mother-daughter exhibition at the Lionel Wendt in 1972, her teachers, Ivor Baptiste and Prof. Douglas Amarasekera, and her mentor, chairman of the Sapumal Foundation Harry Pieris.

Her children went on to describe Maries unwavering love for the country (undoubtedly one of her biggest inspirations). Her famous Tamil Bride in 1968 and 1969s High noon, Adams Peak,Maskeliya were fuelled by her stay in the hill country from 1967  1972.

Her youngest son Shanil Fernando, laughingly recalled how a trip that would take three hours would instead take five due to the numerous times Marie would stop to capture a moment. Her art went everywhere with her, he said.

Maries dear friend, Yvette de Silva, who has been witnessing Maries work over the course of their friendship remarked, she always manages to evoke different emotions. Adding that she is sensitive to her surroundings and conscious of her brush on a canvas describing the social and historical contexts that Maries paintings continue to record, Yvette spoke of how her ability to capture the indigenous people of Sri Lanka is filled with honesty. Our children have never seen this way of life and never will again, Yvette added, of the urban and rural landscapes that Marie has painted over the past 50 years.

Mano Chanmugam, Chairman of the Colombo Cultural Hub Trust, who lived a good portion of his life abroad, thanked Marie for giving him memories of his country, truly valuing what he describes as a precious record of artistic excellence.

The artist thanked everyone in attendance, friends, family, her children and husband Cyril Fernando the epitome of the wind beneath her wings , ultimately dedicating her book  50 years of painting  to her grandchildren who she said, are the future of our country.

Marie Alles Fernando- A 50 year Retrospective was sold out at the book launch. The book priced at Rs. 4000 can be purchased at the artists home . For more information contact 0112886845/ 0779 490 815, visit the Raintree Gallery or email marieallesf@gmail.com.
Balfour, 100 years on: Essay competition on Palestinians quest for justice View(s):

An essay competition is being held to mark 100 years of the infamous Balfour Declaration that changed the destiny of the Palestinian people, the region and the world, it was announced this week. The competition is being held by the Sri Lanka Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Embassy of Palestine in Sri Lanka.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday to announce the essay competition, Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair Mohammad Hamdallah Zaid said the Balfour Declaration made by Britain 100 years ago was the core of the Middle Eastern crisis and Britain should apologise to the Palestinians for the suffering they have been undergoing for the past one hundred years.

The ambassador charged that the United Kingdom provided tactical support for the Zionist movement, facilitating European Jewish immigration to Palestine and land confiscation. He said the pledge the then British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour gave Lord Rothschild, a Zionist leader in the form of a declaration that led to the many atrocities including ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians from their villages and massacres such as Deir Yassin, Qibya, Lod and Kafr Qassim.

Palestine Solidarity Movement member Mahinda Hattaka and Mohammed Rihan also spoke about the injustice stemming from the infamous declaration.

The topic of the essay is: The Balfour Declaration 100 years on: The quest for Justice in Palestine.The essays could be written in Sinhala, Tamil or English.

The word count should be around 1,500 words. The essay should be an analysis on the Palestinian peoples right to justice and freedom and cover questions such as: Britains right to offer the Palestinian peoples land to European Zionists;

The reasons behind this illegal declaration issued in November 1917;

Its adverse impact on the Palestinian people, the region and the world, especially from humanitarian, security and international law perspectives.

Should Britain be held accountable for the Palestinian suffering, and Your opinion on the declaration and the path ahead for the Palestinians to achieve peace with justice.

The essays will be assessed by three panels. Please add footnotes and endnotes to support your claims.

The winners in each language stream will receive cash prizes.

The first prize will be Rs. 60,000, the second Rs.40,000 and the third Rs. 20,000.

Certificates will be issued to all participants.

Please mail your essays in PDF format before October 1, 2017 to: balfour100years@gmail.com or send them by post to: The Embassy of Palestine, 110/10, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7.
Landmark IPCRG Conference held in Colombo View(s):

The first South Asian International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) Conference was held recently at the Colombo Galadari Hotel in collaboration with Primary Care Respiratory Group of Sri Lanka (PCRG). The three-day landmark conference on the theme Respiratory care in low resource settings was the premier primary care respiratory scientific conference in the region. It was also aimed at promoting the World Health Organisation concept in recognition of sustainable development goals to respiratory diseases.

More than 300 hundred delegates took part in the conference. A large number of international delegates were from Asia. Several recognised researchers, trainers, and role models from Europe, Australia, the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Vietnam and Malaysia shared their expertise at workshops and scientific sessions.

Professor Chandrika Wijayaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, was the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony. Dr. Seneth Samaranayake, chairman of the conference, delivered the welcome address and Dr. Tilak Silva, President of the PCRG, Sri Lanka presided.

The Keynote address of the Scientific Conference was delivered by Dr. Sarath Paranavitane, Chairman, Lanka Hospitals, Sri Lanka. Professor Savithri Wimalasekera of Sri Jayewardenepura University served as the chairperson of the scientific committee and headed the International Advisory Committee. The event was organised by Aitken Spence PLC, Sri Lanka.
Sumithrayo asks you to Take a minute  Change a life this World Suicide Prevention Day View(s):

Take a minute  Change a life is the theme of a major programme that Sumithrayo is organising from 5-8 p.m. at Independence Square, Colombo 7, on September 10 (next Sunday) to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day. The programme, being held to motivate people to reduce the number of suicides further, is open to the public.

The evenings activities will include a dramatic presentation by the Sri Jayewardenepura Universitys Rotaract Club; compelling video-cuts from survivors; and a panel discussion by an eminent team. The panellists are Chief Guest and World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Sri Lanka, Dr. Razia Pendse, Thirupathy Suveendran from the WHO Colombo Office; Dr. Velauthapillai Jegaruban from the Kilinochchi Hospitals Addiction Centre; and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Neil Fernando.

The panel discussion will be followed by questions and answers from the public to motivate more people to take a minute and help someone who may be vulnerable. The winning entries of an art competition for youth organized by Sumithrayo to mark the day will also be on display, with the winners being awarded their prizes during the programme.

The activities will come to an end at 8 p.m. with candles being lit to remember lost loved ones and for survivors of suicide and also to support suicide prevention. In 1995, Sri Lanka had the highest rate of suicides in the world. The actions of a Presidential Task Force set up to mitigate the situation helped reduce the number significantly, from 47 per 100,000 earlier to 16 per 100,000 by 2014. However, suicide numbers are still high and on average, 8-10 persons die every single day of the year. For each person who takes his/her own life, at least 10 others attempt to end their lives.

Globally, 800,000 suicides are reported annually and this number is higher than those killed by war or homicide. This means that there is a suicide every 40 seconds. Sumithrayo, meanwhile, has been providing emotional support to people in crisis for 42 years, since 1974. About 150 distressed persons contact the Sumithrayo Office each week, through visits, telephone calls, letters or e-mail and find comfort in talking about their worries, fears and anxieties.

Here, kind and caring volunteers give of their time, patience and expertise to provide some consolation to the distressed. Sumithrayo is open 365 days of the year from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and anyone may walk in or telephone during these hours to seek assistance. While confidentiality is assured, the service is completely free.

Devoted to responding to people in crisis and preventing suicide, focusing on empathetic active listening and non-judgmental responses, Sumithrayo volunteers endeavour to take every person in crisis seriously. The goal of their befriending is to empower the caller to make life-enhancing choices.

Sumithrayo provides Confidential Emotional Support and is a free service, open 365 days (including holidays)  from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please call: 011-2692909, 011-2683555 or 011-2696666. Visit: 60B, Horton Place, Colombo 7. Email: sumithra@sumithrayo.org
Rather than asking why arent more jobs being created, we should be asking why should they?

So  while the difference between a 300,000 new jobs month and a 156,000 jobs month is obviously huge  we should avoid getting stuck in the numbers and instead look at the big picture.

We should begin the discussion by considering the flaws of these statistics. Unemployment and jobs are tricky things to measure, because a part time job isnt the same as a full time job, one persons home business isnt the same as another persons home business, and a minimum wage job that serves as the first rung of a career ladder is a world away from a job that pays the same but provides no advancement opportunities.

The Friday that began Labor Day weekend, 2017, brought with it a disappointing jobs report. While the economy is still growing, and the stock market is booming, the most personal statistic of all  whether a person is employed or not  is the most frustrating one to watch.

The Nature of Jobs

Lets look at a concrete example, the one I know best: my own story. My mother had a part time job at a Chicagoland family business, a liquor distributor named Louis Glunz & Company, when I was a kid, and because of the timing of her job (9 to 6, three days a week) and the timing of my school (8 to 2:30, five days a week), her employer created a job for me, from second through sixth grades, essentially to keep Mom working for them. So I would leave school in Evanston at 230, take a city bus to the warehouse, and work from 3 to 6 those three days a week.

I was paid 60 cents an hour, to do whatever an 8 to 12 year old could help with. Emptying ashtrays, emptying wastebaskets, operating the mimeograph machine, copying information from import shipment invoices onto FDA and ATF forms, using rubber cement to affix sample wine bottle labels to import permission forms.

This was not a living wage.

But I loved it, and it taught me a skill, and it kept my Mom employed in a good part time job with friends, while my Dad worked a normal full time job downtown. It introduced me to the career of international trade in which I have remained, in various ways, my entire life. I havent become rich, by any means, but its a solid middle class career, and it began with a part time job emptying ashtrays at the age of 8. It was, for me, the first step on my personal ladder of success.

Different Jobs, Different Paths

In a nation of our size, there should be an infinite range of employment options. White collar, blue collar, grey collar. Engineering, science, sales, manufacturing, high tech and low tech, manual and mechanical. We still need seamstresses with needle and thread, and we need computer programmers working on technologies that didnt even exist when those seamstresses were born.

Some of these jobs can operate according to a plan:

Start as a file clerk, then join inside sales in customer service, then outside sales on the road, then rise to sales director and eventually to president.

Or start as an apprentice designer, then rise to full time engineer, then head of engineering, plant manager, finally CEO.

Or start on the assembly line, rise to foreman, then production manager, then open your own company.

Some such career paths are legendary, as we have seen people start with their first job as a McDonalds cashier and risen to CEO of the company. And sometimes people bounce from one path to another as they search for the right fit, or they stop somewhere along the way when they reach the best of their ability or the limit of their ambition. And of course, depending on ones background, one might not have to start at the bottom; the heir to a family business or a graduate with the right college degree might start out in the middle of one of these paths.

This is the system that works for the American economy in general, and it also works for each American employee in particular as long as outside influences, such as war, natural disaster, and destructive public policy dont interfere.

The War on Work

Conservatives and Liberals or perhaps we should say Rightists and Leftists, or Republicans and Democrats have very different views on this subject.

Conservatives tend to believe that almost any job is valid, depending on the situation. Conservatives hope everyone  black or white, young or old, educated or uneducated  will be ambitious, and work to the best of their ability, so that they can rise to a level of prosperity. Conservatives see the entry level job not as an end in itself, but hopefully in the start to a journey, valuable not for its salary but for its potential down the road. I, for example, couldnt live on 60 cents an hour today but I am overjoyed I got that 60 cents an hour, 45 years ago. It put me on the path to where I am today.

Leftists, on the other hand, live for the now, where such matters are concerned. They call for a living wage (whatever that is) for every job, and insist that any job paying less than a living wage is undesirable. They declare that some jobs are beneath your dignity, and some industries are bad for the earth, or bad for society, or exploitative so they campaign for an end to such jobs.

A few examples:

The Left rightly recognized that some factories a century ago were dangerously abusing child laborers, so they passed laws banning child labor outright, instead of just requiring safe conditions. As a result, companies today fear giving kids a start, like the start I got. So my story is limited to children in their own family businesses today. Kids of family friends cant get the same break, at least, not as early, from fear of the child labor label.

The Left has fallen in love with junk science, such as the concept of manmade global warming. This has led the Left to a hatred of carbon-based fuel, so they shut down coal mines, offshore oil drilling, oil pipelines, fracking they oppose all kinds of efficient energy production, and only favor so-called green energy like solar and wind, which are not remotely efficient. This causes three very distinct problems: in addition to eliminating jobs by closing down so much of the oil business, the pipeline construction industry, and coal mines, virtually impoverishing whole regions that had depended upon them, this also makes our nation more dependent on foreign power sources, and greatly inflates the cost of energy, which impacts our standard of living in every other way as well.

The Left sets goals  sometimes good goals, like reducing pollution or improving gas mileage  but has no interest in the cost of meeting such goals. The regulatory impact of such mandated standards has been to diminish the sales of American cars and increase the importation of Japanese and South Korean ones to drive both heavy and light manufacturing out of the USA toward foreign shores. The impact of EPA standards on the manufacturing sector simply cannot be overemphasized; more than any other single cause, this has driven jobs out of the USA and across the Pacific Ocean.

The Lefts love of private sector unions has destroyed the very jobs of those they claimed to support, and eventually, the lives of those who support them. For example, the outlandish demands of the UAW, for example, by joining outrageous regulations to price American cars out of reach in comparison to competitors, have cost their own members their jobs. In the same way, all over the country, manufacturers must make a daily evaluation on how many production lines to keep open here, and how many to move to foreign shores where they can afford to operate.

Equally destructive has been the Lefts more recent embrace of public sector unions. The outrageous pension programs, above-market salaries, and abundance of six-figure administrators in the public school systems of many states have so grown the tax burden that whole regions become unaffordable. Consider the experience of Wisconsin, where outlandish programs like the master teacher program and the state teachers unions own special health insurance plan were revealed to be insider scams almost indistinguishable from outright embezzlement. Only when the Republican administration of Gov. Scott Walker was able to work with the legislature to pass Act 10, the budget repair bill, could they free the state from such financial millstones.

The list of such examples is endless. Each of these families of errant public policy has cost this country millions - yes, tens of millions - of jobs. All kinds of jobs, too - from entry level to mid level to upper management. The coal mine, factory, or distribution center that closes down because of destructive government policy doesn't just kill the jobs of every employee from clerk and assembly line worker to president and CEO, it also costs the neighborhood all the hotel jobs, laundries, grocery stores and restaurants that used to serve those employees. When you shutter a mine, or drive a factory overseas, you actually kill an entire community.

In state after state, industry after industry, Democrats spent the past century restricting, banning, controlling, micromanaging, overtaxing and overpromising, to the point that they have left many of our states in irrecoverable shambles. Illinois, New Jersey and California, blessed by so many natural advantages, are bankrupt already, and many others are teetering on the brink as a result.

Where Do We Go From Here?

We have seen why jobs are down why new business startups are discouraged, and why existing business expansions are frustrated. The micromanagement of government  at every level, frankly, but especially federal  has killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.

From 2007 through 2016, we endured a decade of absolute hell for the private sector. The recession that begin with the 2006 takeovers of the House and Senate by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid continued throughout the suicidal administration of Barack Obamas two-term presidency. The past decade left us with:

The highest effective tax burden in the industrialized world, with a 39.6% corporate and small business effective income tax rate and thats not even counting the state and federal burdens of FICA, Medicare, Unemployment and Workmens Comp, and an unbearable business insurance and liability environment for countless businesses.

An unprecedented expansion in government aid, such as free schooling, free food and housing, even free cellphone and internet service. Nearly 50 million people are now on food stamps. How do we get people to take that first entry-level job to start them on their way to a real career, if jobless benefits pay four times as much?

An equally-unprecedented increase in both legal and illegal immigration. An unobserved border has allowed millions of unskilled immigrants to compete with Americans at the bottom of the scale, as well as millions of skilled immigrants to take the better-paying jobs of Americans further along on their career progression. So the American teen who needs part time work while in high school and college has unfair competition and then if he succeeds and makes it into a well-paying career as an engineer, plant manager, or product designer, hell again risk losing his job to an immigrant his company can bring over on an H1B visa from their foreign plant.

The ultimate conclusion of a half century of liberal criminal justice policy has made it impossible to get proper convictions and proper sentencing for our millions of criminals, so rather than keeping villains off the streets, we waste billions on a revolving door criminal justice system that leaves our cities in the grip of a permanent crime wave. When a big city company executive sees the neighborhood collapsing around his plant - his employees fearing for their lives as they rush to their cars or wait at the bus stop, does he expand that plant, or does he look for options for moving that plant - and all its jobs - away from this urban hell maybe far, far away?

When Donald Trump won the Presidency in 2016, the American economy breathed a collective sigh of relief. The long slow anguish of the Obama administration would not be continued under the equally destructive Hillary Clinton.

But as the pundits are saying these days, its not enough for Donald Trump to be not Obama. The nation needs Washington to undo the damage done in the recent past, and frankly, in the distant past as well.

In order for jobs to come back  and not just jobs, but the full range of jobs, the full range of opportunities that an American economy ought to provide  we need radical government reform.

The government must cut the top effective tax rate in half or better. Now. Not fight over complex tax reform in an ambitious and unrealistic search for perfection that could take years. We need a business tax cut now. This country suffers under the highest effective business tax burden in the industrialized world. This Must End.

The government must end obamacare and re-establish the private sector as the provider of healthcare. This too doesnt require a complex process; just the repeal of the unconstitutional Obamacare act itself, and the empowerment of the insurance industry to do what they do best. Eliminate the bans on interstate sale of health insurance, extend the tax deduction that company-provided plans get to personally-purchased plans, eliminate the costly mandates, and allow people to choose the plans they want again. Our problem was never the system itself, but a lack of employment and a surplus of illegal aliens. Put people back to work, and the healthcare financing problem largely solves itself.

The Trump Administration has already made strides in curtailing complex, crippling federal regulations, but they could be restored at the stroke of a pen by the next administration. This nation desperately needs to downsize its federal bureaucracy  and many of our state bureaucracies as well. This cant be done  permanently  by presidents and governors. This requires legislative action in both the nations capital and in the state capitals as well.

Can jobs come back? Of course they can. If this nation does the above, well see years of four and five percent economic growth, and a return to the great conservative opportunity society that our Founding Fathers intended for us.

But if we dont then the monthly job reports will remain tepid, storefronts and office space will remain vacant for years all over the country, and the numbers of expansions and new business startups will continue to disappoint.

You cant expect different results until you do different things. The boot of government is still on the neck of the employer, and he just cant be expected to hire more employees until he can breathe again.

Copyright 2017 John F. Di Leo

John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international trade and transportation expert, and licensed Customs Broker. His columns are regularly found in Illinois Review. Permission is hereby granted to forward freely, provided it is uncut and the IR URL and byline are included.
A brilliant opening night playing to a full house was expected and delivered by 16th Ave Theatre.

Steadily growing in popularity, the theatres new play, The Ladykillers, is a masterful selection, full of comedy that will appeal to a wide audience.

Written by Gary Lineham, it is a superb adaption of the 1955 Ealing film of the same name.

The visual humour, verbal gags and clever script gave plenty of breadth for the cast to play with comic timing.

Led by bogus professor Marcus, a group of fake musicians gather to plan a crime.

A mixed lot, the members of the diverse gang range from dull-witted to seething nastiness.

The bank robbers pose as a string quartet in old Mrs Wilberforces lopsided London boarding house, which seems to be slowly subsiding.

The set is an important part of the action, providing dark plot moments, due to the juddering caused by passing trains at this Kings Cross location.

Simon Butler as Professor Marcus is a delightful mad crime genius, masterminding the whole charade that requires his accomplices to adopt various names and backgrounds in order to keep up the ruse.

Mrs Wilberforce is a benign treasure of gentle sweetness played by Geraldine Broderick.

Matt Glover, Geoff Herd, Jonty Climo, Ethan Thorburn and Simon Butler.

Given to flights of fancy, her persistent desire to see to the needs of her new house mate, the professor, ultimately puts her at risk from the ruthless gang.

The underlying joke behind some of the best lines poke at artistic pretension and the gullibility of discerning listeners to music.

The gang, finding themselves forced to perform for Mrs Wilberforces collection of pretentious friends, attempt to fool them by pretending their furious scratchings at the violins and cello is modern experimental music.

Mrs Wilberforce however is not fooled, and the gang realise they must dispose of her, or their game is up.

The slow-witted, brain-numbed ex-boxer One-Round is played by Ethan Thorburn, who was recently the musical director for the theatres youth production Byron Bay.

His lumbering across the stage, resting a cello under his chin, and blurting out the truth helped accentuate the manic spiralling downwards as the gang became more unhinged, - not unlike the house itself, which has pictures loose and swinging, and bad wiring causing the lights to wildly go on and off.

These effects, requiring precision timing were presided over masterfully by sound operator Angela Gillespie and lighting operator Alison Clark.

Alison was also part of the set building team, which further highlights how the theatre provides opportunity for people to try their hand at nearly any task.

This play represents the return of Wayne Gould to directing, after an absence of what he says is a number of decades.

His sense of fun seems to feed into the energy displayed by the cast with the result that there is a satisfying flow between the characters on stage.

Geoff Herd (as Major Courtney), Jonty Climo (as Harry Robinson), Matt Glover (as Louis Harvey) are all members of the gang and play off each other well as the action unfolds.

Constable MacDonald played by Liam Hagan delivers more amusing moments both verbally and visually and Mrs Trombleton played by the Allison Stewart is hilarious.

Hidden in the wings and arguably the most important character in the story, while staying invisible, is General Gordon.

Mrs Wilberforces collection of pretentious friends, come to listen to the string quartet.

Played by Vincent J. Gambino, its clear 16th Ave Theatre have discovered a wonderful new talent in Vincent who has a very entertaining range of vocal ability.

No one often mentions the people who run the front of house, take care of behind the scenes, and help stage and produce these shows that 16th Ave Theatre put on.

From walking in the door, to sitting in a warm and inviting theatre, through to the refreshment area, there are friendly hospitable members of the theatre who do their best to ensure everyone has a completely enjoyable experience. And its hard not to.
A National Party billboard in Tauranga has been set on fire, with the likeness of Prime Minister Bill English being burned clean off it.

The attack occurred on Saturday night, with a shocked passer-by taking photos and sending them into SunLive.

The man, who did not wish to be named, says he was walking past when he saw the burnt sign, which is on private property.

I alerted the owner of the house, who hadnt realised it happened. She rang the police, who are going to investigate.

He says the fire attack is an extreme response to what was an innocuous sign encouraging people to party vote National.

I think its going way too far. There was a beer bottle and tyre marks on her lawn  someone was probably drunk, pulled up, and set the sign on fire.

He says the family were concerned for the safety of their children following the fire, as the sign is quite close to their house.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says nothing surprising him when it comes to hoardings anymore, but hes concerned at this type of attack.

Weve had cut-outs, all the graffiti you can think off, but I think fire is a new one. In all seriousness, though, not only is that damaging to the sign, it also has dangers associated with it. Fire goes too far  that sort of behaviour is reckless and really dangerous.

Tire marks at the scene of the crime.

Its not the first act of vandalism against political hoardings in the city  last month SunLive revealed several National Party billboards had been targeted by a serial face-cutter, who was carefully removing the heads of Simon Bridges and Bill English for some unknown purpose.

If anyone does see this type of criminal behaviour, particularly arson, they should report it to local police.
A new cancer drug has been approved for use in New Zealanders - and the Breast Cancer Coalition is calling for it to be publicly funded.

The drug, Ibrance, works by interfering with certain proteins in the body and helps stop cancer cells from dividing and growing.

Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalitions Libby Burgess says the drug would help hundreds of women with a particular kind of breast cancer, but it would be too expensive if it was not government subsidised.

"Its going to cost New Zealanders around $5000 a month and that means most people wont be able to access this drug.

"We really have an important breakthrough medicine and we need to get Pharmac to get right onto this and to fund it very soon."

Libby says the drug company had yet to file an application with Pharmac.

Breast cancer is New Zealands third most common cancer. It kills more than 600 people each year.

-RNZ
The Incubator has taken top honours at Taurangas biggest annual celebration of volunteers, the Trustpower Community Awards.

Voluntary groups from around the city gathered with representatives from Trustpower, Tauranga City Council and the community at ASB Arena to hear how 12 groups and three young people are making an impact in their community.

Trustpower Community Relations Representative Abbie Siely says The Incubator has been widening its scope and increasing its impact year on year since its inception in 2013.

The Incubator has been working tirelessly to develop an interactive creative culture in the Bay of Plenty, contributing to positive social outcomes through the development of arts infrastructure, says Abbie.

More than 150 volunteers are committed to drawing the community together through the universal language of creativity. They facilitate a vibrant destination for creative activity, provide accessible education and stimulating events, and grow social collaboration.

The Incubator has four key streams to cater to a range of creative pursuits.

The Artery offers creative learning classes and workshops for people wanting to develop their skills.

Poetry Incubator hosts sessions every month to encourage the citys burgeoning poetry scene.

Creative Bootcamp runs programmes to improve creative fitness levels, stimulating the left brain-right brain pathway and helping companies inject some creative influence into their businesses.

The Jam Factory provides collective support for local musicians, and an intimate and eclectic venue for gigs.

Abbie says the group has grown to be a central force behind many of the citys creative enterprises.

In the past 12 months, The Incubator has hosted more than 40 events that have involved thousands of people in Tauranga.

They worked with the Tauranga Art Gallery and Tauranga City Council on a 15 metre mural reflecting the Bay of Plenty environment. This gave seven local artists the opportunity to collaborate. Children were also able to participate in the murals creation through a public workshop run by volunteers.

The Incubator facilitated several subsidised workshops with a focus on Maori arts and crafts to celebrate Matariki. The events included pottery and weaving workshops, and featured celebrated Maori artists as guest speakers.

She says that, it was their efforts to reach out to other groups not typically associated with the arts, in order to contribute to the social wellbeing of the community, which really set The Incubator apart.

In April this year, The Incubator collaborated with the Kiwicoast Lions Club and Creative Bay of Plenty, hosting an exhibition of altered artworks that raised $3,500 for Waipuna Hospice. It is just one example of The Incubator working with other groups for the good of the wider community.

The Incubator has had a remarkable impact on Tauranga, changing the face of our local arts scene and joining fellow volunteer organisations in the work of making life better for those in need of assistance.

As Supreme Award winners, The Incubator received a framed certificate, a trophy, and $1,500 prize money. The group also received an additional $500 as the category winner for Arts and Culture, bringing its total prizemoney for the evening to $2,000.

The Incubator will go on to represent Tauranga at the 2017 Trustpower National Community Awards, which take place in Queenstown next April.

Other winners at the Trustpower Tauranga Community Awards were:

Youth Community Spirit

Joint Runner Up  Hunta Davies

Joint Runner Up  William Raisbeck

Winner  Aileen Harwood

Heritage and Environment

Runner up  Papamoa Community Patrol Inc.

Winner  Classic Flyers

Health and Wellbeing

Commendation  Kai Aroha

Commendation  Tauranga Mens Shed

Runner up  Tauranga Community Foodbank Trust

Winner  Bellyful Tauranga

Arts and Culture

Commendation  Bethlehem Pottery Club Inc.

Runner up  Bay of Plenty Film Trust

Winner  The Incubator

Sport and Leisure

Runner up  Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service Inc.

Winner  Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club

Education and Child/Youth Development

Winner  Mount Maunganui Playcentre

Supreme Winner

The Incubator
The weather forecast today is for a mainly fine day, but with cloud and drizzle from the evening. Therell be very light westerlies.

Its a three-clothing layer day today with a high of 17 and an overnight low of 12 degrees.

The sea temperature has risen one degree to 16 degrees as we move into spring.

This day in NZ history in 1939 NZs Prime Minister declares New Zealands support for Britain.

In world history on this day in 1977 the Voyager 1 space probe was launched, and on this day in 1984 the Space Shuttle Discovery landed after its maiden voyage.

A quote for today - "If Plan A didnt work, the alphabet has 25 more letters."

Stay cool!
New Secret

The latest AMELS 242, this 74-metre example of sophisticated styling from Tim Heywood is headed to Port Hercules and ready to showcase the potential behind the Limited Editions range. This is the second of four AMELS 242 yachts now delivered or in build, and offers an unmissable opportunity to discover first-hand why this is such a popular superyacht.

New Secret was delivered in May 2017 and has since cruised Norway and the West Med with her owners who, while keeping the yacht for private use, are keen to showcase why they fell in love with the range in the first place.

Lili

On the market for charter through Imperial Yachts, Lili is an idyllic example of the superyacht lifestyle and a popular new yacht on the market. Delivered in 2017 by AMELS & Imperial Yachts, the second global debut in the list is a versatile, stylish and a highly-customised superyacht with worldwide appeal.

A 55-metre evolution of the AMELS 180, Lili is built to take families and friends of up to 12 across the worlds waters with Tim Heywoods vision of a first impression, while surrounded in style by Laura Sessas interior decor. For more information on chartering Lili, click here for a closer look at the lifestyle on board.

New Frontiers

Living up to its name in every sense, New Frontiers will be placed next to the charter machine Lili on T Central this September and showcasing the best possible Support vessel lifestyle. DAMEN worked on the Yacht Support design for over 10 years, perfecting the ability to bring every toy imaginable (as well as pilots, nurses and personal trainers) to new territories, saving more space for friends and family on board.

Game Changer

One of DAMENs more renowned recent deliveries, Game Changer caught the worlds attention after arriving on the Thames as part of her sea trials earlier this year. With flawless performance and endless space for highly-technical, or highly-fun, pursuits, this is 70-metre vessel built for fun and adventure.

Helicopter hangar, endless support mechanisms for the mother ship and cargo space for tenders, toys and provisions, Game Changer is easily one of the most popular additions to the show due the capabilities that are unlocked just by stepping on board.

These are the key new launches under the AMELS banner at the Monaco Yacht Show, but with it will also come insights into the two SeaXplorer projects underway as well as 55-83-metre models on display; including the brand-new AMELS 206. We look forward to bringing you more on the dawn of the Monaco Yacht Show come September (27-30).
In Manchester, we have two kinds of places to get a coffee.

The first is par for the course anywhere in the country. Starbucks, Costa and Cafe Nero. The stuff that hipsters turn their noses up at. You usually drink it on the way to work or when youre waiting for a train.

Then we have the indies.

You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Deciding where to go for a coffee is about to become even more difficult, because one of the largest and most popular coffee chains in the world is coming to Manchester.

Iconic Canadian chain Tim Hortons may be billed as a restaurant but its most famous for its blend of signature coffees and tasty pastries and a must-visit for any coffee lover.

Nearly eight out of ten cups of coffee sold in Canada are served at Tim Hortons and more than 5.3 million Canadians  approximately 15 per cent of the population  visit a Tim Hortons daily. Ask anyone who has been to Canada if you dont believe us.

Their coffee is so popular that when the first Tim Hortons in the UK opened in June in Glasgow, people queued up overnight.

So what to expect? An extensive menu of delicious drinks, including  of course  their signature coffee, espresso-based beverages, hot chocolate, french vanilla and classic frozen iced capp drink, as well as baked goods, breakfast and lunch items.

One of the most exciting things on the menu are the timbits  tiny pastries which are small enough that you can remain guilt-free about enjoying one with your coffee. Or two. Or maybe three, until you get stuck in a vicious cycle of just one more because they taste so good.

We were blown away by the reception we received in Glasgow, and are delighted to announce the opening of restaurants in Cardiff, Belfast and Manchester, says Kevin Hydes, chief finance and commercial officer of the Tim Hortons franchise in Great Britain.

We know theres a great deal of excitement out there and we cant wait to share more details. Were always looking for fantastic people to join the Tim Hortons Great Britain team  get in touch if youre interested!

If theres a staff discount involved, then were in.

More information about Tim Hortons UK can be found here.
The storms at the beginning of this week did not bring as much rain as the Spanish met office Aemet had forecast. Nevertheless the rain that did fall, especially in the Guadalhorce valley and Antequera areas, has been welcomed by local farmers, although they point out that the threat of a drought situation for crops and livestock remains.

The same heavy rain that caused flooding in Antequera and Humilladero, among other towns, did reach the Guadalteba and Conde de Guadalhorce reservoirs but failed to increase their levels by more than one cubic hectometre.

Nevertheless any rain in August is an unexpected bonus and last weeks storms have been valued as very positive by the main farming associations.

The threat of a serious drought is still hanging over farmers, who welcome the autumn and winter with hopes for more precipitation.

The secretary general of the Small Farmers Union (UPA), Francisco Mocoso, said this week that the olive crop has benefitted especially from last weeks rain. He called for local town halls to clear up damage caused to country lanes in areas north of Antequera.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- With the New York State Fair ending and the Lakeview Amphitheater season tying up this week, summer's officially over. Soak up as much sun as you can at these outdoor shows in Syracuse.

1. Spin Doctors at NYS Fair

The '90s pop-rock band sold more than 10 million copies of their 1991 debut album "Pocket Full of Kryptonite," which featured hits "Two Princes," "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and "Jimmy Olsen's Blues."

Where: Chevy Court, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse.

When: 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3

How much: Free with fair admission.

2. Migos at NYS Fair

This year, the Georgia hip-hop trio's single "Bad and Boujee" sat at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for months. Migos fever swept festivals and amphitheaters all summer, with critics praising rappers Quavo, Offset and Takeoff for their high energy and firm command of the crowds.

Where: Chevy Court, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse.

When: 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3

How much: Free with fair admission.

3. UB40 at NYS Fair

The famed English reggae band released more than 20 records through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Their biggest hit may be their version of Neil Diamond's "Red, Red Wine," which topped the Billboard Top 100.

Where: Chevy Court, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse.

When: 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4

How much: Free with fair admission.

4. Kool and the Gang at NYS Fair

The horn-driven 1970s band produced funk/R&B dance numbers like "Funky Stuff," "Jungle Boogie," "Hollywood Swinging" and "Ladies Night." Fireworks will light up the skies after the show, at approximately 9 p.m.

Where: Chevy Court, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse.

When: 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4

How much: Free with fair admission.

5. Rob Thomas, Counting Crows, Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas returns to Syracuse with the Counting Crows -- and Thomas' band Matchbox Twenty -- for the final show announced for the Lakeview Amphitheater 2017 season. The "A Brief History of Everything" tour includes special guest Rivers & Rust, featuring original Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook.

Where: Lakeview Amphitheater at 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse.

When: Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6:45 p.m.

How much: Tickets are $99.50, $79.50 and $49.50 for pavilion seating and $29.50 for the lawn; a limited number of lawn four-packs will be available for $90.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Teenagers, man. They're the hardest people on earth to entertain.

Spin Doctors frontman Chris Barron faced hundreds of them at Chevy Court on Sunday afternoon, who vocally made it clear they were there for the 8 p.m. Migos show, not for him. And the frequent rain showers didn't help their moods.

The rock band opened with "Jimmy Olsen's Blues," their catchy underdog ode to Lois Lane. Though Barron danced up a storm and managed a strong call-and-response off the bat, the teen contingent of the audience remained seated and stone-faced.

"Hey, if you aren't having fun, I'd be failing at my job," Barron said.

A young woman screamed, "You are failing!"

Geez. That was way harsh, Tai.

But to a longtime Spin Doctors listener, he wasn't failing at all. Barron sounded almost identical to his 1991 self and his band ably maintained the same joyful, funky rock sound that first turned heads in a dark decade of grunge.

Many musicians would answer such attitude with a rushed set and quick goodbye. Instead, Barron handled the aloof adolescents like a pro. He addressed them often, asking questions and telling jokes.

"Does anybody here know what love is, real love?" he probed. "When you'd rather be miserable than see that person miserable? This song isn't about that at all; it's called 'Big Fat Funky Booty.'"

A few young people cracked smiles.

"I think it's going rather well," Barron said, afterward. "Is anyone out there not having fun?"



When a kid shouted his disapproval, Barron went in for the kill.



"Oh no, is it the music?" Barron said, happy as a clam. "Is there anything I can do? Is it something personal? Yes? Oh, that sucks. I know how it feels to have a sh-tty youth."

Perfectly balancing his act of earnestness and mockery, Barron shushed his guitarist: "Hey, stop, Eric! This kid has a personal problem. Don't be insensitive."

The crowd ate it up.

"Hey Jason, whatever's going on, it's gonna be OK," Barron continued. "We're all in this together."

With that, the Spin Doctors launched back into the set.

Bassist Mark White emerged from his corner of the stage to produce a beautifully dense solo on "Lady Kerosene," which guitarist Eric Schenkman answered with his own enthusiastic shred job.

Barron showed great personality during the 70-minute set, making solid efforts to connect with the crowd of 2,100. His high kicks alone drew cheers. The New York Times once described him as rubbery, and a better word doesn't exist for those spindly-long legs.

For this crowd, the band made a good decision to end with the irreverent "Yo Mama's A Pajama" as the encore.

"My name is Chris and I tweet about cats!" Barron yelled, as a sign-off. One glance at his Twitter confirms, indeed, he tweets a lot of feline news.

Best of all, he stayed an extra half hour after the show ended to chat, sign autographs, take selfies, shake hands and hug his fans. Now that's a rock star.

Spin Doctors set list at NYS Fair

Sept. 3, 2017 | Chevy Court

Jimmy Olsen's Blues

Traction Blues

Off My Line

Little Miss Can't Be Wrong

More Than She Knows

If the River Was Whiskey

Big Fat Funky Booty

Refrigerator

What Time Is It?

Margarita

Two Princes

Lady Kerosene

Encore: Yo Mama's A Pajama

Katrina Tulloch writes music and culture stories for Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact her: Email | Twitter | Facebook

Chevy Court 2017 reviews: Robert Randolph and the Family Band | 3 Doors Down | The Family Stone | Chevelle | The Fabulous Thunderbirds | The Beach Boys | Stephen Marley | Lynyrd Skynyrd | Earth, Wind & Fire | Herman's Hermits | Kansas | The Marshall Tucker Band | Daya | Taylor Dayne | Bret Michaels | Skid Row | LeAnn Rimes | A Tribe Called Red | Blue Oyster Cult | DNCE
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Spending in the Syracuse mayoral race surpassed $400,000 with less than two weeks until the primary.

The six candidates in the race had spent $416,000 as of Sept. 1. That does not include an up-to-date spending report for Republican Laura Lavine, whose most recent campaign filing is not yet available.

Friday marked the last day for filing campaign finance disclosures before the Sept. 12 primary. Candidates are required to report all money raised and spent to the New York State Board of Elections.

As the primary nears, Democrat Joe Nicoletti has ramped up spending more than any other candidate. Nicoletti -- the party designee-- is trying to fight off a serious challenge from Juanita Perez Williams. Despite more money and the party's backing, Nicoletti slightly trailed Perez Williams in a mid-August poll from Spectrum News and Siena College.

Perez Williams has spent about $78,000 while Nicoletti has spent just more than $104,000. Nicoletti, however, had three times as much money leftover as of Sept. 1.

The most recent spending totals don't appear to include cash spent on television campaigns launched this week. Nicoletti began running a pair of TV ads this weekend, including one attacking Perez Williams.

Perez Williams is planning to air her own TV ads starting Wednesday. Hers is not an attack ad.

Democrat Marty Masterpole's fund-raising continues to be sluggish in Syracuse. The bulk of his money comes from a wealthy group of financiers in Rochester, plus more than $10,000 from scrap metal mogul Adam Weitsman. The Siena poll showed Masterpole far behind Perez Williams and Nicoletti.

Ben Walsh, who is running on a pair of third-party lines, continues to outpace his opponents when it comes to raising and spending money. Walsh has raised nearly $300,000 and spent less than half of it. While Walsh is mounting a write-in campaign for the Independence Party line in the primary, he seems to be saving any big spending for the general election in November.

Republican Laura Lavine is the endorsed candidate on the Independence line, and is also planning a write-in campaign on the Reform line (on which Walsh is endorsed). Lavine had spent most of the $88,000 she'd raised as of her last filing in mid- August. Nearly half of Lavine's money so far has come from herself and her brother, Gary Lavine.

The mayor's position pays $115,000 a year.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Ben Weitsman gave money to Masterpole. The money is from Adam Weitsman.

Mayor's race spending

Candidate Raised Spent Remaining Ben Walsh (i) $297,490.23 $128,828.36 $168,661.87 Joe Nicoletti (D) $191,791.51 $104,109.56 $87,681.95 Juanita Perez Williams (D) $101,655.33 $77,747.39 $23,907.94 Laura Lavine (R)* $88,291.00 $71,652.01 $16,638.99 Marty Masterpole (D) $63,332.00 $33,592.08 $33,816.09** Howie Hawkins (G)*** $1,079.75 $506.49 $573.26 TOTAL: $742,560.07 $415,929.40 $326,630.67

*Totals for Lavine are from Aug. 11

**Masterpole carried over about $5,000 from a previous campaign account

***Totals for Hawkins are from July 15
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Should Syracuse cops be required to live in the city?

Throughout the recent mayoral campaign, much has been said about crime, safety and police. Candidates have stressed the need for safer streets and clashed over how to best fill the department's ranks.

The city's police force is overwhelmingly white and suburban. Cops are also the highest paid city employees, with many making six figures between regular pay and overtime. Nearly every candidate has said the department needs to better reflect the community it serves. Some cities have achieved that with a residency agreement with the police union.

Such agreements are a double-edged sword. While having more cops in city neighborhoods could improve overall security and the economy, many officers are understandably hesitant to move their families into the areas they police.

With that in mind, we asked the candidates the following question:

There's been much talk about making the police department more reflective of the community it serves, but few details on how to achieve that. One option would be a residency requirement. The fire union's contract, for example, requires new hires to live within the city for at least five years. Would you push for a similar deal with the police union, requiring cops to live in the city they serve? Why or why not?

There are three Democrats running for mayor, as well as a Republican, a Green and an un-affiliated candidate. In a primary on Sept. 12, voters will nominate candidates on three lines: Democrat, Reform and Independence.

Click on a candidate to jump to his or her response or scroll through all responses below.

Howie Hawkins (G)

Laura Lavine (R)

Marty Masterpole (D)

Joe Nicoletti (D)

Juanita Perez Williams (D)

Ben Walsh (I)

The candidates' written answers to the question are given below, in order of party affiliation. They are provided as submitted, with minor editing for style. They were asked to limit responses to 250 words.

Look for a new candidate question each week. Have something you'd like to ask all the candidates? Email Chris Baker at cbaker@syracuse.com with the subject line "weekly question."

Juanita Perez Williams (D)

During recent contract negotiations, it was commendable for the Syracuse City Fire Union to offer a five-year residency requirement for all new hires. State law allows all fire and police employees to live outside city lines therefore we should congratulate our local fire union for doing what is best for our city.

Most would agree that having first responders who live, work and interact in the very neighborhoods they serve provides more opportunity to build close community relationships and strengthens our local economy. Soon, our local police union will negotiate a new contract and I hope they too will be creative and offer ideas in the best interest of our city.

As mayor, I will prioritize how we better integrate law enforcement in our community. Back in April, I released a 100-day plan (the only candidate to do so), saying we will fill new academy classes and gradually increase staffing, becoming more diversified to better reflect the demographics of our city.

I will also begin to develop ways to introduce public servant opportunities for all our youth, focusing on building home-grown first responders with school programs like the one I experienced as a young woman in elementary school. We will expose and prepare our kids as early as 4th grade, keeping them focused on their education with a promise of a future and a junior academy job within our many city agencies, allowing our kids to prepare and qualify for local public service in the very neighborhoods they call home.

Joe Nicoletti (D)

As mayor, I would pursue a five-year residency requirement for new police hires that mirrors the requirement approved in the firefighters labor agreement. In New York State, police fall under binding arbitration whenever a new labor agreement cannot be reached through negotiations. However, I am confident that a five-year residency agreement for new police hires can be reached through a negotiated settlement with the Police Benevolent Association.

In addition to securing contract concessions relative to a five-year residency clause for new hires, I would also offer incentives to all fire and police personnel to purchase Land Bank properties for $1 on the condition that the property be rehabilitated and the fire/police employee lives in it for at least five years.

Some research has found it is difficult to recruit people of color to serve as police officers due to stringent background checks and outdated testing requirements, if this proves to be the case, changes will be required going forward. The city does a better job recruiting new firefighters who reflect the communities they serve; now we must do better with the SPD.

A top priority of mine is to institute an effective community policing model which will build trust between police and citizens. This will not only help to recruit residents who represent the people they serve into the police department ranks, but it will instill the trust required to have police working hand in hand with citizens to prevent crime and to solve crimes in our neighborhoods in the most effective manner.

Marty Masterpole (D)

I firmly believe that there should be greater identification between police and the community served, and have emphasized it throughout my campaign. In particular, on the topic of combating crime, I have outlined several of the major themes of my strategy for crime reduction. Central to them are prioritizing hiring and training new police officers to reduce the $13M overtime burden on the city and the department and creating a partnership between the city and developers to offer affordable housing and/or rentals to Syracuse police officers, incentivizing officers to live in the community they work.

I am certainly open to negotiating a residency requirement with the police union, but even more so I than that, I think we should focus on promoting from within: we have the PSLA (Public Service Learning Academy) at Fowler, set up to train Syracuse City School District students who want to go into public service jobs (including police). These are young people who already intimately understand their communities, and feel a desire to serve that we should encourage. All options are on the table including incentives for pay, housing, etc. for the students of PSLA.

Laura Lavine (R)

I prefer to see public servants live in the city. They might become more community-oriented. They would contribute financially. Just having more officers present makes the city safer. They might understand the community differently by interacting with neighbors which could improve attitudes. In addition, our department should reflect the composition of our city as it could better connect the officers and the community.

Residency requirements are difficult to enforce, though, and resources might have to be spent ensuring that officers live where they say they do. The bigger problem is that they limit the number of potential job applicants which could lead to a less qualified department.

We need a more diverse department but recruitment is the key. This isn't about just adding people, it's about adding the right people which is even more challenging because some view the Sheriff's Department and the NYS Police as more desirable places to work.

The issue is, "Why do most of our officers live outside of Syracuse?" For many, it's because being understaffed precludes them from ensuring safety, and because they want their children attending better schools.

To attract anyone to live in Syracuse, I am staying on message. We need a fully staffed department with officers trained to develop trusting community relationships, and we need to improve our underachieving, unsafe schools.

With those efforts underway, I would explore incentives such as tax breaks or higher salaries to attract officers to live in Syracuse, and use a residency requirement as a last resort.

Howie Hawkins (G)

I would negotiate for a residency requirement in the next police contract. 92% of Syracuse police live outside the city.

I would seek a permanent residency requirement. That is only fair because police are the best-paid city employees and, by state law, may retire with good pension and health benefits after just 20 years of service.

As residents, police will contribute taxes, spending, and their direct stake in the city's schools, services, and all-around quality of life.

However, more than residency is needed for racial diversity. 93% of city police are white in a city that is 28% black and 49% people of color - an inexcusable failure 37 years after the 1980 federal consent decree required the city to hire more black officers to remedy past discrimination.

I would hire a police chief committed to minority recruiting and community policing linked to complementary city programs that provide opportunities, services, and mentoring for at-risk youth who are neither in school nor working and for people who are reintegrating after incarceration.

Richmond, California, a working-class city with 80% people of color and historically high rates of homicide and property crimes, took this approach. Implemented between 2005 and 2013 by a Green mayor and the police chief she hired, minority officers tripled from 20% to 60%. Homicides dropped 75%. Property crimes dropped 40%. Promotion was tied to building positive relationships with the neighborhood policed, not volume of arrests. Police are offered rent-free public housing, which is where Richmond's current police union president lives.

Ben Walsh (I)

My family and my neighbors are lucky to have a city police officer and retired city firefighter living on our street. Their presence gives us a greater sense of security and peace of mind knowing they can relate to those they serve. Everyone in Syracuse deserves the same experience, which is why when I become Syracuse's first independent mayor, I will implement a three-pronged plan to get more police officers living in the city.

First, using the fire union's contract as a model, I will work with the SPD and union leadership to negotiate a reasonable residency requirement into the next PBA contract. In doing so, I will be sensitive to the concerns I've heard from officers regarding the safety of their families given the nature of their work.

Second, I will incentivize city residency by partnering with local lenders to develop a home finance and guaranteed mortgage program for police officers and firefighters, modeled after successful programs at Syracuse University and Le Moyne College. The program will provide significant cost savings by eliminating the need for a down payment and private mortgage insurance.

Third, I will partner with the Public Service Leadership Academy (PSLA) at Fowler to develop a pipeline of home grown candidates already living in the city.

With over 90% of SPD officers living outside the city, it shouldn't come as a surprise that people of color represent only 10.5% of sworn SPD personnel despite making up almost half the city's total population. We must do better.

Read the candidates' answers to questions about:

Syracuse's Citizen Review Board

The 2016 election

Innovation

Sunny weekends

The next police chief

Lead paint

Making the city a better place

Consolidation

Blodgett repairs

Mayor Miner

Poverty

Deer

Their best idea

Property taxes

The Land Bank

Sanctuary city

Crime

The NYS Fair gondola

More on the mayor's race:

5 takeaway from Democratic debate

Snitches, privilege and neophytes: Takeaways from the 2nd forum

Which candidates have kids in city schools?
Ed Griffin-Nolan is a Syracuse writer and licensed massage therapist.

By Ed Griffin-Nolan

My friend Phil, who grew up in Syracuse in the '70s and now lives in Virginia, called one afternoon earlier this summer and asked what I was doing in the morning. My response surprised him. "Daybreak sail." When I added that we were going out on Onondaga Lake, Phil, like anyone who grew up here in that era, was a bit wary.



The next day, two cups of coffee in tow, we raised a sail on my 18-foot schooner and slipped out of the marina at Onondaga Lake Park. For the next three hours, as traffic filled the Parkway, and planes lifted noiselessly from Hancock Airport, we watched the city of Syracuse come to light from a distinct vantage point - the middle of the lake she borders. It was a revelation. Ten minutes from downtown, we let the wind take us from the Seneca River outlet to the Inner Harbor, from Liverpool to the new amphitheater, enjoying the Lake as if it were our very own (which, save for a few fishermen in powerboats, it pretty much was).



Syracuse, it is easy to forget, is a city on a lake. Travel to Chicago and you are always aware of Lake Michigan. Closer by, Oswego is a city that embraces Lake Ontario. But Syracusans don't think of ourselves as people who live on the water. With good reason -- a century of dumping both sewage and industrial chemicals in Onondaga Lake left it by the mid-seventies a stagnant, reeking body of water that no one cared to navigate.



Today everything about that lake - the smell, the look, the feel, and the access to it, has changed. The only thing that remains stagnant is our awareness.



Dr. Cornelius Murphy, as he prepared to retire as President of SUNY-ESF a few years back, reminisced about doing research on the lake in the late '60s when only five hardy species of fish swam in those nasty waters. Then the Atlantic States Legal Foundation sued Onondaga County to force a change in how we process our human waste. Honeywell Corporation was forced to begin a flawed but significant cleanup of the PCBs, mercury, and other toxins that the industrial era left buried in the lakebed.



By 2013, observed Dr. Murphy, there were as many as 75 species in the lake, a number comparable to Oneida Lake. They're not edible yet, and the water is not ready is quite ready for swimming, but for sailing, kayaking, or canoeing - it's a delight. (You can put a kayak or canoe in the water for free - it's $10 to use the boat launch.)



There is plenty to argue about regarding the lake cleanup. My environmentalist friends contend that the capping does not go far enough to remove the deadly toxins. Others grouse that the money spent on the cleanup could best have been spent on renovating our urban neighborhoods.



But 70 species of fish can't be wrong. The lake is changing, and it's time that we change our attitude toward it. Most Syracuse residents have never been on the lake. The students who call our city home for three seasons a year think that we are a city built on a mall. Few realize that the mall is built on a lake.



This is in part what happens when you design a city to serve the automobile. Interstate 690, which cuts south of the lake, divides us visually from our primary water resource. Just as Interstate 81 divides us from one another, 690 divides us from our history and from the spiritual renewal that comes from contact with water.



Try Onondaga Lake. I promise you this - once you have seen Syracuse from the middle of that water, you can never see your city the same way again.
The letter that Barack Obama left for his successor as president, Donald Trump, contained congratulations, advice on the office and a reminder to make time for his friends and family, according to text of the letter released by CNN on Sunday.

"Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure," Obama wrote.

President Trump has mentioned the letter, calling it "beautiful" and "thoughtful," but has not revealed its contents to the media. CNN said that Trump has shown the letter to visitors, however, and obtained a copy from one of those visitors.

Here is the letter, according to CNN:

Dear Mr. President -

Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.

This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.

Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.

Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.

And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.

Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.

Good luck and Godspeed,

BO

The presidential letters have become a tradition -- one that has gone beyond just the president. When Barack Obama left office earlier this year, George W. Bush's daughters, Jenna and Barbara, wrote a letter to Sasha and Malia Obama about life after the White House.
Syracuse- The weather this week in Central New York will start out with a last gasp of summer on Labor Day but will quickly return to cool, showery weather as teachers and students head back to school.

Monday will play the unofficial role of the end of summer perfectly. Skies are sunny across Central New York this morning. Combined with a blustery southwest wind, the bright sunshine should help temperatures quickly warm through the 70s and into the low 80s this afternoon.

Some wispy cirrus clouds and puffy fair weather cumulus clouds are expected, but no precipitation will move into Central New York until well after sunset tonight as a cold front approaches the region.

A couple scattered showers and storms will start to appear this evening, but the best chance for rain will come after midnight. By the time this rain arrives, any thunderstorms should have diminished with just scattered showers expected.

A cold front Monday night will send temperatures back into the 60s with a daily chance for rain showers the remainder of the week.

The front will slow down as it presses into Central New York, so showers will persist through much of Tuesday morning and possibly into Tuesday afternoon. A little sun may be possible before the day closes out as the front pushes east.

Central New York will be on the cool side of the front for most of Tuesday. With the clouds and showers, temperatures will spend most of the day in the 60s. The clearing late in the afternoon may be enough to briefly boost temperatures into the low 70s.

Another cold Canadian air mass will settle southeast into Central New York as the front only slowly progresses eastward during the middle of the week. The nearby front, cold air aloft, and presence of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere will keep showers in the forecast.

Most of the showers from Wednesday through Friday will occur during the afternoon hours and will be of the scattered, pop-up variety. Showers will diminish as the daytime heating is lost, but will likely linger near the Great Lakes thanks to some lake enhancement.

Temperatures will remain cool, with highs in the upper 60s on Wednesday with mid 60s on Thursday and Friday.

Clouds during the nighttime hours should keep temperatures mostly in the 50s overnight.
Olivia Duane Adams is chief customer officer and cofounder of Alteryx.

Alteryx Chief CustomerOfficerOlivia Duane Adams

In this exclusive interview, Adams speaks with TechNewsWorld about her passion for analytics, and the role of women in an analytics-driven future.

TechNewsWorld: Can you give me some background on Alteryx? What prompted you to start the company?

Olivia Duane Adams:

We founded the company because we thought that analytics needed to be easier for people to understand and consume. Today, our technology is a leading platform for self-service analytics. Anybody in a company is able to use Alteryx to find data and analyze it, and theyre able to do it in a repeatable workflow.

A lot of times, analysts get asked the same questions, and repeatability saves them a lot of time. Data needs to be delivered at the time a question is asked. Its got to be delivered in a matter of minutes, hours or days, and thats what our technology allows our user community to do. Its an exciting time to be in this analytic space.

TNW: Why do you have a passion for analytics?

Adams:

Its about having a sense of curiosity  the ability to look at data and say, what is it telling me? I define analytics as the ability to ingest any and all relevant sources of data that might help answer a question being asked.

Analytics is the ability to use all the data you have to answer a question, or at least to drive insight to get to a better answer. Analytics is everywhere, and thats because data is everywhere. When you think about data as an asset, that asset is going to drive answers, and hopefully action. That action could be to start doing, or to stop doing, or to modify what youre already doing.

Analytics impacts every department in every company, and if they want to become smarter, all they have to do is become data-aware. If you think about the data you have, youre able to move seamlessly forward in this world of analytics.

TNW: What challenges have you faced in your career as a woman in tech?

Adams:

There is a perception that women are more approachable. This can be a challenge, because people will use me as a sounding board. What do you think? How would you handle this? What do you think? And so I always turn those into opportunities to help people understand where theyre coming from, and what change they want to make.

TNW: How can womens participation in STEM fields  and specifically analytics  be supported and promoted?

Adams:

I see such huge opportunity, because I believe that women do think differently. Well always look at things differently, and thats of huge value to the departments and teams and companies we work for, since it gives another perspective on how to approach a problem, how to solve a problem.

I see huge opportunities for women in STEM fields, and I would like to see more colleges and universities and K-12 grades motivating everyone, including women, to understand the opportunities and to demystify them for women. Sometimes theres a disconnect, where undergraduate students think the real world is so far away. How do we help them see the reality of these careers, and how they can have an impact in them?

Id love to see colleges and universities putting students in the real world, so theyre ready to take these jobs when they graduate. One program that we have is the Alteryx for Good program. Were giving our technology to universities that want to teach analytics in their courses. Its free for the university when its being taught in the classroom.

It puts the students in a position to use technology thats very employable when they graduate, and it gives them a taste of what its like to use this technology in a real-world situation. It gives them a sense of what it feels like to be in the real world. Our passion is to make sure that those students are using state-of-the-art technology.

We hear great feedback about the technology, and they love using it in their courses. At one university, for instance, theyre using Alteryx in their journalism program, because when youre a journalist, you need to be able to quote facts. Where do you find those facts? In the data thats available.

TNW: Whats in the future for the field of analytics, and for Alteryx? How are things evolving?

Adams:

As we talk to senior leaders from organizations around the world, we continuously hear them say that their companies need to be more analytic. Data is everywhere, and companies are becoming data-aware. As data continues to grow, organizations are asking tougher questions that they need to be able to answer in a timely manner.
The idea that Google might be becoming a national threat is what struck me when I read a Washington Post column by Zephyr Teachout, who currently is an associate professor of law at Fordham University. (As a side note, Teachout would seem to be an ideal name for a teacher.)

She makes a compelling argument that Google has reached a point where it no longer allows dissent outside the company  though, given the recent firing of a Google engineer, that may be true inside the firm as well.

Apparently, Google has been funding an organization that is set up to fight monopolies, but when that organization called it out, Google allegedly orchestrated the termination of the group. Given that it appears much of the money that used to go to fund journalism now goes to Google, and also that Google has been found by the European Union to behave badly, having Google use its impressive might to kill dissent is problematic.

Ill close with my product of the week: a nice-looking wood veneer cover for your high-end laptop, smartphone, tablet or game machine.

Google vs. Open Markets

It kind of amazes me how often Im seeing this now. A firm funds an effort against a large competitor, then grows, and finds that effort has become focused on it. Back in the 1990s, Sun, Google and Oracle aggressively pushed the EU to go after Microsoft with significant success. Sun eventually went under; Oracle tried to buy the company, only to find it was under painful scrutiny by the same group.

Google recently got fined, in much the same way Microsoft did, for similar bad behavior. Companies often dont get that unless you buy the politicians, a political organization is free to do to them what it wanted the organizations to do to their competitors. Some of these folks likely should learn the old phrase what comes around, goes around  and that using a government agency is almost always a dual-edged sword.

In this case, it looks as though Google was funding Open Markets to get its support in going after major competitors  likely Microsoft, but it could have been Amazon as well, or both. However, when the EU fined it, the organization that was focused on stopping firms like Google from misusing their monopoly power called Google out. Then, according to the column, Google got everyone fired.

Now the New American president did denounce this story and claimed that the head of the organization was fired because he wasnt open or collegial. Still, having been on the other side of this type of activity, that often is the language that is used when a researcher, when pressured by a major funding entity, is fired for refusing to toe the line. In my own case, I resigned  but the timing alone would be highly suspicious.

The Real Danger

Now Teachout makes some excellent points tied to Google shutting down dissent, but I dont think this is the big problem at all. We are now seeing a pattern of abuse of power  first with Googles heavy ties to the Obama administration, then with the EU fine, and most recently with the move to eliminate a group that spoke out against its power.

Folks have been calling out Googles dangerous ethics for a while now. One of the most interesting accusations is that it altered search results to favor Hillary Clinton (didnt appear to have helped much, however).

By the way, I searched on both Bing and Google for Eric Schmidt scandal and got the same sordid results. That guy really gets around, suggesting that Google either isnt doing this now, at least for him, or it really doesnt like its chairman much (or maybe Google is proud of that behavior, which is really concerning when it comes to ethics).

Googles financial resources are almost unmatched. It controls most of what you see and hear on the Web, it has been highlighted as a potential kingmaker in the past, and it apparently has been funding groups that otherwise might speak out against it  and, at least in this instance, it may be ensuring that anyone who might flag its bad behavior becomes unemployed.

Wrapping Up: Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

When a firm like Google gets the kind of power Google has, it typically misbehaves. There is an impressive list of firms that were broken up, shut down or massively fined to get them to behave once they reached a fraction of the power that Google now has. I think it is both fascinating and incredibly dangerous that firms that initially seem to want to break the monopoly power of another then use their win to create an even bigger problem.

One final thought: If you search for Trump scandal on both Bing and Google, you will see a difference. Both show highly negative results, as youd expect, but there are some positive stories on the first page of the Bing search, while Google has none of that. (If you try this yourself, youll see no Fox News and a lot of Mother Jones on Google, while youll see a bit of Fox and a little Mother Jones on Bing. It looks a ton more balanced.)

We live in dangerous times. Increasingly, the information we receive is curated by others, and if those others continue to trend toward evil, we eventually will be totally screwed. Hmm given the world as it is, I may need to reconsider the word eventually. Google may be, or perhaps already is, a national threat.

I like to one-up my peers, so at the AMD event last week I pulled out my Surface Laptop to astonished looks. My laptop looked very different from theirs, and I proceeded to tell the following story: I said, You know the Surface folks make up a special laptop for Bill, and this time they decided to use wood, but Bill doesnt really like wood, so they asked me if I wanted it and I, of course, said yes. Then after a flurry of envious comments, I came clean and told them that Id used Toast to create a veneer cover for my laptop, and that really is what happened.

ToastLaptop Veneer

I worry a bit about wood, but aluminum is soft as well and I take good care of my hardware, so this thing still looks as good as when I first installed the wood cover. I now have a laptop that looks very different from anyone elses, and the thing is, Toast makes covers for most of the major high-end laptop offerings, including Apples.

Personally, Id prefer something a tad higher-tech, like carbon fiber, but right now the offerings are in a variety of woods and they dont just apply to laptops either. You can get them for high-end smartphones, Xbox and PlayStation 4.

The cost is around US$70 for a laptop top, $34 for the bottom, and $24 if you want to do the inside (I wouldnt, given how much wear youll put on the wrist rests). You apply the veneer yourself, and you do have to be careful to line up the parts correctly. It isnt hard, but a steady hand helps a ton. Make sure you pre-fit the parts  otherwise, you might put them on upside down. So, for about $100, I got a custom version of my laptop and pulled a prank on my peers. As a result, the Toast veneer is my product of the week.
The LG V30, without a doubt, seems to be one of this year's hottest smartphone, largely because it gets everything right: the gorgeous screen, the user interface, and its premium look. It has all the bells and whistles one expects from a top-tier device and more.

Before it formally announced the phone, LG confirmed several key features of the LG V30 weeks ahead, offering a glance at the phone's revamped user interface and, perhaps more significantly, the camera, which the company then claimed has an aperture of f/1.6  the widest of any smartphone camera currently. This, in particular, was exciting.

Fast forward to now, with the LG V30 fully revealed, demoed, and given to reviewers and critics to play around with. Feedback has so far been excellent, with some even saying it's the smartphone to get this year.

There's A Problem With The LG V30 Camera

But some are now discovering a possible problem with the phone's camera. According to 9to5Google, photos shot with the phone aren't taken with the advertised aperture. A quick look at the EXIF data actually shows photos are taken with an f/1.7 aperture instead of f/1.6.

On paper, that might not appear to be much of a difference, but photographers know better. A wider aperture  in photography, a lower number denotes a wider aperture  means more light can enter the camera, making photos and low light scenes look better.

It remains uncertain as to why this is occurring, and LG has yet to offer official word. Still, 9to5Google speculates that this might not be a case of false advertising but a simple software bug. Keep in mind that LG V30 units floating around are pre-review ones, so it's possible they might still have kinks and hiccups. It's likely that the camera app hasn't been updated to fully take advantage of the LG V30's hardware.

Even with this slight anomaly  that's likely going to get fixed,  the LG V30's camera is nothing short of impressive. Check out Engadget's video preview of the phone's camera capabilities. This phone could have one of this year's best shooters, but we have to wait for the Google Pixel 2 or iPhone 8 to make judgments in that department.

LG V30 Specs

Announced at the end of August, the LG V30 is LG's latest flagship following the G6. It's got the same FullVision display but slightly bigger at 6.0 inches, and it's OLED this time, which is pretty fantastic because that means it has Always-On display features. It's a flagship through and through, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip onboard, 4 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB of storage, and a 3,300 mAh battery.

This is the second V series phone to have dual cameras but the first one to drop the signature secondary display, which has been replaced with a floating bar you can access a la Assistive Touch. The dual shooters are 16 and 13 megapixels, while the selfie camera is at a modest 5.

Its release date remains unannounced.

Thoughts about the LG V30? Sound off in the comments section below!

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
It's official: The release date of the iPhone 8 is Sept. 22  that is, if a new rumor turns out to be true.

The thing with rumors is they don't hold that much weight to them, but at times, they correctly hit the mark. Even if they don't, they fuel speculations and predictions.

iPhone 8 Release Date Rumor

According to O2, it has confirmed to its staff that the iPhone 8 will be available in stores on Sept. 22. For those who don't know, O2 is a carrier located in the United Kingdom.

This news from across the pond is courtesy of tech leakster Benjamin Geskin, aka @VenyaGeskin1.

O2 have confirmed to staff members that iPhone 8 release date is 22nd September in stores. pic.twitter.com/n1dfWl2S66  Benjamin Geskin (@VenyaGeskin1) August 30, 2017

If that's the real deal, then Apple's next flagship will be up for grabs in just a few weeks from now. Considering that the Cupertino brand's iPhone release history, this isn't that hard to believe at all.

Back in 2016, the iPhone 7 was announced on Sept. 7 and released on Sept. 16. Meanwhile, in 2015, the iPhone 6s was unveiled on Sept. 9 and launched on Sept. 25. In other words, Apple takes the wraps off a new line of iPhones in the earlier part of September and rolls it out sometime in the later half.

Couple that with Geskin's track record, particularly for the Samsung Galaxy S8, the alleged release date of the iPhone 8 isn't much of a stretch.

Still, at the end of the day, it's still just a rumor, so it's advised to take the news with the proverbial grain of salt.

Other iPhone 8 Rumors: The iPhone Names

Some rumors say that the so-called iPhone 8 isn't even going to be called the iPhone 8, per se. Up until they turned up, the next-generation iPhones are said to be named the iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus, and iPhone 8, which are believable.

Apparently, that might not be the case. Instead, they could be given the monikers iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone Edition respectively.

Meanwhile, another source says that the iPhone 8 could be named the iPhone X. As for the two other models, it also thinks that the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus will be called the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

iPhone 8 Launch Event

As a recap, the iPhone 8's launch event is set for Sept. 12, and on an interesting note, it's going to be the first device that Apple will unveil in its "spaceship" campus, expectedly along with the likes of the Apple Watch Series 3 and an updated Apple TV.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Sony is looking to inject a shot of nostalgia to all 90's kids out there with three new translucent PlayStation 4 crystal controllers.

The almost see-through controllers evoke memories of a trend from years past when consoles and other electronic devices had translucent and transparent cases that allowed users to peer into their internals.

PlayStation 4 Crystal Controllers

Sony announced the new limited edition DualShock 4 wireless controllers through an official PlayStation blog post, where it revealed the three color options of Crystal, Blue Crystal, and Red Crystal.

Sony previously released a Crystal DualShock 4 controller in 2015, but the new batch of translucent PlayStation 4 controllers will include the upgraded touchpad with the glimpse of the light bar. Only the front panel of the new PlayStation 4 crystal controllers are translucent though, as the back panel remains solid.

PlayStation 4 owners who would like to complete the set of three will have to make a bit of an effort though, as the variants are not available from a single retailer. The Crystal option can only be purchased at GameStop in the United States or EB Games in Canada, the Blue Crystal option is only available at Walmart, and the Red Crystal option can only be bought at Best Buy.

All three PlayStation 4 crystal controllers will be released later this month, but players can now preorder the controllers through the official PlayStation website. Each controller carries a price tag of $64.99, which is $5 higher compared to the price of the traditional black DualShock 4 wireless controller.

The translucent PlayStation 4 crystal controllers have no other advantages over the regular controllers aside from the translucent front panels. However, for gamers of the '90s who remember their transparent after-market cases for the PlayStation 1 and translucent mobile gaming devices, the additional $5 is worth it for a bit of nostalgia.

Other PlayStation 4 News

Sony rolled out the PlayStation 4 system update 5.0 beta last month, providing owners of the console a good glimpse of what they can expect from the next major upgrade to its firmware.

Recent reports on games that PlayStation 4 owners may be looking forward to include the crossover fighting game Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, a 3D remake of the classic RPG Secret of Mana, and the highly anticipated Destiny 2. In the meantime, PlayStation Plus subscribers can check out the free games that will be available for September, which include inFamous: Second Son for the PlayStation 4 and RIGS: Mechanized Combat League for the PlayStation VR.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Lobsters have different colors. Some are blue, some are orange, and some are half orange or half blue. A Maine lobsterman, however, caught one that stands out from many others.

'Ghost' Lobster Caught In Trap

Alex Todd, from Chebeague Island, has hauled lobsters of different colors over years of lobstering but he said that those do not compare on the scale of weirdness when compared with a translucent crustacean that he caught in a trap.

The 48-year-old said that in his decades of lobstering, he had never seen anything such as the translucent white lobster he caught off the north side of Chebeague Island.

The crustacean that Todd caught on Aug. 24 has a ghostly pale blue color but the lobster looks almost transparent. He said that the marine animal, which he caught in his trap alongside brown and mottled green lobsters, was different. Todd described it as definitely weird.

"I've gotten a couple that were weird colors  those bright blues you see sometimes," Todd said. "But that's the first all-white one I've gotten."

How Lobsters Get Their Color

The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, which shared the image of the bizarre lobster on Facebook, explained that normal lobsters get their color by mixing blue, red and yellow protein pigments. Different genetic mutations also affect the color of lobsters.

Lobsters can pass along shell colors from parents to offspring just like humans pass down genes for eye color.

Albino Lobsters

Albino lobsters are completely devoid of pigment and they would remain white even when cooked. University of Maine's Lobster Institute executive director Robert Bayer said that albino lobsters are vanishingly rare.

Not A True Albino

Albino lobsters occur at about one in 100 million but the lobster that Todd caught was not a true albino. The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association said that the crustacean Todd caught likely has a genetic condition that results in partial loss of pigment.

"This lobster probably has a genetic condition called Leucism which isn't a total loss of pigment (which would make it an albino) but instead a partial loss. This is why you can still see some hints of blue on the shell and color on the eyes," the organization explained.

Lobster Back To The Ocean

The lobster was tossed back into the ocean since its tail had been notched, which flags it as an egg-bearing female. Lobsters like this are off-limits due to conservation reasons.

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The Murder of Tia Sharp: My Daughter airs on Channel 5 tonight, exploring one of the UKs most shocking murders.

The documentary will look at who killed Tia Sharp and why, as well as the botched police search into the youngsters disappearance.

Airing tonight, Monday September 4, 2017 at 9PM, the one-off special will include contributions from Tias father Steven Carter.

The detective who led the investigation also takes part, expressing his apologies for what went wrong.

Who killed Tia Sharp?

Tia Sharp was brutally killed by Stuart Hazell, who plead guilty to her murder in 2013.

Murder of Tia Sharp

He was given a life sentence with at least 38 years behind bars.

In a case that shocked the nation, Tia was killed by the boyfriend of her grandmother.

Stuart Hazell had even appeared on TV appealing for any information to help find Tia aware that she was dead in the home of her grandmother.

Tia had gone missing on August 3, leading to a widespread hunt for clues as to her disappearance.

A week later on August 10, Tias body was found by Police in her grandmothers house, despite having previously been searched three times.

Cops arrested both Tias grandmother and her grandmothers boyfriend Stuart Hazell on suspicion of murder, as well as their neighbour, Paul Meehan, on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Despite finding a body, investigators struggled to figure out what had happened to Tia. A post-mortem concluded without establishing the cause of death.

While Tias grandmother was released without charge, Stuart Hazell was charged with murder, as detectives accused him of smothering Tia.

After originally pleading not guilty Hazell changed his plea a week into the trial and was given 38 years behind bars.

Meanwhile, neighbour Meehan was found guilty of wasting police time and handed five months in prison.

Murder of Tia Sharp

Following the trials, Police Commander Neil Basu apologised to Tias family for the botched search for the 12-year-old.

We have apologised to Tias mother that our procedures did not lead to the discovery of the body on this search, Mr Basu said back in 2012. On behalf of the Metropolitan Police I apologise for the distress and concern this delay will have caused.

A continuing review and examination of our search processes will be undertaken to ensure such a failing is not repeated.

he Murder of Tia Sharp: My Daughter airs Monday September 4, 2017 at 9PM.

More on: TV
Pack your umbrellas this morning just to be on the safe side - there is a 60 per cent chance of showers later in the day. A high of 10 degrees forecast with an overnight low of 3 degrees.

Deputy Prime Minster Barnaby Joyce has unveiled plans for more long-range moves of federal public servants, this time to Darwin.

Mr Joyce said the public servants, understood to be from his Agriculture Department, will be shifted from Geelong and Melbourne to staff a new $8 million "biosecurity hub" in Northern Territory Capital.

It is unclear how many workers will be moved.

Noel Towell has more.

'Nothing can bring my boy home'
Clients of the new $11.7 million Ngunnawal bush healing farm will be bussed 30 minutes to and from the farm near Tharwa each day, after plans to make it a residential drug and alcohol facility were abandoned earlier this year.

Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris officially opened the facility on Monday, some 10 months after capital works were completed in November last year.

ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris and community elders at the opening of the Ngunnawal bush healing farm.

The farm will cost about $2 million a year to run and the first tranche of between 12 and 15 clients are expected to start a 10-week-long day program in October.

After the government controversially abandoned the indigenous community's original proposal for an indigenous residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, clients will now be bussed to and from daily from activities at the farm.
Australia needs more greenfields mineral exploration "to find the mines of tomorrow," the acting chief executive of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies said on Monday, in the wake of new national figures showing a slight lift in spending on mining exploration.

Graham Short welcomed the jump in mineral exploration spending (excluding petroleum), which rose 9.9 per cent in the June quarter to an estimated $437.7 million on a seasonally adjusted basis.

The new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures also showed a smaller increase, of 4.7 per cent, in petroleum exploration expenditure to $355.6 million.

The ABS figures showed that while mineral exploration spending (excluding petroleum) was up $90 million on June last year, it was far below the levels seen in the June quarter of 2011 and 2013, when activity was estimated at about $600 million on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Brisbanes housing affordability remained stable in the June quarter, thanks in part to the growth in the number of apartments on the market.

According to the Housing Industry Associations housing affordability index, Queenslanders spend an average of $2287 on monthly mortgage repayments.

It would take a little more than 30 per cent of the average Queensland wage of $5992 a month to service that mortgage, HIA principal economist Tim Reardon said, with Brisbane's affordability index score increasing slightly to 84.6.

The way we work this out is we take the average price of a (dwelling) in Brisbane, and then the average incomes, then we assume that the borrower has been able to borrow 15 per cent for their deposit and that they've accessed the first home owners grant and any concessional duties there may have been on stamp duty as well, he said.
Australians are primed to vote on whether to recognise same-sex marriage. Survey forms will be sent to 16 million people from next week, and campaigning has begun in earnest. Despite this, the High Court may bring the postal survey to an immediate halt. This would be a first, with no other national poll stopped in its tracks in this way. But then again, no past government has sought to hold a national vote in such legally dubious circumstances.

The High Court is doing everything it can to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. It will hear argument today and tomorrow in unfamiliar surroundings. The discovery of asbestos in its building in Canberra means that the case will be heard in a cramped and makeshift Melbourne courtroom. The court will likely announce the result this week given the urgency of the situation.

It is surprising that matters have come to this. The normal path of making law about marriage is a simple vote of Parliament. Instead, conservatives have promoted a more radical option that clashes with Australia's traditions of parliamentary democracy. The non-binding, non-compulsory process run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is unique in Australian history.

The vote is also constitutionally adventurous because it has twice been rejected by Parliament. This leaves the government open to the attack that it lacks the legal authority to conduct the survey. Nothing in the submissions put by the Commonwealth to the High Court alters my view that the survey will more likely than not be struck down.
Six hundred and one US dollars for a pound of green coffee  yep, $US601, or a lazy $US1322 a kilo.

That's how much Sydney Coffee Business owner Jason Kew paid to outbid a Japanese buyer in an online auction.

A coffee culture is about more than money. Credit:Sahlan Hayes

That's how much he paid to break the record for the world's most expensive coffee (which, before Sydney's intervention, stood at a measly $US350 a pound).

The coffee is Esmeralda Geisha Canas Verdes Natural, offered for sale in last month's Best of Panama auction.
Were there a ready solution to rogue nuclear state North Korea's brazen and menacing recalcitrance, it would have been deployed years ago. The world is at a harrowing impasse.

Like his father and grandfather, dynastic despot Kim Jong-un has flouted international law by continuing his nation's quest to have nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles. He has been brutally prepared to allow his people to suffer economic deprivation  through trade retaliation from the US and many other nations, and through diverting so much wealth to weapons development.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has been brutally prepared to allow his people to suffer. Credit:AP

However, efforts to use diplomacy and economic sanctions should be redoubled in the worrying wake of North Korea's sixth and biggest nuclear weapons test, conducted on Sunday, for there is no acceptable military option to force Mr Kim to abandon the weapons program.

It is a program that has advanced to the point that North Korea claims the blast on Sunday, which triggered two earthquakes, involved a hydrogen bomb and that such a device has been miniaturised to fit onto missiles recent tests have demonstrated could reach the US and Australia. Experts are sceptical, but they agree the detonation was by far North Korea's biggest and indicated a device much more powerful than, for example, the bombs dropped on Japan by the US at the end of World War II.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has finally released documents proving he renounced his British citizenship before entering Parliament, after former prime minister Tony Abbott challenged him to "show it or shut up".

Despite no specific allegation Mr Shorten had not renounced his UK citizenship, which he received through his British-born father, the Labor leader found himself under increasing pressure to prove his eligibility, as Labor MPs fell under the spotlight to prove their assertion they met the section 44 requirements.

Mr Shorten tabled a letter from the UK Border Agency to Parliament on Monday, confirming he had renounced his British citizenship on May 15, 2006. Hours earlier on Monday, Mr Abbott brandished his own Home Office letter in front of the media and demanded Mr Shorten follow suit.

"I want to address comments made by the Prime Minister and the member for Warringah and other members of the government, suggesting that I might secretly be a UK national  a dual national, like his ministers," Mr Shorten said, calling Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Mr Abbott "conspiracy theorists".
Nine of the fifteen Liberal MPs who lost their seats at the 2016 election have since been handed well-paid government jobs.

Former Northern Territory MP Natasha Griggs is the latest to land a lucrative posting, with the Turnbull government on Monday appointing her administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands - a position that pays $293,000 a year.

Former members Natasha Griggs and Karen McNamara during question time at Parliament House in November 2016. Credit:Andrew Meares

That's nearly $100,000 more than she earned as a backbench MP, not including loadings and allowances. The government says she is well-qualified for the three-year role because of her work on Parliament's external territories committee.

Her appointment brings to 11 the number of former Liberal MPs given government jobs in a little over a year, including nine of the 15 who lost their seats last year.
These are alarming times, what with the Korean Peninsula at a more dangerous pitch than at any time since the Korean War and the New Zealander Barnaby Joyce about to become acting Prime Minister for a weekend.

Only Bob Katter, the bloke with the hat from North Queensland, could summon a more apocalyptic vision.

Independent MP Bob Katter in Parliament. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Crocodiles!

Katter managed to stop the parliamentary conflict quite dead in its tracks from the first word of his contribution to question time on Monday.
Tony Abbott didn't hold back, angrily demanding that Bill Shorten either furnish proof he was not a dual British-Australian citizen, or "shut up".

Unless he has a letter, Abbott decreed, the Opposition Leader is in exactly the same position as the Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce - ie a very weak one because, like Joyce, he would have to cravenly plead ignorance of both his personal heritage and the Australian constitution before the High Court.

A few hours later, and within minutes of Malcolm Turnbull joining Abbott's call, Bill Shorten suddenly caved - or called their bluff - tabling his letter to a gobsmacked Parliament.

The result was not good for the government. It can hardly have improved Joyce's pitiable case, nor lifted his morale.
Indigenous communities, not George Street, should be allowed to decide who can and cannot work with children, Mount Isa MP Robbie Katter has argued.

Mr Katter has introduced a private member's bill that would create a new blue card framework to give Indigenous communities powers to make decisions related to child protection and employment.

Introducing the bill earlier this year, Mr Katter said the blue card system was created with the best intentions to keep children safe, but it was too robust and was denying people work in remote communities.

Robbie Katter says there needs to be more flexibility when awarding blue cards. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

He said people in the communities knew better than anyone whether a person was safe to work with children and had turned their life around, despite having a previous criminal record.
A concreter accused of downloading child exploitation material of infants and dead toddlers had instructions on how to rape children without being caught, a court has heard.

The 47-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly made full admissions to detectives when they uncovered a cache of disturbing images, including dead toddlers and infants being raped, on a USB stick and external hard drive.

The man appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Credit:Robert Shakespeare

The Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday heard the children featured in many of the images the man is accused of accessing were aged between seven and 10, with the youngest only 18 months old.

Details of the abuse material are too disturbing to publish.
The home button will be replaced. It will come with an all-over screen. It will have wireless charging, facial ID, and potentially a new name. The higher-priced models will even turn into a submarine when you are in a high-speed car chase, just like the really cool Lotus that Roger Moore drove in The Spy Who Loved Me. OK, I made that last one up. But the rest are all rumoured features of the iPhone 8, the device Apple is set to launch next Wednesday.

When the details are finally released, Apple shareholders will be hoping for some radical innovations that will kick-start the market, and get sales moving again. That matters to its investors of course. But it matters to the rest of us as well. Why? Because if it doesn't, it may well mean we have hit "Peak Phone" and that will have a big impact on the wider economy. It will drive the stock market lower, slow down the rate of innovation and reduce competition, and we will all be worse off for that.

There are already plenty of signs that the decade-long boom created by the launch of the first iPhone may well be running out of puff. Apple shifted 211 million of them last year, compared with 231 million in 2015. Most phones run on Android these day, but those haven't been shipping so fast either. IDC calculated that global sales were up by a modest 4.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year, driven mainly by China and emerging markets.

In truth, like most products after a decade or so, most people who want one already have a smartphone, and there are no new features that are sufficiently compelling for most of us to upgrade. We don't replace our TV every couple of years, because the new one wouldn't do much the old one couldn't. Likewise, we may have stopped upgrading our phones. When they wear out, we might trade up. But not before.
Huawei aims to use artificial intelligence features such as instant image recognition to take on rivals Samsung and Apple when it launches its new flagship phone next month, a top executive said at the IFA technology fair in Berlin.

Richard Yu, chief executive of Huawei's consumer business, on Saturday revealed a powerful new chip the Chinese company is betting on for its upcoming flagship Mate 10 and other high-end phones to deliver faster processing and lower power consumption.

Huawei will unveil the Mate 10 and its sister phone, the Mate 10 Pro, on October 16, Yu confirmed. He declined to detail new features, but the phones are expected to boast large, 6-inch-plus full-screen displays, tech blogs predict.

AI built into its new chips can help make phones more personalised, or anticipate the actions and interests of their users, Yu said.
The Note brand has always been aimed squarely at geeks. It was a huge phone before huge phones were cool, and powerful enough to replace not just a tablet, but maybe a laptop as well. Samsung has a lot to prove with the Note8 following last year's recall, and for the most part the the phablet delivers. The dual camera system is impressive, the pen is greatly improved, but flaws of the last flagship Galaxy S8 are still here too.

Once again, Samsung has built a beautiful-looking phone that is almost all screen. The display wraps right up to the edges, with small slivers of bezel top and bottom. Samsung's AMOLED displays are the best in the business and with HDR built in, it has better specs than my TV.

It's impressive that the Note8 can be used one handed, despite its size. This is thanks to the phone being relatively narrow, just a few millimetres wider than the S8. But it was still just a little too big for my tiny hands, not so much in size but in weight.

When holding the Note, my hand only covered the bottom third of the device, making it feel top-heavy, and ready to topple out of my grip. I haven't dropped the phone yet, but I always felt I would, and that made me nervous. I doubt Note fans care  they're attracted to this phone because of its size  but I prefer the S8 in the hand.
A man who was shot in the head as he sat in his friend's car after leaving a Father's Day lunch on the Mornington Peninsula has died in hospital.

Glen Waverly man Joshua Dipietro, 31, was found in the passenger seat of a green Mitsubishi 4WD on Eastbourne Road with a gunshot wound to his head shortly after 8pm on Sunday evening.

Police believe his mother had dropped him off at the Dundas Street milk bar in Rye about 5.30pm before he was later picked up by a friend.

He was flown to The Alfred hospital, but died on Monday night.
The federal Greens have been accused of denying funding to marriage equality groups by soliciting donations for the political party in their campaign to support same-sex marriage.

A Greens website called Choose Love is calling for marriage equality supporters to "chip in for love", saying $25 will help reach 2000 people with a message to "vote yes" in the federal government's planned postal survey.

A screenshot from the Greens' Choose Love website.

But a link to donate takes users to another web page that processes one-off or monthly donations directly to the party.

Victorian Equality Minister Martin Foley has urged the Greens to shut down the website and direct the funds raised to the Australian Marriage Equality campaign.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and senior Liberal John Pesutto both insist they knew nothing of a workplace harassment payout by a former Napthine government MP in 2014, because the matter was settled privately.

Mr Guy said on Monday the complaint by a female staff member who worked for ex-MP Nick Kotsiras had nothing to do with the Liberal Party and never made it past former premier Denis Napthine's chief of staff.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy Credit:AAP

The woman later worked as an adviser to Mr Guy.

Mr Guy said the complaint was handled privately after being raised with Dr Napthine's office.
They are the skills every school wants its students to master  reading, writing and critical thinking - but English teachers are concerned that many of their peers lack the training to teach these basics.

Only one-third of secondary teachers reported that English staff in their schools were trained English teachers, according to a recent survey by the Victorian Association for the Teaching of English.

Untrained English teachers are being forced to take classes outside their expertise. Credit:Virginia Star

"There's a mentality that anyone who can read a book can teach English," association president Emily Frawley said.

"A significant number of students across the state are not being taught English by English teachers."
"China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) Peninsula," said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, urging North Korea to stop taking actions that were "wrong" and not in its own interests. Russia said peace in the region was in jeopardy. "Sanctions alone will not help solve the issue," Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for further possible UN sanctions. Mr Trump had asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defence chief.

Officials said activity around missile launch sites suggested North Korea planned more missile tests. "We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile," Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defense policy, told a parliament hearing on Monday. North Korea tested two ICBMs in July that could fly about 10,000 km, putting many parts of the US mainland within range and prompting a new round of tough international sanctions. Military exercises South Korea's air force and army conducted exercises involving long-range air-to-surface and ballistic missiles on Monday following the North's nuclear test on Sunday, its joint chiefs of staff said in a statement.

In addition to the drill, South Korea will cooperate with the United States and seek to deploy "strategic assets like aircraft carriers and strategic bombers", Mr Jang said. South Korea's defence ministry also said it would deploy the four remaining launchers of a new US missile defence system after the completion of an environmental assessment by the government. The rollout of the controversial Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system at a site south of the South Korean capital, Seoul, which is vehemently opposed by neighbouring China and Russia, had been delayed since June. At the Security Council, neither Russia nor China mentioned their long-held opposition to THAAD or the prospect of further UN sanctions in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test. North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting a warning from US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

Mr Trump has previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash "fire and fury" if it threatened US territory. Despite the tough talk, the immediate focus of the international response was on tougher economic sanctions. Diplomats have said the Security Council could now consider banning North Korean textile exports and its national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban. Asked about Mr Trump's threat to punish countries that trade with North Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China has dedicated itself to resolving the North Korean issue via talks, and China's efforts had been recognised. "What we absolutely cannot accept is that on the one hand (we are) making arduous efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, and on the other hand (our) interests are being sanctioned or harmed. This is both not objective and not fair," he told a regular briefing.

On possible new UN sanctions, and whether China would support cutting off oil, Mr Geng said it would depend on the outcome of Security Council discussions. China's state-run Xinhua news agency said in an editorial that North Korea was "playing a dangerous game of brinkmanship" and it should wake up to the fact that such a tactic "can never bring security it pursues". While South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Monday to work with the United States to pursue stronger sanctions, Russia voiced scepticism. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said sanctions on North Korea had reached the limit of their impact. Any more would be aimed at breaking its economy, so a decision to impose further constraints would become dramatically harder, he told a BRICS summit in China. South Korea says the aim of stronger sanctions is to draw North Korea into dialogue. But, in a series of tweets on Sunday, Mr Trump also appeared to rebuke South Korea for that approach.

"South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Trump said on Twitter. Still, Mr Trump's response was more orderly and less haphazard than he had offered after North Korea's previous hostile actions. His handling of its latest nuclear test reflected a more traditional approach to crisis management, which US officials said illustrated the influence of Mr Mattis and the new White House chief of staff, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly. Japanese and South Korean stock markets both closed down about 1 per cent on Monday, while safe-haven assets including gold and sovereign bonds ticked higher, but trade was cautious. US stock markets were closed for the Labor Day holiday. "Assuming the worst on the Korean peninsula has not proven to be a winning trading strategy this year," said Sean Callow, a senior foreign exchange strategist at Westpac Bank.
Seoul: Wearing a pink Korean dress and flashing a wide smile, television presenter Ri Chun-hee delivered the news of Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test with her usual gusto.

Using her trademark bombastic delivery, Ri announced on state television on Sunday the hydrogen bomb test was "a perfect success!" and a key step in "completing the state nuclear force."

The 74-year-old grandmother is considered a national hero who first took to the airwaves in 1971, leaving a career in acting for the broadcaster Korean Central Television (KCTV)

Ri's dramatic flare set her apart from other announcers - whether she was angrily denouncing the West or boasting of the regime's achievements and the strength of its leaders.
Covert Russian cyber attacks against Western countries could cause civilian fatalities and potentially escalate into a real-world military confrontation, Latvia's foreign minister has warned.

Edgars Rinkevics says that Russia may use a massive war game this month to probe Nato's resilience to full-spectrum "hybrid" warfare including propaganda and cyber attacks that Moscow has previously used against Ukraine.

A Russian Orthodox priest blesses paratroopers during celebrations of Paratroopers Day in the Red Square in Moscow. Credit:AP

And he warned that deaths from deniable cyber attacks designed to test the "resilience and resolve" of the West by hitting key infrastructure like power grids could start a dangerous cycle of retaliation.

"What I am rather worried about is that this hidden cyber warfare can escalate to a level of cyber warfare where we are not going to talk about bank attacks or ransom payments," he said.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi...
By PTI: Srinagar, Sept 4 (PTI) Three CRPF jawans were injured in a grenade attack today by militants on a patrol party of the security forces in Anantnag district of Kashmir, police said.

Militants hurled a grenade on a CRPF patrol, resulting in injuries to three jawans, a police official said.

He said the injured jawans have been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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Security forces have launched a search operation in the area to track down the attackers. PTI MIJ TIR

--- ENDS ---
Texas A&M professors who are experts in helping conflict-ridden regions began this year with the hope of sending agricultural teaching materials -- and one day Aggie educators -- to North Korea to boost its struggling food production.

However, that hope has been put on hold with the increasingly strained relationship between North Korea and the United States.

Edwin Price, director of the Center on Conflict and Development at Texas A&M, said his center planned to send teaching materials used at the College Station campus to The Pyongyang University of Science and Technology in the North Korean capital. Eventually, Price said, the idea would be for A&M faculty to collaborate with Pyongyang professors on what curriculum to offer at the North Korean university.

Pyongyang University of Science and Technology opened in 2010 as the first private university in the nation. It is funded primarily by evangelical Christians, although its classes are secular and most of donors are not citizens of North Korea.

"It is mainly led by Americans -- by U.S. citizens who work there -- so even though they are U.S. citizens and even though the institution is private, just the fact that it is in North Korea has made it difficult for us to provide anything," Price said.

He said in the past two months the federal government has become more restrictive of interactions with North Korea. While non-governmental organizations can provide humanitarian aid, Texas A&M -- as a governmental agency -- cannot, he said, adding that his center is working to clarify with the federal government that it is providing humanitarian aide.

"We've done what we can, but right now we are sort of at a stalemate," he said Sunday in a phone interview.

Following the death of American Otto Warmbier, who died from injuries sustained in a North Korean prison in July, the U.S. has banned U.S. citizens from traveling to North Korea.

Two U.S. citizens working at the North Korean college -- neither of whom are with Texas A&M -- were detained this summer, but after the travel ban was implemented, they left.

Price said the university will continue under the direction of instructors from Europe and other Asian countries.

Despite this, Price said he personally remains hopeful Texas A&M can one day provide humanitarian support to North Korea in the form of educational resources, although he said the safety of everybody involved will be considered in any support provided to the college.

"We have to be very careful about what we say and do, and make sure that we protect not only the interests of our own students and faculty, and not put them in harm's way, but that nothing we do should harm those [colleagues]," he said.

North Korea is just one of the regions the center does work in. Price points to solar power irrigation and trade posts that the center has helped build in Rwanda as examples of other international endeavors.

The premise behind the projects is based on something Norman Borlaug -- namesake of Texas A&M's Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture -- said when he won the Nobel Peace prize in 1970: "Peace cannot be built on empty stomachs."

"We're using a range of technologies and approaches to mitigate violence and then as scholars understanding how these investments can mitigate violence," Price said.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 4(PTI) Three persons, including a Nigerian national, have been arrested and five kilogram of heroin, worth Rs 20 crore in international market, seized from them, the police said today.

The Special Cell had received inputs that Punjab-based drug dealers would be coming to the national capital to receive heroin from Delhi-based African origin persons.

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On September 1, police got information that two Punjab- based alleged drug dealers would be coming near Shiv Mandir in Hastsal in Uttam Nagar, to receive a consignment of heroin from an African origin dealer, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Yadav said.

In the early hours of September 2, Dsitadimma Casmir Arinze (37), a Nigerian national and drug supplier, handed over two packets of heroin to Jaswant Singh alias Sonu (30) and Charanjit Singh alias Jeeta (27).

The three were nabbed and five kilogram of heroin worth Rs 20 crore in international market was seized from them, he said.

Two kilogram of heroin was recovered from Sonu and a kg from Jeeta. Two kilogram heroin was also recovered from the Nigerian national.

Police has also recovered six cell phones with various SIM cards used in the drug trafficking activities were also recovered.

During a search Arinzes rented accomodation, the police seized a fake passport of Sierra Leone having multiple fake visa stickers of India. He used this passport for getting house on rent and rooms in hotels, the DCP said.

Initially, Arinze tried to mislead police by saying that his name is Rowland and he is a Sierra Leone national. Later, he revealed that he actually belongs to Nigeria.

He had come to India in 2008 on a business visa for six months. But even after expiry of visa, he continued his illegal stay in India, said the officer.

Arinze came into contact with a fellow Nigerian who asked him to supply drugs for quick money. He worked for Michael initially but later started supplying drugs independently.

For the last five years, the Nigerian national was supplying drugs independently in Delhi and Punjab.

He also used to send heroin consignments to England, France, Canada, South Africa, etc through courier companies, said the officer.

He also used to procure heroin from Afghan nationals.

The Afghan Nationals visit India bring heroin to Delhi by several means including swallowing heroin filled capsules, the DCP said, adding that it is suspected that the arrested Punjab drug dealers have been procuring heroin from Arinze for the last two years. PTI SLB SMJ

--- ENDS ---

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Blending wilderness experience and written assignments, African and western philosophical and legal traditions, advocacy strategies and practices for reviving indigenous knowledge systems, the three year course Dennis and his fellow participants have undertaken is the first of its kind.





Commended by the UNs Harmony with Nature Initiative, and developed and led by The Gaia Foundation, the course is helping nurture the African Earth Jurisprudence movement.





Decolonisation





Blessed by Kikuyu, Maasai and Tharakan elders, at the end of July, Africas first ever group of Earth Jurisprudence practitioners graduated in a colourful ceremony in the foothills of Mount Kenya.





The graduates are comprised of lawyers, educators, former accountants and civil society leaders from Benin, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Each of them has taken a profound personal journey back to roots, returning to their rural childhood homes to reconnect with their community lands, elders and a body of traditional knowledge they had left behind.





We are all born barefoot lawyers for the Earth, but as we grow up we become so consumed by the so-called modern world, by the city, that we easily forget. As Africans many of us are born in communities that are embedded in Nature. This course has helped me to become myself again, says Fassil Gebeyehu, one of the new graduates from Ethiopia.





This de-colonising process is an integral part of the course. It aims to give practitioners an opportunity to re-appreciate ecological place-based knowledge and spirituality that have been demonised by, amongst others, colonists, missionaries and multinationals.





People in Africa face many challenges in practicing traditional cultures that protect Nature. They are often accused of witchcraft or rejecting modernity. This is a big challenge. But when we see Nature through the eyes of these traditional cultures, this is what brings us back to life, says Method Gundidza, another graduate.





Long-held and constantly adapted bodies of African traditional ecological knowledge have been severely undermined. Yet they are a source of identity and strength around which communities can organise in challenging times, says Liz Hosken, The Gaia Foundations South African Director and co-facilitator of the course.





The training for Earth Jurisprudence Practitioners responds to the growing realisation in Africa that the continent has a rich cultural heritage of ecologically rooted traditions. We need to draw on these to forge a viable future and deal with climate change and the scramble for land. Traditional African customary laws and governance systems are founded in Earth Jurisprudence. Africas heritage is her future, says Hosken.





Revival





The newly graduated Earth Jurisprudence practitioners are working with communities in six African nations to revive and enhance their traditional ecological knowledge and governance systems, including agroecological farming practices.





Using and adapting skills developed during the three-year course, Method Gundidza has been accompanying his childhood community of Bikita in Zimbabwe, to revive traditional knowledge and practices for climate-changed times.





Recent years have brought extreme weather to Bikita. Seasons of devastating drought have been swiftly followed by flooding, profoundly affecting farming and the availability of food. According to Method, part of the problem is that people in Bikita had abandoned more resilient, locally-adapted seed varieties, like millet.





In the past people abandoned millet and the collective millet harvest as they were encouraged by companies and the government to use so-called improved seeds and chemical fertilizers. This made the people vulnerable. Millet is a very reliable drought crop. If the rains dont come, then at least the millet will grow and people will have food, he says.





Through community dialogues, Method has helped bring together elders and youth, men and women, to discuss the problems they are facing and foster solutions rooted in their own knowledge. As a result, the people of Bikita have begun to revive resilient local varieties of seed, including millet, finding that some elders had kept lost varieties alive.





This last growing season the millet was in the fields again. Even when it was very dry and the other fields were brown, the millet was green. The people are also reviving their old millet seed storage system and the community harvest happened again for the first time in many years, says Method.





Transformation





The Earth Jurisprudence course, and the work of the graduates, is part of a wider global movement seeking to transition humanity from a destructive to a mutually enhancing relationship with the Earth.





Rights of Nature cases, campaigns to recognise ecocide as a crime and indigenous peoples' struggles to defend their sacred territories are part of a shift underpinned by Earth Jurisprudence understandings.





Earth Jurisprudence is the philosophy underlying Rights of Nature. Rights of Nature is really just a tool to get us to the end game which is  exercising our duty, our responsibility to live in relationship with the Earth, explains lawyer and prominent Rights of Nature advocate Linda Sheehan, Director of Planet Pledge.





At pan-African and international levels, Africas first Earth Jurisprudence practitioners are advocating for Earth-centred laws and policies that support communities ecological governance systems.





Earlier this year, the graduates successfully encouraged the African Commission to pass a radical new resolution calling on all African states to recognise and protect Sacred Natural Sites - places of critical ecological, cultural and spiritual importance for many African communities.





The graduates were also prominent participants in the UN Harmony with Nature Initiatives 2016 online dialogue on Earth Jurisprudence, which was presented at the UN General Assembly last September.





Building the African Earth Jurisprudence movement, the first group of graduates will now act as mentors to a new group of students embarking on this three-year training for transformation.





This Author





Hannibal Rhoades is Communications and Advocacy Coordinator at The Gaia Foundation, a UK-based organisation working internationally to support indigenous and local communities to revive their knowledge, livelihoods and healthy ecosystems. Hannibal is a contributing writer at Intercontinental Cry and has covered stories of indigenous and local communities working for environmental and social justice for numerous publications.
By PTI: shifted

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Farrukhabad/Lucknow (UP), Sep 4 (PTI) Forty-nine infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which a newborn has trouble breathing, officials said today.

In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, many of the parents in Farrukhabad told officials there was a delay in providing the infants with oxygen and medicines.

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The hospital recorded 49 deaths -- 30 in neo-natal ICU and 19 during delivery -- between July 20 and August 21, a government spokesperson said in Lucknow.

The state government today removed Farrukhabad District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar as well as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Umakant Pandey and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Akhilesh Agarwal.

Principal secretary (health) Prashant Trivedi, however, said the deaths had "nothing to do with oxygen supply".

"Oxygen is not an issue in the entire episode. I think, of late, we are giving undue sensitivity to oxygen. It has become more of a buzzword," he told reporters at a hurriedly convened press briefing in the state headquarters.

An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered last night in Farrukhabad, about 180km from the state capital.

However, the state government said no action would be initiated against them on the basis of the FIR.

"The way things have been presented is not what happened. No action, therefore, is being initiated on the basis of the FIR registered against the CMO and the CMS," Trivedi said.

The Director General Medical Health would give a detailed report on the deaths, he added.

To a question on the removal of CMO Pandey and CMS Agarwal, Trivedi said, "They have been removed for the simple reason that the DM is the head of the administration in a district and they should have co-ordinated with the DM".

If there were any issues, those should had been brought to the notice of the administration, he said.

"What happened actually - medically or technically - will be clear in a probe," he added.

He also said that no official could elicit the views of a person over the telephone.

"This is not the right way to conduct a magisterial probe," Trivedi said, commenting on the city magistrate contacting on the phone the parents and relatives of the infants who had died.

Principal secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi, who was also present, said, "No death took place due to lack of oxygen. The matter should not be blown out of proportion."

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He said the DG Health would send a specialised team to investigate the deaths.

"There seems to be some co-ordinational issue among the officers. All the three officers -- DM, CMO and CMS -- have been removed. Everything will be brought forth," he said.

Referring to the FIR, he said, "It very clearly seems to have been lodged when the DM did not get the report from the health department".

The FIR was lodged against the CMO, CMS and other doctors but only the posts were mentioned and no one was named in the FIR.

It was lodged by the city magistrate last night under IPC sections 176 (legal provisions regarding inquiry by magistrate into cause of death), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 304 (culpable homicide). A high-level team will be sent to Farrukhabad to probe the deaths and its technical aspects will also be taken care of, the official spokesperson said. He said 468 deliveries took place in the womens wing of the hospital during the period. Of these, 19 were stillbirths. City Magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that most deaths were caused by breathing problems. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation. "During the period, 30 children died mostly due to perinatal asphyxia (a condition in which a child does not breathe normally just before, during, or after birth). During the probe, the parents said there was a delay in providing oxygen and medicine because of which the children died due to lack of supply of oxygen," the report stated. The report did not mention the 19 other deaths.

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Awasthi said, "...19 were stillborn children while 30 others died due to various causes, including perinatal asphyxia. This may be caused by the umbilical cord going around the neck of the child...Our medical team will look into it." Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths office took prompt notice of the matter after local news channels reported the deaths and directed the district magistrate to conduct a probe, the officials said. The deaths in the Farrukhabad hospital come after at least 30 children died in a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur on August 10-11 amid allegations of oxygen shortage, a charge denied by the state government. Meanwhile, doctors of Uttar Pradeshs Provincial Medical Services (PMS) today threatened to proceed on mass leave to protest the registration of the FIR against members of the fraternity.

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They said they would not report for duty on Tuesday and Wednesday and would resign if the FIR was not withdrawn by September 7. PMS members held a meeting in Farrukhabad and demanded that the FIR be withdrawn.

"The committee comprising the city magistrate and the SDM did not have technical knowledge. The probe report is wrong and it should be withdrawn," UP PMS district unit secretary Dr Yogendra Singh said.

He said the probe committee was a non-technical one and its "fairness and competence" should be probed.

"We have decided to proceed on mass leave on September 5 and 6. If our demands are not met, all the doctors of the district will resign on September 7," he said. UP PMS Association president Dr Ashok Yadav told PTI in Lucknow, "The report on the basis of which the FIR was filed was prepared by non-technical people. A committee of experts should have been set up. This is an attempt to incite doctors, who are working in adverse conditions." He said the government should recall those officers who did not have the knowledge needed for such probes.

"They should be properly trained. We are monitoring the situation there and will decide our future course of action," he said. PTI ABN NAV SMI BDS

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STAMFORD  The citys only Civil War monument was destroyed long before remembrances from that part of U.S. history became a national debate.

A cannon from the USS Kearsarge  a warship best known for its defeat of a Confederate commerce raider during the Civil War  adorned what was known then as West Park on Main Street from 1901 until 1942, when it was removed for scrap by Luders Marine Construction Company.

In the 1960s, West Park was renamed Columbus Park and placed there was a granite statue of the 15th Century Italian explorer that still stands there today  the citys only monument to a prominent historic figure.

Were not a big monument city, and we have very little in the way of public sculptures in general, said Renee Kahn, a local historian.

The city has a tendency to memorialize the every man, rather than individuals, with monuments like the one in Veterans Memorial Park and the Soldiers and Sailors monument at the intersection of Main, Grove and Elm Streets, which bares the names of Stamford residents who served in battles dating back to the Revolutionary War.

Monuments are a product of their own times, said Wes Haynes of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. The Soldiers and Sailors monument went up after WWI, and it expressed the feeling of community at that time. People were pretty tired of war WWIit was gruesome.

Rethinking Columbus

Stamfords tribute to Christopher Columbus hasnt come under fire, but across the country other statues of the explorer  who committed atrocities against the indigenous people of North and South America  have uncertain futures amid a national movement to remove controversial monuments after white nationalists protested removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Va. last month.

The Columbus monument in Stamford is better understood when put in context of the time is was erected, according to Haynes. Columbus memorials were fashionable in the 1960s, as the Genoa, Italy-born explorer came to be known as an unofficial saint to Italian-American immigrants.

Columbus never even came to Stamford, of course, but Italian-Americans adopted image the of Columbus as a positive image, Haynes said. In the 1960s, Columbus was taught as a popular figure, but today hes taught about with a lot more nuance  like the fact that he didnt really discover America, and he was sailing under the Spanish flag, which is another complication to story.

Haynes says it might be a good idea to rethink memorializing Columbus.

Perhaps the Italian community might want to revisit that statue and think of another symbol of their culture, he said. I can appreciate statues as great works of art, but Im not sure if that one rises to the standard of one of our greatest works of art.

Stamfords Columbus, who looks up to the sky, was actually supposed to be looking straight ahead. But a notch in the granite at his Adams apple forced a slight change in the design.

Haynes suggested taking it out of public spacemaybe even relocating Columbus to the Italian Center in North Stamford  if Native American or Latin American groups in the city come forward to reject the monument as a symbol of hate.

Im a preservationist, so I feel our buildings are the real monuments to Italians contributions to Stamford, he said. If (Columbuss) symbol is offensive to Latin American groups especially, that could be a problem. That community has made significant contributions to the city in more recent history.

But Kahn is more tentative when it comes to the conversation about removing historic monuments.

Monuments are fun and they are history, she said. Maybe if we found a way to keep them and explain what the people they commemorate were, so people can understand historic context, is a better way to go about it.

Kahn worries about how far these crusades against hateful monuments could go.

There are negatives to history, so do you whitewash over them or can you explain them? Kahn said. There are people who will say, Columbus killed so many Indian tribes, and yes, Columbus was not heroic all the time, but its import to know and explain what he did that was worthwhile and what he did that today would be frowned upon.

Stamford war heroes

That Columbus likely never set foot in Stamford could suggest there are better candidates for public statues.

The city does have markers highlighting famous former residents, including a small plaque on Ocean Drive West commemorating Revolutionary War military officer Benjamin Tallmadges guerilla raid on British loyalists at Lloyds Neck  the citys most famous Revolutionary event.

Tallmadge was not from Stamford, but he was an important aide to Washington and launched a small flotilla of rowboats from Shippan Point with the aim of disrupting the food supply chain to British troops stationed in New York harbor.

At the corner of Tresser and Washington boulevards is a dedication to Samuel Tresser, a local war hero who died in combat in WWI.

Tresser, namesake of one of the citys main thoroughfares, enlisted the military in response to the sinking of the Lusitania. He sought to guard the Connecticut coast from similar sub and air attacks long before the United States formally joined WWII.

Tresser was later killed in France and is buried in the American military cemetery there.

Both the Tallmadge and Tresser monuments date from the late 20th century, Tressers coinciding with the renaming of the reconfigured former Willow Street in his honor, Haynes said. I feel we could do better by both.

nnaughton@stamfordadvocate.com; @noranaughton
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WESTPORT  Marking the opening of her dance studio in the center of Saugatuck, Michelle Sperry praised Westports theater and fine arts roots, glad to join a community she sees as embracing and seeking out the arts.

The vibe of Westport is such a thriving community for the arts, said Sperry, of Weston. The community itself has just given us such a warm welcome.

Connecticut Theater Dance opened its new primary location at 15 Ketchum St. in Westport, a three-studio space with dancer dressing rooms and a common space where founder and director Sperry plans to outfit a smoothie and snack bar. CTD marked its grand opening with an Aug. 24 ribbon cutting and performance by a group of the studios young dancers,

as well as a week of free classes.

The studio offers a diverse array of classes ranging from preprofessional dance training to adult fitness and wellness, as well as mommy-and-me offerings for toddlers. It is running a new dance major and dance minor program, as well as flex and high school programs for its dancers and operates a ballet company and competition team.

If you want to dance, I really, sincerely mean we have a class for you, and if not, well put it together, said Sperry, who has danced professionally and trained in multiple classical ballet programs.

Along with its dance training, CTD looks to offer a community for its families, Sperrys among them. Her two daughters dance at CTD and her two sons previously took classes.

Sperry said the studios families are so intertwined. Its a really beautiful thing.

She wanted her own children to be able to grow up in a studio that is focused on whats in the best interest of the children that dance there. Dance can be a strict discipline and Sperry feels there is a time and place for dedication and focus, but equally important, she said, is that young dancers find a program that is loving, nourishing, eventful and full of family gatherings.

Were really, really blessed to have a community thats embraced my kids just like Ive embraced theirs, she said.

Sperrys oldest child, Bella, has danced at her mothers studios since she was little. She said shes grown close to teachers and the friends she has danced with since childhood. She recounted big group sleepovers and bonding while working through tough classes together.

When youre in the studio, youre just like a part of the family, Bella said.

For Sperry, the move to Westport is a homecoming of sorts: she had a previous location in a Post Road East shopping center in town over a dozen years ago. In 2009, she opened Fleur de Lis Academy in Wilton, offering manners lessons and pre-K dance. The studio rebooted as Fleur de Lis Dance Academy in 2012, with a focus on young dancers, and as Sperrys dance students got older, she founded Connecticut Theater Ballet in 2015. Her new iteration, CTD, has preprofessional offerings extending vastly beyond ballet, including training in a variety of other genres such as lyrical, hip hop, jazz and musical theater.

The 15 Ketchum St. location formerly housed Westport Dance Center, which ended its final season in June. On the former studios website, its owner Lisa Lorentz Zadravec recommends Sperrys CTD. Sperry said she is happy to offer families that enjoyed the dance center the chance to continue dancing in the heart of Westport.

CTD is maintaining a second location at 314 Westport Ave. in Norwalk, a larger and more open space. Sperry also hopes to maintain roots in the Norwalk community, where the studio was previously based and operates a scholarship program.

lweiss@hearstmediact.com; @LauraEWeiss16
The Hall County Board of Supervisors will consider approving the fiscal 2018 budget at its meeting Tuesday morning.

At the meeting, the county board will hold two public hearings  one at 9:45 a.m. and another at 9:50 a.m.  on Hall Countys fiscal 2018 budget and the final tax request for Hall County Budget rates. The board will later discuss, and consider approving, a resolution of adoption and appropriations for the budget, and a resolution setting the property tax request for Hall County.

According to the resolution listed in the county board agenda packet, the total property tax request for 2017-18 is $21,548,631.82. The total personal and real property tax request for bonds is $2,148,200, while the total personal and real property tax request is $19,400,431.82 for all other purposes.

The rundown of the 2017-18 property tax request is as followed:

 General Fund: $18,384,591.13

 Dependent Fund: $98,205.38

 Institutions Fund: $13,632.25

 Veterans Aid Fund: $13,249.72

 Jail Bond Fund: $2,148,200

 Museum Fund: $890,753.34

As part of its budget approval process, the county board will also consider approving a 1 percent allowable increase. There is a lid on property taxes imposed by the legislature that states property tax receipts can only go up 2.5 percent a year. However, Hall County can vote to go up an additional 1 percent if a super majority of elected officials vote yes.

The super majority vote means only one supervisor can vote no. Supervisors Karen Bredthauer and Gary Quandt said at the Aug. 23 special budget meeting that they intended to vote no to approving an increase.

Board members in the past have called it a savings account, Quandt said in a phone interview with The Independent Friday afternoon. In my opinion, four of my fellow supervisors, if you give them the chance to spend more money, theyll spend more money. Im not going to give them that chance.

Quandt added he would not vote for the 1 percent growth provision because he does not want additional expense.

With the farm economy the way it is, and businesses struggling, as the county board, we need to give the taxpayers a break.

At the special budget meeting on Aug. 23, Supervisor Scott Arnold said the board is not spending one dime more by approving the 1 percent growth provision and that it simply gives Hall County the authority to spend more if it needs to.

We would still have to vote to raise the levy if we wanted to spend more and we are not doing that, he said. This doesnt affect us as far as how much we tax. What this does is protect us for future events that we may have in the next year. It gives us more spending authority if it is really bad next year. Why would you not vote for it? If we never use it, it never costs.

In other action, the county board will:

 Hold a 10 a.m. public hearing on, and consider approving, a renewal for a conditional use permit for Stoltenberg Irrigation.

 Receive an update on the Federal Building project.

 Discuss and consider taking action on a reappointment to the Regional Planning Commission.

 Discuss and consider approving an agreement with Sequoia Consulting Group to provide professional consulting services for a cost allocation plan.

The Hall County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Hall County Administration Building.
By PTI: CMO shifted (Eds: Updating with quotes) Farrukhabad/Lucknow (UP), Sep 4 (PTI) Forty-nine infants died in a month in the Farrukhabad district hospital, most of them from "perinatal asphyxia", a condition in which the child cannot breathe properly, officials said today. In a virtual replay of the tragedy in Gorakhpur, where 30 children died in two days in a state-run hospital last month, parents of many of the children in Farrukhabad told officials there was a delay in providing oxygen and medicines. The hospital recorded 49 deaths -- 30 in neo-natal ICU and 19 during delivery -- between July 20 and August 21, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow. The state government today removed Farrukhabad District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar as well as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Umakant Pandey and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Akhilesh Agarwal. An FIR against the CMO and the CMS was registered last night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital. "A high-level team will be sent to Farrukhabad to probe the deaths and its technical aspects will also be taken care of. Taking note of the incident, the DM, the CMO and the CMS (womens hospital) have been removed," the spokesperson said. He said 468 deliveries took place in the womens wing of the hospital during the period. Of these, 19 were stillbirths. City Magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said a probe found that most deaths were due to breathing problems. They also said in the report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate with the investigation. "During the period, 30 children died mostly due to perinatal asphyxia (a condition in which a child does not breathe normally just before, during, or after birth). During probe, the parents informed that there was delay in providing oxygen and medicine due to which the children died due to lack of adquate supply of oxygen," the report stated. The report did not mention the remaining 19 deaths. Addressing a hurriedly convened press conference today, Principal Secretary (Health) Prashant Trivedi said the deaths had "nothing to do with oxygen supply". "Stating that the deaths were related to oxygen amounts to making the matter unnecessarily sensational without any basis. the Director General Medical Health will give a detailed report on it," he added.

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Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi, who was also present, said, "...19 were still born children while 30 others died due to various causes, including perinatal asyphyxia. This may be caused by the umblical cord going around the neck of the child... Our medical team will look at it."

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths office took prompt notice of the matter after local news channels reported the deaths of 49 children in the hospital and directed the district magistrate to conduct a probe, officials said.

News of the deaths in the Farrukhabad hospital comes after at least 30 children died in a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur on August 10-11 amid allegations of oxygen shortage, a charge stoutly denied by the state government. PTI ABN NAV SMI MIN

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The Grand Island Community Foundations fall grant cycle opened to qualified applicants on Friday, Sept. 1.

People who want information on eligibility requirements and to access the grant application can visit the grants tab on www.gicf.org. In order to be considered, all completed applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Friday Nov. 1.

GICFs grant program gives organizations an opportunity to receive funding for unmet charitable needs and/or unique programs designed to address essential or emerging needs in the Grand Island area.

Hall County is fortunate to have a multitude of strong nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to fulfill their missions  all of which strengthen and enrich our community, said GICF CEO Melissa DeLaet. Through the grant process, we learn more about the important work organizations are doing in and around Grand Island and are proud to partner with them to make an impact on those they serve.

GICF holds both named funds and designated grantmaking funds that were established to support the following areas: arts and culture, basic needs, children and youth, community enrichment, community health, and education.

GICF also holds the Harold R. Dunlap Fund that supports charitable organizations and projects in the Cairo area.

The Grand Island Community Foundation was established in 1960 with the mission to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Central Nebraska and assist donors in realizing their charitable goals. Accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, the Foundation serves hundreds of donors through individual, family and corporate legacy funds.

The Grand Island Community Foundation is located in the Great Western Centre Building at 1811 West 2nd St., Suite 365, Grand Island. People who want additional information may call 308-381-7767 or visit www.gicf.org.
Labor Day is Americas only national holiday celebrating the never-ending contributions of everyday people who sell their intelligence, experience and strength to employers to earn a living. It became a national holiday near the end of the Gilded Age; a decade after organized labor pushed for legislation establishing the 8-hour day. The Gilded Age marked a period when the economy was skyrocketing, but the American Dream was out of reach for the large majority of Americans. It was a time when work was hard, dangerous and paid little. It was a time of child labor, no workplace rights, no safeguards. It was a time of Robber Barons and Huddled Masses with not much of a middle class in between.

The establishment of Labor Day saluted those who were challenged the status quo of increasing wealth and increasing income inequality.

The concentration of wealth in the hands of the few and their ability to donate directly to candidates led Mark Hanna, the first modern political boss and a supporter of William McKinley, to say, There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money, and I cant remember the second.

The same growing income inequality led author and political commentator Mark Twain to remark, The external glitter of wealth conceals a corrupt political core that reflects the growing gap between the very few rich and the very many poor.

That time of income inequality spurred the growth of organized labor. Unions became the nations first successful anti-poverty program. They became the ladders that everyday wage earners used to climb out of poverty and into the middle class. They gave a voice to the voiceless in jointly, with management, raising standards of fairness and justice above the levels unilaterally dictated by employers working to become leaner and meaner.

The fight to establish workplace rights and safeguards that most wage earners take for granted today was a product of political engagement by literally millions of wage earners led by organized labor. Each was enacted with support of the American labor movement over the objections of employers who wanted to maintain the status quo. Because each right and safeguard obtained for workers directly or indirectly can increase the cost of doing business, each right and safeguard would become weakened or disappear if labor unions became a thing of the past.

Labor unions exist to introduce meaningful democracy into our nations workplaces  and theyve done so since the birth of our country. Union leaders note that the Declaration of Independence was the result of the first Continental Congress meeting in Carpenters Hall.

Unions are as American as apple pie. The nations founders challenged the British Kings claim that he could unilaterally dictate the future of the Colonies. The American Revolution is beloved because it gave a meaningful voice to the formerly voiceless. The founders used that voice to give the electorate a say in collectively determining its future quality of life. Organized labor challenges employers who seek to unilaterally set wages, hours, and terms of employment. Employees use the democracy they bring to the workplace to work collectively with management to gain a meaningful voice in jointly improving their quality of life.

Labor Day was created by the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. As you enjoy this Labor Day, please remember the many contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. And know that the best friends of Main Street merchants are well-paid workers.
By Ananth Krishnan: China on Monday found itself in a bind as it hosted the BRICS Summit with global attention on its close ally North Korea's sixth and biggest nuclear test.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin both discussed the test at their Sunday evening bilateral in Xiamen and both "agreed to stick to the goal of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and keep close communication and coordination to deal with the new situation", an official statement said.

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This was a far milder statement than the Chinese Foreign Ministry's, which had said Beijing "resolutely" opposed and condemned the test.

China is the North's only ally and biggest financial benefactor, and Beijing fears that the collapse of the Kim regime would destabilise its northeastern borders as well as remove a historical strategic buffer.

At the same time, China finds itself under growing pressure over the North's actions, especially as it has given licence for the U.S. and its allies to beef up their posture right around China's frontiers, most prominently through the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile defence system in South Korea.

Underlining China's attempted tightrope walk - one that is becoming increasingly difficult - the State media on Monday called for a measured Chinese response.

"Despite the anger of the Chinese public towards North Korea's new nuclear test, we should avoid resorting to rash and extreme means by imposing a full embargo on North Korea", said an editorial in the Party-run Global Times. "If China completely cuts off the supply of oil to North Korea or even closes the China-North Korea border, it is uncertain whether we can deter Pyongyang from conducting further nuclear tests and missile launches."

TEST SHOWS PYONGYANG VIOLATED UNSC RESOLUTIONS

At the same time, it said that the test "marks another wrong choice that Pyongyang has made in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and against the will of the international community."

"This test will result in a new round of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and heighten the risk of the situation spiralling out of control due to possible miscalculations by all sides", it said.

With the issue now reaching a "deadlock", the paper said China needed "a sober mind and must minimise the risks Chinese society has to bear".

The editorial said China "should avoid imposing overly aggressive sanctions on North Korea".

It also blamed the US, saying "the root cause of the North Korean nuclear issue is that the military pressure of the Washington-Seoul alliance generates a sense of insecurity for Pyongyang, who then believes that owning a nuclear strike capability is its sole guarantee for the survival of its regime."

"China is a big power and its agendas and interests are globally oriented," the paper said. "The issue around the Korean Peninsula could never consume all of China's attention."

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Kim Jong's hydrogen bomb dare: How to contain North Korea?

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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 07:45 1897 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af0a361 4 Editorial #Editorial,#Freeport,#FreeportIndonesia,Freeport-Indonesia,Freeport-shares,mining-permit-concept,mining-sector,energy-and-mineral-resources-ministry Free

The agreement in principle between the government and Freeport-McMoRan last week requiring the American company to increase Indonesian ownership in its gold and copper mining subsidiary PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) in Papua from the current 9.36 percent to 51 percent by no means reflects significant progress in resolving once and for all the dispute over FI.

As the devil is in the details, the most difficult issues related to the valuation of the FI shares and the time frame for the divestment have yet to be negotiated. Yet this provisional deal has secured Freeport a license to operate the worlds largest gold and copper mine until 2041.

We dont think the divestment deal will scare off other mining investors. Nor is it a sign of rising resource nationalism in the country, as several foreign analysts have observed. It instead allows FI to resume copper concentrate exports and gives it fiscal and legal certainty for the next 24 years to recoup the estimated US$20 billion in additional investment needed to expand the mine and shift much of the mining work underground.

Freeports commitment to divest is a pledge to no longer play games with Indonesian law. It is simply a long-delayed enforcement of the law for FI, which has operated the giant mine since 1973, generating more than 95 percent of Freeports consolidated gold sales and more than a quarter of its revenues.

FIs contract of work (CoW), which was extended in 1991 by 20 years to 2021, required Freeport to divest at least 51 percent of its shares by 2011.

But this stipulation has never been enforced for various reasons, including the governments inability and other national interests to finance the acquisition and disagreement on the share valuation.

The absence of clear-cut rules on the divestment time frame and the seemingly different opinions regarding the method of valuation could see negotiations on the divestment details drag on for years. Freeport has insisted that the shares be priced based on fair market value. Earlier reports put Freeports estimate of the value of the 41 percent divestment at $6.6 billion, which apparently takes into account the mines gold and copper reserves.

But the government valued the 41 percent equity at only $2.46 billion, arguing that the divestment price should not include the value of the reserves that will still be in the ground after the end of the contract in 2041. The share value should be based entirely on the value of the business, which also depends on gold and copper prices.

This argument makes a lot of sense, because after 2041, the whole mine will be returned to the government, and all the remaining reserves or deposits certainly will belong to the government as the owner.

Hopefully, the technical details for implementing the provisional agreement will be completed before the end of 2018. Otherwise inordinate nationalistic sentiment that will likely rise in the run-up to the April 2019 presidential and legislative elections will overshadow the negotiations.
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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Mon, September 4, 2017

Bank Indonesia (BI) welcomed guests from 24 countries for the welcoming dinner of the 24th International Committee for Money and Banking Museums (ICOMON) 2017 Conference on Sunday, Sept. 3, to open the annual grand event for museum communities around the world.

The conference, which is being held from Sept. 3-6 at the Bank Indonesia Museum in Central Jakarta, will revolve around the theme, Money and Banking Museums: from Display to Engagement. Among the participants who attended the opening of the conference were representative of central and commercial banks, as well as museum professionals, academics and observer communities.

Bank Indonesia deputy governor, Mirza Adityaswara, who opened the event, hoped the event would lead to fruitful discussions and cooperation between the participants.

I believe this event can be a collaborative moment to enhance cooperation among museum communities throughout the world in order to communicate policies and educate people, he said, as he welcomed guests of the ICOMON 2017 conference.

Mirza Adityaswara, Bank Indonesia deputy governor (-/-)

ICOMON is one of 31 international committees under the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The main role of the ICOMON committee is to provide support to museum professionals and encourage them to develop and exchange ideas, new expertise and knowledge through various programs and events, including international conferences.

Mirza said Bank Indonesia was pleased to act as the host of the 2017 conference as it acknowledged the importance of museums as a medium of education for society and the nation as a whole.

The public should understand that a museum is not a place to store old, bleak objects and old, obsolete folklore, nor an amusement center for senior citizens. Instead, a museum is a place to learn about history in order to build the nations mentality and character, he said.

For Bank Indonesia, however, its museum has an additional function of serving as a communication tool for the central bank, Mirza added, by visualizing a range of Bank Indonesias policies from time to time through an exhibit layout and interesting collections supported by interactive multimedia technology.

It is intended that the youth and museum visitors are able to understand Bank Indonesias policies in its role as a central bank as it seeks to help people achieve welfare. Bank Indonesia has put its museum in a key position to communicate its policies, he said.

Mirza added that Bank Indonesia acknowledged the shifting trend in communication from one-way traditional mass media to interactive social media, as a result of advances in communication technology. It has, therefore, worked to ensure that this digital phenomenon has been taken into account in actualizing the three pillars of the Bank Indonesia Museums developments, which are to create attractive and interactive displays, strengthen communication strategies and provide education programs for the public.

At the welcoming dinner, participants were greeted by traditional Indonesian music and a Rampak dance performance by Bank Indonesias staff, before being seated to enjoy a number of Indonesian songs performed on the stage while being served meals with a touch of Indonesian influence.

Mirza said on the sidelines of the event that the hosting of the event was also an opportunity for Indonesia to showcase its culture to the participants. Holding such international events, he said, was also good for the countrys tourism.

ICOMON president Eleni Zapiti said that attending the ICOMON conference in Jakarta had exposed her to not only Indonesias numismatics, but also the countrys beautiful culture and history.

Eleni Zapiti, ICOMON president (-/-)

She was grateful for Bank Indonesias willingness to host the ICOMON event as she felt it was important for the conference to be held in Asia, as it had been 10 years since an Asian country had hosted the event.

We would like to approach museum professionals from this region, listen to them and do the best for them as well as learn from them, she said.

She said the ICOMON conference was a platform through which people from all over the world could share their experiences and challenges related to museum operations, and hopefully find solutions. One of the main challenges faced by many museums all over the world, Eleni said, was the need to play a more social role, rather than just being a place for preserving heritage.

Museums now have to play a role in society. They must stop being observers and start being participants and engage with people and offer people ways to express themselves, learn about their heritage and provide a platform where everybody can come together to learn and create hope for the future, she said.

For money museums, particularly those belonging to central banks, the engagement is more educational in nature, said Christel Schollaardt, Elenis predecessor as ICOMON president. Central banks have a responsibility to communicate to the public about how their money is protected.

Especially in times of financial crisis, referring to several decades of successful fiscal policy is an argument that can help solicit trust. As a result, some central banks commit vast sums of money and the newest technology to create fantastic money museums, she said.

However, a great deal of effort is required to make money museums successful, Christel explained. The success of a money museum, she added, could be assessed by looking at five values: the values of a museums collection, connection and experience, as well as its educational and economic value.

If properly run and managed, a money museum could have a powerful impact on its visitors and society at large, Christel argued.

No private company has succeeded in producing an object that is even half as durable, half as prevalent or half as well-known as a coin or a banknote. No other object is associated with a comparable range of feelings. A successful money museum manages to make visitors feel proud of being part of a long history of financial exchange, she said.
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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Mon, September 4, 2017

Witnessing childrens optimum growth in all facets of childhood development is what most parents seek. Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), a leading international school in Jakarta, is capable of assisting parents in doing so with a well-rounded and individualized early childhood education program.

Led by renowned education practitioner Elsa H. Donohue, also elementary school principal, the program emphasizes holistic development, which nurtures students not only to excel in cognitive skills but social and emotional skills.

The program is offered in JISs Pondok Indah Campus, South Jakarta. It targets children who turn 3 by Sept. 1, to around 6 or so, similar to what you call taman kanak-kanak (kindergarten) in Indonesian.

According to Donohue, who is currently head of division for the Pattimura and Pondok Indah campuses at the JIS, the early childhood program offers a specialized curriculum.

Explaining about the programs core curriculum, Donohue said that in terms of the cognitive development that we are targeting, the early education program has four main components: cognitive, socio-emotional, language as well as physical skills, which comprises gross and fine motor skills.

She said further that the cognitive aspect covers thinking, reasoning, problem-solving and other foundational mathematical skills, while the socio-emotional aspect lays ground for the dispositions that enable effective learning, including the ability to think independently.

The language aspect encourages students to become fluent in at least two languages: English and Indonesian. Finally, the physical aspect seeks to take children away from their digital gadgets and refine their fine and gross motor skills through activities such as running, climbing or visual arts.

Although the core curriculum has stayed the same, the method in which it is delivered is tailored to the personal characteristics of each student  this is why Donohue referred to the program as being student-centered. We want to pay attention to each childs strengths according to their individual profile, she explained.

Therefore, the classrooms composition is designed in such a way to ensure that each child gets the attention they need.

We have 15 children in the Early Years 1 and 2 programs [for children aged 3 to 4] and three adults comprising one master teacher and two assistant teachers. In the Early Years 3 program, composed of children aged 5 to 6, we have 18 children and two teachers, assuming that the children are more independent as they become more mature, said Donohue.

"The thirst for a lifelong learning  essential for both professional and personal success  is something that JIS wants to instill among its students.

According to her, personalizing the childrens education demands a high degree of professionalism from the teachers, who constantly observe the children, documenting their progress to use that information to plan for subsequent learning engagements.

Lifelong learning

In terms of soft skills that support the learning process, JIS believes in what it calls the four Rs, which stands for: resilience, resourcefulness, reflectiveness and relating.

The thirst for a lifelong learning  essential for both professional and personal success  is something that JIS wants to instill among its students. The value of perseverance, inherent in the pillar of resilience, is something that teachers build among the young ones through their teaching approach. For instance, teachers usually point out what a student has already done well with her drawing before asking her to identify aspects in which she could do better.

Ooh, I probably colored it too much. Children usually already know areas in which they could do better. By engaging them like this, we will make children feel they have a value, Donohue explained.

The biggest outcome [of this approach] is they know how to ask questions and they are confident, she added.

To further boost the students confidence, the early education program also sets aside some time outside its dense and rich main program for children to be involved in performing arts and get onstage.

We want to, over time, honor the children. We also build confidence by getting them onstage with the drama teacher, where the children can sing and dance and feel free to move about in the spotlight, she said.

At the end of an academic year, children from the early education program take part in a performance organized by the older children, aged five to seven, with their teachers.

Principal Donohue added that the students performance at the end of an academic year was one of the biggest accomplishments embodying all the traits that the program attempted to ingrain within them, in addition to the cognitive aspects inherent in the given core curriculum.

Donohues extensive and global experience as a teacher has led to her belief in the power of individualized approach in which teachers adopt inquiry-based teaching methodologies, to effectively help them ensure childrens optimum growth in all facets of childhood development. The methodologies make the learning process more enjoyable, active and interactive, best suited to children of kindergarten school age.

Elsa H. Donohue, Elementary School Principal at Jakarta Interculutural School, Indonesia.

Using the methodologies calls for leadership capacity on the part of the teachers, according to Donohue, who has obtained Masters degrees in curriculum and teaching and educational leadership from Michigan State University.

Thats why she also created and developed a distributed leadership model at JIS and other schools. She herself has a passion for supporting the expansion of leadership capacity throughout the school, with special attention to growing teacher-leaders, middle-level leadership and highly effective teams.

Topics :

JIS, international-school-jakarta, early-years, inquiry-based-learning, leadership-capacity








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Linkedin A. Kurniawan Ulung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 09:28 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af0ce1b 4 People comic,comic-book,Apri-Kusbiantoro Free

In Europe, illustrator and cartoonist Apri Kusbiantoro is celebrated as the Don Lawrence of Indonesia.

British comic book artist Don Lawrence was renowned for his beautifully colored, highly detailed visions of fantasy worlds and voluptuous warrior maidens.

Appointed a knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in the Netherlands, he received recognition for illustrating many books, especially Dutch science fiction series Storm, which has sold more than 2 million copies in translations worldwide, most recently in Indonesia.

Ten years after Lawrence died of pneumonia at the age of 75 in 2003, people in the Netherlands were surprised when finding comic book de verloren verhalen van Lemuria (The Lost Tales of Lemuria) in 2013, which reminded them of Lawrences masterpieces because their illustrations were very much alike.

Since then, Lemuria, which is also translated into German, has circulated in other German and Dutch speaking countries like Austria, Belgium and Switzerland.

Lemuria  which centers on the adventure of an alien, an orphan kidnapped by a space ship and a slave girl escaping an attack  is penned by Dutch writer Sytse S. Algera with illustrators done by Apri, who is from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

I never imagine my work would hit bookstores in Europe, Apri said.

A page of comic book by Apri Kusbiantoro. (Apri Kusbiantoro/File)

Before Lemuria, he made illustrations for American comic books, such as Radio Ga Ga by Dark Horse Comics and The Three Stooges by Bluewater Productions.

Since 2009, Apris work has appeared in more 20 books, including Adhitya Mulyas book Bajak Laut dan Purnama Terakhir: Sebuah Komedi Sejarah(Pirates and Last Full Moon: A Comedy of History) released this year.

Born 41 years ago in Selong, a small city on Lombok Island, Apri has Javanese blood from his parents, who liked to tell him about Javanese folklore, such as the story of Javanese King Aji Saka, when he was little.

Although Lemuria is not about Indonesia, he has inserted some things that can be found only in the country, such as a man wearing blangkon (Javanese hat) and a woman clad in kebaya (traditional blouse) with a sanggul (traditional bun), in Episode II.

I also drew Balinese statues, Apri said when taking part in Popcon Asia recently in Jakarta.

At the festival, he saw many talented Indonesian artists who have the potential to go international. Theyre skillful but have yet to get an opportunity, Apri said.

He entered the European market after Flemish magazine P@per contributor Wallie Hakken, who is a big fan of Lawrence, found his drawings on online art-sharing platform DeviantArt.

Hakken praised Apris work, telling him it resembled Lawrences style and encouraged him to make comics in Europe. He even asked Apri for samples of his work to be introduced to Dutch publishers.

Apri, however, could not comply as he no longer owned the copyright to his previous work, especially work he had submitted to American publishers. I told him [Hakken] that I did not have [samples] but if he had a writer I would be happy to make illustrations for his or her work, he said.

Before Lemuria, Apri Kusbiantoro made illustrations for American comic books, such as Radio Ga Ga by Dark Horse Comics and The Three Stooges by Bluewater Productions. (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)

Hakken then proposed Sytse S. Algera, who later emailed Apri to offer to collaborate. He [Algera] said, Lets make a story about a knight, monsters and beautiful women. European people like these things. I then made the concept and he chose Lemuria as the title, he said.

Two leading publishers, the Don Lawrence Collection in the Netherlands and Splitter in Germany, agreed to print Lemuria.

In the first three months, Lemuria was among the top three best-selling books in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, Apri said.

Before making Lemuria, Apri and Algera tested the waters by making a comic strip titled Close Call for the P@per magazine. At that time, Apri was not paid because the comic strip was included in a supplement that people got for free. But for him, it did not matter as it helped introduced his name.

Apri was excited when learning that Close Call had passed with flying colors and readers began to compare him with Lawrence.

He admitted that Lawrence had influenced his drawing style. I admire him, but I never dreamed I could be like him.

When in elementary school in the 1980s, he fell in love with Lawrences illustrations in Storms and science fiction comic series The Trigan Empire,among other translated European comic books, including Petualangan Tintin(The Adventures of Tintin).

He [Lawrence] is the only writer with a realistic and detailed style, he said.

While completing Episode III of Lemuria, Apri also collaborated with Dutch writer Willem Ritstier in making fantasy comic strip Saul, which tells of a feud between the Giants and the Midgets, for magazine Strip Glossy in the Netherlands.

Today, he is also busy completing comic series Mahabarata, for which he not only illustrates but also writes the storylines.

To him, drawing is a career. Because of his job, he neglected his studies at the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Yogyakarta to such a degree that he was warned twice that he would be considered to have dropped out. After 11 years, I finally graduated, he said with a laugh.
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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 10:08 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af1094a 1 Science & Tech Instagram,Instagram-Stories,social-media Free

Those looking to up their game on Instagram should consider going Live at least once a week and sharing posts on a regular basis via all tools, representatives of the social media platform suggest.

As recent data has revealed, Indonesians are among the most enthusiastic group of users of Instagram, with the Southeast Asian country making up the biggest market in the Asia Pacific region.

Approximately 45 million of Instagram's 700 million active users are from Indonesia, while the archipelagos residents also produce on average twice as many Instagram Stories as people in other countries.

Jakarta has been named the most popular location tag on Stories. The image-sharing platform has responded to this enthusiasm by making Jakarta one of the first cities to have its own Story location sticker.

Representatives from Instagram headquarters in the US recently visited Jakarta to speak with local creators and reveal tips on how to make the most of the visual sharing platform.

Read also: Local businesses tap into Instagram market by getting personal

Be authentic

Charles Porch, Instagram's global creative development head, while speaking to the media during his visit to Jakarta, emphasized the importance of being authentic in producing creative content.

"If you can be authentic on Instagram, people connect with that," Porch said.

Visual communication is powerful, Porch went on, explaining that images could communicate messages even between people who speak different languages.

He noted that an account feed generally reflects a collection of personal elements, which can appeal to and inspire other users.

The sharing platform is a place where you can be yourself and find other people like you, as one of Instagram's strengths lies in its sense of a community.

To gain more followers, Porch suggests you focus your account on a certain expertise, such as fashion, beauty or sports.

For instance, fashion brands are able to build a community on Instagram by tapping into its core expertise and sharing with its followers through the various tools of the social media platform with images of style and beauty.

Use all tools

Instagram features various tools, and if you're aiming to gain more followers, it is best to make use of all of them.

Justin Anthony of Instagram's emerging talent partnerships said using all the tools increases the chance to be featured on the platform's Explore. The page would then expose you to a wide audience, he added.

"The best thing you can do is use all types of content. You have to use stories, live, video and pictures," Anthony told reporters in Jakarta on Aug. 16.

Regularly posting also promoted connections, Anthony added.

"We like to encourage you to use pictures more often, and it doesn't have to be perfect," he said, noting that users could even create a storyline across numerous pictures in a multi-post.

Read also: Instagram photos can reveal signs of depression, study suggests

More videos

Citing data collected by Instagram, Porch said there had been an 80 percent increase in the time spent watching videos on the social media platform.

He noted that the video audience largely comprised of young people and teenagers, adding that the young generation had grown up with phones that already had high-quality video capabilities.

Video posts are not only becoming a commonly used creatively outlet, but also give a different behind-the-scenes glimpse on daily lives.

Porch said imperfect videos recorded with shaky hands that were often posted on Stories, for example, felt authentic and made people feel closer to the creator.

He said through the platform, various creators, including public figures, on Instagram were able to build a direct connection with their fans.

"It's like they're on the other side of that account; they're running that account, and it's almost like they're speaking directly to me. And I think that's really powerful," Porch said.

Anthony, meanwhile, suggests going live on Story at least once a week, with the content to remain up for 24 hours, as allowed by this feature, which is one of Instagrams latest innovations.

Saving youre Live and also having a Story could increase the chance of being featured on the Explore page, he added.

"So, you have two buttons up there that people can find you on," Anthony said. (asw)
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Linkedin Nedi Putra AW (The Jakarta Post) Malang  Mon, September 4, 2017 09:14 1897 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af0cacf 4 Books New-Order,history,#history,Buru-Island,PKI Free

Mars Noersmono might have a lean physique, grey hair and slightly trembling hands, but the 78-year-old remains strong, despite the soft tone of his speech suggesting otherwise.

Sorry, I cant speak at length without breathing properly, he said during a discussion of his book Bertahan Hidup di Pulau Buru (Surviving on Buru Island) in Malang, East Java.

Noersmono is one of the survivors of political detainees held by the New Order regime. He was not an important figure when the political upheaval of 1965 occurred. Born in Jakarta, Noersmono was once a student at the Bandung Institute of Technology and a sympathizer of the Concentration of Indonesian Students Movement (CGMI), an affiliate of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). He was among about 11,000 detainees banished to Buru Island without trial over their connection with the now-defunct PKI.

The island was called Tefaat Buru or place of utilization, a name reflecting the desire of the ruling power to benefit from the detention camp, he said, adding that the detainees, mostly coming from the middle segment of society, had been forced to turn the wilderness into farmland for growing crops.

Mars Noersmono, author of Bertahan Hidup di Pulau Buru (Surviving on Buru Island). Noersmono is one of the survivors of political detainees held by the New Order regime. (JP/Nedi Putra AW)

Unlike novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer, who authored four novels popularly called the Buru Quartet during his exile, Noersmono wrote the story of his life on the island in a unique way. As a former student of architecture, he made 75 detailed sketches of Buru and his various activities to accompany the narrative in his 368-page book.

He sketched and recounted how he jumped from the tank landing ship when he arrived on the island in 1971, reclaimed land for paddy planting, produced cajuput oil and survived by eating anything from larvae to rats.

A plate of rice was a luxury at the time, he said.

The suffering described by Noersmono goes beyond the scarcity of food, clothing and working equipment. He also revealed all kinds of harsh treatment of political detainees by camp guards, which made him a witness to the great despair of some of his fellow captives, who failed to endure the misery by ending their own lives.

Noersmono explained that he had drawn the pictures from memory, because it was impossible to sketch while under detention. By creatively recollecting what he experienced from 1971 to his day of release in 1979, he made himself strong and optimistic enough to leave behind his painful past. His sketches serve as a practical historical document, as there are no books or records of pictures from Buru Island.

The grandfather of seven said he held no grudge against the New Order regime that had imposed a dark shadow on his life. His sketches were also made out of his childhood hobby of drawing.

Dark period: An illustration of accommodation for political prisoners on Buru Island in the book titled Bertahan Hidup di Pulau Buru (Surviving on Buru Island). (Mars Noersmono/File)

I dont say anybody is to blame in this book. I just want to show that something went wrong in the country, and hopefully it wont recur, he said.

John Roosa, a historian and professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada, said political prisoners on Buru Island were subjected to terrible conditions.

Buru Island was worse than the colonial exile camp in Boven Digul [in Papua], because Buru detainees had to work hard to meet their daily needs under limited conditions of land and equipment, he said, adding that their harvests were also frequently seized by the camp unit commandant.

Roosa, who sat next to Noersmono during the discussion, mentioned three groups of detainees. Group A comprised of those to be put on trial, group B of those being charged and detained without trial and group C of those to be released. Most of the ones sent to Buru Island, including Mars Noersmono, belonged to category B.

As initially planned by the New Order [regime], these Buru Island political detainees would remain there for an indefinite period until their demise, Roosa said.

Harsh condition: After the morning ceremony, the political prisoners would pick their farming equipment in the warehouse and go to the fields. (Mars Noersmono/File)

The author of Pretext for Mass Murder: The September 30th Movement and Suhartos Coup DEtat in Indonesia also pointed to international pressure, especially from the United States Congress during the administration of US President Jimmy Carter, which had led to the release of the detainees in 1979.

Roosa added that in 1977, when the uprising in East Timor was being stamped out, the New Order regime requested helicopter aid from the US.

Finally both sides agreed that America was ready to provide aid on the condition that the human rights violation on Buru Island should be ended, he said.

Roosa said he hoped Indonesia would learn from what had happened to Noersmono by respecting the law. He believes fair enforcement of the law is a strong foundation for democracy.
Angelina Jolie says that she does not enjoy being single and that it has been a tough year after her split with Brad Pitt.

By India Today Web Desk: It has been a year since Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's marriage fell apart. Now, Jolie, who has been in the news for her split with Pitt, says she is not enjoying being single.

The 42-year-old Hollywood star spoke about being single in an interview with The Telegraph.

"I don't enjoy being single. It's not something I wanted," Jolie said, adding, "There's nothing nice about it. It's just hard. Sometimes maybe it appears I am pulling it all together, but really I am just trying to get through my days."

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In another interview with Sydney Morning Herald, she said she had spent much of the last year "just taking care of my children".

"I will eventually balance more and do more work, but because of family issues it's been extremely tough," she said.

Jolie has been dealing with some health issues, including Bell's Palsy and hypertension last year.

"Yes, my body has sometimes taken a hit with all of the things that I had to do. And then, emotionally, it was a difficult year on top of all that. But I don't want my children to feel my stress; they need to feel my joy and have joy in just living every day. I see them together and it gives me great peace to know that the day I pass away, they will have each other and take care of each other for life," she said.

Jolie and Pitt share six children. They were married for two years and been a couple since 2004. The Hollywood stars filed for divorce last September.

Jolie filed for divorce last September. The Hollywood megastars had been married for two years and were a couple since 2004. They share six children.

ALSO READ: Angelina Jolie opens up on split with Brad Pitt, crying in the shower and menopause

ALSO READ: Did Brad Pitt finally apologise to Jennifer Aniston for cheating on her with Angelina Jolie?

ALSO READ: Brad Pitt is 'sleeping with an actress almost as big as Angelina Jolie'

ALSO WATCH: Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie to Ranbir-Katrina, 2016 was the year of celebrity splits

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) London  Mon, September 4, 2017 16:48 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af25a09 2 People Prince-William,Kate-Middleton,Duchess-of-Cambridge,duke-of-cambridge,children Free

Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace announced on Monday, adding that she would not be attending a planned engagement due to a severe form of morning sickness.

The news comes on the week that the royal couple's eldest child, four-year-old Prince George, begins school in London. They also have a daughter, two-year-old Princess Charlotte.

"Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child," the palace said in a statement.

Read also: Prince William's ski holiday sparks media criticism

William is second in line to the throne and his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, along with members of both families, was said to be "delighted" at the news.

The palace confirmed that "as with her previous two pregnancies, the Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum", a severe form of morning sickness.

"Her royal highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today. The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace," it said.
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Linkedin News Desk (Kyodo News) Tokyo  Mon, September 4, 2017 19:04 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2d72f 2 Lifestyle Japan,career,Youth Free

As Japan's lifetime employment culture crumbles, younger Japanese are becoming increasingly familiar with pursuing parallel careers.

Nanako Shibata is a Tokyo staffing agency PR employee, but also a professional dancer who practices seven hours a day, four days a week to perform on stage.

Shibata, 27, started working at the staffing agency, b-style Inc., as a full-time regular employee in 2013, but soon found the work too hard for her to continue concentrating on dancing. She considered quitting, but on the advice of the company's president, she instead switched her status in 2015 to part-time contract worker, working three days a week.

Her wages dropped but she became "happier," she told Kyodo News in late July during a practice session for an imminent stage show.

Shibata has not lowered her work performance target since changing status. With support from her co-workers, she said, she was given an in-house award for excellent achievement.

Her supervisor said Shibata's work style has provided a "good motivation" for younger colleagues.

The company currently plans to launch a new system to allow regular employees to choose to work three days a week without changing their status to contract workers like Shibata.

"Regular employees are our core workforce who share the philosophy and vision of the company," an official of b-style said. "We plan to launch a program enabling them to work flexibly."

Shibata is one of the young Japanese pursuing so-called "parallel careers" who hold multiple jobs or engage in various activities in addition to regular work.

The government has been encouraging workers to take side jobs as part of its "work system reform" initiative under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's growth strategy.

Masayuki Tanaka is a 35-year-old Tokyo resident running a consultant business on his own while also working under contracts commissioned by a consulting agency and a nonprofit organization.

Read also: How to be more productive at work

Tanaka left a major think tank in April because the long work hours made it hard for him and his working wife to look after their young child.

He expected his income to fall after quitting the think tank but luckily avoided a steep decline and now has more free time.

Volunteer activities in which young workers can utilize their work skills are also popular.

According to Yuko Gendo, 34, representative of Social Marketing Japan, a body that acts as a bridge between individuals wishing to work as volunteers and NPOs in need of them, most applicants work on a full-time basis.

"Many of them can improve their professional work through synergy effects from experiencing outside cultures," she said.

Mitsunari Kubota, 31, who has engaged in volunteer activities through Social Marketing, said, "The experience gained from being a volunteer is useful to my work."

Natsuko Hagiwara, a professor at the Department of Sociology at Rikkyo University well versed in the trend of parallel careers, said, "Having multiple footholds is a risk management practice now that (Japan's) lifetime employment system has collapsed."

"Environments that enable people to pursue multiple careers, such as a system allowing them to return to work after retirement, need to be created with the involvement of companies and the government," she said.

Hagiwara also cautioned that people who want parallel careers should have an "unshakable axis of what they want to do."

Topics : Japan career Youth
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Linkedin Anita Chang Beattie (Agence France-Presse) Washington  Mon, September 4, 2017 11:04 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af15758 2 Science & Tech space,#space,NASA,astronaut Free

A record-shattering NASA astronaut touched down to Earth on Sunday, finishing a 288-day mission that put her over the top as the American who has spent the most cumulative amount of time in space.

Peggy Whitson, 57, is also the oldest female astronaut in the history of space exploration, was the first female International Space Station commander, and holds the record for number of spacewalks (10) by a woman.

The biochemist completed a mission at the International Space Station that began in November 2016, covering 122.2 million miles (196.7 million kilometers) and 4,623 orbits of Earth.

She and crewmates Jack Fischer of NASA and Fyodor Yurchikhin of Russian space agency Roscosmos landed in Kazakhstan at 7:31 am local time Sunday (0121 GMT) in a Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft.

Whitson has racked up 665 days in space in her career, more than any other American astronaut. She is eighth on the all-time space endurance list, NASA said.

Her colleague Jack "2Fish" Fischer, 43, went into space as a rookie but has won over space-watchers with his boundless enthusiasm during his four-and-a-half months aboard the ISS.

He likened the feeling of his spacewalk with Whitson in May -- the 200th ISS spacewalk -- to a "ginormous fondue pot, bubbling over with piping hot awesomesauce."

"Heading home soon I hope I infected a few of you with my passion for space. Never stop learning and growing. I dare you to dream!" he tweeted Friday.

NASA footage showed Whitson brought out last from the capsule before being seated and handed flowers by a member of the crew at the landing site.

Read also: NASA picks a dozen astronauts from a pool of 3 million

Space veteran

Ground personnel stand next to Russia's Soyuz MS-04 space capsule carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew of Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and US astronauts Peggy Annette Whitson and Jack Fischer after it landed in a remote area outside the town of Dzhezkazgan (AFP/Sergei Ilnitsky)

After earning a doctorate in biochemistry in 1985, Whitson worked as a NASA scientist for seven years before starting as an astronaut in 1997.

On this most recent mission, Whitson conducted experiments with human stem cells, blood samples and grew several crops of Chinese cabbage, according to posts on her Facebook page.

"The best part, was that after we harvested for the science, we got to eat the rest!" she said of her greens.

In an interview before departing the space station, Whitson said she was looking forward to flush toilets ("Trust me, you don't want to know the details") and pizza.

But, "I will miss seeing the enchantingly peaceful limb of our Earth from this vantage point. Until the end of my days, my eyes will search the horizon to see that curve," she said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on the NASA website.

She noted that she's not totally comfortable with the attention she receives for her various records and her status as a role model.

"I honestly do think that it is critical that we are continuously breaking records, because that represents us moving forward in exploration," Whitson said.

The scientist also has a silly side. To celebrate the July Fourth holiday, she posted photos and a video of herself and Fischer wearing loud red, white and blue outfits, striking poses in zero gravity.

"I am not sure what the future holds for me personally, but I envision myself continuing to work on spaceflight programs. My desire to contribute to the spaceflight team as we move forward in our exploration of space has only increased over the years," she said of her plans.

The astronauts' return comes as the Texas city of Houston, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, has been struggling to get back to normalcy after a week of deadly flooding triggered by Hurricane Harvey.

"As a result of the impacts of Hurricane Harvey, NASA is reviewing return plans to Houston of Whitson, Fischer and the science samples landing in the Soyuz spacecraft," the space agency said.
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Linkedin Hwang Sunghee (Agence France-Presse) Seoul, South Korea  Mon, September 4, 2017 16:12 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af23dbd 2 World North-Korea,Nuclear,missile-launch,South-Korea,Japan Free

North Korea could be preparing another missile launch, Seoul said Monday as it stepped up its defences following Pyongyang's biggest-ever nuclear test and declaration it had a hydrogen bomb.

The South and the United States will deploy more of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile launchers that have infuriated Beijing, the defence ministry said.

The announcement came after Seoul fired an early morning volley of ballistic missiles in an exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site.

Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo ballistic missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the country's east coast.

Pyongyang said the device it detonated Sunday was a hydrogen bomb -- far more powerful than the fission-based devices it is believed to have previously tested -- and small enough to fit into a missile.

The blast laid down a new gauntlet to President Donald Trump, after the North in July twice tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range, and threatened to send a salvo of missiles towards the US territory of Guam.

South Korean defence ministry officials estimated its strength at 50 kilotons -- five times the size of the North's previous nuclear test, and more than three times bigger than the US device which obliterated Hiroshima in 1945.

But they did not confirm whether it was a hydrogen bomb, saying only that "a variety of nuclear material" had been used.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh  Mon, September 4, 2017 17:09 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af28f25 2 World Myanmar,Rohingya-people,refugee,Bangladesh,UN,humanitarian-crisis Free

A total of 87,000 mostly Rohingya refugees have arrived in Bangladesh since violence erupted in neighbouring Myanmar on August 25, the United Nations said Monday.

Thousands of the stateless Muslim minority have fled the mainly Buddhist nation and poured over the border since the latest round of fighting broke out, piling pressure on the already overcrowded camps in Bangladesh.

Around 20,000 more were massed on the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar's western state of Rakhine and waiting to enter, the UN said in a report.

Dhaka stepped up border controls after the latest round of violence began 10 days ago.

But in recent days Bangladeshi border guards appeared to be allowing the fleeing refugees to enter and the UN said recent arrivals reported there had been no attempt to prevent them from crossing.

Over the last five years Rakhine has been divided along ethnic and religious lines, but the current violence is the worst yet.

Scores of people have drowned attempting to cross the Naf border river, many in makeshift boats.

Most of the new arrivals have crammed into camps near the border, where the UN said local people were helping the relief effort.
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Linkedin Cod Satrusayang (ANN News Desk) Seoul  Mon, September 4, 2017 12:34 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af17a58 2 World #NorthKorea,#NorthKoreaNuclear,#Media,#Asia Free

An article in the Korea Herald said that the test brings North Korea closer to becoming a full-fledged nuclear state.

"With Sundays nuclear test, North Korea is seen drawing increasingly closer to becoming a full- fledged nuclear weapons state, which would further unsettle Northeast Asias geopolitical landscape and may escalate risks of a military standoff.

State media said the test was designed to chiefly examine the technology to adjust the explosive power of a hydrogen bomb to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile. As a result, it proved the high reliability of the devices mutually reinforcing fission-fusion reactions."

The Herald in a separate article said that the United States and South Korea had agreed to most powerful sanctions against North Korea after the tests.

"Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had 25-minute talks to discuss countermeasures after North Korea earlier in the day conducted what it called a successful test of a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Tillerson affirmed that the US will place the strongest-ever sanctions on North Korea based on its alliance with South Korea."

The Japan News reported that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe joined calls for tougher sanctions against the North calling the tests 'totally unacceptable.'

"In a statement issued after the meeting, Abe said, [The test] is totally unacceptable for Japan, noting that the U.N. Security Council has repeatedly condemned the Norths ballistic missile launches this year. The prime minister said Pyongyangs nuclear and missile development has reached a new stage of threat to Japans security with even more severity and urgency.

Meanwhile, an editorial in China Daily asks what comes next after the nuclear test noting that the international community has in the past failed to show a united front when dealing with Pyongyang.

"It's high time, therefore, that the DPRK realized the devastating consequences of using that space to further its missile/nuclear programs and the stakeholders considered Pyongyang's genuine needs, especially food and national security, because whatever nonpublic concerns they may have, all the stakeholders share one genuine, and growing, concern: the threat those programs pose to them, the region and beyond. If they do not work together to check the DPRK now, they will find it increasingly difficult to do so as time passes by, because Pyongyang will not stop doing what it believes is safe to do."
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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 12:33 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af17876 1 National MK,MK-judges,MK-justices,Constitutional-Court,Patrialis-Akbar,bribery,bribery-case,corruption,KPK Free

Jakarta Corruption Court judges sentenced former Constitutional Court (MK) justice Patrialis Akbar to eight years in prison at a hearing on Monday.

Reading out the court's final verdict, presiding judge Nawawi Pamolango said the former member of the National Mandate Party (PAN) was proven guilty of accepting bribes from a beef importer in connection with a judicial review on the 2014 Animal Husbandry and Livestock Health Law.

It was reported that Patrialis received US$70,000 in bribes from businessman Basuki Hariman and his secretary, Ng Fenny, through his aide Kamaludin.

Last week, Basuki and Fenny were sentenced respectively to seven and five years behind bars for their roles in the bribery.

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors had asked for 12.5 years of imprisonment and Rp 500 million ($37,486.90) in fines for Patrialis at a hearing two weeks ago.

The prosecutors also required him to return the $10,000 and Rp 4 million he had gained from his crimes.

The corruption court is also scheduled to hand down the sentence for Kamaludin in a separate hearing on Monday. Prosecutors have sought eight years in prison for the middleman.

Patrialis has become the second MK justice to be tried for graft following former chief justice Akil Mochtar, who was found guilty of bribery.

In 2014, the court sentenced Akil to life imprisonment when judges found him guilty of accepting Rp 57 billion in bribes from a number of regional heads. The bribes were intended to influence the Constitutional Court's decision on electoral disputes he had handled. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 13:51 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af1afc0 1 Business Freeport-Indonesia,divestment,Richard-C-Adkerson,Grasberg,Papua Free

Freeport McMoran (FCX) has stated that it still controls Grasberg mine in Papau, even after the company divested 51 percent of its shares in its subsidiary, PT Freeport Indonesia, as required by Indonesian law.

FCX will continue to take control over the operation and management of PTFI, said FCX in its statement last week.

Freeport McMoran CEO Richard Adkerson said his company would concentrate in underground mining next year because of the depletion of reserves resulting from its open mining activities.

Read also: Shaky deal with Freeport

In early the 1980s, the company mined 800,000 to 1 million tons of copper concentrates per day. Currently, it produces 100,000 tons of copper concentrates. The company said the underground mining needed an investment of US$20 billion.

Meanwhile, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministrys mineral and coal director general, Gatot Ariyono, confirmed that Freeport would become main operator of the Grasberg mine because Indonesia needed to gradually learn about underground mining.

It is very technical. We cannot immediately take over, said Bambang over the weekend as reported by tempo.co.

The divestment agreement with PT Freeport Indonesia was announced by Adkerson during a joint press conference with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan on Aug. 29.

The company also agreed to convert its contract of work (CoW) into a special mining permit (IUPK), build a smelter within the next five years and increase its contribution to state revenue from its Grasberg mine in Papua. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 17:52 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2ae88 4 Business Transportation-Minister-Budi-Karya-Sumadi,railway,bogor,bandung,routes Free

The government is now working to upgrade the railway tracks connecting several cities in West Java  Bogor-Sukabumi-Cianjur-Padalarang-Bandung -- in addition to the fully modernized tracks from Jakarta, Bekasi, Cikampek, Purwakarta, Padalarang and Bandung.

The master-plan rules that we need to have good connections from Bogor, Sukabumi to Bandung. All the lines will be double track, said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi in Jakarta on Monday as reported by kompas.com.

As an initial phase, state-owned railway operator PT Kerata Api Indonesia (KAI) will make the 50-kilometer single track route from Bogor to Sukabumi into a double-track line.

Read also: Railway operator to increase frequency on Jakarta-Bandung route

Weve allocated Rp 400 billion [US$29.99 million] to construct a double-track railway from Bogor to Sukabumi. Well start the construction later this year. We hope that by early 2019 the construction will be finished, he added.

Currently, only the economy-class Pangrango train operates along the Bogor-Sukabumi route with three trips per day. Meanwhile, the economy-class Siliwangi train serves the Sukabumi-Cianjur route also three times per day.

In the second phase, the 40-kilometer Cianjur-Padalarang route, which went out of service in 2013, will be reactivated, said Budi, adding that the train would operate on a single-track railway.

He said between Rp 2 trillion and Rp 3 trillion was needed to make the Sukabumi-Padalarang line double track.

He did not explain when the double-track project from Sukabumi to Padalarang could be implemented. (bbn)
In a series of tweets, H Raja and Tamil Nadu's BJP President Tamilisai Soundrajan said that Anitha's suicide is being used as a political conspiracy against BJP.

By India Today Web Desk: The suicide of 17-year-old Anitha has led to protests across Tamil Nadu. Tamil nationalist outfit the Naam Tamilar Katchi staged protests demanding scraping off NEET completely.

Tamil Nadu's BJP which has been quiet on the issue of NEET and Anitha's suicide has now warned protesters against "testing our (BJP) tolerance", tweeted Tamil Nadu's BJP President, Tamilisai Soundrajan.

Anitha's Sucide a political Conspiracy against BJP.Modi baiters warned against their uncivilized protest against PM.Don't test our tolerance- Tamilisai Soundrajan (@drtamilisaibjp) September 3, 2017

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Meanwhile, H Raja also took to Twitter to question Anitha's suicide. "How could a girl who publicly told that she would study Agri and help farmers end her Life. Is her life the ball which Stalin wanted to play?", he said in a tweet.

How could a girl who publicly told that she would study Agri and help farmers end her Life. Is her life the ball which Stalin wanted to play- H Raja (@HRajaBJP) September 1, 2017

Those who killed Udayakumar of Annamalai University for objecting to conferment of Doctorate to Karunanidhi are shedding crocodile tears now- H Raja (@HRajaBJP) September 1, 2017

Tamilisai questioned the DMK and why they didn't support the colleges by providing them with funds.

DMK leaders who had Photoshop with sucided girl, could have saved her life by supporting in their Colleges run by DMK's Ex Ministers.- Tamilisai Soundrajan (@drtamilisaibjp) September 3, 2017

These comments by Tamil Nadu's BJP faction comes after DMK leaders stressed that the Centre should be blamed for Anitha's death. In a statement to the media, the newly appointed Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman termed Anitha's death as "unfortunate" and said that she tried Tamil Nadu to get an exemption from NEET but couldn't succeed.

Anitha was a Dalit from Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur district who committed suicide on September 1. She was known to be spearheading the fight against National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) exams.

17-year-old Anitha performed brilliantly during her Class 12 board exams but failed to score a seat in the medical entrance exam. She committed suicide in her home a week after Centre announced that Tamil Nadu cannot be exempted from NEET. A student with a brilliant track record, Anitha could not secure a seat in the newly introduced NEET exam.

As the news of Anitha's suicide came out massive protests broke out across Tamil Nadu to scrap off NEET completely. Several students in Trichy also began an indefnite strike demanding the withdrawal of the entrance exam. Other pro-Tamil outfits staged state-wide protests.

Also Read:

NEET suicide: Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan express grief over Anitha's death

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NEET in Tamil Nadu: After Anitha's suicide, Kamal Haasan says he isn't going to wear a mask anymore

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 15:03 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af20b13 1 Business non-state-budget,investment,infrastructure-development,bambang-brodjonegoro Free

The government has targeted to bring in Rp 10 trillion (US$749.63 million) in non-state investments for three infrastructure projects  energy, airport and toll road  in the third quarter of 2017.

It is a solution to overcome the limited funds in the state budget through creative financing, which will also strengthen the equality of state enterprises, said National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head Bambang Brodjonegoro in Jakarta over the weekend.

The three infrastructure projects are Kertajadi International Airport led by West Java administration-owned developer PT Bandara Internasional Jawa Barat (BIJB), a toll road project by state-owned construction company PT Waskita Toll Road and a power plant project in Meulaboh, Aceh, by state-owned construction company PT PP Energy.

Read also: Government demonstrates infrastructure progress amid challenges

To develop the Kertajati airport, PT BIJB will issue a limited participation mutual fund (RDPT) with a total value of Rp 950 billion.

Meanwhile, PT Waskita Toll Road, looking to raise Rp 8 trillion, will sell shares in nine of its toll roads. PT PP will issue perpetuity notes and an RDPT with a target to raise Rp 1 trillion.

Bambang said the government would encourage other state-owned companies and private companies to take part in other government infrastructure programs.

In line with an instruction from the President, we work hard to facilitate private companies taking part in the infrastructure development, he said as reported by tribunnews.com. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 08:00 1897 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af0a700 1 Business economic-policy-package,permits,Rosan-Roslani Free

Business people have enthusiastically welcomed the latest 16th economic package on the acceleration of business implementation, which aims to improve coordination between ministries and provincial administrations in business permit issuance.

Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Rosan Roeslani told The Jakarta Post that the economic policy, which was issued in the form of a Presidential regulation, was in line with the aspirations of business people.

We need the policy to maintain and support investment and the governments development programs in the country, he said via a text message on Thursday.

He added that Kadin had suggested the government formulate the policy based on the business peoples findings in the field regarding the coordination of related parties involved in the issuance of business permits.

We found many obstacles in harmonizing the policies between central and regional governments, he said, adding that sectoral ego between ministries and other institutions also hampered permit issuance.

The 16th economic package will be implemented in two stages, consisting of the formation of task forces to oversee and solve the problems in business permit issuance, the regulatory reforms and the implementation of a single submission system. (rdi/ags)
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Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Jambi  Mon, September 4, 2017 21:17 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2e0b2 1 National Jambi,cigarette,cigarette-smoking,CigaretteSmoking,tobacco-control,TobaccoConsumption,smoking-ban Free

The Jambi administration is working on programs to publicize a newly passed bylaw that prohibits smoking in public places.

Taking effect on Sept.1, the bylaw imposes a Rp 100,000 (US$7.50) fine on anyone found guilty of smoking in public places.

Jambi mayor SY Fasha said the bylaw did not prohibit the citys residents from smoking but it regulated spaces where they were allowed to smoke with the aim of providing greater protection from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Among locations where smoking is strictly prohibited are hospitals, offices, schools, parks and shopping malls.

We dont prohibit people from smoking but there should be a special zone. It is only in a smoking room that people are allowed to smoke. Outside the designated area, it is prohibited for anyone to smoke, said the mayor on Sunday.

Smoking zones are one of aspects, including cigarette advertisements that are regulated in the bylaw.

Fasha said the Jambi administration had continued to monitor locations cigarette where smoking and tobacco advertising was strictly prohibited.

Cigarette ads are strictly banned from certain areas, such as main roads and near schools, are prohibited for the installing of billboards. Every place must provide special rooms for cigarette smoking, he said.

Maria Magdalena, a lawmaker from the Jambi Legislative Councils Commission IV, which oversees health affairs, said public spaces restricted from smoking, such as malls or offices, had to provide a special smoking zone.

If the building management refuses to provide it, there will be sanctions, Maria said. (foy/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 11:29 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af1575a 1 Business palm-oil,Indonesia,UN,Gapki Free

The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) will attend an upcoming summit on the development of the oil palm sector at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

GAPKI chairman Joko Supriyono is scheduled to speak on Sept. 6 about the actions and roles of businesspeople related to sustainability issues of the commodity, the largest contributor to the countrys foreign exchange.

"We will also have informal meetings with related stakeholders during our upcoming visit to the US," Supriyono said in a statement released on Saturday, as reported by antaranews.com.

GAPKI and representatives of the Indonesian government are attending the summit by invitation from the UNDP, which has initiated the forums on sustainability issues in select economic sectors. The UNDP has also invited representatives of the Brazilian and Liberian governments, as well as business leaders.

Palm oil is Indonesias main non-oil and gas export, contributing US$18.5 billion in exports last year. The sector also absorbs more than 5 million workers and encourages economic growth in rural areas.

"We agree that the management of oil palm plantations should be sustainable, and that is why we want to discuss with the UN to realize sustainable palm oil management," Supriyono said, as reported by antara.

Indonesia's palm oil sector has been criticized by the US and the European Union on suspicions that it is not applying sustainable practices, but Supriyono said that the demand for palm oil continued to increase. (bbn)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 22:06 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2fcac 1 National Rohingya,Rohingya-people,Rakhine,Rakhine-state,Myanmar,ASEAN,ICMI Free

In response to the widespread persecution of Rohingya Muslim minority people in Rakhine state, Myanmar, the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) has called on the Indonesian government to initiate a conflict resolution process for Myanmar in ASEAN.

"We hope Indonesia can be the initiator of a conflict resolution process among ASEAN countries to help the Rohingya people. ASEAN countries should not close their eyes to the rights violations against Rohingya Muslims," ICMI secretary-general Mohammad Jafar Hafsah said on Monday.

He is of the opinion that most countries have tended to ignore or been slow to respond to the killing and persecution of the Muslim minority people in Myanmar.

(Read also: RI seeks peace in Rakhine)

Jafar expected that Indonesia, as the country with the world's largest Muslim population, would take a decisive approach to help end the prolonged conflict.

The state sponsored violence has caused many Rohingya people to suffer serious human rights violations, including torture, rape and the destruction of religious property.

Rohingya Muslims have been forced to leave Myanmar and have been declared as stateless, however Myanmar's neighboring countries have mostly refused to accept them as refugees.

Jafar urged other countries to accept the Rohingya refugees and not to ask the people to go back to Myanmar. "We really regret what has happened in Myanmar. This is clearly a human rights violation," he said. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 11:37 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af16348 1 City HOV,High-Occupancy-Vehicle-Lane,Jakarta-Cikampek-toll-road,traffic-congestion,TrafficCongestion,Jakarta-administration,public-transportation Free

The Greater Jakarta Transportation Body (BPTJ), which falls under the Transportation Ministry, is developing a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane for public transportation, especially buses, on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road to reduce traffic congestion..

It is hoped that a less congested toll road would attract more commuters to using public transportation.

BPTJ head Bambang Prihantono said the HOV lane, which would serve as a special public transportation line, would not be use road separators like the TransJakarta special line. The surface of the road for HOV lanes would instead be painted differently to indicate that the lane was exclusive for buses.

The lane will be used for all types of buses, said Bambang as quoted by Tribunnews in Jakarta over the weekend.

The HOV lane will be on trial from Sept. 7 through Sept. 20, operating twice daily from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bambang said in the morning, buses could use the HOV lane to travel from West Bekasi to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. In the afternoon, it could be used to travel from Senayan, Central Jakarta, to West Bekasi.

"We will cooperate with shopping centers in Bekasi City to provide parking areas for people who want to travel to Jakarta by bus, he said.

Bambang said the BPTJ had cooperated with bus operators Djakarta Passenger Public Company (Perum PPD) and Djawatan Angkoetan Motor Repoeblik Indonesia (DAMRI) to select premium shuttles to operate in the HOV lanes, which aimed to provide comfortable transportation to commuters, particularly those who used private vehicles. (dis/ebf)
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar, Bali  Mon, September 4, 2017 21:48 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2ee2b 1 National Jimbaran,bali,Denpasar-Police,murder,murder-case,Japanese-citizens Free

An elderly Japanese couple were found dead at their rental house in Jimbaran, Bali, on Monday. Their bodies were found burned on the second floor of the two story house in the Puri Gading housing complex. The circumstances behind their deaths remains unknown.

Matsuba Nurio, 76, and his wife Matsuba Hiroko, 76, were discovered dead at around 11 a.m. local time on Monday by their foster son. The latter became suspicious that something bad had happened when he saw smoke emanating from the window of the balcony of his parents second floor. He did not live together with the couple.

The police deployed an investigation team to search the house. The team included personnel from the Denpasar Polices general crime unit and the Indonesia Automatic Fingerprint Identification (Inafis) and a K9 dog squad.

Denpasar Police chief Sr. Comr. Hadi Purnomo said the investigation was still ongoing. We need to conduct further investigations. We will continue tomorrow," Hadi said on Monday evening, after the investigation team searched the house.

When asked whether the couple had been murdered and their bodies burned by the perpetrators, Hadi refused to comment. "We have not yet ascertained whether they were murdered or not. We need to conduct further investigations before we reach a conclusion," he stressed.

The police have questioned four witnesses, including the couple's foster son, a driver and their friend.

The couple's housemaid, Nari, said she was shocked when she learned of the incident. I was informed by my neighbor. I'm shocked. (ebf)

Under investigation: A worker moves the bodies of an elderly Japanese couple found dead on Sept.4. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani)
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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 14:48 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af207bf 1 National MK,MK-judges,MK-justices,Constitutional-Court,bribery,bribery-case,graft,corruption,Patrialis-Akbar Free

The Jakarta Corruption Court has sentenced Kamaludin, the middleman in a bribery case involving former Constitutional Court (MK) justice Patrialis Akbar, to seven years in prison at a hearing on Monday.

The convicted defendant was also ordered to pay Rp 200 million (US$14,991.40) in fines or face an additional two months in prison.

The courts judges declared Kamaludin guilty of receiving $50,000 in bribes from beef importer Basuki Hariman and his secretary, Ng Fenny, in connection with a judicial review filed with the Constitutional Court on the 2014 Animal Husbandry and Livestock Health Law.

The court said during the sentencing that the defendant later gave $10,000 out of the total to Patrialis and pocketed the rest.

Kamaludin, the fourth and final defendant found guilty in the case, said he and his lawyers would consider on whether they would appeal the verdict.

(Read also: Former MK justice sentenced to 8 years in prison)

Earlier on Monday, the Corruption Court sentenced Patrialis to an eight-year imprisonment for his proven guilt in the case.

It also demanded Patrialis to pay Rp 300 million in fines and to return the $10,000 and Rp 4 million he gained from the crime.

Prosecutors had asked for 12.5 years' imprisonment and a Rp 500 million fine for Patrialis at a hearing two weeks ago.

When presiding judge Nawawi Pamulango asked the defendant whether he would appeal the verdict, Patrialis said: After I discuss with my lawyers, I will first think about it.

The court also sentenced Basuki and Fenny, respectively, to seven and five years behind bars last week. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Serang, Banten  Mon, September 4, 2017 06:19 1897 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af07d54 1 Business Krakatau-Steel,blast-furnace Free

State-owned steel maker Krakatau Steel has initiated the first pushing of a coke oven plant (COP) at its Blast Furnace facility, marking the first step in the operations of the companys US$500 million facility in Cilegon, Banten.

After months of delays due to financial difficulties resulting from falling steel prices, the overall physical construction of the new facility had reportedly reached 99.37 percent completion as of 31 July.

The firms president director, Mas Wigrantoro Roes Setyadi, said the COP was the first phase of the operation of the long-awaited-project, which was expected to start production in January next year.

The blast furnace facility will increase our competitiveness because it will be integrated with our subsidiaries and joint ventures and will substantially reduce costs, Mas Wigrantoro said.

Krakatau Steels coke oven plant will process coke with a production capacity of 550,000 tons per year, to fuel the blast furnace, allowing the production of 1.2 million tons of hot metal, which will serve as an intermediary material to make a variety of finished steel products.

The intermediary material will be channeled to Krakatau Steel for its own production as well as its subsidiaries and joint ventures.

In running the business, the countrys largest steel maker has engaged in three joint ventures: PT Krakatau Posco Steel, PT Krakatau Osaka Steel and PT Krakatau Nippon Steel. (dis/ags)
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Linkedin Won Ho-jung (The Korea Herald/ANN) Seoul  Mon, September 4, 2017 17:45 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2ad55 2 Business #SouthKorea,#Lotte,#LotteDutyFree,#expansion,#Incheon Free

Lotte Duty Free is considering pulling its duty-free business out of Incheon Airports Terminal 1 in the wake of falling sales, according to an official with the company Monday.

We are in the midst of negotiations with the airport to adjust rent costs, but closing our outlet at the airport is a serious consideration, the official said.

Koreas largest duty-free operator has seen sales numbers decrease sharply, following tensions between China and Korea due to the latters decision to deploy an American anti-missile system here.

The majority of Lotte Duty Frees sales, which had been rising at about 20 per cent annually for the past few years, had come from groups of Chinese tourists. So far in 2017, the issue related to the defense system has led to a 14 per cent drop in sales on-year for Lotte.

As sales fell, Lotte Duty Free and other operators such as Shilla Duty Free have called Incheon Airports high rent costs burdensome.

At the end of August, executives from duty-free operators met with Chung Il-young, the CEO of Incheon International Airport Corp., demanding lower rents.

Last year, major duty-free operators at Incheon Airport paid out more than one-third of their total sales at the airport as rent.

Earlier this year, Hanwha Galleria announced that it would be closing its outlet at Jeju International Airport, run by Korea Airports Corp., for similar reasons. Due to a delay in determining the next operator, Hanwha will be closing its outlet in Jeju at the end of 2017.

Topics :

This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
By PTI: Mumbai, Sep 4 (PTI) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, police, Coast Guard and Navy have made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and safe immersion of Lord Ganesh idols tomorrow on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi.

"Being the sea search and rescue coordinator, Coast Guard will be carrying out close to coast patrol by two each ships, hovercrafts and helicopters," a Defence spokesperson said here today.

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"Indian Navy diving teams are deployed at Girgaon Chowpatty. Few diving teams are kept at standby in Dockyard. Helicopters (Seaking and Chetak) will be on standby for any search and rescue requirements at INS Shikra," he said.

"A total of 32 artificial ponds have been created for immersion while people can also immerse the idols of the elephant-headed deity in natural ponds across the city," a BMC official said.

"Life guards are being deployed, and first aid centres have also been set up in the city. Sixty ambulances have been kept ready," the official said.

As many as 9,000 BMC employees will be working to oversee the immersion. This number is around 2000 more than the number of civic staff deployed on the occasion last year, he said.

Prime locations for immersion are Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu beach, Powai lake, Dadar Chowpatty, Madh jetty and Marve in Malad.

BMC has appealed devotees to inform the civic authorities as and when they need any assistance or if they are stung by jelly fish or sting ray.

The immersion process will begin early tomorrow amid fanfare and tight security.

Police have beefed up security and companies of the State Reserve Police Force are also being deployed.

Cranes, watchtowers, drones, CCTVs and floodlights have been arranged to keep a watch on every movement of the revellers and devotees, a police official said. PTI VT DC NRB BAS

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 16:30 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af24b39 1 City motorcycle-ban,discrimination Free

The move to extend motorcycle-free areas is not a form of discrimination against motorcyclists, says Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.

The Jakarta administration, with support from the Transportation Ministry's Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ), is set to extend the ban on motorcycles from Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta to the Senayan traffic circle on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta  beyond the current restriction from Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

The policy has garnered strong criticism from the public, particularly motorcyclists who describe the policy as discriminatory.

"There is no discrimination. We restrict cars through the odd-even policy," he said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com on Monday, referring to the policy allowing only cars with license plates ending in odd digits to use restricted roads on odd dates and vice versa.

The administration currently applies such a policy on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta and on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta.

Budi further explained that officials would soon restrict cars with low engine capacities.

However, he did not explain the details of the plan. (agn).
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 17:14 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af295e4 1 City kites,soekarno-hatta-airport Free

State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II (AP II) has launched a campaign to warn residents living near Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, to avoid flying kites around the flight zone.

The efforts have been intensified following complaints from pilots particularly during the dry season, when such activities are rife.

Due to complaints from pilots, we would like to repeat our warning because [the kites] will disrupt the flights, the airports kite control unit head Endang Sudradjat told reporters on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

The number may not be a lot, but it hampers the job of the airports aviation security personnel, Endang said.

Separately, AP II public relations manager Yado Yarismano said the company had formed a team, which was specifically tasked with clamping down on people flying kites around the area, he added.

The team is of long-standing and it involves people from nearby community and neighborhood units, Yoda said. (fac)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 18:01 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2b1bf 1 City Myanmar,Rohingya,security Free

The Jakarta Police have tightened security outside the Myanmar Embassy on Jl. Agus Salim in Central Jakarta in anticipation of another attack after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the embassy on Sunday.

There is tighter security involving personnel from the police and the Mobile Brigade, Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Suyudi said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com. He did not disclose the number of personnel that had been deployed.

The attack occurred amid growing concern in the Muslim-majority nation over violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar.

No one was injured in the incident and the police are still searching for the perpetrators. (fac)

Topics : Myanmar Rohingya security
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 18:52 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2ccb9 1 Business Jokowi,businesspeople,politics,investment Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has advised businesspeople to not talk about politics and to instead concentrate on improving the economy through investment.

I always tell businesspeople to not talk about politics. Just talk about the economy, said Jokowi as reported by kontan.co.id on Monday.

Jokowi said he would hold a road show to meet with businesspeople in a number of cities in September to encourage them to invest.

What else? They only need to disburse money to expand and pursue opportunities. Why should they continue to have a wait-and-see attitude? he added.

Speaking about peoples low purchasing power, Jokowi said 70 percent of the countrys funds was in the hands of the private sector, while the state budget only shared 30 percent.

If they want to invest, purchasing power will increase, the President added.

He, however, said the government would help improve peoples purchasing power by disbursing assistance to 10 million low-income people.

He also mentioned the governments assistance to 19 million students through the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP), which would also be disbursed next year.

The government will also increase village funds to Rp 60 trillion (US$4.49 billion) next year from Rp 20 trillion. (bbn)

Topics : Jokowi businesspeople politics investment
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 15:41 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2245e 1 Business tourism,arrivals,July-2017,Yogyakarta,surakarta,Makassar Free

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded a 21.57 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals in July, to 1.35 million from 1.11 million in the previous month.

The sharpest increases in arrivals occurred at Adi Sucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta (107.23 percent), Adi Sumarno International Airport in Surakarta, Central Java, (79.39 percent) and Sutan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi (66.16 percent).

There were a number of events in Yogyakarta and Surakarta that boosted the arrivals, said BPS head Suhariyanto in Jakarta on Monday.

The agency recorded that 1. 35 million tourists arrived at 19 main gates  1.13 million were regular tourists, while 75,000 were categorized as specific tourists.

Meanwhile, 208,900 tourists entered Indonesia through other gates, including 170,700 tourists who entered through checkpoints in border areas, while 38,200 tourists entered Indonesia through other gates, including Batam, Riau Islands.

With 214,500 arrivals, China was the largest contributor of tourists, followed by Australia with 117,600, Singapore (109,200), Malaysia (95,400 tourists) and Japan with 48,700 tourists.

The July figure was 30.83 percent higher than the 1.03 million tourists who arrived in the corresponding month of 2016.

The total figure for tourist arrivals from January to July, 2017 amounted to 7.81 million, a 23.53 increase compared with the 6.32 million in the corresponding period last year.

The tourists stayed in Indonesia for 1.89 days in July on average. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 20:33 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2dfec 1 City transjakarta,industrial-dispute,employees Free

A panel of judges at a Central Jakarta court ruled on Monday in favor of a former contract worker  and ordered the operator of the city-owned bus rapid transit system PT Transjakarta to pay him severance fees.

Industrial Relations Court presiding judge Taryan Setiawan ordered Transjakarta to pay Dimas Catur Feby Laksono Rp 66.4 million (US$4,978) in compensation.

Dimas was fired as a contract worker in April last year for watching a movie on one of the command center monitors while on duty. He was given a warning letter, but two hours later the company retracted the letter and fired him.

According to Law No. 13/2003 on manpower, the plaintiff deserves the severance pay because he had been an employee for more than 10 years, Taryan said.

PT Transjakarta is also in dispute with other former employees who have filed separate lawsuits, including 13 former employees who demanded that they be re-hired as workers and be paid Rp 580 million as compensation.

Most of the employees had worked for the company as contract workers since 2004 when its legal status was that of a special public service (BLU) company. However, when it became an enterprise in 2015, PT Transjakarta reportedly did not upgrade their status to permanent workers. Thousands of other employees were kept on as contract workers.

One of the former employees, Fery Febriansyah, won his case last Wednesday as the court ordered the company to pay him Rp 73.5 million in severance fees. (dis)
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Linkedin Farik Zolkepli (The Star/ANN) Kuala Lumpur  Mon, September 4, 2017 14:02 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af1b4ce 2 SE Asia #Malaysia,#Terrorism,#terrorist,#Police Free

Confirming the arrests of eight suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday, Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, who retired on Monday, said Bukit Aman was working closely with its Philippines counterpart to ensure that Malaysia was not being used as a hideout for militants.

We are always on alert for any terror threat from various elements, be it foreign or domestic.

The Royal Malaysia Police, especially the Counter Terrorism Division, is always proactive in collecting actionable intelligence and taking necessary measures to curb the threat of terrorism, he told The Star on Sunday.

The safety and security of the people is our top priority, he said.

The country's top cop was commenting on The Stars exclusive report on the arrest of Malaysian and Filipino militants in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Khalid is due for compulsory retirement today.Sources said the militants, including ASG leaders Hajar Abdul Mubin, were arrested in an operation in Cheras on the eve of National Day on Aug. 30.

Hajar, also known as Abu Asrie, was arrested with another Filipino, Abraham Embung, 29, and six Malaysians of Filipino descent from Sabah.

The 25-year-old Abu Asrie is believed to be a member of the Jolo-based Lucky 9 kidnap-for-ransom group with links to the Abu Sayyaf group based in the jungles of Jolo and Basilan islands in southern Philippines.

The Malaysians, who are believed to be from Sandakan and working in Kuala Lumpur, were aged between 20 and 52.

Some of the suspects were security guards and members of the Civil Defence Corp or Rela, the sources said.

According to Philippines intelligence sources, the Lucky 9 gang was involved in kidnap-for-ransom activities in Jolo town.

Some members of the group have links with the Abu Sayyaf gunmen currently on the run in Jolo following a full scale war by Philippines security forces against the group that was responsible for numerous cross border kidnappings in east coast Sabah.

According to some sources, Abu Asrie, who was based in Basilan, had slipped into Malaysia in 2015 after meeting with Malaysian Islamic State militants Dr Mahmud Ahmad, Mohd Najib Hussein and Muhammad Joraimee in Basilan.

Topics :

This article appeared on The Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Mon, September 4, 2017 14:02 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af1c45c 2 News Tourism-Ministry,Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,tourism-promotion Free

Tourism ministry is giving its full support for the upcoming Europalia Arts Festival 2017 in Europe in which Indonesia will be the guest of honor.

The bi-annual festival will run for 104 days from October 10 to January 21, 2018 and will be held in seven European countries including United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France and Austria.

The ministry is convinced that this event will be an effective platform to promote Indonesian tourism.

For this year, our target for tourists from Europe is two million people, said tourism minister, Arief Yahya.

This years target is a 25 percent increase from the total of European tourists who visited Indonesia last year, which was 1.6 million people.

The growth is 25 percent, beyond the national economic growth of 5.01 percent, Arief added.

Additionally, the average daily spending of European tourists is $1,600 with an average stay of 10 days.

So if we are expecting two million people by the end of this year, at least we'll reach up to 3.2 billion dollars in foreign exchange," he added.

Read also: Flavorful journey into coffee provenance

The festival will feature 228 cultural events, including 69 dance and theater shows, 71 music performances, 36 literature works, 38 movie works and 14 exhibitions.

Every traditional performance at the festival will promote destinations that are related to the performance, for example, an art performance from North Sumatra will also showcase Lake Toba and an art performance from Bali will promote destinations in Bali and greater Bali.

Moreover, all art and cultural works presented at the festival were previously curated by Europalia Indonesia and Europalia International curators.

As part of the promotion, the TVC for Europalia Arts Festival 2017 has been broadcasted on several TV channels such as the BBC and Bloomberg, as well as on the internet such as TripAdvisor, Google and YouTube in 19 target markets.

In France, around 16 buses will be plastered with the advertisement, as well as black cabs in London and several places in Belgium.

The tourism ministry also plans to hold Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion as the tourism information center in Belgium and to invite 12 media companies from Belgium for a familiarization trip to Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Solo. (asw)
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Linkedin Alfred Bayle (Inquirer.net/Asia News Network)  Mon, September 4, 2017 20:08 1896 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97af2dadb 2 News Rubiks-Cube,toys,#toys,children,world-record Free

A new world record for the fastest time to solve a Rubiks Cube was set by a fifteen-year-old boy named Patrick Ponce.

Ponce set the record while taking part at the Rally In The Valley 2017 competition held in Middletown, Virginia, United States. He had been on his second run for the Rubiks Cube portion when he achieved a completion time of 4.69 seconds, according to the event results on the World Cube Association (WCA) website. Ponce was given the chance to hold and study the cube before his timer officially started.

The previous record was held by twenty-one-year-old Feliks Zemdegs at 4.73 seconds which was set in 2016. Ponce managed to snatch the record away by a mere few hundredths of a second.

Read also: 5 educational toys kids and adults will love

While Ponce has already joined around 40 competitions during his career, this is his first world record. Going through his records posted on the WCA site, his cube-solving skills have never been faster when he set the record at Rally In The Valley this year.

Ponce also won first place at the 4x4x4 Cube portion with the solve time of 24.97 seconds.

Topics :

This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
According to reports, Star Plus is pulling the plug on Barun Sobti and Shivani Tomar starrer Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3.

Barun Sobti and Shivani Tomar in a still from Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3.

By India Today Web Desk: There was a lot of excitement around the return of Barun Sobti and the show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon with a fresh season among telly buffs. The first season of the show paired Barun opposite Sanaya Irani and enjoyed immense popularity.

However, the current season failed to rake in ratings, as the fans neither liked the convoluted storyline nor the chemistry between the lead pair.

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According to reports, the channel has taken the final decision to scrap the show, owing to its low ratings.

Gul Khan, the producer of the show, has denied the reports. "Let all the news be there. I am not responding to anymore rumours," she told India Forums.

The sources close to the show have told India Forums that the show will wrap up its shoot by mid of this month.

Also read: SEE: Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon actress Deepali Pansare shares aww-dorable pictures of her newborn baby

Also read: Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon actress Ritu Shivpuri's topless picture with Akshay Kumar is super-hot; see pic

Also read: The fall of male lead characters on Indian TV

--- ENDS ---
This woman tried DIY waxing strips to get a bikini wax, but things didn't go as expected.

By India Today Web Desk: Most women, and metrosexual men as well, are quite familiar with waxing. This little beauty process leaves one with smooth, hairless skin. What's more, we don't need to depend on parlours or salons, because there are enough waxing strips readily available in the market.

So it's totally worth it, right? No, not when it hurts like crazy. And let's admit it, waxing is quite painful. But there's one sort of waxing that usually takes the pain to another notch--bikini waxing.

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If you're thinking of getting a bikini wax for your upcoming beach-side vacation--or for any other reason, for that matter--you might have already heard all the stories about how painful it can be. But this American woman's DIY bikini waxing story will have you roaring with laughter.

Also Read: Pimples disappear with beer? 6 ways in which the golden liquid is good for hair & skin

Hannah Scorer, like many of us, ordered waxing strips that claimed to be quick, clean and painless. Does this already remind you of that famous scene from Friends, where Phoebe and Monica try Waxine? Of course!

The result, as Scorer described in a Facebook post, was quite unexpected.

Hannah Scorer tried bikini waxing at home. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Hannah Scorer Hannah Scorer tried bikini waxing at home. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Hannah Scorer

"So, as instructed on the back of the pack I warmed a strip, stuck it down, endured the brief but childbirth-level pain intensity of ripping it off, and looked down, ready to admire a peachy beach-ready inner thigh," she wrote.

That didn't happen, of course. Not only did the hair stay as it was, the wax got mixed up to give a creepy and disgusting matte effect! "My bikini line was like the dance floor of a really questionable club at 3am," Scorer added. She then tried the moisturising wipes, which also failed to work.

The waxing strips Hannah Scorer used. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Hannah Scorer

Also Read: Aditi Rao Hydari owes her healthy skin to naani ke nuskhe, just like the rest of us

Scorer then took a shower, "and exfoliated off as much of the gunk and tissue paper mixture as I could, before dealing with the area with a good old-fashioned razor." She describes her whole struggle with rising levels of desperation and sarcasm, and was, ultimately, able to get a bikini wax with a razor. The area she cleaned up did not, however, look like a celeb's bikini wax does in pictures. In fact, she says it resembled "a bright pink newborn panda"!

After this harrowing, if somewhat funny, experience, Scorer wrote to the product's sellers on Facebook. She suggested they "gift them to the construction industry as an alternative to cement. Or pass them on to local councils looking for some anti-climb paint. Anything that doesn't involve hair removal really."

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Now before you continue laughing, just admit it. You've been there with DIY products yourself, haven't you?

--- ENDS ---
Pictures of Brooklyn Beckham posing with a gun have been defended by the photographer  saying it was a creative moment.

Victoria and David Beckhams photography student son pointed the prop weapon at the camera and held it across his chest, in a shoot by photographer Damon Baker.

After the snaps were posted on Instagram, Beckham, 18, was accused of popularising gun violence and of depicting a weapon that causes destruction and despair, despite being brought up with such privilege.

@damon_baker A post shared by bb (@brooklynbeckham) on Aug 31, 2017 at 5:48pm PDT

Photographer Baker later defended the images, saying that he comes from a deprived area of Birmingham, where people often turn to crime and guns play a big part.

I come from a poor section of Birmingham, England. Where inequality and unemployment are the highest in the country. In these desperate conditions people often turn to crime, guns play a big part here. Ive seen it first hand, he said.

It is a sad but true fact of the current world we live in that guns are everywhere.

They are in every other Hollywood film, they are on the streets, they are on the fields of the endless wars that our governments have launched.

Beckham was a subject, a model and a blank canvas, he added.

In many ways we are living in dark times, where freedoms and livelihoods are being stripped from the people pretty much at gunpoint. I dont think it is the job of my generation to sugar coat reality.

Brooklyn Beckham (Ian West/PA)

While many supported his comments, Rebeccajroland replied: Birmingham isnt that bad.

Teenager Beckham, who is based in New York studying photography, posted a series of images from the black and white shoot on his Instagram account.
Piers Morgan marked his Good Morning Britain return with an explosive row with trans model Munroe Bergdorf.

Morgan made his return alongside Susanna Reid following a summer break and announced he was also nursing three fractured ribs.

ON NOW: L'Oreal's first transgender model Munroe Bergdorf defends her comments saying 'all white people are racist' pic.twitter.com/GPUMBg2fvi  Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 4, 2017

Last week model Bergdorf made headlines when she called on people to boycott LOreal Paris after the cosmetics giant sacked her over a Facebook post about the racism of white people.

Bergdorf became the first trans woman to appear in a LOreal Paris UK campaign when she was cast as part of a diversity initiative.

Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid speak to Munroe Bergdorf (ITV)

Morgan, 52, took her to task about her Facebook comment that all white people are racist.

He said: Im not sexist, Im not racist, Im not a homophobe so who are you, with the greatest respect, who are you to say that every straight white guy

Bergdorf interrupted, saying: I did not say that

Morgan interjected: Well you did you are calling straight, white guys like me a series of offensive stereotypical labels which I find very offensive.

The pair continued to argue with Morgan later protesting that the models comments were a load of rubbish.

Model Munroe Bergdorf had a war of words with Piers Morgan (ITV)

Asked at the beginning of the discussion by Reid whether she thought all white people are racist, she explained: I dont think that all white people are by nature racist, from conception to birth I think that we are all the same, but we need to speak about how were socialised as people and my post was based on socialisation and racism as a structure.

I think as society were taught certain things, were taught that men are superior to women, were taught that women are meant to be submissive, were taught that gay people are meant to be ashamed of their sexuality but it doesnt mean that this is how things need to be.

Just days after her LOreal role was revealed she was dropped by the brand over a post responding to the violence of white supremacists in Charlottesville in which she said: Honestly I dont have energy to talk about the racial violence of white people any more. Yes ALL white people.

Because most of yall dont even realise or refuse to acknowledge that your existence, privilege and success as a race is built on the backs, blood and death of people of colour. Your entire existence is drenched in racism. From micro-aggressions to terrorism, you guys built the blueprint for this s***.

Come see me when you realise that racism isnt learned, its inherited and consciously or unconsciously passed down through privilege.

Once white people begin to admit that their race is the most violent and oppressive force of nature on Earth then we can talk.

LOreal announced they were sacking the model, writing on Twitter: LOreal champions diversity. Comments by Munroe Bergdorf are at odds with our values and so we have decided to end our partnership with her.

LOreal champions diversity. Comments by Munroe Bergdorf are at odds with our values and so we have decided to end our partnership with her.  L'Oreal Paris UK (@LOrealParisUK) September 1, 2017

Bergdorf responded on Facebook writing: This rant was a direct response to the violence of WHITE SUPREMACISTS in Charlottesville. It was not written this week.

Secondly, identifying that the success of the British Empire has been at the expense of the people of colour, is not something that should offend ANYONE. It is a fact. It happened.

Slavery and colonialism, at the hands of white supremacy, played a huge part in shaping the United Kingdom and much of the west, into the super power that it is today.

She continued: When a transgender woman of colour, who has been selected to front up a big brand campaign to combat discrimination and lack of diversity in the beauty industry, speaks on her actual lived experience of being discriminated against because of her race and identifies the root of where that discrimination lies  white supremacy and systemic racism  that big brand cannot simply state that her thoughts are not in line with the ethics of the brand.

If you truly want equality and diversity, you need to actively work to dismantle the source of what created this discrimination and division in the first place.

In a later post, she added: Sit still and smile in a beauty campaign championing diversity. But dont actually speak about the fact that lack of diversity and is due to racism. Or speak about the origins of racism. Itll cost you your job.

This makeup brand cares about nothing but MONEY. I urge you to boycot LOreal Paris. I cant express how disappointed I am in the entire team in dealing with misquotes that were entirely placed out of context.

On Sunday Bergdorf posted a message on Twitter thanking her fans and supporters, writing: Things are really tough right now. But I promise I will use whatever platform I have to say whatever needs to be said.

Her previous Facebook account with all of the messages on is no longer in use and she announced she has set up a new profile page on the social media site.

LOreal has been contacted for further comment.
A Labour MP set the internet alight last week when she declared that she wouldnt have Conservatives as friends because they were, in her view, the enemy.

Laura Pidcock was elected as the member of parliament for North West Durham in June and has already been awarded a reputation by the press as a left-wing firebrand.

The comments regarding her relationship with supporters of the enemy came from an interview she did with a left-wing blog, The Skawkbox, which styles itself as equally radical and edgy.

Although the interview was generally very soft, Pidcock came across well, showing a clear commitment to her constituency as well as wider problems, such as the mental health crisis and the shortcomings of foreign aid. She also talked about Westminsters intimidating and archaic nature, although it is hardly an original observation for a new MP.

The controversy arose from her answer to a question about her opponents, the dreaded Tories. Her definition of the governing party seems rather narrow, Pidcock arguing that there are only two types  the high-profile, privileged twats such as Boris Johnson, and the ideologues who are blind to the problems of their constituents.

She then mentioned a rather weird incident in which a couple of Tories (because they always hunt in pairs) tried desperately to show how nice they were, like nervous courtiers trying to please a bad-tempered king.

But for all their attempts to bridge the political divide, Pidcock remained firm.

'Whatever type they are, I have absolutely no intention of being friends with any of them, she said. I have friends I choose to spend time with. I go to parliament to be a mouthpiece for my constituents and class  Im not interested in chatting on.'

In one sense she is perfectly right to be disgusted at a party which threw away an election once believed to be unlosable, undermining their ability to deliver Brexit, in one of the most complicated narratives in British history. And recognising when something is truly an enemy, and accepting it must be defeated, is an important skill in politics.

But where Pidcock fell down was in her inability to distinguish between the Conservative Party and its supporters. Those who vote for Theresa May and her ilk do so for a wide variety of reasons, some of them more wholesome and selfless than others, and they are not necessarily to be blamed when their party screws up.

Her definition of the two types of Tory is also very poor. Off the top of my head, I can think of one such Conservative MP, Anna Soubry, who is neither from a privileged background or particularly ideological, but is instead a mild-mannered and practical public servant who has no qualms about making alliances across the political divide.

Politics is so much a race to the bottom. The most shallow and cynical people often tend to triumph, but believing that someone like Boris Johnson is representative of every Tory voter will not help you in trying to get into government.

The controversy extended when the politics blog Guido Fawkes revealed one of Pidcocks staffers had celebrated the death of Margaret Thatcher.

I can understand, and would never condemn people, for celebrating the end, tweeted Ben Sellers on 8 April 2013. Tonight, Ill get a carry out. This is in fact fairly mild  I knew people in my native Glasgow who threw five-day raves upon learning of the death of the former Prime Minister.

Sellers is perfectly entitled to devour a load of alcohol if he thinks thats an appropriate way to mourn the passing of what was then a frail old lady. And there are indeed a few people in the world whose deaths have or will be a cause for celebration, but Thatcher, for all her faults, was not one of them.

I sometimes think this concept of viewing your opponents as diseased untouchables is a new phenomenon, arriving in the last few years as the national debate has become more trenchant and vituperative. Yet people have been wearing never kissed a Tory badges for at least three decades.

Whichever it is, we have to grow out of it. Judging someone entirely by their political views is extremely narrow-minded, not to say self-centred. What if Pidcock were to find out a close friend of hers is a closet Tory, or does she vet them all before she starts seeing them socially?

As I said, recognising an opponent is important in politics, as is a bit of fanaticism. It allows you to continue to fight on issues about which most people will quickly stop caring.

But assessing someone solely by their politics is the sign of fanaticism that has degraded into lunacy. Pidcock needs only to look at her own leader, a man so fanatical that he broke up his first marriage due to a disagreement with his wife about where to school their children, to see where this can lead.

Pidcock represents a safe Labour seat so does not have to worry about alienating a few Tories. But if she wants a Labour government to confront the issues about which she genuinely cares, a more ecumenical approach might be wise. By no means do you need to kiss someone to win their support.
Following last week's drunken eureka moment, in which Strike seemingly determined who Lula Landry's killer was via some shady CCTV footage, this week's episode brings all the clues together to a satisfying conclusion.The episode begins with a flashback to Strike's war days in Afghanistan and, more specifically, the day that he effectively lost his leg. Within this flashback scene, we are given a face to put alongside the boy that Strike woozily slurred about to Robin last week. After setting up an explosion on the vehicle ahead of Strike's buggy, the boy walks up to the injured soldier with a gun. However, upon glancing at Strike's injuries, the boy simply winks and runs off, seemingly content with his handiwork. As it turns out, this scene is - in part - a dream from which a very hungover Strike awakens. Despite his comical insistence to Robin that he doesn't get hangovers, the detective looks very rough indeed. Some excellently poised technical camera effects embody Strike's inebriated equillibrium - making it seem as though the room is literally revolving around him. Meanwhile, Robin arrives at Lula's favourite haunt, Vashti, ready to enact their plan to uncover more about the late model. Clearly growing in confidence with every new 'mission', Robin enters the store alone, making her own inquiries with the staff while she tries on clothes. While undercover, Robin finds out that one of the staff members took a secret audio recording of Lula on the day of her death, seemingly revealing that she was "doing the dirty on Evan" by meeting someone. A dishevelled looking Strike then enters - undeniably awestruck by the sight of Robin in a very glamourous green dress. Though he plays it down, it's clear there's something simmering between the two. After leaving Vashti, the two pile away to the office to discuss their findings. Strike reveals his discovery from the night before - that there are actually two different people on the CCTV outside of Lula's apartment, and that the second figure is wearing a hoodie with a distinct brand logo; that of Guy Some. Storming into Some's studio like a "woolly mammoth that's wandered into the gazelle enclosure" (a perfect metaphor if ever there was one), Strike demands his long-overdue interrogation of the fashion big-wig. After an appropriately vexed tantrum, Some agrees to speak to Strike - taking on a more chatty, exuberant attitude than before. While he reveals a little more in the way of Lula, he is appalled to discover that the killer was wearing a DB Mack hoodie and gloves - a new and unreleased label.From this, Strike deduces that the killer must have stolen their getaway clothes from the mysterious third apartment in Lula's building, that was being primed for DB Mack's arrival. Returning to Lula's apartment, Strike and Robin reenact the murder on the balcony. Once again steeped in chemistry and romantic potential, the scene sees Strike grab Robin by the shoulders, imitating how the killer threw Lula off the roof. The look they share is telling - and later, the blatant jealousy of Robin's fiancee Matthew is even more so. Having found Lula's library card, Robin pursues her own line of enquiry - delving deeper into Lula's obsession with her black heritage - and more specifically, the identity of her academic Father. Meanwhile, Strike retrieves the audio file at Vashti and has another conversation with Lady Bristow - who speaks of a feud between her late husband and her brother, Tony, regarding Lula's adoption. It turns out that, for some reason, Tony was insistent that they not adopt Lula. A later altercation with Strike leads the lawyer to snipe: "I always had Lula's best interest at heart - always - from day one." Curious, indeed. Meanwhile, following Robin's investigation, the duo discover that Lula had found her half-brother, Jonah, and that she was due to meet him on the night of her death. In a meeting with Strike, Jonah - who is a soldier - revealed that he was the first figure on the CCTV - having bailed on the meeting at the last minute because it was "all too much." Seeming genuinely remorseful of the fact, Jonah lamented that Lula seemed decent - and revealed that she had also offered to leave him everything in her will. With her absent father and half-siblings, the late model continues to draw parallels with Strike's own life - making his involvement in the case all the more intriguing. After finding Lula's will, stashed in the linings of her handbag, the case is effectively solved - and the police are made aware of the killer - but for us, the mystery simmers a little while longer. Lula's snivelly brother, John Bristow, arrives at Strike's office with a congratulatory bottle of whiskey, but in a wonderfully downplayed twist, Strike reveals that it was John who murdered not only Lula, but also his brother Charlie years earlier. Though it seems inordinately stupid for a killer to hire a detective to look into his own unsolved crime, John is, it seems, as dim as he is violent. His complex about family and adoption lead to an argument between him and Lula, after he discovered that she had found Jonah and was willing to change her will for him. He murdered Lula and then, after Rochelle tried to blackmail him, he killed her too. In another subverted twist, it turns out that Tony was somewhat aware of John's murderous behaviour - and that is what lead to his backwards attempt to protect Lula from being brought into the family in the first place. Having been bested by Strike, John (if you'll pardon the pun) strikes out at the detective and the two engage in a violent brawl, just as Robin enters the office. Despite Strike's warnings for her to get out, Robin plays an instrumental, and frankly wonderful, part in bringing John down. Picking up Cormoran's leg - which was pulled off during the fight - she boots John in the head with it, sending him to the floor for Strike to punch out. With the case solved, Strike receives a big payday and as such, employs an emotional Robin permanently - as well as giving her a "thank you" gift; the green dress she tried on in Vashti. Big old softie, much? Finishing on a triumphant note, full of promise for Strike and Robin's burgeoning partnership, The Cuckoo's Calling comes to a satisfying resolution that leaves us hungry for more.
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In an interview with MAIL TODAY, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said there will be a divide in Muslim votes after the triple talaq verdict that will make BJP's victory in the Assembly polls easier.

By Rakesh Ranjan: The BJP has chalked out its strategy to regain power in Gujarat for the fourth successive term. While the party is expecting the triple talaq verdict to repeat the UP success in Gujarat, the BJP-led government has enacted laws providing life imprisonment for cow slaughter and bootlegging.

In an interview with MAIL TODAY, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said there will be a divide in Muslim votes after the triple talaq verdict that will make BJP's victory easier. He also ruled out that Patidar agitation in the Saurashtra region was a factor in the Assembly polls, saying his government has diluted the agitation by announcing financial assistance to students of this community.

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"We are confident of winning over 150 seats in the Assembly elections. BJP will contest the election on the plank of development but other factors like triple talaq and the split in Congress party will bolster our prospects. The triple talaq verdict will advantage BJP like it did in UP Assembly polls," Rupani said.

He added that the 13 Congress MLAs, who joined BJP recently, will only strengthen the party. "With formidable Patel leader Raghavji Patel of Jamnagar joining BJP, the back of Congress has been broken," the CM said.

He added that the Gujarat government has enacted strong legislation that provides life imprisonment for cow slaughter. This, the CM said, is aimed at protecting milch animals and not to evoke religious sentiments ahead of elections.

'I OFTEN SEEK PM MODI'S ADVICE'

Similarly, all hookah bars have been shut down in the state as complete prohibition is already enforced on consumption of liquor. Anyone found selling or manufacturing illicit liquor will be dealt with strictly, Rupani said adding that the offence will also attract imprisonment for life.

The Gujarat government has also passed two legislations for regulating fee structures in private schools and regularising unauthorised colonies with over eight lakh houses. Rupani said the government will ensure that the refund of excess fee collected by schools. He also admitted that the BJP was slightly weak in central Gujarat, but with joining of congress defectors the party will emerge stronger.

Notably, these MLAs hold command over the Patidar community which has been agitating for reservations.

Asked about the emergence of a third front in the state, he said, "The people of Gujarat have never accepted the third front in the state. And in Gujarat it is only BJP and Congress who are the main competitors." On his frequent references to PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for developing Gujarat, Rupani shared, "Modiji has achieved so much in his 13 years of chief ministership. I often seek his advice. Amit Shah is an experienced hand when it comes to governance. He gives valuable inputs on developmental fronts, hence I don't see any crime if I consult them.

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"As the CM, it's my duty to ensure that justice is delivered and the last man of the society reaps the benefits of all round development in the state."

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--- ENDS ---
By Vidya : The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government to inform it in the next 3 weeks what steps it has taken in the last 10 months against former BJP Minister Eknath Khadse, against whom corruption allegations were levelled by activist Anjali Damania.

Damania and others had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), alleging that Khadse had amassed huge wealth. The property owned by Khadse and his relatives is thoroughly disproportionate to the known sources of income, the PIL had said. It added that there should be a probe by a special investigation team. In response to this, Khadse had filed a petition in March this year for the dismissal of the PIL on the ground that it was not tenable.

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The division bench of Bombay High Court headed by Justice B R Gavai asked, "Could this court justify in closing its eye to the serious allegations made against persons holding public office? If we find that the state has taken requisite steps, this court may not find it necessary to continue the PIL. But if we find that the state has failed to take necessary steps, we will have to ask why this court must remain a silent spectator to serious allegations made against Khadse in the affidavit?"

Justice Gavai emphasised that it was the constitutional duty of the court to ensure justice.

WHAT KHADSE's LAWYER SAID

Khadse's lawyer Darius Khambata told the court that the petitioners had not approached the court in a fair manner. "Their intentions are malafied, and their petition is of the nature of political vendetta. They are really not interested in a police investigation and for them publicity is more important so they put it on social media", Khambata told the court.

Khambata said that one of the petitioners in the PIL against Khadse was actually a member of the Shiv Sena while claiming that he was only a "concerned citizen of Jalgaon". "The other petitioners who call themselves anti-corruption crusaders were either former members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or are connected to organisations which are related to AAP," Khambata added. Khambata also told the court that petitioners should have, like common citizens, approached the police to register an FIR and if the cops did not, the citizens should have filed a private complaint before a magistrate. "But instead what they do is that they go to the media and put everything on social media. They also do not have any confidence in the court", he said.

ACCOUNT OF DAMANIA's LAWYER

Mihir Desai, senior advocate representing Anjali Damania, told the court that that they did make representations to the police, asking for an FIR to be registered. "We made representations on November 10, 2016 and only after that filed a public interest litigation." Desai told the court that as far as the declaration of defamation cases against Damania was concerned, there were 27 separate cases filed against her by Khadse's followers. "Not a single case has been filed by Khadse himself and I believe one has already been dismissed. But it was only after we filed the PIL that we got a notice about the cases being filed. As of today, we have received only 3 notices", Desai told the court.

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He added, "One of the complainants is from the Shiv Sena but only a small worker. He is not a leader. An important thing to look into is the issue." Desai showed various Supreme Court orders to prove the same. He also told the court that Damania and others were a part of AAP before 2014 but not after that.

ALSO READ |

Clarify stand on Eknath Khadse's DA case by August first week: Bombay HC to state govt

Sidelined BJP leader Eknath Khadse targets Fadnavis government in Maharashtra Assembly

--- ENDS ---
The Xiamen declaration for the first time listed specific Pakistan-based terror organisations, a message surprisingly endorsed by host China, despite its past diplomatic shielding of its "all-weather" ally from any global pressure on terror.

By Ananth Krishnan: In a strong endorsement of India's stand, the five-member BRICS grouping today issued a declaration that for the first time highlighted its shared concerns on terrorism emanating from Pakistan-based terror groups.

The Xiamen declaration for the first time listed specific Pakistan-based terror organisations, a message surprisingly endorsed by host China, despite its past diplomatic shielding of its "all-weather" ally from any global pressure on terror.

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This came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the scourge of terror in an intervention at a summit meeting of the five leaders, which opened in this seaside city on Monday morning.

The 30-page declaration, running into nearly 7,500 words, expressed concern on violence caused by "the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir." It did not name Pakistan.

"This is the first time that it has listed specific organisations," Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters.

The declaration also called for "increasing the effectiveness" of United Nations designations of terror groups. Whether this will see a change in China's stand at the UN Security Council, where it has for more than a year blocked India's application to list the JeM chief Masood Azhar, remains to be seen. Chinese Foreign Ministry officials wouldn't confirm if this would signal a change in China's approach when the listing is reviewed next month.

The declaration also implicitly backed India's stand on its accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, stressing the need for a predictable environment for access to civilian nuclear technology and financing.

The BRICS leaders met amid global attention on North Korea following its sixth nuclear test on the eve of the summit. The declaration said the countries "strongly deplore" the test, but also echoed China's view that the Korean peninsula nuclear issue "should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned."

Earlier on Monday, the PM called on the BRICS countries to step up their economic cooperation and described the five emerging nations as a source of stability in an increasingly uncertain world. The PM also highlighted India's fight against black money and corruption, and a later BRICS business council meeting, said the GST reform was India's "biggest economic reform measure ever" and had "in one stroke created a unified market".

The summit concluded with several outcomes on boosting economic and financial cooperation, including relating to credit ratings under the BRICS interbank cooperation mechanism and an interbank local currency credit line.

The PM on Monday also held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazil President Michel Temer. His last engagement is a bilateral with President Xi Jinping before he flies out for Myanmar on Tuesday afternoon.

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--- ENDS ---
Himachal Pradesh chief minister, Virbhadra Singh on Monday expressed concern over the pattern of funding by NITI Aayog and held that the state used to receive Central assistance in the ratio 90:10 and was getting the status of special category hill state before the formation of the Aayog.

But as of now after the formation of the Aayog, funds to the state have been reduced drastically in Centrally-sponsored schemes and the special industrial package was withdrawn, he said.

The CM was addressing a public meeting at Lambloo in Hamirpur.

He said the state had received more than Rs 2,767 Crore before winding up of the Planning Commission during the UPAs regime, but the assistance had been discontinued after NDA government came to power at the Centre.

Singh said that India was a Union of states and without states, we cannot imagine India as a whole. Only the Union Territories were under the direct control of the Central government and were governed by the Centre whereas, the states were autonomous, he said.

He said the responsibility of Union government was to provide funds equal to the states for development. He said that the hill states should have a separate provision of funds because of their topography, he said, adding that the NITI Aayog had ignored all such provisions.

He added that the state did not receive any amount from the head of General Central Assistance during the year 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Besides, financial constraint from the Central government, HP was a leading state in many sectors.

It was the best big state in the field of education in the country. The per capita income for the state was 1,47,277 as of now, CM said.
A woman has been arrested for plotting the murder of her father over property dispute. As per the police, accused Shikha allegedly hired contract killers to eliminate her father Manoj. The killers, two in number, are yet to be arrested.

Manoj was shot dead by the contract killers, who were hired by his elder daughter Shikha, SSP Manjil Saini said.

Manoj of Mohiuddinpur in Partapur area of the district was shot dead at his residence on 1 September. The crime was committed by two motorcycle-borne assailants. The brother of the deceased lodged an FIR in which he had named a distant relative as suspect.

However, police investigations indicated involvement of someone in the family. Police interrogated Shikha and she broke down, admitting to the crime.

In her statement Shikha told the police that her father had illicit relation with a woman and he wanted to give her a big share of his property at the cost of his own children. Shikha has a sister, Sakshi, and brother Abhay.

Shikha told the police that she discussed the matter with her father, but he was adamant on not giving his property worth crores of rupees to his children. This led to a quarrel, which took a violent turn on 26 August.

As per the police, Shikha then approached one Himanshu, a Facebook friend of her younger sister Sakshi. Shikha asked him to arranger contract killers and agreed to pay Rs. 12 lakh and promise of his marriage with Sakshi.

Himanshu allegedly contacted shooters, Lokendra and Himanshu, for eliminating Manoj. A country-made pistol was made available to them by a relative, Vishal, police said.

Vishal is also absconding. Raids are on to nab the killers and other conspirators in the crime.
BRICS' member countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - will look to send a strong message on protectionism and globalisation at a time of global uncertainty as the summit kicked off today in the seaside Chinese city of Xiamen.

(Right to Left) PM Modi, Jacob Zuma, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Michel Temer at BRICS Summit in Xiamen. Photo: Reuters.

By Ananth Krishnan: The ninth summit of the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - kicked off on Monday morning in the seaside Chinese city of Xiamen, as the five emerging nations look to send a strong message on protectionism and globalisation at a time of global uncertainty.

India will also emphasise its concerns on global terrorism, which will be reflected in the Prime Minister's interventions as well as in the final Xiamen declaration.

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On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the four leaders at the sprawling convention centre in Xiamen. Xi appeared to warmly shake PM Modi's hand, at a time when both countries are looking to turn the page from the 72-day-long stand-off at Doklam. Xi's body language was much different from his stiff and stern welcoming at the APEC Summit in Beijing when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited amid a territorial dispute.

PM Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of 9th BRICS Summit, Xiamen, China. (Photo/PIB)

Ahead of the PM's arrival, Chinese officials said that they hoped the bilateral meet between the two leaders set for Tuesday - the PM's last engagement before he leaves for Myanmar - would open "a new chapter"in ties.

'BRICS A CHANCE TO HELP START A NEW CHAPTER IN INDO-CHINA TIES'

Chinese envoy to India Luo Zhaohui "expressed his hope that China and India could open a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations taking the forthcoming 9th BRICS summit as an opportunity", the State-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

Luo said "frequent interactions" between the two leaders - Xiamen will host their ninth meeting - had "greatly pushed forward pragmatic cooperation" and "enhanced political mutual trust".

On Monday, the PM will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where both leaders are also likely to discuss global concerns following North Korea's sixth nuclear test, as well as hold talks with Brazil's President.

Later on Monday, Prime Minister Modi will attend a BRICS Cultural Festival as well as the leaders' dialogue with the BRICS business council, and attend a banquet hosted by President Xi and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan.

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ALSO WATCH VIDEO | PM Modi arrives in Xiamen, set to meet Xi on Tuesday

--- ENDS ---
Bareilly Ki Barfi which has gone to become a sleeper hit of 2017 has drawn accolades for Kriti Sanon.

Kriti Sanon has enthralled everyone with her stellar performance in Bareilly Ki Barfi is planning to go to Delhi.

The actress will be traveling to Delhi to celebrate the success with her friends and family.

Bareilly Ki Barfi is garnering much love from across the quarters and has been witnessing strong positive word of mouth.

Kriti Sanons de-glam role for the very first time is winning her lot of appreciation from the audience and critics alike.

The actress has also received a hand written note along with flowers as a token of appreciation from Bollywoods megastar Amitabh Bachchan for her

superior performance in Bareilly Ki Barfi.

To celebrate the success the actress is now planning to take off to her hometown to share her happiness with near and dear ones.

Bareilly Ki Barfi is directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and produced by Junglee Pictures and BR Studios. The film has released on 18th August 2017.
The resolution of the Doklam standoff by China and India comes as a great relief. The raging issue of connecting the Sinchella Pass to Doklam, overlooking the Bhutanese military base camp at Haa Dzong, for now, has been shelved with a diplomatic resolution between the two countries. This, of course, has to be taken forward for a permanent resolution of the border dispute.

The China-Bhutan border dispute centering on the Donglang plateau or Doklam and Indias military presence at Dong La has the potential to rake up a conflict as China asserts their sovereignty over the narrow plateau of Doklam, on which an agreement is yet to be reached between Bhutan and China.

The much-talked about 1988 agreement between India and China to not unilaterally alter the status of tri-junction points covering some 100 square kms, which China was bent on changing by constructing a road through Doklam, for now has de-escalated. This retreat of China and withdrawal of forces by India from the Chinese side of Doklam mark an end to a possible flare up, as both sides have realised their respective limits.

Indeed, Bhutans role in this process of mutual withdrawal is commendable, as the tiny Himalayan kingdom could really act as the broker of the deal, by not insisting that they have to maintain a strategic hold over Doklam.

What is important from Indias perspective is warding off the construction of a road that would have made Indian positions at Mt Gipmoche and army training camp at Dong La vulnerable to Chinese military offensive. Indeed China wanted to wield a strategic threat over the Siliguri corridor and beyond to keep its option of moving troops open just as it can do so at Ladakh, Chumbi valley and certain other areas.

To protect the Northeast from this kind of tactical escalation, India had to remain firm about the demand for maintenance of status quo at the tri-junction.

The memory of 1962 has been a major reason for Indias sensitive positioning on Doklam, as India has to stabilise the Northeast and make it immune from foreign aggression of any kind.

On the other hand, Chinas refusal to share data of rainfall and water levels in real time with India, since the Doklam standoff broke out, amounted to making the region insecure in the face of massive floods and more than average monsoon rains this year.

Rivers flowing from Southern Tibet to the North-east and Bangladesh swelled up due to catchment rains. It has also been hotly debated whether China, by not giving India access to real time data, played a subversionist role by releasing water from its dams in Tibet that flows down the Brahmaputra and its numerous tributaries and sub-basins.

As embankments were breached and bridges collapsed, waters swelled up in the entire stretch from Sadiya-Majuli-Dhubri and marooned the whole of lower Assam. There were talks about a possible Chinese retaliation on the North-east in this way. Guarding its borders with China and Myanmar in Arunachal Pradesh by way of adequate physical infrastructure has been a priority under the India-China border roads by the Border Roads Organisation.

Indeed, conflicts related to such road-building projects are another source of competitive strategic action involving military and diplomatic stakes. India raised Chinas stakes of building border roads by its enhanced projects of building road infrastructure in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh  two vulnerable points from the Indian perspective.

At the end of the Doklam standoff, China did not commit that it would not build the road to Doklam from the Torsa forest reserve, rather its aggressive posturing about defence patrol and protecting every inch of its territory, keeps the somewhat deescalated positions lukewarm. Before the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa summit, China had to secure its global financial stakes by compromising with India on Doklam but without any formal commitment on the future.

From Chinas viewpoint, the prime geo-political location of Northeast India including Sikkim and Siliguri turns it into a potential conflict zone. What is needed is bilateral and multi-lateral agreements securing shared and common natural resources and installations like port, pipeline and energy supply lines in the region. Indias North-east gets embroiled as many openings through South and South-East Asia such as the trilateral highway, gas pipeline and the Sittwe port and Kaladan Multi-Modal Project come under a cloud.

The Greater Mekong sub-regional partnership involving Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar also has a Chinese territorial component that India has to take note of. In the Doklam stand-off, some of these crucial Indian interests were at risk as a military offensive would have substantially shrunk Indias influence on the South Asian region.

There is always a geo-political premium that India has to pay vis-a- vis China given its larger trading and security networks. If the boundary dispute could be sorted out by mutual give-and-take, it would open up the possibility of positive trade relations in the region and the Northeast could prove to be a major source of many important minerals and other resources. This calls for strengthening of the North-easts economy. Therefore, one could argue that economic and trade interests have to take precedence over strategic and military interests.

The Himalayas need to be considered as a sovereign territory by itself, as its glaciers and flora and fauna are the major life-sustaining resources of the sub-Himalayan territories of both China and India apart from Myanmar. Further, the lower riparian rights of India and Bangladesh need to be protected as Chinas ecology in the upper riparian area is dependent on the lower plains.

A basin and seismic sensitive policy of dialogue instead of mere political boundaries seems to be the unnoticed frontier between India and China. Hence, a combined economic, ecological and security policy mix can contribute to bring down any stand-off of the Doklam kind in future. Indeed, across the McMahon line, there are too many fragile points of military and security conflict that both the Asian giants need to settle.

Chinas reference to colonial maps and cartography, while more advanced GPS can resolve disputes faster, only shows a dichotomised approach in the attitude of the global superpower.

Indias diplomats can intervene in a positive manner to precisely define a conflictfree cartographic imagination. Maintenance of a soft border, instead of a hard one is the need of the hour.

The continued deployment of troops has not created an enabling framework of mutual co-operation and hence, much of the talk of economic co-operation ends up in a security imbroglio. The Doklam standoff and its de-escalation should be an opportunity for overcoming conflicts by enhancing each others economic interests.

(The writer teaches philosophy at the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong)
Rishang Keishing, who expired in Imphal on 22 August, at the age of 98, was elected to Indias first Parliament in 1952. He entered politics without any political background  he was a former school headmaster. He contested the elections on a Socialist Party ticket, lured by the voice of stalwarts like Ram Manohar Lohia and others.

Some say he was baptised into the socialist fold while studying in St Pauls College, Calcutta through noted Assamese litterateur Birendrakumar Bhattacharya who was in college with him.

As an MP from the Socialist Party, Rishang was a firebrand right from the start, raising issues both regional and national. He was re-elected in 1962 and his power play on the floors of the Lok Sabha soon caught the eyes of then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who is said to have persuaded him to join the Congress. He did so in 1964.

Rishang stood firmly with the party when 13 of the 14 Congress MLAs quit. It is said that he gave the grasshopper legislators his blessings before they announced their formal departure, leaving him as the lone member of the opposition in the house. That was in 2000-2001. But Rishang was actually a reluctant politician.

After graduating from Calcutta University in 1946, he applied for the post of a sub-deputy collector with the then interim Manipur government, around 1947-48. When he didnt get selected, he approached then chief minister Maharajkuar Priyabrata Singh for an explanation who told him to meet Major Ranenglao Bob Khathing.

Bob is the other legend belonging to the Tangkhul community apart from Rishang and NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah. Bob was then home minister of Manipur.

Rishang met Bob and told him his desires to join the government. Bob is said to have frowned at him and said, Are you mad if you join the bureaucracy who is going to look after your people? That was a turning point in his life. He returned to his old school which he had helped found and started fanning his socialistic flames acquired in Calcutta.

After the end of his second tenure with the Lok Sabha in 1967, he started paving his way into state politics and he did so by forming the United Naga Integration Council. It gave a democratic call for the integration of all Naga areas of Manipur with Nagaland, a move similar to the one being made by Muivah at gun point now.

Later Rishang merged his party with the Congress under certain clauses, cleverly drafted by him, which said, the Congress Party does not view the demands of the United Naga Integration Council as being anti-Congress or anti-national.

But that merger move, which gets continuously raked up till now, had placed Rishang higher up in the echelons of the Congress till he became its chief and got elected to the Lok Sabha on its ticket. Since then he had been the state chief minister four times. He was Rajya Sabha MP for two consecutive times, during which he was feted by the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister for being the lone surviving MP from the first Lok Sabha. He later earned the sobriquet of being the worlds oldest parliamentarian.

Rishang was first elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly in 1974 and became a Minister in 1975 when RK Dorendro was the chief minister. He became Manipurs chief minister in 1980 and continued till 1988 when he was hijacked from his position, despite having a majority of supporters within the Congress Legislative Party by Rajiv Gandhi who deputed his home minister Buta Singh in what is known in local Manipuri political parlance as the midnight coup. For it was around midnight when General (Retd) KVK Krishna Rao, Governor of Manipur sworn in RK Jaichandra Singh who was then a member of the Rajya Sabha.

A deeply hurt Rishang had to silently undergo this political humiliation from the Gandhi family. He continued to play a low-key role till crawling back to power, first by becoming the deputy chief minister under Dorendro again in 1992 and when that government was dismissed on 31 December 1993 and the state placed under Presidents Rule, and the house kept under animated suspension.

Rishang was silently working his way through Union Home Minister SB Chavan and Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao to lift the Presidents Rule and to become chief minister. It finally bore fruit in November 1994 and then Governor Lt General (Rtd) VK Nayar had to resign from his post in deference to the Centres wish to have the date of trial of strength on the floors of the Assembly postponed in favour of Rishang.

In 1995, within two months, the state went to the polls and the Congress swept the elections. Rishang became chief minister for the fourth time.

What made Rishang stand out from other politicians were his patience and perseverance and the sense of keeping calm in the worst situations.

In 1984 Muivahs cadres ambushed Rishangs convoy on the way back from his Phungyar constituency in Ukhrul. Four of his escorts were killed and seven injured. Later I had the audacity to ask him if he had arranged that ambush to prop up his popularity as NSCN (IM) cadres were ever known to have missed a target earlier. A normal politician would have flared up but the old man just kept his cool and simply said No, adding Superintendent of Police, Romen Singh saved my life by escorting me.

Later, when his then political heir Morung Makunga fired a pistol in his drawing room and broke the glass topping of the side table by stamping on it, an unperturbed Rishang just gazed at Morung and simply said, Morung are you mad?

Morung later told me that it was next to impossible to make Rishang angry.

The President, Prime Minister and the Odisha Governor, SC Jamir joined leaders across the state to mourn Rishangs demise. But there was an ominous silence on the part of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Rishangs body lay in state for a day at his Mantripukhri residence and was to be taken to his ancestral village in Bungpa Khullen in the now Kamjong district. But after a funeral service at the Manipur Baptist Church and paying of respects at the Congress Bhawan and when the cortege was about to be taken, word came in that the NSCN (IM) will not allow Rishangs body to be interned at his village, an area where the writ of the rebel group runs under a truce with the Centre.

So the body was laid to rest at his Mantripukhri home.

Muivah seems to have taken revenge on a dead Rishang, a man he could not kill while alive. That was the price Rishang had to pay for keeping Manipur as one unit where all the communities could live in peace and harmony together.

(The writer is the Imphal-based special representative of The Statesman)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Brazilian President Michel Temer on the margins of the 9th BRICS Summit here.

A partnership based on a common global vision & shared democratic values. PM @narendramodi engages with Brazilian President @MichelTemer, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with a picture of the two leaders.

Bilateral relations between India and Brazil have acquired the dimension of a strategic partnership in the last decade.

Modi and Timer last met at the 2016 BRICS Summit hosted by India in Goa.

Earlier on Monday, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Xiamen Summit.
After a Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) follower committed suicide by hanging himself in Haryanas Ambala jail, all the Jail Superintendents in the state have been asked to provide counselling to the Dera followers lodged in the prisons across the state.

Speaking to The Statesman, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP), Jails, KP Singh said that the superintendents of jails have been asked to provide counselling to Dera followers lodged in prisons so as to prevent such suicides.

The official said, Though it is like not possible to prevent somebody from committing suicide, but the jail authorities, Jail Superintendents have been asked to hold counselling of these Dera followers.

According to the official information nearly 1,017 Dera followers are lodged in various prisons of Haryana, out of which maximum numbers are reported from Ambala jail.

The decision came after a 27-year-old Dera followers lodged in Ambala jail committed suicide on Sunday by hanging himself in the toilet.

The deceased Ravinder Kumar, a native of Sarsawa in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh was arrested by the Haryana police in connection of the violence that had erupted in Panchkula city on 25 August following the conviction of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim by the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in a rape cases.

Kumar has been booked under the various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He has been arrested for various charges including attempt to murder, rioting, damaging public property and assault. Subsequently, he was lodged in Ambala jail.

According to the jail authority, Kumar hanged himself in the washroom by using a piece of cloth. Following his suicide, a probe has been ordered into the matter.

After the Dera chiefs conviction violence had erupted in many Haryana parts mainly in Panchkula and Sirsa. The clashes between the Dera followers and police left nearly 38 people dead while hundreds injured.

More than 1,000 persons have been arrested under different FIRs registered in Haryana for sedition, rioting, assault, attempt to murder, damaging public and private properties and other charges.

Following the conviction, the Dera chief was also awarded 20-year imprisonment in the said rape cases. The decision also kept Haryana, Punjab and neighbouring states on alert for many days. Bus, railways and mobile internet services remained suspended for many days while educational institutes and government offices also remained closed.
Bureaucrat-turned-politician Hardeep Singh Puri, who took independent charge as Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs on Monday, said, The urban housing and development challenges are daunting and transformative and I intend to give my best to meet the targets under various new urban missions.

Speaking to the media, he said, The priorities for urban sector have already been outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I would like to work on them. He said the Prime Minister, who has the mandate of the people, is transformative in several ways and the new ministers would like to draw upon their strengths to achieve the tasks given by the PM.

Puri noted that his ministry was a hardcore development-oriented ministry and various new urban missions launched over the last three years have been doing well on the ground and I have no doubt we are on way to accomplishing the tasks in given timelines.

On how he looks at the challenge of achieving targets under various missions, Puri said, There are two sets of targets  some to be achieved by 2019 and some by 2022. If challenges are not met in two years, they cant be met even in six years. Going by the progress on the ground, they can be met.

Later, he held a two-hour review of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and elicited information about various aspects of the target of ensuring decent pucca houses to all the needy urban poor by 2022. He also queried about the expected demand for affordable housing in urban areas besides well performing and not so well performing states.

Puri will be attending the inauguration of the first phase of the 8.50 km stretch of Lucknow Metro between Transport Nagar and Charbagh tomorrow.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned Kashmir Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom in connection with its ongoing probe into a terror funding case to stoke unrest in the Kashmir Valley.

An NIA official said that Qayoom has to appear at its headquarters here on Wednesday.

On August 17, the NIA arrested prominent Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali on charges of passing money from Pakistan to militants, separatists and stone-pelters in the valley.

Earlier, the agency arrested seven separatist leaders in connection with its probe into terror funding from Pakistan and militant groups there.
An NSCN(K) cadre was killed and a soldier injured in an operation by special forces on Monday along the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh, Indian Army sources said.

An AK-56 assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition were seized during the operation against the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) militants in Longding district.

The operation began in the morning and was still continuing, the sources said, adding that it was not a cross-border strike by the armed forces.
In a big win for Indias campaign against terrorism emanating from Pakistan, BRICS countries on Monday named Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in their joint declaration while calling for a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism.

The 43-page declaration of the 9th BRICS Summit equated the LeT and JeM  which New Delhi has blamed for terror attacks in India  as well as TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) with the Islamic State and Al Qaeda and deplored their acts.

Last year, at the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa, China had reportedly opposed the inclusion of the Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits in the declaration.

China has in the past shielded its all-weather ally Pakistan even after Islamabad was pilloried by India, the US and other countries for harbouring terrorists.

We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM), TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir, said the Xiamen declaration.

The mention of LeT and JeM is seen as a takeaway for India from this summit as it has reflected a slight shift in China stance.

JeM chief Masood Azhar has been blamed for deadly cross-border terror attacks on Indian military establishments. India has moved the UN to declare him an international terrorist but China has repeatedly put a hold on the proposal.

The LeT was held responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 Indians and foreigners.

Asked if it will help Indias case to designate Azhar as an international terrorist, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said: The declaration has been endorsed by all the BRICS leaders. So obviously it has the approval and endorsement of all the countries.

Questioned further about Chinas mind on the issue, Saran said: You should not address this question to me.

We have worked collectively in formulating this document which has gone through of course consensus process. So I can tell you that it has been endorsed and approved by all the leaders of five countries is very important.

The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Presidents Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

The Xiamen declaration condemned terrorism in all its its forms and manifestations, saying there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. And it deplored all terror attacks worldwide, including in BRICS countries.

Without naming Pakistan, the statement said: We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.

Recalling the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, we stress the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The BRICS countries backed the efforts of the Afghan security forces to defeat terrorism.

We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals. There is a need for immediate cessation of violence.

It added: We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalization, recruitment, movement of terrorists including foreign terrorist fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing We recall the responsibility of all States to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

The declaration urged the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UNs central coordinating role in this regard.

We stress that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the UN, international refugee and humanitarian law, human rights and fundamental freedoms

We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN General Assembly.
Donald Trumps latest tirade against Pakistan, holding it solely responsible for the failure in Afghanistan, has rattled the country. The past fortnight has witnessed statements emanating from the Pakistan army chief, their national security council and even the senate, criticizing the US. Pakistan has been in a state of denial, using every forum and media, but to no avail.

A new irritant were comments made by General Nicholson, the commander of the Resolute Support Force (RSF) of NATO in Afghanistan, where he stated in a press interview that the US was aware of the Taliban and Haqqani leadership being safely ensconced in Peshawar and Quetta. Pakistan jumped again into denial mode, but half-heartedly. Adding insult to injury was the US request to India to play a greater role in Afghanistan.

The Pakistan senate can only scream, as it has no control on foreign policy towards India, Afghanistan and the US, which are solely the armys prerogative. This was evident when the US ambassador to Pakistan met the army chief and not the foreign minister or foreign secretary in the government, post Trumps announcement. Members of the senate criticised this meeting, but could do nothing.

The elected government also has no control over the support being provided to terror groups operating against Afghanistan and India, as they remain the sole prerogative of the deep state. The supposed leak in Dawn newspaper, leading to the resignation of the Information Minister, was over the deep states support to terror groups.

Anger against the US may be displayed, local temperatures built up by protests, meetings and visits postponed, conciliatory statements issued and criticism of the policy openly declared, yet nothing will change, as the world is aware of Pakistans direct involvement. It can only approach China and Russia for support, as due to geopolitical compulsions, they remain Pakistans only support base. However, when push comes to shove, Pakistan may find itself alone in this diplomatic battle. If the US imposes sanctions, China may be forced to support them, mainly because its trade ties with the US may be affected.

The maximum hurt to Pakistan was caused when the US announced an enhanced role for India in the region. There is immense fear within their security establishment that their soft underbelly of Baluchistan, presently being brutally crushed, would be accessible to Indian influence, once it establishes a foothold in Afghanistan. This issue has gained prominence, after Prime Minister Modis Independence Day speech of last year, where he considered diplomatic support to the freedom struggle in the region. Hence, while it is willing to challenge the US on its comment, it has yet to evolve any strategy to counter US plans for India.

Pakistans basic problem is that it views everything from an Indian prism. Its policy in Afghanistan is based on keeping India away from the country. While it professes support for peace in Afghanistan, its visualisation of peace stems from the Taliban and the Haqqani network being a part of the government. The Pakistan army viewpoint remains that this is the only way India can be kept away from Afghanistan. Comments by the US, that it only views Indian role to remain confined to economic development have cut no ice with Islamabad.

The other major worry for Pakistan is the growing power of the Taliban. Its dependence on Pakistan for support is receding, as it draws most funds to purchase weapons and fighters from its opium produce and is also in contact with Russia and China, solely because it opposes the ISIS. Iran is also known to be providing sanctuary to the Taliban. Hence, offensive action, if resorted to by Pakistan, could compel the Taliban to turn inwards, making security management even more cumbersome for their army.

Pakistans attempt to display anger against the US has had no impact. The US has announced that any further release of coalition funds would be contingent on Pakistans anti-terror actions. Pakistan has attempted to adopt measures which internally may appear logical but internationally would be meaningless, solely considering its past record. The comments by their leaders on casualties suffered by the country are considered irrelevant, as US statements are clear on Pakistan resorting to selective anti-terror actions.

Osama Bin Laden was eliminated in Abbottabad, barely a hundred km from Islamabad, and close to the Pakistan military academy, by a US Navy Seals operation. Similarly, Mullah Mansour, the erstwhile head of the Taliban was killed by a US drone strike in Pakistan. Anti-India terror groups and their leaders, nominated as international terrorists by the US, with bounties of ten million dollars, roam freely in Pakistan, openly address the public and gather funds. A nation which resorts to selective targeting of terrorists can never be trusted to implement an anti-terror strategy, in consonance with the rest of the world.

Over the years, Pakistan has lost the trust of the West, solely because it has viewed Afghanistan as part of its strategic depth and attempted to keep India away. Its Afghan policy, seeking to dominate the country by employing terror groups has resulted in Afghanistan considering Pakistan an enemy rather than a reliable neighbour. It is only to counter Pakistans support to the Taliban and Haqqani network that the Afghan military would have reduced its scale of operations against the TTP, the anti-Pak terror group.

The US has clearly changed its policy from carrot and stick to just a stick. While enhanced force levels have yet to be announced and implemented, it is evident that the US would seriously plan to target Taliban and Haqqani network operatives and training camps within Pakistan. This would result in collateral damage and embarrass the Pakistan army, as it would be unable to counter. This may be the final nail on their coffin of denial.

If Pakistan seeks to be accepted as a nation with no terror links then it would need to reconsider the way it operates against terror groups. Unless it acts against all terror groups, it would never win the trust of the comity of nations and may soon be declared a terrorist supporting state.

The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.
In a major diplomatic victory for India, the ongoing BRICS Summit at Xiamen in China issued a declaration, which for the first time named terror groups based in Pakistan as the five nation united in condemning terrorism.

By Ananth Krishnan: In a major diplomatic victory for India, the ongoing BRICS Summit at Xiamen in China today issued a declaration, which, for the first time, named terror groups based in Pakistan as the five nations united in condemning terrorism and finding ways to eliminate it.

The declaration, adopted by the five BRICS nations - India, China, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa - explicitly names Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Hizb-ut-Tahrir in a clear sign that Beijing's consistent stonewalling of Pakistan did not work at the Xiamen summit.

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"We support the efforts of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in fighting terrorist organizations. We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir. We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We reaffirm that those responsible for 22 committing, organizing, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable," the declaration said.

The declaration also backed India's stand on its accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, stressing the need for a predictable environment for access to technology and financing.

Moreover, at a restricted session at the BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for joint counter-terror strategy and suggested a new mechanism to counter-radicalisation. India has also offered to hold an international conference in this regard.

"This is the first time that it has listed specific organisations," said Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

But whether or not China's endorsement of the declaration indicates a shift in Beijing's stand on both issues remains unclear. Beijing has blocked India's bid to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar at the UNSC as well as India's bid to enter the NSG.

MODI FOR MORE BRICS COOPERATION

Earlier, Modi, in his plenary session address, emphasized the need for cooperation among the BRICS member nations for peace and development. "Cooperation is important for peace and development. A strong BRICS partnership on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the SDGs (sustainable development goals)," he said.

Modi started his address by thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm reception and excellent organisation of the 9th edition of the annual summit.

Also Read:

PM Modi in Xiamen: BRICS a source of stability in uncertain world

BRICS Summit kicks off in Xiamen; member nations to focus on protectionism, terror

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China caught in a bind at BRICS Summit over North Korea's nuclear test

Watch Video: Big diplomatic win for India: Pakistan terror groups mentioned in BRICS declaration

--- ENDS ---
Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world for mouth-watering street food  as one US news network proclaimed recently. This goes a long way in helping tourism, and authorities here are spicing up the appeal of Thai food by incorporating gastronomy into the Kingdoms national tourism policy starting this October. Indeed, plans are brewing to lead countrywide tourism promotion activities with food.

Chinatown and Khao San Road are the most popular foodie destinations among foreign visitors. On the surface, street fare may look affordable and innocuous, just like somtam and pad thai. In reality, its a gritty world of questionable food hygiene and overpriced seafood thats populated by not just sidewalk vendors but slick money-laundering mafia bosses as well. Of course, vendors do know how to cook clean street food, yet many just dont.

But that is changing. Authorities reckon its time such food is given a complete image makeover. This comes amid a set of stricter regulations being introduced by the Bangkok Metropo-litan Administration (BMA) that will change the face of street fare. That means ensuring the presence of street food in Bangkoks tourism drive but in a better, regulated way.

I have mentioned to several media outlets that its virtually impossible to do away with street food in Bangkok, Vallop Suwandee told The Nation during an exclusive interview.

Vallop, chairman of the advisers to the governor of Bangkok, sees such food as not only a source of livelihood for the poor but also a tourist attraction. We care about the poor quite a lot. But by caring, please do not equate this with the inconvenience caused to pedestrians. They have to be concerned about the convenience to pedestrians too, he says.

Enjoying the flavour

In terms of tourism, Vallop says its the BMAs duty to untiringly promote street food among Thais and foreign visitors to Bangkok so they can enjoy the flavour and charm of street food in Thailand. The prime minister and the Bangkok governor appreciate the fact that CNN recognises our street food. The PM himself has instructed the BMA to make the charm of street food in Bangkok sustainable. We will not limit street food just to Chinatown and Khao San Road, he states.

Vallop believes street food needs to be more sanitary, tasty, affordable  and not obstructive to pedestrians or road traffic. He is consulting Bangkoks administrative laws and colleagues at the Public Health Department to make the two strips  BMAs pilot scheme  fair to sidewalk vendors, pedestrians, diners and motorists. But that comes with meticulous regulations.

The move to regulate street food is being taken as a direct result of the BMAs existing administrative law and complaints (through postcards and BMAs hotline 1555) about food sanitation, pricing and pavement congestion.

Sanitation

A lack of sanitation is a major worry. Vendors who cook food with their bare hands, wearing no gloves, aprons, or hats, grab the money from customers, then get back to cooking again. Many wash the dishes on the pavement, throw the days food waste into open sewers, or dump waste on the street without second thoughts. Regarding cooking, cheap palm oil is commonly used for dishes from fish cakes to gaprao gai. The health-conscious would be easily put off by the levels of saturated fats in cheap cooking oils.

Inky, for example, often goes to Yaowarat and Phetchaburi Soi 5 for street food and is alarmed by the lack of sanitation.

I think I like street food in Bangkok because its cheap and tasty. But sometimes its hard to find parking, and I would like street food more if they improved on sanitation, she says.

Vallop admits food hygiene is not so good among sidewalk food stalls.

We have to admit that the BMA has limited personnel, what with Bangkoks total area of 1,574 square kilometres. Its so vast. Still, we cannot deny this responsibility though theres not enough personnel to supervise the sanitation of street food. In my opinion, maybe in the future, the city needs to outsource supervising powers to compensate for the shortages. We have received complaints from the public that vendors just disregard or throw food leftovers into the drainage system of Yaowarat, he says.

Vallop explains that the sanitation strategy  devised a long time ago  involves personnel from the Public Health Department supervising all types of vendors, from fresh-produce markets to sidewalk food stalls.

For example, the ingredients have to meet our sanitation standards. Moreover, the food on sale must not be contaminated and needs to follow

our standards of freshness and no

contamination, he asserts.

Overcharging

Overcharging is also among the BMAs concerns. We have to admit that some of the street food vendors  especially those running seafood stalls  particularly in Chinatown overcharge their customers. Yes, we have received complaints from foreign and Thai visitors alike. Overcharging exists in general, but Chinatown is a place many would like to visit. So we are also going to bring order there and make it fair to the customer, he says.

Vallop adds that the BMA is working with the Commerce Ministry to regulate food prices by taking Or Tor Kor Markets pricing system as a benchmark. Vendors have to come up with a menu and a price list that can be seen clearly, Vallop says. The cost of pad thai, for example, varies in Chinatown.

It depends on whether pad thai comes with seafood, or without meat. Normally pad thai without any meat should cost around Bt50. Thats the best price for street food. If you have shrimp, seafood or squid, it could cost more. Seafood is sold by weight. This is a matter for the Commerce Ministry that will compare food prices at Chinatown with those of Or Tor Kor. They have references. Some vendors charge exorbitant prices for other dishes too. Thats why the ministry will step in, he promises.

Mafia

Another major issue to be tackled is the local mafia pulling the strings behind street food stalls and shophouses in Bangkok. Vallop admits that if the BMA doesnt step in to regulate street food, influential people  in other words, the local mafia  will.

They [the mafia] have already stepped in, he says, adding, we have the names of all vendors, and according to our intelligence, we know who they [the influential people] are. Some are vendors, but most of them are not. I am not saying that its Yaowarat alone, its all over Bangkok. In the past, we had this at Siam Square, Klong Thom, Silom and even on Sukhumvit Road. What they do is rent out their spaces to vendors for storage. Right now, our governor is trying to clean up the house. All those who stray from the rules will be punished. A lot of city police have been transferred, moved, or dismissed from their positions. In Chinatown, all those influential people should sacrifice themselves for what they have already earned.

They occupy maybe 10 slots of the pavement. And you have three factories, that means you have 30 slots

occupied by individual vendors who act like nominees of these factories. These factories just use the slots of the vendors as outlets for their products without paying tax or rent, and also cause inconvenience to the public. The public should be kept informed about all this, he says.

All said, is Vallop afraid of the mafia?

I think everyone at city hall is working in good faith, serving the public. We have requested all those behind the scenes to be aware that we are serving the public. Everyone should respect the law. They should sacrifice themselves for the sake and benefit of the public. I think they know this. Some people in certain areas, especially in the centre of Bangkok, are being closely watched by the anti-money laundering commission right now. They are looking into their accounts and some figures are unexplainable, he reveals.

Training vendors

The strict regulations are already being implemented. Vallop says the BMA is organising an orientation course in cooking  from food preparation to food safety and hygiene

targeting sidewalk vendors.

The BMA calls upon all food

vendors [in Chinatown] to take the two-day orientation course no matter how many years they have been in the food business. The orientation course being held in conjunction with the Public Health Ministry will provide instructions on food preparation and the proper condition of ingredients, among other things. What fish sauce can they use, for example. They just cant use any ingredients or condiments. We will also train them on how to clean their hands appropriately, clean dishes, or operate in case they get the flu. The training is necessary because we wont allow dish washing on the pavement anymore, he pledges.

The two-day orientation course consists of a pre-test and a final test. If they dont pass the final test, they wont be allowed to go back to their business. Those who have passed the test will be issued an ID card with their photo and a barcode.

Things are indeed changing on the ground. Vallop says the vendors are moving their stalls to the outer edge of the pavement in Yaowarat so that pedestrians can walk along the space near the shophouses. The left lane of four-laned Yaowarat Road is also reserved for pedestrians after 6pm.

The owner of a noodle stall in Chinatown confirms new regulations are now being implemented. She has to move her stall from the middle of the subsoil to the outer edge.

Yes, new regulations have come into effect. We cant put chairs in the middle of the soi anymore. Stalls can be set up from 6pm only. I have to pay Bt500 to municipal police and another Bt500 to city police for the space, she says.

Another vendor who sells tube noodles stuffed with cabbage, bamboo shoots, pork and chicken says she has to wear both an apron and a hat as part of the regulations.

Previously I wore only an apron, but not a hat. I pay rent of Bt1,000 a month and for operating on the pavement. You get fined Bt2,000 if you set up chairs on the street. You can sell food on the pavement only, she says.

Vallop declares regulations for street food will be fully enforced towards the end of the year. With improvements to the street food scene, the goal is not to restrict promotion of street food to just the two foodie neighbourhoods but to highlight street food in Bangkok in its entirety as part of the national tourism plan.

The BMA is working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to maximise the impact of food on tourism. BMA and TAT officials are discussing ways to promote street food in Chinatown, Khao San and other areas.

We will go into details such as how to make Yaowarat food stalls remain free from uniformity of stall design. TAT would like Yaowarat and Khao San to retain their own identity, not to make stalls look the same, Vallop says.

Vallops vision of Bangkok street food is influenced by his overseas travels. To him, the countries in Asia that have the best street food management include Singapore and Japan.

I think people in Singapore are so disciplined and concerned about the public and not so individualistic. They dont act according to their own whims. It all comes down to public awareness. Everyone should be aware that it is their duty to respect the law.

Gastronomy tourism

Eating is driving tourism these days, says Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, deputy governor for Marketing Communications at TAT. Food is part of TATs grand scheme of gastronomy tourism. Street food is a segment that wont be promoted on its own but as part of Thailands gastronomy tourism.

In Thailand you can dine at several places  from street food stalls to resorts and restaurants. Street food is an important dimension that helps tourists learn about Thainess, Chattan points out.

Chattan insists Thailand is ready to tap into gastronomy tourism given the dramatic increase in food-related spending by foreign visitors. We have learned that over the past three years, the main reason for coming to Thailand has been food, then its shopping and Thai hospitality. Food has become the No 1 reason for three years in a row. Its clear spending on food is on the increase every year. Thailand is ready to push gastronomy tourism. We have lots of high-quality restaurants where our chefs skills are recognised widely, says Chattan.

We will have marketing promotions using food as the main thrust. For example, in Phuket, they will have to try seafood. If we are promoting Chiang Mai, food  for example khao soi  will be used to promote the destination. For Ayutthaya, you need to try grilled river prawns. There are many ways that food can add up to tourism strategy, he says.

Wide choice

As for the capital, Chattan says food is one of Bangkoks enduring charms. Its a city where one can eat around the clock with a wide choice of not just Thai food but Japanese, French, Italian, Indian cuisine and more.

I agree with the BMA for starting with Chinatown and Khao San as a pilot project. Doing this across the board is difficult. Later, we can carry out the project in other places. Thai-land is well recognised by tourists. But there are a million shades of Thailand. So, open up to the new shade!

Vallop reckons street food not only tastes good but should also be integrated with our renowned Thai hospitality and Thai smile. Vendors need to keep in mind that they are not just presenting Thailand to visitors. They need to be aware that visitors will go back to their countries and help us promote the charms and taste of street food and Thai food to their friends and families.

On behalf of my governor and city hall, we would like to express our appreciation to visitors for coming to taste street food in Bangkok. I hope they will have lingering memories of their experiences here so they can convey these pleasant experiences to their friends. In this way, we can get more visitors coming to Bangkok. I would also like visitors to understand that city hall cares about cleanliness and food hygiene, Vallop says.

The Nation/ANN
The BRICS Summit began here on Monday with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries and was preceded by a warm handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who received the leaders of Brazil, Russia and South Africa ahead of the restricted meeting of the grouping.

Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, venue of the 9th BRICS Summit in this port city of China and was followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi on Tueday.

The Summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on expeditious disengagement of their border troops in the disputed Doklam area on August 28 after over a two month standoff between them.

Apart from the restricted, the leaders will participate in the plenary during which they will explore ways to enhance cooperation within the members of the grouping in key areas.

They will also deliberate on international issues of significance, including global economy and challenges.

The Summit will end with the adoption of a Xiamen declaration, which will capture the essence of the deliberations and future road map.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasized on enhanced economic cooperation and trade ties between member nations at the 9th BRICS Summit in the Chinese southeastern city Xiamen.

In his Plenary address, Modi stressed that BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation and contributed stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty.

Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF, Modi said.

PM urges early creation of BRICS rating agency to cater to financing needs of sovereign & corporate entities of developing countries, he added.

We need to mainstream our youth in our joint initiatives; scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices, Modi said further as he emphasized on the need to accelerate track of cooperation in smart cities, urbanization and disaster management.

Modi also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm reception and excellent organisation of the event. The two leaders will be meeting on the sidelines of the three-day event.

Their meeting will be keenly watched after the resolution of the Doklam border row, which pitted the armies of the two countries against each other for over two months.

Besides, Modi is expected to meet Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Michael Temer of Brazil. Also attending the event will be South African President Jacob Zuma.

The Indian leader will address the BRICS leaders dialogue with BRICS Business Council meeting.

Modi will take part in an event of the Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue on Tuesday morning.

After the BRICS Summit, Modi will travel to Myanmar.
US President Donald Trump has decided to end a programme that grants work permits to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country as children with a six-month delay, the media reported.

Trump has wrestled for months with whether to do away with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme introduced by his predecessor Barack Obama in June 2012 to shield hundreds of thousands of undocumented youths from deportation.

But conversations with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who argued that Congress was responsible for writing immigration law, helped persuade the President to terminate the programme, the informed sources told Politico news on Sunday.

In a nod to reservations held by many lawmakers, the White House has planned to delay the enforcement of the Presidents decision for six months, giving Congress a window to act, the sources said.

Trump is expected to formally make an announcement on the programmes termination on Tuesday, and the White House informed House Speaker Paul Ryan of the Presidents decision on Sunday

On Friday, Ryan said that he did not think the President should terminate DACA and that Congress should act on the issue.

According to official documents, approximately 800,000 undocumented immigrants are currently benefiting from the DACA programme.

Permits under DACA are granted for two years before needing to be renewed.

The latest study by groups that support DACA estimated that 1,400 people a day could lose their protections if renewals ended.

Former Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has condemned the move.

If Trump decides to end DACA, it will be one of the ugliest and cruelest decisions ever made by a president in our modern history, the Vermont Senator tweeted on Sunday night.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Snow showers this evening. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%.


remaining of

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Two people, including a child, hospitalized following one of three crashes in just over an hour in St. John's Sunday night

Two people were sent to hospital following one of three crashes in just a little more than an hour in St. Johns Sunday night. One of the crashes happened on the Robert E. Howlett highway at Heavy Tree Road at about 7:40 p.m. and left a pickup and an ...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Chinese city of Xiamen to attend the ninth BRICS Summit. Here are the latest updates

By India Today Web Desk: In huge diplomatic win for India, a joint declaration by the member countries of BRICS has, for the first time, named Pakistan-based terror groups for trying destabilise the region.

"We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals. We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the statement said.

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Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received warm welcome in Chinese city of Xiamen as he arrived to attend the ninth BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - Summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the four leaders at the sprawling convention centre in Xiamen. Xi appeared to warmly shake PM Modi's hand, at a time when both countries are looking to turn the page from the 72-day-long stand-off at Doklam.

LATEST UPDATES:

These programmes are helping India turn into a knowledge-based, skill-supported, technology-driven society: PM Modi.

Programmes like Digital India, Start-Up India & Make in India are changing economic landscape of India: PM Modi.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is India's biggest economic reform ever: PM Modi at BRICS business council in Xiamen.

The declaration, adopted by India, China, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa explicitly names Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Hizb-ut-Tahrir in a clear sign that China's stonewalling of Pakistan did not work at the Xiamen summit.

Big diplomatic win for India at BRICS Summit. Pakistan based terror groups named in joint declaration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of ninth BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China.

PM @narendramodi meeting Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of 9th #BRICSSummit in Xiamen, China pic.twitter.com/nLlj40isT7- PIB India (@PIB_India) September 4, 2017

We have a mission to ensure health, sanitation, food security, gender security and technological development, says PM Modi

BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation; contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty: PM Modi

We have a mission to ensure health, sanitation, food security, gender security and technological development: PM Modi

BRICS countries can work closely with International Solar Alliance to strengthen the solar energy agenda: PM Modi

Our women's empowerment programmes are productivity multipliers that mainstream women in nation building: PM Modi

We are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education: PM Modi

Cooperation important for peace and development: PM Modi at the BRICS Plenary Session in Xiamen, China

PM Narendra Modi speaking at BRICS Summit. Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities & promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement & the IMF pic.twitter.com/Xvg9ckCBDD- ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017

We should speak with one voice and jointly present our solutions to issues concerning international peace & development

Despite our differences in national conditions, our 5 countries are in similar stage of dvlpmnt and share same development cause

China to launch plan for BRICS countries with 500 mn Grand to facilitate policy exchange&practical cooperation in economy&trade: Jinping

Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be resolved: Chinese President Xi Jinping

Our ever closer ties with rest of the world require that we 5countries play a more active part in global governance: Xi Jinping at BRICS Summit

China to contribute US$4mn to NDB project preparation facility to support business operation&long term development of the bank: Xi Jinping

Pleased to note imp consensus reached at leadership level on closer people to people exchanges,being translated into reality: Chinese President

We should speak with one voice and jointly present our solutions to issues concerning international peace & development: Chinese President

Despite our differences in national conditions, our 5 countries are in similar stage of developmnt and share same development cause: Xi Jinping

As the world undergoes profound changes, BRICS cooperation has become more important: Chinese President Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking at BRICS Plenary Session.

WATCH: BRICS Summit: PM Modi calls on 5 nations to step up cooperation in an unstable world

ALSO READ:

BRICS Summit kicks off in Xiamen; member nations to focus on protectionism, terror

China caught in a bind at BRICS Summit over North Korea's nuclear test

--- ENDS ---
September 4, 2017

When you read this, Belovedest and I will be hanging out with my mother in Florida! Its super-easy to pack for these trips, because I can wear her clothes if I HAVE to (her coloring suggests a soft, cool, powdery-pastel wardrobe  not perfect for me!) and I can of course do laundry. That said, one always should have a plan!If this first outfit looks familiar, it should; its what I wore to fly to Ireland earlier this month. It was really ideal, but Im making just a few small changes to tweak it to suit Florida better. First up, instead of my favorite Bremerton pants from Eddie Bauer, Ill be wearing J.Jill stretch linen pants. (my Bremerton pants just got back from the cleaners  I splurged  and Im sort of keeping them under wraps until we go to Paris on September 20th) And Im going to wear ballet flats instead of real shoes and socks. For me, a 3 hour flight is no big deal, so I dont worry about being cold, or dealing with deep vein thrombosis

If youve got a hankering for a Missoni scarf, please note that some of their scarves are heavy, woolly and warm, and others are viscose and nylon, which has a really soft, cool, almost silk-like feeling. This one that Im wearing falls into the latter category, which makes it pretty idea if one wants to wear a scarf to Florida at the end of summer!Please note that most of the blue pieces are long-gone from J.Jill, but if you want to replicate a 4-piece super-buy like the one I made earlier this summer, J.Jill is the place to do it! They come out with beautiful linen pieces every year, in a wide range of colors and styles, which are good quality and reasonably priced. I can highly recommend them!

Yes, both of my sandals are the same brand  Ive been fighting an arthritic knee, and supportive sandals seem to help a bit. Im loving theseThis seems like rather a lot to take for just 4 days, but I have a mad abundance of suitcase space (Im taking some things for my mother which bumped me up from a simple tote bag) and I thought Id give myself some options. Its always smart to have a shirt or cardigan handy  even at home  in Florida because the air conditioning can be paralyzing. I try not to run too much air conditioning here at home, and so Im not used to walk-in freezer types of temperatures!

If we go out to dinner someplace nice, Ill be in good shape (Im mostly packing the dress because its a favorite of Belovedests). The rest of the time, I wont need to look amazingly dressy, but I still like to give some sort of sense that I didnt get dressed in the dark!

It will be interesting to see if we get rain from the storms in Texas and Louisiana

love,

Janice
Timothy Leverton, president and chief technical officer of Tata Motors and the man who has overseen many of the company's new launches and development of new technologies, has quit.

Tim Leverton has decided to disengage from his services in the organisation and he wishes to relocate back to UK for personal reasons," the Tata Group company said on Monday.

Leverton joined Tata Motors in 2010 and played a major role in the development of new generation engines and products like the Tiago, Zest, Hexa, Tigor and the soon to be launched Nexon compact SUV. Based out of Pune, he also oversaw the development of electric and hybrid vehicle technologies at Tata Motors.

His exit comes at a time when Tata Motors has undertaken a major overhaul in its domestic operations as it looks to turn profitable.

"It is indeed a loss that he has decided to leave and move back to UK for personal reasons. Tim has actively led the research and development initiatives of Tata Motors and we thank him for his invaluable contribution," Guenter Butschek CEO and MD of Tata Motors said.

Tata Motors has seen several high profile managers leaving the company this year. Ravi Pisharody, executive director (commercial vehicles), resigned in June. The company's group chief financial officer C. Ramakrishnan is also leavinghe will be retiring at the end of September.

Tata Motors had, last month, appointed P. Balaji, formerly CFO at fast moving consumer goods major Hindustan Unilever, as Ramakrishnan's replacement.

Leverton will be with Tata Motors till October 31. His successor will be announced in due course of time, the company added.

After a lack of new launches led to the company losing market share in the domestic passenger vehicle market, Tata Motors has seen a good demand for its launches over the past one year, like the Tiago Hatchback, Tigor Styleback and the Hexa SUV. The Nexon compact SUV launching soon is also expected to do well.

Furthermore, Tata Motors has already said it has a product roadmap in place till 2022. It has set a target to become the third largest player in the country's passenger vehicle market in the next few years.

Tata Motors shares ended down 1.6 per cent at 384.40 on the BSE on Monday; the broader Sensex declined 190 points or 0.6 per cent to 31,702.25.
With the third reshuffle-cum-expansion of his council of ministers in as many years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the ball rolling for the upcoming assembly elections and the 2019 general elections.

A commensurate overhaul of the BJP is expected soon; the organisation will play a huge role in garnering ground support for the saffron party.

It is not correct to say that Modi has rewarded performance alone. There are increasing indications that the administration is veering to an increasingly presidential form of government. Uma Bharti continuing as a minister points to the electoral and political compulsions in play. She has been divested of her favourite river development and ganga rejuvenation portfolio and moved to drinking water and sanitation.

The prime minister also zeroed in on three erstwhile civil servants and a former diplomat with a proven track record, in a determined bid to streamline the delivery systems for the upliftment of targeted sections.

The elevation of Nirmala Sitharaman to cabinet rank and awarding her the crucial defence portfolio has been commended and welcomed widely. Being a big boost for women's empowerment, it is for the second time, after the late Indira Gandhi, that a woman will head the defence ministry.

For the first time, two womenthe other being External Affairs minister Sushma Swarajwill be members of the cabinet committee on security.

BJP has assumed political control as the single largest entity in the NDA, with a majority in the Lok Sabha. This is reflected in the expansion of the council of ministers, which was confined to the saffron brigade.

The BJP kept out its allies in the NDA. An angry Shiv Sena wanted at least one more minister in the Modi cabinet but that was not to be. The message is loud and clear; the ruling party will not be cowed by threats or intimidation. The Sena expressed its resentment by boycotting the swearing-in ceremony.

Intense speculation about the JD(U) and the fractious ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu being considered for a ministerial slot or two also proved to be false alarms. At the same time, in a calculated political move, the party brought in ministers from states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Bihar.

Some poor performers like ministers of state Bandaru Dattatreya and Rajiv Pratap Rudy were shown the door. The amiable Suresh Prabhu, who had resigned after accepting responsibility for the rail accidents, was shifted to commerce and industry.

The dynamic Piyush Goyal will handle the railways, a department which will test his administrative skills to the hilt. There are innumerable challenges facing the second largest rail network in the world, which is also the country's lifeline, the most important of them being upgradation and modernisation.

These might well be the last major changes effected by the prime minister before the next general elections which are less than 18 months away.

The multitude of promises made by Modi have not materialised so far. To compound matters, the annual report of the Reserve Bank of India has painted a grim picture of the economy.

The jumbo cabinet of Modi now has 76 members as compared to the earlier 72. Hopes for minimum government and maximum governance has been belied so far. The much touted "ache din aane wale hain" remains elusive. Although Modi continues to remain way ahead of all other leaders in the popularity charts, the patience of the masses is unlikely to last indefinitely.
The accused, a Briton, has been found to be a pedophile by the police.

By Anuj Mishra: A British national has been arrested in Delhi on charges of sodomising visually-challenged students at the National Association for the Blind in RK Puram area.

The accused Murray Denis Ward, as per preliminary investigation, has been found to be a pedophile by the police. Objectionable material was found from his laptop.

Ward's cell phone was also being examined.

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Police received a complaint yesterday regarding sexual harassment of minor kids at the NGO on September 2. The accused aged 54 years was working till April 2017 with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon. A frequent visitor, the accused was associated as a regular donor with NAB for the last 8-9 years.

He is accused of subjecting 3 minors, all blind residents of NAB, to paedophilic sexual harassment. A case has been registered in this regard under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

He had suffered a paralytic attack in February and has been under treatment since then.

Also read:

Father of Australian tennis star arrested on child sex charges

Brigadier accused of sodomy resigns from service

WATCH | Delhi police arrest UK national for allegedly sodomising visually-challenged students

--- ENDS ---
Piyush Goyal on Sunday replaced Suresh Prabhu at the helm of affairs of Railway Ministry, perhaps the most challenging ministry currently. In light of the several derailments in the recent past, the ministry is sure to pose a big challenge for Goyal, who was formerly the Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy.

The now former railway minister Suresh Prabhu had been receiving flak from all sides for back-to-back rail derailments, which eventually cemented his resignation from the ministry.

Prabhu had offered to quit on August 23, taking moral responsibility for two train derailments that took place in the span of four days. He has now been appointed the Minister of Commerce and Industry.

As Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy, Goyal is said to have done commendable work in power and coal sector that has earned him the crisis-ridden Ministry of Railway. His appointment comes as fresh hope for the Indian railways.

Piyush is the son of BJP veteran late Ved Prakash Goyal who had served as a Union Minister for shipping in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-cabinet. Piyush was a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence. An active member of the Managing Committee of Indian Merchants Chamber, he is also involved with NGOs in diverse fields such as tribal education and welfare of the physically challenged (Jaipur foot).

In his 28-year-long political career, he has served on the national executive and held several important positions in the BJP. He was also nominated by the Centre to the Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers. He was the deputy campaign in-charge for the Parliament elections in 1991 and played a key role at the central level in all elections since 2004.

He represents Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha.
The BRICS on Monday sought decisive action against Pakistan-based terror outfits like the LeT and the JeM as well as the Taliban, ISIS and al-Qaeda, as it asked all states to prevent terror activities from their soil and curb terror financing.

In the Xiamen Declaration issued at the end of the BRICS Summit's plenary session, the influential groupingcomprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africacalled upon the international community to establish a "genuinely broad" international counter-terrorism coalition.

It reaffirmed that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and sought expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN.

Secretary East in the External Affairs Ministry Preeti Saran said all BRICS leaders, speaking at the summit, voiced serious concerns over terrorism.

At a restricted session of the BRICS leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also articulated India's position on the issue and offered to host a conference on de-radicalisation.

Talking about India's position on terrorism, Saran told reporters at a briefing that, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

The BRICS declaration said the grouping deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

It stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also called upon all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

"We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard," it said.

The grouping also stressed on the need for increasing the effectiveness of the UN counter-terrorism framework, including in the areas of cooperation and coordination among the relevant UN entities, designation of terrorists and terrorist groups.

"We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism," said the declaration.

The challenges identified by it included containing supply of weapons, drug trafficking and dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the internet including social media by terrorist entities.

"We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing," it said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said.
Two blasts rocked a Myanmar area near the Bangladeshi border on Monday, accompanied by the sound of gunfire and thick black smoke, as violence that has sent nearly 90,000 Muslim Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh showed no sign of easing.

Bangladeshi border guards said a woman lost a leg from a blast about 50 metres inside Myanmar and was carried into Bangladesh to get treatment. Reuters reporters heard explosions and saw a black smoke rising near a Myanmar village.

The latest violence in Myanmars northwestern Rakhine state began on Aug. 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked dozens of police posts and an army base.

The ensuing clashes and a military counter-offensive have killed at least 400 people and triggered the exodus of villagers to Bangladesh.

The treatment of Buddhist-majority Myanmars roughly 1.1 million Muslim Rohingya is the biggest challenge facing leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accused by Western critics of not speaking out for the minority that has long complained of persecution.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has come under increasing diplomatic pressure from countries with large Muslim populations such as Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan to protect Rohingya civilians.

Myanmar says its security forces are fighting a legitimate campaign against terrorists responsible for a string of attacks on police posts and the army since last October.

On Monday, Reuters reporters saw fires and heard gunshots before the explosions near the Myanmar village of Taung Pyo Let Way. Bangladeshi border guards believe the injured woman stepped on an anti-personnel mine, although that was not confirmed.

A Myanmar military source said security forces still had difficulty penetrating the remote northern part of Maungdaw region - close to the Bangladeshi border.

NO FOOD ... NO TREATMENT

Myanmar officials blamed Rohingya militants for the burning of homes and civilian deaths but rights monitors and Rohingya fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh say the Myanmar army is trying to force Rohingya out with a campaign of arson and killings.

The number of those crossing the border into Bangladesh87,000surpassed the number who escaped Myanmar after a series of much smaller insurgent attacks in October that set off a military operation beset by accusations of serious human rights abuses.

The newest estimate, based on calculations by U.N. workers in the Bangladeshi border district of Coxs Bazar, takes to about 174,000 the total number of Rohingya who have sought refuge in Bangladesh since October.

The new arrivals have strained aid agencies and communities already helping hundreds of thousands of refugees from previous spasms of violence in Myanmar.

We are trying to build houses here, but there isnt enough space, said Mohammed Hussein, 25, who was still looking for a place to stay after fleeing Myanmar four days ago.
The BRICS Summit began at the International Conference Centre in Xiamen, China today with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries and was preceded by a warm handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who received the leaders of Brazil, Russia and South Africa ahead of the restricted meeting of the grouping.

Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, venue of the ninth BRICS Summit in this port city of China and was followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi tomorrow.

The summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Doklam area on August 28 after over a two month stand-off between them.

Apart from the restricted, the leaders will participate in the plenary during which they will explore ways to enhance cooperation within the members of the grouping in key areas. They will also deliberate on international issues of significance, including global economy and challenges.

The summit will end with the adoption of a Xiamen declaration, which will capture the essence of the deliberations and future road map.

Earlier, a scheduled airport welcoming ceremony in Xiamen for Prime Minister Modi was cancelled on Sunday due to inclement weather. "The aircraft carrying Indian PM arrived in Xiamen on September 3. A scheduled airport welcoming ceremony was canceled due to heavy rainfall," People's Daily China tweeted.
By PTI: (Eds: With additional inputs, changing slug)

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) A 54-year-old British national has been arrested here for allegedly sexually assaulting three visually-impaired minor inmates of the National Association for the Blind (NAB) in south Delhis R K Puram, the police said today.

The police were informed yesterday about the incident.

During inquiry, the alleged involvement of Murray Denis Ward, a British national and a frequent visitor to the institute, came to the light, the police said, adding that Ward had been associated with NAB as a regular donor for almost nine years.

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Ward, who was subsequently arrested, allegedly inappropriately touched the three NAB inmates on September 2, the police said.

It was found that the accused had taken the inmates inside a room where he touched their private parts and tried to force himself on them, they added.

However, a caretaker at the institute, came there and Ward left the place. The three minors narrated their ordeal to the caretaker who informed the authorities about Wards behaviour.

The institute then informed the police and the accused was arrested. He was produced before a court and is currently in police custody.

Police initially suspected it to be a case of sodomy.

Police were probing whether he had sexually assaulted any other child at NAB since he was a regular visitor there. They were also questioning staff members whether they had seen Ward misbehaving with any other inmate.

His cell phone was being examined, the police said, adding that they had found a couple of "objectionable" video clips from his laptop. It is suspected that he had shared some clips through Whatsapp.

Ward, a native of Gloucestershire, the United Kingdom, had been working with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April.

He had suffered a paralytic attack in February and has been under treatment since then. He was staying alone here while his family is in the UK. Police suspect that he is a paedophile. PTI SLB SMN SMN

--- ENDS ---
Israel Police, like any major police department, continued arming itself with advanced technological means to better accomplish its goal. The first wave of aerial drones was delivered to fourteen stations around Israel last week, as police are relying more on the aerial surveillance option. The department has acquired fifty drones to date.

The drones were heavily tested during an eight-month program, as the departments experts familiarized themselves with their capabilities. They will be new eyes in the skies for police, assisting in fighting crime and law-enforcement objectives. The departments aerial unit will be responsible for operating drones. The department has already trained and certified over 30 members of the force in operating the drones.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
All Greek: Tony Blair met with Egyptian telecoms tycoon Naguib Sawiris

Tony Blair was spotted on the Greek island of Mykonos last week meeting Naguib Sawiris, 63, the Egyptian telecoms tycoon who Forbes says is worth 2.5billion.

They lunched at Solymar, a swanky restaurant on the east side of the island famed for its black seafood risotto.

A favourite haunt of Hollywood star Tom Hanks, islanders regard it as mildly less vulgar than neighbouring Nammos, where Sir Philip Green and his posse were recently seen squirting champagne around the place.

Deutsche Bank has finally replaced its staff's Blackberry handsets in favour of iPhones.

Deutsche was one of the last banks to continue using the clunky smartphones, which became objects of derision once Apple entered the phone market in 2007.

Apparently, the poor dears were fed up of being teased by clients about their outdated devices.

Despite resigning as Trade Minister at the weekend, former Waitrose managing director Lord Price has gamely kept his appointment to address next week's Wine and Spirit Trade Association conference.

Does his Lordship, aka 'the chubby grocer', plan to get something off his considerable chest? Some think he quit in a huff over the Government's Brexit strategy.

Royal Mail's exit from the FTSE 100 means that without Moya Greene, the number of female bosses inside the index slips to just six.

A regrettable situation, though one which might be remedied sooner than expected.

Some fancy hoity-toity Moya, 63, for the top job at EasyJet now Carolyn McCall's hung up her tangerine blouson.

Languid vacuum cleaner tycoon Sir James Dyson, 70, is on a property splurge in America.

As well as putting the finishing touches to his flagship store in New York  a vast, 3,200 square foot space on Fifth Avenue  he's also purchased an apartment in an exclusive new development on Park Avenue.

Back home, Dyson's ever-expanding estate, comprising over 25,000 acres, now makes him a bigger landowner in England than the Queen.
Investing in UK income funds is a hugely popular among British investors, whether they are looking to draw on the dividends or compound them up to grow their wealth.

Picking the best income fund can be a tough choice though, especially as many rely on a few big FTSE 100 dividend-payers. In a bid to help investors separate the wheat from chaff, investment firm Sanlam UK publishes a half-yearly report revealing the best and worst UK-centric income funds.

The study, which has been running for over three decades, reviews and tracks the performance of all funds in the the Investment Association UK Equity Income sector over a six-month period to the end of June and splits them into three categories: the White List, the Grey List and the Black List.

UK Equity Income funds can provide an attractive level of income compared with other assets, according to Sanlam

The White List comprises of an exclusive group of 14 funds deemed, by the investment firm, to have established superior performance over a five-year period.

The Grey List is home to propositions that invest in a style that is currently unpopular, or have shown an early warning signal for a fund in decline.

The Black List is for consistent underperformers and could indicate that investors should dump these propositions for a better prospect. If you have a fund on this list it is time to review it.

The best UK income funds

There has been a bit of movement in the White List since the last review in January 2017. Four funds have dipped out of the band, while some of the remaining funds have climbed a few places.

CF Miton UK Multi Cap Income, run by Gervais Williams and Martin Turner, has retained its position at the top of the White List.

Slater Income managed by Mark Slater, has moved up into second place and MI Chelverton UK Equity Income, run by David Taylor and David Horner, completes the top three line up.

Threadneedle UK Equity Alpha Income and Franklin UK Equity Income have fallen from grace into the Grey List - the former plummeting a dramatic 15 places to sixth on the second band list.

The largest mover in the study is Man GLG UK Income, which has jumped up 32 places from the Black List to almost the top of the Grey List.

There has been very little change in the lower rankings of the Black List, with the last few funds being the usual perpetrators. Although Scottish Widows UK Equity Income has ranked last for some time the HSBC Income fund has now fallen to the bottom of the list.

The greatest faller in the study is Newton UK Income which dropped 24 places from the Grey List into the Black List. In the previous study it moved out of the White List and has since struggled in terms of performance and its dividend pay-out level according to Sanlam.

The best performing funds

Funds on the top band White List have demonstrated they can deliver strong total returns over the last five years

1. CF Miton UK Multi Cap Income

Ongoing charges: 0.81 per cent

Yield: 4.1 per cent

Volatility: 7.9 per cent

The CF Miton UK Multi Cap Income has maintained the number one spot six months on from the previous iteration of the income study - despite a slight fall in yield by 0.4 percentage point to 4.1 per cent. It invests mainly in UK shares although the fund has little exposure to other assets including European shares and UK bonds.

Sanlam said: 'Combining consistently strong returns, low volatility and delivering a high income pay-out for the period reviewed, the fund is substantially ahead of its peers in terms of meeting the requirements set out in the study for income investors.'

A 100 investment over five years would have yielded an income of 31.90.

HOW THE RANKINGS WORK To determine the best and worst performing funds, the study looked at the capital growth of each fund, absolute income - or income after the fund's costs are taken into account - and volatility on a five-year basis. It calculates volatility by looking at how much a fund's return each month for five years differs from its overall average return. This is known as five-year standard deviation and the figure is provided to Sanlam by investment research firm Morningstar. The figure is not annualised and is based upon monthly total return figures over five years.

2. Slater Income

Ongoing charges: 0.81 per cent

Yield: 4.7 per cent

Volatility: 9.6 per cent

Mark Slater and Barrie Newton hold the reins to the Slater Income which targets an increasing level of income as well as long-term capital growth. Among its top holdings are staple dividend stock Phoenix Group and tobacco company Imperial Brands.

On a 100 investment, the fund would have given you 30.40 over five years.

3. MI Chelverton UK Equity Income

Ongoing charges: 0.89 per cent

Yield: 4 per cent

Volatility: 11.5 per cent

The MI Chelverton UK Equity Income fund has risen from the lowest position on the White List in the last study to rank third. It also boasts the highest income return of the funds on the list. The fund seeks to unearth stocks in the UK AIM sector with the potential to pay out a growing level of income.

Smaller firms run a greater risk of going bust than large ones so there is a heightened risk here.

An investment of 100 over five years would have generated 35.30 in income.

4. Marlborough Multi Cap Income

Ongoing charges: 0.80 per cent

Yield: 4.4 per cent

Volatility: 10.1 per cent

The Marlborough Multi Cap Income fund has climbed four positions since the last study. It invests in higher risk small and medium-sized companies - predominately where both capital and dividend growth are anticipated.

The fund is a fairly diversified portfolio with over 100 holdings including specialist asset manager Intermediate Capital Group, WHSmiths and SSE which are among the top ten.

It would have produced income of 32.10 on a 100 investment over five years.

5. Majedie UK Income

Ongoing charges: 0.77 per cent

Yield: 4.6 per cent

Volatility: 10.2 per cent

The Majedie UK Income fund has also climbed up the rankings since its last outing. It now holds fifth position on the White List - up from tenth six month earlier. It seeks to root out undervalued companies with a focus on those which are able to provide a growing level of income. The fund's top three holdings are comprised of the usual suspects for income: Legal & General, HSBC and BP.

A 100 investment over five years would have generated an income of 30.90.

6. Premier Monthly Income

Ongoing charges: 0.92 per cent

Yield: 4.6 per cent

Volatility: 9.6 per cent

The Premier Monthly Income has been promoted from the Grey List to the top band. It aims to give investors rising level of dividends paid monthly. The bulk of the fund is comprised of FTSE 100 conglomerates which are renowned for delivering increasing levels of income. These include HSBC, Royal Dutch Shell and BP.

You would have received 30.90 income on a 100 investment over five years.

7. Royal London UK Equity Income

Ongoing charges: 0.68 per cent

Yield: 3.8 per cent

Volatility: 9.3 per cent

The Royal London UK Equity Income fund has tumbled five places from second in the last income study. It invests solely in high yielding UK stocks, with a particular skew to companies that generate a lot of cash after covering operation costs to fund sustainable dividend payments.

A 100 investment would have generated 27.90.

8. SLI UK Equity Income Unconstrained

Ongoing charges: 1.52 per cent

Yield: 3.9 per cent

Volatility: 11.7 per cent

The Standard Life Investments UK Equity Income Unconstrained fund typically invests in a portfolio of shares but has the remit to hold a proportion in bonds to supplement the income of the fund. It has the highest volatility of the funds in the White List.

Its top holdings include Aviva and the Sage Group. A 100 investment over five years would have generated an income of 29.20.

9. AXA Framlington Monthly Income

Ongoing charges: 0.84 per cent

Yield: 4.5 per cent

Volatility: 7.9 per cent

AXA Framlington Monthly Income is also among a handful of funds on the list which have fallen a couple of positions since the last iteration of the study. The fund aims to provide a monthly income with potential for long-term growth of capital.

A 100 investment over five years would have resulted in an income of 28.80.

10. Threadneedle UK Equity Income

Ongoing charges: 0.82 per cent

Yield: 3.7 per cent

Volatility: 9.1 per cent

The Threadneedle UK Equity Income fund invests at least two-thirds of its money in shares of small, medium and large companies in the UK. Its top ten holdings comprise of familiar names in the income investment space including Glaxosmithkline and AstraZeneca.

The fund would have generated an income of 26.50 from a 100 investment over five years - the joint lowest with River & Mercantile UK Equity Income on the list.

11. Unicorn UK Income

Ongoing charges: 0.81 per cent

Yield: 3.6 per cent

Volatility: 10.5 per cent

The Unicorn UK Income fund makes a return to the White List after its elimination during 2016. Sanlam credited the fund's investment team, headed by Fraser Mackersie and Simon Moon, for pulling up their socks to post 'excellent' results following the disruption brought about by the EU referendum result.

The fund recorded the lowest yield of the fund in the latest income study. It aims for a yield of at least 10 per cent greater than the FTSE All Share Index.

A 100 investment over five years would have earned an income of 29.

50 of the best funds and investment trusts To help you sift through all the investments on offer, This is Money asked a carefully-selected team of professional investors to choose their top funds, trusts and trackers. We included those in sectors ranging from bonds, to income and emerging markets in our 50 best funds and investment trusts list.

12. Premier Income

Ongoing charges: 0.86 per cent

Yield: 4.6 per cent

Volatility: 9.8 per cent

The Premier Income fund aims to provide income which increases over time while growing investors' original investment over the long term. The fund's top three holdings are HSBC, Royal Dutch Shell and Lloyds Banking Group.

It has produced an income of 29.90 on 100 invested over five years.

13. JOHCM UK Equity Income

Ongoing charges: 0.80 per cent

Yield: 4.3 per cent

Volatility: 10.1 per cent

The JOHCM UK Equity Income fund has dropped two places since the last Income study. It aims to generate long-term capital and income growth by investing in UK equities. Its top ten holdings comprise of household names including Vodafone, Lloyds Banking Group and BP.

The fund generated 29 of income on a 100 investment over five years.

14. River & Mercantile UK Equity Income

Ongoing charges: 0.85 per cent

Yield: 4 per cent

Volatility: 9.2 per cent

The River & Mercantile UK Equity Income has catapulted into the top band White List from a mid-table position in the Grey list in the last study. It mainly invests in UK shares, however, there is scope to hold a small amount in other instruments such as government and corporate bonds.

A 100 investment would have returned 26.50 over five years.

Funds on the Grey List may invest in a style that is currently unpopular. They may have fallen out of the White List or may be even be future contenders for the black list of perennial poor performers

The Black List is home to funds that have consistently underperformed on an income basis, and inclusion could prompt investors to look elsewhere
Stock exchange newcomer Destiny Pharma soared 38.5 per cent in its first day of trading.

The firm raised 15.3million at a placing price of 157p per share but jumped as high as 227p yesterday afternoon before finishing at 217.5p.

One of the reasons it is so popular is because of its unique approach to treatment.

The company is developing drugs to fight drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA, which kill an estimated 700,000 people each year.

But rather than focus on traditional antibiotics, it produces drugs which have cut the number of hospital-acquired infections by as much as 60 per cent.

Pioneers: One of the ways Destiny Pharma is fighting MRSA is by reducing the number of bugs in peoples noses before an operation

One way it does this is by reducing the number of bugs in peoples noses before an operation.

The firm also has special status which means its drugs can be seen by the regulatory authorities quicker.

Destiny is only the second life sciences group to join the London Stock Exchange and is a welcome boost for the British biotech industry, which has struggled to emulate the commercial success of the US.

Shares in Acacia Mining fell after the firm revealed it would wind back its operations in Tanzania.

The firm said it had been forced to reduce activity at its Bulyanhulu mine after the Tanzanian governments decision to ban exports of gold and copper knocked production by 35 per cent, costing it 162million so far this year.

STOCK WATCH - RANDALL AND QUILTER Non-life legacy insurance firm Randall & Quilter boasted rising profits despite weaker results in the US. Profits had soared to 5.4million in the six months to the end of June, from 1.2million the year before, after solid results from its core UK business offset a slump in the US. Earnings were boosted by an increase in legacy transactions which contributed 19.1million to its earnings  compared to its contribution of 2.7million the year before. Shares rose 2.1 per cent, or 3p, to 147.5p.

Acacia has been at loggerheads with the government since it imposed an export ban on gold concentrate in March.

The disagreement escalated in May when the government claimed the miners gold output was 10 times greater than it claimed  a level that Acacia said would make it the third-biggest gold miner in the world.

Tensions heightened again when the Tanzanian authorities slapped it with a 147billion bill in July, though Acacia said it had declared all materials produced and paid royalties and taxes in full.

Acacia, which is dependent on its three mines in Tanzania, had stockpiled gold concentrate hoping for a quick end to the dispute.

But the firm said that despite reducing its operating costs to protect jobs, the Bulyanhulu mine was no longer sustainable.

Investors were put out by the news and shares, which plunged more than 13 per cent when markets first opened yesterday, finished down 2.4 per cent, or 4.9p, to 202.2p.

The FTSE 100 finished down 0.36 per cent, or 27.03 points, to 7411.47, while the FTSE 250 finished down 0.45 per cent, or 88.27 points, to 19,697.91.

Investors in Frontier Developments and Arix Bioscience reacted positively to announcements of new senior hires.

Shares in video game maker Frontier jumped 3.3 per cent, or 35p, to 1082.5p, when it revealed it had appointed Stewart Stanbury, a former brand and strategy executive at Google, to serve as its director of marketing.

And Arix Biosciences Artois Pharma soared 3.2 per cent, or 6p, to 193.5p, after it poached former AstraZeneca boss Dr Graeme Smith as it chief scientific officer.

Gas firm Sound Energy soared after it revealed it had received a proposal for financing one of its gas pipelines in Morocco.

It said it had received an indicative non-binding proposal from Advisory & Finance Group Investment Bank of around 46million to 77million.

It comes after the Oil & Gas Investment Fund indicated an interest in funding in July last year. Shares increased 4.5 per cent, or 2.25p, to 52.25p.
Lloyds-owned MBNA offers some of the longest zero-interest deals on the market

The boss of credit card firm MBNA has been promoted by Lloyds to oversee a push of consumer lending.

Elyn Corfield joined the bank when it bought MBNA for 1.9billion earlier this year and is now being put in charge of its overall cards business.

It means she will oversee 26 per cent of Britain's credit card market, with only Barclaycard holding a bigger share.

The appointment is part of a wider shake-up across the bank as boss Antonio Horta-Osorio looks to concentrate on creating growth.

Ministers sold the taxpayer's last stake in Lloyds earlier this year and executives are now focusing on its future as a private sector business.

Its purchase of Cheshire-based MBNA triggered concerns from campaigners that the bank was dipping its toe in risky lending and could forget the lessons of the past.

It offers some of the longest zero-interest deals on the market, at up to 30 months.

Anti-debt groups fear such offers are fuelling a dangerous credit bubble, although MBNA insists it is responsible.

Corfield, 47, is replacing Dan Meredith-Jones.

He is thought to be moving to another role within the bank.

Lloyds declined to comment.

Shares in the bank fell 0.5 per cent, or 0.29p, to 63.4p yesterday.
Small firms have been left unable to pay suppliers, forced to stop new products, and seen reputations destroyed after HSBC locked them out of bank accounts for up to seven weeks.

Business owners say they have had to put orders on hold and stop development of new products after being forced to battle with the bank when it shut down their accounts in a botched crackdown on financial crime.

HSBC was forced to tighten its rules on money laundering after being fined 1.2billion by US authorities for handling cash on behalf of Mexican drug cartels and murderers.

HSBC locked small firms out of bank accounts for up to seven weeks after being fined 1.2bn for handling cash on behalf of Mexican drug cartels and murderers

But its overzealous approach has hit British entrepreneurs who sell their wares overseas. Many have been asked to fill in huge forms demanding highly personal information to prove they are not crooks.

And even after complying with the bank's requests businesses still had their accounts blocked.

Luxury e-cigarette firm Bellmonte, had its account frozen for almost seven weeks until a public outcry forced HSBC to do something.

Another company, Hertfordshire building engineer MHL Consulting, was hit because boss Martin Layzell returned an innocuous-looking questionnaire just two days late.

Because he did not supply the details on time, HSBC said his account would be closed in 65 days and he had no right of appeal.

The decision was reversed only when the scandal came to light, and Layzell said he felt the lender then tried to pin the blame on his branch manager when it wasn't her fault.

Entrepreneurs have told the Daily Mail they were left in the dark. They complain that local bank managers were scrapped, meaning they had to spend hours on hold to employees in a call centre, and that bank staff they knew well were forbidden from sharing information.

Fabric firm couldn't pay suppliers Martyn Fisher's business Fisher Fabrics had its account locked for a fortnight by HSBC. The 61-year-old's business, which he runs from Keighley, West Yorkshire, with wife Beverley, finds clothing material from around the world for manufacturers in Britain and abroad. He said he was sent a 'huge questionnaire' 18 months ago by HSBC, which he filled in. This was followed by a lengthy telephone interview, then follow-up questions including personal queries about his savings and mortgage. But although Fisher insists he supplied all details he was asked for, the bank still told him his account would be frozen. It was released when the bank's behaviour was criticised in public. 'I couldn't make payments and I couldn't transfer money into a sterling account,' he said. 'Fortunately, I have a very good relationship with the people who supply me. I was able to muddle along but I know other people who couldn't pay their wages.'

'I was forced to move accounts' Calan Horsman, who runs London-based toilet brush firm Loogun, has been forced to switch banks after HSBC froze his account. He claims it happened because the lender left him a voicemail and he did not respond to it within 24 hours. The businessman, 41, has had to delay a product launch, cancel a trip to China and let down customers waiting for shipments. He said: It was an awful time for us.

Bank manager wouldnt talk Travel agent Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande had weeks of sleepless nights when her account was frozen by HSBC. Like many others, she said she handed over all the information requested but was still unable to make payments until the bank backed down. The 36-year-old, whose firm Passepartout Homes is based in London, said: My bank manager wasnt allowed to talk to me about it. They treat you like a criminal.

Bosses told the Mail they were also concerned about the harm a frozen account could cause to their good name.

Many faced weeks of deadlock trying to get the problem solved  finding the bank only backed down after it became public.

The number of firms hit is believed to be in the low hundreds, although HSBC refused to give a figure. It also declined to say how many cases had been resolved, and how many firms were still in limbo.

MPs last night accused HSBC of bullying tactics. Conservative Chris Philp, a former member of the Treasury Select Committee, said: 'HSBC's conduct is a complete disgrace  they've treated their customers shockingly, and I call on them to immediately reinstitute their banking services.'

Labour MP Helen Goodman said: 'There are big structural issues already facing small businesses. They certainly don't need their accounts suspended without notice. It is completely unacceptable.'

To avoid a criminal prosecution over Mexico money-laundering  which saw US senators label it a 'financier to drug gangs'  HSBC had to install an independent monitor to oversee anti- money laundering procedures.

HSBC said: 'We allow several months for this process because we may need to speak to customers multiple times to acquire additional data and to clarify what they've told us.

'If we don't receive all the information we may be forced to restrict services or, as a last resort, to close an account.'
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari attacked the four inducted bureaucrats, having said that it seemed that the Prime Minister didn't trust his political colleagues.

By Mail Today Bureau: The Congress attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inducting former bureaucrats in his cabinet - saying this showed that he didn't trust his political colleagues - and termed his team of ministers as a senior citizen's club.

The BJP's ally in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena, attacked the Centre apparently for not inducting its members in the Cabinet, saying the National Demorcratic Alliance was almost dead as the party remembers allies only when it needs their support.

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Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari attacked the four inducted bureaucrats, having said that it seemed that the Prime Minister didn't trust his political colleagues.

The four former bureaucrats include former IAS officer Alphons Kannanthanam and former diplomat Hardeep Singh Pur i- neither of whom are Members of Parliament.

Ex-Mumbai Police commissioner Satypal Singh and former Union Home secretary R K Singh have also been sworn in. Tewari described the reshuffled cabinet with nine new ministers as a senior citizens' club, and pointed out that while the median age in the country was 27 years, the average age of the new entrants was 60.44 years.

He also claimed that the Prime Minister was strangely disconnected from the Cabinet reshuffle exercise. "It seems that (BJP president) Amit Shah is the prime minister," he said, referring to reports that claimed Shah summoned ministers and asked them to resign before the rejig.

NO BERTHS FOR ALLIES

The non-inclusion of MPs of allies in the government was pointed out by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad.

Lalu claimed that Nitish Kumar's JD(U) hadn't even been invited to join the NDA government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP chief Amit Shah in the Cabinet reshuffle programme that was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

"Some JD(U) leaders had got new kurta pyjama and Bundi stitched for the swearing-in ceremony, but the elusive invitation did not come," he alleged.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had on Saturday admitted that his party had neither been invited to join the government nor consulted by the BJP brass on the expansion issue, Prasad said.

"Why should Prime Minister Modi or BJP president Shah consult Kumar when they know about his character?" the RJD supremo wondered in a dig at the JD(U) chief, who broke ties with him in July to form a government with the BJP.

However, sources in the BJP said members of their alliance might join the government later, as there was still a scope for expansion of the Union Council of Ministers. They added that a decision on the allies joining the government would be taken later.

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Winners and losers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet reshuffle

Cabinet reshuffle: Why Pradhan, Goyal, Sitharaman, Naqvi were promoted

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Cabinet reshuffle: Goyal, Pradhan, Sitharaman elevated; 9 new ministers sworn-in

--- ENDS ---
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By Gina Martinez

City Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) is not mincing words about his opponent for City Council, whom he called an angry mom and compared to President Donald Trump.

Koo is running for his third term against an unlikely competitor, Alison Tan, wife of state Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing), the managing director of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group and a CB 7 board member.

But according to Koo, he is not worried about Tan and said he is running his campaign on his record and his achievements of the last eight years, something he believes gives him a leg up.

My opponent has limited experience and limited contributions to Flushing, Koo said. She only decided to run just four months ago. She is attacking me on almost everything. Shes saying Flushing is too dirty, too congested, overdeveloped, but I dont think so.

Many were surprised when Tan decided to run against Koo, especially given Kims friendship with Koo. Kim had even endorsed the councilman for re-election prior to his wifes announcement that she would challenge Koo.

Me and Ron Kim, we were friends for a long time, Koo said in an interview. Then he turned around and asked his wife to run against me. I dont know what is wrong with him. Two months before his wife decided to run, he supported my re-election, He called me the Mayor of Flushing.

Koo said he and Kim are now cordial at social functions, but they are no longer friends.

According to the councilman, he plans on continuing the work he has already done in the last eight years, mainly building Flushings infrastructure, improving traffic and clean up Flushing Creek.

Flushing is developing, he said. The infrastructure is very important. Right now Im focusing on the Main Street reconstruction. Its set to be finished in a month and pedestrians will have lots of room to walk and traffic will be better, of course. We are also working with the DOT and other entities to improve traffic patterns, to make sure buses can turn the corner 37th Avenue. There is so much room for improvement, that also includes sanitation, but were always improving. Tan said Flushing is so terrible, but if it was so terrible, why do people keep moving in to Flushing?

Koo said Tan lacks any experience to come up with real solutions for the district.

My opponent, she hasnt done anything in government, he said. Theres a huge learning curve, even if she is elected. She is just power hungry, she already makes enough money. She thinks just like Donald Trump: She has experience in the real estate industry and is in the political circle. She needs some power to accommodate her financial success.

Koo said he will continue to help out Flushing community in terms of education, public safety, traffic and small businesses.

He said Tan does not have anything but anger to run on and that will not get her far.

Im a humble, modest guy, unless people are attacking me, he said. An angry mom cant accomplish much. In the City Council you have to compromise. Its about give-and-take, not about being angry all the time in order to accomplish anything.
Dr. Enis Omerovic and Adil Kulenovic, Group of Friends of NEUM, Krug 99  Sarajevo

The bilateral international agreement on the state border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia, known as the Agreement on the Border between the two states, or more familiarly, as the Tuman-Izetbegovic Agreement, signed in Sarajevo on 30 July 1999 between the then President of the Republic of Croatia, Franjo Tuman, and the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic, represents in its 23 Articles, conditionally, "a valid act since it has been applied until a new one is made" (V.. Degan, 2013). This Agreement could also be perceived to contain a transitional or provisional solution, since it has never been ratified by any parliament and does not serve its ultimate purpose  the permanent establishment and determination of the land and sea border between the two neighbors. In this regard, it can even be argued that the Republic of Croatia de facto abandoned the execution of this Agreement when its official authorities decided to embark on the building of a permanent construction at sea. This all supports the fact that the issue of delimitation and demarcation at sea, especially in the area of the Bay of Neum and the Mali Ston Bay, is still permanently undefined and unsettled and thus requires, in our opinion, a serious step towards opening an official dialogue with Zagreb with the involvement of EU institutions, since the Republic of Croatia is a member of the European Union.

The second difficulty should be addressed together with the first. It would be especially important to define the sea boundary, regarding the tip of the Klek Peninsula and the uninhabited islets, Veliki and Mali Skolj or, more precisely, the rocks in the Mali Ston Bay, which are part of a unique geomorphologic unit, together with the Klek Peninsula. If we draw the line of equidistance for purposes of delimitation of two states whose shores in one bay lie or are opposite to one another (the Peninsula of Klek and Peljesac), which is in accordance with the international law of the sea, as well as Article 4 (3) of the bilateral Agreement which, inter alia, prescribes that border at the sea stretches "the median line of the sea area between the land of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia", it could be claimed that the disputed area would belong to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Closely connected to this, the question of Bosnia-Herzegovina\s access to the High Seas or international waters of the Adriatic Sea and other world seas should be addressed, where no country in the world has territorial sovereignty, nor does it exercise any sovereign rights. High sea areas are world seas and oceans which are outside any state territory and provide a regime of free navigation and overflight, as well as other freedoms inherent to the High Seas. On this part of the planet, according to general customary international law, all countries in the world, under certain circumstances, exercise their jurisdiction over vessels flying the flag of their country.

For these reasons, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea from 1982 (UNCLOS) (ratified both by the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) states in Art. 7 (6) of the Convention that, in declaring its straight baselines, from which the width of the territorial sea is measured, the coastal State may not cut off the territorial sea of another coastal state from the High Seas or the exclusive economic zone. As things stand currently, in order to get from the waters of Bosnia and Herzegovina by vessel to the High Seas, it is necessary to pass through the internal waters and the territorial sea of the other coastal state, so that, in crossing the line that represents the outer boundary of the territorial sea, one leaves the sovereign territory of the Republic of Croatia. Further into the High Seas, the Croatian Protected Ecological and Fishing Band (ZERP) has been declared and covers the sea area in the Adriatic Sea from the external border of the territorial sea in the direction of the open sea to its outer boundary, determined by the general international law, and temporarily follows the line of demarcation of the continental shelf established by the Agreement between Italy and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia concerning the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf between the two Countries in the Adriatic Sea from 1968.

In fact, it is essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina to secure a specific route, that is to say, a corridor, which will physically connect its waters with the High Seas, since it is in an unfavorable geographic position, due to its sealed coastline. At this level, it is state practice to support coastal states to limit the width of their territorial sea, due to the undisputed flow or passage of the other coastal state to the High Seas, in accordance with the above-mentioned UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which represents a codification of this branch of international law. Examples of this are the Republics of Estonia and Finland in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, in relation to the Russian Federation (St. Petersburg area), and the Republic of France in relation to the territorial sea of the Principality of Monaco in the Mediterranean Sea.

Hence, Bosnia and Herzegovina should not accept the guarantee of the neighboring state that Bosnia and Herzegovina will have the right only to innocent passage for all vessels to and from Neum or, in the case of some other ports in the state territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, since Neum is extremely unconducive to the construction of a larger port which would be open to international traffic  we predict that a port of this type and category could be built on the Klek Peninsula, whose waters are much more suitable, especially in respect of access and sea depth, for the construction of an international port. This is because the right to innocent passage of a vessel is linked to the territorial sea, not to the internal waters of the coastal state. This should have been precisely defined in accordance with the principles and rules of international law, preferably by a bilateral international agreement between the two neighboring states, namely, the existence, the position, the proper width and the legal regime of such a corridor or waterway, which would probably be through the Neretva and the Korcula Channel, to move all vessels to and from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The legal regime of such a corridor should be explicitly articulated in writing, together with the rights and obligations of both contracting parties, all in accordance with international law.

Therefore, it could be understood that there is a noticeable difference between the right to innocent passage of foreign ships through the territorial sea of a coastal state and the formation of a corridor with a special legal regime. The latter would most likely pass through Croatian territory, as it would be unrealistic to expect that the Republic of Croatia in the area of such a corridor remains without its territorial sovereignty and integrity. This is regardless of the fact that it not very legally rightly inherited from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, by its Maritime Code, the straight baselines under the conditions of more sovereign states whose coastlines are touched and lean on one another in the same sea area. Namely, the disputed area in terms of the declaration of these straight baselines is from theCape Proizd (near the island of Korcula) all the way to the southwestern tip of the island of Vodnjak, near some of the more famous Paklinski islands (along the island of Hvar), as this act simply contributed to the "closure" of Bosnian and Herzegovinian waters. We have written "most likely to pass" since it is hard to imagine that in the area of the Neretva and Korcula Channels, with a width of not less than 1-1.5 nautical miles, that condominium (shared sovereignty) can be established or that an international legal regime be determined completely outside Croatian sovereignty.

Finally, in support of the assertion that any coastal state should have unimpeded (not just innocent passage, which is subject to various restrictions on the part of the coastal state) access to the High Seas, there is the final determination of the arbitral award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in the case the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Croatia of 2017, according to which the Republic of Slovenia, through the so-called junction of 2.5 nautical miles wide, i.e. the physical link of its territorial waters with the high seas area of the North Adriatic was awarded a corridor from their waters, where Slovenia enjoys full sovereignty to the High Seas, where many freedoms are guaranteed to all countries of the world, both coastal and non-coastal, as well as to those with an unfavorable geographic position regarding access to the sea, as in the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Namely, as the Chairman of the Arbitration Council in this very case, G. Guillaume, stated in the public statement of the arbitral award, "the junction between the Slovenian territorial sea and the High Seas is a space where ships and planes have the same right of access to Slovenia as well as in the High Seas. The Court identified the area of the Croatian territorial sea that is adjacent to the Italian waters within which a special legal regime would be applied. The corridor is approximately 2.5 nautical miles wide, and located immediately next to the border, according to the Treaty of Osimo, within Croatian territorial waters. A special legal regime should guarantee the integrity of the Croatian territorial sea, and Slovenian free communication between its waters and the High Seas." It follows that the free communication of a coastal state between its waters and the High Seas is not the same as its right/obligation to innocently pass through the waters of another coastal state. It should, therefore, be concluded that the first term refers to the freedom of navigation and over flight to a little more extent than that provided by the institute of the innocent passage of foreign ships to territorial sea, which is only a necessary passage, since every foreign vessel must navigate through this area on the shortest conventional route, without disruption or delay. Moreover, this accessory or connecting corridor would have a kind of limitation of Croatian sovereignty and jurisdiction, since it would be in the spirit of this particular legal regime that would go in the middle of the Neretva and Korcula Channel. It would be worth questioning, moreover, whether Croatian internal waters should be left where they are now. The same question appeared to have been posed by a legal scholar from Croatia  the question remains whether the waters of Croatia delimited by the territorial sea of Bosnia and Herzegovina can continue to be considered as having the legal status of internal waters. (B. Vukas, 2006).

Accordingly, a maritime corridor with a specific legal regime needs to be differentiated widely, or clarified in detail, so it does not necessarily represent identical international legal categories with the right to innocent passage of foreign ships and the right of transit passage. These latter terms are characteristic of the very specific maritime zones and parts of the sea which are not the subject of our current exploration and explication.

When all interconnected notions finally acquire their coherent power in terms of consistency, then will be the time to discuss continuing the construction of a permanent artificial installation on the sea, called the Peljesac Bridge (mainland  Peljesac Peninsula). Having understood that the Republic of Croatia only wants to connect two parts of the mainland, that is, the northern and southern ends of their country with a high-quality road link, this modern traffic connection should not endanger, or be detrimental to, the interests of their neighbors. Therefore, for the purpose of solving the traffic difficulties of the Republic of Croatia, the continuation of the construction of the Peljesac Bridge should be permanently solved by settling the so-called previous issues elaborated earlier  the permanent maritime delimitation on the Adriatic Sea as well as the permanent determination of the land border through a bilateral international frontier treaty, which will be applied equally and in good faith by both signatory parties and which will, above all, be confirmed in both the Croatian Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969 would be applicable in the event of any dispute as to its application, and the interpretation of certain provisions thereof. In addition to this, as mentioned above, it is necessary to establish in an internationally appropriate manner the legal regime and the width of the future corridor, which will represent, inter alia, a junction between Bosnian and Herzegovinian waters and the High Seas of the Adriatic.

Hence, only after the final determination of all the aforementioned, and after a thorough, concrete and legally binding determination of the legal regime of the corridor above which the permanent bridge will be built, the scientific and professional processing of the project known as the Peljesac Bridge must be approached. This should meet all the technical characteristics of bridges that have already been built over water within the international legal regime, i.e. international waterways, such as the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Bosporus Bridge in Istanbul that cross over the waters of the Bosporus strait which is under international legal regime, or the Oresund bridge (although most of the international maritime traffic takes place above the underwater tunnel) linking the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Sweden and which is also located over the international waterway. This means that if the agreement between the two neighboring coastal states in this part of the Adriatic Sea could be achieved, in the sense of completing its construction and opening it for all road traffic, the bridge of these dimensions must have a certain minimum navigation height and a minimum range between the pillars, or at least the central ones, so that big ships could also sail into the Neum waters.

Bosnia and Herzegovina always somehow tends to delay consideration of certain questions. If this continues, there is a great chance that there will be no single institutional response, with the result that the position of Bosnia and Herzegovina in relation to this important international legal issue will remain very vague and indeterminate. Additionally, there is a very long internal tradition which does not encourage political cooperation, and a lack of understanding of things that are of fundamental significance to the whole country, not just to one of its constituent peoples.

However, in expectation of any kind of determination on the part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with or without the Peljesac Bridge, the problem of the permanent "drawing" of the borderline between the two countries, both on the sea and on the land, will remain. The question of the access corridor or the connection of Bosnia-Herzegovina\s waters with the High Seas will not be sorted out alone. So, is it wise to wait for the international community or the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (if it is still here?!) to take steps to protect the international interests of this state?

This is an opportunity to see the strength of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diplomacy which will once again demonstrate its position on the international stage. There is certainly a consistent lack of unity, resulting predominately from the less than satisfactory territorial organization, and attempts to build a state on the basis of ethnicity. This lack of unity is reflected in the impossibility of coming to clear institutional views on the part of the official state government. There may again be the emergence of a culture of conflict and non-cooperation at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (which could, adopt the declaration, as a political act, with precisely defined conclusions), the Council of Ministers and the Presidency.

But if dialogue is opened, perhaps after formal disagreement through a diplomatic note to the Republic of Croatia, the latter will surely have the advantage, or at least a better negotiating position, due to its European Union membership. This fact may well be crucial (since the European Union also recognizes the interest in land consolidation of its territory, so that its members can better monitor and control their state territory, with the goal of Croatia\s entry into the Schengen area) to the success of the negotiations as a diplomatic mean of settling one international dispute, which surely here does exist, at least with respect to the territorial title. Finally, it is worth mentioning that an international dispute does not need to be specifically proclaimed, the essence is in the existence of a disagreement with respect to essential facts, or in their apparently different interpretations.

If there is an international dispute between two coastal states that share the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea  that is not debatable  it is now best to choose the most appropriate and effective means of settling the dispute with, if possible, mutual interest as its aim. In this respect, it would be best to choose the most appropriate means for peaceful settlement of disputes from a large palette of diplomatic and legal means that are equally available to each state. Based on the foregoing, a dispute can be brought before the ICJ in The Hague, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg, or it can be "easily" settled through ad hoc arbitration, i.e. special arbitration tribunals. But for the decision, which is the only outcome of these legal proceedings, it is necessary to wait for years, since such international legal processes can be very long-lasting and, above all, extremely expensive. In any case, Bosnia and Herzegovina will surely need to find a modus operandi in solving the above-mentioned issues with its western neighbor. This could be found in the Joint Team of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia for Negotiations on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Delimitation at Sea or, perhaps, on a general level, in a body that will be composed on a parity basis, such as the Inter-State Diplomatic Commission for the Determination of the Border Line, which should, inter alia, settle the border dispute over the Danube River between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Croatia, still, so far, with little success. All this graphically demonstrates the complexity of the international law of the sea, particularly in the area of delimitation.
ALBANY  While a Labor Day report from state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said the workforce is at its highest since before the Great Recession, the growth is only happening in New York City and Long Island.

And New York's workforce is not only older, it is growing at a slower rate than the rest of the nation.

DiNapoli's "Study: Labor Force Trends in New York State," appears to provide welcome news about the overall employment health by noting that 9.1 million people were employed in 2016, the highest number since 2008. The state's unemployment rate last year was also slightly lower than the rest of the nation at 4.8 percent.

But New York City and Long Island were the only regions that saw increases between 2011 and 2016 in their labor forces. Hudson Valley was about level, with the Capital Region experiencing about a 1 percent decline in the number of people working.

More Information To read the comptroller's labor report, go to http://osc.state.ny.us/reports/economic/labor-force-trends-nys-2017.pdf See More Collapse

Meanwhile, the Mohawk Valley, Central New York and the North Country saw more than a 6 percent decrease in the workforce, with the Southern Tier experiencing the largest drop at 9 percent, according to data the comptroller's office used from the state Labor Department.

While unemployment is an indication of the number of people who have spent about a month actively looking for a job, an overall decline in the labor force signifies people either moving to another part of the state or leaving New York all together; those who have aged out of the workforce, or people who have decided to stop working entirely.

"Statewide, employment is growing and unemployment shrinking. But ensuring good job opportunities for all New Yorkers remains a challenge, " DiNapoli said in a statement.

The comptroller said declines in labor force can threaten the long-term vitality of local communities.

"This trend could also result in fiscal and budgetary issues for the state and local governments," the report said.

New York's labor force has grown 1.5 percent in the last decade, compared with 3.4 percent nationwide. And New York's workers tend to be older; those aged 65 and older rose 26 percent over the past five years, compared to 19 percent nationwide.

Last year, New York also had one of the lowest percentages of participation among eligible workers in the nation, 60.4 percent of the population, ranking it 40th in the country.

There were bright spots in the Labor Day report, however  namely New York has slightly more women in the workforce than the national average, and that 40.6 of New York workers have bachelor's degrees or higher, compared with 34.7 percent nationwide.






Nirmala Sitharaman joined External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as the second female member of the Cabinet Committee on Security. Her elevation is seen as a major step towards women's empowerment in India.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: In the biggest change in the Cabinet reshuffle, Nirmala Sitharaman was appointed India's first-ever first full-time woman defence minister.

She listed Make in India as a priority on her agenda, as the in-charge of 1.6 million military personnel. Sitharaman, 58, a Rajya Sabha member, is the second woman to take charge of the ministry. Indira Gandhi, as the prime minister, had also held the portfolio in the 1970s.

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With Sitharaman's elevation, she joined External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj as the second female member of the Cabinet Committee on Security. She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for the step, which is seen as a major one towards women's empowerment in India.

For inducting women in combat roles - an issue which has been debated and talked about for a long time, the minister assured that she would "study the issue with an open mind and then take a call".

The Armed Forces and the Defence ministry are discussing the issue of women in combat. A policy covering all the aspects of their employment and deployment in the forces in battle zones and platforms, is under development.

MAKE IN INDIA AND DEFENCE

On the need to work towards Make in India in the defence sector, Sitharaman said, "This will be one of my focus areas".

Under Modi's Make in India in defence programme, India is looking to build strategic systems such as submarines, fighter planes and helicopters within the country itself, develop an indigenous defence industry, and cut reliance on foreign equipment for the armed forces.

Asked how she planned to tackle the issues faced by her ministry, Sitharaman said she would discuss these issues in detail after assuming charge but would take decisions in consultation with all the stakeholders under the guidance of the PM. Sitharaman will take charge as Defence minister on Wednesday after her predecessor Arun Jaitley's return from Japan.

"I will assume office on Wednesday as incumbent Arun Jaitley is going to Japan in his capacity as Defence minister of the country," she said.

As the Defence minister, she will face the challenges of modernising the armed forces, which face issues of obsolescence in weapons and equipment.

The minister will soon start getting briefings by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force and their roles and responsibilities under her as Defence minister and the security challenges faced by the country from China and Pakistan, along with their modernisation requirements.

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It will be a challenge to fill Arun Jaitley's shoes: Nirmala Sitharaman

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San Francisco

Security guard Eric Leon watches the Knightscope K5 security robot as it glides through the mall, charming shoppers with its blinking blue and white lights. The brawny automaton records video and sounds alerts. According to its maker, it deters mischief just by making the rounds.

Leon, the all-too-human guard, feels pretty sure that the robot will someday take his job.

"He doesn't complain," Leon says. "He's quiet. No lunch break. He's starting exactly at 10."

Even in the technology hotbed stretching from Silicon Valley to San Francisco, a security robot can captivate passers-by. But the K5 is only one of a growing menagerie of automated novelties in a region where you can eat a delivered pizza made via automation and drink beers at a bar served by an airborne robot. This summer, the San Francisco Chronicle published a tech tourism guide listing a dozen or so places where tourists can observe robots and automation in action.

Yet San Francisco is also where workers were the first to embrace mandatory sick leave and fully paid parental leave. Voters approved a $15 hourly minimum wage in 2014, a requirement that Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law for the entire state in 2016. And now one official is pushing a statewide "tax" on robots that automate jobs and put people out of work.

It's too soon to say if the effort will prevail, let alone whether less-progressive jurisdictions might follow suit. The tussle points to the tensions that can flare when people embrace both technological innovation and a strong brand of social consciousness.

Such frictions seem destined to escalate as automation makes further inroads into the workplace. One city supervisor, Norman Yee, has proposed barring food delivery robots from city streets, arguing that public sidewalks should be solely for people.

"I'm a people person," Yee says, "so I tend to err on the side of things that should be beneficial and safe for people."

Jane Kim, the city supervisor who is pushing the robot tax, says it's important to think now about how people will earn a living as more U.S. jobs are lost to automation. After speaking with experts on the subject, she decided to launch a statewide campaign with the hope of bringing revenue-raising ideas to the state legislature or directly to voters.

"I really do think automation is going to be one of the biggest issues around income inequality," Kim says.

It makes sense, she adds, that the city at the center of tech disruption take up the charge to manage that disruption.

"It's not inherently a bad thing, but it will concentrate wealth, and it's going to drive further inequity if you don't prepare for it now," she says.

"Preposterous" is what William Santana Li, CEO of security robot maker Knightscope calls the supervisor's idea. His company created the K5 robot monitoring the Westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose.

The private security industry, Li says, suffers from high turnover and low pay. As he sees it, having robots handle menial tasks allows human guards to assume greater responsibilities  like managing a platoon of K5 robots  and likely earn more pay in the process.

Li acknowledges that such jobs would require further training and some technological know-how. But he says people ultimately stand to benefit. Besides, Li says, it's wrong to think that robots are intended to take people's jobs.

"We're working on 160 contracts right now, and I can maybe name two that are literally talking about, 'How can I get rid of that particular human position?'"
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Courtesy LEGO Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Courtesy LEGO Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Courtesy LEGO Show More Show Less 5 of 5









Han Solo famously told Luke Skywalker, in the original Star Wars film, that his beloved Corellian freighter may not look like much, but shes got it where it counts. A new Millennium Falcon Lego set definitely looks spectacular and judging by a reveal from the famed toy company, she does have it where it counts.

In order to make that Kessel Run that Solo bragged about, shes gonna have to haul more than 7,500 pieces across the galaxy, as Lego called the ship one of its biggest models ever. And the price tag reflects that, at a whopping $800.
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MILTON - The next town supervisor won't be determined on election day  it will be decided on Sept. 12 in a primary.

That's when Republican voters will have their pick from two candidates, Barbara Kerr and Scott Ostrander. The primary winner will sail into the supervisor's office because he or she will run unopposed in November.

The potential successors to Republican Dan Lewza, who is stepping down after three terms, sat down to talk about their thoughts on the issues: the ailing town budget, the controversial Hutchins Road development, expanding water lines and the crumbling town hall.

The budget is the town's most pressing problem as officials currently do not know if the town has a deficit, a surplus or is breaking even after it uncovered a series of errors that took place over a three-year period. At the same time auditors are at work trying to unravel the errors, officials must begin to craft the budget for 2018.

Kerr said the town's budget problems have been compounded by continual use of the town reserve funds to balance the budget. She wants to see that stopped.

"We have to live within our means," Kerr said. "We are going to have to cut spending. Some of it might hurt. But we must look across the board on everything, employee benefits, equipment or maybe we will have to cap each department. We need to scrutinize everything closely."

She said that she would not raise taxes.

Ostrander said he would not cut anything from the budget that residents like, including brush pick-up and snow plowing.

"Walking around talking to people, they would not like to see any cuts at all," he said.

He would prefer to focus on more transparency, bringing the budget discussions to the public rather than discussing it behind closed doors.

Ostrander also has a five- and 10-year plan that he would like to implement. The five-year plan would include extending county water lines to parts of town such as Red and White Oak lanes and Juniper Drive.

His 10-year plan would include tearing down the battered town hall and rebuilding it.

"It's in dire need," he said. "We need to start from scratch. We already have a new highway facility and we can transfer all of the highway staff there. We can get federal and state grants for the rebuilding of town hall with energy efficiency upgrades like solar panels."

Kerr too would like to see a county water line extended, creating another water district in that same area, but she would take a more prudent approach to town hall improvements.

"There is something like 112 holes in the roof," she said. "It needs all kinds of improvements. I think we can get grants and create a capital fund to pay for it."

She also plans to vote against 91 Hutchins Road, an 83-unit senior housing project that neighborhood residents strongly oppose.

"When 200 people show up and ask you to vote against a housing project, you have to listen to them," Kerr said. "I walked the road, did my homework. The biggest objection is it will create too much traffic through those neighborhoods. It also doesn't fit the comprehensive plan."

Ostrander said he is reserving judgement on 91 Hutchins Road until the developer, Tom Samascott, comes back with revisions to his plan.

"How can I say I'm for or against something when I don't know what it is?" he said.

He would also like to see more development at the town's center and a revitalization of Route 50 to fill vacant businesses. His 10-year plan also includes replacing highway equipment on a rotating basis each year, before "it becomes a problem," he said.

Kerr is more interested in controlled development with input from residents and coming up with a plan to improve and maintain Camp Boyhaven, a 300-acre property, which the town is expected to purchase soon.

"We don't want to be Clifton Park or Malta," Kerr said. "What we enjoy about the town is its character."

Kerr too would like to see the board work together without attacking each other, something that has been an ongoing problem under the current administration with Lewza frequently clashing with Kerr, and back-and-forth ethics charges against Kerr and Ostrander.

"If elected, the board would have a united front and we will work together," she said. "And I want to know what the people want, what is their vision for the town. I'm available and happy to answer the phone. There is no way to make everyone happy, but I will do the best I can."

She also said that her seven years of experience in town governance counts and has given her a good understanding of municipal law.

Ostrander, who has been endorsed by the town's Republican Committee, said that he has lived in Milton all of his life and has served the public for 30 years as a police officer. He also works as a security consultant, serving clients such as Fastig-Tipton and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

"I'm an excellent listener and able to solve problems," Ostrander said. "I have strong interpersonal skills and solid relationships with business owners. I know the community well and have the integrity and an excellent work ethic."

In addition to the supervisor's seat, the town board will have two vacancies by year's end. Ostrander and Frank Blaisdell's terms are expiring.

The September primary will also determine the November's Republican ticket for the board. Running in the Republican primaries are Blaisdell, who is seeking another term, as well as James Frey and John Frolish. Blaisdell and Frolish are the party-endorsed candidates.

All five Republican candidates are invited to discuss their platform at a League of Women Voters of Saratoga County event, tentatively set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Milton Community Center on 310 Northline Road. Not all candidates have yet agreed to the forum. If not all agree, then by league rules, the event cannot proceed.

Charlotte Druschel said those interested in attending should check the league's Facebook page to see if the event will go forward.

The two Republican candidates will face the Democrats, Sergia Coffey and Meg Stevens for town council, in November.
New York

John Ashbery, an enigmatic giant of modern poetry whose energy, daring and boundless command of language raised American verse to brilliant and baffling heights, died early Sunday at age 90.

Ashbery, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and often mentioned as a Nobel candidate, died at his home in Hudson. His husband, David Kermani, said his death was from natural causes.

Few poets were so exalted in their lifetimes. Ashbery was the first living poet to have a volume published by the Library of America dedicated exclusively to his work. His 1975 collection, "Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror," was the rare winner of the book world's unofficial triple crown: the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle prize. In 2011, he was given a National Humanities Medal and credited with changing "how we read poetry."

Among a generation of poets that included Richard Wilbur, W.S. Merwin and Adrienne Rich, Ashbery stood out for his audacity and for his wordplay, for his modernist shifts between high oratory and everyday chatter, for his humor and wisdom and dazzling runs of allusions and sense impressions.

"No figure looms so large in American poetry over the past 50 years as John Ashbery," Langdon Hammer wrote in The New York Times in 2008. "Ashbery's phrases always feel newly minted; his poems emphasize verbal surprise and delight, not the ways that linguistic patterns restrict us."

But to love Ashbery it helped to make sense of Ashbery, or least get caught up enough in such refrains as "You are freed/including barrels/heads of the swan/forestry/the night and stars fork" not to worry about their meaning. Writing for Slate, the critic and poet Meghan O'Rourke advised readers "not to try to understand the poems but to try to take pleasure from their arrangement, the way you listen to music." Joan Didion once attended an Ashbery reading simply because she wanted to determine what the poet was writing about.

"I don't find any direct statements in life," Ashbery once explained to the Times in London. "My poetry imitates or reproduces the way knowledge or awareness comes to me, which is by fits and starts and by indirection. I don't think poetry arranged in neat patterns would reflect that situation."

Interviewed by The Associated Press in 2008, Ashbery joked that if he could turn his name into a verb, "to Ashbery," it would mean "to confuse the hell out of people."

Ashbery also was a well-regarded translator and critic. At various times, he was the art critic for The New York Herald-Tribune in Europe, New York magazine and Newsweek and the poetry critic for Partisan Review. He translated works by Arthur Rimbaud, Raymond Roussel and numerous other French writers. He was a teacher for many years, including at Brooklyn College, Harvard University and Bard College.

Ashbery was born in Rochester in 1927 and remembered himself as a lonely child and bookish child, haunted by the early death of his younger brother and by his attraction to other boys. Ashbery grew up on an apple farm in the nearby village of Sodus, where it snowed often enough to inspire his first poem, "The Battle," written at age 8 and a fantasy about a fight between bunnies and snowflakes. He was so satisfied with the poem that he didn't write another until boarding school, the Deerfield Academy, when his work was published in the school paper.

Meanwhile, he took painting lessons and found new meaning in life, or Life. An article in Life magazine about a surrealist exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art so impressed him that he kept rereading it for years. His mind broadened further at Harvard University, reading W.H. Auden and meeting fellow poet and longtime comrade, Kenneth Koch, along with Wilbur, Donald Hall, Robert Bly, Frank O'Hara and Robert Creeley. He would be grouped with O'Hara and Koch as part of the avant-garde "New York Poets" movement, although Ashbery believed what they really had in common was living in New York.

As he aged, he became ever more sensitive to mortality and reputation. "How to Continue" was an elegy for the sexual revolution among gays in the 1960s and '70s, a party turned tragic by the deadly arrival of AIDS, "a gale (that) came and said/it is time to take all of you away."
Albany

In New York state government news, a new chancellor will soon take over the state's higher education system, the Court of Appeals faces a busy week and state leaders mourn the passing of Lauren Morelle, the daughter of a top lawmaker who became a model for others by speaking out about her battle with cancer.

A look at stories making news:

New SUNY chancellor starts

New York's public higher education system is getting a new leader.

Kristina Johnson formally takes over as chancellor of the State University of New York on Tuesday. She replaces Nancy Zimpher, who stepped down in June after eight years in the position.

Johnson is the former provost of Johns Hopkins University and served as dean of Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. She taught at the University of Colorado-Boulder, was appointed an undersecretary of energy in the Obama administration and founded and led a company that developed hydroelectric facilities. She holds 118 patents and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as a Ph.D. from Stanford University.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo hailed Johnson's appointment last spring, calling her "an exceptional talent who brings an extensive record in higher education, the sciences, and the private sector."

Johnson will make an annual salary of $560,000.

Morelle's daughter praised

State leaders are remarking on the courage of Lauren Morelle, the daughter of Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle. She died Wednesday from breast cancer.

The 31-year-old mother of two became a champion for many families after she detailed her fight in frank, humorous and heartfelt Facebook postings following her 2016 diagnosis.

Joe Morelle, a Rochester-area Democrat, released a statement Wednesday announcing his daughter's death. His office said the Morelle family has been comforted "in knowing that Lauren was loved by so many people throughout our community."

Morelle's colleagues from both sides of the aisle praised his daughter's strength and spirit. Cuomo lauded the way she "bravely and openly discussed her battle with cancer." Ed Cox, chairman of the state Republican Party, called Lauren "an inspiration to so many."

No dog days for court

New York state's highest court has a busy week scheduled for oral arguments in several high-profile cases.

One, to be argued Tuesday, involves a Bronx tow truck driver who was charged with possession of an illegal radio scanner after a police officer found it in his pocket during a traffic stop. The charge was initially dismissed in criminal court after the driver's lawyers argued that the device had to be installed in his vehicle to break the law.

Another appeal set for arguments Thursday centers on forensic evidence lost during the floods of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Prosecutors used DNA evidence to tie Peter Austin to two business break-ins in the Bronx, but shortly before the trial began the evidence warehouse was flooded and the evidence was deemed unusable. Austin was convicted anyway, but has argued the jury should have been allowed to discount the DNA evidence.
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Houston

Authorities launched a controlled burn Sunday at a chemical plant damaged by Harvey that had already seen several explosions, saying highly unstable compounds inside needed to be neutralized.

Officials announced "proactive measures" to ignite the six remaining trailers at the Arkema plant in Crosby, outside Houston, but said doing so wouldn't pose any additional risk to the community. People living within a mile and a half of the site are still evacuated.

Some Houston officials stressed that the recovery from Harvey was beginning, and Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed America's fourth-largest city "open for business." But the on-the-ground reality varied by place.

Utility crews went door-to-door shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that still more flooding could be heading their way  not from rain but from releases of water in overtaxed reservoirs. At least 4,700 Houston dwellings were under new, mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

Near the town of Liberty, northeast of Houston, some in outlying areas had yet to even return to their homes.

"This will last for some people for months, if not years," said Liberty Fire Chief Brian Hurst.

Contradictions could be seen as well in those with damaged homes taking a break from their cleanup efforts in the sweltering heat to worship on a declared National Day of Prayer, while others worried about thefts in storm-ravaged neighborhoods.

At St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in the Gulf Coast city of Port Aransas, the clergy set out holy water and bug spray, and many anointed themselves with both.

"We will remember the destruction of this uninvited guest but we will never stop being a people of hospitality" the Rev. Kris Bauta told about 50 worshippers. The church suffered only minor damage, although the storm surge ended three feet from the building.
[September 04, 2017] The 4th Optics Valley Cross-Border E-Commerce Forum to open in Wuhan in September

WUHAN, China, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 4th Optics Valley Cross-Border E-Commerce Forum (CBEC 2017) is scheduled to be held at Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley from September 8 to 9, 2017. Under the theme of "New Connection, New Business Forum, New Growth Driver", in coordination with Chile, the forum will explore the innovative model of connection in cross-border cooperation, the new trends and business forms of cross-border e-commerce, and share the new growth drivers and opportunities of cross-border e-commerce transformation and upgrading. Cross-border e-commerce is building a free, open, universal and inclusive global trade platform, to link manufacturers and consumers through the Internet, accomplish global trade and connect the world. Meanwhile, global cross-border e-commerce is soaring, new business forms are emerging, cross-border service enterprises and overseas storages are developing rapidly, offline cross-border e-commerce parks are taking shape, and all countries are intensifying support to the new business forms of cross-border e-commerce. Cross-border e-commerce has become a "new growth point" of world trade. Each year, CBEC events have attracted many guests. The guest lineup is even stronger this year. Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle will deliver an address at the forum. The Governor of Bio-Bio Region, the Ambassador of Chile to ChinaWei Jianguo, former Vice Minister of Commerce of China and Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges; as well as senior executives of eBay and other enterprises will deliver keynote speeches at the forum. Also present will be founders and senior executives of renowned e-commerce platforms across the world, including Brazil's leading B2B platform B2brazil, world-renowned e-commerce platform Tradekey, Chile's renowned B2B platform Yeatrade, India's B2B platform Indiamart, etc.



The main forum, in the forms of high-level talks and keynote speech, will discuss the industry status, standards and mechanisms, urban vertical industrial belts and other issues, share future crossover trends such as VR, big data and AI, analyze and discuss major issues such as overseas localized operation, the trend of branding, big data and social marketing. Apart from substantial content sharing, the signing ceremony of the strategic cooperation agreement between Winliner and Bio-Bio Region, and the signing ceremony of the strategic cooperation agreement on Global Cross-border (China) Operation Base are worth expectation.

The forum is supported by the Wuhan Municipal People's Government and the Department of Commerce of Hubei Province, steered by the East Lake High-tech Development Zone Administrative Committee, hosted by Winliner and Transn, and co-hosted by Ebrun and Mobike Technology Co., Ltd. As a host, Winliner has been committed to building a global cross-border e-commerce hub, establishing a global cross-border e-commerce service platform, analyzing the information and resources of e-commerce platforms and buyers in every country, global buyer information and resources, as well as supply and purchase information and resources. Winliner's cross-border cloud platform has been connected to more than 200 e-commerce enterprises in more than 180 countries. Official website of CBEC: www.cbecforum.com For more information contact:

Blair Xu

+86-132-4717-9878

[email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-4th-optics-valley-cross-border-e-commerce-forum-to-open-in-wuhan-in-september-300513431.html SOURCE Optics Valley Cross-Border E-Commerce Forum (CBEC 2017)

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[September 03, 2017] NexStreaming Inks Agreement with Vivo to Supply 'NexEditor SDK'

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NexStreaming (139670.KQ), a mobile multimedia software company, announced today that it has signed a licensing contract with Vivo, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, to supply 'NexEditor SDK,' a video editing solution, for Vivo smartphones. A new feature, called 'Photo Movie', was added to the Gallery in new Funtouch OS, the latest UI platform of Vivo. 'Photo Movie' allows users to create movie-like videos by simply selecting a set of images and a template, which is powered by the "Template" technology of NexEditor SDK. Template, a key feature of NexEditor SDK, is a pre-configured collection of filters, overlays and transition effects automatically applied to raw video, so even newbies can create and share stunning high quality video footage with just a few touches. Global smartphone leaders, such as Samsung, Apple and Huawei, have introduced this simple video editing features competitively these days and by adopting NexEditor SDK, Vivo also achieves the competitive edge on simple video editing. Jaewoo Kim, Head of the Video Editing Business Division at NexStreaming, said, "We are pleased to cooperate with Vio, one of the big three smartphone manufacturers in China. Collaboration with Vivo is extremely significant in providing the contents for consumers, beyond providing a software solution." He also said, "We are stepping up our efforts to secure partnerships with more design houses and content providers, and will continuously provide high quality assets to our customers."



NexEditor SDK has already been selected by major smartphone manufacturers like LG, Xiaomi, Gionee, Tinno Mobile and ZTE to power up video editing features on their smartphones and offers not only a template function, but also a range of video editing features such as trimming, reverse, voice modulation, filters, templates, text effects, stickers, background music and transition effects. Moreover, an Asset Store app also comes with NexEditor SDK to flourish new assets continuously to enhance user experience. In addition to smartphone manufacturers, NexEditor SDK is available for use to any service providers or mobile apps dealing with images and videos as a service component, such as video services, games or live streamlining, and it supports both Android and iOS platforms. For more information, visit the official website at www.nexeditorsdk.com.

About NexStreaming NexStreaming is a widely acknowledged mobile multimedia software company with its own video-processing technologies highly optimized for mobile devices. Products include: NexPlayer SDK, providing HD video streaming services including live broadcasting, NexEditor SDK, the advanced and sophisticated video editing solution delivering optimum performance on every device for the fastest recording and editing, and KineMaster, the first and only professional video editor app available for iPhone and Android, and SingPlay, the karaoke app that converts MP3 music into karaoke tracks in real time. NexStreaming is a publicly traded company listed on the Korean stock exchange (KOSDAQ:139670) since December 2011, with its headquarter in Seoul, Korea and branches in Spain, the U.S, China and Taiwan. SOURCE NexStreaming

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Sources said the Shiv Sena is unhappy with the Cabinet expansion, a sentiment visible in Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's comment that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is "almost dead".

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: A day after the BJP's alliance partner Shiv Sena did not attend the swearing-in of new ministers in the Union cabinet, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has called an urgent meeting of the party leaders today.

Sources said the Shiv Sena is unhappy with the Cabinet expansion, a sentiment visible in Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's comment that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is "almost dead".

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Party leaders and Shiv Sena's ministers in the Maharashtra cabinet are attending the meeting, where Union cabinet reshuffle is likely to be discussed.

Currently, the Shiv Sena has only one minister in the Narendra Modi-led government, Minister for Heavy Industries Anant Geete.

"BJP-led National Democratic Alliance exists only on paper. Whenever BJP wants some support, like in Presidential election or in Parliament, we are remembered," said Sanjay Raut, adding that the Shiv Sena will take a stand at the right time.

Besides the Shiv Sena, the Janata Dal (United) too is reportedly upset over the Cabinet reshuffle. No one from the JD(U) was seen at the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

It was widely reported that the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) could not reach an agreement with the BJP over portfolios.

Rajya Sabha MP and Janata Dal (United) spokesperson K C Tyagi said the party is not upset at not being included in the Cabinet expansion.

The senior JD(U) leader, who is believed to be close to Nitish Kumar, however said the party expected that the manner in which the BJP and the JD(U) were together running the government in Bihar, in a similar manner members of the JD(U) would be included in the Union government.

Ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle, speculations were rife that while the Janata Dal (United) wanted two ministerial berths, the Shiv Sena was believed to have demanded three berths in the Cabinet. The Shiv Sena reportedly argued that since it has more numbers in Parliament than JD(U), it deserved more berths in the Union cabinet.

ALSO READ:

Winners and losers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet reshuffle

Cabinet reshuffle: New Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to focus on Make in India

Modi cabinet reshuffle: Why JD-U chief Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena boss Uddhav Thackeray are miffed with BJP

ALSO WATCH: It is Nitish's fate: Lalu takes a dig at JD-U not joining Cabinet

--- ENDS ---
[September 04, 2017] Nexa Achieve HubSpot Platinum Partner Tier Status

DUBAI, UAE, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai-based Nexa, a digital marketing agency in Dubai, has become the first agency in the UAE to be awarded HubSpot Platinum Partner Status. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/550963/Nexa_HubSpot_Platinum_Partner.jpg )

Nexa, a digital marketing agency, provides its clients with a comprehensive portfolio of services focused on Digital Transformation through its team of in-house specialists. These services include Inbound Marketing and Lead Generation, Social Media Management, Website Design and Search Engine Optimization. Nexa uses HubSpot to deliver its Inbound Marketing and Lead Generation Services. HubSpot is the world's leading inbound marketing and sales platform and works hand-in-hand with Agency Partners to grow their businesses through inbound software, services, and support. HubSpot awards Platinum Partner status to agencies demonstrating executed inbound marketing services to the highest of standards. Agencies must show that they are growing their business through not only winning new accounts but also through the retention of existing clients. This growth comes through implementing a strong digital strategy resulting in qualified leads and ROI. Nexa first became a Certified Partner Agency in 2014 and achieved Gold status 12 months later. On reaching this next milestone Kate Walsh, VP of Global Partner Services, commented "I'm thrilled to see Nexa FZE hit Platinum status - they were able to achieve it in under 3 years. A combination of successful sales efforts and strong marketing execution demonstrates their ability to deliver value t their clients in UAE. Congratulations on the hard work and success!"



Amit Vyas, CEO of Nexa, said "HubSpot, and the inbound methodology, have allowed us to clearly demonstrate results and ROI, in terms of sales and lead generation for our clients and our own business. On reaching the next tier of the Certified Partner Agency Programme, Amit added "Nexa are the only Certified Partner Agency in the GCC to reach the Platinum Partner Tier. We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition by HubSpot of the success of the team at Nexa and the services we provide to our clients."

HubSpot was founded in 2006 to create a platform for the inbound marketing that would provide customers with information and experiences that are relevant, useful, and most importantly personalized to their individual requirements. About Nexa

Established in Dubai in 2005, Nexa is an independent digital marketing specialist which has worked with over 700 clients across a wide range industry sectors, providing high quality, effective and measurable digital marketing campaigns. Nexa has built a strong track record and in-house capabilities to support clients through a comprehensive portfolio of services including website design, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Management, Content Marketing and a fully integrated and creative digital marketing strategy. Nexa's in-house team of over 60 specialists have both the experience and expertise to manage a client's total digital marketing needs. From website design and build services, to ensuring clients' websites rank at the top of Google using Nexa's Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques, and creating unparalleled visibility using Social Media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Pinterest, Nexa can help any business flourish online. The digital marketing agency provides complete, full-scale services from opportunity identification through to delivery, implementation and support of the final technology. Nexa works closely with partners such as HubSpot and IBM to plan and deliver digital solutions through platforms that meet business requirements. This is packaged and delivered by Nexa's experts in-house with zero outsourcing, providing 24/7 support for all of the company's clients. Nexa clients include some of the best known companies in the travel, hospitality and other industry sectors. http://www.digitalnexa.com About HubSpot

HubSpot is the world's leading inbound marketing and sales platform. Since 2006, HubSpot has been on a mission to make the world more inbound. Today, over 15,000 customers in more than 90 countries use HubSpot's software, services, and support to transform the way they attract, engage, and delight customers. HubSpot's inbound marketing software, ranked #1 in customer satisfaction by VentureBeat and G2Crowd, includes social media publishing and monitoring, blogging, SEO, website content management, email marketing, marketing automation, and reporting and analytics, all in one integrated platform. Sidekick, HubSpot's award-winning sales application, enables sales and service teams to have more effective conversations with leads, prospects, and customers. Recognized by Inc., Forbes, and Deloitte as one of the world's fastest-growing companies, HubSpot is headquartered in Cambridge, MA with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Sydney, Australia, and Portsmouth, NH.

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[September 04, 2017] Evalueserve Expands Its Board

ZURICH and SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Professional services provider Evalueserve welcomes Dr. Christian Casal and Armin Meier to its Board of Directors to strengthen its leadership team. Dr. Christian Casal is a former Director of McKinsey & Co. Inc. and Armin Meier is the owner and Managing Director of Boyden global executive search AG. Both executives bring to the Board extensive senior management and corporate governance experience from private and public companies across industries and geographies, as well as technology know-how. The background and experience of the new members complement the current Board, which consists of Marc Vollenweider, Chief Strategist and Co-founder of Evalueserve; Timo Vatto, Chairman of Evalueserve; and Daniel Walchli, Executive Board Member of IHAG Holding. Timo Vatto says: "We are very pleased to welcome Christian Casal and Armin Meier to our Board of Directors. They both add very specific skills and experience, which will be helpful for Evalueserve's future. We can consider ourselves fortunate that Christian and Armin have agreed to join the Board. We all look forward to working closely with them as we continue to execute Evalueseve's growth strategy."



The Board will work closely with the Executive team, with focus on growing the company through innovation and the development of additional products and services, leveraging its market-leading position and further increasing its recognition in global markets for its mind+machine strategy. About Evalueserve

Evalueserve is a global professional services provider offering research, analytics, and data management services. We are powered by mind+machine - a unique combination of human expertise and best-in-class technologies that use smart algorithms to simplify key tasks. This approach enables us to design and manage processes that can generate and harness insights on a large scale, significantly cutting costs and timescales and helping businesses that partner with us to overtake the competition. About Christian Casal Christian Casal holds a PhD in international business and a master's degree in economics from the University of St. Gallen. He is Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Co. Inc., former Head of EMEA Banking (2007-2010) and Head of Swiss Offices (2010-2016). Christian served for six years on McKinsey's Global Board; one of his roles included Chairman of the BoD's Risk and Audit Committee. In addition, he holds various Board positions in Switzerland, e.g., lucernefestival, Schweizer Berghilfe, Tafeln Schweiz, and previously was a Board member of economiesuisse (2007-2016) and Avenir Suisse (2009-2017). About Armin Meier Armin Meier is the owner and Managing Director of Boyden global executive search AG. He completed the Stanford Exec. Program (SEP), holds an Executive MBA from the University St. Gallen, and a bachelor's degree in IT from BFH Berne. He is former Chief Commercial Officer of Travelport, Group CEO of Kuoni Travel Holding, member of the Executive Board of Migros, CEO of Atraxis, and CEO of ABB PTI. In addition, he holds various non-executive Board positions in Switzerland and overseas. For more information about Evalueserve, visit https://www.evalueserve.com/ For interview requests, please contact

Sandra Winkler:

[email protected]

+49-30-9486-4193





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[September 04, 2017] Wipro Launches Digital Pod in Edinburgh, Scotland

EDINBURGH, Scotland, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This facility marks the launch of Wipro's 16th Digital Pod Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting, and business process services company, today announced the launch of its newest digital pod in Edinburgh, Scotland, deepening its commitment to offer digital services at close proximity to its UK and European customers. Wipro inaugurated the pod in the presence of Greg Hands, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment, representatives from Edinburgh City Council, clients and analysts. The Edinburgh Pod is purpose-built for Wipro's digital strategy, design and engineering teams to work in a collaborative and adaptive workspace, along with clients. Digital pods allow teams to work with the necessary autonomy to facilitate speed, continually evaluating progress with user research and technical performance data. Wipro has 15 other digital and design pods across the globe including London, New York, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Madrid, Mountain View, Munich, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Bangalore and Tokyo. Wipro has been making investments in emerging digital trends and technologies to accelerate and future-proof the digital transformation road-map of its clients. International Trade Minister, Greg Hands said, "This investment from Wipro into the new Edinburgh Pod stands as a testament to the world-leading innovation and digital expertise that the UK has on offer, and will result in the creation of jobs. I am delighted to be in Edinburgh today to mark the opening of this state-of-the-art facility and to celebrate yet another vote of confidence in the strength of Scottish industry." Rajan Kohli, Senior Vice President & Global Head, Wipro Digital said, "The Edinburgh Pod is a significant milestone in our growth journey, bringing us closer to our clients in Scotlnd and further building upon our footprint to serve clients in the United Kingdom and Europe. The facility allows us to incubate and co-create innovative and disruptive ideas alongside our clients, and work with them to develop high velocity digital engineering approaches. This method of engagement enables clients to rapidly experiment with new ideas, develop insights and scale these experiments to win in their markets."



About Wipro Digital Wipro Digital, the digital business unit of Wipro, collaborates and iterates with clients to deliver customer-centered digital transformation. Working at the intersection of strategy, design and technology, we derive insight, shape interaction, drive integration and unlock innovation for our clients. We apply Customer Journey Engineering to create extraordinary experiences for global brands, businesses and their customers at scale. Learn more at wiprodigital.com or @WiproDigital.

About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 160,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. Media Contacts:

Subhashini Pattabhiraman

Wipro Limited

[email protected]

Hannah Rafferty

Ruder Finn

[email protected]

d +44(0)20-7438-3090

m +44(0)7894-095-425

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[September 04, 2017] Grundig Renews Commitment to Reducing Global Food Waste

BERLIN, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Grundig, Europe's leading full range manufacturer of home electronics, continues with its efforts to raise awareness on global food waste, as part of its "Respect Food" philosophy. As a premium global brand with a strong eco-conscience, Grundig pushes the cause of respecting and preserving natural resources: it is specially involved in the world's food waste fight, with its "Respect Food" philosophy. At IFA 2017, Grundig renewed its commitment to raise awareness of global food waste, launching the second phase of its "Respect Food" initiative with a manifesto film. The film aims to object the underestimation of food and remind everyone the value of food by giving the message; wasting food is wasting life. Grundig wants everyone to know that respecting food is the only way to make our earth the best home to be. The global launch of the project is to take place during the World Food Day, on October 16th. Grundig and Food for Soul partnership Grundig's partnership with Food for Soul, the non-profit association, founded by chef Massimo Bottura, is a significant part of Grundig's "Respect Food" efforts. Through this shared philosophy, in one year alone, 25 tonnes of food have been saved, four community kitchen projects have been launched and 48,300 dishes have been served across community projects with the support of 210 globally known chefs. Grundig continues to inspire people on how to fight against food waste in the kitchen and work side-by-side with Food for Soul, for feeding the body and the souls in Refettorios, infused with art, design and beauty. These inclusive environments aim to lea people to help each other while sharing a meal, sharing the experience and each project is tailored to the needs of the community and the institutions that support it.



After the opening of the Refettorio Gastromotiva in Rio de Janerio during 2016 Olympic Games and the Refettorio Bologna opening Grundig started No Waste Food Week, a social responsibility campaign regarding food waste in Slovenia. A container kitchen was placed in the city centre of Ljubljana, and along with Massimo Bottura, famous Slovenian chefs prepared workshops and recipes to show guests how to create delicious meals with soon-to-be wasted food, as well as running training to raise awareness of food waste. Earlier this year, Refettorio Felix launched with the support of Grundig, in occasion of the London Food Month Festival. "It's all about enhancing lives at Grundig"

"Sustainability is, first of all, a Social Responsibility and at the very heart of our business. As an industry that shapes household consumption behaviour, we are responsible for developing effective solutions to protect the world's limited resources, like water, energy and help reduce food waste, globally. At Grundig it's all about enhancing people's lives through projects that can make a real difference. Grundig has a strong belief for respecting food and we know that wasting food means more, wasting food is wasting life. Food waste is our new focus and in line with our "Respect Food" philosophy and our commitment to being a sustainable brand, Grundig will be supporting and initiating projects, focused on ensuring a better future for people," said Zeynep Ozbil Global Head of Communications at Arcelik Group. Grundig "Respect Food" Talks at IFA 2017 Grundig hosted "Respect Food" Talks, featuring Massimo Bottura as the guest of honour at Grundig's IFA 2017 booth, Hall 23, on Friday 1st September. At the event, the acclaimed consumer psychologist Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos delivered global insights from a new research study commissioned by Grundig around food waste and sustainability, delving into the reasons why consumers waste food, and what can be done to reduce environmental harm. "In today's fast paced world, overconsumption and lack of day to day control are affecting consumer behaviour. It is clear that while consumers desire to protect the environment and reduce food waste, many lack the means, time, tools or clear direction to do so. It is critically important that consumers recognise the need to form sustainable habits, and are given the tools and opportunities to do so," said Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos. About Food for Soul Food for Soul is a non-profit organisation founded by chef Massimo Bottura that fights against food waste in support of social inclusion and individual well-being. The organisation began with the Refettorio Ambrosiano in Milan during Expo2015 with subsequent projects launched in Brazil (Refettorio Gastromotiva) as well as Modena (Social Tables @ Ghirlandina) and Bologna (Social Tables @ Antoniano) in Italy. Each unique project shares the common themes of using surplus food, working with artists to create engaging dining spaces and serving dishes to vulnerable local communities. Images To download images please click here.

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[September 04, 2017] Change - the first decentralised crypto bank for e-residents

SINGAPORE, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A Singapore and Estonia-based company, Change, is building a marketplace offering seamless access to numerous financial services within a single platform, as well as a spending card. The company is going to conduct an initial coin offering (ICO) on 16 September to fund the creation of this first decentralized bank. They are piloting with the use of digital identification through the e-Residency programme by the Government of Estonia. "Digital Identity is one of the keys to solving financial inclusion so we are delighted that Change is using our secure government-backed digital identities to help solve this issue and develop their business." -- Kaspar Korjus "We live in a time where for almost every single service a bank offers, there is a Fintech company that utilizes state-of-the-art technology and a lean & mean team to provide a better, faster and cheaper service. This isn't a forecast, this is today," says Kristjan Kangro, CEO of Change. The company focuses on nailing one specific service, be it transfers (Transferwise), payments (Stripe), investing (Smartly) or insurance (Oscar). Powered by blockchain technology and crypto currencies, Change's marketplace will allow a user to select between various specialized Fintech service-providers, all within the same app. To ensur a seamless experience and operational efficiency, all service-providers are connected via an open API. By using crypto currencies, Change can surpass drawbacks of existing financial infrastructure.



In order for the marketplace to be regulatorily compliant, Change is building a multi-tiered standardized KYC (Know-Your-Customer) utility. Users won't need to present extensive information to simply sign up for the app and get a crypto payment card. However, "to use regulated Fintech services, you'll need to verify your identity" says Kangro. Estonia's e-Residency conducts a thorough background check, while also having a very strong potential customer-base to offer services to. In the recent months, several new developments have occurred for e-residents, including the possibility to have an access to borderless business banking, thanks to e-Residency's partnership with the Finnish fintech company Holvi. With Change's marketplace for individuals, e-Residency will soon be able to offer a full suite of fintech banking services to e-residents.

Change's initial coin offering is taking place on 16 September and will be open for 30 days or until the target of 200,000 Ether is reached. For more information, please contact: Kristjan Kangro at Change

+65 8436 6205

[email protected] Arnaud Castaignet at e-Residency

+372 5699 8730

[email protected] About Estonia's e-Residency program (e-resident.gov.ee) E-Residency offers the possibility to open and run a global EU company fully online from anywhere in the world. Estonia is the first country to create a borderless digital society for global citizens by providing e-Residency. Everyone can apply for this transnational government-issued digital identity and benefit from the e-Residency platform, which is built on inclusion, legitimacy and transparency. E-residents can: open a company within a day and run the company remotely, apply for a business banking account and payment card, conduct e-banking, use international payment service providers, declare taxes, and sign documents digitally. All of this can be done fully online, without the need to hire a local director. E-Residency does not provide citizenship, tax residency, physical residency or the right to travel to Estonia or the EU. So far, more than 22,000 people from 138 countries have applied for e-Residency and together they manage more than 3,000 companies. More information can be found at www.change-bank.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/change---the-first-decentralised-crypto-bank-for-e-residents-300513427.html SOURCE Change

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[September 04, 2017] Inspur Chairman Peter Sun Attends Opening Ceremony of 2017 BRICS Business Forum

XIAMEN, China, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On the afternoon of September 3rd, the opening ceremony of 2017 BRICS Business Forum was held in Xiamen, China. As a business leader in China's IT area, Chairman of Inspur Group Peter Sun attended the opening ceremony at invitation. In an interview, Peter Sun said since the business community of the BRICS countries is the main force driving economic development, Chinese enterprises should leverage their strengths in terms of information, technology and funding and carry out business in developing countries including BRICS and "BRICS Plus". Enterprises should help these countries with successful "Chinese solutions", and bring advanced technologies and visions back to China. Therefore, joint development will benefit people around the world. As the leading cloud computing and big data service provider in China, Inspur has been pursuing this vision in the rocess of internationalization. For years, on the one hand, Inspur formed "Chinese solutions" of informatization in China, the most complicated IT market in the world, and brought them to BRICS countries and countries along the "Belt and Road". Inspur also formed "Global solutions" of informatization through exportation of visions and localization, and made people in more countries experience the fruits of inclusive development created by new technologies and new revolutions. On the other hand, advanced informatization technologies and visions from India, Russia and other countries were introduced to China through technology exchanges, joint ventures and cooperation to promote the development of China's information industry and digital economy.



Now Inspur have extensive exchanges on informatization with BRICS countries and countries along the "Belt and Road". For example, Inspur has signed an agreement with Russian enterprises on cloud computing center, built a global call center in India, and helped Indonesia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia build a smart city, education cloud and conduct a genetic study of the fruit, date palm. Inspur's key projects have covered half of the countries in the "Belt and Road" Initiative, supporting the information connectivity and development of digital economy of these countries. Meanwhile, because of abundant talents on software and rich education resources in India, Inspur has a joint venture partnership with India's UPTEC. Inspur has introduced the advanced software talent training system to 42 Chinese universities which cultivates nearly 2,000 IT talents on cloud computing, big data and other emerging technologies every year. SOURCE Inspur Group Co., Ltd.



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BNL girls thump Mitchell at The Hive

Bedford North Lawrence defeated Mitchell 78-20 at the Hive on Saturday evening. The win moved the Stars to 3-0 on the season.
With sex turning into a commodity available at any time, men are left with little motivation for marriage, the study reveals.

By Asian News International: With the share of Americans ages 25-34 who are married dropping 13 percentage points from 2000 to 2014, sociologist Mark Regnerus blames it on "cheap sex."

According to Regnerus, "cheap sex" is an economic term meant to describe sex that has very little cost in terms of time or emotional investment, giving it little value, Fox News reported.

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Basing his ideas, in part, on the work of British social theorist Anthony Giddens, Regnerus, in the book 'Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage, and Monogamy,' highlighted the "two overlapping (but distinctive) markets, one for sex and one for marriage, with a rather large territory in between comprised of significant relationships of varying commitment and duration."

In yesteryears, women generally made men wait until marriage to have sex, but now, with porn on-demand and greater reproductive freedom, sex is a commodity available at any time, which has left men with little motivation for marriage.

Also Read: Why every parent should talk to their kids about sex and periods

Regnerus also cited demographer Steven Ruggles' prediction that one of every three people in their 20s will never marry.

Moreover, he held cheap sex responsible for the decreasing education and employment rates among men as six percent more women than men in the 25-34 age group have a bachelor's degree. He backed this theory up with a quote from social psychologists Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs, who study this phenomenon.

Picture for representative purpose. Picture courtesy: Pexels/Rosie Ann

"Nowadays young men can skip the wearying detour of getting education and career prospects to qualify for sex," they wrote. "Sex has become free and easy. This is today's version of the opiate of the (male) masses."

"To plenty of women, it appears that men have a fear of commitment. But men, on average, are not afraid of commitment," Regnerus noted. "The story is that men are in the driver's seat in the marriage market and are optimally positioned to navigate it in a way that privileges their (sexual) interests and preferences. It need not even be conscious behaviour on their part."

Also Read: Who buys the most number of sex toys in India? Punjabi women

In turn, he writes, this leads women to settle, entering into doomed or otherwise unsatisfying marriages.

Regnerus even pointed to 'Fifty Shades of Grey' to prove his point, saying, "I recognize that it is fiction. It's made up. But when you sell 100 million copies in two years, your narrative is resonating. There's something to it."

All of this, Regnerus concluded, means that as long as sex is so low cost for men, heterosexual women will have increasing difficulties finding a partner worth committing to.

--- ENDS ---

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Seagate didnt intend the Nytro 141 256GB SSD for consumer sales but found its way into the channel. The drive sells for DRAMless prices but delivers better performance than other very low-cost SSDs. We like that the Nytro 141 sells for a price befitting its capabilities, but with limited availability and low production, the deal will not last forever.

Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Introduction

The Seagate Nytro 141 client SSD appeared online just days before our sample arrived. The original news item we posted obviously made some nervous because the selling price is lower than the cost of the flash inside the 256GB drive. Seagate reached out to us for clarification, and we learned quite a bit from the conversation.

Seagate built the Nytro 141 for a large customer to use as a server boot drive. Seagate didn't advertise the drive or even list it on its website. From what we can see, Seagate didnt intend the client drive for the channel, wide distribution, or even a public acknowledgment. We're not sure why the drive trickled into the channel, but we suspect the original customer didn't purchase all the custom SSDs produced. Instead of holding the drives, either Seagate or the original buyer dumped the drives into the channel below market value to recoup some of the expense.

None of that really matters to shoppers. These drives are for sale and relatively cheap considering their components and capabilities. Computer Upgrade King (CUKUSA), a reputable system builder that also sells components at low prices, provided us an SSD for this review. Credit goes to them for finding the Nytro 141, and also for selling the 256GB drive for just $89.99.

The $90 price point is interesting because that's comparable to DRAMless 256GB SSDs with heavy overprovisioning. The hefty overprovisioning reduces the amount of usable capacity, but it improves performance. In contrast, the Nytro 141 uses a familiar combination of components. Seagate rebranded the Phison PS3110-S10 SATA 6Gbps controller and paired it with DRAM and Toshiba's 15nm TLC planar NAND. Similar SSDs retail for quite a bit more than the Nytro 141, so it is a good value for a mainstream SSD, but it won't last very long.

In our meeting with Seagate, we learned that this drive came to the channel in limited numbers and likely will never return. There are a few thousand drives available, so it won't sell out in a few days. However, it will never enjoy the same level of sales as the other SSDs we review. It also means that the Nytro 141 will not be the long-awaited successor to Seagate's 600 series SSDs that came to market in mid-2013 with the Link_A_Media controller.

Specifications

We've seen the Seagate Nytro 141 256GB listed for sale, but the specification sheet outlines several configurations. Seagate stated the Nytro shipped "to select customers," so the specification sheet outlines either what was offered or what customers requested -- not what the company produced. Seagate sent us a statement about the Nytro 141 series:

"Seagate is currently shipping to select customers the Nytro 141 SATA SSD. This will be the first of Seagate's Data Center Value SSDs. The Nytro 141 SATA SSD is designed specifically for Data Center customers that require an entry level, low-endurance SSD designed for server boot volumes, application servers, content storage, and media servers. This read-intensive SSD can also be used in personal compute, workstations, and home NAS devices where write workloads are extremely light. While the new Nytro 141 SSD can be used in a wide range of applications, Seagate designed this drive specifically for Data Center customers who require read intensive workloads. This product will have limited availability since we are targeting a handful of customers that have these specific requirements."

The Nytro series ships in two distinct configurations with three capacities each. Overprovisioning is the differentiator. Drives with overprovisioning come in 960GB, 480GB, and 240GB capacities. The Seagate Nytro 141 specification sheet lists sustained performance ratings for the overprovisioned drives, but not for the other subgroup. The second set of drives come to market with the full complement of NAND dedicated to usable capacity, which yields 1024GB (1TB), 512GB, and 256GB models. These models give you more capacity, which lowers the cost per usable gigabyte.

SSDs will use any available space for background activities, so the performance delta between an overprovisioned SSD and a model that uses the full raw NAND capacity shouldn't mean much unless you fill the drive.

Seagate re-badged the Phison PS3110-S10 four-core eight-channel controller. This controller uses a DRAM buffer and performs well with Toshiba 15nm TLC flash. This is a configuration we've seen before several times with many different brand stickers on the case. Seagate used a custom firmware and revision numbering scheme, so we can't decode the firmware to determine if we tested a similar product in the past.

We have the Nytro 141 256GB that Computer Upgrade King shipped from Virginia. The company plans to use the drives for system builds, but it also offers them to the public. Sequential read/write performance comes in at 560/530MB/s while random performance reaches 92,000/88,000 read/write IOPS. The Nytro series uses an aggressive SLC buffer to increase random write performance, and direct-to-die technology increases sustained write performance once the SLC buffer is saturated.

Features

Seagate outlines the features in its documentation.

Every computing application may have different performance and endurance requirements, but every IT buyer is pushed to minimize costs. The Nytro 141 SSD offers two sets of cost-effective finely tuned configurations that deliver specific SSD benefits for a wide range of read-intensive applications, from entry-level data centers to personal computing.

Configuration 1 provides higher sustained performance with an endurance boost when the application demands more aggressive mixed workloads. By precisely tuning the exact amount of available over-provisioning (distributed writes and erases across the NAND media) the Nytro 141 delivers consistent performance, value endurance, and high reliability, which is ideal for accelerating entry-level data center applications.

Configuration 2 enables maximum capacity with peak performance, low power, and high reliability. The Nytro 141 SSD provides the most value for your dollar with the highest capacity SKUs, giving you the storage you need and keeping you closer to your personal data.

Both Nytro 141 SSD configurations are built with advanced data protection, including end-to-end data path protection, SmartECC and a data-coherence mechanism for solid reliability. The Nytro 141 SSD is also backed by a five-year warranty from Seagate.

Best-Fit Applications

Configuration 1 (Sustained Performance with Endurance)

Servers with read-intensive workloads

Server boot volumes

Video/media streaming

Cloud application servers

Content storage/warehousing

Web/social media servers

Configuration 2 (Cost Competitive Capacity)

Workstation and personal computer

Personal NAS storage

All-in-one enclosures

We're more concerned with Configuration 2 specifications because you can actually purchase that model. For the most part, the full capacity drives are general-use SSDs and will be fine in a desktop environment. We'll talk about notebook use later in this review.

Pricing, Warranty & Endurance

Computer Upgrade King is excited about this low-cost model because it offers users access to the full capacity at a great price point. CUKUSA offers the Nytro 141 256GB for $89.99 at the time of writing.

Seagate lists the Nytro with a five-year warranty that has an endurance rating limitation. The 256GB model we're testing carries a 72 TBW rating.

A Closer Look

Image 1 of 4

The Seagate Nytro 141 uses a thin metal housing to hold the PCB. This is an OEM drive, so there isn't anything fancy. You won't receive a branded package because these drives ship to resellers in bulk package trays.

Internals

Image 1 of 5

The orange printed circuit board is a unique touch for the older design that we've seen countless times before. Phison designed the PS3110-S10 controller for a dual role: it powers high-performance SSDs with MLC flash and also low-cost general-use TLC SSDs.

MORE: Best SSDs

MORE: How We Test HDDs And SSDs

MORE: All SSD Content
RAYTOWN, Mo. -- Crimes rates are on the rise in Raytown, according to the latest FBI data. At the same time, the police department is bracing for a $2.7 million cut to its proposed budget. "The heart and soul of a police department is being able to patrol the streets of their city," Alderman Eric Teeman, who worked on the budget cuts, said.
Kansas City Heroism In Action

Photos show KC crew with huge Army truck helping Houston flood victims HOUSTON -- Some folks in Houston are getting a big help from one local business owner, and his massive military vehicle. FOX 4 reported last week that Stonehenge Landscape & Design was heading south to help rescue people imperiled by Tropical Storm Harvey.

Walk This Way

Authorities offer safety tips after 3 pedestrians are struck by vehicles over the weekend At least three pedestrians were struck in Kansas City this weekend. Two of them were hit while walking on interstates. Now, the authorities are cautioning pedestrians to be careful. One incident happened near Woods Chapel Road. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is looking for a blue semi pulling a white trailer in connection with that accident.

More Deets After TKC On Alleged Misdeeds

Chiefs owner sued over investment deal KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The owner of the Kansas City Chiefs is being accused in a lawsuit of improperly receiving hundreds of millions in state investment money through a kickback deal with New Mexico officials.

Meth Town Sacrilege

Thieves steal necklace containing Independence man's ashes from widow's car INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - Sept. 7 marks two years since Genevieve Dodds lost her husband, Elijah Lindstedt. Dodds said that while it's been tough for her and her 4-year-old daughter, nothing has reopened their wounds like the night of Aug. 30, when they discovered their car had been broken into.

Steely Dan's Walter Becker Dies At 67 Walter Becker, co-founder of Steely Dan, died Sunday at the age of 67, according to his website. The news was later confirmed by his longtime bandmate Donald Fagen. In a statement, Fagen said "I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band."

Tonight we take a peek athotness and some of the Sunday night links. Take a look:And this is thefor tonight . . .
- Local labor criticized the selection of a contractor who utilized many non-union workers in the construction of the streetcar.





- Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1287 filed a lawsuit against and hoped to delay the kick-off of the streetcar due to threats to KCMO union bus drivers who not only didn't get first crack at streetcar jobs but also confronted the threat of fewer drivers thanks to cuts following the establishment of the toy train route.





IMPORTED . - Don't forget that THE KANSAS CITY TOY TRAINS ARE IMPORTED SPANISH JUNK which constantly breaks down. Like it or not, it's kind of a slap in the face that Kansas City's signature transit line is

When we talk about support for organized labor and collective barging, the sordid subject of streetcar transit reveals that Kansas City leaders are moving away from support for unions in building and maintaining the toy train.Quick review . . .Remember that a lot of voters choseHere in Kansas City the streetcar runs primarily on political spin which powers development schemes and steers away controversy that includes a great many slights to this cowtown's longstanding support of organized labor.You decide . . .
A critical aspect of the security operation will be protecting Macron as he moves around the city

More than 2,000 Greek police officers will be mobilised for the beefed-up security measures to be imposed in Athens during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrives on Thursday. Greek police are on high alert ahead of the visit, while they have been collaborating closely with police authorities in France for several days.

In addition to the French president, the security cordon will also include the French Embassy and the French Institute in fashionable Kolonaki district, which Macron is scheduled to visit on Friday, as well as French-owned businesses. The French embassy in Athens was the target of a terrorist attack using a hand grenade last November, while there were successive arson attacks on the French Institute in February.

A critical aspect of the security operation will be protecting Macron as he moves around the city, police said. Roads where the French president will pass will close well in advance, with stringent security checks by the bomb squad of all points along the route of his motorcade.

In addition, hundreds of plainclothes officers will be stationed at the sites that the French president will visit and Hellenic Police helicopters will fly overhead, over the areas where Macron will be.

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: Gouvernement francais License: CC-BY-SA

Source: ANA-MPA
By PTI: Beijing, Sept 4 (PTI) In what could be the first such attempt of its type in China, work has started on relocating the main hall of Shanghais famed 135-year-old Yufo Temple, also known as the Jade Buddha Temple.

The moving of the temple started on Saturday, official media here reported.

According to the relocation project, the main hall of the temple will be moved 30.66 meters to the north and will be raised 1.05 meters than its previous position, the China News Service reported. The Buddha statues and other cultural relics in the hall will simultaneously be moved.

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This is the first time China is implementing such a project, which will be completed in two weeks, the report said.

Relocating the temple aims to provide greater security and better protection to historical architecture, state run Global Times reported.

In carrying out the delicate task, engineers first cut the hall from its original foundation and then lifted it on a platform with tracks.

During the next few days, the hall will be placed on a new foundation. The most difficult part of the project is protecting the Buddha statues installed inside. Because the foundation of ancient architecture are usually loose, any movement could destroy the foundation.

Built in 1882, the temple is one of Shanghais most popular tourist attractions with more than two million people visiting it annually. More than 100,000 people visit it daily on major holidays. PTI KJV CK

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The coordinator of the Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark Prof. Nikolaos Zouros has been at the helm of the global network since 2016

Greece has a special place in the global geoparks map, with five regions in the country now listed in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, while the coordinator of the Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark Greek Professor Nikolaos Zouros has been at the helm of the global network since 2016.

A member of the faculty at the University of the Aegean and also the director of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Natural History Museum, Prof. Zouros underlined the importance of geoparks for science but also as a tourist attraction, in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency released on Sunday.

"Greece is a country with a massive inventory of geological monuments. It is the way it is made. There are countries that might be much larger than Greece but present little geological interest," Zouros stressed, noting that the geological "evidence" in Greece was more recent than in other countries. "When we say recent we mean 200 million years ago, and they present particular interest for study," he explained.

Potential comparative advantage

Showcasing and promoting its geoparks was a potential comparative advantage that Greece could exploit in order to support rural areas, he followed, since they would help create jobs that kept young people in the country.

"Promotion and recognition of geoparks is a developmental tool for attracting tourists without the need for expensive infrastructure or new facilities, since the goal is to attract tourists through history, the natural landscape and geology," he underlined.

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of global geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. According to UNESCO, "their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular."

UNESCO currently recognises 127 geoparks across 35 countries, of which 71 are in 23 European countries and five are in Greece (Lesvos, Psiloritis, Vikos-Aoos National Park, Helmos-Vouraikos National Park and Sitia), while efforts are now underway to add a geopark in north Evia to the UNESCO list, Zouros said.

"Greece is one of the first countries that included its geoparks in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, with that on Lesvos among the Network's first four," the professor argued. UNESCO's requirements, he explained, also included the signs, walking routes and activities on the sites, and organised presentation centres.

Programme of activities and educational programmes

"Management bodies must create a programme of activities and educational programmes with universities for the study of the characteristics of the land. They must also set up a system for providing information to the public, with leaflets and material explaining how the landscape can be interpreted, so that it can be understood by visitors," he added.

A third element was to boost sustainable tourism activities involving the landscape and low-impact hospitality and catering structures, as well as promoting local products.

Research was another important part of the Network, he noted: "Geoparks must invest in research and in networking with other bodies but also cooperate with each other. The Network is one of solidarity and mutual support. The geoparks that belong to it progress together and the bodies that manage them work from the bottom up, from the local community for the promotion and gentle development of their region."

Global Network of National Geoparks

According to Zouros, each geopark was like a living organism that must be tended carefully to keep it alive and the Network carried out frequent inspections to ensure that its member-geoparks continue to satisfy the criteria.

Many parts of the world had expressed an interest in joining the Global Network of National Geoparks (GGN) - including countries in North and South America and Africa - but UNESCO standards were strict, he clarified. "It wants to save regions where the natural environment remains unsullied by violent development," Zouros explained.

The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), of which membership is obligatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks, is a legally constituted not-for-profit organisation with an annual membership fee. The GGN was established in 2004 and is a dynamic network where members are committed to work together and exchange ideas of best practise and join in common projects to raise the quality standards of all products and practises of a UNESCO Global Geopark.

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: youtube.com

Source: int.ert.gr
Centro Capital Centre & Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, situated near ADNEC in the Capital Centre District of Abu Dhabi, has welcomed Chadi Nicolas as the new general manager.



A native of Lebanon, Nicolas completed his degree in Finance and Auditing from the prestigious Lebanese Technical College. He has been associated with Rotana Hotel Management Corporation for 17 years and is a veteran of the hospitality industry.



Nicolas joined the group in 2001 at Beach Rotana, where he started as night auditor and gradually moved up the ranks to director of front office. He has since taken on several managerial roles at various Rotana properties in the UAE capital. In his previous role as general manager of Hala Arjaan by Rotana, Nicolas played a pivotal role in driving the business and leading the operations. Prior to that, he was executive assistant manager at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana.



In his new role, he will be spearheading operations for the two hotels comprising of a team of 235 colleagues, along with a total inventory of 679 Rooms, five dining outlets, two full-fledged recreation facilities and 11 meeting rooms. His focus will be centered around strengthening the positioning in this strategic location near ADNEC and maintaining high standards in compliance with the brands benchmark.



Nicolas said: I eagerly look forward to the new challenge of working with the renowned brands of Centro & Arjaan. It will be a great experience to work with this portfolio of international guests and set the tone for a high-performance culture amongst the talented pool of colleagues." - TradeArabia News Service


By PTI: Ramgarh (JH) Sep 3 (PTI) India is not facing any scarcity of coal and the output of Coal India Ltd (CIL) is more than the countrys power demand, the mining behemoths interim Chairman and Managing Director Gopal Singh said today.

Singh said the miner registered a high growth rate of 28 per cent output in FY17 over the last fiscal, while the average rise in power demand in the country was at 10.3 per cent.

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Coal India is fully capable to fulfil the coal demand in India, he said, adding the company has plans to open new mines in the future.

Singh, who is the head of Central Coalfields Ltd, was given the additional charge of CMD of Coal India on September 1, following the retirement of Sutirtha Bhattacharya.

He also made it clear that there would be no privatisation of the state-owned mining major.

Talking about the Magadh coal mine in Jharkhand, which is the biggest open caste mine in Asia, Singh said that coal output in the mine has been reduced due to dispatch-related problems.

The output is likely to increase after completion of the miners Tori-Shivpur rail project, he said.

Singh greeted Coal Minister Piyush Goyal, who was today elevated to the Cabinet rank and also given charge of the Railway Ministry. PTI CORR PVR RBT

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According to the Weather Channel, Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming are just some of the many states set to experience higher-than-average temperatures in September, the unusual hot weather lasting through November. Great news for sun starved Brits, Daly says, this is also one of the best times to saddle up as riding holidays are more affordable, especially for solo travellers, many ranches waiving the single supplement.

SAVE 418pp: Saddle up at Wyoming's New Haven Working Ranch and enjoy a 20% discount. Good news for greenhorns who are going solo, there is no single supplement on the 07 October departure. Insta-worthy territory, Devils Tower is visible on many of the rides. Seven nights from only 1,120pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, ranch activities (including riding), use of ranch facilities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers from Rapid city at 132pp and return flight from 889pp. Full ranch stay price 1,538pp.

SAVE 170pp at the Colorado Cattle Company and combine daily cattle work with western games and instruction in roping, cutting and sorting the herd at the Cowboy School. Six nights from 1,645pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, ranch activities (including riding), taxes and return transfers from Denver. Excludes gratuities as left to discretion and return flight from 865pp. Offer valid on all weekly departures from now through 31 October. Discounted price includes FREE transfers worth 170pp.

Arizonas Rancho de la Osa is one of the most historic properties in the west, the colourful guest ranch reopening earlier this year. NEW cattle drives along the Mexico border will begin in October. Dates to be announced. Seven nights from 1,569pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes, transfers and gratuities. Excludes return flight from 879pp. Year round departures.

SAVE 250pp at Montanas Lonesome Spur Working Guest Ranch. Gather the cattle and ride across challenging mountain terrain - the ranch lying in the Clarks Fork Valley, between the Pryor Mountains and the Beartooth Mountains. At the end of the day soak your saddle sores in the Catalina spa hot tub. Six nights from 1,215pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, ranch activities (including riding), use of ranch facilities, taxes, gratuities and transfers. Excludes return flight from 935pp. Offer valid on all October departures. Full ranch stay price 1,465pp.

A favourite with greenhorns who want to live out their Western dreams, Montanas Dryhead Working Ranchs fall cattle drive is a must for city slickers. Departing 22 October. If you already have experience in the saddle why not up the pace of your adventure and join the wranglers on the Dryhead's fall horse drive, the team taking the herd back to Wyoming for the winter. Departing 29 October. Six night cattle drive or horse drive from 1,616pp (no single supplement) including ranch accommodation, meals, horses, tack, activities and taxes. Excludes transfers of 100pp from Billings, gratuities as left to discretion and return flight from 889pp.

Perfect for wannabe cowgirls, Montanas Bar W Working Guest Ranch runs women only weeks. Cattle work is combined with instruction in horsemanship, team penning, barrel racing, roping, skeet shooting, archery, fly-fishing and line dancing. A two hour massage and private vintners presentation complete the stay. Six nights from 1,989pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers of 100 (up to three people) from Glacier Park International Airport and return flight from 889pp. Departing 01 and 15 October.

Once described as heaven for horse people, Montanas McGinnis Meadows Cattle & Guest Ranchs Fall Gather runs from mid-September through early October. On the seven night holiday youll learn about tracking cattle, and get the low down on horse whispering as Buck Brannaman has close ties to the ranch. Six nights from 1,871pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities and taxes. Excludes transfers of 100pp from Glacier Park International Airport, gratuities as left to discretion and return flight from 889pp. Last departure 01 October.

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Ranch Rider (01509 618 811) ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The Congress today welcomed the BRICS declaration condemning terrorism and hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi would now take up the issue of declaring Jaish chief Masood Azhar an international terrorist.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said terrorism had no place either in India or on the world stage and challenge of terrorism was something that BRICS nations, as also all other countries, must fight unitedly.

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Expressing happiness that BRICS nations condemned acts of terror outfits such as Taliban, ISIS, Al-Qaida, Haqqani Network, Lashker-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb ut-Tahrir, TTP and others, he said, "It is a welcome start and I think it needs to be taken forward."

"We sincerely hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi now will take up the issue of declaration of Maulana Masood Azhar as an international terrorist since Jaish-e-Mohammed to whom he is affiliated, has now been declared by BRICS nations as a terrorist organisation," he said.

Surjewala said China did not have moral or legal rights now to stand in the way or to prevent the United Nations from declaring him as an international terrorist.

On Modis statement in BRICS that India was in mission- mode to eradicate poverty and ensure health, sanitation, gender equality, the Congress leader said he needed to go from rhetoric to reality and recalled the death of children in Farukhabad, Gorakhpur and Ranchi among other cities.

"Is this the health security that the prime minister speaks about? When 1,260 people die in the country, majority in BJP-ruled states, due to swine-flu, is this the health security that the prime minister speaks about?

"There is difference between the reality and rhetoric of the prime minister. It is time for him to walk the talk," he said. PTI SKC AAR

--- ENDS ---
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 4

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Allahabad against Jaypee Infratech which has failed to deliver flats to thousands of homebuyers who had invested their hard-earned money in the project.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra asked the company to respond to the petition filed by homebuyers. Issuing notices to Jaypee Infratech, RBI and others on a petition filed by Chitra Sharma and other homebuyers, the Bench posted all petitions against Jaypee Infratech for further hearing on October 10.

Around 30,000 buyers have booked their homes in 27 different housing projects of Jaypee Infratech and they have been left to fend for themselves after the insolvency proceedings started against the debt-ridden company.

The petitioners have contended that if the top court did not safeguard their interests they would be rendered remediless.

Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of 2016, homebuyers did not fall under the category of secured creditors like banks and as a result they would get back their money only if something was left after repaying secured and operational creditors, the petitioners had told the court in their plea filed last month.

Referring to an order passed by the Allahabad Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the petitioners submitted even decrees in favour of homebuyers or the civil courts and consumer forums could not be executed once insolvency proceedings began.

The actions as have been taken under the Code has led to a situation wherein the lifelong savings of the flat owners will go waste with no prospects of them recovering the same, if their interests are not saved by this court, read the petition filed by Chitra Sharma.

The case file
By PTI: Mumbai, Sep 4 (PTI) Singaporean lender DBS today said that it has received in-principle approval to convert its India operations into a wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS).

DBS, the first foreign lender to seek RBI approval, had applied for the licence way back in 2014 to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary. The application has been pending with finance ministry, which took time to grant approval due to lack of a precedent.

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DBS is the second bank after State Bank of Mauritius to receive the nod.

"We have received an in-principle approval from RBI to start working as a wholly-owned subsidiary," Piyush Gupta, chief executive of the largest Singaporean bank, told reporters here.

He was in town to inaugurate a new headquarters of the bank.

Gupta said even though the approval provides for 12 months to get the final approval, the bank is confident of getting it in 6-9 months. He said the issue of capital gains tax has been sorted out and there will be no requirement for for the bank to pay the levy.

In March this year, DBS India chief executive Surojit Shome had told PTI that the approval was delayed as the finance ministry was taking time.

"A new category of banks has to be created...100 per cent owned foreign banks do not exist. With the first bank licence, a new category of banks will get created. It is still a new thing," Shome had said.

DBS India has over 12 branches now with over 1 million customers.

Since the 2008 global credit crisis, the RBI had been insisting that large foreign banks should convert their operations into wholly-owned subsidiaries (WOS) in the country to insulate the local operations from any difficulties which the parent may face in their home market.

The present branch model exposes the banks to risks if an event like the 2008 financial meltdown happens, it was felt and the regulator has offered a carrot and stick approach and has made all the new foreign lenders and existing ones having certain size to operate as a WOS.

The guidelines were issued in late 2014 and DBS was the first to apply, followed by at least two others the Dutch lender ABN Amro and State Bank of Mauritius.

In November 2013, the RBI had come out with a new policy incentivising WOS and also ensured changes in laws, including tax and stamp duty benefits and near-total national treatments, but none of the lenders fell in line so far. PTI AA HV BEN RSY BAS

--- ENDS ---

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 3

It started as a discussion group in 2010 on the Panjab University (PU) campus. In 2017, all parties are seeing the Students for Society (SFS) as a major threat though it is only contesting its third election.

The protests by SFS started over hike in mess charges in 2012 where they sat on a hunger strike for 12 days. Then in 2013, the party carried out a hunger strike for over four days against fee hike. Then next year in 2014, the SFS protested for about 20 days on fee hike. The same year, it contested elections and put up a woman candidate but she came fourth.

In 2015, a couple of months before the elections, the party raised the issue of sexual harassment of girls on the campus and called for vehicle-free campus and staged a protest for over 12 days. But it did not fight elections that year. In 2016, the party protested over fee hike for five days. In 2017, the PU initially had raised the fees enormously to tide over financial crisis. In some courses, it was by about 1,000 per cent. Colleges erupt in protest and fire spread to the PU also. All parties were protesting but the SFS took to a new level. It used to be the major mobiliser of students. It used to charge to enter the VC office but on April 11, the stone pelting brought the party into the limelight. Over 60 students were arrested. The SFS earned sympathy. But later senate decided to limit the rise in fee to 10 per cent and also decided to take back the case. The SFS claimed the credit. The persistent taking up of students related issues on the campus added supporters for the party. There was a vacuum of left on the campus which it happily filled.

Mode of campaigning

The party uses street plays, revolutionary songs and slogans to rally around students. It is seeking votes in the name of ideology and has also decided to go alone despite that there are other smaller left units on campus as well. It said there were some ideological differences with them.

Its play Melan Vota Da made indirect references to the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and its leaders and also last years president Nishan Kaushal, who belongs to Panjab University Students Union (PUSU). Even vice chancellor has not been spared. The play clearly distinguishes how other parties resort to bribing voters whereas they seek vote in the name of issues and ideology.

Openly criticises authorities

The party is openly making allegations against authorities for helping out the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and not allowing them to even stage plays.

Raman of the SFS said, They are not being allowed to stage play at the Students Centre and at four girls hostels. The authorities are openly siding with the NSUI.

The party has been specially instructed not to make any personal references in their plays.

About the candidates

President: Hassanpreet Kaur from physics department

Vice President: Shiv Saurav from UIET

Secretary: Ranjit Singh from Punjabi department

Joint Secy: Karan from UILS

Agenda
Sushma Ramachandran

Sushma Ramachandran

THE Indian economy seemed to be coasting along on a high growth path till fairly recently. It has to be remembered, however, that the 7 to 8 per cent growth now taken as a norm was only reached in the last two decades. Till then India had been growing post-independence at a dismal rate of 3-4 per cent, the so-called Hindu rate of growth. It took the economic reforms of 1991 under the leadership of low-key Narasimha Rao and his bureaucrat finance minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to pull the country out of this morass of slow growth. Subsequently, the impact of reforms led to economic growth reaching a peak of 8 per cent after 2003 and this continued for several years. Growth then tapered down to around between 7 and 8 per cent. This still kept India as one of the fasted growing economies in the world.

The situation has now changed. In the first quarter of the current fiscal  April to June 2017  growth has slowed down to 5.7 per cent. At the same time, to put it in perspective, the slowing down had begun in the beginning of the last fiscal and successive quarters had shown a gradual decline in growth. The dip to 5.7 per cent, however, has been unprecedented and should be a matter of deep concern for this government. The fact is the country will not be able to eradicate poverty for millions unless the growth rate is stepped up drastically. Even at 10 per cent economic growth, the country is projected to pull out of poverty only by 2032. Viewed in this context, the decline in growth in these three months is a worrying phenomena.

The reasons for the dip in the growth are several, but the most significant is the sluggishness in investments in the economy. The slowdown began during the UPA regime owing to the then policy paralysis that had gripped the government. It was expected to pick up with the advent of the Modi government and the anticipated launch of new policies to stimulate growth. Even then private investment failed to pick up and this lacuna has continued to be a drag on the economy.

Another major reason for the dip in growth has been the de-stocking by companies and traders in the run up to the launch of the GST. The uncertainty over its launch which had created jitters in all segments of industry led to manufacturers cutting output and retailers drawing down inventories. Huge discounts were also offered on products like cars and white goods in the expectation that there would be confusion and low sales after the launch. This had an impact on the manufacturing sector growth in the April-June quarter as it contracted to 1.2 per cent from 5.3 per cent in the preceding quarter.

The other factor being cited now for the growth fall is the impact of demonetisation. It is possible that the lag effect of demonetisation and its adverse impact on small industry has been one of the reasons for slowing growth, especially in April and May. Yet the construction sector which was hit hard by this same policy rebounded during the quarter from a negative 3.7 per cent to an upward 2 per cent during this period. Hence it is unlikely that the entire blame for the fall in growth can be attributed to demonetisation. It should be recalled that even in the recent past, growth had slipped to sub-6 per cent levels. It was 4.9 per cent in 2013-14 based on the earlier method of GDP accounting. It was then revised upwards to 6.6 per cent after the methodology was changed.

So while the dip in growth is a major concern, it must be recognised that such slippages have happened before even in the era of high growth. Also, the underlying factors of the slowdown lie in basic issues like the need for more private investment as well as the structural problem of the overhang of bad debt in the public sector banking system. The problem of NPAs is being tackled slowly, but it will take quite some time before the economy is able to bounce back from this canker in the system.

There is also another interesting facet of the data released for the first quarter (April-May). This is the extremely high growth of 11 per cent in trade, hotels and transportation during these three months. It is a big jump from the 6.5 per cent for this sector in the previous three months (January-March). Though manufacturing may have virtually come to a standstill, services in hotels and transport have recorded a spurt. This is reflective of the healthy growth in the services sector in the economy that seems to have been unaffected either by the lag effect of demonetisation or the pre-GST confusion.

As for the outlook for the rest of the year, it may not be mired in complete darkness, but clearly the economy would continue to be hampered by some major infirmities. These include the continuing problems of stalled private investment, the sluggish ingrowth of core sector industries and the bad debt in the banking system. On the plus side, the monsoon has been fairly widespread throughout the country raising hopes of adequate kharif output. Demand is thus likely to pick up but whether this will be reflected in the manufacturing sector will have to be seen in coming months. The second quarter is likely to continue the depressed trend but the third quarter (September to October) may reflect a better performance. With GST having been put in place without as many glitches as had originally been anticipated, industrial output is likely to come back to a more normal level than in the last six months.

In fact, the relative smoothness of the GST rollout and the fact that revenue collections are already meeting targets, gives hope that growth will rebound to some extent during the course of the current fiscal. At the same time, the government needs to make a concerted effort to improve the ease of doing business. This is an area where much had been promised, but little has been done so far. Reforms are needed to reduce red tape and improve competitiveness in the economy. Without these, the era of high growth is not likely to return in a hurry.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 4

Three persons, including a Nigerian national, have been arrested and 5 kg of heroin, worth Rs 20 crore in the international market, seized from them, the police said.

The Special Cell had received inputs that Punjab-based drug dealers would be coming to the national Capital to receive heroin from Delhi-based African origin persons.

The police received information that two alleged drug dealers would be coming near Shiv Mandir in Hastsal, Uttam Nagar, to receive a consignment of heroin from an African origin dealer. A trap was laid where the Nigerian national and drug supplier, Dsitadimma Casmir Arinze (37), came and handed over two packets of heroin to Jaswant Singh, alias Sonu (30), and Charanjit Singh, alias Jeeta (27), said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Yadav.

The three were nabbed and 5 kg of heroin was seized from them, he said.

During a search Arinze's rented accommodation, the police seized a fake passport of Sierra Leone having multiple fake visa stickers of India. He used this passport for getting house on rent and rooms in hotels, the DCP said.

Arinze came into contact with a fellow Nigerian who asked him to supply drugs for quick money. He worked for Michael initially but later started supplying drugs independently.

For the past five years, the Nigerian national was supplying drugs independently in Delhi and Punjab.

He also used to send heroin consignments to England, France, Canada, South Africa, etc., through courier companies, said the officer.
Houston, September 4

The Indian-American community in Texas is helping hundreds of people affected by Hurricane Harvey, one of the most destructive storms in American history, by distributing fresh food, medical and essential needs.

Massive evacuation and rescue operations continue to take place in Texas and fund raising has begun for disaster relief operations to help victims of Harvey.

The entire neighbourhoods of the fourth-largest city in the US and the most populous in Texas have been flooded leaving residents homeless and hapless.

While government agencies were working round-the-clock in relief efforts, the Indian community also rallied together to pitch in with whatever help they could in terms of food, shelter and rescue operations.

Sewa International has raised $1,00,000 but their goal is to raise $2,50,000 in Houston and $1 million in the US, said its Houston Chapter president Gitesh Desai.

Much more is needed to support this massive relief operation for weeks to come. It will be six months before most families can get back to their normal lives, Desai added.

Volunteers from all over Texas are helping in any way they can, Desai said.

The greater Houston is home to around 1,50,000 strong and influential Indian-American community. Around 30,000 people were evacuated and the population of Indians among them would be in the high hundreds, said Anupam Ray, Indias Consul General in Houston.

I am proud of the Indian community in Houston. One of the incredible things I saw during #HurricaneHarvey is how Indians stepped up to join relief efforts. This was in the best traditions of America and of India, Ray said.

Evacuation and rescue operations were done by government agencies, but most of the Indian-Americans stayed with friends or families around.

The community network has been strong and welcoming to even strangers who needed a place, said Jitin Aggarwal, a software entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Community shelters are being run in the city by several temples, Muslim associations, Gurudwaras and churches. And, a massive, selfless volunterism is at display at these places.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Houston, India Cafe, Biryani Pot, Dawoodi Bohra Community delivered hot meals to thousands of Americans.

Harvey was a monster, but he also was a teacher with a very clear lesson: sometimes it takes the worst of moments to see people in their finest hour, said Dinesh Purohit, owner India Cafe, who has been serving food to temples, churches, sheltors, homes.

They came and rescued me, otherwise I dont know where I would be as water was coming fast and furious. They got me out to a safer place upstairs and after the hurricane was over they have been enormously helping and rebuilding and throwing the bad stuff away, Marlyn Datz, one elderly American who was rescued by SEWA team said.

Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on August 25 in Texas, then went back out to sea and lingered off the coast as a tropical storm for days.

The storm brought five straight days of rain totaling close to 52 inches at one location, the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental US. PTI
North Korea has once again elevated itself into the position of the worlds number one problem. Its repeated and willful disregard for global treaties would have left Kim Jong-Un mortally vulnerable like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi had it not been for its ties with China and a cache of nuclear weapons and missiles that seem to be getting better and better. The American response to the rather scary scenario of Kim threatening to scald South Korea and Japan, besides unveiling his desire to hit the US, has been in keeping with Donald Trump's track record: bluster that reassures none and fails to impress, leave alone intimidate the North Korean regime.

Having violated the first principle of deterrence  never point your rifle unless you intend to pull the trigger  Trump has rubbed its ally South Korea the wrong way. Domestic opinion forced South Korea to conduct a show of military might. But the saving grace is that Seoul has a sane head of government who does not subscribe to Trumps view that North Korea is asking for punishment. Indeed the liberal global order has tried to remake countries according to their worldview. Many billions of dollars later, it has realised that sheer power is often inadequate. The most powerful side need not emerge as an outright winner.

In the complicated geopolitics of today, Trumps outright threat of annihilation will lead to Russia and China covertly sidling up to Pyongyang to maintain the balance of power in the Far East. The situation, as the cliche goes, is on the razors edge. By asking South Korea to end its war games, Kim may be looking for an opportunity to back down. The US President has already lost credibility by hurling empty threats at North Korea a few months back. Once there is loss of credibility, coercion does not work. It will have to be outright hostilities to make the other side see reason. With the UNSC having come into the picture, saner heads may bring the situation within manageable proportions as it was before Trump took charge.
Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, September 4

Gopal Rai, Minister for Rural Development in the Delhi Government and a member of the political affairs committee of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been made in-charge of the party affairs in Haryana.

This was stated by AAP state president Naveen Jaihind while addressing a news conference here on Monday.

Jaihind asserted that the party would now focus on Haryana and field candidates in all the 90 assembly seats of the state assembly.

He disclosed that the party organisation will be strengthened across the state right from the booth level and the organisational structure would be completed by November 1.
Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 4

There are indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make some changes both in the state government and Haryana BJP.

Sources have pointed to a meeting of the partys core committee and an informal meeting of the state Cabinet in this connection in New Delhi tomorrow.

Sources said BJP general secretary in charge for Haryana Anil Jain was in contact with all senior officers of the state on August 25, the day dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was to appear in a special CBI court.

This clearly indicated that the Central leadership of the BJP did not trust Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, particularly in view of the manner in which he had handled the Rampal issue in 2014 and Jat violence last year.

Normally, a party functionary has no business to be in direct contact with senior IAS and IPS officers. They report to the Chief Minister and the government. Jains assertion that he was in direct contact with all senior officers shows that the Centre did not have confidence that Khattar would be able to deal with the situation,  the sources said.

The sources said the Centres confidence in the state BJP leadership had diminished after Varnika Kundu stalking incident, for which state party president Subhash Baralas son Vikas had been arrested.

Jain and BJPs national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal will be present in both meetings tomorrow. The Central leadership will discuss the Ram Rahim conviction fallout in detail and seek the views of ministers and other state leaders.
Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, September 4

As a result of rivalary, armed men fired at two men, one of them facing various criminal cases, at Madanheri village in this district on Sunday night.

The police said the deceased, Narender alias Bittu, and his cousin Praveen were standing at the bus stop in the village when some people on two motorcycles arrived on the scene and started firing at the two. While Praveen died on the spot, Bittu was rushed to the civil hospital here, where he also died.

The police suspect that the incident is the outcome of rivalry between two gangs operating in the region.

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Bittu was a resident of Thurana village and a key ally of jailed gangster Ajit Thurana. The rival gang of Vinod Panu is said to be involved in the double murder. Sources said Bittu who came out of jail about two months ago on bail, had been looking for an opportunity to target Panu.

Meanwhile, Panu and his men seemed to have targeted him.

The villagers said four to five armed youths arrived at the village bus stop on two motorcycles and fired around 10 rounds at the victims.

Three such incidents of gang wars have taken place in around two months in Hisar, Hansi and other parts of the district.
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, September 4

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that the state used to receive Central assistance in the ratio 90:10 in the past and was getting the status of special category hill state before the formation of NITI Aayog. But after formation of the Aayog, the funds to the state have been reduced drastically in Centrally-sponsored schemes and the special industrial package has been withdrawn. The Chief Minister was addressing public meeting at Brahalri village near here today.

He said the state had received more than Rs 2,767 crore during the UPAs regime before winding up of the Planning Commission, but the assistance had been discontinued after the NDA government came to power at the Centre.

He said that India was a union of states and it was the responsibility of the Union government to provide funds for development equally to the states. The hill states should have a separate provision of funds because of their different topography, he said adding that the NITI Aayog had ignored all such provisions. Singh added that the state did not receive any amount under General Central Assistance in the past two years.

The Chief Minister said despite financial constraints from the Central Government, Himachal Pradesh was a leading state and the per capita income of the state as of now was 1,47,277.

Addressing another public meeting at Lambloo he announced sub tehsil at Lambloo. He assured that the demand of opening an ITI at Bari-Fernol would be considered. The Chief Minister announced an irrigation scheme for Daknala, Doda da bhal, Nara and Kharoonin villages. He announced upgradation of the vet dispensary Dhudana to a vet hospital. He said a road would be constructed for Tikkar and from Darbote to Bhal, besides announcing opening of an ayurveda dispensary at Kushad. He also announced tarring of road for Farsi village.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stones of the building of Government High School Brahladi and of a Lift Water Supply Scheme (LWSS) at Lambaloo. He also inaugurated a drinking water treatment plant at Gasota.

Speaking on the occasion former MLA Kuldeep Pathania said that the Modi magic had now waned. The people had realised that the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi were false. The prices of essential commodities were sky-rocketing.

Vinod Thakur, director, state industries development corporation, said that he would support the candidate who would be the face of Congress in the constituency. However, the rift was quite visible as the supporters of Kuldeep Pathania kept on raising slogans during speech of Thakur.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh today said the youth in Jammu and Kashmir were talented and if given a proper direction and platform, they could compete with anyone in academics or any competitive field at the national and international level.

Singh was speaking after giving away prizes to the winners of the Inter-School Debate Contest-2017 on the theme Googleisation: Thumps Up and Thumps Down, organised by The Tribune.

The Deputy CM exhorted the students to take part in such events as it helps in shaping their overall personality and outlook towards the ever-changing world.

The topic is relevant to present times as there is a lot of debate going on in the media and among academicians about the bad and good effects of the Internet. Such interactions are necessary in society as it polishes the skills of children, Singh said.

He congratulated participants, especially the winners, and said winning or losing was not important, but taking part in such events was. Those who won the contest, it is not their first win and those who lost, it is not their first defeat, he added.

Singh said such a debate on the eve of Teachers Day is a tribute to the great educationist, academic philosopher and the second President of India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Singh said the world was looking towards India, a perfect example of harmony between various religions and communities. The youth of J&K are the ambassadors of peace and it is important that they should be aware of the happenings around the world, especially in their country, he added.

Arun Joshi, Resident Editor, The Tribune, J&K, said: Some people think Jammuites dont have talent, but its just a matter of opportunity and they will excel in any field. Debate is one such attempt to bring the talent on the forefront. He thanked the Deputy CM for being a part of the great initiative aimed at allowing students to discuss topics that are relevant in present times.
By taking over the water resources department, Arvind Kejriwal, many suggest, is trying for an image change and project himself as an able administrator.

By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal today approved the portfolio reshuffle in the Arvind Kejriwal-led government.

With this, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal now takes over the Water Resources department and will be the chairperson of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

Since the last week, Delhi's political corridors were abuzz with speculations that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to take up the important portfolio of water resources.

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The portfolio was earlier with Kapil Mishra, who was sacked as the Water Resources Minister as the Aam Aadmi Party felt he could not tackle the water crisis in the city ahead of the crucial MCD polls, and the cost the party an embarrassing loss in the election.

Subsequently, Rajendra Pal Gautam was given the charge of the water department, and alleged that he was being "bypassed" by top DJB officials in decision-making.

AAP WANTS TO FOCUS ON WATER

Those in the know of the developments said that when Arvind Kejriwal met supporters in Bawana, where the AAP recently won the by-poll, he received complaints on water and sewage problems.

Water, health and electricity are three main issues on which Aam Aadmi rode to power in 2015. While the party feels that its performance in the departments of health and electricity has been satisfactory, water and sewage are the areas where the AAP needs to focus more.

With Kejriwal now handling the water department and the DJB, it will help the Delhi Chief Minister monitor issues related to water and sewerage.

The Delhi Chief Minister wants to speed up the work on addressing sewage and water problems in the city in the wake of deaths of sewage workers this monsoon.

During his second stint as Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal had decided to not handle any portfolio and instead perform a 'supervisory' role and be a mediator between people and the government departments.

However, this decision earned Arvind Kejriwal criticism from many corners, with some alleging the chief minister did not work. By taking over the water resources department, Kejriwal, many suggest, is also trying for an image change and project himself as an able administrator who can possibly sort the Delhi Jal Board mess.

ALSO READ:

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ALSO WATCH: Garbage dump collapse in Delhi's Ghazipur kills 2, vehicles trapped

--- ENDS ---

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Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, September 4

Four CRPF personnel were injured after militants hurled a grenade at them in the Qazigund area of Anantnag district today.

A CRPF spokesperson Rajesh Yadav said all four were stable. They are being treated for injuries. One of them has a comparatively grievous injury on his leg but he is stable, Yadav said.

The injured CRPF men have been identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Ram Raj and Constables Shashi Kant, Naresh Kumar and PC Patnaik of the 163 Battalion.

The attack took place near the Dak Bungalow in the main market of Qazigund at about 4.15 pm on Monday.

Police reports said the injured were part of a road opening party and were attacked by the militants, who fled after hurling the grenade.

The grenade explosion created a panic in the area. People ran for cover while CRPF men were injured. Some private cars were also damaged in the blast, a police source said.

The injured CRPF men were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

Soon after the attack, a contingent of the security forces and the police reached the spot and combed the area to trace the militants.

On September 1, militants had attacked a police bus in the Panthachowk area on the outskirts of Srinagar, killing one policeman and injuring five.

A fidayeen attack on the District Police Lines in Pulwama also left eight uniformed men, including four CRPF personnel and four policemen, dead on August 27.

A day later, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the police was shot by militants in Anantnag.

Recent attacks
New Delhi, September 4

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court's order directing the state government to provide lifetime security cover to retired judges and advocate generals.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud also stayed ongoing proceedings before the high court and agreed with state governments counsel senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan that the high court order made on March 14 last year was erroneous.

During Mondays hearing, Attorney General KK Venugopal, who was assisting the Supreme Court in the case, said the government had its own criteria of granting security to people who faced threats.

The state government, in its petition, had contended that a "grave error" was committed by the high court in providing a minimum of 1-4 security personnel cover to all former chief justices and former judges of the HC for life.

In its plea, the state government, through senior lawyer Dhavan and advocate Shoeb Alam, contended that throughout the country, security cover provided to VIPs/protected people was done on the basis of threat assessment and guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It had said that the Centre had laid down an elaborate mechanism for providing security cover to protected persons.

"As such, the field is occupied by a detailed policy which contains the procedure for periodic assessments of threats, providing security on the basis of such assessment.

It therefore is not a subject that is unguided by any executive expert policy," the state government had said.

The petition said the directions amount to usurping of an expert function" by encroaching upon an area that is the exclusive expertise of the state and security agencies.

"It is settled law that a court of law shall not interfere with the performance of an expert function or the opinion of experts since it is ill-equipped with executing the same. The functions of an expert body are best left to be performed by the expert body which alone is competent to deal with such matters", it had said.

The high court had on March 14, 2016 directed the state to provide round-the-clock security cover at the residences of each former chief justice and judge of High Court along with one personal security officer.

It had said that enhancement of the security cover shall be as per the threat perception and that retired district and session judges should also be provided extended security cover for one year on their retirement.

It had also directed the state to provide 1-3 security guards personnel round the clock at the residence each former advocate general of the state and one PSO shall be provided on demand. PTI
Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4

The Best Teacher awardee of the state for the year 2016-17, Lovely Sharma, said if students and teachers unite to fight illiteracy then poverty, social inequality and other backwardness could be eliminated from the state.

On Teachers Day tomorrow, Lovely Sharma, a teacher at SRML Higher Secondary School, Jammu, has pledged to release a message to students and the fraternity to take up the noble cause of educating the masses for a fully civilised, literate and liberated society.

My objective is to reach out to a number of people through various means and educate them. Besides my professional duties, I try to educate every child personally, she added.

Lovely Sharma holds an MA degree, along with BEd and has done PhD in Hindi. Her specialisation is in Swatantra Kavita Lekhan. She joined as a teacher at Government Girls Middle School Budhwani, Samba, in 2002 and after serving various terms in different schools, she was posted in Sri Ranbir Multilateral Higher Secondary School, Jammu, as a multi-purpose teacher .

Except science and mathematics, I am teaching all other subjects up to Class XII, which brings great satisfaction to me. I believe that the student-teacher relation is a strong bond that yields a phenomenal growth of a civilised world, she said.

Director School Education Ravinder Singh said the state feels proud of such teachers, who give their maximum to shape the career of the students and were the strongest pillars of society.

Our teachers are doing a good job, which is reflected in the results of various classes announced annually. They, however, need to introspect more and come up with model representation of the education system so as to increase enrolment in government schools, Singh said, adding that the state needs more teachers like Lovely Sharma.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Iqbal Shah from Girls Higher Secondary School, Bandipora, Handwara, gets the states Best Male Teacher award.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4

Supriya, a student of Presentation Convent School, Gandhi Nagar, bagged the first prize in the Inter-School Debate Contest-2017 organised by The Tribune Group of Newspapers at Shiksha Niketan Higher Secondary School, Jeevan Nagar, here today.

Students of Delhi Public School, Jammu, Mahaveer Singh and Rajarishi Rai secured the second and third position, respectively. Meanwhile, Army Public School, Bari Brahmana, was declared the best school.

The debate, powered by Chitkara University, witnessed great enthusiasm among 28 participants from 14 different schools of Jammu.

The event provided a platform to students to express their views in support and against the theme of Googleisation: Thumps Up and Thumps Down.

The winners received cash prizes along with mementos and certificates from Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who was the chief guest on the occasion. Arun Joshi, Resident Editor, The Tribune, J&K, and Rameshwar Mengi, chairman, Shiksha Niketan Senior Secondary School and Randhir Singh, Deputy Marketing Manager, The Tribune, were also present.

The panel of eminent jurists, who evaluated the performance of participants in the debate contest, comprised Prof Monika Mahajan, head of Computer Science Department, Government MAM College; and Vinus Sharma, senior assistant professor, Computer Science Department, GGM Science College.

Consolation prizes were given to Rhytham of RM Public School, Chowadi; Gurmehak Kaur of Shiksha Niketan Higher Secondary school, Jeevan Nagar; and Simranjeet Kaur of Army Public School, Bari Brahmana.

During the debate, participants shared their views on the effect of Internet, especially the search engine, Google, which has transformed the lives of people, especially youngsters.

While some of the participants spoke about the advantages of Google in dissemination of information and simplifying the process of gathering data, those against the unlimited dependence on Internet spoke about the effect on the inability of humans to interact with fellow beings.
Yash Goyal

Jaipur, September 4

The Rajasthan Government on Monday suspended three doctors, put six others on Awaiting Posting Order, and ordered disciplinary action against four paramedical staff after the alleged deaths of 86 infants in the last two months at Banswaras MG Hospital.

Unofficial sources put the death toll of newborns to about 100 due to a number of causes , including malnutrition and breathing disorders, while undergoing treatment at the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) of MG Hospital in Banswara in July and August.

The state Medical and Health Department has ordered an investigation into the untimely deaths of children by the district collector and sent a team of expert doctors from Jaipur.

Principal Medical Officer Dr VK Jain, gynaecologist specialist Dr PC Yadav, and Block PMO Dr Jitendera Banjara have been suspended, while six others  Dr Manisha Choudhary, Divya Pathak, OP Upadhyay, Jaishree Jain, and Shalini Nanawati were put on APO, Principal Secretary Medical and Health Veenu Gupta said.

The government has also initiated disciplinary action against four nursing staff, and many others, she said, adding the punished staff members have been replaced.

Meanwhile, PCC president Sachin Pilot and Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Dudi asked Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to sack state Health Minister KC Saraf alleging the government-run health care has collapsed not only in Banswara but also at remote villages of the tribal belt in Udaipur division.
Xiamen, September 4

For the first time, Pakistan-based terror groups like the LeT and the JeM were named on Monday in the summit declaration of the BRICS countries that also asserted that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terror acts must be held accountable.

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In a significant diplomatic win for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.

The 43-page Xiamen Declaration, adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary, stressed on the need for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan.

It expressed concern over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

At the ninth summit of the grouping, the BRICS leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

They stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable, the statement said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

According to officials, Modi raised the issue of terrorism strongly at the BRICS Summit and was joined by other leaders, who expressed willingness to fight this menace.

For the first time specific listing of terror organisations has been made (in the BRICS declaration), Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.

The inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration is also significant as it indicated a slight shift in the Chinese view towards terror groups operating out of Pakistan.

Ahead of the BRICS Summit, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had said, We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistans counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I dont think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at the BRICS Summit.

During the last BRICS Summit in Goa, China did not allow inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration despite the fact that the Summit was taking place within weeks of the Uri terror strike carried out by a Pakistan-based militant group.

However, now it is to be seen that after being part of such a strongly-worded declaration on terrorism and indicting Pakistan-based terror group JeM, how China will act towards the designation of Jaishs chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

Currently, China has put a hold on the proposal moved by the US and some other countries at the UNs Sanctions Committee.

The declaration referred to terrorism at least 17 times, apart from mentioning other forms of extremism and radicalisation. During the BRICS Summit here, India also offered to host a conference on countering radicalisation.

Talking about Indias position on terrorism, Saran told reporters, Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge. You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action, she said.

Saran also said that Prime Minister Modi also raised the issue of speeding up the long-pending UN Security Council reforms during the Summit.

The BRICS countries also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism.

They said that the approach should include countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

The BRICS leaders conveyed their commitment to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing.

They also recalled the responsibility of all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs), the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned, the BRICS said. PTI
Lahiripur, September 4

Geeta Mridha lost her husband on Valentines Day in 2014. He was fishing in the backwaters of the Sundarbans National Park with four others when a tiger leaped out of the jungle and dragged him away by the throat.

Mridha says the other men didnt even have time to react.

His body was never found.

After my husbands departure, I became completely helpless and hopeless. I didnt know what to do and how to run the family, she said.

The Sundarbans National Park, in the state of West Bengal on the India-Bangladesh border, is known for its natural beauty, with its lush mangroves and rich wildlife. But for people like Mridha, who live on the floodplains, the park is a place of hardship and loss.

The Sundarbans is home to the worlds largest population of tigers, and coastal erosion due to climate change is pushing human residents further into their path. Every year, 50 fishermen or honey collectors are killed in tiger attacks, researchers estimate.

After losing their familys breadwinner, women are left to fend for themselves and their children. They are the tiger widows of West Bengal.

Husband-eater

For the widows of the Sundarbans, the search for regular income is compounded by the social stigma they face.

A study published in the journal Environmental Health Insights in 2016 found that women widowed by tigers are often blamed  unjustly  for the deaths of their husbands.

In Indias patriarchal society, women are often seen as responsible for any ill fortune that befalls a family. In the Sundarbans most tiger widows are branded swami-khego or husband-eaters by their in-laws.

Fearing being ostracised by society, these women keep to themselves and go about their life pretending as if nothing happened, said Arjun Mandal of the Sunderbans Rural Development Society (SRDS) and the head of a local community of fishermen.

SRDS, which conducted an informal survey between 2006 and 2016 with the help of fishermen and their families, estimates that 260 families have lost breadwinners to tiger attacks in Lahiripur alone.

Facing the jaws

In the past, widows had been able to make a living after their husbands deaths by cultivating prawns or carrying out small-scale survival farming. But sea-level rise and population growth are putting the deltas delicate ecosystems under increasing pressure.

Today 4.5 million people live in the Sundarbans, where parcels of fertile land are being swallowed by rising seas, mangrove cover is dying, and the coast is eroding.

This means the only option open to widows is often to go out and fish the waters in the jungles where their husbands were killed.

Once the salty water breaches the embankment and enters your land, it makes the field infertile forever, said Alapi Mandal, who lost her husband in a tiger attack a decade ago.

Like Mandal and Mridha, Alapi (the two are not related) is also from Lahiripur in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Mandal grew crops and vegetables on her own land until last year, when an embankment breach swallowed her house and farm.

Mridha never owned any land to farm, and struggled to feed and pay school fees for her two children, now 11 and 9 after her husbands death. In 2015, she and 10 other women formed a group and began going to the jungle together.

I cannot let my children starve to death, Mridha said.

Thats why I decided to go to the jungle.

Password from poverty

None of the women wants their children to be trapped in the same vicious cycle of poverty and danger.

I have told them that education is the password to get out of this, Mridha said. I always tell them to concentrate only on their studies.

Many women say that if they could find any other work that ensured their families two meals a day, they would stop going to the jungle. They dont want to risk their lives, and they want to spend more time with their children, to make sure they stay focused on studies.

But community stigma and the loss of arable land make this a distant dream for most tiger widows.

Moved by their plight, Arjun Mandal of SRDS has launched a crowd-funding campaign to help the women find a safer way of earning a living, such as manufacturing candle wicks for local markets and temples.

So far it has brought in just 7,500 rupees.

We appeal to all the pious people out there... to extend a helping hand for these families, he said. (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, September 4

The Farrukhabad district magistrate, chief medical officer and chief medical superintendent have been transferred for the death of 49 children within a month, reportedly due to lack of oxygen.

The Farrukhabad police have lodged criminal cases against the top doctors of state-run Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Female Hospital.

Confirming the lodging of the FIRs against the chief medical superintendt (CMS) and chief medical officer (CMO) and other doctors of the hospital, Farrukhabad SP Dayanand Mishra said the cases had been filed under IPC sections 176 (omission to give information to public servant by person legally bound to give), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).

Read: 3 doctors suspended after 86 newborns die at Rajasthan hospital

Following media reports of the deaths, the District Magistrate had formed a probe committee which had asked the Farrukhabad Chief Medical Officer and hospital CMS to furnish a detailed report of the cause of 49 deaths in the Special New Born Care Unit (SNCU) during the last one month.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

However, the report submitted by the doctors was reportedly incomplete claiming only 30 deaths due to perinatal asphyxia.

However, during the probe conducted by Farrukhabad City Magistrate JK Jain, the parents of the deceased infants revealed that neither did the doctors administer oxygen to their children nor was any medicine given resulting in the deaths.

The report submitted by Jain claims the hospital administration of violating orders and submitting an incomplete and misleading list. After this the district administration took legal action.

Defending the hospital administration, CMO Umakant Pandey maintained that negligence could not be held responsible for the childrens deaths.

The Farrukhabad deaths allegedly due to lack of oxygen come days after 30 deaths within 36 hours due to disruption of oxygen supply at Gorakhpurs BRD Medical college hospital in which three doctors have already been arrested and the UP STF is searching for six more accused.
Ahmedabad, September 4

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were "scared" of the outcome of the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls as their much-touted "model of development" in the state had "failed".

Addressing party workers here, Gandhi exuded confidence that the Congress, in opposition in Gujarat for nearly two decades, would come to power after the polls, likely to be held later this year.

"This time, I firmly believe no one can stop the Congress from forming the next government in Gujarat," the 47-year-old Amethi MP said.

The Congress leader said the Gujarat "model of development" stood thoroughly "exposed".

"The BJP and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) are scared of the outcome of the Gujarat Assembly polls. You cannot hide the truth for long. The hollowness of the BJP's Gujarat model of development has been exposed now," he said.

Gandhi alleged the model had not helped anyone "be it the youth, farmers, small businessmen or shopkeepers".

Only some 5-10 people benefited from it, Gandhi said without taking names.

Attacking Modi, Gandhi said his government was putting "undue pressure" on the media. "We know that Modiji is pressuring the media. Even some media persons have told me that they are scared," he claimed.

He asked party workers to fight against the BJP at the booth level and expose the saffron outfit's "lies".

"You have so many issues for this election such as hardships being faced by farmers, demonetisation, GST and unemployment. Our workers will fight against BJP at the booth level and expose their lies," he said.

The event at the Sabarmati Riverfront -- a waterfront on the banks of the Sabarmati -- was an outreach programme for workers.

At the event named "Samvad" (dialogue), Gandhi interacted with party workers and answered questions sent to him in advance by them.

Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki read out the questions and the party vice president answered them.  PTI
Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 4

Haryana is all set to experiments with zero-budget natural (organic) farming, aimed at BJPs agenda of doubling farmers income by 2022.

Successfully implemented at Gurukul, Kurukshetra, on 175 acres by Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat, who hails from Haryana, the technique involves producing manure from urine and dung of desi cows. The experiment has been replicated in Himachal Pradesh, where it has been successfully adopted by over 30,000 farmers.

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With no initial cost, compared to an input of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre in terms of fertilisers and pesticides, this is a simple way out of farm indebtedness, besides making available healthy food, the Himachal Governor told The Tribune.

He has written a book for free distribution among farmers to adopt the technique of chemical-free cultivation developed and practiced by agriculturist Shubhash Palekar. Research by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, in Karnataka has established that one desi cow can produce enough natural manure each day to cater to the needs of an acre of farm land, Acharya Devvrat said.

The Himachal Governor, who also met Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar and Industries Minister Vipul Goel today, said Haryana Government had shown keen interest in adopting the natural (organic) farming. The Agriculture Minister has suggested that all villages in Haryana where 400 gaushalas are located should be turned into model villages where farmers can be trained to adopt the technique.

Goel, who also holds the Skill Development portfolio, suggested that unemployed youths can be imparted training and can then be further used to spread the word about the benefits and advantages of chemical-free farming.

He has asked Governor Devvrat to hold such camps in Faridabad and Palwal.

Devvrat said the use of cow urine and dung-based manure could rejuvenate the land that had lost its productivity within a few days. About 50 acres at Gurukul, Kurukshetra, that had been given on lease had become non-productive due to prolonged use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, while the adjoining land that he was cultivating without the use of chemical products was yielding robust crops. The sugarcane grown in this land does not need to be re-sown as the stem can re-grow for 20 years from the same root.

Cow dung-based manure has between 300 and 500 crore beneficial organisms that help in soil rejuvenation. This also helps in the multiplication of earthworms that can go up and down the soil up to 20 feet, leading to oxygenation of the soil besides creating passages for recharging ground water. He said camps had been held in every district of Himachal. The scientists of two agriculture universities had acknowledged the benefits of this practice.

Himachal was now moving towards chemical fertiliser-free agriculture on the pattern of Sikkim. In Sikkim, anyone found in possession of urea or DAP is fined Rs 5 lakh.

In Haryana also, cow dung-based manure has been successfully used at Yamunanagar and Kaithal. The state contributes 13 crore quintal of paddy and wheat to the central pool valued at Rs 20,000 crore. This uses fertilisers worth Rs 4,000 crore, which can be saved if organic farming is adopted. Haryana has introduced a subsidy of Rs 20,000 per acre to be given over three years to those shifting to organic farming.

Model accepted by 30,000 in hill state
Junaid was nabbed on the intervening night of June 7 and 8 from Wazirabad road in northeast Delhi.

By Sneha Agrawal: Taking advantage of the Unique Identification Number, Delhi police's special cell trapped 25-year-old Junaid Chaudhary, the henchman of underworld don Chhota Shakeel, who after his release on bail was plotting to kill Canadian-Pakistani writer Tarik Fateh and others who've angered Dawood Ibrahim.

The chargesheet filed by the special cell under the Arms Act reveals that Junaid had been planning illegal activities in the Capital. According to the special cell, Junaid used his Aadhaar number to withdraw money allegedly sent by Chhota Shakeel to carry out killings.

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Junaid was already on bail when he was plotting the killings. He was granted bail by a Delhi court for his alleged involvement in planning the murders of Chhota Rajan and Hindu Mahasabha chief Swami Chakrapani.

The special cell received inputs that Junaid was active in east Delhi and was re-organising a gang after his release from jail. He was collecting funds through foreign remittance and other modes.

Junaid was recently granted interim bail for Eid. Shakeel had been plotting to kill Chhota Rajan, Swami Chakrapani, Tarek Fetah and ex-Bajrang Dal member Robin Sharma.

The special cell said he had chosen Junaid and three others to carry out the task, but they were caught after their conversation was traced by the cell.

Shakeel had sent money to Junaid through western union money transfer. The money was withdrawn using an Aadhaar number, the chargesheet says.

BEGINNINGS

In his statement, Junaid said he'd learned to use the Internet when he was in class 9, and that he was immediately drawn towards the life of Dawood.

"I started searching for people with the name Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar on social networking sites and sent them friend requests," he told police. Eventually, he started talking to someone with the profile name 'D Company' who told him how Chhota Rajan had betrayed Dawood.

"I was also told about Swami Chakrapani who burnt Dawood's car after buying it at an auction in Mumbai."

Police intercepted conversations between Shakeel and his henchman. Four people, including Junaid, were arrested.

Junaid was nabbed on the intervening night of June 7 and 8 from Wazirabad road in northeast Delhi. He thought the killing of Fatah would land him in Tihar jail where he would kill Chhota Rajan, once a right-hand man of Dawood and now his arch rival, police sources said.

ALSO READ

Chhota Shakeel's hitman arrested, was planning to target writer Tarek Fatah

Arrested Chhota Shakeel aide wanted to become like Dawood Ibrahim

--- ENDS ---
Xiamen, September 4

In a major diplomatic win for India, BRICS countries today named for the first time Pakistan-based terror groups, including the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), for causing violence in the region and said those supporting terror acts must be held accountable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Presidents Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michael Temer of Brazil and Jacob Zuma of South Africa in denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.

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At last years BRICS Summit in Goa, China had opposed the inclusion of the Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits in the declaration. China has in the past shielded its all-weather ally even after Islamabad was pilloried by India, the US and other countries for harbouring terrorists.

The 43-page Xiamen Declaration, adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary today, stressed the need for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan.

It expressed concern over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, Islamic State, Al-Qaida and its affiliates, including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, LeT, JeM, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The ETIM is active in Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and seeks to establish a separate East Turkistan.

The mention of LeT and JeM is seen as a takeaway for India as it reflects a slight shift in China stance. The Chinese foreign ministry later said terrorist outfits like JeM, LeT and the Haqqani network had been included in the declaration due to concerns about their violent activities.

Spokesman Geng Shuang, however, skirted a question on whether the naming of JeM marks a change in Beijings stand of opposing the UN ban against groups chief Masood Azhar. On the counter-terrorism cooperation among BRICS countries, we are very satisfied with the achievements made, he said.  Agencies

Terror listing, a first: MEA

For the first time, specific listing of terror organisations has been made... The declaration has been endorsed by all BRICS leaders. So obviously it has the approval, endorsement of all countries.  Preeti Saran, secretary (east), MEA

Concerned at violenCE: Beijing

BRICS countries have shown concerns to the violent activities raised by these organisations, which are all sanctioned by UN Security Council and have a significant impact for Afghanistan issue.  Geng Shuang, Chinese spokesman
Xiamen, September 4

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first substantive bilateral meeting on Tuesday after the Dokalam standoff, which had put ties between the two countries under strain.

According to external affairs ministry officials, Modi will meet Xi at 12.30 pm (10 am IST), the prime minister's last official engagement before flying off to Myanmar on a bilateral visit.

Modi had arrived here yesterday and attended the BRICS Summit today.

During the meeting, which is taking place amid efforts from the two sides to leave the bitterness caused by the 73-day face-off between their troops in Dokalam in the Sikkim sector, sources said the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to create confidence building measures.

However, they refused to divulge details about the issues to be discussed.

The sense is that both countries want to "move on" after the standoff.

The Chinese and the Indian troops were engaged in a standoff since June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army.

On August 28, India's External Affairs Ministry announced that New Delhi and Beijing have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area.

Asked if there was any link between the BRICS declaration which for the first time named Pakistan-based terror groups for their violent activities and resolution of the Dokalam standoff, Secretary (East) in the MEA Preeti Saran answered in the negative, saying BRICS is a multilateral forum where outcomes are based on consensus.

"It cannot be linked," she added.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media in Beijing that "details of the meeting we will release in due course."

Apart from Xi, Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, which is among the five counties -- Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan -- invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.

Xi and his wife hosted a banquet for the BRICS leaders this evening followed by Chinese cultural extravaganza.

Modi, who attended the banquet along with other leaders, also interacted informally with the leaders of the guest countries.  PTI
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 4

A National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) (NSCN-K) militant was killed and an Army jawan was injured on Monday as special forces conducted an operation along the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Radio sets and ammunition were also recovered from the heavily forested area in Longding district in the state.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat downplayed the operation saying such actions were not uncommon.

"It was a normal encounter. These operations go on everyday. Nothing big about this operation," he told reporters here after a meeting with minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju. (With PTI)
Ahmedabad, September 4

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi kicked off his Gujarat Assembly election campaign here on Monday with a direct dialogue with party activists from across all the 182 constituencies, in keeping with the partys focus on strengthening and revving up the organisation.

Gandhi, who is also scheduled to make two four-day visits later this month across the length and breadth of the state, is to meet the Congress rank and file at the Sabarmati Riverfront here.

He is then expected to hold interactions with representatives of civil society organisations, industrialists and businessmen and traders before flying off to Delhi on Monday evening.

According to Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharatsinh Solanki, Rahul will interact directly with workers from all 182 Assembly constituencies. He will also hold meetings with NGO representatives, industrialists and other businessmen on Monday and take feedback from them. He is expected to speak about his expectations from the Gujarat unit and give advice on the partys strategy for the elections, Solanki added.

In view of the recent setback to the party during the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections when as many as 14 legislators quit the Congress and eight of them voted for the BJP against the official nominee Ahmed Patel, the opposition party is trying to ensure its flock remains together.

As part of this exercise, as many as 122 new office-bearers were recently inducted, including four working presidents, despite an existing full-time state chief, besides formation of committees on election, candidate selection, campaign and manifesto, accommodating functionaries from all regions.

Simultaneously, the party issued sack orders to eight legislators who cross-voted for the BJP during the Rajya Sabha elections and also initiated similar action against six others on the contention that they resigned and joined the rival party while the whip to vote for the official nominee was already out.

With the argument that they had defied the official whip and could invite disqualification from contesting any election for another six years, the party is planning a legal recourse to ensure they are barred and the rival BJP is unable to field them in the elections.

Rahul Gandhi will be in Gujarat again for four days from September 22 during which he will extensively tour the Saurashtra region in the west and the flood-affected North Gujarat districts.

The Congress vice-president will be on another four-day tour of central and south Gujarat regions later but the dates are still being finalised.

Former state party chief Arjun Modhwadia said for the first time Rahul Gandhi would cover a staggering 4,000 square km across the state to rejuvenate the party cadres. IANS
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 4

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to issue any interim order to the Centre not to deport illegal Rohingya Muslim refugees who have fled Myanmar to escape persecution.

Alleged attacks by the Myanmar army have resulted in an exodus of Rohingya population to India and Bangladesh.

Many have settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.

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A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, however, asked the Centre to spell out its stand and posted the matter for hearing on September 11. It will decide if Rohingya as a class were entitled to stay in India as refugees. The National Human Rights Commission has already issued notice to the Centre over its plan to deport Rohingya.

The Bench asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to take instructions from the government regarding the petition.

On behalf of two Rohingya refugees, advocate Prashant Bhushan said the government should give an assurance that during the pendency of their petition, they will not be deported.

But Mehta refused to give any such assurance.

The Bench asked the petitioner to hand over the copy of the petition to the Centres counsel.
New Delhi, September 4

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday suspended the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Lucknow over an allegedly "misleading" report that held that the suspicious substance recovered from the state Assembly was highly explosive PETN, an official said.

The state government has initiated a probe in the case.

Director FSL, Shiv Bihari Upadhyay, has been suspended for allegedly giving a wrong, misleading, incomplete and un-confirmed report about the substance recovered in the state Assembly, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said.

"Upadhyay got the substance recovered from the state Assembly examined and in the report it was held to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be silicon oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive," Kumar said.

The "suspicious" substance had been recovered from the UP Assembly on July 12.

Kumar added that Upadhyay had been suspended for allegedly getting the substance tested using an explosive detection kit whose usage date had expired in March 2016 itself.

Another charge against him was that it was tested by a person who was not an expert in the field, he added. Director, Vigilance, Hitesh Awasthi will probe the charges, the official said.

There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna, Bihar, from February 28, 2008 to August 20, 2012, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar said. PTI

PETN is a dangerous plastic explosive found in black markets belonging to the same family as nitroglycerin. It is popular among militants because its crystals are colourless, making it undetectable.

A packet of the powder weighing 150 gm was found close to the seat of Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary, close the Speakers podium. PTI/Agencies
Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, September 4

The Sangrur police on Monday claimed to have arrested Duni Chand, member of the A team of Dera Sacha Sauda allegedly formed to lead violence in the Malwa region in case of an adverse verdict.

On Sunday night, the police arrested another accused Ranjit Singh, who was working as a link between Duni Chand and local Dera followers.

SSP Mandeep Sidhu said, Rakesh Kumar, who lives in the Sirsa dera and was in touch with the Dera head, had formed an eight-member A team to lead violence in the Malwa in case of an adverse verdict in the rape case against the Dera head. Duni Chand was member of that team and was getting direct instructions from Rakesh.

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Police arrested Duni Chand on Sunday night from near Gujra village while he was driving a car and seized Rs 1.7 lakh in cash, pepper sprays and Dera literature.

The other members of the team who are absconding are Major Singh of Mansa, Balwinder Singh and Gurdev Singh of Bathinda, Prithi Chand of Bagha Purana, Mahinderpal Singh Bittu of Kotkapura, Gurdas Singh of Kot Bhai of Bathinda and Gurjit Singh of Moga.

These members were given special instructions on the Dera premises during a meeting on the night of August 17. They were told by Rakesh to select more dera followers from their areas and train them in violence, the SSP said.

Duni and Ranjit confessed before the media on Monday that the Dera management had prepared them for violence. Like me, many others fell in the Dera managements trap and got ready to burn our own state, said Duni, who has been a Dera follower since 1994.

Interestingly, on August 23, two days before violence and conviction of the Dera head, Ranjit had attended a meeting by SSP Sidhu at Police Lines to maintain peace in the district.

The SSP said, Some miscreants are spreading false information that we are harassing Dera followers. This is not correct. I challenge them to cite even a single case of harassment. We have registered 14 cases against Dera followers involved in damaging properties in the district. We have arrested 59 accused and impounded 22 motorcycles and three cars.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 4

Describing them as architects of the nations future, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh extended his greetings to the teaching fraternity on the eve of Teachers Day with a promise to promote their welfare and enable a congenial atmosphere in the state for their progress.

Amarinder exhorted the teachers to do their best to shape the future generations in the mould of former President of India and great educationist late Dr S Radhakrishnan, on whose birth anniversary Teachers Day is celebrated every year.

The CM urged the teachers to pledge themselves to the cause of providing youngsters, especially the needy, with the necessary learning environment required to transform their destiny.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary also greeted the teaching community.

In a statement, Chaudhary said Capt Amarinder Singh would bestow the Teachers Day gift to the newly recruited 1,337 master-cadre teachers by giving them appointment letters during the Ghar Ghar Rozgar mela to be held tomorrow at the multipurpose stadium in Mohali.

The CM would also give appointment letters to 50 kin of deceased employees.
Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 4

I could not hold back my tears when I was introduced as Eh saadi 5,178 waali teacher hai to the visiting District Education Officer by my school headmaster last month, said a teacher at a school in Fatehgarh Sahib district today when she was asked what she had to say about Teachers Day.

The reference (shes a 5,178 teacher) to an apparently random figure at once brings out the humiliation and the disparities a significant proportion of the government teachers in Punjab have to serve under. The teacher, who did not want to be identified, explained it thus: The reference, which sounds like a prisoners tag number, is to the strength of the batch in which I was recruited, 5,178. It is a constant reminder to us that we belong to a category that gets paid only Rs 11,000 per month, while a regular teacher gets more than Rs 50,000. There are similar batches of 6,060, 7,654 and 3,442, who are paid different amounts, and it also varies from district to district.

A mathematics teacher based in Bathinda district, also requesting anonymity, said: The disparity in our salary despite the same educational qualifications is suffocating. It robs us of the traditional dignity attached with the profession of teaching.

Manjit Singh, a teacher in a government school in Jalandhar district, pointed to the frustration in highlighting service issues: Teachers have no single-point authority to talk to because of frequent transfers of the officers occupying the positions of Director-General School Education (DGSE); Secretary, Education; and the DPI. We have to explain our issues from scratch each time.

On the occasion of Teachers Day, The Tribune reached out to government teachers to get a perspective on their issues:

Imbalance in deployment

The only teacher at Elementary School, Mehtabgarh (Patiala), takes care of the school mail, accounts, and the mid-day meal programme. Now and then she also gets deployed on census or election duties. Of course, she teaches all five classes at the school.

The situation is similar at the elementary schools in Daulowal, Dehni and Attar Daboor (all in Ropar), Atapur (Fatehgarh Sahib), and Phedran (Nawanshahr). And it is worse in the border areas of Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur. But these are only examples, and the problem is witnessed in numerous schools across the state.

On the other hand, certain schools near major cities such as Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar have a surplus. However, the government has started the process of shunting out extra staff from such schools.

Anomalies in salaries

The state government while recruiting teachers under different categories over the years has ended up creating multiple pay brackets, which has become a major source of resentment among the teaching fraternity, said union leaders.

Gurbachan Singh, president of the Maths Teachers Association, said: A teacher recruited under the TET teachers category is getting as little as Rs 10,300, while another is paid Rs 50,000 per month for the same job.

ETT teachers recruited in 2016 are paid less than the Deputy Commissioner rates (minimum rates fixed for specific kinds of labour), which is against the government rules, pointed out Kulwinder Singh of the ETT-TET Pass Teachers Union.

Divided they fall

The disparities have ensured that teachers cannot have a common charter of demands or agenda. This has led to the creation of more than 20 teachers unions. Some of them are: the Democratic Teachers Front; SC/BC Union; SSA/RUMSA Teachers Union; Maths Teachers Association; Science Teachers Association; ETT-TET Pass Teachers Union; Zila Parishad TET Teachers Association; and the Sikhya Providers Association.

The situation often pits one group against another; like the zila parishad teachers are demanding a higher grade than regular teachers.

Vague appraisal norms

Hundreds of posts lying vacant for want of recruitment is also affecting education delivery. A former union leader, requesting anonymity, said more than 250 schools are functioning without heads. And teachers acting as school head often do not take classes, which means a loss of about 30 classes a week. Teachers complained that there was no clear policy on reward for good work, as a result often the appraisals were whimsical. Teachers who did not perform also got recommended for special workshops. This affected teachers morale as well as teaching standards.

Private schools

The nearly 1.8 lakh teachers in 19,500 government schools still have the government to direct their problems at. But the teachers in around 6,000 private schools cannot even make that appeal. Except for a small number of schools that provide decent service conditions, teachers in the majority of private schools are subjected to untold humiliations and given pitiable salaries. Many in rural areas are employing even unqualified teachers to cut costs, which jeopardises students future.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 4

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and workers led by state president and MP Bhagwant Mann and Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira were taken into preventive custody when they were on their way to protest outside Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singhs residence here today.

AAP leaders demanded that the cases against the CM be handed over to the CBI for a fair investigation and that action be taken against Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit Singh for being allegedly involved in the mining scam.

They were detained outside MLAs hostel after they clashed with the police. They were taken to the police station in Sector 17.

AAP has been demanding that either Capt Amarinder should resign or he should hand over the investigation into the Amritsar land scam and Ludhiana City Centre scam to the CBI for trial outside the state.

Mann said the alliance between Capt Amarinder and the Badals had been exposed as they tried to save each other in corruption cases. Congress and SAD leaders have got the clean chit in corruption cases form bogus inquiry commissions formed by their governments.

He questioned if Bikram Singh Majithia, Tota Singh and Adaish Partap Singh Kairon were clean, who looted the state exchequer.

Khaira said, Capt Amarinder Singh, in the election manifesto, had promised zero tolerance for corruption. Now, he is reneging on his promise by shielding Rana Gurjit.

He added the belated and pre-meditated inquiry into the mining scam was a tailor-made exercise to absolve the minister through the handpicked, controversial and bogus Justice Narang commission.
By PTI: (Eds: Recasting intro)

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The number of dengue cases in the capital this season has climbed to 1,185 and over 35 per cent of them were recorded last month, according to a municipal report released today.

A 12-year-old boy had succumbed to dengue shock syndrome on August 1 at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here, the first death due to the vector-borne disease reported in the city this year.

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The number of malaria cases recorded till September 2 has risen to 524, while the figure for chikungunya stands at 392.

Of the 1,185 cases, 604 affected people were residents of Delhi, while the rest were patients from other states. Of the 604 cases of Delhi residents, 418 were reported this month.

Vector-borne diseases are reported between mid-July and November end. Cases of all the three vector-borne diseases were reported much earlier this time, which doctors had attributed to early arrival of the monsoon.

Dengue and chikungunya are caused by aedes agypti mosquito, which breeds in clear water. Anopheles mosquito, which causes malaria, can breed in both fresh and muddy water.

According to the report, breeding of mosquitoes has been reported at 1,38,590 households in Delhi. All the three municipal corporations have stepped up awareness drives -- distributing pamphlets and plying vehicles with loudspeakers issuing dos and donts for prevention of the diseases.

The city government has banned over-the-counter sale of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and brufen as their use may "pose a threat" to dengue and chikungunya patients.

At least 21 deaths due to dengue were reported last year at various hospitals, including nine at AIIMS, though the official tally of the civic bodies stood at 10. 17 deaths suspected to be due to malaria were also reported by the civic bodies.

At least 15 fatalities were reported last year at various hospitals in the city due to complications triggered by chikungunya, though the civic bodies have kept the death tally at zero.

In one of the worst outbreaks, a total of 12,221 chikungunya cases were reported in Delhi till December 24, 2016, out of which 9,749 were confirmed. PTI KND GVS

--- ENDS ---
ON Saturday the 1st September came to a close one of the most sensational series of dacoity trials at Lahore when Rai Hari Chand, special magistrate, convicted all 18 persons, sentencing four of them to 12 years each, 1 to 9, 1 to 7 and the remaining 12 to 5 years rigorous imprisonment each. According to the prosecution the accused belonged to two gangs of the Beria criminal tribe of the United Provinces who, after committing dacoities in those provinces in districts of Moradabad, Najibabad, Etah, Karauli, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, etc., moved over to the Punjab in 1911 and 1915, respectively, and committed depredations in various places. The accused had nearly 45 occurrences laid at their door including about 25 dacoities, robberies and resistance to police.
Coxs Bazar/YANGON, September 4

Two blasts rocked an area on the Myanmar side of the border with Bangladesh on Monday, accompanied by the sound of gunfire and thick black smoke, as

violence that has sent nearly 90,000 Muslim Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh showed no sign of easing.

Bangladeshi border guards said a woman lost a leg from a blast about 50 metres inside Myanmar and was carried into Bangladesh to get treatment. Reuters reporters heard explosions and saw black smoke rising near a Myanmar village.

The latest violence in Myanmars northwestern Rakhine state began on August 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked dozens of police posts and an army base. The ensuing clashes and a military counter-offensive have killed at least 400 people and triggered the exodus of villagers to Bangladesh.

A Rohingya refugee who went to the site of the blast  on a footpath near where civilians fleeing violence are huddled in no man's land on the border  filmed what appeared to be a mine: a metal disc about 10 centimetres (3.94 inches) in diameter partially buried in the mud.

He said he believed there were two more such devices buried in the ground.

Bangladeshi border guards said they believed the injured woman stepped on an anti-personnel mine, although that was not confirmed. Two refugees also told Reuters they saw members of the Myanmar army around the site preceeding the blasts which occurred around 2.25 pm. Reuters was unable to verify that the planted devices were landmines and that there was any link to the Myanmar army.  Reuters
Seoul, September 4

South Koreas President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Monday to pursue stronger United Nations sanctions against North Korea after Pyongyangs sixth nuclear test a day earlier, South Koreas presidential spokesman said.

Both heads of state agreed to cooperate closely with each other and the United States and shared the understanding there must be the most powerful sanctions and pressure applied on North Korea, presidential Blue House spokesman Park Su-hyun told a media briefing.

And as part of that they agreed to push for more powerful UN sanctions, Park said after Moon and Abe spoke for about 20 minutes by phone. The aim of stronger sanctions was to draw North Korea into dialogue, he said. Reuters
Seoul, September 4

North Korea could be preparing another missile launch, Seoul said on Monday as it strengthened its defences following Pyongyang's biggest-ever nuclear test and declaration it had a hydrogen bomb.

The South and the United States will deploy more of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile launchers that have infuriated Beijing, the defence ministry said.

The announcement came after Seoul fired an early-morning volley of ballistic missiles in an exercise simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site.

Pictures showed South Korean short-range Hyunmoo missiles roaring into the sky in the pale light of dawn from a launch site on the east coast.

Pyongyang said the device it detonated Sunday was a hydrogen bomb - far more powerful than the fission-based devices it is believed to have previously tested - and small enough to fit into a missile.

The blast threw down a new gauntlet to President Donald Trump, after the North in July twice tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range, and threatened to send a salvo of missiles towards the US territory of Guam.

South Korean defence ministry officials estimated its strength at 50 kilotons  five times the size of the North's previous nuclear test.

They did not confirm whether it was a hydrogen bomb, saying only that "a variety of nuclear material" had been used.

But Defence Minister Song Young-Moo said Seoul believed Pyongyang had succeeded in miniaturising its nuclear weapons to fit into an ICBM.

The South had requested the US deploy strategic assets such as aircraft carriers and bombers to the peninsula, he said, but denied reports Seoul was seeking the return of US tactical nuclear weapons.

Signs that North Korea was "preparing for another ballistic missile launch have consistently been detected since Sunday's test", the ministry said.

It did not indicate when a launch might take place, but said it could involve an ICBM being fired into the Pacific Ocean to raise pressure on Washington further.

After Monday's test the United States warned it could launch a "massive military response" to threats from North Korea that would be "both effective and overwhelming".

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said, but warned: "We have many options to do so." Trump called an emergency meeting of his national security advisers and had his second telephone call of the weekend with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

But he did not talk to South Korea's Moon Jae-In for more than 24 hours  instead accusing Seoul of "appeasement", raising jitters in Seoul about the two countries' decades-old alliance.

Moon, who advocates engagement as well as penalties to bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table, called for new United Nations sanctions to "completely isolate North Korea".  AFP
Washington, September 4

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday condemned North Korea for its provocative and destabilising behaviour, after the reclusive nation carried out its biggest nuclear test.

North Korea claimed on Sunday it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb meant to be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was Pyongyangs sixth, and the most powerful nuclear test, which was set to raise tension in the region.

The White House said that the two leaders spoke over phone to discuss the North Korean actions as they pledged to continue close cooperation.

The two leaders condemned North Koreas continued destabilising and provocative actions, confirmed the two countries ironclad mutual defence commitments, and pledged to continue close cooperation, the White House said in a readout of the call.

During the call, Trump reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to defending its homeland, territories, and allies using the full range of diplomatic, conventional, and nuclear capabilities at its disposal.

Earlier in the day, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned North Korea of massive military response to any threats from North Korea.

We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack. And our commitment among the allies is ironclad: Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming, Mattis told reporters at the White House.

He made a brief statement to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House after Trump held a meeting with a small group of his national security team.

We have many military options. The president wanted to be briefed on each one of them, he said.

Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Councils unified voiceall members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses, and remain unanimous in their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula  because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely, North Korea, Mattis said.

Senator Marco Rubio said North Koreas threatening actions today are a sober reminder that all nations, including China, must do everything in their power to stop and reverse Pyongyangs growing nuclear and missile programs.

We cannot live in a world held hostage by Kim Jong Uns nuclear blackmail, and I support US-led international efforts to maximise pressure against the North Korean regime and its foreign enablers, Rubio said. PTI
Washington, September 4

President Donald Trump has decided to scrap a programme shielding from deportation immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children but will give Congress six months to craft legislation to replace it, sources familiar with the situation said.

The President decided to delay enforcement of his decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, the two sources said on Sunday. One source cautioned that the President could change his mind.

The decision to give Congress half a year to come up with a an alternative, first reported by Politico, represents a compromise of sorts after top Republicans and business leaders asked Trump to keep the programme.

DACA, an Obama administration policy, protects nearly 800,000 young men and women often called "Dreamers" from deportation and allows them to work legally.

Dreamers are a fraction of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the US, most of them Hispanic. Trump as a candidate promised to deport all of them, but many Americans have rallied to support the young adults who have spent large parts of their lives in the United States.

The decision, to be announced on Tuesday, will seek to placate both sides in the immigration debate at a time when the president is also grappling with North Korea's nuclear programme and Houston's recovery from Hurricane Harvey.

As a candidate, Trump pledged to immediately scrap the programme but he ran into stiff opposition. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan urged Trump on Friday not to rescind the programme and was joined by Senator Orrin Hatch, also a Republican.

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American Republican from Florida tweeted her dismay with the decision to scrap DACA: "After teasing #Dreamers for months with talk of his 'great heart,' @POTUS slams door on them. Some 'heart'." That said, Trump's base will likely be far from happy about the president's decision to leave open the option of a fix.

Representative Steve King, a hawk on immigration and Iowa Republican, tweeted his opposition to the plan on Sunday night.

Democrats, like Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, also wanted the programme to continue. Franken called the reported decision a "disgrace." Nancy Pelosi, the top House Democrat, last week asked Ryan to meet with Democratic lawmakers to discuss a "comprehensive legislative solution."

Leading business figures defended the Dreamers, including Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella and Facebook Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who signed a letter to the president outlining the economic contribution of Dreamers. Prior to the news of Trump's action, Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook tweeted, "250 of my Apple coworkers are #Dreamers. I stand with them."

But US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin downplayed those warnings on Sunday, telling Fox News Sunday he was "less concerned about the economic impact."  Reuters
United Nations, September 4

TThe United States wants the United Nations Security Council to vote next Monday to impose the strongest possible" sanctions on North Korea over its sixth and largest nuclear test, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Monday.

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting global condemnation and a US warning of a massive military response if it or its allies were threatened.

Chinas UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi pushed North Korea on Monday to stop taking actions that are wrong, deteriorating the situation and not in line with its own interests and truly return to the track of solving the issue through dialogue. Haley said the 15-member council would negotiate a draft resolution this week. She described North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un as begging for war and that while the United States doesn't want conflict, our countrys patience is not unlimited. Enough is enough, Haley told the council. Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy.

Since 2006, the UNSC has adopted eight resolutions ratcheting up sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile programs. Haley said the councils incremental approach to sanctions had not worked.

The council last month imposed new sanctions over North Korea's two long-range missile launches in July. The resolution aimed to slash by a third Pyongyang's $3 billion annual export revenue by banning exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood.  Reuters
By PTI: Chandigarh, Sep 4 (PTI) Weapons, including double barrel and single barrel guns and pistols, have been deposited by followers of Sirsa headquartered Dera Sacha Sauda, the Haryana Police said today.

Over 30 rifles and pistols along with live cartridges have been deposited with Sirsa district police authorities.

"A total of 33 licensed arms including single barrel, double barrel guns and 9 mm pistols have been deposited by Dera followers," Sirsa Sadar police SHO Dinesh Kumar said today over phone.

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Among them, there are some modified weapons as well, the SHO said.

Dera followers deposited their licensed weapons after district police authorities asked them to surrender their arms and ammunitions.

"We had asked Dera followers to deposit their weapons within two days," said Kumar.

A special CBI court in Panchkula had sentenced the Dera chief to 20-year imprisonment in the rape case on August 28.

50-year-old Ram Rahim Singh is lodged in the Sunaria jail in Rohtak district, where a thick blanket of security has been thrown around.

After the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda, violence had broken out in Panchkula and Sirsa, leaving 41 dead and scores of persons injured. Thirty-five persons died in Panchkula while six in Sirsa district.

Sirsa town is home to the sprawling Dera headquarters.PTI CHS VSD DV

--- ENDS ---
Tulsa resident Jordan Mazariegos has an accounting job waiting for him after he graduates from Oklahoma State University in the spring. Its a chance beyond what he once dreamed.

Now, hes preparing for the worst. He may not only lose the job, he may also be at risk for being deported to a country he doesnt know.

Ten state attorneys general, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, have given President Donald Trump a Tuesday deadline to make a decision whether to keep the Obama administration program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, or face a court challenge. They say the president doesnt have the authority to issue such orders.

On the other side, Californias Attorney General Xavier Becerra wrote a letter to the president signed by 19 state attorneys general urging him to keep DACA based on economic, legal and moral arguments.

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter did not sign either letter.

House Speaker Paul Ryan and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch on Friday separately called for Trump to keep DACA protections in place for the 800,000 young people who rely on the program to live and work legally in the United States

According to a White House briefing Friday, Trump will announce his decision Tuesday.

DACA is a program born out of the frustration with Congress over the proposed federal Dream Act, which has been languishing since 2001. It came close to passing the Senate seven years ago but fell five votes short of a meeting a procedural vote. The proposal was supported by President George W. Bush within the failed 2007 comprehensive immigration reform act.

President Barack Obama created DACA five years ago through presidential orders to mirror aspects of the Dream Act, though it is a legal limbo. It is not an amnesty. For eligible young adults, it is not a path to becoming documented or a citizen.

The program allows people a process to apply to the government to legally work and stave off deportation. In many cases, this also qualifies them to get a drivers license, as well.

During his campaign, Trump vowed to end DACA immediately. After becoming president, he took a softer tone, saying in February it is a very, very difficult subject and were going to show great heart.

While this political tug-of-war is happening, thousands of undocumented young adults are anxious and uneasy.

Quite frankly, I have no idea what they are going to do, Mazariegos said. Essentially, what I am doing is preparing myself for the worst. How I see myself becoming effective is to get my story out and be a part of this movement to protect people like me and my family.

More than anything, Im mentally preparing myself for the worst.

Hindsight is 20/20: At age 2, Mazariegos was brought by his parents to the U.S. from Mexico without authorizations. He grew up in the Tulsa area and graduated from Union High School. Hes never traveled out of the country.

Growing up undocumented, he felt there was a single path for him and it was one of unskilled work for low wages. Without a way to legally work, getting a college degree didnt seem to have a point, and it would be impossible to apply for most scholarships.

Those ambitions or goals were not there for me, he said. I knew after high school going to college wasnt going to be an option. I was less ambitious not having DACA. I knew I couldnt get the job I wanted. That was very discouraging during my high school years.

The everyday reality was one of survival and fear: I was worried for my family, worried for my mother. I was worried we would be pulled over, be separated and have to leave the country. It was a learning process.

DACA was created just as Mazariegos became a legal adult, and he was quick to apply. He had met the criteria: he was a high school graduate with no criminal or legal background issues and a plan to go to college.

Mazariegos will be graduating from OSU with an accounting degree in spring. After completing an internship at a downtown Tulsa company this summer, he was offered a job upon his degree completion, which he accepted. His DACA work permit is set to expire the following fall.

If DACA is revoked, that would be the end of my status, he said. I would lose out on the job that I worked hard for. Of my two options, the first is to work illegally  to find a job that doesnt require (identification), usually labor. The second is to leave the country. Ive never left the country. The last time I was in Mexico, I was 2 and dont remember anything.

For people who ask why Mazariegos doesnt try to become documented, he describes the process: Current law means he would likely have to leave the country, ask for pardon, serve a 10-year ban from entering the U.S., apply for a visa using a family or work sponsor then wait as long as 10 to 15 years to be approved or denied.

Hindsight is 20/20 for me, he said. There are certain risks you take in life, and DACA is one of those risks. I was at the point in my life I had just graduated and knew I wanted to get a higher education to not have low-paying jobs. DACA would allow me to legally work and have a better job. I took that risk not knowing the outcome, but knew what I was pursing was worth it. That was the biggest reason why I chose to apply.

Even if the program were to be revoked, at least I was going to get a higher education and be in a better position and excel.

We are going to be heard: Mazariegos is one of about 7,488 Oklahoma residents in DACA, out of the nearly 17,000 who are eligible. Nationally, about 1.9 million young adults are considered DACA eligible with 886,814 applications accepted, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Options facing Trump include extending DACA, ending new applicants but allowing current participants to retain permits or revoking the program for new and current permit holders.

Thats where we dont know, Mazariegos said. Thats the uncertainty.

Mazariegos is president of Dream Act Oklahoma, which is part of the national network of advocates for that long-pending legislation. For those who would quality, they call themselves Dreamers.

For many years, undocumented youth stayed hidden, not wanting their images or stories shared for fear of federal agents. That changed as the children grew into adults and wanted changes in the immigration laws to allow them paths to documented status.

Were larger, and were less scared, Mazariegos said. When you have a large group of people who are educated, politically involved and built connections across communities, cities and states, and take away what they worked hard for, its political suicide. We dont have power of the vote, but there are voices and connections in the communities who support us who can vote.

If this is revoked, you are going to see a large group of Dreamers demonstrating all over the nation and speaking in front of cameras. We are going to be heard and not leave without putting up a fight.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The government has accepted the recommendations of a panel that parity with civilians for the grant of disability element to the defence forces under the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) should be maintained, according to an official statement today.

The armed forces have been pressing for reverting to the percentage-based regime for disability pension and were strongly opposed to the slab-based system conceived by the 7th CPC.

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The matter was referred to the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) by the Ministry of Defence to decide methodology for calculation of disability element of disability pension under the 7th CPC.

"The National Anomoly Committee has recommended that parity with civilians for grant of disability element which was granted to the defence forces under the 6th CPC shall be maintained.

"The recommendations of the NAC have been considered by the government," said a statement by the Department of Ex- Servicemen Welfare (DESW) under the defence ministry.

Heeding to a major demand of armed forces personnel, in May this year, the government decided to continue with an earlier system of disbursing disability pension and not to go ahead with a new regime recommended by the seventh CPC.

The Ex-Servicemen Health Contributory Scheme (ECHS) has launched Complaint and Litigation Reduction Scheme (CLRS), for the grievance redressal of veterans and their dependents.

"This will assist us in our increased focus on formulation of caring policy and implementation initiatives preserving the time and resources of our veterans who have served the nation in a selfless manner," an army official said. PTI PR SMN

--- ENDS ---
Rohingya refugees arrive in Bangladesh after crossing the border with Myanmar.  UNHCR/Vivian Tan

KUTUPALONG CAMP, Bangladesh  Barefoot and running for her life, Rohingya Dilara, 20, reached Bangladesh in recent days clutching her young son, her family torn apart by violence in Myanmar.

My husband was shot in the village. I escaped with my son and in-laws, said Dilara, 20, as she trudged on mud-caked feet into Kutupalong refugee camp on Friday. We walked for three days, hiding when we had to. The mountain was wet and slippery and I kept falling.

An estimated 73,000 women, children and men like Dilara and her son have arrived in Bangladesh after trekking for days to flee violence in Myanmars northern Rakhine state. Many are hungry, in poor physical condition and in need of life-saving support.

In the last few days, large groups of Rohingya have been crossing into the Ukhiya and Teknaf areas of south-eastern Bangladesh bordering Myanmar. Many were seen wading through vast rice fields and making their way to the nearby villages carrying whatever they could salvage from their homes.

"This is a true crisis ... Every family has taken in new arrivals, every available space is occupied. Im not sure how long we can sustain this.

An estimated 73,000 women, children and men have arrived in Bangladesh after trekking for days to flee violence.

Dilara lost track of her in-laws during the journey and followed her fellow villagers to the camp. I dont know where I am  I just knew to run to save my life, she said in a daze, carrying her 18-month toddler and nothing else.

With nowhere to go, many of the new arrivals are being directed to the existing refugee camps that were established in the 1990s.

Kutupalong camp has received an estimated 20,000 new arrivals since the latest violence in northern Rakhine state erupted early on August 25. Another camp, Nayapara, has received an estimated 6,500. Other new arrivals are scattered in makeshift sites and local villages.

This is a true crisis, said Mohammad Abul Kalam, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh. The number of people has more than doubled in the camps. Kutupalong camp is beyond capacity. Every family has taken in new arrivals, every available space is occupied. Im not sure how long we can sustain this.

New arrivals struggle to find space in the already-overcrowded Kutupalong camp.  UNHCR/Vivian Tan

In both Kutupalong and Nayapara camps, the new arrivals are being put up in communal buildings such as schools, community centres and madrassas. In coordination with the authorities, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners have also set up some tarpaulin-covered structures in the camps to provide temporary shelter. But even these facilities are reaching saturation point.

These people are hungry, thirsty and sick after their terrible ordeal. They deserve at least a roof over their heads, said Shubhash Wostey, UNHCRs head of office in Coxs Bazar. As thousands more arrive every day, we need emergency shelters and additional land to build them on.

Other urgent needs include food  some have not eaten in days, surviving only on rain and groundwater during their journey  and medical treatment.

Agencies like the World Food Programme and Action Against Hunger have been providing high-energy biscuits and hot meals to the new arrivals. Refugee volunteers have also set up community kitchens to meet the growing needs.

As thousands more arrive every day, we need emergency shelters and additional land to build on.

Khaleda, 26, is one of the refugee volunteers. She runs a community kitchen out of her hut in Kutupalong camp, serving rice, lentils, potatoes and occasionally fish to 400 new arrivals every day.

They came with nothing, said the English teacher who was born in exile. They need everything. I want to help them and am giving away as much as I can.

UNHCR is working closely with the local authorities and refugee volunteers to identify vulnerable new arrivals  including those who need medical attention  and refer them to health services inside the camp. More serious cases are referred to the local hospitals.

Prior to the current influx, Bangladesh was already hosting nearly 34,000 registered Rohingya refugees in Kutupalong and Nayapara camps, as well as several hundred thousand undocumented Rohingya living in makeshift sites and local villages.

UNHCR continues to advocate for the registration of the new arrivals and undocumented Rohingya in Bangladesh in order to target assistance to those who need it most.
Donald Trump agreed to strengthen joint military capabilities during a call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and gave "conceptual approval" for South Korea to buy billions of dollars of weapons from the United States.

By Agencies: US President Donald Trump gave his "in principle" approval to lift restriction on South Korea's missile payload capabilities, the White House said on Monday.

Trump agreed to strengthen joint military capabilities during a call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and gave "conceptual approval" for South Korea to buy billions of dollars of weapons from the United States.

Separately, South Korea's presidential office said the two leaders had agreed to scrap the weight limit and to apply the strongest sanctions and pressure on North Korea through the United Nations.

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In a separate phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin also on Monday, Moon said the UN Security Council should seek ways to sever North Korea's foreign currency income, including from its workers employed abroad and oil shipments, according to the South Korean statement.

Under the existing missile pact between the United States and South Korea, Seoul's warheads currently face a cap of 500 kg (1100 lb).

The agreement, last amended in 2012, was in the process of being changed in the wake of a series of missile tests by North Korea this year after Moon took office in May, including two intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting global condemnation and a US warning of a "massive" military response if it or its allies were threatened.

MORE SANCTIONS TO COME?

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that the United States will circulate a draft resolution this week pushing further sanctions against North Korea.

Haley made the comments at the end of an emergency UN Security Council meeting during which members condemned North Korea's latest nuclear test.

"I think that North Korea basically has slapped everyone in the face in the international community that has asked them to stop," Haley said. She added that she was aiming to put the resolution to a vote next Monday.

However, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters after the meeting that sanctions alone will not solve the issue, and there need to be negotiations too.

The emergency session was called after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground on Sunday.

KIM JONG UN 'BEGGING FOR WAR'

Nikki Haley said North Korea's actions show that its leader, Kim Jong Un, is "begging for war," and the time has come for the Security Council to adopt the strongest diplomatic measures.

Haley told an emergency session of the Security Council today that "Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited."

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The emergency session comes after comes less than a week after the council strongly condemned the North's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

ALSO READ

US to push for more North Korea sanctions, says Kim Jong Un is begging for war

North Korea tests hydrogen bomb; What it means for the US, China and the rest

ALSO WATCH

Kim Jong-Un's hydrogen bomb dare: How to contain North Korea?

--- ENDS ---
For information only - not an official document

UNIS/OS/482

4 September 2017

One UN collaboration on access to and awareness raising of Earth observation for Sustainable Development Goals

VIENNA/GENEVA, 4 September (UN Information Service) - The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) have agreed to collaborate to further their common goals, particularly the use of space-based technology for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

To achieve their shared objectives, UNOOSA and UNITAR have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that focuses on several areas of cooperation. UNOOSA and UNITAR will work together to support Member States with Technical Advisory Missions, where the organizations will assess a state's risk and disaster management abilities and recommend solutions with space-based information, including training and capacity development. UNOOSA and UNITAR will also coordinate on activities and policy as well as collaborate to improve access to and raise awareness of space applications and Earth observation data.

"This agreement between UNOOSA and UNITAR is a great example of United Nations entities finding ways to work more effectively together to help Member States achieve the Sustainable Development Goals while at the same time demonstrating Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. My team and I look forward to working more closely with UNITAR," said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.

"I am very pleased to see this agreement between UNITAR and UNOOSA as it builds on the respective strengths of our two organizations and combines policy and awareness raising from UNOOSA with operational applications and capacity development from our Operational Satellite Applications Programme, UNOSAT. It is a great example of the UN working as One in support of our Member States," said UNITAR Executive Director Nikhil Seth.

UNOOSA promotes international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space, and the use of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development.

UNITAR is the United Nations' principal training arm and oversees the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT), which provides satellite image analysis and capacity development to Member States.

To learn more about the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, visit www.unoosa.org.

To learn more about the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and UNOSAT, visit www.unitar.org/unosat.

* *** *

For further information, please contact:

Daria Brankin

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

Telephone: (+43-1) 2660 8718

Email: daria.brankin[at]unoosa.org
By PTI: hospital

Farrukhabad/Lucknow (UP), Sep 4 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government today transferred the Farrukhabad district magistrate as well as the chief medical officer and the chief medical superintendent of the district hospital after the deaths of 49 children in one month.

The hospital recorded 49 deaths -- 30 in neo-natal ICU and 19 during delivery -- between July 20 and August 21, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow.

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"A high-level team will be sent to Farrukhabad to probe the the deaths and its technical aspects will also be taken care of. Taking note of the incident, the DM, the CMO and the CMS (womens hospital) have been removed," he said.

He added that 468 deliveries took place in the womens wing of the hospital during the period. Of these, 19 were stillbirths. An FIR in the matter was registered at city police last night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital, against the CMO and the CMS. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths office took prompt notice of the matter after local news channels reported the death of 49 children in the hospital and directed District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar to conduct a probe, officials said. City Magistrate Jaynendra Kumar Jain and SDM Ajit Kumar Singh said the probe found that 30 deaths were due to lack of oxygen. They also mentioned in their report that the CMO and the CMS did not cooperate and did not give a correct report. "During the period, 30 children died mostly due to perinatal asphyxia (a condition in which a child doesnot breathe normally just before, during, or after birth). During probe, the parents informed that there was delay in providing oxygen and medicine due to which the children died due to lack of adquate supply of oxygen," Jain said in the report. However, it had no mention of the remaining 19 deaths. The deaths of children in the Farrukhabad hospital come after at least 30 children died in a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur on August 10-11 amid allegations of oxygen shortage, a charge denied by the state government. PTI ABN SMI MIN

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: says govt

(Eds: Incorporating details of FIR)

Lucknow, Sep 4 (PTI) The UP government today said no action would be initiated on the basis of an FIR lodged against the CMO and the CMS of Farrukhabad district hospital in the case related to deaths of 49 infants in a month there.

The FIR was registered last night in Farrukhabad, about 180 km from the state capital.

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"The way things have been presented is not that has happened. No action is, therefore, being initiated on the basis of the FIR registered against the CMO and the CMS," Principal Secretary (Health) Prashant Trivedi told reporters.

"For us it is a report. We will examine it for further action," he said at a hurriedly convened press briefing here.

The state government today removed District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar as well as Chief Medical Officer Umakant Pandey and Chief Medical Superintendent Akhilesh Agarwal.

To a question on the removal of the CMO and the CMS, Trivedi said, "They have been removed for the simple reason that the DM is the head of administration in a district and they should have co-ordinated with the DM."

"If there were any issues, then the same should had been brought to the notice of the administration. What happened actually--medically or technically--will be clear in probe," he said.

On whether the deaths were due to lack of oxygen, he said, "Oxygen is not an issue in the entire episode. I think, of late, we are generating undue sensitivity to oxygen. It has become more of a buzzword."

Trivedi said no official can find the views of a person over telephone and it was not the right way to conduct a magisterial probe. He was referring to the city magistrate contacting the parents and relatives of infants who had died over telephone.

Principal secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi, who was also present, said, "Everything will be brought out... There seems to be some co-ordination issue among the officers."

He said the DG Health will send a specialised team to investigate and added "no death took place due to lack of oxygen. The matter should not be blown out of proportion".

On the FIR, he said it was lodged and "it very clearly seems to have been lodged when the DM, it seems, did not get the report from the health department..."

The FIR was lodged against CMO, CMS and other doctors but only posts were mentioned and there were no names in the FIR.

It was lodged by the city magistrate last night under IPC sections 176 (legal provisions regarding inquiry by magistrate into cause of death), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 304 (culpable homicide). PTI NAV ABN SMI AAR

--- ENDS ---

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Saturday afternoon, Kevin Hart hosted the Official HartBeat Weekend Pool Party at TAO Beach in The Venetian. Harts pregnant wife Eniko Parrish joined the comedian, spending the afternoon in a VIP cabana. Also in Harts entourage was Usher, who joined him on stage, prompting the Yeah! star to surprise the crowd and perform a set of his top hits (Photo credit: Jesse Lambert / Arch Angel Studios)

Also at TAO Beach Saturday afternoon was hip hop artist Ty Dolla $ign who partied in a VIP cabana with friends.

Photo credit: Jesse Lambert / Arch Angel Studios

At Marquee Dayclub in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, actress Aubrey Plaza from NBCs Parks and Recreation was seen celebrating her sisters birthday in a cabana.

Photo credit: Jesse Lambert / Arch Angel Studios

Saturday night at Marquee Nightclub featured The Official HartBeat Weekend After Party with French Montana. Hart was the first to take the stage where he introduced Montana for his performance. While on stage, both Hart and Montana called up Scott Disick, Jermaine Dupri and DJ Envy sending the room into a frenzy and prompting Dupri to give a quick performance.

Photo credit: Jesse Lambert / Arch Angel Studios

In the crowd was Usher who watched the A-list artists from a VIP table. After Montana returned to his table, the Unforgettable artist toasted to a great performance with the new CIROC French Vanilla.

Photo credit: Jesse Lambert / Arch Angel Studios

At TAO Nightclub in The Venetian, resident artist Ty Dolla $ign returned for a special Labor Day Weekend performance.

Photo credit: Jesse Lambert / Arch Angel Studios

Before taking the stage, the rapper fueled up at TAO Asian Bistro, where he dined with a group of 30 friends, including rapper Wiz Khalifa. Joining the rapper at his VIP table in the nightclub were producer and songwriter Poo Bear and DJ Mustard.


Golden Gate Hotel & Casino had the city buzzing this past weekend during the unveiling of its new 5,000-square-foot expansion. The downtown property, famously known as Las Vegas most historic boutique hotel, has experienced its fair share of exciting face lifts since its birth in 1906 (Pictured: Golden Gate Casino Hotel expansion ribbon cutting with Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Stevens Brothers  Photo credit: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino).

Photo credit: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

Hundreds arrived to witness the monumental reopening. Attendees included passersby, loyal guests, city officials, and hotel-casino executives. Owners, Derek and Greg Stevens, joined Mayor Carolyn Goodman to greet the crowd, take a trip down memory lane, and participate in the anticipated ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Photo credit: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

Photo credit: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

Mr. Derek Stevens explained how the 111-year-old property now possesses all modern amenities while still maintaining its vintage feel. The expansion features 91 new slot machines, and a 360-degree, 24-foot television tower which frames a beautiful chandelier, all accessible through the newly designed entrance from Fremont Street. The propertys outdoor bar, OneBar, was also extended by 20-feet and is now only one foot shorter than downtowns longest bar, located at the D Casino Hotel.

Photo credit: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

This was just the beginning of more downtown renovations thanks to Stevens, as he is working on a new hotel-casino project across from Golden Gate, currently occupied by the now-closed Mermaids and Las Vegas Club.

Photo credit: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

Downtown Las Vegas is steadily rising to the top of tourists vacation destinations, and its quite the exciting time to experience the fun!
Several new Governments policies come into effect this month, including regulations on credit institutions and foreign bank branches and fines for incorrect weather forecasts

From September 10, people and agencies that broadcast inaccurate information on natural disaster and weather forecasts will be subject to a fine of 40-50 million VND (1,760-2,200 USD) while a late forecast will result in a fine of 20-30 million VND.

Agencies which provide meteorology forecast service without a licence will be fined 25-30 million VND, an increase from the current level of 10-15 million VND.

One of the new decrees replaces another from 2012 and provides rules for credit institutions and foreign bank branches and for appraising investment efficiency in credit institutions wholly or partly owned by the State.

The decree states that credit institutions and foreign banks must comply with financial disclosure regulations in accordance with the Law on Credit Institutions and other laws.

They are also allowed to change their capital structures, assets for business development in line with the laws.

The decree also dictates that credit institutions can purchase or invest in fixed assets to serve their business as long as the residual value of fixed assets doesnt exceed 50 percent of the charter capital and reserved funds for recapitalisation in the businesss accounting books. The same rules apply for foreign banks.

The decree will take effect on September 25.

Under a Government decision taking effect on September 10, people who provide information that leads to the collection of war martyr remains will be given 3-10 million VND (132-434 USD), depending on how many sets of remains are found.

This is a considerable increase from the amount of 2 million VND as stipulated in the current regulations.

Military officials, staff and soldiers who are directly involved in searching for remains inside or outside the country will be paid a health allowance of 500,000 VND, at a maximum of two times per year.

A new circular by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on temporary import for re-export and temporary export for re-import will take effect from September 11.

Under the circular, temporary importing and re-exporting must be conducted at international and major border gates. Re-exporting through small border gates or border crossings is only allowed at border economic zones or gates with adequate controls.

Goods for temporary import will be supervised by customs until they are re-exported.

The ministry noted that containers of temporarily imported goods should not be divided into smaller parts for transportation from temporary import gates to the re-export gates.

The circular applies to Vietnamese traders, with foreign traders subject to international commitments, based on organisations of which Vietnam is a member.
Citi supporting Vietnam in connecting the global dots Vietnam is considered by US group Citi as an attractive market. Ramachandran A.S., Citi country officer, talked to VIRs Linh Le about the groups efforts to utilise its global experience in the Southeast Asian nation, and its priorities moving forward.

Radisson Hotel Group spearheading hospitality growth in Asia-Pacific With travel restrictions easing, air traffic increasing, and leisure and business travel bookings on the rise, Radisson Hotel Group is optimistic about the outlook for the hospitality industry in Asia-Pacific.

Secrets of the most special securities company in Vietnam Techcom Securities (TCBS) leadership, with cutting-edge vision and execution muscle, has changed the course of the company over the last nine years since Nguyen Xuan Minh became chairman of the Board of Directors. VIRs Tuan Khanh sat together with Minh and talked about his path, vision, and success story.

Promoting gender equality & enhancing women's economic empowerment Vietnarn's national strategy on gender equality for the 2021-2030 period sets a target that by 2025, 60 per cent of state management ageneies and local governments at all levels will have female key leaders.
The SCG-backed Long Son Petrochemicals Complex marks a new era in the Thai firms local co-operation

The group has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) to push forward a $5.4 billion project - Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP) in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Positioned as Vietnams first petrochemical complex, LSP will accommodate a flexible feedstock with olefin production capacity of 1.6 million tonnes per year.

The complex is equipped with proven processes from leading international licensors, while its business operations strictly follow international safety standards and are environmentally-friendly. LSP is scheduled to be completed and begin commercial operations in 2022.

The petrochemicals complex in Vietnam will be among the largest investments for Siam Cement Group (SCG) in Southeast Asia, said Roongrote Rangsiyopash, president and CEO of SCG, at a signing ceremony in Thailand with PetroVietnam on their MoU in August.

The ceremony was presided over by Vietnams Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The project marks a high point in the relations of two of the biggest private investors in ASEAN  SCG holds 71 per cent of the projects stake while PetroVietnam has a 29 per cent share.

According to Rangsiyopash, the complex will not only provide materials for domestic industries but also help reduce reliance on imports. LSP will set a foundation for Vietnams petrochemical and supporting industries, pushing forward the development of local industries in the Southeast Asian region.

Besides petrochemicals, other related industries such as rubber production and constructions could also develop from this project in the future. To facilitate this goal, the MoU is aimed to confirm the SCG PetroVietnam co-operation as a partnership for LSP investment.

Meanwhile, SCG Chemicals and PetroVietnams subsidiaries also inked an MoU to explore new collaboration opportunities in the petrochemical business.

Rangsiyopash noted that the petrochemical complex faces some issues, such as the withdrawal of its former Qatari investors due to a drop in oil prices. However, SCG is determined to pursue the project, and has prepared capital and technology to move forward.

The investment is said to represent SCGs efforts to contribute to Vietnam as a good corporate citizen. LSP intends to not only produce important supply for the manufacturing industry, but also support Vietnams industry and economic development.

This is in line with the national development plan, which the government has foreseen high potential growth for over the past few years.

LSP is being designed to fit in a harmonious way with its community and the environment. Thus, the business will co-exist and sustainably grow in Vietnam like SCGs previous investments in other businesses. The opening of the facility is expected to create employment opportunities for Vietnamese as well as play a supportive role in the ASEAN ecosystem.

As part of SCGs plan to raise investment in Vietnam, LSP is strongly supported by the governments of both Thailand and Vietnam.

Vietnam remains one of SCGs key markets after 25 years of local involvement. The group has developed a thriving business across three core sectors nationwide: cement and building materials, chemicals, and packaging industries. SCG has a total of 21 companies across the country, driven by about 8,300 employees.

In the second quarter of 2017, SCGs domestic sales revenue amounted to VND6.613 trillion ($289 million), which includes sales from both operations in the country and imports from its Thai operations. This represents an increase of 17 per cent year-on-year, mainly from its packaging business.

In the first half of 2017, SCGs Vietnamese market reported revenue from sales of VND12.3 trillion ($532 million), which is a 17 per cent increase year-on-year.

With its commitment for long-term investment in Vietnam, SCG is also active in many corporate social responsibility projects focusing on human development.

Some notable projects include the SCG Sharing the Dream scholarship programme, which has benefited almost 4,000 Vietnamese students over the past 10 years; the SCG Sharing the Dream playground at Hoang Van Thu park in Ho Chi Minh City; and the SCG International Internship programme for university graduates.
Princess Mako -- Emperor Akihito's eldest granddaughter -- and her fiance Kei Komuro, during a press conference to announce their engagement in Tokyo AFP/Shizuo Kambayashi

Princess Mako -- Emperor Akihito's eldest granddaughter -- and her fiance Kei Komuro, during a press conference to announce their engagement in Tokyo AFP/Shizuo Kambayashi

Like all female imperial family members, Mako, who is Emperor Akihito's eldest granddaughter, forfeits her status upon marriage to a commoner under a controversial tradition. The law does not apply to royal males.

But at a televised press conference held to announce her engagement, she told the nation that she felt "really happy".

"I've been aware since childhood that I would leave royal status once I marry," she said. "While I worked to help the emperor and fulfill duties as a royal family member as much as I can, I've been cherishing my own life."

Her fiance, Kei Komuro, a telegenic 25-year-old who works at a law firm and once won a tourism promotion contest to be crowned "Prince of the Sea", said he had proposed to her more than three years ago.

He described Mako as someone who quietly watches over him "like the moon".

The princess said his smile was "like the sun."

The announcement had originally been planned for July but the couple decided to postpone it out of consideration for a southern region hit by heavy rains and flooding in the month.

An official of the Imperial Household Agency said their wedding will take place after the summer of 2018.

Mako, 25, is the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino, Akihito's second son.

The law removing her royal status upon marriage does not apply to male royals, with Akihito and both his sons wedded to commoners, who are now part of the monarchy.

The news of the engagement has intensified a debate on whether the law should be changed so women born into the imperial family can continue in their royal roles.

That could help increase the number of potential male heirs to a monarchy that does not allow females to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Traditionalists, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, strenuously oppose such changes, even though Japan has occasionally been ruled by female sovereigns in past centuries.

In June, the parliament enacted legislation to allow Akihito, 83, to step down in favour of Naruhito, his eldest son. Emperor Akihito's retirement will be the first imperial abdication in more than two centuries.

That will put his younger brother Akishino next in line, followed by Hisahito, Akishino's son.

But after that there are no more eligible males, meaning the centuries-old succession would be broken if Hisahito fails to have a son in the future.

Some have suggested returning royal status to families who were stripped of it under a sweeping reform during the US occupation of Japan after World War II.
Moving forward with tax reforms is important for Vietnam to ensure sustainable growth and macroeconomic stability.

Vietnams tax-to-GDP ratio has fallen over recent years, from 23.5% of GDP in 2010 to 19.1% of GDP in 2015.

This is mainly because of three factors. First, oil related revenue has declined. Second, trade related revenue has declined because of commitment to lower import tariffs under various trade agreements. And finally, the corporate income tax (CIT) rate was cut successively from 32 to now 20%.

These changes have stimulated investment, growth and job creation, but they have also contributed to a growing fiscal deficit and public debt.

Reducing the fiscal deficit will require a comprehensive and balanced mix of policies focusing both on making spending more efficient and on mobilizing adequate revenue.

There is room for cutting wasteful spending and this needs to be done.

But at the same time, Vietnam faces significant investment needs in infrastructure, health and education. Therefore, steps are needed to boost domestic revenue through tax reforms.

At the same time, the tax burden needs be shared fairly and the tax environment also needs to support growth and investment.

The proposed revisions of the five laws represent a comprehensive reform package with clear policy options that should be considered carefully in this regard.

The package would simplify the personal income tax (PIT) rate structure and make it more progressive. It would also increase taxes on natural resources which will generate some revenue but also have environmental benefits. Finally, it is shifting to more of the tax burden to consumption taxes, including VAT which tends to be a very efficient tax that is conducive to growth.

While we can of course discuss specific details, our overall assessment is that many of the proposed measures would help achieve the governments objective of stabilizing revenue mobilization while keeping an equitable burden sharing and growth friendly tax environment.

VAT less distortive than income tax

When it comes to the proposed changes to VAT, there are strong arguments to consider VAT as part of the overall tax reform and restructuring.

There is a lot of research that has shown that VAT is better for economic growth than income taxes on labor and capital. VAT has a less distortive impact on the economic decisions of households and businesses than taxes on labor and capital. It also supports international competitiveness. It taxes domestic consumption, including imports while exports are not subject to VAT.

On the other hand, income taxes, whether on labor or capital, put the tax burden on domestic production while imports are not subject to income taxes.

Not surprisingly, we are seeing that many countries have shifted their tax structure to rely more on VAT. It is now the consumption tax of every OECD country except the U.S. It is also the general consumption tax of all the larger countries outside OECD, including India which has adopted it from July 1 of this year.

Vietnam still has potential to expand the use of VAT

If we look at the revenue contribution of VAT, the current contribution of the taxes on goods and services in Vietnam in 2016 is about 48.5 percent of the total tax revenue.

In the ASEAN region, this ratio is lower than Thailand (53.9%), Laos (55.9%), Cambodia (55.5%), but slightly higher than the Philippines (45.6 percent).

The current VAT rate is at the lower end compared to what we see globally. The average VAT rate globally is 16% but of course with a lot of variation.

Among Asian countries, Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand have VAT rates of 10%, Philippines has 12, Sri Lanka 12.5, Mongolia 13, Bangladesh 15 and China 17.

So the proposed increase in the VAT rate here in Vietnam is in line with international practice.

Impact on the poor

Now, there are legitimate concerns about the distributional impact of VAT and especially the impact on the poor.

Unlike progressive income taxes, the VAT does not differentiate. All households pay the same VAT rate, regardless of their income level. VAT therefore tends to be more regressive.

But keeping a low VAT rate is not necessarily the best way to address fiscal equity and fairness.

First, because richer households tend to consume more and more expensive goods, they pay most of the VAT. Here in Vietnam, our estimates suggest the 20% poorest households only account for about 9% of the total VAT revenue. In contrast, the 20% richest households pay close to 40% of the total VAT.

This means that if a poor household saves on average VND10,000 (US$0.44) because of a lower VAT rate, a rich household saves VND40,000. So low VAT rates do actually benefit the rich more than the poor.

Second, the major concern is that poorer households spend a higher share of their income on current consumption and especially on essential goods, such as food.

But there are ways to address it. One option to reduce the negative impact on the poor is to keep the reduced VAT rate for essential goods unchanged. This would reduce the impact on the poor and would be consistent with the general direction of the proposed reforms.

We are undertaking an assessment, jointly with the Ministry of Finance, to understand the distributional impact of the proposed reforms and to also inform further refinements of the proposed reforms.

Finally, any debate on distributional issues needs to focus on the entire tax and benefit system, and not just on one tax in isolation.

The question is whether a low VAT rate is the best way to achieve the intended objective of having a fair and equitable fiscal system. Again, I would argue it is better to use more targeted ways to support the poor.

On the revenue side, the proposal already includes other tax reforms that would create a more progressive and fair tax system. For example, the PIT reforms.

It is also important to move forward with the introduction of property taxes which tend to be progressive.

Finally, we would also recommend to close loopholes and exemptions in the corporate income tax to ensure the corporate sector contributes, especially now that Vietnam has a very competitive CIT rate.

In addition, there are often better ways to provide targeted redistribution to poor households on the expenditure side, including by spending on health and education and infrastructure that benefits the poor.

So if we look at the VAT proposal in this broader context, we think it is possible to address the valid concerns about the distributional impact.

*Sebastian Eckardt is the World Banks lead economist for Vietnam where he coordinates the banks work on macroeconomics, trade, finance, agriculture, poverty and public sector reforms. The views expressed here are his own.
As many as 49 infants have died in the last 30 days at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad district due to lack of oxygen and shortage of medicines. The CMO and Farrukhabad District Magistrate have been removed.

By India Today Web Desk: In less than a month after over 60 children died in Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College and Hospital, a similar shocker has come from Farrukhabad.

As many as 49 children have died in the last 30 days at the Ram Manohar Lohia Rajkiya Chikitsalaya in Farrukhabad district. Laxity and lack of medicines, including shortage of oxygen supply, have been ascribed as causes behind children's deaths. The deaths were reported from July 20 to August 21.

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An FIR has been lodged against the chief medical officer (CMO), chief medical superintendent (CMS) and the doctors at the hospital, said Farrukhabad SP Dayanand Mishra. Mishra added that further action would be taken as the investigation proceeds.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office took cognisance of the matter after some local channels reported the deaths and directed DM Ravindra Kumar to conduct a probe.

Following the registration of the FIR, Farrukhabad DM Ravindra Kumar sacked the CMO and CMS at the hospital. Kumar said that the probe confirmed deaths due to shortage of oxygen. It has now been learnt that the district magistrate has also been removed.

While 19 babies are believed to have died at the time of delivery, 30 others lost their lives while undergoing treatment in the newborn care unit.

The district administration submitted a report following a preliminary investigation into the matter.

The district administration had appointed a committee consisting of City Magistrate Jayendra Kumar Jain, SDM Ajit Kumar Singh and the tehsildar to probe the matter which revealed what led to the death of these infants.

A case was filed against the CMO and doctors and the chief medical superintendent at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital under Sections 176, 188 and 304 of the IPC. It remains to be seen how quickly the arrests in this case take place.

Clarification by CMS at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

In his defence, the chief medical superintendent of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Farrukhabad has issued a clarification, saying that all women and children coming to SNCU (Special Newborn Care Unit) are being provided complete treatment. He added that all essential and life-saving drugs, oxygen cylinders and the necessary medical equipment were available.

Meanwhile, doctors have gone on strike at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital after the FIR was registered.

CONGRESS SLAMS BJP GOVERNMENT OVER INFANT DEATHS

Meanwhile, the Congress has hit out at BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over infant deaths in Farukkhabad, only a month after over 60 children died in Gorakhpur.

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Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Lives of kids have no meaning for the Modi govt. The BJP state governments haven't done much. The sad reality is that janta is lachar (common man is helpless). In Farukkhabad, kids have died and it is a murder because there was no supply of oxygen or medicines."

Surjewala added, "Swine flu has taken the form of an epidemic (mahamaari ka roop). Deaths of children and elders are taking place in the country, the latest being the deaths of 49 infants in Farukkhabad. Only in the last 24 hours, 13 children died in Gorakhpur."

"We demanded that PM Modi come out and address people and take action against his own chief ministers and health ministers in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, among other states", he said.

The BJP-ruled states are mostly guilty of ignoring healthcare and doing little to provide adequate medical facilities in hospitals.

(WITH INPUTS FROM SUPRIYA BHARDWAJ)

ALSO READ |

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WATCH VIDEO | After Gorakhpur, now 49 infants die in RML hospital in Farrukhabad

--- ENDS ---
In particular, Old Navy debuted on September 1. On the 655-square-metre space at Vincom Nguyen Chi Thanh, the store displays the typical fashion products of the Old Navy brand, as well as many different collections for males, females, kids, and babies.

This is the first Old Navy store in Hanoi and the second one in Vietnam, following the first store in Ho Chi Minh City since June.

Melissa Fehlman, the general director responsible for the business of Old Navy in Vietnam, said, Opening the second store in Vietnam is the next step in Old Navys global expansion plan. We realise that Vietnam has great potential and we plan to open more stores, not only in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but also in other cities and provinces. In the short-term, we schedule to open one additional store in Ho Chi Minh City in the middle of this September.

Also, she added that affordable fashion is the core development strategy of Old Navy, but Vietnamese customers are very trendy, thus, Old Navy will keep refreshing its stores every three months.

Particularly, each round of refreshing will bring 70-80 per cent new products. The older products will be those that can be used all year round, such as denim clothes. However, regarding these familiar products, Old Navy will constantly update new styles with the aim of providing something new and unique.

We will continuously develop marketing and discount programmes with the hope of maximising the number of products sold after each refreshing. We have entered several markets in Asia, so we partly understand the Vietnamese style. Besides, before entering Vietnam, Old Navys leaders and designers have carefully studied the local fashion industry, Fehman said.

In Vietnam, Gap Inc.s franchisees were ACFC and CMFC, two subsidiaries of Imex Pan Pacific (IPP) Group. These two subsidiaries specialise in distributing famous international fashion brands in Vietnam, including the Gap and Banana Republic brands of Gap Inc. Vietnam is the eighth overseas market that Gap Inc. has established franchising presence in.

In March 2014, Gap Inc. introduced its first franchise store in the Philippines, then Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and recently, Indonesia and Malaysia. In recent years, the Old Navy brand has appeared in many Southeast Asian countries through the success of other pioneers, such as Gap and Banana Republic that debuted in 2007.

Gap Inc. is famous for many different brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, and Intermix, but Old Navy might be the most well-known due to its simple style that fits almost every one, and the reasonable price.

This may also be the reason why Old Navy has rapidly become a leading fashion brand in the US, generating annual revenues of around $1 billion within four years since their establishment in 1994.

Old Navys entry did not come as much of a surprise for Vietnams fashion-holics, as the local market is vibrant, and has been aflame with numerous international pioneers, such as Mango, which has been present since 2004, UK brand Topshop, which entered in 2013, the famous affordable brand Zara with its debut in 2016, and, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) from Sweden launching its first store in Ho Chi Minh City on September 9.

The more international fashion giants enter the Vietnamese market, the fiercer the competition among retailers becomes. However, there is one thing for certain: Vietnamese customers will benefit from the increased choices spread out on a wider price range.
Expedition 52 Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson (L), Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos (C) and Fight Engineer Jack Fischer of NASA are seen inside the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft shortly after it landed near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan AFP/Bill INGALLS

Expedition 52 Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson (L), Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos (C) and Fight Engineer Jack Fischer of NASA are seen inside the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft shortly after it landed near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan AFP/Bill INGALLS

Peggy Whitson, 57, is also the oldest female astronaut in the history of space exploration, was the first female International Space Station commander, and holds the record for number of spacewalks (10) by a woman.

The biochemist completed a mission at the International Space Station that began in November 2016, covering 196.7 million kilometers and 4,623 orbits of Earth.

She and crewmates Jack Fischer of NASA and Fyodor Yurchikhin of Russian space agency Roscosmos landed in Kazakhstan at 7:31 am local time Sunday (0121 GMT) in a Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft.

Whitson has racked up 665 days in space in her career, more than any other American astronaut. She is eighth on the all-time space endurance list, NASA said.

Her colleague Jack "2Fish" Fischer, 43, went into space as a rookie but has won over space-watchers with his boundless enthusiasm during his four-and-a-half months aboard the ISS.

He likened the feeling of his spacewalk with Whitson in May -- the 200th ISS spacewalk -- to a "ginormous fondue pot, bubbling over with piping hot awesomesauce."

"Heading home soon? I hope I infected a few of you with my passion for space. Never stop learning and growing. I dare you to dream!" he tweeted Friday.

NASA footage showed Whitson brought out last from the capsule before being seated and handed flowers by a member of the crew at the landing site.

-- Space veteran --

After earning a doctorate in biochemistry in 1985, Whitson worked as a NASA scientist for seven years before starting as an astronaut in 1997.

On this most recent mission, Whitson conducted experiments with human stem cells, blood samples and grew several crops of Chinese cabbage, according to posts on her Facebook page.

"The best part, was that after we harvested for the science, we got to eat the rest!" she said of her greens.

In an interview before departing the space station, Whitson said she was looking forward to flush toilets ("Trust me, you don't want to know the details") and pizza.

But, "I will miss seeing the enchantingly peaceful limb of our Earth from this vantage point. Until the end of my days, my eyes will search the horizon to see that curve," she said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on the NASA website.

She noted that she's not totally comfortable with the attention she receives for her various records and her status as a role model.

"I honestly do think that it is critical that we are continuously breaking records, because that represents us moving forward in exploration," Whitson said.

The scientist also has a silly side. To celebrate the July Fourth holiday, she posted photos and a video of herself and Fischer wearing loud red, white and blue outfits, striking poses in zero gravity.

"I am not sure what the future holds for me personally, but I envision myself continuing to work on spaceflight programs. My desire to contribute to the spaceflight team as we move forward in our exploration of space has only increased over the years," she said of her plans.

The astronauts' return comes as the Texas city of Houston, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, has been struggling to get back to normalcy after a week of deadly flooding triggered by Hurricane Harvey.

"As a result of the impacts of Hurricane Harvey, NASA is reviewing return plans to Houston of Whitson, Fischer and the science samples landing in the Soyuz spacecraft," the space agency said.
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (right) and his British counterpart David Davis disagreed over how much progress was made during their last meeting on August 31 AFP/EMMANUEL DUNAND

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (right) and his British counterpart David Davis disagreed over how much progress was made during their last meeting on August 31 AFP/EMMANUEL DUNAND

LONDON: Brexit negotiator David Davis on Sunday (Sep 3) insisted that Britain would not be forced into accepting unfavourable terms in the face of European Union criticism that not enough progress had been made.

Davis clashed with EU counterpart Michel Barnier this week over the Brexit divorce bill, which the bloc has put at 100 billion euros ($118 billion), a figure Britain rejects.

"What he's (Barnier) concerned about is that he's not getting the answer on money and they've set this up to try and create pressure on us," Davis told BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

"I'm not going to allow them to use that time pressure to force us to do x, y or z."

Barnier demanded on Monday that London start "negotiating seriously" as a March 2019 deadline looms, with talks stalling over what comes first -- the divorce settlement or Britain's future relationship with the bloc.

"I am concerned, time passes quickly," Barnier added.

Davis responded that "the point about the Europeans, they won't talk about the future, they'll only talk about so-called divorce proceedings.

"We are saying, 'you've given us this enormous bill we'll go through line by line', we gave them a two-and-a-half hour presentation, they even complained about that.

"We're going through this very systematically, very British way, very pragmatic way of doing it and of course he's finding it difficult, which is why this stance in the press conference," he added.

The European Union has said there must be "sufficient progress" in three key areas -- EU citizen rights, Northern Ireland's border and the exit bill -- before it will consider post-Brexit arrangements, possibly from October.

Britain believes it is not legally obliged to pay any settlement fee though accepts it will have to pay for any future access to the EU institutions, but is reluctant to name a figure without knowing what that access will be.

Davis dismissed as "silly" EU accusations that no progress had been made.

He also rejected a story in the Sunday Times that said Prime Minister Theresa May would accept 50 billion (54.6 billion euros) as a settlement, calling it "completely wrong".

May is under pressure after her Conservative Party was forced into an informal coalition government due to June's disastrous election result, and faces a parliamentary battle to push through a crucial domestic bill, which would automatically put the EU's laws onto Britain's books when it leaves.

Pro-EU MPs in her party hit out after her de facto deputy Damian Green wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that the party had to support the legislation or risk handing power to Labour and their hard-left leader Jeremy Corbyn.

MP Anna Soubry told the Observer that "any suggestion" that challenging the legislation was "treacherous or supporting Jeremy Corbyn is outrageous.

"It amounts to a trouncing of democracy and people will not accept it," she added.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss an international response to North Korea's nuclear test. (AFP/KENA BETANCUR)

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday (Sep 4) to discuss an international response to North Korea's nuclear test, diplomats said.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting to be held at 10.00am (10.00pm Singapore time), said the US mission in a statement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday condemned North Korea's nuclear test as "profoundly destabilising" for regional security and again urged Pyongyang to halt such acts.

The UN condemnation came after North Korea detonated what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb able to fit atop a missile.

"This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK's international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts," Guterres said in a statement.

"This act is also profoundly destabilising for regional security. The DPRK is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions."

Guterres called on Pyongyang to "cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations."

UN Security Council resolutions bar North Korea from carrying out nuclear and missile tests.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump was convening his national security team on Sunday to weigh options including drastic economic sanctions against North Korea.

The US president said in a tweet that the time for "appeasement" was over, and a top adviser said Trump was weighing "all our options."

"The national security team is monitoring this closely," said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, in announcing the urgent meeting on a US holiday weekend.

In a Twitter message, Trump denounced the unexpectedly powerful test - said to be the North's first blast to exceed in magnitude the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan - as "very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

North Korea said its test of what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile was "a perfect success."

The Sunday blast was so powerful that US monitors measured a 6.3-magnitude earthquake near the North's main testing site, and it was felt in China and Russia.

Pyongyang residents threw their arms aloft in triumph as a jubilant television newsreader hailed the "unprecedentedly large" blast; she said it had moved the country closer to "the final goal of completing the state nuclear force."

Condemnation from world capitals was swift, including from China and Russia while South Korean President Moon Jae-In called for the "strongest punishment."

Trump, who has waged an on-again-off-again war of words with the North's leader Kim Jong-Un, refrained from direct threats on Sunday.

But in a Twitter message he branded the North "a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."

Trump has repeatedly insisted that Beijing lean heavily on its isolated neighbour to halt its nuclear and missile development.

On Sunday, however, the US president also aimed criticism at the government in Seoul.

South Korea, Trump said, "is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

'CUT OFF NORTH KOREA'

A series of US and United Nations-backed sanctions against the North have had little apparent effect on Pyongyang, as Kim has repeatedly seemed to brush off Trump's strongest warnings.

But US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday that his department was preparing potent new measures that would completely "cut off North Korea economically."

"I'm going to draft a sanctions package and send it to the president for his strong consideration that anybody that wants to do trade or business with them will be prevented from doing trade or business with us," Mnuchin said on "Fox News Sunday."

But he also said Trump had made it clear that he will "look at all our options."

While the United States has virtually no trade with the North, the burden of sanctions such as Mnuchin described would fall heavily on China, which buys about 90 per cent of North Korean exports.

Hours before the test, the North released images of Kim at his country's Nuclear Weapons Institute, inspecting what it said was a miniaturised H-bomb that could be fitted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

China, the North's sole major ally, issued a "strong condemnation" of the test.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described the test as "absolutely unacceptable" while Russia's foreign ministry expressed "strongest condemnation" but urged calm.

In Seoul, President Moon Jae-In called for new United Nations sanctions to "completely isolate North Korea." He said the South would discuss deploying "the strongest strategic assets of the US military" - a possible reference to tactical nuclear weapons, which the US withdrew from South Korea in 1991.

TREMOR FELT IN CHINA, RUSSIA

While US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke by phone with his Asian counterparts, US and South Korean military chiefs also conferred.

Seoul's defence ministry said the respective chairmen of the joint chiefs of staff - General Jeong Kyeong-Doo and General Joseph Dunford - had "agreed to prepare a South Korea-US military counteraction and to put it into action at the earliest date."

US monitors measured a 6.3-magnitude tremor near the North's main testing site, which South Korean experts said was five to six times stronger than that from a 10-kiloton test a year ago.

The quake was felt in northeastern China, with people in the border city of Yanji saying they fled their homes in their underwear, and in the Russian Pacific city of Vladivostok.

Chinese monitors said a second tremor of 4.6 magnitude could be due to rock over the underground blast site giving way.

Pyongyang raised tensions in July with two successful tests of an ICBM which apparently brought much of the US mainland within range.

Last week it fired a missile over Japan.

Jeffrey Lewis of website armscontrolwonk said Sunday's blast clearly was "a staged thermonuclear weapon," representing a significant advance.

Trump has warned Pyongyang that it faces "fire and fury" and that Washington's weapons are "locked and loaded."

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang has the capacity to quickly wipe out much of the South Korean capital Seoul.

'SUPER EXPLOSIVE POWER'

Analysts believe Pyongyang's weapons program is aimed both at self-defence and strengthening its hand in any negotiations with the US.

"North Korea will continue with their nuclear weapons programme unless the US proposes talks," Koo Kab-Woo of Seoul's University of North Korean Studies told AFP.

Pictures of Kim at the Nuclear Weapons Institute showed the young leader examining a metal casing shaped like a peanut shell.

The device was a "thermonuclear weapon with super explosive power" entirely made "by our own efforts and technology," the Korean Central News Agency cited Kim as saying.

Analysts cautioned that the image had not been verified. But the blast clearly was - it was detected as far away as Germany.
Vietnam Airlines will finalise the schedule to auction off the state's call options before the end of the third quarter of 2017

First time selling

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has approved the schedule of the auction to sell call options for the states stake in Vietnam Airlines to facilitate the air carriers initiative to raise chartered capital by additional issuance.

Duong Tri Thanh, the representative of the states stake in Vietnam Airlines cum Vietnam Airlines general director, can proactively adjust the timetable to fit the deadlines approved by MoT.

MoT also assigned the state representative to apply the Law on Bidding and other related regulations to choose appropriate consulting organisations for appraisal and building the plan on selling call options in the form of shortened competitive offerings.

This is the first time MoT, on behalf of the state, has held an auction to sell call options over additional issuance when an enterprise raises chartered capital.

Earlier, at the end of July 2017, the representative for the state holding in Vietnam Airlines proposed choosing appropriate consulting organisations for appraisal and building the plan on selling call options for 57.8 million shares in accordance with shortened competitive offerings.

This is the first step in the process of selling the states call options for a total of 164.73 million shares. Vietnam Airlines plans to issue 191.191 million new shares worth more than VND1.9 trillion ($83.6 million) in total.

Vietnam Airlines proposed that choosing consulting firms should be done at the middle of September 2017, so that the states representative could comply the plans on selling the call options, including the initial offering price, by the end of the month. If the schedule stays on track, the states representative will publish all the information about the auction by the end of October 2017. Then, the auction is expected to take place at the end of November.

It is scheduled that the deadline for Vietnam Airlines existing shareholders, including strategic shareholder ANA Holding Inc., to pay for the additional issuance is the end of December 2017.

Highly feasible plans

In May 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue allowed MoT, on behalf of the state, to exercise its call option of 1,068,628 shares and hold the auction to sell call options for 57.8 million additionally issued shares to existing shareholders.

In case these shares are not sold out in the stipulated time, the state will spend the proceeds of nearly VND578.7 billion ($25.5 million) from Vietnam Airlines IPO to purchase the leftovers, Deputy Prime Minister Hue said.

Experts considered this the best solution to support Vietnam Airlines to succeed in raising its chartered capital through the additional issuance. Meanwhile, this solution is also good to reduce state holdings in Vietnam Airlines.

According to the plan approved by the prime minister in 2014, Vietnam Airlines was equitised and the states holding would stay unchanged and the companys chartered capital would be raised by VND14.1 trillion ($620.4 million) through additional issuance. Then the state was expected to hold a 75 per cent stake in Vietnam Airlines.

However, except for the stakes sold to trade unions, Vietnam Airlines other stake sales did not reach their initial target. In particular, the public offering reached 99.92 per cent, the stake sale for employees reached 60.35 per cent, and the sale to strategic shareholder ANA Holdings Inc. reached 38.17 per cent of the target. The chartered capital raised at the time was nearly VND12.3 trillion ($541.2 million), which was VND1.8 trillion ($792 million) lower than the initial target. Thus, since then, the state now holds 86.16 per cent of Vietnam Airlines chartered capital.

After this additional issuance, Vietnam Airlines chartered capital and its owners equity will rise to VND14 and 16 trillion ($616 and $704 million), respectively. These sources of funding will help Vietnam Airlines enhance its financial independence, level of financial security, and its liabilities over owners equity ratio, while at the same time reducing state holdings.
A tent covers the area around an unexploded British World War II bomb which was found on a building site in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sep 1, 2017. (Photo: Reuters/Ralph Orlowski)

A tent covers the area around an unexploded British World War II bomb which was found on a building site in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sep 1, 2017. (Photo: Reuters/Ralph Orlowski)

The 1.8-tonne British bomb, which German media said was nicknamed "Wohnblockknacker" - or blockbuster - for its ability to wipe out whole streets and flatten buildings, was discovered during building works last Tuesday.

The operation in central Frankfurt to get residents to safety was the biggest evacuation of its kind in post-war Germany, the city's security chief Markus Frank said.

After hours of delay as police struggled to get the area cleared, bomb disposal experts finally managed to disarm the explosive in the evening.

Police then began lifting the evacuation order progressively, giving priority for patients in two hospitals within the affected district to be brought back to their wards.

Close to the city centre, the bomb was discovered in the Westend district, home to many of Frankfurt's top bankers, including European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi - who is known to spend his weekends away from the city.

WAR MEMORIES

The massive operation began at dawn, as homes and buildings within a 1.5-kilometre radius of the site were ordered cleared by 0600 GMT.

But some people were still in the evacuation zone well past the deadline as police carried out door-to-door checks.

At one building where officers were ringing doorbells and using loudspeakers to announce the evacuation, a man and a woman emerged, saying they were unaware they were in the affected district.

At midday, emergency services were still unable to give the all-clear for bomb disposal units to move in.

After a delay of at least two hours, experts were finally able to start disarming the bomb, an HC 4000, a high-capacity explosive used in air raids by Britain's Royal Air Force during World War II.

Some elderly residents affected by the evacuation recalled poignant memories of the war.

"I was here in Frankfurt's Westend during the war. I heard the bombs falling when I was in the basement, and I helped to extinguish the fires. So I knew how it feels and for me it's not a new experience," said Doris Scheidt, 91.

Another resident, Eva Jarchow, said the evacuation "reminds me of our flight from Berlin when the bombs were still falling during the war. Here, at least, it's calm and sunny."

Giesela Gulich, meanwhile, had a "queasy feeling about it (as) the bomb stayed in the soil for so long, but now, when it's being moved, you don't know what can happen."

City officials had readied halls as temporary lodgings, while museums were offering free entry. Others had packed their bags and were ready to head out for a full day.

David Hoffmann, 29, who works at a bank, was loading up luggage in his car.

"I have the essentials with me - the most important documents," he said, though he complained that he had not received any leaflets about the evacuation.

UNEXPLODED WWII BOMBS

More than 70 years after the end of the war, unexploded bombs are regularly found buried in Germany, legacies of the intense bombing campaigns by the Allied forces against Nazi Germany.

On Saturday, 21,000 people had to be evacuated from the western city of Koblenz as bomb disposal experts defused an unexploded American World War II shell.

In May, 50,000 residents were forced to leave their homes in the northern city of Hanover for an operation to defuse several WWII-era bombs.

And one of the biggest such evacuations took place on Christmas Day 2016, when another unexploded British bomb, containing 1.8-tonnes of explosives, prompted the evacuation of 54,000 people in the southern city of Augsburg.
By India Today Web Desk: Bigg Boss season 1 contestant Bobby Darling aka Pakhi Sharma has filed an FIR against husband Ramneek Sharma for domestic violence. Bobby had undergone a sex-change surgery in 2015 and tied the knot to Bhopal-based businessman, Ramneek in 2016.

According to a report in Bombay Times, Bobby fled from her house in Bhopal to Delhi and has filed an FIR with the Delhi Police against her husband, accusing him of domestic violence and unnatural sex. She has also filed a complaint of dowry harassment against Ramneek, his mother and brother.

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Bobby talked about her disturbing experience to BT and said, "Ramneek would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man. He also usurped my property and money. He made me give him co-ownership of my flat in Mumbai, and did the same when we bought our penthouse in Bhopal. He also bought a SUV using my money immediately after the marriage. Now, I am left with nothing. He had paid the building's security guards to keep an eye on me, and they would inform him of all my moves. He kept a tab on who I spoke with and where I went. Tired of the constant bickering, I suggested that we get divorced with mutual consent, but on the condition that I would get my property and the car back. However, he didn't agree to it. He would, in fact, beat me to because will in his name. I want my property back so that I can sell it off and move back to Mumbai."

Bobby added, "I have faced a lot of domestic violence. I still can't move my left hand freely and limp while walking. My speech is also slurred. I would cry like a child and pee in my clothes while pleading with him to stop hitting me."

After being subjected to so much of physical and mental trauma, Bobby finally managed to flee from Bhopal. "Ramneek had gone out to get his phone repaired and I seized the opportunity. I booked a cab and told the cabbie to give the wrong address to the building's security guards. Had they realised the cab had come to fetch me, they would have informed Ramneek. I packed my belongings and important documents in two suitcases and fled to the airport. Fearing that he would come for me, I spent eight hours in the airport washroom. I also switched off my phone so that my whereabouts couldn't be traced," said Bobby to BT.

Also read: Bobby Darling will join Nach Baliye 8, but on one condition

--- ENDS ---
All season long, Insecure has built toward breakdowns and breakthroughs for each of its leading characters. The messy configuration of their actions and misguided beliefs come back to haunt them in unique ways in Hella Disrespectful. The fallout witnessed in this episode is definitely earned, but there are a few emotional turns I completely dont buy that undercut the intensity of those moments. Of course, that doesnt mean the penultimate episode of this season, directed by Kevin Bray and written by Prentice Penny, doesnt have its pleasures.

The centerpiece of Hella Disrespectful is Dereks fancy, intimate birthday dinner organized by Tiffany, who is doing the absolute most this week. Its obviously a powder keg of a situation given the guest list and where everyone is emotionally. The episode opens with Molly and Issa midway through a heated conversation about what happened with Daniel. Or at least Molly is very heated, suggesting they roll up to his place with eggs in a water gun they can spray in his face. I dont know how you can get eggs in a water gun, but Issa appreciates Mollys gusto even though its clear shes more depressed over the situation than angry. I let him embarrass me, she says. I dont think getting a facial is embarrassing and I still think the tenor of Issas reaction is odd, but well get back to Daniel in a moment. During their phone call, Molly tepidly admits that shes still screwing around with Dro, which Issa can clearly still see is a bad idea.

To make matters worse for Issa, she will have to face Lawrence at the dinner since Tiffany springs on her last minute via text that hes invited. Thats something Molly also didnt know, proving how deeply self-centered Tiffany is when it comes to curating her life without care for the ripple effects. Lawrence attending the dinner is already a mistake waiting to happen, but Hella Disrespectful heaps even more emotional trauma Issas way as he decides to bring a date.

Remember that tension between Lawrence and Aparna in last weeks episode? Well, theyve graduated from mild flirtation to that nebulous hanging out phase of dating. When Lawrence realizes that the birthday dinner contradicts with drink plans he had with Aparna, he decides to invite her. Hold up. Lets break down all the ways this a mess. First off, I do not even slightly buy this romantic turn between Aparna and Lawrence especially since dont have that kind of chemistry. Secondly, Lawrence keeps making decisions that show such little forethought, its astounding he doesnt get into more trouble. Getting romantically entangled with a co-worker isnt a good idea. Lastly, Lawrence knows Tiffany and Derek through Issa, which makes his decision to bring a plus-one rude and an obvious hit toward his ex, even if he doesnt realize that. But having to face Lawrence isnt the only problem overshadowing this dinner for Issa.

When Daniel calls Issa, she actually picks up to hear his apology. Its an uncomfortable conversation as he begs for forgiveness and she extolls all the reasons why she was so hurt by him cumming on her face. The apology takes a left turn when Daniel admits, I guess were even now. Issa rightfully gets angry at the idea he purposely gave her a facial as some sort of revenge because of her past messiness. This sort of admission is not something you can come back from. Despite their easygoing chemistry and the history between them, I cant see Issa ever deciding to be with Daniel again. I have several issues with this development. I dont put it past a man being inconsiderate and even petty as some long-game vengeance tactic. But theres a cruelty to this action on Daniels part (especially considering how hurt he saw Issa was) that doesnt track with his character at all. It seems like such an out-of-character move for Daniel, all while it sidesteps potential commentary about what women have to put up with and the trickiness of casual situations in modern dating.

Also, are revenge facials a thing? How would that be on purpose? Earlier, Molly mentioned to Issa, Niggas watching PornHub and think they can do this shit in real life. Sure, thats true. But the mechanics of the scene in question and the fallout continue to feel like a regressive conversation about black womens sexuality as well as an undercutting of the shows typically stellar character beats. Ultimately, its the kind of writing that forces characters to act in ways that dont fully align with how theyve been developed in order to fit plot demands.

With all this drama in the air, it isnt surprising that Dereks dinner is a fraught affair. Molly is exceedingly awkward around Candice as they struggle to make small talk. This is the first time theyre seeing each other since Molly started her fling with Dro. I still have questions about the nature of Dro and Candices relationship, despite all his assurances to Molly. Of course, this isnt just a casual hookup for Molly. Given her long history with Dro, shes definitely caught some romantic feelings for him. She feels especially sidelined during the dinner, given shes the only one who came solo: Kelli has Sweetie, Issa at least has her brother as a buffer, but Molly is alone. Her efforts to be included in conversations and nervousness capture how painful it can be to be single as you witness the happiness of your friends.

Molly later goes to Dro when hes heading to the bathroom to admit how shes feeling. Seeing you two  the way you are with her, she trails off. Dro comforts her by saying, We have something too. He also comforts her by having sex in the bathroom. When he tells her to hang back so he can leave the bathroom before her in order not to arouse suspicion from their friends at the dinner table, Molly looks crestfallen. She needs this to be more than it ever will be. Molly finally answers her mothers call, which crystallizes this truth for her. She ends the episode responding to Dros text about meeting the following week by putting a stop to things. I cant do this anymore, she texts. Finally. I hope this decision sticks.

Still, its Issa who has the most severe turmoil. If she felt anxious about seeing Lawrence, watching him walk into the dinner with Aparna on his arm pushes her off the edge. I had the same reaction as Kelli did: No, this nigga didnt. Having everyone awkwardly scoot down to make room for Aparna is only the start of this train wreck. Issa starts downing whiskey to cope. As if thats not enough, Tiffany and Derek are parading their picture-perfect marriage around in the middle of everything. Weve gotten hints of issues between them, but they seem to be doing far better than anyone else at the table. Except for Kelli, of course, who continues to live her best life.

Issa eventually has enough and leaves the dinner. Lawrence decides to follow, but he doesnt apologize for bringing Aparna knowing that was a bad idea. Instead, they get into a bitter argument that dredges up past hurts. He calls her a jump off to Daniel. She brings up his failed app with malice. He asks whom else she was screwing around with during their relationship. Its next-level nasty  but it also leads to the most emotionally honest moment in the episode. Was it all worth that time I spent supporting your depressed ass? Issa asks. Probably not as much time as you spent being a fucking ho, Lawrence responds. Damn.

Everyone has a breaking point and Issa has officially reached hers. When she gets home, she lays waste to her apartment. Throwing chairs, wine bottles, turning over the table. Its cathartic. But the problem with living alone and pulling a move like this is that you have to clean it up. Did Vivica A. Fox teach us nothing in Two Can Play That Game? On a serious note, Issa and Molly have been through a gauntlet of heartbreaking incidents recently. The table is cleared for them to start anew. Will the finale show them rebuilding their lives in healthier ways, or will they wind up making the same old mistakes?

Other Gossip

 I loved Issas shirt with Camron in his pink mink coat.

 Given Mollys rapport with her co-worker Clinton and frequent trips to Chicago, I think the series may be setting up a romantic turn for their friendship.

 Issa makes up with Frieda when she gives suggestions about increasing the Latino attendance at the school where they work for We Got Yall. Its all brought about by sitting next to one of the Latino students on the bus and realizing Vice-Principal Gaines is actively turning Latino students away. Frieda and Issa eventually confront Gaines to no avail, but at least Issas tension at work is over.

 Kelli has some of the best lines of the night. My favorite is when she tells Issas brother, When you die, Im going to dance.

 Tiffany gets on my nerves. Her line about hoping for one of the Inglewood foreclosures to stick so she can nab the property felt tone-deaf and cruel. Shes obviously a caricature of a certain kind of bougie, privileged black girl who cant see beyond her own immediate satisfaction.
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Lil Wayne was reportedly found unconscious in his room at Chicagos the Westin on Michigan Avenue Sunday afternoon after experiencing a seizure. The rapper, who has epilepsy, was taken to Northwestern Hospital where he suffered yet another seizure. Wayne, who dropped a mixtape this May, released new songs in July, and was set to perform at Las Vegass Drais Nightclub Sunday evening, is currently on tour with Rae Sremmurd. According to TMZ, the Vegas show was reportedly, and reasonably, canceled. Sadly, the rapper has a long history of seizures and has had to cancel previous performances while recuperating, including a July 2016 concert, also in Las Vegas. Wayne also suffered seizures on two separate flights in the past, both requiring an emergency landing and immediate medical attention.
Narcos Convivir Season 1 Episode 8 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Juan Pablo Gutierrez/Netflix

Guess who just got back today? That wild-eyed DEA agent who had been away. The boys are back in morally corrosive alliances!

This fast-improving Narcos season had been missing only one thing: Don Berna, the sizable, sardonic Medellin cartel boss who wrested the citys drug trade from Pablo Escobar last season with help from Cali and Pena. With most of this seasons action taking place in Cali, an appearance from Berna seemed less likely with each episode. But thanks to Calis curious decision to stash Jurados wife with FARC guerrillas in the jungle, Pena has a reason to make another deal with Berna, who understands Pena better than even CIA Bill.

Back in the divey restaurant where Berna once pushed Penas buttons during the hunt for Escobar, Berna cuts a deal. In exchange for helping Pena find Jurados wife, Pena has to tell Berna when the DEA eventually puts him in its sights. Narcos takes full advantage of Bernas screen time here, with the drug lord dropping quips faster than a Castano brother can spray bullets. Im imagining the headline: American Woman Held Hostage in Colombian Jungle. Fuck.

Dont think Bernies impressive matching camo outfit means hes actually going to fight in the jungle, though: Do you think an important man like me is going to risk his life for some gringo piece of ass? He does take Pena to the jungle, where Pena finds that the Castano brothers are still bloodthirsty loons. As usual, theyre delighted by the prospect of American gear  this time, even including a helicopter. Berna raises his hands to bless the deal: Feliz Navidad.

Jurados wife is the only way to keep the DEA in the investigation, since Jurado is the key to understanding Miguels ledger. But while Pena is going commando to rescue her, hes losing track of Jurado himself. Even as he walks Jurados wife to a flight to Miami, Jurado is stabbed to death in prison by a Cali assassin. Penas options are now even more limited, and hes added yet another name to the list of witnesses hes inexplicably allowed to get murdered.

In the cartel, meanwhile, the bloodletting continues. Miguels time hiding out in the wall has given him Escobarian levels of paranoia, only this time, hes right to suspect someone is betraying him.

Jorges position has grown even more tenuous. David has recovered from his fathers near capture and gone back into full maniac mode, planning to murder both Jorge and his wife. Even more ominous for the snitching security chief, David know that his DEA alias is Natalia  meaning that the cartel has a source high up in the Colombian government or the DEA.

All in all, this episode is about characters deciding that they cant afford half-measures anymore. Pena drop the idea that he wont turn to his old Medellin tactics, getting back in bed with Berna and the Castanos and looking the other way as they massacre prisoners. Gilberto decides to throw away the last vestige of hope that his son will live outside of cartel business, using him to order the Jurado hit.

And Jorge, faced with his former friend Enrique telling Miguel the truth about Jorges involvement with the DEA, takes action by planting his DEA pager on Enrique. That secures Jorges safety for the moment, even as it guarantees that Enrique will be killed. David sums it up as he pulls the bag off Enriques face: Look, Jorge  your friend.

Cartel Club

 Some strong looks this episode. Van Ness seems to have gotten more professional as his interest in the case grows, and now hes wearing suits with Tony Sopranosize lapels.

 Who is the cartels mole in the investigation? The Colombian defense minister feels like an obvious, if dramatically bland, choice.

 Penas conversation with Berna features a nice callback to the end of last season, when Berna stopped Judy Moncada  another Pena witness disaster  from flipping to the DEA. No, Berna, Pena hasnt heard from Judy since you kidnapped her and tried to use her to destroy Penas career.

 Poor David. While hes off torturing Enrique, Gilbertos son is making the real plays.

 A lot of plot points in Narcos seem hard to believe, until you find out they really did happen. Navegantes interlude about killing an ex-girlfriend who had betrayed him, for example, is based on a story another Cali hit man told the real Jorge Salcedo.

 If youre skeptical that the cartel could shank a high-level DEA witness in an American prison, though, youre right to be. The real Jurado was not filleted with a shank in a lock-up, and instead survived long enough to be sentenced to a prison term.

 Marias story line is going nowhere, even as everything else heats up. Her main job in this episode is bringing her son into the room as Miguel rages so he can ask the drug lord if hed been shot. (In a nice bit of comedy, Miguel doesnt explain that he was actually drilled.)
Photo: Suzanne Tenner/Showtime

When Twin Peaks: The Return arrived earlier this summer, it made me think of my mother. My mom loved Twin Peaks. She loved it so much that during its original, pre-DVR-era run, she recorded every episode on both of the VCRs in our home so she would have a backup copy of every hour. This never made much sense to me; had there been a fire at our house akin to, say, the fire at the Packard Sawmill, all of her copies of Twin Peaks would have burned to a VHS crisp. But my mothers attitude toward this series defied logic, and she apparently had an obsession with having two of everything. So did Twin Peaks: The Return.

My mom died five years ago, and while I feel her absence often, it has been a while since I actively thought of her as often as I did this summer, when her show came back. I mention all this because, as I attempt to digest the 18 episodes of surreal, sublime, sometimes frustrating drama that wrapped up Sunday night, I am struck most by how much the new Twin Peaks directly engages with memory, loss, and the notion that ones understanding of the past, if not the actual past, can alter over time. TV reboots like this one are usually designed to indulge our nostalgia for something we once loved, pandering to our desire for a fictional universe to reemerge unchanged and/or give us the happy endings we never got the first time. At times, Twin Peaks: The Return catered to that impulse, too, either obliquely, as it did in much of episode four, or directly, by finally bringing Norma and Ed together in episode 15. But mostly, it accomplished something that TV reboots never attempt: It reminded us that theres no place like home (co-creator David Lynch does love The Wizard of Oz), then confirmed that more often than not, its impossible to go back there. (Unless youre Dougie. He got to go back.)

The final two hours of The Return explore this theme repeatedly. (This is the part where I dutifully remind you that spoilers are ahead.) In episode 17, Mr. C, the dark version of Dale Cooper, arrives at the Twin Peaks Sheriffs Department and tries to pass as the actual Dale Cooper while the real Agent Cooper is on his way there. Lucy and Andy initially assume Mr. C is the real, damn-fine-cup-of-coffee Dale, which is significant because the two of them, especially Lucy, seem to live in the past more blatantly than anyone else who works there. It isnt until Lucy gets a call on her outdated, 1990-era telephone from actual Agent Cooper that she puts two and two together, runs into Sheriff Trumans office, and puts a bullet into Mr. C. Shortly after she fires those crucial shots, she says, Andy, I understand cellular phones now. Her realization that a person could take two different paths, or exist on more than one plane, allows her to loosen her grip on an unwavering version of the past and finally comprehend the present.

The most significant element of the finale, though, is Coopers attempt to save Laura Palmer, an effort that leads to the most emotionally moving sequence of The Return and, perhaps not coincidentally, also the most blatantly nostalgic. Toward the end of Part 17, we see black-and-white scenes from the movie Fire Walk With Me that depict James and Laura having an emotional conversation on the night of her death. In a total Back to the Future moment, Cooper is tucked away in the woods during The Returns version of events, watching all of this transpire. He eventually emerges from hiding to stop Laura from heading toward what we have come to believe is her destiny: a night with Leo, Jacques, and Ronette Pulaski that ends in her murder. Ive seen you in a dream, Laura says to Cooper just as Laura Palmers Theme, a piece of music weve heard rarely, if at all, during this season, starts to swell. The black-and-white palette switches to color, and Cooper offers his hand to her, announcing that hes taking her home. This is Lynch pulling a reverse Wizard of Oz, suggesting that Lauras version of Kansas, not the magical land with the Yellow Brick Road, deserves to be in all the shades of the rainbow. By doing so, hes also implying that home for Laura Palmer may be just a dream. (We live inside a dream, Cooper says earlier in the episode, in what may be the Twin Peaksiest of observations.)

We then rewatch the first few moments of the Twin Peaks pilot, still saturated in color but tones that are more sepia than bright. This time, that body bag that famously washes up on shore has been erased and Pete Martell (the late Jack Nance) is apparently able to go fishing without discovering Lauras dead body, wrapped in plastic. Twin Peaks, as you thought you have known it, didnt happen that way at all, it seems. This is a beautiful whoa of a mind trick and another reminder that our notions of the past are slippery and changeable.

But then Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost yank away that semi-hopeful version of events by having Coop lose his grip on Lauras hand, then sending him on a journey in the final hour to track her down and bring her back to Twin Peaks. He eventually winds up in Odessa, Texas, where he finds Lauras doppelgnger, Carrie Page (initials: C is for Cooper, P is for Palmer), a real Shelly Johnson type who is a waitress and apparently just murdered her boyfriend or husband and is therefore totally cool with taking a spontaneous road trip to Washington state with a G-man who insists shes someone named Laura Palmer.

Cooper seems to think that this trip will close some sort of loop or bring closure. As an audience expecting a happy ending even though we should damn well know better, we anticipate how wonderful it will be when Carrie sees Sarah Palmer, realizes that shes actually Laura, and is able to embrace her mother again. But of course, thats not what happens. Cooper and Carrie knock on the door of the Palmer residence and are greeted by a woman named Alice Tremond, who says she bought the house from a woman named Mrs. Chalmont, names both previously attributed to a character of significance in the Twin Peaks canon.

Confused afterward, Cooper stands in the street and asks, What year is this? at which point Carrie hears the faint sound of a voice calling for Laura. In an instant, she seems to remember everything, letting loose a primal scream.

This ending completely sidesteps any attempt at tying things up neatly. In fact, so many threads are left dangling at the end of Twin Peaks: The Return  please, dont get me started on Audrey  that its barely a sewn-together garment in the traditional sense. Yet somehow, that doesnt prevent the finale and so much of this limited series from affecting the viewer on a primal level. More than any other show that I can think of, Twin Peaks speaks to our subconscious, in places that shall not be named mainly because we dont know how to even name them. Sure, for those who think TV and film critics are far too willing to give David Lynch a pass for lazy, self-indulgent storytelling, that may sound like a cop-out. But I also think its true.

As wayyy out there as Twin Peaks can get  and it zoomed even farther beyond the outer limits than I thought it would this season  watching it can still be remarkably personal. It felt that way to me on Sunday night, as this meandering quest ultimately concluded with a woman almost reuniting with her mother but missing that chance because of the way things shifted in space and time.

My mother took the show very personally, too, because she often saw connections to her own life in the details of Twin Peaks, either through films she loved that the show referenced (Waldo the myna bird has the same name as the killer in the movie Laura, she must have reminded me about 50 times) or people she loved (Major Briggs has the same first name, Garland, as my moms father). These connections, coincidental or not, heighten the sense that Lynch and Frost not only understand how your dreams work, theyve been spying on the synapses in your brain. In Sundays finale, Cooper reads a letter from Diane that refers to him as Richard, something that was hinted at all the way back in episode one of The Return. In the letter, Diane calls herself Linda. Linda was my mothers name. Again, a coincidence. But also a detail that stabs at the heart.

Frequently, Twin Peaks: The Return seemed to commune with the dead and resurrect the souls of those who seemed lost. Not only did we essentially watch Log Lady Catherine Coulson in the last moments of her life, both real and fictional, we saw so many late Twin Peaks greats  the aforementioned Jack Nance, Miguel Ferrer, David Bowie, Don S. Davis, and Frank Silva as the still-terrifying original BOB  alive again before our very eyes and identified in the credits as if they had never left us. In the end, the show even resurrected Laura Palmer, though not in a familiar form, and in a way that refused to give this abused victim her life back.

That may be cruel. But its also what a reboot as stubbornly radical as Twin Peaks was built to do. This Return brought back the gum you liked. But it did so with vastly different, disturbing, and unforgettable style.
Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud issued notice to social activists on a plea of state government and stayed the September 1 order of the Bombay High Court.

By Vidya : The Supreme Court today stayed the Bombay High Court order banning the use of loudspeakers in the state.

The union government through the ministry of environment and forest as well as the Maharashtra government had moved the apex court for an urgent hearing on the case before Tuesday's big visarjan day. Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud issued notice to the social activists on a plea of state government and stayed the September 1 order of the Bombay High Court.

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Both the union and the state government told the bench that loudspeakers are an integral part of the festivities during Ganpati visarjan and thus, its usage should be allowed. Activists like Sumaira Abdulali, who had travelled to Delhi to oppose the petition, requested the court to not stay the order however, the bench agreed with the government agencies on the importance of loudspeakers on the last day of the festival.

A full bench of the High Court, had on September 1, ordered an interim stay on the enforcement of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) rules, amended by the Union government in August, that led to the elimination of 1,573 notified 'silence zones' in Mumbai ahead of festive season.

Maharashtra government officials said, "Now there will be no hurdle during Ganpati visarjan on Tuesday".

Justice AS Oka, Anoop V Mohta and Riyaz Chagla had last week held that the amendment was prima facie "unconstitutional" and violated the right to life guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution. Union government had argued that it was not against silence zones but now the power to determine whether an area is a silence zone or not was left to state governments. Since August 10, when this amendment was brought about, no area has been notified as silence zone in Maharashtra.

Earlier, the Bombay High Court had said that any area falling within 100 metres of educational institutions, hospitals, courts or religious places were deemed to be silence zones. This meant that more than 75 per cent of Mumbai had become silence zone and that is why they had to prod the centre to make the amendments in the noise rules.

Activists, who had been working in the field of noise pollution and who had petitioned the high court against the amendment, have now decided to file a proper affidavit against the Government of India in the case and will hope that the silence zones are restored as earlier.

ALSO READ |

Silence zones are back in Mumbai, High Court orders stay on amendment

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Get ready for a noisy Ganesh Chaturthi as loudspeakers can be played anywhere in Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Despite heavy rains, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated with traditional fervour

No area in Maharashtra is a silence zone unless state government notifies it

--- ENDS ---
A 15-month-old German shepherd has moved from Europe to Hewitt to become the newest member of the citys police department.

Shaka will replace a Malinois named Chado after Chados handler took a position with a different law enforcement agency, Hewitt Police Chief Jim Devlin said. When the other agency hired the handler, it did not buy the dog, leaving Hewitt with a dog but no handler, Devlin said.

Because of his bite training and the type of patrol work he had done, officials were concerned Chado would not bond with a new handler, Devlin said.

The worst thing that could have happened is we chose a handler and they didnt have that bond and they didnt get along, he said.

Also, while Chado was a narcotics, personal protection and patrol dog, Shaka is trained strictly in narcotics detection, Devlin said.

You had to handle that one a little differently, Devlin said of Chado. He wasnt as approachable from the public perspective. He was an asset to the department, but it didnt have a lot of community policing aspect to it.

You couldnt bring him to events. You couldnt let people come near the handler and ask specific questions, especially if the dog was out, because thats what he was trained to do, to protect the handler.

Shaka is more sociable, and while they try to minimize contact with others because she is on duty, there is less concern, he said.

Shes got the drive. She wants to go to work, Devlin said.

It would have been too expensive to send Chado back to the original vendor, Pacesetter K9, and ask the city council for another $15,000 for a new dog, Devlin said. So instead they made a deal.

The vendor agreed to relocate Chado, which happened quickly, and get Hewitt a new dog, Devlin said.

Within 15 minutes (the Laredo Police Department was) faxing over the purchase order to take him back to Laredo, Devlin said. They were very impressed with the work he did. In the end, though Im very sad Im losing Chado, Im very happy because I know hes living the dream in Laredo, Texas, and hes probably 10 times as busy as he would be in Hewitt, Texas. The dogs, their goal is to work. They want to work. So when they dont work, they get bored.

Devlin hired Josh Hilliard as the departments new K-9 handler. Hilliard, who has been with the department about five years, said he worked with Chados handler as often as possible.

Any chance that he needed me, I went out with him and helped him out any way I could to gain my own experience, he said.

Hilliard said hes looking forward to starting this next chapter in his career. Working with a police dog is fun but also a lot of work, he said.

Shaka lives with Hilliard and his other two dogs. Hilliard learned commands in Czech to work with Shaka, who was trained in that language.

The departments first dog, Rexo, retired in 2015 after a rapidly progressing genetic disorder started to blind the German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix. The department bought Rexo in October 2013 for $8,500.
An Oklahoma man was injured in a collision between two disaster relief trailers Monday afternoon on Interstate 35.

Both crews were traveling to southern Texas to deliver relief supplies to Hurricane Harvey victims, Bruceville-Eddy Police Chief Bill McLean said.

A 62-year-old man from Bartlesville, Oklahoma was driving south on Interstate 35 near the 319 mile marker when traffic began to slow shortly before 2:50 p.m. outside Bruceville-Eddy. McLean said the 62-year-old driver was pulling a disaster relief trailer when he struck another disaster relief trailer in front of him when traffic slowed.

The trailer caught fire, damaging items inside. McLean said the 62-year-old man was taken to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

McLean said the Tulsa-area relief crew was traveling to help after the Category 4 hurricane caused widespread damage in southern Texas late last month. Damage has been reported throughout the Coastal Bend area near Corpus Christi, Houston, southeast Texas and neighboring Louisiana.

Lorena police assisted Bruceville-Eddy police in the interstate traffic backup. No other injuries were reported.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) came down heavily on authorities and issued show-cause notices to Delhi government and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC).

By India Today Web Desk: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued show-cause notice to Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government over the Ghazipur landfill collapse.

The NGT has also issued notices to East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) after two people were killed when a garbage mound came crashing down in Ghazipur on Friday.

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Rapping the authorities for negligence, the green tribunal asked "why criminal proceedings be not initiated against erring EDMC officials for the death of two persons near (the Ghazipur) landfill".

"Why should compensation be not awarded to the family of victims who died due to sheer negligence of authorities," the NGT observed.

The National Green Tribunal has been hearing a matter pertaining to disposal of garbage in Delhi.

A part of the garbage mound at East Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site collapsed into a nearby canal. A large wave of water from the canal swept away a car and a two-wheeler. The body of the woman who was riding the two-wheeler was fished out of the canal by the rescue team.

East Delhi mayor Neema Bhagat said that the mound of garbage collapsed due to rains. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kerjiwal called it a "man-made disaster" and pointed fingers at the MCD for not using modern technology to manage solid waste.

Visited Ghazipur site. Its man made disaster. Criminal. Mountains of garbage. Why doesn't MCD use modern technology to manage solid waste?- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 1, 2017

Subsequently, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal ordered closure of the dumping site at Ghazipur, and directed that the waste be diverted to Rani Kheda near Rohini.

Villages around the proposed dumping site at Rani Kheda have protested against the decision. Angry villagers did not let trucks dump the garbage at the site and kept a vigil all through the night near the proposed dumping site.

The local AAP MLA has also sought an appointment with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the issue with him.

(Inputs from Anusha Soni)

ALSO READ:

After Ghazipur landfill shutdown, anti-dumping mahapanchayat near new site

Delhi's Ghazipur landfill collapses, 2 dead after vehicles fell into canal

ALSO WATCH: Garbage dump collapse in Delhi's Ghazipur kills 2, vehicles trapped

--- ENDS ---
Lachlan Murdoch is restricted by media ownership laws. Credit:James Alcock Keen to see whether the ACMA is in fact keeping tabs on what happened at Network Ten, Fairfax Media submitted a Freedom of Information request for emails, internal investigations and file notes written the week Ten went into administration. In return for a fee, the ACMA agreed to release Ten's stock market announcements (which are publicly available anyway) and 14 heavily redacted emails, including 14 totally blank pages. It found a further 24 documents related to the search, but is keeping these secret because they contain 'deliberative matters', legal advice, and personal information. The emails and schedule of documents prove there was a flurry of activity on Tuesday, June 13 when Ten went into a trading halt and again when it went into administration on Wednesday, June 14. For example, at 11.46 am on June 14 acting chairman Richard Bean sent an email to the manager of the ACMA's Diversity branch, Jenny Brigg.

"Hi Jenny, you may have seen that Ten has announced the appointment of an administrator.". The rest of Mr Bean's email has been redacted, but Ms Brigg replies "I'll call him now". By lunchtime Ms Brigg advises she has been in touch with the in-house legal department and by 5pm she has emailed KordaMentha's Jennifer Nettleton to "make sure you are aware of your obligations as a controller of commercial television broadcasting service licences". The ACMA reminds KordaMentha it has ten business days to lodge of any change in control for all five commercial television broadcasting licences controlled by Ten. The regulator was also in touch with the Communications Minister's office and its four authority members. But it remains secret whether the regulator raised concerns about ownership breaches, or was simply sending a memo in case the Minister or authority members missed the biggest news story of the day. While releasing this internal correspondence could "promote transparency...in relation to issues that are a matter of public debate", Ms Brigg told Fairfax Media it could also compromise future law enforcement.

"In my view, if material of this nature were released prematurely, it would prejudice the ACMA's ability to act in this matter by disclosing the ACMA's approach to certain issues," she wrote as justification for the opacity. The regulator also refused to reveal what information it received from outsiders because this "would demonstrate how the ACMA gathers intelligence and information for the purpose of actively monitoring potential breaches of media ownership rules," Ms Brigg said. An email received from one outsider was withheld because it contained commercially sensitive information about several businesses that "may cause significant harm to the ongoing operations of Ten" if it were released. In short, the ACMA may be working behind the scenes to uphold existing laws, or it might not be. It might have found a breach, or not. "The ACMA has been actively monitoring, and continues to monitor, the activities and developments in relation to Network TEN," a spokeswoman said on Friday, adding it has been making "all of the inquiries necessary to satisfy itself" media rules are complied with.

The subtext being silence equals compliance. "Where the ACMA is of the view that a regulatory breach has occurred, it will take regulatory action commensurate with the seriousness of the breach and the level of harm," the letter reads. The ACMA uses "the minimum power or intervention necessary to achieve compliance", she added. Seven years ago Mr Murdoch did breach media ownership rules when he became the director of too many radio stations in the Brisbane-Nambour area between October and November 2010. And his business advisor, Siobhan McKenna, made a similar breach from December 2009 to November 2010. The ACMA revealed these breaches two months later in January 2011 and took no further action noting their "resignations and co-operation in the matters". The breach was easily fixed.
Let's start with a history lesson. Lieutenant James Cook did not "discover" what became known as Australia, or as it then was in the logbooks of early Dutch mariners  Terra Australis Incognita (the unknown southern land).

Nor, it must be said, did he "invade" Australia. He came ashore for repairs at what is now Cooktown in far north Queensland after his ship was holed and in danger of sinking on the Barrier Reef.

In Cooktown he had various interactions with Indigenous people who were for the most part  not in all cases  peaceable.

According to the official Australian government version: "In 1770 Englishman Lieutenant James Cook charted the Australian east coast in his ship HM Barque Endeavour."
The Australian Constitution, specifically Section 116, may be the crux of our problem. Most academics and politicians agree the limitations it imposes on the Commonwealth do not amount to a requirement of separation of church and state. They do, however, amount to a lot of room for interpretation.

And while its exact position can be wrangled over, there's little room to dispute this religious sway in Australian government has put Australia behind the times, lagging to catch up to the international conglomerate of countries that have already legalised same-sex marriage.

Because what doesn't get said, what doesn't get talked about, is that, at the heart of the matter, Australia is not governed by a clear separation of church and state. So issues that challenge certain religious principles, such as same-sex marriage, wither under the weight that the religious-right wields in Parliament.

So, how will you be voting in the upcoming mail-in survey? Are you for or against religious influence in our government policymaking? But the survey (if approved by the High Court) is about legalising same-sex marriage, you say? I say, it's about much more.

MTV Australia is encouraging young people to update their details on the electoral role so they can have their say on same-sex marriage. Credit:Instagram

As a result, religious influence finds its way into government, symbolically and legislatively. Parliament still opens with a church service and employs the daily ritual of saying prayer. The preamble to the Australian Constitution refers to a "humble reliance on the blessing of Almighty God". And, if you want to get technical about it, one might wonder how our constitutional monarchies could ever achieve a true separation of church and state while we have a Queen as head of government who is also the head of the Church of England. Kind of hard to call Australia a secular country when you look at it that way.

Or when you look at the number of "certain" state schools that receive government funding to support particular religious views and religious instruction programs. Or when you look at the $430 million that's gone to employ religious officials such as chaplains in state schools. Or when you look at the $31 billion that our government gives annually to religious institutions, institutions that are exempt from anti-discrimination laws.

And this is how we end up with faith-based care providers who freely discriminate against homosexuals on the sole basis that religious doctrine is more important than fair and equal treatment of all people. Or, in Victoria, how we get doctors who can refuse to perform an abortion if abortion is against their religious beliefs. And this is how the issue of legalising same-sex marriage has become so complicated.

Religious intolerance has kept the possibility of same-sex marriage an impossibility for decades. But now, as those religious factions are being challenged by growing popular support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage, the discussion has come to a head as the spotlight shines on our government, exposing the perils of a country so heavily influenced by its religious factions and so blind to its own reflection.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says voters will be "sickened" if Labor attempts to destabilise the Parliament over the citizenship saga, as the government confronts the growing threat of North Korea and important economic matters.

The opposition has signalled it will ramp up pressure on Barnaby Joyce this week, with the Deputy Prime Minister due to take on acting prime ministerial duties for the first time since he revealed he was elected to Parliament as a dual citizen, bringing into question his eligibility to sit in Parliament.

Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said on Sunday it was "untenable" for Mr Joyce to continue in his ministerial roles and warned "anything could happen" as MPs return to Canberra for two parliamentary sitting weeks.

Labor's chief strategist in the House of Representatives, Tony Burke, told reporters on Monday the opposition would not take a backwards step on the issue.
Okay, end of the day for me. What happened?

Labor leader Bill Shorten has released documents showing he was not a British citizen when he was elected in 2007;

has showing he was when he was elected in 2007; the move neutralises the Turnbull government's attack on Mr Shorten and has led to further calls for MPs under a citizenship cloud to do the same;

and has led to further calls for MPs under a citizenship cloud to do the same; Labor continued to attack Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for not requiring Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to stand aside while his case is heard;

for not requiring to stand aside while his case is heard; Mr Joyce said - again - he will remain in the job; and

said - again - he will remain in the job; and National Party senator Fiona Nash and independent senator Nick Xenophon were referred to the High Court this morning.

My thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their magical work and to you for reading and commenting.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Alex, Andrew and I will be back in the morning. Until then, good evening.
By PTI: under garbage hill

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal today came down heavily on the AAP government and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation over the Ghazipur landfill collapse in which two persons were killed, saying "nothing can be more humiliating than people being killed under garbage hill.

The green panel issued notices to them while directing them to show cause why punitive action be not taken against the Delhi government and criminal proceedings be not initiated against erring EDMC officials over the "unfortunate" incident.

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"Why did you not carry out the directions of the tribunal which have been issued time and again? Are people of Delhi expected to meet this fate? Are they supposed to die under a garbage dump? We had asked you to reduce the height of the dump and take appropriate measures for reduction of the waste. Why didnt you do it?

"It is unfortunate that in capital of country the people have stated to be died under the garbage hill because of improper, unscientific and indiscriminate dumping of municipal solid waste at this site. You are killing people in the national capital under the hill of garbage. It cannot be more humiliating," a bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The tribunal said civic bodies and authorities concerned have violated orders of the tribunal on reduction of dumped waste and took no "collective" steps to ensure that garbage was "processed, segregated and compressed" without delay.

"Why should tribunal not award compensation to the family of the persons who died as a result of this unfortunate incident which resulted from sheer negligence of authorities," the bench, also comprising Justice R S Rathore, said and posted the matter for hearing on September 12.

It also issued notice to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to show cause why it has not started lifting segregated waste despite specific direction of the tribunal.

EDMC lawyer Balendu Shekhar said the corporation had already moved a plea seeking allotment of land to develop sanitary landfills to handle municipal solid waste.

He said there was an immediate requirement of alternate land as the Ghazipur landfill site which handles 13 metric tonnes (MT) of waste has outlived its normal life span.

The Delhi Development Authority was also issued notice by the bench and explain why appropriate site has not been given to the corporations for dumping of the waste.

The green body directed all the municipal corporations to submit within a week an action plan to show what immediate steps were being taken to restore the site at Ghazipur and other landfill sites in the city.

A portion of the 45m high garbage dump in east Delhis Ghazipur collapsed on September 1 because of heavy rain, killing two people and pushing a car and three two wheelers off the road and into a canal.

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According to EDMC officials, which manages the landfill site that was started in 1984 and is spread over 29 acres, the site was saturated in 2002 only, and the civic body had been "looking for an alternative site for long time".

According to officials, the permissible height for a garbage dump is 20 m. Every day, 2,500-3000 metric tonnes of garbage are dumped at the Ghazipur site.

The humongous heap sits like a Leviathan, with eagles and crows circling even as the stench from the mountain of trash fills the air.

In the wake of the accident, Lt Governor Anil Baijal had also imposed a ban on dumping of garbage at the Ghazipur landfill site and the waste meant for it was diverted to a temporary site in Ranikhera near the Delhi-Haryana border. PTI PKS DV

--- ENDS ---
Astronaut Peggy Whitson has returned to Earth, wrapping up a record-breaking flight that catapulted her to first place for US space endurance.

Whitson's 665 days off the planet - 288 days on this mission alone - exceeds that of any other American and any other woman worldwide.

She checked out of the International Space Station just hours earlier, along with another American and a Russian. Their Soyuz capsule landed in Kazakhstan shortly after sunrise on Sunday.

Whitson was the last one carried from the Soyuz. She immediately received a pair of sunglasses to put on, as she rested in a chair on the barren, wind-swept Kazak steppes. Medical personnel took her pulse, standard practice. She then received a bouquet of flowers with the greeting, "Welcome back, Peggy."
At the beginning of last year, my husband needed to have his wisdom teeth taken out. He had the rumblings of an infection and having the offending teeth removed  along with a course of antibiotics  was deemed the necessary course of action, so we booked it in.

As lifetime holders of private health insurance, we didn't give any thought to the medical bills that would be associated with the procedure. We have top hospital cover so assumed we would be covered. We weren't.

When the doctor's rooms rang a few days after the procedure to inform my husband our health fund had declined to pay the bill, we both thought there had been an error. There hadn't.

As it turned out, there was a single non-cosmetic hospital procedure that wasn't covered by our insurance, for which we pay upwards of $3000 a year, and that procedure was the one my husband required.
A fire has ripped through about 350 hectares of bush in a national park at Kurnell in Sydney's south, with 100 rural firefighters working to bring it under control.

The bushfire broke out in the historic Kamay Botany Bay National Park on the Kurnell Peninsula just after 5pm on Sunday.

Authorities are investigating whether the fire, which was not part of a hazard reduction burn, was deliberately lit.

The blaze burnt throughout the night in an area near the Caltex oil refinery and the Sydney Desalination Plant with reports of fresh fires breaking out on Monday morning.
Last week, Village Roadshow co-CEO Graham Burke announced the company will start suing Australians who infringe on its copyright. This means anyone who has streamed or downloaded a movie via an illegal pirate site is potentially in its cross hairs.

But when will litigation begin? Who will be targeted? And how much money will you need to pay? We spoke directly to Burke to get some answers.

It's safe to say that the salad days of "free" online content are over. After years of taking piracy lying down, rights holders have declared war on Australian copyright infringers, and they appear to be getting results.

In December last year, Foxtel and Village Roadshow successfully lobbied the government to instruct ISPs to block five popular torrent sites from its customers. Since then, over 60 additional websites have been added to the blacklist, along with 250 related domain names. According to Burke, these sites account for approximately 95 per cent of criminal trade.
A Liberal Party motion to financially secede Western Australia from the federation drew gasps of disbelief around the nation when it was narrowly passed, but even those proposing it admit it's unlikely to happen.

The original non-binding "WAxit" policy motion called for the setting up of a committee to look into the state becoming completely independent, but was limited to financial matters at the state Liberal party conference on Sunday and passed 89-73.

State president Norman Moore, who previously believed WA should be a separate country, said fiscal independence could be achieved by government decree. Credit:Karl Hilzinger

State president Norman Moore, who previously believed WA should be a separate country, said fiscal independence could be achieved by government decree.

It would involve states raising all personal income tax and company tax, and paying the Commonwealth for the services it provides, Mr Moore said.
Washington: US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis threatened a "massive military response" to any attack on the United States or its allies after North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test to date.

Speaking outside the White House on Sunday US time, Mattis said: "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming."

Mattis said Washington was not looking for the "total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea. But as I said, we have many options to do so."

North Korea claimed "perfect success" in an underground test of what it called a hydrogen bomb - potentially vastly more destructive than an atomic bomb.
Sumiteru Taniguchi, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki, shows a photo of himself taken in 1945. Credit:AP As Taniguchi tried to climb to his feet after the explosion, "the skin of my left arm, from the shoulder to the tip of my fingers, was dripping like rags", he said. "I put my hand to my back, but there was no clothing. I could only feel something slimy." He retrieved the scattered letters from his mailbag. "I didn't feel any pain and there was no blood," he said. "But all my energy seemed to vanish."

He was carried to a grassy spot on a hill and placed alongside other victims. "When the morning came," Taniguchi said in 1994, "no one lying with me was still alive." He was not rescued for three days. He was eventually taken to a Japanese military hospital. His skin was stripped away from his back, exposing his muscles. He spent almost two years lying on his stomach, while his back oozed with blood and infections. "The doctors were clueless about how to treat me," he said. In January 1946, a film crew from the US Strategic Bombing Survey came to the hospital and recorded Taniguchi being treated for his wounds. The three minutes of silent colour film were so gruesome that they were not shown in public for more than 25 years.

"From shoulders to waist, his raw, blood-red tissue glistens under the lights," Southard wrote in Nagasaki. Burns and blisters covered much of the rest of his body. "He cried every time he heard the instrument cart approaching," Southard wrote, "and when the nurses removed the gauze from his back, he screamed in pain and begged the nurses to let him die. 'Kill me, kill me,' he cried." Taniguchi was not released from the hospital until 1949. He later went back to his job as a mail carrier and was not considered completely healed until 1960, although he continued to have medical problems throughout his life. He dealt with keloid scars and tumours and, despite his ramrod straight posture, never went a day without pain. At a 2010 United Nations conference to review terms of a treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear arms, Taniguchi held up a picture of himself as a young man, with his back exposed on the hospital bed.

"I am not a guinea pig, nor am I an exhibit," he said. "But you who are here today, please don't turn your eyes away from me. Please look at me again." He became one of several prominent hibakusha, or "atomic bomb-affected people", who spoke out about their suffering, often in spite of public ridicule of their disfigurement. "We never received any professional psychological counselling," Taniguchi told The Guardian newspaper in 1988, "but in our group of 60 people we've tried to do it for each other - at least to make the survivors talk about that day. We've saved some people from killing themselves." Taniguchi became a determined advocate for the elimination of nuclear arms. He often travelled overseas to speak at conferences, including in the United States, and called for the Japanese government to pay the medical expenses incurred by the survivors. He noted that the United States had never shown remorse for the damage caused by atomic weapons, but he was even harsher towards his own country.

"No one in the Japanese government has ever apologised about getting involved in that war, either," he said. After the end of World War II, Japan adopted a constitutional provision renouncing war and prohibiting the deployment of military forces outside the country's borders. Amid 70th-anniversary observances of the atomic attacks in 2015, new legislation was passed and signed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe allowing Japanese forces to take part in international conflicts. Taniguchi denounced the change in policy, calling it a betrayal of the country's pacifist principles. "I am worried about what will happen to the world," he said, "when there are no more atomic bomb survivors." Taniguchi was born in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 26, 1929. According to Japanese news reports, his mother died when he was an infant. His father worked for the railroad before being conscripted into the military.

Taniguchi spent much of his childhood with his maternal grandparents in Nagasaki before going to work for the postal service at 14. When he was 24, Taniguchi had an arranged marriage that was put together by friends and family members. "My wife never saw me before the wedding and was not told about my injuries," he told the Chicago Tribune in 2001. "She cried a lot on our honeymoon. It wasn't the scars so much that frightened her, but fear how long I would survive." His wife, Eiko, applied lotion to her husband's scars and massaged his back. She died last year. Survivors include two children; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Three men stormed into the girl's house and threatened to shoot her mother and brother.

Police have arrested three men for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl in Gwalior. Photo for representation.

By PTI: An 11-year old girl was allegedly gangraped at gunpoint at her residence in Gwalior in front of her mother and teenage brother, police said on Sunday.

According to police, three men were arrested on Saturday night in connection with the incident that took place in the wee hours of Wednesday.

"The girl was at home with her mother and brother when three men stormed into their house around 1 am on Wednesday. While two accused threatened to shoot her mother and 14-year old brother, the third one raped the girl," Gwalior's Bijoli Police Station in-charge Raghuvir Meena told PTI over the phone.

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The accused, who sexually assaulted the girl, was identified as Jhanwar Singh Kushwaha (36), while two others who helped him in the crime were Raju Kushwaha (25) and Ramniwas Kushwah (24).

"The trio was arrested last night and further investigations are underway," he added.

The accused were booked under sections of IPC, including 376 D (gang rape), 450 (house-trespass in order to commit offence) 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

ALSO READ:

Why central government thinks marital rape cannot be criminalised

Delhi shocker: Rape victim forced to carry body of her child in Metro to Gurgaon

We are considered pious but we live as prostitutes: Read full text of Sadhvi's letter that nailed Ram Rahim

ALSO WATCH: Rape survivor hails CBI court verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, says was never scared of him

--- ENDS ---
A fire chief and three other volunteer firefighters are facing arson charges in Kentucky.

Kentucky State Police said in a news release Friday that the arson charges stem from a fire in an empty building in Crofton on Aug. 20.

The state police agency says 27-year-old Crofton Fire Chief Jeremy P. Marlar has been arrested on charges of arson and official misconduct.

Firemen Glen R. Mcgee, Dakota S. Oglesby and Dylan M. Hodge also have been arrested on arson charges. Officials say McGee is 23 years old and Oglesby and Hodge are both 18.

All four men were being held in the Christian County Detention Center. It was not immediately clear if they had lawyers Saturday.
Nineteen representatives from twelve WCO Member administrations completed the most recent Strategic Trade Control Enforcement (STCE) Expert Trainer Accreditation Workshop held at WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, from 22 to 30 August 2017. During the two weeks, representatives from Belize, Cameroon, Canada, Ghana, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States actively participated in the train-the-trainer workshop and engaged with facilitators to acquire the subject matter expertise and skills to conduct training courses based on the WCOs STCE training curriculum. The curriculum contains high-level briefings for senior managers on strengthening national STCE efforts and modules for operational personnel covering Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) and related dual use materials and equipment. Participants also received supplementary training on the application of risk management and post-clearance audits in the context of strategic trade control.

This workshop marked the 8th such session in the WCOs effort to develop a strong roster of accredited expert trainers in the STCE topic. In total, 151 representatives from 57 countries have been trained since the program began last year. Participants who demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge during the workshops will be able to complete their accreditation as WCO STCE Expert Trainers by conducting an in-field training mission as a co-trainer delivering the WCOs STCE curriculum. The WCO has accredited 22 STCE Expert Trainers to date. Alongside WCO staff, they will support the WCOs strategy to assist its Members efforts in preventing illicit trafficking of goods related to weapons of mass destruction and fulfilling commitments arising from UN Security Council Resolutions such as UNSCR 1540 and others.

Future events are planned both in Brussels and across the WCO regions under the framework of the STCE Programme. For additional information please contact James.McColm@wcoomd.org.
In a departure from the Congress' poll campaigns where the top leadership addresses only large rallies, Rahul Gandhi introduced his new communication tool of connecting with local workers through dialogue at an event called 'samvad.'

By Sweta dutta: Back from his official Norway tour, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched his party's Gujarat Assembly poll campaign in a symbolic meet with party workers at the Sabarmati Riverfront.

In a departure from the party's poll campaigns where the top leadership addresses only large rallies, the Gandhi family scion introduced his new communication tool of connecting with local workers through dialogue at an event called 'samvad.'

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While Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bharatsinh Solanki read out questions posed by party workers, Rahul responded to them in an attempt to personalise his interaction with the local cadre, a practice the party is set to formalise in other poll-bound states too, senior leaders told MAIL TODAY.

'PARADIGM SHIFT'

The Gujarat Assembly polls slated for end of this year is most likely to be Rahul's first big election following his much-speculated elevation to the party's top job by mid-October.

"Gone are the days when leaders just flew in, delivered speeches and engaged in rhetorics and left. Today the youth wants to hear and to be heard. With Rahul ji taking up a larger role within the party, there is set to be a paradigm shift in our functioning. Gujarat is just the beginning and will see several communication ideas proposed by him," said a senior party functionary.

In Rahul's day-long stay at Ahmedabad, he slotted different meetings with professionals, entrepreneurs and traders' representatives and local body representatives, where he brought up the 'failure' of demonetisation and crippling of the economy.

Even for Congress workers, Rahul scheduled smaller and cosier meetings with district and city party presidents and heads of frontal departments and cells.

In a bid to enthuse the local cadre, Rahul announced that new entrants to the party will not be given tickets to contest the polls. It must be noted that over 500 NCP workers joined the Congress ranks on Sunday ahead of Rahul's visit.

ALSO READ

Gujarat: With elections in mind, Rahul Gandhi to take on PM Modi's home turf

Rahul Gandhi to visit US to learn about artificial intelligence, nanotech, with aim to generate Indian jobs

--- ENDS ---
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has asked all departments to prepare a list of properties which were damaged by the Dera supporters. Sources said total losses were likely to cross Rs 200 crore.

By Mail Today Bureau: While the media focused largely on the mayhem caused by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's supporters in Haryana, much of the wanton violence and destruction in Punjab went under-reported.

Also, as it emerges now, the state failed to gather intelligence on the entry of people from Punjab into Panchkula and pass it on the Centre or Haryana. Of the 32 people that died in the violence, 10 were from Punjab, according to central government sources.

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A powerhouse in Sadanvas village was set ablaze by Dera mobs. So was the railway station in Gulawana village. At Sangat Madi in Bathinda, miscreants even tried to burn down an entire telephone exchange. In Banawali and Musa, two petrol pumps were gutted and damaged by Dera supporters.

Rampaging miscreants set ablaze two cars of the Mansa income tax department. A mob shattered windows of the Kasbaya Handia service centre. In Manakpur, furniture in the office of the principal of a primary school were also set ablaze.

After a fire broke out at the railway ration at Malot, the counter room was reduced to ashes.

A cooperative society was burned in Pinda Nahi in Nangal district. A powerhouse in Sangrur and a godown in Khokhar Kalan were set on fire.

PUNJAB GOVT TAKES STOCK OF DAMAGE

Meanwhile, the fund-starved Punjab government is preparing bills pertaining to the loss caused by the fanatics to public and private property, besides the cost of force deployment at various places.

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has asked all departments to prepare a list of properties which were damaged by the Dera supporters on the Panchkula court's final judgement day.

Sources said total losses were likely to cross Rs 200 crore, a sum that includes the cost of paramilitary and police deployment in Punjab.

ALSO READ

Gurmeet Ram Rahim wants to meet these 10 guests in jail, Honeypreet on top of list

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's commandos had intercepted police wireless messages

ALSO WATCH

Dera Sacha Sauda supporters surrender licensed arms at police station in Sirsa

--- ENDS ---
So a proposed Bill they vehemently opposed while in Opposition is one of the first pieces of legislation the new FNM administration returns to Parliament with this month?

Bahamians had lost trust in the last PLP Government giving the current FNM administration an overwhelming mandate to clean the mess up so you might call this an interesting turn of events.

Trust them to spy on us but not the PLP? Arent there more important Bills to deal with like a real Freedom of Information Act and a Fiscal Responsibility Act. After all these were two of the few main themes of their election campaign?

Well Parliament hasnt sat yet so well see what happens.

It will be interesting to learn what the urgency is behind this so called "spy" Bill.
Sopore police along with 22 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF killed one A++ category and one B category terrorist.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: Two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were gunned down by security forces in north Kashmir, including a divisional commander of the militant outfit.

Acting on specific information, Sopore police along with 22 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Check-e-Brath area of Sopore. During searches, hiding terrorists fired upon the joint search party, ensuing an encounter.

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Two terrorists were killed in the encounter who were later identified as Pervaiz Ahmad Wani resident of Galoora Handwara, Divisional Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and Naeem Ahmad Najar, resident of Shelpora Brad, Sopore.

Two AK rifles, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds, one INSAS rifle, one INSAS Magazine, 13 INSAS rounds and other ammunition was recovered from the encounter site.

Today morning 2 Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed in #Sopore in a joint operation. Well done boys! ????; Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) September 4, 2017

Parvaiz was a chief recruiter for HM in north Kashmir. His elimination is being seen as a major success for the armed forces. He had crossed over to PoK in 2000. He returned 7 years later as Jihadi but was arrested several times but released and was involved in several attacks on security forces and civilians with nearly 10 FIRs against his name.

The other terrorist Naeem was relatively a new recruit joining militant rank only in March 2016. With killing of the two, north Kashmir has only 21 local terrorists. While 12 are in north Kashmir, the rest are believed to be in PoK or in south Kashmir. But a senior source said that militancy in north Kashmir will either go down or militants will move to south Kashmir.

Sources said 8 of them are from HM, 2 LET, 1 from Al Badar and 1 from JEM. North Kashmir though has higher number of foreign terrorists - an estimated 74.

Also read:

Stone pelters on hire in Kashmir: India Today nails Valley's insidious villains

Kashmir: Clashes in Kulgam after LeT terrorist, who plotted Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz's murder, is killed

--- ENDS ---
ST. PAUL  The gate to the State Fair on Snelling Avenue closed Sunday afternoon as about one hundred demonstrators made their way toward the fairgrounds. Snelling Avenue was shut down to traffic in both directions in the area.

The march, billed as Injustice On a Stick, included Black Lives Matter groups and several other organizations. Demonstrators renewed calls for better police accountability in the wake of high profile incidents in the Twin Cities. They want an all civilian elected Police Accountability Council for the city of Minneapolis.

Marchers also protested police brutality, white supremacy and the potential end to the U.S. Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals program.

The marchers eventually returned to the park from which they started and police reopened Snelling to traffic around 3 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Shoppers often spend hard-earned money at big box stores with no knowledge of where the mass-produced goods came from.

In Stockholm, Wis., shoppers can meet the artists, clothing-makers, and farmers who slowly and patiently create their products.

The Stockholm Stroll is a monthly village-wide open house that celebrates local and regional art, food, and music. The next Stroll is on Friday, Sept. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Among the featured vendors are Monica Lyon, of D8agirl Designs, who handcrafts locally-sourced, sustainable clothing, and Kendra Gebbia Baillie, a Stockholm artist who makes woodcut prints on paper, glass and fabric from patterns found in plants and textiles. They will sell their work at The Purple Turtle Artisan Collective, which carries work by dozens of local and regional artists.

We like to think were part of the slow movement, says Purple Turtle owner Amanda Scholz, referring to the cultural movement against the notion that faster is always better. The idea of the Stockholm Stroll is to introduce visitors to our local artisans who value quality over quantity, and savor the process of creating their work, whether its food, knitting, jewelry-making, photography, or anything else.

Stockholm artist Alicia Rasmussen Dube will sell her handmade jewelry at Sandys Clothing & Art, while her husband Mark and his band play music in the courtyard. Minnesotan-turned-Oregonian jewelers Amanda Nachman and Scott Verson, of Oregon Coast Agates, will be at Indigo Swan Jewelry & Fine Art with their jewelry, framed mosaics, note cards, and prints.

At the Hugga Bugga Boutique, owner Char Harris Scherer will inspire visitors to get ready for the fall seasons knit and crochet projects with new pattern books, alpaca yarn kits, and the latest fibers and colors. Scherer will serve snacks and beverages during the stroll, as will most of the shops. At the Palate, a gourmet kitchen shop, Darcy Duncan Knight will serve samples of the organic, small-batch, handcrafted teas she creates in her Stockholm tea lab, paired with the Palates homemade scones.

Also during the Stroll, Abode Gallery & Design will host an opening wine-and-cheese reception for a new exhibit by a Minnesota photographer, Joseph Messicci, who creates images that appear to be abstract paintings. They consist of archival pigment prints, on canvas, of original color photographs, made without using a camera, lens, "pinhole," enlarger, or projector. Its a slow process resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces that invite meditation.

Local farmers from the Lake Pepin Local Food Group will bring their produce and other food items to a farmers market during the stroll.

Summer's coming to a close, and its a great time to slow down and enjoy the restorative effects of our quaint river town, says Scholz.
It was a passion for education that led Susan Derks to tutoring elementary students more than 15 years ago, but it was an interest to do something different with that passion that led her to volunteering with the Adult Literacy Program.

And shes now the programs most experienced volunteer.

Run through the community education department with Winona Area Public Schools, the Adult Literacy Program offers education for adults looking for a either a second shot at education or to pad their educational skills. The program offers classes for older students who use English as a second language, those looking to earn their general education development  or GED  and students interested in basic educational opportunities.

As the September Volunteer of the Month, Derks is just one volunteer in a program in search of more volunteers to assist the educational opportunities and its teachers in the classroom.

The program works with volunteers to find which areas suit their talents, Adult Literacy Coordinator Chris Dahlke said, and the openings really depend on what they have open and are necessary to fill.

We want to try to get volunteers in the right spot, Dahlke said. Whether thats working with students, working behind the scenes, were really going to try to find the strengths of the volunteers.

Overall, the volunteers, Dahlke said, are essential to their students successes, because many of their students need that extra boost of support the volunteers offer.

A lot of our students, I dont think theyve ever felt that too many people cared about their education, whether its personal or systemic, Dahlke said.

But I think that, (since) we have community volunteers, hopefully theres that reinforcement that their education is important.

As a volunteer, Derks said in the last three years she has been with the program she has been able to better understand and connect with her community.

I think it helps you see yourself in a whole different light, Derks said. You understand the community.

Derks began volunteering with the program in its GED classes, but she has recently been working with the programs English as a second language courses, spurring a new interest within her.

Before volunteering with the classes, Derks said she had not realized the obstacles and challenges that come with not only learning in a different language but teaching to a group of students who speak different languages.

They have a lifetime of experiences, Derks said.

Derks has learned ways to better communicate with the students and the importance of integrating real-world experiences  such as reading a newspaper or relating the students jobs to educational basics.

Furthermore, the classrooms she teaches in have become a little community, each taking time to bring in foods from their cultures and supporting one another in their educational highs and lows.

Its what makes her so motivated to continue helping with education, especially for a program she adores, and why she encourages more volunteers to join the program.

I really love the program, Derks said. I really love the camaraderie.
By PTI: By Seema Hakhu Kachru

Houston, Sep 4 (PTI) Americas fourth largest city Houston is "open for business", the citys mayor has said even as some parts of the metropolis remain flooded and the cost of damage caused by the devastating hurricane Harvey could exceed a whopping USD 180 billion.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labour Day. Parts of the city are reeling under floodwaters which contain a toxic brew of chemicals.

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Turner said he had asked Donald Trump for rapid repair assistance during the US Presidents visit to the city this weekend.

"Houstons immediate priorities are housing, housing, housing," Turner told CBS yesterday.

Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, brought 52 inches of rain to some parts of the Houston and resulted in at least 50 deaths. The ferocious storm, which knocked out 30 per cent of US oil refining capacity, has led to price spikes and sporadic gasoline shortages in some parts of the city.

Flood models released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show more than 90,000 residential structures in Harris, Galveston and Fort Bend Counties could have been damaged by flood waters from the storm.

Only 15 per cent of Harris Countys 1.5 million properties, which includes Houston, are insured for floods.

Despite all that, Turner said much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labour Day.

"Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come. We can do multiple things at the same time," ,? Turner, a Democrat, said.

The 1.5-mile evacuation zone around the Arkema facility was lifted today and officials said it was safe for residents to return to their homes.

Authorities said they would continue to monitor air quality around the site.

Floodwaters have also inundated at least five Superfund toxic waste near Houston and some may have been damaged even though the environmental officials have yet to assess the full extent of what occurred.

Turner said Houstons drinking water hadnt been affected by the storm.

"We would hope that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be on the ground now to take a look at those Superfund sites, to make sure that contamination is contained and limited," Turner said.

Utility crews went door-to-door yesterday shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that more flooding was possible, not from rain, but from releases of water from overtaxed reservoirs.

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Thousands of Houston dwellings were under mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

According to data compiled by Solera Holdings, up to half a million cars have been damaged in Texas. Even rental vehicles have likely been damaged in Houston, a city where 94 per cent of the population owns a car.

People briefly returned yesterday to some homes in the area.

In Austin, Governor Greg Abbott seemed to pump the brakes on the rush to rebuild, calling for new development restrictions in order to prevent future flooding disasters.

In the past, local plans to limit and control storm runoff have been sidetracked by high costs and opposition from business and development interests in a city without zoning controls.

"As we go through the build-out phase, and rebuilding Texas, part of our focus must be on rebuilding in a way that will prevent a disaster like this from happening again," Abbott told reporters before speaking during Sunday services at the Hyde Park Baptist Church, on the official Day of Prayer he proclaimed last week in Harveys aftermath.

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As part of his continuing message of collaboration with local officials, Abbott said he has pledged to work to guard against another Harvey-like flood disaster ? which some officials speculate could top USD 200 billion in damage, more than hurricanes Rita and Sandy combined.

Meanwhile, repairs continued on the water treatment plant in Beaumont, about 85 miles from Houston, which failed after the swollen Neches River inundated the main intake system and backup pumps halted.

More than 1,000 people continued to shelter at the George R Brown Convention Center, down significantly from the 10,000 person peak a week earlier.

Another 2,600 remained at NRG Center. Officials said those still there were likely be the hardest to relocate, either because their homes were damaged beyond repair, or because floodwaters still havent subsided. PTI SHK MRJ

--- ENDS ---
Visitors to Whitewater State Park will have a variety of opportunities to learn about the people of the past who once lived and worked in the Whitewater Valley.

The Whitewater Valley History and Archaeology Festival is a free event and will run from 9 am to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 9. Visitors can pick up a schedule and map of activities at the park visitor center.

A number of self-guided tour options will be available throughout the day for visitors to explore historic sites at their own pace. Locations include a pioneer cemetery, the historic fire tower, and the grounds of a restored stone house built by early pioneers and located in a remote area of the valley. Brochures will be available at each location to guide visitors through these sites.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Crystal Springs Trout Hatchery will be on hand with a live trout exhibit while park volunteers introduce visitors to the We Are Water Minnesota exhibit on display at the park throughout the fall.

From Noon to 3 p.m. there will be a number of hands-on childrens activities including paddling a canoe, atlatl throwing demonstrations, pioneer childrens games, and weaving twine from natural fibers.

Flint knapping demonstrations will also take place at the south picnic ground throughout the afternoon.

The day will wrap up with a guided walk of the site where the CCC/WPA men and later German POWs were once housed in the park.

Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to share their Whitewater stories and memories for the Whitewater Oral History Project, a project to prepare for the 100th Anniversary of Whitewater State Park coming up in 2019.
Hillary Clintons newest book, with the shell-shocked sounding title of What Happened, will drop as they say in a couple of weeks. So why do I feel like ducking?

Thats easy. As the kids say: Too soon.

A book that promises a frog-in-paraffin style dissection of Clintons ill-fated 2016 presidential campaign seems painful and, well, wholly unnecessary.

We know what happened. We dont need a 512-page book to say what we can say in one little sentence: She shouldve spent more time in the fly-over states eating turkey legs and talking jobs. See how easy that was?

Turns out Ohio, etc. felt overlooked and disrespected. Its like being the only teenage girl in your friend group who didnt get asked to the big dance by a pimply guy holding a pizza with the bell pepper chunks spelling out PROM?

That stuff hurts, yall. So, yes, lesson learned. Wisconsin, Ohio, rural Pennsylvania, all yall: Message received. Whoever the Dems nominate in 2020 will need to visit every county fair from here to Nutjob, Nebraska. Thats a lot of fried Snickers and Rooster bingo so rest up now Elizabeth, Kamala, Al (Gore or Franken), Corey, Joe, Bernie  especially Bernie.

Clintons book is pre-selling well. But speaking as someone who has her other books on a shelf in my living room (always handy when I need a good cry), Ima wait this one out.

Of course, it wasnt just the ignoring of the heartland, there was also the sheer golly-Pete gullibility of voters who read crazy lies on the interweb and then shared them. Who knew pesky Russian trolls were planting millions of fake stories on social media for fun and profit every day? And who knew that voters would fall for it? Whats that? Hillary deleted some emails? Benghazi? Somebody get me a likker drink.

Maybe Im naive but I think even the trolls couldve been countered and a win couldve been achieved if Clinton had shown up for Kentucky Hot Brown night at the Rotary a little more often. Theres power in cheese sauce, yall.

The trailer for Hills new book promises to take the reader inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows.

Pass.

Were living the infuriating lows right now. Our nation is so divided and cynical my Facebook lit up with neighbors bashing the solar eclipse, labeling it a nothing burger. Said one: I only had 96 percent totality. This from someone who never used the world totality in his whole life. What is wrong with you people?

Stop whining and start planning. Lets not dwell on what happened. Lets not be part of a once-every-100 years event and register the same awe and wonder as if we just got our car towed. Our masses may be poor. We may be tired. But the future lies in huddling together. So in three years, no one will have to ask, What happened?
The development team that wants to turn Madison Area Technical College's Downtown campus into a hotel and add a new office building and grocery store on the block-sized parcel will present a tweaked plan for the site to the city's Urban Design Commission on Wednesday.

Renderings provided to the commission show Hovde Properties has dropped a design that would clad the Wisconsin Avenue side of the building in a dramatic facade of wavy glass, replacing it with a more conventional modern look.

But the bulk of the project's plans remain the same: A 10-story office building on what is now a parking lot on the eastern half of the MATC site just off the Capitol Square, and a renovation in which the college's existing building at 211 N. Carroll St. would would become a 197-room hotel.

Plans submitted to the Urban Design Commission would have developers start construction on the new office building in July of 2018, while MATC students are still taking classes in the Downtown Education Center.

College officials plan to move operations out of the campus building by the end of 2018, shifting programs to the MATC Truax campus on the North Side and a planned new facility on the South Side.

The renovation would begin in July of 2019.

MATC President Jack E. Daniels said last week that the college would build its new South Side campus at the intersection of Park Street and Badger Road.

Leaving Downtown and expanding on the South Side are the twin pieces of a major reorganization plan that MATC officials say will address local education disparities by providing greater opportunities to residents in the historically underserved neighborhood.

The college chose Hovde's plan to redevelop the Downtown campus site in April.

Hovde, which is partnered with the Missouri hotel company Drury Southwest, would lease the site from MATC for 98 years, paying the college a rising rate of rent that would start at $750,000 per year, under the agreement officials announced.

The proposal is subject to a long list of approvals -- MATC's district board and the Wisconsin Technical College System Board signed off on initial plans, and the city of Madison must do the same.

Hovde plans to finish construction on the office building in April of 2020, and have the hotel done by that November.
An Indian man living in the US called his parents from India to beat his wife who was 'acting out'.

By India Today Web Desk: There is absolutely no limit to insanity and inhumanity in this world.

Don't believe us?

Well, this shameful incident will prove us right.

Three Indians were recently arrested by the Florida authorities after they found out that a woman and a child were being held inside their home. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the woman was beaten up by the three, out of which one was her 33-year-old husband, Devbir Kalsi.

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The 33-year-old woman, Silky Gaind, was beaten up for an extended period of time by her husband and husband's parents.

The officials said she was "badly beaten and there were bruises over her entire body" and was rescued after Gaind's parents called authorities from India.

When the police raided her home, nobody answered the door. But, after repeated knocks, Gaind tried to open the door and "screamed for the deputy to save her and her child," the Sheriff's Office said.

Gaind's husband was trying to push the door to escape the police but failed. The deputy was then confronted by Kalsi's parents Jasbir (67) and Bhupinder Kalsi(61).

Devbir Kalsi called his parents from Punjab to beat his "disobedient" wife.

A day before the arrest, Kalsi smacked his wife after an argument and accidentally hit his child as well while the mother was holding the child in her arms. After the incident, Gaind was locked in a room by Kalsi's parents. Her phone was also taken away.

According to Tampa Bay Times, Devbir and Jasbir will face charges of false imprisonment, child abuse and denying access to 911. Devbir Kalsi faces an additional charge of felony battery, and Jasbir Kalsi is accused of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Bhupinder Kalsi faces charges of battery domestic violence and failure to report child abuse.

--- ENDS ---




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Brazil and China enhance nuclear cooperation

04 September 2017

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A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further promote cooperation in nuclear energy has been signed between China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Brazilian power company Eletrobras and its nuclear subsidiary Eletronuclear. The agreement covers the completion of Angra unit 3 and possible follow-up projects.

The signing of the MOU (Image: CNNC)

The MOU was signed on 1 September by CNNC board chairman Wang Shoujun, Eletrobras superintendent of foreign operations, Pedro Luiz de Oliveira Jatoba, and Eletronuclear CEO Bruno Campos Barretto. It was signed in Beijing during a meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Michel Temer.

Eletrobras said the MOU creates "the opportunity for a deepening of bilateral cooperation for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, highlighting the common interests in establishing a future partnership for completion of Angra 3".

CNNC said it will work with Eletrobras and Eletronuclear to promote the construction of Angra 3 and future nuclear power plant projects.

Eletronuclear noted this is the third MOU it has signed with CNNC. In 2015, it signed one with CNNC and Eletrobras aimed at nuclear cooperation. In December 2016, Eletronuclear signed a bilateral MOU with CNNC to guide cooperation in the resumption of construction of Angra 3.

Construction of Angra 3 originally started in 1984 on a PWR designed by German company KWU, but this faltered two years later. At that stage some 70% of the plant's equipment was said to have already been purchased and delivered to the site. A return to construction was approved in 2007, and an industrial agreement for the unit's completion was signed with Areva in December 2008.

Two Brazilian consortia were awarded contracts, one for electro-mechanical assembly associated with the reactors primary system, the other for secondary-side work. However, following a corruption probe in mid-2015, Eletrobras suspended both contracts.

In March 2017, the government announced it planned to sell Angra 3 by 2018. The National Energy Policy Council in June this year reviewed ways to restart construction, but the government expects that it will take about five years and $2.9 billion to complete the unit.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
CNSC completes review of disposal facility draft EIS

04 September 2017

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The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has completed its technical assessment of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) for radioactive waste from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories' Chalk River site. CNL must now address all federal and public comments received on the proposal before submitting its final EIS.

The Chalk River campus, pictured in 2015 (Image: CNL)



The CNSC has identified "a number of areas" where additional information will need to be included in the final EIS and other technical supporting documentation, it said. A consolidated table of federal comments, including the CNSC's assessment and those of other federal authorities participating in the review, has been submitted back to CNL for action. The list includes "almost 200" information requests and comments, the CNSC said.

CNL must now address all federal and public comments received and submit a final EIS to the CNSC. The regulator will then determine the completeness of the information provided in CNL's submissions, and may request further information. CNL is expected to submit the final EIS in January and the commission expects to hold a public hearing on the project in July.

According to CNL, the NSDF is a crucial first step in the transformation of Chalk River Laboratories site into a centre for world class science and technology innovation. The organisation earlier this year published its long-term vision for the site after the National Research Universal reactor closes down on 31 March 2018 after 60 years of operations. Revitalisation of the Chalk River Laboratories will involve the decommissioning of more than 100 buildings that have reached the end of their useful lives.

The NSDF will be an engineered containment mound built at the Chalk River site to safely dispose of solid, low-level radioactive waste and a small amount of intermediate-level waste. It will provide safe disposal for the demolition waste, as well as for operational waste currently in interim storage, plus small quantities of waste from decommissioning projects at other governmental sites. It will also accept small amounts of wastes - less than 5% of the total - from Canadian hospitals, universities and industrial clients. The mound will hold 1 million cubic metres of waste and feature ten waste disposal cells to be built in two phases.

Planned to have an operating life of at least 50 years, the proposed project would also include a wastewater treatment plant and supporting infrastructure. The cost to design, license, build and construct Phase 1 of the NSDF is estimated at CAD 215 million ($173 million), paid for by federal corporation Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. CNL estimates that the facility will cost a total of CAD 600 million over its lifetime. This includes the second-phase expansion, operating costs and 30 years of post-closure monitoring and surveillance.

Pending regulatory approvals, CNL's timeline for the project envisages construction of phase 1 beginning in 2018, with waste disposal beginning in 2020. Construction work is scheduled to begin on phase 2 in 2040.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Korea develops expertise for Kori 1 decommissioning

04 September 2017

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The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has signed contracts with several domestic companies to develop technologies for decommissioning Kori unit 1, which was permanently shut down in June. It is the first South Korean reactor to enter decommissioning.

Company representatives mark the signing of the contracts (Image: KAERI)

KAERI said today it has signed contracts with Kepco Plant Service & Engineering and Doosan, among others, to develop technologies for dismantling facilities and equipment, as well as land contamination measurement technology. The companies will also develop technologies for simulating the dismantling of the plant, chemical decontamination and waste disposal processes.

KAERI said it has already secured 27 technologies out of 38 identified for the complete decommissioning of Kori 1. It is already at the laboratory verification stage for the remaining 11 technologies and aims to gain the necessary expertise by 2021.

Unit 1 of the Kori plant near Busan started commercial operation in 1978. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced in August 2015 it had withdrawn its application to extend the unit's operating licence. In June last year, the company applied to decommission the reactor. The permanent shutdown of Kori 1 was approved by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) in early June. The 576 MWe pressurised water reactor was permanently shut down on 18 June. KHNP is to submit a decommissioning plan for the unit within five years.

Following the closure of Kori 1, South Korea has 24 power reactors in operation with a combined generating capacity of 22,505 MWe. Together they provide about one-third of the country's electricity.

Public opinion

On 19 June, South Korean President Moon Jae-in used a ceremony marking Kori 1's closure to say plans for new power reactors will be cancelled and the operating periods of existing units will not be extended beyond their design life. Moon has cited concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants due to earthquakes as one reason for the phase-out policy.

On units 5 and 6 of the Shin Kori plant - construction permits for which were approved by NSSC last June - Moon said he would reach a "social consensus" as soon as possible on whether their construction will proceed. The units were almost 30% complete before construction was suspended in July. Moon said the cost of constructing the units, their safety and the costs of any potential compensation would be taken into consideration. A government-appointed commission is polling the public on the continued use of nuclear power in the country.

A poll conducted by Gallup Korea indicates growing public support for the continued construction of Shin Kori 5 and 6, the Korea Herald reported today. The study, released on 1 September, shows that 42% of the 1003 people questioned are in favour of the units being built, with 38% against. In polls conducted in July and August, those in support were 37% and 40%, respectively, while opposition was 41% in July and 42% in August.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
By PTI: By Seema Hakhu Kachru

Houston, Sep 4 (PTI) An Indian woman in the US was rescued after the authorities received a call from India that she was beaten and held against her will by her husband and his parents.

Silky Gaind was rescued by the Florida authorities after the 33-year-old woman called her parents in India on Saturday to inform them of the beating. The parents of the victim then called the authorities in the US, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs office said.

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When a deputy arrived, no one responded to the repeated knock. Gaind attempted to open the door and screamed for him to help her and her 1-year-old daughter. The deputy forced his way in and found that Gaind was severely bruised.

Investigators said the parents of her 33-year-old husband Devbir Kalsi had travelled from India to the US and took part in the beatings after their son told them he needed help with a "disobedient" wife.

Kalsi beat Gaind "repeatedly and forcefully" after the couple had a fight on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Kalsis parents, father Jasbir and mother Bhupinder, started hitting her after Gaind attempted to defend herself.

The infant was accidentally struck in the face while Gaind was holding her during the attack, the report said.

The parents hit Gaind and left her with bruises on her face, neck and torso before Jasbir threatened to stab her with a kitchen knife, the arrest report said.

After the fight, the woman was locked in a room and her cell phone was taken from her.

Devbir and Jasbir may face "charges of false imprisonment, child abuse and denying access to 911". Devbir could also face felony battery charge.

Jasbir was accused of "aggravated battery with a deadly weapon", the report said.

Bhupinder could face "charges of battery domestic violence and failure to report child abuse", it said.

They were booked into Hillsborough County Jail and were being held without bond, it said.

The three could face deportation back to India. Gaind and her infant were put in a safe place, the sheriffs office said. PTI SHK MRJ

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El Salvador is the smallest nation in Central America, and 86% of El Salvador's population are mestizos while the rest are either Caucasian or indigenous. This racial diversity has enriched the culture of El Salvador. Spanish is the official and dominant language in the nation. A few communities still speak their native dialects, although in small populations. Foreign languages are also spoken in parts of El Salvador, especially by immigrants.

The Official Language of El Salvador

Salvadoran Spanish is the name given to the Spanish spoken in El Salvador. Although the dialect is similar to the Spanish variants spoken in neighboring countries, it has notable differences in usage and pronunciation. The nation uses Voseo Spanish in both the spoken and written form, while Usted is mainly reserved for formally addressing foreigners. Caliche is the local vernacular of Spanish spoken in El Salvador. Caliche differs from Salvadoran Spanish, as it has unique lexical terms and colloquialisms. Caliche has been mainly influenced by Nahuatl, and it is popular across the country's social classes. Professionals, however, avoid speaking Caliche as it is not regarded as "proper Spanish."

Nahuatl

Nahuatl is a language in the Uto-Aztecan language family. Nahuatl was spoken by the Aztecs who resided in modern day Central Mexico. The various Nahuatl varieties have 1.5 million speakers, mainly in Mexico, but also in communities in El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, and Canada. Some of the Nahuatl varieties are mutually incomprehensible. The most common of these varieties is the Huasteca Nahuatl, which has about one million users. Other dialects include Central Nahuatl, Eastern Peripheral Nahuatl, and Western Peripheral Nahuatl.

Minority Languages of El Salvador

The Pipil language is another Uto-Aztecan language spoken in El Salvador. The language is native to Utah in the United States, and Nicaragua. Pipil is natively known as Nawat, and was spoken by the Izalcos, Nonualcos, Mazahuas, and Cuscatlecos people who were El Salvadors native communities. Pipil is considered to be endangered in El Salvador, and is spoken by the older generations in the Ahuachapan and Sonsonate departments. The Lencan languages are indigenous to the Lenca community native to El Salvador, as well as southwestern Honduras. The Lenca people have an estimated population of only 37,000 in El Salvador, which endangers the language's existence. Q'eqchi' is a Mayan language and the majority of Q'eqchi' speakers reside in Guatemala and Belize, but small populations have settled in El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. The Cacaopera language is the native form of speech of the Cacaopera people. The language was used in El Salvador's Morazan region, and was related to the Matagalpa language. Linguists now classify the Cacaopera language as extinct.

Foreign and Immigrant Languages Spoken in El Salvador

The British have taught English in El Salvador's schools for over 50 years. There are also numerous French schools in El Salvador, and French is taught as a second language in most Spanish and English schools. There are roughly 1,300 Chinese descendants and immigrants who speak Chinese languages. A further 500 Turkish speakers reside in El Salvador. Nicaraguans and Hondurans have also been immigrating and settling in the country.
Indrani would be produced before Delhi court on September 9 via video-conferencing from Mumbai, after which ED officials with conduct a custodial interrogation in Byculla jail.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: A special court has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct custodial interrogation of Indrani Mukerjea in Mumbai. There is high possibility that Indrani will be questioned in Byculla jail, where she is currently lodged.

Top sources from the ED confirmed to India Today that the agency has no plans to take Indrani to Delhi. "On September 9, Indrani would be produced before Delhi court via video-conferencing from Mumbai. She would then be interrogated by ED officials in Byculla jail," revealed sources.

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A special team of ED officials who are presently investigating the INX Media case would fly down to Mumbai for Indrani's custodial interrogation. "The Mumbai team has no role in this case. Hence, it would provide all required resources, logistics and legal support to this team," the sources said.

The Delhi court, had in August, issued production warrant against Indrani seeking her presence before the Court. But the agency would not like to take any chance while travelling from Mumbai to Delhi and back.

Rajvardhan Sinha, IG (Prisons) did not share details of interrogation that would take place inside the Byculla jail premises on September 9-10. "I do not know. Please check with ED officials, as they would be in the right position to share these details," Sinha said.

Indrani is currency facing trail in Mumbai in connection with the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora.

After taking cognisance from CBI's FIR, the ED had filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Karti Chidambaram, INX Media and its directors, Peter and Indrani Mukerjea, and others, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The agencies had alleged that Karti had received money from INX Media for using his influence to manipulate an income tax probe against it, which is facing a case of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) violation.

As of now, the INX Media case is heading nowhere as Karti, in his statement to agencies, denied all the allegations. Hence, Indrani's custodial interrogation might prove helpful to the ED to take the investigation ahead.

ALSO READ |

Madras High Court refuses relief to Karti Chidambaram in INX Media kickbacks case

CBI now raids jailed Peter Mukerjea's Mumbai house; Chidambaram, son Karti's residences raided earlier

Mumbai: More loopholes tumble out during investigation of Byculla jail inmate Manjula Shetye's death

ALSO WATCH | CBI raids ex-INX Media chief Peter Mukherjea's Mumbai house hours after raiding Chidambaram, Karti

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Free entry to some of Wrexhams heritage sites as part of Open Doors event

This article is old - Published: Monday, Sep 4th, 2017

Residents and visitors to Wrexham will have a chance to explore some of the countys most historical sites for free as part of the upcoming Open Doors events.

Across several dates in September, some of Wrexhams most iconic locations will open their doors to the public for free as part of Open Doors  a Wales-wide programme of events co-ordinated by CADW.

The following locations are opening their doors free to the public over the next few days!

Open Doors  Iscoyd Park  5 September 2017 (10:30am  5:30pm)

Open Doors  Ceiriog Memorial Institute  2 and 9 September 2017 (1pm  4pm)

Open Doors  Erddig  9 September 2017 (12:30pm  3:30pm)

Open Doors  Chirk Castle  9 September 2017 (10:00am  4:30pm)

Further information about the sites, opening times and any terms and conditions can be found here.
MP calls for clarity over future viability of Wrexham Magistrates Court

This article is old - Published: Monday, Sep 4th, 2017

Calls for clarity on the future viability of Wrexham Magistrates Court once the towns current police station relocates, have been made.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has been pushing Justice Ministers for solid answers over their plans for custody cells to serve the court for several months.

However with Wrexhams main police headquarters relocating to a multi-million pound development in Llay next year, Mr Lucas has warned that proposals from the Government have yet to be unveiled.

Wrexhams current police station, the iconic tower block on Bodhyfryd, is set to be demolished next summer  with the new state-of-the-art headquarters set to be operational by August 2018. Once open the new building will provide modern custody facilities with 32 cells to detain people arrested in Wrexham and Flintshire.

A smaller, town centre base is currently being constructed in the former Oriel Wrecsam in the Library.

However Mr Lucas believes the move will have major implications for both the town centre site and for justice in North East Wales  with calls for clarity on custody provision at Wrexham Magistrates Court.

Mr Lucas said: Within the year, North Wales Police expect to have moved from their current headquarters to the new station in Llay.

This move will have major implications for both the Bodhyfryd site and for the provision of justice in North East Wales.

Wrexham Magistrates Court has already been the subject of critical reports for its custody provision and the Government knows something needs to be done. Ministers also know that the police are set to have moved from their current site next to the court in a years time.

Yet, despite a series of questions about their plans, we know more about the proposals by developers for the Bodhyfyryd site once it is no longer a police station than we do about the Governments plans to update the Magistrates Court facilities that that closure will affect.

The Government, despite repeated questions about what they intend to do, seem to be no further forward with just twelve months to go. We need clarity from them about what their plans are for Wrexham  and we need it quickly.
Welsh language and culture event to return alongside Wrexham music festival in 2018

This article is old - Published: Monday, Sep 4th, 2017

A Welsh language music and culture event held as part of a Wrexham-based music festival is set to return to the town next year.

Following a successful pilot earlier this, Wrexham Council and FOCUS Wales have confirmed that HWB Cymraeg will once again feature as part of the three-day music and arts event in 2018.

Based in a tipi on Queens Square throughout the FOCUS Wales event back in May, HWB Cymraeg held a number of events  including Welsh language workshops, live radio sessions and talks from a number of artists.

The 2018 leg of the HWB will feature similar events, with some big names to be announced soon.

Stephen Jones, Welsh Language Co-ordinator at Wrexham Council, said: We are extremely excited to be working in partnership with FOCUS Wales, Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam, Mudiad Meithrin and Coleg Cambria again on this event.

This event is a great opportunity to really showcase the Welsh language and culture to the 7000-plus visitors from across the UK and overseas, who attend FOCUS Wales each year.

We would like to build on the success of this years pilot and for 2018 we aim to increase the Welsh language content across the whole festival program.

Its important to have high quality events like this for Welsh speakers in the town and therefore we are working with FOCUS Wales to include top Welsh language artists throughout next years festival.

Always looking for ways to promote importance of Welsh language

Neal Thompson, one of the organisers of FOCUS Wales, said: HWB Cymraeg saw great success last year and we were really keen to see it resume as part of the program for FOCUS Wales foe 2018.

We certainly want to work alongside Wrexham Council to build up on last years success and see how much further we can push it this year.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protect and Community Safety, added: We at Wrexham Council are always looking for further ways in which we can promote use of the Welsh language and its cultural importance, and FOCUS Wales certainly provides us with an excellent forum in which to do so.

Im very grateful to those at FOCUS Wales for their support in helping us to put the HWB Cymraeg together for next year, and wish the event every success.
German politicians and media outlets have responded to the right-wing extremist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, with sanctimonious denunciations. They have criticized the response of US President Donald Trump, who defended the fascist mob and whose right-wing advisers in the White House encouraged and incited the violence. But they completely ignore their own responsibility for the rise of the extreme right.

Trumps half-hearted manoeuvring after the outbreak of right-wing extremist violence is fatal, stated Justice Minister Heiko Maas (Social Democrats, SPD) on Monday in Berlin. All democrats should find clear words to oppose racism. Anyone not taking a clear stance must accept that they are encouraging neo-Nazis, he added.

Chancellor Angela Merkel (Christian Democrats, CDU) expressed her sympathy with the victims. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said that Merkel was very sad to hear of the death of a young woman at the hands of right-wing extremists this weekend. He referred to absolutely repugnant scenes at the march. There was an explicit display of racism in its most despicable form, anti-Semitism, hatred. And it is repulsive regardless of where such images and slogans take place.

German newspapers detailed the connections between Trump, the White House and right-wing extremist circles who were behind the Charlottesville march. The Suddeutsche Zeitung wrote of the dark ties between Trump, his chief political adviser Stephen Bannon and the far-right news outlet Breitbart News.

Spiegel Online cited the response of the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer to Trumps underwhelming message. He didnt attack us, enthused the fascist propaganda site. Really, really good. God bless him. It added, We are now at war. And we will not retreat.

Do Merkel, Maas and the bourgeois media think they can play the population of Germany and the world, which is deeply shocked by the Charlottesville events, for fools? The truth is that the same politicians and newspapers raging over Trumps despicable calculation (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) are jointly responsible for the ability of right-wing extremist and fascist forces to raise their heads and act with increased aggression in Germany and Europe.

Hardly a day goes by in the ongoing federal election campaign in which leading politicians and media outlets are not agitating in the style of the far-right Alternative for Germany against refugees, promoting nationalism, and appealing to the fascistic dregs of society to enforce their policies of militarism, the strengthening of the state apparatus, and social cuts. The SPD and its Chancellor candidate Martin Schulz in particular are waging their election campaign on this basis.

Maas, a Social Democrat, who now feigns outrage, called following the protests in Hamburg against the G20 for a European database of left-wing extremists and a rock against the left concert. Obviously encouraged by this, right-wing extremists organised a festival in mid-July in Thuringia, Rock against foreigners, which turned into one of the largest neo-Nazi events in Europe during the past decade. Under the protection of the police and the SPD-Left Party-Green state government, the right-wing extremists committed crimes, performed the Nazi salute by the hundreds, as was done in Charlottesville, and chanted Sieg Heil!

Such examples of fascist violence, which is tolerated by the police, and right-wing extremist terrorism have increased significantly in Germany over recent years.

One example was a January 2016 attack by hundreds of organised right-wing extremists on Connewitz, a left-wing district of Leipzig, where they destroyed more than 20 businesses, bars, and a Turkish restaurant. The fascist rampage, which strongly resembled the events in Charlottesville, developed out of a demonstration by Legida, the Leipzig branch of the Pegida right-wing extremist movement. Politicians and the media whipped up the racially charged atmosphere prior to the attack. At the beginning of 2016, politicians from all parties represented in parliament spoke out in favour of dialogue with Pegida supporters.

According to official government statistics, 75 people fell victim to right-wing extremist violence between 1990 and 2015. In many cases, the police and government denied the right-wing background of these fatalities for years. Only when it became public that the National Socialist Underground murdered nine immigrants and a police officer between 2000 and 2006 alone did the federal government order a review of unexplained deaths for cases involving a right-wing extremist motive.

The Amadeu Antonio Foundation, which has a strong focus on right-wing extremist violence, identified a much higher figure. According to their sources, right-wing extremist groups killed 178 people between 1990 and July 2015. In addition, there were 11 suspected cases.

The state was directly implicated in some of these deaths. It is now known that two-dozen agents from the intelligence services and police were active in immediate proximity to the NSU. One was even present during the 2006 murder of Halit Yozgat in an Internet cafe in Kassel.

The defence of the right-wing extremist Humboldt University Professor Jorg Baberowski shows very clearly how Germanys ruling class bears joint responsibility for the rise of the far right on both sides of the Atlantic. The Humboldt professor is glorified by the same right-wing extremist forces in the US responsible for the fascist violence in Charlottesville. Breitbart News and the Daily Stormer have over recent years both enthusiastically welcomed Baberowskis agitation against refugees, calls for militarism, and downplaying of the crimes of the Nazis.

A December 2015 article on Breitbart News stated, for example, that the highly respected professor was warning of the vanishing of Germany as we know it. Breitbart cited approvingly several paragraphs from an interview Baberowski gave to the Huffington Post. Germany will no longer be able to avoid engaging in wars and conflicts. And Germany as we know it will disappear due to mass immigration, he declared.

At about the same time, Andrew Anglin, the publisher of the Daily Stormer, declared his support for Baberowski. He cited his racist attacks on the German governments refugee policy: It wasnt wise to take selfies with refugees that were shared around the world, and it also wasnt wise to declare to the world that anybody could come to Germany because we cannot have an upper limit. The website also published a picture of Baberowski.

The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) and its youth organisation, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, were alone in publicly drawing attention to his right-wing extremist connections and firmly condemning his downplaying of the Nazis crimes. Several student representative bodies joined in with the criticism. Baberowski is, among other things, a supporter of Ernst Nolte, the most well known Nazi apologist among post-war historians. Nolte was done an injustice. Historically speaking, he was right, he stated in Der Spiegel in early 2014. In the same article, Baberowski asserted, Hitler was not a psychopath, he was not vicious. He did not want to talk about the extermination of the Jews at his table.

The consequences of this historical falsification and its defence by broad sections of the ruling elite are now becoming clear following the events in Charlottesville. The Social Democratic president of Humboldt University and many media outlets defended Baberowski, and waged a hysterical campaign against the SGP and IYSSE because of their criticisms of the right-wing radical professor.

But truth is stronger than any censor. Baberowski is known among workers and students as a right-wing extremist. And the sanctimonious outrage from German politicians and media outlets following the shocking events in Charlottesville cannot conceal the fact that they bear joint responsibility for the rehabilitation of right-wing extremist ideology and its violent consequences.
The Socialist Workers Party (SWP), Counterfire, the Socialist Party (SP) and the Peoples Assembly have joined forces to promote a September 12 anti-austerity delegation to parliament, called by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees.

Rees heads the citys Labour-controlled council, which voted in February to slash 104 million from public spending by 2022, including 33 million over the next financial year. A hit list targets 112 services, including meals-on-wheels, school lollipop patrols and dementia support. Half of the citys libraries face closure and all of its public toilets.

During Februarys council meeting, protesters were ejected from the public gallery after they heckled Rees. He has since presided over a community consultation, asking residents to decide where the cuts should fall. On July 10, Rees told a consultation at Bristol City Hall that the councils budget would mean internal sacrifice. Outside, protestors held placards that read, Marvin, you cut we bleed and Bristol City Council cuts will kill.

According to the SWP, Rees is now spearheading a major struggle by Labour councils against austerity. In a July 31 article, Taking up the fight against the local authority cuts, Sadie Robinson wrote, Pressure is growing on Labour councils to fight cuts. All have imposed attacks on workers and services then blamed Tory cuts, sparking angry protests and some strikes. Now Bristols Labour mayor has unveiled a plan to lead a delegation to Whitehall and demand an end to council funding cuts. And he wants other councils to join him.

Robinson continues, Marvin Rees has written an open letter to council leaders in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. Together with Bristol these ten make up the core citiesand nine are run by Labour councils. Rees called on them to harness the mood against austerity and lobby a weakened government on 12 September.

Rees open letter was a transparent act of political damage control. It was aimed at deflecting public outrage against Labours slash-and-burn measures by shifting the blame once more onto the Tories. In reality, Theresa Mays government, like the Cameron government before it, has relied on local Labour councils to enforce its cuts on the ground.

The September 12 lobby called by Rees commits Labour councils to precisely nothing. It is timed to coincide with their presentation of a green paper to the partys leader, Jeremy Corbyn, outside parliament.

Titled Invest, Reform, Trust, the paper is described by Rees and his fellow council leaders as advancing alternatives to austerity. It does nothing of the sort. It was released on July 18 at an industry roundtable in Manchester, co-sponsored by accounting giant PwC and featuring business leaders and industry bodies from across the UK.

Its pro-business proposals include private finance initiatives, localised business tax rates, and increased devolution, ushering in a place-based industrial strategy to boost competitiveness and let cities and their people get on with the job of raising productivity. Case studies cited in the paper include Sheffields Skills Made Easy, described as a truly employer-led training scheme, which pays apprentices just 3.50 an hour.

Another proposal, the Labour councillors explain, is to broaden the programme of Enterprise Zones to cover specific industrial sectors that would seek to create tax and other incentives to build clusters and strengthen agglomeration effects in cities. In other words, devolved councils would preside over a bidding war to attract investment based on tax handouts and the most brutal levels of exploitation.

The SWPs support for the green paper and their willingness to corral protests behind such a ruthless pro-market agenda is not accidental. Members of the SWP and other pseudo-left groups are employed throughout the public sector, as union officials and local reps, and as middle managers and executives in local authorities and NGOs. With Corbyn being groomed for office, the pseudo-left is positioning itself as a key power brokeroffering its services to enforce Labours agenda against the working class.

If anyone thinks this is an exaggeration, consider the following quotations taken from the SWP, Counterfire and the Socialist Party.

The same edition of Socialist Worker cited above quotes Peoples Assembly member Huw Williams, who openly solidarises himself with Rees: There is anger towards the mayor, but theres also a sense that hes one of us. If Rees leads protests, that has the potential to mobilise a large number of Labour Party people.

Now the mayor has said he will challenge the cuts, people see this as a march not against him but the Tories. Theres a good chance it will be on a serious scale.

This open defence of the Labour Party at the very point when Rees and dozens of Labour-run councils are implementing austerity is made more explicit still by Counterfire, an SWP splinter group led by Stop the War Coalition leader Lindsey German. A July 20 article titled Mayor of Bristol to lead protest against austerity describes his call for a protest as very welcome news, providing a significant opportunity for the anti-austerity movement.

The nature of this opportunity is made clear in the course of their extraordinary article.

At a recent march in solidarity with Grenfell organised by Bristol Peoples Assembly and the tenants union ACORN, there were calls for Labour councillors to take a much more active stance in opposition to the cuts. Clearly, there is considerable disquiet over this issue amongst the thousands of Labour party members in Bristol, who can see that these cuts risk undermining Labours recent increased support.

In these circumstances, Bristol Peoples Assembly decided that we would lobby the council to urge them to call both a mass lobby of Westminster and a Bristol-based protest rally against the cuts. An open letter which we sent to the Mayor and Labour councillors outlining our position was published in the Bristol Post.

The problem with the cuts, according to Counterfire, is not that they will devastate the working class. The fear that preoccupies this social layer, especially after the Grenfell Tower fire that crystallised such deep popular anger, is that the cuts will undermine and threaten the Labour Partys grip over the working class. Hence, the friendly advice they offered Rees and his fellow Labour councillors: organise a public protest against the Tories.

The purpose of this protest is not to oppose the cuts, as Counterfire freely admits: Following discussion, we chose not to foreground the demand for the council to not implement any cuts, (although we assured them of widespread support were they to take this course of action). Instead, we focused on the call for a mass lobby and a public demonstration.

This was largely out of recognition that people want to mainly protest at the Tories who they rightly consider the main enemy, rather than at a Labour mayor and council who they, again rightly believe, should be on their side.

The granting of a political amnesty to Bristols mayor exposes political relations of central importance for the British ruling class: the daily collaboration by the pseudo-left with the Labour Party. A post on the Peoples Assembly Facebook page boasts of this relationship: A coalition of 14 organisations [including the Greens, Bristol Labour, ACORN, the GMB and Unite] led by Bristol PA [Peoples Assembly] has been meeting with the Mayor and his team in the last week to plan arrangements.

While Rees and his fellow councillors have faced public anger over their enforcement of austerity, the Peoples Assembly, SWP, Counterfire, et al. have moved in like a team of consultants. They function as Labours political protection racket, with all protests being channelled into a planned ToriesOut national protest and week of action outside the Conservative Party conference in Manchester in October.

The Peoples Assembly has continued to work with Rees despite his explicit statementin a letter to them on July 12that he would not retreat from enforcing an austerity budget: I have been explicitly clear that I do not agree with refusing or failing to set a budget It is important to remember what Jeremy Corbyn wrote about legal budgets.

Rees quotes from Corbyns December 2015 directive to Labour council leaders that was co-signed by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Shadow Secretary of State for Local Communities John Trickett, instructing them to impose cuts:

If this does not happen, i.e., if a council fails to set a legal budget, then the councils section 151 officer is required to issue the council with a notice under section 114 of the Local Government Act 1998. Councillors are then required to take all actions necessary to bring the budget back into balance. It would mean either council officers or, worse still, Tory ministers deciding council spending priorities. Their priorities would certainly not meet the needs of the communities which elected us."

One week later, the Peoples Assembly replied to Rees, welcoming his July 12 letter and congratulating him for his bold political stance and initiative in opposing austerity!

The actions of Labour councils throughout the country, which have helped implement more than 100 billion in spending cuts since 2008, point to the duplicity of the ToriesOut campaign. If Labour comes to power under Corbyn, it will continue and deepen the Tories measures.

None of this will restrain the Socialist Party, which continues to serve up absurd vistas of a socialist paradise under the new Labour leader. The August 9 edition of The Socialist hailed a report produced by the SPs Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), How much reserves have councils got?

TUSCs report tabulates the resources and borrowing facilities controlled by 124 Labour-led councils. The SPs writer enthusiastically explains, It argues that the substantial resources of the local state under the control of the Labour Party could be used to fight austerity now, without waiting for a change of government It shows what a counter-power to Theresa May's 'weak and wobbly' government they could beif they were prepared to turn Jeremy Corbyns anti-austerity message into action.

The article continues: Jeremy Corbyn should instruct the councillors to withdraw their attacks on the workers now or face not being able to stand as Labour candidates in next year's elections, before concluding with a quote from TUSC national chairperson and SP leader Dave Nellist, who declares: There is a chance to show in the months ahead what Jeremy Corbyn's anti-austerity policies could mean in practice if Labour councillors refused to vote for cuts in the council chambers.

Refusing any struggle against rightwing MPs and councillors, Corbyns anti-austerity message is a fiction. While publicly condemning homelessness and decrying the resort to food banks, he has held the line in his insistence that all Labour councils adhere to the Tories budget lock. He does all of this safe in the knowledge that his pseudo-left backers in the unions and throughout the public sector will continue to promote his anti-austerity bona fides.

A genuine struggle against austerity must unite every section of the working class in direct opposition to Labours pro-capitalist programme. This means repudiating the Tories austerity budgets and fighting for a socialist programme, aimed at confiscating the wealth of the financial oligarchy and placing societys resources under the democratic control of the working class.
By PTI: Mumbai, Sep 4 (PTI) Pahlaj Nihalani, who grabbed many a headline for trimming films during his tenure as CBFC chief, has turned distributor for an upcoming erotic-thriller, "Julie 2", which he described as a "very clean, adult movie".

Full page posters of the film, showing a woman on a sandy beach with a hat covering her face and an open magazine placed strategically across her body, were placed in major newspapers today.

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Nihalani attended the trailer launch of the movie - his first public event after being replaced by Prasoon Joshi - and was bombarded with questions about his decision to back a film like "Julie 2", a genre he has vehemently objected to in the past.

Asked how many cuts he wouldve given to the film if he had been in his old job, Nihalani told reporters, "Its not my job anymore. Let the designated person decide how many cuts it should have or not. It is a very clean, adult movie.

"If I was there, I would not have given it any cut and given an A certificate. It doesnt have obscenity or any cuss words. Its a complete, adult, family film."

Asked if he was no longer "sanskaari" for distributing a film like "Julie 2" he said, "This is my business. This is an adult film and I am asking for an A certificate only, not for U or U/A.

"I am sanskaari, its in our mitti. India is a place where nothing is bigger than sanskaar. I was, am and will be this (sanskaari)."

The erotic thriller, directed by Deepak Shivdasani, marks the Hindi film debut of South actor Raai Laxmi. It is the sequel to Shivdasanis earlier film "Julie", which featured Neha Dhupia.

Criticism of the movie during the launch event did not go down well with Shivdasani, who intervened and slammed the media judging it way before its release.

When a reporter asked Nihalani how he could back such a film, the director shouted, "Excuse me. I want to say something before you put your questions."

Shivdasani became visibly aggressive and said, "Dont judge a book by its cover."

It was only after the media asked him to lower his voice that the director calmed down.

Nihalani said he had no right to comment on how the film would be viewed by the CBFC but insisted he wont target the board to garner publicity.

"CBFC will decide what they want to do, but we will not use the board as a platform to get publicity for our film."

Calling himself a "soldier", Nihalani said he has never made or backed films that have landed in trouble with the CBFC.

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"This is my journey, I am a soldier, and Ill fight it till the end despite being wounded," he said.

He said he worked till the last day in office as the CBFC chief and passed all the films. Not a single movie remains stuck with the board, he said.

During his stint with the CBFC, Nihalani courted controversies frequently. After his appointment, a list of banned words started doing the rounds on the Internet.

He faced the ire of James Bond fans and others when he cut short a kissing scene in "Spectre". "Udta Punjab" ran into trouble with Nihalani, who had asked to remove Punjab from the movie title and demanded as many as 89 cuts in the film.

Nihalani also refused certification to "Lipstick Under My Burkha" for being too "lady-oriented".

He had recently asked the makers of "Jab Harry Met Sejal" to remove the word "intercourse" from the trailer. PTI JUR JCH MIN JCH

--- ENDS ---
Germanys Federal Criminal Police (BKA) are illegally storing masses of data regarding supposed politically motivated crimes. As broadcaster ARD reported, data on more than 100,000 people accused of such offenses is being held in a database called Internal Security, even though in the vast majority of cases, there has never been a charge, let alone a court proceeding. The ARD report suggests that the BKA is operating a blacklist of journalists and political activists classified as left-wing extremists.

Both the extent of the surveillance and the arbitrary and unconstitutional storage of such data are typical characteristics of an authoritarian police state. The BKA is combining the records of the secret service and various police bodies. Its enthusiasm for data hoarding goes beyond that of the Stasi (State Security Police) of the former East Germany.

The scandalous activity has come to light by chance. In the course of the G20 summit in Hamburg, a total of 32 journalists had their previously-issued accreditation withdrawn. The reason for this was said to be security concerns. Several journalists subsequently lodged a freedom of information request with the BKA. This showed that in most cases, the concerns were completely unfounded.

According to the BKA information, photojournalist Frank Brundel strongly supported or belongs to a violent movement. In fact, the Hamburg police had only checked the identity of the journalist, who was there to pursue his profession at a demonstration on May 1. But this was already enough to place him on the BKAs blacklist of left-wing and violent persons.

The file on journalist Bjorn Kietzmann is even more drastic. The photographer has a spotless police record, but the BKA file contains 18 completely groundless allegations against him, including causing an explosion, in the politically motivated violence category.

In fact, Kietzmann had only filmed a demonstration where a firework had exploded nearby. Kietzmann was initially arrested, but the trial was later stopped because of his evident innocence. The entries in Kietzmanns BKA file go back to 2002 and have still not been erased even after 15 years, although he was only fined in a single case.

Other journalists were accused of having photographed police officers on protests or of violating the law of assembly. They often found themselves classified as activists of a left-wing extremist scene in the files. And although in almost all cases, the journalists concerned were found not guilty by the judiciary, the BKA did not see any reason to remove them from their database of violent left-wingers.

But these journalists are just the tip of the iceberg. According to the Federal Interior Ministry, records on some 109,625 persons and 1,153,351 criminal offences are currently stored, 27 times more than the 41,549 politically motivated offences recorded in the official criminal statistics for 2016.

This completely arbitrary and unconstitutional storage of data was apparently made possible by a deliberate legal vagueness in the BKA Act, which allows data collection even if the persons concerned have not been convicted in court. However, in each individual case, the BKA must justify why the subjects are expected to continue to commit politically motivated crimes.

But this does not happen in most cases, making nonsense of the presumption of innocence. The practices of the BKA were reprimanded in the 2017 Data Protection Report, which found that the long-term gathering of data turns the presumption of innocence on its head and contradicts the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and the [German] Supreme Court.

As early as 2012, Federal Data Protection Commissioner Peter Schaar criticised the many conspicuously legal violations in the BKA database for politically motivated left-wing criminality. The BKA subsequently deleted 90 percent of the 3,819 people listed in the database, but only then to continue gathering information even more excessively in other databases.

The Interior Ministry is playing down the extent of the surveillance. There were mistakes in four cases, according to Tobias Plate, spokesman for Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. But there was no uniform pattern; first and foremost it was the fault of a lack of data quality, as well as the judiciary, which did not inform the BKA of acquittals, according to Plate.

Stephan Mayer, domestic affairs spokesman for the Christian Democrat faction in the German parliament, also defended the BKAs surveillance practices. Mayer stated that no one should engage in any kind of speculation that there are hundreds of thousands or millions of misused data entries by the BKA or other security agenciesalthough that is precisely the case.

Social Democratic Party (SPD) parliamentary chair Thomas Oppermann, on the other hand, spoke of a data storage scandal at the BKA and said, Apparently, the BKA indiscriminately stores information about innocent citizens. But this is just as hypocritical as the pronouncements of leading politicians of the Greens and the Left Party.

All the parties represented in the Bundestag are competing in the election campaign over who will stand for the most extensive state build-up. All agree that the police force should be increased by at least 15,000.

The SPD is also calling for the use of video surveillance technology, the expansion of the BKA into a coordination centre for all police authorities and the equipping of the investigating authorities with modern information technology. Under the pretext of counteracting terrorism, the SPD is advocating a further intensification of the relevant laws, the centralisation of the federal and state security authorities, and closer cooperation between police and the secret service. It thus calls for precisely the police-state surveillance that Oppermann now criticises.

The Social Democratic Federal Justice Minister Heiko Maas has also welcomed the ban on the website linksunten.indymedia.org as an important blow against violent extremists. After the grossly exaggerated events surrounding the G20 summit in Hamburg, Maas has even expressly demanded the establishment of a European database of extremist left-wing radicals. Exactly what the BKA has been doing for years!

The government and opposition parties justify the increasingly comprehensive surveillance of the population on the pretext of the fight against terrorism. Actually, nearly all terrorist attacks have taken place under the very eyes of the security authorities. The attacks at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin, in Paris, Brussels or Barcelona were not the result of a lack of surveillance. On the contrary, the attackers were all well known to the security authorities, some so well known that it gives rise to the suspicion of state complicity.

The BKAs practice of storing millions of files makes clear the actual purpose of the monitoring measures. It is about acting against left-wing and progressive organisations. Facing growing opposition to social inequality and militarism, critical voices are to be pursued through legal channels and silenced.
With estimates of the total damage ranging from $180 billion on up, Hurricane Harvey may be the costliest disaster, in terms of economic damage, in US history.

Damage estimates are still preliminary, with large areas still inaccessible. The death toll stands at 50, but it is expected to rise considerably as homes in lower-elevation neighborhoods of Houstonmostly poor and working-classand in the swamped cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur are reached by rescue and recovery teams.

The American Red Cross reported Sunday its highest total for storm refugees, 37,000 in emergency shelters across the Texas Gulf Coast and 2,000 more in Louisiana. Some 85,000 homes are still without electrical power, mainly in the southeast Texas region between Corpus Christi and Galveston, where Harvey first came ashore as a Category 3 hurricane.

The Texas Department of Public Safety raised its estimate of the total number of homes damaged by flooding and wind to over 200,000 Sunday, with much of Houston and all of Beaumont and Port Arthur still unaccounted for. Nearly 15,000 homes were classified as destroyed.

A staggering one million vehicles were destroyed or damaged, mainly by flooding, which destroys the complex electronic workings of most modern cars and trucks.

Only a small fraction of homeowners and businesses in Harris County, which includes Houston, have federal flood insurance policies, about 250,000 for 1.7 million homes or apartments and 100,000 business premises. For the region as a whole, it is estimated that at least 70 percent of the flood damage is uninsured.

The Houston Independent School District, seventh largest in the US, reported that at least 202 of its 284 schools had water inside, and only 115 had been deemed safe to reopen by September 11, when the school year is now scheduled to start. At least 75 schools had major or extensive damage, and 39 were still inaccessible due to flooding and had not been checked.

The damage from Harvey is likely to be more than the combined total of Hurricane Katrina ($110 billion) and Superstorm Sandy ($60 billion).

In the face of this catastrophe, the response from the institutions of the American ruling class is a combination of criminal negligence and indifference. The federal and state governments have left the bulk of the population to shift for itself, local governments across the region have virtually collapsed, and the giant corporations and other institutions of the ruling eliteuniversities, churches, foundations, etc.have offered only token assistance.

President Trump traveled to the Gulf Coast for the second time in a week, in a choreographed show of sympathy for the victims of Harvey in Houston and Lake Charles, Louisiana. As usual with Trump, every appearance was a display of sickening self-love and hollow and obviously phony populism.

After speaking with a small, vetted group of storm refugees at the NRG Center, one of several convention centers in downtown Houston housing victims of Harvey, Trump told reporters, Theyre really happy with whats going on. He added, referring to the government response to Harvey, Its something thats been very well received. Even by you guys, its been very well received.

This comment, a mixture of self-promotion and self-delusion, only underscores the unbridgeable social gulf between the billionaire president (along with the media) and the vast majority of the storms victims, working people who have lost nearly everything, and in some cases saw loved ones swept away by rushing waters.

The White House is requesting an initial $7.8 billion appropriation from Congress in emergency assistance to the storm-ravaged area, with a second request for $6.7 billion to follow shortly. The combined total, $14.5 billion, is less than 10 percent of the published estimates of damage, and less than a quarter of the recovery and relief funds approved after Superstorm Sandy in 2012-2013.

The Trump administration appears to be seizing on Hurricane Harvey to solve an immediate political dispute with Congress, following the cynical maxim of Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel (now mayor of Chicago) to never let a good crisis go to waste.

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney, in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan sent Friday, called for the initial emergency funds for Hurricane Harvey to be packaged in a bill to raise the federal debt ceiling, which Treasury officials have said must be enacted by September 29 to avoid dislocating Wall Street and global financial markets.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared on Fox News Sunday to reiterate this demand, which is aimed mainly at the Freedom Caucus, a grouping of 40 ultra-right Republicans in the House of Representatives who have threatened to block any increase in the debt ceiling unless it is combined with major cuts in social spending.

Besides the impact on Wall Street, the Trump administration is concerned that a federal debt default could disrupt the overseas operations of the US military, which are dependent on foreign countries receiving US payment for supplies, refueling and other costs, as well as direct financial subsidies to client regimes in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.

The real attitude of the Trump administration towards the victims of natural disasters like Harvey is shown in the draft budget plan prepared by the White House, which cut nearly a billion dollars from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as abolishing the Chemical Safety Board, which investigates disasters like the series of explosions at the Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, northeast of Houston.

Trump has gloried in his executive actions dismantling what little remains of regulatory restrictions on the operations of the giant oil and chemical companies that dominate the Gulf Coast. According to one tabulation, there are 33 plants in the greater Houston area whose corporate owners have filed formal notices with the federal government that in worst-case scenarios, a disaster at the plant would endanger a nearby population of more than one million people. Arkema was only one of the 33.

The Environmental Protection Agency reported Sunday that more than 800 wastewater treatment plants are not fully operational in the wake of Harvey, while 166 water systems are operating under boil-water instructions to their customers. Another 50 have shut down entirely, including the water system for the entire city of Beaumont, with a population of 118,000.

Rather than redoubled monitoring of the dangers of toxic chemical leaks, the EPA was engaged Sunday in a bitter war of words with the Associated Press, after the AP reported that there were 13 toxic waste sites in southeast Texas, managed under the EPAs superfund program, that had been inundated, raising the prospect of dioxin and other toxic chemicals leaking into the floodwaters.

The EPA denounced claims that it had not yet bothered to check on these sites, a full week after Harvey struck the region, claiming the AP is cherry-picking facts. However, these facts were unanswerably true, as the AP and other sources documented that 13 of the 41 superfund sites in the region were underwater.

The EPA admitted that it had not been able to physically visit the sites near Houston, because of floodwaters, and was relying on aerial monitoring to confirm possible damage, a completely inadequate method of determining whether there were breaches in the containment around any of the sites.

The EPA maintained that it was working with state authorities, but the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has suspended pollution reporting requirements for the duration of the hurricane disaster, and the TCEQ office in Houston is closed. The Trump administration budget would cut the superfund program by 30 percent.

Once the immediate danger of drowning is past, the main threat from floodwaters is the combination of chemicals and waste products they have accumulated. The federal Department of Health and Human Services reported that it had treated 420 of the 7,500 people housed at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, some of them for diarrhea or vomiting following contact with contaminated floodwater.
This is the second installment of my diary of Hurricane Harvey . I began these notes in the evening of Tuesday, August 29, 2017, after the hurricane moved off to the east and Houston skies began to clear. This installment covers August 31 through September 1.

* A little about me.

In case the reader is wondering who speaks, I lived in Houston for 39 years, from 1976 to 2015. Between jobs, including at NASAs Johnson Space Center, and living arrangements, I moved around the city quite a bit. I lived in the Galleria area, just outside Loop 610, the Interstate Highway loop that goes around the city (now the innermost of three such loops!), Briar Forest, the Fondren Southwest area, about a mile south of the notorious Braes Bayou, and the enclave city of West University. I now live 45 miles northwest of Houston.

I sold my house in 2015 and I'm glad I did. I don't know if that house flooded again this time, but I suspect it probably did. I would have had a fit watching that water come up and into the house once again! But in some places, notably Meyerland, the same houses have flooded three or four times in twenty years.

In all that time, water was a nearly inescapable hazard. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and just heavy, heavy rains, both in Houston and upriver from Houston, seemed like they were itching to pounce. For 39 years, I never got used to seeing the same spots flood over and over again. While living in Fondren Southwest, we never got flooded, but we saw Braes Bayou out of its banks once and close to overflowing several times. In West University, Braes got out of its banks again, and that time our house did flood out. It was only a matter of a few inches of water, but it disrupted our lives for the better part of a year, waiting on insurance payments and dickering with contractors.

* The storm has moved on. So has the media.

In the first installment I mentioned that I was watching local television coverage all throughout the hurricane. As the storm came towards, into, and over Texas, the coverage grew to 24 hours a day. After all, the storm itself was a 24-hour-a-day event. After what seemed an eternity, but was only four days, the storm moved off to the east, hitting Beaumont and Port Arthur pretty hard with heavy rainfall, and then heading approximately up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. As the storm was downgraded over land and its rotating center began to lose its organization and come apart, the Houston area saw some nice sunshine and cool breezes, and the storm soon was no longer 24-hour news. Stories still occur, of course, now that the recovery phase has begun.

But for those who lost family members, homes, or livelihoods in the storm, the situation has not moved on very much. Many are living in temporary, makeshift, or just plain unsanitary conditions.

The one thing that is still getting repeat play is the multiplicity of fundraising efforts. Just this morning at my local Walgreen's drugstore, and several times yesterday at other stores, I was asked if I would like to contribute to the recovery effort.

* "Unforeseeable": Lessons learned. The same ones. Again.

One constant refrain we hear from all the authorities and their media acolytes: nobody could possibly have foreseen this disaster/tragedy.

Of course, this is just self-serving bourgeois nonsense. These people are great at publicly patting each other on the back for "solving" problems after the fact, but they seem to sense no need to solve them properly, before the fact. Of course, to provide a drainage system adequate to the now-demonstrated need for Houston, New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast would cost billions of dollars. To pay for it might require postponing the nonstop bombing of poor, helpless little countries (that happen to be sitting on "our" oil) for a few years.

* Heartbreaking stories.

As this is a diary and not a news report, I will just recount the anguish that I, and surely millions of others, felt on hearing the sad stories that were coming out.

One such story concerned a woman who worked at the Omni Hotel. That's a fancy hotel on Woodway Avenue just outside of Loop 610. The hotel has three elevators, one of which was inaccessible in the basement due to the floodwaters. The woman, who worked at the hotel, was reported missing. A search was conducted of the hotel and grounds (to the extent that it was possible to search under the conditions of an ongoing tropical storm), and she did not turn up at home. The search had included two elevators. Fears grew that perhaps the woman had gotten trapped in the third.

Another terrible story was that an entire family of six had been trying to escape by driving somewhere safe in their van. They were caught by the water. Theyall sixdrowned. The exact circumstances are not clear to me. I am not sure if they were swept away by rushing water, or if perhaps they drove into a flooded ditch they couldn't see.

* Timely intervention from a certain quarter in West Texas.

Harvey's impact seems to have been ameliorated a bit by a dry West Texas air mass, which got pulled into the vortex and quenched at least some of the rain that would otherwise have fallen. It was most interesting to watch this process, which modern science makes visible for the first time in human history. Two sets of spatial/temporal data were collected and superimposed on a map of Texas. One set was the usual radar images of the falling water of the storm, playing out over time. The other set was the atmospheric water vapor content (i. e. the humidity) as measured by satellite.

The water vapor map, like the rainfall, was color-coded. At the low end of the humidity scale the map of the air mass was colored a light shade of tan, almost the color of sand. This was dry air from west Texas, and it had gotten sucked into the hurricane's vortex while it was hovering close to Houston. One could almost see in real time the quenching effect of the dry air.

* The Cajun Navy.

I alluded earlier to the spontaneous self-organization of the working class into rescue details. It was everywhere evident, even to the most jaded of the media. Of course, the term "working class" was not used much, if at all, but the reality is the working class organized to save itself from the hurricane and the flooding.

One of my own neighbors, someone I'm not acquainted with, drove out of this neighborhood (about 45 miles northwest of Houston) in his Jeep with a red canoe strapped to the top, right in the middle of the storm. I can only imagine that he was intending to join in some rescue team or other.

An interesting group calling themselves the "Cajun Navy" arrived from Louisiana to run a bunch of rescue boatsflat-bottomed, shallow-water boats for the most part, including airboats (the kind with the airplane propeller in the back). They were described as a kind of "renegade" group that does not take orders from anyone but themselves, but in a matter of hours they were patrolling all over the worst-flooded areas of Houston, plucking people and pets out of harm's way. Now I don't know much about this group's history (or their politics), but it's clear that the working class, if nobody else, has learned mighty lessons from their life experiences, and is capable of miracles of action. Just think what life could be like if the working class actually exercised state power between hurricanes!

I understand that the Cajun Navy followed Harvey east as it moved away from Houston. Imagine! No borders, no bureaucracy, just action to save lives in danger.

* Some infrastructure issues.

This is probably not the place to set down all of the problems facing Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast, but I should mention that, as the center of the world oil and gas industry, there are some mighty polluted spots in this area, and they were all washed over with floodwaters. People had to walk, no, wade, hip- and chest-deep, in those polluted waters to get to safety.

The question, "How do we arrange matters so that rainwater falling on Houston can get as directly as possible to the Gulf of Mexico without causing damage and loss of life?" The question is never really, seriously asked, because the answers would be threatening to propertied class. Large-scale public works would be involved, tens of thousands of jobs would have to be provided, waterways would have to be enlarged and straightened, and kept clear of trees and brush, not just for a season, but forever. Impounding ponds, which are increasingly numerous with new construction, would need to be provided. Construction in flood plains, so very common here because Houston is so dominated by greedy real estate developers, must be forbidden once and for all.

In fact, there are serious questions about where people should and should not, or may and may not, live, if Houston is to be a place where people can live safely in the worsening climatic conditions.

But there's "no money" for any of that. There's plenty of money to give to the banks, and there's plenty of money to finance all the wars the ruling class's hard, tiny, coal-black hearts desire, but it's awfully funny how the money always seems to run out just when the working class needs something.
The Kenyan Supreme Court on Friday invalidated the August 8 presidential poll which named incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta the winner over his rival, Raila Odinga. In an unprecedented decision, the court, led by Chief Justice David Maraga, overturned the poll citing that balloting had been tainted by irregularities. The court ordered a new poll to be conducted within 60 days.

The ruling contradicts claims made by Western election observers that no misconduct occurred during the poll, including the findings of the Carter Centers team led by former US Secretary of State John Kerry, which certified the election to be free and fair.

The unprecedented ruling was the first instance in which a high court anywhere in Africa overturned a presidential election result.

The court, in declaring last months poll invalid, null, and void, stated that the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the body charged with counting the vote in Kenya, failed, neglected, or refused to conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the Constitution.

The six-judge panel, after absolving the Kenyatta government of any criminality or misconduct, stated the IEBC committed irregularities and illegalities in the transmission of results, speaking to the widely held suspicion that ballot rigging occurred in the electronic tallying of the vote.

Speaking to the media after the court decision, Odinga remarked that it is a precedent-setting ruling and the first time in Africas history a ruling has been made by a court nullifying irregular presidential elections.

After the courts decision, American and European investors went into panic mode, anticipating a bloody crackdown by the Kenyatta government. The Kenyan stock exchange, NSE 20, dropped 3.5 percent Friday and trading was halted briefly on the news of the courts ruling. Kenyas sovereign bonds took a dive, before recovering somewhat at the end of the trading day.

President Kenyatta, attempting to reassure international capitalists, stated that he accepted the courts decision. At the same time Kenyatta proceeded to call the six judges crooks and thugs, and said ominously, the judges should know they are dealing with an incumbent president.

From a president who has demonstrated his willingness to silence opponents, including by the use of murder, Kenyattas words are nothing less than a threat.

The Carter Center, the organization known for its election observer teams sent around the globe to monitor polls, released a statement after the courts ruling reaffirming its conclusion that the Kenyan election was conducted in a free and fair manner, and asserted that the irregularities which the court cited in its ruling occurred in the electronic tallying by the IEBC, data which the organization was waiting for the IEBC to compile in order to provide an analysis.

Speaking to the New York Times, Walter Mebane, a professor of statistics and political science at the University of Michigan who studies elections worldwide, conducted an in-depth computer analysis of the Kenyan election with software he developed to detect fraud. Based on his teams statistical analysis, Mebane found massive patterns of fraud and manipulation.

It was unlike any data set I had ever seen. Every single indicator came up signaling anomalies. Its a huge red flag that something weird is going on, the professor concluded.

Virtually none of the election observers have spoken a word regarding the extremely suspicious events which occurred before and after the poll, or given any indication that these figured into their analysis. The remarkable circumstances prior to the election raise further serious questions about the integrity of the poll.

In the week preceding the poll, Christopher Musando, a senior official with the IEBC, was found dead, his body bearing the marks of severe beating and torture before he was killed.

The offices of National Super Alliance (NASA), the political party to which Odinga belongs, were burgled the month before the poll. Several items were taken, including computers, lists of party members and other documents related to party strategy. NASA has accused the Kenyan National Police Service of the break-in, an accusation the police have denied.

Reports of intimidation and arrest of journalists also were made in the lead up to the election, including the detention of journalists employed by media outlets known to be critical of the Kenyatta government.

Two foreign consultants employed by the Odinga campaign were kidnapped in early July by unidentified Kenyan police and held for several hours before being forced onto a plane and out of the country.

Regarding the alleged tampering of the poll, the IEBC has admitted that an attempted hack of their computer servers took place, but claimed that it was not successful and resulted in no disruption to the tally.

An official with the IEBC, Orenge Nyabicha, committed suicide the day after the election, leaving a note behind which indicated he was distraught with the IEBCs conduct during the vote tally.

Further exposing the Western claims that the Kenyatta government had acted in a free and fair manner during the election as fraudulent is the Kenyatta governments shutting down of two human rights organizations, Kenyan Human Rights Commission (KHCR) and African Centre for Open Governance (AfriCOG), on bogus charges of tax avoidance after the two organizations announced their intention to pursue legal action in the courts over the irregularities of the election.

The unanimous declaration by Western observers that the election was free and fair is the clearest indication of American and European imperialisms support for the Kenyatta regime. The quick denial of any election irregularities exposes their fear of economic and military operations in Kenya coming to an abrupt halt in the event a disputed election was followed by a bloody crackdown similar to what occurred after the 2007 election, in which 1,200 people were killed.

A strong fear haunts the Kenyan ruling elite and its Western capitalist patrons that any further investigation into election fraud will provoke a massive social explosion. The Kenyan ruling class is keenly aware that it presides over a social powder keg already riven by widening social inequality and deep social misery.

For nearly a decade, first as deputy prime minister then as president, Kenyatta has carried out the dictates of Western capitalism, bleeding Kenyas vast economic resources and its working class for massive profits.

Regardless of the outcome of a new poll, the new government will preside over the apparatus of capitalist exploitation set up by Western corporations and banks which tolerate no obstacles to their bottom line.

Kenyatta and Odinga are multimillionaires who represent competing factions within the Kenyan ruling elite. They are both ruthless defenders of the capitalist system responsible for their own enrichment and the social catastrophe experienced by the majority of Kenyans.
The only way to prevent the madness of deportations and war is a socialist program, declared Marianne Arens, an election candidate of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP), at a demonstration of pupils in the town of Offenbach last week. On Tuesday around 500 students, Offenbach residents and workers followed the call to protest against the deportation of refugees to Afghanistan.

The demonstration had been organised by two students from the August-Bebel school after dozens of their classmates received orders for deportation to Afghanistan.

Seventy young people in Offenbach are currently threatened with deportation. All of them have gone through traumatic experiences and lost close relatives, and all made a hazardous flight before arriving in the city. Now they confront imminent deportation.

As the demonstration proceeded to the town hall in Offenbach more people joined its ranks. Prominent slogans were No person is illegal - the right of residence for all, and No borders, no nations - STOP deportations!

In front of the town hall, school spokesperson Hibba Kauser said, "We will not allow people to be sent to their deaths. She explained that she had spent the first years of her life in a refugee camp because her parents came from Pakistan. The solidarity they had learned during that period was now necessary to protect classmates and friends. "These boys are our friends, they are very close to us." Everyone must take a stand when people are sent to their possible deaths.

Kausers speech was followed by two refugees, who stressed that they had not left their homeland voluntarily. "There is still war in Afghanistan today, and people are being killed," one noted.

Julia Endres, a classmate of several affected Afghan pupils at the August-Bebel school, helped call the protest. She said, "Many seem to forget the fact that we are all human beings. They judge according to differences in skin colour, religion or origin. We cannot permit that. She demanded not only help and protection, but also integration, inclusion and a good life for all, without the disruption of war.

Further contributions made clear the extent of the planned deportations. At the Philipp-Holzmann building school in Frankfurt, 27 of the schools total of 250 students face imminent deportation. The school pastor , Hans-Christoph Stoodt, said that all schools should network in order to immediately defend those threatened with deportation.

Among the speakers who delivered greetings to the march were the parliamentary election candidates Tuna Firat (Social Democratic Party, SPD), Christine Buchholz (Left Party) and Janine Wissler (also Left Party). They congratulated the pupils for their action and made contributions calling for more "humanity," but made no mention of the fact that their own parties, the SPD and Left Party, also carried out deportations and supported the official drive for war.

The SPD is part of the ruling federal coalition, and the Left Party governs in several German states (Thuringia, Berlin, Brandenburg), which deport refugees just as vigorously as conservative-led states.

The next speaker was Marianne Arens from the Socialist Equality Party (SGP). She stressed that people were fleeing a war in Afghanistan in which Germany was playing an active role: nearly a thousand German soldiers were currently in the country, while the American government planned to massively increase its troop contingent. "The imperialists continue to carry out precisely the same war crimes which force people to flee! And then they send them back to this hell.

Arens addressed the responsibility of "all parties, including the Left Party. She emphasised that Thuringia, a state led by a Left Party premier, Bodo Ramelow, "takes second place behind Saarland in relative terms, for deportations, even more than Bavaria. All parties, the CDU, the SPD, the Greens, the FDP and the Left Party are responsible!"

The reason, according to Arens, was they all agree that Germany should be militarised and once again acquire the status of a great power. They organise deportations because they are all parties of German militarism and capitalism. But the population does not want war, she continued. It was therefore mistaken to turn to bourgeois politicians. "We must turn to the international working class. it is a powerful force.

Solidarity with the refugees had to be combined with a joint struggle against militarism, capitalism and war, Arens concluded. To this end a socialist program and a revolutionary party were necessary. "This is the significance of the election campaign of the Socialist Equality Party, which is affiliated to the Fourth International. It is also demonstrates the importance of our web site, the World Socialist Web Site.

The contribution was well received, and many clapped. Several participants gave interviews to the WSWS and explained why they supported the demonstration.

One of them is Ramin. In 2015 he came to Germany from Afghanistan on foot. We walked through eight countries in 40 days, and in part we swam, he reported. "It was terrible and really difficult. It was not easy and older people would not have been able to endure it. We were a group of 20 people from Iran and Turkey, but three died. One died in my arms. It was terrible.

I came to Germany with great hopes," Ramin continued, "and now I am supposed to go back. Why? There is no safe area in Afghanistan. Politicians know this better than we do. He said that many young Afghans in Offenbach had received deportation orders. This strips us of any desire to work and learn. Why do they do that? Politicians are playing with our lives - that must stop!"

In Afghanistan, the situation was worsening day by day. Politicians know this very well. They have been sending NATO soldiers for 16 years. They would not send soldiers to a safe area. When asked if he knew that all of the parties, including the Left Party, organised deportations, he replied, Yes, I know. The parties all work together. They send people to the war zone, and that is completely illegal. At the moment people in Afghanistan are being killed indiscriminately. It is hell."

A group of schoolchildren from the Offenbach Leibniz school bore placards reading Nothing is safe in Afghanistan and Everyone is welcome here.

Flyers were distributed to us at school, thats how we learned about the demo," said a girl from a group of 13-year-olds. Her friend added: "We are here because we consider it fundamentally unfair to deport people. The supposedly safe country, to which they are going, is in fact utterly dangerous. It is simply not fair to deport them. They go to school here and have integrated very well; they are a bonus for Germany!

Melanie, a student at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, said, I am here because I am glad students have taken the initiative to oppose deportations. A music teacher and a language teacher both said the same and added they did not want the victims to be deported.

Young workers also joined the protest. A worker at an Offenbach day-care centre linked the demonstration against deportations to social problems and said she was very much in favour of integration, but "we urgently need smaller daycare groups and more staff! Sonja, who was passing by with her child, said: First of all, they have to end the wars and organise the economy more equitably. And no more export of weapons! Otherwise they should not be surprised when people become refugees."

Edina, a philologist and translator from Bosnia, learned about the protest from her son, who attends a school where a number of Afghan children are threatened with deportation. "I myself have a refugee background," Edina said. She had escaped from Bosnia-Herzegovina 25 years ago. I am very moved by the demonstration, it reminds me of that time. I know exactly how it feels when you hear Get out of here! and you do not know where to go. We all know what's happening in Afghanistan.
The North Korean nuclear test yesterday, its sixth and most powerful, has once again exposed the extremely volatile and precarious state of global geopolitics and the great danger of a descent into a nuclear world war.

The unstable regime in Pyongyang has concluded that its only hope of self-preservation, in the face of provocative threats from an unstable Trump administration, is to try and expand its nuclear arsenal as quickly as possible. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is acutely conscious of the brutal end of Iraqs Saddam Hussein and Libyas Muammar Gaddafi, after they abandoned their so-called weapons of mass destruction.

While the actions of North Korea are certainly compounding the risk of conflict, prime responsibility for pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war rests with US imperialism. Moreover, as the reckless and belligerent statements from Trump and his officials demonstrate, North Koreas limited nuclear weaponry and reactionary nationalist bombast will not prevent the US from using its military might, including its huge nuclear arsenal, against the North Korean people.

After a meeting between Trump and his top military and national security advisers, US Defence Secretary James Mad Dog Mattis warned North Korea that it faced a massive military response to any threat to the US or its allies. We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, Mattis continued, but as I said, we have many options to do so. President Trump wanted to be briefed on each one of them, he added.

Trump himself warned of a US nuclear attack against North Korea when he declared last month that it confronted fire and fury like the world has never seen. A White House readout from his phone call yesterday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explicitly declared that the US stood ready to use the full range of diplomatic, conventional and nuclear capabilities at our disposal.

Trump was asked on Sunday: Will you attack North Korea? He refused to rule out pre-emptive military strikes, simply declaring: Well see.

The US president has repeatedly said that he would not signal a military attack in advance, compounding the uncertainty, and hence fears in Pyongyang. Furthermore, as the crisis on the Korean Peninsula has escalated, the divisions in the Trump administration have resulted in an incoherent policy, which swings wildly between threats of all-out war and suggestions of talks, further inflaming the already explosive situation.

In the aftermath of yesterdays nuclear test, the White House, along with the American media, has turned its fire on China and Russia, underscoring the fact that the US confrontation with North Korea is bound up with far broader strategic aims. American strategists regard domination of the vast Eurasian land mass as the key to US global hegemony and China as the chief obstacle to that goal.

NBC presenters Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd on yesterdays Meet the Press, repeatedly emphasised the accusation that China and Russia were providing economic help to North Korea. Republican Senator Roy Blunt added: Theres some sense that they have been more helpful than they should have been and more sustaining to the economy than they should have been.

Last month, both China and Russia voted for, and have begun implementing, crippling UN sanctions on North Korea that will slash its exports by one third. What is now being actively discussed in Washington is a total economic embargoitself an act of warand the cutting of trade with those who continue to conduct any with North Koreaabove all China and Russia.

Trump, who is already preparing trade war measures against China over its alleged theft of intellectual property, tweeted yesterday: The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin confirmed on Fox News Sunday that he was preparing a sanctions package to send to the president, for his strong consideration to do just that.

The implications for the global economy are immensea collapse of trade, plunging the world into economic depression, as in the 1930s. That such a possibility is being actively considered is a measure of the depth of the economic and geo-political tensions wracking the world. Moreover, the threat of all-out trade war between the worlds two largest economies is being accompanied by the preparations for all-out military conflict.

The Trump administration has accelerated the diplomatic, economic and military challenge to China begun by President Obama under his pivot to Asia. The massive US military build-up in North East Asia, including the installation of anti-ballistic missile systems and huge and highly provocative joint US-South Korean war games, is directed more at fighting a nuclear war with China than a conflict with the small, backward country of North Korea.

As well as ramping up the confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, the Trump administration has given the green light for more freedom of navigation operations in another of the regions volatile flashpointsthe South China Sea. The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the US Pacific Command is preparing to sail warships and send military aircraft directly into waters and airspace claimed by China around its islets, two or three times in the next few months as part of a regular schedule.

In Europe, the US is escalating its confrontation with Russia by taking the first steps towards annulling the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with the former Soviet Union. As Germanys Suddeutsche Zeitung warned, the danger is that the US will construct new missiles and station them in Europe, raising the terrifying spectre of a nuclear war in Europe between the two countriesthe US and Russiathat both possess thousands of nuclear warheads.

The most dangerous factor in this highly volatile situation is the profound economic, social and political crisis of US imperialismof which Trump is the most malignant expression. His administration confronts deep internal divisions and a huge and mounting social crisis, which is generating massive domestic opposition, as a result of its incompetence and indifference to the human suffering caused by the Houston flooding. The danger is that Trump will resort to a war against North Korea with incalculable consequences, as a means of directing acute domestic class tensions outwards against an external foe.

At the same time, these social tensions, in America and around the world, are fuelling the coming revolutionary upheavals of the working class. The crucial issue is the building of a revolutionary leadership, to forge a unified international movement of workers guided by a scientific socialist program and perspective to put an end to the capitalist system and its outmoded division of the world into rival nation states. That is the perspective for which the International Committee of the Fourth International and its sections fight.
Baggage handlers and other ground crew have been on strike at Torontos Pearson International Airport for over a month in a fight against Swissport, one of the worlds largest airline service-providers.

The 700 workers are resisting Swissports attempt to further reduce their already low wages and gut working conditions. Although Swissport, with the support of the government-owned Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and the tacit backing of the federal Liberal government, is seeking to break the strike using scabs (replacement workers), the Teamsters leadership is doing nothing to mobilize the working class in defence of the Swissport workers. World Socialist Web Site reporters visited picket lines at Pearson Airport last week and spoke with strikers.

David started with the airport in 2003 in central de-icing and has seen conditions deteriorate with changes in ownership over the years. A baggage handler for more than three years at Swissport, David told the WSWS, They want to take away our wages and take away our benefitsthey want to take all that down and they want to take away our vacations. They wanted to give everybody rotating shifts, to give everyone just 96 hours to say, OK, were going to change your hours.

David explained how the decision to reject the latest contract offer in an August 23 vote and continue the strike was wholly on the workers own initiative. In the latest vote, the union didnt say anything about the new contract offer. They made us make the choice. They read it out and then said, You guys make a choice about what you want to do.

David also addressed the issue of Swissports use of untrained strike-breakers. They got agency workers and theyre not getting proper training, said David. What are they going to do, wait until somebody gets killed? Things arent being done the way they were supposed to be done when I got hired. Back then they had a process: you got a yellow pass and had to get escorted around. You werent allowed to leave the building unless you had an escort with you. Now theyre handing these yellow passes out like theyre stickers. Safety is an issue in there. As far as Im concerned, somebodys going to get hurt.

Gwen, who works in baggage handling, also raised safety and security concerns. As far as the strike goes, I think weve had a lot of support from the other unions within the airport. One of the biggest issues we have is that GTAA has given them allowance to bring in all kinds of temporary workers and work as scab labor, Gwen explained. Even though there were assurances that they werent going to use replacement workers before we voted for the strike, they were already allowing them because Swissport was hiring them as summer help. But in all the years Ive worked here, theyve never had temporary agency workers for summer help. Never. One of the biggest issues I think with the temporary workers is the safety issue and its also a security issue.

Bob has been working in the airport as a baggage handler and de-icer for over 27 years. He told the WSWS how workers have sought to challenge Swissports employment of untrained strikebreakers. Weve brought this before the Labor Board. Our argument is that they had hired scab labor even before the strike. Our next date is sometime in September, so well see what happens then. We are out here for the long haulwhatever it takes. But wed like to get back to the bargaining table.

He also pointed out that the media was ignoring the conflict. A lot of the news isnt really getting out there, he said. You dont hear much about bag delays on the news, but theres a lot of that going on. Theres been incidents. Weve given videotapes and pictures to the media, but you dont really see it on the news. The other unions are all out there in solidarity, but as for walking out and doing stuff with us, nobodys really taken the next step.

Bob detailed the growing pressure on workers at the airport. A lot of the issues here are around looking for respect, hours of work, and stuff like that. Its just flight to flight to flight to flight. And thats the whole issue. They were already short manpower, so its just crazy right now, he added.

Depending on the day, we do narrow body and wide bodytheres different types of aircraft. Narrow body youre in the belly of an aircraft, so youre hunched over and youre throwing maybe an average of 160, 180 bags a flight. You could do four or five of those in a day; and in all weather conditionsrain, snow.

It takes a toll on the body. But where else are you going to go? You try to work until youre 65, but a lot of workers get injured. So you work until a certain point and then youre just out the door, right? added Bob.

Workers receive low pay for this back-breaking labour. Minimum wage payment theyre starting at right now is $11.75, he went on. And senior employees like myself, they just want to give us a lump sum 2% payout which works out to about $400. Three years from now my wage would still be identical.

One of his co-workers added, Theyre talking about topping wages at $17.25 an hour. Who can live off that? I know we cant, and most of us arent even making near that much. Bob agreed, noting that many workers would lose their benefits under a company plan to impose qualifying hours that would prevent part-timers from obtaining benefits.

Glen, a ground handler and Teamsters shop steward, was critical of the unions leadership and support of the strike. I met with a few other unions yesterday when I went up to the meeting and I was very disappointed, he told us. Personally I feel like were not getting enough support. The unions who are working inside the airport at the moment like IAM, USW, Unifor are not really helping us. Their negotiations are coming up. Unifor is negotiating at the moment. Theyre going to be in the same shoes as we are out here and well be there to support them.

Glenn started with Handlex 12 years ago, which was bought out by ServisAir which was subsequently taken over by Swissport. He noted that the company is pushing for full control over work scheduling. They can give me 72 hours notice and say youre going to do night shift next week then dayshift the next week, Glenn explained. I dont want that. We all have family life outside Swissport.

He noted that the top wage was $22 an hour, even for workers who have been employed for over 25 years. I think they want to get rid of all the people that are earning the top wages and get the new guys in and train them, he went on. I had to wait 2  months for my yellow pass and look at what these scabs have: yellow passes! The GTAA has given them yellow passes straightaway, after two days training. They throw them out on the ramp, they go out there and tell them to wing walk and to me its a major safety violation that the Labor Board should be really looking into. GTAA and Swissport are letting them get away with this. Therere so many safety violations in the airport at the moment even as I speak. Nobody seems to be concerned about it.

Steve, who started working at Swissport as a baggage handler in February, is making just $11.60 an hour. Were getting minimum wage but the work were doing is not minimum wage work, said Steve. Its physically hard and the scheduling isnt easy to plan around. They want to do six days On and three days Off, which practically means that I cant have any other type of life. I cant schedule anything else around my work because I dont know when my days off are going to be.

Pointing to a line-up of cars at the gate, Steve explained that workers are supportive of the strike. Most of the people were stopping work here. At first they saw us as an annoyance, but then they realized what happened to us could happen to them. Then they started being more sympathetic and supporting us more, he said. Theres another company Menzies, who are baggage handlers at Pearson, and their contract is coming up I believe next year in March and theres a lot of companies whose contracts are coming up. So now we have four temp agencies just waiting here for a company to go on strike.

Were just trying to fight for everyone now: were kind of the tip of the spear. Whatever happens to us is going to happen to everybody else behind us.

Lad, a baggage handler, said other sections of workers are under threat. Another thing Swissport wants is huge givebacks from the cabin crew, Lad said. They want to cut $3 per hour from their wage. These are our co-workers who work just as hard as anyone else in the company, usually harder. Currently they get a bonus for completing a thorough clean, which is incredibly difficult and hard on the body, but Swissport wants to axe that too.

Another thing is that management often makes our jobs even harder. A lot of times well be asked to complete a task, but not given the supplies, or the wrong equipment.
General Kornilov orders the army to march on Petrograd, where he plans to restore order by carrying out a massacre of revolutionary workers and soldiers and their leaders. Confronted with the danger of a full-blooded counterrevolutionary dictatorship and mass repression, the Soviets are compelled to appeal to the working class to defend the city. The alarm is raised throughout Petrograd, and hundreds of thousands of workers spring into action.

Cologne-Wahn, Germany, September 5: Max Reichpietsch and Albin Kobis are executed

At 7:03 in the morning on the military training ground of Cologne-Wahn, a firing squad of two rows of 10 soldiers each, positioned five paces away, fires 10 shots at sailor Max Reichpietsch and then 10 shots at stoker Albin Kobis. At 7:04, the assigned doctor Werner confirms the instantaneous death of both men.

The horrific sentence is handed down only 10 days earlier by the imperial military court at Wilhelmshaven and is confirmed by Admiral Reinhard Scheer, the head of the imperial high seas fleet. The two young men are sentenced to death for inciting a riot. On August 2, they lead a peaceful, unarmed march ashore of 600 crewmembers from the battleships Prinzregent Luitpold, Friedrich der Groe and Kaiserin to protest inhumane treatment and the continuation of the war. Admiral Scheer commutes the death sentences of three others considered to be leaders of the sailors to lengthy prison terms. Fifty other sailors who participate in the protest are sentenced to a combined 400 years in prison.

The death sentences are already decided before the tribunal convenes. We can only master the entire movement if we ruthlessly put a number of them against the wall, Admiral von Hipper proclaimed on August 4. The entire trial before the military court has the character of a show trial, anticipating the later court proceedings of the Nazis Peoples Court (Volksgerichtshof) under Roland Freisler.

Even before the trial, Admiral Scheer searches for an execution site far from the ports of the imperial navy and indeed far from the entire coastin fear of strikes and revolts in the navy and in the shipyards and factories of Kiel, Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg, which can prevent an execution at the last minute. Even the firing squad is cause for concern, to the extent that it can refuse orders should it discover the true names of the condemned. For this reason, the members of the firing squad are informed that they will be firing on British spies who threw bombs into an officers canteen.

The parents of the condemned are only informed of the execution days after it takes place. The farewell letters of their sons are not delivered to them. In this way, the judiciary and the navy prevent the parents from being able to exercise their right to petition the Kaiser for clemency.

Even high-ranking experts of naval justice declare the death sentences unlawful and recommend their commutation to prison sentences. But the command of the imperial navy insists on making an example, and is supported in this by the imperial government. Leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD) limit themselves to appeals to the admirals and the government not to enforce the death sentences. Carrying out the executions, they warn, could provoke unrest in the population.

The death sentence for Reichpietsch is ultimately carried out because in the summer of 1917, he personally (yet unsuccessfully) seeks out support for the sailors movement from the leaders of the centrist USPD, seen as Bolsheviks by the imperial navy and the supreme army command, and wins over hundreds of sailors to membership in the party. With their influence among the workers in Hamburg and Berlin, Leipzig and other industrial regions, the USPD leaders certainly have the opportunity to call for mass strikes in defense of the two sailors. However, they do not lift a finger.

Albin Kobis, fearless and unyielding, remains silent during interrogations. Before the court he stands proudly for his aims and principles, refusing to beg for mercy. In a final conversation with his friend Willi Weber, who is also condemned to death but later granted a reprieve, he says: If it is carried outit is bitter to be placed against the wall by these people who have no right whatsoever to do it; but sacrifices must be made for every movement; our blood will do! His farewell letter reads:

Dear parents! Today I was sentenced to death, only I and another comrade, the others have been granted a reprieve of 15 years in prison. Why this lot falls to me, you will have heard. I am a sacrifice in the yearning for peace, more will follow. I cannot stop what is already underway; it is now 6 oclock in the morning, at 6:30 I will be brought to Cologne  I would gladly have taken your hand once more in farewell, but I will do so in spirit. Comfort Paula and my little Fritz. I do not like to die so young, but I die with a curse upon the German military state. These are my last lines. Perhaps they will be sent to you and mother. Forever your son.

Chicago, September 5: Wilson administration orders raids on IWW offices

In perhaps the largest mass political raid in American history, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting under orders from the progressive Attorney General Thomas Gregory and President Woodrow Wilson, carries out simultaneous raids of 26 Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) offices across the US. IWW leaders, including union National Secretary Big Bill Haywood, are arrested. Publication of IWW newspapers, including its flagship Solidarity, as well as many foreign-language newspapers directed to immigrant workers, is stopped. The FBI also raids the national offices of the Socialist Party (SP) in Chicago.

Federal agents have taken over five tons of membership lists, correspondence, pamphlets and leaflets from the IWWs Chicago headquarters, and tons more from leaders homes and regional offices, many of which have been stripped bare. This theft will serve as the basis for an elaborately orchestrated show trial, set in Chicago in 1918, in which 166 IWW leaders will be tried under the notorious Espionage Act, passed months ago by Congress. All 166, including Haywood, will be convicted and imprisoned on more than 10,000 individual chargesafter a mere one hour of jury deliberation. The overarching charge against the IWW leadersas is the case with the Bolsheviks in Russiais that they are agents of the German Kaiser.

The Wilson administration has targeted the IWW because it, unlike the American Federation of Labor (AFL), opposes American entry into the imperialist slaughter in Europe, and because it threatens to provide leadership to a growing wave of strikes. Some 3,000 strikes have taken place since US entry in the war in April. The aim is to politically decapitate the working class. Commenting on the raids, the District Attorney of Philadelphia admits they have been carried out very largely to put the IWW out of business.

The arrests are the culmination of a savage campaign against the IWW that has witnessed the mass internal deportation of Wobbly workers among miners and loggers in New Mexico, California, Washington and Minnesota, as well as the murder of organizer Frank Little in Montana. The repression continues through the week, including the arrest of 66 IWW members in Cleveland on September 7 by federal agents assisted by vigilantes in the American Protective League, and the police killing of three Italian immigrant IWW members who protested at a loyalty meeting in Milwaukee on September 8.

The IWWs uncompromising militancy, its revolutionary fervor, its struggle to unionize all workers regardless of race and nationality, and its principled opposition to war win it the support of the best in the American working class, including the young James P. Cannon. However, its anarchistic philosophy leaves it vulnerable to state repression. Cannon later writes:

The employers fought the new unionism in dead earnest. Against the program of the IWW and its little band of agitators, they brought up the heavy guns of their financial resources; public opinion moulded in their favor by press and pulpit; their private armies of labor spies and thugs; and, always and everywhere, the police power of that political state which the IWW didnt want to recognize. The turning point came with the entrance of the United States into the First World War in the spring of 1917, and the Russian Revolution in the same year. Then politics, which the IWW had disavowed and cast out, came back and broke down the door. These two eventsagain coinciding in Russia and America, as in 1905demonstrated that political action was not merely a matter of the ballot box, subordinate to the direct conflict of the unions and employers on the economic field, but the very essence of the class struggle. In opposing actions of two different classes the political state, which the IWW had thought to ignore, was revealed as the centralized power of the ruling class; and the holding of the state power showed in each case which class was really ruling. From one side, this was shown when the Federal Government of the United States intervened directly to break up the concentration points of the IWW by wholesale arrests of its activists. The political action of the capitalist state broke the back of the IWW as a union. The IWW was compelled to transform its principal activities into those of a defense organization, striving by legal methods and propaganda, to protect the political and civil rights of its members against the depredations of the capitalist state power. From the other side, the same determining role of political action was demonstrated positively by the Russian Revolution. The Russian workers took the state power into their own hands and used that power to expropriate the capitalists and suppress all attempts at counter-revolution. That, in fact, was the first stage of the Revolution, the pre-condition for all that was to follow. Moreover, the organizing and directing center of the victorious Revolution had turned out to be, not an all-inclusive union, but a party of selected revolutionists united by a program and bound by discipline. The time had come for the IWW to remember Haywoods prophetic injunction at the Founding Convention in 1905: that the American workers should look to Russia and follow the Russian example. By war and revolution, the most imperative of all authorities, the IWW was put on notice to bring its theoretical conceptions up to date; to think and learn, and change a little.

(Quoted in James P. Cannon, The First 10 Years of American Communism: Report of a Participant. available here from Mehring Books).

Petrograd, September 7 (August 25, O.S.): Kornilov orders march on Petrograd

Under the pretext of needing to suppress a nonexistent Bolshevik uprising in the capital, Kornilov orders the army to march on the city. Right-wing agitators spread rumors of conspiracies by German agents, dark forces, and strangers in workers tunics, who are supposedly infiltrating Petrograd and plotting to cause some vaguely defined catastrophe, which can only be prevented if Kornilov rides to the rescue.

Kornilov plans to use the army to install himself as a dictator with supreme command over all civilian and military affairs in the former tsarist empire. His commanders are given orders, upon entering Petrograd, to disarm the workers and to arrest their leadersand to shoot anyone who resists. As for the Bolsheviks, they are to be hanged as German spies without distinction. Kornilov dispatches a telegram: The corps will be in place in the suburbs of Petrograd by evening of August 28. I request that Petrograd be proclaimed under martial law on August 29.

The attempted military putsch by Kornilov receives the tacit acquiescence of the allied imperialist powers, who deem it necessary to secure Russias continued participation in the war. The high priests of the Russian Orthodox Church give Kornilov their blessing. The troops dispatched to Petrograd include the Caucasian Native Cavalry Division (the tsars infamous Savage Division). Kornilovs supporters cannot conceal their eagerness for the upcoming bloodbath in the capital, boasting that these mountain men do not care whom they kill.

Kornilovs move on the capital is preceded and accompanied by a complex and murky series of intrigues, betrayals and maneuvers between the Kerensky and Kornilov camps.

On fundamental questions, Kerensky is no less a Kornilovist than Kornilov. Both leaders agree that, to preserve the capitalist order and prosecute the war to victory, a ruthless dictatorship of blood and iron must be formed to suppress the workers. They are prepared to join forces, and Kerensky has appointed Kornilov to his post at the head of the army. Both men are united in their extreme antipathy towards the Bolsheviks.

For his part, Kerensky favors forming a directory of handpicked strongmen, who would exercise unreviewable dictatorial emergency powers. In this government to ruthlessly crush all opposition and continue the war, Kornilov would serve at the head of the army. Kornilov, on the other hand, favors a full-blooded and openly counterrevolutionary dictatorship, complete with mass murder, terror and pogroms against Russias internal enemies. In this government, Kornilov would serve as the supreme head, and Kerensky might still play a role as a prominent deputy or minister.

Petrograd, September 8 (August 26, O.S.): Kerensky confirms his participation in Kornilov plot

In an oblique conversation between Kerensky and Kornilov by teleprinter on August 26 (O.S.), in which neither leader is willing to state his intention directly, Kerensky purports to confirm his submission to Kornilovs plans. However, Kerensky turns around and discloses the transcript of the conversation to the leadership of the Provisional Government, exposing the planned coup, denouncing Kornilov, and demanding for himself unlimited emergency powers to deal with the crisis. Kerensky unilaterally orders the removal of Kornilov from his position at the head of the army.

Kornilov, doubtless enraged and perceiving himself to have been double-crossed by Kerensky, declares that he has been the victim of a provocation. He affirms his determination to seize power anyway, issuing the following statement for publication:

People of Russia! Our great motherland is dying. The hour of her death is near. Forced to speak openly, I, General Kornilov, declare that under the pressure of the Bolshevik majority in the Soviets [sic], the Provisional Government acts in complete harmony with the plans of the German general staff and simultaneously with the forthcoming landing of enemy forces on the coast of Riga; it is killing the army and undermines the very foundation of the country. The heavy sense of inevitable ruin of the country commands me in this ominous moment to call upon all of the Russian people to come to the aid of the dying motherland.

Kerensky, whose support has collapsed over the recent months, finds himself utterly friendless and powerless to stop Kornilov. The right-wing forces throughout the country have thrown their weight enthusiastically behind Kornilov. Meanwhile, Kerensky has turned sharply to the right in recent months, alienating the workers and soldiers of Petrograd. These workers and soldiers are loyal not to Kerensky but to their factory committees and to the Soviets. Of these, the most disciplined and militant workers are organized by the Bolshevik Party.

On August 27, the increasingly desperate Kerensky appeals to the Soviets for help, including the Bolshevik Party, whose newspapers he has suppressed and whose leaders he has slandered and imprisoned. On August 28, as the Third Cavalry begins its advance on Petrograd, the stock market rockets upward in anticipation of an imminent Kornilov victory.

Paris, September 8: New French government formed after Ribot resigns

The six-month-old government led by Alexander Ribot resigns as it becomes clear it has lost support in parliament. One of the immediate triggers for its downfall is a scandal surrounding the anarchist newspaper Bonnet Rouge, which is alleged to have been receiving German funds. Louis Malvy, a cabinet minister, who defended the papers right to publish, is forced to resign as a result on August 31.

Ribots resignation brings to an end his fourth and final term as French prime minister. It occurs under conditions of deep crisis. Since the disastrous failure of the Nivelle offensive in the spring, hostility to the war has risen throughout the country. Army mutinies erupted in May and were only ruthlessly suppressed in July, while large strikes swept through the garment and war industries in May and June. Although French troops have over recent weeks managed to launch an attack around Verdun, the army remains weakened by fears among the ruling class that renewed unrest could break out.

The French Socialists, who have supported the war from the outset and held the important position of Minister of Armaments under Albert Thomas in the outgoing government, refuse to grant their support to the new administration because of Pariss refusal to give passports to the socialist delegates to attend the Stockholm conference.

The new prime minister, Paul Painleve, will hold power for an even briefer period than his short-lived predecessor. In November, Georges Clemenceau will emerge to lead the government through the end of the war and the subsequent Versailles peace talks.

Etaples, September 9: Mutiny breaks out among British Empire troops

Several thousand mainly Australian and New Zealand troops revolt against the degrading treatment they confront by officers at the Etaples training camp on the French coast.

Etaples has won a reputation for its harsh training regime, often led by officers and noncommissioned officers who have not served at the front. In addition, Etaples is separated by a bridge from Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, which has been designated officers territory since the start of the war. Soldiers are prevented from visiting Le Touquet by sentries posted on the bridge, prompting many of them to walk across the estuary at low tide.

A.J. Healy from the New Zealand infantry attempts to return across the bridge from one such visitthe tide having come in while he was in Le Touquetand he is detained as a deserter by the police. When New Zealand troops hear of the arrest, they leave their barracks en masse and march to the jail cell where Healy is held. Military police arrive and fire into the crowd of soldiers, killing one. This further enflames the situation, with over 1,000 soldiers gathering to chase the police out of town.

The next day, attempts to clamp down on the situation fail when angry soldiers break through pickets on the bridge and take over Le Touquet, where mass meetings are held. The arrest of Healy has brought to a head a long list of grievances that has been brewing for many months. In August 1916, scuffles broke out after an Australian soldier verbally abused an officer because water was cut off while he was taking a shower. Soldiers intervened to prevent the soldier from being imprisoned, leading to one of them being shot by firing squad for treason.

Over 1,000 men march through the town again on September 12, but by this time a loyal contingent of officers has been sent to Etaples to restore order. Corporal Jesse Short was condemned to death for his part in the mutiny and shot October 4. Three other soldiers were sentenced to ten years penal servitude.

September 9-11 (August 27-29): Petrograd workers rise up, organized and powerful, to stop Kornilov

When word that Kornilovs troops are on the march reaches Petrograd, alarm whistles sound at the citys factories. The Bolshevik leaders in the factory districts have long warned of this danger, and they are immediately at their posts issuing orders. Within hours, hundreds of thousands of workers spring into action.

Long lines form in the factory districts as workers enroll in the military arm of the factory committees, the Red Guards. The workers at the weapons factories produce arms for themselves and then carry them into the field, making the final adjustments while en route. Tens of thousands of workers march with rifles on their shoulders to the citys perimeter to dig trenches, string barbed wire, and tear up railway lines leading into the capital.

All of the citys laborers are mobilized and organized, and all of the citys resources are placed at their disposal. Emergency meetings take place around the clock throughout the city, and measures are taken to organize every aspect of the citys defense like clockwork. All of the key strategic locations in the city, including key infrastructure and government buildings, are seized and secured. Telegraph workers refuse to dispatch messages for Kornilovs supporters, chauffeurs refuse to transport them, and typesetters refuse to prepare their leaflets. In many areas, military officers who support Kornilov are arrested and brought before revolutionary tribunals of workers and soldiers. In a few cases, the officers are solemnly sentenced to death.

Railway workers, once alerted to the danger, refuse to transport Kornilovs troops. Railway cars filled with lumber are positioned across the tracks, and miles of railway lines are systematically destroyed. The lightning response of the organized railway workers in particular deals Kornilov a decisive blow. In short order, his forces become stranded in railway cars strung out along hundreds of miles of track, unable to move and unable to communicate with each other. To make matters worse for Kornilov, revolutionary orators from Petrograd make their way to the stranded trains, denouncing Kornilov and urging Kornilovs soldiers not to follow his orders. To the dismay of Kornilovs generals, the soldiers begin holding meetings to decide what to do.

Kornilovs own soldiers hoist the red flag, arrest their own officers, and refuse to participate any further in the attack on Petrograd. Even the so-called Savage Division is persuaded to stand down by Caucasian Muslims who were delegates in attendance at the Soviet Congress in Petrograd. Over the Savage Division now flies a red flag that reads Land and Freedom. The commanders have been disarmed, and an elected delegation of soldiers is en route to Petrograd.

The workers of Petrograd have not forgotten the reign of counterrevolutionary terror that followed the defeat of the 1905 revolution. They understand what is in store for them if Kornilov is allowed to enter Petrograd, and they are determined to defend the city at all costs. Further, while the Soviet leadership nominally directs the actions of the workers, the essential role in stopping Kornilov is played by the Bolshevik Party. The Menshevik-Internationalist Sukhanov later observes:

The committee [for Struggle Against the Counterrevolution], making defense preparations, had to mobilize the worker-soldier masses. But the masses, insofar as they were organized, were organized by the Bolsheviks and followed them. At that time, theirs was the only organization that was large, welded together by elementary discipline, and linked with the democratic lowest levels of the capital. Without it, the committee was impotent. Without the Bolsheviks, it could only have passed the time with appeals and idle speeches by orators who had lost their authority. With the Bolsheviks, the committee had at its disposal the full power of the organized workers and soldiers.

Within the Bolshevik Party itself, strategic differences among the leaders continue to manifest themselves. Some of the senior Bolsheviks, in the chaotic first hours of the Kornilov crisis, wavered towards offers of alliances with the forces supporting Kerensky, including the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionariesi.e., with supporters of the regime that continues to ban Bolshevik newspapers and imprison Bolshevik leaders. Lenin and his supporters firmly reject any such arrangements, insisting that the Bolshevik workers organize to fight Kornilov independently and under their own banners, without offering any support to Kerensky. Accordingly, the Bolsheviks agree to participate in joint committees for the defense of the city for the purposes of information only.

Within days, the Red Guards are prepared to deploy 40,000 rifles in the field. Kornilovs remaining forces, vastly outnumbered and in disarray, disperse with hardly a shot being fired. The pride, optimism and confidence of the Petrograd workers soars. Having measured their strength with the counterrevolution, workers discover that they represent unquestionably the most powerful social force in the country. Fully mobilized and led by the Bolshevik Party, they are far more powerful than Kerensky and his ministers, far more powerful than Kornilov and his officers, and far more powerful than any other obstacle that stands in their way. Mass support for the Bolsheviks, which had already been surging, now begins to assume unconquerable proportions.

Recommended Reading:

Leon Trotsky, The History of the Russian Revolution, Volume II, Chapters 31-33.

Alexander Rabinowitch, The Bolsheviks Come to Power, Haymarket Books 2009, pp. 129-150.

Also this week: Stefan Zweig, Romain Rolland, Henri Guilbeaux, Frans Masereel  Artist friends unite against the war

On September 4, the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig writes to his friend, the French author and musicologist Romain Rolland, and sends him his tragedy Jeremias. He thanks Rolland, writing that without his moral example, he would have been unable to complete it.

Zweig was initially carried away by war euphoria in 1914. He saw something fine, inspiring, even seductive in that first mass outburst of feeling  It was difficult to resist it, he wrote in his autobiography, The World of Yesterday. And in spite of my hatred and abhorrence of war, I would not like to be without the memory of those first days. A few pages later, however, he admits that due to his cosmopolitan lifestyle he had been immune to the sudden rush of patriotism. He only discovered the real meaning of the war when he traveled to the front in Galicia in 1916 and, when upon his return journey in a hospital train, he witnessed the suffering of the wounded and dying.

Romain Rolland, with whom Zweig has been corresponding since 1913, sharply criticizes Zweigs contradictory attitude from the beginning: You yourself must finally get rid of your blind confidence, Rolland wrote to Zweig on November 12, 1914. The writer and music historian was surprised by the war while in Switzerland, and as a committed pacifist and internationalist European did not return to his French home. On November 13, 1916, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. In Geneva, he works for the Red Cross in the office of enquiry for prisoners of war.

In his drama Jeremias, Zweig uses the material of the Old Testament to deal with the threat of war and its effect on the psychology of the population. A prophet who foresees the danger is treated with hostility by his people. Zweig receives an invitation to Zurich for the plays premiere, and with the blessing of his superiors is able to leave the country for Switzerland where he then spends the entire final year of the war.

He joins a group of European pacifists, which includes the journalist Henri Guilbeaux, the painter Frans Masereel, and the authors Hermann Hesse, Leonhard Frank, Annette Kolb and Fritz von Unruh. In The World of Yesterday, Zweig writes: [A]s we were all fighting on the same front, in the same trenches of the mind and intellect and against the same enemy, a kind of passionate comradeship formed spontaneously between us. After twenty-four hours we were as familiar with each other as if we had known one another for years, and we were already using the familiar du, as men usually do on every front line.

Guilbeaux, a poet and translator (of Rainer Maria Rilke among others), was drafted as a soldier, but was soon discharged as unsuitable. At the end of April 1915, he traveled to Switzerland and like Rolland initially worked for the Red Cross providing aid for prisoners of war. Beginning in 1916, he published the journal Demain, which quickly developed into an organ of international war resisters, increasingly approached socialist views and provided a platform for socialists. It is banned in France.

In addition to Rolland and Zweig, those writing for the journal included the still-in-exile Lenin, Lev Kamenev, Grigory Zinoviev, Anatoly Lunacharsky, Leon Trotsky, Karl Radek and Ernst Meyer.

Zweig writes in his autobiography: While others kept silent, while we ourselves hesitated and carefully considered what to do or not do on every occasion, he took determined action, and it will be to the lasting credit of Guilbeaux that he founded and edited the one intellectually important antiwar journal of the First World War, Demain  The woodcuts of Frans Masereel opposing wartime atrocities also appeared in the journal. Zweig writes of them: We dreamt of being able to distribute them over cities and armies by dropping them from aircraft, like bombs, so that anyone, even without words or a knowledge of languages, could understand their grim, savage denunciations. I am sure they would have stopped the war in its tracks.

Prior to his departure from Zurich, Lenin invited Rolland and Guilbeaux to come to Russia. Rolland declined and Guilbeaux also remained in Switzerland for a time. In 1917, Guilbeaux published a volume of antiwar poems. After the October Revolution, he is targeted by spies. The French government falsifies documents to accuse him of collaboration with the Germans. He is repeatedly persecuted by the Swiss immigration police under pressure from France and is twice imprisoned. After the war, on February 21, 1919, a military tribunal sentences him to death in absentia.

He is finally able to accept Lenins invitation in 1919. He obtains Russian citizenship and is among the signatories of the founding manifesto of the Communist International. He remains in the Soviet Union for three years.
The Western Sydney University (WSU) branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) convened a forum on August 31 to discuss the universitys latest job destruction. It provided a case study of how the trade unions systematically stifle and demoralise workers looking for a way to fight the mounting assault on jobs, conditions and basic rights.

Staff and students at WSU, one of Australias largest public universities, face a new wave of job losses driven by federal government funding cuts. An estimated 150 professional staff jobs will be axed under a shared services blueprint released by management on August 25. All the security staff will be retrenched as well.

These cuts will have a devastating impact, not only on the staff members who are squeezed out, retrenched or shunted into lower-paid positions. These workers provide the administrative support and assistance upon which entire departments, academics and students depend. The remaining staff will be over-worked, academics loaded with further administrative tasks and students will lose a rare source of advice and help.

Many more jobs are expected to be eliminated when WSU unveils a new school structure, a student inquiries restructure and other cost-cutting plans. These come on top of numerous rounds of restructuring and job cuts over the past two decades, including the removal of more than 250 professional and academic staff last year, via voluntary redundancy packages.

These new measures are part of an unprecedented assault on staff and students nationally. Last week, the Liberal-National government called on universities to tear up staff conditions in order to impose the multi-billion funding cuts announced in the governments May budget.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham urged universities to seize on an August 29 Fair Work Commission decision to terminate the enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) at Perths Murdoch University, paving the way for deep cuts to wages, fast-tracked sackings and the demolition of longstanding conditions. The NTEU nationally has already signalled it is prepared to finalise new EBAs that will include the level of cuts being demanded.

The WSU cuts have caused outrage among professional and academic staff alike, and the NTEU forum last Thursday was called in an effort to contain this anger. In an email to all WSU staff before the meeting, NTEU branch officials admitted that the cuts were creating an enormous deal of anxiety and concern among professional staff.

The email raised that the forum was for all potentially affected staff to share their concerns, provide on-the-ground feedback on these proposals, and contribute towards a consolidated response.

As soon as the meeting opened, however, it was plain that its true purpose was to prevent any discussion aimed at clarifying the consolidated response required to fight the cuts. In the first place, the forum was held via video-conferencing, with the 30 or so staff members present scattered across seven locations, making genuine dialogue difficult, especially with NTEU committee members controlling all the microphones.

NTEU branch president David Burchell opened the event by insisting it was not a venue for canvassing what lay behind the job cuts, let alone proposing action. This is not a motions-passing meeting, he declared.

Burchell sought to justify his position by revealing that the forum had been opened to non-NTEU membersan initiative the union, itself, had organised. He went on to declare that the event would be confined to hearing questions from individuals about how the union could help them. Even this was subjected to major constraints: the questions had to be within the framework of the rules governing the NTEUs EBA with WSU! These provide for only limited consultation or access to information from management about organisational changes.

Burchell did not even mention the sackings of security guards, effectively separating them from those facing professional staff. Moreover, he said not a word about the Murdoch University ruling or the wider attack on tertiary education funding underway, which comes on top of the $3 billion gouged out of universities by the previous Labor government.

Instead, the branch president presented the job losses as a product of WSU mismanagement. His remarks underscored the unions efforts to keep workers in the dark about the economic and political driving forces of the attacks they face, which lie in the demands of the corporate elite for ever-greater cuts to social spending, while preparing ever-greater business tax cuts.

Mike Head, a World Socialist Web Site correspondent and academic at WSU, objected, insisting that a unified fight was urgently needed. This is not just happening at WSU, but across the entire education sector, and throughout the working class as a whole, he said. We need a political movement, and new forms of rank-and-file organisations, to answer this assault and reorganise society in the interests of all, not just the corporate profits of the financial elite. Burchell and other branch officials refused to allow Head to speak further.

Later, after staff members had raised angry questions about their plight, which involves many being required to compete with their colleagues to apply for the few new positions, Burchell instructed them to question their managers about their own futures.

Workers scoffed at this suggestion, with one pointing out that it was unrealistic to expect staff members to challenge their managers individually when they feared for their jobs. Burchell backtracked slightly, raising that it would be better for employees to approach their managers in groups.

Nevertheless, Burchell emphasised that there was nothing the union could do, unless management breached clauses in the professional staff EBA. Then the industrial laws will come into play and we can take cases to the [Fair Work] Commission, he said.

Head responded again: These cuts will also have an intolerable impact on our students. With the complete support of the NTEU, universities are being transformed from places of learning and knowledge into institutions purely serving the interests of big business and the military-intelligence apparatus. The problem we face is that the NTEU will assist the management to inflict this job destruction, as it did with last years so-called voluntary redundancies.

Again, Burchell and other committee members shut him down. In effect, however, they confirmed Heads warnings by declaring that the NTEU wants to be involved in the change process. The union was assembling a response to the shared services blueprint, although the management showed no interest in such submissions, Burchell complained.

The branch president concluded the meeting on a revealing note. Anyone who joined the NTEU before September 15, he said, would obtain immediate assistance, whereas normally there is a queue for members to get advice from the union. His remark further underscored the contempt the union has for its members, and for their needs and concerns.
Pahlaj Nihalani has taken a complete U-Turn from his sanskaari days at the censor board and is now presenting an erotic thriller called Julie 2.

By India Today Web Desk: Pahlaj Nihalani might have made his unceremonious exit from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), but trust the man to find new ways to be in the news. From lashing out at the new Information and Broadcasting minister Smriti Irani to now turning distributor for an erotic thriller called Julie 2, Nihalani is hardly enjoying his time away from the limelight. The contrary, more like it, or his recent antics would have you believe.

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Nihalani, who as the chairperson of the CBFC made sure that not one un-sanskaari thing escaped his hawk-eyes, is now distributing Julie 2 starring Raai Laxmi, touted to be an erotic thriller.

The official trailer of Julie 2 that begins with the words 'Pahlaj Nihalani presents', released today, has sentences like, "Yahan pe sirf body chalta hai, garma-garam body," and shots of blingy bras being slipped at the drop of a hat. No, as a distributor, Nihalani did not order this bra blurred a la 2015's Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

In fact, the director of Julie 2 actually went on the record to say that Nihalani had no problems at all with anything in the film. "It's a content-driven film and Pahlajji had no objections to any of the scenes," director Deepak Shivdasani told Mumbai Mirror.

At the trailer launch of Julie 2, Nihalani was targeted for his sheer hypocrisy, but he maintained that he has no doubts that the film will pass with an 'A' certificate.

When asked if CBFC passes his film with innumerable cuts, he said that he will welcome their decision with open arms. In fact, he added that this is not a publicity gimmick to get him back in news.

Here is the trailer of Julie 2:

Julie 2 marks Raai Laxmi's Bollywood debut. The director narrated how Pahlaj Nihalani came on board, "I started writing the script in 2012 and had discussed the idea with Pahlajji then. He loved it. He is family and after seeing it with his wife recently he told me 'Yeh film ab meri hai,' and will be presenting it."

Nihalani confirmed the developments to the daily, adding how his responsibilities as the CBFC chief kept him away from his distribution work in the last few years.

"My last films were Sridevi's Tamil film Puli, followed by the 2016 Iranian-Indian drama Salaam Mumbai. My family loved Julie 2, it's a bold thriller about how talented people come into the industry and then are forced to compromise. It's a good expose with a message for aspiring actors who come from across the county and don't get the right people or platform," said Nihalani.

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And that is not all.

The ex-CBFC chairperson even went on to say how he thought Julie 2 should be given an 'A' certificate with no cuts. "Julie 2 should be given an 'A' certificate without any cuts. There is no vulgarity, obscenity or even a language problem," Pahlaj told the daily.

"This is a hot seat, you have to be careful with guidelines which are perfect and only the rating system we require," he added.

Nihalani's U-Turn has left many scratching their heads. After all, this is the same man who ordered kisses snipped (in the James Bond film Spectre, 2015), had problems with the word 'intercourse' (in Jab Harry Met Sejal this year) and even with a bra being shown in a film (in 2015's Dum Laga Ke Haisha). Time changes people, you think?

ALSO READ: CBFC orders 12 cuts and 2 disclaimers in Indu Sarkar, leaves Madhur Bhandarkar fuming

ALSO READ: Puhleez Nihalani. We're adults, don't be a nanny

ALSO READ: Indu Sarkar Movie Review

ALSO WATCH: There's nothing dirty about sex or the word adult, says Anurag Kashyap

--- ENDS ---

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CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Hurricane Irma has strengthened to a Category 4 Hurricane as moves west along the Atlantic Ocean towards the Leeward Islands.

The late afternoon updated recorded maximum sustained winds were at 130 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The eye of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 54.4 West, about 490 miles east of the Leeward Islands.

Irma is moving toward the west near 13 mph.

A west-northwestward turn is expected late Tuesday.

On the forecast track, the center of Irma will move near or over portions of the northern Leeward Islands Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center will release the next forecast track update at 8 p.m.

Live 5 Chief Meteorologist Bill Walsh says Irma is a serious storm and is likely to be headed towards South Florida and possibly the Southeast coast.

"The threat for Florida is this weekend and for our area would be Monday/Tuesday time period," Walsh said Monday afternoon." What we dont know and will continue to fine tune will be the upper level players helping to steer the storm. There is still a lot of uncertainty of the track beyond 5 days."

Walsh advises everyone to get out their hurricane plan and look it over should the storm come our way.

Live 5 Meteorologist Joey Sovine said Monday morning forecast models over the past 24 hours had shifted the storm's path to the south, bringing it closer to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

"Remember, these forecast models change. It's a very fluid situation," he said.

Steering currents could still push the storm to the north early next week, he said. If that happens, the Lowcountry could still feel impacts even if the storm passes between Cuba and the southern tip of Florida and makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico.

"Right now is not the time to worry, but it's a time to make sure you have your hurricane plan and supplies in place," Sovine said.

Current watches and warnings

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis

Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten

Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

Guadeloupe

British Virgin Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

Dominica

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm- force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee-based charitable organization, The Less Fortunate Still Matter Foundation, is raising funds for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

Donations can be dropped off from Sept. 2 - 15, 2017, at two locations.

At Tallahassee Ford Lincoln, 243 N. Magnolia Drive, donations will be accepted from Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. There the group wants to "Stuff the Ford Truck" with the goal of having more items than the 53-foot trailer can hold to make three to four trips to Texas.

At Storage King USA, 942 Capital Circle Unit T4 and T17, donations will be accepted from Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

To make donate money, the group asks people to visit its website: www.thelessfortunatestillmatter.org.

For more information, phone Tim Mosley at (850) 509-0251.

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
RINCON, GA (WTOC) - A heartwarming story coming out of Rincon. The parents of 10-year-old Brianna Martinez have saved every pair of her shoes since she was born.

They hoped Brianna would show her own children her collection when she was older.

Brianna tells us she is sending these shoes to Hurricane Harvey victims because they need them more than her.

Brianna Martinez is donating all 167 pairs of shoes. Even this pair she was baptized in.

10 years worth of shoes ranging from sandals, to boots, to slippers. Her father tells us he doesn't have anything from his childhood and he didn't want that for his daughter.

He says at first he was shocked Brianna wanted to donate the shoes. He's been saving them for 10 years. But he realized these shoes would be helping little girls from all ages who could really use the help. He also says this might have been the disguised plan all along.

"It just tells me a lot about her," said Cesar Martinez, Brianna's Father. "I mean yeah, she's got all these shoes that she could have seen later on. But in her heart, now she knows, some of these kids are gonna benefit from all these shoes. So maybe this was the whole purpose all along."

Tonight on the news at 11 - we continue with this selfless story and hear from Brianna herself. The 10-year-old with a heart to help.

Copyright 2017 WTOC. All rights reserved.

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
In the garb of a lawyer, Mian Abdul Qayoom is known to be not just a trouble-maker in the region but also a trouble organiser who orchestrated many anti-national activities.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned Kashmir High Court Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom in the high-profile terror funding case related to funding of separatist activities in the Kashmir Valley. NIA spokesperson Alok Mittal confirmed that Qayoom was summoned on Wednesday.

"He has been called in connection with terror funding and will be asked to explain his finances." His name had cropped up during the interrogation of some of those arrested by the probe agency.

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A high-level source in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that "Qayoom is pro-Pakistan and pro-separatist leader. Known to be one of the founders of constitution of Hurriyat, he is a vertebra of anti-national conglomerate in the Kashmir Valley. Having close links with separatist hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, militants and even the ISI".

Sources said he is known to be not just a trouble-maker in the garb of a lawyer but a trouble organiser, orchestrating many anti-national activities. The pro-Pakistan lawyer's own finances coming under NIA scanner.

A fact sheet prepared by intelligence agencies reveal that Qayoom was a court clerk who rose through the ranks because of strong separatist and militant support. The property accumulated by him is not commensurate to his earnings from legal practice. He according to intelligence sources earned huge amounts of money in the early 90's from across the border. The money earned from hawala was invested in benami properties in Hyderpora, Peer Bagh, Zakura, Lal Bazaar and even a shopping complex in an unknown area.

He has several properties including two houses in Bulbul Bagh in Barzulla worth Rs 3 crore. He has a housing complex on government land which he gives on rent. He has another house in Lasjan in Pantha Chowk worth Rs 2.5 crore, reportedly a flat in Delhi and several properties in Jammu.

Qayoom is known to provide legal assistance to separatists in the Valley. A former Jammu and Kashmir police officer told India Today, "Qayoom gets his clout by hobnobbing with separatist and mainstream parties, which is what has also shielded him. Mian Abdul Qayoom also spent sometime behind bars in 2010 for allegedly instigating protests in the Valley".

The high court bar association has on Tuesday called for a shutdown of courts to protest summons to Qayoom. In a statement it condemned the NIA notice alleging that it was "dastardly persecution" of innocent people, who continue to be victims of the "NIA onslaught".

The case was registered on issues of raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including through hawala channels, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in the state.

So far 8 Kashmiri separatist leaders have been arrested in the funding case by the NIA. The leaders were arrested on charges of receiving funds to "create unrest" in the state.

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Also read:

Kashmir terror funding: NIA raids 12 locations linked to family, aides of top businessman Zahoor Watali

India Today Impact: Naeem Khan, Bitta Karate, 5 other separatists arrested by NIA over Pak funding of terror

Exclusive: After Hurriyat arrests, Srinagar businessman Zahoor Watali under intelligence radar

Terror funding case: NIA finds evidence against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, action likely soon

ALSO WATCH: How crucial is NIA crackdown on Hurriyat's top funder Zahoor Watali to ending terror financing

--- ENDS ---
State Department of Transportation officials have extended the closure of State Route 410 through at least Wednesday night.
On his exit from the bunker, which he entered on his own volition 11 years ago, in one of the suburbs of Beirut, the secretary-general of Hezbollah tends to dress-up. Hassan Nasrallah ditches his thawb and Turban and wears regular trousers, a light shirt and a jacketvery businessman-esque.

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There were years when he rightly feared that once he was identified outside his hiding place, Israel would be quick to settle their score with him.

Hassan Nasrallah (L) and Bashar al-Assad (Photo: AFP, HO / SANA)

When he discovered that the Israelis were almost completely ignoring him, Nasrallah began to fearagain rightly sothat his innumerable rivals in Lebanon or the proxies of his rivals in neighboring countries would seize the opportunity as soon as they could get their hands on him: With an explosive device or pistol held to his head.

Nasrallah knows that he is transparent to Israeli eyes. There are those whose job it is to identify when he is tired of shutting himself up in a bunker and goes to another, as at his disposal are three bunkers he wanders between. Israel also made sure to hint to him that his secret trips to Damascus and Tehran are no secret from their eyes. Nasrallah himself knows that we know.

He is still worried about drones in the skies of Beirut, and on the other hand, he has come to appreciate that he is an immediate target of Israel, and that there is no such thing as an assassination squad sent to ambush him.

Therefore, Nasrallah's public announcement about his trip to Damascus to meet with Bashar al-Assad shouldn't have surprised anyone.

All in all, he left his bunker in his regular fashion, dressed in disguise, boarded a vehicle with his security guardsalso in civilian clothes, other vehicles joined to secure the convoy along the road, and the 90-minute journey passed smoothly.

It is much more interesting to ponder what happened in the conversation between the two, and why the deal between Hezbollah and ISIS could not be closed over the phone.

Here are some more insights from the deal: In the series of secret contacts, and in the meeting with Assad, Nasrallah replaced the Lebanese chief of staff. It was him, and not Brigadier-General Joseph Aoun who brokered the plan to expel 300 ISIS militants who had settled along the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Hezbollah supporters celebrating the removal of ISIS from the Lebanese border (Photo: EPA)

The militants come out of hiding along with their personal weapons, their families join, and Lebanon and Syria pledge not to harm the convoy. In return, the bodies of nine Lebanese army soldiers and an Iranian soldier who were murdered by ISIS will be returned, along with two other live captives.

But on Friday, the convoy turned into a humanitarian crisis. US coalition planes bombed the road, six buses got stranded, women and children were left without food or water, and aid vehicles were blocked because of air strikes.

By the way, a similar deal has been denounced and slandered by Nasrallah. At that time, they were ISIS terrorists expelled from Mosul in Iraq, and Nasrallah called the Iraqi government ministers "agents" and accused them of collaborating with the US military.

The "liberation deal," as Nasrallah called it, is intended to relocate the militants to Deir ez-Zor in Syria, which is controlled by ISIS and close to the border with Iraq. This is like a bone re-stuck in the throat of Haider al-Abadi, the prime minister of Iraq, who sees how Nasrallah, encouraged by Tehran, kicked 300 armed ISIS terrorists into his side of the field.

Nasrallah and Iran are aware of the timetable: Soon the presidential elections will take place in Iraq, and in three weeks the referendum on the independence of Kurdistan was be held. The pressures from the Turkish, Iraqi and Iranian sides will continue until the last minute, and the deal that returns 300 ISIS terrorists and their families to the area only adds more fuel to the fire.

What is certain is that Nasrallah cleaned up the Lebanese arena for Iran's Revolutionary Guard and the "advisers" from Tehran. More and more signs indicate that the Iranians, who are seeking a parallel regime in Lebanon and are aided by Hezbollah, are coming for a prolonged settlement there. Exactly according to the scenario of King Abdullah of Jordan, who insisted on the danger of the Shiite Crescent (Iran-Iraq-Syria-Lebanon) years ago in our neighborhood.
SEOUL - Following US warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea's military on Monday fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site a day after Pyongyang detonated its largest ever nuclear test explosion.

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The heated words from the United States and the military maneuvers in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Korea's rapid, as-yet unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike the United States. The most recent, and perhaps most dramatic, advancement came Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong Un's government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006.

In a series of tweets, President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with the North, a veiled warning to China, and faulted South Korea for what he called "talk of appeasement."

South Korea holds drills following North's test

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South Korea's military said its live-fire exercise was meant to "strongly warn" Pyongyang. The drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles firing into the Sea of Japan.

The target was set considering the distance to the North's test site and the exercise was aimed at practicing precision strikes and cutting off reinforcements, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korea conducts live-fire exercise (Photo: AP)

Each new North Korean missile and nuclear test gives Pyongyang's scientists invaluable information that allows big jumps in capability. North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

Both diplomacy and severe sanctions have failed to check the North's decades-long march to nuclear mastery.

South Korea conducts live-fire exercise (Photo: EPA)

In Washington, Trump, asked by a reporter if he would attack the North, said: "We'll see." No US military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In briefs remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters that America does not seek the "total annihilation" of the North, but then added somberly, "We have many options to do so."

Mattis comments on North Korea's test (: )

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Mattis said the US will answer any threat from the North with a "massive military responsea response both effective and overwhelming."

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that Kim should know Washington's commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

UN Security Council to meet on North Korea test

The UN Security Council will hold its second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea on Monday.

the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan. Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

South Korea conducts live-fire exercise (Photo: AP)

North Korea is "deliberately undermining regional peace and stability," the council said Tuesday when it rebuked the missile test, reiterating demands for the country to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

Requested by the United States, Japan, France, Britain and South Korea, the Security Council meeting Monday could bring additional condemnation and discussion of other potential steps. British Prime Minister Theresa May called in a statement Sunday for speeding the implementation of existing sanctions and "looking urgently" at new measures in the council.

The group aimed to take a big bite out of the North Korean economy earlier this month by banning the North from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products. Together, those are worth about a third of the country's $3 billion in exports last year.

South Korea conducts live-fire exercise (Photo: AFP)

The council could look to sanction other profitable North Korean exports, such as textiles. Another possibility could be tighter limits on North Korean laborers abroad; the recent sanctions barred giving any new permits for such workers. The US also suggested some other ideas earlier this summer, including air and maritime restrictions and restricting oil to North Korea's military and weapons programs.

However, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council Tuesday that "addressing the issues plaguing the (Korean) Peninsula through sanction pressure alone is impossible" because "that path does not propose any options for engaging (North Korea) in constructive negotiations."

Russia and China have both proposed a two-pronged approach: North Korea would suspend its nuclear and missile development, and the US and South Korea would suspend their joint military exercises, which they say are defensive but Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion. The North recently requested a Security Council meeting about the war games.

Washington says there is no comparison between its openly conducted, internationally monitored military drills and North Korea's weapons programs, which the international community has banned.

Criticism over Trump's jabs at South Korea

The precise strength of the North's underground nuclear explosion has yet to be determined. South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five tests.

Sunday's detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target US cities.

South Korea conducts live-fire exercise (Photo: AP)

North Korea has made a stunning jump in progress for its nuclear and missile program since Kim rose to power following his father's death in late 2011. The North followed its two tests of Hwasong-14 ICBMs, which, when perfected, could target large parts of the United States, by threatening to launch a salvo of its Hwasong-12 intermediate range missiles toward the US Pacific island territory of Guam in August.

It flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile capable of carrying nukes, in a launch Kim described as a "meaningful prelude" to containing Guam, the home of major US military facilities, and vowed to launch more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

Ahead of the North's test, photos released by the North Korean government showed Kim talking with his lieutenants as he observed a silver, peanut-shaped device that was apparently the purported thermonuclear weapon destined for an ICBM. The images were taken without outside journalists present and could not be independently verified. What appeared to be the nose cone of a missile could also be seen in one photo, and another showed a diagram on the wall behind Kim of a bomb mounted inside a cone.

South Korea conducts live-fire exercise (Photo: EPA)

The Arms Control Association in the United States said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests the North tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Korea's accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the US as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Trump's jab at South Korea. He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its "talk of appeasement" will not work. The North Koreans, he added, "only understand one thing," implying military force might be required. The US has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

South Korea conducts live-fire exercise (Photo: AP)

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, the North's patron for many decades and a vital US trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbor. Trump tweeted that the US is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea." Such a halt would be radical. The US imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China, North Korea's main commercial partner.

Experts have questioned whether the North has gone too far down the nuclear road to continue pushing for a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, an Obama administration policy goal still embraced by Trump's White House.

"Denuclearization is not a viable US policy goal," said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the US accept North Korea as a nuclear power. "We should keep denuclearization as a long-term aspiration, but recognize privately that it's unachievable anytime soon."
Egypt has condemned North Korea's nuclear test, warning of threats to regional security.

The Foreign Ministry expressed worries Monday that the escalating activity could unleash a nuclear arms race in the region.

The statement on Monday comes nearly 10 days after the US announced it was withholding millions of dollars in aid to Egypt over human rights concerns. Observers, however, have noted that the move is also linked to Egypt's relations with North Korea as the US continues to isolate North Korea economically and politically.

In a phone call in July, President Donald Trump gave a thinly veiled warning to Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to stop its economic cooperation with Pyongyang.
A resident of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox neighborhood Mea Shearim was arrested Sunday on suspicion he set fire to an effigy of an IDF soldier during Lag B'Omer, about four and a half months ago.

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The suspect handed himself into police after an arrest warrant was issued against him. The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended his remand until Wednesday.

Effigy of IDF soldier set ablaze in Mea Shearim (Photo: Haim Goldberg)

The police said that since the incident, "an intensive investigation has been ongoing both covertly and overtly," which led to the arrest warrant against the suspect.

IDF effigies, as well as Israeli flags, were set on fire at Lag B'Omer bonfires in Mea Shearim by radical ultra-Orthodox as part of their fight against the IDF draft law.

Video: Haim Goldberg

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It is an annual "tradition" in these extremist circles to burn an effigy of the ultra-Orthodox community's current enemy. In the past, effigies of the late MK Yossi Sarid and of Yesh Atid leader MK Yair Lapid were burned, among others.

Two months before the burning of the IDF soldier's effigy, a similar doll was subject to a hanging in the Jerusalem neighborhood.
Several hundreds of people took part in a rally at Tel Aviv's HaBima Square Sunday evening in support of the family of Abera Mengistu to mark three years since he went missing in the Gaza Strip.

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Participants called on the Israeli government to return Mengistu back home. He is believed to be held captive by the Hamas terror organization

"It's been three years and we've received no sign of life, three years in which we've been without a shred of information," the Mengistu family said.

Rally for Mengistu in Tel Aviv (Photo: Yuval Chen)

"Abera, we remember how, when this struggle to bring you back home first began, we were only a handful of people fighting to have you here with us. Today, look at what has happened, look how many people came here to remind everyone that you are alive, and that you need to be returned home.

"Abera, you are not alone. We're no longer alone. We want this all to be over, for us not to have to stand here, hold this megaphone... We want the public to come here next time to celebrate your return... Abera, we'll keep being here, keep shouting, keep reminding and fighting until you are here, until you return."

Mengistu's parents at the rally (Photo: Yuval Chen)

Mengistu's parents met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week during his visit to Israel and demanded to receive information about their son's fate, but still to no avail.

"My son has been in Gaza for three years. I don't understand why Hamas won't release Abera," his father told the crowd at the rally. "He went into Gaza without a weapon, without a knife. He crossed without realizing it because he was feeling unwell."

Abera Mengistu

He went on to lament the family's situation, saying "To anyone in this blessed country we wish to never have to face the situation we're in. Day turns into night, and night never ends. We can only see darkness and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Mengistu's mother also said she did not understand Hamas's motives. "Why is their heart made of stone? Why won't they tell us if he's alive or dead? Why are they keeping my son? What good would he be them?"
The University of California, Irvine put a group of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) activists on disciplinary probation for two academic years after they interrupted a speaking event with IDF reservists.

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The UC Irvine campus is considered one of the bastions of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement (BDS) in the US and previous pro-Israeli events held at the university have been met with violent interruptions.

In May, a delegation from the NGO Reservists on Duty arrived at the university to speak at an event organized by Students Supporting Israel (SSI) during the Anti-Zionism Week on campus.

SJP activists disrupting pro-Israeli event

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Some 40 activists from SJP disrupted a question-and-answer session for about half an hour, preventing students from talking to the Israeli reservists by shouting and swearing, with one of the activists spitting at a member of the Israeli delegation.

Some of them were wearing T-shirts with the writing "UC intifada" and chanted slogans advocating the destruction of Israel and violent resistance, including the slogans "Israel, Israel what do you say, how many kids have you killed today?" and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

Campus police arrived at the scene some 10 minutes after the pro-Palestinian activists left voluntarily and crowded in the hall outside the room. The police had to escort the delegation members outside due to concern for their safety.

The Reservists on Duty NGO filed a complaint with the campus administration, and the university asked the campus police to investigate the clashes at the event.

The Israeli delegation provided campus police with videos documenting the disruptive activists, and claimed they've suffered from swearing, spitting and humiliations from SJP activists throughout the entire week while protesting the "apartheid wall" erected on campus.

The decision by UC Irvine's ethics committee to sanction the pro-Palestinian activists is unprecedented. The students will be on a two-year probationary period ending June 16, 2019, during which they will be required to attend 12 mandatory meetings with the Dean of Students to discuss free speech. They are also required to consult with a representative of the deans office before hosting or co-hosting any campus event. Any violation of these sanctions could "result in suspension or a revocation of the organization's status," according to the UCI Office of Inclusive Excellence.

The SJP activists appealed the decision on Thursday. The appeal process is expected to take several weeks.

Amit Deri, the director of Reservists on Duty, said Sunday, "We welcome the university's decision. SJP have crossed the legitimate line and have become an anti-Semitic body that spreads terrible lies and rains terror on Jewish and pro-Israeli students."
By Shweta Keshri: Colors' popular stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 8 was full of surprises this weekend. The show continued topping the rating charts with 7.2 million impressions this week. This week, apart from high-octane stunts, even the contestants surprised the viewers with their daredevilry and endurance.

Here are the highlights of the show:

Nia Sharma, MAnveer Gurjar and Monica Dogra in a still from the show.

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Last week, we informed you about Nia Sharma's eviction. Looks like, the show doesn't want to part with the actress, as she is back on the show for the third time. Three evicted contestants - Manveer Gurjar, Monica Dogra and Nia Sharma competed in the wild card task, which took place in a morgue. Nia completed the task in the shortest time, followed by Monica and then Manveer. Nia along with Monica made a comeback on the show.

Geeta Phogat during the elimination task.

Rohit Shetty has pegged the week as the torture week, as the stunts would become more torturous for the contestants. Tasks like the chair in pain, garbage task and the beehive task must have terrorised the contestants and will keep them haunting for days.

Ravi and Karan making fun of Rithvik in a still from the show.

It goes without saying that Ravi's mimicry is class apart and that has been a big revelation on the show. Ravi left everybody in splits with Karan Wahi's mimicry. Ravi, Karan and Rithvik Dhanjani are good friends but never cease to make fun of each other and that is what makes the episodes more entertaining.

Lopamudra trying to open Karan's lock in the honeybee task.

Karan Wahi - Lopamudra Raut and Geeta Phogta - Monica Dogra had to perform this stunt in teams, where one of the contestant had to be tied with around 6000 honeybees on them while the other had to find the keys. Geeta got stung by the bees and couldn't complete the task while Lopmudra and Karan completed the task. This must have been one stinging task, as both Geeta and Lopa got stung by bees.

Geeta Phogat was eliminated this week. Geeta Phogat was eliminated this week.

This week Geeta and Monica were in danger zone and had to perform the elimination task. The two girls were locked in a box of ice and water and had to pedal the water out of the box. Monica pedaled for 5.23 minutes while Geeta did it for 4.10 minutes. Interestingly, Geeta and Monica had been pitted against each other in elimination task before, where Monica had lost and was evicted. The original Dangal girl will surely be missed by the contestants as well as the viewers.

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Also read: Khatron Ke Khiladi highlights: Karan Wahi faints; Nia Sharma gets evicted

--- ENDS ---
A suspicious envelope was received at the French Consulate in Haifa on Monday.

The envelope, which was sent from France, contained teabags and goji berry seed.

Later, consulate staff complained of burning eyes, leading to suspicions the source of the burning was in the envelope.

The consulate area was closed off while the Fire Department was on the scene to examine the envelope.
The legal aid organization Honenu submitted a relatively unusual request a few days ago to IDF Central Command Chief, Maj. Gen. Roni Numa, seeking to demolish the balcony of a Palestinian home in Hebron, from which stones were supposedly thrown at Jewish worshipers.

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About a month ago, on Friday evening, when several Jewish worshipers returned from the Cave of the Patriarchs to Kiryat Arba, stones were thrown at them from the balcony of one of the houses where a Palestinian lives.

The balcony in Hebron (Photo: Honenu)

As a result of the stone-throwing, a 16-year-old boy's eye was injured, requiring medical treatment and his hospitalization for several days.

At the end of the event, the worshipers were rescued by IDF forces.

Following the incident, attorney Haim Bleicher of the Zionist legal aid organization Honenu sent a precedent-setting demand to Numa to destroy the balcony, which he claims was built illegally.

"In 2012, I appealed to the Hebron Brigade commander against the construction of the said balcony," wrote Bleicher, who added that the balcony was built despite the Hebron Agreement, which stipulates that a special construction permit is required to build at a height of over 6 in a building that oversees a street junction.

Bleicher added that "the balcony oversees the junction at a strategic point where people travel from the direction of the Cave (of the Patriarchs) towards Kiryat Arba. The security risk posed by the balcony is obvious.

"On August 12, an Arab crowd gathered on nearby roofs and on the balcony and stoned groups of Jews who had returned from praying in the Cave of the Patriarchs. The destruction of the balcony will be an appropriate response to the event and will reduce the risk posed by it."

Since the letter was sent, the organization has yet to receive a response.
Canada's largest private union, Unifor National, passed on Sunday a motion to join the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction movement (BDS), which looks to exert economic, academic and cultural pressure on Israel over the occupation and its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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The union, which has 310,000 members, wrote that sectors of Israels economy and society profit from the ongoing occupation of the OPT (occupied Palestinian territoriesed), adding that Unifor will support such a form of BDS until such time as Israel implements a permanent ban on further settlement construction in the OPT, and enters into good faith negotiations with representatives of the Palestinian people for the purpose of establishing a viable, contiguous and truly sovereign Palestinian state.





Protestors at a BDS support rally (Photo: ciitzenside.com

Friends of Simon Weisenthal Center for Holocaust Studies President Avi Benlolo voiced his criticism of the decision, saying that Unifor has proven that it supports an anti-Semitic movement of which no Canadian or member of Unifor will stand to profit.

Photo: AP

Members of the Canadian Jewish community also rejected the decision, stating that joining the BDS movement first and foremost hurts Palestinian workers.

Israel's Strategic Affairs Ministry came out againt the Unifor move, saying that at best, the decision reflects ignorance in regard to the conflict. and at it worst, it reflects blatant anti-Semitism.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says North Korea's actions show that its leader, Kim Jong Un, is "begging for war," and the time has come for the Security Council to adopt the strongest diplomatic measures.

Haley told an emergency session of the Security Council on Monday that "Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited."

The emergency session comes after North Korea detonated what it called a hydrogen bomb on Sunday. It also comes less than a week after the council strongly condemned the North's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Other Security Council members, including Japan and France, are calling for further sanctions. The council already imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on North Korea last month.
Turkish officials have denounced German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz, her main opponent in this month's general election, for their anti-Turkish rhetoric during a televised debate.

Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for the Turkish presidency, said in a tweet Monday that Merkel and her Social Democratic Party rival were seeking to divert attention from urgent issues in their country and in Europe, such as a surge in discrimination and racism.

In Sunday's debate, Schulz said he would seek to end long-running but currently stalled talks on Turkey joining the EU over what he perceived to be Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian policies.

Merkel, who has previously expressed doubts about Turkey ever joining the EU, refused to commit firmly to the same move, which would have to be agreed among EU members. But she sharply criticized Erdogan's rule, saying: "Turkey is departing from all democratic practices at breakneck speed."
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Monday military solutions cannot settle the Korean Peninsula issues and warned there was an "urgent need to maintain a cool head and refrain from any action that can escalate tensions."

"A comprehensive settlement to the nuclear and other issues plaguing the Korean peninsula can be arrived at solely through political diplomatic channels, including by leveraging the mediation efforts of the United Nations secretary-general," Nebenzia told the UN Security Council.
Following US warnings to North Korea of a "massive military response," South Korea fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site on Monday, a day after North Korea detonated its largest-ever nuclear test explosion.

South Korea's Defense Ministry also said Monday that North Korea appeared to be planning a future missile launch, possibly of an ICBM, to show off its claimed ability to target the United States with nuclear weapons, though it was unclear when this might happen.

The heated words from the United States and the military maneuvers in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Korea's rapid, as-yet unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike the United States. The most recent, and perhaps most dramatic, advance came Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong Un's government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the North's sixth nuclear test since 2006.
UN Security Council members called for further sanctions against North Korea on Monday after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North's persistent weapons programs.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan. Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

Speaking one after the other, diplomats from France, Britain, Italy and elsewhere reiterated demands for the regime to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs and urged further sanctions.

"Pyongyang poses a clear threat to international peace and security," said Sebastiano Cardi, the UN ambassador from Italy, which heads the North Korea sanctions compliance committee. He noted that North Korea is the only country to have tested a nuclear device in the 21st century.
The scam which allegedly involves several bureaucrats, politicians and officials of Srijan NGO is presently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

By Rohit Kumar Singh: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav will be kick starting a movement against multi-crore SRIJAN scam from Bhagalpur on September 10. The scam involving more than Rs 1000 crore was exposed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in August this year.

The scam which allegedly involves several bureaucrats, politicians and officials of Srijan NGO is presently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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The RJD has been asserting that this scam has links with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi along with other several top BJP leaders from Bihar. Lalu's party has been demanding resignation of Nitish and Sushil Modi on this issue.

It is notable, Tejashwi Yadav during the Janadesh Apmaan Yatra in August this year had gone to Bhagalpur to hold a public meeting against the SRIJAN scam but was prevented by the district administration in a midnight drama. Tejashwi, then had returned to Patna promising to come to Bhagalpur again to address a rally on this matter. The former deputy Chief Minister during the RJD's "Desh Bachao, Bhajpa Bhagao" asserted that he won't be sitting silent and would embark on "Srijan ke durjano ka visarjan yatra" to expose involvement of BJP leaders in this scam.

The proposed rally against Srijan scam would be held at Sabour block, where the headquarters of Srijan NGO is situated and from where the seeds of the scam were sown.

Though, after RJD raised their voice against the scam, Nitish hundred the probe to the CBI however Lalu and Tejashwi are claiming that the central investigating agency was indulging in a cover up to protect top BJP leaders from the state involved in the scam.

ALSO READ

Tejaswi is right, he was 15 when rail tender scam happened but 24 when he got associated with it

--- ENDS ---
Jakarta: A former Indonesian Constitutional Court judge was jailed for eight years on Monday for accepting bribes to influence court rulings, the state news agency Antara reported.

Patrialis Akbar, the second constitutional court judge to be convicted of corruption in three years, was also fined 300 million rupiah ($22,500). Akbar was accused of accepting $10,000 in bribes and causing losses to the state.

He denied wrongdoing but a lawyer representing him said he was not sure if Akbar would appeal against the sentence.

"The state did not suffer losses in this case," said the lawyer, Indra Sahnun Lubis, adding that the legal team would decide in a few days whether or not to appeal.

Corruption is widespread in Southeast Asia`s biggest economy and the judiciary is consistently perceived by the public to be among its most corrupt institutions, according to Transparency International.

The Constitutional Court, once regarded as a model of integrity, has been rocked by bribery scandals in recent years.

Its former chief justice was in 2014 jailed for life for accepting bribes and money laundering in connection with an election dispute. It was the heaviest sentence ever handed out for graft in Indonesia.

The Constitutional Court hears cases regarding election disputes and challenges to laws.
New Delhi: German luxury car manufacturer Audi on Monday launched petrol variant of its flagship SUV, Q7 in India with price starting at Rs 67.76 lakh.

The vehicle, Audi Q7 40 TFSI quattro is powered by a 2 litre petrol engine with 252 horse power, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds, Audi India said in a statement.

Audi India head Rahil Ansari said with the introduction of the Audi Q7 40 TFSI quattro, the company is now offering customers a line up of the SUV to choose from. This marks the debut of the segment leader SUV with a petrol engine.

"We have taken a strategic decision to increase our petrol mix and started off the process with the launch of the Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI in March this year. We do have some other surprises planned for this year," Ansari added.

The Audi Q7 40 TFSI quattro is equipped with features such as permanent all-wheel drive, virtual cockpit and along with the company's smartphone interface, the statement said.

It also has safety features such as tilt angle sensor for off-road and all-road modes, eight airbags including rear side airbags, auto park assist with 360 degrees surround view cameras and tyre pressure monitoring system, among others.
Mumbai: There were reports suggesting that Deepika Padukone was being considered for Shoojit Sircars October starring Varun Dhawan. But those were mere rumours.

The film which promises to be a slice-of-the-life love story will mark the debut of Banita Sandhu, a newcomer.

Varun took to Twitter to share a photograph with Banita.

Check it out here:

The movie will bring back Sircar's dream team which has Juhi Chaturvedi and co-producer Ronnie Lahiri on board after a super successful Vicky Donor and Piku.

Well, with such creative minds in the team, we are sure October will be a film rarely seen in Bollywood.
By PTI: Karachi, Sep 4 (PTI) A student of applied physics at Pakistans Karachi University, believed to be the mastermind of a failed attack on a Sindh lawmaker, killed one policeman and injured another before fleeing during a police raid here.

Abdul Karim Siddiqui is believed to be the mastermind of an assassination attempt on opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, on Saturday in Karachi.

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Siddiqui managed to escape from the scene after the failed attack on lawmaker but his associate was killed in the shootout that also left a police guard and a teenager dead.

Karachi police yesterday raided a house in the congested Gulzar-e-Hijri area but failed to nab Siddiqui, who managed to escape after opening fire on the policemen, killing one of them and injuring another.

Siddiqui is a student of applied physics at the Karachi University.

"In the shootout Karim was wounded but managed to get away in the cover of darkness as its a congested residential colony with narrow lanes and several exit points," SSP Malir Rao Anwar told the media.

"Karim is affiliated with the Ansar-ul-Sharia Pakistan militant outfit and is a dangerous militant who holds a commander rank," Anwar said.

The Ansar-ul-Sharia Pakistan has been blamed for majority of target killings of policemen and security officials in the last few months in Karachi.

"We are conducting raids across the city to nab the militant since the attack on Khawaja Izharul Hasan," he said.

Police have reportedly taken Siddiquis father, Sajjad, into their custody. They have also arrested Ansarul Sharia Karachi chapters spokesperson from the Defence area.

Meanwhile, Anwar claimed that policemen killed four militants of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat last night in Karachi.

"After the police encounter, four terrorists were found dead, including Tehreek-i-Taliban Swat leader Maulvi Fazlullahs cousin, Commander Khursheed who was involved in the killing of Army officials, the attack on Malala Yousafzai and a bomb attack on the Quaidabad police," he claimed. PTI CORR ZH

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New Delhi: Soon after taking charge of the Water Department of his government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday convened a meeting of senior officials of the DJB and sought a deadline by which problems faced by people related to water supply can be resolved.

Kejriwal replaced Rajendra Pal Gautam, who was allegedly being "bypassed" by top Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials in decision making.

"During the meeting, the chief minister asked for the current status of water supply in all colonies of Delhi.

"The DJB has been asked to furnish a report on timing of water supply in every colony, the duration of supply and problems faced by people, including water contamination," the Delhi government said in a statement.

The DJB officials have also been asked to come up with a deadline for resolution of those problems, it said.

The chief minister also directed that on the basis of current duty chart, vacant posts be filled up by promoting officers and vacancies at lower level on a contract basis, till regular appointments are done.

The DJB will make a presentation to Kejriwal on Friday on the sewage treatment plants (STPs) to be set-up in a decentralised manner in all colonies across the city, the statement said.

"He (Kejriwal) has asked the officers to look at the NDMC model of decentralised STPs which has resulted in lowering of rates and has been widely appreciated," it said.

The chief minister also asked for a specific deadline by which the DJB will be able to map out colonies, which do not get tap water and the deadline for laying pipelines there.

The DJB was also asked to procure sewer cleaning machines as soon as possible.

DJB officials said it is already in the process of procuring 200 small machines and eight large machines.
Delhi: National Green Tribunal issued show cause notices to Delhi government, East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) over Ghazipur landfill collapse.

"Why should compensation be not awarded to the family of victims who died due to sheer negligence of authorities," said NGT.

NGT asked why criminal proceedings cannot be initiated against the erring EDMC officials for death of two persons near landfill site.

At least two people were killed and five others injured when a portion of the massive Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi caved in on Friday afternoon. Due to the cave-in, a car and two two-wheelers fell into the Kondli canal which flows near the landfill site.

With PTI inputs
New Delhi: No outsiders will be allowed inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Friday when the students' union election is held, the varsity has announced.

Acting under the instruction of the administration, a top security official of the university has said that no outsiders would be allowed to enter the campus on polling day.

"During the election process the outsiders are not allowed to enter the campus. Security staff may ask anybody for identity card if required. This is as per the direction of the competent authority," said a letter issued by the Chief Security Officer on September 1.

"All campus residents are requested to carry their id cards and cooperate with security staff," it added.

The election will be held for the posts of President, Vice President, General Secretary and Joint Secretary and the results will be announced on September 11.

The JNU has imposed restrictions on outsiders' entering the campus since the incident on February 9 last year, when pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans were raised during a cultural meet.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Bombay High Court to decide on challenge to provisions of a real estate law which mandates builders to register their ongoing projects with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).

The bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, asked the other high courts where similar challenges to RERA were pending with them to await the outcome of the hearing by the Bombay High Court.

It gave the Bombay High Court two months` time to decide on the petition by real estate builder D.B. Reality and any similar matter pending before it.

The court order came on a petition by the central government seeking the transfer of 20 cases challenging the provisions of the 2016 law pending before various high courts to itself.

At the outset of the hearing, as Attorney General K.K. Venugopal addressed the court, Justice Mishra asked why not ask one of the high courts to gather all the petitions and decide on the matter instead of making every one to travel to Delhi.
New Delhi: The RBI has told a parliamentary panel that it has "no information" on how much black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation of Rs 500/1,000 notes or about unaccounted cash legitimised through exchange of currency post note ban.

Stating that an estimated Rs 15,280 crore in junked notes has come back "subject to future corrections based on verification process", the Reserve Bank also said it has "no information" whether demonetisation is being planned to be implemented at regular intervals.

The RBI has been facing flak from the opposition parties for demonetisation and delay in disclosing figures on the junked notes, even as the government has maintained that the November 8, 2016 decision to ban Rs 500/1,000 notes in circulation at that time has helped in curbing black money, among other benefits.

Last week in its annual report, the RBI finally made public the details of the junked notes that have come back into the system putting the figure at Rs 15,280 crore. The same figure has now been shared with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.

Replying to queries from the panel, the RBI said the verification for authenticity and numerical accuracy are still on, while some of the specified bank notes (old Rs 500/1,000 notes) which were accepted by banks and post offices are still lying in currency chests.

The central bank also informed the panel that the completion of the process of verification will take time in view of the large volume involved.

The process is "going on in full swing" with most RBI offices working in double shifts and with the help of high-end verification machines, the central bank said.

"Till such time, these notes are processed by the RBI, their numerical accuracy and authenticity, only in estimation of SBNs received back is possible. Subject to future correction, based on verification process when completed, the estimated value of SBNs received as on June 30 is Rs 15.28 trillion," the RBI said in its written reply to the panel.

To a query on how much amount of black money has been extinguished as a result of demonetisation, the central bank said, "The RBI has no information in this regard."

The RBI gave similar reply to another question on how much unaccounted money has been legitimised through exchange of junked currency.

The central bank did not give any direct reply on adverse impact on the informal and unorganised sector, as also about the GDP loss. The RBI said the deceleration in overall economic growth figures for 2016-17 had begun "much before demonetisation" due to weakness in industrial and services sector.

Last week, several members of the panel had sought redrafting of its draft report on demonetisation as the RBI at that time had not provided some crucial details including on the quantum of junked Rs 500/1,000 notes.

The acceptance of the report was deferred as member MPs across party lines including BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, SP MP Naresh Agrawal and BJP MP Nishikant had said that the panel's report on demonetisation needed to be "redrafted" while some of them stated that it "lacks punch".

In its annual report for 2016-17, the RBI had disclosed that all but about 1 per cent of the scrapped currency notes have come back into the system.

The government had on November 8, banned old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in an attempt to weed out black money in the country. The old notes were allowed to be deposited in banks, with unusual deposits coming under income tax scrutiny.

The government replaced old Rs 500 notes with new ones, but no replacement for Rs 1,000 notes has been made. Instead, a new Rs 2,000 note was introduced post note ban.
New Delhi: RBI former governor Raghuram Rajan had cautioned the government against cost of demonetisation and suggested that there were better alternatives to achieve the main goals of note ban.

In his book titled 'I Do What I Do: On Reforms Rhetoric and Resolve', Rajan, who was the governor between 2013 and 2016, had also warned of what would happen if the preparations for demonetisation were inadequate.

"I was asked by the government in February 2016 for my views on demonetisation, which I gave orally. Although there might be long-term benefits, I felt the likely short-term economic costs would outweigh them and there were potentially better alternatives to achieve the main goals. I made these views known in uncertain terms," Rajan wrote.

He added that he had handed over a note to the government outlining the potential cost and benefits of demonetisation as well as alternatives to achieve similar aims.

He further said: "If the government, on weighing the pros and cons, still decided to go ahead with demonetisation, the note outlined the preparation that would be needed and the time that the preparation would take. The RBI flagged what would happen if preparation was inadequate."

The government then set up a committee to consider the issues, Rajan said, adding that "the deputy governor in charge of currency attended these meetings and at no point during my term was the RBI asked to make a decision on demonetisation".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 last year had announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.

Rajan's revelations of demonetisation assume significance as RBI last month announced that as much as 99 per cent of the junked Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes have returned to the banking system.

The RBI former governor, currently professor of finance at the University of Chicago, also pointed out that his only public commentary on the talk of invalidating high-value currency was in response to a question in August 2014 at the Lalit Doshi Memorial Lecture.
New Delhi: The discourse on climate change and global warming has taken over a larger domain in the last few years and its rapidly growing effects have raised questions on Earth's habitability in the future.

With 2016 being declared the hottest year and 2017 not very far from breaking that record, the dangers of global warming on the world loom larger than ever.

The massive Antarctic region serves as a measuring unit when it comes to climate change. Because of its recent resistance to the effects of warming, the region has been under constant monitoring to check for any changes  increase or decrease  in the percentage of ice.

The shallow waters on the West Antarctic Peninsula are reflecting the effects of warming and as per reports, an increase of just 1-2 degrees Celsius in temperature has radically reduced marine diversity.

Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre placed heating panels at the bottom of the seabed in order to measure what effect it would have on local marine species.

Although the temperature only warmed the water a few millimetres above the panels, the increase was enough to have "massive impacts on a marine assemblage", the study said.

Marine biologist Jonny Stark from the Australian Antarctic Division told Xinhua news agency here that the results of the study were "very surprising".

"It goes against a lot of what we understand about how animals respond to changes in temperature, particularly in Antarctica," Stark said.

"The fact that a couple of species had a big increase in their growth rate was quite unusual at only one degree above what it would usually be at that time of year."

Over the course of the nine-month study, the research highlighted that very little is known about what impact climate change will have on the balance of sea life in certain parts of the world.

In an area like Australia, differences in ocean temperatures are likely to change around 10-20 degrees throughout the year, however, species in Antarctica have evolved in an environment where there is very little variation in temperature.

"It's certainly a concern, I don't think anyone was expecting to see such an increase with only one degree change in temperature," Stark said.

As other marine animals decreased, two particular species began to thrive.

A marine worm known by its scientific name Romanchella perrieri and Fenestrulina rugula, a small invertebrate, both grew by around 70 percent in the area.

(With IANS inputs)
New Delhi: Extending its FX-format DSLR camera range, imaging technology major Nikon India on Monday launched Nikon D850, which comes with a 45.7 MP BSI CMOS sensor.



Priced at Rs 2,54,950 for the body only and Rs 2,99,950 for D850 with "AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR" lens, it is Nikon`s first DSLR to incorporate a BSI CMOS sensor, which captures light more efficiently, resulting in a wider dynamic range and low-noise image capture.



The camera provides 9 fps continuous shooting mode backed by "EXPEED 5" image-processing engine.



"The D850 is a combination of remarkable advancements and we are confident that this camera will transform the photography experience in India and across the globe," Kazuo Ninomiya, Managing Director, Nikon India, told reporters here.



The product will be available from September 7, marking the company`s hundredth year of global presence.



The device renders a dynamic range of native sensitivities from ISO 64 to 25,600 which is further expandable from "Lo 1 (ISO 32)" to "Hi 2 (ISO 102400)" and provides auto exposure (AE) shooting in low-light and a variety of situations.



D850 packs full-frame 4K UHD video capabilities, 4x and 5x slow-motion videos in Full HD and 8K time-lapse movie production using interval timer photography.



"The Nikon D850 is the hero camera. We feel that the product will indeed be a game changer in the industry as it has been built to capture timeless images with enhanced flexibility," said Takami Tsuchida, Sector Manager, Marketing Sector, Imaging Business Unit, Nikon Corporation.



The camera allows movies to be recorded in both FX-based and DX-based movie formats and the option to further make use of wide-angle and fisheye lenses.



Equipped with a 3.2-inch touch-screen LCD monitor and button illumination, the camera also allows RAW batch processing, exposure metering range expansion and a peaking function that enables accurate manual focusing.



The device provides "WT-7/A/B/C" Wireless Transmitter support, available separately, which serves for convenient transfer of image and movie files to a computer or FTP server.



Nikon India recently completed 10 years of presence in India marking a turnover of Rs 1,100 crore in financial year 2016 and is aiming for a 5-10 per cent increase next year.




Ahmedabad: Just months before Gujarat goes to polls, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday kickstarted the assembly election campaign here where he held dialogues with party workers of 180 assemblies of the state.

Rahul, while addressing the party workers here, raised the issues of pitiable conditions of farmers, rising unemployment and corruption.

"Gujarat can show the path to the entire country. The strength of Gujarat lies in small businesses here, however, it is an irony that they do not receive any help from the government here," Rahul said, during his address in Ahmedabad.

"I want to say this to every tribal of Gujarat that we will fulfill the promise of your land and your rights," he said.

Raking up the demonetisation issue, Rahul said, "Raghuram Rajan had told the government that there will be no benefit from the ban on taboos and that there will be tremendous loss, But our PM likes to talk about the mind and do not listen."

Accusing the Union Government of capitalism, Rahul said "Gujarats's farmers are under the debt of Rs. 36,000 crore. While Modi has given Tata Rs. 36,000 crore as bank loan and Rs. 60,000 crore in total for their Nano project, which is twice the debt of Gujarat's farmers. But has anyone seen a Nano on the roads of Gujarat? So, it is all about the priorities."

"There is a section of people who want to write against PM Modi. However, but it is the time of 'dictatorship', so they are suppressed and meek under his rule," he added further in a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He even called the media 'angrezon ke zamaane ki media' (belonging to yesteryear), in a reference to Bollywood movie 'Sholay's jailor.

"This time Congress will form government in Gujarat and no one can stop us. The people have seen through emptiness of Gujarat model," he said.

He further said that whoever fights against the BJP or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the ground will be presented with an election ticket.

Talking about the party's ticket distribution strategy, he said "It is the fight of ideologies. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) works on the ideology of benefitting the corporate, whereas the Congress works for the welfare of the farmers, the poor and the weak. Anyone who works against this ideology will not be given space in the party."

In view of the recent setback to the party during the Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat, when at least 14 MLAs resigned from the Congress whereas eight of them cross-voted for BJP against the party's nominee Ahmed Patel, the opposition party is trying to ensure its flock remains together.
Xiamen: In a major diplomatic win for India, a joint declaration adopted by the BRICS member states on Monday unanimously condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

''We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification'', the BRICS Xiamen Declaration said.

''We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, al Qaeda and its affiliates including the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir'', the Xiamen Declaration further said.

Shifting focus to North Korea, the BRICS leaders said, ''We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).''

In a bid to tackle terrorism, the BRICS leaders also called on the UN General Assembly to take urgent steps aimed at preventing the financing of various terrorist outfits across the globe.

'We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by UNGA'', the BRICS Declaration added.

The move is significant as it is for the first time that there has been a specific listing of terrorists outfits at the BRICS Summit, according to Preeti Saran, MEA Secretary (East).

Leaders called on states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and stern action against those from their territories, Saran added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier emphasized the need for cooperation among the BRICS member nations for peace and development.

"Cooperation is important for peace and development. A strong BRICS partnership on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the SDGs (sustainable development goals)," Modi said while speaking at the plenary session of the bloc's three-day summit here.

He started his address by thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm reception and excellent organisation of the 9th edition of the annual summit.

The Prime Minister stressed for accelerating track of cooperation in smart cities, urbanisation and disaster management - continuing dialogue at Goa in India and said that "we are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty, to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education".

He said that the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa - can work closely with ISA (International Solar Alliance) to strengthen the solar energy agenda and that affordable, reliable and sustainable access to energy is crucial for development of our nations.

"Renewable energy is particularly important," Modi added.

Appreciating a boost in ''people-to-people exchanges'', Modi stated that such inter-mingling would consolidate their links and deepen their understanding.

He said that BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation, contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty.

The Prime Minister welcomed cooperation for capacity building between BRICS and African countries in area of skills, health, infra, manufacturing and connectivity.

He also asked to grab the youths in mainstream in the joint initiatives, scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices.

Modi arrived in Xiamen on Sunday for the summit.

With Agency inputs
By PTI: break-up: Police

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) A man, who had allegedly shot himself dead after shooting at his woman friend, was upset as she had broken up with him, the police said.

The incident was reported yesterday from northwest Delhis Mukherjee Nagar.

Sonu Kumar, in his late 20s, allegedly committed suicide after shooting at the woman.

advertisement

Kumar had died, while the woman was undergoing treatment. Her condition was stable.

The woman, who has a nine-year-old son, was in a relationship with Kumar for the last few years. She wanted to end the relationship but he was opposed to it.

The deceased was a resident of Rohini, while the woman lives in Burari.

Police were yet to record the statement of the woman. PTI SLB SMN

--- ENDS ---
Xiamen: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday raised the issue of poverty, peace and gender equality but skipped speaking on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

Addressing the plenary session of 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China, PM Modi thanked President Xi for a warm reception and excellent organisation of the summit

"We are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty; to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education," PM Modi said at the opening ceremony of the bloc's 9th summit here. He also apprised countries about the Clean India (Swachh Bharat) drive and its contribution towards development of the country. Appreciating a boost in people-to-people exchanges, Modi stated that such inter-mingling would consolidate their links and deepen their understanding.

Thanking BRICS Bank for disbursing funds for the growth of the BRICS nations, PM said, NDB has started disbursing loans in pursuit to mobilize sources of infrastructure and sustainable development in BRICS countries.Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF, the Prime Minister added.

Speaking on International Solar Alliance (ISA), PM Modi asserted that BRICS countries can work closely with ISA to strengthen the solar energy agenda. He also showered praise on the young generation of India, terming them the strength of nation.

Earlier in the day, Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced 500 million yuan (about $76 million) for economic and technological cooperation and exchanges among BRICS countries.

"I wish to announce here that China will launch the economic and technical cooperation plan for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries with 500 million yuan for the first term to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation and in the economic and trade field," Chinese President Xi Jinping had said.

"China will contribute $4 million to the NDB project preparation facility to support the business operation on a long term development of the bank," Xi had added.

Yesterday, speaking during the BRICS Business Forum, the Chinese President had talked about adopting a holistic approach of terrorism that includes addressing symptoms and root causes but avoided naming Pakistan, which hinted that he wanted Modi to not raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism at the BRICS Summit.

Meanwhile, there is an uncertainty over Prime Minister Modi's one-on-one meeting with the Chinese President as his schedule includes the plenary session wherein the leaders of the five BRICS countries speak, to be followed by bilateral meetings with the Russian and the Brazilian presidents.

Apart from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, China had invited Egypt, Kenya, Tajikistan, Mexico, and Thailand as special guests for the BRICS summit.
New Delhi: The cabinet reshuffle and expansion had lots of surprises. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah tried to maintain delicate balance between rewarding performance and pleasing RSS.

Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO, ZMCL decodes the mystery of cabinet reshuffle and brings forth parameters taken into consideration during the reshuffle.

Q. What were the parameters of cabinet expansion and reshuffle?

JC: Prime Narendra Modi has a distinct style. He has left for China leaving behind people insuspense, thrill and emotion after such an elaborate expansion. As long as parameters are concerned, the biggest parameters are delivery, performance and loyalty. The reshuffle and expansion have taken place on the basis of these three parameters.

Q. What is the impact of Amit Shah factor in this reshuffle?

JC: Amit Shah factor is a phenomenon. There is a culture in BJP and those who know say that at least 80 per cent appointments, postings and transfers have taken place on recommendations and opinion of Amit Shah.

Q. What was the role of RSS eventually in the reshuffle?

C: RSS is an eternal fact of BJP. Amit Shah and Narendra Modi had discussed it in entirety. He believe apart from the issue of Uma Bharti and Nitin Gadkari, whom RSS wanted to give Defence ministry ... there was no dispute or any difference in opinion was visible... then it can be ascertained that RSS had a complete role. The decision was taken by Amit Shah and Narendra Modi in consonance with RSS.

Q. Why JDU was not included in cabinet and is Modi-Nitin ally on the verge of break up?

JC: It is learnt that there was no consensus between them in terms of seat distribution. NitishKumar wanted two posts of cabinet ministers but Narendra Modi and Amit Shah wanted to give one each cabinet minister and minister of state which could be decided between them. Amit Shah and Narendra Modi feared that had two cabinet ranks been given to JDU, Shiv Sena and AIADMK would also make similar demands.

Q. Why AIADMK didn't join the cabinet, was there no consensus between Shah and AIADMK leaders?

JC: Story of AIADMK is different. There are two camps in the party... both the camps have joined hands broadly... after the death of Jayalalitha the scale of economic empire these people have, Income Tax is keeping a tight vigil... these people know their fate and broadly they also want to join hands with central government. Then consensus is clear.. but there is an issue that consensus is not there between camps of AIADMK. Onecamp with 21 MLAs has broken away and there is a risk that it can put up claim for chief minister. In that case Narendra Modi and Amit Shah would not like to take any risk.

Q. Will there be another cabinet expansion to accommodate associates like JDU-AIADMK or is it the closure of chapter till 2019?

JC: I think there will be fourth reshuffle. There are speculations that the expansion would take place on 17 September in which JDU-AIADMK would be accommodated and decision on elevation of Shiv Sena will also be taken. The chapter hasn't closed yet.

Q. Will few CMs of BJP-ruled states be removed and be accommodated in the September 17 reshuffle?

JC: There is dispute whether the reshuffle will happen in September 17 or October 17. As far as CMs are concerned, it is learnt that few ministers of states may be inducted in the cabinet. Yes there is no denying that one or two ministers may leave state politics to get a taste of central politics.

Q. Why Gadkari doesn't want to take charge of Railways?

JC: Nitin Gadkari is a visionary leader. She works in his own style. He thought there is nuisance everyday in rail ministry, people keep on asking for resignations on morale grounds inspire of the fact that there would ever no responsibility of his in any of those incidents. In today's expansion, he has been given a new ministry - Ganga rejuvenation which he likes.

. Will Piyush Goyal succeed in Railways which always remains in disputes?

JC: Piyush Goyal has done wonders in power and coal reforms. As a result oriented Minister he will rejuvenate the rail ministry.

Q. Why Suresh Prabhu got commerce and industry ministry despite having failed in Railways?

JC: Giving Railways to Suresh Prabhu was a brace decision of Narendra Modi ... and Prabhu isan honest and result oriented leader. Modi was happy with his performance, hence he gave one more chance to Prabhu.

Q. In the entire episode of cabinet reshuffle ultimately who emerged as real beneficiary hero?

JC: in this entire episode, Dharmendra Pradhan emerged as Hero No.1. The way he converted petroleum ministry from corporate ministry to ministry of poor, implemented Ujjwala Scheme, he got promotion at such a young age and with promotion he remained in the same department. Overall Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are satisfied with this reshuffle. They take their decision based on merit.

Q. Why Arun Jaitley was not relieved from Finance ministry despite pressure from RSS?

JC: Arun Jaitley is the biggest mystery of Modi government. He is extremely competent, result oriented and efficient person. When he argues then you have no choice but to agree to his arguments. PM also has agree to his logics. There was pressure from RSS to take finance ministry away from Jaitley.... policies of finance ministry whether it was demonetisation or GST, it is believed that traders and businessmen who are vote bank of BJP are getting away from the party. There were efforts to remove him from ministry last year also but PM used his veto to protect him. If Jaitley is removed at this juncture, a wrong message would be communicated to international community... that our decision on demonetisation and GST was wrong... and this will damage the image of government. That's why PM used his veto and convinced RSS.

Q. Why retired bureaucrats were given preference over politicians in the cabinet?

JC: This is surprising. Today 4 retired bureaucrats were taken inducted in the cabinet. He musthave thought that professionals should be brought in. Modi is known for doing experiments. He has done new experiment with Puri. Singh has been given power ministry while Alphons of Kerala has been given Tourism. This is a surprise element from the government.

Q. Was there any political message?

JC: There is a political message in every step of Modi. The message of reshuffle is ... I am in Command. That's why people believe that in Modi's rule the democracy in India has turned into presidential form of government. This is the biggest message from this expansion.

Q.Is there any role of Anand Pal factor behind making Gajendra Singh Shekhawat a minister from Rajasthan?

JC: There is only one factor in Rajasthan... that is Vasundhara Rajefactor.... whatever happensin the state is in consultation with her ... as per her equation. That's why if Shekhawat has been made minister, it is after consultation with her. This is mere coincidence that CM andShekhawat- both belong to Rajput community. Anand Pal Singh was a gangster killed in an encounter. Despite that there was sympathy for him in Rajput community... Amit Shah might have taken feedback from RSS and Shekhawat is known to be close to RSS. It is possible that he has been made elections keeping in mind elections scheduled in next year. But it is not fair to say that Shekhawat got ministerial berth due to Anand Pal factor.
Xiamen: Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the 9th annual BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit on Monday amid the rising threat of North Koreas nuclear bomb provocation.

North Korea, on Sunday, claimed to test the most power nuclear hydrogen-bomb with "unprecedentedly big power" that can be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile. The explosion created a magnitude-6.3 tremor.

Apart from North Korea, Sino-India ties is also likely to cast a shadow at the summit, said experts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached China on Sunday evening, is expected to hold bilateral talks with the Chinese president on the sidelines. The two countries recently ended their 73-day-old border military stand-off in Doklam or Doka-la.

With United States President Donal Trump calling out on Pakistan for providing support to extremists, India is likely to press for strict measures against terrorism in the region.

China may, however, forestall this.

On Sunday, Jinping asked PM Modi to adopt a "holistic" approach that includes addressing 'symptoms and root causes'.

The three-day summit will focus on global economic partnership and development and peace talks.
Houston: A 25-year-old Indian student died in Houston, after nearly drowning in a swollen lake where Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc.

Shalini Singh was rescued along with another Indian man, Nikil Bhatia, from a swollen lake in the US state of Texas.

The duo had gone for a swim in Lake Bryan on August 26, and nearly drowned. They were later rescued and brought to a local hospital in critical condition.

Singh continued to be on life support until intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

Jaipur-based Bhatia succumbed to his injuries on August 30.

Delhi-based Singh, who arrived in United States last month, was pursuing a Masters degree in public health from the Texas A&M University, while Nikhil Bhatia was a graduate research assistant in the same varsity.

Singh's family  her brother and maternal uncle  who flew in from New Delhi on August 30, were with her at the time of death, reported PTI.

She will be cremated in Bryan on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, said sources in the Indian consulate.

Eyewitness accounts say a sudden gush of water pushed the duo deeper. Police officers nearby were immediately alerted, who then rescued the duo.

It wasn't immediately clear why they were swimming during severe weather.

Nearly 13 million people in Texas have been affected by the deadly Hurricane Harvey that has claimed over 50 lives so far.

According to local community leaders, at least 150,000 Indian-Americans live in and around Houston area and have been badly hit by the hurricane.

With PTI inputs
New Delhi: Strongly condemning North Korea's latest nuclear test, India on Sunday asked the reclusive nation to refrain from actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.



A statement released from the External Affairas Ministry expressed concern over the nuclear test and said that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has once again acted in violation of its international commitments.

"It is a matter of deep concern that DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) has once again acted in violation of its international commitments which goes against the objective of the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula, which has been endorsed by DPRK itself," leading portal NDTV quoted the statement.

"India also remains concerned about the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies which has adversely impacted India's national security."

Before India, China had also strongly deplored North Korea for conducting nuclear test and slammed Pyongyang for ignoring international condemnation of its atomic weapons programme.

Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation at the nuclear test by the DPRK, The Global Times reported.

" North Korea has ignored the international community's widespread opposition, again carrying out a nuclear test. China's government expresses resolute opposition and strong condemnation toward this", the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

Earlier on Sunday, North Korea announced that it has successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb that is meant to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The news reader of the North Korean Central Television said North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un ordered the test and termed it a "perfect success". A quake was felt in northern China, with emergency sirens blaring in Yanji, near the North Korean border, according to local media.

(With inputs from agencies)
Xiamen (China): In a strongly-worded declaration, BRICS nations on Monday condemned the violence perpetrated by terrorist groups, including those based in Pakistan, saying that there can be no justification for any act of terror.

Here are 10 highlights from the BRICS Xiamen Declaration:

1. BRICS calls on all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach to combat terror, including countering radicalisation and blocking terror financing.

2. Condemns terror in all its manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stresses there can be no justification for any act of terror.

3. Expresses serious concerns over violence caused by Taliban, IS, Al-Qaida and its affiliates, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

4. Reaffirms that those responsible for committing, organizing, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.

5. The grouping to actively participate in efforts to implement and improve international standards to combat money laundering and terror financing.

6. Stresses the necessity to develop international cooperation, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

7. Calls upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach to combat radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists, supply of weapons.

8. Calls on the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition.

9. Deepening common understanding on global governance, counter-terrorism, major international and regional hotspots, national security and development.

10. Expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations General Assembly.
New Delhi: In a tragic turn of events, 12 people were left injured after a lift in Wazirganj District Court collapsed on Monday. As per the reports, the ambulance were called immediately and the injured were rushed to nearby hospital.

Lucknow: Lift in District Court Wazirganj collapsed, injuring more than 12. pic.twitter.com/8toeCs9Ond  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 4, 2017

More details awaited.
New Delhi: In yet another shocking incident, an 11-year old girl was allegedly gang-raped at gunpoint in front of her mother and teenage brother at her residence in Gwalior.

As per the reports of PTI, the incident that took place in the wee hours of Wednesday. Police said that three men have been arrested in connection with the case.

Talking to the news agency, Gwalior's Bijoli Police Station in-charge Raghuvir Meena said,"The girl was at home with her mother and brother when three men stormed into their house around 1 am on Wednesday. While two accused threatened to shoot her mother and 14-year-old brother, the third one raped the girl."



The accused who sexually assaulted the girl was identified as Jhanwar Singh Kushwaha (36), while the two others who helped him in the crime were Raju Kushwaha (25) and Ramniwas Kushwah (24).



The accused were booked under sections of IPC, including 376 D (gang rape), 450 (house-trespass in order to commit offence) 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

"The trio was arrested last night and further investigations are underway," Raghuvir Meena added.

(With inputs from PTI)
Xiamen (China): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here to attend the 9th BRICS Summit, will hold his first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday after the Doklam standoff, which had strained ties between the two countries.

The meeting will take place at 10 am and during which the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to create confidence building measures.

Indian officials accompanying Modi are, however, tight lipped about the issues to be discussed in the meting.

Last week, both sides had agreed to end their bitterness caused by the 73- day face-off between the Chinese and Indian troops.

The meeting with Xi will be the prime minister's last official engagement before he fly off to Myanmar on a state visit. Modi had arrived in Xiamen on Sunday.

In a big boost to India's fight against terrorism, BRICS nations on Monday blamed Pakistan-based LeT and JeM, among others, for terror activities in the region.

We condemn terror in all its manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever. There can be no justification for any act of terror, the four-nation group said in a strongly-worded summit declaration.

BRICS, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, said those responsible for committing, organizing and supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.

It called on the international community to adopt a comprehensive approach to combat radicalisation, recruitment and movement of terrorists and supply of weapons.

Asked if there was any link between the BRICS declaration, which for the first time named Pakistan-based terror groups, and Dokalam resolution, Secretary (East) in the MEA Preeti Saran said in the negative. "It cannot be linked," PTI quoted her as saying.

Referring to the Modi-Xi meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media that "details will released in due course".

Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, which is among the five counties -- Mexico, Guinea, Thailand and Tajikistan -- invited by China as part of 'BRICS Plus' outreach exercise.
New Delhi: Industrialist Naveen Jindal and others were on Monday granted bail by a special court in a case related to the allocation of a coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar granted the relief to them on a personal bond of Rs one lakh each and one surety of like amount.

The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on October 31.

Besides Jindal, others who got the relief include Jindal Steel and Power Ltd's (JSPL) former Director Sushil Maroo, former Deputy MD Anand Goyal and CEO Vikrant Gujral.

The accused were summoned for alleged offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

In its charge sheet, the CBI has alleged that JSPL misrepresented the equipment purchase orders and misled the Coal Ministry.

Jindal is also facing trial in a case pertaining to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.
MP Shobha Karandlaje told India Today that they want the state government to ban the Social Democratic Party of India and transfer murder cases of RSS workers to NIA.

By Nolan Pinto: Striking a defiant position on the 'Mangaluru Chalo' bike rally that will begin on September 5 from various districts across the state, MP Shobha Karandlaje said that since the BJP wants to expose the anti-Hindu policies of Siddaramaiah, the Congress party is worried.

A BJP delegation led by Jagadish Shettar, leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly along with R Ashok and KS Eshwarappa, LoP in the Council today met the new Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy and appealed to him not to prevent the Morcha from going ahead with the bike rally.

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The BJP Yuva Morcha, which has planned the mega event, claims the protest rally on 15,000 bikes will witness the participation of over 30,000 youth. The state is now on high alert to avoid any communal clashes.

BJP delegation meets new state Home minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Karandlaje told India Today that they want the state government to ban the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), transfer murder cases of RSS workers to the NIA and also demand the resignation of minister Ramanath Rai. The Morcha alleges Rai is responsible for all the illegalities in Mangaluru.

BJP Yuva Morcha workers will proceed from Bengaluru and Hubballi to Mangaluru on September 5 while those from Haveri and Mysuru will leave on September 6. The Yuva Morcha workers from Udupi and Mangaluru will join them on September 7 at Mangaluru city for the massive protest.

Sources in the BJP told India Today that even though party workers had applied for police permission in the jurisdictional stations, they have not yet received the same. This, they claim, is nothing short of the CM imposing an undeclared emergency in the state.

All senior leaders of the party will be present on September 7 in Mangaluru and will be led by state president and former CM BS Yeddyurappa. "We are doing this bike rally in a peaceful and democratic way and hence request the Home Minister to allow us to do this," said Karandlaje.

ALSO READ |

Mangaluru: Two arrested for murder of RSS worker

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi: Janata Dal-United supremo Sharad Yadav believes that the newly-appointed members of the Cabinet need to fulfill the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 electoral campaign.

"This is the third reshuffle in 3 years. We don't bother about who has come in and who has gone out. All the promises they made in 2014 are hanging upside down," he said while talking to ANI.

He added that the newly appointed Cabinet will be judged only on their performances.

Yadav said, "The cabinet can have end number of people but we judge the cabinet on its performance. We'll examine if the newly appointed ministers are able to fulfill the promises they made."

Speaking on Congress leader Manish Tiwari's comment on the newly-appointed members being a "senior citizens' club," Yadav said that age does not determine the efficiency of the members.

"Age is not a problem. The main aim is to fulfill the promises you've made," he said.

The third reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, being termed the last one before the General Elections of 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday promoted sincere and hardworking ministers, inducted new faces with potential and talent to work and silently dumped all those who proved to be the non performing and could not come up to the level of the Prime Minister's expectation.

The cabinet reshuffle has been guided by the "4P" principle: "passion, proficiency, professional and political acumen", aimed at delivering on Modi's vision of "New India" by 2022, the 75th anniversary of India's independence-an idea he had first flagged in March in an address to party workers at the BJP's headquarters in Delhi.

In two of the nine major changes in the Cabinet, Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been given the charge of Railway Ministry, while Nirmala Sitharaman has been assigned the charge of the Defence Ministry, becoming only the second woman to hold the post since late Indira Gandhi.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday blamed the media for blowing Janata Dal (United)'s (JD(U)) non-inclusion in the reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, out of proportion.

Speaking at a press conference here, Nitish said, "During the reshuffle of the Cabinet, I was furious because the JD(U) was all over and was making headlines. My party's name has been dragged without any reason under all false charges. Also, the expansion of the Union Cabinet along with the NDA Government in Bihar is doing a good job. There was no need of it."

The Chief Minister categorically stated that his party was neither expecting nor planning to discuss the expansion of the Cabinet.

"We never thought of getting a share in the central Cabinet and were not looking forward to it," he added.

Yesterday, the third reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw the promotion of several ministers, and the induction of new faces.

There are 49 parties currently under the NDA umbrella, out of which none found a berth in the Cabinet expansion.

In two of the nine major changes in the Cabinet, Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been given the charge of Railway Ministry, while Nirmala Sitharaman has been assigned the charge of the Defence Ministry, making her only the second woman to hold the post since late Indira Gandhi.
Hyderabad: Terming terrorism a biggest enemy of mankind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said that India has put considerable effort in fighting the menace.

"Terror is having no religion it has no colour it has no sex but unfortunately some people are trying to mix terror and religion for their own narrow political gains," the Vice-President said, while addressing 78th session of institute of international law held at University of Auditorium at Justice city at Shameerpet.

Naidu further said, "Terrorism is the biggest enemy of the mankind. I underline and I urge upon the international community particularly the lawyers and professionals to come to some understanding and bring stringent laws in their respective countries and broad international agreement on fighting terror and ending all sources of terror."

What has happened in India the pain was not felt by others earlier but now today what has happened in the US, what has happened in European countries and different parts of the world. Everybody is becoming a victimthats why I said its an enemy of humanity and it should be curbed mercilessly. And it should be curbed legally, politically and administratively and it should be curbed by creating awareness among the people," the vice-president asserted.

He further said that the the world community must be aware of the evil designs of these forces and see to it that we all come together for an agreement at the earliest to have a comprehensive convention on suppression of international terrorism.

There cannot be any justification at all for terror. However great the cause may be, there are legal methods. Now we are living in a civilised world. World is moving on and we are living in a global village and we are not living in isolation. We must all resolve to come together and take strong resolve to put an end to this menace of terror which is enemy of the mankind, which is affecting the progress of people of world community, he said.

(With inputs from agencies)
United Nations: Nirmala Sitharaman is now a member of a powerful sisterhood of 16 female defence ministers, in a sign of rising women empowerment in an overwhelmingly male-dominated arena.



Sitharaman, who got the portfolio on Sunday, heads the world`s third largest defence force of 1.4 million personnel. It is also the strongest of those headed by female defence ministers.



She and Florence Parly of France are the only two women to head the defence ministry of nuclear-armed nations.



Parly succeeded another woman, Sylvie Goulard, who stepped down after less than two months on the job amid allegations that as a member of the European Parliament she had used her assistants for party work.



France has a defence force of 204,00 active duty personnel including reservists, according to the Global Fire Power (GFP), which tracks military statistics from around the world.



In Bangladesh with 160,000 active duty military personnel, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds the defence portfolio.



The other important women defence ministers are (with the size of their active duty military personnel according to GPF in parenthesis): Italy`s Roberta Pinotti (247,000), Germany`s Ursula von der Leyen (180,000), Spain`s Maria Dolores Cospedel (124,100), South Africa`s Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (78,050), and Australia`s Marise Payne, (60,000).



Africa has another woman holding the defence portfoio, Raychelle Omama of Kenya. Her position is uncertain now because Kenya`s Supreme Court has annulled the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and called for fresh elections.



Three small countries formed after the break-up of Yugoslavia in a region that was wracked by wars, civil wars and insurgencies in the 1990s have women defence ministers: Marina Pendes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Radmila Sekerinska in Macedonia, and Andreja Katic in Slovenia.



The other European defence ministers are Norway`s Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Netherlands`s Hennis-Plasschaert and Albania`s Mimi Kodheli.



Olta Xhacka is scheduled to succeed Khodeli this month.



Latin America has only one woman defence minister, Martha Elena Ruiz Sevilla of Nicaragua, a country that has seen prolonged civil war and insurgency.



North America has none, although Kim Campbell held the defence portfolio in Canada for less than six months before becoming Prime Minister in 1993.



In 1960, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandarnaike became the first woman to hold the defence portfolio and she was followed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.



Marta Elisabeth Rehn of Finland in 1990 became the first woman who was not a prime minister or president to head a defence ministry.



The first woman in Asia to hold the portfolio solely as minister was Japan`s Yuriko Koike. She held the job for less than two months in 2007 and resigned after revelations that navy personnel leaked classified information about the high-tech AEGIS radar systems.


New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought a detailed reply from the central government on the issue of deporting Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan raised the issue during a hearing by an SC bench comprising CJI Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud.

The Rohingya Muslims are believed to have fled to India following violence in the Western Rakhine State of Myanmar.

The petition was filed by two Rohingya refugees namely Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir.

According to them, they escaped from Mayanmar owing to widespread bloodshed, discrimination and violence against the community.

The plea further stated, "This act (deportation) would also be in contradiction with the Principle of Non-Refoulement, which has been widely recognized as a principle of Customary International Law."

Reportedly, the Principle of Non-Refoulement prohibits states from sending back refugees to a country where their life may be in danger.

(With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear the plea against the Centre`s move to deport illegal Rohingya Muslims, who have entered India after fleeing ethnic violence in Myanmar on Monday.

The matter was mentioned by Advocate Prashant Bhushan in front of a bench comprising of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud.

The plea was filed by two Rohingya immigrants, Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, who claimed they had taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community in that country.

The plea also stated that "this act (deportation) would also be in contradiction with the Principle of Non-Refoulement, which has been widely recognized as a principle of Customary International Law".

The Principle of Non-Refoulement prohibits states from sending back refugees to a country where their life may be in danger.The Rohingyas fled to India after violence in the Western Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Xiamen: India, China and three other members of the BRICS grouping on Monday pledged to exchange tax information to address the problem of tax evasion and provide technical assistance to other developing countries.

In the Xiamen Declaration issued at the end of the BRICS Summit's plenary session, the influential grouping -- comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- reaffirmed their commitment to "achieving a fair and modern global tax system".

The declaration said the members nations will work for promoting a more equitable, pro-growth and efficient international tax environment, deepening cooperation to address Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), promoting exchange of tax information and improving capacity-building in developing countries.

"We will strengthen BRICS tax cooperation to increase BRICS contribution to setting international tax rules and provide, according to each country's priorities, effective and sustainable technical assistance to other developing countries," it said.

The members drew satisfaction from the many fruitful results of BRICS cooperation, including establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).

"We will enhance communication and coordination in improving global economic governance to foster a more just and equitable international economic order," the declaration said.

The members resolved to foster a global economic governance architecture that is more effective and reflective of current global economic landscape, increasing the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing economies.

"We reaffirm our commitment to conclude the IMF's 15th General Review of Quotas, including a new quota formula, by the 2019 Spring Meetings and no later than the 2019 Annual Meetings," they said.

BRICS members also said they will continue to promote the implementation of the World Bank Group Shareholding Review.

The countries also reaffirmed their commitments to the implementation of the outcomes of G20 summits, including the Hamburg Summit and the Hangzhou Summit.

They emphasised on the importance of an open and inclusive world economy enabling all countries and peoples to share in the benefits of globalisation.

"We remain firmly committed to a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO," the declaration stated.

Meanwhile, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa today signed four agreements on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS Summit here in Xiamen.

The four agreements included the BRICS Action Agenda on Economic and Trade Cooperation, BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation (2017-2020), Strategic Framework of BRICS Customs Cooperation and the MoU between the BRICS Business Council and the New Development Bank on strategic cooperation.
Xiamen: China will provide USD 76 million for a BRICS economic and technology cooperation plan and another USD 4 million to support the projects of the bloc's New Development Bank, President Xi Jinping announced on Monday.

Calling on the five nation grouping to forge unity to jointly advance solutions for international peace and development, Xi said the BRICS countries should make economic globalisation open and inclusive, and beneficial to all.

"I wish to announce here that China will launch the economic and technical cooperation plan for BRICS countries with 500 million yuan [about USD 76 million at the current exchange rates] for the first term to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation in economic and trade field," Xi said at the opening of the plenary session at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders of the BRICS countries participated in the meeting.

Xi also said China will contribute USD four million for the New Development Bank (NDB) setup by the BRICS countries.

The money was meant for project preparation facility to support the business operation and long-term plans of the bank, he said.

"We need to make the international order more just and equitable. Our ever closer ties require that we five countries play more active in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved," he said.

On the broader future role for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Xi said the grouping should speak in one voice and jointly present solutions to issues concerning international peace and development.

"This meets the expectation of the international community and will help safeguard our common interests," he said.

"We should remain committed to multilateralism and basic norms governing international relations, work for new type of international relations and foster peace and stable environment of all countries," Xi said.

He said the BRICS countries should build open economy, support multilateral trade regime and oppose protectionism.

"We need to advance the reform of the global economic governance, increase the representation and voice of the emerging markets and developing countries and inject new impetus to advance efforts to address the development gap between north and south and boost global growth," he said.

Xi said the grouping should endeavour to promote practical economic cooperation.

Despite the achievements the bloc has made, the potential for cooperation has yet to be fully unleashed, Xi said.

The five countries' foreign investment totalled USD 197 billion in 2016, but only 5.7 per cent took place between BRICS members, he said.

The BRICS countries should increase cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, monetary and financial areas, connectivity, sustainable development, innovation and industrial cooperation, he said.

Outlining the progress of the BRICS, he said the group of emerging economies launched African regional centre of the New Development Bank.

The BRICS countries also decided to setup BRICS model of e-port network and reached extensive agreements on taxation, e-commerce, local currency bond, public private partnership, the network of financial institutions and services.

He also called for promoting more closer ties between people of the BRICS countries.

"Amity between the people holds the key to sound state- to-state relations. Only with the intensive care can the tree of friendship and cooperation grow," he said.

"The job well done in this regard will keep the BRICS cooperation vibrant. He said the important consensus reached at the leadership level to promote people-to-people exchanges is being translated into reality.

He said the past decade has seen the unremitting efforts of the BRICS countries in pursing development and deepening partnership.

It is beginning in the history of BRICS cooperation, he said.

"Looking ahead BRICS cooperation is set to achieve greater development and play even a bigger role in international affairs," he said.

He called on the member nations to join hands to "usher in a second golden decade of BRICS cooperation and deliver greater benefits to the people of five countries and around the world".
New Delhi: Indian state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp plans to bid for Israeli offshore oil-and-gas exploration blocks, India`s oil minister told Reuters, the first major deal between the two countries since a groundbreaking trip by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July.

India and Israel have deep defence ties but Modi and his right wing ruling group are pushing to expand the relationship into other sectors such as energy and technology with a country they see as a natural ally against terrorism.

A high-ranking delegation from India, the world`s third-biggest oil consumer, visited Israel last month to discuss taking part in the tender for blocks in the Mediterranean Sea and Israeli officials said they were pleased with the visit.

"We will definitely bid for Israel`s oil-and-gas blocks," Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told Reuters.
Jammu: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court order directing the state to provide adequate security cover to its ex-chief justices and former judges.

On Friday, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud agreed to examine the plea of the state government which said that the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has committed a grave error in directing that a minimum of 1-4 security personnel cover should be provided to all former chief justices and former judges of the High Court for life.

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan along with advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for state government, said throughout the country, security cover provided to VIPs/protected persons is done on the basis of threat assessment and as per the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

They said that the Centre has laid down an elaborate mechanism for providing security cover to protected persons. The bench said it will look into the matter.

The petition filed by the state government said 'as such, the field is occupied by a detailed policy which contains the procedure for periodic assessments of threats, providing security on the basis of such assessment. It therefore is not a subject that is unguided by any executive expert policy'.

The plea said the directions amount to 'usurption of an expert function' by encroaching upon an area which is exclusive expertise of the state and security agencies.

"It is settled law that a court of law shall not interfere with the performance of an expert function or the opinion of experts since it is ill-equipped with executing the same. The functions of an expert body are best left to be performed by the expert body which alone is competent to deal with such matters", the plea said.

The High Court, in its March 14 last year's order, had directed the state to provide round-the-clock security cover at the residences of each former chief justice and judge of High Court along with one personal security officer (PSO). It had said that enhancement of the security cover shall be as per the threat perception.

The High Court had said that even retired district and session judges be provided extended security cover for one year on their retirement.

It had also directed the state to provide 1-3 security guards personnel round the clock at the residence each former advocate general of the state and one PSO shall be provided on demand.
At least 50 people who were promised medical college seats by a Nagpur consultancy have discovered they were duped, sources said.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: At least 50 people who were promised medical college seats by a Nagpur consultancy have discovered they were duped, sources said.

Rajesh Bansal, the head of Bright Path Education, and three of his partners - Anurag Thakur, Vishal and Narendra - disappeared after allegedly swindling lakhs from their clients.

Bright Path Education employee Seema Thadani (name changed) told India Today she and her co-workers were shocked after their absconding bosses left them to face angry parents.

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For two months now, Thadani and her team have been selling medical college seats to eligible candidates who didn't receive counseling calls at All-India Quota or State Quota levels.

"We had been offering medical seats with capitation fees of Rs 10 to 25 lakh per seat...especially in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan...we were convincing these parents to accept the seats, depending on their paying capacity. We had been doing our duty with complete honesty, thinking the offered seats were genuine", Thadani said.

BANSAL AND HIS TEAM GO INCOMMUNICADO

But she got the shock of her life when the cellphones of Bansal and company suddenly went offline, and were switched off for at least 12 to 24 hours.

She said parents called her and her colleagues continuously, since Bansal had asked them to show up at colleges to complete the admission process. But neither he nor his associates showed up, she said.

Nagpur's Bajaj Nagar Police Station and Dhantoli Police Station are still waiting for a formal complaint to be filed.

"(A) few days back, one or two persons (including Thadani) had come to our police station with a plan to file a complaint related to (a) medical admission scam and also to discuss further course of action, as they were also involved in this scam. They were afraid that parents (victims) might file criminal complaint against them," Police Inspector Mahendale Patil told India Today.

Patil asked Thadani to file a complaint at Dhantoli Police Station, since Pratap Nagar - where Bright Path Education is located - doesn't fall under his station's jurisdiction.

Nagpur DCP (Zone 2) Rakesh Ola said, "Till now, Dhantoli police station has not received any complain related to this scam. We are waiting. However, the employees claim to have filed the complaint after taking legal advice from their advocates."

HOW WERE PARENTS DUPED?

After the NEET results were announced, Bansal's team purchased the mobile numbers of potential candidates or their parents, and began sending anonymous messages to them. They promised them MBBS seats in a number of private and deemed medical colleges. These included Sapthagiri Institute (Bangalore), A J Institute (Mangalore), MVJ Medical College (Bangalore), SMBT Institute (Nashik), Dr Ulhas Patil Medical College (Jalgaon), and Dr Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Medical College (Ahmednagar).

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Parents who thought their children wouldn't able to make it through counseling rounds conducted by DGHS, but still wanted to see them to go to medical school, fell for the ploy.

Costs varied depending on the college.

"A few medical colleges were offered with flexible capitation fees (donation), that is, 25 per cent of the total amount was to be paid by cheque, cash or online while blocking the seat against candidate's name, while (the) remaining 75 per cent...could be paid in installments till second year of MBBS course begins", Thadani said.

Around 50 parents paid Bansal even before receiving confirmation that their children had been offered admission. They were asked to turn up outside the colleges they'd chosen, with demand drafts of annual tuition fees and original documents - but nobody turned up to meet them.

One of the parents got an email from Bansal (from rajeshkrbansal1988@gmail.com) which said, "Dr Ulhas Patil medical college fee structure is Rs 4.60 lakh. DD should be made payable to Dr Ulhas Patil Medical & Hospital. You have to carry remaining capitation fee. Reach college on 29th August at 12 noon".

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Before the parents realised what had happened, Bansal and his team had fled with lakhs.

Officials at Dr Ulhas Patil Medical College at Jalgaon denied any involvement in the racket.

"We are not aware of any Rajesh Bansal. Arrest him. Our college is following all the rules of (the) Supreme Court and not offering any seats without counseling or mop-up rounds," an official said.

ALSO READ |

Modern day Munnabhais: Rigging online exams is now a business in UP

Gorakhpur: Seven more children die due to encephalitis at BRD Medical College

--- ENDS ---
Ranchi: Armed criminals looted Rs 90 lakh from a bank in Jharkhand`s Deoghar district on Monday, police said.

According to police, a gang of eight unidentified criminals barged into United Bank of India (UBI) branch at the Azad roundabout in Deoghar, and took cash from the bank`s cash chest at gunpoint.

The criminals also looted cash from customers and also took away the CCTV footage when they fled.

The bank had opened on Monday after two-day holiday.

Police have launched operation to arrest the criminals.

In another incident, criminals looted Rs 3 lakh from a petrol pump from Chattarapur of Palamu district.
Seoul: Samsung`s Galaxy Note 8 device is expected to come with a price tag of 1.09 million won ($962) here, industry sources said on Monday.



The 64 GB Galaxy Note 8 is expected to come with a factory price of 1.09 million won, while the 256GB edition is expected to be priced at 1.25 million won, reports Yonhap News Agency.



The ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 with a 64GB capacity was priced at 89,800 won.



Samsung Electronics said it has not finalised the price, and that it will be revealed on Thursday.



Koh Dong-jin, President of Samsung mobile business, said earlier it will be "extremely difficult" to keep the price lower than 1 million won in South Korea, and expressed an apology for his earlier statement.



Shortly after the showcase of the Galaxy Note 8 last month, Koh had said he wanted to keep the price lower than the psychologically significant level.



Preorders for the Galaxy Note 8 will kick off on Thursday, providing the devices to early adopters on September 15.




New Delhi: An NSCN(K) cadre was killed and a soldier injured in an operation by special forces on Monday along the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to reports, an AK-56 assault rifle, one hand grenade, one radio set, 200 rounds of ammunition were seized during the operation against the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) militants in Longding district.

According to Indian Army sources, the operation began around 0730 hours in the morning and was still continuing.

Sharing more details about the operation, Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat said, ''It was a normal routine operation. Such ops happen everyday. Nothing big about them.

It's normal routine operation.Such ops happen everyday.Nothing big abt them: Army Chief General on Special Forces ops at Indo-Myanmar border pic.twitter.com/J4aYiop8HP  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017

It was also not a cross-border strike by the armed forces, reports said.
New Delhi: Former 'Bigg Boss' contestant Bobby Darling aka Pakhi Sharma (after she underwent sex change surgery) is back in news. Unfortunately, this time it's not a happy reason.

In 2015, she underwent the sex change surgery and adopted a new identity. She renamed herself from Bobby Darling to Pakhi Sharma after getting married to a Bhopal-based businessman Ramnik Sharma. In an interview with Bombay Times, Bobby Darling aka Pakhi made some startling revelations about her strained relationship with Ramnik and how things turned topsy turvy after marriage.

The actress has now filed a FIR with the Delhi Police against her husband, accusing him of domestic violence and unnatural sex, reportedly.

According to Times of India.com report originally attributed to Bombay Times, Bobby revealed, "Ramnik would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man. He also usurped my property and money. He made me give him co-ownership of my flat in Mumbai and did the same when we bought our penthouse in Bhopal. He also bought an SUV using my money immediately after the marriage. Now, I am left with nothing. He had paid the building's security guards to keep an eye on me, and they would inform him of all my moves. He kept a tab on who I spoke with and where I went. Tired of the constant bickering, I suggested that we get divorced with mutual consent, but on the condition that I would get my property and the car back. However, he didn't agree to it. He would, in fact, beat me to because will in his name. I want my property back so that I can sell it off and move back to Mumbai.

Adding, "I have faced a lot of domestic violence. I still can't move my left hand freely and limp while walking. My speech is also slurred. I would cry like a child and pee in my clothes while pleading with him to stop hitting me."

Further adding that all her calls used to be answered on the loudspeaker and in no way she could tell the truth to the media or anyone. However, she managed to flee from Bhopal and that's when she came down to Delhi and filed a FIR. Bobby even revealed that her husband is quite influential in Bhopal and that explains why she couldn't file a complaint against him there. She said, "He has contacts in the police and had threatened me of dire consequences if I approached the cops. He would also threaten me of harming my family. He also blocked my family members on my phone so that we couldn't contact each other. He would keep taunting me about not being able to give him a child."

She is now seeking divorce and wants to get back her money. Bobby will be filing a FIR with the Bhopal cops so as to ensure the legal proceedings can run smoothly. However, when her husband was questioned over these allegations, he painted a different picture stating that Bobby is making false accusations. And it is his money which Bobby has taken and fled away. He even claimed that he never hit her.
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha has urged her fans and followers to clean up the beaches here.

Sonakshi on Sunday took to Twitter, where she shared a poster of the event, which read: "Join the citizens... Gandhi Statue, Juhu beach, September 6."

The "Dabangg" actress, 30, tweeted: "Hope there comes a day when we don't mess it up to begin with! Come on guys, join in to Free the beach!"

This is not the first time a Bollywood personality has campaigned for the beach clean-up. Last month, actress Dia Mirza, along with her producer-husband Sahil Sangha, was seen as part of the initiative.

On the acting front, Sonakshi will soon be seen in the thriller film "Ittefaq", directed by Abhay Chopra. The film is an adaptation of the 1969 film by the same name.

The film will also star Sidharth Malhotra and Akshaye Khanna.
New Delhi: Supreme Court on Monday asked Bombay High Court to expeditiously decide pleas challenging validity of Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA).

The apex court also asked other High Courts, where pleas against validity of RERA are pending, to await the decision of Bombay High Court.

At the outset of the hearing, as Attorney General K.K. Venugopal addressed the court, Justice Mishra asked why not ask one of the high courts to gather all the petitions and decide on the matter instead of making every one to travel to Delhi.

"We feel it would be appropriate to direct the Bombay High Court to take up the matter along with other connected matters pending there...Let a considered decision on this plea be taken as expeditiously as possible," the bench also comprising Justice M M Shantanagoudar said.

Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that many petitions have been filed in the high courts of Bombay, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh challenging the provisions of RERA and it would be appropriate if all these matters are decided either by the apex court or one of the high courts.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday had agreed to hear the Centres petition seeking transfer of various pleas, which are challenging validity of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) and are pending in different high courts, to the Delhi High Court.

The government mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and said that 21 petitions challenging the validity of the Act are pending in various high courts across the country.

The Centre told the bench, also comprising Justices Amitava Roy and A M Khanwilkar, that these petitions pending before different high courts should be transferred to the Delhi High Court for adjudication of these matters.

The bench agreed to hear the Centres plea and fixed it for hearing on September 4.

The central Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) came into effect on May 1, 2017, a year after it was passed by Parliament.

As per the Act, developers, projects and agents had till July 31 to mandatorily register their projects with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority. Any unregistered project would be deemed to be unauthorised by the regulator.

Under RERA each state and UT will have its own Regulatory Authority (RA) which will frame regulations and rules as per the Act.

RERA covers both new project launches and on-going projects where the completion/occupation certificate has not been received.

RERA makes it obligatory on the part of the builders not to book, sell or offer for sale, or invite persons to purchase any plot, apartment of building, as the case may be, in any real estate project without registering the real estate project with the authority.




Chennai: Actor Manchu Manoj Kumar's upcoming Telugu-Tamil bilingual film "Okkadu Migiladu", which was originally slated to release in September, has been postponed to October due to post-production work.



In a Twitter chat with his fans, Manoj revealed that the film's release has been pushed to October first week.



When asked if the film is releasing on Friday, he said: "Release pushed to October first week. Due to the post-production work."



Manoj plays two characters in the film, directed by Ajay Nuthakki.



While he plays a Sri Lankan rebel leader in the 1990s, he will be seen as a student leader in the present day.



He gained about 20 kg to play the Sri Lankan leader.



"The role of the Sri Lankan leader required me to look huge and overweight. Hence, I gained about 20 kg. After we finished shooting that portion, I went and shot for another film called 'Gunturodu'. In the process, I lost 10 kg to return to this project to play a student union leader," Manoj had told IANS.



The film has captured the tension in Ceylon in the 1990s as realistically as possible.



"The film is based on an untold true story. It's a very emotional story and focuses on the lives of those (Eelam Tamils) who die tragic deaths during that period," he said.
New Delhi: Keeping in mind the rise in cross-border infiltration, the government is planning for a dedicated real-time satellite for better surveillance at borders.

The idea behind this is to track the movement of intruders, minimise infiltration attempts, effective communication, and many other things, which will eventually help the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to better guard the borders and keep the country safe.

As per a report published in Times of India, top bureaucrats in the home ministry recently held several rounds of meetings with BSF, ITBP, SSB and ISRO officials, during which it was discussed whether a single satellite would be enough to monitor activities on the borders or if each force needed to be provided a dedicated satellite.

The government is seriously considering the matter, as they feel that communication, surveillance and intelligence need to be tightened around borders.

Satellites can play a pivotal role in border management and India is significantly wealthy in the Asian region when it comes to satellites.

The Cartosat-2 series advanced remote sensing satellite, which was launched on June 23, has been helpful in enhancing India's military surveillance capabilities as its high-resolution PAN camera can cover a swathe of 9.6 km and its spatial resolution is less than one metre.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is providing the security forces with better equipment so that they can deal with the situation ably.
Its that time of the year when Gods Own Country  Kerala  transforms into a world of matchless festivities. Well, its time to celebrate Onam, an ancient Malayalam festival that marks the annual trip of King Mahabali to the state he once ruled.

The festival is celebrated in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar which is equivalent to the Hindu solar calendar followed by people in other parts of India. The festival is spread over 10 days and culminates with Thiruvonam, the most important day. This year, celebrations began on August and will culminate on September 6.

Atham, Chitira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Utthradom and finally Thiruvonam together make Onam an elaborate ceremony.

Onam signifies the annual homecoming of King Mahabali from Patala Loka, where he was sent by Lord Vishnus Vamana avatar.

It is believed that King Mahabali, the most benevolent Raja of Kerala visits his kingdom to see his subjects happy and prosperous on the occasion of the auspicious harvest festival.

Women participate in Pookolam (rangoli made of flowers) and perform Kaikottikali, a dance form. Dressed in their best fineries, women look resplendent in an off-white Kasavu sari with golden border, teamed up with gold jewellery. The men look dapper in white Veshti (dhoti) and shirt.

People get together to participate in a number of cultural activities to celebrate the festival in unison. Boat race (Vallam Kali), Pulikali (folk dance in the disguise of a tiger) and other dance and art forms specific to Kerala.

Sadya, an elaborate meal with 26 food preparations adds more fervour to the festivities.

Heres wishing everyone a very Happy Onam.
By PTI: China

By K J M Varma

Beijing, Sep 4 (PTI) China and Japan said today that no atmospheric radiation has been detected following North Koreas most powerful nuclear test to date, amid fears of a leak from a "cave in" during the underground blast.

North Korea yesterday carried out a powerful nuclear test, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

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Chinas Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) said in a statement that all monitoring stations in Chinas northeastern border areas in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning and Shandong recorded radiation at normal levels.

The MEP had yesterday started monitoring the radiation levels in the border areas in an emergency response to the nuclear test. The monitoring data will be made public, it said.

The China Earthquake Administration reported that a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) at 11:30 AM yesterday with an epicentre depth of zero km, saying that it might have been caused by explosion.

The state-run Korea Central Television announced yesterday that North Korea had successfully detonated an H- bomb, a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Chinas Foreign Ministry has issued a statement expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the test.

Japans top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo that there was "nothing special detected from monitoring posts across the country", nor from air samples taken by the Air Self-Defence Force after yesterdays blast. PTI KJV AMS ASK AKJ AMS

--- ENDS ---
Chennai: The TTV Dhinakaran faction of the ruling AIADMK on Monday said it has rejected an invite to participate in tomorrow's party legislators' meeting convened by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and asserted there is no change in its stand that the CM should be removed.

Thangatamilselvan, MLA, a staunch loyalist of sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary Dhinakaran, said the dissident legislators had been contacted over phone from the party headquarters yesterday and invited for tomorrow's meeting.

"We asked them why we were not invited for a previous similar meeting," he told reporters outside Dhinakaran's residence here.

The rebel MLAs were informed that it was 'inadvertent' and that such things would not recur, he said.

He said that notwithstanding tomorrow's meeting, there was no change in their demand that Palaniswami be removed as the chief minister, a plea the 19 dissident AIADMK MLAs had made with Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on August 22.

When asked if the MLAs supporting Dhinakaran would press their demand in tomorrow's meeting, Thangatamilselvan shot back saying "the question doesn't arise since we are not attending it".

"There is no chance of going since our demand (of removing the chief minister) has not been fulfilled," he said.

The 19 MLAs made the demand a day after the AIADMK factions led by Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam merged. The strength of the camp has gone up to 21 with two more MLAs joining it. The MLAs are staying in neighbouring Puducherry.

Palaniswami has convened the meeting of AIADMK MLAs tomorrow here, exactly a week ahead of the September 12 general council and executive meets of the party, which could take a call on the future of jailed party chief V K Sasikala and Dhinakaran in AIADMK.

Palaniswami and Dhinakaran are involved in a tussle for power even as opposition parties including DMK have been demanding that the governor direct a floor test for the state government in the assembly to prove its strength.

The chief minister's camp had recently announced that Dhinakaran had been removed from the party on August 10 itself and hence changes being made by him in party posts were invalid.

Meanwhile, the Dhinakaran camp got a shot in the arm with two Lok Sabha MPs today extending support to the sidelined leader.

AIADMK's Lok Sabha members B Senguttuvan (Vellore) and M Udhayakumar (Dindigul) met Dhinakaran here and expressed their support.

Later, speaking to reporters, Senkuttuvan alleged that Tamil Nadu had "the most corrupt government in the country" and wanted Palaniswami to step down as chief minister.

"Amma (late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa) had given an excellent rule. But the prevailing situation is a shame for all in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Senkuttuvan said the alleged suicide of Dalit student and medical aspirant Anitha, who had opposed National Entrance cum Eligibility Test in the Supreme Court, made them take a position against the government.

Uthayakumar claimed that after the death of party supremo Jayalalithaa, her successor V K Sasikala had taken AIADMK forward and ensured the government survived following the February 2017 rebellion by present Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

Dhinakaran today sacked party's Lok Sabha MP KRP Prabakaran as party's Tirunelveli Rural District Secretary, replacing him with S S N Chokkalingam.
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission to complete the local body elections by November 17.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar ordered the State Election Commission (SEC) to issue by September 18 the notification for the elections, originally slated to be held in October last year, and complete the entire process by November 17.

The bench was delivering its judgement on an appeal by the SEC against the order of a single judge directing it to hold the local body polls before December 31, 2016 and connected petitions.

However, the judges made it clear that this would be subject to the outcome of special leave petitions pending in the Supreme court on the matter.

The bench had reserved its orders on August one after going through a report submitted in sealed cover by the SEC complying with the court's July 26 directive.

The polls were slated to be held in October last year but cancelled by Justice N Kirubakaran on a petition by the DMK seeking among others appropriate reservation as per latest census and rotation of seats according to the norms.

He had on October four last year quashed the poll notification issued by the SEC and issued nine directions as per which the process was to be completed before December 31, 2016.

The SEC had filed an appeal against this order.

? The bench in its order said "it is incumbent upon the Election Commission and other authorities to carry out the mandate of the Constitution and to see that a new municipality is constituted in time and elections are conducted before the expiry of its duration of five years as specified in clause (1) of Article 243-U".

? "It is only when the municipality is dissolved for any other reason and the remainder of the period for which the dissolved municipality would have continued is less than six months, it shall not be necessary to hold any elections for constituting the municipality for such period."

? Rejecting the contention of the government that there was rain deficit and a severe drought situation prevailing in the state due to which personnel could not be deployed for election works, the bench said, "If personnel are deployed to deal with the drought, others would have to be brought in for deployment in connection with the elections".

B Kumar, counsel for the SEC, said some of the directions given by the Single Judge, including uploading of the details of the candidates, were practically not possible to implement considering the large number of candidates for civic polls and the affidavits and details of candidates might run to several pages and uploading of such huge and voluminous data might cause crashing of the website.

The bench then said, if need be, the capacity of the website might have to be increased.

"It is very much required by a voter to know about the details of the candidate to whom he is going to vote", the judges said.

Opposition parties had been criticising the state government over the delay in the conduct of the local body elections.
Chennai: Law students in Tamil Nadu on Monday staged a demonstration over the death of a Dalit medical aspirant and a petitioner in the Supreme Court against the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) as protests continued for the third day here.

On Sunday, the city police detained activists of a pro-Tamil outfit, 'May 17 Movement' when they attempted to lay siege to the BJP's state headquarters. After the detention, security was beefed up at the BJP office here.

The protesters raised slogans against the Central and state governments over the suicide of 17-year-old Anitha from Ariyalur, daughter of a daily wage earner who allegedly hanged herself at her house in Ariyalur district on Sept 1 reportedly upset over not getting an MBBS seat.

Anitha was reportedly upset after it became known that Tamil Nadu will not be exempted from the ambit of National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET). She had earlier moved the Supreme Court against NEET.

DMK Working President MK Stalin, who late last night paid tributes to Anitha at her native village shortly ahead of the cremation, said his party had donated Rs 10 lakh to her family.

NEET had affected social justice in Tamil Nadu, Stalin, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, claimed and assured his party will take the fight against NEET forward.

"DMK will align with like-minded forces to uphold the key Dravidian policy of social justice, retrieve the rights of the state, bring Education under the State List and ensure nobody else suffers Anitha's fate in Tamil Nadu," he said in a letter addressed to his partymen.

The BJP lashed out against those doing brutal politics over the teen's suicide.

BJP state President Tamilisai Sounderrajan also took objection to the "insult" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. "Insulting Prime Minister Modi cannot be accepted," she said in a brief statement, apparently referring to effigies of the PM being burnt by protesters at Coimbatore yesterday.
Lucknow: The UP government on Monday said that no action will be initiated on the basis of the FIR lodged against the CMO and CMS of the Farrukhabad district hospital in the case related to deaths of scores of infants there.

"The way things have been presented is not that has happened.

"No action is, therefore, being initiated on the basis of the FIR registered against the CMO and the CMS in Farrukhabad last night," principal secretary health Prashant Trivedi told reporters at a hurriedly convened press briefing here.

"For us it is a report, we will examine it for further action," he said.

To a question on removal of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Umakant Pandey and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Akhilesh Agarwal, Trivedi said, "They have been removed for the simple reason that the DM is the head of administration in a district and they should have co-ordinated with the DM.

"If there were any issues, then the same should had been brought to the notice of the administration. What happened actually - medically or technically - will be clear in probe."

On whether the deaths were due to lack of oxygen, he said, "Oxygen is not an issue in the entire episode. I think, of late, we are generating undue sensitivity to oxygen. It has become more of a buzzword."

He also said that no official can elicit the views of a person over telephone. "This is not the right way to conduct a magisterial probe," Trivedi said, commenting on the city magistrate contacting over telephone the parents and relatives of the infants who had died.

Principal secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi, who was also present, said, "Everything will be brought forth... There seems to be some co-ordinational issue among the officers.

"All the three officers -- DM, CMO and CMS -- have been removed. DG Health will send a specialised team to investigate. No death took place due to lack of oxygen. The matter should not be blown out of proportion."

On the FIR, he said it was lodged and "it very clearly seems to have been lodged when the DM, it seems, did not get the report from the health department..."
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that Trinamool Congress MP Sultan Ahmed, who died on Monday, had been under extreme pressure as he was being probed by the CBI in connection with Narada case.

The Trinamool Congress supreme slammed the CBI for slapping a notice on the party MP even after his death.

"I got information that when his dead body was being taken, a CBI notice was served. There was some Narada case of Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh. He was under extreme stress. It was not his age to die. We are all very saddened," Banerjee said at the State Secretariat after an administrative review.

Sultan Ahmed, 64-year-old died on Monday in Kolkata after suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.

He was one of the 12 Trinamool leaders accused in the Narada sting case. In the sting video shot by Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel in 2014, Ahmed was seen accepting cash.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate have been probing the money trail in the Narada case. Ahmed was also questioned by authorities a few times.

Ahmed was Minister of State for Tourism in the Manmohan Singh government. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Uluberia constituency.

He was also the Vice-Chairman of Haj Committee of India.
Berlin: A top leader of German Chancellor Angela Merkel`s Conservative Party said her website had been hit by thousands of cyber attacks - many from Russian IP addresses - before Sunday`s televised election debate.

German intelligence and government officials have often voiced concerns that Moscow could seek to interfere in the Sept. 24 national election, in which Merkel is widely expected to win a fourth term.

Russia has repeatedly denied trying to influence foreign elections.

Julia Kloeckner, vice chairman of Merkel`s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said on Monday that her political website had seen some 3,000 attacks on Sunday before the debate between Merkel and Social Democratic leader Martin Schulz.

Following a pattern seen in earlier hacks, the CDU`s headquarters in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where Kloeckner is the party`s leader, also experienced "massive attacks" ahead of the debate, she said.

"Many of the senders have Russian IP addresses," Kloeckner added.

German authorities have blamed a spate of cyber attacks directed at the German parliament, individual lawmakers, political parties and political think-tanks since summer 2015 on APT 28, a Russian hacker group with links to Moscow.

Kloeckner did not say how the attacks had been discovered or what form they had taken. Many recent cyber attacks targeted at German politicians and institutions have used phishing schemes that include attachments with malicious software.

Germany`s BSI federal cyber protection agency said it was aware of the incidents and was in touch with the CDU headquarters in the state, a spokesman said.

Officials with the headquarters of the CDU and the Social Democrats, junior partners in the ruling coalition, said they had not seen a wave of similar attacks on their websites.

Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of Germany`s BfV domestic intelligence agency, told reporters in July that Berlin expected Russia to try to influence this month`s election and said he suspected that Russian President Vladimir Putin would prefer a different German chancellor than Merkel.

Merkel backs continued sanctions against Russia for its actions towards Ukraine. Relations between Germany and Russia have been cool in recent years, although Germany is highly dependent on energy supplies from Russia.

A spokesman for the German interior ministry told a news conference on Monday that cyber attacks directed at political parties had increased generally in recent months, but declined to comment on the latest incidents.

He noted the BSI had been working closely with politicians and parties to increase security.

Experts said hackers were increasingly going after subsidiary sites such as those of local party branches in the hope of finding vulnerabilities.

Tyson Barker, program director of the Aspen Institute Deutschland think-tank, said the attacks on a state-level CDU party infrastructure continued a pattern of hackers probing for potential weak links in the broader political system.

"The main battle front in this hybrid war -- in the U.S. as in Germany -- will likely be in the states, not Berlin or Washington, said Barker, adding: "Those who thought Russian intelligence was going to sit this one out seem to have been proven wrong."
Beijing: China on Monday said that Pakistan-based terrorist outfits were included in the BRICS joint declaration due to concerns about their violent activities.

BRICS countries have "shown their concerns to the violent activities raised by these organisations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

"These organisations are all sanctioned by the UN Security Council and have a significant impact for Afghanistan issue," Geng told PTI in a written response to a strong reference in the BRICS countries about these terror groups.

He, however, skirted a response to a question on whether the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) by the BRICS marks a change in Beijing's stand of opposing the UN ban against the group's chief Masood Azhar.

"On the counter terrorism cooperation among the BRICS countries, we are very satisfied with the achievements made by the BRICS. We have a working group on terrorism," he said.

Pak-based terror groups named in BRICS declaration for first time:

"We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir," said the Xiamen declaration, adopted at the 9th BRICS Summit here.



The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Presidents Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.



JeM chief Masood Azhar has been blamed for deadly cross-border terror attacks on Indian military establishments. India has moved the UN to declare Azhar an international terrorist but China has repeatedly put a hold on the proposal, IANS reported.

The Xiamen declaration condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, saying there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. And it deplored all terror attacks worldwide, including in BRICS countries.



Without naming Pakistan, the statement said, "We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable.



"Recalling the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, we stress the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs."



The BRICS countries backed the efforts of the Afghan security forces to defeat terrorism.

(With Agency inputs)
Tokyo: Princess Mako, the eldest grandchild of Japanese Emperor Akihito, officially announced her engagement with Kei Komuro, a former university classmate.



Mako and Komuro, both 25, expressed great joy over the engagement and Emperor Akihito`s approval, during a press conference held at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Efe news reported.



Mako said she felt truly happy when he proposed a marriage in late 2013, while Komuro said he was aware of the responsibility that entails and expressed his desire to create a harmonious family.



Both met in 2012 when they were students at International Christian University in Tokyo and said they had been dating for about five years.



The official announcement of the engagement had been scheduled in early July after the Japanese media were reporting about them in mid-May, but the Imperial Household Agency decided to postpone the event due to torrential rains that were striking southwestern Japan.



The princess works as a researcher at a Tokyo museum, while Komuro, a resident of Yokohama city, south of the capital, is a legal assistant and undertaking a Master`s degree in business law.



Mako is the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino, the second son of the Emperor and second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after Prince Naruhito.



Mako`s marriage will further shrink Japan`s Imperial family, an aged and dwindling institution heading towards a huge generational gap.



The marriage could also reopen debate on the law that has been governing the royal household since 1947 that doesn`t recognise the so-called collateral institutional branches, resulting in women who marry out of royalty to lose their royal status.
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea on Sunday conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it said was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, prompting the threat of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

Speaking outside the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump and his national security team, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Trump asked to be briefed on all available military options.

"Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis said.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," Mattis said with Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at his side. "But as I said, we have many options to do so."

Trump earlier in the day refused to rule out military action and threatened to cut off trade with any country doing business with Pyongyang.

Asked while leaving a church service whether the United States would attack North Korea, Trump replied: "We`ll see."

Early Monday in Seoul, South Korea`s military confirmed it had carried out missile drills in response to the North`s nuclear test.

Despite the tough talk, the immediate focus of the international response was expected to be on tougher economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the nuclear test.

Diplomats have said the council could now consider banning Pyongyang`s textile exports and the country`s national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday that he would put together a package of new sanctions to potentially cut off all trade with North Korea.

"If countries want to do business with the United States, they obviously will be working with our allies and others to cut off North Korea economically," Mnuchin told Fox News.

North Korea, which carries out its nuclear and missile programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and sanctions, said on state television that the hydrogen bomb test ordered by leader Kim Jong Un had been a "perfect success."

The bomb was designed to be mounted on its newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, the North said.

The test had registered with international seismic agencies as a man-made earthquake near a test site. Japanese and South Korean officials said the tremor was about 10 times more powerful than the one picked up after North Korea`s last nuclear test a year ago.

U.S. stock futures fell 0.5 percent after trading reopened on Sunday evening.

ESCALATING CRISIS

After weeks of profound tensions over North Korea`s nuclear program, the size and scope of the latest test set off a new round of diplomatic handwringing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in China, agreed to "appropriately deal" with North Korea`s nuclear test, the Xinhua news agency reported.

As North Korea`s sole major ally, China said it strongly condemned the nuclear test and urged Pyongyang to stop its "wrong" actions.

In a series of early morning tweets, Trump appeared to rebuke ally South Korea, which faces an existential threat from North Korea`s nuclear program.

"South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Trump said in an early morning tweet.

Trump appeared to be blaming South Korea for a policy it abandoned years ago of trying to soften North Korea`s posture through economic aid.

South Korea`s new president, Moon Jae-in, has argued for continuing dialogue with its neighbor over its nuclear program, while also supporting international sanctions.

Reports that the United States is considering pulling out of its trade deal with South Korea have also ratcheted up tensions with the country.

A former senior State Department official criticized Trump for accusing South Korea of appeasement.

It was unseemly, unhelpful, and divisive to gratuitously slap our major ally at the very moment when the threat from (North Korea) has reached a new height, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. president has previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash "fire and fury" on the country if it threatened U.S. territory.

Roy Blunt, a Republican senator and a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, backed Trump`s fiery rhetoric on Sunday.

"I think the president putting everything on the table is, is not a bad thing right now, both for North Korea, but maybe more importantly for China to be thinking about how consequential this behavior is," Blunt said on NBC`s "Meet the Press."

Trump`s trade threat may be a way to pressure China, Pyongyang`s top trading partner, into doing more to contain its neighbor.

But Matthew Goodman, a trade expert at Washington`s Center for International and Strategic Studies, said Trump`s suggestion was not viable because it would mean the United States would cut off trade with countries such as France, India, and Mexico, along with China.

The notion of stopping `all trade` with anyone who does business with North Korea is absurd," Goodman said.

There was no independent confirmation that the detonation was a hydrogen bomb rather than a less powerful atomic device, but Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo could not rule out such a possibility.

Experts who studied the impact of the earthquake, which the U.S. Geological Survey measured at magnitude 6.3, said there was enough strong evidence to suggest the reclusive state had either developed a hydrogen bomb or was getting very close.

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, said the nuclear test was "an extremely regrettable act" that was "in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community."

Moon said Seoul would push for strong steps to further isolate the North, including new U.N. sanctions. Japan also raised the prospect of further sanctions, saying curbs on North Korea`s oil trade would be on the table.

The United States has repeatedly urged China to do more to rein in its neighbour, but Beijing has lambasted the West and its allies in recent weeks for suggesting that it is solely responsible for doing so. It has said military drills by South Korea and the United States on the Korean peninsula had done nothing to lessen tensions.

THERMONUCLEAR DEVICE?

Under third-generation leader Kim, North Korea has been pursuing a nuclear device small and light enough to fit on a long-range ballistic missile, without affecting its range and making it capable of surviving re-entry.

The test comes amid heightened regional tension following Pyongyang`s two tests of ICBMs in July that potentially could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the U.S. mainland within range.

During the nuclear test, people in the Chinese city of Yanji on the North Korean border said they felt a tremor that lasted roughly 10 seconds, followed by an aftershock.

Hours before the test, North Korean state news agency, KCNA, released pictures showing Kim inspecting a silver-coloured, hourglass-shaped warhead during a visit to the country`s nuclear weapons institute.

KCNA said North Korea "recently succeeded" in making a more advanced hydrogen bomb.

"All components of the H-bomb were homemade and all the processes ... were put on the Juche basis, thus enabling the country to produce powerful nuclear weapons, as many as it wants," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

Juche is North Korea`s homegrown ideology of self-reliance. It says its weapons programs are needed to counter U.S. aggression.
LONDON (Reuters) - North Korea`s biggest nuclear test to date was condemned around the world on Sunday, with several leaders calling for new sanctions and U.S. President Donald Trump saying "appeasement" would not work.

The explosion of what North Korea said was an advanced hydrogen bomb came just days after it fired a missile over Japan.

Trump, who said after last week`s missile launch that talking to Pyongyang "is not the answer", tweeted that Sunday`s test showed North Korea`s "words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States".

US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he would put together new sanctions to potentially cut off all North Korea`s global trade.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said they planned to tighten European Union sanctions.

"This latest provocation by the ruler in Pyongyang has reached a new dimension," the German government said in a statement after Merkel and Macron discussed the issue by phone.

Britain`s foreign minister Boris Johnson said: "They (North Korea) seem to be moving closer towards a hydrogen bomb which, if fitted to a successful missile, would unquestionably present a new order of threat," adding that there were no palatable military solutions.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said the U.N. Security Council should urgently look at new measures.

Russia struck a cautious tone.

"In the emerging conditions it is absolutely essential to keep cool, refrain from any actions that could lead to a further escalation of tensions," Russia`s foreign ministry said, adding that North Korea risked "serious consequences".

Later on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in China where they agreed to "appropriately deal with" the crisis, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said.

"The two leaders agreed to stick to the goal of denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula and keep close communication and coordination to deal with the new situation," Xinhua said.

Earlier, China urged North Korea to stop "wrong" actions and said it would fully enforce UN resolutions on the country.

As North Korea`s most important trading partner, the position of China - a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council - will be closely watched. A Japanese government source said there would be pressure on Beijing to impose an oil embargo.

"They will probably act eventually but ... it is possible that will not be before their October (party) convention," the source said. "Russia does not have real influence on North Korea. It`s China that matters."

Trump said North Korea had become "a great threat and embarrassment to China" and that Beijing had tried but failed to solve the problem. What he called South Korea`s "talk of appeasement" would not work as "they (the North Koreans) only understand one thing!"

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which has no access to North Korea, called the nuclear test, Pyongyang`s sixth since 2006, "an extremely regrettable act" that was "in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community".
A day after the third Cabinet reshuffle, Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot asked PM Narendra Modi and the BJP why they did not pick one cabinet rank minister from Rajasthan.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: A day after the third Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress today took potshot at the BJP for not giving adequate representation to Rajasthan in the Union Council of Ministers.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot today hit out at PM Narendra Modi saying despite having 25 MPs from Rajasthan, there was no cabinet rank minister from the state in the Council of Ministers. Sachin Pilot is the president of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee.

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PILOT'S POTSHOT AT PM MODI, BJP

"If the basis (of induction in the Union cabinet) is performance, then nobody from Rajasthan was given a cabinet rank. This is odd that not even one MP has been made cabinet rank minister," said Sachin Pilot.

Sachin Pilot said, "It is perhaps for the first time that there is no cabinet rank minister at the Centre from Rajasthan. The previous governments, be it of Vajpayee or Manmohan Singh, had at least one representation from Rajasthan in the Cabinet."

"If there is a Cabinet meeting today, there is no one to represent Rajasthan there. So, this is odd that with all the MPs belonging to BJP in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, they couldn't find one person who could be Cabinet rank minister from Rajasthan.", Pilot told India Today.

BJP REJECTS CHARGE

Rajasthan BJP, however, brushed aside Congress' contention of the state having been ignored in the Cabinet reshuffle. "Sachin Pilot should first ensure that his family, that is, the Congress party should rank who is capable and who is not. All our 25 MPs are capable," Rajasthan BJP chief Ashok Parnami said while talking to India Today.

In the Cabinet reshuffle, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was made the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. He also holds Information and Broadcasting Ministry as Minister of State with independent charge. Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, Gajendra Singh Shekawat was yesterday inducted in the Council of Ministers. He has been made MoS Agriculture.

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--- ENDS ---

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Beirut: Syria's army battled the Islamic State group on the edges of Deir Ezzor Monday, seeking to break the siege of a government enclave and oust the jihadists from a key stronghold.

The jihadist group has already lost more than half of its nearby bastion of Raqa to attacking US-backed forces, and the loss of Deir Ezzor city and the surrounding oil-rich province would leave it with only a handful of isolated outposts.

Deir Ezzor province borders Iraq, where IS has also been expelled from former strongholds Mosul and Tal Afar.

The jihadists hold large parts of Deir Ezzor province, and more than half the provincial capital Deir Ezzor city, the remainder of which is controlled by the government and under IS siege.

Syrian troops backed by ally Russia have been advancing towards Deir Ezzor city on several fronts for weeks, and overnight they reached the Brigade 137 base on its western edge, a monitor said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian troops outside and inside the base were battling to break the IS siege of the base.

"There have been multiple collapses of the Daesh (IS) line in western Deir Ezzor province, allowing the army to move quickly and arrive 10 kilometres (six miles) from the besieged forces," a military source told AFP."The siege on the government troops will be broken within hours," he added.

Syrian state media also reported the army was advancing towards the besieged base, which is adjacent to parts of the city still under government control.

Provincial governor Mohamed Ibrahim Samra, quoted by state news agency SANA, said besieged residents were already celebrating as the army neared.

"Yesterday Deir Ezzor city saw celebrations and rejoicing among all segments of society ahead of the expected victory with the advance of the Syrian Arab Army to the outskirts of the besieged city," he said.

IS seized large parts of Deir Ezzor province, including its many oilfields, in mid-2014 as it rampaged across Syria and Iraq.

By early 2015 it had also seized parts of Deir Ezzor city and laid siege to the remaining parts of it under government control.

The siege tightened further earlier this year, when IS advanced and cut the government-held parts of the city in two, with a southern section by the key military airport now divided from a northern sector.

An estimated 100,000 people remain in government-held parts of the city, which had a pre-war population of some 300,000.

The Observatory estimates more than 10,000 people may live in the parts of the city held by IS, although precise information is hard to come by.The siege has created a humanitarian crisis in the city, with food and medical shortages and soaring prices.

The government has brought supplies in by helicopter, and the United Nations has periodically airdropped humanitarian aid, but the situation remains difficult for those under siege.

Conditions are also reportedly dire for civilians trapped in IS-held parts of the city, with activists also reporting food and medical shortages as well as water and electricity cuts.

Syria`s army has been advancing towards Deir Ezzor on several fronts in recent weeks, including from the west through neighbouring Raqa province, and from the south via central Homs.

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said forces advancing from the southwest were now less than 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the key Deir Ezzor military airport and are also advancing from the north towards the city.

Capturing Deir Ezzor would be a key gain for Syria`s government, which has scored a series of military victories in recent months with Russian support.

It has moved quickly towards the city, seeking to head off potential rival advances by US-backed fighters including the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces alliance which is conducting a separate battle to oust IS from the city of Raqa.

More than 330,00 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011, before spiralling into a multi-front civil war.
United Nations: The United States on Monday urged the UN Security Council to impose the "strongest possible measures" against North Korea in response to its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy," US Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency council meeting.

Haley rejected as "insulting" a Chinese proposal for a freeze on North Korea`s nuclear and missile programs in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korean annual military drills.

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won`t," she declared.

The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting after North Korea detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

South Korea`s defense ministry warned Monday that Pyongyang may be preparing another missile launch after two tests in July of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that apparently brought the US mainland into range.

Haley declared that the "time for half measures is over," suggesting the council must significantly ratchet up the pressure with biting sanctions to be decided in a new resolution.

The US ambassador did not spell out what measures Washington would support, but diplomats have indicated that an oil embargo would have a crippling effect on the North Korean economy.

Japan, France and Britain called for the swift adoption of a new sanctions resolution, but the call was expected to face opposition from Russia and China which maintain that sanctions alone will not resolve the crisis.

Russia and China have called for diplomatic talks with North Korea to address the threat from its missile and nuclear tests.

The council has imposed seven sets of sanctions on North Korea since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006, but Pyongyang has repeatedly found ways to circumvent the measures.

The most recent resolutions, however, have significantly toughened the sanctions, targeting key exports sectors such as coal that are a source of hard currency for North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un`s regime.
The United States stands ready to use its nuclear capabilities in the event North Korea continues to threaten it or its allies, the White House warned Sunday.

After North Korea`s latest provocative test, President Donald Trump spoke with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to discuss North Korea`s claimed hydrogen bomb test on September 3, a White House statement said.

"President Trump reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to defending our homeland, territories, and allies using the full range of diplomatic, conventional, and nuclear capabilities at our disposal."


YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the emergency situations personnel on their professional holiday  September 4.

In a statement, the president in part said:

Dear officers and veterans of emergency situations,

I wholeheartedly congratulate you on your professional holiday  Day of Emergency Situations Officers.

Further in the congratulatory statement the president mentioned the significant role the emergency personnel have in eliminating, mitigating, preventing and fighting against natural and man-made disasters.

The emergency situations ministry is a relatively new structure, which has merged several services, both new and previously active. The emergency situations ministrys personnel are carrying out their mission with dignity, the president said.

Emergency situations dont recognize state borders, thus in order to resist them it is necessary to ensure sustainable and partnership ties on international and regional levels. I welcome the emergency situations ministrys involvement in joint programs and events on the sidelines of international structures.

The president also noted the important role the emergency situations ministry had in tackling and responding to the recent fires in the territory of the country.

I wish you all good health, successes and new achievements  for the Republic of Armenia and the security and progress of our people, the president concluded.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Colombias ELN rebel group has admitted a Russian-Armenian citizen it held hostage for six months was killed in April, Euronews reports.

The ELN seized Arsen Voskanyan in November. After his lengthy captivity, the rebels claim he was shot in a bid to escape.

Our boys were careless and (while trying to escape) he took a grenade from some jacket and threw it at the men. a rebel leader explains. It exploded leaving several of our boys injured, almost the entire unit of five men. And then he fled and the men shot at him and killed him.

According to the Huffington Post, the rebel leader said that the issue of the captives body will be negotiated.

It is noteworthy that reports emerged that this incident might put the current peace talks between Colombia government and the ELN in jeopardy.

Earlier media reports said the Russian-Armenian citizen had gone to the Colombian jungles to collect poisonous frogs. The ELN claimed that he was collecting endangered, poisonous frogs in the jungles of the northwestern department of Choco and accused him of wanting to smuggle wildlife overseas.

Earlier in April 2017, several reports said Voskanyan had escaped.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by Armenias defense minister Vigen Sargsyan was hosted September 4 in Beijings Poly Group  a Chinese company specializing in the defense, energy, mining, and real estate and culture fields. It is one of the largest companies in China.

The company has achieved huge progress in defense industries in recent years  importing various armaments to the global arms market, the defense ministry told ARMENPRESS.

The Armenian delegation and executives of the Chinese corporation held a meeting, where the parties praised the traditional and friendly relations between the two peoples, and expressed willingness to continue active discussions on prospects and opportunities of cooperation in the defense area.

The Armenian defense minister later toured the companys museum, where ancient and valuable artifacts of the Chinese culture are exhibited.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian servicemen will participate September 4-6 in the Combat Commonwealth 2017 live military exercises in Russia.

The exercises are held on the sidelines of the CIS member state air defense committee session.

The Armenian delegation will be led by Colonel Armen Vardanyan, head of the air defense forces department of the Armenian military.

The final phase of the military exercises will commence on September 7 in Astrakhan, with the participation of Lt. General Movses Hakobyan  Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces.
BRICS accounts for 43 per cent of world's population and 25 per cent of global economy. As the world economic order is changing at a fast pace, BRICS has emerged as a potent voice for the developing countries.

By Prabhash K Dutta: The ninth BRICS summit is underway in China's Xiamen - "the most romantic leisure city" of the country located at its southeast coast opposite Taiwan.

Host nation China's President Xi Jinping, in his opening remarks, today underscored that with the latest trend of protectionism in many developed countries, the BRICS should "amplify the voice of the emerging economies and developing countries."

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Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the BRICS should work for early creation of its own rating agency. PM Modi said that a BRICS rating agency was required to "cater to financing needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing countries".

The call made by both Xi Jinping and PM Narendra Modi is significant given the changing economic strategy of the US-led West. The BRICS nations, for over a decade now, have been the engine of an otherwise sluggish world economy. Trade between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has been robust. Yet, they find it hard to be heard at a world forum largely due to economic inertia favouring the West.

WHAT BRICS STAND FOR?

This year's theme of BRICS summit is: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future. The heads of the five countries and the officials will deliberate, discuss and finalise the ways to strengthen ties among the BRICS nations and strategy to serve the interests of the emerging world and its people.

BRICS - standing for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - has been holding annual meetings since 2009. However, back then, it was called only BRIC. South Africa joined the group in 2011 and it was renamed as BRICS.

Interestingly, the term BRICS was first used in 2002 by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neil. He had described it as an investment portfolio of emerging markets. India, China, South Africa and Brazil were already loosely talking as part of what was then referred to as south-south dialogue.

Since 2011, BRICS has been able to establish itself as a potent voice for the developing countries. On its own, the BRICS bloc accounts for 43 per cent of the world's population and over 25 per cent of the global economy.

The BRICS countries held its economic steam when the world witnessed the biggest economic slump since the 1929 depression in 2008. These five countries together give hope for economic revival even though the signs of recovery in Europe and America have again started fading.

CHALLENGES BEFORE BRICS

Besides addressing their common concerns, the five BRICS nations also discuss and contribute towards global governance reforms, in handling development challenges and dealing with security worry that the world faces.

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The Xiamen edition of BRICS summit is underway at a time when at least three of the member countries - Brazil, Russia and South Africa - are facing serious economic and political challenges. India and China have their own economic issues to address.

India and China also faced-off one another in a military standoff that went for over 70 days at Doklam in Bhutan. The duration of Doklam standoff betrays trust deficit between India and China - two biggest economies of the BRICS. These two countries are together the biggest market in the world and a major manufacturing hub. For BRICS to present an alternative development model to the world, India and China will have to make sure that they work together without hostility towards one another.

FUTURE IS ECONOMICS, COOPERATION

Speaking at the plenary session of the BRICS, PM Modi said, "Our central banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote co-operation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF."

This cooperation between the BRICS and the global monetary body is key to achieving the developmental goals of the member nations. The USD 100 billion BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) became operational in 2015.

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The members have already launched the BRICS Bank with initial capital of USD 100 billion. Xi Jinping today promised USD 4 million as aid to the BRICS Bank's business operation facility. Besides, there is a USD 100 billion BRICS currency reserve fund.

Such financial institutions are important for the sustained growth of the BRICS countries especially after the developed countries are now working to reverse the stream of globalisation. To deal with the protectionist approach of the West, the BRICS is reaching out to other countries - not to increase the number of members but to explore the possibilities of engagement that are mutually beneficial. This year, Kenya, Egypt Tajikistan, Mexico and Thailand have been invited for talks.

However, while cooperation within and outside BRICS is being focused on during the deliberations between the member countries, there are some signals that are not healthy. China is pushing to make yuan (RMB) as the reserve currency of the BRICS nations. This betrays China's ambition to be what the US has been to rest of the world. But, the same hegemonistic tendencies led to the creation of BRICS by the member countries.

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China caught in a bind at BRICS Summit over North Korea's nuclear test

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | PM Modi arrives in Xiamen, set to meet Xi on Tuesday

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the EU is ready to enhance sanctions against North Korea, NewEurope reports.

The EU stands ready to sharpen its policy of sanctions and invites North Korea to restart dialogue on its programmes without condition," Tusk said in a statement.

"We call on the UN Security Council to adopt further UN sanctions and show stronger resolve to achieve a peaceful decentralization of the Korean peninsula. The stakes are getting too high."

Earlier North Korea announced it has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Chancellor Angela Merkel made the more convincing case to lead Germany for the next four years in Sunday's television debate ahead of Budestag elections against her election rival Martin Schulz, according to viewers, Deutsche Welle reports.

Forty-nine percent of viewers surveyed by German broadcaster ARD viewed Merkel as the more credible over the course of the debate, compared to just 29 percent who favored Social Democrat (SPD) candidate Schulz.

Merkel reportedly scored particularly high marks when it came to credibility, grasp of the issues and likability
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited the ministry of emergency situations September 4, where he participated in the celebrations dedicated to the Day of Emergency Situations Officers  the professional holiday of emergency personnel.

The president delivered a statement congratulating the officers.

Afterwards, several officers were awarded with state awards by the president for courageous service, devotion and professionalism in tackling fires.

On the sidelines of the celebrations, a cross-stone memorial dedicated to fallen rescue service officers was inaugurated outside the ministry. The inauguration was attended by the president, ministers and foreign diplomats.

President Sargsyan also attended the inauguration of the third building of the ministry, which was recently fully renovated.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenias new Ambassador to Denmark H.E. Alexander Arzumanyan had a meeting September 1 with Anders Samuelsen, the foreign minister of Denmark, the ministry of foreign affairs told ARMENPRESS.

Minister Samuelsen congratulated the Armenian Ambassador on his appointment and wished success in his important mission of drawing the relations between the two countries even closer.

The Ambassador thanked for the reception and said he will put maximum efforts to develop partnership in various fields.

During the meeting the parties exchanged ideas over enhancement of relations in areas such as the development of commercial ties, expansion of the legal-contractual field, activation of inter-parliamentary contacts, development of cultural exchanges and others. The sides also discussed the Armenia-EU partnership.

The Armenian Ambassador briefed the FM of Denmark on the joint efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group for ensuring progress in the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Officers of Armenias ministry of emergency situations are celebrating the 26th anniversary of the ministrys establishment.

Celebrations took place September 4 dedicated to the Day of Emergency Situations Officers in the ministry, attended by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, government officials, foreign guests, diplomats and representatives of international organizations and NGOs.

During the event, President Sargsyan awarded several distinguished officers for courage.

Minister of emergency situations Davit Tonoyan delivered remarks, emphasizing that the grand parade concludes the celebrations of the Day of Emergency Situations Officers. A key part of the events was the Secure Armenia international high-tech exhibition.

The minister thanked foreign guests for accepting the invitation for attending the event.

The minister emphasized that only a part of the dedicated officers are now participating in the parade, while many others are serving in various parts of the country.

Addressing the President, the minister reassured that they have specific tasks which are reflected in the governments program.

On the sidelines of the celebrations, a cross-stone memorial dedicated to fallen rescue service officers was inaugurated outside the ministry. The inauguration was attended by the president, ministers and foreign diplomats.

President Sargsyan also attended the inauguration of the third building of the ministry, which was recently fully renovated.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. BRICS leaders urged the international community to create a broad anti-terrorism coalition.

In a declaration adopted at the BRICS summit, the leaders said: "We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard.

"We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the United Nations General Assembly."

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa condemned all terrorist attacks.



"We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalization, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organized crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)," the document said, TASS reports.






Most read of the week
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The military investigative committee of Armenia completed the preliminary probe into the death of serviceman Suren Mosiyan.

A regional drafting commission doctor has been charged within the framework of the criminal case.

The soldier dies on May 29, 2016, when his health deteriorated drastically while on duty. He died while being rushed to a hospital.

An autopsy revealed that the death was caused by cardiovascular insufficiency (heart failure) and lung swelling.

The investigation revealed that while being examined during a routine checkup ahead of conscription, doctors diagnosed the soldier with pathological abnormalities of the heart. But nevertheless, the cardiologist of the clinic failed to send the draftee for further examinations, and determined him to be fit for service, based on incomplete data.

The cardiologist of the drafting commission of Artashat has been charged based on gathered evidence.

The criminal case has been sent to Court.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting of the OSCE permanent council, Azerbaijan  which is infamous for mass violations and obstruction of reporters and their rights  has criticized the limitations on media freedom in the United States and EU member countries.

Apparently the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE forgot about the hundreds of cases of persecution and imprisonment of opposition politicians, reporters and activities in their own country when they attempted to draw attention on violence against reporters in the US and several European countries.

It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijanis urged OSCE member countries to remain committed to OSCE commitments.

It is highly unusual to hear media freedom instructions from a country which was ranked 162nd from 180 countries by Reporters Without Borders in the 2017 media freedom index.

Another organization, Freedom House, ranked Azerbaijan as not free in its 2017 freedom index  drawing special attention on the oppression of reporters, bloggers and the media.

The Human Rights Watch emphasized pressured against opposition reporters in Azerbaijan in its 2017 reports. Namely the reports mentioned the criminal proceedings against Meydan TV and Azadliq and persecutions against reporters.

Therefore it is at least strange to see Azerbaijan use official platforms to criticize media freedoms in other countries.

Araks Kasyan
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Deputy defense minister of Armenia Artak Zakaryan reassures that Armenia did not officially confirm its participation in the military exercises of Georgia and USA in Akhaltskha.

During a press conference today, the deputy defense minister said he cannot say why Armenia was mentioned among the participants of the military exercises, since the Armenian military never said that it will take part. At the same time, he emphasized that there is nothing unusual in the non-participation of Armenia in that drills.

The military plans the issues of its foreign military cooperation, and during this planning many things can be subject to change and revision. There is nothing unusual in this, no fundamental or principle changes occurred in terms of policy or approaches, he said.

The deputy minister added that revisions happen in any action, adding that he doesnt know why Georgian sources commented that Armenia has refused to take part at the last moment.

Zakaryan reassured that Armenias non-participation has nothing to do with Azerbaijans participation.

There was no problem. NATO was and remains our partners. We are a CSTO member, and the main umbrella of our security if the CSTO system, he said.

Zakaryan said its no secret that the Armenian military has very important role in the CSTO system and the CSTO role has significant and key importance for Armenias security system.

It isnt a secret also that for a long time Armenia has broad cooperation with NATO structures and member states within the frameworks of development of both political, democratic institutions and peacekeeping missions, he said.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Industrialist Naveen Jindal and others were today granted bail by a special court in a case related to the allocation of a coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar granted the relief to them on a personal bond of Rs one lakh each and one surety of like amount.

The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on October 31.

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Besides Jindal, others who got the relief include Jindal Steel and Power Ltds (JSPL) former Director Sushil Maroo, former Deputy MD Anand Goyal and CEO Vikrant Gujral.

The accused were summoned for alleged offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

In its charge sheet, the CBI has alleged that JSPL misrepresented the equipment purchase orders and misled the Coal Ministry.

Jindal is also facing trial in a case pertaining to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand. PTI UK AG DV

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, 4 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 4 September, USD exchange rate is down by 0.23 drams to 478.22 drams. EUR exchange rate is down by 0.90 drams to 569.75 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is up by 0.01 drams to 8.26 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 0.37 drams to 619.20 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is up by 123.30 drams to 20301.32 drams. Silver price is up by 2.33 drams to 269.06 drams. Platinum price is up by 192.58 drams to 15359.75 drams.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. In the sidelines of the official visit to China the Defense Minister of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan met with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan on September 4. Following the official welcoming ceremony Armenia-Chinese negotiations kicked off.

In his welcoming remarks Vigen Sargsyan thanked for the invitation to visit China and for the cordial reception. The Chinese Defense Minister noted that the historical similarities and common value systems of the two great peoples are an excellent precondition for developing bilateral relations, including in the defense sphere, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Armenia.

Preparation of military specialists and humanitarian cooperation were mentioned as directions of productive cooperation. To the conviction of Vigen Sargsyan the Armenian servicemen who received higher education in Chinese military-educational institutions become excellent officers and commanders and Armenia is ready to expand the project of preparing military specialists of China.

During the meeting the defense ministers also referred to international security issues. In the recent years Chinas involvement in restricting global challenges has increased significantly. Armenia highlights those measures and expresses readiness to support them. Vigen Sargsyan noted that though Armenia is not a big country, it has a noteworthy participation in peacekeeping missions.

The Defense Ministers of the two countries thanked one another for their constructive stance on issues sensitive for Armenia and China in important international platforms such as the UN. For Armenia Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the most sensitive issue. The Defense Minister of China emphasized that his country advocates exclusively peaceful settlement. Vigen Sargsyan presented the current situation of the conflict, noting that though Armenia is consistent in its position, which is to settle the conflict through negotiations, the armed forces of the country are always ready for any development.

The sides shared the opinion that its necessary to increase the efforts aimed at deepening Armenian-Chinese defense partnership, particularly when there is enough potential for that. An agreement was reached to intensify mutual interactions.

Vigen Sargsyan thanked the Chinese side for assisting the defense sphere of Armenia for years without preconditions. To the assessment of the Armenian Defense Minister, that is one of the factors documenting the friendly relations between the two states. At the end of the meeting the sides signed another deal on 10 million yuan assistance to Armenia.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of Armenia has issued a statement over Armenias non-participation in NATO exercises in Georgia. ARMENPRESS reports the statement particularly reads,

Considering the fact that some media outlets circulate information that allegedly Armenia refused at the last moment to participate in the exercises in Georgia that kicked off on September 3, the Defense Ministry of Armenia announces:

The representatives of the Defense Ministry, Armed Forces and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia periodically participate in dozens of multinational military exercises abroad and the conferences and negotiations for their planning. The format of the participation of the units of the Armed Forces of Armenia in military exercises is decided based on the planning needs of the Defense Ministry of Armenia. Considering the fact that the military exercises in Georgia were of no key importance for the Armenian Armed Forces from the mentioned perspective, there was a decision from the beginning not to participate and no application had been submitted.

The speculations about a last-moment refusal to participate in the exercises are pointless.
Bakery products are driving a surge in sales of home-grown food and drink in Scottish Co-op stores.

The retailer has reported that sales of local products were up 33% year-on-year across its 350 stores  with sales of baked goods up 45%.

Among products driving the growth were sweet and savoury lines from businesses including Glasgow-based McGhees, Aberdeenshires Murdoch Allan and Stornoways Stag Bakery.

McGhees Bakery, which was named Scottish Baker of the Year in 2015, has been supplying Co-op stores with freshly baked rolls for 12 years.

Thanks to our presence in Co-op stores our crispy and soft rolls are now best-sellers across the country, said sales director Stuart McGhee.

Co-op, which carries almost 2,000 Scottish lines and 120 Scottish brands, said it was committed to promoting locally sourced products.

With sales figures rising so sharply over the past 12 months, we know our customers are enjoying the ranges weve got on offer, added Co-op ranging manager Charlotte Bleasdale.

Sales of prepared meals, including Bells Pies and McIntosh of Strathmores ready meals, are also up 45%, while local ales and spirits from brands including Aberdeens Fierce Beer and Edinburghs Pickerings Gin have increased almost 40%.

Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing, welcomed The Co-ops commitment to supporting Scottish suppliers, adding that exports of Scottish food and drink were worth 5.5bn in 2016.

We are working hard to support our producers to generate sustainable growth and further boost demand for Scottish produce both at home and abroad, he said. Our supermarkets have a key role to play in helping us achieve our ambitions.
Infiniti Allure Harris

Tykeis Dashawn Blount

On Friday, September 1st, 2017 at approximately 9:38 P.M., the Sheriff's Office received a call from a resident of Buck Road Extension in Washington, to report a home invasion. The caller advised three armed men wearing masks had entered the residence demanding money and fled the scene in a vehicle. The caller stated her husband and brother began following the suspect vehicle which was traveling back towards Washington. While being pursued, the suspects began shooting at the victims, striking their vehicle several times.Deputies with the Patrol Division responded and attempted to intercept the suspect vehicle. Shortly thereafter, Deputies were involved in a brief foot chase with one of the suspects, later identified as Tykeis Dashawn Blount, age 17. A second suspect, later identified as Jaylen Dontrelle Gilmore, age 18, was located in the parking lot of Cook Out at 1004 Carolina Avenue in Washington. Gilmore refused to comply with Deputies commands and after a brief struggle, Gilmore was taken into custody and a firearm recovered from his person.With the assistance of the Washington Police Department, a third suspect, later identified as Infiniti Allure Harris, age 19, was located hiding in the suspect vehicle. As a result of information and evidence gathered during the investigation, Blount, Gilmore, & Harris have been charged with 1st Degree Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Discharging a Weapon into an Occupied Vehicle. Blount was additionally charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Resisting a Public Officer.Blount, Gilmore, & Harris were taken into custody and presented before Magistrate D. Curtis. Blount and Gilmore were both placed under a $500,000.00 secured bond, while Harris was placed under a $250,000.00 secured bond and held at the Beaufort County Detention Center.During the course of the investigation, Investigators learned a fourth suspect, Zay'Meion DonShay Thompson, age 18, was involved and has additionally been charged with 1st Degree Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Discharging a Weapon into an Occupied Vehicle.Thompson is still at large, and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zay'Meion DonShay Thompson is asked to contact Beaufort County Crime Stoppers by phone, text or through their website. Call; text a tip anonymously by dialing 274637 on a cellphone and in the body of the message, type BCSO131 and the tip; or submit a tip through the Crime Stoppers website,, by followin the "Tip Line" link and filling out an online form. Calls, texts, and emails are anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to Mr. Moore's arrest. Tipsters do not have to give their name to receive a reward.Lieutenant Jim VanLandinghamBeaufort County Sheriff's OfficeCriminal Investigations Division210 N. Market St.Washington NC, 27889210 N. Market St. Cell Office 252-946-7111
Last week I posted a video on homelessness in Japan. Part two just came out. In this video, Professor Tom Gill, a social anthropology professor at Meiji Gakuin University, who has lived in Japan for 25 years, describes the homeless population in Japan. They are overwhelmingly male, poorly educated, and grew up in rural areas. They came to Tokyo and other urban centers to work as day laborers during the bubble economy in the 1980s. When they can afford it, they live in cheap, pay-by-the-night rooms caled doya (, which is a play on a Japanese word for inn, yado, ). About 20% have a criminal record, which makes it hard to find work. Former yakuza (Japanese mafia) members have an especially hard time getting hired because it's easy to spot their missing finger joints and tattoos.

In recent years, Japan has stepped up efforts to assist the homeless, but as one program director explains, a lot of the homeless people don't think they are worthy of assistance so they don't seek it.

This video is from "Life Where I'm From," a Patreon-supported effort to create documentary videos about Japan and the World.
By Noe Torres and Frank Jack Daniel MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The current front-runner for Mexico's 2018 presidential election on Sunday rejected comparisons of his leftist party to Venezuela's socialist government, saying his movement was a Mexican-made revolution against rampant corruption. Former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has led early opinion polls for the 2018 election, supported by frustration with rising crime and corruption scandals that have battered the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Just last week, President Enrique Pena Nieto compared the 63-year-old to Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, suggesting Lopez Obrador could unleash economic chaos if he wins office. "(They are) saying that if MORENA wins Mexico, it's going to be like Venezuela. That's a lie!" Lopez Obrador told a crowd of thousands of supporters who rallied at a monument in the nation's capital. "We're not taking inspiration from any foreign government ... Neither Maduro, nor Donald Trump." Earlier this year, Pena Nieto's PRI sought to brand Lopez Obrador's National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) an ally of Venezuela. [nL1N1IX09K] Analysts have compared Lopez Obrador's populist appeal to that of Trump. While Trump blamed immigrants and free trade deals for declining incomes among working-class Americans, Lopez Obrador's message is that corruption is keeping Mexicans poor. "People are fed up with corruption," Lopez Obrador said. "This is the cancer that we are going to end with our movement." In his annual state of the nation address on Saturday, Pena Nieto did not directly attack Lopez Obrador but he said Mexico faced the choice between backing his reforms, like the opening of the energy sector, that were "transforming" Mexico or "a model from the past that has failed." Lopez Obrador was the runner-up in Mexico's past two presidential contests. A victory by him could mark a leftward shift in Latin America's second-largest economy, where centrist technocrats have held sway for decades, and further complicate relations with top trade partner the United States. Maduro's government has been criticized by Washington, the United Nations and major Latin American nations for cracking down on protests and failing to allow the entry of foreign humanitarian aid to ease a severe economic crisis. Critics of Lopez Obrador have long sought to depict him as an economic liability, likening him to Maduro's fiery, late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, in previous runs for the presidency. "Pena Nieto told pure lies. He says all these things, but it's all corruption," said 71-year-old Ana Maria Hurtado as she stood among the crowd at the Lopez Obrador rally. (Reporting by Noe Torres Frank and Jack Daniel; Writing by Michael O'Boyle; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)
By PTI: By Harinder Mishra

Jerusalem, Sep 4 (PTI) Beleaguered Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus legal woes may deepen with a media report today claiming that his wife could be indicted on charges of fraudulently receiving items worth more than USD 100,000.

Haaretz Online reported that Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to inform Sara of the charges against her in a few weeks.

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She is suspected of ordering chefs meals at the prime ministers official residence, which is against regulations, and concealing the fact that she did so, the report said.

She and her husband have accused the former chief caretaker of the official residence, Meni Naftali , who is leading protests against the prime minister, of inflating the residences expenses.

Netanyahu had accused Naftali of stealing food from the residence at a rally last week but a senior police official was quoted in the report as saying that "this phenomenon began before Naftali came to work at the residence and continued after he was fired".

At the rally, Netanyahu described the investigation "as a preoccupation with unimportant matters".

"Theyre dealing with the most important things in the world," he said at the Likud party rally, sarcastically adding, "the procedure for replacing a light bulb, trays of food, the cup of tea that was served to her (Saras) father, a righteous man, on his deathbed".

Sara Netanyahu has denied the suspicions.

The decision to indict Sara in the so called "residence affair" is likely to be the first in a series of moves to be made in the coming months in cases in which the prime minister and members of his inner circle are suspects.

A senior law enforcement official told Haaretz that there was a likelihood that police would submit their recommendations on Cases 1000 and 2000 in which Netanyahu is a suspect in December.

In Case 1000 Netanyahu is suspected of illicitly receiving gifts from wealthy patrons and in Case 2000 there is a suspicion that he tried to concoct a deal with the publisher of the largest circulated daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, to receive favourable coverage in exchange for cutting back on commercial activity of the competing free daily, Israel Hayom.

However, the senior law enforcement official said the date the recommendations would be made public could change because "there are developments all the time that cant be predicted.

"This is a dynamic investigation," the source reportedly said.

Meanwhile,a former minister wasquestioned by police under caution today in connection with an expanding corruption probe into a multi-million-dollar purchase of naval vessels from Germany, known as the submarine affair, that has implicated several senior political and military officials.

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The former minister, whose name was withheld from immediate publication by a gag order, was questioned at the polices anti-corruption unit Lahav 433 in Lod, the police said in a statement also denying earlier reports that a sitting minister was interrogated.

A political adviser to a sitting minister as well as a former senior National Security Council official were also being questioned today in connection with the affair, dubbed Case 3000.

Six suspects were arrested in police raids including yesterday, including David Sharan, who served as Netanyahus bureau chief from late 2014 to 2016 on suspicion of bribe- taking, fraud, breach of trust and conspiring to commit a crime. PTI HM ABH AKJ ABH

--- ENDS ---
At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, Davidoff of Geneva USAs theme continued to be innovation and this would be a very different show for Davidoff in a number of ways.

Business-wise, CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard was absent  and the thought did cross my mind this could be a sign of change to come (last week it was announced Hoejsgaard was out as CEO). The Davidoff Golden Band Awards moved from a gala dinner to more of a media event at the Davidoff booth. Meanwhile, the Avo Cigars area of the booth definitely had a different vibe as it would be the first trade show since the passing of the legendary Avo Uvezian.

It would also be the first time since 2011 (when Camacho Cigars was fully integrated) that Room 101 Cigars was not present at the Davidoff booth. Earlier this year, Room 101 brand owner Matt Booth announced he was ending his relationship with Davidoff.

The Brands

There was plenty in the way of innovation across the various brands. The big focus was Davidoff, Avo, and Camacho. Davidoff of Geneva North America President Jim Young reported a good year of grwth. Avo led the way with 19% growth. The core Davidoff brand grew 14% and Camacho grew 1%. Young said the lower growth in Camacho was due to the enormous growth Camacho had in 2015 and it was hard to replicate that. This year, Young reported it was growing 5% as a company and 7% for the core brands.

There was a big push with S.T. Dupont, for whom Davidoff is distributing their line of accessories (we will be covering that separately). Camacho also was busy (we have a separate spotlight piece on that). Even Zino had a new release for the first time in three years. Cusano, which received a push last year, was noticeably lower key this year. The Griffins didnt have a push (although that brand typically is pushed more in Europe).

Davidoff

With the Davidoff brand, this year the focus seemed to move away from the Discovery (Black Label) series (although some limited edition line extensions were unveiled earlier this year. This year, the showcase release was Davidoff Winston Churchill  The Late Hour. Since the rebranding of Winston Churchill and its incorporation into the Davidoff brand, it has become one of Davidoffs top performers. The name was inspired by the fact that Sir Winston Churchill, the namesake of the Winston Churchill brand, often found inspiration and creativity during the late evening hours.

The Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour features tobacco from Condega aged in single malt Scotch Whisky barrels. Its a concept first used by Camacho for the American Barrel Aged. The Condega tobacco is then incorporated into the filler of the blend, which also includes Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The blend is finished with a San Andres Negro binder and Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Packaged in 20-count boxes, the Late Hour is available in three sizes: Robusto (5 x 52); Toro (6 x 54), and Churchill (7 x 48).

A series Davidoff Winston Churchill Accessories has been launched including a porcelain ashtray, whisky glasses, and humidors.

The other major release was the Davidoff Master Selection Series. Its a series of six personal blends created by Davidoff Master Blender Eladio Diaz that each celebrates one of his birthdays. These blends include:

Davidoff Master Selection Series 2007 (For Appointed Merchants)

Davidoff Master Selection Series 2008 (For Flagship Stores)

Davidoff Master Selection Series 2010 (For Appointed Merchants)

Davidoff Master Selection Series 2011 (For Flagship Stores)

Davidoff Master Selection Series 2013 (For Appointed Merchants)

Davidoff Master Selection Series 2016 (For Flagship Stores)

While it wasnt on display, Davidoff is planning a Davidoff Chefs Edition 2018. This was a series first introduced in 2016 and that blend made a return in 2017. The 2018 edition is going to feature an all-new Chefs collaboration  and an all-new blend.

We also caught up with Davidoff Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Charles Awad, who walked us through where the innovation strategy with the Davidoff brand lies.

Avo Cigars

The Avo Syncro South America Ritmo is the third release under Avos Syncro line. This was the first release since the passing of Uvezian. Syncro can be thought of as the innovative branch of Avo Cigars. With the Avo Syncro South America Ritmo, it brings together tobaccos from seven countries. The blend features an Ecuadorian wrapper, Mexican binder and a filler consisting of tobaccos from Nicaragua, Peru, Brazil, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.

The Ritmo is also the Avo lines second box-pressed regular production offering. Its available in four sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 54), Gordo (6 x 60), and Torpedo Largo (7 x 54). Each is packaged in 20-count boxes.

Camacho Cigars

Camachos focus has been around the Camacho Nicaraguan Barrel-Aged and Camacho BXP line. We covered this in detail in a separate Spotlight piece.

Zino

This year, Zino launched the limited edition Zino Platinum Z-Crown Series. Its the brands most premium release to date.

The Zino Platinum Z-Crown Series consists of two blends, each available in a single, unique vitola. Both blends incorporate eight-year-old aged fillers. Once rolled, the cigars were rested another four years. The Zino-Platinum Z-Crown Chubby is a 4 15/16 x 54 perfecto consisting of a Dominican Semilla 253 wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut binder, and filler from the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, the Zino Platinum Z-Crown Stout is a 7 x 52 torpedo consisting of a Semilla 702 wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and a combination of fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Each cigar is packaged in an individual coffin. Pricing for the Chubby is $75.00 per cigar while the Stout is $100.00 per cigar.

Cusano

After the brand was revamped last year, this year was a quiet year for Cusano with no new releases unveiled at the Trade Show.

The Griffins

There were no new releases this year unveiled at the Trade Show.

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted.
Monday September 4th, 2017 with Trish Bolechowsky and Simon Beach

Interview with Shawna Caspi with tunes from her new album, Forest Fire, Outside I'm a Giant join us in the studio for some live music! Interview with Mohammed Omer about the Frank phone.
Five banks of BRICS nations sign pact for credit lines

Published: September 4, 2017

Five banks of BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism (ICM) have agreed to establish local currency credit lines and develop cooperation on credit ratings. In this regard, they have signed agreement ahead of 9th BRICS summit to be held in Xiamen, China.

These five banks are Brazilian Development Bank, Russias Vnesheconombank, Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM), China Development Bank and Development Bank of South Africa.

Key Facts

The agreement will allow these five banks to establish framework mechanism to extend credit lines in local currencies to BRICS ICM members and BRICS companies against guarantees of signatory banks. The use of local currencies will help to promote mutually beneficial economic cooperation, increase trade, mitigate currency risks and facilitate companies in accessing BRICS markets.

Moreover, the agreement on credit ratings will allow ICM members to share information about internal credit ratings assigned to clients, as well as assignment methodologies and rating assessment. Information under it will be provided at request and on a confidential basis.

BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism (ICM)

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations had established the BRICS ICM to enhance trade and economic relations amongst BRICS countries, and enterprises.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2017

Topics: BRICS  China  Credit Ratings  Currency Credit Lines  EXIM  Interbank Cooperation Mechanism

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On the first Monday of September every year, the United States pauses to honor its workers and the contributions they make to our nations prosperity. On September 5, 1882, more than 10,000 men and women paraded through the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the first Labor Day.

New Yorks Central Labor Union organized the day of celebration in honor of the workers who fought to secure higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions for laborers. It was a day of celebration, but also a day of sacrifice; the workers sacrificed that days wages to demonstrate their commitment to gaining fair compensation for hard work.

American workers transformed the United States and the world with a quality of life never seen in history. American farmers export more food than any country in the world and produce food more efficiently per capita than China and India, the worlds largest food producers. The United States exports more refined petroleum than any other country in the world, and it export more than 40 percent of the worlds spacecraft and aircraft and more than 11 percent of the worlds electronics.

America has the largest road network of any country in the world with over 6.5 million kilometers of road, over 4.3 million miles of paved road and over 2.2 million miles of unpaved road. 90 percent of American households own at least one automobile and American workers produce almost 3 million cars per year, nearly 5 percent of cars produced per year worldwide. A key element in Americas economic success is the freedom that every American enjoys  the freedom to choose their work; the freedom to innovate and create new industries and revitalize old one.

What we are witnessing today is the renewal of the American spirit, said President Donald Trump.

Our allies will find that America is once again ready to lead. (Applause) All the nations of the worldfriend or foewill find that America is strong, America is proud, and America is free.

We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine, said President Trump. We will shine as an example for everyone to follow.
After many meetings and debates, the Chicago delegation succeeded in working with the New York United Federation of Teachers, Local 2 (UFT) to push the AFT to take stronger stands on charter school accountability and school closings  though many delegates from Chicago would have liked the language to have been even stronger.

Generally speaking, the New York delegation represented organizing charters as the best model for handling their role in reshaping unions, despite the fact that according to many reports few charter schools in New York have been organized as is the case in Chicago. This logic is the same touted by the Progressive Caucus of the AFT. The few that have been organized are a part of the UFT local though they have separate contracts negotiated with the help of UFT. The Chicago delegation reflection the mindset that allowing new charters to continue to proliferate while attempting to organize existing charters is an end game in which public schools and the union lose.



Jen Johnson, CTU, Local 1 in Substance


When is a shoe not just a shoe?" asked fashion writer Vanessa Friedman in an article last week in The New York Times, answering her question: "When it becomes a symbol of what many see as the disconnect between the Trump administration and reality. She was discussing the now infamous stilettos  a pair of snakeskin Manolo Blahniks  that Melania Trump chose to wear while traveling to Texas to visit areas devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

Melania Trump, Nicolas Sarkozy and Theresa May. INSTAGRAM (CORDON PRESS)

Melania, who appears to be as comfortable walking in 10-centimeter heels as in carpet slippers, does not consider comfort when choosing her shoes, but instead opts to make a fashion statement with each public appearance. But this time, her mastery of fashion has betrayed her. The general consensus was that the look was flawless for a night out, but not to visit the scene of a natural disaster.

The look itself was flawless for a night out, but not to visit a natural disaster

Anyone who holds a such a highly visible position uses their image as a communication tool, and while shoes may seem like a trivial detail, they are part of the process. One of the most notorious recent examples was British Prime Minister Theresa May, whose fondness for bold accessories led her to wear over-the-knee patent leather boots when she met Queen Elizabeth II. Her leopard print kitten heels landed here on the cover of various newspapers for the wrong reasons. The British press assumes that she uses shoes to emphasize the more fun and modern part of her personality, given her lack of charisma. She has acknowledged that her shoes serve as icebreakers and The Times went even further by suggesting that her inclination to wear British brands, such as Russell & Bromley or LK Bennett, was directly influenced by Brexit.

Nicola Sturgeon, her Scottish counterpart, also sends out an obvious message when she wears tartan shoes. Equally, German Chancellor Angela Merkel in her comfortable, worn-out shoes shouts pragmatism.

Brtish PM Theresa May makes a point of wearing distinctive footwear. INSTAGRAM

It is not just women who use shoes for more than just walking; the difference with their male colleagues is that they normally use them to rise a few inches above the ground, convinced that there is a direct relationship between statue and power. Silvio Berlusconi, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Vladimir Putin have all been accused of wearing lifts. Others like Florida Senator Marco Rubio do not bother camouflaging them. The republican is known for his cowboy-style boots with thick heels.

Ed Miliband, the former leader of the UK Labour Party preferred to send out a message of relatability and comfort by wearing traditional brand Clarks. Someone must have understood the message, as a pair of his used and signed shoes were auctioned on eBay for close to 300.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel puts comfort over style. CLEMENS BILAN (EFE)

And of course, the more centimeters we gain from high heels, the shorter our partners look. To tackle this, Prince Charles would climb a step to look taller than Lady Diana in official photos. The problem of short, famous husbands and their taller wives meant Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama wore short heels or flats so as not to detract from Nicolas Sarkozy or Barack Obama. Queen Letizia, lover of sky-high heels, does not have that problem. King Felipes 1.97 meters leave her with plenty of margin.

English version by Debora Almeida.
By PTI: (Eds: Adding a word in para 5)

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has stated that he was never in favour of demonetisation and had warned the government of the damage that pulling out 86 per cent of cash would cause to the economy.

Rajan was RBI governor in February 2016 when he was asked by the government for his views on junking of old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, he revealed in his book I do what I do.

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"At no point during my term was the RBI asked to make a decision on demonetisation," says Rajan, a statement that flies in the face of claims that the planning for the surprise move had started months before it was actually announced on November 8, 2016.

Rajan, who had predicted the 2008 global financial crisis, was governor of the central bank from September 4, 2013 to September 4, 2016. "I was asked by the government in February 2016 for my views on demonetisation, which I gave orally. Although there might be long-term benefits, I felt the likely short-term economic costs would outweigh them and there were potentially better alternatives to achieve the main goals. I made these views known in no (rpt) no uncertain terms," he wrote.

RBI, he said, handed over a note to the government outlining the potential cost and benefits of demonetisation as well as alternatives to achieve similar aims. It also detailed the preparation that would be needed and the time it would require.

"The RBI flagged what would happen if preparation was inadequate," said Rajan, who had so far not commented on the move.

Just over two months after his departure on September 4, 2016, the government invalidated Rs 15.44 lakh crore, expecting one-third may not come back, with an aim to check blackmoney and corruption.

The RBI, which had shied away from declaring how much of junked currency was deposited in banks in the limited window provided, last week in its annual report said 99 per cent of the currency had returned.

The monetary cost of printing new currency for the central bank has more than doubled to Rs 7,965 crore while the number of counterfeit notes or fake notes detected during the exercise is only minuscule -- just about 7.6 lakh pieces.

Rajan said: "If the government, on weighing the pros and cons, still decided to go ahead with demonetisation, the note outlined the preparation that would be needed and the time that the preparation would take. The RBI flagged what would happen if preparation was inadequate."

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The government then set up a committee to consider the issues, Rajan said, adding that "the deputy governor in charge of currency attended these meetings and at no point during my term was the RBI asked to make a decision on demonetisation".

The former RBI governor, currently professor of finance at the University of Chicago, said that much before the government took the demonetisation decision, he was asked about invalidating high-denomination currency in August 2014 during a public lecture. PTI BKS CS ANZ ARD MKJ

--- ENDS ---
The deputies for Junts pel Si, Marta Rovira and Lluis Corominas, (first and fourth from the left) and from CUP, Benet Salellas and Gabriela Serra at Catalan Parliament. JOAN SANCHEZ

The head of the regional government of Catalonia has bowed to pressure from his left-leaning allies in the run-up to a referendum on independence for the northeastern Spanish region on October 1. At a session on Wednesday in the regional parliament, Carles Puigdemont will seek to push through legislative measures allowing the government to officially call the vote ahead of the latters suspension by the countrys Constitutional Court.

If the government tries to withdraw the ballot boxes, then obviously we will mobilize voters to prevent this

Marta Rovira, ERC

The Catalan Republic Left party (ERC) and the Candidatura dUnitat Popular (CUP), a small anti-capitalist party whose support is pivotal to Puigdemont, have said they will call street protests if the referendum does not go ahead.

If the government tries to withdraw the ballot boxes, then obviously we will mobilize voters to prevent this so that the Generalitat [the regional government of Catalonia] and the electoral administration can guarantee that voting booths will open with normality, said Marta Rovira, ERCs spokesman, to Spanish news agency EFE.

Referring to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoys determination not to allow the referendum to go ahead, Toni Comin, the regions health chief, told Catalan daily Ara: They will have to block it, and people will not stay at home if they do. We are heading toward the repression of institutions and eventually civil society will mobilize, he said.

Toni Comin, Catalan health chief

Rajoy is expected to appeal to the Constitutional Court against a decree issued in late July by the regional parliament of Catalonia approving reforms to allow laws to be passed after a single reading, meaning legislation required for the October 1 independence referendum could be fast-tracked with little or no debate. The Constitutional Court would then immediately suspend the referendum.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 04

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

Azerbaijan and Germany have been implementing mutually beneficial, equal and fruitful cooperation for a long time, and the political dialogue between the two countries has been established at the highest level, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Federal Republic of Germany Ramin Hasanov said in an interview with Trend.

He added that economic relations between Germany and Azerbaijan are developing at an accelerated pace, and this is one of the main priorities.

"Both countries are interested in deepening the existing relations, as well as in raising them to a higher level, especially, given the fact that there is great potential for this," the diplomat said.

"There are many areas for cooperation: agriculture, transport, logistics, tourism, the study of best practices in the field of innovative technologies, etc.," the Ambassador said. "German experience and technology are highly valued in Azerbaijan. Deepening cooperation for the use of this potential is the most important area of bilateral relations."

"We are also interested in attracting German investors to various sectors of Azerbaijans economy," Hasanov said.

He particularly noted the potential of cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of tourism.

"One of the challenges facing Azerbaijan currently is the development of tourism in the country at the international level," Hasanov said. "There are direct flights between Baku and several German cities. Rich history, cultural diversity of Azerbaijan, its beautiful and diverse nature, historical monuments, Bakus architecture (which is successfully developing and being enriched)  all of these factors can attract German tourists to Azerbaijan, who, as well known, are amongst the most travelling nations in the world. Thus, acquainting Germany with our huge tourism opportunities is one of the main directions of our work here,"-said Hasanov.

According to him, in 2016, about 13,000 German tourists visited Azerbaijan and this year the tourist inflow is expected to grow up to 14,500 people.

"At the same time, Azerbaijans potential in such areas as countryside tourism, ecotourism and health tourism, can also cause great interest among German tourists," the diplomat said.

As for the trade relations between the two countries, the Ambassador mentioned that this sphere is one of the most dynamic in our cooperation.

"In 2016, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to about two billion euros," he said. "Azerbaijans trade turnover with Germany in January-June 2017 amounted to 715 million euros, 577 million euros of which accounted for the exports to Germany."

"The main share of Azerbaijani exports accounts for oil and oil products," he noted. "Azerbaijan is in the fifth place among the countries that supply oil to Germany. Azerbaijan also considers Germany as a strategic market for the export of non-oil, in particular agricultural and industrial products. In turn, Azerbaijan imports pharmaceutical products, building materials, chemical products, equipment."

"In general, Azerbaijan is Germanys most important economic and trading partner in the South Caucasus," Hasanov said. "According to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Azerbaijans share in Germanys trade turnover with the countries of the South Caucasus was around 70 percent in the first half of 2017."

"Despite this fact, both countries continue working on the expansion of the trade relations", he noted.

"One of the activities of Azerbaijans Embassy in Germany is to assist businessmen of the two countries in forging partnerships," he said. "To this end, the diplomatic mission assists Azerbaijani entrepreneurs in participation in the specialized exhibitions in Germany, demonstration of their products and promotion of the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand."

According to the diplomat, about 170 German companies operate in Azerbaijan. There is the German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce in Baku.

"The opening of the second (among the CIS countries, after Moscow) official chamber of commerce in Baku is an indicator of the dynamic development in the economic relations between the two countries and the manifestation of Germanys great economic interest in Azerbaijan," the Ambassador said.

"Over the past 20 years, German companies have invested about $500 million in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan," he said.

The Ambassador also noted the potential of cooperation with Germany for Azerbaijani investors and entrepreneurs.

"For Azerbaijani investors, such areas of the German economy as construction of tourism facilities, in particular hotels, restaurants, etc. may be attractive," he added. "The German market can also be attractive for Azerbaijans agricultural producers."

"Prospects for economic cooperation and specific projects are being considered within the framework of the meetings of the Azerbaijani-German intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation," the Aambassador said.

"The last meeting of the intergovernmental commission took place last year in Baku, and, according to the rotation, the next meeting will be held in Berlin in November of 2017," he noted. "Now the agenda of the meeting is being considered."

According to the diplomat, fairly solid legal framework, covering all spheres of cooperation, has been established between the two countries.

"Taking into consideration that such a framework requires regular updating and improvement, the work on it is being constantly carried out," Hasanov said. "Currently, a number of new draft agreements are being considered."
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 4

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

PJSC Ukrtransnafta, operator of Ukraines oil transportation system, plans to sell all remaining 37,000 tons of Azeri Light oil stored at the Kremenchug refinery during September, the Ukrainian news agency enkorr (enkorr.com.ua) reported citing the companys First Deputy Director General Andrey Pasishnik.

According to the bulletin of trades on the Ukrainian Energy Exchange (UEEX), scheduled for September 5, the company put up for sale 12,000 tons of Azeri Light oil.

As in the previous time, the auction will take place in differential trading mode. The volume is divided into two lots: 2,000 and 10,000 tons. The starting price is calculated on the basis of the average quotation of Azeri Light (Azeri Lt FOB 80 KT) according to Platts data for 15 days. Oil will be shipped from September 14 to October 14.

Ukrtransnafta resumed the operation of the oil pipeline from Odessa to Kremenchug on March 10 and started the transportation of Azeri Light oil to the Kremenchug refinery. The agreement, signed in late 2016, envisages the transportation of at least 1.3 million tons of Azeri Light oil to the Kremenchug refinery in 2017.

The Kremenchug refinery has been processing Azeri Light oil since December 2016. Earlier, oil was delivered to the refinery via railway.

Azerbaijan produced more than 14 million tons of light oil in 1H17 as compared to 16 million tons in January-June 2016. Azeri Light oil is produced at Azerbaijans Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli block of oil and gas fields.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sep. 3

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Suzanne Minter of S&P Global Platts has turned down the significance of speculations suggesting that the Hurricane Harvey may lead to an increase in global crude pricing.

"A temporary reduction of US refining capacity due to the Hurricane Harvey does not imply a shortage of global energy," Suzanne Minter of S&P Global Platts told Trend.

"While I do not see any reason that reduced US refinery runs would incite OPEC to change its output, I do think that global barrels, currently entering the US, may redirect themselves to any other spare global refining capacity, be it in the Europe, the Middle East or Asia, so that those regions can create refined product to fulfill the potential shortfall of the US refined product to the globe. Therefore, there may be some slight uplift to global refined product pricing as barrels need to potentially ship themselves to more distant markets, but the amount of crude supply that creates refined barrels, has not been impacted by Harvey  therefore, this should not cause an increase in global crude pricing," said Suzanne Minter, director of client strategy and energy solutions at S&P Global Platts, a New York-based provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets.

On Friday, September 1, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed at a $47.29, a $5.46 discount to Brent in NW Europe, a $3.06 discount to the Dubai barrel in Singapore and $2.12 discount to the OPEC basket.

The key component of the opening of the spreads was not so much a price increase of the global barrel, but a softening of the WTI barrels. WTI softened with the landfall of Hurricane Harvey as the markets perceived US domestic barrels as "trapped" due to decreased refinery runs. In reality though, the physical driver between the WTI and global barrel spread may be the closing of the US ports.

Per the EIA, US Gulf Coast ports have averaged year to date imports of 4.0 MMB/d (million barrels per day) of crude and crude products.

In June, Gulf coast refiners imported 3.2 MMB/d of crude and 750,000 B/d of refined product  primarily finished gasoline.

Ports closed on Thursday August 24, effectively leaving 3.9 MMB/d of global crude and product looking for a new home. Of this displacement, it seems more than likely that the WTI spread widening was more of a "knee Jerk" reaction than a true physical necessity.

It seems more logical that global barrels should now begin to soften relative to WTI as the trading and producing communities grasp the fundamental reality that approximately 44 million global barrels may now be looking for a new home.

US ports closed on Thursday August 24 and while there are some partial reopening, full resumption of port activity is not expected until Tuesday.

While there has been partial restart of some refining capacity, as of Saturday, September 2, S&P Global Platts estimates that there is still between 2.3 and 3.2 MB/d of US refining capacity offline.

As waters recede across the US Gulf Coast region, refiners will assess any damage and determine when they can bring refineries back up to full runs.

As the ports reopen, the US refiners that are running should be able to source barrels of varying grades from global supply that they need to create the refined products required by US domestic markets.

Within the US , there may be some logistical disconnects as the US gulf coast supplies 60 percent of the Supply for the US Atlantic coast via Colonial pipeline, but if refining capacity in the US Gulf remains curtailed, it would seem that the US Atlantic coast may simply be forced to import more finished product from European refiners.

"Where it gets more interesting is when one considers that the US is a net exporter of 2.7 MMB/d of refined product  primarily to central and South America, through the US Gulf Coast. The longer the US refiners are unable to produce adequate product for export, the tighter the markets will get for central and South America, who will be looking for supply from other global refiners. It is key to realize that a temporary reduction of US refining capacity does not imply a shortage of global energy"

"Therefore, it seems that if, the US refiners are not able to bring refinery utilization back up to pre-Harvey levels relatively soon, there could be a significant shift in trade flows. OPEC members Saudi, Venezuela and Iraq are among the largest suppliers of imported barrels for the US refiners"

In June the 3 combined supplied 40 percent or 1.6 MMB of the 3.9 MMB/d imported into the Gulf Coast.

"While I do not see any reason that reduced US refinery runs would incite OPEC to change its output, I do think that global barrels, currently entering the US, may redirect themselves to any other spare global refining capacity, be it in Europe, the Middle East or Asia, so that those regions can create refined product to fulfill the potential shortfall of US refined product to the globe. Therefore, there may be some slight uplift to global refined product pricing as barrels need to potentially ship themselves to more distant markets, but the amount of crude supply that creates refined barrels, has not been impacted by Harvey  therefore, this should not cause an increase in global crude pricing"

The boom in US energy production since 2012 coupled with the upgrading of the US and global refineries and build out of export capacity has enabled the US to alter the historic flow patterns and energy distribution.

"While Hurricane Harvey may temporarily alter these new patterns, it seems that US upstream production has not been significantly affected and that once the refineries, crackers and terminal infrastructure can all turn itself back on in conjunction with one another in the US, the US will retain its position of the worlds top supplier of petroleum and natural gas hydrocarbons."
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 4

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

A two-day international conference on transport and logistics kicked off on May 4 in Turkmenistans Avaza tourist zone, the Turkmen government said in a message.

Turkmenistan has become one of the major states in the transport and logistics sphere. At the current stage, our country is consistently working to expand the transport infrastructure and implement projects to create transnational corridors, said Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in his message to the conferences participants.

Representatives of foreign transport and logistics companies, international organizations, government agencies and investors are taking part in the forum. The conferences agenda includes topical issues, including the role of transport and logistics in the economy, the future of the logistics system, prospects and development of the communication infrastructure of railway industry, sea, river transportation.

Ashgabat is involved in a number of large-scale projects. The Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railways, automobile and railway bridges over the Amudarya River, airports, highways, international sea port of the Turkmenbashi city are meant to become important links in the international network of transport communications in the region.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Sept. 4

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Ahmet Calik, head of the Turkish construction company Gap Insaat, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported.

Calik informed the president on the progress of construction of a gas chemical plant for urea production in the Garabogaz city of Balkan region.

A large-scale production will be conducted at the plant for deep processing of natural gas and production of products that meet international quality standards.

According to the project, the plant will produce mineral fertilizers from raw materials supplied by the East-West gas pipeline from natural gas fields: 2,000 tons of ammonia and 3,500 tons of urea per day.

It will be the biggest enterprise of this kind in the country, and the contract is estimated at approximately $1.3 billion.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Sept. 4

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Starting from September 5, 2017, legal entities and individuals of Uzbekistan will be able to freely carry out operations for buying and selling foreign currency at market rates in the conversion departments of commercial banks.

The relevant presidential decree On priority measures for the liberalization of monetary policy, posted on the Uzbek presidents website, says that individual entrepreneurs without education and legal entities involved in import of consumer goods have the right to conduct currency transactions through bank accounts in the manner established for individuals, and those who have foreign currency revenues have the right to withdraw foreign currency from their bank accounts.

Currency funds purchased by individuals in line with the current order will be transferred to international payment cards and used abroad without any restrictions.

It was previously reported that in January 2013, Uzbekistan banned the sale of cash to the population. For its purchase, individuals must obtain special conversion cards in international Visa or MasterCard Exchange systems in commercial banks of Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, for exporters, regardless of the form of ownership, the requirement of mandatory sale of revenues in foreign currency has been abolished.

Moreover, terms for the issuance and repayment of loans in foreign currency, as well as the amount of commissions for the purchase and sale of foreign currency are determined by commercial banks independently, and the risks of banks related to these operations are related to business risk, and their management is in the competence of a commercial bank.

The practice of issuing licenses to commercial banks for conducting operations in foreign currency has been canceled. These operations are now carried out under a license giving the right to conduct banking activities.

Meanwhile, temporary procedure has been established until July 1, 2018, according to which the profit of business entities obtained as a result of revaluation of funds in foreign currency on accounts is not included in the taxable base.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Sept. 4

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Continuing economic recovery and maintaining high state support will help the banking sector of Uzbekistan to overcome difficulties related to the accelerated devaluation of the national currency, says a report of the international rating agency Moodys Investors Service.

The high level of domestic investment and public spending, as well as increased consumption thanks to the growth of salaries, pensions and remittances from abroad continue to favorably influence the position of Uzbek banks and to some extent compensate for the weakness of the national currency, says the report.

It was previously reported that the official exchange rate of the Uzbek soum decreased by 18 percent  to 3,231.48 soums per dollar in 2016, and by 23.2 percent  to 4,210.35 soums per dollar since early 2017 until September 1.

According to Moodys, although the currency risk is one of the key problems of the banking sector, these risks are mainly concentrated in the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan (National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity, 1/2, Stable, b2), which accounts for a quarter of all assets of the countrys banking sector.

The agencys experts believe that the quality of Uzbek banks loan portfolio will improve within the next 12-18 months, while the share of problem loans will gradually decrease from 2.7 percent (as of late 2016) to 2-2.5 percent of the total volume of issued loans.

Meanwhile, the aggregate loan portfolio of banks will grow by 40 percent in 2017-2018, mainly due to the revaluation of assets in foreign currency.

The accelerated devaluation of the Uzbek national currency increased the credit risks in foreign currency of borrowers that dont have sources of foreign currency revenues. These are, as a rule, big state-owned enterprises, which, if necessary, can count on the support of the state.

According to the agency, the level of capital and income of Uzbek banks are sufficient to absorb credit losses.

The significant capital injections by the Ministry of Finance (about 500 billion soums) and the Fund for Reconstruction and Development ($500 million) carried out in 2017 will enable to somewhat offset the growth of risk-weighted assets, such as unsecured loans in 2017-2018.

Currently, 27 commercial banks operate in Uzbekistan, including three state-owned banks, five with the participation of foreign capital, seven private banks and 12 joint-stock banks.

In 2016, total assets of Uzbek banks increased by 23.3 percent  up to 80.4 trillion soums, the aggregate loan portfolio by 25.1 percent  up to 53.4 trillion soums, total bank capital rose by 20.5 percent  up to 9.4 trillion soums.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 31

By Umid Niayesh Trend:

Android devices are dominant in Irans smartphone market, with an estimated 84 percent share or over 34 million devices, according to the latest estimates based on Irans ICT ministry statistics.

Isnt it an attractive market? So what should you do to access the Iranian audiences?

First of all, forget about the Google Play store. You cant really make money on it in the Iranian market.

Iranians are able to download free apps from the Google Play store, but they cant make any payments, due to the sanctions related lack of an international payment services.

Nonetheless, some Iranians use Gift Cards to make purchases from the Google Play store, though its not spoken of publicly.

But dont get dismayed, there are always alternatives. Notwithstanding the sanctions Iranians have developed local Android app stores. Cafe Bazaar, Iranapps, Myket, Candoo, ParsHub are some of the local platforms, which work as an alternative to the Google Play store in Iran.

Some of these platforms permit foreign developers to sell their apps to the Iranian users.

Cafe Bazaar is the most popular platform, which has a cracking monopoly in the market with 34 million active installs of the Cafe Bazaar app, 98 percent of which are in Iran.

The platform has a mechanism to support non-Iranian developers, who are interested to sell their apps in Iran.

There are around 120 non-Iranian developers and publishers, with over 800 high quality apps, who officially provide services to Iranian users, Amir Haghighat, a representative of Cafe Bazaar, told Trend.

Haghighat further said that, non-Iranian developers can sign a contract with the firm and receive their 70 percent profit share from the app sales or in-app purchases.

"Cafe Bazaar is open to cooperate with the regional IT industry, including Azerbaijan, especially with the developers society, enabling it with the publishing of their products on Cafe Bazaar," he added.

There are certain Iranian publishers who negotiate with the top developers from all over the world and provide the required localization of apps and games for the Farsi speaking audience.

Another local Android store called Myket, used by over 8 million active users, also supports foreign developers.

According to Sepehr Khadem, head of the Mykets Marketing Office, foreign apps have a little share in the store, compared to Iranian ones; nevertheless, the most sold foreign games are closely competing with the Iranian games.

Foreign Android apps have a great potential in Irans market, Khadem believes.

So, neither sanctions, nor the lack of Farsi create a problem for the foreign developers in the examination of the Iranian Android market. You should simply give it a try. The world is very small, but there are always alternatives.

Follow the author on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh
Tehran, Iran, September 4

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Although Iranian textile and garment producers offer really high-quality products, lack of appropriate branding and marketing continues to pose damage on them a great deal, a businessman in the industry told Trend September 4.

There is also some unknown mechanism that makes the cost of production in Iran go very high, which also negatively impacts how successful the business can be in this country, Mansour Aghazadeh, sales expert at Aliaf Gostar Yazd Co. said.

We are worried about fluctuating prices of raw material as well as unbridled imports. The raw material supply for our industry is in the monopoly of one company, which can do anything with prices it wishes.

Also as for imports, we are not the only country to face such problem. Take Turkey for example, due to their anti-dumping policies, they have managed to have a flourishing textile industry, Aghazadeh noted.

If the government supports the producers and removes the obstacles, then Iranian producers of textile can also have a booming business, he said.

Irans textile and garment industries are victimized by an annual smuggling amount of $2.5 billion, according to official reports.

There are over 250 international garment brands with a branch in Iran.
Sitharaman will assume office on Wednesday evening after the arrival of Finance minister Arun Jaitley, who is on a defence-related visit to Japan.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: Not even waiting for the official taking over, India's first full-time female Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has already started carrying out her responsibilities. She was briefed by senior military and defence ministry officials at her Safdarjung Road residence.

"IAF chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa met the new minister for around half-an-hour while other senior officials of the defence ministry were briefing throughout the day," officials said.

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The minister met senior defence ministry officials, including the Secretary, soon after taking oath as a Cabinet minister on Sunday, the officials said.

Sitharaman will assume office on Wednesday evening after the arrival of Finance minister Arun Jaitley, who is on a defence-related visit to Japan.

In South Block, officials hope that her experience in the Commerce ministry will expedite the modernisation of the armed forces and speed up weapon acquisition process.

Sitharaman yesterday said Make in India in the defence sector would be one of her priorities, as this was one of the key initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

ALSO READ

Why Nirmala Sitharaman as defence minister doesn't really shatter glass ceiling

Cabinet reshuffle: New Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to focus on Make in India

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It will be a challenge to fill Arun Jaitley's shoes: Nirmala Sitharaman

--- ENDS ---
Tehran, Iran, September 4

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iran has surrendered its garment market to foreigners for nothing, the countrys Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari said.

Inaugurating the 5Th International Iran Apparel Exhibition in Tehran, Shariatmadari said unbridled smuggling of clothing items into the country has crippled the garment industry in the country, Trend correspondent reported from the Tehran Permanent Fairground September 4.

Iran is suffering not only worth $2.5 billion of officially declared garment smuggling, but many of the apparently legally imported clothing items also come while no tariff has been paid for them, the minister insisted.

He went on to doubt that the officially announced number says the real amount of smuggled clothes in Iran, saying he believed the real number is much greater.

Iran imports worth $12 billion clothing items per year. The biggest suppliers of the items are China and Turkey.

He also blamed part of the problem on the fact that while the profitability of the clothing industry in Iran stands somewhere around 10 percent, banking facilities are given with interest rates around 20 percent.

Much of the problem causing smuggling into Iran, not only of clothing items but other items as well, has to do with the lack of ample distribution of wealth and job opportunities in remote areas and especially around borders. To reduce the risk of economic, social, and security aftermaths of this shortcoming, the Iranian government has given special permission to the residents of these areas to engage in suitcase trade of goods from over borders.
Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit his country, Putins press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, TASS reported.

"Al-Sisi invited Putin to visit Egypt. The presidents agreed that the date of such visit will be coordinated through diplomatic channels," he said, adding that todays meeting between the two leaders was quite meaningful.

"They spoke about positive tendencies as far as aviation security is concerned, discussed concrete trade-and-economic cooperation projects. Thus, Rosneft demonstrates activity in Egypt. They also discussed the topic of the construction of a nuclear power plant which is to be funded through Russias government loan, and other issues," Peskov said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump condemned North Koreas nuclear test during on Monday and urged the United Nations to quickly agree on tougher sanctions against Pyongyang, a German government spokesman said, Reuters reported.

Both agreed that the test of a hydrogen bomb means a new and unacceptable escalation by the North Korean regime, Steffen Seibert said in a statement after they spoke by telephone.

The German chancellor and the American president expressed the view that the international community must continue to exert pressure on the regime in North Korea and that the United Nations Security Council has to quickly adopt further and stricter sanctions, Seibert added.

For her part, Merkel told Trump that Germany would push for tougher sanctions against North Korea by the European Union, Seibert said, adding: The aim is to dissuade North Korea from its violations of international law and to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Turkish telecommunication giant Turk Telekom has become a partner-member of the international Open Networking Foundation (ONF), said Turkey's transport, maritime affairs and communication minister on Monday, Anadolu reported.

The ONF calls itself a nonprofit, operator-led global consortium driving the transformation of network infrastructure and carrier business models.

"This membership is an international step to contribute to the government's targets of developing national and domestic technologies," Ahmet Arslan told Anadolu Agency.

"A Turkish company will give direction to technology projects and set standards in this field by taking its place among decision-makers," he said.

Turk Telekom, the country's oldest telecommunication company, is owned by Oger Telecom (55 percent), the Turkish Treasury (25 percent) and the Turkiye Wealth Fund (5 percent), while the remaining 15 percent of its shares are publicly traded in Turkey's stock exchange market, Borsa Istanbul.

According to the company's financial reports, Turk Telecom's revenues reached 8.8 billion Turkish liras (around $2.41 billion) in the first six months of this year.

With over 33,000 employees, the company is providing nationwide integrated telecommunication services to its 39.6 million subscribers in the fixed voice, broadband, mobile, and pay TV markets.

This June Brand Finance, a London-based independent consultancy, named Turk Telekom Turkey's top brand with a value of $2.62 billion.

Noting Turkey's efforts to become a tech producer and exporter country, Arslan said that over the past 15 years the government has made a lot of successful moves in the fields of defense industry, transportation, and communication.

"These actions are not enough. Indeed, we have a lot of work to do," he added. "Therefore, the government supports strongly the private sector's efforts in local tech production."

"In this respect, it is very important for Turk Telekom to take a place among partner-members of the ONF, which can be called the world's heart of 5G technology and telecommunication infrastructure developments," Arslan said.

He also said that Turk Telekom will be aware of the latest issues and contribute to the ONFs projects with its own know-how.

Since 2011, the ONF consortium has been working with around 150 organizations among universities, equipment vendors, chip manufacturers, and software suppliers.

According to its mission, the ONF serves as the umbrella for a number of projects building solutions by leveraging network disaggregation, white box economics, open-source software and software-defined standards to revolutionize the carrier industry.

Partner-members -- including AT&T, China Unicom, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Google, Samsung, Huawei, Ericsson, and Verizon -- have the most extensive rights in the ONF and provide major contributions to the community.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2017 - 08:06 | All, World, Urgent

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned North Korea on Sunday that any attack on the United States or its allies South Korea and Japan would be met with "a massive military response" as Washington responded to Pyongyang's sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date.

"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack," Mattis told reporters after meeting with President Donald Trump and the national security team at the White House.

"Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming."

Earlier Sunday, Trump also threatened to halt trade with "any country doing business with North Korea" in response to the latest in a series of provocations by Pyongyang that have destabilized Northeast Asia.

"The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea" as part of tightened sanctions on Pyongyang, Trump said in a Twitter post -- a message apparently directed at China, which accounts for about 90 percent of the North's trade and is a major supplier of oil to the country.

North Korea said Sunday it detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile. In July, Pyongyang conducted two ICBM tests in pursuit of a nuclear-tipped missile that could strike as far as New York or Washington.

The United States, Japan and South Korea have urged China and Russia -- two countries critics say are economic enablers of North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development programs -- to play more of a role in reining in the North.

In New York, the U.N. Security Council will convene an emergency meeting Monday to discuss a response to Pyongyang's nuclear test, the latest violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning the North from engaging in nuclear and missile activities, according to U.S. diplomats.

The meeting was requested by the United States, Japan, South Korea, Britain and France, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said in a tweet.

When asked by reporters Sunday if the United States plans to attack North Korea, Trump said, "We'll see." He did not elaborate.

The Trump administration says it is keeping all options -- including military ones -- on the table in dealing with North Korea.

Mattis said that the United States has "many military options," and reiterated that Washington has the ability to defend itself and its allies.

At the same time, the Pentagon chief said the United States is "not looking to the total annihilation" of North Korea, urging Pyongyang to rid itself of nuclear weapons as demanded by the international community.

"Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice -- all members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses and they remain unanimous on their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," he said, in reference to the North Korean leader.

In the Security Council meeting, the United States, Japan and South Korea are expected to call for a new sanctions resolution on North Korea, a day after Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed during telephone talks to ramp up pressure on Pyongyang in coordination with other countries.

In a separate phone call Sunday, Abe told Russian President Vladimir Putin that it is vital that the international community as a whole impose "maximum pressure" on North Korea and adopt a new and "powerful" Security Council resolution on the country, according to a senior Japanese official.
Khallil Mangalji.JPG

24-year-old Khallil Mangalji is a happy guy. He just closed a $1.8 million round of venture funding for his two-year-old startup, Fiix, and got some good news about his health.

The cancer tumor he's been fighting for the past year while launching his startup is in retreat and the prognosis for a full recovery is good, he told Business Insider.

His young life is a reminder that good things often require hard choices, teamwork and, sometimes, fighting with everything you've got.

An annoyance leads to a startup

Mangalji is CTO and one of three cofounders of a Toronto startup called Fiix, which sends licensed mechanics out on house calls to do minor auto repairs like installing new brake pads and changing tires or oil.

Fiix was launched two years ago by Mangalji and his two college buddies Zain Manji and Arif Bhanji, who would hang out and dream up apps to generate some cash while they finished their computer science degrees. They had already tried a few things, none of them successful, like an "Airbnb for weddings" and "a magnetic weight lifting app," Mangalji tells us.

But on this particular day, one of them had to deal with getting snow tires put on his car. The local shops were all booked up, so he was forced to hire someone off of Kijiji, Canada's version of Craigslist, who was coming to his house to do the work.

Fliix cofounders

When the mechanic was done they looked at each other and said, "That was much easier than going to a shop. What if we could build an app to do that for everyone?" Mangalji recalled.

And so their startup was born, initially called Tire Swap. The guys rounded up some licensed mechanics, built an app to send them to people's houses to change tires, and were shocked that in the first week "80 people paid us to use the service," he said. By the end of the month, it had serviced "hundreds" of customers, he said.

Soon customers started asking if the mechanics could do more stuff, so Tire Swap became Fiix. Today, Fiix has completed 4,000 repairs for people, is on track to do $1.2 million worth of repairs this year, and keeps three mechanics so busy they left their shops to work for Fiix customers full-time, he said. All told there's 15 mechanics registered on the system, he said.

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Fiix is only in Toronto, but with that nearly $2 million in seed money led by Javelin Venture Partners (backers of Thumbtack and a bunch of other auto-tech startups), the founders hope to start expanding to other areas.

Snapchat leads to $20,000 and Y Combinator

Fiix bolted onto the startup scene in a highly unusual way.

Khallil Mangalji

Mangalji was initially going the traditional route with his career. In college he landed prestigious internships at Pivotal Labs, Apple, BitPesa (a bitcoin/blockchain startup in Africa), and Facebook.

When he graduated he landed job offers from Facebook, Uber, Medium, and others, he said.

Mangalji is convinced he landed so many offers because he could show them Fiix. They were interested in how it was built and were especially impressed it was earning revenue.

While a friend of his advised him to blow off a job and work on Fiix full time, he ignored that advice and accepted an offer from Uber.

But right before he was going to start the job in May, 2016, Justin Kan announced he was accepting pitches for a Y Combinator Fellowship via Snapchat. Kan is best known as the co-founder of live video platforms Justin.tv and Twitch.tv. Scrappy startups were sending Kan Snap video pitches laden with bad attempts at humor. Just for kicks, Mangalji, Manji and Bhanji made their own.

They were shocked when Kan's followers, who were voting on the pitches, chose Fiix among the best of the bunch. This won them an interview for a YC fellowship spot, which they aced. They were told to be in California the next day. They literally booked their airline tickets from Canada to San Francisco on the cab ride to the airport.

And Mangalji made the hard choice to call up Uber and turn down the sure-fire job. He was going to focus on Fiix instead.

They ended this first YCcombinator experience with $20,000 and a bunch of Amazon Web Services credits.

But the real break happened without them knowing. In early June, a top "Product Hunter" saw their YC pitch and posted their app to Product Hunt. Fiix became the second product of the day on June 6, 2016. Visits to their site shot up 6,000%, and more customers started rolling in.

A cancer diagnosis

Fiix founders 2

Things were going well for the Fiix team when Mangalji received the devastating news that he had cancer.

His first response was cheerful determination.

"I went in with the attitude, I'm going to be able to do this. As a cofounder, you have to have mental toughness. I thought, if you have a problem, as long as you mentally feel you can overcome it and never let that change, you will," he told Business Insider.

But he hadn't counted on being cut down at the knees by the cancer treatments themselves. They drained him.

"Everything gets deteriorated. You start to lose more than energy and strength. The hardest thing to lose is the mental freedom. My thoughts started to loop more," he said.

The treatments were in three-week cycles  from easy weeks to hard weeks  over three months. On those hard weeks, he couldn't eat or hardly get out of bed, much less focus on work. So his cofounders carried him on their shoulders, put in the extra hours when needed, and just did his work for him, he says.

More Y Combinator, more bad news

The treatments ended and Fiix got accepted into the full Y Combinator program. The three of them moved to California. Mangalji describes that time like the HBO show "Silicon Valley" as in, "a bunch of sweaty dues living together in a house drinking a bunch of Soylent and trying to build a billion-dollar company."

Then, his cancer came back.

As a Canadian, his treatments were covered by the national health system (even the care he needed in California). But when the cancer returned, he had to go home for another three months of chemo.

Fiix team

He posted a heartbreaking YouTube video on that day, saying "I'm not really that worried about it. It's just like another thing to get through," although he was clearly discouraged.

Flash forward to today, and the cancer is in retreat and Fiix is still growing  the cofounders have hired three more people.

Obviously, for Fiix to become a billion-dollar startup, it will need to grow from one city to a national or international market. That's no small task and few startups have done so successfully.

But for Mangalji, just being able to try is a joy.

"I appreciate our opportunity to do something that matters. Most people don't have that opportunity to do things that matter. They have to worry about getting food every day or getting shelter," he says.

"There were times when I couldnt eat enough or couldn't stand and I didnt have the freedom to work on Fiix. But in times like now, when we can work on Fiix, it's a luxury."

Here's the video.

NOW WATCH: 5 things the iPhone still can't do





More From Business Insider


Less than a week after the last drops of Hurricane Harvey fell, Houston is just beginning to assess the damage. At least 46 people have died. More than 30,000 houses are flooded and as many as a million vehicles waterlogged. Early estimates suggest the hurricane has inflicted $120 billion in damage on the region, making it the most expensive natural disaster in the countrys history.

This is going to be a massive, massive cleanup process, Texas governor Greg Abbott told ABCs Good Morning America on Friday. This is going to be a multiyear project for Texas to be able to dig out of this catastrophe.

Which means the drones work has just begun. Responding to the disaster provides a major testand opportunityfor the countrys fast-growing network of professional UAV operators, almost exactly one year after the Federal Aviation Administration began to hand out licenses for commercial drone operation. (There are at least 2,000 licensed pilots in the Houston area alone, and some 20,300 nationwide.)

This is the one of the first big disasters where we can show how valuable drones can be, says Brandon Stark, who directs the Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety at the University of California, Merced. In the coming weeks and months, they'll help locals assess damage to homes, roads, bridges, power lines, oil and gas facilities, and office buildingsand determine whether it's safe to go back.

Swoop and Assess

As Harvey approached, the FAA did what it usually does in emergencies: It restricted air space in the affected region. That means commercial and private aircraft, including professionally operated drones, are banned from the area until the government says otherwise. Unauthorized drone operators may prevent the response and recovery aircraft from safely doing their jobs, says Laura Brown, an FAA spokesperson.

Story continues

Taking Flight

Aviation

Blood-Carrying, Life-Saving Drones Take Off for Tanzania

Drone delivery startup Zipline expands its service beyond Rwanda.

Drones

New NASA Tech Kills Trespassing Drones Without Touching Them

A self-destruct mode, for when your drone does something it shouldn't.

drones

The Army Grounds Its DJI Drones Over Security Concerns

One of the most popular drone brands is too big a security risk for the Army, at least for now.

But the FAA has found exceptions to its rule, issuing at least 43 unmanned aircraft system authorizations for groups involved in response and recovery efforts. These waivers let specially sanctioned operators fly in the otherwise verboten airspace, but operators still have to follow the basic regulations for small drones: flying below 400 feet and within the pilot's line of sight, and not over large crowds of people.

Oil and gas companies have claimed five of those authorizations, which theyve used to inspect their facilities, power lines, and fuel tanks. Union Pacific Railroad grabbed eight, and has had three certified operators flying DJI Mavic Pro drones in the area since Tuesday, inspecting flooded and hard-to-reach areas, like rail yards. Meanwhile, their operations team back at HQ inspects the conditions through a live feed. This is especially useful for bridge examinations looking for track washouts and other structural changes, says Raquel Espinoza, a Union Pacific spokesperson.

Pilots working for Fort Bend County, to the southwest of Houston, have used drones to assess damage to roads, bridges, and water treatment plantsand posted the footage online. Other local governments and agencies, including fire departments and state environmental quality officials, have worked with drone operators to identify flooding and drainage problems.

Parker Gyokeres, a New York-based drone pilot, arrived to volunteer in the Houston area on Sunday afternoon, as floodwaters rose. We probably shouldnt have done itit was really stupidbut it was the right thing to do, he says. Hes now part of an eight-person team of professional pilots and mappers who are working with local government agencies and the Red Cross to assess the damage and work out how to respond. (They have received special authorizations from the FAA for humanitarian operations, and will not be conducting commercial work in the area, Gyokeres says.)

On Friday, the group was lugging an RV and flat-bottom boat around Katy, Texas, to the west of Houston, where theyll row out to the middle of flooded neighborhoods to run their missions. (Texas is really big, Gyokeres says.) Drones have an advantage over even helicopters in this response situation, he says, because they're cheaper, can fly lower, and don't risk pilots' (and passengers') lives as they move around in the sky.

Meanwhile, insurance companies are launching their own fleets of drones, in efforts to tally up and verify claims. Allstate will use hundreds of drones in its Harvey-related deployment, its largest since it began experimenting with drone assessments a few years ago, says Justin Herndon, a spokesperson for the insurance company. Were going to be there for a while.

Allstate works with an aerial imagery company to coordinate its drone operations, which in turn contracts with freelancing drone pilots, each of whom maintain their own drone equipment. Those freelancers must not only pass their pilots exams but complete specialized training and ensure their drones are up to par. (The DJI Phantom 4 and Mavic Pro, about $800 and up, are both acceptable models.)

Drones are especially convenient for checking out insurance claims because theyre fast, nimble, and can carry excellent cameras. They can relay footage back to Allstates claim adjusters in real time, so they can get started on their work even before the drone pilot leaves the area. You can zoom in at your desk to a single shingle and see the characteristics of that particular piece, Herndon says.

Perhaps most impressive of all, unauthorized drone flyers haven't seriously run afoul of the rules. Earlier this summer, firefighters battling a blaze in Prescott, Arizona, had to ground aircraft and pull out crews for an hour after a pilot spotted an unauthorized drone in the area. (Law enforcement charged a man with 14 counts of endangerment for the incident.) Authorities fighting fires in Montana have run into similar issues.

Not so in Houston: "We've had a few reports [of misbehavior] but nothing widespread," the FAA says. Stay safe, Texasand let the remote control pros handle the skies.
Boris Johnson has warned President Donald Trump that taking military action against North Korea could provoke Kim Jong-un to vaporise the South Korean population in response.

Pyongyang announced on Sunday that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be loaded onto a long-range missile, which Mr Johnson described as a new order of threat.

Foreign Secretary Boris JohnsonCredit: Victoria Jones

The Foreign Secretary condemned Pyongyangs reckless act, and said that all options are on the table, but we really dont see any easy military solution.

President Trump led world condemnation of North Koreas biggest ever nuclear test, describing the actions of the rogue nation as very hostile and dangerous to the US.

He added that appeasement with North Korea will not work, having recently promised to rain fire and fury on North Korea if it continued to threaten the US.

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available on iOS and Android.

South Korea launched a ballistic missile exercise late on Sunday in response to Pyongyang's provocative detonation, state news agency Yonhap reported. "S. Korea's military stages ballistic missile exercise in response to N. Korea's nuke test," the agency said.

The nuclear weapon test registered with international seismic monitoring agencies as a man-made earthquake of magnitude 6.3, making it 10 times more powerful that North Koreas last nuclear test a year ago.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides guidance on a nuclear weapons programCredit: KCNA

Hours before the explosion, the North Korean state news agency had released pictures of Kim inspecting a silver-coloured, hourglass-shaped warhead, which was markedly different from a ball-shaped device detonated last year.

Experts said it indicated a two-stage thermonuclear device, suggesting Pyongyang has made significant progress towards its goal of a long-range nuclear missile.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the latest development and possible responses.

Story continues

Mr Johnson said: Its certainly our view that none of the military options are good...the distance between North Korea and Seoul is very, very small and they could basically vaporise large parts of the South Korean population even with conventional weapons, so thats not really very easy to threaten or to deliver.

North Koreans watch a news report showing North Korea's nuclear test on electronic screen in Pyongyang Credit: KYODO

Calling on China to take stronger action against its client state, he went on: We have to consider how to respond and its our view in the UK, overwhelmingly that peaceful, diplomatic means are the best and we think the sanctions route still holds potential.

China is responsible for 90 per cent of North Koreas trade and North Korea only has six months of oil supplies left. There is scope to continue to put pressure on the regime."

Theresa May, meanwhile, called on the United Nations urgently to look at fresh sanctions.

The hydrogen bomb test, the sixth to be carried out by Kim and the first since Mr Trump became president, follows a series of long-range missile tests that pose an increasing threat to the US, and comes just days after a missile was launched that flew over Japan.

Mr Johnson said: They seem to be moving closer towards a hydrogen bomb which, if fitted to a successful missile, would unquestionably present a new order of threat.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Xi Jinping of China met at a pre-planned summit in Xian, where they agreed to adhere to "the goal of denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.

Nuclear North Korea
The Narendra Modi government may break more glass ceilings by making women as the Union finance minister and home minister - who are members of the high-profile cabinet committee on security (CCS).

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: First time Rajya Sabha MP Nirmala Sitharaman broke through the political glass ceiling by becoming India's first full-time woman defence minister in the cabinet reshuffle which Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook on Sunday. However, this may just be a symbolic move. India would witness the shattering of the political glass ceiling when the Women's Reservation Bill is passed in Parliament.

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India has many firsts to its credit when it comes to gender equality in politics. It was one of the first countries in the world to see a woman as the prime minister when Indira Gandhi sat on the chair as early as in January 1966, just 18 years after independence. Besides, it has also seen women becoming president (Pratibha Patil), Lok Sabha speakers (Meira Kumar and incumbent Sushma Swaraj), first full-time external affairs minister (incumbent Sushma Swaraj), and several chief ministers, party presidents and governors.

These may help create the notion of gender equality but in practice these have not conferred real powers in the hands of women in politics. Men maintain stranglehold over politics. Women, on the other hand, still remain dependent on their male counterparts.

The Narendra Modi government may break more glass ceilings by making women as the Union finance minister and home minister - who are members of the high-profile cabinet committee on security (CCS). However, these again would remain mere facade.

The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre would be genuinely seen as sympathetic to women's cause in politics only if it ensures the passage of the long-pending Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament.

The BJP, in its manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, had promised 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies through constitutional amendment.

BJP'S 2014 LOK SABHA POLLS MANIFESTO

Under the chapter 'Women - The Nation Builder', the ruling party's manifesto said it recognised the important role of women in development of the society and growth of the nation, and remained committed to giving a high priority to women's empowerment and welfare. It pointed out that the BJP ruled states had demonstrated this through various schemes. BJP also recognised the need for women's security as a precondition to women's empowerment and would undertake 33 reservation in Parliament and assemblies.

"Women's welfare and development will be accorded a high priority at all levels within the government, and BJP is committed to 33 per cent reservation in parliamentary and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment," it said.

However, the Narendra Modi has yet to take any concrete steps in this direction.

WOMEN'S RESERVATION BILL

Technically the 108th Constitution Amendment Bill, the Women's Reservation Bill has been pending for passage in the Lok Sabha for seven years after getting passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA regime.

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In fact, it was during former prime minister Deve Gowda's tenure that the Bill was first introduced in 1996.

There is hardly any reason why the Bill should not be passed in the Lok Sabha. The BJP had supported the passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress, the Left parties, NCP, AIADMK and DMK also back it. NCP, in fact, demands 50 per cent quota in Parliament and state assemblies.

Ironically, the women-headed TMC and BSP have reservations over it. On the other extreme of the spectrum are Samajwadi Party and RJD who are opposed to it.

Despite this opposition, the Bill can be easily passed in the Lok Sabha as BJP on its own has majority in the lower house. With its alliance partners and several opposition parties, the Bill can easily see the light of the day.

However, it seems there is a lack of will on the part of the Narendra Modi government to accord more importance to women in politics. Till that happens, making a woman as a defence minister or Lok Sabha speaker remain ornamental moves.

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ALSO READ

Cabinet reshuffle: New Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to focus on Make in India

Cabinet reshuffle: Why Pradhan, Goyal, Sitharaman, Naqvi were promoted

It will be a challenge to fill Arun Jaitley's shoes: Nirmala Sitharaman

--- ENDS ---
U.S. oil prices suffer fifth straight weekly of loss

Investing.com - Oil prices ended a bit higher on Friday, but still posted a weekly loss as energy markets continued to weigh what the impact of Harvey will be on crude production and refinery demand in the Gulf of Mexico region.

Gasoline futures, meanwhile, eased back, but posted its strongest weekly gain since the end of February, as refinery output remained crippled in the wake of the storm.

The U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude October contract tacked on 6 cents, or around 0.1%, to end at $47.29 a barrel by close of trade. It fell to its lowest since July 24 at $45.58 on Thursday, before clawing back losses to end the session up about 2.8%.

The rise in oil prices late in the week failed to offset losses sustained earlier, as U.S. crude futures slipped to their fifth-straight weekly loss, ending the week down 58 cents, or nearly 1.2%.

Elsewhere, on the ICE Futures Exchange in London, Brent oil for November delivery slipped 11 cents, or roughly 0.2%, to settle at $52.75 a barrel.

The global benchmark closed the week with a gain of 34 cents, or around 0.6%, after scoring a rise of 4.2% on Thursday.

Meanwhile, U.S. gasoline hit a two-year high above $2 a gallon on Thursday, but eased back on Friday. The September futures contract settled up 25.5 cents, or 13.5%, at $2.139 on the last day of trading in the contract on Thursday.

Gasoline for October opened much lower on Friday, at $1.774 a gallon. It ended the day down 3.1 cents, or about 1.8%, to settle at $1.747.

Despite Friday's decline, gasoline prices closed around 13.4% higher for the week.

Exactly a week after Harvey crossed the Gulf of Mexico off Port O'Connor, Texas, nearly a quarter of U.S. refining capacity has been taken offline, representing roughly 4.4 million barrels per day, weighing on demand for crude oil, the primary input at refineries.

More than 45% of the nations petroleum refining capacity is located along the Gulf Coast, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Story continues

The devastating impact of the storm on oil infrastructure in the heartland of the U.S. energy industry, prompted the government to tap its strategic supplies and release 1 million barrels of crude oil to support refinery activity, as fears over fuel shortages remain front and center.

Falling crude prices have weighed on U.S. drilling activity over recent weeks, as data from oilfield services firm Baker Hughes showed the number of U.S. oil rigs held steady at 759 last week.

The weekly rig count is an important barometer for the drilling industry and serves as a proxy for oil production and oil services demand.

Oil prices have been under pressure in recent weeks as concern over rising U.S. shale output canceled out production cuts by OPEC and non-OPEC members.

OPEC and 10 producers outside the cartel, including Russia, agreed since the start of the year to slash 1.8 million barrels per day in supply until March 2018 in order to reduce a global supply glut and rebalance the market.

So far, the deal has had little impact on global inventory levels due to rising supply from producers not participating in the accord, such as Libya and Nigeria, as well as a relentless increase in U.S. shale output.

Elsewhere, October heating oil edged up around half a cent, or 0.3%, to $1.746 a gallon, ending around 7.7% higher on the week.

Natural gas futures for October delivery advanced 3.0 cents, or 1%, to settle at $3.070 per million British thermal units. It rose about 6.2% for the week.

In the week ahead, market participants will eye fresh weekly information on U.S. stockpiles of crude and refined products on Wednesday and Thursday to weigh what the impact of Harvey was on supply and demand.

The reports come out one day later than usual due to the U.S. Labor Day holiday on Monday.

Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.

Monday, September 4

Markets in the U.S. will remain closed for Labor Day.

Wednesday, September 6

The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, is to publish its weekly report on U.S. oil supplies.

Thursday, September 7

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is to release weekly data on oil and gasoline stockpiles.

A weekly report on natural gas supplies in storage is also on the agenda.

Friday, September 8

Baker Hughes will release weekly data on the U.S. oil rig count.

Related Articles

U.S. gas prices still rising as energy industry starts to recover after Harvey

U.S. average retail gasoline price rises again: AAA

Texas refineries begin restart after hit from Harvey
FILE - This Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, photo shows flooded cars near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Harvey rise in Houston. Auto industry experts estimate that 500,000 to 1 million cars, trucks and SUVs were damaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey. Most will have so much water damage that they cant be fixed, and insurance companies will declare them total losses. Yet the damaged cars could be retitled and sold to unsuspecting buyers nationwide. Experts warn against buying the cars because damage could be hidden for years before causing problems. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

DETROIT (AP) -- As Harvey moved away from Southeast Texas, aerial photos revealed thousands of cars covered by floodwaters on streets, parking lots and in driveways.

By the time the water recedes, auto industry experts estimate that 500,000 to 1 million vehicles will have been damaged by water, with most being total losses.

State Farm, one of the largest U.S. auto insurers, says it has already received almost 20,000 claims from the Houston area.

Cars sat in water for days, in many cases up to the windows or roof lines. It's likely they'll never be driven again.

Here are answers to questions about what will happen to those vehicles and how to handle your car in the aftermath of the epic storm.

Q: SHOULD I START MY CAR IF IT'S BEEN FLOODED?

A: No, in almost all cases. If the car was only in a few inches of water that didn't rise past the bottom of the body, maybe. Water higher than that can get into wires, transmission parts, the exhaust or other places. Deeper water could enter the cylinders that surround the pistons. Trying to start the car could bend parts that connect the pistons to the rest of the drive train, said John Nielsen, managing director of automotive engineering for AAA. Oil, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid and other liquids could have water in them that could cause damage if not replaced. Nielsen recommends having the car towed to a mechanic for inspection. Depending on the severity of flood damage, he says the cost of refurbishing a car likely will be more than replacing it.

Q: IF IT'S REPAIRED, WILL MY CAR BE SAFE?

A: Probably not. Water could have damaged sensors, electrical connectors, computer chips and wiring that are under the carpet, behind the dashboard or in the engine compartment. That could disable lights, air bags, ignition, gas and brake pedal sensors or other essential systems. Corrosion can form beneath wiring insulation. Salty water from the Gulf of Mexico would make that worse. Damage may not surface for years. "Maybe it's OK. Maybe it's not. I would be really worried about it," says Nielsen.

Story continues

Q: WILL INSURANCE COVER A FLOODED CAR?

A: Depends on your coverage. If you're financing or leasing, your lender likely requires comprehensive insurance, which typically covers flood damage along with fire, vandalism or falling objects. But if you own a car outright, or it's old and would be more expensive to repair than it's worth, you may choose not to get comprehensive coverage. As of 2013, 78 percent of U.S. insured drivers had comprehensive coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Q: HOW DO INSURERS HANDLE FLOODED CARS?

A: Once an owner files a claim, the insurer will evaluate the damage. Many states have guidelines for a vehicle to be considered a total loss, including the extent and type of damage and the cost of repair, says Missy Dundov, a spokeswoman for State Farm. If the insurer determines the vehicle is a total loss, it will pay the owner  minus a deductible that's typically $500 to $1,000  and take the vehicle and the title.

Q: WHERE DO FLOODED CARS GO?

A: Insurers will turn the cars over to auctions or salvage yards. Undamaged parts will be salvaged and many vehicles will be scrapped. Some will go to salvage auctions, says Tim West, vice president and North American auction director for Black Book, a service that calculates used car prices. Everything that's ruled a total loss by an insurance company should get a salvage title. But consumers should be careful. A vehicle considered a total loss in one state might not require a salvage title in another state, says Ron Montoya, a senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com.

Q: HOW CAN I AVOID BUYING A FLOOD-DAMAGED VEHICLE?

A: Flooded cars could be shipped to other parts of the country or even other nations. To find out where the car came from and if it has a salvage title, experts suggest keying the vehicle identification number into services (there's a charge) that search car histories such as Autocheck or Carfax. Carfax and the National Insurance Crime Bureau offer free services to check for flood damage. Buyers can ask to take the car to a mechanic for inspection. Buyers can also look for signs of flooding, including musty or moldy odors or overpowering use of air freshener, discolored carpet or new carpet in an old car, water lines in the engine compartment or trunk, fogging inside headlights or taillights, rust or flaking metal under the car, and dirt buildup in unusual areas such as around seat tracks. If you see any signs, don't buy the car, AAA's Nielsen says. "You're liable to face gremlins with that car forever," he said.

___

___

Sign up for AP's newsletter showcasing our best all-formats reporting on Harvey and its aftermath: http://apne.ws/ahYQGtb .
LONDON (Reuters) - Ratings agency Moody's said on Monday it did not believe global property reinsurance prices trends would be materially affected by Hurricane Harvey, though rates in affected regions could rise.

Intense competition led to declining property and casualty reinsurance premiums in the second quarter, Moody's said in a report, but it added that "reinsurers have ample capital to absorb Harvey losses".

(Reporting by Carolyn Cohn, editing by Maiya Keidan)
The world's largest X-ray laser opens Friday in Germany, promising to shed new light onto very small things by letting scientists penetrate the inner workings of atoms, viruses and chemical reactions.

The mega-project will generate extremely intense laser flashes, at a mind-boggling rate of 27,000 per second, inside a 3.4-kilometre (2.1-mile) tunnel up to 38 metres (125 feet) below the northern city of Hamburg.

This ultrafast strobe light will allow researchers for the first time to look deep inside matter and take snapshots and films at the nano-level, scientists at the European XFEL project say.

Teams from around the world will be able to, for instance, map the atomic details of viruses, take 3-D images of the molecular make-up of cells or film chemical reactions as they happen.

The huge laser is "like a camera and a microscope that will make it possible to see more tiny details and processes in the nano-world than ever before," Robert Feidenhans'l, chairman of the project's management board, told AFP.

The applications are sweeping -- images of biomolecules may help understand and treat illnesses, while a peek inside a building material might explain why it tears or cracks.

The light beams can also be bundled to create extreme pressure and temperatures to study process like those at the Earth's core.

- Particle accelerator -

The 1.5-billion-euro ($1.7 billion) facility, which took eight years to build with funding from 11 countries, has been hailed as one of the largest and most ambitious European research projects ever.

It boasts a list of superlatives: the light's brilliance is a billion times higher than that of the best conventional X-ray sources.

The silicon mirrors along which the light is bounced, produced in Japan, are so smooth that any bump on their surface measures no more than a millionth of a millimetre, Spiegel magazine reported.

Some 800 guests have been invited for the launch of the project, which stretches from inside Hamburg to Schenefeld in the adjoining state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Story continues

Germany has coughed up 58 percent of the cost and Russia 27 percent, with scientific cooperation continuing despite geopolitical tensions.

The other partners, with stakes of one to three percent each, are Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Britain is in the process of joining.

The project was spearheaded by the Hamburg research centre Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (Desy), which has operated a particle accelerator since the 1960s.

- Near-light speed -

XFEL -- which stands for X-Ray Free-Electron Laser -- is all about looking at things at the hard-to-fathom nano-level. (For a rough idea, a human hair is about 100,000 nanometres thick.)

It works by blasting a powerful laser into metal which sends bundles of electrons flying through a superconducting linear accelerator, the world's longest at 1.7 kilometres.

As they hurtle through the tube, which is supercooled to minus 271 degrees centigrade, they are charged by microwaves in order to reach nearly the speed of light.

In the next section, thousands of alternating magnets send the electrons onto a tight "slalom" course.

The electrons gather into a multitude of ultrathin discs, allowing them to emit their light in sync and produce intense X-ray flashes of laser light.

When these hit a material, they create a strobe-like series of crisp pictures with an ultrashort "shutter speed" of a billionth of a second, which can be assembled to create 3-D images or films.
From Woman's Day

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North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test on Sunday, claiming that it had detonated a hydrogen bomb that was small and light enough to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile. Pyongyang has made such claims before without proof that it actually possesses those advanced capabilities. Sensors in South Korea, China, and the US indicated, though, that whatever the Hermit Kingdom exploded underground on Sunday was more powerful than the atomic weapons the US used during World War IIa benchmark North Korea had not definitively topped before.

The blast comes on the heels of an unsettling ballistic missile test last week, in which North Korea flew a mid-range projectile over northern Japan's Hokkaido Island. But both recent tests fit into a larger picture over the last three years of North Korea's increasing determination to become a fully capable nuclear power. The Obama administration, which pursued so-called "strategic patience," began to see the necessity of stepping up pressure on North Korea to stop this evolution in the final years of the second term. Trouble is, there are limited options for attempting to address tension with North Korea, and while President Donald Trump has thus far largely followed established paths, namely by levying sanctions, his trademark inflammatory language seems to have emboldened Kim Jong-un rather than cowing him into any type of compliance.

"The test looks like it was about 10 times larger than the previous test [in September 2016]," says Abraham Denmark, the director of the Asia Program at the Wilson Center and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia under President Obama. "Scientists will be poring over the data for several days, but it is clear that the explosion was much larger than anything North Korea has tested before. This means that North Korea is one step closer to fielding a credible nuclear capability that threatens all of East Asia and the United States."

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Bomb Tech

Analysts worked on Sunday to reconcile varied data about the blast and began to draw preliminary conclusions. The explosion occurred at the underground Punggye-ri testing ground in northwest North Korea. The United States Geological Survey detected that the tremor from the blast had a 6.3 magnitude, while the South Korean Defense Ministry sensed a 5.7 magnitude. Even the lower estimate would still indicate an explosion many times more powerful than North Korea's 2016 tests. USGS and Chinese instruments also picked up a second, magnitude-4.1 tremor, which may have been caused by a structural collapse in the underground facility.

Ahead of the test, North Korea released photos of Kim Jong-un posing for scale (as well as dramatic effect) with what appears to be a miniaturized, staged thermonuclear weapon (hydrogen bomb). Though the reclusive nation claimed in early 2016 that it had a hydrogen bomb, blast data never really supported this; experts found it more likely that the country was experimenting with using tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, to boost the power of conventional atomic bombs. Though experts were clear on Sunday that it is too soon to draw technical conclusions about the most recent test, some argued that from a geopolitical perspective it is time to assume that North Korea possesses functioning staged thermonuclear weapons.

"The pictures look like a staged thermonuclear weapon and, you know, maybe it was filled with gum balls, but it was the right size and the right shape," says Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies in Monterey, California. "Theyve done five other nuclear tests, and if you look at where other nuclear powers were after five tests, a staged thermonuclear weapon is a plausible thing for them to have built at this point. Plus the explosion was an order of magnitude bigger than anything theyve ever exploded before. If this were any country other than North Korea we would believe it. The Soviets never let us inspect the device before they tested it, we just believed them."

The list has dwindled in terms of technological capabilities North Korea needs to display to show its readiness as a fully outfitted nuclear power. Of course, questions still remain about the reliability of its program, particularly in terms of missile targeting and guidance, the ability of its warheads to withstand reentry into the atmosphere, and warhead miniaturization, but the pace of the nation's progress is clearly quickening.

Giant Steps

North Korea is known for conducting weapons tests with far-reaching geopolitical implications around its national holidaysand often near US holidaysto create disruption and confusion. So a test over Labor Day weekend in the US, which happens to fall near the anniversary of the North Korean government's founding, is not altogether surprising. In discussing North Korea's missile flyover of Japan last week, many US analysts predicted that a sixth nuclear test could be coming in the next few months. Regardless of how inevitable it may have felt, though, North Korea's actions are firmly in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and leaders from around the world strongly condemned Sunday's nuclear test.

"North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States," President Trump said in early morning tweets. "North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success. South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

With limited options for reacting to North Korea, many experts have been in agreement for months that direct and intense in-person negotiations with the reclusive regime are the only viable path forward. Though economic pressure is helpful, an agreed-upon freeze on weapons testing would have been the only way to stop North Korea from gathering the crucial, real-world test data it has collected in recent months, not to mention this past week. "The problem now is they have tested everything they need to testthe only question is reliability," Lewis says. "Which should not make anybody feel good, because a stockpile of unreliable weapons should be enough to deter us. And so were in this very difficult situation where nuclear weapons force us to go talk to the North Koreans, and thats going to be really embarrassing and hard for [the Administration]. Theyre big on the tough talk."

President Trump's morning comments via Twitter seemed to criticize the new, left-leaning South Korean administration for considering negotiations of some sort with Pyongyang. He added on Sunday afternoon that he would meet with his military advisors to discuss the situation. Where his first tweets implied that only physical engagement could get through to North Korea, his second round of comments focused on economic pressure. Neither set of remarks was a public indication that the administration views diplomatic negotiations as a possibility. "The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea," he said in a tweet. Analysts reacted immediately with concern, noting how problematic and economically destabilizing such a sweeping gesture would be. North Korea's trade partners include India, Taiwan, and Mexico, not to mention China. US trade in goods and services with China amounted to $650 billion in 2016, and the country owns about $1 trillion in US debt. Though putting pressure on China to stand against North Korea has been a favored strategy of President Trump, such a radical act would plainly be a gamble for the US as well.

Analysts emphasized, though, that diplomatic negotiations could be possible if the Trump administration will just consider them. "The United States also has the option to engage North Korea diplomatically, which the President seemed to take off the table several days ago," the Wilson Center's Denmark says. "But many believe [this] is the only way to peacefully address this crisis." He also noted that President Trump has the ability to appoint several government officials to roles that have gone unfilled for eight months (like Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs), who could directly participate in tackling the North Korea situation.

For the North Korean government, Sunday's test was gratifying. State-sponsored news wrote that Kim Jong-un "expressed great satisfaction over the fact that our scientists do anything without fail if the party is determined to do [it]." The question is whether the party is determined to show off what those weapons can really do.
Fizzing with boyish exuberance, Saudi programmer Zainalabdin Tawfiq could be mistaken for a college freshman, but the popularity of his "honesty" app has shone a spotlight on the conservative kingdom's nascent tech scene.

Tawfiq catapulted to fame when he took time out of his day job as a business analyst last year to develop an anonymous messaging tool called Sarahah -- honesty in Arabic -- that subsequently topped the charts for app downloads.

Initially conceived as a tool for soliciting bluntly frank workplace feedback, Sarahah has found its way into the smartphones of millennials worldwide, even as critics have raised alarm about trolling and privacy issues.

"Sarahah is the digital equivalent of an old-school suggestion box," 29-year-old Tawfiq told AFP, adding that it is built on the premise that stripping users of their identity promotes ruthless honesty.

"Feedback is the goal -- anonymous feedback."

The app has a frugal design and a simple prompt that encourages users to "leave a constructive message :)", with the recipient not allowed to reply but only share it on social media or block the sender.

Its mass appeal stems from the appetite in the Arab world -- notorious for online censorship -- for unfiltered platforms for expression, though Tawfiq said it has also gained a strong popularity in Western countries.

Such has been its power to knock down social barriers that obstruct free speech that one user described it as an app where you can "hit enter on comments you would have otherwise backspaced".

Sarahah has so far drawn 85 million registered users, and rocketed to the top of the Apple app store in some countries, ahead of heavyweights such as Snapchat and Instagram.

- 'Oil's decline, entrepreneurship's rise' -

That a Saudi app could gain such success spotlights hidden potential for tech innovation and entrepreneurship at a time of economic transformation in an ultra-conservative country.

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"The success story of Sarahah really proves that Saudi startups can achieve spectacular gains when properly supported," said Nawaf Alsahhaf, CEO of Badir, a government-backed technology incubator that helped Tawfiq.

"There truly is undeniable potential behind Saudi startups we currently incubate," he told AFP.

Saudi Arabia is promoting private enterprise as part of its ambitious reform program to move the kingdom away from its dependence on oil revenues.

"It is clear oil's decline and entrepreneurship's rise are necessarily intertwined," the Beirut-based venture capital firm Leap Ventures wrote on its website last year, noting a new growth in disruptive tech innovations in the region.

A new breed of Saudi startups -- from an on-demand roadside assistance app called Morni to Hunger Station, a food ordering portal -- have recently drawn the attention of venture capitalists.

- Minimising abuse -

Tawfiq said he is in negotiations with venture capitalists from the United States, China and the Arab world, without disclosing details, in response to critics who question whether his app can be effectively monetised.

In some gender-segregated Arab societies, men have used Sarahah for secret love confessions, but it has also been used by service delivery companies to harvest constructive feedback and psychiatrists in far-away Mumbai to engage openly on subjects such as sexual health.

Sarahah has come under fire for being a troll magnet -- but Tawfiq said that problem was common to all major social media platforms.

It has also recently been accused of secretly harvesting the address books of users. Tawfiq rejected that claim and said he plans to remove Sarahah's address upload feature with the next update.

He currently runs a tight ship with another business partner and three customer support executives, but is considering leaving his day job to focus on Sarahah full time.

"I believe that even one case (of abuse) is actually too many," Tawfiq said. "I won't tell you how, but my aim is to make the job of misusers as difficult as possible."
By the time President Trump signed his Cybersecurity Executive Order on May 11, it had taken on a mythic air. The administration had produced a series of drafts soon after the inauguration that leaked, circulated, provoked criticism, and motivated refinements. While the months-long wait for the final product felt Godot-like, it ultimately received bipartisan praise for its thoughtfulness. But now, more than 110 days since the clock started, eight deadlines have passed, with eight more quickly approaching.

Planning and information-gathering matters, but experts caution that for the EO to succeed long-term, it needs to exit this phase as quickly as possible. Beginning the urgent, proactive work of implementing a robust national cybersecurity posture and defending critical infrastructure can't wait, as destabilizing cyberattacks like the WannaCry and NotPetya ransomware outbreaks showed this summer.

The goal of a speedy review process is a good one, but has not materialized. Unfortunately, leadership from the executive branch on cybersecurity has been weak," senator John McCain said at the end of August. "The last administration offered no serious cyber deterrence policy and strategy. And while the current administration promised a cyber policy within 90 days of inauguration, we still have not seen a plan."

White House and agency officials wouldn't detail a tally of which EO deadlines have been met, but said that the reports are coming along. "Departments and agencies continue implementing Cybersecurity Executive Order 13800 and have made significant progress," a National Security Council spokesperson tells WIRED. "While they continue to work towards the deadlines outlined in the Executive Order, the release of products may vary over time. However, many of the deliverables will be used to inform work going forward."

Some of the progress has been tangible, and so far, at least, it seems that agencies are trying to stay on top of the imposed deadlines. On Wednesday, the White Houses American Technology Council and Office of American Innovation even submitted its draft federal IT modernization report (stipulated by the EO) to the President.

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"I was part of that group that said 'the Executive Order looks really good. It could be better, but we all know that it could be a lot worse, and the true test will be in the execution,'" says Kiersten Todt, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security who was the executive director of the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity under Barack Obama. "In talking with those in the White house and at the Office of Management and Budget, my understanding is that for the first wave of reports, which were due on August 9, most of those came in."

There is other friction as well. Numerous members of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (which advises the Department of Homeland Security on infrastructure issues and cybersecurity) resigned last week, citing diverse concerns about the Trump Administration's agenda, including about cybersecurity. "You have given insufficient attention to the growing threats to the cybersecurity of the critical systems upon which all Americans depend," they said in a resignation letter obtained by NextGov.

Experts fear that some combination of infighting and staffing shortages at federal agencies could slow the executive order's momentum. "To the extent that youve got staffing gaps, thats going to inhibit your ability to do implementation. Its going to slow you down," says Michael Daniel, president of the Cyber Threat Alliance and a former cybersecurity coordinator for the White House. "The timelines in the executive order are achievable, but some of them are pretty aggressive."

Though the EO is halfway through its first year, there is still time to complete its initial phase and move forward on schedule. "I dont think were going to get a report card on which reports were and werent completed, but I work with a lot of those agencies and I know they started acting on it," says Josh Corman, a cybersecurity policy expert at the Atlantic Council. "But whatever those reports were prepared for should be tempered by the more recent game changers such as NotPetya that did some pretty nasty damage to critical infrastructure."

Some say that the year-long analysis and planning phase laid out in the executive order is worthwhile, while others argue that the need for action is more pressing. Given the very real threats to national digital security and infrastructure, at this point the EO must at the very least stay as close to schedule as possible at this point the EO must simply stay as close to the schedule as possible so the federal government is ready to address very real potential threats to national digital security and infrastructure.

There is a narrow and fleeting window of opportunity before a watershed, 9/11-level cyber attack to organize effectively and take bold action," the National Infrastructure Advisory Council wrote in a report published days before its spate of resignations. "We call on the Administration to use this moment of foresight to take bold, decisive actions.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said an emergency session of the Security Council today that "Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited."

By AP: US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that the United States will circulate a draft resolution this week pushing further sanctions against North Korea.

Haley made the comments at the end of an emergency UN Security Council meeting during which members condemned North Korea's latest nuclear test.

"I think that North Korea basically has slapped everyone in the face in the international community that has asked them to stop," Haley said. She added that she was aiming to put the resolution to a vote next Monday.

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However, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters after the meeting that sanctions alone will not solve the issue, and there need to be negotiations too.

The emergency session was called after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground on Sunday.

Nikki Haley said North Korea's actions show that its leader, Kim Jong Un, is "begging for war," and the time has come for the Security Council to adopt the strongest diplomatic measures.

Haley told an emergency session of the Security Council today that "Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited."

The emergency session comes after comes less than a week after the council strongly condemned the North's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Other Security Council members, including Japan and France, are calling for further sanctions. The council already imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on North Korea last month.

The UN political chief briefed an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on North Korea's powerful nuclear test explosion.

Jeffrey Feltman called North Korea's test a "dangerous provocation" that is profoundly destabilising for the region and the international community, and urged a comprehensive response.

The head of the UN organisation looking into North Korea's recent nuclear test says it is seeking information about a second seismic shock that followed the detonation to rule out the possibility it was a second explosion.

Lassina Zerbo of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization says experts believe the second shock was geological and was caused by the blast.

But he told reporters today that because it was recorded at the same location, the experts are working to have a better understanding of what caused the second shock.

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North Korea tests hydrogen bomb; What it means for the US, China and the rest

--- ENDS ---
donald trump

Rep. Adam Schiff, ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN on Sunday that President Donald Trump is misleading investigators and the public about his ties to Russia.

Schiff made the remarks when CNN's Dana Bash asked him about recent revelations that Trump's longtime lawyer and confidant, Michael Cohen, had reached out to a senior Kremlin official during the campaign about a Trump Organization venture in Russia.

In particular, he emailed Dmitry Peskov, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, last January during the campaign requesting his "assistance" in securing a real-estate deal for a Trump Tower location in Moscow.

The email represents the clearest interaction reported thus far between a senior Trump adviser and a member of the Russian government.

"Over the past few months I have been working with a company based in Russia regarding the development of a Trump Tower - Moscow project in Moscow City," Cohen wrote to Peskov, according to The Washington Post. "Without getting into lengthy specifics the communication between our two sides has stalled."

Cohen continued: "As this project is too important, I am hereby requesting your assistance. I respectfully request someone, preferably you, contact me so that I might discuss the specifics as well as arranging meetings with the appropriate individuals. I thank you in advance for your assistance and look forward to hearing from you soon."

Schiff said the interaction was "very significant" and indicated that "the president was dishonest when he said during the campaign that he had no business in Russia, was pursuing no business in Russia."

He added that the revelation was also important because if Trump or his businesses were pursuing ventures with Russia during the campaign, "that might have influenced the positions that the candidate took in a more pro-Russia direction."

Putin Trump

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To be sure, Trump talked up Putin several times from September 2015 to January 2016, the time between which the Trump Tower Moscow deal was being pursued:

"I will tell you that, I think, in terms of leadership, [Putin] is getting an A and [Obama] is not doing so well," Trump told Bill O'Reilly in September 2015.

He also repeatedly advocated for foreign policy goals that support Russia's objectives in hotspots like Syria, and he downplayed the threat Russia posed to the global order.

When he was asked what he would do about Russia during a November 2015 Republican primary debate, for instance, Trump deflected the question and instead pivoted to talk about dangers posed by China, North Korea, and Iran.

And when Putin complimented Trump as a "bright and talented person" and "the absolute leader of the presidential race" in December of that year, Trump replied that it was "a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond."

In January 2016, toward the end of the Trump Organization's push for the Moscow deal, Fox Business Network host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump about British investigators' assessment that Putin ordered the assassination of a Russian dissident.

"Well, I don't know if anything has been determined," Trump replied. "I don't think they found him guilty. They say a lot of things about me that are untrue, too."

adam schiff

Schiff said on Sunday that if Trump was indeed pursuing business deals in Russia when he was running for president, "if they were going to be criticizing Putin, criticizing Russia, that would diminish the chances that this deal would go through."

"So I think it's very significant," he said, adding that he expected Cohen, as well as Russian-born businessman Felix Sater, to testify before the committee.

Cohen was in touch with Sater, who is also a real-estate adviser to Trump and first pushed for the Trump Organization to pursue a Trump Tower deal in Moscow in late 2015, when Trump was a presidential candidate.

Sater told Talking Points Memo in August that his "last Moscow deal for the Trump Organization was in October of 2015" but that it "didn't go through because obviously he became president."

"Once the campaign was really going-going, it was obvious there were going to be no deals internationally," Sater said. "We were still working on it, doing something with it, November-December."

However, Sater and Cohen exchanged a series of emails in November 2015 in which they geared up to celebrate the Moscow deal, as well as Trump's election victory, which would come a year later. In the emails, which were obtained by The New York Times, Sater bragged about his relationship with Putin and told Cohen that he would "get all of Putins team to buy in" on the Trump Tower Moscow deal.

"Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it," Sater wrote, according to The Times. "I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected."

Cohen told The Times that Sater "sometimes used colorful language and has been prone to 'salesmanship,'" adding that he "ultimately determined that the proposal was not feasible and never agreed to make a trip to Russia."

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The right time to sell your investments is a personal decision. Photo: Joe Wolf/Flickr

This post first appeared on A Wealth of Common Sense.

A reader asks:

I wanted your advice about when do you recommend one sells holdings that have appreciated? I understand the concept of buying low but would appreciate your advice on when to sell. I understand reversion to the mean and have been guilty in the past of holding on too long, only to see all the gains melt away as the market corrected.

This is a topic that probably doesnt get enough time share for investors. All of investing is more of an art than a science but there are plenty of books and research papers written about what to buy but very few about when to sell.

Sure, there are plenty of aphorisms about when to sell. Buffett says his favorite holding period is forever. Then you have phrases like the following:

We sell the rips and buy the dips.

Let your winners run but cut your losers short.

No one ever went broke taking a profit.

Its one thing to be wrong, its another thing to stay wrong.

Were taking some gains off the table.

These are fun things to say but they dont provide much help in the moment when you see an investment rising or falling.

The true determinants of when to sell an investment can be boiled down to the following questions:

What kind of investor are you? Whats your time horizon? Why did you buy in the first place?

The wonderful and terrifying thing about investing is that you have two opportunities to be right and two opportunities to be wrong on every trade or investment  when you buy and when you sell.

An intelligent investor spends some time up front before the buy occurs to consider when or why they would sell a holding. If you dont have some pre-established rules, guidelines or systems in place to understand what your sell trigger will be youre really just guessing.

Theres no right or wrong answer on when to sell because investing is personal. There are plenty of terrible reasons to sell  Im nervous; someone on financial television scared me out of the market; I saw some guy on Twitter post a GIF about the how reckless the Fed is; I feel like the market is due for a correction.

Story continues

Here are what I consider to be some legitimate reasons to sell an investment:

Rebalancing. Rebalancing back to target allocation weights is the simplest way to sell a little of whats been working and buy a little of what hasnt. Rebalancing is a systematic form of value investing. You can never time these things perfectly but this is one of the simplest forms of risk management available to investors who have a defined risk profile for their portfolio. How or when you do it probably doesnt matter nearly as much as following through with whatever your pre-established guideline are.

There are better opportunities available. Some investors are constantly searching the investable landscape for new opportunities in comparison to their current holdings. I find it can be a useful exercise to think through whether you would buy your current holdings all over again if you started from scratch (taking into account things like transaction costs and taxes).

Targets have been met. Other investors have price or valuation targets. Figuring out the intrinsic value of a security or asset class is never easy but coming up with estimates for where you will buy and where you will sell is a good way to place constraints on yourself from allowing investments to get away from you.

Your rules tell you to sell. Quantitative investment strategies continue to gain in popularity. Im a huge proponent of a rules-based approach but have witnessed far too many people who profess to invest this way change their process when things arent going their way. It requires discipline to follow your rules even when it doesnt feel right (and most of the time the right move wont feel right at the time).

Circumstances have changed. This one is a little more squishy, but there are times when your original investment thesis doesnt play out. Or your risk profile has changed because of a life or work event. Many investors de-risk as they approach retirement age. Others need to sell because they actually need to spend the money theyve been investing. The whole reason we invest is to delay current consumption for future consumption. You risk profile can and should change as you approach your future consumption date(s).

Regret also plays a huge role in any investment decision so it can be helpful to determine which would make you more miserable  holding and seeing your investment crater or selling and seeing it go much higher.

Further Reading:

When Holding is the Hardest Part
An intensifying political rivalry between two leading Afghan Islamist movements now poses a threat to the countrys political stability and might undermine U.S. President Donald Trumps strategy for Afghanistan.

Frequent mutual accusations and taunts by top leaders are now reviving clashes between the predominantly Pashtun Hizb-e Islami and Jamiat-e Islami, mainly followed by ethnic Tajiks.

After decades of infighting and power plays, their competition is taking center stage as Afghanistan struggles with mounting violence by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.

Atta Mohammad Noor, the powerful governor of Balkh and chief executive of Jamiat-e Islami, hyped the tensions between the two parties after accusing Hizb-e Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar of supporting the Islamic State (IS) militants violent campaign in Afghanistan.

He [Hekmatyar] had pledged allegiance to Daesh (eds: local name of IS) and has not renounced the allegiance, Noor told supporters on September 1. This person [Hekmatyar] is involved in all these attacks and violence carried out in the name of Daesh.

The accusation followed Attas attempt to shame the Hizb-e Islami leader for making peace with the Afghan government after leading his faction in an insurgency for nearly 15 years.

You [Hekmatyar], who is known as the Butcher of Kabul, with what face did you come to Kabul? Noor recently told supporters in a scathing attack on Hekmatyars return to the Afghan capital in May. You had vowed to never return even if there was one American soldier in Afghanistan, with which face [what dignity] did you come to Kabul?

Hekmatyar, however, rejects such accusations. Without naming Noor or his allies, he recently accused them of fomenting instability and said they are benefiting from the ongoing war in Afghanistan.

I didnt tell them to go to Ankara to form an anti-government alliance to threaten and undermine the current administration, he told the BBCs Pashto Service in a recent interview.

In Ankara two months ago, Atta and other Jamiat-e Islami leaders joined exiled Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostums predominantly Uzbek Junbish-e Milli Islami Afghanistan and the predominantly Hazara Peoples Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan to form a new political alliance.

Since his return to the Afghan political stage, Hekmatyar has offered scathing public criticism of Jamiat-e Islamis prominence in the current power-sharing arrangement.

Six-hundred generals in the Defense Ministry are from Panjshir because the defense minister was from Panjshir, he said last month, citing an example of Jamiat-e Islamis dominance in government institutions.

In the whole of Europe, you wont find 600 generals. But in Afghanistan, there are 600 generals from just one district, he added, referring to Panjshirs status as an isolated mountainous district. Now a province and home to key leaders of Jamiat-e Islami, Panjshir has turned into a key bastion of power in the country after the demise of the Taliban regime in late 2001.

The growing rift between the two parties comes at a time when Kabul is struggling to ward off insurgent battlefield advances and attacks in the cities, widespread corruption, and economic decline.

It also poses new challenges to Trumps new strategy, which counts on government reforms and political stability to continue supporting Kabul.

Wadir Safi, a political science professor at Kabul University, says the rift could undermine Trumps strategy, which has now prioritized longstanding Afghan calls for an end to insurgent sanctuaries in neighboring Pakistan.

"This verbal warfare would destroy Trumps strategy without Pakistan or anyone else acting to undermine it, he said.

Safi says members of the two parties make up a large part of the Afghan government work force, particularly in the military, intelligence, and police.

When their leaders are publicly sparring, the soldiers will no longer fight, he noted. They would sell their guns and their tanks to the enemy.

Afghans have vivid memories of the destruction and suffering they endured because of clashes between the two in recent decades. They occasionally clashed during the anti-Soviet war in the 1980s. But after the demise of the Afghan communist regime in 1992, tens of thousands of supporters and civilians were killed by their infighting.
Enutoiac wrote:





could you take a look at my profile and give me a feedback regarding my application?



My intention is to apply for the class of 2021. So I didnt take the GMAT yet. My target is 710/720.



Profile:

Male

Dark-skinned (it is important?)

Age 30 (in 2019)

Brazilian

Married with son





Education:

- Public High School

- Grades 7,5/10 (Production Engineering - not top school)

- Grades 7,0/10 (Civil Engineering - not top school)

** During all my graduation I had to work full time at the same time.

** This is very common in Brazil when you have to work to pay the university.

- English course in London (1 month)





Work Experience:

- 14 years by expected matriculation (I started to work full time when I was 16 y/o)

- 2 years exp in accounting firm

** 1x promoted (office assistant -> adm assistant)

- 12 years in the same company (Automotive Industry)

** 4x promoted (Intern -> Trainee -> Technician -> Engineer -> Specialist)

** Right now I am expatriated in Europe (Customer Support - interface between customer, development center and production plant in Africa. Several trips to Africa)

** Experience in Mexico. (Responsible Engineer - living there for 3 months and several trips Brazil -> Mexico during 1 year)

** Management responsibilities (Team Leader and deputy supervisor)

** Mentor for new employees (in Brazil, Mexico and Europe)





Extra-Curricular:

- teacher volunteer for primary students (3 years)



Post MBA:

General Management, Project Manager, Consulting.



B-Schools:

I am very confusing which b-school would fit my profile.

The dream schools are: Booth, Sloan, Hass, Kellog (dream big).

These are the schools that I think I have a chance but working hard on essays/gmat score: Fuqua, Ross, Darden, Kenan-Flager, Mccombs (for these schools I think the chance that I get a very good scholarship 50%+ is minimum).

Safe schools: Tepper, Emory, Mendoza, Kelley.



What do you think about all these schools?

Unfortunately the scholarship would be important in my decision due my family situation (I dont want to graduate with huge debt, unless from dream schools )



Note:

My first job was in the lowest hierarchy. So I have a lot of years of WE but the relevant one started after my first graduation (technician -> engineer), so when I apply in 2018, I would have 7/8 years of relevant work exp. To be honest I font know if this is positive point for the applican because shows a lot persistence and working hard since very young or shows a lot of years of exp without reach a management position.



This is the reason that I want to do an MBA, to reach a management position and change my career.



Thanks a lot!! Hello,could you take a look at my profile and give me a feedback regarding my application?My intention is to apply for the class of 2021. So I didnt take the GMAT yet. My target is 710/720.MaleDark-skinned (it is important?)Age 30 (in 2019)BrazilianMarried with son- Public High School- Grades 7,5/10 (Production Engineering - not top school)- Grades 7,0/10 (Civil Engineering - not top school)** During all my graduation I had to work full time at the same time.** This is very common in Brazil when you have to work to pay the university.- English course in London (1 month)- 14 years by expected matriculation (I started to work full time when I was 16 y/o)- 2 years exp in accounting firm** 1x promoted (office assistant -> adm assistant)- 12 years in the same company (Automotive Industry)** 4x promoted (Intern -> Trainee -> Technician -> Engineer -> Specialist)** Right now I am expatriated in Europe (Customer Support - interface between customer, development center and production plant in Africa. Several trips to Africa)** Experience in Mexico. (Responsible Engineer - living there for 3 months and several trips Brazil -> Mexico during 1 year)** Management responsibilities (Team Leader and deputy supervisor)** Mentor for new employees (in Brazil, Mexico and Europe)- teacher volunteer for primary students (3 years)General Management, Project Manager, Consulting.I am very confusing which b-school would fit my profile.The dream schools are: Booth, Sloan, Hass, Kellog (dream big).These are the schools that I think I have a chance but working hard on essays/gmat score: Fuqua, Ross, Darden, Kenan-Flager, Mccombs (for these schools I think the chance that I get a very good scholarship 50%+ is minimum).Safe schools: Tepper, Emory, Mendoza, Kelley.What do you think about all these schools?Unfortunately the scholarship would be important in my decision due my family situation (I dont want to graduate with huge debt, unless from dream schoolsMy first job was in the lowest hierarchy. So I have a lot of years of WE but the relevant one started after my first graduation (technician -> engineer), so when I apply in 2018, I would have 7/8 years of relevant work exp. To be honest I font know if this is positive point for the applican because shows a lot persistence and working hard since very young or shows a lot of years of exp without reach a management position.This is the reason that I want to do an MBA, to reach a management position and change my career.Thanks a lot!!

Hey dude!Good to hear from you!Well we work with lots of Brazilians, so I might have some perspective for you here.I think that the toughest thing you have here is that you have so-so grades from so-so schools, and that your progress has been on the technical side of things. What is very positive is that you have a TON of international experience in a good industry. And that you are a team leader.I cannot make any comment about your school list really without a GMAT. All I will say is that you should really have at least a 730 to apply to the schools on your list. But I can also say that you might want to change up your list a bit - there are some schools that don't make natural sense, and some schools are missing (like Ross, INSEAD) that I would have suggested.Anyhow to really dig in and figure out what schools you can and should apply to, we really need a GMAT score.Best,Jon FrankAnd feel free to drop us a line for a more full-on Free Consultation: http://bit.ly/mbafcGC
Nezdem wrote:

The 1996 Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party Award winner, a certain television station in a country somewhere in Mid-sea continent, reporting favorable news depends hugely and undeniably on Xanadu government's donating huge and often scandalous sums of money to the Audio-vision council of South-eastern Xanadu which is a very rich country in a very rich continent; this seriously calls into question the criteria used by the Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party in recognizing television stations in Mid-sea continent.



A.The 1996 Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party Award winner, a certain television station in a country somewhere in Mid-sea continent, reporting favorable news depends hugely and undeniably on Xanadu government's donating huge and often scandalous sums of money to the Audio-vision council of South-eastern Xanadu which is a very rich country in a very rich continent; this seriously calls into question the criteria used by the Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party in recognizing television stations in Mid-sea continent.



B. The 1996 Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party Award winner's reporting of favorable news depends hugely and undeniably on Xanadu government donating huge and often scandalous sums of money to the Audio-vision council of South-eastern Xanadu calls into question the criteria used by the Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party in recognizing television stations in Mid-sea Continent.



C. That the 1996 Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party Award winner's, Xanam Television Station in south-eastern province of Xanadu, reporting of favorable news depends hugely and undeniably on Xanadu government's donating huge and often scandalous sums of money to the Audio-vision council of South-eastern Xanadu, a very rich country in a very rich continent, often seriously calls into question the criteria used in the Mid-sea continent by the Journalist Tea Party to recognize television stations in Mid-sea Continent.



D. That the 1996 Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party Award winner's reporting of favorable news depends hugely and undeniably on Xanadu government's donating huge and often scandalous sums of money to the Audio-vision council of South-eastern Xanadu, a very rich country in a very rich continent, calls into question the criteria used in the continent by Mid-sea Journalist Tea Party at recognizing television stations in Mid-sea continent.



E. That the 1996 Mid-sea Continent Journalist Tea Party Award winner's reporting of remarkable and favorable news depends hugely and undeniably on Xanadu government's donating huge and often scandalous sums of money to the Audio-vision Council of South-eastern Xanadu, a very rich country in a very rich continent, seriously calls into question the professional criteria that are used in the continent by the aforementioned Mid-sea Journalist Tea Party to recognize television stations in Mid-sea continent.



Dont look at the OA. IF you get this question in less than 3 minutes, then you can get anything.

E is answer...colored part is a gigantic subject ....and criteria to recognize is better that criteria at(in D)
One NSCN cadre was killed and 1 Army soldier was injured in the strike near Myanmar border.

By Manjeet Negi: In a major operation launched by the Army's Special Forces, an NSCN(K) militant was killed along the Indo-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to sources, one militant was killed so far in the major strike in which 21

The operation is underway since 7.30 am.

An AK-56 assault rifle, live bullets and ammunition were seized during the operation against the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) militants.

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The operation began in the morning and was still continuing, the sources said, adding that it was not a cross-border strike by the armed forces.

It's normal routine operation.Such ops happen everyday.Nothing big abt them: Army Chief General on Special Forces ops at Indo-Myanmar border pic.twitter.com/J4aYiop8HP; ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2017

The security forces had launched the operation following specific input about the presence of NSCN(K) rebels near Votnu village in the district.

The forces came under heavy fire from the rebels and retaliated in which one militant was killed and another was injured, Defence spokesman Colonel Chiranjit Konwer said.

The other militants made good their escape into the dense forest nearby. During the search, the forces located the temporary hideout and destroyed it, he said.

The injured insurgent was arrested and a massive search operation was launched in the area to capture the escaped militants.

Another militant of the outfit was killed on September 1 at Kunnu village in the district during a similar operation, the Defence spokesman said.

Security forces under the aegis of DAO division has been carrying out aggressive operations in south Arunachal Pradesh and today's operation has struck a blow to the illegal activities being carried out by the underground outfit in the area, he added.

(Additional inputs from agencies)

Also read:

Top Naga militant SS Khaplang, head of NSCN, dies in Myanmar

Centre has recognised Naga integration demand in Naga peace accord, claims NSCN(IM)

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The new telecom policy (NTP) will include a package to boost domestic manufacturing of equipment to cut dependence on imports and create local jobs, Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said today.

In an interview to PTI, she said work on the policy blueprint is likely to start after the September 8 meeting of the Telecom Commission -- the highest decision making body for telecom sector.

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The NTP roadmap will be placed before the inter- ministerial panel this week, she said. "Big thrust of the policy is internet for all and second is make in India."

To begin with, the policy draft will be placed in public domain for wider consultation by December or January, she said.

If India has to reduce dependency on import, there is need to encourage local telecom companies to not just make for India but also for overseas markets like middle east Asia and Africa, she said.

"It will have to be enabling environment which can catalyse on make in India. We will be strengthening the preferential market access policy. As we develop local capability for manufacturing we will be ensuring that more and more manufacturing happens here. Not just for India but other countries which could be Africa, Middle east Asia, etc," Sundararajan said.

The NTP will look at incorporating provisions to encourage incorporating of product designs developed in the country.

"There is lot of indigenous capability which is there whether it is routers, security equipments, machine-to-machine etc. All these are areas where indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities are there.

"If we do not want forever to be an importer of products from outside we will have to make sure that local companies are encouraged," Sundararajan said.

She added that the government also wants to support growth of international companies who have set-up manufacturing facilities here.

Talking about connectivity push under the NTP, she said that the government will focus on connecting around 40,000 villages and increase availability of regular internet access facility from 30 crore people to 70 crore by 2022.

Besides, this the NTP will focus to encourage creation of 2.5-3 lakh jobs in the telecom sector over period of next 5 years, she said.

The Department of Telecom will also hold regional consultations for framing up the new policy. The department has also created working groups to start consultation process.

"Already, informally, the work has started but we expect they (working groups) will formally get down to work after the first Telecom Commission meeting on the September 8," Sundararajan said. PTI PRS MBI ANZ SA

--- ENDS ---

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Xiamen, Sep 4 (IBNS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday on the sidelines of the ninth BRICS Summit in China

The BRICS Summit 2017 is taking place at Xiamen between September 3 and September 5.

The PMO has put up a tweet as well to say the meeting between the topmost leaders of the two countries was to deepen the India-Russia partnership.

Earlier, the PM even met his Chinese counterpart and made courteous verbal exchanges, after the months long Doklam standoff between the two countries came to an end.

In an address to the BRICS Summit, PM Modi said: "Our womens empowerment programmes are productivity multipliers that mainstream women in nation building."

"We need to mainstream our youth in our joint initiatives; scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices" Modi added.

In a significant shift to the diplomatic relation, both India and China have agreed to disengage border personnel at Doklam in Sikkim border, said India's Ministry of External Affairs.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India said in a statement on last Monday that both the countries had communicated with each other regarding the Doklam issue in the last few weeks.

"In recent weeks, India and China have maintained diplomatic communication in respect of the incident at Doklam. During these communications, we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests" the statement reads.

"On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site at Doklam has been agreed to and is on-going" the MEA added.

The ongoing military standoff has heightened tension at the Bhutan-India-China tri-junction in Doklam, a disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China, where the Indian Army personnel have reached to stop China from building a road.



Image: Twitter handle of PMO.
Asma Jahangir was appointed the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran during the 33rd session.

A report detailing the activities carried out by Jahangir since the first report was issued looks at the issues that are still worrying with regards to Iran. It also looks at some of the latest developments that need urgent attention.

Here are some of the key points of the report:

During the candidate registration period before the most recent Iranian presidential elections, 137 names were submitted. However, the Guardian Council announced the approval of only 6 candidates  one of whom was Ebrahim Raisi, a member of the death committee that ordered executions during the 1988 massacre.

The report also pointed out that the Iranian regime has been trying to cover up the crime. Earlier this year, families of some of the victims went to a mass grave in Mashhad and they found that the area had been covered with soil. A few months later, there was construction work being carried out at another mass grave site in Ahvaz. It seems like there are plans to flatten the area and build a green area or commercial property on the site.

The report also pointed out that the 1988 massacre has never been officially acknowledged. In January 1989, the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, expressed concern over the global denial of the executions and called on Iranian authorities to conduct an investigation. Such an investigation has yet to be undertaken.

Furthermore, there have been continuing reports of ongoing medieval punishments taking place in the country. For example, during the month of Ramadan 90 people were arrested, 20 were given flogging sentences.

The President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, recently called on the UN Security council to take the case of the 1988 massacre to the International Criminal Court so that the perpetrators and executors of this crime are brought to justice. She reminded the UN that is was a crime against humanity and the international communitys approach to it will be a test of their adherence to human rights principles.
Among the many protesters were family members of victims who said that they wanted the Iranian regimes impunity to end.

The 1988 massacre, a crime against humanity, happened after the Supreme Leader at that time issued a fatwa ordering the execution of all political prisoners. Some of the members of the so-called Death Committee that carried out his orders are still in high positions in Iran today.

In a message to those at the rally, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said that she salutes them all because they are voicing what many cant. You are echoing the voice of people who do not want to live under the reign of torture and killings. You are the voice of resistant political prisoners who are presently on hunger strike and their lives are on the line. You are the voice of a movement which is struggling to bring down the religious dictatorship in Iran. I salute you all!

At the rally, the protesters expressed their solidarity with the political prisoners who have been on hunger strike for more than a month in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj because of the repressive measures and inhuman conditions they are faced with.

Rajavi also urged European governments to condition business relations with Iran on an end to torture and executions and called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to form an independent inquiry committee so that the massacre can be investigated.

She also reminded everyone that the Iranian regime will continue to repress the people of Iran because it is not being called out on its actions. The international community has basically given the regime free reign over its actions.

So long as the mullahs sense that they have a free hand in human rights violations in Iran, they will continue their belligerence and aggressions in the Middle East. And so long as the mullahs continue their belligerence in the region, global security and tranquillity will be endangered including in Europe.
Iran, faced with the news that the US held a meeting with the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog who insisted that inspections of military sites in Iran are carried out, retaliated by denying access.

Haley said that Irans refusal will put future compliance with the nuclear deal in jeopardy.

The IAEA, despite confirming that Iran has been compliant with the deal, has rejected Irans claims that the countrys military sites are off-limits.

President Trump is obliged as per the terms of the deal to provide Congress with a report every 90 days stating whether Iran is compliant or not. In July, Trump apparently hesitantly, granted Iran compliance.

The next report to Congress is due in the middle of October. If he grants compliance, the situation will remain the same. If he were to grant non-compliance, strong evidence and documentation will be needed, and good argumentation to convince the other parties of the deal.

It has been speculated that this was the purpose of Haleys meeting with IAEA officials because the Trump administration needs to be certain that it is overseeing the nuclear program in the way it should.

Since the deal was signed, the IAEA has issued seven reports confirming compliance. In two of the reports, Iran was exceeding heavy water limits. Tehran immediately acted and sent the excess to Oman, prompting analysts to point out that Iran is desperate to keep the deal in place.

The United States needs to be certain that the IAEA does not produce a report with contradictory information otherwise it will make Trump look like his actions are politically-motivated. However, this does not mean that Trump should continue to grant compliance.

Many concessions were given to Iran by Trumps predecessor. The Obama administration failed to address the military aspect of Irans nuclear program. Concerns were never resolved, but sanctions were lifted anyway.

One major failing of the deal is that Iran is permitted time to destroy evidence of wrongdoing because the IAEA has to give Iran notice for inspections and has to provide details about what it will be looking at. This is completely illogical.

Haley described her recent meeting with the IAEA as constructive. So now we need to see what will happen when Irans compliance is renewed in October. Or not.
VOA Learning English presents Americas Presidents.

Today we are talking about Woodrow Wilson. He served two terms, from 1913 to 1921, and led the United States through the first World War.

Wilson might have seemed an unlikely war president. He was a university professor before he entered politics.

And, when the conflict began in Europe in 1914, Wilson strongly rejected the idea of the U.S. getting involved. He even campaigned for his second term on the slogan He kept us out of the war.

But Wilsons idealism eventually made him believe the U.S. must enter the conflict. He famously said, The world must be safe for democracy.

He spent the last months of his presidency fighting to create a league of nations that would prevent future wars.

Wilson did not succeed in that effort. But the effects of his presidency are still seen today in both the domestic and foreign affairs of the United States.

Early life

Woodrow Wilson was born in the state of Virginia in 1856 and grew up in the South.

Wilsons father was a Protestant Christian minister who supported the views of the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Wilsons mother had been born in England but raised in the United States. She was reportedly warm and loving, especially to her husband and four children.

Wilsons early life was marked by poor health and a passion for learning. His education included tutoring by Confederate soldiers, classes with his father, a year at Davidson College, a bachelors degree from the school now called Princeton, one year of law school, and a doctoral degree in history and political science from the University of Johns Hopkins.

He remains, so far, the only president with a Ph.D.

Wilsons academic interests were in government, and how it could be most effective. Even as a young man, he supported the idea of a strong executive, either a prime minister or a president.

He wrote a number of books, including a biography of George Washington, and a history of the United States. He also taught popular classes at several colleges, including Bryn Mawr in Pennsylvania, Wesleyan in Connecticut, and Princeton in New Jersey.

In time, Wilson became the president of Princeton. He made major reforms to the school until some faculty and alumni resisted his efforts.

Wilson had always been interested in political power. The Democratic Party in New Jersey became interested in Wilson when they were looking for a candidate with an honest public image.

In truth, party officials believed he would be a weak leader whom they could influence. Wilson surprised them by winning the seat as New Jersey governor easily, and then rejecting their efforts to control him.

He went on to pass major reform legislation in New Jersey that reduced corruption and protected the rights of workers. His actions drew the attention of Democratic Party leaders seeking a candidate for president in 1912.

Presidency: first term

Voters did not overwhelmingly choose Wilson in 1912. Although he did well in the Electoral College, he earned only a little more than 40 percent of the popular vote. Other votes were mostly divided between two former presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft.

Yet Wilson quickly asserted authority over Congress and pushed through a number of laws aimed at dramatic reform.

Historian Kendrick Clements at the University of South Carolina says Wilson had a strongly progressive vision.

He was interested in expanding economic opportunity for people at the bottom of society and eliminating special privileges enjoyed by the richest and most powerful members of society.

One of Wilsons most important acts was to create a new federal agency called the Federal Reserve Board. It still regulates American banks, credit, and money supply. He also created the Federal Trade Commission to ensure fair business practices, and the Department of Labor to protect workers rights.

And he supported laws to reduce working hours for railroad employees, bar child labor, and offer government loans to farmers.

But even during Wilsons busy lawmaking, the threat of world war demanded his attention. Wilson had declared that the U.S. would remain neutral in the growing conflict between the Allied and Central Powers.

One of his reasons was that people in the U.S. were immigrants from the countries that were at war. Wilson did not want the conflict to divide Americans.

However, he permitted international trade, including with Britain and France. As a result, many believed the U.S. was favoring those countries.

In 1915, a German submarine sank a British ship called the Lusitania and killed more than 100 Americans on board.

Wilson protested several times to Germany about the sinking. He warned that the U.S. would not accept another such aggression. But two years later, Germany attacked U.S. commercial ships. It also invited Mexico to enter into an alliance against the United States.

At the beginning of Wilsons second term in office, he asked Congress to declare war on Germany.

Presidency: second term

The U.S. entered World War I on the side of the Allied Powers. The additional support came at an important time. American soldiers were able to help resist German troops in France.

In time, Germany asked for an armistice  an agreement to stop fighting.

Following the war, Wilson had a grand vision for how to gain lasting peace in Europe. In a speech known as Fourteen Points, he proposed that the countries that had won the war not punish Germany.

Wilson also wanted European colonies to rule themselves, and other areas be given immediate independence.

Most importantly, Wilson suggested a League of Nations that would guarantee the member countries independence and safety.

But few world leaders agreed with his plan completely.

Even in the U.S., many Republican lawmakers in Congress resisted Wilsons idea for a League of Nations. Some strongly objected to any treaty that would limit the countrys independence. Others did not want the country to be involved in world issues at all.So Wilson began a trip across the U.S. to raise public support for the League of Nations. He traveled more than 15,000 kilometers in 22 days and gave 29 speeches.

Wilsons doctors warned him that the trip was hard on his health. But Wilson was firm about pressuring Senate Republicans to adopt the agreement.

Finally, he collapsed from exhaustion. Shortly after, he suffered a major stroke. Although he recovered somewhat, he remained partly paralyzed. He rarely appeared in public again.Instead, Wilson communicated to Congress through his wife. When Republicans changed the treaty to deal with their concerns, Wilson told his supporters to reject it.

In the end, the U.S. never did join the League of Nations.

When a new president, Warren Harding, was sworn-in in 1921, Edith and Woodrow Wilson retired to a house in Washington, D.C. Three years later, the former president died quietly there, finally at peace.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

assert  v. to demand that other people accept or respect (something)

opportunity  n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

eliminate  v. to remove; to get rid of

privilege - n. a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others

regulate - v. to make rules or laws that control (something)

commercial - adj. related to or used in the buying and selling of goods and services

armistice - n. an agreement to stop fighting a war

exhaustion - n. the state of being extremely tired

paralyzed - adj. unable to move or feel all or part of the body
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says North Korea is begging for war as the U.N. Security Council meets on Monday to discuss North Koreas latest nuclear test.

Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We dont want it now. But our countrys patience is not unlimited, Haley said.

South Korea's defense ministry said Monday it had found signs North Korea was preparing to test another ballistic missile. The ministry also announced plans to temporarily send four more launchers for the THAAD missile defense system.

Hours before the security council meeting, South Koreas military fired missiles into the Sea of Japan. It was an exercise meant to look like an attack on North Koreas nuclear test site.

North Korea nuclear test

Over the weekend, North Korea said it tested a hydrogen bomb small enough to be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile. The North claimed the test was a perfect success.

A U.S. intelligence official said the nuclear device detonated by North Korea on Sunday was 10 times more powerful than its fifth nuclear test a year ago.

We're highly confident this was a test of an advanced nuclear device and what we've seen so far is not inconsistent with North Korea's claims, the intelligence official said.

US warns of 'massive military response'

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, repeated the warnings of President Donald Trump on Sunday. He said that North Korea can expect a massive military response if it threatens the United States, the U.S. territory of Guam or America's allies.

White House officials said the president has a range of retaliatory measures available to the U.S., including nuclear weapons.

Experts reacting to Secretary Mattiss comments are hoping for diplomatic discussions instead of more tough military talk.

Frank Aum is a visiting scholar at the U.S.-Korea Institute. He said the United States needs to get away from a military-centric approach to the North Korea problem set and reinvigorate diplomacy.

The president, leaving a church service near the White House earlier Sunday, said only, We'll see when a reporter asked if he was planning to order an attack on North Korea.

Trump might consider trade option

On Twitter, Trump said he is considering stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea, raising questions about what this could mean for U.S.-China commercial ties and the two countries' $650 billion in annual trade.

Any U.S. call for an economic boycott of countries doing business with North Korea would focus on China because Beijing is North Korea's major ally and its trading partner.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he would prepare a new package of North Korea economic sanctions along these lines for consideration.

We will work with our allies. We will work with China, Mnuchin told a television interviewer Sunday. But people need to cut off North Korea economically. This is unacceptable behavior.

Im Pete Musto.

Dorothy Gundy adapted this story for Learning English based on VOA and AP news reports. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

patience  n. the ability to wait for a long time without becoming annoyed or upset

ballistic missile  n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes

detonate(d)  v. to cause something, such as a bomb, to explode

confident  adj. to strongly believe that something will happen or that something is true

inconsistent  adj. not always acting or behaving in the same way

retaliatory  adj. something bad that is done to someone who has hurt you or treated you badly

scholar  n. a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it

reinvigorate  v. to return life and energy to someone or something

church  n. a building that is used for Christian religious services

sanction(s)  n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country or by not allowing economic aid for that country
Thailand's government is offering a free class to Thai women who marry foreigners.

The class teaches about the possible difficulties of such marriages. It also teaches how to avoid becoming a victim of scams or human trafficking when moving overseas.

Thailand's social development ministry said that some women believe marriage to a foreigner is a way to improve their economic situation.

The government has little recent information about such marriages. A 2004 government study showed that more than 15,000 women from northeastern Isan had married foreigners. That is one of the poorest areas in Thailand. Each month, these women sent a total of 122 million baht to their families.

Patcharee Arayakul is the director of the ministrys division of gender equality.

Our course will teach women how to conduct themselves, about the laws of their destination country, and how to prepare before going," Patcharee said.

The class covers, "legal rights, how to seek help through the relevant Thai authorities, as well as exploring issues of culture shock," said Dusadee Ayuwat, a professor who helped design it.

The practical advice was very useful, said one woman who attended the class.

"I was more interested in the legal aspects rather than the culture shock," she said. The woman did not want to give her name.

Ploynisa Duangdararungrueng is married to a German national. She says she thinks the education could be useful for some Thai women.

"Thai women, especially those from the northeast region, are soft-spoken and submissive," she said. "They must learn to respect themselves and their culture."

Her husband, Ralf Wacker, said the class could help prepare women for life in the West. "For a lot of women, life in the West is like a fairy tale, but in reality it can feel extremely isolating moving to a small town," he said.

Wacker urged Thailand's government to offer a similar course for the foreign husbands. "If the Western man does not understand the family dynamics," he said, "this can cause a lot of problems."

I'm John Russell.

Suphanida Thakral and Amy Lefevre reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

course  n. a series of classes about a particular subject in a school

scam  n. a dishonest way to make money by deceiving people

human trafficking  n. the action or practice of illegally transporting people from one country or area to another, typically for the purposes of forced labor or sexual exploitation

destination  n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sen

relevant  adj. relating to a subject in an appropriate way

practical  adj. appropriate or suited for actual use

aspect  n. a part of something

submissive  adj. willing to obey someone
Why do people take selfies?

Researchers at Syracuse University in New York tried to answer that question. They came up with some surprising answers.

People who post selfies and use editing software to make themselves look better show behavior connected to narcissism, the Syracuse researchers said.

Narcissists are people who think very highly of themselves, especially how they look.

Ji Won Kim, a doctoral student at the universitys S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, worked on the study. She said because social media can be superficial, it is a good place for people to work towards satisfying their own vanity.

By superficial, she means social media is mostly used by people to share unimportant information about their lives -- not deeply personal issues.

There are other reasons, besides narcissism, that people post selfies.

People who post group selfies show a need for popularity and a need to belong to a group, the Syracuse University research found.

Other findings from the study include:

There are no major differences on how often men and women post selfies and how often they use editing software. But men who post selfies showed more of a need to be seen as popular than women who posted selfies.

The Newhouse Schools Associate Professor Makana Chock worked on the study. She said selfies should not be seen as completely negative.

She said some people feel peer pressure to post selfies. And some follow the popular belief that if there is no picture of an event or experience, it did not really happen.

Chock said posting selfies on social media is not all that different from what people have done for many years.

On trips and special events, our parents and grandparents used cameras instead of phones to take photos. Before social media, people would bring back photos to show friends and family. You had no choice but to look at them.

If you are a nice person, you commented about how nice everyone in the photos looked, especially children and the person showing the photos. That was the old way of clicking like.

On social media, it is a different experience. People can decide not to look at photos of their friends and family -- even if they click like or even love under the Facebook selfie.

Using social media to post photos is pretty new. Facebook did not start until 2004. Instagram started in 2010.

It was not until 2013 that the Oxford English language dictionary added the term selfies. It defined selfie as a photograph that one has taken of oneself.

Here is how the Syracuse researchers did their study.

They questioned 260 people, aged 18 to 65, and almost evenly divided between men and women.

To determine narcissism, people were asked if they agreed with personality traits connected to narcissism. For example, people were asked if they agreed with statements such as, I like to be the center of attention and I like having authority over people.

To determine if those in the study had a need to be seen as popular, people were asked if they agreed with these statements: Its important that people think Im popular and I often do things just to be popular with people at school.

I'm Bruce Alpert.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. Do you take selfies. What kind of photos do you show on social media?

___________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

selfie - n. a picture that you take of yourself especially by using the camera on your smartphone

post - v. to add a message or phone to an online site

editing software - n. computer equipment to help you change a persons appearance in photos

vanity - n. the quality of people who have too much pride in their own appearance, abilities, achievements

peer pressure - n. a feeling that you must do the same things as other people of your age and social group in order to be liked or respected by them

trait - n. a quality that makes one person or thing different from another

authority - n. the power to give orders or make decisions
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses, and K-12 institutions in the United States. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale, and Digital Student Solutions. The company sells and rents new and used print textbooks, digital textbooks, and publisher hosted digital courseware through physical and virtual bookstores, as well as directly to students through Textbooks.com. It also offers First Day and First Day Complete access programs; BNC OER+, a turnkey solution for colleges and universities, that offers digital content, such as videos, activities, and auto-graded practice assessments; and general merchandise, including collegiate and athletic apparel, school spirit products, lifestyle products, technology products, supplies, graduation products, and convenience items. In addition, the company sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks; and sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 350 college bookstores. Further, it offers direct-to-student subscription-based writing services; and bartleby, a direct-to-student subscription-based offering that includes textbook solutions, expert questions and answers, and writing and tutoring services. The company operates 805 physical college and university bookstores; 622 virtual bookstores; 8 True Spirit e-commerce websites; pop-up retail locations; 73 customized cafes and 11 stand-alone convenience stores; and a media channel for brands targeting the college demographic. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
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By PTI: time

By Priyanka Tikoo

Xiamen, Sep 4 (PTI) In a significant diplomatic win for India, BRICS countries today named for the first time Pakistan-based terror groups like the LeT and the JeM for causing violence in the region and said those supporting terror acts must be held accountable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.

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The 43-page Xiamen Declaration, adopted at the end of the five-nation BRICS plenary, stressed on the need for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan.

It expressed "concern" over the security situation in the region and the violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Significantly, the ETIM is active in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and seeks to establish a separate "East Turkistan".

At the ninth Summit of the grouping, the BRICS leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever. They stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable," the statement said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

According to officials, Modi raised the issue of terrorism strongly at the BRICS Summit and was joined by other leaders, who expressed willingness to fight this menace.

"For the first time specific listing of terror organisations has been made (in the BRICS declaration)," Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.

The inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration is also significant as it indicated a slight shift in the Chinese view towards terror groups operating out of Pakistan.

Ahead of the BRICS Summit, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had said, "We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistans counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I dont think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at the BRICS Summit."

During the last BRICS Summit in Goa, China did not allow the inclusion of Pakistan-based terror groups in the declaration despite the fact that the Summit was taking place within weeks of the Uri terror strike carried out by a Pakistan-based militant group.

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However, now it is to be seen that after being part of such a strongly-worded declaration on terrorism and indicting Pakistan-based terror group JeM, how China will act towards the designation of Jaishs chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

After the declaration was issued, the Chinese foreign ministry today parried questions on any change in its stand of blocking Azhars banning by the UN.

Currently, China has put a hold on the proposal to ban Azhar moved by the US and some other countries at the UNs Sanctions Committee.

The declaration referred to terrorism at least 17 times, apart from mentioning other forms of extremism and radicalisation. During the BRICS Summit here, India also offered to host a conference on countering radicalisation.

Talking about Indias position on terrorism, Saran told reporters, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

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Saran said that prime minister Modi also raised the issue of speeding up the long-pending UN Security Council reforms during the Summit.

The BRICS countries also called upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism.

They said that the approach should include "countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organised crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)."

The BRICS leaders conveyed their commitment to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing.

They also recalled the responsibility of all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

"We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs)," the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

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"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said.

The declaration also lauded July meeting of BRICS high representatives for security issues for having discussion and deepening common understanding on global governance, counter- terrorism, security in the use of ICTs, energy security, major international and regional hotspots as well as national security.

It also noted Brazils proposal to set up a BRICS intelligence bank. PTI PYK MPB ASK AKJ GSN ASK

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Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Technical Solutions. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. It also provides nuclear-powered ships, such as aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as refueling and overhaul, and inactivation services of ships. In addition, the company offers naval nuclear support services, including fleet services comprising design, construction, maintenance, and disposal activities for in-service the U.S. Navy nuclear ships; and maintenance services on nuclear reactor prototypes. Further, it provides life-cycle sustainment services to the U.S. Navy fleet and other maritime customers; high-end information technology and mission-based solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence, and federal civilian customers; nuclear management and operations and environmental management services for the Department of Energy, DoD, state and local governments, and private sector companies; defense and federal solutions; and unmanned systems. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia.
White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides insurance and other financial services in the United States. The company operates through five segments: HG Global/BAM, Ark, NSM, Kudu, and Other Operations. The HG Global/BAM segment provides insurance on municipal bonds issued to finance public purposes, such as schools, utilities, and transportation facilities, as well as reinsurance protection services. The Ark segment writes a portfolio of reinsurance and insurance, including property, marine and energy, accident and health, casualty, and specialty products. The NSM segment operates as a managing general agent and program administrator for specialty property and casualty insurance to various sectors comprising specialty transportation, real estate, social services, and pet. The Kudu segment provides capital solutions to boutique asset and wealth managers for generational ownership transfers, management buyouts, acquisitions and growth finances, and legacy partner liquidity, as well as strategic assistance to investees. The Other Operations segment offers insurance solutions to travel industry through broker channel and on a direct-to-consumer basis; and manages separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles for insurance-linked securities sectors, including catastrophe bonds, collateralized reinsurance investments, and industry loss warranties of third-party clients. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.
This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Learn more .

Many investors understand the reasons for having a diversified portfolio. One way to accomplish this is to diversify within an asset class. For equity investors in the United States this can mean investing in both growth and value stocks.

It can also mean investing in international stocks. And when investors want to do this, they need look no further than our neighbor to the north. Canada has a range of stocks for investors to consider. This article will focus on strategies that investors can use when looking to invest in Canadian stocks.

Why Buy Canadian Stocks?

There are a few reasons for investors to consider Canadian stocks as part of their diversification strategy:

A Large Natural Resources Sector  The sheer size of the country and its location lets investors know that it is an area rich in natural resources. This also means that the country has a source of current and future wealth.

An Advanced Skills-Based Economy  In this regard, Canada is similar to other western nations. The difference is that it is not as common to find these skill-based professions in a country with so many natural resources.

Stability  Canada is not exempt from any problems that impact the global economy. However, the country is known for stable financial and business policies that have kept the economy relatively stable. This Goldilocks economy has meant that many Canadian stocks havent enjoyed the outsized growth of some U.S. equities. However, it also comes with a bit of protection against downside risk.

How Have Canadian Stocks Performed?

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, there was a time when U.S. stocks and Canadian stocks performed nearly identically. Heres a graph that shows the performance of the S&P 500 Index vs. the TSX Index



Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

You can see that with a couple of exceptions, the two indexes performed remarkably similar. That all changed around 2012 and Canadian stocks became less attractive.

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

This disparity is widely due to one sector, technology. However, Canadian technology stocks have been on the rise. And in 2022, the country is benefiting from renewed interest in materials stocks as well as a spike in commodity prices.

What Are the Best Sectors of Canadian Stocks?

For different reasons finance, materials, and energy stocks are among the best performing stocks as of September 2022. Heres a brief overview of each sector and some of the top names for investors to consider.

Financial  Similar to the United States, Canada has a strong banking industry. Many Canadian banks have a track record of solid performance that can provide long-term value to a portfolio. And several of these stocks pay dividends with attractive yields for investors.

This sector makes up the largest percentage of the TSX at roughly 30%. And the Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY)is the top-weighted constituent in the TSX. Beyond the Royal Bank of Canada some of the other top-performing Canadian financial stocks include:

Materials and Mining  Canadian stocks can be an ideal choice for investors looking to diversify into gold and precious metals without owning the physical metal. Canada has a large natural resources sector. So, its not surprising that there are a number of gold mining companies with Canadian origins. This sector also gives investors exposure to other components in the mining and agriculture sectors. This sector makes up approximately 11.5% of the TSX. Some of the top Canadian materials and mining stocks include:

Energy  Canadian stocks offer both traditional fossil fuel-based energy stocks as well as some renewable energy stocks. This sector makes up approximately 18.5% of the TSX. Some of the top Canadian energy stocks include:

Technology  As mentioned earlier, technology stocks have largely been the domain of the United States. As evidence of this, information technology stocks make up only about 5.5% of the TSX. However, there are a few Canadian companies that have become stars in the new economy being created. Some of the more popular names include:

What Are the Risks of Investing in Canadian Stocks?

One concern about investing in Canadian stocks is that they can be heavily weighted towards cyclical industries. For example, as of February 2022 financials (33.5%), energy (14.8%) and industrials (11.7%) made up nearly 60% of the index. That may be too much for some investors particularly because those sectors all tend to correlate roughly the same way as the economic cycle. But as a long-term play, Canadian stocks are worth considering with a small part of your portfolio.

How to Buy Canadian Stocks

Buy Individual Stocks on a Stock Exchange

Hundreds of Canadian stocks have dual listings on either the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ. This is the most convenient way to get exposure to Canadian stocks because there are no barriers to stock ownership. These shares can be purchased in U.S. dollars directly from the exchange just like purchasing a U.S. stock.

However, for a full list of the best Canadian stocks, investors should look at the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The TSX is one of the oldest stock exchanges having been founded in 1852. Its also the third largest stock exchange in North America in terms of market capitalization.

The Toronto Stock Exchange includes approximately 1,500 companies. It allows investors to trade stocks, investment trusts, exchange-traded products, bonds, commodities, futures, options, and other derivative products. All transactions on the TSX are executed in Canadian dollars.

Invest in a Mutual Fund or ETF

There are many mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that supply exposure to Canadian stocks. Some funds supply exposure to both U.S. and Canadian stocks. Other funds hold just Canadian stocks. Some examples of those include:

BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF

Horizons S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF

Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap ETF

As with investing in any asset class, investors need to consider their investment objective, time horizon and risk tolerance before choosing a fund that fits their needs. Investors will also want to pay attention to the funds fee structure to ensure youre making the most efficient use of your capital.

The Final Word on Investing in Canadian Stocks

Investing in Canadian stocks is one way for investors to add diversification to their portfolio. MarketBeat provides a list of the top Canadian stocks that trade on the TSX. This is Canadas version of the NYSE or NASDAQ in the United States and includes many of the same stocks.

Thats one advantage of investing in Canadian stocks is that many have a dual listing which removes many of the obstacles that can come with investing in international stocks.

However, investors should be aware that many of the best Canadian stocks are in highly cyclical industries which can lead to underperformance when those sectors are out of favor. Still, due to their relative stability and in some cases an impressive dividend, Canadian stocks may have a place in an investors portfolio.
By PTI: By Priyanka Tikoo

Xiamen, Sep 4 (PTI) Asserting that affordable and sustainable access to energy is crucial for the growth of the BRICS nations, Prime Minister Narendra today called on the member countries to work closely with the International Solar Alliance to strengthen the solar energy agenda.

In his intervention at the plenary session of the 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Modi noted that climate resilient development calls upon the nations to utilise all available resource streams.

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"Renewable energy is particularly important on multiple counts. BRICS countries can work closely with International Solar Alliance (ISA) to strengthen the solar energy agenda. Our five countries have complementary skills and strengths to promote use of renewable and solar energy," Modi said.

The ISA was launched by India and France in November 2015 and aims to bring together a coalition of 121 countries for mutual gains through enhanced solar energy utilisation.

Modi said the New Development Bank under the BRICS grouping can also establish an effective link with ISA to support such cooperation.

"Our five countries have complementary skills and strengths to promote use of renewable and solar energy. The NDB can also establish an effective link with ISA to support such cooperation and we would wish to see more clean energy funding, particularly in solar energy, from the NDB," Modi said. PTI PR ASK AKJ ASK

--- ENDS ---
Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farms in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.
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By PTI: By Priyanka Tikoo

Xiamen, Sep 4 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today strongly pitched for setting up of a BRICS credit rating agency to counter western rating institutions and cater to the financial needs of sovereign and corporate entities of developing nations.

In an address at the plenary session of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit here, Modi said a separate rating agency would help the economies of the member countries as well as other developing nations.

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"Our Central Banks must further strengthen their capabilities and promote cooperation between the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the IMF (International Monetary Fund)," the prime minister said, urging early creation of the BRICS rating agency.

India had first mooted the idea of having such an agency for the BRICS grouping which can solve impediments for the emerging market economies posed by the present CRA market, which is dominated by S&P, Moodys and Fitch.

These three western rating agencies hold over 90 per cent of the sovereign ratings market now.

Indian officials were at the forefront at last years BRICS Summit in Goa in pointing out the shortcomings and the need for having an alternative credit rating agency. PTI PYK MPB AMS ASK AKJ ASK

--- ENDS ---
Cash-Strapped Saudi Arabia Is Willing To Give Up Its Influence To Iran

BY XANDER SNYDER : Saudi Arabias strategy in the Middle East has for years focused on throwing money at majority Sunni states and groups in the region to counter Iranian influence. But its fiscal constraints started to limit its ability to project power even in the Arabian Peninsula.

Funding Sunni jihadist groups has not had the desired outcome. The rise of the Islamic State is evidence that this strategy can have unintended results. In fact, Saudi Arabias attempt to expand its influence regionally may have actually reduced Saudi power both domestically and on the peninsula.

As such, the Saudis are coming to the realization that it cant shape the dynamics of the region. It can help create problems for its opponents, but it cant control the future course of events. That experience caused the Saudis to refocus their efforts closer to home, in places like Yemen.

In the meantime, low oil prices continue to strain its budget, inhibiting its ability not only to fund proxy groups throughout the region, but also to carry out conventional military action on the Arabian Peninsula.

An Opening for Iran

Leaked emails between the former US ambassador to Israel and the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the US reveal the impact of this budgetary constraint.

The Emirati ambassador wrote that the Saudi crown prince had expressed a desire to withdraw from the conflict in Yemen and a willingness for the US to engage Iran on the Saudis behalf.

At this point, both Iran and Saudi Arabia know that Riyadhs financial struggles are limiting its ability to protect its interests closer to home. Any direct negotiation between the two countries will account for this weakness and result in a settlement that is far more in Irans favor than Saudi Arabia will feel comfortable with.

Thus one of the consequences of Saudi Arabias decline is that it creates an opening for Iran to pressure the Saudis into accepting a state of affairs they dont want to accept.

The Saudis are trying to obscure the extent of their economic problems by boasting about progress toward a balanced budget.

But on closer inspection, this claim falls apart.

Its true that Saudi Arabias expenditures dropped by 1.3 percent in the second quarter, the majority of the deficit decline is due to a 28 percent increase in its oil revenue. Although Saudi Arabia has been attempting to diversify its economy, its non-oil revenue actually shrank by 17 percent.

These are not signs of a country becoming less dependent on oil. And while oil prices have increased slightly over the past several months, they will remain relatively low in the long term.

A Financial Drain

Security services and military spending together are the largest expense in the countrys budget, making up roughly 37 percent of the 2016 budget (but only 32 percent of the projected 2017 budget).

Yemen is an ongoing drain on the already stressed Saudi budget, and yet the kingdom doesnt have any real progress to show for it. Despite its two-year involvement in the civil war, Saudi Arabia has failed to push the conflict definitively in a direction that would benefit its interests (for example, diminishing the role of the Iranian-backed Houthis in the conflict).

An agreement with Iran would be no small capitulation for Saudi Arabia; it would pave the way for greater Iranian influence directly on Saudi Arabias border. However, constraints often force states to choose between two bad options.

And if Saudi Arabia is faced with the possibility of continuing engagement in a war it cannot afford to be involved in, it may be compelled to accept some sort of power-sharing agreement with Iran.

This would be an admission that Saudi Arabia can no longer define the Arabian Peninsulas destiny and must rely on the United States to broker deals with its enemies to protect its interests.

The Saudis dont want to become even more dependent on the US, particularly in light of its deepening relations with Iran through the easing of nuclear sanctions. Saudi Arabias desire to escape the quagmire in Yemen is a perfect example of how constraints restrict a states ability to pursue its security imperatives.

While Saudi Arabia would certainly prefer to counter Iranian influence by defeating its proxies in Yemen, its oil-dependent budget is forcing it to reconsider a brokered agreement that will at least limit Iranian influence in the Arabian Peninsula. That may be the best that Saudi Arabia can do for now.

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Credit: University of Queensland

Children may have a greater understanding of how to innovate and problem solve than previously realised.

A study led by University of Queensland School of Psychology researcher Karri Neldner looked at children's ability to innovate with tools, and the creativity associated with developing new tools to solve problems.

"Kids, aged three to five, had a greater understanding of how to use novel items to solve problems than was previously thought possible," Ms Neldner said.

Children were given a choice of a pipe cleaner or a short length of rope to use to retrieve a small toy bucket from the bottom of a transparent tube.

"Over 45 per cent of the kids were able to solve the task by using the pipe cleaner, compared to rates of below 10 per cent in previous research," Ms Neldner said.

"Children's innovation rates more than doubled when they were given clear information about the tool's properties.

"Seeing the focal component of the toolthat the end of a pipe cleaner can be bent into a hook, for instancekick starts the problem-solving process and allows a lot more children to identify how they can go about solving the task.

Credit: University of Queensland

"This suggests that we need to rethink how we test innovation in children, as the tasks we've been giving to them up until now are unnecessarily difficult, and disadvantaging their performance."

The study found that children's ability to innovate spanned across cultures.

Study participants were urban Brisbane kids, the majority of which were Caucasian and from middle-class socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as Indigenous residents of the Borroloola and Robinson River Aboriginal communities in Northern Australia.

More information: Karri Neldner et al. Young children's tool innovation across culture: Affordance visibility matters, Cognition (2017). Journal information: Cognition Karri Neldner et al. Young children's tool innovation across culture: Affordance visibility matters,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2017.07.015
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a global epidemic affecting more than 380 million people worldwide; yet there are knowledge gaps in understanding the etiology of type-2 diabetes. T2D is also a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), but the biological pathways that explain the connection have remained somewhat murky. Now, in a large analysis of genetic data, published on August 28, 2017 in Nature Genetics, a team, led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has first looked into what causes T2D and second clarified how T2D and CHD - the two diseases that are the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, are linked.

Examining genome sequence information for more than 250,000 people, the researchers first uncovered 16 new diabetes genetic risk factors, and one new CHD genetic risk factor; hence providing novel insights about the mechanisms of the two diseases. They then showed that most of the sites on the genome known to be associated with higher diabetes risk are also associated with higher CHD risk. For eight of these sites, the researchers were able to identify a specific gene variant that influences risk for both diseases. The shared genetic risk factors affect biological pathways including immunity, cell proliferation, and heart development.

The findings add to the basic scientific understanding of both these major diseases and point to potential targets for future drugs.

"Identifying these gene variants linked to both type 2 diabetes and CHD risk in principle opens up opportunities to lower the risk of both outcomes with a single drug," said study co-senior author Danish Saleheen, PhD, an assistant professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. "From a drug development perspective, it would make sense to focus on those pathways that are most strongly linked to both diseases," Saleheen said.

The researchers started by examining sets of genome data on more than 250,000 people, of South Asian, East Asian or European descent. In this large, multi-ethnic sample they were able to confirm most of the known diabetes "risk loci" sites on the genome where small DNA variations have been linked to altered, usually higher, diabetes riskand uncover 16 new ones.

With their analyses of the genome data, the scientists were also able to identify eight specific gene variants that are strongly linked to altered risk for both diseases. Seven of these gene variants, as expected, appeared to increase risk for both diseases.

The eighth, a variant of the gene for the cholesterol-transport protein ApoE, turned out to be associated with higher diabetes risk but lower CHD riska finding that is somewhat puzzling, Saleheen said, though he noted that it is consistent with data from statin trials showing that pharmacologically lowering LDL cholesterol can modestly increase diabetes risk.

The researchers found evidence that, on the whole, the genetic link between the diseases appears to work in one direction, so that risk genes for type 2 diabetes are much more likely to be associated with higher CHD risk than the other way around. Additionally, there could be some pathways where pharmacological lowering of one disease increases the risk of the other.

"Using evidence from human genetics, it should be possible to design drugs for type-2 diabetes that have either beneficial or neutral effects on CHD risk; however it is important to identify and further de-prioritize pathways that decrease the risk of type-2 diabetes but increase the risk of CHD"; said Saleheen.

The scientists also found that diabetes-linked gene variants tend to differ in their apparent effects on CHD risk, depending on their mechanisms. Variants that increase the chance of obesity or high blood pressure, for example, appear to boost CHD risk more strongly than variants that alter insulin or glucose levels.

The scientists discovered that the genomic regions implicated as dual diabetes-CHD risk loci encompass targets of some existing drugs. One such drug is icosapent, an omega-3 fatty acid component of some fish oils, which lowers cholesterol and is sold in concentrated form as a prescription pharmaceutical.

The dual-effect risk loci also include the region covering the gene FABP4, which is already being investigated for its potential as a diabetes and heart-disease drug target. In mouse studies, inhibition of this gene's protein has been shown to have anti-atherosclerotic, i.e., helps fight thickening and hardening with fat on the inside of arteries and anti-diabetic effects.

Saleheen, co-senior author Benjamin F. Voight, PhD, an associate professor of Genetics, and their colleagues now plan further investigations of the dual-risk genes uncovered in the study.

"I'm hopeful that with the advanced genomic engineering techniques now available, we'll be able to quickly convert our human genetics observations into concrete details regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in both heart disease and diabetes," said Voight.

The researchers also hope to learn more about the biology of the newly discovered dual-risk genes by studying people who have mutations in those genes, Saleheen said.

More information: Identification of new susceptibility loci for type 2 diabetes and shared etiological pathways with coronary heart disease, Nature Genetics (2017). Journal information: Nature Genetics Identification of new susceptibility loci for type 2 diabetes and shared etiological pathways with coronary heart disease,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/ng.3943
Axial CT image with i.v. contrast. Macrocystic adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Credit: public domain

Johns Hopkins scientists say they have developed a blood test that spots tumor-specific DNA and protein biomarkers for early-stage pancreatic cancer. The combined "liquid biopsy" identified the markers in the blood of 221 patients with the early-stage disease. Their results, published online the week of Sept. 4 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show that detection of markers from both DNA and protein products of DNA was twice as accurate at identifying the disease as detection of DNA alone.

Such liquid biopsies aim to fish out DNA molecules specific for cancer amid a wide sea of normal DNA circulating in the blood. Tumors tend to shed their mutated DNA into the bloodstream, making it possible for scientists to use genomic sequencing tools to sift through the blood and find such cancer-linked DNA.

Most early-stage pancreatic cancers are found incidentally during an imaging scan and generally cause no symptoms. But the disease is most often found late, when it's far advanced and resection, or surgery, is not the first treatment option, says Jin He, M.D., assistant professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "In the past 30 years, we haven't made much progress in identifying people with resectable cancers," says He. "If this test's performance is validated in larger studies, it could be used to identify patients with early, asymptomatic pancreatic cancer."

While their test is not ready to be used outside of a research setting, they say, mutated DNA of the type that is shed from tumors and found in blood is "exquisitely specific" for cancer. "If cancer-linked DNA can be found in the blood of an individual, it is very likely that person has cancer," says Bert Vogelstein, M.D., co-director of the Ludwig Center at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Studies by Vogelstein's team and others have shown that DNA can be identified in the blood of more than 85 percent of patients with advanced cancers. However, the sensitivity of detecting such small bits of DNA in the blood of patients with early cancers, without prior knowledge of the genetic status of the cancers, was unknown prior to this study, say the scientists.

In their new study, blood and tumor tissue samples were collected from 221 men and women, mostly Caucasians, with stage I and II pancreatic cancers who underwent surgery to remove their pancreas at hospitals in Australia, Korea, Indiana, Pittsburgh, the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York and The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Another 182 people with no known history of cancer, autoimmune disease or chronic kidney disease donated their blood for the study.

The scientists were able to identify 66 of the 221 patients, or 30 percent, with early-stage pancreatic cancer by using their blood screening tool to sift for mutations in the DNA of the KRAS gene alone, an early marker of pancreatic cancer development.

Their goal, however, was to improve the 30 percent detection rate, find more early cancers and avoid false positives in people without the disease, says Joshua Cohen, an M.D.-Ph.D. postgraduate student in Vogelstein's lab who worked on the study.

So, they turned to protein biomarkers circulating in the blood. Such circulation protein markers already are used clinically to detect and monitor diseases like diabetes and heart muscle damage from heart attacks as well as to monitor patients with a prior history of cancers.

Of special interest to the researchers was the protein biomarker CA19-9. It's used to monitor patients with pancreatic cancer for recurrence. But the level of CA19-9 used for recurrence monitoring is low (37 units/mL), because physicians want to pinpoint regrowing cancers quickly.

Some people without cancer may also have low levels of the protein, such as those with gallstones. For screening purposes, the level of CA19-9 needed to be much higher (100 units/mL).

"A screening test needs to be highly reliable to spare people the worry and side effects of procedures following a positive test for cancer," says Kenneth W. Kinzler, Co-Director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins.

When the scientists looked only for CA19-9 in the blood of their study participants, they found it in 109 of the 221 patients (49 percent). However, when they combined detection of KRAS mutations, CA19-9 and three other protein biomarkers, the scientists correctly identified pancreatic cancer in 141 of the 221 patients (64 percent). In contrast, only one individual among their control group of 182 people without cancer had elevation of one of the five biomarkers.

"A single marker on its own won't identify early cancers in most people," says Anne Marie Lennon, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Program. "This study shows that it may be possible to use multiple markers to nail down the detection of early pancreatic cancer with a blood test, and treat those patients earlier and better."

Vogelstein's team used a system of molecular barcoding that they developed to ensure that each KRAS mutation they detected was real and not an artifact. For example, they showed that there was complete agreement between the mutations detected in the blood and the mutations detected in the tumors. They say the mutations they detected are also common in lung and colon cancers, and they're planning on using a similar approach, combining protein and DNA biomarkers, to identify early cancers of several types.

Nick Papadopoulos, professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, estimates that the cost of a screening test based on the approach described in this study would be between that of mammography and colonoscopy, which are widely used tests for breast and colorectal cancers, respectively. Papadopoulos notes that "both DNA and protein markers can be analyzed from the same blood draw in each patient. The technologies required to implement such tests, involving protein biomarker tests and DNA sequencing, are already widely used in hospital and commercial laboratories.

More information: Joshua D. Cohen el al., "Combined circulating tumor DNA and protein biomarker-based liquid biopsy for the earlier detection of pancreatic cancers," PNAS (2017). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Joshua D. Cohen el al., "Combined circulating tumor DNA and protein biomarker-based liquid biopsy for the earlier detection of pancreatic cancers,"(2017). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1704961114
European women with ovarian cancer can safely stick to the standard three-week dosing schedule for paclitaxel rather than boosting up to a weekly dose-dense regimen, according to results of the phase III ICON8 trial to be presented at the ESMO 2017 Congress in Madrid.1

"The results clearly demonstrate that, although well-tolerated, using weekly scheduling to achieve dose-intensification of paclitaxel as part of the first-line treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer does not extend progression-free survival in this population," said study investigator Dr. Andrew Clamp, from The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester, UK. "Therefore, this approach cannot be recommended as a standard-of-care treatment option for this population." But he added "it remains appropriate to continue to offer weekly dose-dense paclitaxel as a treatment option to Japanese women."

The conflicting recommendations stem from the fact that findings from ICON8 contrast with those of JGOG3016, a previously reported study of Japanese ovarian cancer patients which showed significantly increased median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in those treated with dose-dense weekly paclitaxel compared to the standard three-weekly schedule.2

To evaluate for a similar effect from weekly paclitaxel, ICON8 randomised 1566 predominantly European patients to receive six cycles of either the standard three-week dosing regimen (carboplatin AUC 5/6-paclitaxel 175 mg/mq; Arm 1), compared to two different regimens that included once-weekly dose-dense paclitaxel (carboplatin AUC 5/6+paclitaxel 80 mg/mq weekly, Arm 2; and carboplatin AUC2+paclitaxel 80 mg/mq weekly, Arm 3). All patients entered ICON8 after immediate primary surgery, or received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with planned delayed primary surgery.

The study found no benefit to either of the once-weekly regimens.

PFS was 24.4 months with standard dosing, compared to 24.9 and 25.3 months in arms 2 and 3 respectively. In terms of toxicity, there was a slight increase in grade 3-4 toxicity in arms 2 and 3 compared to arm 1 (63% vs 53% vs 42% respectively), although this increase was predominantly due to uncomplicated haematological toxicity.

Noting that the study was "robust and appropriately powered", Clamp said it is "not entirely clear" why ICON8 and JGOG3016 showed contrasting results. "Both were well-conducted trials and achieved the goal of increasing paclitaxel dose-intensity. We know the histological profile of ovarian cancer is slightly different between Japanese and Caucasian women but I think it is unlikely that this accounts for the difference. It is more likely that there are pharmacogenomic differences between these two ethnic groups that account for the different results seen."

Commenting for ESMO, Dr. Domenica Lorusso, from Fondazione IRCCS National Cancer Institute of Milan, Chair of the Gynaecological Tumours track at ESMO 2017, said: "The trial confirms that carboplatin-paclitaxel every 3 weeks is the standard first line treatment in ovarian cancer, a standard which has remained unmodified in the last 20 years, at least in the Caucasian population." She agreed that success with weekly dosing in the Japanese population "is possibly due to genetic differences.

According to the Tokyo's 5th Ovarian Consensus conference standard options to be discussed with the patients for first-line ovarian cancer treatment include carboplatin-paclitaxel every 3 weeks, as well as the dose-dense schedule (at least in the Japanese populations)."

More information: 1 Abstract 929O_PR 'ICON8: A GCIG Phase III randomised trial evaluating weekly dose- dense chemotherapy integration in first-line Epithelial Ovarian/ Fallopian Tube/ Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma (EOC) treatment: Results of Primary Progression- Free Survival (PFS) analysis' will be presented by Dr Clamp during Proffered Papers Session 'Gynaecological cancers' on Friday, 8 September 2017, 16:00 to 17:30 (CEST), in Cordoba Auditorium. 1 Abstract 929O_PR 'ICON8: A GCIG Phase III randomised trial evaluating weekly dose- dense chemotherapy integration in first-line Epithelial Ovarian/ Fallopian Tube/ Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma (EOC) treatment: Results of Primary Progression- Free Survival (PFS) analysis' will be presented by Dr Clamp during Proffered Papers Session 'Gynaecological cancers' on Friday, 8 September 2017, 16:00 to 17:30 (CEST), in Cordoba Auditorium. 2 Katsumata et al. Lancet 2009/ Lancet Oncol 2013. Journal information: The Lancet
Intellectual disabilities are often caused by a mutation that damages a gene, preventing the associated protein from functioning properly. However, a mutation can also change the function of a gene. As a result, the gene in question acts in a completely different way. Researchers from Radboudumc discovered this mechanism in fifteen genes playing a role in the development of intellectual disabilities. Their research results published in the American Journal of Human Genetics on 31 August 2017 show that these changes in function play a more prominent role than previously thought.

Genes are responsible for protein production in cells. A common cause of intellectual disabilities is a de novo mutation (i.e. a mutation present in a child, but not in its parents) damaging a gene so severely that it is no longer able to produce functional proteins. The resulting protein defect will cause illness. In a number of disease-related genes, it is shown that a de novo mutation does not eliminate the gene, but probably alters its function. These mutations are only located on specific parts of the gene.

Change in function

In order to find out how often this mechanism is involved, researchers from Radboudumc have combined the gene mutations in Dutch patients with a large international database comprising de novo mutations in patients. This research project was led by geneticist Christian Gilissen. "With our method, we were able to detect genes in which mutations not so much eliminate as affect the gene in another way. We found fifteen genes in which mutations cluster closely together, twelve of which being associated with developmental disorders. We also found three new genes that are likely to play a role in the development of intellectual disabilities as well", according to Gilissen.

Interactions

The de novo mutations that were found only change a very small part of a protein. The function of the protein remains largely, but not entirely the same. Gilissen says: "The mutations are more likely to affect superficial parts of the proteins. These disturb interactions with other proteins and cause problems. Although mutations eliminating genes were often thought to be the main cause of intellectual disabilities, mutations altering the function of genes are now shown to be an important factor as well. That is a surprising finding."

Clustering mutations

Why are the de novo mutations that were found specifically clustered? Gilissen says: "There can be several explanations for that. Firstly, these genes show little natural variation. If such a gene is completely eliminated, a person may not be born. Only mutations located on very specific parts of the gene are viable. Consequently, only these mutations can be found. Another explanation can be that the mutations provide growth benefits to the sperm in which they develop. In that case, only these mutations would be able to survive."

New possibilities

The three newly-discovered genes playing a role in the development of intellectual disabilities provide new diagnostic possibilities for patients. Gillissen says: "It is important that we have discovered a mechanism that has not yet been a focus of study. We expect this mechanism to play a role in a much larger proportion of patients with intellectual disabilities."

More information: Stefan H. Lelieveld et al. Spatial Clustering of de Novo Missense Mutations Identifies Candidate Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Associated Genes, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2017). Journal information: American Journal of Human Genetics Stefan H. Lelieveld et al. Spatial Clustering of de Novo Missense Mutations Identifies Candidate Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Associated Genes,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.08.004
Heart failure is one of the most common forms of cardiovascular disease. Credit: 'Rheumatic heart disease' by Nephron is licenced under CC-SA 3.0

A miniaturised heart implant is one of the most promising ways in which scientists are hoping to tackle cardiovascular disease, the world's biggest killer, which claims the lives of almost 2 million people every year in the EU alone.

The technology behind the miniaturised monitor comes from a Tel Aviv-based medical technology company called Vectorious Medical Technologies and could have implications far beyond its goal of helping heart failure patients better manage their health.

Heart failure, one of the most common forms of cardiovascular disease, is a chronic condition which sees the heart unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Cardiovascular disease overall is estimated to cost the EU economy EUR 169 billion a year, but these costs could be greatly reduced if there were better ways to monitor patients with heart failure.

And the best way to do this is to measure the pressure in the left side of their heart, says Vectorious CEO Oren Goldshtein.

Until now, that has meant keeping the patient in hospital but that could all change thanks to a miniaturised hemodynamic monitor the company is developing as part of an EU-funded project called V-LAP.

'We provide the holy grail for cardiologists, which is measuring pressure in the heart  but it requires a lot of technology and miniaturisation to put a device inside the heart with low-risk,' said Goldshtein.

The technology, which can predict when someone with heart failure is about to take a turn for the worse and allows them to adjust their medication, has already been tested in large animals. The company has just received approval for their EU clinical study by DEKRA, a healthcare certification organisation. The study will include 20 patients that will be fitted with the device and followed up on a daily basis.

If development of the device is successful, it could change everything, both for heart failure patients and for the health services struggling to meet their needs.

'The vision is physician-directed patient self-management  patients would have some ability to adjust their medications according to a very strict algorithm managed by a physician who can look at their results,' said Goldshtein.

'The cost of hospitalisation is one of the biggest challenges for health services,' he added, citing that heart failure-related hospitalisation in the US costs close to USD 40 billion a year.

'Our goal is to improve the quality of life, reduce morbidity, save lives but equally importantly to reduce healthcare spending.'

And further ahead, miniaturisation could mean that one day even healthy patients are routinely fitted with other monitors  not just for their hearts.

'In a few years we'll all have sensors in our body  for heart disease, diabetes, even for monitoring regular healthy patients,' said Goldshtein.

A new heart implant will tackle cardiovascular disease which kills 2 million people in the EU yearly. Credit: Vectorious Medical Technologies

To fight a disease with such a wide-ranging impact as heart failure, cross-border cooperation is vital, and that's where the European Research Area Network (ERA-Net) on cardiovascular diseases (ERA-CVD) comes in.

Heart culture

The group coordinates national and regional funding for research programmes with the aim of fostering a community of scientists dedicated to finding answers to the biggest questions in CVD research, says project coordinator Dr Wolfgang Ballensiefen.

'It's a very important area of disease with a very high impact on people and societies,' said Dr Ballensiefen.

'Bringing partners together from different countries, including those that do not have a strong culture of research into heart disease, benefits European society as a whole. Once you have a core of researchers, they can then apply for further funding from the European Commission.'

Bringing together researchers from across the region has the practical advantage of making sure research takes account of different healthcare systems.

ERA-CVD is running from 2015-2020 and will coordinate national and EU funding for several projects tackling heart failure. While Dr Ballensiefen says it is still too early to draw conclusions from these projects, he is confident that pooling funding and promoting cooperation will only help in the fight for healthier hearts.

'We expect that in the next years these 14 projects will have an impact on better understanding  and especially better treatment  of heart failure,' he said.

The European Research Council (ERC) funded LONGHEART project is taking a molecular approach, investigating the role of a type of ribonucleic acid (RNA), a molecule essential to several biological functions, that has not been investigated in the heart before. It aims to identify new molecules within RNA that can help better diagnose and treat heart failure patients.

The project, which runs until 2020, is progressing well, says lead researcher Professor Thomas Thum of the Hannover Medical School, Germany.

'I hope that by the end of the project we will have identified at least two or three promising targets,' he said.

With further research followed by collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, those discoveries could lead to new medications, although that point could be as far as 10 years away.

Prof. Thum believes there is a gathering momentum in this field of research as individuals and societies wise up to the costs of heart disease and the lifestyle factors that contribute to it.

'There has been a lack of novel targets and novel treatment options for the last two decades. Now there is really a momentum  the public realises that CVD is killer number one and we need to put more focus on it,' he said.
Lost villages reappear as reservoirs all over Spain dry up



ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Spain looks nervously skyward as the drought goes on

The last two weeks or so have brought uncharacteristically heavy August rain to many parts of Spain, but unfortunately this has done little to alleviate a long-term drought which has left the countrys reservoirs at just 43% of their full capacity.

To put that into context, it is normal at this time of year for Spains water reserves to be at approximately 60 per cent, and although empty reservoirs can prove something of a tourist attraction as submerged villages begin to re-emerge from their watery graves the situation is becoming extremely worrying both to farmers and indeed to the rest of the population, as the spectre of domestic water supply restrictions looms large at times like these.

The worst of the drought has affected the north-west and south-east of Spain: in the Segura basin, which includes the Region of Murcia and parts of Alicante and Almeria, the reservoirs are at only 17.2 per cent of capacity, whereas the historical average suggests that a normal level at this time of year would be 43 per cent, and similar situations can be found in various other locations.

Some reservoirs in Burgos (Castilla y Leon) are reported to be holding only 7 per cent of the amount of water for which they were built, and in the Duero basin reserves are at just 35 per cent (as opposed to the historical average of over 50%).

Rainfall in the current hydrological year (which ends on 30th September) continues to register a shortfall in comparison to what might reasonably be expected in many regions, and the meteorologists are not currently a source of good news in this respect, forecasting a warmer autumn than usual but without any mention of excess rainfall.

Image 1 (EFE, fully copyrighted): the lost village of Mansilla in La Rioja, where the reservoir is currently at only 14.7 per cent of capacity and buildings which have been under water since 1960 can now be seen again.

Image 2 (embalses.net): the red line shows the 2017 water reserves in Spain, in comparison to the figres in 2016 (black), 2015 (green) and the historical average (blue dots)

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Murcia region: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/

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By India Today Web Desk: Priyanka Chopra, who is busy winning hearts in the West with her Hollywood projects and chat show appearances, is set to make her comeback in Bollywood soon. In fact, Desi Girl is very much in India to finalise her next big Bollywood project. After the news of Gustakhiyan falling out of her hands, buzz has it that she might be seen opposite none other than Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan in Rakesh Sharma biopic.

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If a report in Mid-Day is to be believed, Priyanka will essay the role of Aamir Khan's wife in the biopic. Earlier there were reports of Aamir romancing on-screen daughter Fatima Sana Shaikh in the biopic, but latest buzz suggests that Desi Girl might be the one pulling off this role.

And this has got us excited. If things go as planned, it is for the first tome that Priyanka and Aamir will collaborate for a film.

In a career spanning over 14 years, Priyanka has worked with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan. But we have never seen her share screen space with Aamir Khan in any of the films. However, Mahesh Mathai is planning to change this by bringing two powerhouses of talent together for the biopic. And we can't to see them create some magic on the big screen.

The film traces the story of astronaut Rakesh Sharma, who was the first Indian to go to space.

However, their fans will have to wait a little longer to see Aamir and Priyanka on screen together. As Aamir is currently busy shooting for Thugs of Hindostan. And the 52-year-old actor would begin shooting for the film somewhere around mid 2018.

ALSO READ: Fatima Sana Shaikh to play Aamir Khan's wife in Rakesh Sharma biopic Saare Jahan Se Achcha?

ALSO WATCH: Wanted to be seen as a modern actor, says Priyanka Chopra

--- ENDS ---
European Union regulators are drafting rules to protect European firms with key technologies from foreign takeovers, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said.

Weve heard concerns about foreign  often state-owned  investors taking over European companies that control key technologies, she said in a speech at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, Italy. This issue isnt simple. It needs careful consideration before we decide how to act. Were working on this issue now, and we plan to put forward concrete proposals in the autumn.

Germany put similar rules in place in July, which would allow the government to block foreign acquisitions of cutting-edge technology. The law was drawn up after Chinas Midea Group Co. bid for robot maker Kuka AG last year, prompting the German economy minister to call for a European suitor to make a counterbid. The deal was later finalized without any German or EU intervention.

While the EUs powerful merger regulators have the final say on whether most big deals would affect competition, European governments can jump in to halt deals that affect key national interests such as defense, energy, financial stability or security.

Vestager said in July that she had relatively few concerns about how governments use exemptions and their concern over technology deals was completely legitimate. It was important to keep merger control clean of these issues, she said.
Alpine to make 3 electric crossovers

Number of injured in Istanbul blast rises to 81

Paul McCartney sells guitar for $77,000 to support Ukraine

Erdogan says preliminary findings after Istanbul bombing point to terrorist attack

Erdogan says number of victims of Istanbul bombing rises to six

Authorities forbid TV channels to broadcast from Istanbul bombing site

Istanbul blast: Governor reports 4 dead and 38 wounded

Media: Terrorist attack considered as one of versions of bombing in Istanbul

Blast in Istanbul: victims reported

Reuters: National Bank of Ukraine prepares banking system for power outages

Explosion hits pedestrian street in Istanbul

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin calls for Turkey to be recognized as sponsor of terrorism

Bloomberg columnist says Japan may be preparing for war with China

Reuters: U.S. to demand EU colleagues to continue aid to Kyiv at G20

Washington Post: U.S. intelligence believes UAE tried to interfere in U.S. politics

Yeni Safak: Turkey increases sales of winter products, blankets in EU by almost third since beginning of year

Fox News: Trump has been silent on social media for over 24 hours amid Republican failures

Lebanon extradites to Iraq relative of Saddam Hussein

Financial Times: Kyiv plans to nationalize more private companies

U.S. Senate declares 'death' of Republican Party after congressional elections

Head of U.S. Customs resigned

President of Georgia Zourabichvili says about 100 thousand Russians settled in country

CNN: Democrats to retain control of Senate after congressional elections

Alen Simonyan: We are truly and sincerely committed to the peace agenda

Artak Beglaryan: Genocidal purpose is apparent

French maritime services rescue more than 140 migrants trying to swim across English Channel

Biden says he is satisfied with results of midterm elections in U.S.

Slovenia holds second round of presidential elections

'Witch' burned alive in India, 14 arrested

COVID-19 cases are expected to surge in Germany this winter

Dollar makes worst showing in week since early days of COVID-19 pandemic

Macron confirms France's readiness to support normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku

Germany withdraws from Energy Charter Treaty

Is Jordan country that has not supplied arms to Armenia?: 'The press usually has reliable information'

European Commission approves nationalization of Russian Gazprom's German subsidiary

Pashinyan: If the state interferes with the exchange rate unnecessarily, the economy will only suffer

U.S. to work with strategic coalition of Southeast Asian countries

Armenian PM: To reform army, it is necessary to make military service more attractive

Putin and Raisi discuss topical issues of the bilateral agenda

Blinken: Ukraine must decide on timing and content of any talks with Russia

Catholicos expresses hope that Russia efforts will contribute to ensuring free, safe life of Artsakh Armenians

More than 50 of poorest developing countries are on brink of bankruptcy, says UN official

Armenia ex-ombudsman: We are facing serious national security issues (PHOTOS)

Biden has no plans to meet with Saudi crown prince at G20 summit

EU offers natural gas price cap assurances amid disagreements with member countries

Scholz is against establishment of ceasefire in Ukraine on Kremlin's terms

Turkologist: Turkey does not support agenda of achieving peace with Armenians

Sweden to not permit deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory after joining NATO

Erdogan signs decree on appointing Turkey ambassador to Israel

Information security expert: Some Armenia officials received letter that they were victims of national hackers attack

Armenia FM meets with France minister of foreign trade

Foreign Policy: US to resume nuclear arms control talks with Russia

Armenia opposition MP: Artsakh army reduction is impermissible

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

Pashinyan: Yerevan supports Russia's proposals for Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement

Pashinyan: Russia cannot withdraw from Karabakh unless it creates additional guarantees for peacekeeping mission

Pashinyan: We will do everything to Armenia-Azerbaijan sign peace treaty by end of year

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

Pashinyan says positions voiced by some member countries of CSTO are unacceptable

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
By India Today Web Desk: Priyanka Chopra's fans back in India are waiting to see their favourite actor in a Bollywood film soon. And the buzz about her working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Gustakhiyan only made her fans excited. But a few days ago, the hopes of Bhansali-Chopra collaboration dashed when the news of her opting out of the film broke.

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But in a recent interview to DNA, Priyanka Chopra's mom Madhu Chopra revealed that Priyanka hasn't opted out as she never signed on the dotted lines. "Priyanka was no doubt in talks with Bhansali, but the two couldn't fit their time schedules to discuss the film. The question of co-producing would have come in only at a later stage. As of now, nothing has gone forward," said Madhu.

At the same time, Madhu revealed that it was a mere speculation that Priyanka would co-produce the film. "The producer and actor are two different sets of people. This is a mere speculation. Sanjay can make it on his own, why will he need a co-producer?," added Madhu.

Apparently Priyanka was keen to play Amrita Pritam in Gustakhiyan. The film is a poignant tale of the relationship between the legendary poet, Sahir Ludhianvi amd Amrita. "It is a beautiful and coveted subject and it is good that Bhansali is making it. As a matter of fact, only a maker like Sanjay can do justice to it and he should make it," said Madhu.

Meanwhile, Priyanka is India and busy finalising her Bollywood projects.

ALSO READ: Priyanka Chopra opts out of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gustakhiyan?

ALSO READ: Abhishek Bachchan not in Priyanka Chopra's Gustakhiyan?

ALSO WATCH : Wanted to be seen as a modern actor, says Priyanka Chopra

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN.  Armenia did not officially say it will partake in the NATO military exercises in Georgia.

The Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia, Artak Zakaryan, told the above-said to reporters at a conference on Monday.

In his words, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia had not confirmed that the country would definitely take part in these military drills.

Im unable to say why Armenia was noted on the list of [its] participants, Zakaryan stated. The Armed Forces of Armenia has never officially said it will take part in those military exercises. There always are planning reviews in the activities of the Armed Forces.

The Armenian deputy defense minister expressed a conviction, however, that there will be no problems due to Armenias not participating in these NATO maneuvers.

NATO has been and will continue to be our [Armenias] partner, he added. Armenia is closely cooperating with NATO for a very long time (), and not participatingor participatingin an event here should not be considered bizarre.

Also, the deputy minister of defense stressed that Armenias politico-military diplomacy fully complies with its foreign policy, and that it makes fully confident decisions in its actions.

As reported earlier, Armenia is not taking part in NATOs Agile Spirit 2017 military exercises, which kicked off on September 3, in Georgia.
YEREVAN.  The OSCE Minsk Group should refrain from toothless and unaddressed statements.

The Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia, Artak Zakaryan, told the aforementioned to reporters at a conference on Monday. He noted this reflecting on the recent announcement by Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office, according to whom they were unable to know where the shots were fired from in Chinari village of Armenias Tavush Province that borders Azerbaijan.

As per Zakaryan, however, Kasprzyks announcement does not question the Armenian defense ministry statement that these shots were fired from the Azerbaijani side.

When asked why Kasprzyk had made such an unaddressed announcement, the deputy minister of defense of Armenia responded as follows, in particular: The fact remains: Azerbaijan can shoot even at the group that conducts OSCE monitoring.

Zakaryan added that the Ministry of Defense of Armenia is concerned by the fact that Azerbaijan shoots at Armenias borders, including on those carrying out observation mission.

It would be very desirable that the OSCE Minsk Group refrain from toothless and unaddressed statements, he noted. Then they [Azerbaijan] will stop firing [shots].

As reported earlier, Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire and opened fire on August 31, during the OSCE Missions monitoring at Chinari village.
YEREVAN.  The matter of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Pedro Agramunts future term in office will be resolved at the PACE autumn session which will get underway on October 9, in Strasbourg, France.

National Assembly (NA) of Armenia Vice President Arpine Hovhannisyan, who also heads the NA delegation to PACE, on Monday told about the aforementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

She noted that this sessions agenda, which includes the voting on the resolution for expressing non-confidence to Agramunt, was approved at Mondays PACE Bureau meeting in Paris.

In her words, respective debates will take place before the voting. Subsequently, Pedro Agramunt will express his view on this matter, whereupon an open voting will be conducted; but at least 102 delegates are required for this voting. And so that this decision is adopted, two-thirds of these delegates need to vote for this document.

On June 27, PACE adopted a resolutionby majority of voteson making amendments to the PACE regulation, whereby the process of removing incumbent PACE President Pedro Agramunt from this office was permitted to be started.
By PTI: Kolkata, Sep 4 (PTI) Rights activists held a protest near the Myanmar consulate in the city amidst heavy police deployment today against the alleged killing of Rohingyas in that country.

The protesters raised slogans against the Myanmar government and demanded that steps should be taken to stop the killing of Rohingiyas.

An official of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), Ranjit Sur said the killing of Rohingiyas in Myanmar should immediately stop as it is against humanity.

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"Both the government of that country (Myanmar) and the international community should take steps to stop the genocide," he said.

"The protest was peaceful. There was no untoward incident," south east division deputy commissioner Kalyan Mukhopadhyay told PTI.

A total of 87,000 mostly Rohingya refugees had arrived in Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar on August 25, the United Nations said today amid growing international criticism of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thousands of the stateless Muslim minority people have fled the mainly Buddhist nation and poured over Myanmar border since the latest round of fighting broke out piling pressure on the already overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. PTI PNT KK KK

--- ENDS ---
Theres no shortage of articles and television shows that showcase the dishes that chefs love to cook at their restaurants. But, what do they love to eat at the end of their exhausting 16 hour days? Or on their days off?

In this series, we ask Milwaukee area chefs to share their favorite dishes -- both from area restaurants and for eating at home. In this edition, we talked with Chef Chase Anderson of Dream Dance Steak.



Chef Chase Anderson grew up loving food. "I started cooking when I was like eight years old," he says. "And I was never a picky eater; Ive always been open to trying new things. In fact, if it had anything to do with food, I was all about it."

He started out in the hospitality industry early on. But, it was a trip to Mexico when he was in his early twenties that proved to be a pivotal point for his development as a chef.

"I dont think I really realized what food was until I went to Mexico," he says. "People start with dried corn and make tortillas. And they go to the market every day; thats unheard of here. It exposed me to true authentic cooking -- something Id been exposed to before, but which seemed to take on a different lens there."

Anderson says he doesnt dine out very often, and when he does he says he carries with him a true appreciation for the efforts of the chef. "As long as theres effort and passion," he says. "Theres heart in food. And theres something to say for someone has devoted their life to something.

Fried cheese curds at Pizza Man

"I love Asian food, but my boyfriend does not. He pretty much lives off of pizza. So, finding places where we can go together is an interesting proposition. I live on the East Side, and we go to Pizza Man a lot. We always get the Hawaiian pizza and deep fried cheese curds. The cheese curds arent actually on the menu, but a server told us about them once, and now we get them every time. They have a really light, almost tempura batter, with lots of crispy bits. The last time we ordered them, they came with a beer aioli, and I think I liked that even better than the cheese curds. It was made with dark beer, so it was sweet and malty and really, really good. I cant believe Ive never thought of it."

Burger night at Goodkind

"I go out on sometimes with a few guys from work. We find ourselves at Goodkind on Tuesday nights fairly often. And maybe part of it is the companionship, but pretty much anything Paul and Lisa do is special. Maybe its that I worked with them both at Roots, but Ive always appreciated their creativity. I think that, in Milwaukee, theyre some of the most creative out there. And their burgers really reflect that. That said, I guess Im classic. I like their "Big Mac" burger is the best. I love the combination  American cheese, lettuce, tomato pickle. Its just so good."

The elusive authentic taco

"I have a true passion for Mexican food, and what I really love is this authentic taco that we ate in Mexico. Ive never found one that comes even close here.

"The tortillas need to be made that day. They also need to be doubled up. On the table, there needs to be a little dish of salt, hot sauce and aguacate (avocado sauce). And when you go to place your order, theres a huge frying pan with all this oil. And there are all these pig parts  heads, stomachs, brains  and you pick what you want and they chop it up and fry it in the pan. Theyre like three pesos apiece, so theyre super cheap. Im quite sure they didnt do anything fancy to the pig parts; they didnt marinate them in Corona or spices. They just boiled them and then fried them. Its the simplicity of it all that makes it delicious.

"Im still looking for that taco."

Ultimate comfort food

"This sounds totally cliche, but its meatloaf. My parents were always busy, and meatloaf was easy. You just throw things together and put it in a pan. I dont like the super complicated meatloaves with vegetables and things in them. My parents always used bread soaked in milk, ground beef and salt and pepper. And there was ketchup on top. I try to eat healthy and work out. But, every now and then, if I really need some nostalgia, its mashed potatoes and meatloaf and corn."
Mr. Narong KhongKham, spokesman of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) said today (4 September 2017) that, Mr. Maitri Inthusut, the Permanent Secretary of MSDHS presided over the press conference on ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and Related Meetings, which will take place during the 4th  8th September 2017 at the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach. Mr. Maitri Inthusut said that MSDHS as the host country, will welcome 80 participants: Childrens rights and Womens rights experts, International organizations, government officers from 10 ASEAN countries; Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. And the ASEAN Committee on Women +3, China, Japan and South Korea will also join the Meeting. The ACWC  ACW and Related Meetings are organized annually by the ASEAN Secretariat, as the Secretary of the two ASEAN Mechanisms.

Mr. Maitri Inthusut said, it is an honour for Thailand to host this significant event and these 4 important meetings ; 1) the 15th ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Meeting on the 4  6 September 2017, 2) the 4th ACWC  ACW Consultation Meeting on the 6 September 2017, 3) the 16th ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) Meeting on the 7 September 2017, and 4) the 9th ASEAN Committee on Women + 3 (ACW+3) on the 8 September 2017. The objective is monitor the progress of the ACWC and ACW work plans 2016  2020 and to share ideas, experiences and lessons learned to archive gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in the ASEAN context. It is also the opportunity to build up the network and partnership among ACW agencies in ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN +3 countries.

Mr. Maitri Inthusut said, Being the host for these ACWC  ACW Meetings is a great opportunity for Thailand to show our commitment and engagement in implementation of protection of womens and childrens rights and promotion of gender equality. It is also to show other ASEAN countries and the rest of the world our precious culture.

The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, as the host of the Meetings, would like to encourage all Thai citizen to welcome our guests and to be proud of our role as the host country. We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to all of our partners who participate in the preparation of these meetings.
An adult mute swan (Cygnus olor) in a pond near Vrhnika, Slovenia. Credit: Wikimedia

A recurring theme in nature documentaries is that of choosy females selecting brightly colored males. A new study shows that, in monogamous mating systems, male birds may select their lifelong mates in much the same way.

Some traits, such as the tuft of feathers atop a crested auklet, signal attractiveness to the other sex and competitive rank within the same sex. Research has traditionally focused on male competition for access to females or territory and on females choosing males based on their feathers and fights. But recent investigations suggest that females not only compete with each other, but also rely on such traits in deciding whether to engage or defer. Accordingly, "the idea has been floated that these traits could then become preferred by males," says Omidyar Fellow Caitlin Stern, "because they indicate that a female is successful in competing for resources."

To find out, Stern created population genetic models involving females with or without a given trait and males with or without a preference for it. "It has historically been a challenge to understand how mating preferences for ornamental traits can evolve when every individual succeeds in getting a mate," Stern explains, in part because the seemingly simple selection process of monogamous pairs, where mates couple up and remove themselves from the broader gene-swapping pool for good, is tricky to handle mathematically. Nevertheless, over thousands of generations, both the female trait and male preference persisted in the population, suggesting that both are favored.

The study, published this week in Ecology and Evolution, is a proof of concept that "preference for a trait used in same-sex competition is a way for preference to evolve in monogamous species," Stern says. "Mate choice can go both ways."

More information: Caitlin A. Stern et al. Evolution of a mating preference for a dual-utility trait used in intrasexual competition in genetically monogamous populations, Ecology and Evolution (2017). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3145 Journal information: Ecology and Evolution
A lot of faith is vested in cities to tackle climate change, and with good reason. A day after the June 1 declaration that the US would exit the Paris Agreement, 82 American "climate mayors" committed to upholding the accord.

By August 4, when the US gave formal notice of its withdrawal, there were 372 "climate mayors" representing 67 million Americans.

In Australia, too, national intransigence has led to greater expectations of local actions. The Climate Council's July report declares that deep cuts in cities' greenhouse gas emissions can achieve 70% of Australia's Paris goals.

The report notes that a majority of Australian cities have adopted climate policies. Many are committed to 100% renewable energy or zero emissions. One of the report's authors argues that, even without national leadership, Australian cities can "just get on with the job of implementing climate policies".

Many European cities have ambitious emission-reduction targets. Copenhagen plans to be the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. Stockholm aims to be fossil-fuel-free by 2040.

So, at first glance, cities do appear to be leading the way.

A word of caution

We support local decarbonisation and the desire for cities to be progressive actors. Yet there are ample grounds to be dubious about cities' ability to deliver on their commitments.

Sam Brooks, former director of the District of Columbia's Energy Division, has laid out sobering evidence on the reality of climate action in US cities.

Brooks supports stronger local action rather than "press releases" and "mindless cheerleading". He shows that most emission cuts in US cities can be attributed to state and federal initiatives such as renewable portfolio standards or national fuel-efficiency rules.

365 #ClimateMayors are stepping up to #ActonClimate as Trump turns his back on the #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/uMHrfAVx25  The Climate Mayors (@ClimateMayors) August 5, 2017

America's narrative of climate-friendly cities relies heavily on California's leadership to make it credible.

By May 2015, California had built the Under2 Coalition of cities, states and countries committed to keeping the global temperature increase below 2C. California Governor Jerry Brown was prepared for the June 1 White House announcement, quickly detailing why it was "insane". Days later Brown signed a deal between China and his state to collaborate on cutting emissions.

California's activism sets a benchmark. But Brooks details how New York, Boston, Washington DC and other "frequently lauded cities" often do not use the powers they have.

No US city reports its electricity consumption more than annually. Many do not report it at all. Poor monitoring is a key reason they have not cut consumption, in spite of enormous scope for efficiency.

Cities have not added much to national trends

It isn't just American cities falling short, as Benjamin Barber's new book, Cool Cities makes clear.

Like Brooks, Barber championed urban action against global warming (he died in April 2017). Yet he looked past the hype to point out shortcomings in the mitigation measures of such exemplary cities as London and Oslo.

London's stated goal is to cut emissions by 60% by 2040. It seems likely to fail, with blame falling on rapid population growth and inadequate policies in the building sector.

Oslo is committed to a 100% cut in emissions by 2050. But its emissions have risen from 1.2 million tonnes in 1991 to 1.4 million tonnes in 2014. One complication is that oil and gas production comprise 22% of the Norwegian economy. The nation's emissions are up 4.2% since 1990.

Even the progress of climate superstar cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm and Berlin is, on close examination, subject to important caveats.

Copenhagen makes much of having cut emissions 21% by 2011 from 2005 levels. Yet the city admits that 63% of its goal of becoming carbon-neutral relies on buying carbon offsets for its emissions.

National policy is a crucial context for urban action. For instance, Copenhagen has benefited greatly from a 27% fall in Denmark's emissions between 1990 and 2015. Unfortunately, Danish emissions are expected to increase after 2020 without new policies.

Stockholm has cut emissions by around 37% between 1990 and 2015. This is mainly a result of changes to building heating  transport emissions have barely changed.

As in Copenhagen, Stockholm's achievements rely greatly on a national target  net-zero emissions by 2045  backed by a robust policy framework.

As for Berlin, its goal is an 85% cut in emissions by 2050, compared to 1990. By 2013 the city had cut emissions by about one-third. Yet most recent data indicate that emissions have begun to rise slightly. Berlin is at risk of achieving only half of its mid-term goal of a 40% cut by 2020.

Berlin is not responsible for a national policy that remains lax on coal and unduly favours automobiles, the source of 18% of German emissions. But civic leaders in Berlin could do more to nudge a car-centred culture towards sustainability.

What must cities do?

The urgency of real action is clear from the IEA's 2016 report on sustainable urban energy systems. It warns that business as usual in cities could mean emissions increase by 50% by 2050.

The IEA notes that 90% of the growth in primary energy demand is in non-OECD countries. At the same time, climate science tells us deep emissions cuts must begin by 2020. We have to accelerate decarbonisation, which means demanding greater ambition and transparency from cities. The following steps need to be taken:

Every city should have accurate, timely and transparent data on their performance across a range of indicators. These include emissions, electricity consumption, energy efficiency and renewable energy availability. We need more robust comparative frameworks to make sense of the data. The 2014 Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories was a valuable start, but has to be expanded. Cities should be more global when calculating their emissions. At present, they tally up emissions from their own territory and production, leaving out emissions from consumption of traded goods and (often) aviation. The differences can be significant. Were Copenhagen's emissions measured on a consumption basis, the total would be four to five times higher. Cities need to differentiate between emission cuts resulting directly from their own actions and those derived from state or national programs. We need to see what cities themselves are doing. Cities too often advocate climate neutrality rather than zero emissions. The more a city relies on credits for offsets elsewhere, the greater the risk of failing to cut actual emissions within the city. There should be less cheerleading all around. City mayors need to lobby their state and federal counterparts to ensure co-ordinated action at all levels. And citizens must throw out mayors - not to mention regional and national leaders - who don't accept the urgency of climate mitigation.

Sadly, many cities are dangerously complacent about the need for speed in decarbonisation. No press release can obscure the fact that time is not on our side.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
The Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft after landing with Expedition 52 commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan 3 September 2017. Peggy is returning after 288 days in space where she served as a member of the Expedition 50, 51 and 52 crews. Fyofor and Jack spent 136 days in space. Credit: NASABill Ingalls

Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA astronauts Jack Fischer and Peggy Whitson returned to Earth this morning after their stay on the International Space Station, landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan. From there, Jack and Peggy flew to ESA's European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.

One of the consequences of the devastating hurricane Harvey was the delayed take-off for NASA's G5 plane out of Houston. In order to cope with this delay and start with postflight science as soon as possible, ESA and NASA worked out an exceptional plan: an ESA plane would retrieve the two NASA astronauts in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and bring them back directly to Cologne, home of ESA's astronaut centre. They landed safely in Germany at 14:30 CEST today.

After a couple of hours in Cologne for basic medical checks and initial science activities, Peggy and Jack will board the NASA aircraft and depart for Houston.

NASA and ESA medical teams are ensuring as many research experiments as possible can be completed with this change of protocol.

ESA's Director General Jan Woerner says: "Spaceflight is a global endeavour and partnerships created by the International Space Station extend beyond space back to Earth.

"Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by Harvey, our American colleagues and their friends and families. We welcome Jack and Peggy as citizens of Earth and will do everything to make them feel comfortable while ensuring the science continues until they can continue their voyage home."

The Soyuz MS-04 crew after landing. From left: NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Expedition 52 commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA astronaut Jack Fischer. They landed near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, 3 September 2017. Peggy is returning after 288 days in space where she served as a member of the Expedition 50, 51 and 52 crews. Fyofor and Jack spent 136 days in space. Credit: NASABill Ingalls

Jack, Peggy and Fyodor leave behind ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik and Roscosmos astronaut Sergei Ryazansky who will maintain the Space Station and continue running scientific experiments. Mission control centres including Johnson Space Center remain operational.

The next trio to visit are already gearing up for launch on 12 September. NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba will join Russian commander Alexander Misurkin in their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft.

Expedition 53 crew from left: NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei prepare for their Soyuz qualification exams at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia. Credit: NASAB. Ingalls
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

After claims that Google got a think-tank research team fired for criticizing the company, a journalist is alleging other abuses by the company.

A former member of New America Foundation's Open Markets initiative told the New York Times that his team was fired because Google's parent firm Alphabet, a funder, was upset that the team had applauded a huge European Union fine against Google and called on regulators to act against the company and "other dominant platform monopolists."

New America Foundation and Google disputed that account of the demise of Open Markets.

Now, Gizmodo reporter Kashmir Hill is claiming that when she worked for Forbes six years ago, Google told the magazine's staff that if publishers didn't add a button for its "Plus" social network at the bottom of stories, those articles would come up lower in search results.

"Google's dominance in search and news give it tremendous power over publishers," Hill wrote Thursday. "By tying search results to the use of Plus, Google was using that muscle to force people to promote its social network."

Google did not respond to a request for comment.

Hill published her story, and "Google promptly flipped out," she wrote. "This was in 2011, around the same time that a congressional antitrust committee was looking into whether the company was abusing its powers.

"I was told by my higher-ups at Forbes that Google representatives called them saying that the article was problematic and had to come down.

"The implication was that it might have consequences for Forbes, a troubling possibility given how much traffic came through Google searches and Google News."

Google did not dispute the story's contents, but said the meeting where the Plus issue was discussed was confidential, Hill wrote. After "continued pressure" from her bosses, she took the story down, even though she had identified herself as a journalist for the meeting and hadn't been told it was confidential, she wrote.

2017 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Maasai indigenous peoples of the Kenyan Rift Valley have a rich tradition of oral storytelling as a way of passing indigenous environmental knowledge across generations. Credit: Joan de la Malla

Some of the areas hosting most of the world's biodiversity are those inhabited by indigenous peoples. In the same way that biodiversity is being eroded, so is the world's cultural diversity. As a result, there have been several calls to promote biocultural conservation approaches that sustain both biodiversity and indigenous cultures.

Researchers Alvaro Fernandez-Llamazares and Mar Cabeza from the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland, are inviting conservation practitioners to tap into the art of storytelling to revitalise the biocultural heritage of indigenous peoples.

"While listening to stories, conservation practitioners may become more aware of indigenous worldviews, so the act of storytelling may facilitate dialogue. By promoting such encounters, the tradition of storytelling is then revitalised, helping to maintain intergenerational exchanges and the transmission of local environmental knowledge," Fernandez-Llamazares explains.

By integrating knowledge with feelings, indigenous stories offer an ideal platform for establishing emotional connections with landscapes and their wildlife, ultimately fostering a sense of place.

"Listening to indigenous stories is a humbling experience, which implies actively learning from the wisdom of indigenous peoples," Cabeza says.

Indigenous peoples have repeatedly said that humility  from both conservation scientists and practitioners  is a critical trait needed to work jointly for conservation. It is crucial to respect the intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples, as well as the customary mechanisms of control, ownership and transmission of indigenous stories.

Storytelling projects in conservation contexts have included a local radio programme using storytelling to encourage lemur conservation in Madagascar, a mobile storybooth documenting community efforts to conserve nature in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of the United States or a project assisting indigenous youth to document traditional wildlife stories from their elders in North Kenya.

"These original initiatives bridge the gap between cultural revitalisation and nature conservation and hold promise for opening new frontiers in biocultural conservation," Fernandez-Llamazares says.

More information: Alvaro Fernandez-Llamazares et al. Rediscovering the Potential of Indigenous Storytelling for Conservation Practice, Conservation Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1111/conl.12398 Journal information: Conservation Letters
By Kiran Tare: Amid the growing chorus for removal of Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan for his "inept" handling of the organisational affairs, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit the state on September 8.

Gandhi has chosen Chavan's home district Nanded as well as Parbhani as his destinations. He is scheduled to meet some farmers in distress and understand their woes and if there is some change in their lives after the state government announced loan waiver of Rs 34,500 crore.

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Chavan on Monday announced details of Gandhi's tour. The Congress scion will begin the tour with an address to a gathering of party workers in Nanded.

The block presidents and the party candidates who were in the fray in local municipal corporation election have been invited for the meeting.

After concluding the meeting, Gandhi will travel to Parbhani by road. He will take halts at Malegoan, Basmat and Zero Phata and interact with the farmers. "He will also address a Sangharsh Rally at Parbhani," Chavan said.

Chavan claimed Gandhi chose the two districts because the number of farmers' suicides are highest there. However, insiders in the party believe that the former chief minister is trying to strengthen his position through Gandhi's visit in his home district.

"Chavan is at the receiving end over his inept handling of the party affairs," a source said. "Rahul ji's visit will give him some solace."

Under Chavan, the Congress has been able to win only one election in Nanded. The party has been routed out elsewhere in the state.

Also read:

Rahul Gandhi in Silicon Valley for a week to help generate jobs in India

Gujarat: With elections in mind, Rahul Gandhi to take on PM Modi's home turf

Rahul Gandhi asks PM Modi to own up the colossal failure of demonetisation

--- ENDS ---
The spacecrafts orbit can be seen in this cutaway view of the Van Allen Belts. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Most satellites, not designed to withstand high levels of particle radiation, wouldn't last a day in the Van Allen Radiation belts. Trapped by Earth's magnetic field into two giant belts around the planet, high-energy particles in the region can batter the spacecraft and even interfere with onboard electronics. But NASA's Van Allen Probes have been traveling through this hazardous area since Aug. 30 2012  they are now celebrating their fifth year in space studying this dynamic region.

The Van Allen Probes mission is the second of NASA's Living with a Star missions, which is tasked with understand our near-Earth environment. The two identical spacecraft, built with radiation-hardened components, study how high-energy particles are accelerated and lost from the belts. This information helps scientists understand and predict space weather, which, in addition to creating shimmering auroras, can disrupt power grids and GPS communications.

"During its first five years, the Van Allen Probes have made enormously significant contributions to our understanding of radiation belt physics, including truly exceptional discoveries," said Shri Kanekal, Van Allen Probes deputy mission scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

he Van Allen Probes mission has provided invaluable information about the very shape of the belts, discovering a third radiation belt that can appear during certain circumstances, and used uniquely capable instruments to unveil inner radiation belt features that were all but invisible to previous sensors. The mission has also extended beyond the practical considerations of the hazards of Earth's space environment: Observations have found process that generate intense particle radiation inside the belts also occur across the universe, making the region a unique natural laboratory for developing our understanding of the particle energization processes.

The two Van Allen Probes work as a team, following one behind the other to uniquely observe changes in the belts. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/JHUAPL

In celebration of the Van Allen Probes' fifth year in space, here are five facts about the spacecraft.

14+ gigabits  amount of data are downloaded daily from each spacecraft

2,000 miles per hour  spacecrafts' cruising speed

164 feet  length of the longest instruments aboard the spacecraft

3.8 square yards  size of solar panels used to power the instruments

9 hours  time each spacecraft takes to encircle Earth

Originally tasked with a two-year mission, the Van Allen Probes continue to make new discoveries five years on, continuing to solve scientific puzzles about the dynamic belt region around Earth.
Adopt a dog - irresponsible breeders will create more dogs that will suffer from lack care in their early months. Credit: AlexasFotos

There are an estimated 8.5m dogs in Britain, and demand means that unscrupulous people are happy to breed and sell dogs at a profit with scant thought for their welfare. The RSPCA estimate that up to 1.9m puppies are sold each year in the UK, yet according to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home report only 12% are from licensed breeders.

The large illegal trade in puppies exposed by a recent Panorama documentary costs millions in undeclared taxable income (three-quarters of buyers pay in cash  one dealing gang from Manchester was making 35,000 a week), while evidence shows puppies from puppy farms suffer poor health and early death.

It is tragic that there are around 40,000 dogs unclaimed in rescue shelters every year. Although research evidence varies, our research on Staffordshire bull terriers, an over represented breed in rescue shelters, presented at the British Society of Animal Science last year showed that there is no difference in the behaviour of rescue dogs compared to dogs bought as puppies from breeders. Given the frequently high cost of buying a puppy and the number of animals in shelters awaiting the chance of a new home, it's clear dog lovers should consider adopting, not shopping.

Research from the US, Italy and from our own team at Newcastle University using surveys of dog owners, suggests that less responsibly bred dogs  including puppy-farmed dogs and those from pet shops  are more likely to be aggressive towards their owners and strangers. They were also more fearful of strangers and other dogs  and more likely to suffer separation anxiety as adults than dogs from reputable breeders that follow standards. Other behaviour include poorer trainability and house soiling. While these differences are less than ideal, the welfare of a dog that is frightened or in a position where it has learned to show aggression will suffer. If it attacks people it may even be put down.

However, it seems would-be dog-owners are listening to the advice pushed by the RSPCA and television vet Marc Abraham, who advocate that all prospective owners should see the puppies interacting with the mother, preferably more than once. If you don't see mother and pups together it's a warning sign of an irresponsible breeder. Our most recent, forthcoming, research focused on border collies, cocker spaniels and labradors reveals that almost 90% of survey respondents say they saw the mother of their puppy. This either reflects that the "where's mum?" message is getting through, that our respondents were clued-up, or that irresponsible breeders and dealers are getting craftier in duping the public to safeguard their profits.

Do your research

What's worrying from our surveys is that puppy buyers are still not doing their research. Around 13% of our respondents had made no effort to research buying their puppy and only 23% had checked the reputation of the breeder, such as by making several visits to see for themselves. Dogs bought by owners from breeders who they had taken the time to check out reported their dogs were better behaved, less likely to be aggressive towards other dogs, strangers, or exhibit general fear. And while it is used only around one-third of cases, it's become apparent that where the RSPCA and Animal Welfare Fund's "puppy contract" is used, these pups grew into dogs that showed the least of all the above aggressive and fear-related behaviours.

Among our respondents, 73% thought their breeder was responsible  but we rated only 10% of them as responsible, judged on factors such as whether the puppy was reared in the owner's home, the mother was seen and they used the RSPCA and AWF puppy contract. The contract isn't legally bamboozling  it's an easy-to-read checklist for the breeder to complete and it has guidance for buyers as to what they should expect to hear  so buyers should ask for it.

Changes in licensing are coming which will require anyone breeding and selling dogs as a business or anyone producing three or more litters in a 12-month period will require a licence. While 80% of our respondents supported this, 92% thought that all litters should be licensed  and existing breeders were even more strongly in favour. It's interesting that in France it is now compulsory for breeders to display tax details with all adverts for dogs and cats for sale.

Socialisation vital in early life

Traditionally the sensitive "socialisation" period in a dog's life is considered to be between around three to 12 weeks. This is when puppies should be gradually, safely and positively introduced to a range of people, animals, environments and sounds to ensure well-balanced responses to the world in future. But researchers in the US found that it is during this period that puppies bred at puppy farms spend the most time confined without social interaction or appropriate sensory input. Responsible breeders will care for the dogs in a home environment and interact positively with them during this time. Responsible breeders will also breed for good temperament.

This may in part account for some of the behavioural differences between dogs from responsible and less responsible breeders in the research. But there is growing evidence to suggest that puppies may also be affected at earlier stages of development, akin to research in humans.

For example, stress on the mother during pregnancy and deficiencies in maternal care (which can be brought on by stress) have long-term effects on offspring stress response, learning and memory. While the effects of early life adversity are well established in humans, research is now showing similar effects in other species, for example, dogs and pigs. Conditions in many puppy farms are harmful to the mental health and welfare of the breeding dogs  so it's quite plausible that stressed bitches are producing anxious, fear-prone puppies.

There may be other mechanisms at work which we don't fully understand, but this strengthens the case for ensuring that breeding bitches are placed in good home environments which promote the best welfare for them and our future canine companions.

Research or rescue

Tony Robinson, renowned as Baldrick in the Blackadder comedy series for his "cunning plans", is judging at Pup Aid, a charity event campaigning to stop puppy farming. If you are ready to give a dog a home, the most cunning plan is to do your research. If you are sure that it must be a puppy from a breeder rather than a rescue dog, then research your breed and the health issues that affect it  then research your breeder and ask for a puppy contract to be filled out.

And if you feel there is something wrong, for the sake of the puppy and its parents' sake, report it.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Snow gums at Lake Mountain, burned - but recovering - after the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. Credit: University of Melbourne

In the 11 years between 2003 and 2014, the same amount of forest was burned in Victorian bushfires as in the previous 50 years  around four million hectares.

Our recent study found these higher incidences of bushfires, which are likely due to climate change, are devastating for the usually fire-tolerant snow gums of southern Australia.

Over 90 per cent of the Victorian distribution of snow gums has been burned at least once since 2003. What is of greater concern though, is that each of the large fires of the last 15 years has overlapped to some extent, leaving thousands of hectares of snow gums burned by wildfire twice, and sometimes three times.

The snow gum is an iconic tree species in Australia  not only is it strongly associated with the high country, it has also been voted Australia's second favourite eucalypt. It is also a particularly resilient tree species, growing as it does in the challenging environment of the high country where ice, storms and freezing temperatures are fairly common.

It's not all about the coldness though, as the tree also has a close relationship with fire. This is a necessity given that the mountainous regions of Australia are subject to periodic bushfires. While the bark on the stems of snow gums is particularly thin, meaning their trunks and branches are frequently killed outright by fire, snow gums have a built-in insurance mechanism that ensures persistence  a large swelling at their base, known as a 'lignotuber'.

The perils of leaving your field trips a little too late in the season. Credit: University of Melbourne

Partially buried, the lignotuber is where reserves of energy are stored, as well as protected buds that lie dormant until the tree's canopy is lost. This feature allows it to vigorously re-sprout after fire, rapidly producing new leaves.

While snow gums are resilient to one fire, we wanted to know how well their lignotuber can handle two fires in quick succession  or even three fires? And what are the impacts of such frequent fires on the broader sub-alpine snow gum ecosystem?

Climate change means more frequent and severe bushfires are anticipated for many forests in south-eastern Australia, so working out the impacts now may provide us with important insights into how our forests will look and function in the future.

With these questions in mind, we did what all forest ecologists love to do  we went out bush, set up some plots, and looked to the trees.

Tale of two forests: snow gums that escaped fire (left), and snow gums that burned three times in ten years. Credit: University of Melbourne

WHAT WE FOUND

Our findings have been recently published  and the outlook isn't great for snow gum forests.

We found that the lignotuber continued to re-sprout very well after one fire, but after two and three fires, the number of new sprouts significantly declined. The level of whole-tree death (that is, the stems and lignotuber dying) was fairly low following one and even two, fires; however, after three successive fires, on average half of all trees in our plots were dead. In some plots, this figure was as high as 80 per cent of all trees.

However, the death of established trees is not too much of a problem if there are a lot of new seedlings, as these will one day replace the dead trees. After one fire, we found there was a 'pulse' of snow gum seed regeneration  but unfortunately, after two and three fires, these seedlings were killed and significantly reduced in abundance. This means for double and triple burned forests, the next generation of trees to replace the older cohort has been eliminated.

Triple burned forest on Dargo Road in the Victorian Alps. Credit: University of Melbourne

We also looked beyond the snow gums to see if there were any changes in the shrubs and grasses. Typically after one fire in a snow gum forest, the shrub layer increases as the shrub 'seed bank' in the soil germinates, and competition is decreased. Our results were consistent with this pattern, but we also found that the shrub layer was significantly reduced after two and three fires, while the proportion of grasses significantly increased.

The combination of these factors  higher tree death, fewer seedlings, and more grasses  means that the post-fire dynamics of the snow gum system has changed from one that is dominated by trees, and periodic fluxes of seedlings and shrubs, to one that has fewer trees, a more open canopy, and an under-storey dominated by grasses. For people who like trees and plants, this is a concern.

But the changes in the snow gum forest could have broader implications. There are fauna that don't just like snow gum forests, but depend on it for their survival. The critically endangered Mountain Pygmy Possum relies on structurally complex shrubs in alpine areas for habitat. Similarly, while not in our study area, there are restricted populations of the (also) critically endangered Leadbeaters Possum that rely on snow gum forests for hollows.

Increased tree mortality and decreased tree regeneration may also have implications for the ability of these forests to store carbon into the future.

Impacts across boundaries: the changes in the snow gum forests (foreground) and the alpine ash forests (background). Pre-2003, these mountains would have been clothed in dense forest canopy  now a mixture of dead stems, living stems, grass and shrubs. Credit: University of Melbourne

It's highly likely that the impacts of changing fire regimes won't be restricted to snow gum forests. Just down the hill from our sites, alpine ash forests have been affected by equally frequent fires, and research has shown that 97 per cent of seedling regeneration in these forests was killed by the same recurrent fires.

We can no longer think of changed fire regimes as a hypothetical scenario, but one that is already happening. Outstanding questions remain about how we manage these changes to the landscapes.

Do we attempt to restore these forests through large-scale reforestation projects? Do we accept the changes as unavoidable consequences of climate change, and adjust our expectations of how they will look and function in the future? Or do we, as some scientists suggest, examine reforesting these regions with eucalypts that may be more resilient to recurrent fires?

These are ultimately tough ethical, philosophical and political questions with no easy answers, but ones that we will need to face - possibly sooner than expected.

More information: Thomas A. Fairman et al. Frequent wildfires erode tree persistence and alter stand structure and initial composition of a fire-tolerant sub-alpine forest, Journal of Vegetation Science (2017). DOI: 10.1111/jvs.12575
Credit: University of Auckland

New research suggests our unconscious self-beliefs influence what we value in luxury items, and that rather than targeting particular kinds of consumers, marketers should shape our self-beliefs to fit with their brand.

Once upon a time, only the very wealthy could afford luxury items, but in this age of diffusion lines, fast fashion and social media influencers, luxury brands can feel as ubiquitous as blue jeans  one of fashion's many paradoxes, says luxury marketing expert Dr Yuri Seo.

Research by him and others reveals the reasons why people buy luxury items are many and varied: to signal social status, for escapism, self-transformation and investment, among others.

"Different consumers view luxury differently, and even the same consumer can view it differently in different situations," says Dr Seo, a senior lecturer in Marketing at the University of Auckland Business School.

"Consumers no longer have a strong, clear understanding of what luxury is, and because the concept of luxury is fuzzy, marketers can shape consumers' thinking about it."

Seo and his co-researchers, JaeHwan Kwon from Baylor University in Texas, and Dongwoo Ko from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, wondered if the key to this mercurial nature lay in the way consumers' self-theories interact with luxury brand values.

A growing body of evidence from psychology shows the way we think about ourselves affects our choices as consumers. People hold unconscious beliefs about the malleability of their personality, morals, intelligence and other personal traits. These self-theories are "implicit"  we can't easily put them into words, but they show through in our attitudes and behaviour.

Two distinct self-theories have been identified. People who hold the "entity theory" believe their personal traits are relatively fixed, and so they cannot improve or change themselves through their own efforts. "Incremental theorists" believe their characteristics are relatively malleable; they can change themselves if they try hard enough. It seems the same person can hold both self-theories simultaneously, with one or the other dominant depending on the context.

"For entity theorists, one way of gaining self-esteem is to consume products or brands with positive personalities  you're borrowing those things from the brand because you cannot improve yourself, so luxury is about image," says Dr Seo.

"Incremental theorists are less likely to signal their own value through luxury items, because they believe they should improve themselves. Traditional luxury marketing, which emphasises symbolic values like tradition and history, primes you to think like an entity theorist. But if you want to appeal to incremental theorists, you need to focus on the more functional values  design, innovation, durability."

Seo and his collaborators ran a series of experiments to tease out the effects, and potential use to marketers, of self-theories.

Participants in the first experiment were asked to rate a mock print ad for a "new" Chanel watch, and completed a measure of self-theory. As predicted, the more a person believed that personal traits were fixed, the more positive attitudes towards the luxury watch they reported.

In another experiment, participants were shown one of two mock scientific articles supporting either kind of self-theory to bring it to the fore. They then completed the self-theory measure, and were shown one of two pseudo print ads with identical images of Prada sunglasses. One highlighted the sunglass's symbolic value with the slogan: "PRADA. The Luxury. The shades that will make you look luxurious." The other highlighted their functional value: "PRADA. Extremely Durable. The shades that last for years."

As expected, participants primed to have an entity mind set formed more favourable attitudes towards the sunglasses when their symbolic rather than functional value was emphasised, and the reverse held for those primed for an incremental mind set.

Finally, the researchers wanted to see if the ad itself could prime participants, so they added extra text to the two PRADA ads designed to do just that. They found the most appealing ads were the ones where the text and slogan worked together. Participants who saw an ad that talked about Prada being "committed to consistency and unwavering steadfastness", putting them in an entity frame of mind, rated the sunglasses more favourably when the text matched the symbolic value slogan; those who read that "At Prada, we are evolvingYou change and Prada is changing with you" formed more favourable attitudes when the text was paired with the functional slogan.

"One may argue that large fashion brands from New Zealand aren't necessarily luxury because they don't have 100 years' history, or they're small, or they don't dress celebrities," says Dr Seo. "But all that stuff is important mostly to entity theorists, so if you prime consumers to think incrementally, you can emphasise things that advantage your brand  like personal connection, innovation, sustainability."

More information: JaeHwan Kwon et al. Effective Luxury-Brand Advertising: The ESIF Matching (EntitySymbolic Versus IncrementalFunctional) Model, Journal of Advertising (2016). DOI: 10.1080/00913367.2016.1226995
VW's reputation has been muddied by the diesel scandal.

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday pledged a billion euros to help German cities fight air pollution caused by dirty diesel cars, as a scandal strangling the automobile industry threatened to engulf politicians at the height of an election campaign.

Merkel said she was doubling financial aid to cities from a previously announced 500 million euros ($600 million), in a bid to stave off the threat of an all-out ban against diesel vehicles.

The public health threat posed by nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions came to the fore after Germany's biggest carmaker Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 to fitting millions of cars worldwide with illegal devices to cheat pollution tests.

The scandal has since widened, with other German carmakers under scrutiny over collusion allegations.

With elections looming on September 24, Merkel and other politicians have a tight-rope to walk between balancing public health safety and securing millions of jobs in the vital automobile sector.

The emissions cheating scandal has also depressed the resale value of diesel cars, and urban driving bans would sharply accelerate the trenda powerful election issue for millions of drivers.

Following a meeting with 30 mayors whose cities or towns are threatening diesel bans, Merkel said she would stump up the cash to help them develop cleaner transport infrastructure.

"Half of the sum will be at the charge of automobile manufacturers and the other half the federal state," said Merkel.

The immediate priority is to "prevent driving bans", stressed Merkel, mindful she has to protect the crucial industrial sector whose global titans like VW, Audi, Mercedes and BMW earn billions of euros in exports and employ between 800,000 and 900,000 people.

While Merkel has often spoken of her long-term vision of a carbon-free economy run by climate friendly green technology, she made clear last week that, when it comes to the diesel issue, "this is 2017".

The centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), junior partner in Merkel's coalition, also joined voices with the conservative leader in defence of the diesel technology.

Diesel, said Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabrielan SPD politician, is a "transition technology".

Chancellor Angela Merkel is a major promoter of Germany's car industry and a staple of the Frankfurt auto show.

'Pretend-solutions'

VW plunged into its worst-ever crisis when US investigators in 2015 forced it to admit having fitted 11 million diesel engines with "defeat devices" to cheat on emissions tests. They hid the fact that vehicles spewed as much as 30 times the permissible NOx limits during normal driving.

While VW has agreed to pay $4.3 billion in penalties and $17.5 billion in civil settlements in the United States, it has escaped fines of such magnitude in Europe.

At a recent government-industry "diesel summit" in Germany, carmakers promised to reduce emissions with software patches, rather than more expensive hardware fixes, while also offering trade-in incentives for old diesels.

Environmental group Greenpeace fumed that "instead of protecting people in cities from toxic exhaust fumes and promoting innovation in the auto industry, the government continues to tolerate these pretend-solutions".

Green charity WWF has accused the Merkel government of a "misguided protectionism" of the car sector which ends up hurting green innovation while foreign competitors are forging ahead.

And Juergen Resch of environmental pressure group DUH, which is behind many of the court challenges, has vowed to bring even more cases, stressing that NOx is linked to over 10,000 premature deaths per year in Germany.

'Car chancellor'

Merkel was dubbed the "car chancellor" in 2013 after she went to bat for the sector and argued against an EU cap on emissions.

But she and her centre-right CDU are not alone in having cosy ties with the auto sector, the backbone of the German economy.

Germany's other major party, the SPD, also have deep ties. Their stronghold state of Lower Saxony, where VW is based, has a 20-percent stake in the company.

Merkel has repeatedly said she was "angered" by the auto sector's transgressions and demanded more "honesty and transparency" in the future.

However, she has also spoken out against costly hardware fixes for diesel engines, and refused to commit to a date by which Germany should phase out fossil fuel-powered cars, as Britain and France have vowed to do by 2040.

 2017 AFP
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to travel to the US for a week in September. Apart from visiting California University, he will visit Silicon Valley too.

By Supriya Bhardwaj: With an aim to learn more about artificial intelligence, nano technology and biotechnology which will in turn help generate jobs in India, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will visit Silicon Valley.

There was an internal discussion in the party on Congress' vision for India's roadmap for Information Technology. And it was decided that apart from software, India needs to increase its footprint in these three areas.

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"Rahulji wants to make India really a true world power. For these three - AI, Nano Technology and Biotechnology - are the future and the current govt has failed to deliver on these issue. His aim and vision is to make India not just a software giant but a giant in the areas of artificial intelligence, nano technology and biotechnology," said a senior Congress leader.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to travel to the US for a week in September. Apart from visiting California University, he will visit Silicon Valley too.

The Congress vice president will be visiting more than one dozen companies and meeting representatives from various walks of life.

RAHUL TO SPEAK AT CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY ON SEPT 11

The MP from Amethi is slated to speak at California University on September 11 on 'India at 70: Reflections on the path forward'.

The California University event is being organised by Institute of International Studies and Institute for South Asia Studies of the University.

During his recent Norway visit too, Rahul Gandhi had met and visited Biotechnology and Nanotechnology related companies.

Artificial Intelligence, Nano Technology and Biotechnology are the areas in which developed countries investing a lot for future.

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JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo has sent his foreign minister to Myanmar to urge its government to halt violence against Rohingya Muslims, he said on Sunday after a petrol bomb was thrown at the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta. The embassy attack, which police said caused a small fire, came in the early hours of Sunday morning against the backdrop of mounting anger in Indonesia, home to the world's biggest Muslim population, over violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. A police officer patrolling a street behind the embassy spotted a fire on the second floor of the building at about 0235 Jakarta time (GMT+7) and alerted police officers guarding the front gate, a Jakarta police statement said. After the fire was extinguished, police found a shattered beer bottle with a wick attached to it, the statement said, adding that the unknown perpetrator is suspected to have driven away from the scene in an MPV car. Jakarta police are investigating the incident, said spokesman Argo Yuwono. A group of activists had held a protest at the embassy on Saturday, calling for the Nobel Prize Committee to withdraw the Nobel Peace Prize from Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, state news agency Antara wrote. (http://bit.ly/2eRowl0) Protests continued on Sunday in Jakarta's city centre, with dozens of people calling for the Indonesian government to take an active involvement in efforts to end human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Indonesian President Widodo said he has sent Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to Myanmar to hold "intensive communications" with invloved parties including the United Nations. "Earlier this afternoon the Foreign Minister has departed to Myanmar to ask the Myanmar government to stop and prevent violence, to provide protection to all citizens, including Muslims in Myanmar, and to give access to humanitarian aid," Widodo said. Widodo added that concrete actions are needed and the Indonesian government is committeed to helping to solve the humanitarian crisis and that Marsudi will also travel to Bangladesh to prepare additional aid for refugees there. The treatment of Buddhist-majority Myanmar's roughly 1.1 million Muslim Rohingya is the biggest challenge facing leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accused by Western critics of not speaking out for the minority that has long complained of persecution. Aid agencies estimate that about 73,000 Rohingya have fled into neighbouring Bangladesh since violence in Myanmar erupted last week. (Reporting by Agustinus Da Costa and Jakarta bureau; Additional reporting by Zahra Matarani; Writing by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Himani Sarkar and David Goodman)
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday she would seek an end to Turkey's membership talks with the European Union in an apparent shift of her position during a televised debate weeks before a German election. "The fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU," Merkel said in the debate with her Social Democrat (SPD) challenger Martin Schulz. "I'll speak to my (EU) colleagues to see if we can reach a joint position on this so that we can end these accession talks," Merkel added. The comments are likely to worsen already strained ties between the two NATO allies that have deepened since Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's crackdown on opponents in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in July of last year. There was no immediate reaction from Turkey which is in the midst of a national religious holiday. Merkel's comments came after Schulz appeared to surprise her by vowing to push for an end to the negotiations if he was elected chancellor in the Sept. 24 federal election. "If I become German chancellor, if the people of this country give me a mandate, then I will propose to the European Council that we end the membership talks with Turkey," Schulz said. "Whether we can win over all the countries for this I don't know. But I will fight for this." Merkel initially cautioned against such a move, saying it would be irresponsible to endanger ties with Turkey at a time when German citizens are imprisoned there. Twelve German citizens are now in Turkish detention on political charges, four of them holding dual citizenship. "I do not intend to break off diplomatic relations with Turkey just because we're in an election campaign and want to show each other who is tougher," she said. But after the moderators had moved on and asked the two candidates a question about U.S. President Donald Trump, Merkel returned to the Turkey issue, suddenly throwing her weight behind an end to the membership talks. Merkel's conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has long opposed Turkish membership in the European Union. But the green light for membership talks was given months before Merkel became chancellor in 2005 and she has always said that she will respect that decision, referring to the negotiations as "open ended". The accession talks have ground to a virtual halt and EU leaders have stepped up their criticism of Erdogan. (Reporting by Michael Nienaber and Noah Barkin; editing by Ralph Boulton)
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday on North Korea's nuclear test at the request of the United States, Japan, Britain, France and South Korea, the U.S. mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Sunday. North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday - in violation of U.N. resolutions - which it said was an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile. The 15-member Security Council will meet at 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) on Monday, the U.S. mission said. North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for further possible U.N. sanctions. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the members of the Security Council "remain unanimous in their commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." He said any threat to United States, its territories, or allies would be met "with a massive military response." The council last month unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea over its two long-range missile launches in July. The resolution aimed to slash by a third the Asian state's $3 billion annual export revenue by banning exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood. Diplomats have said the council could now consider banning Pyongyang's textile exports and the country's national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban. Japan urged Washington last week to propose new sanctions after Pyongyang fired a medium-range missile over North Japan on Tuesday. The United States traditionally drafts resolutions to impose sanctions on North Korea, first negotiating with China before formally involving the remaining 13 council members. Following the nuclear test on Sunday, Britain, Japan and South Korea pushed for new U.N. sanctions, while China and Russia said they would "appropriately deal" with North Korea. Daniel Russel, until April the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia and now a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told Reuters: "We should expect an uptick in Chinese and Russian pressure on both North Korea and on the United States." "We should also expect 'more of the same' from China (and Russia) in claiming that the U.S. is also to blame and calling on Washington to appease Pyongyang with front-loaded concessions and placate it with dialogue, despite the fact that North Korea is clearly only interested in dictating terms, not in negotiating," he said. Any new sanctions would build on eight resolutions ratcheting up action against Pyongyang over five nuclear tests, four long-range ballistic missile tests and dozens of medium-range rocket launches. The past three substantial resolutions have taken between one and three months to negotiate. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned North Korea's nuclear test on Sunday as "profoundly destabilizing for regional security" and called on the country's leadership to cease such acts, (Reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Andrew Hay and Peter Cooney)
By Charlotte Greenfield and Ana Nicolaci da Costa WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Neither major New Zealand political party leader on Monday would rule out appointing nationalist New Zealand First head Winston Peters as deputy prime minister as poll averages showed a neck-and-neck race for a Sept. 23 election. Labour's Jacinda Ardern and Prime Minister and National Party leader Bill English faced off in a fiery televised election debate, the same day tightening poll averages suggested each would still need New Zealand First to form a government. The leaders traded jabs as Ardern accused the centre-right National Party of ignoring a housing crisis in its nine years in power, while English criticised his 37-year-old, centre-left opponent of putting ideals over concrete projects. "You can't replace a plan with a vision," English told Ardern. Labour has argued that New Zealand's economic growth rate, among the fastest in the developed world, on the National Party's watch, has masked growing inequality and strains on infrastructure. Labour also says people are not seeing the benefits of growth, with wages still lagging behind living costs. "People ... feel like they are going backwards. And that's because they are. An economy should be about people," Ardern said. Both party leaders said they would not make Peters, who would like to slash immigration and increase the central bank's ability to intervene in the currency, finance minister in their governments. Labour's soaring support since charismatic Ardern took over as leader on Aug. 1 may put it in a position to form a government without having to rely on the controversial nationalist party if its momentum is sustained. National, however, looks as if it would likely still be heavily reliant on the New Zealand First Party, whose support is also waning. Although both major parties are open to forming a coalition with the populist party, Peters has not said which one he would throw his lot in with. KINGMAKER? Labour's average level of support in opinion polls rose to 39.8 percent, and the Greens' average was 6.2 percent, figures released by media on Monday showed, putting the two parties, which share a working agreement, comfortably ahead of National's 41.6 percent. A party, or combination of parties, needs 61 of Parliament's 120 members in order to form a government in New Zealand's German-style proportional representation system. The averages suggest Labour and the Green Party would garner 57 seats, compared with National's 51. "If National happen to drop a bit further, they won't have any chance of forming a government because they don't have as many coalition options as Labour," said Bryce Edwards, a political analyst at Victoria University in Wellington. Only weeks ago, outspoken Peters was expected to be the kingmaker in the formation of government after the vote. But a controversy over mistaken overpayment of superannuation to Peters has hurt his support, while voters have also been drawn to the newly invigorated Labour party. Although the average of polls shows New Zealand First remains decisive in the formation of the next government, the situation could change if its loss of momentum continues, analysts say. New Zealand First's average fell to 8 percent, down from 9.1 percent on Friday. "Certainly New Zealand First, if they are somewhere in the 5 percent to 7 percent range, there will be a good chance of them no longer being a kingmaker after the election," Edwards added. Support for the party fell to 6.6 percent in a poll released on Sunday, following a drop to 8 percent in another poll last week. Both polls were used to calculate Monday's average. (Reporting by Ana Nicolaci da Costa and Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Robert Birsel)
Companies in Slovakia now invest little into R&D, instead produce goods lacking added value.

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During the totalitarian era pre-1989, Czechoslovakia belonged among the most developed R&D centres of the communist bloc, with a focus on the armament industry. Especially just before the fall of the regime, support for innovation slightly increased due to the existence of specialised research institutes.

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After the formation of independent Slovakia in 1993, various governments gradually sent innovative activities into a decline. Later efforts to restore them have encountered budget constraints and differing priorities.

This ignoring of R&D has led to the countrys low level of innovation. In the EU innovation assessment for 2016 the European Commission (EC) again put Slovakia into the third, so-called moderate innovators group, out of a total of four groups.

The placement is based on the historical development in the field of promotion of science, research and innovation, Artur Bobovnicky, director of the innovation and international cooperation department of the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA), told The Slovak Spectator.

A learning system that is still in search of a way to teach the young generation to think in innovative and creative ways also plays a part, Bobovnicky added.

Almost no improvement

The EC has assessed innovation performance, knowledge creation, private innovation and new products and services of the EU member states through the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) every year since 2001. Based on the latest study, Slovakia placed 21st out of 28 EU countries, dropping by one place compared to 2015.

Though several results of partial indicators have improved, including the share of PhD graduates, innovation experts do not consider the recent poor ranking a great surprise. Slovakia has long been placed in the bottom half of the ranking, Adela Zabrazna from the Slovak Alliance for the Internet Economy (SAPIE) said.

Among the Visegrad Group (V4) countries, only the Czech Republic got a better score than Slovakia. Hungary and Poland both placed worse, said Education Ministry spokesperson Ivana Skokanova.

In general, innovation economies are moving closer, although there are still large differences between countries, Skokanova told The Slovak Spectator.

Towards EU targets

To become more innovative, countries have to raise financial support for R&D. As the Europe 2020 growth strategy states, overall the EU countries should ensure support at a level of 3 percent of GDP by 2020.

To reach the main target, member states had to set their individual targets. In 2013, Slovakia increased its previous target of 1 percent to 1.2 percent via the smart specialisation strategy RIS3. The document also specified that two thirds of the resources must come from private resources and only one third from public ones.

In 2015, the country moved closer to the target with 1.18 percent of GDP, which was the biggest jump in recent years. The result is, however, rather an anomaly due to the drawdown of euro funds, Zabrazna said.

The Czech Republic spent 1.95 percent of GDP on R&D, Hungary 1.38 percent and Poland 1 percent.

Little private research

One of the countrys problems is significant lagging behind the EU majority regarding private R&D spending. The share of innovating SMEs in the economic indicators in the EIS show the worst results by Slovakia.

In advanced innovative economies, private R&D expenditure is several times higher than public R&D expenditure, Zabrazna said.

While between 2005 and 2015, Slovak private R&D spending grew from 0.2 percent to 0.33 percent of GDP, the EUs 2015 average was 1.3 percent. The Czech Republic was at 1.06 percent, Hungary 1.01 percent and Poland 0.47 percent.

Based on the Eurostat data, every third Slovak entrepreneur was innovative in 2014, while in the EU it was almost every second. The total number of Slovak innovators rose from 173 in 2014 to 241 in 2015, the Education Ministrys statistics show.

Another assessment, the Global Innovation Index, points to shortcomings in education, informatisation and e-government services. Other market problems include weak technological transfer and use of venture capital, proximity to foreign countries and a low number of patents.

Lack of added value

In addition, Slovakia has long belonged to the group of producers without much added value. The share of value added by the Slovak business sector to GDP grew from 44.1 percent in 2007, to only 46.8 percent in 2016, according to the Slovak Statistics Office.

Low labour costs, lack of highly skilled workers and a lucrative location attract mainly large manufacturing companies placing assembly halls in the country, according to Zabrazna.

If we want to avoid a frightening Detroit scenario, we need to encourage private innovation through improvements in the labour market, innovation infrastructure and investment environment, Zabrazna said. Detroit as a city heavily dependent on car production, similarly to Slovakia, went through a strong recession resulting in its bankruptcy in 2013.

Lucia Veselska, CEO adviser at the Slovak Business Agency (SBA), sees lack of entrepreneurs interest in low demand for innovation, scarcity of good ideas and low competition on the market.

Mandatory certificates

State institutions do provide several support measures for innovation, including government programmes, subsidies and incentives, the Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV) projects and international programmes. To obtain the support, entrepreneurs have to receive a certificate of funding effectiveness assessment.

In 2010 there were 99 such certified companies in Slovakia while in 2017 the number jumped to 229, Skokanova said.

There is also a new bilateral grant scheme between Slovakia and Israel, said Bobovnicky. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatisation pointed to the so-called super-deduction of R&D expenditure of 25 percent which should increase to 100 percent by 2018.

In terms of SMEs, SBA manages the National Business Centre and the initiative Startup Sharks to support innovative ideas. Zabrazna pointed to 18 measures in the Concept of Promoting Startups and Developing a Startup Ecosystem in the Slovak Republic, valid since June 2015.

While a simplified joint-stock company already exists, visas for startups outside EU countries, incentives for angel investors and capital funding improvement remain only on paper, Zabrazna said.

The government also plans to change the Slovak Academy of Sciences and its departments into independent research institutions to gather additional funds from grants and business activities.

EU supporting schemes

From the EU schemes, Slovak entities can draw funds through the Operational Programme Research and Innovations (OP VaI) with a total value of 2.2 billion. More than three quarters of resources strengthen R&D, the rest supports the competitiveness of SMEs, according to the Economy Ministry.

SIEA promotes innovation via the OP VaI national project, Increasing the Innovation Activity of the Slovak Economy  Inovujme.sk. The project focuses on education, creation of regional consulting centres for entrepreneurs and organisation of free professional events, said Bobovnicky.

An important part of the project includes workshops for high school and university students who have the opportunity to try out an innovative process on examples from everyday life, he added.
The collaboration is based on the principle that unites people from the public sector, academia and industry.

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A supplier of defence and security solutions, Saab signed a new cooperation deal in the field of innovations with Technical University in Kosice (TUKE), which will enable the further transfer of Swedish know-how to TUKEs startup centre and business incubator.

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The deal between TUKE and Saab, signed in late May, focuses on the connection between the university and incubated companies with Swedish business advisors who have experience with the transformation of startups into successful businesses, the TASR newswire reported.

We are thrilled to bring our successful cooperation with TUKE to a new level, said Peter Nilsson of Saab, as quoted by TASR. We want to repeat what we are doing in Sweden in the field of research, development and innovations in other countries as well.

The collaboration is based on the so-called Triple Helix principle. It unites people from the public sector, academia and industry in their effort to face the technological challenges contemporary society faces.

Our previous cooperation has brought about specific results in defining the legal framework and the protection of intellectual property, as well as in setting business processes between TUKE and existing startups, said Anton Cizmar, deputy rector of TUKE, as quoted by TASR.

The cooperation will also focus on the development of companies already placed in the TUKE incubator. It will be financially supported by mentors from Saab, he added.
By PTI: Lucknow, Sep 4 (PTI) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will flag off the maiden run of the Lucknow Metro here tomorrow.

The first train will be flagged off by the home minister, who represents the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, and the chief minister from the Transport Nagar metro station.

The services will be opened for public use the next day.

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The 8.5-km-long Priority Corridor from Transport Nagar to Charbagh, which is part of the Phase-1 of the project, will be operational for the public from 6 am to 10 pm everyday.

Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav had flagged off the trial run on the same stretch in December last year, just ahead of the assembly elections, to showcase it as a signature project of the erstwhile Samajwadi Party government.

However, the Union home ministers presence at the event is a strong signal from the BJP that it was the Narendra Modi government at the Centre which contributed the bulk of the funds to the project.

The BJP had attacked the Akhilesh government during the assembly election campaign, asking why metro trains were not running in Lucknow. As the matter got embroiled in politics, Akhilesh had shot back saying it was due to the delay in obtaining clearance from the commissioner, Metro Railway Safety, and had blamed the Centre for it. PTI SMI TIR

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An expat theatre ensemble performing both in Slovak and in English will return to their homeland in September with their new play.

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The Slovak Theatre in London, a theatre company connecting young Slovak actors, directors, scenographers and other theatre artists living in the UK will present its work in Slovakia in September.

Directed by Juliana Sersenova as of 2009, the Slovak Theatre in London presents its plays in Britain in both Slovak and English, thus making them accessible not only for Slovaks and Czechs (whose language is close to Slovak), but also to Brits and other nationalities speaking English, theatre manager and actor Simona Vrabcova told the TASR newswire.

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The theatre company, which is due to visit four Slovak towns as part of its September tour, stages only original works, while the actors are Slovaks, mainly young. They have a range of previous experience in acting.

The troupe will stage a new play called Academy for Women, reacting to indifferent attitudes of society to the issue of prostitution and sexual abuse of women, according to Vrabcova.

UPDATED: This play will be performed on September 18 at 19:00 in the Ticho a spol. space in Skolska 14 in Bratislava, on September 20 at 19:00 in the Art Point space in M.R. Stefanika 1 in Prievidza; and on September 23 at 18:00 at the Vodaren/Waterworks space (near the Old Bishopric Inn), Sihot 3, in Nitra.
A romantic tree-house with an area of 33 square metres lies close to Spa Park on a hiking route.

The tree-house near Spa Park in Trencianske Teplice (Source: SITA)

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More information about travelling in Slovakia

Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide

After the capital, the spa town of Trencianske Teplice has a romantic offer for hikers and tourists: both inhabitants and visitors of the western Slovak town in the Trencin Region can spend a night in the tree-tops close to the local Spa Park, on the hiking route towards Klepac hill.

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Built on three beeches standing on a slope, the 3.5 to 5-metre tall tree-house spreads over 33 square metres, the My Trencin regional newspaper wrote on August 19.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/t6etdvg6iLE

The tree-house is not connected to electric power wiring and water pipes; four people can be accommodated  it has one double bed and one bunk bed.

From the terrace, a separate chemical toilet is accessible with an enamelled old-fashion wash-basin and a water jug for basic washing. The house is lit with LED-lamps powered by batteries and candles in closed lanterns.

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The leaders of two coalition parties said for a televised political debate that they would like to amend the Constitutional; however, each of them has a different view of what should be changed.

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Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) and Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko (SNS) respect the fundamental document of the Slovak Republic but would both like to amend it. In the O 5 Minut 12 (i.e. Five Minutes to Twelve) programme on the public TV channel RTVS, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) and Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko (SNS) expressed their visions.

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The right to carry a weapon should be enshrined in the Slovak Constitution, Danko said as cited by the TASR newswire. Were working on an amendment to incorporate the right to carry a handgun in the Constitution, he revealed.

Meanwhile, he recalled the SNS bill from several months ago to grant constitutional protection to Slovak territory and also praised the constitutional ban on water exports approved three years ago.

The Constitution is the only document that may incorporate safeguards for rights and freedoms in areas in which Slovakia feels uncomfortable in relation to the European Union. We do honour our EU membership and do our utmost to stand side-by-side with the leading countries, but there are issues, such as some legislation, that may affect our hunters, Danko said. If we dont incorporate the right to carry weapons and the protection of land or water in the constitution, problems may arise when it comes to our functioning within the EU, he said.

Other Dankos concerns

He went on to give great importance to the legal protection of marriage, adding that additional measures are needed to protect the family. To this end, he suggested that a Government council for the family should be set up and that a concept for the development of the family be drafted.

In addition, Danko admitted the importance of addressing problems that Roma encounter in finding a job due to their ethnicity. As far as the Roma population is concerned, he said that a number of issues arise stemming from their mentality, travelling for work and work habits, but he added that everything comes down to motivation.

If the Labour Ministry were under my remit and if I had 76 MPs [i.e. enough MPs for a majority of votes] in Parliament, I would introduce the Hungarian model, according to which unemployment and welfare benefits come under the authority of local administration, he said.

PM has other priorities

The challenges that lie ahead for the Slovak Constitution may in fact be even bigger than those at the time when the document was being drafted in 1992, Fico said, adding that he is aiming to launch a public discussion this autumn on how to better to enact economic, social and cultural rights in the Constitution. Changes may also occur due to Slovakias efforts at becoming a member of the future core of the European Union.

Thus, the PM echoed his own statement from September 1, when Slovakia celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Constitutions adoption. He said he wants Slovakia to remain a democratic country and a country strong in terms of values and human rights, which should ultimately be reflected in the Constitution.

There are some rights in the Constitution that arent directly enforceable, and Im speaking of social and economic rights, said Fico, adding that the discussion he is seeking in autumn will ultimately be intended to bring about better constitutional guarantees for social and economic rights. As an example of rights, he singled out the right to a minimum wage for every working person. There is also scope for discussion about overnight work and the status of women, the prime minister added.

This is no marketing. The European Commission itself has put forward the idea for a European Pillar of Social Rights, so Europe itself wants us to be more social and closer to each other, said the premier as quoted by TASR, rejecting the notion that political motivation is behind such efforts.

He would not comment on the idea expressed by Andrej Danko to enact the right to carry a firearm in the Constitution, but he conceded Smers support for the measures put forward by its partners.

The prime minister also disapproved with the opinions held by some constitutional lawyers that the Constitution is amended too easily. He argued that the Constitution is a flexible text that needs to be changed.

The debate seems more to be part of the political campaigning before the November regional elections, agreed several Slovak media on citing both politicians.
Price of butter is breaking records

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A Danish dairy producer warns that Europe is facing a Christmas butter crisis. Whether Slovakia will also experience a lack butter is not yet clear.

There is a shortage of fat, cream and butter products everywhere in Europe. It will not be at all possible to meet the demand in the run up to Christmas, said Peder Tuborgh, CEO of Danish-based dairy co-operative Arla Foods, the seventh biggest dairy in the world, as cited by Reuters. It is these forces that are significantly dragging up prices.

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The price of butter is also increasing in Slovakia. A 125-gram pack of butter cost on average 1.01 in June, based on data from the Slovak Statistics Office. Compared with June 2016, this is an increase of one fifth, i.e. up from 0.84, the Sme daily reported.

The price of a 0.25 kg pack of butter increased to 2.80. Slovak farmers warn that prices will continue to rise and could increase to over 3.

It is not yet clear whether Slovakia will face a butter shortage prior to Christmas. Retail chains Billa and Kaufland claim that they do not have any problems buying enough milk or butter.

Less milk in Slovakia

During the last two years farmers in Slovakia have reduced the number of dairy cows by one tenth because they were not able to compete with the import of cheap milk from abroad after the cancelation of milk quotas.

Moreover, summer is traditionally a poor period for milk production as it contains less fat. Consequently dairies need more milk to produce the same amount of butter.

The change in behaviour of consumers, who are starting to show a preference for butter over margarine again, is also contributing to the price increase.
Justice GS Kulkarni said the next hearing will be on September 11 after lawyers representing both Vijaypat and Gautam told the Court that the parties are set to meet this week.

By Vidya : Legal representatives of former industrialist Vijaypat Singhania and Raymond chairman and managing director (CMD) Gautam Singhania today told the Bombay High Court that the two are likely to meet on September 7 to resolve the property dispute.

The Court had adjourned the matter earlier as the Vijaypat and Gautam could not meet last week owing to the death of a relative of one of the advocates.

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The Bombay High Court, had in August, suggested that the father-son duo should hold meetings along with their lawyers to try arriving at an amicable solution as the dispute is personal in nature. Vijaypat had earlier moved the High Court alleging that his son is refusing to fully honour an arbitration award over a property dispute among the family members.

Senior counsel Dinyar Madon, representing Vijaypat, informed the Court today that the meeting could not be held last week as a relative of one of the advocates had died. Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, who represents Raymond, was also present in the Court.

The matter will now be heard on September 11, said Justice GS Kulkarni in the Court. The Court said that till then, the interim order directing Raymond to not create third party rights (sell or lease out) in the two floors of JK House, which are subject matter of dispute, shall continue.

Vijaypat had alleged that Raymond Ltd has not yet given him possession of a duplex in the multi-storey JK House building in south Mumbai. As per a 2007 family agreement, Vijaypat and his son Gautam, and the widow and two sons of Vijaypat's brother Ajaypat Singhania, were to get a duplex each in JK House, a family property.

The former industrialist had alleged in his petition that Gautam was occupying more area in the JK House than he was entitled to. He also said that Raymond failed to respond to his offers of payment to get possession of the duplex.

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A bitter suit: Court battle between Vijaypat Singhania, son Gautam shakes up Raymond empire

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JOHANNESBURG/BENGALURU, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Acacia Mining (Frankfurt: 33A.F - news) said on Monday it would stop underground work at its flagship Tanzanian gold mine and cut its production guidance in the face of a confrontation between the industry and the government.

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) in the FTSE 250 company plummeted 9 percent to 188 pence by 1000 GMT, making it the biggest decliner among an index of its peers.

Acacia, majority-owned by Barrick Gold (Hanover: ABR.HA - news) , said it would have to scale back operations at Bulyanhulu mine and cut staff as it coped with a government ban on exports of unprocessed ore, imposed in March to encourage the construction of a local smelter.

The ban had left a build-up of ore inventory and cut revenue as the firm met taxes and other bills, Acacia said in a statement. It had already cut costs, but the company was burning through cash and more action was needed.

"The impact of the ban, in addition to the deterioration of the current operating environment, has led to negative cash flow of approximately $15 million per month at the mine and thus has made ordinary course operations at Bulyanhulu unsustainable," it added in a statement.

Underground activity will cease and the processing of underground ore would stop within four weeks, under a programme "to preserve the viability of our business over the longer term," the company said.

Annual production is expected to be 100,000 ounces lower than the bottom of the previous guidance range of 850,000-900,000 ounces, it added.

Acacia has been caught up in sweeping changes to Tanzania's mining industry spearheaded by President John Magufuli, who believes his country is not getting its fair share of profits.

The government also accuses Acacia of evading taxes for years by under-declaring exports - an allegation dismissed by the company which said in July it had been hit with a $190 billion tax bill, equivalent to four times the East African country's annual gross domestic product.

Story continues

Despite the cash burn, Acacia's chief financial officer Andrew Wray said the company did not need additional financial resources or financial assistance from its Canadian parent Barrick.

"From our perspective we still have reasonable liquidity as on the balance sheet," said Wray said. "We're not contemplating looking beyond Acacia's resources at this time."

A combination of scaling back Bulyanhulu, cutting corporate overheads, expansionary drilling at its largest mine North Mara, greenfield exploration activity and gold hedging should return Acacia back into cash generation next year, the miner said.

"Regrettably, the implementation of this programme will lead to a significant reduction in the workforce from the current 1,200 employee and 800 contractor roles," Acacia said.

Acacia first signalled intentions to mothball Bulyanhulu in June.

"Acacia has implemented a sensible holding pattern  Bulyanhulu can be restarted without significant effort, but the company moves into a considerably more viable operational and financial position in the meantime," Investec (LSE: INVP.L - news) analysts said.

"We expect this to now move the pressure onto the president  if he actually cares."

Talks between the Tanzanian government and Barrick Gold are ongoing, Acacia said.

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain and Esha Vaish in Bengaluru, Barbara Lewis in London and Zandi Shabalala in Johannesburg; Editing by Jason Neely and Andrew Heavens)
JOHANNESBURG/BENGALURU (Reuters) - Acacia Mining said on Monday it would stop underground work at its flagship Tanzanian gold mine and cut its production guidance in the face of a confrontation between the industry and the government. Shares in the FTSE 250 company plummeted 9 percent to 188 pence by 1000 GMT, making it the biggest decliner among an index of its peers. Acacia, majority-owned by Barrick Gold , said it would have to scale back operations at Bulyanhulu mine and cut staff as it coped with a government ban on exports of unprocessed ore, imposed in March to encourage the construction of a local smelter. The ban had left a build-up of ore inventory and cut revenue as the firm met taxes and other bills, Acacia said in a statement. It had already cut costs, but the company was burning through cash and more action was needed. "The impact of the ban, in addition to the deterioration of the current operating environment, has led to negative cash flow of approximately $15 million per month at the mine and thus has made ordinary course operations at Bulyanhulu unsustainable," it added in a statement. Underground activity will cease and the processing of underground ore would stop within four weeks, under a programme "to preserve the viability of our business over the longer term," the company said. Annual production is expected to be 100,000 ounces lower than the bottom of the previous guidance range of 850,000-900,000 ounces, it added. Acacia has been caught up in sweeping changes to Tanzania's mining industry spearheaded by President John Magufuli, who believes his country is not getting its fair share of profits. The government also accuses Acacia of evading taxes for years by under-declaring exports - an allegation dismissed by the company which said in July it had been hit with a $190 billion tax bill, equivalent to four times the East African country's annual gross domestic product. Despite the cash burn, Acacia's chief financial officer Andrew Wray said the company did not need additional financial resources or financial assistance from its Canadian parent Barrick. "From our perspective we still have reasonable liquidity as on the balance sheet," said Wray said. "We're not contemplating looking beyond Acacia's resources at this time." A combination of scaling back Bulyanhulu, cutting corporate overheads, expansionary drilling at its largest mine North Mara, greenfield exploration activity and gold hedging should return Acacia back into cash generation next year, the miner said. "Regrettably, the implementation of this programme will lead to a significant reduction in the workforce from the current 1,200 employee and 800 contractor roles," Acacia said. Acacia first signalled intentions to mothball Bulyanhulu in June. "Acacia has implemented a sensible holding pattern  Bulyanhulu can be restarted without significant effort, but the company moves into a considerably more viable operational and financial position in the meantime," Investec analysts said. "We expect this to now move the pressure onto the president  if he actually cares." Talks between the Tanzanian government and Barrick Gold are ongoing, Acacia said. (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain and Esha Vaish in Bengaluru, Barbara Lewis in London and Zandi Shabalala in Johannesburg; Editing by Jason Neely and Andrew Heavens)
A BBC investigation revealed that employees of the postal service were being 1,000 a week to steal cards (REUTERS/Russell Boyce)

Royal Mail workers are being offered thousands of pounds by gangs to intercept letters containing bank cards and PIN numbers.

A BBC investigation revealed that employees of the postal service were being offered 1,000 a week to steal cards, after one of its journalists posed as a postman and responded to an advert online.

Royal Mail did not disclose how many workers have been convicted for such incidents, but said the theft of mail is very rare.

MORE: McDonalds staff walk out on strike for first time in UK

According to trade body UK Finance, more than 11,000 people in the UK fell victim to this type of fraud in 2016.

The investigation, which was carried out by BBCs Inside Out West Midlands, saw a reporter persuade a gang member to meet him after a few weeks of building up trust.

A meeting with the gang member was secretly filmed outside the bus station in Lewisham, south-east London.

A gang member is confronted by an undercover BBC journalist about the Royal Mail scam (BBC)

Were going to tell you, for example, that Ms *****, shes going to have a letter from NatWest, the gang member told the undercover journalist.

Any letters from NatWest for Ms *****, intercept. As simple as that.

If you open up a new account youre going to get your card and youre going to get your PIN, right? Two letters, thats all it is.

We do that, you intercept the letters, bring them back to us, you get paid.

MORE: Interest rates will not rise until 2019, but pound will continue decline

During their second meeting in a park in south London, the journalist confronted the contact. The gang member refused to comment and ran away when being questioned.

Royal Mail would not comment on the number of workers who have been prosecuted for stealing mail since the companys privatisation in 2013. However, the BBC reported that 1,759 Royal Mail workers were convicted of theft between 2007 and 2011.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: We take all instances of fraud  alleged or actual  very seriously.

MORE: Sainsburys boss: Brexit could result in rotting food

Our security team is reviewing the programmes findings as a matter of urgency and will continue our close and ongoing cooperation with the relevant law enforcement agency.

The overwhelming majority of postmen and women do all they can to protect the mail and deliver it safely. The safety and security of mail is of the utmost importance to Royal Mail.

We deliver millions of items safely every day and the theft of mail is rare. The business operates a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty. We prosecute anyone we believe has committed a crime.
By Matthew Tostevin PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Foreign donors must open their eyes to Cambodia's "false democracy" and put more pressure on Prime Minister Hun Sen after the arrest for treason of his main rival, Kem Sokha, a top opposition figure said on Monday. Mu Sochua, known internationally for campaigns against sex trafficking and for women's rights, said the opposition had done as much as it could and would not call for demonstrations because it believed in non-violence. Now the world had to save Cambodia, which has taken decades to recover from the Khmer Rouge genocide, she said. "There isnt true peace. There has always been a false democracy," said Mu Sochua, 63, who is one of three deputies to Kem Sokha in the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). "The international community have been willing to close their eyes and play along with it. Right now all the red lines have been crossed," she told Reuters in an interview in Phnom Penh. Kem Sokha was arrested on Sunday and accused of plotting treason with the United States in an escalating crackdown on Hun Sen's critics that has also targeted independent media and rights groups in the run-up to an election next year. Kem Sokha's lawyer had been allowed to visit him for the first time on Monday and he seemed to be OK, she said. The opposition party was not calling for cuts in aid or trade, Mu Sochua said. But donors needed to make clear what they could do and convince Hun Sen that he would have no legitimacy from a flawed election. "We are asking for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Kem Sokha," she said. "We hope the international community will come up to our expectations." She welcomed statements from both the United States and European Union, which have criticised the arrest of Kem Sokha and questioned whether next year's elections can be fair. HUN SEN DEFIANT But Hun Sen, who has pulled in billions of dollars in Chinese loans and become one of Beijing's closest regional allies, has only condemned foreign interference. "We cant allow any group to destroy the peace we hold in our hands by being the puppets of foreigners," said Hun Sen, 65, a former Khmer Rouge soldier who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades. Mu Sochua said the opposition wanted dialogue with the ruling Cambodian People's Party under the auspices of countries that signed and guaranteed peace accords in Paris in 1991: the biggest world powers, Asian powers and Southeast Asian states. "We have done everything possible," she said. "When there is use of force by a corrupt judiciary we are very vulnerable. Thats why were saying 'dont defend the opposition, defend Cambodia'." Opposition party leaders met on Sunday to discuss the next steps after Kem Sokha's arrest, but with few obvious options. They would definitely not call for protests, Mu Sochua said. Replacing Kem Sokha would not happen either. "Thats exactly in the scenario of Mr Hun Sen," she said, raising the possibility of an election boycott if Kem Sokha were not released. "That would be a last resort. We cannot pretend that we will go into something that will totally destroy the party and we cannot be part of the destruction of democracy in Cambodia," she said. Kem Sokha, 64, only became leader in February after his predecessor, Sam Rainsy, resigned in the face of a new law to ban any party whose leader has been found guilty of a crime. Sam Rainsy lives in France to escape a defamation conviction. Parties were then banned from even having links to convicted criminals, prompting the CNRP to go around old posters with paint brushes to obliterate Sam Rainsy's picture. Party officials are not allowed to mention his name. "Maybe when Mr Kem Sokha is convicted we can't mention his name either, but then whos next?" Mu Sochua said. "In the minds of the Cambodian people, we know who is our leader in our hearts." (Additional reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Robert Birsel)
By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Germany's entry alongside France into a battle between the European Commission and Poland over the rule of law increases the likelihood of unprecedented EU action to punish Warsaw. German Chancellor Angela Merkel abandoned her usual public restraint last week by criticising Poland's governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, showing the European Union's executive has the firm backing of its most influential member. It may be a watershed moment in the dispute over an overhaul of the judiciary and other steps taken by PiS which Brussels says undermine democracy in the largest ex-communist EU state. Poland risks a reprimand under procedures known as Article 7 that have never been used before and would deal a heavy blow to its prestige, deepen its isolation in the bloc and diminish its ability to influence EU policies. Much is also at stake for the EU. The row has deepened divisions as the EU comes to terms with Brexit and failure to act against a member seen as flouting democracy could raise questions about its determination to defend its core values. "As much as I wish for good relations with Poland -- they are our neighbour and I will always strive for this given the importance of our ties -- we can't simply keep our mouth shut in order to keep the peace," Merkel said in Berlin. "This goes to the very foundations of our cooperation within the European Union." For a decade after it joined the EU in 2004, Poland was the poster child of the bloc's eastward expansion as it was seen as faithfully upholding the EU's democratic values and its economy thrived. But relations have deteriorated rapidly since the eurosceptic PiS led by former prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, long a political foe of European Council President Donald Tusk, won power in late 2015. BATTLE OVER JUDICIAL REFORMS The Commission opened an inquiry into the rule of law in Poland in January 2016 after new legislation put more power in the hands of the Warsaw government, a move seen in Brussels as weakening democratic checks and balances. The main battle now is over reforms that the Commission says undermine the judiciary's independence, giving the justice minister discretionary power to prolong the mandates of judges at retirement age and dismiss and appoint court presidents. In another unprecedented development, Warsaw has also ignored a ruling by the EU's top court by continuing with large-scale logging in an ancient forest. Until now Berlin has let French President Emmanuel Macron take the lead on Poland since he took office last May. He says Warsaw is isolating itself and shunned Poland and its close EU ally, Hungary, during a recent tour of eastern Europe. But Merkel, who will seek a fourth term as chancellor in an election on Sept. 24, showed her concern by speaking out against Poland last Tuesday and by discussing Poland last week with the head of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. A diplomatic source said their talks included discussion of how quickly to proceed in the row with Warsaw. PiS denies accusations by the Commission, Western EU states, political opponents in Poland and rights groups that it is eroding democracy in the country of 38 million people. "Some EU politicians have made comments most recently that are unjust on Poland. That is why I want to stress that Poland is a democratic country, based on the rule of law," Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said in video footage released last week. Filmed standing in front of Polish and EU flags, she said: "Let's not allow particular interests of particular countries to overshadow the chief current task, which is to guarantee security to the people of our continent." ARTICLE 7 The Commission has the option of triggering Article 7, which would mean asking all 27 other EU states to declare that PiS is putting democracy at risk. But imposing sanctions would require unanimity among the other member states and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made clear he would shield Warsaw from the maximum punishment -- stripping it of its EU voting rights. Commission deputy head Frans Timmermans said last week he would propose opening Article 7 if Poland starts dismissing Supreme Court judges, adding: "We are very close to triggering Article 7." But he also said Brussels was waiting to see what proposals Polish President Andrzej Duda makes on two judiciary laws, including on the Supreme Court, proposed by PiS after he vetoed them in July. Two others have been signed. His comments indicate Warsaw still has a last chance to escape Article 7. No formal decision is likely before the EU leaders meet for a Brussels summit in October at the earliest. One EU official said Article 7 "is where this seems to be heading" but added: "Nobody likes to single out a member state like that. Everyone has their sins and this creates a dangerous precedent - what if you are going to be the next one?" (Additional reporting by Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs in Budapest, Tatiana Jancarikova in Bratislava, Andreas Rinke, Paul Carel and Noah Barkin in Berlin, Richard Lough and Michel Rose in Paris, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Pakistan Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, in a statement released on Twitter, condemned the attacks on Rohingya Muslims and called out to Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same.

By India Today Web Desk: Pakistani Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai urged Nobel laurate and Myanmar's first State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi to condemn the horrific condition of the Rohingya muslims.

Malala's comment comes in the wake the ongoing humanitarian crisis where more than 90,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh due to the ongoing episodes of violence against them in Myanmar last month.

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In the statement that was posted on Twitter, Malala Yousafzai called out to the authorities to put a stop to the violence on Rohingyas. She has also requested other countries to follow Bangladesh's steps and provide shelter and food to the Rohingyas.

Here's the full statement:

The cases of violence against Rohingya Muslims in Buddhist majority Myanmar is one of the biggest challenges Aung San Suu Kyi's government will face.

The clashes between Myanmar forces and Rohingya Muslims began on August 25, after Rohingya insurgents launched an attack on dozens of police posts and an army base. Counter operations have since killed over 400 Rohingyas.

While the authorities blame Rohingya Muslims for burning of houses and civilian deaths in Myanmar, Rohingyas fleeing to the other side of the border and the Rights watch claim that well planned attacks are being carried out against them.

--- ENDS ---
South Koreans watch as news of North Koreas nuclear test emerges (Rex)

North Korea claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb at the weekend, which can be loaded on to an intercontinental ballistic missile, as it accused its enemies of being hell-bent on escalating confrontation.

Theresa May said Pyongyangs nuclear tests, which resulted in a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, pose an unacceptable further threat to the international community, as the United Nations called an emergency Security Council meeting to discuss the issue.

This is the countrys sixth nuclear test, but the first time Kim Jong-un has claimed to have tested a thermonuclear warhead, also known as a hydrogen bomb.

Previously, the country has tested atomic bombs  similar to those dropped on Japan in 1945 by the US  but hydrogen bombs can be 1,000 times more powerful.

Dr Patricia Lewis, research director of international security at Chatham House, explains that regime is claiming to have tested a two-stage weapon.

She described the bombs as more sophisticated that those dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, which were fissions bombs that used uranium and plutonium.

Hydrogen bombs use fission as a first stage, then focus the energy into the second stage, which uses fusion material.

Dr Lewis says that fusion material allows a much greater explosion and, as it is very light, can go much further, which is significant when youre trying to reach across the ocean.

Its a technically a big step up, she told Yahoo News.

Its a technology that is beyond the basics.

Its still old technology  youre talking 1950s, rather than 1940s technology  but for a small state like North Korea, to be able to do in it in a fairly short period of time, its faster than people expected.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at an undisclosed location (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

The official North Korean statement claims that the DPRK successfully carried out a test of H-bomb for ICBM in the northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK at on September 3.

It said: The explosive power of which is adjustable from tens kiloton to hundreds kiloton, is a multi-functional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP attack according to strategic goals.

Story continues

However, Dr Lewis said only time will tell if Pyongyang is telling the truth about the extent of its nuclear capabilities.

She said it is possible that North Korea tested a fission-boosted bomb, which falls short of a hydrogen bomb.

We dont know its true of course. [Finding out] all depends on whether or not you can track the radioactive debris, which is released into the air. The particles are picked up by monitors, which the US, China and Japan, South Korea all have, she said.

These are signature pieces of debris, which they will immediately recognise as coming from a nuclear weapons explosion.

Dr Lewis said that Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in Vienna is the place to watch for confirmation of the test.

It has an international monitoring system across the whole world. Its trusted by a wide range of people  its not US or Russia intelligence agencies. Its international, she said.

It means when they come out with a statement, its much more believable.

Such a device could evaporate the entire city of New York completely  no one would stay alive, Andrei Lankov, a professor of Korean studies at Kookmin University in Seoul, told Al Jazeera.

With an atomic bomb, you can kill half of Manhattan, at most.
By Jack Kim, Soyoung Kim and Steve Holland SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea on Sunday conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it said was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, prompting the threat of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened. Speaking outside the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump and his national security team, U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said Trump asked to be briefed on all available military options. "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis said. "We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," Mattis said with Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at his side. "But as I said, we have many options to do so." Trump earlier in the day refused to rule out military action and threatened to cut off trade with any country doing business with Pyongyang. Asked while leaving a church service whether the United States would attack North Korea, Trump replied: "We'll see." Early Monday in Seoul, South Korea's military confirmed it had carried out missile drills in response to the North's nuclear test. Despite the tough talk, the immediate focus of the international response was expected to be on tougher economic sanctions against Pyongyang. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the nuclear test. Diplomats have said the council could now consider banning Pyongyang's textile exports and the country's national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military, prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday that he would put together a package of new sanctions to potentially cut off all trade with North Korea. "If countries want to do business with the United States, they obviously will be working with our allies and others to cut off North Korea economically," Mnuchin told Fox News. North Korea, which carries out its nuclear and missile programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and sanctions, said on state television that the hydrogen bomb test ordered by leader Kim Jong Un had been a "perfect success." The bomb was designed to be mounted on its newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, the North said. The test had registered with international seismic agencies as a man-made earthquake near a test site. Japanese and South Korean officials said the tremor was about 10 times more powerful than the one picked up after North Korea's last nuclear test a year ago. U.S. stock futures fell 0.5 percent after trading reopened on Sunday evening. ESCALATING CRISIS After weeks of profound tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme, the size and scope of the latest test set off a new round of diplomatic handwringing. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in China, agreed to "appropriately deal" with North Korea's nuclear test, the Xinhua news agency reported. As North Korea's sole major ally, China said it strongly condemned the nuclear test and urged Pyongyang to stop its "wrong" actions. In a series of early morning tweets, Trump appeared to rebuke ally South Korea, which faces an existential threat from North Korea's nuclear programme. "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Trump said in an early morning tweet. Trump appeared to be blaming South Korea for a policy it abandoned years ago of trying to soften North Korea's posture through economic aid. South Korea's new president, Moon Jae-in, has argued for continuing dialogue with its neighbour over its nuclear programme, while also supporting international sanctions. Reports that the United States is considering pulling out of its trade deal with South Korea have also ratcheted up tensions with the country. A former senior State Department official criticized Trump for accusing South Korea of appeasement. It was unseemly, unhelpful, and divisive to gratuitously slap our major ally at the very moment when the threat from (North Korea) has reached a new height, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. president has previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash "fire and fury" on the country if it threatened U.S. territory. Roy Blunt, a Republican senator and a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, backed Trump's fiery rhetoric on Sunday. "I think the president putting everything on the table is, is not a bad thing right now, both for North Korea, but maybe more importantly for China to be thinking about how consequential this behaviour is," Blunt said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Trump's trade threat may be a way to pressure China, Pyongyang's top trading partner, into doing more to contain its neighbour. But Matthew Goodman, a trade expert at Washington's Centre for International and Strategic Studies, said Trump's suggestion was not viable because it would mean the United States would cut off trade with countries such as France, India, and Mexico, along with China. The notion of stopping 'all trade' with anyone who does business with North Korea is absurd," Goodman said. There was no independent confirmation that the detonation was a hydrogen bomb rather than a less powerful atomic device, but Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo could not rule out such a possibility. Experts who studied the impact of the earthquake, which the U.S. Geological Survey measured at magnitude 6.3, said there was enough strong evidence to suggest the reclusive state had either developed a hydrogen bomb or was getting very close. The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, said the nuclear test was "an extremely regrettable act" that was "in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community." Moon said Seoul would push for strong steps to further isolate the North, including new U.N. sanctions. Japan also raised the prospect of further sanctions, saying curbs on North Korea's oil trade would be on the table. The United States has repeatedly urged China to do more to rein in its neighbour, but Beijing has lambasted the West and its allies in recent weeks for suggesting that it is solely responsible for doing so. It has said military drills by South Korea and the United States on the Korean peninsula had done nothing to lessen tensions. THERMONUCLEAR DEVICE? Under third-generation leader Kim, North Korea has been pursuing a nuclear device small and light enough to fit on a long-range ballistic missile, without affecting its range and making it capable of surviving re-entry. The test comes amid heightened regional tension following Pyongyang's two tests of ICBMs in July that potentially could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the U.S. mainland within range. During the nuclear test, people in the Chinese city of Yanji on the North Korean border said they felt a tremor that lasted roughly 10 seconds, followed by an aftershock. Hours before the test, North Korean state news agency, KCNA, released pictures showing Kim inspecting a silver-coloured, hourglass-shaped warhead during a visit to the country's nuclear weapons institute. KCNA said North Korea "recently succeeded" in making a more advanced hydrogen bomb. "All components of the H-bomb were homemade and all the processes ... were put on the Juche basis, thus enabling the country to produce powerful nuclear weapons, as many as it wants," KCNA quoted Kim as saying. Juche is North Korea's homegrown ideology of self-reliance. It says its weapons programs are needed to counter U.S. aggression. (For a graphic on Nuclear North Korea, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2n0gd92) (Additional reporting by Elaine Lies, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Tim Kelly, Takaya Yamaguchi and Nobuhiro Kubo in Tokyo, Jane Chung, Yuna Park, Ju-min Park and James Pearson in Seoul, Sue-Lin Wong in Yanji, David Brunnstrom and Jonathan Landay in Washington, and Shadia Nasralla in Vienna; Writing by Alex Richardson, Raju Gopalakrishnan, James Oliphant and Warren Strobel; Editing by Mary Milliken and Peter Cooney)
Reuters

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Brentford striker Ivan Toney struck twice to give his side a shock 2-1 victory at champions Manchester City on Saturday in their final Premier League game before the World Cup break. Toney, left out of England's squad for Qatar, made the most of a bright start by Brentford, breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute when Ben Mee headed back across the box and Toney sent a looping header over Ederson and into the net. City had a strong shout for a penalty turned down for a handball before they equalised on the stroke of halftime when Kevin De Bruyne's corner was flicked on and Phil Foden drilled home a superb half-volley for his eighth league goal of the season.
Over 500 Hindus from the troubled areas of Myanmar have crossed over to Bangladesh's Cox's Bazaar ever since trouble started on August 25.

Rohingya refugees walk on the muddy path after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Teknaf, Bangladesh, September 3, 2017. (Photo/REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: The bloodshed in Myanmar against Rohingya Muslims has forced nearly 90,000 people of the community to cross over to the neighbouring Bangladesh. However, it is not only the Rohingyas who are facing the brunt.

Over 500 Hindus from the troubled areas of Myanmar have crossed over to Bangladesh's Cox's Bazaar ever since trouble started on August 25.

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The bloodshed in Myanmar's northwestern Rakhine state was triggered by an attack on August 25 on dozens of police posts and an army base by Rohingya insurgents. The ensuing clashes and a military counter-offensive have killed at least 400 people.

Myanmar officials blamed Rohingya militants for the burning of homes and civilian deaths but rights monitors and Rohingya fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh say the Myanmar army is trying to force Rohingya out with a campaign of arson and killings.

'GENOCIDE'

A delegation of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad has visited the Ukhia Kutupalong area of Cox's Bazar to inquire about Hindu families who have taken refuge in Bangladesh.

"It's genocide, no matter who all are conducting it," said Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad's General Secretary Advocate Rana Das Gupta.

At least 53 bodies have washed up on Bangladesh shores in last five days. The dead are believed to have drowned while trying to flee Myanmar on boats.

Rohingya refugees sit as they are temporarily held by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in an open area after crossing the border, in Teknaf, Bangladesh (Photo/REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)

HINDU VILLAGES BURNT, LOOTED

"They told me there are 86 Hindus among the dead in Rakhine. Their houses were been burnt, looted," Rana Dasgupta said after meeting the refugees.

Ramani Sheel, 50, a Hindu from Rakhine, said his family had been living at Chikonchharhi village of Maungdaw for several generations. "Around 20 masked men attacked the village with sharp weapons and hacked many to death," he said, adding that the attackers burnt down their houses before leaving.

Panicked at the attack, he fled with his wife and five children to Kutupalong, where an unregistered Rohingya refugee camp is situated.

Octogenarian Kalo Sheel from Dhenkibunia of Maungdaw said three Hindus were hacked to death in his village on the first day of the latest violence. He fled to Bangladesh along with seven others of his family.

Rana Dasgupta said the Myanmar government will have to create a suitable environment to let the displaced people return home. A prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, he also demanded proper investigation by the United Nations into the latest situation in Rakhine. "The United Nations will have to take the responsibility of trying those involved in crimes against humanity as per the international law," he said.

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WATCH: Centre exploring ways to deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims ALSO READ:

Will rather die in India than return to Myanmar: Rohingya refugees on deportation reports

Myanmar crisis: Thousands of Rohingyas gather at Bangladesh border as fresh fighting erupts in Rakhine state

Fate of 40,000 Rohingyas from Myanmar to be sealed soon

Centre exploring ways to deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims

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By Ellen Francis and Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) - With a sudden lunge through jihadist lines, the Syrian army and its allies on Monday came to within 3 km of relieving the Euphrates city of Deir al-Zor, where Islamic State has besieged 93,000 civilians and an army garrison for years. The advance on the eastern city marks another stinging setback for the once-triumphant Islamic State, fast retreating in both Iraq and Syria as its self-declared caliphate crumbles. Syrian troops were rapidly approaching the city, reaching a point 3 km (2 miles) away, state television said. Dozens of trucks loaded with food stood ready to enter the enclave in the city once government forces break the siege, it said. A military media unit run by Hezbollah, a key ally of Damascus, said the advancing forces were heading to the garrison's camp on the city outskirts. Deir al-Zor's provincial governor told Reuters he expected the army could reach the city within hours. "Islamic State is in confusion. There is no leadership or centralised control," said a commander in the military alliance supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Hemmed in on all sides, Islamic State, which ruled over millions of people in both Iraq and Syria at its peak in 2014, is falling back on a last Euphrates stronghold downstream of Deir al-Zor city in the towns of al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal, near the border with Iraq. But as it has lost its core territory - defeated in Iraq's Mosul now yielding street after street in Syria's Raqqa - the ultra-hardline group has still been able to launch attacks in the West and maintain a threat in other centres such as Libya. The fighters have been driven out of nearly all of their territory in Iraq over the past two years by government forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition. In Syria, they are fighting against both Assad's Russian-backed government and a U.S.-backed Arab and Kurdish militia that has launched an assault on Raqqa. In the IS-encircled pocket in Deir al-Zor, news of the army's approach prompted people to take to the streets to celebrate, governor Mohammed Ibrahim Samra said by phone. The city has been cut off since 2013, after rebel groups rose up against Assad during the first flush of Syria's six-year war. Islamic State then overran rebel positions and encircled the army's enclave in the city in 2014. It was a major prize. Deir al-Zor is the centre of Syria's oil industry, a source of wealth to the group and a serious loss to Damascus. As the army has pushed east in recent months, oil and gas fields have once more fallen to the government. Islamic State fighters stepped up efforts this year to seize the enclave before the army could arrive. In January, they severed it from the city's military airbase and took over a nearby hill, further straining its links to the outside. During the long siege, high-altitude air drops have supplied the city. The United Nations said in August it estimated there were 93,000 civilians in the government's Deir al-Zor pocket, where conditions were "extremely difficult". "Despite all this and despite the shelling and injured, things are running in the city," governor Samra had said on Sunday. "The institutions are running, the bakeries. Water is also pumped twice a week to our residents, aid is distributed daily." RAPID ADVANCE For Assad, the weekend's lightning advance caps months of steady progress after government forces turned from their victory over rebels in the northern commercial capital Aleppo last December to push eastwards against Islamic State. "The army has been advancing in a rapid and calculated way from all directions," a Syrian military source said, referring to the months-long campaign across the desert. With Russian jets and an alliance of Shi'ite militias backed by Iran, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, the army has captured swathes of the central and eastern deserts in parallel offensives from Palmyra and al-Resafa. Those offensives have accelerated since linking up last month, taking swathes of land from Islamic State except for a small zone near the town of al-Salamiya. The militants still control much of Deir al-Zor province, including half the city. Heavy Russian air cover has helped the Syrian military and allied forces march towards the city, Russia's defence ministry said in a statement on Monday. A resident of the city reached by telephone, who gave his name only as Mohammad, said he could hear the sound of warplanes in the distance. The army advances over the last two days had sparked "indescribable joy" among people in the enclave after years of siege, he said. Under attack, Islamic State has pulled reinforcements from al-Mayadin and relied on its usual tactics of booby traps, mines and sudden raids, the commander in the pro-Assad alliance said. The latest advance came after intense preparatory artillery, a multi-pronged assault and gains in high ground commanding nearby areas, the non-Syrian commander said. Meanwhile, as the army and its allies have forced other militant pockets to surrender, including an Islamic State enclave on Syria's border with Lebanon a week ago, they have been able to transfer more troops to the desert campaign. "It helped a lot to switch the military effort of the Syrian army and the resistance to the eastern Syrian desert," the commander said, adding that thousands of troops had arrived from the battle on the Lebanon border. Islamic State fighters and their families evacuated from that enclave as part of a surrender deal were escorted by the Syrian army and Hezbollah to east Syria, but have been stopped by a U.S.-led coalition from reaching Deir al-Zor. Ten of the original 17 buses are now stuck in no-man's land between pro-government forces and Islamic State territory and six buses retreated back into government areas, the commander added. (Additional reporting by Kinda Makieh in Damascus and Andrew Osborn in Moscow; Writing by Angus McDowall,; Editing by Mark Trevelyan, Ed Osmond and Peter Graff)
Prison staff and inmates were in a standoff at HMP Birmingham on Sunday, September 3, reportedly after inmates refused to return to their cells at the end of the day.

Prison officials told The Guardian the unrest was confined to one wing of the prison. HMP Birmingham was the site of another riot in December 2016.

The BBC reported one man was injured and taken to the hospital.

These videos show emergency services arriving at the hospital. Credit: Twitter/Moe via Storyful
Malala Yousafzai has condemned the violence in Myanmar

Malala Yousafzai, the UN Messenger of Peace, has called on Myanmars Aung San Suu Kyi to condemn the tragic and shameful treatment of Rohingya Muslim in the country, following violence that has left hundreds dead.

The Pakistani activist, who was shot in the head by the Taliban aged 15 for attending school, said her heart breaks at the suffering of the Muslims who face persecution in the Buddhist-majority country.

In a statement on Twitter, she wrote: Today we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmars security forces. These children attacked no one, but still their homes were burned to the ground.

More than a million Rohingya, mostly Muslims, live in Rakhine State, the poorest region of the country, but are not considered citizens.

After militants attacked government forces on August 25, Myanmars army responded with brutal attacks that left many, including children, dead.

More than 73,000 refugees have now fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, according to the United Nations.

Rohingya Muslims flee violence

If their home is not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born, Yousafzai wrote.

She called on the countrys de-facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi  a fellow Nobel Peace prize winner  to condemn the treatment of Rohingya Muslims, saying that the world is waiting.

In 1991, Suu Kyi won the award for her activism, which led to the first non-military elected head of state in Myanmar, also known as Burma, since 1962.

She is constitutionally barred from holding the position of president  as she has foreign-born children  but is considered leader of the country.

Story continues

According to the Guardian, the government is blocking UN aid from reaching those in need.

The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Myanmar said deliveries were suspended because the security situation and government field-visit restrictions rendered us unable to distribute assistance.

The UN is in close contact with authorities to ensure that humanitarian operations can resume as soon as possible, it said.

Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, said: Aung Sang Suu Kyi is rightly regarded as one of the most inspiring figures of our age but the treatment of the Rohingya is alas besmirching the reputation of Burma.

She faces huge challenges in modernising her country It is vital that she receives the support of the Burmese military, and that her attempts at peacemaking are not frustrated.

She and all in Burma will have our full support in this, he added.

Yousafzai was awarded the Novel peace prize in 2014, becoming the youngest ever recipient, following her campaigns to get free eduction for girls everywhere.

She was recently accepted to study philosophy, politics and economics at the University of Oxford.
During the week leading up to the final competition, the team worked to certify their pod through rounds of preliminary checks, including a structural test, a navigation test, a functional test, propulsion approval, and a vacuum chamber test. The team defended the design of their pod to SpaceX representatives due to the potential safety hazards associated with racing a pod through a near-vacuum chamber at high speeds.

The V17 was designed with speed in mind: the 600-pound pods suspension system was topped with a large spherical tank that constituted the pods propulsion system. The team estimated that the pod could run upward of 55 mph, fueled by compressed high-pressure nitrogen and aided by a SpaceX-designed pusher on the test track.

While theoretically the pod would have been ready to run on the track, the team ran into complications with the electronics as they integrated the system. The team used quick thinking and multiple trips to home improvement and electrical stores to address issues as they found them.

Everything is very different when you get down to actual testing than it is on paper, said Eric Plevy, of Durham, North Carolina, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering who is on Hyperloop at Virginia Techs aerospace and propulsion subteam. You can be good at your individual design task  but its going to do no good if you dont understand how it works relative to the rest of the pod.

The team split nearly all of their time between the SpaceX campus and their Airbnb rental in Hawthorne, with frequent visits to Lowes and Wi-Fi hotspots wherever they could find them. They worked long hours and often through the night.

While on the SpaceX campus, the students met with members of the 23 other teams from nine different countries in attendance, swapping ideas and showing off their designs.

The Hyperloop at Virginia Tech team also had a visit from an alumnus who drove 100 miles to meet them. David Bernardi, a materials engineering alumnus from the Class of 1969, had been hoping to meet the team since reading about them in Virginia Tech Magazine.

Bernardi, who spent the last ten years of his career teaching high school mathematics, ripped out the page in the magazine about them and has kept up with them since. He reached out to Pat Artis, Hyperloop team advisor and professor of practice in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, to learn more and secured an invite to the competition.

I felt very honored because professor [Pat Artis] had said that it takes an act of Congress to get into this facility, Bernardi said. So this is a treat. And you know, its extra fun, always having been interested in teaching  to visit with young people who are doing such exciting things.

Its huge for me to be with fellow Hokies, Bernardi added.
At the three-day meeting of the RSS coordination committee, Sangh leaders claimed that although the people are happy with PM Narendra Modi, they are utterly dissatisfied with the ministers, MPs and MLAs.

RSS leaders questioned the working of Modi ministers at the Centre and ministers of Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh.

By Siraj Qureshi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) appears to be miffed over the way BJP ministers at the Centre and MLAs in Uttar Pradesh are working.

At the three-day meeting of the RSS coordination committee, Sangh leaders claimed that although the people are happy with PM Narendra Modi, they are utterly dissatisfied with the ministers, MPs and MLAs.

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Sangh leaders said that they have received suggestions from across the country that the ministers, MPs and MLAs should go out among the people and try and act on their grievances.

They expressed hope that the new cabinet reshuffle could introduce some boost in the government's functioning and improve the people's confidence in the BJP-led central and state governments.

BJP president Amit Shah and members of his team assured the Sangh leaders that MPs and MLAs would carry out the work of elected representatives.

FALLING GDP A CAUSE OF CONCERN: RSS

The Sangh also expressed concern over the falling GDP of the country following demonetisation and implementation of GST. The leaders said that it was an alarming state of affairs that the GDP of the country has fallen to the lowest in three years (5.7 per cent), which is barely 1.2 per cent more than China's development rate. The uncertainty following demonetisation and GST, has made the country's economy pay a heavy price.

The Sangh also expressed concern over the migration of people living in towns and villages near to both the Pakistan and China borders. People are not feeling secure at the borders and the government should encourage and reassure the residents of border villages by providing more employment and education to them so that when the time comes, these villagers can stand with the army shoulder to shoulder.

A senior RSS leader said that the country's reputation has improved globally following the peaceful resolution of the Doklam dispute and the people in that region have a renewed sense of security and pride in the country's armed forces. He said that the women of these areas should be provided employment opportunities in cottage industries.

"People desert the border areas when they feel insecure and it is as much a responsibility of the civilians, as is that of the Army, to make them feel secure," RSS leader Dr. Manmohan Vaidya told India Today.

ALSO READ:

RSS conclave: Modi govt praised for tough position on Doklam standoff, questions raised on job creation

RSS meet in Vrindavan: West Bengal, Kerala violence, stone pelting in Kashmir discussed

RSS conclave: Modi govt praised for tough position on Doklam standoff, questions raised on job creation

--- ENDS ---

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Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

When Leonard Waites took over as executive director of the New Mexico Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission one year ago, he walked into an office of empty desks and not much else.

I didnt even have a computer. A lot of what was needed to conduct business was gone, he said.

Gone because seven months earlier, in January 2016, the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office served search warrants on the commissions office as part of an investigation into alleged financial mismanagement by former executive director Kimberly Greene.

Investigators also seized flash drives, memory cards, external hard drives, cellphones and a host of handwritten and printed financial documents. Those included invoices, bank statements, paycheck and payroll reports, lease agreements, budget and legislative appropriation requests, audit paperwork, and travel and employee records.

While computers and other equipment have since been replaced, there are no records, no files after 2009, and nothing with Kimberly Greenes name on it, Waites said. They (AGs Office) took everything  and still have it.

Asked about the status of the investigation and when it might be concluded, AGs Office spokesman James Hallinan told the Journal, We are in the final stages of a complex investigation, and we will be updating the public regarding the conclusion soon.

On Wednesday, the AGs Office released copies of a search warrant served Aug. 23 at the Public Employee Retirement Association of New Mexico seeking financial information on Charles Countee, the executive director of eREAD, a nonprofit that provides educational programs for kids, including ACT/SAT preparatory programs.

According the warrant, Greene, the MLK Commissions executive director from 2012 until Feb. 2, 2016, is believed to have used eREAD as a third-party fiduciary to circumvent the states procurement rules and regulations because she thought the process was too rigid and did not fit her model of how she wanted to conduct the commissions activities.

Greene and Countee, the warrant said, entered into an informal agreement in which eREAD would hold all funds donated to the MLK Commission in an eREAD account at the Bank of the West, resulting in the co-mingling of funds from both organizations. Countee would then disperse the MLK Commission funds to Greene upon her request. The arrangement was never revealed to the state, the warrant said.

While recognizing that investigators need time to conclude their work, Waites said his concern is with the perception of a cloud hanging over the commission, which wont dissipate until the investigation is done and the findings are made public.

That cloud, however, is not deterring him from moving forward, he said.

He and his new associate director, Diane Mourning Brown, who has an extensive background in the nonprofit sector and as a college administrator, have in their first year improved and expanded existing MLK Commission-sponsored programs and introduced new ones.

And they have done this while staying faithful to the commissions mission of promoting Kings ideals of human rights, equality, nonviolence, social change and unity.

I just want the public to know that we are doing the work, were OK and this office is in good hands, Waites said.

A new approach to the Youth Ambassador program involves teaching leadership by having kids in cities around the state elect their own president, vice president and secretary, he said. Then they create their own structure and hold meetings using Roberts Rules of Order, and finally decide upon projects to do within their city.

The Youth Leadership program, which culminates in an annual conference, allows youth to create the agenda, select the topics and choose the speakers. The first conference under Waites was held in June and drew more than 120 youths from around the state.

The very first MLK Indoor Track and Field Meet held in February at the Albuquerque Convention Center drew 115 athletes, and the next one is expected to attract up to 300, he said. Going forward, the University of New Mexico will be the primary co-sponsor.

The MLK State Commission will continue to sponsor the annual MLK March/Parade and the commemoration ceremony on Civic Plaza, and it recently created the MLK Foundation, a nonprofit fund-raising arm of the commission to support programs for youth. A link to the foundation will appear soon on the commissions website at nmmlksc.org.

Waites was 5 years old when his family relocated to Albuquerque from Marlin, Texas. He graduated from Manzano High School and then attended South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, where he studied business.

He returned to Albuquerque for a career in manufacturing that took him from General Electric to Motorola as a plant supervisor, then to Intel as a site manager.

Ive learned that what you do when youre young prepares you for what you do when youre older, Waites said. By being a manager and supervising people, and being in the public eye and dealing with the community, I was being groomed for this job with the commission without even knowing it.

Martin Luther King Jr. also helped prepare him. Kings principles of nonviolence were on his mind when he participated in what started out as a peaceful gathering at Roosevelt Park in 1971, where disaffected youths protested against unemployment, racism, the Vietnam War and police brutality.

When officers entered the park to round up pot smokers and beer drinkers, the crowd pushed back and a riot ensued, spreading to Downtown Albuquerque and the destruction of millions of dollars in property.

Following his career in manufacturing, Waites said he was ready to settle into retirement, until the position opened at the MLK State Commission.

I felt this was a job that I could do, he said, so I applied.

Waites, who is also a member of the Police Oversight Board, said hes glad for the opportunity to give back to the community and to help create a better environment for the people of Albuquerque.
When people think of the advertising world, they might often think of the smoky rooms, crisp suits, heavy drinking and high rises of the show Mad Men.

But advertising today is very different. It is a diverse world operating in many spheres, and thanks to the internet, New York is no longer a necessity for an ad firm. Small and midsize cities are able to compete on national and global scales and operate at significantly lower cost.

Albuquerque is one of those cities. Several successful agencies that have decided to make the Duke City their home over the last two decades are landing national accounts from large corporations, lobbies and nonprofits.

New Mexico offers benefits for an ad agency, whether it is the novelty of being scrappy underdogs, as Sam Maclay, partner and creative director for 3 Advertising said, or the attraction to a place that has been a mecca for artists for centuries as Steve McKee, partner at McKee Wallwork and Co., points out.

There are challenges to being based in Albuquerque. 3 Advertising and Esparza point to the lack of large corporate bases in New Mexico. McKee Wallwork and Co. makes it a mission to change inaccurate perceptions of New Mexico. Agenda, which is more of a hybrid agency, cites difficulty with travel. All of the firms the Journal spoke with said there is a shallow talent pool that makes hiring locally difficult. Entry-level positions are often given to locals, but specialized jobs require agencies to seek out-of-state talent with more experience.

However, all of the firms have a personal interest in seeing and helping the city grow, and all of them say they set up here and stay here because Albuquerque is home. Agencies are not migrating to Albuquerque to set up shop; the local firms are for the most part homegrown.

The Journal sat down with four local advertising firms to get their thoughts on being in Albuquerque and working on a national and global scale.

McKee Wallwork and Co.

McKee Wallwork and Co. has called Albuquerque its home for the past 20 years. The firm is the creation of Steve McKee and Pat Wallwork who have cultivated talent and leveraged that talent into success, first from a small space and now in a 12,000-square-foot building in Albuquerques Sawmill District. It has 24 employees.

McKee Wallwork and Co. has won many national awards over the years. Most recently it won Southwest Small Agency of the Year and National B2B Campaign of the Year from Advertising Age Magazine.

Locally, it does work for Visit Albuquerque, Hope Christian School, Heritage Hotels and Resorts, which includes branding and advertising for the new Hotel Chaco, and perhaps most recognizably for its billboards for French Burials and Cremations, in which McKee Wallwork and Co. has used a light-hearted approach to help shatter the taboo around speaking about death, as McKee said.

Nationally, McKee Wallwork and Co. has inserted itself as a competitor to the bigger firms in the more traditional cities. It has captured accounts with Hyundai Construction Equipment; Rehrig Pacific, a plastics company; Tutor Doctor, a Toronto-based educational company; and International Paper  its largest account  for which McKee Wallwork and Co. has won several awards.

Steve McKee said national accounts make up roughly 50 percent of the agencys business.

McKee said operating out of Albuquerque comes with its own set of unique challenges. There tends to be a couple of types of people out there. One is the Ivy League-snob, which you know anything west of the Hudson River doesnt exist. None of us have a shot with those people. But for the most part in this day and age  People recognize that talent is not a function of geography.

McKee said the Mad Men days are over, and advertising spending is now more geographically agnostic.

According to McKee, who is from New Mexico but left for many years to gain advertising experience before returning, being based in Albuquerque cuts both ways. He said sometimes the companys credibility is questioned because its not based in a larger city, but on the other hand, New Mexico is viewed as an exotic place. There is a believability to prospects that great creativity resides here. And we leverage that.

Esparza

Esparza is the brainchild of company President Del Esparza, an Albuquerque native who started his firm in 2000 and operates out of an office in Downtown Albuquerque. The agency isnt large. It employs 15 people. Esparza refers to it as a boutique firm.

Nationally, Esparza handles accounts for Oppenheimer Funds; Blue Cross Blue Shield in Texas, Illinois, Montana and Oklahoma; and Arbor Care, a post-acute care company based in Atlanta, among others.

Esparza said anywhere from 50 percent to 60 percent of the agencys business is from national accounts. The firm has won numerous awards for its campaigns. Last year, Esparza took home five Golden Addy Awards. It also won the Advertising Works Award for most effective ad campaign for its work with New Mexico Crisis and Access Line.

It also operates locally with companies such as PNM, Sandia BMW, Camel Rock Casino and Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico.

Esparza is happy to be in Albuquerque and proud to be building a successful national ad agency in his home city. He believes that New Mexico offers a unique perspective that he can leverage into standing out when marketing to clients. Its the perspective of diverse thought, Esparza said. It really has this kind of rebel-like, rustic, authentic, hard-working perception. Its intriguing to many prospects.

Esparza does recognize there are challenges in setting up in Albuquerque. The obstacle is that there are just not that many companies in New Mexico that need the services of a advertising agency  In order to scale up and to grow, we need to look at other markets that are much bigger that maybe have clients, prospects that we can convert into clients.

Esparza, like McKee, said he can get mixed reactions from national clients when he first tells them where his company is based. At times, Esparza said clients are excited about adding a unique and diverse perspective to their branding. Other times, the city causes confusion and some hesitation.

Its not unusual to have people say Oh, you have a satellite office in Albuquerque,' Esparza said. Esparza has a satellite office in Houston and its main office in Albuquerque. The caliber of work that we produce out of our agency, when we show it, it causes pause as to why we are in such a midsize city.

Ultimately, however, Esparza said there is no place he would rather be. And thanks to the rise of the internet he doesnt have to think about moving.

3 Advertising

3 is a relative newcomer to the Albuquerque advertising landscape. It started in 2005 and operates out of an 8,000-square-foot office near Pan American and Montgomery NE. All three founding partners, Sam Maclay, Tim McGrath and Chris Moore, cut their teeth working for Rick Johnson & Co.

Creative Director Sam Maclay relishes the companys image as a young upstart firm and leverages that perception to his advantage. The company has used its affordable pricing to garner a variety of clients both locally and globally.

Locally, 3 does work for PNM, Presbyterian, Tricore, Skarsgard Farms, Humble Coffee and a slew of other businesses.

Out of state, 3 has either taken on full accounts or worked on a project basis with companies such as Facebook, the National Environmental Health Association, the Brew Institute and a number of tech startup companies in Palo Alto, Calif. Its also worked on projects in Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Belize and the Canary Islands.

The firm has won 11 National Addy Awards since 2006. Last year, 3 won for a poster campaign created for online outfitter Sackwear.com.

Maclay and Design Director Tim McGrath say they dont view being in Albuquerque as much of a hindrance at all. The internet has really flattened (things) out. People just dont care so much about where you are (these days), said Maclay.

Maclay and his partners work to market their services as affordable without a sacrifice in quality, and being in Albuquerque allows them to do that. In fact, Maclay views Albuquerque as a novelty that can help 3 stand out when pitching to prospective clients.

But the partners also say that while starting may be simple and relatively inexpensive, growth potential is stunted in Albuquerque. There are just no huge businesses based here.

Agenda

Doug Turners company, Agenda, is less a traditional advertising firm than it is a hybrid ad agency/public relations firm/lobbying group. Agenda does creative work, like any other advertising firm, but most of the campaigns it takes on deal more with issues and business-to-business strategies than traditional business-to-consumer marketing.

Turner began his career elsewhere, living in New York and Tokyo before returning to New Mexico, his home state, to start a firm. His first firm, D.W. Turner, closed in 2010 and Turner ran for governor. The next year, he began Agenda.

Globally, Agenda recently launched a We Are NATO campaign for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The campaign is designed to help member nations explain the benefits of membership to their citizens. Agenda has also worked with DuPont on GMO transparency issues, as well as companies like AT&T and entities like the king of Jordan and the prime minister of Japan.

Take a little bit of government affairs, a little bit of PR, a little bit of advertising and it all gets sort of bolted into one unique package, Turner said.

Turner is trying to build a global company but enjoys being in Albuquerque from a personal standpoint.

As far as his business goes, the lack of large business headquarters is a hindrance, which is why Turner seeks most of his clientele in other places.

However, perceptions of Albuquerque dont factor much into his clients decisions to seek Agendas services. Its a pretty small world these days, Turner said, adding that travel in and out of Albuquerque is what he gets asked most about.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Mora County has filed suit against numerous major pharmaceutical manufacturers, accusing them of knowingly overdistributing the drugs at the center of the nations opioid crisis.

The suit, which the county filed in state District Court on Aug. 28, has the same concept as recently undertaken litigation in other states including Ohio, Oregon, Connecticut and New York. Its the first suit against opioid distributors filed by a New Mexico county.

Mora County attorney Michael Aragon coordinated on the 230-page lawsuit with Albuquerque-based attorney Joshua Conaway, whose firm specializes in wrongful death and personal injury cases against large corporations. Also, Conaway said he and his firm have partnered with a New York firm, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, which is behind several similar New York and Ohio suits.

Conaway said Mora County is taking a courageous first step for the state.

This case is about one thing: corporate greed, the nearly 230-page suit starts. It says the drug companies and a group of physicians who have promoted the painkillers have put their desire for profits above the health and well-being of Mora County consumers.

The suit maintains that the companies have violated several laws, including the New Mexico Unfair Trade Practices Act. The companies have known the risks of opioids but instead promote the drugs for long-term use and downplay the risks to expand the market for opioids and realize blockbuster profits, the suit states.

The long list of defendants named in the suit include OxyContin distributor Purdue Pharma, Johnson and Johnson and Percocet distributor Endo Health Solutions.

Former Las Cruces doctor Pawan Kuman Jain, who pleaded guilty in 2016 to unlawfully providing opioids to New Mexico residents, is listed with four others from out of state whom the suit accuses of promoting opioids.

The suit maintains that Mora County residents traveled downstate to get drugs from Jain. When he pleaded guilty to two counts in February 2016, the former neurologist was facing nearly 80 unlawful dispensing charges and about 60 health care fraud charges.

According to the U.S. Attorneys office, Jains charges were connected to four patients deaths. He has not yet been sentenced, according to court documents, but apparently remains in custody.

In recent news reports, some of the opioid manufacturing companies listed in Mora Countys suit have denied wrongdoing and say they advocate for the patients best interest.

Following the filing of a similar lawsuit in Waterbury, Conn., Purdue Pharma said in a Thursday statement to the Hartford Courant: While we vigorously deny the allegations, we share local officials concerns about the opioid crisis and we are committed to working collaboratively to find solutions.

Mora County Commission Chairman Paula Garcia said the countys public health officials met with the commission about Moras disproportionately high overdose rates more than a year ago.

According to the states Department of Health, the countys overdose rate was one of the states highest between 2011 and 2015  47.3 per 100,000 people. Mora County, with about 4,500 residents, had 14 drug overdose deaths in 2015, according to the suit.

The suit also says that in 2015 Mora County had 141 emergency room admissions related to heroin, a drug cited as popular with opioid addicts because its now less expensive and has a similar high.

Garcia said the countys small size leaves it with little resources to combat the opioid crisis on its own. In a rural area like ours, we need to get creative to how were going to respond to this, she said.

In the last few months, Garcia said, county attorney Aragon made the commission aware of legal options, like the lawsuits filed elsewhere, that potentially could curb Mora County opioid abuse by going after the drug makers.

There seems to be an overabundance of these drugs being manufactured, distributed and prescribed, said Garcia. If thats happening and its hurt people in our community, those corporations should be held accountable.

Conaway said damage amounts will be proven in the litigation. The county doesnt have an estimated or desired figure in mind, according to Aragon.

Garcia said if any money is gained, it would go toward prevention, education and treatment programs for what she describes as an all-ages issue hurting her countys future.

I know parents who have had teenagers affected by this epidemic, and its really devastating, said Garcia. We need to be on the forefront of trying to address this problem.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

WASHINGTON  After winning election to the U.S. Senate in 2012, Martin Heinrich was contemplating possible committee assignments when he got a phone call from then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The longtime Nevada Democratic power broker had good news. He planned to grant Heinrich a plum assignment on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The powerful perch would give the freshman Democratic senator from New Mexico immediate influence on an array of issues critical to his state.

But Reid wasnt done. He also notified Heinrich that hed be serving on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence  commonly known as the Senate intel committee  that dwelled in shadowy subject areas in which Heinrich had little experience.

Before I could say anything, he hung up, Heinrich said, recalling the moment with a big belly laugh during a recent Journal interview in his Capitol Hill office.

In the five years since receiving Reids surprise phone call, Heinrich has morphed from national intelligence neophyte into one of the highest-profile members of the Senate committee.

The typically secretive panel was thrust into the national spotlight over the summer as it investigated allegations of collusion between the Russian government and President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign. Throughout the Senate inquiry, few on the panel have garnered as much notice in both traditional and social media for their questioning as the junior senator from New Mexico.

In May, Heinrich was interviewed on multiple cable networks after his grilling of Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe led the law enforcement official to declare that rank-and-file FBI agents had great confidence in James Comey. That testimony contradicted Trump, who had fired Comey as the agencys director weeks before, citing in part poor morale at the FBI.

A month later, mainstream media and social media lit up again when Heinrich questioned a tight-lipped Attorney General Jeff Sessions about possible Russian collusion with the Trump campaign. Exasperated with Sessions evasion, Heinrich accused the former senator from Alabama of impeding this investigation.

The testy exchange prompted Princeton University history professor Kevin M. Kruse to dub Heinrichs strategic questioning the Heinrich maneuver in a Twitter quip that generated almost 500 retweets. Heinrichs high-profile moment in the media glare even had some rank-and-file Democrats, who are searching for their next presidential candidate, tweeting about Heinrich in 2020.

As Congress returns from its August recess on Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee will once again be in the spotlight as its chairman, Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, aims to wrap up the panels work on the Russia inquiry, possibly by years end. Burr told the Journal on Friday that he hopes to make a conclusive report available to the American public as soon as possible.

We continue to go wherever there is intelligence that suggests we need to look, Burr said in a telephone interview. Its my aspirational goal to have everything wrapped up by the end of the year, but thats making a big assumption.

In the Journal interview, Heinrich said he spent his first couple of years on the intelligence committee listening and learning as much as he could about the 17 agencies and offices that make up the U.S. intelligence enterprise.

He first made a splash on the panel in 2014 as it delved into the controversial National Security Agency wiretapping program and raised questions about Americans privacy and civil liberties. But the Russia investigation is where Heinrich seems to have made his mark.

It has been appropriate and necessary to have these hearings in a public setting, whereas usually on intel you need it in a closed setting, Heinrich said, explaining why he thinks his questioning received so much attention. That opened a door that simply wasnt there before. The thing I have learned from watching my colleagues, including people like (Republican) Sen. Lindsay Graham, who is a very effective questioner, and others that are good at that skill, is to not just take a stack of questions your staff gives you and ask those, and spend the first four minutes talking about yourself.

You need to pay attention to what they say in their testimony, pay attention to what they say to other members and ask the questions that you think the public would want to know, he added.

Although some Republicans have grumbled about Heinrich and other intelligence committee Democrats inflating the Russia inquiry into a television drama with the aim of tarnishing Trump, few contacted by the Journal were willing to do so on the record.

Privately, GOP strategists looking ahead to the 2018 election cycle concede they arent sure where the Russia inquiry will end up and say theyd rather not discuss the matter publicly at all until special counsel Robert Mueller and the Senate and House intelligence committees exonerate Trump and his campaign associates.

A spokesman for Mick Rich, a Republican Albuquerque contractor who hopes to secure the GOP nomination and challenge Heinrich for the New Mexico Senate seat in 2018, suggested that the Russia probe isnt important to New Mexicans. A Quinnipiac University Poll released in early June found that while 63 percent of American voters believe Moscow interfered in the 2016 election, nearly two-thirds of respondents to Harvard-Harris Poll said investigations into Trump and Russia are hurting the country.

While Mick Rich crisscrosses New Mexico listening to working peoples concerns about the economy, jobs, and their childrens futures, Martin Heinrich continues his career of political grandstanding on issues that dont affect New Mexicans at all, said Nathan James, Richs campaign spokesman.

Heinrich argues that his work on the intelligence committee is important to the nation and does not diminish the work he does in behalf of New Mexico.

Burr told the Journal that Heinrich, a mechanical engineer by training, is our tech guy on the intelligence committee. The chairman said that the panel is historically nonpartisan and that he hasnt viewed Heinrich as using the panel to score political points during the Russia probe.

He is extremely smart, and having his understanding of  complicated issues (helps), certainly now looking forward, as he is able to distill that in a way that the rest of the members can understand, Burr said. Hes fully engaged; hes a hard worker and is a tremendous asset to the overall committees work.

Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, sits next to Heinrich in Senate intelligence committee hearings. King called the Russia inquiry quite possibly the most important work of my life and said he is proud to share space on the committee dais with Heinrich.

Ive had a chance to work really closely with him, King told the Journal. It may be his engineering background, but he really homes in on the details and asks the right questions. Hes well-prepared, and I have found him to be a really thoughtful, solid, common-sense guy.

For his part, Heinrich said he plans to keep following the facts in the Russia inquiry when Congress reconvenes this week. He said he worries that people underestimate Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he said wants to erase any democratic progress Russia has made since the collapse of the Soviet Union. He called Putin an incredibly aggressive adversary who is willing to disrupt U.S. elections and more to weaken to worlds last superpower.

It would be a mistake to underestimate him as an adversary, Heinrich said. He is willing to blur every line to be more influential in the world. There arent a lot of limits to what Vladimir Putin is willing to do. So as a country, I think just having that conversation in the public and making people realize what is at stake is a very important part of this.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

Fifty years ago this month, the Albuquerque Museum emerged out of a collection in a former Old Town school, a hidden gem wrapped in adobe.

Established in 1967, it moved into the old Albuquerque Municipal Airport, its nexus a confluence of time travel between the old and the new world, between history and art.

Now back in Old Town, the museum is throwing itself a 50th anniversary party on Thursday, Sept. 7. For a day, admission will revert to the original charge of 25 cents.

The museums fledgling collection included the Taos Society of Artists founding member Ernest Blumenscheins masterpiece Star Road and White Sun, 1920, as well as a Union Civil War uniform.

The Albuquerque Historical Society donated its entire collection comprising more than 900 artifacts, works of art, books, photographs and documents to the nascent museum. The Albuquerque Historical Society donated Victorian silk finery transformed into flapper dresses as the styles shifted across the decades.

That same year, the Albuquerque Archaeological Society added a jar from the pre-Columbian Tonque Pueblo in Sandoval County. Rain symbols orbit the circumference.

Today, the museums holdings span 10,000 works of art and 27,000 historic artifacts ranging from pre-Columbian pottery to Georgia OKeeffes Gray Cross With Blue, one of her first works completed after she visited New Mexico in 1929. Its treasures encompass pottery by Maria Martinez as well as examples of abstract expressionism.

Museum director Cathy Wright says plans for the future include an education center featuring interactive exhibits for both children and adults. No timeline or cost projections are available yet.

We have ideas of what we want and need, but we havent done the schematics, she said.

Collection guides on history, the photo archives and art are also in the works.

Making an impact

In 1979, the museum moved into its familiar $1.8 million Old Town building, abutting the old Navajo Freight Building. It was designed by local architect Antoine Predock.

To this day, the treasures keep coming.

In 1983, the 18th Duke of Alburquerque donated a 12-by-12-foot repostero, a tapestry with the Cueva family coat of arms dating to 1620-1640. Woven and embroidered from silk, linen and metallic threads, its borders frame it in war trophies, including helmets, swords and battle axes. A dragon based on a family legend helms its central symbol.

You would hang this in your castle, history curator Deb Slaney said.

Local architect Bainbridge Bunting discovered an extremely rare circa 1850 Navajo serape in an abandoned New York building. Donated to the museum in 1974, curators consider it among the rarest of Classic Period Navajo blankets. It features a center slit for the head to be worn as a poncho.

Drivers and runners regularly pass by one of the museums most compelling sculptures along Mountain Road without even noticing it, curator Andrew Connors said.

Created by Nora Noranjo Morse in 2004, the earthwork Numbe Whageh (Our Center Place), spirals down into the ground.

As you walk through the spiral, you descend into the earth and at the bottom theres a little trickle of water, Connors said.

It is so subtle, he continued. So often we expect great art to shake us by the lapels.

Lasting impressions

Blumenscheins bracing portrait of two defiant Taos Pueblo natives demonstrates a masters use of color.

Blumenschein really knew how to push the paint around, Connors said. Compositionally, its got great symmetry. The subject of the younger Native American and indigenous culture being more in-your-face and sort of eclipsing White Sun is very powerful.

Jack Garvers Cat exemplifies Albuquerques contribution in the 1950s as a vortex of abstract expressionism, a circle that included Raymond Jonson, Richard Diebenkorn and Elaine DeKooning.

(Garver) and his wife Alice were among the most experimental and avant garde, Connors said. Had he been in New York City, he would have been one of the household names. That sense of Albuquerque as a center of innovation is something we still need to pound.

Luis Jimenezs horse and rider Progress I guards the museums back doors in glistening folds of fiberglass muscle.

The artist chose paint more frequently found on low rider cars than on canvas.

He used commercial materials, which is not a designated material for sculptors, Connors said. His work is so aggressive and so in-your-face and so many people hate it because of that. Its made of plastic and glitter, but what better material to tell the story of American progress?

If you go

WHAT: Albuquerque Museum 50th Anniversary

WHEN: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, 25-cent-admission day and cake cutting. Regular hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

WHERE: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW

HOW MUCH: $1-$3. Call 243-7255. Information at albuquerquemuseum.org.
Albuquerque residents should understand the truth about the proposed earned-sick-days ordinance that they will vote on this Oct. 3.

The ordinance is a measured and fairly conservative piece of legislation that is similar to laws passed in many other cities and states. It ensures working people can attend to their medical needs without sacrificing their jobs or pay, while giving employers broad latitude to manage their businesses as they see fit.

It is regrettable that, in their efforts to derail the ordinance, its opponents have been disseminating inaccurate information about the laws legal requirements.

As a lawyer and law professor who regularly works and teaches in the area of employment law, I am troubled by the idea that voters might be misled by misrepresentations about the ordinance.

Many people are surprised when they learn that right now in Albuquerque, when a pregnant woman goes to a prenatal appointment during work hours, an employer can legally cut her pay.

Workers who suffer from cancer, diabetes or other chronic illnesses can also have their wages reduced because they receive health care during work hours. If your elderly mother breaks her hip, or your child has a fever, your employer can cut your pay for taking time off to care for them.

The proposed Healthy Workforce Ordinance closes the sick-leave loophole. It allows all Albuquerque employees to earn the sick leave that most employers already provide: one hour of sick leave earned for every 30 hours worked, with a maximum of five days for employees of small businesses and seven days for employees of larger businesses. Employees can use leave for their own medical needs or those of family members and to escape domestic violence situations.

Employers do not have to allow employees to take sick leave until they have worked in a job for at least three months and do not have to pay out sick leave when employees leave a job.

Employers are permitted to ask employees for advance notice before they use sick leave and for medical proof justifying the absence after two days of leave. They may discipline or terminate employees who take sick leave for a non-covered reason.

The proposed ordinance has no impact on more generous policies. For example, some employers dont require employees to accrue leave; they just provide a set amount of sick leave per year. Others offer broad paid time-off policies that let employees take time off for illnesses, vacation time or any other reason. Under the ordinance, these plans would not have to change at all. Employers may track sick leave in whatever record-keeping format they choose, and they do not have to track sick time separately from other forms of paid time off in their records.

The ordinance contains a straightforward no-retaliation provision, so that workers who take earned sick leave do not experience pay cuts, demotions, or other negative consequences.

There is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation, which means an employer must provide a cause for termination or other disciplinary action if it happens within 90 days after an employee uses sick time.

Employers already do this for unemployment insurance purposes. However, this does not limit an employers right to discipline, lay off or fire an employee for reasons that have nothing to do with sick time. Under the ordinance, employers are free to take any lawful personnel action, for any reason, as long as it is not punishment for taking sick days.

Finally, the ordinance permits the City Council to amend the law to improve its implementation and enforcement, as long as they do not reduce the laws protections.

There has been a great deal of misinformation about the contents of this ordinance, but the solution is simple: Every voter should read the ordinance and then vote based on the facts.
WASHINGTON  Hurricane Harvey has devastated Texas. Now board your windows, evacuate the low ground and watch the damage it is poised to unleash on the nations finances.

Harvey makes landfall in Washington as soon as this week, when President Trump is expected to ask for what could be tens of billions of dollars in storm relief. And paying for storm recovery will be but the first blow to fiscal discipline in what looks to be a particularly active, and calamitous, spending season.

After Harvey comes the debt ceiling, and there are rumblings that the vote to raise the limit could actually be used to increase spending. In the past, such votes were used by fiscal hawks to cut spending. At the same time come negotiations to fund the government for fiscal year 2018, and indications are that lawmakers will try to avoid a shutdown with a short-term spending deal that will include a Pentagon slush fund worth tens of billions of dollars.

Then, still forming over the Treasury Department is a fiscal Category 4: Trump and Republicans have given clear signs they are moving away from tax reform  a simplification of the tax code that doesnt necessarily reduce revenue  toward all-out tax cuts, financed by deficit spending.

Trump, who came to power promising to eliminate the $20 trillion debt, or at least to cut it in half, is poised to oversee an exponential increase in that debt. Republicans, who came to power with demands that Washington tackle the debt problem, could wind up doing at least as much damage to the nations finances as the Democrats did.

Rising are the floodwaters of hypocrisy. Surging is the tide of amnesia. Blowing are the gales of profligacy.

If the red ink rises according to worst-case forecasts, were talking additions to the debt in the trillions, Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, tells me. All from actions to be taken in the next few months. It turns out the Republican-run Congress is not willing to make the hard choices, she says. It is a fiscal free-lunch mentality on all sides.

Trump, announcing his tax-reform plan in a speech Wednesday afternoon in Missouri, left little doubt that hed ditch tax reform for tax cuts. He dutifully read out his principles from the teleprompter  which he uses when giving a speech somebody else wants him to give  but made clear that he isnt expecting Democratic cooperation. We must lower our taxes, and your senator, (Democrat) Claire McCaskill, she must do this for you, Trump said. And if she doesnt do it for you, you have to vote her out of office. Democrats, Trump said, are looking to obstruct tax cuts and tax reform, just like they obstructed so many other things.

There is no way to pass a comprehensive tax-reform plan of the sort Ronald Reagan secured  a simplified code, lower rates, closed loopholes  without bipartisan support. And Democrats want tax reform that doesnt add to the deficit and doesnt benefit the wealthiest 1 percent of households.

Trumps partisan speech confirms other indications that his administration has essentially abandoned tax reform in favor of cuts. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and chief economic adviser Gary Cohn have not been reaching out to Democrats, party leaders complain. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated he plans to use the same reconciliation resolution he used on the failed attempt to repeal Obamacare to allow for a party-line vote on a tax cut. That process would nominally prevent Republicans from ballooning the deficit  but they could avoid such concerns by using the well-worn gimmick of having the tax cut expire before 10 years.

Of course, if Trump and Republican leaders were to come right out with a pure tax cut that would add trillions to the debt, the blatant hypocrisy might swamp the effort. But what if that were to come after months in which other, smaller storms had already saturated the ground and weakened the roots of fiscal responsibility?

First, a Harvey recovery bill without the spending offsets so many Republicans demanded of previous bills. Then, a debt-limit increase, possibly secured with promises to spend more money on defense, which would buy GOP votes, and domestic priorities, for Democratic votes. Next, a spending deal that busts previously agreed budget caps by allowing an extra $70 billion or so for an Overseas Contingency Operations slush fund. Eventually, a reckless tax cut doesnt seem so crazy  particularly with midterm elections looming and no accomplishments to show.

When it rains, it pours.

Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @Milbank. E-mail: danamilbank@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group.
SAN DIEGO  Now that President Trump has pardoned Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Arizonas Maricopa County, many Latinos are feeling enraged. And a lot of white liberals  in the media, academia and politics  are, as usual, acting morally superior.

But those who have shrugged off the seriousness of illegal immigration  and, in some cases, wont even use the term illegal immigrant  are in no position to lecture the rest of us on the sanctity of the rule of law.

Especially if theyre going to sound like fools in the process.

Donald Trump is a racist, and hes pardoning another racist, said Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona during an appearance on MSNBC.

That was simple. And here I thought politics was complicated.

The Arpaio pardon is basically a big middle finger to America. A loud, proud declaration that this administration supports racism, tweeted Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

A comment that preachy makes me want to head over to Murphys Senate office and count all the black and brown faces.

Im an O.N.T.  Original Never Trumper  who disagrees with the pardon and would have liked for the 85-year-old lawman to be given 1,000 hours of community service in lieu of jail time.

But I still think Trumps critics could stand to be less sanctimonious and a little more thoughtful.

Not much thought went into what Republican Sen. John McCain said in a statement criticizing Arpaio for continuing to illegally profile Latinos living in Arizona based on their perceived immigration status.

This is the same Arizona senator who, in a desperate bid for re-election in 2010, lent his support to the states racist immigration law. That abomination all but required local law enforcement officials like Arpaio to  as McCain so eloquently put it  illegally profile Latinos living in Arizona based on their perceived immigration status.

Ive known Arpaio for 20 years. I met him when I was a reporter and metro columnist at The Arizona Republic. Back then, we agreed that local police should not enforce federal immigration law. For Arpaio, this was an unfunded mandate that used up resources, and he wanted no part of it.

I went on to graduate school, and worked for two other newspapers. Arpaio  who was, by then, already a publicity addict  went on to discover that rounding up illegal immigrants could get him on the national news. You know the rest.

I last saw him in October, a few weeks before the election. We were both speaking at a business conference in Bakersfield, Calif. I asked him what he made of the fact that he had been prosecuted by the same folks with whom hed been in business.

Its politics, he said. Its all bull-.

I wont defend Arpaio. But why isnt the anti-Trump lynch mob eager to go after his longtime accomplices who got away with the loot?

The former sheriffs deputies rounded up thousands of illegal immigrants over several years but they didnt deport a single one. They didnt have the power. Instead, they handed them over to the most efficient deportation machine in U.S. history: The Obama administration.

Obama and Co. let Arpaio participate in the federal 287(g) program, which used local police agencies to enforce U.S. immigration law. Eventually, they made a feeble attempt to rein him in. But he outsmarted them by continuing to apprehend the undocumented, hand them to the feds, and dare them to refuse to take custody.

The administration accepted the detainees, deported them, and added them to the official tally. Those were the numbers that tough-talking Janet Napolitano, former homeland security secretary, bragged about when testifying before Congress.

By the way, Napolitano  who was a former governor of Arizona  also had a cozy relationship with Arpaio. At one point, the popular Republican sheriff endorsed the Democrat. That was payback. In 1997, while serving as U.S. attorney for Arizona, Napolitano undercut her boss, Attorney General Janet Reno, who had filed a lawsuit against Arpaio for allegedly violating the rights of prisoners in his jail. Napolitano  who had political ambitions  joined Arpaio at a news conference and declared the lawsuit a technicality and little more than a lawyers paper.

Retelling these stories keeps us honest. It also teaches us a few things. Like this: Sometimes the folks you think are your friends arent even close. And this: The immigration debate isnt black-and-white but gray. And most of all, this: Dragons dont just sprout up one day in the desert and thrive for years unless theyre fed and cared for, by all sorts of people with all kinds of motives.

E-mail: ruben@rubennavarrette.com. Copyright, The Washington Post Writers Group.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The Supreme Court today asked the Bombay High Court to decide within two months the pleas challenging the validity of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) which are pending there.

It also asked the other high courts where pleas have been filed by builders and others challenging the provisions of the RERA, to await the decision of the Bombay High Court before deciding the cases.

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A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M M Shantanagoudar made the observations while hearing a plea filed by the Centre seeking transfer of all the petitions challenging the provisions of the RERA pending in different high courts to either the apex court or one of the high courts.

"We feel it would be appropriate to direct the Bombay High Court to take up the matter along with other connected matters pending there... Let a considered decision on this plea be taken as expeditiously as possible. Let the process be expedited and decision be rendered within two months," it said.

The top court requested the chief justice of the high court to constitute an appropriate bench to hear these cases.

It said "in order to avoid conflict of decisions", the other high courts would await the decision of the Bombay High Court.

During the hearing, Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal told the bench that several builders and other petitioners have approached the high courts of Bombay, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh challenging the provisions of the RERA.

He said the petitions also related to the provision regarding registration of ongoing projects in which the builders take advance money from the buyers.

When the bench initially suggested that it could ask one of the high courts to deal with all these matters, Venugopal said these petitions could also be heard by the apex court.

The bench was also told by an advocate appearing for one of the parties that the first plea on this issue was filed in the Bombay High Court and it could be asked to decide the matter expeditiously.

The government had earlier mentioned the matter before a bench headed by the chief justice and said that various pleas challenging the validity of the real estate law were pending before the high courts across the country.

The RERA came into effect on May 1, a year after it was passed by both the Houses of Parliament. The validity of this Act has been challenged in various high courts by several petitioners, including builders and promoters of real estate firms.

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Recently, the Bombay High Court had asked the Centre and the state to file their response on the petitions challenging various provisions of the Act.

According to the Act, developers, projects and agents had to till July 31 mandatorily register their projects with the real estate regulatory authority. Any unregistered project would be deemed to be unauthorised by the regulator.

Under the RERA, each state and Union territory will have its own regulatory authority (RA) to frame rules and regulations under the Act.

The RERA covers both new project launches and the on- going projects which have not been completed or the occupation certificate not received.

It makes it obligatory on the part of the builders not to book, sell or offer for sale, or invite people to purchase any plot, apartment or building in any real estate project without registering the project with the authority. PTI ABA MNL SJK RKS SC

--- ENDS ---
SEOUL, South Korea  South Korean warships conducted live-fire exercises at sea Tuesday as Seoul continued its displays of military capability following U.S. warnings of a massive military response after North Korea detonated its largest-ever nuclear test explosion.

South Koreas presidential office also said Washington and Seoul have agreed to remove bilaterally agreed warhead restrictions on South Korean missiles, which would allow the South to develop more powerful weapons that would boost its pre-emptive strike capabilities against the North.

The Souths military exercises on Monday involved F-15 fighter jets and land-based ballistic missiles simulating an attack on North Koreas nuclear test site to strongly warn Pyongyang over the recent detonation.

The heated words from the United States and the military maneuvers in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Koreas rapid, as-yet unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike the United States. The most recent, and perhaps most dramatic, advance came Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong Uns government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the Norths sixth nuclear test since 2006.

The U.N. Security Council held its second emergency meeting about North Korea in a week on Monday, with U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley saying the Norths actions show that Kim is begging for war, and the time has come for the Security Council to adopt the strongest diplomatic measures.

Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We dont want it now. But our countrys patience is not unlimited, Haley said.

South Korea has been seeking to obtain more powerful missiles while it pursues a so-called kill chain pre-emptive strike capability to cope with North Koreas growing nuclear and missile threat.

Since the late 1970s, South Korean missile developments have been limited by a bilateral guideline between the U.S. and South, and it was updated in 2012 to allow the South to increase the range of its weapons from 500 kilometers (310 miles) to 800 kilometers (497 miles).

The agreement revealed Tuesday removes the 500-kilogram (1,100 pound) warhead limit on South Koreas maximum-range missiles, which would free the South to develop more powerful weapons potentially targeting the Norths underground facilities and shelters.

In addition to expanding its missile arsenal, South Korea is also strengthening its missile defense, which includes the high-tech Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery currently deployed in the southeastern county of Seongju.

On Tuesday, a 2,500-ton frigate, a 1000-ton patrol ship and 400-ton guided-missile vessels participated in drills off the eastern coast aimed at retaliating against potential North Korean provocations, the Defense Ministry said. The ministry said more naval drills are planned from Wednesday to Saturday in the countrys southern seas.

The ministry said on Monday that North Korea appeared to be planning a future missile launch, possibly of an ICBM, to show off its claimed ability to target the United States with nuclear weapons, though it was unclear when such a launch might happen. Ministry official Chang Kyung-soo told lawmakers that it was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test but didnt provide details about how officials had reached that assessment. Chang also said the yield from the latest nuclear detonation appeared to be about 50 kilotons, which would mark a significant increase from North Koreas past nuclear tests.

Each new North Korean missile and nuclear test gives the countrys scientists invaluable information that allows big jumps in capability. North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

Both diplomacy and severe sanctions have failed to check the Norths decades-long march to nuclear mastery.

President Donald Trump, asked in Washington if he would attack North Korea, said, Well see. No U.S. military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

Trump in tweets earlier had threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with North Korea, a clear warning to its patron and closest ally, China. Such a move would be radical since the U.S. imports about $40 billion in goods a month from China. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China regarded as unacceptable a situation in which on the one hand we work to resolve this issue peacefully but on the other hand our own interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardized. This is neither objective nor fair.

In brief remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters that America does not seek the total annihilation of North Korea, but then added somberly, We have many options to do so.

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that Kim should know Washingtons commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

Sundays detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target U.S. cities.

North Korea has made a stunning jump in progress in its nuclear and missile programs since Kim rose to power following his fathers death in late 2011. The North followed its two tests of Hwasong-14 ICBMs, which, when perfected, could target large parts of the United States, by threatening to launch a salvo of Hwasong-12 intermediate range missiles toward the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam in August.

It flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile potentially capable of carrying nuclear weapons, in a launch Kim described as a meaningful prelude to containing Guam, the home of major U.S. military facilities, and vowed to launch more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Koreas accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the U.S. as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Trumps jab at South Korea when he tweeted that Seoul is finding that its talk of appeasement will not work. The North Koreans, he added, only understand one thing, implying military force might be required. The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

___

Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Catherine Lucey in Washington and Youkyung Lee in Seoul contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Sanctions on North Korea have been tried, and failed. Serious negotiations seem like a pipedream. And any military strike would almost surely bring mass devastation and horrific civilian casualties.

The Trump administrations options are going from bad to worse as Kim Jong Uns military marches ever closer to being able to strike the U.S. mainland with nuclear weapons. Just as President Donald Trump seeks to show global resolve after the Norths most powerful nuclear test, his leverage is limited even further by new tensions hes stoked with South Korea, plus continued opposition from China and Russia.

With South Korea, the country most directly threatened, Trump has taken the unusual step of highlighting disagreements between the U.S. and its treaty ally, including by floating the possibility he could pull out of a trade deal with South Korea to protest trade imbalances. He also suggested on Twitter the two countries lacked unanimity on North Korea, faulting new South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has been more conciliatory to the North, for his governments talk of appeasement.

Its an inopportune time for grievances to be aired, and on Monday the two leaders sought to show they were confronting North Korea together  and with might. The White House said that in a phone call with Moon, Trump gave approval in principle to lifting restrictions on South Korean missile payloads and to approving many billions in weapons sales to South Korea. Though no details were released, the idea was to show the countries were collaborating to bolster defenses against Kims government.

He is begging for war, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said of the North Korean leader Monday at the U.N. Security Council, where diplomats were called into emergency session despite the Labor Day holiday in the U.S.

Haley called for exhausting all diplomatic means to end this crisis. But to those who tried and failed over a decade-plus to resolve it, there appear to be few such means that havent already been tried  and tried again.

What has changed is the sense of urgency, and the growing view among national security analysts that it may be time to abandon denuclearization and accept North Korea into the nuclear club. The North claimed Sundays test, its sixth since 2006, was a hydrogen bomb designed to be mounted on its new intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Short of allowing Pyongyangs weapons programs to advance, Trumps options all appear to variations on whats been considered before:

THE MILITARY OPTION

The U.S. military for years has had a full range of contingency plans prepared for potential strikes on the North to try to disrupt its nuclear program or dissuade it from developing further. On Sunday, Trump dispatched Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to warn of a massive military response if the North keeps threatening the U.S., while Trump hinted in a call with Japans leader that the U.S. could even deploy its own nuclear arsenal.

But over the years, the military options have consistently been viewed as unworkable, owing to the sheer horror that would ensue if North Korea retaliated  as would be expected  by striking South Korea. The North Koreans have massive military assets stockpiled on what is the worlds most heavily fortified border.

The U.S. has roughly 28,000 troops in South Korea, and there are hundreds of thousands more American citizens just in Seoul, the capital, with a metro area population of 25 million. Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said if war broke out, there would be heavy civilian casualties in the first few days before the U.S. could mitigate the Norths ability to strike Seoul.

TRADE SHUTDOWN

Trump on Saturday declared on Twitter that the U.S. was considering stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea. That would be a dramatic escalation of the longstanding U.S. strategy: increasing economic pressure on North Korea by restricting its access to funds needed for its weapons programs.

But many countries do business with North Korea  especially China, a top U.S. trading partner and economic behemoth. Cutting off trade with China, not to mention the others, would devastate the U.S. economy and be incredibly difficult to enforce. Countless American businesses would be shuttered or hard hit, eliminating jobs along with them.

SANCTIONS AND ISOLATION

A total trade shutdown aside, the U.S. has worked for years to squeeze Pyongyang financially and encouraged others to do the same  especially China. In a diplomatic victory for the Trump administration, the U.N. last month approved sweeping new sanctions targeting roughly one-third of the Norths economy, with Chinas support.

But the latest nuclear test and recent missile tests suggest Kim is undeterred by those sanctions. And theres strong reluctance from countries including China and Russia, both permanent Security Council members, to do more sanctioning.

Advocates for more sanctions say theres still room to up the pressure. Anthony Ruggiero, a sanctions expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the next logical step is for the U.S. to impose secondary sanctions targeting banks or businesses in China that do business with North Korea, a tactic the U.S. used effectively to push Iran to the table over its nuclear program several years ago.

The chance for sanctions to work is that playbook, Ruggiero said.

DIPLOMATIC TALKS

China, backed by Russia, has been urging an immediate return to talks, predicated on the U.S. halting joint military exercises with South Korea and the North suspending its weapons development. But few in the U.S. government have advocated direct talks with the North Koreans until their behavior significantly changes. In the past, talks with the North have failed to prevent it from advancing its weapons program for long, and the U.S. has accused Pyongyang of cheating on an earlier agreement.

The Trump administration has left the door open to talks with the North, and has tried to coax Kim into abstaining from provocative tests long enough to justify a U.S. return to the table. So far, that coaxing hasnt worked.

__

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Hurricane Irma reached Category 4 status Sunday with winds reaching 130 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.

Additional strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours.

South Florida was added to the five-day forecast cone and could start to feel tropical storm force winds as soon as Friday evening, the center said.

Most forecast models now have most of Florida affected by the hurricane.

Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency throughout the state.

Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared, Scott said. In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared.

Warnings were posted for several islands in the eastern Caribbean Monday morning when Irma was a Category 3 hurricane.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect for a long list of islands, including the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Martin and Nevis.

Meanwhile, South Floridians started emptying store shelves in early preparation for Irma. Shelves usually brimming with water bottles were bare at several stores Sunday afternoon.

Were really preparing because it seems like its going to be heading our way, said Kimberly Antequara, of Pompano Beach, as she loaded a 5-gallon water jug into her cart at a store in Parkland. She said it was the first time shes bought supplies for a hurricane despite being from the area.

Irma was still days away from the eastern edge of the Caribbean, and its potential impact there is uncertain.

Tropical storm-force winds could arrive in the eastern Caribbean late Tuesday and in the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by early Wednesday.

Irma could arrive as a dangerous major hurricane in the Bahamas and Cuba later this week, the hurricane center said. Irma is expected to remain a Category 4 hurricane over the next five days.



(Susannah Bryan contributed to this report.)



2017 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
Recognized as one of the greatest actors of our times, Robert De Niro needs no introduction. Benjamin Millepied, on the other hand, has spent most of his life outside the Hollywood spotlight. After a successful career dancing in some of the worlds most prestigious ballets, he founded the LA Dance Project and was the Director of Dance at the Paris Opera Ballet. Millepied also received international acclaim for his choreography in The Black Swan. He also had a leading role in the film, playing the Prince opposite Natalie Portmans Swan. Like McCaul Lombardi, protagonist of the first Defining Moments campaign, Millepied and De Niro possess an affinity that transcends age and heritage. Although the men represent two different generations, both share a love for New York, a natural penchant for elegance and an inner strength that permeates their characters. Together in the city that never sleeps, Alessandro Sartori, Artistic Director for Ermenegildo Zegna, and film-maker Francesco Carrozzini initiated a dialogue with De Niro and Millepied. The two performers share their passions, values and moments that are now seen as milestones De Niro and Millepied engage in an intimate conversation about life, artistic expression and unique defining moments. De Niro discusses his love for a city unlike any other; a city where freedom reigns and dreams are realized. Millepied naturally concurs. He came to New York to follow his dreams and is still struck by its rich culture and vibrant sense of opportunity. Amid an insightful interplay of ideas and experiences, De Niro and Millepied contemplate the demands of their respective trades, the marked differences between them and the power of creative spontaneity. Along with this second phase of the global campaign, the Defining Moments platform on zegna.com will feature conversations from successful individuals of different ages, cultural backgrounds, from different parts of the world.
Agro Global Resources is bullish on carving out a niche for its recently launched Wagga Wagga brand of cooking oil. Wagga Wagga gets its name from the Wagga Wagga region in Australia, from where the cooking oils are sourced and brought to India.

The brand is launching in India with four variants  Wagga Wagga Diabetes Care, Wagga Wagga Heart care, Wagga Wagga Sautes & Salads and Wagga Wagga Superfry. Wagga Wagga has forayed in the Indian market with their Diabetes care variant first and recently rolled out their ad campaign, conceptualised by DDB Mudra West.

To establish the origins of the product, the brand is personified through the character of Lucy Kaur  an Australian by birth and an Indian by heart. She is married to a Sikh man and is determined to win the hearts of her new Indian family. The opening film takes the viewers through Lucys introduction to her new family, where she undergoes a series of disapproving confrontations until the day she cooks aloo tikki (potato patty), her father-in-laws favourite dish. The subsequent films seek to establish Wagga Wagga Diabetes Care oil as a tasty way to control Diabetes.

Watch the Wagga Wagga ads:



Entering a market that already has several established players, strong regional flavour preferences and also a growing use of healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, Wagga Wagga has a lot of ground to cover.

However, Sujay Naik, Project Director, Agro Global Resource, believes there is an equity association with bigger brands in the edible oil segment and people associate the brand with wellness and health and that is the space the company wants to be in. Wagga Wagga is 100 per cent natural and pure; the company claims it to be free of any chemicals, pollution and GM.

He further said, With a brand name like Wagga Wagga Diabetes Care Oil, you pretty much get the idea what the product is all about. This makes life simple for the consumer  but for the marketer is also a challenge. We didnt want the brand to come across as medicinal or being exclusively for the diabetic patients. We didnt want it to be preachy or prescriptive. Plus, the brand and product have multiple differentiators and we wanted to do justice to all of them without diluting the core proposition. According to him, the biggest challenge is creating communication which consumers will actually register, rather than the paint-by-the-numbers approach which is so prevalent, and so happily ignored by consumers.

Speaking about the distribution strategy planned out for the brand, Naik informed that the focus is only on modern trade during the initial launch plan, with the brand being available at Reliance Store, Big Bazaar, Hypercity and other hypermarkets. Wagga Wagga is already present in over 150 outlets across India and is expected to be available at 2,500 retail outlets soon. The company at present is metro focused as it is easier to distribute the product in these areas.

Wagga Wagga has not taken on board a celebrity as a brand ambassador as Naik feels that instant recognition often tends to be for the celebrity and not the product. We are selling a distinctive premium product and not just another me-too product, where we need a celebrity to create distinction for the product. Our products are distinctive enough on their own, he affirmed.

The ad communication for Wagga Wagga has been digital first and the initial digital campaigns were created by the Delhi team of Indigo Leo Burnett. The TV campaigns were shown to the digital team, who was asked to create communication along similar lines The communication will be supported by radio campaigns, which will be launched after a few weeks. The brand is already leveraging print to reach out to its TG, although the company does not want to take the outdoor advertising yet. Wagga Wagga wants its adex to match up to brands like Sundrop and Saffola in the next 12 months.
All Nokia smartphones from HMD Global will receive an update to Android 8.0 Oreo, the companys Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas confirmed on Saturday. While responding to one fan of the brand on Twitter, Mr. Sarvikas said that the Finnish firm is planning on bringing the latest version of Googles mobile operating system to every one of its devices, including the entry-level Nokia 3. His assurance is in line with Nokias previous comments on the matter, with the tech giant repeatedly stating that its new product portfolio will receive timely software upgrades, both in terms of major OS revisions and Googles monthly security patches. The firm was even specifically listed as one of 11 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who partnered with the Alphabet-owned company to bring Oreo to their existing devices.

Mr. Sarvikas said that no specific release windows for Android 8.0 Oreo on HMD Globals new Nokia devices have yet been determined but simply suggested that more information on the matter will follow soon. The upcoming Nokia 8 flagship is likely to be the first to receive the new OS shortly after hitting the market later this month, though the mid-range Nokia 6 shouldnt be far behind it. The Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 have now also been confirmed as slated to receive Android 8.0 Oreo, and the same will presumably also hold true for the Nokia 2, a rumored entry-level device from the Finnish phone vendor, as implied by Mr. Sarvikas statement.

HMD Globals Nokia devices all run a near-stock version of Android Nougat out of the box, with the company previously revealing it was working on a custom interface but ultimately scrapped it after concluding it wasnt able to add more objective value to Googles vanilla OS. That state of affairs should allow the tech giant to optimize new software updates for its devices in a swifter manner compared to its competitors whose offerings boast heavier proprietary skins, consequently allowing HMD Global to push out new software packages for its smartphones in a timely fashion. The company is currently competing across all price segments and may introduce at least one more product before the end of the year.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sept 4 (PTI) After a three-day visit of the strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir, a groups of eminent citizens, led by ex-minister Yashwant Sinha has concluded that the sense of "dismay and despondency" had grown among the people and the situation was "much worse" than their previous visits.

In a release, the Concerned Citizens Group (CCG) has said that during its visit to the state on August 17-19, they met with some representatives of prominent political parties, office-bearers of the J&K Bar Association, civil society members from Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, and Kupwara in North Kashmir.

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They also met with college students.

The report of the CCG, comprising Sinha, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Kapil Kak, Sushobha Barve (Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation) and journalist Bharat Bhushan was released today.

"The most disquieting conclusion of the interactions this time around was that as compared to the previous visits, the sense of dismay and despondency in the people had grown," the group said.

They said the proximate reasons for this not only seemed to be the "lack" of dialogue with the Kashmiris but also because tourism had plummeted, hotel business was in dire straits, there was flight of capital and an overall economic downturn leading to greater unemployment and economic distress.

The CCG had visited the Valley several times during the unrest last year.

"The situation (this time around) was much worse than the previous two years," the release said quoting the third report of the Concerned Citizens Group (CCG).

Sinha, a BJP veteran leader, was the Minister for Finance and External Affairs in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

The group said the distance between rest of India and the Kashmiri youths seems to have "increased". This was evident in the fact that even the people who used to talk reasonably earlier were using "the language of the militants and separatists this time".

"People complained not only of the military approach to the problem of Kashmir, but also of a judicial/Constitutional aggression against the people of Kashmir in attempts to undo Article 35A of the Indian Constitution which ensured special rights for the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

The CCG said the only saving grace was that in personal discussions prominent members of civil society continued to use cautious and measured language which suggested that there was still a constituency for peace.

It said this also suggested that societal leaders were willing to make an effort to end the violence and ensure a peaceful atmosphere so that a dialogue could begin to address their issues in less emotionally charged manner.

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"This was very encouraging as was the positive response of the people to the Prime Ministers message on Independence Day-- that Kashmiris need a hug and not abuse or bullets. People said that they were waiting for the operationalisation of PMs message and hoped that this would happen soon," the group said in the release.

It said there was all round opposition to "attempts to revoke" Article 35A of the Constitution of India.

The "judicial raking" of the Article 35A issue seems to have pushed the demand for "Azadi" to the background (it has, however, neither disappeared nor become secondary, only less urgent) as people see the attempts to change rules for special rights of people of J&K as an existential threat and of changing the Valleys demographic profile, it said.

"People believe that revoking Article 35A can potentially lead to a demographic change in the state as outsiders are facilitated to buy land and property in the state. This was completely unacceptable to them.

"The simmering anger also stemmed from the belief that the central government was a passive collaborator in the petitions filed before the Supreme Court of India," it said.

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The group said this belief was strengthened not because of the statements from the ruling party in New Delhi and its frontal organisations but the Centres attitude itself.

"So Kashmiris openly alleged that the judicial attack on Jammu and Kashmirs special status was being stage-managed by the central government," it said.

The Supreme Court had last month asked for a response from the Centre to a writ petition filed by an NGO seeking that Article 35A be struck down.

The petition said the state government, under the guise of Article 35A and Article 370, which grant special status to the state, has been discriminating against non-residents who are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job or voting in the local elections.

Article 35A was added to the Constitution by a Presidential order in 1954.

Article 370 grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir while Article 35A empowers the state legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state and their special rights and privileges. PTI ACB TIR

--- ENDS ---
Herbert Smith Freehills celebrates important milestone

The Perth office of Herbert Smith Freehills celebrated the 20th anniversary of the biggest merger of law firms in Western Australias history on Friday (1st September).



The Perth office of Freehill Hollingdale and Page merged with local firm Parker and Parker merged on 1 September 1997. Both firms had over 100 years of history and joined together just as Western Australia was expanding.



The merger was a significant event in the Perth legal landscape: it created a substantial, world-class local firm, that was able to work with Western Australian companies as they internationalised their operations, as well as work with international companies that were increasingly looking to do business in Western Australia, said HSF regional managing partner for Australia and Asia Sue Gilchrist.



The merged firm formally became part of Australian Freehills in 2000, and then the global partnership Herbert Smith Freehills in 2012. Today, the Perth office is the largest among law firms in WA.



NewLaw firm launches lawyer secondment service

Lawyers on Demand (LOD) has launched a new product enabling law firms to use its lawyers for client secondment.



The law firm gets to maintain and strengthen their client relationships whilst keeping their teams fully resourced, explains LOD co-founder, Jonathan Brenner. Law firms can either use their own alumni, existing LOD lawyers or a combination of the two.



The firm expanded last year through a merger with AdventBalance in Asia Pacific and now has four Australian offices along with Singapore, Hong Kong, New York and London.



LOD has announced further expansion, with a Dubai office opening soon.



International firm completes merger

The merger of international law firm Kennedys with UK-based Berg has been completed.



Berg was formed in 1980 by eponymous senior partner Reuben Berg, who will join Kennedys as partner along with former CEO Alison Loveday and their team.



The merger doubles the size of Kennedys UK commercial practice.



The firm recently expanded in Australia with a new Melbourne office, and also completed a merger with US firm Carroll McNulty and Kull to create a global insurance practice.
AMG

Enter the G63 Exclusive Edition and G65 Exclusive Edition, two behemoths that ooze with opulence. First of all, lets talk pricing . The G63 in special attire retails at 163,125. As for the G65, prepare to pony up a whopping 287,658!Factually speaking, the 2018 Mercedes-G65 Exclusive Edition is the third most expensive three-pointed star after the Project One hypercar and G65-based Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet . Setting the limited-run models apart from the regular counterparts are 21-inch twin-spoke alloy wheel beautified by a matte black finish. Side rub strips with carbon fiber-inspired inserts are optionally available, as are different wheel designs of the same size.The visual trait that grabs the most attention is, without a shadow of a doubt, the exclusive exterior color. Called AMG monza grey magno, the matte paint is complemented by the two-tone leather interior thats furthered by carbon fiber or piano lacquer trim. Red seatbelts, leather on the grab handles, and an AMG steering wheel are on the menu too, as is a genuinely monstrous engine. G65 Exclusive Edition customers are in for a twin-turbo V12. Displacing 6.0 liters and force fed by two turbochargers, the range-topping plant develops 630 PS (621 horsepower) and 1,000 Nm (738 pound-feet) from 2,300 to 4,300 rpm. The lesser model isnt exactly a slouch either, with the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 rated at 571 PS (563 hp) and 760 Nm (561 lb-ft) between 1,750 and 5,250 rpm.With more than 300,000 examples manufactured by Magna Steyr in Austria since 1978, the G-Class prepares to welcome an all-new member in 2018. Codenamed W464, the newcomer is wider, longer, and teaming with the latest technology. And full-LED headlights, for a change.
Three @ScuderiaFerrari drivers at the wheel of three #GiuliaQuadrifoglio: enjoy the thrilling drive of Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi at #AlfaRomeos Proving Ground. Who will be the best? #LaMeccanicaDelleEmozioni #Seb5 #Kimi7 A post shared by Alfa Romeo (@alfaromeoofficial) on Sep 2, 2017 at 9:13am PDT

In stark contrast to the cheerful Daniel Ricciardo, youll be hard pressed to make Kimi Bwoah Raikkonen smile, even on the top step of the podium. The incredible has happened, though, with Alfa Romeo managing to steal a smile from the Finn. With the V6-powered Giulia Quadrifoglio super sedan , that is.In a bid to make people remember theres a BMW M3 rival called Giulia Quadrifoglio on sale at an Alfa Romeo dealership near you, the Italian automaker brought three examples of the 510-horsepower brawler and three Formula 1 racing drivers at the Centro Sperimentale Balocco proving ground.Other than Kimi, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel appears to enjoy hooning the Giulia Quadrifoglio like a man on a mission. Scuderia Ferrari test driver Antonio Giovinazzi is in the third vehicle, and the youngsters face reflects the emotions imbued by the ultimate Giulia variant into Kimi and Seb.Speaking of emotions, the ad ends with the message emotions always win. Im afraid the marketing team shouldve thought of a different copy, for Ferrari lost to Mercedes at its home grand prix in Monza this past weekend and the Giulia Quadrifoglio still struggles to duke it out with the BMW M3. Not in regard to out-and-out performance, but in terms of reliability and sales On a related note to the subject, Sergio Marchionne suggested a number of times that Alfa Romeo is eyeing a return to Formula 1. Imagined as a team fit for young and talented drivers , nothing is official as of yet, not even the Sauber-Alfa Romeo tie-up talk. As for Maserati, Marchionne suggested the FCA-owned automaker could enter Formula E at some point in the future.
AMG

That's because this Green Hell adventure sees a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the PDK kind, playing with a Mercedes-GT R.This stunt is all about a Rennsport Neunelfer, which was cast in the role of a camera car, chasing the meanest machine Affalterbach currently has to offer.For the record, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the kind of car that can lap the Ring in 7:20. As for the Mercedes-AMG GT R, the V8 monster managed to get round the Nordschleife in 7:10, albeit with the time having been delivered during a Sport Auto test - this means that the official Ring number of the GT R could be even sweeter.Note that the track configuration used for this battle is the Brige To Gantry layout, which means that, unlike in the case of the laps mentioned above, the main straight is missing.The driver of the Zuffenhausen machine, which is the one who shared the adventure on YouTube, delivered his take on the shenanigan."Quick race on a half Nurburgring lap, he was on my rear from the beginning and I let him pass to see how this beautiful car works and yeah it works well! Lap time in 7.33 btg with big traffic and yellow flag at the beginning of the track,"Now, before you head over to the "play" button, allow us to mention that the Neunelfer seen here packs a few mods, which might make it just as quick as the GT R on the Ring.As for the traffic mentioned by the 911 driver, you'll notice that such a detail can make quite a difference.
By PTI: By Kunal Dutt

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Delhi-resident Shalini Singh had secured admission at the prestigious Texas A&M University in the US to pursue her dream of research in medical science but fate willed otherwise.

The 25-year-old student lost her battle with life late last night at a hospital in Houston, days after being rescued from the choppy waters of Lake Bryan in the storm-ravaged Texas where Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc, claiming over 50 lives.

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"She wanted to do research on diseases. She aimed to serve the humanity. That was her motto and it remained so, until I last saw her before she left India," her father said here after the shocking news hit the family like a tsunami.

"She was passionate about her higher studies," he told PTI, and almost choked recalling the moment when she had learned of her selection to the famed American university.

Shalini had landed in the US only last month to pursue the two-year masters programme in public health after completing her degree in dental surgery from ITS Dental College in Uttar Pradeshs Greater Noida.

Her death comes days after that of another Indian student of the same university, Nikhil Bhatia, with whom she had gone swimming last Saturday to Lake Bryan.

Bhatia died in the hospital on August 30, while Singh continued to be in a critical condition, before succumbing.

She will be cremated in Bryan on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, according to the consulate sources.

Her younger brother and maternal uncle, who flew from New Delhi on August 30, were with her at the time of death.

The city of Houston is also the headquarters of NASAs famed human spaceflight operations, where human ambitions take wings. But for these two students their dreams were short- lived.

24-year-old Bhatia, who had enrolled for a PhD programme at the university, was cremated on Friday in Texas.

Bryan is a city in Brazos County of Texas and borders the city of College Station, which lies to its south. Together they are referred to as the Bryan?College Station metropolitan area. The Texas A&M University is located in College Station.

Globally renowned as one of the finest, the university opened its doors in 1876 as Texass first public institution of higher learning. The university attracts a good number of students from India for higher studies.

Around 13 million people were battling catastrophic flooding and torrential rain in the storm-battered Texas, situated in the midwest part of the US. PTI KND DIP SK DIP

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Based on the past U.S. response to major provocations by North Korea, look for a show of force from the U.S. military, in conjunction with regional partners, in coming days. This could include a fly-over of the Korean Peninsula with nuclear-capable bombers, as well as joint training exercises. SecDef Jim Mattis set the tone with his stern statement at the White House: "We have many military options, and the President wanted to be briefed on each one of them. ... Any threat to the United States, or its territories  including Guam  or our allies will be met with a massive military response."Trump used cliffhanger language when asked, as he left church, if he plans to attack North Korea: "We'll see." Trump's dilemma in one paragraph, by the N.Y. Times' Glenn Thrush and Mark Landler: "[T]he crisis lays bare how his trade agenda  the bedrock of his economic populist campaign in 2016  is increasingly at odds with the security agenda he has pursued as president. It is largely a problem of Mr. Trump's own making. Unlike several of his predecessors, who were able to press countries on trade issues while cooperating with them on security, Mr. Trump has explicitly linked the two, painting himself into a corner."We asked several national-security experts to read between the lines of the administration's response to this global crisis: Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group, emails: "trump's lack of foreign policy experience is coming to roost ... if there's a winner here so far, it's kim jong un. there's a reason that much more capable democrat and republican presidents have kicked this issue to their successors."CFR President Richard Haass, author of "A World in Disarray," said Mattis' language ("threat" rather than "capability") suggests the U.S. is focused on a preemptive response (against a threat deemed to be imminent), rather than a preventive attack, "something that would be unacceptable to many Americans and to South Korea."Haass II: "Preemption ... would place the onus on NK not to do something that would trigger a preemptive strike [put missiles on alert, or launch them] rather than on us to undertake a preventive, bolt out of the blue attack."Ned Price, a CIA alumnus and National Security Council spokesman under Obama: "[Y]ou see the pieces of a whole-of-government diplomatic response coming together." But Price said Trump personally "played right into Pyongyang's hands by creating daylight between our partners," South Korea.Be smart: In Trump's hawkish spontaneity and his administration's more deliberate response, we see this White House's enduring tension: Top aides try to erect guardrails around a president who resists them. Until now, the stakes have been smaller. Now? We'll see.
Based on the past U.S. response to major provocations by North Korea, look for a show of force from the U.S. military, in conjunction with regional partners, in coming days. This could include a fly-over of the Korean Peninsula with nuclear-capable bombers, as well as joint training exercises.

SecDef Jim Mattis set the tone with his stern statement at the White House: "We have many military options, and the President wanted to be briefed on each one of them. ... Any threat to the United States, or its territories  including Guam  or our allies will be met with a massive military response."

set the tone with his stern statement at the White House: "We have many military options, and the President wanted to be briefed on each one of them. ... Any threat to the United States, or its territories  including Guam  or our allies will be met with a Trump used cliffhanger language when asked, as he left church, if he plans to attack North Korea: "We'll see."

Trump's dilemma in one paragraph, by the N.Y. Times' Glenn Thrush and Mark Landler:

"[T]he crisis lays bare how his trade agenda  the bedrock of his economic populist campaign in 2016  is increasingly at odds with the security agenda he has pursued as president. It is largely a problem of Mr. Trump's own making. Unlike several of his predecessors, who were able to press countries on trade issues while cooperating with them on security, Mr. Trump has explicitly linked the two, painting himself into a corner."

We asked several national-security experts to read between the lines of the administration's response to this global crisis:

Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group, emails: " trump's lack of foreign policy experience is coming to roost ... if there's a winner here so far, it's kim jong un. there's a reason that much more capable democrat and republican presidents have kicked this issue to their successors."

president and founder of Eurasia Group, emails: trump's lack of foreign policy experience is coming to roost ... if there's a winner here so far, it's kim jong un. there's a reason that much more capable democrat and republican presidents have kicked this issue to their successors." CFR President Richard Haass, author of "A World in Disarray," said Mattis' language ("threat" rather than "capability") suggests the U.S. is focused on a preemptive response (against a threat deemed to be imminent), rather than a preventive attack, "something that would be unacceptable to many Americans and to South Korea."

author of "A World in Disarray," said Mattis' language ("threat" rather than "capability") suggests the U.S. is focused on a preemptive response (against a threat deemed to be imminent), rather than a preventive attack, "something that would be unacceptable to many Americans and to South Korea." Haass II: "Preemption ... would place the onus on NK not to do something that would trigger a preemptive strike [put missiles on alert, or launch them] rather than on us to undertake a preventive, bolt out of the blue attack."

"Preemption ... would place the onus on NK not to do something that would trigger a preemptive strike [put missiles on alert, or launch them] rather than on us to undertake a preventive, bolt out of the blue attack." Ned Price, a CIA alumnus and National Security Council spokesman under Obama: "[Y]ou see the pieces of a whole-of-government diplomatic response coming together." But Price said Trump personally "played right into Pyongyang's hands by creating daylight between our partners," South Korea.

Be smart: In Trump's hawkish spontaneity and his administration's more deliberate response, we see this White House's enduring tension: Top aides try to erect guardrails around a president who resists them. Until now, the stakes have been smaller. Now? We'll see.
U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley took part in an emergency Security Council meeting on North Korea, lobbying for "the strongest possible" response to the recent nuclear test.

Two things: At the top of the meeting, a U.N. official said the blast was 5 times as powerful as those resulting from the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As it concluded, Haley said the U.S. would circulate a resolution against North Korea for a vote next Monday.

Some quotes from Haley:
"The Vietnam War," a 10-part, 18-hour documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, premieres on PBS on Sunday, Sept. 17. Watch the trailer. Two great preview pieces that are worthy of your time:

"Ken Burns's American Canon: Even in a fractious era, the filmmaker still believes that his documentaries can bring every viewer in," by The New Yorker's Ian Parker:

There are more Vietnamese voices in "The Vietnam War" than Burns at first thought necessary. ... It has animated three-dimensional maps and foreign-language interviews. There's rock music, as well as a score commissioned from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross; Erik Ewers, a longtime editor at Florentine, who has worked on dozens of hours of film chivvied along by ragtime and bluegrass, told me, with feeling, that the opportunity to use "Dazed and Confused," by Led Zeppelin, was "a dream come true."

The film includes striking sequences in which well-known black-and-white photographs, always central to Burns's work, coexist with color film and color photography. The subject, being recent and contestedand its traumas sometimes evident in the stiffness around the mouths of witnesseshas its own narrative potency. ... Still, when the narration begins, its liturgical phrasing, and its reach for a negotiated settlement among viewers, will seem familiar.

Savor the whole thing.

In "Ken Burns Tackles a Different Civil War," N.Y. Times ideas reporter Jennifer Schuessler says the film "offers an uncannily well-timed reflection of our current societal fractures  a kind of origin story for the culture wars."
Volkswagen has temporarily told interested parties to pause their bids for Ducati, the legendary motorcycle brand, after pushback from labor leaders and issues with its board of directors, per a Reuters exclusive.

Who is now waiting: "Italy's Benetton family, U.S. automotive firm Polaris Industries and Ducati's former owner Investindustrial made it to the last stage of an auction in July, along with private equity funds Bain Capital and PAI Partners."

The numbers: "The bids valued the business at 1.3 billion to 1.5 billion euros, representing a multiple of more than 13 times Ducati's core earnings of about 100 million euros."
As states legalize marijuana across the country for medical and recreational use, prices are dropping faster than growers and sellers would like them to, according to the Wall Street Journal. The cannabis industry has grown over the past few years, bringing in more than $6 billion a year in retail.

Data: BDS Analytics; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios

Retail: BDS Analytics tracks marijuana market trends, their data shows sales increasing and prices decreasing in Colorado and Washington state:

Wholesale: Since 2015, prices have dropped from $2,133 a pound to $1,614 a pound.

Why it matters: Marijuana growers are struggling to find ways to make a profit. Some are attempting to set themselves apart my touting "organic" products  plants grown outside with sunlight instead of indoors with heat bulbs. The more cannabis grown, the lower prices will continue to get. More consumption would help, but growers and retailers have to be careful about pushing for that.
Chinas Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and his visiting Armenian counterpart Vigen Sargsian reportedly agreed to deepen military ties between their countries when they met in Beijing on Monday.

The sides concurred that it is necessary to step up efforts to deepen Chinese-Armenian cooperation in the area of defense, especially given the existence of potential for that, the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement on their talks. They reached an agreement to intensify mutual contacts.

The two ministers signed after the talks an agreement on the release of 10 million yuans ($1.5 million) in fresh Chinese military aid to Armenia.

Earlier in the day, Sargsian visited the Beijing headquarters of the China Poly Group, a state-owned business conglomerate engaged, among other things, in exports of Chinese-made weapons. The Defense Ministry said he and top Poly Group executives expressed readiness to continue active discussions on prospects for mutually beneficial bilateral defense cooperation. No details were reported.

Chinese-Armenian military ties appear to have already deepened in the last several years. A top Chinese military official, Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, visited Yerevan in April for talks with Sargsian as well as the chief of the Armenian army staff, Lieutenant General Movses Hakobian, and Deputy Defense Minister Davit Pakhchanian. The latter oversees the Armenian defense industry.

Agreements were reached on expanding cooperation and implementing a number of mutually beneficial projects in the area of defense, the Armenian Defense Ministry said at the time.

Sargsians predecessor, Seyran Ohanian, paid an official visit to Beijing in December 2013 less than two years after two states signed an agreement on military and military-technical cooperation.

News reports said in 2011 Armenia has acquired Chinese AR1A multiple-launch rocket systems with a firing range of more than 100 kilometers. Yerevan did not officially confirm that, though. So far the Armenian military has demonstrated only WM-80 rockets systems that were supplied by China in the late 1990s.

Chinas President Xi Jinping and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian apparently discussed defense issues at their March 2015 talks in Beijing. A 5-page joint communique released by them after the talks said the two nations will continue their practical partnership in areas such as mutual visits by military delegations, training of military personnel, and provision of military aid.

The declaration also said Xi and Sarkisian noted mutual understanding on issues relating to pivotal interests and concerns of the two countries.

Defense Minister Sargsian was cited by his press office as telling Chang that Armenia supports Chinas increased role in confronting contemporary global challenges.
4 September 2017 14:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Mark Leonard

In recent weeks, bizarre political controversies have dominated the American and German media. The United States is still debating President Donald Trumps equivocating response to violence committed by white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia. And Germans have been responding to an essay published by German Deputy Finance Minister Jens Spahn, in which he complains that English-speaking hipsters in Berlin are eroding German national identity.

These debates shed light on how history and national identity inform each countrys politics. In Charlottesville, 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed when a white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of people. He and many other white supremacists were in Charlottesville to protest a decision by the city to remove a statue of the Confederate general Robert E. Lee. When they were met by counter-demonstrators, some responded with violence.

Clearly, the politics of cultural identity has eclipsed that of socioeconomic class in the US. By defending contested monuments and asserting that both sides were to blame in the Charlottesville tragedy, Trump is signaling his predominantly white support base that he will fight for their rights as a threatened majority. His campaign promise to make America great again was, after all, always code for opposition to an increasingly multiethnic America.

It is not surprising that Lees legacy would become a symbolic flashpoint, given Americas history of race relations. But the fact that many white supremacists in Charlottesville were chanting Jews will not replace us shows that one kind of intolerance can quickly morph into another.

Even as the Holocaust passes from memory into history, it is unthinkable that a German political leader would indulge such anti-Semitism among his or her supporters. But anxiety about national identity is still alive and well in Germany, especially since the arrival of more than a million refugees since 2015. This explains why Spahn, a rising star in the governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU), could write an article for the influential German weekly Die Zeit attacking elitist hipsters for speaking English, and bemoaning the proliferation of English-language menus in restaurants and coffee shops.

According to Spahn, older Germans such as his parents will soon feel like strangers in their own land. The spread of English among the cosmopolitan Easyjet generation, he writes, will lead to a parallel society in which cultural differences have been negated, and German national culture has been destroyed. How can Germans demand that refugees and immigrants integrate themselves into German society, he asks, if Germans wont even speak their own language?

Berlin-based elites have responded to Spahns essay with mockery, itself a reflection of the German capitals increasingly cosmopolitan political culture since reunification. Todays German elites share an outlook that is a far cry from the inward-looking provincialism of the post-war Bonn Republic.

As a 30-something, gay member of the Berlin political class, Spahn may seem like an odd mouthpiece for an attack on cosmopolitanism. But Spahn is an ambitious political strategist with an eye on his electoral future, and he is no stranger to controversy. A soi disant burkaphobe, he has been a vocal critic of German Chancellor Angela Merkels refugee policy; and he has called for laws to regulate what can be preached in mosques, and to create a registry for Muslim clerics.

Spahn is determined to keep older, conservative, religiously inclined voters from abandoning the CDU for the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD). But, not surprisingly, he has also been accused of drinking from the same political well as Trump. In that sense, the debate in Germany today is essentially a politer, more politically correct version of the one playing out in the US.

In The Road to Somewhere: The Populist Revolt and the Future of Politics, British journalist David Goodhart argues that todays politics is no longer a battle between left and right. Instead, it is a struggle between the educated, mobile people who see the world from Anywhere and who value autonomy and fluidity, and the more rooted, generally less well-educated people who see the world from Somewhere and prioritize group attachments and security.

Of course, unlike the US, Germany has so far been remarkably immune to the populist turn that has upended politics in other Western countries. For all the Sturm und Drang about refugees, Merkel and the CDU maintain a towering lead over all other parties in the polls. In the federal election on September 24, the AfD will be lucky to win a tenth of the vote.

This makes Spahns ambitious intervention especially noteworthy. As a possible successor to Merkel, his decision to attack cosmopolitanism during the election campaign reveals a lot about what he foresees in German politics. Rather than seeing Germanys moderate parties as pioneers of a cosmopolitan future, Spahn seems to regard his countrys failure to embrace identity politics as strangely out of touch.

According to Spahn, elitist hipsters may think they are being cosmopolitan, but they are actually betraying their own provincialism. While they are busy speaking English to one another, most other countries are celebrating their national language and identity.

Spahn seems to be making a similar point about political correctness, by implying that if Germanys main parties do not defend traditional Germanness, then right-wing extremists will. But Spahns apparent bet that Trump-style politics will take hold in Germany is risky, given the extent to which Berlin, of all places, has witnessed the tragedies of identity politics. The prophylaxis of history surely will not wear off as easily as Spahn assumes.

Still, Spahns suspicions about the future of German politics are worrying. The debate in Germany, as in the US, offers a window onto the soul not just of political leaders, but also of the people who elect them.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: Nazis and Hipsters

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By PTI: By Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Sep 4 (PTI) Srisubha Addepalli was crowned Miss India South Africa Gauteng 2017.

The 25-year-old IT specialist hails from Madhya Pradesh and has been working for a leading bank here on contract basis for over 18 months.

Apart from fairing the best in other segments of the contest, Addepalli also performed a dance number, which received rave reviews from the jury panel.

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"Dance is my passion and because we were only allowed a maximum of three minutes, I chose three segments to represent different parts of my life. I was born and brought up in a family where all the emotions are very smooth and gentle.

"So, I first portrayed myself as a gentle lady and then when I experienced sadness and troubles in my life, such as when I lost my father. Finally, I depicted my search for who I am - all in that short time," she told PTI.

Addepalli said she entered the pageant after her friends challenged her and went on to beat eight other locals to get a shot at the international Miss India Worldwide title, where winners from other provinces of South Africa will vie for the opportunity to represent the country.

Farook Khan, who started the Miss India South Africa Pageant 27 years ago, said it was the second time in the history that an India-born entrant had won the title.

"Ayushi Chhabra, who won the title in 2009, has gone on to become a renowned model and actress in New York.

"We have always believed that the pageant should be open to anyone who subscribes to the ethos of our unique Indian culture, irrespective of origin," Khan said. PTI FH RDS JCH

--- ENDS ---
4 September 2017 15:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) decreased by 30 percent as compared to the same period of last year and amounted to $3.79 million in January-July of 2017.

Export fell by 31 percent to $2.84 million, while imports decreased by 29 percent to $950,122, Milli.az reported.

Thus, the positive balance of trade turnover decreased by 31 percent, as compared to the same period of 2016 and amounted to $1.89 million for the first seven months of this year.

About 46 percent of the country's total exports and 22 percent of imports fell on the EU countries, according to the report.

Azerbaijan is currently part of the European Neighborhood Policy, Eastern Partnership and the Council of Europe, and is a large recipient of aid and infrastructure investment from the EU.

Formal relations with the EU began in 1996 when the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) were signed. This agreement entered into force in 1999.This agreement marked the beginning of a mainly positive relationship between Azerbaijan and the EU, with both sides benefitting from the relationship.

In February 2017 the EU and Azerbaijan launched negotiations on a new agreement that will replace the old one.

The EU is Azerbaijan's first trading partner representing 51 percent of Azerbaijan's total trade. The EU is Azerbaijans biggest export and import market.

The EU's exports to Azerbaijan consist primarily of machinery and transport equipment whereas EU imports from Azerbaijan cover mainly oil and gas (98 percent of total imports).

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
4 September 2017 16:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

In Goranboy region, farmers seek to get good cotton crop this year and gain huge benefits from revival of the cotton industry.

The new interest in cotton growing appeared following the world oil prices drop, which has forced Azerbaijan to diversify its hydrocarbon-based economy. The cotton industry was largely neglected during the oil-and-gas boom in the early 2000s; the 35,000 tons produced in 2015 is down from annual figures of 130,000-150,000 tons in the mid-2000s.

Currently, cotton is grown in more than 20 regions of Azerbaijan with a 10-time increase in just two years. In 2015, cotton was sown only on 17,000 hectares, while this year the area has reached 136,000 hectares.

In 2017, the sown area of cotton in Goranboy increased up to 5,000 hectares, which was only 2,000 hectares in 2016.

Goranboy Region Executive Power told Azertac that so far, there was signed an agreement with "MKT Istehsal Kommersiya" LLC for sowing cotton on 1,620 hectares, with "CTS Aqro" LLC on 2,500 hectares, Goran Cotton MMC on 836 hectares, with Yevlax MMC on 44 hectares.

Farmers have made the necessary preparatory work for the optimum harvest of the crop. Also, the implementation of all agro-technical measures for cotton cultivation in the region is regularly monitored by the headquarters of the region executive.

The State Program for 2017-2022 is aimed at strengthening measures directed at developing this sphere. The purpose of the State Program is to develop cotton growing, increase export potential in this sphere, ensure employment of the rural population and increase the production of cotton.

The purpose of the State Program is to develop cotton growing in Azerbaijan, increase export potential in this sphere, ensure employment of the rural population and increase the production of cotton to 500,000 tons in 2022.

The new goal of the state is to bring the cotton production up to 500,000 tons by 2022 from the current 260,000 tons.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
4 September 2017 13:52 (UTC+04:00)

By Ali Mustafayev

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3, causing a storm of indignation among the international community.

Pyongyang announced that it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. The explosion was said to be almost 10 times more powerful than the country's last nuclear test a year ago.

Hours before the test, North Korean state media released pictures of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un inspecting what it claimed was a nuclear warhead being placed inside a missile. North Korea says the bomb can be loaded onto a long-range missile.

South Korea, which was the first to suspect the nuclear test in view of neighborhood with the isolated country, has already declared its intention to continue and improve joint military drills with its strategic ally the U.S.

The countrys air forces and the army carried out a missile drill on Monday morning in response to North Koreas nuclear test, while the drills targeted the area where the test had been carried out.

The military training involved long-range air-to-surface missiles and ballistic missiles, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The latest nuclear test marked a dramatic escalation of Pyongyangs stand-off with the United States and its allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump branded the country a rogue nation and is considering more sanctions.

North Koreas refusal to curb its missile and nuclear programmes in the face of worldwide condemnation has angered Washington. The move to tighten sanctions against North Korea has not slowed Pyongyangs military advances so far.

The Trump administration has warned North Korea that any threat to the U.S. or its allies would be met with a massive military response.

The warning from Jim Mattis, the defense secretary, came after a White House meeting between Donald Trump and his top military advisers on Sunday in which Trump reviewed defense department plans to respond to a North Korean provocation.

We have many military options, and the president wanted to be briefed on each one of them, Mattis said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested the United States would continue to strengthen the economic pressure on North Korea.

If countries want to do business with the United States, they obviously will be working with our allies and others to cut off North Korea economically, Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday.

A package of new sanctions against Pyongyang will be submitted by the Treasury Secretary to the President soon.

The Chinese and Russian leaders, who were speaking on the sidelines of a Brics summit in China, said they had agreed to appropriately deal with the latest nuclear test, FT reported.

Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, went on to tell the summit that the group was committed to upholding global peace and contributing to the international security order.

German chancellor Angela Merkel, in turn, said that North Koreas provocations had reached a new dimension.

The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday morning.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
He will be entrusted with the responsibilities which his predecessor Faggan Singh Kulaste dealt with during his tenure.

Prominent Brahmin face from Bihar, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, was appointed the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in the cabinet reshuffle.

According to health ministry officials, he will be entrusted with the responsibilities which his predecessor Faggan Singh Kulaste dealt with during his tenure.

Elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly for five consecutive terms, Choubey, 64, helped in constructing 11,000 toilets for Mahadalit families.

Choubey represents Bihar's Buxar in the Lok Sabha and was a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Estimates, Standing Committee on Energy and Consultative Committee on Health and Family Welfare. He is also a member of Central Silk Board.

Choubey held portfolios such as urban development, PHED and health both in NDA I (2005-2010) and NDA II (2010-2013).

A Bachelors in Zoology from Science College, Patna University, Choubey has also authored a book Kedarnath Trasadi based on the 2013 deluge in Uttarakhand.
Bolly Durga Puja Special: True Essence Of The Bengali Traditional Laal Paar Shada Sari Fashion Trends Dona

As Durga Puja is just around the corner, the name is enough to tickle the excitement in any Bengali living in Bengal or around the world. Bengalis, alike any other ethnicity, have a distinct style statement and their style books are their fullest during the five-day-long festival Durga Puja.

Apart from hilsa, roshogolla and politics, Bengalis are experts in styling and they have a traditional sari, "Laal Paar Shada'' which they drape in a very specific way. The draping style is called by Bengalis as 'Aat Poure" and Bengalis mostly wear it during religious festivals, especially during Durga Ashtami and Dashami (the 8th and 10th days of Durga Puja).

The name of the sari, "Laal Paar Shada" defines the white body and red bordered designs of the saris. Bengali women look very beautiful as they wear it with golden jewellery, red bindi and aaltaa (a red liquid to decorate their feet).

This distinctive Bengali look has been covered not just by Bengali actresses in Bollywood but also other actresses who turned exactly like Bengalis in the style books. We have listed down a few Bollywood actresses who have slayed their traditional Bengali looks in Laal Paar Shada sarees.

Select your favourite look and grab the one you would like to ensemble from the latest and the 90s Bollywood actresses who turned 'Bongo Kanyas' or Bengali ladies.

Bipasha Basu Our list starts with Bongs in Bollywood who have slayed it otherwise, especially in their traditional Bengali looks. We saw Bipasha wearing the Laal Paar Shada sari twice and each time she carried it in the most beautiful and elegant manner. Once during Lakme Fashion Week and another time during a photoshoot, Bipasha looked hot and beautiful at the same time. Both her saris were differently embroidered but carried the traditional red borders on the white-bodied saris. Rani Mukherji Rani and Kajol's family hosts one of the biggest Durga Pujas of Mumbai and we have seen Rani in her prettiest avatars during the festival. She has also worn the Laal Paar Shada sari a lot of times. In this look, she wore the traditional sari in a mordern way, balancing between both aspects. Kajol Just like her cousin Rani, Kajol too wears her Bengali traditional looks in the best possible way. Out of her most beautiful Bengali looks, we have selected two best looks where she had worn the traditional Bengali sari, in different ways. You can select your favourite one. Sushmita Sen Another Bong queen, Sushmita is herself an epitome of sheer elegance and she too carried the traditional Bengali sari in different possible ways. In this look, she wore a pure silk Laal Paar Shada sari with pretty accessories while celebrating Durga Puja. Ritabhari Chakraborty A popular Bengali actress who recently acted in a short film with Kalki Koechlin and also did a music video with Ayushmann Khurrana is an ultimate Bong diva who wore this traditional Bengali look, making herself even prettier. In one look, she wore the sari with pearl jewellery and a red bindi to make the look perfect. In another, she wore the traditional sari with a polka dot printed red blouse and golden jewellery. As it seems, she gave you double options to choose your look for this Durga Puja. Sonam Kapoor Sonam Kapoor looked like a Bengali twice, once during a shoot and another on the ramp. She looked amazing in both and needless to say, she looked prettier. The 'Aat Poure' style sari and the bindi made her look more beautiful in both the looks. Want to try one of these? You are always welcome and we can assure you of looking your best this Durga puja. Sridevi Sridevi recently wore a Bengali traditional Laal Paar Shada sari during her movie Mom's promotion at a Bengali television reality show. She wore this traditional Bengali attire and the already ravishing actress glorified her beauty with such a look. She draped it in the 'Aat Poure' style and made her 'Bongo' look turn out to be perfect. Celina Jaitly The lady who is known for her sizzling hot style books wore a Bengali 'Aat Poure' style attire for a shoot. She wore a royal Laal Paar Shada sari with golden zari embroidery which she paired with gorgeous gold jewellery. She did not leave the red bindi and also included the sindoor and traditional 'shakha-pola' which are signs of Bengali brides. This look is for a complete Dashami look where a Bengali is ready to bid farewell to Goddess Durga. Rituparna Sengupta Rituparna has acted in a few Bollywood movies and is a popular Bengali actress since the 90s. She wore this Aat Poure style traditional sari and the dish in her hand is 'Boron Daali' which is used for 'Boron' or a traditional way of bidding goodbye to Durga. This look can definitely be your perfect Dashami look where you can be ready for 'Sindoor Khela', a custom where Bengali women play with vermillion.
Nirmala Sitharaman: Everything About India's 2nd Woman Defence Minister Life oi-Syeda Farah

Since the time Narendra Modi has taken charge of India, there is a lot of steady progress that is happening around. People are finally getting to reap the benefit of what the other lazy governments had not been doing.

One such striker move of Narendra Modi has been the appointment of India's 2nd Woman Defence Minister and the world cannot stop praising about it!

She is none other than Nirmala Sitharaman: Defence Minister. There is a lot to know about her before we just blindly follow the crowd and sing along praises for the latest Defence Minister of India - Nirmala Sitharaman.

Here is everything that you need to know about our country's new Defence Minister.

Her Childhood Nirmala Sitharaman was born on August 18th, 1959, in Madurai. She hails from a middle-class family, where her dad, Narayanan Sitharaman, worked in the Railways and her mother, Savitri, was a homemaker. As a kid, she spent her childhood in different parts of Tamil Nadu, as her dad's job led to many transfers. Her Education She graduated from the Seethalakshmi Ramasamy College, Tiruchirappalli, after which she went on to join the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. This is where she completed her Masters in Economics. Her Family She got married to Parakala Prabhakar and moved to London. There she worked at the Pricewaterhouse Cooper as a Senior Manager. Her husband, Dr. Parakala Prabhakar, is also known as an alumnus of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the London School of Economics. The couple has a daughter. pulse This Indian "Iron Woman" Sure Knows How To Break Gender Stereotypes Her Work In the year 2003, Sitharaman was made a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. According to the reports, she remained as a NCW member until 2005. A year later, in 2006, Nirmala joined the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). Her Journey As A Politician Sitharaman had been climbing the political ladder quite quickly, as after she joined BJP in 2006, it did not take much time for her to become a BJP spokesperson in the year 2010. We hope with such a great woman taking charge of India, there are better days ahead that we would surely get to see!
Onam: Here's How The Grand Celebrations at Thrikkakara Vamana Temple Look Like! Festivals oi-Lekhaka

Onam is perhaps the most important festival in the state of Kerala. Onam is a time when the state of Kerala is filled with joy and excitement. The people of the state celebrate the festival with a lot of pomp and fervour. Onam 2021 will be celebrated from 12 August to 23 August.

Flower carpets, Onamsadhya and fairs make the Onam celebrations truly an experience. When we speak of Onam, the Thrikkakakara temple arguably has the most vibrant and important celebration. Thrikkakara is a place in the Cochin area in the State of Kerala.

It goes without saying that Indians are fond of festivals. One such festival is Onam that is celebrated across India with great zeal and fervour, especially in Kerala. The Maha Vishnu Temple at Thrikkakara boasts the distinction of being one among the few temples all over India to have the Vamana avatar as the presiding deity. This year, in 2019, Onam festival will be celebrated from 1 September to 13 September.

Read on to learn more about the Thrikkakara Vamana temple and the Onam celebrations followed in the temple.

One Among The Divya Deshams

There are around 108 Divya deshams in our country. These temples are dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu and visiting these temples is considered to be auspicious for any devotee of Lord Maha Vishnu. The Thrikkakkara temple is one among these temples and plays a very important part in the Vaishnav sect.

Vamana Avatar

Vamana Avatar is counted as the 5th among the Dashavataars of Lord Maha Vishnu. This avatar is important because it is the first avatar that had a human form. The Vamana was born as a dwarf in a Brahmin family.

Legend Of Onam

It is said that once there lived a just and kind King named Bali. He was rapidly growing in power due to his character and spiritual work. He had begun to perform a yagnya to increase his power. Lord Indra grew worried that the popularity of King Bali would grow to an extent that he would eventually replace Indra.

Lord Indra asked Lord Maha Vishnu for help. He took an avatar as a Brahmin boy. As the yagnya was in progress, Vamana approached the King and asked for alms.

It is a rule that no Brahmin should be turned away during the Yagnya. Therefore, the King agreed in spite of the warning from his Guru, Shukracharya.

Vamana went on to ask for land that can be measured by three steps of his feet. The King agreed. As soon as the King agreed, Vamana grew in size and with one of his steps, he measured the skies. With another step, he took up all of the earth. Now, he had nowhere to put his third step.

He asked the King for one more step. For the fulfilment of his oath, he bent down and offered his head to step on. with his last step, Lord Maha Vishnu pushed Bali to the nether lands, allowing him to return to earth only on the Onam day.

Onam And Thrikkakara

It is said that the Thrikkakara temple now stands at the very place that the Lord Maha Vishnu pushed Bali into the ground. You can still see an altar dedicated to the brave and just Bali.

Onam Celebrations At Thrikkakara In The Bygone Ages

Onam was once a month-long festival. The ruler of Kochi would come to this temple every year to pay his respects to the Lord Vamana. There were 64 chiefs of the local communities who would also arrive to pray to Lord Vamana.

Onam Celebrations At Thrikkakara today

This year, the festival will be celebrated from 1 September to 13 September, but dates may vary in some states. On each day, the idol of Vamana is decorated to depict the 10 avatars of Lord Maha Vishnu with a special emphasis on the Vamana avatar.
By PTI: (Eds: Corrections in para 2)

By Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Sep 4 (PTI) Srisubha Addepalli, an IT specialist hailing from Andhra Pradesh, was crowned Miss India South Africa Gauteng 2017.

The 25-year-old has been working for a leading bank here on contract basis for 18 months.

Apart from fairing the best in other segments of the contest, Addepalli also performed a dance number, which was well-received by the jury.

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"Dance is my passion and because we were only allowed a maximum of three minutes, I chose three segments to represent different parts of my life. I was born and brought up in a family where all the emotions are very smooth and gentle.

"So, I first portrayed myself as a gentle lady and then when I experienced sadness and troubles in my life, such as when I lost my father. Finally, I depicted my search for who I am - all in that short time," she told PTI.

Addepalli said she entered the pageant after her friends challenged her and went on to beat eight other locals to get a shot at the international Miss India Worldwide title, where winners from other provinces of South Africa will vie for the opportunity to represent the country.

Farook Khan, who started the Miss India South Africa Pageant 27 years ago, said it was the second time in the history that an India-born entrant had won the title.

"Ayushi Chhabra, who won the title in 2009, has gone on to become a renowned model and actress in New York.

"We have always believed that the pageant should be open to anyone who subscribes to the ethos of our unique Indian culture, irrespective of origin," Khan said. PTI FH RDS JCH RDS

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A shake-up of the Commonwealth Bank's board has failed to stem a further slide in banking giant's share price, as investors fret over the future fallout of a money laundering compliance scandal.

Chairman Catherine Livingstone on Monday signalled board renewal was under way at CBA, with three directors to leave the bank, and experienced former Westpac banker Rob Whitfield recruited to the board.

The changes come as the bank has battled numerous scandals including a prosecution by the money laundering regulator Austrac and the prospect of action from overseas regulators.

While Mr Whitfield's appointment was welcomed in financial markets, amid speculation he could be tapped to replace departing chief executive Ian Narev, the news did not prevent another poor day for CBA shares.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The Delhi Police was today taken to task by a city court for its "lethargic attitude" in its probe into the death of Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, in a five-star hotel suite in 2014.

The court was hearing a plea by the hotels management seeking de-sealing of the suite where Pushkar had died under mysterious circumstances.

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The court summoned the Deputy Commissioner of Police and asked him to appear before it on September 12 and explain why more time should be granted to the police to complete its investigation as over three years have already passed.

"Due to the lethargic attitude of Delhi Police, the plaintiff (hotel) has already suffered a lot," Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh said, observing that in the name of investigation, huge financial loss has been caused to the hotel.

The courts directions came after the police, in its status report filed on the judges direction, said that teams of forensic experts had visited the suite recently and collected various evidence, reports of which were awaited.

"Till the reports clearly indicate no further requirement, the suite cannot be opened," the police said and sought more time to complete the probe.

The court had on July 21 ordered de-sealing of the suite within four weeks, saying the hotel cannot be put to unending hardship due to laxity on part of the police.

The court had, however, said the probe agency would be at liberty to visit the suite before filing a compliance report regarding de-sealing of the suite. It had also noted that no offence was found on part of the hotel.

The police was allowed to take out the articles lying inside the suite with due care for the purpose of the probe.

The hotel had submitted before the court that locking of the suite was creating sanitary and cleanliness issues for it. The hotel had claimed that due to the sealing of the suite, which costs between Rs 55,000 and Rs 61,000 a night, it had suffered a loss of over Rs 50 lakh in the last three years.

It had claimed that a number of times, police and forensic teams had visited the suite and it was no longer required to be kept sealed.

"The hotel continues to suffer loss with each passing day. The continuous sealing of the suite is also affecting the use of other rooms/suites on the same floor," it had said.

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Pushkar was found dead in the suite of the South Delhi hotel on the night of January 17, 2014. The suite was sealed on that night itself for investigation.

An FIR was registered by Delhi police on January 1, 2015 against unknown persons under IPC section 302 (murder). PTI UK ARC

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Commonwealth Bank has underlined the painstaking legal process that awaits it, when claims that it repeatedly breached anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing laws are tested in court.

In the first case management hearing in Austrac's bombshell case against CBA, Federal Court Justice David Yates ordered CBA file its defence by mid-December, as the bank's barrister emphasised the sheer complexity of the matter.

Once CBA has filed its defence, financial intelligence regulator Austrac will have until March next year to file its response, before another procedural hearing in April.

CBA stands accursed of more than 53,000 breaches of anti-money laundering counter terrorism financing laws, the vast majority of which relate to the bank not telling authorities about cash deposits of more than $10,000 to its ATMs.
Employers, particularly franchise chains, face stiff new penalties and a beefed up watchdog after reforms to protect vulnerable workers passed the Senate on Monday night.

The bill was introduced in response to Fairfax Media's exposure of rampant underpayment and exploitation of vulnerable workers stretching back to a joint Fairfax Media / Four Corners investigation of 7-Eleven as well as subsequent scandals involving prominent companies such as Caltex and Domino's.

Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash said the government's Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017 would protect workers from unscrupulous employers.

"Our bill not only supports vulnerable workers, but also ensures businesses are operating on a level playing field," she said.
Ken Barber says running his SMSF has estate planning benefits. Credit:Wolter Peeters But some people have been "sold" into opening their own funds and are likely regretting it. Although SMSFs have been around for decades, several years ago the Tax Office clarified the rules about funds borrowing to invest. Since then, more trustees have been putting mortgaged investment property into their funds. It's created an opportunity for property spruikers to target DIY super fund trustees without much in super savings to borrow large amounts of money in order to buy sub-investment grade properties inside their super funds. Large fines

Starting up your own super fund can be very rewarding for those who are motivated and want to take control, but there are responsibilities. While help can be brought-in to help run the fund, the responsibilities cannot be outsourced. Fines of tens of thousands of dollars for breaches of the rules can be issued by Tax Office, which regulates SMSFs. Andrea Michaels, a lawyer and managing director of NDA Law, who specialises in tax and super, says DIY funds can be great for those who are prepared to put in the work. "But they are not for everyone," she says.

"You need to know the regulatory framework and you need to be interested and spend the time on the investment side of it also." Costs The administration costs include things such as the annual audit, tax return and SMSF Supervisory Levy. There are likely to come to about $2000 a year if using a fund administrator; likely more if using an accountant. Then there are the investment costs, which will vary greatly depending on the mix of investments.

The costs of acquiring and maintaining an investment property will be much greater than investing in direct shares, for example. Michaels says the minimum amount needed to keep the costs reasonable is probably $500,000. However, it depends. A couple of higher earners, for example, who are making contributions to their super in excess to their compulsory contributions could start with less as they will build the balance quickly, she says. Loss of protections Anyone thinking of starting their own fund should be aware that they will not have the protections provided to members of large funds.

For example, DIY super funds are outside the federal government's scheme that compensates members of a large fund in the event of theft or fraud. DIY super funds are also outside of the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal, where disputes over, say, who receives a death benefit are resolved at no cost. Michaels says that the only recourse for parties to disputes concerning DIY funds is through the courts. Insurance There are potential disadvantages with DIY fund when it comes to life insurance.

Large funds are bulk buyers of death and total and permanent disability insurance, called "group" insurance. Premiums can be very low and acceptance for cover, automatic, at least up to a certain amount of cover. Buying life insurance as a trustee of a DIY fund usually means buying "personal" insurance. It's likely to be more expensive and will probably involve a medical examination or, at least, a medical history to be provided to the insurer. It could mean cover is denied. A CoreData survey of trustees of DIY funds in 2012 found many retained a small balance in their large funds to obtain the life insurance benefits.

Large funds respond Large super funds have been making direct investments, such as shares, available to their members, in part to help retain those members with higher account balances from leaving to set-up their own funds. Kirby Rappell, the research manager at SuperRatings, estimates about 45 per cent fund members are in a super fund that offers direct investments. These can include Australian shares, listed investment companies (LICs), exchange traded funds (ETFs) and term deposits. Some funds have extended the list to included managed investments in hard-to-access asset classes.

For example, the fund for the construction industry, CBUS, offers two managed funds. One invests in office, retail and industrial property. The other invests in infrastructure assets like airports, roads and ports. Wind ups It is usually not too onerous to wind up a fund but it can be complicated by interpersonal issues. Michaels says there are life's events, such as illness, divorce and separation and death, where the fund may have to be wound up. While it will be part of the split of the property it can be difficult when the two former partners are not talking to each other.

"Any decisions about the funds will need agreement and they will both have to sign the paperwork," she says. A 61-year-old retiree posted on the internet forum Whirlpool in 2015 that he had only about $50,000 left in his DIY super fund. "We know we had bad advice starting an SMSF, but the annual fees are now around $2000. We need to preserve what little money we have," he wrote. It usually does not cost very much to wind up a fund, but as he had not lodged a tax return for the fund for the previous three years, he was up for a big bill to have the fund closed. Estate planning advantages

Barber is interested in investing, takes a long view and likes to keep it simple. He's invested mostly in shares and bonds. His exposure to Australian and overseas shares is through low-cost exchange traded funds (ETFs), which are listed on the Australian sharemarket and track or mirror the returns of sharemarkets. "The main advantage for me is not so much tax, as there are other ways to do that," he says. "It's because of the neatness of having it one place and there are some estate planning advantages." Estate planning is a complex area but, basically, Barber likes the clarity and certainty for the beneficiaries of the estate that his DIY fund provides. Barber has a corporate trustee for the fund of which he and his wife are directors. It costs a little each year to maintain the corporate trustee.
An Australian National University professor will seek to create a new applied science aimed at helping humans navigate the impact of data and technology within the next five years.

The ANU has partnered with CSIRO innovation unit Data61 to launch the new Autonomy, Agency and Assurance Institute, known as the 3A Institute, headed by former Intel vice-president Genevieve Bell.

ANU Professor Genevieve Bell will head the new 3A Institute. Credit:Andrew Meares

Shortly after moving to Canberra, after being plucked from the Silicon Valley by ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt, Professor Bell made her bold plans clear.

"Part of what the institute's really about is how do we create a new body of knowledge to tackle the technological landscape we increasingly find ourselves moving into," she said.
Qatar Airways will soon be on the radar of those wanting a competitive flight deal to Europe next summer.

Canberrans will be able to jump on a Qatar Airways flight bound for Europe before Valentine's Day 2018. And pricing for the flights starting on February 13 next year has landed with the airline promoting the new connection from Australia's capital.

A photo of the Qatar Airways website campaign. Credit:Qatar Airways

There are 23 European city destinations an economy passenger can travel to return from Canberra for between $1200 and $1300.

These include: Paris, Madrid, Athens, Larnaca, Istanbul, Rome, Belgrade, Brussels, Milan, Zurich, Venice, Copenhagen, Zagreb, Budapest, Oslo, Moscow, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Skopje, Prague, Kyiv and Sarajevo.
Brenden Jacob Bennetts has admitted killing Gatton schoolgirl Jayde Kendall but denies murdering the 16-year-old.

Mr Bennetts pleaded not guilty to murder in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday but guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Jayde Kendall was killed in 2015.

He also pleaded guilty to interfering with a corpse.
Call a waaaaaambulance. Somebody's feels have suffered a terrible hurty-boo-boo. That somebody, in case you hadn't noticed, is just about anybody who feels that marriage equality would imperil marriage, freedom, civilisation, cake shop owners, The Children, and happily unmarried infrastructure which will, in future, definitely be forced into unwanted union with perverts of the built environment who are just waiting for the gays to clear a path for them to start marrying bridges, ports and other sexy transport nodes.

Tom Switzer complained yesterday about hysterical witch hunts by social media mobs and the shaming of a Catholic Archbishop for hate speech which wasn't even a little bit hateful. Margaret Court, he complained, got 'the pariah treatment' when she said "she would not fly Qantas because of the company's barracking for same-sex marriage".

Same-sex marriage supporters have been painted as bullies. Credit:Jamila Toderas

Why, reading Tom, it was almost as though these love-is-love activists were the real haters and bigots and to discern their true agenda you need only ask Conan the Lesbian what brings her real pleasure.

"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your conservative enemies," she gurgles in her odd Austrian-Mongolian accent. "To chase them before you and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to hire their wedding limousines whether they want your business or not, and to clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters for some hot lesbian action which will be a compulsory module of the Safe Schools program."

Or something like that.
South-east Queenslanders are using almost 30 extra litres of water a day than they were 12 months ago, as a very hot, dry summer season approaches.

A record hot, dry winter in the region, which followed a hot, dry summer, has triggered a big increase in water consumption as dam levels begin to fall to "drought awareness" stage.

Wivenhoe Dam, pictured here during last decade's drought, was at 67 per cent on Monday. Credit:Robert Rough

It means residents could soon face voluntary, but not yet mandatory, conservation efforts to restrict their water usage to 150 litres per person per day.

Those steps could be introduced early in 2018.
The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, which has been unhappy with the BJP for over a year, officially quit the NDA government in Maharashtra today even as the Shiv Sena, apparently miffed over the Modi cabinet reshuffle, went into a huddle.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: A day after the Union Cabinet reshuffle, trouble seems to be brewing for the BJP in Maharashtra. On the one hand, an angry Shiv Sena that felt sidelined went into an huddle, while on the other, the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, which has been unhappy with the BJP for over a year, officially quit from the NDA.

The NDA may have gained new partners at the national level, but in Maharashtra, it is slowly losing its smaller partners. Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, which on Monday quit from the NDA, is a farmers' party centred mostly in western Maharashtra and has one MP and one MLC. The party's MLC Sadabhau Khot is the MoS Agriculture in the Fadnavis government, but he has already been expelled from SSS.

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Party President Raju Shetti, who is an MP from the Hatkanangle constituency, met CM Devendra Fadnavis at his residence in Mumbai on Monday and submitted the letter of withdrawal. The decision to withdraw support was announced last week.

"We are walking out of the NDA... for the last 3 years, the government has not taken any positive decisions for the long pending demands of farmers. MSP [Minimum Selling Price] was promised but the centre took a U-turn [on the issue] in the Supreme Court. Farmers are facing a tough time... suicides are on the rise..." Shetti told reporters outside Varsha, the CM's residence in Mumbai. "They only used farmers for votes... our fight for farmers will continue and that is why we have decided to walk out of NDA."

The trouble for NDA does not end there. A sulking Shiv Sena, which felt that it was sidelined during the Cabinet reshuffle, has gone into a huddle. Party president Uddhav Thackeray called an emergency meeting of his party top brass to strategise the party's next move.

Though Sena leaders did not divulge many details about the meeting, sources in the party say that the meeting was called to discuss the party's next course of action ahead of the state cabinet expansion that is expected in days to come.

"Whatever decision has to be taken will be taken by party president Uddhav Thackeray," was all that Shiv Sena leader and Minister Eknath Shinde had to say after the meeting.

Prior to the meeting, Sena mouthpiece Saamana launched a scathing attack on Modi's cabinet reshuffle, calling it nothing but a reshuffling of cards.

Sources say that the Shiv Sena is wary about the expansion of cabinet in Maharashtra and is trying to exert pressure on the BJP for better positions in the Fadnavis government.

ALSO READ | Day after Cabinet reshuffle, Sena chief Uddhav calls meeting; party MP Raut declares NDA almost dead

ALSO READ | Winners and losers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet reshuffle

ALSO WATCH | It is Nitish's fate: Lalu takes a dig at JD-U not joining Cabinet

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Police had to lock down a Thornlie street after an out-of-control party terrorised the neighborhood for two consecutive nights over the weekend.

Police officers were called to Bernice Way in Thornlie on Saturday night for the second time and ordered punters to leave the out-of-control gathering.

Officers were pelted with bottles as neighbours barricaded themselves inside their homes.

Resident Dave Foster told 9 News Perth that "everyone on the street had concerns regarding their safety".
Lisa Scaffidi's political career is all but over, her reputation as Lord Mayor completely destroyed, but yet again she is refusing to budge.

One of the longest running sagas in Australian local government history came to an abrupt end on Monday, when the State Administrative Tribunal suspended Ms Scaffidi from office for 18 months.

Lisa Scaffidi has continually blamed others for her mistakes. Credit:Jessica Hromas

The decision disqualified her from her role as Lord Mayor, and being a member of the council.

The ban which comes into effect at midnight this Thursday, should have ended (and may still) Ms Scaffidi's colourful and scandal-ridden reign as Lord Mayor, which she has held since 2007.
A court in Thane said that the word 'chhammak challo' amounts to "insulting a woman's modesty".

By India Today Web Desk: Many of you must have often hummed the popular song 'chhammak challo' from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer movie Ra.One.

A court in Thane has now said that the word 'chhammak challo' amounts to "insulting a woman's modesty".

A magistrate last week sentenced a Thane resident to simple imprisonment "till the court rises" for the offence and imposed a fine of Re 1 on him.

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The Thane court made the observation while hearing a woman's complaint, who was a neighbour of the accused.

According to her complaint, while returning from a morning walk with her husband on January 9, 2009, she stumbled on a garbage bin which the accused had kept on the staircase.

The accused yelled at the couple, and, among other things, called the woman "chhammak chhallo".

The woman found the word offensive and approached the police. The police, however, refused to register her complaint, following which she moved the court.

Eight years later, Judicial Magistrate R T Ingale upheld her case, saying that the accused had indeed committed an offence under section 509 of IPC (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

"It is a Hindi word. There is no word for it in English," the court observed.

"The said word is to be understood in the Indian society by its use. Generally this word is used to insult a woman. It is not a word for appreciating... it causes irritation and anger to any woman," the magistrate said in his order.

(With inputs from PTI)

ALSO READ:

PIL against Pokemon Go for hurting religious sentiments: Here are 5 bizarre pleas filed in India

Ram Rahim rape sentence: With folded hands, Baba cried like a child, begged for mercy over 20-year jail

Blue Whale Challenge proof of human gullibility, Supreme Court says while hearing Kerala 'love jihad' case

ALSO WATCH: Gurmeet Ram Rahim sentenced to 20 years in jail, fined Rs 30 lakh

--- ENDS ---
Taipei: Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has accepted the resignation of Premier Lin Chuan, a departure that had been widely expected because of declining public support for the president.

Taiwan presidents often shuffle premiers in response to dips in popularity. Lin faced mounting pressure to step down as Tsai's popularity plummeted to 29.8 per cent by August, according to a private foundation survey, since she took office in May 2016.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has been suffering a dip in popularity. Credit:AP

"The president has accepted his resignation after sincere talks," Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party said in a statement.

William Lai, the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan and a leading DPP figure, is widely expected to replace Lin.
A messy, public brawl over a Google critic's ouster from a Washington think tank has exposed a fissure in Democratic Party politics. On one side there's a young and growing faction advocating new antimonopoly laws, on the other a rival faction struggling to defend itself.

At issue is a decades-long relationship between Democrats and tech companies, with Democratic presidents signing off on deregulation and candidates embracing money and innovations from companies like Google and Facebook.

Now, locked out of power and convinced that same coziness with large corporations cost them the presidency, Democrats are talking themselves into breaking with tech giants and becoming an antimonopoly party.

The argument had a breakthrough last week when it was reported that Barry Lynn, a monopoly critic and longtime scholar at the Google-funded New America Foundation, was leaving and taking his 10-person initiative with him.
Washington: President Donald Trump is strongly considering a plan that would end the Obama-era program that shields young unauthorised immigrants from deportation, but only after giving Congress six months to come up with a potential replacement for the popular initiative, according to three administration officials briefed on the discussions.

Officials working on the plan stressed that Trump could still change his mind, and some key details had not yet been resolved. Among them: whether beneficiaries of the program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, would be allowed to renew their protected status during the six-month period.

The compromise, which could lead to legislation superseding President Barack Obama's executive order, is intended to address a growing chorus of Republican lawmakers, led by the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, who have implored the White House to keep some form of the program.

The temporary solution has been the subject of quiet negotiations between Trump's legislative staff and members of Ryan's staff, according to an administration official familiar with the talks.
Modified On Sep 04, 2017 05:26 PM By Rachit Shad

Special deals are available on Amaze, Brio, BR-V, and Jazz

The Indian arm of the Japanese carmaker Honda has introduced The Great Honda Fest for the year 2017. This annual celebration phase will run from September 1 to October 31, 2017. Apart from the usual offers like cash discounts or Honda Assure subscription at Re 1, customers will also get a chance to win a trip for two to the USA.

Who is eligible? Any customer who buys a new Honda car (invoiced or delivered) during the said period, will be eligible to participate in the contest for a trip to the US. If you are one of those, all you need to do is enter the Adventure of Space, Earth & Ocean contest via Honda Indias website and fill in the required details. During this trip to the US, the lucky winner will get to visit the Kennedy Space Centre, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Honda says that this celebratory offer can be availed at all authorised dealerships across the country. The selection and announcement of winners will be done after the contest period is over.

Apart from this contest, customers visiting a Honda dealership can get good deals on several products. Heres the list of offers available for the month of September 2017:

Honda Brio: Offers up to Rs 21,200, including Honda Assure membership at Re 1 on all variants.

Honda Amaze: For petrol- and diesel-powered (S/S(O)/SV/VX) grades, which were manufactured in 2017, one can get offers up to Rs 50,000 including Honda Assure membership at Re 1 and accessories worth Rs 26,000.

Honda Jazz: Offers up to Rs 42,000, including Honda Assure membership at Re 1 and a cash discount of Rs 15,000, on all petrol- and diesel-powered variants.

Honda BR-V: For the VX grade (petrol and diesel), get a cash discount of Rs 1 lakh.

Read More on : Jazz diesel
Indiana Jones 5 is still several years away from hitting theaters, but fans are already starting to get an idea of what they can expect. With the project set to kick off filming in 2018, details about the long-awaited sequel are slowly starting to surface. Heres everything we know about the upcoming still-untitled fifth Indiana Jones movie so far, including some sad news from the director himself (page 8).

1. Who will be on screen

As officially announced in March, Harrison Ford will be reprising his iconic role as Indiana Jones in the still-untitled upcoming fifth installment in the series. Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we cant wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said in a statement at the time. Its rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldnt be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.

Though the news was met with some naysayers implying that Ford is too old for the part, director Steven Spielberg recently defended the choice to have the actor return to the role. As Harrison matures, so does his character and yet he did so many of his own stunts in The Force Awakens, Spielberg told the Daily News. He keeps himself in such brilliant physical shape that I dont believe when 2018 comes around, which is when Im slated to direct the fifth installment coming out in 2019, I think Harrison is going to be able do a lot of what the script is asking him to do.

2.  and who wont be

One person who definitely wont appear in Indiana Jones 5 is Shia LaBeouf, who portrayed the titular characters son, Mutt Williams, in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Harrison plays Indiana Jones, that I can certainly say, screenwriter David Koepp told EW. And the Shia LaBeouf character is not in the film.

Casting for the other roles in the movie is still known.

3. Indiana Jones wont meet his demise

For those concerned that Fords swashbuckling archaeologist may not make it out of his next solo adventure alive, you can now rest easy. Spielberg recently eased fans fears by going on record to say that Indiana Jones will not die in the upcoming fifth film.

The one thing I will tell you is Im not killing off Harrison at the end of it, Spielberg told The Hollywood Reporter of the long-awaited sequel in June.

4. George Lucass involvement is still up in the air

As the story creator for all four Indiana Jones movies, Lucas has been a key figure in creating the mega-popular franchise and the iconic character it revolves around. But initial reports suggested that he would not be involved in the upcoming fifth movie, following the backlash that ensued from the disappointing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Spielberg seemed to clarify the situation last summer, confirming that Lucas will have input on Indiana Jones 5. George is going to be an executive producer on it with me, he announced in June. Of course I would never make an Indiana Jones film without George Lucas. That would be insane.

However, Lucass level of involvement has also been called into question. According to a Collider interview with Indiana Jones 5 screenwriter David Koepp, Lucas has been not involved so far in conceptualizing the films storyline. However, it seems hes still on board as a producer.

5. The creative team

Aside from bringing back Spielberg to direct and Lucas as an executive producer, the team will bring back several other franchise vets. David Koepp, a longtime Spielberg collaborator who wrote 1993s Jurassic Park and co-wrote Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, has been tapped to pen the script for the movie.

Meanwhile, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will serve as producers. Legendary composer John Williams, who has been involved in all four of the previous Indy movies, is also set to compose the score for Indiana Jones 5.

6. It wont be the final Indiana Jones adventure

The forthcoming sequel wont be the last of the Indy franchise  at least according to Disney chief Bob Iger. The studio head recently discussed Disneys plans to extend the franchise, and while its not entirely clear, it sounds like the studio wont be pursuing a complete reboot, instead having Fords Indiana Jones eventually pass the torch to a younger hero. As Iger described to THR:

Not like Star Wars, but we hope  right now, were focused on a reboot, or a continuum and then a reboot of some sort. Well, well bring him back, then we have to figure out what comes next. Thats what I mean. Its not really a reboot, its a boot  a reboot. I dont know. We [got] Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in the film. But then whats the direction? Ive had discussions about what the direction is, [but] I dont want to get into it. I dont think it reaches the scale of the universe of Star Wars, but I see making more. It wont be just a one-off.

ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) president Lynwen Brennan also made an offhand remark about the Indiana Jones movies, suggesting the series could be a forever franchise similar to Star Wars. Heres what Brennan said, per Collider:

Kiri [Hart] and her group have mapped out a story and timeline across multiple platforms many years in advance, many exhausting years in advance.  We have a great honor to have responsibility for, so we want to be really careful with that. Not only for Star Wars but with Indiana Jones, which were all really excited about as well.

Indiana Jones 5s debut has been pushed back and is now scheduled to hit theaters on July 10, 2020.

7. We know when production will begin

In March 2018, Steven Spielberg received a Legend of Our Lifetime award at the Rakuten TV Empire Awards in London. During his speech, Spielberg let slip some very interesting news:

Its always worth the trip when I get to work with this deep bench of talent coming out of the UK. The actors, and the crew, the chippies, the sparks, the drivers  everybody who has helped me make my movies here, and will continue helping me make my movies here when I come back in April 2019 to make the fifth Indiana Jones movie right here.

8. Goodbye, Harrison Ford?

Because Indy will be passing the torch in this film, it makes sense that it will mark the heros last appearance. Still, its sad to hear.

Spielberg himself reportedly said, This will be Harrison Fords last Indiana Jones movie, I am pretty sure, but it will certainly continue after that. Well miss you, Ford, but the actor is likely more than ready to move on from the franchise.

Additional reporting by Becca Bleznak.

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By PTI: (EDS: Updating with fresh inputs and changing slug)

By Priyanka Tikoo

Xiamen, Sep 4 (PTI) The BRICS today sought decisive action against Pakistan-based terror outfits like the LeT and the JeM as well as the Taliban, ISIS and al-Qaeda, as it asked all states to prevent terror activities from their soil and curb terror financing.

In the Xiamen Declaration issued at the end of the BRICS Summits plenary session, the influential grouping -- comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- called upon the international community to establish a "genuinely broad" international counter-terrorism coalition.

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It reaffirmed that those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and sought expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN.

Secretary East in the External Affairs Ministry Preeti Saran said all BRICS leaders, speaking at the summit, voiced serious concerns over terrorism.

At a restricted session of the BRICS leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also articulated Indias position on the issue and offered to host a conference on de- radicalisation.

Talking about Indias position on terrorism, Saran told reporters at a briefing here that, "Terrorism is a scourge that has to be addressed collectively by the entire international community. And, I think, increasingly there is a realisation that you cannot have double standards in tackling this scourge."

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists. It is a collective action," she said.

The BRICS declaration said the grouping deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

It stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIS, al-Qaeda and its affiliates including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the BRICS declaration said.

The BRICS also called upon all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

"We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UNs central coordinating role in this regard," it said.

The grouping also stressed on the need for increasing the effectiveness of the UN counter-terrorism framework, including in the areas of cooperation and coordination among the relevant UN entities, designation of terrorists and terrorist groups.

"We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism," said the declaration.

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The challenges identified by it included containing supply of weapons, drug trafficking and dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the internet including social media by terrorist entities.

"We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing," it said.

Highlighting the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, the grouping emphasised on the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The BRICS also strongly deplored the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," the BRICS said. PTI PYK MPB ASK AKJ ASK

--- ENDS ---
Coptic Pope tells young people on Australia visit: 'Fight for what is right' and oppose gay marriage

Coptic Pope Tawadros II is urging young Copts to 'fight for what is right' and vote against same-sex marriage in Australia's forthcoming plebiscite.

Addressing around 1,000 young people on Friday evening, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt told them that 'family equals "father and mother"' in a rally at the International Convention Centre in Sydney Harbour.

Many Copts have fled oppression in Egypt during the last few decades to make their homes in Australia and Tawadros's visit is aimed at supporting their religious identity.

He said when he touched down in Australia: 'According to the Holy Bible, when you read either in the Old Testament or the New Testament, there is no  at all  same-sex marriage.

'Therefore, this marriage is completely refused from the Christian faith.'

Tawadros's comments comes as conservative Muslim leaders say they are afraid to join the debate on gay marriage for fear of being labelled extremists, including by Christians who share their opposition to the move.

Ali Kadri, from the Islamic Council of Queensland, warned many imams and community leaders, who he said represent 'the vast majority of the Muslim community', were refusing to speak out.

Kadri told the Guardian there was a mixture of views among Muslims, conservatives 'are afraid to express their concerns because they're worried they'll be labelled as extremists or terrorists'.

He said: 'It's not those that support the "yes" side that conservative Muslims are afraid of  ironically they are afraid of Christian conservatives who themselves support the "no" side.'

He added: 'Muslims have been flavour of the day for a long time and will come back on to the hit list [if same-sex marriage is legalised]. Although they agree on marriage, there is no sympathy or favours for Muslims [among the Christian right].'

Despite this the Council of Imams Queensland president, Yusuf Peer, has publicly opposed legalising gay marriage and the Australian National Imams Council issued a statement saying marriage was only between one man and one woman.

'This has been the view held by all major faiths including the traditional Judaeo-Christian beliefs and other traditions throughout human history,' the statement said.

'Islam also explicitly and unambiguously states that marital relationship is only permissible between a man and woman; any other marital relationships are Islamicly impermissible.'
Myanmar's rapes, beheadings and beatings: How the regime's persecution of the Rohingya minority is escalating

Myanmar's blocking of vital aid to thousands of desperate civilians fleeing persecution is the latest in a countless number of atrocities committed against the Rohingya.

Considered the most persecuted people group in the world, more than 80,000 have fled Myanmar into Bangladesh since the latest outburst of fighting began just over a week ago.

Satellite pictures released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) show entire villages burnt to the ground with 700 homes destroyed in one area alone. Video footage shows children being beheaded and women and children beaten. Those who survived to escape tell of horrific 'massacres'.

Hamida Begum, a refugee who has left everything behind, told CNN: 'They are beating us, shooting at us and hacking our people to death.

'Many people were killed. Many women were raped and killed. We are very poor.'

Aid workers in refugee camps on the Bangladesh side of the border say they can't take any more in and the UN's humanitarian outfit is being blocked from reaching thousands more, trapped in forests and hills on the Myanmar side of the border.

As tens of thousands, many with bullet wounds, continue to flee into Bangladesh despite orders from the Bangladeshi government to stop them, the latest surge in persecution against the Rohingya is causing particular worry.

Similar violence less than a year ago saw 85,000 Rohingya flee across the border into Bangladesh bringing accounts of mass rape, torture and murder from inside their own Rakhine State.

And since 2012 100,000 have lived in refugee camps within Myanmar after clashes between Buddhist nationalists and Muslims forced them from their homes. Along with hundreds of thousands of others, they also stopped receiving crucial aid last week.

Humanitarian organisations are 'deeply concerned about the fate of thousands of people affected by the ongoing violence' in northern Rakhine, said Pierre Peron, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Myanmar.

'There is an urgent need to ensure that displaced people and other civilians affected by the violence are protected and are given safe access to humanitarian assistance including food, water, shelter, and health services,' he added.

'Humanitarian aid normally goes to these vulnerable people for a very good reason, because they depend on it,' he went on. 'For the sake of vulnerable people in all communities in Rakhine state, urgent measures must be taken to allow vital humanitarian activities to resume.'

But on top of the concerns about the mass loss of life amid accusations of genocide and ethnic cleansing is the acknowledgement the violence was prompted by an attack from the Rohinyga's newly formed Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

Myanmar's 1.1 million Rohingyas have largely eschewed retaliation despite decades of persecution from the mainly Buddhist Myanmar military who do not recognise their place in the country. Stateless and refused citizenship, the Rohingya have suffered sustained attempts at ethnic cleansing with the Myanmar government justifying the attacks by saying they are combating 'terrorism'.

The largely Islamic people group have been victims of anti-Muslim sentiment fuelled by Myanmar's Buddhist leaders.

But the formation of ARSA last year adds weight to the government's illegitimate claim the Rohingyas are terrorists. This latest wave of attacks was provoked by ARSA's attack on a Myanmar police outpost, killing nine.

While the response has been disproportionate and more than 400 have died already, the outbreak of increasingly frequent attacks from Rohingya militants is a worrying sign for any hoping for peace in the region.
It is often perceived as hard for charities to attract great staff to key managerial and professional roles, since all but the largest or best resourced not-for-profits cant hope to compete with other sectors on pay. Finance roles at all levels can be particularly challenging. However, the good news is that these difficulties can be mitigated to a very large extent by taking a fresh look at exactly who you are trying to attract and how you go about it.

Where do we find the right people?

There is no one answer to this, and it really depends on your size, geographical location, the number of highly specialist or hard-to-fill posts you have, and what works best for you after trial and error.
The Charity Commission has published updated guidance for independent examiners assessing charities, which includes three new directions that must be followed.

The regulator has also published a checklist alongside the new guidance. It has published a summary of responses from the Commissions consultation, which ran from June to September last year.

The three new directions that must be followed by examiners are:

To check for any conflicts of interest that may prevent them from carrying out the independent examination.

To check that related party transactions in SORP accounts are properly disclosed.

To check whether the trustees have considered the charitys financial circumstances when preparing the accounts, and for SORP accounts whether the trustees have made an assessment of the charitys position as a going concern.

Nigel Davies, head of accountancy services at the Commission, said: These new requirements and the more robust examination process will ensure that charities accounts are sufficiently scrutinised and that any regulatory concerns are identified as early as possible.

It will also provide reassurance to trustees and the public that there is adequate oversight over charities finances.

Were grateful to everyone that provided feedback to us during the consultation process and the working party members who assisted us.

The improvements that weve made to the guidance as a result, such as creating a new checklist for examiners, will ensure that examiners are well equipped to meet the new requirements and that there is an appropriate balance between the duties of charities and examiners, and the need for a robust independent examination process alongside high-quality, transparent charity reporting.

The new requirements are mandatory for independent examiner reports signed and dated on or after 1 December 2017. This is to allow time for examiners to familiarise themselves with the guidance. However, early adoption is encouraged.

Charities with annual income between 25,000 and 1m are able to opt for their finances to be scrutinised by independent examination rather than a full audit.

The last major review of independent examination took place in April 2009, and since then there have been a number of developments.

These include a significant rise in the income threshold at which charities are required to undergo audit rather than independent examination, from 500,000 to 1m, which has led to independent examiners scrutinising larger and more complex organisations.
Over 70 per cent of chief executives at the countrys largest charities are men, according to the latest survey from Charity Finance.

Charity Finance, published by Civil Society Media, found that 71 out of 100 chief executives at the largest 100 charities are men. The full report will be published online and in print tomorrow with the September issue of the magazine.

Some 27 charities had female chief executives and two had vacant positions.

This is the highest number of women chief executives recorded in the past 10 years but it is only slightly higher than the 22 recorded in 2007.

'We need to look at the way the sector operates'

Acevo chief executive Vicky Browning said: Clearly its encouraging that the Charity Finance survey shows an improvement, howsoever small, on the number of women CEOs in the top 100.

The picture revealed is, however, far less positive than that shown by our Pay and Equality Survey of the wider sector where, for the first time, over half of CEOs are women.

Women comprise 65 per cent of the sectors entire workforce. Diversity tapers up the higher up the ladder you go and we need to look at the way the sector operates to tackle this issue which becomes even more evident in our largest charities.

Acevos annual pay survey , published in January, reviewed 473 chief executives and found that women outnumbered men for the first time, holding 58 per cent of the top roles.

Lack of BAME chief executives

Of the 60 chief executives who gave their ethnicity, 49 gave their ethnicity as white British, more than 80 per cent.

Five others gave their ethnicity as white other, European or Irish. Four were of Asian origin and two of African origin.

Acevo's survey earlier found that just three per cent of charity chief executives were from a BAME background.

Browning welcomed the fact that 10 per cent of respondents to the Charity Finance survey were from a BAME background.

But even this is still not as representative as we would like," she added. "Further action needs to be taken, starting with ensuring that diversity is considered throughout the recruitment process  whether its at entry level or when looking for a new CEO."

This years results also show charity chief executives are at their youngest since 2007, with an average age of 54 years and two months, but that they are also the least experienced in their current role, averaging four years and seven months, - almost a two-year decrease on 2015.

However, this years chief executives overall time in the sector is still relatively high at 16 years and four months on average.

The full Chief Executives Survey 2017 will be in the September issue of Charity Finance. To subcribe, click here

Civil Society Media is hosting its People & Culture Conference on 20 September 2017 which includes a session on the women in charity paradox. For more information, and to book, click here.
Carl Edwards, new director of Education and Public Engagement at Leaf

Our weekly summary of the latest movers in the charity sector.

Chief executive

UK Youth has announced the appointment of Lindsay Levkoff Lynn as chief executive on an interim basis, while current chief executive Anna Smee is on maternity leave.

Lynn, the former chief executive of Youth United Foundation, joins the charity on 25 September and will formerly take over the chief executive reins on 20 October.

Prior to working with Youth United Foundation, Lynn worked at Nesta where she was head of Impact, The Challenge Network, where she was head of fundraising and was a consultant for Bain & Company. She also sits on the board for Beyond Me and the Girl Scouts in America.

Fundraising and communications

Rohan Putter has joined blood cancer research organisation Bloodwise as its new director of fundraising and Marketing.

Putter will join the organisation on 7 September from Barnardos, where he is currently deputy director of fundraising. Prior to that, he was head of fundraising business strategy and operations at Marie Curie and was head of development at Royal Holloway.

He will be tasked with leading the organisations fundraising and, in the words of new chief executive Gemma Peters, significantly increase the charitys reach and impact.

Sustainable farming charity Linking Environment and Farming (Leaf) has announced the appointment of Carl Edwards as director of education and public engagement.

The charity, which merged with Farming and Countryside Education (Face) in April of this year, said Edwards would be responsible for planning, leading and executing its ambitious education and public engagement strategy.

Edwards was previously faculty leader for humanities at Ibstock Community College.

Non executive

Youth social action charity Generation Change has appointed Sam Conniff as its new chair.

Conniff, co-founder of youth-led creative network Livity, takes over from existing co-chairs and co-founders of Generation Change, Rob Wilson (not the same Rob Wilson who was minister for civil society until recently) and Sophie Livingstone.

Livingstone will continue on as a trustee of the organisation, while Wilson is set to step down entirely to focus on his social business.

John Robinson has been appointed chair of the board of trustees for elderly support charity MHA. Robinson succeeds Graham Smith, who steps down from the role after completing his term.

Robinson has held a wide variety of non-executive roles in both the private the charity sectors, including as chair of Wimpey, Railtrack and older persons charity Abbeyfield. He is also a trustee of Livability.

He was also the chief executive of international medical devices business Smith and Nephew.
Its the time of year when university campuses around the country start to shake off the summer slow-mo. As the first day of classes approaches, Ive been thinking about what I plan on saying to my journalism students about this extraordinary period in our countrys life, and how that impacts their future as journalists.

Until I started teaching a few years ago, I was a broadcast journalist, producer, and executive in cable, local, and public broadcasting. Ive lived through Watergate, Iran-Contra, the Clinton scandals, and the Gulf wars. I want to put into perspective what they are facing as they go out to report stories, and why this is such a critical time for budding journalists to think deeply and carefully about what they do and how they do it.

But I will start by telling them what they wont learn in my class.

If they watched the events of Charlottesville and didnt fully understand why people reacted as they did to Nazi slogans that demonized blacks and Jews, then its their responsibility to understand the Hitler era. Ill happily suggest resources. Similarly, if they are not fully steeped in our countrys history with civil rights, from slavery to the Civil War to Reconstruction, from Brown v. Board of Education to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, then they need to do their homework. Again, I will give them a reading list.

Theres no substitute or shortcut for knowledge and, most importantly, a thirst for knowledge. I will reinforce that they will not do well in my class if they show up without knowing the big stories. Its called journalism, but I will tell them that its really historywith a today top.

Ill help them, to be sure. Ill give them a list of great apps (like the Associated Presss) that give them news 24 hours a day in their back pockets. Ill urge them to check out The New York Times and The Washington Post and listen to news radio every now and then. Ill show them that wonderful documentary that Vice News produced in the midst of Charlottesville.

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ICYMI: The outrageous editorial by a Charlottesville daily that preceded violence

I wontand cantteach them curiosity, though I will try to stoke theirs. I will tell them they have to pursue curiosity on their own in two different but connected realms: First, in the digital world, where they can access newspapers from a hundred years ago, read personal diaries, tap into databases, and watch news from all over the world. Second, but as important, in the real world. They need to get out of their comfort zones when pursuing stories. They need to meet people and visit unfamiliar neighborhoods.

I plan on telling them there are more opportunities than ever to tell stories or more platforms for good journalism to thrive. But there have also never been so many challenges to honest journalism, both around the world and here at home.

Ill give them a quick primer on the relationship between the press and the presidency. Its always been contentious, and presidents have always had a complicated relationship with our profession. But this is the first time weve come under such a prolonged and destructive campaign to demean and delegitimize what we do. (A sidebar: As a college student, I was once dressed down at a televised news conference by Vice President Spiro Agnew.) I plan on giving them a face-saving way out: I will tell them that I understand if some of them decide its not worth the anxiety to be out there on the streets of our country at a time when our commander in chief calls them the enemy. Theres no shame in admitting that being a journalist isnt for everyone.

ICYMI: If youre telling me his secrets, youre probably telling him mine. Now I know never to trust you.

For those who decide to stick around, Ill reinforce that this job takes guts. Also, maturity. As weve seen with healthcare, issues are complex, have many facets, and they change over time. Ive never subscribed to the idea that there is such a thing as achievable objectivity. We are not a tabula rasawe are the sum total of our backgrounds and beliefs. As journalists, we have to check our prejudices and predispositions at the doornot deny that we have them. Our job is to use the tools of our trade to tell the stories we discover.

I will tell them they cant be cowed by false equivalencybetween Nazis and racial purists on one hand, and those who oppose them on the other. I plan on telling them about my grandfather, Harry Effron. He escaped from anti-Semitism in Russia for these shores and then enlisted as a doughboy in World War I. And my father, Irving Effron, who gave up a deferment to fight as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II to defend American values against imperialism and autocracy. If this is like every other class Ive taught, Im sure some of my students are first-generation Americans, and that their parents and grandparents also sacrificed life and limb to come here to live freely and have a better life. I will ask my students to honor their forebearers.

Ill tell them: I am on your side. I want to do everything I can to make you into the best journalist you can be. This is the place to make your mistakes, to try things, to learn. Because, given the precarious state of the world and the forces arrayed against you, you want to go out in that world armed with the best professional skills that will serve you in any set of circumstances.

Finally, Ill thank them for taking a stand by taking this class. Ill remind them that by practicing journalism, theyre saying they are committed to seeking out the truth without fear or favor. Theyre saying they will not be afraid to stand up to authority; that they will work hard not just on writing and reporting, but on understanding history.

RELATED: A copyeditor was looking at early Charlottesville images. While doing so, he made a big realization.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Mark Effron , a veteran broadcast journalist and executive, teaches journalism at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, and is coordinator of the Schools new News Lab.
By India Today Web Desk: Yes, you may not have to dig deep into your pockets to book a ticket to Europe.

For, Indian low-cost carriers (LCCs), along with a few foreign airlines, are offering international tickets to Europe, at a much cheaper rate than before.

Indian LCCs like SpiceJet and IndiGo are likely to begin long-haul international flights very soon. Else, Scoot, a Singapore Airlines' subsidiary, might avail its ''fifth freedom'' rights, that allows a carrier to operate direct flights between two foreign countries, to fly between India and Europe.

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Scoot's lowest fare for a one-way trip would be between Rs 12,000 and Rs 13,000, including the cost of a 20 kg check-in baggage and a meal.

Currently, the lowest fares on direct flights between India and Europe start at around Rs 45,000, reported The Times of India.

Also Read: 6 ways to save yourself from jet lag

On the other hand, SpiceJet and IndiGo are likely to launch their first European long-haul flight to London-Gatwick.

The demand for long-haul, low-cost flights has only been increasing over time, which is being met with due supply. "The long-haul, low-cost sector has just surpassed 5,00,000 weekly seats (globally) for the first time," mentioned a May-June 2017 report by Centre for Asia Pacific (CAPA).

Some of the international airlines like Norwegian Air, International Airlines Groups, among others, are also eyeing India for being a lucrative market. "We can see long-haul, low-cost operations gaining ground from next fiscal with Indian LCCs driving growth," said Kapil Kaul of CAPA, suggesting the possibility of creating a new market segment for the same.

--- ENDS ---
Characteristic mushroom shaped cloud begins formation after the first H-Bomb explosion (US) at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacifi on 6th November 1952. Three Lions | Getty Images

North Korea announced on Sunday that it had successfully conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, using what it said was an advanced hydrogen bomb  or an "H-bomb". Experts haven't yet verified whether the weapon was indeed an "H-bomb", though they widely agree that it created an explosion which far exceeded previous tests. U.S. Geological Survey measured the explosion at a magnitude of 6.3, and shockwaves were measured at more than 130 stations in destinations as far away as Argentina. But what exactly is an H-Bomb? CNBC explains

What is a hydrogen bomb?

A hydrogen bomb is a type of nuclear bomb, just like an atomic bomb, where the explosive energy comes from as nuclear reaction. The difference comes from how that energy is created. An atomic bomb uses fission, that is, the breaking of an atom's nucleus into smaller particles. This results in the release of neutrons and lots of energy that become an atomic explosion. In comparison, a hydrogen bomb is about fusion  fusing atomic nuclei together to combine into bigger ones.

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A hydrogen bomb, or a thermonuclear bomb, contains a fission weapon within it but there is a two-stage reaction process. It uses the energy from a primary nuclear fission to set off a subsequent fusion reaction. The energy released by fusion is three to four times greater than the energy released by fission, giving the "hydrogen" bomb, or H-bomb, more power. The name comes from the fact that it uses a fusion of tritium and deuterium, hydrogen isotopes. Essentially, an H-bomb is only limited by the amount of hydrogen within it and can be made as powerful as its builder wishes it to be, making it a big threat should a perceived "rogue" state like North Korea develop one.

When was it created?

The U.S. used two atomic bombs in World War II against Japan, effectively forcing the country to surrender and ending the war. Then, in 1952 and 1954, it detonated hydrogen bombs in the Marshall Islands. In 1954, the U.S. conducted further tests of the hydrogen bomb in the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. One of the bombs detonated as part of a series of tests was called "Castle Bravo." It produced an explosion believed to be up to 1,000 times more powerful that the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. The Bravo bomb yielded 15 megatons (15 million tons of TNT) and was - and is still - the largest bomb ever exploded by the U.S., Atomic Heritage notes. The largest ever hydrogen bomb, known as the "Tsar Bomba," was detonated by the then-Soviet Union in 1961, with a yield of 50 megatons.

How might it be used?

The world was first alerted to North Korea's hydrogen bomb developments in January 2016, when it claimed to have created a "miniaturized" H-Bomb. The announcement caught the attention of world leaders and nuclear experts far more than its previous nuclear bomb tests because it indicated that North Korea may have developed the capability of creating an "H-bomb" on a much smaller scale than those previously seen. This means a bomb that could potentially fit on the end of a missile and be launched by a submarine or aircraft.

This undated picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 3, 2017 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) looking at a metal casing with two bulges at an undisclosed location. STR | Getty Images

North Korean state media published photos Sunday of President Kim Jong Un inspecting a peanut-shaped device in front of a diagram, which led analysts to suspect it could be fitted into the nose cone of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In a statement Sunday, the North Korean agency responsible for developing nuclear weapons described the manufacturing of an "H-bomb to be placed at the payload of the ICBM."

Should we be scared?
While 2017's emoji are finally making their way to keyboards around the world, 2018's edition is just around the corner, and an estimated 67 emoji have made it past the first round. Ahead of the annual meeting that decides which ones make the final cut, CNBC took a look at some of the leading contenders. Some of the proposed emoji up for final consideration include a ball of yarn, a magnet, luggage, roll of toilet paper and a lobster.

Red Hair, White Hair...No hair?

Proposed red hair emoji | Emojipedia

Today's emoji keyboard supports a variety of skin colors as well as hair colors, ranging from blonde to light brown to a dark brown. Red hair, however, is not represented. The proposal on the table throws a bone to gingers everywhere, in addition to suggestions for curly hair, white hair, and no hair at all. "Despite a large number of people requesting a redhead emoji online, it seemed that no one had submitted a formal proposal to Unicode for this." said Jeremy Burge, Emojipedia founder and the author of the proposal. "I felt it my duty to represent those who have been asking me non-stop about this, and to propose this to Unicode."

Butter, or cream cheese?

This particular proposal cites a bagel as "a globally recognized comfort food and snack, with a multicultural backstory." The proposal also offers two versions of the emoji  one sliced and one un-sliced. Emphasizing the split differentiates it from the donut emoji currently in the keyboard. "I was pitching the bagel from being Jewish, from being in New York and having eaten a lot of bagels. The combination of college student budget and living in the city leads you to eating a lot of bagels." said Melanie Broder, who is also a writer for a marketing agency. "This is the first proposal I've written. If it passes, it would be on your phone in 2018." Broder found that through doing research for the emoji proposal, the bagel told a story about Jewish assimilation into American culture. For her and other supporters, this is more of a sop for secular Jews and bagel fans than the Star of David emoji currently in use.



Pay me!

"Venmo Me" or "splitting the bill" are phrases that have become commonplace as groups of people find a way to divvy up expenses. Yet how do you ask your friends to pay you in a not so serious way? This was partly the thought behind Megan O'Neill and Alolita Sharma's proposal for a receipt character. According to their proposal, digital receipts as emoji are becoming a major part of the "visual vocabulary" for millions of online consumers, and the rise of social commerce has accelerated it. These treats don't have calories
James Mattis, U.S. secretary of defense, and General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a news conference on the North Korea situation outside of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Sept. 3, 2017.

North Korea on Sunday conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it said was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, prompting the threat of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies are threatened.

Speaking outside the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump and his national security team, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Trump asked to be briefed on all available military options.

"Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis said.

It's not clear what Mattis means by "threat." North Korea regularly menaces the United States and its allies  it launched a missile over Japan last week and has verbally threatened South Korea, Australia and Guam in recent months.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," Mattis said with Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at his side. "But as I said, we have many options to do so."
President Donald Trump is set to scrap an Obama-era program this week that protects people who entered the United States illegally as children, according to multiple reports.

Politico, citing sources, first reported that Trump was persuaded to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program following conversations with Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Reuters also reported, citing sources, that the president is expected to rescind the program. NBC News separately confirmed this information.

Sources told NBC that the announcement would likely come Tuesday, but the details aren't final until they are announced.

The White House plans to delay the enforcement of the president's decision for six months to give Congress a window to act, sources said.

The decision is likely to spark political controversy, but it will also fulfill one of the president's core campaign promises. But while candidate Trump pledged to end the program, he later softened his stance, saying he wanted to treat the immigrants with "heart."

On Friday, Trump said he had a "great feeling for DACA."

"We love the dreamers," Trump said, using the name for the people protected under DACA. "We love everybody."

DACA protects nearly 800,000 young men and women. The program, started in 2012 under President Barack Obama, gives those immigrants a two-year period of protection from deportation and permission to work in the United States.

The president's upcoming action could result in many immigrants who entered the United States illegally as children getting deported. NBC News reported that as many as 1 million immigrants could be affected. Research shows the move could also see the U.S. economy take a serious hit if workers and students protected by DACA were faced with deportation.

Trump is under pressure from attorneys general from several states to end the program by September 5. If the federal government did not withdraw DACA by the given date, the attorneys general said they would file a legal challenge to the program in a Texas federal court, according to reports.

The program, however, has supporters in both major parties and some GOP lawmakers have spoken out against scrapping DACA in the past. On Friday, House Speaker Paul Ryan and senator Orrin Hatch pushed Trump to not end the program.

But many on the right, even those who support protections for children brought into the country illegally through no design of their own, argue that DACA is unconstitutional, according to Politico. They reason that Obama carried it out unilaterally instead of working through Congress.

In an open letter Thursday, nearly 400 U.S. executives, including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, urged Trump to retain the protections.

Apple CEO Tim Cook took to Twitter on Sunday and said he stood by his employees, the so-called Dreamers, covered by the program.

Cook Tweet: 250 of my Apple coworkers are #Dreamers. I stand with them. They deserve our respect as equals and a solution rooted in American values.

Reuters contributed to this report.
France's economy minister has dismissed suggestions that the U.K. is being "blackmailed" into agreeing a fee for its split from the EU before formal trade talks can begin.

"There's no blackmail. There is no blackmail," Bruno Le Maire told CNBC on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy over the weekend. "You cannot rewrite the past and what's been decided has been decided. There will be no blackmail but there will be decision," Le Maire said, suggesting that there's no turning back on the U.K.'s decision to leave the EU.

Le Maire's comments came shortly after a statement made by the U.K.'s Trade Secretary Liam Fox. During a trip to Japan last week, Fox said the U.K. could not be blackmailed into paying a bill before there's an agreement on their future relationship - something that the EU opposes completely and which the U.K. had previously agreed upon.

"We can't be blackmailed into paying a price on the first part," he said. "We think we should begin discussions on the final settlement because that's good for business, and it's good for the prosperity both of the British people and of the rest of the people of the European Union."

Brexit discussions cranked up a notch at the Ambrosetti Forum in Lake Como over the weekend. The EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that the British people hadn't been properly told about the consequences of leaving the single market  an area where goods, services and people move freely. As such, Barnier said that Brexit would be "an educational process" for the British.

The relationship between the U.K. and Europe has become tense after the third round of negotiations, which ended last Thursday. The European Union warned that there hadn't been enough progress to comply with the timeline originally agreed. The official timeline indicates that London and Brussels can discuss trade links and their future relationship in October, but that seems now very unlikely.
The price of bitcoin fell sharply after Chinese regulators announced a ban on organizations from raising funds using initial coin offerings (ICOs).

ICOs allow start-ups to raise investment by selling new cryptocurrencies, which are similar to bitcoin, in return for cash. However, the People's Bank of China says this practice, which has become popular around the world as well as in China, constitutes illegal fundraising.

Despite bitcoin's price falling, some expect this move to be shortlived.

"This type of news is 'universally' negative sentiment, within the crypto space, so we are not surprised to see a dip on all assets today," Fran Strajnar, co-founder and CEO of data and research company Brave New Coin, told CNBC via email.

"We do not see this to be a lasting issue."
Regulators are about to begin scrutinizing China's initial coin offerings  an industry worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Local outlet Caixin reported that a notice, issued by a working committee that oversees risk in the country's internet finance sector, said new projects raising cash or other virtual currencies through cryptocurrencies will be banned. It added that authorities will crack down on related fraudulent practices.

The document defined initial coin offerings (ICOs) as an unauthorized fundraising tool that may involve financial scams, the Caixin report noted. The committee provided a list of 60 major ICO platforms for local financial regulatory bodies to inspect.

Seven government administrations including the People's Bank of China, China Securities Regulatory Commission, China Banking Regulatory Commission and China Insurance Regulatory Commission issued a joint statement where they reiterated that ICOs are unauthorized illegal fund raising activity.

The statement said authorities are banning all organizations and individuals from raising funds through ICO activities and that all banks and financial institutions should not do any business related to ICO trading.

Organizations and individuals that have completed fundraising through ICOs should make relevant arrangement to return funds, in order to protect the interests of investors and properly deal with risks.

The statement added that enhanced management is needed on digital coin fundraising platforms.
Elon Musk has made an ominous warning about artificial intelligence (AI), suggesting it could be the cause of a third world war.

His comment was in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin who said Friday that the first global leader in AI would "become the ruler of the world."

"China, Russia, soon all countries w strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo (in my opinion)," the Tesla and SpaceX CEO tweeted Monday.

Tweet

Putin said that the development of AI raises both "colossal opportunities" and "threats that are difficult to predict."

"Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world," he said at a meeting with students on Friday.

The United States is generally considered to be the nation leading the charge towards AI currently, with tech giants like Google and Microsoft pouring large amounts of cash into research and development projects.

But last week, a report by Goldman Sachs found that China could have the AI capability to catch up with the U.S.

"We believe AI technology will become a priority on the government's agenda, and we expect further national/regional policy and funding support on AI to follow," the investment bank said.
I think that the political party in power at the Centre is responsible for Sultan Ahmed's death, said Trinamool Congress MP Subrata Bakshi.

By Manogya Loiwal : Trinamool Congress MP Sultan Ahmed today died of massive cardiac arrest in Kolkata.

Ahmed, who was the tourism minister in the Manmohan Singh government, complained of chest pain in the morning and was rushed to the Belle Vue Hospital where doctors declared him dead. He was 64.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), it seems, is now blaming the BJP-led Central government for Sultan Ahmed's death.

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TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "I have heard a very sad news while coming to the meeting. Sultan (Ahmed) is no more. I have even heard that a CBI application was sent when his body was being taken. He was too tensed with the Narada case. He was too young to die. It is a very sad and unfortunate incident. We all are grief-stricken."

Mamata's partymen are echoing similar sentiments as they visited the hospital and later Sultan Ahmed's house on Ripon Street in Kolkata.

Trinamool Congress MP Subrata Bakshi said, "This is a very unfortunate incident. Sultan Ahmed was there with us right from the beginning. His death has hurt us a lot. I think that the political party in power at the Centre (read BJP) is responsible for his death."

The TMC MP further said, "A man requires 40 years to be established in life. But a life ends in 40 seconds. The political party in power at the Centre and some media houses have mentally tortured him and maligned him for the last 8-10 months that he had felt estranged from his family and social life."

"Our entire Trinamool family is grief-stricken. The wife of another Trinamool MP Prasun Banerjee has died due to the similar reasons. We protest this incident and his (Sultan Ahmed) death is likely to create a void in the Trinamool Congress. We cannot forget his contribution," said TMC MP Subrata Bakshi.

Sultan was feeling the CBI heat over allegations of bribery following the Narada sting scam. He was grilled by the central investigation agency for nearly seven hours in July.

ALSO READ:

CBI interrogates West Bengal minister Subrata Mukherjee in Narada scam

ED summons Sovan, Sultan and Iqbal in Narada tapes case

CBI interrogates TMC MP Sultan Ahmed

ALSO WATCH: Modi-Shah's CBI parrot cages scam-tainted Lalu, Kejri. Mamata next?

--- ENDS ---
European markets failed to lift themselves out of the red on Monday, after North Korea's latest nuclear test prompted investors to rush to safe-haven assets. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed down 0.52 percent, with most sectors closing in negative territory, with the exception of autos and oil. Looking to individual bourses, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 finished down 0.36 percent, while the French CAC and German DAX followed a similar pattern, ending down 0.37 percent and 0.33 percent respectively.

European markets



Technology stocks were one of the worst performers Monday, ending down 0.9 percent as a sector overall. Gemalto slumped to the bottom of the benchmark after Deutsche Bank , Kepler Cheuvreux, and Invest Securities cut their target price for the Dutch digital security firm. Its shares ended down 10 percent. Fiat Chrysler also slipped into negative territory on Monday, falling 1.27 percent by the close. This comes after Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said he had not received any offers for the car maker. Switching to the opposite side of the spectrum, specialty chemicals maker Victrex popped 8.5 percent, after the company said that it expected its tax rate to be "materially lower than previous guidance". Numis, Jefferies, Credit Suisse and N+1 Singer also raised their target price on the stock.



Elsewhere, pharma heavyweight Novartis ended the trading day under pressure, off 0.99 percent. The group announced that its Chief Executive Joseph Jimenez would retire in 2018, with drug developer Vasant Narasimhan due to take over from February next year.

Market jitters

On Sunday, North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date, which it claimed was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile. In response to Pyongyang's test, South Korea carried out a live-fire exercise simulating an attack on North Korea. The missile drill saw ballistic missiles launched from fighter jets and from the ground. It came as U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned that any threat from North Korea towards the U.S. or its allies would be met with a "massive military response." The Japanese , gold , spot silver and sovereign bonds all rose during Asian and European trade as growing international unease caused a typical knee-jerk shift to save havens. Consequently, precious metal miners Randgold Resources , Polymetal International and Fresnillo all posted strong gains of 2 percent or more by the end of the session. Several oil and gas majors posted solid gains as well, despite the volatility in the energy market.

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Europe in the spotlight
Gold prices have spiked to their highest point in almost a year as safe-haven assets continue their march upwards against a backdrop of ongoing tensions surrounding North Korea and its nuclear program.

The precious metal edged around 1 percent higher in early Monday trade, hitting $1,338.16 per troy ounce by 9:30 a.m. London time, to stand marginally shy of the 12-month peak of $1,338.48 reached on September 24 last year.

Prices had pulled back slightly in later trade to hover around $1,334.48 by lunchtime in London.

Gold's rally has directionally tracked those of fellow safe-haven assets including the Japanese yen and Swiss franc during Monday's session, following North Korea's latest missile test over the weekend.

However, it's important not to lose sight of the possibility the situation will de-escalate and prompt a speedy retracement of the trend, Georgette Boele, senior FX strategist at ABN Amro, told CNBC.

"If the tensions in Asia increase because of North Korea, gold and other safe haven assets are supported. But if tensions ease again gold will probably ease as well," said Boele via email on Monday.

"We hold the view a recovery of the U.S. dollar will push gold prices lower (towards $1,300 or below) in the near term - but in this scenario we don't expect an escalation of the situation with North Korea," she added.

The test was the sixth to have been carried out by the North Koreans since President Donald Trump moved into the White House last January and is believed to have been the most powerful to date. A flurry of verbal diplomacy from world leaders in the aftermath of the news has demonstrated the seriousness with which experts were treating the development, with such sentiment feeding through to flip financial markets into "risk-off" mode as the trading week began.

According to Kit Juckes, macro strategist at Societe Generale, investors should actually be prepared for a potential reversal of Monday's moves,

"The trend in recent months has been for knee-jerk risk-averse reactions to geopolitical events to be followed by a gradual recovery in risk sentiment as global monetary accommodation has its usual pacifying effect in markets," Juckes wrote in a note to clients on Monday.

"A repeat of that pattern seems eminently possible this week," he hypothesized.

A spike in geopolitical tensions in recent months has enabled gold to step out of the $1,200 - $1,300 spectrum which has dominated the precious metal's trading range over the past year.
North Korea on Sunday conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it claimed was an advanced hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile.

Outside observers haven't verified that the weapon was a hydrogen bomb, but experts widely agree that the weapon created an explosion that far exceeded previous North Korean nuclear tests.

Norsar, a Norwegian geoscience research foundation, said in a news release that it estimated the explosive yield of the recently tested bomb to be at 120 kilotons TNT. In other words, its power equaled or exceeded 264.55 million pounds worth of TNT.
Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at the 2017 Stephan Weiss Apple Awards on June 7, 2017 in New York City.

Hillary Clinton endorsed a new political media platform on Sunday, shortly before an alleged cyberattack forced the website offline.

Clinton surprised many of her followers over the weekend when she announced her personal support for a new and relatively unknown website called Verrit.

Tweet 1

Described as a "media platform for the 65.8 million" voters who supported Clinton in last November's presidential election, Verrit aims to organize supporters of the former first lady by providing them with verified facts.

The media platform has also funded a number of organizations that are campaigning against President Donald Trump, Recode reported.

Soon after Clinton's endorsement, the start-up's founder and former Clinton advisor, Peter Daou, claimed his website had been forced offline after a suspected distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.

This type of cyberattack occurs when an internet service is intentionally overwhelmed by traffic from lots of sources. It is a common method for digital assaults.

Tweet 2

"Hilary Clinton endorsed @Verrit, our new media platform, an hour ago and we've already been subjected to a denial-of-service attack," Daou said via Twitter on Sunday evening.

Despite the alleged cyberattack, Daou said his site had attracted 11,000 new followers in the two hours after Clinton had voiced her support for the media platform.
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China should stop exporting crude oil to North Korea after the reclusive nation defied the international community by testing a nuclear bomb on Sunday despite numerous international trade sanctions, experts told CNBC. "If China decides to cut off that vital supply of crude oil going to North Korea, there will be an immediate and pretty costly impact on the economy," said Scott Seaman, director for Asia at geopolitical consultancy Eurasia Group. The move, if implemented, would have a major impact on North Korea's military and transport operations, Seaman told CNBC's "Squawk Box." North Korea has become "extremely adept" at moving around international sanctions, even though they may prove effective in the long run, said Jonathan Pollack, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution. "The real issue here is whether China and Russia will be prepared to go into domains that until now they have not been prepared to enter and that very specifically concerns oil," Pollack told CNBC's "Street Signs." "If the Chinese and the Russians both would be prepared to limit, or suspend outright, oil deliveries to the north, that's a very consequential step. It may have a much, much more potent effect than all of these issues related to sanctions," Pollack added.

Chinese July gasoline exports to North Korea were down 97 percent from a year ago, but analysts said its crude oil exports to Pyongyang still keep the regime humming. China does not report crude oil exports to North Korea, but industry sources told Reuters in April that the country supplies about 520,000 tonnes of crude a year to North Korea through an old pipeline. Meanwhile, bilateral Russia-North Korea trade doubled to $31.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 from a year ago, Reuters reported in August. Most shipments were oil, coal and refined products. On Sunday, President Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on the sidelines of a summit that they will "appropriately deal with" North Korea's latest nuclear test, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported. Xi was in Xiamen hosting that summit just as the test was conducted and news of the move has overshadowed the meeting's agenda, embarrassing the Chinese leader, Seaman and a colleague wrote in a Eurasia note. Xi is widely viewed to be seeking a second term at the once-in-five-years 19th Communist Party Congress in October.

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The Eurasia Group note said that with Pyongyang's latest provocation, Beijing will finally reduce crude oil exports to North Korea substantially. Still, they wrote, that would only be "for a limited period to prevent a total economic collapse. China wants to impose real pain without bringing down the system." "China supplies around 90 percent of Pyongyang's demand for crude oil, and cutting this flow would likely have an immediate and costly impact on North Korea's economy," the consultancy added. The last time China took this step was in the spring of 2003, when it cut off oil supply for three days after a missile test. The Chinese have been reluctant to take that route because they have feared that doing so may destabilize the Kim Jong Un regime and the region, but Pyongyang's latest underground nuclear test  its sixth since 2006  may have crossed Beijing's "red line of sorts," Eurasia said.

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Chancellor Angela Merkel fended off competition from rival Martin Schulz Sunday night as the two leading candidates went head-to-head in their only televised debate ahead of this month's German election. The incumbent emerged in the lead following a 97-minute duel, which focused on the European migrant crisis, Turkey's accession to the EU, and the handling of President Donald Trump. A survey conducted by Infratest Dimap moments after the show indicated that Merkel was viewed as more convincing by 55 percent versus 35 percent for Schulz. Merkel made clear her distinction from Trump and what she called "major differences" in their stances on climate change and his response to the race-fueled violence in Charlottesville. However, she insisted that Germany would work closely with the U.S. president to find a solution to growing tensions with North Korea.

A screen capture as seen from the Adlershof television studios were the live broadcast of the television debate between German Chancellor and Christian Democrat (CDU) Angela Merkel and her main opponent, German Social Democrat (SPD) and chancellor candidate Martin Schulz, on September 3, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. Omer Messinger | Stringer | Getty Images

"I don't think that one can solve this conflict without the American president," Merkel noted. She said she would speak to Trump as well as his counterparts in Russia, China, Japan and South Korea over the coming days as allied nations try to strike a resolve to end a series of missile tests by North Korean President Kim Jong Un. Schulz, who leads the opposing Social Democratic Party (SPD) took a tougher line on Trump, criticizing him for "bringing the world to the brink of crisis with his tweets." He said that Germany should focus on forming closer ties with the president's domestic U.S. opponents, as well as Mexico, Canada, and Europe.

Migrant crisis

The pair also came to a head over Europe and the region's continued migrant crisis. Schulz accused Merkel of straining relations with European partners and failing to properly consult them before taking action, causing hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers to arrive in Germany. The move hurt Merkel's campaign briefly at the start of the year and was a boon for Schulz, but she has since recovered ground in public opinion.

German volunteers from Traunstein in Germany dispatch humanitarian aid to a group of refugees. Falk Heller | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Despite their clashes, observers noted a general compatibility in the rivals' approach, prompting ARD television commentator, Rainald Becker, to describe the showdown as "more a duet than a duel." On Turkey, the pair appeared to agree that it should not be accepted into the EU, despite continued attempts by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Schulz's hard-line stance on Turkey, which Germany accuses of human rights breaches, led Merkel to say that she would "speak to my (EU) colleagues to see if we can reach a joint position on this so that we can end these accession talks." This could be harmful to Schulz, however, as a lack of distinction will likely see him struggle to gain ground ahead of the national vote on Sunday September 24. "The good news from tonight's debate is that at the end of a heated election year in Europe, polarization is very limited among Germany's two largest parties. For Schulz, however, this is a problem," political analysis firm Teneo Intelligence stated in a research note. "Put differently, the debate highlighted that Merkel and Schulz are compatible enough to lead a grand coalition together; yet it is precisely this impression that narrows Schulz's electoral prospects. This poses the risk that the SPD will not do well enough to make it into government again. Merkel's Christian Democratic Union currently leads a coalition government with the SPD. Given the complex make-up of the German parliament, and Merkel's notable but insufficient lead in the polls, another coalition is likely. This could either be with the CDU and the SPD, or the CDU and one or more of the smaller parties. Polling ahead of Sunday's debate saw the CDU emerging triumphant with 38 percent of votes to the SPD's 24 percent.

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As the U.S. mulls its next move against North Korea, some have suggested that sanctioning the major Chinese banks could be the most effective way to pressure the rogue nation into halting its nuclear program.

Targeting the big lenders from the world's second-largest economy is not a new idea. And it would not necessarily just be a way to lash out at Beijing for not controlling Pyongyang sufficiently: Some Chinese banks, like the Bank of China, are said to have helped North Korea evade sanctions.

But the big Chinese banks have so far avoided any punishments by the U.S., which has instead blacklisted smaller players such as Bank of Dandong for financing North Korea. That could change after the hermit nation claimed over the weekend that it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb  a much more powerful weapon compared to those it previously tested.

In response, President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea" and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is reportedly drafting a harsher sanctions package.

Donald Trump tweet: The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.

China is North Korea's largest trading partner, accounting for 85 percent of the latter's trade and has a "fair amount of leverage" over the hermit nation, Bejoy Das Gupta, Asia Pacific chief economist at the Institute of International Finance told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

In an August announcement by the Treasury Department, more Chinese entities were added to the U.S. sanctions list. Mnuchin at the time said the Treasury "will continue to increase pressure on North Korea" by, among others, "isolating them from the American financial system."

All big four state-owned banks in China have in recent years increased their presence in the U.S., where their operations now include providing loans, issuing bonds and financing trade activities.
Novartis Chief Executive Joseph Jimenez will retire in 2018, with chief drug developer Vasant Narasimhan taking over as CEO starting in February, the Swiss drugmaker said on Monday.

Jimenez is stepping down following a decade at Novartis after having successfully secured U.S. approval for a new gene therapy for leukemia last week but before Novartis returned to sales growth, which the company has forecast will resume in 2018.
By India Today Web Desk: Recently, TV actor Siddharth Nigam got injured on the sets of his show Chandra Nandni, where he plays prince Bindusara. The actor got bruised while shooting for a fight sequence in the show and was happy about it. Strange, right?

Sidharth took to Instagram and shared a collage of pics that showed bruises on his arms, back and neck. He posted the pic with a note where he explained why he was happy despite being injured. He wrote, "So today we did an amazing fight scene, everyone was clapping for us and cheering on set. That time adrenaline on my brain was so high, I was only concentrating on performance but when I came back to my vanity, removed my costume, I saw all these wounds on my body and pain is high I swear. But then I realised man these are the only claps and cheers I heard, these are the blessing and wishes which my co-actors gave to me. Love doing all this. Trust me when you like my work and love me for the same, all the pain vanishes."

So today we did an amazing fight scence everyone was clapping for us and cheering on set. That time adrenaline on my brain was so high I was only concentrating on performance but when I came back to my vanity removed my costume I saw all these wounds on my body and pain is high i swear. But then I realised man these are the only claps and cheers I heared these are the blessing and wishes which my co-actors gave to me. Love doing all this. Trust me when you like my work and love me for the same all the pain vanishes.??? A post shared by Siddharth Nigam (@thesiddharthnigam) on Sep 1, 2017 at 10:04am PDT

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Sidharth rose to fame as young Asoka in Colors' popular historical drama Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat. The 17-year-old actor was also a part of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 9.

Also read: Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke actress Mahima Makwana suffers head injury on the sets of her upcoming show

--- ENDS ---
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speak to the media before their talks at the United States Department of State on May 10, 2017.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has condemned the U.S. decision to seize three Russian diplomatic facilities as a "blatantly hostile act", urging Washington to immediately reverse the call or "bear the total blame" for worsening diplomatic ties.

The U.S. ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in San Francisco on Saturday, as well as two trade offices in New York and Washington. The State Department order, given in late August, followed Moscow's decision to cut America's diplomatic presence in Russia.

Diplomats from Moscow were working to vacate the properties over the weekend.

"We treat these developments as a blatantly hostile act, a grave violation by Washington of international law," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website on Sunday.

"We urge the U.S. authorities to come to their senses and to immediately return the Russian diplomatic facilities. Otherwise the U.S. will bear the total blame for the ongoing degradation of the relations between our countries," the ministry added.
Texas on Monday edged toward recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey as shipping

channels, oil pipelines and refineries restarted some operations and authorities lifted an evacuation order for the area around a once-burning chemical plant.



Port operations across the U.S. Gulf Coast oil and gas hub were resuming, although many still had restrictions on vessel draft, according to U.S. Coast Guard updates.



U.S. gasoline prices fell in expectation that the area can get back on its feet after Harvey wrought a path of destruction stretching for more than 300 miles (480 km), killing an estimated 50 people and displacing more than 1 million.

Benchmark U.S. gasoline futures fell by more than 3 percent on Monday.



The Coast Guard allowed some barge traffic to enter Port Arthur, Texas, home of the country's largest oil refinery, and is considering allowing ships to enter on Tuesday, a spokesman said.

Flooding led to a series of fires at the Arkema SA chemical plant in Crosby, a town of about 2,300 people some 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Houston. Containers of the chemicals, which are unstable if not kept refrigerated, started igniting on Thursday after power outages cut off cooling systems.

Local firefighters under the watch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality performed a controlled burn of the organic peroxides on Sunday in order to eliminate any vestiges and reduce the danger.

On Monday, the company said the Crosby Fire Department had lifted a 1.5-mile (2.4-km) evacuation zone around the plant, allowing neighbors to return to their homes, and that the company had opened an assistance center to help those affected find temporary housing.

The lifting of the order may help residents like Paul Mincey, a 31-year-old tugboat engineer who has been kept out the ranch home he shares with his girlfriend, return to normal.

"It could be full of snakes for all we know. We have no idea what's in there," Mincey said from aboard a tugboat in the Houston Ship Channel, which he said was polluted by floating railroad ties, trees and trash strewn by the storm.

Like others forced from the evacuation zone, Mincey said he was eager to assess water damage from the storm and begin repairs while hoping for financial aid to deal with property damage.
Ride-sharing challenger company Taxify is expanding into Western Europe in a bid to unseat Uber and bring greater competition to the market.

Taxify will launch in London at 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, September 5, and will offer fares at a 50 percent discount for the rest of the month as it aims to steal a slice of Uber's dominance in the U.K. capital.

The Estonian start-up then plans to maintain prices at a discount to competitors by taking a lower commission: 15 percent compared with the 25-35 percent typically taken by other ride-sharing businesses.

This, in turn, will help the business attract and retain drivers, CEO Markus Villig told CNBC Monday.

"15 percent is enough to be a sustainable, profitable business in all markets," said Villig, who launched the business in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2013, and has since expanded into 19 countries across Central Europe and Africa. Currently the business serves 2.5 million customers.

"Taking a lower cut is much more sustainable than taking a higher one and having unhappy drivers," Villig noted.

Competitor Uber has faced wide-spread criticism for its poor working conditions and mistreatment of staff, which ultimately resulted in the resignation in June of its founder Travis Kalanick as CEO. He was replaced last week by ex-Expedia chief Dara Khosrowshahi.

Like Uber, Taxify's drivers are contractors who own their own vehicles and set their own hours, rather than being direct employees. However, Villig claims that offering drivers an alternative will allow "market forces" to play out and help drive up standards.

"With only one main app there were poor conditions, but London is one of the biggest ride-sharing markets in the world and there is room for more competition," he said.

When contacted by CNBC, Uber said it welcomed competition and supported drivers' freedom of choice.

"Competition is a good thing as it raises service levels across the board," an Uber spokesperson told CNBC via email.

"40,000 licensed drivers also use our app to make money on their own terms and have always been able to work with several operators."

So far, 3,000 drivers in London have signed up to the Taxify platform, up to six-times as many as the number seen in Taxify's other launches to date.

Villig said similar market conditions exist in Paris, which will likely be its next target for expansion.

The launch follows Taxify's partnership with Chinese ride-sharing company Didi Chuxing in August. The pair shares investment and technology, though Didi remains a minority stakeholder.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Microsoft's next feature upgrade to Windows 10 will be released Oct. 17, weeks later than the company had earlier pegged as the delivery schedule.

"The next update of Windows 10, the Fall Creators Update, will be available worldwide October 17," said Terry Myerson, the executive who leads the company's operating systems and devices division, in a post to a company blog.

"Fall Creators Update" is the name Microsoft gave to the feature upgrade, which also is known as version 1709, the latter displayed in the Redmond, Wash. developer's yymm format. The "09" part of the label refers to September, just as Windows 10 version 1703 designated the March upgrade. (Which was actually released April 5.)

An October launch for version 1709 means that Microsoft will not meet the revamped release schedule it announced in April, when it said it was "committing to a predictable twice-per-year" slate and "targeting September and March of each year" as the delivery dates.

At the same time, the company noted the schedule is "aligning with Office 365 ProPlus," the locally-installed applications at the core of enterprise-grade subscriptions.

Because Microsoft had previously pegged the September upgrade of Office 365 ProPlus to Sept. 12 -- and its pledge to align the two product lines -- Computerworld inferred that Windows 10 version 1709 would release on that same day.

Microsoft has begun a habit of fudging Windows 10's version number, which is supposed to reflect the release date. But the upcoming upgrade will take that to its most extreme so far. In mid-2016 and in March of this year, Microsoft issued upgrades on Aug. 1 and April 5, but dubbed them 1607 and 1703, missing the designations by one and five days, respectively. This fall's upgrade, 1709 will miss the mark by 17 days.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

What happens when a Windows 10 upgrade misses its target

The fact that Microsoft missed the September release window for 1709, or Fall Creators Update, is not surprising. One analyst had assumed a slip would occur sooner or later.

"For now, I say that this is aspirational, not policy," said Michael Cherry of Directions on Microsoft, in a May interview. "They hope to do this [every March and September]. But if they don't, they don't."

Microsoft has been adamant about Windows 10's support lifecycle, promising that each feature upgrade -- say, 1709 -- will be supported for only 18 months. After that, Microsoft will not provide security updates. So, for 1709, support will presumably end on or around April 17, 2019. (If the support clock began ticking in September, the month of 1709's designation, it would end in March 2019, the same month another feature upgrade is slated in Microsoft's schedule.)

Assuming the 18-month pledge isn't broken, the impact of 1709's October release may not be revealed immediately. Which month will Microsoft use -- September or October -- to count the six towards the next feature upgrade? If the former, will customers have five months, not the usual six, to run 1709 before its successor appears? Or will Microsoft push 1803, its March feature upgrade, into April instead?

If Microsoft continues to miss its professed March and September targets, or - more concerning - fumbles those dates by more than a month, it has two choices. Neither will satisfy those in enterprise IT who crave consistency and predictability from their software vendors.

If Microsoft pushed back upgrade dates after a delayed release, the March-and-September scheme and synchronization with Office 365 ProPlus and Windows Server would collapse. But if Microsoft simply resumes the tempo with the next slated release, the delayed upgrade would have to have its support curtailed if Microsoft intends to keep a consistent schedule.
Fundamental Australian Dollar Forecast: Neutral

Its a big week for the Australian economy

The Reserve Bank of Australia makes a monetary policy call, and GDP data will see daylight

But will either really change the Australian Dollar backdrop?

Just getting started in the AUD/USD trading world? Our beginners guide is here to help.

This week offers the Australian Dollar market some heavyweight economic news. But whether it will have the punch to shake the currency (and AUD/USD especially) out of its long torpor must be debateable.

First up will be the Reserve Bank of Australias September monetary policy decision. That looms on Tuesday. Dont expect fireworks. There is held to be no chance whatsoever that the record-low, 1.5% Official Cash Rate will change after the meeting. Markets still think that the next move will be a rise but such a thing is not fully priced by futures markets until the back-end of 2018.

That means the main feature of next weeks policy call will be any comment the RBA cares to make. We can probably bet that the prognosis will be one of steady growth. But if the central bank frets again about Aussie Dollar strength and the countrys legions of heavily indebted consumers  and its a fair bet that it will  then its quite hard to see where any currency lift is going to come from on Tuesday.

Which brings us to Wednesday, on which the first official look at Aussie Gross Domestic Product growth in the May-June quarter will top the bill. The prognosis is not great. Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison said last week that, while there have been early indications that the economy continued to perform quite well, these need to be balanced against other factors, including the impact of Cyclone Debbie, which could hit growth. That sounds like a man talking down expectations to me,

In any event the economists at Morgan Stanley have already done their balancing. They think annualized growth could be as low as 1%. That would take growth rates down to lows not seen since the early 1990s and mean a big slip from the first-quarters 1.7% rate.

However, perhaps the risk here is that markets are getting too gloomy and that growth will manage to top the most pessimistic estimated. Construction numbers for the quarter released last week smashed all estimates, after all, and they will feed quite healthily into the overall GDP picture. A beat could give the currency a lift, if only for a while.

Aside from these two news points, investors can also look forward to news of the Australian current account position, job advertisements and service-sector performance, all of which have the potential to move the market. But the overall backdrop for the currency is one of at least relative investor support  even at record lows Aussie yields are attractive  countered by rising RBA watchfulness of the currency level. None of this is likely to change this week so, while AUD/USD may be in for a more volatile ride, the basic backdrop seems set to endure. Thats why I am making a neutral call yet again.

--- Written by David Cottle, DailyFX Research

Contact and follow David on Twitter: @DavidCottleFX
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) A 40-year-old woman today died after she fell off a moving train near the Old Delhi Railway Station here while resisting a snatching bid, the police said.

They said the woman, Sudhir Bansal, was accompanying her son, Gaurav, who recently enrolled in Delhi University, to help him find accommodation.

They boarded the Yoga Express from Rajasthan. Sudhir was standing near the door of a compartment. When the train slowed down near the Mithai Pul, on the way to the railway station, a person caught hold of her bag, the police said.

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The woman tried to fight him off but lost her balance and fell down on the tracks. She came under the wheels of the train and was injured, the police said.

Bansals son tried to save her but was unsuccessful. She died while being taken to a hospital.

The person fled with the bag containing cash, some documents and an ATM card.

The womans body was handed over her relatives after an autopsy who took it to their hometown in Bhiwadi in Rajasthan, the police said. PTI SLB GVS

--- ENDS ---
BAE Systems plc provides defense, aerospace, and security solutions worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Electronic Systems, Cyber & Intelligence, Platforms & Services (US), Air, and Maritime. The Electronic Systems segment offers electronic warfare systems, navigation systems, electro-optical sensors, military and commercial digital engine and flight controls, precision guidance and seeker solutions, military communication systems and data links, persistent surveillance systems, space electronics, and electric drive propulsion systems. The Cyber & Intelligence segment provides solutions to modernize, maintain, and test cyber-harden aircraft, radars, missile systems, and mission applications that detect and deter threats to national security; systems engineering, integration, and sustainment services for critical weapons systems, C5ISR, and cyber security; and solutions and services to intelligence and federal/civilian agencies. It also offers data intelligence solutions to defend against national-scale threats, protect their networks, and data against attacks; security and intelligence solutions to the United Kingdom government and allied international governments; anti-fraud and regulatory compliance solutions; and enterprise-level data and digital services. The Platforms & Services (US) segment manufactures combat vehicles, weapons, and munitions, as well as provides ship repair services and the management of government-owned munitions facilities. The Air segment develops, manufactures, upgrades, and supports combat and jet trainer aircraft. The Maritime segment designs, manufactures, and supports surface ships, submarines, torpedoes, radars, and command and combat systems; and supplies naval gun systems. It also supplies naval weapon systems, missile launchers, and precision munitions. The company was founded in 1970 and is based in Farnborough, the United Kingdom.
CRH plc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes building materials. It operates in three segments: Americas Materials, Europe Materials, and Building Products. The company manufactures and supplies cement, lime, aggregates, precast, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt products; concrete masonry and hardscape products comprising pavers, blocks and kerbs, retaining walls, and related patio products; and glass and glazing products, including architectural glass, custom-engineered curtain and window walls, architectural windows, storefront systems, doors, skylights, and architectural hardware. It also offers precast concrete and polymer-based products, such as underground vaults, drainage pipes and structures, utility enclosures, and modular precast structures to the water, energy, communication, transportation, and building structures markets; and construction accessories, such as anchoring, fixing, and connection solutions, as well as lifting systems, formwork accessories, and other accessories used in construction applications. In addition, the company offers network access products, which include composite access chambers, covers, passive safety systems, retention sockets, sealants, and meter boxes; and paving and construction services. Further, it provides building and civil engineering contracting, contract surfacing, operates logistics and owned railway infrastructure; sells and distributes cement; and supplies access chambers and ducting products. It serves governments, contractors, homebuilders, homeowners, and sub-contractors. The company operates primarily in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, the United States, and internationally. CRH plc was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
By PTI: Malala

By Aditi Khanna

London, Sep 4 (PTI) Education activist Malala Yousafzai has called on her fellow Nobel laureate Aug San Suu Kyi to condemn the "shameful" violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, saying the "world is waiting" for her to condemn the unrest.

The 20-year-old winner of the Nobel Peace Prize urged Myanmars State Counsellor and de-facto leader to act against the violence that has seen tens of thousands of people flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.

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She also called on Pakistan, the country of her origin and where she was shot in the head by Taliban militants, to provide aid to the Muslim refugees.

"Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same," she said in a statement.

"The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting," she noted.

"Stop the violence. Today, we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmars security forces. These children attacked no-one, but still their homes were burned to the ground.

"If their home is not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born."

Malala, who is set to begin her philosophy, politics and economics (PPE)course at Oxford University, was made the youngest ever UN Messenger of Peace earlier this year and was also the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize aged 17 in 2014.

She was shot in the head on her way home from school after writing her anonymous diaryabout life under Taliban rule in the Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan.

She became internationally known after the incident and relocated with her family to Birmingham for further rehabilitation.

"Other countries, including my own country Pakistan, should follow Bangladeshs example and give food, shelter and access to education to Rohingya families fleeing violence and terror," she added.

Last week, UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson had also urged Suu Kyi to curb the violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

"Aung San Suu Kyi is rightly regarded as one of the most inspiring figures of our age, but the treatment of the Rohingya is alas besmirching the reputation of Burma," he had said.

Soldiers and armed residents have been accused of carrying out a killing spree against Rohingya Muslim men, women, and children in Chut Pyin village, leaving more than 200 dead.

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About 58,600 Rohingya civilians have left Myanmar and fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. PTI AK ABH AKJ ABH

--- ENDS ---
HDFC Bank Limited provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in India, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Dubai. It operates in Treasury, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Other Banking Business, and Unallocated segments. The company accepts savings, salary, current, rural, public provident fund, pension, and Demat accounts; fixed and recurring deposits; and safe deposit lockers, as well as offshore accounts and deposits, overdrafts against fixed deposits, and sweep-in facilities. It also provides personal, home, car, two wheeler, business, educational, gold, consumer, and rural loans; loans against properties, securities, rental receivables, and assets; loans for professionals; government sponsored programs; and loans on credit card, as well as working capital and commercial/construction equipment finance, healthcare/medical equipment and commercial vehicle finance, dealer finance, and term and professional loans. The company offers credit, debit, prepaid, and forex cards; payment and collection, export, import, remittance, bank guarantee, letter of credit, trade, hedging, and merchant and cash management services; insurance and investment products. It provides short term finance, bill discounting, structured finance, export credit, loan syndication, and documents collection services; online and wholesale, mobile, and phone banking services; unified payment interface, immediate payment, national electronic funds transfer, and real time gross settlement services; and channel financing, vendor financing, reimbursement account, money market, derivatives, employee trusts, cash surplus corporates, tax payment, and bankers to rights/public issue services, as well as financial solutions for supply chain partners and agricultural customers. The company operates 6,378 branches and 18,620 automated teller machines in 3,203 cities/towns. As of March 31, 2022, it had 21,683 banking outlets. The company was incorporated in 1994 and is based in Mumbai, India.
The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Financial Services N.V./S.A., Pfizer France International Investments, Pfizer Free Zone Panama S. de R.L., Pfizer GEP S.L., Pfizer Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer Global Supply Japan Inc., Pfizer Global Trading, Pfizer Group Luxembourg Sarl, Pfizer Gulf FZ-LLC, Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. Ltd., Pfizer PFE Spain B.V., Pfizer PFE Spain Holding S.L., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding 2 S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Switzerland GmbH, Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 2 B.V., Pfizer PFE UK Holding 4 LP, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 1 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 2 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 4 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 5 LLC, Pfizer PFE spol. s r.o., Pfizer PFE Ilaclar Anonim Sirketi, Pfizer Pakistan Limited, Pfizer Parke Davis (Thailand) Ltd., Pfizer Parke Davis Inc., Pfizer Parke Davis Sdn. Bhd., Pfizer Pharm Algerie, Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Pfizer Pharma PFE GmbH, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceutical Trading Limited Liability Company (a/k/a Pfizer Kft. or Pfizer LLC), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Global B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Limited, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pfizer Pigments Inc., Pfizer Polska Sp. z.o.o., Pfizer Private Limited, Pfizer Production LLC, Pfizer Products Inc., Pfizer Products India Private Limited, Pfizer Research (NC) Inc., Pfizer Romania SRL, Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A. (Belgium), Pfizer S.A. de C.V., Pfizer S.A.S., Pfizer S.G.P.S. Lda., Pfizer S.L., Pfizer S.R.L., Pfizer SRB d.o.o., Pfizer Saidal Manufacturing, Pfizer Sante Familiale, Pfizer Saudi Limited, Pfizer Seiyaku K.K., Pfizer Service Company BVBA, Pfizer Service Company Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Services 1, Pfizer Services LLC, Pfizer Shared Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Shareholdings Intermediate SARL, Pfizer Singapore Holding Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Singapore Trading Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Spain Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Specialties Limited, Pfizer Strategic Investment Holdings LLC, Pfizer Sweden Partnership KB, Pfizer TRAE Holdings Kft., Pfizer Trading Polska sp.z.o.o., Pfizer Transactions Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Transactions LLC, Pfizer Transactions Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer Transport LLC, Pfizer Ukraine LLC, Pfizer Vaccines LLC, Pfizer Venezuela S.A., Pfizer Venture Investments LLC, Pfizer Ventures LLC, Pfizer Worldwide Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Zona Franca S.A., Pfizer spol. s r.o., Pharmacia, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn S.A. de C.V., Pharmacia Brasil Ltda., Pharmacia Hepar LLC, Pharmacia Holding AB, Pharmacia Inter-American LLC, Pharmacia International B.V., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia Limited, Pharmacia Nostrum S.A., Pharmacia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PowderJect Research Limited, PowderMed, Purepac Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, Redvax, Renrall LLC, Rinat Neuroscience, Rinat Neuroscience Corp., Roerig Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Roerig S.A., Sao Cristovao Participacoes Ltda., Searle Laboratorios Lda., Serenex, Servicios P&U S. de R.L. de C.V., Shiley LLC, Sinergis Farma-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Site Realty Inc., Solinor LLC, Sugen LLC, Tabor LLC, The Pfizer Incubator LLC, Therachon, Thiakis Limited, Treerly Health Co. Ltd, US Oral Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Upjohn Laboratorios Lda., Vesteralens Naturprodukter A/S, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AB, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AS, Vesteralens Naturprodukter OY, Vicuron Holdings LLC, Vinci Farma S.A., W-L LLC, Warner Lambert, Warner Lambert Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Warner Lambert del Uruguay S.A., Warner-Lambert (Thailand) Limited, Warner-Lambert Company AG, Warner-Lambert Company LLC, Warner-Lambert Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Warner-Lambert S.A., Whitehall International Inc., Whitehall Laboratories Inc., Wyeth (Thailand) Ltd., Wyeth AB, Wyeth Australia Pty. Limited, Wyeth Ayerst Inc., Wyeth Ayerst S.a r.l., Wyeth Biopharma, Wyeth Canada ULC, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare LLC, Wyeth Europa Limited, Wyeth Farma S.A., Wyeth Holdings LLC, Wyeth Industria Farmaceutica Ltda., Wyeth KFT., Wyeth LLC, Wyeth Lederle S.r.l., Wyeth Lederle Vaccines S.A., Wyeth Pakistan Limited, Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals FZ-LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wyeth Puerto Rico Inc., Wyeth S.A.S, Wyeth Subsidiary Illinois Corporation, Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH, Wyeth Whitehall SARL, Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) Limited, Wyeth-Ayerst International LLC, and Wyeth-Ayerst Promotions Limited.

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Argan, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations management, maintenance, project development, technical, and consulting services to the power generation and renewable energy markets. The company operates through Power Industry Services, Industrial Fabrication and Field Services, and Telecommunications Infrastructure Services segments. The Power Industry Services segment offers engineering, procurement, and construction contracting services to the owners of alternative energy facilities, such as biomass plants, wind farms, and solar fields; and design, construction, project management, start-up, and operation services for projects with approximately 15 gigawatts of power-generating capacity. This segment serves independent power project owners, public utilities, power plant equipment suppliers, and energy plant construction companies. The Industrial Fabrication and Field Services segment provides industrial field, and pipe and vessel fabrication services for forest products, industrial gas, fertilizer, and mining companies in southeast region of the United States. The Telecommunications Infrastructure Services segment offers trenchless directional boring and excavation for underground communication and power networks, as well as aerial cabling services; and installs buried cable, high and low voltage electric lines, and private area outdoor lighting systems. It also provides structured cabling, terminations, and connectivity that offers the physical transport for high-speed data, voice, video, and security networks. This segment serves state and local government agencies, regional communications service providers, electric utilities, and other commercial customers, as well as federal government facilities comprising cleared facilities in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Argan, Inc. was incorporated in 1961 and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.
Badger Meter, Inc. manufactures and markets flow measurement, quality, control, and communication solutions in the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, and internationally. It offers mechanical or static water meters, and related radio and software technologies and services to municipal water utilities. The company also provides flow instrumentation products, including meters, valves, and other sensing instruments to measure and control fluids going through a pipe or pipeline, including water, air, steam, oil, and other liquids and gases to original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system, as well as through manufacturers' representatives. Its flow instrumentation products are used in water/wastewater, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, and corporate sustainability markets. In addition, the company offers ORION Migratable for automatic meter reading; ORION (SE) for traditional fixed network applications; and ORION Cellular for infrastructure-free fixed network meter reading solution, as well as BEACON advanced metering analytics, a secure cloud-hosted software suite that establishes alerts for specific conditions and allows consumer engagement tools that permit end water customers to view and manage their water usage activity. It also serves water utilities, industrial, and other industries. The company sells its products directly, as well as through resellers and representatives. Badger Meter, Inc. was incorporated in 1905 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Commercial Banking and Global Wholesale Banking. It offers deposits and other bank funding instruments; debit and credit cards; digital prepaid solutions; payment platform; loyalty programs; employee benefit vouchers; payroll loans; digital lending and online debt renegotiation services; mortgages; home equity financing products; consumer credit; and local loans, commercial and trade finance, guarantees, structured loans, and cash management and funding solutions, as well as on-lending transfer services. It also provides funding and financial advisory services related to projects, origination and distribution of fixed-income securities in the debt capital markets, financing of acquisitions and syndicated loans, other structured financing arrangements, and subordinated debt and energy efficiency transactions; advisory services for mergers and acquisitions, and equity capital markets transactions; and stock brokerage and advisory, equity, and equity research services. In addition, the company structures and offers foreign exchange, derivative, and investment products for institutional investors, and corporate and retail customers; and provides market making services. Further, it offers instant payment services; range of products and services focused on the agribusiness sector; microfinance services; and online automotive listing and digital car insurance solutions, as well as digital trading platform. Additionally, it provides its financial services and products to its customers through multichannel distribution network comprising branches, mini-branches, ATMs, call centers, Internet banking, and mobile banking. Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Learn more .

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the largest, and most recognizable, stock exchanges in the world. The NYSE is in New York City, New York at 11 Wall Street. The NYSE has been in existence since the earliest days of the United States becoming a nation, in 1792 and is primarily made up of blue-chip companies with large market capitalizations. In fact, many of the stocks that make up the Dow Jones Composite Index (i.e. The Dow) are listed on the NYSE.

This article gives a brief history of the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, it covers topics such as what kind of stocks trade on the exchange, what are the listing requirements, how trading is performed, and what the daily price movement of the NYSE tells investors about investor sentiment.

What Were the Origins of the NYSE?

Today, the New York Stock Exchange is known as the center of the financial universe. However, the exchanges origin is far more humble. On May 17, 1792, 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement creating a centralized exchange to help provide order to the securities market in what was still a young nation. The "Buttonwood Agreement comes from the tree of the same name under which the founders signed the agreement.

An initial benefit of the exchange was how it removed the need for auctioneers when trading commodities like wheat and tobacco and to set a commission rate. The exchange initially focused on government bonds.

However, the exchange had no formal home. Business was usually conducted informally in the local coffeehouses. In 1817, the exchange changed its name to the New York Stock & Exchange Board which later became the New York Stock Exchange. At this time, the exchange adopted a constitution that set the rules for trading. A group of stockbrokers met twice a day at 40 Wall Street to trade 30 stocks and bonds.

Over time, the exchange moved became the financial hub of the country and moved to its current location in 1865.

What Kind of Stocks Trade on the NYSE?

As of June 2022, the NYSE includes approximately 2,400 companies with a market capitalization of over $28.2 trillion. Although the NYSE trades stocks of all market capitalizations, its best known for trading the stocks of large cap companies. These have the benefit of being mature companies in mature industries. And many of these companies reward shareholders with dividends.

However, that also means that many of these companies are better suited for value investors as opposed to growth investors. In bear markets this stability can be a benefit for investors as these stocks tend to perform less bad than more volatile stocks. But in a bull market, these stocks are not likely to provide investors with the growth that they look for.

An interesting fact about how the NYSE and NASDAQ operate is that the companies with the five largest market caps on the NYSE are also listed on the NASDAQ exchange.

What Are the Listing Requirements For the NYSE?

The NYSE has strict guidelines that govern the types of companies that can list on the exchange. Here are the major requirements that all companies must meet:

The company must have at least 2,200 shareholders

The company must trade over 100,000 shares per month

The company must have a market valuation of over $100 million

The company must generate more than $75 million in annual revenue

However, there is at least one advantage of having such stringent requirements. That is the companies that meet the requirements generally find it easier to get more investors funds when they hold their initial public offering (IPO).

Once a company begins trading on the NYSE, it must continue to meet these requirements. If it doesnt it can be delisted. In addition to these requirements, the stock must continue to trade above $1. If the price of a stock drops below $1 for more than 29 consecutive trading days, the stock receives an Initial Price Violation Notice.

At that point, the company has 10 days to provide the exchange with a plan for bringing their shares above $1.

How are Trades Executed on the NYSE?

For over a century, the floor of the NYSE was the place for investors to be. This meant trades were conducted by traders who ran buy and sell orders across the trading floor looking to broker a deal for their clients. But with the birth of the NASDAQ exchange in 1971, the New York Stock Exchange began conducting electronic trading.

However, the NYSE continues to conduct trades in an auction style. Brokers purchase stocks on behalf of their clients or firms. Every order features a broker who will enter the order electronically and a specialist who serves as the market maker for that stock. The specialist posts bid and ask prices and manages the actual execution of the trades. And there are still a handful of stockbrokers who still traffic buy and sell orders physically on the floor of the exchange.

How Does the NYSE Signal Investor Sentiment?

Like its counterpart, the NASDAQ, the NYSE measures the risk appetite of investors. When the NYSE is moving higher over a length of time, it signals that a risk on environment. Conversely when the NYSE moves lower over a significant period, it signals that investors are moving to a risk off position.

Some Final Thoughts on the NYSE

Financial news networks plan their programming schedule around the opening and closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange. Its still considered a distinguished honor when individuals or groups are invited to ring the opening bell. In fact, Warren Buffett is attributed with saying that in the short term, the stock market acts like a voting machine. A fact that many U.S. presidents will attest to.

The NYSE is the oldest and most recognizable of all the stock exchanges. It also has the most stringent requirements for inclusion. And those requirements must be maintained even after a stock begins publicly trading on the exchange.

Although the NYSE still has a small in-person Trading Floor, much of the trading is done electronically to provide traders with the speed to execute trades.
BT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Citizens Bank, National Association that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. The Consumer Banking segment offers deposit products, mortgage and home equity lending products, credit cards, business loans, wealth management, and investment services; and auto, education, and point-of-sale finance loans, as well as digital deposit products. This segment serves its customers through telephone service centers, as well as through its online and mobile platforms. The Commercial Banking segment provides various financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, and interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as syndicated loans, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and debt and equity capital markets services. This segment serves government banking, not-for-profit, healthcare, technology, professionals, oil and gas, asset finance, franchise finance, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, private equity, and sponsor finance industries. It operates approximately 1,200 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia; 114 retail and commercial non-branch offices in national markets; and approximately 3,300 automated teller machines. The company was formerly known as RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc. and changed its name to Citizens Financial Group, Inc. in April 2014. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1828 and is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island.
Teradyne, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and supports automatic test equipment worldwide. The company operates through Semiconductor Test, System Test, Industrial Automation, and Wireless Test segments. The Semiconductor Test segment offers products and services for wafer level and device package testing in automotive, industrial, communications, consumer, smartphones, cloud computer and electronic game, and other applications. This segment also provides FLEX test platform systems; J750 test system to address the volume semiconductor devices; Magnum platform that tests memory devices, such as flash memory and DRAM; and ETS platform for semiconductor manufacturers, and assembly and test subcontractors in the analog/mixed signal markets. It serves integrated device manufacturers that integrate the fabrication of silicon wafers into their business; fabless companies that outsource the manufacturing of silicon wafers; foundries; and semiconductor assembly and test providers. The System Test segment offers defense/aerospace test instrumentation and systems; storage test systems; and circuit-board test and inspection systems. The Industrial Automation segment provides collaborative robotic arms, autonomous mobile robots, and advanced robotic control software for manufacturing, logistics, and light industrial customers. The Wireless Test segment provides test solutions for use in the development and manufacture of wireless devices and modules, smartphones, tablets, notebooks, laptops, peripherals, and Internet-of-Things devices under the LitePoint brand name. This segment also offers IQxel products for Wi-Fi and other standards; IQxstream solution for testing GSM, EDGE, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, HSPA+, LTE, and 5G technologies; IQcell, a multi-device cellular signaling test solution; IQgig test solution; and turnkey test software for wireless chipsets. Teradyne, Inc. was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in North Reading, Massachusetts.
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.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking segments. The company offers personal deposits, such as checking, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,061 branches and 3,381 automated teller machines (ATMs) in Canada, and 1,148 stores and 2,701 ATMs in the United States, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III Scots L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Aoba Life Insurance Company Ltd., Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI Ireland L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI US L.P., Dale/P Minerals Limited Partnership, Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Horizon GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sprint GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Harvest Asset Management LLC, Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Kyouei Nenkin Home, LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., Lotus Reinsurance Company Ltd., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Montana Capital Partners, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund A LP, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund II - A LP, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Desert Falcon Farms Manager LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI River Bend Ranches LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PG Friendly Partners Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM AC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory Shanghai Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Australia Pty Ltd, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Feeder VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM Custom Harvest LLC, PGIM DC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC JV GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC Solutions LLC, PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM Holdings Limited, PGIM Hong Kong Ltd., PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM IRELAND LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments Ireland Limited, PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management Shanghai Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital Ireland Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM QUANTITATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC, PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Global Master Fund GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles II S de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Japan Ltd., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. CORE Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate UK Limited, PGIM Scots Limited, PGIM Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Shanghai Company Ltd., PGIM Singapore Pte. Ltd., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM Taronga Investor GP LLC, PGIM U.S. Agriculture Fund LP, PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Wadhwani LLP, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings UK Limited, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP SCOTS FEEDER LLP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF Debt Fund Manager LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica Business Consulting Shanghai Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Pramerica Insurance Agency China Company Ltd., Pramerica Luxembourg CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate Scots LP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I Scotland Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Netherlands GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Scots CP GP LLP, Preco III Scotland Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Inc., Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd. Prudential Gibraltar Agency Kabushiki Kaisha, Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Select Strategies LLC, Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Tax Services LLC, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service, Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy US Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., VIP Australia Holding Company LLC, VIP Australia Trustee Pty Ltd, Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I Ireland L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I US L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC.

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Best Buy Co., Inc. retails technology products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Domestic and International. Its stores provide computing products, such as desktops, notebooks, and peripherals; mobile phones comprising related mobile network carrier commissions; networking products; tablets covering e-readers; smartwatches; and consumer electronics consisting of digital imaging, health and fitness, home theater, portable audio comprising headphones and portable speakers, and smart home products. The company's stores also offer appliances, such as dishwashers, laundry, ovens, refrigerators, blenders, coffee makers, and vacuums; entertainment products consisting of drones, peripherals, movies, music, and toys, as well as gaming hardware and software, and virtual reality and other software products; and other products, such as baby, food and beverage, luggage, outdoor living, and sporting goods. In addition, it provides consultation, delivery, design, health-related, installation, memberships, repair, set-up, technical support, and warranty-related services. The company offers its products through stores and websites under the Best Buy, Best Buy Ads, Best Buy Business, Best Buy Health, CST, Current Health, Geek Squad, Lively, Magnolia, Best Buy Mobile, Pacific Kitchen, Home, and Yardbird, as well as domain names bestbuy.com, currenthealth.com, lively.com, yardbird.com, and bestbuy.ca. As of January 30, 2022, it had 1,144 stores. The company was formerly known as Sound of Music, Inc. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota.
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, and Other. The Commercial Lines segment offers commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, and workers' compensation insurance products, as well as management and professional liability, marine, specialty industrial and commercial property, monoline general liability, surety, umbrella, fidelity, crime, and other commercial coverages. The Personal Lines segment provides personal automobile and homeowner's coverages, as well as other personal coverages, such as personal umbrella, inland marine, fire, personal watercraft, personal cyber, and other miscellaneous coverages. The Other segment markets investment management services to institutions, pension funds, and other organizations. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. markets its products and services through independent agents and brokers. The company was formerly known as Allmerica Financial Corp. and changed its name to The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. in December 2005. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. provides reinsurance and insurance products around the world. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Bermuda with offices in Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore, and the US.

The company operates through two segments that include multiple underlying businesses and investment vehicles. The two main segments are Property and Casualty & Specialty. The company operates through intermediaries that include DaVinci Resinsurance Inc, Top Layer Reinsurance LTD, and RennaisanceRe Syndicate 1458 among others.

Top Layer Re is the first major venture and was started in 1999. It is a joint venture with State Farm targeting high layers of the US reinsurance business. DaVinci Re was formed in the wake of 9/11 to assist with capacity and it was given added capacity in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Medici was formed in 2009 and is an open-ended fund intended to spur investment in the catastrophe bond market.

The Property segment writes catastrophic insurance policies to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes. These include but are not limited to hurricanes, floods, freezes, and terrorism.

The Casualty & Specialty segment provides a wide range of consumer products including business insurance, malpractice insurance, liability insurance, workers' compensation, mortgage insurance, and health insurance among others.

Among RenaissanceRes Specialty businesses is capital management. The firm offers 6 investment vehicles and has more than $11 billion under management making it the #1 ILS or insurance-linked asset manager in the US. In regards to its credit ratings, the firm and all of its vehicles carry an A or better rating from every credit rating agency.
The following companies are subsidiares of Vodafone Group Public: 360 Connect S.A., 3@ Telecom, A-ccelerator B.V., A-ccelerator Holding B.V, AAA (Euro) Limited, AAA (MCR) Limited, AAA (UK) Limited, Acorn Communications Limited, Africonnect (Zambia) Limited, Ag Mercantile Company Private Limited, Al-Amin Investments Limited, Amsterdamse Beheer- en Consultingmaatschappij B.V., Apollo Submarine Cable System Limited, Array Holdings Limited, Asian Telecommunication Investments (Mauritius) Limited, Aspective Limited, Astec Communications Limited, Autoconnex Limited, Aztec Limited, BelCompany BV, Bluefish Apac Communications Pte. Ltd, Bluefish Communications, Bluefish Communications Limited, Business Serve Limited, C&W Worldwide Nigeria Limited, C.S.P. Solutions Limited, CCII (Mauritius) Inc., CGP India Investments Ltd., CGP Investments (Holdings) Limited, COOP Mobil s.r.o, CT Networks Limited, CWGNL S.A., CWW Operations Limited, Cable & Wireless Access Limited, Cable & Wireless Americas Systems Inc., Cable & Wireless Aspac Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Services Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Svyaz LLC, Cable & Wireless Capital Limited , Cable & Wireless Communications Data Network Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Starclass Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Technical Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd (Beijing Branch), Cable & Wireless Europe Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless GN Limited, Cable & Wireless Global (India) Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Business Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Holding Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Telecommunication Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Holdco Limited, Cable & Wireless Networks India Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Trade Mark Management Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Waterside Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Pension Trustee Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Voice Messaging Limited, Cable & Wireless a-Services Inc, Cable & Wireless a-Services Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited Indian Branch Office, Cable and Wireless Nominee Limited, Cable and Wireless Worldwide South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cavalry Holdings Ltd, Celfocus  Solucoes Informaticas Para Telecomunicacoes S.A, Cellops Limited, Cellular Operations Limited, Central Communications Group Limited, Central Telecom (Northern) Limited, Centurion GSM Limited, Chelys Limited, City Cable (Holdings) Limited, Cobra do Brasil Servicos de Telematica ltda., Commnet Cellular Inc., Complete Network Technology, Connect (India) Mobile Technologies Private Limited, Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, Dataroam Limited , Device Insight, Digital Island (UK) Ltd, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, East Africa Investment (Mauritius) Limited, Emtel Europe Limited, Energis (Ireland) Limited, Energis Communications Limited, Energis Holdings Limited, Energis Local Access Limited, Energis Management Limited, Energis Squared Limited, Erudite Systems Limited, Esprit Telecom B.V., Eudokia Limited, Euro Pacific Securities Ltd., Eurocall Holdings Limited, Europolitan Holdings AB (now Europolitan Vodafone AB), FB Holdings Limited, FM Associates (UK) Limited, FinCo Partner 1 B.V., FireFly Networks Limited, Flexphone Limited, GS Telecom (Pty) Limited, Gateway Communications Africa (UK) Limited, Gateway Communications Tanzania Limited, General Mobile Corporation, Generation Telecom Limited, Ghana Telecommunications, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, Global Cellular Rental Limited, Globe Limited, GrandCentrix GmbH, Grupo Corporativo ONO S.A.U., H3ga Properties (No 3) Pty Limited, HBO Nederland Cooperatief U.A., HBO Netherlands Channels sro, HBO Netherlands Distribution B.V., Hellas Online, How2 Telecom Limited, Hutchison Essar Ltd, Indus Towers Limited, Intercell Communications Limited, Internet Network Services Limited, Invitation Digital Limited, Ipergy Communications NV, Isis Telecommunications Management Limited, Jaguar Communications Limited, Jaykay Finholding (India) Private Limited, Jupicol (Proprietary) Limited, KABELCOM Braunschweig Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, KABELCOM Wolfsburg Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, Kabel Deutschland, Kabel Deutschland Holding, Kabel Deutschland Holding Erste Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Holding Zweite Beteilgungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Neunte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Siebte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabelfernsehen Munchen Servicenter GmbH & Co. KG, LG Financing Partnership, LGE HoldCo V B.V., LGE HoldCo VI B.V., LGE HoldCo VIII B.V., LGE Holdco VII B.V., LLC Vodafone Enterprise Ukraine, Le Bunt Holdings Limited, Legend Communications Limited, Liberty Global, Liberty Global Content Netherlands B.V., London Hydraulic Power Company, M-PESA Foundation, M-PESA Holding Co. Limited, ML Integration Group Limited, ML Integration Limited, ML Integration Services Limited, MV Healthcare Services Private Limited, Mannesmann AG, MetroHoldings Limited, Mezzanine Ware Proprietary Limited (RF), Mirambo Limited, Misrfone Trading Company LLC, MobiFon S.A., Mobile Commerce Solutions Limited, Mobile Phone Centre Limited, Mobile Wallet VM1, Mobile Wallet VM2, Mobile by Sainsburys Limited, Mobiles 4 Business.com Limited, Mobileworld Communications Pty Limited, Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd, Mobilvest, Motifpros 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Multi Risk Indemnity Company Limited, Multi Risk Limited, ND Callus Info Services Private Limited, Nadal Trading Company Private Limited, Nat Comm Air Limited, National Communications Backbone Company Limited, Navtrak Ltd, Netforce Group Limited, Netgrid Telecom SRL, Number Portability Company (Proprietary) Limited, ONO, Omega Telecom Holdings Private Limited, Oni Way  Infocomunicacoes S.A, Oskar Mobil S.R.O., Oxygen Solutions Limited, P.C.P. (North West) Limited, PPL Pty Limited, PT Network Services Limited, PTI Telecom Limited, Peoples Phone Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Group Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Limited, Plex Limited, Plustech Mercantile Company Private Limited, Prime Metals Ltd., Project Telecom Holdings Limited, Quickcomm Software Solutions, Radio Opt GmbH, Rian Mobile Limited, SBC SMART CITY 1517 B.V., SMMS Investments Pvt Limited, Safaricom Limited, Safenet N.P A., Sarmady Communications, Scarlet Ibis Investments 23 (Pty) Limited, Scorpios Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Silver Stream Investments Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Ltd., Singlepoint Payment Services Limited, Siro Limited, Spar Aerospace (Nigeria) Limited, Sport TV Portugal S.A, Starnet, Stentor Communications Limited, Stentor Limited, Storage Technology Services (Pty) Limited, T.W. Telecom Limited, T3 Telecommunications Limited, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern Beteiligungs GmbH, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG, TNAS Limited, TSM NZ Limited, Talkland Airtime Services Limited, Talkland Australia Pty Limited, Talkland Communications Limited, Talkland International Limited, Talkland Midlands Limited, Talkmobile Limited, Tele2 Italia SPA, Tele2 Spain, Telecom Investments India Private Limited, Telecommunications Europe Limited, Ternhill Communications Limited, The Cobra Group, The Eastern Leasing Company Limited, The Old Telecom Sales Co. Limited, Thus Group Holdings Limited, Thus Group Limited, Thus Limited, Thus Profit Sharing Trustees Limited, TnT Expense Management LLC, Tomorrow Street GP S.a r.l., Tomorrow Street SCA, Torenspits II B.V., Townley Communications Limited, Trans Crystal Ltd., UMT Investments Limited, UPC Nederland Holding I B.V., UPC Nederland Holding II B.V., UPC Nederland Holding III B.V., Unified Communications, Uniqueair Limited, Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH & Co.KG, Usha Martin Telematics Limited, VAPL No. 2 Pty Limited, VBA (Mauritius) Limited, VBA Holdings Limited, VBA International (SL) Limited, VBA International Limited, VEI S.r.l., VM SA, VND S.p.A, VSSB Vodafone Shared Services Budapest Private Limited Company, Verwaltung Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH, Victus Networks S.A., Vizzavi Finance Limited, Vizzavi Limited, Voda Limited, Vodacall Limited, Vodacash s.p.r.l., Vodacom (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business (Angola) Limitada, Vodacom Business (Ghana) Limited, Vodacom Business (Kenya) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa (Nigeria) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group Services Limited, Vodacom Business Cameroon SA, Vodacom Business Cote Divoire S.A.R.L., Vodacom Congo (RDC) SA, Vodacom Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Group Limited, Vodacom Insurance Administration Company (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Insurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom International Holdings (Pty) Limited, Vodacom International Limited, Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Life Assurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom Payment Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No.2 (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Tanzania Limited Zanzibar, Vodacom Tanzania Public Limited Company, Vodacom UK Limited, Vodafone (NI) Limited, Vodafone (New Zealand) Hedging Limited, Vodafone (Scotland) Limited, Vodafone 2, Vodafone 4 UK, Vodafone 5 Limited, Vodafone 5 UK, Vodafone 6 UK, Vodafone Albania Sh.A, Vodafone Alternatif Telekom Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Americas 4, Vodafone Americas Virginia Inc., Vodafone And Qatar Foundation L.L.C, Vodafone Asset Management Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Automotive Electronic Systems S.r.L, Vodafone Automotive France S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Iberia S.L, Vodafone Automotive Italia S.p.A, Vodafone Automotive Japan K.K, Vodafone Automotive Korea Limited, Vodafone Automotive SpA, Vodafone Automotive Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, Vodafone Automotive Telematics Development S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Telematics S.A, Vodafone Automotive UK Limited, Vodafone Belgium SA/NV, Vodafone Benelux Limited, Vodafone Bilgi Ve Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, Vodafone Business Services Limited, Vodafone Business Solutions Limited, Vodafone Canada Inc, Vodafone Cellular Limited, Vodafone Central Services Limited, Vodafone China Limited (China), Vodafone China Limited (Hong Kong), Vodafone Connect 2 Limited, Vodafone Connect Limited, Vodafone Consolidated Holdings Limited, Vodafone Corporate Limited, Vodafone Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Czech Republic A.S., Vodafone DC Pension Trustee Company Limited, Vodafone Dagitim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Data, Vodafone Distribution Holdings Limited, Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E., Vodafone Elektronik Para Ve Odeme Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Empresa Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda, Vodafone Empresa Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Vodafone Enabler Espana S.L., Vodafone Enterprise Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Austria GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Bahrain W.L.L., Vodafone Enterprise Bulgaria EOOD, Vodafone Enterprise Chile SA, Vodafone Enterprise Communications Technical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Denmark A/S, Vodafone Enterprise Equipment Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited  Czech Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited  DubaiI Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Finland OY, Vodafone Enterprise France SAS, Vodafone Enterprise Germany GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Global Businesses S.a r.l., Vodafone Enterprise Global Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network HK Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network Pte. Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Hong Kong Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Italy S.r.L, Vodafone Enterprise Korea Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Luxembourg S.A., Vodafone Enterprise Netherlands BV, Vodafone Enterprise Norway AS, Vodafone Enterprise Regional Business Singapore Pte.Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Singapore Pte.Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Spain S.L.U.  Portugal Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Spain SLU, Vodafone Enterprise Sweden AB, Vodafone Enterprise Switzerland AG, Vodafone Erste Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Vodafone Espana S.A.U., Vodafone Euro Hedging Limited, Vodafone Euro Hedging Two, Vodafone Europe B.V., Vodafone Europe UK, Vodafone European Investments, Vodafone European Portal Limited, Vodafone Finance Limited, Vodafone Finance Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Finance Sweden, Vodafone Finance UK Limited, Vodafone Financial Operations, Vodafone Financial Services B.V., Vodafone Fixed Ltd, Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Foundation Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Gestioni S.p.A, Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited, Vodafone Global Content Services Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Hong Kong) Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Italy) S.R.L., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Japan) K.K., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Vodafone Global Enterprise Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Russia LLC, Vodafone Global Enterprise Taiwan Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Telecommunications (Hellas) A.E., Vodafone Global Network Limited, Vodafone Global Network Limited  Slovakia Branch, Vodafone Global Services Private Limited, Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone Group (Directors) Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Pension Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Services GmbH, Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited, Vodafone Group Services Limited, Vodafone Group Services No.2 Limited, Vodafone Group Share Trustee Limited, Vodafone Hire Limited, Vodafone Holding A.S., Vodafone Holdings (Jersey) Limited, Vodafone Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Holdings Europe S.L.U., Vodafone Holdings Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Finance Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Receivables Pty Limited, Vodafone IP Licensing Limited, Vodafone India Digital Limited, Vodafone India Limited, Vodafone India Services Private Limited, Vodafone India Ventures Limited, Vodafone Institut fur Gesellschaft und Kommunikation GmbH, Vodafone Intermediate Enterprises Limited, Vodafone International 1 S.a.r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone International 1 S.a r.l., Vodafone International 2 Limited, Vodafone International Holdings B.V., Vodafone International Holdings Limited, Vodafone International M S.a r.l., Vodafone International Operations Limited, Vodafone International Services LLC, Vodafone Investment UK, Vodafone Investments (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Investments Australia Limited, Vodafone Investments Limited, Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Ireland Distribution Limited, Vodafone Ireland Ltd., Vodafone Ireland Marketing Limited, Vodafone Ireland Property Holdings Limited, Vodafone Ireland Retail Limited, Vodafone Italia S.p.A., Vodafone Jersey Dollar Holdings Limited, Vodafone Jersey Finance, Vodafone Jersey Yen Holdings Unlimited, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Field Services GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Kundenbetreuung GmbH, Vodafone Kenya Limited, Vodafone Leasing Limited, Vodafone Libertel B.V., Vodafone Limited, Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone M-PESA SH.P.K., Vodafone M-Pesa S.A, Vodafone M.C. Mobile Services Limited , Vodafone Magyarorszag Mobile Tavkozlesi Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Vodafone Malta Limited, Vodafone Marketing UK , Vodafone Maroc SARL, Vodafone Mauritius Ltd., Vodafone Mobile Commerce Limited, Vodafone Mobile Communications Limited, Vodafone Mobile Enterprises Limited, Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited, Vodafone Mobile Network Limited, Vodafone Mobile Operations Limited, Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, Vodafone Multimedia Limited, Vodafone Nederland Holding I B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding II B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding III B.V., Vodafone Net Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Network Pty Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Limited, Vodafone Next Generation Services Limited, Vodafone Nominees Limited1, Vodafone ONO S.A.U., Vodafone Oceania Limited, Vodafone Old Show Ground Site Management Limited, Vodafone Overseas Finance Limited, Vodafone Overseas Holdings Limited, Vodafone Panafon International Holdings B.V., Vodafone Panafon UK, Vodafone Partner Services Limited, Vodafone Payment Solutions S.a r.l., Vodafone Portugal  Comunicacoes Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Procurement Company S.a r.l., Vodafone Property Investments Limited, Vodafone Pty Limited, Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., Vodafone Retail (Holdings) Limited , Vodafone Retail Limited, Vodafone Roaming Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Romania S.A, Vodafone Romania M - Payments SRL, Vodafone Romania Technologies SRL, Vodafone Sales & Services Limited, Vodafone Satellite Services Limited, Vodafone Servicios SL.U, Vodafone Servizi E Tecnologie S.R.L, Vodafone Servicos Empresariais Brasil Ltda., Vodafone Shared Services Romania SRL, Vodafone Specialist Communications Limited, Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland Gemeinnutzige GmbH, Vodafone Technology Solutions Limited, Vodafone Teknoloji Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Tele-Services (India) Holdings Limited, Vodafone Telecel-Comunicates Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Telecommunications (India) Limited, Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S, Vodafone Towers Limited, Vodafone UK Content Services Limited, Vodafone UK Investments Limited , Vodafone UK Limited1 , Vodafone US Inc, Vodafone Ventures Limited1 , Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG, Vodafone Worldwide Holdings Limited, Vodafone Yen Finance Limited , Vodafone m-pesa Limited, Vodafone-Central Limited Vodaphone Limited, Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A., VodafoneZiggo Group Holding B.V, Vodata Limited , Vouchercloud SA (Pty) Ltd, Wataneya Telecommunications S.A.E, Waterberg Lodge (Proprietary) Limited, Wayfinder, Wheatfields Investments 276 (Proprietary) Limited, Wireless Interactions & NFC Accelerator 2013 B.V., Woodend Cellular Limited, Woodend Communications Limited, Woodend Group Limited, Woodend Holdings Limited, XB Facilities B.V, XLink Communications (Proprietary) Limited, Your Communications Group Limited, ZUM B.V., ZYB, Zelitron S.A., Zesko B.V., Ziggo B.V., Ziggo Bond Company B.V., Ziggo Deelnemingen B.V., Ziggo Finance 2 B.V., Ziggo Financing Partnership, Ziggo Holding B.V., Ziggo Netwerk B.V., Ziggo Netwerk II B.V., Ziggo Services B.V., Ziggo Services Employment B.V., Ziggo Services Netwerk 2 B.V., Ziggo Zakelijk Services B.V., and Zoranet Connectivity Services B.V..

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WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates through two segments, Corrugated Packaging and Consumer Packaging. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. It also provides structural and graphic design, engineering services and custom, and proprietary and standard automated packaging machines, as well as turn-key installation, automation, line integration, and packaging solutions; distributes corrugated packaging materials and other specialty packaging products, including stretch films, void fills, carton sealing tapes, and other specialty tapes; operates recycling facilities that collect, sort, grade, and bale recovered paper; and provides lithographic laminated packaging products, as well as contract packing services. The Consumer Packaging segment manufactures and sells folding cartons that are used to package food, paper, beverages, dairy products, tobacco, confectionery, health and beauty, other household consumer, and commercial and industrial products; and express mail packages for the overnight courier industry. It also offers inserts and labels, as well as rigid packaging and other printed packaging products, such as transaction cards, brochures, product literature, marketing materials, and grower tags and plant stakes for the horticultural market; and secondary packages and paperboard packaging for over-the-counter and prescription drugs. In addition, this segment manufactures and sells solid fiber and corrugated partitions, and die-cut paperboard components principally to glass container manufacturers and the automotive industry, as well as producers of beer, food, wine, spirits, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. WestRock Company is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Workday, Inc. provides enterprise cloud applications in the United States and internationally. The company's applications help its customers to plan, execute, analyze, and extend to other applications and environments, and to manage their business and operations. It offers a suite of financial management applications, which enable chief financial officers to maintain accounting information in the general ledger; manage financial processes; identify real-time financial, operational, and management insights; enhance financial consolidation; reduce time-to-close; promote internal control and auditability; and achieve consistency across finance operations. The company also provides cloud spend management solutions that helps organizations to streamline supplier selection and contracts, manage indirect spend, and build and execute sourcing events, such as requests for proposals; Human Capital Management (HCM) solution, a suite of human capital management applications that allows organizations to manage the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement, and enables HR teams to hire, onboard, pay, develop, reskill, and provide employee experiences; Workday applications for planning; and applications for analytics and reporting, including augmented analytics to surface insights to the line of business in simple-to-understand stories, machine learning to drive efficiency and automation, and benchmarks to compare performance against other companies. It serves professional and business services, financial services, healthcare, education, government, technology, media, retail, and hospitality industries. The company was formerly known as North Tahoe Power Tools, Inc. and changed its name to Workday, Inc. in July 2005. Workday, Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.
Axiatas tower business Edotco is partnering with investment firm Dawood Hercules to obtain Pakistan Mobile Communications tower assets for $940 million.

Edotco Pakistans subsidiary Tanzanite reached the deal for its parent firm acquire Deodar, the tower unit of Pakistan Mobile Communications, along with its portfolio of more than 13,000 towers. Edotco recently obtained 700 of Tanzanites towers in Pakistan, boosting its tower holding across six markets to 26,000.

The deal will be financed via an equity split of $174 million by Edotco and $166 million by Dawood Hercules for each of their stakes, along with $600 million in external local debt. In addition, Dawood Hercules is taking a 45% equity stake in Edotco Pakistan, with the parent firm retaining the remaining 55%.

Closing this deal will result in Edotco becoming the worlds eighth largest independent tower firm, and the second largest that operates in multiple markets.

Edotco CEO Suresh Sidhu said: We are pleased to be able to consolidate our expansion into Pakistan with this acquisition. The acquisition of Deodar is a critical part of our growth strategy and ambition to position Edotco as the leading independent telecommunications infrastructure services provider in Asia.

Branded as Jazz, Pakistan Mobile Communications leads the countrys mobile market with 53 million connections, giving it a 37% share.
MyTel, the fourth licensed operator in Myanmar, is aiming to extend its 4G-only network to 90% of the countrys population when it launches in Q1 2018.

The operator was awarded Myanmars fourth mobile licence in January. It is a joint venture between Vietnamese group Viettel and Myanmar National Tele & Communications (MNTC), a consortium of local firms. Vittel is providing 49% of the investment for the network, with MyTel aiming to invest almost $1.5 billion to roll out 7,200 base stations.

MyTel is sharing its infrastructure with MecTel, a smaller state-backed operator that began offering services in 2013, but has kept a low profile. It will compete with three established players; the state-owned market leader MPT, which has a 44% market share; Telenor Myanmar, which has 37%; and Ooredoo Myanmar which has a 19% share.

Viettels general director Nguyen Manh Hung said that MyTel would offer roaming charges that were equivalent to domestic rates between Myanmar and Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. MyTel represents the ninth overseas operation for Viettel.

MyTel has also signed an agreement with Myanmars Ministry of Education as part of a corporate social responsibility pledge which will see it invest $80 million into the country across the next 15 years. Under the agreement, MyTel will supply over 1350 schools with internet access, as well as providing computers and education management software.
Curtis Banks Group announced on Monday that the number of SSIPs under administration grew to over 75,000 in the first half thanks to a full-period of contributions from its January 2016 acquisition of Suffolk Life Group.

Assets under administration rose to 23.10m from 17.90m and operating revenue gained 98% in the year to 21.4m.

While profit before tax, amortisation and non-recurring grew by 85% to 5m from the 2.7m it posted a year earlier, it was down 34% from the 7.1m it posted on 31 December.

The interim dividend was increased 50% to 1.5p per share as basic earnings per share jumped by 102% to 6.10p from 1.96p.

Of the results, chief executive Rupert Curtis said "The integration of Suffolk Life continues apace and we have established a group management committee and new group brand. We have also made considerable progress in rationalising our office network and delivering efficiencies. As in previous years, we expect performance will be weighted towards the second half of the year and we remain confident about delivering further profitable growth in the future."

As of 1700 BST, shares were down 3.60% to 272.69p.
South Korea has responded to last weeks reported nuclear missile tests from North Korea by holding its own 'live-fire' drills with the heightened tensions weighing on global capital markets.

Seoul simulated a strike against the Norths nuclear test site at Punggye-ri, where Kim Jong-uns regime had claimed to have carried out a controlled detonation of a hydrogen bomb on Sunday, launching surface-to-surface ballistic missiles against a target in the Sea of Japan.

Pyongyang has flaunted UN sanctions aimed at stopping its ballistic missile programme and recently threatened a strike on the US territory of Guam.

The South Korean drills were carried out just hours after US defence secretary James Mattis said there would be a massive military response' if there were any further threats to the country or any of its allies.

"Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming," Mattis said on Sunday.

Investors were flocking to safe havens such as gold on Monday as all major European equity markets opened lower on the back of the ratcheting up in tensions by Pyongang.

"Calls for a negative start to the week come courtesy of Kim Jong-un ignoring the fact Sunday is a day of rest, going ahead with another nuclear weapons test to inspire a fresh move towards safe havens such as Gold, which has rallied back to late 2016 highs, said Accendo Markets analysts Mike Van Dulken.

"This upsets the risk appetite that markets closed the week with on Friday despite a disappointing US jobs report that likely leaves the Fed in a quandary."

Meanwhile, China condemned a threat from Donald Trumps to halt trade with countries seen to be "doing business" with North Korea as unacceptable.

The Associated Press reported on Monday that foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told reporters any such trade sanctions would be 'neither objective or fair'.
Equities on the Continent have begun the week lower as investors monitor the growing tensions on the Korean peninsula, amid reports that the North may be preparing further missile tests and with the South's military responding with 'live-fire' drills.

Nonetheless, the initial negative market response was restrained, according to analysts.

As of 0851 BST, and in thin trading volumes on account of the Labor Day holiday Stateside, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was lower by 0.55% or 2.08 points to 374.06, alongside a 0.54% or 65.46 point fall to 12,077.98 in the German Dax while the Cac-40 was slipping by 0.53% or 27.09 points to 5,096.17.

Meanwhile, the Japanese yen was stronger versus the US dollar but only in a limited fashion, with dollar/yen dropping 0.76% to 109.44. In turn, against the South Korean won, the greenback was 0.89% stronger at 1,132.82 won.

Euro/dollar also found a bid, rising 0.45% to 1.1914.

"Once again the actions of North Korea have increased the pressure on China, its closest economic and political ally, and while the Chinese on this occasion did condemn the actions in fairly strong terms, the fact that North Korea deliberately chose to embarrass China in this way does raise the prospect that Chinas influence may well be waning with its closest neighbour, despite its importance as North Koreas energy lifeline.

"The detonation was all the more embarrassing given that Chinese President Xi, was hosting an important BRICs summit at the same time," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

In an underground explosion overnight, North Korea tested what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb. That was followed by a report from the Yonhap news agency according to which there was a chance that Pyongyang might soon launch an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean.

Reacting to the latest moves from the North, South Korea's government removed the final administrative hurdle to full installment of the American Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system on its soil and carried out a simulated attack on the North's Punggye-ri test site using surface-to-surface ballistic missiles.

Nevertheless, there were also some signs of tensions between the White House and South Korea's leadership, with the US president criticising South Korean president Moon Jae-in's calls for talks with Pyongang before Sunday's nuclear test.

Back in Europe, Sentix's Eurozone investor sentiment index improved from a reading of 27.7 for August to 28.2 in September.

Still on the economic calendar at the start of the week were euro area producer price data for July at 1000 BST.

"Mario Draghi should be pleased: The Euroland economy has passed its first light test. August's uncertainty, caused by the car crisis in Germany and weak US economic data, has not affected the Euroland economy," Sentix said in a statement.

On the corporate front, shares in Stada were on the front foot after potential investors Bain and Cinven offered to pay 74.40 per share in cash compensation to the firm's minority shareholders.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne said the group had not received any offer.
Acacia Mining said it expects to return to positive cash generation early in 2018 after it stopped underground mining at one of its three Tanzanian mines amid an ongoing government ban on metal concentrate exports.

As a result of the planned reduction in operating activity at the Bulyanhulu mine, the FTSE 250 company, which has been reportedly coming under pressure of various sorts from government agencies in recent weeks after being hit with a $190bn tax bill in July, now expects annual production to be around 100,000 ounces lower than the bottom of the previous guidance range of 850,000-900,000 ounces, with costs guidance remaining unchanged.

Roughly 35% of production so far this year since a committee appointed by President John Magufuli slapped an export ban on the company in early March.

Acacia, which sustained $210m of cash outflow in the first six months of the year partly from the $15m per month of negative cashflow from 'Buly' and partly from higher government royalties, will incur $20-25m of one-off costs from the closure plus $35-40m of working capital and $15m cash outflows over three months by which time the underground closure should be complete.

The company expects to offset some of these costs through the retreatment of tailings, which produces saleable gold dore that is unaffected by the export ban at a rate of around 30-35k oz per year.

Meanwhile the other concentrate producing ming, Buzwagi, will continue to operate as normal and has begun a trial to test whether it is cash flow positive to move to solely producing dore rather than concentrate, which would reduce the amount of gold and silver recovered but if the export ban continues would enable it to produce saleable gold.

Management claim it is possible to make a similar change to the processing flow sheet at Buly due to the different nature of the ore at Buly.

With $107m of cash in the bank at the end of August 2017, with $71m of debt, directors are also mulling further steps to reduce cash outflows and protect the balance sheet.

"These steps may include a reduction in corporate overheads, expansionary drilling at North Mara, greenfield exploration activity and a gold hedging programme," the company said.

It added that discussions between parent company Barrick and the government of Tanzania are ongoing and that it remains hopeful they "will lead to a resolution to the concentrate ban and operating environment and enable the re-assessment of the operating situation at Bulyanhulu in the near future".

Acacia shares dived below 180p in early trading on Monday but by 0830 BST had erased some of these losses to reach 195.43p, a 5.5% drop on the day.

Analysts at Investec said the discussions between Barrick and the government "clearly appear not to be getting anywhere" and Acacia "has implemented a sensible holding pattern" where Buly can be restarted without significant effort, but the company moves into a considerably more viable operational and financial position in the meantime.

"We expect this to now move the pressure onto the president  if he actually cares."
Tesla founder and entrepreneur Elon Musk has stated his belief that artificial intelligence would be the most likely cause of a third world war.

Musks comments come after a speech from Russian president Vladimir Putin, who warned that AI could become the ruler of the world in the coming years.

The South-African born businessman, who recently signed a letter along with a raft of tech experts calling on the UN to ban killer robots, said AI posed a bigger threat to humanity than the current ongoing tensions around North Korea.

Speaking via Twitter, Musk wrote: China, Russia, soon all countries w strong computer science. Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo.

Playing down the threat of a nuclear strike from Pyongyang, Musk added that it would not be a wise move from Kim Jong-uns regime.

"NK launching a nuclear missile would be suicide for their leadership, as SK, US and China wd invade and end the regime immediately."

Earlier on Monday, Putin had told state-funded media organisation RT that there were 'colossal opportunities' that come with the use of AI, but concurrent threats running alongside those.

"Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world," Putin said.

"If we become leaders in this area, we will share this know-how with [the] entire world, the same way we share our nuclear technologies today," he added.
1. Re-analysis of evidence suggests that PSA screening significantly reduces the risk for death from prostate cancer

Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M16-2586

Editorial: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M17-2012

Free Summary for Patients: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/P17-9043

URLs go live when the embargo lifts

After differences in implementation and settings were accounted for, two important prostate cancer screening trials provide compatible evidence that screening reduces prostate cancer mortality. These findings suggest that current guidelines recommending against routine PSA-based screening may be revised. However, questions remain about how to implement screening so that the benefits outweigh the potential harms of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Current guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer because the evidence for the test showed very low probability that it would reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer. This recommendation relied heavily on results from the ERSPC (European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer) and the PLCO (Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial), which offered conflicting results. The ERSPC showed a significant reduction and the PLCO showed no reduction. However, differences in study implementation, compliance, and practice settings may account for this conflict.

A team of investigators from the University of Michigan and the National Cancer Institute sought to formally test whether the effects of screening on prostate cancer mortality differed between the ERSPC and PLCO and to estimate the effects of screening in both trials relative to no screening. Using a mathematical model to account for differences in implementation compliance, and practice settings, they found no evidence that the effects of screening compared to no screening differed between ERSPC and PLCO and inferred that screening could significantly reduce prostate cancer deaths.

The author of an accompanying editorial from Sloan Kettering Cancer Center hopes that this paper will put to rest the question of whether PSA screening reduces prostate cancer mortality. Instead, the discussion should focus on how to implement screening so that the benefit outweighs the harms of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Cara Graeff at cgraeff@acponline.org. The lead author, Ruth Etzioni, PhD, can be reached through Claire Hudson at crhudson@fredhutch.org or 206-667-7365.

2. Cardiovascular benefits of intensive systolic blood pressure control outweigh risks of CKD events

Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M16-2966

URLs go live when the embargo lifts

Intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) control increased the risk for incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) events, but the risk was outweighed by the potential for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality benefits. This subgroup analysis of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) was published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

About 1.3 billion adults worldwide are believed to have hypertension, defined as a SBP of at least 140 mm Hg, a diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, or a need for blood pressure medication. High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and all-cause death.

SPRINT examined the effects of intensive (target <120 mm Hg) versus standard (target <140 mm Hg) SBP control. The intervention was stopped early after a median follow-up of 3.26 years because intensive therapy resulted in a substantial reduction in the primary outcome, a composite of CVD events, and in the secondary outcome of all-cause mortality. However, in persons without kidney disease at baseline, the intensive SBP group had a 3.5-fold higher hazard of incident CKD (defined as a greater than 30 percent reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate to a level less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2). The public health significance of the reported higher incidence of CKD with intensive SBP control was unclear. A team of researchers led by investigators at the University of Utah School of Medicine performed a detailed analyses of the SPRINT pre-specified kidney outcomes of incident CKD and incident albuminuria.

Overall, 140 of 3,326 participants (4.2 percent) in the intensive SBP group and 40 of 3,336 (1.1 percent) in the standard SBP group had an incident CKD event. The intervention significantly reduced risk for the composite of a primary CVD event or all-cause death, primary CVD event, and all-cause death.

The researchers believe that an asymptomatic CKD event by these criteria is benign, especially compared with a cardiovascular event or death. Therefore, the benefits of the intervention outweigh the risk. However, they acknowledge that some patients and providers might consider incident CKD to be more important than a cardiovascular event.

Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Cara Graeff at cgraeff@acponline.org. The lead author, Srinivasen Beddhu, MD, can be reached through media relations at University of Utah Health by contacting Julie Kiefer at julie.kiefer@hsc.utah.edu or 801-587-1293.

3. Newer influenza tests shown to be faster and more accurate than traditional tests

Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M17-0848

Editorial: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M17-2235

URLs go live when the embargo lifts

Novel digital immunoassays (DIAs) and rapid nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) had higher sensitivities for influenza A and B in both children and adults than did traditional rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs), with equally high specificities. The results of a systematic review and meta-analysis are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Influenza viruses cause yearly epidemics of acute respiratory illness affecting up to 30 percent of the population. Diagnosing influenza on the basis of only clinical symptoms is difficult because its manifestations vary and are nonspecific. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for flu diagnosis, but these tests must be sent to a laboratory and have turnaround times that extend beyond the clinical encounter.

Researchers from McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre reviewed 162 studies to summarize and compare accuracy of traditional RIDTs, DIAs, and NAATs in children and adults with suspected influenza. Like RIDTs, the newer DIAs and rapid NAATs were simple, fast, and approved for use at the point of care by nonlaboratory personnel. The data showed that the novel DIAs and rapid NAATs had markedly higher sensitivities for influenza A and B for both children and adults compared with traditional RIDTs. All of the tests had very high specificities for influenza infection.

The researchers conclude that physicians can confidently diagnose influenza based on a positive RIDT, DIA or rapid NAAT result. The author of an accompanying editorial agrees and suggests that these data should prompt revision of guidelines to encourage use of these newer diagnostic strategies, as these tests have the potential to improve patient outcomes and decreased health care costs.

Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Cara Graeff at cgraeff@acponline.org. The lead author, Jesse Papenburg, MD, MSc, can be reached through Julie Robert at julie.robert@muhc.mcgill.ca or 514-934-1934, ext. 71381 or Gilda Salomone at gilda.salomone@muhc.mcgill.ca.

4. Trump budget cuts threaten progress on antimicrobial resistance

Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M17-1678

URLs go live when the embargo lifts

An infectious disease expert from Tufts University warns that budget cuts of an historical magnitude proposed by the Trump administration threaten to undo progress against antimicrobial resistance, placing patients in grave danger. The commentary is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 2 million individuals in the U.S. acquire antibiotic resistant infections each year. Globally, approximately 700,000 deaths are attributable to antimicrobial resistance annually. This figure is expected to grow to 350 million by 2050 if current trends continue. Multidrug resistant tuberculosis will account for the majority of these deaths.

Over the past two years, the nation's health experts and leaders have worked diligently to enable the U.S. to tackle antimicrobial resistance head on with $379 million in funding. This investment has led to several advancements in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, including expanded tuberculosis screenings, enhanced prevention networks across healthcare facilities, promotion of more appropriate antibiotic use, and increased research in the area.

All of these efforts are at grave risk as the Trump administration seeks historically deep funding cuts for public health and research. The proposed 14 percent cut in related funding could have severe public health consequences. The author says we must resist this proposed cut and reaffirm our investment in research and public health efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Cara Graeff at cgraeff@acponline.org. The lead author, Helen Boucher, MD, can be reached through Jeremy Lechan at JLechan@tuftsmedicalcenter.org or 617-636-0104.

Also in this issue:

Survival After Fulminant Myocarditis Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Dimitri Arangalage, MD; Julie Delyon, MD; Mathilde Lermuzeaux, MD; Kenneth Ekpe, MD; Stephane Ederhy, MD; Cecile Pages, MD; Celeste Lebbe , MD, PhD

Observations: Case Reports

Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/L17-0396

"Dear Doctor I" and "Dear Doctor II"

K.C. Councilor

Annals Graphic Medicine

Free content: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/G17-0005

###
Scientists have long deemed the ability to recognize faces innate for people and other primates -- something our brains just know how to do immediately from birth.

However, the findings of a new Harvard Medical School study published Sept. 4 in the journal Nature Neuroscience cast doubt on this longstanding view.

Working with macaques temporarily deprived of seeing faces while growing up, a Harvard Medical School team led by neurobiologists Margaret Livingstone, Michael Arcaro, and Peter Schade has found that regions of the brain that are key to facial recognition form only through experience and are absent in primates who don't encounter faces while growing up.

The finding, the researchers say, sheds light on a range of neuro-developmental conditions, including those in which people can't distinguish between different faces or autism, marked by aversion to looking at faces. Most importantly, however, the study underscores the critical formative role of early experiences on normal sensory and cognitive development, the scientists say.

Livingstone, the Takeda Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, explains that macaques -- a close evolutionary relative to humans, and a model system for studying human brain development -- form clusters of neurons responsible for recognizing faces in an area of the brain called the superior temporal sulcus by 200 days of age. The relative location of these brain regions, or patches, are similar across primate species.

That knowledge, combined with the fact that infants seem to preferentially track faces early in development, led to the longstanding belief that facial recognition must be inborn, she said. However, both humans and primates also develop areas in the brain that respond to visual stimuli they haven't encountered for as long during evolution, including buildings and text. The latter observation puts a serious wrench in the theory that facial recognition is inborn.

To better understand the basis for facial recognition, Livingstone, along with postdoctoral fellow Arcaro and research assistant Schade, raised two groups of macaques. The first one, the control group, had a typical upbringing, spending time in early infancy with their mothers and then with other juvenile macaques, as well as with human handlers. The other group grew up raised by humans who bottle-fed them, played with and cuddled them -- all while the humans wore welding masks. For the first year of their lives, the macaques never saw a face -- human or otherwise. At the end of the trial, all macaques were put in social groups with fellow macaques and allowed to see both human and primate faces.

When both groups of macaques were 200 days old, the researchers used functional MRI to look at brain images measuring the presence of facial recognition patches and other specialized areas, such as those responsible for recognizing hands, objects, scenes and bodies.

The macaques who had typical upbringing had consistent "recognition" areas in their brains for each of these categories. Those who'd grown up never seeing faces had developed areas of the brain associated with all categories except faces.

Next, the researchers showed both groups images of humans or primates. As expected, the control group preferentially gazed at the faces in those images. In contrast, the macaques raised without facial exposure looked preferentially at the hands. The hand domain in their brains, Livingstone said, was disproportionally large compared to the other domains.

The findings suggest that sensory deprivation has a selective effect on the way the brain wires itself. The brain seems to become very good at recognizing things that an individual sees often, Livingstone said, and poor at recognizing things that it never or rarely sees.

"What you look at is what you end up 'installing' in the brain's machinery to be able to recognize," she added.

Normal development of these brain regions could be key to explaining a wide variety of disorders, the researchers said. One such disorder is developmental prosopagnosia--a condition in which people are born with the inability to recognize familiar faces, even their own, due to the failure of the brain's facial recognition machinery to develop properly. Likewise, Livingstone said, some of the social deficits that develop in people with autism spectrum disorders may be a side effect stemming from the lack of experiences that involve looking at faces, which children with these disorders tend to avoid. The findings suggest that interventions to encourage early exposure to faces may assuage the social deficits that stem from lack of such experiences during early development, the team said.

###

Co-investigators on the research included Justin Vincent and Carlos Ponce, of Harvard Medical School.

This work was funded by National Institutes of Health grants RO1 EY 25670, RO1 EY 16187, F32 EU 24187 and P30 EU 12196, and a William Randolph Hearst Fellowship. This research was carried out in part at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at the Massachusetts General Hospital, using resources provided by the Center for Functional Neuroimaging Technologies, P41EB015896, a P41 Biotechnology Resource Grant supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, and NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant S10RR021110.
Johns Hopkins scientists say they have developed a blood test that spots tumor-specific DNA and protein biomarkers for early-stage pancreatic cancer. The combined "liquid biopsy" identified the markers in the blood of 221 patients with the early-stage disease. Their results, published online the week of Sept. 4 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show that detection of markers from both DNA and protein products of DNA was twice as accurate at identifying the disease as detection of DNA alone.

Such liquid biopsies aim to fish out DNA molecules specific for cancer amid a wide sea of normal DNA circulating in the blood. Tumors tend to shed their mutated DNA into the bloodstream, making it possible for scientists to use genomic sequencing tools to sift through the blood and find such cancer-linked DNA.

Most early-stage pancreatic cancers are found incidentally during an imaging scan and generally cause no symptoms. But the disease is most often found late, when it's far advanced and resection, or surgery, is not the first treatment option, says Jin He, M.D., assistant professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "In the past 30 years, we haven't made much progress in identifying people with resectable cancers," says He. "If this test's performance is validated in larger studies, it could be used to identify patients with early, asymptomatic pancreatic cancer."

While their test is not ready to be used outside of a research setting, they say, mutated DNA of the type that is shed from tumors and found in blood is "exquisitely specific" for cancer. "If cancer-linked DNA can be found in the blood of an individual, it is very likely that person has cancer," says Bert Vogelstein, M.D., co-director of the Ludwig Center at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Studies by Vogelstein's team and others have shown that DNA can be identified in the blood of more than 85 percent of patients with advanced cancers. However, the sensitivity of detecting such small bits of DNA in the blood of patients with early cancers, without prior knowledge of the genetic status of the cancers, was unknown prior to this study, say the scientists.

In their new study, blood and tumor tissue samples were collected from 221 men and women, mostly Caucasians, with stage I and II pancreatic cancers who underwent surgery to remove their pancreas at hospitals in Australia, Korea, Indiana, Pittsburgh, the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York and The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Another 182 people with no known history of cancer, autoimmune disease or chronic kidney disease donated their blood for the study.

The scientists were able to identify 66 of the 221 patients, or 30 percent, with early-stage pancreatic cancer by using their blood screening tool to sift for mutations in the DNA of the KRAS gene alone, an early marker of pancreatic cancer development.

Their goal, however, was to improve the 30 percent detection rate, find more early cancers and avoid false positives in people without the disease, says Joshua Cohen, an M.D.-Ph.D. postgraduate student in Vogelstein's lab who worked on the study.

So, they turned to protein biomarkers circulating in the blood. Such circulation protein markers already are used clinically to detect and monitor diseases like diabetes and heart muscle damage from heart attacks as well as to monitor patients with a prior history of cancers.

Of special interest to the researchers was the protein biomarker CA19-9. It's used to monitor patients with pancreatic cancer for recurrence. But the level of CA19-9 used for recurrence monitoring is low (37 units/mL), because physicians want to pinpoint regrowing cancers quickly.

Some people without cancer may also have low levels of the protein, such as those with gallstones. For screening purposes, the level of CA19-9 needed to be much higher (100 units/mL).

"A screening test needs to be highly reliable to spare people the worry and side effects of procedures following a positive test for cancer," says Kenneth W. Kinzler, Co-Director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins.

When the scientists looked only for CA19-9 in the blood of their study participants, they found it in 109 of the 221 patients (49 percent). However, when they combined detection of KRAS mutations, CA19-9 and three other protein biomarkers, the scientists correctly identified pancreatic cancer in 141 of the 221 patients (64 percent). In contrast, only one individual among their control group of 182 people without cancer had elevation of one of the five biomarkers.

"A single marker on its own won't identify early cancers in most people," says Anne Marie Lennon, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Program. "This study shows that it may be possible to use multiple markers to nail down the detection of early pancreatic cancer with a blood test, and treat those patients earlier and better."

Vogelstein's team used a system of molecular barcoding that they developed to ensure that each KRAS mutation they detected was real and not an artifact. For example, they showed that there was complete agreement between the mutations detected in the blood and the mutations detected in the tumors. They say the mutations they detected are also common in lung and colon cancers, and they're planning on using a similar approach, combining protein and DNA biomarkers, to identify early cancers of several types.

Nick Papadopoulos, professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, estimates that the cost of a screening test based on the approach described in this study would be between that of mammography and colonoscopy, which are widely used tests for breast and colorectal cancers, respectively. Papadopoulos notes that "both DNA and protein markers can be analyzed from the same blood draw in each patient. The technologies required to implement such tests, involving protein biomarker tests and DNA sequencing, are already widely used in hospital and commercial laboratories.

###

Other scientists who contributed to research include Ammar A. Javed, Christopher Thoburn, Fay Wong, Matthew J. Weiss, Nita Ahuja, Martin A. Makary, Marco Dal Molin, Yuxuan Wang, Lu Li, Janine Ptak, Lisa Dobbyn, Joy Schaefer, Natalie Silliman, Maria Popoli, Michael G. Goggins, Ralph H. Hruban, Christopher L. Wolfgang, Alison P. Klein and Cristian Tomasetti of Johns Hopkins; Jeanne Tie and Peter Gibbs of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Australia, C. Max Schmidt and Michele Yip-Schneider of the Indiana University School of Medicine; Peter J. Allen and Mark Schattner of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Randall E. Brand and Aatur D. Singhi of the University of Pittsburgh; Gloria M. Petersen of the Mayo Clinic, Seung-Mo Hong and Song Cheol Kim of the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea; Massimo Falconi and Claudio Doglioni of the IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Anirban Maitra and Samir M. Hanash of the The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The study was funded by the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Sol Goldman Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation, the Joseph L. Rabinowitz Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Susan Wojcicki and Dennis Troper, the Benjamin Baker Scholarship, The Commonwealth Foundation, NHMRC grant APP1060804, The John Templeton Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health (P30-CA006973, CA062924, CA102701, CA06973, CA152753, GM-07309, and CA152753).

Under license agreements between PapGene, Sysmex Corporation, Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and the Johns Hopkins University, Papadopoulos, Kinzler and Vogelstein are entitled to royalties on technology in this publication. Furthermore Papadopoulos, Kinzler and Vogelstein are founders of, hold equity in, and serve as consultants to PapGene. Additionally, Vogelstein and Kinzler are paid advisory board members of Sysmex Corporation and Papadopoulos serves as a paid consultant to this company. These arrangements have been reviewed and approved by the Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict of interest policies.
NEW YORK -- A team of Columbia scientists has found that disruptions to the brain's center for spatial navigation -- its internal GPS -- result in some of the severe memory deficits seen in schizophrenia. The new study in mouse models of the disorder marks the first time that schizophrenia's effects have been observed in the behavior of living animals -- and at the level of individual brain cells -- with such high-resolution, precision and clarity. The findings offer a promising entry point for attacking a near-universal and debilitating symptom of schizophrenia, memory deficits, which has thus far withstood all forms of treatment.

The results of this study were published today in Nature Neuroscience.

"An almost intractably complex disorder, schizophrenia is nearly impossible to fully treat -- in large part because it acts as two disorders in one," said Joseph Gogos, MD, PhD, a principal investigator at Columbia's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and the paper's co-senior author. "On one hand, you have paranoia, hallucinations and delusions; while on the other you have severe memory deficits. Antipsychotic drugs, which treat the first class of symptoms, are entirely ineffective when dealing with the second. The reasons for this are simple: we do not yet understand what happens in the brains of schizophrenia patients.

Cracking schizophrenia's code must therefore start with deciphering its biological origins, says Dr. Gogos, who is also professor of physiology, cellular biophysics and neuroscience at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). This has led to a recent focus on the memory impairments that are so common among schizophrenia patients. In this new study, Dr. Gogos teamed up with Attila Losonczy, MD, PhD, a fellow Zuckerman Institute principal investigator, to investigate episodic memory, which is severely impaired in cases of schizophrenia.

"Episodic memory is the brain's repository of information about the past; a way of traveling backwards to recall a specific moment in time," said Dr. Losonczy, who was also a senior author. "This type of memory is critical for learning about and functioning in everyday life."

For this study, the team focused on a brain region called CA1, located in the hippocampus, which plays a role in both navigation and in episodic memory. Physical alterations to CA1 have been previously reported among schizophrenia patients. CA1 is home to place cells, which collectively form internal maps in the brain critical for navigating one's present surroundings. The CA1 place cells also encode the spatial aspects of episodic memories, such as where you were when you last saw your best friend, or the place your parents always kept the holiday decorations.

"Recent advances in imaging technologies now give us the power to watch the activity of hundreds of place cells in the CA1 in real time while an animal forms and recalls memories," said Dr. Losonczy, who is also an associate professor of neuroscience at CUMC. "We developed experiments to record CA1 activity in mice that were genetically modified to mimic schizophrenia, and compared them to normal, healthy mice."

The researchers placed both groups of animals on a treadmill under a high-resolution, two-photon microscope, where they were exposed to a variety of sights, sounds and smells (including a water reward placed at unmarked locations on the treadmill). These experiments were designed to test the animals' ability to navigate a new environment, remember how to navigate a familiar one and adapt quickly when that environment was altered.

The two groups of mice showed striking differences in behavior and in cell activity. While both groups could successfully navigate a new environment, the schizophrenia-like mice had more trouble remembering familiar environments from day to day, as well as adapting when aspects of that environment changed. By simultaneously tracking the animals' place cells via the two-photon microscope, the team spotted the difference.

"When the healthy mice approached something familiar, such as water, their place cells fired with increasing intensity, and then quieted down as the animals moved away," explained Dr. Losonczy. "And when we moved the location of the water, and gave the animals a chance to relearn where it was, the activity of their place cells reflected the new location."

But the brains of the schizophrenia-like mice were different. Their place cells did not shift when the water reward was moved. The brain cells' lack of adaptability, the scientists argue, could reflect a key and more general mechanism of memory deficits in schizophrenia. It could also represent a new target for drug intervention.

"These studies are helping to build an understanding of a disorder that has remained a biological mystery," said Dr. Gogos. "By pinpointing schizophrenia's many causes, we are opening up multiple points of intervention to slow, halt and even prevent the disorder -- which stands to dramatically improve the lives of patients and their families."

###

This paper is titled: "Impaired hippocampal place cell dynamics in a mouse model of 22q11.2 deletion." Additional contributors include co-first authors Jeffrey D. Zaremba, PhD, a graduate student at the time of the study in the Losonczy lab and Anastasia Diamantopoulou, PhD, postdoctoral researcher in the Gogos lab; Nathan Danielson, Andres Grosmark, PhD, Patrick Kaifosh, PhD, John Bowler, Zhenrui Lio and Fraser Sparks, PhD.

This research was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (1F31MH105169, 1U01NS090583, 1R01NS094668), the National Institute of Mental Health (F30NS090819, MH097879, MH096274), the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Searle Scholars Program, the Human Frontier Science Program and the McKnight Memory and Cognitive Disorders Award.

The authors report no financial or other conflicts of interest.

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together an extraordinary group of world-class scientists and scholars to pursue the most urgent and exciting challenge of our time: understanding the brain and mind. A deeper understanding of the brain promises to transform human health and society. From effective treatments for disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, depression and autism to advances in fields as fundamental as computer science, economics, law, the arts and social policy, the potential for humanity is staggering. To learn more, visit: zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu.
PHILADELPHIA  Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a global epidemic affecting more than 380 million people worldwide; yet there are knowledge gaps in understanding the etiology of type-2 diabetes. T2D is also a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), but the biological pathways that explain the connection have remained somewhat murky. Now, in a large analysis of genetic data, published on August 28, 2017 in Nature Genetics, a team, led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has first looked into what causes T2D and second clarified how T2D and CHD  the two diseases that are the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, are linked.

Examining genetic sequence information for more than 250,000 people, the researchers first uncovered 16 new diabetes genetic risk factors, and one new CHD genetic risk factor; hence providing novel insights about the mechanisms of the two diseases. They then showed that most of the sites on the genetic known to be associated with higher diabetes risk are also associated with higher CHD risk. For eight of these sites, the researchers were able to identify a specific gene variant that influences risk for both diseases. The shared genetic risk factors affect new biological pathways as well as targets of existing drugs, including icosapent ethyl and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein.

The findings add to the basic scientific understanding of both these major diseases and point to potential targets for future drugs.

Identifying these gene variants linked to both type 2 diabetes and CHD risk in principle opens up opportunities to lower the risk of both outcomes with a single drug, said study co-senior author Danish Saleheen, PhD, an assistant professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. From a drug development perspective, it would make sense to focus on those pathways that are most strongly linked to both diseases, Saleheen said.

The researchers started by examining sets of genetic data on more than 250,000 people, of South Asian, East Asian or European descent. In this large, multi-ethnic sample they were able to identify 16 new genes for diabetes, in-addition to confirming most of the known diabetes risk loci sites on the genome where small DNA variations have been previously linked to altered diabetes risk.

With their analyses of the genetic data, the scientists were also able to identify eight specific gene variants that are strongly linked to altered risk for both diseases. Seven of these gene variants, as expected, appeared to increase risk for both diseases.

The eighth, a variant of the gene for the cholesterol-transport protein ApoE, turned out to be associated with higher diabetes risk but lower CHD risk  a finding that is somewhat puzzling, Saleheen said, though he noted that it is consistent with data from statin trials showing that pharmacologically lowering LDL cholesterol by statins can modestly increase diabetes risk.

The researchers found evidence that, on the whole, the genetic link between the diseases appears to work in one direction, so that risk genetic variants for type 2 diabetes are much more likely to be associated with higher CHD risk than the other way around. Additionally, there could be some pathways where pharmacological lowering of one disease increases the risk of the other.

Using evidence from human genetics, it should be possible to design drugs for type-2 diabetes that have either beneficial or neutral effects on CHD risk; however it is important to identify and further de-prioritize pathways that decrease the risk of type-2 diabetes but increase the risk of CHD; said Saleheen.

The scientists also found that diabetes-linked gene variants tend to differ in their apparent effects on CHD risk, depending on their mechanisms. Variants that increase the chance of obesity or high blood pressure, for example, appear to boost CHD risk more strongly than variants that alter insulin or glucose levels.

The scientists discovered that the genomic regions implicated as dual diabetes-CHD risk loci encompass targets of some existing drugs. One such drug is icosapent, an omega-3 fatty acid component of some fish oils, which lowers cholesterol and is sold in concentrated form as a prescription pharmaceutical; although further clinical studies are required to further validate this target for both type-2 diabetes and CHD.

The dual-effect risk loci also include the region covering the gene FABP4, which is already being investigated for its potential as a diabetes and heart-disease drug target. In mouse studies, inhibition of this genes protein has been shown to have anti-atherosclerotic effects, i.e., helps fight thickening and hardening with fat on the inside of arteries and anti-diabetic effects.

Saleheen, co-senior author Benjamin F. Voight, PhD, an associate professor of Genetics, and their colleagues now plan further investigations of the dual-risk genetic variants uncovered in the study.

I'm hopeful that with the advanced genomic engineering techniques now available, well be able to quickly convert our human genetics observations into concrete details regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in both heart disease and diabetes, said Voight.

The researchers also hope to learn more about the biology of the newly discovered dual - risk genetic variants by studying people who have mutations in those genes, Saleheen said.

###

The co-lead authors of the study were Wei Zhao of Penn Medicine; Asif Rasheed of the Center for Non-Communicable Disease in Karachi, Pakistan; and Emmi Tikkanen of the University of Helsinki.

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $6.7 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $392 million awarded in the 2016 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2016, Penn Medicine provided $393 million to benefit our community.
Shrewsbury International School

Job Opportunity

Position / Job Specification: Pre Prep/Prep Continuity Teacher

Posting Date: 4th September 2017

Closing Date: 18th September 2017



Department: Primary

Salary: Shrewsbury International School QTS salary scale applies.





Benefits:

An excellent international package of benefits including:

Two-year contract;

Excellent accommodation in Central Bangkok for singles and couples is available subject to availability at The Chatrium, adjacent to the school (www.chatrium.com) or for singles, couples and families at Bangkok Garden, only minutes from the school (www.bangkokgarden.com). The accommodation is provided free of charge, although a small tax deduction is made at source.

Flights at the beginning and end of each contract;

Relocation allowance at the beginning and end of employment;

Medical insurance with BUPA;

Generous support for personal professional development

Position Summary:

Class Teachers work within a supportive year group team of five teachers coordinated by a Year Team Leader. Each team works closely and plans together. All classes have a full time Teaching Assistant and a level of EAL support. Class teachers are responsible for the class and the teaching of the Early Years Foundation Stage profile (EY teachers) Literary, Numeracy, Science, Humanities, Art and Learning for Life. Linked learning, creativity and an added international dimension enrich the curriculum. A range of subject specialist taught lessons further enhance the curriculum. A vibrant after school activity programme, You Time is contributed to by all class teachers. The Primary School is well resourced, thriving and successful with a range of ICT resources available to aid learning. Our students are diligent, motivated and enthusiastic. We benefit from close communication and relationships with our parent body.





General:

Shrewsbury is one of South East Asias outstanding international schools, with enrolment of 1600 students from Early Years to Sixth Form, exceptional examination results and particular strengths in the creative arts, design and sport. The school itself enjoys a delightful and spectacular setting, right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the heart of Bangkok. The school is readily accessed by road and has its own boats, which provide an easy and quick link to Bangkoks Skytrain and the city centre. The link with Shrewsbury School UK (www.shrewsbury.org.uk) is taken very seriously and, year-on-year, develops into a world-class educational partnership.



Candidate Profile:

The successful candidate:

will be fully qualified teacher with QTS

will be a dedicated teacher capable of inspiring students;

will have a full working knowledge of The National Curriculum for England for Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 and/ or Development Matters guidance for the EYFS;

will have the ability and aspiration to attain high standards;

will have either experience of working with English Language Learners (ELL) or a desire to broaden his / her experience and skills in EAL teaching and learning strategies;

will have assessment for learning skills;

will have a flexible approach to working within the school curriculum and structures;

will have demonstrated an appreciation of the value of the extra-curricular dimension in developing the potential of students;

will have excellent interpersonal skills and a positive approach to professional development particularly in the areas of EAL and ICT;

will have the ability to work within and apply all school policies e.g. behavior management, child protection, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities etc

Child Safeguarding:

Shrewsbury International School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to

attend in-house Child Safeguarding programmes

promote and safeguard the welfare of all students in the school

report to the Child Protection Officer any concerns they have for the welfare of a student. This may include unsafe practices witnessed within the school as outlined in the schools Whistleblowing Policy

keep professional relationships with students where personal boundaries are respected and maintained

seek advice from a Line Manager or Child Protection Officer with issues or concerns related to Child Safeguarding.

Requirements:

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) prior to the start of contract.

Formal proof of identity with photo ID (Original Driving License / Passport).

2 signed, confidential references (one of which will be from the candidates current headteacher) before the start of contract.

Verification of original qualifications.

How to Apply:

Applications will be only be accepted on the official Shrewsbury International School Application Form, which is available on the school website Job Vacancies page.





Further Details:

Full details of the school are available on our website at www.shrewsbury.ac.th.

Any queries should be forwarded to Vice Principle (Head of Junior), Ms. Sally Weston (sally.w@shrewsbury.ac.th)
Climate warming reduces the number of plant species in the tundra, but plant-eating animals, such as reindeer and voles, can turn this negative effect into something positive. The results of a study coordinated from Umea University in Sweden are now published in Nature Communications.

"By eating tall and wide-leaved plants, reindeer can increase light availability and thus allow more plant species to co-exist and benefit from warmer conditions," says Elina Kaarlejarvi, post-doctoral researcher at Umea University, who led the study.

Earlier studies suggest that tundra plant diversity will decrease in response to a warmer climate. However, it is important to know whether the response depends on the abundance of grazing animals, particularly reindeer, voles and lemmings, which are very common in tundra ecosystems. Researchers at Umea University in Sweden, and Oulu University in Finland, tested this through experimental warming of vegetation on tundra meadows with and without reindeer and voles.

"We found that the warming increased the number of species in plots that were grazed, because it enabled small tundra plants to appear and grow there. But when we fenced reindeer, voles and lemmings out, vegetation became denser and the light was limited. As a result, many small and slowly-growing plant species were lost," says Elina Kaarlejarvi.

The researchers investigated what species appeared and disappeared from the study plots over the course of five years. By doing so, they could test what kinds of species were most affected by warming and grazing. The newly published results suggest that mammalian herbivores could generally help protect diversity in warmer climates by preventing losses of small and slowly-growing species.

The study was performed in Kilpisjarvi in northwest Finland, where the research team tested the importance of grazing animals, warming and nutrient availability by combining small greenhouses that increased the summer temperature by 1-2 degrees Celsius, small fences that excluded reindeer, voles and lemmings, as well as by use of fertilization.

###

Elina Kaarlejarvi is a post-doctoral researcher funded by the Swedish Research Council, VR. She is affiliated to the Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC) at Umea University, but she currently works at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.

The research team includes Anu Eskelinen, academy research fellow at the University of Oulu. She currently works at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research in Germany, and Johan Olofsson, associate professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science and at CIRC at Umea University.

About the study

Herbivores rescue diversity in warming tundra by modulating trait-dependent species losses and gains, Elina Kaarlejarvi, Anu Eskelinen och Johan Olofsson, Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00554-z
Monday, September 4, 2017

People wonder why I criticize exactly the people I need on my side. It's because I'm not writing for them, my academic colleagues, I'm writing for history. In the course of time, even though many of them rightly consider themselves great for their disciplines or great among their colleagues, most of them will be long forgotten one hundred years from now. I'm different. My work is so unique many fail to understand it. I will be remembered one hundred years from now, probably better posthumously than now. I have found scientific bedrock in two fields, economics and climate. Because I'm an outsider to those fields, a talented mathematician, wargamer, and politician in that order, I consider my best chance for a Nobel Prize is in the political field of Peace. I consider that I have a very good chance of becoming the first to win three Nobel Prizes, in Peace, Economics, and Physics. People want to pigeon-hole me into one area or another without seeing the essential interconnectedness of it all. My achievement would not have been possible without my thorough intuitive understanding of mathematics in a real world context. A mathematician and wargamer with depth in politics is what it took to find the answers in fields long thought to be imprecise in the aggregate. My frustrations and situation sound a lot like those of Galileo trying to awaken the world to the Copernican Revolution in astronomy to me. Try telling today's economists that military spending and temperature trends are the two biggest impediments to economic growth. They'd be rolling in the aisles with laughter.

Living with Thomas Kuhn's Insights

When Thomas Kuhn wrote "Structure of a Scientific Revolution" he gave me the guideposts to understanding the resistance of those in the world around me when I came out with my first strong findings in my short book "Peace Economics" in 1986. Days ago I attended a memorial service of another somewhat reclusively shy academic, Warren Hagstrom, a Sociology Professor at UW Madison, either the first or second ranked such school program in the world (Berkeley is the rival). On the cover of his memorial service brochure is this John Maynard Keynes quote "The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones." Indeed. Lately I've come to realize the mistake of starting with World War II in my 2010 forty minute video and 24 page accompanying pamphlet on Peace Economics. Challenging Military Keynesianism by starting with that war is to challenge the most deeply held belief in America, the notion that the war brought us out of the Great Depression. I have lost several potential allies over that issue (initials GF, FG, and MP). I should have started slowly and built to such a conclusion ever so gradually. It's like when I discovered most people reading the 48 page paperback version of Peace Economics stopped one third of the way through. Or like the discovery that conservatives instantly want to turn a Peace Economics discussion into a discussion of the merits of war versus peace, instantly stereotyping me as some naive hippy fool peacenic. My solution to that problem was to call my website and nineties book Real Economy. That is when I realized the manufacturing economy was being sacrificed on the military altar. That further lead to the political insight that the Great Lakes region industrial states were the ones most imperiled by militarism, collapsing with military buildups like the eighties and after 9-11-01 (the aughts?), and prospering with military builddowns like the sixties, seventies, and nineties.

Stunning New Insights of my Life (Math, Political Economy, Peace)

Born the day after my mother's mother's funeral, I was traumatized for many years over the mixed messages of grief and love I received from mom in that first year. It took a couple decades of therapy to figure that out. My mother was told by a doctor when I was four that I might be retarded. My grandfather then wrote a poem about me "My Bobby boy, why to you have that somber eye?" Not until I got an arithmetic test back in the third grade with 100 on it did I begin to realize I was a person of worth. That was my first ever positive feedback from school. Math saved my life as it slowly pulled up all my grades over the years, peaking in the high school college wargaming years of math genius turned top wargamer turned top engineer. Math was the first great insight of my life. Gary Gygax was my first role model. Second great insight was to intern in the 1981 Oregon Legislative session. Nothing but the best of testimony on any given subject, I learned the basics of economic development in the desperate times of the state of Oregon having the highest unemployment rate in the nation and living in the poorest precinct neighborhood in Eugene Oregon ranked last of 378 cities by Rand McNally in 1982. I learned first hand how the realities of politics were far different than the perception. Third great insight was the national peace movement list-serves from 2001 to 2005 as a leading member of the Madison Area Peace Coalition, a great lesson in learning about how the military industrial complex really operates and functions, again quite different than the common perceptions. A fourth great insight lies in the unexpectedly hostile reaction in 2014 by some leading academics of peace and justice, hostile to me personally and to my work. Although many are keenly interested in my writings and many have very positive reactions to it all, I live the Thomas Kuhn reality of difficulty overcoming pre-existing notions with new insights and awareness. I live all the time with the John Maynard Keynes corrected quote "The difficulty lays not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones."

Resistance to New Ideas

Just as I have been encouraged by Gary Gygax (gaming), Sister Ralph (calculus), Lyman G. Hill, XIII (54 year cycle), Herald Bock and Jerry Rust (politics), Gene Emge (teaching), Peter Bergel (writing), I have been discouraged by others. Just as my ideas were nourished and flourished in the Eugene Oregon University of Oregon political environment up through 1993, I have been generally under-rated and under-appreciated by the Madison Wisconsin University of Wisconsin establishment since then. There are plenty of exceptions to this broad generalization both ways. Ageism may play a role, as well as general status difference of an up and coming politician in the eighties in the growing West Coast, versus just another older activist in the stagnant Mid West.

You would think that peace academics would mostly praise and follow up on my extensive work against the military industrial complex, and many do. Cyber bullying is when a group collectively attacks one person. Some think three postings a month is too much and use the following words against me: arrogant, combative, your websites do not meet the threshold I make my students use to write research papers, bragging, claiming to have invented, understanding economics is found in law and ethics not in mathematics, clueless, self-aggrandizement, arrogant self promotion, have you considered running for President, do you ever study nonviolence?, abuse of this list, cherry picking, spamming.

Others say much kinder things: terrific piece, I'm just saying we ought to all be talking about population and scarce resources a bit more than we do, thank you for your thoughtful and sobering thoughts on selling peace, thanks for getting me back into the loop, so keep up the good work and know that there are people out there who are grateful for your work, you have allies who would agree with you completely, I too think you offer useful insights and support on important issues like the economy and militarism, I appreciate being on your list and enjoy your questions and how you think things through.

I have been amazed at the insularity of many forums at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Your status at the University is much more important than your ideas for most of them. This stands in sharp contrast to places like Oxford or Cambridge where independent scholars are most welcome and appreciated at their numerous forums.

Summary

No new idea is birthed without great difficulty and resistance, and paradigm shifts are often falsely seen as more of the same by some. Even the new movie "The Distinguished Citizen" has come out showing the difficulties a Nobel Prize winner in Literature experiences in his own home town. You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. The idea that "if you build a better mousetrap the world will beat a path to your door" doesn't work without marketing. Some will complain about self promotion while tolerating it from others on the same list-serve, but actually my several postings about the Nobel Prize quest are very popular on my websites and some complain there is not enough information about myself. You can never satisfy everyone.

Yes, it pays to read and re-read Thomas Kuhn on Structure of Scientific Revolutions and 10 quotes from that work are included as the seventh and last page of this summary of my main ideas: https://www.academia.edu/33884446/Main_Ideas_Summary_July_2017_7pages

Please cite this work as follows:

Reuschlein, Robert. (2017, September 4). "Teaching Peace Economics" Madison, WI: Real Economy Institute. Retrieved from: http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire.com/119399
A man has been ordered to pay 1,000 compensation and has had his vehicle taken off him after he caused substantial damage to crops near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

33-year-old Mark James Hughes, from Durham, was found guilty of criminal damage at Northallerton Magistrates Court on 25 August 2017.

On 12 November 2016, a Land Rover Discovery was driven on to a field at Topcliffe. It got stuck, buried into the mud to axle depth. Hughes was seen nearby, and subsequently interviewed by police officers.

The field was due to be replanted in the near future, but because the vehicle had driven over it, it could no longer be planted, due to the risk of contaminants.

At court, Hughes was disqualified from driving for six months, deprived of the Land Rover Discovery, and ordered to pay 1,000 in compensation.

PC Arfan Rahouf, of North Yorkshire Polices Rural Taskforce, said: Hughes thoughtless and reckless actions caused substantial inconvenience and financial loss to a farm business. The vehicle was so badly stuck that even a tractor struggled to get it out.

The compensation, driving ban, and loss of the vehicle will send a clear message that this behaviour is absolutely unacceptable to North Yorkshires rural communities, and police will deal with such incidents robustly.
Two leading countryside charities are partnering together to offer assistance to farm businesses affected by the devastating flash floods in Northern Ireland.

The Princes Countryside Fund is to partner with Rural Support NI to assist farmers affected by the recent floods with an emergency fund, and to assist in their recovery longer-term.

Many farmers are currently assessing the damage to their businesses due to the recent floods which hit Northern Ireland on 22 August.

A number have lost livestock or suffered damage to farmland or properties. For example, tens of thousands of chickens have been killed in the floods.

It also led the Northern Ireland Agriculture Department (DAERA) announcing that it will liaise with the UK government to seek permission from the EU to allow it to raise the level of advanced CAP payment made in October from 50% to 70%.

DAERA said that an increase in the level of advanced CAP payment will help alleviate some of the costs, and will help encourage the EU to make these payments.

'Devastating blow'

The charity partnership announcement comes at a time when many homes and farms are still flooded.

Claire Saunders, Director of The Princes Countryside Fund said: Homes and farms have been flooded, infrastructure destroyed, and livestock drowned, but the full impact of these floods is yet to be seen.

Farmers are having to house livestock that would normally be grazing until October, which going forward will cause feed shortages and cashflow problems. This is a devastating blow to farm businesses which are already hard pressed, and poses a serious threat to farmers livelihoods and the viability of their businesses.

Ulster Farmers Union President Barclay Bell said: The farming families in Northern Ireland affected by the flooding are in need of immediate practical help but they also need longer-term support as they work to rebuild their businesses and community infrastructure.

Chief Executive of Rural Support, Jude McCann said: The recent flooding has severely impacted hundreds of farming families and the financial implications can lead to increased stress for all affected.

The contribution from the fund will ensure that we have the necessary resources to provide support to individual farm businesses over the coming months. Mentors will be available to help farmers work through the current situation and put together a plan for the coming months providing not only practical but also emotional and impartial support.

If you are a farm business affected by flooding, please contact the Rural Support helpline on 0845 606 7 60
Farmers are being encouraged to take part in the governments Commercial Victimisation Survey and record the nature, extent and costs of any crimes.

The Commercial Victimisation Survey looks at crime against businesses in England and Wales.

Agriculture has been reintroduced as part of the survey. It is now seen as an opportunity to make the government and the Home Office aware of the extent rural crime affecting farm businesses.

The farming industry has rallied around the government to take action on the "blight" of rural crime hitting the UK recently.

The NFU has warned in particular that farmers should not be seen as a 'soft target' for criminals.

The results of the survey are used to monitor crime trends, identify what actions need to be taken to reduce crime and find out what support would be most helpful to farm businesses.

'Make government aware'

NFU land management adviser Rupert Weaver said: This survey is a perfect opportunity for farmers to make Government aware of the serious impacts rural crime poses to farm businesses.

As the NFU has already highlighted in its Rural Crime Report, rural crime affects a huge number of farmers, affecting their business and family life.

There is increasing fear in rural areas due to increasing crime, resulting in significantly lower than average satisfaction levels with the police.

There is a lack of official statistics relating to rural crime, partly due to underreporting, and a significant response from the farming community could provide the relevant authorities with the data they need to act on this problem. The NFU would encourage all farmers who receive the survey to participate.

Businesses randomly selected to take part in the survey, ran by the Home Office with independent researchers Ipsos Mori, will receive a letter and a subsequent phone call between September and December 2017 to conduct an interview.
A huge fire has torched more than 150,000 worth of straw in a suspected arson attack in Nottinghamshire.

The attack has been described as one of the largest ever in the UK, and will burn on for weeks.

The fire happened on Thursday (August 31) at a farm in Retford, and within an hour the blaze engulfed the whole field, prompting three fire crews to try and bring the flames under control.

(Photo: Retford Fire Station)

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue suspect the blaze was deliberately started.

The land was left blackened and smouldering the following morning, with smoke and fire lingering.

The 10,000 hay bales which caught on fire were the culmination of six weeks of hard work by Ranskill based RB Agricultural Contracting Ltd.

George Roworth, who runs the firm with his brother, said he put "blood, sweat and tears" into his work.

Retford Fire Station said on a Facebook update: "Both appliances from Retford and one from Harworth attended a stack fire last night. The call came in at 10:30pm and teams were in attendance through to lunchtime today.

"The stack consisted of approximately 6,000 tonnes of baled straw, our tactic was to let it burn itself out under supervision as the potential pollution from water run off in to the water course can be far more harmful than the air pollution from the smoke."

If anyone has any information about the incident they should contact Notts Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 as soon as possible.
Producers see losses increase to 26-28 per pig, estimates show


Sanjay Leela Bhansalis upcoming film titled Gustakhiyan is a biopic based on Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi. The filmmakers are in search for the perfect casting and names like Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Irrfan Khan have popped up to play Saahir. On the other hand, Priyanka Chopra was their only strong choice to play Amrita Pritam.



Recently, there were reports stating that Priyanka Chopra has opted out of the movie because she couldnt produce the film. But Pee Cees mother, Madhu Chopra dismissed the reports in an interview to a leading daily stating, "Priyanka was no doubt in talks with Bhansali, but the two couldnt fit their time schedules to discuss the film. The question of co-producing would have come in only at a later stage. As of now, nothing has gone forward. He can make it on his own, why will he need a co-producer?" she continued.



When she was asked whether Priyanka has her reservations about Abhishek Bachchan playing Sahir Ludhianvi, Mrs Chorpa responded saying, "She would be the last person to make such suggestions. It is Bhansalis call. He is the captain of the ship."



Priyanka is currently in Mumbai but flies back to the US tonight to kick-start the third season of Quantico.






The remake of Salman Khan and Aamir Khan's 1994 classic, Andaz Apna Apna has been in news the longest time now. While speculations about the remake and the cast are doing the rounds, Paresh Rawal definitely has the some apt choices for Salman and Aamir's role.



When the actor was recently asked about the remake or sequel of the film, he said, "It should be touched only if theres a really great script  something as funny as the original  in place."



Initially the plans of making a remake with the original cast were in place. To this the director of the film, Rajkumar Santoshi said, "Its very difficult. For humour, you need innocence. That time, these actors had the innocence. Now, it will look forced. It looks cute if a 20-year-old is chasing a girl. A 45-50-year-old man chasing young girls looks vulgar."



Hence, when Rawal was asked about who he thinks could be apt to play the role of Prem and Amar, he suggested, "Varun (Dhawan) will be fantastic as Prem. He has the charm, personality and characteristics to play Salmans role. Amar should ideally be played by Ranbir (Kapoor). Then again, I name him for every film because I believe hes the best actor this country has at the moment."



Well, we are totally up for this Prem-Amar combo, bring it on!
Actor Paresh Rawal says Salman Khan has his own charm and style of acting and feels the superstar has become calmer today.

The veteran actor, who has collaborated with Salman for films like Ready, Baghban, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Dhulan Hum Le Jayenge, and Andaz Apna Apna, will be next seen with him in Ali Abbas Zafar's Tiger Zinda Hai.

Move Over Her Nude Photoshoot! Esha Gupta Is Back With Her Bikini Avatar

"Every actor has his own charm including Salman, everyone is good in their own way. I have worked with him in couple of films. He is easy to work with, understands things and is always helpful. Today I think he has become more calm," Rawal told PTI on Salman's acting style.

The Yash Raj Film's "Tiger" franchise centers around a fictional character of an Indian spy (RAW), code named Tiger (Salman), who falls in love with a Pakistani spy (ISI), played by Katrina Kaif.

Of their all films together, the 1994 cult "Andaz Apna Apna" stands out. In the film, Rawal essayed the double role of Teja and Ram Gopal Bajaj.

While there is a buzz of the sequel being planned, Rawal says he hasn't been approached for such a project yet.

"No one has come to me yet for the sequel. It's a good film, the premise is good... it was ahead of its time. Director Rajkumar Santoshi did a fantastic job. The sequel should be made provided the story is good," he says.

Recalling the shooting experience for the comic caper, he says there were financial and date issues while filming, but the overall experience was great.

"During the climax shoot there was problem as half shoot was done here (in one place), half there (in another place).

There were date issues so we had to shoot it differently. And people were not paid on time. That time the working style, work ethics were different including finance.

"We all had great fun doing the film and had never imagined the film will turn out to be a cult. Even during 'Hera Pheri' we had not thought we are making a great film our job was to do the film and move on."

The 67-year-old actor reveals that work on the third part of hit "Hera Pheri" series had begun, but is currently stalled after director Neeraj Vora fell ill.

His other super-hit film "Oh My God", released in 2012, will see a sequel and work on the script was on.

"We are planning a sequel... the work is going on the script. It will all depend on the script whether Akshay Kumar and I will team for it or not," he says.

Currently, Rawal is busy promoting his upcoming film Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi also starring Rishi Kapoor, Vir Das, Payal Ghosh and Prem Chopra.

It is slated to release on September 15.
Shrewsbury International School

Job Opportunity

Position / Job Administrative Assistant (Learning Zone)

Specification: The appointment is for a Thai national only

Department: Administration

General:

Shrewsbury is one of South East Asias outstanding international schools, with enrolment of 1600 students from Early Years to Sixth Form, exceptional examination results and particular strengths in the creative arts, design and sport. The school itself enjoys a delightful and spectacular setting, right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the heart of Bangkok. The school is readily accessed by road and has its own boats, which provide an easy and quick link to Bangkoks Skytrain and the city centre. The link with Shrewsbury School UK (www.shrewsbury.org.uk) is taken very seriously and, year-on-year, develops into a world-class educational partnership.

Key Responsibilities:

The Administrative Assistant (Learning Zone) reports directly to Director of Child Protection and Safeguarding is responsible as part of a team for the effective operation of the Learning Support. In particular, the Administrative Assistant (Learning Zone) will

Answering telephone calls received in the Learning Zone and routing them efficiently and accurately to the appropriate persons;

Dealing with correspondence proficiently and promptly;

Assisting with enquiries and concerns from other members of staff and parents;

Assisting with routine administrative tasks including updating databases, directories and the School management information system for changes in parental, staff and student personal data;

Arranging meetings with parents and other external agencies;

Ensuring parents are made to feel welcome and comfortable at parental meetings;

Acting as a translator for meetings with Thai parents who are not confident English speakers;

Producing written translations from English into Thai of correspondence and documents for Thai parents are not confident English speakers;

Helping in the distribution of hard copy letters to students and parents;

Updating Firefly and iSAMS details related to work carried out in the Learning Zone;

Liaising with the Purchasing Department to order resources;

Assisting with ad-hoc jobs and duties as part of the general administrative function of the school and support special events in the school e.g. Speech Day, Concerts, FOBISIA events hosted by the school, Last Night of the Proms.

Professional Expectations:

The Administrative Assistant (Learning Zone) should have the following qualities

Be positive, engaging and friendly in manner to all staff, students and visitors to the school;

Be professional, neat and presentable both in the work and tasks undertaken and in their personal appearance;

Have a can-do approach and be efficient and accurate in dealing with work and duties assigned;

Have a good spoken command of English and Thai and competent written skills in both languages;

Be flexible in approach to work and enjoy working as part of a team;

Adhere at all times to the spoken English policy;

Deal with information with the appropriate confidentiality as required;

Have utmost regard for confidentiality and discretion in the management of information held concerning students and their families;

Promote a favourable impression of the school at all times;

Undertake duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Schools policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

Shrewsbury International School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to

attend in-house Child Safeguarding programmes

promote and safeguard the welfare of all students in the school

report to the Child Protection Officer any concerns they have for the welfare of a student. This may include unsafe practices witnessed within the school as outlined in the schools Speak Out (Whistleblowing) Policy.

keep professional relationships with students where personal boundaries are respected and maintained

seek advice from a Line Manager or Child Protection Officer with issues or concerns related to Child Safeguarding.

Requirements:

Satisfactory Thai Police Criminal Record check

Confirmation of identity (Driving License / Passport/National ID card).

Satisfactory references

Verification of qualifications and work experience

How to Apply:

Applications will be only be accepted on the official Shrewsbury International School Application Form, which is available on the school website Job Vacancies page.

Further Details:

Full details of the school are available on our website at www.shrewsbury.ac.th.

Any queries should be forwarded to jobs@shrewsbury.ac.th.
Udaharanam Sujatha

The latest poster of Manju Warrier starrer Udaharanam Sujatha is out. In this Onam special poster, Manju Warrier could be seen along with a young girl. Reportedly, the actress will be seen essaying the role of a single mother in this film, directed by Phantom Praveen.

Punyalan Private Limited

The makers of Punyalan Private Limited came up with this brand new poster of the movie, as an Onam gift to the audiences. In this interesting poster, we could see all the leading actors of the movie.

Vimaanam

Vimaanam is one of the highly anticipated movies of Prithviraj. Reportedly, this film, directed by Pradeep Nair is based on a real-life story. The new poster of Vimaanam promises the film to be a performance oriented movie.

Sherlock Toms

Biju Menon will be next seen in the film Sherlock Toms, directed by popular film-maker Shafi. Earlier, the makers had come up with first-look poster of the movie. Now, on Thiruvonam day, the makers presented the brand new poster of the movie, featuring Biju Menon in it.

Mohanlal

The brand new poster of the upcoming movie Mohanlal, is out. It has come with an interesting tagline, read as 'Lalonashamsankal' and it is a big treat for all the fans of Mohanlal.

Goodalochana

Goodalochana is an upcoming film, which marks the debut of Dhyan Sreenivasan as a scriptwriter. On the Thiruvonam Day, the makers of the film have come up with the first look poster of the movie. Goodalochana has been directed by Thomas Sebastian.
(ASX:NOX)

Hello. Im Jessica Amir for the Finance News Network. Joining me from cancer therapy development company Noxopharm Limitedis CEO and Executive Director Dr Graham Kelly. Graham, welcome back.Thanks, Jessica.So, to start off with, youve just announced how your drug NOX66 importantly helps treat brain cancer. Can you elaborate on the announcement?The company has come up with a way of getting drugs across the blood brain barrier into the brain. Not all drugs, but a certain type of drug. And thats a pretty significant breakthrough, because up till now only about 2% of all drugs that humans take can actually get into the brain.And thats been the major hurdle in being able to successfully do anything about, not just cancer, but any of the neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers or Parkinsons. So thats been the problem up till now.So, about nine months ago, we announced that, in animals anyway, weve been able to get Idronoxil into the brain. Yes, its only in animals, but the important thing is that all mammals have the same sort of blood brain barrier. So if it works in rats, were pretty confident that itll work in humans.So, what we announced this week was the important questions that you have to ask yourself. "OK, we can get a drug into the brain, but is it going to do anything once its there?" And the announcement this week was essentially - yes, we believe we can get it to work in brain cancer.What are the boxes that you say that youve ticked?Theres a couple of key ones that you have to ask yourself. The first is - is it going to kill brain cancer cells? And in this case, we used a cancer called GBM, which is short for Glioblastoma, and its the major aggressive brain cancer that occurs in adults. And its a tough little cancer to do anything with. And its poorly responsive to radiotherapy, its poorly responsive to any sort of drugs.So, the first box we had to tick was - will our drug kill those cells? And the answer is yes, it is killing GBM cancer cells where no other drug was able to do anything. That was the first box. The second box was - can we make the only drug that currently is approved to treat brain cancer work any better, because unfortunately its not a very active drug? And the answer to that is - yes, were about to make a drug called Temozolomide work much better.And, Graham, when used with TMZ, the most common form of chemotherapy, what effect does that have?Temozolomide or TMZ is, as you say, it's the only drug that's approved to be used for the treatment of brain cancer. Now what we're able to show is that our drug, Idronoxil, actually makes Temozolomide far more effective in brain cancer cells pre-clinically. But not just in those cells that are currently responding to TMZ, but even those three out of five cell lines that don't respond at the moment. So, that was an important finding.Thanks, Graham. So, it appears NOX66 has the power to act on most forms of brain cancer when used in conjunction with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Can you elaborate on that?What we had previously found was that NOX66 was very effective at working on those forms of cancer that start somewhere else in the body but then go to the brain. So, cancers like breast cancer or cancer of the lung, prostate, stomach, bowel, melanoma.About one in five of those cancers will end up metastasizing to the brain. And theres probably somewhere up to about 10 times more cases of brain cancer where the cancer starts outside the brain than there are of cancers that start inside the brain.So we believe that now we can get Idronoxil via NOX66 into the brain that we can do something for all forms of cancer - not just those that start inside the brain, but also those that start outside the brain.So, thats where we believe that were probably unique, or certainly Im not aware of anybody else thats making the claim of being able to do that.Thanks, Graham. So, whats next for the study?What we have to do now is complete a number of preclinical animal studies in order to be allowed to go into humans with brain cancer. So, over the course of the next few months, were going to be conducting animal studies. These are studies in animals that have brain cancer. And if we can demonstrate that NOX66 has an advantage, has a benefit in those animals, then we believe well be allowed to go into patients with brain cancer in 2018.Youve just raised $5 million from new and existing shareholders. How does the business plan to use those funds?Well, most of the money is going to go into clinical trials. We have quite an active clinical program thats been planned, and we will have, by the end of the year, six different clinical studies up and running. And brain cancer will be the seventh one, that well be looking to start next year. So thats where that money is going to be dedicated.Thanks, Graham. Last question now. Whats the market size for NOX66 in treating brain cancer?About 130,000 people worldwide die each year from cancer that starts in the brain. And we think theres probably up to about 10 times more than that that die from cancer in the brain, but starts outside of the brain.So, its a major problem. The stats are really quite poor; the survival outlook is really quite poor. Within about five years after diagnosis, theres typically only 3% or 4% of people with cancer of the brain that are actually still alive.If you simply look at the statistics of ho w many people are affected by brain cancer, thats not just primary but also secondary brain cancer, were looking at about a million people a year. So thats a market that is just sitting there waiting for somebody to come to it with an effective drug.Well, Dr Graham Kelly, thank you so much for the update and good luck with the trials.Thanks very much.
TerraComhas announced board changes and positive progress at its Blair Athol coal mine in Queensland, bringing the mine into full production.The company has ramped up operations of the mine to an annualised rate of 2 million tonnes per annum.The companys board reshuffle sees Cameron McRae being replaced as its Executive Chairman, with Wallace Macarthur King appointed to the position, effective immediately.Mr McRae will remain on the Coal miners board as a non-Executive Director.The company says the re-shuffle will help support TerraComs growth in becoming a large and strong coal mining company operating in Australia and Asia.Shares in TerraCom Limitedare trading down 3.85 per cent to 2.5 cents.
CIMIC Group'sglobal mining services provider, Thiess, has been awarded a new coal mining contract in the Western Kurai region of East Kalimantan, Indonesia.The seven year GBU coal mine contract is set to generate revenue of $437 million from 2017.CIMIC group says this new contract in Indonesia demonstrates how Thiess is continuing to expand mining operations in the region.CIMIC also says the mining business 'will leverage its innovation for its mining solutions.Shares in CIMICare trading down 0.22% to $41.59
Chappell joined Lincoln Industries in 2015 and has spent those two years as a strategic accounts intern. Bauer returns to Lincoln Industries after spending the last five years with Illinois Tool Works in Kansas City, Missouri, as a sales and account manager. Bauer was previously with Lincoln Industries from 2007 to 2013 as an account manager. Both Chappell and Bauer will be responsible for identifying, developing, and closing business opportunities with new and existing customers.
More than 10,000 straw bales worth 150,000 have been torched in a suspected farm arson attack, one of the largest ever in the UK.

Devastated farmer George Roworth said notwithstanding the financial loss, six weeks of hard work blood, sweat and tears by RB Agricultural Contracting Limited has also come to nothing.

Smoke could be seen billowing for miles after the huge fire that took place on the farm in Retford on Thursday (31 August). Within a few minutes, the whole field was engulfed in flames and black smoke.

See also: HSE farm safety tips  bale stacking

Three fire crews from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service spent Thursday evening trying to bring the flames under control.

Firefighters brought the flames under control and stopped the fire spreading further. But they had to let the straw piles burn down.

The following day, a large smouldering pile of waste in the field made for an apocalyptic scene.

Mr Roworth rushed to the scene with his brother in minutes after they were alerted to the fire at 8.20pm on Thursday and they found two separate fires on neighbouring stacks.

I returned 10 minutes later with a loader tractor to try and salvage some straw and machinery, he said.

One bale trailer was salvaged but a second was destroyed and it was evident that the fire was progressing through the stack site very quickly and it wasnt safe or feasible to salvage any bales.

By 11:30pm the whole site was well ablaze, destroying in excess of two-and-half thousand tonnes of straw.

Difficult harvest

The straw was destined to supply local power stations in Brigg and Sleaford, as well as livestock farmers and farms that grow vegetables in the winter.

Mr Roworth added: It is frustrating and saddening to see the result of a very trying harvest destroyed by mindless vandals.

In a season like this, straw is scarce enough due to reduced yield and increased market demand. This will put pressure on an already stretched industry. More awareness is needed for such soul-destroying actions.

Firefighters suspect the blaze, in a field off Babworth Road, Retford, was started deliberately.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101.
Locky ransomware alert issued in India, CERT warns users not to open fishy emails News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Locky is the new ransomware attack that is spreading.

On Saturday, the government issued an alert warning users regarding the spread of Locky, a kind of ransomware. This ransomware is spread via email and locks or encrypts files on the attacked computers. The hackers demand payment from the victims in order to unlock the files.

CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) advised the residents of Indian, Indian companies as well as corporate houses to watch out for suspicious emails that have file attachments. The attackers send malicious email attachments to spread Locky. CERT noted that a massive email campaign involving 23 million emails have been sent and is underway in order to make people fall prey to the ransomware.

Understanding Ransomware

CERT has advised people not to click the emails with subjects such as pictures, scans, photos, images, documents, and please print. Also, there is a possibility for the attackers to change their strategy and include other subject lines in their emails. Apparently, it is better to avoid clicking on unwanted and suspicious emails. The malicious emails will have zip attachments with VBS (Visual Basic Scripts) embedded as a secondary zip file. The VBS file will have a downloader that polls to the domain 'greatesthits[dot]mygoldmusic[dot]com. Make sure you do not visit this malicious website and download the variants of Locky ransomware, noted CERT.

Locky is a popular ransomware that was one of the first attacks that made a global impact. The Locky attacks were reports early in 2016 while the others such as WannaCry and Petya become relevant recently.

India among the worst hit countries by "Fireball" malware

In general, CERT has advised users to be cautious while opening any emails that have come from suspicious or unwanted email ids as well as those with fishy file attachments. The agency has advised organizations to come up with anti-spam solutions and update the spam block lists. The agency further warns that the ramsomware will affect the network drives, attached removable media storage devices, and the files stored in the computer. Even after paying the demanded ransomware through Bitcoins, there are chances for the attackers to not unlock the files.

Best Mobiles in India

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Samsung Galaxy On Max (No Cost EMIs from Rs 1,878/month)

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expandable up to 128GB with microSD

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expandable memory up to 256GB via micro SD card

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Laura Ebke hasn't pulled the trigger yet, but Nebraska's Libertarian state senator is on course to seek re-election next year.

Ebke is one of a kind, an independent  and conservative  state senator who abandoned her politically secure party designation as a Republican after Gov. Pete Ricketts called out by name a number of state senators who are Republicans for not supporting him or the GOP on issues considered by the nonpartisan Legislature.

She doesn't know if the governor will be coming after her in the 2018 election as he did with endorsements and financial support that helped torpedo the 2016 re-election bids of three incumbent state senators who were fellow Republicans but had voted to override several of his vetoes.

Ebke says the fact is she agrees with Ricketts on a majority of issues, but she does not march in lockstep. She makes up her own mind.

"I try to analyze issues independently," the Crete senator said during an interview in her first-floor office at the State Capitol.

"Ultimately, I am a libertarian, big L and all," she said, fundamentally supportive of less government and lower taxes, but determined to confront urgent or unresolved issues and ready to accept the responsibility that "you've got to pay the bills."

Ebke voted to override the governor's vetoes of legislation to repeal the death penalty and to grant young DACA immigrants the right to earn licenses to work in the state, but she also cast votes to sustain his veto of a gas tax hike and against a motion designed to scuttle his proposed tax reform package earlier this year.

If decisions are going to be made strictly on a partisan basis, she said, "it's too easy to quit thinking."

"We ought to engage our brains and think independently," Ebke said.

"As some of my colleagues have said, some of us came here to be a state senator, not a Republican state senator."

That's the premise that helped create Nebraska's unique nonpartisan, one-house legislature, Ebke said.

"I think we don't want to be like Washington," she said.

Ebke says she believes her constituents in the 32nd Legislative District in Southeast Nebraska, which includes Fairbury and Crete and parts of Lancaster County, spilling into Pioneers Park, generally accept her change of party identification.

When she explained it in a remarkably candid message to her constituents posted on Facebook, Ebke received more than 100 responses, only three or four of which were negative.

The general response, she said, was: "That's OK, we knew that's what you were."

"I think it's been a net positive," Ebke said, "but how it turns out, I don't know."

That revealing Facebook letter last year talked about "immense pressure" in the Legislature to vote the Republican way that sometimes borders on "near bullying."

"As a Republican, the pressure to vote with the Republican governor is significant," she wrote.

In 2014, Ebke won her first-term bid by 161 votes in a tight election that kept her up until 2 a.m.

Ebke holds an important leadership position in the Legislature, serving as chair of the Judiciary Committee, which traditionally confronts a huge workload of bills and is the lead committee in dealing with ongoing prison reform.

Her committee visited all 10 of the state's prisons this summer, is sharply focused on parole and probation reforms, and feels the added pressure for results created by a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the state over conditions in its prison system.

Ebke describes her contacts with the governor as "limited."

"He'll say hi when we meet in the hall," she said.

Ebke believes the Legislature "became more partisan" this year when senators elected a slate of Republicans to fill virtually all of the leadership positions with strong help from this year's freshman class of senators who are Republicans.

"My class tended to be a little more independent-thinking," she said.

Ebke said she does believe there needs to be some change in the Legislature's filibuster rule, which currently requires the votes of at least 33 senators in the 49-member body to end a minority filibuster of legislation.

That was an issue that divided Republicans and Democrats this year, with outnumbered Democrats attempting to hold on to minority rights accorded by the current rule.

"My gut says 33 is an awfully high bar," Ebke said, "but I don't know what the right number is. It's frustrating if you're trying to get something passed and you get 32 votes matched against five no votes."

Senators "at least should have to go on the record," she said.

However, Ebke said, she hopes the Legislature won't resume the filibuster standoff that dominated the first one-third of this year's 90-day legislative session in 2018 when the Legislature will be confined to a 60-day session.

Ebke's legislative priorities next year will include a bill to institute widespread occupational-licensing reform and she is hoping to see a breakthrough in prison reform progress that will result in a decline of population in Nebraska's overcrowded prison system.

Ebke, who teaches health care policy at Doane University and has long been a government scholar, notes political parties, operatives and incumbent officeholders will be particularly focused on next year's legislative elections.

Senators elected in 2018 will participate in redistricting congressional and legislative districts following completion of the 2020 federal census.
Sheep and goat shows kicked off the finale of the 11-day Nebraska State Fair Monday with 4-H boys and girls wrangling the livestock around a ring in a quest for a purple ribbon.

As other children raced around the Midway or waited on funnel cakes, dozens of youngsters led the feisty animals in a beauty contest of breeding and market goats.

"He's not overwhelmingly blessed with good looks," a judge said of one of the goats whose handler fell short of the prize.

Opal Matejka of Strang watched from the fence for the headlining event of her 3-day fair experience: seeing her granddaughter from Shickley show goats and hogs.

"There was no question she was going to be involved in it," Matejka said of the 15-year-old, whose mother and aunts lived for 4-H.

Sarah Schuelke of Waverly scored some purple and blue ribbons and almost some love from the 7-month-old crossbred wether she held in a barn next door.

"Sarah, he just wants to kiss ya," Susan Schuelke told her 21-year-old daughter as the sheep nuzzled its head by her.

Monday's competitions were the culmination dozens of hours of hard work with the animals, said Sarah Schuelke who is now studying ag education at UNL.

Despite the time she spent with the closely shorn sheep, Sarah Schuelke didn't name him.

"It's hard to name them when you know someone is going to eat them," she said.

Next door to the Sheep Barn, a one-man band belted "Always on My Mind" as lines into the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit began to stretch.

Line to get prime rib sandwiches at the Nebraska Cattlemen's Beef Pit stretching to Sheep Barn on last day of #NEStateFair. pic.twitter.com/A1SoWehhj0  Riley Johnson (@LJSRileyJohnson) September 4, 2017

Inside, Beef Pit member John Lange of Bruning and other volunteers had one thing on their minds: Serving up prime rib sandwiches to a line of fairgoers beginning to snake out toward the livestock barns.

"It's like a Ford assembly line," Lange said.

Beef Pit crews sold more than 1,500 sandwiches daily at this year's fair, keeping pace with past years.

State Fair officials won't have final attendance figures until Tuesday morning.

Monday marked a first trip to the state fair for Sotaro Arikata, Thuy Le Thi and Glory Sherl Quiba.

Thuy Le Thi of Vietnam, Glory Sherl Quiba of Phillippines & Sotaro Arikata of Japan are enjoying the rodeo & barns @ their 1st #NEStateFair. pic.twitter.com/d6FYS7YsMG  Riley Johnson (@LJSRileyJohnson) September 4, 2017

The three 20-somethings drove to Grand Island from Sutton.

But they originally hail from Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines respectively.

Big machinery and big tacos impressed Arikata, 22.

But the main attraction for the trio, who are learning to run a hog farm in Sutton, was the rodeo.

Grand Island resident Lance Nelson's family of five have spent so much time at this year's fair they consider themselves "junkies."

Among Nelson's fair favorites was the weather.

A host to the fair since 2010, Grand Island saw fair skies and warm weather in its closing days, topping out at 91 degrees Saturday.

Nelson took part in a fitting food-eating contest for Monday's 80-degree weather, inhaling three ice cream cups in mere seconds.

"Coming down the steps it was a little sketchy," Nelson said moments after his victory on the Family Fun Zone Stage.

His winning strategy: Down each 3-ounce ice cream cup in a bite.

"That's what my kids told me to do, so that's what I did," Nelson said.

Recovered from his brain freeze, Lance and his wife, Brandy, headed toward the sunny Midway with their three children, Cohen, Miles and Tayla.

One final fix of rides before the fair's farewell for 2017.
An Oklahoma man who sued Lincoln police officers, alleging they used excessive force when they arrested him four years ago, and lost, is appealing the federal judge's decision.

Tompson L. Awnings, known as Tristan Simon in 2013 when it happened, said he was left with four broken ribs and a collapsed lung, discovered when he went to the hospital a day after he was released on bail.

Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf said he couldn't consider the medical records because they hadn't been authenticated or offered as evidence by Awnings' attorney.

He also found that Lincoln Police Officer Joshua Fullerton's move to take him to the ground had been "objectively reasonable."

In 2015, Awnings sued Fullerton and Ryan Duncan and three others, who were previously dismissed from the case.

In his complaint, Awnings alleged police falsely arrested and beat him on July 20, 2013, after he walked up to them at 13th and O streets at bar close as they were ticketing his friend.

Police said Awnings was interfering with their investigation and told him if he didn't leave, he was going to jail. When he wouldn't listen, Fullerton told him he was under arrest, according to Kopf's order.

Awnings, who admittedly had been drinking that night, resisted efforts to put him in handcuffs. During the scuffle that followed, Fullerton used a hip toss to take him to the ground.

Awnings said Fullerton and Duncan hit him repeatedly while he was on the ground and dragged him to a cruiser.

The officers described it differently, with Awnings tightening and twisting his grip on Duncan's shirt collar making it difficult for him to breath, refusing to walk to the cruiser and kicking Fullerton in the face once they got him inside.

Awnings said his basic instinct of self-preservation took over and he was trying to get Fullerton off him and to get away.

In the suit, he alleged police didn't have probable cause to arrest him. However, he later pleaded no contest to third-degree assault and resisting arrest and got 180 days in jail.

Kopf said Awnings' convictions precluded his false arrest claim and showed there was probable cause to arrest him when he resisted arrest and assaulted Fullerton.

"Even if there might be a genuine dispute as to whether Officer Fullerton had arguable probable cause to arrest plaintiff at the time he grabbed plaintiff's arm, there is no dispute that plaintiff tried to get away from Officer Fullerton and then continued to struggle with Officer Fullerton after he was taken to the group with a 'hip toss,'" Kopf wrote.

After the judge's decision to dismiss the case against the officers, Awnings' attorney, Matt Catlett, filed a motion asking Kopf to alter it. In a brief, he argued Kopf had erred by excluding the medical information; in finding that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity on the excessive force claims; and in finding that his conviction precluded his false arrest claim.

But in late July, Kopf denied the motion, prompting Awnings' appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals last week.
Legislation requiring people to stick to traditional national clothes and culture has been introduced in Tajikistan  a move widely interpreted as an attempt to stop women from wearing Islamic clothing.

Women in the central Asian country traditionally wear a scarf tied behind the head, rather than a hijab, which wraps under the chin.

Despite being a majority Muslim country, Tajikistans Minister of Culture, Shamsiddin Orumbekzoda, told Radio Free Europe Islamic dress was really dangerous.

He said that everyone looked at women wearing hijabs with concern, worried that they could be hiding something under their hijab.

Although the legislation  an amendment to an existing law on traditions in the country  did not mention the hijab specifically, authorities have previously said the Islamic veil represents an alien culture.

Under existing laws, women wearing hijabs are already banned from entering the countrys government offices.

At the beginning of August, officials approached more than 8,000 women wearing hijabs in the capital of Dushanbe and ordered them to wear their scarves in the Tajik style.

The new legislation does not introduce a penalty for breaking the rule, but some have claimed that fines could be introduced at a later date.

Source : Independent UK
But still Indian Government want to give shelter to Rohingya Muslims, ignoring refugee Kashmiri Hindus in their own country. Current govt is also turning blind eye towards the menace of illegal Bangladeshi migrants posing great threat to national security ! When Govt is going to take action against Bangladeshi illegal immigrants ?  Editor, Hindujagruti

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka does not want the Muslim community to grow in the Czech Republic, saying he has seen what problems large Muslim populations have caused in other European countries.

Noting that there was only a small, non-radicalised Muslim community in the Central European country, the prime minister told Austrian newspaper Die Presse: When we see problems in other European countries, we do not want Muslims in the Czech Republic.

We would greatly appreciate if Europe would better protect its external border. Receiving refugees should always be the responsibility of nation states, Mr. Sobotka added.

In comments alluding to crime, sex attacks, and terrorism committed by Middle Eastern and African migrants in Western Europe since 2015, the prime minister said: In Europe too often we see problems with the integration of people coming from another cultural or religious environment.

The Czech Republic has around 22,000 Muslims living in the country who are described as well-integrated and not particularly committed to or fundamentalist in the expression of their faith.

The comments come in the same week Czech President Milos Zeman defended burkini bans at swimming pools across the country, saying: In Czech swimming pools there is no reason for anyone bathing in Arab clothes.

Sobotka pointed to the countrys commitment to assisting in tackling the migrant crisis, telling the Austrian newspaper the Czech Republic is financially supporting the Libyan coastguard and migrant camps as well as sending policemen to assist border patrols in the Balkans.

Like the other three countries in the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary), the Czech Republic rejects the European Unions forced migrant relocation programme.

The prime minister made the point that the country is helping people coming from Eastern Europe.

Similarly, President Zeman has said people fleeing the Ukraine, following the Euromaidan protests, should be included in the migrant redistribution programme given the numbers absorbed by the Visegrad group. Poland has issued nearly 1.3 million visas to Ukrainians last year, including those claiming asylum.

Ukrainians, too, are refugees and with their origin and diligence, they are somewhat close to us, said Zeman in September 2015, after stating the month prior that Unlike the Islamic ones, they have a much a better ability to assimilate themselves.

Source : Breitbart
Eurostars Hotel Company, Grupo Hotusa's hotel division, has launched in Ecuador with the opening of the Exe Galeria Man-Ging 4* (formerly the Hotel Galeria Man-Ging) in the city of Guayaquil. The hotel, which is held under a lease, is now the sixteenth run by the company in Latin America, where it recently opened the Eurostars Panama City 5* (in Panama City) and the Exe San Jose Center 4* (in San Jose, Costa Rica). The company, which has shown a firm commitment to expanding its operations in the region, has other projects in the area, the most notable of which is the Eurostars Torre Bacata 5*. The hotel will be located in Bogota (Colombia), and will be the tallest hotel on the continent. Exe Galeria Man-Ging 4* is located in a modern and functional 5-storey building, and houses 94 spacious rooms that are all perfectly soundproofed and fully-equipped to meet the needs of even the most demanding guests. The hotel, which completed a full renovation of its facilities in 2011, has two meeting rooms equipped with the most advanced audiovisual equipment and with capacity for up to 80 people. It also has a full gym. Likewise, the hotel restaurant "La Bienal" specializes in local cuisine and seafood dishes.

The hotel also stands out for its vast collection of 850 works of art on display inside, most of which were produced by local artists. The ground floor features works of art that represent the four regions of Ecuador: the coast, mountains, east and the Galapagos Islands; created by Luis Penaherrera and Hermel Quezada. The other floors of the hotel include permanent exhibitions on a range of themes, including landscapes and portraits by authors such as Anibal Villacis, Ivan Paredes and Federico Gozenbach. Conveniently located in the city's financial and commercial district, and just a few kilometres from the seafront and Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport, Exe Galeria Man-Ging 4* is the ideal destination for both business travellers and tourists alike. In the words of Grupo Hotusa's president, Amancio Lopez Seijas, "making our debut in the country with such a unique hotel is a great challenge, while it also reinforces the company's commitment to Latin America, a destination that has become a key market for our international expansion plans and in which we intend to continue adding new projects."

Hotel website
Raffles Hotel Singapore is pleased to announce the appointment of Christian Westbeld as its General Manager, effective from 1 October 2017. CWChristian brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry spanning Germany, Bangkok, Manila, Dubai, Singapore, Beijing and more. His journey as a hotelier started at the front office of one of the top hotels in Germany and saw him rise through the ranks in Food & Beverage operations across the globe from The Peninsula in Manila to The Fairmont in Dubai and subsequently, being part of the pre-opening team in Raffles Dubai. Christian is no stranger to Raffles Hotel Singapore, having served as its Executive Assistant Manager from July 2009 to February 2011 before moving on to Raffles Beijing as Resident Manager. He returned to Raffles Hotel Singapore in June 2013 as Hotel Manager until August 2015, where he continued to deliver outstanding results. Most recently, Christian was based in Macau with MGM China Ltd, where he led the Hospitality Operation at MGM Macao and was part of the pre-opening team for MGM Cotai. In his new role as General Manager of Raffles Hotel Singapore, Christian will oversee the hotel through its careful and sensitive restoration and into its highly anticipated grand reopening in the middle of 2018.Christian graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maine at Augusta, and holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, International Management. He also holds a Diplom-Kaufmann FH from the University of Applied Studies and Research Wernigerode in International Business Studies, Economics.
A new hand has taken the helm at the Lincoln Indian Center.

Barry Walker, 53, has spent more than 20 years working for nonprofit organizations that serve Native Americans. He replaces Clyde Tyndall, one of the longest-serving directors at the center, who retired recently.

Walker lived in Lincoln from 1979 to 1984 and knows many of the Native American families in town.

I just felt that it was an opportunity to come back and serve the community, he said.

The Indian Center, 1100 Military Road, offers programs to Native Americans and others. Those programs include commodity food distribution, senior lunches, counseling services and youth programs.

Walker, a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, holds a bachelors degree in human services, social services and administration from Bellevue University.

He freely admits to being 30 years sober and said he wants to see more substance-abuse services for Native Americans in Lincoln. He previously served as a program director for the Intertribal Treatment Center in Omaha and as a program director for a drug dependency program in Winnebago.

Most recently, he served as the Omaha Tribes human resources director.

He said he hopes to bridge longstanding differences between the center and the community it serves. He said some Native Americans in Lincoln have long believed the centers staff primarily caters to those from certain tribes.

As a people, we shouldnt be worried about what tribe were from, he said. We should be worried about what services we can bring to the people.
VANCOUVER, August 31, 2017  RoomKeyPMS has integrated with Duetto to serve hotels with industry leading revenue and property management software solutions. The hospitality companies are now announcing the partnership publicly, having launched the integration on August 18, 2015.

This integration mainly serves single properties with 100+ rooms and multi-property chains that make up both RoomKeyPMS and Duetto's main user segments. Duetto customers recorded an average year-over-year RevPAR Index lift of 6.5% in 2016.

Duetto's automated Revenue Strategy application uses cloud technology to help hotels increase their ADR and occupancy. It takes booking history and environmental variables into account to determine the best daily rate for a particular hotel. Rather than apply tiered rates to specific room sizes, Duetto suggests flexing rates to the optimal price at a specific time based on demand.

The RoomKeyPMS integration fully supports Duetto's Open Pricing model, which optimizes rates for maximum revenue and yields each customer segment, room type or distribution channel independently. The partnership means that RoomKeyPMS, a highly interfaced hotel software provider, will reflect rates from Duetto in real-time to potential hotel guests in their booking engine, connected to GDS and booking through channel managers.

"As the industry moves towards complete end-to-end integration of PMS and revenue management platforms, this particular integration is built on technology fundamentals that ensure the best information flows between these two systems," said Tim Major, CEO of RoomKeyPMS. "The progressiveness of this integration benefits the total hospitality environment."

"RoomKeyPMS is a premier cloud-based PMS provideras such, it is a natural partner for Duetto, which is leading the industry's adoption of cloud technology" says Patrick Bosworth, Cofounder and CEO of Duetto.

"RoomKeyPMS is an innovative and forward-thinking company with whom we're proud to partner for joint customers, to bring the benefits of Revenue Strategy and Open Pricing. Beginning from a common vision, we are confident our partnership will grow broader and deeper in the future."

For more information, visit www.roomkeypms.com and www.duettoresearch.com.

About Duetto

Duetto delivers the most powerful Revenue Strategy solutions to the world's leading hotels and casinos, allowing them to better manage pricing, revenue and business-mix decisions with superior, actionable data.

The unique combination of hospitality experience and technology leadership enables Duetto to provide new insights on pricing and demand as a true cloud-based software-as-a-service. With Revenue Strategy and Revenue Intelligence applications that address the challenges of today's hospitality industry, Duetto helps hotels and casinos optimize profits and guest loyalty.

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For hotels in the Middle East & Africa, July marked a low in recent top and bottom line performance as demand levels remained soft during the stifling summer months, according to the latest worldwide poll of full-service hotels from HotStats.

Whilst hotels in the Middle East & Africa recorded a 1.0 percentage point increase in room occupancy in July, to 60.4%, it was at the expense of a 12.7% drop in achieved average room rate, to $140.73, as low demand levels forced hoteliers to discount rates in an attempt to drive top line revenues.

However, as a result of the movement in volume and price, RevPAR at hotels in the region dropped to a monthly five-year low of $84.98, which surpasses the previous low of $93.57 recorded in June 2016.

Further woe was heaped on to hoteliers in the Middle East & Africa as declines in non-rooms revenues, including Food and Beverage (-6.2%) and Conference and Banqueting (-1.0%), contributed to the 9.1% year-on-year drop in TrevPAR, to $149.31. Again, this represented a recent historic low in this metric for hotels in the region.

Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators  Middle East & Africa (in USD)

July 2017 v July 2016

RevPAR: -11.2% to $84.98

TrevPAR: -9.1% to $149.31

Payroll: +3.2 pts to 34.5%

GOPPAR: -27.3% to $35.47

Although hotels in the Middle East & Africa did their utmost to arrest escalating costs, Payroll levels increased by 3.2 percentage points, to 34.5% of total revenue, punctuating a poor month of performance with GOPPAR recorded at just $35.47.

Profit per room this month was at the lowest level recorded in recent years and was 51.8% below the average for the 12-months to July 2017, at $73.63. As a result, profit conversion at hotels in the Middle East & Africa fell to a low of just 23.8% of total revenue.

"The poor profit conversion this month will be unfamiliar to hoteliers in the Middle East & Africa who have become accustomed to recording punchy bottom line performance.

However, much to the disappointment of hotel owners and operators in the region, the challenging market conditions are likely to continue in the short term. This is not only due to the laboured recovery of the oil industry, but many of the new hotel developments which were either late in the planning stages or had already broken ground when the crisis hit, are now coming to fruition," said Pablo Alonso, CEO of HotStats.

Whilst the performance for hotels in Muscat was stronger than in June, year-on-year properties in the capital of Oman suffered significant declines across all key metrics this month, which included a 177.7% drop in profit per room to -$6.76.

Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators 

Muscat

(in USD)

July 2017 v July 2016

RevPAR: -24.1% to $53.80

TrevPAR: -24.4% to $121.28

Payroll: +10.0 pts to 60.3%

GOPPAR: -177.7% to -$6.76

In addition to relying heavily on demand from the oil industry, additions to hotel supply in Muscat in 2017 have put further pressure on hotel performance and have included the three-star 152-bedroom Al Irfan International Hotel and 120-bedroom Muttrah Corniche and four-star 215-bedroom Sundus Rotana.

"As in other locations across the region, it is noteworthy that additions to supply in Muscat are primarily in the mid-market segment, as these destinations look to broaden their appeal to leisure visitors. However, this is likely to not only dilute demand levels but will put real pressure on room rates at the upscale hotels polled in the HotStats sample," added Pablo.

Amongst political demonstrations and disruption in the city, hotels in Amman performed strongly this month, with a 7.8 percentage point increase in room occupancy, to 60.8%, successfully offsetting the 6.9% decline in achieved average room rate, to $144.84.

This month was a welcome respite from the year-to-date performance for hotels in Amman, which have struggled to grow top and bottom line performance so far this year, illustrated by the -8.0% year-to-date RevPAR decline, to $74.74.

The growth this month was even more impressive considering the contribution from the high-yielding contracted corporate and residential conference segments fell, to 33.3% of rooms revenue, against a year-to-date average of 40.7%.

Despite the uplift in volume, hotels in Amman suffered declines in non-rooms, including Food and Beverage (-3.0%), but this was not to the detriment of TrevPAR, which increased by 2.6% to $158.01.

Due to the growth in top line revenue and cost savings, hotels in Amman recorded a 10.8% increase in GOPPAR, to $53.22. This went someway to offsetting the 24.9% year-to-date profit per room decline, to $30.39.

Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators 

Amman

(in USD)

July 2017 v July 2016

RevPAR: +6.8% to $88.02

TrevPAR: +2.6% to $158.01

Payroll: -0.7 pts to 27.2%

GOPPAR: +10.8% to $53.22

About HotStats

HotStats provides monthly P&L benchmarking and market insight for the global hotel industry, collecting monthly detailed financial data from more than 8,500 hotels worldwide and over 100 different brands and independent hotels. HotStats provides more than 550 different KPIs covering all operating revenues, payroll, expenses, cost of sales and departmental and total hotel profitability.
The Grayson Hotel in New York City Opens As Part the Unbound Collection: The 296-room hotel has views of The Empire https://t.co/GBjV1ooi6c
L.A.-based producer Felix Snow has worked with the likes of Young Thug, SZA, and Ro Ransom in the past, but on his latest release, hes teamed with Milwaukee rapper Carti Bankx. Snow pairs a childlike chime riff with heavy sub-bass, old-school telephone rings and ascending sirens, giving Bankx a busy background for his bellowed auto-tune. Turn up the radio / I wanna see you move, girl, he croons, sounding equally romantic and sedated: Aint nobody do it like us / We just wanna live young and wild and do drugs / Lost in the city / Ive been lost in the cup / Lost in the city / Ive been lost in your love. Later he cites the immortal words of Chief Keef, nodding to the influence the Chicago rapper has had on the SoundCloud generation: Pop another one / I just hate being sober.



The song was released on Snows SoundCloud, though its not clear if its set to appear on any particular project. The two artists make a good team and are hopefully working on new music in the near future.



Bankx recently released a mixtape called Young & Heartlesss. Ive been through a lot this past year, learned a lot, experienced a lot, heartbreak, stages of depression, people hating, he told Billboard of the project. Never did I let anything get to me, nor break me I learned not to drown in my emotions, but to put it in the music.



You can listen to Carti Bankx new project Young & Heartless on his SoundCloud.



Check out Felix Snows underrated collaboration with Young Thug Turn Up here.



Quotable Lyrics:

Cant nobody do it like us

We just wanna live wild and free

And do drugs

Lost in the city

Ive been lost in the cup

Lost in the city

Ive been lost in your love

Finally I can move how I wanna

I can be what you need when its over

I just need what you need

So come over

Pop another one

I just hate being sober
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sept 4 (IBNS): flydubai on Monday announced its Half-Year Results for the 2017 financial year and has reported total revenue of AED 2.5 billion (USD 689 million) an increase of 9.9% compared to the first six months of last year and a loss of AED 142.5 million (USD 38.8 million).

Historically, the trend for the second half has been stronger than the first half.

Passenger numbers increased to 5.4 million; an increase of 10.5% compared to the first six months of 2016. The number of passengers carried per departure saw an increase of 13.7% for the same period.

The increase in passenger numbers reflects the strength of flydubais network connecting previously underserved markets to Dubai.

The number of Business Class passengers carried per departure saw an increase of 22% compared to the same period last year.

In addition, flydubai contributed 19.4% to the total growth at Dubai Airports compared to the first half of 2016. During the first six months of 2017, flydubai contributed 12.4% of all traffic in Dubai.



The demand for travel on flydubai remains strong and the airline has seen its overall market share grow.

These factors have, however, been offset by the price performance determined by the market.

The airline also faced comparatively higher fuel expenses during the reporting period with fuel costs accounting for 24.8% of operating costs compared to 23.5% in the previous reporting period. In addition, the airline added 8 aircraft to its fleet since July 2016.

The closing cash and cash equivalents position including pre-delivery payments for future aircraft deliveries, remained robust at AED 2.1 billion.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said, the demand for travel from the growing number of our passengers remains strong. We will however continue to manage our cost performance and balance this with our long-term view of the potential for air travel in the region. We know that we need to remain flexible to the market dynamics across our network. We will continue our disciplined approach to increasing capacity whilst pursuing our broader goal of firmly establishing flydubai at the centre of the global travel industry.



Arbind Kumar, Senior Vice President, Finance of flydubai, said, during the first six months of this year, we have seen pressure on both yield and cost. We continue to focus our efforts on three key areas: improvement in our cost performance, a broadening of our distribution and optimisation of our network. Knowing that we have faced a similar seasonality and trend in previous years, we will move ahead cautiously but strong in the knowledge that there remains much untapped opportunity.
Lucknow, Sep 4 (IBNS) : In a grim reminder of the Gorakhpur hospital tragedy, 49 children have reportedly died in a government hospital in Farrukkhabad, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly due to shortage of oxygen, media reports said.

The deaths were reported over a period of one month at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Farrukhabad.

According to reports, the District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar has ordered a probe into the incident.

An FIR has been lodged against the Chief Medical officer and Chief Medical Superintendent for negligence.

The 49 deaths took place between July 21 and August 20 in the Sick Newborn Care Unit of the hospital.

Investigations revealed that the deaths were caused by Perinatal Asphyxia which means lack of oxygen.

The District Magistrate has also mentioned in the FIR that the parents of the dead children have said that the doctors did not put any oxygen tube.

The shocking incident came to the fore just days after the Gorakhpur tragedy, in which 63 infants died allegedly because of shortage of oxygen.

However, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the hospital authorities claimed that the children at the BRD Medical College and Hospital had died due to Japanese Encephalitis and other ailments.
Kolkata, Sept 4 (IBNS): A 3-year old toddler was in a serious condition when her head was crushed under the wheels of a car with serious scalp injury and extensive skull fractures on the left side of the head.

She underwent a major surgery, at a hospital in Kolkata recently.

This Independence Day, Rani Rai (name changed on request), daughter of a Central Government employee, was hiding behind a car outside her residence in Midnapore at around 7.30 AM.

Rani was completely unaware of any danger approaching her in the form of a reversing car. The driver was completely clueless about Rani. Suddenly a reversing car came in. The little girl's head got crushed under the rear wheel of the car.

She was unconscious and bleeding profusely. She was immediately rushed to a local hospital in Midnapore. She was put on a ventilator, given first aid, and within a few hours, the doctors successfully transferred her to the emergency unit of Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata.

When she was admitted at Medica, she was unconscious, in shock and bleeding profusely and was on a ventilator. The child had serious skull fractures, a hospital release said here today. Dr. Ashok Mittal, Senior Consultant & Director of Paediatrics and Neonatology and Dr. Samuel Vaddeswaram, Consultant-Pediatric Intensivist were in the team of doctors looking after Rani all the time starting from the time of resuscitation.

We had to treat the blood loss with transfusions, manage the wound carefully as the brain matter was oozing out from the wound, said Dr. Laxmi Narayan Tripathy, Vice Chairman; Director and Senior Consultant, Neuro & Spine Surgeon, Medica Institute of Neurological Diseases, Medica Superspecialty Hospital.

The CT (computed tomography scan which uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of parts of the body and the inside structures) scan of the brain showed the extensive fractures as well as damage to the left side of the brain, which was most likely due to vascular injury (vertebral artery).

After stabilizing the patient with blood and plasma transfusions, as well as antibiotics and brain protection medicines, the surgery was performed by a team of neuro and plastic surgeons. Fractured bone pieces were removed and the defect of the duramater (outer covering membrane of the brain) was closed with duragen (the collagen material, a dural substitute), recollects the team of doctors. The plastic surgery team then covered the defect of the scalp with rotational flap (scalp tissue was harvested and brought in to cover the defect) and skin grafts (skin was used to cover the resultant donar defect).

Talking about the salient features of this particular case, Dr Tripathy further said that the nature of the injury, safety concerns of the child who was transferred in a moribund state to Medica, severe blood loss and damage to the left side of the brain were difficult to address altogether.

The surrounding healthy scalp tissue was used to cover the exposed brain. While the defect of the scalp resulting from the flap was covered with the skin taken from thigh, said Dr. Akhilesh Agarwal, Consultant-Plastic Surgeon, Medica Superspecialty Hospital.

It was a heart-stopping moment when we saw our little girl playing outside had her head crushed under the wheels of a car. Rani was wheeled into the OT in front of our eyes to undergo a complicated surgery. Till recently she was fighting for her life in hospital. Her brain was severely damaged. She was on life support for a couple of days. It was appalling to see my child lying unconscious for days. But I had full faith on Medica team of doctors who did operate on my little child, said Ranis father.

Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals said that Medica believes in saving the lives first. We took up the challenge, and keeping in mind our experts, our team decided to give our best to save little Rani. She is recovering after fighting the battle for more than 15 days, said Dr. Roy.

After undergoing surgery for a very serious head injury, the patient is recovering fast, Dr. Tripathy concluded.




Kolkata, Sep 4 (IBNS): Author Sudeep Nagarkar said knowledge hubs should not be converted into dens of separatism and anti-national activities as he unveiled his book Our Story Needs No Filter that deals with the nationalism debate presently raging in the country.

Nagarkar, whose first book Few Things Left Unsaid was published in 2011, graced the occasion of the book launch at the Starmark Mani Square bookstore in the city last week.

The story of the latest book, Our Story Needs No Filter, has been inspired from the nationalism movement and the controversy which erupted in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Speaking about the book, Nagarkar said: "The book talks about the untold stories of the universities though it has a backdrop of friendship, love and romance but then it will talk about those issues which are probably not highlighted anywhere though such stories exist inside the university."

"The book is inspired from the JNU protest that happened but then it will not preach one in any way. It will tell one humanity is above all these religion and basically it is a love story and a story of friendship," he added.

The controversy erupted after a Dalit Phd scholar Rohith Vemula committed suicide in January 2016, months after the University of Hyderabad reportedly stopped his fellowship following his slogans under the banner of Ambedkar Students Association (ASA).

A year before his death, Vemula and four other activists were found to demonstrate against the death penalty of Yakub Memon, a terrorist who was convicted in the 1993 Bombay bombings case.

Asked about taking a stand on the nationalism debate, Nagarkar told IBNS: "As a normal citizen, I personally feel that the knowledge hubs shouldn't be converted into dens of separatism and anti national activities but then we see a lot of student politics these days are driven by the political parties and thrive on these things and try to divide people inside the universities be it in IIT Madras, Jadavpur University or JNU for that case. These things should not happen."

Justifying the title of the book with the story line, the author said: "As the protagonist of the book is manipulated and brainwashed from the wrong ideologies, the book talks about these things. Gradually till the end of the story, those wrong ideologies go out of his life so that is why it talks about our story needs no filter. Wrong filters go out of his life."

Nagarkar has so far written eight novels and the list includes Few Things Left Unsaid, That's the Way We Met, It started with a Friend Request, Sorry,You're Not My Type, You're the Password to My Life, You're Trending in My Dreams, She Swiped Right into My Heart and All Right Reserved for You.

The book is priced at Rs. 199/-.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh, images by Souvik Das).
Xiamen, Sep 4 (IBNS): Addressing the ninth BRICS Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping, said all nations should speak in a unified voice on issues that concerns international peace and development, media reports said.

Xi said: "We should speak with one voice and jointly present our solutions to issues concerning international peace & development."

China is hosting the ninth BRICS Summit which is scheduled to occur between September 3 and September 5.

The Chinese President said the country will launch a plan of 500 million for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries to facilitate policy exchange and practical cooperation in economy and trade.

Speaking about unity among BRICS nations, Xi said: "Our closer ties with rest of the world require that we five countries play a more active part in global governance."

Probably the most important picture clicked at the BRICS Summit in 2017 was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, after the months long Doklam standoff between the two countries came to an end.

PM Modi said: "Our womens empowerment programmes are productivity multipliers that mainstream women in nation building."

"We need to mainstream our youth in our joint initiatives; scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices" Modi added.

In a significant shift to the diplomatic relation, both India and China have agreed to disengage border personnel at Doklam in Sikkim border, said India's Ministry of External Affairs.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India said in a statement on last Monday that both the countries had communicated with each other regarding the Doklam issue in the last few weeks.

"In recent weeks, India and China have maintained diplomatic communication in respect of the incident at Doklam. During these communications, we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests" the statement reads.

"On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site at Doklam has been agreed to and is on-going" the MEA added.

The ongoing military standoff has heightened tension at the Bhutan-India-China tri-junction in Doklam, a disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China, where the Indian Army personnel have reached to stop China from building a road.

Images: PIB.
Srinagar, Sep 4 (IBNS): Two militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, media reports said.

The militants were killed as the security forces retaliated to the fire opened by the terrorists.

Reports said there are at least two more militants trapped.
Xiamen, Sept 4 (IBNS): In an emphatic diplomatic victory for India, BRICS countries, which included hosts China, named Pakistan based militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network in its declaration that condemned terrorism.

LeT is known for exporting terror to Indian Kashmir, but so far India had not got any official recognition of that menace from an international and intergovernmental grouping of nations like the BRICS, which also includes China, its bullying neighbour known for its support to Pakistan and engaging in frequent border tensions with India.

The declaration was passed by the member countries at ongoing BRICS summit in China.

It is being seen as a major gain for India, which has been trying to highlight the menace, rampant in the sub-continent in the international fora.

"We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals. We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir," said the declaration which was issued during the summit.

"We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms & manifestations wherever committed &by whomsoever & stress that there can be no justification," the declaration read.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the summit and he reached China emboldened by the disengagement of the border tension at Doklam.

Earlier, PM Narendra Modi called for greater cooperation between the BRICS members states for ensuring global stability and peace while addressing the BRICS Summit at the International Conference Center in Xiamen.
Patna, Sept 4 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday came out with a ridiculous explanation for the breakup in the erstwhile ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar of which the JD-U was also a part.

Mahagathbandhan tutna kudrati chiz haiaacchhe kam ke liye kiya, (The breakup in Grand Alliance was a natural phenomenon which happened for a good cause), Nitish Kumar told the media on the sidelines of his weekly interaction with the masses on Monday.

The Grand Alliance comprising the RJD, JD-U and the Congress lasted for 20 months.

Kumar, who himself headed the alliance, pulled out of it in July last to form a new government with the BJP, the party against which he had won elections in the last 2015 assembly polls.

thebiharpost.com
Farrukhabad, Sep 4 (IBNS): Days after the Gorakhpur tragedy, where several children had died, alleged lack of oxygen supply has claimed 49 lives of newborns at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) ward of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) government hospital in Farrukhabad of Uttar Pradesh, putting the Yogi government once again under the scanner, media reports said.

In August, around 70 children died in Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College Hospital over alleged lack of oxygen supply though the state government had claimed the deaths occurred due to Encephalitis.

The incident became prominent after district magistrate of Farrukhabad, Ravindra Kumar, ordered a probe last month.

The investigation was carried out by a team of three officers under city magistrate Jainendra Kumar Jain.

Daya Nand Misra, Superintendent of Police, Farrukhabad, was quoted by The Times of India: "On Sunday evening, based on the written complaint filed by city magistrate in Nagar Kotwali police station regarding the deaths of children, we have lodged an FIR against chief medical officer Uma Kant Pandey, chief medical superintendent B P Pushkar and a few doctors of RML Hospital."

"The accused officers have been booked under IPC sections176 (Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), and 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder)," Misra added.

Doctors of the hospital claimed that 30 deaths occurred between July 21 and August 20 due to "perinatal asphyxia".

Media report said the UP government ordered a probe of the whole incident.
New Delhi, Sept 4 (IBNS): Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Civil Servants should be Empathetic, Efficient, Impartial and Incorruptible and these are the guiding principles that form the bedrock of the higher civil services.

He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 92nd Foundation Course for AIS & CCS Officers at Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute of Telangana (MCRHRDIT), in Hyderabad on Monday.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Mohammad Mahmood Ali, the Director General, MCRHRDIT, B.P. Acharya and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.



The Vice President said that the credit for establishing India's all India civil services goes to the first Home Minister of India and the iron man Sardar Patel.

He further said that the civil servants are binding force and can bridge many divides India faces.

"We need to use every opportunity to improve quality of life of every Indian, especially those under-served," he added.



The Vice President said that civil servants must be impartial with a broad vision for National integration and inclusive development.

Serving all without bias by adopting 'Antyodaya' approach as espoused by Gandhiji, Dr. Ambedkar and Deen Dayal Upadhyay must be the motto, he added.

The Vice President said that the country expects high levels of performance and integrity from higher civil services and the youth look up to civil servants as role models.

He further said that be above board to root out corruption and become the catalyst of a New India.

"India is a multi-religious, multi-lingual pluralistic society, mother-tongue must be given its due importance, while working with the people," he advised.



Following is the text of Vice Presidents address:



Dear Probationers,

I am glad to speak with all of you today at the inaugural session of the Foundation course. This course is the foundation for your career and the stepping stone for your future achievements.

I congratulate each of you for choosing this career path that will take you through some of the most interesting and challenging opportunities to serve our country. The All India Services have their origin in the conception of Civil servantused in the British East India Companys official records in 1765 and it was Governor General Cornwallis who introduced Covenant Civil services (Higher Civil Services) and the Un-Covenanted Civil services (Lower Civil Services).

Originally opened to only the British, Indians were allowed to compete for these services after 1870 when the Indian Civil Services Act of 1870 was passed. After India became independent, the founding fathers debated the need to have All India Services and decided that it was necessary to have a civil service that will foster national integration.

The credit for establishing the All India civil services in independent India goes to Sri Sardar Patel, the first Home Minister of the country and the great architectof political integration of the entire nation.

In post-Independent India, the civil services had to be transformed. From serving foreign masters, the administrators were expected to serve the people in a democratic framework of governance based on the Constitutional provisions.

This required a shift in emphasis from merely administering or carrying out the tasks efficiently to whole heartedly serving the country. As Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel put it so beautifully in his stirring address to civil service probationers at Metcalf House in New Delhi on 21 April 1947:

The service will now be free to or will have to adopt its true role of national service without being trammelled by traditions and habits of the past;

Officers must be guided by a real spirit of service in their day-to-day administration, for in no other manner can they fit in the scheme of things

Your predecessors were brought up in the traditions in which they felt out of touch and kept themselves aloof from the common run of the people. It will be your bounden duty to treat the common men in India as your own or to put it correctly, to feel yourself to be one of them.

You are all heirs to the legacy left behind by a number of civil servants who had internalized this grand vision of the founding fathers of our nation and the visionary leaders like Sardar Patel.

You are about to shape your careers on this strong foundation built over the last seventy years. There have been many changes in the world and the country and consequently you will be working in a different environment as compared to your predecessors.

There are, however, some guiding principles that form the bedrock of the higher civil services in the country. These essential well springs must not be allowed to dry up. I shall outline four salient aspects you may like to keep in view: empathy, efficiency, impartiality and Incorruptibility.

The first is empathy. Mahatma Gandhis advice to anyone who was in doubt if an action was good or not was to put oneself in the situation of the poorest of the poor in the country and see how a particular policy and programme will impact him or her.

This is a timeless talisman he gave us which can be a useful thinking tool as you weigh the pros and cons of taking a decision in your career. If the emphasis is on service to the country, the essential quality we may have to imbibe is to better understand whom we are serving- their needs, aspirations and their living conditions.

The second principle is efficiency. As administrators occupying the highest positions of power and authority, you will have an onerous responsibility to translate policies into programmes, to implement schemes on ground. You will be providing that most important link between legislation and implementation.

A policy is only as good as its implementation. Very often in our country we keep reflecting on poor implementation of good policies. The tardy, inefficient execution of projects and programmes hurts the common people whom we are trying to serve.

The cost and time overruns retard the nations developmental progress. We must therefore be constantly mindful of the fact that the country and the people expect the top bureaucracy to deliver at a high level of proficiency and efficiency.

You need to be agile in your thoughts and actions. You should be able to access the latest information and knowledge and use them for improving service delivery. There are many civil servants who have made remarkable innovations and transformed sleepy institutions into vibrant hubs of efficient activities.

As the work and living environments change, we have to make use of every opportunity to refine our working methods to achieve the ultimate objective of improving the quality of life of every Indian, especially those who have not been adequately served. Innovation is the key.

Honest reviews and reflection on what we have achieved and what we have not should be an integral part of our functioning. We must look at the strengths our society offers and how we can build partnerships with civil society and the private sector so that the pace of development can be accelerated and the quality of the services is significantly enhanced.

The Prime Ministers call to Reform, perform and transform could inspire you to scale new heights in efficiency and transformational leadership.

The third and the fourth principles- impartiality and incorruptibility are contained in Sardar Patels exhortation:

Above all I would advise you to maintain to the utmost the impartiality and incorruptibility of administration.

The civil service was created to provide an impartial inclusive management culture in the countrys governance. This was absolutely necessary in the multi-lingual, multi-religious, pluralistic society that India is.

The civil services were the binding force that would be able to bridge the many divides that India has. Being impartial and having a broad vision of national integration and inclusive development, the founding fathers thought of the higher civil services as the steel frame of the country.

The allegiance is to an inclusive national development as mandated by the Constitution and in accordance with the policies laid down by the legislatures and the parameters of law and justice elaborated the judiciary.

The administration must be passionate about service and be dispassionate about the profile of the people we are serving. Serving all citizens equally without any bias or prejudice with a special focus on those who have been left out of the development and growth process should be the direction, the antyodaya approach, leaving no one behind, as espoused by Gandhiji, Dr Ambedkar and Deen Dayal Upadhyay, is what you all should adopt.

The last principle I would like to underscore is the incorruptibility. As a member of the higher civil services, you have an onerous responsibility not only to be empathetic and efficient but have an impeccable integrity. The words of Sri Sardar Patel again ring so true even 70 years after he made those remarks. He had said: Unhappily India today cannot boast of an incorruptible service, but I hope that you who are now starting, as it were, a new generation of Civil Servants, will not be misled by black sheep in the fold, but would render your service without fear or favour and without, any expectation of extraneous rewards. If you serve in the true spirit of service I am sure you will have your best reward.

The country expects high levels of performance but also high levels of integrity and rectitude from the higher civil services. The country especially the youth look upon civil servants as role models of good behaviour.

The word civil is part of the nomenclature of the services and the public at large expects the civil servants to behave in a dignified manner and have the ability to patiently listen and take a balanced view. You must eschew arrogance and authoritarianism and be able to approach even the most intractable issues and irritants with a calm demeanour.

Please remember that a corrupt system erodes the vitality of a robust country. If you have to root out corruption and become the catalyst of a new India that we are all aspiring for, you must not only be above board but also appear to be above board.

You should avoid all actions that will sully the image of the country and give an appearance to the common man and woman that the avowed steel frame has become even slightly bent or rusted.

The Iron man of India has conceived of the steel frame. I would urge you all to add lustre to this frame by your energetic positive contributions.

Make it a stainless steel frame, unsullied, shining and providing the support and glow for illuminating the lives of millions of Indian who are looking for ways to better their lives.

I wish you all the very best in your careers. I am sure you will usher in a more prosperous, harmonious, inclusive, corruption-free India.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (IBNS): A 53-year old British national has been arrested over charges of sexually assaulting visually impaired kids at a school run by the National Association of Blind where he himself is a donor, media reports said.

Police said Murray Denis Ward, who has been donating for last nine years, frequently used to visit the school.

He has been accused of sexually asaulting at least three children below eight years old.

Police said the accused has been arrested after getting a call from the school.

He has been booked under sections of the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Ward was produced in a court on Monday and later sent to a two-day police custody.

Police said he found some objectionable videos in the laptop of Ward after preliminary investigation.

News 18 quoted the police saying that Ward is from Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, who worked with Sterlite Technology Limited in Gurgaon till April.
twitter.com/Malala

London, Sep 4 (IBNS): Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has urged fellow recipient Aung San Suu Kyi to look into the ongoing Rohingya crisis in the latter's country, while slamming the Myanmar government for the lack of competence in handling the matter.

Releasing a statement, the 20-year-old UN Ambassador has urged the Myanmar government to grant citizenship to Rohingya Muslims.

Placing her argument, Malala said: "If their home in not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it? Rohingya people should be given citizenship in Myanmar, the country where they were born."

Rohingyas are Muslim minorities in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

Speaking about the atrocities carried out by Burmese security forces on the Rohingya community, she said: "Stop the violence. Today we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmar's security forces. These children attacked no one, but still their home were burned to the ground."

The recent findings released by UNHCR in its new report on mixed movements in south-east Asia indicate that more than 168,000 Rohingya members could have fled Myanmar in the last five years.

The total number of Rohingya refugees in the region and those internally displaced is estimated at 420,000 and 120,000 respectively.

Last week, at least 16 bodies of Rohingya Muslims washed up ashore at Bangladesh's Cox's Bazaar district of Chittagong province, forcing the local police to start an investigation into the killings.

Malala has lauded Bangladesh for aiding the Rohingyas, while urging other nations to be a bit more compassionate towards the already battered community.

She said: "Other countries, including my own country Pakistan, should follow Bangladesh's example and give food, shelter and access to education to Rohingya families fleeing violence and terror."

However, according to UN Human Rights experts, the families seeking refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh, remain highly vulnerable and risk being re-victimized even in exile, unless urgent action is taken.

Concluding her statement, the founder of Malala Fund said that she hoped that fellow Nobel Peace Prize recipient Suu Kyi will take up the matter and condemn the incidents.

"Over the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same. The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting," Malala added.


Image: yonhapnews.co.kr

Seoul, Sep 4 (IBNS): South Korea has conducted a live-fire drill simulating an attack on North Korean nuclear zone, media reports said.

The drill comes a day after Pyongyang 'successfully tested' a Hydrogen Bomb, triggering chaos and tensions among its neighbours.

Seoul's exercise involved fighter jets and missiles.

Meanwhile, North Korea's reckless missile tests have prompted the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting later today.

North Korea has defied sanctions repeatedly and has riled its neighbours with umpteen nuclear tests.

The country has also claimed that it has successfully managed to miniaturise a nuclear weapon that can be loaded on to a missile.

The development looks ominous as the reclusive nation has already threatened the US.

Even though many, including the American President Donald Trump, speculates the gravity of the threat, US intelligence have told the Washington Post that North Korea has progressed at a much faster rate than expected and is capable of striking the US.

According to a BBC report, both South Korean and Japanese leaders have urged tougher measures on Pyongyang.

The UN has already curbed North Korean exports through a sanction last month, crossing the country's leadership, who has hold America responsible for the development.

North Korea's Hydrogen Bomb test also triggered a scare in mainland China as Beijing has started an emergency probe into 'possible radiation leaks' following the test.

China has already issued a level-2 threat, the second highest grade on a four-point grading system.
Toronto, Sep 4 (IBNS): Hans Baer, a retired IBM Computer Engineer, was fascinated by the binary coding of the perforated cards used for weaving on a mid-19th century Jacquard loom, and realised the hard work that went into making these cards as he volunteered as a weaver for a special project under Canada's Ontario Science Centre (OSC).

A special coverlet (bedspread) -- made on the antique loom -- with 'Canada 150' woven on it would be perfect to celebrate Canadas Sesquicentennial, thought OSC.

Displaying the blanket that was last woven in 1880 by a professional weaver, John Campbell, the former owner of the Jacquard loom, Baer said he felt proud to weave it again in celebration of Canadas Sesquicentennial.

The loom, which worked with punch cards, had been in the OSC ever since the opening of OSC in 1967.

Baer said Jacquard looms used perforated cards fastened together to control the movements of the machine.

After learning that a John Campbell coverlet collection was stored in the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Baer, along with fellow weaver Elizabeth Evans and OSC's Volunteer Coordinator Shauna Cook, obtained special access in January 2016 to see the loom and found that Campbell had left detailed accounts of what he made and sold.

With a dream to recreate these patterns, Baer started studying the books and the punch cards that came with the loom, and learnt that four main patterns were woven.

Only two of the patterns: the Stars and Roses, and the Garland were present in the OSC.

ROM provided Baer with examples of the other two coverlet patterns, the Tulip and the Single Rose.

Baer took detailed photos of ROMs Single Rose pattern coverlet and was able to determine where each point went, and created a set of cards for the project.

He explained that each card on an average had 150 holes.

Punching holes into the card was both time consuming and labour intensive.

Baer said he could just work on it for an hour a day and was able to get five cards punched in a day.

From March to October of 2016 Baer was able to punch all the cards.

In June, 2017, Baer started to weave on the Jacquard loom.

He found that the final measurement of the pattern was 3x3 meter but the loom was not wide enough.

So Baer and his team decided to weave a long pattern of six meters.

This was then cut into two halves and stitched together at the centre to make it wide enough.

Baer said he had to design special cards to weave Canada 150 at the border of the weaved product.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
This represents a new step in the repression of our activities and ideas in Europe. The last time something of this significance occurred was in 1995, when the German central power banned the newspaper "Radikal", which sparked many demonstrations all over the country, especially in Hamburg.

Press release from the Coordination des Groupes Anarchistes, an organization member of Anarkismo in France about the recent shut down and ban on the German-speaking website Linksunten Indymedia and the house raids that followed.

Linksunten.indymedia.org, the main alternative information website in Germany, was banned by the Ministry of Interior Thomas de Maiziere on August 25th. Using the website and its logo are now considered criminal offenses [in the country]. At least five buildings occupied by people from the German activist scene have been raided, including the self-organized social center Kulturtreff in Selbstverwaltung (KTS) in Freiburg. Many activist and IT [information technology] materials have been taken and anything that looks like potential weapons (knives, sticks, etc) are now seen as evidence of radical left violence.

Launched in 2008 and allowing anyone to publish anonymously, linksunten.indymedia.org has quickly become the largest German-language virtual space for organization and information in the radical left scene. The website currently has about half a million visitors per month, and last month almost reached 3 million visitors, during the anti-G20 protests in Hamburg.

As Germany's federal elections will be held in less than a month, banning the website and subsequent house raids are most likely to be a demonstration of strength for the most conservative parts of the German electorate. Even social media accounts linked to the German police have criticized the shut down of an "important [platform] to observe the leftist scene" (sic).

The information website is also being sued [prosecuted], made more frightening by the fact it is being sued [prosecuted] as a club, which means that all administrators are considered responsible for everything that has been published. Also, they are all accused of being members of a terrorist association.

This represents a new step in the repression of our activities and ideas in Europe. The last time something of this significance occurred was in 1995, when the German central power banned the newspaper "Radikal", which sparked many demonstrations all over the country, especially in Hamburg. In France, even though some music bands (ZEP, La Rumeur) and anti-authoritarian information websites (Jura Libertaire, Indymedia Grenoble) have been threatened for their lyrics or articles, we have never experienced such brutal repression against our means of expression and communication. This attack against a radical and anti-authoritarian information platform should remind us of the need to pay special attention to the defense of our means of communication in front of State repression.

In Germany, as everywhere in Europe, it is now not enough for liberal governments to let far-Right groups and parties act as they want, and to use and implement large parts of their politics and rhetoric. They are now attacking struggling peoples means of communication, and repressing anarchist, antifascist, antiracist, feminist, queer and union activists. The conservative CDU party isnt stopping its revenge against the anti-G20 demos with these actions; they are now demanding the shutdown of the alternative cultural center Rote Flora, in Hamburg, Germany.

Against State repression and attacks on freedom of speech, there is nothing to expect from governments and authorities! In all Europe and throughout the world, lets resist, defend our means of communication and struggle, express and organize ourselves and fight together for the fall of capitalism, patriarchy, racist domination system and State!

International Relations of the Coordination des Groupes Anarchistes,

on the 26th of August 2017

PS. On August 26th, the website published a message in German and English, challenging the "governments of the Industrial World" with extracts from the "Declaration of Independence of the CyberSpace". "Well be back soon" and "we will spread ourselves all across the world so that no one can stop our thoughts" : rulers, remember, youll never get rid of us!

Read also: Hands Off Linksunten Indymedia: Call for International Demonstrations on September 9

This press release was republished courtesy of Enough is Enough!
"Radikal"

Linksunten.indymedia.org, the main independent media website in Germany, was banned by the German government's Ministry of Interior on August 25. Maintaining the website and using its logo are now considered criminal offenses in the country. Linksunten volunteers are being prosecuted as a "club," which means that administrators are considered responsible for everything that has been published. Administrators are also being accused of being members of a terrorist association.This represents a new step in the repression of our activities and ideas in Europe. The last time something of this significance occurred was in 1995, when the German central power banned the newspaper, which sparked many demonstrations all over the country, especially in Hamburg. In France, even though some music bands and anti-authoritarian information websites have been threatened for their lyrics or articles, we have never experienced such brutal repression against our means of expression and communication. This attack against a radical and anti-authoritarian information platform should remind us of the need to pay special attention to the defense of our means of communication in front of State repression.Germany Indymedia is collecting donations in support of Linksunten Indymedia.
Books Myanmars Enemy Within: Buddhist Violence and the Making of a Muslim Other

By Francis Wade. London: Zed Books, 2017. 281 pages.

None of Myanmars many crises has captured as much attention from the outside world as the Rohingya issue in northwestern Rakhine State. Conflicts between Muslim and Buddhist communities, the often brutal intervention by the countrys security forces, and the subsequent flight of tens of thousands of Rohingyas to neighboring Bangladesh, have been covered extensively by the international media. Foreign diplomats, representatives of the United Nations and an advisory commission requested by the Myanmar government and led by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan have visited the area and come with recommendations for a solution to the crises.

The publication of Francis Wades book Myanmars Enemy Within: Buddhist Violence and the Making of a Muslim Other is, therefore, very timely. The author, a former journalist with the Democratic Voice of Burma, a television and broadcasting station that until recently was based in exile, takes the reader on a tour across the country, not only in Rakhine State, and relates his meetings with local officials as well as ordinary people and activists on both sides of the divide. The book is written in elegant prose and there is no doubt that he has spent considerable time examining the root causes of the conflict, including its historical background.

But the main problem with the book is that he makes no clear distinction between Myanmars different Muslim communities. It is easy to get the impression that all of them are, in one way or another, Rohingya-related, when they, in fact, have diverse origins and may not have more than their religion in common. The vast majority of Myanmars Muslims speak the Bamar language as their mother tongue and live in an urban environment where many of them are engaged in trade and commerce. They may be able to trace their ancestry to the Indian subcontinent, but that is not always the case. The Panthays are of Chinese origin and differ considerably from other Muslims when it comes to customs, traditions and culture.

Many Myanmar Muslims have played important roles in social life, government service and politics. Among them are U Raschid, a prominent student leader during the fight against British colonialism in the 1930s who became a minister in several governments after independence in 1948; U Razak, a prominent politician who was assassinated along with Aung San and the other martyrs on July 19, 1947; Ba Galay alias Mohammed Bashir, a comedian and entertainer who invented the character U Shwe Yoe, the jolly dancer with his broken umbrella and ill-fitting longyi who for almost a century has been a major figure in any pwe (traditional dance troupe performance); Pe Khin, who was considered the chief architect of the historic 1947 Panglong agreement between Aung San and representatives of the Shan, Kachin and Chin ethnic minorities that paved the way for the establishment of the Union of Burma, and later became a prominent diplomat; Maung Thaw Ka, or Major Ba Thaw, a naval officer who became a famous writer who, in 1988, became one of the founders of the National League for Democracy; Kan Chun, a popular cartoonist from Mandalay; and, in more recent years, Ko Ni, an expert on constitutional law and one of Myanmars most outstanding lawyers, who was assassinated on January 29 this year. None of these prominent Muslims is mentioned in Wades book, and it would be hard to put them, even now, in the category other, which the author uses to describe the place of Muslims in Myanmar society today. There are Muslim communities scattered in towns all over the country.

By contrast, most Rohingyas live in rural areas bordering a country where people speak the same language and share a common culture. After independence in 1948, militants among them wanted to join the then East Pakistan, which became Bangladesh in 1971. That rebellion fizzled out in the 1950s, but, in the 1970s, organizations such as the Rohingya Patriotic Front emerged followed by the radical Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and todays even more militant Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. This is no excuse for atrocities committed against communities in the northwestern Rakhine townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung, where the majority of the population consists of Muslims who speak the Chittagonian dialect of Bengali and call themselves Rohingyas, but it is important to understand that the situation and dynamics there are fundamentally different from those of Muslim communities in Myanmars urban centers. Wade does not analyze these questions, and what it really means when the conflict in Rakhine State spills over into those communities.

In order to show that the Rohingyas have lived in their area for centuries, Wade quotes, as do many supporters of the Rohingya cause, a 1799 report by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, where he mentions a people called Rooinga who lived in what is now Rakhine State (p. 65). Who they were is unclear, and Buchanan-Hamilton met them in Inwa (Ava), the then capital of the Myanmar Empire, not in todays Rakhine State. He was also primarily a botanist and a zoologist, not an ethnographer or anthropologist. And we have to wait for 150 years before any mention of a people called Rohingya or something similar appears, and then as a political term denoting the Muslims of northwestern Rakhine who until then had been referred to as Chittagonians.

Naturally, any people have the right to call themselves whatever they want, but we have to recognize that the name Rohingya in the way it is used today is a recent one which would be hard to trace back to the late 18th century. The name came into widespread use when Pakistan and Myanmar became independent countries and some minorities felt the need to establish a firmer, ethnic identity within those new nations. In a similar vein and at roughly the same time the Rakhine Buddhists living on the East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) side of the border began to call themselves Marma. Who the first was to use the name Rohingya is not clear, but we know that the term Marma was officially coined by Maung Shwe Prue, a Rakhine chieftain in erstwhile East Bengal, in the late 1940s to give his community a distinct nationality. And it is worth noting that the Marmas have never had any problem acquiring Pakistani and later Bangladeshi citizenship while the Rohingyas remain stateless.

There are also, unfortunately, some glaring factual errors in Wades book which could have been avoided if the manuscript had been checked more carefully by experts, or why not by any well-informed Myanmar person. There are frequent references to the July 1988 fall of the old dictator Ne Win, who, according to Wade, was succeeded by the rule of his Chief Justice, U Maung Maung (p. 38.) First of all, most observers dont believe that Ne Win was ousted in 1988. He resigned from his last post in the governmental hierarchy, chairman of the then ruling Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP), to become the power behind the throne, where he remained for several years after 1988. And his successor as BSPP chairman, on July 26, was Sein Lwin, a hardline former military officer who, the following day, also succeeded San Yu as president. Maung Maung came into office on August 19, after Sein Lwin had resigned on August 12.

Wade also claims that the Myanmar military deployed helicopter gunships to fire on villagers after an attack on police stations in October last year (p. 264). The Myanmar military has Russian-made Mi-35 Hind helicopter gunships, but those have been deployed only in war zones in the Kachin and Shan states. In Rakhine State, only transport helicopters have been used. Those may have had door gunners, but that doesnt make them gunships.

Myanmar readers may also be confused over his haphazard use of Myanmar honorifics. Some men are referred to by their male honorifics U and Ko and some females by their honorific Ma while others are not, giving the impression that those are part of their names (the male honorific U, or Uncle is normally used in English text only when the person in question has no more than one name, like U Nu or U Thant.) And King Thibaw is called King Thibaw Min (p. 22 and elsewhere), a redundancy as Min is King in the Bamar language. But it gets more serious when Wade attempts to explain why the Rohingyas are excluded from Myanmar citizenship. He traces the origin of the division of the population of Myanmar into a multitude of different ethnic groups back to the British colonial power which, he asserts, counted, or indeed created, 139 ethnic groups in its 1931 census. That census was a section in the Census of India, as Myanmar then was part of British India, but Indian censuses, before and after 1931, do not define ethnicity. They are based on language, including dialects and sub dialects, and that can hardly be described as ethnic groups. There is, however, a sidebar in the 1931 census with a list of 20 ethnic groups, but that is more like a footnote to the rest of the text than a thorough survey of the ethnic composition of the colony.

It gets more complicated when Wade consistently refers to the countrys 135 national races, which he seems to believe are listed in some annexure to the 1982 Citizenship Law. Wade is not alone in claiming this. The same mistake appears in writings by many Western journalists reporting on the crisis in Rakhine, but the 1982 law does not mention any 135 national races. Instead, the law and its annexes specify different kinds of citizenship, stating that Nationals such as the Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Burman, Mon, Rakhine or Shan and ethnic groups as have settled in any of the territories included within the State as their permanent home from a period anterior to 1185 B.E. (1823 A.D.) are Burma citizens.[i] In addition to ensuring full citizenship to people from those eight categories, the law lays out rules for granting other residents associate citizenship and naturalized citizenship. That was how those among the Rohingyas who had Myanmar citizenship lost it.

The first time 135 national races was mentioned was in the early 1990s, when Myanmar was ruled by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). British Myanmar expert Martin Smith writes in his 1994 study Ethnic Groups in Burma: Development, Democracy and Human Rights: The State Law and Order Restoration Council, which has ruled Burma since 1988, itself refers to the 135 national races of Burma, but has produced no reliable data or list of names.

One of the earliest official references to 135 national races is to be found in an article written by a high-ranking Tatmadaw officer and published on August 7, 1991 in the Working Peoples Daily: The fact that there are 135 national races living in Myanmar Naing-Ngan is a hindrance to the idea of drafting a constitution based on the big race concept. If the State is to be constituted on the big race concept the matter of putting an end to the armed insurrections within the country will not be possible and this may cause worse racial disturbances. In a 1991 speech, then junta leader Gen Saw Maung also for the first time mentioned 135 national races.

In other words, all major ethnic groups would have to be split up into an abundance of smaller sub-groups as part of a policy that can only be described as one of divide-and-rule. No official, complete list of all those 135 national races was actually produced until it was time for a new censusand that was in 2014. That list also lends credence to the suggestion that the exercise was meant to create divisions within the ethnic states rather than uniting the country behind a functioning, federal concept. Besides, it must have been a formidable task to create 135 national races in a country, which more realistically would have between 20 and 30 ethnic groups. The list mentions, for instance, 12 different ethnic groups in Kachin State, nine in Kayah State, 11 in Kayin State, 53 in Chin State, nine Bamar groups, one in Mon State, seven in Rakhine State and 33 in Shan State.

Wade does not provide any analysis of this, which makes it hard to understand the background to Myanmars ethnic conflicts, and why, after decades of independence, there still is a civil war in the countrys frontier areas. But there, again, the situation in northwestern Rakhine State is fundamentally different from that of other conflict zones. The vast majority of Muslims living in Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung may be peasants who just want to be left alone, but radicals among them do have contacts with like-minded groups in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi-Arabia and the Gulf countries. Some Rohingyas even went to fight in Afghanistan in the 1980s, others have more recently been trained by militants from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Wade mentions militancy among some Rohingyas only in passing, which is a major shortcoming. Those militants may or may not enjoy widespread popular support, but they are nevertheless there and their attacks can be deadly, as we have seen now in August. And many Buddhist Rakhine would find it disturbing, to say the least, that maps accompanying the emblems of those groups always include the whole of Rakhine State in the territory they claim as theirs.

Despite all those shortcomings, omissions in the narrative, and some factual errors, Wades book is worth reading. It is a useful and somewhat controversial contribution to the debate, and, as such, it is bound to be received with accolades as well as criticism. And that debate is needed if we are ever going to see a solution to a conflict that is tearing Rakhine State apart and also affecting other parts of the country.

[i] http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/Citizenship%20Law.htm (accessed on November 23, 2016).
News Analysis: Modi in Myanmar

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he reads a joint statement with Myanmar's State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (not pictured) at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India October 19, 2016. / Adnan Abidi / Reuters

When the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Napyitaw on Monday evening, he will not likely have time to look forward to his much-touted visit to the ancient city of Bagan, where the Archaeological Survey of India has done stellar work to renovate the Ananda Temple after a 2016 earthquake.

This visit by the PM comes at a critical juncture for both India and for Myanmar, as both countries face similar problems of armed rebellions, a rise in ultra-nationalistic forces, threats of growing radical Islamic insurgencies, and a need for overall development.

While on the democracy quotient, India may be ahead of Myanmar, and there are perhaps lessons for the latter to learn that could strengthen its own democratization process since the National League for Democracy (NLD) government was voted to power in 2015.

So what will PM Modi discuss with President U Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmars capital? Their plates are full. Talks are likely to start with a routine review of developments in bilateral relations, with a focus on the development cooperation and socio-economic assistance that India has been undertaking in Myanmar.

However, between the mundane reviews, Modi seems poised to bring up the issue of strengthening existing cooperation between India and Myanmar on security and counter-terrorism. India has arguably been worried by the recent turn of events in northern Rakhine State, where a Muslim insurgency has taken root. These concerns are well founded, given that India shares a 1,643-kilometer boundary with Myanmar and some northeastern Indian states like Mizoram and Tripura are in close proximity to the Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh, near northern Rakhine.

Worries probably reach beyond the insurgency itself and toward the fallout of the conflict, in which Rakhine Hindus too have come under attack, with several reportedly killed, along with Muslims and Buddhists. The plight of the Muslim Rohingya community of northern Rakhinereferred to as Bengalis by the Burmese government in order to identify them as interlopers from Bangladeshcontinues to be a concern. Recently the Indian government came under international pressure to stop the potential deportation of more than 40,000 Rohingya refugees. Even the national human rights commission had on August 18 questioned the move and wrote to the Indian home ministry, asking for a detailed report within four weeks.

The only news that has emanated from the Indian government on how Prime Minister Modi plans to address this issue is from Sripriya Ranganathan, a senior officer in Indias foreign ministry. She told reporters recently that the issue of the Rohingya in India will feature in the discussions between PM Modi and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her government. Ranganathan has been quoted in the Indian media as saying, We will be discussing how India can help them in addressing the situation that is prevailing in the state.

In the past India has been very careful so as not to interfere with any of Myanmars internal conflicts in Myanmar, including those in Rakhine, but as of late it has been more vocal in lending its support to the Burmese government and the Tatmadaw in tackling the situation there. At this stage it would be difficult to read too much into how India plans to engage itself in Rakhine, but it could certainly be said that Chinese support to Myanmar in resisting any involvement of the UN Security Council (UNSC) may well have prompted India to also play a part.

International pressure and pressure from exiled Rohingya organizations has pushed India to exert its leverage as a member of the UNSC to prevent atrocities from being committed against the Rohingya population by Myanmars military. India has not responded so far to any of these calls and it can expected that PM Modi will bring these developments to the table when he meets higher-ups within the NLD-led government.

It perhaps goes without saying that India wishes to ensure that there is peace across the borders which will allow it to fine tune trade and investment, skills development, build a strong infrastructure and harness energy for the overall development of Indias landlocked northeastern region. PM Modi has aired this view several times in the past.

For Modi, unfinished tasks are growing and he likely wants to ensure that he has success stories to share as he and his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), heads for the next general election in 2019. There is a need to revisit the Act East policy, which has been tattering, to say the least.

The promise to create more air connectivity, made by Nirmala Sitharaman when she visited Myanmar as the Commerce and Industry Minister in May 2016 has remained simply thata promise. In fact her visit to Myanmar was followed by yet another statement at the sixth India Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JCT) meeting in Delhi where she was quoted as saying, the Indian government has been seeking the cooperation of the Myanmar side in actively pursuing enhanced road, sea and air connectivity between the two.

While there is no news on air connectivity, the push to complete some of the sea routes will likely to figure in Modis talks with his Myanmar counterparts. Of these, the Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), which aims to connect the landlocked Indian state of Mizoram to the Bay of Bengal, as well as provide new trading routes for the rest of Northeast India, will certainly top the list. The other would be the new Special Economic Zone and a seaport in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, where India is looking to invest heavily.

Whether India is developing these ports to keep up with Chinas strategic interests in the Indian Ocean is not the issue. What is perhaps of greater significance is the fact that India is dependent on Myanmar to develop connectivity to the rest of Asia, and that cannot be overlooked. Therefore, it would be in Indias best interest to ensure that its plans get the much needed momentum to build on the cordial relationship that she shares with this once-pariah state.

Bidhayak Das is a veteran journalist who has also spent over a decade working on promoting democracy in Myanmar. He is currently working as an independent consultant on elections, media and communications.
Asia Indonesian Envoy to Urge Myanmar to Halt Violence in Rakhine

Activists and protesters take part in a rally in support of Myanmars Rohingya during one of the deadliest bouts of violence involving the Muslim minority in decades, in Jakarta, Indonesia September 3, 2017. / Darren Whiteside / Reuters

JAKARTA, Indonesia  Indonesian President Joko Widodo has sent his foreign minister to Myanmar to urge its government to halt violence against Rohingya Muslims, he said on Sunday after a petrol bomb was thrown at the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta.

The embassy attack, which police said caused a small fire, came in the early hours of Sunday morning against the backdrop of mounting anger in Indonesia, home to the worlds biggest Muslim population, over violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

A police officer patrolling a street behind the embassy spotted a fire on the second floor of the building at about 2.35 a.m. Jakarta time and alerted police officers guarding the front gate, a Jakarta police statement said.

After the fire was extinguished, police found a shattered beer bottle with a wick attached to it, the statement said, adding that the unknown perpetrator is suspected to have driven away from the scene in an MPV car.

Jakarta police are investigating the incident, said spokesman Argo Yuwono.

A group of activists had held a protest at the embassy on Saturday, calling for the Nobel Prize Committee to withdraw the Nobel Peace Prize from Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, state news agency Antara wrote.

Protests continued on Sunday in Jakartas city center, with dozens of people calling for the Indonesian government to take an active involvement in efforts to end human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Indonesian President Widodo said he has sent Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to Myanmar to hold intensive communications with involved parties including the United Nations.

Earlier this afternoon the Foreign Minister has departed to Myanmar to ask the Myanmar government to stop and prevent violence, to provide protection to all citizens, including Muslims in Myanmar, and to give access to humanitarian aid, Widodo said.

Widodo added that concrete actions are needed and the Indonesian government is committed to helping to solve the humanitarian crisis and that Marsudi will also travel to Bangladesh to prepare additional aid for refugees there.

The treatment of Buddhist-majority Myanmars roughly 1.1 million Muslim Rohingya is the biggest challenge facing leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accused by Western critics of not speaking out for the minority that has long complained of persecution.

Aid agencies estimate that about 73,000 Rohingya have fled into neighboring Bangladesh since violence in Myanmar erupted last week.
Burma Chinese Special Envoy Meets Myanmar Vice President Over Rakhine Attacks

Chinese Special Envoy Sun Guoxiang at the presidential residence in Naypyitaw on Sept. 4. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYITAW  China condemns attacks in northern Rakhine State, said Chinas special envoy for Asian affairs Sun Guoxiang, who had a meeting with Myanmars vice president and chairman of the government investigation commission on Maungdaw, U Myint Swe, on Monday in Naypyitaw.

We condemn the attacks. Weve expressed our condolences to the innocent victims and sympathies to the innocent injured and the bereaved families, Sun Guoxiang told the vice president.

Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attacks on police stations on Aug. 25 left at least 59 of the militants and 12 security personnel dead. Since then, clashes between ARSAdeemed a terrorist organization by the governmentand the Myanmar Army have devastated communities in the area.

At Chinas foreign ministry press conference on August 31, ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, when asked about the attacks in Rakhine State, said: China, as a friendly neighbor, supports Myanmars efforts in maintaining peace and stability in Rakhine state.

Chinas concerns over Rakhine State are related to interests in its One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR), said political and ethnic affairs analyst U Maung Maung Soe.

Rakhine plays an important part in OBOR, as it is an exit to Indian Ocean and the location of planned billion-dollar Chinese projectsa planned economic zone on Ramree Island, and the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port, which has oil and natural gas pipelines linked with Yunnan Provinces Kunming.

Therefore, the stability of Rakhine State is important for this project. The meeting shows Chinas concerns over its One Belt One Road Initiative, said U Maung Maung Soe.

Before his meeting with Vice President U Myint Swe, Sun Guoxiang also met Bangladeshi government officials and chairman of the Arakan State Advisory Commission Kofi Annan.

The Myanmar government understands Chinas concerns regarding the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port, but hopes that the Chinese government will provide help according to international norms in solving the Rakhine issue, presidential spokesperson of the Myanmar government U Zaw Htay told the press in April.

The UN Security Council convened a meeting after the recent attacks in Rakhine, where China continued to support Myanmar in resisting UN involvement in the ongoing crisis in Rakhine State.

China previously offered help in tackling a diplomatic row between Bangladesh and Myanmar over the issue of Rohingya refugees, Reuters reported in April.

Sun Guoxiang is also the Chinese governments envoy in peace negotiations between the Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Burma Gold Mining Sending Toxic Waste Into Shan Villages

A village in eastern Shan State was recently flooded with water contaminated from gold mining operations, according to locals. / Ko Moe / Facebook

YANGON  Controversial gold mines have devastated the lands and homes of hundreds of villagers in Tachileik District, eastern Shan State, according to locals and rights groups.

The gold mines send toxic waste into the villages, Thum Ai, a spokesperson from the Shan State Farmers Network, told The Irrawaddy on Monday, after recent flooding has reinvigorated local calls for action.

Rights groups say that gold mines affect vital ecosystems, as mining waste can carry mercury and cyanide, which are used to extract gold from rock. Numerous health problems have also been linked to metal mining.

District administrator U Tin Win Swe told the Irrawaddy on Monday that an investigation into the contamination was ongoing and that the results would later be submitted to the government.

Local residents have repeatedly called for gold-mining companies to take responsibility for the environmental damage they have caused.

Na Hai Long village was flooded with contaminated water on September 1 and it has yet to recede, said Nang Lar, a local Shan farmer and activist who added that she has lost 17 acres over the years due to mining activities.

We want the government to stand up for people facing loss of land and environmental pollution, she said, adding that people were currently having difficulty accessing areas of the village but that a township administrator had come to assess the situation.

After a decade of mining, a local creek has been contaminated, along with about 340 acres of land, according to rights groups.

Residents are hoping for compensation or relocation to areas where they can farm if mining companies will not cease operations, said Nang Lar.

According to locals, nine companies (two official and seven unofficial) currently operate gold mines in the area.

In 2014, locals complained to authorities about their damaged farmlands. In July of that year, gold mining projects were suspended by the order of the Shan State minister of mining and forestry Sai Aik Pao due to local opposition.

The companies paid each household in the village 660,000 kyats (US$488) for destroyed farms in 2014 but the ban was later overturned and mining restarted in the area the following year.

The Shan State Farmers Network and the Shan Human Rights Foundation released a joint statement calling for the government to halt gold mining operations in eastern Shan States Tachileik Township in March 2016.

Loong Sarm, a 54-year-old Na Hai Long villager, was shot dead in October 2015 for climbing a hill to monitor expanded mining operations, the SSFN/SHRF statement added.

Three soldiers admitted to shooting Loong Sarm at Tachileik Township court on Jan. 14, 2016. The result of the case is unknown, according to Nang Lar.

In Shan State, which is rich in natural resources including gold, coal, rubies and timber, there are numerous ongoing projects and operations to extract natural resources. Locals and civil society organizations have repeatedly called increased transparency, as well as for a halt to operations that damage lands and livelihoods.

U Win Myo Thu, a co-founder and managing director of the Economically Progressive Ecosystem Development Group (Ecodev), said: The government has a responsibility to check on company implementation of environmental management plans. But there are unofficial companies operating as well, and law enforcement is an issue.
GRAND ISLAND  Agricultural producers from across the state on Friday implored members of Nebraska's congressional delegation to protect crop insurance provisions in crafting a new farm bill while also urging them to attempt to convince the Trump administration of the value of increased trade.

All five members of the delegation participated in the back-and-forth exchange at an agriculture farm bill listening session at the State Fair.

The discussion took on a sense of urgency due to growing concerns that center on misconceptions about the size and scope of federal agricultural support at a time of domestic budget cuts.

Eighty percent of the funding in the farm bill is for nutrition programs, as compared with 13 percent for crop insurance, Sen. Ben Sasse noted.

Sen. Deb Fischer said "it won't be easy" to protect the program, which expires in 2018, noting that the farm bill already is subject to "some targeting" in Washington as a federal program to eliminate.

"My top priority will be to assure an affordable and viable farm safety net," she said.

Crop insurance is "vitally important to the future stability of agriculture," Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson said. Ninety percent of the state's crop production acreage is enrolled in the crop insurance program, he said.

And the fact is that "Nebraska farmers and ranchers have paid more into (the program) than they have taken out," he said.

"It's our most important risk management tool," Steve Ebke of Daykin, past president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, said.

Most members of a large panel of agricultural producers urged the congressional delegation to push the Trump administration on trade, calling for protection of the North American Free Trade Agreement and urging swift action to negotiate a bilateral agreement with Japan in the wake of President Donald Trump's abrupt withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

"Some people inside the administration are confused about how trade works," Sasse said.

As the farm forum unfolded inside the Bosselman Center, marching bands from Wood River, Stapleton, Elm Creek, Hastings and Neligh-Oakdale high schools performed on the fairgrounds along with Hedrick's Racing Pigs.

It was a typical State Fair morning except for the weather, with the noontime temperature hovering at 70 degrees.

Rep. Don Bacon, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, said he believes the committee will "work hard" to try to craft a farm bill replacement before the current program expires in 2018.

"Maintaining affordable crop insurance is the No. 1 concern I hear," he said. But the "biggest pressure point" will be concerns about the federal budget deficit and the national debt, he said.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a former member of the Agriculture Committee, said the growing trend in farm program legislation is to provide risk management tools.

But "critics will focus on crop insurance," Rep. Adrian Smith warned.

State Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said agriculture is "the leading economic driver in the state" and trade is vitally important for Nebraska.

"We need to expand market access," Fischer told the forum.

"We need to push our president," Bacon said.
Burma Journalists Wait for Court to Drop Charges

The three journalists in court on Monday. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

HSIPAW, Shan State  Three journalists facing charges of unlawful association are awaiting the judges decision to drop the case after the army withdrew the charges.

Hsipaw Township Court on Monday scheduled the trios next hearing for Sept. 15, when it requires the governments legal official to remark that the judge drops the charges.

The Irrawaddys Lawi Weng, also known as U Thein Zaw, and U Aye Naing and Ko Pyae Phone Aung from the Democratic Voice of Burma were released on bail on Friday following the militarys decision to withdraw its case against them.

Press members welcomed the move but stressed they should have never been arrested for doing their job.

The journalists were arrested along with three other men by the Myanmar Army on June 26 as they returned from covering a drug-burning ceremony hosted by the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA). They were detained in Hsipaw Prison for more than two months under Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.

One man was released on bail together with the three journalists. Another two men who had additional charges for unlicensed vehicles were granted bail on Monday, according to Lawi Wengs lawyer Daw Khin Mi Mi.

Citing the Attorney General of the Union Law, she explained it is judicial procedure that such a lawsuit cannot be settled between plaintiffs and defendants but requires official withdrawal with the legal officials remarks.
Burma Maungdaw Declared Military Operational Area

Soldiers pictured on-site in Maungdaw, Rakhine State. / Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYITAW  The Myanmar government approved the militarys request to designate the entire Maungdaw District in northern Rakhine State as an operational area, Presidents Office spokesperson U Zaw Htay confirmed to The Irrawaddy on Monday.

The Commander-in-Chiefs Office asked to designate it [Maungdaw District] as an operational area, and the Presidents Office has given approval, U Zaw Htay said.

According to police major Ko Ko Soe of the border guard police headquarters in Kyee Kan Pyin in Maungdaw, five areas in northern RakhineButhidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung townships, and Taungpyoletwe and Myinlut sub-townshipshave been designated as operational areas as of August 25.

The whole of Maungdaw is designated as an operational area. So, this is approval that decisive actions can be taken against terrorist organizations in clearance operations, police major Ko Ko Soe said.

Myanmar Army commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing reportedly asked for the operational area designation in order to ensure the effectiveness of clearance operations.

The army chief attended a ceremony on Friday to accept cash donations for security personnel and government officials who have died since attacks by militants began in the region on Aug. 25 in what he described as a well-prepared plot.

At the ceremony, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing referenced events from 1942 during World War II, in which he said that Bengalisa term used by many in Myanmar to refer to the Muslim Rohingya populationwho were more closely aligned with the Allied forces, allegedly attacked ethnic Arakanese communities in Rakhine State, who frequently fought alongside Japanese forces.

We will never let such an occurrence happen again, the army chief said, describing it as unacceptable.

The Tatmadaw had to get involved as the strength of police forces alone could not defend [the area]. It was also officially permitted by the government. Without the Tatmadaws involvement, the situation could worsen. The military will do its best to perform its national defense duties, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said.

The senior general added that the Tatmadaw would fully safeguard the sovereignty of Myanmar.

In addition to the security forces, all the government institutions and the entire people must defend the country with strong patriotism, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said.

He speculated that the original attacks by militants from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) were launched as retaliation against the citizenship verification process for the 1982 Citizenship Law. The law makes distinctions between three types of citizenshipfull, associate, and naturalizedand has been criticized for defining citizenship along ethnic lines.

The Rohingya populationnumbering more than 1 millionare largely stateless, and not classified as one of Myanmars official 135 national races, a concept put forward under military rule in the 1990s.

Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing cited casualties of security forces as numbering 1311 policemen and two soldiersas well as one immigration officer, a member of health staff, and 14 ethnic Arakanese civilians. He also described infrastructure that had been destroyed, including eight bridges and more than 2,700 homes.

Reuters reported on Monday that 87,000 Rohingya Muslims had been displaced to Bangladesh since clearance operations began in late August, and at least 400 killed. The Myanmar government has said that nearly 12,000 Arakanese have been displaced in Rakhine State as well.

In a statement released on Aug. 31, the Myanmar Army said that there had been around 90 clashes between security forces and the ARSA from August 25-30, in which 370 suspected militants had been killed.
Burma Turkish Deputy PM Denounced for Misleading Twitter Pictures on Rakhine Conflict

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek tweeted four misleading photographs about the Rakhine conflict. / Twitter

YANGON  Both the Myanmar government and military have condemned and complained about the Turkish deputy prime minister for his misinforming tweet on the massacre against the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State.

On Aug. 29, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek tweeted four photographs, urging the international community to stop the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya. His post was retweeted more than 1,600 times and liked by more than 1,200 readers.

But it transpired the photographs were not related to the incidents in Rakhine. News on the recent conflict in Rakhine has been swamped by fake images and content condemning the actions of both Rohingya Muslim militants and the military.

Tens of thousands of Muslims, Arakanese and Hindus have been displaced since the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attacked police stations on Aug. 25. However limited access for journalists to the region has made aspects of the conflict difficult to verify.

According to the BBC, a number of Myanmar people who have challenged Simsek about the tweet suggested the first photo was of victims of the devastating Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 or a riverboat accident in Myanmar.

The second photograph showing a woman mourning a dead man tied to a tree was taken in the Indonesia province of Aceh in June 2003 by a Reuters photographer.

The third photograph showing two infants crying over the body of their mother is from Rwanda in July 1994.

The fourth picture, of people immersed in a canal, can be found on a website appealing for funds to help victims of recent flooding in Nepal.

On Friday, Mehmet Simsek posted a correction on his Twitter account that said, My earlier twit [sic] regretfully included pics that wrongfully depicted massacre taking place in Rohingya against Muslim by error.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Myanmar Army stated Myanmar citizens were worried about the terror attacks of ARSA extremist Bengali terrorists in Rakhine State, using a term for the Rohingya to imply they are interlopers from Bangladesh.

The families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) strongly condemn and object to the intentionally wrong expression of a State level official of a country, read the statement.

On the same day, the governments Information Committee warned people not to share fake news on social media.

It also added that the government summoned the Turkish ambassador over the tweet.

Despite the correction, the circulation of the fake news and pictures had negative impacts on Myanmar government, security forces and people, it said.

The Myanmar Presidents Office Spokesperson U Zaw Htay retweeted the Turkish deputy prime ministers post on Saturday, saying: Image is already gone! Rakhine people are killed by ARSA terrorist. Dont change true story to play politics. #ARSA is extremist terrorist.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya Muslims.
Main Roads WA has ordered additional F5m rugged tablet PCs from Xplore Technologies to simplify the oversight of the states roads and to enforce transportation standards.

Main Roads uses the tablets in the planning, construction and maintenance of an integrated and efficient road network that spans more than 2.5 million square kilometres in Western Australia, with road inspectors using the vehicle-mounted Xplore F5m tablet to retrieve asset information and access GIS systems for the real-time recording and tracking of maintenance issues and new project requirements.

Main Roads WA is not just responsible for managing more than $41 billion road assets in Western Australia, they are required to maintain one of the most widely geographically distributed highway and main road networks in the world, says Brett Gross, ANZ director of Xplore.

The Xplore F5m rugged tablet enables their field teams stay completely connected to their network, and each other, at all times despite the physical disparity of their job sites. This has led to significant productivity gains and cost savings over the last five years.

Main Roads WA first deployed F5m tablets in 2012 as part of a custom-tailored, in-vehicle mounted solution that was designed in collaboration with Xplores solution architects and Datanet, the Xplore partner also fulfilling this current order.
A bar in the Australian capital, Canberra, claims it will be the first augmented reality-enabled hospitality venue in the country.

Reload Bar and Games, which offers video gaming, will launch the AR features on 8 September, with entry to the event free but only open to those who are 18 and over.

Patrons will be offered hands-on AR demonstrations using Microsoft Hololens and mobile AR.

Ravi Sharma, partner of Canberra-based development company Reload Labs, told iTWire that the use of AR at the bar, which is owned by the Labs, was planned as a means to attract patrons.

It would also be used to advertise products used in the bar and this would be an indirect means of monetisation.

As the venue is a licensed one, Sharma said the age restrictions could not be lifted.

He said the company had created an application that converted real-world surfaces inside Reload Bar into 2D video, 3D holographic animations, retro-gaming challenges and secret free product promotions.

"It is the first implementation of this new generation of AR technology into a hospitality business," Sharma added.

He said AR had great potential. "Its a broad term that refers to basically any technology that adds a layer to your real world.

"Thats a big advantage over something like virtual reality as it doesnt require the user to wear a headset that removes them from their current world.

"You can use AR and remain in a conversation or be on the go. It will also be fantastic for physical businesses as its essentially a location-based technology."
The end of Solaris, the UNIX-like operating system developed by Sun Microsystems, is nigh, with the core talent associated with the OS and its SPARC hardware being laid off by Oracle on Friday.

Oracle became the owner of Solaris as it was one of the properties that were part of its 2010 acquisition of the company. Other well-known assets were Java, MySQL and OpenOffice, with Oracle making no secret about the fact that it was buying Sun only because of Java and its business prospects.

iTWire was made aware of the news regarding Solaris through a tweet on Saturday from Sun's former chief open source and standards officer Simon Phipps.

For those unaware, Oracle laid off ~ all Solaris tech staff yesterday in a classic silent EOL of the product. https://t.co/ibs2REGRmj  Simon Phipps (@webmink) September 2, 2017

His message was simple: "For those unaware, Oracle laid off ~ all Solaris tech staff yesterday in a classic silent EOL of the product".

Phipps, who has a fish eye when it comes to criticising things, has a pieceslinging mud at Oracle.

When he was asked about Sun's impending downfall in 2009, he danced this way and that to avoid saying even a single bad word about the company. Less than a year after that interview, Sun was only a distant memory.

In another tweet, Phipps contrasted Oracle's approach with the way HPE had gotten rid of software assets it no longer wanted to keep: it sold the lot to British mainframe company Micro Focus for US$$8.8 billion. The sale was completed last week.

The contrast this week between how HPE and Oracle have disposed of unwanted software is educational. Let's see which creates more wealth.  Simon Phipps (@webmink) September 2, 2017

Solaris was proprietary software but Sun, seeing the way Linux was spreading and apparently afraid that the upstart operating system would have it for breakfast, opened up the code to some extent in 2005 under a licence known as the Community Development and Distribution Licence and under the name OpenSolaris.

The idea was to build up a community around the OS but it was too little too late; the terms of the licence were cumbersome and contributing code was not half as easy as it was in the case of projects that were operating under the GNU general public licence and the BSD or Apache licences.

There are forks of OpenSolaris but what future they will have is open to debate. Every year, Linux makes more and more inroads into fields that were served by other Unices and it has eaten many people's lunches thus far.

Oracle has never been good at managing community projects but then Sun was no great shakes at it either. Sun can be best described as the company that wanted to be a little bit pregnant.

Even before Oracle's acquisition of Sun was completed, MySQL was forked by Monty Widenius, one of the three who was behind the original MySQL, the company that was bought by Sun. Widenius is one man who knows how to make money from open source  even if he sometimes bends the definition a bit.

Under the name MariaDB, the fork has now become the default database for several Linux distributions, among them Red Hat (and its community Fedora distribution), SUSE (and its community distro openSUSE) and, in 2017, Debian, where upgrading to the latest release results in a painless replacement of MySQL with MariaDB.

Oracle's other acquisition, OpenOffice.org, was forked in 2011 as LibreOffice by most of the original developers. With the genial and talented Michael Meeks playing a leading role, LibreOffice has become the default office suite on all Linux distributions; it has also been commercialised by a company known as Collabora and there are even versions for the cloud.

Oracle handed over OpenOffice.org to the Apache Software Foundation last year and one release under the name Apache OpenOffice appeared. Suffice it to say that this suite has not exactly caused many hearts to race.

And finally, Java. The software that Oracle looked to for its fortunes may still deliver, with an appeal made by the company against Google, in what was a rather tortuous case that ran from 2010 to 2016, still bringing in the damages that Oracle has been seeking.

Verdicts that were Google-friendly were delivered in California but the appeal is unlikely to be heard there. The same way in which Google has climbed down in its scrap with the European Union, the search behemoth may also have to fork over money to Oracle.

Oracle has no use for Solaris; its primary use for software is to make money and that has been known for aeons. In the 1980s and 1990s, it was well known that one thing driving Larry Ellison was to be richer than Bill Gates. Thus Phipps' criticism of the company is, if anything, silly. Oracle uses Red Hat's enterprise Linux distribution with the trademarks stripped out to service customers who want an UNIX-like system, under the name Unbreakable Linux. That, by the way is perfectly legal under the terms of the GNU GPL.

Oracle has no sentimentality about software. It's like selling buttons or widgets  they are sold to make money. Getting rid of Solaris is akin to dumping an asset that fails to deliver what was wanted: money in the bank.

Thus Phipps' lament that "Oracle said it was going to 'reinvigorate the Sun brand' but instead has killed it more dead than any Sun executive managed  the 'art of the deal' no doubt. Along with many former Sun staff today, that makes me very sad", is a waste of time. Don't miss the reference to Donald Trump there  a low blow in my opinion.

Telling us the tale before that  how Sun started writing its own obituary, a tale that is still not very well known and one which Phipps, no doubt, knows in detail  would serve the entire software industry much better.
The Germany-based SUSE Linux marked a milestone over the last few days: on Friday, 2 September, the company turned 25, a remarkable achievement in an industry where the remains of software companies litter the landscape around the world.

There have been ups and downs over those years, but the company has been on an up ever since it was re-established as an independent business unit in Nuremberg where it began its existence.

This came about after its parent company, Novell, was bought by The Attachmate Group in 2010; the latter, very wisely, decided to give SUSE its own head and, under the astute Nils Brauckmann, who describes himself as a "pragmatic generalist", the company has become more than just profitable.

But one is getting somewhat ahead of the tale. SUSE was formed in 1992 by three university students  Hubert Mantel, Roland Dyroff, and Burchard Steinbild. The fourth man in the equation was software engineer Thomas Fehr.

They had a simple objective: to build software and deliver UNIX support. Linux had been around for a little more than a year at that point and they decided to use it.

Linux, the kernel of an operating system, is made available to lesser mortals as a distribution and the first such beast was produced in mid-1992 by a developer named Peter MacDonald. It was known as Soft Landing Systems Linux.

today we celebrate 25 years of @SUSE ! From @openSUSE family, we wish you the best! Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/c1r7ApIkDO  Aaron Luna (@aaronlube) 1 September 2017

The next distro to follow was Slackware, produced by the indomitable Patrick Volkerding, who is still doing the same job today. In 1994, the first S.u.S.E Linux emerged, a German version of Slackware.

The name S.u.S.E is a German acronym and means "Software und System-Entwicklung", or "Software and systems development". The name was later changed to SuSE and some years on became SUSE.

SUSE's bad days began in 2003 when it was bought by Novell, then a big software and services company in the US. SUSE was run as a unit of Novell and during its years there just about managed to break even.

In 2006, Novell signed a patent-licensing deal with Microsoft, which had a bad effect on SUSE, given the bad reputation that Microsoft had in the FOSS community. One of the top open source developers at Novell, Jeremy Allison of the Samba project, walked out in protest.

SUSE could not take a trick while it was a part of Novell; the parent company also played host to Miguel de Icaza, the co-founder of the GNOME Desktop project, and a known fan of Microsoft who caused much discomfort in the free and open source software community.

In 2010, salvation appeared in the shape of The Attachmate Group which bought Novell and took the company and all its assets private. SUSE became an independent business unit as detailed earlier.

For its first few years, SUSE had to shake off the cobwebs it had accumulated as part of Novell. But it slowly came into its own and started becoming profitable.

The company did not become overly ambitious; it was second to Red Hat by a huge margin in terms of revenue (and still is).

But given the way Linux usage was growing, there was space for more than one company to provide services around the operating system and SUSE took its place in this software space.

In 2014, SUSE was bought by its present owner, the British mainframe company Micro Focus, and again became a public outfit.

Like other open source outfits, SUSE has widened its services and now not only provides an enterprise Linux distribution but has a well developed software-defined storage product and one for a container-as-a-service option. It also caters to those seeking cloud options and does more than its fair share in contributing to upstream FOSS projects.

Along the way, it has spawned a top-notch community distribution, openSUSE, which is run by an autonomous board led by the ebullient British developer Richard Brown.

SUSE has a number of top-notch hackers in its ranks, none better than its kernel development chief Vojtech Pavlik, whose extraordinary ability and skill was unknown to the public until iTWire interviewed him in 2014.

Its engineering roots are embodied by one of its founders, Mantel, who told iTWire back in 2012, when the company marked two decades: "I'm still hacking on code. This is what I always wanted to do since I had my first contact with computers back in 1977. I left the management already in 1999 in favour of being able to work as an engineer. There are better managers than me :)."

Nothing embodies the spirit of SUSE better.
As Microsoft grows beyond the desktop environment it has long dominated, Skype for Business is carving out a growing share of the market for unified communications. But with different deployment options, licensing models, and integration considerations, businesses must think carefully before taking the plunge.



Is Skype for Business right for your business?

That depends. Al Cowan, a solutions consultant at trans-Tasman business communications technology specialist Pyrios, says Skype for Business is overkill if workers spend most of their time at a desk.

Certainly, itll do a good job of managing calls. But its a bit like buying a turbo-charged 4WD to pick up the groceries. Youre buying a bunch of features youll never use, said Cowan.

On the other hand, Cowan suggests that if your workers are mobile and need to see each others availability, work with different groups, and share information quickly and easily, then Skype for Business offers a powerful toolset to reimagine how your business communicates and shares information.

Getting going with Skype for Business

There are three ways to deploy Skype for Business: On-premise, from the cloud, or a combination of both formats.

Whats best for your business? Cowan says a clear understanding of business needs will uncover the model best suited to your business. But it also pays to seek advice from a credible provider to help understand the ins-and-outs of each option, he said.

Regardless, business users must be licensed. Microsoft licensing options include User Subscription License (USL) for Skype for Business Online, and Client Access Licenses (CALs) to connect users and devices to Skype for Business Server for presence, IM, peer-to-peer VoIP and HD video, and Skype connectivity.

Businesses looking for the additional functionality should explore Enterprise and Plus-CAL license options.

Check license entitlements as part of the planning process to avoid unpleasant budgeting surprises when you make the leap  or when Microsoft calls to perform a license audit, said Cowan.

Cowan also urges people to investigate integration issues, because Microsoft doesnt make hardware devices  handsets, gateways, session border controllers (SBC) and the like.

New technology has never been as accessible, but readier access requires more rigorous planning, said Cowan. Take the time to understand current Skype for Business licensing entitlements and where your intended usage will leave you under-licensed.

Click here to read the full article Sizing up Skype for Business.

Contact Pyrios if youd like help to assess your readiness for Skype for Business and to build a plan to migrate.

About Pyrios

Pyrios is a communications technology specialist. We deliver a range of smart communications technology, consulting, integration and managed services to help our clients deliver brilliant customer engagement, every time. We provide services across Australia and New Zealand with offices in Auckland, Wellington, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Perth. Learn more at www.pyrios.com.

For useful news and updates follow Pyrios on Twitter (@PyriosSocial) and LinkedIn.
A former writer for Forbes claims Google used its power to force her to kill a story that was critical of the search behemoth's monopolistic practices six years ago.

The context for Kashmir Hill, who now works for Gizmodo, to recall this event, was the recent sacking of a critic of Google from a think-tank that is funded by the company.

Barry Lynn, who was in charge of the Open Markets division at the New America Foundation, was asked to leave by the chief executive of the think-tank, Anne-Marie Slaughter, according to a report in The New York Times.

Hill wrote: "Google denied any role in Lynn's firing, and Slaughter tweeted that the 'facts are largely right, but quotes are taken way out of context and interpretation is wrong'.

"Despite the conflicting story lines, the underlying premise felt familiar to me: Six years ago, I was pressured to unpublish a critical piece about Google's monopolistic practices after the company got upset about it. In my case, the post stayed unpublished."

Hill said she had been invited to a meeting with Google salespeople about Google Plus, which was then the new social network that the company was trying to market.

She said at the meeting the Google salespeople were encouraging Forbes to add Plus' "+1" social buttons to its articles next to the Facebook Like button and the Reddit share button.

Hill claims the salespeople said it was important to add the +1 buttons as it would be a factor in search results which was, even then, a main source of traffic.

"This sounded like a news story to me. Google's dominance in search and news give it tremendous power over publishers. By tying search results to the use of Plus, Google was using that muscle to force people to promote its social network,:" Hill wrote.

"I asked the Google people if I understood correctly: If a publisher didn't put a +1 button on the page, its search results would suffer? The answer was yes."

After confirming this with Google's PR team, Hill published a story headlined "Stick Google Plus Buttons On Your Pages, Or Your Search Traffic Suffers".

But she was then told by a Google spokesperson that she should take the story down because the meeting had been confidential and subject to a non-disclosure agreement.

After sustained pressure from Google and her bosses at Forbes, Hill finally gave in and took down the story.

What happened next, she said, was more disturbing. "Somehow, very quickly, search results stopped showing the original story at all. As I recall it  and although it has been six years, this episode was seared into my memory  a cached version remained shortly after the post was unpublished, but it was soon scrubbed from Google search results."

However, she was able to source one version that still remains.

Lynn, the man who lost his job at the New America Foundation, has now started a website called Citizens Against Monopoly. It says "Google's attempts to shut down think tanks, journalists, and public interest advocates researching and writing about the dangers of concentrated private power must end."

Hill commented: "It's safe to say they won't be receiving any funding from Google."
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By Marcelo Rochabrun | (ProPublica) |  

With the president reportedly at the point of canceling DACA, some of its 800,000 beneficiaries describe what they gained  and now fear losing  from the program.

Marco Guajardo starts a new job today that, he said, will provide him with health insurance for the first time. Matias Zubko is set to close on a new house on Wednesday. Roberto Angulo is hoping for a promotion at the electrical company that employs him as he nears his first anniversary there.

All three of them, immigrants in their 20s, now fear those prospects could vaporize in a matter of days. Guajardo, Angulo and Zubko were all brought to the U.S. illegally as children, yet since 2012 theyve been able to work legally, get access to credit, obtain drivers licenses, buy houses and travel around the country. In short, they could achieve a semblance of a normal life.

Now, they may lose their jobs and face deportation.

The Trump administration seems poised to eliminate the immigration program on which the three men have depended. Called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the program has allowed almost 800,000 young immigrants to receive renewable work permits. But as an executive order from President Barack Obama  announced after his administrations failure to pass the DREAM Act, which wouldve enshrined the protections in law  it can be reversed with the swipe of a presidential pen.

Trump has shown some hesitation to undo the order, expressing sympathy for those protected by it. But a group of state attorneys general, who view the program as an example of illegal executive overreach, have given him an ultimatum: End DACA by Tuesday or defend it before a judge who blocked a similar program in 2014 that would have protected undocumented parents.

An announcement could come as soon as today. Trump could cancel all of DACAs provisions on the spot, though a February draft order that circulated in the administration suggests he may phase out the program in stages. Under that plan, 1,000 immigrants a day would lose their work authorizations and deportation protections until none are left.

ProPublica spoke on Thursday with more than a dozen people helped by DACA whose work permits expire as soon as a month from today and as far out as August 2019. They expressed a combination of dread and uncertainty, describing plans aborted, a terror of deportation they hadnt felt in years, and anxiety that their lives are about to be upended.

The potential change is forcing them to make decisions they didnt expect to have to make. Should we buy this house? asked Zubko, a 28-year-old Argentinian whose wife is also protected by DACA, of the purchase he was about to make. We got a loan, he said. We both have good paying jobs. And last year we had a baby and shes an American citizen. But if DACA gets taken away, were not sure wed be able to close on the house and thats scary.

Such concerns are widespread. Two immigrants said theyre frightened that losing their jobs means their homes will be taken away in foreclosures. One said she didnt know whether to renew her lease. Another said she would drop out of school: Why study to be a teacher if no one will be able to employ you?

I dont know what would happen to my 401(k) or my taxes or my lease, said Nathali Bertran, an engineer in Hondas research and development division. A native of Peru, Bertran helped create DACA Time, a website that allows immigrants to prepare their applications digitally.

As for Angulo, the man nearing his one-year anniversary at the electrical company, his work permit expires on October 6. Angulo renewed his Mexican passport last week  just in case. On Wednesday, he emailed his companys human resources department wondering if they could sponsor him for an employment visa. He hasnt heard back yet.

It feels like I just went from being able to look at the stars and shoot for them to all of a sudden getting dragged down, he said, like if someone put cement blocks on your feet.

For Guajardos part, his new job  and his health insurance  may turn out to be temporary. Before DACA was implemented, he lived near the Mexican border and had never left his town, scared of what would happen if he encountered one of the dozens of immigration checkpoints that the Border Patrol operates along the border.

Now Ive traveled all around the country, he said. DACA changed my life completely, from being stuck in a little town, to going to my favorite university, to getting a great job and exploring new places.

Are You an Immigrant Protected by DACA? We Want to Hear From You.

As President Trump mulls whether to end a program that granted 800,000 young people a reprieve from deportation, ProPublica is asking those who will be affected by his decision to tell us their stories.

When DACA was created in 2012, only four states allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, and that list didnt include Texas or California, where the majority of DACA recipients live.

To have a drivers license is a tremendous thing, said Ken Schmitt, an immigration lawyer who has helped file hundreds of DACA applications. In the past, one way ICE got people into removal proceedings was after they were pulled over by police, he said, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They would arrest them for driving without a license and then turn them over to ICE.

Barclays livelihood depends on his commercial drivers license. A 25-year-old immigrant from Guyana, he drives a truck in New York, where, should he lose his legal status, he would no longer be eligible for a license.

The only thing that I can do now is honestly to work as much as I can, basically get no sleep until that day, Barclay said. Once my work permit expires, I still have to pay rent, eat and live and that money wont be building anymore, just depleting every single day. I cant even fathom this right now.

Applying for DACA costs $485 every two years, excluding attorney fees. At any given moment, there are around 100,000 applications and renewals pending, according to statistics from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which administers the program. Steve Blando, a USCIS spokesman said on Thursday evening the agency was still accepting and processing DACA applications.

Carlos Garcia is worried not only about losing his job but also that the government will try to deport him and his wife, who is not shielded by DACA. His work permit expires on Dec. 3 and his renewal is pending. After obtaining DACA privileges, he had started a job as an IT help desk technician and moved up to become a server administrator.

No matter what the administration says, its open season on immigrants now, Garcia said. Its easy to find us.

DACA applicants feel particularly nervous because applying for the program meant they voluntarily revealed information to the government, including where they live. They also submit new portrait photographs of themselves every two years and provide details such as their height, weight, and eye and hair colors. A large number have also provided copies of their birth certificates, which identify their parents by name.

Alan Torres, a 31-year-old Mexican immigrant, experienced firsthand what happens when DACA protections lapse. A few years ago, his new work permit did not arrive before his old one expired. His company told him hed have to take a leave of absence.

Indeed, Torress career wouldnt have been possible without the program. He has a degree in information systems but when he started college he thought he might never be able to work in his field. Said Torres: If I had graduated without DACA I would still be working in the restaurant industry.

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for their newsletter.

Via ProPublica



Related video added by Juan Cole:

CBS: What happens to dreamers if Trump rolls back DACA?
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By Ebony Slaughter-Johnson | (Otherwords.org) |  

The president called a man who freely violated peoples constitutional rights a patriot. What does that make his victims?

During a speech to a group of police officers in July, President Trump returned to one of his favorite themes of the campaign season: violence. Please dont be too nice to the thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, Trump advised the officers. Be rough.

The presidents endorsement of police brutality was met with applause from the officers and shock from activists and pundits alike.

Sensing the brewing backlash, the White House insisted that the president was simply making a joke. Even Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the countrys top law enforcement official  a man with his own complicated history of encouraging the worst impulses of the police  attempted to distance himself from the controversy.

Yet the president just proved that when it comes to endorsing police brutality, especially against communities of color, hes dead serious.

For more than 20 years, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona terrorized Latino communities, harassed immigrants, and made life a living hell for prisoners in his care in order to build a reputation as Americas toughest sheriff.

These systematic violations of human and constitutional rights eventually landed Arpaio in legal trouble of his own. Then President Trump pardoned him.

Arpaio had been awaiting sentencing for a July conviction of criminal contempt.

Back in 2011, a federal judge ordered Arpaio to stop targeting and detaining Latinos just to inquire about their immigration status. Nevertheless, Arpaio persisted for another 18 months, insisting that his racial profiling was lawful. He emasculated inmates, forcing them to wear pink underwear, and attempted to starve them with food that was called inedible.

He tortured them, too: Beginning in the 1990s, Arpaio opened Tent City Jail, which forced inmates to live outside in the extreme Arizona heat. An untold number of inmates died.

To the law, Arpaio is a convicted criminal who built his career on denying the constitutional and human rights of the most vulnerable among us. To Trump, hes a patriot who kept Arizona safe.

Throughout his time as sheriff, a White House statement bleated, Arpaio continued his lifes work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration. In other words, the innocent immigrants who were harassed, and the prisoners who were tortured, were the real criminals.

Trump promised to be the law and order candidate during his campaign. He codified this promise once he became president in the Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Community section of the White House website. The Trump administration will be a law and order administration, it echoed.

For the president, it seems, standing up for law enforcement includes allowing officers to subvert the rule of law to commit acts of brutality with impunity. Empowering law enforcement to keep our streets free of crime and violence means supporting racial profiling. And law and order only applies to some, namely those that support the president.

With Trumps pardon of Arpaio, a message has been sent: When it comes to police brutality of the kind Arpaio perpetuated for decades, the Trump administration wont simply be complicit in it. It will promote it.

And thats nothing to joke about.

Via Otherwords.org



Related video added by Juan Cole:

TYT: Joe Arpaios Pardon Could Be Reversed By Courts
By Rachel Lee

British Minister for Asia Mark Field has arrived in Seoul to strengthen political, defence and economic relations with Korea.

The British Embassy said the minister would reaffirm the U.K.'s commitment to work alongside Korea and the international community to tackle North Korea's threat to regional and global security.

His visit comes just three weeks after the United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed on sanctions against North Korea, and during biannual U.S.-South Korea military exercises. The U.K. provided 25 personnel for the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian last month.

"I am here to express our support to South Korea in person and look forward to discussions on continuing the strong relationship between our two nations _ not just on security issues, but also global political, defence and economic issues," Field said.

"The U.K. has been clear that we stand alongside South Korea, and our international partners in the United Nations, in condemning the actions of North Korea and the destabilising impact the regime's pursuit of nuclear and ballistic weapons has had on this region."
Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

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Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials.

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Labor Day is Americas only national holiday celebrating the never-ending contributions of everyday people who sell their intelligence, experience and strength to employers to earn a living.

It became a national holiday near the end of the Gilded Age, a decade after organized labor pushed for legislation establishing the eight-hour day. The Gilded Age marked a period when the economy was skyrocketing, but the American Dream was out of reach for the large majority of Americans.

It was a time when work was hard, dangerous and paid little. It was a time of child labor, no workplace rights, no safeguards. It was a time of robber barons and huddled masses, with not much of a middle class in between.

The establishment of Labor Day saluted those who were challenged the status quo of increasing wealth and increasing income inequality.

The concentration of wealth in the hands of the few and their ability to donate directly to candidates led Mark Hanna, the first modern political boss and a supporter of William McKinley, to say, There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money, and I cant remember the second.

The same growing income inequality led author and political commentator Mark Twain to remark, The external glitter of wealth conceals a corrupt political core that reflects the growing gap between the very few rich and the very many poor.

That time of income inequality spurred the growth of organized labor. Unions became the nations first successful anti-poverty program. They became the ladders that everyday wage earners used to climb out of poverty and into the middle class. They gave a voice to the voiceless in jointly, with management, raising standards of fairness and justice above the levels unilaterally dictated by employers working to become leaner and meaner.

The fight to establish workplace rights and safeguards that most wage earners take for granted today was a product of political engagement by literally millions of wage earners led by organized labor.

Each was enacted with support of the American labor movement over the objections of employers who wanted to maintain the status quo. Because each right and safeguard obtained for workers directly or indirectly can increase the cost of doing business, each right and safeguard would become weakened or disappear if labor unions became a thing of the past.

Labor unions exist to introduce meaningful democracy into our nations workplaces  and theyve done so since the birth of our country. Union leaders note that the Declaration of Independence was the result of the First Continental Congress meeting in Carpenters Hall.

Unions are as American as apple pie. The nations founders challenged the British kings claim that he could unilaterally dictate the future of the colonies. The American Revolution is beloved because it gave a meaningful voice to the formerly voiceless. The founders used that voice to give the electorate a say in collectively determining its future quality of life.

Organized labor challenges employers who seek to unilaterally set wages, hours and terms of employment. Employees use the democracy they bring to the workplace to work collectively with management to gain a meaningful voice in jointly improving their quality of life.

Labor Day was created by the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. As you enjoy this Labor Day, please remember the many contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. And know that the best friends of Main Street merchants are well-paid workers.
Sorry, we can't find the content you're looking for at this URL.
Brian Jones Ministries (UK), organisers of the annual International Youth Empowerment Summit (IYES), on Friday paid a courtesy call on the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo at her office in Accra.

This follows the successful organisation of the 2017 IYES Conference which brought together the youth of Ghana to receive inspiration from some notable public figures.

The IYES delegation led by Prophet Brian Amoateng deemed it necessary to seek counsel and guidance from the wife of the President in preparation for te upcoming programs to be organised by the team.

Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo was delighted to welcome the IYES team and pledged her support for IYES work of empowering the youth of Ghana.

Present at the meeting were IYES ambassadors including Superintendent Kofi Sarpong, Gloria Sarfo and Funny Face.

After the interaction with the First Lady, Prophet Brain Amoateng assured the youth of Ghana that next years IYES will be gigantic.

An artwork designed on the spot was presented to the First Lady.

I

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Maxwell Amoofia
Comedian Funny Face, known in private life as Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng, has described as lies a claim attributed to his ex-wife that he is a one minute man in bed.

Elizabeth Adjoa Ntim is alleged to have said the comedian could not satisfy her sexually.

My ex-husband is suffering from early ejaculation and I had cautioned [him] on several occasions but he wouldnt listen to me, she reportedly said.

The comedian broke up with his wife, ending what he said was two torturous years of marriage.

What Ive been through is worse than killing, he referred to his marriage to Elizabeth.

He blamed himself for the outcome of the marriage, alleging his wife slept with some of his best friends.

I didnt do my homework well before marrying her. Big buttocks and ass and hips pushed me into marrying her, he told Accra-based UTV.

But a year after the Comedian made public his divorce, Elizabeth is reported to have said she did not enjoy the marriage either.

She reportedly said Funny Faces early ejaculation denied their marriage the joy it needed.

The Comedian in a tweet Monday said the ex-wife lied when she said he is sexually weak.

Lol I guess all da men ... U were sleeping with too. Are 2 mins ... Hahaha my sister try harder ... This is cheap!! he said.

Herrrh My sister you can lie oo ... What a pity Lol ... Try harder!! Hahaha, he added.
Kenya's opposition leader, Raila Odinga, initially ignored the repeated advice from former President John Mahama, along with former South Africa President, Thabo Mbeki, to resort to the Supreme Court.

The Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance, Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, who was an observer during the Kenyas August polls, revealed the Raila Odinga did not trust the former presidents and rather accused them of being friends or sympathisers of [the incumbent] Kenyatta.

This indication came as part of his response to the sentiment that there were shortcomings in the international observers processes after Kenya's Supreme Court annulled the result of August's presidential election after hearing Raila Odingas petition.

John Mahama led the Commonwealth observer mission for the Kenya polls

Dr. Akwetey recounted that international observers and their leaders could neither investigate the hacking claims made by Raila Odinga or stop the declaration of election results.

The two leaders however engaged the IEBC [Kenyas electoral body] and reported back to observers and the international media the IEBC had rejected the allegations by Raila & Co. Prez Mahama and Mbeki repeatedly advised Raila & Co to resort to the Supreme Court to deal with their claims, he said.

Raila & Co initially rejected the two Prezs advice and rather accused them of being friends or sympathisers of Kenyatta. But the leaders maintained their composure and their stand that the elections as observed were transparent and credible. But doubts about the credibility of the results ought to be sorted out in the SC, which was empowered to scrutinise the issues being raised by Raila & Co.

Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey with Thabo Mbeki (Credit: Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey Facebook)

It was only after Raila Odingas call for a nationwide strike in protest flopped that the opposition leader resorted to the Supreme Courts, possibly sparing Kenya some post-election violence, according to Dr. Akwetey.

It is a good thing that Raila &Co eventually went to the Supreme Court as they had earlier been advised. By eventually respecting the advice of Prez Mbeki and Mahama to pursue justice in the SC, Raila and Co saved Kenya from explosive post-elections violence. Both those who insisted on the SC route and those who acted accordingly have been vindicated.

The Kenya Supreme Court judgment on Friday held that the election was marred by irregularities and was not according to the Constitution. It thus ordered the Electoral Commission to organise a fresh poll in 60 days.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
It was all joy and ecstasy at the constituency Youth Office of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Shishegu of the Sagnarigu Constituency, when the Parliamentary Candidate of the NPP in the 2016 elections, Hon. Habib Iddrisu, hosted a Sallah party for members of his campaign team.

This gathering brought together top executives including the constituency executives, coordinators from the electoral area, polling station executives and constituency council of elders and patrons.

According to Habib Iddrisu, it was an occasion for him to thank all who in various ways supported his campaign that saw a significant improvement in the electoral fortunes of the NPP culminating in the the overall victory of the party. 'on a very sacred occasion like this, there is the need to celebrate and get even more united.

He promised to continue to work with them to realize their aspirations. 'Whatever support I can offer, I will readily do because your support cannot be overemphasized'.

He entreated all to be patient so as to benefit from what the President Nana Addo led government brings.

He told the constituents that the planting for food and jobs program is on cause and the one million dollars per constituency is ready and projects from it will be visible for all to see. He said that the youth employment will soon roll out more models to enable the youth to get engaged.

Present were Yes We Can Group, Danquah Ladies and Loyal Ladies.

On his part, the chairman of the occasion, Musah Dangoma, who is the First Vice Chairman of the NPP in Sagnarigu, called on party members to respect party structures in resolving their concerns and desist from acts that can drag the image of the party and government into the mud.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

Tribal marks serves as treatment for signs of convulsion in children in my area. Friends have often asked about how I had my tribal marks on my cheek. It is a sad story from the Gomoa East constituency where I hail from. Thirty five years ago I was inflicted with tribal mark as the remedy or cure for a home diagnosis of convulsion, Joyce Ababio shared.

It has been the common practice to innocent children who depicted perceived signs of convulsion. Today I am a nurse and looking back into the memory lane, I found a good reason to organize a health awareness program to educate and increase knowledge on the need for proper healthcare approach by the people of Gomoa Okwahu.

With the support of my friends, we engaged doctor Fred Andoh and six practicing nurses to reach out to over hundred natives.

The health screening included testing for blood pressure and sugar levels and malaria. It was clear after the series of tests that a high number of children recorded symptoms of malaria and others were diagnosed of Diabetes melitus. Some medications were provided free of charge to the residents of the village.

Although the program was children centered, adults were also attended to. Participants were encouraged to heed to early signs of ill health to visit proper health care facilities.

Traditional leaders and faith based representatives were also called upon to strengthen their voices to the call for proper medical attention among their followers or members.

The assembly man of the area with the chief and elders of the village were present to grace the program. Moving forward, she hopes to engage more stakeholders to support her team to reach out to more communities.

Miss Joyce Ababio thanked Mabel Frimpong, Seyram Akpakli and Patience Ackah for the encouragement and support towards a successful program.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

What went wrong? I have asked myself countless times but the more I subjected myself to scrutiny, the more frustrated I became.

A boy who hails from a very secluded hinterland had to walk each day throughout on bare foot despite unfavorable weather conditions, reptiles and could barely see the narrow path I walked through several miles to another village just to acquire basic education. That could only take high determination to achieve. No wonder many got frustrated and gave up.

Why did I have to persevere to that extent? Your guess could be as excellent as mine but the truth remains that if I had a better option at the time.... As a young boy, growing up in the village was not an easy one. Thankfully, my father was very good a peasant farmer who made sure we had more than enough to eat all year round. I still remember the number of times some people had to rely on my father for food stuffs just to survive the night. However, the old boy was financially handicapped.

My mother had to sell cassava(kponkponti) on every Busie market day and the penny she generated enabled her buy ingredients for our soup. At the time, the village lived without even a daycare. No one went to school, in fact no one understood the relevance of sending a child to school. For your own interest, if you wanted to enroll in school, you did that at the expense of your own freedom. Under the leadership of the then village committee chairman, the village decided to start a school.

The common adage that "some misfortunes are blessings" my case was not different at all. According to my old boy, his decision to take me to school was because I am a left-handed person and so can not farm. Eventually, I became a schoolboy and was part of the pioneers of the village primary school. Primary one to primary six was handled by only one teacher who sacrificed to be transferred to the village. Naturally, once you were good you were made a leader and that is how I became the first senior prefect from primary one to primary six that is at Chebaa primary School.

Consequently, the determinants of my next level of academic laurels at the time again rested in the hands of two teachers throughout three years of Junior Secondary school. I had no one to either look up to or emulate, you either focused on farming or went to "jongsec"(going to the southern sector to do menial jobs like weeding for income). I was compeled to be a role model on my own and inspire the villagers in pursuance of academic work. The only things that inspired us in the village at the time, were "Jongsec", early marriages, farming and of course playing around which happened to be my favourite.

At the Junior Secondary level, my colleagues and school mates called me all kind of names because I virtually went to school without uniform, looking white and dirty. But it did not discourage me, I neither relented on my efforts nor rested on my oaths and eventually emerged the best student of the school when the BECE final results were released. Did it surprise anyone? Obviously the answer is the negative because I was such a bright student. All is not Roxy.

To me, I knew that if my first choice of secondary school would not offer me admission but the second choice should fall in my favour, ironically that only happened in my dreams and the beginning of my predicament. When the admissions were out, I went to Nandom secondary school, surprisingly my name could not be found. I went to Lawra secondary school with lots of hope and faith that my name would be there only to be left disappointed.

As for my last choice of school which was in Balgatanga, I never went there because I didn't have money to go. I sat home dejected and despaired for two months until I decided to go back to Junior Secondary again. On arrival at my alma mater, thus Uollo R/C junior secondary school, I met this primary school teacher who wanted to know why I came back because he knew I had passed and was supposed to be in school.

After a long narrative of my ordeals and hustle to enroll in senior secondary school, he empathized with me and said that my results were too good to go to secondary school rather than go back to JSS. He assured me that he was going to take me to Wa secondary school. To my dismay, after a week I met him, he came back to tell me to immediately go to Kaleo secondary technical school to pay and collect my admission letter.

To be honest, I wept internally but I did not have a choice. My father went round the whole village from one house to other in search for money to borrow for me to pay my fees but to no avail. At a point I felt my world has shattered. I sobbed and wondered, awaiting desperately for a miracle but everything seemed so hopeless. The meagre I made from "jongsec" after my BECE exams could only pay a part of my admission fees.

Kaleo secondary technical school at the time was a day school. We had to combine learning and cooking throughout the entire term. As I tried to avoid "jonsec", little did I know I would have to rely on it during every vacation holidays to enable me buy reading materials, pay my school fees and for my own upkeep while in school.

Whilst in school, I struggled, ate gari without sugar, persevered and got married to only my books until I completed KASTS. All praises and glory be to the most high God. The God of heaven and earth who makes sure impossibilities are possible. I came out from KASTS with flying colours proceeded to the Jirapa Nurses Training College where I pursued Diploma in General Nursing.

I then worked both as a staff nurse and the Casualty/Emergency unit Incharge both in the Upper West Regional hospital and Lawra District hospital respectively for three years before proceeding to the School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, where I pursued Bachelor of science degree in Anaesthesia and Intensive care.

Shall be back.....
Hope FM 107.1mhz is a private radio station situated at Ezilinbo in the Jomoro District of the Western Region. The station as part of his core duties to save lives especially the welfare of children in the various communities and people in the society held a blood donation exercise in the District.

The intent of the exercise was to succor stock of blood bank for Half Assini Government Hospital's Children and Maternity wards, respectively so as to save the lives of the patients.

The exercise was under the theme, "Donate Blood and Save Lives".

Miss Obaapa Grace, the Coordinator of the exercise who is also a staff of Hope FM stated that "blood cannot be manufactured in any laboratory or a factory, this means that without a sufficient number of men and women willingly and selflessly donating blood so that others might live, our District and Ghana as a whole will grapple with the reality of unnecessary deaths."Blood connects us all because no one knows whose life their blood will save. It could be anyone! Let us join hands to help ourselves ", she added.

Miss Grace, congratulated the residents in Jomoro District for their generosity and commitment to make blood available to save lives.

"This is our first time we have organized such exercise and we will extend it to Ellembelle District and Nzema East Municipal since our coverage reaches there, it is not going to be a nine-day wonder", she assured.

The Medical Superintendent of Half Assini Government Hospital, Dr. Jonathan Mensah thanked Hope FM for organising the blood donation exercise to improve the Hospital's Blood Bank to save lives.

Dr. Mensah, said,blood donation mostly help children below the ages of five years who are affected by malaria, pregnant women and patients whose under go operation.

He added that the hospital gives out 80 pints of blood to patients per month.

He also added that the hospital's Blood Bank could store 500 pints of blood.

He explained that if the hospital's Blood Bank becomes full, they give some to other hospitals as 'rent' so that lives could be save.

"If the hospital is in need of blood, we contact other hospitals for some and return the blood if the hospital gets more, on record since the hospital started operation, no patient has die because of blood shortage", he added.

CHALLENGES

Dr. Jonathan Mensah said, people fear to donate blood because of some cultural believes.

Dr. Mensah assured the people that blood donation is not difficult task and urged them to donate blood to save lives.

He added that sometimes if the hospital short blood in the bank, they have to pay Gh60 a blood donor.

According to Dr. Jonathan Mensah, the Half Assini Government was established at Ekpu as a health centre in the year 1974.

He added,currently the hospital's Out-Patient Department (O.P.D) contains 180 to 200 patients daily.

Speaking to the media after the exercise, the hospital's Laboratory Technician, Mr. Stephen Yamoah revealed that the number of the blood donors were encouraging and commended Hope FM for the exercise and urged the radio station to continue to organize such exercise on time to help save lives.

Mr. Stephen Yamoah commended Half Assini Senior High School (HASCO) and Annor Adjaye Senior High School for donating blood to the hospital's Blood Bank anytime the hospital call on them.

He pleaded with the people in the District to visit the hospital on daily bases to donate blood to save lives.

Speaking on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency who doubles as a Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Blay Arizie, commended Hope FM for organizing such an important exercise to save lives.

He also applauded the blood donors for their generosity and kind gesture by donating blood to the hospital's Blood Bank to save lives.

He called on all healthy citizens to support blood donation initiatives because many lives are lost whenever there is a shortage.

Mr. Blay Arizie on behalf of the Jomoro MP, Hon Paul Essien, presented Gh.1,000 plus assorted drink items to Hope FM to help and encourage donors to donate blood for the Half Assini Government Hospital.

Mr. Arizie assured the radio station that Hon Paul Essien is ever ready to support any activities the station will embark upon that would help the District to develop.

Some of the assorted drinks includes, cartons of milk, boxes of canned drinks, and some boxes of Voltic Mineral Water.

Nana Alex, a donor, in an interaction with the media said, that this was his first time of donating.

"I am willing and ready to donate more blood because I see it as a form of saving lives, he added.

Speaking to the media after the exercise, the morning show host of Hope FM, Gideon Nyhiraba, expressed his profound appreciation to their sponsors such as the Member of Parliament of the area, Hon Paul Essien, the opposition National Democratic Congress party's chairman of the area, Mr Gideon Koniba, the ruling New Patriotic Patriotic (NPP) Western Regional Acting Chairman, Mr. Francis Ndede Siah, a businessman, Mr Dan Borsor, among others for the contributions they made towards the success of the exercise.

He appealed to other institutions and individuals to support the station to be able to execute the activities of the future blood donation exercise.

At the end of exercise, each blood donor, was given assorted drinks such as Milo, Milk, Malt, Voltic Mineral Water, among others.

A certificate of blood donation was given to each blood donor.
Be it known to Hon. Kennedy Agyapong that Loose lips sink ships, meaning "beware of unguarded talk". Understandably, Kennedy is moved to act the way he does out of frustrations, the pain of seeming ungratefulness demonstrated by the NPPs attitudinal posture of Monkey de work baboon de chop and their congenitally side-lining of the very persons whose core roles played brought them to power.

No sensible person in NPP or in Ghana can deny before God and man that Hon. Kennedy Agyapongs role played before and during Election 2016 helped to bring NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo to power. I can vouch for his role as being the cardinal financial and strategic pivot on which the success of NPP in Election 2016 revolved.

Anyone is entitled to their opinion. Individuals can choose to accept or refute this gospel proclamation by me; however, it is an inalienable truth established in inedible mark.

Why should he now be seen as an enemy within? Why is he forced to go public every now and then attempting to wash the NPPs dirty linen in public, if indeed they have any? Is there anyone within NPP caring enough to listen to his concerns and address them accordingly, or the party is now in power after many years of struggle so to hell with him and whatever he represents? Should this be the view of NPP, then I am afraid, we are being insanely myopic.

Have we forgotten that no condition is permanent and that we are advised against biting the hand that feeds you? Hon. Kennedy Agyapong like any patriotic man or woman of integrity is judiciously guiding against NPP slipping into the same corruption that engulfed NDC hence culminating in their disgraceful exit from power on Wednesday, 7 December 2016. This is what has pushed him into loquaciousness; repeatedly warning those NPP well-placed officials intending to have long arms that can reach into obscure places, or evil minds that have the potency to cost NPP future political victories.

Little minds comments on online publications slandering Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, do accuse him of greediness, selfishness and short-sightedness. Most of them think he has gone berserk because he is not being given contract(s) as businessman by the NPP government. I do not want to comment about their displayed ignorance that does not augur well for the future of the party.

Who in NPP sponsored the campaign of the party during Election 2016 more than him? Could NPP have won the election so massively without the selfless assistance of people like him? No!!!

I shall advise him to moderate his political pronouncements. This does not mean he should cease being the champion fighting against politicians and people in higher positions who are embezzling state funds and assets.

When NPP was in opposition, we did not see people affiliated with NPP opening firms to charge exorbitant fees to write risk assessments for those who approached them upon the presentation of which risk assessments to the Chief of Staff guaranteed them government contracts. Now, it is rumoured to be the contrary under the august presidency of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Why are dubious persons rather outwardly presenting themselves as saints only to sabotage the old man who is young in mind, dynamic and dedicated to working to free Ghana from her endemic poverty brought about by our corrupt politicians and leaders who see politics as an arena for acquiring illegal riches within a twinkle of an eye?

Kennedy, take it cool but I am with you always as long as Ghanaian politicians have that deplorable tendency to be corrupt. They think corruption dates as far back as our biblical forebear Adam hence it is sanctimoniously permissible to be corrupt. Nonsense!

Who in Ghanas parliament since year 2000 has achieved more for Ghana than Hon. Kennedy Agyapong? Had it not been him, we would never know about Alfred Agbesi Woyomes swindling of Ghana to the tune of over GHS51 million. Had it not been him, Ibrahim Mahama, former President John Dramani Mahamas younger sibling would have continued to clear his imported goods from Ghana ports free by continually issuing dud cheques in payment of import duties. Had it not been him, NDC would have surely rigged election 2016 in their favour to continue to rule Ghana.

What is more painful than to lose your parents or close family members? Kennedy, you have been able to cope with the loss of your father and mum. Assume that whatever money you spent on NPP is money that dropped out of your pocket without you noticing. For how long will you brood over the pain of losing such money? Let it go.

Discerning people are learning hard and bitter lessons from the disguised mistreatment of Hon. Kennedy Agyapong at the hands of the apparently ungrateful NPP. As NDC rewarded people for being liars, thieves etc., NPP are rewarding their unique financier with a slap in the face. This is my observation.

Let me end here to retire into bed as sleepy as I feel. Just as I was about to end my write-up, my former Tweneboa Kodua Secondary School classmate Mr Yaw Poulous, alias skin-tight dresser, phoned up to hold informative conversation on Ghana having an address-network with me. He has requested me to publish an article about it and I shall at the opportune time.

A word to the wise is sufficient.

Rockson Adofo
Railway transportation is one of the fastest and more economical mode of transportation over long distances within a country and even among neighbouring countries. It aids in improving the economy through trade and creating mobility between different geographical locations.

Ghanas railway system was very vibrant during the years before it gained independence in the 1950s, however, the railway sector was not given much attention by subsequent administrations which nearly led to its collapse. Russia has solidified its leadership position in railway and most importantly its underground railway transportation which has benefitted the citizens in the country.

Anybody who has been to Moscow wouldnt downplay the ingenuity and architectural expertise of the Russian engineers. It is no wonder I concur to the governments signing the memorandum of understanding with Geo Services in Russia. Investment in the railway sector strengthens the economy, improves market accessibility and productivity and invariably creates enormous opportunities for employment.

A number of foreign countries that work in African nations normally do little to ensure skills transfer from the foreigners to the locals. A majority of companies bring along their own labour force to complete projects, leaving the country forever dependent on them to maintain the work and incapable of doing such work in the future.

What we do not want to do is to bring people from Russia to work here. This University is going to help us transfer the technology as fast as possible for Ghanaians to build and operate their own railways efficiently, said The Chief Executive Officer of Geo Service, Sergey Kamnev.

In the case of Russia they seek to empower and work collaboratively with the local people to work on projects which gives them what I say a sense of belongingness that people will take ownership because they are involved.

I will expatiate on the pertinent issue that really confront Ghana that is the maintenance culture. I discuss this culture as one that is ingrained in our minds that we dont care about maintaining the assets of the state but we cherish only our individual property paying little attention to the state-owned properties. This has also been the problem that confronts the railway sector. However, governments have been trying their best to restore the former glory of this sector and this has led to the creation of a separate body to oversee the development of railway industry.

The railway when maintained very well will contribute significantly to the growth of the Ghanaian economy. I believe that the Ghanaian engineers can tap a lot of additional knowledge and skills from the Russian experts who will be working on the railway system.

The Author Is A Masters Student

National University Of Science

And Technology MISISRussia
Jones has investment in the agricultural sector but he struggles to cultivate an acre of land let alone venture into a mechanized agriculture that require the use of sophisticated equipment to use on his farm. He hopes to expand his farm. He does not know how to find quality and affordable farm machinery to be able to enlarge his farm and subsequently increase his productivity.

This is what start-up entrepreneurs go through day-in and day-out and it gives them sleepless night to acquire the best technological solution to use.

Enlarging his farm will also mean that he is going to employ more people that will create employment in Ghana as well as increase the GDP of the economy. Its important that raising productivity in agriculture helps in the development of the economy.

Russia has a state-of the art technological innovations in agriculture and has seen a major breakthrough in this area. If Ghana is to be on the trajectory of growth, it has to pay attention to strengthening its agricultural sector through technological evaluation and the best bet is Russian technology in agriculture like combine harvesters, anchor drill seeding machinery, cultivators etc.

The agricultural sector is fundamental to the growth of Ghanas economy and it has a pivotal role to play in enhancing growth and the reduction of poverty. This requires a collaboration between organisations, private enterprises and the government to streamline activities to improve the agrarian economy.

This sector, unarguably, employs more than 50 percent of the population; it therefore requires a lot of effort to boost productivity in this area. But productivity in the agriculture sector of Ghanas economy needs a facelift in technology to be able to compete favourably on the world stage.

Russia has become a supplier of high-valued technologies and products in agriculture that improves productivity and serves as a bedrock for transformative growth and with the development of the Internet these options are available for any customer in Ghana. Online trading has no borders and platforms like B2B-Export.com gives a farmer long-desired opportunity to expand their business and source the technologies and equipment they need to give it a boost in a few clicks, without a risk of being deceived.

The Author Is A Masters Student

National University Of Science

And Technology MISISRussia
04.09.2017 LISTEN

The Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana (DYMOG) in an official statement released on Monday stated that, it stands in firm solidarity with the 2015/2016 level 300 students who have completed but have not graduated over a year now.

The Group through the release also called on its members Nationwide to partake in the planned demonstration by the Polytechnic/Technical University Students slated for Tuesday 5th September, 2017.

DYMOG judges the ordeal of the students as an act of injustice by Government hence their reason for coming out to support the planned demonstration.

Below is the full statement.

STATEMENT OF THE DYNAMIC YOUTH MOVEMENT OF GHANA (DYMOG) ON THE PLANNED DEMONSTRATION BY THE POLYTECHNIC/TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON TUESDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2017.

The Leadership and entire membership of the Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana (DYMOG), wishes to make public our decision to declare our unflinching support to the innocent but victimizedPolytechnic/ Technical University Students.

This firm decision stems from the unfair treatment being meted out to a section of the Ghanaian Youth as a result of Government failure to constitute the Governing Councils of these Tertiary Institutions. The absence of these Councils is making it impossible for the 2015/2016 completed Students to graduate and have their certificates, over one year of completing school.

Fellow Ghanaians, it is highly unthinkable that in a dispensation where Youth unemployment is skyrocketing, it is enormously shocking that, Government is propounding the canker that is fast depleting the hope of the Ghanaian Youth.

Already, a vast majority of graduates with certificates are still wallowing in unemployment and economic hardship. Furthermore, economic conditions are not conducive enough to support startups, and existing businesses are struggling to survive. After Government sadly registering its inability to create jobs for the unemployed Youth of our Nation, the least it can do is to give these graduates their certificates so they can look for jobs on their own.

With eight months in office, what prevents Government from constituting the Governing Councils of the various Polytechnics/Technical Universities? This occurrence is administratively bizarre and exposes Governments insensitivity to the plights of the Ghanaian Youth. This is gross injustice.

The consequences of Governments inability to give the students their certificates are heart breaking. Aside their inability to seek jobs, they cannot also further their education. Worse of all, the 2016/2017-year group are also few months away from completing their three year studies. Does this frustrating and suffocating fate await them too?

DYMOG by this statement is calling on all its members Nationwide and the teeming Youth of Ghana to come out in their numbers and join this demonstration.

DYMOG also wants to assure the innocent but victimized students that, we are solidly behind them and we shall unrelentingly stand with them until justice is served in this matter.

Thank you.

Edward Tuttor

Convener for DYMOG

Mobile: 0243402814

E-mail: [email protected]

Issued: Monday, 4th September, 2017.

Accra, Ghana.
Residents of East Legon, Adjirngano, and adjoining communities in the Greater Accra Region are demanding police protection following attacks by armed thugs  popularly called Land Guards  contracted to terrorise one or several owners of disputed lands.

The residents say they are living in fear and have asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu, to heighten security in the area.

The troubled residents tell Joy News the Land Guards are harassing and forcing them out of their properties.

President of the Pekan Enclave East Legon Residents Association, Captain Budu Koomson (Rtd), said the Land Guards have on many occasions subjected care takers of some of the properties to severe physical assault.

He said sometimes, these armed thugs fire gunshots sporadically, scaring children, innocent families, and the entire community.

Unfortunately, the majority of residents believe that the East Legon District Police Commander, who is known to residents only as DSP Anokye, has done very little, if not condoning and conniving with the illegal activities of the [Land Guards].

We are appealing to the Inspector General of Police to intervene in this matter to save the lives of innocent children, vulnerable individuals and properties, Captain Budu Koomson (Rtd) said at a press conference over the weekend.

Joy News has not been able to get a response from the Police Commander for the area.

Terror activities of the so called Land Guards have persisted in developing areas in the capital city despite attempts by security agencies to end them.

Read: Mr. President, for heavens sake clamp down on land guards!

Related: Police hunt for land guards who manhandled officer at Ojobi

Related: Oshiyie residents flee town over renewed chieftaincy clashes; One dead

Activities of these Land Guards have resulted in bitter conflicts, loss of lives and property, chaos and remain a security threat in many communities.

Recently, Land Guards burnt down a Church at Okpoi Gonno on the Spintex Road in Accra.

The thugs stormed the Believers House Worship International wielding guns and other dangerous weapons and set the building ablaze, witnesses said.

No arrests have been made.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Research by the Ghana Agricultural Producers and Traders Organization (GAPTO) in two markets in Accra and Kumasi, has revealed that Ghana imported about $120 million worth of onions in 2010 and 2011, although Ghana grows onions.

In 2012, Ghana News Agency reported that Ghana loses $5 million annually from the importation of onions.

A visit by citifmonline.com to the onion market in Agbogbloshie revealed that, Ghanaians prefer imported onions, especially onions from Niger as compared to the locally grown ones.

Mubarak Yakubu, who has been selling onions for the past five years in an interview said honestly, in Ghana we dont have onions like that [the foreign ones]. Our onions are not as good as the Niger ones so Ghanaians prefer Niger onions.

The Vice Chairman of the Greater Accra Onion Importers and Sellers Association, said Most people like onion from Niger because its different. Its very sweet, yellowish in color. Its very big and we buy it with foreign currency.

According to Yakubu, an increase or decrease in the prices of the onions depends on their encounter with the police and how long it takes the onions to arrive in Ghana.

The way you bought it over there when you come hear and it is spoilt, you will definitely reduce it, he said.

He also added that the price that you bought it over there, before you come the police will also take something from you so you have to add it to it. That makes the price sometimes go higher.

Yakubu admonished that to reduce the importation of onions, we as a people should have more plantations, learn how the Nigeriens do it and implement it in Ghana so as to also help reduce the high cost of onions.



By: Roberta Edem Abbeyquaye/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Free SHS is about to begin this September and we all pray it starts successfully. That notwithstanding, there are few issues we must discuss dispassionately to scrutinize to unearth some of the possible hitches the system may encounter. Undoubtedly, the last administration implemented certain prudent policies in the education sector with the introduction of a number of new policies, building of new schools, renovation of dilapidated buildings, supply of free text books, special training for our teachers, support for the "girl-child", supply of laptops, building of libraries etc. Government has still not furnished Ghanaians with a deliberate system of principles which are going to guide decisions. We've not been told how the programme is going to be funded, welfare policy for the teachers and other relevant facts about the programme. What we must know is that many good things can become bad and destructive.

I am happy some renowned educationists have started asking questions and offering technical advise. We cannot afford to allow the free SHS programme go wrong and become a hindrance to development. The issue demands dispassionate attention and and vigilance, the productivity of the policy must critically be evaluated. We must know how much of our taxes will go into funding the programme and where alternative funding would be generated from.

We must look at the capacity of our tertiary institutions to accommodate graduates from our secondary schools. Already, huge percentage of our younger population, irrespective of their meritorious performance in the BECE exams fail to secure a university place and already the unemployment "danger" bell is ringing across the country. This is because the products of education are becoming a burden to the country through unemployment. We must avoid the situation where the politicians will start blaming teachers for problems their reckless and unplanned programmes may bring.

Teachers' welfare issues must also be considered seriously to avoid a situation where our teachers will start saying goodbye due to inappropriate job prospects or reasonable standard of living. If we don't handle issues about our teachers well, we shall surely see them cry for help in the media, on our political platforms and may end up on our streets with their placards. If we do not bury our partisan positions and start seeking for the relevant answers our education may end up in shambles and will only groom more passive citizens. The end result would be continuation of the old phenomenon.

The state universities will become a national burden with little productivity. Politicisation of our education and lack of funding can inflict fatal injury to our education. The issue lack of standard will surely come to light and will show in the conduct of exams and may follow in the universities if no act is taken.

We must prevent reoccurrence of what happened to the Getfund and other statutory funds in the past where government will divert funds for the programme into other areas as a result of poor returns from implementation of white elephant projects such as monkey sanctuary, massive public toilets combined with steadily increasing government burden on loan repayments.

If we hastily implement the programme, government will have no option but to spend less and less on modernisation of education, its upliftment and training of teachers. Few details the government has announced suggest that it will squeeze on spending which may automatically affect student facilities and teachers welfare and in the end, make life unpleasant for the students and school authorities. We must look beyond the political jargons so that we don't end up producing student population who are insecure of their future, less focused, politicised and violent.

It should not become a throttle instituted by politicians against the nation. Corruption tag and issues about education have become potent political message and weapon but discerning citizens must openly denounce political parties that are not wholeheartedly committed to promote education. This government's commitment is limited to some words its posture and activities do not suggest genuine interest in enhancing education and indeed, a political party without a strong and leading policy on its own SHS programme has nothing much to offer this nation.
The leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey, is the latest to add his voice to calls on the government to revive the inactive Komenda Sugar Factory.

The GCPP 2016 flag bearer, who is also an exporter of food crops and other products, has had to abandon his 100,000-acre sugarcane farm he started earlier this year near Komenda.

In an interview with Citi News at Cape Coast, he expressed his disappointment in the abandoned project which cost tens of thousands of Ghana Cedis meant to create jobs and to supply the factory with raw materials.

He revealed that he was happy when the New Patriotic Party won the 2016 elections through its 'Planting for Food' and industrialization messages, saying, I was suspecting that everything (about the factory) will go on, but then I realized that the factory had started backtracking.

Dr. Henry Lartey further intimated, I couldn't see anything moving on. Meanwhile, I had put my money into growing the sugarcane to supply the factory; I had cleared the land and done everything, but as I spoke to the Managing Director, I realized that the seed money was not even there to buy the sugarcane. They were waiting for the current government to push it through, so it got a point I did not like to continue it and when I finish, the factory would not be there.

A Citi News report, last week ago revealed that sugarcane farmers in the Central and Western Regions are now selling their cane to 'akpeteshie' distillers because the factory has been inactive since last year.

The 2016 flagbearer lamented he sadly disappointed his partners in Nigeria and Germany whom he had assured he could supply sugar and molasses from the factory.

He urged the current government to do all it can to revive the factory.

The 'One District-One Factory' is a huge policy that has won many people over. I like it, and it is important for this government to use the Komenda Sugar Factory to enhance the policy, so people will not say they came in and because they did not build it they let it die. I would advise them to go on with it because we all want Ghana to work, and people have to get work to get money. It (the factory) should not die, Dr Lartey appealed.



By: Joseph Ackon-Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
04.09.2017 LISTEN

This paper discusses the role, functions and activities of human rights actors who are involved in the battle to defend, protect, and promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The paper further discusses the United Nations human rights regime, and how the formation of the political project and the setting of standards have worked in practice in respect of the human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

It is worthy of note that a rich body of extant human rights literature attributes the emergence of the United Nations human rights regime to the past uncontrolled human rights abuses ( Waltz, 2001; Kabasakal, 2006 ).

And following a concerted consensus in 1945, the United Nations adopted its Charter (UN 1945). The Charter stresses that the principal purpose of the United Nations is to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights (UN 1945).

What is more, Article 1 of the Charter stresses that one of the objectives of the United Nations is to achieve international consensus in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion (UN 1945).

Article 7 of the Charter delineates the initial Charter-based bodies as: a General Assembly, a Security Council, an Economic and Social Council, a Trusteeship Council, an International Court of Justice and a Secretariat.

Article 7.2 of the Charter proposes subsidiary organs. Whereas Article 68 of the Charter empowers the Economic and Social Council to set up commissions in economic and social terrains and for the promotion of human rights and such other commissions as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.

Consequently, the United Nations Human Rights Commission, hereafter, the Human Rights Council, was established in 1946 to undertake the tasks encapsulated in Article 68 of the Charter.

Besides, in its attempt to promote and encourage the universality of human rights, the United Nations General Assembly tasked the Human Rights Commission to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948 (Un 1948).

In furtherance of the human rights project, the United Nations adopted simultaneously, two very important human rights covenants, namely, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 1966.

Although, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not a legal binding document, it forms part of the International Bill of Rights. The International Bill of Rights is an amalgamation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Waltz 2001).

The fact that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights acknowledges that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and more so when such rights are interdependent, interrelated, universal and indivisible, one would expect universal coverage of human rights.

Nonetheless, it does not appear to be the case. For instance, the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are somehow non-existent in most countries (UN 2011).

Ironically, though, the legal obligations of States to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are already detailed in international human rights law, which have been articulated severally in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally agreed human rights treaties (UN 2012).

What is more, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is candid on the universality, interdependence, interrelatedness and indivisibility of human rights (UN 1966).

For instance, Articles 2.1 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights stress on universal coverage without discrimination. And, Article 17.1 emphasises that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home, or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation. Whereas Article 17.2 stresses that everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks (UN 1966).

It is also worthy of mention that all members of the human family are protected by the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UN 1984).

But despite the enactment of all these pragmatic provisions, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are more often than not face discrimination and violations in most countries.

Under normal circumstances, once a human rights treaty is ratified by a state, it becomes legally binding on the said state (Neumayer 2005; Cole 2009).

Yet meta-analysis suggests that some States Parties often do not comply with the treaty obligations following ratification (Hathaway 2002, 2007; Hafner-Burton and Tsutsui 2005, 2007).

Thus, domestic and transnational organisations such as Association for the Prevention against Torture and ARC International routinely exert pressure on states parties to honour their legal obligations (Mertus 2007).

It also goes without saying that the ambiguities in the human rights regime allow the critics to tag the regime as window dressing (Hafner-Burton and Tsutsui 2005).

It is against such backdrop that some advocacy groups have taken it upon themselves to highlight the need to defend, protect and promote the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, whose rights are not being addressed by society (Mertus 2007).

Take, for example, various advocacy groups such as the ARC International and the Association for the Prevention of Torture are involved in the battle to defend, protect, and promote the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and those who face all forms of torture in their endeavours.

Interestingly, Mertus (2007) asserts that before 1993, the idea of "sexual rights was non-existent in international documents. Mertus postulates that apart from the provisions prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sex, the concepts of sexuality and sex practices were utterly absent. Mertus stresses that as a result of strenuous endeavours of a vociferous and well organized coalition of women's rights advocates, phraseologies of sexuality were included in the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Mertus, however, observes that despite the inclusion of sexuality in the 1993 Vienna Declaration and the Programme of Action, the idea of a right to sexuality was incorporated only in a negative sense, as in recognition of women's right to be free from sexual violence.

Mertus stresses further that it was not until the International Conference on Production and Development in 1994 that sexuality would "begin to sneak into international documents as something positive rather than always violent, abusive, or sanctified and hidden by heterosexual marriage and childbearing."

The ARC International, founded in 2003, for instance, has been advancing the recognition of human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the international level (ARC 2014).

What is more, ARC seeks to promote clear presence of international norms and mobilises international and domestic pressure when governments refuse to abide by the international norms and practices.

Again, ARC has set up worldwide networks to ensuring that groups and individuals working on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues are not alone.

It would, however, appear that the advocacy works by ARC and its allies are yielding results and have resulted in the generation of political project.

For example, in 2003, Brazil presented a statement to the UN Commission on Human Rights, hereafter, Human Rights Council, to endorse rights based on sexual orientation (UN 2011).

However, due to fierce opposition from other members of United Nations, the deferred statement was removed from the Human Rights Commissions agenda.

Nevertheless, an important development arose in 2005 when New Zealand made a statement in favour of sexual orientation and human rights, which was subsequently supported by thirty two States from four of the five UN regions (UN 2011).

What is more, in 2006, a committee of human rights experts came up with the Yogyakarta Principles, which stress on the application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Yogyakarta 2006).

Moreover, in 2006, joint statements were delivered by Norway on behalf of 54 States (UN 2011). And, in 2011, joint statements were delivered by Colombia on behalf of eighty five States (UN 2012).

The breakthrough however came on June 2011, when South Africa delivered a statement, resulting in HRC/RES/17/19, adopted by a recorded vote of twenty three to nineteen, with three abstentions (UN 2011).

Interestingly, the statement delivered by South Africa resulted in first United Nations resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity. The resolution sought to register grave concern at violence and discrimination against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

More importantly, the adoption of the resolution prepared the grounds for the first official United Nations report on the issue produced by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The reports findings formed the basis of panel discussion that took place at the Council in March 2012, the first time a United Nations intergovernmental body had held a formal debate on the subject (UN 2012).

Thus, it is not surprising that in recent years, many States have made a determined effort to fortifying human rights protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, according to the United Nations 2012 report.

The report stresses that a cornucopia of new laws have been adopted  including laws banning discrimination, penalizing homophobic hate crimes, granting recognition of same-sex relationships, and making it easier for transgender people to secure official documents that represent their preferred gender (UN 2012).

In conclusion, in as much as the sceptics have their right in speaking against homosexuality, I would like to believe that the homosexuals also have their inalienable rights under the international law.

K. Badu, UK.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

Even a first Grader knows whats wrong with DVLA. The authority is suffering from credibility crisis. But its leadership says otherwise.

Can the public trust the organisation to deliver following its soul revival mission in Sogakope?

Is it true that DVLA has turned a new leaf?

Gordon Offin-Amaniampong writes

On Friday 25 August, 2017 DVLA, the licensing authority in Ghana left Accra for Sogakope in the Volta Region to look critically into its (destiny) track record. Is it good or is it bad?

Kwasi Agyeman Busia the Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority says the time has come to efficiently work together to meet the satisfaction of clients where services would be delivered to them on time.

Corruption and unnecessary delays, which the Authority is known for, is gradually giving way to optimised service delivery towards building a respectable public institution of trust, he gave the assurance.

Mr. Busia said this at a four-day strategic review conference in Sogakope on the theme, Accelerating Growth through People, Processes and Technology.

The DVLA Boss said the Authority was rebranding its image and activities to meet the growing expectation of the public, stressing that the intention of DVLA was to reposition itself and uplift its public image by resealing leakages and protecting the security of its operations to the admiration of the public.

Indeed one government institution that was or is seen as most corrupt in Ghana is DVLA. The organisation over a decade had gained the reputation for, cut corners, shady deals, delays, fake IDs etc. In fact there came a time that the general public didnt want to hear the nameDVLA. Simply there was nothing good about it anymore as itd lost its moral standing.

The authority had not only lost the goodwill but itd also lost the good faith Ghanaians had hitherto reposed in them. Trust was gone and respect had waned too. Too much rot was going on and it seemed they were too slow to act. What was left perhaps was nothing less than shame and low esteem.

Evidently, DVLA ceased to be the authority that could take care of its clientele. It also ceased to project itself as a reputable organisation that could put its house in order or curb corruption. Thus each passing day she saw her image sorely sinking.

In the past it seemed all attempts to redeem its image had failed. And they failed because the authority had probably only chosen to white-wash the tomb rather than overhaul the system. I dont know now, but DVLA had staff whod been dealing with middle-men known as Goro Boys.

So it came as no surprise when it embarked on the journey to Sogakope one and half weeks ago ostensibly to rebuild its sunken image. And I think its a step in the right direction and I commend the management and staff for doing so.

In 2015 then former chief executive and others were cited in a huge scandal believed to be the biggest in the organisations history. Dr. Justice Megaship the CEO had signed a contract sum of US$3.6 million with a US company Foto-X. The original contract which was signed between the two in 2006 was to procure project vehicles, train DVLA staff and refurbish all DVLA offices in the country ended in 2012.

Strangely, the price was shot up from US$3.6 million to $9.9million triggering public outcry. And even though the highly-publicised alleged scandal it turned out to be unfounded the authority is still struggling to redeem its sunken image.

Shake-up

As things appeared murkier almost by the day the need to downsize DVLAs workforce became imperative. Around May this year, 2017 there was summary dismissal of more than 100 its workers. The affected employees most of them administrative staff was employed within September 2016 by the former management under the Mahama administration.

It must be pointed out that government had underscored its intension to devise a mechanism that would flush out middle men who sometimes issue fake licenses at the various DVLA centres across the country. And Im inclined to believe that if the exercise is carried through it will go a long way to the authoritys rebranding project.

He said the Authority is rebranding its image and activities to meet the growing expectation of the public. The Chief Executive said it is the intention of DVLA to reposition itself and uplift its public image by resealing leakages and protecting the security of its operations to the admiration of the public.

During his presentation on the strategic vision of the Authority Mr. Busia disclosed that DVLA had plans to construct new offices in Weija and Oda and a move to collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency to implement emission system at all private vehicle testing stations to check smoke emission. According to him the Authority is also strategising its activities to wean itself off government subvention. He therefore called for support from the staff to work hard to meet its expectation.

The Board Chairman, Mr. Frank Davies said, the Board has confidence in the Chief Executive and management and is optimistic that with the support of the staff they would put the Authority on a higher foundation.

Mr. Davis alluded that it was unfortunate, the name of the Authority had been in the news for some unacceptable reasons, ranging from customer frustrations to clients being offered unauthorized services by unauthorized persons. Such phenomenon, he believed, dents the image and integrity of the Authority and also leads to massive revenue losses.

He said: Theres the dawn of a new DVLA thats responsive to customer needs and satisfaction has come and urged the staff to collaborate in the discharge of their work.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samuel Lodonu, the Volta Regional Manager of the Authority, said it is time the Authority reviewed some of its processes, which appear bureaucratic and allowed goro boys to operate. According to him, it is time the Authority switched to full automation to aid and facilitate secure, reliable and real time service delivery to its cherished clients.

"I think this is the opportune time for the Authority to take a second look at some of its processes since it is obvious that some of the requirement and procedures for some of the activities push our prospective clients to the goro boys when the clients become frustrated," he said.

So theyre back from Sogakope with their boots perhaps full of pride amid optimism. They say action speaks louder than words. Would DVLA live up to expectation? Would it from now on support its words with action? Would the workers demonstrate integrity and loyalty to the general public (its customers)? And would they communicate honestly to the public without peddling falsehoods?
The Chiefs and people of Obilieman in the Ga West Municipality have celebrated their annual Homowo in a grand style to portray the unique culture of the people.

The Homowo Festival, which means hooting at hunger, is celebrated by the Ga-Dangmes in Greater Accra.

The festival which means hooting at hunger was characterised by several activities such as the pouring of libation by the traditional authorities and the sprinkling of their traditional food; Kpokpoi amidst gunshots, singing and drumming.

They were inspired by the famine to embark on massive food production exercises which eventually yielded them bumper harvests.

Their hunger ended and with great joy, they hooted at hunger.

Many households at Obilieman spent the day busily preparing kpokpoi and palm soup for the festivities.

Speaking to the media after the sprinkling of Kpokpoi, the Chief of Obilieman, Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka I who doubles as the Acting Paramount Chief of Abola Piam We, called on indigenes of the Ga State to come together to help sustain development in the region.

He said chieftaincy disputes have been the nuisance of the Ga State development and is now time for dialogue for the progress of the various Ga Communities.

Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka I also expressed concern over various land litigations which have engulfed the region with chiefs fighting each other.

He said there is the need for the Ga Dangme people to bury their differences and forge ahead in unity to uplift their image of the region.

Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka I also encouraged the youth to take their education seriously and urged them to guard against social vices.
Xiamen (China) (AFP) - Leaders of the BRICS grouping of emerging economies said Monday they "strongly deplore" North Korea's latest nuclear test and hydrogen-bomb claim, which has overshadowed the five-nation group's annual summit.

Their joint statement from the summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen added to world condemnation of North Korea, which announced Sunday it had detonated a powerful hydrogen bomb that it claims can fit on a long-range missile.

"We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK," BRICS leaders said, using the initials of North Korea's official name.

BRICS is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and summit host China -- North Korea's longtime patron.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula," said the declaration.

It added that BRICS collectively believe the issue "should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned".

The North Korean move dramatically raised the stakes in its standoff with the world and upstaged the BRICS summit, which Chinese President Xi Jinping opened earlier Monday and had hoped would spotlight Beijing's claims to developing-world leadership.

The nuclear test was a slap in the face for Beijing, and China's foreign ministry condemned it hours after it took place. The ministry added on Monday that it had "launched stern representations" with North Korea's embassy in China.

The summit includes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and South Africa's Jacob Zuma.

Economic factfile on the BRICS group - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Pyongyang's actions marked the second time this year that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un timed the use of his banned weapons programmes apparently to steal Xi's thunder on the world stage.

In May, Pyongyang conducted a missile test that embarrassed Xi just as he was hosting a large international summit on trade.

Some analysts believe such provocations may be aimed at pressuring China to in turn push Washington to engage directly with Pyongyang.

The nuclear test and H-bomb claim could throw into sharper relief the divisions over how to deal with Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump, who has previously threatened to rain "fire and fury" on North Korea if it endangers America by raising the nuclear stakes, denounced the test as "very hostile and dangerous" and left open the possibility of a military response.

Russia and China, however, have pressed for a diplomatic solution.

Putin condemned the nuclear test, North Korea's sixth and most powerful, in a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to the Kremlin, but called for diplomacy.

Both Xi and Putin are due to hold press conferences on Tuesday in Xiamen.

Family feud

BRICS was already struggling to paper over doubts about its own cohesion that have spiked as nuclear-armed China and India engaged in a protracted standoff over a disputed Himalayan region.

They backed off last week -- perhaps to avoid ruining the summit -- but the issue remains a source of tension.

BRICS nations comprise more than 40 percent of humanity. The grouping came together a decade ago to advocate for the developing world's interests.

Pyongyang's actions marked the second time this year that unpredictable North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un timed use of his banned weapons programmes apparently to steal Xi's thunder on the world stage

But policy analysts have increasingly questioned its usefulness, pointing out that its members have little in common and are too distracted by economic challenges of their own to achieve much as a group.

China's economic expansion is slowing while India seems on the rise.

Slumping commodity prices have hit hard the economies of exporters Russia, Brazil and South Africa, while Temer and Zuma face political turmoil at home.

Many economists view BRICS achievements to date as low-hanging fruit that take the bloc little closer to its goal of re-aligning the global economic and governance system.

Little of consequence is expected from the summit.
President Akufo-Addo recently returned from a 3-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea.

The visit according to official government communication was to deepen the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries and explore possible areas of cooperation.

Akufo-Addo, while in the Central African country signed a government-to-government Heads of State Agreement with Equatorial Guinean government for the supply of LNG from Equatorial Guinea to Ghana.

Ghana, has since the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings maintained a good trade relationship with the oil-rich country and its long-serving leader, President Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Other Presidents including the late John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta-Mills, John Mahama and recently Nana Akufo-Addo have all visited that country and signed various trade agreements for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Consistent and common in all of such agreements have been cooperation in the area of oil and gas .

Ghana in the 1990s signed a memorandum of understanding with Equatorial Guinea under which Ghana was to benefit from a crude oil deal and economic cooperation. This led to a visit to a visit by President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to Ghana in 1997 and a reciprocal one by then President, Jerry Rawlings in 1998.

Ghana and Equatorial Guinea created a Permanent Joint Cooperation Agreement under which Equatorial Guinea agreed to supply Ghana with crude oil for processing and re-export.

A government delegation led by Dr Kwesi Nduom, former Energy Minister, also visited Equatorial Guinea in 2004 and signed agreements in the areas of energy and trade that was to see the two countries strengthening trade in that area.

The sitting President at the time, John Agyekum Kufuor was therefore in October 2007, invited for a one-day visit to Equatorial Guinea to participate in the commissioning of that country's $1.5 billion Liquefied Natural Gas plant, EG LNG, also known as Punta Europa LNG.

Punta Europa LNG

Ghana had only a few months earlier discovered crude oil in commercial quantities west of Cape Three Points in the Western Region and was hopeful of producing gas to complement its already existing power infrastructure to address the country's energy shortfalls.

When John Evans Atta-Mills took over as President of Ghana in 2008, he held various meetings with his counterpart of Equatorial Guinea to talk about gas trade.

Former President John Mahama and Eq. Guineas Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

The result of one of such meetings was an agreement for two million barrels of crude oil to be delivered to the Tema Oil Refinery.

At the time, Ghana together with two other African countries; Benin and Togo had reinitiated talks with Nigeria to import gas from the Nigeria Gas Company's Itoki Natural Gas Export Terminal through a 678km gas pipeline.

The gas was to be supplied for use of the Takoradi Power Station at Aboadze , the Takoradi International Company (TICO) and the Asogli Gas plant .

Between 2005 and 2009 when the construction of the West African Gas Pipeline started and when gas eventually ran through the pipe, Ghana had held advanced talks with Equatorial Guinea on related subjects of gas importation to augment its energy deficit.

The country's power situation had become dire and it was quite obvious the nation could not rely on the supply from Nigeria due to the many various challenges and excuses including the murder of one of the project contractors, moisture in the pipeline, leakages detected on the pipeline , striking workers and state saboteurs in Nigeria.

In August 2012 for instance, Ghana, Togo and Benin did not receive gas supply from Nigeria for close to a year due to severe damage caused to the pipeline by pirates.

Ghana's indebtedness to the company also resulted in the cut of supply.

By this time, there were clearer signs that Equatorial Guinea would offer a more appreciable service to Ghana compared to Nigeria.

The close relationship probably explains the invitation of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to John's Mahama's inauguration as President in 2013 as well as Akufo-Addo's in January 2017.

Few months after his inauguration while in Equatorial Guinea for the Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, President John Dramani Mahama led a team of officers of the Ghana National Gas Company to visit the Punta Europa Gas Complex to familiarize himself with their operations.

President Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo with former Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur

Ghana had only two years earlier incorporated Ghana Gas with the mandate to gather, process, transport and market all of its natural gas resources.

Again, the country was making frantic efforts to develop various mechanisms to produce gas from the Jubilee fields and feed it to its gas-powered plants.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was one of the high-profile foreign dignitaries invited to the inauguration of President Akufo-Addo in January 2017.

The new government had also taken a keen interest in Guinea's natural gas industry and decided to go into a landmark agreement with it to address the country's energy problems.

President Akufo-Addo recently signed that agreement that will see Ghana taking advantage of the excess gas supply in Equatorial Guinea.

Under the agreement, Equatorial Guinea would supply LNG to Ghana for a period of 15 years, with the deal reviewable every five years to meet the country's its ever growing demand on power.

As part of the deal, an LNG regasification terminal will be built in Takoradi.

Ghana will receive gas supply of about 150 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to Ghana.

This is 30 million cubic feet less than what Nigeria was originally to supply the country.

The quantity, according to experts is enough to supply about 800 megawatts of power.

With the deal being signed and both leaders' commitment, Ghana may be putting the final nail to the coffin that will see it wean itself from gas supply from Nigeria Gas, an intention the former petroleum minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah made public in August 2016.

The ever-recurring hiccups in the supply of gas from Nigeria to Ghana for power generation have become too many and making the Ghana incur more costs than expected.

Meanwhile, Ghana is saddled with many other power agreements including those on LNGs signed by successive governments.

The Mahama government, for instance, agreed with General Electric to undertake a five-year, $1bn 'Ghana 1000' project aims to boost the nation's power generation capacity by 50 per cent from its current installed capacity of 2 GW.

At the heart of the project was to be a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired power plant coupled with a floating LNG storage unit. It remains unclear the state of that agreement especially as the Mahama government is no longer in office.

Boakye Agyarko, Energy Minister

The current Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko upon the assumption of office said the previous government had signed dozens of power agreements which are currently being scrutinized for abrogation or revision.

That notwithstanding, President Nana Akufo-Addo has also cut the sod for the commencement of construction of the 400-Megawatt Bridge Power project, the world's largest LPG-fired power plant.

He said the $1 billion project aligned with government's vision of making Ghana self-sufficient in electricity for industrial and domestic use.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Geneva (AFP) - UN investigators on Monday accused Burundi's government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and urged the International Criminal Court to open a case "as soon as possible".

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said it had "reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed and continue to be committed in Burundi," pointing a finger at "the highest level of the state".

The three investigators, appointed by the Human Rights Council last September, described a "climate of fear" in the crisis-hit east African country.

The report detailed widespread and systematic abuses including extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, torture and sexual violence.

"We are struck by the scale and the brutality of the violations," commission president Fatsah Ouguergouz said in a statement.

Decrying impunity in Burundi and the "strong likelihood that the perpetrators of these crimes will remain unpunished," the investigators asked "the International Criminal Court to open an investigation ... as soon as possible".

If it wants to follow that advice, the ICC will indeed need to move quickly: last year, Burundi formally announced it was withdrawing from the court, with the move set to take effect on October 27.

After that date, the ICC can only open a case if asked to do by the Security Council.

President responsible?

Burundi was thrown into a political crisis in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term that his opponents said was unconstitutional.

He won elections in July that year which were boycotted by the opposition.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in clashes in the country, according to UN and NGO sources. More than 400,000 people have fled and dozens of opposition activists have been forced into exile.

In its report Monday, the Commission of Inquiry put blame for the likely crimes against humanity in Burundi at "the highest level of the state".

The perpetrators included members of Burundi's National Intelligence Service, including high-ranking officers, the national police, military officials and members of the ruling party's youth league, the Imbonerakure, investigators said.

Nkurunziza himself, surrounded by a close-knit circle of "generals", was behind "big decisions, including ones that led to serious human rights violations," it said.

Armed opposition groups were also responsible for rights violations in Burundi, the report said, noting that these abuses had been more difficult to document.

List of perpetrators

The UN investigators were never permitted to enter Burundi, forcing them to conduct their probe from neighbouring countries, where they interviewed more than 500 victims and witnesses.

They said they were drafting a confidential list of suspected perpetrators of crimes against humanity, along with detailed information about the acts they are accused of committing or ordering.

The UN is prepared to share the list with any competent judicial body capable of "conducting credible investigations", with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to justice, the report said.

Burundi suffered a civil war from 1993 until 2006 between majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, which claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.

The current unrest has also sparked fear of a wider crisis in Africa's volatile Great Lakes region, with the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda having been fuelled by similar ethnic tensions.
Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has described as 'scurrilous' and 'unwarranted' the allegations of corruption leveled against her by her colleague New Patriotic Party (NPP) member, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.

Mr. Agyapong, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, was alleged to have said that his colleague MP for Ablekuma Central and Minister of Communications, Ms Owusu-Ekuful, supervised a corruption-ridden process in the award of contract to produce National Identification cards by the National Identification Authority (NIA).

Presidential Directive

As a result, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo intervened, asking the Ghana Police Service to investigate the allegations.

However, the Assin Central MP, later stated that he never mentioned the communications minister as being corrupt neither did he make reference to the two deputy chiefs of staff at the presidency.

Ursula, as she is affectionately called, finally broke her silence last Friday when she said in a statement that I am constrained to respond to the unwarranted and scurrilous allegations leveled against me in my capacity as Minister of Communications.

These untruths have been widely and erroneously repeated in various media. I categorically refute the allegations of corruption made against me in relation to the award of the contract for the production of national identification cards by Mr Kennedy Agyapong.

Patently False

She pointed out, they are patently false and I challenge him to come forward with evidence that corroborates his outlandish allegations.

Giving a background to the case, Ursula said, Following a comprehensive review and report by the technical and legal committees established by H.E the Vice President in January 2017, the government determined that the agreement between the National Identification Authority (NIA) and Identity Management Systems (IMS) constituted a 'viable and effective' vehicle for the implementation of a modern, robust and reliable National Identification System (NIS) for Ghana. Subsequently, H.E the President formally directed the National Identification Authority to engage with IMS to ensure efficient roll-out of the NID.

Important Clarification

The falsehoods are clearly born out of ignorance so it is important to clarify that the NIA is not an agency under the ministry of communications; that is why the directive was signed by the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President. In accordance with the law of the land, the NIA's reporting line is directly to the Office of the President, she explained.

The minister said, Consequently, as the minister of communications, I did not and could not have awarded the contract for the NID, or indeed oversee the process, it would have been ultra vires.

She said that the ministry of communications, alongside other agencies of government, is however a key stakeholder in the national identification project, adding, Those others include Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Births and Deaths Registry, National Health Insurance Authority, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, amongst others.

We are thus actively in collaboration with the NIA and IMS to ensure the timely and efficient roll-out of the national ID cards in line with the government's agenda.

CID Probe

Madam Ursla Owusu-Ekufful said she welcomes the investigations by the CID, saying, Even though I am yet to be contacted, I will cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to ascertain the truth.

A strong message needs to be sent to those who deliberately disseminate disinformation. I look forward to a swift resolution of this matter.

Ken's Denial

Mr Kennedy Agyapong, in the heat of the debate, said last week that he did not mention the name of the communications minister and added that contrary to claims that he had been ostracized by the government, the president granted him audience for about three hours.

He, however, refused to explain his allegations that some people were demanding $20,000 from investors before they could have access to the president.

No New Contract

Over the weekend, the Executive Secretary of the NIA, Prof Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, waded into the matter, describing Mr. Agyapong's allegation as 'baseless' and 'untrue.'

The criminologist told Joy FM that there was no new NID contract awarded by the NPP government; it was rather an existing contract signed with IMS in 2012 during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration that was being activated.

In this instance, NIA has not signed a contract, neither has the Akufo-Addo presidency or government signed a contract with Margins or any company whatsoever. The NIA has not opened a bid for the National ID project. It has not received any bids or submissions from any person, entity or body whatsoever, he fumed, adding, Kennedy Agyapong has not submitted any bid to the NIA in respect of the National ID project.

Bid Evaluation

Prof Attafuah continued, NIA has not evaluated any bid from any quarters at all in connection with this matter. What the government has decided to do following the report of a technical committee established by the vice president to advice government on what to do about the NIA, is that government had determined that the existing contractual agreement between the NIA and Identity Management System, which is a subsidiary of the Margins Group of companies, for the production of ID cards to foreigners lawfully resident in this country, constitute a viable framework for giving to the people of Ghana a robust, modern national smart card and identification system.

Therefore the NIA should proceed with that arrangement which existed prior to the NPP coming into power.

A-Plus Invitation

In a related development, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has formally written to controversial musician and satirist, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly called Kwame A-Plus, recently to assist in investigating his claim that two deputy chiefs of staff were engaged in corruption.

President Akufo-Addo ordered the Financial Forensic Unit of the CID to look into the cases involving Samuel Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye.

A letter A-Plus displayed on social media which was signed by CID Director-General, COP Bright Oduro, asked the musician to report to the CID headquarters in Accra tomorrow to assist the police in the investigations.

By William Yaw Owusu
Dreams FC were crowned champions in Zone III of the Division One League on Sunday at home at the Dawu Park.

They drew 3-3 with Mighty Jets to amass 78 points from 30 matches.

Dreams by virtue of their status in the zone have qualified to the Ghana Premier League next season.

They are making a quick return to the Ghana top-flight following their demotion two seasons ago for player registration irregularity.
Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia says the laudable policies of the current Akufo-Addo administration are meant to benefit every Ghanaian.

According to him, all the programmes that the government intends to roll out are meant to benefit every citizen of the land without discrimination.

He therefore charged the citizenry to continually support the government with fervent prayers so that its better plans would be successful.

I urge you to support Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's government with prayers so that his vision of transforming the country will become a reality for everyone to enjoy.

President Nana Akufo-Addo's vision is to improve the lives of all Ghanaians, irrespective of their tribal, religious, social affiliations or any other consideration.

Explaining further, he said in a few days' time, government will roll out the free Senior High School (SHS) policy to benefit every household in the country.

Dr. Bawumia disclosed this while addressing Muslims who converged on the Central Mosque in Kumasi to mark the Eid-Ul-Adha.

He sternly cautioned the populace to, as a matter of urgency, shun all negative acts that can negatively affect the country's socio-economic development.

According to him, vengeance and indiscipline should be relegated to the background, stressing the need for the people to be disciplined.

The vice president also urged Ghanaians to shun immoral acts and other things that doesn't please Allah and lead dignified and acceptable lives.

Dr. Bawumia stressed the need for people, especially Muslims, to always submit to the will of Allah, who created mankind and other creatures.

He entreated religious bodies to unite and offer the needed assistance to government to accelerate the development of the country.

On behalf of government, Dr. Bawumia presented a cow, ram, bags of rice and cooking oil, among others, to the Muslims to mark the occasion.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed optimism in his government's ability to create employment for the teeming unemployed youth which is the greatest challenge confronting the nation.

He said his administration was working vigorously to fulfill all campaign promises, adding that the promises he made were not for political power but development of the country.

President Akufo-Addo, in a speech read on his behalf at a durbar of chiefs and people of Cape Coast during this year's Oguaa Fetu Afahye, reiterated his administration's commitment to building a new Ghana where Ghanaians would live in peace and prosperity.

President Akufo Addo mentioned that the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy would ensure the development of the human resource base of the country.

The president urged parents to take advantage of the policy to lessen their burden in an attempt to enroll their wards in senior high schools.

He reiterated government's commitment in resolving the challenges of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to promote quality healthcare delivery in the country.

The President said the creation of three Development Authorities set to be carried out would fast-track the development agenda of the government.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, expressed concern about the falling standards of education in the Cape Coast metropolis and called for appropriate mechanisms to reverse the trend.

He also expressed worry about the situation whereby students from the area do not get admission into some of the well endowed senior high schools in the metropolis despite having the required grades to be enrolled into such institutions.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta called for the implementation of a policy that would ensure that students from the area with the required passes were given consideration for enrolment into senior high schools located within the metropolis.

He asked government to allocate a fraction of the revenue from the Cape Coast Castle as payment of royalties to the Traditional Council and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) for the development of the metropolis.

Kwamina Duncan, the Central Regional Minister, assured the chiefs and people of Cape Coast that the government would ensure the development of Cape Coast and the Central Region in general.
Volta River Authority (VRA) has cut power supply to the bungalows of the Yendi Hospital and some parts of the hospital due to indebtedness.

Information reaching DAILY GUIDE has it that the hospital owes VRA an undisclosed amount for which reason power supply was curtailed.

The hospital, which is in the Northern Region, is likely to start the dreaded cash-and-carry system due to some arrears reportedly owed it by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

The Eastern Corridor and its surrounding districts and communities patronize the Yendi hospital as a referral point in the area.

According to information, the facility has not been paid its NHIA benefits for the past 14 months. It was only last year May that some payment was reportedly made.

This situation is thereby affecting healthcare delivery at the hospital since most of the patients who go there are health insurance card holders.

The hospital's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Alhassan Wemah, told DAILY GUIDE that the NHIA owes the hospital some 14 months. According to him, the facility would be forced to start a cash-and-carry system, even though it is not allowed.

Sometimes, we cannot even attend to our clients due to the pressure on us by the suppliers. The facility is totally broke, we can't even buy gloves, he revealed.

He indicated that the facility has no funds to settle its utility bills.

The PRO and the entire management of the hospital appealed to the government to intervene to enable the facility settle its suppliers.

FROM Eric Kombat, Yendi
THE KUMASI Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, has charged Ghanaians to regularly pay their taxes to help accelerate national development.

Government, he said, depends heavily on revenue raised from taxes to carry out developmental projects.

In this regard, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi has entreated all who are supposed to pay taxes to do so for the government's desire to develop the country to become a reality.

I entreat you to pay your taxes to the state regularly so that government will get the needed funds to implement developmental projects.

The taxes that you pay are used to construct lorry parks, schools, markets and other equally important infrastructure, the Kumasi mayor stated.

He was speaking during a prayer session by the Ahmadiya Muslim Mission of Kumasi to mark the Eid-Ul-Adha festival last Friday.

Mr Osei Assibey pointed out that if the people refuse to pay their taxes the government's resolve to develop the nation would be a mirage.

He also charged the citizenry to contribute their quota to make the environment tidy so as to help avert the spread of diseases.

He also admonished parents and guardians to invest in their children's education so that they would grow to become influential in society.

Mr Osei Assibey expressed delight over the peaceful atmosphere in the state, urging the people to remain peaceful by shunning vengeance.

According to him, the country cannot grow if the people are not disciplined, and therefore urged the citizenry to stay away from all acts of indiscipline.

He again entreated the people to support President Nana Akufo-Addo's administration with fervent prayers so that his good plans for the country will materialize.

The Ahmadiya Muslim Mission, led by Mauvi A. Hammed Tahir, prayed fervently for Allah's continual blessings for the country to climax the event.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi
The Deputy Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Paul Essien, has stated that plans are underway for the government to reward paramount chiefs in the country who are relentlessly helping to fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

He disclosed that a proposal was being sent to the government to consider awarding traditional areas that would be found to be illegal mining-free.

Mr Paul Essien made this known during the start of a four-day working visit to the Central Region on Monday.

As part of efforts to fight illegal mining in the country, the ministry has begun engaging traditional authorities in areas where galamsey activities are being carried out.

Mr Essian pleaded with the chiefs to support the governments resolve to stop illegal mining, stressing that without them it would be difficult to realize the objective.

The deputy minister said government had also increased the royalties paid to paramount chiefs from GH500 to GH1,000 so as to motivate them to discourage galamsey in their areas of jurisdiction.

The paramount chief of the Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey, urged the traditional leaders to engage the galamsey operators to end the canker.

The Deputy Central Regional Minister, Thomas Agyei Baffour, was worried about how illegal mining has destroyed water bodies such as the River Pra.

He said the government cannot fight the menace alone without the involvement of the traditional rulers and therefore, appealed to them to support President Nana Akufo-Addo in ensuring a galamsey-free country.

Mr Agyei Baffour appealed to all stakeholders to get involved in the fight against galamsey.

The paramount chief of Twifo Traditional Area, Nana Appiah, threw his weight behind the government in fighting galamsey.

Email: [email protected]

From Joseph Annan, Twifo Praso
Former Attorney-General Martin ABK Amidu has praised the Kenyan Supreme Court for making champions of free, transparent and fair elections in Africa proud.

"For the first time in the history of Africa," Mr Amidu wrote, "the Kenyan Supreme Court, made all students and activists of free, transparent and fair elections in the emerging democracies in Africa proud by having the faith of their conviction to declare the Presidential election held in that country null and void."

Kenya's Supreme Court on Friday, August 31, annulled the country's August 8 election results, declaring the elections were not conducted in accordance with the principles of the Kenyan Constitution.

Congratulating the court in a statement issued in Accra Monday, Mr Martin Amidu said, "The Supreme Court cited irregularities in the vote, particularly the tampering with the electronic transmission of the results of the elections from the polling stations, and ordered a new one within 60 days. The Supreme Court has shown that Kenya is not a country where some past Governments and political parties violate their Constitution by considering citizens and the courts as being on their leash."

The former A-G took issues with John Mahama's role in that election for which the former president has received a lot of trolling on social media.

He said president Mahama's advice to the Kenyan opposition led by Raila Odinga to go to court if they felt the elections were not free and fair was cynical.

"Coincidentally, the head of a group of the election observers is reported to be our own John Dramani Mahama whom activists of free, transparent and fair elections and anti-corruption crusaders had accused during the 2016 Presidential election in Ghana of using his appointment powers under Articles 43 and 70 of our Constitution for a rigging agenda. Having won the 2012 Presidential elections by a razor thin edge vote of the Ghana Supreme Court, he was cynical in advising the losing party in the Kenyan elections to concede defeat or challenge the results in the Kenyan Supreme Court, in the belief that once incumbent Presidents are declared winners of an election their Supreme Courts normally docilely endorse the declarations of the Electoral Commission even in the face of the glaring rigging of the election.

"John Dramani Mahama had benefitted from such a situation in the Presidential petition of 2013 and cynically thought his good friend, the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, whom he had invited as the special guest of honour during Ghanas independent Celebrations in 2016, would have the benefit of the docility of the Kenyan Supreme Court just as he was the beneficiary of Ghanas razor thin edge Supreme Court decision in 2013. I also have no doubt that John Dramani Mahamas cynical advice to Mr. Odinga was informed by past decisions of the Kenyan Supreme Court where incumbents have been declared winners of the Presidential elections and his personal experience in Ghana.

"By breaking the cycle of automatic endorsement of rigged elections in favour of incumbent Presidents in Africa, the Supreme Court of Kenya has made not only Kenya but the whole of Africa proud in showing that there are Supreme Court Justices who will maintain their oaths of office to do justice even if the heavens fall," he noted in the statement.

The anti-corruption crusader said, "The Kenyan Supreme Court decision annulling the Presidential elections and ordering a new one within 60 days is just an interim but welcome victory for those of us who believe in free, transparent and fair elections in African constitutional democracies run under a regime of good governance and the rule of law. Kenyans need the support of the whole of Africa and the world, in general, to re-run a successful free, transparent, and fair election within the next 6o days."

He said, "The incumbent Kenyan Governments responsibility in this regard is very onerous but the condemnatory pronouncements of President Uhuru Kenyatta against the Supreme Court at a rally on 2nd September 2017 do not appear to help the situation. I can personally understand his pain in the annulment of the flawed elections since I went through worse losses in the 2000 Presidential elections in Ghana with the late Prof. Atta Mills. But Kenyatta ought to remember that the hallmark of a good sportsman is his ability to accept temporary defeat. In the Kenyan case there is another chance for both alleged winner and loser within the 60 days election and who knows upon whom success will shine."

For him, "The Kenyan Supreme Court decision is a land mark decision in Africa and must be acknowledged without any attempt to intimidate the Court. I salute the justices of the Supreme Court of Kenya for a bold and unprecedented decision. May other Supreme Courts or Constitutional Courts in Africa be bold to follow such independent steps in the future where the facts dictate similar outcomes."

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com| Martin Amidu
CALEDONIA  The Caledonia Heritage Festival sponsored by the Caledonia Historical Society will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, at Caledonia Historical Village, 5 Mile Road and Highway 38

This years theme is Back to the Past. The family-friendly event is an educational opportunity that features living history from the mid 1800s when Caledonia was first being settled. Attendees will learn from the descendants of early Caledonians as they share stories of their ancestors, tour the 1840s Ruud Cabin, the 1877 Caledonia Town Hall and visit with the village blacksmith at the Myers Museum. The Historical Village also includes the 1902 Milwaukee Road Depot complete with a 1927 Caboose and a pre-1900 machine shed. All buildings will be open for viewing and staffed with docents to answer questions.

Numerous activities will be offered for the younger participants including games and activities from the mid-1800s. Civil War cannon demonstrations will be provided, showing both sides of The War of Rebellion in 1860. Civil War reenactors in period costumes will be available to answer questions both in the battlefield and at their camps.

Crafters will have handmade items for purchase and the food court will feature a variety of foods, including the popular pie auction on Saturday afternoon. There will also be an outdoor, non-denominational church service at 9 a.m. Sunday.

There is no admission fee. Free parking is available, but a $5 donation is encouraged to help support the village. For more information, go to www.caledoniahistoricalsociety.org.
Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng, Eastern Regional Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, has hailed President Akufo-Addo for his efforts in fighting galamsey, and urged him not to relent in his fight against illegal mining.

Alhaji Oti-Boateng, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chocho Industries, explained that the president's fight against the menace shows how ready he is to make Ghana a better place to live.

Speaking at this year's Eid-al-Adha at Huhuya, a suburb of Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region on the theme: 'The Spirit of Sacrifice', Alhaji Chocho urged the president to create more jobs for the teeming unemployed youth who are engaged in illegal mining in order to help them to get their daily bread.

He further appealed to farmers in the region to stop selling their cocoa farms to the miners but rather put in measures in planting more cocoa beans for exportation to generate more revenue for the country to enhance development.

The Islamic cleric also advised Muslims to eschew laziness but be more sacrificial in their duties and show love towards one another.

In a related development, the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Comfort Asante, has applauded the peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslim communities in the region.

According to her, their peaceful co-existence has enhanced numerous developments in Ghana since independence.

Ms Asante was addressing the Muslim communities at the Koforidua Central Mosque to commemorate this year's Eid-al-Adha.

She also called on Muslim communities to take advantage of the free senior high school to educate their children in order to produce the next generation of intellectuals.

The Eastern Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdani Suleman, advised the Muslim youth to adhere to the teachings of Islam, after he offered prayers for the entire nation at the central mosque.

Eid-al-Adha is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God s command.

FROM Daniel Bampoe, Koforidua
Tripoli (AFP) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian held talks in Tripoli on Monday pledging his country's support for efforts to resolve Libya's political and security chaos.

"This is a signal of the commitment of France, of President (Emmanuel) Macron's will, to contribute to resolving this crisis," Le Drian told reporters on a visit to the Libyan capital.

Le Drian said the visit was a follow-up to a July 25 accord sealed in Paris between the two main rivals in Libya, its UN-backed Government of National Accord head Fayez al-Sarraj and military strongman Khalifa Haftar who backs a rival administration in the east of the country.

"Our objective is the stabilisation of Libya in the interest of Libyans themselves but also in the interest of neighbouring countries, of which we form part in a way," he said at a joint news conference with Libyan counterpart Mohamed al-Taher Siala.

The French foreign minister said the aim was "a unified Libya with functioning institutions" that would stave off "the terrorist threat" and clear the way for reconciliation.

Libya has plunged into chaos since the overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 with dozens of armed factions filling the power vacuum as people smugglers exploit the chaos to ferry migrants on unseaworthy ships across the Mediterranean to Europe.

At the July talks hosted by France, Sarraj and Haftar accepted that only a political solution can end the crisis, starting with a ceasefire.

In a 10-point statement, the leaders said: "We commit to a ceasefire and to refrain from any use of armed force for any purpose that does not strictly constitute counter-terrorism."

The two sides also committed to "building the rule of law", and integrating fighters into "lawful military forces".

Although the statement did not stipulate a date for elections, the French president said Sarraj and Haftar had "struck an agreement to hold elections next spring".

Following his German and British counterparts who visited Libya this summer, Le Drian said he would travel on to Misrata and then to the eastern cities of Benghazi and Tobruk.
Bujumbura (Burundi) (AFP) - Burundi has since April 2015 been rocked by a deadly political crisis born of President Pierre Nkurunziza's divisive bid for a third term, which he secured in July of that year.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in the violence, according to sources such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations, and nearly 400,000 pushed into exile.

A UN report released on Monday accused Burundi's government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a case "as soon as possible".

Here is a summary of key developments in the crisis engulfing the central African country.

Demonstrations start

April 25, 2015: Nkurunziza is declared candidate for a third term by his ruling CNDD-FDD party. The opposition says the move is unconstitutional and violates a peace deal that ended the 1993-2006 civil war.

The following day thousands of protesters take to the streets across the capital, kicking off six weeks of almost daily demonstrations.

Failed coup

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has hinted that he might seek a fourth term in 2020

May 13: Top Burundian general Godefroid Niyombare announces the overthrow of Nkurunziza hours after the president flies to Tanzania.

The coup attempt fails, with some leaders surrendering and others fleeing.

Defections, re-election

June 28: Outgoing parliament head Pie Ntavyohanyuma denounces the president's "illegal" third term bid and says he has fled to Belgium.

He joins a long list of opposition leaders, journalists, civil society representatives and disillusioned ruling party members who have chosen exile.

July 21: Nkurunziza is re-elected in a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Targeted attacks

August 2: De facto internal security chief General Adolphe Nshimirimana is killed in a rocket attack.

August 3: Human rights activist Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, who publicly opposed Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, is wounded in gunfire.

August 15: Tutsi Colonel Jean Bikomagu, the former head of Burundi's army during the 13-year civil war, is assassinated.

December 11: At least 87 people are killed in coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen on three military sites that trigger a fierce riposte from the security forces.

'Risk of genocide'

July 2016: The UN Security Council authorises the deployment of 228 UN policemen but Burundi rejects the resolution.

Between 500 and 2,000 people have been killed in violence in Burundi since 2015, according to sources such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations

September 20: UN investigators say Burundi's government is behind systematic human rights violations, including executions and torture, which amount to "crimes against humanity". They warn of a risk of genocide.

October 27: Burundi decides to quite the ICC which has launched a preliminary examination into allegations of murder, torture, rape and forced disappearances.

Move to 'violent dictatorship'?

December 30, 2016: Nkurunziza, hints he might seek a fourth term in office in 2020.

January 1, 2017: The environment minister is killed in Bujumbura.

January 3: Authorities ban the country's oldest human rights organisation, the Iteka League.

January 19: Human Rights Watch says young men belonging to Burundi's ruling party are waging brutal attacks on perceived opponents.

July 4: The International Federation of Human Rights says the regime is moving the country toward violent dictatorship.
A Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Annual Crops, Dr. Sagre Bambangi, believes that the swift recovery of farms infested by the fall armyworms across the country is a clear indication that the government has conquered the invasion of the fall armyworm.

According to him, though some farms are still being affected by the fall armyworm, huge acres of infested farms have been recovered through governments swift intervention of spraying the armyworms.

Dr. Bambangi disclosed this after visiting 114 acres of maize farms in the Bongo district of the Upper East Region.

He noted that, though records from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture indicated that, since the first case of fall army worm in April 2016, enough measures were not taken to curtail its negative impact on farms.

Nonetheless, the ongoing spraying exercise has led to the recovery of lots of the infested farms, he stated.

So far, I am impressed by the performance of our spraying programme and that of the farmers. I have been to the Upper West Region and here in the Upper East Region, and have seen the signs of the fall armyworms in the past in a lot of these farms; but I can also see how these farms have recovered.

Dr. Bambangi intimated further that, projection of a bumper harvest was proof the armyworms have been defeated.

we have conquered the fall armyworm because the essence is for us to ensure that the crops recover so if the armyworms have not been able to deprive us of the bumper harvest we are expecting, then we will say we have conquered the armyworms. But we know that there are still remnants of the worms in the system and so we are putting in place medium to long-term measures to avert any future occurrence of the invasion of our farms by fall armyworm.



By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Airtel Business, a sub brand of Airtel Ghana and the industry leader in innovative end-to-end enterprise solutions for businesses was adjudged the Telecom Business of the Year at the Ghana ICT & Telecom Awards 2017.

The Telecom Business of the Year honours is awarded to the industrys number one provider of enterprise solutions and the operator that has made the most impact in the provision of consummate telecom solutions for enterprises  be it large, local or multinational companies as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Launched a few years ago, Airtel Business provides custom-made end-to-end business and enterprise solutions with cutting-edge technology that deliver great value propositions for all forms of businesses on the pillars of reliability, value driven and quality.

The Enterprise solutions industry leader brings unprecedented innovation and simplification to customers, with a completely reimagined business suite that has varied but unique enterprise business solutions to provide maximum choice to customers.

Speaking about this latest accolade, Richard Adiase, Head of Airtel Business said We are humbled by this latest recognition and we want to thank the organisers of the Awards and our cherished customers for making us the enterprise solutions provider of choice in Ghana.

This award speaks to Airtel Business exceptional value proposition, our ability to provide tailored business solutions and the commitment and dedication of the team to respond to the needs of customers. We dedicate this award to all our customers and we remain committed to partnering them to grow their businesses.

Airtel Business offers a consummate suite of Communication, Connectivity and Collaborative Solutions for all businesses. These solutions include Closed User Group which allows free calls among employees of large, medium or small enterprises, leased lines, dedicated internet services, managed hosting, cloud service and machine-to-machine communication solutions.

About Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 17 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 3 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed home broadband, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 372 million customers across its operations at the end of March 2017. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com

About Airtel in Africa

Airtel is driven by the vision of providing affordable and innovative mobile services to all. Airtel has 17 operations in Africa: Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Airtel International is a Bharti Airtel company. For more information, please visit www.airtel.com, or like the Airtel Ghana Facebook page via www.facebook.com/airtelgh or follow us on Twitter via the handle @airtelghana.
The Living Faith World Outreach Centre (LFWOC) also known as Winners Chapel International, has expressed concerns over a ruling by an Accra High Court pertaining to a dispute between them and Winners Chapel Ghana, headed by Bishop George Adjeman.

According to Winners Chapel International, (WCI) the court failed to resolve all the issues under contention after nearly thirteen years legal battle.

WCI had battled Bishop Agyemang over the ownership of properties of Winners Chapel Ghana (WCG), a breakaway church from WCI.

WCI had argued that Bishop Agyemang whom they trained, employed and later deployed from Nigeria to head Winners Chapel International and the church's missionary agencies in Ghana, outsmarted them, registered the church with a new name, Winners Chapel Ghana, and took over assets of his employers.

Bishop George Agyemang, General Overseer, Winners Chapel Ghana

But after 13 years of battling the case in court, the Accra High Court presided over by Mr Justice K.A. Ofori-Atta, on July 28, 2017 ruled in the favour of Bishop Agyemang.

According to the court, WCI was not duly incorporated as a legal entity and, therefore, cannot own any property, including the name Winners Chapel.''

The court held that WCG had been registered in accordance with the law and, therefore, had the legal backing to operate.

On the available evidence, I am satisfied the name Winners Chapel Ghana has been duly registered for business in the country,'' Mr Justice Ofori-Atta said.

The court was of the view that although WCI was not duly registered and, therefore, could not lawfully claim any properties being contested, it had members who contributed to the acquisition of those properties.

In that regard, it ordered that any property acquired between 1996 and 1997 when the church was established until 2004 when WCI and WCG went their separate ways be valued and shared among the two bodies.

It, however, said after the valuation and sharing of the properties, WCG should buy out those allocated to WCl, since WCG had been in possession of the properties since 2004.

Meanwhile, in a publication WCI circulated to its members on Sunday, September 3, 2017 and sighted by citifmonline.com, the leadership of the church expressed some misgivings about the ruling.

Winners Chapel's leadership is of the view that the judgment did not resolve all the controversies presented to the court for resolution. Its lawyers have, therefore, been given instructions to take the necessary steps to ensure a full resolution of all the matters in controversy before the appropriate forum, WCI added.

WCI in the publication further stated that: The issue before the court were amongst others: whether or not the members of the WCG ceased to be members of Winners Chapel when there was a split in July 2004; whether or not Bishop Adjeman and the other defendants are entitled to retain possession of Winners Chapel and WMAs properties and premises and whether or not Bishop Adjemans allegations against Bishop David Oyedepo, Winners Chapel and WMA justified Bishop Adjeman and his followers actions. Rather strangely, the court did not determine any of the above mentioned issues.

Background

In 2002, Bishop Adjeman, who was a pastor of WCI in Nigeria, was transferred by the church to head its branch in Ghana.

According to the documents filed by lawyers for Bishop Adjeman in the case, when he came to Ghana, he realised that the church was not being run properly.

The church, he claimed, had no structures in place to ensure that its books were properly audited and also every aspect of its operations was being done without recourse to the law.

He claimed that the church had not appointed an auditor, it had no certificate to commence business and its finances and general administration were being managed badly.

Court documents showed that in 2004, the Registrar-General's Department asked all companies that had registered with it to update their records.

Bishop Adjeman, the court document revealed, used the opportunity to properly register the church'' and named it WCG and broke ranks with the mother church in Nigeria based on his assertion of gross mismanagement.

Legal action

Not happy with the development, on July 14, 2004 some members who owed allegiance to the mother church in Nigeria dragged Bishop Adjeman and nine other members who formed the executive council to court.

The plaintiffs wanted a declaration from the court that all properties of WCG remain the bona fide properties of WCI.''

They also wanted an order for recovery of the church, located at the Industrial Area in Accra, as well as any other branch of the church in Ghana.

The plaintiffs further wanted an order that would allow them to take possession of a house belonging to the church which is located at East Legon in Accra.

Other reliefs sought by the plaintiffs included an order restraining Bishop Adjeman and his congregation from using any property of the church for worship or any other activity, as well as an order for Bishop Adjeman to pay any amount that was due the mother church in Nigeria.

The WCG, in its defence, argued that WCI was not duly registered and as such it could not claim to legally own any properties in the country.

The WCG's case was upheld by the court in its judgement.



By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana with additional files from Graphic Online

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
In a new twist to a never ending drama on bauxite exploration in Ghana, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu has declared as invalid and of no effect, a mining lease granted Exton Cubic Ltd.

He had early on approved of the exploration and urged his colleague minister in the Ashanti Region to release equipment owned by Exton Cubic, equipment which had been seized by Simon Osei-Mensah.

After consulting with the Attorney General, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister has made a u-turn, describing the mining contract issued to Exton Cubic as invalid.

At a press conference held in Accra Monday, John Peter Amewu, cited Exton Cubic's failure to obtain an environmental permit, operational permit for exploration.

He also raised some statutory infractions he claimed the company may have violated for governments decision.

Raymond Acquah who was present at the news conference reported the Minister as saying the company is yet to be notified of the decision taken by the government.

Citing the mining law, the minister said he has the right under the law to terminate a mining license of a company if there has been some infractions.

Peter Amewu confirmed the seized equipment owned by Exton Cubic is yet to be released.

He added after the licenses have been revoked, the company does have every right under the law to correct all anomalies and reapply.

The company affiliated with a brother of former President John Mahama has been in the news recently after it was stopped by government from prospecting for bauxite in the Tano Offin Forest Reserve.

The company whose license was granted on December 29, 2016 insists it followed due process in the acquisition of the mining license.

Even after the Minerals Commission and the EPA both issued statements about several breaches of the mining laws, the company was vehement in defence, stating they followed due process at every turn of the way.

It is not clear yet what the company will do in the light of the position taken by the Natural Resources Minister.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

A forthcoming report by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) will chart Ghanas efforts to enhance its investment environment through a raft of incentives and reforms.

The Report: Ghana 2018 will explore the new administrations bid to promote industrialisation, especially in the manufacturing segment, where a drive to boost capacity is under way.

The key role that membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) can play in helping the country to strengthen trade links and access new markets is also examined. Other issues analysed will include Ghanas plans to leverage new technology and bolster connectivity as a means of heightening business activity.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has signed a further memorandum of understanding (MoU) with OBG for its forthcoming publication. Under the MoU, the GIPC, which is a longstanding partner of OBG, will contribute to the groups research for The Report: Ghana 2018.

Commenting after the signing, R. Yofi Grant, CEO, GIPC, said that the centre was working to improve Ghanas competitiveness and business climate, both independently and within ECOWAS, by benchmarking it against international best practices. In addition to pursuing macroeconomic stability, Ghana is also repositioning to be an economic hub for West Africa.

One of Ghanas primary goals in attracting investment is stimulating value added in multiple sectors which, in turn, will produce a number of benefits, ranging from increased employment to capital accumulation, he said. I look forward to exploring these and other developments that are helping to drive Ghanas economy forward and once again sharing our findings with Oxford Business Groups team.

OBGs country director, Shadeh Van Esch, said she was confident that GIPCs input would, as before, give investors a valuable understanding of emerging opportunities across all sectors, and recent improvements to the countrys business climate.

Ghanas efforts to facilitate investment are beginning to yield results, with the country ranking top among the West African nations for doing business, according to the 2017 Ease of Doing Business Report, she said. The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre plays a pivotal part in encouraging, promoting and facilitating inflows into the country, working to create an attractive incentive framework for businesses. Im delighted that our team will once again benefit from the centres insight as we begin work on this important report.

The Report: Ghana 2018 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The publication will also contain contributions from leading representatives. The report will be available in print and online.

About Oxford Business Group

Oxford Business Group is a global research and consultancy company with a presence in over 35 countries, from Africa, Asia and the Middle East to the Americas. A distinctive and respected provider of on-the-ground intelligence on many of the worlds fastest growing markets, OBG has offices in London, Berlin, Dubai and Istanbul, and a network of local bureaus across the countries in which we operate.

The Report: Ghana 2018 will be produced with the GIPC, A&B David and Association of Ghana Industries. Through its range of products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, tourism, energy, transport, industry and ICT. OBG provides business intelligence to its subscribers through multiple platforms: Economic News and Views, OBG Business Barometer - CEO Survey, Roundtables and Conferences, Global Platform - exclusive video interviews, The Report publications and Consultancy division.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources John Peter Amewu has announced that Exton Cubic Group Limited has not met all the legal requirements to permit the company prospect for bauxite in Nyinahini in the Ashanti region, hence stopped from operating.

Exton Cubic Group Limited, which is owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Mahama was earlier directed by the Environmental Protection Agency to discontinue its operations for not having a permit.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources John Peter Amewu stated that the purported leases of the company did not meet the requirements.

The absence of publication in the Gazette of a notice of the pendency of the company's applications and service of the notice on the various entities specified in the law is contrary to both section 13(2) of ACT 703 and Regulation 177 of L.I 2176, .

The failure to obtain an Environmental Permit, Operational Permit, as well as the various statutory infractions, leading to the purported grant of the three Mining Leases to the company, render the purported leases invalid and of no effect, he stated.

Giving some more explanations, Mr. Amewu stated that Exton Cubic did not acquire all the requirements needed under the Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2012.

The company was supposed to provide an Exploration Operating Permit for the year 2017. An exploration operating Plan to the Minerals Commission. None of the above was fulfilled

Background

The youth of Nyinahini recently protested and gave government a 24-hour ultimatum to remove all machines belonging to Exton Cubic Group Limited from the area.

In a petition to the President, the youth appealed to the president to order all machinery of Exton Cubic Company to be impounded until a proper agreement is reached by all stakeholders

The Assembly man for the Nyinahini electoral area, Baba Yaro presented the petition to the District Chief Executive of the area on behalf of the youth.



By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has welcomed moves by the original owners of Expresso Telecom, Kludjeson International Limited to take over the company.

Expresso Telecom has been embroiled in this ownership tussle since the early 2000s - leading to its dwindling fortunes.

This led to the workers staging a protest about a year ago at their head office over managements failure to duly pay their salary arrears and social security contributions for over 18months.

The workers blamed their woes on the failure of the National Communications Authority (NCA) to bring management and the board to task - as the industry regulator.

A delegation from Kludjeson International, however, met the concerned workers in the fourth week of August 2017 in a bid to settle their outstanding salaries and social security contributions.

The Executive Chairman, Prince Kofi Kludjeson says the way is now cleared to open a new chapter in the firms operations.

He spoke in an exclusive interview with Joy Business Editor, Emmanuel Agyei on the EXPRESSO-FILES series which seeks to provide insights and updates on the longstanding controversies surrounding the ownership of Expresso Telecom.

Weve been to court, so many times. Weve been to Police station, EOCO and even the General Legal Council. But most of those issues have been resolved. Weve withdrawn the cases from court because the people that we sued have all left Ghana

All we are saying today is that weve gone far and we are taking over the company. We are currently the owners of the company and were going to pay workers.

We are engaging everybody. We have engaged with the Sudanese and they said they were brought in as proxies. We met them in Dubai and it emerged that even the people who were here on their behalf were the American citizens. The evidence is with our lawyers, both internationally and locally he noted.

Deputy General Secretary of the CWU, Joseph Hortor says they are ready to work with Kludjeson International in meeting the needs of the workers whilst turning the companys fortunes around.

Since 2013 they were not paying our members and once a while they will just give them something small, sometimes they can pay them a quarter of their monthly salary.

"That was the problem so we started looking for who owns the company and up till today weve not found anybody until Mr. Kludjeson came into the picture

If they have cleared all issues surrounding who owns the company and even coming out to say it, why not? Because we are workers and we dont own shares but we are social partners to whoever owns it and so well welcome him. Our issue is that we have a lot of problems that he needs to tackle. Well like to engage him because we are the mother union he concluded.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline | Joy Business
RACINE  For the next leader of Racine, the looming arrival of Foxconn Technology Group to the greater community presents a unique opportunity and challenge.

While Foxconn is thought to be eyeing a location outside the city limits in Mount Pleasant, if a major factory does arrive, it likely would become a major employer of city residents and require a significant commitment from the citys water utility. Most of the mayoral candidates view Foxconn as a potentially incredible opportunity for the area that needs to be viewed with healthy skepticism.

This region has been known for its manufacturing prowess and I believe this is one of the reasons Foxconn has chosen this area, Pastor Melvin Hargrove said. I believe Foxconn will provide this city with more opportunity for employment.

State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, offered amendments to the states incentive package for Foxconn that were ultimately voted down by his Republican colleagues.

Foxconn presents the largest private employment opportunity in state history, Mason said. Even though the bill was imperfect, the number of potential jobs for our area was too important to pass up.

Strictly from an employment perspective, community organizer Wally Rendon also likes the proposal. Austin Rodriguez, who owns his own electronics repair business, has high enthusiasm for the project. Sixth District Alderman Sandy Weidner said that while theres a lot of unanswered questions, shes also excited by the projects potential.

I consider any possibility of a major employer coming into the area offering jobs to Racines citizens to be exciting, Weidner said.

The only candidate definitively against the plan is local Green Party leader Fabi Maldonado.

Unfortunately, this deal comes with just as many potential negatives, he said. The previous administrations here in Racine have failed so miserably in terms of job creation and business growth that we are now considering accepting a deal which places as much a burden on our citizens as it does offer economic relief.

For his part, Hargrove, a former School Board president, is concerned that what he calls the skills gap among Racines unemployed could limit the impact the new jobs have on the city.

If we are finding it difficult now to fill jobs in our businesses, which is what I hear as I talk with local business owners, we will encounter the same challenge with Foxconn, he said.

Keeping promises

Some of the candidates are concerned about the strength of Foxconns commitment to the region. In 2013, Foxconn promised a 500-job factory to Pennsylvania that has still yet to be built.

Because of their history, the state lawmakers have to be extremely careful when agreeing to support Foxconns desire to build their company here, Rendon said.

Weidner added that skepticism is healthy in this situation especially regarding the $3 billion state incentive package involved in the project.

Theres an awful lot of public money at stake here and it would be foolish not to look at any potential downside, Weidner said. Thats part of the due diligence that public officials are responsible for.

Mason said the incentive package is a lot of money to offer any company, but clarified that the incentives are directly tied to Foxconn following through on its promises.

Voters need to know that the incentives are tied to Foxconn building a $10 billion facility and hiring 13,000 employees for no less than $30,000 a year, he said. If they dont reach those numbers, the incentives are prorated.

Human rights

A few of the candidates are concerned with the Taiwanese companys human rights record, which reportedly includes nets installed outside the living quarters in some of Asians factories to stop workers from committing suicide.

Im terribly concerned about the history Foxconn has mistreating its workforce and under-delivering on its promises, Maldonado said. When it seems too politically risky to demand Foxconn to agree to fair treatment for our labor and responsibly consider their impact on our environment, our representatives have caved in and been tight-lipped.

Hargrove added that he was alarmed by the reports of human rights violations, but doesnt believe Foxconn will get a pass when it comes to how it handles its workers in the United States.

Rodriguez is excited to see such a prominent company considering Racine County.

This is where your iPhone was born, he said. This is where its coming from and to have Foxconn want to bring jobs to America is a big deal.

Water worries

Most of the candidates said they would hope to negotiate an arrangement to provide water to a potential Foxconn factory.

Weidner said she would be totally opposed to providing water to Foxconn for free or getting into a bidding war with other municipalities. Both Hargrove and Rendon said they would bring all parties to the table to negotiate a water supply agreement, while Maldonado would like the city to use the water supply as a bargaining chip to secure a better deal for the citys residents.

Mason said he thinks Foxconn will choose Racine County because our water utility is the only one that can begin to handle a business of this size, and added he would consider renegotiating current water agreements with surrounding municipalities as a result. Rodriguez said he would propose Foxconn build its own reservoir.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Folarin Coker has said that for international tourism market to grow, Nigeria needs a strong domestic market because domestic tourism is the only form of sustainable tourism.

Coker made this remark during his keynote address which had the theme Maximizing the Potentials of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry: The Role of the Government at the just concluded Nigerian Hospitality and Tourism Conference which held in Lagos, organised by Jumia Travel , the leading online travel agency.

The bedrock of tourism is not the big footprint of foreign brands but rather, the many cottage industries manned by passionate indigenes. That is what allows tourism be the largest employer of labour in the world, even over the oil industry, Coker added.

Meanwhile, the managing director of Jumia Travel Nigeria, Omolara Adagunodo, in her welcome remark stated some of the laudable initiatives the online travel agency has embarked on as part of efforts geared towards promoting travel and tourism within the country.

According to her, at the time the company was entering the market some 5 years ago, it was noticed that data on the travel industry was not available. The company therefore took it upon itself to invest in the production of such data every year.

In the last five years of our existence as a company, we have been involved in notable endeavors that sought to move the industry forward. One of the very first things we noticed at a time was the lack of data in the travel industry. As you all know, data is indeed crucial to the planning and development of any sector. So, we took it upon ourselves to invest in the production of a report on the Nigerian hospitality industry. We produce this report yearly in every African country we have our operation,Adaogunodo said.

The conference had two panel discussions with relevant travel practitioners as panelists. The theme Using New Media to Merchandise Major Nigerian Sites, Destinations & Places to Drive Tourists Footfall was discussed by Chiamaka Obuekwe, Founder of Social Prefect Tours; Funmi Oyatogun, Founder of TVP Adventures; Wonu Lamidi, CEO of Diamond & Pearl Tours; Lola Daniyan, Founder of Unravelling Nigeria; and Michael Balogun, Founder of Tour2Nigeria.

Managing Current Hotel Trends to Anticipate Future Customers Needs was the theme of the second panel discussion which had Damilola Koya of Eko Hotel & Suites; Anthony Shisler of Fahrenheit; Omolara Adagunodo of Jumia Travel; Jeff Fischer of Welcome Centre Hotels; and Paul Okojie of Golden Tulip.

The Nigerian Hospitality and Tourism Conference is a yearly event being organised by Jumia Travel Nigeria. Its objective is to bring the key players in the industry together to share knowledge and information with the growing circle of travel and tourism enthusiasts in the country. Its a free to attend event.

About Jumia Travel

Jumia Travel (travel.jumia.com) is Africa's No.1 hotel booking website, allowing you to get the best prices for more than 25,000 hotels in Africa and more than 200,000 hotels around the world.

Our ambition is to bring every bit of available accommodation online, and to create the easiest and cheapest way for customers to book it.

At Jumia Travel, we have hundreds of travel specialists constantly in touch with our customers. Our offices are located in Lagos (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana), Dakar (Senegal), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Algiers (Algeria), Douala (Cameroon), Kampala (Uganda), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Porto (Portugal) and Paris (France). Before June 2016, Jumia Travel was known as Jovago.

Jumia Travel was founded in 2013 by Jumia and is backed by MTN, Rocket Internet, Millicom, Orange, Axa and financial partners.
The Living Faith World Outreach Centre (LFWOC) also known as Winners Chapel International, has expressed concerns over a ruling by an Accra High Court pertaining to a dispute between them and Winners Chapel Ghana, headed by Bishop George Adjeman.

According to Winners Chapel International, (WCI) the court failed to resolve all the issues under contention after nearly thirteen years legal battle.

WCI had battled Bishop Agyemang over the ownership of properties of Winners Chapel Ghana (WCG), a breakaway church from WCI.

WCI had argued that Bishop Agyemang whom they trained, employed and later deployed from Nigeria to head Winners Chapel International and the church's missionary agencies in Ghana, outsmarted them, registered the church with a new name, Winners Chapel Ghana, and took over assets of his employers.

But after 13 years of battling the case in court, the Accra High Court presided over by Mr Justice K.A. Ofori-Atta, on July 28, 2017 ruled in the favour of Bishop Agyemang.

According to the court, WCI was not duly incorporated as a legal entity and, therefore, cannot own any property, including the name Winners Chapel.''

The court held that WCG had been registered in accordance with the law and, therefore, had the legal backing to operate.

On the available evidence, I am satisfied the name Winners Chapel Ghana has been duly registered for business in the country,'' Mr Justice Ofori-Atta said.

The court was of the view that although WCI was not duly registered and, therefore, could not lawfully claim any properties being contested, it had members who contributed to the acquisition of those properties.

In that regard, it ordered that any property acquired between 1996 and 1997 when the church was established until 2004 when WCI and WCG went their separate ways be valued and shared among the two bodies.

It, however, said after the valuation and sharing of the properties, WCG should buy out those allocated to WCl, since WCG had been in possession of the properties since 2004.

Meanwhile, in a publication WCI circulated to its members on Sunday, September 3, 2017 and sighted by citifmonline.com, the leadership of the church expressed some misgivings about the ruling.

Winners Chapel's leadership is of the view that the judgment did not resolve all the controversies presented to the court for resolution. Its lawyers have, therefore, been given instructions to take the necessary steps to ensure a full resolution of all the matters in controversy before the appropriate forum, WCI added.

WCI in the publication further stated that: The issue before the court were amongst others: whether or not the members of the WCG ceased to be members of Winners' Chapel when there was a split in July 2004; whether or not Bishop Adjeman and the other defendants are entitled to retain possession of Winners' Chapel and WMA's properties and premises and whether or not Bishop Adjeman's allegations against Bishop David Oyedepo, Winners' Chapel and WMA justified Bishop Adjeman and his followers' actions. Rather strangely, the court did not determine any of the above mentioned issues.

Background

In 2002, Bishop Adjeman, who was a pastor of WCI in Nigeria, was transferred by the church to head its branch in Ghana.

According to the documents filed by lawyers for Bishop Adjeman in the case, when he came to Ghana, he realised that the church was not being run properly.

The church, he claimed, had no structures in place to ensure that its books were properly audited and also every aspect of its operations was being done without recourse to the law.

He claimed that the church had not appointed an auditor, it had no certificate to commence business and its finances and general administration were being managed badly.

Court documents showed that in 2004, the Registrar-General's Department asked all companies that had registered with it to update their records.

Bishop Adjeman, the court document revealed, used the opportunity to properly register the church'' and named it WCG and broke ranks with the mother church in Nigeria based on his assertion of gross mismanagement.

Legal action

Not happy with the development, on July 14, 2004 some members who owed allegiance to the mother church in Nigeria dragged Bishop Adjeman and nine other members who formed the executive council to court.

The plaintiffs wanted a declaration from the court that all properties of WCG remain the bona fide properties of WCI.''

They also wanted an order for recovery of the church, located at the Industrial Area in Accra, as well as any other branch of the church in Ghana.

The plaintiffs further wanted an order that would allow them to take possession of a house belonging to the church which is located at East Legon in Accra.

Other reliefs sought by the plaintiffs included an order restraining Bishop Adjeman and his congregation from using any property of the church for worship or any other activity, as well as an order for Bishop Adjeman to pay any amount that was due the mother church in Nigeria.

The WCG, in its defence, argued that WCI was not duly registered and as such it could not claim to legally own any properties in the country.

The WCG's case was upheld by the court in its judgement.

-Citifmonline
Former Board Chairman of the Ghana Prisons Service and the Lead pastor of the Cedar Mountain Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Stephen Yanusom Wengam has vehemently condemned homosexuality stating that it is demonically influenced.

In a telephone interview with the Ahotor FMs morning show hosted by Emmanuel Quarshie (Hit man) on Monday, 4th September, 2017, Rev. Wegman stated that the origin of sin is from the devil and everything that God creating stating that it was good is disliked by the devil.

Homosexuality is demonic and should be stated as such

Whatever was created by God is good but the devil tries to create a counterfeit of it

God created marriage for a man and woman not for same sex

He continues stating that some individuals indulge in this act as a result of mental or psychological problem.

People with mental problems are not always seen outside, dirty and disorganized but people who look sane can also have mental issues, homosexuality can be a psychological problem too He stated.

Speaking on a report of a former Achimota student gay marriage to his boyfriend over the weekend,

Rev. Wengam further stated that the gay community has a big influence in America and control most of their state assets.

He again stated that their influence especially on the poor and marginalize in the country makes people join this act in order to gain favor and financial influence.

He called on the religious groups to strongly cooperate and oppose to any influence from these homosexual groups, he also called on the government and other political groupings to come out clearly on their stands on homosexuality.

It is recalled that Some Ghanaians are fumed on social media following the reported marriage of a former Achimota student to his gay American boyfriend over the weekend.

Stephen Kabutey Ofoi Ceasar, who is a former School Prefect of the prestigious Achimota School, married his long-time boyfriend at a yet-to be disclosed venue in the United States.
Luanda (AFP) - Angola's election commission on Monday rejected accusations of irregularities in last month's vote which saw the MPLA party, which has ruled since 1975, retain power.

Four defeated opposition parties complained that the August 23 election was conducted incorrectly, with ballot boxes and voter forms allegedly disappearing.

Election commission chief Andre da Silva Neto told reporters that the body "categorically rejected the criticism", which he said was a deliberate "attempt to discredit the Angolan electoral process".

"All the electronic tools used in the electoral process were checked," he said, adding that the conduct of the election was entirely "legal".

The MPLA of outgoing President Jose Eduardo dos Santos won just over 61 percent of the vote, according to a provisional count.

The commission is due to release official results on Wednesday.

Dos Santos, who ruled since 1979 but is reportedly in poor health, will hand over to MPLA loyalist Joao Lourenco at the presidential inauguration on September 25.

UNITA and other opposition parties said the election "was not conducted... in accordance with the law" and was "unconstitutional and illegal".

According to preliminary results of the Angola election, UNITA and the Casa-CE party garnered 26 percent and nine percent of the vote respectively.

The MPLA had predicted it would win easily, but the result showed a fall in support from the 2012 election.
The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, has refuted assertions the clamp down by government and its agencies on Exton Cubic Group Limited are politically motivated.

Speaking to the press on Monday, Prof. Frimpong Boateng stated that every government wants to promote indigenous Ghanaian businesses.

The Minister was speaking after the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, announced that Exton Cubic had not met all the legal requirements to prospect for bauxite at Nyinahini in Tano Offin Forest reserve.

A number of infractions were noted by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources with regards to Exton Cubics operations, and Prof. Frimpong maintained that the laws are laws. This is not a political thing. This government works with the law and infractions are infractions.

Nobody can say that this is a political witch hunt. The minister mentioned a lot of infractions so you can go through and you will know that we are not after any individuals. I will be the last person, and I am sure the President will be the last person to hunt Ghanaian business people.

Exton Cubics fears

Exton Cubic however expressed worry that the challenges faced by its exploration at the Nyinahin bauxite concession may have been a result of a witch hunt against it.

The company said the recent developments concerning the legality of operations in the Nyinahin bauxite concession gave it a reason to be concerned.

Vehicles belonging to Exton Cubic's sub-contractor, Ibrahim Mahama's Engineers and Planners (E&P), were impounded in the Nyinahin township on the orders from the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, following suspicions the mining company was operating illegally.

When asked if Exton Cubic suspected a witch hunt during a press conference in August, the company's Public Relations Officer, Samuel Gyamfi said:  suspicions, yes, we will not discount that [a witch hunt] because the way things are happening and the way things are being done gives us great cause to worry.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

The historic and successful visit of the Chinese Vice- Premier of the State Council Zhang Gaoli to Khartoum, marked and emphasized the deep ties of friendship and cooperation between the two friendly countries, and shall give further impetus to their embedded mutual coordination in regional and international forums.

Submitting a message to President Al-Bashir form his Chinese counterpart, the senior Chinese official put it clearly that China's selection of Sudan as strategic partner, was notva random or arbitrary decision, but rather an option carefully calculated and studied.

That is why the said visit was highly celebrated in Khartoum, both in form and substance, as the most important visit of a senior Chinese official, perhaps since the visit of the Chinese presidentHu Jintao to Sudan in 2007, which brought the long standing cooperation between the two countries to yet a new level.

From historical perspective, it goes down in history, that Sudan was the fourth country in the continent, to have established full diplomatic ties with the Peoples Republic of China on 4th February 1959. Since then, China has continued to maintain good and exemplary relations with Khartoum to meritoriously culminate in the year 2015, into strategic partnership, when the Sudanese President Al- Bashir was accorded a red carpet treatment during the latter's historic and landmark visit to Beijing.

The win-win formula was the impetus and the driving force behind Sino-Sudanese rapidly evolving relationship. As a matter of fact, If Chinas contribution in the development of Sudans oil sector continues to be envisaged as highly significant to Khartoum, nevertheless, such engagement could not have easily streamlined without China's own receptiveness to the prospect.

Likewise, Khartoum with its timely adoption of its Look East strategy at that time was at the right time of history; Sudan in particular was equally important to Chinas efforts to develop its oil sector. No surprisingly, Sudan acted as Chinas gateway to Africa.

In other words, Chinas involvement in Sudan spans an important phase in the restructuring and expansion of china's own national oil companies overseas; China's aim at that time was to build internationally competitive firms and to enhance Chinas security in regard to an energy supply.

Arguably, the most important characteristic of the historical relations between Sudan and China is that alongside the economic interactions, it was solidly based on mutual trust and respect. Hence, geographical dimension and the language barriers did not preclude the extension of the relationship on all cultural and social levels. In other words, Sino-Sudanese is a showcase for relationship based on the exchange of mutual interests and benefits and devoid of ulterior or hidden agendas.

What further features and signifies the visit of the senior Chinese official to Khartoum is the fact that it comes in the framework of China's 900 billion dollar's Silk Road Vision, which was recently kicked off by Chinese President Xi Jinping. It has been globally perceived as absolutely the most ambitious development and infrastructure project, with the aim of building a modern version of the ancient Silk Road.

In light of the pressing problems and challenges currently facing humankind almost all over the world, the Chinese "Belt and Road initiative, represents a glimmer of hope that will surly benefit the people all over the world, particularly the third world. The initiative firmly predicated that civilisations by and large, thrive with openness and nations prosper from trade exchange.

Not surprisingly, Sudan was among the first African countries which hailed and blessed such historic, extraordinary and momentous project. In fact,

Sudan has every reason to wholeheartedly support the Chinese initiative; taking into cognizance that Sudan historically, and due to its geographical location, was a link between the Arab world and Africa. Besides, perhaps since time immemorial, the ports in Eastern part of Sudan have been the meeting-point for convoys coming from China to Africa.

Sudan has always maintained its desire to encourage more African countries to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. In fact the package of projects planed in the womb of this initiative, represent the main starting point for the advancement of developing economies like the Sudan. Luckily enough, Sudan and China are currently putting the final touches and understandings to embark on a number of vital projects in the fields of transportation, energy and agriculture. To that effect, Mr. Zhang stressed the need to create synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Sudan's development strategy and boost bilateral cooperation in some new areas such as agriculture, mining and port construction.

Perhaps the most ambitious developmental project in the initiative is the modernization of the railway network at the regional level; taking advantage of Chinese expertise and funding, China plans to finance and build a railway connecting Ethiopia to Sudan in the footsteps the Ethiopia-Djibouti recently constructed railway line, which besides providing Ethiopia with yet a new sea outlet for the Red Sea, shall further cement consolidate the already evolving Sudanese-Ethiopian bilateral ties in all fields of mutual benefits ..

By the same token, a similar giant project in the pipeline, is the railway line linking Sudan with Chad and Cameroon to the west, which will form the basis for the completion of the African ambitious dream of linking and connecting Africa by trains from South Africa to Egypt in the north, and from the Red Sea in the east to Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

These promising projects shall heavily boost the Sudanese economy and multiply its innumerable investment opportunities. As a matter of fact and with regard to the energy projects, Sudan has already begun to benefit from the Belt and Road initiative, unleashing serious negotiation for the establishment of the first Sudanese nuclear plant for peaceful purposes in cooperation with Chinese companies. In the same context, Sudan is currently seeking to discuss opportunities for financing solar power stations as well as constructing more dams for irrigation and electricity projects.

As referred to in the beginning of this article, Sudan enjoys a long two - decades of cooperation with China in the exploration, production and export of Sudanese oil. During his recent visit, the Chinese senior official, Mr. Zhang reiterated that the two countries need to strengthen cooperation in oil and gas exploration and development, and work actively to explore new cooperation areas under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In agriculture, taking stock of Sudan's huge natural resources, Sudan will be one of the largest beneficiaries from the Chinese initiative. Perhaps the giant strategic projects shall include inter-alia, the implementation of a big and exemplary slaughterhouse for the export of Sudanese meat, such promising and long awaited project, shall warrant the influx of additional hundreds of millions of dollars to the Sudanese treasury, in the form of added value of livestock and carcass waste.

Moreover making use of Chinese extended expertise and technology, the two old friends are currently engaged and planning to join hand in hand, to boost Sudan's huge potential in cotton production, with the ultimate goal of making the Sudan great again in the field of textile industry, both regionally and internationally.

On the political level, the belt and road initiative is projected to play effective role in the establishment of further pillars of stability and peace in the Sudan; via its huge development projects, the initiative shall directly address the remnant root causes of poverty and conflicts in a country like the h the Sudan.

The initiative is anticipated to play a major role in promoting and consolidating the chances of peace and stability, taking into consideration that, the initiative-per se- can and can only succeed and flourish in a framework of love, coexistence and peace. Mr. Zhang reaffirmed in Khartoum that China will, as always, support Sudan's efforts in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as achieving domestic peace and stability.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Teacher Trainee Association of Ghana (TTAG), Mr. Isaac Wiafe, has commended the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for the restoration of the Teacher Trainee Allowance which was abolished by the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama administration.

As part of governments drive to fulfill its campaign promises, Teacher trainees in Ghana would from next month make GHc 204 as allowance from the government.

The policy is expected to cost the government an amount of GHc 144 million every academic year.

Each student would be entitled to GHc 400 monthly but GHc 196 would be given directly to the institution to cater for feeding and utility fees.

Speaking on the SPACE FM MORNING FLIGHT show hosted by Dickson Smith, Mr. Wiafe said they are very happy for the restoration of the allowance.

He said they are not trying to play politics with the restoration of the allowance, but the previous government made them to suffer when the government cancelled the allowance.

The PRO stated that they fought for the interest of teacher trainees concerning the allowance, but they were told to go home and find jobs if they cannot go to school without the allowance.

Mr. Wiafe said the restoration of the allowance has lifted a burden from the shoulders of the teacher trainees in the country.

He said last week, during their Delegates Conference, students and delegates were happy to hear about the news of the restoration of their allowance.

The GHc 204 to be given to them as a monthly allowance, he said, is far better for them.

We the students are very happy and we welcome this great news, Mr. Wiafe told Space FM.

He said they salute President Nana Addo and his ministers and they are so grateful for the restoration of their allowance.

Mr. Wiafe added that the deduction from the source is in the best interest of the trainees since it would have been difficult for them to pay the feeding and utility fees to their respective principals.
Sanitation Expert and Head of Department of Basic and Applied Biology at the University of Energy ajnd Natural Resources (UENR), Dr. Samuel Gyasi has said, waste is not waste, but a resource in transit.

Dr. Gyasi, who is also the Secretary General of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), said research has shown that waste could be beneficial to some people if it is managed and recycled properly.

He said, until as a nation we understand this revelation, our approach to managing waste in the country cannot produce any effective results.

Dr Gyasi said there are three types of solid waste in the system, namely, municipal waste, industrial waste and hazardous waste.

Concentrating on the municipal waste, Dr. Gyasi said, to translate the waste into resource, there should be what he termed as force separation.

He explained that city authorities should have different waste bins for different waste.

Dr. Gyasi was sharing his thoughts on the call by Mr. Michael Yaw Gyato, the Deputy Minister of Sanitation on the Ga South Municipal Assembly to stop the indiscriminately creating of refuse dumping sites in the municipality on the SPACE FM MORNING FLIGHT show, with the host, Dickson Smith.

He called for behavioral change among the citizenry to succeed in the fight against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the country.

He hinted that some of the students at the UENR have researched and converted fuel from plastic waste, but the challenge facing them is lack of getting plastic waste to produce more.

The UTAG scribe said Ghana is playing lips service to the management of waste in the country.

As a nation, he said we need a very strong policy change, which can be enforced in every household to separate their wastes before disposing them.

Dr. Gyasi said, in his opinion, one of the hindrances to the successful fight against indiscriminate dumping of refuses is the interference of political leaders, when offenders are caught.

He called for the enforcement of the various Metropolitans, Municipals and District assemblys byelaws on sanitation if we want to have the cleanest environment.
Ghanaian beneficiaries of the 2017/2018 Chevening scholarship took the Citi Opportunity Project on Education (COPE) closer to its GHC250,000 with a GHC1,700 donation.

Citi FM is raising the amount for the foundation to support the tertiary education of 50 beneficiaries.

The average amount spent on each beneficiary is roughly GH5,000, and this is to cover tuition, accommodation, stationery and stipend.

Representing the Chevening scholars, Emmanuel Akaadom, underscored the importance of supporting persons who are very brilliant but in need of financial support to continue their education.

Chevening is the UK government's global scholarship programme that provides beneficiaries with an all-expense paid scholarship to enable participants to achieve their professional goals, and Mr. Akaadom noted that his colleagues could also, in turn, help others in need to inch closer to their life goals.

As Chevening scholars, we also feel privileged and favoured after being given a scholarship by the UK government to go study outside we also saw the need to support out brethren here so they can also go high to achieve what they want to achieve in life, he said after presenting the donation.

How to contribute to COPE

Donations can be sent to the MTN mobile money number 0550 900 006. Cheques can also be written in the name:

CITI FM FOUNDATION

Alternatively, Donations can be made at the front desk of Citi FM, located behind the Adabraka Police Station.

COPE is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative programme under the Citi Foundation for Ghanaians in need of support for education purposes.

COPE is an initiative that seeks to provide full scholarships to brilliant but deprived students to further their education.

Between 2014 and 2016, the project expended an average of about GHc 5,000 per academic year on one beneficiary.

Through donor support, COPE has managed to cater for 22 students.
Some of the 200 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) from two communities in the Bunkpurugu District of the Northern Region, who were unable to sit for two papers in the last exams, have been placed in Senior High Schools.

These candidates were unable to write the English and Religious and Moral Education papers during the 2017 BECE.

The Assembly member for Kambatiak, James Duut Yogarin, who confirmed this to Citi News, expressed optimism that all of the stranded candidates would be placed.

Some have started checking their placement and they have gotten schools I have not gotten all the information but those I have asked so far, they have gotten placement. I believe that all of them will be placed, Duut Yogarin said.

A last minute change in the examination centre meant the students were unable to sit for the first two papers. The new centre was too far from the communities that the candidates hailed from.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), later assured that the 200 candidates would be placed in various Senior High Schools to further their education.

WAEC had previously said the candidates would have had to re-sit the two papers in February 2018, but this was met with some criticism from the public, with a Child's Right advocacy group, Child Rights International going as far as dragging WAEC to court.

The court is yet to pass judgement on matter, but WAEC says, despite the decision to place the students in some schools, they would still be given the opportunity to re-sit the two papers in February 2018.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Local mining company, Exton Cubic Group has challenged Lands Minister John Peter Amewus decision to revoke its mining leases Monday.

Communications Director for the company, Samuel Gyamfi, told Evans Mensah on Joy FMs Top Story the Lands Minister has no bases to do what he did.

He said the company will take steps for legal redress.

Related Article: Lands Minister revokes Exton Cubic's Mining contract

The company, linked to the family of former President John Mahama, had its three mining leases cancelled over improper documentation.

The Minister said his predecessor Inusah Fuseini erred when he issued the leases to the company in the closing days of 2016.

There was no publication of notice of the pendency of the application for the prospecting licence in the Gazette as required by section 13(2) and (3) of Act 703 and Regulation 177 of Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2012 (L.I.2176),Mr Amewu said.

He also said Exton Cubic failed to obtain an environmental permit and operational permit for exploration before commencing work.

But the Company said it is legally mandated to undertake mining activities in the country.

As a company, we find it very disappointingsad and very unfortunate, Mr Gyamfi said.

He said the Ministers action will discourage other local companies that are genuinely creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

The mining leases awarded Exton Cubic Group was the subject misunderstanding between the Lands Minister and Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah last month.

The Regional Minister had directed the seizure of equipment rented by the company to undertake its exploration activities in the Tano Forest Reserve, rich in bauxite.

He explained no document had been made available to him, granting the company the licence to operate in the forest.

But after weeks of disagreeing with each other in the media, Mr Amewu has cancelled the three mining leases issued to Exton Cubic Group.
Tripoli (AFP) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pledged his country's support for efforts to resolve Libya's political and security chaos during a visit to the war-wracked country.

Le Drian held talks in the capital Tripoli with the foreign minister of the UN-backed Government of National Accord, and then travelled to the east of the country, where he met military strongman Khalifa Haftar who backs a rival administration.

"This is a signal of the commitment of France, of President (Emmanuel) Macron's will, to contribute to resolving this crisis," Le Drian told reporters in Tripoli.

He said the visit was a follow-up to a July 25 accord sealed in Paris between the GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj and Haftar.

"Our objective is the stabilisation of Libya in the interest of Libyans themselves but also in the interest of neighbouring countries, of which we form part in a way," Le Drian said at a joint news conference with Libyan counterpart Mohamed al-Taher Siala.

The French foreign minister said the aim was "a unified Libya with functioning institutions" that would stave off "the terrorist threat" and clear the way for reconciliation.

He met Haftar at his headquarters in second city Benghazi, the military strongman's spokesman Khalifa al-Abidi said, for talks on "national and international developments".

Libya has plunged into chaos since the overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 with dozens of armed factions filling the power vacuum as people smugglers exploit the chaos to ferry migrants on unseaworthy ships across the Mediterranean to Europe.

At the July talks hosted by France, Sarraj and Haftar accepted that only a political solution can end the crisis, starting with a ceasefire.

In a 10-point statement, the leaders said: "We commit to a ceasefire and to refrain from any use of armed force for any purpose that does not strictly constitute counter-terrorism."

The two sides also committed to "building the rule of law", and integrating fighters into "lawful military forces".

Although the statement did not stipulate a date for elections, the French president said Sarraj and Haftar had "struck an agreement to hold elections next spring".

Following his German and British counterparts who visited Libya this summer, Le Drian also visited the eastern city of Misrata, home to some of Libya's most influential militias.

In Misrata he met with members of the municipal council and military figures and was also due to make a stop in the remote eastern city of Tobruk for talks with parliament speaker Aguila Salah.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

Farmers at Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal in the Ashanti region have applauded the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo for introducing the planting for food and jobs program.

After an educational tour to the area by the Ashanti regional coordinator for the planting for food and jobs program, Mr Paul Amoah, most farmers expressed optimism about the programs ability to create a bumper harvest this year.

I In an interaction with the media, Mr Paul Amoah disclosed that the move is to encourage the youth as well to involve themselves in the project because government is supporting the famers by absorbing 50% of the cost of the seedlings and chemicals to help them get good and better yields.

Mr. Amoah however downplayed comments on radio and television by some Ghanaians that government is not prepared for the project because seedlings and fertilizers are not available to be given to the farmers am therefore using this medium to tell the general public that we have more seedlings, chemicals and equipment that can furnish farmers for the whole season and the next, so those who are interested in the project should go to their various district agric officers for their seedlings to start planting because the government is fully in support of the project and willing to create employment for the people of Ghana, he reiterated.

Former member of parliament for the District, Alhaji Issifu Pangabu Mohammed who is a beneficiary of the project disclosed that the Agric ministry has contracted him to cultivate thousand six hundred hectares (1600) of maize as seedlings to feed the project in the next season.

He therefore cautioned Ghanaians to desist from politicising the project, adding that, it is a national project which will benefit the entire country and anything that will bring development to the country must be embraced.
Extreme poverty remains one of the worlds biggest challenges. According to the United Nations, 767 million people live in extreme poverty around the world. Although world society has managed to lift nearly 1 billion people out of extreme poverty  in 1999 it was estimated that 1.7 billion wereaffected by extreme poverty  the unprecedented rise of conflict and of violence in the Arab region has worsened the socioeconomic situation of vulnerable population segments in many countries.

On 22 February 2017, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the United Nations Stephen OBrien  stated to the United Nations Security Councilthat 67% of the population in Syriais livingunder conditions considered asextreme poverty.

In another Arab country affected by war and conflict Yemen the World Bank estimates that poverty affects 62% of the population, whereas the World Banks estimates this number to be at approximately 22% for Iraq or even as high as 40% in territories controlled by DAESH. Inevitably, conflict and violence have worsened the situation in the Arab region.

The 2017 World Charity Day is an opportunity to highlight the potential for an increased role by charity organizations and philanthropies in eradicating poverty worldwide through volunteer work and charitable activities. The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates is an encouraging example of a wealthy businessman who has devoted his life to addressing poverty and humanitarian issues through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The think tank, According to Purpose in Action specialized in enhancing donor contributions  estimates that the annual global charitable giving amounts is at least USD $410.71 billion a year. Put in a wider context, the amount given annually for charitable causes is higher than the nominal GDP ofcountries such as of the United Arab Emirates (USD 407 billion), Norway (USD 391 billion) and South Africa (USD 317 billion).

The Charities Aid Foundation World Giving Index for 2016 measuring charitable activities in 140 countries - show that charitable causes motivate people from all over the world to contribute to advancingcommon causes and address poverty. Countries from the Arab region score high in this index: The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait were among the leading countries in the world that promotedcharitable causes.

When the survey respondents were asked whether they would participate in helping a stranger, 81%, 79% and 78% of the respondents in Iraq, Libya, Kuwait respectively stated that they would commit themselves to help someone in need. Helping people in need is inherent to the spirit of the Arabsand is in line with the teachings of the Holy Quran in which Muslims are obliged to give Zakat  charity to the poor in specific amounts. Surat Al-Israfrom the Holy Quran [17:26] says:

You shall give the due alms to the relatives, the needy, the poor, and the travelling alien, but do not be excessive, extravagant.

The war in Syria has had a tremendous negative impact on the civilian population. More than 12 million people have been forced on the move. Although countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have donated significant funds to alleviate the miseries of the Syrian people, the real impact is delivered through theactive involvement of NGOs, IGOs, UN entities and grass-root movements working on the ground. According to the latest donor report provided by Islamic Relief USA, more than 9 million people have benefited from charitable contributions channelled through this organization.

The International Rescue Committee has also assisted more than 1 million Syrian civilians in need of aid and support. Other relief organizations  such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration  are working tirelessly to provide support to Syrians desperately in need of humanitarian assistance.

The war in Yemen is another example of a country that has benefitted from the goodwill of charities working to alleviate extreme poverty and to provide humanitarian assistance to the civilian population. The ongoing famine in the country is currently affecting up to17 million people.

In response, Saudi Arabia allocatedUSD 66.7millionto UNICEF and WHO in June this yearin response to the cholera outbreak in the country. Other countries in the region, such asthe United Arab Emirates has disbursed over USD 2 billion in humanitarian and in development aid- for the period of 2015 - 2017 to Yemen and USD 200 million for Palestine partly through charities.

These examples show that charitable organizations and governments can work jointly to provide assistance and protection to Syrian and Yemeni civilians living in extreme poverty and distressing situations in their respective countries. It also indicates that charitable organizations can play the role as a mediator  without being regarded with suspicion by the belligerents  in offering assistance to the civilian population on the ground.

Although the praiseworthy activitiesof charities contribute to alleviate poverty in the short-term, identifying a long-term solution to address extreme poverty requires a more holistic and inclusive approach to deal with its root-causes. Peace and stability in the Middle East need to be restored so as to accelerate economic growth and to enable societies to stand on their feet. The implementation of unilateral coercive measures on countries affected by war continues to further exacerbate poverty, curb economic growth and destroy the middle class whether in Syria or in Gaza. The return to peace is the first required step.
All is set for the much-heralded Free Education policy which is supposed to kick-start next week, Deputy Education Minister has assured.

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum who is in charge of Senior High School education says even though some few hitches are expected as a human institution, the ministry is generally close to the finish line to begin what is largely the biggest educational intervention by the government.

According to him, his boss, Mathew Opoku Prempeh may go down as the minister to have done the most comprehensive consultation with all heads of institutions as far as the implementation of a policy is concerned.

Whatever we need to put in place has been put in place...core text books have been distributed throughout the country. It has never happened before," he bragged.

In what is a departure from the past, the deputy minister said core text books from first to the third year have been distributed.

The good news is that we didnt want them to wait till the second year before we bring them the second year book, the third year we bring them the third year book. So when I spoke to one headmaster he said I have my first-year mathematics books, second-year mathematics books, and third-year mathematics so I dont have to worry about the next three years.

We really want to prepare. As you can see from our logo, this is not just about access. It is also about quality," he stated.

Asked whether the government has paid the fees to the schools, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum said government will do all that it must do before school begins.

I dont want a child to be sent back home because of a fee item and Nana Addo Dankwa doesnt want that to happen. He in his mind is saying everything must be free and in practice he wants it to be free.

..The idea is that we dont want to put any impediment on any parent, he stated.

Senior High Schools in the country will next week open its door to over 420,000 students to begin their academic pursuit.

In the era of free education, all expenses covering their two and half year stay in school will be borne by government with an estimated 3.6 million cedis expected to be spent on the policy every year.

The rationale according to the Deputy Minister is to ensure Ghanaians who qualify for SHS are not burdened with financial difficulties.

Head of CHASS, Psalm Gyebi said generally the schools are ready to implement the policy.

He, however, added that a meeting of all heads of schools is currently underway and a final decision as to the challenges will be communicated after the end of the meeting.

When he was asked whether the government has paid the feeding grant as promised, he retorted, saying they are yet to receive the money but hopes before the beginning of school the money would have been paid.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
The security agencies tasked with rooting out galamsey gold miners need the wholehearted support of the Ghanaian media. They definitely need it to be more effective - and one would encourage the ministers for defence and interior to have journalists embedded with the various Operation Vanguard teams.

It will help keep the nation informed about the progress they are making to root out the galamsey menace, and, above all, expose the fake news about Operation Vanguard raids deliberately generated and spread by the criminal syndicates that have grown super-rich from the massive environmental degradation resulting from illegal gold mining, illegal logging and illegal sand-winning.

Operation Vanguard has thrown up some of the challenges faced by those charged with securing and protecting the airspace, territorial landmass and 200 mile continental shelf off our nation's coastline in carrying out that vital operational task.

It is unfortunate that they don't even have suitable tents to accommodate the officers and men taking part in Operation Vanguard. Pity. The question is: Have the powers that be never heard of SHIFTPOD tents before? Ebeeii.

It has also become obvious that despite the threat posed by terrorists across West Africa, Ghana's security agencies don't even have the capacity to remotely monitor every centimeter of the entire landmass of the Republic of Ghana, night and day all year round. Incredible.

The question there is: Are the powers that be unaware of private security companies such as Northbridge Services Group? Ditto unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Aerial Vehicle (UAV) IT 180 manufactured by Australia's ECA Group's Airborne Drone Solutions? Haaba.

This blog humbly suggests that bids are invited from the world's leading private security companies with experience of African operations under their belts so to speak - such as Erinys International for example - for private public partnership (PPP) agreements that will ensure that our security agencies are provided with bleeding edge technological underpinnngs all modern police and militaries need, if they are to be effective in ensuring the safety of the Republic of Ghana and all its citizens.

As this blog's humble contribution to making the lives of the Operation Vanguard teams comfortable, we are publishing two culled pieces about Burning tents and unmanned areal platforms.

As this blog's humble contribution to making the lives of the

Operation Vanguard teams comfortable, we are publishing two culled

pieces about Burning tents and unmanned areal platforms.

Please read on:

1)

"Blog - Latest News

You are here:

Home

News & Features

/ The Only Tent You Will Ever Need For Burning Man, And Every Other Camping...

The Only Tent You Will Ever Need For Burning Man, And Every Other

Camping Festival After

April 5, 2017/in News & Features /by Marco Sgalbazzini

Ten days of beautiful and unforgettable memories. Ten days of

unimaginable art and mesmerizing music. Ten days of new friendships,

random encounters and rollercoaster ups-and-downs. Ten days of

sunshine, blue skies and sudden dust storms. Ten days of scorching

desert heat and ten nights of freezing-cold temperatures.

Burning Man is all of that and more: one of the most extreme festival

experiences with changes so acute its known to be a ten-day test of

the body, the spirit and the mind, which is why people walk away from

Burning Man with renewed spirit, newfound purpose and memories to last

a lifetime.

How you choose to live Burning Man, or any other camping festival for

that matter, can have a large say in how you walk away from the

experience. Camping at Burning Man, or other music and arts festivals,

doesnt have to be painful and full of sacrifices. How? With the

SHIFTPOD, voted the number one best innovation for Black Rock Desert

camping. Awarded several design and materials patents for their award

winning products, the SHIFTPOD 2017 line provides more headroom, black

out flies, door screens, military grade Kevlar stitching, and new

double-sealed seam system for the best weather protection available,

no matter the temperature or conditions. Light weight yet heavy duty,

the SHIFTPOD is the most reliable shelter for the worst conditions

imaginable, no matter whether you use it as a disaster shelter, on

extreme camping trips or for you festival needs.

Despite what you may think, SHIFTPODS can be set up by one person in

under two minutes. The idea for the SHIFTPOD was born out of a need

for a luxurious all weather shelter that would reflect the heat of the

sun, protect from high wind and fine dust and also keep you warm in

the cold nights in the desert. That is why SHIFTPODS are the ideal

Burning Man tent choice. As a testament to that, the first 300

SHIFTPODS ever produced were tested in the Black Rock Desert at a time

when the weather channels were reporting 30-50mph sustained winds with

guest to 90mph! The SHIFTPODS stood firm and shed the wind like it was

nothing while other tents blew over and literally blew away.

If youre planning to go to Burning Man this year consider investing

in a SHIFTPOD for your comfort and your safety. Its a worthwhile

investment, especially if youre a regular to the annual gathering,

attend other camping festivals throughout the year or enjoy the

outdoors.

You can find all information and purchase the SHIFTPOD directly from

their website here.

Tags: Black Rock City, black rock desert, Burning Man, burning man

camping, camping, desert, shiftpod, tent

Share this entry

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How To Make The Most Out Of An Event Failure

Sian: Bridging The Gap Between Techno and Hip-Hop."

End of culled piece about SHIFTPODS.

2) Culled piece about the Australian ECA Group's unmanned aerial vehicles:

"Home

+33 (0)4 94 08 90 00 Mail us

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) IT 180 / Airborne Drone Solutions

Contact us:

Call us

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IT180 UAV Solutions

Multi-Missions Airborne Drone for Commercial, Professional and Military Use

ECA Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) Solutions IT180

ECA Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) Solutions IT180

A WIDE RANGE OF UAV IT180 SOLUTIONS

UAV IT180-30 Electrical Mini Airborne Drone for ISTAR missions

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UAV IT180-999 Tethered Electrical UAV solution for Permanent Operations

Airborne Monitoring & Survey | Critical Infrastructure Protection

Law Enforcement for Homeland Security

Special Forces Aerial Intelligence for Fire Fighting | Search &

Rescue Operations

Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Missions

Aerial Surveillance Site Protection for Civil

Aerial Surveillance & Nuclear Detection for Nuclear Plants

ECA Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV IT180-30

UAV IT180-30 / Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The ECA Group UAV IT180-30 is a mini vtol unmanned aerial vehicle -

uav dedicated to intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and

reconaissance (ISTAR) missions. Thanks to its eletrical engine, this

Airborne Drone has optimal capacities for covert operations.

Read All Call us Mail us

ECA Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV IT180-60

UAV IT180-60 / Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The ECA Group UAV IT180-60 is a mini long endurance electrical

Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

that can carry multiple payloads and perform a wide range of missions,

both for civilian and military needs. Thanks to its electrical engine

and low radar cross section, the UAV IT180-60 has optimal capacities

for covert operations, such as ISTAR, and prevents noise pollution.

Read All Call us Mail us

ECA Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV IT180-120

UAV IT180-120/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

ECA Group Mini UAV IT180-120, a mini gasoline UAV for long operations.

Equipped with a wide range of payloads, this Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

(UAV) IT180-120 is ideally suited to civilian applications, such as

civil security operations, survey and infrastructure inspection.

Read All Call us Mail us

ECA Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV IT180-999

UAV IT180-999 / Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

ECA Group supplies the UAV IT180-999 a tethered Unmanned Aerial

Vehicle (UAV) solution for permanent operations. Powered by a ground

power supply, the Airborne Drone IT180-999 can fly for an almost

unlimited period of time and perform various type of missions, such as

surveillance or radio relay.

Read All Call us Mail us

Contact us:

Call ECA Group Expert

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electronics Aerospace Radio Frequency RF Ground Equipment Aerospace

Test Means Airborne Monitoring & Survey Aviation Simulation Aviation

Training Simulation Driving Simulation Homeland Security Hydrography

Oceanography Industrial Equipments Land Forces Merchant Maritime

Training Military & Law Enforcement Simulation Naval Forces Naval

Forces Training Nuclear Oil & Gas Railways Shipyards Subsea Training

For Fire Fighting Training for Maritime Water Boreholes Water Pipes

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End of culled content from the ECA Group's website.
04.09.2017 LISTEN

Young Women aspiring to be in the inky fraternity must work hard to change the negative public perception about women in the media industry.

The Head of Television for Homebase TV, a digital TV station, Kobi Hemaa Osisiadan  Bekoe was speaking at a sensitization workshop for new Students of GH MEDIA in Accra

She said news reports on women had often tended to focus on their physical appearance rather than their achievements as leaders in their own right.

The over a decade practicing Broadcaster affectionately called Ohemaa said women in the profession must be bold in dealing with the challenge once and for all.

She advised students to start managing their lives very well especially on social media since they are now going to be in the public eye.

Kobi Hemaa Osisiadan-Bekoe is the only female Broadcast Journalist and TV host in the Television industry who can perform all the chain of sectors in the broadcast industry.

She has produced content for Television stations such as TV Africa, GTV, Multi TV, Light Television and Homebase Television.

Her ability to be multi-tasked and perform ambidextrously is evidential as she is a Presenter, Producer, Marketer, Programmer, Concept Developer, Leader(Manageress), Camera director and Video editing director .

Known as Ghanas Pride and the Queen of trade, she is a woman whos passionate about portraying Africa and as such she maintains a constant brand of projecting African values even in her style of dressing consistently on TV for the past ten years.

She is the founder of Angeles Foundation, a Socio-Health based foundation where the tenant of the foundation is focused on Cancer Education, Maternal Health, Boy Child Empowerment and Developing of Entrepreneurial Skills among youth. She was recently rated as part of the top five female morning show host in the country.

Kobi Hemaa Osisiadan-Bekoe currently works with Homebase TV as a Morning Show Host and Director of Television.
North Korea is still causing quite a bit of angst. The front page of the Financial Times reports:

Donald Trump has lashed out after North Koreas latest nuclear weapons test, declaring the nations actions as hostile and dangerous to the US and leaving open the possibility of a military response against Pyongyang. North Korea on Sunday said it had tested a hydrogen bomb capable of being mounted on a ballistic missile that was a perfect success. The test, estimated to have been about 10 times more powerful than previous detonations, triggered a magnitude 6.3 earthquake.

Sounds pretty bad, right?

Look, its easy to get freaked out by this sort of stuff. For many, the inclination is to protect your capital by moving to more conservative investments or cash.

But most of the time, our inclinations are wrong. Our brains make us do things that feel good in the short term, but are bad in the long term.

To avoid these damaging impulses, I have a little strategy you can employ. Its easy to do, and quickly puts things into perspective.

If youre worried about similar threats, its always good to see what everyone else is doing. Are you worrying needlessly? Or is the herd starting to worry, too?

In the case of North Korea, why not take a look at whats going on in the region? After all, if things really are bad and war is a genuine risk, it would probably show up in the South Korean and Chinese markets first, right?

OK then, lets take a look at the South Korean stock market, the Seoul Composite index. As you can see, the market has been strong this year. Its corrected in the past few months on the back of North Korean tensions. But after such a strong run, a pullback like this is not unusual.



Source: Optuma

[Click to open new window]

What about China? The Shanghai Composite index (below) just broke out to its highest level since January 2016. Thats bullish. There is clearly no concern about North Korea on the value of Chinese stocks.



Source: Optuma

[Click to open new window]

Id much rather take my cues from the markets than from the mouth of Donald Trump  or anyone else with an opinion on the matter. Our brains are wired to look for threats. In the stock market, there are perceived threats everywhere.

But you have to control your urge to respond to each one. I believe by studying the charts (of individual stocks or markets as a whole) you can put things into perspective more easily, and make better decisions.

Let me give you an example of how this recently worked for me. I was looking into the junior oil and gas sector in Australia. The sector has been through a big bear market. I was trying to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, and pick a few players that had the chance to deliver big gains.

I was comparing two companies, both with current drilling programs underway. The company I favoured was a slightly better value play. But what got me over the line was that its chart looked stronger.

In other words, the collective intelligence of the investors in the stock I choose told me that it had a good chance of going higher. You could see this through the shape of the chart. And when the fundamentals of the business aligned with what the chart was saying, it was enough for me to recommend the stock.

Within a few weeks of that recommendation, the stock is up 50%, while the stock that I passed on hasnt moved.

Thats the power of subjugating your own views and listening to the market instead. It wont work out all the time. But as a part of a process, it will bring you much more success than guessing based on gut feel, or worry.

By the way, its only just getting started for my 50% gainer and the other junior energy stocks I recently recommended. You can find out more about them here.

In the meantime, worry less about the threats of North Koreaat least until the market tells you to start worrying.

Regards,

Greg Canavan,

Editor, Crisis & Opportunity
Litecoin (LTC) led the charge over the weekend as a surge of investment across the board sent many crypto prices into overdrive.

But it was Litecoin that stole the show.

It rose 60% last week and sits at AU$100.61 at time of writing. And unlike many of the cryptos that pulled back in price on Sunday, Litecoin seems to be holding onto its gains.

Founded by Charlie Lee, a former Google employee, Litecoin is often referred to as the silver to bitcoins gold (BTC). Like its rival, LTC uses blockchain technology to complete transactions.

However, like silver, it is easier to use, and its purpose is to get things done at a faster and cheaper rate.

And this is whats behind the recent price rise.

Litecoin is in the process of implementing whats known as The Lightning Network. This is a technical feature that bitcoin has long promised but has struggled to deliver as a result of some difficult politics.

The more harmonious Litecoin development team has stolen a march on its more well-known cousin and is currently a superior technology for the processing of payments at scale.

This cryptocurrency is looking like an increasingly good hedge against bitcoin development uncertainty.

Elsewhere, prices across the crypto board have stabilised a bit in the last 24 hours from their earlier surge (in AUD).

Bitcoin: $5,746, +0.97%

Ethereum: $424.36, +1.61%

Ripple: $0.2877, +1.66%

Bitcoin Cash: $735.39, +4.04%

Dash: $466.17, +3.31%

Bitcoin holds steady near all-time highs

The price of bitcoin has retreated from the all-time high of AU$6,200 it hit over the weekend and now sits just under AU$5,800.

However, at least one analyst sees this as a buying opportunity.

Ronnie Moas, the founder of Standpoint Research, contends that the price break is the work of larger traders who want to build up even bigger positions in the cryptocurrency:

When people panic and start selling, they are going to come in quietly and start buying again. So its buying 50,000 then dumping 20,000, for example.

Bitcoin Cash remains stable

The acrimony between the BTC and BCH communities remains red hot if the Twitter-verse is anything to go by.

And not just from random supporters.

Well-known bitcoin cash supporter Roger Ver copped some Twitter flak from Litecoin creator Charlie Lee for tweeting that half of his staff accept some of their wages in BCH. Lee replied: Half of your team wanted to be paid with uncensorable money. The other half were willing to accept a cheap knock off.

Regardless, the BCH price remains steady, and the project is still in early days.

Ethereum (ETH) outshined by Ethereum Classic (ETC)

Ethereum Classic (ETC), the fork of Ethereum (ETH), was up over 30% at one stage over the weekend, though it has pulled back to AU$23.66 over the past 24 hours.

ETH on the other hand failed to break out to new highs, and has fallen around $50, to AU$442.91, today.

It is not immediately clear what is fuelling this ETC price climb.

Barry Silbert  whose Ethereum Classic Trust reportedly holds 3.6% of the circulating ETC supply  stated on Twitter that he believes the cryptocurrency serves as a solid store of value, even if it never becomes a central hub for decentralised applications like ETH hopes to be.

Ripple talking Chinese

The fintech company and officials from the Peoples Bank of China are having talks about the public blockchain platform RCL  Ripple Consensus Ledger.

Ripple has seen a surge of trading volume as interest picks up on their increasingly bright prospects.

With interest growing around the world, there has never been a better time to learn more about the incredible potential with cryptocurrencies. But there are some very real risks for investors. Dont invest until youve read Sam Volkerings latest special report.

Regards,

Ryan Dinse,

Money Morning
Rich investors are going nuts for crypto.

Thats if the number of new crypto hedge funds opening up is anything to go by

There are more dedicated cryptocurrency hedge funds out there than ever before. And even more are due to start later this year.

Fintech analytics firm Autonomous NEXT, just released a complete list of 55 cryptocurrency hedge funds. Interest in the space is growing. Like wild mushrooms, crypto hedge funds have been taking root in the volatile and unregulated soil of the crypto economy, Autonomous NEXT said on their website.

Even previous bitcoin sceptics like US Shark Tank star and tech billionaire, Mark Cuban are starting to invest in crypto-focussed funds. He just backed a new Initial Coin Offering (ICO) called 1confirmation.

So what changed his mind?

High risk. High reward, is how he described his thinking.

And hes not the only one thats changed his tune pretty quickly

They are coming in, in very significant numbers. Emma Channing of Argon Group Investment Bank said, I think its a fantastic sign of the maturing market. A sign that ICOs, as an asset class, are here to stay.

This industry push isnt limited to American and European investors.

Roberto Ponce Romay, the former Bain senior manager who recently founded Crypto Assets Fund in Latin America, said that investors in countries like Colombia, Peru and Mexico are also taking note of cryptocurrency opportunities.

I will say its growing, but especially in Argentina, because they had a problem in the past when it was hard to take out US dollars, Romay said. They are looking at cryptocurrency more because they want to make an investment, to protect their wealth. Its booming.

The big end of town is clearly starting to jump aboard the crypto train. Thats all well and good for the rich list, but what about the average superannuation fund?

Well, in a way they could be part of this revolution soon, whether they want to or not! Ill explain what I mean shortly.

Crypto investing pioneers

First lets look at a few retirement funds that are investing directly in crypto. As youd expect, the first regulated funds are coming out of the US.

BitcoinIRA is a California based company that allows users to create compliant retirement funds to invest directly in the major cryptocurrencies. Chris Kline, COO of BitcoinIRA said that customer demand for the currency has been immense.

Closer to home I couldnt find any superannuation funds investing directly in cryptos right now. But a host of services have recently opened up to allow SMSF trustees to invest in Bitcoin in a compliant way.

One is bitcointrader.org.au and they offer services to buy, comply, store, secure and insure for SMSFs interested in a crypto punt.

A quick word of warning. The cryptocurrency market is unregulated in Australia, so do your own due diligence and tread very, very carefully.

One potential super fund in the cryptocurrency industry is Australias Future Fund. The Future Fund is the federal governments super fund for their employees.

Its had a cracking year of returns according to reports out last week. And although it holds a wide portion of its asset in cash (20.3%) it also has a fair amount (11.5%) held in private equity investments.

Its list of private equity investment managers totals around 33. And includes seed stage Snapchat investor Lightspeed ventures. So it wouldnt surprise me to see a cryptocurrency play or two somewhere in the investment mix. Indirectly at least.

Though, of course I cant say for sure.

But theres one avenue that all super funds use. And a soon to be announced change could make every superannuation fund a participant in the blockchain revolution.

Blockchain coming to an exchange near you

The operator of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) will complete an assessment of blockchain-style distributed ledger technology (DLT) as a replacement for its CHESS system by the end of the year.

The technology has potential for significant operational efficiency and new service offerings for the entire industry said ASX CEO Dominic Stevens.

The more we investigate the more we see potential for the technology across a wide range of applications, he added. Can we go to the next level with DLT? At the moment that looks very promising.

No details were given on the specifics of how this might work. But it does signal an increased acceptance of the underlying technology. And if this is the way the ASX proceeds, then every superannuation fund will be taking part in the blockchain revolution through the act of buying and selling shares.

You get the feeling that cryptocurrencies are poised for a breakout year this year into mainstream acceptance.

It might only be a matter of time before you start to see Crypto assets next to Australian shares as part of your super portfolio mix.

Good investing,

Ryan Dinse,

Editor, Money Morning

PS: Make sure you start to learn about this exciting new technology before its too late. My colleague Sam Volkering and I are passionate about making sure ordinary people  not just hedge funds  get to take part in this exciting opportunity. But there are substantial risks for the uninformed. Please dont do anything until youve read this report.
We need to have a difficult conversation. Its a conversation that is important for our children and our community, and without it we risk a fractured future. Its a conversation about a move by the Republican-led legislature to split up our schools in a way that would largely segregate our children, divide our communities and lead to less successful education for all students.

On Monday, the budget committee passed a provision specifically aimed at Racine Unified School District. The provision allows surrounding villages to hold a vote to break apart the school district.

The referendum unfairly allows one group of residents to decide the fate of another. Under the provision, residents in the villages will have the exclusive power to vote to break up RUSD. Residents of the city, however, will not get a vote despite the fact that the vote will determine what happens to children who live in the City of Racine and attend schools in RUSD.

The referendum would also divide our community down lines of race, income, and educational opportunities. The reality is that the children who attend schools in the villages are mostly white and affluent, while students attending schools in the city are more likely to be black and Latino and from low-income families. That means that a group of mostly white, middle-class residents will alone decide whether to kick minority and low-income students out of schools they currently attend. The parents of the children being kicked out will have no vote.

Even in 2017, it is painfully uncomfortable to discuss race. In Racine and across Wisconsin, we pride ourselves on being welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. That is why it is so important for us to discuss how this change could impact our community and our children. And even if the Republicans who drafted this provision arent trying to divide our community by race and class, that would be the consequence.

Its true that some of our schools in Racine are struggling. More of our parents are working longer hours for less money, which means even more of our children are living in poverty.

Even as more of our middle class has seen the value of their working dollar stretched thinner, the state has reduced funding for our schools. Today, Wisconsins education budget is at least $1 billion short of where it should be, and no Republican plan to dismantle RUSD would fill that gap.

Weve seen Republican gimmicks aimed at making some things better for some students  charters, vouchers, open school enrollment, and more. This provision to split up RUSD is just worse than a gimmick  it is a power grab. It could be a blatant test of Brown v. Board of Education that sought to integrate our schools and create equal opportunity for all children.

We need a unified school district for many reasons. School funding is better utilized across a large number of students. A unified school district makes it possible for us to pay for costly programs like special education and also to provide students with the newest technology. It makes it possible for us to hire and keep experienced teachers who are invested in the wellbeing of our children.

There is a lot that we need to do in Wisconsin to ensure our children get the best possible education. We need to fully fund all of our schools. We need to stop attacks on our teachers, which has resulted in recruitment problems for RUSD. We need to all be more involved in how our schools operate. We need to ensure our tax dollars are spent wisely and ensure accountability for how our money is used at private voucher schools.

This provision slipped into the budget two months after the due date without a public hearing and without input from community members will likely be signed by Gov. Walker. Only a strong backlash from the community and outreach from constituents can stop now stop it. So our hope rests with you. We hope that, if the villages are faced with this decision, we say no. No to dividing our school district. No to dividing our community. No to letting one group of individuals decide the fate of thousands of children from another racial group and social class. We should say no because we are stronger together than we are apart. We are One Racine.
'The big truck is still on ...
Since the Republicans took control of the governors office and both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature in 2011, there has been stiff opposition to increasing property taxes in the state, to the point of making a property-tax hike a much steeper hill to climb for municipal and school-district governing bodies. For that, the states property taxpayers can be grateful.

But in those six-plus years, nothing has come along in Wisconsins affairs quite like the pending placement, possibly in Mount Pleasant, of a $10 billion plant by Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn.

This is a dramatically different situation, and its going to require different rules.

Because of property tax caps imposed by Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature, while the Foxconn plant is being built in whichever community it lands, that communitys town board, village board or city council might decide to increase property taxes. Which would make a certain amount of sense, since there will be a steep increase in power, water and sewer use in that community because of the gigantic new neighbor.

The new construction the Foxconn plant brings will bring about a substantial rise in new taxing authority in that community.

Kenosha also is reportedly in the running to be the location of the plant. As Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian said in recent testimony before state lawmakers, theres a catch-22  for the younger readers, thats where youre damned if you do, damned if you dont  for the municipality which lands the Foxconn plant.

A special district will be created for Foxconn around the undeveloped land in the host community. That district will allow local officials to use the property taxes paid by the factory to pay for the costs of new infrastructure serving the plant such as streets, sewers and water line capacity. But existing state limits on property tax increases mean local governments cant raise their levies by more than the amount of new construction in the previous year.

If its Mount Pleasant, for example, as pointed out in an Aug. 28 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report, this is an entirely possible scenario under existing state law:

Mount Pleasant had total property valued at just over $2.5 billion in 2016. If Foxconn were to add $250 million of taxable new construction in a single year  which, given the magnitude and plans of the company in question, isnt unrealistic  then the village would have the ability to raise property taxes by up to 10 percent. Because the Foxconn plant and its tax payments would be in a special district, this hypothetical increase of up to 10 percent could fall on existing homeowners outside the district.

Antaramian, when testifying before state lawmakers, asked for more flexibility from state restrictions on local taxing and spending that could complicate the Foxconn deal.

On behalf of the Mount Pleasant readers of The Journal Times, wed like to see more flexibility, too.

We welcome the jobs coming, both directly and indirectly, through the arrival of the Foxconn plant. But were concerned about the possibility of the property taxpayers in one of our communities taking a big hit in the annual bill for something which will benefit all of southeastern Wisconsin.

Gov. Walker and the Legislature must find a balance between the tax incentives being offered to Foxconn and their commitment to keeping property taxes down.
- Mc Tagwaye welcomes President Buhari back to Nigeria

- Tagwaye extols Buharis leadership qualities

- The presidency denies a report by Sahara Reporters claiming President Buhari will leave Abuja on Monday, September 4, 2017 for a trip to Washington, DC

A young Nigerian, known as Mc Tagwaye, who has become popular for mimicking President Muhammadu Buhari has finally met with the president in Daura, Katsina state.

READ ALSO: BREAKING! Gruesome motor accident along Kaduna-Abuja expressway (photos)

Mc Tagwaye, in a post on Facebook said his meeting with President Buhari occurred on Saturday, September 2.

The young man said he used the opportunity to welcome the president back to the country and praised Buhari for his many qualities which stands him out as a good ruler.

Read the statement by Mc Tagwaye below:

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to pay His Excellency the President, Chief and Commander Federal Republic of Nigeria a SALLAH visit and to say welcome back to your kingdom.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV

It's not yet in the history book of Nigeria a man like PMB, who sees nothing about this life, who placed integrity above all things, like him or hate him, deep inside your heart you know he's a good man, what wrong has he done to you as a citizen, no record showing he stole your money, his only crime is that he want to defend and protect what is rightfully yours, protect your future administratively, set a paste between good and bad governance.

"You must not agree with what I said, but I am a citizen too, I reserve the right to my opinion. God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria."

See photos from Tagwayes post below:

Meanwhile, the Presidency has denied a report by Sahara Reporters on Sunday, September 3, which claimed President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Monday, September 4, 2017 for a trip to Washington, DC.

The online news platform had said in its report that the trip from Nigeria to the US is reportedly at the invitation of President Donald Trump.

But President Buhari's personal assistant on social media, Lauretta Onochie in a tweet said the report was totally untrue.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has also debunked the news being circulated via a parody Twitter account and an old NTA news video that President Muhammadu Buhari is travelling or has travelled to the U.S. is fake.

Watch this Legit.ng video of Nigerians celebrating the return of President Buhari to Nigeria on August 19:

Source: Legit.ng
- IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, alleges that a Sudanese man named Jubril is currently parading himself as President Buhari

- The IPOB leader accuses the government of sponsoring lies against him

- Kanu says the worst mistake President Buhari ever made was to arrest him

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that a Muhammadu Buhari look alike is the one currently parading himself as the president.

READ ALSO: NiMet predicts localised rains, thunderstorms over Nigerias central cities on Sunday, September 3

Kanu also ordered IPOB members to burn Nigeria to the ground if he is ever arrested by the Nigerian government.

He claimed that the government hired a look-alike Sudanese man named Jubril to come and stand in for Buhari.

The IPOB leader made the allegation in a video footage which surfaced online on Sunday, September 03, 2017.

In the footage, Kanu when addressing some IPOB supporters alleged that the man posing to be President Buhari was brought to the country after extensive surgery.

He said: The man you are looking at on the television is not Buhari, he is from Sudan. After extensive plastic surgery they brought him back. The person was taught Buharis mannerisms and he came back deceiving all of you. I can stand and prove who I am but Buhari cannot do the same thing. He cannot deceive Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV

Kanu accused the government of sponsoring what he called bunch of lies against him, adding that he had been provoked to speak.

He faulted the Sun newspaper for publishing a report which claimed he was on the run.

The IPOB leader said the worst mistake Buhari ever made was to arrest him.

The worst mistake Buhari ever made was to arrest me. I will break the zoo into pieces. I am taking IPOB to Abuja on the 17th of next month for my court case. There will be 2 million people in Abuja. We take the battle to our enemies. You are under oath and by virtue of that oath you are under direct order from me, any day you hear I have been arrested, to burn down Nigeria to the ground," he said.

Watch the footage below:

Meanwhile, the former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has called on the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to exercise restraints in the issue of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Fani Kayode made this known in his twitter handle on Saturday, September 2.

The former minister said any plan to arrest Nnamdi Kanu will be like fighting two wars.

In the video below; Legit.ng TV takes a critical look at Nnamdi Kanu and the struggle for the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.

Source: Legit.ng
- The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide has called for peace between ASUU and the federal government

- Enoch Adeboye said the crisis between ASUU and FG must be resolved immediately

- He said the prolonged crisis between the two parties is affecting the Nigerian economy

The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to resolve the ongoing crisis leading to strike action by the union.

Adeboye, while speaking at the monthly thanksgiving service of the RCCG in Lagos said, the lead cause of the crisis should be resolved without further delay.

The man of God who was represented by the assistant general overseer, administration and personnel Johnson Odesola said the crisis between the federal government and ASUU is has been prolonged and currently stifling the Nigerian economy.

READ ALSO: Surprise as MC Tagwaye, Buhari's alter ego meets the Nigerian President in Daura (photos)

He said: "Higher institutions of learning are the citadels where learning takes place to bring development to any country. Therefore, continuous strike will only continue to aggravate the chaos that would eventually lead to retrogression in the economy.

I, therefore, plead with the Federal Government to realise that education is the livewire of this country and to the best of its ability, accede to the demands of ASUU, while the union should be considerate with its demands knowing the present state of the countrys economy."

He also decried that pains inflicted on most Nigerian families by herdsmen.

READ ALSO: Patience Jonathan removes EFCC inscriptions, recovers N2bn hotel

Herdsmen that we used to know were simply armed with staff, bottle water and were very friendly anywhere they went. The present day herdsmen go about with AK 47, maiming and killing and Nigerians are wondering who have been supplying them with such weapons and for what reasons, he added.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the minister of labour and employment Chris Ngige had said the negotiation between the federal government and ASUU will resume after the Eid el-Kabir celebrations.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV

Ngige in a statement issued by his deputy director (press), Samuel Olowookere, said the meeting would hold shortly after the holiday as requested by executive of the union.

He also dispelled speculations that the federal government was at loggerheads with the ASUU executives over the ongoing universities' strike action.

Watch this Legit.ng video on the state of education in Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng
- Former militant Asari Dokubo has warned the federal government against its plan to rearrest the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra

- Asari said himself and his group will resist any move by FG to rearrest Nnamdi Kanu

- He also said he doubts that President Buhari has truly returned from his medical vacation in London as widely reported

The president of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force Asari Dokubo has condemned the recent move by the federal government to rearrest the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu.

Asari said the move by the federal government against Kanu will be resisted by the people from the Niger Delta.

Speaking in a video released, the leader of the NDPVF said God will make available to the Biafra people, the stone which the biblical David used to kill Goliath.

READ ALSO: How government hired a look-alike Sudanese man to come and stand in for Buhari - Nnamdi Kanu (video)

Biafrans, today we are going to look at a very dark cloud trying to envelop us. And that cloud is the re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu.

Asari also expressed doubt that President Muhammadu Buhari has truly returned from his medical vacation in London.

He said: After the return of the thing they said is Muhammadu Buhari, which I doubt very much, the cabal around that thing they brought home from London needed to feed that thing with blood. The blood of Biafrans, you and I."

How can our blood flow? The only way our blood can flow unstoppably is the rearrest or the attempt to rearrest Nnamdi Kanu.

They dont give a damnn, killing us is fun. Its a game; a religion to them but killing their own people pinches them a little. Because the people who issued death sentence on us that after October 1 if any of us are found on their land will be killed.

READ ALSO: Patience Jonathan removes EFCC inscriptions, recovers N2bn hotel

They used different medium: they TV, radio, internet to circulate that after Oct. 1 any one of us seen in their land should be killed. And the DSS said those who issued death sentence on us were quoted out of context.

Minister of Internal affairs said attempting to arrest them will cause crisis. But Nnamdi Kanu is arguably the greatest crowd puller of this part of the world, nobody can rival him not even Buhari that when they brought him back from London had to go and beg people, paid them N2000 to come out and show their support.

The world has suddenly lost it vision to see. The world has suddenly lost its ear to hear how Biafrans have been killed.

May be Nnamdi Kanus time is the fullness of time, God almighty has given so much grace to this Egyptians and they have refused to heed. They have hardened their minds and this Pharaoh, moreso, this thing they brought from London, who wants blood to keep him alive said hell kill all our people.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV

May be its really the fullness of time, and the stone with which David killed Goliath God will make it available for us to fight our battle," Asari warned.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Kanu had warned that Nigeria will burn if he is rearrested.

The leader of the IPOB reacting to the move by the federal government to rearrest him said his bail conditions were unconstitutional and violated his right to speak, be heard and to associate.

He also said he is ready to sacrifice everything including his family to ensure that Biafra - which he described as superior force from heaven - is restored.

You can watch this Legit.ng exclusive chat with Nnamdi Kanu below:

Source: Legit.ng
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has revealed what he will do to anyone who dares to lay a finger on his beloved wife.

According to Pastor Adeboye, he would kill anybody who touches his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Foluke Adeboye.

He noted this while preaching a message titled Activating Your Destiny at the National Headquarters of RCCG, Throne of Grace Parish, Ebutte Meta, Lagos even as he celebrates his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife.

Pastor Adeboye and Foluke Adeboye

READ ALSO: Lady accuses RCCG of refusing to return N24.7m proceeds of fraud (photos)

Daddy G. O as he is fondly called, however, enjoined couples to be ready to lay down their lives for their partner if they truly loved them.

In his words, be ready to lay down your life for your partner if youre truly in love. My wife doesnt like me saying this: You can slap me; you can lie against me, you can criticise me, it doesnt bother me, but touch my wife, Ill kill you!

I want the world to hear. Theyll say if I killed, theyll arrest me, jail me, that is if I killed with cutlass or gun. If you tamper with my wife, I will talk to my Daddy and youll sleep and will not wake. If you want to marry a person whos influential, marry a pastor. If he does not fall into sin, hell remain a pastor forever.

Marry for love. Itll endure. Ive been married for 50 years and still on honeymoon. I was the poorest among those lurking around the girl I married. One was a lawyer who had a car; I had nothing. But I told the girl that if you marry me, whatever I am, wherever I ever become, will be yours.

I was not a Christian, but i was an incurable optimist. We struggled over pomo as I usually hear me say, but today if we want to eat a cow now, God will provide.

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After our wedding on September 8, 1967, we faced challenges. The baby came 1968. It was tough. We were happy because we were in love. I had no car, no house, a marriage into a rented room and a parlour. We have stories to tell. If you marry for love, the reason it will last is because God is love.

You must continue to tend the fire, meaning: no matter how little, you must constantly give gifts to your partner. If its given in love, itll be appreciated. When two people are in love, they exchange gifts. Always open your mouth to say to your partner I love you.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng TV went to the street to ask people if it is appropriate for men to do house chores. Watch what they had to say below:

Source: Legit.ng
- Resident doctors all over Nigeria, have commenced a nationwide strike from Monday, September 4

- The doctors rejected the government's promissory offer and insisted that all their demands be met

- The strike is expected to adversely affect healthcare all over the country

While the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike lingers, another industrial action has hit Nigeria as resident doctors have commenced a nationwide indefinite strike.

According to Vanguard, the doctors resolved to proceed on the strike after a meeting of its national leadership that ended in the early hours of Monday.

The president of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Onyebueze John, said: Rising from our NEC meeting, which started by 7pm yesterday and ended 3am today. NARD has resolved to reject the promissory offer from Government, and proceed on total and indefinite strike action until all items in her demand list for strike action are resolved by government.

READ ALSO: Nigeria makes $6b from local training of medical doctors

On Saturday, September 2, the minister of labour had said after a meeting with the doctors that the planned strike had been suspended.

However, the doctors later refuted the statement, saying though they met with the government, they were yet to take a decision.

Legit.ng earlier reported that according to a new survey by Nigerian Polling organization (NOIPolls), 8 out of every 10 medical doctors in Nigeria are currently seeking work opportunities abroad, and this includes junior, mid and senior level doctors in both public and private medical institutions.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV

This survey was carried out with Nigeria Health Watch and shows that some of the medical personnel include house officers, corps members, medical and senior medical officer, residents, registrars, consultants and medical directors.

Watch this video of a recent protest against the stet of the nation as covered by Legit.ng:

Source: Legit.ng
- A fake Twitter handle purportedly belonging to North Korea has issued a warning to Nigerians on social media

- The warning said Nigerians should stop mocking Kim Jong Un or face sanctions

- Legit.ng however says that the Twitter account is a parody as the country has banned social media

In 2016, North Korea officially announced it was blocking Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and South Korean websites in a bid to further control access to outside information.

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications announcement was published this week at the countrys main mobile service provider, Koryolink, and other places serving internet users in Pyongyang.

According to The Guardian, very few North Koreans have internet access and if they do are limited to a sealed-off, government-sanctioned intranet.

The restrictions make it more difficult for visitors or the small community of foreign residents in North Korea to post real-time information about the country to the outside world.

On September 2, 2017, a parody account parodying North Korea issued a warning to Nigerians. Below is the tweet:

The tweet generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of them:

READ ALSO: North Korea threatens to launch merciless military strikes against US

Legit.ng earlier reported that to the dismay of most countries around the world, North Korea said it has successfully tested a nuclear weapon that could be loaded on to a long-range missile. The country said its sixth nuclear test was a perfect success.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV

This was especially scary since hours earlier seismologists had detected an earth tremor. Pyongyang said it had tested a hydrogen bomb which is many times more powerful than an atomic bomb.

Watch this Legit.ng video of Nigerians speaking on the state of the nation:

Source: Legit.ng
- A suspected kidnapper, Ikechukwu Nnadi Daniel, who has been on the wanted list of the police in Enugu state has been arrested

- The police say the suspect is linked with an allege kidnap and murder of one Enechi Ejiofor and one Emmanuel Okeja

- The Enugu police command states that it will not relent in its ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality in parts of the state

A suspected notorious kidnapper, who is popularly known as Dan, has been arrested by the police in Enugu state for allegedly heading a notorious kidnap and robbery group called Umu Malaysia.

READ ALSO: I will break the zoo into pieces - Nnamdi Kanu

The suspect, whose identity was given as Ikechukwu Nnadi Daniel, has been linked to various criminal activities ranging from kidnap, robbery, burglary, theft, and murder of people within Nimbo/Adani/Opanda axis of Uzouwani local government area of Enugu.

Channels TV, citing a statement by the Enugu police spokesperson, SP Ebere Amaraizu on Sunday, September 3, reported that the suspected kidnapper was arrested by the police recently after an operation borne out of intelligence information in the ongoing onslaught against crime in the area.

The police said Ikechukwu, was put on the police wanted list after he was linked with an allege kidnap and murder of one Enechi Ejiofor and one Emmanuel Okeja on December 13, 2016 and January 3rd, 2017 respectively.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV

The Enugu command said the suspect was now helping the police in their investigations in relation to the alleged criminal and nefarious activities.

The command stated that it will not relent in its ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality in Adani and Nimbo axis of Uzo-Uwani local government area of Nsukka zone of Enugu state.

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old former soldier, named Aduba Victor Nonso, has revealed the role he played in the kidnapping gang of Evans who is currently on trial.

The ex-soldier from Onitsha North local government area of Anambra state, said he was given over N3million for his role in the gang of Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans.

He said this was given to him for participating in several crimes. According to Nonso, he joined the Nigeria Army on August 15, 2009 and was posted to Abati Barracks.

However, hotels bills and spending on various women, drained the money he was receiving and reduced him to poverty.

Watch in the video below as high profile kidnap kingpin, known as Evans, was arraigned at the High Court in Ikeja, the Lagos state capital on a two-count charge.

Source: Legit.ng
- The troops of the Nigerian Army reportedly ambushed the terrorists along Firgi- Banki Junction road

- Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman said various materials were recovered from killed Boko Haram members

- The full number of the Boko Haram members killed in the attack was not given

Nigerian troops battling Boko Haram in the north-eastern state of Borno have reportedly recorded a major success against the terrorist group.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, the director of public relations in the Nigerian Army, confirmed that the terrorists were neutralized after they ran into a military ambush.

READ ALSO: Niger Delta militants restate quit notice issued to northerners, Yorubas

The troops of Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) 21, on operation LAFIYA DOLE, deployed within the 21 Brigade Nigerian Army Area of Operations, at the early hours of today, Monday 4th September 2017, laid a successful ambush on suspected Boko Haram terrorists crossing point along Firgi- Banki Junction road, Borno state, Usman said in a statement obtained by Legit.ng.

Some of the bicycles recovered from the terrorists. Credit: Nigerian Army

The Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) was recently inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, through the theatre commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru.

The statement did not however give the actual figure of the Boko Haram members that were killed in the ambush, but confirmed that a lot of them died while others sustained gunshot wounds.

The statement also said the troops recovered 18 bicycles, 15 bags of grains, 17 gallons of grain, five empty gallons, six cutlasses, a sword, water bottles and pairs of slippers.

Some of the materials recovered from the Boko Haram members. Credit: Nigerian Army

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The MSTs teams are reportedly highly trained and well equipped groups injected into Operation LAFIYA DOLE with the mandate of securing the Main Supply Routes (MSRs) in addition to conducting limited clearance operations.

Legit.ng earlier reported Reuters as indicating that the Pentagon on Monday, August 28, notified the US Congress that Nigeria is set to buy 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons worth $593 million (over N200 billion).

It was specifically mentioned that Nigeria wants to utilize the planes for its fight against Boko Haram.

Watch this video of Nigerian troops as they raid Boko Haram hideouts:

Source: Legit.ng
Four branded shops sealed in Durbarmarg

A team from Department Of Supply Management And Protection Of Consumers Interest on Monday sealed the Durbarmarg-based outlets of Nike, Puma, Bentley and Store One brands in Kathmandu for allegedly charging exorbitant price in their products.
The San Diego population is facing one of the worst outbreaks of infective viral disease Hepatitis A. the outbreak began last November and is still going strong with no signs of reduction in the infection rates. The homeless are one of the worst hit.

The county Health and Human Services Agency thus has requested state assistance to beef up the new sanitation measures including portable hand-washing stations and bleached-spiked water for power-washing contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms of hepatitis A. Image Credit: Timonina / Shutterstock

Dr. Wilma Wooten, the San Diego Public Health Officer explained that these sanitation precautions are following the successful footsteps of other Southern California cities - including Los Angeles in order to combat Hepatitis A spread among the population. She noted that L.A. has no local cases of Hepatitis A because of these sanitation programs in place. Thus same measures could work here too.

The first case of this outbreak was reported in November 2016. Up until last Friday (1st September 2017), more than 15 people in the area have succumbed to hepatitis infection and 379 more cases have been registered. Poor sanitation and lack of hand washing is one of the important ways of spread of Hepatitis A. Water contaminated with the stool of an infected person is the common source of hepatitis A infection. Thus unsafe water, food, inadequate personal hygiene or poor sanitation is often the cause of hepatitis A spread. The homeless population is commonly hit because of their lack of access to good and clean sanitation.

This year during summer San Diego health officials geared up to combat the spread of this infection by promoting hand washing practices and good sanitation. Thousands of doses of vaccine have been distributed to the vulnerable population since. Health awareness and education has also been bolstered to improve personal hygiene practices. Despite efforts neither the infection rates nor the number of deaths have abated.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection. It commonly affects the liver. The spread is usually mediated by contaminated food, water, poor hygiene and sanitation. Hepatitis A is more common in developing and under-developed regions in Africa and Asian countries where water scarcity and poor sanitation along with lack of awareness plays a key role.

Some of the initial symptoms of hepatitis A include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, slight fever, body ache etc. Around ten days after these initial symptoms start, the liver may show signs of being affected. This develops into jaundice, itchy skin, dark urine, pale stools and pain over the upper right part of the abdomen. In most cases, symptoms resolve within two to six months and people usually make a full recovery. Rarely liver may be damaged leading to life threatening hepatic complications including liver failure and even death.

Hepatitis A is usually spread through the fecal-oral route. This means that food or water that is contaminated with feces of an infected person can spread the infection. Poor hygiene and hand washing practices thus is a large contributor to spread of this infection. Less commonly, hepatitis A can be transmitted when drug users share infected needles and through sexual intercourse, particularly anal sex. Those living in close quarters are often at greater risk of being mass infected.

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A and it resolves on its own in most cases. Fever is relieved using fever medications and bed rest is advised. Medication to prevent nausea and vomiting is advised and the patient is asked to avoid alcohol and certain medications to allow the liver to heal and recover.

Spread of hepatitis A can be prevented by adopting simple measures such as hand washing after using the toilet, maintaining good personal hygiene and not sharing of towels toothbrushes etc. Infection can also be prevented if a vaccination and antibody are provided within two weeks of exposure to the virus.

References
A new study from researchers in the Netherlands, shows that persons who are affected with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) can show changes in microRNA (miRNA) molecules that are linked to genetic regulation.

Professional therapist working with young soldier suffering from PTSD. Image Credit: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock

The team looked at the genetic markers among those deployed in the combat zone in Afghanistan to find these distinctive changes that could be potentially used in future to screen persons with PTSD. It also provides a deeper understanding of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders that are related to previous trauma. The results of this small pilot study will be presented at the European College of Neuropharmacology conference in Paris.

There have been studies looking at the genetic markers and their changes among persons suffering from PTSD in the past. However, designing and conducting such studies has been a challenge in the past. This team of researchers from the Netherlands looked at Dutch soldiers and the Dutch Ministry of Defense to understand the genetic change among these sufferers. This was a longitudinal study wherein the participants are followed up for a period of time. For the study the team collected blood samples before deployment of the participants to the combat zones in Afghanistan and then again at 6 months after deployment. Most of the soldiers included in the study had faced trauma and some of them developed PTSD.

For this pilot study, a total of 24 subjects were selected. Eight of these developed symptoms of PTSD and eight had faced traumatic experiences without developing symptoms of PTSD and the remaining eight had not been in serious traumatic circumstances and did not thus develop PTSD symptoms. The last group served as a control group against which the other two could be compared. Modern sequencing techniques were used to identify the several types of miRNAs in the different groups.

MiRNAs (Micro RiboNucleic Acids) are essentially small molecules with chemical structures similar to DNA. Unlike DNA molecules, miRNAs are generally shorter sequences with only around 20 to 25 base units. They thus do not code for any specific protein or peptide. These miRNA however help in the regulation of genetic expression and thus control the activities of several genes. They also help regulate the impact of environmental factors on the genes. Brain-derived miRNA further are found in blood. The variations in the miRNA levels can be detected in several diseases including major depression, kidney disease, cancers and alcoholism.

The results of the study showed that the individuals with PTSD showed variations in levels of these miRNA. First author Dr Laurence de Nijs from Maastricht University, explained that these small molecules vary in their levels in the blood of persons suffering from PTSD when compared to persons who suffered trauma but did not get PTSD. Over 900 different types of these small molecules were detected he said. 40 of them were regulated in a a different manner in persons with PTSD and 27 were different in persons who were exposed to trauma but did not develop PTSD. Dr. de Nijs added that this study showed that miRNAs might be candidates or markers that could predict who were at a greater risk of developing PTSD after trauma. He hoped that after several rounds of vigorous testing for the robustness of this new technique, this could also pave the way to a better understanding of the mechanism of development of PTSD. Currently, there is no definite cure for patients with PTSD and those with PTSD are at six times more risk of committing suicide and failing interpersonal relationships leading to an annual loss of productivity of an estimated $3 billion.

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PTSD

PTSD is estimated to affect about 1 in every 3 people who have faced a traumatic event in the past. It is a form of anxiety disorder caused by a distressing or traumatic life event.

Apart from deployed soldiers who are common sufferers of PTSD, other common risk factors for PTSD include those who have been sexually or physically abused early in life, those who have been a witness to or victim of a serious accident, fire, terrorist attack or natural disaster or violence such as rape, robbery or mugging etc.

According to Dr. de Nijs not all persons who have been through a traumatic event or a psychological stress develop PTSD. The disorder is not caused by more regular stressful life events such as financial bankruptcy, divorce, job change or house move etc.

The symptoms of PTSD may take weeks, months or even years after the event. Usually within 6 months of the traumatic event the symptoms may begin for most. Symptoms of the condition vary between individuals but one of the most common symptoms is experiencing nightmares or flashbacks of the traumatic experience that caused PTSD in the first place. This may lead to other problems including depression, low mood, irritation, difficulty sleeping or concentrating and confusion, despair, guilt and suicidal ideation. The person may always be on guard says Dr. de Njis. The on state persists even after the danger has gone. The symptoms may interfere with day-to-day living as well as social and personal relationships. Persons with PTSD are six times more likely to be suicidal. Risk of alcohol and drug abuse is also higher among these persons.

There is no permanent cure for PTSD but the symptoms can be controlled using counselling or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy and medications including antidepressants paroxetine and mirtazapine etc.

Sources
Doctors may soon be able to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a simple blood test, after scientists identified genetic changes in soldiers who experienced trauma after serving time in Afghanistan.

 sit / Shutterstock.com

Currently, the condition is only diagnosed based on the symptoms that sufferers self-report, which many people are reluctant to do.

PTSD can be caused by exposure to traumatic, frightening events such as natural disaster or combat. It leads to recurrent nightmares, depression, flashbacks, hyper-alertness and insomnia. The condition affects about one in every three individuals who experience trauma, but it is unclear why some people develop it and others do not.

Over the last few years, researchers have been trying to find out whether changes in gene expression may be associated with this difference in tendency to develop PTSD.

For the current study, Laurence de Nijs (University of Maastricht, the Netherlands) and colleagues analysed genetic changes in relation to PTSD symptoms among 1,000 Dutch soldiers who were deployed to a combat zone in Afghanistan. Blood samples were collected six months before deployment and six months afterwards, at which point most soldiers had experienced trauma, with some displaying symptoms of PTSD.

The team selected 24 individuals from the initial group and divided them into three subgroups. Eight had suffered trauma and developed PTSD, eight had experienced trauma, but not developed the condition and eight people who had not been exposed to trauma served as a control group.

When the team performed genetic sequencing of the soldiers blood samples, they found that small molecules called microRNAs (mRNAs) were present at different levels among those with PTSD compared with trauma-exposed and control individuals without PTSD.

We identified over 900 different types of these small molecules. 40 of them were regulated differently in people who developed PTSD, whereas there were differences in 27 of the miRNAs in trauma-exposed individuals who did not develop PTSD Laurence de Nijs, University of Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Unlike DNA, which codes for the proteins and peptides needed for bodily functions, mRNAs do not code for these, but they do regulate gene expression and how active genes are.

Differences in levels of mRNAs have been associated with some diseases including certain types of cancer and kidney disease. Now, the findings from this pilot study suggest that mRNAs could serve as biomarkers to flag up people who are at a high risk of developing PTSD.

However, several steps need to be performed before such results can really have an impact on the larger field and in clinical practice. In addition to working towards biomarkers, the results may also provide novel information about the biological mechanisms underlying the development of PTSD" Laurence de Nijs, University of Maastricht, the Netherlands.

The results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the European College of Neuropharmacology in Paris.
A better understanding of how a key chemical messenger acts in the brain could lead to a radical shift in psychiatric care, according to a new research paper.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which helps brain cells communicate with one another, playing important roles in stabilizing mood and regulating stress.

Despite its importance, current models to explain serotonin's function in the brain remain incomplete.

Now, in a review paper published this month in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, researchers from Imperial College London suggest that serotonin pathways are more nuanced than previously thought.

They argue that the existing view should be updated to incorporate a 'two-pronged' model of how serotonin acts.

The researchers believe their updated model could have implications for treating recalcitrant mental health conditions, including depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and addiction, and could exploit the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs.

In the brain, serotonin acts via a number of sites called 'receptors' and serotonin has at least 14 of these. Brain drugs such antidepressants, antipsychotics and psychedelics are known to interact with serotonin receptors and two of these are thought to be particularly important - the so-called serotonin 1A and 2A receptors.

For patients with depression, commonly prescribed drugs called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) can help to relieve symptoms by boosting levels of serotonin in the brain. Evidence suggests an important part of how they work is to increase activity at the serotonin 1A receptor, which reduces brain activity in important stress circuitry, thereby helping a person cope better.

In contrast, psychedelic compounds such as LSD and psilocybin (the psychoactive component of magic mushrooms), are thought to act primarily on the serotonin 2A receptor. Accumulating evidence suggests that psychedelics with psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for certain mental illnesses and, with a focus on the 2A receptor, the authors' paper attempts to explain why.

Writing in the review paper, the researchers say that while the traditional view of developing psychiatric treatments has been focused on promoting 1A activity and often blocking the 2A, the therapeutic importance of activating the 2A pathway - the mechanism by which psychedelics have their effect - has been largely overlooked.

"We may have got it wrong in the past," said Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, Head of Psychedelic Research at Imperial and lead author on the paper. "Activating serotonin 2A receptors may be a good thing, as it makes individuals very sensitive to context and to their environment. Crucially, if that is made therapeutic, then the combination can be very effective. This is how psychedelics work - they make people sensitive to context and 'open' to change via activating the 2A receptor."

According to the researchers, the 1A and 2A pathways form part of a two-pronged approach which may have evolved to help us adapt to adversity. By triggering the 1A pathway, serotonin can make situations less stressful, helping us to become more resilient. However, they argue that this approach may not always be enough, and that in extreme crises, the 2A pathway may kick in to rapidly open a window of plasticity in which fundamental changes in outlook and behavior can occur.

Growing evidence shows that in conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and addiction, certain brain circuitry may become 'stamped in' and resistant to change. The researchers suggest that in such cases, activating the 2A pathway - such as through psychedelics - could potentially offer a way to break the cycle, helping patients to change negative behaviors and thought patterns which have become entrenched.

By enabling the brain to enter into a more adaptive or 'plastic' state and providing patients with a suitably enriched clinical environment when they receive a drug treatment, clinicians could create a window for therapy, effectively making patients more receptive to psychotherapy.

According to the authors, their updated model of how serotonin acts in the brain could lead to a shift in psychiatric care, with the potential to move patients from enduring a condition using current pharmacological treatments, to actively addressing their condition by fundamentally modifying behaviors and thinking.

Professor David Nutt, Director of Neuropsychopharmacology in Imperial's Division of Brain Sciences, explained: "This is an exciting and novel insight into the role of serotonin and its receptors in recovery from depression that I hope may inspire more research into develop 5-HT2A receptor drugs as new treatments."

Dr Carhart-Harris added: "I think our model suggests that you cannot just administer a drug in isolation, at least certainly not psychedelics, and the same may also true for SSRIs. We need to pay more attention to the context in which medications are given. We have to acknowledge the evidence which shows that environment is a critical component of how our biology is expressed."

He added: "In psychiatry, as in science, things are rarely black and white, and part of the approach we're promoting is to have a more sophisticated model of mental healthcare that isn't just a drug or psychotherapy, it's both. I believe this is the future."
The contact areas between nerve cells are called synapses. What happens there lies at the heart of communication between nerve cells. Communication starts with the release of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters at these synapses. Neurotransmitter-containing synaptic vesicles are involved in this release process, and these vesicles fuse with the cell membrane. This fusion occurs at a specific location within the synapse rather than just anywhere at random. Scientists working at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) and their colleagues at the Freie Universitat Berlin (FU) succeeded in identifying the molecule, which determines where in the synaptic gap neurotransmitters are released. This solves a great mystery in neuroscience. The results contribute to a better understanding of synaptic transmission and may in future improve our ability to explain pathological processes in the nervous system. Recently, the scientists published their groundbreaking scientific results in the renowned science magazine 'Neuron'.

Whether we speak, run, or think - our nervous system always responds, always works by turning electric signals into chemical information and vice versa. This happens in the areas of contact between nerve cells called synapses. An incoming electrical signal at the synapse triggers the inflow of calcium via voltage-dependent calcium channels. In turn, this calcium inflow leads to the release of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) within just a few milliseconds. In the blink of an eye, the vesicles fuse with the cell membrane. The adjacent nerve cell will then convert the chemical signal back into an electric signal. Scientists refer to this process as 'synaptic transmission' - an elemental process in living organisms.

It is well-known that many vesicles crowd every synapse. However, the release of neurotransmitters occurs in only a few specific spots. Reminiscent of starting blocks on a cinder track, the collocation of the release sites in relation to the calcium channels seems crucial for the synaptic transmission. In both instances, the proper distance determines how fast the finishing line can be reached. In neurotransmission, it determines how fast the electrical signal can be turned into chemical information. Until recently however, the molecule charting the release sites eluded us.

Space and time are interconnected

Scientists working at the Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) and their colleagues at the Freie Universitat Berlin (FU) were able to identify the charting molecule. It is the protein Unc13A, and it is well-known to scientists. The protein was discovered in the 1970s. Whenever this protein malfunctioned in roundworms, the movements of these worms became UNCoordinated, thus earning the protein its name. Given the effect of Unc13 on worms, finding an important function for this protein would have been no surprise to scientists even shortly after its discovery.

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FMP neuroscientist Dr. Alexander Walter explains: "We knew that the molecule plays an important role in information transfer because there is no synaptic transmission in its absence. Still, we were not aware that this protein determines the neurotransmitter release site."

Scientists needed close to four years, and they used combinations of various measurements and optical methods to track the protein Unc13A down firmly. Changing the location of Unc13A protein in the synapse, and the distance to the calcium channel with it, also shifted the release site of the neurotransmitter. Moving the protein also changed the temporal course of synaptic transmission equivalent to moving starting blocks relative to the finish line. Depending on the distance, information transfer takes more or less time. This proves that the spatial arrangement of the release sites is tightly coupled to the temporal course of the information flow between nerve cells. Dr. Alexander Walter emphasizes: "Our experiments revealed that the exact positioning ensures that synaptic transmission proceeds at the proper speed. I am sure everybody can imagine how important this is for the accurate communication between nerve cells and for the operating mode of the brain."

Relevance beyond Basic Research

The discovery contributes significantly to understanding the organization of synaptic transmission. A large gap in the neurosciences has been closed.

The scientists used the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster for their experiments. However, the protein Unc13 also occurs in higher organisms including humans. Therefore, it is very likely that the principle of defined release sites applies across species.

"We must first understand the basics of synaptic transmission before we will be able to understand pathological changes just as we must understand how a car works before we can repair it", argues neuroscientist Dr. Alexander Walter. For this reason, the identification of the molecule is relevant above and beyond basic research. One day, the discovery may benefit patients with neurological diseases.
Around 75% of children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also have sleep problems, but until now these have been thought to be separate issues. Now a in a pulling together of the latest research, Scientists are proposing of a new theory which says that much of ADHD may in fact be a problem associated with lack of regular circadian sleep.

Presenting the proposal at the ECNP Conference in Paris, Professor Sandra Kooij (Associate Professor of Psychiatry at VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam and founder and chair of the European Network Adult ADHD) said:

"There is extensive research showing that people with ADHD also tend to exhibit sleep problems. What we are doing here is taking this association to the next logical step: pulling all the work together leads us to say that, based on existing evidence, it looks very much like ADHD and circadian problems are intertwined in the majority of patients.

We believe this because the day and night rhythm is disturbed, the timing of several physical processes is disturbed, not only of sleep, but also of temperature, movement patterns, timing of meals, and so on.

If you review the evidence, it looks more and more like ADHD and sleeplessness are 2 sides of the same physiological and mental coin".

Professor Kooij laid out the links which have led to the synthesis:

In 75% of ADHD patients, the physiological sleep phase -- where people show the physiological signs associated with sleep, such as changes in the level of the sleep hormone melatonin, and changes in sleep-related movement - is delayed by 1.5 hours.

Core body temperature changes associated with sleep are also delayed (reflecting melatonin changes)

Many sleep-related disorders are associated with ADHD, including restless-leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and the circadian rhythm disturbance, the delayed sleep phase syndrome

ADHD people often show greater alertness in the evening, which is the opposite of what is found in the general population

Many sufferers benefit from taking melatonin in the evening or bright light therapy in the morning, which can help reset the circadian rhythm

Recent work has shown that around 70% of adult ADHD sufferers show an oversensitivity of the eyes to light, leading many to wear sunglasses for long periods during the day - which may reinforce the problems associated with a 'circadian shift'.

Chronic late sleep leads to a chronic sleep debt, associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. This cascade of negative health consequences may in part be preventable by resetting the sleep rhythm.

Professor Kooij continued:

"We are working to confirm this physical-mental relationship by finding biomarkers, such as Vitamin D levels, blood glucose, cortisol levels, 24 hour blood pressure, heart rate variability, and so on. If the connection is confirmed, it raises the intriguing question: does ADHD cause sleeplessness, or does sleeplessness cause ADHD? If the latter, then we may be able to treat some ADHD by non-pharmacological methods, such as changing light or sleep patterns, and prevent the negative impact of chronic sleep loss on health."

"We don't say that all ADHD problems are associated with these circadian patterns, but it looks increasingly likely that this is an important element."

Commenting, Professor Andreas Reif (University Hospital, Frankfurt, and leader of the EU CoCA project on ADHD ), who was not involved in the research, said "A disturbance of the circadian system may indeed be a core mechanism in ADHD, which could also link ADHD to other mental illnesses such as depression or bipolar disorder. But also beyond these pathophysiological considerations, sleep problems and abnormalities of circadian rhythms are a huge problem for many patients, heavily impacting on their social life" He continued "More research into the interconnections between ADHD and the "inner clock" is thus very relevant to improve patients' lives and to shed light on the disease mechanism of ADHD."

Source: https://www.ecnp.eu/~/media/Files/ecnp/About%20ECNP/Press/2017/Kooij%20pr%20FINAL_Sunday.pdf?la=en
A small pilot study has indicated that neurofeedback - where patients concentrate on modifying their own brainwave patterns - has potential to treat many of the 100m people worldwide who suffer from Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). This is the first time that neurofeedback has been shown to improve both individual symptoms and overall recovery in TRD.

According to the World Health Organization, "Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide", with over 300m people suffering globally. There are treatments for depression, but up to a third of people don't respond to treatment, even after trying different antidepressants. This is Treatment-resistant depression (TRD). For these patients, there are limited options.

Now a new pilot study from Korea indicates that neurofeedback may be offer a viable treatment to patients suffering from TRD, if used with antidepressants. Working with 12 patients with TRD and 12 controls, the researchers put patients through 12 weeks regular training sessions, where the patients learned how to vary their brainwaves in response to audio and visual signals.

In past research, different brainwaves have been shown to be associated with different moods and brain states, so these patients were asked to concentrate on changing the levels of particular types of brainwaves as they were displayed on a computer screen. On each visit, patients received beta/sensorimotor rhythm training for 30 min, and then alpha/theta training for 30 min. Psychological progress was measured using various standard depression questionnaires at the start of the treatment, then at 1, 4 and 12 weeks. These questionnaires showed how treatment affected such factors as interpersonal relationships, work ability, and family life.

The researchers found that in the neurofeedback group, 8 of the 12 patients responded to treatment, and 5 of those responded well enough to be classified as being in remission. Most of these patients are now under long-term observation to see if remission has continued. In contrast the control group did not show significant improvement from baseline after 12 weeks.

Project leader, Professor Eun-Jin Cheon (Yeungnam University Hospital, South Korea), said:

"Neurofeedback has been trialed with psychological conditions in the past, but as far as we know this is the first time that anyone has succeeded in achieving remission and overall recovery (functional recovery)with treatment-resistant depression. This is particularly important, because this is an otherwise untreatable group of patients.

In our study we included patients with major depressive disorder, who still had residual symptoms and functional impairment despite receiving antidepressant treatment. Our results suggested that neurofeedback might be an effective complementary treatment to make patients feel well again and successfully engage with life. The most promising thing about neurofeedback is it doesn't cause even mild side effects. It could also improve self-efficacy by participating active, voluntary treatment.

We need to emphasize that this is a small study - if you like, it's still at the level of clinical science rather than clinical treatment, so we are a long way from this finding its way into the clinic. But the results surprised us, it merits further investigation"

Commenting, Henricus G Ruhe, MD, PhD, (Department of Psychiatry Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and member of the ECNP Scientific Advisory Panel) said:

"This is a very interesting study targeting remaining depressive symptoms in patients who insufficiently responded to previous treatment trials of antidepressants. Although the number of included patients are small (12 treated with neurofeedback vs. 12 controls) we should consider this pilot study as promising and suggesting that alternative approaches (relative to antidepressants) might be beneficial in nonresponding depressed patients.

Further work is needed to both replicate these results and compare this strategy with alternative treatment options (e.g. psychotherapy or additional pharmacotherapeutic steps). This will enable the community to determine where neurofeedback must be positioned and/or when it should be recommended in future guidelines".
Motorized molecules driven by light have been used to drill holes in the membranes of individual cells, including cancerous ones. The technique shows promise for either bringing therapeutic agents into the cells or directly inducing the cells to die.

Dr Robert Pal at Durham University worked with researchers at Rice and North Carolina State universities in the USA to demonstrate in laboratory tests how rotors in single-molecule nanomachines can be activated by ultraviolet light to spin at two to three million rotations per second and open membranes in cells.

Test motors designed to target prostate cancer cells broke through their membranes from outside and killed them within one to three minutes of activation, said Dr Pal.

The cells showed increased blebbing  bubbling of the membrane. This effect can be seen, in the image above, as bulges from the small dark spots on a human prostate cell (stained green), which is under attack by motorized molecules.



Targeting resistant cancer cells

Dr Pal, of the Department of Chemistry and Biophysical Sciences Institute at Durham University, thinks that nanomachines could prove to be effective against a range of cancers including those that resist currently available treatments.

We are moving towards realising our ambition to be able to use light-activated nanomachines to target cancer cells such as those in breast tumours and skin melanomas, including those that are resistant to existing chemotherapy, said Dr Pal, a Royal Society Research Fellow.

Once developed, this approach could provide a potential step change in non-invasive cancer treatment and greatly improve survival rates and patient welfare globally.

Nature  Molecular machines open cell membranes

Inspired by Nobel Prize winning study

The research used motors based on work by Nobel laureate Bernard Feringa, who won the prize for chemistry in 2016. The motor itself is a paddle-like chain of atoms that can be prompted to move in a single direction when supplied with energy.

Properly mounted as part of the cell-targeting molecule, the motor can be made to home in on specific cells and spin when activated by a light source.

The Rice laboratory created motor-bearing molecules in several sizes as well as peptide-carrying nanomachines designed to target and kill specific cells. North Carolina State University then tested the molecules on synthetic replicas of cell membranes.

Motors rapidly drilled into cells

Tests on live cells, including human prostate cancer cells, were conducted at Durham. These experiments showed that without an ultraviolet trigger, motors could locate specific cells of interest but stayed on the targeted cells surface and were unable to drill into the cells. When triggered, however, the motors rapidly drilled through the membranes.

Researchers expect the rotors may eventually be activated by other means, such as two-photon absorption, near-infrared light or radio frequencies, which would pave the way toward the establishment of novel, easy and cost-effective photodynamic therapy.

The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, North Carolina State University, the Royal Society and the Biophysical Sciences Institute at Durham University.

Abstract

Beyond the more common chemical delivery strategies, several physical techniques are used to open the lipid bilayers of cellular membranes1. These include using electric and magnetic fields, temperature, ultrasound or light to introduce compounds into cells, to release molecular species from cells or to selectively induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) or uncontrolled cell death (necrosis). More recently, molecular motors and switches that can change their conformation in a controlled manner in response to external stimuli have been used to produce mechanical actions on tissue for biomedical applications. Here we show that molecular machines can drill through cellular bilayers using their molecular-scale actuation, specifically nanomechanical action. Upon physical adsorption of the molecular motors onto lipid bilayers and subsequent activation of the motors using ultraviolet light, holes are drilled in the cell membranes. We designed molecular motors and complementary experimental protocols that use nanomechanical action to induce the diffusion of chemical species out of synthetic vesicles, to enhance the diffusion of traceable molecular machines into and within live cells, to induce necrosis and to introduce chemical species into live cells. We also show that, by using molecular machines that bear short peptide addends, nanomechanical action can selectively target specific cell-surface recognition sites. Beyond the in vitro applications demonstrated here, we expect that molecular machines could also be used in vivo, especially as their design progresses to allow two-photon, near-infrared and radio-frequency activatio
5 hurt in clash after youths murder

A clash between locals and police at Palpas Rampur over the murder of a young man left at least five people injured.
8 Nepalis missing after fight with neighbours in Msia

Eight Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia are allegedly missing following a confrontation with Indian migrant workers on the night of August 29.
88 kg gold seized from Chhetrapati

In what is perhaps the largest seizure of illegal gold in the country, police on Monday confiscated a 88 kg gold from Chhetrapati, Kathmandu.
A turn in the South

More than what was said during the visit, Prime Minister Deubas recent Delhi sojourn should be seen against the larger backdrop of Indias relative isolation in the region and its desire to cultivate good ties with Nepal.
Decision politically motivated: Oli

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has claimed that the Tribhuvan Universitys decision to put on hold the affiliation granted to the Kathmandu National Medical College (KNMC) was politically motivated.
7 of 8

President Trump has taken an aggressive stance on immigration, singling out certain countries in his travel ban. Its not the first time American immigration policy has focused on specific nationalities, and The Times wrote about one such nationality in 1893. To which group does this excerpt refer?

It is now definitely known to the Federal authorities here that scores and probably several hundreds of ___ have entered the United States from Mexico at different points along the Rio Grande during the last ten days. ... As fast as they arrive the violators of Exclusion act are arrested by the Federal officers. It is expected that fifty or more of them will be lodged in jail here within the next few days. Twelve are already in custody, and, although they speak Spanish fluently, all of them claim that they have never been in Mexico.
The Trump administration said on Thursday that it would slash spending on advertising and promotion for the Affordable Care Act, but it has already been waging a multipronged campaign against it.

Despite several failed efforts by Republican lawmakers to repeal it, the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. But the Department of Health and Human Services  an agency with a legal responsibility to administer the law  has used taxpayer dollars to oppose it.

Legal experts say that while it is common for a new administration to reinterpret an existing law, it is unusual to take steps to undermine it. Here are three ways the health department has campaigned against Obamacare.

1. Redirecting promotional funding

Instead of using its outreach budget to promote the Affordable Care Act, the department made videos critical of the law.

In June, the health department posted 23 video testimonials on YouTube from people who said they had been burdened by Obamacare, including families, health care professionals and small business owners.

Scenes from the 23 anti-Obamacare videos on the health departments YouTube page

While its not certain where the money for the videos came from, several former health officials who worked in the Obama administration said that they suspect it came from the budget meant to promote the Affordable Care Act.

Theres no other budget that makes sense, said Lori Lodes, who oversaw outreach efforts under Mr. Obama.

The Trump administration defended the videos, saying that they were produced to inform Americans about the need for change so that people would have access to affordable health care.

As evidenced by these important and educational testimonials, the status quo has made that impossible for millions of Americans, a department spokeswoman, Alleigh Marre, said in July. The administration is committed to reforming the current health care system to bring down the cost of coverage, expand health care choices, and strengthen the safety net for generations to come.

The Daily Beast reported in July that one of the participants in the videos said he felt he was being pushed for a harder line against Obamacare.

While the health department refers to these testimonials as educational videos produced to inform Americans on the need to overhaul health care, some experts question whether they fit that definition.

The lines between what is partisan, what is propaganda, and what is educational are nightmarish and subjective, said Michael Eric Herz, a professor at the Cardozo School of Law in New York who has written about social media and the government.

2. Attacking the law

The department targeted the Affordable Care Act with a marketing campaign as Republicans in Congress tried to repeal the legislation.

In addition to the YouTube videos, the department has used Twitter and news releases to try to discredit the health law. Since being sworn in as health secretary on February 10, Tom Price has posted on Twitter 48 infographics advocating against Obamacare, all of which bear the health departments logo.

Here, its an agency trying to destroy its own program because it opposes it, said Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University who is an expert on government ethics. It is inconsistent with the constitutional duty to take care that the law is faithfully executed.

The bulk of Mr. Prices Twitter posts were from late June to mid-July, when Senate Republicans were trying to pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Once, Mr. Price tweeted five infographics in a single day.

When Mr. Price posted anti-Obamacare infographics on Twitter Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 4 May 22 May 29 June 5 1 June 12 1 June 19 2 1 1 1 June 26 July 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 July 10 1 1 1 July 17 2 5 2 3 Senate repeal vote fails July 24 4 4 1 July 31 1 1 2 Aug. 7 Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 4 May 22 May 29 June 5 June 12 1 June 19 1 June 26 2 1 1 1 July 3 1 1 1 1 July 10 2 2 1 1 1 July 17 2 5 2 3 July 24 Senate repeal vote fails 4 4 1 July 31 1 1 Aug. 7 2

Around the same time, the Trump administration ended $23 million worth of contracts with companies that help people sign up for coverage.

Anti-Obamacare infographics tweeted by Mr. Price

The language in Mr. Prices Twitter posts is often even more critical of the health law than what is used in the infographics.

Though the health departments Twitter account has refrained from criticism, the agency itself has used its news releases to disseminate negative information about the law. Below are excerpts from recent releases.

Year after year, insurers are finding Obamacare unworkable and are abandoning it in droves. Health department news release

Obamacare is flawed, failing, and harming the American people with higher costs and fewer healthcare choices. Health department news release

In August, five congressional Democrats wrote a letter to Mr. Price demanding detailed information about his plans for marketing and outreach. Rather than encouraging enrollment in the marketplaces, the administration appears intent on depressing it, the letter said.

3. Deleting information online

The department removed useful guidance for consumers about the Affordable Care Act from its website.

Under the Obama administration, the health departments website contained information to help consumers learn about the Affordable Care Act and how to obtain coverage through the health insurance marketplaces. Much of that information is now gone. Some was removed within hours of President Trumps inauguration.

A link to a page about the Affordable Care Act disappeared from the health departments home page the evening of the inauguration, according to a comparison of the sites, shown below.

Jan. 19 11:03 p.m. Jan. 19 11:03 p.m. Jan. 19 11:03 p.m. Jan. 20 9:59 p.m. Jan. 20 9:59 p.m. Jan. 20 9:59 p.m.

The department also changed other areas of the website, removing overviews of the law and links to information on summaries of benefits, emergency services and doctor choice, making it more difficult for consumers to learn about the law.

It also appears to have erased positive references to the Affordable Care Act, including personal stories about individuals who benefited from the law.

For example, a video about a Florida man with diabetes who said he was able to enroll in coverage without worrying about his health status was removed from a page about pre-existing conditions. A link to a page about the number of young adults who gained coverage after the law took effect is also gone.

Even before President Trump took office, health insurance markets had serious problems in some states. But Sarah Lueck, a senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank, said the law would not be dying on its own.
House endorses election-related bills, paving way for EC to conduct elections

The Legislature-Parliament on Monday endorsed the much-awaited bills related to the elections of House of Representatives and the State Assembly.
From Truthdig



Image created from image crediting

(Image by Chris Hedges) Details DMCA



The opioid crisis, the frequent mass shootings, the rising rates of suicide, especially among middle-aged white males, the morbid obesity, the obsession with gambling, the investment of our emotional and intellectual life in tawdry spectacles and the allure of magical thinking, from the absurd promises of the Christian right to the belief that reality is never an impediment to our desires, are the pathologies of a diseased culture. They have risen from a decayed world where opportunity, which confers status, self-esteem and dignity, has dried up for most Americans. They are expressions of acute desperation and morbidity.

A loss of income causes more than financial distress. It severs, as the sociologist Emile Durkheim pointed out, the vital social bonds that give us meaning. A decline in status and power, an inability to advance, a lack of education and health care and a loss of hope are crippling forms of humiliation. This humiliation fuels loneliness, frustration, anger and feelings of worthlessness. In short, when you are marginalized and rejected by society, life often has little meaning.

"When life is not worth living, everything becomes a pretext for ridding ourselves of it," Durkheim wrote. "There is a collective mood, as there is an individual mood, that inclines nations to sadness. ... For individuals are too closely involved in the life of society for it to be sick without their being affected. Its suffering inevitably becomes theirs."

White men, more easily seduced by the myth of the American dream than people of color who understand how the capitalist system is rigged against them, often suffer feelings of failure and betrayal, in many cases when they are in their middle years. They expect, because of notions of white supremacy and capitalist platitudes about hard work leading to advancement, to be ascendant. They believe in success. When the American dream becomes a nightmare they are vulnerable to psychological collapse. This collapse, more than any political agenda, propelled Donald Trump into power. Trump embodies the decayed soul of America. He, like many of those who support him, has a childish yearning to be as omnipotent as the gods. This impossibility, as the cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker wrote, leads to a dark alternative: destroying like the gods.

In "Hitler and the Germans" the political philosopher Eric Voegelin dismissed the myth that Hitler -- an uneducated mediocrity whose only strength was an ability to exploit political opportunities -- mesmerized and seduced the German people. The Germans, he wrote, voted for Hitler and the "grotesque, marginal figures" surrounding him because he embodied the pathologies of a diseased society, one beset by economic collapse, hopelessness and violence. This sickness found its expression in the Nazis, as it has found its expression in the United States in Trump.

Hannah Arendt said the rise of radical evil is caused by collective "thoughtlessness." Desperate to escape from the prison of a failed society, willing to do anything and abuse anyone to advance, those who feel trapped see the people around them as objects to be exploited for self-advancement. This exploitation mirrors that carried out by corrupt ruling elites. Turning people into objects to be used to achieve wealth, power or sexual gratification is the core practice espoused by popular culture, from reality television to casino capitalism. Trump personifies this practice.

Plato wrote that the moral character of a society is determined by its members. When the society abandons the common good it unleashes amoral lusts -- violence, greed and sexual exploitation -- and fosters magical thinking. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus called those who severed themselves from the moral and reality-based universe idiotes. When these idiotes, whose worldview is often the product of relentless indoctrination, form a majority or a powerful minority, the demagogue rises from the morass.

The demagogue is the public face of collective stupidity. Voegelin defined stupidity as a "loss of reality." This loss of reality meant people could not "rightly orient his [or her] action in the world, in which he [or she] lives." The demagogue, who is always an idiote, is not a freak or a social mutation. The demagogue expresses the society's demented zeitgeist. This was true in Nazi Germany. It is true in the United States.

"The fool in Hebrew, the nabal, who because of his folly, nebala, creates disorder in the society, is the man who is not a believer, in the Israelite terms of revelation," Voegelin wrote. "The amathes, the irrationally ignorant man, is for Plato the man who just does not have the authority of reason or who cannot bow to it. The stultus for Thomas [Aquinas] is the fool, in the same sense as the amathia of Plato and the nebala of the Israelite prophets. This stultus now has suffered loss of reality and acts on the basis of a defective image of reality and thereby creates disorder. ... If I have lost certain sectors of reality from my range of experience, I will also be lacking the language for appropriately characterizing them. That means that parallel to the loss of reality and to stupidity there is always the phenomenon of illiteracy."

A society convulsed by disorder and chaos, as Voegelin pointed out, elevates and even celebrates the morally degenerate, those who are cunning, manipulative, deceitful and violent. In an open society these attributes are despised and criminalized. Those who exhibit them are condemned as stupid -- "a man [or woman] who behaves in this way," Voegelin notes, "will be socially boycotted." But the social, cultural and moral norms in a diseased society are inverted. The attributes that sustain an open society -- a concern for the common good, honesty, trust and self-sacrifice -- are detrimental to existence in a diseased society. Today, those who exhibit these attributes are targeted and silenced.

The deep alienation experienced by most Americans, the loss of self-esteem and hope, has engendered what Durkheim referred to as a collective state of anomie. Anomie is a psychological imbalance that leads to prolonged despair, lethargy and yearnings for self-annihilation. It is caused by a collapse of societal norms, ideals, values and standards. It is, in short, a loss of faith in the structures and beliefs that define a functioning democracy. The result is an obliteration of purpose and direction. It leads to what Friedrich Nietzsche called an aggressive despiritualized nihilism. As Durkheim wrote in his book "On Suicide":

"It is sometimes said that, by virtue of his psychological make-up, man cannot live unless he attaches himself to an object that is greater than himself and outlives him, and this necessity has been attributed to a supposedly common need not to perish entirely. Life, they say, is only tolerable if one can see some purpose in it, if it has a goal and one that is worth pursuing. But the individual in himself is not sufficient as an end for himself. He is too small a thing. Not only is he confined in space, he is also narrowly limited in time. So when we have no other objective than ourselves, we cannot escape from the feeling our efforts are finally destined to vanish into nothing, since that is where we must return. But we recoil from the idea of annihilation. In such a state, we should not have the strength to live, that is to say to act and struggle, since nothing is to remain of all the trouble that we take. In a word, the state of egoism is in contradiction with human nature and hence too precarious to endure."

Pope John Paul II in 1981 issued an encyclical titled "Laborem exercens," or "Through Work." He attacked the idea, fundamental to capitalism, that work was merely an exchange of money for labor. Work, he wrote, should not be reduced to the commodification of human beings through wages. Workers were not impersonal instruments to be manipulated like inanimate objects to increase profit. Work was essential to human dignity and self-fulfillment. It gave us a sense of empowerment and identity. It allowed us to build a relationship with society in which we could feel we contributed to social harmony and social cohesion, a relationship in which we had purpose.

The pope castigated unemployment, underemployment, inadequate wages, automation and a lack of job security as violations of human dignity. These conditions, he wrote, were forces that negated self-esteem, personal satisfaction, responsibility and creativity. The exaltation of the machine, he warned, reduced human beings to the status of slaves. He called for full employment, a minimum wage large enough to support a family, the right of a parent to stay home with children, and jobs and a living wage for the disabled. He advocated, in order to sustain strong families, universal health insurance, pensions, accident insurance and work schedules that permitted free time and vacations. He wrote that all workers should have the right to form unions with the ability to strike.

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Caravan of Love walk in support of immigrants and refugees. | Flickr1024 -- 576 - 224k - jpg

(Image by flickr.com) Details DMCA



In the heat of discussion about the status of legal and illegal immigrants, building the wall, and Islamophobia, it might help to consider a few aspects not generally brought into the conversation. Since early in our history, a mass of oppressed and impoverished peoples have flocked to our shores to seek haven and opportunity in the New World. With notable exceptions, they have always been welcome and have contributed fundamentally to the character and prosperity of our nation.

As the nation became more settled and populated, limitations were imposed on immigration according to economic conditions, country of origin, and other factors reflecting social and political attitudes peculiar to the time. In general, peoples from different cultures and countries have adapted well and, over time, blended into a common American style of living while retaining and contributing something of their native cultural identity - such as St. Patrick's Day, which everyone celebrates.

Among the notable exceptions are the harsh treatment and restrictions imposed upon Chinese immigrants during the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries, and the unconstitutional imprisonment of Japanese, including native-born and naturalized citizens during World War II.

The eleven million or so undocumented immigrants from Latin American countries are a special case, requiring special treatment. Some of their ancestors were here before our nation existed. They have blended into the larger Latino community and have contributed immensely to our nation's well-being, commonly in essential menial jobs and at the sacrifice of better opportunities for self-improvement open to immigrants of legal status.

Granted, in a normal world - which doesn't currently exist - a nation would have control of its borders. But in the current state of affairs, borders are very fluid where countries are commonly transgressing each other's borders as flows of military forces and as exploitive economic policies of globalization create floods of political and economic refugees. A wall is not a permanent solution to keep out invasions of illegal immigrants. Walled fortresses and cities are the method of medieval times as required under perpetual hostilities. They reflect the medieval mentality of our present administration. We must look at the conditions causing the flow of immigrants and do something to correct them. And they are obvious.

Wherever there is great economic and political disparity, people will always migrate from poverty to better livelihood possibilities, and from oppression to relative freedom and opportunity. The flow will wax and wane but will never cease until some sort of equilibrium is established. The mere presence of our prosperous modern economic nation next to a region struggling under the backward plantation-like economic conditions of many Latin American countries acts like a magnet for immigration. On top of that, despite our government being in denial, our historical interference in the political and economic affairs of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Chile, Columbia, Argentina, etc., has contributed significantly to the flow of immigrants.

If we could change our policies towards Latin America to a "Good Neighbor" policy envisioned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt - rein in our corporate exploitation there, change our trading, lending, and privatization practices that tend to drive some countries towards bankruptcy, as described in John Perkins' "Confessions of An Economic Hit Man" - that could curtail immigration.

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President Trump with Defense Secretary James Mattis and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster

Why has the word "negotiation" become the equivalent of the plague to the Trump administration when it comes to North Korea?

There is no other way, short of war, even nuclear war, to deal with the North.

Trump issuing threats of being "locked and loaded" and delivering "fire and fury" don't phase North Korean leader Kim Song-Un who just authorized an underground nuclear test on Sunday.

One hates to agree with the likes of just fired White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon who said recently, "There's no military solution to North Korea's nuclear threats, forget it. Until somebody solves the part of the equation that shows me that ten million people in Seoul don't die in the first 30 minutes from conventional weapons, I don't know what you're talking about, there's no military solution here, they got us". Bannon's right.

Now the Chinese and the Russian's have offered the logical approach to dealing with North Korea. Initiate open ended negotiations with the US and South Korea ending their combined massive military exercises off the Korean Peninsula-which North Korea considers correctly tantamount to a direct threat against it-and the North stopping its missile and nuclear tests in order for open ended negotiations to begin.

One would think the Russian's and the Chinese proposal has something to it. That is except to Trump and his generals whose aversion to talking with an adversary is appeasement the supreme no-no.

What's it gonna take for this crowd to open their eyes? They can't see the forest for the trees?

Of course the corporate MSM provides no help always casting Kim and North Korea as the primary belligerent never suggesting US naval exercises, B-1 bomber over flights and threats to decapitate Kim are also direct provocations yet so menacing they'll get him to capitulate. Ah, ain't gonna happen.

Trump issues threats with his tweets and Kim just ups the ante with his missile and nuclear tests-the usual pissing contest between two self important narcissists.

With the generals triumvirate of Defense Secretary James "mad-dog" Mattis, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and John Kelly as Trump's Chief of Staff constantly in Trumps ear and Bannon sent packing is there anyone to stop this crowd from blundering into the real war to end all wars?

I don't know. But I will say this. If the American people were sufficiently aware of the real danger here, they'd be protesting and demonstrating in the streets getting Trump's attention and telling him to end this madness by negotiating with Kim and the North rather than protesting against neo-Nazi's marching in Charlottesville and blasting Trump as racist.

Trump may be a racist, self important egotist and all the epithets one could think of, but like it or not he's the president and he could end the madness if the American people got his attention before he stumbles and commits the unthinkable.

Anyone got a better idea let's hear it.
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PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-04 12:25:01

(Paris) - Next October 4&5, CF&B Communication is organizing the 17th consecutive edition of the "Large & MidCap Event", the unique independent forum in Europe where over 250 listed company leaders are meeting 400 institutional investors in one-on-one.

EnterNext and Euronext are again the exclusive Premium partners of the event, supporting traded securities every year since the first edition, meeting with European institutional investors so as to present them with their added value, and thereby enhancing the visibility of medium capitalizations among investors.

250 business executives from companies listed in Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Stockholm and New York.

Market caps: from 4M to 13bn.

Sectors: all.

Over 400 institutional investors (Europe, UK, USA).

One-on-one, Discovery meetings, presentations in Group meetings, Speed meetings.

The 17th "Large & MidCap Event", created and organized by CF&B Communication is the only European and totally independent event enabling traded companies to meet with new investors who are not necessarily clients of their usual financial partners.

CF&B Communication thanks the Prime Partner Brokers and Listing Sponsors assisting the issuers present: Degroof Petercam (Benelux), Gilbert Dupont (France), Invest Securities (France), Midcap Partners (France), CFO Sim (Italy), KT&Partners (Italy), as well as Sponsors supporting this asset class: TribRating for SMEs & MidCaps in collaboration with Euler Hermes and Moody's investor services, Caceis Investor Services, SFAF (French Association of Financial Analysts).

Registrations for the Paris "Large & MidCap Event" of October 5&6 remain open until September 15. Please contact Caroline Bader: c.bader@cbcom.fr

The next events organized by CF&B Communication in 2017 are: the Madrid European "Midcap Event" of November 14, the Geneva European "Midcap Event" of November 28&29, and the Paris "Invest Securities BioMed Event" of November 19.

For any further queries, please contact Caroline Bader: c.bader@cfbcom.fr





This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: CF&B Communication via Globenewswire


PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-04 09:02:02

- Establishment of Genome Sequencing Industrys First Branch in Spain, Strengthening Localization Service in Southern Europe and MENA

Macrogen Established Its Branch in Spain, Strengthening Localization Service in Europe

Contact Us for the Press Release

Macrogen Inc.

Mikyung Kim, +82-2-2113-7029

PR Team

pr@macrogen.com

Macrogen Inc. (CEO Hyon-yong Chong, www.macrogen.com) (KOSDAQ:038290), a precision medicine biotechnology company, announced on Sept. 4 that it will begin providing localization service in September at its branch in Madrid, Spain.

The Spanish branch of Macrogen was established last December following its first European branch in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This branch will provide quick and customer-friendly services to Southern Europe and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) area to meet the rising demand. Macrogen is the worlds first genome sequencing company to establish an overseas branch in Spain and provide localization services.

The Spanish branch of Macrogen has been providing a trial service to existing customers in Southern Europe and the MENA area since February and will provide regular services in the second half of the year. Approximately 1,800 research institutions, as of the end of August, have utilized Macrogens services.

Macrogens CEO Hyon-yong Chong stated, It is difficult for the existing branch in the Netherlands to support all customers in Europe because of the increasing demand from European customers. He added, Customers of Northern Europe will be able to use the Netherlands branch, while customers of Southern Europe and the MENA area will be able to quickly and conveniently access Macrogens industry-leading genome sequencing services through the Spanish branch.

Macrogen is continuously establishing a global genome center network in important overseas locations in a localization strategy to provide quicker and customer-friendly services. In addition to the recently opened branch in Spain, Macrogen has been stably operating the services in the USA (Rockville, Md., New York, Boston) since 2005, Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto) since 2007, the Netherlands (Amsterdam) since 2008, Oceania (Sydney, Australia) since 2013, and Singapore since 2016.

The Spanish branch of Macrogen is planning to host a customer appreciation event that includes special monthly gifts to their best customers from September to the end of the year to celebrate their official service launch in Southern Europe and the MENA area.

Contact Us for Services

Macrogen Spain

+34-911-138-378 info-spain@macrogen.com

Avda. Sur del Aeropuerto, 28, 28042 Madrid, Spain

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201709040050
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Wide Bandgap Semiconductors Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2017 - 2027''eport to their offering.

Drain Cleaning Equipment Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-04 14:56:54

Press Information

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# 654 Words

Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: www.futuremarketinsights.comAbhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Drain cleaning equipment is the major components in operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, and sewer utilities. It is a never ending and challenging task to keep drainage system, the piping system in the flow. However, it is most important but most overlooked elements of healthy facilities. As there is numerous material which can cause blockage in drainage. The area of blockage may be hard to access and so difficult to remove the blockage. Drain cleaning equipment help to remove the blockage in these locations and clear the drainage system.Drain cleaning equipment is equipment of includes hand tools as well as power tools. A major misconception related to drain cleaning equipment is one machine can handle all the drain issues. But in reality, it is not so, as there are several issues at various location and in different sizes systems. So there are different equipment made for different issues to solve it effectively and easily.Drain Cleaning Equipment Market:Market DynamicsSignificant investments by State and Federal governments on the operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, and sewer utilities is one of the major factors in driving the drain cleaning equipment demand in the forecast period. A survey from American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) states that waste water treatment plants will increase considerably in the upcoming year. As these are the target markets, the drain cleaning equipment market is expected to grow significantly in the upcoming years.Request For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4622 The high price of power drain cleaning equipment limiting their usage on commercial applications. The traditional hand tools such as plungers and augers are commonly found to be used in household applications, the major reason being the low cost, which in turn results in high penetration of these products. Where the advance drain cleaning power tools such as drum machine, sectional machine, sink machines, and water jetters are capable of offering a wide range of operations and are easy to use, find limited adoption in the household due to its high price. However, providing drain cleaning equipment on rent is in trend these days.Drain Cleaning Equipment Market:Market SegmentationSegmentation ofDrain Cleaning Equipment Market can be doneon the basis of product type as follows:Hand ToolsAugerHand SpinnersPlungerSewer TapesPower ToolsSink MachinesDrum MachinesSectional MachinesWater JettersRodder MachinesSegmentation of Drain Cleaning Equipment Market can be doneon the basis of application as follows:MunicipalResidentialIndustrialSegmentation of Drain Cleaning Equipment Market can be doneon the basis of By sales channel as follows:Distributor SalesRetail OutletOnline SalesDrain Cleaning Equipment Market: Regional OutlookNorth America holds a significant share in the global Drain Cleaning Equipment Market in terms of value as well as volume followed by Europe. The Drain Cleaning Equipment Market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a substantial rate over the forecast period. Growth in Asia-Pacific Drain Cleaning Equipment Market is mainly due to the rapid growth in the urbanization and industrialization. Furthermore, significant investments in the field of cleaning as well as operation and maintenance of drains, wastewater, and sewer in the countries such as India and China will bolster the Drain Cleaning Equipment Market. The growth in the Drain Cleaning Equipment Market in North America is chiefly due to the government support and funding in the field of development and implementation. Rest of the world market is estimated to account for a relatively small share of the Drain Cleaning Equipment Market.Visit For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4622 Drain Cleaning Equipment Market: Market ParticipantsSome of the examples of the market participants in the global Drain Cleaning Equipment Market, identified across the value chain are:Masco CorpDURACABLE.Gorlitz Sewer & Drain, IncGeneral Wire Spring Co.Electric Eel Manufacturing Co IncSpartan Tools LLCDuracable Manufacturing CORothenberger USA LLCGoodway Technologies Corp.GT Water Products Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-04 09:51:52

Press Information





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# 602 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Drug makers are increasingly partnering with medical research centers and institutes to develop more effective peptide drugs. This, in turn, is projected to make a positively impact on the growth of the global peptide based gastrointestinal disorders therapeutics market in the near future. A recent study conducted by Fact.MR reveals that the global market for peptide based gastrointestinal disorders therapeutics is poised to exhibit a strong CAGR during the forecast period (2017-2022), to reach a valuation in excess of US$ 600 Mn. Growing occurrence of metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal ailments related to the digestive system is compelling physicians to utilize novel therapeutic drugs that are more efficient than the traditional ones. In addition, incessant structural improvements in peptide synthesis coupled with development of high-throughput approaches and hybrid mixing of solid and liquid synthesis is partly responsible for the exciting preclinical results shown by new peptide drugs for treating a number of gastrointestinal diseases. Drug makers are also emphasising on enhancing peptide properties, such as stability and half-life to overcome few of the limitations of peptides. In recent years, a lot of progress has been made in developing efficacious peptide therapeutics. Nonetheless, the high complexity of peptides remain a major challenge for manufacturers and hence dampening the surging spirit of the market to a certain extent.Request For Sample Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=190 Highlights of the Report Include:North America currently commands for the largest share of the global market in terms of revenue and the trend is likely to continue over the next five years. The regions market is expected to expand at little under 14% CAGR over the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the rising adoption of peptide based drugs and increasing patient awareness about new and novel therapeutic treatments.Based on drugs, global sales of linaclotide for treatment of gastrointestinal ailments is significantly high. Sales of linaclotide currently commands for over two-third revenue share of the global market. By the end of 2022, over US$ 466 Mn worth linaclotide peptide drugs are estimated to be sold across the globe.Check Discount @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=D&rep_id=190 Hospital pharmacies is expected to remain the most attractive distribution channel for peptide based gastrointestinal disorders therapeutic drugs throughout the assessment period. In terms of revenue, hospital pharmacies currently account for nearly 50% share of the global market and the figure is unlikely observer any major alteration over 2022. Meanwhile, retail pharmacies will continue to hold the second position and reflect an impressive growth during the five years of forecast.Competition TrackingSome of the leading companies operating in the global market for peptide based gastrointestinal disorders therapeutics include Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Allergan plc, Shire plc, Astellas Pharma Inc., and Accredo Health Group, Inc. A majority of these market players are concentrating on development of new peptide drugs in order to expand their product portfolio. Hence, increasing emphasis on improving the efficacies of peptide drugs is likely to reflect favourably on the sales of peptide based therapeutic drugs for treating gastrointestinal disorders.Click to View Complete Report @ https://www.factmr.com/report/190/peptide-based-gastrointestinal-disorders-therapeutics-market About Us Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsOffice: Dublin 2Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandTel: +353-1-6111-593( Dublin 2 )Email: sales@ factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-09-04 09:58:02

TV XESS/85X6 wins Quantum Dot Technology Gold Award

TCL Wins Prestigious 2017 IFA Product Technical Innovation Awards

TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Ltd.

Phillip Wu, +86 755 3331 1958

wulf@tcl.com

http://www.tcl.com/

TCL, one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world, has been honored by International Data Group (IDG) and German Industry & Commerce Ltd (GIC) with the Quantum Dot Technology Gold Award(TV XESS/85 X6), a 2017 IFA Product Technical Innovation Award.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201709040051

TCL wins prestigious 2017 IFA Product Technical Innovation Awards (Photo: Business Wire)

TCL was also granted the Intelligent Security Innovation Gold Award for its T-Guardian Air conditioner.

We are thrilled to receive this award, said Zhang Shaoyong, General Manager of Product Center, TCL Multimedia, promising to remain focused on harnessing the power of new technologies such as Quantum Dot.

The supersized, 85-inch award-winning TCL XESS Private Theatre X6, offers a premium, immersive visual experience with its world-leading Quantum Dot display technology, picture processing ability and Dolby Vision high-dynamic-range (HDR). Leveraging the HDR technology that powers Dolbys most advanced cinemas around the world, Dolby Vision transforms the TV experience in the home by delivering greater brightness and contrast and a fuller palette of rich colors.

The X6 comes with a Harman Kardon sound system, offering 12-sound channels and 360 surround stereo sound with a 10-inch woofer. The volume generated by the 7.1.4 sound system reaches 40L. It also supports Dolby Atmos sound technology and DTS: X 7.1.4 technology. Dolby Atmos delivers an immersive sound experience that places and moves audio anywhere around you, including overhead. Its craftsmanship integrates metallic elements with walnut wood grain texture. Being 24.8mm wide, the XESS Private Theatre X6 is one of the thinnest, supersized TVs and the thinnest of those above 80 inches.

TCLs XESS Private Theatre X6 delivers the latest, exciting breakthroughs that consumers have been waiting for, which is all about Intelligent Technology, said Jennifer Xu, VP of IDG Asia. Smart has become a key word in the pursuit of the next generation of cutting-edge consumer products.

These latest wins followed a number of other TCL product awards bestowed earlier this year. Notable among these is the X2, TCLs Android QLED TV from the companys flagship series, which received the iF Design Award 2017. TCLs award-winning product portfolio also includes the C70 TV - EISA BEST BUY 2017-2018 and C2 series -Red Dot Award: Product Design.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201709040051

TCL has been honored by IDG and GIC with the Quantum Dot Technology Gold Award(TV XESS/85 X6), a 2017 IFA Award.
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




AXT have recently installed a new Rigaku Ultima IV X-ray diffractometer at the University of Auckland. This system will replace their old system and serve researchers in materials science performing a range of analytical experiments.

The Rigaku Ultima IV X-ray diffractometer (XRD).

Contact

Dr. Cameron S Chai

***@axt.com.au Dr. Cameron S Chai

End

--Rigaku is recognised as a leader in X-ray analytical instrumentation. The Ultima IV is a highly versatile instrument capable of performing a range of anlaytical experiments to determine composition and phase assemblage. It includes Rigaku's patented Cross Beam Optics (CBO) which allow the user to quickly switch between parallel and focused beam geometries to suit their specific experiments.The diffractometer is a fundamental piece of research infrastructure that services a large user base. As such, the Ultima IV acquisition was funded internally by the University.The bulk of the users are postgraduates carrying out high-end research projects, primarily in the area of materials science and advanced materials. The Ultima IV is currently being heavily used with undergraduate project students booking up capacity as they complete their projects. The system will also be used to carry out consulting work for commercial clients.Dr. Alec Asadov, Technical Officer at the University of Auckland was key to the instrument selection process. "The Ultima IV satisfied our technical requirements and came in at a price we could afford. In particular, this mid-sized system fits the space we had available and it also offered us the flexibility to purchase other attachments and accessories down the track to expand its capabilities", said Dr. Asadov.Richard Trett, Managing Director at AXT commented, "Rigaku XRD technologies have had a rapid uptake Australia as they have shown unmatched performance and flexibility. This is the first of the current generation of instruments that we have installed in New Zealand and we are confident that the Ultima IV it will provide a high quality platform for University of Auckland researchers to generate publication quality data and perform cutting edge research. We look forward to working with the University of Auckland into the future as they join a host of larger SmartLab XRD installations in the Australia/New Zealand region."AXT distributes a range of Rigaku instruments in Australia and New Zealand ranging from XRD, XRF and radiographic testing. XRDs constitute part of AXT's portfolio of analytical instruments. For more information on AXT's range of materials analysis solutions, please visit http://www.axt.com.au
IBN signs $359m pact with Chinese venture

The Investment Board of Nepal on Sunday signed a project investment agreement worth $359.2 million (approximately Rs36.8 billion) with Hongshi-Shivam Cement, a Nepal-China joint venture, to set up a mega cement factory in Nepal.
By: Carriage Trade PR

Thrive 2

Contact

Thrive

***@gmail.com Thrive

End

-- The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the South Carolina Lowcountry SCORE chapter, will host the first THRIVE Lowcountry Women's Conference on Friday, Sept. 29. The conference will feature a series of thought-provoking keynote speakers and five breakout sessions that will cover 20 topics.Among the speakers, Cynthia Wright, with Carriage Trade Public Relations Inc. and Cecilia Russo Marketing; who also serves as the president of the Savannah Jaycees, a civic organization that inspires leadership growth through community involvement, will discuss "How to Manage Your Business' Reputation Using Social Media.""I am thrilled that this type of event is coming to the Lowcountry,"said Wright. "This is an area full of successful and passionate women, and it's the perfect day for us all to unite, share ideas and be inspired by one another. And speaking about social media is nothing new for me, as we use it to help our clients every day at Carriage Trade PR."Other breakout sessions will cover topics such as finance, branding and networking. Niki Scott, executive vice president at Suntrust Mortgage, Inc, Heather Srulevich, the chief financial officer of South Carolina's Blue Cross Blue Shield, Diana Morrison, owner of Advertising Specialty Services and Elizabeth Skenes Millen, founder, owner and publisher of Pink and Paisley Magazines will be among the keynote speakers.The event will take place at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island. A welcome reception is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 28, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and the conference will be held on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be a special room rate at $159 per night for Sonesta guests who attend THRIVE and use the discount code 0928WOMEN.Registration for the event is $99, but those who sign up before Sept. 1 receive $10 off.For more information, please visit http://www.hiltonheadchamber.org/ chamber-events/ thrive-lo... To register, please visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/ register/eventReg? ... CONTACTLaurie BrownProgram Coordinator and Co-Creator(843) 415-8230laurie@auntlauries.com
Over the years, Quepos has become a prime property destination in the Costa Rica.

By: Queposrealty.com

250 Logo copy

Contact

Quepos Realty

***@queposrealty.com Quepos Realty

End

-- Over the years, Quepos has become a prime property destination in the Costa Rica. The property market in Quepos is on rise and there are now many investors looking for the best properties in the Quepos. Being an investor, you always want to buy a property at a reasonable price and that offer the highest appreciation in the future.Sometimes, locating these properties is not easy especially in the Quepos where there is abundance of properties available for sale. The Quepos Real Estate market is among the most affordable and economical markets in the entire Central America. In order to find a real estate property in the Quepos, which is also cost effective then you need to take the help of a property expert.Quepos Realty is the property experts and property advisors that bring you some of the best properties in the Quepos and Manuel Antonio at a reasonable price. Quepos Realty is been working in this region for last many years and they are fully aware of the local property market. Quepos Realty ensures all of their clients to provide them the best properties in the most reasonable prices.So, what are you waiting for? Have a browse on their website www.queposrealty.com and see if you can find your dream property. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or would like help finding your dream property then you can email us at the following address; info@queposreality.com or you can give us a call on 1-800-388-9957. No question is too big or too small. Our team of professionals is always happy to help."At Quepos Realty, we also have a fantastic selection of real estate which is catered to those looking to rent a property. If you are looking for a the perfect holiday rental then you will find everything from infinity pools, to outside bars, to large patio areas, to amazing views, to Jacuzzi bathtubs here"For more information visit http://www.queposrealty.com/ When you are looking to buy Costa Rica properties especially in Manuel Antonio or listings in Quepos we have a great team to assist you in making your dreams come true. Our Manuel Antonio realtor's are some of the best in the area with a wealth of local knowledge.
When it comes to business card printing in Melbourne, there are very few companies that can provide up to the mark quality and one of them is Doran Printing.

By: Doran Printing

Print Impression

Contact

Doran Printing

***@gmail.com Doran Printing

End

-- We are living in the digital era and digitalization has become the part of our life. However, the significance of printing has still not seen downfall. Nearly all the business firms, whether it's a small scale business firm or a giant organization, they all look for the quality printing solution for their various requirements.There are numbers of companies that can give the accurate and quality printing solution and one of them is Doran Printing. The company has industry experience of more than three decades. With such rich experience, company knows how to take care of their customers' requirements with perfection.If you are looking for qualitythen Doran Printing is the best place to get served adequately. Business cards represent your organization or yourself and that is why it has to have rich paper quality, printing quality and design that can grab the viewers' attention right away. We can say that the company is capable of keeping all these elements in their business card printing and designing services.To have the best printing quality for your needs is necessary and you need to ensure that the company is using advanced techniques to bring out the best results. With the accurate, the company caters the nearly all types of printing requirements.The company offers various printing services such as printing of corporate folder, invitation printing, catalogue printing, flyer printing, poster printing, printing of annual reports, environmental printing and number of other printing services. With greatthe customers' satisfaction can be achieved and company knows that well. The company uses superior quality ink and also takes responsibility of environmental printing.Along with the printing, if you are looking for the graphic designing services then also you can get precise solution here. The company has in house team of creative designers who can give creative designing services like logo designing and branding, business stationary, magazines, brochure and many other. So, you can get your various needs catered here with perfection. We can conclude that the company has maintained the quality service throughout these years.Doran Printing has been in the industry since 1984. With the rich industry experience, the company knows what customers want and that is why the company is capable of catering customers' requirements with precision. The company offers top notch quality printing services that can help customer build their brand in a right way.
A Sky over-the-top (OTT) launch in the increasingly competitive Spanish market is now imminent.





Scant details have been unveiled as yet, but the pay-TV operator and programmer has announced the impending release of its OTT service in Spain, and it has already launched a Spanish-language website and social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.In barely 48 hours, the Twitter profile reached 1,100 followers, and many users have asked the company about its plans, revealing a strong interest in the newest kid on the Spanish streaming block.After almost a year of rumours, Sky confirmed during its Q2 2017 results presentation in July that it intends to launch an OTT platform in Spain as it has done in other European countries. The UK-based operator said it was attracted by the fact that Spain was the Eurozone's fourth largest economy and the market with the largest free-to-air (FTA) headroom in Europe.Once Sky has completed the launch, Spain will have become one of the most competitive streaming and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) markets in Europe, something inconceivable two years ago, when even Netflix wasnt available in the country.
MultiChoice has slashed its subscription fees across all its pay-TV platforms in Zambia and announced it will increase local content as part of its real deal campaign in the country.





The reduction, of up to 16%, comes in the wake of increasing digital TV competition for MultiChoice from rivals Kwese TV , Zuku, Muvi and StarTimes.MultiChoice acting managing director Ngoza Matakala told IT Web that competition in the sector was welcome, to provide greater consumer choice.Zambias Government recently announced it would complete the switchover to digital television broadcasting in urban areas connected by rail from 1 October.Regulator, the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), has been mandated to take every measure to ensure that there was adherence to the analogue switch-off date.TopStar  a joint venture created by state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, and Chinas StarTimes Group  has reportedly invested around US$273 million installing transmission lines and constructing provincial broadcasting stations in Zambia for the remaining phases of the countrys migration to digital broadcasting.
With a production capacity share of 35.7% by the end of 2017, China is set to overtake the traditional large-size LCD-panel manufacturing powerhouses, in particular South Korea, according to display analyst WitsView.





The analyst also showed that from a share of 30.1% at the end of 2016, Chinas share of the global capacity area may likely increase to almost half of the market by 2020. By contrast, South Koreas share is projected to slide down to third place in the 2017 capacity share ranking with 28.8%, a significant drop from its leading share of 34.1% in 2016. Taiwans capacity share is expected to jump from 28.9% in 2016 to 29.8% in 2017, making the island the second-largest producing region.Both domestic and foreign panel-makers continue to build and expand their fabs in China because of the countrys enormous market and the financial support from the Chinese Government, commented WitsView senior research manager Anita Wang. At the same time, the capacity share of South Korea has shrunk. Samsung Display (SDC) closed its Gen-7 fab L7-1 at the end of 2016, and both SDC and LG Display (LGD) have lowered their Gen-5 capacity.WitsView believes that with South Korean panel-makers lowering their production capacity, the global production capacity in area for large-size panels is estimated to reach 246.6 million square meters, representing an annual increase of just 1.3%. It adds that right now, 2017s capacity area growth rate is also the lowest within the recent two to three-year period. Over the next three years, however, it expects six new Gen-10.5 fabs to be in operation, and that capacity area growth will again take off.In China, domestic panel-maker China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) will build a Gen-10.5 fab plant in Shenzhen, while BOE plans to set up another line in Wuhan. There is also a Gen-10.5 facility that is being built in Guangzhou by Sakai Display Products (SDP). In the US, the Wisconsin project that was announced by Foxconn is expected to include a Gen-10.5 line as well. As for South Korea, there are reports of LGD planning to build a plant Paju for processing Gen-10.5 glass substrates.WitsView observed that the panel industry over the past several years has worked to raise the demand for large-size TV sets to help consume the production capacity of fabrication lines of larger generations. With more Gen-10.5 facilities entering mass production, the industry will be pushing panels sized 65 or larger as the main products for the TV market.The analyst forecasts that the global capacity area for large-size panels will expand by 8% to 9% annually from 2018 and 2020, totalling around 317.8 million square metres per year by the end of the period. Looking ahead, investments in production capacity among competing panel-makers will reach a new level. Next year, a Gen-10.5 fab in Hefei, China, owned by BOE Technology (BOE) will be entering mass production, thus replacing Sharps Gen-10 fab in Japans Sakai as the worlds largest-generation panel fab, Added Wang. Nonetheless, other major panel makers are also planning to establish their own Gen-10.5 lines within the next several years.However, WitsView also sounded a note of caution, warning that the rapid expansion of Gen-10.5 capacity will also increase the risk of oversupply in the future. It also said that some panel makers still have not invested in a Gen-10.5 fab due to the potential financial burden.
Snell Advanced Media (SAM) has revealed its role in enabling the UKs National Theatre to produce its first high dynamic range/Ultra HD production.





Angels in America marks National Theatre Lives 60th production since it launched in 2009 and was broadcast live to over 2,500 cinemas in 60 countries, including more than 700 cinemas in the UK. Featuring an all-star cast, including Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Russell Tovey, Denise Gough and James McArdle, the two parts of the production were broadcast on 20 July and 27 July respectively.The two-part live broadcast was produced by Creative Broadcast Solutions together with OB company Telegenicn following a competitive tender for the project. Creative Broadcast Solutions worked together with Telegenic to ensure that the choice of kit was suitable for what needed to be achieved and that the full Ultra HD experience was delivered in a much more robust fashion than ever before.SAMs Kahuna production switcher was deployed, running the latest version of the FormatFusion technology, bringing HDR capabilities to all inputs and outputs, deployed in Telegenics OB truck.As this was the 60th production we decided to shoot it in Ultra HD and exploit HDR and everything that comes from that, explained Creative Broadcast Solutions technical producer Christopher Bretnall.Although Kahuna has been used for NT Live productions in the past, this is the first time we have used it to its full capability. Kahuna with FormatFusion4 enabled us to deliver both SDR and HDR, and exploit rec.709 and rec.2020 at the same time," he added. "The ability to put in non-UHD content was also very appealing, so we could put anything in to the switcher and get what we need out of it. The Angels broadcasts were delivered seamlessly through the SAM UHD switcher. Its capabilities ensured that the mixed-format sources were effortlessly integrated into the UHD capture and live broadcast.
Independent aircraft accident probe body to be established

The government has begun work to establish an independent aircraft accident investigation body as part of international obligations to improve aviation safety and prevent accidents in the future.
Body cameras for the Mooresville Police Department have arrived. Find out when they will be used.
Ukrainian officials and local residents moved to stabilize conditions in the freshly recaptured southern city of Kherson, as Russian symbols were being torn down and with the restoration of Ukrainian radio and television service and a new police presence.

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.

The action on November 12 came after months of occupation by Russian forces following their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February and as Ukrainian and Western officials hailed Kyivs latest extraordinary battlefield success and Moscows strategic failure.

Separately, Russian occupying forces said late on November 12 that they were preparing to leave the city of Nova Kakhovka, the site of a damaged dam on the Dnieper River, to a safer location, according to Russian state-run TASS news agency.

As jubilant Kherson residents awoke the morning following the arrival of the first Ukrainian troops, Ukraines military said it was putting stabilization measures in place to ensure safety.

Ihor Klymenko, chief of the National Police of Ukraine, said about 200 officers were at their posts in Kherson and that checkpoints had been set up. Authorities also began seeking out any evidence of possible Russian war crimes, he said in a Facebook post.



The Ukrainian communications watchdog said national TV and radio broadcasts had resumed in the strategic southern city and officials said aid supplies had begun to arrive from nearby regions.

Social media postings on November 12 showed local residents removing memorial plaques put up by Kremlin-installed authorities during the occupation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other officials warned that while special forces had entered central Kherson, the full deployment of Ukrainian troops was still under way and that some Russian soldiers could have shed military uniforms for civilian clothing and remained in the city.

Even when the city is not yet completely cleansed of the enemys presence, the people of Kherson themselves are already removing Russian symbols and any traces of the occupiers stay in Kherson from the streets and buildings, Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

But he said that medicine, communications, social services are returning. Life is returning.

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.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking to world leaders at an ASEAN summit in Cambodia, warned that the celebratory mood could turn grim with the possible discovery of war crimes evidence in Kherson.

Such evidence was discovered after Russian troops pulled out of the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions months ago.

Every time we liberate a piece of our territory, when we enter a city liberated from the Russian Army, we find torture rooms and mass graves with civilians tortured and murdered by the Russian Army in the course of the occupation of the territories," he said. "Its not easy to speak with people like this. But I said that every war ends with diplomacy and Russia has to approach talks in good faith.

The White House on November 12 hailed Russias withdrawal from Kherson as an "extraordinary victory" for Ukraine.

"It does look as though the Ukrainians have just won an extraordinary victory where the one regional capital that Russia had seized in this war is now back under a Ukrainian flag -- and that is quite a remarkable thing," U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters as he accompanied President Joe Biden to the ASEAN summit.

Sullivan said that the Russian retreat would have "broader strategic implications," including relieving the longer-term threat by Russia to other southern Ukrainian cities such as Odesa.

"It's a big moment, and it's due to the incredible tenacity and skill of the Ukrainians, backed by the relentless and united support of the United States and our allies," Sullivan said.

Asked about reports that the Biden administration has started to press Zelenskiy to explore negotiations with Moscow, Sullivan said Russia, not Ukraine, was the side that has to decide whether or not to go to the table.

"This whole notion, I think, in the Western press of, 'When's Ukraine going to negotiate?' misses the underlying fundamentals," Sullivan said.

Russia, he added, continues to make "outlandish claims" about its self-declared annexations of Ukrainian lands, even as it retreats from Ukrainian counterattacks.

"Ultimately, at a 30,000-foot level, Ukraine is the party of peace in this conflict and Russia is the party of war. Russia invaded Ukraine. If Russia chose to stop fighting in Ukraine and left, it would be the end of the war. If Ukraine chose to stop fighting and give up, it would be the end of Ukraine," he said. "In that context, our position remains the same as it has been and fundamentally is in close consultation and support of President Zelenskiy.

Separately, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on November 12 that Moscow's "strategic failure" in Kherson will sow doubt among the Russian public about the point of the war in Ukraine.

"Russia's announced withdrawal from Kherson marks another strategic failure for them. In February, Russia failed to take any of its major objectives except Kherson," Wallace said in a statement. "Now with that also being surrendered, ordinary people of Russia must surely ask themselves: 'What was it all for?'"

Meanwhile, Pavel Filipchuk, the head of the occupation government in Nova Kakhovka, told administrators and residents that Russian forces will be pullng back from the city on the right bank of the Dnieper River.

He cited concerns that the key dam could be damaged by missiles, which would result in flooding.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of planning to blast the dam, which has already been severely damaged.

With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, and Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on fellow BRICS nations to unite in the battle against growing trade protectionism across the world and play a "more active role in world governance in a summit overshadowed by renewed tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Xi told the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa gathered for their annual summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen on September 4-5 that they should "speak with one voice" to jointly present their solutions to global problems and safeguard their common interests.

"We need to make the international order more just and equitable," the Chinese president also said.

"Without us, ... many challenges cannot be effectively resolved," he told Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South African President Jacob Zuma.

Xi said BRICS countries should also increase cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, monetary systems and finance, as well as sustainable development.

Addressing the summit, Putin proposed expanding BRICS cooperation in space exploration, healthcare, and information security, according to the Interfax news agency.

The Russian president also called on members of the grouping to "enhance energy dialogue" by creating "a platform of BRICS energy research that could allow stepping up sectorial information and analytical and scientific exchanges," TASS reported.

The Xiamen gathering is the ninth summit of the BRICS emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

China also invited Tajikistan, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, and Thailand -- the so-called "BRICS Plus" format -- to the gathering.

The five BRICS member states represent more than 40 percent of the worlds population and generate about 22.5 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).

'Not A Talking Shop'

The grouping was formed to promote the interests of the participating countries against the backdrop of a global economic system dominated by the West.

But some critics are skeptical about the effectiveness of the grouping, given that its member states represent a wide variety of cultures, government styles, and economic systems.

In a speech to BRICS business leaders on September 3, Xi said "BRICS country cooperation is not a talking shop but a task force that gets things done."

"Our goal is to build a big market of trade and investment, promote smooth flow of currency and finance, improve connectivity of infrastructure, and build close bonds between the peoples," he added.

Also on September 3, Xi met with Putin and discussed the heightening tensions over North Korea's latest nuclear test -- Pyongyangs sixth and most-powerful blast.

The official Xinhua News Agency said both leaders strongly condemned Pyongyangs action and agreed "to adhere to the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, have close communication and coordination, and properly respond" to the test.

Some observers said the timing of the test -- prior to Xis hosting of a major summit -- likely angered the Chinese leader.

Beijing is North Koreas main ally and economic backer.

Xinhua also said the Chinese and Russian leaders agreed to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.

Putin also met on the sidelines of the summit with India's Modi to discuss bilateral relations, Interfax reported on September 4.

The Russian president was quoted as saying that the two countries are "actively developing military-technical cooperation."

He also expressed satisfaction about the trade growth between the two countries, which he said reached nearly 22 percent in the first half of the year.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, TASS, and Interfax


Five of the world's leading emerging economies have issued a statement that includes for the first time Pakistan-based militant groups as a regional security concern and calls for their patrons to be held accountable.

Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which comprise the BRICS grouping, called for an immediate end to violence in Afghanistan at a summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen on September 4.

"We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals," the leaders said in a declaration

"We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, [Islamic State]..., Al-Qaeda and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e Taiba, Jaish-e Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir."

Preeti Saran, an official with India's Ministry of External Affairs, said it was the first time there had been a specific listing of militant groups in a BRICS document and that his country welcomed the move as "a very important development" in the fight against militant attacks, of which it has been a target.

Lashkar-e Taiba is a militant group based in Pakistan that India has blamed for cross-border attacks, including a 2008 assault on Mumbai in which 166 people were killed. Jaish-e Mohammad, another anti-Indian group based in Pakistan, was blamed for a 2001 attack on parliament.

Officials in Islamabad have denied any involvement in attacks in India, including in the disputed region of Kashmir. Pakistan has itself claimed to be a victim of attacks.

"You cannot have good and bad terrorists, and it is a collective action. Members of the BRICS countries have themselves been victims of terrorism, and I would say that what has come of today acknowledges the fact that we must work collectively in handling this," Saran said.

China, a close ally of Pakistan, has repeatedly blocked attempts by India to get the head of Jaish-e Mohammad added to a UN blacklist of groups linked to Al-Qaeda.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan on the BRICS resolution.

The five BRICS countries also pledged their opposition to protectionism, a theme pushed by Chinese President Xi Jinping given rising antiglobalization sentiment in the West that threatens China's access to export markets.

They also strongly condemned North Korea's sixth -- and most powerful -- nuclear test on September 3 that has loomed over the two-day BRICS summit.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and The Hindu
After eight months of acrimonious discussion, the majority parliament faction of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party has announced that it sees no point in trying to resume discussions, whether in Georgia or elsewhere, with the country's various opposition parties on the wording of controversial draft constitutional amendments.

The September 1 statement went on to say the Georgian Dream parliament faction would, as a result, pass those amendments without opposition approval in a third and final reading during the fall parliament session.

Georgian Dream blamed the breakdown of talks on opposition intransigence, in particular what it termed the "four ultimatums" with which the opposition parties responded to Georgian Dream's most recent efforts to bridge the differences between the two camps. It said the opposition's "counterproductive" approach showed that its primary objective was to avoid reaching a consensus.

In light of that statement, the meeting planned for September 6 in Strasbourg under the aegis of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission of experts on constitutional law will not take place, even though the opposition parties had reaffirmed their continued readiness to participate. Venice Commission President Gianni Buquicchio had offered one month ago to convene that meeting in a bid to help the two sides overcome their differences.

The two sides' most recent attempt to reach accord was on August 18, when after weeks of mutual accusations of unwillingness to resume talks, representatives of Georgian Dream and 20 opposition parties met in Tbilisi in a last-ditch attempt to narrow their differences. While Georgian Dream reportedly offered two minor concessions, the three-hour talks failed to yield any points of agreement.

The opposition subsequently reaffirmed its core demand: that in the parliamentary elections due in 2020, all 150 mandates be allocated under the proportional system, rather than the current mixed system. The version of the draft amendments finalized in April and submitted for review and approval to the Venice Commission envisaged that transition, but in late June, purportedly under pressure from majoritarian parliament deputies who feared the loss of their mandates, Georgian Dream pushed through parliament an amended draft postponing the transition to the parliamentary elections due in 2024.

The opposition further stuck to its demand for the retention of direct elections for the post of president. Georgian Dream had agreed to direct elections only in 2018, when incumbent Giorgi Margvelashvili is expected to seek a second term, after which the next president would be elected by a 300-person electoral college. The opposition raised the possibility of holding a plebiscite to determine popular support for retaining direct elections. It pegged a resumption of talks on other disputed aspects of the planned reform on Georgian Dream's acceptance of those two demands.

But Georgian Dream dismissed them on August 25, stressing that it had solicited from each individual party a list of the points it deemed essential to incorporate into the draft and on which that party's support for the draft as a whole was contingent. Georgian Dream deplored what it termed the opposition's "counterproductive" stance, which, it complained, made it impossible to hold talks within the majority parliament faction and thus to embark on a new round of talks with the opposition.

Party Split?

The reference to "holding talks within the majority" suggests that at that juncture Georgian Dream's liberal wing was still hoping to overcome the hard-line majoritarian lawmakers' resistance to switching to the fully proportional system for the 2020 parliamentary ballot. It is not clear how many of Georgian Dream's 71 majoritarian lawmakers that group comprises, but the importance the liberal faction clearly attached to reaching a consensus with them suggests an aversion to quitting Georgian Dream to establish a rival parliament faction. Doing so would deprive Georgian Dream of its present constitutional majority.

If that emphasis on the importance of talks within the majority was intended as a coded message to the opposition not to risk derailing the ongoing search for consensus by ratcheting up the pressure on Georgian Dream, it did not have the desired effect. On the contrary, veteran lawmaker Roman Gotsiridze of the former ruling United National Movement (ENM) described the Georgian Dream statement as "an admission of defeat" in light of its apparent failure to split the opposition.

Days later, however, Georgian Dream backpedaled. On August 28, parliament speaker Irakli Kobakhidze reiterated the party's readiness to resume talks if the opposition came up with a list of the points on which its backing of the draft as a whole was contingent. Gotsiridze, in turn, attributed that repeated offer to "very negative reactions" he suggested Georgian Dream had received from its Western partners to its suggestion that further talks were "impossible" due to the obduracy of the opposition. He added that "no one believes that the authorities are ready for talks. This is just another attempt to ensure that the majority is not blamed if the Venice Commission meeting falls through."

Any Spirit Of Compromise?

Some observers have suggested, however, that the major opposition parties, in particular the ENM and European Georgia that split from it early this year, had little interest in reaching consensus in light of their consistent opposition to Georgian Dream initiatives, possibly in hopes of benefiting from a polarization of the political landscape. In addition, according to analyst Ramaz Saqvarelidze, they do not stand to gain much from the transition to the fully proportional system, while smaller parties would benefit only in the event that Georgian Dream amended the draft to reverse its abolition of electoral blocs. (Doing so was reportedly one of the concessions Georgian Dream was still prepared to make.)

Former parliament speaker Davit Usupashvili commented prior to Georgian Dream's September 1 announcement that he doubted whether the two sides would reach agreement in Strasbourg after failing to do so in Tbilisi. "I had not noticed that the air in Strasbourg has some unique quality and that after breathing it in, people are more amenable to changing their minds," he quipped.

Predictably, some opposition parties, including the ENM, have nonetheless laid the blame for the breakdown of the talks squarely on Georgian Dream. Others take a more nuanced view. Mamuka Katsitadze, leader of the extraparliamentary New Rightists, told the news portal Caucasian Knot that "responsibility for the breakdown in the dialogue [under the aegis] of the Venice Commission lies with the ruling party and partly with the parliamentary opposition, which declared that it would go to that meeting on condition that Georgian Dream announced what concessions it was prepared to make."

Venice Commission Secretary Thomas Markert too said it would be wrong to blame only one side, given that each genuinely wanted to achieve consensus, albeit on its own terms. He predicted that Georgian Dream would make unspecified changes to the draft prior to the final reading.

Venice Commission President Buquicchio has issued a statement describing the failure of the two camps to reach agreement as "disappointing." He said it was now essentially up to them to resume negotiations with the aim of "reaching a broad consensus...through productive dialogue" and there was no further need for Venice Commission involvement in that process.

He added, however, that "we expect to receive shortly the revised draft of the constitution from the Georgian authorities and will issue an opinion on it in one month, at the October plenary session." Buquicchio further expressed the hope that the Georgian parliament will incorporate the Venice Commission's comments and proposals into the draft before passing it in the third and final reading.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL
Thousands of people rallied in the capital of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya to express support for the Muslim Rohingya minority in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

The September 4 demonstration in front of the large Heart of Chechnya Mosque in central Grozny was attended by Kremlin-backed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, regional parliament speaker Magomed Daudov, and other officials as well as clerics.

Officials and Muslim clerics cited verses of the Koran, in Arabic and Chechen, calling on all Muslims to unite.

The demonstration was shown on state TV in Chechnya, where Kadyrov's tight control enables the government to stage large rallies.

The demonstrators chanted "God is great" and held posters with what appeared to photos of members of the Rohingya community taken from the Internet.

Hundreds of people held similar rallies on September 3 in front of Burmas Embassy in Moscow and in Makhachkala -- the capital of Daghestan, which is adjacent to Chechnya.

Nearly 90,000 mostly Rohingya refugees have arrived in neighboring Bangladesh since violence erupted in Burma on August 25, according to the United Nations.

Refugees accuse Burmese security forces and Buddhist mobs of burning their villages. The government says the security forces are responding to an attack last month on police posts by Rohingya militants.
Lohani, Rana fight for plough as poll symbol

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Prajatantrik), which is currently in a bitter court battle with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) over its validity, has picked up another fight with the Ekikrit Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Rastrabadi) over an election symbol.
So don't look now, but Russia may be about to get yet another law that will allow Vladimir Putin's regime to prosecute its own citizens for just about anything.

According to a report in this morning's edition of the pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia, which is one of the regime's key mouthpieces, the Federation Council is working on legislation to deal with "undesirable behavior."

The details of the bill are still being worked out, but the Izvestia report says it would provide for the expulsion of foreigners and the prosecution of Russians who act in any way that harms national security.

Viewed one way, the legislation follows up on previous laws requiring NGOs that receive foreign funding to register as so-called foreign agents and on laws providing for the banning of foreign NGOs deemed to be "undesirable organizations."

If passed, it could also have a chilling effect on how foreign journalists cover Russia.

But this is not just about controlling foreigners.

Like previous laws on extremism and on insulting religious believers -- which have been implemented very broadly to suit the needs of the authorities -- this new legislation would give Putin's Kremlin a new tool to harass and prosecute it domestic opponents.

In many ways, it appears to resemble the infamous Article 70 of Russia's Soviet-era Criminal Code, which prohibited "agitation or propaganda aimed at subverting or weakening Soviet authority."

According to Izvestia, the legislation should be introduced to the State Duma in early 2018 -- just in time for the presidential elections in March.

And it's yet another example of how deeply insecure the Putin regime is after nearly 18 years in power.

Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page.
An Iranian teenager sneaks up behind a cleric in the capital, Tehran, and knocks his turban off his head before dashing off.

The incident, uploaded on social media, is part of a new tactic employed by anti-government demonstrators in Iran.

Nationwide antiestablishment protests have raged across the Islamic republic since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died on September 16 shortly after she was arrested for allegedly violating the hijab law on women's dress.

As the authorities have waged a deadly crackdown on the rallies, some demonstrators have turned to new tactics to sustain the monthslong protests, including tipping off Islamic clerics' turbans in the streets.

Many Iranians associate members of the clergy with Iran's Islamist regime, which many blame for the repression and corruption in the country.

While some Iranians have praised the "turban throwing" as an act of resistance, others have expressed concern that low-level clerics who are not affiliated with the state could become the victims of harassment and violence.

Lawmaker Mohammad Taghi Naqd Ali on November 10 called the new trend "the devil's conspiracy" and warned that young protesters tossing clerics' turbans were "playing with the lion's tail."

State media reported the arrests of two people in recent days who were accused of knocking off clerics' turbans.

London-based human rights lawyer Shadi Sadr said the tactic was a "brave and revolutionary act." Sadr, the co-founder of the rights group Justice for Iran, told RFE/RL that protesters were "humiliating" clerics without resorting to violence. "They're [targeting] the clergy's turban as a symbol of the crimes and corruption of the past 43 years as well as the privileges clerics have enjoyed," she said.

"There is no violence in it, and it also includes youthful mischief, which highlights the spirit of the revolution," Sadr added, referring to the monthslong protests that have posed the biggest threat to the establishment in years.

But Ahmad Zeidabadi, a Tehran-based journalist and former political prisoner, said that some of the clerics targeted in the streets "may be critics or even victims of [state] policies."

"This phenomenon...mainly targets clerics who do not hold any government positions," he said on Twitter, adding that senior clerics in powerful positions rarely appear in public and are often protected by security guards if they do.

Reformist cleric Hojatoleslam Ahmad Heidari, who was jailed in the past for his support for the opposition Green Movement, warned that the new trend could taint the "beautiful face of [the] protest movement against oppression and injustice."

"You're right to be angry at those wearing turbans," Heidari wrote on the news site Esafnews.com. But he added that "those who have a hand in power and are your target" are out of reach. He said many of the clerics targeted were "young and elderly" clerics who are not sitting in "ivory towers."

Attacks on clerics, particularly those who attempt to enforce Islamic codes in public, had been on rise in Iran even before the protests erupted, forcing many clerics to appear in public without their robes and turbans.

Last week, a cleric was reportedly hospitalized after being wounded in Karaj, near Tehran, amid antiestablishment protests in the city. The hard-line Fars news agency claimed that protesters attacked the cleric with knives.

Hassan Fereshtian, a Paris-based Iranian cleric and researcher, said the turban-throwing trend was the result of the "suppressed anger of the past four decades."

"If it aims at eliminating the clergy, we could be facing the start of violence," he warned in comments to RFE/RL's Radio Farda. "In fact, the clergy should be eliminated from the centers of power. But they shouldn't be eliminated from society."

Fereshtian, a student of the late dissident Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, expressed hope that Iran will reach a point "where secular people can live peacefully next to the clergy and unveiled women next to those who choose to wear the hijab."

In the past year, regime supporters have knocked off the turbans of clerics who had criticized the establishment, including former Interior Minister Abdollah Nuri and former parliament speaker Mehdi Karrubi, who has been under house arrest since 2011 for disputing the 2009 reelection of former President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Prosecutors in the high-profile trial of a Kazakh journalist known for his criticism of the government is seeking four years of "freedom limitation" -- a suspended sentence with parole-like restrictions -- for the defendant.

The prosecutor at the trial also asked the Almaty court on September 4 to confiscate Zhanbolat Mamai's property and ban him from journalistic activities.

Mamai, acting chief editor of the independent Sayasi Qalam-Tribuna (The Political Pen-Tribune) newspaper went on trial on August 14.

Investigators say Mamai was involved in laundering money "stolen" by Kazakhstan's fugitive tycoon Mukhtar Ablyazov.

Mamai denied any connection with Ablyazov and said the case against him is politically motivated.

Ablyazov, a former head of Kazakhstan's BTA bank, who is currently living abroad, is a major opponent of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

He is wanted by Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine on suspicion of embezzling some $5 billion. Ablyazov denies the accusations, saying they are politically motivated.
A coalition headed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has agreed to a deal with the junior New Alliance for Kosovo party to form a government, ending three months of political gridlock sparked by inconclusive elections.

The agreement, signed on September 4, gives the coalition, which includes the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) along with ethnic minorities, 63 of parliament's 120 seats.

President Hashim Thaci has said that he would give Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the AAK, a formal mandate to try to form a government once he could show he had a deal showing a majority coalition was in place.

"Finally Kosovo has started to move...we had some big delays and our institutions now will be formed," Haradinaj said.

Officials from the European Union and other Western institutions have expressed concerns that the inconclusive June election results could plunge the country into the same constitutional crisis it faced after a 2014 vote failed to produce a clear winner, delaying the formation of a government for nine months.

The failure to move forward on creating a government prompted Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States to issue a statement on August 13 that said it was "the responsibility of Kosovo's leaders" to end the deadlock.

"With this coalition we will push the processes forward. I am convinced that we will be in harmony with Prime Minister Haradinaj," Behgjet Pacolli, leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), said after signing the agreement.

The Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK), which Thaci used to lead before resigning to become head of state, joined forces with Haradinaj's AAK and Fatmir Limaj's Initiative for Kosovo (NISM). Each has its foundation in the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) that fought a separatist war against Serbia in 1998-99.

Haradinaj, who has twice stood trial before the United Nations war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia and was acquitted, briefly held the post of prime minister in 2005.

Pacolli, who also holds a Swiss passport, is widely considered the richest Kosovar. He made his money rebuilding state buildings in Moscow in the 1990s. He has since moved his company to Kazakhstan from Russia.

Jobs, health care, and education remain pressing issues for one of Europe's poorest countries, and a country where about one-third of its 1.8 million citizens are under the age of 15.

The early elections also derailed the process of ratifying the demarcation of Kosovo's border with Montenegro, which became a member of NATO earlier this month, a condition for Kosovo obtaining visa-free travel in the European Union.

With borders often the front lines of conflicts across the Balkans, the two countries had struggled to agree on a deal to finally define the frontier.

An accord was reached in 2015, but the result was unacceptable to the opposition, which felt Kosovo would lose about 82 square kilometers of valuable farmland even though an independent commission of experts ruled the area in question was legitimately part of Montenegro.

The issue sparked a no-confidence vote in parliament in May, which the government lost, triggering the early elections in June.

Kosovo, a country of 1.8 million people, 90 percent of whom are ethnic Albanian, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by 115 countries but not by Belgrade.

Currently there are around 120,000 Serbs in Kosovo and most of them, mainly in the north, oppose the Pristina authorities.

Kosovar Albanians, who are the ethnic majority in the small Balkan state, oppose greater autonomy for Serb-dominated municipalities, saying that this would give Belgrade more influence.

With reporting by Reuters and Kosovo Press
A Russian court has rejected director Kirill Serebrennikov's bid for release on bail but slightly softened the conditions of his house arrest.

The Moscow City Court issued the ruling on September 4.

Serebrennikov was detained on August 22 and could be sentenced to 10 years in prison if tried and convicted on fraud charges he has dismissed as unfounded and absurd.

Some 1,300 young artists and other cultural figures have signed a petition in support of Serebrennikov, who investigators accuse of embezzling at least 68 million rubles ($1.1 million) in state arts funding.

A lawyer for Serebrennikov, Dmitry Kharitonov, asked the court to release him on bail of that exact amount: 68 million rubles.

The court ruled that Serebrennikov will remain under house arrest but will be allowed to leave his apartment to take a walk daily from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Serebrennikov, 47, is artistic director of the Gogol Center theater in Moscow and founded a dramatic collective called Seventh Studio.

He has participated in antigovernment protests and voiced concern about the increasing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church in cultural matters.

Dozens of prominent Russian artists have submitted character-witness testaments to the court in support of Serebrennikov.

Kremlin critics say his prosecution is part of a crackdown on dissent ahead of a March 2018 election in which President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to seek and secure a new term.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Interfax, and Dozhd


KAZAN, Russia -- A court in the capital of Russia's Tatarstan region, Kazan, has for the second time jailed the coordinator of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's presidential campaign.

The Vakhitov district court ruled on September 4 that Elvira Dmitriyeva was guilty of violating regulations governing public gatherings and ordered her held in custody for 10 days.

Dmitriyeva was initially jailed by the same court for 10 days on August 23 after she posted Navalny election materials in the Internet.

She was released two days later after Tatarstan's Supreme Court cancelled the court's ruling and ordered an additional investigation.

Dmitriyeva's lawyer told the Supreme Court that the activist's jailing violated rules because she is a member of a district electoral commission, and that the Internet post at issue was not a call to participate in a public gathering.

In the post, Dmitriyeva called on supporters to pick up leaflets at Navalny's headquarters in Kazan.

Dmitriyeva's lawyer Irina Gontsova told RFE/RL that she will appeal her client's new incarceration.

Navalny is campaigning for the March 2018 presidential election, in which President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to seek and win a fourth term.


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The U.S. envoy to the United Nations has said the United States plans to circulate a new resolution on North Korea this week and wants a vote next week by the Security Council.

"Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited," Haley told an emergency session of the Security Council on September 4, a day after North Korea detonated what it called a hydrogen bomb.

Haley urged the council to impose the strongest possible measures to deter North Korea from further steps on its nuclear program. The emergency session was requested by the United States, Japan, France, Britain, and South Korea.



Haley said the United States would engage in negotiations this week on the resolution and said Pyongyang "has slapped everybody in the face" with its latest nuclear test. She added that the United States will circulate a draft for a vote on September 10.

Haley added that North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, was "begging for war."

"The time has come to exhaust all diplomatic means before it is too late," she said.

The North trumpeted "perfect success" on September 3 in its sixth nuclear test explosion since 2006.

It appeared to be North Koreas most powerful nuclear test, with South Korea estimating its strength at 50 kilotons -- five times the size of the North's previous nuclear test in September 2016 and more than three times bigger than the U.S. device that was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, spoke by phone on September 4 and resolutely condemned North Korea's latest nuclear test, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Kremlin said Putin had told Moon that the only way to resolve the crisis was through diplomacy and talks.

Russia regarded Pyongyang's latest test as a serious threat to peace and security in the region, the Kremlin said.

Russia' UN envoy, Vasily Nebenzya, in his statement to the Security Council emergency session, echoed Putin's position, saying that the North's test showed that "peace in the region is in serious jeopardy."

But Nebenzya said that military solutions could not resolve the crisis, adding that there was an "urgent need to maintain a cool head, and refrain from actions that can escalate tensions."

China's ambassador to the UN, Liu Jieyi, again urged diplomatic talks to address the crisis, and told the council that Beijing would not allow chaos and war on the Korean Peninsula.

"The situation on the peninsula is deteriorating constantly as we speak, falling into a vicious circle," Liu said. "The peninsula issue must be resolved peacefully. China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula."

China's proposal for a freeze on North Korea's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of U.S.-South Korea military drills is backed by Russia. China is the North's main economic partner and its only diplomatic ally.

Other Security Council members, including Japan and France, are calling for further sanctions. The council already imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on North Korea last month.

Germany, which is not a permanent member of the Security Council, also urged stricter sanctions against the North.

Chancellor Angela Merkel told U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone conversation on September 4 that she will press for stricter EU sanctions on Pyongyang, a German government statement said.

Merkel also talked on the phone to South Korean President Moon on September 4, and condemned Pyongyang's latest nuclear test, a German government spokesman said.

"In light of North Korea's unreasonable and confrontational stance, the chancellor and the president voiced their support for the international community to rapidly adopt additional stricter sanctions," spokesman Steffen Seibert said.

"The common objective is to avoid a military escalation and to reach a peaceful solution," Sebiert added.

The emergency session comes less than a week after the council strongly condemned the North's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Meanwhile, South Korea says it has seen indications that North Korea is preparing more missile launches, possibly an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Defense Ministry said on September 4 that it was strengthening its U.S.-made THAAD missile-defense system, whose deployment south of Seoul has been strongly opposed by China and Russia.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Protests were held in Moscow, and in Grozny, the capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya, in support of the Muslim Rohingya minority in Burma, also known as Myanmar. The Russian government has refrained from condemning operations by Burmese security forces against Rohingya insurgents, that have led to nearly 90,000 Rohingya to flee Myanmar in recent days. (RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service)
Mahara to leave for China on Wednesday

To lay the ground for Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deubas upcoming visit to China, possibly in early October, Deputy PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara is leaving on a five-day official trip to the northern neighbour on Wednesday.
MOSCOW -- Hundreds of Muslims protesting angrily outside the Burmese Embassy here in the Russian capital. Strident calls for an end to the "genocide" of Muslims in Burma. And a flash mob to #SaveRohingya on Russian websites ahead of the UN General Assembly.

A sizable Russian campaign to support the beleaguered Rohingya Muslims of Burma, also known as Myanmar, was born over the weekend.

However, the effort was spearheaded not by President Vladimir Putin, the State Duma, or even Russia's Foreign Ministry, but rather by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

And the push -- punctuated by Kadyrov lamenting that he couldn't call "a nuclear strike" on forces persecuting the Rohingya -- illustrates the considerable domestic clout of the leader of Russia's southern, mainly Muslim republic of Chechnya -- just one of Russia's 84 recognized regions.

But it also appears to signal Kadyrov's outsize foreign-policy ambitions, including ones that don't necessarily meld with Kremlin plans.

"For the Kremlin, these statements are a nasty surprise," Aleksei Malashenko*, research director at the Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute in Berlin and author of numerous books and articles on Islam, says of Kadyrov's Rohingya rhetoric.

'A Muslim Leader'

At just 40, Kadyrov holds unparalleled power for a regional governor, the result, analysts say, of an arrangement with the Kremlin following two bloody wars in which Kadyrov has been given a free hand and generous financial backing in return for stability in the historically rebellious North Caucasus republic.

Regularly criticized for presiding over shocking human rights abuses in the region, Kadyrov has studiously cultivated relations with foreign dignitaries in the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and among Palestinian leaders.

"If Russia is going to support these jackals committing crimes today, then I am against Russia's position because I have my view, my position," Kadyrov told Instagram viewers via live video stream on September 2 in a reference to a Burmese military operation that has sent thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing that Southeast Asian state and prompted fears of a major humanitarian crisis.

Two days later, on September 4, he mobilized thousands in the Chechen capital, Grozny, where he further criticized the treatment of the Muslim minority by Burmese officials.

WATCH: Protests In Russia Support Burma's Rohingya

By so publicly taking up the cause of Burma's Rohingya Muslims, Kadyrov appears to be seeking to cement his political weight at home by casting himself as a Muslim leader of global import.

"Ramzan wins from this," Malashenko says. "Ramzan wins hands down. Because he is positioning himself as a Muslim leader. Not a Caucasian leader. Not even a Russian leader. But a Muslim leader defending the Muslims of Burma."

A Problem For Putin?

The September 4 rally looked like a signature Kadyrov event, complete with lavish praise of Putin ("the chief of a great state, the leader of a nation with centuries-long religious and moral foundations, a politician and a person who respects Islam"); a seemingly inflated official turnout figure of over 1 million (nearly Chechnya's entire population); and a call, by a man accused of presiding over major rights violations and political violence at home, for an end to the bloodshed in Burma.

In an earlier Instagram video uploaded to YouTube, Kadyrov condemned the Russian media for allegedly ignoring the plight of Muslims in Burma. He suggested that if he were Russia's leader, he would take military action in response to unspecified calls for troops to help Muslims.

"It's impossible to send troops there, because this is the prerogative of the state," Kadyrov said. "If it were my will, and this were possible, I would launch a nuclear strike. I would simply destroy the people killing children, women, old people."

Malashenko calls Kadyrov's outspokenness on the issue "a problem for Russia."

"His actions -- the Moscow demonstration, the Grozny demonstration -- they have an undermining effect: they act against interconfessional solidarity in Russia," Malashenko says. "Look online, the demonstrations are being condemned and people are writing bad things about Muslims."

*CORRECTION: This article has been amended to correctly identify Mr. Malashenko as research director at the Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute in Berlin.
Russia's Investigative Committee says a movie theater in the city of Yekaterinburg has been the target of an apparent arson attack.

The committee said a 39-year-old man was detained for "premeditatedly inflicting damage to property by arson."

The suspect apparently rammed his vehicle into the Cosmos cinema's main entrance early on September 4. A fire broke out during the incident, and the suspect was later hospitalized with burns.

The Cosmos is hosting the second edition of the Open Russian Movie Festival from September 2-8.

Yekaterinburg Mayor Yevgeny Roizman wrote on Twitter that it was possible that the attack might be linked to the controversial film Matilda, which explores the romantic youth of Russia's last tsar, Nicholas II.

However, Culture Ministry spokeswoman Irina Kaznacheyeva said Matilda had not been scheduled to be shown in Yekaterinburg.

Cosmos administrator Alla Buchukova said the theater had not received any threats regarding possible screenings of Matilda.

Russian Orthodox activists and hard-line nationalists vehemently oppose showing the film across Russia, claiming it besmirches the memory of Nicholas, who was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000.

The film tells the story of a romance between Nicholas and teenage ballet dancer Matilda Kshesinskaya when he was an unmarried crown prince. Trailers showing romantic scenes between the young prince and Kshesinskaya have outraged conservative critics.

The affair ended in 1894, when Nicholas married the German princess who became Empress Aleksandra. Kshesinskaya later married the tsar's cousin, Grand Duke Aleksandr Vladimirovich. She died in 1971.

The tsar and his family were killed by a Bolshevik firing squad in July 1918.

With reporting by TASS and Interfax
Russian lawmakers are examining possible new legislation envisioning the deportation of foreigners who engage in "undesirable" behavior deemed to be interference in the country's internal affairs.



Andrei Klimov, a senior member of Russia's upper house of parliament, confirmed to Russian media outlets on September 4 that discussions had begun about such a law.

"Our foreign partners are systematically meddling in our affairs," the Kremlin-loyal Izvestia newspaper quoted Klimov, a member of Russian President Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party, as saying.



Citing unidentified sources close to parliament, Izvestia reported that the legislation would be a draft amendment to a 2015 law that gives Russian authorities the power to declare international organizations "undesirable" and shutter them if they are deemed to be a national-security threat.

Rights watchdogs call the 2015 law part of a broader Kremlin clampdown on civil society since Putin returned to the Kremlin for a third term as president in May 2012 following mass street protests he accused Western states of fomenting.

Criminal Penalties



In addition to possible expulsions of foreigners, the new bill could include criminal penalties for Russian citizens found to have engaged in "undesirable" activities that threaten national security, Izvestia reported.

Russia's federal immigration law already allows foreign nationals to be barred in the interest of "national security" or if they are considered "undesirable."

Russia has previously slapped such bans on a range of foreigners going back more than a decade, including businesspeople, journalists, and human rights activists.



But the new amendment to the "undesirables" law could introduce punishments for Russian citizens and legal entities, Izvestia reported, citing a source close to parliament.

Violations of the law could be classified as misdemeanors or felony crimes, the newspaper reported.

Klimov confirmed to Izvestia, the state-run TASS news agency, and the business daily RBK that discussion of the possible legislation had begun among lawmakers and experts.

Klimov told TASS, however, that it "must be worked out seriously, including from a legal standpoint."

'Defending State Sovereignty'

Klimov is overseeing the initiative as the head of a Federation Council commission created in June aimed at "defending state sovereignty and preventing interference" in Russia's "internal affairs."

The commission was formed amid ongoing U.S. investigations into what U.S. intelligence agencies concluded was a Russian hacking-and-propaganda campaign aimed at influencing last years presidential election. Moscow denies any involvement.

Russia has repeatedly accused the United States and other Western governments of seeking to stoke political unrest in the country by funding nongovernmental organizations, including election monitors and human-rights groups often critical of authorities.

U.S. and European officials have repeatedly rejected these allegations.



"In part we want to track the movement of money that is being sent from Washington to fund the activities of various organizations," Klimov said.



As an example of individuals engaged in "undesirable" activities, Klimov cited foreign academics who give "instructions" for political revolution in lectures at Russian universities, RBK reported. The report did not include a specific example of such a lecture.

News of the possible legislation comes ahead of a March 2018 presidential election that is expected to give Putin a new six-year term.

A 2013 law already imposes additional obligations on nongovernmental organizations in Russia that receive funding from abroad and are seen to engage in political activities, singling them out as "foreign agents."

Recently, legislators have signaled a desire to also extend that designation to NGOs that receive funding from Russians with foreign sources of income.

With reporting by Izvestia, TASS, RBK, and RFE/RLs Russian Service
ON MY MIND

So we've had laws requiring NGOs that receive foreign funding to register as "foreign agents."

We have laws providing for the banning of foreign NGOs deemed "undesirable organizations."

We have broadly interpreted laws providing for the prosecution of "extremism" and "insulting religious believers."

And now, the Kremlin mouthpiece Izvestia is reporting that the Federation Council is drafting legislation prohibiting so-called "undesirable behavior." (The Izvestia piece is featured below.)

Under the law, foreigners who behave in a way that harms Russia's national security could be expelled. And Russians who behave in a way that harms national security could be prosecuted.

On today's Power Vertical Briefing, we look at what this might mean, so be sure to tune in. I also give my initial take on the potential legislation on today's Daily Vertical.

IN THE NEWS

U.S. authorities have taken control of three Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States after Russian staff complied with a 48-hour deadline to vacate the sites.

Russia is urging the United States to return Russian diplomatic facilities it says U.S. authorities have "seized" in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., calling it an "openly hostile act."

A former Soviet military officer and Washington lobbyist who attended a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's son during the 2016 campaign has denied working for Russian military intelligence but said he saw documents with damaging information about rival Hillary Clinton at the meeting.

Leaders from the so-called BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa -- are meeting in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen on September 3-5.

A new development bank established by Russia, China, India, and Brazil is providing three of those countries with $1.4 billion in loans.

The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

The brother of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is facing deportation from Ukraine on allegations that he was in the country illegally, a move that comes amid a fierce standoff between the ex-head of state and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Georgian troops have joined counterparts from the United States and other countries for the start of the Agile Spirit 2017 military drills -- the seventh time the maneuvers have been held.

LATEST POWER VERTICAL PODCAST

In case you missed it, the latest Power Vertical Podcast, Active Measures, looks at Russia's political war in Europe and at new revelations about Moscow's cyberattacks on the United States.

NEW POWER VERTICAL BRIEFING

And, on this week's Power Vertical Briefing, we look at reports that Russian lawmakers are drafting a new law on "undesirable behavior."

WHAT I'M READING

New ECFR Report: Controlling Chaos

Mark Galeotti of the Institute of International Relations in Prague has a new report for the European Council on Foreign Relations (discussed on the latest Power Vertical Podcast): Controlling Chaos: How Russia Manages Its Political War In Europe.

New RUSI Report On Russian Armed Forces Coming Soon

The Royal United Services Institute, or RUSI, will release a new report on September 12 written by Igor Sutyagin and Justin Bronk: Russia's New Ground Forces: Capabilities, Limitations And Implications For International Security.

The War On 'Undesirables'

According to a report in the Kremlin mouthpiece Izvestia, the Federation Council is drafting legislation prohibiting "undesirable behavior." The legislation would provide for the deportation of foreigners and the prosecution of Russians who act in a manner that harms national security.

Book Review: Red Famine

The Evening Standard reviews Anne Applebaum's book Red Famine.

Responding To Russian Hacking

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves has an op-ed in the Financial Times calling for a tough response to Russian hacking and attempts to interfere in Germany's election.

Political Attitudes In Belarus

Deutsche Welle's Russian Service has a piece on the political attitudes and loyalties of Russian speakers in Belarus.

The Military Balance In Europe

Wesley Morgan, Politico's military affairs correspondent, argues that the U.S. Army is "unprepared to deal with Russia in Europe."
T roubled gold firm Acacia Mining is to scale down operations at one of its mines as its stand-off with the Tanzanian government drags on.

The FTSE 250 firm has been leaking cash since Tanzania decided to crack down on foreign operators, including banning exports of gold concentrates.

Today, Acacia said it would halt underground mining at its Bulyanhulu mine and stop processing underground ore within four weeks in order to preserve the viability of our business over the longer term.

It said the shake-up in Tanzania had caused negative cash outflows of $15 million (11.6 million) a month at the mine, but it hopes the changes will help it to return to positive cashflow in 2018.

Acacia said the changes will mean a significant reduction in staff at the mine, where there are 1200 employees and 800 contractors.

The firm also downgraded guidance for annual gold production, which it said will be 100,000 ounces below the bottom end of its range of 850,000-900,000 ounces.

Acacia was spun out of Canadas Barrick Gold, which retains a 64% stake and is engaged in talks with the Tanzanian government, which has slapped it with an improbable $190 billion tax bill. Acacia said the discussions were ongoing.

Shares fell 13.9p, or 7%, to 193.2p.
B ritain's builders have hit a roadblock after the construction industry suffered its weakest month since the Brexit referendum, experts warned on Monday.

The latest blow for the economy, which the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply put down to spending cuts and uncertainty after the vote  came as more belligerence from rogue state North Korea cast a shadow over global markets.

The surprise August weakness showed the building industry barely in growth territory with Cips activity index at 51.1  the weakest for 12 months and barely above the 50 no change mark.

The industry body blamed stagnant civil engineering work and the biggest tumble in commercial building work since July last year.

Cips director Duncan Brock said: The sector hit a roadblock this month as purchasing activity slowed for the third month and new business wins were hard to come by. Reduced Government spending, economic uncertainty and Brexit-delayed decision-making among clients were largely to blame.

Investors were today seeking safe havens after Pyongyangs most powerful nuclear test to date and reports that it was preparing a new ballistic missile launch despite warnings of annihilation from the US.

Asian markets were down almost 1% after the test while the price of gold hit an 11-month high.
P R men are always eager to flog new, made-up services to clients. Thats why, a few decades back, they invented the term crisis management.

Basically, it means when your company is hit by a major, reputation-destroying event, you dont say or do anything in public to make yourself look any worse.

Since the fabled City PR firm Bell Pottinger was revealed as being involved in running a racially explosive PR campaign in South Africa, it has been forced into some pretty major crisis management itself.

From being one of the most highly regarded PR brands a year ago, it is now among the most vilified.

On Friday night, chief executive James Henderson resigned ahead of todays report by law firm Herbert Smith into the affair. About time.

Since the outset of this scandal, long before Herbert Smith got involved, it was clear the firm had behaved badly and that he had missed key warning signs. The buck always had to stop with the chief executive.

In fairness, hes said as much throughout, yet he chose to stick around for months, even after the PR industrys regulatory body condemned the firms actions last month.

As any crisis management PR will tell you, until the boss has walked the plank, its very hard to convince clients, employees and the public that the company is changing and learning from its mistakes.

Though his departure is to be welcomed, it still leaves the firm in a huge mess, not least because he still owns nearly 40% of it.

New investors are being sought, but will he accept the firesale price theyll inevitably demand?

Then will come the harder task of convincing clients not to leave. Some have already gone; after all, few companies want to be associated with a PR firm that stoked racial tensions in tinderbox South Africa.

Meanwhile, can it retain its key, business-winning staff? Some top names have already left.

Whoever replaces Henderson  and Im told Hugh Taggart, in charge of its Engage corporate branding team is a shoo-in  will have a hugely difficult job convincing staff their personal reputations are not being damaged by working there.

In normal times, hed seek advice on all these troubles from Stuart Leach  the respected head of Bell Pottingers crisis management team.

Problem is, hes one of those whos quit. Speaks volumes, doesnt it?

Terminal decline

Bookies are dismayed the Government is set to curb fixed-odds betting terminals; those lucrative machines that let you lose a gazillion pounds a minute.

But City dealmakers are cheering. Theyve been waiting more than a year for clarity on FOBTs, good or bad.

The outcome may be bad, but at least it brings certainty that will allow the industrys long-awaited takeover splurge to begin. Farewell, William Hill.
Nepal, US to sign $500m grant pact on Sept 14

Nepal will sign an agreement with the US government on September 14 to secure a grant of $500 million (approximately Rs51.5 billion) for construction of transmission lines and maintenance of various road sections.
I t begins with squeaky new shoes and neat folders and ends with a cry of, Why didnt you tell me you left your blazer at the sports day in July? Its back-to-school Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday, depending on how many of those unaccountable inset-day googlies have been thrown at unsuspecting parents.

Summers lease may have all too short a date, according to Shakespeare. He clearly did not have school-age children, at which point, frankly, the summer lease has gone on for long enough. Relaxation gives way to a kind of ennui that ensures that, at any given time, someone is asleep who should be up and productive, while someone younger should be asleep but is currently consuming a brain-fuzzing PS4 game or watching something evidently age-unsuitable on Netflix.

Back-to-school week imposes a soothing rhythm on stressed London households. We know when they should be out of the house. We know when they should be back (unless you have acquired sixth-formers, who, like some breakaway sect, work on a wholly different calendar to everyone else, involving free study periods spent in Starbucks or worse).

Beyond the relief at some poor Teach First ingenue taking the organisational strain, I do like the rentree. It marks progress in an orderly manner, when the rest of life is often a blur of chores that never ends. September is a new start for all of us. The slings and arrows of July reports lie in the distant past.

A year older at school always feels somehow better and superior, in the way that a year older in later life most definitely does not.

We now have two post-GCSE boys and a girl in the foothills of secondary school. Reading the league tables of schools, I was suddenly overcome by the liberated feeling of not having to embark on a new school application ever again. If it works out, then clearly we were gifted visionaries, adroitly charting the rapids of London education and making the right calls. If it doesnt, its obviously just them.

But Septembers are also part of a broader story of education. I went to a comprehensive, in the era when that was the default option.

My new sixth-form starter belongs to a generation who have gone through city academies  an attempt to add more ambition to the egalitarian model, and a good thing too. When he started, they too seemed like an experiment, but they are now the new normal.

One way or the other, we still end up in a discussion of what constitutes appropriate school wear. One constant in a changing world persists. Whatever the school decrees, your keen new starter will absolutely loathe it.

Anne McElvoy is senior editor at The Economist.
T he first person to receive an honour from a young Queen Elizabeth II was Private Bill Speakman, who received a Victoria Cross for his extraordinary courage fighting the North Koreans in 1951. Mr Speakman is now 89 years old. He has lived longer than some of the global ambitions of our country.

For in the present crisis on the Korean Peninsula, no one looks to Britain as a key player in its resolution. Thats not to dismiss the importance of our friendship with Japan or South Korea, or the niche role we play in being one of the few Western countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. Nor is it to say that Kim Jong-Uns nuclear ambitions are not of direct concern to us. It is overwhelmingly in our interest that the proliferation of nuclear weapons is prevented, and that regressive dictatorships are not able to hold the global order to ransom.

Its merely to recognise what was already apparent to everyone else in the early Fifties, and would become painfully clear to us at the time of the Suez crisis in 1956: we are no longer the worlds policeman. That role is undertaken by the US, and for all the irritating swagger that sometimes brings out in our close ally, we benefit greatly from living under its expensive protection. That protection extends to preventing an unpredictable dictator threatening us all with a potential hydrogen bomb.

So while it is easy for us to stand on the sidelines and criticise Donald Trumps handling of the current escalation in North Korea, we are not the ones who bear the heavy responsibility for finding the right outcome. This newspaper is hardly a paid-up fan of Mr Trump but on this occasion we cannot fault his basic strategy: to reassure Americas allies in the region that they will be defended, while trying to get China to help solve the problem on their doorstep. If President Obama had reached out to the Chinese  with the offers of carrots if they helped (an easing of campaign rhetoric on US/China trade wars) and sticks if they did not (yesterdays threat of economic isolation)  we would have praised his judicious statesmanship. Because it is President Trump who is trying to walk this fine line, we dismiss it as lashing out.

US: North Korea could be met with 'massive military response'

Trump is right

But what is the alternative? Military action must remain an option but it is also a last resort. Dismiss the neat newspaper graphics of precision-guided bombs and bunker-busters. War against North Korea would require massive force, risk terrible destruction in South Korea and set in train a totally unpredictable course of events. It may come to that, as defending freedom and security sometimes does, but Mr Trump is right to try for a peaceful resolution. That needs the active co-operation and participation of North Koreas big neighbour, China.

For decades, following the doctrine of its greatest leader, Deng Xiaoping, the approach of the Peoples Republic of China to the world stage has been patiently to wait for our time, build our own abilities by keeping a cool head and a low profile. That is changing, as Chinas economic strength and growing self-confidence sees it emerge as a global superpower. That is not necessarily a bad thing, if China sees that its true interests lie in preserving the stable and rules-based international order our own security and prosperity depend on. But it does mean China cannot maintain a low profile when a small, tyrannical state on its borders is threatening the whole world.

Although Twitter may not be the best channel for diplomatic conversations, Mr Trump is right to reach out to China and ask for help in defusing the North Korean problem. The Chinese should respond positively. The waiting is over. This crisis is the moment for China to take its place on the world stage.
J ames Palumbo has a special voice  high-pitched, nasal, smile-inducingly silly  that he employs when talking to dogs. The Ministry of Sound mastermind, life peer and now dog-rescuer (he has just founded a charity, Bon Jardin, for neglected Thai dogs) has asked me to bring my lurcher to our interview so he can fuss over her; his three hounds  Mr Bounce the whippet, Buffy the Westie and terrier-dachshund cross Buttercup  are on holiday in France. All those whove ever called Palumbo ruthless  an interviewer once likened him to a Bond villain  should hear him shriek with joy as my pup pops her nose out from under the tablecloth.

Weve met in Fulham Road restaurant Lucio, near Palumbos flat. Despite a fortune estimated at 350 million, his phone is an old Nokia and he still lives in the first property he ever bought. Palumbo, who wisely prefers dogs to people, is unmarried and lives with his best friend, a Thai woman called Rawipim Paijit, or Pim. We just like to be at home with our dogs  were not really interested in going out.

Its quite an admission for a nightclub boss. But Palumbo is 54 now, and focused on politics and charity rather than raves. He once said he wanted to trade in his thirties, make money in his forties, enter politics in his fifties and find religion in his sixties. Only God awaits. He has been a major Lib-Dem donor and helped the party with strategy while it was in coalition.

After a family feud, he remains estranged from his father, also Lord Palumbo, although they both sit in the Lords. I see him potter around. We nod to each other. We dont have adversarial [debates]  its not like hes Disraeli and Im Gladstone. No, its just  he pauses, searching for the right word  Polite.

Politics must seem a letdown to him, especially our current leaders: If you look at the qualities you need to get elected in a Western democracy, they have nothing to do with the qualities you need to run a country. The western way is if youre handsome and someone people want to have a drink with [you get elected]  its not about knowing the minutiae of how a planning system works.

He writes off Boris Johnson as a dilettante: Hes funny, to see him is a pleasure but hes not trained in economics or in detail. He doesnt stay up late at night and do the hard work. Theresa May was supposed to be a Merkel but shes not intellectual enough. Only Nick Clegg (articulate, charismatic and he cares), Emmanuel Macron (probably the real deal) and Angela Merkel get applauded: We need Merkels. Shes a chemist  analytical, process-driven. She goes through the gears; Theresa May doesnt.

Overall, he is a political pessimist, feeling debt, social care, health and housing are issues we cannot adequately tackle in a Western democracy. The moment you say anything about those as a politician, youre done. If you say: you missed your appointment with a GP without calling, that is 20 because missed appointments cost 1 billion then bang! Youre dead.

He wishes we would instead cherry-pick policies from other countries, and is particularly enamoured with the system in Singapore. Issues like social care and housing are all about understanding maths, execution and process. But if you say this is how they deal with it in Singapore youre accused of having Right-wing views. Its a fascist state! They have the death penalty! But there are lots of lessons. They spot bright people young and send them to the East coast of the US for training. Civil servants are paid the same as the private sector  you can earn $1 million a year working for the government.

UK politics, he feels, is all talk. Recently, I read a government housing paper. It was wonderful words  fixing our broken Britain. But in a democracy, you pull a lever and expect something to happen but actually theres just a farting noise and a puff of smoke. You can write these papers but its not like in business where you physically do things to make a difference.

When politicians do try to confront grand problems, he says it isnt methodical enough, like May and the dementia tax: The Tories should have got the debate going calmly  warmed people up, got the think-tanks going, a Royal Commission  then tried to reach some kind of consensual view. Instead, they lurched into it.

Theresa May will get no second chance at general election, say senior Tories / PA

He defines himself politically as a Gladstone liberal. So would he want to see a new centrist party? Its not about a new party  its about ideas. Imagine if Ruth Davidson took up issues like social care. She has something you can get behind.

When I ask about Brexit, he sighs. My issue is the whole of politics, not just Brexit. There are good and bad bits  well lose people relocating but we might make up some of that with exporters. Overall, I see us locked in this dance where because of Brexit, Corbyn and so on, you can only make fractional tinkering around the edges of massive issues, rather than be imaginative.

He has a list of ways we could mitigate the impact of Brexit but acknowledges theyd be unpalatable. Its like when a big wave is coming  you have to jump into it. I would cut taxes; I would halve stamp duty. Palumbo has always been a defensive businessman and hates borrowing, and he frets about the ballooning national debt. Our debt has gone from 40 per cent of GDP to over 80 per cent.

In response to his economic pessimism, I mention a story that he bought land in New Zealand. He isnt one of those entrepreneurs plotting an escape in case civilisation collapses, is he? A look of horror spreads across his face. Id stay here if there was a disaster. I wouldnt leave my family. Id want to go down with the ship. Thats when people can do good. I wouldnt want to live in a bunker.

And anyway, despite so many other nightclubs closing, Ministry is still flourishing. Palumbo puts this down to not being in the mass market  the jumping up and down high street clubs  and diversifying with events such as Morning Gloryville. He adds that crowds still queue for famous DJs, someone paid $50,000 to put one record on after the next sequentially, its a highly skilled job. He laughs: The thing goes round, then another thing goes round  and you have to [match] the beats. Its equivalent to training as a doctor.

He may (gently) mock it but Ministry has given Palumbo the cash to do what he really wants: launch a dog rescue centre. He initially bought land in rural Thailand where Paijit is from, a village a couple of hours north of Bangkok: its like you see in a Vietnam war movie  endless rice fields. Its a working farm, and naturally attracted around 30 dogs  the charity flowed from that. All over Thailand, there are dogs everywhere  on the streets, in the temples, he says. Its a Buddhist country, so theres no euthanasia.

Bon Jardin is named after Bonnie, Palumbos much-loved Westie who died two years ago: I cant even talk about it. She was exceptional.

The charity will run spaying and neutering programmes at local temples, provide rescue for abandoned animals and those injured in fights, and education to help change the way locals think about dogs. An early success has been making a wheelchair for a street dog, Sumlee, who was shot in the spine by a farmer as he scavenged for food and was left paralysed. The people are welcoming but bemused: what are these Westerners doing?

Palumbo is funding part of it but wants the charity to expand, with volunteers and visiting vets. This first fundraising is for a medical facility, with space for training and kennelling, and he hopes the farm will soon make products for dogs too.

A dog is a dog, whether its in Thailand or Battersea, he adds. The government dog rescue facilities are shocking  dont Google them! In our farm we have trees, shade, water, runs, pathways. Some of the dogs are in such bad shape. You cant not get upset. The (banned) meat trade particularly disturbs him. They take dogs across the border in trucks to Cambodia for meat. Its repugnant.

Thai dogs, he notes, are much tougher than ours. Imagine my terrier out there! None of my dogs would survive five seconds.

To donate, go to bonjardin.com
O ur globe is packed with countries whose scenery will take your breath away, from the majestic Canadian Rockies to the pristine white beaches of the Philippines. So it might come as a surprise to some Brits that the most beautiful country in the world is much closer to home.

Bonny Scotland has been voted the most beautiful country in the world by the Rough Guide.

The much coveted accolade was awarded on account of the Scottish Highlands wild beaches, deep lochs and craggy castles. All these incredible landscapes allowed it to beat off the likes of Vietnam, Norway and Switzerland.

If youre adding Scotland to your travel bucket list, here are some of the beautiful spots youll want to Instagram.

From beautiful villages like Kippford on the Solway Coast, to capturing sunrise over Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannoch Moor via the snowcapped Cuilling Ridge on the Isle of Skye, here are 22 of the most beautiful spots in Scotland.

And as summer turns into autumn  theres no better time to see its beauty.

Follow Kate on Instagram @kateloughtravel
A man has died after being stabbed in the neck in a horrific daylight attack in a busy street.

Witnesses described seeing the victim lying on the floor and losing blood as another passer-by fought to save his life following the attack in Hampstead Road, Camden on Monday.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene and an air ambulance was scrambled at 11.45am after reports of the broad daylight stabbing at the junction with Granby Terrace.

The man, thought to be in his late teens or early 20s, was declared dead at the scene.

A 17-year-old youth has been arrested in connection with the investigation, a spokesman for Scotland Yard said. He also required treatment for injuries but is not believed to be seriously hurt.

The road was cordoned off between Mornington Crescent and Varndell Street. / @Kristian_Tweet

One witness told the Standard they saw a man applying pressure to the wound.

I saw a man tending to the one that was stabbed in the neck, they said.

He seemed to have lost lots of blood. I never saw the attacker."

Another passer-by wrote on Twitter: So sad to see what has happened on Hampstead Road. Thoughts are with the person who has clearly passed away."

Hampstead Road was closed between Mornington Crescent and Varndell Street and the police cordon widened as officers dealt with the incident.

Scotland Yard said their enquiries are continuing. The victim's next of kin have not yet been told of his death.
P olice are investigating after two men were shot on an east London street in broad daylight on Monday afternoon.

One is fighting for his life in hospital and the other has possible life-changing injuries, police said.

Officers were called to Moore Walk, a small street near Forest Gate station, at 3.10pm following reports of a double shooting.

They found two men with gunshot injuries and both were rushed to hospital by London Ambulance Service.

A worker at a nearby shop told the Standard: Five minutes after it happened we saw hundreds of police arriving.

We didnt know what was going on. Its all a bit nuts.

Police were called to a double shooting in Moore Walk, Newham / Google

Chief Superintendent Ade Adelekan, in charge of policing Newham, said extra officers would be on duty in the borough on Monday evening out of concerns there may be retaliations to the incident.

He said: "Sadly today two young men have been shot on our streets, one of whom remains critically ill in hospital.

We are only too well aware that this incident comes after a number of shootings and firearms discharges that are blighting our communities and seriously injuring our young men.

Tonight there will be extra officers on duty throughout our borough, and due to my serious concerns that others may retaliate in response to todays incident I will be authorising my officers to use stop and search throughout the borough under Section 60.

Proactive work will continue with our borough teams and specialist units such as Trident Area and Crime Command to investigate and catch the people responsible for these offences. Violence has no place on our streets, and we have already made four arrests in connection with recent firearms offences.

I want the community of Newham to help us tackle this - if you have any information about people carrying or supplying firearms please let us know and we will take action.

There have not been any arrests and enquiries are on-going.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call Newham Police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
A man has died after being stabbed in the chest during a broad daylight 'fight' in a west London street.

Police were called soon after 3.30pm on Monday to reports of an altercation between two groups of men in Hounslow.

The groups had fled before officers arrived on Rosebery Road and found a man lying on the street suffering from a stab wound to his chest.

The victim, believed to be aged in his late 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics and Londons Air Ambulance.

A London Ambulance spokesperson said: "We sent an ambulance crew and an incident response officer to the scene. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance to the scene.

"Sadly despite extensive efforts to save him, the patient died at the scene."

Police said they were in the process of informing the victims next of kin, while a post-mortem is scheduled to take place in due course.

There have not been any arrests and enquiries are on-going.

It is believed to be the second fatal stabbing in one day after a man was knifed in the neck in Camden.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene and an air ambulance was scrambled at 11.45am but the victim, in his late teens or early 20s, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

A 17-year-old youth has been arrested in connection with the investigation, a spokesman for Scotland Yard said. He also required treatment for injuries but is not believed to be seriously hurt.

Police are also investigating a double shooting on an east London street on Monday afternoon which left one man fighting for life and another with life-changing injuries.

Police have urged anyone with information on the fatal incident in Hounslow to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A man has today been charged in connection with the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl who went missing during a wedding celebration in the French Alps.

Maelys de Araujo was last seen in the early hours of Sunday 27 August in Pont-de-Beauvoisin, a village that lies about 30 miles north of Grenoble, south east France.

French police said they have charged a 34-year-old man - an attendee of the wedding, reported to be a friend of the groom - on a preliminary basis for kidnapping, illegal confinement or arbitrary detention of a minor of less than 15 years.

He is one of two suspects that police detained last Thursday over inconsistencies in their statements. Both men were released Friday evening.

The prosecutors office said the man denied any wrongdoing but his explanation did not convince investigation judges.

Grenobles public prosecutor said: Brought before investigating judges, he contested the facts. Confronted with testimony, findings and scientific evidence, he persisted in his denials. This did not convince the investigative judges, who decided to hold him.

Most of the 180 guests at the party have been questioned by detectives since the girls disappearance.

Suspicions first grew that Maelys had been kidnapped after sniffer dogs lost the scent from her cuddly toy in a car park outside the venue. Police have spent the past week searching nearby wooded areas for signs of Maelys. They have also scoured photos and videos of the event looking for signs of unusual activity.

On Saturday, hundreds of volunteers joined the search effort.

Over the weekend, police chief Yves Marzin said: It is like looking for a needle in a haystack, extremely tedious work but very important.

No trace has been found of Maelys, who was dressed in a white party dress and was playing with other children in her bare feet before she went missing.

Many assumed Maelys had simply disappeared somewhere for a sleep following a game of hide-and-seek, until the alarm was raised.

Most of the guests at the wedding have now been interviewed by detectives, while the home of the caretaker of the hall was also searched.

Some 70 people who were in a nearby bar called the Rendez-Vous were also interviewed.

The phone records of all those in the area at the time of the wedding were also examined.

Maelys lived with her parents and sister in the town of Mignovillard, in the Jura department of France, and was due to start a new school term in September.
P rosecutors will decide whether two Met Police employees should be charged with the death of a homeless man, the police watchdog has said.

Pericles Malagardis, 63, was found unresponsive outside Uxbridge police station hours after being ejected from the reception on March 5 last year.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider whether gross negligence manslaughter charges should be brought against two of the Mets employees.

Mr Malagardis, who had been sleeping rough at Heathrow Airport, visited the west London police station on March 4, 2016, to collect his dog which was put in a kennel while he was in hospital.

The Greek national was asked to leave the reception at 12.40am the following day and removed by staff, but he remained outside.

He was found unresponsive at around 5.30am and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6.45am.

The IPCC said its investigation had centred on the decision to remove the man and the level of care provided by staff in the hours after and when he was found unresponsive.

Tom Milsom, IPCC Associate Commissioner, said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Malagardis' family and friends and everyone affected by his death.

"We will now await a CPS decision on the matter.

"Our report on the investigation, including our findings as to whether or not the officers should face misconduct proceedings, has also been provided to the Metropolitan Police Service and we await its response."


T hugs on a moped threatened a 10-month old baby with a huge knife in a terrifying street robbery on a young family.

Caroline Jimenez, 31, today told how one of the thieves held the blade to her baby daughters face as they stole her parents watches.

Ms Jimenez was with her husband, pushing their daughter in a pram, when they were targeted by two men in motorcycle helmets and balaclavas. She said: We were just walking around Chelsea enjoying the sunshine, wed been shopping and we entered the street because it looked nice.

I saw two men, I thought they looked weird and I was a little scared but there were other people and I thought, This is Chelsea in the middle of the afternoon. Nothing is going to happen.

Thugs make their getaway on a moped

The men followed them on the bike down Sprimont Place, just yards from Sloane Avenue near Kings Road, at about 3.30pm on Saturday. Ms Jimenez, a photographer, said They passed next to us and I thought it was OK but then they came back and the passenger on the back started to run towards us with a huge knife. We started to scream, my husband stayed in front of him, and I started to run away with my daughter because I was pushing the pram.

Her husband, 32, threw his watch at the robbers in a bid to get them to leave. When I turned around the guy was coming towards me and then he put the knife to my daughter and I gave him my watch as well, she said.

[Our daughter] did not know what the knife was but she could feel we were upset and she cried. Well never forget the image of that man with the knife.

The number of attacks by moped muggers has doubled in London in the past 12 months with a surge in thefts and assaults. Police are struggling to tackle the menace amid safety guidelines that make it difficult for officers to pursue mopeds through the crowded streets. Ms Jimenez, a Belgian national who came to London with her husband seven months ago, posted details of the attack on Facebook and called on Mayor Sadiq Khan to take action.

She said police arrived quickly but told her they were powerless to chase the criminals. We have just moved here so I do not know what the rules are but I am furious the police cannot protect us, she told the Standard.

The police said we were the fourth people to be attacked that day. I just do not understand how the police cannot do anything, it is ridiculous. Now the anger is taking over. They knew exactly what they were doing  threatening a baby, the parents are going to do everything to protect her.

A Met spokesman said: Police are investigating a moped-enabled robbery. The suspects, who fled towards Elystan Place, were white and wore black crash helmets, navy tracksuits and black Nike trainers. There have been no arrests.

Witnesses should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Nepali embassy in UAE makes public names of human traffickers (With full list)

Nepali embassy in United Arab Emirates has made public the names of 51 individuals and travel agents involved in illegal trafficking of migrant workers.
A paedophile who tricked youngsters across the world into sending him nude selfies then blackmailed them into sexually abusing young relatives on camera has been jailed for 16 years.

Remorseless Paul Leighton, who created up to 40 fake Facebook profiles to befriend teenagers in the UK, Canada, the US and Australia, admitted three counts of rape despite being thousands of miles away when the offences happened.

One 14-year-old from Florida was tricked into believing he was talking to a girl, then blackmailed into repeatedly raping his one-year-old niece.

Leighton threatened the teenager that he would post videos of the abuse online if he did not do more.

The boy has since been charged by the US authorities.

Sentencing Leighton to 16 years with a six year extended licence, Judge Robert Adams told him: "You have effectively destroyed the lives of these people against whom you made these threats."

Leighton had up to 40 Facebook profiles which he used to talk to young people / PA

The judge ruled Leighton was "clearly dangerous" and posed a risk to children in the UK and abroad.

Leighton blackmailed two British teenage girls and also sexually abused a nine-year-old girl living in the north east of England.

The FBI is investigating other victims Leighton may have targeted.

Leighton, 32, from Seaham, County Durham, was arrested in November by police investigating reports he had exchanged indecent images on Facebook.

When officers examined his phone they found evidence that as many as 100 children in North America had been abused.

Leighton said he did not do it for sexual gratification / PA

The spray-painter appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced for blackmail, raping a child under 13, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, making indecent photographs of a child, sexual assault, possessing cannabis, distributing indecent images of a child and possession of an indecent video.

Leighton set up multiple fake profiles of young girls on Facebook, then joined groups for teens.

He would make contact with them and get them to send indecent photos of themselves.

Leighton then used those images to blackmail them into attacking younger relatives, telling them they faced exposure to friends, family and schoolmates if they did not comply.

The paedophile even threatened the teens that he would go to the police if they did not do as he said, the court heard.

He threatened the boy in Florida, saying: "Block me, I immediately post them (the images). Do you want that? Do everything I say to her or I will."

Andrew Rutter, defending, said Leighton was a cannabis user and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He added: "He protests it was not for sexual gratification but because it gave him a feeling of power to exercise the utmost control over other individuals."

Gary Buckley, of the CPS, said the offences made for "chilling reading" for any parent.

He said: "The CPS was also able to successfully prosecute Leighton for the serious of rape, proving that he was as guilty in instigating the overseas offending as he would have been committing the crime itself."
S cientists in Scotland have developed a new camera that can see through the human body.

The camera will help doctors track medical tools used to investigate a range of internal conditions, known as endoscopes.

It works by detecting sources of light inside the body - such as the illuminated tip of the endoscope's tube.

Until now, it has not been possible to track where the kit is without using X-rays or other expensive methods.

The prototype device can track light through up to 20 centimetres of body tissue and record the time taken for light to pass through the body - meaning it can determine the exact location of the endoscope.

Camera: The new device is designed to be used at the patient's bedside / PA

Professor Kev Dhaliwal from the University of Edinburgh, which led the project alongside Heriot-Watt University, said the tool has immense potential for assisting with treatments that are minimally invasive.

And it has been designed so it can be used at the patient's bedside for minimum disruption.

The project is part of the Proteus Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration, which is developing new technologies for diagnosing and treating lung diseases.

Dr Michael Tanner, of Heriot-Watt University, said: "My favourite element of this work was the ability to work with clinicians to understand a practical healthcare challenge, and then tailor advanced technologies and principles that would not normally make it out of a physics lab to solve real problems.

"I hope we can continue this interdisciplinary approach to make a real difference in healthcare technology."
S cores of protesters took part in a die-in protest and vigil following the death of a cyclist in north London.

Cyclists descended on Camden Road, where Ardian Zagani died after being struck by a van, to pay their respects on Monday evening.

Mr Zagani suffered fatal injuries when he was hit by a Ford Transit van near the streets junction with Hilldrop Crescent shortly before 6am on Tuesday, August 29.

He was the sixth cyclist to be killed on Londons roads this year.

Campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists organised the vigil for the Mr Zagani along with the die-in, which saw dozens of protesters lay in the street.

Campaigners lay down their bikes and dropped onto the road after groups made speeches aimed at a change to road laws and regulations.

Ardian Zagani was killed as he cycled to work

Mr Zagani, aged in his 30s, was killed commuting to his first day back at work at the College of Haringey, in Enfield, where he worked as a caretaker.

Scotland Yard said the female driver of the van stopped at the scene and was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

She was eventually de-arrested and interviewed under caution at a north London police station.

The die-in came after hundreds of activists gathered for a similar protest in February, after three cyclists and two pedestrians died in collisions on the capitals streets in one week.


A man has died after being hit by lorry on a busy high street in south-east London.

Emergency services rushed to Peckham High Street shortly after 10am on Monday to reports of a crash.

Londons Air Ambulance was also scrambled but a male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Photographs posted on social media showed scores of police cars at the scene as a large swathe of the road was cordoned off.

Peckham High Street has been closed in both directions and motorists have been warned to avoid the area.

A Met Police spokesman said: Officers, the London Ambulance Service and Londons Air Ambulance are in attendance.

The lorry driver stopped at the scene. Enquiries into the circumstances continue.

No arrests have been made.
A woman who died after taking MDMA on a night out was a young mother, neighbours said.

The 22-year-old was apparently taken ill at her flat in West Norwood after a night out with friends.

She was one of three Vietnamese nationals left fighting for their lives last week after taking ecstasy in Lambeth, prompting the Metropolitan Police to issue a warning about the drug.

The woman, who is yet to be named, was found seriously unwell at her flat in Knights Hill shortly before 11am on bank holiday Monday, the force said. She was taken to Kings College Hospital in Camberwell, where she was pronounced dead.

A 17-year-old man, also a Vietnamese national, became seriously ill after taking MDMA at Electric nightclub in Brixton (file photo) / Google

Detectives established she had taken drugs with friends, also from Vietnam, during a night out in which she went to Crystals nightclub in New Cross.

Another member of the group, a man in his twenties, also fell ill. He was in a critical condition but recovered and has since been discharged from hospital.

In the third case a 17-year-old boy, also a Vietnamese national, was taken ill at the Electric Brixton nightclub at 5am on Sunday.

The teenager is thought to have taken MDMA at the venue and was still in hospital today. Police warned people, particularly in the Vietnamese and south-east Asian community, to take great care about buying MDMA.

Police analysed a small number of tablets seized from the womans flat and found them to contain MDMA and ketamine. The pills were orange and rectangular and had no distinctive markings.

Thomas Stevens, 42, who lives in the flat above, said the woman and her partner had a toddler son and newborn baby, and had lived in the flat for nine months.

Her next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination was due to be held today.
G erman Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to be heading for a fourth term in power after beating her chief challenger in a TV debate ahead of this months general election.

For Martin Schulz of the Centre-left SPD party the televised duel was his last chance to revive a flagging campaign.

But while he landed a few minor blows, most commentators thought the consummate politician Mummy Merkel had done enough to win the evening.

In typical German fashion the 90 minute faceoff was more a gentle trading of ideas - about refugees, the economy and even President Trump- than a political brawling match.

Mr Schulz said the US president has brought the world to the edge of a crisis and cannot be trusted to resolve the standoff with North Korea.

Mrs Merkel, leader of the countrys CDU Conservative party, was asked by a moderator state the values she shares with Trump - a question she did not directly answer.

Instead she went on about climate change and responses to the violence in Charlottesville as areas where there are very clearly major differences.

And she insisted peaceful dialogue was the only way to deal with the regime of Kim Jong Un - a radically different approach to that of the current White House resident.

On the home front Mrs Merkel - seeking to retain her high-forty-percent-plus approval ratings, stuck to the script that the German economy was really only safe in her hands.

Mr Schulz, a former European Parliament president said he believed the economy could be managed better under an SPD government, as would the refuge crisis have been under his leadership.

In fact in pressing the domestic strife which the refugee crisis unleashed in Germany, Schulz seemed to have her rattled at times and defending herself was all she could do.

But it was probably enough. Snap polls conducted afterwards found most viewers finding Mrs. Merkel the most credible During the debate: ergo, its winner.

The media thought so too with the countrys most influential newspaper, the Frankfurter Allgemeine, declaring: Schulz scored points but Mrs. Merkel won.
J eremy Corbyn has been accused of attempting a factional power grab of Labour as another bitter split emerged between the Left and Right wings of the party ahead of its conference.

Centrist members hoping to derail Mr Corbyns plans for party reform are to stage rallies across the country to galvanise support against hard-Left activists.

Sweeping reforms are set to include an attempt to pass the McDonnell amendment, which would lower the number of MPs and MEPs needed to get a candidate on the ballot paper in leadership elections.

Currently 15 per cent of MPs and MEPs are needed to nominate a candidate. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has long pushed for it to be reduced to five per cent, because hard-Left candidates struggle to get on the nomination paper.

Other topics that centrist MPs fear will be put to a vote at the conference in Brighton from September 24 to 27 include expediting deselections, plans for a second deputy leader to undermine Tom Watson, and extra places on the partys ruling National Executive Committee.

Richard Angell, chairman of the pressure group Progress, said: What this conference will show is whether Corbyn is serious about becoming prime minister and changing the country or focused on changing the Labour Party.

Somebody who believes there will be a general election before Christmas or Brexit, or afterwards, could use this opportunity to have one strong message for the British public being ready for power, and have a blistering attack on the Tory Government.

Instead they might focus on changing the party and use it as a factional power grab. And thats whats going to become clear in the coming weeks.

A source close to Mr Corbyn said: Some of the language and approach of these groups can be, at times, unfortunate, but there is nothing wrong with different parts of our party putting forward their ideas.

The mainstream opinion within the party is solidly behind Jeremy and the manifestos policies because they represent what the majority of the British people want.

The source said the proposed reforms were a members plan and not Mr Corbyns, and most party members wanted Labour to be more democratic.

The Labour First group will hold Road to Conference events in London and elsewhere on September 11 to brief Progress, Labour First and other moderate members on the proposed rule changes, including the McDonnell amendment.

The NEC is now tipped in Mr Corbyns favour after Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale quit.
A majority of Conservative activists do not want Theresa May to remain as leader to the next general election, a survey by an influential Tory website revealed today.

Some 51 per cent say she should step down during this parliament, while nine per cent said she should quit immediately, the monthly survey of members by ConservativeHome found.

The findings come after Mrs May astonished Westminster last week by declaring her wish to fight the next election as leader. Senior MPs poured cold water on the idea and now grass roots activists have done the same. ConservativeHome editor Paul Goodman, a former MP, said the regular survey suggested that a slight recovery in Mrs Mays position earlier in the summer has stalled.

Our judgment is that as matters stand she doesnt have enough backing within either party members or Conservative MPs to see her words of last week through, said Mr Goodman.

The Prime Minister faces a major test of the Governments authority to pass key legislation this week with the start of the Repeal Bills progress through the Commons. The Bill, paving the way for withdrawal from the European Union, is set to become a battleground between hardline Brexit backers and MPs urging a softer Brexit to support jobs and growth.

Tory MP Anna Soubry, a former Remain backer, protested this morning that Government whips had adopted a bullish, rather macho tactic to cajole MPs into line.

Former minister Ms Soubry blamed whips for claims of a rebellion on the second reading, calling the reports an absolute nonsense.

I thought we had abandoned this sort of rather bullish, rather macho way of doing business over Brexit, she said. Ms Soubry confirmed, however, that Tory MPs could vote against the Government on amendments later in the Bills progress.

Labour has said it could vote against the Bill, prompting warnings by Tory whips that any rebellion by Remain-backers would help Jeremy Corbyn.

Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg today mocked ministers for what he saw as little progress on spelling out a Brexit deal with the EU. Its like staring at an empty building site and saying weve made progress because weve made a cup of tea, he told BBC Today.

Meanwhile, a poll for think tank British Future found four in five Leave voters would not mind if high-skilled EU workers keep coming to the UK to live and work.

However, the poll also found half of Remain supporters back a reduction in the numbers of low-skilled workers from the EU, showing that immigration is still a key issue. @JoeMurphyLondon
M Ps are set to vote on proposed legislation to transfer legal powers back to the EU after Brexit.

Details of the Great Repeal Bill were first published in a White Paper the day after Theresa May delivered the 'Article 50 letter' to Donald Tusk.

And the legislation was first introduced to the Commons during its first reading in July, under the official title of European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

This week, it underwent its second reading after which MPs debated the bill's themes before at vote at about midnight on Monday, September 11.

What is the Bill?

Ministers have a huge task on their hands in preventing chaos and legal "black holes" as the country is pulled out of the European Union. In order to tackle this challenge, the Government has proposed this complex and large-scale legislative project, thought to be one of the biggest ever undertaken in the UK.

The PM speaking about the Grenfell disaster in Parliament. / AFP/Getty Images

In simple terms the bill, if approved by Parliament, would set into motion the transfer of all EU laws into UK laws on the day of Brexit.

In doing so, it will repeal the European Communities Act 1972  which is the legislation underpinning Britains membership of the EU.

As explained in the Prime Ministers foreword in the Legislating for the United Kingdoms Withdrawal from the European Union White Paper, the Bill will ensure that the same rules and laws will apply on the day after exit as on the day before.

And, then if any changes were to be made to primary legislation it would have to go through the processes of Parliament  debate and scrutiny.

EU laws and regulation form a huge part of UK legislation. As a result, leaving the EU with no legislative provision would leave the legal system with huge gaps. The government claims that in order to deliver a smooth and orderly Brexit the Bill will transfer existing EU law into domestic law, after which Parliament will be able to decide which elements of that law to keep, amend or repeal.

The Government hopes it will provide confidence to businesses, workers and consumers that they will not face unexpected changes on the day of Brexit.

What will it actually do?

The three key steps are:

1. Repealing the European Communities Act and thus returning all power to UK institutions

David Davis is representing the UK in Brexit negotiations / Reuters

2. Converting EU law as it stands at the moment of exit into UK law before exiting the EU. This will allow businesses to continue operating knowing the rules have not changed significantly overnight, and provides fairness to individuals, whose rights and obligations will not be subject to sudden change.

3. Creating powers to make secondary legislation. This will allow ministers to make amends to laws that would not function appropriately once we have left the EU.

It will also enable domestic law to reflect the content of any withdrawal agreement under Article 50.

Mr Davis told the House of Commons that the Bill will provide "clarity and certainty" for businesses and citizens as Brexit takes place.

David Davis Talks About His Approach To Brexit

And Prime Minister Theresa May said it would "provide maximum certainty as we leave the EU".

"The Great Repeal Bill is an important part of our plan to deliver a smooth and orderly Brexit that commands the confidence of all," she added.

Why is it controversial?

The Bill sparked additional concern over the use of so-called Henry VIII powers. These powers allow the Government to pass up to 1,000 pieces of secondary legislation without the usual close parliamentary scrutiny employed when passing primary legalisation.

Pro-EU: The bill will face opposition in Parliament / AFP/Getty Images

But Mr Davis said any powers created in this way would be "time limited" and "Parliament will need to be satisfied that the procedures are appropriate".

He said the Bill will provide a power to "correct the statute book where necessary" using secondary legislation - which some critics have warned will not allow full parliamentary scrutiny of the process.

He added that there was a "balance to be struck between the importance of scrutiny and correcting the statute book in time.

Another contentious area is the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Brexit talks: UK negotiator David Davis, left, and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier / EPA

Mr Davis said the Bill will not give the ECJ a "future role" in the interpretation of UK laws, and courts will not be obliged to consider cases decided by the ECJ after Brexit. It would mean ECJ case law would be given the same status as Supreme Court decisions, which can be overruled by subsequent rulings in the UK's highest court.

And in a Government report published in August, the PM vowed that the UK would "take back control of our laws".

But critics have said the publication is vague and Mrs May has been accused of "backtracking" on her pledge because it suggests the ECJ may stull have some influence on the outcome of disputes.

What is happening when?

The bill was first introduced to Parliament on July 13.

Parliament: the bill will be debated on Thursday / Getty Images

It will be debated on in the Commons on Thursday and MPs will vote on the Bill on Monday.

Opposition to the bill

Theresa Mays appeal for opposition parties to cooperate with her minority government has not only just gone down badly with the Labour party, but also her own MPs.

There were rumours she could face a revolt from Remain-supporting Conservative MPs, and only a few Tory rebels are needed to inflict defeat on the Prime Minister.

But on Monday a leading Tory remainer dismissed the concerns and said it was outrageous to suggest Conservative MPs would vote against the bill in its second reading.

May: The PM has called for cross-party cooperation / PA

Former minister Anna Soubry said suggestions of a rebellion were "an absolute nonsense" but said she may support amendments to the bill.

Meanwhile Labour said it could vote against the Bill, prompting warnings by Tory whips that any rebellion by Remain-backing Conservative MPs could be seen as them supporting Jeremy Corbyn.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer has said he is putting the government on notice and demanding changes on matters from parliamentary scrutiny to workers rights.

Sir Keir said the government's approach to the process was "completely wrong", as it gave ministers power to overhaul existing EU laws without any Parliamentary scrutiny.

Keir Starmer: the shadow Brexit secretary is contesting parts of the bill / EPA

"This is not about frustrating the process, it is not giving government a blank cheque to pass powers into the hands of ministers," he told the Andrew Marr Show.

"You could entrench important EU rights on Monday and take them away on Tuesday without primary legislation."

When asked if Labour would vote against the legislation Mr Corbyn said: "We will make that decision just before the vote."
I t is another milestone moment for the young family who are the future of the House of Windsor.

Just as they have relocated to Kensington Palace  back from their Norfolk base Anmer Hall in Sandringham  the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced they are expecting their third child.

It comes at a time of great change for the family, with Prince William quitting his job as an air ambulance pilot to fill his role as a full-time royal.

As second in line to the throne, and after the retirement of his grandfather Prince Philip, he will be expected to support his grandmother the Queen.

His brother Prince Harry, who also lives in Kensington Palace, and Kates family will be close at hand to support them.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Family Album - In pictures 1 /70 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Family Album - In pictures Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (2R) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) and their three children Prince Louis of Cambridge (2L), Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (C) and Prince George of Cambridge (R) posing for a photograph at Anmer Hall in Norfolk in the Autumn of 2018 Matt Porteous via AFP/Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in Norfolk, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in Norfolk, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 in London, England Getty Images Prince George's first birthday AFP/Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in a photograph taken late October 2015 at Kensington Palace in London. PA Prince William and Kate Middleton pose for photographs in the State Apartments of St James Palace on November 16, 2010 in London, England. After much speculation, Clarence House today announced the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton Getty Images TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smile following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge drive from Buckingham Palace in a decorated sports car on April 29, 2011 in London, England Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leaving the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, with their newborn son Prince George of Cambridge on July 23rd, 2013 Jeremy Selwyn Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they sit with their son Prince George in the garden of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire surrounded by Tilly the retriever (a Middleton family pet), and Lupo the cocker spaniel, the couple's only dog in their first five years of marriage PA Prince George, at Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, ahead of the christening of the then three month-old Prince by the Archbishop of Canterbury PA Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge reacts as their son Prince George of Cambridge bites a small present that was given to him at the enclosure of an Australian animal called a Bilby, which has been named after the young Prince, during a visit to Sydney's Taronga Zoo on April 20, 2014 in Sydney, Australia Getty Images Prince George sits for his official Christmas picture in a courtyard at Kensington Palace in late November of 2014 in London, England HRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge depart the Lindo Wing with their newborn daughter at St Mary's Hospital on May 2, 2015 in London, England John Stillwell/PA Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge depart the Lindo Wing with their newborn daughter at St Mary's Hospital on May 2, 2015 in London, England Getty Images Prince George looking at his sister Princess Charlotte as she was pushed to church by the Duchess of Cambridge in a vintage 1950s Millson pram once used by the Queen Elizabeth II for her children, during Princess Charlotte's christening at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, Norfolk PA Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The photograph was taken by the Duchess in mid-May at Anmer Hall in Norfolk HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is pushed in her silver cross pram as she leaves the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate after her Christening on July 5, 2015 in King's Lynn, England Getty Images Prince George gives his little sister Princess Charlotte a kiss HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George attend the Gigaset Charity Polo Match with Prince George of Cambridge at Beaufort Polo Club on June 14, 2015 in Tetbury, England Getty Images Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrive at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate for the Christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge on July 5, 2015 in King's Lynn, England Getty Images Prince George on his first day at the Westacre Montessori nursery school near Sandringham HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Prince George of Cambridge looks at his sister Princess Charlotte of Cambridge in her pram as he leaves the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate for the Christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge Getty Images Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, enjoy a short private skiing break on March 3, 2016 in the French Alps, France Getty Images Princess Charlotte of Cambridge plays with a teddy as she is seen at Anmer Hall HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge holds her daughter Princess Charlotte and strokes her son, Prince George's head as they stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past of aircrafts by the Royal Air Force, in London on June 11, 2016. AFP/Getty Images The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duchess of Cambridge holding Princess Charlotte, Prince George and The Duke of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2017 PA A family picture at Pippa Middleton's wedding. Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at a children's party for Military families at Government House in Victoria during the Royal Tour of Canada PA Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte leave from Victoria Harbour to board a sea-plane on the final day of their Royal Tour of Canada on October 1, 2016 in Victoria, Canada Getty Images William, The Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte visit Canada Mark Large/Daily Mail Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at a children's party at Government House in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Reuters Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, his wife Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Tegel airport in Berlin, Germany, July 19, 2017 Reuters The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Princess Charlotte and Prince George after the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark's Church Getty Images Prince George (centre) stands with other page boys and flower girls following the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews, as they leave St Mark's church in Englefield, Berkshire PA Prince George who celebrates his fourth birthday Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge depart from Hamburg airport on the last day of their official visit to Poland and Germany on July 21, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge aka Kate Middleton show their newly-born son, their third child, Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge to the media outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital AFP/Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge carries his newly-born son, Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge from the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images Prince William arrives at Lindo wing at St Mary's Hospital with Prince George and Princess Charlotte to meet new baby brother. Jeremy Selwyn Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrives with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the Lindo Wing where Kate had just given birth to Prince Louis in London Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle PA Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Britain's Prince George of Cambridge hold hands with their father, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge is carried by Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on their arrival for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London on July 9, 2018 AFP/Getty Images Princess Charlotte playing as her father, the Duke of Cambridge, takes part in the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy at the Beaufort Polo Club, Downfarm House, Westonbirt, Tetbury PA Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Princess Beatrice, Lady Louise Windsor, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Savannah Phillips, Prince George of Cambridge and Isla Phillips watch the flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 9, 2018 in London Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after attending the St Patrick's Day parade at Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, where they presented shamrock to officers and guardsmen of 1st Battalion the Irish Guards PA The Duchess of Cambridge (L) smiles as she and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrrive for the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle AFP/Getty Images Prince Louis pictured in the garden of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Norfolk home earlier this month HRH The Duchess of Cambridge An emerged photo of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2019 Christmas card The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George attend a special pantomime performance at Londons Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic PA The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte attend a special pantomime performance at Londons Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic PA Prince Louis, photographed by his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, at Kensington Palace PA Media

Everyone will be thrilled at the news, which will certainly give the country a much-needed lift.

Of course, for the Duchess of Cambridge, who suffered severe morning sickness with her previous two pregnancies, this will be a difficult time. Sources say Kate is now set to limit her public appearances until she gets over this difficult stage. Planned official trips abroad this autumn will probably be put on hold.

Prince Harry responds to the royal baby news

But these are decisions for a later date. Each case will be looked at individually.

During their engagement interview in 2010 William and Kate said they wanted a large family.

Kate, the eldest of three, said she loved family life at home with her brother James and sister Pippa. The Middleton siblings have maintained that bond into adulthood.

There are practical reasons for royals to have more than one child  the phrase an heir and a spare is famous for a reason.

For William and Kate, the decision to have another baby is more personal.

The Duchess of Cambridge - pregnancy style file 1 /66 The Duchess of Cambridge - pregnancy style file Scroll through the see the Duchess's best maternity looks... April 1, 2018 The Queen followed by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge exit after the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 1 April 2018 in Windsor Getty Images April 1, 2018 The Duchess of Cambridge leaves after the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 1 April 2018 in Windsor, England Getty Images March 22, 2018 The Duchess on her final engagement before maternity leave at the Copperbox Arena Getty Images March 21, 2018 Visiting the Royal Society of Medicine AFP/Getty Images March 17, 2018 At the St. Patrick's Day Parade AFP/Getty Images March 12, 2018 Attending the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey Getty Images March 7, 2018 The Duchess opens the new headquarters of children's mental health charity Place2Be PA Wire/PA Images March 6, 2018 Visiting Pegasus Primary School in Oxford Getty Images February 28, 2018 The Duchess visits the National Portrait Gallery in a Orla Kiely dress AFP/Getty Images February 28, 2018 Kate joins Meghan Markle at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum Getty Images February 27, 2018 Kate stepped out to visit the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Getty Images February 21, 2018 The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Sunderland PA Wire/PA Images February 20, 2018 The Duchess arrived at The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Reception in an Erdem dress Getty Images February 20, 2018 The pregnant royal was also joined by Sophie, The Countess of Wessex at Buckingham Palace Getty Images February 18, 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the BAFTAs red carpet Chris Jackson/Getty Images February 7, 2018 Duchess Of Cambridge arrives to open the Action On Addiction Community Treatment Centre wearing a Goat coat Getty Images February 1, 2018 The Duchess being escorted into dinner by King Harald during her visit to Sweden and Norway with Prince Getty Images February 1, 2018 Visiting the Royal Palace in Norway Chris Jackson/Getty Images January 31, 2018 Visiting the Karolinska Institute in Sweden Getty Images January 30, 2018 Kate attends a Bandy hockey match during a Royal visit to Sweden Getty Images January 24, 2018 During a visit to the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute Getty Images January 23, 2018 At Roe Green Junior School Getty Images January 17, 2018 At Mittal Children's Medical Centre PA January 16, 2018 At Coventry Cathedral EPA January 10, 2018 At Reach Academy Getty Images December 25, 2017 At the Christmas Day Church service Getty Images December 12, 2017 At the 'Magic Mums' community Christmas party Getty Images December 6, 2017 At Media City Getty Images November 14, 2017 At Hornsey Road Children's Centre PA November 11, 2017 At the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance while pregnant with her third child Getty Images November 8, 2017 At the annual Place2Be School Leaders Forum while pregnant with her third child AFP/Getty Images November 7, 2017 At the Gala Dinner for The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families while pregnant with her third child AFP/Getty Images October 31, 2017 Playing tennis with children at the Lawn Tennis Association while pregnant with her third child Getty Images October 18, 2017 At West Ham's London Stadium for the graduation ceremony for more than 150 Coach Core apprentices while pregnant with her third child PA October 16, 2017 Wearing Orla Kiely at Paddington Station while pregnant with her third child Jonathan Brady/PA October 10, 2017 Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception at Buckingham Palace for Mental Health Day while pregnant with her third child AFP/Getty Images March 27, 2015 At the XLP Mobile recording Studio while pregnant with Princess Charlotte Getty Images March 13, 2015 At St Paul's Cathedral while pregnant with Princess Charlotte AFP/Getty Images February 12, 2015 At the home of Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) in Portsmouth Old Town while pregnant with Princess Charlotte Getty Images March 11, 2015 Wearing Hobbs at the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery while pregnant with Princess Charlotte Getty Images January 19, 2015 At Kensington Aldridge Academy while pregnant with Princess Charlotte Getty Images June 15, 2013 On the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony while pregnant with Prince George Getty Images April 29, 2013 At Naomi House Children's Hospice while pregnant with Prince George Rex Features May 22, 2013 Wearing Emilia Wickstead at a garden party at Buckingham Palace while pregnant with Prince George Getty Images April 24, 2013 At an evening reception to celebrate the work of The Art Room charity at The National Portrait Gallery while pregnant with Prince George Getty Images April 23, 2013 At The Willows Primary School, Wythenshawe to launch a new school counseling program while pregnant with Prince George Getty Images April 21, 2013 At the National Review of Queen's Scouts at Windsor Castle while pregnant with Prince George Getty Images March 19, 2013 At the Child Bereavement centre in Saunderton while pregnant with Prince George AFP/Getty Images March 17, 2013 At a St Patrick's Day parade while pregnant with Prince George Getty Images

For both parents, their family and especially siblings have played important roles in tricky times. William and Harry depended upon each other through their parents scandals and divorce as well as the death of their mother, Diana. When Kate was pursued by the paparazzi while dating William, Pippa and James were by her side.

Those close relationships are something they want George and Charlotte to have.

In 60 seconds: Kate's maternity fashion

Even if the child is a boy, it will not impact on his place in the succession to the Crown, due to the changes in the law of primogeniture.

The Prince of Wales is first in line, followed by William, Prince George and the couples daughter Princess Charlotte, who is two. That will remain the order. In the past, a second male child would have leapfrogged Charlotte in the succession.

The Cambridges have recently announced that their main base will no longer be Anmer Hall, but Kensington Palace.

Security for his wife and young family will be paramount for William. Kensington Palace, with its police office and security cordon, is a totally safe environment. Kates mother, Carole Middleton, is expected to play an important role supporting her eldest daughter. Kate spent long periods at her parents family home in Berkshire while pregnant with her previous children. But with George now going to school Carole is expected to spend more time at Kensington Palace.
NMA urges Deuba to scrap KNMC affiliation

The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) on Sunday urged Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to direct the Tribhuvan University (TU) to scrap its decision to grant affiliation to the Kathmandu National Medical College (KNMC).
A Zimbabwe-born student who faced losing his place at Oxford University amid deportation fears has won his battle to stay in the UK and begin studying.

Brian White, from Wolverhampton, had to delay starting at the prestigious university last year after being told he did not have indefinite leave to remain in the country.

He was brought up in an orphanage in Zimbabwe until he was six-years-old. He was then adopted by his parents  one of whom is a British citizen - and spent several years with them in Botswana before the family moved to the UK when Mr White was 15.

But he was not granted indefinite leave to remain by the Home Office, meaning he could have been deported back to his country of birth.

Friends: Luke, left, set up a petition for Brian, right

The talented student was due to start at Oxford University in 2016 after achieving four A*s at A Level. However, he refused entry after reportedly being told his permission to remain in the UK had expired.

A petition supporting his bid to attend Oxford to study chemistry has been backed by more than 80,000 people  including celebrities Philip Pullman and Caitlin Moran who gave their support to the "genius".

The Home Office today revealed that Mr White, now aged 21, has been granted permission to stay in the UK.

A spokesperson said: We have been in contact with Mr Whites legal representatives today (4 September) to confirm that his application for Indefinite Leave to Remain has been approved.

Lawyers representing him previously claimed he should be eligible for indefinite leave to remain, which means there would be no limit on how long he can stay in the UK, and say it is a mystery he has not already acquired it.

Sharon Bishop, one of the teachers at Highfields School, where Brian attended after arriving in the UK, told the Express and Star: "When I heard the news I burst into tears. And I never cry. I cried for about an hour.

"We are absolutely thrilled to get this result. Now we have got three weeks to pack and get him off to Oxford for the start of the term. We are delighted, thrilled, absolutely over the moon."
O n Monday, messages of congratulation flooded in for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after they announced they are expecting their third child together.

After the royal couple became parents to four-year-old Prince George and two-year-old Princess Charlotte, speculation was rife over whether they would add a third child to their brood.

And Kate, 35, may have let slip that they were planning another pregnancy when she joked about babies during a trip to Poland back in July.

On the visit to Warsaw, Kate and William attended an event for tech start-up companies where they met the founders of soft toy company Whisbear.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Family Album - In pictures 1 /70 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Family Album - In pictures Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (2R) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) and their three children Prince Louis of Cambridge (2L), Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (C) and Prince George of Cambridge (R) posing for a photograph at Anmer Hall in Norfolk in the Autumn of 2018 Matt Porteous via AFP/Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in Norfolk, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in Norfolk, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 in London, England Getty Images Prince George's first birthday AFP/Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in a photograph taken late October 2015 at Kensington Palace in London. PA Prince William and Kate Middleton pose for photographs in the State Apartments of St James Palace on November 16, 2010 in London, England. After much speculation, Clarence House today announced the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton Getty Images TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smile following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge drive from Buckingham Palace in a decorated sports car on April 29, 2011 in London, England Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leaving the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, with their newborn son Prince George of Cambridge on July 23rd, 2013 Jeremy Selwyn Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they sit with their son Prince George in the garden of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire surrounded by Tilly the retriever (a Middleton family pet), and Lupo the cocker spaniel, the couple's only dog in their first five years of marriage PA Prince George, at Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, ahead of the christening of the then three month-old Prince by the Archbishop of Canterbury PA Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge reacts as their son Prince George of Cambridge bites a small present that was given to him at the enclosure of an Australian animal called a Bilby, which has been named after the young Prince, during a visit to Sydney's Taronga Zoo on April 20, 2014 in Sydney, Australia Getty Images Prince George sits for his official Christmas picture in a courtyard at Kensington Palace in late November of 2014 in London, England HRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge depart the Lindo Wing with their newborn daughter at St Mary's Hospital on May 2, 2015 in London, England John Stillwell/PA Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge depart the Lindo Wing with their newborn daughter at St Mary's Hospital on May 2, 2015 in London, England Getty Images Prince George looking at his sister Princess Charlotte as she was pushed to church by the Duchess of Cambridge in a vintage 1950s Millson pram once used by the Queen Elizabeth II for her children, during Princess Charlotte's christening at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, Norfolk PA Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The photograph was taken by the Duchess in mid-May at Anmer Hall in Norfolk HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is pushed in her silver cross pram as she leaves the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate after her Christening on July 5, 2015 in King's Lynn, England Getty Images Prince George gives his little sister Princess Charlotte a kiss HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George attend the Gigaset Charity Polo Match with Prince George of Cambridge at Beaufort Polo Club on June 14, 2015 in Tetbury, England Getty Images Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrive at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate for the Christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge on July 5, 2015 in King's Lynn, England Getty Images Prince George on his first day at the Westacre Montessori nursery school near Sandringham HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Prince George of Cambridge looks at his sister Princess Charlotte of Cambridge in her pram as he leaves the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate for the Christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge Getty Images Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, enjoy a short private skiing break on March 3, 2016 in the French Alps, France Getty Images Princess Charlotte of Cambridge plays with a teddy as she is seen at Anmer Hall HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge holds her daughter Princess Charlotte and strokes her son, Prince George's head as they stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past of aircrafts by the Royal Air Force, in London on June 11, 2016. AFP/Getty Images The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duchess of Cambridge holding Princess Charlotte, Prince George and The Duke of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2017 PA A family picture at Pippa Middleton's wedding. Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at a children's party for Military families at Government House in Victoria during the Royal Tour of Canada PA Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte leave from Victoria Harbour to board a sea-plane on the final day of their Royal Tour of Canada on October 1, 2016 in Victoria, Canada Getty Images William, The Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte visit Canada Mark Large/Daily Mail Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at a children's party at Government House in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Reuters Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, his wife Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Tegel airport in Berlin, Germany, July 19, 2017 Reuters The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Princess Charlotte and Prince George after the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark's Church Getty Images Prince George (centre) stands with other page boys and flower girls following the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews, as they leave St Mark's church in Englefield, Berkshire PA Prince George who celebrates his fourth birthday Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge depart from Hamburg airport on the last day of their official visit to Poland and Germany on July 21, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge aka Kate Middleton show their newly-born son, their third child, Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge to the media outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital AFP/Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge carries his newly-born son, Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge from the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images Prince William arrives at Lindo wing at St Mary's Hospital with Prince George and Princess Charlotte to meet new baby brother. Jeremy Selwyn Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrives with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the Lindo Wing where Kate had just given birth to Prince Louis in London Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle PA Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Britain's Prince George of Cambridge hold hands with their father, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge is carried by Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on their arrival for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London on July 9, 2018 AFP/Getty Images Princess Charlotte playing as her father, the Duke of Cambridge, takes part in the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy at the Beaufort Polo Club, Downfarm House, Westonbirt, Tetbury PA Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Princess Beatrice, Lady Louise Windsor, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Savannah Phillips, Prince George of Cambridge and Isla Phillips watch the flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 9, 2018 in London Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after attending the St Patrick's Day parade at Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, where they presented shamrock to officers and guardsmen of 1st Battalion the Irish Guards PA The Duchess of Cambridge (L) smiles as she and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrrive for the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle AFP/Getty Images Prince Louis pictured in the garden of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Norfolk home earlier this month HRH The Duchess of Cambridge An emerged photo of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2019 Christmas card The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George attend a special pantomime performance at Londons Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic PA The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte attend a special pantomime performance at Londons Palladium Theatre, hosted by The National Lottery, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic PA Prince Louis, photographed by his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, at Kensington Palace PA Media

They were given a cuddly bear designed to soothe newborns by replicating the sound of the womb.

When Kate realised the toy was designed for tiny infants she turned to her husband and, laughing, said: "We will just have to have more babies."

Duke and Duchess: The royal couple have announced they are expecting a third child / Getty Images

Julia Sielicka-Jastrzebska, who founded the company with her sister, said the Duchess made the light-hearted comment after learning the bears were for children younger than George and Charlotte.

"We gave the Duchess some presents for Prince George and Princess Charlotte," she said. "She said they should have more babies, and they laughed."

Family: Kate is already mother to George and Charlotte / Getty Images

Betting on a third child for William and Kate began to take off in the run-up to Charlotte's christening, when the princess was only nine weeks old.

But it was not until 14 months later that news of a third pregnancy was announced on the Kensington Palace Twitter page.

William and Kate are greeted by crowds in Warsaw 1 /21 William and Kate are greeted by crowds in Warsaw Kate is greeted by wellwishers outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland EPA Kate meets crowds outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland EPA Kate is handed flowers outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland PA Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, poses for a selfie picture EPA Kate is handed flowers by children outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland PA The Duchess of Cambridge meets wellwishers with Poland's First Lady Agata Duda at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland PA Huge crowds gathered to greet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge PA Polish President Andrzej Duda (R) and Prince William EPA Kate is handed flowers by children outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland EPA Polish First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda (R) and the Duchess of Cambridge EPA The Duchess of Cambridge (C) greets residents of Warsaw EPA Kate is handed flowers outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland EPA William is greeted by wellwishers outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland EPA Kate is handed flowers outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland EPA Polish President Andrzej Duda (R) and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda (2-L), Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (3-L) and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge (2-R) with British Ambassador to poland Jonathan Knott (3-R) during the official breakfast at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland EPA Polish President Andrzej Duda (2-R) and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda (R), Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (2-L) and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge (L) during the official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, EPA

In a statement, palace officials revealed the Duchess was too unwell with morning sickness to attend a planned visit to a childrens centre in north London.

The statement said: "Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.

"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

"As with her previous two pregnancies, the Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

"Her royal highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today.

"The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace."
A n Islamic State agent tried to recruit an undercover reporter to carry out the London Bridge attack a year before it happened.

Makers of BBC programme Inside Out London said one of its journalists was encouraged by the IS suspect to target London Bridge alone or in a group.

Eight people were killed and dozens of people injured when a van ploughed into pedestrians on the bridge before three terrorists stabbed victims during a rampage through Borough Market on June 3 this year.

The BBC said the details given to their undercover reporter bore striking similarities to the London Bridge attack.

The same IS suspect also revealed details of terrorist tutorials on the dark web including a step by step guide on how to make a bomb and create a fake suicide vest.

There were also illustrations on how to attack a victim with a knife to cause maximum damage.

London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack 1 /40 London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack Police and paramedics treat an injured person Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images A woman is helped to an ambulance at London Bridge Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images Armed police at London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Emergency personnel tend to wounded on London Bridge Yui Mok/PA Wire Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images Debris and abandoned cars remain on London Bridge Chris J Ratcliffe/AFP/Getty Images People walking down Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed Police officers on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People flee along Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police officers outside the Barrowboy and Banker Public House on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Shocked onlookers in Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police sniffer dogs on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed Police talk to members of the public outside London Bridge Hospital Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People run down Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire A helicopter lands on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire An armed officer on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police officers on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Emergency personnel on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed police on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed Police officer looks through his weapon on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People run along Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Police at the scene on Southwark Bridge Carl Court/Getty Images A paramedic rushes to the scene Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire An armed officer on London Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire A paramedic at the scene Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Armed police on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Emergency personnel on London Bridge Yui Mok/PA Wire Police officers outside the Barrowboy and Banker Public House on Borough High Street Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire People are lead to safety away from London Bridge Carl Court/Getty Images

The special report on Islamist inspired extremism, airing tonight on BBC One, showed the undercover journalist used Twitter to make contact with jihadist and IS recruiter Junaid Hussain, from Birmingham.

Speaking through an encrypted messaging site, 21-year-old Hussain said he could help train the undercover reporter on how to make bombs from home.

Police officers stationed around the scene of the attack just days after it happened. / Jeremy Selwyn

When Hussain, from Birmingham, was killed by a US army drone in the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2015, another recruiter made contact with Inside Out's undercover reporter to continue the conversation. He detailed a plot to assassinate a police officer, including how to obtain firearms and bullets.

Inside Out London's undercover reporter said: "In July 2016, we discovered that the terrorist organisation was touting on Twitter and Facebook for British Muslims to stage attacks at specific London locations.

A minute's silence was held for the victims of the attack. / PA

"We began conversing with one of their recruiters, who then invited us to chat privately on a secret messaging site. The authorities were fully aware of our contact with the terrorist organisation."

All three London Bridge attackers Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot and killed by police at the scene.

It came as a separate poll, conducted by Inside Out, found 90 per cent of the 6,546 surveyed across England believe there will be more terror attacks.

When asked whether they feel more or less safe in public spaces compared with 12 months ago, 29 per cent of those surveyed said they feel less safe, and 10 per cent think that they, a family member or a good friend could be killed or wounded in a terrorist attack.

More than half of those surveyed, 52 per cent, believe the security services should be given more powers to tackle terrorism, even if that means individual privacy suffers.
T he Royal family are celebrating the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child together.

Kate and William are already parents to Prince George and Princess Charlotte and there is speculation that the couples third child is likely to be a spring baby.

The announcement is believed to have been made earlier than planned after the Duchess severe morning sickness forced her to cancel a planned visit to a childrens centre in north London.

And, as the Duchess is not yet three months pregnant, the due date for the baby is expected to be no earlier than March 2018.

Pregnant: The Duchess has announced she is expecting / Getty Images

Kates first two pregnancies were also announced before the 12-week mark because she was unwell with the extreme form of morning sickness hyperemesis gravidarum.

She is being cared for at Kensington Palace, a statement said.

All you need to know about the new royal baby

The Duchess is expected to return to the private delivery suite at the Lindo wing of St Marys Hospital, where she gave birth to her two other children.

As with her previous pregnancies, the worlds media and royalists will gather outside the west London hospital in the days leading up to her expected delivery date.

Royal baby: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge outside the Lindo Wing after the birth of Prince George (Picture: PA)

Before the birth of Princess Charlotte, some superfans waited outside the ward for weeks beforehand, in the hope wishing the young family well.
M cDonalds workers have walked out of two restaurants in a row over pay and working conditions in the first ever strike to hit the fast food giant in the UK.

Staff at two restaurants - branches in Cambridge and Crayford, in south-east London - walked out of restaurants on Monday in protest of the inexplicably low pay and use of zero-hour contracts.

The workers are demanding a 10 per hour starting salary and an end to drastic cuts at the fast food restaurants.

Members of trade unions joined early-morning picket lines outside the two restaurants, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also offered his backing.

Abour 40 members of staff began the 24-hour walkout at midnight, having voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) said the strike was being well supported, but McDonald's has claimed those taking action represented just 0.01 per cent of its workforce.

It said the dispute was related to its internal grievance procedures.

A group of unionized part-time workers rallies in Seoul, South Korea, stage a protest in unity with workers in Britain / EPA

BFAWU national president Ian Hodson, speaking from the picket line in Cambridge, said members of the public were offering their support to the workers.

"McDonald's has had countless opportunities to resolve grievances by offering workers a fair wage and acceptable working conditions.

"For far too long, workers in fast food restaurants such as McDonald's have had to deal with poor working conditions, drastic cuts to employee hours, and even bullying in the workplace - viewed by many as a punishment for joining a union," he said.

Mr Corbyn said: "Our party offers support and solidarity to the brave McDonald's workers, who are making history today.

"They are standing up for workers' rights by leading the first ever strike at McDonald's in the UK.

"Their demands - an end to zero-hours contracts by the end of the year, union recognition and a 10 per hour minimum wage - are just and should be met."

McDonald's, which employs around 85,000 staff in the UK and one million worldwide, announced in April that workers would be offered a choice of flexible or fixed contracts with minimum guaranteed hours, saying that 86 per cent have chosen to stay on flexible contracts.

A company spokesman said: "We can confirm that, following a ballot process, the BFAWU has indicated that a small number of our people representing less than 0.01 per cent of our workforce are intending to strike in two of our 1,270 UK restaurants.

"As per the terms of the ballot, the dispute is solely related to our internal grievance procedures and not concerning pay or contracts.

"As announced in April this year, together with our franchisees, we are providing our people with the option of a guaranteed hour contract, and all restaurants will have these contracts in place by the end of 2017.

"McDonald's UK and its franchisees have delivered three pay rises since April 2016; this has increased the average hourly pay rate by 15 per cent.

"We are proud of our people at McDonald's, they are at the heart of all we do and we work hard to ensure that our teams are treated fairly. Our internal processes underpin that commitment."

Around 40 workers were on strike and will later attend a rally in Westminster.
N igel Farage welcomed the news the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child by making a jibe against the whinging of ghastly Remoaners on live TV.

The former UKIP leader was being interviewed on Sky News when it was announced Kate was pregnant, prompting presenter Adam Boulton to go to Mr Farage for his reaction.

With a beaming smile, Mr Farage said: Given all the horrible news about Korea and the whingeing of all these ghastly Remoaners, its nice to have a happy piece of news.

It was announced on Monday morning that Prince William and Kate are expecting their third child, with the Queen said to be delighted by the announcement.

Mr Farage was mocked on social media for his response to the news of the Royal baby, with one Twitter user posting: Why is this failed wannabe MP even on?

Stuart Ofman said he possessed unlimited and unearned smugness.

The Duchess will miss her planned trip to the Hornsey Road Childrens Centre in London as she is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum  a severe form of pregnancy sickness.

Nigel Farage appeared on Sky News on Monday morning (Photo by HGL/GC Images) / GC Images

The baby will be a sibling to Prince George, born in in 2013 and his sister Princess Charlotte, who was born in 2015.

A statement from Kensington Palace said: Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.

The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

Happy family: The Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William

Mr Farage was being interviewed on Sky News about escalating tensions between the United States and North Korea, with the rogue state having tested an advanced hydrogen bomb.

When asked about whether North Koreas actions could spark a military conflict, US President Donald Trump responded: Well see.

Mr Farage, who made headlines after meeting with Mr Trump soon after his election victory, said the US President is working like crazy in courting Chinas support and resolving the conflict.
P olice are investigating the death of a man who evaded security at Burning Man and launched himself into the fire during the US festivals signature ceremony.

According to officials the man, identified as 41-year-old Aaron Joel Mitchell, ran past two layers of security at the Man Burn celebration  during which a giant wooden effigy is set ablaze.

He was airlifted to a burns centre in California but was pronounced dead a few hours later.

Graphic images taken at the ceremony show the horrifying moment Mr Mitchell dodged past a chasing firefighter and leapt, feet-first, into the middle of the huge bonfire.

Ceremony: The Man is engulfed in flames / REUTERS

Festival officials said Mr Mitchell had avoided several rangers and law enforcement officers who attempted to tackle him to the ground before he jumped.

Police said doctors confirmed he hadnt been under the influence of alcohol at the time, but a toxicology report is pending.

Nevada's Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said: We don't know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We're not sure of that yet."

Killed: Aaron Joel Mitchell died after being rushed to a burns unit in California

He estimated that there was a crowd of about 50,000 people who were present when the festival's crew of fire-fighters pulled Mr Mitchell out of the blaze.

Attempts to rescue him were hampered because part of the structure was falling while they were trying to get Mitchell out of it, the sheriff's office said.

Burning Man: The man jumped into the flames at the festival's signature ceremony / AP

"Rescuers had to leave him to allow the structure to fall and provide for rescuer safety before they could go back into the flames to extract Aaron from the debris," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

The statement added that Mr Mitchell was a U.S. citizen who had a home in Oklahoma but had been living in Switzerland with his.

Thousands of revellers gather at the so-called 'Man Burn' / REUTERS

The festival, situated in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, released a statement saying that burns events through noon Sunday had been cancelled. However, the 8pm temple burn, another signature event that marks the end of the nine-day festival, was due to go ahead.

More than 70,000 people attended the art and music celebration which culminates with the burning of a towering 40-foot effigy made of wood, a symbol of rebirth.

Sheriff Allen said the festival has tried to contain the problem of people trying to run into the flames by having their own rangers stage a human-chain to prevent people from getting close.

"People try to run into the fire as part of their spiritual portion of Burning Man," he said. "The significance of the man burning, it's just kind of a rebirth, they burn the man to the ground, a new chapter has started. It's part of their tenets of radical self-expression."
P resident Donald Trump is set to ignite a political firestorm by repealing the Obama-era Dreamers programme that protects young undocumented immigrants in America from deportation.

The controversial move could result in as many as 800,000 illegal immigrants being kicked out of the United States.

Mr Trump is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday despite opposition from Democrats and from his own Republican Party.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, programme will end in six months to allow time for lawmakers to come up with a plan to decide the fate of the undocumented people living in the country.

Under DACA, people who arrived in the US illegally as children - referred to as Dreamers - are protected from deportation and ultimately granted work permits.

Dreamers plan: President Donald Trump / AP

Cutting the programme was a cornerstone of the presidents election campaign. Many right wing Americans believe DACA is unconstitutional because it was implemented in 2012 as an executive order by Mr Obama rather than through US Congress.

The planned announcement appears to mark a change of heart by the president. On Friday he suggested he might keep the programme, saying: We love the Dreamers. We love everybody.

Mr Trumps decision is a direct snub to Speaker Paul Ryan who said on a radio show that he believed the president should keep DACA, and allow its plight to be decided on Capitol Hill.

But it was being seen in Washington today as an attempt by the beleaguered president to shore up his core support that was largely responsible for sweeping him to power on a platform focused around immigration crackdowns and a border wall with Mexico.

The programme was introduced by Barack Obama / AP

The White House cautioned that the dramatic roll back, revealed this morning by website Politico, wasnt set in stone.

I think that this isn't a decision that the president takes lightly and he's taking time and diligent effort to make sure that he goes through every bit of the process, said Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. I think the decision itself is weighing on him, certainly.

But the move to scrap DACA has already triggered a fierce debate among Republicans.

Congressman Steve King argued that delaying the implementation by six months could imperil the decision.

Ending DACA now gives chance 2 restore Rule of Law. Delaying so R Leadership can push Amnesty is Republican suicide, he said in a tweet.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who has appealed to Mr Trump to stand up for the Dreamers, tweeted: After teasing #Dreamers for months with talk of his 'great heart,' @POTUS slams door on them. Some 'heart'... she wrote.
A female patient with a serious brain injury was allegedly raped at a hospital in New York, police said.

A nurse at the Bronx-Lebanon hospital walked in to check on the 32-year-old and found her being sexually assaulted by a man on Friday evening, according to the New York Post.

Staff at the hospital, located in the Bronx borough, immediately called security who detained the man before police officers arrived.

Keith Nembhard, 37, was arrested and charged with second-degree rape. Reports in the US claim that he knew the victim.

Doctors reportedly told police that the patients injuries would have stopped her consenting to sexual intercourse.

Police yesterday released details about the incident, which happened at round 7.45pm (local time).
J ust over a week after Hurricane Harvey struck the east coast of the United States, a powerful new hurricane is strengthening and could hit the same coast by the weekend.

The news comes after at least 50 people were killed in Hurricane Harvey and a further 30,000 left needing shelter.

Hurricane Irma has regained status as a Category 3 storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, with some strengthening expected over the coming days as it tracks west across the Atlantic.

The Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Bahamas are at high risk over the next five days and have been warned they should prepare for hurricane conditions.

It is then unclear what path the storm will then take, with forecasters projecting in some models that Irma will curve back out to sea.

A significant percentage have Irma striking the US east coast by Saturday or Sunday. It could affect a large area between Florida to New England.

Satellite image of Tropical Storm Irma pictured in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean / REUTERS

The centre of Irma is still about 900 miles east of the Leeward Islands, 2,150 miles east-southeast of Miami and 2,150 miles southeast of Wilmington, NC, the Washington Post reported.

Irma is expected to pass over or near the Leeward Islands on Wednesday, then to be near the eastern Bahamas by Friday, the National Hurricane Centre said.

Hurricane Harvey paralysed most of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States, with rescuers launching into a race against time to help thousands of Texas residents.

It was the fiercest hurricane to hit the US in 13 years, generating an amount of rain that would normally be seen only once in more than 1,000 years.
Police takes to Facebook to arrest fugitive

Sankhuwasabha police took to social media site Facebook to arrest a fugitive on the run for a year.
T ributes have been paid to 41-year-old married construction worker who was killed after running into the flames at Burning Man festival.

Aaron Joel Mitchell died on Sunday morning after running into the burning effigy at the festival on Saturday night.

Graphic images taken at the ceremony showed the horrifying moment he ran past security and dodged a chasing firefighter before leaping into the middle of the huge bonfire.

Following news of his death, his parents have spoken of their shock and paid tribute to their loving son.

Horrific: Mr Mitchell evaded a chasing firefighter and ran into the flames / REUTERS

Mr Mitchell grew up in Oklahoma but had immigrated to Switzerland with his wife, his mother told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Johnnye Mitchell said she had last seen her son, known to family as Joel, last month before he went to a solar eclipse festival in Oregon and then to Burning Man.

"He was in great spirits when we saw him," she said. "We are just in shock, total shock. We can't believe this happened."

'Loving': Construction worker Aaron Joel Mitchell

She described her son as a loving and a nice person" and said he enjoyed hiking and outdoors, running".

His father, Donald Mitchell, said he was a good son and added: You just never want something like this to happen.

Police investigating Mr Mitchells death confirmed he had not been under the influence of alcohol at the time but a toxicology report is pending.

Burning Man: The man jumped into the flames at the festival's signature ceremony / AP

Nevada's Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said: We don't know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We're not sure of that yet."

He said attempts to rescue Mr Mitchell were hampered because part of the structure was falling while they were trying to get Mitchell out of it.

"Rescuers had to leave him to allow the structure to fall and provide for rescuer safety before they could go back into the flames to extract Aaron from the debris," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Ceremony: The model of a man is engulfed in flames / REUTERS

Sheriff Allen said the festival has tried to contain the problem of people trying to run into the flames by having their own rangers stage a human-chain to prevent people from getting close.

"People try to run into the fire as part of their spiritual portion of Burning Man," he said. "The significance of the man burning, it's just kind of a rebirth, they burn the man to the ground, a new chapter has started. It's part of their tenets of radical self-expression."

Burning man: The festival is built in the middle of the desert / Reuters

The festival, situated in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, released a statement saying that burns events through noon Sunday had been cancelled. However, the 8pm temple burn, another signature event that marks the end of the nine-day festival, was due to go ahead.

More than 70,000 people attended the art and music celebration which culminates with the burning of a towering 40-foot effigy made of wood, a symbol of rebirth.
N orth Korea is preparing more missile launches, the South has said as the world remains on alert after Pyongyangs biggest nuclear test explosion yet.

Military sources in South Korea said the secretive state could possibly be readying itself to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Tensions are growing worldwide after the North claimed it had carried out a hydrogen bomb test at the weekend which caused a 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

The firing follows several ballistic missile tests by Pyongyang over the past months, defying UN sanctions and pressure from other countries to stop developing its weapons programme.

North Korea fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile in July, adding that it now has the capability to target anywhere in the world.

Show of strength: A South Korean missile launched during the display / EPA

The neighbouring South responded to the weekends alleged H-bomb with a mock attack on the Norths nuclear site as rockets were launched from fighter jets and ballistic missiles fired from the ground.

The South Korean governments joint chiefs of staff said more military drills are being prepared with US forces.

South Korea simulates attack on North Korea's nuclear sites

US President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with Kim Jong-Uns nation, adding the state continued to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States.

South Korean army soldiers take a position during the exercise. / AP

Asked if the US will attack North Korea, President Trump replied: "We'll see."

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said threats to the United States and its allies "will be met with a massive military response".

Mr Mattis spoke at the White House following a meeting with the president and national security advisers. He said any response will be "both effective and overwhelming".

South Korea dropping bombs during a military drill. / EPA

He the United States is "not looking to the total annihilation" of North Korea, but added "we have many options to do so".

The UN Security Council is set to meet later today to discuss fresh sanctions against Pyongyang.

North Korea's nuclear and missile programme has made huge strides since Kim rose to power in 2011 / AP

Theresa May said the secretive countrys latest nuclear test poses an "unacceptable further threat to the international community".

The exact strength of the explosion is not yet known, although South Korea's weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five to six times stronger than tremors generated by the North's previous five such tests

Stern warning: Donald Trump condemns North Korea's nuclear test / Getty

Mr Trump warned last month that the US military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely" and that the US would unleash "fire and fury" on the North if it continued to threaten America.

The words followed threats from North Korea to launch ballistic missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam, intending to create "enveloping fire" near the military hub that is home to US bombers.

The North's latest test was carried out at 12.29pm local time at the Punggye-ri site where it has conducted past nuclear tests.

North Korea's state-run television broadcast a special bulletin to announce the test and said leader Kim Jong Un attended a meeting of the ruling party's presidium and signed the go-ahead order.
T ensions were reaching breaking point on the Korean peninsula today amid claims that Kim Jong-un is planning to defy the world with another intercontinental ballistic missile test.

The new threat to peace came hours after Seoul launched a missile drill in retaliation for North Koreas detonation of what it says was a hydrogen bomb.

The game of brinkmanship was moving into a dangerous new phase following US warnings of a massive military response and South Koreas insistence that the time for talking is over.

Today the Souths military fired rockets into the sea as part of a simulated attack on the Norths main nuclear experimentation site.

Reaction: A missile is fired by South Korea in a drill attack on North Korea following Pyongyang's alleged H-bomb test. / AP

Afterwards defence ministry official Chang Kyung-soo told parliament in Seoul: We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile.

He said the South intended to strengthen its military rather than hold further talks, and would co-operate with the US and seek to deploy strategic assets like aircraft carriers and strategic bombers.

South Korea simulates attack on North Korea's nuclear sites

The UN Security Council is meeting today at the request of America, Japan, Britain, France and South Korea after condemnation of Pyongyangs nuclear test at the weekend. The Souths defence ministry measured the blast at 50 kilotons, Yonhap news agency said. The North said it had tested a device that can fit onto a long-range missile.

Theresa May blasted the reckless act, saying North Koreas actions posed an unacceptable further threat to the international community and calling for tougher action. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said all options are on the table but cautioned that there were no simple military solutions, saying any attack on North Korea could basically vaporise large sections of the South Korean population.

North Korea's nuclear and missile programme has made huge strides since Kim rose to power in 2011 / AP

In the past two months Pyongyang has carried out a number of missile tests, sending one over Japan into the Pacific Ocean. It has also threatened to fire rockets towards the US Pacific territory of Guam.

The Norths latest nuclear test  its sixth and strongest  measured 6.3 in magnitude and seismologists initially thought it was an earthquake. Photos were released of Kim with what his state media said was a new type of hydrogen bomb. Theoretically, experts say, Pyongyangs intercontinental ballistic missiles could reach the US.

South Korea said it would hold more live-fire drills, involving Taurus air-to-surface missiles mounted on F-15 jets, to strongly warn the North that its repeated threats will not be tolerated.

South Koreas air force conduct ballistic missile exercises

After a briefing with Donald Trump, US defence secretary James Mattis said: Any threat to the United States or its territories or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.

In a tweet that appeared to be aimed at China, Pyongyangs biggest trading partner, Mr Trump said: The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.
T he bomb North Korea tested over the weekend is by far the biggest device exploded by Kim Jong-uns regime yet.

The rogue state boasts it can now fit a warhead on a ballistic missile and there are credible reports of further tests of missiles that can strike continents far away, including America, Australia and Europe.

We are faced today with three interlocked questions. In descending order they are: how likely is nuclear war? What does Kim really want? And, the practical question: what can or should be done in the short term?

The answer to the first question is that there is high risk of a nuclear exchange  but on past recent performance from all players, it will be by accident rather than design.

What does Kim want? From the latest tests and the boast that they are all part of a series of military improvements, there can be no mistake that North Koreas strategy is offensive. All pretence that this is defensive is now stripped away.

Trickiest of all is what can and should be done? Most of the work has been carried out behind the scenes, and with much greater awareness and adroitness than has been shown, particularly by China, the one power that has leverage over Pyongyang.

So far Beijing seems to say it will do nothing to put the regime at risk of overthrow.

More important is Donald Trumps warning to President Moon Jae-in of South Korea that any acceptance of a nuclear-armed North Korea smacks of appeasement and is unacceptable.

It is unacceptable because the basis of Kims cartoon version of Machiavelli is his unpredictability.

A cartoon Machiavelli with nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles is a risk too far for all. That is the message Mr Trump has to get through to China, and China must act.
B rian May has met Jeremy Corbyn for the first time  and couldnt resist posing for a picture with the Labour leader.

The Queen guitarist, 70, told fans he found Corbyn very impressive after the pair were introduced at the Lush Summit 2017 in London on Monday.

May praised the politician for speaking like a human being and advocating common decency.

He documented their meeting on Instagram where he posted a picture of himself and Corbyn alongside the caption: At Lush conference right now. First time I've met Mr Corbyn  gotta say he's very impressive  speaks like a human being rather than a politician.

And his aspirations for Britain have a lot in common with Common Decency. Respects. Bri.

May  who is an animal rights activist and recently criticised awful woman Teresa May for her stance on fox hunting  also praised Corbyn for talking good sense on attacking wildlife crime.

May's meeting with the Labour leader comes days after he had another British Airways meltdown. The musician accused the company of not caring about passengers when he was left waiting for his luggage at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

It's his second outburst in recent months after he flew into a rage in June over the horrible first-class seating, which he said completely sucks.

He posted a lengthy rant on his website about how much he hates the new three feet gap between the recliner seats and the windows as it has left him bored and frustrated on flights.

A spokesperson for BA addressed May's dislike at the time - and couldn't resist dropping in a Queen lyric: Very many customers praise our spacious and luxurious First cabin and we hope that Brian in time will still feel we are somebody to love.
L il Wayne was admitted to hospital after he suffered multiple seizures.

The rapper, who suffers from epilepsy, was found unconscious in his hotel room at the Westin in Chicago on Sunday night.

He was taken to the citys Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he reportedly suffered a further seizure.

A representative for the Grammy-winning artist confirmed the news to US site TMZ, and said he is currently resting.

Mentor: Rapper Lil' Wayne with Drake at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards / Ethan Miller/Getty

Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., had been set to perform at Drais Beachclub in Las Vegas alongside Rae Sremmurd on Sunday night, but was advised to cancel by doctors.

The incident comes a year after he was treated for a minor seizure on board a flight from Milwaukee to California, and four years after he was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital after suffering from a seizure while shooting Nicki Minaj's High School music video.

He later opened up about living with the condition and said it is triggered by plain stress, no rest, overworking myself.

Billboard Music Awards 2017 - In pictures 1 /30 Billboard Music Awards 2017 - In pictures Cher Getty Images Drake kisses presenter Kate Beckinsale's hand Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Drake AFP/Getty Images Celine Dion Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Gwen Stefani presents the Billboard Icon award to Cher at the Billboard Music Awards Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Miley Cyrus performs "Malibu" Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Rita Ora Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Vanessa Hudgens Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Kate Beckinsalesale Steve Marcus/Reuters Celine Dion AFP/Getty Images Nicole Scherzinger Steve Marcus/Reuters Nicki Minaj and David Guetta Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Camila Cabello Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Cher performs "If I could Turn Back Time." Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Prince Michael Jackson Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Olivia Munn Steve Marcus/Reuters Miley Cyrus performs "Malibu" Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Sean "Diddy" Combs presents a tribute to Notorious B.I.G. at the Billboard Music Awards Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Lil Wayne Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Hosts Ludacris and Vanessa Hudgens Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Dencia Steve Marcus/Reuters Halsey performs "Now or Never" Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Diplo Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Speaking to Los Angeles radio station Power 106, he said: The bad news is Im an epileptic, Im prone to seizures, going on to explain the bout of fits wasnt his first.

Like, this isnt my first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh seizure. Ive had a bunch of seizures, yall just never hear about them. But this time it got real bad cause I had three of them in a row and on the third one, my heart rate went down to like 30 per cent.

Basically, I couldve died, so that is why it was so serious. But the reason being for the seizures is just plain stress, no rest, overworking myself.

Standard Online has contacted representatives for Lil Wayne for comment.
Morgan, 52, was enjoying a big night out with Richard Bacon and his Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid at Freedom in Soho ahead of their return to the ITV breakfast show.

He posted a picture of the trio alongside the caption: 2.43am. A gay bar in Soho. Good Morning Britain! @susannareid100 @richardpbacon.

His followers were quick to question why he felt the need to describe the venue as a gay bar.

Responding to the backlash, Morgan offered a mock apology live on air, referring to the bar as non-binary gender neutral.

He said: I didnt know you couldnt call gay bars gay bars anymore, even though it was marketed as a gay bar.

My apologies apparently the gay bar now identifies as a non-binary gender neutral bar and therefore I inadvertently offended the gay bar by calling it a gay bar.

Aologies: Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain / ITV

Morgan made his return to Good Morning Britain on Monday after handing the reins over to Jeremy Kyle, Eamonn Holmes and Richard Madeley while he enjoyed a summer break.

He told viewers that he was in agony after breaking three ribs following a fall on his a*** last week.

Morgan said he could have taken the morning off but decided to man-up, despite being in agony.

He said: Ive got three broken ribs, but as Ive been saying for the last few years on national television, youve got to man up when these things happen.

I mean, I could have stayed in bed, laying there with my broken bones feeling sorry for myself but no, children, I came in and I manned up.

Its called getting on with life and rising to the challenge. So here I am in agony.

Reid joked that she was in agony having to listen to Morgans spiel  and the viewers felt her pain.

National Television Awards 2017 1 /48 National Television Awards 2017 Holly Willoughby Anthony Harvey/Getty Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness Ian West/PA Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan Anthony Harvey/Getty Katie Price Dave Benett Helen Skelton Dave Benett Myleene Klass Dave Benett Katie Piper Dave Benett Susanna Reid Dave Benett Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness Ian West/PA Emma Willis Anthony Harvey/Getty Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan Ian West/PA Fearne Cotton Ian West/PA Scarlett Moffatt and Caroline Flack Getty Images Faye Brookes and Gareth Gates Ian West/PA Mary Berry Anthony Harvey/Getty Alesha Dixon Anthony Harvey/Getty Piers Morgan Dave Benett Sir Tom Jones Dave Benett Aidan Turner Anthony Harvey/Getty Loose Women Ian West/PA Scarlett Moffatt Dave Benett Rochelle and Marvin Humes Anthony Harvey/Getty Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Ian West/PA Casey Batchelor Dave Benett Megan McKenna and Pete Wicks Ian West/PA Ola Jordan Ian West/PA Sarah-Jane Crawford Ian West/PA Honey G Anthony Harvey/Getty Images Martin Kemp Ian West/PA Wayne Bridge Dave Benett Danny Baker Dave Benett Larry Lamb and Jordan Banjo Matt Crossick/PA Bradley Walsh and Mark Labbett Anthony Harvey/Getty Jorgie Porter Ian West/PA Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes Ian West/PA James Arthur Anthony Harvey/Getty

Good Morning Britain is on ITV weekdays at 6am.
SAC endorses election bills after NC withdrew amendment proposal

The State Affairs Committee (SAC) of Parliament on Monday passed two election billsBill on Election of House of Representatives and Bill on Election of Provincial Assemblyafter Nepali Congress lawmakers withdrew their amendment proposal that sought allowing corruption convicts to run for the elections.
In January 2017 Israel announced that it successfully completed a final round of tests for its Davids Sling (formerly Magic Wand) anti-aircraft system and would be able to begin deploying the first battery of the new weapon later in 2017. At the same time Israel and American firms that manufacture (and often design) many of the key components for Stunner have developed a variant of Stunner (marketed as SkyCeptor) that can be used in Patriot systems in place of the PAC-3 anti-missile missile. Poland is interested in the SkyCeptor for their new Patriot batteries. At the same time the new Arrow 3 completed its final tests and was cleared for mass production.

This Davids Sling deployment is a year later than expected because earlier testing had revealed some potential problems that required fixing. Israel is very exacting about such technical problems because these weapons are the first line of defense against threats that are very real and openly calling for the destruction of Israel. That attitude towards quality control also makes Israeli weapons easier to find export customers for.

Davids Sling is the Israeli replacement for existing American Patriot and Hawk systems and is expected to sell mainly to export customers. Only a few Davids Sling batteries can protect all of Israel and even with additional launchers and such Israel alone is not a sufficiently large market to sustain development and manufacturing for Davids Sling. Thats why Davids Sling was designed with anti-missile capabilities as well.

During 2015 Israel conducted several successful tests of Davids Sling, including some that involved included intercepting and destroying a short range ballistic missile and other targets representing manned aircraft. By late 2015 it was believed Davids Sling would be ready for deployment in 2016. But as happened several times before there were new technical problems that had to be fixed. Davids Sling was originally expected to enter service in 2014.

In development since 2006 Davids Sling was designed to be an improvement over American made Patriot systems Israel already has. The Davids Sling missile (called Stunner) has a longer range (300 kilometers) and better capabilities. The American manufacturer of Patriot is cooperating with an Israeli firm to develop and produce Davids Sling and long planned to adopt some Davids Sling features for Patriot upgrades and variant like SkyCeptor.

Davids Sling is meant to complement the Iron Dome anti-rocket system, which can take down rockets with a range of up to 70 kilometers, and the longer range Arrow 3. Iron Dome has a unique feature in which the radar system computes where the incoming rocket will land. If the rocket will not hit an inhabited area, it will be ignored. Otherwise, an interceptor missile will be fired. Davids Sling adopted some of that technology for its anti-missile mode. Stunner will be used against larger rockets that will be aimed (by Syria, Hamas or Hezbollah) at large urban areas, and these will almost always get a Stunner fired at them. This is part of the Davids Sling system for defending Israelis from rocket attacks. Davids Sling is expected to eventually replace the 17 Hawk anti-aircraft batteries as well and, eventually, the six Patriot batteries. Davids Sling is very similar to Patriot and one option is to pitch Davids Sling components as upgrades for existing Patriot equipment.

Because of the long range of the Stunner two Davids Sling batteries can cover all of Israel. A Davids Sling battalion would have three batteries each with six truck mounted launchers (each with four missiles), a radar vehicle and control vehicle. Israel revealed it has enough Davids Sling equipment to train operators and maintenance personnel but would not say when there would be enough equipment for two batteries to cover all of Israel.

The Arrow 3 could also use satellite or UAV warnings of distant ballistic missile launches. Arrow 3 weighs about half as much as the 1.5 ton Arrow 2 and costs about a third less. Arrow 3 has longer range and is considered capable of intercepting low orbit satellites. Arrow is a two stage system with much more complex electronics than Stunner.

Because the new Arrow 3 (now entering mass production) is also built with the help of many American subcontractors the dozens of American factories that produce components for Arrow 3, Stunner and SkyCeptor are preparing to increase production, in some cases, substantially. The United States has provided Israel with $3 billion for air-defense research since 2001 and a lot of that money went for manufacturing system components. A lot of that is produced in the United States. At the same time Israeli firms develop and produce key components for many American systems. This makes it easier for the U.S. to develop and manufacture their own versions of Israeli equipment or weapons that were part of this join production and tech ownership system.
In mid-2017 India revealed details of what was actually going on in the northwest where two five kilometer (3.2 miles) sections of the border with Pakistan where some new border security equipment and troop deployment tactics were being tested. India described this as a test of its new CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System) that, if successful would be deployed along most of the 6,300 kilometer long Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The test involves new motion sensors and software that detects any suspicious movement along the border (most of which contains some kind of fence and sensors already). A sensor alert activates the nearest day/night video cameras at a manned border outpost and alerts the closest QRTs (Quick Reaction Teams). If the software interprets the sensor and video data as a likely to be people crossing the border one or more QRTs are sent out. The QRTs come from small QRT bases or facilities in existing military bases near the border. The QRT personnel are usually at the same bases where other troops monitor the network around the clock and also send out maintenance teams (sometimes accompanied by QRT personnel).

Israel has already deployed versions of this system, including the use of unmanned fortified towers containing remotely controlled machine-guns and more powerful vidcams. The Israeli experience is that these systems have to be fine-tuned (using the software and some repositioning of sensors) to fit local conditions and then constantly monitored to adapt to new enemy techniques for trying to get past the existing sensors. India has long been using Israeli security technology and border security advice along its more dangerous borders, like those in Kashmir and this approach has detected. The Israeli equipment and experience helped stop a lot more illegal border crossings, usually of armed Islamic terrorists from Pakistan. The newly elected Indian president is also a believer in tech and the usefulness of Israeli experience and encouraged the testing of the latest Israeli gear and tactics along Indias most volatile border.

For a long time, it was conventional wisdom that you could not prevent irregulars (terrorists, guerillas, bandits, smugglers), from getting across a long frontier. Apparently the conventional wisdom is wrong. Both Israel and India have been able to build security fences that have succeeded in keeping terrorists out. The best example of this approach is the 760 kilometer long Israeli security fence with the West Bank. Most of it was built between 2002 and 2009 and in that time terror attacks inside Israel declined over 90 percent and related deaths plunged over 98 percent. The Israelis accepted that such a barrier was never really finished and have continued to update. The 60 kilometer Gaza security fence is largely through open terrain and more similar to what India needed along its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The border fence has been equally effective in keeping Islamic terrorists out. The Israelis pointed out that a lot of the same hardware and software used for the West Bank barrier were used in Gaza but with as many changed and adaptations as needed. Two five kilometer test areas in Kashmir are where the needed adjustments are being noted and different solutions implemented.

Early on India noted the effectiveness of Israeli tech in border security and in 2004 began using the Israeli equipment and tactics in Kashmir. This led to the construction of a 580 kilometer electrified fence along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir. India also bought more radars, and special jamming equipment (to shut down radios used by Islamic radicals trying to cross the border) for use in Kashmir and along the LOC. The use of ground radars, thermal imaging and other electronic gear along the LOC, greatly reduced illegal movements into Indian controlled Kashmir.

The key to these systems was new video and sensor analysis software, which the Israelis have also pioneered. Initially the software was primarily for replacing humans who were needed to constantly monitor the video surveillance from vidcams mounted on towers or UAVs along the border. Humans quickly got bored watching the video, especially when nothing much of interest showed up. With the development of higher resolution vidcams and more powerful (and cheaper) computers it became possible to augment humans watching the video with software that monitored the real time video full time and alerted humans only when something suspicious showed up. It required humans to confirm the presence of something dangerous and activating remotely controlled weapons, sending out QRTs or calling for armed aircraft (usually UAVs).

India has borders more than ten times longer than Israel and cannot afford to intensively use troop patrols to cover it all to detect smugglers, illegal migrants and various criminals moving through. The Israelis have apparently proposed a security fence that comes in many different levels of complexity (and cost) and advised India buy as much as they need for every part of the border and be ready to modify equipment and tactics to deal with what the bad buys (smugglers and Islamic terrorists) come up with to try and beat the system. A lot of Moslem nations are adopting the Israeli approach, without the benefit of getting the latest tech and the benefit of Israeli experience. Thats because of more than half a century of banning any Israeli goods in most Moslem (especially Arab) countries. That is changing and if the Indian project is a big success Moslem nations will be able to go direct to the source for their border security tech needs.
Weapons dropped from U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers practicing attack capabilities impact the Pilsung Range, Republic of Korea, August 30th. The F-35Bs, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, conducted a sequenced bilateral mission with South Korean F-15K and Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) F-2 fighters. This mission is in direct response to North Koreas intermediate range ballistic missile launch and emphasizes the combined ironclad commitment to regional allies and partners.

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Green Party leader James Shaw will be joined by fellow caucus members, as well as local candidate Emma-Leigh Hodge, at a public meeting in Matua tonight.

Emma-Leigh, who is standing in Tauranga, says the partys campaign is on track both locally and nationally.

Were big on the ground campaign, and the Green Party as a whole had a big weekend of action  more than 10,000 door knocks across the country, she says.

We surpassed our local targets, which is very cool. We got washed out on Saturday, so we did some phone calls instead.

She says the response has been overwhelmingly positive when talking to people, with water quality coming up a lot in conversations.

Our message resonates with many people. We also need to have an aspirational government, which includes ending poverty in this country  another of our election priorities.

Several people have already indicated theyll be attending the meeting tonight, which is at 6.30pm in Matua Hall. Greens leader James Shaw will be there, along with fellow MPs Marama Davidson, Barry Coates, and Steffan Browning  all introduced by Emma-Leigh.

All of them will be talking about Green party policies and how they link into local issues, she says.

Marama will be talking about housing, for instance, while Steffan has been doing a lot of work around methyl bromide at our port.

Afterwards, there will be a question and answer session for the public to put their views to the politicians.
Susta locals take risky boat ride to enter India

The people of Susta, a Nawalparasi village located at the Nepal-India border, have long been relying on nearby Indian markets to buy food and daily essentials.
UNL to extend dividend of Rs1,270 per share

Unilever Nepal Limited (UNL), the manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods, posted a net profit of Rs965 million in the fiscal year 2016-17, which ended on July 15.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The vast majority of Californians want local and state government to blend innovative energy and transportation technologies with sensible policies and fair distribution of clean air funds and carbon cap-and-trade auction proceeds, according to a recent poll of state voters.

As the state's population pushes past 40 million and state air quality officials grapple with growing climate and air pollution challenges, around 89 percent of California voters believe a balanced mix of energy and transportation options is needed to achieve cleaner air and lower carbon required by the California Air Resources Board's 2030 and 2050 deadlines. Some 75 percent of registered voters agree California must balance its investments between proven technologies and those that might benefit the future.

These and other findings are contained in a groundbreaking survey of 2,190 registered California voters commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum, a national association of diesel vehicle, engine and equipment makers, suppliers and fuel providers. The survey was conducted by Dr. Jessica Broome of JBR Research.

"California is at a crossroads," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "Substantial clean air challenges are yet to be met, while new aggressive climate and carbon commitments have been adopted, making decisions on fund allocations increasingly important. Our data shows 64 percent of Californians believe investments in clean transportation need to be balanced by continued use of existing, abundant and low-cost clean technologies and fuels such as clean diesel, at least until alternative energy sources are more available and cost-effective."

Californians see low emission vehicles and reduced fuel consumption as the largest contributors to better air quality. Of those surveyed, 73 percent view clean diesel technologies as positive contributors to air quality.

California is set to receive approximately $423 million as part of the emissions settlement from the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust. This money is earmarked for projects that immediately reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), to mitigate the excessive NOx generated by diesel VW cars operating in California. In addition, California's recently extended carbon cap-and-trade program makes available nearly $2 billion for carbon reduction projects in the 2017-2018 budget year.

"Across all regions, more than three-quarters of Californians clearly want to see this money, already earmarked for air quality mitigation, targeted to areas where it can have the greatest impact on the most people, in the most cost-effective way, targeting the largest sources of NOx emissions in a timely manner," said Schaeffer. "Policymakers should take heed that voters want state funds allocated based on a clear understanding of what all citizens and industries need on a region-by-region level."

The Diesel Technology Forum's data also highlights opinions on the effectiveness of California's existing air quality regulations vary by region. Voters in the Central Valley say conditions have deteriorated over the last 10 years, while South Coast residents say conditions have improved.

California's Clean Diesel Opportunity

Applying VW settlement funds and carbon auction revenue to replace or repower California's largest and oldest trucks, industrial marine and locomotive engines with new technology would yield immediate and significant NOx benefits at the lowest cost per ton, compared to electrification and other as-yet commercially widespread technologies.

Only around 23 percent of California's commercial heavy-duty diesel trucking fleet  the largest in the United States at nearly a million vehicles  uses the newest, cleanest diesel technology, according the Forum's analysis of IHS Markit data. The national average is 30 percent adoption.

"It's astounding that the state that leads the nation in electric car registrations ranks 47th out of the 50 U.S. states for adoption of the latest in low-emission commercial truck technology," said Schaeffer. "Investments in future technologies, while important, won't pay significant clean air dividends for decades. In contrast, the newest and cleanest diesel engines, trucks and machines are on dealer lots today. Californians shouldn't have to wait for cleaner air when cleaner trucks are available right now."

Some of the oldest trucks have 60 times the emissions of a new diesel truck. Meanwhile, the newest clean diesel technologies offer 90 percent fewer emissions than older models, and some clean diesel options are 200 times or more cost-effective at reducing NOx than other alternative fuel strategies.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, using the latest emissions model generated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, one ton of NOx emissions may be eliminated by investing, on average, $20,000 in clean diesel technology versus $1 million in alternative fuel infrastructure. Moreover, the South Coast Air Quality Management District estimates that NOx emissions could fall by 70 percent or 86 tons each day if every commercial truck in the region were powered by the latest clean diesel engine.

"State air regulators have said the fastest reductions in NOx emissions in 2035 won't come from power plants or even the electrification of passenger vehicles," said Schaeffer, "but rather from the turnover of older commercial trucks powered with the latest clean diesel engines. It's a proven strategy, as evidenced by the clean truck programs enacted by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These programs moved truckers to newer technology so quickly that port pollution was reduced by 70 percent in only one year."

Fast Facts about California's Commercial Vehicle Fleet

California ranks 47th out of the 50 U.S. states for the adoption of the latest clean diesel technology in commercial vehicles.

ranks 47th out of the 50 U.S. states for the adoption of the latest clean diesel technology in commercial vehicles. California's commercial truck fleet  from small delivery trucks to tractor trailer-size commercial trucks  is almost 1.4 million vehicles.

commercial truck fleet  from small delivery trucks to tractor trailer-size commercial trucks  is almost 1.4 million vehicles. Diesel engines power more than 70% of California's trucking fleet; 28% use gasoline, and alternative fuels make up just 2%.

trucking fleet; 28% use gasoline, and alternative fuels make up just 2%. California's heavy-duty diesel trucking fleet is the largest  and oldest  in the nation, with nearly one million registered vehicles.

heavy-duty diesel trucking fleet is the largest  and oldest  in the nation, with nearly one million registered vehicles. Roughly 77% of California's diesel commercial vehicles use diesel technologies older than model year 2010.

diesel commercial vehicles use diesel technologies older than model year 2010. Only about one in four trucks on the road in California (23%) use the newest, cleanest generation of diesel technology.

(23%) use the newest, cleanest generation of diesel technology. If another 8% of California's commercial vehicles switched to the latest generation diesel technology  raising adoption to 30%, the national average  Californians would see 52,900 tons of NOx reduced; 2,911 tons of fine particles reduced; 370,543 tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced; and 36 million gallons of diesel fuel saved.

Source: Diesel Technology Forum analysis of IHS Markit data

About The Diesel Technology Forum

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

Connect with the Diesel Technology Forum

For the latest insights and information from the leaders in clean diesel technology, join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @DieselTechForum, or YouTube @DieselTechForum and connect with us on LinkedIn. Get it all by subscribing to our newsletter Diesel Direct for a weekly wrap-up of clean diesel news, policy analysis and more direct to your inbox.

Contact:

Sarah Dirndorfer

sdirndorfer@dieselforum.org

301.668.7230 (o) 301.706.8276 (c)

(View this press release online)

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SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum

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Jaguar Previews Artificial Intelligence Powered Steering Wheel At Inaugural Tech Fest 2017 Festival And Exhibition

 ?Sayer, steering wheel of the future to be featured on a new Jaguar future vision concept

 Jaguar ?FUTURE-TYPE vision concept explores mobility in 2040 and beyond  the steering wheel could be the only part of the car you own

 Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest will take place at Central Saint Martins art, design and technology college, London, UK

MAHWAH, NJ - September 3, 2017: Jaguar Land Rover is revealing the intelligent and connected steering wheel of the future during the inaugural Tech Fest at Central Saint Martins art, design and technology college in London, UK.

Named ?Sayer, this steering wheel concept lives in the consumers home and becomes their trusted companion. Sayer is a voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) powered steering wheel that will be able to carry out hundreds of tasks. In addition to being a virtual assistant, Sayer could signal membership to an on-demand service club, which offers either sole ownership or the option of sharing a vehicle with others in a consumers community.

Jaguar Land Rover imagines a future of autonomous, connected and electric cars where a consumer doesnt own a single car, but instead can call upon the vehicle of their choice where and when they need it. Thats a future vision Jaguar Land Rover is exploring with Sayer; a connected steering wheel that could be the only part of the vehicle a consumer owns.

Jaguar Land Rover envisions a future where Sayer works as a personal mobility assistant for consumers; reminding them when they need to wake up for a morning meeting two hours from home and even determining when a car needs to autonomously arrive at their door, or advising which parts of the journey they might enjoy driving themselves.

A beautifully sculpted piece of art, like every Jaguar Land Rover product, Sayer owes its name to one of the most prominent designers from the Jaguar brands history, Malcolm Sayer, who worked for the British marque between 1951 and 1970.

Allowing the brand to explore the positive role technology is playing in reshaping the automotive industry and beyond, the theme of the inaugural Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest is ?Technology with Heart.

The free-to-enter festival takes place at Central Saint Martins art, design and technology college in London. It is open to the general public from Friday, September 8 until Sunday, September 10.

The event will be packed full of innovative exhibits and interactive displays that demonstrate how technology is being used to make a positive difference. Attendees can fast forward to the future and glimpse a world where cars drive themselves and vehicles are shared, not owned.
Photo: Splash News/Splash News

It has been a big week for Taylor Swift. Today she released her latest single from her sixth album,  Ready for It? The song comes after a mixed reception to her single Look What You Made Me Do and that wacky music video for the song that debuted at the VMAs.

But despite this high-profile content-dropping, Swift has stayed out of the public eye. (Swift is apparently happily dating Joe Alwyn; also, according to BFF Gigi Hadid, she has been happily at work in the studio.)

But this weekend, Swift visited Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts. The star was in town to serve as a bridesmaid at close friend Abigail Andersons wedding to photographer Matt Lucier at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.

The tony, yet subdued, island just off Cape Cod is a popular vacation spot for politicians and celebrities, like President Barack Obama, Larry David, Bill Murray, and Amy Schumer  and fans typically give celebrities their space.

But Swifts fans are a devoted bunch, and they waited in the rain this weekend outside the church for a glimpse of the star.

And the tough Boston crowd was apparently too much, too soon. As Swift prepared to leave the church, the stars security guards held up two black sheets to block any view of the performer. The Swifties, audibly disappointed, started to boo loudly when they realized what was happening.

Taylor, we love you! a Swiftie in the crowd shouted.

Taylor, we thought you loved your fans! someone else cried out.

Very disappointing, not cool, another waiting fan said, frustrated.

Hmm. This might not be good for Swifts reputation.
QUEBECA trip to Quebecs Chaudiere-Appalaches region can be linked with a visit to historic Quebec City or the neighbouring Centre-du-Quebec region. Whether youre looking to stay in a charming country inn, get your fill of maple syrup at a family-run sugar shack, soak in the warm waters of a Nordic spa, or have a chic base to explore one of our continents oldest cities, here are a few other places work checking out while youre in south-central Quebec.

lAuberge des Glacis  Chaudiere-Appalaches

Surrounded by farmland, forests and kilometres of snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails, LAuberge des Glacis is a family-run inn built around a mid-19th-century mill in LIslet. Owners Nancy Lemieux and Andre Anglehart are former journalists. We have a big family, Lemieux says. We want to recreate that atmosphere. From drinks to dinner to desert, everything is made with local ingredients. Be sure to sip their hot grog, which is prepared with gin and maple syrup. Comfy rooms, outfitted with rustic country decor, start at about $130 per night. Details: aubergedesglacis.com

Le Bistreau derable  Chaudiere-Appalaches

Located in the quaint village of Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard, Le Bistreau derable is a modern take on a classic cabane a sucre, or sugar shack. Sugar maples connected by a latticework of blue tubing surround the tiny restaurant and maple-syrup factory, which is open for lunch and dinner between late February and early May. Here, you can see how maple syrup is made and enjoy maple-infused dishes crafted from local and organic ingredients. We have so many good producers of everything, Noemie G.-Regnier, who runs the shack with her husband Jerome Sauvageau, says of the area. We love our forest. Details: bistreauderable.com

Galerie dart Denis Gagnon  Centre-du-Quebec

For 40 years, Denis Gagnon has been working with metal. From tiny sculptures for your living room to monumental pieces placed in city parks, Gagnon and his team craft them all. Working primarily with bronze, the foundry has commissions from roughly 50 Quebecois artists to transform their visions into reality. You can visit Gagnons Atelier du Bronze workshop to see the fascinating multi-stage casting process. Nearby, the Galerie dart Denis Gagnon showcases pieces created in the workshop. Their sculptures are also scattered throughout the tiny town of Inverness, where the gallery and workshop are located. Details: atelierdubronze.com

Manoir du lac William  Centre-du-Quebec

This little lakeside resort in the sleepy town of Saint-Ferdinand is popular with Quebecois families. In the summer, swimming and fishing are major draws. In the winter, enjoy the resorts snowshoeing and ice-skating trails, as well as its steamy outdoor Nordic baths. In its spa, you can also get a maple butter body wrap  a soothing treatment that will leave you smelling sweetly for days. The resort offers a wide range of accommodation options and its also possible to pay a day rate to use its facilities. Details: manoirdulac.com

Hotel 71  Quebec City

Situated in the heart of Quebec Citys historic Lower Town, Hotel 71 offers class and comfort within easy walking distance of the citys major sites. The hotel is inside a 19th-century National Bank of Canada office building, and many of its 60 rooms overlook the mighty St. Lawrence River. In the winter, as the tide rises and falls in the Atlantic Ocean, it can be mesmerizing to watch the ice-choked waterway change course throughout the day. Rooms range from roughly $230 a night to well over $1,000 for the penthouse suite. Details: hotel71.ca

Daniel Otis was hosted by Tourisme Quebec, Tourisme Chaudiere-Appalaches and Tourisme Centre du Quebec, which did not review or approve this story.

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OTTAWAIn 1969, the Canadian government published a proposal on Indian policy that quickly achieved infamy. Dubbed the White Paper, its idea was basically the complete legal assimilation of Indigenous peoples. Ottawa would transform reserves into private property, scrap all treaties and eliminate the Indian Act, with its blood-based calculus for Indian status.

The thinking at the time  propagated by the new prime minister, Pierre Trudeau, and his Indian Affairs minister, Jean Chretien  was that this would finally achieve equality for Indigenous peoples. They would, legally speaking, become just like any other Canadian.

Many Indigenous peoples saw things differently.

The backlash was huge, predicated on the notion that the nations that pre-date European settlement have a right to exist; that even though the Indian Act was, and still is, a widely reviled law from the 19th century, to wipe the slate clean  reserves, treaties and all  would extinguish a principle of partnership that stretches back even further, to the earliest treaties between Indigenous peoples and newly arrived colonizers.

One of the most prominent voices to condemn the White Paper was Cree writer and activist, Harold Cardinal, who summed up the opposition thinking in his 1969 book, The Unjust Society. We would rather continue to live in bondage under the inequitable Indian Act than surrender our sacred rights, he wrote. Any time the government wants to honour its obligations to us we are more than ready to help devise new Indian legislation.

Almost 50 years later, that time may finally be near.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken a different approach to Indigenous policy than his father. He wants to scrap the Indian Act, yes, but instead of killing the concept of Indigenous nationhood along with it, he has made much ado about his commitment to strengthen it  essentially the opposite of assimilation.

This week, as he shuffled his cabinet ahead of the fall sitting of Parliament, Trudeau announced what he framed as a big step toward fulfilling that vision: the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) into two new government ministries, Indigenous Services and Crown-Indigenous Relations, headed respectively by ministers Jane Philpott and Carolyn Bennett.

Read more:

Trudeau shuffles ministers, overhauls Indigenous Affairs, brings friend ORegan into cabinet

Trudeaus Indigenous strategy looks to the past: Walkom

Firefighters hopeful Indigenous Affairs shakeup will lead to better fire safety measures on reserves

Trudeau said this would replace the long-standing paternalistic, colonial way of government enshrined in INAC and the Indian Act. In its place will rise a new nation-to-nation relationship, part of an as-yet undefined system where First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples have self-determining government entities with rights and abilities to provide services to their own members.

Its a story that is about decolonizing, said the new Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett last week. It is about getting rid of the paternalism and being able to understand that we have to move to a new way of working together.

A new frontier, in other words  but what is to be found over the horizon is still very much shrouded in questions.

And skepticism.

Pamela Palmater, the chair in Indigenous governance at Ryerson University, dismissed the whole thing as a distraction from what she characterized as the governments failure to fund Indigenous education, housing, water infrastructure, health and child services at adequate levels.

She also noted that the idea to split Indigenous Affairs comes from the 1996 report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, in which it was one of 440 recommendations for repairing government Indigenous policy that over the decades has included residential schools and laws that restricted movement, cultural practices, use of languages and voting rights of Indigenous Canadians.

Palmater said shes wary of the move to pluck a single edict from the commission report 21 years later, and even more so given that many argue the Trudeau government has failed to follow through on recommendations from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report on residential schools, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Palmater also expressed concern that the split would simply add layers of bureaucracy without addressing core issues.

Its another superficial act that does nothing for people on the ground, she said. The problem has always been a lack of political will to do what theyre legally and morally bound to do.

The governments handling of key issues under the now-dismantled Indigenous Affairs Department has certainly been criticized. The inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is delayed and has been attacked as insensitive and inefficient by Indigenous families. And the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal determined in 2016 that the government was discriminating against Indigenous children by failing to provide social services comparable to non-Indigenous kids, and has ruled three times since that Ottawa is failing to fix this.

Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, said that she has run up against a cant do attitude for years in INAC. She welcomed the move to split the department, but said she wouldnt express hope for change unless new leadership is brought in.

The colonial bones of that organization are so entrenched that even when you have good people go in there, its very hard for them to move the systemic racism that is embodied in that department, Blackstock said.

She said that, in place of a potentially symbolic move, the parliamentary budget officer should tally the deficiencies in funding for Indigenous services. The government could then institute a sort of Marshall Plan spending blitz so that comparable services can be achieved as soon as possible, she said.

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended a similar spending push in 1996, concluding that it would save money in the long run by mitigating entrenched problems in many Indigenous communities, such as higher rates of mortality, mental illness and substance abuse. Like many other recommendations  such as the creation of an Indigenous parliament and an Indigenous university  this never came to be.

But others have been more hopeful of the INAC split. Perry Bellegarde, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said in a statement this week that it signals a new approach toward moving beyond the Indian Act and reasserting our jurisdiction and sovereignty over our own lands, title and rights.

The government argued this week that this is one of two tracks for achieving reconciliation. The other is creating better services for Indigenous peoples, especially on reserves and in remote communities. The government pointed out its plan to spend $11.8 billion in the coming years to lift drinking water advisories, build and renovate schools and homes, among other commitments for Indigenous peoples.

The conversation has clearly changed since the elder Trudeaus 1969 White Paper, and Blackstock said a new approach is indeed welcome. But shes holding back on endorsing the governments move until she sees what comes next.

What matters to me is when I see children on the ground be able to get a clean glass of water, go to a school thats safe, get good quality education and get a fair chance of growing up in their homes, she said.

Ill be optimistic when I see the action.

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HONEY HARBOUR, ONT.Ottawa, working with a Toronto-based non-profit, has quietly allowed gay men and lesbians from Russias Chechen republic to seek safety in Canada over the past three months.

The program, first made public by the non-profit, the Rainbow Railroad, on Facebook on Friday, was prompted by an anti-gay purge in Chechnya that started this year, when law enforcement and security officials arrested gay and bisexual men and beat and tortured them.

The executive director of Rainbow Railroad, Kimahli Powell, said his organization had joined with Ottawa to create a program to expedite the safe passage to Canada of 22 gay men and lesbians. They have been deemed government-assisted refugees.

Read more:

Gay men recount days of torture in Chechnya: We were beaten several times a day

Germany starts granting humanitarian visas to Chechen gays

Toronto group aims to save 60 LGBTQ lives in 60 days

The first among them arrived from a safe house in Russia in June. Nine more are expected to arrive in the coming week, and the program is ongoing, with more expected to arrive.

The vast majority of the people weve helped are men, Powell said. Its harder for women to escape Chechnya.

He said Canadas response to the Chechen crisis showed that the government was serious about its commitment to gay rights internationally. We hope that, in demonstrating Canada can do something, other countries take the lead as well, he said.

Although Ottawa refused to speak publicly about the program, a source in the federal government with knowledge of it confirmed its existence and the number of Chechens who have been granted asylum.

In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau openly denounced the reprehensible reports of violations of the human rights of gay and bisexual men in Chechnya.

We call for the protection of all people in Chechnya whose sexual orientation makes them a target for persecution, he said.

But unlike when Trudeau decided to greet Syrian refugees at the Toronto airport in front of television cameras and to march in various Pride parades across the country, his office has remained tight-lipped about the Chechen program, perhaps because of the diplomatic ramifications.

Before running for Parliament, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland was a journalist who spent time in Moscow and covered the war in Chechnya. In 2014, the Russian government barred her from entering the country.

Canada appears to be the only country that has done this on such a massive scale, said Tanya Lokshina, the Russia program director for Human Rights Watch, over the phone from Moscow, referring to the asylum program. Its certainly exceptional. Canada clearly has done the right thing here. Every extra day they stay in this country is an extra day of dire risk.

Beginning in February, militia and government forces in Chechnya rounded up more than 100 people perceived to be gay or bisexual and tortured them in unofficial detention centres in Grozny, the capital, and nearby Argun. At least three died, according to HRW.

The Chechen government has repeatedly denied that the pogrom happened. In July, the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, said in an HBO interview that gay people did not exist in his country. If there are, take them to Canada, he said. To purify our blood, if there are any here, take them.

Lokshina participated on a panel in April in Arizona discussing human rights in Russia. Also on the panel was Freeland. Lokshina said she used the chance meeting as an opportunity to press sanctuary for the Chechen men, many of whom had escaped to Russian safe houses.

She was very open, she wanted it to happen, Lokshina said. It was great synergy.

Around the same time, Powell announced that Rainbow Railroad, which he said helped 81 gay people escape persecution in their home countries in 2016, would focus its energies on secreting gay people out of Chechnya to safety, and he called on Canada to issue emergency visas to them.

He said he hoped the emergency program would mark a long-term change in Canada, smoothing the emergency entrance for other people facing sexual and gender persecution. Traditionally, he said, few of the people helped by the Rainbow Railroad settle here, because of difficulty getting visas.

Although the purge stopped in April, gay men and women remain at risk in the traditional, conservative Muslim republic, Lokshina said.

Homophobia is very rampant and its been inflamed, she said. These days, people are on the lookout for gays.

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MIAMISalvador Sanabria was discussing the news about Haitian refugees crossing the border into Canada when he was reminded of the early 1980s, when prime minister Pierre Trudeau opened the door to thousands of Salvadorans in the United States to avoid expulsion to their war-ravaged country.

I was talking with my friend, and we said, What an irony! Now, we have Justin Trudeau in Canada, the son of the man, said Sanabria, executive director of the Los Angeles-based immigration advocacy group El Rescate.

He now wonders if history will be repeated.

How is the Canadian government going to respond in the event that the Salvadorans and Hondurans, and probably some Nicaraguans, with no alternative but to look for refuge in another nation, instead of going back to their lands of origin, cross the border into Canada?

The question is increasingly relevant as a deadline approaches for the renewal or expiration of those groups special immigration designation, known as Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. The protections are afforded to citizens of 10 countries that have been ravaged by conflict or natural disaster.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security told 58,000 Haitians in late May that they should prepare to return home when their TPS expires in January. That advisory coincided with a wave of thousands of Haitian migrants crossing into Canada, most in July and August.

But 195,000 Salvadorans, 60,000 Hondurans and 2,500 Nicaraguans are also awaiting word on their status. The current designations are set to expire in January for Hondurans and Nicaraguans, and in March for Salvadorans.

Were preparing for the worst  because we have not gotten the best signals from this administration, said Daniella Burgi-Palomino, a senior associate with the Washington-based Latin America Working Group, which is lobbying U.S. lawmakers for a TPS extension.

The problem, she said, is that the decision to extend or rescind protections for TPS nations lies solely with President Donald Trump and his secretaries of homeland security and state, not with the U.S. Congress.

I think the Haiti precedent is very likely for the three countries, Burgi-Palomino said.

The campaign to rally support for extended protections is gathering steam across the United States.

In North Miami, which is home to the largest population of Haitian expatriates, city council passed a resolution in April urging the Trump administration to grant Haitians with TPS the usual 18-month extension. It was ultimately unsuccessful.

There have been other campaigns to encourage local and state lawmakers to put pressure on the Trump administration. Reports this week said nearly 100 Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed a petition urging extended protections for Salvadorans and Hondurans.

Weve got Republicans and Democrats. Its a humanitarian issue, said North Miami Councilman Alix Desulme, who was born in Haiti and who travelled to the country this summer on a TPS fact-finding mission.

Haiti is not ready for anything. I dont think Haiti is ready for the Haitians who are there now, so imagine 58,000 folks heading back to Haiti! Desulme said.

Conditions are not much better in the three Central American countries seeking TPS extensions, Sanabria said.

(El) Salvador and Honduras have demonstrated that they do not offer the best conditions for deportees or returning expats, he said. Those economies and societies are facing the same challenges that they did before civil war erupted there. The conditions of forced migration remain in those societies.

After a 12-year civil war broke out in El Salvador in 1979, pitting left-wing revolutionaries against U.S.-backed government forces, hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans sought refuge in other countries.

Many were welcomed to Canada, which had more permissive policies specifically designed for Salvadoran refugees. In 1982, the Trudeau government allowed into Canada many of those Salvadorans who had been denied asylum in the U.S. and were facing deportation.

According to a 1986 report by the Library of Parliament, Canada took in 2,000 Latin American refugees in 1983, 75 per cent of them from El Salvador.

But there was a change in government and, later, a change in immigration policy when thousands of Salvadoran asylum-seekers arrived in Canada between 1986 and 1987, resulting in emergency shelters being erected in churches, Salvation Army buildings and even on the CNE grounds in downtown Toronto.

In 1987, the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney passed immigration changes requiring Salvadorans to obtain a visa before entering Canada and forcing refugee claimants to wait in the United States for their asylum hearings.

Activists across the U.S. are fighting to head off the next, potentially larger, wave of migrants coming to Canada. Some are appealing to employers in the hope that Trump will listen to the economic arguments for allowing housekeepers, hospitality workers and other, often low-wage, workers to remain in their jobs.

No employer wants to start again, to have to hire and train new workers, said Wendi Walsh, president of Unite Here local 355, which represents hospitality workers in the Miami area.

This isnt a partisan issue  This isnt the Republican party standing unified. This is President Trump appealing to his most ardent supporters.

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Two days after Const. Michael Theriault was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and public mischief in the violent beating of Whitby teen Dafonte Miller, he was supposed to take the stand in a Scarborough courtroom.

He was the sole witness in a routine impaired driving trial, and his testimony could make or break the case. But, to the surprise of the Crown prosecutor, Theriault didnt show up. The prosecutor also wasnt notified of the charges and that a subpoena  not usually required for police witnesses, since testifying is part of their job  might be needed given that Theriault has been suspended with pay.

The trial was adjourned and the case is now in jeopardy over concerns that the delay has been unconstitutionally long.

In another impaired driving case in which Theriault is a central witness, a hearing was held last month because the defence lawyer wants the court to allow her access to information about the investigation into Theriault by the Special Investigations Unit, the provinces police watchdog. She also wants the court to permit her to cross-examine him about the mischief charge he faces for allegedly misleading the police.

Read more: SIU director tells Toronto chief to educate cops about their duty to the police watchdog

Toronto, Durham police accused of covering up Dafonte Miller assault case

Bail conditions relaxed for cop and brother accused in Whitby assault

Theriaults credibility is a critical issue since he will be testifying about observations he made about the driver, defence lawyer Tina Kaye argued at the hearing.

Especially when you are dealing with an allegation of dishonesty and one that is so important as here. This officer is alleged to have misled an investigation  it is serious, she said. I cant imagine a judge not permitting cross-examination on that point.

What is happening in Theriaults cases demonstrates the ripple effect that can occur when an officer is criminally charged or charged under the Police Services Act.

When that happens, Crowns may reassess cases involving those officers to ensure there is still a reasonable prospect of conviction. Sometimes charges are stayed; sometimes  as with these two cases involving Theriault  the Crown decides to proceed.

It is unknown how many charges are stayed or how many acquittals occur because a police officer involved in the case faces charges in another. The Ministry of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada said they do not monitor that information.

Charges and even convictions dont preclude an officer from testifying.

In a highly unusual instance, James Forcillo testified in an impaired driving case after his conviction for the attempted murder of Sammy Yatim.

(Strict limits were imposed on cross-examining Forcillo about the conviction, but the judge ended up with significant concerns about the reliability of his evidence. The judge found Forcillo almost immediately decided the accused was a drug addict based on what Forcillo described as meth face and that he failed to take into account anything which might contradict his assumption, a perfect case of tunnel vision.)

A defence lawyer can seek to cross-examine police officers on the charges they are facing, but the resulting information may not be much help to a judge, since the defence lawyer cannot try to prove the allegation in court in what would amount to a mini-trial, Theriaults lawyer, Michael Lacy, told the court during the recent hearing.

Is (my client) supposed to wait until a finding is made? Kaye responded in her final submissions.

Both Lacy and the Crown opposed the application for the defence to get information about Theriaults charges and for Theriault to be cross-examined about them.

Lacy was permitted to make submissions because Theriaults records were being sought.

A decision on whether the defence will be able to obtain the records and cross-examine Theriault will be released on Thursday.

A separate issue can arise if a judge rules that an officer lied or stole, but the officer is not charged.

Those judicial findings are not admissible in other cases, defence lawyer Daniel Brown said. That means a finding by a judge that a police officer stole or lied in one case cant be used in another case.

Its troubling, he said. These officers are effectively shielded from their prior misconduct as long as a conviction against them isnt registered for perjury or theft.

University of Windsor law professor David Tanovich has argued that the Court of Appeal decision establishing that rule should be revisited since in most cases where a police officer is found to have lied, no charges are laid.

Take the case of a Peel Region officer who stole a statue of movie character Tony Montana while executing a search warrant and lied about it in court during a drug case, along with three other officers. A judge stayed the drug charges at the end of May as a result. An internal investigation is ongoing. No charges have been laid against the officers.

Defence lawyer Kim Schofield, who represented the accused in that case, said she recently had a case where serious drug charges were stayed by the Crown because of the involvement of the same Peel officers. Anecdotally, she said, she is aware of at least a dozen similar stays and says its an example of the system working fairly.

Sgt. Joshua Colley, a spokesperson for Peel Regional Police, said he was not aware of charges being stayed but said he would be surprised if that was happening based only on the findings of one judge.

Schofield said the case is unique because the Peel officers were involved in obtaining search warrants  and if the person who swore the search warrant cant be trusted, there is no case.

If they are liars and they are swearing out informations to obtain (search warrants) to get in the door of someone, those cases are gone, she said.

Brown said he has noticed judges at the Brampton courthouse are also being particularly attentive to cases involving those officers.

Brown criticized how secretive the process is, with decisions made behind closed doors. How many cases are impacted by these officers actions? he said. The Crown attorneys wont say which cases they are or arent prosecuting or the reasons justifying those positions. It becomes an extremely opaque process and no one is accounting for these officers actions.

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Ask the owner of an outdoor cat why they let their pet come and go and theyre likely to tell you they have no other choice  the cat makes the rules, and they simply comply.

But that convention might be changing in the wake of consistently troubling city of Toronto data about the number of cats that are found dead every month. Some owners are convinced theyve found the perfect solution to keeping their furry family members both safe and outdoors.

Its called, ahem, a catio.

The basic idea is to build a frame-and-wire enclosure that opens to a window or door in a home. From there, cats can let themselves in and out, but will not be able to roam beyond the enclosure boundaries.

Catios come in all shapes and sizes depending on the space owners have available  from backyard playgrounds to balcony hideouts.

In August, the city of Toronto reported finding 93 dead animals across the city. Of those, 89 were cats.

And that doesnt include the number of cats that are lost in the city.

We get over 100 emails a week asking for help with cats that are found, said Kasey Dunn, who runs Angel Arms Rescue. The problem is out of control.

Owners from the Beach community have been quick to draw connections between their lost or killed pets and recent sightings of coywolves (half coyote, half wolf).

Seemingly menacing predators are only a small part of the problem, though. Mary Lou Leiher, program manager of Toronto Animal Services, said that the August numbers are not unusual  outdoor cats are regularly killed by cars, toxins and disease picked up from other animals (the City doesnt analyze the cause of death of each animal).

We always advocate that people keep their cats supervised, Leiher said. There are so many things that are dangerous to cats.

Dunn, who has foster cats coming in and out of her home as well as four cats of her own, built a catio two years ago. She wasnt aware of any other such structures at the time.

I used to take them on walks on leashes which was tough, they werent really into it, she said of her cats lives, pre-catio.

But when she went to look at the Riverdale house where she now lives, she was instantly sold by the dugout in the front that allowed the basement to have full-sized windows. It was practically a catio waiting to happen.

I think its responsible pet ownership, the same way that I wouldnt just let my dog go, you have a fenced yard, she said as three of her furry loved ones (Cobalt, Eeny and Felix) gazed through the rabbit wiring used to construct her catio. This is their equivalent of their fenced yard.

Early adopters of the catio are welcoming the fact that the idea is catching on.

Kris Kischer, a former prop leader at the National Ballet who founded the catio company Habitat Haven, might be considered a veteran of the enclosures.

She started building them in 2003, and now sells modular versions of the product from her Toronto head office across the continent.

Shes not sure why, but Kischer said that her clients report happier cats after theyve installed a catio.

I hear the difference from my clients who say the kitten has come back in my cat, she said.

The main point is you can design it so that youre happy with it and youre giving your cats a more well-rounded, healthy life.

For Dunns part, she chose dark red siding that matches her house for the walls of her catio  plus plenty of cat toys and furniture.

Its a combination that seems to suit Cobalt, Eeny and Felix just fine.

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As Ontario's 2 million students head back to class on Tuesday, Canada's second-largest school board is pledging to remove barriers for those who feel excluded or are struggling with mental health issues.

Peel District School Board's new education director, Peter Joshua, was greeted with cheers as he stepped up to the podium and delivered that message to the hundreds of staff who filled a Brampton conference centre last week.

Teaching is very much about meeting students halfway through understanding and empathy, he said. And some of our students need more from us. They need us to identify, understand, minimize and eliminate the marginalization they experience so they can rise.

That includes Black, LGBTQ and Indigenous students, and those who live in poverty, he said.

It was Joshuas first opportunity to introduce himself at the annual back-to-school kickoff held by the Peel board. But it wasnt long before he was sharing the stage.

First came a Grade 12 student who spoke about her years struggling with anxiety and depression, and dreading school.

Sound familiar? Students like me are in your schools right now, she told the crowd last week, before delivering a stirring vocal performance.

She was followed by a Grade 11 pupil who used spoken word to describe how, as a Black student, he had felt labelled, judged and discouraged from his goal of becoming a veterinarian. At one point I stopped trying, he said, adding that he is now determined to set his own path.

If you as educators want to do better, reconsider judging, he urged staff. Reconsider judging my looks or my friends . . . encourage never discourage. Care not because its your job, but because we matter.

Joshua said the students messages needed to be delivered without being watered down.

The voices of students who are struggling or feel marginalized are sometimes difficult to hear, he said in his remarks. Our backs go up. We think, have I said this to a student? Our discomfort should lead to self-reflection.

Those voices also underscore the need for more training to help staff meet the diverse needs of the children and youth they teach. In a survey last year, mental health was an area staff requested more help with, he noted. And additional training will be provided to help equip them with strategies to support students with anxiety and other conditions.

In the past year, the board has announced initiatives to address the needs of Black students after surveys revealed many felt excluded, subject to suspicion and harsher discipline, and that they faced lower expectations for careers and university and were streamed into courses below their abilities.

In response, the board presented a plan starting with mandatory bias and anti-racism training for all staff, which begins this fall. It also pledged to revise curriculum to include the history and experiences of Black Canadians throughout, and to create mentoring programs aimed at getting more Black students involved in taking on leadership roles.

It committed to collecting race-based statistics at a time when boards across the province are being encouraged to take that step.

Peels first student census to provide that information is expected to be completed by December 2018.

Its first workforce census earlier this year found that while visible minorities make up more than half of Peel Region, only about a quarter of staff and teachers at the board identify as racialized.

Joshua says Peels 153,000 students need to see themselves reflected in the people who teach them and what they learn in their classrooms.

If students see themselves reflected in the curriculum, if they believe their identities are validated and their narratives are included they will be engaged, he told staff last week.

He said the board will be working with York University professor Carl James to measure the impact of the steps it is taking and what more should be done.

Im encouraged with the conversations weve had, and the fact the board has had these discussions with the community, said James, who last spring published a major study on the barriers faced by Black students in the GTA.

Theyve put in place a number of processes that I think should bode well, he said in an interview, adding that it has the potential to become a model for other boards.

The population of Peel has changed dramatically since Joshua, 53, was a young student and one of the few non-white faces in his class photos.

Raised in Mississauga by parents who immigrated from Pakistan and India, he attended Peel schools until he left for McMaster University in Hamilton, where he earned a degree in biology followed by a masters degree in molecular virology and immunology and studied with a leading HIV-AIDS researcher.

His stint as a teaching assistant made him realize he wanted to pursue a career in education.

After attending teachers college at Western University in London, he returned to the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to teach high school biology and chemistry for eight years before moving into administration.

His most recent role was executive superintendent of leadership and learning, which included exploring non-traditional teaching, programs and classrooms.

Joshua lived, worked and raised two daughters in Hamilton with his wife before returning after 28 years to take the helm at a board three times larger than his previous one.

In an interview earlier this summer, he said he plans to stay the course with the ground laid by predecessor Tony Pontes and put student experience front and centre.

Ultimately if Im not listening to our students, why are we doing what were doing?

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Locals and tourists alike marvel at the Toronto skyline for its great heights and compelling shapes glittered with lights. On Labour Day weekend, it is projecting a message in the sky: LESS IS MORE OR.

The TD Centre, Torontos original set of skyscrapers, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a message created with the light from its windows. Artist Aude Moreau produced Less is More Or as a tribute to Mies van der Rohe, the TD Centres architect, who embodied the phrase less is more with his minimalist esthetic.

It was my chance to reflect on Mies van der Rohe's emblematic statement on architecture and minimalism in the context of our time, Moreau said. In this site-specific intervention, I am adding the least possible, using what is already present. That is minimalism.

After months of planning and collaboration with electrical contractors, the piece debuted on Saturday night, with volunteers and staff working the blinds on the five TD Centre towers to form the words.

By playing with these superstructures typical, squared luminous emanations, I engage with architecture from within, said Moreau, who has done similar projects in Montreal and Los Angeles, but nothing this complex, ambitious and at this scale.

I think big ideas shown in artwork cannot be overstated, said David Hoffman, general manager of the TD Centre. The meaning of this artwork is significant, less is more and the principles of minimalism certainly apply today and definitely in the future.

The Or in the piece is open to interpretation, according to Moreau.

I wanted to revisit the interpretation of the evolution of modernism and the possibilities of what is to come . . . to say what now.

Moreau approached the TD Centre to do the project, a complex that Hoffman calls a symbol of leading Canadian business and design excellence.

The TD Centre is undergoing a $200 million renewal, including repainting the towers and replacing the windows.

From ground-level, the best place to see the project is Roundhouse Park, where viewers are surrounded by the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre, some of the most iconic parts of the citys skyline.

Monday night is the final night to see the project.

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There will be no back-to-school selfies or binge-watching for students of the Toronto District School Board as a restriction on Instagram, Snapchat and Netflix will continue this year.

In a statement released last week, the school board said there were unexpected delays in upgrading its Wi-Fi network during the summer.

The school board announced in May that access to the popular image-sharing and streaming apps would be blocked until June 30.

As mobile device usage increases, so do the demands on this network, which was not designed to support this level of activity, the board said at the time.

Read more:TDSB students teaching themselves to work around website bans

According to the board, almost half the schools in the system use an older, slower network, which cannot keep up with the growing traffic. The traffic overload has caused slowness and lagging on the network.

The board was hoping to have installed faster, reliable internet network before the school year started.

In the spring, when these three sites were initially blocked, staff reported experiencing faster internet speeds as a result of the reduced traffic and were able to complete necessary operational tasks such as attendance, the board said in a statement.

This continued measure will help alleviate congestion and boost network capacity while minimizing the impact on teaching and learning.

The board will revisit the policy in June 2018.

With files from Star staff

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Gala, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia and Northern Spy: these are the popular Ontario apple varieties Prof. John Cline and his pomology research team at the University of Guelph have focused on for decades. Consumers like these varieties and they grow well in Ontario.

Cline and his team  working out of the Simcoe Research Station  have helped apple producers adopt new management techniques that make growing trees and harvesting apples much more efficient and marketable.

Thats key when apples are ready to come off the tree.

Read more: Canadians are falling back in love with eggs: The New Farm

Lately, theyve been turning their sights towards apples purposely grown for hard cider.

Thats a switch. At one time, cider was the poor cousin of the apple sector. Often it was made from apples that consumers avoided  for example, apples that were slightly blemished, irregularly shaped or had fallen to the orchard floor (called grounders).

Nothing was really wrong with these apples. But consumers looking for attractive table stock turn up their noses at imperfection.

Over the past decade or so, though, ciders image has changed. Its become the go-to alcoholic drink for millennials who believe it represents their values.

Apple cider has a fresh, healthy connotation to it, so it feels natural to buy it where you buy other fresh, healthy foods, says Toronto-based produce buyer and industry consultant Mike Mauti of Execulytics.

And then theres craft cider, which further distances millennials libations from that of their parents.

Craft cider is a higher-level product within the $24-million cider market. The LCBO describes craft ciders growth as exponential. Last year alone, sales boomed 35 per cent.

About one-third of all cider offered now at the LCBO is craft cider.

Cideries that produce craft products distinguish themselves with the local ingredients their customers crave. They begin with fresh-pressed juice from local apple varieties (and, to a lesser extent, pears) and not much else. Craft cideries dont add extra sugar, colour or flavour to their product.

They dont need to, if the apples are specifically for cider. That means they have natural traits such as extra acidity, high sugars and tannins.

With support from the provincial and federal governments and the Ontario Craft Cider Association, Cline and his team are testing nearly 30 different apple cider varieties, primarily from France and Great Britain. As well, hes part of an expert group coming together at the university specifically to service the hard cider and brewing industry.

In some cases, cider apple varieties are extra tart or sweet, much more so than popular table varieties. And that makes them ideal for cider makers to work with them, blend them and get unique combinations and unique products that appeal to consumers.

Cline is particularly hopeful about a dozen varieties he and his team are working with. He believes these new varieties could be on the market in two years.

A lot of cideries are using fresh apples from popular culinary apple stocks, because thats all whats available to them, Cline says. Thats OK, but the craft cideries want something special: a juice that offers unique flavours and high tannins. Thats what were working to develop.

Ontario has apple-friendly farms

Apples are a great crop for this province. Ontarios favourable climate, its adjacency to water and its excellent soil provide rich conditions for growing apples. Thats made it a hotbed for producing craft cider, says Hamed Foroush, chief technology officer at Adeeb Consulting Inc. of Toronto.

Readers say phase out cages sooner

Last weeks readers poll was the most decisive since The New Farm series began. At press time, almost 570 of 730 reader responses said the 2036 target for Canadian egg farmers to phase out housing cages for hens was too long. Thanks to readers for all responses.

Owen Roberts is an agricultural journalist at the University of Guelph, and president of the 5,000-member International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. Follow him on Twitter @TheUrbanCowboy or contact him by email at urbancowboycanada@gmail.com .

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DADAAB, KENYA  It was time to go. Ayan Abdi slipped on a long black headscarf, grabbed her refugee ID and set out for the interview that could save her life.

Since she was 2, Ayan had lived in the worlds largest refugee camp, a constellation of tents and huts stretching across the red desert near the Somali border. Now, a few miles from her shack built of sticks and cardboard, three examiners with a Canadian university foundation were sitting at a wooden table, deciding which students were worthy of a way out.

Ayan hurried along the sandy road. Past the piles of burning trash surrounded by giant scavenging birds. Past the girls no older than her, at 20, who balanced firewood on their heads, trailed by barefoot children. Past the group of men who stared at her  a small figure in a flowing black robe and bright red shoes  and hissed in Somali, Where are you going, girl?

When Ayan finally found a taxi, it was already full. She squeezed in, her whole body tense, dots of sweat on her forehead.

Im in a rush, she told the driver, who didnt ask why but careened a little faster from pothole to pothole.

A year ago, Ayan was one of about 5,000 students who jammed into classrooms across the Dadaab refugee camp for a two-hour exam, the first step in seeking perhaps the most generous scholarship anywhere. The World University Service of Canada, or WUSC, would award 16 of those students not just a college education but a new life, with the Canadian government providing them with citizenship and a chance to sponsor their families.

Now Ayan was one of 29 finalists, heading for the interview that would determine whether she won.

Her other options were being snuffed out. Kenyan authorities were trying to close Dadaab, which for a quarter-century had sheltered the victims of Somalias endless war and hunger crises. In the United States, which had resettled more than 100,000 Somalis since 2000, President Donald Trump had ordered a temporary ban on accepting refugees. Around the world, countries were shutting their doors to people like Ayan, even as the number of refugees surged past 22 million in 2017, the highest in recorded history.

What was left was the WUSC scholarship  a chance for the bright young refugees of Dadaab to earn their way out.

Its life or death, said Joseph Mutua, a program officer with the scholarship foundation in Dadaab. Thats how its seen.

In the taxi, Ayan was drumming her fingers against her knee. A printed verse from the Quran swung from the rearview mirror. On the bumper, a sticker read, Succeed.

The cab pulled up to a walled compound. Is this the right place for the scholarship interview? Ayan asked a security guard.

In her hand, which trembled, was a brown envelope with her documents. The white food-ration card that said Family size: 1 because Ayans parents and siblings had returned to Somalia years ago without her. The report cards she had earned since primary school. The recommendations from a Dadaab school where she was now teaching biology.

She carried the envelope to the cinder-block building where the interviews were taking place and sat under a tree, waiting her turn. Im getting a headache, she told one of the other applicants.

She looked down at the cracked screen of her white cell phone, where she had written notes reminding her what to tell the interviewers.

This scholarship is my only way out, it said.

Im the best girl in the camp based on merit, it said.

Here I cannot awaken my dreams, it said.

She took a deep breath.

A middle-aged woman stepped outside and called her name.

Ayan walked inside.

The afternoon before the interview, Ayan had pulled two lawn chairs into the sandy expanse in front of her hut. Her best friend, Maryan Hassan, sat across from her, with a list of mock interview questions ready.

Describe yourself, said Maryan, 20, a tiny girl with a high-pitched voice who was also a finalist for the scholarship.

I was born in a refugee camp in 1997, Ayan began, in the careful English she had studied in school. My parents are in Somalia.

Dont forget to tell them what you want to do for your country, Maryan interrupted.

Ayan nodded.

They were trying to figure out how to distinguish themselves from the other refugees. But on the Internet, all they could find were generic interview questions, so thats what they studied.

What are your strengths? Maryan asked.

My ability to collaborate, Ayan answered, a little unsure of herself, trying to remember what she had read online. What are yours?

I dont give up, piped Maryan.

A cloud of flies hovered around their faces. The goats living nearby yapped. In both directions were rows of hundreds of huts made of whatever people could find  tin cans, tree branches, plastic sheets bleached by the sun. There were 250,000 refugees in all, surrounded by police checkpoints.

If I get out of here, Ayan said under her breath, Im never coming back.

For years, Ayan and Maryan had watched their friends disappear, dropping out of school as they were forced to marry older men, in accordance with old Somali cultural traditions. Fatima left when Ayan was 11. Mahado when she was 13. Farhiya when she was 14. They would re-emerge, sometimes years later, balancing babies in their arms, sullen and tired.

What was the point of school anyway, some of Ayans friends scoffed. You could finish high school, but there was little work in the camp. And refugees were not allowed to hold jobs in Kenyan cities.

Ayan was 12 when she learned of the WUSC scholarship, advertised in fliers taped to the sheet-metal walls of classrooms. It turned her from a good student who loved adventure novels into someone whose grades were part of a grand strategy of escape.

She and Maryan taught themselves to type at the camp in a market stall called Bukhara Computer School, with a row of old IBM desktops. In 2012, both girls received scholarships to attend top high schools hundreds of miles from the camp, with college-educated teachers and new textbooks. On their phones, they would enter in the search bar: Best Universities in Canada.

In 2015, when Ayan was away at high school, her mother and two siblings left Dadaab and returned to Somalia. They were sick of life in the camp and worried about Kenyas threat to deport the refugees.

Come back to Somalia, her mom said by phone from a town outside Mogadishu, the capital.

Ayan knew what that meant. No schools. Few jobs. And a constant threat from al-Shabab, the Islamist extremists who controlled nearby villages.

In Dadaab, at least there was the WUSC.

I am going to disobey you for the first time, Ayan replied.

She graduated near the top of her class and then moved back to Dadaab, into a stick hut next to the home of family friends. She covered the dirt floor with a red bedsheet and surrounded the hovel with a pile of thorny branches, to keep out the men who knew she was unmarried and alone.

The harsh realities of life here are traumatizing, she wrote in her personal essay for the WUSC scholarship. Women were raped when they went out to collect firewood for cooking. Children died of chronic diarrhea during cholera outbreaks. When she was filling her water bucket one morning, Ayan was stung by a scorpion.

Ayan and Maryan talked about their lives in Canada, how they would walk across green college campuses, how they would get their families to safety.

When I see her, Ayan said, nodding toward her friend, I see WUSC. Maryan smiled.

Around the world, fewer than 1 per cent of registered refugees are resettled each year, and most have little or no control over the process. They are selected by U.N. agencies and approved by host governments, their fate determined by luck and charity, with the sickest and most vulnerable put at the front of the line.

The WUSC scholarship represented something different. It was about merit.

Make sure youre smiling, Maryan had told Ayan as they prepared for their interviews.

Ayan was determined not to become emotional.

Its not professional, she had said. You need to show them that youre confident.

Five minutes had passed since Ayan climbed the steps into the cinder-block building. Then 10.

Through the screened window, the other students waiting their turn outside could see her silhouette in front of the three interviewers.

It was the middle of the afternoon, the sun slicing through sparse trees.

Its taking a long time, said Mohammed Abdi, one of the applicants, looking at the building.

Finally, Ayan emerged, glancing at the students waiting in a cluster of plastic chairs.

I think I said the right things, she said. I think.

But in the next hours and days, she would replay her performance in her head, over and over.

She had walked into the cinder-block room. The three women welcomed her. Ayan remembered to shake the interviewers hands, even though she was so nervous she could hardly focus. One woman told her to relax, and that had helped. She sat at a wooden desk.

They asked her when she had arrived in the camp, what she remembered about the journey. Ayan told them that she had been born in another camp in Kenya but that her family had to leave after it was damaged by fire, and that was how they had wound up at Dadaab.

I told them the name of the road we took. I told them I was just a baby.

They asked about the importance of education.

I told them it had shaped me emotionally.

Then one of the administrators asked about the challenges she had faced as a refugee. And suddenly, the weight of it all hit her.

I told them: Im here alone. My family has left. Without this scholarship, I have no other options.

And Ayan began to cry.

I couldnt stop the tears.

The women waited.

They handed me a tissue. I tried to get back under control.

The questions continued. They asked what she wanted to study, and she said nursing.

They asked how she would adjust to Canada.

I told them I would wear more clothes in the winter. I told them I would get used to the food.

Ayan tried to hold back her tears. She didnt want to look desperate. Finally she managed to focus on the words she had prepared.

I said, I am the best girl in the camp based on merit.

The day after the interview, Ayan walked to Hagadera Secondary School in the camp, where she teaches biology, sending most of her $80 monthly salary to her mother.

In the classroom, there were 21 boys and two girls in their mid-teens sitting on opposite sides of the room. A bell rang and class began.

What is the difference between a plant cell and an animal cell? she asked.

No one answered.

Ayan tried her best to push her thoughts about the scholarship to the side. It was early June, and she would have to wait about a month for the results.

Im 50-50, she said one day of her chances. But a few days later she had reassessed, thinking about the caliber of the other candidates.

Im 20-80.

She thought: Maryan will get it, but I wont. Im going to be stuck here forever.

She wrote a text message to a friend: Im not sure I convinced the interviewers.

The WUSC committee didnt say exactly when the announcement would come. She checked her phone obsessively.

It buzzed and buzzed, often with messages from Maryan, who lived in another part of the camp.

We still have to wait, Maryan wrote in the middle of the month.

The school was a reminder of all the limitations of Dadaab. The boys often ignored commands from female teachers. Islamic clerics shut down the girls debate team, saying it gave women the wrong idea.

More female students dropped out every week, disappearing into marriage, often by force. Ayan had tried to intervene with one of the girls mothers, who responded with an old Somali proverb: A woman should be at home or in the grave.

In late June, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began, with its long, hot days of fasting. Ayan was desperate to get away.

She walked to the police station and applied for a temporary pass to leave the camp. She explained that she wanted to visit the family that had hosted her while she attended the private high school in Nakuru, in western Kenya.

Ayan was given a white piece of paper that allowed her two weeks outside the camp.

I feel free here, she said in the living room of the Abdirahman familys home, on the bottom floor of a concrete apartment building, with a light bulb hanging from the ceiling and a gate that opened onto a paved road and passing cars.

She wore a pale yellow headscarf, shorter than the ones that women wore outside in Dadaab. She blared songs from her phone: Nigerian pop, American hip-hop, traditional Somali music.

It was easier to forget about the scholarship here, visiting her high school friends. But occasionally they would bring it up.

We just hope you get it, Anisa Abdirahman, 21, said one morning.

Dadaab is not a place for a person to live, said Anisas 23-year-old brother, Mohammed.

Ayan was looking at her phone.

The scholarship finalists had created a group on the WhatsApp messaging service where they shared rumours, news  anything at all about the WUSC program. But it was silent.

Still nothing, Ayan said the following morning, sitting on a couch in the living room.

She threw her phone down on the cushion and went to the kitchen to make tea.

She crushed cinnamon and leaves.

All of us, we are qualified. All of us, we are refugees, she told Anisa as the water boiled. Maybe its just luck.

In the other room, her phone started buzzing. The screen flashed.

From the kitchen, Ayan couldnt see it.

Ayan, I think your phone is ringing, Mohammed said.

Ayan cleaned her hands, picked up the phone and saw the message.

Congrats.

Her eyes widened.

WUSC? Is it a prank?

Then she saw a list on the WhatsApp group: The Successful Candidates for 2018 WUSC scholarships. Her name was Number 4.

She burst into tears.

Thank God! Thank God! she yelled.

Her friend Farhiya ran into the room. She grabbed Ayans hands and they danced in circles, tears rolling off Ayans cheeks.

You can stop crying now, Farhiya said.

Ayan looked again at the list for Maryans name. It wasnt there. Oh, she groaned.

But her phone was ringing nonstop now. There were calls from other winners. Calls from her teachers. Calls from numbers she didnt recognize.

Alhamdulillah, she told one friend. Praise be to God.

It is the beginning of a new life, she told another.

Then Maryans number popped up on the screen.

Congratulations, said the voice on the other end of the line. It sounded as if she had been crying.

Maryan, Im very sorry, Ayan said.

They would have another year together. Ayan would be applying to universities in Canada, practising her English and getting an introduction to Canadian culture. Maryan would have one more chance to apply for the scholarship  albeit with poor odds after being rejected already.

Goodbye, sister, Maryan said.

Ayan lowered the white phone from her ear and stared at it. More congratulatory texts were popping up. But Maryan had hung up and was gone.

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ANNABERG-BUCHHOLZ, GERMANYTaking the stage, Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked the thousands of Germans who had turned out at a recent campaign rally, and then levelled her gaze at a small but noisy knot of right-wing protesters yelling and blowing whistles at the back of the square.

Some want to listen, but others can only shout, the chancellor scolded, singling out the protesters from the far-right Alternative for Germany party. That is what separates us; some want to get things done, others just yell.

With that, Merkel defused what could have been an ugly challenge at her rally in Annaberg-Buchholz, near the eastern border. As Merkel seeks a fourth term in elections Sept. 24, she has done much the same to what had once seemed like a potent threat from the far right in general.

Read more:

Europe still hasnt done its homework on solution to migrant crisis, Merkel says

Refugees in the middle of a fight for Germanys soul

Germanys right wing choose duo for September election race

Barely six months ago, after more than 11 years in power, the chancellor was vulnerable. Her immigration policies were unpopular and had buoyed a far right that was surging across Europe. Merkel herself appeared ambivalent about another run as polls showed voters tiring of her.

No longer. Today, the chancellors centre-right Christian Democratic Union draws as much as 40 per cent support, enough to lead a new coalition. Merkels position is so secure, many political observers have already shifted their focus from who will win the election to whom she will choose to form her next government.

Merkel, 63, faced off Sunday in her first debate against her main challenger, Martin Schulz of the Social Democratic Party. He, too, had once seemed a threat, but has watched Merkel open a long lead.

Schulz went on the attack during the 90-minute nationally televised debate, criticizing Merkels early response to the refugee crisis in 2015 because she did not enlist other European Union countries from the start in sharing the influx of migrants.

But Merkel stood firm on her record, saying her decisions on eurozone bailouts and keeping the countrys borders open for refugees were right.

Doesnt really matter whether he knows better or not, she said of Schulz. There are moments in the life of a leader or a chancellor where you just have to make decisions.

It was the advance of the far right that seemed most unnerving for the chancellor and her country. Its ebbing has much to do with the German allergy to extremism since the countrys experience with fascism, as well as with the debilitating internal squabbles of the fledgling Alternative for Germany.

But its relative cratering also reflects Merkels skills as a political tactician and an often cold-eyed, non-ideological policy pragmatist, even as she has sometimes been cast as a liberal idealist.

Not least, she has manoeuvred to deflate the issue that had left her most vulnerable  her decision to open German borders to nearly a million asylum seekers in 2015  and in the process stripped away her far-right opponents animating force.

While the Alternative for Germany appears poised to enter Parliament for the first time  a potentially historic breakthrough for the far right  the movement has found itself struggling to reach double-digits in the polls. It regularly stages colourful protests at Merkels rallies, but runs the risk of making itself a political gadfly rather than the kingmaker it had hoped to be.

Ever since Ms. Merkel has shifted her policies and allowed fewer refugees into Germany, that issue is no longer helping the Alternative for Germany, said Oskar Niedermayer, a professor of political science at the Free University of Berlin. And they are doing everything to damage their own reputation.

From the start of the migration crisis, while many Germans panicked at the arrival of hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers, she confidently counselled: We will manage this. How she managed it was through a series of course corrections.

In spring 2016, Merkel negotiated a European Union deal with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey that effectively staunchest the refugee flow. Only about 280,000 people arrived in Germany last year, compared with 890,000 in 2015.

The deal drew criticism for betraying the democratic values on which Merkel had argued Germany had to accept the refugees in the first place. But Merkel has since been able to argue that Germany, more than most European countries, has done its share.

In her annual summer news conference in Berlin, Merkel defended her decision, calling it important and right. But she also shifted blame to European partners, who have resisted or refused to take in refugees. It is also right that we must find long-term, sustainable structures, she said.

Drastically cutting the flow of newcomers has allowed Merkel to shift focus to the work of integrating the asylum seekers already in the country. But she has also put the onus on them to learn German, while taking a harder line on expelling those found to pose a danger or rejected for asylum.

In the past two years, the authorities have regained a grip on who has entered the country, and most refugees have begun language classes, although only 9 per cent have found jobs, according to the Federal Employment Agency.

Even the sexual assaults in Cologne on New Years Eve 2015 that were blamed on migrants and the attack on Berlins Christmas market last year, as well as a string of lesser attacks, have done little to dent Merkels standing now that elections are approaching.

Merkel has appealed to Germans pragmatism, pointing out that given the number of migrants who came into the country, there were bound to be some criminals.

In Germanys widely decentralized system, she was also able to point to security deficiencies at the local level. She went on to pledge more police, improved technology and, if necessary, legal changes, to ensure safety.

If anything, many Germans have seemed to gravitate around her as a reassuring presence and steady hand in an uncertain time.

She has done a wonderful job, said Marcel Naumann, 21, who works in a chemical factory in Saxony and said he would vote for the chancellor. She got us out of the crisis and even with her refugee policies, she has remained true to her vision.

But the Alternative for Germany is by no means a spent force, and it is trying hard to move the immigration issue to the fore again.

In recent weeks, the party has launched a provocative advertising campaign, playing on the perceived threat posed by immigrants and assisted by Harris Media, which is based in Texas and run by Vincent Harris, who briefly served on U.S. President Donald Trumps campaign.

One ad shows a pregnant white woman with the tag line: New Germans? Well make them ourselves. Another says, Burkas? We prefer bikinis, and shows two women dressed accordingly.

The partys immigration platform focuses on overhauling the countrys asylum laws and using the money Berlin currently spends on processing and integrating refugees to keep them in camps closer to their home countries.

German interests must be guiding principles and not that whoever happens to be visiting here right now gets some sort of development program, Alexander Gauland, the partys leader, recently told reporters.

He later riffed on Trumps own campaign promise, saying: Its not always America First. Sometimes its Germany First. 

Yet Trumps brand of populism is not popular in Germany. Germans have taken the angry divisions in the United States since his election as a caution, watching warily and condemning demonstrations by emboldened far-right extremist groups, including neo-Nazis.

Given their history, Germans have shown little tolerance when the Alternative for Germany has overstepped social and historical boundaries, like when one regional leader, Bjorn Hocke, questioned the tradition of remembrance and atonement for the countrys Nazi crimes.

This week, Gauland suggested Merkels integration minister should be disposed of back in her parents homeland, Turkey. The chancellor condemned Gaulands statement as racist, and such remarks have turned off many would-be backers.

Many people do not vote for the Alternative for Germany not because they agree with their positions, but out of protest against the other parties, noted Hendrik Trager, a political scientist with the University of Leipzig.

In the tumultuous aftermath of the refugee crisis, protest was what many Germans wanted, and last year, the Alternative for Germany made record gains in five state elections.

But after a year in which Merkel has tamped down many of Germanys anxieties, the appeal of a protest vote seems to be waning, analysts noted.

In three regional elections this year  all of them in the west, where voters are less volatile  the chancellors party came out on top, including in the countrys most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, considered by many to be a bellwether.

Carola Lange, who attended Merkels rally in Annaberg-Buchholz, acknowledged that her city of 22,000 has struggled with changing demographics. She now works helping to support the roughly 300 refugees who have arrived over the past three years.

The political tensions make her uneasy and she views politics with increasing skepticism, she said. Nevertheless, she said, the chancellor would get her vote.

The only alternative for Germany, Lange said, is Ms. Merkel.

With files from Bloomberg

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WASHINGTONBefore he left office in January, U.S. president Barack Obama offered his successor accolades and advice in a private letter that underscored some of his concerns as he passed the baton.

In the letter, published Sunday by CNN, Obama praised U.S. President Donald Trump, saying: Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.

Obama went on to urge Trump to build more ladders of success for every child and family, to sustain the international order and to protect democratic institutions and traditions.

Obama wrote: We are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions  like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties  that our forebears fought and bled for.

It is customary for presidents to leave notes for their successors. But typically these missives do not come to light so quickly. The handoff letters from U.S. president George W. Bush in 2009 and U.S. president Bill Clinton in 2001 were revealed earlier this year. CNN reports it received the Obama letter from someone Trump showed it to.

After taking office, Trump praised the note from Obama, calling it a beautiful letter in an interview with ABC. Trump added that he called Obama to thank him for the note.

The White House declined to comment, as did a spokesman for Obama.

In the letter, Obama offered some advice: urging Trump to provide opportunities for those willing to work hard, arguing that American leadership in this world really is indispensable and asking him to leave instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.

Obama also wrote that Trump should take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. Theyll get you through the inevitable rough patches. He concluded by wishing the very best as you embark on this great adventure.

Former top Obama aide David Axelrod seized on the letter on Twitter, writing: What wise and eloquent advice from one president to another. Sad how thoroughly @POTUS has disregarded it!

Former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum criticized the letters opening words, calling it politically correct on CNN, though he went on to say the rest was very gracious and well written.

Read more: No evidence that Trump Tower was wiretapped during campaign, Justice Department saysE ND

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GOTEMBA, JAPANThe Japanese soldiers jumped out of the jeeps, unloaded the anti-tank missiles and dropped to the ground. Within minutes, they aimed and fired, striking hypothetical targets nearly a kilometre away.

The audience of more than 26,000, crammed into bleachers and picnicking on camouflage-patterned mats on the ground, clapped appreciatively, murmuring Sugoi!  or Wow! during live-fire drills conducted over the weekend by Japans military here in the foothills of Mount Fuji.

Pacifism has been a sacred tenet of Japans national identity since the end of the Second World War, when the United States pushed to insert a clause renouncing war into the countrys postwar constitution. But there are signs that the publics devotion to pacifism  and its attitude toward the Japanese military, known as the Self-Defense Forces  have begun to change, in part at the urging of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abes slow, steady efforts to remove pacifist constraints on the military may have gotten help Tuesday, when North Korea fired a ballistic missile that sailed over Japans northern island, Hokkaido, prompting the government to issue television and cellphone alerts warning residents in its path to take cover.

It was the first time North Korea had flown a missile over Japanese territory without the pretext of launching a satellite. The missile landed harmlessly in the Pacific Ocean, but Abe called it an unprecedented, grave and serious threat.

We have been living in peace for such a long time that we believe this peace is going to last forever, said Ichiro Miyazoe, 74, walking in the Ikebukuro neighbourhood of Tokyo after the latest test from Pyongyang on Tuesday. Japan has had a weak attitude, like a losing dog. We must have a stronger military.

Although the Japanese public has long been ambivalent about Abes agenda  polls show that about half or more disagree with his efforts to revise the pacifist clause of the constitution  its fascination with the military has been growing.

Applications for tickets to attend the Fuji drills were oversubscribed by a factor of nearly 6 to 1 this year. According to polls by the prime ministers Cabinet office, the number of those who say they are interested in the Self-Defense Forces has risen to 71 per cent in 2015, up from about 55 per cent in the late 1980s.

Manga comics and anime television shows like Gate, which feature the Self-Defense Forces fighting against supernatural creatures, have grown popular, while online matchmaking sites offering dates with soldiers have become trendy.

Of course, such activities do not necessarily translate into a desire for a more assertive national defence policy. The most important function of the Self-Defense Forces is disaster relief, and support for the forces soared in the wake of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, when troops rescued victims and restored disaster-ravaged zones.

But at events like the Fuji live-fire drills, some members of the public are starting to consider the possibility that their military could be called upon to perform more than live exercises or disaster relief.

Once the U.S. or South Korea engages in a war, Japan will also have to take part, said Masaaki Ishihara, 60, a manager at a construction company in Yokohama who attended the Sunday drills with his wife, 9-year-old son and a friend. Japan will be forced to get involved.

Despite the festival-like atmosphere, with people eating flavoured shaved ice and snapping up T-shirts, model tanks and military-themed cookies at souvenir stands, Ishiharas wife, Takako, 49, said the exercises felt like a real battle.

I got scared watching it, Takako Ishihara said. Will peace really continue?

With the rising threats in the region, Abe has repeatedly called for a constitutional revision to allow Japan to expand its military capabilities. Japan is protected by its alliance with the United States, but Abe and his supporters believe the country needs to do more on its own.

Two years ago, Abe pushed through security laws that permit Japans troops to participate in overseas combat missions. The Japanese government has also proposed defence spending increases for six years running, and the Defense Ministry recently announced that it would request funds to purchase a U.S. missile defence system, known as Aegis Ashore, that can intercept missiles midflight above the Earths atmosphere.

Even as it has grown anxious about the threats, the Japanese public, as citizens of the only country to have experienced the horrors of nuclear war, has remained steadfastly committed to its war-renouncing charter. Before the security laws were passed in 2015, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tokyo to oppose them.

Protesters also regularly show up at U.S. bases in Okinawa to object to the U.S. military presence. There are currently about 54,000 U.S. troops in Japan.

Analysts said the public has yet to reckon with just how far they are willing to go in the name of national security.

I think that ordinary people tacitly want to avoid thinking about a potential contradiction between the notion of the pacifist clause of the constitution and the reality of changes in Japanese defence policies, said Jiro Yamaguchi, a professor of political science at Hosei University.

Shinobu Mori, 52, who drove 195 kilometres with her daughter to attend the annual rite of military Kabuki theatre near Mount Fuji, said she enjoyed the display, but hoped the firepower would never actually be used. I grew up in a peaceful era, she said. So I would like to pass that on to the next generation.

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As the opioid epidemic sweeps North America, scientists are scrambling to understand its addictive power in hopes of developing new treatment methods.

In the process, they discovered that zebra fish can become opioid addicts. Researchers at the University of Utah hope their study of the addicted fish could be helpful in creating new treatments for humans.

They outlined their findings in a paper recently published in the journal Behavioral Brain Research.

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The goal of the research is to find a new method of treating opioid addiction that doesnt require other opioids. At present, treatment involves substituting one drug, such as heroin, with another, such as methadone, in hopes that addicts usage will eventually taper off.

There is still a compelling need for therapies that work in different ways, not just by replacing one opioid with another, Randall Peterson, dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah, told National Geographic.

Zebra fish are a freshwater tropical fish that grow to about 2 inches in length and have a black and white pattern, much like zebras. Researchers observed their addictive behaviour in an environment where the fish could self-administer opioids.

First, they set up a fish tank containing two platforms on opposite sides, one white and one yellow. The yellow platform contained a sensor. When the fish swam over the sensor, it released food while a green light flashed. Nothing happened when they swam over the white platform.

Then, once the zebra fish learned how the sensor worked, researchers replaced the food with hydrocodone, an opioid commonly known as Vicodin. With each pass, the drug was released into the water and ingested by the fish. The water was continuously flushed out of the tank and replenished, so the fish had to repeatedly trigger the sensor to receive more of the drug.

The fish quickly reacted to the drug, flocking to the yellow opioid-dispensing platform at an astounding rate. They were placed in the tank for 50 minutes each day for five days. During each session, some of the fish visited the opioid platform nearly 2,000 times.

When the drug was removed, they visited it about 200 times on average and showed signs of agitation and anxiety, the study said. And when the researchers raised the opioid platform so the water over it was shallow - a condition zebra fish naturally go to lengths to avoid - the fish continuously swam up to the platform for more hydrocodone.

Whats new here is that this is a self-administration model where the fish have to perform an action to receive a drug, so thats fundamentally different in terms of the way the brain responds to the drug, Peterson told National Geographic. (This enables) us to measure motivation in drug-seeking in a more complete way.

The study is important, because not only do zebra fish share 70 per cent of the same genes with humans, as Futurism reported, they also share a similar neurological makeup  an -opioid receptor and two neurotransmitters  to humans, meaning they react to addiction in the same way.

Drugs of abuse target the pathways of the pleasure centres very effectively, Gabriel Bosse, an author on the study, told Medical Xpress. These pathways are conserved in zebra fish, and the fish can experience some of the same signs of addiction and withdrawal as people.

An estimated 2.6 million people in the United States are addicted to opioids, as the Post noted. In 2015 alone, more than 33,000 Americans died by overdosing on various opioids, be they prescription pain relievers or heroin, according to the American Society of Addition Medicine.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a national emergency in early August.

The opioid crisis is an emergency, and Im saying officially right now it is an emergency, he said. Its a national emergency. Were going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money on the opioid crisis.

Bringing new treatment methods to market is a slow process. Zebra fish could prove advantageous as test subjects and help accelerate the process because they are prolific breeders, the Utah researchers said. One female fish can produce 200 eggs each day, according to the Verge.

Not only could researchers study addiction on thousands of fish, they could also trace potential genetic mutations stemming from addiction, the researchers said.

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The U.K.s decision to leave the European Union was stupid and only the will of the British people can stop it, Martin Selmayr, the chief of staff to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said.

Brexit is bad, and its a stupid decision, Selmayr said at a conference in Brussels on Monday. The only people who can reverse it would be the British people and I am not a dreamer, I am a realist. Brexit will happen on March 29, 2019.

German official Selmayr, one of the most powerful people in the EU hierarchy, was speaking two days after the blocs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, was quoted by U.K. media as saying that British people need to be educated about the price theyll pay for their decision. On Monday he clarified that he wanted to explain the EU to all nationalities.

Read more:

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The U.K. and EU are embroiled in increasingly bad-tempered negotiations over the terms of Britains withdrawal. The British government is refusing to accept that it has financial obligations beyond its regular annual membership fees; in return, the EU is refusing to open talks on a future trade arrangement.

The U.K.s financial settlement would run to much more than 10 billion euros ($15 billion Canadian), European Budget Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said at the Brussels conference.

Open doors

Selmayr said that while it was legally possible for the U.K. to reverse its decision, it would be arrogant of us to say the EU could force it to happen.

The door of the European Union after March 2019 will always be open, and to all of our British friends, of course that is something that we humanly wish, Selmayr said. But politically at the moment this option is not on the table.

Although he has no direct role in the negotiations, Selmayr has commented sporadically about Brexit since the referendum in 2016. He has said the divorce wont be a success for Britain, took to Twitter to complain about a London decision to delay a routine review of the EUs budget in the run-up to Junes general election and was widely blamed in the U.K. and Germany for leaking details of a confidential dinner in April attended by him, Juncker and Prime Minister Theresa May.

Time is running out for the U.K. to get a deal on arrangements for its departure from the EU, with complex separation issues, the money argument and a plan for a transition period far from being resolved. Itll leave the bloc in 19 months whether it has managed to get a deal or not.

Serious consequences

Barnier was quoted on the BBC on Sunday as saying the EU intended to teach people in the U.K. about what leaving the blocs single market means.

There are extremely serious consequences of leaving the single market and it hasnt been explained to the British people, Barnier was quoted by the BBC as saying on Saturday at the Ambrosetti forum in Cernobbio, Italy. The European Commission declined to confirm the comments were made.

Barnier tweeted on Monday: I said Brexit = occasion to explain single market benefits in all countries, incl my own. We do not want to educate or teach lessons.

With Brexit negotiations scheduled to resume on Sept. 18, Barnier, who met Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney in Brussels on Monday, said theres still work to be done before talk of a breakthrough on how the U.K.-Irish border will work after Brexit.

While our discussions were fruitful during negotiations with the U.K. last week, its clear that a lot more substantial work needs to be done, Barnier told reporters.

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JOHANNESBURGCrimes against humanity are being committed in Burundi, according to a United Nations commission of inquiry.

Killings, torture, sexual violence, degrading treatment, enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests have been taking place since April 2015, according to the report published Monday.

We were struck by the scale and the brutality of the violations. We also noted a lack of will on the part of the Burundian authorities to fight against impunity and guarantee the independence of the judiciary. As a result, there is a strong likelihood that the perpetrators of these crimes will remain unpunished, said Fatsah Ouguergouz, president of the commission.

Read more:Six Burundi teens who went missing from robotics competition may be seeking asylum

Burundi has been plagued by political violence since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a disputed third term. Nkurunziza won re-election despite widespread protests and Burundi has remained volatile.

Alleged perpetrators of the violence include top officials in Burundis National Intelligence Services and police force, military officials and members of the youth league of the ruling party, known as Imbonerakure, said the commissions report.

The harsh findings in the report have prompted human rights activists to urge the UN to take measures against Burundis government.

More than 500 witnesses were interviewed during the several months of investigations, including many Burundians living abroad as refugees and others still in Burundi, often at risk to their lives, said the report.

There is a climate of pervasive fear in Burundi. Victims have been threatened, even in exile. This meant that the commission had to be extremely careful to ensure that their testimonies could not be used to endanger them, said Francoise Hampson, from Britain, one of the three commission members.

Accounts from victims, their families and witnesses were rigorously checked and corroborated, said the report.

We continue to receive reliable, credible and consistent information confirming that these violations are still taking place in Burundi today. Some of these violations are occurring in a more clandestine manner, but they are still just as brutal, said commission president Ouguergouz, who is from Algeria.

Burundis government, headed by President Pierre Nkurunziza, refused to co-operate with the commission of inquiry and did not allow its members to go to the country, said the report.

We deeply regret the Burundian governments lack of co-operation, which, among other things, made it difficult for us to document human rights abuses committed by armed opposition groups. This is all the more regrettable given that Burundi, as a member of the Human Rights Council, has an obligation to co-operate with mechanisms set up by the council, said commission member Reine Alapini Gansou, who is from Benin.

The commission urges Burundis authorities to immediately stop serious human rights violations by state agents and Imbonerakure, over whom the state exercises control.

The commission asked the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into the crimes committed in Burundi as soon as possible. The commission also asks the African Union to help find a lasting solution to Burundis crisis, based on respect for human rights.

The critical report calls into question whether Burundi should have a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, whose next session begins Sept. 11.

Today, the UN Commission of Inquiry found that Burundi had committed crimes against humanity. Burundis blatant refusal to co-operate with the commission shows its contempt of the Human Rights Council resolution creating the commission. Enough is enough, said John Fisher of Human Rights Watch, adding that the upcoming UN General Assembly should reconsider Burundis membership in human rights body. The situation in Burundi will not improve until there is an end to the impunity that lies at the heart of the crisis.

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JAKARTA, INDONESIAA Nobel laureate and Muslim nations in Asia criticized Burmas persecution of its Rohingya Muslim minority as thousands in Indonesia and elsewhere staged angry protests against Aung San Suu Kyi and her government.

At least 87,000 refugees from Burmas western Rakhine state have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since violence escalated in late August, according to the United Nations, overwhelming existing camps for the displaced.

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, said her heart breaks at the suffering of Rohingya Muslims and urged Burmas leader, a fellow Nobel laureate, to condemn the violence against the Rohingya minority.

Read more:Violence engulfs Burmas Rakhine state as boats carrying minority Muslims capsize

Over the last several years I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment, she said in a statement posted on Twitter. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same. The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting.

As protests erupted across the region, some wondered whether the Nobel Committee, which conferred the honour on Suu Kyi in 1991, would publicly criticize her or could even revoke the prize.

Suu Kyi has been conspicuously silent on the Rohingya issue, and when pressed by reporters, she has toed the militarys official line, which contends that the Rohingya are illegally squatting inside Burma.

No, its not ethnic cleansing, she said in a rare interview on the subject in 2013.

The latest eruption of violence in Rakhine state has killed more than 400 people and triggered an exodus of Rohingya into Bangladesh. It began after insurgents attacked Burma police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority Buddhist country.

In response, Burmas military unleashed what it called clearance operations. Human Rights Watch says satellite imagery shows 700 buildings were burned in the Rohingya Muslim village of Chein Khar Li, just one of 17 locations in Rakhine state where the rights group has documented burning of homes and property.

Burma denies citizenship to Rohingya, who have lived in the country for generations, and the group has frequently faced hostility and violence from the Buddhist majority, often fanned by hard-line monks and inflammatory comments from officials.

Reports of killings by security forces and images of lines of people including children and the elderly attempting to cross the swampy border into Bangladesh have sparked anger and battered the reputation of Suu Kyi, previously lionized for her decades of resistance to Burmas former military rulers.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russias predominantly Muslim Chechnya to protest what the Chechen leader called genocide of Muslims in Burma.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo has called for an end to violence in Rakhine state and sent his foreign minister to Burma where she with met Monday with Suu Kyi and armed forces commander Min Aung Hlaing.

Interviewed by Indonesian TV after the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi sidestepped questions about domestic pressure in the worlds most populous Muslim nation to sever diplomatic ties with Burma.

She said Burma security authorities need to immediately stop all violence in Rakhine and allow Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations to assist with humanitarian aid distribution. Suu Kyi responded positively to a five-point Indonesian plan to stabilize the situation, Marsudi said.

God willing, we would be able to directly help the Rohingya refugees, Marsudi said. The priority is the safety of the Rohingya refugees.

Pakistans foreign ministry said it is deeply concerned by reports of growing numbers of deaths and the forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims. It urged Burmas government to investigate reports of massacres and to hold those involved accountable.

Several hundred Muslim women demonstrated outside Burmas embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Monday, calling for the government to take a tougher stance against persecution of the Rohingya.

Dozens of armed police are guarding the embassy, which is cordoned behind barbed wire, after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at it over the weekend.

Protesters, organized by an Islamic group called Friends of Muslim Rohingya, shouted Save Rohingya, and held big banners that read, Unite the people to free Rohingya Muslims and Stop Muslim genocide in Myanmar (Burma)!

Protests were also staged in other major Indonesian cities including Bandung and Surabaya.

Over the weekend, protesters in Jakarta set fire to a poster of Suu Kyi outside the Burma embassy and further protests are set for this week. Local media reported that one group plans to stage a protest at Borobudur, a famous ancient Buddhist temple in central Java.

The world remains silent in the face of the massacre of Rohingya Muslims, said Farida, an organizer of Mondays protest who uses a single name.

They have been tortured and killed like animals by Buddhists in Myanmar (Burma), she told the crowd outside the embassy. We demand the government puts pressure on the Buddhist government of Myanmar (Burma). We demand mobilization of our military to rescue the Rohingya.

With files from the New York Times

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When Kevin Willmott stepped into a University of Kansas classroom wearing a bulletproof vest, his students immediately fell silent.

It was the professors way of protesting a state law that allows concealed carry on college and university campuses. The legislation, which was passed in 2013, was implemented over the summer at colleges and universities across the state.

Willmott said that when students and staff members returned to University of Kansas campus in Lawrence last month, he wanted to let them know exactly where he stands on the gun issue.

As he walked into the room on the first day of class, he said that there was an audible hush.

One of the things I told them was, You try to ignore that Im wearing a bulletproof vest, and Ill try to ignore that you could be packing a .44 magnum, he said.

Willmott, 59, a professor of film and media studies, said in an interview that he does not fear his students  but is convinced that concealed carry on campuses is a crazy idea.

Weve seen what happened in these horrible incidences at Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech and a bunch of places around the country, Willmott told The Washington Post. And I dont think its the students job to turn into Rambo try to take on somebody that might be out to do us harm.

The whole idea is just insane and it can only lead to bad things, he added.

Campus carry has been a contentious issue at colleges and universities in multiple states, where students and faculty have protested similar gun policies. Students at the University of Texas at Austin, for example, attended a demonstration last year armed with sex toys instead of firearms, to fight absurdity. At that same school, an economics professor emeritus quit, telling university officials: Out of self-protection, I have chosen to spend part of next Fall at the University of Sydney, where, among other things, this risk seems lower.

People were also debating the issue in Kansas last year ahead of the laws implementation at state colleges and universities.

When a gun is in a school and harm is meant, there is only one thing that is going to stop that  and that is another gun, Republican state Sen. Forrest Knox said during a 2016 debate, according to NPR.

As for Willmott, he said the fact that the firearms are concealed may make them more dangerous for everyone.

If everybody had to walk around with guns strapped on their hips like in the Old West, I think people would be a lot less comfortable with it, he said. So me walking around with a bulletproof vest reminds everyone that this is actually going on.

The Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act was passed in the legislature in 2006, concerning concealed carry across the state. A statute was added in 2013 allowing legal gun owners over 21 to carry concealed handguns in public buildings, including state college and university campuses. But it provided an exemption to educational institutions, among others, allowing them to opt out until July 1 of this year, to allow them to prepare and implement policies.

The University of Kansas new weapons policy states that handguns must be secured in holsters and carried unloaded with the safety feature on.

According to the university:

The handgun must also not be seen by others and be under the carriers custody and control  on the body or in a backpack or purse  or in a safe storage device or secure location  such as a locked vehicle. Except when necessary for transferring to safe storage or self-defence, a handgun must not be openly displayed. Violations of policy may result in individuals being asked to leave campus with the weapon and being cited for trespass if they refuse. University employees or students who violate policy may face discipline through applicable university codes of conduct.

Willmott, a feature filmmaker who has worked with Spike Lee among others, said he wanted to think of a visual way to respond to concealed carry.

Still, when he walked into his classroom on Aug. 22, he acknowledged it was a little uncomfortable, because this is not the normal world.

He read his students his syllabus and universitys weapons policy  along with an amendment of his own: Bulletproof vests would also be permitted in his class. He then offered students a handout explaining why he chose to wear one.

WHY I DECIDED TO TEACH IN A BULLET PROOF VEST announced that leadership in Topeka has decided to encourage young people to secretly carry firearms on campus.

Willmott provided a copy of the handout to The Washington Post.

It states, in part:

I am a native Kansan having grown up in Junction City and attending college at Marymount College in Salina. It is difficult to adjust my mind to the current policy of handguns covertly being anywhere on campus through the policy of conceal and carry. This is not the Kansas I grew up knowing and loving. The Kansas I grew up in always had a level of moderation. It is in the spirit of that level headedness and restraint that I have decided to wear a bullet proof vest while teaching my courses this year at Kansas University. My hope is that it serves as a constant reminder of firearms becoming a normalized part of campus life.

One of the main elements to this policy that I find disturbing is the covert and undercover nature of the weapons being on campus. No one can know who has a weapon. Thus in the classroom we dont know who has a gun  perhaps no one does or maybe several people have weapons. We cannot ask and they cannot tell. As well, the policy indicates that the student with the gun must have the safety on and have no round in the chamber. Unfortunately, this is an honour system with no one in authority being able to check the gun carrier to see if they are meeting this regulation. The gun carrier is on their own with the gun and as long as the instructor, students or others dont see the weapon  we must trust them with the weapon.

Willmott said he made the decision to protest concealed carry after he attended an open meeting at the school about the policy.

He said he sat next to a Muslim professor who told him it would be a detriment to free speech in her classroom because of fear.

I think its a detriment to free speech as a whole on campus, he said. Race is a really turbulent issue, and its even more turbulent right now. Will people be honest about their feelings?

Willmott said a major part of the college experience is learning to discuss issues that are touchy but important  and he believes concealed carry will no doubt have a chilling effect on university campuses.

Its hard to get into those kinds of discussions that are obviously emotional and fragile in various ways in terms of race, in terms of gender, in terms of religion when youre thinking about someone possibly having a gun, he said.

Willmott said that classroom conversations occasionally become volatile and you dont want to worry about where this discussion is going to lead and you dont want to have to cut the discussion off when it becomes a little emotional because of fear of someone having a gun and losing their cool. Its really about fear.

And I think theres even a worse side to it  that people wont talk at all.

Since he started protesting, Willmott said that he has not personally received any backlash for his views (except on social media) professors and students have reached out in solidarity.

Junior Braden Robinson told the University Daily Kansan that he was in the class when Willmott announced his decision.

I have mixed feelings about guns. I dont think theyre all bad; I can see the reasoning for wanting to carry one, he told the student newspaper. But I just dont think that a place that promotes free speech should have guns. That would definitely affect someones willingness to talk, especially if they have an opinion that might be unpopular.

However, the professors stance has indeed been criticized by some who question his negative views of lawful gun owners.

Garrett Miller, identified as a conservative student by Campus Reform, told the news site that the professors assertions were borderline ludicrous because the university already has restrictive policies on free speech.

He also said Willmotts point about the .44 magnum is not relevant, telling Campus Reform that the professor should have done research on what handguns are generally used for concealed carry.

Any gun expert will tell you that a .44 is not recommended for conceal carry due to the fact that a .44 is too bulky due to the size of the barrel and grip, he said.

For the past two weeks, Willmott said he has been carrying his bulletproof vest into classroom before strapping it on  to illustrate to his students what he believes will become a new normal.

Its kind of book bag, laptop, cellphone, handgun and ammunition, he said. So in countering that, I walk into class with a bulletproof vest and put it on in front of the students so they know this is the new preparation for class.

The university did not respond to requests for comment on the concealed carry policy or Willmotts response to it.

But in a note to faculty and staff, Neeli Bendapudi, provost and executive vice chancellor of the university, acknowledged many had expressed concerns about the recent change in Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act affecting concealed carry on campus.

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SALT LAKE CITYOfficials at a Utah hospital where a nurse was arrested after refusing to allow police to draw blood from an unconscious patient apologized that security officers didnt intervene and said Monday that they have implemented policy changes to prevent it from happening again.

The announcements mark the latest fallout from nurse Alex Wubbels release last week of July 26 video from a Salt Lake City police officers body camera showing him dragging her from University of Utah Hospital and handcuffing her. The officer has been put on leave, and his agency has apologized.

Hospital CEO Gordon Crabtree said changes took effect in August that allow only senior nursing supervisors to speak with law enforcement and ban conversations with police in patient care areas.

Officials spoke publicly for the first time to make it clear that the hospital took action long before Wubbels released the video, said Crabtree, who called the officers actions out of line.

Theres absolutely no tolerance for that kind of behaviour in our hospital, Crabtree said. Nurse Wubbels was placed in an unfair and unwarranted position . . . Her actions are nothing less than exemplary.

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Meanwhile, University of Utah Police Chief Dale Brophy said none of his officers at the hospital have been disciplined but will receive additional training in the wake of the arrest.

Wubbels has said she released the video her attorneys received through a public records request partly because she was unhappy that university police didnt help her. She wasnt immediately available for comment on the hospitals announcements.

Brophy said that when he met with Wubbels and her attorney last Tuesday, he had not seen the video.

Its like seeing a picture or actually visiting a place  its completely different, the police chief said. It was clear that the arrest was completely mishandled and was inappropriate and didnt need to happen. She had done everything she possibly could to make that situation work and she wasnt rewarded for that.

The video shows Wubbels, who works in the burn unit, calmly explaining that she could not take blood from a patient who had been injured in a car accident. A 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling said a blood sample cannot be taken without patient consent or a warrant.

Salt Lake City Det. Jeff Payne insisted, though police didnt have a warrant and the unconscious patient was not a suspect.

The dispute ended with Payne saying, Were done, youre under arrest and pulling her outside while she screamed, Ive done nothing wrong!

Wubbels, a former alpine skier who competed in the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics, told The Associated Press on Friday that she was grateful for support from her supervisors and hospital staff but disappointed she was left to defend herself with no help from university police.

This cop bullied me. He bullied me to the utmost extreme, and nobody stood in his way. And that should have originally been the job of security and the university police, Wubbels said. And they decided that when they showed up, they didnt want to play for my team, and so they essentially put on the other guys jersey.

Criminal and internal affairs investigations are underway to review Paynes actions.

Payne hasnt return messages left at publicly listed phone numbers. He wrote in a police report that he grabbed Wubbels and took her outside to avoid causing a scene in the emergency room.

He said his boss, a lieutenant, told him to arrest Wubbels if she kept interfering. A second officer put on paid leave has not been officially identified, but officials have said they were reviewing the conduct of Paynes boss.

Wubbels, who was not charged, has not filed a lawsuit but her attorneys say that could change.

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For many Canadians, Labour Day means the end of summer and a long weekend spent with friends and family. But the holiday was originally created to celebrate trade unions and their contributions to improving workers rights. In that context, Labour Day is an important time to reflect on how we can honour that legacy. Improving our occupational health and safety (OHS) systems is a crucial way of doing just that.

In 2015, according to the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada, there were 852 workplace-related fatalities in Canada. Workplace injuries are even more common. The association found that an average of 672 workers were injured every day on the job in Canada in 2012. Every day. And those numbers only cover workplaces where workers can receive provincial compensation benefits.

Fortunately, the frequency of work-related injuries and deaths has fallen drastically since the 1980s, which can be attributed to strengthened OHS regulations and more focus on improving OHS outcomes by unions, professional associations and industry. However, during the last decade, statistics measuring workplace injuries and fatalities have stopped showing signs of significant improvement. Clearly, there is still much room to improve OHS regulations and outcomes in Canada. A cornerstone of that push for safer and healthier workplaces should be the study of other countries and their success in that area.

In Canada, OHS falls primarily under provincial jurisdiction, with federal legislation applying only to federally regulated workplaces. Provincial governments routinely review and update their OHS laws and regulations, but they have been complacent about regulating the people responsible for administering OHS in the workplace and at the scene of likely accidents  OHS professionals. That stands in marked contrast to many comparable jurisdictions.

In Germany and Italy, for example, federal and regional governments regulate the educational and professional qualifications required to work as an OHS professional. A similar regulatory system exists in Singapore. In the United Kingdom, OHS professionals are regulated by Royal Charter status, which delegates oversight of the field to a government-recognized association. Chartered status has been applied to some professions in Canada, including accountants.

Overall, several countries with similar systems of government to Canada are leaders on regulating OHS professionals, which ensures consistency and drives best practices for the health and safety of workers. For Canadas provincial governments, those examples, showing that regulatory oversight of OHS professionals has been successfully implemented in other jurisdictions, should serve as touchstones for future changes to OHS policy.

In Canada, the trend towards government oversight of professions is clear and strong, which is a welcome development. To name but three examples, home inspectors, paramedics and human resources professionals are now regulated in some form in one or more provinces. In fact, provinces are increasingly regulating a suite of health professionals that may include everyone from dental hygienists to diagnostic sonographers, but not OHS professionals.

Because of the lack of regulation of OHS professionals in Canada, there are many people claiming to be OHS professionals without any formal education or professional training. That poses a public safety danger to Canadian workers. Regulating OHS professionals as other countries have done would be a significant step forward in making Canadas workplaces safer and healthier.

As we celebrate Labour Day in Canada, there could be no better time to take that next step to ensure that Canadian workers leave work healthy, uninjured and alive every day.

Paul Andre, CRSP, is chair of the Board of Governors of the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals and acting president and CEO of Workplace Safety North.

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In a strange way, Donald Trumps disdain for the North American Free Trade Agreement may do Canada a favour.

He may end up forcing this country to reduce its dependence on the United States.

We know that the U.S. president doesnt like NAFTA. It is one of the few consistent positions he holds.

He routinely calls it the worst trade deal the U.S. has ever signed. From time to time, he threatens to abrogate it.

He accuses Canada and Mexico, the two other signatories to the agreement, of hosing the U.S. He promises they wont get away with this any more.

His intemperate remarks have earned a harsh reaction from Mexico. But Ottawa has been far more sanguine.

The Canadian government appears to think that Trump doesnt mean what he says, that he is just engaging in some kind of good-cop-bad-cop game in order to enhance Americas bargaining position during the three-party NAFTA renegotiations.

But what if he does mean it? What if, through his negotiators, he insists on changes that Canada cannot  or at least should not  accept?

We know that Canada and the U.S. are already at daggers drawn over a provision in the current deal that gives each member state a limited right to challenge one anothers trade practices before an independent tribunal.

Trump wants the provision scrapped altogether while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he wont sign a deal without it.

The two countries also disagree vigorously over U.S. Buy America policies as well as Trumps insistence that manufactured goods sold in the U.S. contain a specific amount of U.S. content.

Mexicos government, which also is at loggerheads with Trump, is already working on alternative plans for trade diversification should the NAFTA talks fail. Trudeau would be wise to do the same.

Indeed, some diversification has already begun. The recently negotiated trade deal between Canada and the European Union, while fatally flawed in its details, is at least the right idea. So is the long-simmering but never-acted-upon plan to negotiate a trade agreement with Japan.

Canada has already signed a foreign investment pact with China and started work on a comprehensive trade deal. The foreign investment pact is lopsided in Chinas favour. With luck, Ottawa will do better on any trade deal.

None of this means Canada should give up on trading with the U.S. It is a big country that sits right next door.

But we should remember two things. First, Canada traded quite handily with the U.S. before signing a formal free trade agreement with that country. It could do so again.

A recent study done for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives points out that even without NAFTA or its predecessor, the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement of 1989, most Canadian exports to the U.S. would face either zero or moderate tariffs.

Second, there are other nations eager to buy the goods and services Canada produces. Canadian governments have tried before to make the countrys economy less reliant on the U.S. Pierre Trudeau so-called Third Option, including his brief dalliance with economic nationalism, was an expression of this idea.

But such attempts always foundered on the fact that integration with the U.S. was easier and, for those occupying the commanding heights of the economy, far more profitable.

That fact gave us both the original Canada-U.S. free trade agreement and its successor, NAFTA.

Now Trump has changed the calculus. He is insisting not only that America must win from the NAFTA talks but that Canada and Mexico must lose.

His is an aggressive form of nationalism that borders on jingoism. But it could spark a new, practical and more productive form of Canadian nationalism in response. And that wouldnt be so bad.

Thomas Walkom usually appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Canadas unions are proud that weve negotiated health insurance coverage for many of our members. But we believe anyone with a health card should have coverage for the medicines they need. Thats why this Labour Day, we are launching a campaign to win a universal prescription drug plan for all Canadians, regardless of their income, age, or where they work or live.

A national pharmacare plan is badly needed and long overdue. Today, 3.5 million Canadians cant afford to fill their prescriptions. Some are chronically ill and worry about how theyll pay for the medication they need now and for years to come. Some are students who will lose coverage through their parents as soon as they graduate. Many, stuck in part-time, low-wage jobs, worry theyll never find a job that provides health benefits.

The only place where prescriptions are covered for all Canadians is in the hospital. The federal government covers the cost of prescription drugs for members of the Armed Forces and the RCMP, veterans and Indigenous people. But the vast majority of Canadians receive no public assistance to cope with the costs of prescriptions they fill at pharmacies.

Today, every provincial and territorial government provides different coverage. Most subsidize the cost of medications for vulnerable Canadians, such as those over 65 years old and recipients of social assistance and disability benefits. Many also provide catastrophic coverage for only for those facing the most astronomical prescription costs.

In the absence of a national plan, Ontario has taken steps to introduce a partial program in 2018 that will cover prescription drug costs for anyone 25 and under. This is a welcome move, especially in todays labour market, where too many young workers find themselves stuck in low-wage, part-time jobs without health insurance. But patch-work and partial measures arent enough.

We need a pharmacare plan that covers all Canadians. Just think about what that would mean for the one in five people paying out of pocket for their medication today, either because they dont have a prescription drug plan, or because they have a plan that doesnt cover the full cost of the medications they need.

I remember one worker who really brought this issue home for me. He had been hospitalized when his employer went bankrupt. Lying in his hospital bed he was told his health benefits would be terminated in 30 days. His life was instantly turned upside down and he could no longer afford the medications he would need for years to come.

That workers story is the same for too many across the country. An estimated 8.4 million working Canadians dont have prescription drug coverage. Even those lucky enough to have prescription drug plans at work are paying more out of pocket because of ever-increasing co-payments and deductibles.

Canada is the only developed country in the world with a universal health care program that doesnt include a universal prescription drug plan. We have the second highest prescription drug costs in the world next to the United States. Canadians have wildly varying prescription drug coverage and uneven access to prescription drugs, and often pay different rates for the same medications depending on where they live.

We arent benefitting from the current system, but pharmaceutical and private insurance companies are. Pharmaceutical companies can charge higher prices for commonly used drugs because they are selling to so many buyers. Private insurance companies benefit by charging employers, unions and employees to administer private drug insurance plans.

In New Zealand, where a public authority negotiates on behalf of the entire country, a years supply of the cholesterol-busting drug Lipitor costs just $15 a year, compared to $811 in Canada.

Thats why Canada needs to combine the purchasing power of all Canadians under one plan. An annual investment of $1 billion by the federal government will mean Canadians save $7.3 billion a year on the medications they need.

Its time for Canada to catch up to our international peers. Its time to complete the unfinished business of our medicare system with a universal prescription drug plan that will save money through bulk purchasing power. Its time for national policy to catch up to the needs  and demands  of Canadians.

All we need now is the political will. Its time for a plan for everyone.

Hassan Yussuff is the president of the Canadian Labour Congress.

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First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. It is co-managed by Energy Income Partners, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the energy sector, including companies in the business of transporting, processing, storing, distributing, or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products, coal or electricity, or exploring, developing, managing or producing such commodities or products, or in supplying energy-related products and services. The fund primarily invests in growth stocks of companies, energy sector MLPs, and MLP-related entities. It employs a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis, focusing on such factors as debt to cash flows, coverage ratios, incentive structure, management team, track record of distribution, and dividend growth to create its portfolio. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the S&P 500 Index, Barclays Capital U.S. Credit Index of Corporate Bonds, Alerian MLP Total Return Index, Wells Fargo Midstream MLP Total Return Index, and composite index comprised of 50% Alerian MLP Total Return Index and 50% Wells Fargo Midstream MLP Total Return Index. It was formerly known as Energy Income & Growth Fund. First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund was formed on March 25, 2004 and is domiciled in the United States.
Braskem S.A., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells thermoplastic resins. The company operates through three segments: Brazil, United States and Europe, and Mexico. The Brazil segment produces and sells chemicals, including ethylene, polymer and chemical grade propylene, butadiene, butene-1, benzene, toluene, and xylenes products; fuels, such as automotive gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, ethyl tertiary-butyl ether, and methyl tertiary-butyl ether; intermediates, such as cumene; aliphatics, aromatics, and hydrogenated solvents; and specialties comprising isoprene, dicyclopentadiene, piperylene, nonene, tetramer, polyisobutylene, and hydrocarbon resins. This segment also produces and sells polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP); supplies electricity and other inputs to second-generation producers; produces and sells of PE, including the production of green PE from renewable resources; and produces and sells polyvinyl chloride and caustic soda. The United States and Europe segment produces and sells PP in the United States and Germany. The Mexico segment produces and sells ethylene, high-density PE, and low-density PE in Mexico. It also manufactures, sells, imports, and exports chemicals, petrochemicals, and fules; produces, supplies, and sells utilities, such as steam, water, compressed air, and industrial gases; and provides industrial services. The company was formerly known as Copene Petroquimica do Nordeste S.A. and changed its name to Braskem S.A. in 2002. Braskem S.A. was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Camacari, Brazil.
Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes, and licenses lifestyle collections of apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. It operates through five segments: Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia, and Licensing. The company's clothing collection includes jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, shorts, blouses, shirts, jackets, activewear, knitwear, and intimate apparel. It also grants licenses to design, manufacture, and distribute various products that complement its apparel lines, such as eyewear, watches, handbags, footwear, kids' and infants' apparel, outerwear, fragrance, jewelry, and other fashion accessories, as well as to wholesale partners to operate and sell products through licensed retail stores. The company markets its products under the GUESS, GUESS?, GUESS U.S.A., GUESS Jeans, GUESS? and Triangle Design, MARCIANO, Question Mark and Triangle Design, a stylized G and a stylized M, GUESS Kids, Baby GUESS, YES, G by GUESS, GUESS by MARCIANO, and Gc brand names. It sells its products through direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and licensing distribution channels. As of January 29, 2022, the company directly operated 1,068 retail stores in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Its partner's distributors operated an additional 563 retail stores worldwide. The company also offers its products through its retail websites. Guess?, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a life sciences company, focuses on the provision of preparedness and response solutions that address accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats (PHTs) in the United States. The company's products address PHTs, which include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives; emerging infectious diseases; travel health; and emerging health crises and acute/emergency care. It offers BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; ACAM2000, a smallpox vaccine; Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent to treat botulinum disease; vaccinia immune globulin intravenous that addresses complications from smallpox vaccine; raxibacumab for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax; Anthrasil to for inhalational anthrax; reactive skin decontamination lotion kits; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate. The company also provides NARCAN, a nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vivotif, an oral vaccine for typhoid fever; and Vaxchora, a single-dose oral vaccine to treat cholera. In addition, it is developing AP003, a Naloxone multidose nasal spray; AP007, a sustained release Nalmefene injection for treatment of opioid use disorder; AV7909, an anthrax vaccine; CGRD-001, a pralidoxime chloride/atropine auto-injector; CHIKV VLP, a chikungunya virus VLP vaccine; COVID-HIG for the treatment of SARS-CoV2; EGRD-001, a diazepam auto-injector; SIAN, an antidote for the initial treatment of acute poisoning of cyanide; and UniFlu, a universal influenza vaccine. Further, the company provides contract development and manufacturing services comprising drug substance and product manufacturing, and packaging, as well as technology transfer, process, and analytical development services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
The following companies are subsidiares of AON: 6824625 Canada Ltd., 7193599 Canada Inc., A.B. Insurances Limited, ADIS A/S, AIB Services Limited, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc., AIS Insurance Agency Inc., AMXH LLC, ARM International Corp., ARM International Insurance Agency Corp., ARMRISK CORP., AS Holdings Inc., ASPN Insurance Agency LLC, Access Plans USA Inc., Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers Limited, Adm Administradora de Beneficios Ltda., Administradora Aon C.A., Admiseg SA, Admix, Admix - Administracao Consultoria Participacoes e Corretora de Seguros de Vida Ltda., Aeropeople Limited, Affinity Group Insurance Services Limited, Affinity Insurance Services Inc., Affinity Risk Partners (Brokers) Pty Ltd, Agenion N.V./SA, Agility Credit Insurance Brokers Limited, Alexander & Alexander Holding B.V., Alexander Clay, Alexander Insurance Managers (Netherlands Antilles) N.V., Alexander Reinsurance Intermediaries Inc., Allen Insurance Associates Inc., Alliance HealthCard Inc., Alliance HealthCard of Florida Inc., American Insurance Services Corp., American Special Risk Insurance Company, Anviti Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Aon (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon (CR) Insurance Agencies Company Limited, Aon (DIFC) Gulf Limited, Aon (Fiji) Ltd., Aon (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon (Thailand) Limited, Aon 180412 Limited (in liquidation), Aon ANZ Holdings Limited, Aon APAC Holdings B.V., Aon Acore Sarl, Aon Adjudication Services Limited, Aon Affinity Administradora de Beneficios Ltda., Aon Affinity Argentina S.A., Aon Affinity Chile Ltda., Aon Affinity Colombia Ltda. Agencia de Seguros, Aon Affinity Mexico Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Aon Affinity Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aon Affinity Servicos e Participacoes Ltda., Aon Affinity do Brasil Servicos e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Aon Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Americas Holdings BV, Aon Angola Corretores de Seguros Limitada, Aon Antillen N.V., Aon Aruba N.V., Aon Assurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Australia Group Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 1 Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 2 Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 3 Pty Ltd, Aon Austria GmbH, Aon Bahrain W.L.L., Aon Belgium B.V.B.A., Aon Benefit Solutions Inc., Aon Benfield (Chile) Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Aon Benfield Argentina S.A., Aon Benfield Australia Limited, Aon Benfield Brasil Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Aon Benfield Canada ULC, Aon Benfield China Limited, Aon Benfield Colombia Limitada Corredores de Reaseguros, Aon Benfield Fac Inc., Aon Benfield Global Inc., Aon Benfield Group Limited, Aon Benfield Inc., Aon Benfield Israel Limited, Aon Benfield Italia S.p.A., Aon Benfield Japan Ltd, Aon Benfield Latin America SA, Aon Benfield Limited, Aon Benfield Malaysia Limited, Aon Benfield Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro SA de CV, Aon Benfield Middle East Limited, Aon Benfield New Zealand Limited, Aon Benfield Panama S.A., Aon Benfield Peru Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Aon Benfield Puerto Rico Inc., Aon Bermuda Holding Company Limited, Aon Bermuda QI Holdings Ltd., Aon Beteiligungsmanagement Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Aon Bolivia S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Aon Botswana (Pty) Ltd., Aon Brazil Holdings LLC, Aon Broking Services SA, Aon Broking Technology Limited, Aon CANZ Holdings B.V., Aon CANZ Holdings N.S. ULC, Aon Canada Holdings N.S. ULC, Aon Canada Inc., Aon Canada Intermediaries GP, Aon Captive Services Antilles N.V., Aon Captive Services Aruba N.V., Aon Cash Management B.V., Aon Central and Eastern Europe a.s., Aon Centre for Innovation and Analytics Ltd, Aon Charitable Foundation Pty Ltd, Aon Chile Holdings LLC, Aon Commercial Insurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Commercial Services Ireland Limited, Aon Commercial Services and Operations Ireland Limited, Aon Consolidation Group Pty Ltd, Aon Consulting & Insurance Services, Aon Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Aon Consulting (Thailand) Limited, Aon Consulting Bolivia S.R.L., Aon Consulting Ecuador S.A., Aon Consulting Financial Services Limited, Aon Consulting Inc., Aon Consulting Kazakhstan LLP, Aon Consulting Limited, Aon Consulting Private Limited, Aon Consulting Romania SRL, Aon Corporate Services (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon Corporate Services Limited, Aon Corporation, Aon Corporation Australia Limited, Aon Corporation EMEA B.V., Aon Credit International Insurance Broker GmbH, Aon Cyprus Insurance Broker Company Limited, Aon DC Trustee Limited, Aon Danismanlik Hizmetleri AS, Aon Delta Bermuda Ltd., Aon Delta UK Limited, Aon Denmark A/S, Aon Deutschland Beteiligungs GmbH, Aon Direct Group Inc., Aon Edge Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Energy Caribbean Limited, Aon Enterprise Insurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Finance Bermuda 1 Ltd., Aon Finance Bermuda 2 Ltd., Aon Finance Canada 1 Corp., Aon Finance Canada 2 Corp., Aon Finance International N.S. ULC, Aon Finance Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Finance N.S. 1 ULC, Aon Finance N.S. 5 ULC, Aon Finance N.S. 8 ULC, Aon Finance US 1 LLC, Aon Finance US 2 LLC, Aon Financial & Insurance Solutions Inc., Aon Finland Oy, Aon France, Aon Global Holdings 1 Limited, Aon Global Holdings 2 Limited, Aon Global Holdings 3 Limited [In strike-off], Aon Global Holdings Limited, Aon Global Operations plc, Aon Global Risk Consulting B.V., Aon Global Risk Consulting Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Global Risk Research Limited, Aon Grana Peru Corredores de Seguros SA, Aon Greece S.A., Aon Groep Nederland B.V., Aon Group (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Group (Thailand) Limited, Aon Group Holdings International 1 B.V., Aon Group Holdings International 2 B.V., Aon Group Inc., Aon Group International N.V., Aon Group Pty Ltd, Aon Group Venezuela Corretaje de Reaseguros C.A., Aon Hewitt (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Hewitt (Ireland) Limited, Aon Hewitt (PNG) Ltd., Aon Hewitt (Thailand) Ltd., Aon Hewitt Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aon Hewitt Consulting Korea Inc., Aon Hewitt Financial Advice Limited, Aon Hewitt GmbH, Aon Hewitt Health Market Insurance Solutions Inc., Aon Hewitt Hong Kong Limited, Aon Hewitt Inc., Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting Inc., Aon Hewitt Investment Management Inc., Aon Hewitt Japan Ltd., Aon Hewitt Limited, Aon Hewitt Ltd., Aon Hewitt Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Aon Hewitt Management Company Limited, Aon Hewitt Middle East Limited, Aon Hewitt Risk & Consulting S.r.l., Aon Hewitt Risk & Financial Management B.V., Aon Hewitt Trust Solutions GmbH, Aon Hewitt US Holdings Limited, Aon Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aon Holdings (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon Holdings Antillen N.V., Aon Holdings Australia Pty Limited, Aon Holdings Austria GmbH, Aon Holdings B.V., Aon Holdings Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Aon Holdings Corretores de Seguros Ltda., Aon Holdings France SNC, Aon Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Aon Holdings International B.V., Aon Holdings Israel Ltd., Aon Holdings Japan Ltd, Aon Holdings Limited, Aon Holdings Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Holdings Mid Europe B.V., Aon Holdings New Zealand, Aon Hong Kong Limited, Aon Hungary Insurance Brokers Risk and Human Consulting LLC, Aon Insurance Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Insurance Agencies (Macau) Limited, Aon Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Aon Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Ltd., Aon Insurance Management Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (Antilles) N.V., Aon Insurance Managers (Barbados) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Bermuda) Ltd, Aon Insurance Managers (Cayman) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Dublin) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Guernsey) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Holdings) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Isle of Man) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Liechtenstein) AG, Aon Insurance Managers (Luxembourg) S.A., Aon Insurance Managers (Malta) PCC Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (Puerto Rico) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers (Shannon) Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (USA) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers (USVI) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers Gibraltar Ltd., Aon Insurance Micronesia (Guam) Inc, Aon Insurance Underwriting Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Philippines Inc., Aon International Cooperatief U.A., Aon International Energy Inc., Aon International Holdings Inc., Aon Investment Holdings Ireland Limited, Aon Israel Insurance Brokerage Ltd., Aon Italia S.r.l., Aon Japan Ltd, Aon Jauch & Hubener Gesellschaft m.b.H., Aon Korea Inc., Aon Latam Holdings N.V., Aon Lead QI B.V., Aon Life Agency of Texas Inc., Aon Life Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Aon Life Insurance Company, Aon MacDonagh Boland Group Ltd, Aon Majan LLC, Aon Management Consulting Taiwan Ltd., Aon Mauritius Holdings, Aon Meeus Assurantien B.V., Aon Mexico Business Support SA de CV, Aon Mexico Holdings LLC, Aon Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., Aon Middle East Co LLC, Aon Nederland C.V., Aon Netherlands Operations B.V., Aon Neudorf Finance S.a.r.l., Aon New Zealand, Aon New Zealand Group ULC, Aon Norway AS, Aon Overseas Holdings Limited, Aon PHI Acquisition Corporation of California, Aon PMI International Limited, Aon Parizeau Inc., Aon Pension Trustees Limited, Aon Pensions Insurance Brokers GmbH, Aon Polska Services Sp. z o.o., Aon Polska Sp. z o.o., Aon Portugal - Consultores Unipessoal Lda., Aon Portugal - Corretores de Seguros S.A., Aon Premium Finance LLC, Aon Private Risk Management Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Private Risk Management of California Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Product Design & Development Australia Pty Limited, Aon Product Design and Development New Zealand Limited, Aon Product Risk Services Hong Kong Limited, Aon Property Risk Consulting Inc., Aon Qatar LLC, Aon Re (Thailand) Limited, Aon Re Bertoldi - Corretagem de Resseguros S.A., Aon Re Bolivia S.A. Corredores de Reaseguros, Aon Re Canada Holdings SARL, Aon Real Estate B.V., Aon Realty Services Inc., Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc., Aon Retirement Plan Advisors LLC, Aon Retirement Solutions Limited, Aon Risiko & Unternehmensberatungs GmbH, Aon Risk & Asset Management Pty Ltd, Aon Risk Consultants Inc., Aon Risk Insurance Services West Inc., Aon Risk Management (Pty) Ltd, Aon Risk Services (Chile) Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Aon Risk Services (Holdings) of Latin America Inc., Aon Risk Services (Holdings) of the Americas Inc., Aon Risk Services (NI) Limited, Aon Risk Services (PNG) Ltd., Aon Risk Services (Thailand) Limited, Aon Risk Services Argentina S.A., Aon Risk Services Australia Limited, Aon Risk Services Canada Inc., Aon Risk Services Central Inc., Aon Risk Services Colombia SA Corredores de Seguros, Aon Risk Services Companies Inc., Aon Risk Services EMEA B.V., Aon Risk Services Ecuador S.A. Agencia Asesora Productora de Seguros, Aon Risk Services Holdings (Chile ) Ltda., Aon Risk Services Inc. of Florida, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Hawaii, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Maryland, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Washington D.C., Aon Risk Services Northeast Inc., Aon Risk Services South Inc., Aon Risk Services Southwest Inc., Aon Risk Services Venezuela Corretaje de Seguros C.A., Aon Risk Solutions (Cayman) Ltd., Aon Risk Solutions Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas SA de CV, Aon Risk Solutions of Puerto Rico Inc., Aon Riskminder A/S, Aon Romania Broker de Asigurare - Reasigurare SRL, Aon Rus Insurance Brokers LLC, Aon Rus LLC, Aon S.p.A. Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Aon Saver Limited, Aon Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, Aon Securities Investment Management Inc., Aon Securities LLC, Aon Securities Limited, Aon Service Corporation, Aon Services (Guernsey) Ltd, Aon Services (Malta) Ltd, Aon Services Group Inc., Aon Services Hong Kong Limited, Aon Services Pty Ltd., Aon Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi ve A.S., Aon Soluciones S.A., Aon Soluciones S.A.C., Aon Southern Europe UK Limited, Aon Sp. z o.o., Aon Special Risk Resources Inc., Aon Superannuation (PNG) Limited, Aon Superannuation Pty Limited, Aon TC Holdings Inc., Aon Taiwan Ltd., Aon Treasury Ireland Limited, Aon Trust Company LLC, Aon Trust Corporation Limited, Aon Trust Services B.V., Aon UK Group Limited, Aon UK Holdings Intermediaries Limited, Aon UK Limited, Aon UK Trustees Limited, Aon US & International Holdings Limited, Aon US Holdings 2 Inc., Aon US Holdings Inc., Aon Ukraine LLC, Aon Underwriting Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Underwriting Managers (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Underwriting Managers Inc., Aon Versicherungsberatungs GmbH, Aon Versicherungsmakler Deutschland GmbH, Aon Vietnam Limited, Aon Ward Financial Corporation, Aon-COFCO Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Aon/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services Inc., Asevasa Argentina S.A., Asevasa Caricam S.A., Asevasa Chile Peritaciones e Ingenieria de Riesgos S.A., Asevasa Mexico S.A. de C.V., Asevasa Panama S.A., Asian Reinsurance Underwriters Limited, Asscom Insurance Brokers S.r.l., Association of Rural and Small Town Americans, Associacao Instituto Aon, Assurance Licensing Services Inc., B E P International Corp., B.V. Assurantiekantoor Langeveldt-Schroder, BMS Insurance Agency L.L.C., Bacon & Woodrow Partnerships (Ireland) Limited, Bacon & Woodrow Partnerships Limited, Bain Hogg Group Limited (in liquidation), Baltolink UADBB, Bankassure Insurance Services Limited, Bayfair Insurance Centre Limited, Beaubien Finance Ireland Limited, Beaubien Finance Limited, Beaubien UK Finance Limited, Becketts (Trustees) Limited, Becketts Limited, Beech Hill Pension Trustees Ltd, Bekouw Mendes C.V., Benefit Marketing Solutions L.L.C., Benfield Advisory Inc., Benfield Corredores de Reaseguro Ltda., Benfield Finance (London) LLC, Benfield Group, Benfield Investment Holdings Limited, Benfield Juniperus Holdings Limited, Benfield do Brasil Participacoes Ltda. (dormant), Benton Finance Ireland Limited, Benton Finance Limited, Blanch Americas Inc., Bowes & Company Inc. of New York, CEREP III Secondary Manager LLC, CFSSG Real Estate Partners I LLC, CFSSG Real Estate Partners II LLC, CIF-H GP LLC, Cammack Health LLC, Cananwill Corporation, Cananwill Inc., Cardea Health Solutions Limited, Casablanca Intermediation Company Sarl, Celinvest Amsterdam B.V., Chapka Assurances SAS, Citadel Insurance Managers Inc., CoCubes, CoSec 2000 Limited, Coalition for Benefits Equality and Choice, Cocubes Technologies Private Limited, Coles Hewitt Partnership, Contingency Insurance Brokers Limited, Contractsure Limited, CoverWallet, Coverall S.r.l. Insurance and Reinsurance Underwriting Agency, Credit Insurance Brokers (Reynolds) Limited, Crion N.V., Custom Benefit Programs Inc., Cut-e, Cut-e (UK) Limited, Cut-e Assessment (Hong Kong) Limited, Cut-e Assessment Solutions Europe Limited, Cut-e Australia Pty Limited, Cut-e Consult DMCC, Cut-e Danmark A/S, Cut-e Finland Oy, Cut-e GmbH, Cut-e Ireland Limited, Cut-e Nordic AS, Cut-e Norge AS, Cytelligence, Delany Bacon & Woodrow Partnership, Dempsey Partners, Denney O'Hara (Life & Pensions) Limited, Doveland Services Limited, E. W. Blanch Holdings Limited, E. W. Blanch Investments Limited, E.W. Blanch Capital Risk Solutions Inc., E.W. Blanch International Inc., EW Blanch Limited, Elysium Digital IP Products LLC, Elysium Digital L.L.C., Ennis Knupp Secondary Market Services LLC, Essar Insurance Services Limited, Exploitatiemaatschappij Beukenlaan 68-72 B.V., Farmaseg - Solucoes Assistencia e Servicos Empresariais Ltda., Farmsure Limited [In strike-off], Finaccord Limited, Financial & Professional Risk Solutions Inc., Futurity Group Inc., GTCR/AAM Blocker Corp., Ge.f.it. S.r.l., Gefass S.r.l., Glenrand M I B (Mocambique) Corretores de Seguros Limitada, Global Safe Insurance Brokers S.r.l., Globe Events Management, Gotham Digital Science LLC, Gotham Digital Science Ltd., Grant Liddell Financial Advisor Services Pty Ltd, Grant Park Capital LLC, Groupe-Conseil Aon Inc., Grupo Innovac Sociedad de Correduria de Seguros SA, HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd., Hall Rhodes Holdings Limited, Hall Rhodes Limited, Hamburger Gesellschaft zur Forderung des Versicherungswesens mbH, Harbourview West Lake Co-Invest (GP) LP, Health Index Advisors LLC, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, Henderson Corporate Insurance Brokers Limited, Henderson Insurance Brokers Limited, Henderson Insurance Partnership Limited [In strike-off], Henderson Risk Management Limited, Hewitt Amalco 3 ULC, Hewitt Amalco 4 ULC, Hewitt Amalco 5 ULC, Hewitt Associates (a partnership), Hewitt Associates Administradora e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Hewitt Associates Corp., Hewitt Associates Outsourcing Limited, Hewitt Associates Pty Ltd, Hewitt Associates S.C., Hewitt Associates SAS, Hewitt Associates Servicos de Recursos Humanos Ltda., Hewitt Beneficios Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Hewitt Holdings Canada Company, Hewitt Insurance Brokerage LLC, Hewitt Insurance Inc., Hewitt International Holdings LLC, Hewitt Management Ltd., Hewitt Risk Management Services Limited, Hewitt Western Management Amalco Inc., Hogg Group Limited, Hogg Robinson North America Inc., Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency Inc., I. Beck Insurance Agency (1994) Ltd., IAO Actuarial Consulting Services Canada Inc., INPOINT INC., IRM/GRC Holding Inc., Impact Forecasting L.L.C., Inspiring Benefits, Inspiring Benefits Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Insuractive Limited [In strike-off], Insurance Broker Aon Kazakhstan LLP, International Risk Management (Americas) Inc., International Risk Management Group Ltd, International Space Brokers Europe Limited, International Space Brokers France, International Space Brokers Inc., International Space Brokers Limited, Inversiones Benfield Chile Ltda., J H Minet Puerto Rico Inc., J. Allan Brown Consultants Inc., JDPT Manager LLC, Jenner Fenton Slade Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Credit Insurance) Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Insurances) Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Life & Pensions) Limited, Johnson Rooney Welch Inc., K & K Insurance Brokers Inc. Canada, K & K Insurance Group Inc., K & K Insurance Group of Florida Inc., K2 Technologies Inc., KVT GP LLC, Kloud S.a.r.l., Krumlin Hall Limited, Lake Erie Real Estate General Partner Limited, Lake Tahoe GP LLC, Lake Tahoe II GP LLC, Lake Tahoe III GP LLC, Lake Tahoe IV GP LLC, Lenzi Paolo Broker di Assicurazioni S.r.l., Lincolnshire Insurance Company PCC Limited, Linx Underwriting Solutions Inc., Lombard Trustee Company Limited, M.A. Shakeel Management Ltd. Amalco, MacDonagh Boland Crotty MacRedmond Ltd, Marinaro Dundas S.A., Marinaro Dundas SA, Mark Kelly Insurance and Financial Services PTY LTD, McLagan (Aon) Limited, McLagan Partners Asia Inc., McLagan Partners Inc., Membership Leasing Trust, Minet Consultancy Services Ltd, Minet Group, Minet Holdings Inc., Minet Inc., Minet Re North America Inc., Modern Survey Inc., Muirfield Underwriters Ltd., NBS Nominees Limited, National Insurance Office Ltd., Nauman Insurance Brokers Limited, Nexus Insurance Brokers Limited, One Underwriting Agency GmbH, One Underwriting B.V., One Underwriting Health B.V., One Underwriting Pty Ltd, Optica Agency A/S, Optimum Risk Solutions Limited, Ovatio Courtage SAS, P.G. Bradley & Co Limited, PGOF Manager 1 LLC, PRORUCK Ruckversicherungs Aktiengesellschaft, PT Aon Benfield Indonesia, PT Aon Hewitt Indonesia, PT Aon Indonesia, PWZ AG, Paragon Strategic Solutions Inc., PathWise Solutions LLC, Penn Square Manager 1 LLC, Penn Square Manager II LLC, Portus Consulting, Portus Consulting, Portus Consulting (Leamington) Limited, Portus Online LLP, Praesidium S.p.A. - Soluzioni Assicurative per il Management, Premier Auto Finance Inc., Private Client Trustees Ltd., Private Equity Partnership Structures I LLC, Probabilitas N.V./SA, Protective Marketing Enterprises Inc., Randolph Finance Unlimited Company, Rasini Vigano Limited, Redwoods Dental Underwriters Inc., Richard Kiddle (Insurance Brokers) Limited, Risk Laboratories LLC, Riskikonsultatsioonide OU, Ronnie Elementary Insurance Agency Ltd, SA Special Situations General Partner LLC, SG IFFOXX Assekuranzmaklergesellschaft mbH, SLE Worldwide Limited, SN Re S.A., Salud Riesgos y Recursos Humanos Consultores Ltda. (former Aon Corporte Advisors Ltda.), SchneiderGolling IFFOXX Assekuranzmakler AG, SchneiderGolling Industrie Assekuranzmaklergesellschaft mbH, Scritch Inc., Shanghai Kayi Information Technology Co. Ltd, Sheppard Netherlands B.V., Specialty Benefits Inc., Sports Insure Limited [In strike-off], Strategic Manager-III LLC, Stroz Friedberg (Asia) Limited, Stroz Friedberg Inc., Stroz Friedberg LLC, Stroz Friedberg Limited, Stroz Friedberg Risk Management Limited, Superannuation Management Nominees Limited, Suresport Limited [In strike-off], Swire Blanch MSTC II SA, Swire Blanch MSTC SA, TTG BRPTP GP LLC, TTG Cayuga Bavaria Intermediate 2 S.a.r.l, TTG Core Plus Investments LLC, TTG German Investments I LLC, TTG Investments II LLC, TTG Irish Investments I LLC, TTG Manager LLC, Tecsefin S.A. en liquidacion, The Aon Ireland Mastertrustee Limited, The Aon MasterTrustee Limited, The John Reynolds Company Limited, The Key West Saxon Group LLC, The Townsend Group Inc, The Townsend Group LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager I LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager II LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager III LLC, Townsend Group Asia Limited, Townsend Group Europe Ltd., Townsend HWL GP Ltd., Townsend Holdings LLC, Townsend Lake Constance GP Limited, Townsend REF GP LLC, Townsend Re Global GP Limited, Townsend SO Manager I LLC, Tyche, UAB One Underwriting, UADBB Aon Baltic, UK Credit Insurance Specialists Limited, UNIT Versicherungsmakler GmbH, US Underwriting Solutions S.r.l., USLP Underwriting Solutions LP, Underwriters Marine Services Inc., Unidelta AG, Unirobe Meeus Groep, UnitedPensions Deutschland AG, Univers Workplace Solutions, VERO Management AG, Ventiv Technology, WT Government Services LLC, WT Technologies LLC, Wannet Speciale Verzekeringen B.V., Wannet Sports Insurance GmbH, Ward Financial Group Inc., Welfare S.r.l, West Lake General Partner LLC, West Lake II GP LLC, Wexford Underwriting Managers Inc., White Rock Insurance (Americas) Ltd., White Rock Insurance (Europe) PCC Limited, White Rock Insurance (Gibraltar) PCC Ltd., White Rock Insurance (Guernsey) ICC Limited, White Rock Insurance (Netherlands) PCC Limited, White Rock Insurance (SAC) Ltd., White Rock Insurance Company PCC Ltd., White Rock Insurance PCC (Isle of Man) Limited, White Rock Services (Bermuda) Ltd., White Rock USA Ltd., Willis Towers Watson, Worldwide Integrated Services Company, Wrapid Specialty Inc., Zalba-Caldu Correduria de Seguros SA, and cut-e USA Inc..

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The Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) representing 9 000 workers in the textile and apparel industry, the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) representing 40 000 workers and 16 affiliated unions, and the IndustriALL Global Union representing 50 million workers in 140 countries met in Manzini, Swaziland on the 29th of August 2017 to discuss the status of the United States Trade Act  the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)  eligibility for Swaziland.

With ATUSWA and TUCOSWA having been registered, and some sections of the Industrial Relations Act, the Suppression of Terrorism Act, and the Public Order Act amended, there is still a lot to be done to improve rights issues. Some progress has been made towards addressing the concerns on workers rights including freedoms of assembly, expression, and association, that led to its suspension in January 2015.

We call upon the Government of Swaziland to adhere to international labour standards, respect human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Social dialogue should include engagement and active participation involving all social partners and key stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of AGOA utilization strategies in permanent and structured national and regional multi-stakeholder platforms. We also call upon AGOA beneficiaries to be small scale indigenous Swazi companies rather than multi-national companies.

The decision to call for readmission has not been taken lightly, but after extensive consultations and assessment by TUCOSWA and participation in the ILO process to review whether Swaziland had met the standards for internationally recognised workers rights including the rights to organise. Concern was also raised over the use of security forces stifling of peaceful demonstrations and arbitrary arrests.

As trade unions, we support Swazilands readmission to AGOA eligibility status because this will not only save jobs but create thousands more in the textile and apparel industry, and across the value chain. In our fight for decent work, these jobs are an important lifeline for young women who constitute over 90% of the workers in this industry. By calling for the reinstatement, we are helping the Government of Swaziland to protect and create jobs and it is imperative that the government adopt investor friendly and sustainable industrial policies which contribute to job creation. The manufacturing sector is strategically placed to play a role in job creation and government policies must encourage foreign direct investment.

The Swazi position for readmission was emphasized in a trade union meeting in the AGOA forum in Lome, Togo from the 08th to the 10th of August 2017, that discussed AGOA issues.

Amandla!

Related: 2017 Annual and out-of-cycle AGOA eligibility reviews: Transcripts from the Public Hearings
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Thanks Mike for your insightful comments! I agree with you completely.

We've been in Jamaica where a hurricane was about 200 miles away and we only had light showers...no wind.

We were also in Barbados with a tropical storm 75 miles away and we had some wind and heavy rain for a day. Not a big deal.

We fly in two days (Wed) to Punta Cana, and we have trip insurance. Still watching the situation as we know if the storm stays north (as the current forecast) we'll still be good to go as long as the flight does. Luckily we are staying in La Romana which is even further south.
This morning, there is a significant change in most of the models I follow. That curve to the North into the Bahamas is now delayed. Was expected around coming Friday, but the NHC and the thee other models I follow are now showing a more southerly route directly over Cuba.

I place the ECMUF model as a bell-weather in its predictive accuracy and it is showing a path over Northern Cuba (a land fall) and then a shape North turn on coming Sunday into the heart of Florida driven by a strong, but delayed, high pressure ridge with northerly steering winds. The second model I follow is the UKMet and it, too, is showing a delay in the shift to the Northern path; this model is showing a path even more southernly and westerly into Cuba than the ECMUF model. It is predicting a land-brush along Northern Hispaniola (Haiti and DR) then into Cuba.

The third model I follow is the GFS and, it too, is showing a more southernly and westerly track prediction this morning that nearly matches the prediction by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

For Jamaica, this news still shows little impact other than storm surge and wind effects; getting there by air is getting complicated, however, especially if connecting flights are via Orlando or Miami.

It does show a worsen impact for the FL Keys and central FL.

There is still a chance that the approaching north steering ridge will not be "strong" enough to deflect Irma northerly which would allow Irma to enter the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

End of this week will be very interesting.
As above, use webjet to search flight options, but do not book your flight through webjet - book DIRECT with the airline.

Re 5-6 days in Cairns region, do you drive? If so, I Recommend hiring a car in Cairns, driving to Port Douglas and staying there for thr majority of your time. You could then do a two day/one night drive of the Athertoon Tablelands and spend your final night in Cairsn prior to your flight out. If you dont drive, you are still better to stsy in Port Douglas, and you can book tours to see the sites. Port Douglas is closer to the Daintree, Mossman Gorge and also offers many outer reef tours. It is also a much nicer holiday town with a pretty beach - Cairns is a big administrative centre with no beach.

Have a look at this website for ideas on AT: http://www.athertontablelands.com.au

You can fly from Cairns direct to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Uluru and many other places. If you only have 6 days, dont bother with a second destination. If you can stretch to 10-12 days, then pick another place, but remeber thatyou will lose at least half a day transferring. EG it is 2.5 hours flight from Cairns to Brisbane, 3.5 hours from Cairns to Sydney, plus all the pre and post dlight time and check out/check in.

Cheers.
My friend and I will be flying into the San Jose airport on a Saturday evening and are planning to head down to Puerto Viejo the following Wednesday. In between then we may stay at a place in the Turrialba valley for a few days. Do you think it would be worthwhile to stay two nights at a hotel in/near Alajuela after we arrive on Saturday so we can take the Britt coffee tour on Sunday before heading to Turrialba on Monday? Or should we head straight to Turrialba on Sunday morning? My friend and I absolutely love coffee so that's why I thought we might want to do the Britt coffee tour, but if it's not that great we'll just skip it.

Thanks for your input.
First Timer - Where to go for 10 days in Vietnam?

First Timer - Where to go for 10 days in Vietnam?

Hi Everyone,

I need your expert help, please. The BF and I are planning a visit to Vietnam and wondering if anyone can suggest an itinerary for us. We love going to local markets/night markets, bargain shopping, I personally love to try new food in the area, the beach, snorkelling, diving and general sight seeing.

We are not really into museums, arts etc, but happy to get some suggestion.

Our original plan is to stay for 4 nights in Ho Chi Minh City and 6 nights in Da Nang, what is everyone's thought? Should we move around a bit?

Thanks in advance, so sorry if it's a bit vague at the moment, I will add more details here as I find it, but at the moment I am just at my early stage of research.
Hi,

In planning our travels in Japan we have used Hyperdia to plan train times for Shinkansen and Ltd Express. Some of the suggested timetables have transfer times swapping from one track to another that are only around 9-11 minutes. I am wondering if this is realistic given we will have a 5 year old and 9 year old and luggage with us? What would people suggest as a minimum transfer time to allow you to get to different platforms without being stressed and potentially missing your connecting trip? We don't want to be stressed out but also obviously don't want trips taking longer than necessary!

Examples are:

8.55am Shinkansen Nozomi 2 track 12. Arrive Nagoya track 14 9.31 (35 mins), depart track 11 9.39 on Ltd Express Wideview hida 5 (164 minutes). Arrive Takayama 12.23pm

and

Depart Nagano Shinkansen Hakutaka 552 to Tokyo (Track 13, 98 mins). Arrive in Tokyo at 9.20 on track number 23, Depart from Tokyo on track 19 at 9.33am on Shinkansen Hikari to Odawara (34 minutes).

Thanks in advance

Vanessa
Hi everyone,

So I'm planning to go to Tokyo next year (2018/2019) for about 2 weeks from Dec 25th-Jan 12th & I wanted to know if it's worth it in terms of sightseeing & traveling outside the city. I've just recently found out that many places are closed for a couple days around new years but for how long?? I was planning on going to Osaka for 2 days right after new years to go to the Kaiyukan aquarium & general sightseeing (Dotonbori). Then around that time I wanted to go to Nara to see the deer park. Will those areas be closed after new years?

Please bear in mind that I'm planning on taking the Shinkansen with the JR Pass, however once again I've read that the Shinkansen will be crowded. The only time I really plan on taking the shinkansen is to travel to Osaka/Nara, Mt. Fuji, Zao Fox Village, Jigokudani Monkey Park, Manza Onsen(s), & Yokohama. Does someone maybe know if the Manza Onsens, Jigokudani, & Zao FV will be closed around that time?

In terms of Tokyo, I just want to hang out. I'm going with my boyfriend & we mainly just want to do things like go to those animal cafes, VR zone, Skytree, Tokyo Tower, a couple museums (which I know will probably be closed right after new years), Asakusa, Ueno Zoo, Disneyland (MAYBE), Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, Tsujiki Fish Market (if it's still open), arcade, shopping, AND MORE BUT I CANT REMEMBER. We don't plan on eating out much because we will have our own kitchen at our hotel. I intend to buy food and basic need stuff from super markets, 7/11, 100 yen stores, etc.

OH and we plan on spending the new year's countdown at shibuya crossing lol. I know that's kind of cheesy but whatever.

I know everything will obviously be open before new years eve & at least a week after but I want to narrow it down. Seeing that my time is limited & this whole new years thing just makes it kind of worse, I just want to make sure I'm spending my time wisely.

ALSO I plan on buying the JR Pass for 2 weeks only. SO I need to narrow this whole shinkansen thing too. Like when would be the best time to activate it so I could use it wisely with the time I have.

I'm sorry that this is a lot lol but I just want to be prepared & ready as possible. If you can help me please do. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE TO EVERYONE :)
1. Yes. The ordinance goes against state law and is not in the best interest of the cities.

2. Yes. At the very least, it should be amended to give police officers some discretion.

3. No. Voters approved the ordinance by large majorities; the councils cant ignore that fact.

4. No. The petition process has to be given a chance to work. Leave the ordinance alone.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the cities should move forward regarding the ordinance.

Vote

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From my experience language barrier in reservations are not a problem. The easiest thing to do is to write down departure station, arrival station, date and time, (train number/name only if you already checked a timeline and know exactly which one you want) and politely ask for a reservation with your best smile. They will do everything for you.

Japanese train tickets and seat reservations are very small and thin (like a business card) so I wouldn't worry about having too many.

On the other hand, a good reason for not reserving with too much advance is if you want to keep flexible, but that depends on your travel style.

On the other hand again, on some busy and long lines you should book at least a few days in advance. For example last year it happened to me that no seat was available from Shin-Hakodate to Tokyo (a very long, 5 hours long trip), meaning that I had to change seat depending on availability at every stop and even stand for 40 minutes.
Hi there,

Am planning to travel in the last week of Sep 2017 to Fiji. It will be a total of 2 adults and a 6 yr old kid. Could you please recommend any island which has kids friendly activities. If possible provide recommendations on place to stay. Am bored of massive buildings and would appreciate if you could recommend any place to stay which has beach or lagoon front. Thanks.
Hey all,

So I'm a 25 year old woman from England planning a trip to NYC on my own December 21-27th for the touristy things, shopping and just being in a busy city for a while!

My friends don't want to come and it's always been a dream of mine to go for Christmas and to tick it off the bucket list!

I'm just after some general advice really!

I really would like to go out in the evenings, socialise and see what NYC has to offer. No point in going if I stay locked up in the hotel! Would that be unsafe? Going to bars alone?

I'm really looking forward to this trip I'd just like to see if anyone has any solo experiences to reassure me.
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- Uhuru Kenyatta could face an uphill battle in the Kisii region following his utterances against Chief Justice CJ Maraga

- There were peaceful demonstrations in Kisii county on Sunday, September 3, against what they felt were threats from Uhuru to the CJ

- They are now demanding an apology from the Jubilee party leader

President Uhuru Kenyattas statements hours after the historic Supreme Court ruling nullifying his win are haunting his cause yet again, after sections of residents in Kisii resorted to demos against him.

For a greater part of Sunday, September 3, Kisii county was rigged by peaceful demonstrators who were keen to display their dissatisfaction against the President for coming for their man Chief Justice Maraga.

Residents from Kisii county held peaceful demonstrations against Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO: Twitter.com/Pravin

READ ALSO: 10 Kenya police officers admitted to hospital with Cholera symptoms

The demonstrations mostly revolved around the fact that Uhuru, in the heat of the moment, seemed to threaten the Supreme Court judges on Friday, September 1.

Uhuru, during an impromptu rally in Burma hours after the Supreme Court ruling, had promised to deal with the Judges after repeat elections which will take place in two months.

Celebrations was the order of the day in Kisii county on Friday, September 1. PHOTO: Twitter.com/RobinNjogu

READ ALSO: I cannot share power with thieves  Raila responds to Ruto

NASA leaders, in a retaliatory attack, rushed to the Supreme Courts rescue during rally in Mathare on Sunday.

Kisii county was one of the areas that erupted in massive celebrations on Friday after the controversial supreme court ruling.

CJ David Maraga ruled in favor of thee National Super Alliance on Friday, September 1. PHOTO: Nation

READ ALSO: 2017's presidential aspirant vouches for the disbandment of the curent IEBC

The Jubilee party, during their campaigns before the August , mapped Kisii and Nyamira as swing counties.

However, residents are now calling for Uhuru Kenyatta to apologize for his utterances before the repeat election kicks off.

Have anything to add to this article or suggestions? Share with us on news@tuko.co.ke

NASA wins presidential petition:

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- The National Super Alliance (NASA) has demanded the removal of Ezra Chiloba from Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)

- According to Opposition leader Raila Odinga, IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba was one of the major players in the discrepancies that rocked the August 8 election

- The commission has been under serious scrutiny after the Supreme Court ruled against them over credibility of the Presidential electoral process

The National Super Alliance (NASA) has changed tune on who should be fired from the IEBC ahead of the crucial poll as ruled by the Supreme Court.

NASA is now demanding that IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba be removed from the commission and its chairman, Wafula Chebukati, retained.

Addressing their supporters on Sunday, September 3, in Nairobi's Huruma area, NASA leaders said the person they want out is Chiloba whom they have severally accused of being an accomplice in the bungled election.

NASA is demanding the removal of IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba over bungled elections Photo: Star

READ ALSO: IEBC addresses reports its officials were involved in a physical altercation

The calls were led by Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.

We have not said we want Chebukati out. But we have told him not to go to this fresh election without cleaning his house. Sweep them out. I do not hate Mr Chiloba, but he must go home. He did not give Kenyans justice. Chebukati is okay, but Chiloba is not okay," Kalonzo said.

Raila on his part said their is no way Chiloba will manage the election again. He likened it to giving goats to a hyena to take care of them.

NASA is now demanding that IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba be removed from the commission and its chairman, Wafula Chebukati, retained Photo: Facebook/Raila Odinga

READ ALSO: Presidential elections should be held before October 17 - CS Matiang'i

Early on, NASA had demanded the disbandment of the entire IEBC after the Supreme Court ruling.

They later named at least six people in IEBC whom they accused of being behind electoral malpractices that saw the court nullify President Uhuru Kenyatta's win.

As reported by TUKO.co.ke, the six are Chiloba himself, head of operations Betty Nyabuto, ICT director James Muhati, commissioner Yakob Guliye, voter registration and electoral operations director Immaculate Kasait and head of legal department Praxedes Tororey.

Big win for NASA's supporters

Have something to add to this article or suggestions? Send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Former Meru governor Peter Munya has been attacked by the man who defeated him in the polls

- Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi told Munya that joining Raila Odinga in NASA was the last nail in his coffin

- Earlier, members of PNU disowned Munya claiming he did not represent their interests when he joined NASA

Former Meru governor Peter Munya has committed political suicide by joining NASA.

According to Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi,Munya is on his way to political oblivion by shifting his support from President Uhuru Kenyatta to Raila Odinga of NASA.

Kiraitu who beat Munya in the gubernatorial race said the former governor had placed the last nail in his coffin by going to bed with the Opposition.

READ ALSO: NASA heads to Chief Justice David Maraga's backyard to campaign

READ ALSO: Where is NASA principal Isaac Ruto? TUKO.co.ke has all the details

At the same time,PNU officials have disowned Munya saying he is no longer an official of the party.

Munya had claimed that PNU officials were with him in supporting Raila.

But bonafide party officials said the former Governor no longer holds a post in the party after he was thrown out by the Registrar of the Political Parties.

READ ALSO: 2017's presidential candidate vows to be in the repeat elections

Registrar Lucy Ndungu granted the wish of a petitioner who had argued that Munya was unprocedurally elected PNU chairman in October 28, 2016.

He was fired together with another seven official and retired president Mwai Kibaki reinstated as PNU party leader.

NASA celebrates Raila's victory at the Supreme Court.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
More than half a ton of gold stolen by the entourage of former President Viktor Yanukovych has been arrested abroad, Ukrainian Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin has said in an interview with Insider.

"A few weeks ago, in cooperation with a European country, we received information on the arrest of a large batch of gold. The issue concerns more than half a ton," Yenin said, when asked to comment on the assets stolen under the Yanukovych regime.

He said that the total amount of damage caused to the state by the Yanukovych regime was about $40 billion. Of this amount, $1.5 billion arrested in Ukraine has already been returned to the state budget, he said.

Yenin also said that nearly $200 million worth of assets of the Yanukovych entourage had currently been arrested in various jurisdictions, mostly European. "It is too early to say that we have lost all opportunities to find other assets stolen by the Yanukovych regime," he added.

The State Service for Financial Monitoring of Ukraine stated earlier that the assets of former officials who worked under Yanukovych for a total amount of 107.19 million dollars, 15.87 million euros and 135.01 million Swiss francs had been blocked abroad, in particular, in Austria, Britain, Latvia, Cyprus, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

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Human rights activists and relatives have not yet been able to find out the whereabouts of the abducted 19-year-old Ukrainian citizen, Pavlo Hryb.

Coordinator of the Media Initiative for Human Rights Maria Tomak said this at a press conference, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Unfortunately, we do not have any sensational news for you, I hope that this week there will be any good news, but so far it has not been possible to establish the exact location of Pavlo. We, as human rights activists, family and lawyers believe that the situation that happened to Pavlo Hryb is an enforced disappearance, the practice that the Russian Federation has been applying very actively since the beginning of the armed conflict. We hope to find Pavlo alive and healthy in the near future," Tomak said.

The lawyer and the representative of Pavlos family, Yevhenia Zakrevska, notes that an appeal has been filed with the European Court of Human Rights.

"We have filed an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights regarding the application of urgent measures under rule No. 39. That is, we believe that the Russian Federation currently violates the rights of Pavlo Hryb such as the right to freedom, the right to non-torture, and there is a direct threat to his life," she said.

The lawyer stressed that Pavlo had been without medical supervision for 12 days, which could lead to serious consequences.

As Ukrinform reported, on August 27, a Ukrainian citizen and a former border guard officer, Ihor Hryb, appealed to the Ukrainian Embassy in Minsk with a statement that his son, Pavlo, born in 1998, disappeared in Belarus.

On August 24, the young man left Chernihiv for Gomel and disappeared there. Ihor Hryb initially searched for his son in Belarus independently. Police representatives in Gomel reported that his son had been placed on the wanted list by the FSB of the Krasnodar Territory of Russia under an article "terrorist act."

Ihor Hryb previously served in the Ukrainian border troops and is now involved in the creation of a chaplaincy service in law enforcement agencies. He suspects that Russia's special services kidnapped his son in Belarus.

ish
Ukraine and the United States will make an observation flight over the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation. The flight will be performed within the framework of the Treaty on Open Skies.

"The mission of the United States and Ukraine plans to make an observation flight over the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation within the framework of the Treaty on the Open Skies on September 4-8," the press service of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Belarus reported on Monday.

According to the press service, the observation flight will be performed with the purpose of monitoring the military activities in the territories of the observed states.

As reported, the preparations for the Zapad 2017 Russian-Belarusian military exercises are ongoing on the territory of Belarus. The active phase of drills will be held on September 14-20. At the moment, the equipment and troops are being deployed.

The exercises will involve 10,200 troops: 7,200 from the Armed Forces of Belarus and about 3,000 from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Up to 680 units of military equipment are expected to be used in course of the exercises.

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The State Border Service of Ukraine has strengthened control over borders at all sectors due to the Zapad 2017 joint Belarusian-Russian military exercises.

Assistant to the Chairman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Oleh Slobodian stated this, 112 Ukraina TV channel reported.

"These events have already begun since early September. The command and staff exercises have started, during which the border sections are strengthened in all directions without exception, from the ATO zone, northern, western, southern parts, that is, we are strengthening control at all sectors at least until the end of the Zapad 2017 exercises," Slobodian said.

According to him, Russian troops have already started to arrive in Belarus.

"Therefore, the situation needs to be controlled, and we are already holding these events," he stressed.

As Ukrinform reported, the active phase of the Russian-Belarusian military exercises is scheduled for September 14-20.

ish
The Investment Forum will be held in Kyiv on September 26, the press service of Kyiv City State Administration reports.

"On September 26, at CEC Parkovy Park, Kyiv authorities will gather world investors to present key investment projects, as well as the potential of cooperation in the field of the film industry, business tourism and other areas of urban tourism infrastructure development," reads the report.

The forum participants will be leading experts of international level who have the experience in the sphere of relevant sections.

First Deputy Chairman of Kyiv City State Administration Hennadiy Plis noted that 60 city projects, totaling about UAH 100 billion, were represented at the Investment Forum last year.

iy
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin strongly condemns a nuclear test conducted by North Korea, saying that it is extremely important for Ukraine to stop this "insanity".

"Strongly condemn nuclear test by #NorthKorea. To stop this insanity is utterly important 4 #Ukraine which gave up 3rd largest nuclear stockpile," the minister wrote on his Twitter page.

As reported, North Korea has carried out its sixth nuclear test - the most powerful blast to date.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the hydrogen bomb test on Sunday morning, ordered by leader Kim Jong-un, was a "perfect success".

ish
The United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE should get its act together on Russia as the state that unleashed a war against Ukraine and openly menaces its other neighbors with violence.

Refat Chubarov, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, wrote this on his Facebook page on Sunday.

"The UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE should get its act together on Russia as the state that unleashed a war against Ukraine and openly menaces its other neighbors, the sovereign states, with violence," Chubarov wrote.

According to the Mejlis chairman, violent abductions and killings of Crimean Tatars in the occupied Crimea, illegal raids, arrests of Crimean Tatars, prohibition of activities of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and prosecution of its members and activists, massive settlement of population from the mainland Russia in Crimea, hasty erection of religious symbols of one particular religious denomination on the whole territory of Crimea contrary to the interests and rights of believers of other confessions are hybrid forms of suppression of the Crimean Tatar people  the indigenous people of Crimea professing Islam  by the de facto Russian authorities in Crimea.

In his opinion, the Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians, who became hostages of the Russian occupation regime on their native land, will regain the unconditional guarantee of life, liberty and rights only after the cessation of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the de-occupation of Crimea and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Donbas, the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and Sevastopol.

"Russia's military aggression against Ukraine must be stopped, and politicians and officials, who waged it, must be convicted by the international court," Chubarov said.

ol
The European Union will extend the individual restrictive measures against Russian and Crimean officials and leaders of terrorist organizations in the temporarily occupied Donbas for next six months.

This issue has been put on the agenda of the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU Member States at the Council of the European Union, an Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels learnt from the governing institution of the EU.

"The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 6. The extension of sanctions against the individuals who encroach on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as against some institutions and companies was put on the agenda. It is expected that the restrictive measures will be extended without discussion," said the representative of the Council of the European Union.

The restrictive measures provide for introduction of visa bans on trips to the EU countries and freezing the assets.

As reported, the EUs sectoral economic sanctions against Russia came into force for the next six months on August 1. These restrictive measures are tied to the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

ol
About a thousand people gathered in the Czech capital, Prague, for the first Ukrainian festival aimed at popularizing Ukrainian culture in the Czech Republic, Radio Liberty has reported.

The festival, which will now be held annually, was attended by Czech Ukrainians, as well as those who work in the Czech Republic. The guests also included a lot of Czechs.

"You feel that you are not alone in this country. We here in the Czech Republic preach, persuade, and tell about Ukraine, and we are many here. We are grouping," Head of the Community of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic Maria Skyba said in her speech.

The festival participants observed a minute of silence for the Ukrainian soldiers killed in the Donbas.

"There is a war in Ukraine, but we remember where we are from. We will never forget what the young guys are doing for Ukraine, protecting it," Skyba said.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Yevhen Perebyinis thanked Czech Ukrainians for providing humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian army and called on them to continue to show solidarity with Ukraine and stage protests in Europe against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

"We must do even small things, expressing solidarity with Ukraine. If you are here, then Ukraine is not indifferent to you," Perebyinis said.

Bands performed at the festival, and visitors could taste Ukrainian dishes, buy souvenirs, in particular embroidery.

Ukrainians are the most numerous foreign national community in the Czech Republic, ahead of Vietnamese, Slovaks and Russians. According to official figures, about 110,000 Ukrainians legally stay in the Czech Republic, and almost half of them live in Prague.

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The Ukrainian Deruny Festival was held in The Hague on September 2.

All the guests of the festival had the opportunity to taste meat dishes, sweets and beverages from Ukrainian producers, the Foundation "Ukrainians in the Netherlands" posted on Facebook page.

The numerous deruny (potato pancakes) cooking master classes were held, including by the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Netherlands.

The pottery making and painting master classes were also offered.

The guests of the festival were presented with a wide selection of Ukrainian souvenirs like embroidery, wreaths, plates and dishes, etc.

Photo credit: Foundation "Ukrainians in the Netherlands"

ol
Ukraine will be represented by its national stand at the Toronto International Film Festival for the first time on September 6-17. The days of Ukrainian film will also be organized at the 42nd TIFF.

Chairman of the State Film Agency of Ukraine Pylyp Ilyenko announced this at a press conference on Monday.

"Ukraine will for the first time officially join the great film industry event in North America which is the epicenter of the world cinematographic life. Thus, it is very important to bring information about our industry there, to establish contacts, to present our films, possibilities of our country, to attract filmmakers from the entire world... In addition, we plan to organize the days of Ukrainian film within the framework of this event to show the best Ukrainian films of recent years," Ilyenko said.

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The Federal Government of Germany will provide financial support to the humanitarian measures of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine in the amount of EUR 6.5 million.

Thus, the total Germans funding for the ICRC projects and measures in Ukraine in 2016-2018 will increase to EUR 14.5 million euros, the website of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine reports.

It is noted that Germany provides financial support to numerous humanitarian activities within the framework of the project ICRC Aid, Protection, Prevention and Co-operative Communications in Ukraine which is being carried out mostly in eastern Ukraine. The project activities include provision of health services, trauma treatment, support for health facilities, preventive measures, supply of food products and hygiene kits, water supply, training of medical staff and service personnel, searches for missing and restoration of family connections, visits to detainees and so on.

"These measures make an important contribution to overcoming the consequences of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The target group is the internally displaced persons along with the families that have granted them asylum and those affected by the conflict on both sides of the demarcation line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the Embassy notes.

ol
Hormonal alterations with aging contribute to the pathogenesis of several diseases. Androgens mediate their effects predominantly through binding to the androgen receptor (AR), a member of the ligand-dependent nuclear receptor superfamily. By androgen treatment, AR is recruited to specific genomic loci dependent on tissue specific pioneer factors to regulate target gene expression. Recent studies have revealed the epigenetic modulation by AR-associated histone modifiers and the roles of non-coding RNAs in AR signaling. Androgens are male sex hormone to induce differentiation of the male reproductive system required for the establishment of adult sexual function. As shown by several reports using AR knockout mouse models, androgens also have anabolic functions in several tissues such as bone, muscle and central nervous systems. Notably, AR has a central role in prostate cancer progression. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Androgen-deprivation therapy for cancer patients and decline of serum androgen with aging promote several diseases associated with aging and quality of life of older men such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia and dementia. Thus, androgen replacement therapy for treating late onset hypogonadism (LOH) or new epigenetic regulators have the potential to overcome the symptoms caused by the low androgen, although adverse effects for cardiovascular diseases have been reported. Given the increasing longevity and consequent rise of age-related diseases and prostate cancer patients, a more understanding of the AR actions in male health remains a high research priority.

Endocrine journal. 2017 Aug 19 [Epub ahead of print]

Ken-Ichi Takayama

Department of Functional Biogerontology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28824023
When two scions of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) elite wed in June, they posted a series of videos on YouTube and Facebook celebrating their union  and their wealth.

In The Love and Honor of Sokan and Leakhena, Sok Sokan, the son of the late Council of Ministers President Sok An, straps on his Patek Philippe watch before driving his Range Rover to the mansion of Sam Ang Leakhena, whose parents own Vattanac Capital.

The camera cuts away, then lingers over the couples diplomas, photographs of the two with their famous relatives, and pauses to allow an appreciation of Vattanacs balance sheet.

The video oeuvre of Sok Sokan and Sam Ang Leakhena is the digital adaptation of an ancient wedding ritual, hai comnuon, in which the grooms family marches to the brides house bearing the most expensive gifts they can afford.

Rich, well-connected

The videos showcasing the wealth, property and good fortune are igniting a fresh debate over the lifestyles of the rich and well-connected in a country where the per capita annual income hovers around $1,100.

Many of the wedding videos have been widely shared on social media. Mocked by some Cambodians, they are praised by others who said they admired the wealth on display and wished they could afford the same.

I know its my big day and all, but I think you need to see my business, my house and my political party, Cambodian blogger Catherine Harry wrote beneath the video of Sok Sokan and Sam Ang Leakhena.

Facebook user Lin Na, 32, said she admired the celebration and speculated that it was the couples good karma accumulated over the course of many previous lives that enabled them to stage such a spectacle.

Which might be part of the point of the weddings.

Sebastian Strangio, author of the book "Hun Sens Cambodia", said that the concept of bun, or merit, is an important aspect of Cambodian political culture and elaborate wedding videos serve a dual purpose  advertising the wealth of the elite families and their underlying merit.

Ostentatious displays of wealth are a very common way of people transmitting to others that they have reserves of merit built up from good deeds in past lives, Strangio said. I think these sorts of videos telegraph the fact that the individuals within them are meritorious and they deserve the wealth that they have, and because they are wealthy they have legitimacy.

Fighting back against criticism

When Sar Kheng, the interior minister, was criticized because his sons nuptials blocked traffic in central Phnom Penh, his Cabinet wrote to The Cambodia Daily, arguing that large weddings were the natural order of Cambodian society. Those who disagreed, the letter said, want Cambodia to become the next Syria.

But this strategy of portraying the elites power and affluence as an outgrowth of the natural order may have diminishing returns.

Discontent over the countrys vast disparities in wealth and the limited career and educational opportunities available to the poor has been rising recently. Many analysts point to this as a key factor in the growing popularity of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party over the past half-decade.

It will become an issue if a dawning class consciousness begins to produce a backlash against these ostentatious displays of wealth, Strangio said.

Sophal Ear, an associate professor of diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles, agreed that videos showing extravagances of the political elite could backfire.

Of course, if you have the money to burn and want to create a fantasy video that rubs peoples noses in it, you can, he said. But things can backfire when the perception is that there is something unjust that resulted in this outcome. Flaunting ill-gotten gains can rub people the wrong way.

The risk is particularly high because the CPPs own brand is explicitly incorporated into many wedding videos, which often show couples being blessed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, a onetime Khmer Rouge commander, or other high-ranking government officials.

The Love and Honor of Sokan and Leakhena shows Sok Sokan campaigning for the CPP in the June commune elections, while Sam Ang Leakhena works in her Vattanac Tower before the two come together in an embrace. Party logos appear frequently suggesting that this is a union of two of the CPPs leading families.

The point of all this is to solidify the relationships of the elites through interlocking marriages that will ensure the survival of the families of the elites, Ear said.

Families with connections

Yim Beauramey, the granddaughter of two deputy prime ministers, and Meas Sophearith, the son of General Meas Sophea, commander of the Royal Cambodia Army, produced a video depicting themselves as lovers in four historical eras: Longvek, Angkor, the Sangkum regime of Norodom Sihanouk, and what they dubbed the Decho Era, a reference to Hun Sen.

And when the children of tycoons Ly Yong Phat and Kok An tied the knot, one of the proud fathers broadcast the entire extravagant ceremony on his eponymous television channel, the Phat News Network.

Phay Siphan, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers, rejected any suggestion that the marriages of CPP elites were due to political or economic considerations.

For those Cambodians who feel alienated by the extravagant celebrations, he advanced a trickle-down theory of wedding economics.

In a free economy, when one party spends, another will gain, he said. In contrast, if rich people do not spend, it will affect the economy.

But Phay Siphan countered his own theory by saying the CPP weddings were based on love, pure and simple.

Love has no limits, he said. In Cambodian folktales, some people even fell in love with snakes and giants; therefore, love has no limits.
More than a year ago, the Cambodian authorities tried to arrest opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party president Kem Sokha. Rather than raid the partys headquarters, where Sokha was holed up and supporters had gathered in solidarity, security forces eventually backed down.



In the early hours of Sunday morning, Sokha, 64, was finally detained at his home in Phnom Penh, just hours after he returned from an overseas trip. Apparently detained on allegations of treason, the arrest was seen by rights groups and the CNRP as yet another move in the ruling Cambodian Peoples Partys playbook to remove opposition ahead of next years crucial general election.



If found guilty, Sokha could spend up to 30 years in prison. His arrest follows a crackdown on critical media outlets, including the forced closure of the influential English-language Cambodia Daily newspaper and several local radio stations that broadcast factual programming in rural Cambodia, where the CPP traditionally draws its support base.



Ahead of the arrest, Fresh News, a pro-CPP news website, published anonymous claims that Sokha and his family were politically wedded to foreign agents and U.S. Interests with whom he was plotting to overthrow the government.



The government cited a video of Sokha broadcast by the Cambodian Broadcasting Network in Australia more than three years ago as evidence of this alleged plot.



This act of conspiracy is treason, the government said in a statement, adding that Sokhas arrest was lawful.



The governments press department released a video purporting to show Sokha giving the speech in Melbourne in 2014 where he allegedly claimed he had received U.S. support to defeat Prime Minister Hun Sen by being advised to leave politics for a while and to form Cambodian Center for Human Rights.



This alone was evidence of treason, according to the governments reasoning.



We have no choice. Do we have to arrest him alone or send troops to the party headquarters? Hun Sen asked.



He added that the Cambodian regime would not seek to identify those foreigners supposedly behind the opposition plot to win elections.



The CNRP said in a statement on Sunday that Sokhas arrest violated the law and constitution, calling for the unconditional and immediate release of its president.



The rushed arrest of Kem Sokha is politically motivated and violates the law and constitution since the arrest was made over midnight and while he had immunity, the statement said.



Mu Sochua, CNRP vice president, denied claims of a conspiracy directed from abroad to defeat Hun Sens government. The loss of the opposition party is the loss of over three million peoples voices, she said, referring to the partys estimated voter base.



Prior to his arrest, Sokha had traveled to Thailand to meet with diplomats from 10 countries. After the meetings, he wrote on Facebook that the envoys had expressed concerns over the deteriorating political situation in Cambodia.



His daughter, Kem Monovithya, tweeted that her fathers arrest was conducted in a mafia manner and marked the end of [the pretense of] democracy in Cambodia.



Hun Sens son, Hun Manith, however, took to Twitter to claim Sokhas arrest was proof of a conspiracy led by the United States, without providing evidence.



Hong Kimsuon of the Cambodian Defenders Project, a group of legal experts, said there was no evidence in the video to back up government claims of a conspiracy.



He [Sokha] talked about political principles to walk with democracy to change the countrys leader, he said. There was nothing said about any attempts to topple the legitimate government.



Meas Ny, a political analyst, said the CNRP had fallen into a ruling party trap, adding that any reaction from supporters against Sokhas arrest would likely me met with violence.



Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, claimed the government had sufficient evidence to prosecute Sokha. If there wasnt sufficient evidence, they wouldnt arrest him, he said.



When asked why the only evidence presented by the government so far was a years-old video of a public meeting in which Sokha had spoken of his motivations for entering politics, Eysan said the timing doesnt matter.



Phay Siphan, government spokesman, agreed with Eysan, saying the CNRP had trained like rebels and that Sokha had incited a peoples movement.



If Sokha is found guilty, under the political parties law the CNRP could be dissolved.



Arend Zwartjes, U.S. Embassy spokesman, said: We note with grave concern the Cambodian government's arrest of Kem Sokha, respected leader of the political opposition, on a number of charges that appear to be politically motivated.



Ou Virak, founder of the Future Forum think tank, said the CPP was gambling with the economy by taking such strong measures against the opposition.



This will further strike fear into the Cambodian people. It will likely affect the investment climate.

I think many ... will be rethinking their investment strategy.



Sophal Ear, associate professor of diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles, said in an email that the CNRP had played by the rules in a dance orchestrated by the ruling party.



The saying goes, if you cant beat them, join them. In Cambodia, it seems to be if you cant beat them, arrest them; jail them; exile them, he said.



You cant have a functioning opposition when its head is in prison. Cambodian democracy is dead. Long live Cambodian democracy!



A researcher at Australias Griffith University, Lee Morgenbesser said the upcoming election would be the worst since 1981.



It will be devoid of freedom, fairness and competition. The CNRP would be wise to boycott the entire process, which would draw attention to the repression they are experiencing.
[Editors Note: Amid heightened political tensions that have seen Prime Minister Hun Sens regime close independent media outlets, target foreign nationals it claims have conspired against it and arrest the leader of the countrys opposition, VOAs Sok Khemara spoke to Congressman Alan Lowenthal about where Cambodia is heading in the run up to next years election. Last year, Lowenthal, who represents a California district including Long Beach, where many Cambodian-Americans live, along with Congressman Steve Chabot, formed the Bipartisan Congressional Cambodia Caucus to bring together members interested in Cambodian politics.]

VOA: As you may know the Cambodian prime minister decided to expel the National Democratic Institute from Cambodia and also the independent English newspaper The Cambodia Daily. What is your reaction to that?

Lowenthal: Yes--I am the co-chair with Congressman Chabot of the Congressional Caucus on Cambodia-- just yesterday we issued a joint statement condemning the action of the government against NGOs, radio stations, newspapers, attacks against Radio Free Asia and threatening them and Voice of America; threatening the Cambodia Daily with the tax bill and the expulsion of the NDI. This is all part of an attack by the Hun Sen government to make sure that there will not be a free and fair election next year; to silence all critics of the government.

VOA: You called on the international community to act on Cambodia. What can they do?

Lowenthal: Well, I think the first thing that the international community has to step up and understand that the agreements that the Cambodian government made in 2013 to hold a free and fair election in 2018 are under threat from the Cambodian government attempt to silence all its critics. So, the international community has to step up and condemn the anti-democratic actions of Hun Sens government. The United States has to question whether to begin to withhold aid to Cambodia until Cambodia lives up to its obligations.

VOA: What are the greater consequences of the current developments on Cambodian democracy?

Lowenthal: This is a game where there is a real attack on free institutions. Cambodia cannot have a free and fair election if those organizations, those NGOs that promote democracy and those newspapers that talk about what is actually taking place in Cambodia if they all are silenced. It sends a frightening message to the rest of the world that Cambodia will not live up to its obligations. I think the rest of the world needs to specifically and strongly now condemn the actions which are taking place in Cambodia.

VOA: The government has also targeted many local radio stations. What do you think about that?

Lowenthal: Well, it is just a pattern of the government of escalating now, of trying to eliminate any free press, any criticism of the government, any help to get people to understand what their rights are in the election. There is no doubt that the government now has taken the gloves off and really wants to restrict all freedom of speech in Cambodia and the United States must step up and rigorously condemn Cambodia. We are going to hope that the entire Congress does that and we are going to ask the administration to do more.

VOA: Could the US-Cambodia relationship be affected?

Lowenthal: Well, I think the first thing we will demand is that these phony charges, tax charges against the Cambodia Daily, Radio Free Asia, Voice of America, we must begin to demand answers from the Cambodian government ... this is a violation of international law. Last year, I think we withheld 5 percent of the budget of aid to Cambodia. I think we must really begin to look at that and really begin to put much more economic pressure on Cambodia.

VOA: What message do you have for Cambodians at this time?

Lowenthal: Well, to the Cambodian people and to those people who are standing up and defending democracy and defending free and fair elections ... we complement you. We applaud you for standing up for freedom and democracy in Cambodia. To the Cambodian government, more than ever, we are watching. The spotlight is now on Cambodia and the United States government is watching. Cambodia is going to go from the back pages to the front pages now. We are watching what is going on.
Unknown gunmen in southwestern Pakistan ambushed a security forces' convoy, killing at least three soldiers and injuring three others Monday.

Local authorities said the convoy of the paramilitary Frontier Corps was returning from a counterinsurgency operation when it was attacked in the remote Panjgur district of Baluchistan province.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the deadly assault.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has "strongly" condemned the attack and "expressed grief over loss of precious lives of [Frontier Corps] officials," his office said in a statement.

Panjgur borders Iran in the natural resource-rich Pakistani province, where militants, including Baloch separatists, are active and routinely attack security forces.

Islamic State has also emerged as a new challenge for Pakistani security forces and has taken credit for some of the recent attacks in Baluchistan.

The province is home to the deep-water port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, key to a multibillion dollar project China has undertaken in Pakistan.

The China-Pakistan Corridor, or CPEC, aims to build roads, rails and power plants to link the two countries.

Pakistani officials accuse rival India of supporting militant groups to foment trouble in Baluchistan to undermine CPEC, charges New Delhi denies.
Burundian officials at the highest level should be held accountable for crimes against humanity and a list of suspects has been drawn up, a U.N. Commission of Inquiry said on Monday.

The commission said there are reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity had been committed since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term in office.



The opposition said he was acting unconstitutionally. A government crackdown on protests followed and the ensuing upheaval triggered a food crisis and the exodus of over 400,000 refugees.

"The Commission has reasonable grounds to believe that... crimes against humanity are attributable primarily to state officials at the highest level and to senior officers and members of the National Intelligence Service, the police, the army and the Imbonerakure," the report said.

The Imbonerakure, the youth league of the ruling party, received instructions to commit human rights violations from Nkurunziza's office, it said.

Willy Nyamitwe, senior communication officer in the office of the president, told Reuters the report was an attempt at the "demonization" of Burundi's state institutions.

"Those U.N. experts are mercenaries who act on command... to validate what some people want to see or hear," he said.

"It's war propaganda. They want to show to the world that the situation is tragic while it is calm."

The report of the year-long inquiry, created by the U.N. Human Rights Council in September 2016, was based on more than 500 interviews with victims, witnesses and other sources. The government refused to cooperate.

The commission said it had information about hundreds of executions, hundreds of people being tortured and around 40 rapes. But commission member Francoise Hampson said any attempt to give exact figures was spurious.

The report said the principal perpetrators were the defense and security forces, while the National Intelligence Service had carried out extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, acts of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and sexual violence.

"The National Intelligence Service reports directly to the President of the Republic and its operations are managed by a senior administrative officer," the report said.

The commissioners declined to give details of suspects but Commission member Francoise Hampson pointed to people closest to Nkurunziza.

"There's a circle around the president and we have the impression that they have control of a parallel system in the Burundian state, and these people have a certain responsibility," she told a news conference in Geneva.

The commission said ethnic insults had been targeted at Tutsis but that it was "not in a position to establish the existence of a political will to destroy that ethnic group 'in whole or in part', as required by the definition of genocide."

Burundi is under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, although the country is withdrawing in October.

After that, any crimes committed in Burundi will not fall under the ICC's jurisdiction.

The commission called on the ICC to start an investigation as soon as possible.
China has attacked U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to halt trade with any country doing business with North Korea after its latest nuclear test, saying it endangered vast trade relations between Washington and Beijing.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Monday, What is definitely unacceptable to us is that on the one hand we work so hard to peacefully resolve this issue [of North Korea's nuclear weapons development], but on the other hand our own interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardized. This is neither objective nor fair."

Trade impact

After Pyongyang detonated its biggest nuclear bomb in an underground test Sunday, Trump said he was considering several options in response, including cutting off trade with countries that do business with North Korea. That could quickly hinder the nearly $650 billion in annual trade between the United States and China, the world's two biggest economies, because Beijing is North Korea's sole major ally and its biggest trading partner.

Whether Trump plans to carry out his economic threat is unclear as the United States and its allies press the U.N. Security Council to take new action against Pyongyang.

Nikki Haley, the American ambassador to the U.N., told the council Monday, "The time has come to exhaust all of our diplomatic means before it's too late. We must now adopt the strongest possible measures."

Geng declined to say what measures Beijing might support against Pyongyang, saying it would depend on discussions among council members. He said China, as one of five permanent Security Council members with power to veto U.N. actions, would participate in a "responsible and constructive way."

Australia also criticized



Geng also voiced frustration at Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls remark that Beijing had a responsibility to influence North Korea because it is North Koreas main trading partner.

We keep stressing that we cannot solely rely on China to resolve this issue, Geng said. We need all parties to work in the same direction.

At the United Nations, Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi urged North Korea to "stop taking actions that are wrong." Beijing said North Korea is "deteriorating the situation and not in line with its own interests either." He said Pyongyang should "truly return to the track of resolving the issue through dialogue."

Liu said all parties should "seriously consider" Beijing's proposal for a joint suspension of Pyongyang's ballistic missile and nuclear programs and military drills by the United States and South Korea. The United States has rejected an end to the military exercises.
Colombia's government and last remaining major rebel group signed a bilateral cease-fire Monday ahead of Pope Francis' visit this week, an agreement seen as a significant step toward negotiating a permanent peace deal.

The deal struck in Quito, Ecuador, where talks with the National Liberation Army, or ELN, have been taking place since February, goes into effect Oct. 1. It runs through Jan. 12 and can be renewed if both sides agree.

Under the cease-fire, the rebels agree to suspend attacks on infrastructure, kidnappings and recruitment of minors. In exchange the government has vowed to boost protection for social leaders who have recently come under attack and develop a program that would provide humanitarian aid to rebels, among other measures.

Reconciliation is expected to be a central theme of the trip by Francis, who has lobbied for an end to Colombia's decades-old civil conflict and who is fulfilling a promise to visit if peace was made with the much larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

"The pope is arriving amid a unique moment in our history, as we turn the page on an absurd conflict and look to the future with hope," President Juan Manuel Santos said Monday in a televised address.

The government's chief negotiator called the cease-fire, signed five years to the date after a framework agreement that kicked off peace talks with the FARC, "historic."

"This is the first agreement of this nature that the government has signed with this guerrilla group in more than 50 years," Juan Camilo Restrepo said in a statement. "And it constitutes the first step toward advancing a definitive peace."

Decades of violence

Over five decades of conflict involving the two rebel movements, the army and right-wing paramilitary groups have resulted in more than 260,000 deaths, the disappearance of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of 6 million.

Under the earlier deal between the government and the FARC, the group has turned over its weapons and is in the process of reorganizing as a political movement to compete in elections next year.

But negotiations with the more ideological and less centralized ELN have been slower since exploratory talks began more than three years ago.

Unlike the FARC, which financed itself through involvement in Colombia's flourishing drug trade, the ELN funds its insurgency mainly through kidnappings and extortion.

Until now it has refused to abandon those practices, earning the enmity of many Colombians who want Santos to take a tougher line in talks than he did with the FARC.

"The priority is protecting citizens," Santos said. "That's why during this period the kidnappings, attacks on oil pipelines and other hostilities against the civilian population will cease."

Labeled a terrorist group by both the United States and the European Union, the ELN has also stepped up its attacks on Colombia's energy infrastructure this year.

Last week state-run oil company Ecopetrol was forced to close the country's second-largest pipeline after it was blasted by a bomb, dumping crude into an adjacent watershed. It was the 43rd attack this year against the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline.

The ELN, whose founders included radical Roman Catholic priests, is believed to have about 1,500 active fighters.

The cease-fire will be verified by independent observers, the United Nations and the Catholic Church.
After months of negotiations, the Colombian government has reached a ceasefire deal with the country's last active guerilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).

The announcement was made in Quito - neighboring Ecuador's capital where talks were being held, on the eve of Pope Francis's visit to Colombia.

"We have said that the visit of Pope Francisco should be an extra motivation to accelerate the search for agreements, which have as the main target communities that suffer the unfortunate consequences of the conflict," ELN said on one of its Twitter accounts, using the Spanish name for Pope Francis.

FARC, Colombia's largest rebel group, signed a peace deal with the government last year, largely ending five decades of war. But Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos has negotiated with ELN, the country's second-largest rebel group, since February, seeking a deal to ensure "complete peace".

Leftist rebels began fighting a guerrilla war to topple Colombian governments in 1964, and more than 220,000 people have been killed. The rebels used drug trafficking and kidnappings for ransom to fund their war.
Crews helped rescue more than 100 hikers stranded in the mountains overnight after a wildfire closed their trail and they were trapped between two blazes.

The Hood River County Sheriff's Office said Sunday afternoon that the final group of hikers left the Wahtum Lake area at the bottom of the trail and were headed by bus to meet with their friends and family.



Deputy Joel Ives says no hikers were missing but one hiker was taken out by ambulance for exhaustion and dehydration.



Many of the hikers had gone up the Eagle Creek Trail on Saturday to swim at the popular waterfalls and pools, but a fire broke out near the Columbia River Gorge trail about 90 miles (144 kilometers) east of Portland. The blaze was burning on the Eagle Creek Trail, and the only other way out was longer and more difficult, and it was getting dark, so officials told them to spend the night near Tunnel Falls. Mountain Wave Search and Rescue dropped supplies to the hikers. A portion of the Eagle Creek Trail had been closed for weeks because of another fire that erupted July 4.



Mountain Wave president Russ Gubele says search and rescue teams headed up the second trail on Sunday morning and led the hikers out the 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) toward Wahtum Lake.



It's horribly smoky, Gubele said. Ash is coming down. It's like a Mount Saint Helens eruption all over again.



On Saturday, 14 hikers were brought out and returned to Eagle Creek and three hikers were rescued by National Guard helicopter.



Authorities say the wildfire had grown to almost 5 square miles (13 square kilometers) by Sunday. The U.S. Forest Service says the wildfire was human-caused and is under investigation by the Oregon State Police.



About 130 homes in Cascade Locks were under evacuation orders because of the flames. A Red Cross shelter was set up at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, across the Columbia River in Stevenson, Washington.
Millions of school children have failed to show up for the start of the school year in Cameroon's English speaking regions, even after the government freed most of the jailed leaders of anglophone protests.

A teacher at Ntamulung bilingual high school in Bamenda, Cameroon, is teaching 20 children who have shown up on day one of the school year. At least 70 were expected in the classroom.

Schools have been closed in the English-speaking northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon since November last year when lawyers and teachers called for a strike to stop what they described as the overbearing influence of French. After strike leaders were arrested, pressure groups called for their immediate and unconditional release before resuming classes.

Last week, 55 of the 75 anglophone protesters were released and their charges in a military tribunal dropped.

Analysts said it was an important concession to the strikers demands that could open the way to renewed talks to the end the crisis.

But separatist groups are asking for Cameroon President Paul Biya to release another 20 people, to call back those who escaped into exile, and to recall 5,000 soldiers deployed to the English-speaking regions before dialogue can begin.



Journalist Finnian Tim, who was released from jail after seven months, says the detainees wish to see schools reopen.

"We were pleading with our brothers to stop whatever thing they were doing, because what they were doing, like ghost towns, was not helping us in any way. We are pleading with them to instead stop. Schools can go on for me. My children have stayed home. I paid fees last year for close to 1,300,000 francs (about $2,000 US dollars) for all children I sponsor in school. It went like that, so why should I tell my children to stay home again?" he asked.

The government sent senior officials to the anglophone regions to convince parents to send their children to school. The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Technological Development, Fuh Calistus Gentry, visited northwestern Cameroon.

"The state can not sit and fold its hands and see people being prevented from going to school, such a state becomes an irresponsible state in the eyes of the world community," Gentry said. "If you prevent someone from going to school, it can not be accepted."

President Biya has announced reforms in response to the strike, like a new common law division at the Supreme Court, the creation of English departments at the country's school of magistracy and the appointment of the first anglophone to head the judicial bench of the Supreme Court. But he has said that he will engage in no dialogue that threatens national unity.
Labor Day, celebrated Monday September 4 in the United States, was originally a celebration of the dignity of work, but it gradually evolved into a long weekend celebrating the unofficial end of summer. VOAs Nikoleta Ilic reports on an exhibit at the National Museum of American History that portrays working Americans over the last 250 years.
A rash of incidents since May is threatening to reignite hostilities between neighbors China and Vietnam over control of the contested South China Sea, but Vietnam is seen suppressing its anger in the short term for lack of broader support.



The foreign ministry in Hanoi protested last week against Beijings announcement of a military drill in the Gulf of Tonkin. That exchange came after China apparently pressured Vietnam and Spanish contractor Repsol to stop a multi-million-dollar offshore oil exploration project in another part of the South China Sea in late July.

In July, pro-China maritime activists apparently hacked airline computers at two Vietnam airports. China and Vietnam called off a meeting of foreign ministers at a regional event in Manila last month. In June a Chinese military official cut short a visit to Vietnam, a move analysts call a protest over Vietnams offshore fuel exploration.

Theres been a string of setbacks. So (Vietnam) is showing you its testy, said Carl Thayer, Southeast Asia-specialized emeritus professor at The University of New South Wales in Australia.

I think also for Vietnam anti-China sentiment is so toxic that if the government were to face a situation in South China Sea and be perceived by the Vietnamese public as not defending Vietnamese sovereignty, theyd be in real trouble, Thayer said.



Lack of support



Deterioration of Sino-Vietnamese maritime relations, despite years of efforts to cooperate on fishing and offshore oil drilling, would pit the two most volatile South China Sea claimants against each other despite regional work since July 2016 to sideline those differences. The two sides came to blows at sea in the 1970s.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines also claim all or part of the South China Sea.

Vietnam is not expected to fight back against China for now unless it senses a strong threat, experts say. It lacks clear support from other countries, such as the United States, and a budding alliance with India hasnt solidified.

Vietnam feels lonely without someone to back it against China, said Trung Nguyen, international relations dean at Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Vietnamese officials also want to protect trade with China, said Jonathan Spangler, director of the South China Sea Think Tank in Taipei.

Imports and exports reached a combined $25.5 billion in the first four months of the year, keeping China as Vietnams biggest trading partner. China, which has a controlled economy, can adjust trade and investment in line with its political motives.

China might test Vietnam further if Beijings Communist Party confirms President Xi Jinping as its chief for another five years at its National Congress, Nguyen said. The Congress is due to take place October 18. Chinas party head and president are normally the same person.

After the national congress of the party, he will be more effective and he will be stronger when he can consolidate his power, he said. Nguyen anticipates a tougher Chinese stance toward Vietnam then on maritime affairs.

But China may avoid going too far so other countries, including Vietnam, see it as a cooperative neighbor.

China and the Southeast Asian countries have tried to work together on maritime safety and economic development since a world court tribunal ruled in July 2016 that China lacked a legal basis for its claim to about 90 percent of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea. The sea is prized for fisheries, shipping lanes and fossil fuel reserves. Beijing cites historical usage records as a basis for its claims.

Border disputes have cramped Sino-Vietnamese relations for centuries. The two sides now contest a swathe of the South China Sea off the long Vietnamese east coast. Both have reclaimed land to fortify features in the South China Seas Paracel and Spratly island chains.

Sino-Vietnamese relations will remain volatile as they have in the past, but both governments will be constrained by their key interests, Spangler said.

For Vietnam, the free flow of trade with China will remain a top priority, perhaps second only to domestic political stability, he said. For China, maintaining its influence in regional affairs and preventing any regional consensus that would threaten its interests will continue to take precedence.



Dominant force



China is widely seen as dominant in the six-way maritime dispute because of its aggressive coast guard patrols and landfill projects that allow combat aircraft on some islets. It has the worlds third most powerful military overall.

Vietnam feels China has gained an unfair upper hand by using its larger military to control the contested Paracel Islands. It regularly protests against Chinese military activity, and Thayer says hacking had been reported in the past.

Anti-Chinese riots in Vietnam in 2014 killed more than 20 and threatened to scare off investors. Chinas go-ahead to an oil rig in the disputed sea had touched off the rioting.

But today officials in Hanoi are probably saving any strident reaction for a stiffer threat to sovereignty, experts believe. "I dont think any Vietnamese leader can compromise on territorial sovereignty," Nguyen said.
Here's a statistic for you to consider: the U.N. estimates that over 30 percent of the food that is produced every year never gets eaten. Now one enterprising Nigerian entrepreneur has built an app to help get some of that food to those who need it. VOA's Kevin Enochs reports.
France's foreign minister is visiting Libya to encourage the implementation of a reconciliation agreement reached by the main Libyan rivals in Paris in July.



Jean-Yves Le Drian met on Monday with Fayez Serraj, the prime minister-designate of the U.N.-backed government, in the capital, Tripoli. He is also visiting Misrata and Benghazi, where he will meet with factions opposed to Serraj.



In July, Serraj and Gen. Khalifa Hifter, the commander of Libya's self-styled national army, committed to working toward presidential and parliamentary elections and finding a roadmap to secure the lawless country against terrorism and trafficking.



Libya was plunged into chaos after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who last week called Venezuela a dictatorship, will on Monday meet with opposition representatives, including the president and vice-president of the opposition-governed congress, Macron's office said.

The situation in Venezuela has a particular resonance in France, where the far-left France Unbowed party, currently Macron's most vocal opponent, backs Maduro.

Human rights activist Lilian Tintori, the wife of Venezuela's best-known detained political leader, Leopoldo Lopez, said on Saturday she had been barred from flying out of the country to go to France and other EU capitals.

"The dictatorship does not want my voice to be head abroad. But the tour is going ahead. @FreddyGuevaraC will represent @leopoldolopez and me," she wrote on her Twitter page on Sunday, referring to Congress Vice President Freddy Guevara.

Congress President Julio Borges will also be there, Macron's office said.

Venezuela's opposition says President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government has stepped up repression of opponents this year, while officials say they are acting to stop violent coup plots fomented by the United States and other foreign powers.

Macron last week said that Maduro's administration "a dictatorship trying to survive at the cost of unprecedented humanitarian distress."
Millions of people who buy individual health insurance policies and get no financial help from the Affordable Care Act are bracing for another year of double-digit premium increases, and their frustration is boiling over.



Some are expecting premiums for 2018 to rival a mortgage payment.



What they pay is tied to the price of coverage on the health insurance markets created by the Obama-era law, but these consumers get no protection from the law's tax credits, which cushion against rising premiums. Instead they pay full freight and bear the brunt of market problems such as high costs and diminished competition.



On Capitol Hill, there's a chance that upcoming bipartisan hearings by Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., can produce legislation offering some relief. But it depends on Republicans and Democrats working together despite a seven-year health care battle that has left raw feelings on both sides.

Middle class is most exposed



The most exposed consumers tend to be middle-class people who don't qualify for the law's income-based subsidies. They include early retirees, skilled tradespeople, musicians, self-employed professionals, business owners, and people such as Sharon Thornton, whose small employer doesn't provide health insurance.



We're caught in the middle-class loophole of no help, said Thornton, a hairdresser from Newark, Delaware. She said she's currently paying about $740 a month in premiums, and expects her monthly bill next year to be around $1,000, a 35 percent increase.



It's like buying two new iPads a month and throwing them in the trash, said Thornton, whose policy carries a deductible of $6,000. To me, $1,000 a month is my beach house that I wanted to have.

Frustrated with government



A suggestion that she could qualify for financial assistance by earning less only irritates her more. My whole beef is that the government is telling me: If you work less, we'll give you more, said Thornton, who's in her 50s.



If people such as Thornton drop out, they not only gamble with their own health. Their departure also means the group left behind gets costlier to cover as healthier customers bail out. That's counter to the whole idea of insurance, which involves pooling risk.



It wasn't supposed to be this way.



Buying health insurance has always been a challenge for people getting their own policies outside the workplace. Before Obamacare, insurers could turn away those with health problems or charge them more. Former President Barack Obama sold his plan as the long-awaited fix.



It would guarantee coverage regardless of health problems, provide tax credits and other subsidies for people of modest means, and generate competition among insurers to keep premiums in check for all.

One big insurance pool

The overhaul sought to create one big insurance pool for individual coverage in each state, no matter whether consumers bought plans through HealthCare.gov or traditional middlemen such as insurance brokers.



But an influx of sicker-than-expected customers drove up costs for insurers, while many younger, healthier people stayed on the sidelines. Political opposition from Republicans complicated matters by gumming up the law's internal financial stabilizers for insurers.



The result was a 25 percent average increase in the price of a midlevel plan on HealthCare.gov heading into this year. Many states expect a similar scenario for 2018, but this time insurers say uncertainty about the Trump administration's intentions is driving up their bids ahead of the Nov. 1 start of open enrollment.



About 17.6 million people buy individual health insurance policies, and half of them get no subsidies under the law, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. The number of unsubsidized customers with ACA plans outside the health insurance marketplaces dropped by 20 percent this year, after the big premium increases.



The unsubsidized part of the market outside the exchanges has shrunk noticeably as premiums have increased, said Kaiser's Larry Levitt. It's likely that the people dropping out of the market are healthier overall. So the pool has potentially deteriorated.

Time for a shift in focus

It's time to shift focus in the health care debate, said Sen. Alexander, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which plans hearings beginning this coming week.



The people who are really getting hammered  they are the ones we need to help, said Alexander, R-Tenn. We've got a few weeks to come to consensus in this seven-year-old partisan stalemate and if we don't break it, some people will be priced out and badly hurt.



Alexander envisions limited legislation that guarantees disputed subsidies for copayments and deductibles another year, while giving states more leeway to design less-costly plans. Democrats are looking for financing to help insurers with high-cost cases. Experts say that guaranteeing the subsidies should lead to an immediate cut in premiums in many states.



Thornton, the Delaware hairdresser, said she doesn't know what to believe anymore. She said she voted for Donald Trump  her first time for a Republican  partly out of frustration with her health care costs.



I'm ready to stomp on the White House lawn, she said. I am fuming.
Authorities launched a controlled burn Sunday at a chemical plant damaged by Harvey, sending small flames and gray smoke into the sky, and said the highly unstable compounds that had exploded earlier needed to be neutralized.

Officials said the "proactive measures" to ignite the six remaining trailers at the Arkema plant in Crosby, outside Houston, wouldn't pose any additional risk to the community. People living within a mile and a half of the site are still evacuated.

Small flames burning in charred structures could be seen at the plant, with a limited amount of light gray smoke. John Rull, who lives close by, told the Houston Chronicle he heard four booms. He said the explosions were louder than one he heard Friday when two containers burned and that there was much more smoke.

Sam Mannan, a chemical safety expert at Texas A&M University, said the latest burn was emitting gray smoke, which indicated a more complete burn with fewer harmful chemicals remaining.

"There are ways to accelerate the process or create more efficient or complete burning," Mannan said.

Three trailers containing unstable compounds had already caught fire at the plant after backup generators were engulfed by Harvey's floodwaters, which knocked out the refrigeration necessary to keep them from degrading and catching fire.

Some Houston officials stressed that the recovery from Harvey was beginning, and Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed America's fourth-largest city "open for business." But the on-the-ground reality varied by place.

Utility crews went door-to-door shutting off power and warning those still in some waterlogged homes in western parts of the city that still more flooding could be heading their way - not from rain but from releases of water in overtaxed reservoirs. Thousands of Houston dwellings were under new, mandatory evacuation orders, though about 300 people were thought to be refusing to leave.

Some homes in the area, which included brick two-story and ranch homes with manicured lawns bordering Buffalo Bayou, remained evacuated but people briefly returned Sunday to try to salvage valuables like family photos.

"I called 911 for 15 minutes; no one answered. My neighbor had a canoe and saved us," said Gaston Kirby, who evacuated Aug. 27 with his two young children. When they left, he said, their home had about 2 inches of water and got another 2 feet from Harvey. But the reservoir releases added at least another 3 feet.

Contradictions could be seen as well in some people taking a break from their cleanup efforts in the sweltering heat to worship on a "National Day of Prayer," while others worried about thefts in storm-ravaged neighborhoods.

Harvey slammed into Texas on Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, but brought the worst flooding to Houston and other areas as a tropical storm. The rain totaled nearly 52 inches (1.3 meters) in some spots, and the storm is blamed for at least 44 deaths.

President Donald Trump has asked Congress for a $7.9 billion down payment toward Harvey relief and recovery efforts. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested the cost of recovery could be as much as $180 billion.

Turner insisted, however, that much of the city was hoping to get back on track after Labor Day.

"Anyone who was planning on a conference or a convention or a sporting event or a concert coming to this city, you can still come," the mayor said on the CBS show "Face the Nation." ''We can do multiple things at the same time."

In the southwest Bellaire neighborhood, police received reports of scavengers picking through water-damaged possessions and urged those cleaning up to keep anything left outside to dry closer to their homes and separate from what was considered a total loss. In the suburb of Dickinson, one homeowner used orange spray paint on a sheet of dirty plywood to warn: "Looters Will B Shot."

Robert Lockey, a 48-year-old school district bus monitor, worked to clean up his flooded home in Spring, Texas, outside Houston, in the 94-degree heat. A pile of wooden doors lay in his yard next to ripped-out drywall.

"They're sweating to death," Lockey said, looking at his neighbors and their similar piles of debris. Added his roommate, Elizabeth Hallman: "This definitely is not fun."

Meanwhile, repairs continued on the water treatment plant in Beaumont, about 85 miles from Houston, which failed after the swollen Neches River inundated the main intake system and backup pumps halted. In the nearby town of Vidor, Pat Lawrence and her fiance, Jim Frasier, hopped on a tractor, the only way they could make it to services at the Pine Forest Baptist Church.

"You can't hardly comprehend all the water that's around," Lawrence said. "I've been in my house since last Saturday."

Sunday was declared a day of prayer in Texas and across the nation. At St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in the Gulf Coast city of Port Aransas, the clergy set out holy water and bug spray, and many anointed themselves with both.

"We will remember the destruction of this uninvited guest but we will never stop being a people of hospitality" the Rev. Kris Bauta told about 50 worshippers. Harvey's storm surge ended just three feet from the building.

Outside the town of Liberty, about 45 miles from Houston, dozens of people were still cut off by the swollen Trinity River. Maggie King and her two children greeted a Texas National Guard helicopter that landed at the local fire department with pallets of drinking water.

"It's so far from over," King said. "There's so much more that has to be repaired from here."
When Hurricane Harvey ripped into the Texas/Louisiana Gulf coast last month, causing untold devastation and upending millions of lives, it also poured a heavy dose of reality onto President Donald Trump's political agenda.

With disaster relief funding likely to add hundreds of billions of dollars to the federal budget, there will be new questions about Trumps centerpiece tax reform proposal, which he says will spur job growth but which critics call a massive tax cut for corporations and the rich. There are also new doubts about building his long-planned border wall.

WATCH: Recovery to take time in Houston

As recently as two weeks ago, Trump was touting the idea of closing the government if Congress didnt allocate money for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. But in the wake of the most expensive natural disaster ever to hit the United States, the idea of using a government shutdown as leverage suddenly seems absurd.

Thats what has changed the most, said Maya MacGuineas, president of the bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Budget. The chances of a government shutdown have been reduced to near zero.

Quick approval for flood aid & debt ceiling?

Trumps new strategy, outlined by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, is to combine the nearly $8 billion request for a first round of disaster relief with a bill to raise the federal debt ceiling, which Congress must pass by September 29 to avoid a catastrophic default on financial obligations.

Mnuchin said in a Fox News Sunday interview that the two funding initiatives should be linked to ensure the emergency desperately needed rebuilding money starts flowing quickly to Texas and Louisiana.

"The president and I believe that it should be tied to the Harvey funding," Mnuchin said. "Our first priority is to make sure that the state gets money. It is critical. And to do that, we need to make sure we raise the debt limit. Without raising the debt limit, Im not comfortable that we will get the money that we need this month to Texas to rebuild," he said.

That strategy, however, is likely to draw strong opposition from conservative Republicans, who were instrumental in sinking the Obamacare repeal effort. Rep. Mark Meadows, the influential chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, called linking the two issues into one piece of legislation a terrible idea.

The Harvey relief would pass on its own, and to use that as a vehicle to get people to vote for a debt ceiling is not appropriate, Meadows told the Washington Post.

'Stressful September' for Republicans

The disagreement among Republicans could make for a rough September for President Trump, who sees his first year in office slipping away with little to show in the way of legislative accomplishments, says Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginias Center for Politics.



I dont think theres any indication that Harvey has changed Trumps mind on much of anything, Kondik said. It just adds another wrinkle to what is likely going to be a very stressful September for the White House and Congressional Republicans.

Many observers say the last best hope for the presidents legislative agenda is tax reform. Rewriting the mammoth, unfathomable tax code has been a Republican priority for years, and should be easily within reach at a moment when the GOP controls both chambers of Congress.

But with the failure to repeal Obamacare still fresh in their minds, along with the new demands for Harvey recovery money, GOP calls for tax cuts are sounding increasingly hollow. Opinion polls suggest most Americans think wealthy individuals and corporations already pay too little taxes.

Senator Mike Lee of Utah told the Fox Business Network last week that failure to pass a tax reform bill would be fatal for the party. If we dont get tax reform done, were dead, Lee said. We might as well flip up our tent and go home.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is in Myanmar for meetings Monday with leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as the country's military commander and national security adviser to discuss the ongoing crisis in Rakhine state.

The U.N. refugee agency says 87,000 Rohingya have fled from Rakhine to neighboring Bangladesh since an eruption of violence late last month. The influx has left aid agencies struggling to keep up with demands for supplies and medical care.

Marsudi said he wanted to discuss security issues and our proposals in details, including our intention to send more humanitarian assistance to people in Rakhine.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Marsudi would urge the Myanmar government to prevent further violence, and that the foreign minister would travel on to Bangladesh to prepare humanitarian aid for those who have fled.

We regret and condemn the violence that took place in Myanmar's Rakhine state. There needs to be real action and not just criticism, Widodo said.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered at Myanmar's embassy in Jakarta for several days to rally on behalf of the Rohingya and urge the Indonesia government to accept refugees.

The latest round of violence began Aug. 25 when a group of Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army base in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution. Myanmar's military has said nearly 400 people have died, most of them insurgents.

The Myanmar government considers the Rohingya to be economic migrants from Bangladesh, and has never granted them citizenship, even though most can show their families have been in the country for generations.

Sectarian violence has flared up periodically in Rakhine state for more than a decade.

Last October, Muslim militants attacked police posts, prompting a crackdown by security forces that sent tens of thousands of people across the border to Bangladesh. The Myanmar government has denied allegations that its forces used rape and torture against the Rohingya.

Eva Mazrieva contributed to this report


German Chancellor Angela Merkels center-left challenger Martin Schulz failed to land a blow Sunday in the German election campaigns one and only TV debate between party leaders.

A relaxed chancellor easily parried the attacks from Schulz, whose Social Democrats (SPD) have propped up Merkels conservatives in a "grand coalition" government since 2013.

With three weeks to go before the polls Schulz, a former European Parliament president, has been unable to engineer momentum to close a big gap between his party and Merkels conservatives, who in the latest surveys enjoy a 14 percent edge.

Migrants, Turkey



Schulz attacked Merkel for her 2015 decision to throw open Germanys borders for mainly Syria asylum-seekers stranded in Hungary, arguing that she should have consulted Germanys neighbors before making a decision that triggered central European leaders to close their borders, placing an even greater burden on Germany.

Merkel responded that she had to take a quick decision to relieve a growing humanitarian crisis, In the life of a chancellor, there are moments when you need to make decisions.

Schulz also took aim at the Chancellors handling of Turkey amid rising tensions between the two countries, which are currently in yet another stand-off, this time over the arrests of a dozen German citizens.

But the center-left challengers barbs on Turkey didn't shake Merkel, and allowed her to appear tough on Ankara by announcing a new position on Turkeys bid to join the European Union, saying, The fact is that Turkey should not become an EU member.

Merkel's performance



Polls during and immediately after the one-on-one debate aired by all four of Germanys main broadcasters showed voters saw the confident Merkel as more credible and likable than the hesitant Schulz. One poll found 44 percent found Merkel more convincing than Schulz, whom only 32 percent found convincing.

Commentators faulted Schulz for failing to press Merkel, who has been in power now for 12 years, on some of the key challenges Germany faces  including renewing the countrys infrastructure, education and how the country will handle growing defense responsibilities. He chose to be more aggressive on foreign policy than on the domestic issues that trouble many Germans and clashed for several minutes with the Chancellor over motorway tolls, hardly a populist issue that can swing an election.

This was Mr Schulz's one big chance to change the direction and narrative of the election campaign, and he blew it, judged the Economist magazine. The Social Democrats partly chose Schulz to be their candidate because his tenure in Brussels meant he would be in a better position to criticize the chancellor than others in the party who have had to work with her. But he appeared not to use that advantage in Sundays debate.

A year ago Germanys veteran leader appeared to be in trouble with her popularity plummeting in reaction to her handling of the migration crisis roiling Europe. But after the election of Donald Trump in the U.S. her poll numbers started to climb again. Her aides jokingly explained the improving poll ratings as due to "the Trump factor.

She seemed also to get a lift from political turmoil in Britain following the Brexit referendum. Instability elsewhere appeared to be pushing Germans to favor continuity and sticking with experience and positioning Merkel in a strong position for this months federal election.

One of the key questions, though, as Germany heads into the home stretch of campaigning is who Merkel will decide her right-leaning Christian Democratic Union should partner with to form a coalition government.

Seeking partners



As the CDU will not secure sufficient seats in the German Bundestag to govern alone it will either have to partner once again with the Social Democrats or with the Free Democrats and Greens and that may have major consequences for Germanys position on European Union reforms being proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.



The electoral performance of Germanys far-right anti-immigrant party, Alternative for Germany, which likely will become the third-largest faction in the German parliament after the September 24 election, could well have a bearing on the Merkels choice of coalition partners for her fourth term in office, say analysts.

While the AfD has failed to shape a right-wing populist wave, it will, according to the latest opinion polls, break the threshold needed to secure seats in the Bundestag. Polls give the far-right nationalist party about an 11 percent share of the vote, which would translate to about 60 Bundestag seats.

But as it tries to reshape itself as more of a political party than a protest movement, the AfD hasn't backed away from Islamophobia, presumably having decided that it needs to consolidate its base rather than to try to try to reach out to a wider public. It has run throughout the campaign what critics charge has been inflammatory advertising. One of its election posters depicts two women wearing skimpy swim-wear with the tagline: Burkas? We prefer bikinis.

Another recalls Nazi propaganda, with a smiling, pregnant German under the caption: New Germans? Well make them ourselves.
Congress needs to combine a $7.9 billion disaster relief package for Harvey with a contentious increase in the nation's borrowing limit, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says, arguing it is needed to ensure storm victims in Texas get the help they need.

"The president and I believe that it should be tied to the Harvey funding," Mnuchin said Sunday. "If Congress appropriates the money, but I don't have the ability to borrow more money and pay for it, we're not going to be able to get that money to the state. So, we need to put politics aside."

President Donald Trump visited storm-ravaged areas in Texas over the weekend, expressing hope for speedy congressional action on Harvey aid. But some House conservatives are opposed to directly pairing disaster aid with an increase in the debt limit, saying it sends the wrong message on overall government spending. Democrats have also been cool to the approach.

Linking the two issues could make it politically difficult for lawmakers to oppose the debt-limit bill.

Trump plans to meet with congressional leaders from both parties this week as lawmakers return to Washington after their summer recess.

The government's cash reserves are running low because the debt limit has actually already been reached, and the Treasury Department is using various accounting measures to cover expenses. Mnuchin originally had said that Congress would need to raise the $19.9 trillion borrowing limit by Sept. 29 to avoid a catastrophic default on the debt, allowing the government to continue borrowing money to pay bills like Social Security and interest.

But on Sunday, he said that deadline had moved up due to unexpected new spending on Harvey.

"Without raising the debt limit, I'm not comfortable that we would get the money that we need this month to Texas to rebuild," Mnuchin said.

Asked about Trump's past threats to force a government shutdown if Congress does not also include his $1.6 billion request for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, Mnuchin said Harvey aid was Trump's "first objective right now."

The Associated Press reported last week that Republican leaders were making plans to pair Harvey aid with an increase in the debt limit. Other senior GOP aides told the AP that no final decision had been made, and Democrats, whose votes would be needed in the Senate, have yet to signal support.

"Providing aid in the wake of Harvey and raising the debt ceiling are both important issues, and Democrats want to work to do both," said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California in a joint statement Sunday. "Given the interplay between all the issues Congress must tackle in September, Democrats and Republicans must discuss all the issues together and come up with a bipartisan consensus."

In an interview with a Milwaukee TV station that aired Sunday, House Speaker Paul Ryan did not address whether the two issues would be tied together, only expressing confidence that Congress will "step up" to fund disaster recovery efforts in Texas. "This is something that we've never seen before, so it's going to require a pretty unprecedented response," Ryan, R-Wis., said on "UPFRONT with Mike Gousha," which is produced in partnership with Wispolitics.com.

Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, said he wouldn't be opposed to combining the two measures and said the urgency of Harvey disaster relief provides "another reason as to why you want to keep the government open."

Trump's aid request would add $7.4 billion to dwindling Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster aid coffers and $450 million to finance disaster loans for small businesses. An additional $5 billion to $8 billion for Harvey could be tucked into a catch-all spending bill Congress must pass in the coming weeks to fund the government past Sept. 30.

On Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott described the federal aid package as an important initial "down payment" on Harvey relief that he expects will come to $150 billion to $180 billion. "We need Congress to step up and pass this and help Texas rebuild," he said.

More than 436,000 households have registered for FEMA aid, according to the White House.

Harvey came ashore Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, then went back out to sea and lingered for days off the coast as a tropical storm. The storm brought five straight days of rain totaling close to 52 inches (1.3 meters) in one location, the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental U.S.

Mnuchin and Abbott appeared on "Fox News Sunday," and Blunt spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press."
North Korea's sixth nuclear test explosion Sunday was its biggest underground detonation, with a force estimated to be greater than 100 kilotons  equivalent to 100,000 tons of TNT. The North Korean test drew condemnation from the United States, its partners in Asia and many other countries around the world  even China, Pyongyang's main ally.

VOA's Korean service spoke with several experts about why the North continues to fire off missiles and detonate nuclear explosions, despite escalating economic sanctions and increasing ostracism.

What does North Korea want?

North Korea's official statements routinely depict the United States and South Korea as aggressors, and Pyongyangs weapons programs as guarantors of its security. Daniel Sneider, a visiting scholar at Stanford Universitys Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, said it is not difficult to understand what the North wants.

"They want everybody to believe that they have the capability of delivering a powerful nuclear weapon onto the territory of the United States," Sneider said. "Pretty simple."

That also means the Norths weapons programs have become too important for Pyongyangs leaders to negotiate away in favor of economic concessions or international recognition, many observers believe. However, U.S. and Chinese leaders still agree there should be a "complete, verifiable and irreversible" effort to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. Thus the standoff continues.

What gains from missile tests?

Aside from improving the North's military readiness, the tests send a defiant message at a time when U.S. and South Korean troops are staging massive military drills nearby, said Alan Romberg, director of the East Asia program at the Stimson Center: "Choosing this timing also is consistent with Pyongyang's effort to demonstrate that it will not be deterred from acquiring a deliverable, powerful, intercontinental nuclear attack capability and that [U.S.-South Korean] military exercises and tough words will not change that."

The tests also may be a risky bid to pressure China to act, said Ken Gause, director of the international affairs group at the Center for Naval Analyses.

"This test was aimed primarily at China, to put pressure on [President] Xi Jinping to exert influence on the Trump administration to open unconditional talks with Pyongyang," Gause said.

"It is a bit of a risk by Kim Jong Un in that North Korea will face even tougher sanctions. And if China decides to stringently enforce such sanctions [instead of pressuring Washington to ease them], Pyongyang will be worse off in the near term. That said, Kim Jong Un must have concluded that the regime could weather the storm that will befall his country."

A strain on US alliances

Following the latest test, President Donald Trump criticized the government of South Korean President Moon Jae-in for "talk of appeasement."

David Maxwell, associate director of Georgetown Universitys Center for Security Studies, said the North is deliberately raising tensions in an attempt to weaken ties among the U.S., South Korea and Japan.

"This is about splitting the alliance," Maxwell said. "Of course this test will and has drawn an emotional response, and this continues to play into the North's hands."

How to respond?

Washington for years has pursued a mix of diplomatic and military responses to North Korean threats, but as the country develops a capability to directly threaten the U.S. mainland, the stakes have grown.

Maxwell advised against direct responses to North Koreas threats; instead, he recommended continuing to rely on international bodies such as the U.N. to coordinate a response.

"We should marginalize the North from an information perspective," he said. "Allow the international community to show its indignation. But we should not reinforce regime legitimacy by showing our 'fear' of the North by our emotional responses."

Other analysts says relying on pressure alone has not been shown to be effective, and that the U.S. may not be able to demand denuclearization as a precondition for talking.

Gause explained, "That means Washington needs to understand what it will take for Pyongyang to come to the negotiating table  a mix of economic and security guarantees, and put those on the table in return for a cessation of testing. In other words, a freeze is the best the United States at the moment can hope for."

Risks of military action

Others see potential in more limited U.S. military action, despite the risks. Bruce Bennett, a senior defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, said any attack on North Korea likely would result in a major war, but there are other options.

"For example, United States could indicate that it is prepared to shoot down any future North Korean missile tests, if it can do so," Bennett said. "I think the United States could run more extensive military surveillance of North Korea, using reconnaissance aircraft along both coasts of North Korea, flying just outside of North Korean air space."

The U.S. also could pursue more extensive economic sanctions, Bennett said, including a more intensive information campaign aimed at persuading North Korea's elites to oppose Kim Jong Un.

"There are a wide range of messages that could be sent into North Korea that would complicate Kims political situation, just like he has tried with his nuclear tests to complicate the political situation of South Korea and the United States," Bennett said.
Efforts by Pakistan's security forces to counter terrorism are proving successful, but the government also needs to adopt a tougher approach toward terrorist facilitators, say security and political analysts.

"Now Pakistan has to make sure it will not spare those who facilitate the terrorists," said Rasul Baksh Raees, a Pakistani political scientist.

Raees told VOA that a comprehensive, 20-point "National Action Plan," involving the intelligence agencies, police, government and army, has contributed to a significant drop in attacks. Raees issued his assessment when asked about a new report which noted a significant decline in terrorism and sectarian violence in the past few years.

The report, from Pakistan's National Counter Terrorism Authority, or NACTA, concluded that security forces have killed more than 1,800 militants and arrested around 5,500 suspected terrorists since the action plan went into effect two years ago.

NACTAs progress report was presented before a committee in the National Assembly last week and based on terrorism data from December 2014 to the present.

The report recommends that concrete steps be taken to completely cut the money supply of terrorists, while highlighting NACTAs efforts to compile the data of suspected Pakistani citizens who have traveled to war-torn countries and possibly joined the ranks of Islamic State.

"There were reports that scores of Pakistani citizens have traveled to the conflict zones to join the Islamic State. Through a data-based system, we are compiling information of such suspects; after verification we will hand it over to the federal and provincial governments," Ihsan Ghani, the director of NACTA, said in an interview with VOA. The citizens in question traveled to places such as Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, but did not return after their visas had expired.

Ghani said the initial list for suspected militants has been compiled, adding that, "Once the verification of the data is completed, NACTA will work to devise a framework based on the recommendations." He also said, "There should be strict laws to stop these nationals from going and joining terror groups or to punish them."

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump put Pakistan "on notice" for failing to crack down on some militant groups, and for providing covert support to others such as the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network. He threatened to reduce U.S. assistance to the country unless Pakistan did more to crack down on banned groups.

Islamic State has become a growing concern in Pakistan lately. Although IS does not have a stronghold in the country, many militant groups and individuals have pledged allegiance to the terrorist group and have conducted terror attacks on their behalf in Pakistan.

Pakistan's army recently launched a ground offensive, called Operation Khyber-4, to eradicate the Islamic State groups militants from the semi-autonomous tribal region.

In addition to curbing extremism, authorities are making efforts to stop hate speech in the country, said the report. Officials say the government will launch a mobile phone app aimed at providing help to assess hate speeches so that the provincial and federal governments can act accordingly.

The report said a new biometric verification system was introduced to verify mobile phone SIM cards and around 93 million chips have been blocked as a result.

Hundreds of passports of suspected militants have also been blocked in an effort to curb extremism, said the report.

"Another big challenge that we are dealing with is terror financing. We want to cut all the channels through which the terrorists could possibly collect funds. It is not easy but we are heading in the right direction and have formed a task force for this purpose," Ghani said.

The statistics in the NACTAs report say around $3 million and 5,000 bank accounts of suspected terrorists have been frozen in an effort to cut the terrorists' money supply.

But securing the country's shared borders also remains critical to Pakistan's security.

"Pakistan has to secure the porous border along Afghanistan to make sure the terrorists who find refuge on the other side of the border do not come back to resume their activities," Raees said. Bilateral relations plunged to new lows in recent months with Islamabad and Kabul accusing each other of harboring anti-state militant groups and sponsoring terrorist attacks on their respective soils.
U.S. President Donald Trump told Congress Tuesday that it needs to act if it wants to shield 800,000 young undocumented immigrants from deportation, signaling his intention to rescind former President Barack Obama's program that allowed them to work and study in the U.S. after their parents years ago illegally brought them into the country.

"Congress, get ready to do your job - DACA," the president said in a Twitter comment, referring to the acronym for Obama's five-year-old executive order that created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.



The young people covered under the program, who typically entered the U.S. when they were six years old, mostly from Mexico and Central American nations, are known collectively as Dreamers and mostly only know the U.S. as their home. While protected from deportation, they are now studying and working in the U.S. and serving in its military.

Earlier this year, Trump promised, Were going to show great heart, in deciding what to do with the program. DACA is a very, very difficult subject for me.  You have these incredible kids, in many cases  They were brought here  We are going to deal with DACA with heart  because, you know, I love these kids. I love kids! I have kids and grandkids.

Trump has not scheduled an announcement to end the program, but aides say he will give Congress six months to act on the issue. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is set to announce the decision later Tuesday morning, but is declining to take questions about the controversial policy change.

A protest is planned in front of the White House Tuesday morning in support of DACA and its recipients and demonstrations are also expected in other cities across the United States.

WATCH: Trump comments on DACA

Trump came into office with a promise to eliminate DACA, but at times seems to ease up on that rhetoric; since his inauguration, however, the president has prioritized bolstering the country's deportation system, calling for thousands more immigration and border agents to be hired.

DACA is not legislation, it's executive action and the president could rightfully abandon it altogether or piece by piece, explains David Abraham, professor of immigration and citizenship law at the University of Miami School of Law.

Ahead of the administration's announcement, the states of New York and Washington said if Trump does end DACA, they will challenge the decision in court.

"We should not and cannot sit on the sidelines and watch the lives of these young people ruined," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "We have both a legal and moral obligation to make sure that the laws are faithfully executed without discrimination or animus."

House Speaker Paul Ryan and several other Republican lawmakers are urging the president not to cancel the program. Ryan says he believes Congress should come up with a way of protecting people now in the DACA program.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has asked Ryan to work with Democrats this week to find a legislative solution for the people sometimes referred to as "Dreamers."

Arguments for, against

There are DACA supporters on both sides of the political aisle in the U.S., but key members of Trump's inner circle  including Attorney General Jeff Sessions  and many Republican members of Congress are vocal opponents who have criticized the program's creation as executive overreach.

The Obama administration began the program in 2012 to allow young undocumented immigrants who met the requirements to lawfully remain in the country to work and study, in a semi-legal status that has to be renewed every two years. It does not provide a path to citizenship, however.

The majority of DACA-eligible people are from Mexico, followed by Guatemala, El Salvador, South Korea, Honduras and China.

Supporters of the program argue that since applicants came as children, they often have little connection to their home country, and have grown up in the U.S., where they have family and friends, work and school  years of building a life. The average age that DACA recipients arrived to the U.S. was 6.5 years old, according to data collected by Tom K. Wong, associate professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego.

The program requires applicants to have lived continuously in the United States since 2007, were under the age of 16 when they arrived, and under the age of 31 as of 2012. There are also education and security requirements  they cannot have a significant criminal record and must be enrolled in school, or have graduated from high school in the United States, or have a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military.

An estimated 800,000 of the 1.7 million people eligible for DACA have registered. Some who would have met the requirements feared handing over such personal information to the government, including details about close relatives who may also be in the U.S. illegally.

"They provided the government with all personal information about themselves, including of course their residences, all of which information could be used now to find and deport them if the government so choose chooses," Abraham said.

When announcing the program in 2012, Obama emphasized that it was not a permanent solution.

"This is a temporary stopgap measure that lets us focus our resources wisely while giving a degree of relief and hope to talented, driven, patriotic young people," he said at a news conference on June 15, 2012.

'Standing for our families'

Congress has not passed any law since that would replace DACA, and lawmakers have struggled for years to push immigration reform through.

For years, younger members of the undocumented community and their supporters have cultivated a grass-roots movement to push for immigration reform that would formalize their legal status. Cesar Vargas, co-director of the DREAM Action Coalition, said at a rally in New York last week that he and other activists will keep fighting to stay in the country.

"We're not just taking the fights in courts, and state capitals, or Congress, but we are taking the fights here in our street, where our community is, where the immigrant families live, and we are going to show that we are not afraid, that whatever happens with DACA, we are going to continue to demonstrate that we are standing for our families," said Vargas, who came to the United States when he was 5 years old.

"We are going to continue to go to school, we are going to continue to really contribute to the country that we call home."
A Qatari exile wants to discuss the possibility of a bloodless coup amid a diplomatic dispute pitting Doha against other Arab nations. Another exile, a little-known Qatari ruling family member, meets with Qatars main foe Saudi Arabia and immediately gets suggested as a replacement for Dohas ruling sheikh.

However, whether Khalid al-Hails planned conference or Sheikh Abdullah Al Thanis sudden prominence represents any bloc within Qatar remains an open question.

The rise of these Qataris exiles and others criticizing the energy-rich sheikhdom shows the fundamental challenge in trying to find opposition voices in Gulf Arab nations where political parties are illegal.

Exiles like al-Hail dismiss any sign of public support of the government as the coercive fear of the secret police. Those supporting the regions hereditary rulers can in turn dismiss the exiles as puppets of their opponents, in Qatars case Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, the Qatar crisis grinds on without an end in sight, pitting the home of a major U.S. military base against other American allies  a Gulf political parlor game once only conducted behind closed doors.

These sorts of things have always happened, but they werent so vocal and publicly displayed, said Cinzia Bianco, a London-based analyst for Gulf State Analytics. It really complicates things because at the end of the day, youve really involved the whole world ... but nobodys really able to help you solve the dispute.

Al-Hail is the latest exile to emerge amid the Qatar crisis, which began June 5 with boycotting nations cutting off Dohas land, sea and air routes over its alleged support of extremists and close ties to Iran. Qatar long has denied funding extremists and recently restored full diplomatic relations with Iran, with whom it shares a massive offshore natural gas field that made the country and its 250,000-odd citizens fantastically wealthy.

A London conference planned by al-Hail for Sept. 14 will include discussions about how to make Qatar a constitutional monarchy, as opposed to one ruled absolutely by its emir, he said. That will include talk about a bloodless coup supplanting the countrys ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, though al-Hail stressed his fledgling movement was peaceful. He did not offer specifics about how many people supported his plans, though he said that countries now opposing Qatar did not fund his activities.

Qatars government did not respond to a request for comment.

Since the crisis began, there have been signs of public support for Sheikh Tamim in Doha. Stencil drawings of emir adorn public spaces across the peninsular nation, which juts out like a thumb into the Persian Gulf. Many people have signed their names on the drawings or written words of encouragement.

Al-Hail said those signs of support come from fear of speaking out against the countrys government. He noted the case of poet Muhammad ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami, who was imprisoned in 2011 for reciting a poem that apparently offended the government of the nations former ruler, Sheikh Tamims father Hamad. Al-Ajami saw his life sentence later reduced to 15 years before receiving a royal pardon from Sheikh Tamim and being freed in March 2016.

I tried personally to speak out on Qatar and I ended up in jail. Many other people tried it and they ended up in jail, he told The Associated Press in an interview. The average (person) is really afraid of the police state in Qatar. If you want to ask, ask the other voice  the people who live in exile, the people who are at least free to say whatever they can say.

However, it is likely al-Hail has no influence at all within Qatar, said Gerd Nonneman, a professor of international relations and Gulf studies at Georgetown University in Qatar. Nonneman noted al-Hails previous efforts at launching an organization called the Qatari Youth Rescue movement from Cairo had little effect.

Hes really coming from nowhere, just like the others, Nonneman said. What Im observing is the UAE or Abu Dhabi or Riyadh using these guys to cause further ripples.

Al-Hail isnt the first exile to emerge in the crisis. The most prominent so far has been Sheikh Abdullah, whose high-profile visits with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came as Saudi Arabia allowed Qataris pilgrims over the border in August for hajj, a pilgrimage required of every able-bodied Muslim once in their lives.

Sheikh Abdullahs grandfather, father and brother were rulers of Qatar until a palace coup ousted his branch of the royal family in 1972. His last position in government was as head of the equestrian and camel racing federation decades ago, Nonneman said.

In recent days, Saudis have been suggesting Sheikh Abdullah should rule Qatar as an emir in exile. Among the most prominent voices to back the idea is Salman al-Ansari, whose Washington influence firm the Saudi American Public Relation Affairs Committee recently signed a $1.2 million contract with Bahrain to produce videos and material about adversary countries in the Middle East. Already, al-Ansaris committee has spent tens of thousands of dollars on television advertising in the U.S. criticizing Qatar.

All of this, the advertising and the exiles, is likely aimed at needling rather than overthrowing Sheikh Tamim, Bianco said.

They want to put him under pressure as much as possible and just convince him that its more convenient for him to basically fold and change completely his behavior, the analyst said.
It's been four days, but some Kenyans are still shocked that the Supreme Court nullified the results of last month's presidential election, citing irregularities and illegalities in the transmission of results.

Its the first time that one arm of the government and specifically, the judiciary, has been brave enough, if I can use those words, to stick to the constitutional provisions and the rule of law, and therefore, overturn the declaration of a sitting president who was declared president-elect, said Adams Oloo, senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi.



Now the clock is ticking, after the court ruled that the the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must hold a new election within 60 days.

Kenyas presidential spokesman said Monday that the government will not replace the members of the commission, a decision that will no doubt anger the opposition, which said Friday that the panel committed "criminal" acts in the last election and that most belong in jail.



Nanjala Nyabola, a Nairobi-based writer and political analyst, argues that low public confidence in the IEBC will be a big concern going into the next election, and she believes the commissioners should resign.



In good conscience, if they look at the indictment that theyve received from the justices, they should consider stepping aside and letting their alternates take their position. That would be the ideal situation, said Nyabola.

Oloo agrees with Nyabola that resignations would be the best option. He also says that the drafters of Kenyas 2010 constitution did not envision the current electoral situation.



There was an omission by the drafters because they didnt anticipate a situation in which the very body charged with conducting the elections, if it was indicted, then the 60 days would not allow room and one of the players would most likely feel that I cant trust you. Yet thats what the constitution says, so thats a challenge, said Oloo.



Kenyan political writer and commentator Barrack Muluka says the short time frame will be challenging for the electoral commission, but predicts it could work, given that this election will be simpler than the one August 8.



[P]reviously, they were dealing with six elections and this time around, they have one election, said Muluka. They could also take comfort in the fact that it shouldnt be difficult for them to know where they dropped the ball, who dropped the ball, and for them to deal with that particular individual or with those individuals.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition candidate Raila Odinga didnt waste time in getting back in campaign mode over the weekend, speaking to large crowds of supporters in Nairobi, Thika, and Nakuru.



Kenyatta said he will respect the court ruling, but referred to Supreme Court justices as wakora, a Swahili word for crooks.



Odinga has continued to condemn the electoral commission.



In the meantime, Kenyans are still waiting for the release of the Supreme Courts full judgment, which is required within 21 days of the ruling.



The IEBC announced last month that Kenyatta beat Odinga by a margin of about 1.4 million votes.
Human Rights Watch is urging the Saudi government to halt its plan to expel hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian immigrants who missed a late August deadline to register or face deportation.

Felix Horne, HRWs senior researcher for the Horn of Africa, says the immigrants have a legitimate concern of being imprisoned or worse if they return to their home country.

They say that they will be killed, arrested and tortured by the government they fled from," Horne told VOA's Horn of Africa Service. "If you are an individual who is fleeing [a] repression system, scared to return to the country of origin, you would be entitled to international protection, he says.

An estimated 400,000 to 500,000 Ethiopians currently reside in Saudi Arabia, only a fraction of whom have registered their presence with the government.

The country has long been a destination of Ethiopians fleeing repression at home. The HRW report says that tens of thousands of Ethiopians have arrived there since November 2015, the start of a year of bloody anti-government protests in Ethiopia's Oromia region.

Saudi Arabia last deported large numbers of Ethiopians in 2013. Horne says a number of them were arrested upon their return or soon after. "Some of them reported torture in detention," Horne says.



This year, there has been no large-scale roundup as of yet. Mohamed, an Ethiopian national living in Riyadh, says he thinks the Saudi government is waiting for the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to start the deportations. The pilgrimage ended on Sunday.

"After the deadline [in past years], the police usually come during nightfall, cracking down on the immigrants, and even in the daytime, at the bus stop, at work, and anywhere," he tells VOA.

Ethiopians Fear Return



Nuur, an Ethiopian from Oromia, said most immigrants have grave fears of returning home.



They [Saudi officials] say that they have built big prisons to imprison immigrants who fail to register on the deadline. But people prefer staying in Saudi prison instead of getting back home because they ran away for fear of their lives.

During Saudis 2013 expulsions, Human Rights Watch says more than 160,000 Ethiopians were returned. The rights group's report alleged various abuses in the deportation process, including xenophobic attacks, beatings in detention, and horrendous jail conditions.



The Ethiopian government denies it mistreats its citizens, and says it welcomes its citizens returning from abroad.



Communication Minister Negeri Lencho said in March that the government was taking measures to prepare for another mass deportation. The government is working to protect the rights of its citizens while returning home and a national task force has also been established to effectively coordinate their safe return," he said.

And In June, Ethiopia's National Disaster and Risk Management Agency allocated $58.2 million to help reintegrate citizens sent home from from Saudi Arabia.

No asylum system

Human Rights Watch and the immigrants say part of the problem is that Saudi Arabia lacks an official asylum system, leaving the immigrants in legal limbo.

Horne urges the Saudi government to implement asylum procedures in line with international norms.



We urge for Saudis to put in place some sort of asylum system to understand all those migrants. Which ones should be entitled to international protection? Which ones are at risk of prosecution if they go back to Ethiopia? They should halt deportation until such time these are understood, Horne says.

The country imposed an August 24 deadline for Ethiopian immigrants to register with the government in order to obtain work permits and "to better facilitate their cases."

Fatimah Baeshen is a director at the Arabia Foundation, a Washington-based think tank focusing on the Arabian peninsula, who told VOA the Saudi government is responsible for upholding the law with respect to illegal immigrants and also ensure its citizens have equal access to the labor market.



"There have been several attempts to rectify the situation: amnesty deadlines, the centers to house those who come forward to take advantage of the amnesty deadlines, etc.," she says.



She says its hard to understand why so few Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia register with the government.



For Nuur, the reason is obvious. "Even people who returned to the country after the Saudi and Ethiopian government facilitated their return are coming back in large numbers, because in Ethiopia they dont have anything to start their life again as they had left everything behind. Here, they can help themselves, their family, and build the county they fled from as they send huge amount of money home, he says.



For now, immigrants are just waiting to see what happens, staying calm before the storm, Nuur says.
U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter following North Korea's strongest-ever nuclear test explosion to criticize both Koreas and China. But his tweets will get as much attention in Asia for what's missing as for their tough words.

Following the clearest sign yet that North Korea is fast approaching a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, Trump again skipped what for decades has been the bedrock of U.S. policy on the Korean Peninsula: A firm assurance that the United States would defend South Korea against any attack.

This feeds a growing worry that has many in South Korea and Japan asking a startling question. Could Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un want the same thing, namely a separation, or "decoupling," of the decades-old security alliance between the United States and its top Asian allies, South Korea and Japan?

The White House has occasionally issued statements in which Trump has repeated what past presidents regularly declared about the U.S. commitment to defend its Asian allies. But his public comments on the alliance have more often reflected deep skepticism - and skipped any security reassurance.

Trump, for instance, previously questioned the expensive stationing of U.S. troops in South Korea and Japan, and suggested that Seoul and Tokyo pursue nukes themselves, instead of relying on the so-called U.S. nuclear umbrella. Trump also appears to be taking a shot at another pillar of the U.S.-South Korean alliance, a hard-fought free trade deal, by considering triggering a withdrawal from the agreement, a U.S. business lobbying group said over the weekend.

Then came Trump's five tweets after the nuclear test which criticized North Korea's main ally and aid provider, China, for failing to contain the North; South Korea's liberal president for "talk of appeasement" (despite what many see as a consistent hard line toward the North's weapons tests) and, of course, "rogue" North Korea.

Nowhere did he seek to reassure a frazzled South Korea that the United States would have its back if attacked.

This matters because North Korea's relentless pursuit of nukes is seen by many analysts less as a way to beat the United States in a war than as a way to separate Washington from its Asian allies. The goal is to cause the United States to seriously consider whether it's worthwhile to fulfill its treaty obligations by treating an attack on Seoul as it would an attack on San Francisco.

Ironclad U.S. vows of protection were easier before North Korea's recent demonstrations that it may be very close to actually being able to hit San Francisco and other parts of the United States with nuclear missiles.

"What people in South Korea worry about most is whether the United States will defend South Korea at a time when the U.S. mainland is under threat (by North Korean missiles). If you look at what Trump said now, the answer seems to be no," said Shin Hee-Seok, a graduate student in international law at Seoul's Yonsei University. "While it still remains a fringe opinion, some South Koreans are wondering if we should now build our own nuclear deterrent. If the U.S. is not a reliable ally, South Korea may have to think about Plan B."

The possibility of losing the free trade deal seemed for some here yet another hit to the alliance.

"The United States now is not the United States we used to know," the Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest daily newspaper, said in an editorial. "The president prioritizes dollars over the alliance."

Some see a not-too-distant future where North Korea's possession of dozens of nuclear-tipped ICBMs allows it to attack Seoul or Tokyo without U.S. intervention because of American fears that North Korean retaliation could kill millions in American cities.

"I'm worried about whether the U.S. is really serious about defending its ally, South Korea, or if it's putting its own national interest first," said Woo Young-soo, a law lecturer at a university in Seoul. "As a true ally, I wish Trump would have a defense policy that is truly meant for South Korea."

Others believe North Korea can still be checked with firm statements from Washington that make clear how strongly the United States will respond if its allies are attacked. Because Kim Jong Un cares deeply about keeping power, this argument goes, he won't risk an attack if an overwhelming U.S. response seems more likely than not.

Trump's experienced lieutenants have sought to signal this. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said all the right things after the test when he repeated what Seoul and Tokyo long to hear - that Washington's commitment to them is unshakeable.

"A lot of reassurance comes down to trust," Colin Kahl, a Georgetown University professor and former Obama administration national security official, said in a Twitter thread. "Our allies have to 'believe' we would trade San Francisco for Seoul or Toledo for Tokyo if push comes to shove. Yet instead of reassuring our democratic allies in East Asia, Trump has done the opposite."

"Undermining alliance solidarity at this moment is dumb and dangerous. It emboldens Pyongyang, increases the risk of (North Korean) miscalculation (and) potentially incentivizes (South Korea) and Japan to seek their own independent nuclear arsenals," Kahl wrote.
Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas, but could bring some fiscal order to Washington where Republicans and Democrats will need to put political differences aside in order to approve spending to repair the damage from flooding in and around Houston.

Lawmakers returning to Washington after a month-long break are expected to swiftly agree to an initial request for nearly $8 billion in disaster aid. More requests will follow from the Trump administration, with the fractious Republicans who control the House of Representatives and the Senate determined to look capable of governing in a crisis.

Some estimates say Harvey could cost U.S. taxpayers almost as much as the total federal aid outlay of more than $110 billion for 2005s record-setting Hurricane Katrina.

That sobering cost and the urgent needs of Harveys victims have helped to calm a fiscal storm that had threatened to engulf Congress and President Donald Trump ahead of Oct. 1. The rancor revolves around the deadline for lawmakers to approve a temporary spending measure to keep the government from shutting down, as well as the need to raise the nations debt ceiling.

Theres reason to hope that in the wake of the tragedy in Texas ... there will be a renewed sense of community and common purpose that can help get things done, said Michael Steel, a Republican strategist who once worked as spokesman for former House Speaker John Boehner.

Before Harvey, Trump had threatened to veto such spending and trigger a shutdown if Congress refused to fund his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. He has dropped his threat, the Washington Post reported on Friday, making a shutdown less likely.

As of the Labor Day holiday weekend, approval by Congress was widely anticipated in late September of a stopgap bill, or continuing resolution, to continue current spending levels for two to three more months.

The need to help Hurricane Harvey victims creates another reason as to why youd want to keep the government open, Republican Senator Roy Blunt said on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday.



Fresh start with Trump

With much of Washington distracted by tensions with North Korea over its nuclear program, Congress must also raise the federal debt ceiling by the end of September or early October to stave off an unprecedented U.S. government debt default, which would shake global markets.

The debt ceiling caps how much money the U.S. government can borrow, and some conservatives are loath to raise it without spending reforms. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said Congress should act quickly to increase the debt limit, otherwise relief funding for hurricane-ravaged areas of Texas might be delayed.

Without raising the debt limit, I am not comfortable that we will get money to Texas this month to rebuild, Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday.

Blunt, a junior member of Senate Republican leadership, said it was possible lawmakers could tie legislation raising the debt ceiling to measures providing financial aid for recovery from Harvey. Thats one way to do it, he said on Meet the Press.

Montana Republican Senator Steve Daines said Friday he would prefer to see spending reforms attached to the borrowing ceiling. We need to do something to reduce the debt.

Senior Republicans were warning Trump not to anger Democrats by carrying through with his threat to curtail the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for immigrant children, which Democrats widely support. Democratic votes will likely be needed to both raise the debt ceiling and prevent a shutdown.

Trump might have listened to them. Sources said on Sunday that he has decided to scrap the program that shields the young immigrants from deportation, but he will give Congress six months to craft a bill to replace it.

With his tendency to send conflicting policy signals and attack fellow Republicans, Trump may present the biggest uncertainty as Congress gets back to work.

The four top Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House are set to hold a rare bipartisan meeting with Trump on Wednesday to chart a path forward for the multiple fiscal issues.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who will attend the meetings, spent much of August feuding with Trump, who attacked the Kentuckian repeatedly on Twitter.

One Republican strategist said the Senate leader would not dwell on those tensions. Basically every Republican senator is looking to put whatever nonsense happened on Twitter in August in the rear view mirror and focus on all the important work that needs to get done in September, said Josh Holmes, a former chief of staff and campaign manager for McConnell.
A 106-year-old woman thought to be the world's oldest refugee is set to be deported after being denied asylum in Sweden.

Bibihal Uzbeki's son and grandson carried her on their backs as they fled from Kunduz in northeastern Afghanistan via Iran and Turkey in the hopes of finding haven in Europe.

Their journey made headlines in 2015, when they were part of a huge influx of people who came to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries. They traveled by foot and on trains through the Balkans before reaching Sweden.

Two years later, she and her 11 family members are living in the small village of Hova, in central Sweden.

Her family says Uzbeki has suffered a stroke since her application was rejected. They say traveling back to Afghanistan is out of the question for the bed-bound centenarian who is unable to see, speak or walk.

The family is appealing the decision.

The Swedish Migration Agency confirmed in a statement to the Associated Press they had "taken a decision regarding an expulsion in the case,'' adding "generally speaking, high age does not in itself provide grounds for asylum.''

People whose applications are rejected are allowed up to three appeals, a time-consuming process. The applications of other family members are in various stages of appeal.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce Tuesday his decision to end a program that protects from deportation people who were brought to the United States illegally while they were children.

Officials who described the move to journalists said it would come with a six-month delay meant to give Congress time to address the issue. Lawmakers were not involved in instituting the program, which was created through an executive order by former President Barack Obama.

The officials also cautioned that Trump could change his mind.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, has given nearly 800,000 people a reprieve from deportation by providing two-year, renewable work permits for eligible applicants.

Many questions

Unclear Monday was what would happen if Congress did not take any action before the six-month window ended, or what happens to someone whose work permit comes up for renewal during that period.

Trump pledged during his campaign for president to eliminate DACA, calling it amnesty. Since taking office he has said the issue is one of the most difficult he has dealt with as president.

Many of the people involved in the program came to the U.S. as young children and have no connections to their home country.

House Speaker Paul Ryan and several other Republican lawmakers are urging the president not to cancel the program. Ryan says he believes Congress should come up with a way of protecting people now in the DACA program.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has asked Ryan to work with Democrats this week to find a legislative solution for the people sometimes referred to as Dreamers.

King favors end to DACA

As news of Trump's impending decision emerged Sunday, some members of Congress used Twitter to express their reaction.

Rep. Steve King was one of the few Republicans to discuss Trump's plan.

Ending DACA now gives chance 2 restore Rule of Law. Delaying so R Leadership can push Amnesty is Republican suicide, King wrote.

Sen. Orrin Hatch said he will work with congressional colleagues in the coming months to pass meaningful immigration reform that will secure our borders, provide a workable path forward for the Dreamer population, and ensure that employers have access to the high-skilled workers they need to succeed in our technology-driven economy.

Democrats favor the program

But most of the lawmakers who commented were Democrats critical of canceling DACA.

"DACA kids work, study, serve in military. Kicking them out undermines American traditions. This is an enormous moral and economic mistake, wrote Rep. Brian Schatz.

Rep. Eliot Engel called ending DACA a cruel mistake, and said punishing kids for their parents' decisions to seek a better life in the United States is un-American.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran for president last year, said if Trump does end the program, it would be one of the ugliest and cruelest decisions ever made by a U.S. leader.

If Trump ends DACA, Congress must act immediately to restore it, Sanders wrote.

Rep. Ted Lieu said the U.S. cannot be great without embracing immigrants and that he will stand with Democratic colleagues to protect Dreamers.

For all the members of Congress over the past 5 years who said DACA should've been done legislatively here's your chance, said Rep. Joaquin Castro.
Turkish officials have voiced anger at German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her electoral challenger, Martin Schulz, for criticizing Turkey during a televised pre-election debate Sunday.

Turkeys presidential spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, tweeted Monday, We hope that this problematic atmosphere that sacrifices Turkish-German relations caused by a narrow political vision changes soon."

During their debate, Merkel said Turkey should not become a member of the European Union, while Schulz accused Merkel of being weak on Turkey and called for a tougher line.

Kalin's Twitter comments dismissed the debate. It does not matter which political party will be victorious in the German elections because it is now obvious which mindset will prevail. The fact that neither Merkel nor Schulz addressed discrimination or increasing racism throughout the debate shows what the German policy has come to.

Post-coup attempt relations

The spokesman accused Germany of harboring Turkeys enemies. More than 250 Turkish military and diplomatic personnel have applied for refugee status in Germany following a coup attempt last year in Turkey.

In addition, Ankara alleges Berlin is failing to crack down on the PKK insurgent group's activities in Germany. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and United States.

During the past year, relations with the NATO partners have plummeted with Berlin at the forefront of raising human rights over Ankaras post-coup crackdown.

German concerns have been heightened with the crackdown resulting in the arrest and detention of 10 German citizens, including prominent journalist Deniz Yucel, who has been held without charge for more than 200 days.

Despite protests by Berlin, two more Germans were detained Friday at a Turkish airport on what German authorities call political reasons.

Turkish authorities have not commented on the arrests, but Monday one of those held was released, according to a statement by the German Foreign Ministry.

Political columnist Semih Idiz of Al Monitor website warns, "Ankara is ready to further escalate pressure on Berlin, because Merkel appears to be in a weaker position.

Merkels perceived political weakness is due to criticism she has received over the resettlement in Germany of refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa.

Meanwhile, Turkey sees its strength in a migration deal Ankara signed in 2016 with the European Union, to effectively act as Europes gatekeeper. Since the deal, the number of migrants entering Europe through Turkey has fallen from more than a million a year to only a few thousand.

Trade intact

Ankara perceives that much of the tough language coming from Germany has more to do with politics, than any substantive change in foreign policy. Observers point out despite the tough rhetoric, Merkel has not introduced any significant measures against Turkey, other than a few limited economic measures, in relation to trade credit guarantees.

The two countries enjoy a robust trading relationship, with many Germany companies having long-term significant investments. Despite the current stormy diplomatic relationship, last month Ankara awarded a billion-dollar wind turbine contract to German industrial giant Siemens.

It was a shrewd move, suggests political consultant Atilla Yesilada, of Global Source Partners. It goes to show how intertwined the Turkish-German relations are and how there are these massive projects that have been in the pipeline for years. Some have matured, some are on the way to maturing and some have yet to start. So we are talking about a massive involvement between the two countries which sometime makes it harder for politicians to play the brinksmanship that they would like to for their public opinion.



Analysts point out with the differences between Berlin and Ankara continuing to deepen and increasingly on fundamental issues, a confrontation could yet still be looming. The issue remains there, obviously the sides will have to confront these issues one way or another whatever damage control efforts, warns columnist Idiz.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is begging for war, and warned that the United States does not have unlimited patience.



His abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats show that he is begging for war, Haley said. War is never something the United States wants; we dont want it now, but our countrys patience is not unlimited; we will defend our allies and our territory.

WATCH: A call for new sanctions

Haley spoke at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council called after North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test on Sunday. Pyongyang claimed it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that can fit onto an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). International experts have not confirmed that, but say it was larger than any previous North Korean nuclear test.

"The time has come to exhaust all diplomatic means to end this crisis; that means quickly enacting the strongest possible measures here in the Security Council," Haley said.

WATCH: Haley on Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions

Haley said the United States would be circulating a new draft sanctions resolution for the council to negotiate this week and that she hopes to put it to a vote next Monday.

One week would be a very quick turnaround for such a resolution; previous ones have taken between one and three months of negotiations primarily between the United States and China to agree to new sanctions.



Both the South Korean and Japanese envoys, as well as several council members, echoed the U.S. call for strong, robust international sanctions.







Haley also dismissed a Chinese initiative calling on North Korea to freeze its nuclear activity in exchange for the United States and South Korea freezing their annual joint military exercises in the region. The freeze for freeze as it is known, would be implemented to establish an environment conducive to talks to resolve the nuclear issue.



The idea that some have suggested a so-called freeze for freeze is insulting, Haley said. When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that; we certainly wont.



China is North Koreas neighbor and closest ally. Chinese U.N. envoy Liu Jieyi condemned North Koreas actions and called for them to stop, but he also reiterated the Chinese position that there is no military solution to the crisis.

China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula, he said.



There is no doubt that presently we are experiencing one of the gravest and most dramatic stages of developments on the Korean Peninsula, said Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzi. It is no exaggeration to state that peace in the region is in serious jeopardy and the threat of this conflict morphing into a hot stage looms larger than ever before, he added.



He urged parties to maintain a cool head and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions.



Earlier Monday, South Korea's Defense Ministry said it had detected signs North Korea was preparing to test another ballistic missile or possibly an ICBM. The ministry also announced plans to temporarily deploy four more launchers for the THAAD missile defense system.



Mondays meeting was the second time in less than a week the Security Council convened to discuss North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile activity.



Pyongyang launched a missile that flew over Japan early last week, prompting strong censure from the 15-nation council. On August 5, the council unanimously adopted the strongest package of sanctions so far against North Korea, including bans on its coal, lead, iron and seafood exports.



Diplomats are running out of sectors to target for sanctions. Oil is the countrys most important sector, while textile manufacturing is also an important revenue generator. The council could also look at designating new individuals and entities for asset freezes and travel bans.
Ken Beck characterizes his life as a farmer in the U.S. right now as a gamble.

"Risky at best," he told VOA. "There is no money in this game anymore."



Beck says he is entering a fifth year of losing money, due in part to lower corn and soy prices, along with high input costs for fertilizer and seed.



But he says there is something the U.S. government can do to help.



"Trade. Which is under attack right now."



The Trump administrations decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP agreement, earlier this year erased Becks hope for increased demand and, ultimately, a boost in prices for his corn and soybeans.



That is why he now is closely watching the U.S. governments efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, with Canada and Mexico.



Campaign promises



Renegotiating NAFTA fulfills a campaign promise made by President Donald Trump. While much of the focus is on manufacturing jobs, the original NAFTA agreement, signed in 1994, provided a critical boost for U.S. agricultural exports, and farmers like Beck are concerned about any changes to the current agreement that could negatively affect their bottom line.



"For a corn producer, grain producer, NAFTAs been extremely good," said Beck, standing not far from some of that produce, which could ultimately travel south of border after it is harvested later this year.



The U.S. sent more than $2.5 billion of corn to Mexico in 2016, making the U.S. one of the top suppliers to its southern neighbor.



"They have a rising middle class there that wants to eat protein, and I produce protein," Beck explained.



But this year, Mexican imports of both U.S. soybean and corn are down, and Beck knows his protein isnt the only one on the market.



"Mexico for the first time in history bought corn from Argentina. Was it cheaper? No. But they are sending a signal," he said.



Other signals that concern Beck are those from Trump, who has threatened to withdraw from NAFTA, creating further uncertainty for U.S. farmers.



"I think everybodys running a little bit scared because we are in uncharted territory," he told VOA.



"If you have a shock like pulling out of TPP or not keeping the agreement going on NAFTA, it makes the markets nervous and it lowers the farmers' farm income," said Tamara Nelsen, senior director of commodities for the Illinois Farm Bureau.



She has heard from many farmers in recent weeks, including those she met with during the 2017 Farm Progress show in Decatur, Illinois  one of the largest farm shows in the country  who tell her they are concerned about the increased rhetoric as negotiations continue.



"We hope that some of the rhetoric, like anti-trade, anti-exports for agriculture, will turn around and well actually have some achievements," said Nelsen.





Status quo



Meanwhile, Beck said he wasn't looking for dramatic changes for agriculture in NAFTA, and would be satisfied with the status quo.

"Hopefully, cooler heads prevail and we can tweak this," he said, "or do a little something, and nothing much really changes."



Whatever happens, Nelsen says its important to reach a new agreement  soon. "Theres a presidential election next year in Mexico, and so if things do not move quickly, its possible they might make progress here in the U.S. and Canada and Mexico in the next four months, and then we might see a slide into some stalemate. So the hope is, by ag groups and others, to keep it moving."



Beck also hopes negotiations keep moving, because time to make money isnt on his side at the moment.



"Decisions in the next few weeks are going to have to be made for next year already," he noted. If you are going to start cutting costs, where do you start?



As Beck keeps one eye on his bank account, the other is looking at the skies above his Illinois farm as he deals with the other major unknown in his life right now: the weather.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his counterpart in Seoul on Monday agreed to lift payload restrictions on South Korean missiles and push for even stronger sanctions at the United Nations against North Korea.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is also calling for the United Nations to consider blocking oil shipments to the North, government officials in Seoul told reporters.

White House officials did not mention oil sanctions against Pyongyang, but said Trump and Moon broadly agreed on all major points in their 40-minute telephone conference Monday, a day after North Korea triggered a global storm of protest by detonating a nuclear warhead underground that it said was a hydrogen bomb.

"Both leaders underscored the grave threat that North Korea's latest provocation poses to the entire world," a White House statement said.

"The two leaders agreed to maximize pressure on North Korea using all means at their disposal," the statement continued, and "they also pledged to strengthen joint military capabilities."

The United States will circulate a draft of a new resolution about North Korea at the United Nations this week, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Monday. American diplomats said they hope the resolution can be brought to a vote within one week.

In addition to his extensive talks with Trump, South Korea's President Moon also conferred by phone Monday with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Officials in Moscow said the Russian president advised that the only way to resolve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula is through diplomacy and negotiations.

The United States, in specific warnings by Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis, has told North Korea to expect a massive, overwhelming military response if it directly threatens the United States, its allies in Asia or the U.S. territory.

President Moon took office in Seoul hoping to establish better relations with Pyongyang, but Kim Jong Un's repeated provocations  multiple missile tests and, most recently, its most powerful nuclear test ever  appear to have dashed those hopes.

Trump criticized Moon on Sunday for what he called "talk of appeasement" for North Korea, but officials in both capitals took pains Monday to demonstrate they were united in their approach to North Korea.

"President Trump gave his in-principle approval to South Korea's initiative to lift restrictions on their missile payload capabilities," the White House said, adding that Trump "also provided his conceptual approval for the purchase of many billions of dollars' worth of military weapons and equipment from the United States by South Korea."

Trump has vowed to stop all U.S. trade with any country doing business with North Korea, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is said to be working on details of such a plan, which would primarily target Pyongyang's neighbor and main trading partner, China. More than 90 percent of North Korea's export earnings come from China.

Since U.S. trade with China is more than $600 billion per year, dwarfing trade between Pyongyang and Beijing, analysts are skeptical of the viability of the embargo Trump has proposed. They also doubt that Beijing would agree to a move that could cause the collapse of Kim Jong Un's regime.

"For a variety of reasons, including concerns of implosion and collapse, concern over nuclear weapons, concern over human suffering and uncertainty over whether a trade embargo would change behavior, China and others aren't likely to follow the U.S. lead at this time," said Deborah Elms, founder and executive director of the Asia Trade Center in Singapore.

"The worst result usually comes from a half-enforced trade embargo, which is what is likely to result now," Elms told VOA.

Before the North Korean nuclear test, but after Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan and into the Pacific last Tuesday, Trump had signaled he was going to end the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), as part of his efforts to revise or scrap economic agreements made by previous U.S. administrations that he feels were unfair to the United States.

Trump's intended move aroused misgivings among business leaders in the U.S. and abroad.

"With real-time and growing threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, I cannot imagine a worse time for President Trump to bully an ally like South Korea with his nativist and transactional approach to trade," said Gordon Flake, CEO of the Perth USAsia Center and a member of the Korea Economic Institute of America advisory council.

"The timing and tenor of the Trump administration's strategy on trade threatens not only the U.S.-ROK alliance, but will undermine U.S. credibility with other allies throughout the region," Flake told VOA.

Scrapping the trade deal with South Korea has not won noticeable support from American corporations, either. "Our companies tell us that [KORUS] is a good deal as written," Tami Overby, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's senior vice president for Asia, told a television interviewer at CNBC.
Venezuela's President Nicola Maduro will address the opening day of a three-week U.N. Human Rights Council session on Sept. 11, a United Nations spokesman said on Monday.

Maduro's government has been criticized by Washington, the United Nations and major Latin American nations for overriding Venezuela's opposition-led Congress, cracking down on protests, jailing hundreds of foes and failing to allow the entry of foreign humanitarian aid to ease a severe economic crisis.

"We received a 'note verbale' today that he is coming," U.N. human rights spokesman Rolando Gomez said. "He will be speaking at the opening of the council session."
KVERT reported that on 19 August explosions at Klyuchevskoy generated ash plumes that rose 6-7 km (19,700-23,000 ft) a.s.l.; the plumes drifted 140 km NW initially, and then 270 km SW and 90 km NE. Ash plumes during 20-25 August drifted as far as 560 km NW, W, and SW. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). ...

Based on satellite data, KVERT reported that ash plumes from explosions at Klyuchevskoy rose 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 550 km in multiple directions during 24-25 and 30 August. On 6 September KVERT noted that activity had decreased and that there was snow on the flanks; ash emissions were last observed on 30 August. ...

Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report:FVFE01 at 11:52 UTC, 03/09/17 from RJTDVA ADVISORYDTG: 20170903/1152ZVAAC: TOKYOVOLCANO: KLYUCHEVSKOY 300260PSN: N5603 E16039AREA: RUSSIASUMMIT ELEV: 4754MADVISORY NR: 2017/369INFO SOURCE: HIMAWARI-8AVIATION COLOUR CODE: NILERUPTION DETAILS: VA IS NOT IDENTIFIABLE ON SATELLITE IMAGERY.OBS VA DTG: 03/1120ZOBS VA CLD: VA NOT IDENTIFIABLE FM SATELLITE DATA WIND FL180 310/4KTFCST VA CLD +6 HR: NOT AVBLFCST VA CLD +12 HR: NOT AVBLFCST VA CLD +18 HR: NOT AVBLRMK: VA IS NOT IDENTIFIABLE DUE TO MET CLOUD OR DISSIPATED. WE WILLISSUE FURTHER ADVISORY IF VA DETECTED ON SATELLITE IMAGERY.NXT ADVISORY: NO FURTHER ADVISORIES=

Background:

Kliuchevskoi is Kamchatka's highest and most active volcano. Since its origin about 6000 years ago, the beautifully symmetrical, 4835-m-high basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods of inactivity. Kliuchevskoi rises above a saddle NE of sharp-peaked Kamen volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif. More than 100 flank eruptions have occurred at Kliuchevskoi during the past roughly 3000 years, with most lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3600 m elevation. The morphology of its 700-m-wide summit crater has been frequently modified by historical eruptions, which have been recorded since the late-17th century. Historical eruptions have originated primarily from the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and effusive eruptions from flank craters.

---

Source: Klyuchevsky information by the GVP (Smithsonian Institution)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray is introduced before delivering remarks during the 2017 Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic on Monday in Cincinatti. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Cincinatti Enquirer via AP)

The annual AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic is a staple for up-and-coming Democrats in Ohio. Surrounded by welders, electricians and their families eating hot dogs, Richard Cordray, the state's former attorney general, joined their ranks Monday.

As the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Cordray said, he had sent a strong message to banks and other large financial companies that in a frank and fair way the consumer bureau would force them to clean up their acts.

The sleeves of Cordrays dark button-down shirt were rolled up as he spoke next to a raffle hopper and shouted over a band playing Brown-Eyed Girl and the sounds of squealing children. For more than six years now, I have continued to fight for you, and for all American consumers, he said.

But in his fierce defense of the agency before a sparse but polite crowd, Cordray failed to address the question that has followed him for months: Will he run for Ohio governor?

I dont have anything to say about that, Cordray said afterward, waving off any questions about his political future.

Cordray attempted to downplay the significance of his appearance at the event  Bill Clinton was the headliner last year  noting that he has commuted to Ohio every weekend for six years. I dont think a lot of people realize that, he said, adding that the biggest change in his life occurred two weeks ago when he and his wife saw their twins off to college for the first time.

There had been speculation that Cordray might use his appearance at the annual event to launch a bid for Ohios statehouse. At the other end of the state, former Cincinnati mayor and TV talk show host Jerry Springer, who has been openly mulling a run for governor and courting donors, appeared at a Labor Day parade in Cleveland. The states popular governor, Republican John Kasich, cannot run again because of term limits, leaving both parties scrambling to field their strongest candidates.

I dont want to get into that, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said when asked whether Cordray would make a good gubernatorial candidate. Cranley has endorsed the Democratic mayor of Dayton, Nan Whaley. Which party controls Ohios governors office in 2018 could have significant political implications in this key presidential swing state.

Although Cordray has been noncommittal, there is already a website opposing his candidacy. The site, www.cordray2018.com, initially appears to be pro-Cordray and features a "Cordray for Ohio" slogan at the top and a large picture of the Democrat. But then the site attacks Cordray and calls the CFPB "one of America's most corrupt government agencies."

Cordrays potential bid has garnered particularly intense attention because the CFPB has been a target of Republicans since it was established after the financial crisis. And Cordrays leadership of the agency has been repeatedly lambasted on Capitol Hill, including by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, who once called Cordray a dictator and said he should be fired.

Republicans stepped up their attacks on Cordray and the CFPB after President Trumps election. If Cordray were to resign to run for Ohio governor, it would give Trump an opportunity to fill an influential regulatory role. The CFPB regulates the way banks and other financial companies interact with consumers, including payday loans and mortgages.

Asked whether the CFPBs priorities had changed under Trump, Cordray said, Weve tried to keep our priorities the same. Our job, which Congress gave us, was to protect consumers.

That work needs to be done in our communities for people regardless of what happens with elections, regardless of what happens with particular people and particular offices, and that is something that I have tried to stress at my agency, he said.

The agency is strong enough to continue its work after he leaves, said Cordray, whose term ends next year. Asked about his relationship with Trump, he said, I have not had a chance to sit down and speak directly with the president.

The CFPB has been grappling with several controversial topics. It is finalizing rules that have roiled Wall Street by allowing consumers to band together to sue their banks. It is also preparing to introduce regulations that would rein in payday lenders.

It is also still probing the growing scandal surrounding Wells Fargo, one of the largest banks in the country. Last year, the CFPB levied a $100 million fine, the largest in its history, against the San Francisco bank for opening millions of sham accounts customers didnt want. Last week, the bank said the total number of accounts created was potentially 1 million more than it had initially estimated.

[Wells Fargo finds an additional 1.4 million potentially fake accounts]

The bigger number is not surprising, Cordray said, noting that Wells Fargos new estimate came after it reviewed accounts dating to 2009 instead of just to 2011, as it had initially. We continue to work to get this problem fixed, he said.

Wells Fargo also recently acknowledged that it had charged more than 500,000 customers for car insurance they didn't need, even repossessing some cars after the borrowers fell behind on their premiums. Cordray said that he is concerned about that issue and that the CFPB is looking into it. Wells Fargo could face additional enforcement actions, he said.

Merle reported from New York.
People dance at a Maracuyeah party in 2012. We learned a lot of lessons about the different needs, identities and stories of the people who were coming to the party, said party co-founder Kristy Chavez-Fernandez. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

When Kate Ross first came out, she would go to lesbian bars and parties by herself. She didnt exactly get a warm welcome. At the lesbian dance party She Rex, which used to pop up at Chief Ikes Mambo Room, she says a fellow partygoer took one look at her high heels and long hair and called her a confused straight girl.

I shaved off all my hair and had a mohawk, she says. No one questioned me after that.

Moments such as those led the 33-year-old, who works in small-business management, to help found the Coven, a safe space that has expanded to include a monthly dance party, a book club, theater trips and panel discussions over the past few years. Though the concept has gotten backlash on college campuses for potentially threatening free speech, safe spaces have become increasingly important at bars and nightclubs, activists say, particularly in the aftermath of last years attack at the LGBT nightclub Pulse in Orlando.

But what constitutes a safe space isnt the same for everyone, and organizers such as Ross  who seek to welcome all, regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity or gender identification  are facing resistance, including from the very community theyre trying to welcome.

Critics have accused Rosss parties of not being really queer, raising the question of whether safe spaces must be exclusive to be truly safe. For some, its a requirement; for others, a space cant be safe if it isnt exclusive to the audience it represents.

For everyone, it seems to be a conversation in progress.

There is a lot of alienation and silos in our community, Ross says.

Promoters like Ross see safe spaces as addressing the pitfalls that the nightlife world can present to marginalized groups, including discrimination by doormen and bouncers, disparaging remarks, and unwanted sexual advances. At her parties, held at Ten Tigers Parlour in Petworth, Ross tries to create a welcoming environment by introducing herself to people who look like theyre there by themselves.

Kristy Chavez-Fernandez, who co-founded the Anthology of Booty and Maracuyeah collectives, the latter of which typically throws parties at the Salvadoran-Mexican restaurant Judys on 14th Street NW, also hosts events that are mixed and never exclusive. We learned a lot of lessons about the different needs, identities and stories of the people who were coming to the party by having it be inclusive, she says.

For her, creating a safe space means continually being aware of the various dynamics  gentrification, class, race, ethnicity, language, migration status  at play.

That has led to a variety of policies: free water for dancers, de-escalating situations that could lead to police intervention and not charging the restaurants regulars so they arent displaced by a dance party. At Anthology of Booty events, hosted by an all-female DJ collective, organizers riffed on the Ten Commandments  thou shalt honor thy neighbors booty  to let patrons know that sexual harassment would not be tolerated.

Chavez-Fernandez also encourages diversity among performers, since so many DJ lineups are occupied by men.

You can create a space where there are stronger norms around what is okay and what is not okay, Chavez-Fernandez says. Have fun with it, but remind people they will be asked to leave if they dont respect the rules of the dance floor.

Chavez-Fernandez acknowledges theres still a need for exclusive spaces, and Lee Levingston Perine, founder of Makers Lab, a D.C.-based collective that hosts events for the queer community, agrees. Along with Ross, Perine was among the promoters who started to speak up about segregation in queer events last fall, eventually teaming up with several others for an inclusive New Years Eve event at Old Engine 12 in Bloomindgale, attended by about 700 people.

Most, if not all, of our events are open and inclusive to allies. However, we are also very comfortable and will unapologetically design spaces for specific audiences, says Perine, who hosts dance parties, film screenings, body-positive workout classes and a music festival. There are times, especially in this current political climate, where certain identities need to be centered and affirmed.

Bars are also seeing a need to engage in these conversations. In May 2016, the D.C.-based grass-roots organization Collective Action for Safe Spaces officially launched its Safe Bar Collective initiative, a training program that executive director Jessica Raven says helps bar staff recognize subtle signs of aggression and signals that someone might feel unsafe or uncomfortable. For example, if a bartender senses that a customer feels unsafe, they could make up a distraction  You asked when the bathroom would be open and its open now  to help.

The initiative, which ran as a pilot program from 2013 to 2015, consists of a two-hour training and costs $500. If 80 percent of a bars staff is trained, the bar receives a Safe Bar distinction and decal. So far, the organization has certified 38 local establishments, including Big Hunt, ChurchKey and Mackeys Public House.

When people who host events at bars are committed to creating safe spaces where people are treated with dignity and respect, Raven says, that makes it less likely for harassment and violence to occur.

U Street Music Hall is now a part of the Safe Bar Collective, and owner Will Eastman trains staffers to be open and accommodating. For him, creating a safe space is a constant effort thats involved in every decision he makes, from booking to staffing.

A few years ago, he says, a contracted security guard tried to throw out two shirtless men who were dancing together. From that guards background, he thought that a couple guys dancing with their shirts off was inappropriate, recalls Eastman, who fired the guard on the spot.

Its an ongoing thing, he says. You dont just open your doors and say, Were a safe space for the queer community  you gotta keep thinking about it.


Sen. Tim Kaine D-Va.) listens to Alexandra Duran, a 21-year-old student at Marymount University who is from El Salvador and has been in the United States illegally since she was 5 years old. Ricardo Amaya, 26, a student at George Mason University also from El Salvador, sits at right. (Maria Sacchetti/The Washington Post)

A former waiter, born in El Salvador, now writes code for a U.S. Navy contractor. A young man from South Korea is using the money he makes selling pastries to help pay for community college. And a psychology major from Ecuador, who feared shed be stuck babysitting all her life, now plans to earn a doctorate and move to New York.

They are among nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants whose lives were transformed by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era federal program that President Trump appears ready to phase out.

Trump  who has criticized the program but expressed admiration for the dreamers who benefit from it  plans to announce Tuesday that his administration will stop renewing DACA work permits starting in six months, those briefed on the situation say. The six-month delay is aimed at getting Congress to pass legislation that would allow the dreamers to remain in the country legally, these officials said; they cautioned that the president could change his mind at the last minute.

DACA has opened unprecedented doors for young people who arrived here illegally as children or overstayed their visas. It has become, for much of the nation, a new embodiment of the American Dream.

The initiative shielded young immigrants from deportation and allowed them to get two-year, renewable work permits and drivers licenses and to more easily afford college. It meant opportunities beyond low-wage jobs where no official paperwork is filed, and a chance to climb the ladder and enter the spotlight at work as well as school.

Taking that away is taking everything from us, said Renata Aldaz, who is studying psychology at George Mason University and joined other DACA recipients last week for a meeting with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), former running mate to Hillary Clinton, who had vowed to preserve DACA had she been elected president.

Without DACA, I personally will not be able to attend college, Aldaz, who came to this country when she was 3, told Kaine. I will lose my job. I will lose having to support my family.



Demonstrators in New York City march and chant slogans against ending DACA. (Joe Penney/Reuters)

Critics of DACA say the program is a classic example of presidential overreach that takes jobs from citizens and legal U.S. residents. They warn that Trump will face massive opposition if he doesn't keep his campaign promise to end it.

Its actually about protecting American workers, said Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, which has fought to end DACA since the program was created in 2012. The young immigrants in the program have a compelling case, but struggling American millennials have a more compelling case.

But the programs many defenders say DACA recipients should not be punished for decisions made by their parents, and are making valuable contributions to U.S. society.

Some became high school valedictorians. Others are lawyers, engineers or medical professionals. Hundreds returned to school, because the program required it, and made it easier in some states to seek tuition assistance.

It helped hundreds of thousands of young people feel as though they belonged, said Roberto Gonzales, a Harvard education professor who runs the largest study of undocumented youth in the United States. Its been a huge game-changer for them, he said.

If Trump phases out the program, or if it is successfully challenged in federal court, those young people will become undocumented again  eventually losing their work permits, jobs and health insurance and, in many states, their driver's licenses. The job losses alone  about 30,000 a month  would cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars in taxes and retraining, according to estimates by the Center for American Progress and Fwd.us.

Many states with large populations of undocumented immigrants, including California and Texas, already allow them to pay in-state tuition at public colleges  whether they have DACA or not. But those in the program say being allowed to work and drive legally  and being free from the threat of deportation  makes it much more feasible to pursue a college degree.



Sen. Tim Kaine, right, listens as Giancarla Rojas, 23, far left, who married a U.S. citizen and now has legal status, describes how the loss of DACA would impact her sister. (Maria Sacchetti/The Washington Post)

I feel like as a country, we would be losing if DACA was rescinded, Alexandra Duran, a 21-year-old from El Salvador who is a student at Marymount University, told Kaine last week. We helped build it, in a sense.

Ricardo Amaya, a 26-year-old from El Salvador, waited tables for years before obtaining DACA and went to college part time, paying more than triple the cost for classes with the out-of-state tuition rate. Now he pays in-state tuition at George Mason and works at a Manassas technology company where he has helped develop a dozen computer applications, including for the U.S. Navy, that have been downloaded by 60,000 people.

If Trump ends his permission to work, Amaya said, hell have to drop out of school.

I can only work through DACA, Amaya said at the roundtable. This has helped me, getting me out of the shadows, off the ground.

An army of supporters have rallied to save the program, which has the backing of 64 percent of Americans, including 41 percent of Republicans, according to an NBC/Survey Monkey poll released last week.

Thousands have marched in the streets in New York, Washington and California, and a group has kept 24-hour vigil in front of the White House. Twenty attorneys general, all Democrats, urged Trump to keep the program, even as a smaller group of Republican attorneys general and the Idaho governor threatened to challenge the program in court unless Trump rescinds it. Lawmakers have introduced bills in Congress to create a permanent way for the dreamers to stay.



Serafina Ha, left, of Chicago, and Disciples of Christ Refugee and Immigration Ministries Director Sharon Stanley-Rea lead chants during a demonstration in favor of immigration reform in front of the White House on Aug. 30. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

But Congress has been unable to pass such legislation in the past. And even if Trump were to grant DACA recipients a reprieve, officials in his administration have said the program may not survive a court challenge.

The DACA recipients who met with Kaine last week sounded grim as they considered their lives without the program. Among them was Min-Su Kang, the 18-year-old from South Korea who just enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale and plans a career in computer science; and Gloria Oduyoye, 25, who was born in England and is finishing up her studies at William & Mary Law School.

They know they have been carefully vetted by the U.S. government, which has their names, photographs and even fingerprints, and by definition is aware of their undocumented status. They wonder how that data will be used if their deportation relief disappears.

Many have lived here nearly all their lives and are fearful of being forced to return to countries they barely remember.

Across the table from Kaine sat Alejandro Zuniga, a 19-year-old community college student originally from Bolivia. He wore a tie and aspires to be an aerospace engineer. Now he is afraid of being deported.

We feel were Americans, but the society sometimes doesnt see us that way, Zuniga said, adding that DACA has given me the opportunity to go to school, to work and to really get to where my parents wanted me to be.

Were talking about the American Dream, Zuniga said. Our version of the American Dream.

Scott Clement contributed to this report.
It starts, usually, with the ringing of a fire station doorbell. Someone new has come for help  maybe a parent with a struggling teenager or an adult who has realized that his life is being unraveled by drug addiction.

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, firefighters and police officers at stations in Anne Arundel County are ready to assess people addicted to opioids and set in motion a broader coalition that can get them quickly into drug treatment, whether or not they have money to pay.

The suburban Maryland county, which has been hard-hit by the nation's opioid epidemic, expected up to five people a week to use the Safe Stations program after it was launched in April. Instead, nearly three times that many have shown up.

The first was Jenna Keefer, 29, who woke up to a Facebook post on April 20 promoting Safe Stations. In previous weeks, she said, she had tried and failed to get help from family and friends. Now, the fire station down the street from where she grew up, in Brooklyn Park, Md., was opening its doors.

When I got there, it was a no-brainer; I couldnt turn it down, Keefer said. What they were offering me was basically a new life. That was what I needed to do.



Anne Arundel County is designating fire stations and police stations as Safe Stations. (Anne Arundel County Fire Department )

The program is an unusual collaboration between the police and fire departments, the Anne Arundel Crisis Response System, the county health department and the states attorneys office.

Police and fire stations are the points of entry. The crisis-response teams are the lifelines to treatment centers. The health department provides grant money and referral services. And the state's attorney's office  headed by a prosecutor, Wes Adams (R), whose brother-in-law died of an overdose in January  tries to address barriers to treatment, such as voiding warrants and postponing court dates for addicts so that they can qualify for drug treatment.

Its the worst point in their life, and they just want help, Charles Phillips, who was a fire captain in Brooklyn Park until he retired last week, said of the addicts who have participated in Safe Stations. Theyre the most decent people, and theyre very thankful.

There have been more than 720 heroin and opioid overdoses  more than 90 of them fatal  in the county so far this year, according to the fire department. Last year, there were 153 fatal overdoses from heroin and prescription opioids, according to the state health department, compared with 71 fatalities five years ago. The rising numbers led to the creation of a task force that, in turn, launched the Safe Station program.

We were losing people and our overdoses were rising, so we said, What can we do with our resources together?  said Crisis Response System Director Jen Corbin.

Initially, each agency had to find money from within its budget to cover any costs. In July, with Crisis Response System teams stretched thin by the unexpected popularity of the program, the state awarded the county a grant of $287,000 to hire more personnel.

Were getting them when theyre ready, said Anne Arundel Fire Chief Allan Graves. Its hard for someone at 1 a.m. to get on the Internet or call people. Now they have one stop  a fire station or police station.

Of about 100 people who sought help from Safe Stations between April 20 and July 31, 87 agreed to enter drug treatment, county officials said. Forty-one of those people had completed inpatient programs by July 31. Nine were still in treatment, and four were awaiting placement.

Officials did not yet have similar data for the approximately 50 people who sought help through Safe Stations in August. Of Anne Arundels 31 fire stations, Brooklyn Park has received the most addicts seeking treatment, officials said, about 1 out of 4 who have come to stations so far.

About 80 percent of the people who enter drug treatment through the Safe Stations program go to Hope House Treatment Center, which is one of the largest residential programs in the state and has locations in Laurel and Crownsville.

Executive Director Peter DSouza said that Safe Stations participants go to the top of the wait list, so they can get into treatment right away.

These people are in life-and-death situations, he said.

Keefer completed a program at Hope House and is living in a sober house for women in recovery. She is looking for a job.

Without Safe Stations, I really dont think I would have made it this far, she said. You get clean or you die.
Eagle, a tall ship operated by the Coast Guard is to dock Monday morning in Alexandria, after the Wilson Bridge opens to let it through. It will be open later Monday for free tours. (U.S. Coast Guard photo )

The Eagle, a tall ship operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, is scheduled to dock in Alexandria on Monday morning after the Woodrow Wilson Bridge opens to let the three-masted vessel through, officials said.

The Eagle is to through the bridge about 8 a.m. to permit an arrival at Point Lumley Park at the foot of Duke Street about 8:30 a.m., according to the Extraordinary Alexandria website.

Officially the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, and known also as the Coast Guard Barque Eagle, the steel-hulled ship will be open for free tours Monday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the website said.

Departure will be on Friday and Eagle is to pass through the bridge going down river at 4:45 a.m., the Coast Guard said. Motorists were advised to adjust schedules accordingly.

Capable of making 17 knots under full sail at sea, the the vessel can also be powered by its diesel engine. It is used for both training and to represent the Coast Guard.
As Larry Greer neared the end of a week-long stay at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center, he grew anxious.

Greer, 57, had suffered a severe leg burn in a hot bath at home in May. Greer has diabetic neuropathy, which reduces feeling in his legs, and he didnt realize how hot the water was. He received a skin graft at the hospital, where daily doses of oxycodone helped ease the pain.

Greer, of Washington, lives alone, uses a wheelchair and would be going home with a bulky bandage on his leg. He wondered how he would get to the pharmacy several blocks from his apartment building for the narcotic hed need on his first day home.

But Greer didnt need to worry about that. After counseling him about the painkillers, a pharmacist at the hospital left a few days supply at the nurses desk. That was so helpful, because it took away the need for the trip to the pharmacy, and the stress, Greer said.

The University of California at San Francisco Medical Center, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the Montefiore Medical Center in New York are among many hospitals nationwide that have begun meds to beds or meds in hand programs, in which prescription drugs are given directly to patients just before they are sent home.

About 35 percent of U.S. hospitals offer discharge prescriptions, according to a 2016 survey by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Many hospitals begin the meds-to-beds program with a single department, such as cardiology or transplant medicine, see how well it works and then add more.

Because hospital pharmacies can bill only for medications used on the premises, drugs that will be used at home must come from outpatient pharmacies. While some hospitals have long had pharmacies for patients whose doctors have outpatient offices on the facilitys grounds, others have recently added on-site pharmacies that all inpatients can use at discharge. Many hospitals, including UCSF, partner with Walgreens for both discharge counseling and dispensing.

The recent growth in meds-to-beds programs stems from a 2012 Medicare rule that penalizes hospitals if patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge, said John Rother, president of the nonprofit National Coalition on Health Care.

And once Medicare acted, other insurers began levying penalties for early readmission as well, said Joshua Seidman, a senior vice president at the health-care consulting firm Avalere. To avoid fines, Seidman said, many hospitals launched transitions of care programs that connect patients with post-hospital services such as follow-up doctor visits and medications to be used at home.

Data published this year by the Kaiser Family Foundation suggests such efforts work: Hospital readmissions have fallen since 2012, although how much can be attributed to the new prescription programs isnt broken out by Kaiser. Tricia Neuman, senior vice president and director of Kaisers program on Medicare policy, said: For older patients with complex medical conditions or dementia, taking their drugs, as prescribed, can be a serious challenge unless they have the support they need once they get home. Programs that target patients as they transition from one setting to another can help avoid preventable U-turns to the emergency room or hospital  which could lead to better patient care and lower costs.

Several studies confirm that patients don't always fill prescriptions, even after a hospitalization. A 2010 study of more than 75,000 recently discharged patients found that almost 30 percent failed to pick up a first-time prescription. That failure can be deadly. A 2014 study found that, over a two-year period, 30 percent of more than 15,000 Canadian hospital patients who had stents inserted to open blocked coronary arteries failed to pick up prescriptions for the blood thinner clopidogrel (Plavix) within three days of being discharged.

Following a stent insertion, patients have to take clopidogrel daily, often for life, said Nilesh Desai, administrator of pharmacy and clinical operations at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Clopidogrel helps keep blood clots from forming in the stent, preventing further heart problems that can lead to death.

In 2011, Louis Teichholz, Hackensacks chief of cardiology, in collaboration with the hospitals pharmacy services department, launched a meds-to-beds program that targeted recent stent patients. A survey two years later found that the opt-in rate for the program was 94 percent.

Two small studies indicate the programs can reduce readmission rates. Researchers at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center found that the hospital's baseline readmission rates for stent patients from July 2015 to June 2016 was 17.8 percent  higher than the national average of 16.5 percent. But the hospital found that the readmission rate fell to 10 percent between June and November 2016 for 75 stent patients who participated in the discharge medication program. And a 2016 study of 124 children hospitalized for asthma found that the 77 children whose families opted to get medications at discharge reduced their odds of returning to an emergency room within 30 days by 78 percent compared with those who didn't use the program.

Marilyn Stebbins, vice chair of clinical innovation at the UCSF School of Pharmacy, said meds-to-beds programs, such as the one she helped launch, often reduce barriers, such as transportation, insurance authorizations, concern about tiring the patient or leaving them at home alone while caregivers pick up medications, and cost.

It was so carefree, all I had to do was come home, said Bette Taylor, who had a kidney transplant at UCLA last year. I didnt have to go to the pharmacy as I had to do after many previous hospitalizations.

But this is no mere drop-off service. Counseling about the medication is a critical component of the meds-to-beds programs. Taylor said a pharmacist went over all 23 new drugs prescribed for her, provided a list, taught her how to pronounce the drugs names to help her ask questions, and gave her a business card so she could follow up with any questions. Many programs have a pharmacist contact the patient within a day or two, and a week or two later.

Patients have co-pays, just as they do at their neighborhood pharmacy, and pharmacists accept credit cards or cash at bedside. But they also check insurance coverage. If the prescribed drug isnt covered or the patient is unable to cover the co-pay, the pharmacy staff works to find a less expensive drug or helps the patient apply for discounts.

Problems that can take days or longer to resolve when a patient tries to fill a prescription at a neighborhood pharmacy can usually be resolved before a patient goes home, Stebbins said. At Montefiore, for example, the prescription discharge team includes a social worker who can help access hospital funds for the co-pay if a patient cant afford the cost as well as help patients navigate benefits to pay for future doses.

For some drugs  such as blood pressure medication, which can require a dose adjustment after it is first prescribed  hospital physicians may prescribe only a short-term course and advise patients to follow up with their doctor when they return home. For longer-term drugs such as clopidogrel, some programs will dispense the discharge prescriptions and send refill prescriptions to any pharmacy the patient chooses.

Some patients who opt out of meds-to-beds programs do so because they want all their prescriptions dispensed from their local pharmacy, said Jonathan Hatoun, lead author of the report in Pediatrics. In that study, a third of parents preferred to have their childrens prescriptions sent to their neighborhood pharmacy.

Patients learn about the programs from pharmacists and nurses and from discharge brochures, as Taylor did at UCLA. At Montefiore, information about the program plays on the in-house television network that patients watch.

Many hospitals start the discharge medication process as early as admission, asking patients then whether they want to opt in. Pharmacists work with doctors to learn which drugs will be prescribed and when the patient is likely to be discharged.

Hospitals with their own outpatient pharmacies may earn substantial profits from the service, said Regina Lohr, a senior consultant with the Advisory Board Co. At Hackensack, for example, at least 40 percent of patients who chose to get their medications at discharge continued to use the hospitals pharmacy for other prescriptions. While that may be a good option for some patients, Hatoun said he hoped that the pharmacists who dispense the discharge drugs make it clear that patients do not need to continue using the hospital pharmacy and that they dont feel pressured to leave their neighborhood drugstore.

The programs are not without bugs. For example, many hospitals provide the service only when the on-site pharmacy is open and thus may not be able to dispense medications if a patient is discharged at an odd hour. And the Institute for Safe Medication Practices recently issued an advisory noting that some patients had been given their daily medication in the hospital on their discharge day and taken the drug again when they got their package of medications for home.

One reason MedStar Washington Hospital Center has nurses store the drugs rather than leave them with the patients, said Jenny Brandt, a pharmacist at the center, is for a final reminder about which drugs to take when.

Correction: An earlier version incorrectly reported that UCLA partners with Walgreens on it discharge pharmacy. UCLA operates its own discharge pharmacy.

Read more

Hospital discharge: Its one of the most dangerous periods for patients

Medicare may penalize hospitals that readmit too many patients

Some seniors just want to be left alone after leaving the hospital
An airplane makes a drop on a hillside north of Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (Paul Rodriguez/The Orange County Register via AP)

Smoke filled the sky and ash rained down across Los Angeles on Sunday from a destructive wildfire that the mayor said was the largest in city history  one of several blazes that sent thousands fleeing homes across the West during a blistering holiday weekend heat wave.

In Oregon, crews were rescuing about 140 hikers forced to spend the night in the woods after fire broke out along the popular Columbia River Gorge trail. Search and rescue crews airdropped supplies on Saturday as flames prevented the hikers escape. Wildfires burned in a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia trees near Yosemite National Park, forced evacuations in Glacier National Park and drove people from homes in parts of the West struggling with blazing temperatures.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared an emergency and asked the governor to do the same after the wildfire destroyed three homes and threatened hillside neighborhoods. More than 1,000 firefighters battled flames that chewed through more than nine square miles of brush-covered mountains.

Authorities eased evacuation orders for Burbank and Glendale later Sunday and were considering doing the same for Los Angeles, however, as easing temperatures and a bit of rain helped the 1,000 firefighters slow the flames progress.

All but 10 percent of the 1,400 people ordered out of their homes in that fire had returned, Garcetti said.



A deer runs by a wildfire in hills in Los Angeles Sun Valley neighborhood. (Paul Rodriguez/The Orange County Register via AP)

That can change in a moments notice and the winds can accelerate very quickly, Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas told reporters Sunday. There is a lot of fuel out there left to burn, he said.

Officials were keeping an eye on thunderstorms in the mountains to the north, which could bring welcome rain but also the risk of flash floods, mudslides and lightning.

Burbank resident George Grair was not in the evacuation zone but watched uneasily as flames blackened a hillside in the near distance. Its very difficult to feel safe. Ive got kids in the house, he told KABC-TV. I probably slept two hours all night.

The high at Los Angeles International Airport reached 97 degrees on Sunday, topping the previous mark of 92 degrees, set in 1982. Records were also set in parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where the temperature hit 101 degrees.

San Francisco residents, meanwhile, stifled under a third day of a rare heat wave in the coastal city, although highs in the San Francisco Bay area fell Sunday from all-time records set the previous two days.

"I went to Home Depot, Walgreens, Office Depot, Target. They were sold out," downtown office worker Alganesh Ucbayonas said Sunday, detailing her unsuccessful search for a fan. "CVS!" she remembered.

On Sunday, Ucbayonas sat at her desk in a building lobby squarely between two fans, both scrounged from her office building's storage and trained straight at her face. "I have never seen any heat like this in 10 years in the Bay Area," she said.

Fires burning up and down Californias Sierra Nevada and farther to the northwest cast an eerie yellow and gray haze over much of California, and much of the state was under alerts because of poor air quality.

California authorities ordered evacuation for a third small town Sunday in one of the wildfires, a blaze that has burned nine square miles near Yosemite National Park.

Firefighters battling that blaze were making it a priority to safeguard a 2,700-year-old grove of giant sequoia and a pair of historical cabins at the grove, fire spokeswoman Anne Grandy said. Fire crews had wrapped the two 19th-century cabins and an outhouse in fire-resistant material to protect them from the flames that had entered the Nelder Grove, Grandy said.

The flames were consuming old brush and dead wood on the forest floor, but had not burned the giant sequoia, some of which top 20 stories, she said. The millennia-old trees already had survived thousands of fires, she said.

California crews are also protecting homes from a fast-moving wildfire that forced evacuations in Riverside County.

In the Pacific Northwest, high temperatures and a lack of rain this summer have dried out vegetation that fed on winter snow and springtime rain. Officials warned of wildfire danger as hot, dry, smoky days were forecast across Oregon and Washington over the holiday weekend. In Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency across all counties as three major fires closed recreation areas and prompted evacuations.

Flames in Montanas Glacier National Park prompted officials to remove all residents, campers and tourists from one of the most popular areas of the park. The order Sunday affects the Lake McDonald area, the western side of the dizzying Going-to-the Sun Road and some of the most visited trails in the area. The Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, closed last week because of heavy smoke in the area.

Forecasters said more heat could be expected when remnants of Tropical Storm Lidia move north from Mexicos Baja California during the weekend.
Pennsylvania

Man charged with murder of student

A former Temple University student was charged with murder Sunday in the death of a current student whose remains were found over the weekend on property linked to the suspect.

Jenna Burleigh, 22, was reported missing by her family Thursday night. She was last seen on surveillance video leaving a bar near the campus in North Philadelphia early that morning in the company of a man identified by police as Joshua Hupperterz, 29.

Hupperterz was taken into custody Friday in Paupack Township, and a body was found Saturday on township property that belongs to his grandmother.

Philadelphia police said Sunday that the body had been confirmed as that of the victim.

 Associated Press

Members of Pa. family killed in blaze: Authorities said that a pregnant woman and her two young children were killed in a house fire in Pennsylvania. State police said the fire was reported shortly before 11:30 p.m. Saturday in Hamburg. Assistant Chief Deputy Coroner John Hollenbach said that Jennifer Wilder, 27, Gabriel Kalinoski, 5, and Julian Gust, 2, were pronounced dead at the scene about 4:30 a.m. Sunday. A man escaped the house through a bedroom window and was hospitalized.

Man who ran into flames at Burning Man is identified: A man who died after running into the flames at the Burning Man festival's signature burning ceremony has been identified. Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen identified the man as Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41. Mitchell died Sunday morning at the UC Davis Medical Center burn center in California. He ran through two layers of security officers about 10:30 p.m. Saturday during the Man Burn event at the counterculture festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Allen said doctors confirmed that Mitchell wasn't under the influence of alcohol but that a toxicology report is pending.

Coast Guard ends search for N.C. men: The Coast Guard said it has suspended its week-long search for two North Carolina men whose fishing boat was found capsized off the South Carolina coast. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Meredith Austin said his agency, the Navy and others searched for 247 hours for Steve Chaney and David Hambrick, who never made it back to port in Oak Island on Aug. 27. Austin said that a Coast Guard C-130 Super Hercules aircraft spotted the men's 22-foot boat Friday about 15 miles east of Murrells Inlet, S.C., but that there has been no sign of Chaney or Hambrick.

 From news services
OHIO

Man dies in police shooting at shelter

A man who was fatally shot after he was driven by a police officer to a homeless shelter had refused to get out of the officers cruiser when they got there, police records show.

The shooting happened about six minutes after a Stow police officer asked that Akron police be called following his arrival at the Haven of Rest shelter in Akron late Sunday, according to a radio log released by the Stow Police Department on Monday.

Were at the back door and he wont get out, the officer said about 11:20 p.m.

A report of shots fired came six minutes later, the log showed, with the officer saying after a couple of minutes that two shots were fired. The officer with the man was slightly injured and lost his glasses, the log said.

Neither the log nor a police news release said who fired the shots.

Events leading to the shooting started about 10:45 p.m. Sunday, when police responded to reports of a man who had jumped the fence of a house in Stow, pounded on a door and asked for cigarettes, the log said.

Seemed out of it, the log said, referring to the man, who apparently also asked the homeowner to call his daughter.

Police located the man just before 11 p.m. and called in the trip to the shelter at 11:05 p.m., the log said. The trip took just under 14 minutes.

Police said the man died at an Akron hospital.

 Associated Press

Group ghts plan to store low-level waste

A newly formed citizens group pledges to fight federal plans to store contaminated waste in southern Ohio from the cleanup of a Cold War-era uranium plant.

The Chillicothe Gazette reported that more than 100 people gathered for a recent meeting of the Citizens Against Radioactive Dump in Piketon. The group opposes a plan by the Energy Department to create an on-site disposal facility at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Federal officials say the facility would save money for the cleanup of low-level waste. However, an environmental report commissioned by the village of Piketon says there is cracked bedrock in the area and the waste would put groundwater at risk.

The citizens group and Piketon officials are critical of the Energy Department. No Energy Department representatives attended the meeting.

 Associated Press

KANSAS

Childs body found enclosed in concrete

Police are investigating after the body of a small child was discovered encased in concrete inside a rental home in Wichita.

The landlord was cleaning the house Saturday when he found a concrete structure and noticed an odor coming from it, the Wichita Eagle reported. Police removed the structure and discovered the remains of a 3-year-old boy inside.

We have a tentative identification on the child, but confirmation of the childs identity is being coordinated through the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner, Officer Charley Davidson wrote in a news release Sunday.

Neighbor Toni Freund told the Eagle that she saw police pull something concrete from the home. She and other neighbors said they had never seen a young child at the home.

Police say a 40-year-old man and 36-year-old woman who lived at the home were arrested last week on separate charges associated with a child custody case. Both are being held in the Sedgwick County Jail. Police have not said whether the man and woman are suspects in the childs death.

A flier circulated in the area around the home identifies a missing 3-year-old child.

 Associated Press
PHILIPPINES

Troops brace for fierce fight against rebels

Philippine troops fighting Islamic State-linked rebels in a southern city have encountered armed resistance from women and children, the military said Monday, as troops make a final push to end a conflict that has raged for more than 100 days.

Ground forces were braced for higher casualties amid fierce fighting in Marawi City, on the island of Mindanao, where the field of battle has shrunk to a small area in a commercial heart infested with snipers and littered with booby traps.

More than 800 people have been killed in the battle  most of them insurgents  since May 23, when the militants occupied large parts of the predominantly Muslim town.

The battle is the biggest security challenge in years for the mostly Catholic Philippines, even though it has a long history of Muslim separatist rebellion on Mindanao, an island of 22 million people that has been placed under martial law until the end of the year.

The protracted clashes and resilience of the rebels has fanned fears that Philippine groups loyal to the Islamic State, and with ties to Indonesian and Malaysian militants, have formed an alliance that is well organized, funded and armed, and serious about carving out its own territory in Mindanao.

 Reuters

MIGRANTS

Rescue group pulls out of the Mediterranean

A Malta-based humanitarian group that has been rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean for three years said Monday that it was suspending operations after months of rising tensions with Italian and Libyan authorities.

The Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) was instead sending its rescue ship, Phoenix, to the Bay of Bengal to take aid to Rohingya Muslims who have fled violence in Burma for Bangladesh, co-founder Regina Catrambone said by telephone.

MOAS is the fourth group to stop patrols for migrants trying the deadly Mediterranean crossing in the past month.

Last month, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children and Germanys Sea Eye all suspended operations. They said their crews could no longer work safely because of the hostile stance of the Libyan authorities.

That leaves Proactiva Open Arms, Sea Watch and SOS Mediterranee still running rescue operations. On Monday, the Aquarius, operated by SOS Mediterranee with Doctors Without Borders medical staff, was the only rescue ship in the Mediterranean.

Catrambone said MOAS does not want to risk having to take migrants back to Libya, where they are locked up for months or even years in overcrowded warehouses with little food, no health care and no idea of when they will be freed.

 Reuters

New Kenya election set for next month: Kenya will hold a fresh presidential election on Oct. 17, the electoral commission announced. The new election will be between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga following the Supreme Court's ruling last week nullifying the results of the Aug. 8 vote that gave victory to Kenyatta. The court cited irregularities in that election.

Pakistani militants called security concern: The leaders of the five emerging-market BRICS powers have for the first time named militant groups based in Pakistan as a regional security concern and called for their patrons to be held to account. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa make up the BRICS grouping. China has generally been supportive of its ally Pakistan in the past. The nations also called for an immediate end to violence in Afghanistan.

BBC channel dropped in Hong Kong: Hong Kong's public broadcaster RTHK dropped a 24-hour BBC World Service channel from its airwaves, replacing it with state radio from China in what critics say is a sign of encroaching Chinese control in the former British colony. Tensions between Hong Kong and Beijing's Communist Party leaders have grown in recent years, particularly over the 2014 "Occupy" demonstrations, in which tens of thousands of protesters blocked roads to demand full democracy.

Italian crime boss apprehended in Uruguay: One of Italy's most wanted mob bosses has been arrested in Uruguay after 23 years on the run from convictions for mafia association, drug trafficking and other serious crimes, the Italian Interior Ministry said. Rocco Morabito was considered the most wanted fugitive member of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful organized crime group.

 From news services
I disagree with Alyssa Rosenberg's defense of "Gone With the Wind" in her Aug. 30 Act Four blog post excerpt, "Don't tear down this monument" [op-ed]. The movie has always seemed racist to me in the way it glamorously and longingly portrays the antebellum South and laments with beautiful photography and lush music that it is "gone with the wind."

Ms. Rosenberg noted the demeaning portrayal of the black characters in the film, the slaves at the Tara plantation who supported Scarlett OHaras lifestyle. Scarlett talks of Tara in terms of the land but not much in terms of the people. The Birth of a Nation is justly condemned as a racist film. While we are pulling down statues of Civil War icons, I think it is time to pull down this cinematic icon as well.

Michael Hoyt, Silver Spring
Columnist

On a holiday weekend set aside to honor the American working class, it is hard to escape the sense that American workers find themselves exploited by our politics  and particularly by our president.

If wage earners could turn all the warm words they have heard into dollars, they would be rich. But they never receive the rights or benefits that are supposed to come their way.

Decade after decade, we engage in more or less the same arguments about economic justice, yet over the past 15 years or so, the condition of laboring men and women has, by many measures, gotten worse.

In his campaign, President Trump promised the world to American workers, including a better and more generous health-care system. Having broken his health-care pledges, he now claims that he will live up to his vows on jobs and wages by  cutting corporate taxes.

Remember all those stories in 2016 about Trump being a different sort of Republican? It turns out hes the same old trickle-down conservative, only meaner: He also preys upon racial feelings and anti-immigrant sentiment, which is often cast as part of his populism.

There is absolutely nothing new about Trumps insistence that whats good for corporations will be good for American workers.

Here's what he said last week in a speech in Missouri: "We must reduce the tax rate on American businesses so they keep jobs in America, create jobs in America and compete for workers right here in America  the America we love."

Now if Trump hadnt pretended to be some kind of populist hero in 2016, his recitation of old Republican boilerplate would not be particularly interesting or troublesome. But it is maddening to see this man described as some great innovator when it comes to the interests of the left-out and forgotten.

If you want to know how old Trump's talking points are, consider a debate broadcast by CBS Radio on April 11, 1948, between Sen. Robert A. Taft, lovingly known as "Mr. Republican" among conservatives of his day, and Walter Reuther, the legendary leader of the United Automobile Workers union. (And by the way, wouldn't it be great if the media still broadcast debates of this sort?)

"Prosperity here depends upon a large percentage of the proceeds of our wealth being invested in new tools, new investments," Taft insisted. "It takes about six or seven thousand dollars to create one new job at good wages today." Those "job creators" have been central to the GOP's ideology for a long time.

Reuther was unpersuaded. Unfortunately, he asserted, most everything that Congress has done in the past six or eight months has moved in the direction of giving more to the people who already have too much and taking away from the people who need more.

Senator Taft, Reuther said at another point, that is the same kind of economic theory that we practiced under Harding and under Coolidge and under Hoover.

Taft, to his credit, did not pretend to be someone he wasnt. He believed in the ideas he was pushing. But anyone who expected Trump to take the American worker to a new place should be profoundly disappointed. As for Reuthers description of conservative economics, it seems as relevant now as it was 69 years ago.

Trump moves us backward in other ways. Jared Bernstein and Ben Spielberg explained last week in an online commentary for The Post that the president is using his executive power to undercut regulations on workers' pay, financial security and job safety, and also their right to form unions. Here again, Trump's actions belie his words.

Trump seems to think that if he goes after immigrants, picks fights about his border wall, regularly recites the words law and order and assails political correctness, workers wont notice any of this. Hell keep attacking academic and media elites to distract from his service to financial elites. And there is so much focus on the scandals genuinely worthy of public attention that the substance of Trumps economic policies will be confined to the back pages of newspapers or the nether reaches of the Internet.

Will it work? Id insist that its always safe to wager that, over time, American workers judge politicians by looking at their paychecks, their working conditions and the economic prospects of their families. Trump will discover the limits of his flimflam.

It was Reuther who said: "There's a direct relationship between the ballot box and the bread box." I still think he was right.

Read more from E.J. Dionne's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY Steven Mnuchin demurred when asked if he supports his predecessor's decision to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. "It's not something that I'm focused on at the moment," he said Thursday in a CNBC interview: "Right now we have a lot more important issues to focus on." Granted, Mr. Mnuchin is dealing with such critical issues as a possible showdown on raising the national debt ceiling and the Trump administration's push for tax cuts. But Mr. Mnuchin is wrong if he thinks reneging on a promise to put the first African American woman on paper money is not important.

When the treasury secretary gets around to looking at this issue, lets hope he recognizes the need to include the images of women and minorities, and not just white men, on the currency of a nation that achieved greatness through the contributions of all. To do so would reassure those Americans who suspect that President Trump and his administration do not fully respect the rights of women, non-white Americans or those born outside the country.

A massive grass-roots drive for a woman to be included on U.S. currency preceeded last year's announcement by then-Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew that Tubman, a one-time slave, leader of the Underground Railroad and Union hero of the Civil War, would replace President Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. Mr. Lew had to contend with a thicket of delicate issues, but as we wrote at the time, he came up with a truly elegant way to provide for the addition of women and civil rights leaders on banknotes without dropping the presidents already depicted.

Jacksons image would be retained in a redesigned reverse side of the $20 bill, according to the plan. Abraham Lincoln and Alexander Hamilton would remain on the front of the $5 and $10 bills, but the reverse of those notes would be redesigned to include depictions of such historic events as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s I have a dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial and a 1914 suffragette march at the Treasury building.

Mr. Lew knew that implementation of his scheme would rest with a new administration  final designs scheduled were to be unveiled only in 2020. But he dismissed concerns the reform would be reversed. "I don't think somebody's going to probably want to do that  to take the image of Harriet Tubman off of our money? To take the image of the suffragists off?" he said.

But then no one would have thought it possible that the president of the United States would want to describe people at a neo-Nazi rally as very fine people or equate those protesting white supremacy with those promoting it. Harriet Tubman was a woman who distinguished herself during this countrys greatest trial. Putting her on the $20 bill is symbolically important  and so, too, would be denying her that rightful honor.
THE FIRST Labor Day was celebrated in 1882 with a union-organized parade in New York City. The idea was taken up elsewhere, and just 12 years later President Grover Cleveland proclaimed it a federal holiday. It would have been nice to think this act heralded a new era of concord and mutual respect between capital and labor, but its more likely that the president was simply trying to deal with the uproar occasioned by the bloody crushing of a strike against the Pullman railroad car company, one of the most notorious conflicts of the time, though far from the only one.

In fact, during the last two decades of the 19th century, there were 37,000 strikes in the United States. And in the years between 1870 and 1914, somewhere between 500 and 800 American workers were killed during labor stoppages, nearly all by the military, state militias or local police, according to historian Edward T. OConnell, who contrasts this toll with those of England (seven dead) and France (35) during the same period.

Workers in this rapidly industrializing country were hard-pressed in a number of ways, some of them familiar to us even today. New technologies were making obsolete certain skills that working people had relied on for a decent living. Those employees who mastered the new manufacturing techniques did well, and consumers benefited from the efficiencies, but many less fortunate men, women and children had to work 70 hours a week and more just to stay alive. The toll of death and injury for working people was horrendous. Each year between 1880 and 1900, an average of 35,000 industrial workers were killed on the job and another half-million were injured, notes Mr. OConnell, who adds: In coal mining alone, some 50,000 workers died between 1870 and 1914. And, then as now, immigrants were blamed by many for the countrys economic problems and periodic plunges into depression.

Since then, a century of progressive reforms, labor-management negotiation and, perhaps most important, rising prosperity has pretty much eliminated such things as child labor and the need for military solutions to work stoppages. We still have many problems in this society  poverty, wage stagnation, inequality  but for most Americans this first weekend in September has become a day to relax, burn food on the grill and get ready for the new year of work and school. This Labor Day, however, we are reminded, by the disaster in Texas and the response to it, that this country has a way of pulling together and to some extent setting aside its various conflicts of race, class and economic status in times of trouble, whether hurricane, flood, economic depression or war. In recent days thousands of working people  firefighters, police, and many, many volunteers  have joined with others to save victims of the flooding and give them shelter, often risking  and sometimes losing  their own lives. These are the people to think of this weekend, and the ones whose efforts we should repay with whatever donations of our own that we can make.
As a longtime supporter of the Purple Line who lives within 1.5 blocks of the Capital Crescent Trail, I was dismayed to see the mishandling of the Capital Crescent Trail closure. The Purple Line promises to mitigate traffic issues and increase accessibility to jobs for many in the area. During the planning period, the Maryland Transit Administration committed to minimizing the duration of the trail closure. However, with minimal notice, virtually no public outreach and apparently no communications with Montgomery County Public Schools, the Maryland Transit Administration has announced that the entire trail from Bethesda to Silver Spring will be closed on Sept. 5 for four to five years.

It is unclear why the entire trail, a critical transit path for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School students, needs to be closed for the duration of the construction period. The alternative proposed, Jones Bridge Road, has no bike lane and is a much longer route than many suburban alternatives. The Maryland Transit Administration is not only not keeping its commitment to minimizing the duration of the trail closure, it also is not considering the safety of students when proposing alternatives (busy roads without bike lanes).

Those of us who are Purple Line supporters are dismayed with the mismanagement that is putting hundreds of students in harms way. Our state and county administrators need to step in. We can do better than this.

Carol Politi, Bethesda
Lawmakers and advocates on both sides began to stake out positions Monday for an extended public fight over whether Congress should provide legal status to young undocumented immigrants known as dreamers as President Trump is preparing to rescind Obama-era protections for them.

Moderate congressional Republicans, and even some conservatives, suggested that they are open to crafting a legislative deal that could offer permanent legal status to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have been in the country illegally since they were children. Democrats lambasted Trump for his expected decision and called on the GOP to join them to protect the dreamers.

Urgency on Capitol Hill has mounted amid reports that Trump will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has allowed nearly 800,000 people to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The Trump administration, which is scheduled to announce the decision Tuesday, is leaning toward terminating the program but delaying enforcement for six months to give lawmakers time to find a solution, according to people briefed on the White House's deliberations.

Congress, get ready to do your job - DACA! Trump wrote early Tuesday in a tweet, further signaling apparent plans to kick the hot-button issue back to lawmakers.

Trump faces a Tuesday deadline from Texas and several other states that have vowed to sue the administration over DACA if the president does not terminate it. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an immigration hawk, has suggested that the Justice Department would not be able to defend the programs constitutionality in court and has lobbied Trump to end it. Other top advisers, including Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, have pushed him to maintain the program until lawmakers act.

Yet the odds that a sharply polarized Congress could strike a deal  steep in the best of times  are considered especially difficult at a time when lawmakers face a busy fall agenda. Congress is under pressure to raise the federal debt limit, pass a spending bill and approve a defense authorization bill, at a time when Republicans also hope to consider a tax plan and potentially try once again to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who has been involved in previous bipartisan immigration reform efforts, said he would support Trumps plan to end DACA after a six-month delay. In a statement, Graham said the program amounted to presidential overreach by President Barack Obama, who created it by executive action in 2012.

But Graham added that he empathizes with the dreamers who know no country other than America. If President Trump makes this decision, we will work to find a legislative solution to their dilemma.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Trump is poised to break the hearts and offend the morals of all who believe in justice and human dignity. She called on Republicans to pursue legislation to protect dreamers from the senseless cruelty of deportation and shield families from separation and heartbreak.

Trumps decision to include a six-month delay could be a bid to shift some of the political pressure and consequences over the dreamers onto congressional Republicans. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.), Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (Utah) and several other GOP leaders have urged Trump not to end the program and to let Congress pursue its own course of action.

The president and his senior advisers continued to deliberate Monday afternoon, and aides cautioned that Trump could still change his mind ahead of the announcement. Important details such as whether the administration would continue to accept DACA applications and issue renewals for two-year work permits during the six-month delay remained unresolved.

It also remains unclear whether Texas and the other states would move forward with their lawsuit if Trump announces that he will end the program in six months.

1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Scenes from Trumps second six months in office View Photos A look at the second half of the presidents first year in the White House. Caption A look at the second half of the presidents first year in the White House. Jonathan Ernst Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

A deal on the dreamers has eluded Congress before  most recently in 2010, when the Dream Act, which would have offered the younger immigrants a path to citizenship, failed by five votes in the Senate after passing the House.

Ryan and other GOP leaders have not laid out a new legislative path, including whether the dreamers future would be addressed in isolation  which would appeal to Democrats and moderates  or be coupled with proposals to increase border security and tighten immigration controls, which could win greater support from conservatives.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), an immigration hard-liner, suggested that he would be open to giving the dreamers legal permanent residence provided that any deal also include his legislative proposal, called the Raise Act, which would slash legal immigration levels by half over a decade.

Trump offered public support for that bill during an appearance with Cotton and Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), its co-sponsor, at the White House last month.

In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Cotton emphasized that he thinks the new class of green-card holders represented by the dreamers must be offset with cuts elsewhere.

We should find a way to give [them] legal status, he said, but we also have to mitigate the inevitable consequences of that action.

Others have suggested that Trump could attempt to use the dreamers to bargain for a down payment  an estimated $1.6 billion  on the U.S.-Mexico border wall he promised voters during the campaign. Senior lawmakers have shown no signs that they plan to support the wall in upcoming budget negotiations.

Such package deals were quickly discounted by immigration hawks and immigrant rights advocates Monday.

Why would you have to make a bargain with the rule of law? asked Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), an early Trump supporter who has vehemently opposed legal status for undocumented immigrants. These are bright lines were talking about.

Frank Sharry, executive director of Americas Voice, an immigrant rights organization, said that advocates are still pressing the White House to maintain DACA and that they hold out hope that Trump will protect the program.

However, if the president moves to unwind it, Sharry said, advocates think they will have the upper hand in a legislative fight, given polls that show broad public support for allowing dreamers to stay in the country.

A trade of the dreamers for tougher immigration restrictions or border wall funding would not even pass the laugh test, Sharry said. The momentum is with the dreamers.

Meanwhile, leading Democrats have said privately that they think Trump has been boxed in politically. His inability to secure funding for the border wall is wearing down support among his base, these Democrats said, while his hard-line immigration rhetoric is hurting him with moderates.

When rumors about Trumps expected actions on DACA first surfaced nearly two weeks ago, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted that dreamers are not a bargaining chip for the border wall funding or to pay for an inhumane deportation force.

One factor that could alter the political calculus for Democrats is if the Trump administration were to start deporting large numbers of immigrants whose DACA protections have expired. Although administration officials have said they are not targeting dreamers, immigration rights advocates said they fear that more dreamers are bound to be swept up in deportation proceedings as the Department of Homeland Security widens its enforcement net.

Leon Fresco, an immigration lawyer who previously served as an aide to Schumer, said he doesnt think Congress would muster the political will to reach a deal on the dreamers  even if the administration begins ramping up deportations.

I dont know if thats a strategy Democrats will want to reward or not. I dont know where the advocacy community will be, Fresco said. Really, I just see a lot of bluster but nothing happening.

Immigration hawks, meanwhile, are gearing up to ensure that Ryan and other congressional moderates do not give away the dreamers without getting enough in return. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower immigration levels, has proposed a deal that couples legal status for dreamers with the immigration curbs in the Cotton-Perdue bill.

What he does not support, Krikorian emphasized, is legalizing the dreamers for money for the border wall.

The appeal of the six-month delay in rescinding DACA is that it kicks it beyond the budget fight, Krikorian said.

To Trump supporters outside Washington, the most important part of the presidents decision is living up to his campaign promises, said Dale Jackson, a conservative radio host in Huntsville, Ala.

Jackson, who in February asked then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer why Trump had not ended DACA, said he does not expect Congress to close a deal to provide a haven for dreamers. Trump, he suggested, knows that, too.

Trump is probably doing the best he can do in this situation, Jackson said. He ends the program and asks Congress to come up with a solution knowing . . . they cant. You see guys like Paul Ryan saying they want to do something to protect these people but they are not able to get anything through Congress.

Ed OKeefe, Maria Sacchetti, Sean Sullivan and David Weigel contributed to this report.
Pastor Jentezen Franklin looked at President Trump across his desk in the Oval Office last week and made an impassioned plea for empathy.

For several minutes, Franklin, leader of a multiethnic megachurch near Atlanta, pressed Trump to understand the plight of the hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who had been brought to the United States illegally by their parents, received legal status under the Obama administration and now feared that Trump would order their deportation.

I know these kids, Franklin recalled telling Trump.

They are good kids? Trump asked, according to Franklin.

Yes, sir, Franklin said he replied. They are.

Then the pastor, a father of five, noted the presidents love for his own kids. I want to see that kind of heart toward these children, Franklin said he urged.

The extraordinary meeting represented an opportunity for Franklin and a handful of black, Hispanic and white evangelical pastors to describe to the president the racial tensions they know, three weeks after Charlottesville and just days before the president's anticipated Tuesday announcement of a delayed rollback of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. It also illustrates why Franklin and other members of an evangelical advisory board formed during last year's campaign have decided to remain by Trump's side despite widespread calls for them to resign after his response to the white-

supremacist demonstrations.

Some corporate leaders took public stands against Trump and resigned from advisory boards, but the evangelicals have been conspicuous in their choice to stay put. One quit. But, for the most part, the group remains intact  with its members committed to using their direct access to the president to pursue their agendas.

Franklin said he doesnt think Trump is racist  but he feels that had he resigned in protest over Charlottesville, he would not have been there to make the case for young immigrants.

If I resign every time [the president] does something I dont agree with, then I lose the ability to have influence and speak up for the dreamer children [and] the minorities that feel offended and hurt by the Charlottesville incident, he said.

Bishop Harry Jackson, an African American pastor from Beltsville, Md., who has spoken out against abortion and same-sex marriage, said he sees his role on the board partly to influence others on issues such as criminal justice that are important to the black community.

That is why I am supposed to be there, said Jackson, who was among the pastors who saw Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. I believe I am affecting other people on that board.



President Trump and Vice President Pence pray with faith leaders last week. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News)

Unlike previous presidents faith advisers, who often spanned denominations, Trumps board is exclusively evangelical. It started out as a mix of 25 pastors that included Southern Baptists, prosperity gospel preachers and lobbyists for social conservative causes with different political priorities, but who share opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion. Among them were two women, three African Americans and one Hispanic. Many of them were known to Trump largely because they were fixtures on television.

The group formed after a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting as Trump was seeking to solidify his hold on the GOPs core supporters.

A few cracks in the board began to become apparent after Charlottesville.

Some of the groups staunchest Trump backers, such as Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., stepped forward to defend the president. Many issued statements on social media condemning racism but without mentioning the president.

An African American member quit. A.R. Bernard, who runs a large church in Brooklyn, said that he had been willing, at first, to overlook Trumps flaws  but that the president failed to grow into his new role.

I believed he would understand the need to change and to present himself as a leader, to model leadership, Bernard said of his decision to stay on the board after the release last fall of the tape in which Trump boasted about grabbing womens genitals. But, if pastors put confidence in politicians that should be placed in God, he said, we can become guilty of political idolatry.

In private, some members began to debate how to handle the situation. The group convened a conference call to make sure we were on the same page, recalled South Carolina televangelist Mark Burns in a recent interview, likening his role to that of a modern-day Daniel  a voice of God in the ear of the king.

Some said they felt that remaining on the board was the Christian thing to do  to stick with a man in times of trouble.

I work with fallen people, said Jackson, adding that few of his congregants have questioned his decision.

For many, there is a pragmatic reason to stand with Trump. The president won the election with the support of 81 percent of white evangelicals. His victory came during what several board members describe as an existential crisis in their communities as social conservatives have seen their influence declining and their values threatened by the publics embrace of gay rights. Today, they are standing by the man who promised to reverse those trends and took quick steps to do so, first with his pick of religious conservative Mike Pence as vice president, then, after the election, with his nomination of socially conservative Judge Neil M. Gorsuch for the Supreme Court.

Tony Suarez, executive vice president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, called Gorsuch a home run for evangelicals.

Richard Land, a longtime Southern Baptist leader who said he has worked with every president since Ronald Reagan, said Trump has granted board members the most access weve had to an administration in our lifetime.

We are not lemmings, warned Robert Jeffress, a TV host and pastor of a 13,000-member Dallas church, confirming the transactional nature of the relationship. He will always count Trump as a friend, Jeffress said, but his public alliance rests on the presidents commitment to key policies: If he ever renounced or returned on these major positions, I think he would see a lot of support evaporate.

In forming the board last year, organizers looked for people [Trump] had a preexisting relationship with, or at least some chemistry, recalled Johnnie Moore, founder of a faith-focused PR company, who recalled building the panel with Paula White, a Florida-based televangelist, Tim Clinton, president of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors, and politicians Mike Huckabee and Ben Carson.

In many cases, the roots of that relationship were on TV. Trump has long been fascinated by the power of Christian television, recalled Burns. In 2002  the same year reality TV producer Mark Burnett courted Trump to star in "The Apprentice"  White said Trump called her after watching her sermons and invited her to New York. She remained in close contact and delivered an invocation at his inauguration.

White did not respond to requests for comment.

The group keeps its eye on big-picture social issues around which members unite, said Moore, rather than everyday policy decisions where their priorities are more split.

Membership has evolved, and people not listed among the 25 often attended, according to Moore, playing down the significance of Bernards departure from a group he describes as unofficial.

Several members who say they supported Trump reluctantly now say the president has exceeded expectations.

They describe him as attentive and responsive, and tell lively tales of intimate White House visits. After a dinner in May, before Trump signed an executive order designed to ease restrictions on churches political influence, the president took some pastors upstairs and offered them a photo op on the Truman balcony.

In July, a day-long working session in the Eisenhower Building was broken up by an impromptu invitation to the Oval Office, after which Moore tweeted a photo of pastors praying over the president.

Burns thinks their biggest focus is covering the president in prayer and being a moral voice to him. Not all agree. We are not spiritual counselors, said Land. Their role, he said, is to give the president advice and feedback on policies.

After Charlottesville, some communicated directly with their vast networks, affirming Trump as a president worth fighting for. White appeared with her husband , former keyboardist for the rock band Journey,on the "Jim Bakker Show," where she compared the embattled president with the biblical Jewish Queen Esther, whom she described as an unconventional leader who saved her people from persecution. Like Esther, White suggested, God raised Trump into leadership.

"When you are fighting against the plan of God, you're fighting against the hand of God," White said.

Some said they have used their proximity to Trump to try to open his eyes on race.

On Friday, the group was at the White House complex discussing Charlottesville and Hurricane Harvey, plus other topics, when an aide arrived to bring a handful of members to the Oval Office. Franklin said the group included black, Hispanic and white pastors.

In the few minutes that the pastors spent in the Oval Office, they tried to tell Trump what the world is really like for blacks and Hispanics.

Get in the other mans shoes a little bit, Franklin said he told Trump.

A White House official said Trump appreciated the pastors comments. On DACA, which Trump during the campaign promised to end, the official described the pastors meeting as one of many factors influencing Trumps thinking.

He takes the conversations seriously and listens to the individuals, said the official.

As for the immigrant children, Franklin issued a statement Monday saying he was concerned to see DACA expire but expressing gratitude that Trump was granting a generous six-month extension to dreamer kids that would put the onus on Congress to act. Franklin called for the affected immigrants to receive a path to citizenship, but said in an interview he does not know what Trump would do if such a bill came to his desk.

Although he said he believed that Trump would sign such a bill, he could not be certain.

Hes a politician, Franklin said. What he does is what he does.
A messy, public brawl over a Google critics ouster from a Washington think tank has exposed a fissure in Democratic Party politics. On one side theres a young and growing faction advocating new antimonopoly laws, and on the other a rival faction struggling to defend itself.

At issue is a decades-long relationship between Democrats and tech companies, with Democratic presidents signing off on deregulation and candidates embracing money and innovations from firms like Google and Facebook. Now, locked out of power and convinced that same coziness with large corporations cost them the presidency, Democrats are talking themselves into breaking with tech giants and becoming an antimonopoly party.

The argument had a breakthrough last week when it was reported that Barry Lynn, a monopoly critic and longtime scholar at the Google-funded New America Foundation, was leaving and taking his 10-person initiative with him.

Lynn, who has been critical of Google, had praised European regulators for hitting the company with a $2.7 billion antitrust fine. The foundation, which has received more than $21 million from Google, removed Lynns comments from its website.

A lot of people see this as a tipping point, Lynn said of his departure in an interview. This is something thats upset people on both sides of the aisle.

Soon after, Lynns project, Citizens Against Monopoly, launched with a website that asked people to protest Googles unethical behavior and pledged that Googles attempt to shut us down will fail. New Americas president, Anne-Marie Slaughter, pushed back, warning that Lynn was starting a family feud at a moment when Democrats could not afford it.

"Barry's new organization and campaign against Google is the opening salvo of one group of Democrats versus another group of Democrats in the run-up to the 2020 election," Slaughter wrote on Medium. "I personally think the country faces far greater challenges of racism, violence, a broken political system, and geographic and partisan divisions so great that we are losing any common sense of what we stand and strive for as a country."

The Democrats anti-monopolists have been winning the argument inside the party. During the Obama years, theyd been routed, as Googles executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, strongly supported the president, and the Federal Trade Commission abandoned an antitrust case against the company. Over the years, Schmidt gave $842,900 to Democrats, and less than half as much to Republicans.

Google was Obamas Halliburton, said Luther Lowe, the vice president of public policy at Yelp.

A shift began when Democrats began to look for their next president. In October 2015, fending off a primary challenge from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Hillary Clinton wrote an op-ed for the business site Quartz in which she promised to take a page from Teddy Roosevelt and stop corporate concentration in any industry where its unfairly limiting competition.

In June 2016, Lynn organized a conference where Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) argued the next president, which most assumed would be Clinton, could reverse the Obama administrations lax antitrust policy. Democrats needed to consider the long-term implications for consumers, for jobs and for wages, she suggested.

How do we get more competition? And how do we do it without new legislation that would require cooperation from a Congress awash in campaign contributions and influence peddling? Warren asked. We can start with a president and an executive branch willing to once again enforce our laws in the way Congress originally intended them to be enforced.

Antitrust issues garnered almost no attention during the 2016 presidential campaign. In April, Hart Research Associates conducted polling, circulated among Democrats and think tanks, that found an enormous opening for antimonopoly politics. The polling, which surveyed 1,120 voters overall and 341 from the decisive Rust Belt states, found just a slim majority saying Democrats favored average Americans over large corporations and banks.

Those corporations and banks were toxic. The polling found corporate monopolies viewed negatively by 66 percent of all voters, and 70 percent of Rust Belt voters. Just 21 percent of Rust Belt voters, however, favored antitrust laws.

Congressional Democrats who saw that polling factored it into the Better Deal, their economic agenda and attempt to rebrand the party. The plan, which was released July 24, spent four pages arguing for new antitrust laws, standards that would make mergers more difficult, and a competition advocate with the power to police issues.

It was a really good start, Lynn said. This is going to be a long process, and a long series of battles  not just inside the party, but intellectual battles.

But the minority party's policy sheet did not captivate readers like Lynn's spat with Google did. In two tweets, Warren called Lynn's ouster "troubling" and said the credibility of think tanks "is jeopardized when decisions are based on funder preferences." (Warren declined to comment further.)

There was a growing awareness that corporate monopolies were a big problem, explained Zephyr Teachout, a two-time Democratic candidate in New York for governor and the U.S. House, who will chair Open Markets when it gets off the ground. This really hit a nerve. It could have been a one-day story and disappeared by the end of the week. The same story five years ago wouldnt have had the same resonance. But the corporate concentration of power has gotten so much worse.

The Democrats long detente with monopolies was good for fundraising, especially as more money from energy and banking companies slid toward Republicans. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a backer of tougher antimonopoly policies whose district includes Googles campus, said Democrats and tech companies needed to adjust to a new world.

If you take a thoughtful position and are able to justify it intellectually, you wont lose support from tech leaders, Khanna said. My experience has been that the community is pretty open to robust debate.

Read more at PowerPost
While the world woke with a case of the heebie-jeebies over North Korea and its possible H-bomb, the planet was quickly and pleasantly calmed by the news from Kensington Palace that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge  Prince William and Catherine  are expecting their third child.

The portents of such good royal baby tidings were instantly trending on social media and splashed globally. The BBC broke into its morning show to announce the news.

Mondays palace announcement, perhaps indecorously, but in keeping with the more open style of todays skinny-jeans royals, noted that the duchess, as with her previous two pregnancies, is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness.

And so, the announcement continued, Catherine would not be able to carry out her planned engagement Monday at the Hornsey Road Childrens Center in London.

The royal couple have already produced two children  and heirs to the throne  one son, George, and one daughter, Charlotte, ages 4 and 2, respectively.

The third child will become the fifth in line to the throne behind the 68-year-old Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Royalist obsessives quickly noted that a third child for Prince William puts his redhead bachelor brother, Prince Harry, sixth in line for the throne.

Good news for Harry, who has observed in the past how heavy is the crown. He told Newsweek that the next generation is busy dusting off the 19th-century fusty smell from the British monarchy  and making it new again. "We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people," Harry said. "Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I don't think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time."

The Kensington Palace announcement said that Queen Elizabeth II and both families were delighted by the news.

The child will be the 91-year-old queens sixth great-grandchild.

That the news comes as Britain paused for a bit to note the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana seemed a right thing.

British Prime Minister Theresa May wished well in a tweet: This is fantastic news. Many congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Within minutes of the pregnancy being announced, multitudes took to social media to hurrah the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The hashtag #RoyalBaby began trending worldwide as Twitter users began speculating about the gender of baby No. 3 and when it would arrive.

London bookies were taking bets on the possible names, with Alice and Arthur the favorites.

Happy news for a change, love this so much, tweeted one user. Others hailed the news as the best way to start the week and banish the Monday blues.

Another #royalbaby !! That news has made this dull Monday much better, tweeted another.

William and Catherine appeared to have had their hand forced to announce the pregnancy because of the 35-year-old duchesss morning sickness.

Jennifer Hassan in London contributed to this report.

Read more:

Princes William and Harry are all grown up, and their mother would be proud

Prince William and Prince Harrys best quotes in HBOs new Diana

The power of Princess Kate and the royal familys vulnerability

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news


Ice floes surround the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean on July 29. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Coast Guard Ensign Ryan Carpenter peered north through a front window of this 420-foot-long ship, directing its bright-red hull through jagged chunks of ice hundreds of miles north of Alaska.

It was only the second time that Carpenter, 23, had driven the 16,400-ton USCGC Healy, one of the U.S. militarys two working polar icebreakers. He turned the ship slightly to the left in the sapphire-blue water, and a few seconds later, the ships bow rumbled through the crusty white ice floe at about 10 mph. Metallic shudders rippled throughout the vessel, a feeling that Arctic rookies often find unnerving.

Carpenter is part of an increasingly pointed U.S. strategy to prepare for competition  and possible conflict  in what was once a frosty no mans land. The warming climate has created Arctic waterways that are growing freer of ice, and with China and Russia increasingly looking toward the region for resources, the United States is studying how many new icebreakers to build, whether to arm them with cruise missiles, and how to deal with more commercial traffic in an area that is still unpredictable and deadly.



Ensign Ryan Carpenter and Ensign Taylor Peace navigate the USCGC Healy on July 31 in the Arctic. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Adm. Paul Zukunft, the Coast Guard commandant, recently warned that Russia and China are already encroaching on Arctic waters over the extended U.S. continental shelf. The region is about the size of Texas and rich with oil, minerals and other resources that could be extracted as technology improves.

Zukunft said last month in Washington that the situation in the Arctic could someday resemble the contentious disputes in the South China Sea, where China has built man-made islands and military installations over the objections of its neighbors. Russia already has made contested claims that stretch to the North Pole and possesses more than 25 icebreakers, with more on the way.

The next generations of Russian icebreakers arent being built just to transit polar ice but to fight in it. One kind of ship in the works, the 374-foot Project 23550-class, is designed to be nimble in this environment while carrying naval guns and cruise missiles. The Kremlin also has disclosed plans to build or expand numerous bases along the northeastern Russian coastline, north of the Arctic Circle, including on Wrangel Island, Kotelny Island and at Cape Schmidt.

Meanwhile, China also has arrived in the Arctic, sailing research and exploration vessels while arguing that no nation has sovereignty over these waters and the natural resources below. Chinese military officials have said that sovereignty disputes in the Arctic could require the use of force, according to an assessment written for the Naval War College Review.

The Obama administration proposed building new icebreakers in 2015, citing the warming seas and concerns about Russias intentions. But the effort to do so has gained new attention in recent months. Despite President Trumps skepticism about climate change, he marveled at the power of polar icebreakers during a May 17 commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy and promised his administration will build many of them.

Zukunft said that a fleet comprising three new medium icebreakers and three heavy icebreakers would allow the service to retire its older ships and keep one icebreaker perpetually patrolling in both the Arctic and Antarctic.

The Healy was commissioned in 1999, but the other working polar icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, is more than 40 years old. It deploys each year to Antarctica, but crew members have resorted to searching eBay for some parts because they are so hard to find, according to Healy crew members familiar with the sister ship.

The cost of the new icebreakers is uncertain at this point. Estimates are often reported to be about $1 billion each because of the reinforced hull and robust engines needed to operate in ice, but Zukunft said he thinks it will be less. A report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine published in July recommended that a single class of four heavy icebreakers be purchased in one block buy to save money and suggested that time is running out to do so.

The nation is ill-equipped to protect its interests and maintain leadership in these regions and has fallen behind other Arctic nations, which have mobilized to expand their access to ice-covered regions, the report said.

Into the ice



Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Arciello, a boatswains mate, slings an anchor to tether a small boat during dive exercises July 30 in the Arctic Ocean. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

A Washington Post reporter and photographer sailed on the Healy from July 28 through Aug. 6, arriving on a Coast Guard helicopter off Alaskas Cape Lisburne and departing on a small seacraft in the port of Nome, Alaska. In between, the ship meandered at least 230 miles northeast of Point Barrow, the northernmost point in the United States, before turning back.

The Healy, which travels annually to the Arctic, deployed this year on June 27 from its home port in Seattle with about 85 Coast Guardsmen and 40 scientists. It will make several trips to and from the Arctic Circle this summer, with stops in Alaskan port cities such as Seward to swap out scientists and gather supplies.





Missions on the Healy vary, based on what the scientists aboard need. On this trip, the ship carried members of the Coast Guard Research and Development Center as they tested unmanned boat systems among the ice floes, including an oil skimmer, a quadcopter and a 10-foot yellow vessel that was named the Minion, after the popular cartoon characters.

Scot Tripp, the chief civilian scientist on the mission, said that when he started coming to the Arctic in 2012, there was ice nearly all the way south to Alaskas northern shores until June or July. That is no longer the case, prompting the service to evaluate what kind of new equipment it might need if a crisis emerges.



Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Randle Groves, center, participates in a joint Coast Guard-Navy dive operation July 30 off the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

There was no need for the Coast Guard to be up here, Tripp said. This was frozen, and now its not. So now there are waterways and cruise ships coming up, so you run into the possibility of disaster with one of those.

Even with the warming climate, the Arctic environment is unforgiving. The summer water and air temperatures are about 30 degrees, and winds often howl at 30 to 40 mph. Coast Guard members work the decks in thick snowsuits, steel-toed boots and hard hats, and anyone leaving the Healy on a smaller seacraft used for exploration must wear a winter suit with a rubberized shell to extend how long they can survive if they fall in the water.



Drift ice floats past the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy on July 29. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Officers piloting the Healy said that they do their best to avoid ice, but in areas where it is inevitable, it is considered safer to use the reinforced front of the ship to punch straight through it, rather than shouldering it and taking a glancing blow. Even then, sticky situations still emerge.

Ensign Taylor Peace, 23, who is on her second Arctic tour, said that last summer, the Healy spent four days wiggling out of an ice floe that wouldnt let go of the ship.

No one flipped out, said Peace of Fairfax, Va. You just keep trying. All youre doing is waiting for the wind to change direction so it can relieve the pressure, or so you can at least make five inches in an hour.

The harsh environment was on full display July 29, as the Healy carried out two consecutive missions on the water in a smaller sea craft. In the first, the Healy lowered a small landing craft carrying members of the scientific team to examine the usefulness of the Minion and other equipment as the drone boat bounced between craggy ice floes. The banana-yellow vessel, carrying solar panels and a camera, got stuck only after its battery died, prompting the crew to tow it back to the Healy.

This is a good chance to try it in a harsh environment, coming out here to work these vehicles, said Jason Story, a Coast Guard naval architect who designed the Minion.



Navy and Coast Guard members play bingo July 30 on the USCGC Healy. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Winds picked up and fog thickened during the second mission of the day as divers marked a return to something that had not occurred in the Arctic since Aug. 17, 2006: Coast Guard ice diving. The long hiatus followed the deaths of two Healy crew members  Lt. Jessica Hill, 31, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Duque, 26  during an ice dive that a service investigation found was poorly supervised.

The Coast Guard subsequently started its own ice-diving school and made diving a primary occupation, rather than a collateral duty. The divers can perform maintenance on the ship, assist other vessels that are in trouble or perform salvage operations involving ships that have sunk.

When we deploy to the Arctic, there is no bench strength nearby, said Capt. Greg Tlapa, the Healys commanding officer. No one is coming to save us. So, the more self-sufficient you are in terms of underwater inspection and hull repair, the less risk there is to a deployment.

On a bone-chilling afternoon, teams of two divers dove among the floes while a third diver sat ready in case his help was required. The sea craft was anchored to a hulking piece of ice on the oceans surface.

The divers marveled at the clearness of the water and the crystallized ice  about 85 percent of the sea ice floating in the Arctic is beneath the surface.

Its like diving in outer space, said one of the divers, Chief Petty Officer Chuck Ashmore. I think thats the closest comparison I could make. Youre seeing some just incredible structures down there.
The device that shook the mountains over the Punggye-ri test site on Sunday represented a quantum leap for North Koreas nuclear capability, producing an explosion at least five times greater than the countrys previous tests and easily powerful enough to devastate a large city.

And if studies confirm that the bomb was a thermonuclear weapon  as North Korea claims  it would be a triumph of a different scale: a major technical milestone reached well ahead of predictions, putting the worlds most destructive force in the hands of the countrys 33-year-old autocrat.

The feat instantly erased lingering skepticism about Pyongyangs technical capabilities and brought the prospect of nuclear-tipped North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles a step closer to reality, U.S. analysts and weapons experts said. Many predicted that a miniaturized version of the presumed thermonuclear bomb would soon be in North Koreas grasp, and that it probably already exists.

North Korea has achieved a capability to wipe out a big chunk of any major city, said Sue Mi Terry, a former senior analyst on North Korea at the CIA and now managing director for Korea at the Bower Group Asia. If the North didnt test a hydrogen bomb, as they said they did this time around, they will get there very soon.



Residents watch a big video screen on Mirae Scientists Street in Pyongyang showing newsreader Ri Chun-Hee as she announces that the country has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb on September 3, 2017. (Kim Won-Jin/AFP/Getty Images)

The blast, at exactly noon local time in the countrys northeastern mountains, produced seismic waves equivalent to a 6.3-magnitude earthquake, or 10 times as strong as the countrys last nuclear test, which occurred a year ago this week. A conclusive analysis will take days or weeks, but weapons experts said the sheer force of the explosion is highly suggestive of a thermonuclear bomb. Sometimes called hydrogen bombs or H-bombs, these second-generation nuclear devices entered U.S. and Soviet arsenals in the 1950s, threatening adversaries with a vastly greater destructive force compared with atomic bombs dropped on Japan in the final days of World War II.

Because of the H-bombs relatively complex two-stage design, many experts thought it would be months, or perhaps years, before North Koreas scientists could master the necessary technology. When Pyongyang boasted last year that it had tested a thermonuclear device, many U.S. experts dismissed the claim as propaganda.

By early Sunday, Washington time, the skepticism had mostly evaporated.

Theres little doubt in my mind, said James M. Acton, a physicist and co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington think tank. North Korea has been hinting for a while that it was working on an H-bomb  even apart from the photos it released last night  so this should not come as a huge surprise. But it does represent a significant technological advance.

The apparently successful test came hours after leader Kim Jong Un appeared on state-run television with what appeared to be a prototype of a new North Korean thermonuclear bomb, in a remarkable display of his confidence in the capabilities of his countrys weapons engineers. Given other recent technical gains in producing long-range missiles and miniaturized warheads, U.S. experts said there is little doubt about North Koreas ability to eventually master all the steps needed to send a nuclear-tipped missile halfway around the world.

Although it is not known for certain that North Korea can build a miniaturized thermonuclear warhead that can fit on a missile, Acton said, I believe we have to assume it can.

Peter Zimmerman, a nuclear physicist and former chief scientist for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said initial calculations based on seismic readings suggested a device with a yield of up to 200 kilotons  a destructive force 13 times as powerful as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, and probably too big for a pure fission bomb. Moreover, the prototype displayed by Kim on the eve of the test pretty well shows they know the essentials of a thermonuclear device design, he said.

Several other nuclear experts noted that the vaguely peanut-shaped metallic device shown on North Korean television bore features that were broadly consistent with a two-stage hydrogen bomb, although it did not resemble any weapon in past or current U.S. arsenals.

This was a major step forward for the [North Korean] scientists and engineers, Zimmerman said. Their first test was a dud; the next couple were very low yield. Since then, their yields have steadily gone up. But this is a discontinuity indicating the introduction of new technology.

The technical hurdles appear to be falling at a surprising clip, considering North Koreas economic backwardness and diplomatic isolation. Yet, Pyongyangs progress with nuclear weapons roughly parallels that of other countries that developed the same weapons decades ago, said Jeffrey Lewis, founder of Arms Control Wonk, an influential blog focused on nuclear weapons proliferation.

If you look at the United States, the Soviet Union and China, by their fifth nuclear tests they were all well on their way to thermonuclear weapons, Lewis said. There is no reason to think that North Korea couldnt do this. The materials are pretty straightforward, so thats not a problem. In the past, the trick was the concept. But you also need tests and data to understand how the materials behave.

For longtime North Korea watchers, Sundays test was another in a succession of technical surprises. Exactly two months earlier, on July 4, Pyongyang launched what many experts think was the countrys first intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of reaching Alaska and perhaps cities in the Midwestern United States. Weeks later, U.S. intelligence officials formally concluded that North Korea is able to build miniaturized nuclear warheads that can fit inside the countrys long-range missiles.

In each case, North Koreans announced the achievement of the new milestone well in advance  often eliciting scoffs from experts  before they offered proof. Given the rapid pace of North Koreas advances, analysts can no longer afford to dismiss Kims claims as mere propaganda or empty boasts, said Joshua Pollack, an expert on nuclear and missile proliferation.

What they show us is going to be the real deal, or very true to life, said Pollack, a senior researcher with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies in Monterey, Calif. Given the closeness in time between the exhibition of the device and the actual test, I wouldnt be surprised if that was the actual device shown on state-run television the day before the blast.

They have very good reasons to show exactly what theyve got, because theyre trying to enhance their credibility, Pollack added. I give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.
Rebels of the National Liberation Army (ELN) hold a banner in the northwestern jungles of Colombia on Aug. 30. (Federico Rios/Reuters)

Ahead of a historic visit by Pope Francis, Colombian officials signed a temporary cease-fire deal Monday with the leftist rebels of the ELN, potentially putting the long-troubled nation on track for a broader era of peace.

The deal with the ELN marks Colombia's first cease-fire with an armed group founded in the 1960s with the aid of radical Catholic priests. It comes on the heels of a peace accord reached last year with what was Colombia's largest armed guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

The ELN, or the National Liberation Army, had long been Colombias second-largest guerrilla movement, engaging in extortion, kidnappings and attacks on civilians and oil pipelines.

Under the 102-day cease-fire signed in Quito, Ecuador, after months of talks and set to start Oct. 1, the ELN has pledged to stop those activities. In return, jailed ELN fighters would receive improved conditions and the government would increase security for leftist community leaders, dozens of whom have been killed in recent months.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the deal Monday morning, suggesting that the cease-fire had come together in part to honor the visit of Francis, the first Latin American pope. The pontiff, who has railed against social injustice, is revered even by leftist guerrillas.

The pope will arrive at a unique moment in our history, when we are turning the page of an absurd conflict and we are looking toward the future, Santos said in announcing the cease-fire.

Since rising to the papacy, Francis has presided over a surge in diplomatic efforts by his church in Latin America. Under the direction of the former cardinal of Buenos Aires, the Vatican helped broker a thaw in relations between Cuba and the United States in 2015, and has sought to bring the government and the opposition together in Venezuela.

Francisco de Roux, a priest from Franciss order of the Jesuits, has played a key role in negotiations between the ELN and the Colombian government. De Roux has called on the ELN, which for years was led by a series of Catholic priests subscribing to leftist ideals, to renounce violence. Kidnapping doesnt destroy capitalism, nor does it destroy imperialism. It destroys the kidnapper and the kidnapped, De Roux has said.

The popes impending visit to Colombia is a key factor in the cease-fire, said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, an organization based in Washington that promotes democracy and social equity in Latin America.

Yet Shifter and other analysts caution that a cease-fire, while promising, is still far from the lasting peace accord reached with the FARC. More so than the FARC, the ELN, with 1,500 to 2,000 members, operates as a decentralized group. It remains unclear the extent to which its leadership can control its rank and file. Last week, the group announced that it had killed a Russian hostage, allegedly as he tried to escape.

It will be a test of trust on both sides, and a real big test of whether the ELN can have its orders complied with by all in the organization, said Adam Isacson, a Colombia expert at the Washington Office on Latin America.

Wesley Tomaselli in Bogota contributed to this report.

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South Korea's defense minister on Monday said it was worth reviewing the redeployment of American tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula to guard against the North, a step that analysts warn would sharply increase the risk of an accidental conflict.

As concern over Korea deepened following North Korea's huge nuclear test Sunday, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was "begging for war."

Here in Seoul, the Defense Ministry warned that Pyongyang might be preparing to launch another missile into the Pacific Ocean, perhaps an intercontinental ballistic missile theoretically capable of reaching the mainland United States.

President Trump and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, spoke on the phone for 40 minutes Monday night, Korean time  some 34 hours after the nuclear test and more than 24 hours after Trump took to Twitter to criticize Moon's "talk of appeasement."

The two agreed to remove the limit on allowed payloads for South Korean missiles  something Seoul had been pushing for  as a way to increase deterrence against North Korea, according to a statement from South Korea's Blue House.

They agreed as well to work together to punish North Korea for Sundays nuclear test, pledging to strengthen joint military capabilities, a White House statement said, and to maximize pressure on North Korea using all means at their disposal.

In a later phone call, Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel reaffirmed the necessity of coordinating a response at the United Nations.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting, Haley pressed for the strongest possible sanctions against the North. The administration plans to circulate a new sanctions draft this week. Haley did not spell out how she would overcome the objections of veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia.

But she cautioned, War is never something the United States wants. We dont want it now. But our countrys patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory.

Haley ruled out the freeze for freeze proposal backed by China and Russia, which would suspend U.S. joint military exercises with South Korea in return for suspension of North Korean nuclear and missile tests.

When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly wont, she said.

Instead, she reiterated a White House threat from Sunday to cut off trade with any countries that also trade with North Korea. That would presumably include China, with which the United States had nearly $650 billion worth of trade in goods and services last year.

The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions, she said.

Her remarks appeared to be unpersuasive. China will never allow chaos and war in Korea, said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations. Sanctions alone will not solve the crisis, said Russias U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia.

[ North Korea defies predictions  again  with early grasp of weapons milestone ]

Earlier Monday, South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo said that he asked his American counterpart, Jim Mattis, during talks at the Pentagon last week that strategic assets such as U.S. aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and B-52 bombers be sent to South Korea more regularly.

I told him that it would be good for strategic assets to be sent regularly to the Korean Peninsula and that some South Korean lawmakers and media are strongly pushing for tactical nuclear weapons [to be redeployed], Song told a parliamentary hearing on North Koreas nuclear test, without disclosing Mattiss response.

A poll that YTN, a cable news channel, commissioned in August found that 68 percent of respondents said they supported bringing tactical nuclear weapons back to South Korea.

The redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons is an alternative worth a full review, Song said, echoing a position closely associated with conservatives in South Korea but not with progressives like Moon, who was elected president in May after vowing to engage with the North.

[ Seoul tries to ignore Trumps criticism: They worry hes kind of nuts, one observer says ]

The United States had about 100 nuclear-armed weapons, including short-range artillery, stationed in South Korea until 1991. Then President George H.W. Bush signed the Presidential Nuclear Initiatives and withdrew all tactical nuclear weapons that had been deployed abroad.

Shortly afterward, the two Koreas signed an agreement committing to making the peninsula free of nuclear weapons  a deal that North Korea violated by developing its own nuclear arms. But Pyongyang has maintained that Seoul has also broken its promise because remaining under the U.S. nuclear umbrella is tantamount, it says, to having such weapons.

After the defense minister spoke at the hearing, the South Korean presidents office said that it was not considering redeploying tactical nuclear weapons. Our governments firm stance on the nuclear-free peninsula remains unchanged, said Kim Dong-jo, a spokesman for Moon.

Military experts in the United States are almost universally opposed to the idea of deploying strategic or tactical weapons in South Korea.

The thing that most concerns me about redeployment is that it introduces more room for miscalculation or unintended escalation, said Catherine Dill of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, Calif.

In that situation, the ability to react more quickly could be a negative factor.

From the perspective of the military alliance between the United States and South Korea, having long-range ballistic missiles or strategic bombers is perfectly sufficient to continue to deter North Korea, Dill said.

As alliance partners, the U.S. and South Korean militaries work in close cooperation, regularly conducting drills together. This includes sending strategic assets such as bombers stationed on the Pacific island of Guam over South Korea on a regular basis, and having submarines make port calls during exercises.

As the North Korean threat has increased this year, the United States has sent F-35 stealth aircraft and other strike fighters on flyovers across the southern half of the peninsula in a not-so-thinly veiled warning to Kim. The U.S. Pacific Command even released photos last week of B-1B Lancers dropping bombs on a range on the southern side of the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas.

But a growing number of policymakers in Seoul say that Guam is too far away and that, if the South comes under attack from North Korea, it cant wait the two-plus hours it would take American bombers to arrive from their base in the Pacific.

We need these strategic or tactical assets that can destroy North Koreas nuclear-capable missiles before they can inflict harm on us, said Chun Yung-woo, a former South Korean national security adviser.

Right now they can retaliate, but by that time, tens of thousands of people might have been killed, Chun said. We need a first layer of offensive weapons stationed closer to North Koreas nuclear and missile sites.

Jon Wolfsthal, a nuclear expert who served on President Barack Obamas National Security Council, said that in the South Korean context, strategic assets are all about giving a tangible sense of reassurance to the government in Seoul.

The reassurance bucket is bottomless, Wolfsthal said. You can pour stuff into it and its never going to fill up.

South Korean officials have been asking for fighter jets and ballistic missile-equipped submarines to be based on the peninsula, and have long wanted B-1Bs and B-52s to land rather than just fly over  all to give a greater sense of U.S. commitment to South Korea.

But there are good logistical reasons that cant happen, Wolfsthal said. For one, South Korea doesnt have airstrips long enough for big, heavy B-52s, and second, the United States does not want its high-tech fighter jets sitting within North Korean artillery range.

[ Dont be surprised by North Koreas missiles. Kim Jong Un is doing what he said he would. ]

South Korea has been flexing its military muscles in response to North Koreas provocations, practicing at dawn Monday for strikes on the North Korean nuclear test site at Punggye-ri.

The South Korean air force will stage a live-fire drill, launching Taurus air-to-surface guided missiles from F-15K fighter jets, later this month, the Defense Ministry said Monday. The missiles have a range of 300 miles  enough to carry out precision strikes on North Koreas key nuclear and missile sites.

The ministry also said it had seen signs of preparation for another North Korean ballistic missile launch, and South Koreas national intelligence service told lawmakers that it could be another intercontinental ballistic missile.

Yoonjung Seo in Seoul and Anne Gearan in Washington contributed

to this report.

Read more:

Trumps tweets include jab at ally South Korea

Trump: All options are on the table after North Korea launched missile over Japan

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President Xi Jinping does not like surprises. That hasn't stopped Kim Jong Un or President Trump.

On Sunday, hours before the Chinese president delivered a keynote speech on his countrys diplomatic prowess, North Korea tested its nuclear bomb, stealing his spotlight.

Then, as Chinas state news media struggled to keep the focus on Xi, Trump woke up and weighed in, tweeting that North Korea has become a great threat and embarrassment to China.

Trump later tweeted that the United States is considering cutting trade with all countries that do business with North Korea  including, presumably, China.

Asked about the trade tweet at a regular news conference on Monday, Geng Shuang, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, called it "unacceptable."

The unwelcome interruptions show just what Xi is up against as he decides how to respond to North Koreas provocations and pressure from an unpredictable U.S. president, while also preparing for a twice-a-decade political meeting next month.

China has been cornered, said Cheng Xiaohe, a North Korea expert at Renmin University in Beijing. Im afraid of what we are facing now. We are at the stage of a showdown.

Xi does not want a showdown. The National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which starts Oct. 18, will be a key moment in his presidency. It is a chance for him to prove he has consolidated power and has a plan for the years ahead. The meeting is years, not months, in the making; very little is left to chance.

[South Koreans wonder why Trump is attacking an ally after North Koreas nuclear test]

In the run-up to the conclave, state media has been praising Xi in overdrive, calling on cadres to study and implement his diplomatic thought. A six-part television documentary series looked at Xis remarkable diplomatic achievements.

A nuclear bomb near the border and presidential put-downs are way off-script in this environment.

With the congress coming up, this is the last thing China wants, said Adam Cathcart, a lecturer at Britains University of Leeds. Youve got a bomb coming and banging on his podium.

Though Sundays test will lead to louder U.S. calls for a crackdown on Kim, China is unlikely to listen, Cathcart said. This is the last moment they would be executing a pivot toward an American vision about what to do with North Korea.

There was a time when China and North Korea were Communist brothers-in-arms  but that time is long gone. China, like the United States and the rest of the world, is both frustrated with and frightened by Kim.

Ordinary Chinese have no love for the leader they call fatty Kim the third. Beijing does not like the young dictator testing missiles close to the border, especially when those tests feel like taunts.

In May, Pyongyang launched a missile hours before Xi was set to give a major speech on one of his signature bits of foreign policy, the infrastructure bonanza known as "One Belt, One Road." Sunday's test came hours before Xi was set to address an international relations conference, the BRICS summit, attended by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in southern China.

We all knew that President Xi was to make a speech at the BRICS summit today, and North Korea chose this time to conduct testing, especially H-bomb testing, said Renmins Cheng. The timing, he said, is inconceivable.

But China sees limited options, experts said. While some in the United States would be happy to see Kim fall, China has no interest in instability on the Korean Peninsula. China sees any change to the status quo as a potential opening for the United States to increase its military presence in Asia.

China has responded to months of North Korean tests by proposing a double suspension plan that would see the United States and South Korea suspend joint military exercises and North Korea suspend weapons testing. Beyond that plan, which is unlikely to proceed, Beijing has backed U.N.-led sanctions and called for a return to talks.

[North Korea defies predictions  again  with early reach of weapons milestone]

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday issued a statement saying it resolutely opposed and strongly condemned the test. The statement called on the international community to come together to implement U.N. resolutions and nudged North Korea to come back to the table  familiar stuff.

The question now is whether China will do more than support another round of U.N. sanctions. China is North Koreas largest supplier of crude oil; some have called for China to suspend supply.

That is still possible, but the Chinese side has yet to put it on the table, and early signals suggest it wont.

In an article published shortly after the nuclear test, the Global Times, a party-controlled newspaper known for its nationalistic tone, predicted that China would not change course.

In a video interview, the paper's outspoken editor, Hu Xijin, said he was angry but could not support tougher sanctions. "I want to tell the citizens of the world, most Chinese feel the same way you do: We are angry about North Korea's nuclear test," he said.

But, he argued, a total embargo was not the way forward. Cutting off Kim would not stop nuclear testing but could turn the dictator against Beijing.

Therefore, despite my own anger, I advocate that Beijing put Chinas national interests first, and not readily agree to a total embargo including oil.

Shirley Feng and Yang Liu in Beijing contributed to this report.

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U.S.-backed forces in Syria have captured the Old City of Raqqa, the latest milestone in their ongoing assault against the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State's rapidly shrinking territories, according to a U.S. military statement on Monday.

Kurdish and Arab fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces secured the neighborhood over the weekend after vanquishing a last pocket of resistance in the citys historic Great Mosque, the statement said.

The capture followed a grinding two-month battle for the neighborhood that has proved the toughest challenge yet of a three-month-old offensive for Raqqa, launched in June and still far from over.

Unlike in Mosul, the Old City does not lie at the heart of Raqqa and its seizure does not signify an imminent end to the fighting, said a U.S. military spokesman, Col. Ryan Dillon.

The SDF now controls about 60 percent of Raqqa, said Dillon, who would not put a timeline on how long it would take to claim the rest but predicted that weeks of fighting lie ahead.

Dillon said the capture does, however, represent a significant step in the overall battle for the city, which has turned into a block-by-block advance against a largely unseen enemy.

This is still not over. Its still going to be very difficult, but were making progress, he said.

The Kurdish and Arab forces have been advancing simultaneously on multiple fronts, backed by U.S.-led airstrikes and accompanied by U.S. Special Operations forces, in an effort to stretch the resources of the defending militants.

They are being met by barrages of improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers, many of them emerging behind SDF lines from an extensive network of tunnels dug by the militants to defend the city.

The United Nations says there are about 20,000 civilians trapped in the city, and as was the case in the battle for Mosul, they are bearing the brunt of the relentless airstrikes.

Amnesty International said last month that hundreds of civilians had died in airstrikes since the offensive began and that it had documented 176 deaths in June and July.

The toughest battle is expected to be for a cluster of government buildings in the city center, known as the security block, where the Islamic State has prepared its heaviest defenses.

The advance in Raqqa coincides with significant gains by Syrian government forces farther south on the outskirts of the city of Deir al-Zour, now the only major city in either Iraq or Syria that is still mostly under Islamic State control. Syrian army units backed by loyalist militias advanced to within six miles of a garrison of Syrian soldiers that has been besieged on the edge of the city for the past three years.

The simultaneous advances by U.S.-backed and Syrian government forces on the two major northern and eastern Syrian cities set up a potential scramble to control the rest of Deir al-Zour province, which is still mostly under Islamic State control.

The commander of the U.S.-led coalition, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, said last week that the United States is preparing a force of Kurdish and Arab fighters to seize towns along the Euphrates River valley in Deir al-Zour province, where the Islamic State has been concentrating most of its manpower and resources.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has also reiterated his determination to regain control of all of Syria in recent speeches, and it is unclear which forces will arrive first for the final battles against the Islamic State.

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Fall is finally coming, but a change in seasons doesn't mean the drama isn't continuing to burnin some cases, literallyon the daily soap operas.

"Days of Our Lives," "Young and the Restless" and "Bold and the Beautiful" all featured some big moments this week. In case you missed a minute of the jaw-dropping decisions, dangerous encounters, sneaky plots, or literally red-hot confrontations, here are the five biggest moments which happened this week.

"Days of Our Lives" (NBC)

Nicole Gets Custody Of Holly

Days of Our Lives

Photo: NBC

After initially learning the judge was aware she had reached out and had contact with her daughter despite being warned not to, Nicole (Arianne Zucker) feared the worst at her custody hearing. Sure she wasn't going to be given custody of her daughter again, she became devastated. In an effort to give her what she wants, Brady (Eri Martsolf) went to the judge and used his power as a Kiriakis to sway things in Nicole's favorby warning the judge that if he didn't comply, the fact that he had previously been bribed by Deimos (Vincent Irizarry) would get out and he'd lose his position. Nicole was then elated to learn she would once again be reunited with her daughter.

Gabi Lands In Danger

Days of Our Lives

Photo: NBC

After intercepting the evidence from Dario (Jordi Villasousa) that confirms Raines (Aaron Spears) was his silent partner, Gabi (Camila Banus) landed in big trouble. Unfortunately for her, Raines heard her listening to the tape of him confessing to his crimes, and he isn't going to let her go and share that with anyone elseespecially since he is trying to frame Abe (James Reynolds) for his actions.

Story continues

"Young And The Restless" (CBS)

Victoria And Billy Start Protecting Themselves

After dealing with constant manipulations from Jack (peter Bergman) to tear Brash and Sassy apart, Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Billy (Jason Thompson) began fighting back. Not only did Billy hack into Jabot's servers and learn all of their plans, but Victoria received some valuable information as well. Thanks to Ravi (Abhi Sinha), she no knows her brief affair with Hochman (Ben Hermes) was orchestrated by Phyllis (Gina Tognoni), and she is wasting no time calling the other woman out over her actions.

Sharon Learns Who Is Behind The Sex Ring

After seeing Alice (Tamara Clatterbuck) again, it was a blast from the past for Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Sharon (Sharon Case). But anything about seeing her again being nice went out the window when Sharon saw her get into a familiar carone that she knows is tied to the prostitution ring that Tessa's (Cait Fairbanks) sister is caught up in. Now, she thinks Alice might be the mastermind of the entire operation.

"The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS)

Bill Is Confronted About The Fire

Though he hasn't gone down for his crimes yet, it won't be long before Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) is arrested for the fire at Spectra. Liam (Scott Clifton) quickly realized his father was the one behind the blaze, which halted any chance Sally (Courtney Hope) had of making it as a legitimate designer. He has since been struggling with how to handle the information, and whether or not he's willing to turn his father in for arson.

To see how these stories continue to play out next week, tune in to "Days of Our Lives," weekdays on NBC, "The Young and the Restless" weekdays at 12:30 p.m. EDT on CBS, and "The Bold and the Beautiful" weekdays at 1:30 p.m. EDT on CBS.

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A committed photographer whos made it her mission to remove the stigma attached to the creatures took these adorable rat portraits.

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The 32-year-old photographer, who lives in Montreal, shot her Fancy Rats series over a number of years.

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Moment of capture - Rocco Morabito is an alleged 'Ndrangheta boss from Calabria who was living in Uruguay. - ANSA

An alleged mafia boss nicknamed the King of Cocaine has been captured in South America after 23 years on the run.

Rocco Morabito, who was wanted by Italian police for allegedly masterminding the trafficking of cocaine from Latin America to Europe, was arrested in a hotel in Uruguay.

He is considered to be one of Italys five most dangerous fugitives and has been on the run from arrest since 1994.

During a search of his home in Uruguay, police found 13 mobile phones, which investigators said were used for drug deals, a 9mm pistol, ammunition, a hunting knife and 150 passport photos of himself in different guises.

Morabito had been on the run for more than 20 years when he was captured in Uruguay. Credit: EPA

Morabito, an alleged kingpin in the Ndrangheta mafia, is believed to have been living in Uruguay for around a decade under the alias Francisco Capeletto Souza. He had been able to obtain Brazilian identity documents as well as the right to live in Uruguay.

His arrest was the result of a joint operation between police in South America and investigators in Calabria, the home of the much-feared Ndrangheta.

The villa in which Morabito lived with his wife in Uruguay. Credit: Uruguay interior minister

The organized crime network, which for years has been extending its reach from its home territory to other parts of the world, makes millions by smuggling cocaine into Europe, often via Italy. Italian police described Morabito as one of the most important members of the 'Ndrangheta.

He was arrested in a hotel in Punta del Este, a tourist resort about 90 miles from the capital, Montevideo.

Morabito was on Italy's list of most wanted fugitives. Credit: Italian police

The arrest came after months of intense international cooperation in intelligence matters, the Italian police said in a statement. His false identity was known to Interpol and when he checked into the hotel, an alert was generated.

He didnt put up any resistance, said Emilio Russo, an Italian officer involved in the investigation. He tried to deny who he really was, but when put under pressure admitted to his real identity.

We maintain that Morabito was still actively involved in criminality. He was not a former member of the Ndrangheta, he was still very much an active member.

Story continues

Police found weapons, ammunition and 13 mobile phones when they searched Morabito's home in Uruguay. Credit: Uruguay interior ministry

His wife, a 54-year-old Angolan woman with a Portuguese passport, was also arrested. When police searched their home, also in Punta del Este, they found the 13 mobile phones and weapons, as well as a dozen credit cards. A Mercedes car was impounded.

Morabito is expected to be extradited back to Italy in the coming months, where he faces 30 years in prison for various crimes, including mafia association and drug trafficking.

Italys most notorious fugitive remains Matteo Messina Denaro, the alleged head of the Cosa Nostra mafia in Sicily, who has been on the run for 24 years. His ability to elude capture has earned him almost mythical status among some Sicilians, and he has not been seen in public for years.

He is among the 10 most wanted criminals in the world, according to Forbes magazine. He is alleged to have killed up to 50 people and once boasted: I filled a cemetery all by myself. It is believed that he moves between safe houses in the Trapani area of western Sicily.
Xiamen (China) (AFP) - Leaders of the BRICS grouping of emerging economies said Monday they "strongly deplore" North Korea's latest nuclear test and hydrogen-bomb claim, which has overshadowed the five-nation group's annual summit.

Their joint statement from the summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen added to world condemnation of North Korea, which announced Sunday it had detonated a powerful hydrogen bomb that it claims can fit on a long-range missile.

"We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK," BRICS leaders said, using the initials of North Korea's official name.

BRICS is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and summit host China -- North Korea's longtime patron.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula," said the declaration.

It added that BRICS collectively believe the issue "should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned".

The North Korean move dramatically raised the stakes in its standoff with the world and upstaged the BRICS summit, which Chinese President Xi Jinping opened earlier Monday and had hoped would spotlight Beijing's claims to developing-world leadership.

The nuclear test was a slap in the face for Beijing, and China's foreign ministry condemned it hours after it took place. The ministry added on Monday that it had "launched stern representations" with North Korea's embassy in China.

The summit includes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and South Africa's Jacob Zuma.

Pyongyang's actions marked the second time this year that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un timed the use of his banned weapons programmes apparently to steal Xi's thunder on the world stage.

In May, Pyongyang conducted a missile test that embarrassed Xi just as he was hosting a large international summit on trade.

Story continues

Some analysts believe such provocations may be aimed at pressuring China to in turn push Washington to engage directly with Pyongyang.

The nuclear test and H-bomb claim could throw into sharper relief the divisions over how to deal with Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump, who has previously threatened to rain "fire and fury" on North Korea if it endangers America by raising the nuclear stakes, denounced the test as "very hostile and dangerous" and left open the possibility of a military response.

Russia and China, however, have pressed for a diplomatic solution.

Putin condemned the nuclear test, North Korea's sixth and most powerful, in a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to the Kremlin, but called for diplomacy.

Both Xi and Putin are due to hold press conferences on Tuesday in Xiamen.

- Family feud -

BRICS was already struggling to paper over doubts about its own cohesion that have spiked as nuclear-armed China and India engaged in a protracted standoff over a disputed Himalayan region.

They backed off last week -- perhaps to avoid ruining the summit -- but the issue remains a source of tension.

BRICS nations comprise more than 40 percent of humanity. The grouping came together a decade ago to advocate for the developing world's interests.

But policy analysts have increasingly questioned its usefulness, pointing out that its members have little in common and are too distracted by economic challenges of their own to achieve much as a group.

China's economic expansion is slowing while India seems on the rise.

Slumping commodity prices have hit hard the economies of exporters Russia, Brazil and South Africa, while Temer and Zuma face political turmoil at home.

Many economists view BRICS achievements to date as low-hanging fruit that take the bloc little closer to its goal of re-aligning the global economic and governance system.

Little of consequence is expected from the summit.
Xiamen (China) (AFP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday opens an annual summit of BRICS leaders that already has been upstaged by North Korea's latest nuclear weapons provocation.

The BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- had gathered in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen hoping to counter accusations that the group of big emerging economies was drifting apart and becoming irrelevant.

But North Korea stole the spotlight on Sunday by announcing it had detonated a powerful hydrogen bomb and claiming it could fit the device on a long-range missile, dramatically raising the stakes in its standoff with the world.

The nuclear test came just before Xi took the stage for a pre-BRICS address in Xiamen, timing that seemed deliberate and will doubt angered Beijing, which swiftly condemned the explosion.

The summit includes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Brazil's Michel Temer and South Africa's Jacob Zuma.

BRICS was already struggling to live down doubts about its own cohesion that have spiked since nuclear-armed China and India engaged in a protracted standoff over a disputed Himalayan region.

They backed off last week -- perhaps to avoid ruining the summit -- but the issue remains tense and eyes will be on the interplay between Modi and Xi on Monday.

In his speech Sunday, Xi stressed the need for BRICS members to show mutual respect and "avoid conflicts" but otherwise did not mention the border dispute.

BRICS nations, who comprise more than 40 percent of humanity, came together a decade ago to advocate for the developing world's interests.

But policy analysts have increasingly questioned the group's relevance, pointing out that its members have little in common and face various economic challenges.

Xi alluded to these questions in his speech.

"Some people, seeing that emerging markets and developing countries have experienced growth setbacks, assert that BRICS countries are losing their lustre," he said, admitting the group's members faced various "headwinds".

Story continues

BRICS includes Communist-ruled China, authoritarian Russia and the democracies of India, Brazil and South Africa.

China remains an economic powerhouse, though a slowing one, while India is rising. But slumping commodity prices have hit hard the economies of exporters Russia, Brazil and South Africa.

Brazil's Temer and South Africa's Zuma, meanwhile, are distracted by political turmoil at home.

Perhaps the BRICS' biggest success has been the 2016 establishment of the Shanghai-based New Development Bank, envisioned as the developing world's World Bank, but many economists doubt it will be influential.

Intra-BRICS trade is heavily tilted in China's favour, fuelling complaints from fellow members. India alone has lodged several trade cases against China this year.

The North Korean hydrogen bomb claim represents an apparent major advance in Pyongyang's banned nuclear weapons programme and brought condemnation from the international community, which has forbidden North Korea's pursuit of atomic weapons and missiles.

Xi and Putin held a bilateral meeting late Sunday during which they discussed the North Korea blast and pledged to "appropriately deal" with the issue, China's official Xinhua news agency said, without giving details.
By Matthew Tostevin and Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - One of Cambodia's most stridently independent newspapers, The Cambodia Daily, published its last edition on Monday with the headline "Descent Into Outright Dictatorship" as it closed amid a crackdown on critics of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The English-language paper had been given a deadline of one month to pay $6.3 million for years of back taxes, which the publication disputed and described as "astronomical". Its final front page led with the arrest on Sunday of Cambodia's main opposition leader, Kem Sokha, who was accused of treason in a significant escalation of the campaign against Hun Sen's opponents. The paper also reported on its own closure. "We have been a burr in Hun Sens side for the entire time that we have been operating," said The Cambodia Daily's American editor-in-chief, Jodie DeJonge. "This paper takes special pride in writing about some of the toughest issues," she told Reuters as journalists polished their final articles and office workers packed everything they could into cardboard boxes. The paper printed only a few thousand copies a day but had a reputation for breaking news about sensitive topics such as corruption, waste, environmental issues and land rights. Hun Sen defended the deadline given to the paper, saying it had to pay tax the same as any other business. "When they didn't pay and we asked them to leave the country, they said we are a dictatorship," he said. The pro-government Fresh News website quoted tax authorities as saying that the tax bill stands even if the paper shuts down and that whoever is responsible at the publication would be barred from leaving Cambodia until the money is paid. ELECTION WORRIES Independent media, opposition politicians and rights activists have been among casualties of a widening crackdown in the run-up to an election next year in which Hun Sen could face his toughest challenge of more than three decades in power. During his rule Cambodia has been transformed from a failed state after the genocide of the Khmer Rouge, in which he was once a soldier. But disaffection has grown and the opposition increased its share of the vote in June local elections. Until recently, Cambodia has had relatively free media compared with neighbors such as communist Vietnam and army-ruled Thailand. "When The Cambodia Daily is shut down, it means press freedom in Cambodia is finished," said Chhorn Chansy, a 35-year-old Cambodian who is news editor on the paper. It employed more than 30 journalists, about half of whom were foreigners. Eighteen radio stations were also ordered off the air last month and local radio stations have been stopped from leasing time to the United States-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. Hun Sen, 65, has increased his rhetoric against the United States, expelling a U.S. pro-democracy group and on Sunday accusing Washington of conspiring with Kem Sokha. The Cambodia Daily was founded by American journalist Bernard Krisher in 1993 and Hun Sen this year berated some of its journalists as "servants of foreigners". The paper said that the paper's assets would revert to Krisher, who is now 86 and living in Japan. DeJonge said that The Cambodia Daily had "never taken a penny" from foreign governments or NGOs and just about broke even thanks to advertising, subscriptions and money from Krisher. "It was already in a perilous financial position," she said. "The government threats against the paper basically strangled the Daily. There was no money to continue, no money to pay our journalists." (Editing by David Goodman)
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) walks with Irish counterpart Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (C) and his partner Dr Matthew Barrett (R): Reuters

The federal government of Canada has been secretly helping gay Chechen men flee persecution in an under-the-radar programme.

The arrangement has been introduced under the guidance of Chrystia Freeland, Canadas foreign affairs minister.

Ms Freeland wanted to be able to save a few individuals, according to a government source. And we also wanted to allow Canada to serve as a demonstration for like-minded countries about what could be done.

The deeply conservative republic of Chechnya, a federal subject of Russia, allegedly launched a gay purge this spring, originally reported by Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta.

The paper claimed that at least 100 men had been detained in connection with their non-traditional sexual orientation.

The MailOnline also reported the existence of a detention centre; a Nazi-style concentration camp in the town of Argun, designed to imprison and torture LGBT men so that they would leave the republic.

The Russian LGBT Network said that men were being hunted, rounded up and beaten, sometimes to death. They stated that 52 people had contacted them claiming to have been detained and tortured.

Reports on numbers vary, but at least 26 men are thought to have been murdered.

Over the last three months, 22 people, many of whom were living in Russian safe houses, are now safe in several Canadian cities, including Toronto. Other people fleeing Russias harsh anti-gay discrimination are expected to touch down in Canada over the next few weeks.

The asylum deal does not fall under the conventions of international law, but the North American country is carrying on despite this.

Canada accepted a large number of people who are in great danger, and that is wonderful, said Tanya Lokshina, the Russian program director for Human Rights Watch, in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

The Canadian government deserves much praise for showing such openness and goodwill to provide sanctuary for these people. They did the right thing.

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The government scheme has been operating covertly for fear of reprisals. Kimahli Powell, the executive director of Rainbow Railroad, has spoken out, saying: We needed to be discreet about the program for as long as possible to maintain their safety.

But, he added: We now have to focus on settlement and integration of these individuals. And its important that our community, who are concerned about them, know that theyre here, that theyre safe.

The Canadian government has taken a strong line against LGBT discrimination. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke out on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

He said: In Canada and around the world, we must continue to fight against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia, and to defend gender expression, gender identity and sexual orientation rights.

We deplore the recent, reprehensible reports of violations of the human rights of gay and bisexual men in Chechnya. We call for the protection of all people in Chechnya whose sexual orientation makes them a target for persecution.

Human rights have no borders.

The Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov himself suggested deporting gay men to North America: If there are any, take 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.

Kadyrov has pursued homophobic policies in Chechnya since 2013, while the human rights situation for LGBT all over Russia has deteriorated significantly in recent years.

The UN LGBT rights expert Vitit Muntarbhorn has previously called upon the authorities to put an end to the persecution.

These are acts of persecution and violence on an unprecedented scale in the region, and constitute serious violations of the obligations of the Russian Federation under international human rights law.

We call on Russia to take urgent measures to protect the life, liberty and security of gay and bisexual people in Chechnya.

In response to global outrage and condemnation from countries such as the UK, US and Germany, Chechnya has repeatedly denied the existence of a purge.

Indeed, they have claimed that there are no LGBT people in the predominantly Muslim republic.

Kadyrovs spokesperson said chillingly:

You cannot arrest or repress people who just dont exist in the republic.

If such people existed in Chechnya, law enforcement would not have to worry about them, as their own relatives would have sent them to where they could never return.
By Teis Jensen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - China will tap Denmark, home to some of the world's largest offshore energy companies, to help it build a wind farm, Denmark's energy minister said on Monday. Speaking after meeting the head of China's National Energy Administration (NEA), minister Lars Christian Lilleholt said that size, timing and suppliers for the wind farm had not yet been decided but he was convinced it would be built. China, the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, plans to raise its non-fossil fuel portion of primary energy consumption to 15 percent from 12 percent by 2020. For its part, Denmark is home to the world's largest offshore wind farm developer DONG Energy, and to wind turbine maker Vestas Wind Systems, which co-owns one of the leading offshore wind turbine makers, MHI Vestas, with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. China was looking at concrete locations for the wind farm in three different Chinese regions but that it was too early to reveal which regions, Lilleholt told Reuters. China and Denmark also decided to co-build a test and demonstration center for offshore wind power in China, he added. NEA head Nur Bekri met Vestas Chief Executive Anders Runevad during his trip to Denmark, Lilleholt said. Vestas and MHI Vestas did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comments. DONG Energy also took part in Bekri's program during his trip, but the company told Reuters it was too early to say which role it may play in the planned offshore project. The push for offshore wind in China has gained pace after it cut the guaranteed subsidied prices paid for onshore wind turbines by the turn of the year, but kept them for offshore turbines. China has lagged far behind its target to boost the country's offshore wind power capacity due to technical problems and high costs. "China is facing a giant task on green transition to live up to the Paris climate accord, and it's my clear perception that he (Bekri) is very interested in working with Denmark and Danish companies in this regard," Lilleholt said. Lilleholt will head a Danish export promotion tour to China next spring where he said he expected the leading Danish green technology companies to join. (Additional reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Keith Weir)
By Sue-Lin Wong YANJI, China (Reuters) - Residents of the Chinese border city of Yanji felt the jolt from North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test but did not let it get in the way of a Sunday of shopping and dining. At a high-end downtown mall in the city of about 400,000, clothing store Uniqlo did brisk trade and there wasn't an empty table at a nearby Starbucks. Shoppers dawdled by promotional events to win Toyota Corollas and Sharp TVs. "We all ran out of our apartments when it happened, we had no idea what was going on. We thought it might have been an earthquake," said Bai Jin, sitting in an outdoor square near Starbucks with his grandson. North Korea said it had tested a hydrogen bomb which it declared a "perfect success" and said no radiation had leaked. "I don't really think about the possible effects of radiation, the tests are conducted underground," Bai said. China's Nuclear Safety Administration nevertheless said it had begun emergency monitoring for radiation along the border and South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said it was making checks. Sunday's explosion was measured by the U.S. Geological Survey at magnitude 6.3, which Japanese and South Korean meteorological officials said was around 10 times more powerful than previous North Korean nuclear detonations, and was followed by an aftershock. Michael Spavor, director of the Paektu Cultural Exchange, which promotes business and cultural ties with North Korea, said he was eating brunch when he felt the building shake for about five seconds, followed by city air raid sirens. Yanji is about 200 km (120 miles) north of North Korea's nuclear test site at Punggye-ri, along a border area that has become increasingly sensitive as Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation grows and as China faces pressure to rein in its neighbor and ally over repeated nuclear and ballistic missile tests. United Nations sanctions have expanded to ban North Korean exports of commodities including coal, iron ore and seafood, much of which was bought by China. The countries share a 1,420-km border. "I'm pretty worried about radiation because a lot of our food comes from North Korea. We used to eat a lot of seafood from North Korea but that's recently stopped," said Wu Tingting, who works at a local resort. Residents have long grown accustomed to a heightened military presence in border areas. "I'm not too worried because I think China and North Korea have a pretty good relationship," Wu said. Huang Tao, who works at a state-owned company in Yanji, found out about the nuclear test when his friends posted it on WeChat, and noted that Sunday is marked in China as the 72nd anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two. "Kim Fatty the Third is just helping us celebrate by setting off a few fire crackers," he said, using a derisive nickname in China for North Korea's third-generation leader, Kim Jong Un. "It's just another ordinary Sunday in downtown Yanji. Nothing changes when there's a nuclear test." (Reporting by Sue-Lin Wong; Additional reporting by James Pearson and Ju-min Park in SEOUL and Ben Blanchard and Philip Wen in BEIJING; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Beirut (AFP) - Fierce clashes between the Islamic State group and pro-regime forces in central Syria have left over 150 fighters dead in 24 hours, mostly jihadists, a monitor said Sunday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 120 IS fighters "were killed in clashes in and around the town of Uqayribat in the eastern Hama countryside... along with at least 35 regime troops and loyalist militiamen."

The town is the jihadist group's last bastion in the central province apart from a handful of small villages.

Pro-government forces seized Uqayribat on Friday night, but IS responded with a counter-offensive on Saturday that left it in control of most of the town, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

An intense barrage of artillery fire and Syrian and Russian air strikes on jihadist positions allowed pro-regime forces on Sunday morning to push the jihadists back out of the town and advance on villages to the west that remain under IS control.

IS has controlled Uqayribat since 2014, using it to launch attacks on regime-held areas and a strategically vital road Abdel Rahman described as "the only lifeline for the regime between Aleppo and central and southern Syria".

Regime forces, backed by heavy Russian air strikes, launched a major assault on IS-held parts of Hama in June.

"By consolidating their control of (Uqayribat) and ousting IS from the surrounding villages, regime forces could oust the organisation from the whole of Hama province," Abdel Rahman said.

Other rebel groups still control parts of the province's rural north.

Hama, which borders on six other Syrian provinces, is strategically vital to the Assad regime, separating opposition forces in Idlib from Damascus to the south and the regime's coastal heartlands to the west.

IS has suffered multiple defeats across Syria and neighbouring Iraq in recent months, notably in its main Syrian base of Raqa.

On Friday a US-backed Kurdish-Arab coalition seized Raqa's Old City and was advancing on the jihadists in the heavily defended city centre.

Story continues

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began their offensive in May, capturing the city of Tabqa and a key dam nearby before entering Raqa city in early June.

Meanwhile, pro-regime forces have advanced against IS in the eastern part of Homs province and western Deir Ezzor, where they have come to within 19 kilometres (12 miles) of the provincial capital.

Syria's conflict has killed more than 320,000 people and displaced millions since it started with anti-government demonstrations in 2011.
Bogota (AFP) - Colombia's government and the country's last active guerrilla group, the ELN, announced a ceasefire Monday, a key step toward sealing a "complete peace" to end Latin America's longest civil war.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and National Liberation Army (ELN) negotiators announced the ceasefire two days before a visit to Colombia by Pope Francis.

ELN chief negotiator Pablo Beltran said his force's ceasefire was "the first miracle of the pope's visit."

The ceasefire follows a separate accord that saw the disarmament last month of Colombia's biggest rebel group, the FARC.

Santos said it was "great news that we are sure will delight" the Argentine pontiff.

Under the ceasefire, "there will be an end to kidnappings, attacks on oil pipelines and other hostilities against the civilian population" by the ELN, Santos said in a televised address.

The government for its part promised to improve conditions for imprisoned ELN members and protect civil leaders from attacks in the conflict zone.

- Toward 'complete peace' -

The 1,500-strong ELN has been in negotiations with the government since February.

Santos said the ceasefire will be renewed depending on progress on details still to be thrashed out with the leftist rebels.

"It will come into effect on October 1, initially for 102 days, that is to say until January 12 of next year."

The ELN delegation earlier announced the deal on Twitter.

"When the days of celebration during Francis's visit to Colombia are over, we will continue, determined to advance toward a de-escalation of the conflict until complete peace becomes a reality."

Francis is scheduled to tour Colombia from September 6 to 10.

The two delegations to the talks said at a news conference in Quito that the Colombian government, ELN, UN and the Catholic church would jointly monitor the fulfillment of the ceasefire.

"It is a challenge for us to fulfill all the aspects agreed upon in this ceasefire. We hope to keep our word," said Beltran.

Story continues

- Tricky talks -

The 7,000 members of the FARC finished disarming last month under UN supervision, despite resistance to the deal from critics who said the FARC got off too lightly.

Analysts warn that the talks with the ELN, under way since February, risk being even more complicated than the four-year negotiations with the FARC.

The deal that came out of those talks was considered to have practically ended the conflict, but other risks remain.

The rebel group has a looser command structure than the FARC had.

"The lack of cohesion in the ELN is a big difference compared with the FARC," said Camilo Echandia, a conflict analyst from Colombia's Externado University.

- 'Fragile' ceasefire -

Officials meanwhile say remnants of right-wing paramilitary groups are still fighting the ELN for control of the drug trade.

Authorities have also reported deadly attacks by ELN fighters against state forces.

"We have to be very realistic: this ceasefire is going to be quite fragile," warned Frederic Masse, another analyst at Externado University.

"It could even be counter-productive and, instead of driving forward the negotiations, end up freezing them."

The FARC and ELN formed in 1964 to fight for land rights and to protect poor rural communities.

The conflict drew in leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitary groups and state forces.

It left 260,000 people confirmed dead, more than 60,000 missing and seven million displaced.

- Pope effect -

Both sides had said they hoped to agree to a temporary ceasefire before the pope's arrival.

"The visit of Pope Francis should provide extra motivation to speed up the search for an agreement," the ELN said on Twitter.

It added that the peace talks aimed above all to help poor rural communities suffering "the unfortunate consequences of the conflict."
By Helen Murphy and Luis Jaime Acosta BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia and the Marxist ELN rebel group said on Monday they agreed a temporary ceasefire that would run through mid-January 2018, but it would not be in effect when Pope Francis arrives in the Andean country for a visit later this week. The ceasefire, the first with the ELN, is due to begin on Oct. 1 and end on Jan. 12, with the possibility for extensions if it is respected, President Juan Manuel Santos said in a televised address to the country. "The priority is to protect citizens, so during this period, kidnappings, attacks on oil pipelines and other hostilities against the civilian population will cease," he said. The two sides have long said the pope's visit would be a good opportunity to call a ceasefire. The government said details and verification methods were still being finalized and that was why the ceasefire did not begin immediately. The National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, which has bombed oil installations and kidnapped for ransom, was founded by radical Catholic priests in 1964. The ELN and government are in peace talks, currently being held in Ecuador, to end 53 years of war. Since the talks began in February, the ELN has continued to take hostages for ransom, launch bomb attacks and extort foreign oil and mining companies. The ELN told Reuters last week that it had killed Russian-Armenian citizen Arsen Voskanyan in April. The ELNs practice of kidnapping civilians is a key issue at the peace talks. The ELN told Reuters last week that they were not optimistic a peace agreement could be reached because neither side would give ground on kidnapping. Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Colombia on Wednesday evening for a five-day visit to the cities of Bogota, Villavicencio, Medellin and Cartagena. The ELN said in a statement on its website on Monday, "We have said that the visit of Pope Francis should be an extra motivator to accelerate our work for an accord." "Once the days of celebration of the presence of Francis have passed, we will continue to insist on advancing toward the de-escalation of the conflict, until complete peace is a reality." (Additional reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Bill Trott and Nick Zieminski)
By Benjamin Jumbe

The Uganda Judicial Officers Association has maintained that their strike is still on indefinitely.

This comes shortly after the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Gen Kahinda Otafire called on the judicial officers to resume work as it addresses their concerns.

The association chairman Godfrey Kawesa tells KFM that while they are happy that government has come out to respond to their concerns, they will have to wait for the General Assembly to convene on Wednesday to decide on the matter.

He adds that the association executive will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter ahead of the general assembly.

Earlier government expressed commitment to addressing the judicial officers concerns, appealing to them to resume work immediately.

The strike which started over a week ago, has stalled work in the courts across the country.

Addressing journalists at Media Centre, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafire said as part of measures to improve their working conditions, government is to provide them with security and transport.

He has however said on matters of remuneration, government is waiting for the ministry of Public Service to come up with a comprehensive harmonized pay policy next month for all public servants.

Related, the police says the on-going strike by the judicial officers has greatly paralyzed their work.

The police spokesperson Asan Kasigye says at the moment police is not able to take suspects to court within the stipulated 48 hours.

He says the strike has affected several police stations across the country including Gulu police station and Shema police station in western region where suspects facing high profile cases have escaped after failing to be produced in court.

In Gulu, 10 suspects escaped on Friday under unclear circumstances.
Xiamen (China) (AFP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday acknowledged growing doubts over the relevance of the five-nation BRICS bloc of large emerging economies but called for the group to stick together even after China's tense border row with fellow member India.

Xi will host the ninth annual BRICS summit on Monday in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen under the shadow of the border row and a North Korean hydrogen bomb blast.

In a speech on Sunday in Xiamen, Xi alluded to questions hanging over the bloc, whose disparate members are preoccupied with political and economic problems at home.

"Some people, seeing that emerging markets and developing countries have experienced growth setbacks, assert that BRICS countries are losing their lustre," he said.

He said "BRICS countries have encountered headwinds of varying intensity" but added that the bloc remained "fully confident".

BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- was formed to allow emerging economies that comprise more than 40 percent of humanity to present a united front in a world whose trade and finance rules were written by the West.

But analysts say the bloc has made little progress toward that goal.

Lumping together far-flung and vastly different political and economic systems, BRICS has long been viewed by many as contrived, with few commonalities or significant achievements.

"It's really tough to see how BRICS is any type of coherent anything. What do they have in common?" said Christopher Balding, a Peking University economics professor.

"Economically, trade-wise, financially, they all do things very differently."

BRICS includes Communist-ruled China, authoritarian Russia and the democracies of India, Brazil and South Africa.

While China is an economic powerhouse and India is rising, the Russian, Brazilian and South African economies have been hit hard by weak prices of export commodities.

Story continues

Brazilian President Michel Temer and South Africa's Jacob Zuma, meanwhile, are distracted by political turmoil at home.

- Himalayan face-off -

Nuclear-armed China and India avoided a full-blown crisis when they backed away last week from a protracted standoff over a disputed Himalayan region -- perhaps to avoid sullying the summit.

But the encounter left a bitter aftertaste.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly said last week China hopes India will "learn lessons from this incident and prevent similar things from happening again".

In his speech Sunday, Xi stressed the need for BRICS members to show mutual respect and "avoid conflicts" but otherwise did not mention the border dispute.

India and China also are divided over China's ally Pakistan, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who will also attend the summit -- has labelled a fount of terrorism.

Modi snubbed a separate summit called by Xi in May to promote the Chinese leader's vision of reinvigorated ancient east-west trading routes, which is seen by many analysts as a Chinese geopolitical power play.

Intra-BRICS trade is heavily tilted in China's favour, fuelling complaints from fellow members. India alone has lodged several trade cases against China this year.

Perhaps BRICS' biggest success was the 2016 establishment of the Shanghai-based New Development Bank, envisioned as the developing world's World Bank, but many economists doubt it will be influential.

"BRICS envisioned quite a hopeful direction for the future but so far has had very limited influence on world politics and economics," said Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor with Beijing's Renmin University.

The summit is a chance for bilateral meetings including Xi-Putin talks on Sunday that could touch on other international concerns such as North Korea. It announced just before Xi's speech that it had detonated a hydrogen bomb, an apparent major advance in its banned nuclear weapons programe.
Donald Trump on Friday told reporters. 'We love the Dreamers': AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump is expected to scrap the Dreamers programme introduced by Barack Obama, which protects undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme, known as DACA, prevents nearly 800,000 men and women from being deported and gives them permits to work in America legally.

Those who qualify for the programme, by being able to prove they had arrived in the country before the age of 16, had been residents for several years and had never committed a crime, are known as Dreamers.

Many of the children in the programme were brought to the US as young children and have little recollection of connection to the countries they arrived from.

Mr Trump called the programme an illegal amnesty during his presidential campaign and promised to scrap it on his first day in office.

But after taking office in February, he appears to have wrestled with the issue and recently called the topic a very, very difficult subject for me".

The president has also faced fierce opposition to ending the programme from both Democrats and members of his own Republican Party.

House Speaker Paul Ryan is among a number of politicians who last week urged the president to delay scrapping the programme to give Congress time to create a legal solution.

These are kids who know no other country, who are brought here by their parents and dont know another home," he told Wisconsin radio station WCLO. "And so I really do believe that there needs to be a legislative solution.

At the same time, a group of Republican state officials have threatened to sue Mr Trump's administration through a Texas federal court if he does not end the programme by 5 September.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon boss Jeff Bezos joined nearly 400 business executives in signing an open letter to the President last week urging him to protect the Dreamers under any plans for immigration reform.

They argued that the US economy would suffer were they to face deportation.

Story continues

Apple CEO, Tim Cook tweeted on Sunday: 250 of my Apple co-workers are #Dreamers. I stand with them. They deserve our respect as equals and a solution rooted in American values.

250 of my Apple coworkers are #Dreamers. I stand with them. They deserve our respect as equals and a solution rooted in American values.  Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 3, 2017

However, the effect of ending the DACA programme would have on the US economy was downplayed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who told Fox News that he was less concerned about the economic impact.

Additional reporting by agencies
Even as the American news media committed serial heroics delivering the best possible reporting of Hurricane Harvey in dire conditions last week, one Trump found time to impugn it. That was Eric predicting on Twitter that among news outlets only Fox would bother to report on Thursday that his father had just donated $1m of his own money to the relief effort.

So proud!!! Lets see if @CNN or the #MSM acknowledges this incredible generosity. My guess: they wont... Eric Trump tweeted with a link to a Fox News story, referring not just to CNN, his fathers least favourite 24-hour cable channel, but also to the so-called mainstream media in general.

The Presidents second son, however, was as sloppy as the coverage of Harvey has been exemplary. And he was called out for it. He posted his tweet precisely three hours after CNN had also used Twitter to highlight its reporting precisely of his fathers gesture.

Sloppy but predictable. The media paranoia inside Trump World knows no bounds. The rebuke Trump got from almost all sides, even from anchors at Fox, after his failure clearly to condemn the white supremacists and neo-Nazis who bought chaos and murder to the streets of Charlottesville last month has only served to deepen his personal sense of victimhood.

Such has been the ferocity of President Trumps war on the media and fake news  at a huge rally in Phoenix before Harvey made landfall he called all journalists truly dishonest people who are guilty of perpetrating crooked media deceptions against him  that last week even the UN Human Rights Chief, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, felt the need publicly to sound the alarm.

Its really quite amazing when you think that freedom of the press, not only sort of a cornerstone of the US Constitution but very much something that the United States defended over the years, is now itself under attack from the President, al-Hussein told reporters in Geneva. Its sort of a stunning turnaround. And ultimately the sequence is a dangerous one.
President Donald Trump passes out food and meets people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to the NRG Center in Houston: AP

Donald Trump has joked that his hands are "too big" while helping to serve food to victims of storm Harvey at a shelter in Houston.

Video broadcast by US networks of President Trump's visit to the NRG Center shows him putting on gloves to help with the hand-out at a food serving line before turning to where the press are gathered and saying "my hands are too big".

Mr Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, are on a second visit to Texas since hurricane Harvey hit last week and are due to visit Louisiana, which ahs also been affected by rain and flooding, later in the day.

"My hands are too big," President Trump jokes while putting on gloves to serve food at Houston shelter https://t.co/je6NirYHoC  NBC News (@NBCNews) September 2, 2017

Mr Trump - who has faced pervious jibes about the size of his hands, including from Marco Rubio during the 2016 presidential campaign - appeared relaxed as he posed for photographs with volunteers and chatted with those relocated to the shelter alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Melania, the sleeves of her blue denim shirt rolled up, hugged a woman and chatted with a child.

It has been a wonderful thing, Mr Trump said of his meetings with the children as he helped serve food to evacuees amid shouts of Thank you, sir.

Mr Trump's visit came after a week of historic flooding in the area that killed more than 40 people, displaced more than one million and dumped as much as 50 inches (127 cm) of rain in some areas.

Mr Trump, faced criticism for not meeting with victims and not showing more empathy on his first trip to Texas on Tuesday.

Trump stayed clear of the disaster zone earlier this week, saying he did not want to hamper rescue efforts. Instead, he met with Cabinet members, state and local leaders and first responders in the state capital Austin and Corpus Christi, where Harvey first hit, focusing on the logistics of the government response.

Reuters contributed to this report
Donald Trump accused South Korea of trying to

Donald Trump risks a rift with a key ally in the middle of an international crisis after accusing South Korea of appeasement, experts have warned.

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing! the US president tweeted after Pyongyangs nuclear test on Sunday, taking a jab at earlier efforts by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to launch peace talks.

Mr Trump and Mr Moon have not spoken by phone since the hydrogen bomb test was confirmed. Seoul, which faces a terrifying casualty toll should the peninsula go to war, responded diplomatically to the US presidents twitter outburst.

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

Korea is a country that experienced a fratricidal war. The destruction of war should not be repeated in this land, the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said in a statement.

We will not give up and will continue to push for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means working together with our allies.

Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, questioned Mr Trumps strategy of publicly scolding South Korea.

We need to be working hand in hand with South Korea, and with Japan, he told CNN. Why we would want to show divisions with South Korea makes no sense at all.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in Credit: Reuters

Robert Einhorn, a former senior State Department non-proliferation expert, said in an interview with the New York Times that the presidents criticism of the South Korean leader was misguided.

Moon has actually been very supportive of the US approach of maximum pressure and engagement, he said. Nothing hes done so far smacks of appeasement.

Story continues

John Delury, a professor of international relations at Yonsei university in Seoul, told the Washington Post the presidents approach was puzzling.

Its strange to see Trump going after South Korea more aggressively than hes going after China, especially since China also thinks that dialogue is central to solving this problem.

A threat by Mr Trump to withdraw from a bilateral trade agreement with South Korea risks alienating Washingtons key ally further.

You gotta watch the tweets, said General Michael Hayden, a former National Security Agency and CIA director.

I think we had an unforced error over the weekend when we brought up the free trade agreement with our South Korea friends on whom we have to cooperateits wrong on the merits and its certainly not integrated into a broader approach to northeast Asia."
While the effects of Hurricane Harveys devastation are still being discovered and dealt with, new information is emerging about how the flooding has affected sites of toxic waste.

Following an earlier story by The Associated Press, the news agency reported that the EPA has now confirmed that 13 of the 41 Superfund sites in Texas have suffered flooding from Hurricane Harvey and are experiencing possible damage.

Superfund sites are highly polluted locations monitored by the EPA that require long-term cleanup plans to deal with the hazardous material they host.

One Superfund site detailed by The Associated Press, the Highlands Acid Pit, is now totally under water. The site was once the dumping ground for toxic sludge and sulphuric acid from the oil and gas industry. According to the AP:

Though 22,000 cubic yards of hazardous waste and soil were excavated from the acid pits in the 1980s, the site is still considered a potential threat to groundwater, and the EPA maintains monitoring wells there.

Nearby residents and local environmental advocacy groups are now concerned that pollutants could be moving through the water into homes and across communities.

The EPA has said that it hasnt been able to physically visit Houston-area sites as of yet, and had confirmed the 13 affected sites via aerial imagery. While the AP had accessed sites by boat or by foot, the EPA did not confirm why it had been unable to do so, other than saying in a statement that teams are in place to investigate possible damage to these sites as soon flood waters recede, and personnel are able to safely access the sites.

To give another example, the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site in Harris County was also completely covered with floodwaters on Thursday. The soil in the San Jacinto Superfund contains dioxins and toxins linked to birth defects and cancer, according to an EPA survey from 2016.

However, EPA officials said Saturday that part of the San Jacinto site included a temporary armored cap that was designed to prohibit toxic material from moving into a nearby river. Still, the EPA said that depending on river conditions, they would attempt to reach the site by boat Monday to survey the damage.

Story continues

Must Read: As Fake Images Of Hurricane Irma Go Viral, Heres What We Really Know

Photos via Getty Images / Bob Levey

Written by Grace Lisa Scott

More articles by Grace Lisa  Follow Grace Lisa on Twitter

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Brussels (AFP) - The European Commission on Monday approved Germany's plans to grant insolvent Air Berlin a 150 million euro ($180 million) loan to allow it temporarily to serve passengers while selling off its business.

The 28-nation EU executive effectively refuted critics who say the German government is offering state aid for rival airline Lufthansa to build a monopoly with Air Berlin assets.

"The European Commission has endorsed under EU state aid rules Germany's plans to grant Air Berlin a temporary 150 million euro bridging loan," the commission said in a statement.

"The measure will allow for the orderly wind-down of the insolvent airline Air Berlin without unduly distorting competition in the single market," it added.

It said the German government on August 15 had notified the commission of its intent to grant a bridging loan to Air Berlin after Etihad, the main shareholder, withdrew its financial backing for the insolvent firm.

The aim of the loan, the commission said, is to allow Air Berlin to continue serving passengers in the "coming months", while at the same time concluding negotiations to sell its assets and eventually exit the market.

Under EU rescue and restructuring rules, member states may support companies in difficulty as long as the measures are "limited in time and scope" and promote the common interest.

The commission said it has taken into account the fact that the loan will be paid out in instalments under strict conditions, with Air Berlin demonstrating its liquidity needs weekly.

It said Germany has also pledged to ensure the loan will either be fully repaid or the government in Berlin will submit a plan to wind down the airline.

Welcoming the EU's approval, Air Berlin chief executive Thomas Winkelmann said the government loan will help the airline as it looked for buyers.

"Since discussions began, we have done everything to ensure that as many jobs as possible are kept," Winkelmann said in a statement.

Story continues

Bidders for the airline's assets are due to put in their offer by September 15, and several companies, including Lufthansa counts among them.

Lufthansa -- which already leases 38 of Air Berlin's 140 planes -- could buy up to 70 aircraft with as many as 3,000 crew for its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings, Bild newspaper reported recently.

Other interested airlines cited in media reports include package holiday firm TUI, British low-cost carrier EasyJet and Thomas Cook subsidiary Condor.

Winkelmann told Bild am Sonntag that the airline was in talks with "more than 10 interested parties, including several airlines".

"There won't be just one but two or three buyers," he added.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary claimed last month that Lufthansa has enjoyed an unfair advantage in the scramble for chunks of the business, especially valuable landing slots at major German airports.

Bavarian investor Hans Rudolf Woehrl lent his voice to O'Leary's criticism of the bridging loan.
Mecca (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - Hafsa had hoped to land a much-needed job distributing meals for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday. One question stood in her way: "Are you, your husband, or any of your relatives Saudi?"

Born in Saudi Arabia to Somali parents, Hafsa had applied for temporary work during the holiday, which marked the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in June.

The job did not have any educational requirements, and the 30-year-old -- who has neither a university degree nor Saudi citizenship -- was hopeful.

She knocked at the door of an office overseeing logistics for Eid al-Fitr. An eye appeared through a peephole. A voice asked her if she or anyone in her immediate family was a citizen of Saudi Arabia.

The door, she said, did not open.

- 'We are different' -

"Over the past three years, it has become harder and harder to find a job," said Hafsa, who along with other women interviewed for this story asked AFP not to use her real name.

When her immigrant parents first arrived to Saudi Arabia, "they accepted that the system was the system and we had to follow it," she said.

"They had no ambitions. They did not question if they had rights. We are different."

The ultra-conservative kingdom is home to more than nine million foreigners who constitute a third of the country's population of 31 million, a relatively low percentage compared to other Gulf countries.

Since 2011, authorities have imposed quotas on employers for Saudi citizens, in a bid to curb unemployment in a country where more than half the population is under the age of 25.

Among the nine million foreigners is Nour, who was fretting over a table setting at the restaurant where she had a temp job during the Muslim hajj pilgrimage to the western city of Mecca, which ends on Monday.

Nour's father came to Saudi Arabia from Ethiopia to study Islamic law and start a family. While she was born in the country, the 24-year-old said she lives in "constant fear of being arrested along with my husband and family" as she has no work permit.

Story continues

But what she does have is a profession she loves: Nour is an underground beautician.

"It takes me about 20 minutes to do a full face now," she said, adding that she can only work with clients she knows personally and can trust.

"Which is good, because I can do multiple clients in a day."

- 'Downgrading our own rights' -

While it is not technically impossible to obtain citizenship in Gulf countries, the process is long, complex and unlikely to succeed.

Hafsa still struggles to adjust to life in a country she feels is still not her own, decades after her parents arrived from Somalia in search of a better life.

She has settled into her daily routine in Mecca, where she shares a flat with 10 of her family members.

With a mischievous smile, she scrolls through pictures on her cell phone of the trendy outfits and makeup she wears under her niqab: jeans, lipstick, red pumps.

But she does not hide the fact that she is ready to leave.

"Where, I do not care," she said. "A country that gives me my rights."

Samia, a 27-year-old Somali, is likewise unemployed, and likewise does not beat around the bush when it comes to her experience trying to secure steady income for her and her young son.

For 20 years, Samia's mother worked as a school janitor in Saudi Arabia. Her father, who is deceased, was an accountant under the kingdom's controversial kafala system.

Under kafala, or "sponsorship", foreign workers' legal standing is directly tied to their employers who are granted what Human Rights Watch describes as "excessive power over workers that facilitates abuse".

Rights groups including HRW have long denounced the system, under which an employee cannot find a new job without the current employer's consent, as modern slavery.

"Saudis would not be able to do the jobs that we do. They are not willing to work," said Samia.

"In Egypt, for example, my son could go to a better school and I could go back to college. Here, because we do not want to put our families at risk, we end up downgrading our own rights," added the divorced mother-of-one.

"If I have no future here, why would my son?"
PARIS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition-led congress leaders met on Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron to press for humanitarian aid to their crisis-hit nation, on the first leg of a European tour seeking support against President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro's government has been criticised by the United Nations, Washington and other governments for failing to allow the entry of foreign aid to ease a severe economic crisis, while it overrides Venezuela's opposition-led congress and jails hundreds of opponents. "I stressed the urgency of opening up the door to humanitarian aid in Venezuela," congress President Julio Borges said, adding that Macron had been eager to help. "We want the government of Maduro to open the door to this humanitarian help," Borges said. The opposition won control of congress in 2015. But Maduro's loyalist Supreme Court has tossed out every major law it has passed as the oil-rich country slips deeper into a recession exacerbated by triple-digit inflation and acute shortages of food and medicines. Maduro has said he is facing an "armed insurrection" designed to end socialism in Latin America and let a U.S.-backed business elite get its hands on the OPEC nation's massive crude reserves. In Caracas on Monday, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza summoned ambassadors from Spain, Germany Italy, and the United Kingdom to issue a note of protest accusing them of meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs. There has been widespread criticism of Maduro around Europe, with Macron last week saying his administration was "a dictatorship trying to survive at the cost of unprecedented humanitarian distress." Macron, who did not speak to reporters after the meeting, last week also criticised the government after human rights activist Lilian Tintori, the wife of Venezuela's best-known detained political leader, was barred from flying out of the country to go to Paris, Madrid, Berlin and London. "They cannot silence the voice of 30 million Venezuelans," Tintori said on her Twitter account, adding that Congress Vice President Freddy Guevara had given Macron a letter from her. Arreaza said Tintori was not able to leave the country because she was due in court this week to answer questions over a stash of cash that police had found in her car. When she intended to leave on Saturday, several European ambassadors accompanied her to the airport. The situation in Venezuela has a particular resonance in France, where the far-left France Unbowed party, currently Macron's most vocal opponent, backs Maduro. Maduro is expected to address the opening day of a three-week U.N. Human Rights Council session on Sept. 11. (Reporting by Ingrid Melander, Jean-Baptiste Vey and Marine Pennetier; Additional reporting by Diego Ore and Girish Gupta; Editing by Ralph Boultoh and Tom Brown)
Donald Trump has said he would donate $1m of his personal fortune to flooding relief: PA

The ghostwriter of Donald Trump's best-selling memoir has said there is "no way" the President will follow through on his pledge to donate $1m of his own personal fortune to Hurricane Harvey victims.

Tony Schwartz, who spent hundreds of hours in the billionaire's company while researching The Art of the Deal, claimed Mr Trump "only promises to give" and "never actually does".

The promised gift of $1m (770,000) to the storm relief efforts would be largest personal donation made by a US president.

The White House said it had yet to decide where the funding would be allocated and asked reporters to suggest who should receive it.

Mr Trump, one of wealthiest men to have occupied the Oval Office, has a chequered charitable history and has previously been accused of failing to keep donation promises.

"No way Trump donates $1m of own money to Harvey victims," tweeted Mr Schwartz, who has repeatedly criticised the Republican since he announced he was running for the presidency.

"He only promises to give. Never actually does," the author added.

He suggested the President was "worth vastly less than he says" and was "desperate not to have that exposed".

No way Trump donates $1m of own money to Harvey victims. He only promises to give. Never actually does.  Tony Schwartz (@tonyschwartz) September 1, 2017

Mr Schwartz, who now runs a business management consultancy, has previously admitted feeling "a deep sense of remorse" for "presenting Trump in a way that brought him wider attention and made him more appealing than he is".

In an interview with the New Yorker last year, he suggested The Art of the Deal should have been titled "The Sociopath".

The precise extent of Mr Trump's charitable giving is unknown as the President has broken with decades of tradition by refusing to release his tax returns. But he is thought to donate a far smaller proportion of his fortune than many fellow billionaires.

Story continues

The Trump Foundation, the private philanthropical organisation he founded in 1987 with money from his book, came under heavy scrutiny during last year's election.

A Washington Post investigation revealed Mr Trump pledged $8.5m in donations in the 15 years before the campaign, but only paid out about $2.8m.

The Trump Foundation is also largely funded by other people, with the President contributing $5.5m (4.3m) of its $14.8m (11.4m) income since it was launched, according to tax records.

On Thursday White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr Trump would "pledge proudly a million dollars of his own personal money to help the people of both Texas and Louisiana".

"He would like to join in the efforts that a lot of people we have seen across the country do," she added.

The spokeswoman told reporters: He actually asked that I check with the folks in this room since you are very good at research and have been doing a lot of reporting into the groups and organisations that are best and most effective in helping and providing aid, and he'd like some suggestions from the folks here and I'd be happy to take those."

Mr Trump met with three aid organisations - the Red Cross, Southern Baptist Relief, and Salvation Army - in the Oval Office on Friday.

There is expected to be intense competition among relief agencies if the President opts to donate the sum to only one group or just a few.

"He should be looking to make an informed contribution, and it seems that he's doing so," said Rick Cohen, communications director for the National Council of Nonprofits, noting that the Mr Trump had kept abreast of conditions on the ground and was planning to see damage first-hand.

White House officials said the donation would come from the president's personal fortune and not his business or charitable foundation.

"You have to take him at his word," said Leslie Lenkowsky, a professor at Indiana University who focuses on philanthropy and who formerly headed the Corporation for National and Community Service.

"If he wants to lead the way, that's one of the things that a president's supposed to do... He does like the image of himself as a compassionate person."

Additional reporting by Associated Press
An Idaho police department is hailing nurse Alex Wubbels as a hero for standing up to Salt Lake City Detective Jeff Payne, who tried to take blood from a patient without a warrant or the patients consent.

That patient, it turns out, is William Gray, a reserve officer in Rigby, a city about 15 miles north of Idaho Falls.

The Rigby Police Department would like to thank the nurse involved and hospital staff for standing firm, and protecting Officer Grays rights as a patient and victim, the agency said on Facebook. Protecting the rights of others is truly a heroic act.

Gray, who is also a truck driver, was badly injured in July when a suspect in a car fleeing police slammed into his truck. The suspect died, and Gray was flown to the University of Utah Burn Center.

In the hospital, police tried to take blood from Gray, who was not under arrest and not conscious and therefore unable to consent to the blood draw. In addition, police did not have a warrant.

Wubbels told Payne he could not draw blood under those circumstances and even got other hospital officials on the phone to confirm that policy to the detective.

She was arrested, and eventually released without being charged.

Payne is now facing a criminal investigation. Another officer is also on leave as the incident is investigated.

The Rigby Police Department said it was not aware of the incident surrounding the blood draw until last week.

It is important to remember that Officer Gray is the victim in this horrible event, and that at no time was he under any suspicion of wrongdoing, the department said. As he continues to heal, we would ask that his family be given privacy, respect, and prayers for continued recovery and peace.

Related...

Nurse Sobs 'Help Me' While Getting Arrested For Simply Doing Her Job

Officer Who Arrested Utah Nurse In Viral Video Is Now Under Criminal Investigation

Also on HuffPost

"Young L.A. Girl Slain; Body Slashed in Two"  L.A.'s Daily News

On Jan. 15, 1947, the remains of Elizabeth Short were found in a vacant lot in Los Angeles. What made this discovery the stuff of tabloid sensation, however, was the Glasgow smile left on the aspiring actress' face  made with 3-inch slashes on each side. This, coupled with Short's dark hair, fair complexion and reputation for sporting a dahlia in her hair, led her to be dubbed "The Black Dahlia" in headlines. What followed was a media circus filled with rumors and speculation about the 22-year-old's checkered past. What haunts theorists to this day, apart from the victim's uniquely nightmarish visage, is that the case remains unsolved after some 200 suspects were interviewed and ultimately released, making it one of Hollywood's most lurid legends.

"I Am Not Guilty - Thus Lizzie Borden Pleads Before Judge Hammond at New Bedford."  Boston Journal

"Lizzie Borden took an axe And gave her mother forty whacks. And when she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one." So goes the lurid nursery rhyme to one of the most mystifying crimes ever. The nature of the deaths of Andrew J. Borden and his wife, Abby, are trumped only by the identity of the alleged perpetrator: their daughter Lizzie. Inexplicably found "not guilty" in contrast to the era's more usual swift justice, Lizzie's legacy was to be immortalized as one of the most perplexing cases of parricide in history.

"Texas Mother Charged with Killing Her 5 Children"  CNN

In a case of mother-gone-mad that startled a nation, Andrea Yates appeared to her few friends and family to be a recluse suffering from postpartum depression leading up to the birth of her fifth child. That all changed on June 20, 2001, when she drowned five of her children in their home's bathtub. She was convicted in 2002 of capital murder, carrying a sentence of life in prison with possible parole. In a 2006 retrial, however, a Texas jury found her not guilty by reason of insanity. She was committed to a mental health facility.

"Buttafuoco Admits to Sex with Amy Fisher"  New York Times

Known as the "Long Island Lolita," Amy Fisher became involved with Joey Buttafuoco in May 1991. Shortly after the two began a sexual relationship (she was 16, while he was 35 and married with two children), his presence and influence in her life became all she cared for. Although he's since denied this, Buttafuoco would go on to help Fisher plan the murder of his wife, culminating in Fisher putting a bullet in Mary Jo Buttafuoco's head, but failing to kill her. In the highly publicized trial that ensued, Fisher accepted a plea deal for 15 years in prison in exchange for a testimony against Joey, who served out charges of statutory rape.

"Murder of a Little Beauty"  People Magazine

With her face gracing the covers of nearly every news and gossip rag during the winter of 1996, it's hard to suggest that the death of child beauty pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey had little effect outside the city of Boulder, Colorado. She was found dead from a blow to the head and strangulation in the family's basement. There was a ransom note left on the staircase asking for $118,000 (conveniently or coincidentally, nearly the same amount Mr. Ramsey received as a bonus that year) and no obvious signs of forced entry into the house. The evidence appeared to be stacked against parents John and Patsy, who maintained their innocence throughout the investigation. The case reopened in 2010, but critics cite poor handling of the crime scene as why the mystery of the events of that Christmas day continues.

"F.B.I. Joins Probe in Slaughter of 8 Nurses"  Nashua Telegraph

Tattooed with "Born to Raise Hell" on his arm, Richard Speck made good on his mantra through a history of violence, theft, alcoholism and spousal abuse. He achieved infamy when, on July 13, 1966, he walked into a dormitory armed with a knife and left eight student nurses dead in his wake. Only one, Cora Amurao, was spared, hiding under a bed until 6 a.m. Speck was found guilty of murder and died of a heart attack in prison. As one of the most press-worthy crimes of the decade, the grim events were used as the backdrop for an episode of "Mad Men."

"Sharon Tate, Four Others Murdered"  Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the most terrifying figure in American crime to have never actually killed anyone himself, Charles Manson founded a "family" of wayward individuals who hailed him as a prophet. So strong was his manipulation that on the night of Aug. 8, 1969, he ordered four of his followers to kill everyone at the residence of 10050 Cielo Drive  including movie director Roman Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, and her unborn child. Tate was stabbed 16 times, and her blood was used to write "pig" on the house's front door. The next night, Manson accompanied six of his family to the residence of supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, helping to bind them before ordering their deaths. In 1971, Manson and three of his fellow defendants were found guilty of murder in the first-degree and several other crimes. At the time, it was the longest murder trial in American history, spanning nine and a half months, as well as the most expensive, estimating $1 million. Manson was died in prison in 2017 at age 83.

"Lindbergh Baby Kidnapped from Home of Parents on Farm Near Princeton; Taken from His Crib; Wide Search on"  The New York Times

Used as the basis for an Agatha Christie novel (Murder on the Orient Express) and dubbed "the biggest story since the Resurrection" by famed journalist H.L. Mencken, the kidnapping and murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh's infant son continues to fascinate theorists today. Charles Jr. was discovered missing from his second-floor bedroom on March 1, 1932, along with a note demanding a then-unimaginable $50,000, igniting a media frenzy like no other. The tabloid pandemonium prompted many tips and leads, but none as concrete as a package containing the boy's pajamas and another message demanding the ransom. After some misdirection from the presumed kidnapper, Lindbergh's child was discovered in the woods along a road near the family residence. Notwithstanding the evidence stockpiled against the easily vilified illegal German immigrant Bruno Hauptmann (who was sentenced to death), speculation prevails as to the true identity of the individual responsible for this tragic tale.

"Not Guilty as Sin"  New York Post

Still fresh in the minds of many and not to be easily forgotten, the trial of Casey Anthony turned Orlando, Florida, into anything but the "happiest place on earth." Following a series of lies, misdirection and manipulation by then-22-year-old Casey, her daughter Caylee's skeletal remains were found five months into the investigation, setting the stage for what could only be described as the most incessantly publicized and shocking trial in recent memory. The media had a field day that went on for months, highlighting the young, pretty party-girl image used against Casey Anthony in court as the prosecution tore apart an aimless defense  or so it seemed. After throwing her own family under the bus, incriminating people entirely made-up ("Zanny the Nanny"), and fabricating elaborate stories for the police, Anthony was found not guilty of murder due to evidence deemed mostly circumstantial and not meeting the burden of "beyond reasonable doubt," inciting much debate regarding whether true justice was served.

"An American Tragedy"  Time

It was heralded as the "trial of the century." Former football star and actor O.J. Simpson found himself in the middle of the nation's biggest, most-televised trial following the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, but not before fleeing an all-points bulletin in his Ford Bronco with 20 units in tow, interrupting game 5 of the NBA Finals. With a dream legal team including Johnnie Cochran, Robert Shapiro, and Robert Kardashian, the defense claimed Simpson was merely a victim of police fraud with regard to contaminated DNA evidence. Cochran famously quipped, "If it [the glove] doesn't fit, you must acquit." On Oct. 3, 1995, an estimated 100 million people from around the world tuned in to watch the jury hand down a verdict of not guilty, costing an estimated $480 million in lost productivity. The case incited a discussion of race in the judicial system that continues to this day.

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DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran confirmed on Sunday that an appeals court had upheld 10-year jail terms against a U.S. citizen, two Iranian-Americans and a U.S. resident from Lebanon who had been convicted on spying charges. In July, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face "new and serious consequences" unless all "unjustly detained" American citizens were released and returned. Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi identified the four as Princeton University student Xiyue Wang, Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his elderly father Baquer and Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese citizen with permanent U.S. residency, the judiciary's official news website reported. In Washington, Jared Genser, a lawyer for the Namazis, said in a statement carried by U.S. media last week that their family was informed that a Tehran court had upheld the convictions days earlier. Earlier in August, Princeton University and the wife of Wang, a history doctoral student and U.S. citizen, said they had been informed that Iranian authorities had denied the appeal. Wang was conducting dissertation research in Iran in 2016 when he was detained and charged with "spying under the cover of research", an accusation his family and university denied. Iran sentenced Zakka, a Lebanese citizen with permanent U.S. residency, to 10 years in prison and a $4.2 million fine in 2016 after he was found guilty of collaborating against the state, according to his U.S.-based lawyer. Zakka, an information technology expert, had been invited to Iran by a government official a year earlier, but then disappeared after attending a conference in Tehran. ALARM Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers lifted most international sanctions and promised Irans reintegration into the global community in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. The potential detente with the West has alarmed Iranian hardliners, who have seen a flood of European trade and investment delegations arrive in Tehran to discuss possible deals, according to Iran experts. Security officials have arrested dozens of artists, journalists and businessmen, including Iranians holding joint American, European or Canadian citizenship, as part of a crackdown on "Western infiltration". The arrests have undermined President Hassan Rouhanis goals of reviving business and political ties with the West, as well as pushing for more political and social reforms at home, Iran experts and observers said. A number of Iranian dual nationals from the United States, Britain, Austria, Canada and France have been detained in the past year and are being kept behind bars on charges including espionage and collaborating with hostile governments. According to former prisoners, families of current ones, and diplomats, in some cases the detainees are kept to be used for a prisoner exchange with Western countries. In January 2016, the United States and Iran reached a historic prisoner swap deal that saw Iranians held or charged in the United States, mostly for sanctions violations, released in return for Americans imprisoned in Iran. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Tehran (AFP) - The Iranian judiciary on Sunday upheld 10-year jail terms for an American, two US-Iranian dual nationals and a Lebanese permanent resident of the United States for "collaborating" with Washington.

In a ruling that comes at a time of rising tensions following President Donald Trump's arrival in the White House in January, the Tehran prosecutor's office said the four men's appeals had been rejected.

Xiyue Wang, a Chinese-born American, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for "collaborating with foreign governments", said Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, quoted by the mizanonline website close to the judiciary.

He said the same sentence was upheld against two dual nationals for "collaborating with a foreign government", and Lebanese national Nizar Zakka, a US permanent resident, for working with the American government.

The dual nationals, businessman Siamak Namazi and his father Mohammad Bagher Namazi, were convicted in October 2016 along with Zakka and three others on charges of "spying" for Washington.

The State Department in July called on Iran to immediately release US citizens and other foreigners detained on "fabricated" national security charges, as Iran announced that Xiyue, a Princeton University researcher, had been handed a 10-year sentence for "infiltration" and espionage.

"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 Iranian regime continues to detain US citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national security-related charges," the official said.

"The safety and security of US citizens remains a top priority. All US citizens, especially dual nationals considering travel to Iran, should carefully read our latest travel warning."

Trump warned of "new and serious consequences" unless US nationals held in the Islamic republic were released, triggering criticism from Tehran of the detention of Iranian citizens in the United States.

Story continues

"You are keeping our innocent citizens in gruesome prisons. This is against the law and international norms and regulations," said Sadegh Larijani, the head of Iran's judiciary.

"We tell them that you must immediately release Iranian citizens locked up in US prisons."

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Washington of holding Iranians on "charges of sanction violations that are not applicable today... for bogus and purely political reasons".

The State Department, for its part, says Iran continues "to harass, arrest, and detain US citizens, in particular dual nationals", warning that Washington's ability to assist is "extremely limited".

Ties between Washington and Tehran have been severed since April 1980 in the wake of Iran's Islamic revolution, and tensions have sharpened since Trump came to power in January, especially over Iranian missile tests.

Tehran and world powers, including Washington, signed a July 2015 accord curbing Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of sanctions.

Although it has imposed new unilateral sanctions over Iran's missile programme, Washington has so far honoured the nuclear accord despite Trump's threats as a candidate last year to "rip it up".
Ivanka Trump was trolled on Twitter Monday as President Donald Trump reportedly tried to put an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Netizens uprooted an article Ivanka Trump shared in 2015 about how an undocumented immigrant from Mexico worked her way up to Wall Street. If Trump ended DACA, which saves children from deportation, nearly 800,000 people who are studying and working in the U.S. could be displaced.

The irony of Ivanka Trump promoting an undocumented workers success, even though it was months before her father ran for president, was not lost on Twitter users, especially since she serves as an advisor to Trump.

We love this story about an undocumented immigrant who worked her way up on Wall Street, Ivanka Trump had tweeted March 8, 2015.

Bloomberg News originally wrote the story about of Julissa Arce. She used to sell funnel cakes in Texas, but ultimately earned a position at one of New Yorks most profitable security firms.

Ivanka Trump

Photo: Getty Images

Sitting at her desk at Goldman Sachs, Julissa Arce is doing her best to keep it together. Its September 2007. Her father is dying in Taxco de Alarcon, a small and hilly city in Mexico, and she has just hung up after a call from her sister with bad news. Arce stands and leaves the row where she and her colleagues create derivatives and market them to rich people. She walks down the hall, opens the bathroom door, and locks herself in a stall, the story starts.

Reporter Adrian Carrasquillo, the White House correspondent for Buzzfeed News, was seemingly one of the first to unearth the tweet. Wow here's an oldie from 3 months before her dad decided to run. Now I hear Ivanka has stayed out of DACA convo, he tweeted Sunday. The post was liked hundreds of times by his more than 50,000 followers.

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While there were some who praised Ivanka Trump for supposedly supporting DACA, others were not impressed and claimed she and husband Jared Kusher were too busy on vacation to be bothered with politics.

_Tiny violin alert _



Apparently Jared & Ivanka tried their best to stop potus from ending DACA.



Blah, blah, blah pic.twitter.com/1fW7Vn1VXe  Linda Radtke (@lradtke77) September 4, 2017

Let's make bets on who will write the #IvankaTrump piece about being against her father ending #DACA , "Ivanka quietly fought valiantly"  Kermanetherunner (@KermaneB) September 4, 2017

Sources say Ivanka privately disturbed by Trumps decision to end #DACA. Also say she is deeply disturbed that she keeps getting disturbed.  Donald J. Trump (@AKADonaldTrump) September 4, 2017

How long till the inevitable "Jared and Ivanka tried to convince Trump not to end DACA" article is published  Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) September 4, 2017

Ivanka Trump and Kushner want to extend DACA, the New York Times reported.

I dont understand what anybody thinks we gain by taking away peoples ability to work and subject them to deportation, Cecilia Munoz, who helped create the program with former President Barack Obama, said to the Times. The positive benefits of DACA are so abundantly clear.

Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, indirectly slammed Trump Saturday for wanting to dismantle DACA. He changed his Facebook profile picture to read, I Support DACA. Anyone who wants to publicly show their support for DACA can use the same filter.

Follow me on Twitter @mariamzzarella

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Defense Secretary James Mattis said the United States will prepare for all military options following North Koreas claim that the country had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb during its sixth missile test.

Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming, Mattis said outside the White House Sunday, flanked by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford. The Secretarys remarks were made immediately following a meeting with President Donald Trump about North Korea.

Mattis did not respond to questions from reporters about the inevitability of an escalating military conflict.

North Koreas sixth nuclear test triggered a 5.7 magnitude tremor in the northeast part of the country, which the state later said was the detonation of a hydrogen bomb. Although North Korea has made these claims before, this explosion was thought to be ten times larger than the last test.

Mattis remarks follow an announcement from United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley that the U.S., South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom were convening an emergency meeting of the Security Council to discuss North Korea on Labor Day. Mattis said North Korea should listen to the U.N. Security Council.

All members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses and they remain unanimous on their commitment to the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Mattis said. Because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea. As I said, we have many options to do so.
There is no evidence that Barack Obama ever wiretapped Trump Tower during the 2016 election, the Department of Justice said in a court filing on Friday.

Both FBI and NSD [Department of Justices National Security Division] confirm that they have no records related to wiretaps as described by the March 4, 2017 tweets, the DOJ wrote in a summary judgment court filing on Sept. 1. FBI again confirmed that Case 1:17-cv-00718-RCL Document 12 Filed 09/01/17 Page 4 of 39 they do not have any such records by consulting with personnel knowledgeable about Director Comeys statements and the surveillance activities of the FBI. 

On March 4, just six weeks after he was inaugurated, Trump issued a series of early morning tweets claiming that Obama had wiretapped Trump tower before the 2016 electionbut had not found anything. Although Trump decried the move as McCarthyism, he did not provide any evidence it had happened.

Former President Obamas spokesperson was quick to refute the claims at the time, stating neither President Obama nor any White House official ever ordered surveillance on any U.S. citizen. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false. Leading Congressional Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, also said there was no supporting evidence.

The most recent claims from the Justice Department confirming a lack of evidence are in response to a lawsuit filed by American Oversight, a non-partisan oversight group who had filed a Freedom of Information Act to the FBI and the DOJs National Security Division for all records pertaining to this claim.

Former FBI Director James Comey, who Trump fired in May, said during his congressional testimony in March that while he was still in his position at the FBI, he had no information to support this claim about wiretapping.
Donald Trumps combative tone on North Korea has come under fire from lawmakers concerned that his Twitter rants are exacerbating a delicate situation.

The president previously said he would bring fire and fury like the world has never seen in response to North Koreas threat of physical action in response to further United Nations sanctions.

And following Pyongyangs announcement on Sunday it had tested "with perfect success" a powerful hydrogen bomb that was capable of being fitted to an intercontinental ballistic missile. Trump again tweeted about reacting with force.

Donald Trump

Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing! he said in further combative comments.

But his fighting talk on social media, which has garnered him a large number of followers and which he has praised as a direct line to the American people, is causing concern from lawmakers over the potential it could escalate tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.

I dont think that its helpful to get into a Twitter shouting match with a 32-year-old dictator, Kim Jong Un, in North Korea. I think unfortunately that its escalated the tension in the situation, Democrat representative Joaquin Castro told ABCs This Week on Sunday reflecting on Trumps previous fire and fury comment.

And he needs to let his diplomats, and his military generals and others, handle this situation, Castro added.

Trumps tweets on the topic have previously prompted lawmakers from both parties to express concern, with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain among those who spoke out about the presidents tweet on the isolated nation.

I take exception to the Presidents comments because youve got to be sure that you can do what you say youre going to do, McCain told radio station KTAR.

Story continues

The great leaders Ive seen dont threaten unless theyre ready to act and Im not sure President Trump is ready to act, he added.

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Activist Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17 after surviving an assassination attempt by a Taliban gunman in 2012. (Photo: Getty Images)

Activist Malala Yousafzai has issued a powerful statement urging my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars de facto leader, to do something about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the countrys Rakhine state, where tens of thousands of the Rohingya people are fleeing deadly violence against their minority group.

Yousafzai, 20, said on Sunday that she was still waiting for Suu Kyi to condemn the tragic and shameful treatment of the Rohingya community.

Today we have seen pictures of small children killed by Myanmars security forces, wrote Yousafzai, who was awarded the Nobel Prize at the age of 17. These children attacked no one, but still their homes were burned to the ground.

The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting for Suu Kyi to act, Yousafzai continued.

Suu Kyi, who earned international fame after Myanmars military government placed her under house arrest in the 1990s, has been roundly criticized this week by the international community for failing to stand up to the Myanmar military on behalf of the Rohingya  a stateless, ethnic Muslim group described as the worlds most persecuted minority.

Since the end of August, more than 70,000 Rohingya have fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Hundreds  if not thousands  of Rohingya are believed to have died in clashes between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, a militant group.

Refugees have accused the Myanmar military of indiscriminately killing civilians, including children; razing entire villages; and committing rape and torture.

Everything ... destroyed by the military, a Rohingya refugee named Mohammed Harun told CNN. Genocide is going on there.

Story continues

Suu Kyi has yet to react publicly on the latest violence in Rakhine state, reported Channel NewsAsia on Monday.

Her government, however, has previously blocked attempts by the United Nations to investigate allegations of the Myanmar army committing human rights violations in Rakhine state.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said we would not coordinate with the U.N. fact-finding mission as we have disassociated ourselves from the resolution because we do not think that the resolution is in keeping with what is actually happening on the ground, said an official in June, according to Radio Free Asia.

Suu Kyis government, which does not recognize the Rohingya as an ethnic group of Myanmar, has blamed the violence in Rakhine on extremist terrorists.

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto leader, has been criticized for remaining silent about the violence facing the Rohingya minority. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)

In an op-ed published Friday, the editorial board of The Washington Post reminded Suu Kyi of her Nobel lecture in 2012, in which she urged the world not to forget those who are suffering.

Wherever suffering is ignored, there will be the seeds of conflict, for suffering degrades and embitters and enrages, she said then.

When will Aung San Suu Kyi speak out for the suffering of the Rohingya, the editorial questioned.

Also on HuffPost

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
From mugshots to glamour shots, one North Carolina mans arrest may have made him famous.

Mekhi Alante Lucky, whose arrest photo went viral in 2016, has landed a contract with Atlanta-based agency, St. Claire Modeling.

Lucky, who has one blue eye and one brown due to the genetic condition heterochromia, is now set to walk in Fashion Week in New York this month.

Read: 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks Offers O.J. Simpson Advice: 'Stay Out of Trouble'

I saw his mugshot last year. His look is extraordinary. I immediately found him interesting. I just didnt know who he was, Demanti O'Bryant, the founder St. Claire Modeling, told InsideEdition.com. Eventually I found him on Instagram and reached out.

Lucky, 20, was arrested in April 2016 for allegedly possessing a stolen vehicle and alluding arrest. He also has two misdemeanor charges for interfering with emergency communications and resisting an officer.

Story continues

Lucky, who is 5-foot-10, currently hasnt yet been convicted of any felonies, however, reports said.

O'Bryant decided to fly Lucky out for a test shoot in July, which he said went great.

Photographer @christian__cody Styled by @demantistclaire A post shared by Mr. Lucky  (@officialmekhilucky) on Aug 26, 2017 at 4:33pm PDT

It went extremely well even though it was his first time in front of a professional camera, O'Bryant said.

Read: 'Hot Mugshot Guy' Makes Runway Debut at New York Fashion Week

O'Bryant said he isnt worried about Luckys past.

He has a clean slate with me. I havent had any problems with him, he said. Hes very well-mannered for the most part. For me, he acts like he has his head on straight and hes very open to learning because its a whole lifestyle change. He is just absorbing it all.

Lucky may be following in the footsteps of "Hot Felon" Jeremy Meeks whose 2014 viral prison mughshot launched his career. Meeks has walked in fashion week in New York and Milan.

Watch: See Tattoo Progression on Man's Face After Each Arrest Over the Last 8 Years

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A North Carolina man was arrested after he told a 911 dispatcher that he woke up from a dream covered in blood and found his wife stabbed in their bedroom.

Matthew Phelps, a 29-year-old aspiring pastor, called 911 around 1 a.m. Friday and told the dispatcher that he thought he killed his wife, 29-year-old Lauren Ashley-Nicole Phelps.

Read: Arrest Made in 1999 Cold Case Murder of Prosecutor Found Dead in Bathtub

When the dispatcher asked what happened, Phelps says in the 911 call, I had a dream. And then I turned on the lights and shes dead on the floor. I have blood all over me and theres a bloody knife on the bed and I think I did it.

Phelps told police he had taken cold medicine before going to bed.

I took more medicine than I should have. I took Coricidin Cough and Cold because I know it can make you feel good and sometimes I cant sleep at night, Phelps told the operator.

Phelps said he didnt know if his wife was beyond help because he was too scared to get close to her to check. He said the blood on his body had already dried.

Police responded to the Raleigh townhouse to find the woman mortally wounded. She was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Phelps was charged with murder later that morning.

I can't believe I did this, Phelps can be heard saying towards the end of the call. Oh my God. Oh God. She didnt deserve this. Why?

The couple had been married less than a year, The News & Observer reported. Phelps had been studying to become a pastor and his wife was a Sunday school teacher, reports said.

Phelps is being held without bond at the Wake County Detention Center. His wife's funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Hope Lutheran Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Read: Killer Who Was Granted Parole in 1995 'Jenny Jones Show' Murder Walks Free

Her family set up a YouCaring fundraiser to help ease the financial burden as they grieve.

Story continues

Online records don't show whether Phelps has an attorney.

Watch: Teens Charged With Murder After Killing Man Who Responded To Craigslist Ad: Cops

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Donald Trumps defense secretary has warned North Korea of a massive military response if they threaten the United States or any of its allies.

Speaking on Sunday shortly after Pyongyang announced it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be attached to an intercontinental ballistic missile, James Mattis warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un should take heed.

Any threat to the United States or its territories including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response," Mattis said in a statement carried by The Hill shortly after a meeting held with President Trump and other military leaders at the White House on Sunday.

Mattis

Edgar Su/Reuters

"Kim Jong Un should take heed the United Nations Security Council's unified voice. All members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses. And they remain unanimous in their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely, North Korea.

His words echo those of President Trump, who took to Twitter following Pyongyangs announcement to state that appeasement would not work with North Korea.

South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing! he wrote on Sunday.

The president previously warned that North Korea would be met with a fire and fury like the world has never seen if the country carried out its threat of taking physical action in response to further United Nations sanctions.

Ahead of his Sunday meeting with his national security team to discuss the developments in North Korea, the president indicated that he would not rule out military action against the isolated nation, responding to a reporters question about whether he would attack North Korea with well see.

Story continues

Trump suggested there were also other options available in dealing with North Korea, including trade restrictions, while Mattis said following the meeting that there were a number of options for the U.S. and that the president wanted to hear them all.

Related Articles
Islamabad (AFP) - Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf said he would return to Pakistan to face trial in the murder case of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

A Pakistani court on Thursday pronounced Musharraf a fugitive in the murder trial but acquitted five men accused of involvement in the 2007 assassination of Bhutto, the first female prime minister of a Muslim country.

In a statement issued to the media Sunday, Musharraf said the verdict of the Rawalpindi Anti Terrorism Court was not against him.

"I will certainly come back to Pakistan and face the trial, as and when I am medically fit," he said.

"I have been framed in the Benazir Bhutto murder case by way of political victimization, while I had nothing to do with her untimely and tragic death," he said.

"I have not been the beneficiary of prime minister Benazir Bhutto's murder and the entire case as pitched against me is materially false, fictitious, fabricated and is a result of political intrigue," the former army chief said.

The anti-terrorism court branded Musharraf as an absconder and ordered the confiscation of his property.

The verdicts are the first to be issued since Bhutto was killed in a gun and suicide bomb attack nearly a decade ago, sparking street violence and plunging Pakistan into months of political turmoil.

Former president and military ruler Musharraf is alleged to have been part of a broad conspiracy to have his political rival killed before elections. He has denied the allegation.

He was charged with murder, criminal conspiracy for murder, and facilitation for murder in 2013, in an unprecedented move against an ex-army chief, challenging beliefs the military is immune from prosecution.

But he has been in self-imposed exile in Dubai ever since a travel ban was lifted three years later.

Musharraf's government blamed the assassination on Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who denied any involvement. He was killed in a US drone attack in 2009.

In 2010, the UN report accused Musharraf's government of failing to give Bhutto adequate protection and said her death could have been prevented.
The Nobel peace prize laureate is facing severe international criticism - STR

The foreign minister of Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation, flew to Myanmar for emergency talks on Sunday as the Rohingya crisis continues.

The visit came as pressure mounted on leader Aung San Suu Kyi to resolve the humanitarian crisis engulfing the Muslim Rohingya minority in her countrys restive Rakhine state.

The Nobel peace prize laureate is facing severe international criticism over her governments treatment of about 1.1 million Rohingya, one of the worlds most persecuted groups.

Indonesian Muslim activists in Jakarta stage an execution during a protest against Myanmar's alleged persecution of its Muslim Rohingya minority Credit: EPA/ADI WEDA

Minister Retno Marsudi arrived in Myanmar's capital, Yangon, as protestors in her own capital, Jakarta, launched a Molotov cocktail at the Myanmar embassy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that violence against the Muslim Rohingyas amounted to genocide, while British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned Aung San Suu Kyi that the oppression of the minority was besmirching her countrys reputation.

About 73,000 Rohingya refugees have fled across the border from Myanmar to Bangladesh over the past week, with aid workers warning that relief camps can take no more.

Myanmar's military says almost 400 people have died in recent violence in the western state of Rakhine Credit: AP Photo/Bernat Armangue

Nearly 400 people have officially died since the exodus began on August 25 after Rohingya insurgents attacked Myanmar paramilitary posts, in what they claimed was an attempt to protect their Muslim minority from persecution.

The military responded with sweeping clearance operations, declaring the majority of casualties were militants.

But Rohingya human rights activists countered that at least 1,000, mainly civilians, had been massacred by government soldiers.

There are one thousand confirmed Rohingya people who have been killed by the Burmese army and that [death] toll may be much higher, claimed Tun Khin, President of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK.

The military is burning down many villages. They are throwing children into the fire, he told The Telegraph.

Story continues

Reports of civilian casualties were backed by an aid official in Bangladesh who told AP that over 50 refugees had arrived with bullet injuries.

Many are also suffering from respiratory diseases and malnutrition.

Refugees reaching the Bangladeshi fishing village of Shah Porir Dwip also described Rohingya being burned alive and bombs exploding near their homes.

Profile | Aung San Suu Kyi

The military and extremist Rakhine are burning us, burning us, killing us, setting our village on fire, said a man who gave only his first name, Karim.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar admitted on Saturday that a total of 2,625 houses from Kotankauk, Myinlut and Kyikanpyin villages and two wards in Maungtaw were burned down.

The government has blamed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa), the insurgent group that initially launched the coordinated attacks on military checkposts one week ago.

However, Human Rights Watch said the government had provided no evidence, and urged an independent investigation.

Rohingya refugees stand in heavy rain as they are held by the Border Guard Bangladesh Credit: REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain

New satellite imagery shows the total destruction of a Muslim village, and prompts serious concerns that the level of devastation in northern Rakhine state may be far worse than originally thought, said the groups deputy Asia director, Phil Robertson.

Meanwhile, the head of the Myanmar armed forces, General Min Aung Hlaing, blamed the current crisis on unfinished business from World War 2, when, he claimed Bengalis attacked, murdered and coerced the ethnic peoples of Rakhine state from their homes.

We will never let such a terrible occurrence happen again, he said, vowing to protect Myanmar from Arsa extremist Bengali terrorists.

Human rights workers such as Benedict Rogers, East Asia team leader for Christian Solidarity Worldwide, have compared the current Rohingya crisis to the notorious massacres of Rwanda, Darfur and Kosovo.

I have worked on Myanmar for the past twenty years... I have seen many tragedies. But the tragedy unfolding right now is one of the worst I have known, he said.
The US imported $463bn worth of goods from China in 2016. Cutting off trade with Beijing would trigger a protectionist spiral leading to a global recession

Donald Trump, left, and Chinese president Xi Jinping arrive for a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, earlier this year. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AP

Donald Trump huddled with his national security advisers on Sunday to try to decide on a response to North Koreas sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

Pyongyang said it had detonated a hydrogen bomb, using nuclear fusion as well as fission, and the seismic data suggested a blast that was ten times as big as any of its previous tests.

Before meeting his advisors, Trump was asked if he was considering a military response. Well see, he replied.

However, his initial responses on Twitter suggested the key aspect of the US reaction would be a call on China and other trading partners to tighten the economic vice on North Korea.

The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea, Trump tweeted.

The threat was not seen as credible. In 2016, the US imported $463bn worth of goods from China, North Koreas biggest trade partner. Cutting off trade with Beijing would trigger a protectionist spiral that would create a global recession.

Steven Mnuchin, the US treasury secretary, said he would begin drafting a new package of sanctions. A previous round had targeted mostly Chinese companies that did business with North Korea. Weve already started with sanctions against North Korea but I am going to draft a sanctions package to send to the president for his strong consideration, Mnuchin told Fox News.

However, former officials and analysts said that much would depend on how China now reacted. Beijing had repeatedly warned the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, not to carry out another nuclear test.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, tweeted on Sunday: We along w/Japan, France, the UK and S.Korea have called for an emergency Security Council meeting on N.Korea in the open tomorrow at 10am.

Story continues

Working with China and other Pacific powers is Washingtons best of a dwindling range of options. With the latest test, North Korea is signalling that it has made a technological breakthrough. Hours earlier, Kim had been photographed with what appeared to be a two-stage thermonuclear warhead. The video footage and photographs suggested that the device was designed to be small enough to fit into the nose cone of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that Pyongyang tested twice in July, which could potentially reach the US mainland.

While we dont know for absolute certain the device was a thermonuclear warhead, there is little doubt in my mind it was, said James Acton, a nuclear weapons expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. I think it probably can miniaturize; and for policy development, we have to assume it can.

That is a capacity that Trump and his predecessors in the White House vowed that North Korea would never achieve. Now that there are convincing signs that Pyongyang has reached that stage, it is likely to be too late for a credible military option. Any attempt at a preventative attack would probably trigger a cataclysmic response against US allies, US bases and possibly the US homeland itself.

The military options are all bad, Michael Hayden, the former director of the NSA and CIA, told CNN. Theyre not zero. We have got them  but none of them are good.

He added: This may be the time now to really hammer home that we are deadly serious on your performance, China, on sanctions.

Abraham Denmark, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for east Asia, said: This may be a moment of clarity for China. Supporting stronger sanctions, even cutting off oil and labor, is a real possibility.

China will see a sixth nuke test just before their Party Congress, and despite Chinese warnings, as a slap in the face to Beijing.

The test is likely to accelerate moves already under way in Japan and South Korea to build up missile defence systems and generally increase military spending.

There was growing concern in Washington and among US allies that Trumps gut responses to events on the Korean peninsula could complicate efforts to put together a concerted international response, and add to the dangers of an already highly volatile and perilous situation.



The North Korean nuclear test, and before it a highly provocative missile test over Japan, was conducted in defiance of Trumps threat in early August to rain fire and fury down on the regime if it continued its threats against the US.

Even after his bluff was called, Trump made another empty threat, to cut off trade with anyone doing business with North Korea. He also took the opportunity to lash out at South Korea, one of Washingtons closest allies in the region, accusing the government of President Moon Jae-in of appeasement.

To complicate matters, on the eve of the test, Trump was reported to be considering pulling the US out of a five year-old trade agreement with Seoul.

North Korea would like to split the US from South Korea and Japan by threatening the US mainland, and make the US afraid to come to their defence, said Cheryl Rofer, a chemist who worked at the Los Alamos nuclear weapons laboratory and now writes on the Nuclear Diner website, discussing nuclear scientist and policy.

Most diplomacy takes place beneath the public radar: diplomats talking to each other, finding common ground, ways not to embarrass each other, Rofer said. Trump and his people have no understanding of such things. Trump is splitting with South Korea all by himself. Kim Jong Un is laughing at him.

Seismic readings recorded a second tremor after the initial blast that experts said could be the collapse of the cavern of molten lava created by the nuclear explosion. That could increase the chance that isotopes could have escaped from the blast site that would then be picked up by planes flown by western governments close to North Korean airspace, which would provide more detail about what kind of bomb was tested.

In an announcement carried on state TV, North Korea said the test, its sixth since 2006, had been a complete success and involved a two-stage thermonuclear weapon with unprecedented strength.



The TV announcement  accompanied by patriotic music and images of North Korean scenery and military hardware  said the test had been ordered by the countrys leader, Kim Jong-un.

The explosion was heralded by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake about six miles (10km) from North Koreas Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north-east of the country. It was felt over the Chinese border in Yanji.



South Koreas meteorological administration estimated the blast yield at between 50 to 60 kilotons, or five to six times stronger than North Koreas fifth test in September last year.

Kim Young-woo, the head of South Koreas parliamentary defence committee, said later that the yield was as high as 100 kilotons. One kiloton is equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT.

The previous nuclear blast in North Korea is estimated by experts to have been about 10 kilotons.
Washington (AFP) - Despite the US warning on Sunday of a "massive military response" to any threat from North Korea, the Trump administration has few good options to force the North to rein in its nuclear and missile programs following Pyongyang's most powerful nuclear test yet.

Its best hope may be to further expand its already wide-reaching economic sanctions against the North, hoping this new pain might finally bring Kim Jong-Un to show restraint.

- A military strike? Unlikely -

North Korea's latest nuclear test does not seem to have altered the American equation, though it may have toughened US rhetoric. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Sunday that "any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam or our allies, will be met with a massive military response."

And President Donald Trump tweeted earlier of the North Koreans that "they only understand one thing" -- presumably force.

But experts said force has clear limits.

"There are no realistic military options in terms of striking North Korea, because doing so would likely spark a full-scale war," Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director for America of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told AFP.

The North has massed powerful artillery units at the border of South Korea capable of wreaking immense destruction on Seoul, a city of 10 million just 35 miles (55 kilometers) away. An American strike against the North could thus spark a conflagration between the two Koreas that could spread quickly into a regional conflict.

"Before everyone goes nuts, a nuclear test by North Korea is a troubling development but does not change the nature of the challenge we face," tweeted Jon Wolfsthal, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"Such a test does not require a military response, which is good because we don't have any viable options."

- Applying military pressure -

Without actually striking, the United States can increase its military pressure on Pyongyang. Before the North's latest nuclear test, the American and South Korean presidents had agreed to strengthen Seoul's missile capabilities -- a way to bolster its dissuasive capacity.

Story continues

"Viable military options include moves such as deploying additional assets to the region," Fitzpatrick said. "Note that South Korea now wants to consider redeploying US tactical nuclear weapons" -- a move he called complicated but viable.

The US military withdrew all its tactical arms from South Korea 25 years ago.

Another form of pressure requires no weapons -- the sort of bellicose rhetoric Trump employed when he uttered his famous phrase about unleashing "fire and fury" on the North. On Sunday, Mattis even evoked the possibility of the "total annihilation" of the North, should Pyongyang bring matters to a head.

But rhetoric, too, has its limits. During a lull late last month after Trump's "fire and fury" comment, the US president said he thought Kim was "starting to respect us," but days later the North sent a missile sailing over Japan.

And on Sunday came the test of a bomb more powerful than the one that destroyed Hiroshima.

- Again, economic sanctions -

The American administration seemed on Sunday to be leaning toward economic sanctions.

"The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea," Trump tweeted.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would propose a series of tough economic sanctions for Trump's consideration aimed at any country doing business with the North. He said he wanted to work with US allies and with China, which buys 90 percent of all North Korean exports.

On August 22, the US announced sanctions against six individuals and 10 companies from Russia and China for doing business with the North.

The United States was behind the last set of United Nations sanctions against North Korea, adopted unanimously on August 6 by the Security Council, with the notable support of China and Russia. That seventh series of sanctions aimed to deprive the North of a billion dollars in revenues from sales of coal, iron and seafood.

The next step from the UN could be a full or partial petroleum embargo.

Another option mentioned by British officials at the UN: sanctions to require Russia and China to expel North Korean expatriate workers -- an important revenue source for Pyongyang.
North Korea claimed to have tested a hydrogen bomb to fit to an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It would be the hermit states first nuclear test in a year and its sixth since it began testing nukes in 2006.

The pariah state made the announcement Sunday after South Korean authorities detected an artificial earthquake close to a nuclear test site in its northern neighbor. Seoul's meteorological administration estimated that the test was six times more powerful than North Koreas last nuclear test in September 2016.

Heres what we know so far.

What happened?

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the country had detected a 5.7 magnitude artificial earthquake close to the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north of the country, where Pyongyang has conducted nuclear tests in the past. The artificial earthquake was presumed to be a result of North Koreas sixth nuclear test, the JCS said, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 6.3 magnitude explosion near the Punggye-ri site but said it was unable to determine whether it was the result of a nuclear test. The USGS also reported a secondary 4.1 magnitude event, which it said was possibly a structural collapse associated with the larger event.

What has North Korea said?

North Koreas Nuclear Weapons Institute issued a statement, confirming that a hydrogen bomb designed to be loaded on to ICBMs had been tested with perfect success.

The perfect success in the test of the H-bomb for ICBM clearly proved thatproduction technology of nuclear weapons of the DPRK has been put on a high level to adjust its destructive power in consideration of the targets and purposes, said the statement.

North Koreas state news agency KCNA also reported that the countrys supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, had visited nuclear scientists and watched an H-bomb be loaded into new ICBM. KCNA also released a photograph of Kim purportedly inspecting the hydrogen bomb.

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Kim Jong Un nuclear weapons

KCNA via Reuters

How does this compare to past tests by North Korea?

If confirmed, this would be the sixth nuclear test North Korea has executed in total and the largest overall; other, smaller nuclear tests came in October 2006, May 2009, February 2013, January 2016 and September 2016.

North Korea has regularly carried out tests of ICBMs with the stated aim of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam and, eventually, the U.S. mainland. Pyongyang fired a missile that flew over northern Japan on Monday, resulting in citizens being told to seek refuge in shelters. But experts have generally been skeptical of North Koreas ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead, so that it could be loaded onto an ICBM and theoretically used to attack the mainland of the United States.

Read more: Russia worries about the Korean Peninsula being on the brink of a large-scale conflict

The weapon North Korea claims to have tested on Sunday, a hydrogen bomb, is more powerful than an atomic bomb. A South Korean lawmaker told Yonhap that a provisional report showed that the sixth nuclear test had a yield of up to 100 kilotons, four to five times stronger than the atomic bomb dropped by U.S. forces on Nagasaki in August 1945. The claim has not yet been confirmed, though an independent seismology organization in Norway also estimated the blast had a yield of around 120 kilotons.

Whats the reaction been?

South Korean President Moon Jae-in convened emergency security council talks following the earthquake and Seouls head of national security, Chung Eui-yong, spoke with U.S. counterpart H. R. McMaster in a 20-minute telephone conversation, according to the South Korean presidential office.

The foreign ministry of China, which has long been seen as North Koreas main ally, issued a statement saying that it resolutely opposes and strongly condemns the nuclear test. Japans Foreign Minister Taro Kono said that the test, if confirmed, would represent an unforgivable violation of sanctions and requested cooperation from the United States in adopting a new U.N. Security Council resolution against Pyongyang.

What is the U.S. going to do?

Besides McMasters reported phone call, the U.S. government has not yet responded to the earthquake and nuclear test. U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified rhetoric against Kim and his regime in recent weeks, tweeting on Wednesday that talking is not the answer to the standoff between the two countries. Some top White House officials contradicted this stance, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who said the U.S. had not run out of diplomatic options.

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Neutral Switzerland is prepared to act as a mediator to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, Swiss President Doris Leuthard has said

Ms Leuthard said Swiss troops were deployed on the demarcation zone between South Korea and North Korea and the country had a long history of neutral diplomacy.

But China and the United States had to take their share of responsibility, she added.

"We are ready to offer our role... as a mediator," Ms Leuthard told a news conference.

"It is really time now to sit down at a table. Big powers have a responsibility."

South Korea said it was talking to the United States about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula after signs North Korea might launch more missiles in the wake of its sixth and largest nuclear test.

The UN Security Council has scheduled a second emergency meeting in a week about North Korea after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North's persistent weapons programmes.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground on Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang's "outrageous" launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

Less than a month ago, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on the reclusive nation.

North Korea is "deliberately undermining regional peace and stability," the council said when it rebuked the latest missile test, reiterating demands for the country to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes.

North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, prompting a warning of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said after meeting Donald Trump and his national security team.

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"But as I said, we have many options to do so."

The US President previously vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and said he would unleash "fire and fury" if it threatened US territory.
North Korea announced early Sunday that it has successfully test fired a hydrogen bomb, eliciting alarmed reactions from world leaders. This was Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test, and according to experts ten times more powerful than earlier tests conducted over the years.

An H-bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, is a weapon energized by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes  deuterium and tritium. The bomb produces a much stronger blast, nearly hundred times more destructive than an atomic bomb, which relies on tearing heavy atoms such as plutonium and uranium apart  a process known as fission.

Even in H-bombs, the primary explosion needed to generate the energy that helps kick-start the fusion process is caused by a fission reaction, which later causes a secondary explosion, which is triggered by the fusion of the hydrogen isotopes.

Two atomic bombs were used to level Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II that killed more than 200,000 people.

On Sunday, South Korea's Kim Young-woo of the minor opposition Bareun Party said that the explosive power of the latest nuke apparently appeared to be much stronger than Pyongyang's fifth one estimated to have a yield of 10 kilotons. One kiloton is equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT.

(The Norths latest test) is estimated to have a yield of up to 100 kilotons, though it is a provisional report, Kim Young-woo told Yonhap News Agency over the phone. The test will be a very crucial political and strategic inflexion point.

The bombs dropped by the United States over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed over 200,000 people, had yields of 13 and 21 kilotons, respectively.

atomicbombingofjapan

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Fusion-powered H-bombs can have yields measurable in megatons. The most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated was the H-bomb Tsar Bomba, which was tested by the Soviet Union in 1961 and had a yield of at least 50 megatons, making it 3,800 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The bomb is 100 megatons and reportedly has a fireball radius of 1.88 miles and a radiation radius of 4.65 miles. To date, H-bombs have never been used in war.

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While announcing Sunday's test, North Korea said its sixth nuclear test was a "perfect success." The confirmation came just hours after seismologists detected an earth tremor measuring 6.3-magnitude.

The test took place in Kilju County, where the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site is situated. The "artificial quake" was 9.8 times more powerful than the tremor from the North's fifth test, Japan's state weather agency said.

Chinese authorities said two tremors were felt in a gap of few minutes, some are suspecting a tunnel collapse where the underground nuclear test was conducted. Concerns also grew about a radiation leak.

North Korea's state TV also said Sunday that the H-bomb can be mounted on an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

Our hydrogen fuel, which can be arbitrarily adjusted from tens to hundreds of kilotons depending on the target of the nuclear strike, not only exerts enormous destructive power, but can also explode at a high altitude, producing a super powerful EMP [electromagnetic pulse] against a vast region, North Korea's KCNA said.

Following the test, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the country's military has "raised its alert status and stepped up its surveillance on North Korea."

This is not the first time North Korea has claimed to have tested an H-bomb. Last year in January, Pyongyang claimed to have tested an H-bomb, eliciting alarmed reactions from world leaders.

North Korea has carried out nuclear bomb tests since at least 2006 and has been subject to United Nations sanctions. Most recently, President Donald Trump threatened Kim Jong Un with "fire and fury" if they did not stop their nuclear advancements.

It is now believed Trump's rhetoric did little to stop the reclusive country from continuing its nuclear prowess. The United States is yet to release a statement about North Korea's nuclear test and it is unclear how the Trump administration will react.

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Pyongyang's favourite newsreader - a woman in her 70s -- returned to the airwaves Sunday to declare its proud possession of a hydrogen bomb.

Ri Chun-Hee has previously told her loyal viewers of the deaths of the country's founder Kim Il-Sung and his son Kim Jong-Il, several of the nuclear tests that have seen it subjected to multiple rounds of United Nations sanctions.

Nowadays her appearances are rare, but two months ago she announced the launch of its intercontinental ballistic missile, and she was back on Korean Central Television screens Sunday with its latest milestone.

Ahead of the announcement, it showed military parades, missile launches, fireworks over the monument to the founding of the ruling Workers' Party, and other patriotic images.

In front of a backdrop of Mt Paektu, the dormant volcano on the Chinese border that is the fount of Korean nationhood, she trembled with excitement, smiling broadly as she pronounced the test's "perfect success".

It "clearly proved" that the North's nuclear weapons had a "highly precise basis", she said, wearing a pink and black traditional dress, known as hanbok in the South and choson chogori in the North, adorned with a badge of Kim Il-Sung and his son and successor Kim Jong-Il.

The broadcaster carried images of leader Kim Jong-Un, the third generation of the family to rule the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as the country is officially known, sitting at a circular table with a general and three other officials.

It also showed his handwritten order for the test to be carried out at noon on September 3.

The test "marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force", Ri said.
Caracas (AFP) - One of Venezuela's leading opposition figures, national assembly leader Julio Borges was in Europe Sunday ahead of meetings with European leaders for talks on Venezuela's deadly political crisis, he said.

Borges was due to meet with the leaders of France, Germany, Spain and Britain.

"The first meeting Borges has is with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday; then on Tuesday he will go to Madrid for a meeting with Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy," according to a statement.

Wednesday, Borges, who leads the opposition-dominated assembly that President Nicolas Maduro has effectively shut down, meets in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel, ahead of a stop in London for a private meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May.

On Saturday, Lilian Tintori, an activist and wife of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, said on Twitter that Venezuelan immigration officials confiscated her passport on orders from the chief prosecutor's office.

The assembly's number two official, Freddy Guevara said on Twitter that he was with Borges on the trip and brought along Tintori's concerns.

International powers accuse Maduro of dismantling democracy by taking over state institutions in order to resist opposition pressure for him to quit, amid an economic crisis that has caused shortages of food and medicine.

"I was ready to report that there are human rights violations in Venezuela; that it is a dictatorship, that there are 590 political prisoners; and that 53 percent of our children are malnourished," she stressed Saturday.

Tintori's husband was sentenced in 2015 to nearly 14 years in prison on charges of inciting deadly violence in street protests.

In July, Lopez was moved to his home and placed under house arrest after spending nearly 3.5 years in a military prison.

Venezuela is suffering an economic crisis that has caused epic food and medicine shortages.

Prosecutors say some 130 people were killed this year in four months of anti-government protests.

Maduro says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. He has vowed to request an Interpol notice for Ortega's arrest.
Last year, record labels took the popular YouTube-ripping site YouTube-mp3.org to court seeking the pirating website's permanent shutdown and $150,000 per violation. Well, the labels, helmed by the RIAA, have, as of today, won with recent court filings pointing towards a settlement between the two parties.

These sorts of websites let users download audio and video files from YouTube and in their suit, the RIAA claimed that YouTube-mp3.org had around 60 million visitors and tens to hundreds of millions of illegal downloads per month. When the lawsuit was brought forth, RIAA President Cary Sherman said in a statement, "It should not be so easy to engage in this activity in the first place, and no stream ripping site should appear at the top of any search result or app chart."

The website's owner has agreed to pay a settlement, though the details of that haven't been released, and a proposed injunction prohibits anyone associated with the website from having anything to do with a "streamripping" website in the future. The website domain name will also be given to one of the record labels.

The proposed judgement and injunction haven't been approved and ordered by the court yet and the website is still up as of writing, but similar sites and apps are already being taken down. As Mac Rumors reports, ProTube was removed from the App Store last week after multiple requests from Google for it to be taken down.
MANILA (Reuters) - A Philippine government agency on Monday said a murder complaint would be filed against policemen who shot dead a teenager accused of robbery, the second such case in just over a week against police from the same part of the capital, Manila. The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) said an autopsy by its forensic experts indicated that Carl Angelo Arnaiz, 19, was tortured before he was shot in Caloocan City, and the manner of his killing was similar to that of a high school student shot dead in Caloocan on Aug. 16 by anti-drugs officers. The death of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos stirred rare public outrage about President Rodrigo Duterte's ferocious war on drugs, in which thousands of people have been killed. Delos Santos was dragged by plain-clothes policemen to a dark, trash-filled alley before being shot in the head and left next to a pigsty, witnesses said. Police said he was armed and they killed him in self-defense. The body of Arnaiz was found on Aug. 28 by his parents at a morgue. He was last seen alive on Aug. 17, according to media. Citing a police report, they said Arnaiz was accused of robbing a taxi driver at gunpoint and died in an ensuing firefight with police. The killing has not been linked to the anti-drugs campaign. PAO chief Persida Acosta said Arnaiz' eyes were bruised and his wounded wrists showed handcuff marks, and he had four gunshot wounds in the chest and one in the right arm. "We will go to the Department of Justice to file murder charges. He was killed mercilessly," Acosta said. "He was handcuffed, so how could he fight back?" Oscar Albayalde, Metro Manila police chief, promised to investigate the killing of Arnaiz. Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, however, dismissed the similarity of Arnaiz' case to that of delos Santos. "I would like to caution everyone to please not to be so quick, condemning our policemen. That is a different case," he told reporters, referring to Arnaiz' killing. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Martin Petty and Clarence Fernandez)
The nurse who stood up to an officer who tried to take blood from a patient without their consent or a warrant, has been praised by police in Idaho.

Salt Lake City detective Jeff Payne was caught on camera as he argued with and then arrested Alex Wubbels for refusing to take a blood sample from the patient, who turned out to be William Gray, a police officer for the Idaho city of Rigby.

The Rigby Police Department would like to thank the nurse involved and hospital staff for standing firm, and protecting Officer Grays rights as a patient and victim," the force said in a Facebook post. Protecting the rights of others is truly a heroic act.

Mr Gray was badly injured in a car accident in July and was flown to the University of Utah for emergency treatment.

In hospital, police tried to draw blood from the patient, who was unconscious and therefore unable to consent.

The hospitals policy states blood cannot be taken from an unconscious patient unless they consent, have been arrested or a warrant has been granted.

Ms Wubbels informed Mr Payne he could not take blood under the circumstances, after checking with her managers.

She was arrested and filmed being dragged from the hospital to a police car, but was later released without charge.

Detective Payne is now facing a criminal investigation.
Damion Lasker, 24, stands next to debris on Sunday taken from his mother's flooded home in Katy, Texas, west of Houston. Houses on every street in this town have similar piles waiting for pickup. (Photo: JOSEPH RUSHMORE FOR HUFFPOST)

HOUSTON  Recovery and repair are going to take a long time.

There were still roads and neighborhoods in the greater Houston area underwater after Hurricane Harvey and its remnants unloaded dozens of inches of rain on southeastern Texas over the course of several days. Some local residents told HuffPost on Sunday that they still couldnt get into their homes.

But as the water continues to recede in and around the city, many have had the opportunity to assess the damage and begin the long process of repair.

In Katy, about 30 miles west of downtown Houston, 24-year old Damion Lasker was standing on his mothers lawn, deciding what hed clean up next. Piles of flooring, roofing, carpet and other debris lay in piles near the street, waiting for pickup. Looking down the street both ways, similar debris spanning entire front yards were piling up.

Crews of volunteers help locals in Katy rip out damaged furniture, roofing, flooring and wood from homes. (Photo: Joseph Rushmore for HuffPost)

A lot of people are having to rip up their homes. Its just sad, Lasker told HuffPost on Sunday. None of this stuff is replaceable  we had to get all of it out of the house. Luckily, though, everyone got out of here safe when the water started getting real high.

At Harveys peak, the water levels reached four-feet-high in some parts of Houston and surrounding communities, submerging vehicles, downing power lines and flooding many roads, homes and other buildings. Much of that floodwater is still stagnant in some neighborhoods, and crews are constantly seen pumping water off main highways like Interstate 10.

A silver lining for people like Lasker comes in the form of volunteers. When he was able to get back to his mothers home, a crew of good Samaritans dropped by and ripped out the waterlogged furniture, flooring and roofing alongside him. The whole process took only three hours, he said.

Down the street, a crew of about 10 with the engineering agency Oceaneering was helping to clear out a colleagues home, which was hit with about a foot of water. These impromptu operations are now seen everywhere, and can take days.

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Crews of volunteers at work in Katy. (Photo: Joseph Rushmore for HuffPost)

Pretty much everybody is helping out in their own way, all over the place, said Rob Letona, one of the crewmen.

Asked whether many of these homes will be considered a total loss, he said, Theyre salvageable as long as you do it in time, get rid of all the sheet rock and insulation, air out all the wood and framing, and cut everything out up to the water line. Otherwise itll rot out the wood and make it unstable and dangerous for living.

Lasker says the cleanup and repair process for his mothers house could take nine months or longer.

As work on residential properties proceeds, an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 students from the Houston Independent School District will need to be temporarily relocated from their storm-damaged schools to alternate facilities. As of Sunday morning, some 200 HISD school buildings had standing water, including 53 with major damage and 22 with extensive damage, according to Brian Busby, the districts chief operating officer.

Many small businesses throughout the region will also need to be rebuilt or repaired. Unfortunately, its common for business owners in the area to opt out of having flood insurance unless it is required by their mortgages or leases, according to Reuters.

After hitting Texas, the storm made landfall again in Louisiana on Wednesday. The death toll from the disaster is feared to be approaching 50 people, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.

A volunteer from Texas A&M University helps to clean up flood damage in the house of an alumnus in Houston on Sept. 2.

Artemio Tamez and Franco Tamez sit in front of Franco's house on Sept. 2 after spending the day cleaning it out after torrential rains in the wake of Hurricane Harvey caused widespread flooding throughout the Houston area.

Children pick through toys in a trash pile on Sept. 2.

Patrice Laporte looks to see how much water is in his house on Sept. 1.

A man disposes of drywall while salvaging through belongings from his home on Sept. 2.

Axa Alvarez (holding coat) and her family sort through clothes on on Sept. 2 as they clean out their house, which had been inundated with water.

Jay Jackson adds to the pile of trash from Harvey flood damage.

A man tears out damaged parts of a home.

Church volunteers work in a damaged home.

Nancy McBride collects items from her flooded kitchen as she returns to her home on Sept. 1 after the record-breaking rainfall in Houston.

Church volunteers work help clear out a damaged home.

A man adds to a pile of trash.

Ernesto Ramirez pauses as he cleans out his house.

Damaged furniture, carpets and flooring are piled at a curbside on Sept. 2.

The Sam Houston Parkway was still completely covered with Harvey floodwaters as of Sept. 1.

Carl Ellis talks to his daughter stuck in Canada, while standing in front of her house surrounded by Harvey floodwaters on Aug. 31.

Giant mounds of trash from flood-damaged homes line a sidewalk on Sept. 2.

A girl sits amid giant piles of trash on Sept. 2.

Pete Schroeter surveys his flooded garage on Aug. 31 for the first time after his house was flooded.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
An image from Camila Bravos Instagram page.

Three years ago, Camila Bravo didnt even have an Instagram account. Today Bravo, a 24-year-old make-up artist in Philadelphia, has over 450,000 followers on Instagram and earns well over six figures  with potential to earn even more.

Influencers like Bravo are notoriously secretive about how much they earn by being on Instagram, which is owned by Facebook (FB). But Yahoo Finance spoke to a few who were willing to describe how the pay affected and changed their lives.

For her part, Bravo told Yahoo Finance she has paid off much off of her college debt, bought a new house, and invested money back into her own business  all thanks to her current career as an Instagram influencer.

I always thought of the app as a cool way to share my passion for makeup, she said. When asked if she saw this as a full-time lucrative career, she said, Never in a million years!

Heres how the average Instagram user becomes an influencer: When a regular Instagram user creates content focused on a particular market (health, fashion, beauty, etc.), they may begin to gain attention from brands. These brands, in turn, will pay Instagram influencers to place products within posts.

Bravos Hispanic roots have helped her appeal to advertisers, as she writes each of her Instagram posts in English and Spanish  which allows her to appeal to both the US and Latin American markets for beauty products.

Instagram Influencers are now getting agents

Recently, Camila joined the JGO Agency, which manages influencers who make well into six figures. Other influencers the agency represents include Angel Merino, who has 1.3 million followers, and Aaliyah Jay, who has 1.2 million followers.

BROWS BETTA WERK!! Im loving the new Fool proof brow powder from @benefitcosmetics! I use shade 5 to snatch these babies when I want a more natural look! Available in stores now and online on 9/1 #benefitbrows A post shared by Angel Merino (@mac_daddyy) on Aug 30, 2017 at 8:52pm PDT

The agency has helped Bravo gain new sponsorships. As an influencer manager, my number one goal for my clients is to always partner with brands who make sense for them and their audience, Jennifer Gomez Holguin of JGO Agency told Yahoo Finance.

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Originally from Colombia, Bravo has collaborated with Tarte Cosmetics, Ulta Beauty, Maybelline, and other brands. In addition, shes been featured on Popsugar, Elle, Telemundo, and many other media outlets.

The amount of money that influencers like Bravo make per post varies depending on the size of their following and other factors. But Holguin told Yahoo Finance that the annual earning potential for an influencer with a large following on multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) can absolutely eclipse six figures, and some of the biggest have potential to earn over seven figures.

Growing Instagram Influencer says it bought her freedom

Last July, Joelle Friend, a 25-year-old from Seattle, Washington, took some time off from her full-time marketing and sales position at a software company. She embarked on a 10-day trip as a Instagram influencer with Visit Finland, which required her to post at least six times. While she planned return to work the next week, she decided to quit her job after getting some more opportunities from other brands.

A year later, she says shes enjoying life way more than when she was in an office every day. Today, she calls herself a freelance social media influencer, particularly for the lifestyle and travel industry, with over 103,000 all authentic followers.

I am working with @theparksapparel to show you guys the cutest sweater for Valentines Day. Its so cozy and warm.  Its an exclusive Valentines Day sweater so get it while you can! A post shared by Joelle Friend (@joellefriend) on Feb 6, 2017 at 9:43am PST

Although shes not making as much as she was at her previous job, she says she intends to match her previous salary. Friend told Yahoo Finance she earns enough as an Instagram Influencer to save, buy essentials, and pay rent for her two-bedroom apartment with her one roommate.

It bought me freedom to do whatever I want, when I want to do it, she says of her new gig. Still, Friend does have some obligations. She has deadlines to meet and many, many emails to answer. She also has to engage with her followers. On average, shell receive 130 comments per a photo and 9,000 likes, but she knows that her followers respond the best in the early morning or afternoon. She receives this information from Instagram Insights.

Friend has to devote some more time negotiating prices. In Friends opinion, social media influencers often sell themselves short and post for companies just to make a quick buck and gain legitimacy for their page.

Some companies, you tell them your budget, and they just find someone who does it cheaper, Friend told Yahoo Finance, and thats that just the nature of it.

Patience is essential to be within this industry, Friend believes. The money will come if its (the content) valuable and people like it, she said.

Instagram as a side hustle

Over the course of the past seven months Corey Favino, an undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island, has made $1,350 from his collaboration with six different brands. Each month, he was required to post one photo on Instagram. Though this may be a side hustle for him now, Favino says, Its just the beginning.

Once Favino realized he wanted to pursue a degree in communications and media studies, specifically marketing and photography, he decided to combine his two hobbies  photography and social media advertising  in order to make money.

With syllabus week over and done with, stock up on the latest gear from @vineyardvines and keep an eye out for details on my spring semester #whalerep event  #edsftg A post shared by Corey Favino (@cjfavino) on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:02pm PST

With only 2,811 followers, Favino can be considered a beginner in the Instagram influencer world. I want to prove myself to a company. I want to show them what I can do, before I start asking for money, he said.

However, due to Favinos use of hashtags and tags within his photos, brands quickly began to reach out to him to capitalize on his audience of followers. From mid-May to July 4, Lokai sent Favino an array of bracelets to promote for its Wear Your World campaign. Lokai decided to use three of the photos that Favino sent in in exchange for $450 in compensation.

Favino has aspirations to travel the world as a photographer. For now, as he finishes up his senior year at the University of Rhode Island, he hopes to collaborate with different companies and continue to work with fellow up-and-coming social media influencers, like Ariel Laporte.

Meanwhile, hes earning some extra money just by doing something a lot of other college students do  posting on Instagram.

More from Brooke DiPalma:

Heres the next blockbuster acquisition Amazon could make

Why sparkling water sales could spike by 20% in 2017

This is the time to treat myself: Why so many millennials eat out 5 times a week
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump plans to end an Obama-era program that protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation, according to multiple reports. But the decision wouldnt take effect for six months, raising the prospect that Trump could change his mind or Congress could work on a legislative solution  and prolonging uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of people protected by the program.

On Sunday, Politico and Reuters reported that Trump plans to eventually terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which grants work permits and protections for so-called Dreamers, or undocumented young people brought to the U.S. as children.

There will be a six-month delay to any enforcement of the presidents decision, unnamed sources told Politico and Reuters, which would give Trump ample time to reverse his decision or decline to follow through on it. Otherwise, Congress would have to pass legislation during that gap if they want to keep protections for DACA recipients in place. Dreamers might not know for months whether or how their lives could be upended.

The White House is expected to officially announce Trumps decision on Tuesday.

The decision would run against the recommendation of some Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who said Friday that Trump should keep DACA in place while Congress works on a legislative solution.

The program, often referred to as DACA, allows undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. before they turned 16 to apply for two-year work authorization and reprieve from deportation. Since President Barack Obama created DACA in 2012, nearly 800,000 people have been granted those protections, which meant they could obtain drivers licenses, work legally and live without the imminent threat of being returned to countries they hadnt seen since childhood.

Trumps decision comes ahead of an informal Sept. 5 deadline set by state attorneys general who threatened legal action if the president did not suspend DACA by that time.

Story continues

But supporters of DACA, including members of Congress and immigrant rights groups, said Trump could have fought for the program in court  or even waited to see if the states actually followed through on a legal challenge. They made a last-ditch push to persuade him to maintain DACA. Instead, the presidents decision could put those hundreds of thousands of Dreamers in limbo.

Trump said repeatedly during his presidential campaign that he would end DACA  which he argued was unconstitutional  immediately upon becoming president. But he also spoke often about Dreamers in a vague but positive way, hinting that he favored action to support them. Last December, Trump said he would work something out for Dreamers. In February, he said he would show great heart toward them. In April, he said Dreamers should rest easy because his focus was deporting criminals.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Thursday ahead of the announcement that Trump absolutely stood by his commitment to treat Dreamers with heart.

The president has kept DACA going for months in spite of his previous claims that it was illegal. From January through March, during most of which he was president, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approved nearly 125,000 people for DACA, most of them for renewal.

DACA recipients have not been entirely safe, however, under the Trump administration. Immigrant rights advocates said there has been an uptick in the detention of Dreamers since the president took over and began an expansion of deportation efforts.

Without DACA, all Dreamers would be at risk of deportation. Trump officials have said no individuals are exempt from removal, and have sought to deport people who merely cross their paths even if they havent otherwise committed a crime. Trump wants to deport more undocumented immigrants, and more DACA recipients will likely be among them.

There could also be major economic implications. If DACA recipients are unable to renew their work permits, nearly 700,000 people who are currently employed would exit the workforce. An average of 1,400 people would lose work authorization each business day and more than 6,000 could be fired in the first week alone, according to a recent report by FWD.us and the Center for American Progress, both supporters of the program.

Deporting Dreamers is not a popular move  even among Republicans and Trump supporters, according to polling. Nearly two-thirds of all Americans support DACA, according to a NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll. That means there is a chance Congress will step in and protect Dreamers, although its not clear the White House would buy in without major concessions from Democrats on a border wall, immigration enforcement and cuts to legal immigration. Such a deal was reportedly being pushed by top White House officials, but Democrats quickly shot it down at the time, saying Dreamers should not be used as bargaining chips.

The White House has not supported other bipartisan efforts to help Dreamers that dont have additional items attached, such as the stopgap Bridge Act, which would temporarily extend protections, or the Dream Act, which would put them on a path to legal status and potential citizenship.

Congressional Republicans have repeatedly blocked efforts to grant legal protections to Dreamers, but will be under increased pressure to do so after Trumps announcement. Ahead of the decision, some Republican lawmakers said they planned to work on more legislation that focuses on Dreamers.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) intends to introduce what some backers are touting as a conservative version of the Dream Act, called the Recognizing Americas Children, or RAC Act, which was already introduced in the House and would grant legal status to a slightly narrower category of young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

Ryan, the House speaker, said Friday he also wants to pass a bill on Dreamers.

There are people in limbo, Ryan said on WCLO radio in Janesville, Wisconsin. These are kids that know no other country, who were brought here by their parents and dont know another home, and so I really do believe there needs to be a legislative solution, thats one that were working on.

Also on HuffPost

April 2015

At an event hosted by Texas Patriots PAC: Everythings coming across the border: the illegals, the cars, the whole thing. Its like a big mess. Blah. Its like vomit.

June 2015

At a speech announcing his campaign: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

August 2015

On NBC's "Meet the Press": Were going to keep the families together, we have to keep the families together, but they have to go."

September 2015

On CBS's "60 Minutes": Were rounding em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And theyre going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesnt sound nice. But not everything is nice.

November 2015

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe": You are going to have a deportation force, and you are going to do it humanely."

February 2016

At a GOP primary debate: We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out. They will come back  some will come back, the best, through a process.

March 2016

At a press conference when asked if he would consider allowing undocumented immigrants to stay: "We either have a country or we dont. We either have a country or we dont. We have borders or we dont have borders. And at this moment, the answer is absolutely not.

April 2016

At an event hosted by NBC's "Today Show": Theyre going to go, and were going to create a path where we can get them into this country legally, OK? But it has to be done legally. ... Theyre going to go, and then come back and come back legally.

July 2016

At the Republican National Convention: "Tonight, I want every American whose demands for immigration security have been denied  and every politician who has denied them  to listen very closely to the words I am about to say. On January 21st of 2017, the day after I take the oath of office, Americans will finally wake up in a country where the laws of the United States are enforced."

September 2016

At a rally: Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country. Otherwise we dont have a country.

September 2016

On "The Dr. Oz Show": Well, under my plan the undocumented or, as you would say, illegal immigrant wouldnt be in the country. They only come in the country legally.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Sheep in the Pyrenees where farmers say hundreds have been killed by bears - Universal Images Group Editorial

A bitter dispute over bears in France's Pyrenees mountains has intensified after farmers were accused of firing "50 shots" at state experts who came to assess how many sheep the beasts had killed.

Prosecutors in the Ariege, south-west France, have launched a judicial investigation into "violence with weapons" after a group of "thirty aggressive people" allegedly unleashed a hail of bullets in the vicinity of four experts from the national hunting and wildlife office, ONCFS.

The agents had come to check damage to sheep on August 25 after farmers reported fresh bear attacks on their livestock.

The farmers threatened to kill the terrified experts, according to the Ariege authorities.

A brown bear Credit: UKRAINE-BEAR/CENTER/REUTERS

No-one was hurt but the shots were "manifestly to intimidate them", said Karline Bouisset,the local prosecutor, who denounced a "general climate of hostility". The experts' car tyres were also slashed. They have pressed for charges.

Nicolas Hulot, the environment minister, swiftly condemned the incident.

Tensions have reached boiling point in the mountain range that straddles the French-Spanish border since July, when more than 200 sheep died after they hurtled over the edge of a cliff in the Pyrenees while being chased by a bear.

The sheep belonged to a farmer in the Couflens area on the French side of the border, but their bodies were found at the foot of a cliff just over the border in Spain. Local authorities sent experts to examine the scene and they concluded that the sheep had been running away from a bear.

A female brown bear with cubs Credit: TASS / Barcroft Images

Owners are compensated for each animal killed under a deal between the government and farmers when brown bears from Slovenia were introduced in the late 1990s.

But local sheep rearers complain that the bears have killed 400 livestock in the past month and say that cohabitation is no longer possible.

"Given the situation, it is clear that the bear and pastoralism are incompatible," warned three farmers' unions. They received the support of a group of local elected representatives who officially requested the French state remove the bear population, estimated at 39. The officials from the Ariege council said that the animals, should be "sent back" to their native Slovenia.

Story continues

France, eastern Pyrenees , aerial view of Villefranche de Conflent, Mont Canigou Credit: Brigitte MERLE/ Getty Images

Alain Servat, mayor of Uvuas, where most of the sheep deaths have occurred, has even unilaterally passed a decree banning bears from "wandering" into the mountainous area around his village. "There will one day be a problem with man - a tourist or inhabitant," he warned. "Bears are no more peaceful here than in Canada where they take precautions," he told La Depeche du Midi.

Local state authorities say that coexistence is possible, pointing out that in return for re-introducing the bears, farmers receive financial compensation for any damage and funding to buy Pyrenean dogs capable of keeping bears at bay.

"The state places supportive means to better protect shepherds and their flocks," Marie Lajust, the regional state prefect told AFP. "But pastoralism must evolve."

"I'd rather shoot a bear than see sheep rearer shoot himself in his barn out of despair," replied Bruno Besche-Commenge, spokesman for the anti-bear Association for the Sustainable Development of the Identity of the Pyrenees ADDIP.

He refused to condemn the shooting incident, saying that it was understandable that farmers were starting to "lose the plot" and that they had only fired in the air.

He said that it was in practice impossible to implement the recommended protective measures given the "very steep" terrain and the fact that "bears like wolves are intelligent and find ways round them".

"Last year the bears attacked and killed two 'patou' sheep dogs supposed to protect the flocks so it doesn't work," he told the Telegraph.

If nothing is done, "pastoralism in the central Pyrenees will die out within three years," he predicted.

For the pro-bear camp, bears only account for a tiny part of sheep losses in the Pyrenees.

"The amount of sheep killed (by bears) , without playing down the tragedy for rearers, is only a very small part of deaths due to falls, storms, parasites or other animals like stray dogs or wild boar," said Alain Reynes, president of Pays de l'Ours-Adet, a pro-bear association, who put figure of deaths from other causes at up to 30,000 per year. "The bear is a scapegoat."

If anything, pro-bear activists warn, the bear population is at risk of dwindling because no new ones have been have been reintroduced to the region since 2006, with successive governments avoiding the issue.
Sara Netanyahu is underinvestigation after being accused of misusing public funds - EPA FILE

Sara Netanyahu, the wife of the Israeli Prime Minister, has undergone a lie-detector test in an attempt to deflect allegations she misused public funds.

Police are investigating her on fraud and breach of trust charges after the former caretaker of her official residence made claims she had told him to inflate the number of guests at dinners and to record their purpose as state instead of private in order to receive more money for them.

She has denied the charges.

Avi Hadad, the owner of the company which conducted the test, said that, "upon examination of the test, we did not find in Mrs. Netanyahu's answers to the relevant questions any physiological responses which would indicate she is lying."

Mrs Netanyahu is a divisive figure, and has been described as "one of the most unpopular people in Israel".

The results of private lie detector tests are not admissible in Israeli courts because they are not believed to be reliable.

The news of the test came amid reports on Israeli television that the attorney general was expected to indict her by September 10.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Credit: REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Yossi Cohen, her lawyer, told Israeli public radio that the decision to take the test was taken, "following the horrible mudslinging against her and after we heard that she is going to be put on trial".

Her husband, Benjamin Netanyahu, is also under investigation in two corruption cases.

The first relates to suspicion he received illegal gifts from wealthy supporters, and the second alleges that he attempted to improperly arrange favorable coverage from a daily newspaper in exchange for legislation that would have hurt its competitor.

He has been questioned in relation to both the cases. Close associates of his are also implicated in two other corruption investigations, though Mr Netanyahu is not directly suspected in them.

The scandals resulting from accusations against him and his inner circle have raised questions about his political survival.

He denies all allegations of wrongdoing, and is not required to stand down unless convicted.
Daniel Suarez has seen a progressive improvement in his Joe Gibbs Racing team, particularly Michigan and Bristol.

The fast-food breakfast wars are heated, apparently.

Subway has ended its four-race sponsorship of Daniel Suarez a race early following an NBC segment with Suarez that included him handing out donuts to fans at New Hampshire.

As news of the Subway move broke over the weekend, there was initial confusion as to why the company had found a clause in its contract to get out. Monday, Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed to ESPN that the segment was the reason Subway used to terminate its sponsorship.

The video appears in search results when you snoop around for it on the internet, but has been deleted from NBCs NASCAR Facebook page.

Subway signed with Gibbs as a sponsor for Carl Edwards. It stayed with the team after the health-conscious drivers abrupt retirement following the 2016 season and Suarez assumed the role as NASCAR spokesperson. Its hard not to wonder if Subway was not thrilled with the loss of Edwards as its NASCAR pitchman. If the company was happy with the way things were going, why would it be so petty to use something like this to break a contract?

Suarez, the 2016 Xfinity Series champion, is currently 17th in the points standings.

      

Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Suspected Boko Haram militants killed 18 people in northeast Nigeria on Friday, according to local witnesses and officials, the latest in an escalating number of lethal attacks in the region. The knife-wielding attackers, moving under cover of night, targeted people in the town of Banki, 80 miles (130 km) southeast of the city of Maiduguri in Borno state, the epicentre of the eight-year conflict with Boko Haram, said a community leader and a local member of a vigilante group. The attack on the town, which sits on the border with Cameroon, is the latest in a string of deadly Boko Haram raids and bombings that have undermined the Nigerian military's statements that the insurgency is all but defeated. The frequency of attacks in northeastern Nigeria has increased in the last few months, killing at least 172 people since June 1 before Friday's attack, according to a Reuters tally. The attack on Banki left 18 dead, according to Modu Perobe, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, a regional vigilante group. Abor Ali, a local ruler, confirmed the death toll. Boko Haram's eight-year insurgency has left at least 20,000 dead and sparked one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with tens of thousands already in famine-like conditions, according to the United Nations. Some 8.5 million people in the worst affected parts of northeast Nigeria are now in need of some form of humanitarian assistance, with 5.2 million people lacking secure access to food, the U.N. has said. (Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; Writing by Paul Carsten; Editing by Tom Brown)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's army and its allies raced towards their enclave in Deir al-Zor after a rapid advance on Sunday, seeking to relieve it after years of Islamic State siege as jihadist defenses suddenly collapsed. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has focused this year on the campaign in Syria's desert, striking eastwards in a multi-pronged assault to restore Deir al-Zor, where Islamic State has held half the city and all the land around since 2014. Sunday's advance brought the army and its allies to about 10 km (6 miles) from the city, said the a military media unit run by the army's ally, Lebanon's Hezbollah group. On Friday, it reported the army was still 30 km (19 miles) away after capturing Jebel al-Bashri. A war monitor, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the army had advanced even farther, reaching the border of the besieged garrison's army camp on the western edge of Deir al-Zor. Intense fighting is taking place as the army attempts to break through Islamic State lines to join up with the besieged garrison, the Observatory reported. Syrian state television reported that Islamic State was in a state of collapse in the face of the army's progress. A Syrian military source had said on Saturday the army had also advanced eastwards from Sukhna, on the main road between Damascus and Deir al-Zor, along a parallel route of attack. Pro-government forces are also fighting to eradicate a large Islamic State enclave they left to their rear in central Syria as they advanced towards Deir al-Zor. (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Peter Cooney)
Three astronauts landed safely in a remote area near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on the morning of September 3.

NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer were joined by Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin as they returned from their mission aboard the International Space Station

With a total of 665 days in space, Whitson holds the U.S. record and places eighth on the all-time space endurance list. Whitson is an accomplished astronaut, who was also the first NASA science officer, the first female to command the space station (twice), first female chief of the astronaut office, and at seven spacewalks she holds the record for most spacewalks by a female, according to NASA. Credit: NASA via Storyful
President Donald Trumps threat to cut off trade with any country that does business with North Korea would have massive consequences on the global economic stage if executed, experts said.

Trumps threat came after continued aggression from North Korea, which recently conducted its most powerful nuclear test.

If the president followed through on his threat, it would would mean ending trade with China, the United States largest trade partner. According to 2015 data from the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis, the value of trade in goods and services between the U.S. and China is about $663 billion.

China accounts for the vast majority of North Korean exports and imports. But other countries that do business with North Korea include India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Thailand, the Philippines and Russia, according to data from MITs Observatory of Economic Complexity.

Taylor Griffin, a former Treasury spokesman and White House staffer for President George W. Bush, told NBC News the economic impact of Trumps threat would be apocalyptic.

Ron Elving, a senior editor and correspondent on NPRs Washington desk, said cutting off trade would be an economic tsunami beyond description.

Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said Monday Trumps comments were unfair.

What is definitely unacceptable to us is that on the one hand we work so hard to peacefully resolve this issue and on the other hand our interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardized, Shuang said, according to ABC News. This is unfair.

Trump has repeatedly taunted China over North Korea and accused them of refusing to help isolate the country despite its repeated nuclear aggression.

Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter. So much for China working with us - but we had to give it a try!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2017

North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! U.S.A.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2017

...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017

Also on HuffPost

Free time in South Korea

Free time in North Korea

Youth in South Korea

Youth in North Korea

Parking lot in South Korea

Parking lot in North Korea

University students in South Korea

University students in North Korea

Train station in South Korea

Train station in North Korea

Street in South Korea

Street in North Korea

Countryside in South Korea

Countryside in North Korea

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By Steve Holland HOUSTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump took up the mantle of "comforter-in-chief" in a visit to storm-wracked Houston as he played with children and served up food to evacuees from Hurricane Harvey, the first major natural disaster of his eight months in office. In a widely watched test of his presidential mien, Trump comforted victims and thanked volunteers and first responders after being criticized earlier in the week for not showing sufficient empathy to Texas residents during catastrophic flooding. Trump, 71, was joined by his wife, Melania, as he passed out food and hugged, kissed and played with children at the "kid zone" in Houston's NRG Center, a 700,000-square-foot (65,000 square meter) facility that was turned in to the city's largest emergency shelter. The day was a rare glimpse into Trump's interactions with everyday Americans outside his campaign-style rallies. The former real estate magnate appeared relaxed as he posed for photographs with volunteers and chatted with evacuees alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbott. "It has been a wonderful thing," Trump said of his meetings with the children as he served food to evacuees amid shouts of "Thank you, sir." Trump, who declared Sunday a national day of prayer, also went to a church in nearby Pearland, where he and his wife helped load half a dozen cars with boxes of supplies for victims. He said the volunteer work was "good exercise." Trump also visited a neighborhood that had sustained flooding but had dried out to greet residents and praise them for doing "a fantastic job holding it together." The visit came after a week of historic flooding in the area killed at least 40 people, displaced more than 1 million and dumped as much as 50 inches (127 cm) of rain. Trump asked Congress late on Friday for an initial $7.85 billion for hurricane recovery efforts. The request comes as Washington faces tough budget negotiations. The trip may have political implications for Trump. According to the Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll, almost 59 percent of the public disapproves of Trumps performance as president. Andrew Smith, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire, said Trump had done well overall in coordinating federal assistance and showing concern on Saturday for those affected by Harvey. But he would likely see little change in his poll numbers due to scrutiny of his administration's other policies. You can be as empathetic as you want but if your administration isnt seen as competent in dealing with the problem, its not going to help you, Smith said. NOT HAMPERING RELIEF EFFORTS His initial trip to Texas on Tuesday was contrasted unfavorably with the efforts of former President Barack Obama, who became known as "comforter-in-chief" after mass shootings and the Sandy superstorm that hit New Jersey in 2012. With floodwaters still present, Trump had stayed clear of the Houston area on that trip, saying he did not want to hamper rescue efforts. Instead, he met with Cabinet members, state and local leaders and first responders in the state capital Austin and Corpus Christi, where Harvey first hit, focusing on the logistics of the government response. Trump tweeted that he had seen "first hand the horror & devastation" from Harvey but reporters traveling with him said they saw no damage. "That was reasonable criticism," said Matt Mackowiak, chairman of the Republican Party in Travis County, Texas, who has praised the Trump administrations handling of the disaster. On Saturday, some area residents, even one on the opposite side of the political spectrum, said Trump's visit was a positive. "It raises the morale," Kevin Jason Hipolito, who identified himself as a Democrat, told reporters at the convention center. "When he went to Corpus I was like, 'Man he just forgot about us.' This shows a lot of support. It perks up morale." But it remains a difficult task for Trump, a Republican businessman new to politics, to match expectations set by his predecessors of both parties who were widely considered politically deft at displaying solidarity and commitment to those suffering from disasters both natural and man-made. "Is he going to help? Can he help?" Devon Harris, 37, a construction worker, said at the convention center. "I lost my home. My job is gone. My tools are gone. My car is gone. My life is gone. What is Trump going to do?" Trump was cheered at both the convention center and a church he visited and appeared to crack a joke, perhaps at his own expense. While donning gloves to serve food to victims of the disaster in a cafeteria, he commented "my hands are too big," referencing a meme from the presidential campaign in which the size of the candidate's hands were linked to his supposed virility by his opponents, including Republican Marco Rubio. (Reporting by Steve Holland in Houston and Yeganeh Torbati and Jim Oliphant in Washington; Writing by Dustin Volz and Mary Milliken; Editing by David Chance and Bill Trott)
President Donald Trump was busy being hands-on in Texas on Saturday, posing for photographs and meeting with victims of Hurricane Harvey in his second visit to the state since the storm made landfall last week.

But as well as performing these more serious duties, the president made time for one of his favorite pastimes: Poking fun at Hillary Clinton.

Late Saturday Trump retweeted an image posted by a supporter mocking Clintons forthcoming memoir, titled What Happened. A photo of Clinton's book appears next to a similar mockup version of the cover that has a picture of a smiling Trump and the title I happened.

The image was posted by @Team_Trump45, a supporter of the president who regularly posts in favor of Trump and against Clinton and 154,000 followers.

Trump, who has 37.4 million followers on Twitter, has made a habit of retweeting messages of support. The practice has sometimes caused controversy: Trump was branded insensitive after retweeting an image that showed a train running over a figure with the CNN logo superimposed on its head, particularly given the timing. The president retweeted the imagebefore quickly deleting the postjust three days after the violence in Charlottesville, during which a man drove a car into a crowd of counter-protesters opposing a rally of white supremacists, killing a woman, Heather Heyer.

The president has also reportedly retweeted at least one bot, which make up a significant proportion of his social media fanbase. A Newsweek investigation in May found that just 51 percent of the 31 million accounts following Trump at the time were likely to be authentic.

Clintons book will provide an inside account of the 2016 presidential race, in which the Democratic nominee lost and Trump gained a shock victory. Clinton says that she had let her guard down in the book and discusses her regrets, including how she dealt with Trump during the televised debates. The title drew sarcastic criticism from Trump supporters when it was confirmed in July.

Story continues

Trump met with flood survivors and volunteers in Houston on Saturday. An estimated 20 trillion gallons of rain has fallen on the city and Hurrican Harvey has left tens of thousands of people homeless. The storm has been blamed for at least 47 deaths, the BBC reported.

The president has asked Congress for $7.8 billion in initial funds to help the recovery effort in Texas and neighboring Louisiana, where Trump also paid a visit on Saturday. Trump also declared Sunday to be a national day of prayer for victims of the storm.

Related Articles
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of the United Nations, will seek to gather global support for reforming the world body when he hosts an event at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 18, a day before he formally addresses the 193-member organization. Countries will be invited to attend Trump's function if they sign on to a U.S.-drafted 10-point political declaration backing efforts by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "to initiate effective, meaningful reform," according to a draft of the political declaration seen by Reuters on Friday. Trump has complained that the U.S. share of the world body's budget is unfair, pushed to slash funding and described it as a "club for people to get together, talk and have a good time." Trump, who took office in January, has since described U.S. funding as "peanuts" compared to the important work of the organization. The United States is the biggest U.N. contributor, providing 22 percent of its $5.4 billion biennial core budget and 28.5 percent of its $7.3 billion peacekeeping budget. The contributions are agreed on by the 193-member General Assembly. Trump, Guterres, who also took office in January, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley are scheduled to speak at the Sept. 18 event, diplomats said. The draft political declaration states: "We support the secretary-general in making concrete changes in the United Nations system to better align its work on humanitarian response, development and sustaining peace initiatives." "We commit to reducing mandate duplication, redundancy and overlap, including among the main organs of the United Nations," the draft declaration reads. The United States also is reviewing each of the U.N. peacekeeping missions as annual mandates come up for Security Council renewal in a bid to cut costs. The United States is a veto-wielding council member, along with Britain, France, Russia and China. Haley has said there is "a lot of fat around the edges and some abuses that happen at the U.N. but I do think it is very important that we make the most of it." Ethiopia, which is president of the 15-member Security Council for September, said on Friday it would hold a high-level council meeting on peacekeeping reform on Sept. 20 that will be chaired by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Ethiopian U.N. Ambassador Tekeda Alemu told reporters it was unclear if Trump would attend the meeting, which would be his first appearance in the Security Council, but that he expected about 10 heads of state or government to be present. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bill Trott)
White House special counsel Ty Cobb asked Business Insiders Natasha Bertrand if she was on drugs during an email thread late on Saturday.

Bertrand was speaking with Cobb after he took issue with an analysis piece she wrote Saturday about a letter that President Donald Trump reportedly drafted to fire former FBI director James Comey. White House counsel Don McGahn advised against sending the letter, and Bertrand says it may now be used as evidence in the obstruction of justice case special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly building against Trump.

Cobb insisted that the president had wide support within the White House for choosing to fire Comey, but refused to answer why the letter was never sent directly to the former FBI director.

After receiving follow up questions to his statement, Cobb asked Bertrand, Are you on drugs?

Bertrand posted the exchange to Twitter on Sunday morning.

Cobbs abrupt and unprofessional response came as a shock to the reporter.

Cobb supposedly has a great reputation and is a very respected lawyer, Bertrand told HuffPost. He was brought in to bring some discipline to the whole operation. So I wasnt expecting that response to what I thought was a pretty basic question.

Bertrand then responded to Cobb, assuring him that she was not on drugs and that he hadnt been forthcoming in his emails.

No Im not on drugs. But youre not giving me much to work with. Ive asked several times for an explanation of what in the story (which is an analysis piece, in any case) is false.

Cobb has not responded to the reporters email message and the White House did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

Bertrand wrote about the exchange in more detail Sunday morning, which can be read here.

Also on HuffPost

Former FBI Director James Comey walks to a closed-door hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on June 8, 2017.

Comey laughs while testifying in a public hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee the same day.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is not on the committee, watches as Comey testifies.

Comey answers questions from senators on the Intelligence Committee.

And more questions.

And more questions.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) asks questions of the former FBI director.

Comey repeated explosive allegations that President Donald Trump had badgered him over the highly sensitive investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.

Comey pauses for a moment during the hearing.

And then he returns to testifying.

Comey is sworn in before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

He takes the oath before he testifies.

Many people had come to hear what Comey had to say.

Comey arrives to testify before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

The cameras are snapping as Comey arrives to testify.

Comey walks into the hearing room.

The name placard for the former FBI director is placed on the witness table ahead of his appearance.

People wait in line outside the hearing room to attend Comey's testimony.

Comey will face this bank of remote-triggered cameras while testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

A view of the hearing room before Comey testifies.

People make preparations for the hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

The hearing room where Comey will testify.

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President Donald Trump is set to meet with his national security team on Sunday as the White House announced it was monitoring North Korea closely following the countrys nuclear test.

Pyongyang said on Sunday it had tested "with perfect success" a powerful hydrogen bomb that was capable of being fitted to an intercontinental ballistic missile, in actions Trump said were hostile and dangerous to the U.S.

It a series of tweets written on Sunday, the president said: North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States.

Donald Trump on North Korea

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."

Trump also hit out at Seoul for its talk of appeasing its neighbor, stating: South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"

The Korea Meteorological Agency confirmed on Sunday that an artificial earthquake 9.8 times the power of the fifth nuclear test last year was detected close to the site of North Koreas testing area, suggesting a larger weapon than in previous tests.

Following North Koreas announcement of the test, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the situation was being closely monitored, stating: The national security team is monitoring this closely. The president and his national security team will have a meeting to discuss further later today. We will provide updates as necessary.

In addition, the president himself confirmed he would be meeting with military leaders on Sunday to discuss the situation.

I will be meeting General Kelly, General Mattis and other military leaders at the White House to discuss North Korea. Thank you.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017

Trump discussed how to maximize pressure on the rogue nation with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as North Korea announced the news it had developed a hydrogen bomb that could fit on an ICBM.

Story continues

The leaders spoke on the phone on Saturday and "reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea in the face of the growing threat from North Korea," the White House said in a statement seen by The Hill, their phone call coming several days after North Korea launched a missile over Japan.

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Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump will convene his national security team Sunday and weigh possibly drastic economic sanctions against North Korea after Pyongyang test-fired what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb able to fit atop a missile.

"The national security team is monitoring this closely," said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. "The president and his national security team will have a meeting to discuss further later today."

In a tweet Sunday, Trump denounced the powerful test -- said to be the North's first blast to exceed in power the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan -- as "very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

Other world leaders joined in the denunciation. China and Russia sharply condemned it, South Korean President Moon Jae-In called for the "strongest punishment," and Britain said China should step up economic pressure on the North.

In Washington, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was preparing a package of economic sanctions to do that -- measures "that would go as far as cutting off all trade and other business" with the North.

"I'm going to draft a sanctions package and send it to the president for his strong consideration so anybody (who) wants to do trade or business with them will be prevented from doing trade or business with us," Mnuchin said on "Fox News Sunday."

But he also said Trump had made it clear that "he will consider everything" and "look at all our options."

While the United States has virtually no trade with the North, the burden of sanctions such as Mnuchin described would fall heavily on China. About 90 percent of North Korean exports go to China.

Early last month the United Nations Security Council adopted a seventh set of sanctions aimed at depriving the North of a billion dollars in income from exports. China approved the measures.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that Beijing lean on the neighboring Pyongyang regime to stop its nuclear and missile development.

But on Sunday he also aimed criticism at the government in Seoul, tweeting that the time for talks was over and that "appeasement" would not work.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized China and South Korea and dubbed North Korea a rogue nation following Pyongyangs latest and most powerful nuclear test.

Trump spoke out for the first time on Twitter after North Korea claimed it had tested a hydrogen bomb. As well as being the first nuclear test since the U.S. president came to power in January, it has also sparked reports of an earthquake that suggest a much larger weapon than previous tests.

In a series of tweets, Trump said that North Korea continued to be very hostile and dangerous towards the United States. He then went on to say that Pyongyangs nuclear program constituted a great threat and embarrassment to China, while appearing to criticize Seoul for seeking diplomatic negotiations with its northern neighbor. They [North Korea] only understand one thing! said Trump.

Beijing is Pyongyangs chief ally and trading partner. Trump has long pressured China to do more to rein in North Korea, but Beijing has rejected responsibility for bringing Kim Jong Uns regime under control.

Following Sundays nuclear test, Chinas foreign ministry expressed resolute opposition and strong condemnation toward North Koreas decision to flout international sanctions by continuing with its nuclear program. North Korea has also conducted a series of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests in recent months, including one that flew over Japan last week, and Kim has stated that his next major target is the U.S. territory of Guam.

Kim Jong Un nuclear weapons

KCNA via Reuters

Story continues

Read more: North Korea says it has a hydrogen bomb. How much damage could it do?

Until now, South Korea has pursued a path of diplomacy with the North. South Koreas President Moon Jae-in proposed military talks with North Korea in July, but Pyongyang did not take up the offer. Following North Koreas latest ICBM test, Seoul stepped up its response, carrying out a simulated attack against North Koreas leadership alsongside the U.S. The joint military drills have drawn criticism from China and Russia, who have urged caution from both sides and suggested the military maneuveurs could provoke Pyongyang.

Donald Trump on North Korea

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

President Moon called for the strongest possible response to Kims latest nuclear test on Sunday, saying he was disappointed and outraged by the development. North Korea had made an absurd tactical mistake by committing a series of provocations such as launching ICBM missiles and conducting a nuclear test, which was heightened tensions on the [Korean] peninsula and is threatening world peace. It will isolate them further, said Moon, in a statement reported by the BBC.

Rhetoric between Pyongyang and Washington has intensified over recent months, as Trump and Kim have traded accusations and refused to back down from the prospect of military conflict.

Trump has threatened fire and fury against North Korea and told Kim that U.S. military solutions are locked and loaded should the North Korean leader act unwisely. In response, Pyongyang has accused Trump of being senile and said that only absolute force would convince Trump of the gravity of the situation.

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By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - President Nicolas Maduro, accused of trampling on human rights and democracy in Venezuela, is expected to address the opening day of a three-week U.N. Human Rights Council session on Sept. 11. Maduro's government has been criticized by the United Nations, Washington and other governments for overriding Venezuela's opposition-led Congress, jailing hundreds of opponents and failing to allow the entry of foreign humanitarian aid to ease a severe economic crisis. "We received a 'note verbale' today that he is coming," U.N. human rights spokesman Rolando Gomez said on Monday. "He will be speaking at the opening of the council session." Maduro will speak shortly after an opening address by U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, who said last week democracy was "barely alive" in the Latin American country. An Aug. 30 report from Zeid's office said security forces had committed extensive and apparently deliberate human rights violations in crushing anti-government protests. The report called for further investigation and accountability and urged Maduro to release arbitrarily detained demonstrators and to halt the unlawful use of military courts to try civilians. Venezuela has not allowed U.N. rights officials to make a fact-finding visit to the country since 1996. The U.N. says around 882 people are currently believed to be still in custody, out of 5,341 arbitrarily detained in street protests since April. Detainees are often subjected to ill-treatment, in some documented cases amounting to torture, last week's report said. Maduro's appearance at the council comes almost two years after he delivered a 45-minute speech to it praising Venezuela's socialist policies and decrying the "harassment of the imperialist powers of the United States". An official at Venezuela's mission to the U.N. in Geneva said she could not immediately confirm the information about Maduro's trip to Europe. Other speakers at the rights council session will include Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have cut political and trade ties with Qatar this year, accusing it of supporting terrorism, which it denies. (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Andrew Roche)
North Korea launches a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile - KRT

North Korea has frequently warned that a full-scale conflict is about to break out on the Korean Peninsula - and with belligerent comments coming from both Pyongyang and Washington DC in recent weeks, that possibility may be inching closer.

What was previously dismissed as wild rhetoric, the nightmare scenario become significantly more likely after North Korea carried out two test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles in June.

The crisis deepened with Pyongyang reacting to the latest sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council by threatening to subject the US mainland to "an unimaginable sea of fire".

In response, US President Donald Trump warned in a televised address that North Korea would be met with "fire and fury like the world has never seen" after a US intelligence assessment concluded that Pyongyang has been able to miniaturise a nuclear warhead to fit atop an ICBM.

Ignoring Mr Trump's threats, North Korea fired a missile over Japan, on August 29 prompting the country's warning system to kick in, in a significant escalation of Kim Jong-un's military posturing.

Less than a week later, North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it said was of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, prompting the threat of a "massive" military response from the United States if it or its allies were threatened.

Attack on Guam

North Korean ballistic missiles have sufficient range to cover the 2,100 miles to Guam, although there are still questions about their accuracy and whether nuclear-armed missiles are able survive re-entry.

Pyongyang would be keen to target Guam as its military air and naval facilities make it a key element in any US operations against North Korea, including resupplying ground forces on the Korean Peninsula in the event of a conflict breaking out.

Despite Pyongyang's claims, analysts believe that an unprovoked attack on Guam is "extremely unlikely" because of the inevitable response from Washington.

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"If the North launched any sort of attack against Guam, that would be a red line crossed and would be considered by the US to be an act of war," said Garren Mulloy an associate professor of international relations at Japan's Daito Bunka University.

"If they launched ballistic missiles - and especially if they used nuclear weapons - then I imagine the US would reply with targeted nuclear strikes against the North's nuclear facilities or such a vast conventional strike that it would have the same result", he said.

How many people are at risk?

Analysts have devised a number of scenarios of how tensions might develop into a conflict that would devastate the peninsula and, potentially, neighbouring countries such as Japan.

A conventional war could cost the lives of one million people, according to some estimates, although that figure would rise sharply if either side resorted to weapons of mass destruction.

The three most likely scenarios are a limited pre-emptive attack by the US, a first strike by the North, and a sudden escalation of a minor clash into more generalised fighting.

There is little reason to believe that the outcome of any of the three scenarios will be anything other than devastating, said Daniel Pinkston, a professor of international relations at the Seoul campus of Troy University.

Will the US attack North Korea?

"The idea of a pre-emptive strike to degrade the North's growing nuclear capabilities was considered by the US back in 1993 and 1994, but they decided against it at the time and I think it would be even harder for such an attack to work today", Mr Pinkston told The Telegraph.

"The North Koreans have learned to disperse their assets, they are using hardened shelters and it would be very difficult to eliminate all those targets", he said.

There is also a high possibility that not all of the North's military facilities have been identified, while road-mobile tractor-erector-launcher vehicles for missile launches make it harder to track all the North's weapons.

A Seal team during a training missionCredit: AFP

Diplomatically it would be almost impossible for the US to secure international support. China, Pyongyang's main ally, and Russia hold veto votes in the UN Security Council, while South Korea and Japan would likely oppose such an attack as they would bear the brunt of any immediate retaliation.

And while the US could take unilateral action on the grounds of self-defence, Pyongyang would be unlikely to consider surgical strikes against its long-range missiles as anything other than a declaration of war.

"They would see it as a full-scale attack and use everything that they have at their disposal to avoid their complete destruction", Mr Pinkston said. "And that is why I believe that the 'cure' of a US first strike would be worse than the disease".

What if North Korea attacks first?

The second scenario envisages a sudden attack by the North, most likely if it believes its enemies are planning an attack or an attempt at regime change. One credible belief is that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator, would rather go down fighting than be deposed and forced into exile, even if that meant widespread death and destruction.

An estimated 10,000 artillery pieces and rocket launchers are aimed at Seoul, home to 10 million people and a mere 35 miles away. The North would attempt to move troops through tunnels that have been excavated beneath the demilitarised zone, land commando units in the South by submarine, and activate thousands of its sleeper agents who have infiltrated the South.

Soldiers carrying rockets march across Kim Il Sung Square during a military paradeCredit: AP

US military planners believe the North would initially attempt to physically overrun the South's defences by sheer numbers. South Korea has some 660,000 men under arms, while there are also 28,000 US troops stationed in the country. The North, in contrast, has more than 1 million men and women ready to fight.

While it has greater manpower, the North is at a significant technological disadvantage and war planners estimate the North's juggernaut would be blunted after about four days of fierce fighting. The US would carry out extensive missile attacks against the North's command-and-control capabilities, while Kim Jong-un and senior military officials would also be targeted in the hope their deaths would damage the morale of the troops.

The US let it be known earlier this year that the SEAL team that killed Osama Bin Laden was training in South Korea for interdiction and "decapitation" operations.

Could North Korea use WMD?

What concerns war planners most is North Korea's response if defeat appeared inevitable. Would it take a conventional conflict to the next stage?

North Korea has already tested nuclear weapons and many analysts surmise that it has already achieved the miniaturisation of components required to attach a warhead to a missile. Short-range missiles could be launched at troop concentrations or civilian centres in South Korea and Japan, both to cause chaos but also to interfere with the resupply and reinforcement of ground units.

North Korea has tested a new-type of ground-to-sea cruise rocket Credit: EPA

The North is also believed to have significant stockpiles of chemical weapons, including weapons that can be delivered by artillery shells. A number of reports that the regime has developed biological and bactereological weapons have not been confirmed.

The use of any weapon of mass destruction by the North would meet a devastating reply aimed at any remaining targets, but the damage would already have been done.

What is most likely scenario for war?

For Mr Pinkston, the third scenario is the most likely route to war on the pensinsula. "The biggest threat, I believe, is an accident, a miscalculation or a misunderstanding escalating very quickly", he said. "If, for example, one of the North's missile test launches went wrong and was heading for South Korea.

"The South would immediately see that as an attack and would have to respond, which would lead to escalation on both sides", he said.

The US Navy takes part in military exercises with South KoreaCredit: AFP

"Similarly, the North could interpret some new joint exercise in the South as being a prelude to invasion and respond.

"Both sides are presently on hair triggers and it would not take very much at all for a misjudgement to lead to a high number of casualties and a great deal of destruction", he added.
A 32-year-old patient suffering from a "serious brain injury" at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital was raped in the hospital on Friday, police sources told the New York Post.

The patient, a female, was raped by a man who knows the victim personally. A registered nurse entered the hospital room to check on the patient to discover 37-year-old Keith Nembhard having sex with her.

The "incapacitated" woman was fully unable to consent to sex due to the extents of her brain injuries, police said.

Nembhard was arrested and charged with rape in the second degree.

Related: Man publicly executed for rape, murder of child
Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) (AFP) - Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai hailed on Saturday the decision by Kenya's top court to order a new presidential election as a "step towards democracy".

Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has made three failed attempts at the presidency, losing all of them to long-ruling leader Robert Mugabe.

"This is an unprecedented decision in the whole of Africa and I think it's a good step towards democracy," Tsvangirai told thousands of supporters at a rally organised by an alliance of opposition parties.

"If it happened in Kenya it can as well happen in Zimbabwe," he said.

In 2008, Tsvangirai beat Mugabe in the first round of voting but failed to secure an outright majority, leading to a run-off. He later pulled out of the second round, due violence against his supporters.

The MDC is now part of an opposition alliance formed ahead of the 2018 vote, in a bid to unseat the 93-year-old Mugabe.

The Saturday rally in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, was the first gathering of the alliance since its formation last month.

Tsvangirai told supporters that there should be "clear reforms" in place ahead of the next election to avoid disputes.

Past elections in Zimbabwe have been marred by violence, intimidation and charges of electoral fraud.

Kenya's Supreme Court nullified on Friday the results of last month's presidential election which handed victory President Uhuru Kenyatta, citing irregularities in the electronic transmission of vote results.

The landmark ruling ordered fresh election be held within 60 days.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Moscow visit on Wednesday can be seen to signal a change for the worse and a significant, national security risk in the making. The civil war in Syria is nearing an end, and it appears that the coalition of President Bashar al-Assad, Hezbollah, Iran and Russia has won. If this victory would lead solely to the stability of Assad's regime, Israel should have been able to accept this. The problem is that Iran demands compensation for the many resources it invested in the war: already the de facto ruler in Lebanon through its control over Hezbollah, Iran is now looking to recreate a similar power dynamic for itself in Syria.

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In concrete terms, the Iranians want to establish a second Hezbollah, a force of Shiite militias that will be deployed on the Golan Heights along the border with Israel, and which will get its instructions from Tehran. When such a situation occurs, any confrontation with Hezbollah will lead to a wider confrontation that will include the Syrian arena. Moreover, Assad, who, weakened, finds himself grateful to Iran, will be committed to helping in this endeavor. As such, a confrontation with Hezbollah could quickly lead to a full-scale war between Israel and Syria.

Looking toward Syria from the Israeli Golan Heights (Photo: Reuters)

Israel's response to this dangerous possibility is limited. Countries act according to self-interests. It will not help us explain to the American administration or to the Russians why Iran's expansion all the way to the Mediterranean is bad for us. Nor will it necessarily help if we explain to Putin that strengthening of Iran's presence in Syria contradicts Russia's interests in the long term. Communicating to all the Sunni states, and namely Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, that Iran's establishment in Syria interferes with their own prerogatives, won't be enough to block Iran's advancement, as these states are too weak to manage such a feat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: EPA)

The way Iran is for Israel to push a four-pronged approach. First, it needs to convince the US to agree to a deal with Putin that would have the US cancel the economic sanctions it has placed on Russia, while also recognizing Russia's presence in eastern Ukraine, in return for Russia's preventing the Iran's continued presence in Syria.

Hezbollah tanks fire on Syria-Lebanon border (Photo: AP)

Second, Israel must make it clear to Russia that the IDF will take action to prevent Iran from building any kind of military force of its own near the Golan Heights border. In the past two years, Israel and Russia have managed to reach a quiet understanding that apparently enabled the Israeli Air Force to attack inside Syria while Russia turned a blind eye. After Russia has achieved what it wants in Syria and has no interest in another military escalation that would jeopardize its achievements. A firm and credible Israeli message on this issue will oblige Putin to take it into account.

Satellite shots of Syrian and Iranian missile warehouses (Photo: Reuters)

Third, Israel will have to explain to both its allies and its enemies that if Hezbollah starts a military campaign against us, it will not be fought only against Hezbollah alone, but as an all-out war between the countries of Israel and Lebanon. This approach is both just and wise: it is just because the Lebanese president has openly claimed that Hezbollah is part of Lebanon's defensive force. And it is wise because no one, certainly not Saudi Arabia, Europe and the US, but even Syria or Iran, would want Lebanon to be destroyed.

IDF forces practice near Syrian border (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Fourth, it would benefit Israel to exploit the hatred of those living in the Syrian Golan against Iran and Hezbollah. Israel can and should discreetly strengthen its ties with these people far beyond the aid it gives to Syrians wounded it the country's civil war. Israel has so far refrained from becoming too involved in Syria's internal conflict, but in light of the changing reality, the need to cultivate true allies who are close to the Golan Heights border is growing fast.

Israeli Golan Heights hit by Syrian spillover (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

For the first time in many years, Israel is in danger of facing a detrimental regional development, and it is therefore warranted to dedicate all the attention and efforts required to properly address this situation.
Hezbollah has spread its military influence far and wide throughout the Middle East, with the terror organization providing thousands of fighters to Syria, training hundreds in Iraq, giving support to rebels in Yemen and even offering assistance to militias in Afghanistan, according to a Friday report in The New York Times.

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The report details how Hezbollah has, over the years, become one of the most invaluable instruments in Irans arsenal as it pursues regional domination.

Hezbollah, Lebanese and Syrian army fighting ISIS (: )

X

In Syria, Hezbollah and Tehran have dedicated their military resources to maintaining President Bashar al-Assad grasp on power, while in Iraq they have sent fighters to battle ISIS in yet another bid to advance Iranian interests.

Photo: AFP

Skipping the vast stretches of Saudi Arabia to Iraqs south, Hezbollah has also penetrated Yemen, where they facilitated an occupation of the capital by local rebels, thereby dragging RiyadhIrans arch nemesisinto the hostilities.

Photo: EPA

The report also acknowledges Hezbollahs stationing of military forces along the Israel-Lebanon border as it prepares for another showdown with the IDF.

Members of militias interviewed in Iraq explained the modus operandi of the recruitment process with Iranian support to fight against ISIS.

Some of the new recruits trained in Iraq, while some were sent for 15-day training periods in Iran itself before being flown to Syria. More experienced fighters participated in advanced courses led by commanders from Iran and from Hezbollah either in Iran or Lebanon.

Photo: EPA

The New York Times report goes on to say Iranian officers were responsible for the cooperative operations that materialized between Syrian ground forces and the Russian air force, while Hezbollah provided field commanders.

Photo: EPA

In Yemen, the report continues, Iran and its terror proxy established contact with Houthi rebels who in 2014 seized control of the countrys capital Sana'a, paving the way for the dismantling of the government and providing the pretext for the Saudis to launch, along with its allies, an aerial campaign.

According to one man interviewed in the report, the Houthi rebels had already begun training in Lebanon for the eventual occupation of Sanaa and in 2012, two Hezbollah militants were arrested in Yemen.
The topic dominating Netanyahu's annual speech at the UN General Assembly this year is going to be Iran. But instead of nuclear Iran, he will talk about Iran's takeover of Syria. The Iranians are on the borders; the Iranians are in the sea; the Iranians are creating territorial contiguityfrom Tehran to Beirut. In just a little bit, the State of Israel is going to face annihilation. The next holocaust is coming; save us.

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Not exactly. According to official, non-political sources I've spoken to in recent days, the assessments at the moment are a bit more complex than that.

The changes in Syria are less dramatic than what is being described. It's true that Assadistanthe area controlled by Assad and the coalition that supports himis growing, and will continue to grow. But it's doubtful Syria would stabilize in the near future. The opposition is not going to disappear: Its members are everywhere. It's possible the area that was once Syria would enter a long-term interim situation, without resolution.

Netanyahu speaking at the UN last year (File photo: AFP)

The situation on the ground does not point to Iranian takeover. On the contrary: Syria reduced the number of Iranians in its territory and their presences in the conflict areas. The mercenaries Iran recruited in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq are mostly fighting in the Idlib area, which is currently under rebel control. Idlib is in northern Syria, hundreds of kilometers away from the Golan Heights.

Israel is pushing for an agreement in Syria that would include the evacuation of all foreign forces from the country. That is what Netanyahu told Putin in their latest meeting. Putin agrees, because it serves his interests: He would be all too happy to pull all of his forces out of Syria, on the condition Russian presence would continue at a base Assad put at Moscow's disposal in Tartus.

An agreement that includes the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Syria would leave the Iranians with several options. The Iranian leadership is currently debating what to do in such a case. The argument is over priorities. Qasem Soleimani, who commands the Iranian forces in Syria, wants contiguous Iranian influences from Iran to the sea. There are plans along those lines, but they require large forces, a lot of money, and stability in Iraq that would benefit Iran.

Iranian President Rouhani has a different opinion. Syria is not at the top of his list of priorities right now. Instead, he wants to focus on the rehabilitating Iran's economy.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards fighting in Syria

X

Two issues are currently bothering Israel vis-a-vis Iran and Syria: Precision-guided munitionsmeaning missilesand massive Iranian military presence close to the Syria-Israel border. Israel has an answer to both of these problems. What is required here is a combination of military diplomacy, intelligence work, military operations and psychological warfare. Ongoing operations could prevent a war.

There is no missile factory in Lebanon . There are ideas and plans. Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri is not enthusiastic about the idea, and he's not the only one. Israel could foil these plans if it carries out the necessary military operations and employs the right tactics with the Lebanese leadership.

Israel has no intention to create a security buffer zone inside Syria, similar to what it had in southern Lebanon until 2000. Instead it created an influence zone along the border with Syria. The concept of an influence zone is nebulous. It would be interesting to see if it could be maintained over time.
Former minister Eliezer (Moodi) Sandberg, former deputy national security advisor Brig. Gen. (ret) Avriel Bar-Yosef, and political adviser Rami Tayeb were questioned by the Israel Police's Lahav 433 unit on Monday morning as part of the submarine affair, also known as Case 3000.

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Sandberg, whose remand was extended buy three days, previously served as Minister of Science and Minister of National Infrastructures for the Shinui party, and is currently Chairman of Keren Hayesodthe official fundraising organization for Israel the world over (apart from the US).

Former minister Eliezer (Moodi) Sandberg (Photo: Shaul Golan)

Tayeb, a political advisor to Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, is suspected of bribery, conspiring to commit a crime and money laundering. The Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court extended his remand by three days.

Tayeb is a close friend of David Sharan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff, who was detained on Sunday morning along with five othersall arrested as a result of information provided to the police by state witness Miki Ganor.

Rami Tayed, political adviser to Minister Steinitz (Photo: Dana Kopel)

Sharan is suspected of taking bribes, fraud, and breach of trust, as well as conspiring to commit a crime. Police is looking to flip Sharan into a state witness. The Rishon LeZion Magistrates Court extended his arrest Sunday evening by five days after investigators marked him as one of the suspects who possessed critical information on the affair.

Former PMO chief of staff David Sharan (Photo: Amit Sha'al)

Bar-Yosef, who was slated to take on his role as National Security Adviser and Director of the National Security Council after being appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in February, was arrested for alleged offenses of bribery, money laundering, fraud, and breach of trust.

Bar-Yosef allegedly used his position to advance the business of a German tycoon in return for bribes transferred to him or members of his family by way of personal favors and money, without proper disclosure of their relationship by Bar-Yosef.

Two months ago, he was questioned by police as part of the submarine affair and later put on house arrest.

Brig. Gen. (ret) Avriel Bar-Yosef (Photo: Yariv Katz)

The Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion extended Sandberg remand by three days.

A former commander in the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit was also among the six arrested on Sunday. His lawyer, appointed by the court from the Public Defender's Office, claimed his client had no connection to the alleged corruption being investigated, and that he was arrested because he sought start a business with Ganor.

The lawyer added the former commander eventually decided against starting a business with Ganor, as he felt Ganor was not being honest with him. Ganor, the lawyer said, compensated the naval officer for damages incurred by his dealings with him as part of an agreement mediated by attorney David Shimron, a main suspect in the submarine affair.

Police seized computers and phones from the naval commander's home and his remand was extended by four days, while the judge delayed by 24 hours the release of his name.

Strategic advisors arrested

Another one of the suspects arrested was strategic advisor Nati Mor to whom police attribute offenses of bribery and the transfer of money to a public servant. His arrest was also extended by four days.

Nati Mor

Tzachi Lieber, Mor's business partner, is suspected of mediation in bribery, conspiring to commit a crime, and obstruction of justice. Police seized an external hard drive, an iPad, invoices, documents and Lieber's cellphone as part of the investigation. His remand was extended by five days.

Also arrested is an attorney suspected of mediation in bribery, falsifying corporate documents, conspiring to commit a crime and money laundry. His name was also under gag order.

Channel 2 reported on Sunday that another suspect in the case was former deputy national security advisor, Atalya Rosenbaum, who was questioned 10 days ago on suspicion of mediation in bribery and released under restrictive conditions. She is now suspected of leaking information to Ganor from the National Security Council's discussions.

State witness Miki Ganor provided his investigators with detailed testimony as to the criminal offenses he had committed both in the submarine affair and other deals in which he acted as a go-between for the security establishment, giving rise to the wave of arrests on Sunday.

While the precise contents of his testimony could not originally be fully divulged to the public due to a gag order, a top police official said last month Ganor also provided investigators with tapes and text messages. "He's giving us excellent materials," the police admitted.

By Sunday afternoon, Ynet had obtained information on evidence provided by Ganor, which reportedly pointed to the fact that the mechanisms of bribery were well greased and intended to be hidden.

Ganor allegedly told police that in a bid to win the submarine, patrol ships and ammonia factory tenders, he signed fictitious agreements with strategic advisors Nati Mor and Tzachi Lieber worth hundreds of thousands of shekels that eventually flowed, as bribes, into Sharan's pockets.

Ganors testimony has raised suspicion that he sought to ensure his appointment using the connection he made with Sharan.

Ganorwho served as representative for the German ThyssenKrupp company that builds submarines for the Israeli Navysaid in his testimony adv. David Shimron, the prime minister's personal attorney, was set to receive commission estimated to total $10 million (NIS 35 million) in order to push through the decision to purchase the submarines.
The IDF is gearing up to hold its largest military drill in nearly 20 yearsa combined arms exercise along its border with Lebanonat a time of rising tensions with Iran and Hezbollah.

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A military official said Monday that the joint exercise, which will begin Tuesday and involve thousands of ground, sea and air force vehicles and personnel, will prepare soldiers for "preserving the current stability in the northern sector."

IDF prepares for its largest millitary drill in almost 20 years (Photo: IDF, EPA, Yoav Zitun)

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with IDF regulations, said the drill will run through for 11 days, from Sept. 4th to Sept. 14th.

Commander of IDF Northern Command, Major General Yoel Strick (Photo: IDF)

Among other systems of advaned weaponry, the exercise will incorporate Israel's multi-layered missile defense systems.

Air Defense forces take positions ahead of the drill (Photo: IDF)

Similar to other major IDF exercises in recent years, this imaginary incident also begins with an offensive initiated by the enemyHezbollahagainst the Galilee Division.

Drones to also take part in the drill (Photo: IDF)

The IDF will respond to the "attack" in three stages: defense measures over the first few days, including counter-attacks and the deployment of defense forces akin to an air strike; an offensive attack as a second stage, with extensive ground maneuvers; and a change of mission statement as the third and last stage, in an aim to push enemy forces back into Lebanon.

IAF soldiers prepare a helicopter for the drill (Photo: IDF)

"Hezbollah's initial attack" will be expressed as a simulated invasion of dozens of IDF fighters into Israeli territory and infiltration into one of the border communities. Home Front Command forces will practice the evacuation of civilians from threatened communities, as soldiers act the part of civilians in distress.

Israeli Navy gearing up for the exercise (Photo: IDF)

The southern Galilee will serve as southern Lebanon during the days of the drill, from Route 85 southward.

The area used in the drill

The IDF emphasized that the exercise was planned for about a year following a directive given by Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot when he took office in 2015, regardless of Iran's attempts to establish itself in Syria

Israel has voiced growing concerns about Iran's buildup in neighboring Syria and Hezbollah's alleged stockpiling of weapons in southern Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video on Monday, in which he spoke about his impressions of yesterday's visit to South Tel Aviv, about political meetings held Monday and about Israel's achievements in the world, but it is precisely the final chord of the video, in which he ridiculed former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, that is getting all the attention.

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The video was uploaded to Netanyahu's Facebook page after a series of political meetings, during which Netanyahu met with the Lithuanian foreign minister and the Macedonian prime minister.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu in his video

"You will not hear about it much or at all in the media, but this is your chance to know," said Netanyahu in the video, whose first half was dedicated to the illegal immigrant situation in southern Tel Aviv.

"Israel is a country that is courted. They admire us, value us, you need to hear how we are talked about. They want to be close to us, and this goes on from country to country and continent to continent."

Netanyahu mocks Barak

X

It was at this moment that Netanyahu signed the video with a question: "Where is the isolation (of Israel), where is the 'Tsunami'?"pronouncing the last word "Thunami" as a slight jab at Barak, who famously has a mild lisp and often warns against Israel's political isolation and a political tsunami following the Netanyahu's actions.

"It is the other way around. Israel is reaching everywhere," Netanyahu ended.

Former PM Ehud Barak in his own Facebook video against Netanyahu

The relationship between Netanyahu and Barak is far from friendly, as Barak is now considered one of Netanyahu's greatest adversaries.

The former politician has often battled the prime minister and his policies on social media and interviews in recent years, and Netanyahu, for his part, strikes back, often with a humorous tone, calling him an " old man with a new beard ."
An expert meeting was held at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Serbia to discuss the upcoming early presidential elections, as well as the progress and dynamics of systemic political reforms carried out by the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Interview of Jose Carrillo by Xanath Caraza









Who is Jose Carrillo?





Citizenship: I'm a USA citizen with Mexican-roots.

Born: Durango Mexico 1932

Education: Bachelor's in Drama, minors: creative writing, counseling

Politics: Socialist-Humanitarian

Religion: None. Follow the Tao

ID Tags: Actor, Jazz Musician, Writer, Artivist, Gramps.

Family: Parents: Dionicio & Carmen Carrillo; four brothers.

Residence: Seattle, WA, Bitter Lake neighborhood.

Hobbies: graphics, draw, calligraphy, photography, write songs.

Beliefs: Morality is kindness. Honesty, Transparency, Accountability. Love and Art will conquer hate.

Currently reading: THOMAS JEFFERSON; An Intimate History, Fawn M. Brodie; also, trilingual poetry books, in English, Spanish, Nahuatl.

Favorite Composers: Archangelo Corelli, J. S. Bach, Wayne Shorter, Stephen Sondheim.









How do you define yourself as actor, musician, performance poet?





A semi-retired, multi-skilled actor with poetic, musical, political sensibilities. At 84, all artistic resources devoted to support of Latino/a artists and arts in the Northwest community with a focus on multi-lingual productions, multi-cultural values.









What or who guided you through your first experiences in the arts?





I learned to read English via Marvel comic books. I had two uncles who inspired me, as a boy, to make music: One named 'Joe' Hernandez, a WWII vet, who paid for my first music lessons; played his boogie-woogie records for me on his new Juke Box-size player. The other was Julian Ramirez fresh from Durango; I liked to sit close to him thrilled with his guitar strums, his voice singing out rancheras, corridos, boleros,with gritos/shouts.





Big Swing Dance Bands became such a rage during WWII that they appeared in stage shows in movie houses. My Golden Gate Theater on Market Street was where I first saw jazz players, such as Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa on drums, Woody Herman, Harry James, all the greats.

Poetry occurred to me, got to me, through the sound of the human voice in prayer: as a child, first in Spanish when, after a death in the family, groups of family women would gather to kneel, chant together the lovely, low sounds of prayers.

In my teens I loved the lyrics of popular, sentimental and nonsense songs of Broadway and Hollywood. What hooked me on poetry was the poem, 'How do I love thee?' of Elizabeth Browning. It came in the mail from a girl I liked a lot. Although this sweetheart, Margarita, was eventually the one that got away, I haven't stopped reading/writing poetry ever since.





At Balboa High, I played sax in the Blue Boys dance band, and appeared in my first play in a minor role in a British comedy. The drama teacher, Mrs. Anna May Dicksen took an interest in me and became my mentor. I now have, in my possession, a BA in theater & an acting resume' of 60 years of work in community theater. I've been privileged to perform and speak the lines of the world's greatest playwrights and poets, including Paz, Neruda, Ibsen, Shakespeare, Shaw.

In 1969, played Cardinal Pandulph in Shakespeares King John, Summer, Oregon Shakespeare Festival





Also in the 60s, created 'The Busted, Disgusted, and Can't Be Trusted Troupe' with a show we put together: The Woody Guthrie Story, a music-bio. It was based on Woodys book, Bound for Glory, and featured several of his childrens songs. The Troupe offered it as a free community service to progressive community groups in California. We opened at La Pena in Berkeley, CA.





Later, at La Pena, a Chileno cultural center, I produced a cantata on the text of Pablo Nerudas Joaquin Murieta which toured in the Bay Area for non-profits, no charge.









Could you describe your activities as actor- musician- performance poet-activist?





The arts skills and experience I had developed over the early years in San Francisco I brought to Seattle in 1987 when I came up to help one of my daughters take care of Olivia, my first granddaughter.

I became active in the Seattle arts scene, performed music and poetry on a local NPR station, created an audio recording with radio host, Lisa Levy, a tribute to Pablo Neruda/ 100 Love Sonnets; enrolled in Early Childhood Development classes at North Seattle Community College, and joined Ruben Sierra's Seattle Group Theater, a multi-ethnic group.





At the Group Theater, I met and worked with actress, Ms. Olga Sanchez; in time, we developed an association that eventually saw creative results: We co-founded Teatro Latino, a troupe, which featured ritual theater and plays for children and libraries; we also co-founded La Casa De Artes, to support arts, artists and produce events.

One such was a tribute to Mexican poet, Nobel laureate, Octavio Paz, a staged reading of his selected poetry which was seen by students from the Yakima valley. Directed by Olga.





During this time in the 90's Olga was attending meetings of Los Nortenos Writers to which she invited me.





Author, Kathleen Alcala, is a co-founder of Los Nortenos Writers in Seattle, mid-90s, with the mission to support, encourage, and showcase the work of Latino/a writers of the Northwest through public readings, workshops and mentoring. The goal of Los Nortenos is to create entertaining, multi-cultural events, readings, bilingual publications, and provide a forum for writers to learn from each other.





Los Nortenos Group has provided me with many opportunities to write, perform, produce events, manage a web page, and contribute to the current webpage in facebook.





The most recent, 2/28/17 performance was the Los Nortenos /Raven Chronicles production of, 'Bridges Not Walls'- an experimental reading in the Juan Alonso-Rodriguez Art Gallery in Pioneer Square.

Carmelo Gonzalez and I read his poetry in Spanish with my English translations.





My most recent lead acting role was in 2013-14 with Seattle ESE TEATRO in author -director, Rose Cano's Don Quixote... an updated version of Cervantes for a staged-reading tour of homeless shelters. I played him as a homeless- alcoholic- schizophrenic- monolingual poet. Sancho Panza, his interpreter and side kick was played by Benito Vasquez.





I was one of the Raven Chronicles 50 POETS AGAINST HATE reading, performed in the Seattle Central Library early last year, 2016. Jorge Vilchiz, and I read his poem, Jaguar Mexicano/ Mexican Jaguar, a cautionary message to the young people of Mexico.





I continue to support local efforts for a thriving Cuba. I've performed music and poetry in support of the release of detained Cuban 5 brothers, and a few times with Pastors for Peace events.









What is a day of creative writing like for you?





With poetry, I am unscheduled and undisciplined. I share anything I write with anyone interested, no charge. My method is just to keep a poetry SKETCHBOOOK, in which I write in or place scraps of notes for future poems; when my muse comes calling, I look over my collection and find something to develop. I make audio recordings to test quality. I believe a poem of mine is never finished. With other styles of writing I do schedule to meet deadlines.









Do you have any favorite poems?





In the current world of dangerous, uncontrolled USA and Mexican political corruption, I go mostly for poems with dramatic impact, poems that indicate social awareness, but with musical lines, strong rhythms & images- forceful messages-urgency:





The following is mine:

Time Marches/ El tiempo en marcha





Sixty-five million years ago

the dinosaurs ate all the plants

then each other

for big extinction number five.

number six is on its way:

the money vultures circled above

will in a blink of time

devour all that is left of us.





Hace muchos anos, seis ciento y cinco milliones

Cuando los dinosaurios se comieron todas las plantas

Entonces uno al otro

Cumpliendo un gran Extincion numero Cinco.

Ahora se esta cumpliendo el numero Seis

Los zopilotes del dinero hacen un circulo en el cielo

Esperan el paso de un guino de tiempo

Antes de devorar los pocos vestigious de nosotros.









El cantaro roto/ Broken Water Jar, Octavio Paz.





Hay que dormir con los ojos abiertos, hay que sonar con

las manos

We must sleep with open eyes, we must dream

with our hands,

sonemos suenos activos de rio buscando su cauce,

suenos de sol sonando sus mundos

We must dream the dreams of a river seeking its course,

of the sun dreaming its worlds;

hay que sonar en voz alta, hay que cantar hasta que el canto

eche raices, tronco, ramas, pajaros, astros

we must dream aloud, we must sing till the song

puts forth roots, trunk, branches, birds, stars,

cantar hasta que el sueno engendre y brote del costado del

dormido la espiga roja de la resurreccion;

we must sing till the dream engenders in the sleeper's flank the

red wheat-ear of resurrection









Jaguar mexicano by Jorge Vilchiz, my translation.

Excerpt: final stanza:





Grita, Mexico!

Que no se convierta en enigma

lo que ha sucedido en Ayotzinapa,

grita, que te escuchen las mentes malignas

y los que traicionan la patria.

Grita, como grita mi pluma que plasma,

que le escribe a mi pueblo, al jaguar mexicano

estas letras empiricas,

aprendidas en los barrios polvosos de Iztapalapa.





Scream, Mexico!

So that what has happened in Ayotzinapa

doesn't become an enigma.

Scream, so you can be heard by malignant minds

and those who betray their country.

Scream the way my pen does that insists

that I write to my people, to the Mexican jaguar

these practical words,

learned in the dusty neighborhoods of Iztapalapa.









AFFIRMATION by Assata Shakur





I believe in living.

I believe in the spectrum

of Beta days and Gamma people.

I believe in sunshine.

In windmills and waterfalls,

tricycles and rocking chairs.

And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.

and sprouts grow into trees.

I believe in the magic of the hands.

And in the wisdom of the eyes.

I believe in rain and tears.

And in the blood of infinity.





I believe in life.

And I have seen the death parade

march through the torso of the earth,

sculpting mud bodies in its path.

I have seen the destruction of the daylight,

and seen bloodthirsty maggots

prayed to and saluted.





I have seen the kind become the blind

and the blind become the bind

in one easy lesson.

I have walked on cut glass.

I have eaten crow and blunder bread

and breathed the stench of indifference.





I have been locked by the lawless.

Handcuffed by the haters.

Gagged by the greedy.

And, if I know anything at all,

it's that a wall is just a wall

and nothing more at all.

It can be broken down.

I believe in living.

I believe in birth.

I believe in the sweat of love

and in the fire of truth.





And I believe that a lost ship,

steered by tired, seasick sailors,

can still be guided home

to port.





(Note: Assata Shakur, former Black Panther, is living in exile in Cuba after escaping USA prison,

sentenced for murder of a highway policeman in a shooting on a New Jersey Highway.

It was a he said-she said trial.)









What project are you working on?





Im finishing a chapbook of recent work. Its title is, in jazz talk, MUCH LATER POEMS. The first poem is:





POEM: FOR SUSUKI





I am water

You are water

I am air

You are air

The earth feeds me

The earth feeds you

Let's be kind to

the water

the air

the earth

each other.









What else would you like to share?





I'm very proud of my daughters, Lee & Denise,

granddaughters, Olivia & Una

all leading creative, fulfilling lives,

Lee is a dancer, works as an editorial assistant for a Seattle Writer;

Denise is a lead graphic artist for a national retailer;

Olivia is a dancer and family counselor in CA

Una is a popular fashion photographer-producer in NYC









Jose Carrillo, 84, actor, musician, poet was born in Mexico, grew up in San Francisco. Attended SF State College; studied theater with Jules Irving, Herbert Blau; became member of their Actors Workshop; attended most of the schools Poetry Center events, studied with poet, Stan Rice; life-long experience in community theater, and music. Moved from SF to Seattle in 1987; member of Seattle Los Nortenos Writers. Single, lives in Seattle, peacefully alone in a senior complex with the name, Four Freedoms House.




The La Crosse Area Retired Educators will meet for lunch at Moxies Pub (in AmericInn, 1835 Rose Street, La Crosse) at 11: 30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11.

Everyone who has retired from Wisconsin public schools is invited. For the program, a Wisconsin Retired Educators Association representative will update the members on the status of WREA.

Cost of the meal is $11. Reservations can be made through Karen Broadhead, 608-788-2485 or Marlene McCabe, 608-781-1039.

Next meeting will be Oct. 2.
Getting a business online is one of the most efficient and effective ways to increase sales. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Small Business Development Center will offer WordPress Basics to help businesses improve online presence.

The course will be offered in two sessions: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 18 and Oct. 9.

The hands-on class allows participants to build their own WordPress website under the guidance of a professional web developer. The class will provide a guided tour of how to setup and configure a website using the WordPres,s open-source platform. The first session will help participants install a theme, add and edit pages, and add and configure widgets and plugins. The second session will allow participants the opportunity to ask questions and get one-on-one help building their websites.

Sarah Arendt-Beyer, facilitator of this course, is the marketing director at DigiSage Inc. in La Crosse. The UW-L graduate recently completed an MBA from the Minnesota School of Business. Arendt-Beyer specializes in marketing and branding, writing, search engine optimization and search engine marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, website development, and project management.

Registration is $169 and includes both sessions, course materials and three months of website hosting. Registration is required; seating is limited. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Sept. 12.

To register of for more information, contact the center at 608-785-8783.
Wildlife artists can submit entries for the 2018 Minnesota Pheasant Stamp through Friday Sept. 15.

The pheasant stamp validation for hunting is $7.50 and is required for pheasant hunters ages 18 to 64. For an extra 75 cents, purchasers can receive the validation as well as the pictorial stamp in the mail. It also is sold as a collectible. Revenue from stamp sales is dedicated to pheasant management and habitat work.

The ring-necked pheasant must be the primary focus of the design, though other species may be included in the design if they are used to depict common interactions between species or are common inhabitants of Minnesotas pheasant range.

Artists are prohibited from using any photographic product as part of their finished entries. Winning artists may issue limited edition prints of the artwork and retain proceeds.

Final judging is open to the public and will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at DNR headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. The public is welcome to come and view the winning design 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 22.

For more information on stamp contests, guidelines for submitting work, and to sign up to receive regular email updates on stamp contests, visit mndnr.gov/stamps. Contest guidelines also are available from the DNR Information Center by calling 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.
The state Elections Commission says its giving municipalities the tools to implement electronic, instead of paper, poll books in time for the 2018 election cycle.

Commissioners in June approved building an electronic poll book system and offering the software, at no cost, to Wisconsins municipal clerks, who partner with the commission to administer elections.

The commission says it intends to pilot the system in at least three jurisdictions in the 2018 spring elections and make it available to all for the 2018 August primary election.

E-poll book use will be voluntary for each of the more than 1,800 cities, villages or towns in Wisconsin, each of which administers elections within its boundary. Last month the commission began to survey municipal clerks about how they think the new system should function.

Jurisdictions in at least 27 states use e-poll books, Pew Charitable Trusts reported in March. They allow poll workers to check in or register voters using a laptop or tablet e-poll book instead of a paper poll book.

Commission director Michael Haas has acknowledged e-poll books present cyber-security concerns. U.S. officials reportedly believe Russian-backed efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. elections included cyber-incursions into voter databases and software systems in various states, including Illinois.

E-poll books are not linked to voting or vote-counting machines and would not be connected to the internet while in use at polling places on Election Day, Haas said.

In states where e-poll books are used, Haas said security concerns have been outweighed by the benefits to voters and election workers. E-poll books shorten check-in lines for voters at polling places and simplify election workers jobs on and after Election Day, he said.
As we all wait to see how the debate over health-care reform and the fate of Obamacare will be resolved, there is a relatively simple step Congress can take to control health-care costs.

While action to repeal a tax on health insurance premiums is not the full-scale health-care reform Congress has been working toward, it is a step in the right direction to contain health-care costs.

The tax is scheduled to take effect in January and is a component of the Affordable Care Act. It will result in employers paying $210 more per employee and families paying $530 more per year on average, according to a study by global consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

Thankfully, the tax was suspended in 2017 with bipartisan support and members of both sides of the aisle are beginning to line up in support of either suspending or repealing the tax in 2018. Congress needs to act soon.

Nearly 50 percent of the tax falls on Americans earning between $10,000 and $50,000 a year. Self-employed workers will bear 60 percent of the tax burden, and approximately 25 percent of the HIT falls on Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.

In Wisconsin, if the Health Insurance Tax survives:

Medicare Advantage recipients will see their premiums increase $237 for individual policies or $474 per couple in 2018.

Fully insured small business owners and their employees will experience a $552 increase in premiums for family coverage and a $192 increase for individual coverage.

Fully insured large employers and their employees will see a $553 increase in premiums for family coverage and a $189 increase for individual coverage.

State Medicaid programs will incur an additional cost of $175 for each of their insured Medicaid enrollees in 2018.

BadgerCare Plus will incur an additional cost of $34 million to the state.

If Congress fails to repeal the tax on time, the average American family can expect to see their health insurance policy premium rise by more than $5,000 over the course of a decade.

Overall, the HIT will force more than 100 million Americans nationwide to pay $22 billion more for their health insurance, whether you receive your insurance through Medicare, Medicaid or your employer.

Time is running out. Health insurance premiums for 2018 will be finalized soon and Congress needs to act in the next few weeks.

Last year, nearly 400 Republicans and Democrats voted to suspend the tax. Lets hope that Republicans and Democrats can come together again to take this simple and direct step to control health-care costs for millions of Americans.
MADISON, Wis.  As the Wisconsin Legislature nears another round of voting on the $3-billion incentive package to bring Foxconn Technology Group to the state, supporters of the deal find themselves sandwiched between two philosophical camps.

On the left are those who think government should spend predominantly on education, health care and helping the poor and not invest in attracting or retaining profit-seeking companies. That outlook fails to recognize those profit-seeking companies spark an economy that generates taxes for government programs at all levels.

On the right are economic purists who think corporations should fend for themselves in an Adam Smith world that no longer exists. To them, government subsidies are antithetical to raw capitalism. That approach ignores todays competitive world, in which nations, states and neighboring communities constantly seek an edge.

That economic competition isnt new. Consider the city of Madison, where Mayor Paul Soglin has taken a dim view of the Foxconn package  even though Foxconn has taken a strong interest in the citys health-care research and tech-based companies, large and small.

One of Madisons longest-running economic development programs is Tax Incremental Financing, which lets a community loan money to development projects with the expectation the loan will be repaid through the higher property taxes the developer or company will pay on the improved property.

Targeted at blighted areas when the Legislature passed a TIF law in the mid-1970s, it was later amended to pay for projects that create large numbers of jobs.

Since Madison created its first TIF district in 1977, it has invested $148 million and leveraged $1.6 billion in property value. Thats a double-digit return spread over about 47 projects over 40 years, with no insolvencies and only three that were withdrawn or shut down before the city invested heavily.

The latest TIF proposal on the citys radar screen involves Exact Sciences, a company that was on its last legs when Kevin Conroy and Manesh Arora moved it from Boston to Madison a decade or so ago. Today it has 750 employees and is looking to hire about 200 more in the short term, evidence of the growing market acceptance of its Cologuard t est for colorectal cancer.

Exact Sciences is preparing to move into the former Spectrum Brands headquarters on Madisons Southwest Side, mainly to manage overflow in its current facilities. That site could eventually become home to Exact Sciences second processing laboratory  a project that would cost $57.3 million and create another 225 well-paid jobs.

However, the laboratory project depends in large part on whether the city of Madison approves a TIF district that meets a $2.5-million need within the companys financing plan.

Exact Sciences is looking at another site in nearby Fitchburg for its 137,000-square-foot lab, should that citys TIF program pencil out a better deal. While a Madison-versus-Fitchburg choice wont make a big difference in terms of the metropolitan area economy  it basically functions as one unit  it would be a loss for Madison in terms of property tax revenue alone.

Because the Spectrum Brands building isnt being used, the city also has an interest in renovating a potential eyesore on the South Beltline highway and securing a new employment base for nearby neighborhoods that could use a shot in the arm.

Exact Sciences wants Madison to consider amending its TIF rules so it can capture the full $2.5 million loan. That raises the citys historically conservative risk quotient slightly  but it may keep the companys newest facility within city limits. The review process reaches a key city committee Sept. 11 and managers at Exact Sciences are hoping for a decision by early October. In the meantime, theyre keeping their options in business-friendly Fitchburg open.

Whether its Foxconn, which selected Wisconsin in a multi-state race, or the current 15-state competition for a Toyota-Mazda plant that would create 4,000 jobs, or the Exact Sciences proposal in Dane County, all governments compete in hopes of delivering opportunity to their citizens and tax revenues to their coffers.

The Legislatures vetting of the Foxconn deal should and will continue, but no one should be fooled into thinking nations, states and communities dont compete every day. Rather than wishing away such competition, its mainly about calculating certain risks for uncertain rewards.
This year, Labor Day is even more meaningful because there has never been greater opportunity for Americas workforce, particularly through careers in construction.

The construction industry is healthy, it can never be outsourced overseas and the demand for skilled labor is high. This is positive for those seeking family-sustaining construction careers, which there are many.

The construction industry nationwide needs to hire a staggering 500,000 workers just to fill a backlog of existing jobs. That number could jump to one million, once Americas infrastructure rebuilding initiative is underway.

In Wisconsin alone, the anticipated Foxconn construction project in the Racine/Kenosha area will require 10,000 construction workers, placing a strain on the availability of workers statewide.

Efforts are underway to make the skilled construction trades more accessible. Wisconsin is proposing the streamlining of burdensome apprenticeship ratios (journey workers to apprentices) that strictly limit the number of workers who can be trained in the construction trades. This common-sense measure does not spend any additional tax dollars and will help bridge the skills gap.

Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin and its nearly 900 member employers applaud efforts like this one to make construction careers more accessible. When jobs go unfilled, full potential is not reached by individuals, our state or our country.

We encourage lawmakers to continue to be prudent about removing barriers hampering our ability to meet our states workforce needs.

John Mielke, president, Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors is considering a resolution in support of nonpartisan redistricting in Wisconsin.

Twenty-four other counties around the state have already taken a stand to improve the way Wisconsin draws its voting maps.

The fair maps movement is gaining momentum from the gerrymandering case, Whitford v. Gill, which the U.S. Supreme Court will hear in October. That case will determine whether Wisconsins current voting maps are unconstitutional and create a standard to measure this by.

Unfortunately, the outcome of Whitford will not change the contentious process by which Wisconsin draws its maps.

If we do not adopt a nonpartisan process before district boundaries are updated after the 2020 federal census, the Wisconsin Legislature  no matter which party controls it  will retain the power to create voting maps that ensure their partys advantage for the next 10 years.

In a democracy, voters should choose their lawmakers, not vice versa. Representatives elected by the people of Vernon County have a duty to ensure that every candidate has an even playing field when running for office and every person has an equal say in our democracy  regardless of political party.

The time has come for an impartial, transparent process for redistricting in Wisconsin. A new, nonpartisan model has already been introduced in Senate Bill 13 and Assembly Bill 44, but has yet to be given a public hearing.

This county board resolution sends an important message to Madison  that Vernon County cares about fair elections and we want fair maps.

Leslie Wegener, Stoddard
Beneath brush and fallen trees, a Catholic cemetery sat untended and unnoticed for years.

That has all changed thanks to a group of local volunteers.

St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery, which sits across the road from St. Johns Evangelical German Lutheran Church in the town of Ridgeville, has been the recipient of a facelift thanks to members of the Knights of Columbus Council 4125. The project, which began in May 2016, has been a long, complex process, said Wenzel Felber, project chairman. It has taken over 1,000 hours and over 100 volunteers to repair the property.

Felber said records found at St. Johns Catholic Church in Wilton show that St. Michaels parish was established in 1864 and disbanded in 1878, leaving 58 people buried at the churchs cemetery.

Executive director of the Tomah Area Historical Society and Knights of Columbus member Jim Weinzatl, said the cemetery was forgotten after the church burned down.

We believe the church burned down about 1870, was never rebuilt and left the cemetery here, he said. It has been abandoned for a number of years and dealt with vandalism.

The cemetery was in dire need of help, Felber said.

The first thing we did was remove five huge, dead pine trees ... that took a couple of days, he said. Then we worked the fence line, and that took four or five days  we had brush piles that we burned last winter.

He said some of the brush piles were as high as 14 feet.

Gravestones also had to be fixed, Felber said. He said 90 percent of them needed to be restored.

We did that after we got the brush and stuff cleaned out, he said.

Pieces of monuments were scattered around the property. The top of one monument was found underneath another, and some gravestones had tipped over and had to be dug out, Felber said.

Not all of the damage was caused by the passage of time and neglect, Felber said.

I was told that (around) 25 years ago ... that vandals went through here and busted up a bunch of stuff and other cemeteries around here, he said.

The cemetery was also used as a dumping ground, Felber said.

We found old toilets and garbage, tires, you name it, thrown out here, he said. Then this spring Zellmer Excavating dug out somewhere around 40 to 50 stumps for us. I cant remember how it looked until I look at a picture, and it kind of chokes me up.

The Knights of Columbus werent the first people to attempt to repair the cemetery, Weinzatl said. He said some repair work had been done to several gravestones  brackets were attached to keep the stones together.

Although it has taken over a year and hours of physical labor, it was a worthy project to undertake, Weinzatl said.

I think its the greatest project weve done in many years, he said. I mean weve got a lot of involvement from our members to do something that was something for the community. I think we do a lot of things around Tomah, but we dont do much outside of Tomah, and our council is made up of members from around the area. Its Oakdale and Warrens and Camp Douglas and Clifton and Ridgeville, so its not just Tomah.

Don Thill, a Knights of Columbus, volunteer, said he was happy to have been involved in this project.

Im impressed ... Its inspiring, it makes you want to do it again, he said. It makes me feel good.

Its amazing to see the end result, Tom Wolf, a Knights volunteer said.

Wolf has lived just down the road from the cemetery since he was one year old.

We used to drive by here with bicycles and ... this was just a brush pile in here, and you didnt hardly know it was a cemetery  I heard from the neighbors that this was a Catholic cemetery, but nothing was taken care of, he said. I think this is a great idea that were up here fixing it. It looks a lot better.

Lyda Lanier, member of St. Johns Evangelical German Lutheran Church, is thrilled with the finished product.

It looks clean and beautiful, and its a beautiful tribute, she said.

A mass and ceremony will be held Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery to celebrate the completion of the project and to honor those interred at the cemetery, Weinzatl said.

Theyve been neglected for so long that (were going to) say a mass for their souls, he said. They were somebodies at some time, like we are, and we hope were never forgotten.
The title of this post is the title of this notable Cato Institute Capitol Hill Briefing slated for September. Here is how the event is described from the Cato website:

Featuring Tom Garrett (R-VA-05), U.S. Congressman; Ilya Somin, Professor of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University; Trevor Burrus, Research Fellow, Center for Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute; moderated by Jonathan Blanks, Research Associate, Project on Criminal Justice, Cato Institute.

The legal sale of recreational marijuana remains limited to a handful of states, but 29 states plus the District of Columbia allow the prescription and distribution of medical marijuana. Ten of those states  which represent 115 electoral votes  went for President Trump in the 2016 election. National polling shows that just over half of Americans favor marijuana legalization, but a much larger majority want the federal government to leave marijuana alone in states where it is legal.

While candidate Trump promised to protect medical marijuana on the campaign trail, President Trumps Justice Department wants to be more aggressive against state-legal marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Ultimately, Congress holds the reins on the Department of Justices ability to enforce particular provisions of the CSA and determines which substances should be under federal control.

While marijuana decriminalization is often thought to be a Democrat-friendly topic, some of the best arguments for federal recognition of state marijuana policy rest in traditional Republican values of federalism, deference to local policy choices, and a limited federal government. Moreover, businesses that have no direct ties to cannabis cultivation or distribution like banks and financial institutions can benefit from clear federal rules that tolerate state-legal marijuana transactions.

Join us for a lunchtime discussion to explore several ways Congress can reshape federal marijuana policy in a manner that is more consistent both with public opinion and the conservative values of limited government, federalism, and local policymaking.
The title of this post is the headline of this Wall Street Journal article reporting on the modern economic realities of the marijuana marketplace moving from black to gray. Here are excerpts:

From Washington to Colorado, wholesale cannabis prices have tumbled as dozens of states legalized the drug for recreational and medicinal uses, seeding a boom in marijuana production. The market is still tiny compared with the U.S. tobacco industrys $119 billion in annual retail sales, but the nascent cannabis business has grown to more than $6 billion a year at retail, according to data from Euromonitor International Ltd. and Cowen & Co..

For marijuana smokers, the price drop is sweet news. Recreational users and those prescribed cannabis for health reasons have seen prices decline as wholesale prices have fallen, though some retailers have pocketed part of the difference, according to New Leaf Data Services LLC, which researches the U.S. cannabis market....

But for growersranging from high-tech warehouse operations to back-country pot farmers gone legitthe price drop has been painful. Since peaking in September 2015 at about $2,133 a pound, average U.S. wholesale cannabis prices fell to $1,614 in July, according to New Leaf. That is the sort of market decline that hit Midwestern corn and soybean growers in recent years after a string of record-breaking crops. There is an increasing recognition, on the part of the industry and those that grow and dispense, that this market is a commodity, said Jonathan Rubin, New Leafs chief executive.

In response, some producers are taking a page from the food industry, where farmers and food companies increasingly appeal to health- and environment-conscious consumers. Growth in organic food products for years has outpaced conventional grocery sales, and products made without genetically modified crops, gluten and artificial flavorings can command premium pricing and shelf space....

Because cannabis remains illegal under federal law, growers cant get their crops certified as organic, a label that can only be bestowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cannabis farmers instead have turned to alternative labels such as SunGrown Certified, which requires that growers use sunlight and water-conservation practices. They hope such labels will entice smokers and secure shelf space in the 29 states where marijuana is legal in some form....

That push to differentiate is splitting pot farmers into rival camps. Indoor-grown cannabis, where climate controls and high-powered lights allow several crops per year, typically is of a more consistent quality, industry officials say. Its dense, often bright-green buds catch consumers eyes, often fetch a higher price and can be costlier to produce.

Proponents of marijuana grown outdoors and in greenhouses say indoor facilities rely on synthetic fertilizers and heavily consume electricity. They point to a 2012 paper by University of California Senior Scientist Evan Mills, which estimated that indoor cannabis production accounted for 1% of national electricity use, though some growers have been adopting LED lights, which consume less electricity.

Jeremy Moberg, owner of Riverside, Wash.-based CannaSol Farms and head of the Washington Sungrowers Industry Association, says marijuana smokers will come to care about the environmental cost of their high. The socially conscious, premium customer is going to want us because were sustainable, he said. It only takes me 30 seconds to convert somebody wearing Patagonia and driving a Prius that they should never smoke indoor weed again.

At Hashtag Cannabis in Seattle, Ms. Pillert said customers occasionally ask for pesticide-free or sun-grown varieties. Smokers main fixation, she said, is the potency rating for the key active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC: They want to make sure they are getting the biggest bang for their buck.

Many in the emergent industry expect marijuana to eventually resemble the beer business, where pricier craft brews have built followings in the shadow of cheaper mass-market beers like Budweiser and Busch. While high-quality strains and specialty brands may secure premium prices, more low-quality marijuana will be processed into oil used in vaporizer cartridges or adult-oriented baked goods like brownies and cookies, growers and retailers said.
As noted in this prior post, last month US Attorney General Jeff Sessions sent letters to the leaders of states with recreational marijuana laws detailing troublesome data that, in the words of these letters, raised "serious questions about the efficacy of marijuana 'regulatory structures'." And, as reported in this prior post, last week Washington set a forceful response to AG Sessions. This week, as reported here by HuffPost, Colorado sent its response in the form of this detailed five-page missive. (Alaska and Oregon have also responded forcefully to the Sessions latter, but Colorado and Washington seem to me the most important states to watch because they have the most mature marijuana industries and the longest-in-place regulatory regimes.) Here is part of the HuffPost summary of the letter:

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and Attorney General Cynthia Coffman (R) mounted a vigorous defense of their states legalized and regulated marijuana program Thursday, replying to a critical letter from Attorney General Jeff Sessions that was directed at states that have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes.

Hickenlooper and Coffman, in a response letter dated Thursday, tell Sessions that their states numerous marijuana laws and regulations are effective. They said the regulations work smoothly to prevent diversion of the drug outside of the state, block marijuana use by minors and protect the publics safety and health. The pair also encourage the federal government to work with the state to fortify the robust program that it has already built....

The State of Colorado has worked diligently to implement the will of our citizens and build a comprehensive regulatory and enforcement system that prioritizes public safety and public health, the Colorado letter reads. When abuses and unintended consequences materialize, the state has acted quickly to address any resulting harms. While our system has proven to be effective, we are constantly evaluating and seeking to strengthen our approach to regulation and enforcement.

The Colorado officials detailed statistics that the state provided to the Department of Justice in a report in July, a document HuffPost obtained and previously reported on earlier this month, to back up their argument that state-level legalization of marijuana is effective.
In this post from way back in December 2016, I suggested it could prove legally and practically difficult for the incoming Trump Administration to go aggressively after state-level marijuana reforms. The post was titled "why I seriously doubt future AG Sessions will start a foolish new weed war federal offensive," and it outlined some challenges that might arise were the Trump Department of Justice to try to bring back an era of national federal pot prohibition enforcement by executive fiat. This post's title, which is much more catchy than my Dec 2016 title, comes from the headline of this lengthy BuzzFeed News piece by Dominic Holden. This BuzzFeed piece covers more effectively and systematically some of the issues and forces I had in mind back in December, and here are highlights:

Donald Trump said three times while campaigning that pot legalization should be left up to the states. But after five weeks in the White House, his former press secretary, Sean Spicer, announced that recreational marijuana  which was legalized by eight states without resulting in a crackdown by the Obama administration  has zero leeway under federal law. I do believe youll see greater enforcement of it, Spicer told the press corps.

Since then, lots of conventional wisdom says the White House can  and probably will  try to shut down Americas pot experiment. That wisdom looked particularly valid given that Trumps chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, has sharpened the attacks. He said in February that distributing pot remains illegal whether a state legalizes it or not, and turned the screws in March by warning federal prohibition applies in states where they may have repealed their own anti-marijuana laws....

How, exactly, the Trump administration will approach this is TBD. The Justice Department is currently considering its options. At any time, though, Sessions and Trump could begin raids in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington state  where thousands of state-licensed pot businesses are already operating in the open. The administration could then argue in court that even issuing pot licenses is superseded by federal law.

Raiding farms and stores may seem simple, at first, but unlike federal pot busts in past years, targeting regulated state systems would present new legal disputes over states' rights. BuzzFeed News' interviews with law enforcement, former federal prosecutors, state officials, and conservative leaders show a crackdown would give rise to a hydra that pulls Trump into logistical, political, and legal traps  replicating his most humiliating setbacks like the travel ban (legal) and Obamacare (political).

Not only is legalization unprecedentedly popular, a crackdown has grown even more unpopular  and Trump would be destroying jobs in rural districts that voted for him. Possibly most damaging for Trump, though, is that he cant fully win, because state decriminalization of marijuana cannot be completely stopped. They have very limited tools, and I think none of them would be successful, Jenny Durkan, who served as US attorney in Washington state in 2012 when legalization took hold there, told BuzzFeed News. I just dont think they can stick the genie back in the bottle.

There are several paths Trump could take if he wanted to try anyway. Here's why each one would be difficult, or even impossible.

1. Trump cant bust all the legal pot businesses because there are way too many already. ...

2. If Trump were to even threaten pot businesses, he would still end up in brutal court battles. ...

3. Even if Trump only makes a few busts, the states will get involved and fight Trump, too. ...

4. Trying to overturn state legalization laws themselves would be difficult and time-consuming  and could still fail. ...

5. Fighting long legal battles would be unpopular for Trump, and it would grow more toxic by the day. ...

6. Trump could never stop people from using and growing pot with impunity, even if he won in court. ...
The folks at Third Way have this notable new publication titled "Americas Marijuana Evolution." Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with the ground covered in this piece, but it still makes for an interesting read based on how legal and policy changes are discussed. Here is one excerpt focused on state laws and political developments:

A detailed analysis of the ten states to most recently legalize medical marijuana legislatively finds that most bills passed with large majorities, regardless of the party controlling the chamber. In nine of those ten states, the measure passed with at least 60% of the vote in the lower chamber of the state legislature. And in all but Ohio, the upper house voted in favor of legalization with at least 58% of the vote. In several states, the bills passed with more than 80% or even 90% approvalmaking it clear that medical legalization on the state level has gained wide support across the ideological spectrum.

Marijuana is even less of a partisan issue on the state level than on the federal level, though Democratic policymakers at all levels of government remain more supportive of reform than Republicans. In every single one of the ten states to most recently legalize legislatively, the majority passing the bill through each chamber of the state legislature was bipartisan. And while in nine of those ten states the Governor signing the bill into law was a Democrat, in the three most recent  Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia  both chambers of the state legislature were controlled by Republicans. In fact, in Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich signed his states bill into law, making it the first to enact marijuana legalization through a process that was Republican-controlled at every stage. And the Democratic Governor of West Virginia who signed his state's bill into law earlier this year  Jim Justice  has since announced he is switching party affiliation to be a Republican.

When Vermont became the first state in the nation to pass a recreational legalization bill this spring, it did so with healthy majorities as well20-9 in the Senate and 79-66 in the House. Though only a handful of Republicans voted for the bill in each chamber, when Republican Governor Phil Scott vetoed it, he said that he is not philosophically opposed to marijuana legalization and has since been working with the legislature on a new bill that addresses some specific concerns he had raised.

Increasingly, marijuana reform is becoming a bipartisan issue in state legislatures, regardless of the party in power. Thats especially true for medical legalization, which is now the law of the land in the majority of states.

We analyzed the state legislative and gubernatorial elections immediately following legalization in each of the ten states that most recently legislated medical marijuana, and we couldnt identify a single instance of negative political consequences for elected officials who supported legalization of medical marijuana.

We could find no state legislative races in which voting in favor of a medical marijuana bill was detrimental. Only two state senates flipped party control after legalizationNew York and Minnesotabut in both the medical marijuana vote had been overwhelmingly in favor and bipartisan. Only two state lower chambers flipped party control as well  Minnesota and New Hampshire  but in neither state was marijuana a major campaign issue. Not a single Governor in any of these ten states lost a reelection campaign because he or she signed a medical marijuana bill into law  in fact, only one Governor lost their reelection at all (Democrat Pat Quinn of Illinois), and it was to an opponent who did not oppose medical marijuana legalization.

It seems clear that legalizing medical marijuana is not a political liability for Governors or state legislatures. In fact, given the overwhelming popularity of medical marijuana, just the opposite may prove to be true going forward, especially as more states legalize and those that dont are left behind.

State policymakers have led the way on marijuana reform. More than half of the 29 states that have legalized medical marijuana did so legislatively, and more are likely to follow. The growing bipartisan nature of state reforms and the absence of any major political consequences for those policymakers who enacted them illustrate that policymakers can feel comfortable publicly supporting legalization, regardless of party affiliation.
This local new article form Arkansas, headlined "Medical marijuana industry expected to bring new jobs to Arkansas," provides an effective and thorough accounting of an important economic development element of marijuana reform. For that reason, I recommend the piece in full, and the excerpt below includes a bit of extra national news highlighted below that strikes me as especially notable:

A one-man testing lab in Greenbrier is poised to add up to seven employees, spend more than $1 million on equipment and buy several vehicles to capitalize on the coming sale of medical marijuana in Arkansas. Kyle Felling, the owner of F.A.S.T. Laboratories, is one part of a burgeoning medical marijuana industry that's expected to create hundreds of jobs in Arkansas, according to industry experts and representatives....

In-state dispensaries and cultivation facilities are expected to provide the bulk of the jobs. However, other services, like lab testing, are essential for the medical marijuana market to function. Storm Nolan, president of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association, said he expects between 500 and 600 people to be employed where marijuana is grown and sold in the near term....

David Couch, the Little Rock lawyer who sponsored the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment that was approved by voters in November, said he eventually expects 1,500 jobs or more in dispensaries and cultivation facilities. Nolan and Couch said hundreds more jobs are expected in ancillary businesses, like F.A.S.T. Laboratories....

The accuracy of job estimates is expected to improve with time. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics will begin releasing data Sept. 6 under an updated jobs classification system that details marijuana wholesalers, stores and grower employment, David Hiles, an economist with the bureau, said in an email. ...

Specialty companies will be needed to ship, test, market, enforce, track, insure, construct, lobby, inspect, secure and bank in the industry. However, it's an open question whether many of the businesses will be locally owned. While the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission mandated that dispensaries and cultivation facilities be majority owned by Arkansans, there's no similar requirement for the businesses that will serve them.

James Yagielo, chief executive of Florida-based HempStaff, said many end up being from out of state. "There are always some ancillary businesses," he said. "A lot of them -- like us -- are national, but you do get some that pop up." Nolan said he expects more ancillary businesses to enter the market as the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission develops licenses for transportation, distribution and processing. Those licenses remain on the to-do list of the commission, which currently is taking applications for dispensaries and growers....

Michael Pakko, chief economist at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said the nature of the marijuana business -- highly regulated with dispensaries and cultivation facilities required to each have unique ownership -- is costly, but can also provide additional employment....

Entry-level jobs include trimming marijuana at around $10 an hour. Assistant growers, who plant and nourish marijuana, will earn $15 to $20 per hour. Master growers, who manage operations, will make between $40 to $60 per hour.... Most dispensaries start with around five employees.... Each store's general manager will earn around $20 per hour. Dispensary agents, who interact with patients, will make $12 to $15 per hour.

While hundreds of jobs are expected to be created in the medical marijuana industry -- on par with a large state economic development project -- Arkansans may not feel the same impact because the jobs will be spread throughout the state, Pakko said. "Five hundred to 600 jobs -- that would be a pretty good economic development project, but in the overall scheme of things, that's not a very large percentage of Arkansas' workforce or employment base," he said. "Now in the local communities where those jobs are going to be, it can be a big deal. It can be a significant impact."
Only a couple of years ago, it seemed relatively rare to find lawyers in big firms with significant marijuana practices and rarer still to hear those lawyers actively discussing their marijuana work. Against that backdrop, this new Philadelphia Inquirer article provides another example of the changing marijuana times. The piece is headlined "Philly-area law firms bullish on cannabis despite grave legal risks," and here are excerpts:

Lawyers going into the marijuana business face potential arrest, disbarment, and even imprisonment. But theyre gambling that the smoke will clear, and the federal government will eventually legalize cannabis. Many of Philadelphias biggest firms  Duane Morris, Fox Rothschild, and Cozen OConnor among them  have set up practices recently to serve cannabis growers, dispensaries, and related entrepreneurs as the state aggressively gears up to make medical marijuana available to patients by early 2018. Last month, Pepper Hamilton formalized its marijuana industry group.

We saw it as a growth opportunity, said Joseph C. Bedwick, partner at Cozen OConnor. But the continuing disconnect between state and federal laws, and the Trump administrations antipathy toward marijuana, has created what Bedwick calls a big ball of uncertainty.

At any moment, theoretically, they can say, Were going to crack down on this,  Bedwick said. And with so many attorneys getting into the cannabis game, some doubt there will be enough work to sustain those practices....

You have a hatchet over your head with the federal government, said Andrew B. Sacks, chairman of the medical marijuana and hemp department at Sacks Weston Diamond, which was among the first to represent marijuana-related businesses.

Joshua Horn, co-chair of the cannabis practice at Fox Rothschild, is optimistic. He said its unlikely the feds would shut down state-legal medical marijuana operations, given the current status of the law, guidance from the DOJ, and budgetary constraints. They dont have the manpower, they dont have the budget, and popular will is strongly against it, Horn said. More than 90 percent of the people in the commonwealth support the medical marijuana program, and Pennsylvania isnt the most liberal state.

Few attorneys have been prosecuted under federal or local laws. However, California attorney Jessica McElfresh  who has represented cannabis clients for more than seven years  was arrested at gunpoint in May. The San Diego district attorney charged McElfresh on multiple felony counts, alleging she helped hide evidence of a hash oil manufacturing facility. It seized her client files and issued a warrant for all of McElfreshs cellphone location data for three years, along with her calendar, address book contacts, and internet searches. There have been attorneys that have been charged, but they participated more directly in the businesses, McElfresh said last week. Theres never been one like mine.

Philadelphia attorney Steven Schain of the Hoban Law Group said he considers the San Diego case chilling. It represents a landmine in all our paths, Schain said. Sizzle aside, marijuana remains 100 percent illegal under federal law. Any real cannabis lawyer is exposed to massive federal and civil prosecution. But were willing to take the risk.

Boutique firms were the the first to represent aspiring cannabis clients in the state, said Sacks. As trailblazers, they wrestled early on with the dilemmas created by the tension between the conflicting state and federal statutes.... Though the boutiques ... were the first to have a toehold in the state, large national firms soon appeared.

Of the 12 companies chosen by the state Department of Health to grow cannabis, six were represented by out-of-state firms. That hasnt dampened the enthusiasm of attorneys wanting to get into the cannabis game. More than 145 lawyers have signed on to serve on marijuana committees run by the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations, said Sacks, who chairs those committees.

Hobans Schain doubts theres enough work to warrant so many players. Legalized marijuana is suffused with irrational exuberance, Schain said. Everyone is convinced that somebody is making loads of money and trying to get a piece of the action. But if youve been in the industry more than 10 minutes, you know the reality is quite different.

But Bedwick, of Cozen OConnor, said that his firm was in for the long game and that many clients are related tangentially to the cannabis industry. Theyre real estate owners, investors, lighting manufacturers, builders, and security companies. Those entrepreneurs are looking for advice on issues that include banking, taxation, intellectual property, and labor law.
The title of this post is the headline of this big long article Denver Post article exploring marijuana reform's impact on roadway safety. Here are excerpts:

The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes in Colorado who tested positive for marijuana has risen sharply each year since 2013, more than doubling in that time, federal and state data show. A Denver Post analysis of the data and coroner reports provides the most comprehensive look yet into whether roads in the state have become more dangerous since the drugs legalization.

Increasingly potent levels of marijuana were found in positive-testing drivers who died in crashes in Front Range counties, according to coroner data since 2013 compiled by The Denver Post. Nearly a dozen in 2016 had levels five times the amount allowed by law, and one was at 22 times the limit. Levels were not as elevated in earlier years.

Last year, all of the drivers who survived and tested positive for marijuana use had the drug at levels that indicated use within a few hours of being tested, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, which compiles information for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

The trends coincide with the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado that began with adult use in late 2012, followed by sales in 2014. Colorado transportation and public safety officials, however, say the rising number of pot-related traffic fatalities cannot be definitively linked to legalized marijuana. Positive test results reflected in the NHTSA data do not indicate whether a driver was high at the time of the crash since traces of marijuana use from weeks earlier also can appear as a positive result.

But police, victims families and safety advocates say the numbers of drivers testing positive for marijuana use  which have grown at a quicker rate than the increase in pot usage in Colorado since 2013  are rising too quickly to ignore and highlight the potential dangers of mixing pot with driving....

Estimates vary for how much marijuana use has increased in Colorado since legalization. Surveys by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that use within 30 days rose from about 12 percent of Colorado adults in 2013 to 17 percent in 2015, a 42 percent increase. But the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment published a survey last year putting adult use at 13 percent in 2015, indicating a slower rate of growth.

The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes testing positive for marijuana rose 88 percent from 2013 to 2015, FARS data show. The numbers are not strictly comparable as the usage estimates would take into account Colorados population growth rate of roughly 1.8 percent a year....

Law enforcement officials, prosecutors and public policy makers concede theres still too little information about marijuana and how its detected to understand just how much the drug is affecting traffic fatalities. Even coroners who occasionally test for the drug bicker over whether to include pot on a drivers death certificate. No ones really sure of the broad impact because not all the drivers are tested, yet people are dying, said Montrose County Coroner Dr. Thomas Canfield. Its this false science that marijuana is harmless,  but its not, particularly when you know what it does to your time and depth perception, and the ability to understand and be attentive to whats around you....

The trends in the state appear nearly identical in Washington state, where recreational marijuana was legalized at about the same time. Officials there have been tracking the drugs impact on driving much more carefully and for a longer period, statistics show. What Washingtonians have been seeing is starting to be revealed here: Drug-impaired driving is now eclipsing alcohol, and thats frustrating, said Darrin Grondel, director of Washingtons Traffic Safety Commission, which is gathering and studying the data.

However, Colorados understanding is due to deepen. The legislature last session passed House Bill 1315, which mandates a vigorous analysis of traffic fatalities statewide and the extent to which marijuana and other drugs are involved and prosecuted. As part of that project, state police have re-analyzed about a third of blood samples taken from suspected drunk drivers in 2015 and, according to a person familiar with that project, found that more than three in five also tested positive for active THC.

Coroners and police say they have no idea just how many drivers  dead or alive  have active THC in their system because so few of them are tested for it in the first place. Colorados Department of Public Safety in March 2016 said barely half of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were tested for drugs  and 81 percent of the ones tested were dead. That has remained relatively unchanged since 2012, when 45 percent of all drivers in fatal crashes were tested. Thats because Colorados DUI laws are such that a positive reading for alcohol impairment quickly results in a suspended license. Not so for marijuana....

Transportation officials are concerned not only with pot-related fatalities but with the overall rise in traffic deaths. While CDOT doesnt see the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes as a reliable measurement, preferring metrics such as the number of actual crashes and fatalities, it does note that those are also on the rise. The reason, said CDOTs Cole, is probably due in part to an increase in motorcycle fatalities, pedestrian deaths, cellphone use  and marijuana.
The title of this post is the headline of this notable op-ed in today's New York Times authored by Thomas James Brennan, a former sergeant in the Marine Corps. Here is much of what he has to say:

The explosion that wounded me during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan in 2010 left me with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. In 2012 I was medically retired from the Marine Corps because of debilitating migraines, vertigo and crippling depression. After a nine-year career, I sought care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

At first, I didnt object to the pills that arrived by mail: antidepressants, sedatives, amphetamines and mood stabilizers. Stuff to wake me up. Stuff to put me down. Stuff to keep me calm. Stuff to rile me up. Stuff to numb me from the effects of my wars as an infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan. Stuff to numb me from the world all around. The T.B.I. brings on almost daily migraines, and when they come, its as if the blast wave from the explosion in Afghanistan is still reverberating through my brain, shooting fresh bolts of pain through my skull, once again leaving me incapacitated. Initially the prescriptions helped  as they do for many veterans. But when I continued to feel bad, the answers from my doctors were always the same: more pills. And higher dosages. And more pills to counteract the side effects of those higher dosages. Yet none of them quite worked.

One thing did. In 2013, a friend rolled a joint and handed it to me, urging me to smoke it later. It will relieve your symptoms, he promised. That night I anxiously paced around my empty house. I hesitated to light it up because Id always bought into the theory of weed as a gateway drug. But after a few tokes, I stretched out and fell asleep. I slept 10 hours instead of my usual five or six. I woke up feeling energized and well rested. I didnt have nightmares or remember tossing or turning throughout the night, as I usually did. I was, as the comedian Katt Williams puts it, hungry, happy, sleepy.

With the help of my civilian psychiatrist, I began trading my pill bottles for pipes and papers. I also began to feel less numb. I started to smile more often. I thought I had found a miracle drug. There was just one problem: That drug was illegal. In 21 states, including North Carolina, where I live, any use of marijuana is forbidden under state law. The current punishments for those who possess or cultivate cannabis  even for medical purposes  may include a felony conviction and imprisonment, loss of child custody and permanent damage to their livelihood. The V.A. encourages veterans to discuss their cannabis use with their doctors, but because cannabis is also prohibited under federal law, the V.A. cannot prescribe it in any form  thereby denying countless veterans relief to many mental health symptoms and other service-connected disabilities.

The medical benefits of marijuana for the more than 360,000 post-Sept. 11 veterans who have brain injuries are not universally recognized. (As many as one in five veterans are thought to have post-traumatic stress.) But medical experts like Dr. Frank Ochberg, a psychiatrist and former associate director of the National Institute of Mental Health, believe that medical marijuana absolutely belongs in the pharmacy for post-traumatic stress and brain injury treatment. The V.A., Dr. Ochberg said, is failing veterans by not making cannabis a treatment option....

Most of the major veterans groups, including the American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, support regulated research into the medical uses of cannabis. But the research is slow in coming: Since 1968, the University of Mississippi has been home to the only licensed facility to produce cannabis for clinical research. In March it was reported that the universitys cannabis was contaminated with lead, yeast and mold  substances that jeopardize research efficacy and patient safety.

What I know is that it works for me. If I hadnt begun self-medicating with it, I would have killed myself. The relief isnt immediate. It doesnt make the pain disappear. But its the only thing that takes the sharpest edges off my symptoms. Because of cannabis, Im more hopeful, less woeful. My relationship with my wife is improving. My daughter and I are growing closer. My past is easier to remember and talk about. My mind is less clouded. More than anything, it feels good to feel again. My migraines and depression dont control my life. Neither do pills.

But I live in fear that I will be arrested purchasing an illegal drug. I want safe, regulated medical cannabis to be a treatment option. Just like the sedatives and amphetamines the V.A. used to send me by mail. And the opioids they still send to my friends.
On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A few days before UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pronounced anti-Semitism alive and well, the Jewish cemetery of Svalyava, Ukraine, was vandalized. Eduard Dolinsky, the director of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee, in a statement wrote that the incident in Ukraine was discovered August 22nd.

The scenic village once bustled with Jewish lifebefore Hungarian forces rounded up area Jews in 1944, deporting them to Auschwitz death camps. Twenty headstones were found overturned and smashed at the local Jewish cemetery, one of the only remnants of a once thriving community where Jews made up more than 20% of the population. One of the stones desecrated belonged to the towns rabbi, Rabbi Shalom Goldberg.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Wilhelm, Chabad emissary to the Carpathian region, appealed to authorities to condemn the vandalism and pursue the criminals aggressively and bring them to justice. Rabbi Wilhelm also reached out to major Jewish organizations in Ukraine demanding action from central authorities. These despicable acts cannot be ignored, he said.

This event follows similar wreckage in nearby cities; earlier this year government officials in Belarus approved the building of a luxury condo over a mass grave of Jewish bones, discovered mid-development.

Though U.N.s Guterres believes the horror of the Holocaust should be such that anti-Semitism should now be dead forever, bigotry, sadly, still continues in Eastern Europe.
The United Nations says there are 65 million forcibly displaced people around the world  a number so huge it can be overwhelming to contemplate.

Artist Ai Weiwei wants to make viewers see both the scale of the crisis and the humanity of the migrants with his documentary Human Flow, premiering Friday at the Venice Film Festival.

The film, one of 21 competing for the festivals Golden Lion prize, draws on a deep empathy with his subjects  one the artist came to through direct experience.

Its in my blood, said Ai, who spent his childhood in a remote Chinese community after his poet father was exiled by the countrys Communist authorities.

I was born when my father was a refugee, the artist said Friday. I understood how low humanity can go from [when I was] very, very young, and how wrong things can go.

I feel I am part of it, he said of the migrant crisis. I know them so well. They are part of me.

Many other people feel detached and powerless when faced with images of migrants making perilous journeys by land and sea. Ai says that is due in part to news reports, which inform people but can also dull the senses.

Because you feel, This is senseless, Ai told The Associated Press in Venice. Then you shut off because the crisis is getting too big, you cannot do anything about it.

That is the most dangerous moment.

The 60-year-old Ai is one of the worlds most successful artists, famous around the world for his installations of bicycles and sunflower seeds. In his native China, he was alternately encouraged, tolerated and harassed, spending time in detention and being barred for years from leaving the country.

Now based in Berlin, Ai frequently draws on images of flight and exile for his work. And he often thinks big: Last year, he wrapped the columns of the German capitals Konzerthaus in thousands of orange life jackets left behind by migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos.

Human Flow is on an even larger scale. Ais team of around 200 crew members traveled to 23 countries and territories, visiting Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, Rohingya from Myanmar in Bangladesh, Afghan refugees returning home from exile in Pakistan and Mexicans on the border with the U.S.

The film also follows the route taken by more than 1 million people since 2015, across the Aegean Sea to Greece and then by land through Europe. Some in the film are halted by police and barbed wire at borders, while others make it to a reception center in Germany, or head for the English Channel in hope of getting to Britain.

Ai wanders through the film as a compassionate observer, taking pictures on his phone, talking to people and even cutting one mans hair. Interspersed with those scenes are aerial shots that turn teeming crowds into almost abstract tableaux.

With this kind of tragedy you are trying to find a language to deal with this large topic, Ai said.

Sometimes my iPhone has to touch the [persons] face or drop in the water. Sometimes you have to use drones to capture this kind of mass of meaningless humans, like ants.

Ai said he wanted to avoid traditional movie structures such as following one character along their journey.

I wanted the film to be chaotic, in a way, he said.

The films high-profile slot at Venice, where its the only documentary in the main competition, should help it reach a broad audience, as should a release by Amazon in the U.S. this fall.

Ai said he hoped politicians would see the film, and resolve not to just avoid the situation, not just to build borders, not just to say them and us but rather to see we are all as one.

History tells us we have to sit down and come up with the best solution, Ai said. And I believe this is a possibility, because all policies are designed by human beings, and deep in our hearts we have this compassion and we have the ability to make something nicer for each other. Jill Lawless, Venice, AP
U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter following North Koreas strongest-ever nuclear test explosion to criticize both Koreas and China. But his tweets will get as much attention in Asia for whats missing as for their tough words.

Following the clearest sign yet that North Korea is fast approaching a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, Trump again skipped what for decades has been the bedrock of U.S. policy on the Korean Peninsula: A firm assurance that the United States would defend South Korea against any attack.

This feeds a growing worry that has many in South Korea and Japan asking a startling question. Could Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un want the same thing, namely a separation, or decoupling, of the decades-old security alliance between the United States and its top Asian allies, South Korea and Japan?

The White House has occasionally issued statements in which Trump has repeated what past presidents regularly declared about the U.S. commitment to defend its Asian allies. But his public comments on the alliance have more often reflected deep skepticism  and skipped any security reassurance.

Trump, for instance, previously questioned the expensive stationing of U.S. troops in South Korea and Japan, and suggested that Seoul and Tokyo pursue nukes themselves, instead of relying on the so-called U.S. nuclear umbrella. Trump also appears to be taking a shot at another pillar of the U.S.-South Korean alliance, a hard-fought free trade deal, by considering triggering a withdrawal from the agreement, a U.S. business lobbying group said over the weekend.

Then came Trumps five tweets after the nuclear test which criticized North Koreas main ally and aid provider, China, for failing to contain the North; South Koreas liberal president for talk of appeasement (despite what many see as a consistent hard line toward the Norths weapons tests) and, of course, rogue North Korea.

Nowhere did he seek to reassure a frazzled South Korea that the United States would have its back if attacked.

This matters because North Koreas relentless pursuit of nukes is seen by many analysts less as a way to beat the United States in a war than as a way to separate Washington from its Asian allies. The goal is to cause the United States to seriously consider whether its worthwhile to fulfill its treaty obligations by treating an attack on Seoul as it would an attack on San Francisco.

Ironclad U.S. vows of protection were easier before North Koreas recent demonstrations that it may be very close to actually being able to hit San Francisco and other parts of the United States with nuclear missiles.

What people in South Korea worry about most is whether the United States will defend South Korea at a time when the U.S. mainland is under threat [by North Korean missiles]. If you look at what Trump said now, the answer seems to be no, said Shin Hee-Seok, a graduate student in international law at Seouls Yonsei University. While it still remains a fringe opinion, some South Koreans are wondering if we should now build our own nuclear deterrent. If the U.S. is not a reliable ally, South Korea may have to think about Plan B.

The possibility of losing the free trade deal seemed for some here yet another hit to the alliance.

The United States now is not the United States we used to know, the Chosun Ilbo, South Koreas largest daily newspaper, said in an editorial. The president prioritizes dollars over the alliance.

Some see a not-too-distant future where North Koreas possession of dozens of nuclear-tipped ICBMs allows it to attack Seoul or Tokyo without U.S. intervention because of American fears that North Korean retaliation could kill millions in American cities.

Im worried about whether the U.S. is really serious about defending its ally, South Korea, or if its putting its own national interest first, said Woo Young-soo, a law lecturer at a university in Seoul. As a true ally, I wish Trump would have a defense policy that is truly meant for South Korea.

Others believe North Korea can still be checked with firm statements from Washington that make clear how strongly the United States will respond if its allies are attacked. Because Kim Jong Un cares deeply about keeping power, this argument goes, he wont risk an attack if an overwhelming U.S. response seems more likely than not.

Trumps experienced lieutenants have sought to signal this. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said all the right things after the test when he repeated what Seoul and Tokyo long to hear  that Washingtons commitment to them is unshakeable.

A lot of reassurance comes down to trust, Colin Kahl, a Georgetown University professor and former Obama administration national security official, said in a Twitter thread. Our allies have to believe we would trade San Francisco for Seoul or Toledo for Tokyo if push comes to shove. Yet instead of reassuring our democratic allies in East Asia, Trump has done the opposite.

Undermining alliance solidarity at this moment is dumb and dangerous. It emboldens Pyongyang, increases the risk of [North Korean] miscalculation [and] potentially incentivizes [South Korea] and Japan to seek their own independent nuclear arsenals, Kahl wrote. Foster Klug, Seoul, AP

Beijing says Trumps trade threat unacceptable

China yesterday criticized President Donald Trumps threat to cut off U.S. trade with countries that deal with North Korea and rejected pressure to do more to halt the Norths nuclear development.

Trump issued the threat after North Korea on Sunday exploded a thermonuclear device in its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. The threat was seen as a warning to China, North Koreas main trading partner and only major ally.

A foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, criticized Trumps stance as unfair to Beijing.

What is definitely unacceptable to us is that on the one hand we work so hard to peacefully resolve this issue and on the other hand our interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardized, Geng said at a regular news briefing. This is unfair.

Such an approach would be drastic if applied to China, from which the United States imports goods worth about $40 billion a month.

Trump said it was under consideration in addition to other options.

Asked whether Beijing would support tougher U.N. sanctions such as cutting off oil supplies to North Korea, Geng didnt mention oil but said whatever happened would depend on discussions among council members. Geng said China, one of five permanent Security Council members with power to veto U.N. actions, would take part in a responsible and constructive way.

Geng expressed frustration at Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls comment that Beijing had a responsibility to influence North Korea due to its status as the Norths main trading partner.

We keep stressing that we cannot solely rely on China to resolve this issue, said Geng. We need all parties to work in the same direction. AP
Anbang Insurance Group Co. is going back to basics. The acquisitive Chinese firm, which landed in Beijings crosshairs after funding a global buyout spree with sales of high-yield investment products, is adopting a more traditional approach as it emerges from a three-month regulatory ban on new client offerings.

Anbang is preparing to sell more than 20 new products, the majority of which are plain-vanilla, protection-type policies, according to people familiar with the matter.

The pivot illustrates how Chinas crackdown on financial risk is changing the nations insurance industry. Gone are the days when firms like Anbang could fund explosive growth by offering short-term policies with juicy yields. The company will now have to go head-to-

head with more traditional players, including China Life Insurance Co. and Ping An Insurance (Group) Co., that have much larger armies of agents. While Anbangs sales will probably pick up as the ban on new products at its life unit ends, the boost is likely to be limited, according to Grace Zhou, a Hong Kong-based analyst at ICBC International.

The new products will certainly help with sales to some extent, Zhou said by phone. But you cant expect a revival any time soon given the difficulty in selling such protection type products without a sizable agent force, she said.

The Beijing-based insurers life unit, the firms main source of revenue, is preparing to sell the new products after the China Insurance Regulatory Commission allowed Anbang to register them, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information hasnt been publicly announced. More than 10 of those products are traditional, protection type, regular-premium policies, and the remainder are corporate and personal annuity products, the people said.

An Anbang representative confirmed the new products, while the CIRC didnt immediately reply to a faxed request for comment.

The regulator has been cracking down on short-term, high-yield offerings as policy makers try to reduce the risks from asset-liability mismatches at insurers. Anbang was banned from selling new life products for three months in May and saw its revenues plunge amid a crackdown that resulted in the detention of Chairman Wu Xiaohui by Chinese authorities in June.

Anbang Life Insurance Co. had its rating cut by Chinas Dagong Global Credit Rating last month on signs the companys ability to repay debt is weakening. The life units gross premiums from traditional products in July slumped 99.6 percent from a year earlier, while sales of investment-type products plunged 94.4 percent, according to Bloomberg News calculations based on government data.

Anbang Life is facing rising liquidity pressure amid lower investment returns and restrictions on capital-replenishment channels, according to Dagong. The unit made a net loss in the first half after some revenue slumped, according to the ratings company.

Among assets acquired by Anbang in its more than $10 billion global takeover binge were New Yorks Waldorf Astoria hotel, Dutch insurer Vivat NV and South Koreas Tong Yang Life Insurance Co. Bloomberg
An international medical aid group has called on Libyan authorities to end arbitrary detention of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, slamming conditions inside detention facilities in the North African country as dire, unhealthy and abusive. Doctors Without Borders said in a statement that medical conditions in detention centers in Tripoli, where the United Nations-backed government is based, are either caused or aggravated by squalid detention conditions and ill treatment. The European Union earmarked tens of millions of euros to improve conditions for migrants inside Libyan detention centers. But the group says international funding to Libya is not the solution and fears the narrow focus on improving facilities legitimizes the arbitrary detention system.

60,000 evacuate Frankfurt before bomb disposal

German authorities were making final preparations in Frankfurt yesterday before experts defused a huge World War II-era bomb in an operation that included evacuating more than 60,000 residents. Hospital patients and the elderly were among those affected in what was Germanys biggest evacuation in recent history. Construction workers found the 1.8-ton British bomb on Tuesday. Officials have ordered residents to evacuate homes within a 1.5-kilometer radius of the site in Germanys financial capital. Similar operations are still common 72 years after the war ended. About 20,000 people were evacuated from the western city of Koblenz before specialists disarmed a 500-kilogram U.S. bomb Saturday.

Spanish police arrest 12 Britons in drug bust

Spanish police have arrested 14 people, including 12 British nationals, in an operation to bust a drug trafficking ring in a resort town on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca. Spains Civil Guard said Saturday that it made the arrests during raids of 12 different residences. Police confiscated three kilograms of cocaine, unspecified quantities of other drugs, more than 100,000 euros (USD118,000), and four vehicles used by the alleged drug dealers. A police video showed officers with weapons drawn breaking down an apartment door while a helicopter hovered overhead. The dealers allegedly sold the drugs in Magaluf, a seaside resort that has become a popular destination for tourists and partygoers seeking nightlife.
Mother Teresa, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who devoted her life to helping the sick and the poor, has died at the age of 87.

She died of a heart attack at the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta shortly before 1700 BST.

The nun from Skopje, Macedonia, had been battling ill health for some years, and in March stepped down as head of the order of nuns she founded.

She was revered by many around the world as a living saint for her work with the dispossessed.

The Pope often praised her work and a Vatican spokesman told reporters he was deeply hurt by the news of her death.

The Pope believes she is a woman who has left her mark on the history of this century, he said.

The head of the Catholic church in England and Wales, Cardinal Hume, said she was an enormously significant figure  everyone knows who Mother Teresa is.

Born Agnes Bojaxhiu in Skopje, then part of the Ottoman Empire later Macedonia, she took the name Sister Teresa in Ireland, where she began her training as a nun with the Loreto Sisters.

She founded her order in 1948 and went out to work in the slums of Calcutta.

She was sometimes accused by Hindus in her adopted country of trying to convert the poor to Catholicism by stealth and criticised by liberals who disliked her conservative stance on abortion and contraception.

But her biographer and friend Navin Chana said she would be remembered as someone who gave the word compassion a new dimension.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Tens of thousands of people lined the route of Mother Teresas funeral procession in Calcutta a week later.

Her successor as head of the Missionaries of Charity was Sister Nirmala.

In 1997 the order which Mother Teresa had run for almost half a century was 4,000-strong and established in 130 countries.

It cared for 7,000 children and treated about four million sick people each year.
As a hit-and-run charge effectively expires, the whereabouts of an heir to the Red Bull energy-drink empire accused of killing a Bangkok police officer five years ago remain unknown. The fugitive, whose family is worth billions, has apparently found a way to disappear.

The Associated Press recently confirmed Vorayuth Boss Yoovidhyas last known location: Taiwan. Two sources with knowledge of the investigation said he flew there from Singapore, where he had fled shortly before he was supposed to make an April court appearance in Bangkok.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters about the case, said Vorayuth stayed at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental in Taipei before leaving the island May 3. Since then, the trail has gone cold.

The statute of limitations on the hit-and-run charge Vorayuth faces expires Sunday, though it effectively ended at 5 p.m. Friday, said Prayuth Petchkhun, a deputy spokesman for the attorney generals office. After that, even if you found the suspect, you wouldnt be able to bring him to the court until Monday, he said.

The expired charge might have been easier to prove than what would be the sole remaining count against him: causing death by reckless driving.

For more than four years, Vorayuth missed court appearances while living a high-flying and even public life. Relying in part on public social-media posts from his family and friends, the AP found that Vorayuth had gone to Formula One races, snowboarded in Japan and cruised Venice, all while failing to show up for court dates.

No warrant was issued for his arrest until this April, after the AP report.

We have informed the police of our decision to file charges against him several months ago and this is polices responsibility to bring the suspect in, Prayuth said.

In May, Thai authorities revoked Vorayuths passport and said it would ask Interpol to send an international alert. The agencys red notice, however, was issued only this week  and it has yet to be posted on Interpols public website.

An Interpol spokesperson, who asked not to be named according to agency policy, said it keeps red notices off the public site only if the requesting country has asked that it not be publicized.

Vorayuth easily could have another passport, and could be in any of many places  even his home city. The AP revealed this month that Vorayuths family, worth an estimated USD9.7 billion, has been using offshore companies to cloak purchases of jets and luxury properties.

In a country like Thailand, money talks, said Ken Gamble, of IFW Global, a cyber-intelligence firm used by governments and police agencies. Fugitives can often outsmart the authorities if they know what theyre doing and they have contacts on the ground. Someone of his caliber, hell have some pretty good advisers.

Vorayuth is accused of slamming his Ferrari into motorcycle police Sgt. Maj. Wichean Glanprasert in 2012, dragging the officers body down a main Bangkok street before racing home.

In hiding from the authorities, Vorayuth is doing more than just evading capture: He is laying a path to legal impunity through Thailands statute of limitations. A speeding charge expired four years ago.

With the hit-and-run count gone as well, the last charge is causing death by reckless driving. For that, Vorayuth has offered a defense: He has consistently told authorities it was the policeman who drove recklessly, not him.

I am confident that prosecutors can prosecute the suspect on the remaining charge, which will expire in 10 years time, Prayuth said. We still have time to prosecute the case.

International attention brought to the case renewed cries of impunity and corruption in Thailand. Yet two days after the APs first reports in March, Vorayuth again failed to show up for his Bangkok court appointment, this time because, his lawyer said, he was on a mission in the United Kingdom. Indeed, a week later AP did meet up with Vorayuth outside his familys luxury home in London, but he wouldnt say anything.

Prosecutors again pledged to take action, and set yet another court date: April 27. Vorayuth left the country days before that appointment, this time flying by private jet to Singapore. He changed his Facebook identity that month from Boss Yoovidhya to Bee Toh. And his familys flow of more than 100 social media posts that included his image  birthdays, family dinners, parties and many Red Bull races  abruptly stopped.

On April 28, Vorayuth flew to Taiwan. The Mandarin Oriental did not reply to several requests to confirm that he stayed at the hotel.

Its unclear whether Thai police knew he was in Taipei at the time, or, if, they did, whether they requested his arrest. Thai police spokesman Col. Krissana Pattanacharoen, while refusing to confirm Vorayuths stay in Taiwan, said that without an Interpol red notice, no police force had any authority to act against a foreign national on its soil.

The sources who spoke to the AP said that when Vorayuth left Taiwan, his announced destination had been Singapore again, but they disagree over whether he ended up going there.

I think hes being protected, said Richard Dailly, of Kroll, a global security consultant.

A glance back at Vorayuths travel shows he traveled to at least nine countries since the fatal crash, regularly cheering on Team Red Bull at Formula One races, and making annual trips to Japan and the UK. The family, through an offshore company, owns at least five properties in one of Londons most expensive areas.

Its also possible that Vorayuth is back in Thailand, not only because of his resources but also because of weaknesses in Thailands immigration controls. Interpol maintains a database of more than 75 million stolen and lost passports, but Thailand does not yet use it systematically.

Not all 58 formal checkpoints are linked to the online database, Maj. Gen. Choochat Thareechat, Commander of the Thai Immigration Bureaus Investigation Division, confirmed to the AP this week. He added that immigration police still must investigate any travel document that looks suspicious.

Vorayuth also could be traveling on a second passport of unknown origin. Many governments sell citizenship as a way of raising revenue, and Thailands upper class has been known to buy them.

For the worlds elite, they provide something that is less tangible and more desirable than any material object, ensuring personal mobility and security, said Mara Ispas of Henley & Partners, a citizenship consulting firm.

Private investigators say the biggest threat to Vorayuths freedom may be the suspect himself.

He probably likes to eat in nice places, travel to nice places. Hes reliant on his servants, and that is always a risk for rich people, said Gamble, of IFW Global. People always give them up. There will be too many people who know where he is and what hes doing.

While not speaking about Vorayuth specifically, former San Jose police chief Rob Davis, now a law enforcement consultant, said that while money can help fugitives hide, ubiquitous social media  the clues which led AP to Vorayuth in the first place  makes it tougher.

Sometimes these people cant help themselves, he said. By Jerry Harmer, Johnson Lai & Martha Mendoza, AP
Philippine prosecutors have dismissed rebellion complaints against 59 men who were stopped by police and army troops at two checkpoints in the south and accused of attempting to join Islamic State-linked militants who laid siege to a southern city.

Senior government prosecutor Peter Ong said Thursday the complaints filed by the military against the Muslim men were dismissed because of a lack of strong evidence, and authorities were ordered to free all the men.

It is clear that respondents were not committing the crime of rebellion or any crime at the time of their arrests, Ong and two other prosecutors said in their findings, a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press.

The men, who traveled in two big groups, may have sparked the suspicion of troops and police at checkpoints because of the Marawi siege, but suspicion alone is not sufficient to arrest, detain, charge and indict respondents, the prosecutors said.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the military respects the prosecutors decision but that security officials still believe the men could perhaps be eventually deployed to Marawi.

The ruling shows that the rule of law continues to work under martial law that was declared in the south by President Rodrigo Duterte to deal with the Marawi crisis, Padilla said, adding that the men were treated well and would be flown back to the south on an air force plane. MDT/AP
Macaus casino revenue growth slowed in August after accelerating for three consecutive months as typhoons disrupted operations in the worlds biggest gambling hub.

Gross gaming receipts rose 20.4 percent to MOP22.676 billion (USD2.8 billion) last month, according to data released by Macaus Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau on Friday. That exceeds the median estimate for an 18.5 percent increase in a Bloomberg survey of eight analysts. Gaming revenue climbed 29.2 percent in July from a year earlier.

The first of the two typhoons affected power and water supply at some casinos in the only Chinese territory where gambling is legal. The impact of the disruption, which prompted brokerage firms including Deutsche Bank AG and Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. to cut their gaming revenue growth forecast for August, may be a blip for an industry thats been on a year-long recovery despite Chinas efforts to curb capital flows.

Casino shares climbed ahead of the data, and generally held those gains after the numbers were released. Shares of Wynn Macau Ltd. surged 6.8 percent to HKD18.34, headed for the biggest gain since Sept. 1, 2016, as of 2:06 p.m. in Hong Kong. SJM Holdings Ltd. climbed 5.1 percent to HKD7.18, and Sands China Ltd. rose 3.9 percent to HKD36.40. The Bloomberg Intelligence Index of Macaus casino sector jumped 4.6 percent, while the Hang Seng Index was little changed.

Casinos in Macau have been benefiting from an increase in overnight visitors as well as spending by high rollers. Overnight visitors to Macau rose 11 percent in July while same-day arrivals dropped. As tourists staying overnight spend four times more than day-trippers, it will boost revenue and profit for casino operators, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence note on August 25.

Revenue from high rollers has driven growth of the gambling hub this year. Suncity Group, the largest junket operator in Macau, expects about 40 percent surge in total bets last month, Andrew Lo, executive director of Suncity Group Holdings Ltd., the listed vehicle of the group, said this week. Total bets are forecast to increase by more than 30 percent this year, he said.

Still, casino and junket operators are concerned that Chinas efforts to curtail capital outflows eventually will cut into their business. Macau is considered a primary exit used for capital flight by private citizens and corrupt government officials alike.

Regulators in the worlds most lucrative gaming hub are also deploying machines that require Chinese Unionpay cardholders to scan their ID cards before withdrawing cash to keep tabs on capital outflows from China and watch for potential money laundering schemes. MDT/Bloomberg
The Macau government received general support yesterday from the mainlands State Council on a proposal for a cross-boundary flood control system that local authorities say could solve the flooding risk in the Inner Harbor area.

Chief Executive Chui Sai On traveled to Guangdong Province this weekend to meet provincial leaders and discuss the technical details for a shared flood control system, which is likely to include a tidal barrier.

The project was submitted to the mainland entity in March 2017. According to a statement from the Government Information Bureau (GCS), the approval in principle followed the State Councils general flood control advice to local authorities.

The joint response  from the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Transport, the State Oceanic Administration and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council  suggested the government conduct further research in a number of areas.

Among the research areas listed by Beijing are detailed plans for building the flood control system for Macau and nearby cities, the impact of such a proposal on ocean ecology and sand accretion, and the effect of potential oceanic disasters.

Local authorities are also being asked to prove whether it would be more effective to build a cross-

boundary flood control system or a further embankment in the Inner Harbor area, the GCS statement continued.

Macaus Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau said that the local government is considering proceeding with both options, and has not ruled out other methods of flood control.

The MSAR government completed another project in 2015 to strengthen the areas short-term flood control mechanisms.

It admitted in a statement yesterday that the project had been insufficient for the scale of flooding brought on by Typhoon Hato, the deadliest weather phenomenon to strike the city in half a century.

To prevent flooding on a similar scale in the future, the local government is pushing ahead with its tidal barrier proposal, while simultaneously increasing the height of the existing embankment system across the city. DB
Japanese Emperor Akihitos oldest grandchild, Princess Mako, said yesterday she is getting married to a university classmate who won her heart with bright smiles and sincerity.

Mako and fiance Kei Komuro, both 25, said at a news conference that their relationship started when the princess sat behind him at a campus meeting five years ago at Tokyos International Christian University, where they graduated.

First I was attracted by his bright smiles like the sun, Mako said, smiling shyly. They talked for the first time at the event for students ahead of a study-abroad program, and then started dating.

Over time, she said she learned he is a sincere, strong-minded, hard worker, and he has a big heart, Mako said.

The couple had a long-distance relationship while studying overseas  Mako in Britain and Komuro in the U.S.  for one year. Then Komuro proposed to her after dinner in December 2013.

Mako has since introduced him to her parents, Prince Akishino, second in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, and Princess Kiko, as someone she wished to share her future with.

Komuro said he was so thankful and happy to have been accepted by her parents, and her grandparents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Komuro, a legal assistant who loves playing jazz piano, pledged to have a relaxed and peaceful home together.

Having a family still goes beyond my imagination, but I hope to make one that is warm, comfortable and filled with smiles, Mako said.

Details of their wedding have not been decided, and palace officials say the ceremony is expected sometime around autumn next year after a series of rituals, including one that authorizes the engagement.

The happy news is not necessarily good news for the future of a royal family facing concerns about a declining population to keep their 2,000-year-old bloodline going.

Women arent allowed to succeed Japans throne. Mako will lose her royal status after marrying Komuro, who is a commoner.

Makos 83-year-old grandfather, Emperor Akihito, has expressed a desire to abdicate and is expected to do so in late 2018. Hell be succeeded by his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito. Next in line is Akishino, Naruhitos younger brother. After that, the only person left in the line of succession is Makos little brother. Akihitos three other grandchildren are all women.

Those who are concerned about the future of the royal family want to allow women to succeed the throne and others to keep their royal status so they can keep performing public duties, but a government panel on the emperors abdication avoided the divisive issue. Mari Yamaguchi, Tokyo, AP
Few expected the landmark decision by Kenyas top court to invalidate the August 8 election victory by President Uhuru Kenyatta and order a new vote, an extraordinary turnaround that some observers believe could positively reverberate across Africa and even beyond.

The role of the courts as a recourse for those who suspect an election was tainted by fraud or other problems is meant to bolster the democratic process, but many judges can be subject to political pressure and the temptation to favor perceived stability over uncertainty. The fact that Kenyas Supreme Court bucked the trend on Friday shows independence in the judicial system of the East African economic power that has been in question in the past.

In the African context, its very rare to see a court ruling against the incumbent even when processes are more or less free and fair. The state machinery usually tends to favor whoever is in charge and rule against the opposition, said Yarik Turianskyi, a governance expert at the South African Institute of International Affairs, a research institute based in Johannesburg.

I think it creates a lot of expectations for the region, for the continent, sending out a very positive example, Turianskyi said. And then next time something like this happens, everybody will be mentioning this example and hoping that due process will also be followed up.

Such expectations will face a tough test, particularly in countries that have more state control than Kenya, whose 2010 constitution is considered to be among the most progressive in Africa despite the ethnic allegiances and personality politics that overshadow its democracy.

In Angola, the opposition UNITA party and a smaller opposition group are contesting provisional results from the Aug. 23 vote that gave the win to the ruling MPLA party, which said Defense Minister Joao Lourenco will succeed President Jose Eduardo dos Santos after his 38-year rule. Angolas electoral panel says it is assessing opposition complaints that legal procedures were flouted in a country where human rights groups have long accused the government of silencing dissenting voices.

Some African nations face more severe challenges, even if votes are held more often and in many cases are seen to be less vulnerable to manipulation than in past decades.

Tensions are growing in Congo after officials failed to organize elections late last year. A deal brokered by the Catholic church calls for the vote to be held this year, but Congos electoral commission has indicated that the deadline will not be met.

Kenyas surprise court ruling came after longtime opposition candidate Raila Odinga alleged that last months vote was manipulated. He challenged the results despite intense pressure from business leaders and others to concede defeat and let the country resume normal life.

The courts decision in Odingas favor, unprecedented in Africa, was all the more surprising because judges threw out his challenge after he lost to Kenyatta in the 2013 election.

Fridays court ruling that there were illegalities and irregularities in last months election calls for a re-run within 60 days. It is, election experts say, an opportunity for Kenya to get it right this time.

Kenyas election commission should organize the new election in a way that promotes transparency, accountability and is verifiable, and political parties as well as the government and security forces should ensure a credible, peaceful process, said the National Democratic Institute, a non-profit group based in Washington.

In his first public comments after the court ruling, Kenyatta criticized the decision but said he respects it and called for calm in a country where some elections have been followed by deadly violence.

But in comments since then, Kenyatta has called the courts judges crooks and accused them of overturning the will of the people, which has alarmed some observers who see the statements as an attack on judicial independence.

There are rare examples of African courts stepping in and changing the course of an election in the past.

The 2010 presidential election in Ivory Coast, where some 3,000 people were killed after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat, was an example of how things can go wrong when state institutions are sidestepped or subject to manipulation. The election commission had declared opposition leader Alassane Ouattara as the winner, but the head of the countrys constitutional council ruled for Gbagbo. Ouattara eventually became president, and Gbagbo was arrested after international forces intervened.

Elsewhere in Africa, some opposition leaders have expressed faith in independent courts as a potential source of reform.

In Zambia, once-praised democratic institutions have come under scrutiny since President Edgar Lungu was re-

elected last year in a disputed contest. Treason charges were recently dropped against main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema. On Thursday during a visit to South Africa, Hichilema said Zambia needs an independent electoral commission if democracy is to be resuscitated. Christopher Torchia, Johannesburg, AP
Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a massive military response, South Korea fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the Norths main nuclear test site yesterday, a day after North Korea detonated its largest-ever nuclear test explosion.

South Koreas Defense Ministry also said that North Korea appeared to be planning a future missile launch, possibly of an ICBM, to show off its claimed ability to target the United States with nuclear weapons, though it was unclear when this might happen.

The heated words from the United States and the military maneuvers in South Korea are becoming familiar responses to North Koreas rapid, as-yet unchecked pursuit of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can strike the United States. The most recent, and perhaps most dramatic, advance came Sunday in an underground test of what leader Kim Jong Uns government claimed was a hydrogen bomb, the Norths sixth nuclear test since 2006.

The United Nations Security Council planned to hold its second emergency meeting about North Korea in a week today [Macau time] to discuss responses to the test.

In Seoul, Chang Kyung-soo, an official with South Koreas Defense Ministry, told lawmakers on Monday that it was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test but didnt provide details about how officials had reached that assessment. Chang also said the yield from the latest nuclear detonation appeared to be about 50 kilotons, which would mark a significant increase from North Koreas past nuclear tests.

In a series of tweets, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with countries doing business with North Korea, a warning to China, and faulted South Korea for what he called talk of appeasement.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, told reporters in Beijing yesterday that China regarded as unacceptable a situation in which on the one hand we work to resolve this issue peacefully but on the other hand our own interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardized. This is neither objective nor fair.

South Koreas military said its live-fire exercise was meant to strongly warn North Korea. The drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the countrys land-based Hyunmoo ballistic missiles firing into the Sea of Japan.

The target was set considering the distance to North Koreas test site and the exercise was aimed at practicing precision strikes and cutting off reinforcements, Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Each new North Korean missile and nuclear test gives the countrys scientists invaluable information that allows big jumps in capability. North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

Both diplomacy and severe sanctions have failed to check the Norths decades-long march to nuclear mastery.

In Washington, Trump, asked by a reporter if he would attack North Korea, said, Well see. No U.S. military action appeared imminent, and the immediate focus appeared to be on ratcheting up economic penalties, which have had little effect thus far.

In brief remarks after a White House meeting with Trump and other national security officials, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters that America does not seek the total annihilation of North Korea, but then added somberly, We have many options to do so.

Mattis said the U.S. will answer any threat from the North with a massive military response  a response both effective and overwhelming.

Mattis also said the international community is unified in demanding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that Kim should know Washingtons commitment to Japan and South Korea is unshakeable.

The precise strength of North Koreas underground nuclear explosion has yet to be determined. South Koreas weather agency said the artificial earthquake caused by the explosion was five times to six times stronger than tremors generated by the Norths previous five tests.

Sundays detonation builds on recent North Korean advances that include test launches in July of two ICBMs. The North says its missile development is part of a defensive effort to build a viable nuclear deterrent that can target U.S. cities.

North Korea has made a stunning jump in progress in its nuclear and missile programs since Kim rose to power following his fathers death in late 2011. The North followed its two tests of Hwasong-14 ICBMs, which, when perfected, could target large parts of the United States, by threatening to launch a salvo of Hwasong-12 intermediate range missiles toward the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam in August.

It flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile potentially capable of carrying nuclear weapons, in a launch Kim described as a meaningful prelude to containing Guam, the home of major U.S. military facilities, and vowed to launch more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

Ahead of the Norths test, photos released by the North Korean government showed Kim talking with his lieutenants as he observed a silver, peanut-shaped device that was purportedly a thermonuclear weapon destined for an ICBM. The images were taken without outside journalists present and could not be independently verified. What appeared to be the nose cone of a missile could also be seen in one photo, and another showed a diagram on the wall behind Kim of a bomb mounted inside a cone.

The Arms Control Association in the United States said the explosion appeared to produce a yield in excess of 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent, which it said strongly suggests North Korea tested a high-yield but compact nuclear weapon that could be launched on a missile of intermediate or intercontinental range.

Beyond the science of the blast, North Koreas accelerating push to field a nuclear weapon that can target all of the United States is creating political complications for the U.S. as it seeks to balance resolve with reassurance to allies that Washington will uphold its decades-long commitment to deter nuclear attack on South Korea and Japan.

That is why some questioned Trumps jab at South Korea. He tweeted that Seoul is finding that its talk of appeasement will not work. The North Koreans, he added, only understand one thing, implying military force might be required. The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and is obliged by treaty to defend it in the event of war.

Trump also suggested putting more pressure on China, North Koreas patron for many decades and a vital U.S. trading partner, in hopes of persuading Beijing to exert more effective leverage on its neighbor. Trump tweeted that the U.S. is considering stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea. Such a halt would be radical. The U.S. imports about USD40 billion in goods a month from China, North Koreas main commercial partner.

Experts have questioned whether North Korea has gone too far down the nuclear road to continue pushing for a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, an Obama administration policy goal still embraced by Trumps White House.

Denuclearization is not a viable U.S. policy goal, said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, but neither should the U.S. accept North Korea as a nuclear power, he said. We should keep denuclearization as a long-term aspiration, but recognize privately that its unachievable anytime soon. Foster Klug & Youkyung Lee, Seoul, AP
Aid officials said relief camps were reaching full capacity as thousands of Rohingya refugees continued to pour into Bangladesh yesterday fleeing violence in western Myanmar.

Some 73,000 people have crossed the border since violence erupted Aug. 25 in Myanmars Rakhine state, said U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Vivian Tan.

The violence and the exodus began after Rohingya insurgents attacked Myanmar police and paramilitary posts in what they said was an effort to protect their ethnic minority from persecution by security forces in the majority Buddhist country. In response, the military unleashed what it called clearance operations to root out the insurgents.

Another aid official said Saturday that more than 50 refugees had arrived with bullet injuries and were moved to hospitals in Coxs Bazar, on the border with Myanmar. Refugees reaching the Bangladeshi fishing village of Shah Porir Dwip described bombs exploding near their homes and Rohingya being burned alive.

Both Myanmars security officials and Rohingya insurgents are accusing each other of atrocities. The military has said nearly 400 people, most of them insurgents, have died in clashes.

Aid workers said that large numbers of refugees required immediate medical attention as they were suffering from respiratory diseases, infection and malnutrition. The existing medical facilities in the border area were insufficient to cope up with the influx and more aid and paramedics were needed, aid workers said.

We fled to Bangladesh to save our lives, said a man who only gave his first name, Karim. The military and extremist Rakhine are burning us, burning us, killing us, setting our village on fire.

The military destroyed everything. After killing some Rohingya, the military burned their houses and shops, he said. We have a baby who is 8 days only, and an old woman who is 105.

Satellite imagery analyzed by Human Rights Watch shows hundreds of buildings had been destroyed in at least 17 sites across Rakhine state since Aug. 25, including some 700 structures that appeared to have been burned down in just the village of Chein Khar Li, the rights watchdog said.

The government blames the insurgents for burning their own homes and killing Buddhists in Rakhine. Longstanding tension between the Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists erupted in bloody rioting in 2012, forcing more than 100,000 Rohingya into displacement camps, where many still live. MDT/AP
North Korea announced it detonated a thermonuclear device yesterday in its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date. The North called the test a perfect success while its neighbors condemned the blast immediately.

Though the precise strength of the blast has yet to be determined, the artificial earthquake it caused was several times stronger than tremors generated by its previous tests. It reportedly shook buildings in China and in Russia.

The test was carried out at 12:29 p.m. local time at the Punggye-ri site where North Korea has conducted nearly all of its past nuclear tests. Officials in Seoul put the magnitude at 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 6.3.

North Koreas state-run television broadcast a special bulletin yesterday afternoon to announce the test. It said leader Kim Jong Un attended a meeting of the ruling partys presidium and signed the go-ahead order. Earlier in the day, the partys newspaper ran a front-page story showing photos of Kim examining what it said was a nuclear warhead being fitted onto the nose of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The U.S. State Department had no immediate reaction.

Chinas foreign ministry said in a statement that the Chinese government has expressed firm opposition and strong condemnation. It urged North Korea to stop taking erroneous actions that deteriorate the situation.

South Korea held a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in. National Security Director Chung Eui-

yong said Moon will seek every available measure, including new U.N. sanctions or the deployment of more U.S. military assets, to further isolate Pyongyang.

Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a test absolutely unacceptable.

The nuclear test is the Norths first since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office in January. Trump has been talking tough with the North over its stepped-up missile tests, including a comment that Pyongyang would see fire, fury and power unlike any the world had ever witnessed if it continued even verbal threats.

The North claimed the device it tested was a thermonuclear weapon  commonly called an H-bomb. That could be hard to independently confirm. It said the underground test site did not leak radioactive materials, which would make such a determination even harder.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year, the last nearly a year ago, on the Sept. 9 anniversary of the nations founding. It has been launching missiles at a record pace this year. It conducted its most provocative test yet last month, in response to ongoing U.S.-South Korea military exercises, when it fired a potentially nuclear-capable midrange missile over northern Japan.

It said that launch was the curtain-raiser for more activity to come.

The photos released yesterday showed Kim talking with his lieutenants as he observed a silver, peanut-shaped device that the state-run media said was a thermonuclear weapon designed to be mounted on the Norths Hwasong-14 ICBM.

The North claims the device was made domestically and has explosive power that can range from tens to hundreds of kilotons. Outside experts suggested the yield of the device tested yesterday might be in that ballpark, though closer to the lower range. For context, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima by the United States had a 15-kiloton yield.

North Koreas nuclear and missile program has made huge strides since Kim rose to power following his fathers death in late 2011.

A long line of U.S. presidents has failed to check North Koreas persistent pursuit of missiles and nuclear weapons. Six-nation negotiations on dismantling North Koreas nuclear program in exchange for aid fell apart in early 2009. MDT/AP
George Beckwith got the surprising phone call a few months ago, informing him that he soon would be an owner of a 19th-century courthouse in Connecticut, nearly 1,400 miles from his home in Missouri.

The 78-year-old resident of Goodman, in southwestern Missouri, knew about the unusual lease agreement his ancestors had signed with Connecticut officials in 1803. If Connecticut ever stopped using the property in Litchfield for a courthouse, the parcel would revert back to descendants of the six landowners who leased it to the state.

Beckwith never thought Connecticut would abandon the landmark 1889 courthouse, which features a Seth Thomas clock tower and lies along the historic Litchfield Green. But thats exactly what was happening, his lawyer, Michael Rybak, told him in that phone call.

Just out of the blue, the state of Connecticut got a hold of Mike Rybak and they said they were going to hand over the keys, said Beckwith, who grew up in Litchfield. It was certainly startling.

The state closed the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse on Aug. 25 and transferred operations to a new USD80 million courthouse a few miles away in Torrington. Officials had planned to continue some judicial functions in the granite building after the move to Torrington but abandoned the idea because of the state budget deficit, judicial branch officials said.

Beckwith said he had no use for a courthouse or the expenses that came with it, so he went looking for options before the state planned to hand it over on Sept. 30.

The search didnt take long. The nonprofit Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust has agreed to purchase Beckwiths interest in the property for an undisclosed, below-market-value price, Rybak said. The trust is the parent organization of two partnerships that own and operate two other buildings in Litchfield.

The trust intends to keep the building open and repurpose its use, said its attorney, Perley Grimes. There are no specific proposals yet, he said.

Ownership of the property actually will pass to Beckwith and his two late sisters estates, which also are expected to sell their interests to the trust, said Rybak, who also represents the estates. Descendants of the other land owners lost out on ownership rights because their interests were not legally passed down through the generations, Rybak said.

The property was leased to the state by landowners Moses Seymour, Moses Seymour Jr., Roger Skinner, Aaron Smith, Elijah Wadsworth and Frederick Wolcott. The Beckwiths are descendants of the Seymours.

In 40 years of practice, Ive never seen anything like this, said Rybak, who has advocated since the late 1970s to keep the Litchfield courthouse open amid various plans to close it. But then again, there are not too many properties like this.

People who worked at the courthouse have mixed emotions about its closure. A piece of history is being lost. But the building had grown cramped, there were accessibility problems for the disabled and there were security concerns, including judicial marshals having to transport prisoners through public areas of the courthouse.

Its quite a piece of history, said Judge John Pickard, who worked at the courthouse the past 15 years. I think we have all loved being here. But it doesnt have modern facilities. Its time.

The courthouse is the most prominent landmark in the Litchfield Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two previous courthouses on the same property burned down.

It was host for decades to Litchfield Countys civil court cases, as well as the regions most serious criminal cases, including the well-publicized murder trial of teenager Peter Reilly.

Reilly was convicted of killing his mother in Falls Village in 1973 but exonerated four years later after playwright Arthur Miller and others helped Reilly find a top defense attorney. Dave Collins, Litchfield (Conn.), AP
Journalist and director of Portuguese-language newspaper Hoje Macau Carlos Morais Jose has long called for a museum dedicated to Camilo Pessanha, the Portuguese writer and symbolist poet who lived most of his life in Macau.

Speaking to the Times on the sidelines of an event celebrating 150 years since the poets birth, Morais Jose  known for in-depth studies on Pessanhas works  expressed his hopes for the establishment of a Pessanha museum.

If that is the will of the community I think it is possible to do anything in Macau, he said. This is something that makes sense.

Morais Jose said the experience and feedback that he had gathered from people during the celebrations were very encouraging, and added that the understanding expressed by the authorities was another positive factor.

If everyone contributes with a little [of their own help] I think it is very easy to do anything in Macau, because its a place that has resources and if there is [a] will, [it] is in fact possible, Morais Jose reaffirmed.

The Old Court building is currently hosting an exhibition of local and Portuguese paintings and other artworks, as well as a photography exhibition by Portuguese artist Antonio Falcao, who lived in Macau for many years.

A new missal edition of one of Pessanhas most celebrated works, Clepsydra, was also launched at the grand opening last Friday.

As Morais Jose explained to the Times, the idea for this new pocket-size edition has its roots in a famous quote about Clepsydra by another Portuguese writer, Antonio Ferro, who said in the 1920s that our generation finally has a missal.

He described Clepsydra as a book that sends the readers to a transcendental world, in the same way a Roman missal brings people to the universe of the Christian God.

Morais Jose also noted that the event would not only address the poets history and past works, but highlight how he will continue to inspire future generations.

We cant always talk about Camilo Pessanha with eyes on the past. He has to be a source of inspiration, Morais Jose said, explaining that the event was supported by the participation of new writers who were somehow inspired by Pessanha and hoped to stimulate contemporary creation [based on] reflection on Pessanhas work.

The Celebrations of 150 Years of Camilo Pessanha opened on September 1 and will run until September 7 at the Old Court Building.

Who is Camilo Pessanha?

Camilo Pessanha, best known as one of the worlds greatest symbolist poets, was born on September 7, 1867 in Coimbra, Portugal and died in Macau on March 1, 1926. Pessanha arrived in Macau on April 10, 1894 to teach philosophy in the newly established Gymnasium of Macau. Pessanhas masterpiece Clepsydra (1920) is the result of his habit of giving his poems away to friends, which led to several pieces being lost or destroyed. The idea for Clepsydra came about when Ana de Castro Osorio suggested compiling all of Pessanhas works into a single volume. Pessanha agreed, and rewrote many of the lost poems in Clepsydra from memory.


A third pan-democrat from Hong Kong has been denied entry into Macau, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

Civic Party district councilor Andy Yu was stopped by immigration services in Macau yesterday morning, as he attempted to enter the territory.

He was refused entry for the same reason that two other Hong Kong legislators and four journalists from the territory were barred from entering Macau last week  because, in the words of local authorities, they constituted a threat to internal security and stability.

Yu claims that he was visiting the city for tourism purposes and was helping to lead a group of about 60 Hong Kong residents for a single-day trip to the MSAR. He was held up by immigration services for more than two hours before being asked to sign an entry refusal notification.

According to the SCMP, the notification informed Yu that there are strong references that you intend to enter the Macau SAR to participate in certain activities which may jeopardize the public security or public order of the Macau SAR.

Yu said that the so-called reason was inconsistent with facts.

Instead, the Hong Kong lawmaker believes that the decision was linked to the upcoming Macau Legislative Election, which is due to take place on September 17.

Several journalists were banned from entering the territory last week as they tried to report on the aftermath of Typhoon Hato. The incident provoked a reaction from journalists associations in Hong Kong and Macau, which expressed concerns for press freedom.
When management upheaval, allegations of corporate espionage, and revelations of sexual harassment sent Uber into a public relations sinkhole, its long overshadowed rival Lyft shifted into overdrive.

The company seized the opportunity to recruit disillusioned drivers so it could be more responsive to passengers searching for a ride-hailing alternative to Uber. It upgraded its smartphone app, stepped up marketing efforts to attract more riders and expanded its U.S.-only service into 160 more cities for a total of about 350.

On Thursday, Lyft made a big expansion move by announcing that it is adding statewide coverage to 32 states, bringing its total to 40.

The aggressive tactics cast the much smaller Lyft in a new light. After five years of being content in its role as the fun-loving, pink-mustached underdog of ride hailing, Lyft is proving to be a wily opportunist and a more imposing threat to Uber.

But a huge chasm still separates the foes in terms of financial resources, ridership and breadth of operations. While Lyfts rides are in the millions per year and only in the U.S., Uber makes 10 million trips per day worldwide and has carried more than 5 billion passengers in over 80 countries since 2009. Uber has raised nearly USD14 billion in capital since its inception, compared with Lyfts $2.6 billion.

For its part, Uber is doing all it can to keep its lead. The company this week hired Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi as its top executive. And while it concedes that this years missteps have slowed its growth, it says ridership is still rising because customers value the service. Its in the midst of self-

proclaimed 180 days of change in an effort to alter a culture that fostered rapid growth but also encouraged bad behavior.

Yet the ground that Lyft has been gaining cant be ignored. By the time Ubers board ousted abrasive CEO Travis Kalanick in June, Lyft had more than doubled its ridership from the first six months of last year. At the end of June, it had passed 2016s full-year ride total of 162.5 million.

To be sure, Lyft already was growing fast before Uber went into self-destruct mode. Lyfts share of the U.S. ride-hailing market in the past two years grew at double the rate of Uber, rising from 12 percent to just over 30 percent, according to Lyfts internal metrics.

Logan Green and John Zimmer, Lyfts low-key 33-year-old founders, insist they havent done much except adhere to a belief that passengers should be treated like guests at a friendly hotel or even Disneyland. Both dress casually and blend into the headquarters workforce. While the soft-

spoken Green and more animated Zimmer are careful not to gloat, they concede that the turmoil at Uber is accelerating Lyfts growth.

As we get service levels to parity and pickup times are equal, people prefer using Lyft, Green said in a recent interview at the companys airy offices in a block-long office complex near San Francisco Bay. They like that we treat our drivers better. They like that we treat our customers better. And they like that we have a brand that sort of stands for taking care of people, where Uber has done a lot to build the opposite type of brand.

Nick Raef, 23, who works at Northwestern University near Chicago, considers price and brand image each time he chooses between Uber and Lyft. Service in Chicago, he says, is close to even between the two. But if Uber happens to be misbehaving on a particular day, hell go with Lyft even if its more expensive.

Ive told myself this controversy is worth a dollar or $2 depending on how bad the story was that day, he said.

In the Maryland suburbs of Washington, federal employee Whitlee Dean, 28, says she takes Lyft whenever she goes into the city, not so much because of Ubers behavior but because of Lyfts customer service. AP
The United States seized control Saturday of three Russian diplomatic posts in the U.S. after confirming the Russians had complied with the Trump administrations order to get out within two days, officials said.

As the Kremlin cried foul, accusing Washington of bullying tactics, the U.S. disputed Moscows claims that American officials had threatened to break down the entrance door to one of the facilities, and that the FBI was clearing the premises. Not true, said a senior State Department official, adding that U.S. officials had joined Russian Embassy personnel for walkthroughs of the three buildings.

These inspections were carried out to secure and protect the facilities and to confirm the Russian government had vacated the premises, the official said in a statement emailed Saturday to reporters by the State Department on condition the official not be named.

Russia has been incensed by the move to shutter Russias consulate in San Francisco and trade offices in Washington and New York, actions the U.S. took in retaliation for Moscows decision last month to force the U.S. to cut its diplomatic personnel in Russia to 455. Moscow has accused the U.S. of violating international law by shuttering the facilities, a charge the U.S. disputes.

On Saturday, Russias Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Moscow, Anthony Godfrey, to deliver a formal protest note calling the purported trade office search an unprecedented aggressive action.

The Foreign Ministry also posted video on Facebook that it said showed FBI agents inspecting the consulate general building in San Francisco. In the video, a man in a tie knocks on several numbered doors and enters what appears to be apartment units, taking a quick glance inside before declaring everything in order.

There was no additional comment from the U.S. about whether the FBI was involved in the inspections. The State Department declined to answer additional questions about whether the premises might be searched for intelligence-gathering purposes now that the Russians have left.

On Saturday night, lights shined brightly on several floors of the consulate in San Francisco and some windows were wide open.

A day earlier, black smoke was seen billowing from the chimney at the consulate as the Russians rushed to meet the Saturday deadline, and workers could be seen hauling boxes out of the stately building.

The U.S. did appear to bow to one Russian complaint  that they were given a mere 48 hours to vacate homes used by diplomats and their families. Softening the original order, the U.S. said it had made separate arrangements to give families sufficient time to pack their belongings and vacate apartments on the consulate grounds.

The U.S. wouldnt disclose how long the Russians would have to move out of the residential part of the consulate, other than to say that Moscow had been informed of the new deadline. In the meantime, the State Department will control all access to the properties, along with the responsibility for securing and maintaining them, the official said.

The closures on both U.S. coasts mark perhaps the most drastic diplomatic measure by the United States against Russia since 1986, near the end of the Cold War, when the nuclear-armed powers expelled dozens of each others diplomats.

And it comes amid some of the broadest strains in their relationship ever since. The two countries have clashed over the wars in Ukraine and Syria, but most significantly over American allegations that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. election to boost President Donald Trumps chances of victory. Investigations continue into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Moscow. Josh Lederman, Washington, AP
KENYA Few expected the landmark decision by Kenyas top court to invalidate the August 8 election victory by President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) and order a new vote, an extraordinary turnaround that some observers believe could positively reverberate across Africa and even beyond.

CAMBODIA Authorities arrested the leader of the main opposition party yesterday, accusing him of conspiring with the United States to topple the government. The move sharply escalates political tensions and raises questions over whether elections due next year can be free or fair.

NORTH KOREA yesterday claimed a perfect success for its most powerful nuclear test so far, a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States.

SRI LANDAs president yesterday vowed to protect his former ambassador to six South American nations, an ex-army chief accused of crimes in the bloody final phase of the countrys civil war.

RUSSIA-MOLDOVA Moscows foreign minister has criticized a move by Moldova to call for the removal of Russian troops from a pro-Russia separatist region at an upcoming U.N. meeting.

ZIMBABWEs first lady made her first public statement since being accused of assaulting a young model in neighboring South Africa. Grace Mugabe appeared with her 93-year-old husband at a political rally ahead of next years elections.

GERMANY Residents in two German cities evactuated their homes yesterday as authorities prepared to dispose of World War II-era bombs found during construction work last week. Officials in the financial capital Frankfurt carried out an evacuation of 60,000 people, described as Germanys biggest operation of its kind.

CUBA Mysterious incidents affecting the health of American diplomats in Cuba continued as recently as August, the United States said Friday, despite earlier U.S. assessments that the attacks had long stopped. The U.S. increased its tally of government personnel affected to 19.

MEXICO President Enrique Pena Nieto said that security is his governments top priority, amid growing violence and that is marring his fifth year in office and despite figures showing significant drops in crime-fighting results.
KOREA Following U.S. warnings to North Korea of a massive military response, South Korea fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the Norths main nuclear test site yesterday, a day after North Korea detonated its largest-ever nuclear test explosion. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council held its second emergency meeting about North Korea in a week, with U.N. political chief Jeffrey Feltman describing the test as profoundly destabilizing for the region.

INDONESIAs corruption court yesterday sentenced one of the countrys top judges to eight years in prison for taking bribes, the second time a Constitutional Court judge has been imprisoned for bribery since 2014.

CAMBODIA The Cambodia Daily, a newspaper that has helped pioneer press freedom and train generations of journalists in Cambodia since it was founded in 1993, is the latest victim of a determined push by the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen to silence critics in the run-up to 2018 elections.

MYANMAR A Nobel laureate and Muslim nations in Asia criticized Myanmars persecution of its Rohingya Muslim minority as thousands in Indonesia and elsewhere staged angry protests against Aung San Suu Kyi and her government.

PAKISTAN A suspect involved in an attack on a lawmaker killed one police officer and wounded another during a raid at his house and he was able to escape from his eastern Karachi neighborhood, police said yesterday.

SYRIA Government forces and their allies are on the verge of breaking a nearly three-year siege imposed by the Islamic State group on parts of the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, opposition activists and state media said yesterday.

TURKEY Top Turkish officials took to social media yesterday to criticize comments on Turkey by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her opponent during a televised pre-election debate.

GERMANY European Union anti-trust regulators have approved Germanys plan to provide troubled low-cost carrier Air Berlin with a 150-million-euro (USD179-million) loan.

URUGUAI A top crime syndicate boss on the run from Italy since 1994 has been arrested in Uruguay, where he was living under an alias and using a false Brazilian passport, authorities said yesterday.

COLOMBIA President Juan Manuel Santos says the government will sign a bilateral cease-fire with the nations last remaining major rebel group ahead of Pope Francis visit this week.
Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday called for the world to reject protectionism even as American and European pressure mounts on Beijing to lower market barriers, speaking at the start of a Chinese-led summit of five large emerging economies now overshadowed by North Koreas sixth nuclear test.

Lamenting that protectionism and an inward-looking mentality are on the rise, Xi said that only openness delivers progress and only inclusiveness sustains such progress.

Xi was speaking to business representatives of the BRICS nations  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  a day before he opens a summit with the leaders of these major emerging markets in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen. This will be the ninth summit of the BRICS grouping, which came together about a decade ago to push for an alternative world order that wasnt dominated by Western nations.

Xi said the BRICS nations had led the way in increasing the say of emerging economies and developing countries.

The law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak and the zero-sum game are rejected, he told the audience, which included Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma.

We should not ignore problems arising from economic globalization or just complain about them, he said. Rather, BRICS nations should work together with other members of the international community to find solutions, he said.

China has long been accused of putting up unfair barriers to foreign companies. However, Xi has become a leader who speaks out in favor of globalization at a time when protectionist sentiments are on the rise in Western countries. In January, Xi became the first Chinese president to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he cast his country as a champion of free trade in contrast to the protectionist rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Yet, foreign companies complain Beijing is reducing access to its markets for electric cars, computer security technology and other promising fields, at the same time as Chinese companies have been on buying sprees abroad. Beijing also faces U.S. and European complaints it is exporting steel, aluminum, solar panels and other goods at improperly low prices, threatening thousands of jobs in other countries.

Yesterday, Xi said: The Chinese government will continue to encourage Chinese companies to operate and take root in other countries and likewise we also warmly welcome foreign companies to invest and operate in China.

The summit is another chance for Xi to showcase his leadership of a country that wants to project itself as a central pillar of 21st-century global governance. But the event has been overshadowed by North Korea conducting its sixth nuclear test earlier yesterday, apparently its most powerful yet.

Though Xi did not address the Norths nuclear test in his speech, Chinas foreign ministry strongly condemned the detonation and urged Pyongyang to stop taking erroneous actions that deteriorate the situation.

A Chinese expert on North Korea with the Renmin University in Beijing said North Korea deliberately chose to conduct the test yesterday in a bid to damage the atmosphere at the BRICS summit.

The latest test means the Korean Peninsula situation will be at a stage of new crisis, that means the world must either recognize that [North Korea] possesses nuclear weapons or try to realize a nuclear-free peninsula, said Cheng Xiaohe, and assistant professor at Renmin University.

Cheng said North Korea has demonstrated through the test that it is not afraid of any pressure, which leaves other parties with few options.

This issue may be resolved by force or by putting the greatest pressure, including economic pressure, on North Korea in the future. There are not many choices now, he said. Louise Watt, Xiamen, AP
As Hurricane Harvey drenched Texas and Louisiana, its destructive path crossed many of the nations major oil refineries. Flooding, power losses, and safety concerns forced refineries to close, including the United States largest refinery, located in Port Arthur, Texas.

Refinery shutdowns created a short-term supply shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel, which sent prices exploding higher this week. Prices for September gasoline futures gained over 50 cents per gallon, trading to a two-year high of $2.17 on Thursday. Futures prices represent the wholesale value of fuel without taxes, transportation, or other expenses included.

In the past, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico would interrupt oil production, sending petroleum prices sky-high, but as oil is increasingly coming from new sources like Canada and North Dakota, oil production in the Gulf of Mexico is less important. As a result, crude oil prices actually fell this week, as refinery closures reduced demand, dropping prices Friday to $47 per barrel.

While damage from Harvey is severe, we can hope that disruptions to oil production and refineries will prove temporary.

Rains Ravage Cotton

Cotton fields were flooded by Harvey as well, destroying up to a half million bales of the crop. Even more production could see quality affected, which can drive up demand and prices for commercial-grade cotton.

Most of the damage was wrought in Texas, the source of half of all U.S. cotton, but the storm dumped rain across Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee, hurting crop quality in each of those cotton-growing states as well.

The USDA was projecting a record large nationwide cotton crop of 20.5 million bales this year, but the storm could end up affecting around 5% of the crop, which sent prices over 72 cents per pound for the first time since mid-June.

Golden Update

While all eyes were on the devastation in Texas tlast week, North Korea launched another missile, this time shooting over Japanese territory. That action may have been the latest trigger drawing both speculators and longer-term investors toward gold, which is now this years best investment category, outpacing stocks, bonds, and most other commodities.

Though international conflict frequently causes flight-to-quality buying, many analysts are also looking at our weak U.S. dollar as a compelling reason to replace paper assets with historys most solid store of value. These sentiments helped push gold to a nine-month high at $1,330 per ounce on Friday.
SEATTLE  A marine net pen holding 305,000 farmed Atlantic salmon collapsed recently, releasing thousands of fish into Puget Sound and renewing concerns that a new proposed salmon farm could harm wild salmon stock and cause other environmental damage.

The release at Cooke Aquacultures facility comes as the company is proposing new expanded commercial facility in the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington state.

Canada-based Cooke, which operates five salmon farms in Washington that it acquired last year, would build 14 floating circular net pens about 1- miles offshore. It would move current operations from Port Angeles Harbor and increase production by 20 percent. The project is in the permitting phase.

Critics say the recent fish escape highlights potential risks of open-sea fish farming. They worry about water pollution from fish feed and the potential for farmed fish to spread of diseases and parasites to wild fish.

These are open net pens. Theyre not isolated from surrounding environment, said Chris Wilke, executive director of the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, which opposes the project.

Ron Warren, who heads the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlifes fish program, said theres no evidence the escaped fish pose a threat to native fish populations, either through disease or crossbreeding with Pacific salmon.

Still, he said the state wants to protect native fish species and have urged anglers to catch as many escaped salmon, some up to 10 pounds, as possible.

Washington has the largest marine finfish aquaculture industry in the U.S. with farms producing about 17 million pounds of Atlantic salmon each year, according to the state.

While salmon farms have operated for more than 30 years in Washington, they still remain controversial in the Pacific Northwest where wild salmon reigns supreme. Alaska has banned commercial finfish aquaculture. Several counties in the state such as Whatcom County have moved to limit commercial finfish aquaculture.

Cooke blamed high tides and currents coinciding with Mondays solar eclipse for the failure over the weekend at its farm off Cypress Island in Skagit County.

The ongoing tides were a huge challenge, said Nell Halse, a Cooke spokeswoman. She said the company called in experts last month to stabilize the salmon farm during high tides, though no fish escaped then. We put our best expertise to stabilizing this farm and we had no reason to believe that it would have collapsed on Sunday.

Critics werent buying that reasoning, noting that tides werent higher than unusual over the weekend.

Theyre trying to imply that this was some unnatural natural event. This was absolute negligence on their part, said Kurt Beardslee, executive director of the Wild Conservancy. Fish farms are polluting every single day a massive amount of phosphorous and nitrogen into the waters that were trying to clean up.

Halse said Cooke had applied for permits to upgrade the net pens at the Cypress Island to its level of standards. It also plans to make investments in operations across the state.

The Lummi Nation has been so concerned about the fish escapes that tribal anglers have been trying to catch the Atlantic salmon before they enter local rivers. The tribe declared a state of emergency Thursday, saying the fish spill needs to be addressed immediately. Tribal officials are worried that farmed salmon will eat native fish or disturb its spawning grounds.

Michael Rust, science adviser with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations aquaculture office, said farmed salmon tend to be domesticated, raised on feed and not used to catching fish or escaping predators. Farmed salmon are more likely to be prey than predator, he said.

He and others note that science and technology advances have improved fish farming practices in the U.S. over the decades and aquaculture operations must meet strict regulations.

Jill Rolland, who directs the U.S. Geological Surveys Western Fisheries Research Center in Seattle, said shes not concerned that the escaped fish have any pathogens that will spread to wild fish.

We have a very strong regulatory environment to ensure that these fish are under veterinary care.

The ongoing tides were a huge challenge. We put our best expertise to stabilizing this farm and we had no reason to believe that it would have collapsed on Sunday. Nell Halse, Canada-based Cooke Aquaculture spokeswoman
BURLEY  Denton Darrington slid into Bob Beavers barber chair for the last time on Thursday and began telling tales from more than five decades of haircuts hed received in that room.

With the hands on the clock making their way toward 5 p.m., Beaver shook out a barbers gown and placed it around the former Idaho senators neck.

Balloons with messages for a happy retirement bobbed on the air currents as Beaver, 78, deftly began moving hair clippers along Darringtons scalp.

Darrington had requested Beavers last slot on his final day.

Yeah, Im going to miss him, but hes got that guy there, Darrington said gesturing to Andrew Grumbein, who was cutting a mans hair behind them. Grumbein will take over the barber shop and Beavers customers.

But its going to take years to break him in, Darrington said as a wide grin spread across his face.

Darrington knew Beaver from high school, even though he went to Declo and Beaver attended Burley.

Everybody knew Bob Beaver from dragging Main Street, Darrington said.

For 47 years, Ron Quesnell, who worked a couple of doors down, would pop in for a cut and for a bit of conversation.

He knows everyones name and you never had to tell him how you wanted your hair cut, Quesnell said. He just remembered.

During his more than 56 years as a barber, Beaver has done it all, from Beatles era shaggy to military flattops, which cost a mere dollar more than a standard cut.

I dont think they could come up with something that I havent done, Beaver said.

A good barber needs two traits: a desire to do it and good eye-hand coordination, Beaver said. You have to be able to look at somebodys hair to see what it will do, do what they want done with it and make your hands do what you want them to do.

Beavers eyes grew misty as he contemplated laying down his clippers for the last time.

Its my last day and I dont know if thats good or not. Its been a long run, he said. But, Im really glad Andrew is taking it over. I didnt just want to lock up the shop. My customers are my friends.

Grumbein said only small changes are in store for the shop.

I want to keep it classic and original, Grumbein said. There are a lot of shops trying to be hip and crazy and they are losing whats special about a barbers shop. Its the last spot where men can come in and just be themselves.
Weight loss support

TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support group, will meet weekly at several locations.

The Twin Falls chapter will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W., 208-734-2641 or 208-734-5300.

Other local chapters will meet at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at 2025 S. Highway 81 in Malta, 208-645-2438; 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the Jerome Public Library, 100 First Ave. E., 208-324-6693; 9:30 a.m. Thursday at 410 E. Third St. in Rupert, 208-436-6037 or 208-679-3518; and at 5:30 p.m. Friday at 1800 J St. in Heyburn, 208-678-8706 or 208-678-2622.

Yoga

Morning Bliss Yoga, 9 a.m. Tuesday and Saturday at the Magic Valley YMCA, 1751 Elizabeth Blvd. Stretch and strengthen your muscles through yoga.

Childbirth

St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Centers prepared childbirth classes, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 5 through Oct. 3, in Oak Rooms 2-4 on the lower level of St. Lukes, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

Topics: Wellness during pregnancy; labor and delivery process with relaxation and breathing techniques; caesarean birth; postpartum care for mother and newborn; infant CPR; car seat and home safety; and a tour of the maternal and child units. Bring a labor-support person if possible.

Cost is $25 for a five-week session. Pre-registration is required: 208-814-0402.

Yoga

Prenatal Yoga classes, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Center for Physical Rehabilitation, 754 N. College Road, Suite D, Twin Falls.

All levels are welcome to join and exercise safely. Sami Ashenbrener, doctor of physical therapy at Center for Physical Rehabilitation, is also a certified yoga instructor with specialized training in prenatal yoga.

Equipment is available, or bring your own equipment if desired. First class is free.

Seniors wellness

The Twin Falls Senior Center will hold a presentation for senior citizens at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at 530 Shoshone St. W.

An Idaho Home Health and Hospice representative will discuss proper nutrition for diabetics.

Free; 208-734-5084.

Blood drives

The American Red Cross has scheduled community blood drives in Jerome, Gooding and Shoshone.

Blood donation opportunities will be available from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Jeromes Catholic Church, 216 Second Ave. E., Jerome; 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Golden Years Senior Center, 218 N. Rail W., Shoshone; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15 at War Memorial Building, 203 Third Ave. W., Gooding.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free blood donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire is encouraged.

Anxiety support

Anxiety Support Group, 6 p.m. every Thursday at Magic Valley Fellowship Hall, 801 Second Ave. N., Twin Falls.

Support for those who experience anxiety, panic attacks or depression. Learn about the signs, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and coping skills.

Information: Cathy Shaddy, 208-410-2768.

Recovery support

Safe Harbor will hold Recovery group meetings at 7 p.m. Thursdays at 213 Fifth Ave. W. in Twin Falls. A donation meal begins at 6 p.m.

Information: 208-735-8787.

CPR, first aid

St. Lukes Magic Valley Education Department is offering a Heartsaver CPR, First Aid and AED class, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Learning Center, 840 Meadows Suite 2, Twin Falls.

The course provides training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid and using an automated external defibrillator.

Cost is $60 and pre-registration is required: 208-814-9050.

Childbirth

St. Lukes Magic Valley prepared childbirth bootcamp, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Oak Room at St. Lukes, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls. This session is for those unable to attend the five-week prepared childbirth classes.

Topics: wellness during pregnancy; labor process with relaxation and breathing techniques; videos of deliveries and labor positions; and care of the postpartum mother and newborn. Bring a labor support person if possible.

Cost is $25 and pre-registration is required, 208-814-0402.

Reiki

CSI Community Education Center is offering Reiki Level One: Training and Attunement, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in CSIs Shields Building, room 107.

Learn the history of Reiki and basics of energy, along with hands-on practice. Level I Reiki certificates will be given upon completion of the class.

Instructor Sandy March, a Reiki master, has been working in the alternative health field for more than 17 years.

Cost is $199. Register: csi.edu/communityed, at the Community Education Center, or 208-732-6442.

Recovery support

Recovery For Life groups meet at 7 p.m. Mondays, starting Sept. 11, at Twin Falls Reformed Church, 1631 Grandview Drive N. A free meal begins at 6 p.m.

Groups and classes include Cancer Support, Hope 12-Step, Parenting Skills, Codependency, GriefShare, Cooking Matters, Womens Word for Life Bible Study, and Special Parents Special Kids. Veterans Christian Fellowship also meets on Mondays.

Free child care and transportation. Information: 208-733-6128.

Yoga

CSI Community Education Center is offering Hatha Yoga classes, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 11 through Oct. 23 and Oct. 30 through Dec. 4, in CSIs Gym, room 231-A.

The yoga postures include balance, strength and flexibility. The class is for beginners or those wanting to refresh the basics. Bring a yoga mat or one will be provided.

Morgan Jeno is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor and licensed massage therapist.

Cost is $49 for each six-week session; register: csi.edu/communityed, 208-732-6442, or at the Community Education Center.

Breastfeeding

Free Breastfeeding 101 class, 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in Oak Room 4 on the lower level of St. Lukes Magic Valley, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

The class is for new mothers and breastfeeding mothers wanting to review their skills. Babies and your support person are welcome.

Free; pre-registration is required, 208-814-0402.

Dental sealants

Delta Dental of Idaho will offer free dental sealants and fluoride varnish through its Grins on the Go community outreach program.

A dental clinic will begin Sept. 12 for students in seventh and eighth grades at Burley Junior High School.

Dental sealants fill the deep grooves of a childs back teeth, and fluoride varnish helps protect the smooth surfaces of teeth.

A parent or guardian must sign a permission form and fill out a health history for a child to receive the free treatments. Permission forms are available at the school.

The Grins on the Go clinic doesnt bill Medicaid or private insurance. There is no cost associated with the program.

Information: 208-489-3541.

To do for you is a listing of health-related activities, events and education. Submit information by noon Thursday for publication in the following Mondays edition to ramona@magicvalley.com.
Labor Day 2017 might be a cause for celebration. This is the third-longest economic expansion in history  almost 100 months. Unemployment is approaching a 16-year low, and employers are looking to hire.

Yet for many working- and middle-class families across America, these good tidings are overshadowed by a sobering reality: Wages and their purchasing power remain flat.

This is a long-term trend, decades in the making. More recently, affluent Americans have recovered beautifully from the Great Recession; most workers have not.

While economists debate the causes and cures, the political implications are profound. These economic struggles and the demise of the centerpiece of the American dream  that kids will enjoy a more prosperous life than their parents  played a role in Donald Trumps victory last year.

Most of his support came from reliably Republican voters, and some of it from his appeal to bigotry and the anybody-but-Hillary chorus. What made the difference, on the margins, in the important electoral states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin was an alienation, even despair, among some working-class voters. They used to be Democrats, but last year they became part of the Trump base.

Trump shrewdly pandered to their fears, blaming all the problems on bad trade deals, immigration and Washington elitists. Its instructive to recall that some of the same voters were attracted to Bernie Sanders for different reasons. Nothing is working was the reasoning, so why not radical change?

These voters will sour on Trump if he fails to deliver on his promise to increase the number of better-paying jobs. Nothing Trump is doing will help raise wages more for this base, predicts Alan Krueger, who was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama and is an expert on wage patterns.

Trump seems to have forgotten pledges he made as a candidate, like raising the minimum wage to $10 from $7.25 an hour. He commanded headlines by pressuring Carrier not to transfer better-paying jobs from Indiana to Mexico; less attention was paid to the companys recent announcement laying off hundreds of workers at that American plant.

The president continues to claim that deporting millions of undocumented workers and limiting new immigrants will raise wages for American workers. Many economic studies dispute this; the effect would be that low-paying, unskilled jobs go unfilled. Likewise, while global trade deals have helped some sectors and hurt others, the protectionist measures the administration is espousing wont reverse this and would cause damage.

Last week Trump claimed his sweeping corporate tax cuts will bring a big boost in wages. Corporate tax reform will boost wages for CEOs, says Lawrence Katz, a Harvard labor economist. It would have a pretty modest effect on most workers.

One Trump notion, Katz says, would be a big boost: a huge infrastructure program that would create high-paying jobs and longer-term productivity gains. But the White House has put infrastructure on the back burner behind health care and tax cuts.

The wage problem has bedeviled all recent presidents. There are many explanations: globalization and technology; reduced clout of labor unions; lower productivity; the replacement of some older employees by lower-paid younger workers; and insufficient investments in education and development of job skills.

Democrats believe one small help would be to raise the minimum wage, which at $7.25 hasnt gone up in nine years. Conservatives point to studies showing a negative impact on jobs in places like Seattle, which is increasing the level to $15 an hour. Krueger, who has extensively researched the issue, says other studies arrive at different conclusions, and he believes increasing the rate to $12 over four or five years would have net benefits.

Overall, little is likely to happen, and the lethal politics wont go away. The voters anger last year reflects the downward pressure on incomes for so many Americans, said Roger Altman, a Wall Street executive and economic adviser to Democrats. He predicts that unless the weak wage trends of recent years are corrected, which is unlikely, there may be much more election volatility ahead.
The three Republican candidates for governor have spoken in unison about their economic vision for our state. Their message is: cut, cut, cut! This is the Big Lie that has been repeated since Reagan was president. The Lie is that if we give the government less money, and reduce government services to the people, the rich will share their wealth and the people will flourish. This bit of fantasy has been proven wrong over and over.

When rich businessmen and investors make more money, they sock it away overseas, buy themselves bigger mansions and yachts, and cut or freeze their workers' pay. They don't share.

The candidates all ignore the issues that have bedeviled the Legislature, including funding for public education (schools and colleges), lack of medical insurance for a large number of our citizens, road and bridge maintenance, and legal assistance for the poor. All of these things require money. They require the state to collect money (taxes!) to spend for the common good. They require government agencies that are funded well enough to oversee work for the common good. The three candidates demonstrate that they have no conception of the common good. They need to look at Kansas, which enacted Big Lie tax cuts for many years and recently had to reinstate some taxes to keep their state from economic collapse.

We need a candidate who will weigh policy on the scales of the common good, not private enrichment and political ideology.

Stephen Poppino

Twin Falls
Across the country, so many Democrats are getting into runs for Congress that some party leaders are worried about getting swamped with competitive primary contests.

In one suburban Chicago district, nine Democrats have filed to run against a Republican U.S. House incumbent. As of the end of June, the number of Democratic House challengers nationally who had raised at least $5,000 by thenindicating at least some level of seriousness in campaigningwas 209. Thats an abnormally large number. In this century, the previous comparable record for a challenging party was held by the Republicans in 2009, just ahead of their 2010 sweepand in that year, Republicans had 78 comparable candidates.

Were more than a year away from the November 2018 election, and many conditions can change between here and there. But at the moment, Democrats nationally are looking very much the way they did in 2006, the way Republicans did in 2010 and 2014.

Just west of the Idaho state line, the massive Oregon 2nd House district, where veteran Republican Rep. Greg Walden has usually won with numbers like those of his Idaho counterparts, has drawn four Democratic challengers so far, at least a couple of whom look to be serious contenders. In Washingtons 5th District (centered on Spokane), where the seat is held by Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a string of Democratic candidates has emerged, topped this week by veteran former state Senator Majority Leader Lisa Brown.

In Idaho  not so much.

Theres one structural element to this. Idaho wont have a Senate election next yearJim Risch is up in 2020 (and says hes running again) and Mike Crapo in 2022. That diminishes, a little, interest in Idaho congressional races. But both U.S. House seats will have an election, and one of them will be open, meaning no incumbent will be on the ballot.

Republicans are in the field. Incumbent Mike Simpson in the 2nd District (with maybe another primary challenge, though theres not yet an FEC trace of one). In the 1st, where the seat is open owing to incumbent Raul Labradors run for governor, at least three prospects are at work.

So far, as best I could determine, theres no significant activity toward a Democratic candidacy in the Second District. A candidate from that party eventually may file and be on the ballot next year, but for now you have to suspect he or she will be a placeholder, there mainly to preserve options in the unlikely event Simpson lost a Republican primary.

The Federal Election Commission does have a filing in the 1st District for Democrat Michael William Smith of Post Falls, but no financial activity is reported. Smith has a Facebook page, but not much is reported there by way of campaign activity.

Democrats may wind up with more than a placeholder in the 1st. A leader in the Indivisible group (which is untested but looks to be highly energetic and active in some places) in Ada County is said to be interested. And a few other names have been batted around, including a couple from Idahos panhandle, which hasnt produced a member of Congress in a very long time.

Former state Sen. Dan Schmidt of Moscow has been mentioned (by fellow columnist Chris Carlson, among others) as a prospect for governor; the 1st District spot might be a more logical fit.

But candidates are not bursting through the woodwork (one Democrat suggested to me that there is no woodwork). And as early in the cycle is this still isunusually early for most candidates to jump in, by normal schedules in the pastthat right now makes Idaho an outlier in the national political picture.
Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is in the eye of the storm as the Israeli Attorney General is on the verge of charging her for allegedly diverting around $112,000 public funds and for other offences

The prosecution also accuses her of receiving goods under false pretences, falsifying documents and breaching trust, local reports say.

Sara is targeted in a case concerning the employment of an electrician who is known as member of the central committee of her husbands Likud party. A committee in charge of overseeing residence expenditures ruled against the hiring but the Netanyahus went ahead.

The prosecution also suspects that Sara used state funds to buy furniture for the couples private house in Caesarea.

The furniture was apparently bought for the official residence in Jerusalem and then moved to the private residence, while older furniture was taken back from Caesarea to the residence in Jerusalem, Times of Israel reports.

Sara who made the headlines last year for maltreating a house aid also allegedly used state funds to pay the medical care of her late father.

The wife of the Prime Minister has denied any wrong doing and her lawyer has slammed the charges calling them ridiculous.

The couple has been accused of lavish life style both at the official residence in Jerusalem and in Caesarea. Already in 2015, state Comptroller Yosef Shapira raised concerns over the Netanyahus spending.

The Netanyahu family has been marred in scandals. The Prime Minister himself has been cited in two corruption investigation cases dubbed Case 1000, and Case 2000.

In Case 1000, Benjamin and Sara improperly received lavish gifts from wealthy supporters, including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, Police noted.

In Case 2000, the Israeli Prime Minister is accused of trying to corrupt a local journalist for a more favorable coverage.

The Israeli leader has rejected the accusations, which sparked heated debates within the Likud over demand by some members of the party for Netanyahus resignation.
The Egyptian private newspaper Al-Bawaba could not print its Sunday edition, after the media chided the security establishment for its reluctance to arrest Habib al-Adly, former interior minister under ousted Hosni Mubarak, sentenced to prison over state funds embezzlement charges.

The newspaper stated that government-controlled publishing house Al-Ahram had refused to print its Sunday edition because certain parties  who it did not identify  had demanded the deletion of a front-page report about al-Adlys continued ability to escape punishment.

Al-Adly served as interior minister (1997 to 2011) under the autocratic leader Hosni Moubarak who was forced to step down in 2011 after 18-day revolution.

The former official was sentenced in April to seven years in jail for public fund embezzlement during his tenure. He has also been fined millions of dollars.

Al-Bawaba turned to President al-Sisi to intervene and let justice reign in Al-Adlys case and also to protect the newspaper from blatant interference by parties who are trying to conceal their career failures, Middled East Monitor (MEMO) reports.

The former interior minister has gone missing since his trial and security authorities have repeatedly stressed that they have been working for his arrest.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to clean Israel of African migrants, largely from Eritrea and Sudan, insisting that they do not belong to Israel.

The Israeli leader Sunday said it was Israels right to get rid of migrants who he said dont belong here.

They arent refugees, Most of them are looking for jobs, he said during a cabinet meeting.

He also made an unannounced visit to districts in South Tel Aviv that Israeli residents claim have been invaded by African migrants.

There are around 46,437 Africans in Israel according to the African Refugee Development Center. The migrants, mostly Eritreans and Sudanese, say they have fled persecution and genocide in their home countries.

Netanyahus Sunday visit to the neighborhoods is the second within a week. On a first visit Thursday, Netanyahu pledged that his cabinet would take the necessary actions to expel the migrants.

We are here on a mission to give back south Tel Aviv to the Israeli residents, he told a crowd.

Ive heard the residents, and what I hear is pain and crisis. People are afraid to leave their homes.

He earlier announced three approaches to tackle the influx of migrants.

The measures include a security fence along the border with Egypt, which has already succeeded in significantly reducing the number of migrants who cross into Israel from African countries. Enforcement of tougher sanctions against those who employ illegal migrants and against migrants who break the law was also decided, besides the setting up of a ministerial committee, chaired by the Prime Minister. The committee will meet for the first time on Thursday, Times of Israel reports.

Israel has begun unlawful deportation of migrants to a third country. The Supreme Court last week ruled that the Government could continue the deportation of migrants who live in Israel without documents, but with the consent of the migrants. It however noted that the Government cannot jail those who refuse to leave for more than 60 days.
Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
The United States embassy in Burkina-Faso last weekend announced the evacuation of 124 Peace Corps volunteers working in several regions of the West African country.

The main reason for this departure is related to the security situation in the county. The landlocked nation, which appeared to have escaped the worst of the wave of Islamist militant violence in recent years, has been increasingly targeted by militant groups since November 2016.

In a statement, the US Embassy in Burkina Faso indicated that the Peace Corps has been closely monitoring the safety and security environment in Burkina Faso and will continue to assess the situation.

The Peace Corps looks forward to a time when volunteers can return, the statement said, underscoring that the safety and security of its volunteers are the agencys top priority.

Two months ago, the Department of State warned U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Burkina Faso, and recommended they avoid travel to the northern part of the Sahel region, and exercise caution in the rest of Burkina Faso, due to continuing threats to safety and security, including terrorism.

The Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the United States government. The stated mission of the Peace Corps includes providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand American culture, and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries.

According to the Peace Corps website, the volunteers work with governments, NGOs, schools, and entrepreneurs in education, business, information technology, agriculture, and the environment.

Since 1966, more than 2,075 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Burkina Faso.
Jean Ping, the main challenger of Gabonese president Ali Bongo in last year presidential polls, has been banned from leaving the central African nation in response to what the authorities call public order disorder.

This measure follows inflammatory comments by Jean Ping on August 18 when he called for public disorder, rebellion and insurrection, interior ministry spokesman Jean-Eric Nziengui Mangala said.

This decision is a provisional administrative measure against the leaders of the political parties and personalities in the Coalition for the New Republic (CNR) around Jean Ping, the spokesman said.

Former Prime Minister Casimir Oye and Mba Albert Ondo Ossa, a former presidential candidate and economics professor, have also been prevented from leaving Gabon last weekend.

Jean Ping, 74, ex-head of the African Union commission, was narrowly defeated by incumbent Ali Bongo in presidential elections last August.

Gabons Constitutional Court ruled that Bongo won 50.66 percent of the vote and Ping 47.24 percent. The opposition leader rejected the results and accused the administration of electoral fraud and of using force to suppress the population after the release of the results.

Ali Bongos re-election has extended a family dynasty in power since the 1960s. He was elected in 2009 after the death of his father, longtime ruler Omar Bongo.
Where To Go When Your Local Emergency Room Goes Bankrupt?" During the past ten years 84 California hospitals have declared bankruptcy and closed their Emergency Rooms forever. Financially crippled by legislative and judicial mandates to treat illegal aliens have bankrupted hospitals! In 2010, in Los Angeles County alone, over 2 million illegal aliens recorded visits to county emergency rooms for both routine and emergency care. The cost is $1,000 dollars for every taxpayer. VIVA LA RAZA?
For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page
Dozens of memos submitted to Gov. Steve Bullocks office last week provide a preliminary look at which services might be cut, reduced or delayed as state officials plan for revenues to come in lower than projected.

Budget Director Dan Villa announced Wednesday that the governor would use his authority to reduce statewide spending from the general fund over the next two years by up to 10 percent, or $236 million. Thats on top of about $70 million in cuts finalized earlier this summer under a different provision of state law as part of a contingency plan negotiated with legislators.

Each state agency has until Friday to submit recommendations to Villa about where cuts should be made. They will then be reviewed by the governor and legislators before final decisions are announced late this month.

It is a long process and it is, for state government, very transparent, Villa said. Any reductions that agencies propose will be public record when we receive them."

Earlier this month, agencies under the governors control submitted proposals on how to reduce their spending by 5 percent. Those proposals are collected by the budget director every year in the usual budgeting process as a precaution. Legislators familiar with the budget process say it is likely that the ideas listed in those memos also will appear in the 10 percent proposals being developed, giving Montanans an early look at what impacts might lie ahead.

The suggestions include:

 laying off employees who process some permits, which would delay how quickly the state can respond to requests;

 eliminating a program that sets standards for cleaning up houses contaminated by meth;

 reducing spending on pavement preservation;

 cutting funding for 14 optional Medicaid services serving the elderly, people with disabilities or low incomes;

 slashing social and health services such as family planning and HIV treatment;

 eliminating a veterans service outreach program of the National Guard;

 laying off two human rights investigators or closing the entire Human Rights Bureau to let federal officials take over;

 requiring some Department of Corrections staff, but not correctional officers, to take furloughs;

 closing some alternative incarceration and treatment programs;

 and eliminating several permanent firefighting positions.

Some state programs are excluded by law from being cut, including the judicial and legislative branches, BASE payments to K-12 schools and the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. They have, however, been asked to voluntarily participate and traditionally have done so.

Other exemptions include salaries of elected officials and principle interest on state debt. The Department of Justice, State Auditor, the Board of Regents and the Office of Public Instruction  all agencies over which the governor does not directly control the budget  cannot be reduced by more than the average cut made at other departments.

Programs funded solely with federal money will not be affected, although cuts could be amplified in programs that require state matching dollars to unlock federal funds.

Senate Finance Chairman Llew Jones, R-Conrad, cautioned against reading the 5 percent proposals as a literal list of cuts to come.

A previous budget director once told me, The agencies will always offer up the uncuttable, the fire trucks and ambulances, Jones, a veteran of state budgeting, said. A lot of times, items are chosen because they create the greatest public outcry.

Sen. Jon Sesso of Butte, the Democrats budget guru, said the state doesnt have time for pretend and said he believed department leaders would step up with honest, creative solutions.

People just generally come together in a crisis. We read about it all week with (Hurricane) Harvey pounding Texas, he said. When people are hurting and things are not good, its time to throw the politics out and be humans helping humans.

House Appropriations Chairwoman Nancy Ballance, R-Hamilton, also called for bipartisan collaboration.

This is a tough, unusual situation that is going to require cooperation on both sides and I hope that this does not get into a political battle, she said. If it becomes political, we could cut the wrong things.

All three legislators lauded Bullock and Villa for making a proactive call for cuts, rather than obscuring and delaying. Nonetheless, they also wonder if the target figure is overly pessimistic, saying their back-of-the-napkin math isnt as dire.

I cant argue hes wrong. Heck, it may be worse, but I would hope not, Jones said, noting that all revenue projects are probabilities and not certainties. Hes making assumptions. Im just making assumptions, too.

If spending must be scaled back as much as Villa suggests, some layoffs are all but certain. Legislators disagree about whether there is fat left to trim or if the reductions will hit bone.

The cuts will not be without pain, Jones said, hesitant to speculate until he sees the proposals. Our hope is the agencies will do them in a way that impacts the most critical services the least.

Sesso said the state budget has little room for easy reductions.

Its not all skin-deep cuts everyone can tolerate anymore, he said.

Ballance disagreed, saying that in general she thinks Montana has room in the budget to cut more. Ballance, who is among the Republican partys more conservative members, said the bright spot of the bad budget situation is that it will force agencies to be honest about their priorities and what they can live without. Sometimes that information is difficult to get during the legislative session when there is not enough time to ask granular questions.

I think we should be doing these reports every year regardless, she said.
Two days after eye surgery last month, Dorothy Salmonson sat where she has every Thursday morning for more than 30 years: in a circle with a few friends and several strangers as they talked about living with mental illness.

The conversations are confidential, but familiar after years of listening.

The stories can be uncomfortable or tearful: about a friend who killed himself; a daughter who has been hospitalized; a new medication that doesnt work just like the dozen before it; or the weeks without enough energy to leave bed or take a shower. Other times people are celebratory or relieved: A man proud to have stopped smoking, a mother who has seen her son manage his illness well enough to return to work, a teen who has not skipped a meal in a week, or a woman whose progress in therapy helped her finally embrace hope.

Dorothy, 86, shared enough of her own story to make each guest feel less alone, but never so much it competed for attention.

She wasnt asking for sympathy, said Janet Berens, recalling when she first met the woman who inspired her to volunteer with the Missoula chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. She was just telling her story with such strength and such compassion. I started watching her and she just showed love to anyone who was in her path.

Few learned Dorothys full story, from the orphanage and fatal house fire to family suicides. For decades, she battled to reform care for people with mental illness and supported families grappling with what to do.

When Dorothy was invited to an early version of the support group, she didnt want to go.

Im not gonna go talk to somebody and tell them what my dirty laundry is like, she remembered thinking.

In the late 1970s, the country started to turn away from policies that locked away people with mental illness, blamed their behavior on moral weakness and shamed parents for failing to raise their children.

Dorothy, a nurse and good Catholic, along with her husband Earl, a forester, grew up in Norwegian families that never discussed feelings. They didnt talk about the problems surfacing in their Victorian home on Fourth Street. Four of their seven children struggled with what they later learned were diseases for which the era had no substantive treatments.

Earl  so responsible  said they could not turn down the invitation to meet. So Dorothy went.

The families there were all having their own problems. And then I realized, she said, pausing to control her tears and steady her breath, that we werent alone.

The four families were normal people, too. Not the crooked or devilish kind of folks long presumed to be responsible for, as was said then, making people go crazy.

They were as frustrated as we were, looking for help.

Once early on, Dorothy went to the local mental health center to seek help for one of her daughters.

Now you listen, the counselor told her. You are to blame.

Dorothy felt guilty.

Maybe I wasnt a good parent.... I didnt have answers. I just had questions, she said. It took a while, but I got my spurs on.

It was the Freudian era, when it was always the mothers fault, she recalled.

In reality, it was no ones fault. Dorothy, and several Missoula women like her, were beginning to realize that.

They started small with monthly meetings, sharing strategies for managing hidden challenges. Soon, they met weekly. There was too much to talk about. Too much to get done.

Thanks to their work, western Montana has largely accepted the idea that people with mental illness can grow and develop and get their lives back on track," said Jack Shifflet, who became NAMI Missoula president after Dorothy stepped down earlier this summer.

Everywhere I go in the community, everyone I talk with on behalf of NAMI, they know Dorothy," he said. "They respect NAMI in large part because of what shes done.

***

Like Berens, Shifflet first met Dorothy at the Thursday morning support group when he moved to Montana in 2002. Today, NAMI Missoula boasts dozens of volunteers and serves hundreds, free of charge. They offer three weekly support groups, a rotating roster of 12-week programs, and training for community groups from churches to cops, in addition to ongoing advocacy to help reduce the stigma of mental illness and to see to it that mental health issues are addressed.

Until a couple years ago, Dorothys personal phone number was on every brochure and donation jar. She answered calls around the clock for decades. Dorothy listened, offered advice about services or met them where they were. She gave people money for bus fares. She brought them food. She drove them to the hospital.

Care has improved for people with mental illnesses, but Shifflet said many still resist the idea that families can be a positive part of treatment, that families are not the problem. Incorporating families into education and making them an active part of recovery is Dorothys original and ongoing fight.

She is dogged. She does not give up, Shifflet said.

Dorothy eschews credit.

Community do-gooders Laura and Tiny Risdahl ran the first meeting of A New Beginning. The group would evolve into a local NAMI chapter. She died in 2003 and he the following year.

As Dorothy tells it, it was Laura who first stormed the boardroom of a mental health center demanding a seat at the table for families.

We were invited to the meetings after that, Dorothy said.

The volunteers fought for more community treatment options, marched on the U.S. Capitol, battled against longterm restraints and isolation at Montana State Hospital, built education programs and started support groups.

Most victories were personal and incremental.

One of Dorothys neighbors had a son living with schizophrenia who lost his legs jumping under a train. The center where he lived was up steep and narrow stairs with inadequate bathroom facilities. So Dorothy and the other women went one day to insist the director make changes.

He tried to argue, but Bonnie Brewer knew the building standards better. According to her 2016 obituary, she was a former Marine who became a mechanical engineer and earned recognition by the Department of Navy in 1970 for her work on modernization of the USS Midway.

I think the director went to selling at a hardware store after that episode, Dorothy said one recent evening, chuckling from her favorite armchair tucked in a corner of her living room.

From the couch, her daughter-in-law and caregiver Kimmie Jessen said, You have tenacity, which sometimes we call stubbornness. Its worked for you, Dorothy.

***

Jessen thinks Dorothy honed the trait early in life.

She and her twin Doris were born in St. Ignatius in 1931, later joined by Bobbi and Ditsie. Her parents separated when she was young. Soon after, her mother was sent to the sanitarium for six years to recover from tuberculosis. The Archer girls lived at the St. Ignatius Ursuline Academy, but spent summers at their grandfathers ranch near Pablo.

For Fathers Day 1947, family and neighbors packed into the home to celebrate. Early the next morning, 16-year-old Dorothy lighted a small fire in the stove to warm water before milking the cow. Her uncle later came into the kitchen and tossed fuel into the stove. It caught on a lingering ember, blowing up into a blaze that consumed the house. Dorothys twin and two family friends were killed. Her uncle, badly burned, died at the hospital.

Earl later affixed the iron nameplate from the Majestic stove to the brick fireplace of their Missoula home.

I cant escape it, she said.

The hardships never embittered Dorothy.

She turned to helping other people, Jessen said.

But even her home was host to tragedy.

One of Dorothys children killed himself in the backyard garage where another had tried to do the same but failed.

At one of the most challenging moments, Dorothy asked Earl to sell the house. "Where will you go?" he asked.

She stayed. She endured. She fought.

Shes always been diligent about this, trying to find something, some answers, said her youngest son, Mark. She really helped institute a lot of really good things in the mental health community for people with these illnesses so they are not being treated like animals. Its taken a long time, and its been a real struggle for everyone, but its good to see the changes that really came from this group and from mom.

Today, Dorothys children with mental illness live independently or with minimal support rather than being locked away. One of their paintings hangs above her fireplace.

Dorothy brags the study of shadows won second place in a community art contest. Moody clouds and shafts of sunshine reflect in a rippled lake, dark mountains anchoring the background.
Winds whipped wildfires around western Montana into a renewed fury overnight Saturday into Sunday, briefly trapping firefighters, burning buildings, and forcing new mandatory evacuations.

Synoptic winds, National Weather Service meteorologist Luke Robinson called them Sunday. Thats the fancy word for it, said Robinson. Also the polite term, given the havoc wreaked by the flames.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing, about the conditions out there are working in our favor today," said Larry Bickel, public information officer for the Lolo Peak fire.

Near Arlee, 16 firefighters found themselves trapped between the Liberty fire and a spot fire Saturday. All escaped safely. East of Eureka, the Caribou fire doubled in size during a 4-mile run Saturday, burning an unknown number of structures and forced a full evacuation of the West Kootenai area.

Glacier National Park closed part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road on Sunday, evacuated the area around the Lake McDonald Lodge, and started removing historic artifacts from the lodge itself  all because of the Sprague fire, which last week destroyed the parks century-old backcountry Sperry Chalet.

The long-problematic Lolo Peak fire in Ravalli County upped the ante yet again, necessitating more mandatory evacuations (see related story). The Little Hogback fire  part of the Sapphire Complex of fires near Rock Creek  also flared up, and the Granite County Sheriffs Office issued mandatory evacuations for 35 homes late Saturday night.

The Rice Ridge fire outside Seeley Lake grew by more than 15,000 acres, and saw new evacuation orders and warnings issued Sunday in Powell County. And the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory evacuation notice Sunday for people living near the West Fork fire near Libby.

Seven fires burning near Plains, Trout Creek and Thompson Falls grew large enough Saturday to warrant a takeover by the Western Montana Type II Incident Management Team. Dubbed the Highway 200 Complex, it includes the Moose Peak, Miller Creek, Deep Creek, Reader, Reader 2, Cub Creek and Sheep Gap fires, with the Sheep Gap and Reader fires posing the most danger to public safety.

Seemingly every few hours Saturday night and Sunday, the Red Cross sent out a new notice about the opening of another shelter for evacuees. (See accompanying list.)

And, for a time on Saturday, not a single air quality monitor in the entire state of Montana registered Good air. The best was to be seen in Cut Bank, where a Moderate rating looked enviable. Sunday afternoon, the Missoula City-County Health Department listed air quality as Unhealthy in Missoula, Frenchtown, Clearwater, Rock Creek, Florence, Lolo, Arlee and Potomac. Air Quality was Very Unhealthy in Seeley Lake and Rainy Lake and expected to be Hazardous by Monday morning.

***

Throughout the weekend, starting Saturday afternoon and into Sunday, the usual twice-daily updates on InciWeb, the national wildfire information service, came fast and furious, including the harrowing report from the Liberty fire.

Sixteen firefighters working the Liberty fire outside Arlee are safe after being briefly trapped between the main fire and a spot fire last night, according to InciWeb.

Shortly after 5 p.m., "several rapid wind shifts and gusts threw multiple spot fires across firelines along the northwest section of containment lines where the South Fork of the Jocko River and Liberty Creek come together," read the report on InciWeb.

Thirteen of the 16 firefighters, from a hand crew and an engine crew, fled east into a meadow  designated as a safety zone  on the north side of Liberty Creek. Three others tried to head downhill toward engines parked on Liberty Creek Road, but once at the road, were surrounded by heavy smoke and fire. They started to deploy their shelters, but wind cleared the air long enough for them to find an escape route to safety, according to InciWeb.

"All 16 are safe," stressed InciWeb. Those in the meadow were picked up by helicopter and joined the other three at a rally spot, where all were medically assessed by a fireline EMT.

The National Weather Service forecast for Monday offered little hope. A Red Flag Warning  meaning, the high winds, high temperature and low humidity that are optimal for extreme fire behavior  remains in effect until 9 p.m. Monday.

***

As of Sunday evening, the following evacuation orders issued Saturday and Sunday remain in effect:

Caribou fire: Everyone in the West Kootenai area.

Highway 200 Complex: From the end of River Road West to Arnold Road, at the corner of Section 11.

Little Hogback fire: Both sides of Upper Rock Creek Road and adjacent roads/neighborhoods, beginning from and including Wild Rose Loop South to Stony Creek.

Lolo Peak fire: All residents west of Highway 93 on the north side of Bass Creek Road north to residents on the south side of Hannaford Avenue and west of Florence Carlton Loop  approximately 200 homes. Due to expected extreme fire behavior and the pending weather forecast, there is no access into the evacuation order area, the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday afternoon. The sheriff's office and Unified Command will evaluate fire danger Monday morning with a goal of escorted access.

Rice Ridge fire: All of Coopers Lake area in Powell County. The warning area is everything else north of Highway 200 with the west and east boundaries being Missoula and Lewis and Clark County.

Sprague fire: All residents and visitors from the south end of Lake McDonald to Logan Pass. This includes the Lake McDonald Lodge, concession housing, Kelly Camp Area, and the Avalanche and Sprague Creek campgrounds. Logan Pass is still accessible from the east side of the park. Glacier Park Boat Company tours and Swan Mountain Outfitters horseback rides from the Lake McDonald lodge are canceled. Structure protection continued Sunday for the Lake McDonald Lodge.

West Fork fire: Residents in the 17 Mile Community Area of Pipe Creek Road. Pipe Creek Road is now closed from the 12 Mile Marker to the summit.
Jan Lovec thought it might hail as she looked outside on the evening just before a tornado ripped through her neighborhood.

It was June 11, 2016. Lovec wanted to go see her husband, Mike, who was laid up in the hospital across town. But their old pickup wouldnt start, so she ended up staying home that evening.

The tornado  one of the strongest recorded in Montana history  hit her neighborhood on the southeast end of Baker Lake at about 7 p.m. It pulled apart a row of homes, including the one that had just been remodeled by the Lovecs.

Amid the noise of the storm, Lovec grabbed her Havanese dog, Max, and headed for the bathroom with no windows. She lay with the dog in the tub as the tornado ripped off the green tin roof.

We covered up with the shower curtain, said Lovec, now 68. I dont know what good that was gonna do.

She wasn't hurt in the ordeal. And a little more than a year later, the Lovecs are among the fortunate. They were able to rebuild their home on the same lot  a modest one-level building that still lacks grass in the yard. Lovec said Wednesday that she considers herself extremely lucky amid news coming out of the Houston area.

Out east from the Lovec home is Baker Lake. The couple has a clear line of sight now, because large trees that once obstructed that vantage were removed after the tornado.

But for now, it's not a lakeside view. Its more of a littered desert-scape, like the messy remains of some long-abandoned community.

Thats how things look since giant pumps drained all the water out of the lake this summer, exposing again the pieces of what residents lost to the storm.

Some houses still show damage from the storm. There are unfinished garage rebuilds and torn siding here and there. But much of the affected neighborhood has recovered, and local officials are just getting ready to start a massive recovery effort to restore Baker Lake.

The lake is still full of garbage, said Jason Rittal, Fallon County development adviser. And it doesnt look very nice.

Digging out

Baker Lake is full of garbage, but also garbage bins.

They dot the dry lake-bottom  large, black garbage bins that once sat outside peoples homes but are now sunken into the sediment.

There are also shards of mangled metal, tires and other indistinguishable trash, most of which is covered by a layer of dried, browned algae. Rittal said that before draining, officials turned off the lakes aerators, which circulated the water. Algae then formed and settled atop the rubbage.

There were stories about cows getting flung into the lake, but no remains have been found.

Soon after the tornado, the lake was identified as a major part of the recovery. The town's landmark served thirsty steam-engine trains in the town's early days. Railroad crews built the water body in 1908.

After months of planning, Fallon County officials are nearly ready to green-light a project to dig up the lake bed. They say it's to remove the debris and to improve the recreation area.

The first phase of the project, removing the debris, will be funded mostly from by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. About 120,000 cubic yards of stuff will be dug out and trucked away.

For the second phase, crews will dig out another 400,000 cubic yards for an improvement project that the county was planning for years before the tornado hit. With FEMA funds helping to pay for the draining of the lake and the initial dig, the county says its saving a bit of money.

We just need to plow forward and know that were getting some kind of discount by doing it all at once, Rittal said.

The price tag was estimated at $2.5 million for the FEMA-aided relief portion. It will be another $6 million to fulfill the rest of the dig, which the county will pay. That includes a 2-mill levy the county raised after the tornado that brought only about $90,000.

The estimates could change, however. Chuck Lee, who directs Fallon County Disaster and Emergency Services, said that there could be logistical issues related to driving huge excavators and trucks onto a dried lake bed. The lake bed could be lowered as much as 20 feet in some spots.

There are some unknowns in this kind of job. Sinking trucks in the silt, for example, could drive up costs.

Theyre going to build a road into this, Lee said. Into the lake.

The sediment will be trucked to the county landfill, six miles to the south. Officials estimated that the tornado tossed 325 tons of debris into the lake. Initial cleanup efforts removed some of that.

Rittal said that theyve identified a low bidder for the project, but it hasnt been awarded. The county still needs to seek approval from various state and federal agencies before placing it before Fallon County commissioners.

A tentative completion date is June 1, 2018.

Were just working through it, he said. Its been a unique project.

Recovering

Parked at the mouth of Iron Horse Park, Lee said a tornado ripped through the spot about a year ago.

This would have been the epicenter, he said.

It lasted 10 minutes, touching down on Baker Lake and then moving into the neighborhood. The EF-3 storm matched the strongest recorded tornadoes in Montana history.

Montanans have experienced EF-3 tornadoes four times since record keeping began in 1950. They include Wibaux County in 1952, Choteau County in 1988, Sheridan County in 2010 and Carter County in 2014. One person died in Wibaux County and the Sheridan County storm resulted in two deaths, Frieders said.

No one died in the Baker tornado. While some houses were leveled, others nearby sustained only minor damage.

The thing that still amazes me is how picky Ma Nature is, Lovec said.

She kept cookie jars that belonged to her and her husband as children. They survived intact, sitting above a cupboard in their house.

The roof was totally gone, she said, but the cookie jars are there.

The sign of a fulfilled recovery might come when the Lovecs and their neighbors can view the lake again, after trucks spend months hauling out dirt and debris.

After that, well, theyll just wait for the lake to fill.
When Donald Trump declared global warming was a Chinese hoax, he established a new all-time low for reality-challenged presidents. With 97 percent of the worlds leading scientists confirming not only that human-caused global warming is real, but predicting the disastrous effects upon the planet and its inhabitants, only a total self-absorbed buffoon like Trump could possibly discount their long and in-depth evidence as a hoax. Well, the proof is in the pudding as they say, and the effects of global warming are stacking up in vast economic and environmental damages while causing widespread and long-lasting human suffering.

Of course the grim reality of Hurricane Harvey is the leading antithesis of Trumps Chinese hoax theory. What began as a tropical storm quickly became a Class 4 Hurricane with 130 mph winds as it picked up enormous amounts of water from a very warm Gulf of Mexico. The warmer the air, the more water it can hold, and with triple-digit temperatures blasting the Southwest, there was plenty of warm air to go around. As I write this, Las Vegas is predicted to hit 105, Los Angeles a sweltering 104 and Phoenix an almost unimaginable 108.

How much water could all that warm air hold? Experts say more than a trillion gallons fell on Texas and Louisiana  enough to fill Lake Michigan, which is called a Great Lake because its one of the planets largest freshwater lakes. Even the thought of filling that massive water body with a few days worth of rain boggles the imagination.

Harvey drove tens of thousands of Texans from their homes  which will likely be total losses since most insurance policies dont cover flooding. The rising waters also inundated oil and gas refineries, releasing a stew of toxins and caused a chemical plant to burst into explosions and flames when the power for its cooling systems went out. The release of hazardous and toxic substances from those impacts have yet to be fully assessed, and may never be. That Scott Pruitt, Trumps pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, had halted implementation of rules meant to increase safety at chemical plants was sidelined two weeks before Harvey hit only adds to the massive unfolding environmental disaster.

And while the tragedy in Texas was playing out here in the U.S., Trumps hoax was dumping unprecedented amounts of monsoon water on India, Nepal and Bangladesh. So far the continuing disaster has displaced 40 million people and killed at least 1,200.

Nor has Montana escaped the wrath of a warming planet. Wildfires have been burning since the rains of June petered out into the drought and extreme heat of July and August. Like their reality-challenged leader, Montanas congressional politicians want to find something besides global warming to blame for the fires. So they claim the real reason is forest management and environmentalists, not the excessive use of fossil fuels, which they actually seek to increase.

But their argument rings hollow when you consider just a few basic facts. Montanas largest wildfire burned 270,000 acres on the plains of eastern Montana  and its not because ranchers didnt thin or manage their pastures. Ironically, some of the largest of the forest wildfires are occurring in areas that have already been extensively logged, such as Lolo, Superior, Seeley Lake and Lincoln.

In short, we are being ruled by a moron who refuses to acknowledge global warming despite the overwhelming evidence and incredible suffering. Until our self-described very smart president faces reality we  and the rest of the planet  will continue to suffer thanks to his Chinese hoax delusions.
Pre-fair activities begin Wednesday evening, September 13, with the Welcome Reception for recruiters and, following the career fair, employers have the opportunity to conduct face-to-face interviews on Friday, September 15.

The career fair, hosted by Career Services, is designed to offer organizations from all industries a chance to discuss career opportunities and to share career development information with Tech students of all academic levels and majors  from freshman to graduate students. The fair provides a cost-effective and convenient way for employers to meet with and interview qualified applicants. Employers will be able to recruit for full-time and summer internships, as well as other positions needed within their organizations.
There isnt much doubt that Butte was destined to become a city, but it did get off to a somewhat tenuous start.

Following the decline of the original gold camp to fewer than 100 people in 1874, Butte boomed rapidly with the silver rush of the late 1870s. By 1879, the population was perhaps 2,000 or 2,500 (the 1880 census says 3,364), and the need for organization as a city was becoming apparent.

The Montana Territorial Legislature had a body known as the Council, which evolved into the State Senate. Councilmember from Butte, Joseph Hyde, drew up an act to establish a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of The City of Butte.

But apparently the entire Legislature didnt quite see it that way, and someone must not have believed the local populace would support the idea of Butte incorporating. An amendment was introduced to grant the charter without the usual popular vote, but that amendment was eventually removed. Still, the Butte Charter Act was approved by the Territorial Legislature on February 10, 1879, by a 1-vote margin, 13 for and 12 against.

The act went to Butte voters on April 15, 1879. With 2,000 or more eligible voters, only 123 voted, approving the charter 72 to 51.

The Charter appointed commissioners to serve until the first municipal election, and included some names we recall today: W.A. Clark, Henry Jacobs, Emanuel Hirbour (who would construct the Hirbour Tower in 1901), and Dr. Charles Mussigbrod, along with Jere Roach, James Talbott, and James Matthews. They served less than a month; the Council election on May 12, 1879, chose Henry Jacobs as Buttes first Mayor, but only Jere Roach of the original legislative appointees was elected. He served with Lee Mantle, J. Ross Clark (Williams brother), Simon Houswirth, and four others.

In his inaugural address to the first City Council, Mayor Jacobs opposition to big intrusive government was evident. The coming year  will no doubt be beset with dangers and troubles owing to the large influx of immigration. Too much care cannot be taken to avoid debt, excessive taxation, and the passage of useless and odious ordinances. It has been demonstrated by experience that the world is already too much governed.

Jacobs, himself an immigrant Jew from Germany who fought for the South in the Civil War at the siege of Vicksburg, built his house at the corner of Montana and Granite that same year. It still stands.
It seems like it always takes a disaster.

Twenty-five years ago, that disaster was Andrew, a hurricane that devastated a large swath of South Florida, including the house in whose master bedroom closet I sheltered through the night with my wife and five kids. The storm took our roof and our possessions. It left us effectively homeless.

With nowhere else to go  we'd been in town only a year  we found our way to the office of my employer, the Miami Herald, where we shared our tale of woe. And Pete Weitzel, then the Herald's managing editor, told us he had an empty house we were welcome to shelter in. It had no electricity, but it had a roof, which was more than we had at home.

Here's the thing. Pete was not one of my favorite people.

During my job interview, he had asked a question that set my teeth on edge. Pointing out that most of the Herald's readership was white  as if this would be news to me  he asked if I, as an African American, was capable of writing for them.

"Can I write for white people?! Do white people read English? If so, we're good."

That's what I very much wanted to say. But I also very much wanted the job, so I answered politely in the affirmative.

Now, here was this same guy whose question had so insulted me, offering me his house. I lost no time saying Yes, of course.

I said it again a few days later when my colleague Christine Dolen invited me and my brood to stay with her, her husband, John, their young son and their dog in their undamaged home some miles north of the destruction zone. Chris and I didn't know each other that well. John and I had never met.

The selflessness of all those people back then leaves me unsurprised at what I am seeing now as Hurricane Harvey swamps southeast Texas. Meaning the people taking in flooded-out strangers, the stranded motorists rescuing other stranded motorists, the neighbors with boats pulling families off rooftops and through second-story windows, people helping other people for no other reason than that there is ability on one side and need on the other, and doing it with no expectation of gain or reward.

This is not who we are on an average day. No, on an average day, especially in a city the size of Houston, one tends to live in isolation from the folks next door. We live separated by fences, more intimately involved with our screens  smartphone, iPad, or 60-inch HD  than with our neighbors. Nor is it just fences and screens that divide. It is also those jagged fault lines of identity: faith, sexuality, politics, and race.

But whatever else those things are, they are not the sum of any one of us. That is obvious and yet also, easily forgotten.

Then a woman who worships Allah plucks you from a rooftop.

Or a man who has a husband pulls you from a fire.

Or the guy who asked that vexing question puts a roof over your head.

You don't care who saves you. You only care that you are saved. There's a lesson in that, I think.

Miami came back. Houston will, too. And the people suffering this ordeal will someday remember it not simply for what they lost, but also for what they found. In the danger and fear, they will remember that they discovered generosity and sacrifice. They will also remember that the ordeal was endurable because they shared it with strangers who were, it turned out, not so strange after all.

And they will remember how people instinctively reached for one another when the screens had gone dark, and all the fences were down.

-- Leonard Pitts Jr. is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Miami Herald.
As summer break draws to a close, millions of American children are returning to school with their new backpacks, shiny pencils and empty notebooks. As Missoula children head off to school in bright yellow buses, we look out of the living room window and wonder what will become of them, all the while knowing that they will arrive at school safely and benefit from the public education that we ourselves had and now take for granted.

In many developing countries such as Kenya, Somalia and Bangladesh, such opportunities are not available. Instead, many families are unable to afford the uniforms and fees of schools; moreover, children must often work to help support their families. Girls are even sold into marriage at a very young age by their own families in exchange for cattle to provide for other children.

Currently, there are 263 million children not attending school, often because of no access to school. And if children are fortunate enough to get to a school, there is no guarantee of learning. Over 1 million students attending secondary school in developing nations can't read or write a simple sentence. For years, the focus in the fight for global education has been on getting kids to school rather than making sure teachers were there and knew how to teach.

We are beginning to see improvements in global education because it is multilateral, not bilateral. This is the approach of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). By combining the forces of the International Monetary Fund, World Band, corporations, non-governmental organizations, and donor and recipient governments, the GPE is able to secure greater funding and country-specific expertise to allow for the development of national education systems that are built to last. This is done by giving the recipient countries a seat at the table during the development of these programs, so programs are tailored to that country's needs and what's already been done and found effective. Plus, each recipient country must devote 20 percent of its GDP to its own national education system to get GPE aid.

As part of the planning and funding, such a country develops a sense of ownership of its expanding education programs. Finally, the aid is given in increments and only after the funded programs have been measured and proven effective. Those Americans who worry that in giving U.S. resources to foreign nations, much of it won't reach the ground, and there will be no return on such expenditures, can find comfort in the fact that the GPE focuses on giving a hand up, not a hand out, effectively providing the guidance and assistance that developing nations choose themselves and contribute to.

Taking a quick glance at GPEs statistics in the field, it is impossible to ignore the remarkable results. Since 2003, $2.3 billion U.S. dollars have been allocated to countries which have been impacted by conflict and are fragile. As a direct result of these allocations, 72 million more children are in primary school now than before this funding. In addition, the number of girls completing primary school, compared to boys, is rising.

The Global Partnership for Education has made fantastic strides in ensuring that more children have the opportunity to receive a good education, which is why I encourage all of you to reach out to U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte to ask him to cosponsor the bipartisan House Resolution 466, which calls for the leadership and commitment of the United States to improve access to quality education for the poorest and most marginalized children and youth worldwide, through increased funding for the Global Partnership for Education.

-- Kelsey Cooley of Missoula is a member of the anti-poverty lobbying group RESULTS.
Suspicious of Tester's horn-blowing

An example is his purported support for our veterans. I think we all support our veterans and would do anything for them. However, I have misgivings about Testers support of disabled veterans when I see him supporting the limiting of access to our public national forests to special-interest groups that can walk, ride a horse or a bike, while he continually supports the publics national forest's continued closing of roads to our handicapped veterans and others who are elderly or otherwise handicapped. These forests belong to all the citizens of this country, and we all should enjoy equal access.
MUSCATINE  Kelcey Brackett said he will bring a strong voice to the Muscatine City Council, representing the voice of the people, not just one person.

Brackett, who is running for the at-large seat currently held by Councilman Scott Natvig, met with about half-a-dozen residents at Birdsleys Diner on Isett Avenue Saturday afternoon. Natvig is running for re-election, and so far, Kerry Denison and Phoenice Mason are also seeking the seat.

The town could benefit from some changes and Id like to be part of that change, Brackett said. Ive done my homework, I care and Im not doing it based on emotion.

The candidate, a senior network analyst for Stanley Consultants, hopes to use his expertise to troubleshoot city problems and help improve communication between Muscatine and its residents. Brackett said the city should offer more ways for residents to be informed about upcoming meetings and issues, recommending sending out mailers and expanding Muscatines reach online.

Brackett said he has always had a passion for volunteering and community involvement. He previously served on the Pearl City Computer Geek Society, working to refurbish and provide computers to students, nonprofits and low-income residents. He also helped start the website Muscatine Connected, which Brackett said was a database that helped connect residents and organizations with services in the area, such as utility or other resources needed during emergencies.

He would like to see both programs started again, and if elected to council, looks forward to focusing on giving back to the community.

Having attended city council and budget meetings for two years, Brackett said he is familiar with the citys projects and issues and hopes to bring a new perspective to Muscatines government. He would like to see projects, such as the initiative to turn food waste into renewable fuel at the Water Pollution Control Plant, come to fruition in the near future.

One of his top priorities if elected to council, Brackett said, would be making sure the Mississippi Drive Corridor project is finished so traffic can flow smoothly in the area again. He also hopes the potential reconstruction of Grandview Avenue will progress, with a focus on adding greenspace and revitalizing the area.

Grandview, right now, looks like we forgot about it, he said. Mississippi Drive and Grandview: all of that is one piece. Id like to see that finished in the way we paid to have it designed.

Brackett also supports a plan to build a container port on the Mississippi River, but argues it would need the right management. He is pushing for the creation of a port authority, managed by multiple municipalities or organizations, to provide better oversight of the district.

It would be wonderful for Muscatine and the surrounding area, but if its not handled correctly, it could be detrimental, Brackett said. Its going to bring a lot more truck traffic. Heavy truck traffic will come and we need to look at our roads and plan for that.

Having the right form of management to oversee the container port, Brackett said, could help create stability, plus additional, safer jobs.

At Birdsleys Diner Saturday, residents asked Brackett if we would be willing to say no and offer a different perspective on the city council. Brackett said he has always been a leader and has no problem making his ideas heard.

Residents also asked Brackett about his opinion on the Muscatine City Councils removal of the mayor. He said he wished the council voted to take the case to district court first, in order to save taxpayer money and resources. Brackett also said the city wasted money during its lawsuit with the Iowa Department of Transportation, by refusing to turn off a traffic camera after it had been ordered to do so.

Brackett did not say whether he was for or against traffic cameras, but said he is against the spending of dollars for legal fees to disobey a court ruling.

Candidates for Muscatine mayor and City Council have until Sept. 21 to file papers to place their names on the ballot for the Nov. 7 election.
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
A mystery group calling itself Alliance for Responsible Governance claims Napa County regularly fails to fully follow California environmental laws when approving new wineries and winery expansions.

Since 2013, Napa County has approved more than 90 winery projects. It has generally conducted environmental reviews for traffic and other issues that fell short of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, the group wrote.

The Alliances letter to the county Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission has potential legal ramifications. It comes from the San Francisco-based law firm Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger on behalf of the group.

Alliance for Responsible Governance urges the county to remedy its failed procedures promptly, attorneys Ellison Folk and Robert Perlmutter wrote.

Interim County Executive Officer Minh Tran said Friday the county will soon respond publicly to the Alliance for Responsive Government letter. He added the county disagrees with the premise that it does inadequate environmental reviews.

The Alliance letter comes at a time when some residents worry that tourism threatens to overshadow the areas agricultural roots. Others embrace what they see as a wine country success story.

So who is behind the Alliance for Responsible Governance?

At this point, the Alliance doesnt really want this to be about individuals in the group, Folk said in a phone interview.

Rather, members want the focus to be on the future of Napa Valley. They are concerned about the way the county has consistently failed to adequately analyze new wineries, she said.

Folk said she doesnt know how many members are in the Alliance.

Napa Vision 2050, a coalition of environmental and community groups, has been amid the thick of the countys growth battles. Vision 2050 President Dan Mufson said he doesnt know identities of the Alliances members, though hes seen the letter and recognizes kindred spirits.

We certainly support whats in there, Mufson said. These are issues weve been dealing with one-by-one, piecemeal.

Alliance members might be wine industry figures sympathetic to these causes who dont want their names known, Mufson said.

Rex Stults of Napa Valley Vintners could only speculate on who might be behind the Alliance. He said that, if not for a few egregious violations of use permits, the focus in the community would be on the bigger problems of traffic and affordable housing.

Jennifer Putnam of Napa Valley Grapegrowers said the groups board has yet to discuss the Alliance letter. But, she said, the Alliance approach of hiding behind a secret identify might not be the most productive way to plan the countys future as an agricultural community.

We look forward to being part of any of those productive conversations, Putnam added.

The Napa County Farm Bureau said in a statement it largely supports the positions in the Alliance letter. The group noted it has long been engaged in the county code compliance issue.

Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger for various clients has raised objections related to several proposed winery projects in recent years: Yountville Hill Winery, Girard Winery, Caymus Vineyards, Frogs Leap Winery and Raymond Vineyards.

The law firm also worked with proponents of the oak woodland and watershed protection ballot measure that the county in 2016 disqualified on a technicality. It drafted both Measure J in 1990 and its 2008 successor Measure P, which puts most Napa County agricultural land use designation changes in the hands of voters.

Folk and Perlmutter wrote that the county since 2013 approved 93 winery projects that combined allow a million visitors and covered more than a million square feet. They noted the county required full environmental impact reports for only the Hall Winery distillery building demolition and proposed Yountville Hill Winery.

Instead, Napa County has used exemptions and smaller studies called negative declarations to satisfy California environmental laws. Folk and Perlmutter claimed that this has resulted in inadequate environmental review.

The Alliance criticized the county for allowing illegal activities to be part of the baseline when it evaluates a winery seeking after-the-fact approvals. That allows the unpermitted uses to evade environmental review, Folk and Permutter wrote.

For example, the letter said, Frogs Leap Winery in 2016 had a permit for 350 visitors weekly. It was actually hosting 800 visitors weekly. It voluntarily stepped forward and successfully asked the Planning Commission to modify its use permit to allow 1,100 visitors weekly.

Yet, when the county analyzed traffic and other impacts at Frogs Leap, it compared the requested increase to the unpermitted visitation already taking place, not what was permitted, Folk and Perlmutter wrote.

This improper baseline obscured the true environmental impacts of the approvals and produced a misleading environmental review, they wrote.

Then-Planning Commissioner Heather Phillips asked about this practice at the Aug. 17, 2016 Frogs Leap hearing. She added she understood it was part of a Board of Supervisors directive to encourage voluntary compliance.

Deputy County Counsel Laura Anderson confirmed that this approach is the Boards directive. The practice is perfectly acceptable under state law and, in fact, the typical baseline for environmental analysis is the existing setting, she said.

The agency does have some discretion to deviate from that. But generally speaking, existing conditions are what you want to follow, Anderson told Planning Commissioners. And thats what weve been following.

Folk and Perlmutter wrote that the countys traffic studies are flawed. For example, the county considers a traffic increase of less than 1 percent resulting from a winery projects as insignificant. But many smaller projects taken together do have significant effects, they said.

The county repeatedly defers cumulative traffic impacts to the environmental impact report done for its 2008 general plan. Yet that 2008 study failed to adequately address winery-related traffic, Folk and Perlmutter wrote.

Folk and Perlmutter made several other claims, among them that the county requires mitigation such as winery event visitors using shuttles, but fails to ensure enforcement.

Alliance for Responsible Governance hopes to resolve these issues with the county in a timely and amicable fashion, Folk and Perlmutter wrote.

But if the county doesnt take appropriate steps, the Alliance reserves its right to ensure that environmental impacts for winery projects are analyzed and mitigated as required by state law, they wrote.
American Canyon Police reported the arrest of a Washington state man at the end of a 20-minute, 22-mile late-night vehicle pursuit that ended with a crash on a freeway in Richmond.

Officers first tried to stop a 1998 Oldsmobile Regency sedan at 12:20 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Poco Way, but the driver sped off before officers could contact him, according to Sgt. Pat McMahon.

A chase ensued on various roads before the Oldsmobile headed onto westbound Interstate 80, leading officers at speeds up to 110 mph, according to McMahon, who said Vallejo Police and the California Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. At 12:41 a.m., the car crashed into a railing at the I-80 exit at Cutting Boulevard in Richmond, McMahon said.

Officers detained the driver, identified as 31-year-old Kyle Lawrence Lara, for investigation of felony evasion and obstruction of police.

Lara, who was the registered owner of the car and listed by his driver license as a resident of Pomeroy in Eastern Washington, also was wanted on several felony warrants in Washington state, according to McMahon.

No vehicles were struck during the pursuit, McMahon said.
Californias Democratic state government is exerting resistance to the Republican federal government on issues such as immigration and climate change.

California insists, under the doctrine of states rights, that President Donald Trump and a Republican Congress should not interfere with state policies on those and other issues that reflect Californians views.

Meanwhile, however, the state finds itself facing similar conflicts with its own local governments over attempts to force them to comply with decrees from Sacramento.

A prime example is an effort by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislators to compel cities to build more housing.

Although the state has long set paper quotas for housing construction, they lacked enforcement teeth. That has allowed cities to ignore the quotas when projects faced, as they often do, opposition among current residents, a syndrome known as not in my backyard or NIMBY.

With new housing construction generating barely half of the projected annual need of 180,000 units, Brown and lawmakers are negotiating details of legislation that would overcome NIMBYism and compel cities to approve projects meeting certain criteria, thus eroding their traditional land use powers.

City officials dont like it. The League of California Cities says the governors streamlining proposal violates the principles of local democracy and public engagement, thus echoing complaints from Brown and other state officials about high-handed federal decrees.

Housing policy is not the only point of friction between state and local officials. For instance, members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Democrats, are complaining loudly about a pending measure that would radically change the countys governing structure, saying it heavy-handedly violates local control.

Senate Constitutional Amendment 12, carried by Los Angeles County Sen. Tony Mendoza, would expand the countys five-member Board of Supervisors to at least seven members after the 2020 census and, most importantly, shift much of its power to an elected county executive.

Many other examples abound, and one of the most significant is Assembly Bill 1250, which would virtually prohibit counties from using private contractors or even nonprofit groups, from providing county services.

The bill, carried by Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, and backed by a powerful coalition of public employee unions, is supposedly aimed at making counties more efficient and accountable. However, its evident that its true motive is protecting unionized civil service jobs from private sector competition.

The bill, which has cleared the Assembly and is pending in the Senate, is being stoutly opposed by the California State Association of Counties as unwarranted state interference in local affairs.

However, the criticism is not confined to the counties themselves. The Senate Governance and Finance Committees staff analysis declared: AB 1250 erodes local officials ability to manage local affairs, making it hard for them to preserve essential public services during tough financial times. Local elected officials are well-positioned to judge the merits of a service contract and can either negotiate better terms or reject a contract altogether.

That did not prevent committee approval on a party-line vote, however.

The more important criticism is coming from Gov. Browns Department of Finance, which is opposed because it applies a one-size-fits-all approach to contracting for personal services that could severely restrict the ability of counties to provide services in an efficient manner (and) makes sweeping changewhen the extent of the problem is unknown.

That pretty much parrots what Brown and other California politicians have been saying about sweeping, one-size-fits-all decrees from the Trump White House and the Republican Congress.

Do as we say, not as we do?
Americans eventually tire of the presidents they elect. The political skills that fuel the rise of Roosevelts, Reagans and Obamas always seem to lose their allure over time as the promise of "Morning in America" and "Hope and Change" devolves into the cynicism of "Been There, Done That."

Lyndon Johnson won in a landslide in 1964 but was pushed out of office four years later. Ronald Reagan breezed to reelection by winning 49 states in 1984, but two years later his power of persuasion was gone. In 1986, the Great Communicator couldn't persuade voters living through the last days of the Cold War to support anti-communist allies in Central America. Even in the afterglow of Barack Obama's 2012 reelection, the biggest political star in the world couldn't pass gun reforms that 90 percent of Americans supported following the Sandy Hook massacre.

President Donald Trump is, of course, the most radical example of this negative political phenomenon. Seven months into his maniacal presidency, Trump is driving his approval ratings to record lows and causing friends and foes alike to experience premature presidential fatigue.

Former allies on the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal and Washington Examiner now criticize Trump for leadership failures and his abuse of power. Republicans on Capitol Hill more frequently call out the president's aberrant behavior. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., questions the president's ability to survive. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee questions Trump's stability.

By now, the president's low poll numbers rarely raise an eyebrow. Newspapers have repeated ad nauseam that Trump is saddled with the worst approval ratings in U.S. history at this stage of his presidency. But this week, those lame approval ratings collapsed to a new low of 34 percent. A Fox News poll released Wednesday found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans believe Trump's presidency is "tearing America apart." And only 20 percent of younger voters now support the 71-year-old former reality television star.

And even Trump's famously forgiving base is growing tired of the commander in chief's reckless routine. Trump supporters in a Pittsburgh focus group talked about how their patience with the petulant president was reaching an exhausting end. "Everybody knew he was a nut, but there comes a point in time where you need to become professional. He's not even professional let alone presidential. Chill out, man," was a woman's advice. Another Trump supporter said that Trump's manic need to dominate news cycles was driving him crazy. "He's on the television all the time." Another weary supporter said, "He's such an incredibly flawed individual who has articulated many of the values that I hold dear and the messenger is overwhelming the message."

That focus group sounded a lot like recent phone calls I had with friends in Pensacola, Florida, and Birmingham, Alabama, who have been Trump supporters from the start. Not long ago, most were telling me that I needed to back off the president and give him a chance to succeed. But after Charlottesville, Virginia, that began to change. One friend after another tells me they have had enough of Trump's self-destructive behavior and are tired of the president being his own worst enemy. Like the focus group, my Republican friends are growing impatient with the man they once believed could change Washington and make America great again.

The president keeps bleeding support, Democrats remain rudderless, Washington is still gridlocked, and the problems that propelled Trump to the presidency are getting worse. From Pittsburgh to Pensacola, many Trump voters would prefer a leader who stops attacking allies, stays off Twitter and lets Congress get something done before Democrats retake control.
On Friday morning of Jan. 15, 1947, Betty Berlinger and her 3-year-old daughter, Anne, were walking by a vacant lot on 3800 block of Los Angeless South Norton Avenue in the Leimert Park district.

She caught a glimpse at what she first thought was a discarded store mannequin in the overgrown brown grass. When she went to examine the object, she discovered it was the mutilated nude body of a young lady.

Terrified, she ran with her small child to a nearby house in the middle-class neighborhood and telephoned the police.

The police officer on duty didnt get her name over the phone. Sometime later, a squad car came out and found the dissected body of 22-year-old dark-haired Elizabeth Short. The police determined that the murdered young woman was killed somewhere else and dumped at the vacant lot.

Because of the victims dark black hair, they nicknamed her the Black Dahlia.

The remains of Elizabeth Short were identified by her New England divorced mother. Phoebe Short first learned of her murdered daughter when an Los Angeles. newspaper reporter telephoned her and lied to her about Elizabeth winning a beauty contest to gain information about the murdered girls past. Then, after he got the information, he told Mrs. Short what really happened to her daughter.

Over the next few weeks, letters from the Black Dahlia killer came to Los Angeles Police Department Captain Jack Donahoe. They were cut out newspaper words that were pasted together in the letter and signed the Black Dahlia Avenger, which wasnt known to the general public. He toyed with police, bargaining for a lesser sentence if he turned himself in.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, 1947, 33-year-old restaurant porter, Daniel S. Voorhees, admitted to the police detective hed murdered Elizabeth Short. He also told them that he was having a torrid affair with her in L.A.

However, the time period hed laid out for the police wouldve been when Miss Short was an adolescent living on the East Coast. It was determined later by the detective that Mr. Voorhees wasnt the killer, but a publicity-seeker wanting his 15 minutes of fame.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, 1947, the Evening Herald Express ran a front-page story that 29-year-old Army corporal Joseph Dumais was now in police custody in Fort Dix, New Jersey, for the murder of Elizabeth Short. Later, it was learned through his Army buddies that Corporal Dumais was nowhere near L.A., but at Fort Dix during the time of the murder. Another false lead.

In weeks to come, more and more publicity-seekers came into the LAPD to confess to the grisly murder of Elizabeth Short. The 25 confessor, Max Handler, a film bit player, claimed to be the killer, too. However, he later admitted during a lie detector test that his entire confession was false, and was escaping a gang of thugs who were following him that day.

Confessors werent all men, either. A gal named Minnie Sepulveda dropped in one day at the LAPD office and also admitted that she was the Black Dahlia killer. Police detectives didnt rule out the fact that a woman couldve possibly committed the gruesome murder. For instance, Louise Peete was busted for L.A. murder during the Roaring 20s and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Following her release from prison, she committed yet another murder, was arrested, convicted, and executed by the state of California.

Its estimated that 500 people came forward confessed to the grisly murder of Elizabeth Short. However, none of these people were guilty of the crime.

What made all these people confess to a crime that wouldve sent them to the gas chamber?

Some confessors wanted the notoriety of the crime, while other people felt the sick need to be punished by the law. The homeless figured if they confessed that theyd have a place to sleep and three square meals a day in prison.

In 2003, retired LAPD detective Steve Hodel published his New York Times bestseller Black Dahlia Avenger: The True Story. In his book, he speculated that his late father, Dr. George Hodel, was totally responsible for the murder of Elizabeth Short and linked him up also to another 1947 unsolved murder case of a young woman named Jeanne French (the Red Lipstick Murder.) He went on the Travel Channels paranormal reality show Ghost Adventures to promote his so-called theory.
With the horrific destruction of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, comes most certainly, a great need for additional help to all those who have been injured, or lost loved ones, plus assistance for the loss of homes, businesses schools, roads, etc.

This may be the impetus Congress needs to make a decision on the way the national budget is allocated towards the military. "The $600 billion in this year's budget for military spending is more than the six combined countries of China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, and Saudi Arabia." This information, plus the following quotes are from the May, Washington Newsletter of the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

Sadly, an audit of the Pentagon's books has still not been furnished, even though in the 1990s a law was passed requiring it to be provided.

"Weapons systems regularly overrun their budgets or are rendered obsolete, while still in development. Such as the billions-over-budget F-35 fighter jets (designed for wars that the U.S. doesn't fight any more) to the Littoral combat ship that the Pentagon says it doesn't need."

The Pentagon's own internal study found some $125 billion in potential savings over five years just in administrative and bureaucratic waste.

Violence and threats are not the answer. "The State Department, USAID, and other development agencies are critical in preventing conflict and reducing the need to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way."

This was presented to Congress in February by more than 120 retired generals and concluded that early conflict prevention programs "help forestall open-ended crises that are far more damaging to American interests and far costlier to the American tax payer."

General Thomas Waldhauser, head of the U.S. Command in Africa, testified before the Armed Services Committee in March that "'We could knock off all of ISIL and Boko Haram this afternoon, but by the end of the week, those ranks would be filled."

"At a time when the U.S. is facing multiple foreign policy crises, the U.S. should increase investment in the cost-effective programs that promote diplomacy, development and international cooperation. We need more tools in our foreign policy toolbox, not fewer."

One of the "tools' at our disposal is the Campaign Nonviolence (CNV) happening across the United States the week of Sept. 16-24. Last year, 758 events, vigils, marches study groups, etc. were held in all 50 states. This year, 1,000 events are planned to promote a culture of peace, and nonviolence free from war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction.

Here in Napa on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 2-4 p.m., a Vigil for Peace, will take place on the four corners of Third Street and Soscol Avenue.

Vigils are only one way to make our hearts and minds known, and I hope that all in our community will find their own way to envision a world free from violence. From the national magazine of CNV; "At a time of permanent war, growing poverty, threats to civil liberties, ecological devastation, the enduring terror of nuclear weapons and the scourge of racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia and economic injustice, we face the challenge and opportunity to choose powerful and creative nonviolent alternatives."

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18.

Teresa Cahill
NATO Allies and partners have helped Georgia contain a major forest fire in the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region of Georgia. Recognising that inhabited areas could be at risk, the Georgian authorities approached NATOs Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) for assistance on 29 August 2017. Shortly thereafter, assets from NATO Allies and partners were on the scene: Turkey provided one firefighting aircraft and two helicopters; Azerbaijan provided a firefighting helicopter; and Ukraine provided a firefighting aircraft. By Friday (1 September 2017), the fire had been contained.

This follows another Georgian request to the EADRCC for firefighting assistance, sent to the Center on 22 August. By 28 August, two NATO Allies (Turkey and the United States) and three partners (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus) helped bring forest fires under control near Georgias Borjomi Municipality. Israel and Ukraine also offered their support.

The EADRCC is NATOs principal civil emergency response mechanism in the Euro-Atlantic area. It is active all year round, operational on a 24/7 basis, and involves NATOs 29 Allies and all partner countries. The Centre functions as a clearing-house system for coordinating requests and offers of assistance mainly in case of natural and man-made disasters. More information is available here: www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52057.htm.
23:43

The government has accepted the recommendations of a panel that parity with civilians for the grant of disability element to the defence forces under the 6th Central Pay Commission should be maintained, according to an official statement today.

The armed forces have been pressing for reverting to the percentage-based regime for disability pension and were strongly opposed to the slab-based system conceived by the 7th CPC.

The matter was referred to the National Anomaly Committee by the ministry of defence to decide methodology for calculation of disability element of disability pension under the 7th CPC.

"The National Anomoly Committee has recommended that parity with civilians for grant of disability element which was granted to the defence forces under the 6th CPC shall be maintained.

"The recommendations of the NAC have been considered by the government," said a statement by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) under the defence ministry. Heeding to a major demand of armed forces personnel, in May this year, the government decided to continue with an earlier system of disbursing disability pension and not to go ahead with a new regime recommended by the seventh CPC.

The Ex-Servicemen Health Contributory Scheme (ECHS) has launched 'Complaint and Litigation Reduction Scheme (CLRS)', for the grievance redressal of veterans and their dependents.

"This will assist us in our increased focus on formulation of caring policy and implementation initiatives preserving the time and resources of our veterans who have served the nation in a selfless manner," an army official

said.
23:10

In a veiled dig at the government, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan today said it is always better to under-promise and over-achieve than to face awkward questions when it comes to growth comparisons with China.

Rajan, the only central bank governor in two decades who did not get a second term, also seemed to defend his controversial remark of India being a 'one-eyed king in the land of blind', saying GDP expansion slipped in every quarter since that remark in April of last year.

Breaking his silence after completion of the unwritten one-year moratorium for not commenting on India-specific issues since his exit from RBI on September 4, 2016, Rajan said India has a lot of potential and is capable of doing significantly more but should not get complacent.

"This notion that, we at every corner, we have to say we are the best and there is no body else like us. Well that is not true, first. There is lot of potential in India, we are capable of doing significantly more over the years to come.

"Let us be confident, we can do it. Let us do it. But let us boast only after we have achieved it. Let us not be overly complacent before that," he said at an event here to launch his book.

Rajan said he faced awkward questions in Beijing recently on India lagging behind China in terms of GDP growth rate for the second quarter in a row.

"I was in Beijing and reporters there were asking me... India was doing so well...of course we had a certain tiff with them recently which keeps them a little antagonist, but they all (said) India was doing so well (but tell us) which is the fastest growing country in the world (now)," he said.

India's GDP growth slowed to 5.7 per cent in April-June quarter, down from 6.1 per cent in the preceding three-month period. China clocked 6.5 per cent growth rate in both the quarters.

Replying to a question on demonetisation, Rajan said "the jury in terms of data is still out".

"We still have to wait for the full evolution of data to understand what exactly the cost and benefits have been. It may be that we never know because we do not measure some of the areas where demonetisation had impact because those were part of informal economy," said Rajan, currently professor of finance at the University of Chicago.

He, however, said the cost of demonetisation has been quite substantial.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to the press during a media encounter at the UN headquarters in New York, Aug. 16, 2017. (Xinhua/File Photo/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday condemned the underground nuclear test announced by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

In a statement, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Guterres "reiterates his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions."

"This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK's international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts," said Dujarric, adding that this act "is also profoundly destabilizing for regional security."

"The DPRK is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions," said Dujarric.

The spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General remains in contact with all parties concerned.

The DPRK carried out its "most powerful nuclear test to date" on Sunday, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb "that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile."

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday on the DPRK's latest nuclear test, diplomats said Sunday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 08:03:55|Editor: Yang Yi

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2017 shows the Yanhuang Highway in Hancheng City, north China's Shaanxi Province. The 828.5-kilometer-long Yanhuang Highway, which runs along the west bank of the Yellow River, is expected to play a positive role in promoting the province's local tourism and ecological conservation. At cost of 6.9 billion yuan (1 billion U.S. dollars), the highway across 12 districts and counties will benefit more than 2 million people. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)
A U.S. Air Force missile maintenance team removes the upper section of an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead in an undated USAF photo at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. Reviews of the U.S. nuclear arsenal show significant changes are needed to ensure the security and effectiveness of the force, a Defense Department report said November 14, 2014. (REUTERS/USAF/Airman John Parie) WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- As the United States is undergoing a cycle to update its nuclear arsenal, flexibility, accuracy and interoperability are the key features that will be enhanced, an nuclear policy expert told Xinhua in an interview. Military labs and contractors are developing interoperable warheads, missiles with a flexible yield and weapons fine-tuned for accuracy, according to Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists. The United States is currently under going its fourth or fifth major cycles to update its nuclear arsenal since the 1940s, Kristensen said, as the old weapons would become too expensive to operate after 2030. Recently U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration is spending "vast amounts" of money on nuclear arsenal and missile defense during a speech about Afghanistan. The U.S. Air Force on Aug. 23 released two contracts with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon with a total value of 1.8 billion U.S. dollars to commence research on cruise missile technologies, which is essential to the delivery of nuclear weapons. "There's general interest in U.S. nuclear weapons planning to make weapons in the future more accurate so that they don't need to have as much yield," he said. A bomb with lower yield would mean less pollution and radioactive fallout, so that ally countries and nearby U.S. troops would be better protected, Kristensen said. "They might want more selective options at the lower end so that can broaden the flexibility of what types of scenarios they could use it in," he said. Kristensen said there's another plan to develope "interoperable warheads" that are basically nuclear warheads that would go on ballistic missiles either land based or sea based. "You would use a small number of warhead designs from land and sea based but sort of cut paste, take components from them, mix with other components and you get these interoperable warheads that could be used with minor modification on both systems," he said. "That's a way of getting away from having larger number of different warheads," he said. There is another trend to tweak the electronics of the weapons to make them more effective, according to Kristensen. Kristensen said the U.S. Navy has already tested the new technology on a sea based missile. "It is encased in a cone shape reentry vehicle, and the tip of the reentry body is the arming and firing fuse of the system," he said of the missile. The system is used to detect where the bomb explode, and the modernization program is to add "an enhanced component to that device that makes the warhead more capable of killing of its target," he said. The missile would be overshot and the radar would sense where it should go off, at an optimum height instead of a pre-set height. Kristensen said while renovation of nuclear technology is normal ongoing in all nuclear countries, whether the U.S. programs would trigger alarm is whether its core nuclear strategy remain on deterrence or becomes on war-fighting. Trump's vision for the U.S. nuclear arsenal is yet to be made clear, Kristensen noted, adding more details would surface after a Nuclear Posture Review he has ordered finalizes toward the end of the year. "I think what we can expect is that the role of nuclear weapons will by and large not change," Kristensen said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 07:41:41|Editor: Song Lifang

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Any threat to the U.S. and or its allies from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be met with a "massive military response," U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned Sunday.

"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack," Mattis told reporters after a national security meeting at the White House, reaffirming that U.S. commitment among the allies is "ironclad."

The remark came after DPRK's official media announced on Sunday that the country has successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Mattis also urged the DPRK to take heed of the international community's call for the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, adding that the U.S. is not looking to the "total annihilation" of the DPRK but has "many options to do so."

In a tweet on Sunday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump called the words and actions of the DPRK "very hostile and dangerous" to the U.S.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday condemned the underground nuclear test announced by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

In a statement, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Guterres "reiterates his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions."

"This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK's international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts," said Dujarric, adding that this act "is also profoundly destabilizing for regional security."

"The DPRK is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions," said Dujarric.

The spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General remains in contact with all parties concerned.

The DPRK carried out its "most powerful nuclear test to date" on Sunday, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb "that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile."

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday on the DPRK's latest nuclear test, diplomats said Sunday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the nuclear test by the DPRK.

"The DPRK has ignored the international community's widespread opposition and conducted a nuclear test again. The Chinese government expresses resolute objection to and strong condemnation of it," the ministry's statement said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 08:56:59|Editor: Yang Yi

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by Prince Moyo

CAPE TOWN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- BRICS countries should play a greater role in world affairs and give greater attention to the sustainable growth of the world economy and infrastructure development, particularly in developing countries, said a senior South African researcher.

Infrastructure development is unquestionably a key factor in boosting the world economy, said Oren Dayan, head of the Marketing Division at the School of Economics and Business Science, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

"Sustainable infrastructure development is definitely a key factor in improving the world economy," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

A successful issuing of green bonds in China reinforced the world economy, he said. However, in order to make this process more efficient, BRICS countries should also collaborate with other economies and let them benefit from BRICS trade and obtain their financial support, Dayan said.

BRICS should not only focus on their own success factors, but also open up to the rest of the world as a major economic force, said Dayan.

Dayan said cooperation among BRICS bodes well for the world economy, and the world needs BRICS and vice versa.

He said the importance of BRICS should not be belittled despite the fact that all its member countries have domestic challenges.

Dayan urged BRICS countries to take advantage of the upcoming summit to work out measures to cement collaboration and support one another.

The researcher pointed out the economic slowdown in some BRICS countries, as well as challenges from the devaluation of the Chinese yuan and the downgrade of Brazil's sovereign rating by Standard & Poor.

Russia was reportedly suffering too and South Africa saw its own economic slowdown as a result of labor issues, rising costs and lowering commodity prices, Dayan added.

"Therefore, I would like to see a much closer collaboration among the countries as a result of the summit which will offer a fundamental opportunity for BRICS members to support one another," he noted.

Dayan said an important challenge for BRICS countries is to improve the living standards of their people.

South Africa specifically is trying to improve living standards for the next generations and this is a goal to achieve with the help of the BRICS, he added.

Africa is expecting to join the New Development Bank (NDB) and receive some more benefits and loans to improve economic growth and the living standards of its population, said Dayan.

The NDB, formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank launched in 2015 by the BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- to finance infrastructure projects, mainly in BRICS member countries.

"I think that the immediate success of NDB has raised the confidence of its members in the ability of BRICS to support projects of a large scale," Dayan said.

African leaders expect to start with improving infrastructure investment, the transportation and other productive sectors that will give the whole continent a boost, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 10:12:26|Editor: Song Lifang

Burned area is seen after a brush fire in Burbank, California, the United States, on Sept. 3, 2017. Governor Jerry Brown of California on Sunday issued an emergency proclamation for Los Angeles County in response to a massive brush fire on the northern edge of Los Angeles. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Governor Jerry Brown of California on Sunday issued an emergency proclamation for Los Angeles County in response to a massive brush fire on the northern edge of Los Angeles.

The fire, threatening homes and critical infrastructure, has forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and triggered the closure of a major highway.

The governor's declaration will ensure that state and federal assistance will be provided as quickly as possible. It came at the urging of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who said that the fire is the largest in the city's history in terms of sheer acreage.

"Extreme weather conditions and high temperatures have further increased the risk of fires," the declaration said.

More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the fire, dubbed the La Tuna Fire, which started in Los Angeles County on Friday and has rapidly burned thousands of acres of land and continues to spread.

At one point the fire was estimated at 8,000 acres, but later on Saturday night fire officials issued a revised estimate.

The estimate of burned area remained at 5,895 acres, but that figure apparently did not include newly-burned acreage on the fire's northern and western sides, according to the City News Service.

The fast-moving wildfire remained at 10 percent contained with the effort of 206 engine companies, nine helicopters, five water tenders, four bulldozers, 12 hand crews and nine ambulances,

Xinhua reporters at the scene saw the smoke blowing across the San Fernando Valley. "The fire near the Country Club Road was contained," a firefighter from LA Fire Department told Xinhua. "However, the fire in the valley continues to grow."

The massive wildfire prompted a new round of evacuation orders on Sunday affecting residents in roughly 700 homes, according to the City News Service. On Saturday, at least 200 homes remained under evacuation orders as the large wildfire threatened to destroy structures in the Sunland-Tujunga area, which is home to about 60,000 people and is located some 20 miles (about 32 km) north of downtown Los Angeles.

Authorities ordered those living in the Brace Canyon Park area and Castleman Estates to "leave immediately" and head to evacuation shelters, according to an alert issued late Friday night by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"The air quality is bad," the City News Service cited Burbank police Sgt. Derek Green as saying. "With temperatures expected to reach the triple digits again today, we are asking people to please stay indoors and limit your recreational activities. Keep pets indoors and take care of each other."

The "dangerously high temperatures" are the result of a strong high pressure and weak onshore flow, according to the National Weather Service.

On Thursday, Gov. Brown declared a state of emergency in Trinity County north of San Francisco due to the Helena Fire.

Wildfires in the U.S. West have burned more than 7.1 million acres (2.9 million hectares) since the beginning of the year, about 50 percent more than during the same time period in 2016, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 11:07:36|Editor: Song Lifang

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CANBERRA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A man is in a critical condition, and 11 others were injured, after burning fuel was sprayed into the crowd at an Australian motorsport event Sunday night.

The 12 spectators at the Red CentreNATS event in Alice Springs were burned when a car sent ignited fuel flying while doing a burnout on the track, said a statement by the Northern Territory Major Events Company on Monday.

Of the injured, four people were transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, more than 1,500 km away, by the Royal Flying Doctors Service including a 48-year-old New South Wales man and his 19-year-old son, one of whom was in a critical condition.

They sustained burns to 20 percent of their bodies, including their face.

Five others remained in Alice Springs Hospital in a stable condition on Monday morning while two others were released.

Thousands of spectators from across Australia attended the event which is one of the country's biggest motorsport events.

"Due to the incident, the organizers ceased the competition so the focus can be on the people who are in need of assistance," the statement said.

"This is a distressing situation, however all patients are receiving the care they need.

"(We) acknowledge the respect that attendees gave to the situation and encourage any spectators affected to seek support and medical assistance."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 12:53:00|Editor: Lu Hui

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Missile force of Korean People's Army attend a military parade in central Pyongyang, April 15, 2017. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Saturday showcased its military muscles by parading all of its most-advanced ballistic and tactic missiles, including a submarine-launched ballistic missile which could strike targets 1000 km away. (Xinhua/Cheng Dayu)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The latest nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has continued to arouse strong condemnation by countries and international organizations alike, which called for addressing the new provocation and resuming dialogue to solve problems.

Pyongyang on Sunday detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the sixth nuclear test it has undertaken, running counter to relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the goal to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

The test was reportedly conducted at the order of top leader Kim Jong Un, who chaired a meeting of the standing committee of the political bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea on the Korean Peninsula situation and decided to conduct the H-bomb test.

U.S. President Donald Trump called the words and actions of the DPRK "very hostile and dangerous" to his country.

In a number of tweets, Trump called the DPRK "has become a great threat".

The Russian Foreign Ministry voiced "deep concern" over the test, a move that "deserves the strongest condemnation."

The test of a thermonuclear explosive device for an ICBM violated the requirements of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the norms of international law, the ministry said in a statement.

"It is regrettable that the DPRK leadership, through its actions aimed at undermining the global non-proliferation regime, poses a serious threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region as a whole," the statement read.

Continuation of such a line is fraught with serious consequences for the DPRK itself, it warned.

"It is imperative to remain calm and refrain from any actions that lead to further escalation of tension," it said.

The Russian foreign ministry called on all interested parties to immediately return to dialogue and negotiations, which is the only possible way to solve the Korean Peninsula problems.

"We reaffirm our readiness for joint efforts in this direction, including in the context of the implementation of the Russian-Chinese roadmap," it said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that Canada unequivocally condemns the DPRK's nuclear test which, combined with its aggressive program of ballistic missile testing, represents a clear and present threat to the safety and security of its neighbors and the international community.

"This most recent test, which appears to have been of a much greater magnitude than its five previous nuclear explosions, is in direct contravention of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and demonstrates once again North Korea's flagrant disregard of international law," he said.

The prime minister said Canada has been steadfast in insisting that the DPRK abandon its current course, including its aggressive rhetoric, and asks that it resumes constructive dialogue toward a comprehensive and verifiable solution.

"We urge the UN Security Council to take further decisive action to effectively constrain North Korea's proliferation efforts, and call on all states to fully implement relevant UN sanctions," he added.

Following the DPRK's nuclear test, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the UN Security Council and the European Union (EU) to react.

In a statement issued by the Elysee Palace, Macron "condemns in the strongest term" the nuclear test following a series of tests of ballistic missiles, saying that it shows "Pyongyang's repeated will to infringe international peace and security."

"The president calls on the members of the UN Security Council to react quickly to this new violation by the DPRK of international law. He also calls for a united and clear response from the EU," the statement read.

France reiterated its support to its allies and partners in the region, the statement added.

"The international community must address this new provocation with the utmost firmness in order to induce the DPRK to unconditionally resume dialogue and to proceed with the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear and ballistic programs," it concluded.

Turkish Foreign Ministry called the DPRK's latest nuclear test an "irresponsible" and "provocative" act as the tension rises on the Korean peninsula.

"We regard the hydrogen bomb test conducted by the DPRK on Sept. 3, 2017 in total disregard of international law as well as regional peace and security, as an irresponsible and provocative act and condemn it in the strongest terms," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.

The EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini urged the DPRK to "abandon its nuclear, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and immediately cease all related activities."

"The DPRK must engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue, aimed at pursuing the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions," he said in a statement.

The UN nuclear watchdog stressed that the DPRK completely disregarded the repeated demands of the international community.

"Today's nuclear test by the DPRK is an extremely regrettable act," said Yukiya Amano, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a press release on Sunday.

"I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA," said Amano.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 13:13:11|Editor: Song Lifang

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A gunfight between militants and Indian troops broke out in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir on Monday, police said.

The gunfight erupted in Sopore, Baramulla district, 52 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A gunfight just began between militants and government forces in Chak Brath village of Sopore here," a police official said.

"The army and police contingents cordoned off the area on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants."

Police officials suspected two militants were holed up in the area.

"We have heard sound of gunfire in the area and are staying indoors," Mujtaba Ahmad, a local resident told Xinhua via telephone.

Last month, 11 people - four paramilitary troops, four policemen and three militants - were killed in a fierce stand-off inside district police lines in southern Pulwama town.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 13:38:17|Editor: Yang Yi

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by Xiong Maoling, Mathieu Wintrebert

XIAMEN, China, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China is a very important anchor of BRICS and is critical to its future development, chairman of South Africa BRICS Business Council has told Xinhua here on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS summit.

Despite the sluggish economic situation in certain member countries, "all the ingredients are there for us to be successful," said Iqbal Surve on Sunday, as leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) are gathering here for the bloc's 9th summit.

Having visited China 15 times since 2007, Surve said he is amazed every time he comes back by how different parts of the country have developed. "Certainly China is leading the way," he said.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping called on BRICS to expand the coverage of its cooperation at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum, Surve said he personally welcomed the initiative. "That can only benefit the people of those countries."

During the Xiamen summit, China will hold the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, where leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand will join the BRICS leaders to discuss global development cooperation and South-South cooperation.

Surve thinks the idea of BRICS Plus fits the bloc's aim to help people overcome challenges, lift people out of poverty and support people in meeting their aspirations.

The South African businessman also lauded BRICS' rapid development in the past decade. "I'm actually astounded by the speed at which we've been able to achieve outcomes. I think it's unprecedented," he said, citing the BRICS' New Development Bank (NDB) as an example.

The NDB, which was opened in Shanghai in 2015, approved loans totaling 1.55 billion U.S. dollars last year to seven programs on sustainable development and is expected to offer loans of 2.5 billion U.S. dollars this year. The bank launched its Africa Regional Center last month.

As the chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings, Surve also expressed the hope that when making investment decisions, the NDB will really take into account the fact that the global economy has been digitalized.

"Investment has to take place in digitalization. It has to take place in technology and we can no longer think that investing in infrastructure is sufficient," he said.

Speaking about the development of African economies, Surve said it's important to promote the market integration of African economies in areas such as technology transfers, technology investments, green economy, sustainable development, and so on.

"There is great hope that Africa could emerge in the next two decades with significant growth," he said, highlighting the importance of BRICS and BRICS Plus in the process.

Asked about the protectionism calls in the world, Surve said that BRICS has played a positive role in preventing countries from going back to protectionist policies.

"So what BRICS has basically done is it has said to the world that the South and the East together are going to continue to integrate the flows of the economy, the people, the technology, etc. and we have a duty to do that," he said.

Looking ahead, Surve said it is very clear that the future is very bright for the BRICS. "BRICS is really going to shock people in terms of what it is able to achieve," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 14:18:30|Editor: Song Lifang

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Two farmers in the southern Indian state of Telangana set themselves on fire in a bid to resist demand of bribe from a local government official, police said Monday.

The farmers, aged 23 and 25, torched themselves outside a local lawmaker's office on Sunday in Karimnagar, 179 km north of Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana.

"Both the farmers have suffered severe burns and are undergoing treatment at a government hospital," a police official said.

The farmers, according to reports, had approached a revenue office to claim land under a scheme for underprivileged farmers.

But the officer reportedly demanded a bribe of 312 U.S. dollars from each to process their case.

On Sunday, the duo approached their local lawmaker's office to complain but were denied meeting after over five hours of wait.

"They waited for more than five hours outside lawmaker Rasamayi Balakishan's office before they were told that the politician cannot meet them," a villager said. "Angry and frustrated, both of the farmers poured kerosene over them and lit a match to ablaze themselves."

The local government said an investigation has been ordered into the incident.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 14:18:31|Editor: Yang Yi

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XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that BRICS countries should endeavor to promote practical economic cooperation.

Despite the achievements the bloc has made, the potential for cooperation has yet to be fully unleashed, Xi said while addressing the opening of the ninth BRICS summit in the southeastern city of Xiamen.

The five countries' foreign investment totaled 197 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, but only 5.7 percent took place between BRICS members, the president said.

He said the countries should increase cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, monetary and financial areas, connectivity, sustainable development, innovation and industrial cooperation.

China will launch a BRICS economic and technological cooperation and exchange plan, with 500 million yuan (about 76 million U.S. dollars) in the first phase, to strengthen policy communication and practical cooperation in economic and trade fields, Xi said.

He said the country will also invest 4 million dollars to support projects of the BRICS New Development Bank.

The BRIC grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China was formally established in 2006. In 2010, South Africa joined the group, and the acronym was changed to BRICS.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 14:23:34|Editor: Yang Yi

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DHAKA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- It was a daily ordeal for the thousands of people living in the small rural Gazipur village on the outskirts of Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka to cross parts of a road which becomes submerged for about three months of the year due to flooding.

The commuters who used the road had been suffering up until just two months ago. It was inconvenient for them to get to the main road, and their businesses had been affected due to this problem.

But the villagers' collective headache was finally remedied by a private Chinese company as it constructed two steel pedestrian bridges.

Nearly four years ago, Chinese businessmen Zhuang Lifeng and Cai Chunlei, set up a company called Panda Shoes Industries Ltd. in the Mazukhan village which now employs more than 2,500 workers.

Not only did the company create working opportunities for thousands of villagers in its factory, they also cared about welfare issues around its area.

The company has constructed two steel pedestrian bridges, with one about 300 meters and the other about 110 meters in length, with the purpose being to help people cross the submerged parts of the road.

The bridges completed in the middle of July came as a big blessing for the villagers during rainy season.

One of the villagers, Shahidul Islam Sajib, whose house is next to the Panda shoes factory said: "Every year we suffered due to the poorly maintained road here. It has been the Panda shoes factory who always helped us. This year they constructed two pedestrian bridges over a submerged road. If the Panda shoes company had not constructed the bridges, all the local people would continue to suffer especially during this rainy season."

Another villager Mohammad Shahadat Hossain said: "I am from Broo Chala village in the Gazipur district. This area has been affected by flooding for a long time. A Chinese company has constructed the bridges here, and the bridges have benefited us all. Now so many people can cross the flooded area easily."

Matin who lives in the village and uses a single name said the bridges helped the villagers a lot.

"The people in this area were always hampered by the overflowing water. Our business was affected as well. But thanks to the owner of this company on our behalf, life has become a lot more convenient due to the bridges."

Panda shoes factory worker Priyanka said: "We had problems commuting to the office, but then our current boss made this bridge for us and the local people. Now there is no problem."

"We are very proud of working here."

Panda shoes factory's Cindy said: "Bangladesh always suffers from heavy rain and flooding. So we built the bridge not only to benefit our Panda workers, but also to benefit all our neighbors and everyone who comes to this area so that they can cross the flooded area conveniently."

Cai Chunlei, general manger of Panda Shoes Industries Ltd, said his company recently built a 500-meter bridge to ease the commute of the local people and factory workers during the flooding.

Panda Shoes Industries Ltd. began business in 2012 with a focus on the local market.

The factory now has the capability of making about 3 million pairs of shoes with a variety of designs.

Panda Shoes Industries Ltd. also plans to export its products abroad in the future.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 14:43:42|Editor: Yang Yi

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has banned the streaming of drama that does not have a government permit, with online dramas now subject to the same regulation as that of regular television series.

The creation and planning of major Internet dramas should be subject to archival administration, according to a circular on television drama, published Monday.

The oversight of the ideological and artistic merit of content must be strengthened before a drama is streamed online, according to the circular issued jointly by five government departments.

The government will encourage good television production institutions to work with Internet dramas to improve their quality.

Internet dramas have experienced rapid growth in China in recent years with several plays becoming hugely popular.

The circular said industry associations should introduce cost allocation guidelines to guide companies in a more reasonable structure to optimize the remuneration of actors.

Broadcasting platforms should not regard famous stars as the sole bargaining criterion when purchasing dramas, the circular said.

To optimize the structure of television series, China Central Television, provincial satellite stations, and major online platforms were asked to designate prime time to include content on revolution and military themes or rural and ethnic minority life.

Incentives will be given to enable good series to go global, while domestic companies will be encouraged to cooperate with foreign counterparts to improve their international appeal.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 14:48:45|Editor: Song Lifang

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed Monday in a fierce gunfight with contingents of police and Indian army in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight between militants and government forces broke out at Sopore in Baramulla district, about 52 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"This morning a gunfight triggered in Chak Brath village between militants and joint contingents of police and army. During the fierce exchange of fire two militants were killed," a senior police officer posted in Sopore told Xinhua.

Police said the search and cordon in the area was launched on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants.

Reports said Indian army or police have not suffered any damage in the stand-off.

Authorities have snapped internet service in the district, fearing it would mobilize people to stage protests in and around the area.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 15:13:56|Editor: ying

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MANILA. Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Philippine military general said on Monday that one of the leaders of the Islamist extremist Maute group that attacked the southern Philippine city of Marawi has been killed in the fire fighting to retake the city.

Citing information culled from social media. Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, the commanding general of the military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the military believes that Abdullah Mates is already killed.

"Abdullah Maute is already killed. Chatter over Telegram indicates he is killed," Galvez told a news conference in Marawi City. He said the information is based on entries in the Arabic language on Telegram.

Galvez also said that Maute's brother, Omarkhayam, is still alive.

However, the Philippine presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that they didn't have any updates at this stage.

Abdullah and Omarkhayam led militants who overran Marawi City from May 23. The attackers, called the Maute group, had pledged allegiance to the ultra-radical group, Islamic State. The brothers reportedly plotted the Marawi attack.

The conflict continues, and so far it has killed almost 800 people and displaced more than 500,000 residents.

Government security forces are still trying to retake the city. They hope to liberate the city soon.

The military has earlier said the Maute brothers had worked in the Middle East. The brothers reportedly organized the Maute terror group that pledged allegiance to the IS group in the Middle East.

Maute group is an armed Islamic State-influenced militant group composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines blamed the Maute group for the series of bombings and robberies in the southern Philippines, including the Sept. 2 blast in Davao City that killed 15 and injured 70 others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 15:23:59|Editor: Song Lifang

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AMMAN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming third China-Arab States Expo to be held in China represents "a huge opportunity" for Jordan and China to build new business partnerships and explore investment possibilities, a senior official of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The expo, which will be held from Sept. 6 to 9 in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, is a platform for signing agreements and enhancing trade ties between China and Arab countries. In 2016, the expo witnessed the signing of deals and agreements by Chinese and Jordanese businesses worth around 3.17 billion U.S. dollars.

"The Chinese market is huge for Jordan. China is one of the largest and top trade partners for the kingdom," Raed Hamada, second vice president of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua.

"We strongly believe that there is a large room for increased cooperation in various economic aspects with China... the exhibition is also an opportunity to increase Jordan's exports to China by building networks with Chinese business people," Hamada added.

Stressing the importance of the exhibition, which opens the door for investors from both countries to look into joint investments, he said that several Jordanian companies will be present.

He also said that Jordan is a safe and secure hub in the Middle East for Chinese investors, who can take advantage of Jordan's position to penetrate new markets in the region.

"The economic cooperation between China and Jordan is increasing rapidly and it is a reflection of the growing strategic ties between the two countries, and I believe that we can still do more," said Hamada.

He said that the Chinese market enjoys a wide variety of commodities and items that can help the Jordanian industries as well.

Hamada expected several trade agreements to be signed between Jordanian and Chinese businesses during the expo.

Hosam Ayesh, a Jordanian economist, also highlighted the importance of this exhibition, saying that it is an opportunity for Jordan to attract Chinese investment, which will help create more jobs and promote Jordan's economic growth.

"Such events are of great importance for Jordanian industries and businesses to build bridges and explore opportunities of cooperation," Ayesh told Xinhua in an interview.

The exhibition in China is also an opportunity for all Arab investors to explore new fields of cooperation and build on existing fields of cooperation, Ayesh said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 15:34:03|Editor: Yamei

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- "Major-Country Diplomacy," a six-episode political documentary series, has aroused heated discussions about China's diplomacy led by President Xi Jinping, and has won applause from the Chinese public, overseas Chinese communities and foreign media and experts.

On August 28, China Central Television (CCTV) began the telecast of Major-Country Diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, which summarizes the achievements of China's diplomacy over the past five years.

The political documentary was jointly produced by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Xinhua News Agency and the CCTV.

The Guardian newspaper reported that Viewers of the six-part series are told that "for the first time, China is standing at the center of the world stage," the Guardian newspaper reported. "This is a new historical course charted by President Xi Jinping," it said.

Hong Kong newspapers including Sing Tao Daily, Hong Kong Economic Journal and Sing Pao Daily News, have all reported the documentary, and applauded its authoritative interviews and vivid stories, which not only depict the theoretical framework of the Chinese-style diplomacy, but also reveal great practices of China's diplomacy in the new era.

The Hong Kong Economic Journal said that "Major-Country Diplomacy" displays major progress in diplomacy with Chinese characteristics over the past five years, during which 28 visits took Xi to 56 countries and major international and regional organizations on the Five Continents after he assumed the Chinese presidency in 2013. Thus, Xi could be called "China's chief diplomat", the journal said.

Huang Yong, Chinese ambassador to Latvia, said this is a masterpiece inspiring heart and enlightening soul. The political series embody the new thinking, new look and new landscape of the major-country diplomacy featuring Chinese characteristics, he said.

He added that it shows China's responsibility as a major country and enables people around the world to further know China's reform, development and relations with other countries.

Overseas Chinese communities have also applauded the hot telecast of the documentary and have posted the series on the Internet through their WeChat accounts in entirety or in parts.

Wu Hao, chairman of the Overseas Chinese Youth Federation in Russia, said he felt warm-hearted when seeing the shot of Xi's visit to Russia. Over the past five years, the China-Russia relationship has been promoted to the highest level in history, which is the best proof of China's major-country diplomacy achievements, he said.

Chen Ronghua, honorary chairman of the U.S. association of Fujian townsmen, said China's diplomacy is committed to the cause of peace and shows the responsibility of a major country, thus making China more of a mainstay, a driving force for world prosperity and an example of peaceful development.

Zhu Liangwei, vice chairman of the Promotion of China-Reunification Society in the UK, said the world expects a force of responsibility and justice and a voice speaking for the interests of mankind. Shouldering responsibility is China's mission, while pursuing peace its path and aim, according to Zhu.

Wu Xiaowang, vice chairman of China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, said the Belt and Road construction will provide new opportunities for overseas Chinese and participation in the Belt and Road construction is equal to taking part in the great cause of rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Chinese Ambassador to Slovakia Lin Lin said people can see that China is active in maintaining world peace, promoting international exchanges and serving the Chinese people's interests.

Lin said a developing and prosperous China will make more contribution to the world as a whole.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 15:59:13|Editor: ying

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CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Confederate monuments have caused a clamor in August when Americans forced their eyes wider open to review whether longstanding monuments and statues in memory of confederate past are historically correct or in tune with modern values.

The debate was triggered by deadly clashes between white supremacists and opposition protesters on Aug. 12 in the historic college town of Charlottesville in the eastern U.S. state of Virginia, a day after far-rightists, including neo-Nazis, held a torch-lit rally against the removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee from a city park.

Illinois, a midwestern free state, has almost little traces of pro-slavery southern states of the Confederacy. On a hill of Grant Park in downtown Chicago stands a horse-riding statue of General John A. Logan of the Union Army in the American Civil War, a popular site where there is no lack of visitors.

About 2 km south along the bank-side of the Michigan Lake from the Logan statue is Balbo Monument, a stone column that has unexpectedly been caught in controversies in the wake of the Charlottesville events. < The monument, which features a 2,000-year-old Roman pillar placed atop a stone base, was given to Chicago to be showcased at the Italian Pavilion at the Century of Progress World's Fair, held from 1933 to 1934.

It was sent by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as a tribute to the first transatlantic crossing flight of 24 11-ton seaplanes from Rome to Chicago led by Italo Balbo, an Italian air force marshal that helped bring Mussolini and other fascists to power in 1922.

What's more controversial is the faded inscription at the base to the Balbo monument, which reads in part, "Fascist Italy with the sponsorship of Benito Mussolini presents to Chicago", in commemoration of a flight by Balbo "in the 11th year of the Fascist Era."

An online petition claimed that the monument is "an enduring symbol of white supremacy and racism." A right-hand of fascist Mussolini, Balbo oversaw "the brutal occupation and destruction" of North Africa during World War II.

On that ground, the petition urged the Chicago mayor to immediately remove the Balbo monument, which stands in the city's Burnham Park, and the re-naming of a street whose namesake was also the former governor-general of the Italian colony of Libya.

But some argued that the monument should not be removed as it was erected in honor of the aeronautic achievement at the height of the Great Depression and the arrival of Balbo and his squadron were warmly welcome by the United States at that time.

Then-U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, who could hardly be considered a Nazi sympathizer, invited Balbo to the White House and presented him with the Distinguished Flying Cross. The marshal of the Italian air force later featured on the cover of a Time magazine.

Others took aim at U.S. statues of Italian navigator Christopher Columbus who sailed for Spain and discovered America, arguing that Columbus stood for European colonialism, not worth commemoration.

While denouncing a resurgence of dregs of white supremacism, Nazism, and Ku Klux Klan, historians believe it is an opportunity for Americans to learn about history and suggested statues and monuments should not be torn down on an abrupt basis.

"I think rational people can debate whether removing a statue of a Confederate leader is in the best interests of a community, or of society as a whole," Amy S. Greenberg, professor of American History and Women's Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, wrote in an article.

"It's possible to argue that obliterating evidence of 'bad' historical events or 'offensive' people might in the end be counterproductive, allowing a collective amnesia that the bad events ever happened," she added.

James Grossman, executive director of the American Historical Association, said some political figures in the country failed to recognize the difference between history and memory.

When you alter monuments, "you're not changing history," he said. "You're changing how we remember history."

In late August, a piece of extremist graffiti that reads "diversity is white genocide" was found spray-painted on the ground in a community in north Chicago.

Hundreds of Chicagoans of various races gathered in protest against the message of hatred, with some of them writing down on the ground "diversity is what makes Chicago beautiful."

As U.S. political turmoil continues and social divide widens, the controversies on Confederate monuments are a reflection of Americans' entanglement between history and reality.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 16:09:20|Editor: An

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WUHAN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Hubei Province has approved an action plan which aims at reducing pollution and protecting the environment along the Yangtze, China's longest river.

Some 1,061 kms of the Yangtze's course runs through Hubei, the most of any province.

According to an action plan issued by the provincial reform and development commission, the province aims to make great achievements in river protection within the next three to five years.

The action plan covers reforestation, recovering lake and wetland environments, restoring biodiversity, cutting industrial pollution, building sewerage plants, addressing pollution in rural areas, improving lake water quality and reducing metal and phosphate pollution along the Yangtze.

In the coming five years, 20,000 hectares of arable land will be reforested or returned to grassland. Fishing and farming will be banned from 45 wetland areas in five major lakes along the river, according to the plan.

Chemical and paper-making industries will be banned within 1 km of the river and its major tributaries. Construction of new petro-chemical and coal-powered factories will also be strictly limited near the river.

In July, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Water Resources jointly released an environmental protection plan covering the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Stretching from southwest China's Yunnan Province to Shanghai, the belt covers nine provinces and two municipalities in an area of 2.05 million square kilometers.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 16:29:27|Editor: ying

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SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's defense ministry said it was consulting with the U.S. side on the mobilization of U.S. strategic military assets after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s sixth nuclear test.

The ministry said in a report to the parliamentary defense committee that it would push for the mobilization of the U.S. strategic assets, such as a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier and strategic bombers, in cooperation with the United States.

For the stand-alone action, the South Korean military planned to conduct a live-fire drill with "Taurus" air-to-ground guided missiles which is known to have a range of about 500 km, carried by F-15K fighter jets, according to the report cited by local media outlets.

Early Monday, the military carried out a live-fire exercise along the east coast by mobilizing the army's Hyunmoo-2A surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and the F-15K fighter jet's SLAM-ER air-to-surface missiles.

It followed the DPRK's claim on Sunday that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb warhead that can be fitted onto an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The upcoming third China-Arab States Expo represents a huge opportunity for Jordan and China to build new business partnerships, said Raed Hamada, second vice president of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce, in a recent interview with Xinhua. (Xinhua Photo)

AMMAN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming third China-Arab States Expo to be held in China represents "a huge opportunity" for Jordan and China to build new business partnerships and explore investment possibilities, a senior official of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The expo, which will be held from Sept. 3 to 6 in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, is a platform for signing agreements and enhancing trade ties between China and Arab countries. In 2016, the expo witnessed the signing of deals and agreements by Chinese and Jordanese businesses worth around 3.17 billion U.S. dollars.

"The Chinese market is huge for Jordan. China is one of the largest and top trade partners for the kingdom," Raed Hamada, second vice president of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua.

"We strongly believe that there is a large room for increased cooperation in various economic aspects with China... the exhibition is also an opportunity to increase Jordan's exports to China by building networks with Chinese business people," Hamada added.

Stressing the importance of the exhibition, which opens the door for investors from both countries to look into joint investments, he said that several Jordanian companies will be present.

He also said that Jordan is a safe and secure hub in the Middle East for Chinese investors, who can take advantage of Jordan's position to penetrate new markets in the region.

"The economic cooperation between China and Jordan is increasing rapidly and it is a reflection of the growing strategic ties between the two countries, and I believe that we can still do more," said Hamada.

He said that the Chinese market enjoys a wide variety of commodities and items that can help the Jordanian industries as well.

Hamada expected several trade agreements to be signed between Jordanian and Chinese businesses during the expo.

Hosam Ayesh, a Jordanian economist, also highlighted the importance of this exhibition, saying that it is an opportunity for Jordan to attract Chinese investment, which will help create more jobs and promote Jordan's economic growth.

"Such events are of great importance for Jordanian industries and businesses to build bridges and explore opportunities of cooperation," Ayesh told Xinhua in an interview.

The exhibition in China is also an opportunity for all Arab investors to explore new fields of cooperation and build on existing fields of cooperation, Ayesh said.
Jack Ma (2nd R), founder of the world's largest e-commerce trading platform Alibaba, poses with participants after his public lecture at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, July 20, 2017. Ma is visiting Kenya in a tour arranged by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), to promote global entrepreneurship and to mentor young and upcoming entrepreneurs. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

by Ejidiah Wangui

NAIROBI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- When Jack Ma, the founder and chairman of China's online retail giant Alibaba, visited Kenya in July, big names in the country's business sector jostled for space to hear his speech.

As the country's attention turned to the eloquent entrepreneur who founded the world's fastest-growing e-commerce giant, Jane Kimunge, a clothes seller in Nairobi, thought Ma was a Chinese government official who might had come to oversee one of the infrastructure projects funded by China.

Being one of the many business people sourcing clothes for sale in Kenya through Alibaba, Kimunge's fortune, however, is closely intertwined with Ma's company. On the day Ma arrived in Kenya, Kimunge's order from China had just landed in Nairobi. From the order, Kimunge made a whooping 400 U.S. dollars.

"I was introduced to Alibaba.com by my sister in-law who live in the United States. Initially I used to get my clothes from Uganda where most sellers buy from. It took a while for her to convince me to start shopping through Alibaba, which is way cheaper and the profit margin much higher," she told Xinhua.

Kimunge, who is celebrating her 15th year in the business, has for the last four years been buying all her goods through Alibaba. She regrets why she never discovered the e-commerce website early enough as her profits for the four years have tripled.

"I feel bad that for over 11 years, I would have made much more than I made, I would be very far now but I am happy I now know better. All I need is a laptop, internet to get rolling ... One of the reasons I like Alibaba is the convenience and its wide range of choices on offer," said Kimunge.

She expects her 3,000-dollar order, her biggest in a long time, to arrive into the country in a fortnight.

"With December round the corner, I had to make a big order since most Kenyans now shop for Christmas towards the end of November which is less than two months away," she said.

As for John Ngetich, a school uniform seller in the northwest Kenyan town of Eldoret, Alibaba is the foundation upon which his business is anchored.

Ngetich stumbled on Alibaba three years ago, a time he almost gave up in life after an elusive search for a white collar job.

"Having sent over 100 applications and none coming through, I spent most of my time online and it is during one of my online jaunts in 2014 I came across Alibaba. At first I didn't know how to go about it, I did my research and started chatting with sales agents online. I made my first order six months after and from the order I made 360 dollars after investing 600 dollars," he recalled.

Ngetich said when he settled on selling school uniforms, he sent a sample to China where he sourced for a range of school uniforms.

"I call it (Alibaba) my theater of dreams, since until now I don't think I would have gotten any of the jobs I had applied for and anyway, no employer will be willing to pay me what I make from my business," he further says.

Ngetich, a computer programmer, said even though he didn't manage to attend any of Ma's meetings in Nairobi, he managed to learn from the little interaction he had with the Chinese billionaire on his TV screen.

And like Ma, who got turned down many times by potential employers before he started Alibaba, Ngetich believed his star too will shine one day.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 16:59:44|Editor: An

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XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- BRICS leaders strongly deplore the latest nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to the Xiamen Declaration released at the ninth BRICS summit Monday.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned," it said.

Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa attended the BRICS summit in the southeastern city of Xiamen.

The DPRK on Sunday successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile, DPRK's Central Television announced. This was the sixth nuclear test the DPRK has undertaken.

The leaders said the only lasting solution to the crisis in Syria is through an inclusive "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" political process which safeguards the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country.

Committed to making greater contribution to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they are ready to enhance contribution toward a just and lasting resolution of the Middle East conflict, and support international efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence and their support for Iraqi government and its people.

At the same time, they expressed their concern over the situation in Yemen while urging all parties to cease hostilities and resume negotiations supported by the United Nations.

The declaration stressed that "no country should enhance its security at the expense of the security of others."

In addition, the leaders condemned unilateral military interventions, economic sanctions and arbitrary use of unilateral coercive measures in violation of international law and universally recognized norms of international relations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 16:59:45|Editor: ying

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PHNOM PENH, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's vultures are facing a high risk of extinction and have seen a 50 percent decline in number since 2003, conservationist groups said in a joint statement on Monday.

"Only 121 of the birds were recorded in this year's national census, the lowest number on record since 2003," said the joint statement released by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), BirdLife International, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and Angkor Center for Conservation of Biodiversity.

"Recent reviews indicate that poisoning is the major threat to the vulture population in Cambodia," the statement said.

With global populations declining at an alarming rate, Cambodia's three vulture species, namely Red-headed (Sarcogyps calvus), Slender-billed (Gyps tenuirostris), and White-rumped (Gyps bengalensis), are all listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as critically endangered.

"Poisoning is probably the biggest threat to Cambodia's vultures, and it's bad for human health as well," said Simon Mahood, WCS's senior technical advisor.

"Strong efforts from government, conservation NGOs and local communities are required to save these vulture species," he said.

Other threats to Cambodia's vultures include habitat loss and food shortages caused by low numbers of wild ungulates and domestic cattle, the statement said, adding that increased levels of forest loss also negatively impact the birds through loss of nesting sites and reduction in prey availability.

"In addition, at least 30 vultures were killed over the past five years in Cambodia due to widespread indiscriminate use of deadly poisons by villagers across Cambodia, which is severely impacting the vulture population and threatening human lives too," the statement said.

Bou Vorsak, BirdLife's program manager, said 10 years of conservation action has not stopped the decline.

"This year's census result is extremely worrying, significant numbers of Cambodia's vultures now only remain in Chhep and Siem Pang Kang Lech Wildlife Sanctuaries," he said.

In an effort to save this critically endangered bird in Cambodia, the conservationist groups have periodically fed the birds with dead domestic cattle and routinely protected their nests and habitats.

Ny Naiky, coordinator of Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project, said vultures are very important birds that help clean up environment, control the spread of diseases and bacteria, and generate sustainable income to local communities through eco-tourism.

"I would encourage everyone to help conserve vultures by not purchasing or eating wild meat. Eating poisoned meat is bad for health," the coordinator added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 17:04:48|Editor: Liu

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Monday ordered a ban on Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), a nascent form of fundraising in which technology start-ups issue their own digital coins, or "tokens", to investors to access funds as the rapidly expanding market spawned concerns over financial risks.

Starting Monday, ICO activities should be halted, and ICO platforms should not engage in exchange services between fiat currencies, virtual coins and tokens, said a statement from the People's Bank of China.

"ICOs, in essence, are a kind of unauthorized and illegal public fundraising, which is suspected of being related to criminal activities such as financial fraud and pyramid schemes," the statement said.

Following the news, the value of virtual currencies include Bitcoin immediately plummeted.

ICOs allowed companies to issue "tokens," or cryptocurrencies, to investors in exchange for currencies of more liquid value such as Bitcoin, without the need to follow rules associated with traditional channels such as IPOs.

Unlike IPOs, in which investors buy stocks in companies, investors in ICOs receive digital coins developed by the firms, which could appreciate in value if the companies fare well and demand for their currencies grows.

ICOs, once a game confined to a few, have taken off this year in China, attracting more players -- both innovators and scammers -- and catching the attention of regulators.

The move came as media outlet Caixin reported on Monday that the leading work group for risk prevention in Internet finance had issued a notice asking local authorities to conduct thorough inspections of ICOs and halt new coin issuance.

Last Wednesday, the National Internet Finance Association of China also alerted investors to risks associated with ICOs due to insufficient information disclosure and lack of protections for investors.

As word of possible regulation spread, two of China's leading ICO platforms, ICOAGE and ICOINFO, halted services.

The first token sale occurred in 2013, when Mastercoin sold its own digital tokens and raised 5,000 bitcoins, the most popular cryptocurrency.

In 2014, blockchain-based platform Ethereum raised more than 30,000 bitcoins.

With the value of such virtual currencies surging this year, ICOs have lured more investors eager to make a quick buck.

Data from Chinese trading platform Huobi.com showed the value of Bitcoin had jumped 59 percent in August alone, while Ethereum had surged 88.2 percent.

This year, 65 ICOs in China raised 2.62 billion yuan from 105,000 investors in the country, according to a report from the National Committee of Experts on the Internet Financial Security Technology.

Though the boom has helped tech companies access much-needed funds for development, it has also created fertile ground for scammers looking to take money from ignorant investors under the guise of ICOs, which could threaten the country's financial stability if left unchecked.

"From the perspective of issuers, investors and the market, ICOs have their risks," deputy head of Renmin University of China Law School Yang Dong told China Financial News, a news outlet of the central bank.

Analysts have advised that regulation of ICOs should focus on registration of financial products, proper information disclosure and underlying project quality.

Governments in other countries have started to take note of risks.

In a notice on Aug. 28, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned investors about potential scams involving stocks of companies claiming a relationship to or engagement with ICOs.

China's latest regulation came as authorities have repeatedly highlighted the importance of containing financial risk as the country faces a build-up of debt, and booming new financial products challenge regulations.

Since China's tone-setting economic conference last December pledged to make preventing financial risk a priority, regulators from the banking, securities and insurance sectors have made solid efforts to clean up the market.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 17:19:49|Editor: ying

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JAKARTA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The judging panel in an Indonesian corruption court sentenced to eight years imprisonment against Patrialis Akbar, a former judge of the state's Constitutional Court, for corruption during his service in the respected institution.

Akbar will also be fined 300 million rupiah (22,400 U.S. dollars) and if he cannot pay the fines, he would have to spend another three months in jail, said head of the judging panel Nawawi Pamolango.

The sentence was lower than 12.5 years demanded by prosecutors in the previous trial.

Akbar was proved of taking bribe money which amounted to 70,000 U.S. dollars from meat importers.

The court had previously sentenced two meat importers who bribed Akbar with seven and five years imprisonments respectively.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 17:24:58|Editor: Yamei

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol will visit China from Sept. 7 to 9 at the invitation of the Chinese government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Monday.

"China treasures the traditional friendship with the Thai royal family and appreciates the royal family's contribution to bilateral relations," Geng said at a regular news briefing.

He said Chinese leaders will meet with the princess and exchange views with her on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, expressing the hope that this visit will boost bilateral ties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 17:24:59|Editor: ying

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WELLINGTON, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's two-way trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was 15.2 billion NZ dollars (10.9 billion U.S. dollars) in the year ended June 2017, the statistics department Stats NZ said on Monday.

Goods and services exported to ASEAN countries totaled 6.3 billion NZ dollars, and imports totaled 8.9 billion NZ dollars, Stats NZ said.

Dairy products, including milk powder and cheese, were the main goods exported from New Zealand to ASEAN, followed by meat, logs, fruit, and wood pulp and waste paper, Stats NZ said.

Petroleum and related products was New Zealand's largest goods import from ASEAN in the year, with most of these petroleum imports coming from Singapore, it said.

Since 2013, the value of vehicles and parts imported from ASEAN has doubled to reach 1.3 billion NZ dollars in the year ended June 2017, the majority of which were from Thailand, Stats NZ said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 17:34:57|Editor: Liu

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Yang Jiacai, former assistant chairman of China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), is being investigated for corruption, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced Monday.

Yang has been put under "coercive measures," which may include summons by force, bail, residential surveillance, detention and arrest. The SPP did not specify which measures had been taken.

He was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office for multiple offenses, including abuse of power to secure interests for others and accepting a huge sum of money and property in return, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement on August 1.

The CCDI said that as a former senior official of China's top banking regulator, Yang had seriously violated the Party's code of conduct, disrupted the order of the financial market, and harmed the image of banking regulatory body.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 18:00:14|Editor: ying

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BAGHDAD, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen on Monday shot dead seven family members in the city of Ramadi, the capital of the country's western province of Anbar, a provincial police source said.

Early in the morning, the gunmen broke into a house in Juweiba neighborhood in eastern Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, and opened fire on the family members and killed them all before they fled the scene, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Ramadi and blocked the entrances of the city, as the troops launched a search campaign looking for the attackers, the source said.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack in the city, which is witnessing relative calm since the Iraqi security forces dislodged the Islamic State (IS) militants from the key cities of Anbar province, including Ramadi and the nearby Fallujah.

However, areas near the border with neighboring Syria, including Aana, Rawa and al-Qaim as well as the vast rural areas across the province are still under the control of the extremist IS militants.
| 2017-09-04 18:43:14|Editor: ying

Paulo Nogueira Batista Jr., vice president of the New Development Bank(NDB), receives an interview with the Xinhuanet on the sidelines of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 3, 2017. (Xinhuanet/Huang He)

XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The New Development Bank(NDB) aims to achieve global presence and increase the say of the emerging countries in the world of finance, said a senior official with the bank.

Paulo Nogueira Batista Jr., vice president of the NDB, made the remarks during an exclusive interview with the Xinhuanet on the sidelines of the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeast China's Fujian Province on Sunday.

"The NDB is in the process of approving the entry of new members in a gradual way," Batista Jr. said. "The strategy that has been approved recently by the board of governors of the NDB foresees that by the year 2021 the NDB will have a global presence."

Founded by BRICS member states in 2014, the NDB opened in Shanghai in July 2015 and became fully operational in early 2016.

And it launched its Africa Regional Center (ARC) in South Africas Johannesburg in August this year.

"It will be quite challenging to achieve the goal of securing a global presence because the bank is set up exclusively by emerging markets," Batista Jr. said.

However, Batista Jr. pledges to strive forward to making it happen.

"Behold on us to prove that emerging countries can lead a bank that is professional, consistent, and capable of speaking differently in the world of finance," he said.

The achievements made by the bank gives Batista Jr. confidence in achieving this goal.

"The NDB has achieved significant progress since it launched business in Shanghai," Batista Jr. said. "The bank has approved 11 projects, most of which are for sustainable infrastructure development."

Altogether, the bank has 23 projects at various stages of preparation for 2017-2018, with a total lending amount of 6 billion dollars.

And according to its general strategy for 2017-2021, the bank will put about two-thirds of its loans into sustainable infrastructure development.

Batista Jr. said that the fundamental reason for the bank's achievements lies in the "systematic support" from China.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 18:30:28|Editor: An

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 4, 2017. Prayut is in Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday, calling for enhanced bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Prayut is in the southeastern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5.

China appreciates Thailand's active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with Thailand in areas of investment, railway, Internet finance, digital economy and e-commerce, Xi said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 18:35:33|Editor: An



People mourn for Chinese victims of 1923 earthquake massacre during a ceremony in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 4, 2017. Nearly 100 people attended a ceremony on Monday to commemorate the Chinese victims of a massacre in which over 6,000 Koreans and 700 Chinese were killed following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 struck Japan's Kanto area on Sept. 1, 1923, causing over 140, 000 people casualties. In the violence after the quake fanned by Japanese militarists, over 6,000 Korean and 700 Chinese laborers and students living in Japan were brutally killed. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

TOKYO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 people attended a ceremony on Monday to commemorate the Chinese victims of a massacre in which over 6,000 Koreans and 700 Chinese were killed following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Tian Peiliang, political counselor of the Chinese embassy in Japan, said in a speech at the ceremony that the Chinese victims, though having survived the quake, were brutally killed in the massacre afterwards, and part of the history has been covered up in Japan for a long time.

It is hoped that Japan could face up to the history in a right way, properly handle the problems left over by history and take concrete actions to shoulder its political and moral obligations, Tian said.

Mizuho Fukushima, deputy head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan, said that many Chinese and Korean laborers were brutally killed after the Great Kanto Earthquake, and the Japanese society shall face up to that part of history and address the historical problems through apologizing and providing compensations.

She said that she was sorry to see hatred speeches and crimes become more and more severe nowadays in Japan, and she hopes Japan could make efforts to build a peaceful society without prejudice.

Huang Aisheng, representative of relatives of the Chinese victims, said that the Japanese government should acknowledge the historical truth about the massacre and apologize to the Chinese victims and their relatives and provide compensations.

He also called on the Japanese government to build a monument and a memorial hall at the site where the massacre happened and pass on the truth to the younger generation, including writing the massacre into textbooks.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 struck Japan's Kanto area on Sept. 1, 1923, causing over 140, 000 people casualties.

In the violence after the quake fanned by Japanese militarists, over 6,000 Korean and 700 Chinese laborers and students living in Japan were brutally killed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 18:40:37|Editor: An

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MADRID, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- A three-year-old boy was killed at around midnight Sunday when a car crashed into the shop that his parents owned, according to Emergency services in Madrid.

The boy, of Chinese origin, was in the doorway of the shop in the Usera region in the south of the Spanish capital, when the vehicle, which was being driven by an 18-year-old, crashed into the shop for reasons which are still unknown.

Emergency services were on the scene, but were unable to find a heartbeat on the child, who also had a severe blow to the head and multiple traumas. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The boy's 35-year-old father suffered from a stomach injury and was taken to the same hospital. His 11-year-old daughter had cuts on her back and arms, a family friend suffered a head injury and the 35-year-old mother suffered an nerves attack.

Health services were able to treat the mother and daughter at the scene, while the Fire Brigade arrived at the scene to assess damages and to ensure nobody else was trapped in the shop.

The driver who caused the tragedy was not injured. The Madrid local police force is now investigating the cause of the accident.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 18:50:42|Editor: ying

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JAKARTA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign holidaymakers visiting Indonesia from January to July rose significantly 23.53 percent to 7.81 million people compared with the same period of last year, national statistics bureau announced here on Monday.

In July, foreign tourist arrivals expanded 30.85 percent to 1.35 million people from a year ago, head of the bureau Kecuk Suhariyanto said.

China contributed the most to the number of foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia in the month, followed by Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, Suhariyanto said.

A total of 214,573 Chinese tourists, or 15.88 percent of the total figure, visited Indonesia in July, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 19:05:47|Editor: ying

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police questioned several former senior officials on Monday over corruption in purchase deal of German submarines, said the police.

A former Israeli cabinet minister was among the questioned, whose name was undisclosed with a gag order.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samir added that a former deputy chief of the National Security Council, Avriel Bar Yosef, and an unnamed media consultant of a sitting government minister were also questioned.

The recent questionings came a day after six senior former officials were arrested, including David Sharan, a former chief of the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and ex-navy commander Admiral Eliezer Marom, the police confirmed on Sunday evening.

The police reportedly conducted searches in their homes.

In July, Germany postponed signing an agreement with Israel for the sale of three submarines in the wake of the ramifying corruption investigation, according to an Israeli official.

The investigation concerns possible fraud, bribery, breach of trust, tax evasion, and money laundering in a 2-billion-dollars deal between Israel and the German shipbuilding conglomerate ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

The deal, signed in 2016, had started to draw public attention after it emerged that David Shimron, 65, a personal lawyer for the Netanyahu family and Benjamin Netanyahu's cousin and confidant, also represented the local agent of ThyssenKrupp.

Shimron was also arrested and released in July after being investigated. The police said he is still a suspect but he was allowed to leave the country.

On July 21, Miki Ganor, the representative of German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp in Israel and a key suspect in the affair, agreed to become a state witness. The deal was signed as he was held in custody.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 19:10:51|Editor: ying

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ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has deployed a long-term AU election observation mission in Liberia before the elections scheduled for October 10, AU announced in a statement on Monday.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has approved the deployment of the mission to Liberia's presidential and legislative elections following the invitation from Liberia, according to the AU.

Three core team analysts and ten long-term observers (LTOs) drawn from various AU member states were deployed in Liberia on Sept. 2. They will remain in the country until the announcement of final election results.

The core team will meet regularly with stakeholders in Liberia, observe and report on the political context and technical preparations for the elections, said the statement.

A short-term observation mission will join the long-term observers, approximately a week before elections to assess the election day operations such as voting, counting and tabulation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 19:25:56|Editor: ying

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PARIS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron's popularity has dropped to a new low after his government revealed the controversial labor law reform plan last week, according to a poll published on Monday.

Macron's popularity declined by six points to only 30 percent, the poll conducted by YouGov for the Huffington Post and CNews.

The 39-year-old president has seen his popularity slip in polls for two consecutive months, from 36 percent in August and 43 percent in late June.

The latest drop for Macron seems to be the result of the revealed plan to overhaul France's protective labor law, with a loss of favorable opinions marked in the left-wing electorate who consider the reforms undermine workers' rights.

Macron lost eight points among the socialist voters and seven points among the far-left, the poll indicates. He also lost six points among the centrist voters.

However, the president recovered 6 points among the right-wing sympathizers, attaining 45 percent of favorable opinions.

French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, also faces a downward trend in popularity which stands at 32 percent, five points down from August.

Philippe is slightly more popular than Macron "thanks in particular to a clear rebound in the centrist voters," of whom 84 percent are in favor of the prime minister, says the poll.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 19:25:56|Editor: Song Lifang

Rescuers transfer a body of a terrorist to a hospital in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, on Sept. 4, 2017. Police in the Pakistani port city of Karachi said on Monday that four terrorists were killed in an encounter during a police raid operation. (Xinhua/Arshad)

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Pakistani port city of Karachi said on Monday that four terrorists were killed in an encounter during a police raid operation.

Those killed belonged to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and were behind attacks on army officers and the Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was critically injured in the TTP-claimed attack in the northwestern Swat valley in October 2012.

Police officer Rao Anwar said that the terrorists, who opened fire at the police when they raided on a compound, were killed in Sadaf Society area of Karachi in exchange of firing.

Those killed included Khurshid, cousin of the TTP Chief Maulvi Fazlullah. TTP is involved in most of the terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Khurshid was wanted to the police in several cases, including attacks on police in Karachi, the officer said.

The police said the law enforcement agencies have launched search operations in Karachi for a suspect of the Saturday's attack on a senior politician.
People interact with intelligent robots "Fa Mengmeng" and "Lyu Mengmeng" for legal advice at a law firm in Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Aug. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

LONDON, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Robots should be used to benefit working people, rather than aid employers, a report by Britain's biggest trade union said Monday.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said that its report, entitled "Shaping Our Digital Future," explored how the next technological "robot" revolution will impact on jobs and wages.

The TUC report said that the economic gains from digitisation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) should be used to benefit working people, for example by reversing policies to raise the state pension age.

"Previous waves of technological change have not led to an overall loss of jobs, but have disrupted the types of job people do," the report said, adding: "With the most recent wave of industrial change, rewards from higher productivity have gone predominantly to business owners, rather than being shared across the workforce through better wages and working conditions."

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said, "Robots are not just terminators. Some of today's jobs will not survive, but new jobs will be created."

"We must make sure that tomorrow's jobs are no worse than today's," the general secretary said. "They must provide fulfilling work, with good pay and conditions. And there must be funding to train people for new work if their job is made obsolete."

In Britain in the 1950s, almost one in three workers worked in manufacturing, while one in 12 worked in professional and technical services.

By 2016, the report said, these shares had reversed. But the jobs lost in manufacturing were not replaced by jobs of similar or better quality in the communities affected. Wages in former industrial areas are still 10 percent below the national average.

The TUC has called on the government, business and trade unions must work together to mitigate disruption to working people's lives, and to maximise opportunities for working people to benefit.

"With two-thirds of the 2030 workforce already in work today, efforts must focus on ensuring that existing workers are equipped to deal with the change," the report said.

"With the UK failing to make productivity gains in the last decade, we need to make the most of the economic opportunities that new technologies are offering. Robots and AI could let us produce more for less, boosting national prosperity," O'Grady added. "But we need a debate about who benefits from this wealth, and how workers get a fair share."

"We should look on the changes ahead as an opportunity to improve the lives of working people and their families. The government could use the revenue generated to reverse policies to raise the state pension age," he said. "And businesses could use productivity gains to improve the pay and conditions of workers."

Alongside the report, the TUC is publishing a companion paper, entitled "Universal basic income and the future of work." The paper, written for the TUC by the Fabian Society, examined the case for a Universal Basic Income, which it says some have argued is a potential response to automation making some jobs obsolete.

That report called for a commission on the future of work to be established on how technology should be introduced, ensuring workers have a say in the introduction of technology at company and sector levels.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 19:46:01|Editor: ying

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TEHRAN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran has lifted tariffs on some agricultural exports to Eurasian countries, Press TV reported on Monday.

The move by the Iranian government is expected to encourage exports to countries such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The products for which no customs tariffs would be charged include pistachios, cabbages, dates, and raisins, Abdollah Mohajer, the head of Mazandaran Province Chamber of Commerce, said.

Therefore, final price for those products would be lowered by 15 percent to 20 percent, Mohajer was quoted as saying

He said the exports to the Eurasian countries face some problems the most important of which includes lack of shipping companies.

Mohajer said Iran's Caspian Sea littoral province of Mazandaran has numerous potentials for exports of non-oil goods particularly agricultural products.

Mazandaran produces around 6 million tonnes of agricultural products in a year, he said, adding that exports from Mazandaran over the past Iranian year stood at above 520 million U.S. dollars and the target markets mainly included Russia and Iraq.

The province is responsible for the production of 40 percent of Iran's rice, 50 percent of citrus fruits as well as 10 percent of poultry meat.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 19:51:04|Editor: An

CAIRO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met Monday on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS summit being held in China's Xiamen City, Egypt's official news agency MENA reported.

The two leaders discussed boosting bilateral cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov said he will report to the two presidents during their meeting that the Egyptian side has gone to considerable lengths to intensify aviation and transport security measures in airports, particularly in Cairo International Airport.

"Having studied the security situation in Terminal 2 of the Cairo International Airport, our experts gave a positive assessment of what they had seen," Sokolov was quoted by Russian Tass news agency as saying.

In October 2015, a Russian plane crashed in Egypt's Sinai, killing over 200, mostly Russians.

The security concerns led many foreign countries, including Russia and Britain, to ban their citizens from visiting the country.

Earlier in the day, President Sisi addressed a session organized by the BRICS summit on the positive developments of the Egyptian economy.

The session was attended by a host of businessmen representing the BRICS member states.

Sisi arrived in Xiamen on Sunday to take part in the BRICS summit upon an invitation by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The BRICS group comprises the large fast-growing nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

During the summit, China will hold the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, where leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand will join the BRICS leaders to discuss global development cooperation and South-South cooperation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:06:12|Editor: An

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese outbound tourism has witnessed "explosive growth" in the past 10 years, and the trend is likely to be maintained in the next decade, Ctrip CEO Sun Jie said Monday.

Chinese mainland travelers made more than 120 million outbound trips in 2015, 313 percent more than 2005, according to a report released earlier by Ctrip, China's leading online travel agency, and the think tank Center for China and Globalization.

In the first half of 2017, 62 million overseas trips were made by Chinese tourists, the China National Tourism Administration said in a statement last month.

"About 15 million outbound tourists chose Ctrip annually. Their trips abroad have created, directly and indirectly, up to 100 million jobs worldwide," according to Sun.

Sun said China's tourism cooperation with BRICS countries will become closer and tourists can enjoy benefits in everything from visas to flights in the future.

Figures released by the World Economic Forum in 2017 showed that tourism last year stimulated the economy by generating more than 7.6 trillion U.S. dollars globally, supporting over 292 million jobs, or one in 10 jobs worldwide.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:11:17|Editor: ying

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Monday condemned the recent nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a day after Pyongyang said it tested a powerful new type of hydrogen bomb.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the experiment is a "continuation" of DPRK's "pattern of defiance activity."

It urged DPRK to "comply with all Security Council resolutions on this issue and refrain from testing and developing weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems."

On Sunday, DPRK said it "successfully" detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The nuclear test, the sixth and the most powerful of its kind, was carried out in violation of United Nations resolutions.

The UN Security Council is scheduled on Monday to meet on the nuclear test following the request of the United States, Japan, Britain, France and South Korea.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:16:21|Editor: ying

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CAIRO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed on Monday the importance of developing close relations with Egypt in all fields, Egyptian presidency spokesman said.

Putin also lauded the increase in the trade exchange between the two countries by 14 percent, spokesman Ambassador Alaa Youssef said in a statement.

Putin and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met Monday on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS summit being held in China's Xiamen City.

Both leaders discussed a set of bilateral issues along with resumption of Russian flights to Egypt, the spokesman said.

The Russian president praised the efforts exerted by the Egyptian authorities to secure airports, voicing hope over resuming Russian flights to Egypt soon, he added.

In October 2015, a Russian plane crashed in Egypt's Sinai, killing over 200, mostly Russians.

The security concerns led many foreign countries, including Russia and Britain, to ban their citizens from visiting the country.

Earlier in the day, Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov said he will report to the two presidents during their meeting that the Egyptian side has gone to considerable lengths to intensify aviation and transport security measures in airports, particularly in the Cairo International Airport.

"Having studied the security situation in Terminal 2 of the Cairo International Airport, our experts gave a positive assessment of what they had seen," Sokolov was quoted by Russian Tass news agency as saying.

Meanwhile, Sisi asserted Egypt's keenness on buttressing important relations with Russia, highlighting the existing cooperation between the two sides in several fields and joint projects that will be launched in the Russian industrial zone in eastern Port Said and Dabaa nuclear station, Youssef said.

The two presidents also asserted the importance of working out political solutions for the Middle East conflicts so as to maintain the security and stability of the countries of the region.

Sisi arrived in Xiamen on Sunday to take part in the BRICS summit upon an invitation by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The BRICS group comprises the large fast-growing nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

During the Xiamen summit, China will hold the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, where leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand will join the BRICS leaders to discuss global development cooperation and South-South cooperation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:26:27|Editor: ying

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TEHRAN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian social media network, Startup Fly, has been launched online aiming to connect professionals in Iran, Financial Tribune daily reported Monday.

Startup Fly is a platform similar to other social media networks like Facebook, however, the community has been sieved and only professionals and entrepreneurs can create an account with the service.

According to the Startup Fly's official website, the business enables entrepreneurs to find like-minded people active in the growing market of the knowledge-based companies.

Existing startups and individuals can use the platform to hammer together a new team of experts or share their experience and expertise. Investors are also welcome to join the online community, the report said.

During recent years, startup culture has boomed in Iran and knowledge-based businesses have been able to claim a notable share of the market.

Platforms like Startup Fly are certain to further boost growth in the sector.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:26:28|Editor: ying

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CAIRO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Egypt condemns the latest nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Egypt is greatly concerned about Pyongyang's failure to commit to UN Security Council resolutions in this regard, which poses a threat to the regional security in East Asia, the statement said.

The DPRK on Sunday successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile, DPRK's Central Television announced.

This was the sixth nuclear test the DPRK has undertaken.

The test deals a blow to the nuclear non-proliferation system, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's statement said, adding that UNSC resolutions and principles of international law should be honored.

"International conflicts should be peacefully settled in line with those resolutions and principles," the statement stressed.

The continued escalation on the Korean peninsula fuels tension and instability, and can very well lead to an arms race in the region, the statement said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:26:30|Editor: An

NANNING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A three-day business and investment summit between China and ASEAN countries is scheduled to open Sept. 12 in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the regional government said Monday.

The 14th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, to be held in the regional capital of Nanning, will focus on building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and promoting regional economic integration via tourism.

Government officials, industry representatives and business leaders will participate in various events regarding cross-border e-commerce, business and legal cooperation, investment conferences and Belt and Road construction.

As of July, the China-ASEAN cross-border e-commerce platform had closed 824,000 deals involving 909 types of goods. Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia ranked the top three in terms of trade volume.

A roundtable will also be held between state leaders of Brunei and CEOs of Chinese companies during the summit.

The summit was first held in 2004.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:31:31|Editor: ying

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SUVA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 48th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting will kick off in the Samoa capital of Apia on Tuesday.

According to Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, chairmanship of the forum, the theme of the annual regional gathering of the PIF is The Blue Pacific - Our Sea of Islands.

"The Blue Pacific provides a new narrative for Pacific regionalism and how the forum engages with the world," he told reporters before the Small Island States Leaders' meeting which is underway Monday ahead of the PIF leaders' meeting.

It will require a different way of working together that prioritizes The Blue Pacific as the core driver of forum policy making and collective action, he added.

Tuesday's meeting will highlight the oceans, climate change and resource management, from tuna fisheries to deep seabed mining.

A Chinese delegation will also be at the dialogue session to discuss ways of expanding cooperation with the PIF member states.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:31:32|Editor: An

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KAMPALA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan police on Monday said that they have arrested three suspects in connection with last week's murder of a Chinese woman in the central district of Mukono.

Polly Namaye, the deputy police spokesperson, told Xinhua in an interview that the three suspects are being held over the Friday shooting of the 60-year-old Yang Yeshu, a branch cashier at Nile Steel and Plastics Company Limited in Mukono.

"We have taken witness statements, got exhibits and extracted the video footage from the security cameras to help in the prosecution," she said.

Namaye declined to name the suspects for fear of jeopardizing the on-going investigations.

The footage from the security cameras shows two men armed with a pistol entering the factory premises, located along the Kampala-Jinja highway, using a motorcycle.

The duo briefly talked with the victim before pulling out a pistol and shot her dead.

"From the footage she died while trying to fight for her life. We shall ensure those who carried out this brutal murder are brought to book," said Namaye.

Yang became the third Chinese woman to have been killed in the east African country in less than a year.

The two other Chinese women were stabbed to death in Kikoni in February, a suburb in the capital Kampala.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:41:35|Editor: An

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 4, 2017. Enrique Pena Nieto came to Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping said Monday that China and Mexico should synergize development strategies on the basis of their cooperation achievements since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 45 years ago.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who came to the southeastern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5.

Commending close exchanges between the two countries' governments, legislative bodies and militaries, Xi pointed to major cooperation projects between the two sides in fields such as oil and gas, telecom and finance.

Cooperation in clean energy, manufacturing and direct civil flights has also shown remarkable progress, he said.

The Chinese president called on the two countries to advance dialogues and improve strategic cooperation.

Both sides should synergize their development strategies, make the most of their respective advantages to build a supply chain that links China and Mexico and "radiates to the surrounding regions," Xi said.

China welcomes Mexico's increasing involvement in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and its positioning as a key node of the initiative's "natural extension" in Latin America, he said.

Together, the two countries should step up regional cooperation and push forward the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, Xi said.

He went on to say that China expects Sino-Mexican ties to play an exemplary role in the process of building a community of shared future between China and Latin America, while calling on the two countries to enhance coordination and promote free trade and investment.

They should also work to protect the authority and effectiveness of multilateral mechanisms and improve South-South cooperation, Xi said.

He said the "BRICS Plus" cooperation mechanism is aimed at improving unity and cooperation between BRICS countries and other emerging market and developing countries, building more extensive partnerships, protecting their common interests and promoting common development.

Xi added that China supports Mexico in playing a more important role on the international stage.

For his part, Pena Nieto said the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries is of great importance.

He said Mexico is willing to actively take part in the building of the Belt and Road Initiative, and seek closer cooperation with China in fields such as trade, investment, energy, telecom, interconnectivity and tourism, while promising closer coordination with China on international affairs.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:56:41|Editor: An

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 4, 2017. Prayut is in Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday, calling for enhanced bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Prayut is in the southeastern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries scheduled for Sept. 5.

China appreciates Thailand's active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with Thailand in areas of investment, railways, Internet finance, digital economy and e-commerce, Xi said.

China attaches great importance to China-Thailand friendly relations, and will, as always, respect the development path Thailand chooses in accordance with its own situation, according to the president.

He expects the two countries to advance their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and maintain close high-level contacts.

The president called for more people-to-people exchanges, closer communication in tourism and between local regions, and enhanced cooperation in law enforcement and security, and anti-terrorism in particular.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, and the year of 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

China hopes that Thailand will exert its unique influence to elevate the Lancang-Mekong cooperation and China-ASEAN relationship to higher levels, Xi said.

Prayut said Thailand is willing to maintain high-level contacts with China, deepen bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation, consolidate political mutual trust, expand economic and trade exchanges, promote mutual investment, enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen cooperation in such fields as education, scientific research and infrastructure.

Thailand supports and will actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Lancang-Mekong cooperation, he said.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of bilateral cooperation documents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 20:56:42|Editor: ying

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BRUSSELS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A pilot Sunday fell out of his military helicopter over 1,300 meters high during an airshow for a regiment open day in Amay, in Liege province of Belgium.

The pilot had been confirmed dead after a search for him, according to Belgian media.

A military spokesperson told the VRT that the army was staging a demonstration with parachuting for the open day. Two pilots were on board an Agusta A-109 helicopter when one of the two fell out of the aircraft. The co-pilot managed to grab the control of the helicopter and land it safely after he found the seat of the pilot was empty.

According to the first elements of the investigation, it appears that the pilot, who was not wearing a parachute, might voluntarily jump from the aircraft, taking advantage of a time when his co-pilot was helping the parachuting.

A judicial inquiry has been opened to allow all the data of the dramatic flight to be studied.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 21:06:45|Editor: Lu Hui

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Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the ninth BRICS summit in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday chaired the ninth BRICS summit, calling on the group of five emerging economies to intensify cooperation and contribute more to a world troubled by protectionism and imbalanced development.

"We must redouble our efforts to usher in the second golden decade of BRICS cooperation," Xi told leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa at the summit in the southeastern city of Xiamen, Fujian Province.

It was the first time that Xi had presided over the BRICS summit and the third time for him to chair major international events in a year, following the G20 Hangzhou Summit and the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma were welcomed by Xi before the opening of the summit, themed "BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future."

The summit has been widely expected to set the future course for the group, which accounts for about 43 percent of the world's population and has contributed more than half of global economic growth over the past decade.

Xi raised his vision to "comprehensively deepen" BRICS partnership, including seeking practical results in economic cooperation, strengthening complementarity of development strategies and making the international order more just and equitable.

People-to-people exchanges, "a worthy cause that deserves enduring commitment," should be promoted, according to Xi.

He noted the different national conditions of the five countries, but stressed differences can be transcended and win-win results achieved.

He called on BRICS members to bring their comparative strengths in resources, markets and labor force to release growth potential and the creativity of 3 billion people.

Refuting claims that the group is losing its luster, Xi told the BRICS Business Forum on Sunday that the BRICS countries are "fully confident" about their growth potential and future outlook despite headwinds that have caused setbacks in growth.

From G20 Hangzhou Summit in September last year to the BRICS summit in Xiamen, China's approach to global development is becoming more evident via partnership, open economy and win-win cooperation.

A trading port since ancient times and a gateway for China's opening up, Xiamen is where Xi started when he came to Fujian Province to take up a new official post in 1985.

He hoped the BRICS countries could set sail from the city to deliver greater benefits to the people of the five countries and around the world.

RESULTS-ORIENTED

While uncertainties and downside risks persist with inward-looking policies weighing on global growth prospects, Xi stressed promoting results-oriented economic cooperation, "the foundation of BRICS cooperation," he said.

The potential for BRICS cooperation has yet to be fully unleashed, Xi said, citing the five countries' foreign investment totaling 197 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, only 5.7 percent of which took place among BRICS members.

He urged advancing cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, monetary and finance, connectivity, sustainable development and innovation.

In the latest demonstration that BRICS is a task force that gets things done, the president announced China will launch an economic and technological plan for BRICS countries with 500 million yuan (about 76 million U.S. dollars) for the first term to facilitate exchanges and cooperation in the economic and trade fields.

China will also provide 4 million U.S. dollars for projects of the BRICS New Development Bank, which opened in 2015.

FIVE WITH ONE VOICE

As a stabilizer in regional and international relations, BRICS has been working hard to gain a bigger say on the international stage.

The stance was reaffirmed by Xi at the summit.

"We the five countries play a more active part in global governance. Without our participation, many pressing global challenges cannot be effectively resolved," Xi said. "We should speak with one voice and jointly present our solutions to issues concerning international peace and development."

He said the BRICS should work for a new type of international relations and push for economic globalization that is "open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all."

Xi's speech was echoed by his counterparts at the summit.

Zuma said the BRICS should strengthen contact with other emerging economies and developing countries to pursue common development.

The five countries should strengthen cooperation and improve global economic governance to create a sound external environment, said Temer.

For his part, Putin said the BRICS should build an open world economy, oppose protectionism and promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

Modi said BRICS countries should explore potential for economic cooperation, safeguard the multilateral trade system and promote people-to-people exchanges.

To consolidate their common ground, leaders of BRICS countries adopted the Xiamen Declaration, expressing consensus on various issues including the support for the UN's central role in international affairs, opposing protectionism, condemning terrorism and deploring the latest nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"BRICS PLUS"

During the Xiamen summit, China will hold a Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, in which leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand will join the BRICS leaders in discussing global development cooperation.

The China-proposed model is considered part of a bid to promote BRICS as a leading platform for South-South cooperation.

For emerging economies and developing countries, "we should stick to openness rather than protectionism, multilateral trade mechanisms rather than benefiting oneself at the expense of others, mutual benefit rather than a zero-sum game," Xi said at a smaller meeting of BRICS leaders Monday morning.

"It is easy to break one arrow, but hard to break 10 arrows bundled together," Xi cited the Chinese proverb in his Sunday speech to call for involving more emerging market and developing countries in cooperation and mutually beneficial endeavors.

Iqbal Surve, head of the South Africa chapter of the BRICS Business Council, said "BRICS Plus" would be warmly welcome among developing countries as the initiative is aligned with the common purpose of shaking off poverty and realizing dreams.

Related:

Full text of President Xi's remarks at plenary session of BRICS Xiamen Summit

Full text of BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 21:11:47|Editor: ying

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SOFIA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian customs officers at Sofia Airport have seized 3.12 kg of cocaine coming from Brazil, the National Customs Agency (NCA) said in a statement here on Monday.

Inspectors found the illicit drug, hidden in separate packages in the luggage of a female passenger arriving from Sao Paulo, the NCA said, adding that the trafficker faces up to 15 years in prison.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the NCA.

The agency said in its annual reports that it seized a total of 58 kg of cocaine in 2016.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 21:16:51|Editor: ying

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CHANGCHUN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from African countries are hoping to attract more Chinese investment at the ongoing 11th China-Northeast Asia Expo in Changchun, capital of northeastern Jilin Province.

Representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Mozambique presented a variety of collaborative projects at the expo, ranging from grain and dairy processing, light manufacturing, to machinery and construction, in the hope of finding Chinese counterparts to invest in their countries.

Ethiopia has set up a one-stop service system to simplify the approval process for business licenses for overseas enterprises, said Sisay Tsegaye Zelek, from the Ethiopian Investment Commission.

"Eligible companies will get their business license approved in a day," Zelek said.

Over the past decade China has become an important investor in Africa, with a total investment of more than 100 billion U.S. dollars, ranging from infrastructure, mining, telecommunications to agriculture and manufacturing.

Chinese companies have been involved in the manufacturing of auto parts, food and electronic products in Kenya, and the country hopes Chinese companies will expand their presence into the processing of agricultural products and light manufacturing, according to Susan Njoba from Kenya Investment Authority.

"Our data shows Chinese-invested projects generate more job opportunities than companies from other countries," Njoba said.

A McKinsey report indicated Sino-African relations witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade, with bilateral trade up 20 percent and direct investment rising 40 percent annually.

Statistics from China's Ministry of Commerce showed trade between China and African countries reached 85.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2017, while China's non-financial investment in Africa surged 22 percent to 1.6 billion U.S. dollars during the same period.

China and African countries are highly complementary in resources and technology and new cooperation platforms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation have injected impetus into bilateral economic collaboration, according to Chen Zhou, vice chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

"We can also work to maximize the synergy between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Africa's industrialization strategy to benefit businesses from both sides," said Zhang Yuzhong, an official from China Investment Promotion Agency.

The 11th China-Northeast Asia Expo, which runs from Sept. 1 to 5, serves as a platform for regional cooperation in Northeast Asia and beyond. The expo has representatives from China, Russia, Mongolia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as attracting global dignitaries and enterprises in pursuit of economic and regional cooperation.

Since the expo started in 2005, it has produced trade deals valued at more than 8 billion U.S. dollars.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 21:21:54|Editor: An

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South African President Jacob Zuma speaks at the ninth BRICS summit in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

by Xinhua writer Chen Shilei

XIAMEN, China, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- African leaders said at the BRICS Business Forum that ended here Monday that the continent hopes to become a new growth pole through cooperation with BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

About 1,200 business elites from more than 600 enterprises gathered in Xiamen of southeast China's Fujian Province to attend the BRICS Business Forum. The two-day forum that started Sunday is an important side event of the BRICS summit.

South African President Jacob Zuma and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered speeches at the forum, while Guinean President Alpha Conde attended a panel discussion under the theme of interconnectivity.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ROBUST TRADE

In a speech delivered Sunday, Zuma said he hopes BRICS countries can enhance cooperation to make their economies more robust and sustainable and bring benefits to their people.

Amid a decrease in global demand for raw materials, South Africa, whose exports are mainly driven by raw materials, are facing great challenges, Zuma said.

Against such a backdrop, South Africa hopes to realize comprehensive and inclusive development through cooperative projects with other BRICS countries, he added.

South Africa is carrying out large-scale economic reform in efforts to spur economic growth, Zuma said, adding that such sectors in mining, agriculture and energy are eying more investment while other areas such as technology and infrastructure construction are also prioritized.

Besides, Zuma expressed the hope that trade with high added value among BRICS countries can be promoted.

As Africa's main economy and a member of BRICS and the G20 group, South Africa's trade with the other BRICS countries reached 31.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, according to Zuma.

Describing Africa as a new frontline of growth and prosperity, Zuma said the continent enjoys broad prospects and opportunities for investment.

The International Monetary Fund has predicted that Africa will become the continent that sees the second fastest growth in the world in four years and it is the "youngest" continent in terms of the population's age.

Zuma quoted a McKinsey report as saying that spending by Africa's consumers and businesses along with household consumption in the continent will exceed 5 trillion U.S. dollars by 2025.

Zuma also mentioned the New Development Bank's Africa Regional Center that launched in mid-August in Johannesburg, saying that the project highlights BRICS' commitment to the development of the African continent and emerging markets.

Al-Sisi also said Egypt has adopted a series of policies for reforms in the subsidy system, social security and monetary policies as well as improving the investment and business environment, and expressed the hope that the country can realize sustainable development through BRICS countries' support.

SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION

During the Xiamen Summit, China will hold the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, where leaders of Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand will join the BRICS leaders in discussing global development cooperation and South-South cooperation.

"BRICS is symbolic of the South, but it really, for its legitimacy, needs to embrace other countries of the South so that their voices can be heard" on the global stage, said Jeremy Stevens, an economist with Standard Bank, Africa's largest bank headquartered in South Africa.

Conde, the Guinean president, said the attendance of Guinea, which holds the rotating presidency of the African Union, in the Xiamen summit has great significance to Africa.

The development of BRICS cooperation has brought hope to all marginalized countries in the world, Conde said, adding that he expected the partnership between Guinea and BRICS countries will make Africa a new landscape.

Guinea is one of the least developed countries in the world, according to the United Nations. Cooperation with BRICS nations has injected great dynamism into the Guinean economy.

Statistics from the Chinese Customs showed the China-Guinea trade in 2016 reached 1.78 billion U.S. dollars, up 36.2 percent from a year ago.

"Africa is the future of the world," Conde said, "The future of BRICS is determined by cooperation with Africa...let's jointly face our challenges."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 21:57:09|Editor: ying

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GAZA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The recent Israeli government's decision to provide settlers in the West Bank city of Hebron a "special authority" to rule their affairs is unprecedented, and it could boost settlement presence and undermine the principle of the two-state solution, according to Palestinian observers.

They agreed that the endless increase of Israeli settlement activities and the attempts to organize it in the West Bank and make it legal "would fully undermine the principle of the two-state solution, which is backed by the world to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been going on for so many decades."

Saeb Erekat, Secretary General of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee said in an emailed press statement that "this Israeli decision is a concrete implementation of the Greater Israel project, which includes annexing more Palestinian territories to the state of Israel."

He accused Israel of acting to "effectively demarcate, grant and recognize the illegal settlements and grant these settlements a sovereignty over the land of the occupied Palestinian state in flagrant violation to the international laws, norms and the United Nations resolutions."

The senior PLO official called on the international community to "immediately and urgently take concrete and practical measures to compel Israel, the occupying power, to immediately reverse and annul the formation of the so-called Hebron Settlers' Affairs Council."

The Israeli authorities had given a special authority to the settlers who live in the West Bank town of Hebron to independently administer their municipal affairs.

The Israeli army said in a press statement that it signed an order to strengthen the powers of the settlers who were running their daily affairs through a council representing a local administration that did not have legal status.

The army statement said that a council would be formed to represent the residents of the Jewish settlement in Hebron and provide municipal services in various areas.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he ordered a change in the status of the settlers' council in Hebron and vowed to do more for them.

"The strengthening of the Jewish community in Hebron is very important to him and he is determined to continue to develop settlements so that he can grow and flourish," Lieberman said in a statement issued by his office.

The population of the city of Hebron is about 250,000 Palestinians, including some 800 settlers, who live under the protection of the Israeli army.

According to political analyst from Gaza Adnan Abu Amer, the Israeli decision to form a municipal council for the settlers in Hebron "paves the way for the establishment of a settlers' state in the West Bank."

He referred to Israel's allocation of 42 percent of the West Bank territory for settlement expansion, including lands in the area classified under the Oslo Interim Peace Agreement signed between the PLO and Israel in 1993, as area C, which is under the full Israeli security and administrative control.

He also noted that the number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem currently exceeds 750 thousand, after it was limited to less than 120 when Oslo agreement was signed.

Abu Amer said Israel's escalation of the presence of its settlers and the start of granting them an authority to manage their affairs is "in anticipation of the outcome of negotiations with the Palestinians, and paves the way for the possibility of repeating the step with the rest of the West Bank settlers."

The settlement is the most important file of the dispute between the Palestinians and Israel in light of the cessation of peace negotiations between them since the end of March in 2014 after nine months of talks sponsored by the United States without progress.

The West Bank writer and political analyst Abdul Majid Suwailm, said that the recent settlement actions, mainly granting a first ever special authority for settlers in Hebron, "proves that settlement has become the only element of the ruling right-wing party in Israel."

"Settlements have become the major concern in the Israeli policy," he told Xinhua, adding that "so that the occupation becomes the shepherd and protector of settlement, and settlement policies have become an absolute priority."

He referred to "the transformation of Israel budgets and large financial resources to the mechanisms agreed upon by the parties to the right-wing camp to move the settlement to a political safety valve for the steadfastness and control of the right political equation in Israel."

Last December, the UN Security Council issued resolution 2234 on the illegality of Israeli settlements, stressing that settlements are "illegal under international law" and called on Israel to immediately and completely halt all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

However, Israel rejected the resolution and ignored its commitment.

Israel's decision to grant its settlers a special authority in Hebron came days after a tour of the U.S. delegation to the region led by U.S. President Donald Trump's adviser, Jared Kushner.

Hani Habib, a Gaza-based writer and political analyst linked between the Israeli settlement's escalation and Trump administration's position towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the U.S. President encouraged settlement and adopted the principle during his campaign.

Habib said the latest tour of the U.S. delegation to the region "did not provide answers to the ongoing Palestinian demands by setting a clear reference to the negotiating process of a two-state solution and the need to stop settlement construction."

"It is certain that the United States does not have any position close to the Palestinian demands, which are considered as entitlements to ensure the success of the peace process," he said.

Habib went on saying that "this is a sufficient reason for the Palestinian leaders not to pin any hopes on identifying a U.S. position that could succeed in resuming the negotiating process."

Habib noted that the U.S. position is exploited by Israel to continue the settlement process, while time goes by without any progress on the Palestinian-Israeli file, which requires the Palestinians to seek alternatives before undermining all chances of establishing a state for them.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 22:22:25|Editor: ying

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Indian police arrested a British man on charges of sexually assaulting visually impaired children at a blind school, officials said on Monday.

The accused 53-year-old Murray Denis Ward, according to the police, has sexually abused three visually impaired children at a school run by the National Association of Blind (NAB) in New Delhi's RK Puram.

The victims are said to be below the age of eight.

According to the police, Ward who was associated with NAB used to visit the school on a frequent basis and has been a donor to it for the last over eight years.

"The British national is accused of sodomizing at least three children, all aged under eight," a police official said. "He has been charged under sections of the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act."

According to police, Ward, who appeared in a court on Monday, has been sent to a two-day police custody.

Reports said police had found some objectionable videos of kids from Ward's laptop.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 22:32:27|Editor: Song Lifang

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HANOI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam and Laos have agreed to lift their relationship to a new height in a practical, effective and quality manner, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang said on Monday.

Quang reviewed the two countries' traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation and their collaboration prospects one day before the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties on Tuesday.

Over the past 55 years, despite complicated developments in the regional and global situations, the Vietnam-Laos time-honored friendship, special solidarity and all-round cooperation have developed extensively and effectively, the Vietnam News Agency quoted Quang as saying.

Cooperation mechanisms, especially at the high-ranking level, have been consolidated, with growth seen in political, defence, security and economic collaboration.

As of April, Vietnam had run 408 projects totaling 3.7 billion U.S. dollars, ranking third among countries investing in Laos.

Vietnam and Laos have also coordinated closely at regional and international forums, thus helping increase each other's position and prestige in the region and the world, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 22:37:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Tamara Treichel

XIAMEN, China, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 9th BRICS Summit opened here Sunday, bringing together representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and beyond in this picturesque coastal city to strengthen South-South cooperation and give a greater voice to the world's emerging economies.

Even the intermittent rain did not dampen the positive mood at the summit, which runs from Sunday to Tuesay. In particular, the summit is indirectly serving as a venue to help mend ties between China and its neighbor, India, after the recent border standoff between the two countries.

UPBEAT MOOD

"I think the trend is good, everybody is optimistic," said Atul Dalakoti, executive director of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, who spoke to Xinhua right after attending the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum on Sunday afternoon.

The Indian businessman commented on Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks in his speech at the opening ceremony that "new growth drivers are yet to emerge" by saying, "we need to think outside the box and look at new engines of growth so that we can push the economic development."

"I sense more internal optimism and external confidence," Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a prolific China expert and observer, weighed in by email Sunday night.

The chairman of the Kuhn Foundation believed that the "optimism" and "confidence" are driven by two factors: the improving economic situation of several of the BRICS members and China hosting the summit, "which increases the visibility, publicity and international interest."

Although he admitted that fundamental differences exist among the BRICS countries, the American expert said that "what unites them is stronger than what divides them," adding that he believed BRICS is playing a role in resolving the differences.

Swaran Singh from the School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University remarked on the recent friction between China and India and how that did not get in the way of the friendly and cooperative summit atmosphere.

"Even China-India differences have been carefully kept aside and not allowed to intervene in their multilateral cooperation," he said in an email interview with Xinhua, calling the resolve of the Dong Lang military standoff "a sign of their (China and India's) diplomatic maturity as major powers."

CHINA & INDIA AS BRICS BUDDIES

As the second-largest BRICS economy after China, India is very active in helping enhance capacity- and skill-building among developing nations, for example in Africa, Singh said, noting that it has been a big investor in recent years. BRICS is an ideal opportunity for India to contribute to global governance structures and help empower other developing nations, the professor said.

Singh believed that BRICS is clearly having a positive effect on economic engagement between China and India. Last year, bilateral trade volume exceeded 70 billion U.S. dollars, and China has become India's largest trading partner.

Although the two countries' trade shows a deficit in China's favor, he was confident that BRICS would be able to address such challenges. He also noted that recently there has been an enormous increase in China's promised investments in India.

For his part, Dalakoti pointed out the rapid growth of China-India trade over the past 15 years. He saw BRICS as having a "very, very positive" theme of people from five continents trying to work together and as China and India being equally important members within the bloc.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE

Many summit participants regarded China as an example to follow for other developing nations, for instance where poverty alleviation, renewable energy and the environment were concerned.

"China has in the past 30 years taken at least 500 million people out of poverty, I think we need to do that in India also and then in Africa, so there's a huge potential for growth," Dalakoti said.

Dalakoti, who is also in the Energy and Green Economy Working Group, mentioned India's efforts in promoting clean energy and combating pollution. "India has set up very good targets and met the targets in advance, and now we are looking at setting up 100 smart cities," he said. In that regard, China and India have common goals. "So I think there is a lot we can do, and we can learn from the experience of the Chinese," he said.

In an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the summit, the BRICS' New Development Bank (NDB) chief K.V. Kamath also suggested other BRICS countries should learn from China's past success stories.

"In China's case, what the NDB has learned is success with renewables, which we then try to see whether we could take it to other countries," he said. He called this an example of "shared knowledge from our member countries."

BRICS GOING FORWARD

The BRICS nations originally enjoyed a reputation for rapid economic growth, but some critics have argued that BRICS is losing its steam. That idea, however, doesn't seem to be very convincing to some.

Singh suggested that BRICS still very much remains a good alternative to existing institutions as it offers a new model of financial governance and is even helping transform conventional Bretton Woods financial institutions. He said the NDB and Contingency Reserve Arrangement are proof of what BRICS can and is doing with their rapid decision-making, financial support in local currencies, and no-strings attached policy.

The BRICS example has already led to some reforms in World Bank and International Monetary Fund voting rights and has encouraged BRICS enterprises to evolve their own genre of financing, investments, technology transfers and market management distinct from Western multinational corporations' patron-client culture, Singh said.

"BRICS is surely seen today as the only grouping, along with the G20, that can redeem the global economy from its continued slowdown," the professor added.

Dalakoti believed that BRICS could help raise awareness of the importance of globalization, especially as some countries are reverting to isolationist and protectionist policies.

"We all need globalization, we all need to work together, we all need a lot of investments in our countries," he said, "So I think the whole theme of globalization is the bedrock of what we are talking about at BRICS today."

(Xinhua reporter Xiong Maoling contributed to this report.)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 22:42:31|Editor: Song Lifang

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MOSCOW, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces supported by Russian warplanes have scored new victories in an offensive against one of the last Islamic State (IS) strongholds in the city of Deir al-Zour, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

The Syrian troops operating in the south of the province of Raqqa advanced eight km over the past day and captured two strategically important heights, it said in a statement.

Russian jets have conducted more than 80 combat sorties in support of the offensive, destroying two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, more than 10 cross-country vehicles with heavy weapons, the statement said.

More than 70 terrorists were killed or wounded, it said.

The city of Deir al-Zour has been blocked by the IS for several years, with food and other cargoes being delivered to its inhabitants only by air.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the upcoming deblocking of the city will become a "strategic defeat" of IS militants in Syria.

The operations of the Syrian army in the sprawling desert have also extended to the eastern countryside of the central Hama province, where the IS holds key areas there.

The army on Friday drove out the IS militants from their key stronghold of Uqayribat town in the eastern countryside of Hama province in central Syria.

Russia has been participating in operations against the IS and other terrorist groups in Syria since September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 22:57:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Christine Lagat

NAIROBI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and African scientists converged in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Monday to brainstorm on new strategies to promote green and inclusive development.

The two-day conference on climate, ecosystems and livelihoods for Africa was organized by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in conjunction with the World Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Environment Judi Wakhungu, in her opening remarks on Monday, said a strategic dialogue between African and Chinese scientists is key to addressing ecological challenges facing the continent.

"Chinese and African scientists should share lessons on effective ways to tackle climate change and promote resilience of ecosystems that form a critical component of this continent's economy," said Wakhungu.

Dozens of Chinese and African scientists attended the high-level conference on climate and ecosystems under the aegis of South-South cooperation.

Wakhungu hailed the blossoming Sino-Africa cooperation in science, technology and environmental protection that has advanced low-carbon development in the world's second largest continent.

"We are glad to see the Chinese government and scientists proactively promote the Belt and Road Initiative globally and push for diversified and sustainable development in Africa," said Wakhungu.

She disclosed that the Kenyan government has partnered with China to implement projects that advance ecosystems restoration, food, energy and security.

Multilateral institutions have rallied behind Sino-Africa partnership in skills and technology transfer to help address climate change, habitat loss and other ecological challenges.

Deputy Executive Director of UN Environment Ibrahim Thiaw said a robust partnership between African and Chinese scientists is required to inject fresh vitality in the green agenda.

"Scientists from China and Africa should be at the forefront in coming up with innovative green solutions for realizing sustainable development goals," Thiaw said.

China has prioritized partnership with African countries in the areas of climate, ecosystems and livelihoods in line with principles outlined in South-South cooperation along the Belt and Road.

Cao Jinghua, director-general of the bureau of international cooperation at the CAS, said Beijing has placed green agenda at the heart of its bilateral ties with Africa.

"The Chinese government attaches importance to green development. We will strengthen cooperation with African countries to help them realize green growth," said Cao.

Cao noted that South-South cooperation has fostered sharing of knowledge and expertise to strengthen action on climate change in Africa.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 22:57:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Denis Elamu

JUBA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Monday downplayed allegations by rebels on the regional efforts underway to free the latter's leader and former First Vice President Riek Machar from exile in South Africa.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Mawien Makol said the recent statement by the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) rebel faction, which suggested some key member countries under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are working on the release of Machar from exile, is inconsequential.

"We are now in agreement with SPLA-IO faction under Taban Deng Gai. Whether Machar can be released from exile or not does not make any difference," Makol told Xinhua in Juba.

Gai, who now leads a splinter faction of the SPLA-IO, replaced Machar mid-last year as First Vice President in the transitional unity government, which has led President Salva Kiir.

Earlier, the deputy rebel spokesman Brigadier William Deng Gatjiath told Xinhua of the ongoing efforts by Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia to free their leader from exile. Machar fled Juba during renewed clash between government troops and rebels in July 2016.

The rebel spokesman added that it is clear to the region and the international community that there would not be peace without Machar.

The IGAD leaders in June announced the peace deal revival efforts to salvage faltering peace in South Sudan, but they could not agree on the inclusion of Machar as the Kiir administration views the latter as spoiler.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Machar led to fighting that pitied mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital, forcing Machar to flee into exile.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions that have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 23:07:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GENEVA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Novartis, the multinational Swiss-based pharmaceutical company, on Monday named Harvard University-educated Dr. Vasant (Vas) Narasimhan as its new CEO as of Feb. 1, 2018.

Novartis said in a statement that Joseph Jimenez, Chief Executive Officer of Novartis, announced he would step down as CEO in 2018, after eight years in position.

Novartis board of directors has appointed Narasimhan, M.D., global head of drug development and chief medical officer, as the new CEO of Novartis.

Dr. Narasimhan, a U.S. citizen living in Basel, is a member of the Novartis executive committee and joined the company in 2005.

Educated at Stanford and Berkley universities in the U.S., Jimenez joined the company in 2007 and has been CEO since 2010.

Jimenez will step down as CEO Jan. 31, 2018, and will be available for advice and support for the board of directors or the CEO until he retires from Novartis on Aug. 31, 2018.

He said, "Both from a professional and a personal perspective, this is the right moment to hand the leadership reins of the company to Vas."

Before joining Novartis in 2005, Narasimhan worked at McKinsey & Company.

He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in the United States and obtained a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-04 23:42:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Denis Elamu

JUBA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Monday urged for more support from the United States toward the country's ongoing peace efforts, instead of undertaking policy review on the situation on the war-torn country.

The ministry of foreign affairs spokesman Mawien Makol made the urge following recent remarks by the head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mark Green on his visit to the country that the Trump administration was reconsidering backing President Salva Kiir.

"As the government we are actually committed to bringing peace through the national dialogue. The government is helping with opening up humanitarian corridor with the help of the (SPLA) army," Makol said in Juba.

Green had earlier expressed concerns about the obstruction of humanitarian access and incessant civilian attacks and killings on meeting President Kiir.

"Any other position that is being made by any international (U.S) actor is not going to be helpful," Makol said of the national dialogue efforts.

Washington played a leading role in South Sudan winning independence from its northern neighbor Sudan, and besides offering reconstruction and recovery support to the youngest nation, it has also contributed 2.7 billion U.S dollars since 2013.

In the wake of the peace deal revival efforts in June by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East Africa regional bloc warned the warring South Sudan leaders to seize the last moment to conclusively end conflict and usher in peace.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing Machar to flee into exile.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions that have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
20. BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting (29-30 July 2017, Hangzhou)

21. Meeting of the BRICS Trade Ministers (1-2 August 2017, Shanghai)

22. Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Development Bank (1-2 April 2017, New Delhi)

23. BRICS Business Forum (3-4 September 2017, Xiamen)

Senior Officials/Working Groups/Expert Meetings

1. Meeting of BRICS Senior Officials on Environment (22 June 2017, Tianjin)

2. Meeting of BRICS Senior Officials on Education (4 July 2017, Beijing)

3. Meeting of BRICS Senior Officials on Culture (5 July 2017, Tianjin)

4. BRICS Health Senior Officials Meeting (5 July 2017, Tianjin)

5. Meeting of BRICS Senior Officials on Science, Technology & Innovation (17 July 2017, Hangzhou)

6. BRICS Business Council (31 March 2017, New Delhi; 31 August-2 September 2017, Shanghai & Xiamen)

7. BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group Meetings (22 January 2017, Berlin; 9 April 2017, Brasilia)

8. BRICS Intellectual Property Examiner Training Seminar (20-24 February 2017, Nagpur)

9. BRICS Intellectual Property Coordination Group Meeting (22-23 February 2017, Nagpur)

10. Meetings of BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues (20-21 March 2017, Beijing; 23-25 May 2017, Beijing; 30-31 July 2017, Shanghai)

11. Technical Meeting of BRICS National Statistics Offices (27-29 March 2017, Shanghai)

12. BRICS Working Group Meeting of Customs (29-31 March 2017, Xiamen)

13. Consultation of BRICS Middle East Special Envoys (11-12 April 2017, Visakhapatnam)

14. BRICS Employment Working Group Meetings (19 April 2017, Yuxi; 25 July 2017, Chongqing)

15. BRICS Environmental Working Group Meeting (25-27 April 2017, Tianjin)

16. BRICS Counter Terrorism Working Group Meeting (18 May 2017, Beijing)

17. First Meeting of BRICS Intellectual Property Rights Mechanism (23 May 2017, Beijing)

18. Working Group for the Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Culture (25 May 2017, Beijing)

19. BRICS Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Working Group Meeting (28-31 May 2017, Pretoria)

20. Meeting of BRICS Working Group on Security in the Use of ICTs (1-2 June 2017, Beijing)

21. Working Group Meeting on BRICS Energy Saving and Improvement of Energy Efficiency (5 June 2017, Beijing)

22. Meeting of Heads of BRICS Export Credit Agencies (12-15 June 2017, Hangzhou)

23. BRICS Working Group Meetings on Agricultural Cooperation (15 June 2017, Nanjing)

24. Technical Group Meeting of BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism (28-29 June 2017, Beijing)

25. Working Group Meeting on Interbank Cooperation Mechanism (28-29 June 2017, Beijing)

26. Meeting of BRICS Heads of Delegation on AML (18-23 June 2017, Spain)

27. BRICS Foreign Policy Planning Dialogue (20-21 July 2017, Beijing)

28. BRICS Consultation of Experts on Peace-keeping Affairs (25 July 2017, Beijing)

29. Meeting of BRICS Experts on Tax Matters (25-26 July 2017, Hangzhou)

30. BRICS Working Group Meeting on ICT Cooperation (26 July 2017, Hangzhou)

31. BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group Meeting (16 August 2017, Weihai)

32. Annual Meeting of Interbank Cooperation Mechanism and Financial Forum (31 August -2 September 2017, Beijing)

33. Meeting of BRICS Heads of Intellectual Property Offices (6-7 April 2017, New Delhi)

34. BRICS Working Group on Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Partnership (9 April, Bengaluru)

35. BRICS Working Group on ICT and High Performance Computing (23-26 April, Guangzhou)

36. BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructure and Mega-Science Projects (15-16 May, Dubna)

37. BRICS Working Group on Solid State Lighting (19-24 June 2017, Hangzhou)

People-to-people Exchanges Events and Other Meetings

1. BRICS Young Diplomats Forum (30 May-3 June 2017, Beijing & Linyi)

2. BRICS Media Forum (6-8 June 2017, Beijing)

3. BRICS Think-Tank Council Meeting (10 June 2017, Fuzhou)

4. BRICS Political Parties, Think Tanks and Civil Society Organizations Forum (10-12 June 2017, Fuzhou)

5. BRICS Games (17-21 June2017, Guangzhou)

6. BRICS Film Festival (23-27 June 2017, Chengdu)

7. BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum (11-13 July 2017, Chengdu)

8. BRICS Trade Union Forum (24-25 July 2017, Beijing)

9. BRICS Youth Forum (24-28 July 2017, Beijing)

10. BRICS Young Scientist Forum (11-15 July 2017, Hangzhou)

11. BRICS Seminar on Governance (17-18 August 2017, Quanzhou)

12. BRICS Heads of Prosecution Services Meeting (August 2017, Brazil)

13. BRICS Think-Tank Symposiums (22 March 2017, Beijing; 15 May 2017, Guangzhou; 20 May 2017, Chongqing)

14. BRICS International Festival of Theatre Schools (14-21 May 2017, Moscow)

15. Meeting of BRICS Cooperation in the Field of Competition Law (16-20 May 2017, St. Petersburg)

16. Annual Forum "BRICS: Boosting Economic Cooperation" (1-3 June 2017, St. Petersburg)

17. BRICS Supreme Audit Institutions' Technical Cooperation Meeting (June 28-29, 2017, Pretoria)

18. International Congress of Women of SCO and BRICS Countries (2-4 July 2017, Novosibirsk)

We further take note of the upcoming meetings and events under China's BRICS Chairmanship.

1. The Foreign Ministers Meeting on the margins of UNGA

2. The Fifth BRICS Sherpa/Sous-Sherpa Meeting

3. BRICS Parliamentary Forum

4. Meeting of BRICS Heads of National Statistics Offices

5. BRICS Trade Fair

6. BRICS Legal Advisor Consultation

7. BRICS Forum on SOE Reform and Governance

8. Meeting of BRICS Cooperation in the Field of Competition Law

9. Third Forum on Small Business of the SCO and BRICS Regions

10. BRICS International Competition Conference

11. BRICS Working Group on Astronomy (21-22 September, Pune)

12. BRICS Export Credit Agencies Technical Workshop (31 October-3 November, Nanjing)

13. BRICS Working Group on Materials Science and Nanotechnology (26-27 October 2017, Yekaterinburg)

14. Annual International Academic Conference "Foresight and STI Policy" (1-2 November, Moscow)

15. BRICS Working Group on Biotechnology and Biomedicine, including Human Health and Neuroscience (15-16 November, 2017, Moscow)

16. BRICS meeting on Ageing

Proposals to be further explored

1. Ocean Cooperation

2. Establishment of the PPP Project Preparation Fund

3. Establishment of the BRICS Energy Cooperation Platform

4. BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation

5. Establishment of the BRICS Customs Training Center in Xiamen

6. Establishment of the BRICS Cultural Council

7. Establishment of the BRICS Council of Regions

8. Tourism Cooperation

9. Creation of the Working Group on Regional Aviation
43. We congratulate the people and Government of Iraq for the recovery of Mosul and for the progress achieved in the fight against terrorism and reaffirm our commitment to Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence and our support for Iraqi government and its people. We express our concern over the situation in Yemen and urge all parties to cease hostilities and to resume negotiations supported by the United Nations. We also call on all parties directly involved in the current diplomatic crisis in the Gulf region to overcome their dissensions through dialogue and welcome the efforts of Kuwaiti mediation in this regard.

44. We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK. We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasize that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned.

45. We firmly support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue and call upon all relevant parties to comply fully with their obligations and ensure full and effective implementation of the JCPOA to promote international and regional peace and stability.

46. We commend the efforts of African countries, the African Union and sub-regional organizations in addressing regional issues and maintaining regional peace and security, and emphasize the importance of collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. We support efforts towards comprehensively resolving the issues in Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, South Sudan, Somalia, Central Africa Republic and Western Sahara.

47. We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals. There is a need for immediate cessation of violence. We reaffirm our support to the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" peace and national reconciliation, to the ongoing international efforts, including the Moscow Format of consultations on Afghanistan and "Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process", as well as multimodal connectivity projects to promote peace and stability, to the fight against terrorism and drug-threat, and to the national reconstruction efforts by Afghanistan. We support the efforts of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in fighting terrorist organizations.

48. We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

49. We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organizing, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable. Recalling the primary leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism, we stress the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. We reaffirm solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism, value the 2nd BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group Meeting held in Beijing on 18 May 2017, and agree to strengthen our cooperation.

50. We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering radicalization, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism including, for instance, through organized crime by means of money-laundering, supply of weapons, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terrorist entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). We are committed to prevent and counter the growing spread of terrorist narratives, and to tackle all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing. We call for swift and effective implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We seek to intensify our cooperation in FATF and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs). We recall the responsibility of all States to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories.

51. We call upon the international community to establish a genuinely broad international counter-terrorism coalition and support the UN's central coordinating role in this regard. We stress that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, international refugee and humanitarian law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. We reaffirm our commitment on increasing the effectiveness of the UN counter-terrorism framework, including in the areas of cooperation and coordination among the relevant UN entities, designation of terrorists and terrorist groups and technical assistance to Members States. We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the United Nations General Assembly.

52. We recognize the important contribution of BRICS countries to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and the importance of United Nations peacekeeping operations to international peace and security. We emphasize the need for BRICS countries to further enhance communication on peacekeeping matters.

53. We reiterate our commitment to address the world drug problem based on the United Nations drug control conventions, through an integrated, comprehensive and balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction strategies. We stress the importance of the outcome document of the 30th Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the world drug problem, and call for strengthening of international and regional cooperation and coordination to counter the global threat caused by the illicit production and trafficking of drugs, especially opiates. We note with deep concern the increasing links in some regions of the world between drug trafficking, money laundering and organized crime and terrorism.

54. We reiterate the need for all countries to cooperate in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms under the principles of equality and mutual respect. We agree to continue to treat all human rights, including the right to development, in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis. We will strengthen cooperation on issues of common interests both within BRICS and in multilateral fora including the United Nations Human Rights Council, taking into account the necessity to promote, protect and fulfill human rights in a non-selective, non-politicized and constructive manner, and without double standards.

55. Keenly aware of the global security challenges faced by the international community in the area of international migration, we emphasize the growing role of effective migration regulation for the benefit of international security and development of the society.

56. We consider the UN has a central role in developing universally accepted norms of responsible state behavior in the use of ICTs to ensure a peaceful, secure, open, cooperative, stable, orderly, accessible and equitable ICT environment. We emphasize the paramount importance of the principles of international law enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the state sovereignty, the political independence, territorial integrity and sovereign equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs of other states and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We emphasize the need to enhance international cooperation against terrorist and criminal misuse of ICTs, reaffirm the general approach laid in the eThekwini, Fortaleza, Ufa and Goa declarations in this regard, and recognize the need for a universal regulatory binding instrument on combatting the criminal use of ICTs under the UN auspices as stated in the Ufa Declaration. We note with satisfaction the progress achieved by the Working Group of Experts of the BRICS States on Security in the use of ICTs. We decide to promote cooperation according to the BRICS Roadmap of Practical Cooperation on Ensuring Security in the Use of ICTs or any other mutually agreed mechanism and acknowledge the initiative of the Russian Federation on a BRICS intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in ensuring security in the use of ICTs. (more)
Global Economic Governance

29. We resolve to foster a global economic governance architecture that is more effective and reflective of current global economic landscape, increasing the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing economies. We reaffirm our commitment to conclude the IMF's 15th General Review of Quotas, including a new quota formula, by the 2019 Spring Meetings and no later than the 2019 Annual Meetings. We will continue to promote the implementation of the World Bank Group Shareholding Review.

30. We emphasize the importance of an open and resilient financial system to sustainable growth and development, and agree to better leverage the benefits of capital flows and manage the risks stemming from excessive cross-border capital flows and fluctuation. The BRICS CRA represents a milestone of BRICS financial cooperation and development, which also contributes to global financial stability. We welcome the establishment of the CRA System of Exchange in Macroeconomic Information (SEMI), and the agreement to further strengthen the research capability of the CRA, and to promote closer cooperation between the IMF and the CRA.

31. We welcome the establishment of the NDB Africa Regional Center launched in South Africa, which is the first regional office of the Bank. We welcome the setting up of the Project Preparation Fund and the approval of the 2nd batch of projects. We congratulate the Bank on the ground-breaking of its permanent headquarters building. We stress the significance of infrastructure connectivity to foster closer economic ties and partnerships among countries. We encourage the NDB to fully leverage its role and enhance cooperation with multilateral development institutions including the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as well as with the BRICS Business Council, to forge synergy in mobilizing resources and promote infrastructure construction and sustainable development of BRICS countries.

32. We emphasize the importance of an open and inclusive world economy enabling all countries and peoples to share in the benefits of globalization. We remain firmly committed to a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO. We reaffirm our commitments to ensure full implementation and enforcement of existing WTO rules and are determined to work together to further strengthen the WTO. We call for the acceleration of the implementation of the Bali and Nairobi MCM outcomes and for the WTO ministerial conference to be held this year in Argentina to produce positive outcomes. We will continue to firmly oppose protectionism. We recommit to our existing pledge for both standstill and rollback of protectionist measures and we call upon other countries to join us in that commitment.

33. Valuing the G20's continued role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, we reiterate our commitments to the implementation of the outcomes of G20 summits, including the Hamburg Summit and the Hangzhou Summit. We call upon the G20 to further enhance macroeconomic policy coordination to minimize negative spillovers and external shocks to EMDEs. We agree to enhance coordination and cooperation under the Argentina Presidency in 2018, with an aim to make the G20 process and outcomes reflect the interests and priorities of EMDEs.

34. We reaffirm our commitment to achieving a fair and modern global tax system and promoting a more equitable, pro-growth and efficient international tax environment, including to deepening cooperation on addressing Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), promoting exchange of tax information and improving capacity-building in developing countries. We will strengthen BRICS tax cooperation to increase BRICS contribution to setting international tax rules and provide, according to each country's priorities, effective and sustainable technical assistance to other developing countries.

International Peace and Security

35. Cognizant of the profound changes the world is undergoing and the global security challenges and threats faced by the international community, we commit to enhance communication and cooperation in international fora on issues concerning international peace and security. We reiterate our commitment to safeguarding world peace and security and to upholding the basic norms of the international law, and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations including sovereign equality and non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.

36. We welcome the 7th Meeting of the BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues held on 27-28 July 2017 in Beijing, and commend the meeting for having discussion and deepening our common understanding on global governance, counter-terrorism, security in the use of ICTs, energy security, major international and regional hotspots as well as national security and development. We note Brazil's proposal to establish a BRICS Intelligence Forum. We welcome Chair's report to us on the proceedings of the Meeting and encourage the succeeding chairpersonships to continue this exercise. We look forward to enhancing practical security cooperation agreed upon in the above areas.

37. We welcome China's hosting of the Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations in Beijing on 18-19 June 2017 at the initiative of China. Ministers exchanged views on major global political, security, economic and financial issues of common concern and on strengthening BRICS cooperation. We look forward to the upcoming meeting of Foreign Ministers on the margins of the UNGA. We welcome South Africa's offer to host the next stand-alone Foreign Ministers Meeting in 2018.

38. We recall that development and security are closely interlinked, mutually reinforcing and key to attaining sustainable peace. We reiterate our view that the establishment of sustainable peace requires a comprehensive, concerted and determined approach, based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equity and cooperation, that addresses the causes of conflicts, including their political, economic and social dimensions. We condemn unilateral military interventions, economic sanctions and arbitrary use of unilateral coercive measures in violation of international law and universally recognized norms of international relations. We emphasize that no country should enhance its security at the expense of the security of others.

39. We reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations as the universal multilateral organization entrusted with the mandate for maintaining international peace and security, advance global development and to promote and protect human rights.

40. We recall the 2005 World Summit Outcome document and reaffirm the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges. China and Russia reiterate the importance they attach to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs and support their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN.

41. We reiterate that the only lasting solution to the crisis in Syria is through an inclusive "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" political process which safeguards the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, in pursuance of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254(2015), and promotes the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. We strongly support the Geneva Peace Talks and the Astana process, and welcome the creation of the de-escalation areas in Syria, which contributed to decrease the levels of violence and generate positive momentum and conditions for meaningful progress in the peace talks under the auspices of the UN. We oppose the use of chemical weapons by anyone, for any purpose and under any circumstance.

42. We reiterate the urgent need for a just, lasting and comprehensive solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid Principles, the Arab Peace Initiative and previous agreements between the parties through negotiations with a view to creating an independent, viable, territorially contiguous Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel. Committed to making greater contribution to such solution, we express readiness to enhance our contribution towards a just and lasting resolution of the Middle East conflict and support international efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. (more)
XIAMEN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Following is the full text of BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration released on Monday:

BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration

Xiamen, China, 4 September 2017

1. We, the Leaders of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, met on 4 September 2017 in Xiamen, China, at the Ninth BRICS Summit. Under the theme "BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future", we endeavor to build on our achievements already made with a shared vision for future development of BRICS. We also discussed international and regional issues of common concern and adopted the Xiamen Declaration by consensus.

2. We reiterate that it is the overarching objective and our desire for peace, security, development and cooperation that brought us together 10 years ago. BRICS countries have since traversed a remarkable journey together on their respective development paths tailored to their national circumstances, devoted to growing their economies and improving people's livelihoods. Our committed and concerted efforts have generated a momentum of all-dimensional and multi-layered cooperation fostered by the previous Leaders' Summits. Upholding development and multilateralism, we are working together for a more just, equitable, fair, democratic and representative international political and economic order.

3. Our cooperation since 2006 has fostered the BRICS spirit featuring mutual respect and understanding, equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation, which is our valuable asset and an inexhaustible source of strength for BRICS cooperation. We have shown respect for the development paths of our respective choices, and rendered understanding and support to each other's interests. We have upheld equality and solidarity. We have also embraced openness and inclusiveness, dedicated to forging an open world economy. We have furthered our cooperation with emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs). We have worked together for mutually beneficial outcomes and common development, constantly deepening BRICS practical cooperation which benefits the world at large.

4. We draw satisfaction from the many fruitful results of our cooperation, including establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), formulating the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership, strengthening political and security cooperation including through Meetings of BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues and Foreign Ministers Meetings, and deepening the traditional ties of friendship amongst our peoples.

5. Recalling our Summits in Ufa and Goa, we will work together to further enhance BRICS strategic partnership for the welfare of our peoples. We commit ourselves to build upon the outcomes and consensus of our previous Summits with unwavering conviction, so as to usher in the second golden decade of BRICS cooperation and solidarity.

6. Believing in the broad development prospects of our countries and the vast potential of our cooperation, we have full confidence in the future of BRICS. We commit to further strengthen our cooperation.

-- We will energize our practical cooperation to boost development of BRICS countries. We will, inter alia, promote exchanges of good practices and experiences on development, and facilitate market inter-linkages as well as infrastructure and financial integration to achieve interconnected development. We shall also strive towards broad partnerships with EMDCs, and in this context, we will pursue equal-footed and flexible practices and initiatives for dialogue and cooperation with non-BRICS countries, including through BRICS Plus cooperation.

-- We will enhance communication and coordination in improving global economic governance to foster a more just and equitable international economic order. We will work towards enhancement of the voice and representation of BRICS countries and EMDCs in global economic governance and promote an open, inclusive and balanced economic globalization, thus contributing towards development of EMDCs and providing strong impetus to redressing North-South development imbalances and promoting global growth.

-- We will emphasize fairness and justice to safeguard international and regional peace and stability. We will stand firm in upholding a fair and equitable international order based on the central role of the United Nations, the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law, promoting democracy and the rule of law in international relations, and making joint efforts to address common traditional and non-traditional security challenges, so as to build a brighter shared future for the global community.

-- We will embrace cultural diversity and promote people-to-people exchanges to garner more popular support for BRICS cooperation through deepened traditional friendships. We will expand people-to-people exchanges in all dimensions, encourage all fabrics of the society to participate in BRICS cooperation, promote mutual learning between our cultures and civilizations, enhance communication and mutual understanding among our peoples and deepen traditional friendships, thus making BRICS partnership closer to our people's hearts.

BRICS Practical Economic Cooperation

7. We note that against the backdrop of more solid global economic growth, enhanced resilience and emerging new drivers, BRICS countries continue to play an important role as engines of global growth. Noting the uncertainties and downside risks that persist, we emphasize the need to be vigilant in guarding against inward-looking policies and tendencies that are weighing on global growth prospects and market confidence. We call upon all countries to calibrate and communicate their macroeconomic and structural policies and strengthen policy coordination.

8. We note that practical economic cooperation has traditionally served as a foundation of BRICS cooperation, notably through implementing the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership and initiatives related to its priority areas such as trade and investment, manufacturing and minerals processing, infrastructure connectivity, financial integration, science, technology and innovation, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) cooperation, among others. We welcome the first report on the implementation of the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership, and the broad package of outcomes delivered by the sectoral ministerial meetings. We commit to use all policy tools -fiscal, monetary and structural -and adopt innovation-driven development strategies to enhance resilience and potentials of our economies, so as to contribute to strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive global growth.

9. Stressing the role of enhanced trade and investment cooperation in unleashing the potential of BRICS economies, we agree to improve and broaden trade and investment cooperation mechanism and scope, with a view to enhancing BRICS economic complementarity and diversification in BRICS countries. We welcome the positive outcomes of the 7th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting in terms of the cooperative frameworks, roadmaps and outlines on trade and investment facilitation and connectivity and enhanced policy sharing, information exchange, capacity building, through enhanced joint efforts on trade and investment facilitation, trade in services, E-commerce, IPR (in synergy with the cooperation activities among BRICS IP authorities), economic and technical cooperation, SMEs and women economic empowerment. We welcome the setting up of the BRICS E-Port Network that will operate on a voluntary basis and the establishment of the BRICS E-commerce Working Group. We also welcome China's initiative to host an International Import Expo in 2018 and encourage our business communities to actively participate in it. (more)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 00:08:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Monday launched an initiative dubbed "Africa Amnesty Month" for the surrender and collection of illicit weapons, as part of efforts toward silencing guns in Africa by the year 2020.

The AU heads of states in July designated the month of September of each year, till 2020, as "Africa Amnesty Month" for the surrender and collection of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW).

Speaking at the launching session, AU Director of Peace and Security Admore Kambudzi said the initiative would have a significant contribution to the AU efforts to control the illicit proliferation, circulation, trafficking and use of small arms and light weapons across the continent.

"The weaknesses in the implementation and enforcement of laws regulating civilian possession of small arms and light weapons, remain a significant gap across all regions of Africa," Kambudzi said.

Chairing the AU Peace and Security Council for the month of September, Punkie Josephine Molefe, Botswana's ambassador to Ethiopia and the AU, said the proliferation of illegal weapons remains one of the major security problems facing the continent.

"This is caused by a number of political, social, economic and cultural factors," she said. "The honor is therefore upon us to ensure that while eliminating the scourge of illegal weapons in the continent, we address these challenges for a conducive environment, then the people will have no reason to seek illegal weapons."

The ambassador has stated that illicit weapons are sourced, first, outside the continent, through illegal trade facilitated by networks of corruption, illicit financing, clandestine transit and delivery to end users in Africa.

Secondly, she said, there are internal secondary sources located in conflict zones and post-conflict zones within Africa, from which illicit weapons spill over to other areas, thereby contributing to insecurity and violence.

"The international community's inability to control arms transfer and trafficking contributes to the persistence of these activities and in turn the devastating conflicts that we continue to experience in our continent," Molefe said.

"Armed conflicts continue to contribute to political crises, cause widespread humanitarian problems, refugees and internally displaced persons, and exacerbate famine conditions in some parts of our continent," she added.

Molefe urged all AU member states to deploy concerted efforts to give the widest possible publicity to the initiative and fully facilitate the surrender and collection of illicit weapons in civilian hands into safe national storage or destruction.

The Pan-African bloc said the approach to implementing the "Africa Amnesty Month" should aim to create the conditions conducive for voluntary disarmament to encourage those individuals in possession of illicit weapons to bring them out and surrender them in confidence to the mandated state agencies.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 00:18:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ROME, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Italian officials on Monday hailed the capture of a mob boss who was a fugitive for 23 years.

Rocco Morabito, whom the Interior Ministry described as "the number one wanted member of the 'Ndrangheta (mafia)", was discovered under an assumed identity at the weekend in the South American country of Uruguay after a months-long joint investigation by Italian and Uruguayan police.

"Arrested in Uruguay Rocco Morabito, a 'Ndrangheta associate, in the list of the most wanted fugitives... on the run for 23 years," Italian State Police tweeted on Monday afternoon along with a photo of a the grey-haired, overweight mobster, who is reportedly in his early 50s.

"State action against organized crime achieved another significant result with the arrest of... Rocco Morabito, wanted internationally since 1994 and on the list of most dangerous fugitives," the Italian Interior Ministry said in a statement issued Monday.

The ministry credited "the excellent international investigative cooperation between Uruguayan Police and the Italian Department for Public Security" for the arrest.

The "king of cocaine", as Morabito has been dubbed by some Italian and international media, faces 30 years in prison in his homeland following a 1994 conviction for mafia-style criminal association and international drug trafficking.

"The arrest of 'Ndrangheta boss Rocco Morabito is splendid news," tweeted Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso, a former anti-mafia magistrate. "Our compliments to the Italian and Uruguayan investigators," Grasso tweeted.

The Interior Ministry statement said Morabito was arrested in the luxury beach resort of Punta del Este, while a (Italian armed police) Carabinieri colonel said in a televised statement that the fugitive was nabbed in a hotel in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.

The 'Ndrangheta is a powerful organized crime syndicate based in the Calabria region in the tip of Italy's boot.
President of Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Keith Meyer and visiting Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Luo Linquan pose at the company's headquarters in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 31, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Dan)

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The northwestern-most U.S. state of Alaska is making serious efforts to become a stable supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG)) for China, according to a top executive from the Alaskan oil and gas industry.

The proposed LNG export is "a beautiful fit" for both Alaska and China and helps solidify ties between the United States and China, Keith Meyer, president of Alaska Gasline Development Corp., told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Talking about reasons why Alaska values the Chinese market for LNG export, Meyer said that the state has rich natural gas resources but limited in-house demand with a tiny population of 750,000.

"China is a very large consuming country with a large population. We need to look at the export market for the demand for LNP," he said.

He made a pitch for a LNP project his company is working on, which is aimed at shipping natural gas developed in Alaska's North Slop to the Asia Pacific market, the Chinese market in particular.

The project, which includes a new liquefaction facility, an 800-mile (about 1,300 km) pipeline and a gas treatment plant, has been developed in order to take benefit from the vast proven natural gas resources in the North Slop, which is nearly 35 trillion cubic feet (about 990 billion cubic meters) in deposits.

Seeing China as a large potential market and partner to this project, high-level meetings with potential Chinese partners have been going on over the past few months and talks are progressing smoothly, Meyer said.

Alaska relies heavily on its resources for revenues, and a large trade deal based on its natural gas resources, if happens eventually, will really support Alaska, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 00:28:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Zhang Dejiang (C rear), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), speaks at a workshop attended by deputies to the 12th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Monday asked deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) to fully play their role, raise their capabilities and do the NPC work well.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, made the remarks at a workshop attended by deputies to the 12th NPC.

Zhang said deputies to the NPC were democratically elected by the people and therefore represent the interests and will of the people.

The 12th NPC and its standing committee had carried out the request of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the work of deputies had expanded, he said.

Zhang said the deputies kept the aspirations of the people in mind and valued the rights endowed by the people. They fulfilled their roles by law and responded to the concerns and suggestions of the people.

These had improved the work of the NPC and its standing committee, and helped to develop the socialist democratic politics and a socialist country ruled by law, he said.

Zhang stressed that the people's congresses and their standing committees at all levels should continue to connect closely with the people.

Zhang also called on the deputies to raise their professional capabilities, abide by the Constitution and law, and accept public supervision.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 00:53:28|Editor: Lu Hui

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Supporters of the opposition presidential candidate Raila Odinga celebrate after Supreme Court declared the Aug. 8 presidential election null and void, in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 1, 2017. Kenya's Supreme Court on Friday declared the Aug. 8 presidential election null and void and ordered a repeat of similar exercise within 60 days. Chief Justice and President of Supreme Court David Maraga said the election where the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner had gross irregularities which affected the integrity of elections. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)

by Chris Mgidu

NAIROBI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's electoral body on Monday set Oct. 17 for a repeat of presidential elections following the directive from the Supreme Court on Friday last week.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati said there shall be no fresh nominations in the envisaged fresh election which was ordered by the Supreme Court that annulled the presidential elections held on Aug. 8.

Chebukati said opposition leader Raila Odinga along with his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka and President Uhuru Kenyatta along with his running mate, William Ruto shall be the only candidates.

"The Commission is revising the operational and procedural requirements for the conduct of the fresh election and will share details with stakeholders sooner than later," he said in a statement issued following a plenary meeting in Nairobi.

Chebukati said in light of the Supreme Court judgment, it is imperative that a detailed judgment in the just concluded petition be released in order to allow the electoral body to identity areas that require improvement in the management of the fresh election.

"The Commission calls for patience and understanding among all stakeholders as we work together to deliver free, fair, credible and peaceful elections," he said.

The Supreme Court on Sept. 1 called for a new election within 60 days after finding irregularities in the re-election of Kenyatta in last month's elections.

The court ruled that the presidential elections were not conducted in accordance with the constitution rendering the result invalid, null and void. The court said that Kenyatta was not validly elected.

Four out of the six-judge bench at the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Odinga who is from National Super Alliance (NASA) party that contested the election results and filed a petition at the apex court to have them overturned.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 01:03:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERLIN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- One of two German citizens arrested recently by Turkish authorities has been set free, Germany's Foreign Office told press on Monday.

The attorney of the individual in question informed the German government of the development, an official spokesperson said. The Foreign Office would now attempt to assess the accuracy of the information. German diplomats were still unable to gain consular access the second prisoner who remained in custody in Antalya.

Turkey has made arrests on suspicion of terrorist activity in the wake of a failed military coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016.

According to the German Foreign Office, there are currently 55 German citizens imprisoned in Turkey of which 12 were detained on political grounds.

Traditionally close relations between Berlin and Ankara began to sour after a military coup bid jolted Turkey in July last year, as Ankara blamed Berlin for not returning alleged members of the Turkish military affiliated with the coup plotters.

In addition, Ankara has often accused Berlin of sheltering militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a terror group blacklisted by Turkey, the United States and EU.

Ahead of an April referendum in Turkey, Turkey's ties with Germany soured further after Erdogan accused Berlin of adopting Nazi and fascist methods after the latter barred some Turkish cabinet ministers from addressing Turkish expatriates.

Germany, in response, criticized Ankara for stifling the rule of law and cracking down on dissidents following the failed coup.

The Ankara-Berlin row reached a new high after President Erdogan called on Turks in Germany to vote against Germany's leading parties, which he described as Turkey's enemies.

Erdogan drew sharp criticism from German politicians, who saw his remarks as an intervention in their country's domestic politics, with Chancellor Angela Merkel calling them "absolutely unacceptable".

Germany is set to hold general elections on Sept. 24, in which roughly 1.25 million out of nearly 3.5 million Turkish expatriates in Germany have the right to vote.

On Sunday's television debate, German Social Democrat (SPD) leader Martin Schulz called for an end to Turkey's EU accession talks and related financial aid.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 01:18:40|Editor: Yang Yi

Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, addresses a commemorative event in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 4, 2017, to mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of people-to-people communication across the Taiwan Strait. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

HONG KONG, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A commemorative event was held here on Monday to mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of people-to-people communication across the Taiwan Strait.

In a speech delivered at the event, Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, highlighted the development of the cross-Strait relations over the past 30 years

He said the three-decade growth of cross-Strait ties has shown that promoting cross-Strait communication and cooperation and realizing common development have become the consensus and expectations of cross-Strait compatriots.

Tung stressed that cross-Strait communication, cooperation and integrated development are the shared aspirations and irresistible trend of the times, so does the national reunification.

Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said at the event that Hong Kong has been playing a significant role in enhancing cross-Strait communication and cooperation, and promoting development of cross-Strait relations.

She said the peaceful and stable development of the cross-Strait and Hong Kong-Taiwan relations is the shared aspiration of all the people and the HKSAR government will continue to press ahead with the Hong Kong-Taiwan and cross-Strait ties in accordance with relevant laws, principles and policies.

Zhang Zhijun, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said cross-Strait communication over the past 30 years has produced achievements, but they are hard-won achievements which should be cherished so as to bring about more benefits for cross-Strait compatriots.

Reform and opening up of the mainland has offered vast space for expanding cross-Strait communication, especially for the development of Taiwan compatriots in the mainland, Zhang said, adding adherence to the one-China principle and opposition against Taiwan independence provides a strong guarantee for cross-Strait communication and cooperation.

He called on Taiwan compatriots to join hands with those from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, to make contributions to the well-being of the Chinese people as well as national reunification and rejuvenation.

Yok Mu-ming, chairman of Taiwan's New Party, called for more cross-Strait communication to make Taiwan youth better understand the mainland and the process of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

He stressed that peaceful development and ultimate reunification is always the major axis of the cross-Strait relations, and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is always the main aspiration of the development of the cross-Strait relations.

The commemorative event was organized by community groups from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, including All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, Cross-Strait Peaceful Development Federation, and Cross-Strait Peace & Development Union, with participation of more than 1,000 people.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 01:18:41|Editor: Yang Yi

Gao Binghan, a more than 80 years old veteran from Taiwan, shows his memoir at an interview with Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 3, 2017. At a commemorative event on Monday in Hong Kong for the 30th anniversary of the opening of people-to-people communication across the Taiwan Strait, Gao, as a witness, shared his story of bringing the ashes of Taiwan veterans back to the Chinese mainland for "reunion" with their families during the past three decades. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

HONG KONG, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- "People-to-people communication is important as people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait is a family," Gao Binghan, a 83-year-old veteran from Taiwan said while making a thumb-up gesture.

At a commemorative event on Monday in Hong Kong for the 30th anniversary of the opening of people-to-people communication across the Taiwan Strait, Gao, as a witness, shared his story of bringing the ashes of Taiwan veterans back to the Chinese mainland for "reunion" with their families during the past three decades.

Gao recalled that in 1989 when he brought back the ashes of a veteran who died of blood cancer to the mainland, the veteran's 92-year-old mother knelt down in front of him, silent but in tears.

"Since the Taiwan authority agreed to open family visits to the mainland in 1987, I have brought ashes of over 100 veterans home," he said. "I can't hold back my tears even now when I recall those most memorable trips."

Another witness, Chiang Su-hui, who was working in Hong Kong as a journalist of a Taiwan newspaper in the 1980s, visited her elder sister in the mainland in 1984, three years before the opening of family visits across the Strait.

"I had never met my elder sister before, but when I went home, we held each other crying," she said. "I realized that people on both sides of the Strait are bonded by blood, so I started to write articles calling on the Taiwan authority to open family visits for Taiwan veterans to the mainland."

Chiang, who was hailed then as "a friend of the veterans," has been working for people-to-people communication across the Strait for decades in Hong Kong. She said: "The family bond between the two sides can not be cut off by any political factor. The communication across the Strait was launched in 1987, and has been expanded to a new level since then."

According to figures provided by organizers of the event, the total number of people travelling between Taiwan and the mainland has reached 117 million from 1987 to 2016, with 375,000 cross-Strait marriages.

Lan Haitao, general manager of the travel document department of China Travel Service Hong Kong Limited, said the design and technology for the travel permit have been improving during the past 30 years, with the aim of facilitating Taiwan residents' travel to the mainland.

"Since 1987, we have dealt with over 15 million applications for the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents," he said. "We hope more Taiwan residents will come to the mainland for a trip."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 01:28:47|Editor: huaxia

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JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- JSE closed weaker on Monday with the all-share index off 0.35 percent to 56,312.85 points, and the top 40 index down 0.4 percent to close at 49,796.71 points.

The Industrial index traded 0.65 percent lower, while the financial index was 0.52 percent softer.

Local investors were cautious as Statistics South Africa is to release the latest economic growth figures on Tuesday. Economists expect growth of 2.2 percent in the second quarter, after a 0.7 percent contraction in the first quarter.

Bucking the trend, DRDGold was the best performer among the gold shares, trading 11.18 percent higher at R5.17. AngloGold Ashanti gained 5.24 percent to R137.58. Gold Fields was 4.74 percent stronger at R59.39 and Harmony firmed 6.37 percent to R27.9. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 01:48:50|Editor: Yurou

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by Christine Lagat and Lu Duobao

NAIROBI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has prioritized strategic partnership with African countries in science, technology and innovations in order to address socio-economic and ecological challenges facing the continent, officials said on Monday.

Cao Jinghua, Director General of Bureau of International Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences said that education, science, technology and culture remain key pillars of Beijing's diplomatic engagement with African countries.

"We are supporting training of African young scientists to pursue fields that cover environment, agriculture, health and water management. Their expertise is required to promote development in their native countries," Cao said.

He spoke to Xinhua on the sidelines of a conference on climate, ecosystems and livelihoods in Nairobi which was attended by dozens of scientists from China and Africa.

At the forum, African and Chinese scientists brainstormed on new strategies that can promote green growth and sustainable development in the continent.

Cao said the Chinese Academy of Sciences that co-sponsored the dialogue forum is ready to support the new generation of African scientists to improve their technical skills and innovative edge.

"We have recruited over 250 African students who are pursuing post-graduate studies in natural sciences in China. What Africa needs is abundance of scientific talents to propel its sustainable development agenda," Cao remarked.

He revealed that a collaborative venture between Chinese Academy of Sciences and African research institutes has addressed skills gap in critical disciplines like medicine, engineering and agriculture.

"We are facilitating training of young African scientists in Chinese institutions and they have been returning home to apply their skills in diverse areas like natural resources management, health and agriculture," said Cao.

He revealed that dozens of presidents of leading African Universities recently visited the Chinese Academy of Sciences to explore areas of collaboration.

Sino-Africa science and technology collaboration is embedded in the Belt and Road initiative that seeks to redefine global diplomacy and development.

Feng Feng, Director General of Bureau of International Cooperation at the National Natural Science Foundation of China, said that Beijing will not backtrack from its support for Africa's green agenda.

"We have invested enormous resources to support capacity building and research in diverse areas like climate change, ecosystems conservation, solid waste and chemicals management across Africa," said Feng.

He added that African scientists could borrow lessons from their Chinese counterparts whose expertise in harnessing local innovations to tackle ecological and health challenges is well documented.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 01:48:51|Editor: Yurou

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by Christine Lagat and Lu Duobao

NAIROBI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Digital Silk Road envisioned by China will promote sustainable development through harnessing and application of big data to solve challenges facing the planet, an expert said on Monday.

Guo Huadong, a professor at the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said a digital version of the Belt and Road Initiative is in the works to enhance knowledge sharing on sustainable development and green growth.

"The Digital Silk Road is part of the Belt and Road Initiative and focuses on collection and sharing of big data among countries for application in fields that advances human welfare," Guo said.

He spoke to Xinhua on the sidelines of a conference on climate, ecosystems and livelihoods for Africa in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Dozens of African and Chinese scientists are attending the three-day conference to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at revitalizing green agenda in the world's second largest continent.

The UN Environment Program (UNEP), the World Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China organized the dialogue forum for Chinese and African scientists.

Guo noted that African countries will benefit from the roll-out of a Digital Silk Road, which will be implemented in three phases.

"Smart use of big data will enable African countries respond better to climate change and natural disasters. Its application in agriculture will boost food security," said Guo.

He said the initial implementation phase of the Digital Silk Road will involve setting up supportive infrastructure, recruitment of personnel and forging partnerships among countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The second implementation phase of Digital Silk Road will focus on data collection and analysis to inform decision-making," Guo said. "Countries require data-driven solution to achieve sustainable development goals."

He noted that developing countries will benefit immensely from access to big data to help deal with social, economic and environmental challenges, such as ecological disasters like droughts and floods.

Guo added that the use of satellite technology to monitor weather, land use practices, urban settlements and natural resources management forms a critical component of Digital Silk Road.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 01:58:54|Editor: Yurou

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ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Heads of three UN food agencies have jointly called on the global community to strengthen drought response interventions in Ethiopia.

The call was made on Monday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa by the visiting chiefs of the three UN food agencies who are David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the world Food and Agricultural Organizations (FAO), and Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The officials, after their four-day joint visit in drought-affected Tigray and Somali regional states of Ethiopia from September 1 to 4, highlighted the critical food and nutrition security situations underway in the east African country.

Noting the need for collaborative efforts in tackling the drought scenario from deteriorating further, the three chiefs also praised the Ethiopian government's efforts in responding to the crisis.

"We need to be grateful to what the Ethiopian government has been able to achieve working with donors," said Beasley.

The Government of Ethiopia and its humanitarian partners had launched the 2017 Humanitarian Requirements Document looking for 948 million U.S. dollars to reach close to 5.6 million people with emergency food and non-food assistance.

As rains failed for the third consecutive year in southern and southeastern parts of Ethiopia, the worst drought affected areas, the number of Ethiopians who are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance has since then escalated to more than 8.5 million during the second half of 2017.

The three agency chiefs also discussed with senior Ethiopian government officials and representatives from other partner organizations on how best to strengthen the support to continue meeting Ethiopia's development goals while simultaneously addressing humanitarian challenges along the way.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 02:03:56|Editor: Song Lifang

A man watches the TV duel between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz, chancellor candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), at a media center in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 3, 2017. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday night at the TV duel with Martin Schulz that although "radical Islamists" are perpetrating acts of terror in Europe, she still believed that "Islam belongs to Germany." (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

BERLIN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- German Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Martin Schulz pinned high hopes on Sunday night's televised clash between himself and Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), the only such debate to be agreed to by his incumbent rival before national elections on Sept. 24.

Speaking ahead of the highly-anticipated debate, the SPD candidate was keen to stress its importance in the ongoing race for Germany's chancellorship. Witnessed by millions of viewers and broadcast simultaneously on several channels, Schulz claimed that the duel would enable him to persuade the 40 percent of voters who were still undecided according to polls.

SPD faction leader Thomas Opperman was equally vocal in expressing his confidence ahead of the debate that Sunday's TV program would "play a crucial role" in the final stage of his party's campaign. He boasted that the SPD would experience a "change in polls" and "surely...win the election".

Fast-forward to the candidate's closing statements at the debate on Sunday, however, and much of that earlier confidence on display had evaporated.

Schulz, usually the better orator than Merkel, stumbled over his words and appeared beset by doubt. The moment was a symbolic one, not because the SPD candidate had performed poorly, but because of the sense of resignation and fatigue provoked by a seemingly calm and unassailable Merkel.

Viewer ship surveys and media reports on Monday suggested that Schulz had failed to grasp what was possibly his last opportunity to turn the election to his advantage. According to a poll by public broadcaster ARD immediately following the debate, 55 percent of respondents thought that Merkel had won, compared to 35 percent who rated Schulz more favorably.

Many commentators said the SPD candidate hadn't been unable to distinguish himself clearly from the Chancellor as the pair agreed on a host of policy issues.

TV moderator Thomas Gottschalk summarized such views on ARD after the debate, saying the two politicians were so similar in substance that it "barely mattered" who became chancellor.

It was not for a lack of trying on Schulz' part, as he repeatedly attempted to put his rival on the spot by asking uncomfortable questions. Addressing the refugee crisis, he accused Merkel of having not coordinated German policy sufficiently with European partners and thus creating an atmosphere of animosity towards Berlin.

The CDU-leader refused to take the bait, however, instead showcasing the nonchalance which has become the signature of Europe's longest-serving stateswoman.

Merkel simply retorted that Schulz' own party had agreed to the position he now criticized as part of the ruling "Grand Coalition". The Chancellor hereby used a tactic which she would resort to at several points in the evening, invoking the SPD's complicity in the same government which Schulz says he wants to replace.

Is the SPD too close to the CDU/CSU (Christian Social Union) for Schulz to be taken seriously as an alternative?

This circumstance may well prove to have been the SPD's Achilles' heel and raises the question of whether Schulz has faced an impossible task from the start. The former president of the European Parliament has struggled with the impediment that any attack on recent legislation enacted by the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition could also easily be read as a failure of the very party which nominated him as a candidate.

Schulz and Merkel expound many of the same views which are popular amongst the German electoral middle ground. Both are outspoken proponents of European integration. They favor a rules-based international order for trade and politics, and have not shied away from publicly attacking U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist and climate change-denying tendencies.

On the subject of refugees, the two candidates are well aware of the challenge recent migration poses to Germany, but reject exaggerated fears of an imminent collapse of German civilization as a result.

Schulz is not a member of the acting government himself, but he has still drawn greater attention to what Merkel has not yet achieved in office, particularly with regard to social justice, rather than her record as Chancellor. More recently, he has also launched a series of personal attacks on his competitor in the hopes of galvanizing voters.

"There are many issues where people have the feeling that Merkel is out of touch," the SPD candidate told ARD during an interview. He accused Merkel of lacking the courage to engage in a real debate after the Chancellor rejected proposals allowing for greater spontaneity during the pair's televised discussion.

The risk Schulz faces with such attempts to confront Merkel is that he may not be seen as a convincing advocate for change. There are certainly many Germans who think that Merkel is indeed aloof and does little to address the country's widening socio-economic inequality.

Unfortunately for the SPD, however, those who want to prevent her fourth term in office are more likely to turn to more extreme, and seemingly more authentic, opposition parties such as the Left (Linke) and Alternative for Germany (AfD) parties.

For those Germans who crave stability, Merkel is viewed as being more experienced, and hence the more obvious choice.

Schulz can undeniably lay claim to an impressive career in European politics. He was one of the most assertive presidents of the European Parliament since its creation and won respect from across political and geographical divides. Compared to Merkel, however, he is a relative newcomer on the political stage.

An example of this dynamic was visible during Sunday's debate, when Schulz pressured the Chancellor to take a firmer stance on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by asserting that he would cancel Turkey's EU accession talks once in office.

While Merkel agreed in principal in her response, she lectured Schulz that he would not be able to take such a decision unilaterally and would first have to secure support from Germany's European partners.

HOPING FOR "CORBYN EFFECT"

As a consequence of Schulz's difficulty to appeal to voters who are either enthusiastic or disappointed with the current government, the SPD candidate has long trailed behind Merkel in opinion polls.

Despite slight recent gains, a recent Stern RTL Wahltrend survey gave the CDU/CSU 38 percent of voter support while the SPD was endorsed by 24 percent of respondents.

When asked whom respondents would elect directly as chancellor, Merkel continued to enjoy a comfortable lead. Fifty percent of those polled supported the incumbent German leader, compared to 23 percent support for the SPD candidate.

Germany, it seems, has already capitulated to its leader of more than eleven years. Schulz' best hope may therefore be that the widespread complacency over the Chancellor's electoral prospects lulls voters and leads to a surprise defeat, similar to the unexpected electoral gains achieved recently by the British Labor party's Jeremy Corbyn over the Conservative Party government of Theresa May.

Schulz was one of the first politicians to praise Corbyn as an example for the SPD to follow, but there are reasons to doubt whether his success can be replicated.

Unlike Germany's consensus-driven politics of proportional representation, Britain has a First-Past-The-Post electoral system which encourages high levels of ideological polarization and swings from one extreme of the policy spectrum to the other.

Notably, even though the British Conservatives lost their majority, they secured 40 percent of the popular vote -- a tally which the CDU/CSU would be more than happy to achieve on Sept. 24.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 02:29:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ARUSHA, Tanzania, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania will continue accommodating and enrolling teenage mothers into vocational training instead of admitting them into mainstream schools, a senior official said on Monday.

The move seeks to allow the teenage mothers to continue with their studies whilst coping with motherhood.

Hamisi Kigwangalla, Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children said the government was not intending to totally lock teen mums out of education but rather find alternative measures that would allow them to continue with their studies.

"We don't intend to exclude teenage mothers in their quest for education, they will instead be accommodated through an alternative channel instead of the mainstream education system," he said, when speaking here on the sidelines of the fourth Psychological Support Forum organized by the Regional Psychological Support Initiative (REPSSI).

The deputy Minister assured teenage mothers that they would still continue their education through a different alternative.

"At the moment we are trying to accommodate teenage mothers but we must continue upholding ethics and standards," said Kigwangalla.

Noreen Huni, REPSSI Chief Executive Officer called on countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to champion psychological support to children who were bearing the brunt of early marriage, extreme poverty, HIV/ Aids, sexual abuse, and war.

Huni reminded the 400 participants in the forum drawn from 32 countries that the much touted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will only be realized if governments within the SADC bloc continuously embrace psychosocial support on children.

Themed Equity, Equality for all Girls, Boys and Youth, said the forum which coincided with REPSSI's 15 years of operation in the bloc was also attended by 76 children from 13 countries within the SADC region.

It also brought together social welfare officers, psychological experts to promote awareness and understanding of the importance of psychosocial support.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 03:09:09|Editor: Song Lifang

Photo taken on Sept. 4, 2017 shows the United Nations Security Council holding an emergency meeting on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear test at the UN headquarters in New York. Several members of the U.N. Security Council have demanded firm reaction to the latest nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Members of the UN Security Council remained divided on Monday over possible new sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its latest nuclear test.

In an emergency meeting of the Security Council Monday, the United States, France and Britain as well as Japan were in favor of new sanctions, while countries like Russia advised diplomacy.

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, called for "strongest possible measures" by the council against the DPRK. "The time has come to exhaust all diplomatic means to end this crisis, that means quickly enacting the strongest possible measures here in the UN Security Council," Haley told the council meeting that she had requested together with representatives of Britain, France, Japan and South Korea.

"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve the problem through diplomacy," said Haley. "We have taken an incremental approach, and despite the best intentions, it has not worked."

Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia cautioned that past failure of the council to curb DPRK's nuclear and missile programs was owing to the fact that the resolutions "were only geared toward leveraging sanctions mechanisms."

"Russia calls on the international community not to yield to emotions, (but) to act in calm and balanced ways," he told the same meeting, adding that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved only through political and diplomatic channels.

French ambassador to the United Nations Francois Delattre called for the adoption of new sanctions by the Security Council, plus autonomous sanctions by the European Union.

He said the threat from the DPRK has changed both in dimension and nature. It has changed from regional to global, from virtual to immanent, from serious to existential.

Japanese envoy Koro Bessho said: "Japan stresses the need for the council to adopt swiftly a new resolution with further robust sanction measures."

China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Liu Jieyi, condemned the DPRK for the latest nuclear test and urged the country to return to the track of dialogue. China will not allow chaos and war on the Korean Peninsula, he said.

The envoy said the suspension-for-suspension proposal and dual-track approach put forward by China together with the Russian proposal of a step-by-step approach is a realistic and feasible roadmap for the settlement of the issue, asking the relevant parties for due consideration and positive responses.

The idea of dual approach involves parallel efforts to move forward both de-nuclearization and the establishment of a peaceful mechanism on the peninsula; the initiative of suspension-for-suspension calls for the DPRK to suspend its nuclear and missile activities and for the United States and South Korea to suspend their large-scale war games.

At the end of the emergency meeting Haley said her mission was circulating a draft resolution on the DPRK among council members.

The DPRK Sunday detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), DPRK's Central Television announced.

DPRK's nuclear testing and launches using ballistic missile technology violate UN Security Council resolutions.

Sunday's nuclear test was within a week of UN Security Council condemnation of Pyongyang's ballistic missile launch on Aug. 28.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 03:24:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A window of opportunity to enable devolved power-sharing government in Belfast to be revived is closing, the Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said Monday night.

Brokenshire gave his grim outlook after spending a day at Stormont, meeting leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland.

The devolved assembly, created as part of a peace formula that ended three decades of troubles in Northern Ireland, has not meant since the power sharing agreement between the two main parties collapsed at the start of this year.

The hope had been the two parties, pro-republican Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) would spend the summer months finding a way of ending the deadlock.

Following a day of talks with all of the party leaders, Brokenshire said he could be forced to legislate for a budget to ensure government funded departments continue to function.

"I've continued to urge them to find a way to restore an executive. Devolved government is in the best interest of everyone. All party leaders have made clear that they agree that there is a need for an executive to be formed to make key decisions for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland," he told journalists.

"Now is the time to give effect to this desire through political leadership on all sides."

More bilateral meetings will take place this week before the start of structured multiparty talks, added Brokenshire.

He said the window of opportunity to restore devolution and to form an executive is closing rapidly as we move further into the fall, adding: "I cannot ignore the growing concern in the wider community about the impact that the current political impasse is having on the local economy and on the delivery of key public services."

Brokenshire may be forced to seek direct rule from Westminster if the two main parties are unable to end their differences.

Ahead of today's talks, Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill said a deal could be done in days with the right attitude and reiterated calls for progress on a range of cultural issues.

The DUP chief Arlene Foster said the discussions should be over quickly, but she was critical of Sinn Fein, according to the Belfast Telegraph newspaper.

The Telegraph quoted Foster saying Sinn Fein had reacted "with breakneck speed to reject her suggestion that a ministerial executive at Stormont be restored alongside a parallel process dealing with cultural issues".
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 03:39:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LJUBLJANA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 12th Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) was held at Lake Bled in Slovenia on Monday to gather common international solutions to challenges posed by the changing world, including climate change and security threats.

The Forum (BSF) attracted 1,000 officials, executives and academics from some 70 countries all over the world to seek solutions to the challenges of the "new reality", according to the Slovenian Press Agency.

The host, Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec, stressed in his address that "we are facing new international actors" and "still struggle to address climate change and its negative global impact".

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar and President Borut Pahor made their speeches at the forum opening ceremony, calling for joint efforts to deal with new challenges.

The event will continue on Tuesday for its second and last day featuring the Business BSF conference and several panels, including on nuclear governance, challenges in tourism, the role of the EU in the changed world, the Western Balkans and digital diplomacy.
File photo: Soldiers attend a military parade in central Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, April 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Cheng Dayu)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Members of the UN Security Council remained divided on Monday over possible new sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its latest nuclear test.

In an emergency meeting of the Security Council Monday, the United States, France and Britain as well as Japan were in favor of new sanctions, while countries like Russia advised diplomacy.

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, called for "strongest possible measures" by the council against the DPRK. "The time has come to exhaust all diplomatic means to end this crisis, that means quickly enacting the strongest possible measures here in the UN Security Council," Haley told the council meeting that she had requested together with representatives of Britain, France, Japan and South Korea.

"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve the problem through diplomacy," said Haley. "We have taken an incremental approach, and despite the best intentions, it has not worked."

Nikki Haley, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses during a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting on the DPRK's nuclear test at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia cautioned that past failure of the council to curb DPRK's nuclear and missile programs was owing to the fact that the resolutions "were only geared toward leveraging sanctions mechanisms."

"Russia calls on the international community not to yield to emotions, (but) to act in calm and balanced ways," he told the same meeting, adding that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved only through political and diplomatic channels.

Vassily Nebenzia (front), Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addresses during a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting on the DPRK's nuclear test at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

French ambassador to the United Nations Francois Delattre called for the adoption of new sanctions by the Security Council, plus autonomous sanctions by the European Union.

He said the threat from the DPRK has changed both in dimension and nature. It has changed from regional to global, from virtual to immanent, from serious to existential.

Japanese envoy Koro Bessho said: "Japan stresses the need for the council to adopt swiftly a new resolution with further robust sanction measures."

Liu Jieyi, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addresses during a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting on the DPRK's nuclear test at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Liu Jieyi, condemned the DPRK for the latest nuclear test and urged the country to return to the track of dialogue. China will not allow chaos and war on the Korean Peninsula, he said.

The envoy said the suspension-for-suspension proposal and dual-track approach put forward by China together with the Russian proposal of a step-by-step approach is a realistic and feasible roadmap for the settlement of the issue, asking the relevant parties for due consideration and positive responses.

The idea of dual approach involves parallel efforts to move forward both de-nuclearization and the establishment of a peaceful mechanism on the peninsula; the initiative of suspension-for-suspension calls for the DPRK to suspend its nuclear and missile activities and for the United States and South Korea to suspend their large-scale war games.

At the end of the emergency meeting Haley said her mission was circulating a draft resolution on the DPRK among council members.

The DPRK Sunday detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), DPRK's Central Television announced.

DPRK's nuclear testing and launches using ballistic missile technology violate UN Security Council resolutions.

Sunday's nuclear test was within a week of UN Security Council condemnation of Pyongyang's ballistic missile launch on Aug. 28.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 03:44:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Liu Jieyi (Front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear test at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 4, 2017. Several members of the U.N. Security Council have demanded firm reaction to the latest nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Monday condemned the latest nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and urged the country to return to dialogue.

"The Chinese government resolutely opposes and strongly condemns the nuclear test of the DPRK in violation of UN Security Council resolutions," said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

"We strongly urge the DPRK to face up squarely to the firm will of the international community on the issue of the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and earnestly abide by the relevant council resolutions, stop taking actions that will deteriorate the situation and are not in line with its interests either, and truly return to the track of solving the issue through dialogue," he told an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula is falling into a vicious circle, he warned. "The issue must be resolved peacefully. China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula," said the Chinese envoy.

The parties concerned must strengthen their sense of urgency and take practical measures to ease the situation, restart dialogue and negotiations and prevent further deterioration of the situation, he said.

China's proposal of a two-track approach, which promotes the de-nuclearization of the peninsula and the establishment of a peace mechanism in parallel; and the suspension-for-suspension initiative, which calls on the DPRK to suspend its nuclear and missile activities and the United States and South Korea to suspend their joint military exercises; and the step-by-step concept from Russia, are the basis of a roadmap proposed by China and Russia, he said.

The joint proposal is practical and feasible as it is aimed at addressing the most urgent security concerns of the parties concerned, easing tension as early as possible. "We hope the parties concerned will seriously consider it and actively respond to it."

China called upon the international community to fully and comprehensively implement the relevant Security Council resolutions, firmly pushing forward the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 04:04:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's internationally-backed President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Monday appointed a new military chief-of-staff to fight against the Shiite Houthi rebels in the war-torn Arab country.

The state-run Saba News Agency reported that Hadi, who is currently operating from Saudi capital Riyadh, appointed Brigadier Tahir Al-Qili as the new military chief-of-staff, replacing Major General Mohamed Maqdashi who supervised several anti-Houthi military campaigns.

Hadi has promoted Maqdashi to the adviser to the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and a representative in the joint forces command of the Decisive Storm, according to Saba.

Opposition Yemeni sources said that the newly-appointed chief-of-staff has strong relations with the Muslim Brotherhood group and may further destabilize the situation between Hadi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In the past months, the UAE refused to cooperate with Brotherhood leaders in the southern Yemeni provinces and labeled them as terrorism supporters.

Media outlets close to the Brotherhood repeatedly accused the UAE of occupying southern Yemeni cities by training anti-government militias particularly in Aden province.

Yemen's internationally-backed government, allied with the Saudi-led Arab military coalition, has for more than two years been battling Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels over control of the country.

The coalition began a military air campaign in March 2015 to roll back Houthi gains and reinstate exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government to the power.

The coalition also imposed air and sea blockade to prevent weapons from reaching Houthis, who had invaded the capital Sanaa militarily and seized most of the northern Yemeni provinces.

UN statistics show more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the coalition intervened in the Yemeni civil war that also displaced around 3 million.

The impoverished Arab country is also suffering the world's largest cholera epidemic since April, with about 5,000 cases reported every day.
A footage screengrab of a Russian Su-34 jet bombing terrorists in Syria, provided by the Russian Defense Ministry on August 18, 2016.

MOSCOW, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces supported by Russian warplanes have scored new victories in an offensive against one of the last Islamic State (IS) strongholds in the city of Deir al-Zour, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

The Syrian troops operating in the south of the province of Raqqa advanced eight km over the past day and captured two strategically important heights, it said in a statement.

Russian jets have conducted more than 80 combat sorties in support of the offensive, destroying two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, more than 10 cross-country vehicles with heavy weapons, the statement said.

More than 70 terrorists were killed or wounded, it said.

The city of Deir al-Zour has been blocked by the IS for several years, with food and other cargoes being delivered to its inhabitants only by air.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the upcoming deblocking of the city will become a "strategic defeat" of IS militants in Syria.

The operations of the Syrian army in the sprawling desert have also extended to the eastern countryside of the central Hama province, where the IS holds key areas there.

The army on Friday drove out the IS militants from their key stronghold of Uqayribat town in the eastern countryside of Hama province in central Syria.

Russia has been participating in operations against the IS and other terrorist groups in Syria since September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 05:29:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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QUITO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Colombia's government and National Liberation Front (ELN) guerrillas on Monday signed in Quito, Ecuador a temporary ceasefire agreement to enhance conditions for peace negotiations.

The agreement, which is hosting the peace talks, calls for the ceasefire to go into effect on Oct. 1 for a period of 102 days, according to head negotiators Juan Camilo Restrepo, for the government, and Pablo Beltran, for the ELN.

The 2,000-strong ELN is Colombia's second-largest rebel group, after the now dismantled FARC, which signed a peace deal with the government in November that paved the way for the group's transition to a political party.

This first step is of immense importance. It is an enormous step towards building trust," Restrepo said at a joint press conference with Beltran at the headquarters of the Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos welcomed "this important advance towards full peace for Colombians," in a message posted to Twitter.

To hammer out the details of the ceasefire, which will be monitored with the help of the United Nations and the Catholic church, the two sides agreed to continue the current and third round of talks.

"Let the spirit of reducing the intensity of the conflict begin today, let's not wait until Oct. 1," the ELN's Beltran said.

The fourth round of ELN talks are to begin on Oct. 23.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 05:39:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Stefania Fumo

ROME, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A man and three teenagers are under arrest in Italy for the gang rapes of a Polish woman and a Peruvian transsexual that took place in the seaside resort of Rimini on the night of Aug. 25.

The brutal attacks have shocked the nation and sparked condemnation of the government's immigration policy, because the four suspects are from Africa and one is an asylum seeker.

A 20-year-old Congolese national named as Guerlin Butungu, a 16-year-old Nigerian boy and two Moroccan brothers aged 15 and 17 are detained on suspicion of the violent attacks that took place on a beach and in a park in the town on the Adriatic coast of the Marche region.

They face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of the charges, which include aggravated assault, gang rape, and robbery, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

Poland on Monday requested their extradition for the assault on the Polish tourist couple, in which the four beat up the man and raped the woman, shortly before attacking the Peruvian victim.

In a televised interview at the weekend, in which she didn't show her face, the Peruvian transsexual described her attackers as "vicious."

Police credited the Peruvian victim's detailed testimony for giving them the leads that eventually led to the arrest of the entire gang within a week of the attacks.

Butungu, who was captured Sunday on a train in an apparent attempt to flee, reportedly denied taking part in the attacks but admitted recognizing himself in street camera footage showing the four on the night of the attacks.

The Moroccan brothers, who turned themselves in last Saturday and helped police locate the other two gang members, have reportedly stated Butungu coerced them into participating in the rapes.

Butungu, who arrived in Italy in 2015 after being rescued at sea, has no criminal record and spent time in a refugee reception center in the northern city of Pesaro, where he told operators he had been tortured in his native Congo and that he had no remaining relatives, according to ANSA.

The three underage boys, however, were known to police for stealing scooters, bikes, and cell phones. The brothers' father, who is under house arrest, urged them to turn themselves in.

In a televised interview posted on Corriere della Sera's website, the boys' father blamed the Congolese man for inciting them to commit the rapes.

"They have stolen cigarettes and money, but the Congolese man is the one who took the girl to the beach," the father said. "I told them they must turn themselves in to police and tell the truth."

The incident has sparked a wave of racist slurs on social media. The rightwing mayor of the village of Pontivrea in the northeastern Liguria region, Matteo Camiciottoli, suggested on Facebook that Butungu should be placed under house arrest at the home of Lower House Speaker Laura Boldrini, a defender of refugee rights, implying that she also could be raped.

The mayor blamed "uncontrolled immigration" for bringing "beasts like this into our country".

Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti called Boldrini to firmly condemn the village mayor's words, and urged on the local prefect to "focus maximum attention on the incident", ANSA reported.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 05:39:55|Editor: Yurou

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HAVANA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuba's cigar industry breathed a sigh of relief following the news that the 2016-2017 tobacco harvest was bountiful, despite a severe drought.

While thousands of hectares of the key cash crop withered, potentially denying the government its target goal of 29,000 tons of tobacco leaf, the yield has been good.

So far, 24,000 tons of tobacco have been harvested in the main producing province of Pinar del Rio, as well as central Sancti Spiritus and Cienfuegos.

Officials may yet achieve their original target once the numbers are in from all tobacco-growing regions.

Pinar del Rio alone yielded over 19,000 tons, the highest amount in 11 years. Cuba's westernmost province accounts for 70 percent of national output.

It was tobacco that first brought settlers to Pinar del Rio some 200 years ago, when thousands of Spanish immigrants, mostly from the Canary Islands, moved there in the early 19th century in hopes of striking it rich with the so-called Cuban gold.

"A tobacco grower must love what he does," Justino Rodriguez, told Xinhua. His family has been in the business for generations, based out of Vinales, a town in Pinar del Rio located 181 km west of Havana.

"If it rains too hard, that's not good for tobacco. If it's too hot, that's also very bad for the plant; growers have to run and take all the necessary measures to protect their fields," said Rodriguez.

Tobacco farming "is an art, you have to watch over the plant full time and pay attention to how it feels," he added.

Today, most Cubans descended from Canarian immigrants still live in the west and the central territories, where life is inextricably linked to tobacco.

Sancti Spiritus, located 357 km east of Havana, is the island's second biggest producer. It reported a harvest of 3,460 tons, 200 tons more than last season.

Most experts agree the introduction in 2006 of a higher-yield and more resistant variety of tobacco saved the day.

According to Justo Fuentes, president of the state-run entrepreneurial group Tabacuba, "this harvest will be very good for national industry because we will have a bigger reserve of tobacco than before."

The plan in 2017 is to manufacture 95 million cigars, said Fuentes. So far, 38 million cigars have been exported, mainly to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

DROUGHT: TOBACCO'S NO.1 ENEMY

According to Tabacuba's president, measures to combat water scarcity are being taken, including adapting "planting requirements to climatic conditions," and developing varieties resistant to drought, disease and pests.

The San Juan and Martinez Tobacco Experiment Station in Pinar del Rio has promoted 12 varieties of tobacco grown on the island (black, burley and virginia).

Two days ago, the station's director, Nelson Rodriguez, announced the introduction of two new varieties: Virginia San Luis 23 and Virginia San Luis 24. Designed for cigarette manufacturing, these varieties produce more than 30 useful leaves, while most tobacco plants produce about 18 leaves.

Two other varieties with similar characteristics are being tested for hand-rolled premium cigars, he said.

Tobacco is Cuba's fourth biggest industry, generating 445 million U.S. dollars in revenue in 2016, 5 percent more than the year before.

Its world-famous cigar brands, such as Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, and Montecristo, are exported to 150 countries, except the United States, where the trade embargo bars the sale of Cuban products.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-05 05:54:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAMASCUS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The foreign commanders of the Islamic State (IS) are fleeing their positions in the battles waged by the Syrian army to lift the IS siege imposed on the eastern city of Deir al-Zour, a military source told Xinhua on Monday.

The foreign commanders are retreating, leaving behind the local militants, amid a state of collapse in the ranks of the IS fighters as a result of the wide-scale offensive by the Syrian army and allied troops, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The Syrian forces on Monday were advancing from two directions to break the siege on the Brigade 137 base in the western part of Deir al-Zour.

Once the siege is lifted from the base, the IS siege on the city will be broken.

The military forces are advancing from the southern countryside of Raqqa, passing the Bishri mountain, which has been recently captured by the army.

The other attacking forces are advancing from the city of al-Sukhnah in the desert in the eastern countryside of Homs province.

The first group has become within three kilometers from the base, while the second group is 20 km away.

The first group is dismantling roadside bombs and explosives planted by IS, while the second one has captured the town of Shoulah between al-Sukhnah and Deir al-Zour and is steadily advancing toward the base.

The two groups are planned to meet in the base with Syrian soldiers who have been besieged in their garrison.

Around 5,000 Syrian soldiers are besieged in the base, and once united with the attacking troops they will then move toward the airbase of Deir al-Zour, which is also under IS siege.

The provincial governor of Deir al-Zour, Muhammad Ibrahim Samra, that the Syrian forces are expected to reach the base by Tuesday evening to break the siege on 93,000 civilians in the city.

Deir al-Zour is so important for IS due to its proximity to Iraq and the oil fields in that part of the country.

For the Syrian army breaking the siege and capturing all IS-held parts of Deir al-Zour will help in securing the border with Iraq and retrieving the oil fields to shore up the crumbling energy sector in the war-torn country.

But the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are also planning to take eastern parts of Deir al-Zour from IS, as the U.S. sees an interest in that area.

The SDF is also fighting IS in the northern city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS. And with the advance of the Syrian army toward Deir al-Zour, the Kurdish-led SDF are feverishly trying to score as much as possible in Raqqa to prove it's capable of scoring a victory against IS.

Earlier in the day, two Russian soldiers were killed by IS shelling near Deir al-Zour. The Russian air force is heavily striking IS positions there to pave the way for the ground forces to enter the city.

Meanwhile, the Syrian government said it had prepared truckloads of aid to enter the city once the siege is lifted, as the civilians inside Deir al-Zour have been encircled since 2015, with the government and the UN carrying out expensive airdrops of food and aid to the people and soldiers there.